1. (a)

   1. (1) The Board consists of 9 members.

   2. (2) Of the 9 members of the Board:

      1. (i) 7 shall be plumbers; and
      2. (ii) 2 shall be consumer members.

   3. (3) Of the 7 plumber members of the Board:

      1. (i) at least 6 shall be master plumbers; and
      2. (ii) 1 may be a journey plumber or a master plumber.

   4. (4) Subject to paragraph (6) of this subsection, of the 7 plumber members of the Board:

      1. (i) 2 shall be from Baltimore City;
      2. (ii) 1 shall be from the area that consists of Anne Arundel, Calvert, Charles, Prince George's, and St. Mary's counties;
      3. (iii) 1 shall be from the area that consists of Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne's, Somerset, Talbot, Wicomico, and Worcester counties;
      4. (iv) 1 shall be from the area that consists of Allegany, Frederick, Garrett, Montgomery, and Washington counties;
      5. (v) 1 shall be from the area that consists of Carroll and Howard counties; and
      6. (vi) 1 shall be from the area that consists of Cecil and Harford counties.
   5. (5) A consumer member may not reside in the same county as a plumber member.
   6. (6) A member may not reside in a county or area of a county that is exempted from this title.
   7. (7) The Governor shall appoint the members with the advice of the Secretary and with the advice and consent of the Senate.

2. (b) Each consumer member of the Board:

   1. (1) shall be a member of the general public;
   2. (2) may not be a licensee or otherwise be subject to regulation by the Board;
   3. (3) may not be required to meet the qualifications for the professional members of the Board; and
   4. (4) may not, within 1 year before appointment, have had a financial interest in or have received compensation from a person regulated by the Board.

3. (c) While a member of the Board, a consumer member may not:

   1. (1) have a financial interest in or receive compensation from a person regulated by the Board; or
   2. (2) grade an examination given by or for the Board.
4. (d) Before taking office, each appointee to the Board shall take the oath required by Article I, § 9 of the Maryland Constitution.

5. (e)

   1. (1) The term of a member is 3 years and begins on May 1.
   2. (2) The terms of members are staggered as required by the terms provided for members of the Board on October 1, 1989.
   3. (3) At the end of a term, a member continues to serve until a successor is appointed and qualifies.
   4. (4) A member who is appointed after a term has begun serves only for the rest of the term and until a successor is appointed and qualifies.

6. (f)

   1. (1) The Governor may remove a member for incompetence or misconduct.
   2. (2) Except as provided in paragraph (3) of this subsection and subject to paragraph (4) of this subsection, a member shall be considered to have resigned if the member did not attend at least two-thirds of the Board meetings held during any consecutive 12-month period while the member was serving on the Board.
   3. (3) The Governor may waive a member's resignation and allow the member to continue serving if the member has been unable to attend meetings for reasons satisfactory to the Governor and the reasons are made public.
   4. (4) In accordance with § 8-501 of the State Government Article, the chairman shall provide notice to the Governor and the Governor shall appoint a successor.

Added by Acts 1989, c. 3, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 1989. Amended by Acts 2012, c. 122, § 1, eff. May 1, 2013; Acts 2014, c. 588, § 2, eff. Oct. 1, 2014.

Formerly Art. 56A, § 3-202.