1. (a)

   1. (1) The Ethics Commission consists of five members.

   2. (2) The Governor shall appoint:

      1. (i) with the advice and consent of the Senate, three members, at least one of whom shall be a member of the principal political party of which the Governor is not a member;
      2. (ii) one member nominated by the President of the Senate; and
      3. (iii) one member nominated by the Speaker of the House.
   3. (3) The Governor may reject a nominee of the President or of the Speaker only for cause.
   4. (4) If the Governor rejects a nominee under paragraph (3) of this subsection, the appropriate presiding officer shall nominate another individual.
   5. (5) A vacancy shall be filled in a manner consistent with this subsection.

2. (b) A member of the Ethics Commission may not:

   1. (1) hold elected or appointed office in, be an employee of, or be a candidate for office in:

      1. (i) the federal government;
      2. (ii) the State government;
      3. (iii) a municipal corporation, county, or multicounty agency of the State; or
      4. (iv) a political party; or
   2. (2) be a regulated lobbyist.
3. (c) Before taking office, each appointee to the Ethics Commission shall take the oath required by Article I, § 9 of the Maryland Constitution.

4. (d)

   1. (1) The term of a member is 5 years.
   2. (2) The terms of members are staggered as required by the terms in effect for members of the Ethics Commission on October 1, 2013.
   3. (3) A member may serve no more than two consecutive 5-year terms.
   4. (4) A member who is appointed after a term has begun serves for the rest of the term.
   5. (5) At the end of a term, a member may continue to serve until a successor is appointed and qualifies.

5. (e)

   1. (1) The Governor may remove a member for:

      1. (i) neglect of duty;
      2. (ii) misconduct in office;
      3. (iii) a disability that makes the member unable to discharge the powers and duties of office; or
      4. (iv) a violation of this title.

   2. (2) Before removing a member, the Governor shall give the member:

      1. (i) written notice of the charges; and
      2. (ii) an opportunity to answer the charges.

Added by Acts 2014, c. 94, § 2, eff. Oct. 1, 2014.