There is a State Athletic Commission in the Department.

The Commission consists of 5 members appointed by the Governor with the advice of the Secretary. Before taking office, each appointee to the Commission shall take the oath required by Article I, § 9 of the Maryland Constitution. The term of a member is 6 years and begins on July 1. The terms of members are staggered as required by the terms provided for members of the Commission on October 1, 1992. At the end of a term, a member continues to serve until a successor is appointed and qualifies. 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. The Governor may remove a member for incompetence or misconduct. 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 Commission meetings held during any consecutive 12–month period while the member was serving on the Commission. 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. 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.

The Commission shall elect a chairman from among the members of the Commission. The manner of election of the chairman and the chairman’s term of office shall be as the Commission determines.

A majority of the authorized membership of the Commission is a quorum. The Commission may not act unless a majority of the authorized membership concurs. The Commission shall set the times and places of its meetings. The chairman of the Commission is entitled to: an annual salary of $6,000; and reimbursement for expenses under the Standard State Travel Regulations, as provided in the State budget. Each other member of the Commission is entitled to: an annual salary of $4,000; and reimbursement for expenses under the Standard State Travel Regulations, as provided in the State budget. While in office, each member of the Commission shall be covered by a surety bond or an insurance policy of the type and in the amount of coverage determined by the State Treasurer under § 5–108 of the State Government Article. The Commission may employ a staff in accordance with the State budget. The Commission shall have its general offices in Baltimore City.

The Commission shall control and have jurisdiction over all contests held in the State. The Commission may: adopt regulations to administer its office; administer oaths; and issue subpoenas for the attendance of witnesses to testify or to produce evidence. The Commission shall: adopt a seal; adopt regulations to carry out this subtitle and Subtitle 3 of this title; keep a record of its proceedings; keep at its general offices all its books, documents, and papers; and prepare notices and other papers for service.

The Commission shall pay all money that it collects into the General Fund of the State.

The Commission exercises its powers and duties subject to the authority of the Secretary.

Subject to the evaluation and reestablishment provisions of the Maryland Program Evaluation Act, this subtitle and Subtitle 3 of this title and all regulations adopted under this subtitle and Subtitle 3 of this title shall terminate on July 1, 2031.