In this subtitle, “committee” means a citizens’ advisory committee established under this subtitle.

There is a citizens’ advisory committee for the State correctional facilities located in or planned for location in each of the following areas: Baltimore City; Cumberland; Hagerstown; Jessup; and Somerset County.

Except as provided in subsection (f)(1) of this section, a committee consists of the following seven members: one member appointed by the Governor and nominated by the Senator of the legislative district in which the State correctional facilities are located or planned for location; three members appointed by the Governor, each one nominated by a different Delegate in the legislative district in which the State correctional facilities are located or planned for location; and three members appointed by the Governor to provide, to the extent possible, legal, law enforcement, and business representatives on the committee. The Governor shall appoint each individual nominated by a Senator or Delegate for a vacancy on a committee within 60 days after receipt of the nominee’s name. Each member nominated by a Senator or Delegate must be a resident of the legislative district in which the State correctional facilities are located or planned for location. Each member appointed by the Governor under subsection (a)(3) of this section, must be a resident of the county in which the State correctional facilities are located or planned for location. Except as provided in subsection (f)(3) of this section and except for the initial appointments to a committee, the term of a member is 3 years. The terms of members are staggered as required by the terms provided for members of the committee on October 1, 1999. 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 remainder of the term and until a successor is appointed and qualifies. In Somerset County, the committee consists of the following eight members: one member appointed by the Governor and nominated by the Senator from Legislative District 38; three members appointed by the Governor, each one nominated by a different Delegate from Legislative District 38; three members appointed by the Governor to provide, to the extent possible, legal, law enforcement, and business representatives on the committee; and a Somerset County Commissioner appointed by the Board of County Commissioners of Somerset County. Each member of the committee must be a resident of Somerset County. The term of the Somerset County Commissioner appointed under paragraph (1)(iv) of this subsection is equal to the Commissioner’s elected term.

From among its members, each committee shall elect a chairperson. The manner of election shall be as each committee determines.

A majority of the members then serving on a committee is a quorum. Each committee shall meet at least once every 3 months. The meetings of each committee shall be held: in a State correctional facility in a space designated by the managing official of the facility; or if a State correctional facility is being planned, in a location accessible to the members of the committee. A member of a committee may not receive compensation.

The Department shall provide staff to a committee in accordance with the State budget.

A committee may: report to the Commissioner of Correction and the Governor about the concerns of the people who reside in the vicinity of each State correctional facility assigned to the committee; be available to interpret programs and problems relating to each State correctional facility assigned to the committee to the people who reside in the vicinity of each facility; and perform other services and responsibilities considered necessary.