In this subtitle, “Council” means the Maryland Military Installation Council.

There is a Maryland Military Installation Council.

The Council consists of the following members: three members selected by the President of the Senate of Maryland to represent community interests, of which: one shall be a member of the Senate; and two shall be citizens representing communities adjacent to military installations; three members selected by the Speaker of the House of Delegates to represent community interests, of which: one shall be a member of the House of Delegates; and two shall be citizens representing communities adjacent to military installations; the Secretary, or the designee of the Secretary; the Secretary of Transportation, or the designee of the Secretary of Transportation; the Secretary of the Environment, or the designee of the Secretary of the Environment; the Secretary of Planning, or the designee of the Secretary of Planning; the Secretary of Veterans and Military Families, or the designee of the Secretary of Veterans and Military Families; the Secretary of Labor, or the designee of the Secretary of Labor; the State Superintendent of Schools, or the designee of the State Superintendent; the Adjutant General of the Maryland National Guard, or the designee of the Adjutant General; the President of the Southern Maryland Navy Alliance; the President of the Army Alliance; the President of the Military Alliance Council of Charles County; the President of the Maritime Technology Alliance; the President of the Fort Detrick Alliance; the President of the Fort Meade Alliance; the President of the Andrews Business and Community Alliance; and six members selected by the Governor, of which at least one is a spouse of a service member. The President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Delegates shall each appoint three members representing community interests to serve as members of the Council. The chair may appoint: additional members who are presidents of other military base advocacy groups that are nonprofit organizations and recognized by the Department; and ex officio members as necessary to address specific issues, including a representative of the Maryland National Guard. The term of an appointed member is 4 years. The terms of the appointed members are staggered as required by the terms provided for appointed members of the Council on July 1, 2010. A member of the Council: may not receive compensation as a member of the Council; but is entitled to reimbursement for expenses under the Standard State Travel Regulations, as provided in the State budget.

The Governor shall designate the chair of the Council.

The Department shall provide staff support to the Council.

The Council shall make reasonable efforts to: identify the public infrastructure and other community support necessary to improve the mission efficiencies and for the development and expansion of existing military installations in the State; identify the existing and potential impacts of encroachment on military installations in the State; identify potential State and community actions that may minimize the impacts of encroachment and enhance the long–term potential of military installations; identify opportunities for collaboration among military contractors, local governments, the State, academic institutions, and military departments to enhance the economic potential of military installations and the economic benefits of military installations to the State; review State policies, including funding and legislation, to identify actions necessary to provide State and local government support to the mission of each military installation in the State; and research how other jurisdictions have addressed the issues regarding encroachment and partnership formation, with an emphasis on the most recent edition of the joint publication of the National Governors Association Center for Best Practices and the United States Department of Defense entitled “Practical Guide to Compatible Civilian Development Near Military Installations”.

On or before December 31 of each year, the Council shall report its findings and recommendations to the Governor and, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, the General Assembly.