In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated. “Council” means the Baltimore Metropolitan Council. “Region” means the area that includes all of Anne Arundel County, Baltimore City, Baltimore County, Carroll County, Harford County, and Howard County.

There is a Baltimore Metropolitan Council. The Council: is a body politic and corporate; and is not a unit of State government. The purposes of the Council are to: serve as a forum for local officials and their representatives to identify and address problems in the region; provide a central source of information and coordination for fashioning responses to needs in the region; assist local jurisdictions in developing regional policies, prioritizing regional infrastructure needs, and developing regional strategies; and facilitate coordination and collaboration among local jurisdictions and organizations in the Baltimore region to foster economic growth and development in the region in areas that include: regional transportation; housing; workforce development; and renewable energy projects and usage.

The Council consists of: one member appointed by the County Executive of Anne Arundel County; one member appointed by the Mayor of Baltimore City; one member appointed by the County Executive of Baltimore County; one member appointed by the County Commissioners of Carroll County; one member appointed by the County Executive of Harford County; one member appointed by the County Executive of Howard County; one member appointed by the Board of County Commissioners of Queen Anne’s County; one member of the House of Delegates who represents a district within Anne Arundel County, Baltimore City, Baltimore County, Carroll County, Harford County, Howard County, or Queen Anne’s County, appointed by the Speaker of the House; one member of the Senate of Maryland who represents a district within Anne Arundel County, Baltimore City, Baltimore County, Carroll County, Harford County, Howard County, or Queen Anne’s County, appointed by the President of the Senate; and one representative of the private sector appointed by the Governor. A member appointed under subsection (a)(1) through (7) of this section serves at the pleasure of the appointing authority.

As provided in the Council Charter, the Council shall elect a chair from among its members.

The Council shall meet at least quarterly at the times and places that it determines. A majority of the members of the Council is a quorum. An action of the Council is not effective unless approved by majority vote of all members of the Council. A member of the Council: may not receive compensation as a member of the Council; but is entitled to reimbursement for reasonable expenses.

The Council may employ a staff.

The Council may: adopt a seal; sue or be sued, subject to the limitations of Title 5, Subtitle 3 of the Courts Article; adopt a charter, bylaws, rules, and guidelines to carry out its purposes; acquire, hold, lease, use, encumber, transfer, or dispose of property; enter into a contract and execute any instrument necessary or convenient to carry out its purposes; exercise any corporate power granted to a corporation under the Corporations and Associations Article; serve, with the State Department of Transportation, as a metropolitan planning organization for federal funding and certification; and do all things necessary or convenient to carry out the powers granted by this subtitle. The Council shall report annually to the General Assembly, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, on: the status of the Council’s efforts; and recommended policy goals, strategies, and statutory changes to improve regional cooperation and the long–term health of the region.

The Council may accept from any private or public source a contribution or grant of money or property.

There is a Baltimore Region Transportation Board. The Board serves as the metropolitan planning organization for federal funding and certification as required by federal law. The Board consists of: the Mayor of the City of Annapolis; the County Executive of Anne Arundel County; the Mayor of Baltimore City; the County Executive of Baltimore County; the President of the Carroll County Commissioners; the County Executive of Harford County; the County Executive of Howard County; the Secretary of Transportation; the Secretary of the Environment; the Secretary of Planning; and as authorized under 23 U.S.C. §§ 134 and 135: the chief executive officer or president of the board of commissioners of any other jurisdiction; and the secretary or chief appointed official of any other unit of State government.