In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated. “Commissioner” means a member of the Board of County Commissioners of Somerset County or Worcester County or a member of the County Council of Wicomico County. “Council” means the Tri-County Council for the Lower Eastern Shore of Maryland. “Executive Director” means the Executive Director of the Council. “Region” means Somerset, Wicomico, and Worcester counties.

There is a Tri-County Council for the Lower Eastern Shore of Maryland. The Council is a tax-exempt body politic and corporate. The Council is an independent unit that the Governor may not place in a principal department. The Council is a cooperative planning and development unit for the region. The purposes of the Council are to: foster the physical, economic, and social development of the region; and use effectively the assistance provided to the region by the State. The Council initiates and coordinates plans and projects for the development of human and economic resources of the region as a planning and development unit for the Lower Eastern Shore.

The Council consists of the members described in this subsection. The voting members of the Council are: from Somerset County, the five commissioners; from Wicomico County: the County Executive; and four members of the county council, appointed by the county council; from Worcester County, five commissioners, appointed by the Board of County Commissioners; three municipal elected officials, one from each county, appointed by: their respective municipal corporations; or the Eastern Shore Municipal Association if the municipal corporations are unable to appoint a member within a reasonable time; and if the majority of the member’s legislative district is in the region, each member of the General Assembly representing the region. The nonvoting members of the Council are: each commissioner in the region who is not appointed under paragraph (2) of this subsection; and each other member of the General Assembly representing the region if the majority of the member’s legislative district is not in the region. The bylaws of the Council may provide for additional members who are private individuals. A member appointed under subsection (a)(2)(i), (ii), or (iii) of this section may designate another commissioner or a county administrator representing the same county to vote by proxy for the member when the member is absent from a meeting. A member who designates a proxy shall inform the Executive Director in advance of the meeting. A member who qualifies because of the member’s elected position is a member of the Council only during the member’s term of office in the elected position. At the end of a term, a member continues to serve until a successor is appointed. Council membership is not an office of profit.

The Council shall elect a chair from among its members.

A member of the Council is not entitled to compensation as a member of the Council.

The Council may employ an executive director. The Executive Director serves at the pleasure of the Council.

The Council may: select and retain its own legal counsel; or use the Attorney General as its legal counsel.

The State and Somerset, Wicomico, and Worcester counties may jointly finance the Council and its activities. The State may provide financial support to the Council to assist in carrying out the activities of the Council. On or before August 1 of each year, the Council shall submit its proposed work programs and operating budget for the following fiscal year to the Department. The submission shall include supporting schedules to show how the budget is financed, and to provide for review and recommendations. After review, the Department shall forward the submission and any recommendations to the Department of Budget and Management for consideration. The Governor shall include in the State budget for the following fiscal year an appropriation of at least $200,000 to partially support the Council. The governing bodies of Somerset, Wicomico, and Worcester counties each year shall appropriate to the Council at least $10,000 each to foster cooperative planning and development in the region. Other political subdivisions, including special districts, may appropriate money for the Council as they consider necessary and appropriate. The Council may accept additional money from any other public or private source.

The Council may adopt bylaws and rules for the conduct of its business and to carry out its mission.

The Council shall cooperate with State and local units that have relevant statutory functions and duties.