In this subtitle, “Board” means the Maryland Manufacturing Advisory Board.

To support manufacturing in Maryland, it is the policy of the State to follow these seven principles: the State must make a long-term institutional commitment to improving the competitiveness of existing and emerging manufacturers; the State’s support for manufacturing must be industry-driven, with governmental and educational efforts focused on priorities set by businesses; to have a noticeable impact on the State and regional economies, the State’s efforts to support manufacturing must be organized in ways that address the level of need; the State’s support of manufacturing must be held accountable to measurable outcomes that result from the State’s business assistance activities; to be competitive, all manufacturers must deploy the latest advances in technology; to develop a competitive manufacturing base, the State should target its limited resources to those key manufacturing industries that have a strong presence or healthy growth prospects; and the State’s business assistance services for existing and emerging manufacturers must be: comprehensive, ranging across marketing, technology, financing, job training, and other needs of manufacturing; and readily available across all regions of the State.

There is a Maryland Manufacturing Advisory Board in the Department.

The Board consists of: one member appointed by the President of the Senate of Maryland; one member appointed by the Speaker of the House of Delegates; the Secretary or the designee of the Secretary; and the following members appointed by the Secretary with the approval of the Governor: one representative of an educational institution in the State; two representatives of organized labor; 10 representatives of manufacturing enterprises; and one representative of business organizations. The members appointed under paragraph (1)(iv) of this subsection shall reflect the racial and gender diversity of the population of the State. The members appointed under paragraph (1)(iv)3 of this subsection should generally reflect representation from: varied geographic regions of the State; varied sectors of manufacturing, balancing technology–related and traditional manufacturing industries; and the mix of manufacturing enterprises in the State, including those that employ 500 or more employees and those that employ fewer than 500 employees. The term of a member appointed under subsection (a)(1)(iv) of this section is 3 years and begins on July 1. The terms of the members appointed under subsection (a)(1)(iv) are staggered as required by the terms provided for the members of the Board on October 1, 2008. A member may be reappointed, but after serving two consecutive 3–year terms, a member may not be reappointed until at least 1 year after the end of the member’s previous tenure. A vacancy shall be filled immediately for the remainder of the unexpired portion of a term. At the end of a term, a member continues to serve until a successor has been appointed. A member appointed by the President of the Senate or the Speaker of the House serves at the pleasure of the appointing officer. A member appointed under subsection (a)(1)(iv) of this section may be removed at any time by the Secretary, with or without cause.

The Secretary shall designate a chair from among the private sector members of the Board.

The Board shall meet at least 4 times each year.

A member of the Board who is a member of the General Assembly may not vote on a matter before the Board that relates to the exercise of a sovereign power of the State.

The Board shall advise the Secretary on the best methods to implement the policy directives of the action plan for manufacturing competitiveness in the State, including: encouraging the development of new manufacturing enterprises and the expansion and retention of existing manufacturing enterprises; encouraging and facilitating training and education of individuals for manufacturing jobs; producing a climate conducive to the growth and viability of manufacturing enterprises; supporting research necessary to evaluate, plan, and execute effective promotion of manufacturing enterprises; and encouraging, assisting, and coordinating the activities of local, regional, and national public or private organizations that promote manufacturing.

The Board shall submit a report each year to the Governor and, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, to the General Assembly on the progress of the Board in implementing policies to assist manufacturing in the State.