In this subtitle, “Council” means the Maryland Entertainment Industry Council.

There is a Maryland Entertainment Industry Council in the Department.

The Council consists of the following members: one member of the Senate of Maryland, appointed by the President of the Senate; one member of the House of Delegates, appointed by the Speaker of the House; the Governor’s appointed Senior Advisor on Film, Television, and Entertainment; the Secretary of Commerce, or the Secretary’s designee; the Secretary of Labor, or the Secretary’s designee; the Secretary of Housing and Community Development, or the Secretary’s designee; and the following 19 members appointed by the Governor, in consultation with the Secretary: one expert in the business of the film, television, and entertainment industry, such as an executive, a producer, a studio representative, or an individual holding a leadership role within the industry; one expert in workforce development or higher education related to the film, television, and entertainment industry; one expert in emerging technologies or specialties of the film, television, and entertainment industry, such as an expert in gaming, artificial intelligence, visual effects, animation, postproduction, or another related specialty; one expert in legal or policy fields specific to the film, television, and entertainment industry; one representative of the independent film and television community; one representative of nongovernmental entities or philanthropic institutions that support film, television, or entertainment directly or creative economies more broadly; one representative of organized labor in the entertainment industry; and 12 individuals who have general experience in the film, television, or entertainment industries. The Governor may appoint up to three additional individuals as honorary cochairs of the Council who are: individuals with extraordinary cultural capital and commanding significant influence within the film, television, and entertainment industry; business leaders commanding a significant stake within the film, television, and entertainment industry; or individuals who have defined the current cultural brand of the film, television, and entertainment industry within the State. An individual appointed as an honorary cochair of the Council shall be a nonvoting member of the Council whose responsibilities shall be limited to the promotion and business development of Maryland’s film, television, and entertainment industry. The term of a member under subsection (a)(7) of this section is 2 years and begins on July 1. A member of the General Assembly appointed to the Council serves until a successor is appointed. This paragraph applies only to a member appointed under subsection (a)(7) of this section. A member may be reappointed, but after serving for three consecutive 2–year terms, a member may not be reappointed until at least 1 year after the end of the member’s previous tenure. The terms of members are staggered as required by the terms provided for members of the Council on July 1, 2024. At the end of a term, a member continues to serve until a successor has been appointed and qualifies. A member who is appointed after a term has begun serves only for the rest of the term and until a successor is appointed and qualifies. In appointing members, the Governor shall provide, to the extent practicable, balanced geographic representation.

The Senior Advisor on Film, Television, and Entertainment shall chair the Council.

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 Council shall: assess Maryland’s existing assets, opportunities, and competitive position within the film, television, and entertainment industry; study: Maryland’s State, local, and private assets that currently support Maryland’s film, television, and entertainment industry, including key infrastructure, existing workforce, workforce pipelines, scenic profile, emerging specialties, and independent creative communities; existing State programs, agencies, offices, grant programs, and commissions across State agencies that support the film, television, and entertainment industry; models, competitive profiles, methods, and legislation that states have utilized to incentivize necessary infrastructure and workforce to support the film, television, and entertainment industry; industry needs, disruptive trends, and emerging technologies within the film, television, and entertainment industry; and complementary industries, aligned businesses, and potential corporate, philanthropic, and other partners for the film, television, and entertainment industry; and make recommendations on the development of a coordinated, comprehensive strategic plan to position Maryland as an emerging leader in the film, television, and entertainment industry. The Council may: adopt regulations to carry out this subtitle; enter into contracts and agreements; obtain services; ask any other unit of the State for assistance and data that enable the Council to carry out its powers and duties; accept federal money for any purpose of this subtitle; and accept gifts, donations, or bequests for any purpose of this subtitle.

Staff for the Council shall be provided by: the Department; and any other State agency designated by the Governor.

The Council: on or before January 1, 2026, and each January 1 thereafter, shall submit an annual report to the Governor and, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, the General Assembly; and may publish other material.