# Financial Institutions (GFI)

## Title 13. State-Operated Financial Programs

### Subtitle 11. Heritage Areas

#### Section 13-1104

(a) The Authority consists of:

  (1) The Secretary of Housing and Community Development;

  (2) The Secretary of Commerce;

  (3) The Secretary of Higher Education;

  (4) The Secretary of Transportation;

  (5) The Secretary of Natural Resources;

  (6) The Secretary of Planning;

  (7) The Secretary of Agriculture;

  (8) The State Superintendent of Schools;

  (9) The State Historic Preservation Officer; and

  (10) Ten members appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate:

    (i) Two of whom shall be elected officials or representatives of local jurisdictions;

    (ii) Two of whom shall be appointed from names recommended by the President of the Maryland Senate;

    (iii) Two of whom shall be appointed from names recommended by the Speaker of the House of Delegates;

    (iv) One of whom is a public member of the Maryland Tourism Development Board;

    (v) One of whom is a member of the public who has significant education or experience in natural resource stewardship or climate resiliency;

    (vi) One of whom is a member of the public who has significant education or experience in historic preservation; and

    (vii) One of whom is a member of the public who has significant education or experience in heritage tourism.

(b) Of the elected officials or representatives from local jurisdictions, the Governor shall appoint:

  (1) One elected official or representative from a list submitted by the Maryland Association of Counties; and

  (2) One elected official or representative from a list submitted by the Maryland Municipal League.

(c) The members appointed to the Authority shall represent the gender, racial, and geographic makeup of the State.

(d) A member of the Authority may not also be a member of the board of directors or any other type of governing or oversight body of an organization qualifying for State funds as a recognized or certified heritage area.

(e) A cabinet member of the Authority may designate a representative to act in the absence of the cabinet member.

(f)

  (1) Except for State officials, the term of a member of the Authority is 4 years.

  (2) The terms of members appointed by the Governor are staggered as required by the terms provided for members on October 1, 1996.

  (3) At the end of a term, a member continues to serve until a successor is appointed and qualifies.

  (4) 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.

  (5) At the end of the term of a member or on the resignation or removal of a member, the Governor shall appoint a member to the Authority with the advice and consent of the Senate.

(g) The Secretary of Planning shall serve as chair of the Authority.

(h) The Governor may remove a member that a Governor appointed for incompetence, misconduct, or failure to perform the duties of the position.

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Md. Code Ann., Fin. Inst. (as displayed at mgaleg.maryland.gov, October 16, 2026)