The Authority consists of: The Secretary of Housing and Community Development; The Secretary of Commerce; The Secretary of Higher Education; The Secretary of Transportation; The Secretary of Natural Resources; The Secretary of Planning; The Secretary of Agriculture; The State Superintendent of Schools; The State Historic Preservation Officer; and Ten members appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate: Two of whom shall be elected officials or representatives of local jurisdictions; Two of whom shall be appointed from names recommended by the President of the Maryland Senate; Two of whom shall be appointed from names recommended by the Speaker of the House of Delegates; One of whom is a public member of the Maryland Tourism Development Board; One of whom is a member of the public who has significant education or experience in natural resource stewardship or climate resiliency; One of whom is a member of the public who has significant education or experience in historic preservation; and One of whom is a member of the public who has significant education or experience in heritage tourism. Of the elected officials or representatives from local jurisdictions, the Governor shall appoint: One elected official or representative from a list submitted by the Maryland Association of Counties; and One elected official or representative from a list submitted by the Maryland Municipal League. The members appointed to the Authority shall represent the gender, racial, and geographic makeup of the State. 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. A cabinet member of the Authority may designate a representative to act in the absence of the cabinet member. Except for State officials, the term of a member of the Authority is 4 years. The terms of members appointed by the Governor are staggered as required by the terms provided for members on October 1, 1996. At the end of a term, a member continues to serve until a successor is 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. 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. The Secretary of Planning shall serve as chair of the Authority. The Governor may remove a member that a Governor appointed for incompetence, misconduct, or failure to perform the duties of the position.