§ 5–202
Statutes in effect as of October 1, 2026.
Md. Code Ann., Gen. Prov. § 5-202 (2026)
Title 5. Maryland Public Ethics Law
Subtitle 2. State Ethics Commission
§ 5–202LinkCopy Citation
(a)
(1)
The Ethics Commission consists of five members.
(2)
The Governor shall appoint:
(i)
with the advice and consent of the Senate, three members, at least one of whom shall be a member of the principal political party of which the Governor is not a member;
(ii)
one member nominated by the President of the Senate; and
(iii)
one member nominated by the Speaker of the House.
(3)
The Governor may reject a nominee of the President or of the Speaker only for cause.
(4)
If the Governor rejects a nominee under paragraph (3) of this subsection, the appropriate presiding officer shall nominate another individual.
(5)
A vacancy shall be filled in a manner consistent with this subsection.
(b)
A member of the Ethics Commission may not:
(1)
hold elected or appointed office in, be an employee of, or be a candidate for office in:
(i)
the federal government;
(ii)
the State government;
(iii)
a municipal corporation, county, or multicounty agency of the State; or
(iv)
a political party; or
(2)
be a regulated lobbyist.
(c)
Before taking office, each appointee to the Ethics Commission shall take the oath required by Article I, § 9 of the Maryland Constitution.
(d)
(1)
The term of a member is 5 years.
(2)
The terms of members are staggered as required by the terms in effect for members of the Ethics Commission on October 1, 2013.
(3)
A member may serve no more than two consecutive 5–year terms.
(4)
A member who is appointed after a term has begun serves for the rest of the term.
(5)
At the end of a term, a member may continue to serve until a successor is appointed and qualifies.
(e)
(1)
The Governor may remove a member for:
(i)
neglect of duty;
(ii)
misconduct in office;
(iii)
a disability that makes the member unable to discharge the powers and duties of office; or
(iv)
a violation of this title.
(2)
Before removing a member, the Governor shall give the member:
(i)
written notice of the charges; and
(ii)
an opportunity to answer the charges.