# General Provisions (GGP)

## Title 5. Maryland Public Ethics Law

### Subtitle 2. State Ethics Commission

#### Section 5-202

(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, Sec. 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.

---

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