This section applies only to code counties and commission counties. The number of county commissioners in each county shall be set by the public local laws of the county. Subject to paragraph (2) of this subsection, the county commissioners shall: meet within 60 days after their election; and qualify by taking the constitutional oath. The County Commissioners of St. Mary’s County shall take office on the first Monday in December after their election. The county commissioners shall meet at least once each quarter. The County Commissioners of St. Mary’s County shall meet at least 48 times a year. The County Commissioners of Washington County shall hold at least 10 of their general meetings each year in the evening.

This section applies only to: commission counties; and except as otherwise provided by local law, code counties. Subject to subsection (c) of this section, if a vacancy occurs in an office of county commissioner, the Governor shall appoint an individual to fill the vacancy. If a vacancy occurs during a session of the Senate of Maryland, the Governor shall appoint the individual with the advice and consent of the Senate. In Allegany County, if there is no resident senator from Allegany County in the Senate of Maryland at the time of the appointment, the Governor shall appoint the individual with the advice and consent of the House of Delegates. If a vacancy occurs during a recess of the Senate of Maryland, the Governor shall: appoint an individual during the recess; and submit to the Senate the nomination of the individual appointed, or another individual, not later than 30 days after the next meeting of the General Assembly begins. Except as provided in paragraph (4) of this subsection and subject to paragraph (5) of this subsection, the central committee of the political party that is affiliated with the vacating county commissioner shall submit in writing to the Governor the name of the individual that the political party nominates to fill the vacancy. The individual nominated by the central committee shall be of the same political party as the vacating county commissioner. The Governor shall nominate or appoint the individual whose name is submitted under paragraph (1) of this subsection within 15 days after the submission. If there is no central committee in the county in which the vacancy occurs, the Governor shall appoint an individual to fill the vacancy who has all the qualifications required for the office of county commissioner in the particular county. In Garrett County, the nominee or appointee shall be a resident of the same commissioner district in which the former county commissioner resided.

This section applies only to code counties and commission counties. The county commissioners of each county are a corporation.

This section applies only to code counties and commission counties. The county commissioners may sue and be sued. The county commissioners may not pay a claim against the county unless: the claim is payable by the county; and the claimant produces legal proof of the claim.

This section applies only to code counties and commission counties. This section does not apply to a county that has adopted local ethics laws under §§ 5–808 and 5–809 of the General Provisions Article if the local ethics laws have been approved by the State Ethics Commission. During a county commissioner’s term of office, the county commissioner may not: possess or acquire any share or interest in, or have or participate in, either directly or indirectly, any benefit, profit, or compensation of any agreement or contract entered into with any party by the county commissioners as county commissioners; or accept, possess, or acquire any claim, or any share or interest in any claim, on or against the county of which the individual is a commissioner if the claim has been or will be passed on and approved by the county commissioners. If a county commissioner violates the provisions of this section, the county commissioner is subject to prosecution. A county commissioner who is convicted under this section shall forfeit: the office; and the county commissioner’s share or interest in the agreement, contract, or claim in which the county commissioner was involved.

This section applies only to code counties and commission counties. This section does not apply to a clerk of court or a sheriff. If a county treasurer, tax collector, county commissioner, or any county official is required by law to give a bond: the county official shall give a bond executed by a surety company that is authorized to do business in the State; and the bond shall be approved by the county. The county may pay the premium for a bond given under subsection (c) of this section, not to exceed 0.5% per year of the penalty of an executed and approved bond. Except as provided in subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph, when a bond is executed and approved, the county commissioners may direct the payment of the premium of the bond from the general fund of the county in the same manner as required to pay general county debts. The payment of the premium on the bond given by a register of wills or State’s Attorney shall be charged as an expense of that officer.