<section article="glu" article_name="Land Use" number="15-101" title_number="15" title_name="Commission" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Organization and General Authority of Commission"> <level label="a"> <text>There is a Maryland–National Capital Park and Planning Commission.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The Commission is a body politic and corporate and is an agency of the State.</text> </level> </section> <section article="glu" article_name="Land Use" number="15-102" title_number="15" title_name="Commission" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Organization and General Authority of Commission"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>The Commission consists of 10 members.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Of the 10 members of the Commission:</text> <level label="i"> <text>five shall be residents and registered voters of Montgomery County; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>five shall be residents and registered voters of Prince George’s County.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <level label="i"> <text>Subject to the approval of the County Executive, the County Council shall appoint each commissioner from Montgomery County.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Subject to the approval of the County Council, the County Executive shall appoint each commissioner from Prince George’s County.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Each commissioner shall be an individual of ability, experience, and integrity.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>Of the commissioners from each county, not more than three shall be members of the same political party.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A commissioner may not be selected as representing or supporting any special interest.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>The term of a commissioner is 4 years and begins on June 15.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The terms of commissioners are staggered as required by the terms provided for commissioners on October 1, 2012.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>At the end of a term, a commissioner continues to serve until a successor is appointed and qualifies.</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>A commissioner who is appointed after a term has begun serves only for the rest of the term and until a successor is appointed and qualifies.</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>A commissioner who is appointed to fill a vacancy for an unexpired term shall be a member of the same political party as the commissioner who vacated the office.</text> </level> <level label="6"> <level label="i"> <text>Except as provided in subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph, a commissioner appointed from Montgomery County may not be appointed for three consecutive full terms.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>A commissioner appointed from Montgomery County may be appointed for a maximum of three consecutive full terms as a member of the Commission if the commissioner is designated as chair of the Montgomery County Planning Board during the commissioner’s second term in office.</text> </level> </level> </level> </section> <section article="glu" article_name="Land Use" number="15-103" title_number="15" title_name="Commission" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Organization and General Authority of Commission"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>In Montgomery County, the County Council shall make an appointment to the Commission from a list of applicants.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The list shall be:</text> <level label="i"> <text>completed at least 3 weeks before an appointment is made; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>made available to the public.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>If the County Council does not appoint an individual whose name appears on the list or if no name appears on the list, the County Council shall provide for the preparation of a second list and follow the procedures under paragraph (2) of this subsection.</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Within 3 days after making an appointment, the County Council shall submit the name of the appointee to the County Executive.</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>Within 30 days after the appointment is submitted, the County Executive shall approve or disapprove the appointment.</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>An appointment that is not disapproved by the County Executive in accordance with this subsection is deemed to be approved.</text> </level> <level label="7"> <text>If the County Executive disapproves an appointment, the County Executive shall return the appointment to the County Council with the reasons for the disapproval stated in writing.</text> </level> <level label="8"> <text>By the affirmative vote of nine of its members, the County Council may appoint a commissioner over the disapproval of the County Executive.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>In Prince George’s County, the County Council shall hold public hearings on an appointment to the Commission not less than 10 days and not more than 20 days after the County Executive submits the name of the appointee to the County Council.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>If the County Council fails to act on the appointment within 30 days after the County Executive submits the name of the appointee, the appointment is deemed to be approved.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>A vote of a majority of the full County Council is required to approve or disapprove an appointment.</text> </level> <level label="4"> <level label="i"> <text>In making and approving appointments, the County Council and County Executive shall attempt to provide reasonable geographic balance with respect to the commissioners’ places of residence.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The appointment resolution for each appointment shall describe the resulting geographic distribution and provide appropriate explanations.</text> </level> </level> </level> </section> <section article="glu" article_name="Land Use" number="15-104" title_number="15" title_name="Commission" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Organization and General Authority of Commission"> <level label="a"> <text>This section applies to each commissioner appointed by the Montgomery County Council under §§ 15–102 and 15–103 of this subtitle.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>The Montgomery County Council may require an applicant for appointment as a commissioner to be interviewed by the County Council or its designated agent in private regarding possible or potential conflicts of interest.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Before the appointment is made, the County Council or its designated agent shall interview in private an applicant who is selected for appointment regarding possible or potential conflicts of interest.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>An applicant may not be appointed unless the applicant:</text> <level label="1"> <text>has filed a financial disclosure statement as required by § 5–824 of the General Provisions Article; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>has been interviewed as required by subsection (b) of this section.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>In an interview under this section, the applicant shall be interviewed:</text> <level label="i"> <text>under oath;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>in a question and answer format; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>about information and interests including all sources of income, property holdings, business interests, and financial interests of the applicant and the applicant’s spouse, parent, child, brother, or sister.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The County Council may require the applicant to produce relevant documents.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <level label="1"> <text>A written transcript shall be made of all questions and answers in an interview under this section.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Unless the examination is waived by the applicant:</text> <level label="i"> <text>the transcript shall be submitted to the applicant for examination;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>the transcribing officer shall make any changes in the transcript that the applicant desires to make, accompanied by a statement of the reason given by the applicant for the changes; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>the applicant shall sign the transcript.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The transcribing officer shall certify on the transcript that:</text> <level label="i"> <text>the applicant was sworn by the officer; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>the transcript is a true record of the testimony given by the applicant.</text> </level> </level> <level label="4"> <text>The County Council shall:</text> <level label="i"> <text>publicly disclose the complete transcript of an appointee within 3 weeks after the date of the appointment; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>when the appointee takes office, destroy immediately the complete transcript of any other applicant without disclosure of any information contained in the transcript.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="f"> <level label="1"> <text>On or before June 1 of each year, an appointee shall disclose, in writing, to the County Council all information available to make current the property holdings, business interests, and financial interests in the State and the greater Washington metropolitan area of the appointee and the appointee’s spouse, parent, child, brother, or sister.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The County Council shall publicly disclose the information received from the appointee.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>If the County Council determines it necessary, the County Council may require substantiation and additional information.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="glu" article_name="Land Use" number="15-105" title_number="15" title_name="Commission" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Organization and General Authority of Commission"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>The Montgomery County Council may remove or discipline any commissioner appointed from Montgomery County before the expiration of the commissioner’s term.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>With the approval of a majority of the members of the County Council, the County Executive of Prince George’s County may remove any commissioner appointed from Prince George’s County before the expiration of the commissioner’s term.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, before a commissioner may be removed or disciplined under subsection (a) of this section:</text> <level label="i"> <text>the cause for removal or disciplinary action shall be stated in writing; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>a public hearing shall be held on the removal or disciplinary action.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>In Prince George’s County, the commissioner sought to be removed may waive in writing the public hearing held by the County Council.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="glu" article_name="Land Use" number="15-106" title_number="15" title_name="Commission" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Organization and General Authority of Commission"> <level label="a"> <text>The County Executive of Prince George’s County, with the approval of a majority of the members of the County Council, and the Montgomery County Council, with the approval of the County Executive in accordance with subsection (b) of this section, shall each designate a commissioner for the position of chair or vice chair.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>Within 3 days after making a designation, the Montgomery County Council shall submit the name of the designee to the County Executive.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Within 30 days after the designation is submitted, the County Executive shall approve or disapprove the designation.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>If the County Executive disapproves a designee, the County Executive shall return the name of the designee to the County Council with the reasons for the disapproval stated in writing.</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>By the affirmative vote of eight of its members, the County Council may designate a commissioner for the position of chair or vice chair over the disapproval of the County Executive.</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>A designation that has not been disapproved by the County Executive in accordance with this subsection is deemed to be approved.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The Commission shall elect a chair and vice chair from the commissioners designated in accordance with subsections (a) and (b) of this section.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>The chair shall:</text> <level label="i"> <text>preside at meetings of the Commission; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>perform the other customary duties of the office.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The vice chair shall preside in the absence of the chair.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The chair and vice chair of the Commission also serve as chairs of their respective county planning boards.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="glu" article_name="Land Use" number="15-107" title_number="15" title_name="Commission" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Organization and General Authority of Commission"> <level label="a"> <text>The Montgomery County Council may designate a commissioner from that county to serve on a full–time basis as the chair or vice chair of the Commission.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>With the approval of a majority of the members of the County Council, the County Executive of Prince George’s County may designate a commissioner from that county to serve on a full–time basis as the chair or vice chair of the Commission.</text> </level> </section> <section article="glu" article_name="Land Use" number="15-108" title_number="15" title_name="Commission" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Organization and General Authority of Commission"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <level label="i"> <text>Each commissioner other than the chair is entitled to an annual salary of $5,600.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The chair of the Commission is entitled to an annual salary of $6,100.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>All salaries shall be paid monthly from the administrative tax collected by the Commission under § 18–307 of this article.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <level label="i"> <text>Subject to subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph, each commissioner is entitled to an annual expense allowance not exceeding $2,400, in accordance with rules and regulations the Commission adopts.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>A commissioner shall submit a voucher showing the expenses.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <level label="i"> <text>With the approval of the County Executive of Montgomery County, the County Council may authorize an appropriate supplementary salary for the commissioner designated by Montgomery County to serve on a full–time basis.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>If the County Executive fails to approve a supplementary salary authorization by the County Council within 30 days after the authorization is submitted, the County Council, by an affirmative vote of eight of its members, may authorize the supplementary salary without the approval of the County Executive.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>On the recommendation of the County Executive of Prince George’s County, the County Council may authorize an appropriate supplementary salary for the commissioner designated by Prince George’s County to serve on a full–time basis.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Any supplementary salary authorized under this subsection shall be paid from the administrative tax collected by the Commission under § 18–307 of this article.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="glu" article_name="Land Use" number="15-109" title_number="15" title_name="Commission" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Organization and General Authority of Commission"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>The Commission shall appoint an executive director, a secretary–treasurer, and a general counsel.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The executive director, secretary–treasurer, and general counsel serve at the pleasure of the Commission.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The Commission shall set the compensation of the executive director, secretary–treasurer, and general counsel.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The executive director and the secretary–treasurer shall be bonded.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>Of the three officers appointed under this section, not more than two shall be residents of the same county.</text> </level> </section> <section article="glu" article_name="Land Use" number="15-110" title_number="15" title_name="Commission" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Organization and General Authority of Commission"> <text>The Commission may:</text> <level label="1"> <text>appoint or contract for the services of planning, engineering, legal, administrative, auditing, clerical, staff, or other employees necessary to administer this division on a regional basis; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>set the compensation of employees and contractors.</text> </level> </section> <section article="glu" article_name="Land Use" number="15-111" title_number="15" title_name="Commission" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Organization and General Authority of Commission"> <text>The Commission may require any officer or employee to post security in a form and amount the Commission approves.</text> </section> <section article="glu" article_name="Land Use" number="15-112" title_number="15" title_name="Commission" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Organization and General Authority of Commission"> <text>The Commission may:</text> <level label="1"> <text>maintain offices in Montgomery County and Prince George’s County; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>hold meetings, conduct hearings, and perform any of its duties under this division at the office that, in the Commission’s judgment, best suits the convenience of the public.</text> </level> </section> <section article="glu" article_name="Land Use" number="15-113" title_number="15" title_name="Commission" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Organization and General Authority of Commission"> <level label="a"> <text>The Commission may:</text> <level label="1"> <text>exercise the powers, duties, and functions provided in this division;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>use a common seal;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>sue and be sued; and</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>do any other corporate act necessary to carry out this division.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The Commission may raise the defense of partial governmental immunity described under § 5–512 of the Courts Article.</text> </level> </section> <section article="glu" article_name="Land Use" number="15-114" title_number="15" title_name="Commission" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Organization and General Authority of Commission"> <level label="a"> <text>The Commission shall establish an adequate comprehensive insurance program.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>The comprehensive insurance program shall provide:</text> <level label="i"> <text>compensation for personal injury or death or property damage resulting from negligence, malpractice, or any other civil or tortious act or omission of the Commission, or of its commissioners, employees, and agents acting within the scope of their duties and without malice or gross negligence; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>protection for property of the Commission and for officials and employees acting within the scope of their duties, including a comprehensive workers’ compensation program.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The Commission may purchase any other liability insurance the Commission considers necessary.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The Commission may establish a program of group health, life, hospitalization, and disability insurance by purchasing insurance coverage from insurance companies authorized to do business in the State and, except for disability insurance, not by self–insurance.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>The insurance required under subsection (b) of this section and the disability insurance authorized under subsection (c) of this section may be provided by:</text> <level label="i"> <text>purchasing insurance coverage from insurance companies authorized to do business in the State;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>a self–insurance program; or</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>a combination of purchased insurance coverage and self–insurance.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>If a self–insurance program is established and funded to cover all or part of the insurance required under subsection (b) of this section:</text> <level label="i"> <text>the Commission shall adopt rules and regulations for the administration of the program; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>funding for the program shall be included in the annual operating budget.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The insurance program established by the Commission shall provide for:</text> <level label="i"> <text>defense of claims; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>compensation for damages.</text> </level> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Within the limits of appropriations for the insurance program, the Commission may:</text> <level label="i"> <text>engage necessary claims investigators and adjustors; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>provide for the defense and settlement of claims and payment of judgments.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <level label="1"> <text>Subject to paragraph (3) of this subsection, the Commission may cooperate with and enter into agreements to obtain and provide insurance coverage in the most economical manner with:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Montgomery County;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Prince George’s County;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>both Montgomery County and Prince George’s County; or</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>subject to the approval of the county government of a county affected by the agreement, other units of government.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>An agreement under paragraph (1) of this subsection may provide for any type of insurance protection, including:</text> <level label="i"> <text>public liability;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>group health, life, hospitalization, and disability;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>real and personal property; and</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>workers’ compensation.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>This subsection does not authorize the Commission to establish a self–insurance program for group health, life, and hospitalization insurance.</text> </level> </level> <level label="f"> <level label="1"> <text>Subject to paragraphs (2) and (3) of this subsection, a payment made to a police officer employed by the Commission for an illness or injury received in the line of duty in accordance with any disability program or disability insurance program authorized under this section is considered in the nature of workers’ compensation.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A payment described in this subsection is independent of any payment made under the Maryland Workers’ Compensation Act.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>This subsection does not affect:</text> <level label="i"> <text>the offset provision under § 9–610 of the Labor and Employment Article; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>the presumption of a police officer’s entitlement to benefits under § 9–503 of the Labor and Employment Article.</text> </level> </level> </level> </section> <section article="glu" article_name="Land Use" number="15-115" title_number="15" title_name="Commission" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Organization and General Authority of Commission"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>The Commission shall prepare an annual financial report.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The annual financial report shall:</text> <level label="i"> <text>include the financial statements of the Commission; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>be audited by an independent certified public accountant.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The Commission shall make the audited annual financial report available for distribution to the public.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>After the audit is completed, the Commission shall publish a summary financial report consisting of a combined statement of revenues and expenditures for all funds:</text> <level label="i"> <text>in at least one newspaper of general circulation published in Montgomery County; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <level label="1"> <text>in the newspapers officially designated by the Prince George’s County government as newspapers of record; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>in the absence of a designation of a newspaper of record, in at least one newspaper of general circulation published in Prince George’s County.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The publication of the summary financial report shall carry appropriate references to the Commission’s audited annual financial report.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="glu" article_name="Land Use" number="15-116" title_number="15" title_name="Commission" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Organization and General Authority of Commission"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>The Commission shall publish each year a report describing the work of the Commission for the previous year, in the detail that the Commission considers appropriate.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The report required under this subsection shall include:</text> <level label="i"> <text>land acquisitions;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>financial transactions;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>personnel matters; and</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>litigation and disposition of violations.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The Commission may publish pamphlets describing:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the law administered by the Commission; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>subdivision, zoning, and other regulations adopted or enacted by the Commission or the district councils.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The Commission may charge a fee for a publication issued under this section to cover any of the cost of the publication.</text> </level> </section> <section article="glu" article_name="Land Use" number="15-117" title_number="15" title_name="Commission" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Organization and General Authority of Commission"> <level label="a"> <text>The Commission shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>maintain a minute or record book; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>record its actions in the minute or record book in usual corporate form.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>The votes of the commissioners shall be separately taken and recorded by yeas, nays, and abstentions, and the reasons for each abstention shall be recorded, with respect to any:</text> <level label="i"> <text>action authorizing, modifying, or rescinding the adoption of a master plan;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>approval of plats of subdivision;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>approval of subdivision or other regulations;</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>recommendations on zoning map amendments; or</text> </level> <level label="v"> <text>zoning text amendments.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The names of the commissioners voting or abstaining shall be included in the minute entry following a brief summary of the matter on which the vote was taken.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The minute or record book shall be kept available and open to public inspection and copying during business hours in the Commission’s principal offices.</text> </level> </section> <section article="glu" article_name="Land Use" number="15-118" title_number="15" title_name="Commission" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Organization and General Authority of Commission"> <text>In the performance of the functions and duties of the Commission, any commissioner or employee or agent of the Commission may enter at all reasonable hours any building or private premises in the metropolitan district or in the regional district to make examinations and surveys and to place and maintain necessary monuments and marks on the building or premises.</text> </section> <section article="glu" article_name="Land Use" number="15-119" title_number="15" title_name="Commission" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Organization and General Authority of Commission"> <text>Commissioners and employees of the Commission may engage in civilian defense or other defense activities under the direction of, or in cooperation with, federal, State, or county units in charge of the defense activities.</text> </section> <section article="glu" article_name="Land Use" number="15-120" title_number="15" title_name="Commission" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Organization and General Authority of Commission"> <level label="a"> <text>This section does not prohibit a commissioner from:</text> <level label="1"> <text>appearing in the pursuit of the commissioner’s private interests as a citizen;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>accepting or receiving any benefit by operation of law; or</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>prosecuting or pursuing any claim, right, privilege, or remedy that accrues to the commissioner by operation of law.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <level label="i"> <text>This subsection does not prohibit a commissioner from having or holding a private investment, business, or professional interest, unless the interest is or reasonably may be in conflict with the proper performance of the commissioner’s duty.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>A private investment, business, or professional interest is presumed to be in conflict with the proper performance of the commissioner’s duty if the commissioner or the commissioner’s spouse, parent, child, brother, or sister:</text> <level label="1"> <text>jointly or severally owns more than 3% of the invested capital or capital stock of any entity involved in the decision being made by the commissioner, Commission, or county planning board on which the commissioner serves; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>receives a total combined compensation of more than $5,000 a year from any person involved in the decision being made by the commissioner, Commission, or county planning board on which the commissioner serves.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>This subsection does not apply to or include:</text> <level label="i"> <text>an interest or investment in land geographically remote from the land involved in the decision;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>the ownership of real property on which the commissioner maintains a primary residence; or</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>a possibility of reverter, a mortgage, or other security interest in real property not otherwise described in this subsection.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>A commissioner may not:</text> <level label="i"> <text>decide, or participate in, a decision in which the commissioner has a financial interest, whether as an owner, member, partner, officer, employee, stockholder, or other participant of or in any private business or professional enterprise, that will be affected by the decision; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>knowingly participate in a decision affecting the financial interest, jointly or severally, of a person related to the commissioner or the commissioner’s spouse, parent, child, brother, or sister.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>A commissioner may not:</text> <level label="1"> <text>act as a broker, agent, attorney, representative, or employee of any person in the person’s business dealings with:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Montgomery County;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Prince George’s County;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission; or</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>the Commission;</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>decide, or participate in, a decision on any matter in which a close business or professional associate has acted as a broker, agent, attorney, representative, or employee of any person or represented private interests before:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Montgomery County;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Prince George’s County;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission; or</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>the Commission; or</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>represent a private interest or appear in a position of advocacy, other than in the performance of the commissioner’s official duties, either in person or through an associate, in any matter or proceeding pending before:</text> <level label="i"> <text>the Montgomery County Council;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>the Prince George’s County Council;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission;</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>the Commission;</text> </level> <level label="v"> <text>the Montgomery County Board of Appeals; or</text> </level> <level label="vi"> <text>the Prince George’s County Board of Appeals.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>A commissioner may not solicit or accept any gift, favor, loan, service, promise, employment, or thing that might influence or tend to influence the proper performance of the commissioner’s duty.</text> </level> <level label="e"> <text>A commissioner may not:</text> <level label="1"> <text>disclose confidential information concerning the property, management, or affairs of:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Montgomery County;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Prince George’s County;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission; or</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>the Commission; or</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>use any information described in item (1) of this subsection to advance the financial or other private interests of the commissioner or other persons.</text> </level> </level> <level label="f"> <text>A commissioner may not attempt to influence for a purpose contrary to this section any other county or State official in the conduct of the other official’s duties.</text> </level> <level label="g"> <level label="1"> <text>If a commissioner has any interest described in this section that is or reasonably may be incompatible with or in conflict with any of the commissioner’s official duties or acts, the commissioner:</text> <level label="i"> <text>shall disclose the interest in a regular public meeting of the Commission or the county planning boards; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>is disqualified and may not participate in the decision or act affected by the interest.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A disclosure made under paragraph (1) of this subsection shall appear in the minutes of the meeting.</text> </level> </level> <level label="h"> <text>A commissioner who violates any provision of subsections (b) through (f) of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to:</text> <level label="1"> <text>imprisonment not exceeding 6 months or a fine not exceeding $1,000 or both;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>suspension from the Commission or employment not exceeding 6 months;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>forfeiture and removal from office; or</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>any combination of the penalties described in items (1) through (3) of this subsection.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="glu" article_name="Land Use" number="15-121" title_number="15" title_name="Commission" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Organization and General Authority of Commission"> <level label="a"> <text>This section applies only:</text> <level label="1"> <text>to commissioners appointed from Montgomery County; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>from the date of a commissioner’s appointment until the end of the commissioner’s tenure on the Commission.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>A commissioner may not:</text> <level label="1"> <text>solicit or accept from any person with business before the Commission a financial contribution for any political candidate, political organization, or ballot question; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>solicit from any person with business before the Commission an endorsement of or opposition to a political candidate.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="glu" article_name="Land Use" number="15-122" title_number="15" title_name="Commission" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Organization and General Authority of Commission"> <text>Notwithstanding the requirements of § 5–504 of the General Provisions Article, a former commissioner from Montgomery County may not assist or represent another party for compensation in a matter that was the subject of action before the Montgomery County Planning Board while the commissioner served on the Board for 1 calendar year from the date the commissioner leaves office.</text> </section> <section article="glu" article_name="Land Use" number="15-123" title_number="15" title_name="Commission" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Organization and General Authority of Commission"> <level label="a"> <text>Within the first 3 months following appointment, a commissioner from Montgomery County shall successfully complete:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the training required under § 3–213 of the General Provisions Article;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the Maryland Department of Planning’s Planning Commissioner, Planning Board and Board of Appeals Education Course; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>appropriate training on:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Maryland Public Ethics Law; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Maryland–National Capital Park and Planning Commission policies and practices on:</text> <level label="1"> <text>ethics;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>drug– and alcohol–free workplace; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>workplace harassment and intimidation.</text> </level> </level> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Failure of a commissioner to meet the requirements of subsection (a) of this section does not invalidate a decision made by the Commission or establish a private cause of action.</text> </level> </section> <section article="glu" article_name="Land Use" number="15-201" title_number="15" title_name="Commission" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Procurement"> <text>In this subtitle, “local small business enterprise” means a business enterprise that:</text> <level label="1"> <text>has its principal place of operation in Montgomery County or Prince George’s County; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>has been certified as a small business enterprise by a unit of county government that has jurisdiction over procurement in Montgomery County or Prince George’s County.</text> </level> </section> <section article="glu" article_name="Land Use" number="15-202" title_number="15" title_name="Commission" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Procurement"> <text>The Commission shall adopt procurement regulations consistent with the standards and methods for source selection provided in Title 13, Subtitle 1 of the State Finance and Procurement Article.</text> </section> <section article="glu" article_name="Land Use" number="15-204" title_number="15" title_name="Commission" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Procurement"> <level label="a"> <text>The Commission’s procurement regulations may establish a local small business enterprise program to encourage local small business enterprise participation in appropriate procurement activities.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The regulations adopted in accordance with this section may include:</text> <level label="1"> <text>procedures for reliable documentation of a business entity’s official designation by Montgomery County or Prince George’s County as a local small business enterprise;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>procedures to be followed by staff, prospective contractors, and successful bidders or offerors to maximize notice to, and the opportunity to participate in the procurement process by, a broad range of local small business enterprises; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>provisions to:</text> <level label="i"> <text>extend reasonable competitive preferences for local small business enterprises;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>establish procurement goals of utilization of local small business enterprises; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>reserve particular procurement activities for local small business enterprises under appropriate circumstances.</text> </level> </level> </level> </section> <section article="glu" article_name="Land Use" number="15-205" title_number="15" title_name="Commission" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Procurement"> <text>On or before October 31 each year, the Commission shall report to the Montgomery County and Prince George’s County Delegations to the General Assembly, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, on the effectiveness of any local small business enterprise program established under this subtitle.</text> </section> <section article="glu" article_name="Land Use" number="15-301" title_number="15" title_name="Commission" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Intergovernmental Cooperation"> <level label="a"> <text>In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>“Contract” means an agreement, commitment, or arrangement made between the Commission and a governmental unit to further the purposes stated in § 15–302 of this subtitle.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>“Governmental unit” means:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the National Capital Planning Commission;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the United States government;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>the District of Columbia;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>the State, including the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission;</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>Virginia;</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>Montgomery County or Prince George’s County;</text> </level> <level label="7"> <text>any municipal corporation, local subdivision, or corporation within the State, Virginia, Montgomery County, or Prince George’s County; or</text> </level> <level label="8"> <text>any other governmental agency the Commission determines to be appropriate to further the purposes stated in § 15–302 of this subtitle.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="glu" article_name="Land Use" number="15-302" title_number="15" title_name="Commission" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Intergovernmental Cooperation"> <text>The Commission is the representative of the State for purposes of:</text> <level label="1"> <text>acquiring and developing land or other property under this division;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>exercising the duties of the State under this division;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>complying with § 1(a) and (b) of the Capper–Cramton Act, Public Law 71–284, 46 Stat. 482, for acquiring parklands in the metropolitan district; or</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>securing funds authorized by the Act or by any other federal, State, or local law.</text> </level> </section> <section article="glu" article_name="Land Use" number="15-303" title_number="15" title_name="Commission" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Intergovernmental Cooperation"> <level label="a"> <text>For the purposes of § 15–302 of this subtitle, the Commission may:</text> <level label="1"> <text>act in conjunction and cooperation with other governmental units; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>enter into contracts with governmental units.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The Commission may not obligate itself or the metropolitan district for expenditures above the amount of money the Commission has or shall receive from bonds, taxes, donations, contributions, or appropriations under this division.</text> </level> </section> <section article="glu" article_name="Land Use" number="15-304" title_number="15" title_name="Commission" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Intergovernmental Cooperation"> <level label="a"> <text>Within a reasonable time after the Commission makes a request, public officials of the State, Montgomery County, and Prince George’s County shall furnish the Commission with available information required for Commission work.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>make available for Commission use the maps, surveys, engineering information, and other records of the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>when requested by the Commission, furnish engineering services and advice at cost.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="glu" article_name="Land Use" number="15-305" title_number="15" title_name="Commission" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Intergovernmental Cooperation"> <level label="a"> <text>The conditions and limitations established in this section apply to contracts or amendments to contracts entered into under this subtitle to acquire parkland in the metropolitan district in accordance with § 1(a) and (b) of the Capper–Cramton Act, Public Law 71–284, 46 Stat. 482.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>Except as provided in subsection (d) of this section, the Commission may amend a contract.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>An amendment to a contract shall be ratified by the appropriate county council before the amendment becomes binding on the State, the Commission, or the county.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>The Commission may enter into a contract with a governmental unit to:</text> <level label="i"> <text>adopt a general or revised plan for the acquisition of parklands in the metropolitan district; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>specify the method to finance the acquisition.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The appropriate county council shall ratify a contract before the contract becomes binding on the State, the Commission, or the county.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>The Commission may enter into a supplemental agreement to a contract or amendment to a contract with a governmental unit in accordance with this subsection.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A supplemental agreement shall:</text> <level label="i"> <text>be for the acquisition of specific units of land in the metropolitan district that comprise portions of the general park plan adopted in the contract or amendment to the contract; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>specify the financing for the acquisition.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>A supplemental agreement for a specific unit of land located in Montgomery County or Prince George’s County shall be submitted to the appropriate county council for ratification.</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>The appropriate county council shall ratify a supplemental agreement if the county finds that:</text> <level label="i"> <text>the boundaries of the unit of land to be acquired under the supplemental agreement are in the general park plan adopted by the contract or amendment that the agreement supplements; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>the proceeds from the taxes authorized under the supplemental agreement will allow the Commission to satisfy the obligations of the supplemental agreement, including any interest.</text> </level> </level> <level label="5"> <text>In determining whether the Commission will be able to meet an obligation with the proceeds of the taxes authorized under the supplemental agreement, the appropriate county council shall:</text> <level label="i"> <text>compute the proceeds on the assessable basis of the parts of the metropolitan district lying in the county for the fiscal year in which approval is sought; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>assume that the entire tax imposed will be collected so long as there is an outstanding and unpaid obligation.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <level label="1"> <text>The appropriate county council may ratify the supplemental agreement by simple resolution authorizing the chair of the county council to:</text> <level label="i"> <text>endorse the supplemental agreement; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>execute a guarantee in accordance with this subtitle.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Ratification by the Montgomery County Council is not necessary to approve:</text> <level label="i"> <text>contracts or amendments that are not related to the acquisition of a specific unit of parkland; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>supplemental agreements to contracts related only to the acquisition of specific units of parkland.</text> </level> </level> </level> </section> <section article="glu" article_name="Land Use" number="15-401" title_number="15" title_name="Commission" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="Audit Committee"> <text>There is an Audit Committee in the Commission.</text> </section> <section article="glu" article_name="Land Use" number="15-402" title_number="15" title_name="Commission" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="Audit Committee"> <level label="a"> <text>The Audit Committee consists of five members.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The four voting members of the Audit Committee shall be appointed as follows:</text> <level label="1"> <text>one commissioner who is a member of the Montgomery County Planning Board, appointed by the chair of the Planning Board;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>one commissioner who is a member of the Prince George’s County Planning Board, appointed by the chair of the Planning Board;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>one member of the public who is qualified in accordance with subsection (e) of this section, appointed by the Montgomery County Planning Board; and</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>one member of the public who is qualified in accordance with subsection (e) of this section, appointed by the Prince George’s County Planning Board.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The chair of the Commission shall serve as an ex officio nonvoting member of the Audit Committee who may vote only when there is a tie vote among the voting members.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>The term of a voting member of the Audit Committee is 2 years.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The terms of the voting members of the Audit Committee are staggered as required by the terms provided for the Audit Committee on October 1, 2017.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>At the end of a term, a voting member continues to serve until a successor is appointed and qualifies.</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>If a vacancy occurs after a term has begun, the appropriate planning board shall appoint a successor.</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>A voting 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.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <level label="1"> <text>A member of the Audit Committee who is a member of the public shall possess:</text> <level label="i"> <text>advanced education and experience in the management of governmental entities that are comparable to the Commission in scope and complexity;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>demonstrated knowledge and experience in the application of:</text> <level label="1"> <text>generally accepted accounting principles;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>generally accepted government auditing standards; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>internal control systems; and</text> </level> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>an understanding of the appropriate functions of an Audit Committee.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A member of the Audit Committee who is a member of the public may possess demonstrated knowledge and experience in the application of:</text> <level label="i"> <text>sustainable financial management practices for public entities; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>public accountability.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>A member of the Audit Committee who is a member of the public may not have any other business or close personal relationships with the Commission or its officers, managers, or employees.</text> </level> </level> <level label="f"> <level label="1"> <text>Before appointing any member of the public to the Audit Committee, the appropriate planning board shall submit the name and qualifications of the proposed nominee for consideration by the county council of that county.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>On and after 30 days after a planning board notifies the appropriate county council of a prospective nominee to the Audit Committee under this paragraph, the proposed nominee shall be eligible for appointment to the Audit Committee unless the county council notifies the planning board in writing of an objection to the appointment and the basis for the objection.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>If the county council notifies the planning board of an objection to the appointment of a prospective nominee under this subsection, the planning board shall submit the name and qualifications of another prospective nominee for consideration.</text> </level> </level> <level label="g"> <text>The Audit Committee shall elect a voting member who is also a commissioner as chair.</text> </level> </section> <section article="glu" article_name="Land Use" number="15-403" title_number="15" title_name="Commission" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="Audit Committee"> <text>The Audit Committee shall select and appoint:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the independent certified public accountant required to audit the Commission’s annual financial report under § 15–115(a)(2) of this title; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the Inspector General as provided in Subtitle 5 of this title.</text> </level> </section> <section article="glu" article_name="Land Use" number="15-404" title_number="15" title_name="Commission" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="Audit Committee"> <level label="a"> <text>Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, the nonvoting member of the Audit Committee may vote on a decision of the Audit Committee in the event of a tie.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The appointment of the Inspector General may be approved only through a majority of the voting members of the Audit Committee.</text> </level> </section> <section article="glu" article_name="Land Use" number="15-405" title_number="15" title_name="Commission" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="Audit Committee"> <level label="a"> <text>The Commission shall adopt regulations to ensure that the Audit Committee operates independently from the management of the Commission.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The Commission may:</text> <level label="1"> <text>adopt rules of procedure; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>delegate other appropriate functions to the Audit Committee.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The regulations adopted under this section may provide for a reasonable stipend to compensate only the members of the Audit Committee who are not also commissioners.</text> </level> </section> <section article="glu" article_name="Land Use" number="15-501" title_number="15" title_name="Commission" subtitle_number="5" subtitle_name="Office of the Inspector General"> <level label="a"> <text>In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>“Abuse” means an employee’s intentional misconduct or misuse of authority or position:</text> <level label="i"> <text>involving Commission property or funds that is improper or deficient when compared to conduct a prudent person would consider reasonable under the same facts and circumstances; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>for the purpose of furthering improperly the private interests of the employee, a family member, or a close personal or business associate.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>“Abuse” includes:</text> <level label="i"> <text>theft or misappropriation of Commission property or funds; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>destruction or alteration of official records.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>“Fraud” means an intentional act or attempt to obtain something of value from the Commission or another person through willful misrepresentation.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>“Fraud” includes a willful false representation of a material fact, whether by words or by conduct, by false or misleading allegations, or by concealment of that which should have been disclosed, which causes the Commission to act, or fail to act, to the detriment of the Commission’s interest.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>“Office” means the Office of the Inspector General.</text> </level> <level label="e"> <text>“Vendor” means a party obligated by contract or subcontract to provide goods, services, or property to the Commission for consideration, including contracts and subcontracts for construction and professional services related to construction.</text> </level> <level label="f"> <level label="1"> <text>“Waste” means an inappropriate act or omission by an employee with control over, or access to, Commission property or funds that unreasonably deprives the Commission of value.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>“Waste” includes mismanagement or other unintentional conduct that is deficient or improper when compared to conduct a prudent person would consider necessary to preserve the value of Commission property or funds under the same facts and circumstances.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="glu" article_name="Land Use" number="15-502" title_number="15" title_name="Commission" subtitle_number="5" subtitle_name="Office of the Inspector General"> <text>There is an Office of the Inspector General in the Commission.</text> </section> <section article="glu" article_name="Land Use" number="15-503" title_number="15" title_name="Commission" subtitle_number="5" subtitle_name="Office of the Inspector General"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>The Audit Committee of the Commission shall appoint the Inspector General.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <level label="i"> <text>The Audit Committee shall select the Inspector General solely on the basis of professional ability and personal integrity, without regard to political affiliation.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The Inspector General shall be qualified professionally by experience or education in auditing, government operations, or financial management.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>The term of the Inspector General is 4 years beginning on the date of appointment.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>An individual may not serve as Inspector General for more than three terms.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The Inspector General may not participate in the merit system adopted by the Commission under Title 16, Subtitle 1 of this article, but:</text> <level label="i"> <text>may participate in any employee benefits program offered by the Commission on the same terms and conditions as it is offered generally to an employee participating in the merit system; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>the Commission may offer to an individual appointed as Inspector General any supplemental employee benefit programs it determines are necessary to recruit and retain an employee who does not participate in the merit system.</text> </level> </level> <level label="4"> <text>The Commission may remove the Inspector General by resolution adopted by the affirmative vote of not less than three of its members from each county for neglect of duty, malfeasance, conviction of a felony, or other good cause.</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>The Inspector General shall discharge the duties of office on a full–time basis and with no secondary employment of any nature during their term.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>Subject to budget authorization, applicable law, and the personnel regulations of the Commission, the Inspector General may select as subordinate staff of the Office one or more:</text> <level label="i"> <text>temporary term employees who do not participate in the merit system adopted by the Commission under Title 16, Subtitle 1 of this article; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>other employees who participate in the merit system.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Notwithstanding any provision of the personnel regulations to the contrary, an auditor, accountant, investigator, or similar professional employee appointed as subordinate staff of the Office shall be subject to dismissal by the Inspector General only for neglect of duty, malfeasance, conviction of a felony, or other good cause.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>Subject to budget authorization and the applicable procurement regulations, the Inspector General may retain consultants by contract.</text> </level> </section> <section article="glu" article_name="Land Use" number="15-504" title_number="15" title_name="Commission" subtitle_number="5" subtitle_name="Office of the Inspector General"> <level label="a"> <text>The Office shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>assist the Commission by providing independent evaluation and recommendations regarding opportunities to:</text> <level label="i"> <text>preserve the Commission’s reputation; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>improve the effectiveness, productivity, or efficiency of Commission programs, policies, practices, and operations;</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>ensure public accountability by preventing, investigating, and reporting instances of fraud, waste, and abuse of Commission property or funds;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>examine, evaluate, and report on the adequacy and effectiveness of the systems of internal controls and their related accounting, financial, technology, and operational policies; and</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>report noncompliance with and propose ways to improve employee compliance with applicable law, policy, and ethical standards of conduct.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>In developing recommendations, the Office may:</text> <level label="1"> <text>conduct administrative investigations, budgetary analyses, and financial, management, or performance audits and similar reviews;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>provide management advisories; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>utilize the assistance from any other government agency or private party to complete a project initiated by the Office.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>When applicable, the Inspector General shall comply with generally accepted government auditing standards.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, the Inspector General shall submit written reports to the Audit Committee and to the Commission for publication on the Commission’s Web site.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The Inspector General:</text> <level label="i"> <text>may not disclose any record, report, or related information that is protected from disclosure under the Public Information Act;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>may provide an oral report if appropriate under generally accepted government auditing standards; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>shall establish and follow procedures for safeguarding the identity of confidential sources and protecting privileged and confidential information.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The Commission shall publish with any report submitted by the Inspector General any official written comments or responses offered by the Commission’s management.</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>The Inspector General shall also submit to the Commission for publication on the Commission’s Web site periodic reports that summarize the activities, findings, recommendations, and accomplishments of the Office.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <text>If reasonable grounds exist to believe that a serious violation of federal, State, or local law has occurred, the Inspector General shall report the allegation to:</text> <level label="1"> <text>an appropriate law enforcement agency;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the State Ethics Commission; or</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>any other agency with jurisdiction to enforce the law.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="glu" article_name="Land Use" number="15-505" title_number="15" title_name="Commission" subtitle_number="5" subtitle_name="Office of the Inspector General"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>The Inspector General shall coordinate with the Audit Committee to develop a written work plan and establish periodic goals and priorities for the Office based on an assessment of relative risks.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>In developing the work plan, the Inspector General shall take into consideration requests from the planning boards, commissioners, Commission officers, managers, and employees, elected officials, and members of the public.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The Inspector General shall make the written work plan available to the public, subject to the Public Information Act.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>In performing the duties authorized under this subtitle, the Inspector General shall coordinate with the park police or other law enforcement agency, agency personnel administrators, the State Ethics Commission, and other internal officials or external entities as appropriate to avoid unnecessary disruption or duplication of effort in conducting any audit, analysis, or administrative investigation.</text> </level> </section> <section article="glu" article_name="Land Use" number="15-506" title_number="15" title_name="Commission" subtitle_number="5" subtitle_name="Office of the Inspector General"> <level label="a"> <text>The Commission shall include in the Commission’s annual operating budget proposal the amounts recommended by the Audit Committee for the Office.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Subject to budget authorization and adequate funds:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the Commission’s general counsel shall provide legal services to the Inspector General and may employ special counsel if appropriate or required by law; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the Inspector General may employ and be represented by a special legal counsel without consent of the general counsel if the Audit Committee approves of a request after considering any recommendation or comment offered by the general counsel relating to the request.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="glu" article_name="Land Use" number="15-507" title_number="15" title_name="Commission" subtitle_number="5" subtitle_name="Office of the Inspector General"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>On request from the Inspector General, a Commission employee or official shall promptly provide to the Inspector General any available document or other information concerning Commission operations, budget, programs, or vendor contracts.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <level label="i"> <text>The Inspector General shall notify the Audit Committee and Commission chair, vice–chair, and executive director if any Commission employee or official fails to provide any information or document requested under this subsection with reasonable promptness.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The Commission chair, vice–chair, or executive director shall take administrative action to produce compliance with a pending request for information by the Inspector General as warranted and appropriate.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>A vendor of the Commission shall provide to the Inspector General any available document or other information concerning any Commission vendor contract, including documents related to the procurement of the contract.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <level label="i"> <text>The Inspector General shall promptly notify the Audit Committee and Commission officers if any vendor fails to provide any information or document requested under this subsection with reasonable promptness.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The Commission officers shall take appropriate administrative or civil action to produce vendor compliance with a pending request for information by the Inspector General.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>Each Commission employee should report any fraud, waste, or abuse to the Office.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A Commission employee, vendor, or employee of any vendor may not be retaliated against or penalized, or threatened with retaliation or penalty, for providing information to, cooperating with, or in any way assisting the Inspector General and staff of the Office in connection with any activity authorized under this subtitle.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The Inspector General may not disclose the identity of a person that reports an allegation of fraud, waste, or abuse unless:</text> <level label="i"> <text>the reporting person consents to disclosure of the person’s identity;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>disclosure is reasonably necessary to complete an audit or investigation; or</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>another person is legally entitled to disclosure of the identity of the reporting person.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>The Inspector General or a staff member authorized by the Inspector General may administer an oath or affirmation or take an affidavit from any person if necessary to perform the duties under this subtitle.</text> </level> <level label="e"> <text>The Commission may adopt regulations to carry out the requirements of this section.</text> </level> </section> <section article="glu" article_name="Land Use" number="15-508" title_number="15" title_name="Commission" subtitle_number="5" subtitle_name="Office of the Inspector General"> <level label="a"> <text>The Inspector General, or a staff member authorized by the Inspector General, may administer oaths and take depositions and other testimony for the purpose of investigating fraud, waste, or abuse within the Commission.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The Inspector General may subpoena any person or evidence for the purpose of investigating fraud, waste, or abuse within the Commission.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>If a person fails to comply with a lawful order or subpoena issued under this section, on petition of the Inspector General, a court of competent jurisdiction may compel:</text> <level label="1"> <text>compliance with the order or subpoena; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>testimony or the production of evidence.</text> </level> </level> </section>