# State Government (GSG)

## Title 3. Governor and Lieutenant Governor

### Subtitle 3. General Powers and Duties

#### Section 3-301

In addition to the powers granted and duties imposed elsewhere, the Governor has the powers and duties set forth in this subtitle.

#### Section 3-302

The Governor is the head of the Executive Branch of the State government and, except as otherwise provided by law, shall supervise and direct the officers and units in that Branch.

#### Section 3-303

(a) The Governor is the commander-in-chief of the land and naval militia of the State, except for any part of the militia that is in the active service of the uniformed services.

(b)

  (1) As to the land militia, the Governor may adopt any regulation or issue any order on enlistment, discharge, organization, discipline, training, and equipment that is needed to conform to Title 13 of the Public Safety Article, to the National Defense Act, or to any regulation that is adopted under the National Defense Act.

  (2) As to a naval militia, the Governor may:

    (i) by executive order, organize, arm, and equip the naval militia; and

    (ii) provide for its administration and discipline in a manner that, to the extent practicable, shall conform to federal law.

#### Section 3-304

The Governor has the emergency powers and duties set forth in:

(1) Title 14 and Sec. 13-702 of the Public Safety Article;

(2) Sec. 18-212.1 of the Health - General Article; and

(3) any other law.

#### Section 3-305

The Governor may send to the Legislative Policy Committee a message that recommends legislation or explains a policy of the Governor.

#### Section 3-306

(a) In this section, "governing board" means a board of directors, managers, trustees, or visitors.

(b) The Governor may appoint 1 or more individuals who are discreet to represent the Governor at a meeting of the governing board of a corporation or institution that receives financial assistance from the State Treasury.

(c)

  (1) An individual appointed under this section may attend any meeting of the governing board.

  (2) At the meeting, the individual may not vote, but may give an opinion on any matter being considered or discussed.

#### Section 3-307

(a) On the filing of a complaint against a civil or military officer who may be suspended or removed from office by the Governor, the Governor:

  (1) shall provide to the respondent:

    (i) a copy of the complaint; and

    (ii) notice of the time when the Governor shall hear the complaint;

  (2) may summon any witness to testify concerning the complaint, pay the witness a fee of $1 a day for attending, and reimburse the witness for travel expenses incurred in testifying;

  (3) may designate one or more individuals to attend on the Governor's behalf any part of any hearing that relates to the establishment of the facts of the complaint; and

  (4) may order either party or the State to pay any costs of the proceeding.

(b) The Governor, in the same manner as a court of the State, may enforce:

  (1) the attendance of a witness summoned under subsection (a)(2) of this section; or

  (2) an order under subsection (a)(4) of this section for payment of costs by a party or the State.

(c) If the State is ordered to pay costs under subsection (a)(4) of this section, the Comptroller shall issue a warrant to the Treasurer to pay the costs.

#### Section 3-308

(a)

  (1) In this section, "international trade agreement" means a trade agreement between the federal government and a foreign country to which the State, at the request of the federal government, is a party.

  (2) "International trade agreement" does not include a trade agreement between the State and a foreign country to which the federal government is not a party.

(b) Except as provided in subsection (c) of this section, State officials, including the Governor, may not:

  (1) bind the State to the government procurement rules of an international trade agreement; or

  (2) give consent to the federal government to bind the State to the government procurement rules of an international trade agreement.

(c) The Governor may bind the State or give consent to the federal government to bind the State to the government procurement rules of an international trade agreement only if the General Assembly enacts legislation that explicitly authorizes the Governor to bind the State or give consent to the federal government to bind the State to the government procurement rules of a specific international trade agreement.

---

Md. Code Ann., State Gov't (as displayed at mgaleg.maryland.gov, October 16, 2026)