In this subtitle, “Commission” means the Commission on African American History and Culture.

There is a Commission on African American History and Culture. The Commission is an independent unit in the Executive Branch of State government.

The Commission consists of 21 members appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate. The members shall: represent the entire community of the State; know about African American culture and history; be sensitive to the problems of minority communities; and be connected with agencies working to integrate minority history and culture into the history of the State and American culture. The term of a member is 4 years. The terms of the members are staggered as required by the terms provided for members of the Commission on October 1, 2005, and October 1, 2011. A 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. Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, a member may be reappointed. A member who has served two consecutive four–year terms may not be reappointed until at least one year has elapsed after the end of the previous term. The Governor may remove a member for incompetence or misconduct.

The Commission shall elect annually a chair and vice chair from among its members.

The Commission shall meet at the call of the chair, a majority of the members, or the Governor. A member of the Commission: may not receive compensation as a member of the Commission; but is entitled to receive reimbursement for expenses under the Standard State Travel Regulations, as provided in the State budget.

With the approval of the Governor, the Commission shall appoint a director. The director may not be a member of the Commission. The director serves at the pleasure of the Commission, subject to the concurrence of the Governor. The director is a special appointment in the State Personnel Management System. Subject to the rules and policies adopted by the Commission, the director shall: administer the activities of the Commission; and supervise the appointment and removal of Commission personnel.

The Commission shall: initiate, direct, and coordinate projects that further the understanding of African American history and culture; receive and administer any available federal, State, or private money to plan and execute projects or educational activities that further the understanding of African American history and culture; operate the Banneker–Douglass–Tubman Museum in Annapolis to house and display photographs, objects, oral history tapes, artifacts, and other materials of African American historic and cultural significance; locate, preserve, and disseminate to the public information about significant buildings and sites relating to African American history and culture; and publish an annual report and any other material that the Commission considers necessary. The Commission may provide operational funding to a museum that specializes in African American history and culture.

The Commission may seek money from the federal government, foundations, and private sources in addition to State financing. The Commission may accept gifts, grants, donations, bequests, or endowments for any of its purposes. Money received under subsection (a) of this section, income from the operation of the Banneker–Douglass–Tubman Museum, and money from educational materials and activities of the Commission are not subject to § 7–302 of the State Finance and Procurement Article. For each fiscal year, the Governor shall include in the annual budget bill an appropriation of $1,600,000 for the Commission. Money maintained under this section is subject to audit by the State, including the Legislative Auditor.