In this subtitle, “Trust” means the State House Trust.

There is a State House Trust.

The Trust consists of the following 4 ex officio members: the Governor; the President of the Senate; the Speaker of the House of Delegates; and from the Maryland Historical Trust, the Chairman or the Chairman’s designee, who may be another trustee, the Director, or the State Historic Preservation Officer. The Trust may include not more than 3 associate members appointed by the members. Each associate member must have experience and interest in historic preservation. An associate member may not vote.

The Trust shall determine the times and places of its meetings.

In addition to any duties set forth elsewhere, the Trust shall: be responsible for the restoration and preservation of the State House; be responsible for the landscaping and construction of Lawyer’s Mall; and disapprove or approve and supervise: any proposed repair, improvement, or other change to the State House or to any other building within State Circle, including any change to the furnishings or fixtures of those buildings; any proposed landscaping of the grounds of those buildings; and any proposed improvement, nonemergency repair, or other change to Lawyer’s Mall. The Trust is not required under subsection (a)(2) or (3)(iii) of this section to be responsible for, or disapprove or approve and supervise, the coordination, security, and scheduling of rallies and other events held on Lawyer’s Mall.

The Trust shall retain an architect as a consultant. The consultant must: be registered by the State Board of Architects; be familiar with all phases of 18th century architecture; and have the professional experience that is needed to restore the State House in a way that befits its majestic history and its current role as the Capitol. The consultant is entitled to the compensation provided in the State budget. The consultant shall: prepare measured drawings of the State House; publish the drawings and a descriptive text; send copies of the drawings to the National Trust for Historic Preservation; and subject to § 2-1257 of this article, submit to the General Assembly a report on the drawings.