In this section, “uniformed services” has the meaning stated in 38 U.S.C. § 4303 and 20 C.F.R. § 1002.5(o). This section applies to all employees, except temporary employees, of all units in the Executive, Judicial, and Legislative branches of State government, including any unit with an independent personnel system. Uniformed services administrative leave may be provided to an employee subject to this section who: is on active uniformed services duty on July 1, 2003; or is activated for uniformed services duty on or after July 1, 2003. An employee who is eligible to receive uniformed services administrative leave under this section is entitled to leave in an amount sufficient to compensate the employee, during each pay period for which the employee is eligible to receive uniformed services administrative leave under this section, for the difference between the employee’s active duty base salary paid by the federal government and the employee’s State base salary or direct wages. Compensation provided under this subsection may not exceed an employee’s State base salary or direct wages. An employee eligible to receive uniformed services administrative leave under this section who is activated for uniformed services duty on or after July 1, 2003, shall elect to use either uniformed services administrative leave or paid leave as provided in § 9–1104(b)(3) of this subtitle. The Department shall keep a record of the use of uniformed services administrative leave under this section.