In this subtitle, “Commission” means the Maryland Transportation Commission.

There is a Maryland Transportation Commission in the Department.

The Commission consists of the following 17 members: As ex officio members, the seven regional members of the State Roads Commission; and Ten members appointed by the Governor with the advice of the Secretary. An appointed member may not be an officer or employee of the Department. Each appointed member shall be a resident of this State and have interest and, preferably, experience in at least one of the fields under the jurisdiction of the Department. Each appointed member serves for a term of 3 years and until his successor is appointed and qualifies. The terms of appointed members shall be staggered as required by the original appointments to the Commission, three of which were made for a 3-year term, four of which were made for a 2-year term, and three of which were made for a 1-year term. A member appointed to fill a vacancy in an unexpired term serves only for the remainder of that term.

The Governor shall designate one of the appointed members of the Commission as its Chairman. The Commission shall meet, at a time and place designated by the Commission or its Chairman: At least once each month; and At any other time that the Secretary requests. The Secretary shall provide the Commission with the facilities and personnel of the Department that the Secretary considers necessary for the conduct of the business of the Commission. A member of the Commission is entitled to: The per diem compensation provided in the State budget; and Reimbursement for expenses incurred in the discharge of his duties, in accordance with the Standard State Travel Regulations of the Department of Budget and Management.

The Maryland Transportation Commission shall study the entire transportation system of this State and regularly discuss with the Secretary any matter relating to this State’s transportation system. Each of the seven regional members of the State Roads Commission, who serve as ex officio members of the Maryland Transportation Commission, shall: Conduct a continuing survey of the secondary highways, as defined in § 8-101 of this article, in that member’s region; and Report on the highway needs and problems of that region to the Maryland Transportation Commission. The Maryland Transportation Commission may request of the Secretary any information relating to the Department that is needed for the Commission’s studies, surveys, and deliberations. The Commission shall advise and make recommendations to the Secretary and the heads of the units in the Department on all matters that concern transportation policy formation and program execution.