696                                 Laws of Maryland                         [Ch. 543

from the departments, agencies or local governments concerned. The
Director may, also, from time to time, contract for professional or
consultant services in connection with the work of the Planning
Department.

6.    State Planning Commission; membership; subcommittees

(a)   There shall be a State Planning Commission within the De-
partment of State Planning, to advise and assist the Director of
Planning in the performance of his duties. The State Planning Com-
mission shall consist of seven NINE members , SEVEN OF WHOM
SHALL BE appointed by the Governor, of whom none shall be per-
sons holding a salaried state office, selected, as far as possible, to
reflect different broad geographic, economic and social interests in
the State. They shall serve for four-year terms, beginning as of June
1 in the year in which appointed, and until their successors are
appointed, except that of the members originally appointed four shall
be appointed for a two-year term and the remainder for a four-year
term. The Governor shall fill by appointment any vacancy for the
unexpired balance of a member's term. TWO MEMBERS OF THE
COMMISSION SHALL BE EX OFFICIO MEMBERS, ONE OF
WHOM SHALL BE A MEMBER OF THE HOUSE OF DELE-
GATES OF MARYLAND TO BE DESIGNATED BY THE
SPEAKER THEREOF, AND THE OTHER OF WHOM SHALL BE
A MEMBER OF THE SENATE OF MARYLAND TO BE DESIG-
NATED BY THE PRESIDENT THEREOF. All members shall serve
without compensation but shall be reimbursed for necessary expenses
incurred in the performance of their duties. The Governor shall
appoint a chairman of the Commission. The State Planning Com-
mission shall meet as often as necessary but at least twice each year,
either on the call of the Governor, or on the call of the chairman. The
chairman shall call a meeting of the Commission whenever requested
to do so by the Director of State Planning or by any three members
of the Commission. The Director of State Planning or a staff mem-
ber of the Department of State Planning designated by the Director
shall serve as secretary to the Commission.

(b)   The State Planning Commission may from time to time estab-
lish subcommittees and may delegate such of its functions to sub-
committees as it may deem appropriate. The chairman of the Plan-
ning Commission may appoint to membership of the subcommittees
non-members of the Commission specially qualified in matters to be
considered by such subcommittees. Unless authorized by a majority
vote of the State Planning Commission, the number of such special
subcommittee members serving on any one subcommittee shall be
less than the number of members of the State Planning Commission
serving on such subcommittee. All members of a subcommittee shall
be reimbursed for necessary expenses incurred in the performance
of their duties.

7.    State Planning Commission; responsibilities and duties

(a)  The State Planning Commission shall have the following
responsibilities and duties:

(b)   To consider the state development plan or any part thereof
prior to its submission to the Governor, and to advise the Director of
State Planning in regard thereto;