1486

LAWS OF MARYLAND

Ch. 513

Article 40 — General Assembly

89.

The joint committee on legislative ethics is
established. [There shall be ten members of the committee]
THE COMMITTEE CONSISTS OF TEN MEMBERS, five to be members of
the Senate of Maryland and five to be members of the House
of Delegates of Maryland, and these members shall include ex
officio, the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the
House of Delegates. The appointments shall be made by the
President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House who
shall also appoint a chairman and vice-chairman. The
appointees shall serve at the pleasure of the President of
the Senate and the Speaker of the House.

90.

It is the function of the committee:

(1)   To promulgate rules of legislative ethics
WHICH DO NOT CONFLICT WITH THE PROVISIONS OF ARTICLE 40A
with respect to conflicts of interest governing members of
the General Assembly. The rules shall be presented by a
joint resolution and become effective after adoption by a
constitutional majority of each house voting separately. [;
and the] THE rules shall be effective on a year-round basis
AND MAY SUPPLEMENT THE PROVISIONS OF ARTICLE 40A. THE
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE AND THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF
DELEGATES MAY REFER ANY MATTERS TO THE COMMITTEE WHICH THEY
DEEM APPROPRIATE.

(2)   To issue guidelines and establish procedures
for the implementation of rules adopted.

(3) To issue advisory opinions upon request of
members of the General Assembly regarding legislative ethics
concerning an action taken or contemplated by any member.

AN OPINION OF THE COMMITTEE SHALL REMAIN IN FORCE UNLESS, TO

THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY THE CONSTITUTION, IT IS OVERRULED OR

MODIFIED BY THE STATE ETHICS COMMISSION. AN OPINION OF THE

COMMITTEE SHALL BE GIVEN STRONG CONSIDERATION IN

DETERMINATIONS BY THE COMMISSION AND ITS STAFF AFFECTING

MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

require.
91.

(4) To maintain public records as the rules

The committee shall meet at times it deems appropriate.
Its members shall serve without compensation for services
rendered to the committee, but shall be paid their necessary
expenses in carrying out their obligations under this
subtitle.

91A.

RULES OF ETHICS.