The Board of Public Works is composed of the Governor, the Comptroller of the Treasury, and the
Treasurer of the State. The Constitution requires the Board to meet on the first Wednesday of January,
April, July, and October in Annapolis and more often when necessary (Const. 1867, Art. XII, sees.
1-3). As a matter of practice, meetings are scheduled every three weeks.

The Board exercises such powers and duties as are prescribed in the Constitution or delegated to it
from time to time by the General Assembly. The Board approves the expenditures of all sums appropri-
ated through State loans authorized by the General Assembly, as well as the expenditures of all general
and other funds appropriated for capital improvements except those appropriated for State roads, bridg-
es, and highways. The Board approves every new lease or renewal for land, buildings, or office space
before such contracts are executed by any department, board, commission, State officer, or institution of
the State. It may also designate the location of any State agency, after review by the Secretary of the
Department of Budget and Fiscal Planning.

The Board may borrow upon the credit of the State, at any time between the sessions of the General
Assembly, sums not to exceed $50,000 to meet temporary deficits in the Treasury. In addition, the
Board may borrow upon the credit of the State total amounts not exceeding $1,000,000 in anticipation
of the collection of taxes or other revenues, including the proceeds from the sale of bonds. All such
loans bear interest at a rate determined by the Board, and must mature and be repaid at or before the
end of the fiscal year in which the money is borrowed (Const. 1867, Art. Ill, sec. 34).

Upon recommendation of the Comptroller, the Board may adopt regulations covering matters of busi-
ness administration in the various departments, institutions, and agencies of the State, including the fix-
ing of uniform rates of mileage allowance and the terms and renewals of all bonds furnished by State
officials and employees. The sale, lease, or transfer of any real property belonging to any State agency or
institution must be approved, and the conveyance signed, by the Board and the highest official of the
agency or institution. Where no agency or institution claims the property, the Board executes the con-
veyance. The Board of Public Works has custody of the General Emergency Fund, which is used to
supplement the budgets of the agencies and institutions of the State. The Board must also issue a license
to anyone who seeks to dredge or fill in State wetlands.

The Board of Public Works is required to adopt and promulgate rules, regulations, and procedures
for the administration of the State Public School Construction Program and to approve the allocations
which are to be paid to each of the counties and Baltimore City.

The Board is also required to appoint a coordinator whose duties are to provide for the consolidation
of administrative procedures relating to the issuance of permits for certain development and construc-
tion projects (Code 1957, Articles 15A, 23, 27, 31, 41, 43, 73B, 78A, 94A; Education Article; Estates
and Trusts Article; Environment Article; Natural Resources Article; State Finance and Procurement
Article; State Government Article; Transportation Article)