258                              LAWS OF MARYLAND                        [CH. 82

(c)  To keep itself fully informed of the activities of the Depart-
ment and to receive periodic and special reports concerning the cur-
rent operations of the Department.

(d)   To consider the needs for further resource development in the
Chesapeake Bay and other tidal waters of the State from the points
of view of the several economic and social interests of its people and
to approve long-range plans and programs of the Department.

(e)   To UNDER THE PROCEDURES AND RESTRICTIONS
HEREIN PROVIDED, TO promulgate rules and regulations pursuant
to the authority granted by the laws of Maryland and to modify or
amend the same from time to time as may be necessary or proper in
order to carry out the responsibilities of the Department. The rules
and regulations established by the Commission shall include but not be
limited to those deemed necessary and proper for governing or re-
stricting the taking or catching of fish, shell fish, and other resources,
the possession thereof, or the method by which the same may be taken,
or the opening or closing of any specified areas for the taking or catch-
ing of fish, shellfish, and other resources, or prohibiting or restricting
devices used for the taking or catching of fish, shellfish, or other re-
sources, or establishing seasons for taking same or establishing mini-
mum size limits for fish, shellfish, and other resources. Rules and
regulations promulgated shall be subject to the provisions of the Ad-
ministrative Procedure Act and other rule-making requirements im-
posed by law. Any such rules and regulations adopted shall have the

force and effect of law, unless and until modified or repealed by the

General Assembly. AND PROMULGATED BY THE COMMISSION,
AND ANY AMENDMENTS OR MODIFICATIONS THEREOF,
SHALL BE SUBMITTED BY THE COMMISSION TO THE NEXT
SUBSEQUENT SESSION OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, AND
THE RULES AND REGULATIONS SHALL NOT BE EFFECTIVE
UNTIL AND UNLESS THEY HAVE BEEN APPROVED IN A
STATUTE ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY. Nothing
contained herein shall be construed to grant any power to change
or modify any law enacted by the General Assembly of Maryland
either before or after the passage of this subheading.

(f)  To approve programs of the Department as represented in the
annual budget.

(g) To assist the Director in fostering public awareness and under-
standing of the objectives and functions of the Department, and in
stimulating public participation and interest in orderly integrated
resource development within the Chesapeake Bay and coastal regions.

(h) To hold public hearings and to sponsor meetings when deemed
necessary or useful in the execution of its duties.

10.

(a) The Commission GOVERNOR shall appoint, with the ap-
proval of the Governor ADVICE AND CONSENT OF THE SEN-
ATE, a competent person with the qualifications prescribed herein
as Director of the Department. The Director shall be the adminis-
trative head of the Department and shall personally direct its opera-
tions and activities. The Director shall be a person with executive
ability and experience, and shall have an academic degree and knowl-
edge of the general principles involved in the administration, im-
provement, planning, management and conservation of the fish, shell-