88                                     LAWS OF MARYLAND                            [CH. 46

therein, notice of which hearing shall be published 15 days before the
date of the hearing in a newspaper or newspapers of general circula-
tion throughout the State. A copy of such notice shall be sent at the
same time to every person, firm, or corporation who or which shall
have registered with the State Fire Prevention Commission a request
to be so notified. The notice shall contain the time and place of hear-
ing, and shall specify the place and times at which the proposed State
Fire Prevention Code may be examined.

(b) After the adoption of a State Fire Prevention Code, prior to
the promulgation, amendment, or repeal of any additional regulation,
the State Fire Prevention Commission shall hold at least one public
hearing on each regulation, amendment, or repealer to be separately
submitted, notice of which hearing shall be published 15 days before
the date of the hearing in a newspaper or newspapers of general
circulation throughout the State. A copy of such notice shall be
sent at the same time to every person, firm, or corporation who or
which shall have registered with the State Fire Prevention Commis-
sion a request to be so notified. The notice shall contain the time
and place of hearing, subjects to be discussed, and shall specify the
place and times at which the proposed regulation, amendment, or
repealer may be examined.

5.    Commission's Powers in Conduct of Public Hearing

For the purpose of any public hearing under this Article, the State
Fire Prevention Commission shall have the power to summon wit-
nesses and administer oaths for the purpose of giving of testimony.

6.    Annual Reports

The State Fire Prevention Commission shall transmit annually to
the Governor by September thirtieth of each year an annual report
of its activities.

Fire Marshal

7.    State Fire Marshal; appointment; qualifications

(a)   The office of State Fire Marshal is established. The State
Fire Prevention Commission shall appoint a State Fire Marshal for
a six-year term. He is not subject to the provisions of Article 64A
of this Code, but he can be removed by the Commission at any time
for neglect of duty, or other conduct unbecoming his office. Prior
to removal, he shall be given timely notice by the Commission with
a statement of the charges against him with an opportunity in person
or by counsel for a public hearing thereon. Initially the salary of
the State Fire Marshal shall be not less than that of the Assistant
Fire Marshal, immediately prior to July 1, 1964,. The State Fire
Marshal shall be appointed in accordance with the following quali-
fications: (1) Graduation from an accredited college or university,
with specialized study in either the field of fire protection or engi-
neering, and (2) five years of recent progressively responsible ex-
perience in fire prevention inspection, fire investigation, fire safety
promotion, fire protection engineering, teaching fire safety engi-
neering, or fire fighting, three years of which must have been at the
administrative level.

(b)   The State Fire Marshal, by delegation of authority vested in
the State Fire Prevention Commission and within policy established