454                              LAWS OF MARYLAND                      [CH. 306

361.

The Governor shall appoint an Executive Director of the Office
who shall be chief administrative and executive officer thereof. He
shall not be subject to the provisions of Article 64A of this Code,
and shall be selected because of his known experience and interest
in the advancement and development of economic opportunity. He
shall receive such salary as provided in the budget from time to time.

362.

(a)   The Office shall maintain liaison with the Federal Office of
Economic Opportunity, county and city Commissions on Economic
Opportunity, citizens groups and all other Agencies of the State,
federal, county and municipal governments and it shall consult with
and advise these local groups on their programs on economic oppor-
tunity and shall work at all levels of Government to administer and
implement the Federal Economic Opportunity Act and program.

(b)   The Office shall collect and assemble pertinent information and
data available from other departments and agencies of the State
and Federal Governments and shall disseminate information in the
interest of economic opportunity programs in this State by publica-
tion, advertisement, conferences, workshops, programs, lectures and
other means.

(c)    The Office may employ professional, technical, clerical, steno-
graphic, and other personnel to carry out its duties and functions
within the limits of budgetary appropriations from time to time.
None of the employees, directory and supervisory personnel of the
Office shall be subject to the provisions contained in Article 64A
of the Code, title "Merit System".

(d)   In the performance of its duties, the Office is hereby author-
ized and empowered to make and enter into contracts and to assume
such other functions as are necessary to carry out the provisions
of this subtitle that are not inconsistent with this or other Acts.
The Office may make and enter into contracts with other boards,
Commissions, agencies and institutions of this State, other States
and the Federal Government, upon such terms as may be eventually
agreed upon, to have such studies and research activities as may be
necessary and proper, and is authorized to pay the cost thereof out
of funds which may be appropriated to the Office.

363.

If and when the Federal Government or any agency thereof offers
to the State or any political subdivision thereof services, equipment,
supplies, materials or funds by way of gift or grant for purposes
of economic opportunity or the advancement thereof under any
federal or state program or legislation, the State of Maryland, acting
through the State of Maryland Office of Economic Opportunity, may
accept such offer and may authorize any Officer of the State or of
one of the political subdivisions thereof as the case may be to receive
and utilize such aid and assistance. Similarly, if any other person,
firm or corporation offers to the State or to one or more of the
political subdivisions thereof any such aid or assistance for pur-
poses of economic opportunity, the offer may be accepted and the
receiving and use of the aid and assistance may be authorized by the
State of Maryland Office of Economic Opportunity.