1312                            LAWS OF MARYLAND                     [CH. 743

shall also elect annually a secretary, who need not be a member of
the Board. The secretary shall receive such compensation as may be
provided in the budget; and the compensation of the members, the
secretary and all expenses of the Board shall be paid from its re-
ceipts. The Board shall have the authority to obtain information
which it may require in the field of physical therapy and, for that
purpose, may secure the advice of experts and consultants to be
paid out of the funds of the Board.

Sec. 2. And be it further enacted. That this Act shall take effect
June 1, 1966.

Approved May 6, 1966.

CHAPTER 743
(House Bill 614)

AN ACT to add new Section 26A to Article 25 of the Annotated Code
of Maryland (1957 Edition), title "County Commissioners," subtitle
"General Provisions," to follow immediately after Section 26 there-
of, to authorize the counties of the State or any combination of
counties to establish regional councils of government to study area
problems and formulate solutions thereto, providing generally for
the structure, powers, duties and financing of said councils.

Section 1. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Maryland,
That new Section 26A be and it is hereby added to Article 25 of the
Annotated Code of Maryland (1957 Edition), title "County Commis-
sioners," subtitle "General Provisions," to follow immediately after
Section 26 thereof, and to read as follows :

26A.

(a)     The governing bodies of any county, city, town or any com-
bination thereof by resolution may establish and organize a council
of governments for the purpose of studying area governmental prob-
lems of mutual interest and concern, including such matters as facility
studies on sewers and sewage disposal, water, storm drainage, roads,
rubbish and garbage disposal, recreation, zoning, parks and ports, and
to formulate recommendations for review and action thereon by the
member governing bodies.

(b)    Membership of the council shall consist of one representative
from each participating county, city or town. The representative from
each member county, city or town shall be the elected chief executive
of that particular government or a member of its governing body
chosen by such body to be its representative. Any county, city or
town which has become a member may withdraw upon 60 days notice
subsequent to formal action by the governing body.

(c) (1) The council shall have the power to (i) study such area
governmental problems common to two or more members of the
council as it deems appropriate, including but not limited to matters
affecting health, safety, welfare, education, economic conditions, and
regional development; (ii) promote cooperative arrangements and