354                             LAWS OF MARYLAND                     [CH. 154

provisions of the Administrative Procedure Act and other rule-
making requirements imposed by law. 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 review the annual budget request of the Department and
to [approve or disapprove] advise the Director with respect to any
items reflecting changes in established programs or objectives be-
fore October 1 of each year.

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

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

(i) Except as provided in this Section, all other powers and
duties exercised and performed by the Commission or its chairman
pursuant to any provisions of law shall, from and after July 1, 1969,
be exercised and performed by the Director.

10.

(a)    The Governor shall appoint, upon the recommendation of the
Secretary of Natural Resources, [with the advice and consent of the
senate,] a competent person with the qualifications prescribed
herein as Director of the Department of Chesapeake Bay Affairs.
The Director shall be the [administrative] head of the Department
and shall personally direct its operations and activities. The Direc-
tor shall be a person with executive ability and experience, and shall
have an academic degree and knowledge of the general principles
involved in the administration, improvement, planning, manage-
ment and conservation of the fish, shellfish and other natural re-
sources of the Chesapeake Bay and other tidal waters of the State.
The Director shall devote his full time to the work of the Depart-
ment and shall receive such salary as may be provided in the annual
State Budget. The [present] Director [who is holding office on
June 1, 1964,] shall hold office under and subject to the provisions
of [Article 64A of this Code title "Merit System."] Section 234 (c)
of Article 41 of this Code. [After the departure from office of the
existing Director, any subsequent director appointed under the pro-
visions of this subheading shall hold office at the pleasure of the Gov-
ernor. The Director shall from time to time at the request of the
Governor or as may be necessary, report to the Governor on the
functions and operations of the Department.] Wherever reference
is made in this or any other section of the Code to the chairman of
the Commission of Tidewater Fisheries, it shall hereafter mean the
Director of the Department.

(b)    As the [admi