MARVIN MANDEL, Governor                        755

herein, on and after July 1 the Governor of Maryland shall appoint
one or more qualified persons to the Board.], all of whom shall be
residents of the Maryland-Washington Regional District and no more
than two members from any one county. The three members of the
Board shall be appointed as of July 1, 1969. Of the persons first
appointed, one shall have a term of one year, one shall have a term
of two years, one shall have a term of three years, all dating from
July 1, 1969. As of July 1, 1970; July 1, 1971 and July 1, 1972, and
each three years thereafter a person shall be appointed for a term of
three years. Vacancies of the Board shall be filled in the same manner
as for the making of original appointments. One member of the
Board shall be named by the Commission as Chairman and shall serve
as Chairman at the pleasure of the Commission. If by August 1,
1969, or in any year thereafter the appointments of any of the
members required herein have not been made as provided herein, on
or after August 1, the Governor of Maryland shall appoint one or
more persons to the Board. All appointees shall be knowledgeable
and experienced in personnel matters. No appointee shall be a Park
and Planning Commission Member or official of the Park and
Planning Commission staff at the time of appointment to the Merit
Board. The appointments of all Merit Board members appointed
prior to June 30, 1969, shall terminate on the effective date of this
Act. Such Board members may be appointed for new terms if they
are qualified under the provisions of this Act.

(c)    [As soon as possible after its appointment in 1966,] [t]
The Board shall prepare and recommend a compensation plan, a
classification plan, and [adopt] comprehensive rules and regula-
tions governing the operation [s] of the Merit System for Commis-
sion employees. The Board [in its discretion shall determine the
scope and applicability of the regulations, and any exemptions there-
from, within the restrictions of this section. The regulations may be
abolished, supplemented, changed or amended from time to time by
the Board in its discretion. Upon adoption of a comprehensive plan
and any subsequent modifications, they shall become effective upon
filing with the Commission.] shall submit its recommendation to the
Commission for adoption. The Commission may adopt, disapprove
or modify the Board's recommendations, provided however, that
if the Commission does not act on a Merit Board recommendation
within ninety (90) calendar days of the date of filing of the
recommendation with the Commission the recommendation shall be
considered approved. Any compensation plan, classification plan or
rules and regulations heretofore promulgated shall continue in exist-
ence and remain in full force and effect unless and until modified or
amended as herein provided.

(d)    The Commission shall MAY make available to the Board its
record, facilities, [and any] employees [necessary in the prepara-