118                              Laws of Maryland                         Ch. 96

areas of the State where population so demands. On or before
August 1, 1969, the members of the Commission then serving shall
draw lots to determine the length of their respective terms of office.
One member shall serve a seven-year term of office, one member
shall serve a six-year term of office, one member shall serve a five-
year term of office, one member shall serve a four-year term of
office, one member shall serve a three-year term of office, one mem-
ber shall serve a two-year term of office and one member shall
serve a one-year term of office.] The Maryland Veterans Commis-
sion shall be part of the State Department of Employment and
Social Services. Members shall be eligible for reappointment to the
Commission. All persons who are members of the Commission as of
August 31, 1970, shall continue to serve as members until the expira-
tion of the terms to which they were appointed. All [subsequent]
appointments to the Commission shall be for seven-year terms. The
department commander of the American Legion, the department
commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the department com-
mander of the Disabled American Veterans, the department com-
mander of the Spanish-American War Veterans, the department
commander of the World War I Veterans, the department com-
mander of the Catholic War Veterans and the department com-
mander of the Jewish War Veterans shall constitute an advisory
committee to the Commission, who shall serve at the pleasure of
the [Governor] Secretary of Employment and Social Services, with-
out vote.

The members of the Commission as thus constituted shall serve
without pay; members of the Commission shall be paid actual travel-
ing expenses necessitated by their duties, when authorized and ap-
proved by the Commission.

The Maryland Veterans Commission, subject to the provisions of
Article 41, Section 205C of this Code, shall make such rules and regu-
lations as it may deem necessary for administration and disburse-
ment of such veterans' relief funds as are provided for in the budget,
and the State Service Officer, hereinafter provided for, shall approve
all bills and vouchers before payment by the Comptroller.

There shall be a committee of seven persons, to be known as the
advisory Maryland veterans committee, composed of the current
department commanders, respectively, of the American Legion, the
Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Disabled American Veterans, the
Spanish-American War Veterans, the World War I Veterans, the
Catholic War Veterans and the Jewish War Veterans. The members
of such committee shall serve without pay and the committee shall
advise and work with the Maryland Veterans Commission in the
duties imposed upon them by this subtitle, but shall not be members
of the Commission.

Sec. 8. 7. And be it further enacted, That all persons who are as

of August 31, 1970 members of boards or commissions, officers

and employees of all departments, divisions, boards, commissions
and agencies included within the Department of Employment and
Social Services are hereby confirmed in the office, position and

classification which they hold as of August 31, 1970 as members,

officers and employees of such departments, divisions, boards, com-

missions and agencies, except as otherwise provided in this Act or
until they retire, resign or are removed as provided by law, or until