1656                               Laws of Maryland                          Ch. 573

Charles and St. Mary's Counties in addition to 6 additional mem-
bers from each county to include three County Commissioners, a
member of the Planning and Zoning Commission, a member of the
Economic Development Commission and a member at large each
appointed by the State Senators and Delegates representing Cal-
vert, Charles and St. Mary's Counties and the County Commissioners
from Calvert, Charles and St. Mary's Counties. THE THREE
COUNTY COMMISSIONERS SHALL HAVE BUT ONE VOTE
AMONG THEM, TO BE CAST BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OR HIS DESIGNEE.
Additionally, the Maryland Department of Economic Development
and the Maryland State Planning Department shall each be repre-
sented on the Council by one non-voting member.

The members who hold membership by virtue of their elected or
appointed positions shall hold office only during their term of office.
The members at large shall serve at the pleasure of elected and
otherwise appointed membership of each county.

Vacancies on the Council by reason of death, resignation, change
of residence or other cause shall be fled for the duration of the
unexpired term in the same manner as is provided for the original
appointment.

Members of the Council shall serve without compensation.

(2)  Status. The Tri-County Council shall be a public body cor-
porate and politic, and shall operate as a cooperative planning and
development agency within the representative counties to foster the
physical, economic and social development of the tri-county area
and utilize effectively the assistance provided by the State. It shall
initiate and coordinate plans and projects for the development of
human and economic resources of the Southern Maryland region
as a Southern Maryland planning and development agency.

The Council will cooperate with the State departments and agen-
cies concerned, including, but not limited to the Department of State
Planning, Department of Economic Development, the State Office
of Economic Opportunity, the State Roads Commission and the
Department of Natural Resources, and submit for approval plans
and projects of the Council in which such departments or agencies
have statutory functions and responsibilities.

(3)  Area of Jurisdiction. The area of operation of the Tri-County
Council shall be coterminous with the area of the Planning Region
as herein defined.

(4) Powers and Duties. Without in any manner limiting or re-
stricting the general powers conferred by this act, the Tri-County
Council may:

(a)  adopt and have a common seal and alter the same at pleasure;

(b)  sue and be sued;

(c)  adopt bylaws and make rules and regulations for the conduct
of its business;

(d)  make and enter into all contracts or agreements necessary or
incidental to the performance of its duties;