462                              Laws of Maryland                        Ch. 183

tions concerning the structure or form of the government of Garrett
County. The Commission shall be composed of fifteen (15) persons
who shall serve without compensation. The Commission shall consist
of the following members: The Mayor of each of the following towns
or his duly appointed representative: Oakland, Grantsville, Kitz-
miller, Accident, Friendsville, Mountain Lake Park, Deer Park, Loch
Lynn Heights; and a representative from the Garrett County Farm
Bureau; The Deep Creek Lake Promotion Council; The Deep Creek
Lake Property Owners' Association; The Garrett County Bar Asso-
ciation; The Junior Chamber of Commerce; and two members to be
appointed by the Governor upon the joint recommendation of the
State Senator and member of the House of Delegates elected from
the County. One of those appointed by the Governor shall be desig-
nated as Chairman and the other as Vice-Chairman. In addition to
the fifteen (15) members herein provided, the County Commission-
ers, State Senator from District 1-A and the member from Garrett
County in the House of Delegates shall serve as ex-officio, non-voting
members of the Commission and render advisory assistance thereto.

(b)    The Commission shall examine the existing structure and
form of the County government in light of present and future needs
of the people of Garrett County, giving due consideration to the
prospective growth of the County and to the character and nature
of such growth. It shall meet and hold hearings as often as may be
necessary to accomplish this purpose. It shall assemble such data and
obtain such technical advisory services as may be needed. The Com-
mission shall consider and make recommendations concerning all
proposals for change in the structure of County government, includ-
ing revision of the County Commissioner system, adoption of charter
form of government, adoption of a merit system for county em-
ployees, code home rule and any other legal form of government.

(c)    For these purposes the Commission is to be appointed imme-
diately and is directed to hold its first meeting not later than thirty
days later.

(d)    The Commission is directed to report to the County Commis-
sioners, to the State Senator, the member of the House of Delegates
and the people of Garrett County on or before January 11, 1971.
Such report shall be in writing and shall include its detailed findings,
recommendations and a draft of any suggested changes or instru-
ment of government together with such other pertinent matters as
the Commission deems necessary or appropriate.

(e)    The Board of County Commissioners is directed to provide
the Commission with such assistance and funds as may be required
to enable the Commission to carry out its duties under this section.

Sec. 2. And be it further enacted, That this Act shall expire
automatically on January 31, 1971 without further action on the
part of the General Assembly and shall be null and void after said
date.

Sec. 3. And be it further enacted, That this Act is hereby declared
to be an emergency measure and necessary for the immediate preser-
vation of the public health and safety and having been passed by a
yea and nay vote supported by three-fifths of all the members elected
to each of the two Houses of the General Assembly, the same shall
take effect from the date of its passage.

Approved April 15, 1970