1086                               Laws of Maryland                        [Ch. 492

established. It is believed that these programs will, by making treat-
ment of chronic renal disease easily available, steadily lower the cost
of such treatment.

782.

(a)   The Commission on Kidney Disease is hereby created.

(b)   The Commission on Kidney Disease, hereinafter referred to
as the Commission, shall be composed of twelve members. The mem-
bers shall be appointed by the Governor, six at his discretion and six
from nominations as provided below. Each member shall serve a term
of four years and until his successor is appointed and qualified, except
that in the initial appointments three members shall serve for one
year, three for two years, three for three years, and three for four
years and until their successors are appointed and qualified. No mem-
ber shall be appointed to more than two consecutive four year terms.
The members shall serve without compensation but shall be reim-
bursed for expenses incurred in carrying out their responsibilities as
members of the Commission.

(c)  Six of the members shall be appointed from nominations as
follows: Each of the following bodies may submit to the Governor,
at least three months prior to the date for making appointments, a
list of at least three names: the Kidney Foundation of Maryland,
the Regional Medical Programs of Maryland, the Comprehensive
Health Planning Agency of Maryland, the medical faculty of the
University of Maryland, the medical faculty of John Hopkins Univer-
sity, and the Medical and Chirurgical Faculty of Maryland. If the list
is properly submitted the Governor shall appoint a member from the
names thereon. If the list is not so submitted, the Governor shall
appoint, at his sole discretion, a member. The six other members
of the Commission shall be appointed by the Governor without nom-
inations, provided that four of the members so appointed shall be
laymen to the field of medicine and the final two members shall be
appointed from the medical insurance industry.

(d)  When a vacancy on the Commission occurs for any reason,
the Governor shall promptly appoint a person to serve the remainder
of the term of the vacant seat. The Governor may exercise his dis-
cretion in the choice of a member to fill a vacancy.

(e)  The full Commission shall meet at least twice each year. If,
for any reason, all twelve members are not present at meetings of the
Commission, business may be conducted by the members present.
A decision of the majority of the members present shall be a decision
of the Commission.

783.

The Commission shall have the authority to adopt and promulgate
rules and regulations to enforce the provisions of this subtitle.

784.

The Commission shall have the power to employ an executive
director, one assistant, and two secretary-stenographers as the Com-
mission deems necessary to perform its duties and exercise its powers.
The compensation of the executive director and of such other help
shall be as provided in the State budget.