HARRY HUGHES, Governor

2323

THE COMMISSION AND TO THIS END SHALL ADOPT SUITABLE BYLAWS.
THE COMMISSION SHALL HAVE A CHAIRMAN AND A VICE CHAIRMAN,
CHOSEN BY THE RESPECTIVE DELEGATION, WHOSE OFFICES SHALL
ALTERNATE ANNUALLY BETWEEN THE SIGNATORY STATES AND MAY AT
NO TIME BE HELD BY MEMBERS FROM THE SAME SIGNATORY. A
MEMBER FROM THE STATE OF MARYLAND SHALL SERVE AS CHAIRMAN
FOR EACH YEAR WHOSE LAST NUMERICAL DIGIT IS EVEN AND DURING
THAT YEAR A MEMBER FROM VIRGINIA SHALL BE VICE CHAIRMAN. A
MEMBER FROM THE COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA SHALL SERVE AS
CHAIRMAN FOR EACH YEAR WHOSE LAST NUMERICAL DIGIT IS ODD AND
DURING THAT YEAR A MEMBER FROM MARYLAND SHALL SERVE AS VICE
CHAIRMAN. THE COMMISSION MAY MAINTAIN ONE OR MORE OFFICES
FOR THE TRANSACTION OF ITS BUSINESS. THE COMMISSION MAY,
WITHOUT REGARD TO THE CIVIL SERVICE OR THE LAWS OF ANY
SIGNATORY RELATIVE TO PUBLIC OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES, CREATE
AND ABOLISH OFFICES, EMPLOYMENTS, AND POSITIONS AS IT DEEMS
NECESSARY FOR THE PURPOSES OF THE COMMISSION, AFFIX AND
PROVIDE FOR THE DUTIES, CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT,
QUALIFICATIONS, APPOINTMENT, REMOVAL, TERM, COMPENSATION,
AND OTHER RIGHTS AND BENEFITS OF THE COMMISSION'S OFFICERS
AND EMPLOYEES, AND SHALL APPOINT THE PRINCIPAL OFFICERS OF
THE COMMISSION AND ALLOCATE AMONG THEM ADMINISTRATIVE
FUNCTIONS, POWERS, AND DUTIES. THE COMMISSION MAY DELEGATE
TO THE OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES OF THE COMMISSION ANY POWERS,
FUNCTIONS, AND RESPONSIBILITIES UNDER THIS AGREEMENT AS IT
DEEMS SUITABLE, EXCEPT THAT IT MAY NOT DELEGATE ITS POWER TO
MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE RESPECTIVE LEGISLATURES, TO
ISSUE REPORTS OR TO ADOPT THE ANNUAL EXPENSE BUDGET.

ARTICLE II
PURPOSES, POWERS AND DUTIES.

7.  PURPOSES.

THE PURPOSES OF THE SIGNATORIES IN ENACTING THIS
AGREEMENT ARE TO ASSIST THE LEGISLATURES OF MARYLAND AND
VIRGINIA IN EVALUATING AND RESPONDING TO PROBLEMS OF MUTUAL
CONCERN RELATING TO THE CHESAPEAKE BAY; TO PROMOTE
INTERGOVERNMENTAL COOPERATION; TO ENCOURAGE COOPERATIVE
COORDINATED RESOURCE PLANNING AND ACTION BY THE SIGNATORIES
AND THEIR AGENCIES; TO PROVIDE, WHERE APPROPRIATE, THROUGH
RECOMMENDATION TO THE RESPECTIVE LEGISLATURE, UNIFORMITY OF
LEGISLATIVE APPLICATION; TO PRESERVE AND ENHANCE THE
FUNCTIONS, POWERS, AND DUTIES OF EXISTING OFFICES AND
AGENCIES OF GOVERNMENT; AND TO RECOMMEND IMPROVEMENTS IN THE
EXISTING MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE PRESENT
AND FUTURE INHABITANTS OF THE CHESAPEAKE BAY REGION.

8.  POWERS.

IN PURSUIT OF THE PURPOSES AND DUTIES SET FORTH IN THIS
ARTICLE, THE COMMISSION MAY EXERCISE THE FOLLOWING POWERS:

1. THE COMMISSION MAY COLLECT, COMPILE, ANALYZE,
INTERPRET, COORDINATE, TABULATE, SUMMARIZE, AND DISTRIBUTE
TECHNICAL AND OTHER DATA RELATIVE TO THE CHESAPEAKE BAY AND
ITS ENVIRONS. IT MAY CONDUCT OR CONTRACT FOR STUDIES,