HARRY HUGHES, Governor

2861

(c)  The commission shall be exempt from taxation by
the State and local governments.

(d)  The commission shall acquire at no cost to the
State or the Commission necessary land from the mayor and
council of Ocean City and arrange for having a suitable
structure erected thereon for housing religious, business
and professional conventions, cultural conferences,
industrial exhibits, trade shows, such other events that
might further stimulate the tourist trade and the economy of
the State of Maryland. The structure shall be known as
"Ocean City Convention Hall." After completion of the
structure, the Commission, subject to approval of the
Secretary of Economic and Community Development, shall
establish policy and adopt rules and regulations as
necessary to assure successful operation thereof.

(e) Members of the Commission shall receive no salary,
but may be paid expenses incurred while actually engaged in
the performance of their duties in accordance with the
standard travel regulations, by adopting for the record an
order or regulation setting forth the procedure and method
for payment of such expenses. The expense allowances for the
members of the Commission and for the operations of the
Commission shall be as provided in the State budget from
time to time or as approved from time to time by the Board
of Public Works.

(f) The Commission in addition to the powers which are
normally possessed by a commission of this type shall,
subject to approval of the Secretary of Economic and
Community Development, have the following express powers:

(1)  To accept from the mayor and council of
Ocean City an appropriate site for the structure and
adjacent parking facilities, said site to be approved by the
Director of the State Planning Department.

(2)  To negotiate and contract for necessary
planning, architectural and engineering services.

(3)  To negotiate and contract for construction
of the building and necessary equipment therefor; provided,
however, that the location and building plans shall first be
approved by the Secretary of State Planning of Maryland and
the mayor and city council of Ocean City.

(4)  To employ a manager or executive director, a
secretary and such other necessary personnel, whose salaries
shall be as set by the Commission, subject to the approval
of the Secretary of Economic and Community Development.

(5)  To employ such counsel as necessary in
conducting the affairs of the Commission, subject to the
approval of the Secretary of Economic and Community
Development.