1582                                          LAWS OF MARYLAND                                     Ch. 116

250.

(a)  There is created the Maryland Home-Improvement
Commission, which shall be a part of the Department of Licensing
and Regulation, consisting of [five] 7 members.

(b)  Each commissioner shall be appointed by the Governor,
with the advice of the Secretary of Licensing and Regulation, for
a term of four years, except that when a vacancy occurs before
the expiration of a term, the Governor, with the advice of the
Secretary of Licensing and Regulation, shall appoint the
successor to serve for the remainder of the term. One of the
commissioners shall be designated chairman by the Governor, with
the advice of the Secretary of Licensing and Regulation.

(c)  The Governor, with the advice of the Secretary of
Licensing and Regulation, shall appoint as commissioners, [no
less than two] 3 persons who are qualified by experience in at
least some phase of the home-improvement industry, and no less
than one person who is qualified by experience in the business of
banking or finance, AND 3 CONSUMER REPRESENTATIVES. Each
commissioner shall have been a citizen and resident of this State
for not less than five years preceding his appointment.

253.

(e) The commissioners shall meet no less than once a month
for the transaction of any and all business which may come before
it. A quorum consists of [three] 4 members and the concurrence
of [three] 4 shall be required for action.

257.

(c) Ah UNTIL JUNE 30, 198? 1988, AN applicant for a
contractor's license shall [file with the Commission a cash,
surety, or property bond or an irrevocable letter of credit in
the 'amount of $5,000 or evidence of financial responsibility
satisfactory to the Commission for the benefit of any person who
is damaged because of the breach of the home improvement
contract. The bond may not be construed to require any surety to
be responsible for the completion of a home improvement contract
entered into by the principal on the bond. The liability of the
surety under any bond may not exceed in the aggregate the amount
of the bond, regardless of the number or amount of claims filed,
and if the latter should exceed the amount, the surety shall pay
the $5,000 to the Home Improvement Commission for distribution to
claimants and shall be relieved of all liability under its bond.
Claims shall be paid in the order of filing.] IN ADDITION, AN
APPLICANT SHALL MAKE, WITH THE APPLICATION, PAYMENT TO THE FUND
AS REQUIRED UNDER § 257C(A) OF THIS SUBTITLE.

257A.