HARRY HUGHES, Governor                                      1615

REGIONAL ENTITIES CONSISTING OF 2 OR MORE COUNTIES, INCLUDING
BALTIMORE CITY.

(6)  PARTICIPATE, WHERE APPROPRIATE, AND IN
CONJUNCTION WITH OTHER UNITS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC AND
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, AND ANY
OTHER STATE AGENCIES OR DEPARTMENTS, IN MARYLAND OVERSEAS OFFICES
TO PROVIDE INFORMATIONAL AND MARKETING SERVICES TO SUPPORT
INTERNATIONAL TRADE EFFORTS OF THE OFFICE.

(7)  ASSIST LOCAL GOVERNMENTS AND OTHER ENTITIES IN
THE MARKETING AND DEVELOPMENT OF FOREIGN TRADE ZONES FOR
INTERNATIONAL TRADE.

(8)  ENGAGE IN ANY OTHER ACTIVITY REASONABLY NECESSARY
TO ACHIEVE THE PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION.

(C) (1) THE OFFICE SHALL HAVE THE PERSONNEL AND FUNDING AS
PROVIDED IN THE STATE BUDGET. THE SECRETARY OF ECONOMIC AND
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, IN CONSULTATION WITH THE SECRETARY OF
PERSONNEL, SHALL ESTABLISH THOSE POSITIONS, TECHNICAL OR
PROFESSIONAL IN NATURE, THAT SHALL BE UNCLASSIFIED.

(2) THE OFFICE HAS AUTHORITY TO CONTRACT OR MAKE
GRANTS CONSISTENT WITH THE PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION. ALL
CONTRACTS AND GRANTS SHALL BE SUBJECT TO THE APPROVAL OF THE
SECRETARY OF ECONOMIC AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT OR THE
SECRETARY'S DESIGNEE. PROCUREMENTS FOR SERVICES OR SUPPLIES TO
BE PERFORMED OR DELIVERED OUTSIDE THE STATE SHALL BE CONSISTENT
WITH, BUT NOT SUBJECT TO, THE PURPOSES OR REQUIREMENTS OF THE
STATE FINANCE AND PROCUREMENT ARTICLE.

265.

(A) THERE IS A STATE TRADE POLICY COUNCIL ESTABLISHED TO:

(1)  ADVISE THE GOVERNOR AND THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY ON
POLICIES CONCERNING THE STATE'S ROLE IN INTERNATIONAL TRADE,
INCLUDING THE INITIATION OF NEW PROGRAMS OR STRATEGIES TO ENHANCE
THE DEVELOPMENT OF INTERNATIONAL TRADE OPPORTUNITIES FOR MARYLAND
CITIZENS.

(2)  FOSTER COORDINATION AND COMMUNICATION BETWEEN
PUBLIC ENTITIES AND THE PRIVATE SECTOR INVOLVED IN INTERNATIONAL
TRADE;

(3)  SPONSOR AN ANNUAL CONFERENCE TO FACILITATE THE
DISCUSSION OF ISSUES AND EXCHANGE OF INFORMATION ON INTERNATIONAL
TRADE;

(4)  EVALUATE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF STATE AND LOCAL
PROGRAMS DESIGNED PRIMARILY TO PROMOTE OR ASSIST IN INTERNATIONAL
TRADE AND MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THEIR CONTINUED IMPROVEMENT;
AND