Ch. 311

LAWS OF MARYLAND

that the chief executive possesses the power to make the
designation on behalf of the governing body.

(2) (i) The governing body shall conduct a public
hearing before it makes, changes, or revokes a designation.

(ii) A transition or close down plan shall
accompany the notification to the public of a proposed change in
or revocation of a designation.

(iii) A change in or revocation of a

designation shall take effect at the start of the State fiscal
year.

(e) (l) A community action agency shall administer its
programs through a community action board consisting of at least
15 members, structured so that:

(i) One-third of the members of the board are
elected public officials currently holding office, or their
representatives;

(ii) At least one-third of the members are

persons chosen by a democratic selection method designed to

assure that they are representative of the poor in the area
served;

(iii) The other members are officials or
members of business, industry, labor, religious, welfare,
education, or other major groups and interests in the community;

(iv) Each member of the board selected to
represent a specific geographic area in a community resides in
the area represented; and

(v) A person selected under subparagraph (ii)
or (iii) may not serve for more than 5 consecutive years or for
more than a total of 10 years.

(2) (i) If a community action agency delegates
responsibility for policy determinations to a subsidiary board,
council, or similar agency, that board, council, or agency shall
be broadly representative of the area.

(ii) Policy determinations may include the
character, funding, extent, and administration of, and budgeting
for programs or projects affecting a particular geographic area
in a community.

(iii) If the community action agency is a
governmental unit, the board of directors may serve as an
advisory body to the governmental unit and with the approval of

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