Ch. 533                                    1995 LAWS OF MARYLAND

3. A STAFF COUNSEL; AND
(II) SHALL HAVE OTHER STAFF IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE STATE

BUDGET.

(2) THE GENERAL COUNSEL AND THE STAFF COUNSEL OF THE ETHICS
COMMISSION SHALL BE INDIVIDUALS ADMITTED TO PRACTICE LAW IN THE STATE.

(E) ASSISTANCE FROM ATTORNEY GENERAL AND COMPTROLLER.

THE ETHICS COMMISSION MAY ASK THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OR
COMPTROLLER FOR PROFESSIONAL ASSISTANCE TO ASSIST IN THE PERFORMANCE
OF THE COMMISSION'S FUNCTIONS.

REVISOR'S NOTE: Subsections (a)(2), (b)(2), (c), (d), and (e) of this section are
new language derived without substantive change from former Art. 40A, §
2-102(f), (h), and (i).

Subsection (a) of this section is standard language substituted for the second
and third sentences of former Art. 40A, § 2-102(h), which specify the number
of members needed for the Ethics Commission to act. The Ethics Commission
consists of five members, and the quorum requirement of three members
constitutes a simple majority. This restatement will accommodate possible
future legislative changes in the number of members to be appointed to the
Commission, without the necessity of enacting a conforming change here. As
to the current "authorized membership" of the Commission, see §
15-202(a)(l) of this subtitle.

In subsection (b) of this section, the words "then serving" are added to modify
"members" to clarify that the law does not require a majority of the authorized
membership to call a meeting, but rather that a meeting may be called by a
majority of members actually serving.

Defined terms: "Compensation" § 15-102
"Ethics Commission" § 15-102

15-205. DUTIES.

(A) IN GENERAL.

THE ETHICS COMMISSION SHALL:

(1)     EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE EXPRESSLY PROVIDED IN THIS TITLE,
ADMINISTER THE PROVISIONS OF THIS TITLE;

(2)      PRESCRIBE AND PROVIDE FORMS FOR EACH DOCUMENT REQUIRED
BY THIS TITLE;

(3)      RETAIN AS A PUBLIC RECORD EACH DOCUMENT FILED WITH THE
ETHICS COMMISSION FOR AT LEAST 4 YEARS AFTER RECEIPT;

(4)     PERIODICALLY REVIEW THE ADEQUACY OF PUBLIC ETHICS LAWS;

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