Ch. 347                                    1996 LAWS OF MARYLAND

(d)     (1) The head of each principal unit shall establish a review committee to
evaluate and recommend awards for innovative ideas by employees of that unit.

(2) To the extent possible, within 60 days after an innovative idea is
submitted to the review committee, the head of the unit shall decide whether to give an
innovative idea award.

(e)     For an innovative idea, the head of a principal unit may give an employee of
that unit a cash award of not more than:

(1)     $1,000 for an innovative idea with a reasonably ascertainable monetary
savings or gain to the State; or

(2)     $300 for any other innovative idea.

(f)     (1) There is a Governor's Award Panel.

(2) The Governor's Award Panel consists of five members appointed by the
Governor, at least three of whom shall be public members who serve without
compensation.

(g)     (1) The head of a principal unit shall submit to the Governor's Award Panel
each innovative idea for which an award is made under subsection, (e) of this section, with
a recommendation for any additional award by the Governor.

(2) The Governor's Award Panel shall:

(i) review each innovative idea submitted to it;

(ii) at least once a year, make a recommendation to the Governor
about additional awards for the innovative ideas; and

(iii) recommend to the Governor either monetary or nonmonetary
awards for the employees' innovative ideas.

(h) (1) The Governor may make an additional cash award for an innovative
idea.

(2)     The cash award may not exceed $20,000.

(3)     The Governor may grant paid administrative leave, not exceeding 20
workdays.

(i) The State's use of an innovative idea:

(1)     does not entitle the employee submitting the innovative idea to an award
under this section; and

(2)     does not give rise to any claim by the employee or the heirs or assigns of
the employee.

[8-204.] 10-204.

(a) There is an Incentive Performance Awards Program for employees.

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