Ch. 386                                    2003 LAWS OF MARYLAND

(19) the Maryland State Treasurer, or a designee, as an ex officio member.

(c)      Each member of the Task Force shall be appointed on or before July 1,
2003.

(d)     The Department of Legislative Services and the Office of the Attorney
General shall provide staff support to the Task Force.

(e)     A member of the Task Force may not receive compensation for serving on
the Task Force, but is entitled to reimbursement for expenses under the Standard
State Travel Regulations, as provided in the State budget.

(f)      The Task Force shall study:

(1)     methods of increasing efficiency in procurement processes, including:
(1) (I) (i) the use of market-based procurement practice;

(2) (II) (ii) outsourcing and privatization;

(3)     (III) (iii) the use of contracts where compensation is based on
successful performance;

(4)     (IV) (iv) the accountability of State officials who violate
procurement law;

(5)     (V) (v) rewards and incentives to State officials in order to
encourage better procurement results; and, including the procurement of
environmentally preferable products;

(6)     (VI) (vi) greater centralization of the procurement system; and

(vii) the feasibility of the uniform application of the procurement law
to all State government units, except public institutions of higher education;

(2)     the effectiveness of the dispute resolution process; and

(3)     except for public institutions of higher education, the State's current
policy and practices concerning the procurement of information management systems
and other technology and technology-related services including:

(i) the technology procurement process;

(ii) technology procurement administration; and

(Hi) the development of the technology industry in the State.

(g)     On or before May 31, 2004 December 31, 2003, the Task Force shall submit
a report of its findings and recommendations to the Governor and, subject to § 2-1246
of the State Government Article, to the General Assembly.

SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect
June 1, 2003. It shall remain effective for a period of 1 year 7 months and, at the end
of May 31, 2004 December 31, 2003, with no further action required by the General
Assembly, this Act shall be abrogated and of no further force and effect.

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