ROBERT L. EHRLICH, JR., Governor                          H.B. 1147

(d) The [Forvm] COUNCIL may expand the membership of the Executive
Board through the bylaws of the [Forvm] COUNCIL.

15-105.

(a)     The Executive Board shall make recommendations on [policy]
PROGRAMMATIC OR REGULATORY matters [to the Forvm and on implementation of
policies that the Forvm adopts] OF CONCERN TO RURAL COMMUNITIES AFTER A
CONSENSUS OF OPINION HAS EMERGED.

(b)     With the consent of the Executive Board, the Chairman may establish
subcommittees OR WORKING COMMITTEES consisting of members of the [Forvm]
COUNCIL AND INTERESTED PARTIES to address or study specific issues.

15-106.

(a)     The [Forvm] COUNCIL shall hire an Executive Director.

(b)     The Executive Director shall:

(1)     Be responsible for the day-to-day operations of the [Forvm]
COUNCIL; and

(2)     Assist in the development of policy recommendations for
consideration by the [Forvm] COUNCIL or by the Executive Board.

(c)      The Executive Director serves at the pleasure of the [Forvm] EXECUTIVE
BOARD.

15-107.

(a)     The [Forvm] COUNCIL is an independent unit in the Executive Branch of
State government [and may not be placed by the Governor in any principal
department] THAT FOR ADMINISTRATIVE AND BUDGETARY PURPOSES SHALL BE
PLACED UNDER THE MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

(b)     The [Forvm] COUNCIL is exempt from the provisions of:

(1)     Division I of the State Personnel and Pensions Article;

(2)     Division II of the State Finance and Procurement Article except as
otherwise provided in § 11-203(b) of that article; and

(3)     Title 10, Subtitle 1 of the State Government Article.

(c)     (1) The [Forvm] COUNCIL shall receive annual funding through an
appropriation [in the State] INCLUDED AS PART OF THE budget OF THE MARYLAND
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

(2) The Secretary of [Business and Economic Development]
AGRICULTURE shall include without revision the budget request of the [Forvm]
COUNCIL THAT IS PROVIDED TO THE DEPARTMENT OF BUDGET AND MANAGEMENT
TOGETHER with the budget request of the MARYLAND Department of [Business and
Economic Development] AGRICULTURE.

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