ROBERT L. EHRLICH, JR., Governor                             Ch. 114

(8)     two representatives of the banking industry, appointed by the
Maryland Bankers Association;

(9)     two owners of a minority business enterprise, appointed by the
Governor;

(10)   one representative of the commercial insurance bonding industry,
appointed by the Governor; and

(11)   one member of the public with State and national experience in
financial regulation and fair lending practices, appointed by the Governor.

(e) The President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House shall jointly
appoint co-chairmen from among the Senate and House members appointed to the
Task Force.

(f) The Treasurer's Office and the Department of Legislative Services shall
jointly provide staff for the Task Force.

(g) 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.

(h) The Task Force shall:

(1)     identify appropriate data, such as a State Centralized Bidder
Registration Number, that would demonstrate whether financial institutions are
providing adequate access to credit and capital for minority business enterprises;

(2)     advise the State Treasurer in developing additional or supplemental
criteria to be considered in the selection of a financial institution as a depository that
ensures that such institutions provide adequate opportunities for access to credit and
capital for minority business enterprises; and

(3)     develop a strategy to implement a lending equity policy, which may
incorporate the findings of the Governor's Task Force on Centralized Bidder
Registration for Minority Business Procurement.

(i) (1) The Task Force shall submit reports, in accordance with paragraph
(2) of this subsection, on its findings and recommendations to the Governor, and in
accordance with § 2-1246 of the State Government Article, to the General Assembly.

(2) The Task Force shall submit:

(i) an interim report, on or before December 1, 2004, that defines a
strategy to implement a lending equity policy and may incorporate the findings of the
Governor's Task Force on Centralized Bidder Registration for Minority Business
Procurement; and

(ii) a final report on or before September 1, 2005.

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