(a) The Authority consists of:
(1) The Secretary of Housing and Community Development;
(2) The Secretary of Commerce;
(3) The Secretary of Higher Education;
(4) The Secretary of Transportation;
(5) The Secretary of Natural Resources;
(6) The Secretary of the Department of Planning;
(7) The State Historic Preservation Officer; and
(8) Ten members appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate:
(i) Two of whom shall be elected officials or representatives of local jurisdictions;
(ii) Two of whom shall be appointed from names recommended by the President of the Maryland Senate;
(iii) Two of whom shall be appointed from names recommended by the Speaker of the House of Delegates;
(iv) One of whom is a public member of the Maryland Greenways Commission;
(v) One of whom is a public member of the Maryland Tourism Development Board;
(vi) One of whom is a member of the public who has significant education or experience in historic preservation; and
(vii) One of whom is a member of the public who has significant education or experience in heritage tourism.
(b) Of the elected officials or representatives from local jurisdictions, the Governor shall appoint:
(1) One elected official or representative from a list submitted by the Maryland Association of Counties; and
(2) One elected official or representative from a list submitted by the Maryland Municipal League.
(c) The members appointed to the Authority shall represent the gender, racial, and geographic makeup of the State.
(d) A member of the Authority may not also be a member of the board of directors or any other type of governing or oversight body of an organization qualifying for State funds as a recognized or certified heritage area.
(e) A cabinet member of the Authority may designate a representative to act in the absence of the cabinet member.
(f) (1) Except for State officials, the term of a member of the Authority is 4 years.
(2) The terms of members appointed by the Governor are staggered as required by the terms provided for members on October 1, 1996.
(3) At the end of a term, a member continues to serve until a successor is appointed and qualifies.
(4) A member who is appointed after a term has begun serves only for the rest of the term and until a successor is appointed and qualifies.
(5) At the end of the term of a member or on the resignation or removal of a member, the Governor shall appoint a member to the Authority with the advice and consent of the Senate.
(g) The Secretary of Planning shall serve as chair of the Authority.
(h) The Governor may remove a member that a Governor appointed for incompetence, misconduct, or failure to perform the duties of the position.