(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.