(a)    (1)    The Ethics Commission consists of five members.

(2)    The Governor shall appoint:

(i)    with the advice and consent of the Senate, three members, at least one of whom shall be a member of the principal political party of which the Governor is not a member;

(ii)    one member nominated by the President of the Senate; and

(iii)    one member nominated by the Speaker of the House.

(3)    The Governor may reject a nominee of the President or of the Speaker only for cause.

(4)    If the Governor rejects a nominee under paragraph (3) of this subsection, the appropriate presiding officer shall nominate another individual.

(5)    A vacancy shall be filled in a manner consistent with this subsection.

(b)    A member of the Ethics Commission may not:

(1)    hold elected or appointed office in, be an employee of, or be a candidate for office in:

(i)    the federal government;

(ii)    the State government;

(iii)    a municipal corporation, county, or multicounty agency of the State; or

(iv)    a political party; or

(2)    be a regulated lobbyist.

(c)    Before taking office, each appointee to the Ethics Commission shall take the oath required by Article I, § 9 of the Maryland Constitution.

(d)    (1)    The term of a member is 5 years.

(2)    The terms of members are staggered as required by the terms in effect for members of the Ethics Commission on October 1, 2013.

(3)    A member may serve no more than two consecutive 5–year terms.

(4)    A member who is appointed after a term has begun serves for the rest of the term.

(5)    At the end of a term, a member may continue to serve until a successor is appointed and qualifies.

(e)    (1)    The Governor may remove a member for:

(i)    neglect of duty;

(ii)    misconduct in office;

(iii)    a disability that makes the member unable to discharge the powers and duties of office; or

(iv)    a violation of this title.

(2)    Before removing a member, the Governor shall give the member:

(i)    written notice of the charges; and

(ii)    an opportunity to answer the charges.