(a)    There is a Maryland Building Rehabilitation Code Advisory Council.

(b)    The Council consists of the following 27 members:

(1)    the Secretary of Housing and Community Development or the Secretary’s designee;

(2)    the Secretary of Labor or the Secretary’s designee;

(3)    the State Fire Marshal or the Fire Marshal’s designee;

(4)    the State Historic Preservation Officer or the Officer’s designee;

(5)    the Secretary of Disabilities or the Secretary’s designee; and

(6)    the following 22 members appointed by the Governor:

(i)    one representative of the State Fire Prevention Commission;

(ii)    four representatives of the building trades who are directly involved or have experience in code setting or code enforcement, including plumbers, electricians, boiler operators, and heating, ventilation, air–conditioning, and refrigeration contractors;

(iii)    two architects practicing in the State, a significant portion of whose practice includes rehabilitation projects;

(iv)    one professional engineer;

(v)    two contractors specializing in rehabilitation construction;

(vi)    two representatives of county government;

(vii)    two representatives of municipal government;

(viii)    two building code officials serving local government;

(ix)    one commercial and industrial building owner or developer;

(x)    one multifamily building owner or developer;

(xi)    two local fire officials; and

(xii)    two members of the public.

(c)    The composition of the Council shall reflect the racial, gender, and geographic diversity of the population of the State.

(d)    (1)    The term of an appointed member is 4 years and begins on July 1.

(2)    The terms of appointed members are staggered as required by the terms provided for members of the Council on October 1, 2003.

(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)    An appointed member may serve no more than two terms.

(e)    The Governor shall designate a chairman from among the Council members.

(f)    A member of the Council:

(1)    may not receive compensation for service on the Council; but

(2)    is entitled to reimbursement for expenses under the Standard State Travel Regulations, as provided in the State budget.

(g)    (1)    The Secretary of Labor shall appoint the Director of the Council.

(2)    The Director is a special appointment in the State Personnel Management System.

(h)    The Council shall:

(1)    advise the Department on the development and adoption of and amendments to the MBRC;

(2)    provide technical advice on the interpretation of the MBRC to property owners, design professionals, contractors, and code officials and code appeal boards of local jurisdictions, the Maryland–National Capital Park and Planning Commission, and the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission;

(3)    develop the MBRC to the extent possible to avoid increased costs to local jurisdictions resulting from implementation of the MBRC; and

(4)    to the extent provided in the State budget, provide training on the MBRC for code officials and other public and private construction–related professionals.