(a)    There is a Maryland Advisory Council on Historic Preservation.

(b)    (1)    The Council consists of seven voting members.

(2)    The ex officio members are:

(i)    the Secretary of General Services;

(ii)    the Secretary of Housing and Community Development;

(iii)    the Secretary of Planning; and

(iv)    the Secretary of Transportation.

(3)    The Governor shall appoint the other three members, of whom:

(i)    two shall be individuals with expertise in architecture, history, archaeology, or another appropriate discipline that relates to historic preservation; and

(ii)    one shall be a member of the general public.

(4)    An ex officio member may designate a deputy secretary from the member’s department to act in the member’s absence.

(c)    The Secretary of Planning serves as chair.

(d)    (1)    The term of an appointed member is 4 years.

(2)    The terms of the appointed members are staggered as required by the terms provided for members of the Council on October 1, 2005.

(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.

(e)    (1)    A majority of the authorized membership of the Council is a quorum.

(2)    The Council shall set the times and places of its meetings.

(f)    A member of the Council:

(1)    may not receive compensation as a member; but

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

(g)    The Director of the Trust is the secretary and staff to the Council.