(a) The Department shall include all units, programs, boards, commissions, and advisory boards and commissions referenced in this article. (b) The following units are also included in this Department: (1) The Maryland Membership Unit of the Interstate Commission of the Potomac River Basin; (2) The Maryland Membership Unit of the Susquehanna River Basin Commission; (3) The Maryland Membership Unit of the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission; (4) The Maryland Membership Unit of the Potomac River Fisheries Commission; (5) The Maryland Membership Unit of the Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission; and (6) The Maryland Membership Unit of the Interstate Mining Commission. (c) (1) Unless otherwise provided by this article, each advisory commission created by law consists of five members appointed by the Governor, with the advice of the Secretary, to serve at the pleasure of the Governor. (2) (i) 1. Subject to subsubparagraph 2 of this subparagraph, the Wildlife Advisory Commission is composed of 10 members appointed by the Governor. 2. The Governor shall appoint one member who is an academic researcher with expertise in wildlife biology, wildlife conservation, wildlife management, or ecology. (ii) 1. The Governor shall solicit nominations for vacancies on the Wildlife Advisory Commission from individuals or organizations that promote the future of hunting and individuals or organizations that promote the preservation of wildlife in the State, with geographical distribution being a prime consideration for filling vacancies. 2. There shall be representation from: A. The farming community; B. The hunting community; C. The wildlife preservation community; and D. The passive wildlife recreation community. (iii) The term of a member is 4 years. (iv) A member may not serve more than 2 terms on the Commission. (v) The terms of members are staggered so that: 1. 3 shall end in 2023; 2. 3 shall end in 2024; 3. 3 shall end in 2025; and 4. 1 shall end in 2028. (vi) At the end of a term, a member continues to serve until a successor is appointed and qualifies. (vii) 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. (3) A member shall be knowledgeable in the area of interest of the advisory commission on which he serves. (4) Each advisory commission shall advise the Secretary or the administration of the appropriate Department unit, pursuant to rules and regulations the Secretary adopts. (5) The members of each advisory commission annually shall elect a chairman of the commission and may adopt procedures to conduct its meetings. (6) An advisory commission member receives the compensation provided in the Department budget. Every member shall be reimbursed for necessary travel expenses incurred in performing any official duty, pursuant to rules and regulations the Secretary adopts. (d) In addition to any advisory body established by law, the Secretary, with the Governor's approval, may create administratively any advisory unit of a size and tenure the Secretary deems appropriate. (e) If any provision of this article as it affects the Maryland membership unit of any interstate agency is inconsistent with any interstate compact to which Maryland is a party, the provision of this article does not apply to that unit to the extent of the inconsistency.
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