LAWRENCE J. HOGAN, JR., Governor Ch. 615
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Chapter 615
(House Bill 716)
AN ACT concerning
Patuxent River Commission – Membership
FOR the purpose of adding the Patuxent Riverkeeper as a voting member altering the
membership of the Patuxent River Commission; and generally relating to the
Patuxent River Commission.
BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments,
Article – State Finance and Procurement
Section 5–812
Annotated Code of Maryland
(2021 Replacement Volume)
BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments,
Article – State Finance and Procurement
Section 5–814
Annotated Code of Maryland
(2021 Replacement Volume)
SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND,
That the Laws of Maryland read as follows:
Article – State Finance and Procurement
5–812.
There is a Patuxent River Commission in the Department.
5–814.
(a) The Commission consists of the following [34] 35 36 voting members
[appointed by the Governor]:
(1) 7 individuals, 1 from each of the following 7 counties, APPOINTED BY
THE GOVERNOR on the recommendation of the governing body of that county:
(i) Anne Arundel County;
(ii) Calvert County;
(iii) Charles County; Ch. 615 2022 LAWS OF MARYLAND
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(iv) Howard County;
(v) Montgomery County;
(vi) Prince George’s County; and
(vii) St. Mary’s County;
(2) 1 individual representing the Washington Suburban Sanitary
Commission, APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR;
(3) 1 individual from each of the following regional planning agencies,
APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR:
(i) the Maryland–National Capital Park and Planning Commission,
Montgomery County;
(ii) the Maryland–National Capital Park and Planning Commission,
Prince George’s County; and
(iii) the Tri–County Council for Southern Maryland;
(4) 1 individual, representing a municipality in the watershed,
APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR on the recommendation of the corresponding governing
body of that municipality;
(5) 1 individual representing a large federal facility in the watershed,
APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR;
(6) as far as possible, the following individuals appointed by the Governor
with the advice and consent of the Senate, shall be selected to represent broad geographic,
economic, and social interests within the watershed:
(i) 2 individuals representing farming interests;
(ii) 1 individual representing business interests;
(iii) 4 individuals representing environmental and citizen interests;
(iv) 2 individuals representing developer interests;
(v) 2 individuals 1 INDIVIDUAL representing academic interests;
(vi) 2 individuals, 1 each, representing 2 soil conservation districts; LAWRENCE J. HOGAN, JR., Governor Ch. 615
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(vii) 1 individual representing the University of Maryland
Cooperative Extension Service; and
(viii) 1 individual representing watermen interests; [and]
(IX) 1 INDIVIDUAL REPRESENT ING AN ORGANIZATION OR UNIT
OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT ENGAGED IN WATERSHED MANAGEMENT AND
RESTORATION ;
(7) THE PATUXENT RIVERKEEPER; AND
(8) as ex officio members:
(i) the Secretary of Agriculture or a designee;
(ii) the Secretary of the Environment or a designee;
(iii) the Secretary of Natural Resources or a designee;
(iv) the Secretary of Planning or a designee;
(v) the Secretary of Transportation or a designee; and
(vi) the Chief of the Planning Division, U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers, Baltimore District or a designee; AND
(VII) THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND
CENTER FOR ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE OR A DESIGNEE.
(b) (1) The term of a member appointed under subsection (a)(1) through (6) of
this section is 4 years.
(2) At the end of a term, a member appointed under subsection (a)(1)
through (6) of this section continues to serve until a successor is appointed and qualifies.
(3) A member who is appointed under subsection (a)(1) through (6) of this
section after a term has begun serves only for the rest of the term and until a successor is
appointed and qualifies.
(4) The terms of the members are staggered as required by the terms
provided for members of the Commission on October 1, 1995.
(c) (1) The Commission may establish and abolish nonvoting memberships.
Ch. 615 2022 LAWS OF MARYLAND
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(2) A nonvoting member shall be appointed by the Commission for a term
set by the Commission.
SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That the Patuxent Riverkeeper
shall become a full voting member of the Patuxent River Commission on June 1, 2022.
SECTION 3. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect June
1, 2022 is an emergency measure, is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public
health or safety, has been passed by a yea and nay vote supported by three–fifths of all the
members elected to each of the two Houses of the General Assembly, and shall take effect
from the date it is enacted.
Enacted under Article II, § 17(c) of the Maryland Constitution, May 29, 2022.