(a)      There is a Maryland Tourism Development Board in the Department.

      (b)      (1)      The Board consists of 19 members appointed as follows:

                  (i)      11 members shall be appointed by the Governor in consultation with the Secretary and with the advice and consent of the Senate;

                  (ii)      4 members shall be appointed by the President of the Senate of Maryland, 2 of whom shall be from the private sector business community; and

                  (iii)      4 members shall be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Delegates, 2 of whom shall be from the private sector business community.

            (2)      Two members of the Board at all times shall be members of the General Assembly of Maryland, 1 a member of the Senate of Maryland appointed by the President and the other a member of the House of Delegates appointed by the Speaker.

            (3)      In making the appointments from the private sector business community, the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House shall:

                  (i)      Ensure that each geographic region of the State is equitably represented; and

                  (ii)      Give due consideration to the recommendations made by representatives of the tourism industry and provide balanced representation of the lodging, food service, transportation, retail, and amusements and attractions sectors of the tourism industry.

            (4)      A member of the Board who is a member of the General Assembly may not vote on matters before the Board relating to the exercise of the sovereign powers of the State.

            (5)      In making the appointments the Governor is required to make under paragraph (1)(i) of this subsection, the Governor shall:

                  (i)      Ensure that each geographic region of the State is equitably represented; and

                  (ii)      Give due consideration to the recommendations made by representatives of the tourism industry and provide balanced representation of the lodging, food service, transportation, retail, and amusements and attractions sectors of the tourism industry.

      (c)      (1)      The term of a member is 3 years and begins on July 1.

            (2)      The terms of the members are staggered as required by the terms provided for the members of the Board on July 1, 1993.

            (3)      Any member is eligible for reappointment, but after serving for 2 consecutive 3-year terms, a member may not be reappointed until the expiration of at least one year after the termination of the member's previous tenure. Vacancies shall be filled immediately for the remainder of the unexpired portion of the term. A member shall hold office until a successor has been appointed.

            (4)      A member of the General Assembly who is appointed to the Board by the President or the Speaker serves until a successor is appointed.

      (d)      Each member of the Board appointed by the Governor serves at the pleasure of the Governor. Members of the Board shall serve without compensation, but each member shall be reimbursed for necessary travel and other expenses incurred in the performance of official duties in accordance with the Standard State Travel Regulations. The Board shall select annually from its membership a chairman, 5 vice-chairmen, 1 each to represent the lodging, food service, transportation, retail, and attractions sectors, and a secretary-treasurer.