(a)      There is a Maryland State Arts Council which shall be part of the Department.

      (b)      The Council consists of 17 members, 13 of whom shall be selected as provided in paragraph (1) of this subsection and 4 of whom shall be selected as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection:

            (1)      (i)      13 members of the Council shall be appointed by the Governor in consultation with the Secretary and with the advice and consent of the Senate, for terms of 3 years each. The terms of members are staggered as required by the terms provided for members of the Council on July 1, 1985.

                  (ii)      Any member is eligible for reappointment, but after serving for 2 consecutive 3-year terms, no member may be reappointed until the expiration of at least 1 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.

            (2)      (i)      2 members of the Council shall be appointed by the President of the Senate of Maryland and 2 members of the Council shall be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Delegates of Maryland.

                  (ii)      2 members of the Council 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 of Maryland appointed by the Speaker.

                  (iii)      A member of the General Assembly who is appointed under this paragraph serves until a successor is appointed. If a Council member appointed under this paragraph is not a member of the General Assembly, the member shall serve for a 3-year term in accordance with paragraph (1)(ii) of this subsection.

      (c)      In making the appointments, the Governor shall give due consideration to the recommendations made by the representatives of civic, educational and professional organizations concerned with or engaged in the production or presentation of the performing, visual or creative arts and shall provide balanced geographic representation.

      (d)      Members of the Maryland State Arts Council shall serve without compensation, but each member shall be reimbursed for necessary traveling and other expenses incurred in the performance of official duties in accordance with the Standard State Travel Regulations.

      (e)      The Council shall select annually from its membership a chairman, a vice-chairman and a secretary-treasurer.