(a)      In addition to any other powers granted and duties imposed by law, and subject to any restrictions imposed by law, the Board has the following powers and duties:

            (1)      providing advice and counsel to the Chief in the development of the information technology master plan;

            (2)      studying existing and emerging Internet and information technology;

            (3)      developing standards and making recommendations concerning Internet-based commerce, including:

                  (i)      advertising on the Internet;

                  (ii)      banking transactions on the Internet;

                  (iii)      business transactions on the Internet;

                  (iv)      taxation of Internet-based commerce; and

                  (v)      taxation of Internet services;

            (4)      developing standards and making recommendations concerning Internet user privacy, including:

                  (i)      the availability of personal information on the Internet;

                  (ii)      the use of unsolicited bulk e-mail;

                  (iii)      the use of encryption technology; and

                  (iv)      the use of filters to screen out obscene or objectionable material;

            (5)      making recommendations concerning Internet-based crime, including:

                  (i)      on-line fraud;

                  (ii)      on-line pornography; and

                  (iii)      on-line defamation;

            (6)      making recommendations concerning the use of the Internet in the health care industry, including:

                  (i)      the use of an on-line database for patient medical history; and

                  (ii)      processing payment and insurance transactions on-line;

            (7)      making recommendations concerning the deployment of Internet-based applications and services for State government and educational institutions; and

            (8)      providing advice and counsel to the Chief on such other matters as the Chief may request.

      (b)      (1)      The Board shall create an annual report detailing its activities and findings.

            (2)      The Board shall present its annual report to the Governor and, subject to § 2-1246 of the State Government Article, to the General Assembly.