Section 13-1104 - Membership(a) The Authority consists of: (1) The Secretary of Housing and Community Development;(2) The Secretary of Commerce;(3) The Secretary of Higher Education;(4) The Secretary of Transportation;(5) The Secretary of Natural Resources;(6) The Secretary of the Department of Planning;(7) The State Historic Preservation Officer; and(8) Ten members appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate: (i) Two of whom shall be elected officials or representatives of local jurisdictions;(ii) Two of whom shall be appointed from names recommended by the President of the Maryland Senate;(iii) Two of whom shall be appointed from names recommended by the Speaker of the House of Delegates;(iv) One of whom is a public member of the Maryland Greenways Commission;(v) One of whom is a public member of the Maryland Tourism Development Board;(vi) One of whom is a member of the public who has significant education or experience in historic preservation; and(vii) One of whom is a member of the public who has significant education or experience in heritage tourism.(b) Of the elected officials or representatives from local jurisdictions, the Governor shall appoint: (1) One elected official or representative from a list submitted by the Maryland Association of Counties; and(2) One elected official or representative from a list submitted by the Maryland Municipal League.(c) The members appointed to the Authority shall represent the gender, racial, and geographic makeup of the State.(d) A member of the Authority may not also be a member of the board of directors or any other type of governing or oversight body of an organization qualifying for State funds as a recognized or certified heritage area.(e) A cabinet member of the Authority may designate a representative to act in the absence of the cabinet member.(f)(1) Except for State officials, the term of a member of the Authority is 4 years.(2) The terms of members appointed by the Governor are staggered as required by the terms provided for members on October 1, 1996.(3) At the end of a term, a member continues to serve until a successor is appointed and qualifies.(4) 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.(5) At the end of the term of a member or on the resignation or removal of a member, the Governor shall appoint a member to the Authority with the advice and consent of the Senate.(g) The Secretary of Planning shall serve as chair of the Authority.(h) The Governor may remove a member that a Governor appointed for incompetence, misconduct, or failure to perform the duties of the position.