§ 3-3-1002. MEMBERSHIP.

(a)

Composition; appointment of members.

(1)

The Ethics Commission consists of five members appointed by the County Executive and subject to confirmation by the County Council.

(2)

Of the five members of the Commission:

(i)

Two must be members of a political party to which the County Executive does not belong; and

(ii)

Two must be lawyers licensed to practice law in the state and in good standing with the State Court of Appeals.

(b)

Eligibility. An individual may serve as a member of the Commission if the individual:

(1)

Is a resident of the county;

(2)

Does not hold an elected or appointed office in, or is not a candidate for office of the United States, the state, a political subdivision or municipal corporation of the state, or a political party;

(3)

Is not an employee of the state, a political subdivision or municipal corporation of the state, or a political party; and

(4)

Is not required to file a lobbying registration.

(c)

Tenure; vacancies.

(1)

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

(2)

A member may not be appointed for more than two consecutive 3-year terms.

(d)

Removal.

(1)

The County Executive may remove a member from the Commission on the grounds of:

(i)

Neglect of duty;

(ii)

Misconduct in office;

(iii)

A disability making the member unable to discharge the powers and duties of the office; or

(iv)

Noncompliance with this subtitle, Article 7, Title 1 of the Code, or with regulations or rules adopted by the Commission.

(2)

(i)

The County Executive may remove a member from the Commission after the process described in subparagraphs (ii) through (vi) of this paragraph has been completed.

(ii)

1.

With the advice and consent of the County Council, the County Executive shall appoint a panel consisting of three citizens of the county.

2.

One member of the panel must be a member of the other principal political party to which the incumbent County Executive does not belong.

(iii)

The panel shall review the grounds alleged for the removal of the member of the Commission.

(iv)

Written notice shall be sent to the Commission member of the reasons for the intended removal by the County Executive.

(v)

The member shall be afforded an opportunity to respond to the allegations.

(vi)

The member shall be removed if a majority of the panel recommends that the County Executive remove the member from the Commission.

(1988 Code, §§ 28-36, 28-37, 28-38, 28-39, 28-40, 28-41) (Bill No. 31-99, § 3, 7-1-2004; Bill No. 82-99, § 1, 10-22-1999; Bill No. 82-99, § 3, 7-1-2004; Bill No. 70-03, § 33, 7-1-2004; Bill No. 67-13, § 1, 12-29-2013)