EXECUTIVE ORDER 01.01.2024.29
Maryland 250 Commission
(Amends Executive Order 01.01.2023.10)
I. There is a Maryland 250 Commission (the “Commission”).
II. Membership.
A. The Commission shall consist of the following members:
1. The Lieutenant Governor;
2. The Secretary of Budget and Management, or the Secretary’s designee;
3. The Secretary of Commerce, or the Secretary’s designee;
4. The Secretary of General Services, or the Secretary’s designee;
5. The Secretary of Natural Resources, or the Secretary’s designee;
6. The Secretary of Planning, or the Secretary’s designee;
7. The Secretary of Service and Civic Innovation, or the Secretary’s designee;
8. The Secretary of State, or the Secretary’s designee;
9. The Secretary of Veterans Affairs, or the Secretary’s designee;
10. The State Superintendent of Schools, or the Superintendent’s designee;
11. The State Archivist, or the Archivist’s designee;
12. The State Historic Preservation Officer, or the Officer’s designee;
13. The Executive Director of the Governor’s Office of Community Initiatives, or the Executive Director’s designee;
14. The Executive Director, Maryland State Arts Council, or the Executive Director’s designee;
15. The Administrative Director of the Maryland Commission on Indian Affairs, or the Administrative Director’s designee;
16. The Executive Director of the Maryland Commission on African American History and Culture, or the Executive Director’s designee;
17. The Adjutant General, or the Adjutant General’s designee;
18. The Director of the Maryland Commission for Women, or the Director’s designee; and
19. Up to five members of the general public appointed by the Governor.
B. The following are invited to be, and shall be upon acceptance, members of the Commission:
1. Two members appointed by the President of the Maryland Senate;
2. Two members appointed by the Speaker of the Maryland House of Delegates;
3. The Executive Director of the Maryland Association of Counties, or Executive Director’s designee;
4. The Executive Director of the Maryland Municipal League, or Executive Director’s designee; and
5. Up to three members from the nonprofit community, selected from the Maryland Center for History and Culture, the Maryland Humanities Council, Preservation Maryland, or other similar organizations.
C. The Governor shall appoint the Chair and the Vice Chair of the Commission.
D. Members serve at the pleasure of the Governor.
III. The Maryland Department of Planning shall provide the Commission with resources and staff as feasible and necessary for administering and facilitating the work of the Commission.
IV. Members of the Commission may not receive any compensation for their services but may be reimbursed for their reasonable expenses incurred in the performance of duties in accordance with the State Standard Travel Regulations and as provided in the State budget.
V. The Commission shall:
A. Adopt administrative and financial procedures for the transaction of business, including, but not limited to, the establishment of advisory groups, committees, or working groups that address the themes of history, service, and civics.
B. Hold at a minimum semi-annual meetings,
1. At times and places to be determined by the Chair;
2. That are conducted in accordance with the Open Meetings Act; and
3. That allow for remote meetings and electronic voting.
C. Coordinate, engage, and liaise with the U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission, and other local, county, and state commissions, and private and public partner organizations.
D. Serve as the State of Maryland’s official representative for the Semiquincentennial, and all related activities, communications, and events.
E. Solicit, accept, use and dispose of donations, funds and gifts in conformance with the Public Ethics Law, to support the goals and purposes of the Commission.
F. Invite broad-based public input on the meaning, significance, and opportunities of this anniversary that will inform development of commemoration activities, programs, and events.
G. Acknowledge that the confiscation of Indigenous land and displacement of Indigenous people is central to the United States’ origin story and recognize the persistence and contributions of these communities today.
H. Honor the legacy of both free and enslaved African Americans in the making of Maryland and the nation, whose untold stories of heroism and perseverance are critical to the understanding of our shared past and present.
I. Support the identification and enhancement of cultural assets that tell the story of who we are as Marylanders and promote place-based visitor experiences for residents and visitors alike.
J. Engage youth, new Americans, and lifelong learners in programs designed to encourage the search for meaning behind America and deepen engagement in civic life.
K. Celebrate service to country and community, and create opportunities that promote social responsibility, compassion and understanding that will unite and strengthen Maryland’s diverse communities for the benefit of all.
VI. The Commission shall further:
A. Submit an Action Plan to the Governor and General Assembly by December 31, 2023, that outlines the Commission’s goals, mission, and recommendations; and
B. Produce by December 31 of each year an annual report to the Governor and General Assembly that includes an update on the Action Plan, implementation benchmarks, related deadlines and schedules, and an accounting and enumeration of all contracts, donations, and gifts.
VII. The Commission shall terminate on December 31, 2027.
VIII. This Executive Order shall be implemented in a manner that is consistent with all applicable statutes and regulations. Nothing in this Executive Order shall operate to contravene any State or federal law or to affect the State's receipt of federal funding.
IX. If any provision of this Executive Order or its application to any person, entity, or circumstance is held invalid by any court of competent jurisdiction, all other provisions or applications of the Executive Order shall remain in effect to the extent possible without the invalid provision or application. To achieve this purpose, the provisions of this Executive Order are severable.
Effective Date: September 4, 2024.
