(a) The Historic St. Mary’s City Commission consists of seventeen members.
(b) Of the Commission members:
(1) Thirteen shall be appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate as follows:
(i) Three shall be distinguished scholars, one of whom shall be an archaeologist, one of whom shall be a colonial historian, and one of whom shall be an educator;
(ii) One shall be a representative from a prominent historical museum;
(iii) Three shall be members of the Maryland business community, one of whom is in business in the St. Mary’s County community;
(iv) Six shall be members of the general public, at least two of whom are residents of the St. Mary’s County community;
(2) Two shall be ex officio voting members as follows:
(i) The chairman of the St. Mary’s College of Maryland Board of Trustees or the chairman’s designee; and
(ii) The President of the Historic St. Mary’s Foundation; and
(3) Two shall be ex officio nonvoting members as follows:
(i) The President of the Senate of Maryland or the President’s designee; and
(ii) The Speaker of the House of Delegates or the Speaker’s designee.
(c) The Governor shall consider statewide, regional, and minority representation in making appointments to the Commission.
(d) (1) The term of a member of the Commission, excluding an ex officio member, is 4 years and until a successor is appointed and qualifies. These terms are staggered as required by the terms of members as of July 1, 1997.
(2) A member appointed to fill a vacancy in an unexpired term serves only for the remainder of that term and until a successor is appointed and qualifies.
(3) A member may be appointed to no more than two full consecutive terms. A member who has served less than a full 4-year term may be reappointed to two full terms.