Section 18-101 – “Secretary” Defined

    In this subtitle, “Secretary” means the Secretary of Budget and Management.

Section 18-102 – Effect of Subtitle

    This subtitle does not prohibit the Commission from employing consulting or outside engineering services that the Commission considers necessary.

Section 18-103 – Applicability of State Personnel and Pensions Article to Commission

    Except as otherwise provided by law, the provisions of the State Personnel and Pensions Article that govern skilled service and professional service employees do not apply to the Commission.

Section 18-104 – Employment of Personnel; Expenditures; Reimbursement

    The Commission:         (1)    may employ personnel and make expenditures necessary to carry out the purposes of this subtitle; and         (2)    shall reimburse the State for any reasonable cost incurred by the Department of Budget and Management in carrying out the functions under this subtitle.

Section 18-105 – Regulations

    The Commission may adopt regulations to carry out this subtitle.

Section 18-106 – General Duty and Authority to Manage Employees

    (a)    The Commission shall organize its employees in a manner that promotes the efficient disposition of all matters within the Commission’s jurisdiction.     (b)    To carry out this division, the Commission may:         (1)    organize its employees into departments or other divisional organizations;         (2)    establish the functions, duties, and responsibilities of the general manager, secretary, treasurer, chief engineer, general counsel, inspector […]

Section 18-107 – Merit System

    (a)    The Commission may establish a merit system that includes all of its employees except:         (1)    the general manager, secretary, treasurer, and chief engineer;         (2)    the head of a department;         (3)    (i)    the inspector general; and             (ii)    any temporary employee of the Office of the Inspector General appointed under § 17–603 of this article; and         (4)    a part time, temporary, or contract […]

Section 18-108 – Position Classifications

    (a)    The Commission shall establish a list of each position to be included under the merit system and its corresponding salary.     (b)    The Commission may:         (1)    establish additional position classifications; and         (2)    combine, alter, or abolish existing position classifications and their corresponding salaries.

Section 18-111 – Competitive Selection Processes for Appointment of Veterans

    On all competitive selection processes for appointment, an honorably discharged veteran of the United States armed forces who was a bona fide resident of the State when the veteran entered the United States armed forces shall receive a credit of 5%.

Section 18-114 – Compensation for Services

    Unless otherwise provided by law, the Commission may not approve or pay any compensation for services unless the individual to whom the compensation is paid is an employee.

Section 18-115 – Leave Time — Annual

    (a)    Each merit system employee is entitled to the number of days of annual leave with pay that the Commission specifies by regulation.     (b)    The number of days of annual leave with pay specified by a regulation adopted under this section shall be:         (1)    at least 10 days but not more than 30 days in a calendar year; […]

Section 18-116 – Leave Time — Sick

    (a)    In addition to annual leave, each merit system employee is entitled to up to 15 days of sick leave with pay in a calendar year.     (b)    (1)    An employee may use sick leave at any time.         (2)    An employee who uses 3 or more consecutive days of sick leave must present a certificate from a licensed physician before […]

Section 18-117 – Payment to Beneficiary for Salary and Unused Annual Leave

    (a)    The Commission, by regulation, may provide for the designation by a merit system employee of the individual to whom the employee’s final salary payment, and any payment due for unused annual leave, should be made on the death of the employee.     (b)    (1)    The designation of the beneficiary shall be:             (i)    in writing; and             (ii)    on file with the […]

Section 18-118 – Pension or Retirement Plan

    (a)    The Commission may establish a pension or retirement plan for its employees.     (b)    (1)    The Commission may:             (i)    contract with an insurance company for a group, annuity, retirement, or pension plan; and             (ii)    contribute to the plan as the Commission considers equitable or as required by contract.         (2)    The Commission’s contribution under paragraph (1)(ii) of this subsection shall be charged […]

Section 18-119 – Transfers of Employees

    (a)    The Commission may transfer an employee from one department to another.     (b)    A transfer may not result in a diminution of an employee’s salary unless:         (1)    the employee agrees to the reduced salary; or         (2)    the Secretary concurs in the reduction.

Section 18-120 – Separations From Merit System Generally

    An employee may be separated from the merit system:         (1)    temporarily through suspension, layoff, or leave of absence; or         (2)    permanently through removal or resignation.

Section 18-121 – Temporary Separations — Suspensions

    (a)    The Commission may suspend an employee for disciplinary purposes for up to 30 days.     (b)    Each suspension shall be without pay.     (c)    An employee may not be suspended for disciplinary purposes for more than 30 days in a calendar year.

Section 18-122 – Temporary Separations — Layoffs

    (a)    An employee who is laid off because a position has been abolished, discontinued, or vacated because of a change in departmental organization or because of a stoppage or lack of work shall be placed on the eligible list for the classification of position from which the employee is laid off.     (b)    If a vacancy occurs in […]

Section 18-123 – Permanent Separations — Removal

    (a)    An employee may not be permanently removed except for cause and after an opportunity to be heard.     (b)    An employee who is permanently removed may appeal to the Office of Administrative Hearings in accordance with § 4–401 of the State Personnel and Pensions Article.     (c)    An employee may not be permanently removed from the merit system because […]

Section 18-124 – Permanent Separations — Resignations

    (a)    The Commission, by regulation, shall establish what constitutes a resignation.     (b)    A regulation adopted under subsection (a) of this section is subject to the approval of the Secretary.