Maryland Code, Courts and Judicial Proceedings § 1-708

(b)(1) There is a Judicial Compensation Commission. The Commission shall study and make recommendations with respect to all aspects of judicial compensation, to the end that the judicial compensation structure shall be adequate to assure that highly qualified persons will be attracted to the bench and will continue to serve there without unreasonable economic hardship.

(2) The Commission consists of seven members appointed by the Governor. No more than three members of the Commission may be individuals admitted to practice law in this State. In nominating and appointing members, special consideration shall be given to individuals who have knowledge of compensation practices and financial matters. The Governor shall appoint:

(3) A member of the General Assembly, officer or employee of the State or a political subdivision of the State, or justice or judge or former justice or judge is not eligible for appointment to the Commission.

(4) The term of a member is 6 years, commencing July 1, 1980, and until the member's successor is appointed. However, of the members first appointed to the Commission, the Governor shall designate one of the members nominated by the President of the Senate to serve for 3 years and one for 6 years; one of the members nominated by the Speaker to serve for 4 years and one for 5 years; the member nominated by the Maryland State Bar Association, Inc., to serve for 3 years; and one of the members at large to serve for 2 years, and one for 6 years. A member is eligible for reappointment.

(5) Members of the Commission serve without compensation, but shall be reimbursed for reasonable expenses incurred in carrying out their responsibilities under this section.

(6) The members of the Commission shall elect a member as chairman of the Commission.

(7) The concurrence of at least five members is required for any formal Commission action.

(8) The Commission may request and receive assistance and information from any unit of State government.

(d)(1) The salary recommendations made by the Commission shall be introduced as a joint resolution in each House of the General Assembly not later than the fifteenth day of the session. The General Assembly may amend the joint resolution to decrease any of the Commission salary recommendations, but no reduction may diminish the salary of a justice or judge during his continuance in office. The General Assembly may not amend the joint resolution to increase the recommended salaries. If the General Assembly fails to adopt or amend the joint resolution within 50 days after its introduction, the salaries recommended by the Commission shall apply. If the joint resolution is adopted or amended in accordance with this section within 50 days after its introduction, the salaries so provided shall apply. If the General Assembly rejects any or all of the Commission's salary recommendations, the salaries of the justices and judges affected remain unchanged, unless modified under other provisions of law.

(2) The Governor or the General Assembly may not increase the recommended salaries, except as provided under § 1-703(b) of this subtitle.