# Part II – Restrictions on Participation

Current through 2026-07-17. Source: City of Balt., Md., Ord. 26-129. Published by the Baltimore City Department of Legislative Reference.

## § 6-6 Prohibited participation.

Balt., Md., Code art. 8, § 6-6 (2026)

(a) In this section, “business entity” does not include Baltimore City or any instrumentality, unit, or agency of Baltimore City.

(b) Except as otherwise provided in this Part II, a public servant may not participate in and must disqualify himself or herself from any matter if:

  (1) the public servant has an interest in the matter of which the public servant might reasonably be expected to know;

  (2) to the public servant’s knowledge, a disqualifying relative has an interest in the matter; or

  (3) any of the following is a party to the matter:

    (i) any business entity in which:

      (A) the public servant has a financial interest of which the public servant might reasonably be expected to know; or

      (B) to the public servant’s knowledge, a disqualifying relative has a financial interest;

    (ii) any business entity in which:

      (A) the public servant is a partner, officer, director, trustee, employee, or agent; or

      (B) to the public servant’s knowledge, a disqualifying relative is a partner, officer, director, trustee, employee, or agent;

    (iii) any business entity with which:

      (A) the public servant has applied for a position, is negotiating employment, or has arranged prospective employment; or

      (B) to the public servant’s knowledge, a disqualifying relative has applied for a position, is negotiating employment, or has arranged prospective employment;

    (iv) any business entity that is a party to a contract with:

      (A) the public servant, if the contract could reasonably be expected to result in a conflict between the private interests of the public servant and the public servant’s official City duties; or

      (B) to the public servant’s knowledge, a disqualifying relative, if the contract could reasonably be expected to result in a conflict between the private interests of the public servant or disqualifying relative and the public servant’s official City duties;

    (v) any business entity in which a financial interest is held by another business entity in which the public servant has a financial interest, if the public servant might reasonably be expected to know of both financial interests;

    (vi) any business entity in which a financial interest is held by another business entity in which a disqualifying relative has a financial interest, if the public servant knows of both financial interests;

    (vii) any business entity that has a financial interest in another business entity in which the public servant also has a financial interest, if the public servant might reasonably be expected to know of both financial interests;

    (viii) any business entity that has a financial interest in another business entity in which a disqualifying relative also has a financial interest, if the public servant knows of both financial interests; or

    (ix) any business entity that, to the public servant’s knowledge, is a creditor or obligee of the public servant or a disqualifying relative and that, as a creditor or obligee, is in a position to affect directly and substantially the interest of the public servant or disqualifying relative.

*History: Ord. 04-795*

*History: Ord. 10-267*

*History: Ord. 13-102*

## § 6-6.1 Restrictions for former lobbyists.

Balt., Md., Code art. 8, § 6-6.1 (2026)

(a) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (b) of this section, a former lobbyist who is or becomes subject to regulation under this subtitle as an official may not participate in a case, contract, or other specific matter as an official for 1 calendar year after the termination of the former lobbyist’s registration if the former lobbyist previously assisted or represented another party for compensation in that case, contract, or other specific matter.

(b) This section does not apply to a former lobbyist who is an official only as a member of a board.

*History: Ord. 19-239*

## § 6-7 Exceptions.

Balt., Md., Code art. 8, § 6-7 (2026)

(a) The prohibitions in <cite data-path="|8|§6-6">§ 6-6 {“Prohibited participation”} of this subtitle</cite> do not apply to the extent that participation in a matter is expressly allowed:

  (1) by a rule or regulation of the Ethics Board;

  (2) by an advisory opinion of the Ethics Board; or

  (3) by another provision of <cite data-path="|8">this article</cite>.

(b) The prohibitions in <cite data-path="|8|§6-6">§ 6-6 {“Prohibited participation”} of this subtitle</cite> do not prohibit the exercise of a ministerial duty that does not affect the disposition of or any decision relating to the matter involved.

*History: Ord. 04-795*

## § 6-8 Participation notwithstanding conflict.

Balt., Md., Code art. 8, § 6-8 (2026)

(a) Subject to subsection (b) of this section, a public servant who otherwise would be disqualified under <cite data-path="|8|§6-6">§ 6-6 {“Prohibited participation”} of this subtitle</cite> may nonetheless participate in a matter if:

  (1) his or her disqualification would leave a board or other body with less than a quorum capable of acting;

  (2) the public servant is required by law to act; or

  (3) the public servant is the only individual authorized to act.

(b)

  (1) A public servant who seeks to participate in a matter under the authority of this section must comply with the requirements of this subsection.

  (2) If acting as a member of a board or other body, the public servant must, before participating, publicly disclose to that board or other body the nature and circumstances of the conflict.

  (3) In all cases, the public servant must, as soon as possible after participating, file with the Ethics Board and the public servant’s appointing authority a written notice of the nature and circumstances of the conflict and the participation.

*History: Ord. 04-795*

## § 6-9 Service with entity on City’s behalf.

Balt., Md., Code art. 8, § 6-9 (2026)

The prohibitions in <cite data-path="|8|§6-6">§ 6-6 {“Prohibited participation”} of this subtitle</cite> do not apply to the service of a public servant as a trustee or director of a business entity doing business with or subject to regulation by the City as long as:

(1) the City has an economic or programmatic interest in the entity; and

(2) the public servant:

  (i) serves on the entity as part of his or her official duties, at the direction of his or her agency;

  (ii) receives no fee, salary, or other remuneration for his or her service; and

  (iii) does not participate in any matter in which the public servant or any disqualifying relative has a financial interest.

*History: Ord. 04-795*

## § 6-10

Balt., Md., Code art. 8, § 6-10 (2026)

Reserved