<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<baltimore-city-law heading="Subtitle 8 – Lobbying">
  <container prefix="Part" num="I" heading="Definitions">
    <section prefix="§" num="8-1" heading="Definitions.">
      <para num="(a)" heading="In general.">In this subtitle, the following terms have the meanings indicated.</para>
      <para num="(b)" heading="Compensation.">If lobbying is only part of a person’s employment, “compensation” means a prorated amount of the person’s total compensation, as defined in &lt;cite data-path="|8|§2-7"&gt;§ 2-7 of this article&lt;/cite&gt;, that is based on the time devoted by the person to lobbying compared to the time devoted to other employment duties.</para>
      <para num="(c)" heading="Executive action.">“Executive action” means any official action or nonaction that:<para num="(1)">is taken by a public servant; and</para>
        <para num="(2)">is not legislative action, as defined in this section.</para>
      </para>
      <para num="(d)" heading="Legislative action.">
        <para num="(1)">“Legislative action” means any official action or nonaction relating to:<para num="(i)">any bill, resolution, nomination, appointment, report, or other matter within the jurisdiction of the City Council; or</para>
          <para num="(ii)">any bill or resolution presented to the Mayor for approval or veto.</para>
        </para>
        <para num="(2)">“Legislative action” includes:<para num="(i)">introduction;</para>
          <para num="(ii)">sponsorship;</para>
          <para num="(iii)">consideration and debate;</para>
          <para num="(iv)">amendment;</para>
          <para num="(v)">passage or defeat; and</para>
          <para num="(vi)">approval or veto.</para>
        </para>
      </para>
      <para num="(e)" heading="Lobby.">“Lobby” means to do any act that requires registration under this subtitle.</para>
      <para num="(f)" heading="Reporting period.">“Reporting period” means all or any part of the period from January 1 of any year through December 31 of the same year during which a person is registered or required to be registered with the Ethics Board as a lobbyist.</para>
      <annotation type="History">Ord. 04-795</annotation>
      <annotation type="History">Ord. 18-198</annotation>
      <annotation type="Defined Terms">Compensation	§ 2-7</annotation>
      <annotation type="Defined Terms">Person	§ 2-22</annotation>
      <annotation type="Defined Terms">Legislative action	§ 8-1(d</annotation>
      <annotation type="Defined Terms">Lobby	§ 8-1(e</annotation>
      <annotation type="Defined Terms">Lobbyist	§ 2-20</annotation>
      <annotation type="Defined Terms">Public servant	§ 2-23</annotation>
    </section>
    <section prefix="§§" num="8-2 to 8-5" reserved="true" />
  </container>
  <container prefix="Part" num="II" heading="Registration Required">
    <section prefix="§" num="8-6" heading="In general.">
      <text>Except as otherwise specified in Part V {“Exemptions”} of this subtitle, a person who engages in any activity described in this Part II must register with the Ethics Board.</text>
      <annotation type="History">Ord. 04-795</annotation>
      <annotation type="Defined Terms">Ethics Board	§2-10</annotation>
      <annotation type="Defined Terms">Person	§2-22</annotation>
    </section>
    <section prefix="§" num="8-7" heading="Legislative lobbying.">
      <text>A person must register if, during a reporting period, the person:</text>
      <para num="(1)">for the purpose of influencing any legislative action, communicates with a public servant; and</para>
      <para num="(2)">in furtherance of or in connection with all such communications for that or any other legislative action, and all activities relating to those communications:<para num="(i)">expends $100 or more for gifts, including meals, beverages, or special events, to 1 or more public servants;</para>
        <para num="(ii)">incurs any expenses of $500 or more; or</para>
        <para num="(iii)">earns $2,500 or more in compensation.</para>
      </para>
      <annotation type="History">Ord. 04-795</annotation>
      <annotation type="Defined Terms">Compensation	§8-1</annotation>
      <annotation type="Defined Terms">Gift	§2-17</annotation>
      <annotation type="Defined Terms">Legislative action	§8-1</annotation>
      <annotation type="Defined Terms">Person	§2-22</annotation>
      <annotation type="Defined Terms">Public servant	§2-23</annotation>
      <annotation type="Defined Terms">Reporting period	§8-1</annotation>
    </section>
    <section prefix="§" num="8-8" heading="Executive lobbying.">
      <para num="(a)" heading="In general.">A person must register if, during a reporting period, the person:<para num="(1)">for the purpose of influencing any executive action, communicates with a public servant; and</para>
        <para num="(2)">in furtherance of or in connection with all such communications for that or any other executive action, and all activities relating to those communications, expends $100 or more for gifts, including meals, beverages, or special events, to 1 or more public servants.</para>
      </para>
      <para num="(b)" heading="Regulations; Executive Orders.">A person must register if, during a reporting period, the person:<para num="(1)">for the purpose of influencing the development, adoption, issuance, or amendment of regulations or of an executive order, communicates with a public servant; and</para>
        <para num="(2)">in furtherance of or in connection with all such communications for that or any other executive action, and all activities relating to those communications:<para num="(i)">expends $100 or more for gifts, including meals, beverages, or special events, to 1 or more public servants;</para>
          <para num="(ii)">incurs any expenses of $500 or more; or</para>
          <para num="(iii)">earns $2,500 or more in compensation.</para>
        </para>
      </para>
      <para num="(c)" heading="Procurement.">
        <para num="(1)">A person must register if, during a reporting period, the person:<para num="(i)">for the purpose of influencing executive action on a procurement contract that exceeds $50,000, communicates with a public servant; and</para>
          <para num="(ii)">in furtherance of or in connection with all such communications for that or any other executive action, and all activities relating to those communications:<para num="(A)">expends $100 or more for gifts, including meals, beverages, or special events, to 1 or more public servants; or</para>
            <para num="(B)">except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, is compensated for his or her services.</para>
          </para>
        </para>
        <para num="(2)">Paragraph (1)(ii)(B) of this subsection does not apply to a bona fide salesperson or commercial selling agency employed or maintained by an employer for the purpose of soliciting or securing a procurement contract, as long as the person engages in no other acts during the reporting period that require registration.</para>
      </para>
      <para num="(d)" heading="Business grants or loans.">
        <para num="(1)">A person must register if, during a reporting period, the person:<para num="(i)">for the purpose of influencing executive action to secure for a business entity a grant or loan that exceeds $50,000, communicates with a public servant; and</para>
          <para num="(ii)">in furtherance of or in connection with all such communications for that or any other executive action, and all activities relating to those communications:<para num="(A)">expends $100 or more for gifts, including meals, beverages, or special events, to 1 or more public servants; or</para>
            <para num="(B)">except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, is compensated for his or her services.</para>
          </para>
        </para>
        <para num="(2)">Paragraph (1)(ii)(B) of this subsection does not apply to either of the following, as long as the person engages in no other acts during the reporting period that require registration:<para num="(i)">a bona fide full-time official or employee of a business entity that is seeking to secure a grant or loan; or</para>
          <para num="(ii)">a person who is seeking a grant or loan for the purpose of locating, relocating, or expanding a business in or into the City.</para>
        </para>
      </para>
      <annotation type="History">Ord. 04-795</annotation>
      <annotation type="History">Ord. 06-188</annotation>
      <annotation type="Defined Terms">Compensation	§8-1</annotation>
      <annotation type="Defined Terms">Executive action	§8-1</annotation>
      <annotation type="Defined Terms">Gift	§2-17</annotation>
      <annotation type="Defined Terms">Person	§2-22</annotation>
      <annotation type="Defined Terms">Public servant	§2-23</annotation>
      <annotation type="Defined Terms">Reporting period	§8-1</annotation>
    </section>
    <section prefix="§" num="8-9" heading="“Grass roots” lobbying.">
      <text>A person must register if, during a reporting period, the person:</text>
      <para num="(1)">for the purpose of influencing any legislative or executive action, solicits others to communicate with a public servant; and</para>
      <para num="(2)">in furtherance of or in connection with that solicitation, expends $1,000 or more, including expenditures for salaries, contractual employees, postage, telecommunications services, electronic services, advertising, printing, or delivery services.</para>
      <annotation type="History">Ord. 04-795</annotation>
      <annotation type="Defined Terms">Executive action	§8-1</annotation>
      <annotation type="Defined Terms">Legislative action	§8-1</annotation>
      <annotation type="Defined Terms">Person	§2-22</annotation>
      <annotation type="Defined Terms">Public servant	§2-23</annotation>
      <annotation type="Defined Terms">Reporting period	§8-1</annotation>
    </section>
    <section prefix="§" num="8-10" reserved="true" />
  </container>
  <container prefix="Part" num="III" heading="Procedure">
    <section prefix="§" num="8-11" heading="Employer authorization required.">
      <para num="(a)" heading="In general.">Any person that engages a lobbyist for the purpose of lobbying must provide a written authorization for the lobbyist to act on the person’s behalf.</para>
      <para num="(b)" heading="Contents.">The authorization must include:<para num="(1)">the person’s full legal name and business address;</para>
        <para num="(2)">the lobbyist’s full legal name and business address;</para>
        <para num="(3)">the period during which the lobbyist is authorized to act; and</para>
        <para num="(4)">the legislative action, executive action, or other matter on which the lobbyist is authorized to act.</para>
      </para>
      <para num="(c)" heading="Signature.">The authorization must be signed by:<para num="(1)">the person on whose behalf the lobbyist is being authorized to act; or</para>
        <para num="(2)">if that person is a corporation, any authorized officer or agent of the corporation other than the lobbyist.</para>
      </para>
      <annotation type="History">Ord. 04-795</annotation>
      <annotation type="Defined Terms">Executive action	§8-1</annotation>
      <annotation type="Defined Terms">Legislative action	§8-1</annotation>
      <annotation type="Defined Terms">Lobby	§8-1</annotation>
      <annotation type="Defined Terms">Lobbyist	§2-20</annotation>
      <annotation type="Defined Terms">Person	§2-22</annotation>
    </section>
    <section prefix="§" num="8-12" heading="Time for registering.">
      <para num="(a)" heading="Initial registration.">A lobbyist must register within 5 days after first engaging in any act that requires registration.</para>
      <para num="(b)" heading="Annual renewal.">A lobbyist must file a new registration on or before January 1 of each year if, on that date, the lobbyist is engaged in lobbying.</para>
      <annotation type="History">Ord. 04-795</annotation>
      <annotation type="Defined Terms">Lobby	§8-1</annotation>
      <annotation type="Defined Terms">Lobbyist	§2-20</annotation>
    </section>
    <section prefix="§" num="8-13" heading="Registration scope, form, and contents.">
      <para num="(a)" heading="Separate registration per principal.">A lobbyist who engages in lobbying on behalf of more than 1 person must file a separate registration for each person.</para>
      <para num="(b)" heading="Form.">The registration must be filed on the form the Ethics Board provides.</para>
      <para num="(c)" heading="Contents.">The registration must include the following information, as applicable:<para num="(1)">the lobbyist’s full legal name and business address;</para>
        <para num="(2)">the full legal name and business address of each other person that will be lobbying on the lobbyist’s behalf;</para>
        <para num="(3)">the full legal name, address, and nature of business of the person on whose behalf the lobbyist is acting;</para>
        <para num="(4)">a statement of whether, because of the lobbyist’s registration and reporting, the person on whose behalf the lobbyist is acting will be exempt from registration under &lt;cite data-path="|8|§8-33"&gt;§ 8-33 {“Employer of reporting lobbyist”} of this subtitle&lt;/cite&gt;; and</para>
        <para num="(5)">the identification, by formal designation, if known, of the legislative action, executive action, or other matter on which the lobbyist is acting or expects to act or on which the lobbyist has engaged or expects to engage another person to act.</para>
      </para>
      <para num="(d)" heading="Written Authorization.">The registration must be accompanied by the written authorization required by &lt;cite data-path="|8|§8-11"&gt;§ 8-11 {“Employer authorization required”} of this subtitle&lt;/cite&gt;.</para>
      <annotation type="History">Ord. 04-795</annotation>
      <annotation type="Defined Terms">Ethics Board	§2-10</annotation>
      <annotation type="Defined Terms">Executive action	§8-1</annotation>
      <annotation type="Defined Terms">Legislative action	§8-1</annotation>
      <annotation type="Defined Terms">Lobby	§8-1</annotation>
      <annotation type="Defined Terms">Lobbyist	§2-20</annotation>
      <annotation type="Defined Terms">Person	§2-22</annotation>
    </section>
    <section prefix="§" num="8-14" heading="Registration filing fee.">
      <text>Each lobbying registration must be accompanied by a filing fee of $100.  This fee shall be adjusted annually in accordance with the City Fee Policy and as approved by the Board of Estimates.</text>
      <annotation type="History">Ord. 13-180</annotation>
    </section>
    <section prefix="§" num="8-15" heading="Termination of registration.">
      <para num="(a)" heading="Automatic termination.">Unless sooner terminated under subsection (b) of this section, each registration terminates on the earlier of:<para num="(1)">the December 31 that first follows the registration’s filing; or</para>
        <para num="(2)">the date specified in a written authorization filed under &lt;cite data-path="|8|§8-11"&gt;§ 8-11 {“Employer authorization required”} of this subtitle&lt;/cite&gt;.</para>
      </para>
      <para num="(b)" heading="Termination by lobbyist.">A lobbyist may terminate the registration as of an earlier date than that specified in subsection (a) of this section if the lobbyist:<para num="(1)">ceases all activity that requires registration;</para>
        <para num="(2)">after ceasing all activity, files a notice of termination with the Ethics Board; and</para>
        <para num="(3)">within 30 days after filing the notice, files all reports required by this subtitle.</para>
      </para>
      <para num="(c)" heading="Required termination on appointment as public servant.">
        <para num="(1)">Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, if a lobbyist is or becomes subject to regulation under &lt;cite data-path="|8"&gt;this article&lt;/cite&gt; as a public servant, the lobbyist must:<para num="(i)">immediately cease all activity that requires registration; and</para>
          <para num="(ii)">terminate his or her registration in accordance with subsection (b) of this section within 30 days of becoming a public servant:<para num="(A)">file a notice of termination with the Ethics Board; and</para>
            <para num="(B)">file all reports required by this subtitle.</para>
          </para>
        </para>
        <para num="(2)">Paragraph (1) of this subsection does not apply to a lobbyist appointed to an advisory body of limited duration.</para>
      </para>
      <annotation type="History">Ord. 04-795</annotation>
      <annotation type="History">Ord. 13-180</annotation>
      <annotation type="Defined Terms">Ethics Board	§2-10</annotation>
      <annotation type="Defined Terms">Lobbyist	§2-20</annotation>
      <annotation type="Defined Terms">Public servant	§2-23</annotation>
    </section>
  </container>
  <container prefix="Part" num="IV" heading="Activity Reports">
    <section prefix="§" num="8-16" heading="In general.">
      <para num="(a)" heading="Semi-annual reports required.">A lobbyist must file with the Ethics Board semi-annual activity reports for the reporting period for which the lobbyist is registered or required to be registered.</para>
      <para num="(b)" heading="When and for whom filed.">
        <para num="(1)">For each reporting period, these semi-annual reports  must be filed as follows:<para num="(i)">on or before July 31, covering the immediately preceding January 1 through June 30; and</para>
          <para num="(ii)">on or before January 31, covering all of the immediately preceding January 1 through December 31.</para>
        </para>
        <para num="(2)">A separate report must be filed for each person on whose behalf the lobbyist acted.</para>
      </para>
      <para num="(c)" heading="Form .">
        <para num="(1)">Each report must be:<para num="(i)">filed on the form the Ethics Board provides; and</para>
          <para num="(ii)">signed under oath or affirmation, subject to the penalties of perjury.</para>
        </para>
        <para num="(2)">If the lobbyist is not an individual, then an authorized officer or agent of the lobbyist must sign the report.</para>
      </para>
      <annotation type="History">Ord. 04-795</annotation>
      <annotation type="History">Ord. 18-198</annotation>
      <annotation type="Defined Terms">Ethics Board	§2-10</annotation>
      <annotation type="Defined Terms">Lobbyist	§2-20</annotation>
      <annotation type="Defined Terms">Person	§2-22</annotation>
      <annotation type="Defined Terms">Reporting period	§8-1</annotation>
    </section>
    <section prefix="§" num="8-17" heading="Contents – Registration information">
      <text>Each report must include a complete, current statement of the information required by &lt;cite data-path="|8|§8-13|(c)"&gt;§ 8-13(c) {“Registration: Contents”} of this subtitle&lt;/cite&gt;.</text>
      <annotation type="History">Ord. 04-795</annotation>
    </section>
    <section prefix="§" num="8-18" heading="Contents – Compensation.">
      <para num="(a)" heading="In general.">Except as provided in subsection (c) of this subsection, each report must include the total compensation paid to the lobbyist in connection with lobbying activities during the period to which that report applies, as specified in &lt;cite data-path="|8|§8-16|(b)|(1)"&gt;§ 8-16(b)(1) of this subtitle&lt;/cite&gt;.</para>
      <para num="(b)" heading="Prorated amounts.">If the compensation being reported is a prorated amount, it must be so labeled.</para>
      <para num="(c)" heading="Exceptions.">This section does not apply to:<para num="(1)">expenses otherwise reported under other sections of this Part IV; or</para>
        <para num="(2)">salaries, compensation, and reimbursed expenses for the lobbyist’s staff.</para>
      </para>
      <annotation type="History">Ord. 04-795</annotation>
      <annotation type="History">Ord. 18-198</annotation>
      <annotation type="Defined Terms">Compensation	§8-1</annotation>
      <annotation type="Defined Terms">Lobby	§8-1</annotation>
      <annotation type="Defined Terms">Lobbyist	§2-20</annotation>
    </section>
    <section prefix="§" num="8-19" heading="Contents – Expenses.">
      <para num="(a)" heading="Staff, research, and assistance.">Except as reported under &lt;cite data-path="|8|§8-18"&gt;§ 8-18 {“Contents — Compensation”} of this subtitle&lt;/cite&gt;, each report must include the total amount expended in connection with the lobbying activities during the period to which that report applies, as specified in &lt;cite data-path="|8|§8-16|(b)|(1)"&gt;§ 8-16(b)(1) of this subtitle&lt;/cite&gt;, for:<para num="(1)">office expenses of the lobbyist; and</para>
        <para num="(2)">professional and technical research and assistance.</para>
      </para>
      <para num="(b)" heading="Publications.">Each report must include the total amount expended in connection with the lobbying activities during the period to which that report applies, as specified in &lt;cite data-path="|8|§8-16|(b)|(1)"&gt;§ 8-16(b)(1) of this subtitle&lt;/cite&gt;, for publications that expressly encourage others to communicate with 1 or more public servants.</para>
      <para num="(c)" heading="Witnesses.">Each report must include:<para num="(1)">the total amount expended in connection with lobbying activities for witnesses during the period to which that report applies, as specified in &lt;cite data-path="|8|§8-16|(b)|(1)"&gt;§ 8-16(b)(1) of this subtitle&lt;/cite&gt;;</para>
        <para num="(2)">the name of each witness; and</para>
        <para num="(3)">the fees and expenses paid to each.</para>
      </para>
      <para num="(d)" heading="Food, beverages, gifts, etc.">
        <para num="(1)">Each report must include the total amount expended for each of the following during the period to which that report applies, as specified in &lt;cite data-path="|8|§8-16|(b)|(1)"&gt;§ 8-16(b)(1) of this subtitle&lt;/cite&gt;, whether or not expended in connection with lobbying activities:<para num="(i)">meals and beverages for a public servant or the spouse, parent, child, or sibling of a public servant;</para>
          <para num="(ii)">special events, including parties, dinners, athletic events, entertainment, and other functions, to which a public servant or the spouse, parent, child, or sibling of a public servant is invited;</para>
          <para num="(iii)">food, lodging, or scheduled entertainment of a public servant or the spouse, parent, child, or sibling of a public servant while attending a meeting;</para>
          <para num="(iv)">tickets or free admission for a public servant or the spouse, parent, child, or sibling of a public servant to attend a professional or intercollegiate sporting event or a charitable, cultural, or political event; and</para>
          <para num="(v)">other gifts to or for a public servant or the spouse, parent, child, or sibling of a public servant.</para>
        </para>
        <para num="(2)">The lobbyist must report the name of any public servant or the spouse, parent, child, or sibling of a public servant who benefitted from:<para num="(i)">expenses reported under paragraph (1)(i) of this subsection; or</para>
          <para num="(ii)">expenses reported under paragraph (1)(iii) of this subsection, if more than $200 was expended for the benefit of the public servant, spouse, parent, child, or sibling.</para>
        </para>
        <para num="(3)">Expenses reported under paragraph (1)(ii), (iii), and (iv) of this subsection must be itemized by:<para num="(i)">the date and location of each event or activity; and</para>
          <para num="(ii)">the total expense of the lobbyist for the event or activity.</para>
        </para>
      </para>
      <para num="(e)" heading="Other expenses.">Each report must include the total amount expended for all other expenses incurred in connection with the lobbying activities during the period to which that report applies, as specified in § 8 16(b)(1) of this subtitle.</para>
      <annotation type="History">Ord. 04-795</annotation>
      <annotation type="History">Ord. 18-198</annotation>
      <annotation type="Defined Terms">Child	§2-6</annotation>
      <annotation type="Defined Terms">Gift	§2-17</annotation>
      <annotation type="Defined Terms">Lobby	§8-1</annotation>
      <annotation type="Defined Terms">Lobbyist	§2-20</annotation>
      <annotation type="Defined Terms">Public servant	§2-23</annotation>
    </section>
    <section prefix="§" num="8-20" heading="Contents – Gift recipients.">
      <para num="(a)" heading="In general.">Except as provided in subsection (c) of this section, each report must include the name of each public servant or the spouse, parent, child, or sibling of a public servant to or for whom the lobbyist or any person on the lobbyist’s behalf has given, during the reporting period, 1 or more gifts with a cumulative value of $150 or more, whether or not given in connection with lobbying activities.</para>
      <para num="(b)" heading="Itemization of certain gifts.">For reports under subsection (a) of this section, each gift made after the $150 cumulative value is met must be itemized by:<para num="(1)">date;</para>
        <para num="(2)">beneficiary;</para>
        <para num="(3)">nature of gift; and</para>
        <para num="(4)">value of gift.</para>
      </para>
      <para num="(c)" heading="Exception.">This section does not apply to gifts reported under § 8-19(d)(1)(ii) or (iii) of this subtitle.</para>
      <annotation type="History">Ord. 04-795</annotation>
      <annotation type="Defined Terms">Child	§2-6</annotation>
      <annotation type="Defined Terms">Gift	§2-17</annotation>
      <annotation type="Defined Terms">Lobby	§8-1</annotation>
      <annotation type="Defined Terms">Lobbyist	§2-20</annotation>
      <annotation type="Defined Terms">Person	§2-22</annotation>
      <annotation type="Defined Terms">Public servant	§2-23</annotation>
      <annotation type="Defined Terms">Reporting period	§8-1</annotation>
    </section>
    <section prefix="§" num="8-21" heading="Contents – Business transactions.">
      <para num="(a)" heading="Scope of section.">
        <para num="(1)">This section applies to an individual who:<para num="(i)">is a lobbyist under § 8-7 {“Legislative lobbying”} or &lt;cite data-path="|8|§8-8"&gt;§ 8-8 {“Executive lobbying”} of this subtitle&lt;/cite&gt;; and</para>
          <para num="(ii)">engages in a business transaction with:<para num="(A)">any of the following officials:<para num="1.">the Mayor;</para>
              <para num="2.">the City Comptroller;</para>
              <para num="3.">the President of the City Council;</para>
              <para num="4.">a member of the City Council;</para>
              <para num="5.">the head of any department; or</para>
              <para num="6.">the head of any bureau or division within a department; or</para>
            </para>
            <para num="(B)">any of the following related persons:<para num="1.">the spouse, parent, child, or sibling of an official listed in subitem (A);</para>
              <para num="2.">a business entity in which an official listed in subitem (A) is a proprietor or partner; or</para>
              <para num="3.">a business entity in which an official listed in subitem (A) has an ownership interest of 10% or more.</para>
            </para>
          </para>
        </para>
        <para num="(2)">This section does not apply to:<para num="(i)">an individual who is a lobbyist solely under &lt;cite data-path="|8|§8-9"&gt;§ 8-9 {“‘Grass roots’ lobbying”} of this subtitle&lt;/cite&gt;; or</para>
          <para num="(ii)">the person who employs a lobbyist.</para>
        </para>
      </para>
      <para num="(b)" heading="Disclosure required.">Each report of a lobbyist subject to this section must disclose any business transaction or series of business transactions that:<para num="(1)">was with a person listed in subsection (a)(1)(ii) of this section;</para>
        <para num="(2)">occurred during the reporting period; and</para>
        <para num="(3)">involved consideration of:<para num="(i)">$1,000 or more for a single transaction; or</para>
          <para num="(ii)">$5,000 or more for a series of transactions.</para>
        </para>
      </para>
      <para num="(c)" heading="Contents.">The disclosure required by this section must include:<para num="(1)">the date or dates of the transaction or series of transactions;</para>
        <para num="(2)">the name and title of the official who was involved in the transaction or series of transactions;</para>
        <para num="(3)">the nature of the transaction or series of transactions; and</para>
        <para num="(4)">the nature and value of anything exchanged in the transaction or series of transactions.</para>
      </para>
      <annotation type="History">Ord. 04-795</annotation>
      <annotation type="Defined Terms">Business entity	§2-4</annotation>
      <annotation type="Defined Terms">Interest	§2-19</annotation>
      <annotation type="Defined Terms">Lobbyist	§2-20</annotation>
      <annotation type="Defined Terms">Official	§2-21</annotation>
      <annotation type="Defined Terms">Person	§2-22</annotation>
      <annotation type="Defined Terms">Reporting period	§8-1</annotation>
    </section>
    <section prefix="§§" num="8-22 to 8-25" reserved="true" />
    <section prefix="§" num="8-26" heading="Supplemental reports.">
      <text>The Ethics Board may require a lobbyist to file any additional or supplemental reports that the Board considers necessary.</text>
      <annotation type="History">Ord. 04-795</annotation>
      <annotation type="Defined Terms">Ethics Board	§2-10</annotation>
      <annotation type="Defined Terms">Lobbyist	§2-20</annotation>
    </section>
    <section prefix="§" num="8-27" heading="Reports to be public.">
      <text>All reports filed under this subtitle are public documents and must be posted on the Ethics Board’s website.</text>
      <annotation type="History">Ord. 18-198</annotation>
    </section>
    <section prefix="§§" num="8-28 to 8-30" reserved="true" />
  </container>
  <container prefix="Part" num="V" heading="Exemptions">
    <section prefix="§" num="8-31" heading="General exemptions.">
      <text>The following activities are exempt from regulation under this subtitle:</text>
      <para num="(1)">appearances as part of the official duties of an elected or appointed official or employee of the City, the State, the United States, any other state, or a political subdivision of any of them, to the extent that the appearance is not on behalf of any other person;</para>
      <para num="(2)">actions of a member of the news media, to the extent that the actions are in the ordinary course of gathering and disseminating news or making editorial comment to the general public;</para>
      <para num="(3)">representation of a bona fide religious organization, to the extent that the representation is for the purpose of protecting the right of its members to practice the doctrine of the organization; or</para>
      <para num="(4)">appearances as part of the official duties of an officer, director, member, or employee of an association engaged exclusively in representing the State, counties or municipal corporations, to the extent that the appearance is not in behalf of any other person.</para>
      <annotation type="History">Ord. 04-795</annotation>
      <annotation type="Defined Terms">Elected official	§2-8</annotation>
      <annotation type="Defined Terms">Employee	§2-9</annotation>
      <annotation type="Defined Terms">Person	§2-22</annotation>
    </section>
    <section prefix="§" num="8-32" heading="Qualified exemptions.">
      <para num="(a)" heading="Appearances on request.">The following activities are exempt from regulation under this subtitle if the individual engages in no other acts during the reporting period that require registration:<para num="(1)">appearances before the City Council, before a committee or subcommittee of the City Council, or before a City agency at the specific request of the body involved; or</para>
        <para num="(2)">appearances before the City Council, before a committee or subcommittee of the City Council, or before a City agency at the specific request of a lobbyist, if the witness notifies the body that he or she is testifying at the request of the lobbyist.</para>
      </para>
      <para num="(b)" heading="Student activities.">An elementary, secondary, or pos-tsecondary school student or student organization that communicates as part of a course or student activity is not subject to the registration requirements of this subtitle based on the expense threshold of § 8-7 {“Legislative lobbying”} or &lt;cite data-path="|8|§8-8"&gt;§ 8-8 {“Executive lobbying”} of this subtitle&lt;/cite&gt;.</para>
      <annotation type="History">Ord. 04-795</annotation>
      <annotation type="Defined Terms">Agency	§2-2</annotation>
      <annotation type="Defined Terms">Lobbyist	§2-20</annotation>
      <annotation type="Defined Terms">Reporting period	§8-1</annotation>
    </section>
    <section prefix="§" num="8-33" heading="Employer of reporting lobbyist.">
      <para num="(a)" heading="In general.">A person that would otherwise be required to register and report under this subtitle need not do so if that person:<para num="(1)">employs a lobbyist; and</para>
        <para num="(2)">reasonably believes that the lobbyist will:<para num="(i)">register as required by this subtitle; and</para>
          <para num="(ii)">timely report all expenses incurred in connection with that person’s lobbying activities.</para>
        </para>
      </para>
      <para num="(b)" heading="Authorization still required.">A person exempt under subsection (a) of this section must still complete the authorization required by &lt;cite data-path="|8|§8-11"&gt;§ 8-11 {“Employer authorization required”} of this subtitle&lt;/cite&gt;.</para>
      <para num="(c)" heading="Exemption terminates on failure to report.">If the lobbyist fails to report the information when required by this subtitle, the person previously exempt under this subsection immediately becomes subject to the registration and reporting requirements of this subtitle.</para>
      <annotation type="History">Ord. 04-795</annotation>
      <annotation type="Defined Terms">Lobby	§8-1</annotation>
      <annotation type="Defined Terms">Lobbyist	§2-20</annotation>
      <annotation type="Defined Terms">Person	§2-22</annotation>
    </section>
    <section prefix="§§" num="8-34 to 8-35" reserved="true" />
  </container>
  <container prefix="Part" num="VI" heading="Prohibited Conduct">
    <section prefix="§" num="8-36" heading="Contingent compensation.">
      <para num="(a)" heading="Legislative lobbying.">A lobbyist may not lobby on behalf of any person for compensation that is dependent in any way on:<para num="(1)">the passage, enactment, or defeat of any legislation; or</para>
        <para num="(2)">any other contingency related to legislative action.</para>
      </para>
      <para num="(b)" heading="Executive lobbying.">A lobbyist may not lobby on behalf of any person for compensation that is dependent in any way on:<para num="(1)">the outcome of any executive action relating to the solicitation or securing of a procurement contract; or</para>
        <para num="(2)">any other contingency related to executive action.</para>
      </para>
      <annotation type="History">Ord. 04-795</annotation>
      <annotation type="Defined Terms">Compensation	§2-7</annotation>
      <annotation type="Defined Terms">Executive action	§8-1</annotation>
      <annotation type="Defined Terms">Legislative action	§8-1</annotation>
      <annotation type="Defined Terms">Lobby	§8-1</annotation>
      <annotation type="Defined Terms">Lobbyist	§2-20</annotation>
      <annotation type="Defined Terms">Person	§2-22</annotation>
    </section>
    <section prefix="§" num="8-37" heading="Gifts.">
      <text>A lobbyist may not make a gift to a public servant, directly or indirectly:</text>
      <para num="(1)">if the lobbyist knows or has reason to know that the public servant’s acceptance of the gift would violate Subtitle 6 {“Conflicts of Interest”}, Part IV {“Gifts”} of &lt;cite data-path="|8"&gt;this article&lt;/cite&gt;; or</para>
      <para num="(2)">if the gift is made as a result of a solicitation or facilitation that the lobbyist knows or has reason to know is prohibited by § 6-26(a)(3).</para>
      <annotation type="History">Ord. 04-795</annotation>
      <annotation type="History">Ord. 11-520</annotation>
      <annotation type="Defined Terms">Gift	§2-17</annotation>
      <annotation type="Defined Terms">Lobbyist	§2-20</annotation>
      <annotation type="Defined Terms">Public servant	§2-23</annotation>
    </section>
    <section prefix="§" num="8-38" heading="Loans.">
      <text>Unless in the ordinary course of the lobbyist’s business as or for a banking institution, banking association, mortgage broker or lender, sales finance company, or other similarly regulated financial or lending institution, a lobbyist may not make or facilitate the making of any loan of money, goods, or services to a public servant.</text>
      <annotation type="History">Ord. 04-795</annotation>
      <annotation type="Defined Terms">Lobbyist	§2-20</annotation>
      <annotation type="Defined Terms">Public servant	§2-23</annotation>
    </section>
    <section prefix="§" num="8-39" heading="Fund raisers.">
      <text>A lobbyist who is an individual may not engage in any charitable fund-raising activity at the request of a public servant, including soliciting a charitable contribution, transmitting the solicitation of a charitable contribution, or transmitting a charitable contribution.</text>
      <annotation type="History">Ord. 04-795</annotation>
      <annotation type="Defined Terms">Lobbyist	§2-20</annotation>
      <annotation type="Defined Terms">Public servant	§2-23</annotation>
    </section>
    <section prefix="§" num="8-40" heading="“Bell ringing”.">
      <text>A lobbyist may not initiate or encourage the introduction of legislation for the purpose of opposing that legislation.</text>
      <annotation type="History">Ord. 04-795</annotation>
      <annotation type="Defined Terms">Lobbyist	§2-20</annotation>
    </section>
    <section prefix="§" num="8-41" heading="Requesting endorsement.">
      <text>A lobbyist may not ask a public servant to recommend to a potential client the lobbyist’s services or the services of any other lobbyist.</text>
      <annotation type="History">Ord. 04-795</annotation>
      <annotation type="Defined Terms">Lobbyist	§2-20</annotation>
      <annotation type="Defined Terms">Public servant	§2-23</annotation>
    </section>
    <section prefix="§" num="8-42" heading="Veracity and candor.">
      <para num="(a)" heading="Veracity required.">While engaging in lobbying activities a lobbyist, or an individual who expects she or he will soon be required to register as a lobbyist, may not knowingly make to a public servant a statement of material fact that relates to the lobbying activity and that the lobbyist knows to be false.</para>
      <para num="(b)" heading="Duty to identify self and clients.">While engaging in lobbying activities a lobbyist, or an individual who expects she or he will soon be required to register as a lobbyist, must, in any interaction with a public servant:<para num="(1)">affirmatively identify themselves as a lobbyist; and</para>
        <para num="(2)">identify the person on whose behalf they are lobbying.</para>
      </para>
      <annotation type="History">Ord. 04-795</annotation>
      <annotation type="History">Ord. 18-198</annotation>
      <annotation type="Defined Terms">Lobby	§8-1</annotation>
      <annotation type="Defined Terms">Lobbyist	§2-20</annotation>
      <annotation type="Defined Terms">Person	§2-22</annotation>
      <annotation type="Defined Terms">Public servant	§2-23</annotation>
      <annotation type="Editor's Notes">Ordinance 18-198 (Bill 18-230) amended this section, effective March 3, 2019, to broaden the scope of persons subject to the prohibition in subsection (a) and to require, in subsection (b), certain affirmative disclosures in interactions with a public servant.</annotation>
    </section>
  </container>
</baltimore-city-law>
