Part II – Registration Required
Current through 2026-07-17. Source: City of Balt., Md., Ord. 26-129. Published by the Baltimore City Department of Legislative Reference.
Balt., Md., Code art. 8, § 8-6 (2026)
§ 8-6 In general.LinkCopy Citation
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.
History: Ord. 04-795
Balt., Md., Code art. 8, § 8-7 (2026)
§ 8-7 Legislative lobbying.LinkCopy Citation
A person must register if, during a reporting period, the person:
(1)
for the purpose of influencing any legislative action, communicates with a public servant; and
(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:
(i)
expends $100 or more for gifts, including meals, beverages, or special events, to 1 or more public servants;
(ii)
incurs any expenses of $500 or more; or
(iii)
earns $2,500 or more in compensation.
History: Ord. 04-795
Balt., Md., Code art. 8, § 8-8 (2026)
§ 8-8 Executive lobbying.LinkCopy Citation
(a)In general.
A person must register if, during a reporting period, the person:
(1)
for the purpose of influencing any executive action, communicates with a public servant; and
(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.
(b)Regulations; Executive Orders.
A person must register if, during a reporting period, the person:
(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
(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:
(i)
expends $100 or more for gifts, including meals, beverages, or special events, to 1 or more public servants;
(ii)
incurs any expenses of $500 or more; or
(iii)
earns $2,500 or more in compensation.
(c)Procurement.
(1)
A person must register if, during a reporting period, the person:
(i)
for the purpose of influencing executive action on a procurement contract that exceeds $50,000, communicates with a public servant; and
(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:
(A)
expends $100 or more for gifts, including meals, beverages, or special events, to 1 or more public servants; or
(B)
except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, is compensated for his or her services.
(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.
(d)Business grants or loans.
(1)
A person must register if, during a reporting period, the person:
(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
(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:
(A)
expends $100 or more for gifts, including meals, beverages, or special events, to 1 or more public servants; or
(B)
except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, is compensated for his or her services.
(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:
(i)
a bona fide full-time official or employee of a business entity that is seeking to secure a grant or loan; or
(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.
History: Ord. 04-795
History: Ord. 06-188
Balt., Md., Code art. 8, § 8-9 (2026)
§ 8-9 “Grass roots” lobbying.LinkCopy Citation
A person must register if, during a reporting period, the person:
(1)
for the purpose of influencing any legislative or executive action, solicits others to communicate with a public servant; and
(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.
History: Ord. 04-795
Balt., Md., Code art. 8, § 8-10 (2026)
§ 8-10LinkCopy Citation
Reserved