# Part III – Procedure

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

## § 8-11 Employer authorization required.

Balt., Md., Code art. 8, § 8-11 (2026)

(a) 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.

(b) The authorization must include:

  (1) the person’s full legal name and business address;

  (2) the lobbyist’s full legal name and business address;

  (3) the period during which the lobbyist is authorized to act; and

  (4) the legislative action, executive action, or other matter on which the lobbyist is authorized to act.

(c) The authorization must be signed by:

  (1) the person on whose behalf the lobbyist is being authorized to act; or

  (2) if that person is a corporation, any authorized officer or agent of the corporation other than the lobbyist.

*History: Ord. 04-795*

## § 8-12 Time for registering.

Balt., Md., Code art. 8, § 8-12 (2026)

(a) A lobbyist must register within 5 days after first engaging in any act that requires registration.

(b) 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.

*History: Ord. 04-795*

## § 8-13 Registration scope, form, and contents.

Balt., Md., Code art. 8, § 8-13 (2026)

(a) A lobbyist who engages in lobbying on behalf of more than 1 person must file a separate registration for each person.

(b) The registration must be filed on the form the Ethics Board provides.

(c) The registration must include the following information, as applicable:

  (1) the lobbyist’s full legal name and business address;

  (2) the full legal name and business address of each other person that will be lobbying on the lobbyist’s behalf;

  (3) the full legal name, address, and nature of business of the person on whose behalf the lobbyist is acting;

  (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 <cite data-path="|8|§8-33">§ 8-33 {“Employer of reporting lobbyist”} of this subtitle</cite>; and

  (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.

(d) The registration must be accompanied by the written authorization required by <cite data-path="|8|§8-11">§ 8-11 {“Employer authorization required”} of this subtitle</cite>.

*History: Ord. 04-795*

## § 8-14 Registration filing fee.

Balt., Md., Code art. 8, § 8-14 (2026)

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.

*History: Ord. 13-180*

## § 8-15 Termination of registration.

Balt., Md., Code art. 8, § 8-15 (2026)

(a) Unless sooner terminated under subsection (b) of this section, each registration terminates on the earlier of:

  (1) the December 31 that first follows the registration’s filing; or

  (2) the date specified in a written authorization filed under <cite data-path="|8|§8-11">§ 8-11 {“Employer authorization required”} of this subtitle</cite>.

(b) A lobbyist may terminate the registration as of an earlier date than that specified in subsection (a) of this section if the lobbyist:

  (1) ceases all activity that requires registration;

  (2) after ceasing all activity, files a notice of termination with the Ethics Board; and

  (3) within 30 days after filing the notice, files all reports required by this subtitle.

(c)

  (1) Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, if a lobbyist is or becomes subject to regulation under <cite data-path="|8">this article</cite> as a public servant, the lobbyist must:

    (i) immediately cease all activity that requires registration; and

    (ii) terminate his or her registration in accordance with subsection (b) of this section within 30 days of becoming a public servant:

      (A) file a notice of termination with the Ethics Board; and

      (B) file all reports required by this subtitle.

  (2) Paragraph (1) of this subsection does not apply to a lobbyist appointed to an advisory body of limited duration.

*History: Ord. 04-795*

*History: Ord. 13-180*