Part IV – Activity Reports
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, § 8-16 (2026)
§ 8-16 In general.LinkCopy Citation
(a)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.
(b)When and for whom filed.
(1)
For each reporting period, these semi-annual reports must be filed as follows:
(i)
on or before July 31, covering the immediately preceding January 1 through June 30; and
(ii)
on or before January 31, covering all of the immediately preceding January 1 through December 31.
(2)
A separate report must be filed for each person on whose behalf the lobbyist acted.
(c)Form .
(1)
Each report must be:
(i)
filed on the form the Ethics Board provides; and
(ii)
signed under oath or affirmation, subject to the penalties of perjury.
(2)
If the lobbyist is not an individual, then an authorized officer or agent of the lobbyist must sign the report.
History: Ord. 04-795
History: Ord. 18-198
Balt., Md., Code art. 8, § 8-17 (2026)
§ 8-17 Contents – Registration informationLinkCopy Citation
Each report must include a complete, current statement of the information required by <cite data-path="|8|§8-13|(c)">§ 8-13(c) {“Registration: Contents”} of this subtitle</cite>.
History: Ord. 04-795
Balt., Md., Code art. 8, § 8-18 (2026)
§ 8-18 Contents – Compensation.LinkCopy Citation
(a)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 <cite data-path="|8|§8-16|(b)|(1)">§ 8-16(b)(1) of this subtitle</cite>.
(b)Prorated amounts.
If the compensation being reported is a prorated amount, it must be so labeled.
(c)Exceptions.
This section does not apply to:
(1)
expenses otherwise reported under other sections of this Part IV; or
(2)
salaries, compensation, and reimbursed expenses for the lobbyist’s staff.
History: Ord. 04-795
History: Ord. 18-198
Balt., Md., Code art. 8, § 8-19 (2026)
§ 8-19 Contents – Expenses.LinkCopy Citation
(a)Staff, research, and assistance.
Except as reported under <cite data-path="|8|§8-18">§ 8-18 {“Contents — Compensation”} of this subtitle</cite>, 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 <cite data-path="|8|§8-16|(b)|(1)">§ 8-16(b)(1) of this subtitle</cite>, for:
(1)
office expenses of the lobbyist; and
(2)
professional and technical research and assistance.
(b)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 <cite data-path="|8|§8-16|(b)|(1)">§ 8-16(b)(1) of this subtitle</cite>, for publications that expressly encourage others to communicate with 1 or more public servants.
(c)Witnesses.
Each report must include:
(1)
the total amount expended in connection with lobbying activities for witnesses during the period to which that report applies, as specified in <cite data-path="|8|§8-16|(b)|(1)">§ 8-16(b)(1) of this subtitle</cite>;
(2)
the name of each witness; and
(3)
the fees and expenses paid to each.
(d)Food, beverages, gifts, etc.
(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 <cite data-path="|8|§8-16|(b)|(1)">§ 8-16(b)(1) of this subtitle</cite>, whether or not expended in connection with lobbying activities:
(i)
meals and beverages for a public servant or the spouse, parent, child, or sibling of a public servant;
(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;
(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;
(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
(v)
other gifts to or for a public servant or the spouse, parent, child, or sibling of a public servant.
(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:
(i)
expenses reported under paragraph (1)(i) of this subsection; or
(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.
(3)
Expenses reported under paragraph (1)(ii), (iii), and (iv) of this subsection must be itemized by:
(i)
the date and location of each event or activity; and
(ii)
the total expense of the lobbyist for the event or activity.
(e)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.
History: Ord. 04-795
History: Ord. 18-198
Balt., Md., Code art. 8, § 8-20 (2026)
§ 8-20 Contents – Gift recipients.LinkCopy Citation
(a)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.
(b)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:
(1)
date;
(2)
beneficiary;
(3)
nature of gift; and
(4)
value of gift.
(c)Exception.
This section does not apply to gifts reported under § 8-19(d)(1)(ii) or (iii) of this subtitle.
History: Ord. 04-795
Balt., Md., Code art. 8, § 8-21 (2026)
§ 8-21 Contents – Business transactions.LinkCopy Citation
(a)Scope of section.
(1)
This section applies to an individual who:
(i)
is a lobbyist under § 8-7 {“Legislative lobbying”} or <cite data-path="|8|§8-8">§ 8-8 {“Executive lobbying”} of this subtitle</cite>; and
(ii)
engages in a business transaction with:
(A)
any of the following officials:
1.
the Mayor;
2.
the City Comptroller;
3.
the President of the City Council;
4.
a member of the City Council;
5.
the head of any department; or
6.
the head of any bureau or division within a department; or
(B)
any of the following related persons:
1.
the spouse, parent, child, or sibling of an official listed in subitem (A);
2.
a business entity in which an official listed in subitem (A) is a proprietor or partner; or
3.
a business entity in which an official listed in subitem (A) has an ownership interest of 10% or more.
(2)
This section does not apply to:
(i)
an individual who is a lobbyist solely under <cite data-path="|8|§8-9">§ 8-9 {“‘Grass roots’ lobbying”} of this subtitle</cite>; or
(ii)
the person who employs a lobbyist.
(b)Disclosure required.
Each report of a lobbyist subject to this section must disclose any business transaction or series of business transactions that:
(1)
was with a person listed in subsection (a)(1)(ii) of this section;
(2)
occurred during the reporting period; and
(3)
involved consideration of:
(i)
$1,000 or more for a single transaction; or
(ii)
$5,000 or more for a series of transactions.
(c)Contents.
The disclosure required by this section must include:
(1)
the date or dates of the transaction or series of transactions;
(2)
the name and title of the official who was involved in the transaction or series of transactions;
(3)
the nature of the transaction or series of transactions; and
(4)
the nature and value of anything exchanged in the transaction or series of transactions.
History: Ord. 04-795
Balt., Md., Code art. 8, § 8-22 to 8-25 (2026)
§§ 8-22 to 8-25LinkCopy Citation
Reserved
Balt., Md., Code art. 8, § 8-26 (2026)
§ 8-26 Supplemental reports.LinkCopy Citation
The Ethics Board may require a lobbyist to file any additional or supplemental reports that the Board considers necessary.
History: Ord. 04-795
Balt., Md., Code art. 8, § 8-27 (2026)
§ 8-27 Reports to be public.LinkCopy Citation
All reports filed under this subtitle are public documents and must be posted on the Ethics Board’s website.
History: Ord. 18-198
Balt., Md., Code art. 8, § 8-28 to 8-30 (2026)
§§ 8-28 to 8-30LinkCopy Citation
Reserved