<section article="gel" article_name="Election Law" number="13-101" title_number="13" title_name="Campaign Finance" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="General Provisions"> <level label="a"> <text>This title applies to each election conducted in accordance with this article.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>This title does not apply to:</text> <level label="1"> <text>campaign activity required to be governed solely by federal law; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>an election conducted at the request of a municipality under § 4–108.3 of the Local Government Article.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gel" article_name="Election Law" number="13-102" title_number="13" title_name="Campaign Finance" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="General Provisions"> <text>Except for a candidate, this title does not prohibit an individual who acts independently of any other person from:</text> <level label="1"> <text>expressing personal views on any subject; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>making an expenditure of personal funds to purchase campaign material.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gel" article_name="Election Law" number="13-103" title_number="13" title_name="Campaign Finance" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="General Provisions"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>The State Board shall prepare a summary of the election law that relates to campaign finance activity and provide for distribution of the summary.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>When a certificate of candidacy is filed, the board receiving the certificate shall provide the candidate with:</text> <level label="i"> <text>a copy of the summary; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>each form the candidate is required to file under this title.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The State Board shall provide to a local board samples of such of the forms required under this title as the local board may request.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gel" article_name="Election Law" number="13-104" title_number="13" title_name="Campaign Finance" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="General Provisions"> <text>The State Board may accept an electronic signature for any form, document, report, or affidavit required by the State Board under this title. </text> </section> <section article="gel" article_name="Election Law" number="13-105" title_number="13" title_name="Campaign Finance" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="General Provisions"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>“Donation” includes an in–kind donation.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>“Inaugural committee” means an entity formed by the Governor and Lieutenant Governor for the exclusive purpose of receiving private donations and making disbursements to finance the inaugural festivities of the Governor and Lieutenant Governor.</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>“Inaugural festivities” includes any ceremony, party, reception, or other event that is organized, approved, or authorized by the Governor and Lieutenant Governor to celebrate the inauguration of the Governor and Lieutenant Governor.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The inaugural festivities of the Governor and Lieutenant Governor may be financed with private donations only if the private donations are:</text> <level label="1"> <text>received by or on behalf of an inaugural committee; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>disclosed by the inaugural committee in accordance with this section.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>An inaugural committee may not receive or disburse money or any other thing of value unless the inaugural committee files a statement of organization with the State Board that includes:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the appointment of a treasurer; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>any other information that the State Board requires.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>The treasurer shall maintain detailed and accurate records of all donations received and disbursements made by or on behalf of the inaugural committee.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A person who makes an in–kind private donation to an inaugural committee shall provide to the treasurer sufficiently detailed information to allow the treasurer to maintain an adequate record of the donation.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>An inaugural committee shall retain the records required to be kept under this subsection for a period of 2 years after filing a final report.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <text>An inaugural committee shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>deposit all monetary donations received in a designated bank account; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>make all disbursements from the designated bank account.</text> </level> </level> <level label="f"> <text>The treasurer of an inaugural committee shall file a report with the State Board as required in this section:</text> <level label="1"> <text>using an electronic format;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>with the electronic signature of the treasurer at the time of filing the report;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>under oath or affirmation; and</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>subject to the penalties for perjury.</text> </level> </level> <level label="g"> <text>A report filed by the treasurer of an inaugural committee under this section shall include the information required by the State Board with respect to all donations received and disbursements made by or on behalf of the inaugural committee during the reporting period.</text> </level> <level label="h"> <text>The treasurer of an inaugural committee shall file a report in full and accurate detail on or before:</text> <level label="1"> <text>March 7 of the inauguration year, for the period from the date of organization of the inaugural committee through the preceding March 1;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>July 7 of the inauguration year, for the period from the closing date of the previous report through the preceding July 1;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>January 7 of the year following the inauguration, for the period from the closing date of the previous report through the preceding January 1; and</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>January 7 of each subsequent year, for the period from the closing date of the previous report through the preceding January 1, until the inaugural committee files a final report.</text> </level> </level> <level label="i"> <text>The State Board shall make the reports submitted under this section publicly available on the Internet.</text> </level> <level label="j"> <level label="1"> <text>The State Board shall assess a late filing fee for failure to properly file a report or amended report under this section.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The fee is $10 for each day or part of a day that a report or amended report is overdue.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The maximum fee payable for a report or amended report is $500.</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Late filing fees under this subsection shall be paid by:</text> <level label="i"> <text>the inaugural committee; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>if the inaugural committee has insufficient funds with which to pay a late filing fee in a timely manner, the treasurer.</text> </level> </level> <level label="5"> <text>Late filing fees shall be distributed to the Fair Campaign Financing Fund established under § 15–103 of this article.</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>If the treasurer of an inaugural committee fails to provide all the information required on a report under this section:</text> <level label="i"> <text>the State Board shall notify the treasurer in writing of the particular deficiencies; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>the treasurer shall file an amended report that includes all of the information required within 30 days after service of the notice.</text> </level> </level> <level label="7"> <level label="i"> <text>The State Board shall accept an overdue report or amended report that is submitted without payment of the late filing fee, but the report or amended report is not considered filed until the fee has been paid.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>After an overdue report or amended report is received under subparagraph (i) of this paragraph, no further late filing fee shall be incurred.</text> </level> </level> <level label="8"> <text>The treasurer of an inaugural committee that fails to properly file a report or amended report may seek relief from a late filing fee imposed under this subsection for just cause as provided in § 13–337 of this title.</text> </level> </level> <level label="k"> <text>An inaugural committee may not make:</text> <level label="1"> <text>a contribution to a political committee;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>an independent expenditure;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>a disbursement for an electioneering communication as defined in § 13–307 of this title; or</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>a disbursement for any purpose other than financing the inaugural festivities of the Governor and Lieutenant Governor.</text> </level> </level> <level label="l"> <text>An inaugural committee shall terminate and file a final report within 1 year of the later of:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the end of the Governor and Lieutenant Governor’s most recent term of office; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the payment of the final debt or other obligation of the inaugural committee.</text> </level> </level> <level label="m"> <text>Before filing a final report, an inaugural committee shall pay all outstanding obligations and dispose of all its remaining assets by:</text> <level label="1"> <text>returning the remaining balance in the account of the inaugural committee to the donors on a pro rata basis; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>contributing the remaining balance in the account of the inaugural committee to:</text> <level label="i"> <text>a charitable organization; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>the Fair Campaign Financing Fund established under § 15–103 of this article.</text> </level> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gel" article_name="Election Law" number="13-106" title_number="13" title_name="Campaign Finance" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="General Provisions"> <level label="a"> <text>A person may not use any contributor information from any report or statement required under this title for commercial solicitation purposes.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>A person may not publish any contributor information from any report or statement required under this title in newspapers, magazines, books, websites, or other similar media for the purpose of facilitating commercial solicitation.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gel" article_name="Election Law" number="13-201" title_number="13" title_name="Campaign Finance" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Campaign Finance Organization and Activity"> <text>Unless otherwise provided by law, this subtitle applies to all campaign finance activity associated with an election under this article.</text> </section> <section article="gel" article_name="Election Law" number="13-202" title_number="13" title_name="Campaign Finance" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Campaign Finance Organization and Activity"> <level label="a"> <text>This section does not apply to a candidate for election to the central committee of a political party if the candidate during an election cycle does not:</text> <level label="1"> <text>spend more than $1,000 in personal funds; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>accept contributions.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Unless otherwise expressly authorized by law, all campaign finance activity for an election under this article shall be conducted through a campaign finance entity.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>An individual may not file a certificate of candidacy or a declaration of intent under § 5–703 or § 5–703.1 of this article until the individual establishes, or causes to be established, an authorized candidate campaign committee.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>A circulator may not collect signatures for a petition under Article XI–A, Article XI–F, or Article XVI of the Maryland Constitution or under § 9–205 of the Local Government Article until the sponsor of the petition establishes a ballot issue committee.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gel" article_name="Election Law" number="13-203" title_number="13" title_name="Campaign Finance" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Campaign Finance Organization and Activity"> <text>Each campaign finance entity shall comply with the reporting requirements of Subtitle 3 of this title.</text> </section> <section article="gel" article_name="Election Law" number="13-207" future_version_removed="true" title_number="13" title_name="Campaign Finance" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Campaign Finance Organization and Activity"> <level label="a"> <text>This section applies to a political committee other than a political club.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>A political committee may not receive or disburse money or any other thing of value unless the political committee is established in accordance with the requirements of this section.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>To establish a political committee:</text> <level label="1"> <text>a chairman and a treasurer shall be appointed on a form that the State Board prescribes and that is signed by the chairman and treasurer and includes:</text> <level label="i"> <text>the residence addresses of the chairman and the treasurer;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>if the chairman and treasurer affirmatively consent to receiving notice under this title only by electronic mail, the electronic mail address of the chairman and the treasurer; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>the information required by § 13–208 of this subtitle; and</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the form shall be filed with the State Board.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The chairman or treasurer of a political committee shall notify the State Board of a change in the residence address of the chairman or treasurer no later than 21 days before the day on which the political committee’s next campaign finance report is due under § 13–309 of this title.</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>The chairman or treasurer of a political committee shall notify the State Board of a change in the electronic mail address of the chairman or treasurer by the date specified in paragraph (3) of this subsection if the chairman and treasurer of the political committee have affirmatively consented to receiving notice under this title only by electronic mail.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>A chairman or treasurer of a political committee may resign by completing a resignation form that the State Board prescribes and filing the form with the State Board.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>If a vacancy occurs in the office of chairman or the office of treasurer, the political committee promptly shall appoint a new chairman or treasurer in accordance with this section.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>A political committee may not receive or disburse money or any other thing of value if there is a vacancy in the office of chairman or the office of treasurer.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gel" article_name="Election Law" number="13-208" title_number="13" title_name="Campaign Finance" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Campaign Finance Organization and Activity"> <level label="a"> <text>This section applies to a political committee other than a political club.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>A political committee shall provide, with the filing required by § 13-207(c) of this subtitle, a statement of organization that includes its name and a statement of purpose.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The statement of purpose shall specify:</text> <level label="1"> <text>each candidate or ballot question, if any, that the political committee was formed to promote or defeat;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the identity of each special interest, including any business or occupation, that the organizers of or contributors to the political committee have in common; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>whether the political committee will participate in presidential, gubernatorial, Baltimore City, or multiple elections.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>A political committee may not use a name that is intended or operates to deceive people as to the political committee’s true nature or character.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A political committee established by and for a single candidate shall disclose within the political committee’s name the name of the candidate.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>A political committee sponsored by or affiliated with another entity or group shall identify within the political committee’s name the other entity or group.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <text>A change in the information reported under this section shall be disclosed in the campaign finance report next filed by the political committee.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gel" article_name="Election Law" number="13-208.1" title_number="13" title_name="Campaign Finance" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Campaign Finance Organization and Activity"> <level label="a"> <text>Each political party may establish one legislative party caucus committee for each House of the General Assembly.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The State Board shall adopt regulations governing the establishment, structure, and operation of legislative party caucus committees.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gel" article_name="Election Law" number="13-209" title_number="13" title_name="Campaign Finance" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Campaign Finance Organization and Activity"> <level label="a"> <text>Two or more candidates who have established separate campaign finance entities may form a slate.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>After establishing a campaign finance entity in accordance with § 13–202(c) of this subtitle, a candidate may join a slate.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>To join a slate, a candidate shall file a written notice with the State Board.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The notice shall specify:</text> <level label="i"> <text>the name of the slate that the candidate has joined; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>the date on which the candidate joined the slate.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>A candidate may join a slate or continue as a member of a slate only if:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the candidate has filed a certificate of candidacy; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <level label="i"> <text>the candidate is an incumbent officeholder; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>the deadline for filing a certificate of candidacy for the office the candidate holds has not passed.</text> </level> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gel" article_name="Election Law" number="13-210" title_number="13" title_name="Campaign Finance" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Campaign Finance Organization and Activity"> <level label="a"> <text>In this section, “lobbyist” means a regulated lobbyist as described in the State Government Article.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>A lobbyist, or person acting on behalf of a lobbyist, may be subject to the limitations on campaign finance activity prescribed in the General Provisions Article.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gel" article_name="Election Law" number="13-212" future_version_removed="true" title_number="13" title_name="Campaign Finance" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Campaign Finance Organization and Activity"> <text>An individual may appoint a campaign manager by:</text> <level label="1"> <text>completing a form that the State Board prescribes and that includes the name and address of that campaign manager; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>filing the form with the board where the individual is required to file a certificate of candidacy.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gel" article_name="Election Law" number="13-214" title_number="13" title_name="Campaign Finance" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Campaign Finance Organization and Activity"> <level label="a"> <text>The responsible officers of a campaign finance entity are jointly and severally responsible for:</text> <level label="1"> <text>filing all campaign finance reports in full and accurate detail; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>except as otherwise provided in this title, all other actions of the entity.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Notice shall be provided to a campaign finance entity by serving the responsible officers.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The State Board satisfies all notice requirements under this title by sending notices to the addresses provided by the responsible officers of a campaign finance entity under § 13–207(c) of this subtitle.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gel" article_name="Election Law" number="13-215" future_version_removed="true" title_number="13" title_name="Campaign Finance" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Campaign Finance Organization and Activity"> <level label="a"> <text>Each chairman, treasurer, and campaign manager shall be a registered voter of the State.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>Subject to paragraph (2) of this subsection, a candidate may not act:</text> <level label="i"> <text>as the treasurer of a campaign finance entity of the candidate; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>with respect to any other campaign finance entity:</text> <level label="1"> <text>as the campaign manager or treasurer; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>in any other position that exercises general overall responsibility for the conduct of the entity.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <level label="i"> <text>An incumbent member of a central committee who is a candidate for election to party office may act as a responsible officer of that central committee.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>With respect to any campaign finance entity other than the candidate’s own campaign finance entity, a candidate for delegate to the Democratic National Convention or a candidate for delegate to the Republican National Convention may act:</text> <level label="1"> <text>as the campaign manager or treasurer; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>in any other position that exercises general overall responsibility for the conduct of the entity.</text> </level> </level> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>Subject to subsection (b) of this section, the chairman, treasurer, or campaign manager of a campaign finance entity may serve as the chairman, treasurer, or campaign manager of another campaign finance entity.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gel" article_name="Election Law" number="13-218" future_version_removed="true" title_number="13" title_name="Campaign Finance" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Campaign Finance Organization and Activity"> <level label="a"> <text>All assets received by or on behalf of a campaign finance entity shall be:</text> <level label="1"> <text>delivered to the treasurer; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>maintained by the treasurer for the purposes of the campaign finance entity.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>Assets of a campaign finance entity may be disbursed only:</text> <level label="i"> <text>if they have passed through the hands of the treasurer; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>in accordance with the purposes of the entity.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Subject to § 13–220(b)(2) and (c) of this subtitle and except as provided in subsection (d) of this section, the treasurer shall approve all disbursements for the campaign finance entity.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The treasurer of a State or county central committee of a political party may not approve any disbursement of the central committee’s assets, or incur any liability on its behalf, without authority and direction from the chairman of the central committee.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>If the treasurer of a campaign finance entity is temporarily unable to perform the duties of the office, the chairman of the campaign finance entity may approve a disbursement on behalf of the campaign finance entity in the same manner as the treasurer.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>If the chairman approves a disbursement under this subsection, within 7 days after approving the disbursement, the chairman shall submit a report to the treasurer for the account book of the campaign finance entity, including:</text> <level label="i"> <text>a statement of the expenditure approved under the authority of the chairman;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>the name and address of the person to whom the expenditure was made;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>the purpose for which the expenditure was made; and</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>a copy of the receipt for the expenditure that was made.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>A chairman who is a candidate may not approve a disbursement for a campaign finance entity.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gel" article_name="Election Law" number="13-220" future_version_removed="true" title_number="13" title_name="Campaign Finance" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Campaign Finance Organization and Activity"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>Each campaign finance entity shall designate one or more campaign accounts.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Each designated campaign account shall:</text> <level label="i"> <text>be in a financial institution; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>be registered in a manner that identifies it as the account of a campaign finance entity.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>A campaign finance entity shall deposit all funds received in a designated campaign account.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>Subject to paragraph (2) of this subsection and subsection (c) of this section, a campaign finance entity may not directly or indirectly make a disbursement except from a campaign account designated under subsection (a) of this section.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A campaign finance entity, or a person authorized by the campaign finance entity, may pay an expense of the campaign finance entity from funds other than a campaign account if:</text> <level label="i"> <text>the expense is supported by a receipt that is provided to the campaign finance entity; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>the campaign finance entity reimburses the person who paid the expense from the campaign account and reports the expense as an expenditure of the campaign finance entity in accordance with Subtitle 3 of this title.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>A campaign finance entity may maintain a petty cash fund.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The campaign finance entity shall maintain a separate account book for the petty cash fund.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The petty cash fund:</text> <level label="i"> <text>may not exceed $250 at any time; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>may be replenished only by check from a campaign account designated under subsection (a) of this section.</text> </level> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Not more than $25 may be disbursed from the petty cash fund in a primary or general election to a single recipient.</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>Each petty cash expenditure shall be supported by a receipt and reported by category on the appropriate campaign finance report.</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>This subsection does not authorize an expenditure that otherwise is unlawful under this article.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>Subject to paragraph (3) of this subsection, a campaign finance entity may make a disbursement only by:</text> <level label="i"> <text>check; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>an electronic method that the State Board authorizes by regulation.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>An electronic method of making a disbursement that the State Board authorizes under this subsection shall ensure that:</text> <level label="i"> <text>the identity of the person making the disbursement may be verified;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>the transaction is secure; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>there is an adequate record of the transaction.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>A campaign finance entity may make a disbursement to compensate a responsible officer of the campaign finance entity only by check.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <text>Within 30 days after filing a campaign finance report at the State Board, the treasurer of an authorized candidate campaign committee shall provide both the candidate and the chairman with a copy of the most recent campaign account bank statement.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gel" article_name="Election Law" number="13-220.1" title_number="13" title_name="Campaign Finance" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Campaign Finance Organization and Activity"> <level label="a"> <text>Each central committee of a political party or legislative party caucus committee may establish one administrative account.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Disbursements from an administrative account may be made only for nonelectoral purposes.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>A donation to an administrative account:</text> <level label="1"> <text>may be made only if the donor is aware that the donation will be used for nonelectoral purposes and consents to that use before making the donation; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>is not subject to § 13–226(b) of this subtitle.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>A campaign finance entity may not make a transfer to an administrative account.</text> </level> <level label="e"> <text>The State Board shall adopt regulations that:</text> <level label="1"> <text>define permissible nonelectoral disbursements from an administrative account; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>require disclosure of:</text> <level label="i"> <text>donations to an administrative account; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>disbursements from an administrative account.</text> </level> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gel" article_name="Election Law" number="13-220.2" title_number="13" title_name="Campaign Finance" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Campaign Finance Organization and Activity"> <level label="a"> <text>Each political action committee may establish one compliance account.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Disbursements from a political action committee compliance account may be made only for purposes of record keeping, reporting, and any other work necessary to comply with the requirements of this title, including accounting and legal services.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>A disbursement from a political action committee compliance account may not be made for the purpose of soliciting contributions for the political action committee.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>A donation to a political action committee compliance account:</text> <level label="1"> <text>may be made only if the donor is aware that the donation will be used for the purposes described in subsection (b) of this section and consents to that use before making the donation; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>is not subject to § 13–226 of this subtitle.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <text>A campaign finance entity may not make a transfer to a political action committee compliance account.</text> </level> <level label="f"> <text>The State Board shall adopt regulations that:</text> <level label="1"> <text>define permissible donations to and disbursements from a political action committee compliance account; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>require disclosure of:</text> <level label="i"> <text>donations to a political action committee compliance account; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>disbursements from a political action committee compliance account.</text> </level> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gel" article_name="Election Law" number="13-221" title_number="13" title_name="Campaign Finance" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Campaign Finance Organization and Activity"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>The treasurer of a campaign finance entity shall keep a detailed and accurate account book of all assets received, expenditures made, and obligations incurred by or on behalf of the entity.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Except as provided in § 13–240 of this subtitle, as to each asset received or expenditure made, the account book shall state:</text> <level label="i"> <text>its amount or value;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>the date of the receipt or expenditure;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>the name and address of the person from whom the asset was received or to whom the expenditure was made; and</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>a description of the asset received or the purpose for which the expenditure was made.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <level label="i"> <text>To the extent practicable, the treasurer of a campaign finance entity shall record the occupation and employer of an individual who makes contributions to the campaign finance entity in a cumulative amount of $500 or more during an election cycle.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The State Board shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>promptly provide notice to the treasurer of a campaign finance entity if a contributor included on a campaign finance report submitted by the treasurer has made contributions to the campaign finance entity in a cumulative amount of $500 or more during the election cycle; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>require a standard response that a treasurer shall include in the campaign finance report if a contributor does not supply the information required concerning the contributor’s occupation and employer.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Each expenditure made from a campaign account shall be supported by a receipt.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The account books and related records of a campaign finance entity shall be preserved until the earlier of:</text> <level label="1"> <text>10 years after the creation of an account book entry or related record; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>2 years after the campaign finance entity files a final campaign finance report under Subtitle 3 of this title.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>A candidate for election to the central committee of a political party who is exempt under § 13–202(a) of this subtitle shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>keep a detailed and accurate account book of all expenditures made by the candidate; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>preserve the account book required under item (1) of this subsection for auditing purposes until 2 years after the end of the election cycle.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gel" article_name="Election Law" number="13-222" title_number="13" title_name="Campaign Finance" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Campaign Finance Organization and Activity"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>By the next deadline for filing a campaign finance report after receiving a contribution specified in paragraph (2) of this subsection, a treasurer shall issue a campaign contribution receipt on the form that the State Board prescribes.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A campaign contribution receipt shall be mailed or delivered to each person who makes one or more contributions in the cumulative amount of $51 or more.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>At the request of a contributor, a treasurer shall issue a campaign contribution receipt for any other contribution.</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>A campaign contribution receipt issued under this section is evidence of the contribution.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The information from a campaign contribution receipt shall be included in the campaign finance report filed by the treasurer under this title.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gel" article_name="Election Law" number="13-223" title_number="13" title_name="Campaign Finance" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Campaign Finance Organization and Activity"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>“Disbursement” means:</text> <level label="i"> <text>an independent expenditure for campaign material that is a public communication, as defined in § 13–306 of this title;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>a disbursement for electioneering communications, as defined in § 13–307 of this title; or</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>a political disbursement, as defined in § 13–309.2 of this title.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>“Donation” has the meaning stated in § 13–306, § 13–307, or § 13–309.2 of this title.</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>“Solicitation” means a request for contributions or donations to a person disseminated through any medium.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>This section applies only to:</text> <level label="1"> <text>a person required to file reports under § 13–306, § 13–307, or § 13–309.2 of this title; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>a political action committee that:</text> <level label="i"> <text>is not affiliated with a corporation or labor organization; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>exclusively makes independent expenditures or disbursements for electioneering communications.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>If a person subject to this section solicits for the benefit of a candidate or a political party and uses a candidate’s name, image, or likeness in the solicitation, the person shall clearly and conspicuously include on the solicitation the following disclaimer or a substantially similar disclaimer: “The (name, image, or likeness) of (name of candidate or political party) on this solicitation is included without the knowledge or permission of (name of candidate or political party), and does not imply authorization or approval by (name of candidate or political party).”.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>If a person subject to this section solicits for what appears to be an electoral or a political purpose, the person shall disclose in a clear and conspicuous manner on each solicitation disseminated by the person:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the five recipients to which the person made the largest expenditures or disbursements during the immediately preceding calendar quarter; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the total amount of expenditures or disbursements made to each recipient.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <level label="1"> <text>The State Administrator, or the State Administrator’s designee, may investigate a potential violation of this section.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The State Administrator, or the State Administrator’s designee, shall:</text> <level label="i"> <text>notify a person who is subject to an investigation under this subsection of the circumstances that gave rise to the investigation; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>provide the person ample opportunity to be heard at a public meeting of the State Board.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <level label="i"> <text>In furtherance of an investigation under this subsection, the State Administrator, or the State Administrator’s designee, may issue a subpoena for the attendance of a witness to testify or the production of records.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>A subpoena issued under this paragraph shall be served in accordance with the Maryland Rules.</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>For a subpoena to be issued under this paragraph, the State Administrator shall make a finding that the subpoena is necessary to and in furtherance of an investigation being conducted under this subsection.</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>A filing submitted to a court with respect to a subpoena under this paragraph shall be sealed on filing.</text> </level> <level label="v"> <text>If a person fails to comply with a subpoena issued under this paragraph, on petition of the State Administrator, a circuit court of competent jurisdiction may compel compliance with the subpoena.</text> </level> </level> <level label="4"> <text>At the conclusion of the investigation and following the hearing under paragraph (2)(ii) of this subsection, the State Board shall issue a public report of its findings and may:</text> <level label="i"> <text>prohibit a person who violated this section from soliciting contributions or donations for a period of time determined by the State Board; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>impose a civil penalty on a person who violated this section as provided in subsection (f) of this section.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="f"> <level label="1"> <text>A person who violates this section is not subject to:</text> <level label="i"> <text>a criminal penalty under § 13–603 of this title;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>a civil penalty under § 13–604 of this title; or</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>investigation by the State Prosecutor.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The State Board may impose a civil penalty for a violation of this section.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>A civil penalty:</text> <level label="i"> <text>shall be assessed in the manner specified in § 13–604.1 of this title; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>may not exceed $10,000.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="g"> <text>The State Board may adopt regulations to carry out this section.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gel" article_name="Election Law" number="13-225" title_number="13" title_name="Campaign Finance" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Campaign Finance Organization and Activity"> <text>Except as otherwise provided by law, contributions may be made only in accordance with this Part V of this subtitle.</text> </section> <section article="gel" article_name="Election Law" number="13-226" title_number="13" title_name="Campaign Finance" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Campaign Finance Organization and Activity"> <level label="a"> <text>The limits on contributions in this section do not apply to:</text> <level label="1"> <text>a contribution to a ballot issue committee; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>those contributions defined as transfers.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Subject to subsections (c) and (d) of this section, a person may not, either directly or indirectly, in an election cycle make aggregate contributions in excess of:</text> <level label="1"> <text>$6,000 to any one campaign finance entity; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>$24,000 to all campaign finance entities.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>Notwithstanding subsection (b) of this section, a central committee of a political party or legislative party caucus committee may make aggregate in–kind contributions to a single candidate during an election cycle that are not in excess of:</text> <level label="i"> <text>for a State central committee or legislative party caucus committee, $1 for every two registered voters in the State; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>for a local central committee, $1 for every two registered voters in the county.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>For the purposes of paragraph (1) of this subsection, the number of registered voters is determined, regardless of party affiliation, as of the first day of the election cycle.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>The limit on contributions to the campaign finance entity of a candidate applies regardless of the number of offices sought by the candidate or campaign finance entities formed to support the candidate.</text> </level> <level label="e"> <level label="1"> <text>In this subsection, “business entity” includes a corporation, a sole proprietorship, a general partnership, a limited partnership, a limited liability company, a real estate investment trust, or other entity.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Contributions by two or more business entities shall be considered as being made by one contributor if:</text> <level label="i"> <text>one business entity is a wholly owned subsidiary of another; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>the business entities are owned or controlled by at least 80% of the same individuals or business entities.</text> </level> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gel" article_name="Election Law" number="13-227" title_number="13" title_name="Campaign Finance" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Campaign Finance Organization and Activity"> <level label="a"> <text>In this section, a “campaign finance entity” includes a nonfederal out–of–state political committee.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The limits on transfers set forth in subsection (c) of this section do not apply to a transfer:</text> <level label="1"> <text>by a campaign finance entity to a ballot issue committee;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>by the authorized candidate campaign committee of a member of a slate to a slate of which the candidate is a member;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>by the authorized candidate campaign committees of the candidates that a legislative party caucus committee seeks to elect to the legislative party caucus committee; and</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>between or among:</text> <level label="i"> <text>political committees that are State or local central committees of the same political party;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>a slate and the authorized candidate campaign committees of its members, if the only members of the slate are a candidate for Governor and a candidate for Lieutenant Governor who are running on the same ticket; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>the authorized candidate campaign committee of a candidate.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>Subject to paragraphs (2) and (3) of this subsection, during an election cycle, a campaign finance entity may not directly or indirectly make transfers in a cumulative amount of more than $6,000 to any one other campaign finance entity.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>During an election cycle, a slate may not make transfers directly or indirectly to the authorized candidate campaign committee of any single member of the slate in a cumulative amount of more than $24,000.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>During an election cycle, a legislative party caucus committee may not make transfers directly to the authorized candidate campaign committee of a candidate that the legislative party caucus committee seeks to elect in a cumulative amount of more than $24,000.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>All affiliated campaign finance entities are treated as a single entity in determining:</text> <level label="i"> <text>the amount of transfers made by a campaign finance entity; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>the amount of transfers received by a campaign finance entity.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Campaign finance entities are deemed to be affiliated if they:</text> <level label="i"> <text>are organized and operated in coordination and cooperation with each other; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>otherwise conduct their operations and make their decisions relating to transfers and other contributions under the control of the same individual or entity.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <text>The limit on transfers to the campaign finance entities of a candidate prescribed in subsection (c) of this section applies regardless of the number of offices sought by the candidate.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gel" article_name="Election Law" number="13-228" title_number="13" title_name="Campaign Finance" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Campaign Finance Organization and Activity"> <text>A political action committee that makes a transfer to the campaign finance entity of a candidate or to a slate shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>display its official name, as filed with the State Board under this subtitle, in a prominent place on the face of the check by which the funds are transferred; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>include in a prominent place on the face of the check:</text> <level label="i"> <text>the words “political action committee” or the notation “PAC”, to indicate that the transferor is a political action committee; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>if the political action committee is organized under Maryland law, the words “Maryland registered political action committee” or the notation “MD registered PAC” to indicate that the transferor is a Maryland political action committee.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gel" article_name="Election Law" number="13-229" title_number="13" title_name="Campaign Finance" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Campaign Finance Organization and Activity"> <text>A transfer is not allowed if it is intended to conceal the source of the funds or the intended recipient.</text> </section> <section article="gel" article_name="Election Law" number="13-230" title_number="13" title_name="Campaign Finance" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Campaign Finance Organization and Activity"> <level label="a"> <text>A loan to a campaign finance entity is considered a contribution in the amount of the outstanding principal balance of the loan unless:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the loan is from a financial institution or other entity in the business of making loans; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the loan is to the campaign finance entity of a candidate and:</text> <level label="i"> <text>repayment of the loan is personally guaranteed by the candidate; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>the election cycle immediately following the election cycle in which the loan was made has not ended.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>Subject to subsection (c)(2) of this section, uncharged interest on a loan is a contribution.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Uncharged interest is the amount by which, during a reporting period, the interest actually charged on the loan is less than the interest on the loan computed at the prime rate applicable on the day the loan was made.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>Subject to paragraph (2) of this subsection, the terms of a loan to a campaign finance entity shall:</text> <level label="i"> <text>be in writing;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>include the lender’s name, address, and signature;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>state the schedule for repayment of the loan;</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>state the interest rate of the loan; and</text> </level> <level label="v"> <text>be attached to the campaign finance report required of the entity under Subtitle 3 of this title for the reporting period during which the loan was made.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <level label="i"> <text>A loan by a candidate or the candidate’s spouse to a campaign finance entity of the candidate is not required to comply with paragraph (1) of this subsection.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Unless a loan by a candidate or the candidate’s spouse to a campaign finance entity of the candidate complies with paragraph (1) of this subsection:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the loan may not accrue interest;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>any interest foregone on the loan is not a contribution under subsection (b) of this section; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>the campaign finance entity is not subject to:</text> </level> <level label="A"> <text>§ 13-310(a) and (b) of this title so long as the loan has an outstanding principal balance; and</text> </level> <level label="B"> <text>subsection (a)(2)(ii) of this section.</text> </level> </level> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>A loan may not be made to a campaign finance entity of a candidate, or accepted on behalf of the entity, without the express written consent of the candidate.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The written consent of the candidate constitutes the personal guarantee of the candidate for repayment of the loan only if the document expressly so provides.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>A copy of the candidate’s written consent shall be:</text> <level label="i"> <text>furnished to the lender when the loan is made; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>attached to the campaign finance report required of the entity under Subtitle 3 of this title for the reporting period during which the loan was made.</text> </level> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gel" article_name="Election Law" number="13-231" title_number="13" title_name="Campaign Finance" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Campaign Finance Organization and Activity"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>Contributions or loans to a campaign finance entity of a candidate from the personal funds of the candidate or the candidate’s spouse are not subject to the contribution limits under § 13-226 of this subtitle.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Expenditures from personal funds by the candidate or the candidate’s spouse for personal expenses of the candidate for filing fees, telecommunication services, travel, and food are not contributions.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>A contribution or loan to a campaign finance entity of a candidate by the candidate or the candidate’s spouse shall pass through the hands of the treasurer of the entity and be reported in accordance with Subtitle 3 of this title.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gel" article_name="Election Law" number="13-232" title_number="13" title_name="Campaign Finance" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Campaign Finance Organization and Activity"> <level label="a"> <text>Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, a contribution is attributable to the election cycle in which it is received.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>A contribution by check is attributable to the election cycle in which the check is issued.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gel" article_name="Election Law" number="13-233" title_number="13" title_name="Campaign Finance" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Campaign Finance Organization and Activity"> <text>This Part V of this subtitle does not affect the right of an individual to volunteer the individual’s time or, for transportation incident to an election, personal vehicle.</text> </section> <section article="gel" article_name="Election Law" number="13-234" title_number="13" title_name="Campaign Finance" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Campaign Finance Organization and Activity"> <level label="a"> <text>A contribution of money may be made only by:</text> <level label="1"> <text>check;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>credit card;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>cash, if the contribution does not exceed $100 in an election cycle; or</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>an electronic method that the State Board authorizes by regulation.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>An electronic method of making a contribution that the State Board authorizes under this section shall ensure that:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the identity of the person making the contribution may be verified;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the transaction is secure; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>there is an adequate record of the transaction.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gel" article_name="Election Law" number="13-235" title_number="13" title_name="Campaign Finance" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Campaign Finance Organization and Activity"> <level label="a"> <text>This section applies to the following officials:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the Governor;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the Lieutenant Governor;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>the Attorney General;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>the Comptroller;</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>the State Treasurer; and</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>a member of the General Assembly.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Except as provided in subsection (c), (d), or (e) of this section, during a regular session of the General Assembly an official described in subsection (a) of this section, or a person acting on behalf of the official, may not, as to a candidate for federal, State, or local office, or a campaign finance entity of the candidate or any other campaign finance entity organized under this title and operated in coordination with a candidate:</text> <level label="1"> <text>receive a contribution;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>conduct a fund–raising event;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>solicit a contribution; or</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>deposit or use any contribution of money that was not deposited prior to the session.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>An official described in subsection (a) of this section, or a person acting on behalf of the official, is not subject to this section when engaged in activities solely related to the official’s election to an elective federal or local office for which the official is a filed candidate.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>Under the Public Financing Act, a gubernatorial ticket, during the year of the election only, may accept eligible private contributions and any disbursement of funds by the State Board that is based on the eligible private contributions.</text> </level> <level label="e"> <text>An official described in subsection (a) of this section, or a person acting on behalf of the official, may deposit a contribution during the legislative session if the contribution was made electronically before the start of the session.</text> </level> <level label="f"> <level label="1"> <text>As to a violation of this section, the campaign finance entity of the official in violation is liable for a civil penalty as provided in § 13–604.1 of this title.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A civil penalty imposed under this subsection shall be distributed to the Fair Campaign Financing Fund established under § 15–103 of this article.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gel" article_name="Election Law" number="13-236" title_number="13" title_name="Campaign Finance" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Campaign Finance Organization and Activity"> <text>An entity that at any time during an election cycle derives the majority of its operating funds from the State may not make a contribution to any campaign finance entity during that election cycle.</text> </section> <section article="gel" article_name="Election Law" number="13-236.1" title_number="13" title_name="Campaign Finance" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Campaign Finance Organization and Activity"> <level label="a"> <text>In this section, “foreign principal” has the meaning stated in 22 U.S.C. § 611(b).</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>A foreign principal may not:</text> <level label="1"> <text>make a contribution to a ballot issue committee; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>make a donation to a person that makes independent expenditures or electioneering communications relating to a ballot issue.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gel" article_name="Election Law" number="13-237" title_number="13" title_name="Campaign Finance" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Campaign Finance Organization and Activity"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>“Own” has the meaning stated in § 9–1A–01 of the State Government Article.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>“Video lottery facility” has the meaning stated in § 9–1A–01 of the State Government Article.</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>“Video lottery operation license” has the meaning stated in § 9–1A–01 of the State Government Article.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>This section applies to the following persons:</text> <level label="1"> <text>an applicant for a video lottery operation license;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>a holder of a video lottery operation license; or</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>a person who owns an interest in the operation of a video lottery facility in this State.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>This section does not apply to gaming activity that an eligible organization is authorized to conduct under the Criminal Law Article.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>A person subject to this section may not, directly or indirectly, make a contribution to:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the campaign finance entity of a candidate for any nonfederal public office in the State; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>any other campaign finance entity organized in support of a candidate for any nonfederal public office in the State.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gel" article_name="Election Law" number="13-238" title_number="13" title_name="Campaign Finance" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Campaign Finance Organization and Activity"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>A person may not make a monetary contribution using any currency other than United States currency.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A person may not make a monetary donation using any currency other than United States currency to a person required to register under § 13–306 or § 13–307 of this title.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>A campaign finance entity may not accept a monetary contribution made using any currency other than United States currency.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A person required to register under § 13–306 or § 13–307 of this title may not accept a monetary donation made using any currency other than United States currency.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gel" article_name="Election Law" number="13-239" title_number="13" title_name="Campaign Finance" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Campaign Finance Organization and Activity"> <text>Except as provided in § 13–240 of this subtitle, if a campaign finance entity receives a contribution from an anonymous source, the campaign finance entity:</text> <level label="1"> <text>may not use the contribution for any purpose; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>shall remit the contribution to the Fair Campaign Financing Fund established under § 15–103 of this article.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gel" article_name="Election Law" number="13-239.1" title_number="13" title_name="Campaign Finance" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Campaign Finance Organization and Activity"> <text>If a campaign finance entity receives a contribution as a result of a violation of § 13–602(a)(5) of this title for which the contributor has been convicted, the campaign finance entity: </text> <level label="1"> <text>may not use the contribution for any purpose; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>shall remit the contribution to the Fair Campaign Financing Fund established under § 15–103 of this article.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gel" article_name="Election Law" number="13-240" title_number="13" title_name="Campaign Finance" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Campaign Finance Organization and Activity"> <level label="a"> <text>This section applies to a spin or chance on a paddle wheel or wheel of fortune or a raffle that is authorized under the laws of this State to operate at a campaign fund–raising event.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Except as provided in § 13–304(d) of this title, but notwithstanding § 13–239 of this subtitle or any other law that prohibits an anonymous contribution, a political committee may accept contributions received from the sale of a spin or chance or a raffle ticket, and need not identify the individual contributor on its campaign finance reports, if:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the account book of the political committee includes:</text> <level label="i"> <text>the net amount received by the political committee from the raffle, spin, or chance at the fundraising event at which the sale was made; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>the name and address of each person who attended the event;</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>no spin or chance is sold at the event for more than $2;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>the net income of the sponsoring political committee from spins and chances at the event does not exceed $1,500 in a 24–hour period;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>the total receipts of the sponsoring political committee from spins and chances in that election do not exceed $2,500;</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>a raffle is conducted in accordance with § 12–106(b) of the Criminal Law Article; and</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>the political committee includes on its campaign finance report:</text> <level label="i"> <text>a lump sum contribution of the net amount received by the political committee from the raffle, spin, or chance at the fundraising event; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>the total number of persons purchasing a raffle ticket, spin, or chance at the event.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>If a political committee raises funds in excess of a limit specified in this section, the political committee shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>donate the excess to a charity of its choice; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>identify in its account book the amount received from each individual who purchased a spin or chance.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>The State Board shall adopt regulations to implement this section.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gel" article_name="Election Law" number="13-241" title_number="13" title_name="Campaign Finance" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Campaign Finance Organization and Activity"> <level label="a"> <text>An employer may establish a program for collecting from employees by means of payroll deductions voluntary contributions to one or more campaign finance entities selected by the employer.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Periodic contributions collected by payroll deductions under a program established under subsection (a) of this section shall be combined and accumulated in a segregated escrow account maintained solely for that purpose.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>An employer shall keep detailed and accurate records of each payroll deduction made under subsection (a) of this section, including:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the name and address of the contributor;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the date on which the contribution is withheld;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>the amount of the contribution; and</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>the disposition of the contribution.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>Within 3 months after withholding a contribution under this section, the employer shall transmit the contribution to the appropriate campaign finance entity, together with the information recorded under subsection (c)(1), (2), and (3) of this section.</text> </level> <level label="e"> <text>In soliciting an employee to make a contribution to a campaign finance entity by payroll deduction, an employer shall inform the employee of:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the political purposes of the campaign finance entity; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the employee’s right to refuse to contribute to the campaign finance entity without reprisal.</text> </level> </level> <level label="f"> <text>An employer may not receive or use money or anything of value under this section if it is obtained:</text> <level label="1"> <text>by actual or threatened:</text> <level label="i"> <text>physical force;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>job discrimination; or</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>financial reprisal; or</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>as:</text> <level label="i"> <text>a result of a commercial transaction; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>dues, fees, or other assessment required as a condition of membership in a labor organization or employment.</text> </level> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gel" article_name="Election Law" number="13-242" title_number="13" title_name="Campaign Finance" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Campaign Finance Organization and Activity"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>“Affiliated political action committee” means a political action committee affiliated with an employee membership entity.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>“Employee membership entity” means an organization whose membership includes employees of the employer.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>If an employer withholds from employees by payroll deduction the employees’ dues to an employee membership entity:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the employee also may make contributions by payroll deduction to one or more affiliated political action committees selected by the employee; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the employer shall collect the contributions and transmit them to the employee membership entity designated by the employee in accordance with the requirements of subsection (c) of this section.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>Periodic contributions collected by payroll deductions pursuant to a program established under subsection (b) of this section shall be:</text> <level label="1"> <text>combined and accumulated in a segregated escrow account maintained solely for that purpose; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>transmitted to the employee membership entity within 30 days of being withheld, together with the information required under subsection (d)(1) through (4) of this section.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>An affiliated political action committee, in conjunction with its employee membership entity and the employer, shall keep detailed and accurate records of each contribution under subsection (b) of this section, including:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the name and address of the contributor;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the date on which the contribution was made;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>the amount of the contribution;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>the name of the affiliated political action committee designated by the employee to receive the contribution; and</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>the date on which the contribution was received by the employee membership entity and the affiliated political action committee.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <level label="1"> <text>Within 30 days after it receives a contribution under subsection (c) of this section, the employee membership entity shall transmit the contribution:</text> <level label="i"> <text>to its affiliated political action committee; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>if a contribution is designated for a political action committee affiliated with a State or local chapter of the employee membership entity, to the State or local chapter of the employee membership entity.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Within 5 days after it receives a contribution under paragraph (1)(ii) of this subsection, the State or local chapter of the employee membership entity shall transmit the contribution to its affiliated political action committee.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>An employee membership entity, including a State or local chapter, that transfers contributions in accordance with paragraph (1) or (2) of this subsection shall include the information recorded under subsection (d) of this section that is received from the employer.</text> </level> </level> <level label="f"> <text>An employer, employee membership entity, or affiliated political action committee, may not solicit, receive, or use employee contributions in a manner that would be prohibited under § 13–241(e) and (f) of this subtitle if performed by an employer.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gel" article_name="Election Law" number="13-243" title_number="13" title_name="Campaign Finance" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Campaign Finance Organization and Activity"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>“Affiliated political action committee” means a political action committee affiliated with a membership entity.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>“Membership entity” means an organization that collects dues from its members.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>A membership entity may establish a program for periodically collecting from its members and accumulating voluntary contributions by the members to an affiliated political action committee if those contributions are collected together with:</text> <level label="1"> <text>membership dues invoiced and collected by the membership entity; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>contributions by the members to a political action committee established under federal law, if that political action committee is also affiliated with the membership entity.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>A membership entity shall keep detailed and accurate records of each contribution received under subsection (b) of this section, including:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the name and address of the contributor;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the date on which the contribution is withheld;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>the amount of the contribution; and</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>the disposition of the contribution.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>Within 30 days after being received, a contribution under this section shall be transmitted by the membership entity, with the information recorded under subsection (c)(1), (2), and (3) of this section, to its affiliated political action committee.</text> </level> <level label="e"> <text>In soliciting a member, by joint invoice for membership dues or for a contribution to an affiliated federal political action committee, to make a contribution to its affiliated political action committee, a membership entity shall inform the member of:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the political purposes of the affiliated political action committee; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the member’s right to refuse to contribute to the political action committee without reprisal.</text> </level> </level> <level label="f"> <text>An employee membership entity or its affiliated political action committee entity may not receive or use money or anything of value under this section if it is obtained:</text> <level label="1"> <text>by actual or threatened:</text> <level label="i"> <text>physical force;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>membership discrimination; or</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>financial or professional reprisal; or</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>as dues, fees, or other assessment required as a condition of membership.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gel" article_name="Election Law" number="13-244" title_number="13" title_name="Campaign Finance" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Campaign Finance Organization and Activity"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>“Electioneering communication” has the meaning stated in § 13–307 of this title.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>“Person” includes a vendor for:</text> <level label="i"> <text>a political committee; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>a person making independent expenditures or electioneering communications.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>A person soliciting a recurring contribution for a political committee or a recurring donation for an independent expenditure or electioneering communication may accept the recurring contribution or donation only if the contributor or donor gives affirmative consent for the recurring contribution or donation.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The passive action of a contributor or donor, including failing to uncheck a pre–checked box authorizing a recurring contribution or donation, does not meet the requirement of affirmative consent under paragraph (1) of this subsection.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>If a contributor or donor affirmatively consents to making a recurring contribution or donation, the person soliciting the recurring contribution or donation shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>in addition to the receipt required under § 13–222 of this subtitle, provide a receipt to the contributor or donor for each contribution or donation that clearly and conspicuously discloses:</text> <level label="i"> <text>the frequency of the recurring contributions or donations;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>the duration of the recurring contributions or donations; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>all information needed to cancel a recurring contribution or donation; and</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>immediately cancel the recurring contributions or donations at the request of the contributor or donor.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <level label="i"> <text>A political committee that obtains a contribution in violation of this section shall return the contribution to the contributor immediately after obtaining the contribution.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The amount of any contribution obtained in violation of this section is an outstanding obligation of the political committee that obtained the contribution until the contribution is repaid to the contributor.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <level label="i"> <text>A person making independent expenditures or electioneering communications who obtains a donation in violation of this section shall return the donation to the donor immediately after obtaining the donation.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The amount of any donation obtained in violation of this section is an outstanding obligation of the person making independent expenditures or electioneering communications who obtained the donation until the donation is repaid to the donor.</text> </level> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gel" article_name="Election Law" number="13-245" title_number="13" title_name="Campaign Finance" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Campaign Finance Organization and Activity"> <level label="a"> <text>In this section, “walk-around services” means the following activities if performed for money while the polls are open:</text> <level label="1"> <text>distributing campaign material;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>stationing a person, including oneself, or an object in the path of a voter;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>electioneering or canvassing as described in § 16-206 of this article;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>communicating in any other manner a voting preference or choice; or</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>performing any other service as a poll worker or distributor of sample ballots.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>This section does not apply to:</text> <level label="1"> <text>meals, beverages, and refreshments served to campaign workers;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>salaries of regularly employed personnel in campaign headquarters;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>media advertising, including newspaper, radio, television, billboard, or aerial advertising;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>rent and regular office expenses; or</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>the cost of telephoning voters or transporting voters to and from polling places.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>A campaign finance entity, or a person acting on its behalf, may not at any time, directly or indirectly, pay or incur an obligation to pay, and a person may not, directly or indirectly, receive any money or thing of value, for a political endorsement.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <level label="i"> <text>A campaign finance entity, or a person acting on its behalf, that pays any person for walk-around services shall make all payments by check from a campaign account designated under § 13-220(a) of this subtitle.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>All payments made under subparagraph (i) of this paragraph shall be reported in accordance with § 13-304 of this title.</text> </level> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gel" article_name="Election Law" number="13-246" future_version_removed="true" title_number="13" title_name="Campaign Finance" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Campaign Finance Organization and Activity"> <text>A person who claims that money is due from a campaign finance entity shall present a claim for payment to the treasurer or subtreasurer not later than 30 days after the election for which the liability was incurred.</text> </section> <section article="gel" article_name="Election Law" number="13-247" title_number="13" title_name="Campaign Finance" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Campaign Finance Organization and Activity"> <text>After all campaign expenditures have been made and before filing a final campaign finance report under Subtitle 3 of this title, any remaining balance in the account of a campaign finance entity shall be returned pro rata to the contributors or paid to:</text> <level label="1"> <text>if the campaign finance entity is a political committee formed to support a candidate or act for a political party:</text> <level label="i"> <text>the State central committee of the political party:</text> <level label="1"> <text>of which the candidate is a member; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>for which the political committee is acting;</text> </level> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>the local central committee of the political party:</text> <level label="1"> <text>of which the candidate is a member in a county in which the candidate resides or which the candidate seeks to represent; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>for which the political committee is acting;</text> </level> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>the legislative party caucus committee of the political party:</text> <level label="1"> <text>of which the candidate is a member; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>for which the political committee is acting; or</text> </level> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>the board of education of a county in which the candidate resides or which the candidate seeks to represent;</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>a nonprofit organization that provides services or funds for the benefit of pupils or teachers;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>a charitable organization registered or exempt from registration under the Maryland Charitable Solicitations Act;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>the Fair Campaign Financing Fund established under § 15–103 of this article; or</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>a public or private institution of higher education in the State if:</text> <level label="i"> <text>that institution possesses a certificate of approval from the Maryland Higher Education Commission; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>the payment is designated for use by the institution solely to award scholarships, grants, or loans to students attending the institution.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gel" article_name="Election Law" number="13-248" title_number="13" title_name="Campaign Finance" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Campaign Finance Organization and Activity"> <text>If a responsible officer of a campaign finance entity has a compensation agreement with the campaign finance entity, before making a disbursement for the compensation, the campaign finance entity shall submit to the State Board:</text> <level label="1"> <text>a copy of the compensation agreement; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>if the campaign finance entity is an authorized candidate campaign committee, the written consent of the candidate.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gel" article_name="Election Law" number="13-249" title_number="13" title_name="Campaign Finance" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Campaign Finance Organization and Activity"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <level label="i"> <text>“Candidate” has the meaning stated in § 1–101 of this article.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>For purposes of this section, “candidate” includes a candidate, an authorized candidate campaign committee, a slate committee, and agents of a candidate, an authorized candidate campaign committee, or a slate committee.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>“Communication” includes social media interactions with a candidate.</text> </level> <level label="4"> <level label="i"> <text>“Coordinated expenditure” means a disbursement or an action to cause a disbursement that:</text> <level label="1"> <text>promotes the success or defeat of a candidate or a political party at an election; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>is made in cooperation, consultation, understanding, agreement, or concert with, or at the request or suggestion of, the candidate or political party that is the beneficiary of the disbursement.</text> </level> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>“Coordinated expenditure” includes a disbursement for any communication that republishes or disseminates, in whole or in part, a video, a photograph, audio footage, a written graphic, or any other form of campaign material prepared by the candidate or political party that is the beneficiary of the disbursement.</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>“Coordinated expenditure” does not include a disbursement for any communication that is not a public communication.</text> </level> </level> <level label="5"> <text>“Coordinated spender” means a person that makes a disbursement to promote the success or defeat of a candidate or political party at an election and for which one of the following applies:</text> <level label="i"> <text>during the election cycle, the person was directly or indirectly formed or established by or at the request or suggestion of, or with the encouragement of, the candidate or political party that is the beneficiary of the disbursement, including during the time before the individual became a candidate; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>during the election cycle, the person is established, financed, directed, or managed by a member of the immediate family of the candidate who is the beneficiary of the disbursement, or the person or an agent of the person has had substantive discussions about the candidate’s campaign with a member of the immediate family of the candidate who is the beneficiary of the disbursement.</text> </level> </level> <level label="6"> <text>“Disbursement” includes a deposit of money or a gift, a subscription, an advance, or other thing of value.</text> </level> <level label="7"> <text>“Donation” means a gift or transfer, or promise of gift or transfer, of money or other thing of value to a person.</text> </level> <level label="8"> <text>“Immediate family” has the meaning stated in § 9004(e) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.</text> </level> <level label="9"> <level label="i"> <text>“Person” includes an individual, a partnership, a political committee, an association, a corporation, a labor organization, and any other organization or group of persons.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>“Person” does not include a political committee that exclusively accepts contributions that are subject to the limits under § 13–226 of this subtitle.</text> </level> </level> <level label="10"> <level label="i"> <text>“Political party” has the meaning stated in § 1–101 of this article.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>For purposes of this section, “political party” includes a political party, a central committee, a legislative party caucus committee, and agents of a political party, central committee, or legislative party caucus committee.</text> </level> </level> <level label="11"> <level label="i"> <text>“Professional services” means any paid services in support of a political campaign, including advertising, message, strategy, policy, polling, communications development, allocation of campaign resources, fund–raising, and campaign operations.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>“Professional services” does not include accounting, legal, print, or mail services.</text> </level> </level> <level label="12"> <text>“Public communication” has the meaning stated in § 13–306 of this title.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>A person may not:</text> <level label="i"> <text>make a coordinated expenditure in excess of the limits established under § 13–226 of this subtitle; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>make a donation to a person for the purpose of furthering a coordinated expenditure in excess of the limits under § 13–226 of this subtitle.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A candidate or political party may not, directly or indirectly, be the beneficiary of a coordinated expenditure in excess of the limits under § 13–226 of this subtitle.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>A person may not be considered to have made a coordinated expenditure solely on the grounds that the person or the person’s agent engaged in discussions or communications with a candidate regarding a position on a legislative or policy matter, provided that there is no communication between the person and the candidate regarding the candidate’s campaign advertising, message, strategy, polling, allocation of campaign resources, fund–raising, or other campaign activities.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>A person that makes a disbursement to promote the success or defeat of a candidate or political party at an election is presumed to have made a coordinated expenditure if:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the person is a coordinated spender with respect to the candidate or political party that is the beneficiary of the disbursement;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>during the 18–month period preceding the disbursement, the person employs or retains a responsible officer of a political committee affiliated with the candidate or political party that is the beneficiary of the disbursement;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>during the 18–month period preceding the disbursement, the person employs or retains a strategic political campaign, media, or fund–raising advisor or consultant of the candidate or political party that is the beneficiary of the disbursement; or</text> </level> <level label="4"> <level label="i"> <text>during the 18–month period preceding the disbursement, the person has retained the professional services of a vendor, an advisor, or a consultant that, during the election cycle, has provided professional services to the candidate or political party that is the beneficiary of the disbursement; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>the vendor, advisor, or consultant has not established a firewall to restrict the sharing of strategic campaign information between individuals who are employed by or who are agents of the person and the candidate or political party that is the beneficiary of the disbursement.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <text>A person may rebut the presumption under subsection (d) of this section by presenting sufficient contrary evidence and obtaining a declaratory ruling from the State Board before making a disbursement to promote the success or defeat of a candidate or political party at an election.</text> </level> <level label="f"> <level label="1"> <text>A person that willfully and knowingly violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to a fine not exceeding:</text> <level label="i"> <text>300% of the amount by which the coordinated expenditure made by the person exceeded the applicable contribution limit under § 13–226 of this subtitle; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>300% of the amount of the donation made to a person for the purpose of furthering a coordinated expenditure in excess of the limits prescribed under § 13–226 of this subtitle.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A candidate or political party that willfully and knowingly violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to a fine not exceeding 300% of the amount by which the coordinated expenditure of which the candidate or political party was the beneficiary exceeded the applicable contribution limit under § 13–226 of this subtitle.</text> </level> </level> <level label="g"> <level label="1"> <text>The State Administrator or the State Administrator’s designee may investigate a potential violation of this section.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The State Administrator or the State Administrator’s designee shall:</text> <level label="i"> <text>notify a person, candidate, or political party that is subject to an investigation under this subsection of the circumstances that gave rise to the investigation; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>provide the person, candidate, or political party ample opportunity to be heard at a public meeting of the State Board.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <level label="i"> <text>In furtherance of an investigation under paragraph (1) of this subsection, the State Administrator or the State Administrator’s designee may issue a subpoena for the attendance of a witness to testify or the production of records.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>A subpoena issued under this paragraph shall be served in accordance with the Maryland Rules.</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>In order for a subpoena to be issued under this paragraph, the State Administrator shall make a finding that the subpoena is necessary to and in furtherance of an investigation being conducted under paragraph (1) of this subsection.</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>Any filing submitted to a court with respect to a subpoena under this paragraph shall be sealed on filing.</text> </level> <level label="v"> <text>If a person fails to comply with a subpoena issued under this paragraph, on petition of the State Administrator, a circuit court of competent jurisdiction may compel compliance with the subpoena.</text> </level> </level> <level label="4"> <text>At the conclusion of the investigation and following the hearing under paragraph (2)(ii) of this subsection, the State Board shall issue a public report of its findings and may:</text> <level label="i"> <text>impose a civil penalty as provided in paragraph (5) of this subsection if the State Board determines that a person, candidate, or political party has unintentionally violated this section; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>refer the matter for further investigation by the State Prosecutor if the State Board has reasonable cause to believe that a person, candidate, or political party has willfully and knowingly violated this section.</text> </level> </level> <level label="5"> <text>A civil penalty under paragraph (4)(i) of this subsection:</text> <level label="i"> <text>shall be assessed in the manner specified in § 13–604.1 of this title; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>may not exceed:</text> <level label="1"> <text>100% of the amount by which the coordinated expenditure made by the person exceeded the applicable contribution limit under § 13–226 of this subtitle;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>100% of the amount of the donation made to a person for the purpose of furthering a coordinated expenditure in excess of the limits prescribed under § 13–226 of this subtitle; or</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>100% of the amount by which the coordinated expenditure of which the candidate or political party was the beneficiary exceeded the applicable contribution limit under § 13–226 of this subtitle.</text> </level> </level> </level> </level> <level label="h"> <level label="1"> <text>Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, a fine or penalty imposed under this section shall be paid by the person that committed the violation or by a political committee of the candidate or political party that committed the violation.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Subject to paragraph (3) of this subsection, a fine or penalty under this section is the joint and several liability of the candidate or a director, a manager, an officer, or any other individual exercising direction or control over the activities of the person, authorized candidate campaign committee, or political party if the penalty is not paid by the person or by a political committee of the candidate or political party before the expiration of the 1–year period that begins on the later of:</text> <level label="i"> <text>the date the fine or penalty was imposed; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>the date of the final judgment following any judicial review of the imposition of the fine or penalty.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>A candidate may not be jointly and severally liable for a fine or penalty under this section unless a court or the State Board finds that the candidate engaged in conduct that constitutes coordination with a person under this section.</text> </level> </level> <level label="i"> <text>A fine or penalty imposed under this section shall be distributed to the Fair Campaign Financing Fund established under § 15–103 of this article.</text> </level> <level label="j"> <text>The State Board may adopt regulations as necessary to implement this section.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gel" article_name="Election Law" number="13-250" title_number="13" title_name="Campaign Finance" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Campaign Finance Organization and Activity"> <text>A campaign finance entity, or a person acting on its behalf, may not make a monetary expenditure using any currency other than United States currency. </text> </section> <section article="gel" article_name="Election Law" number="13-301" title_number="13" title_name="Campaign Finance" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="General Reporting Requirements"> <level label="a"> <text>In this section, “out–of–state political committee” means a nonfederal political committee organized under the law of another state.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>An out–of–state political committee shall register with the State Board on a form that the State Board prescribes within 48 hours after directly or indirectly making transfers in a cumulative amount of $6,000 or more in an election cycle to one or more campaign finance entities organized under Subtitle 2, Part II of this title.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The registration form the State Board prescribes shall require an out–of–state political committee to designate the election year in which the committee is participating.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>After registering with the State Board, an out–of–state political committee shall file reports with the State Board for the election year in which the committee is participating on or before each date that a campaign finance entity of a candidate is required to file a campaign finance report under § 13–309 of this subtitle.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>The reports under subsection (c) of this section shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>disclose all expenditures made in the State by the out–of–state political committee:</text> <level label="i"> <text>from the beginning of the election cycle in the case of the first report filed by the out–of–state political committee; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>during the applicable reporting period under § 13–312 of this subtitle for each subsequent report filed by the out–of–state political committee;</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>describe how to access the campaign finance reports filed by the out–of–state political committee in the state where the committee is registered and files the reports; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>be filed in the manner and subject to the sanctions provided in Parts VI and VII of this subtitle.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gel" article_name="Election Law" number="13-304" title_number="13" title_name="Campaign Finance" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="General Reporting Requirements"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>From the date of its organization until its termination under the provisions of this title, a campaign finance entity, except a political club, shall file a campaign finance report at the State Board at the times and for the periods required by §§ 13–309, 13–312, and 13–316 of this subtitle.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A campaign finance report submitted using an electronic format shall:</text> <level label="i"> <text>be made under oath or affirmation;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>require an electronic signature from the treasurer at the time of the filing of the campaign finance report; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>be made subject to the penalties for perjury.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>A campaign finance report filed by a campaign finance entity under subsection (a) of this section shall include:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the information required by the State Board with respect to all contributions received and all expenditures made by or on behalf of the campaign finance entity during the designated reporting period; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the information regarding the occupations and employers of contributors required to be recorded by the treasurer of a campaign finance entity under § 13–221 of this title.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>During the period specified in paragraph (2) of this subsection, a campaign finance entity that is liable for a civil penalty imposed under § 13–604.1(b)(1), (2), (3), (4), (5), or (6) of this title shall submit, with each campaign finance report filed under subsection (a) of this section, bank statements that:</text> <level label="i"> <text>document all expenditures made by or on behalf of the campaign finance entity during the reporting period; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>have all personal identifying information, including bank account numbers, redacted.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Subject to paragraph (3) of this subsection, a campaign finance entity shall submit bank statements in accordance with paragraph (1) of this subsection during the period that:</text> <level label="i"> <text>begins on the first closing date for a campaign finance report that occurs after the campaign finance entity became liable for a civil penalty imposed under § 13–604.1(b)(1), (2), (3), (4), (5), or (6) of this title; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>ends at the later of:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the conclusion of the election cycle in which the campaign finance entity became liable for the civil penalty issued under § 13–604.1(b)(1), (2), (3), (4), (5), or (6) of this title; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the due date of the last campaign finance report that is due within 2 years after the campaign finance entity became liable for the civil penalty imposed under § 13–604.1(b)(1), (2), (3), (4), (5), or (6) of this title.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>If a campaign finance entity has submitted bank statements with at least one campaign finance report as required under paragraph (1) of this subsection, the State Board may, at its discretion, waive the requirement that a campaign finance entity submit bank statements during the remainder of the period specified under paragraph (2) of this subsection.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>In this subsection, “eligible contribution” means a contribution or series of contributions made by the same person for which a receipt is not required to be issued under § 13–222 of this title.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The requirements of this subsection prevail to the extent of any conflict with § 13–240(b) of this title.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Except as provided in paragraphs (4) and (5) of this subsection, a political committee shall report the following information on its campaign finance reports for each contribution the committee receives:</text> <level label="i"> <text>the amount of each contribution; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>the name and residential address of each contributor, unless a contributor receives a confidentiality waiver from the State Board for a residential address, in which case a suitable alternative address approved by the State Board may be used.</text> </level> </level> <level label="4"> <text>A campaign finance entity of a candidate may report a maximum of a cumulative amount of $25,000 in eligible contributions in an election cycle on its campaign finance reports without providing the information required under paragraph (3) of this subsection.</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>A political committee may report eligible contributions collected in accordance with § 13–241 or § 13–242 of this title on its campaign finance reports in the manner specified in paragraph (4) of this subsection if the following is included on the political committee’s campaign finance report:</text> <level label="i"> <text>a lump sum contribution of the total amount received by the political committee in the form of eligible contributions;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>the number of individuals making eligible contributions; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>the average amount of the eligible contributions received by the political committee.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <text>A campaign finance report prescribed by this subtitle for the campaign finance entity of a candidate is required whether or not:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the candidate files a certificate of candidacy;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the candidate withdraws, declines a nomination, or otherwise ceases to be a candidate;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>the candidate’s name appears on the primary ballot; or</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>the candidate is successful in the election.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gel" article_name="Election Law" number="13-305" title_number="13" title_name="Campaign Finance" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="General Reporting Requirements"> <level label="a"> <text>Instead of filing a report required under § 13–309 of this subtitle, a treasurer may file an affidavit stating that the campaign finance entity has not raised or spent a cumulative amount of $1,000 or more, exclusive of the filing fee, and regardless of the balance of the campaign account, since:</text> <level label="1"> <text>establishing the campaign finance entity; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>filing the campaign finance entity’s last campaign finance report.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The affidavit shall be filed on or before the date a campaign finance report is due to be filed under § 13–309 of this subtitle.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gel" article_name="Election Law" number="13-305.1" title_number="13" title_name="Campaign Finance" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="General Reporting Requirements"> <text>A candidate for election to the central committee of a political party who is exempt under § 13–202(a) of this title shall file with the certificate of candidacy an affidavit stating that the candidate during the election cycle will not:</text> <level label="1"> <text>spend more than $1,000 in personal funds; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>accept contributions.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gel" article_name="Election Law" number="13-306" title_number="13" title_name="Campaign Finance" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="General Reporting Requirements"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <level label="i"> <text>“Donation” means the gift or transfer, or promise of gift or transfer, of money or other thing of value to a person who makes independent expenditures.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>“Donation” does not include any amount of money or any other thing of value:</text> <level label="1"> <text>received by a person in the ordinary course of any trade or business conducted by the person, whether for profit or not for profit, or in the form of investments in the person’s business; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <level label="A"> <text>that the donor and the person receiving the money or thing of value expressly agree in writing may not be used for independent expenditures; and</text> </level> </level> <level label="B"> <text>in the case of a monetary donation, is deposited in a separate bank account that is never used for independent expenditures.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>“E–mail blast” means a transmission of electronic mail messages of an identical or substantially similar nature to 5,000 or more e–mail accounts simultaneously.</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>“Mass mailing” means a mailing by United States mail or facsimile of more than 500 pieces of mail matter of an identical or substantially similar nature within any 30–day period.</text> </level> <level label="5"> <level label="i"> <text>“Person” includes an individual, a partnership, a committee, an association, a corporation, a labor organization, and any other organization or group of persons.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>“Person” does not include a campaign finance entity organized under Subtitle 2, Part II of this title.</text> </level> </level> <level label="6"> <level label="i"> <text>“Public communication” means a communication by means of any broadcast television or radio communication, cable television communication, satellite television or radio communication, newspaper, magazine, outdoor advertising facility, mass mailing, e–mail blast, text blast, qualifying paid digital communication, or telephone bank to the general public, or any other form of general public political advertising.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>“Public communication” does not include:</text> <level label="1"> <text>a news story, a commentary, or an editorial disseminated by a broadcasting station, including a cable television operator, programmer, or producer, satellite television or radio provider, website, newspaper, magazine, or other periodical publication, including any Internet or electronic publication, that is not controlled by a candidate or political party;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>an internal membership communication by a business or other entity to its stockholders or members and executive and administrative personnel and their immediate families, or by a membership entity, as defined under § 13–243 of this title, to its members, executive and administrative personnel and their immediate families; or</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>a candidate debate or forum.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="7"> <text>“Telephone bank” means more than 500 telephone calls of an identical or substantially similar nature within any 30–day period.</text> </level> <level label="8"> <text>“Text blast” means a transmission of text messages of an identical or substantially similar nature to 5,000 or more telephone numbers simultaneously.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Within 48 hours after a person makes aggregate independent expenditures of $5,000 or more in an election cycle for campaign material that is a public communication, the person shall file a registration form with the State Board.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>Within 48 hours after a day on which a person makes aggregate independent expenditures of $10,000 or more in an election cycle for campaign material that is a public communication, the person shall file an independent expenditure report with the State Board.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>A person who files an independent expenditure report under subsection (c) of this section shall file an additional independent expenditure report with the State Board within 48 hours after a day on which the person makes aggregate independent expenditures of $10,000 or more for campaign material that is a public communication following the closing date of the person’s previous independent expenditure report.</text> </level> <level label="e"> <text>An independent expenditure report shall include the following information:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the identity of the person making the independent expenditures and of the person exercising direction or control over the activities of the person making the independent expenditures;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the business address of the person making the independent expenditures;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>the amount and date of each independent expenditure during the period covered by the report and the person to whom the expenditure was made;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>the candidate or ballot issue to which the independent expenditure relates and whether the independent expenditure supports or opposes that candidate or ballot issue; and</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>the identity of each person who made cumulative donations of $6,000 or more to the person making the independent expenditures during the period covered by the report.</text> </level> </level> <level label="f"> <text>For purposes of this section, a person shall be considered to have made an independent expenditure if the person has executed a contract to make an independent expenditure.</text> </level> <level label="g"> <text>The cost of creating and disseminating campaign material, including any design and production costs, shall be considered in determining the aggregate amount of independent expenditures made by a person for campaign material that is a public communication under this section.</text> </level> <level label="h"> <text>The treasurer or other individual designated by an entity required to file an independent expenditure report under this section:</text> <level label="1"> <text>shall sign each independent expenditure report; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>is responsible for filing independent expenditure reports in full and accurate detail.</text> </level> </level> <level label="i"> <level label="1"> <text>Within 48 hours after a person makes aggregate independent expenditures of $50,000 or more in an election cycle for campaign material that is a public communication, the person shall identify a registered agent located in the State for service of process.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A person making independent expenditures shall identify a registered agent on a form prescribed by the State Board.</text> </level> </level> <level label="j"> <level label="1"> <text>A person who fails to provide on an independent expenditure report all of the information required by this section shall file an amended report as provided in § 13–327(b) of this subtitle.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <level label="i"> <text>Except as provided in subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph, in addition to any other sanction provided by law, the State Board may assess a civil penalty for failure to file properly an independent expenditure report or an amended independent expenditure report in an amount not exceeding the greater of:</text> <level label="1"> <text>$1,000 for each day or part of a day that an independent expenditure report or amended independent expenditure report is overdue; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>10% of the amount of the donations or independent expenditures that were not reported in a timely manner.</text> </level> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>If the failure to file properly an independent expenditure report or an amended independent expenditure report occurs more than 28 days before the day of a primary or general election, the State Board may assess a civil penalty in an amount not exceeding the greater of:</text> <level label="1"> <text>$100 for each day or part of a day that an independent expenditure report or amended independent expenditure report is overdue; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>10% of the amount of the donations or disbursements for independent expenditures that were not reported in a timely manner.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>A civil penalty under paragraph (2) of this subsection shall be:</text> <level label="i"> <text>assessed in the manner specified in § 13–604.1 of this title;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>distributed to the Fair Campaign Financing Fund established under § 15–103 of this article; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>the joint and several liability of:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the person making independent expenditures;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the treasurer or other individual who signs and files the reports required by this section for the person making independent expenditures; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>the person exercising direction or control over the activities of the person making independent expenditures.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="4"> <text>A person who fails to file properly an independent expenditure report or amended independent expenditure report under this section may seek relief from a penalty under paragraph (2) of this subsection for just cause as provided in § 13–337 of this subtitle.</text> </level> </level> <level label="k"> <text>If a treasurer of a person making independent expenditures or a person exercising direction or control over the activities of a person making independent expenditures has failed to pay any civil penalty or late fee under this title for which the individual is responsible, the individual may not:</text> <level label="1"> <text>serve as the responsible officer of a political committee;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>serve in any position of responsibility in any other entity subject to regulation under this title; or</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>assist in the formation of a political committee or any other entity subject to regulation under this title.</text> </level> </level> <level label="l"> <level label="1"> <text>An entity required to file an independent expenditure report under this section shall do at least one of the following, unless neither are applicable to the entity:</text> <level label="i"> <text>if the entity submits regular, periodic reports to its shareholders, members, or donors, include in each report, in a clear and conspicuous manner, the information specified in subsection (e)(3) through (5) of this section for each independent expenditure made during the period covered by the report that must be included in an independent expenditure report; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>if the entity maintains an Internet site, post on that Internet site a hyperlink from its homepage to the Internet site where the entity’s independent expenditure report information is publicly available.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>An entity shall post the hyperlink required under paragraph (1)(ii) of this subsection within 24 hours of the entity’s independent expenditure report information being made publicly available on the Internet, and the hyperlink shall remain posted on the entity’s Internet site until the end of the election cycle during which the entity filed an independent expenditure report.</text> </level> </level> <level label="m"> <level label="1"> <text>A person required to file an independent expenditure report under this section shall keep detailed and accurate records of:</text> <level label="i"> <text>all independent expenditures made by the person for campaign material that is a public communication; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>all donations received by the person.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Records required to be kept under this subsection shall be preserved for 2 years after the end of the election cycle in which the person filed the independent expenditure report to which the records relate.</text> </level> </level> <level label="n"> <text>The State Board may adopt regulations as necessary to implement the requirements of this section.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gel" article_name="Election Law" number="13-307" title_number="13" title_name="Campaign Finance" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="General Reporting Requirements"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <level label="i"> <text>“Donation” means the gift or transfer, or promise of gift or transfer, of money or other thing of value to a person that makes disbursements for electioneering communications.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>“Donation” does not include any amount of money or any other thing of value:</text> <level label="1"> <text>received by a person in the ordinary course of any trade or business conducted by the person, whether for profit or not for profit, or in the form of investments in the person’s business; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <level label="A"> <text>that the donor and the person receiving the money or thing of value expressly agree in writing may not be used for electioneering communications; and</text> </level> </level> <level label="B"> <text>in the case of a monetary donation, is deposited in a separate bank account that is never used for electioneering communications.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <level label="i"> <text>“Electioneering communication” means a broadcast television or radio communication, a cable television communication, a satellite television or radio communication, a mass mailing, an e–mail blast, a text blast, a telephone bank, a qualifying paid digital communication, or an advertisement in a print publication that:</text> <level label="1"> <text>refers to a clearly identified candidate or ballot issue;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>is made within 60 days of an election day on which the candidate or ballot issue is on the ballot;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>is capable of being received by:</text> </level> <level label="A"> <text>50,000 or more individuals in the constituency where the candidate or ballot issue is on the ballot, if the communication is transmitted by television or radio; or</text> </level> <level label="B"> <text>5,000 or more individuals in the constituency where the candidate or ballot issue is on the ballot, if the communication is a mass mailing, an e–mail blast, a text blast, a telephone bank, a qualifying paid digital communication, or an advertisement in a print publication; and</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>is not made in coordination with, or at the request or suggestion of, a candidate, a campaign finance entity of a candidate, an agent of a candidate, or a ballot issue committee.</text> </level> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>“Electioneering communication” does not include:</text> <level label="1"> <text>an independent expenditure;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>a news story, a commentary, or an editorial disseminated by a broadcasting station, including a cable television operator, programmer, or producer, or satellite television or radio provider, website, newspaper, magazine, or other periodical publication, including any Internet or electronic publication, that is not controlled by a candidate or political party;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>a candidate debate or forum;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>an internal membership communication by a business or other entity to its stockholders or members and executive and administrative personnel and their immediate families, or by a membership entity, as defined under § 13–243 of this title, to its members, executive and administrative personnel and their immediate families; or</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>a communication that proposes a commercial transaction.</text> </level> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>For purposes of this paragraph, “clearly identified” means:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the name of a candidate appears;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>a photograph or drawing of a candidate appears; or</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>the identity of a candidate or ballot issue is apparent by unambiguous reference.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="4"> <text>“E–mail blast” means a transmission of electronic mail messages of an identical or substantially similar nature to 5,000 or more e–mail accounts simultaneously.</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>“Mass mailing” means a mailing by United States mail or facsimile of more than 5,000 pieces of mail matter of an identical or substantially similar nature within any 30–day period.</text> </level> <level label="6"> <level label="i"> <text>“Person” includes an individual, a partnership, a committee, an association, a corporation, a labor organization, and any other organization or group of persons.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>“Person” does not include a campaign finance entity organized under Subtitle 2, Part II of this title.</text> </level> </level> <level label="7"> <text>“Telephone bank” means more than 5,000 telephone calls of an identical or substantially similar nature within any 30–day period.</text> </level> <level label="8"> <text>“Text blast” means a transmission of text messages of an identical or substantially similar nature to 5,000 or more telephone numbers simultaneously.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Within 48 hours after a person makes aggregate disbursements of $5,000 or more in an election cycle for electioneering communications, the person shall file a registration form with the State Board.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>Within 48 hours after a day on which a person makes aggregate disbursements of $10,000 or more in an election cycle for electioneering communications, the person shall file an electioneering communication report with the State Board.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>A person who files an electioneering communication report under subsection (c) of this section shall file an additional electioneering communication report with the State Board within 48 hours after a day on which the person makes aggregate disbursements of $10,000 or more for electioneering communications following the closing date of the person’s previous electioneering communication report.</text> </level> <level label="e"> <text>An electioneering communication report shall include the following information:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the identity of the person making disbursements for electioneering communications and of the person exercising direction or control over the activities of the person making the disbursements for electioneering communications;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the business address of the person making the disbursements for electioneering communications;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>the amount and date of each disbursement for electioneering communications during the period covered by the report and the person to whom the disbursement was made;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>the candidate or ballot issue to which the electioneering communications relate; and</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>the identity of each person who made cumulative donations of $6,000 or more to the person making the disbursements for electioneering communications during the period covered by the report.</text> </level> </level> <level label="f"> <level label="1"> <text>For purposes of this section, a person shall be considered to have made a disbursement for an electioneering communication if the person has executed a contract to make a disbursement for an electioneering communication.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A person who makes a contribution to a campaign finance entity may not be considered to have made a disbursement for electioneering communications under this section because of the contribution.</text> </level> </level> <level label="g"> <text>The cost of creating and disseminating electioneering communications, including any design and production costs, shall be considered in determining the aggregate amount of disbursements for electioneering communications made by a person under this section.</text> </level> <level label="h"> <text>The treasurer or other individual designated by an entity required to file an electioneering communication report under this section:</text> <level label="1"> <text>shall sign each electioneering communication report; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>is responsible for filing electioneering communication reports in full and accurate detail.</text> </level> </level> <level label="i"> <level label="1"> <text>Within 48 hours after a person makes aggregate disbursements of $50,000 or more in an election cycle for electioneering communications, the person shall identify a registered agent located in the State for service of process.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A person making disbursements for electioneering communications shall identify a registered agent on a form prescribed by the State Board.</text> </level> </level> <level label="j"> <level label="1"> <text>A person who fails to provide on an electioneering communication report all of the information required by this section shall file an amended report as provided in § 13–327(b) of this subtitle.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <level label="i"> <text>Except as provided in subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph, in addition to any other sanction provided by law, the State Board may assess a civil penalty for failure to file properly an electioneering communication report or an amended electioneering communication report in an amount not exceeding the greater of:</text> <level label="1"> <text>$1,000 for each day or part of a day that an electioneering communication report or amended electioneering communication report is overdue; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>10% of the amount of the donations or disbursements for electioneering communications that were not reported in a timely manner.</text> </level> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>If the failure to file properly an electioneering communication report or an amended electioneering communication report occurs more than 28 days before the day of a primary or general election, the State Board may assess a civil penalty in an amount not exceeding the greater of:</text> <level label="1"> <text>$100 for each day or part of a day that an electioneering communication report or amended electioneering communication report is overdue; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>10% of the amount of the donations or disbursements for electioneering communications that were not reported in a timely manner.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>A penalty under paragraph (2) of this subsection shall be:</text> <level label="i"> <text>assessed in the manner specified in § 13–604.1 of this title;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>distributed to the Fair Campaign Financing Fund established under § 15–103 of this article; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>the joint and several liability of:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the person making disbursements for electioneering communications;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the treasurer or other individual who signs and files the reports required by this section for the person making disbursements for electioneering communications; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>the person exercising direction or control over the activities of the person making disbursements for electioneering communications.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="4"> <text>A person who fails to file properly an electioneering communication report or amended electioneering communication report under this section may seek relief from a penalty under paragraph (2) of this subsection for just cause as provided in § 13–337 of this subtitle.</text> </level> </level> <level label="k"> <text>If a treasurer of a person making disbursements for electioneering communications or a person exercising direction or control over the activities of a person making disbursements for electioneering communications has failed to pay any civil penalty or late fee under this title for which the individual is responsible, the individual may not:</text> <level label="1"> <text>serve as the responsible officer of a political committee;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>serve in any position of responsibility in any other entity subject to regulation under this title; or</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>assist in the formation of a political committee or any other entity subject to regulation under this title.</text> </level> </level> <level label="l"> <level label="1"> <text>An entity required to file an electioneering communication report under this section shall do at least one of the following, unless neither are applicable to the entity:</text> <level label="i"> <text>if the entity submits regular, periodic reports to its shareholders, members, or donors, include in each report in a clear and conspicuous manner, the information specified in subsection (e)(3) through (5) of this section for each disbursement for electioneering communications made during the period covered by the report that must be included in an electioneering communication report; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>if the entity maintains an Internet site, post on that Internet site a hyperlink from its homepage to the Internet site where the entity’s electioneering communication report information is publicly available.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <level label="i"> <text>An entity shall post the hyperlink required under paragraph (1)(ii) of this subsection within 24 hours of the entity’s electioneering communication report information being made publicly available on the Internet.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The hyperlink shall remain posted on the entity’s Internet site until the end of the election cycle during which the entity filed an electioneering communication report.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="m"> <level label="1"> <text>A person required to file an electioneering communication report under this section shall keep detailed and accurate records of:</text> <level label="i"> <text>all disbursements for electioneering communications made by the person; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>all donations received by the person.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Records required to be kept under this subsection shall be preserved until 2 years after the end of the election cycle in which the person filed the electioneering communication report to which the records relate.</text> </level> </level> <level label="n"> <text>The State Board may adopt regulations as necessary to implement the requirements of this section.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gel" article_name="Election Law" number="13-309" title_number="13" title_name="Campaign Finance" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="General Reporting Requirements"> <level label="a"> <text>Subject to other provisions of this subtitle and except as provided in subsection (d) of this section, a campaign finance entity shall file campaign finance reports as follows:</text> <level label="1"> <text>in the gubernatorial election year only, except for a ballot issue committee, on or before the third Tuesday in April, if the campaign finance entity did not file the annual campaign finance report specified under subsection (b)(2) of this section on the immediately preceding third Wednesday in January;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>except for a ballot issue committee, on or before the fifth Tuesday immediately preceding each primary election;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>except for a ballot issue committee, on or before the second Friday immediately preceding a primary election;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>on or before the last Tuesday in August immediately preceding a general election;</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>for a ballot issue committee only, on or before the fourth Friday immediately preceding a general election;</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>on or before the second Friday immediately preceding a general election; and</text> </level> <level label="7"> <text>on or before the second Tuesday after a general election.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>A campaign finance entity is subject to subsection (a) of this section and this subsection only as to the election in which the entity designates that it will participate.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>In addition to the campaign finance reports required under subsection (a) of this section, but subject to paragraph (4) of this subsection, a campaign finance entity shall file a campaign finance report on the fourth Wednesday in January.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <level label="i"> <text>If subsequent to the filing of its declaration under § 13–208(c)(3) of this title, a campaign finance entity participates in an election in which it was not designated to participate, the campaign finance entity shall file all campaign finance reports prescribed under subsection (a) of this section for that election.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>A violation of subparagraph (i) of this paragraph constitutes a failure to file by the campaign finance entity, and the responsible officer is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to the penalties prescribed under Part VII of this subtitle.</text> </level> </level> <level label="4"> <text>If a campaign finance entity has neither a cash balance nor an outstanding obligation at the end of a reporting period, a campaign finance report for that period, clearly marked as “final”, shall be filed on or before the due date, and no further report is required.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>In addition to the campaign finance reports required under subsection (a) of this section, a continuing political committee shall file a campaign finance report on the fourth Wednesday in January of each year the committee is in existence.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>An authorized candidate campaign committee of a candidate for election to the central committee of a political party:</text> <level label="1"> <text>shall file a campaign finance report on or before the third Tuesday after a gubernatorial primary election; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>except as provided in subsection (c) of this section and § 13–310 of this subtitle, is not required to file any other campaign finance reports.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <level label="1"> <text>This subsection applies to a ballot issue committee formed to support or oppose a prospective question under Article XI–A, Article XI–F, or Article XVI of the Maryland Constitution or under § 9–205 of the Local Government Article.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A petition sponsor’s ballot issue committee shall file a campaign finance report at the time the petition is filed under § 6–205 of this article.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>A ballot issue committee opposing a prospective question shall file a campaign finance report within 10 business days after the petition to place the question on the ballot is filed under § 6–205 of this article.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gel" article_name="Election Law" number="13-309.1" title_number="13" title_name="Campaign Finance" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="General Reporting Requirements"> <level label="a"> <text>In this section, “electioneering communication” has the meaning stated in § 13–307(a) of this subtitle.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>This section applies to a political action committee that exclusively makes:</text> <level label="1"> <text>independent expenditures; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>disbursements for electioneering communications.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>For purposes of this section, a political action committee shall be considered to have made an expenditure if the political action committee has executed a contract to make an expenditure.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>The disclosure reports required under this section are in addition to the campaign finance reports required under § 13–309 of this subtitle.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The political action committee shall include all of the information reported on a disclosure report on its regularly filed campaign finance reports.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <text>A political action committee shall file a disclosure report within 48 hours after a day on which the political action committee makes aggregate expenditures of $10,000 or more on campaign material during the reporting period covered by its next campaign finance report.</text> </level> <level label="f"> <text>A political action committee shall file an additional disclosure report within 48 hours after a day on which the political action committee makes aggregate expenditures of $10,000 or more on campaign material following the closing date of the immediately preceding disclosure report filed by the political action committee.</text> </level> <level label="g"> <text>A disclosure report shall include the information required by the State Board with respect to all contributions received and all expenditures made by or on behalf of the political action committee during the reporting period.</text> </level> <level label="h"> <text>In addition to any other sanction provided by law, the State Board may assess a penalty for failure to file properly a disclosure report or an amended disclosure report required under this section in an amount not exceeding the greater of:</text> <level label="1"> <text>$1,000 for each day or part of a day that a disclosure report or an amended campaign finance report is overdue; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>10% of the amount of the contributions or expenditures that were not reported in a timely manner.</text> </level> </level> <level label="i"> <text>A person who fails to file properly a disclosure report or an amended disclosure report under this section may seek relief from a penalty under subsection (h) of this section for just cause as provided in § 13–337 of this subtitle.</text> </level> <level label="j"> <text>A penalty under subsection (h) of this section shall be:</text> <level label="1"> <text>assessed in the manner specified in § 13–604.1 of this title; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>distributed to the Fair Campaign Financing Fund established under § 15–103 of this article.</text> </level> </level> <level label="k"> <text>If a responsible officer of a political action committee subject to this section has failed to pay any civil penalty or late fee under this title for which the individual is responsible, the individual may not:</text> <level label="1"> <text>serve as the responsible officer of any other political committee;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>serve in any position of responsibility in any other entity subject to regulation under this title; or</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>assist in the formation of a political committee or any other entity subject to regulation under this title.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gel" article_name="Election Law" number="13-309.2" title_number="13" title_name="Campaign Finance" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="General Reporting Requirements"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <level label="i"> <text>“Donation” means the gift or transfer, or promise of gift or transfer, of money or any other thing of value to a participating organization.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>“Donation” does not include any amount of money or other thing of value:</text> <level label="1"> <text>received by a participating organization in the ordinary course of any trade or business conducted by the participating organization, whether for profit or not for profit, or in the form of investments in the participating organization’s business; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <level label="A"> <text>that the donor and the participating organization expressly agree in writing may not be used for political disbursements; and</text> </level> </level> <level label="B"> <text>in the case of a monetary donation, is deposited in a separate bank account that is never used for political disbursements.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>“Participating organization” means any entity that:</text> <level label="i"> <text>is organized under § 501(c)(4) or (6) or § 527 of the Internal Revenue Code; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>makes political disbursements.</text> </level> </level> <level label="4"> <text>“Political disbursements” means:</text> <level label="i"> <text>a contribution to a political committee organized under the laws of the State;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>a disbursement to a person making an independent expenditure or a disbursement for electioneering communications in the State; or</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>a disbursement to an out–of–state political committee that makes a disbursement in the State.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>Within 48 hours after a participating organization makes aggregate political disbursements of more than $6,000 in an election cycle, the participating organization shall file a registration form with the State Board.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The registration form shall include:</text> <level label="i"> <text>a statement of whether the participating organization plans to file the reports required under subsection (c) of this section or provide a link on the homepage of its Web site as specified in subsection (d) of this section; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>the identity of the person exercising direction or control over the activities of the participating organization.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>Except as provided in subsection (d) of this section, within 48 hours after a participating organization makes aggregate political disbursements of $10,000 or more in an election cycle, the participating organization shall file a participating organization report with the State Board.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Except as provided in subsection (d) of this section, a participating organization shall file an additional participating organization report with the State Board within 48 hours after the participating organization makes aggregate political disbursements of $10,000 or more after the closing date of the participating organization’s previous participating organization report.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>A participating organization report shall include:</text> <level label="i"> <text>the amount and date of each political disbursement made by the person in the State or to influence a State election during the period covered by the report;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>the identity of each person that made cumulative donations of $10,000 or more to the participating organization during the period covered by the report; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>any other information required by the State Board concerning the political disbursements and donations of the participating organization.</text> </level> </level> <level label="4"> <text>A participating organization report shall cover:</text> <level label="i"> <text>for the first report filed by a participating organization, the period beginning 2 years before the date the report is filed; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>for any subsequent reports filed by a participating organization, the period after the closing date of the participating organization’s previous report.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>A participating organization is not required to file any participating organization reports if the participating organization provides a link on the homepage of its Web site to the information required under subsection (c)(3) of this section concerning the participating organization’s political disbursements and donations to the participating organization.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A participating organization shall continually update the information required under paragraph (1) of this subsection within 48 hours until the end of the election cycle.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <text>The treasurer or other individual designated by a participating organization to file a report required under this section:</text> <level label="1"> <text>shall sign each participating organization report; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>is responsible for filing participating organization reports in full and accurate detail.</text> </level> </level> <level label="f"> <level label="1"> <text>Within 48 hours after a participating organization makes aggregate political disbursements of $50,000 or more in an election cycle, the participating organization shall identify a registered agent located in the State for service of process.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A participating organization shall identify a registered agent on a form prescribed by the State Board.</text> </level> </level> <level label="g"> <level label="1"> <text>A participating organization that fails to provide on a participating organization report all of the information required by this section shall file an amended report as provided in § 13–327(b) of this subtitle.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>In addition to any other sanction provided by law, the State Board may assess a civil penalty for failure to file properly a participating organization report or an amended participating organization report in an amount not exceeding the greater of:</text> <level label="i"> <text>$1,000 for each day or part of a day that a participating organization report or an amended participating organization report is overdue; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>10% of the amount of the donations or political disbursements that were not reported in a timely manner.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>A civil penalty under paragraph (2) of this subsection shall be:</text> <level label="i"> <text>assessed in the manner specified in § 13–604.1 of this title;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>distributed to the Fair Campaign Financing Fund established under § 15–103 of this article; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>the joint and several liability of:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the participating organization;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the treasurer or other individual who signs and files the reports required by this section for the participating organization; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>the person exercising direction or control over the activities of the participating organization.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="4"> <text>A participating organization that fails to file properly a participating organization report or an amended participating organization report under this section may seek relief from a penalty under paragraph (2) of this subsection for just cause as provided in § 13–337 of this subtitle.</text> </level> </level> <level label="h"> <text>If a treasurer of a participating organization or a person exercising direction or control over the activities of a participating organization has failed to pay any civil penalty or late fee under this title for which the individual is responsible, the individual may not:</text> <level label="1"> <text>serve as the responsible officer of a political committee;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>serve in any position of responsibility in any other entity subject to regulation under this title; or</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>assist in the formation of a political committee or any other entity subject to regulation under this title.</text> </level> </level> <level label="i"> <level label="1"> <text>A participating organization subject to this section shall keep detailed and accurate records of:</text> <level label="i"> <text>all political disbursements made in the State or affecting a State election by the participating organization; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>all donations received by the participating organization.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Records required to be kept under this subsection shall be preserved for 2 years after the end of the election cycle in which the participating organization made political disbursements.</text> </level> </level> <level label="j"> <text>The State Board may adopt regulations as necessary to implement the requirements of this section.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gel" article_name="Election Law" number="13-310" title_number="13" title_name="Campaign Finance" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="General Reporting Requirements"> <level label="a"> <text>This section applies to the campaign finance entity of an individual if the individual is not a filed candidate or the incumbent in any office filled by an election under this article.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>A campaign finance entity shall terminate and file a final campaign finance report within 8 years after the later of:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the end of the individual’s most recent term of office; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the date of the election in which the individual last was a filed candidate.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>Not later than 6 months before a campaign finance entity is required to terminate under this section, the State Administrator shall notify the responsible officers of the campaign finance entity and the candidate affiliated with the campaign finance entity of the date by which the campaign finance entity is required to:</text> <level label="1"> <text>pay all outstanding obligations;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>dispose of all its remaining assets in accordance with § 13–247 of this title; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>terminate and file a final campaign finance report.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gel" article_name="Election Law" number="13-310.1" title_number="13" title_name="Campaign Finance" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="General Reporting Requirements"> <level label="a"> <text>Within 1 year after a candidate dies, the candidate’s authorized candidate campaign committee shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>pay all outstanding obligations;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>subject to subsection (b) of this section, dispose of any funds remaining after the payment of all outstanding obligations in accordance with § 13–247 of this title; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>terminate and file a final campaign finance report.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Before disposing of any funds under subsection (a)(2) of this section, the treasurer of the candidate’s authorized candidate campaign committee shall consider the preferences expressed by the candidate, if any, when determining where to dispose of any funds remaining in the account of a campaign finance entity.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gel" article_name="Election Law" number="13-311" title_number="13" title_name="Campaign Finance" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="General Reporting Requirements"> <text>Before a campaign finance entity files a final campaign finance report, the entity shall pay all outstanding obligations and dispose of all of its remaining assets in accordance with § 13-247 of this title.</text> </section> <section article="gel" article_name="Election Law" number="13-312" title_number="13" title_name="Campaign Finance" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="General Reporting Requirements"> <level label="a"> <text>Campaign finance reports filed under § 13–304 of this subtitle shall cover the following reporting periods:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the first campaign finance report shall cover the period from the date of organization of the campaign finance entity through the day specified in item (3) of this subsection;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>each subsequent campaign finance report shall cover the period from the closing date of the previous campaign finance report through the day specified in item (3) of this subsection;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <level label="i"> <text>except as provided in item (ii) of this item, each campaign finance report shall cover the period that includes the seventh day before the day the campaign finance report is due; but</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <level label="1"> <text>the campaign finance report that is required on or before the second Friday immediately preceding an election shall cover the period through and including the preceding Sunday; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the campaign finance report that is required on or before the fourth Wednesday in January shall cover the period through and including the 14th day before the campaign finance report is due; and</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="4"> <text>if no contribution is received and no expenditure is made during the period covered by a campaign finance report, the campaign finance entity shall file a campaign finance report or an affidavit under § 13–305 of this subtitle to that effect.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>A campaign finance report preceded by an affidavit filed in accordance with this subtitle shall cover the period from the closing date of the previous campaign finance report or date of organization of the campaign finance entity through the day specified in subsection (a)(3) of this section.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gel" article_name="Election Law" number="13-313" title_number="13" title_name="Campaign Finance" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="General Reporting Requirements"> <level label="a"> <text>The State Board may terminate a campaign finance entity if the State Board determines that good cause exists and that:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the campaign finance entity could be terminated under § 13–309(b)(4) of this subtitle except for the existence of one or more outstanding obligations and each of those obligations is more than 5 years old;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>no responsible officer currently is appointed and serving; or</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>other extenuating circumstances exist to justify terminating the campaign finance entity.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The termination of a campaign finance entity under this title does not limit the right of:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the State Board, or the State Prosecutor or the State’s Attorney, to pursue an enforcement action against the former responsible officers of, or any candidate formerly affiliated with, the campaign finance entity; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>a creditor to bring an action against the former responsible officers of, or any candidate affiliated with, the campaign finance entity.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gel" article_name="Election Law" number="13-316" title_number="13" title_name="Campaign Finance" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="General Reporting Requirements"> <text>A campaign finance report required by § 13-304 of this subtitle shall be filed with the State Board.</text> </section> <section article="gel" article_name="Election Law" number="13-320" title_number="13" title_name="Campaign Finance" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="General Reporting Requirements"> <text>The State Board shall prescribe the forms for the campaign finance reports and other documents required by this subtitle.</text> </section> <section article="gel" article_name="Election Law" number="13-321" title_number="13" title_name="Campaign Finance" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="General Reporting Requirements"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>In accordance with paragraph (2) of this subsection, the State Board shall notify each campaign finance entity that is required under this subtitle to file campaign finance reports of each campaign finance report required to be filed by that entity.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The notice shall be provided:</text> <level label="i"> <text>at least 10 but not more than 20 days before the filing date for each campaign finance report; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>by first–class mail, unless the responsible officers of a campaign finance entity affirmatively consent to receiving the notice only by electronic mail.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The notice required under subsection (a) of this section shall include:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the filing date;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the telephone number, business hours, and location of the State Board; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>the penalty for failure to file a timely campaign finance report.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gel" article_name="Election Law" number="13-322" title_number="13" title_name="Campaign Finance" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="General Reporting Requirements"> <text>A campaign finance report is timely if:</text> <level label="1"> <text>regardless of when it is received, the United States Postal Service has affixed a mark on the envelope or on a receipt verifying that the campaign finance report was mailed on or before the filing deadline; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>it is received by the State Board within 3 days after the filing deadline and a private postal meter postmark or a receipt by a private carrier verifies that the campaign finance report was mailed or delivered to the private carrier on or before the filing deadline.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gel" article_name="Election Law" number="13-323" title_number="13" title_name="Campaign Finance" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="General Reporting Requirements"> <text>A board shall provide a receipt for a campaign finance report that is hand-delivered.</text> </section> <section article="gel" article_name="Election Law" number="13-324" title_number="13" title_name="Campaign Finance" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="General Reporting Requirements"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, campaign finance reports required to be filed with the State Board shall be submitted using an electronic storage medium, and in a format, that the State Board approves.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The State Board may exempt a campaign finance entity with de minimis financial activity from the requirement to submit campaign finance reports using an electronic medium.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>On request the State Board shall supply to a person who is required to file campaign finance reports using an electronic medium the computer software and the disks or other media on which the required information is to be entered.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>Campaign finance reports received by the State Board in an electronic storage format shall be maintained in accordance with § 13-341 of this subtitle.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>The State Board shall make the campaign finance reports that are maintained in an electronic storage format under subsection (c) of this section widely and easily accessible to the public:</text> <level label="1"> <text>using any existing public or private systems for data dissemination;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>on terms that the State Board determines are consistent with the purposes and requirements of this article; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>by making any computer disk submitted by a person available for duplication.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <text>The State Board may refuse to accept or process a campaign finance report that is not submitted in accordance with the requirements of this section.</text> </level> <level label="f"> <text>The State Board shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>develop specifications for submitting campaign finance reports using an electronic medium; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>adopt regulations to implement this section.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gel" article_name="Election Law" number="13-327" title_number="13" title_name="Campaign Finance" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="General Reporting Requirements"> <level label="a"> <text>A campaign finance entity that fails to file a campaign finance report, an affidavit, or an amended campaign finance report required by this subtitle is subject to the sanctions provided in Part VII of this subtitle.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>If a campaign finance entity fails to provide on a campaign finance report required by § 13–304 of this subtitle all of the information required of the campaign finance entity by the State Board under this subtitle:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the State Board shall notify the responsible officers in writing of the particular deficiencies; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the responsible officers shall file an amended campaign finance report that includes all of the information required within 30 days after service of the notice.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gel" article_name="Election Law" number="13-328" title_number="13" title_name="Campaign Finance" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="General Reporting Requirements"> <level label="a"> <text>Within 10 days after the deadline for the filing of any campaign finance report that is required to be filed with the State Board, the State Board shall compile a list of the campaign finance entities that failed to file the campaign finance report and distribute the list, or a portion of the list, to such local boards as is required to implement this subtitle.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>For the purposes of subsection (a) of this section, the failure to provide on a campaign finance report all of the information required of the campaign finance entity by the State Board under this subtitle is deemed a failure to file.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gel" article_name="Election Law" number="13-331" title_number="13" title_name="Campaign Finance" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="General Reporting Requirements"> <level label="a"> <text>In accordance with subsection (b) of this section, the State Board shall assess late filing fees for a failure to file a campaign finance report, an affidavit, or an amended campaign finance report, as specified in § 13–327 of this subtitle.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>The State Board shall assess the fees in the following amounts for each day or part of a day that a campaign finance report, an affidavit, or an amended campaign finance report is overdue:</text> <level label="i"> <text>$20 for each of the first 7 days;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>$35 for each of the following 7 days; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>$50 for each day thereafter.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The maximum fee payable for a campaign finance report, an affidavit, or an amended campaign finance report is $1,000.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>The State Board shall accept an overdue campaign finance report, affidavit, or amended campaign finance report that is submitted without payment of the late filing fee, but the campaign finance report, affidavit, or amended campaign finance report is not considered filed until the fee has been paid.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>After an overdue campaign finance report, affidavit, or amended campaign finance report is received under paragraph (1) of this subsection no further late filing fee shall be incurred.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>Subject to paragraph (2) of this subsection, a late filing fee shall be paid by the campaign finance entity.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>If the campaign finance entity has insufficient funds with which to pay a late filing fee in a timely manner, the late filing fee is the joint and several liability of the responsible officers.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gel" article_name="Election Law" number="13-332" title_number="13" title_name="Campaign Finance" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="General Reporting Requirements"> <level label="a"> <text>An individual may not become a candidate for any public or party office in this State or become a treasurer for a campaign finance entity if, as to any campaign finance report due under § 13–304 of this subtitle from, or on behalf of, that individual during the preceding five calendar years:</text> <level label="1"> <text>there exists a failure to file as specified in § 13–327 of this subtitle; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the individual has failed to pay a late filing fee that is due.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>An individual may not become a candidate for any public or party office in this State or become a treasurer for a campaign finance entity if the individual has failed to pay any civil penalty due under § 13–604.1 of this title from, or on behalf of, the individual during the immediately preceding 5 calendar years.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gel" article_name="Election Law" number="13-332.1" title_number="13" title_name="Campaign Finance" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="General Reporting Requirements"> <level label="a"> <text>A candidate may not be issued a certificate of nomination under § 5–705 of this article if, on or before the deadline for declining the nomination specified under § 5–801(b) of this article, the candidate has failed to:</text> <level label="1"> <text>file a campaign finance report, an affidavit, or an amended campaign finance report that is due under this subtitle from, or on behalf of, that candidate;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>pay a late filing fee that is due under § 13–331 of this subtitle; or</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>pay a civil penalty that is due under § 13–604.1 of this title.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Not later than 20 days before the deadline for declining the nomination specified under § 5–801(b) of this article, the State Board shall send a written notice to each candidate who was successful in the primary election and has failed to file a campaign finance report or an affidavit or pay a late filing fee or civil penalty under § 13–604.1 of this title that the candidate will be deemed to have declined the nomination if the candidate does not rectify the failure on or before the deadline for declining the nomination specified under § 5–801(b) of this article.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>A vacancy in nomination that occurs as a result of subsection (a) of this section shall be filled in accordance with Title 5, Subtitle 10 of this article.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gel" article_name="Election Law" number="13-333" title_number="13" title_name="Campaign Finance" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="General Reporting Requirements"> <level label="a"> <text>An individual who, within the meaning of § 13–327 of this subtitle, has failed to file a campaign finance report that is due from, or on behalf of, that individual, or who has an unpaid civil penalty under § 13–604.1 of this title, may not, until the individual corrects the failure to file or pay the penalty:</text> <level label="1"> <text>be deemed to be elected to a public or party office in this State;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>take the oath or otherwise assume the duties of the office; or</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>receive any salary or compensation for the office.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>An official of the State or any of its political subdivisions may not issue a commission or administer an oath of office to an individual until that official receives certification from the State Board that:</text> <level label="1"> <text>all campaign finance reports due under § 13–304 of this subtitle from, or on behalf of, that individual have been filed; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the individual has no unpaid civil penalties under § 13–604.1 of this title.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gel" article_name="Election Law" number="13-334" title_number="13" title_name="Campaign Finance" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="General Reporting Requirements"> <level label="a"> <text>This section applies to each individual holding public office in this State who is subject to prosecution under § 13-335(b) of this subtitle.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The State Board shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>investigate each circumstance that causes an individual to become subject to this section;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>notify the individual; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>provide the individual an opportunity to be heard.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>If the State Board determines, after an opportunity for a hearing, that the individual has failed to file a campaign finance report within the meaning of § 13-327 of this subtitle, was provided notice under § 13-335 of this subtitle, and has not rectified the failure and paid any late filing fee due, the State Board shall direct the appropriate financial officer to withhold the salary of the individual as to that public office until:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the failure to file is rectified and any late filing fee is paid; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>any salary previously paid to the individual for the public office while the individual was in violation is restored to the State or local government involved.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gel" article_name="Election Law" number="13-335" title_number="13" title_name="Campaign Finance" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="General Reporting Requirements"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>If the State Board determines that there has been, for more than 30 days, a failure to file a campaign finance report within the meaning of § 13-327 of this subtitle, the State Board shall issue the notice prescribed in paragraph (2) of this subsection to the responsible officers of the campaign finance entity in violation.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The notice shall demand that, within 30 days after service of the notice, either:</text> <level label="i"> <text>the failure to file be rectified and any late filing fee due be paid; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>the responsible officers show cause why the State Board should not ask the appropriate prosecuting authority to prosecute the responsible officers for a violation of this subtitle.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>In its discretion, the appropriate prosecuting authority may refer the matter for action to the Central Collection Unit within the Department of Budget and Management.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>A responsible officer who fails, without cause, to file the campaign finance report and pay the late fee within 30 days after service of the notice prescribed in subsection (a)(2) of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to the penalties prescribed in § 13-603 of this title.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gel" article_name="Election Law" number="13-336" title_number="13" title_name="Campaign Finance" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="General Reporting Requirements"> <text>Subject to § 13–337 of this subtitle, the provisions of this part and Part VI of this subtitle and the provisions of this subtitle governing the filing of campaign finance reports are mandatory and not directory.</text> </section> <section article="gel" article_name="Election Law" number="13-337" title_number="13" title_name="Campaign Finance" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="General Reporting Requirements"> <level label="a"> <text>A sanction may not be imposed for failure to file a campaign finance report or to pay a late filing fee if a court of competent jurisdiction finds just cause for the failure.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>On request of a responsible officer subject to the assessment of a late filing fee and with the approval of the State Board, the State Administrator may waive the late filing fee for just cause.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The decision of the State Administrator on a waiver request shall be in writing and state the circumstances surrounding the late filing and the reasons for the decision.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The State Administrator may make a decision on a waiver request without notice or hearing.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gel" article_name="Election Law" number="13-340" title_number="13" title_name="Campaign Finance" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="General Reporting Requirements"> <text>Fees for late filing of campaign finance reports, affidavits, or amended campaign finance reports imposed under § 13–331 of this subtitle shall be distributed to the Fair Campaign Financing Fund established under § 15–103 of this article.</text> </section> <section article="gel" article_name="Election Law" number="13-341" title_number="13" title_name="Campaign Finance" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="General Reporting Requirements"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>Each board shall receive and preserve all campaign finance reports that are required to be filed with it under this article.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Subject to paragraph (3) of this subsection, the campaign finance reports received by a board shall be kept as part of its records for:</text> <level label="i"> <text>a period not to exceed 5 years after the campaign finance report is filed; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>a longer period if required by a court of competent jurisdiction or the State Board by regulation.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <level label="i"> <text>Notwithstanding paragraph (2) of this subsection, if the campaign finance report is that of a campaign finance entity of a candidate, the board shall keep the campaign finance report as a part of its records for at least 1 year after the expiration of the term of the public or party office for which the candidate sought nomination or election.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Subparagraph (i) of this paragraph applies whether or not:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the candidate is nominated, elected, or completes the term of office; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the campaign finance report relates to more than one candidate.</text> </level> </level> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Campaign finance reports shall be open for public inspection during the regular office hours of the board that retains them.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>Subject to subsection (a) of this section, a board shall transfer the campaign finance reports filed with it to the State Archives.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>Before transferring a campaign finance report to the State Archives, a board shall make a record of any overdue campaign finance report from the same campaign finance entity and submit a copy of the record to the State Archives and, if made by a local board, to the State Board.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The record shall include:</text> <level label="i"> <text>the name of the campaign finance entity;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>the name of the treasurer;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>an identification of the missing campaign finance report; and</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>if no later campaign finance report has been filed by the entity, the amount of any outstanding balance, and any outstanding obligations, shown on the last campaign finance report filed.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <text>A copy of a campaign finance report may be used as evidence in a court in accordance with § 10-204 of the Courts Article.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gel" article_name="Election Law" number="13-401" title_number="13" title_name="Campaign Finance" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="Campaign Materials"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>Except as otherwise provided in this section, each item of campaign material shall contain, set apart from any other message, an authority line that states:</text> <level label="i"> <text>as to campaign material published, distributed, or disseminated by a campaign finance entity:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the name and address of the treasurer of each campaign finance entity responsible for the campaign material; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>as to each treasurer named under item 1 of this item, the name of each campaign finance entity for which the treasurer is acting; and</text> </level> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>as to campaign material published, distributed, or disseminated by any other person, the name and address of the person responsible for the campaign material.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The authority line may omit an address that is on file with the State Board or a local board.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>If the campaign material is too small to include all the information specified in paragraph (1) of this subsection in a legible manner, the authority line need only contain the information required by regulations adopted by the State Board.</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>The authority line for campaign material that is a commercial advertisement need only contain the information specified in paragraphs (1) and (2) of this subsection for one campaign finance entity or other person responsible for the advertisement.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Campaign material that is published or distributed in support of or in opposition to a candidate, but is not authorized by the candidate, shall include the following statement:</text> <text>“This message has been authorized and paid for by (name of payor or any organization affiliated with the payor), (name and title of treasurer or president). This message has not been authorized or approved by any candidate.”</text> </level> </section> <section article="gel" article_name="Election Law" number="13-401.1" title_number="13" title_name="Campaign Finance" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="Campaign Materials"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>“Bot” means an automated online account where all or substantially all of the actions or posts of that account are not the result of a person.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>“Online” means appearing on any public–facing Internet website, web application, or digital application, including a social network or publication.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>This section applies to any candidate, campaign finance entity, person required to register under § 13–306, § 13–307, or § 13–309.2 of this title, or an agent of a candidate, campaign finance entity, or person required to register under § 13–306, § 13–307, or § 13–309.2 of this title.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>In addition to the requirements under §§ 13–401 and 13–403 of this subtitle, a person subject to this section that uses a bot to publish, distribute, or disseminate campaign material online to another person in the State for the purpose of influencing an election shall disclose in a clear and conspicuous manner on the campaign material that the person is using a bot to publish, distribute, or disseminate the campaign material.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>If a person subject to this section violates the requirement under paragraph (2) of this subsection, the State Board may seek to remove the bot.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>This section does not impose a duty on service providers of online platforms, including web hosting and Internet service providers.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gel" article_name="Election Law" number="13-402" title_number="13" title_name="Campaign Finance" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="Campaign Materials"> <level label="a"> <text>Subject to subsection (b) of this section, a person publishing a newspaper or periodical in the State may not charge a candidate for State or local public office a rate for political advertising that exceeds the local rate regularly charged for commercial advertising by the person publishing that newspaper or periodical.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>If a candidate uses an advertising or press agency to place a political advertisement, the person publishing the newspaper or periodical may charge the national rate regularly charged by that newspaper or periodical for commercial advertising.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gel" article_name="Election Law" number="13-403" title_number="13" title_name="Campaign Finance" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="Campaign Materials"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>Subject to paragraph (2) of this subsection, each campaign finance entity, each person required to register under § 13–306(b) of this title, and each person required to register under § 13–307(b) of this title that is responsible for, publisher of, and distributor of, an item of campaign material shall keep a sample copy of the item for at least 1 year after the general election next following the date when the item was published or distributed.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>For each item of campaign material disseminated through the Internet, the sample copy shall be:</text> <level label="i"> <text>a paper facsimile; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>a copy on an electronic medium that can be produced as a paper facsimile on request.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Subsection (a) of this section does not apply to a billboard or a sign.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gel" article_name="Election Law" number="13-404" title_number="13" title_name="Campaign Finance" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="Campaign Materials"> <level label="a"> <text>In this section, “electronic media” means any electronic medium, except television or radio, that may be used to transmit campaign material.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The State Board shall adopt regulations governing the application of §§ 13–401 and 13–403 of this subtitle to campaign material transmitted through electronic media.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The regulations adopted by the State Board under this section:</text> <level label="1"> <text>shall define what constitutes “publication” or “distribution” of campaign material through electronic media under § 1–101(k) of this article;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>shall require public disclosure of the identity of persons who are responsible for transmitting campaign material through electronic media; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>may modify the requirements of §§ 13–401 and 13–403 of this subtitle as they apply to electronic media to the extent necessary to accommodate a particular technology.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gel" article_name="Election Law" number="13-405" title_number="13" title_name="Campaign Finance" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="Campaign Materials"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>A person who directly or indirectly requests placement of a qualifying paid digital communication on an online platform shall expressly notify the online platform at the time the request for placement of a qualifying paid digital communication is made that the communication is a qualifying paid digital communication.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The notice required under paragraph (1) of this subsection:</text> <level label="i"> <text>shall be provided using the method prescribed by the online platform; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>may not be provided through the inclusion of the authority line required under § 13–401 of this subtitle on the qualifying paid digital communication.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>If an online platform does not provide a method for a requester of a qualifying paid digital communication to give notice as required by paragraph (2)(i) of this subsection, the requester shall:</text> <level label="i"> <text>notify the State Board that the online platform is not in compliance with paragraph (2)(i) of this subsection; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>provide the information required under subsection (b)(6) of this section to the State Board.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>An online platform shall make available for public inspection on the Internet in a machine–readable format the records described in paragraph (6) of this subsection regarding qualifying paid digital communications disseminated through the online platform for which the online platform has received notice in accordance with subsection (a) of this section.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>An online platform shall allow the public to search the records described in paragraph (6) of this subsection by purchaser.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Except as provided in paragraph (5) of this subsection, the records described in paragraph (6) of this subsection shall be available for public inspection on the Internet in a clearly identifiable location on the online platform’s website:</text> <level label="i"> <text>within 48 hours after a qualifying paid digital communication is purchased; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>for at least 1 year after the general election following the date when the online platform disseminated the qualifying paid digital communication to which the records relate.</text> </level> </level> <level label="4"> <text>For purposes of paragraph (3) of this subsection, a person shall be considered to have purchased a qualifying paid digital communication if the person has executed a contract to purchase a qualifying paid digital communication.</text> </level> <level label="5"> <level label="i"> <text>An online platform may apply to the State Board for a compliance waiver to allow the online platform to make the records described in paragraph (6) of this subsection available for public inspection on the Internet within up to 7 days after a qualifying paid digital communication is purchased.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The State Board shall require an applicant for a compliance waiver under subparagraph (i) of this paragraph to:</text> <level label="1"> <text>describe why complying with the requirements under paragraph (3) of this subsection presents an unreasonable burden on the applicant; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>present measures the applicant will take to meet the requirements under paragraph (3) of this subsection within 6 months after the date the compliance waiver is granted.</text> </level> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>The State Board may not grant:</text> <level label="1"> <text>more than one compliance waiver to an online platform; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>a compliance waiver to an online platform within 30 days before an election.</text> </level> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>A compliance waiver is not effective during the 30 days immediately preceding an election.</text> </level> <level label="v"> <text>If an online platform will apply for a compliance waiver under subparagraph (i) of this paragraph, the online platform shall apply for the compliance waiver before receiving payment for a qualifying paid digital communication.</text> </level> </level> <level label="6"> <text>For each qualifying paid digital communication a purchaser requests to disseminate through an online platform and for which the purchaser has provided notice in accordance with subsection (a) of this section, the online platform shall maintain the following records:</text> <level label="i"> <text>for each qualifying paid digital communication purchased by a political committee:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the name of the person and any contact information for the person required by the State Board, of the political committee;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the treasurer of the political committee; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>the total amount paid by the purchaser to the online platform for the placement of the qualifying paid digital communication;</text> </level> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>for each qualifying paid digital communication purchased by a person other than a political committee or an ad network:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the name of the person and any contact information for the person required by the State Board, of the person;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the identity of the individuals exercising direction or control over the activities of the person, including the chief executive officer or board of directors, if applicable; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>the total amount paid by the purchaser to the online platform for the placement of the qualifying paid digital communication; and</text> </level> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>for each qualifying paid digital communication purchased by an ad network:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the contact information for the ad network; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>a hyperlink to the ad network’s website where the contact information is located.</text> </level> </level> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>An online platform shall maintain and make available to the State Board on request the records described in paragraph (3) of this subsection regarding qualifying paid digital communications disseminated through the online platform for which the online platform has received notice in accordance with subsection (a) of this section.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The records described in paragraph (3) of this subsection shall be available on the request of the State Board:</text> <level label="i"> <text>within 48 hours after a qualifying paid digital communication is first disseminated on the online platform; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>for at least 1 year after the general election following the date when the online platform disseminated the qualifying paid digital communication to which the records relate.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>For each qualifying paid digital communication a purchaser requests to disseminate through an online platform and for which the purchaser has provided notice in accordance with subsection (a) of this section, the online platform shall maintain the following records:</text> <level label="i"> <text>the candidate or ballot issue to which the qualifying paid digital communication relates and whether the qualifying paid digital communication supports or opposes that candidate or ballot issue;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>the dates and times that the qualifying paid digital communication was first disseminated and last disseminated;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>a digital copy of the content of the qualifying paid digital communication;</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>an approximate description of the geographic locations where the qualifying paid digital communication was disseminated;</text> </level> <level label="v"> <text>an approximate description of the audience that received or was targeted to receive the qualifying paid digital communication; and</text> </level> <level label="vi"> <text>the total number of impressions generated by the qualifying paid digital communication.</text> </level> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Information obtained by the State Board under this subsection is not subject to inspection under the Public Information Act.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>A purchaser of a qualifying paid digital communication shall provide the online platform that disseminates the qualifying paid digital communication with the information necessary for the online platform to comply with subsections (b) and (c) of this section.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>An online platform may rely in good faith on the information provided by a purchaser of a qualifying paid digital communication to comply with subsections (b) and (c) of this section.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <text>An online platform shall make reasonable efforts to allow the State Board to:</text> <level label="1"> <text>obtain the information required under subsections (b) and (c) of this section;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>obtain the information that a purchaser of a qualifying paid digital communication provided to the online platform in accordance with subsection (d) of this section; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>otherwise request that a purchaser of a qualifying paid digital communication comply with this section or § 13–401 of this subtitle.</text> </level> </level> <level label="f"> <text>An online platform that disseminates qualifying paid digital communications shall make reasonable efforts, in accordance with the federal Stored Communications Act, to comply with any subpoena that is issued in connection with an investigation concerning the compliance of a purchaser of a qualifying paid digital communication with this section or § 13–401 of this subtitle.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gel" article_name="Election Law" number="13-405.1" title_number="13" title_name="Campaign Finance" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="Campaign Materials"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>The State Administrator may investigate a potential violation of § 13–401 or § 13–405 of this subtitle by a purchaser of a qualifying paid digital communication.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>In furtherance of an investigation under paragraph (1) of this subsection, the State Administrator may issue a subpoena for the attendance of a witness to testify or the production of records.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>A subpoena issued under this subsection shall be served in accordance with the Maryland Rules.</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>If a person fails to comply with a subpoena issued under this subsection, on petition of the State Administrator, a circuit court of competent jurisdiction may compel compliance with the subpoena.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>At the conclusion of an investigation under subsection (a)(1) of this section, subject to paragraph (2) of this subsection, the State Board may request that the Attorney General institute an action in a circuit court for injunctive relief in accordance with the Maryland Rules to:</text> <level label="i"> <text>require a purchaser of a qualifying paid digital communication to comply with § 13–401 or § 13–405 of this subtitle; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>require an online platform to remove a qualified paid digital communication that does not comply with § 13–401 of this subtitle or if the purchaser of the communication does not comply with § 13–405 of this subtitle.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Before requesting that the Attorney General seek an injunction under paragraph (1) of this subsection, the State Board shall:</text> <level label="i"> <text>notify a purchaser of a qualifying paid digital communication who is the subject of an investigation of the circumstances that gave rise to the investigation; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>provide the person reasonable opportunity to be heard at a public meeting of the State Board.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>A circuit court may grant injunctive relief under this subsection only if the Attorney General shows by clear and convincing evidence that a violation of § 13–401 or § 13–405 of this subtitle is being committed.</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>A person who violates an injunction issued under this subsection is subject to the penalties provided in § 13–605(b) of this title.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gel" article_name="Election Law" number="13-405.2" title_number="13" title_name="Campaign Finance" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="Campaign Materials"> <level label="a"> <text>In this section, “electioneering communication” has the meaning stated in § 13–307(a) of this title.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>A person may not purchase campaign material or an electioneering communication using any currency other than United States currency.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>A person may not willfully and knowingly sell campaign material or an electioneering communication to a person who uses any currency other than United States currency to pay for the campaign material or electioneering communication.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gel" article_name="Election Law" number="13-406" title_number="13" title_name="Campaign Finance" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="Campaign Materials"> <level label="a"> <text>In this Part II of this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>“Incumbent” means a member of the General Assembly.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>“Publication expense” means an expenditure relating to writing, publishing, printing, issuing, mailing, or distributing an unofficial legislative newsletter.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>“Unofficial legislative newsletter” means an unsolicited document used by an incumbent, without supervision by or coordination with the General Assembly, to disseminate information to a constituent, voter, or potential voter about:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the incumbent’s performance in legislative office; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>one or more issues of public interest chosen by the incumbent.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gel" article_name="Election Law" number="13-407" title_number="13" title_name="Campaign Finance" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="Campaign Materials"> <text>Part II of this subtitle does not restrict the use by the General Assembly of any funds appropriated in the State budget.</text> </section> <section article="gel" article_name="Election Law" number="13-408" title_number="13" title_name="Campaign Finance" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="Campaign Materials"> <level label="a"> <text>Publication expenses may not be paid from public funds.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Publication expenses:</text> <level label="1"> <text>may be paid by an authorized candidate campaign committee of the incumbent if the authorized candidate campaign committee complies with all other requirements of this title regarding expenditures and campaign material; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>may not be paid from the personal funds of any individual.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gel" article_name="Election Law" number="13-501" title_number="13" title_name="Campaign Finance" subtitle_number="5" subtitle_name="Local Provisions"> <text>As to contributions to the Prince George’s County Executive, a member of the Prince George’s County Council, or a candidate for either of those offices, Title 5, Subtitle 8, Part V of the General Provisions Article may apply.</text> </section> <section article="gel" article_name="Election Law" number="13-502" title_number="13" title_name="Campaign Finance" subtitle_number="5" subtitle_name="Local Provisions"> <text>As to contributions to the Montgomery County Executive, a member of the County Council of Montgomery County, or a candidate for either of those offices, Title 5, Subtitle 8, Part VI of the General Provisions Article may apply.</text> </section> <section article="gel" article_name="Election Law" number="13-503" title_number="13" title_name="Campaign Finance" subtitle_number="5" subtitle_name="Local Provisions"> <text>As to contributions to the Howard County Executive, a member of the County Council of Howard County, or a candidate for either of those offices, Title 5, Subtitle 8, Part VIII of the General Provisions Article may apply.</text> </section> <section article="gel" article_name="Election Law" number="13-504" title_number="13" title_name="Campaign Finance" subtitle_number="5" subtitle_name="Local Provisions"> <text>As to contributions to the County Executive of Frederick County or to a member of the Frederick County Council or a candidate for election as the County Executive of Frederick County or as a member of the Frederick County Council, Title 5, Subtitle 8, Part IX of the General Provisions Article may apply.</text> </section> <section article="gel" article_name="Election Law" number="13-504.1" title_number="13" title_name="Campaign Finance" subtitle_number="5" subtitle_name="Local Provisions"> <text>As to contributions to the County Executive of Anne Arundel County or to a member of the Anne Arundel County Council or a candidate for election as the County Executive of Anne Arundel County or as a member of the Anne Arundel County Council, Title 5, Subtitle 8, Part XI of the General Provisions Article may apply. </text> </section> <section article="gel" article_name="Election Law" number="13-505" title_number="13" title_name="Campaign Finance" subtitle_number="5" subtitle_name="Local Provisions"> <level label="a"> <text>In this section, “contested election committee” means a contested election committee established under Title 12, Subtitle 3 of this article.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>Subject to the provisions of this section, the governing body of a county may establish, by law, a system of public campaign financing for elective offices in the executive or legislative branches of county government.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A system of public financing established under paragraph (1) of this subsection may include public financing of a contested election committee.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>When establishing a system of public campaign financing for elective offices in the executive or legislative branches of county government, the governing body of a county shall:</text> <level label="i"> <text>specify the criteria that are to be used to determine whether an individual is eligible for public campaign financing; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>provide the funding and staff necessary for the operation, administration, and auditing of the system of public campaign financing.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>A system of public campaign financing enacted under subsection (b) of this section:</text> <level label="1"> <text>shall provide for participation of candidates in public campaign financing on a strictly voluntary basis;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>may not regulate candidates who choose not to participate in public campaign financing;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>shall prohibit the use of public campaign financing for any campaign except a campaign for county elective office;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>shall require a candidate who accepts public campaign financing to:</text> <level label="i"> <text>establish a campaign finance entity solely for the campaign for county elective office; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>use funds from that campaign finance entity only for the campaign for county elective office;</text> </level> </level> <level label="5"> <text>shall prohibit a candidate who accepts public campaign financing from transferring funds:</text> <level label="i"> <text>to the campaign finance entity established to finance the campaign for county elective office from any other campaign finance entity established for the candidate; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>from the campaign finance entity established to finance the campaign for county elective office to any other campaign finance entity;</text> </level> </level> <level label="6"> <text>shall provide for a public election fund for county elective offices that is administered by the chief financial officer of the county; and</text> </level> <level label="7"> <text>shall be subject to regulation and oversight by the State Board to ensure conformity with State law and policy to the extent practicable.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>A system of public campaign financing enacted under subsection (b) of this section may:</text> <level label="1"> <text>provide for more stringent regulation of campaign finance activity by candidates who choose to accept public campaign financing, including contributions, expenditures, reporting, and campaign material, than is provided for by State law;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>provide for administrative penalties for violations, in accordance with § 10–202 of the Local Government Article; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>allow a publicly financed candidate to transfer any amount of funds from the candidate’s campaign finance entity to the candidate’s contested election committee.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gel" article_name="Election Law" number="13-601" title_number="13" title_name="Campaign Finance" subtitle_number="6" subtitle_name="Prohibited Acts and Penalties"> <level label="a"> <text>A person may not willfully make a false, fraudulent, or misleading statement or entry in any campaign finance report or other filing that is under oath and is required by this article.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>A person may not make an electronic submission of a prescribed form, affidavit, campaign finance report, or other document on behalf of another person without that person’s express consent.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>A person who violates this section is guilty of perjury and on conviction subject to the penalty provided under the Criminal Law Article.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gel" article_name="Election Law" number="13-602" title_number="13" title_name="Campaign Finance" subtitle_number="6" subtitle_name="Prohibited Acts and Penalties"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>A person may not directly or indirectly give, offer, or promise money, aid, a gift, an advantage, a preferment, an emolument, or any other valuable thing to another person for the purpose of inducing or procuring that person to vote or refrain from voting for or against:</text> <level label="i"> <text>an individual, question, or measure at an election or political convention; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>the election of an officer by the General Assembly.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A person may not directly or indirectly receive, accept, request, or solicit money, aid, a gift, an advantage, a preferment, an emolument, or any other valuable thing from another person for the purpose of inducing or procuring a third person to vote or refrain from voting for or against an individual, question, or measure at an election or political convention.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>A person may not vote or refrain from voting for or against an individual, question, or measure at an election or a political convention, in consideration of money, aid, a gift, an advantage, a preferment, an emolument, or any other valuable thing paid, received, accepted, or promised to the advantage of that person or of another person.</text> </level> <level label="4"> <level label="i"> <text>A person, to defray the costs of a campaign finance entity, may not directly or indirectly pay, give, or promise money or any other valuable thing to any person other than a campaign finance entity.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Subparagraph (i) of this paragraph does not apply to:</text> <level label="1"> <text>dues regularly paid for membership in a political club if all of the money that is spent by that political club in connection with any campaign finance activity is paid through a treasurer as provided in this title;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>an individual volunteering the individual’s time or personal vehicle in accordance with § 13–232 of this title;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>an employer’s accumulation of employee contributions in accordance with § 13–242 of this title; or</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>advertising costs or other expenses incident to the expression of personal views in accordance with § 13–102 of this title.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="5"> <text>A person may not directly or indirectly pay or promise to pay a campaign finance entity in a name other than the person’s name.</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>A responsible officer of a campaign finance entity may not knowingly receive a payment or promise of payment and enter it or cause it to be entered in an account book in a name that the responsible officer knows is not the name of the person that made the payment or the promise to pay.</text> </level> <level label="7"> <text>An employer who pays employees in envelopes may not mark on or enclose in the envelopes a political motto, device, or argument that contains express or implied threats intended to influence the political opinions or actions of those employees.</text> </level> <level label="8"> <text>During the 90 days before an election, an employer may not exhibit in the employer’s workplace:</text> <level label="i"> <text>a threat, a notice, or information that, on the election or defeat of a particular ticket or candidate:</text> <level label="1"> <text>work will cease, wholly or partly;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the workplace will close; or</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>employees’ wages will be reduced; or</text> </level> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>any other threat, expressed or implied, intended to influence the political opinions or actions of the employer’s employees.</text> </level> </level> <level label="9"> <text>A person may not:</text> <level label="i"> <text>publish or distribute, or cause to be published or distributed, campaign material that violates § 13–401 of this title; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>publish, distribute, or disseminate, or cause to be published, distributed, or disseminated, campaign material that violates § 13–401.1 of this title.</text> </level> </level> <level label="10"> <text>A candidate may not make a payment, contribution, or expenditure, or incur a liability to pay, contribute, or expend, from the candidate’s personal funds any money or valuable thing in a manner not authorized by § 13–230 of this title.</text> </level> <level label="11"> <text>An individual may not sign the name of any other individual on any form or other document under this title, without the authority of the individual whose name is signed.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is:</text> <level label="1"> <text>subject to a fine not exceeding $1,000 or imprisonment not exceeding 1 year or both; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>ineligible to hold any public or party office for 4 years after the date of the offense.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>The State Prosecutor may prosecute, in any jurisdiction of the State, a person that the State Prosecutor believes to be guilty of a willful violation of this section.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A State’s Attorney may prosecute a person that the State’s Attorney believes to be guilty of a willful violation of this section in the county in which the State’s Attorney serves.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gel" article_name="Election Law" number="13-603" title_number="13" title_name="Campaign Finance" subtitle_number="6" subtitle_name="Prohibited Acts and Penalties"> <text>Except as otherwise expressly provided in this subtitle, a person who knowingly and willfully violates a provision of this title is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to a fine not exceeding $25,000 or imprisonment not exceeding 1 year or both.</text> </section> <section article="gel" article_name="Election Law" number="13-604" title_number="13" title_name="Campaign Finance" subtitle_number="6" subtitle_name="Prohibited Acts and Penalties"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>A person who violates a provision of this title without knowing that the act is illegal shall pay a civil penalty in accordance with subsections (b) through (g) of this section.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The penalty imposed under this section may not exceed $5,000.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>An infraction described in paragraph (1) of this subsection is a civil offense.</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>This section does not apply to a violation of another section in which a penalty is expressly provided.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>If the State Prosecutor or the State’s Attorney with jurisdiction determines that a person unintentionally, and without criminal intent, has violated a provision of this title, the State Prosecutor, the State’s Attorney, or both, shall issue to the person a civil citation that contains:</text> <level label="i"> <text>the name and address of the person cited;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>the nature, time, and place of the violation;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>the manner in which the violation occurred;</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>the maximum penalty for the violation;</text> </level> <level label="v"> <text>the manner and time in which to pay the penalty;</text> </level> <level label="vi"> <text>where to pay the penalty; and</text> </level> <level label="vii"> <text>a statement that the person receiving the citation has a right to a trial in the District Court.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The prosecuting authority who issues a citation under paragraph (1) of this subsection shall file it in the District Court.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The citation shall be served in accordance with the Maryland Rules.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>On receipt of the return of service, the District Court shall schedule the case for trial and notify the person named in the citation of the trial date.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The trial in the District Court shall be conducted in the same manner as set forth for municipal infractions under §§ 6–108, 6–109, and 6–111 through 6–115 of the Local Government Article.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The District Court shall distribute all late fees collected to the Fair Campaign Financing Fund established under § 15–103 of this article.</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>An adjudication of a violation under this subsection:</text> <level label="i"> <text>is not a criminal conviction; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>does not carry with it any of the civil disabilities that arise from a criminal conviction.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <text>A person who is adjudicated in violation as set forth in a citation issued under subsection (b) of this section is liable for the cost of the District Court proceedings.</text> </level> <level label="f"> <text>If a person who has been served with a citation fails to appear for trial, the court, at the request of the prosecutor, may dismiss the citation or enter a civil judgment against the person:</text> <level label="1"> <text>in favor of the State Board;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>in accordance with the Maryland Rules; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>in an amount not exceeding the maximum fine set forth in subsection (a) of this section and any late fees owed to the State Board.</text> </level> </level> <level label="g"> <text>A civil penalty imposed under this section shall be distributed to the Fair Campaign Financing Fund established under § 15–103 of this article.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gel" article_name="Election Law" number="13-604.1" future_version_removed="true" title_number="13" title_name="Campaign Finance" subtitle_number="6" subtitle_name="Prohibited Acts and Penalties"> <level label="a"> <text>In this section, “person” includes a political committee.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The State Board may impose a civil penalty in accordance with this section for the following violations:</text> <level label="1"> <text>making a disbursement in a manner not authorized in § 13–218(b)(2), (c), and (d) of this title;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>failure to maintain a campaign bank account as required in § 13–220(a) of this title;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>making a disbursement by a method not authorized in § 13–220(d) of this title;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>failure to maintain detailed and accurate account books and records as required in § 13–221 of this title;</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>fund–raising during the General Assembly session in a manner not authorized in § 13–235 of this title;</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>failure to report all contributions received and expenditures made as required in § 13–304(b) of this title;</text> </level> <level label="7"> <text>failure to include an authority line on campaign material as required in § 13–401 of this title;</text> </level> <level label="8"> <text>failure to retain a copy of campaign material as required in § 13–403 of this title;</text> </level> <level label="9"> <text>failure to include a disclosure on online campaign material as required in § 13–401.1(b) of this title;</text> </level> <level label="10"> <text>soliciting a recurring contribution or donation without the affirmative consent of the contributor or donor as required in § 13–244 of this title;</text> </level> <level label="11"> <text>making a monetary contribution or monetary donation using any currency other than United States currency or accepting a monetary contribution or monetary donation made using any currency other than United States currency in violation of § 13–238 of this title; and</text> </level> <level label="12"> <text>making a monetary expenditure using any currency other than United States currency in violation of § 13–250 of this title.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>A civil penalty imposed under this section for a violation specified in subsection (b) of this section is in addition to any other sanction provided by law.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>Except as otherwise provided in this title or as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, the amount of a civil penalty imposed under this section may not exceed $1,000 for each violation.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>As to a violation of § 13–235 of this title, the campaign finance entity that receives a contribution as a result of a violation shall:</text> <level label="i"> <text>refund the contribution to the contributor; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>pay a civil penalty that equals $1,000 plus the amount of the contribution, unless the State Board at its discretion assesses a lesser penalty for good cause.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <text>The civil penalty is payable to the State Board by the person charged in a citation within 20 calendar days after service of the citation.</text> </level> <level label="f"> <level label="1"> <text>Subject to paragraphs (2) and (3) of this subsection, a civil penalty imposed under this section shall be paid by the campaign finance entity.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>If the campaign finance entity has insufficient funds with which to pay the full amount of the civil penalty in a timely manner, after the campaign account of the finance entity is exhausted the balance of the civil penalty is the joint and several liability of the responsible officers.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>If a violation is committed by a person not acting on behalf of, or at the request or suggestion of, a candidate or a campaign finance entity, the civil penalty shall be paid by the person who committed the violation.</text> </level> </level> <level label="g"> <text>The State Board may issue a citation to any person the State Board believes is committing or has committed a violation specified in subsection (b) of this section.</text> </level> <level label="h"> <text>The citation shall be served on the defendant in accordance with the Maryland Rules.</text> </level> <level label="i"> <text>The citation shall contain:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the certification by the State Board attesting to the truth of the matter set forth in the citation;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the name and address of the person charged;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>the nature, time, and place of the violation;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>the manner in which the violation occurred;</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>the amount of the penalty assessed;</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>the manner, time, and location to pay the penalty;</text> </level> <level label="7"> <text>a statement that the person receiving the citation has a right to trial in the District Court; and</text> </level> <level label="8"> <text>the effect of failing to pay the assessed fine or of failing to demand a trial within the prescribed time.</text> </level> </level> <level label="j"> <level label="1"> <text>A person charged in a citation may elect to stand trial for the violation by notifying the State Board in writing of the person’s intent to stand trial.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The written notice shall be given at least 5 days before the date of payment as set forth in the citation.</text> </level> </level> <level label="k"> <level label="1"> <text>On receipt of the written notice of intent to stand trial, the State Board shall forward to the State Prosecutor a copy of the citation and the written notice.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The State Prosecutor shall forward to the District Court having venue a copy of the citation and the written notice.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>On receipt of the citation and the written notice:</text> <level label="i"> <text>the State Prosecutor shall assume responsibility for prosecuting the violation; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>the District Court shall schedule the case for trial, notify the defendant of the trial date, and summon the defendant to appear.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="l"> <level label="1"> <text>If a person charged in a citation fails to pay the penalty by the date of payment set forth in the citation and fails to deliver to the State Board the written notice of intent to stand trial, the person is liable for the assessed penalty.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The State Prosecutor, on behalf of the State Board, may double the penalty to an amount not to exceed $2,000 and request adjudication of the case through the District Court by filing a demand for judgment on affidavit.</text> </level> </level> <level label="m"> <text>The defendant’s failure to respond to the summons of the District Court shall result in the entry of judgment against the defendant in favor of the State Board in the amount set forth in the citation if a proper demand for judgment on affidavit has been made.</text> </level> <level label="n"> <text>If a person is found by the District Court to have committed a violation:</text> <level label="1"> <level label="i"> <text>the District Court shall order the person to pay the penalty set forth in the citation and may double the amount of the penalty to an amount not to exceed $2,000;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>the penalty imposed shall constitute a judgment in favor of the State Board; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>if the penalty remains unpaid for 30 days following the date of its entry, the judgment shall be enforceable in the same manner and to the same extent as other civil judgments for money unless the court has suspended or deferred payment of the penalty as provided in item (2) of this subsection;</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the District Court may suspend or defer the payment of any penalty under conditions that the court sets;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>the defendant shall be liable for the costs of the proceedings in the District Court; and</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>the District Court may order the person to abate the violation.</text> </level> </level> <level label="o"> <text>If a defendant fails to pay any penalty or cost imposed by the District Court without good cause, the District Court may punish the failure as contempt of court.</text> </level> <level label="p"> <text>Adjudication of a violation under this section:</text> <level label="1"> <text>is not a criminal conviction; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>does not impose any of the civil disabilities that arise from a criminal conviction.</text> </level> </level> <level label="q"> <text>In a District Court proceeding relating to a violation under this section:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the State Prosecutor has the burden to prove that the defendant has committed the violation by clear and convincing evidence;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the District Court shall apply the evidentiary standards as provided by law or rule for the trial of civil causes;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>the District Court shall ensure that the defendant has received a copy of the charges against the defendant and that the defendant understands those charges;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>the defendant may cross–examine all witnesses who appear against the defendant, produce evidence or witnesses in the defendant’s own behalf, or testify in the defendant’s own behalf;</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>the defendant shall be entitled to be represented by counsel of the defendant’s own selection and at the defendant’s own expense;</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>the defendant may enter a plea of guilty or not guilty of the violation as charged; and</text> </level> <level label="7"> <text>the verdict of the District Court shall be guilty of a violation or not guilty of a violation, or the District Court may, before rendering judgment, place the defendant on probation.</text> </level> </level> <level label="r"> <text>The State Board shall consider the following in determining the amount of a penalty under this section:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the severity of the violation for which the penalty is to be assessed;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the good faith of the violator; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>any history of prior violations.</text> </level> </level> <level label="s"> <text>Penalties collected under this section shall be distributed to the Fair Campaign Financing Fund established under § 15–103 of this article.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gel" article_name="Election Law" number="13-604.2" title_number="13" title_name="Campaign Finance" subtitle_number="6" subtitle_name="Prohibited Acts and Penalties"> <level label="a"> <text>A candidate for election to the central committee of a political party shall pay a civil penalty of $1,000 in accordance with subsections (b) through (f) of this section if the candidate:</text> <level label="1"> <text>is not exempt from § 13–202 of this title and fails to conduct campaign finance activity through a campaign finance entity; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>violates § 13–221(c) or § 13–305.1 of this title.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>If the State Prosecutor or the State’s Attorney with jurisdiction determines that a candidate is required to pay a civil penalty under subsection (a) of this section, the State Prosecutor, the State’s Attorney, or both shall issue to the candidate a civil citation that contains:</text> <level label="i"> <text>the name and address of the candidate cited;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>the nature, time, and place of the violation;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>the manner in which the violation occurred;</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>the penalty for the violation;</text> </level> <level label="v"> <text>the manner and time in which to pay the penalty;</text> </level> <level label="vi"> <text>where to pay the penalty; and</text> </level> <level label="vii"> <text>a statement that the candidate receiving the citation has a right to a trial in the District Court.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The prosecuting authority who issues a citation under paragraph (1) of this subsection shall file the citation in the District Court.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The citation shall be served in accordance with the Maryland Rules.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>On receipt of the return of service, the District Court shall schedule the case for trial and notify the candidate named in the citation of the trial date.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The trial in the District Court shall be conducted in the same manner as set forth for municipal infractions under §§ 6–108, 6–109, and 6–111 through 6–115 of the Local Government Article.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>An adjudication of a violation under this subsection:</text> <level label="i"> <text>is not a criminal conviction; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>does not carry with it any of the civil disabilities that arise from a criminal conviction.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <text>A candidate who is adjudicated in violation as set forth in a citation issued under subsection (b) of this section is liable for the cost of the District Court proceedings.</text> </level> <level label="f"> <text>If a candidate who has been served with a citation fails to appear for trial, the District Court, at the request of the prosecutor, may dismiss the citation or enter a civil judgment against the candidate:</text> <level label="1"> <text>in favor of the State Board;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>in accordance with the Maryland Rules; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>in an amount of $1,000.</text> </level> </level> <level label="g"> <text>Penalties collected under this section shall be distributed to the Fair Campaign Financing Fund established under § 15–103 of this article.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gel" article_name="Election Law" number="13-604.3" title_number="13" title_name="Campaign Finance" subtitle_number="6" subtitle_name="Prohibited Acts and Penalties"> <level label="a"> <text>The State Administrator or the State Administrator’s designee may investigate a potential violation of § 13–238 or § 13–250 of this title.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The State Administrator or the State Administrator’s designee shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>notify a person that is subject to an investigation under this section of the circumstances that gave rise to the investigation; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>provide the person ample opportunity to be heard at a public meeting of the State Board.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>In furtherance of an investigation under this section, the State Administrator or the State Administrator’s designee may issue a subpoena for the attendance of a witness to testify or the production of records.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A subpoena issued under this subsection shall be served in accordance with the Maryland Rules.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>In order for a subpoena to be issued under this subsection, the State Administrator shall make a finding that the subpoena is necessary to and in furtherance of an investigation being conducted under this section.</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Any filing submitted to a court with respect to a subpoena under this subsection shall be sealed on filing.</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>If a person fails to comply with a subpoena issued under this subsection, on petition of the State Administrator, a circuit court of competent jurisdiction may compel compliance with the subpoena.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>At the conclusion of the investigation and following the hearing under subsection (b)(2) of this section, the State Board shall issue a public report of its findings and may:</text> <level label="1"> <text>impose a civil penalty in the amount and manner specified in § 13–604.1 of this subtitle; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>refer the matter for further investigation by the State Prosecutor if the State Board has reasonable cause to believe that a person has willfully and knowingly violated § 13–238 or § 13–250 of this title.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gel" article_name="Election Law" number="13-605" title_number="13" title_name="Campaign Finance" subtitle_number="6" subtitle_name="Prohibited Acts and Penalties"> <level label="a"> <text>The Secretary of State may seek an immediate injunction against any violation of this title.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>A person who violates an injunction issued under this section:</text> <level label="1"> <text>is in criminal contempt; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to a fine not exceeding $250 or imprisonment not exceeding 30 days or both.</text> </level> </level> </section>