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<section article="ggp" article_name="General Provisions" number="5-704" title_number="5" title_name="Maryland Public Ethics Law" subtitle_number="7" subtitle_name="Lobbying">
  <level label="a">
    <level label="1">
      <text>At the times specified in subsection (d) of this section, each regulated lobbyist shall register with the Ethics Commission as provided in subsection (g) of this section.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>A regulated lobbyist shall register separately for each entity that has engaged the regulated lobbyist for lobbying purposes.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="b">
    <text>Each registration form shall include the following information, if applicable:</text>
    <level label="1">
      <text>the regulated lobbyist’s name and permanent address;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>the name and permanent address of any other regulated lobbyist that will be lobbying on the regulated lobbyist’s behalf;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="3">
      <text>the name, address, and nature of business of any entity that has engaged the regulated lobbyist for lobbying purposes, accompanied by a statement indicating whether, because of the filing and reporting of the regulated lobbyist, the compensating entity is exempt under § 5–702(c) of this subtitle; and</text>
    </level>
    <level label="4">
      <text>the identification, by formal designation if known, of the matters on which the regulated lobbyist expects to perform acts, or to engage another regulated lobbyist to perform acts, that require registration under this subtitle.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="c">
    <text>Each registration shall include the certification required by § 5–703 of this subtitle.</text>
  </level>
  <level label="d">
    <level label="1">
      <text>A regulated lobbyist who is not currently registered shall register within 5 days after first performing an act that requires registration under this subtitle.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>A regulated lobbyist shall file a new registration form on or before November 1 of each year if, on that date, the regulated lobbyist is engaged in lobbying.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="e">
    <level label="1">
      <text>Each registration form shall be accompanied by a fee of $100.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>The fee shall be credited to the Lobbyist Registration Fund established under § 5–210 of this title.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="f">
    <level label="1">
      <text>Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, each registration shall terminate on the earlier of:</text>
      <level label="i">
        <text>the October 31 following the filing of the registration; or</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>an earlier termination date specified in the certification filed with respect to that registration under § 5–703 of this subtitle.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>A regulated lobbyist may terminate the registration before the date specified in paragraph (1) of this subsection by:</text>
      <level label="i">
        <text>ceasing all activity that requires registration; and</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>after ceasing activity in accordance with item (i) of this paragraph:</text>
        <level label="1">
          <text>filing a notice of termination with the Ethics Commission; and</text>
        </level>
        <level label="2">
          <text>filing all reports required by this subtitle within 30 days after the filing of the notice of termination.</text>
        </level>
      </level>
    </level>
    <level label="3">
      <level label="i">
        <text>Subject to subparagraphs (ii) and (iii) of this paragraph, if a regulated lobbyist is or becomes subject to regulation under this title as an official or employee, the regulated lobbyist shall immediately terminate the registration in accordance with paragraph (2) of this subsection.</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>The Ethics Commission shall adopt regulations establishing criteria under which a regulated lobbyist may serve on a State board or commission.</text>
      </level>
      <level label="iii">
        <text>The regulations adopted under subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph shall:</text>
        <level label="1">
          <text>establish a classification of State boards or commissions on which regulated lobbyists may serve;</text>
        </level>
        <level label="2">
          <text>at a minimum authorize a regulated lobbyist to serve as an appointed member of an advisory governmental body of limited duration;</text>
        </level>
        <level label="3">
          <text>as to a regulated lobbyist who serves on a State board or commission, establish disclosure requirements that are substantially similar to disclosure requirements under § 5–514 of this title; and</text>
        </level>
        <level label="4">
          <text>require a regulated lobbyist who serves on a board or commission and is disqualified from participating in a specific matter because of a conflict of interest to file a statement of recusal with the board or commission describing the circumstances of the conflict which shall be recorded in the minutes of the meeting.</text>
        </level>
      </level>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="g">
    <level label="1">
      <text>An individual shall file a registration under this section electronically and without additional cost to the individual who files the registration.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>A registration filed electronically under paragraph (1) of this subsection shall include the oath and affirmation required under § 5–703 of this subtitle made by an electronic signature that:</text>
      <level label="i">
        <text>is a part of the registration form or attached to and made part of the registration form; and</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>is made expressly under the penalties for perjury.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
    <level label="3">
      <text>An oath or affirmation signed electronically under paragraph (2) of this subsection subjects the individual making the oath or affirmation to the penalties for perjury to the same extent as an oath or affirmation made by an individual in person before an individual authorized to administer oaths.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
</section>
