In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated. “Lobbying” means performing acts, of a nature comparable to acts requiring registration under Subtitle 7 of this title, before the local government involved. In Baltimore City, “local official” includes: city employees and officials of the Baltimore City Health Department; the Police Commissioner of Baltimore City and the civilian employees and police officers of the Police Department of Baltimore City; and members and employees of the Civilian Review Board. In Baltimore County, “local official” includes: board members and the chief executive of the Baltimore County Revenue Authority; and for the purpose of the financial disclosure provisions enacted by the governing body of Baltimore County, except for a member of the Baltimore County Board of Education, members of a board of a State agency that is wholly or partly funded by Baltimore County, regardless of whether a member is compensated. In Montgomery County, “local official” includes: members and employees of the Montgomery County Revenue Authority; commissioners and employees of the Montgomery County Housing Opportunities Commission; and county employees of the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services. In St. Mary’s County, “local official” includes commissioners and employees of the St. Mary’s County Metropolitan Commission.

In this part, “elected local official” includes: an individual who holds an elective office of a county or municipal corporation; and a candidate for elective office as a local official of a county or municipal corporation.

This part does not apply to an official or employee of the Judicial Branch of State government.

The express powers contained in Title 5, Subtitle 2 and Title 10 of the Local Government Article and in Article II of the Charter of the City of Baltimore are intended and shall be deemed to incorporate and include the power and authority contained in this part.

Subject to § 5–209 of this title, each county and each municipal corporation shall enact provisions to govern the public ethics of local officials relating to: conflicts of interest; financial disclosure; and lobbying. Each local ethics commission or appropriate entity shall meet at least one time each year. On or before October 1 of each year, each local ethics commission or appropriate entity shall: certify to the Ethics Commission that the county or municipal corporation is in compliance with the requirements of this part for elected local officials; and submit to the local governing body a report on the administration of the local public ethics laws by the local ethics commission or appropriate entity that includes: the number of meetings held during the past year; written copies of meeting agendas and minutes from each meeting held; a copy of the signed and dated attendance sheet from each meeting held; and any other documents or information determined by the local ethics commission or appropriate entity to show the work performed during the previous year.

Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, the conflict of interest provisions enacted by a county or municipal corporation under § 5–807 of this subtitle: shall be similar to the provisions of Subtitle 5 of this title; but in accordance with regulations adopted by the Ethics Commission and consistent with the intent of this title, may be modified to the extent necessary to make the provisions relevant to the prevention of conflicts of interest in that jurisdiction. The conflict of interest provisions for elected local officials enacted by a county or municipal corporation under § 5–807 of this subtitle: shall be equivalent to or exceed the requirements of Subtitle 5 of this title; but in accordance with regulations adopted by the Ethics Commission and consistent with the intent of this title, may be modified to the extent necessary to make the provisions relevant to the prevention of conflicts of interest in that jurisdiction.

In this section, “local official” includes an individual who is designated as a local official and whose position is funded wholly or partly by the State. Except as provided in paragraphs (2) and (3) of this subsection and subsection (c) of this section, the financial disclosure provisions enacted by a county or municipal corporation under § 5–807 of this subtitle: shall be similar to the provisions of Subtitle 6 of this title; but in accordance with regulations adopted by the Ethics Commission and consistent with the intent of this title, may be modified to the extent necessary to make the provisions relevant to the prevention of conflicts of interest in that jurisdiction. The financial disclosure provisions for elected local officials enacted by a county or municipal corporation under § 5–807 of this subtitle: shall be equivalent to or exceed the requirements of Subtitle 6 of this title; but in accordance with regulations adopted by the Ethics Commission and consistent with the intent of this title, may be modified to the extent necessary to make the provisions relevant to the prevention of conflicts of interest in that jurisdiction. The financial disclosure provisions for members of the Board of License Commissioners for Prince George’s County enacted by Prince George’s County under § 5–807 of this subtitle shall be equivalent to or exceed the requirements of Subtitle 6 of this title. This subtitle does not compel the governing body of a county or municipal corporation to require a local official to file a financial disclosure statement except when the personal interest of the local official will present a potential conflict with the public interest in connection with an anticipated public action of the local official. The governing body of a county or municipal corporation shall require a local official to file a financial disclosure statement at least annually to report on gifts received by the local official. The financial disclosure provisions shall require that a statement be filed: under paragraph (1) of this subsection sufficiently in advance of the action to provide adequate disclosure to the public; and by an elected local official under subsection (b)(2) of this section on or before April 30 of each year. Financial disclosure provisions applicable to a candidate shall be consistent with the provisions applicable to an incumbent holding the office involved.

The lobbying provisions enacted by a county or municipal corporation under § 5–807 of this subtitle: shall be substantially similar to the provisions of Subtitle 7 of this title; but shall be modified to the extent necessary to make the provisions relevant to that jurisdiction; and may be further modified to the extent considered necessary and appropriate by and for that jurisdiction.

This section applies only to Prince George’s County. The conflict of interest provisions required under § 5–807(a)(1) of this subtitle shall prohibit: the county government from issuing a credit card to an elected county official or a member of the county school board; and an elected county official from directly or indirectly soliciting a person to enter into a business relationship with or provide anything of monetary value to a specific individual or entity if the person being solicited is seeking: the success or defeat of county legislation; a county contract; or any other county benefit. A conflict of interest provision enacted in accordance with paragraph (1)(ii) of this subsection may not be construed to affect the validity of any legally enacted requirement or condition, proposed and adopted on the public record at a public hearing, the purpose of which is to mitigate the impact of a development on the property owners in the areas surrounding the development, including: an adequate public facilities requirement; a minority business requirement; or a community benefit requirement. The lobbying provisions required under § 5–807(a)(3) of this subtitle shall prohibit a person from being engaged for lobbying purposes for compensation that is dependent in any manner on the outcome of executive action or legislative action before the county government. The county’s ethics enactments shall provide for: a county board of ethics that meets at least two times each year and is composed of five members appointed by the county executive, with the advice and consent of the county council; and an executive director of the board of ethics who: shall meet individually with each elected county official at least annually to advise the official regarding the requirements of any applicable ethics law, rule, or standard of conduct; shall assist each elected county official in preparing any affidavit or other document required to be filed under the county’s ethics enactments; shall conduct ethics–related briefings for the benefit of elected officials of the county; and may provide information to any person regarding laws, rules, and other standards of ethical conduct applicable to elected county officials.

This section applies only in Calvert County. The county’s conflict of interest provisions required under § 5–807(a)(1) of this subtitle shall include a law or regulation that is equivalent to or exceeds the requirements of § 5–902 of this title. The county’s ethics provisions shall include a law or regulation that requires the Calvert County Ethics Commission to make public any recommendation it makes to expel a Commissioner.

If the Ethics Commission determines that a county or municipal corporation has not complied with and has not made good–faith efforts toward compliance with the requirements of this part, the Ethics Commission: may issue a public notice concerning the failure of compliance with this part, including a listing of specific areas of noncompliance; and may petition a circuit court with venue over the proceeding for appropriate relief to compel compliance. The circuit court may grant any available equitable relief.

This part governs the conflict of interest standards, financial disclosure requirements, and lobbying regulations of school systems.

On or before October 1 each year, each school board shall certify to the Ethics Commission that the school board is in compliance with the requirements of this part for: members of the school board; and if applicable, officials and employees of the local school system.

In accordance with this section, a school board: may adopt conflict of interest regulations applicable to officials and employees of the school system; and shall adopt conflict of interest regulations applicable to members of the school board. The conflict of interest regulations adopted by a school board under subsection (a)(1) of this section: shall be similar to the provisions of Subtitle 5 of this title; but in accordance with regulations adopted by the Ethics Commission and consistent with the intent of this title, may be modified to the extent necessary to make the regulations relevant to the prevention of conflicts of interest in that school system. The conflict of interest regulations adopted by a school board under subsection (a)(2) of this section: shall be equivalent to or exceed the requirements of Subtitle 5 of this title; but in accordance with regulations adopted by the Ethics Commission and consistent with the intent of this title, may be modified to the extent necessary to make the regulations relevant to the prevention of conflicts of interest in that school system. Unless a school board adopts and maintains conflict of interest regulations under subsection (a)(1) of this section, the provisions enacted by the county under § 5–808 of this subtitle shall apply to officials and employees of that school system.

In accordance with this section, a school board: may adopt financial disclosure regulations applicable to officials and employees of that school system; and shall adopt financial disclosure regulations applicable to members of the school board. The regulations adopted under paragraph (1)(i) of this subsection shall apply to: the superintendent of that school system; and those other officials and employees of that school system designated by the school board, subject to subparagraph (iii) of this paragraph. The regulations adopted under paragraph (1)(ii) of this subsection shall apply to: each member of the school board; and if the school board is an elected board under Title 3, Subtitle 1, Part III of the Education Article, each candidate for election to the school board. The regulations may not apply to a classroom teacher unless the teacher has additional duties, not normally expected of classroom teachers, that cause the teacher for other reasons to be covered by the financial disclosure regulations. Except as provided in subsection (c) of this section, the regulations adopted under subsection (a)(1)(i) of this section: shall be similar to the provisions of Subtitle 6 of this title; but in accordance with regulations adopted by the Ethics Commission and consistent with the intent of this title, may be modified to the extent necessary to make the regulations relevant to the prevention of conflicts of interest in that school system. The regulations adopted under subsection (a)(1)(ii) of this section: shall be equivalent to or exceed the requirements of Subtitle 6 of this title; but in accordance with regulations adopted by the Ethics Commission and consistent with the intent of this title, may be modified to the extent necessary to make the regulations relevant to the prevention of conflicts of interest in that school system. This section does not compel a school board to require an individual to file a financial disclosure statement except: when the personal interest of the individual will present a potential conflict with the public interest in connection with an anticipated public action of the individual; and at least annually to report on gifts received by the individual. The regulations adopted under subsection (a)(1)(i) of this section shall require that a statement filed under subparagraph (i)1 of this paragraph be filed sufficiently in advance of the public action to provide adequate disclosure to the public. The regulations adopted under subsection (a)(1)(ii) of this section shall require that a statement filed by a member of a school board be filed on or before April 30 of each year. Except as provided for a school board member under this part, unless a school board adopts and maintains financial disclosure regulations under this subtitle, the provisions enacted by the county under § 5–809 of this subtitle shall apply to: the superintendent of that school system; and the other officials and employees of the school system designated by the governing body of that county.

In accordance with this section, a school board may adopt regulations relating to lobbying of members of the school board and of officials and employees of the school system. The lobbying regulations adopted by a school board under subsection (a) of this section: shall be substantially similar to the provisions of Subtitle 7 of this title; but may be modified to the extent necessary to make the provisions relevant to that school system; and may be further modified to the extent considered necessary and appropriate by and for that school system. Unless a school board adopts and maintains lobbying regulations under this subtitle, the provisions enacted by the county under § 5–810 of this subtitle shall apply to that school system.

A school board shall submit regulations adopted under this part, and amendments to adopted regulations, to the Ethics Commission for review and approval or disapproval. If the Ethics Commission does not disapprove a regulation or an amendment to a regulation within 60 days after its submission, the regulation or amendment is deemed to have been approved and becomes effective. The Ethics Commission may disapprove a regulation or an amendment to a regulation only if the Ethics Commission finds that the regulation or amendment is not in substantial compliance with this part. If the Ethics Commission disapproves a regulation or an amendment, the Ethics Commission shall promptly notify the school board of the action. On request of a school board, the Ethics Commission shall advise and assist the school board in preparing regulations that comply with this part.

If the Ethics Commission determines that a school board, as required under § 5–816(a)(2) of this subtitle, has not complied with and has not made good–faith efforts toward compliance with the requirements of this Part III, the Ethics Commission: may issue a public notice concerning the failure of compliance with this part, including a listing of specific areas of noncompliance; may issue an order providing that officials and employees of the school board are subject to the local ethics laws in the county in which the school board is located; and may petition a circuit court with venue over the proceeding for appropriate relief to compel compliance. The circuit court may grant any available equitable relief.

In this part, “commissioner” means a commissioner of a bicounty commission.

Each bicounty commission shall adopt regulations relating to conflicts of interest of its employees. At a minimum, the conflict of interest standards applicable to public officials under Subtitle 5 of this title shall apply to the employees of each bicounty commission. Each bicounty commission shall file with the Ethics Commission a copy of its regulations relating to conflicts of interest. On or before April 30 each year, each bicounty commission shall: prepare an annual report on its conflict of interest issues and regulations during the previous calendar year; submit the report to the governing body of each county in which the bicounty commission operates; and publish the report on the website of the bicounty commission; and certify to the Ethics Commission that the bicounty commission is in compliance with the requirements of this section.

In this section, as to the Washington Suburban Transit Commission, “commissioner” includes the members appointed from Montgomery County or Prince George’s County and the members appointed by the Governor. Each commissioner and each applicant for appointment to a bicounty commission shall file the financial disclosure statement required by § 5–601(a) of this title, except that: references to “business with the State” are deemed to refer to “business with the State, the appropriate bicounty commission, Montgomery County, or Prince George’s County”; and references to “employed by the State” are deemed to refer to “employed by the State, the appropriate bicounty commission, Montgomery County, or Prince George’s County”. Except as otherwise provided in this section, the statement shall be filed as required in § 5–602 of this title. Each commissioner shall file a financial disclosure statement electronically with the Ethics Commission. Except as provided in paragraph (3) of this subsection, each commissioner shall also print a paper copy of the electronically filed financial disclosure statement and submit it to the chief administrative officer of the county from which the commissioner is appointed. In Montgomery County, each commissioner shall also: print a paper copy of the electronically filed financial disclosure statement and submit it to the county council; or electronically submit a copy of the financial disclosure to the county council.

An applicant for appointment as commissioner shall file the financial disclosure statement required by this part electronically with the Ethics Commission. Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, an applicant shall also print a paper copy of the electronically filed statement and submit it to: the chief administrative officer of the county from which the applicant seeks appointment; and in Prince George’s County, the Prince George’s County Office of Ethics and Accountability. In Montgomery County, each applicant to the Maryland–National Capital Park and Planning Commission shall also: print a paper copy of the electronically filed statement and submit it to the county council; or electronically submit a copy of the financial disclosure to the county council.

Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, the chief administrative officer of a county shall transmit each financial disclosure statement of a commissioner or appointed applicant to the executive director of the appropriate bicounty commission and, in Prince George’s County, the Prince George’s County Office of Ethics and Accountability. In Montgomery County, the county council shall transmit each financial disclosure statement of a commissioner or appointed applicant to the Maryland–National Capital Park and Planning Commission to the executive director of the commission. The financial disclosure statement shall be retained by the following individuals and entities for the entire term of office of the commissioner: the executive director; in Montgomery County, the chief administrative officer; and in Prince George’s County, the Prince George’s County Office of Ethics and Accountability. If an applicant provided a paper copy of a financial disclosure statement, the following individuals and entities, within 15 days after an appointment to a bicounty commission has become final, shall return to each applicant who is not appointed the original and all copies of the statement submitted by that applicant: the county council; in Montgomery County, the chief administrative officer; and in Prince George’s County, the Prince George’s County Office of Ethics and Accountability. On notification by the chief administrative officer for Montgomery County or the Prince George’s County Office of Ethics and Accountability that an applicant was not appointed, the Ethics Commission shall promptly delete the financial disclosure statement electronically filed by the applicant.

The Ethics Commission, the executive director of each bicounty commission, the chief administrative officer for Montgomery County, and the Prince George’s County Office of Ethics and Accountability: shall maintain financial disclosure statements of commissioners and appointed applicants received under this part; shall make the statements available to the public for examination and copying during normal office hours; and may charge a reasonable fee and adopt reasonable administrative procedures for the examination and copying of a statement. The Ethics Commission, the executive director of each bicounty commission, the chief administrative officer for Montgomery County, and the Prince George’s County Office of Ethics and Accountability shall require that any person examining or copying a statement shall record: the person’s name and home address; and the name of the individual whose statement was examined or copied.

If a mandatory injunction is issued against a commissioner under Subtitle 9 of this title, the appropriate bicounty commission shall suspend payment of any salary or other compensation to the commissioner until the commissioner complies fully with the injunction.

Each bicounty commission shall adopt regulations relating to financial disclosure by its employees. The regulations required by this section: shall be substantially similar to the State financial disclosure provisions of Subtitle 6 of this title; and may not conflict with the financial disclosure provisions for commissioners and applicants specified in §§ 5–824 through 5–828 of this subtitle. Each bicounty commission shall submit the regulations adopted under this section, and any amendments to the regulations, to: the Ethics Commission; and the governing body of each county in which the bicounty commission operates. On or before April 30 each year, each bicounty commission shall certify to the Ethics Commission that the bicounty commission is in compliance with the requirements of this section.

Each bicounty commission shall adopt regulations relating to lobbying of that bicounty commission. The regulations adopted by a bicounty commission: at a minimum, shall be similar to the provisions of Subtitle 7 of this title; but may be modified to the extent necessary to make the regulations relevant to the bicounty commission. Each bicounty commission shall submit to the Ethics Commission a copy of its regulations relating to lobbying. On or before April 30 each year, each bicounty commission shall: prepare an annual report on the lobbying before the bicounty commission and regulation of that lobbying by the bicounty commission for the previous calendar year; submit the report to the governing body of each county in which the bicounty commission operates; and publish the report on the website of the bicounty commission; and certify to the Ethics Commission that the bicounty commission is in compliance with the requirements of this section.

In this part the following words have the meanings indicated. “Agent” means an individual or a business entity hired or retained by an applicant for any purpose relating to the land that is the subject of an application if the individual or business entity is: an accountant; an attorney; an architect; an engineer; a land use consultant; an economic consultant; a real estate agent; a real estate broker; a traffic consultant; or a traffic engineer. “Agent” includes: as to a corporation described in paragraph (1) of this subsection, its officers, directors, and majority stockholders who are engaged in substantive activities pertaining specifically to land development in Prince George’s County as a regular part of their ongoing business activities; as to a partnership or limited partnership described in paragraph (1) of this subsection, its general partners and limited partners who are engaged in substantive activities pertaining specifically to land development in Prince George’s County as a regular part of their ongoing business activities; and as to a joint venture described in paragraph (1) of this subsection, the principal members of the joint venture who are engaged in substantive activities pertaining specifically to land development in Prince George’s County as a regular part of their ongoing business activities. “Applicant” means an individual or a business entity that is: a title owner or contract purchaser of land that is the subject of an application; a trustee that has an interest in land that is the subject of an application, excluding a trustee described in a mortgage or deed of trust; or a holder of at least a 5% interest in a business entity that has an interest in land that is the subject of an application but only if: the holder of at least a 5% interest has substantive involvement in directing the affairs of the business entity with an interest in the land that is the subject of an application with specific regard to the disposition of that land; or the holder of at least a 5% interest is engaged in substantive activities specifically pertaining to land development in Prince George’s County as a regular part of the business entity’s ongoing business activities. “Applicant” includes: any business entity in which a person described in paragraph (1) of this subsection holds at least a 5% interest; and the directors and officers of a corporation that actually holds title to the land, or is a contract purchaser of the land, that is the subject of an application. “Applicant” does not include: a financial institution that has loaned money or extended financing for the acquisition, development, or construction of improvements on any land that is the subject of an application; a municipal corporation or public corporation; a public authority; a public utility regulated by the Public Service Commission in any instance where the utility is engaged in or conducting regulated activities that have been approved by the Public Service Commission or are allowed under Division I of the Public Utilities Article; or the directors and officers of any entity that does not hold title to the land, or is not the contract purchaser of the land, that is the subject of an application. “Application” means: an application for: a zoning map amendment; a special exception; a departure from design standards; a revision to a special exception site plan; an expansion of a legal nonconforming use; a revision to a legal nonconforming use site plan; or a request for a variance from the zoning ordinance; an application to approve: a comprehensive design plan; a conceptual site plan; or a specific design plan; or participation in adopting and approving an area master plan or sectional map amendment by appearance at a public hearing, filing a statement in the official record, or other similar communication to a member of the County Council or the Planning Board, where the intent is to intensify the zoning category applicable to the land of the applicant. “Business entity” means: a corporation; a general partnership; a joint venture; a limited liability company; a limited partnership; or a sole proprietorship. “Candidate” means a candidate for election to the County Council who becomes a member. “Continuing political committee” means a committee specifically created to promote the candidacy of a member running for any elective office. “Contributor” means a person or business entity that makes a payment. “County Council” means the County Council of Prince George’s County. “County Executive” means the County Executive of Prince George’s County. “District Council” means the County Council of Prince George’s County sitting as the District Council for the Prince George’s County portion of the Maryland–Washington Regional District. “Member” includes any candidate or person duly elected or appointed who takes the oath of office as a member of the County Council for Prince George’s County and who thereby serves on the District Council. “Payment” means a payment or contribution of money or property or the incurring of a liability or promise of anything of value to a treasurer of a candidate, a candidate’s continuing political committee, or a slate to which the candidate belongs. “Pendency of the application” means the time between the acceptance of a filing of an application by the appropriate agency and expiration of the time under which an appeal on the application may be taken. “Pendency of the application” does not include a period during which: action on the application is under judicial review; or judicial review may be requested. “Political action committee” means a political committee that is not: a political party; a central committee; a slate; or a political committee organized and operated by, and solely on behalf of, an individual running for any elective office or a slate. “Slate” means a group, combination, or organization of candidates created under the Election Law Article. “Treasurer” has the meaning stated in § 1–101 of the Election Law Article. “Treasurer” includes a subtreasurer.

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the provisions of Division II of the Land Use Article affecting that part of the Maryland–Washington Regional District in Prince George’s County shall be carried out in accordance with this part.

An applicant or agent of the applicant may not make a payment to a member, or a slate that includes a member, during the pendency of the application. After an application has been filed, a member may not vote or participate in any way in the proceeding on the application if the member’s treasurer or continuing political committee, or a slate to which the member belongs or belonged during the 36–month period before the filing of the application, received a payment during the 36–month period before the filing of the application or during the pendency of the application from any of the applicants or the agents of the applicants. A member is not subject to the requirements of paragraph (1) of this subsection if: a transfer to the member’s treasurer, a continuing political committee, or a slate to which the member belongs or belonged during the 36–month period before the filing of the application was made by a political action committee to which an applicant or agent had made a payment; the applicant or agent made the payment to the political action committee without any intent to subvert the purposes of this subtitle; the applicant’s or agent’s payment to the political action committee, and the political action committee’s transfer, are disclosed in an affidavit; and the transfer is returned to the political action committee by the member, or the payment is returned to the applicant or agent by the political action committee. After an application is filed, the applicant shall file an affidavit under oath: stating to the best of the applicant’s information, knowledge, and belief that during the 36–month period before the filing of the application and during the pendency of the application, the applicant has not made any payment to a member’s treasurer, a member’s continuing political committee, or a slate to which the member belongs or belonged during the 36–month period before the filing of the application; or if any such payment was made, disclosing the name of the member to whose treasurer or continuing political committee, or slate to which the member belongs or belonged during the 36–month period before the filing of the application, the payment was made; stating to the best of the applicant’s information, knowledge, and belief that during the 36–month period before the filing of the application and during the pendency of the application, the applicant has not solicited any person or business entity to make a payment to a member’s treasurer, a member’s continuing political committee, or a slate to which the member belongs or belonged during the 36–month period before the filing of the application; or if any such solicited payment was made, disclosing the name of the member to whose treasurer or continuing political committee, or slate to which the member belongs or belonged during the 36–month period before the filing of the application, the payment was made; and stating to the best of the applicant’s information, knowledge, and belief that during the 36–month period before the filing of the application and during the pendency of the application, a member of the applicant’s household has not made a payment to a member’s treasurer, a member’s continuing political committee, or a slate to which the member belongs or belonged during the 36–month period before the filing of the application; or if any such payment was made, disclosing the name of the member to whose treasurer or continuing political committee, or slate to which the member belongs or belonged during the 36–month period before the filing of the application, the payment was made. The affidavit shall be filed at least 30 calendar days before consideration of the application by the District Council. A supplemental affidavit shall be filed whenever a payment is made after the original affidavit was filed. An applicant is not required to make any representations in the affidavit pertaining to the actions of anyone other than that applicant. Anyone with authority to act on behalf of and bind a business entity may execute an affidavit on behalf of the business entity. The only disclosures required under the affidavit are those involving individuals or business entities that would be subject to this subtitle. An agent shall file an affidavit in an application only if: the agent has acted on behalf of the applicant with regard to the specific application; and during the 36–month period before the filing of the application and during the pendency of the application, and after becoming an agent of the applicant: the agent has made a payment to a member, a member’s continuing political committee, or a slate to which the member belongs or belonged during the 36–month period before the filing of the application; or the agent has solicited any person to make a payment to a member’s treasurer, a member’s continuing political committee, or a slate to which the member belongs or belonged during the 36–month period before the filing of the application. Notwithstanding paragraph (1)(ii) of this subsection, an agent shall disclose in the affidavit a payment made before becoming an agent if the agent: made the payment by prearrangement or in coordination with one or more applicants; or acted as an agent as to any other application filed during the 36–month period. Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, a contributor, a member, or a political action committee is subject to this part if a payment is made by the contributor or a transfer is made by the political action committee to: the candidate; the candidate’s continuing political committee; or a slate to which the member belongs or belonged during the 36–month period before the filing of the application. This part does not apply to: any transfer to the continuing political committee of a member by the continuing political committee of another individual running for elective office; or a payment or transfer to the Prince George’s County or State Central Committee of a political party, even if the Central Committee supports a candidate. A person may not make a payment in violation of this part. An applicant or agent may not take any action, directly or indirectly, with the intent to circumvent the intent of this part.

An ex parte communication concerning a pending application between an applicant or applicant’s agent and a member or the County Executive shall be disclosed as required in this section. An applicant or agent who communicates ex parte during the pendency of the application with a member or with the County Executive shall file, for each ex parte communication, a separate disclosure with the clerk of the County Council within 5 working days after the communication was made or received, whichever is later. The County Executive or a member who communicates ex parte during the pendency of the application with an applicant or agent shall file, for each ex parte communication, a separate disclosure with the clerk of the County Council within 5 working days after the communication was made or received, whichever is later.

At any time before final action on an application, a party of record may file with the clerk of the County Council competent evidence of: a payment or contribution by an applicant or agent covered under § 5–835 of this subtitle; or an ex parte communication covered under § 5–836 of this subtitle.

In the enforcement of this part, the clerk of the County Council shall be subject to the direction and control of the Ethics Commission or its Executive Director and, unless otherwise specifically directed by the Ethics Commission or its Executive Director, may only: receive filings; maintain records; report violations; and perform other ministerial duties necessary to administer this part. Notwithstanding any other provision of this part, as to a corporation listed on a national stock exchange or regulated by the Securities and Exchange Commission, and any subsidiary of the corporation, the following requirements apply if the filing of an affidavit is otherwise required under this part: a director or an officer in the corporation or any of its subsidiaries, or a stockholder who has at least a 5% interest in the corporation or any of its subsidiaries, is required to file an affidavit only if the individual has made a payment to the treasurer of a candidate or continuing political committee, or if the individual has solicited anyone to make a payment to the treasurer of a candidate or continuing political committee; and the corporation or its subsidiary shall file a corporate affidavit stating: that the corporation has not made or solicited a payment to the treasurer of a candidate or continuing political committee; or if such a payment was made, the name of the member to whose treasurer or continuing political committee the payment was made; and that all directors, officers, and stockholders with at least a 5% interest have been notified of the disclosure requirements of item (1) of this subsection. The affidavits and disclosures required under this part shall be filed in the appropriate case file of an application. The clerk of the County Council, at least twice each year, shall prepare a summary report compiling all affidavits and disclosures that have been filed in the application case files. All summary reports compiled under paragraph (2) of this subsection shall be available to members of the public on written request. All affidavits, disclosures, and accompanying documentation required under this part shall be in the form required by the Ethics Commission.

The Ethics Commission or any other aggrieved person may: file a petition for injunctive or other relief in the Circuit Court for Prince George’s County to require compliance with this part; and assert as error any violation of this part in judicial review requested under § 22–407 of the Land Use Article. The Court shall issue an order voiding an official action taken by the County Council if: the action taken by the County Council was in violation of this part; and the legal action was brought within 30 days after the occurrence of the official action. The Court, after hearing and considering all the circumstances in the case and voiding an action of the County Council, shall reverse, or reverse and remand, the case to the District Council for reconsideration. A person who knowingly and willfully violates this part is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to a fine not exceeding $1,000 or imprisonment not exceeding 1 year or both. If the person is a business entity and not a natural person, each officer and partner of the business entity who knowingly authorized or participated in the violation is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to the same penalties as the business entity. A member is guilty of violating this part only if the member fails to abstain from voting or participating in a proceeding, based on information contained in an affidavit filed with the County Council by an applicant or agent, in violation of § 5–835(b) of this subtitle. An action taken in reliance on an opinion of the Ethics Commission may not be deemed a knowing and willful violation. A person who is subject to this part shall preserve all accounts, bills, receipts, books, papers, and other documents necessary to complete and substantiate any reports, statements, or records required to be made under this part for 3 years from the date of filing the application. The documents shall be available for inspection on request of the Ethics Commission after reasonable notice.

In this part the following words have the meanings indicated. “Applicant” means an individual or a business entity that is: a title owner or contract purchaser of land that is the subject of an application; a trustee who has an interest in land that is the subject of an application, excluding a trustee described in a mortgage or deed of trust; or a holder of at least a 5% interest in a business entity who has an interest in land that is the subject of an application. “Applicant” includes, if the applicant is a corporation, the directors and officers of the corporation that actually holds title to the land, or is a contract purchaser of the land, that is the subject of an application. “Applicant” does not include: a financial institution that has loaned money or extended financing for the acquisition, development, or construction or improvements on the land that is the subject of an application; a municipal corporation or public corporation; a public authority; a public service company acting within the scope of Division I of the Public Utilities Article; or a person who is hired or retained as an accountant, an attorney, an architect, an engineer, a land use consultant, an economic consultant, a real estate agent, a real estate broker, a traffic consultant, or a traffic engineer. “Application” means an application for a local map amendment, including a reclassification. “Business entity” means: a corporation; a general partnership; a joint venture; a limited liability company; a limited partnership; or a sole proprietorship. “Candidate” means an individual who wins an election to the Office of County Executive or County Council of Montgomery County. “Contribution” means: a payment or transfer of money or property of $500 or more, calculated cumulatively during a 4–year election cycle, to the treasurer of either a candidate or a political committee; or the incurring of any liability or promise of anything of value of $500 or more, calculated cumulatively during a 4–year election cycle, to the treasurer of either a candidate or a political committee. “Contribution” includes a payment or transfer to a slate with which a candidate is associated. Except as provided in subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph, the $500 cumulative threshold contribution is calculated separately as to each candidate or elected official. For purposes of this part, a cumulative contribution of $500 or more to a slate is fully attributed to each candidate on the slate. “Contributor” means an individual or business entity that makes a contribution. “Elected official” means an individual who holds the Office of County Executive or member of the County Council of Montgomery County. “Party of record” means an individual or a business entity that is granted standing to participate in a local map amendment proceeding by the County Council, sitting as the District Council, or its hearing examiner. “Party of record” does not include an attorney, a consultant, an employee, or any other agent of a party of record, including an authorized representative of a community association who is participating in a proceeding solely on behalf of the association. “Political action committee” means a political committee that is not: a political party; a central committee; a slate; or a political committee organized and operated by, and solely on behalf of, an individual running for an elective office or a slate. “Political committee” means any combination of two or more persons appointed by a candidate or any other person or formed in any other manner that assists or attempts to assist in any manner the promotion of the success or defeat of any candidate, candidates, political party, principle, or proposition submitted to a vote in any election. “Slate” means a political committee of two or more candidates who join together to conduct and pay for joint activities. “Slate” does not include a political party or a central committee. “Treasurer” has the meaning stated in § 1–101 of the Election Law Article. “Treasurer” includes a subtreasurer.

An applicant or party of record who makes a contribution during the 4–year election cycle before the filing of the application or during the pendency of the application shall disclose the contribution in accordance with this section. On filing an application, an applicant shall submit a disclosure statement that: names each candidate or elected official to whose treasurer or political committee the applicant made a contribution; and states the amount and the date of the contribution. If a contribution was not made, the disclosure statement shall so state. The disclosure statement shall be filed: on a form approved by the County Council, which shall contain: an affirmation clause to be signed by the applicant under the penalties of perjury that the contents of the disclosure statement are true to the best of the applicant’s knowledge, information, and belief; and a notice that noncompliance with this subtitle may result in a fine not exceeding $1,000; and with the Chief Hearing Examiner of the Office of Zoning and Administrative Hearings, unless the County Council determines otherwise. Within 2 weeks after entering a proceeding, a party of record that has made a contribution shall submit a disclosure statement as described under paragraph (2) of this subsection. A contribution made after the filing of the initial disclosure and before the final disposition of the application by the District Council shall be disclosed within 5 business days after the contribution. Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, a contributor is subject to this part if the contributor makes a contribution to a candidate, a slate, or a candidate’s political committee. This part does not apply to a transfer by a political action committee to a candidate or to the political committee of a candidate or an elected official. The Chief Hearing Examiner of the Office of Zoning and Administrative Hearings: is the official custodian of records filed under this part; and shall prepare a summary report at least twice each calendar year compiling all affidavits and disclosures that have been filed. A summary report and disclosure statement filed under this part shall be a matter of public record and available for inspection on written request.

A person who knowingly and willfully violates this part is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to a fine not exceeding $1,000. If the person is a business entity and not a natural person, each officer and partner of the business entity who knowingly authorized or participated in the violation is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to the same penalties as the business entity. This part shall be enforced by the State’s Attorney for Montgomery County.

The County Council has no legal duty to verify the accuracy of any disclosure statement filed under this part. Failure by any person, including the Chief Hearing Examiner of the Office of Zoning and Administrative Hearings, to comply with this part is not grounds for invalidation of any decision by the County Council, sitting as the District Council, for which a disclosure statement is required.

In this part the following words have the meanings indicated. “Candidate” has the meaning stated in § 1–101 of the Election Law Article, but only as it applies to a candidate seeking election as a local official. “Contribution” has the meaning stated in § 1–101 of the Election Law Article. “Lobbyist” means a person required to register under § 2–295 of the Prince George’s County Code or § 19A–21 of the Montgomery County Code. “Local official” means: a member of the County Council of Prince George’s County or the County Executive of Prince George’s County; or a member of the County Council of Montgomery County or the County Executive of Montgomery County. “Political committee” has the meanings stated in § 1–101 of the Election Law Article.

Beginning with the effective date of a lobbying registration and extending through the ending date of the registration period, a lobbyist who lobbies a local official, or a person acting on behalf of the lobbyist, may not: solicit or transmit directly or indirectly a contribution from any person, including a political committee, for the benefit of a local official or candidate; serve on a fund–raising committee of, or a political committee for the benefit of, a local official or candidate; or act as a treasurer or chair of a political committee for the benefit of a local official or candidate. This part may not be construed to prohibit a lobbyist from: making a personal contribution within the limitations established under the Election Law Article; or informing the lobbyist’s employer or others of the positions taken by a particular candidate. A person who knowingly and willfully violates this part is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to a fine not exceeding $1,000 or imprisonment not exceeding 1 year or both. If the person is a business entity and not a natural person, each officer and partner of the business entity who knowingly authorized or participated in the violation is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to the same penalties as the business entity.

In this part the following words have the meanings indicated. “Applicant” means an individual or a business entity that is, with regard to the land that is the subject of an application: a title owner, an assignee, or a contract purchaser of the land; a trustee that has an interest in the land, excluding a trustee described in a mortgage or deed of trust; or a holder of at least a 5% interest in a business entity that has an interest in the land if: the interest holder is involved significantly in directing the affairs of the business entity, including the disposition of the land; or the interest holder is engaged in substantive actions specifically pertaining to land development in Howard County as a regular part of the activity of the business entity. “Applicant” includes: any other business entity in which an individual or business entity described in paragraph (1) of this subsection holds at least a 3% interest; an officer or a director of a corporation who actually holds title to, or is the contract purchaser or assignee of, the land that is the subject of an application if: the corporation is listed on a national securities exchange and the officer or director owns at least 5% of its stock; or in the case of any other corporation, the officer or director owns any interest in the corporation; or as to an application for a zoning regulation, any person authorized to sign the application. “Applicant” does not include: a financial institution that has loaned money or extended financing for the acquisition, development, or construction of improvements on the land that is the subject of an application; a municipal corporation or public corporation; a public authority; a public service company acting within the scope of Division I of the Public Utilities Article; or a person who is: less than a full–time employee of a person described in paragraph (1) or (2) of this subsection; and hired or retained as an accountant, an attorney, an architect, an engineer, a land use consultant, an economic consultant, a real estate agent, a real estate broker, a traffic consultant, or a traffic engineer. “Application” means: an application for a zoning map amendment; an application for a zoning regulation amendment; or participation in the adoption and approval of a comprehensive zoning plan by appearing at a public hearing, filing a statement in an official record, or engaging in other similar communication with an elected official, where the intent is to change the classification or increase the density of the land of the applicant. “Business entity” means: a corporation; a general partnership; a joint venture; a limited liability company; a limited partnership; or a sole proprietorship. “Candidate” means a candidate for election as Howard County Executive, or to the Howard County Council, who becomes an elected official. “Contribution” means any payment or transfer of money or property or the incurring of any liability or promise of anything of value to the treasurer of a candidate, a political committee, or a slate. “Contributor” means an individual or business entity that makes a contribution. “Elected official” means an individual who serves as Howard County Executive or as a member of the Howard County Council. “Engaging in business” means entering into: a sale, a purchase, a lease, or other transaction involving goods, services, or real property; or a contract, an award, a loan, an extension of credit, or any other financial transaction. “Engaging in business” does not include the sale of goods to an individual for the use or consumption of the individual or others for personal, family, or household purposes, as distinguished from industrial, commercial, or agricultural purposes. “Family member” means the spouse or child of either an applicant or a party of record who has made a contribution with the knowledge and consent of the applicant or party of record. “Party of record” means an individual or business entity that participates in a map amendment proceeding by the County Council or the zoning board, or who participates in the adoption and approval of a comprehensive zoning plan by appearing at a public hearing, filing a statement in an official record, or engaging in other similar communication with an elected official where the intent is to oppose a change in classification or an increase in density of the land of an applicant. “Political action committee” means a political committee that is not: a political party; a central committee; a slate; or a political committee organized and operated by, and solely on behalf of, an individual running for any elective office or a slate. “Political committee” means a committee, whether continuing or noncontinuing, specifically created to promote the candidacy of a person running for elective office. “Slate” means a group, combination, or organization of candidates created under the Election Law Article. “Treasurer” has the meaning stated in § 1–101 of the Election Law Article. “Treasurer” includes a subtreasurer.

When an application is filed, the applicant shall file an affidavit, under oath, stating whether the applicant: has made any contribution or contributions having a cumulative value of at least $500 to the treasurer of a candidate or the treasurer of a political committee during the 48–month period before the application is filed, to the best of the applicant’s information, knowledge, and belief; or currently is engaging in business with an elected official. Except as provided in subsubparagraph 2 of this subparagraph, if the applicant or a party of record or a family member has made a contribution or contributions having a cumulative value of at least $500 during the 48–month period before the application was filed or during the pendency of the application, the applicant or the party of record shall file a disclosure providing the name of the candidate or elected official to whose treasurer or political committee the contribution was made, the amount, and the date of the contribution. If the party of record is a community association, the association is not required to poll its members to disclose individual contributions. A contribution made between the filing of the application and the disposition of the application shall be disclosed within 5 business days after the contribution. An applicant who begins engaging in business with an elected official between the filing of the application and the disposition of the application shall file the affidavit at the time of engaging in business with the elected official. Except as provided in subsection (a)(3) of this section, the affidavit or disclosure shall be filed at least 30 calendar days before any consideration of the application by an elected official. Within 2 weeks after entering a proceeding, a party of record that has made a contribution shall submit a disclosure as described in subsection (a)(2) of this section. Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, a contributor and an elected official are subject to this part if the contributor makes a contribution to: the candidate; a slate; or the candidate’s political committee. This part does not apply to a transfer by a political action committee to a candidate or the candidate’s continuing political committee. An affidavit or a disclosure required under this part shall be in a form established by the Howard County Solicitor and approved by the County Council. The completed form shall be filed in the appropriate case file of an application. The disclosure form shall repeat the penalty provision in § 5–854(a) of this subtitle. A contribution made after the filing of the initial disclosure and before final disposition of the application by the County Council shall be disclosed within 5 business days after the contribution. In the enforcement of this part, the administrative assistant to the zoning board or the administrator of the County Council, as appropriate, considering an application shall be subject to the authority of the Howard County Ethics Commission and, unless otherwise directed by the Ethics Commission, shall: receive filings of affidavits and disclosures; maintain filed affidavits and disclosures as public records available for review by the general public during normal business hours; report violations to the Howard County Ethics Commission; and perform ministerial duties necessary to administer this part. Promptly on receipt, the administrative assistant to the zoning board and the administrator of the County Council shall prepare a summary report compiling all affidavits and disclosures filed under this part. The summary report shall be a public record and available for immediate inspection on written request.

A person who knowingly and willfully violates this part is subject to a fine not exceeding $5,000. If the person is not an individual, each officer and partner who knowingly authorized or participated in the violation is subject to the penalty specified in paragraph (1) of this subsection. A person who is subject to this part shall preserve all accounts, bills, receipts, books, papers, and other documents necessary to complete and substantiate any reports, statements, or records required to be made under this part for 3 years from the date of filing the application. The documents shall be available for inspection on request to the Howard County Ethics Commission, after reasonable notice.

In this part the following words have the meanings indicated. “Agent” means a person that is: hired or retained by a business entity that is an applicant with an application before the governing body to provide services, for compensation, relating to the application; and an attorney; an architect or a landscape architect; a traffic consultant; an engineer; or a traffic engineer. “Aggrieved party” means: a property owner whose property: adjoins, fronts, or is located near the subject property; or is located within sight or sound of the subject property; or an individual located within the same subdivision as the subject property or who lives up to three–quarters of a mile by road or otherwise one–half mile away from the subject property. “Applicant” means a person that is: a title owner or contract purchaser of land that is the subject of an application; a trustee who has an interest in land that is the subject of an application, excluding trustees described in a mortgage or deed of trust; or a holder of at least a 10% interest in land that is the subject of an application. “Applicant” includes a person who is an officer or a director of a corporation that actually holds title to the land, or is a contract purchaser of the land, that is the subject of an application. “Applicant” does not include: a financial institution that has loaned money or extended financing for the acquisition, development, or construction of or improvements on the land that is the subject of an application; a municipal corporation or public corporation; a public authority; an electric company or electric supplier applying for a certificate of public convenience and necessity under § 7–207 or § 7–208 of the Public Utilities Article; or a person who is hired or retained as an accountant, an attorney, an architect, an engineer, a land use consultant, an economic consultant, a real estate agent, a real estate broker, a traffic consultant, or a traffic engineer. “Application” means: an application for a zoning map amendment as part of a piecemeal or floating zone rezoning proceeding; a formal application for a comprehensive map planning change or zoning change during the county comprehensive land use plan update; an application for a map amendment to the county water and sewerage plan; a request made under § 4–416 of the Local Government Article for the governing body to approve the placement of annexed land in a zoning classification that allows a land use that is substantially different from the use for the land authorized in the zoning classification of the county applicable at the time of annexation; or an application to create a district or an easement or any other interest in real property as part of an agricultural land preservation program. “Business entity” means: a corporation; a limited liability company; a partnership; or a sole proprietorship. “Candidate” means a candidate for County Executive or County Council who becomes an elected official. “Contribution” means a payment or transfer of money or property worth at least $100, calculated cumulatively during the pendency of the application, to a candidate or a treasurer or political committee of a candidate. “Governing body” means the governing body of Frederick County. “Partnership” includes: a general partnership; a joint venture; a limited liability limited partnership; a limited liability partnership; or a limited partnership. “Party of record” means a person that participated in a proceeding on an application before the governing body by appearing at a public hearing or filing a statement in an official record. “Pendency of the application” means the time between the acceptance by the County Department of Planning and Zoning of a filing of an application and the earlier of: 2 years after the acceptance of the application; or the expiration of 30 days after: the governing body has taken final action on the application; or the application is withdrawn. “Political committee” means a committee specifically created to promote the candidacy of a member of the governing body who is running for an elective office. “Treasurer” has the meaning stated in § 1–101 of the Election Law Article.

An applicant or agent may not make a contribution to a member of the governing body during the pendency of the application. Except as provided in subsection (c) of this section, after an application has been filed, a member of the governing body may not vote or participate in any way in the proceedings on the application if the member or the treasurer or political committee of the member received a contribution from the applicant or agent during the pendency of the application. A member of the governing body may participate in a comprehensive zoning or rezoning proceeding.

This section does not apply to a communication between a member of the governing body and an employee of the Frederick County government whose duties involve giving aid or advice to a member of the governing body concerning a pending application. A member of the governing body who communicates ex parte with an individual concerning a pending application during the pendency of the application shall file with the Chief Administrative Officer a separate disclosure for each communication within the later of 7 days after the communication was made or received.

At any time before final action on an application, a party of record may file with the Chief Administrative Officer an affidavit including competent evidence of: a contribution by an applicant or agent covered under § 5–858 of this subtitle; or an ex parte communication covered under § 5–859 of this subtitle.

In the enforcement of this part, the Chief Administrative Officer shall be subject to the direction and control of the Frederick County Ethics Commission and, unless otherwise specifically directed by the County Ethics Commission, may only: receive filings; maintain records; report violations; and perform other ministerial duties necessary to administer this part. The affidavits and disclosures required under this part shall be filed in the appropriate case file of an application. The Chief Administrative Officer, at least twice each year, shall prepare a summary report compiling all affidavits and disclosures that have been filed in the application case files. All summary reports compiled under paragraph (2) of this subsection shall be available to members of the public on written request. All affidavits, disclosures, and accompanying documentation required under this part shall be in the form required by the Frederick County Ethics Commission.

The Frederick County Ethics Commission or another aggrieved party of record may assert as procedural error a violation of this part in an action for judicial review of the application. If the court finds that a violation of this part occurred, the court shall remand the case to the governing body for reconsideration. A person that knowingly and willfully violates this part is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 6 months or a fine not exceeding $1,000 or both. If the person is a business entity or agent and not an individual, each member, officer, or partner of the business entity or agent who knowingly authorized or participated in the violation is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 6 months or a fine not exceeding $1,000 or both. An action taken in reliance on an opinion of the State Ethics Commission or the Frederick County Ethics Commission may not be considered a knowing and willful violation. A person that is subject to this part shall preserve all books, papers, and other documents necessary to complete and substantiate any reports, statements, or records required to be made under this part for 3 years from the date of filing the application. The documents shall be available for inspection on request.

This part applies only to an appointed member of the Frederick County Board of Zoning Appeals, the Frederick County Ethics Commission, the Frederick County Planning Commission, or the Board of License Commissioners for Frederick County.

In this part, “campaign finance entity” has the meaning stated in § 1–101 of the Election Law Article. A member, a person acting on behalf of the member, a campaign finance entity of the member, or any other campaign finance entity operated in coordination with the member may not solicit, receive, deposit, or use a contribution while the member is serving on the board or commission. A campaign finance entity of the member or any other campaign finance entity operated in coordination with the member may not make an expenditure, except to pay a late filing fee or civil penalty imposed under Title 13 of the Election Law Article, while the member is serving on the board or commission. A campaign finance entity of the member or any other campaign finance entity operated in coordination with the member shall pay any outstanding obligations before the member begins serving on the board or commission. Not later than 48 hours after opening a campaign account through a campaign finance entity, an appointed member of a board or commission under § 5–865 of this subtitle who has established an authorized candidate campaign committee shall vacate the position on the board or commission.

In this part the following words have the meanings indicated. “Candidate” means an individual who files a certificate of candidacy for: election to the County Council; or County Executive. “Candidate” includes an incumbent member of the County Council and an incumbent County Executive. “County Council” means the County Council of Anne Arundel County. “County Executive” means the County Executive of Anne Arundel County.

The County Council may enact a local law to regulate the participation of a member of the County Council or the County Executive in any legislative action relevant to a zoning change or amendment, or to a land use application that is before the Office of Planning and Zoning or the Department of Inspections and Permits, if the member of the County Council or the County Executive accepts or has accepted, or as a candidate accepted, a campaign contribution from an individual or a business entity involved with the action or application. The County Council may enact a local law to prohibit or otherwise regulate campaign contributions made to, or for the benefit of, a member of the County Council, the County Executive, or a candidate for election to the County Council or County Executive by an individual or a business entity involved with a legislative action relevant to a zoning change or amendment, or to a land use application that is before the Office of Planning and Zoning or the Department of Inspections and Permits.

If the County Council enacts a local law under § 5–870 of this subtitle, the Anne Arundel County Ethics Commission shall administer and implement the provisions of the local law.