# COMAR Title 19A — State Ethics Commission

## Subtitle 07 — Lobbying

### Chapter 01 — General

#### Regulation .16 Prohibitions.

*COMAR 19A.07.01.16*

A regulated lobbyist may not:

A. Be engaged for lobbying purposes for compensation that is dependent in any manner on:

  (1) The enactment or defeat of legislation;

  (2) The outcome of any executive action relating to the solicitation or securing of a procurement contract; or

  (3) Any other contingency related to executive action or legislative action;

B. Initiate or encourage the introduction of legislation for the purpose of opposing the legislation;

C. Knowingly counsel any person to violate any provisions of this title or any other State or federal law;

D. Engage in or counsel any person to engage in fraudulent conduct;

E. While engaging in lobbying activities, knowingly make to an official or employee a statement of material fact relating to lobbying activity that the regulated lobbyist knows to be false;

F. Engage in lobbying without being properly registered as a regulated lobbyist in accordance with Regulation .02 of this chapter;

G. Request an official or employee to recommend to a potential client the lobbying services of the regulated lobbyist or any other regulated lobbyist;

H. Make a gift, directly or indirectly, to an official or employee if the regulated lobbyist knows or has reason to know that the gift is in violation of General Provisions Article, §5-505, Annotated Code of Maryland;

I. Make a gift directly or indirectly as a result of a solicitation or facilitation, which the regulated lobbyist knows or has reason to know is prohibited under General Provisions Article, §5-505, Annotated Code of Maryland;

J. If the regulated lobbyist is an individual, engage in any charitable fund-raising activity at the request of an official or employee, including soliciting, transmitting the solicitation of, or transmitting a charitable contribution;

K. Unless in the ordinary course of business of the regulated lobbyist, make or facilitate the making of any loan of money, goods, or services to an official or employee;

L. While engaging in lobbying activities on behalf of an entity, knowingly conceal from an official or employee the identify of the entity;

M. Commit a criminal offense arising from lobbying activity;

N. If serving on the State or a local central committee of a political party, participate:

  (1) As an officer of the central committee;

  (2) In fund-raising activity on behalf of the political party; or

  (3) In actions relating to filling a vacancy in a public office; or

O. While engaging in lobbying, unlawfully harass or discriminate against, based on any characteristic protected by law:

  (1) An official or employee;

  (2) An intern, a page, or a fellow in any branch of State government;

  (3) An individual regulated lobbyist; or

  (4) A credentialed member of the press.