Section 15-714 - Certain regulated lobbyists - Restriction on campaign contributions. - Maryland Statutes

§ 15-714. Certain regulated lobbyists - Restriction on campaign contributions.
 

(a)  Definitions.- In this section, "candidate", "contribution", and "political committee" have the meanings provided in § 1-101 of the Election Law Article. 

(b)  Applicability.- This section applies only to a regulated lobbyist described in § 15-701(a)(1), (2), (3), or (4) of this subtitle. 

(c)  Applicable time period.- The restrictions in this section apply from the starting date of the regulated lobbyist's registration to the end of the calendar year in which the registration period ends. 

(d)  Restrictions on activities.-  

(1) A regulated lobbyist who is subject to this section or a person acting on behalf of the regulated lobbyist may not, for the benefit of the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, or Comptroller, or a member of the General Assembly, or a candidate for election to the office of Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, Comptroller, or member of the General Assembly, engage in the following activities: 

(i) soliciting or transmitting a political contribution from any person, including a political committee; 

(ii) serving on a fund-raising committee or a political committee; 

(iii) acting as a treasurer for a candidate or official or as treasurer or chairman of a political committee; 

(iv) organizing or establishing a political committee for the purpose of soliciting or transmitting contributions from any person; or 

(v) forwarding tickets for fund-raising activities, or other solicitations for political contributions, to a potential contributor. 

(2) This section does not prohibit a regulated lobbyist from: 

(i) making a personal political contribution; 

(ii) informing any entity of a position taken by a candidate or official; or 

(iii) engaging in other activities not specifically prohibited under paragraph (1) of this subsection. 

(3) This section does not apply to a regulated lobbyist who is a candidate with respect to the regulated lobbyist's own campaign. 
 

[An. Code 1957, art. 40A, § 5-104.1; 1995, ch. 533, § 2; ch. 539, § 1; 1997, ch. 562; 1998, ch. 585, § 3; 2001, ch. 631, §§ 1, 2; 2002, ch. 303, § 2; 2007, ch. 5.]