Section 15-845 - Restrictions on lobbyist activities. - Maryland Statutes

§ 15-845. Restrictions on lobbyist activities.
 

(a)  Fund-raising restrictions.- 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: 

(1) solicit or transmit directly or indirectly a contribution from any person, including a political committee, for the benefit of a local official or candidate; 

(2) serve on a fund-raising committee of, or a political committee for the benefit of, a local official or candidate; or 

(3) act as a treasurer or chairman of a political committee for the benefit of a local official or candidate. 

(b)  Allowed activities.- This Part VI may not be construed to prohibit a lobbyist from: 

(1) making a personal contribution within the limitations established under the Election Law Article; or 

(2) informing the lobbyist's employer or others of the positions taken by a particular candidate for office. 

(c)  Violation; penalty.-  

(1) Any person who knowingly and willfully violates the provisions of this Part VI is guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction is subject to a fine of not more than $1,000 or imprisonment for not more than 1 year or both. 

(2) 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 upon conviction is subject to the same penalties as the business entity. 
 

[An. Code 1957, art. 40A, § 6-304; 1994, ch. 608; 1995, ch. 533, § 2; 2002, ch. 303, § 2.]