Source: https://ecode360.com/8625101
Timestamp: 2019-04-20 22:30:09+00:00

Document:
§ 12-2 Statement of purpose and policy.
§ 12-5 Prohibited conduct and interests.
§ 12-6 Financial disclosure: elected officials, candidates to be elected officials, and certain appointees.
§ 12-7 Financial disclosure: certain employees and appointed members of boards and commissions.
Editor’s Note: This ordinance also repealed former Ch. 12, Ethics, Code of, adopted 2-17-1982 (Ch. 21 of the 1975 Code), as amended.
This chapter may be cited as the "City of New Carrollton, Maryland, Public Ethics Ordinance."
The City of New Carrollton, recognizing that our system of representative government is dependent in part upon the people maintaining the highest trust in their public officials and employees, finds and declares that the people have a right to be assured that the impartiality and independent judgment of public officials and employees will be maintained.
It is evident that this confidence and trust is eroded when the conduct of the City's business is subject to improper influence and even the appearance of improper influence.
For the purpose of guarding against improper influence, the New Carrollton City Council enacts this Public Ethics Ordinance to require City of New Carrollton elected officials, appointed officials, employees, and individuals appointed to boards and commissions to disclose their financial affairs and to set minimum standards for the conduct of local government business.
It is the intention of the New Carrollton City Council that this chapter, except its provisions for criminal sanctions, be liberally construed to accomplish this purpose.
A corporation, general or limited partnership, sole proprietorship, joint venture, unincorporated association or firm, institution, trust, foundation, or other organization, whether or not operated for profit.
"Business entity" does not include a governmental entity.
The City of New Carrollton Ethics Commission established under § 12-4A of this chapter.
Any money or thing of value, regardless of form, received or to be received by any individual covered by this chapter from an employer for service rendered.
For the purposes of § 12-8 of this chapter, if lobbying is only a portion of a person's employment, "compensation" means a prorated amount based on the time devoted to lobbying compared to the time devoted to other employment duties.
Being registered as a lobbyist under § 12-8 of this chapter.
Any individual who holds an elective office of the City of New Carrollton.
An individual who is employed by the City of New Carrollton.
"Employee" does not include an elected local official.
Ownership, or the ownership of securities of any kind representing or convertible into ownership, of more than three-percent (3%) of a business entity by a City of New Carrollton official or employee or the spouse of an official or employee.
The transfer of anything of economic value, regardless of the form, without adequate and lawful consideration.
"Gift" does not include a political campaign contribution regulated under Election Law Article, Annotated Code of Maryland, or any other provision of state or local law regulating the conduct of elections or the receipt of political campaign contributions.
A spouse and dependent children.
A legal or equitable economic interest, whether or not subject to an encumbrance or a condition, that is owned or held, in whole or in part, jointly or severally, directly or indirectly.
For purposes of § 12-6 of this chapter, "interest" includes any interest held at any time during the reporting period.
A mutual fund that is publicly traded on a national scale unless the mutual fund is composed primarily of holdings of stocks and interests in a specific sector or area that is regulated by the City of New Carrollton.
A person required to register and report expenses related to lobbying under § 12-8 of this chapter.
Engaging in activities with the express purpose of soliciting others to communicate with a City of New Carrollton official or employee with the intent to influence that official or employee.
Includes an individual or business entity.
A spouse, parent, child, brother, or sister.
Commission established; composition and terms.
There is a City of New Carrollton Ethics Commission that consists of three (3) regular members and one alternate member, appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by the City Council.
The Commission members shall serve three-year terms.
Elected commission positions and terms.
The Commission shall elect a Chairman and a Vice Chairman from among its members.
The term of the Chairman and Vice Chairman is one (1) year.
The Chairman and Vice Chairman may be reelected.
The City Solicitor shall assist the Commission in carrying out the Commission's duties.
If a conflict of interest under § 12-5 of this chapter or other conflict prohibits the City Solicitor from assisting the Commission in a matter, the City shall provide sufficient funds for the Commission to hire independent counsel for the duration of the conflict.
The Commission shall hear and decide, with the advice of the City Solicitor or other legal counsel if appropriate, all complaints filed regarding alleged violations of this chapter by any person.
The Commission or an office designated by the Commission shall retain as a public record all forms submitted by any person under this chapter for at least four (4) years after receipt by the Commission.
The Commission shall certify to the State Ethics Commission on or before October 1 of each year that the City of New Carrollton is in compliance with the requirements of State Government Article, Title 15, Subtitle 8, Annotated Code of Maryland, for elected local officials.
Shall forward any recommended changes and amendments to the City Council for enactment.
Any person subject to this chapter may request for an advisory opinion from the Commission concerning the application of this chapter.
In accordance with all applicable state and City laws regarding public records, the Commission shall publish or otherwise make available to the public copies of the advisory opinions, with the identities of the subjects deleted.
The Commission may refer a complaint to the City Solicitor or other legal counsel, if appropriate, for investigation and review.
If there is a reasonable basis for believing a violation has occurred, the subject of the complaint shall be given an opportunity for a hearing conducted in accordance with the applicable Commission rules of procedure.
Upon finding of a violation, the Commission may take any enforcement action provided for in § 12-9 of this chapter.
Assess a late fee of ten dollars ($10.) per day up to a maximum of two hundred fifty dollars ($250.) for a failure to file a timely lobbyist registration or lobbyist report required under § 12-8 of this chapter.
The prohibitions of Subsection A(1) of this section do not apply if participation is allowed by regulation or opinion of the Commission.
A former official or employee may not assist or represent any party other than the City for compensation in a case, contract, or other specific matter involving the City if that matter is one in which the former official or employee significantly participated as an official or employee.
Until the conclusion of the next regular session that begins after the elected official leaves office, a Mayor or a former member of the City Council may not assist or represent another party for compensation in a matter that is the subject of legislative action.
Contingent compensation. Except in a judicial or quasi-judicial proceeding, an official or employee may not assist or represent a party for contingent compensation in any matter before or involving the City.
An official or employee, may not intentionally use the prestige of office or public position for the private gain of that official or employee or the private gain of another.
This subsection does not prohibit the performance of usual and customary constituent services by an elected official without additional compensation.
Honoraria for speaking to or participating in a meeting, provided that the offering of the honorarium is in no way related to the official's or employee's official position.
Disclosure of confidential information. Other than in the discharge of official duties, an official or employee may not disclose or use confidential information that the official or employee acquired by reason of the official's or employee's public position and that is not available to the public for the economic benefit of the official or employee or that of another person.
An individual or a person that employs an individual who assists a City of New Carrollton agency or unit in the drafting of specifications, an invitation for bids, or a request for proposals for a procurement may not submit a bid or proposal for that procurement, or assist or represent another person, directly or indirectly, who is submitting a bid or proposal for the procurement.
No City official or employee shall cause or advocate a member of his or her family to be hired, employed, promoted, transferred or advanced to any full- or part-time paid employment of the City.
Except as provided in Subsections A and E of this section, this prohibition shall not apply to the process of selecting appointed City officials.
Neither a City official nor an employee shall participate in an action relating to the discipline of a member of the City official's or employee's family.
This shall not apply to City employees who marry after they are already City employees. However, in such a situation, neither City employee may directly or indirectly supervise the other City employee, and where possible, they should not work in the same department nor work together.
No elected or appointed City official shall use the prestige of his or her office to advance his or her own political interests, private interest or the private interest of any other person or entity, whether for profit or nonprofit.
No elected or appointed City official or City employee may seek monetary or nonmonetary favors or contributions from any person or entity who is subject to that person's official duties. Contributions from any person or entity over which such City official or City employee has any responsibility to approve or inspect the work of or in any way approve contracts with, zoning of property in which the person or entity has a direct or indirect interest (including any professional or nonprofessional fee), permits, or the like. In no case shall any City official or City employee seek monetary or nonmonetary gifts or favors or contributions from any person or entity seeking a contract with the City, any person or entity involved directly or indirectly with any zoning or permit request before any City department, board, commission, or the Mayor and City Council.
This does not include City employees discharging their official job duties as laid out in their official City position descriptions.
The City Administrative Officer, the Chief of Police and the Director of Public Works.
Incumbent officials and appointees identified in Subsection A shall file a Financial Disclosure Statement annually no later than April 30 of each year for the preceding calendar year.
Candidates to be elected officials.
Except for an elected official or appointee who has filed a Financial Disclosure Statement under another provision of this section for the reporting period, a candidate to be an elected official shall file a Financial Disclosure Statement each year beginning with the year in which the certificate of candidacy is filed through the year of the election.
On or before the earlier of April 30 or the last day for the withdrawal of candidacy in the year of the election when the certificate of candidacy is filed, no later than the filing of the certificate of candidacy.
In the year of the election, a first interim report of campaign contributions and expenditures since the date of the last preceding regular election and prior to the seventh Monday preceding the election shall be filed no later than 5:00 p.m. of the 31st day, including Sundays and legal holidays, prior to a general or special election. A second interim report of campaign contributions and expenditures received between the seventh Monday preceding the election and prior to the third Monday preceding the election shall be filed no later than 12:00 noon on the second Friday preceding the election. A final report of campaign contributions and expenditures not previously reported shall be filed no later than 12:00 noon of the Friday following the election.
Each candidate for the office of council member and the designated campaign treasurer shall file with the City Clerk reports as specified below which shall list each contribution, including any contribution of an in-kind service, and expenditure of more than twenty-five dollars ($25.) or less. The reports shall include all contributions received and expenditures made by the candidate or, with the knowledge of the candidate or the candidate's treasurer, by any other person. The reports shall include contributions made by the candidate or a member of his/her immediate family. All reports filed shall be available for examination by any member of the public during the normal office hours of the City Clerk.
Shall file the statements required under § 12-6D(2)(b), (c) and (d) of this chapter with the Commission.
If a candidate fails to file a statement required by this section after written notice is provided by the City Clerk or Board of Election Supervisors at least 20 days before the last day for the withdrawal of candidacy, the candidate is deemed to have withdrawn the candidacy.
The City Clerk or Board of Election Supervisors may not accept any certificate of candidacy unless a statement required under this section has been filed in proper form.
Within 30 days of the receipt of a statement required under this section, the City Clerk or Board of Election Supervisors shall forward the statement to the Commission, or an office designated by the Commission.
The Commission or office designated by the Commission shall make Financial Disclosure Statements available during normal office hours for examination and copying by the public, subject to reasonable fees and administrative procedures established by the Commission.
Upon request by the individual whose Financial Disclosure Statement was examined or copied, the Commission or the office designated by the Commission shall provide the individual with a copy of the name and home address of the person who reviewed the individual's Financial Disclosure Statement.
A statement filed under this section shall include a schedule of all interests in any corporation, partnership, limited-liability partnership, or limited-liability corporation, regardless of whether the corporation or partnership does business with the City of New Carrollton.
Interests in business entities doing business with the City of New Carrollton.
A statement filed under this section shall include a schedule of all interests in any business entity that does business with the City of New Carrollton, other than interests reported under Subsection G(2) of this section.
A statement filed under this section shall include a schedule of each gift in excess of twenty dollars ($20.) in value or a series of gifts totaling one hundred dollars ($100.) or more received during the reporting period from or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, any one person who does business with the City of New Carrollton.
Employment with or interests in entities doing business with the City of New Carrollton.
A statement filed under this section shall include a schedule of all offices, directorships, and salaried employment by the individual or member of the immediate family of the individual held at any time during the reporting period with entities doing business with the City of New Carrollton.
The name of each City of New Carrollton agency with which the entity is involved as indicated by identifying one or more of the three categories of "doing business," as defined in § 12-3 of this chapter.
Indebtedness to entities doing business with the City of New Carrollton.
Employment with the City of New Carrollton. A statement filed under this section shall include a schedule of the immediate family members of the individual employed by the City of New Carrollton in any capacity at any time during the reporting period.
An interest held by a business entity in which the individual held a thirty-percent (30%.) or greater interest at any time during the reporting period.
The City of New Carrollton Ethics Commission may take appropriate enforcement action to ensure compliance with this section.
Such other boards and commissions identified from time to time by the Mayor and City Council.
Financial Disclosure Statements required to be filed. Those individuals identified in Subsections A and B above must file an annual Conflict of Interest Disclosure Statement provided by the City with the Commission. The statement shall disclose those interests, gifts, compensated positions, and liabilities that may create a conflict, as provided in § 12-5 of this chapter, between the individual's personal interests and the individual's duties. A statement required under this section shall be filed annually, not later than April 30 of each calendar year during which the individual is requred to file. A statement filed under this section shall be updated by the person filing the statement to disclose those interests, gifts, compensated positions, and liabilities that occur after the initial filing that may create a conflict, as described hereinabove.
The Commission shall maintain all disclosure statements filed under this section as public records available for public inspection and copying as provided in § l 2-6E of this chapter.
Is compensated in excess of two hundred fifty dollars ($250.) in connection with this activity.
Appearance as part of the official duties of an officer, director, member, or employee of an association engaged exclusively in lobbying for counties and municipalities and not on behalf of any other entity.
Limited exemption: employer of a lobbyist.
A person or entity who compensates one or more lobbyists and who would otherwise be required to register as a lobbyist is not required to file a registration and submit lobbying reports if the person or entity reasonably believes that all expenses incurred in connection with the lobbying activities will be reported by a properly registered person or entity acting on behalf of the person or entity.
A person or entity exempted under this subsection becomes subject to this section immediately upon failure of the lobbyist to report any information required under this section.
The registration filed under this section shall be filed on or before the later of the beginning of the calendar year in which the person or entity expects to lobby and within five (5) days of first engaging in lobbying activities in the calendar year.
The written authorization of any person or entity on whose behalf the lobbyist acts or an authorized officer or agent, who is not the lobbyist, of the person or entity on whose behalf the lobbyist acts.
The full legal signature of the lobbyist and, when appropriate, the person or entity on whose behalf the lobbyist acts or an agent or authorized officer of the person or entity on whose behalf the lobbyist acts.
A lobbyist shall file a separate registration for each person or entity that has engaged or employed the lobbyist for lobbying purposes.
A lobbyist may terminate the lobbyist's registration by providing written notice to the Commission and submitting all outstanding reports and registrations.
A person or entity may not engage in lobbying activities on behalf of another person or entity for compensation that is contingent upon the passage or defeat of any action by the New Carrollton City Council or the outcome of any executive action.
By January 31, one report covering the period beginning July 1 through December 31.
A lobbyist shall file a separate activity report for each person or entity on whose behalf the lobbyist acts.
If the lobbyist is not an individual, an authorized officer or agent of the entity shall sign the form.
A complete and current statement of the information required to be supplied with the lobbyist's registration form.
With the six-month activity report required under Subsection H of this section, a lobbyist shall report, except for gifts reported in Subsection H(4)(b) of this section, gifts from the lobbyist with a cumulative value of seventy-five dollars ($75.) or more during the reporting period to an official, employee, or member of the immediate family of an official or employee.
The lobbyist shall report gifts under this subsection regardless of whether the gift was given in connection with lobbying activities.
The report shall include the date, beneficiary, amount or value, and nature of the gift.
Notification to official and confidentiality.
If any report filed under this section contains the name of an official or employee, or a member of the immediate family of an official or employee, the Commission shall notify the official or employee within 30 days.
The Commission shall keep the report confidential for 60 days following receipt by the Commission.
Within 30 days of the notice required under Subsection J(1) of this section, the official or employee may file a written exception to the inclusion in the report of the name of the official, employee, or member of the immediate family of the official or employee.
The Commission may require a lobbyist to submit other reports the Commission determines to be necessary.
The Commission or office designated by the Commission shall maintain all registrations and reports filed under this section.
The Commission shall review the registrations and reports filed under this section for compliance with this section and shall notify persons engaging in lobbying activities of any omissions or deficiencies.
The Commission may take appropriate enforcement action to ensure compliance with this section.
The Commission shall compute and make available a subtotal under each of the ten (10) required categories in Subsection H(4)(b) of this section.
The Commission shall compute and make available the total amount reported by all lobbyists for their lobbying activities during the reporting period.
The Commission shall make lobbying registrations and reports available during normal business hours for examination and copying subject to reasonable fees and procedures established by the Commission.
Suspend the registration of an individual registered lobbyist if the Commission finds that the lobbyist has knowingly and willfully violated § 12-8 of this chapter or has been convicted of a criminal offense arising from lobbying activities.
Upon request of the Commission, the City Solicitor may file a petition for injunctive or other relief in the Circuit Court of Prince George's County, or in any other court having proper venue, for the purpose of requiring compliance with the provisions of this chapter.
Impose a fine of up to five thousand dollars ($5,000.) for any violation of the provisions of this chapter, with each day upon which the violation occurs constituting a separate offense.
Any person who knowingly and willfully violates the provisions of § 12-8 of this chapter is guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction, is subject to a fine of not more than one thousand dollars ($1,000.) or imprisonment for not more than one (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, upon conviction, is subject to the same penalties as the business entity.
In addition to any other enforcement provisions in this chapter, a person who the Commission or a court finds has violated this chapter.
A person who is subject to the provisions of this chapter shall obtain and preserve all accounts, bills, receipts, books, papers, and documents necessary to complete and substantiate a report, statement, or record required under this chapter for three (3) years from the date of filing the report, statement, or record.
These papers and documents shall be available for inspection upon request by the Commission or the Mayor and City Council of New Carrollton after reasonable notice.
If any section, sentence, clause, or phrase of this chapter is held invalid or unconstitutional by any court of competent jurisdiction, the ruling shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this chapter.

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