Source: https://ecode360.com/16148174
Timestamp: 2019-05-27 07:22:09
Document Index: 293951507

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 12', '§ 12', '§ 12', '§ 12', '§ 12', '§ 12', '§ 12', '§ 12', '§ 12', '§ 12', '§ 12', '§ 12', '§ 12', '§ 12', '§ 12', '§ 12', '§ 12', '§ 12', '§ 12', '§ 12', '§ 12', '§ 12', '§ 12', '§ 12', '§ 12', '§ 12', '§ 12', '§ 12', '§ 12', '§ 12']

City of New Carrollton, MD Ethics, Code of
§ 12-1 Short title.
§ 12-2 Statement of purpose and policy.
§ 12-3 Definitions.
§ 12-4 Administration.
§ 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.
§ 12-8 Lobbying.
§ 12-9 Enforcement.
§ 12-10 Severability.
Chapter 12 Ethics, Code of
[HISTORY: Adopted by the City Council of the City of New Carrollton 6-20-2012 by Ord. No. 12-03.[1] Amendments noted where applicable.]
Editor’s Note: This ordinance also repealed former Ch. 12, Ethics, Code of, adopted 2-17-1982 (Ch. 21 of the 1975 Code), as amended.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.
Having or negotiating a contract that involves the commitment, either in a single or combination of transactions, of five thousand dollars ($5,000.) or more of City-controlled funds;
Being regulated by or otherwise subject to the authority of the City of New Carrollton; or
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 of any interest as the result of which the owner has received, within the past three years, or is presently receiving, or in the future is entitled to receive, more than one thousand dollars ($1,000.) per year; or
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.
"Interest" does not include:
An interest held in the capacity of a personal agent, custodian, fiduciary, personal representative, or trustee, unless the holder has an equitable interest in the subject matter;
An interest in a time or demand deposit in a financial institution;
An interest in an insurance policy, endowment policy, or annuity contract under which an insurer promises to pay a fixed amount of money either in a lump sum or periodically for life or a specified period;
A common trust fund or a trust which forms part of a pension or profit sharing plan that:
[Amended 12-17-2014 by Ord. No. 15-05]
Has more than twenty-five (25) participants; and
Has been determined by the Internal Revenue Service to be a qualified trust or college savings plan under the Internal Revenue Code; or
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.
Communicating in the presence of a City of New Carrollton official or employee with the intent to influence any official action of that official or employee; or
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.
An elected official, an employee of the City of New Carrollton or a person appointed to or employed by the City of New Carrollton agency, board, commission, or similar entity:
Whether or not paid in whole or in part with City of New Carrollton funds; and
Whether or not compensated.
Includes an individual or business entity.
QUALIFIED RELATIVE
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.
A Commission member may serve until a successor is appointed and qualifies.
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.
City Solicitor Commission duties.
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 is the advisory body responsible for interpreting this chapter and advising persons subject to this chapter regarding its application.
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 conduct a public information and education program regarding the purpose and implementation of this chapter.
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.
Determine if changes to this chapter are required to be in compliance with the requirements of State Government Article, Title 15, Subtitle 8, Annotated Code of Maryland; and
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.
The Commission shall respond promptly to a request for an advisory opinion and shall provide interpretations of this chapter based on the facts provided or reasonably available to the Commission within sixty (60) days of the request.
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 adopt additional policies and procedures related to the advisory opinion request process.
Any person may file a complaint with the Commission alleging a violation of any of the provisions of this chapter.
A complaint shall be in writing and under oath.
The Commission may refer a complaint to the City Solicitor or other legal counsel, if appropriate, for investigation and review.
The Commission may dismiss a complaint if, after receiving an investigative report, the Commission determines that there are insufficient facts upon which to base a determination of a violation.
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.
A final determination of a violation resulting from the hearing shall include findings of fact and conclusions of law.
Upon finding of a violation, the Commission may take any enforcement action provided for in § 12-9 of this chapter.
Confidential and public information.
After a complaint is filed and until a final finding of a violation by the Commission, all actions regarding a complaint are confidential.
A finding of a violation is public information.
The Commission may adopt additional policies and procedures related to complaints, complaint hearings, the use of independent investigators and staff, the use of witness and document subpoenas, and cure and settlement agreements.
The Commission may grant exemptions to or modifications of the conflict of interest and financial disclosure provisions of this chapter to officials or employees serving as members of City Boards and Commissions, when the Commission finds that the exemption or modification would not be contrary to the purposes of this chapter, and the application of this chapter would:
Constitute an unreasonable invasion of privacy; and
Significantly reduce the availability of qualified persons for public service.
Assess a late fee of two dollars ($2.) per day up to a maximum of two hundred fifty dollars ($250.) for a failure to timely file a financial disclosure statement required under § 12-6 or 12-7 of this chapter; and
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.
Participation prohibitions.
Except as permitted by Commission regulation or opinion, an official or employee may not participate in:
Except in the exercise of an administrative or ministerial duty that does not affect the disposition or decision of the matter, any matter in which, to the knowledge of the official or employee, the official or employee or a qualified relative of the official or employee has an interest.
Except in the exercise of an administrative or ministerial duty that does not affect the disposition or decision with respect to the matter, any matter in which any of the following is a party:
A business entity with which the official or employee or, to the knowledge of the official or employee, a qualified relative is negotiating employment or has any arrangement concerning prospective employment;
An entity, doing business with the City, in which a direct financial interest is owned by another entity in which the official or employee has a direct financial interest, if the official or employee may be reasonably expected to know of both direct financial interests; or
A person who is disqualified from participating under Subsection A(1) of this section shall disclose the nature and circumstances of the conflict and may participate or act if:
The prohibitions of Subsection A(1) of this section do not apply if participation is allowed by regulation or opinion of the Commission.
Except as permitted by regulation of the Commission when the interest is disclosed or when the employment does not create a conflict of interest or appearance of conflict, an official or employee may not:
Be employed by or have a financial interest in any entity:
Subject to the authority of the official or employee or the City agency, board, or commission with which the official or employee is affiliated; or
That is negotiating or has entered a contract with the agency, board, or commission with which the official or employee is affiliated; or
Hold any other employment relationship that would impair the impartiality or independence of judgment of the official or employee.
The prohibitions of Subsection A(1) of this subsection do not apply to:
An official or employee who is appointed to a regulatory or licensing authority pursuant to a statutory requirement that persons subject to the jurisdiction of the authority be represented in appointments to the authority;
Subject to other provisions of law, a member of a board or commission in regard to a financial interest or employment held at the time of appointment, provided the financial interest or employment is publicly disclosed to the appointing authority and the Commission;
An official or employee whose duties are ministerial, if the private employment or financial interest does not create a conflict of interest or the appearance of a conflict of interest, as permitted and in accordance with regulations adopted by the Commission; or
Employment or financial interests allowed by regulation of the Commission if the employment does not create a conflict of interest or the appearance of a conflict of interest or the financial interest is disclosed.
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.
An official or employee may not solicit any gift.
An official or employee may not knowingly accept a gift, directly or indirectly, from a person that the official or employee knows or has reason to know:
Is doing business with or seeking to do business with the City office, agency, board, or commission with which the official or employee is affiliated;
This subsection does apply to a gift:
Notwithstanding Subsection F(3) of this section, an official or employee may accept the following:
Ceremonial gifts or awards that have significant monetary value;
Unsolicited gifts of nominal value that do not exceed twenty dollars ($20.) in cost or trivial items of informational value;
Gifts of tickets or free admission extended to an elected official to attend a charitable, cultural, or political event, if the purpose of this gift or admission is a courtesy or ceremony extended to the elected official's office;
A specific gift or class of gifts that the Commission exempts from the operation of this section upon a finding, in writing, that acceptance of the gift or class of gifts would not be detrimental to the impartial conduct of the business of the City of New Carrollton and that the gift is purely personal and private in nature;
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.
The Commission may establish exemptions from the requirements of this section for providing descriptive literature, sole source procurements, and written comments solicited by the procuring agency:
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.
[Amended 2-19-2014 by Ord. No. 14-05; 3-15-2017 by Ord. No. 17-06]
This section applies to all elected officials, all candidates to be elected officials, and the following City appointees:
The City Administrative Officer, the Chief of Police and the Director of Public Works.
Except as provided in Subsection D of this section, an elected official, candidate to be an elected official or City appointee identified in Subsection A above shall file the Financial Disclosure Statement required under this subsection:
Deadlines for filing statements.
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.
An individual who, other than by reason of death, leaves an office for which a statement is required shall file a statement within 60 days after leaving the office. The statement shall cover:
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.
A candidate to be an elected official shall file a statement required under this section:
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.
May file the statement required under § 12-6D(2)(a) of this chapter with the City Clerk or Board of Election Supervisors with the certificate of candidacy or with the Commission prior to filing the certificate of candidacy; and
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.
Retention requirements. The Commission or the office designated by the Commission shall retain Financial Disclosure Statements for four years from the date of receipt.
A statement filed under this section shall include a schedule of all interests in real property, wherever located.
The nature of the property and the location by street address, mailing address, or legal description of the property;
The nature and extent of the interest held, including any conditions and encumbrances on the interest;
The date when, the manner in which, and the identity of the person from whom the interest was acquired;
The nature and amount of the consideration given in exchange for the interest or, if acquired other than by purchase, the fair market value of the interest at the time acquired;
If any interest was transferred, in whole or in part, at any time during the reporting period, a description of the interest transferred, the nature and amount of the consideration received for the interest, and the identity of the person to whom the interest was transferred; and
The identity of any other person with an interest in the property.
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.
The name and address of the principal office of the corporation, partnership, limited-liability partnership, or limited-liability corporation;
The nature and amount of the interest held, including any conditions and encumbrances on the interest;
With respect to any interest transferred, in whole or in part, at any time during the reporting period, a description of the interest transferred, the nature and amount of the consideration received for the interest, and, if known, the identity of the person to whom the interest was transferred; and
With respect to any interest acquired during the reporting period;
An individual may satisfy the requirement to report the amount of the interest held under Subsection G(2)(b)[2] of this section by reporting, instead of a dollar amount:
For an equity interest in a corporation, the number of shares held and, unless the corporation's stock is publicly traded, the percentage of equity interest held; or
For an equity interest in a partnership, the percentage of equity interest held.
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.
A statement filed under this section shall include a schedule of all liabilities, excluding retail credit accounts, to persons doing business with the City of New Carrollton owed at any time during the reporting period:
By the individual; or
By a member of the immediate family of the individual if the individual was involved in the transaction giving rise to the liability.
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.
A statement filed under this section shall include a schedule of the name and address of each place of employment and of each business entity of which the individual or a member of the individual's immediate family was a sole or partial owner and from which the individual or member of the individual's immediate family received earned income, at any time during the reporting period.
A minor child's employment or business ownership need not be disclosed if the agency that employs the individual does not regulate, exercise authority over, or contract with the place of employment or business entity of the minor child.
For the purposes of § 12-6G(1), (2) and (3) of this chapter, the following interests are considered to be the interests of the individual making the statement:
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.
An interest held by a trust or an estate in which, at any time during the reporting period:
Review and enforcement.
The City of New Carrollton Ethics Commission may take appropriate enforcement action to ensure compliance with this section.
[Amended 3-15-2017 by Ord. No. 17-06]
City employees. The following City employees shall file the Financial Disclosure Statement required by this section:
Manager, Code Enforcement
Appointed members of City boards and commissions. The members of the following City boards and commissions shall file the Financial Disclsoure Statement required by 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.
Except as provided in Subsections B and C of this section, a person or entity who engages in lobbying as defined in § 12-3 shall file a lobbying registration with the Commission if the person or entity, during the calendar year;
Expends, exclusive of personal travel and subsistence expenses, in excess of two hundred fifty dollars ($250.) in furtherance of this activity; or
Is compensated in excess of two hundred fifty dollars ($250.) in connection with this activity.
The following activities are exempt from regulation under this section:
Professional services in drafting bills or in advising and rendering opinions to clients as to the construction and effect of proposed or pending City actions when these services do not otherwise constitute lobbying activities;
Appearances before the New Carrollton City Council upon its specific invitation or request if the person or entity engages in no further or other activities in connection with the passage or defeat of City Council actions;
Appearances before a City agency upon the specific invitation or request of the agency if the person or entity engages in no further or other activities in connection with the passage or defeat of any agency executive action;
Appearance as part of the official duties of a duly elected or appointed official or employee of the state or a political subdivision of the state, or of the United States, and not on behalf of any other entity;
Actions of a publisher or working member of the press, radio, or television in the ordinary course of the business of disseminating news or making editorial comment to the general public who does not engage in further or other lobbying that would directly and specifically benefit the economic, business, or professional interests of the person or entity or the employer of the person or entity;
Appearances by an individual before the New Carrollton City Council at the specific invitation or request of a registered lobbyist if the person performs no other lobbying act and notifies the New Carrollton City Council that the person or entity is testifying at the request of the lobbyist;
Appearances by an individual before a government agency at the specific invitation or request of a registered lobbyist if the person or entity performs no other lobbying act and notifies the agency that the person or entity is testifying at the request of the lobbyist;
The representation of a bona fide religious organization solely for the purpose of protecting the right of its own members to practice the doctrine of the organization; and
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 registration filed under this section:
Shall be dated and on a form developed by the Commission;
The lobbyist's full and legal name and permanent address;
The name, address, and nature of business of any person or entity on whose behalf the lobbyist acts; and
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.
A statement of whether the person or entity on whose behalf the lobbyist acts is exempt from registration under Subsection C of this section;
The identification, by formal designation, if known, of matters on which the lobbyist expects to act;
Identification of the period of time within a single calendar year during which the lobbyist is authorized to engage in these activities, unless terminated sooner; and
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.
A lobbyist shall file with the Commission or the office designated by the Commission:
By July 31, one report concerning the lobbyist's lobbying activities covering the period beginning January 1 through June 30; and
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.
The report shall include:
A complete and current statement of the information required to be supplied with the lobbyist's registration form.
Total expenditures on lobbying activities in each of the following categories:
Total compensation paid to the lobbyist, not including expenses reported under Subsection H(4)(b)[2] through [9] of this section;
Office expenses of the lobbyist;
Professional and technical research and assistance not reported in Subsection I of this section;
Publications which expressly encourage persons to communicate with City officials or employees;
Names of witnesses, and the fees and expenses paid to each witness;
Meals and beverages for City officials and employees;
Reasonable expenses for food, lodging, and scheduled entertainment of City officials or employees for a meeting which is given in return for participation in a panel or speaking engagement at the meeting;
Other gifts to or for officials or employees or their spouses or dependent children; and
Special gift report.
Cumulative value.
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)[7] 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.
Issue a reprimand; or
If the Commission finds that a respondent has violated § 12-8 of this chapter, the Commission may:
Require a respondent who is a registered lobbyist to file any additional reports or information that is reasonably related to the information that is required under § 12-8 of this chapter;
Impose a fine not exceeding five thousand dollars ($5,000.) or each violation; and
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.
Except as provided in Subsection C(2) of this section, void an official action taken by an official or employee with a conflict of interest prohibited by this chapter when the action arises from or concerns the subject matter of the conflict and if the legal action is brought within ninety (90) days of the occurrence of the official action, if the court deems voiding the action to be in the best interest of the public; or
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.
A court may not void any official action appropriating public funds, levying taxes, or providing for the issuance of bonds, notes, or other evidences of public obligations.
Violations of § 12-8.
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.
Papers and documents.
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.