reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Maryland Statutes › Election Law › Title 13 - Campaign Finance › Subtitle 2 - Campaign Finance Organization and Activity › Part VIII - Expenditures -- Miscellaneous Provisions › Section 13-247 - Disposition of Surplus Funds

After all campaign expenditures have been made and before filing a final campaign finance report under Subtitle 3 of this title, any remaining balance in the account of a campaign finance entity shall be returned pro rata to the contributors or paid to:
(1)    if the campaign finance entity is a political committee formed to support a candidate or act for a political party:
(i)    the State central committee of the political party:
1.    of which the candidate is a member; or
2.    for which the political committee is acting;
(ii)    the local central committee of the political party:
1.    of which the candidate is a member in a county in which the candidate resides or which the candidate seeks to represent; or
2.    for which the political committee is acting;
(iii)    the legislative party caucus committee of the political party:
1.    of which the candidate is a member; or
2.    for which the political committee is acting; or
(iv)    the board of education of a county in which the candidate resides or which the candidate seeks to represent;
(2)    a nonprofit organization that provides services or funds for the benefit of pupils or teachers;
(3)    a charitable organization registered or exempt from registration under the Maryland Charitable Solicitations Act;
(4)    the Fair Campaign Financing Fund established under § 15–103 of this article; or
(5)    a public or private institution of higher education in the State if:
(i)    that institution possesses a certificate of approval from the Maryland Higher Education Commission; and
(ii)    the payment is designated for use by the institution solely to award scholarships, grants, or loans to students attending the institution.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Election Law › Title 13 - Campaign Finance › Subtitle 2 - Campaign Finance Organization and Activity › Part VIII - Expenditures -- Miscellaneous Provisions › Section 13-248 - Requirements for Disbursement of Compensation

If a responsible officer of a campaign finance entity has a compensation agreement with the campaign finance entity, before making a disbursement for the compensation, the campaign finance entity shall submit to the State Board:
(1)    a copy of the compensation agreement; and
(2)    if the campaign finance entity is an authorized candidate campaign committee, the written consent of the candidate.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Election Law › Title 13 - Campaign Finance › Subtitle 3 - General Reporting Requirements › Part I - General Provisions › Section 13-301 - Registration Required for Out-of-State Political Committees

(a)    In this section, “out–of–state political committee” means a nonfederal political committee organized under the law of another state.
(b)    (1)    An out–of–state political committee shall register with the State Board on a form that the State Board prescribes within 48 hours after directly or indirectly making transfers in a cumulative amount of $6,000 or more in an election cycle to one or more campaign finance entities organized under Subtitle 2, Part II of this title.
(2)    The registration form the State Board prescribes shall require an out–of–state political committee to designate the election year in which the committee is participating.
(c)    After registering with the State Board, an out–of–state political committee shall file reports with the State Board for the election year in which the committee is participating on or before each date that a campaign finance entity of a candidate is required to file a campaign finance report under § 13–309 of this subtitle.
(d)    The reports under subsection (c) of this section shall:
(1)    disclose all expenditures made in the State by the out–of–state political committee:
(i)    from the beginning of the election cycle in the case of the first report filed by the out–of–state political committee; or
(ii)    during the applicable reporting period under § 13–312 of this subtitle for each subsequent report filed by the out–of–state political committee;
(2)    describe how to access the campaign finance reports filed by the out–of–state political committee in the state where the committee is registered and files the reports; and
(3)    be filed in the manner and subject to the sanctions provided in Parts VI and VII of this subtitle.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Election Law › Title 13 - Campaign Finance › Subtitle 3 - General Reporting Requirements › Part II - Reporting Requirements › Section 13-305 - Exception to Filing Requirements

(a)    Instead of filing a report required under § 13–309 of this subtitle, a treasurer may file an affidavit stating that the campaign finance entity has not raised or spent a cumulative amount of $1,000 or more, exclusive of the filing fee, and regardless of the balance of the campaign account, since:
(1)    establishing the campaign finance entity; or
(2)    filing the campaign finance entity’s last campaign finance report.
(b)    The affidavit shall be filed on or before the date a campaign finance report is due to be filed under § 13–309 of this subtitle.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Election Law › Title 13 - Campaign Finance › Subtitle 3 - General Reporting Requirements › Part II - Reporting Requirements › Section 13-305.1 - Duties of Candidates Exempt Under 13-202(a)

A candidate for election to the central committee of a political party who is exempt under § 13–202(a) of this title shall file with the certificate of candidacy an affidavit stating that the candidate during the election cycle will not:
(1)    spend more than $1,000 in personal funds; or
(2)    accept contributions.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Election Law › Title 13 - Campaign Finance › Subtitle 3 - General Reporting Requirements › Part III - Deadlines and Reporting Periods › Section 13-310 - Filing Deadlines -- Final Report Required

(a)    This section applies to the campaign finance entity of an individual if the individual is not a filed candidate or the incumbent in any office filled by an election under this article.
(b)    A campaign finance entity shall terminate and file a final campaign finance report within 8 years after the later of:
(1)    the end of the individual’s most recent term of office; and
(2)    the date of the election in which the individual last was a filed candidate.
(c)    Not later than 6 months before a campaign finance entity is required to terminate under this section, the State Administrator shall notify the responsible officers of the campaign finance entity and the candidate affiliated with the campaign finance entity of the date by which the campaign finance entity is required to:
(1)    pay all outstanding obligations;
(2)    dispose of all its remaining assets in accordance with § 13–247 of this title; and
(3)    terminate and file a final campaign finance report.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Election Law › Title 13 - Campaign Finance › Subtitle 3 - General Reporting Requirements › Part III - Deadlines and Reporting Periods › Section 13-310.1 - Termination of Campaign Finance Entities on Death of Candidate

(a)    Within 1 year after a candidate dies, the candidate’s authorized candidate campaign committee shall:
(1)    pay all outstanding obligations;
(2)    subject to subsection (b) of this section, dispose of any funds remaining after the payment of all outstanding obligations in accordance with § 13–247 of this title; and
(3)    terminate and file a final campaign finance report.
(b)    Before disposing of any funds under subsection (a)(2) of this section, the treasurer of the candidate’s authorized candidate campaign committee shall consider the preferences expressed by the candidate, if any, when determining where to dispose of any funds remaining in the account of a campaign finance entity.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Election Law › Title 13 - Campaign Finance › Subtitle 3 - General Reporting Requirements › Part III - Deadlines and Reporting Periods › Section 13-312 - Reporting Periods

(a)    Campaign finance reports filed under § 13–304 of this subtitle shall cover the following reporting periods:
(1)    the first campaign finance report shall cover the period from the date of organization of the campaign finance entity through the day specified in item (3) of this subsection;
(2)    each subsequent campaign finance report shall cover the period from the closing date of the previous campaign finance report through the day specified in item (3) of this subsection;
(3)    (i)    except as provided in item (ii) of this item, each campaign finance report shall cover the period that includes the seventh day before the day the campaign finance report is due; but
(ii)    the campaign finance report that is required on or before the second Friday immediately preceding an election shall cover the period through and including the preceding Sunday; and
(4)    if no contribution is received and no expenditure is made during the period covered by a campaign finance report, the campaign finance entity shall file a campaign finance report or an affidavit under § 13–305 of this subtitle to that effect.
(b)    A campaign finance report preceded by an affidavit filed in accordance with this subtitle shall cover the period from the closing date of the previous campaign finance report or date of organization of the campaign finance entity through the day specified in subsection (a)(3) of this section.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Election Law › Title 13 - Campaign Finance › Subtitle 3 - General Reporting Requirements › Part III - Deadlines and Reporting Periods › Section 13-313 - Termination of Campaign Finance Entity by the State Board

(a)    The State Board may terminate a campaign finance entity if the State Board determines that good cause exists and that:
(1)    the campaign finance entity could be terminated under § 13–309(b)(4) of this subtitle except for the existence of one or more outstanding obligations and each of those obligations is more than 5 years old;
(2)    no responsible officer currently is appointed and serving; or
(3)    other extenuating circumstances exist to justify terminating the campaign finance entity.
(b)    The termination of a campaign finance entity under this title does not limit the right of:
(1)    the State Board, or the State Prosecutor or the State’s Attorney, to pursue an enforcement action against the former responsible officers of, or any candidate formerly affiliated with, the campaign finance entity; or
(2)    a creditor to bring an action against the former responsible officers of, or any candidate affiliated with, the campaign finance entity.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Election Law › Title 13 - Campaign Finance › Subtitle 3 - General Reporting Requirements › Part V - Implementing Provisions › Section 13-321 - Notice

(a)    (1)    In accordance with paragraph (2) of this subsection, the State Board shall notify each campaign finance entity that is required under this subtitle to file campaign finance reports of each campaign finance report required to be filed by that entity.
(2)    The notice shall be provided:
(i)    at least 10 but not more than 20 days before the filing date for each campaign finance report; and
(ii)    by first–class mail, unless the responsible officers of a campaign finance entity affirmatively consent to receiving the notice only by electronic mail.
(b)    The notice required under subsection (a) of this section shall include:
(1)    the filing date;
(2)    the telephone number, business hours, and location of the State Board; and
(3)    the penalty for failure to file a timely campaign finance report.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Election Law › Title 13 - Campaign Finance › Subtitle 3 - General Reporting Requirements › Part V - Implementing Provisions › Section 13-322 - Timeliness

A campaign finance report is timely if:
(1)    regardless of when it is received, the United States Postal Service has affixed a mark on the envelope or on a receipt verifying that the campaign finance report was mailed on or before the filing deadline; or
(2)    it is received by the State Board within 3 days after the filing deadline and a private postal meter postmark or a receipt by a private carrier verifies that the campaign finance report was mailed or delivered to the private carrier on or before the filing deadline.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Election Law › Title 13 - Campaign Finance › Subtitle 3 - General Reporting Requirements › Part V - Implementing Provisions › Section 13-324 - Electronic Filing

(a)    (1)    Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, campaign finance reports required to be filed with the State Board shall be submitted using an electronic storage medium, and in a format, that the State Board approves.
(2)    The State Board may exempt a campaign finance entity with de minimis financial activity from the requirement to submit campaign finance reports using an electronic medium.
(b)    On request the State Board shall supply to a person who is required to file campaign finance reports using an electronic medium the computer software and the disks or other media on which the required information is to be entered.
(c)    Campaign finance reports received by the State Board in an electronic storage format shall be maintained in accordance with § 13-341 of this subtitle.
(d)    The State Board shall make the campaign finance reports that are maintained in an electronic storage format under subsection (c) of this section widely and easily accessible to the public:
(1)    using any existing public or private systems for data dissemination;
(2)    on terms that the State Board determines are consistent with the purposes and requirements of this article; and
(3)    by making any computer disk submitted by a person available for duplication.
(e)    The State Board may refuse to accept or process a campaign finance report that is not submitted in accordance with the requirements of this section.
(f)    The State Board shall:
(1)    develop specifications for submitting campaign finance reports using an electronic medium; and
(2)    adopt regulations to implement this section.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Election Law › Title 13 - Campaign Finance › Subtitle 3 - General Reporting Requirements › Part VI - Violations › Section 13-327 - Failure to File -- in General

(a)    A campaign finance entity that fails to file a campaign finance report, an affidavit, or an amended campaign finance report required by this subtitle is subject to the sanctions provided in Part VII of this subtitle.
(b)    If a campaign finance entity fails to provide on a campaign finance report required by § 13–304 of this subtitle all of the information required of the campaign finance entity by the State Board under this subtitle:
(1)    the State Board shall notify the responsible officers in writing of the particular deficiencies; and
(2)    the responsible officers shall file an amended campaign finance report that includes all of the information required within 30 days after service of the notice.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Election Law › Title 13 - Campaign Finance › Subtitle 3 - General Reporting Requirements › Part VI - Violations › Section 13-328 - Failure to File -- Lists of Violators

(a)    Within 10 days after the deadline for the filing of any campaign finance report that is required to be filed with the State Board, the State Board shall compile a list of the campaign finance entities that failed to file the campaign finance report and distribute the list, or a portion of the list, to such local boards as is required to implement this subtitle.
(b)    For the purposes of subsection (a) of this section, the failure to provide on a campaign finance report all of the information required of the campaign finance entity by the State Board under this subtitle is deemed a failure to file.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Election Law › Title 13 - Campaign Finance › Subtitle 3 - General Reporting Requirements › Part VII - Sanctions › Section 13-331 - Late Filing Fees

(a)    In accordance with subsection (b) of this section, the State Board shall assess late filing fees for a failure to file a campaign finance report, an affidavit, or an amended campaign finance report, as specified in § 13–327 of this subtitle.
(b)    (1)    The State Board shall assess the fees in the following amounts for each day or part of a day that a campaign finance report, an affidavit, or an amended campaign finance report is overdue:
(i)    $20 for each of the first 7 days;
(ii)    $35 for each of the following 7 days; and
(iii)    $50 for each day thereafter.
(2)    The maximum fee payable for a campaign finance report, an affidavit, or an amended campaign finance report is $1,000.
(c)    (1)    The State Board shall accept an overdue campaign finance report, affidavit, or amended campaign finance report that is submitted without payment of the late filing fee, but the campaign finance report, affidavit, or amended campaign finance report is not considered filed until the fee has been paid.
(2)    After an overdue campaign finance report, affidavit, or amended campaign finance report is received under paragraph (1) of this subsection no further late filing fee shall be incurred.
(d)    (1)    Subject to paragraph (2) of this subsection, a late filing fee shall be paid by the campaign finance entity.
(2)    If the campaign finance entity has insufficient funds with which to pay a late filing fee in a timely manner, the late filing fee is the joint and several liability of the responsible officers.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Election Law › Title 13 - Campaign Finance › Subtitle 3 - General Reporting Requirements › Part VII - Sanctions › Section 13-332 - Disqualification -- Eligibility to Be Candidate or Treasurer

(a)    An individual may not become a candidate for any public or party office in this State or become a treasurer for a campaign finance entity if, as to any campaign finance report due under § 13–304 of this subtitle from, or on behalf of, that individual during the preceding five calendar years:
(1)    there exists a failure to file as specified in § 13–327 of this subtitle; or
(2)    the individual has failed to pay a late filing fee that is due.
(b)    An individual may not become a candidate for any public or party office in this State or become a treasurer for a campaign finance entity if the individual has failed to pay any civil penalty due under § 13–604.1 of this title from, or on behalf of, the individual during the immediately preceding 5 calendar years.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Election Law › Title 13 - Campaign Finance › Subtitle 3 - General Reporting Requirements › Part VII - Sanctions › Section 13-332.1 - Prohibition From Being Issued a Certificate of Nomination

(a)    A candidate may not be issued a certificate of nomination under § 5–705 of this article if, on or before the deadline for declining the nomination specified under § 5–801(b) of this article, the candidate has failed to:
(1)    file a campaign finance report, an affidavit, or an amended campaign finance report that is due under this subtitle from, or on behalf of, that candidate;
(2)    pay a late filing fee that is due under § 13–331 of this subtitle; or
(3)    pay a civil penalty that is due under § 13–604.1 of this title.
(b)    Not later than 20 days before the deadline for declining the nomination specified under § 5–801(b) of this article, the State Board shall send a written notice to each candidate who was successful in the primary election and has failed to file a campaign finance report or an affidavit or pay a late filing fee or civil penalty under § 13–604.1 of this title that the candidate will be deemed to have declined the nomination if the candidate does not rectify the failure on or before the deadline for declining the nomination specified under § 5–801(b) of this article.
(c)    A vacancy in nomination that occurs as a result of subsection (a) of this section shall be filled in accordance with Title 5, Subtitle 10 of this article.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Election Law › Title 13 - Campaign Finance › Subtitle 3 - General Reporting Requirements › Part VII - Sanctions › Section 13-333 - Disqualification -- Assuming Office

(a)    An individual who, within the meaning of § 13–327 of this subtitle, has failed to file a campaign finance report that is due from, or on behalf of, that individual, or who has an unpaid civil penalty under § 13–604.1 of this title, may not, until the individual corrects the failure to file or pay the penalty:
(1)    be deemed to be elected to a public or party office in this State;
(2)    take the oath or otherwise assume the duties of the office; or
(3)    receive any salary or compensation for the office.
(b)    An official of the State or any of its political subdivisions may not issue a commission or administer an oath of office to an individual until that official receives certification from the State Board that:
(1)    all campaign finance reports due under § 13–304 of this subtitle from, or on behalf of, that individual have been filed; and
(2)    the individual has no unpaid civil penalties under § 13–604.1 of this title.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Election Law › Title 13 - Campaign Finance › Subtitle 3 - General Reporting Requirements › Part VII - Sanctions › Section 13-334 - Forfeiture of Salary

(a)    This section applies to each individual holding public office in this State who is subject to prosecution under § 13-335(b) of this subtitle.
(b)    The State Board shall:
(1)    investigate each circumstance that causes an individual to become subject to this section;
(2)    notify the individual; and
(3)    provide the individual an opportunity to be heard.
(c)    If the State Board determines, after an opportunity for a hearing, that the individual has failed to file a campaign finance report within the meaning of § 13-327 of this subtitle, was provided notice under § 13-335 of this subtitle, and has not rectified the failure and paid any late filing fee due, the State Board shall direct the appropriate financial officer to withhold the salary of the individual as to that public office until:
(1)    the failure to file is rectified and any late filing fee is paid; and
(2)    any salary previously paid to the individual for the public office while the individual was in violation is restored to the State or local government involved.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Election Law › Title 13 - Campaign Finance › Subtitle 3 - General Reporting Requirements › Part VII - Sanctions › Section 13-335 - Referral for Prosecution

(a)    (1)    If the State Board determines that there has been, for more than 30 days, a failure to file a campaign finance report within the meaning of § 13-327 of this subtitle, the State Board shall issue the notice prescribed in paragraph (2) of this subsection to the responsible officers of the campaign finance entity in violation.
(2)    The notice shall demand that, within 30 days after service of the notice, either:
(i)    the failure to file be rectified and any late filing fee due be paid; or
(ii)    the responsible officers show cause why the State Board should not ask the appropriate prosecuting authority to prosecute the responsible officers for a violation of this subtitle.
(3)    In its discretion, the appropriate prosecuting authority may refer the matter for action to the Central Collection Unit within the Department of Budget and Management.
(b)    A responsible officer who fails, without cause, to file the campaign finance report and pay the late fee within 30 days after service of the notice prescribed in subsection (a)(2) of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to the penalties prescribed in § 13-603 of this title.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Election Law › Title 13 - Campaign Finance › Subtitle 3 - General Reporting Requirements › Part VII - Sanctions › Section 13-337 - Relief From Sanctions

(a)    A sanction may not be imposed for failure to file a campaign finance report or to pay a late filing fee if a court of competent jurisdiction finds just cause for the failure.
(b)    (1)    On request of a responsible officer subject to the assessment of a late filing fee and with the approval of the State Board, the State Administrator may waive the late filing fee for just cause.
(2)    The decision of the State Administrator on a waiver request shall be in writing and state the circumstances surrounding the late filing and the reasons for the decision.
(3)    The State Administrator may make a decision on a waiver request without notice or hearing.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Election Law › Title 13 - Campaign Finance › Subtitle 3 - General Reporting Requirements › Part VIII - Administrative Procedures › Section 13-340 - Distribution of Fees

Fees for late filing of campaign finance reports, affidavits, or amended campaign finance reports imposed under § 13–331 of this subtitle shall be distributed to the Fair Campaign Financing Fund established under § 15–103 of this article.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Election Law › Title 13 - Campaign Finance › Subtitle 3 - General Reporting Requirements › Part VIII - Administrative Procedures › Section 13-341 - Retention of Documents

(a)    (1)    Each board shall receive and preserve all campaign finance reports that are required to be filed with it under this article.
(2)    Subject to paragraph (3) of this subsection, the campaign finance reports received by a board shall be kept as part of its records for:
(i)    a period not to exceed 5 years after the campaign finance report is filed; or
(ii)    a longer period if required by a court of competent jurisdiction or the State Board by regulation.
(3)    (i)    Notwithstanding paragraph (2) of this subsection, if the campaign finance report is that of a campaign finance entity of a candidate, the board shall keep the campaign finance report as a part of its records for at least 1 year after the expiration of the term of the public or party office for which the candidate sought nomination or election.
(ii)    Subparagraph (i) of this paragraph applies whether or not:
1.    the candidate is nominated, elected, or completes the term of office; and
2.    the campaign finance report relates to more than one candidate.
(b)    Campaign finance reports shall be open for public inspection during the regular office hours of the board that retains them.
(c)    Subject to subsection (a) of this section, a board shall transfer the campaign finance reports filed with it to the State Archives.
(d)    (1)    Before transferring a campaign finance report to the State Archives, a board shall make a record of any overdue campaign finance report from the same campaign finance entity and submit a copy of the record to the State Archives and, if made by a local board, to the State Board.
(2)    The record shall include:
(i)    the name of the campaign finance entity;
(ii)    the name of the treasurer;
(iii)    an identification of the missing campaign finance report; and
(iv)    if no later campaign finance report has been filed by the entity, the amount of any outstanding balance, and any outstanding obligations, shown on the last campaign finance report filed.
(e)    A copy of a campaign finance report may be used as evidence in a court in accordance with § 10-204 of the Courts Article.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Election Law › Title 13 - Campaign Finance › Subtitle 4 - Campaign Materials › Part I - General Provisions › Section 13-401 - Authority Line

(a)    (1)    Except as otherwise provided in this section, each item of campaign material shall contain, set apart from any other message, an authority line that states:
(i)    as to campaign material published, distributed, or disseminated by a campaign finance entity:
1.    the name and address of the treasurer of each campaign finance entity responsible for the campaign material; and
2.    as to each treasurer named under item 1 of this item, the name of each campaign finance entity for which the treasurer is acting; and
(ii)    as to campaign material published, distributed, or disseminated by any other person, the name and address of the person responsible for the campaign material.
(2)    The authority line may omit an address that is on file with the State Board or a local board.
(3)    If the campaign material is too small to include all the information specified in paragraph (1) of this subsection in a legible manner, the authority line need only contain the information required by regulations adopted by the State Board.
(4)    The authority line for campaign material that is a commercial advertisement need only contain the information specified in paragraphs (1) and (2) of this subsection for one campaign finance entity or other person responsible for the advertisement.
(b)    Campaign material that is published or distributed in support of or in opposition to a candidate, but is not authorized by the candidate, shall include the following statement:
“This message has been authorized and paid for by (name of payor or any organization affiliated with the payor), (name and title of treasurer or president). This message has not been authorized or approved by any candidate.”
2023 Maryland Statutes › Election Law › Title 13 - Campaign Finance › Subtitle 4 - Campaign Materials › Part I - General Provisions › Section 13-401.1 - Requirements Involving the Use of a Bot to Publish or Distribute Campaign Material Online

(a)    (1)    In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.
(2)    “Bot” means an automated online account where all or substantially all of the actions or posts of that account are not the result of a person.
(3)    “Online” means appearing on any public–facing Internet website, web application, or digital application, including a social network or publication.
(b)    (1)    This section applies to any candidate, campaign finance entity, person required to register under § 13–306, § 13–307, or § 13–309.2 of this title, or an agent of a candidate, campaign finance entity, or person required to register under § 13–306, § 13–307, or § 13–309.2 of this title.
(2)    In addition to the requirements under §§ 13–401 and 13–403 of this subtitle, a person subject to this section that uses a bot to publish, distribute, or disseminate campaign material online to another person in the State for the purpose of influencing an election shall disclose in a clear and conspicuous manner on the campaign material that the person is using a bot to publish, distribute, or disseminate the campaign material.
(3)    If a person subject to this section violates the requirement under paragraph (2) of this subsection, the State Board may seek to remove the bot.
(c)    This section does not impose a duty on service providers of online platforms, including web hosting and Internet service providers.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Election Law › Title 13 - Campaign Finance › Subtitle 4 - Campaign Materials › Part I - General Provisions › Section 13-402 - Advertising Rates

(a)    Subject to subsection (b) of this section, a person publishing a newspaper or periodical in the State may not charge a candidate for State or local public office a rate for political advertising that exceeds the local rate regularly charged for commercial advertising by the person publishing that newspaper or periodical.
(b)    If a candidate uses an advertising or press agency to place a political advertisement, the person publishing the newspaper or periodical may charge the national rate regularly charged by that newspaper or periodical for commercial advertising.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Election Law › Title 13 - Campaign Finance › Subtitle 4 - Campaign Materials › Part I - General Provisions › Section 13-403 - Retention of Copies

(a)    (1)    Subject to paragraph (2) of this subsection, each campaign finance entity, each person required to register under § 13–306(b) of this title, and each person required to register under § 13–307(b) of this title that is responsible for, publisher of, and distributor of, an item of campaign material shall keep a sample copy of the item for at least 1 year after the general election next following the date when the item was published or distributed.
(2)    For each item of campaign material disseminated through the Internet, the sample copy shall be:
(i)    a paper facsimile; or
(ii)    a copy on an electronic medium that can be produced as a paper facsimile on request.
(b)    Subsection (a) of this section does not apply to a billboard or a sign.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Election Law › Title 13 - Campaign Finance › Subtitle 4 - Campaign Materials › Part I - General Provisions › Section 13-404 - Regulations Governing Electronic Media

(a)    In this section, “electronic media” means any electronic medium, except television or radio, that may be used to transmit campaign material.
(b)    The State Board shall adopt regulations governing the application of §§ 13–401 and 13–403 of this subtitle to campaign material transmitted through electronic media.
(c)    The regulations adopted by the State Board under this section:
(1)    shall define what constitutes “publication” or “distribution” of campaign material through electronic media under § 1–101(k) of this article;
(2)    shall require public disclosure of the identity of persons who are responsible for transmitting campaign material through electronic media; and
(3)    may modify the requirements of §§ 13–401 and 13–403 of this subtitle as they apply to electronic media to the extent necessary to accommodate a particular technology.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Election Law › Title 13 - Campaign Finance › Subtitle 4 - Campaign Materials › Part I - General Provisions › Section 13-405.1 - Investigation of Potential Violations of 13-401 or 13-405 by State Administrator; Injunctions

(a)    (1)    The State Administrator may investigate a potential violation of § 13–401 or § 13–405 of this subtitle by a purchaser of a qualifying paid digital communication.
(2)    In furtherance of an investigation under paragraph (1) of this subsection, the State Administrator may issue a subpoena for the attendance of a witness to testify or the production of records.
(3)    A subpoena issued under this subsection shall be served in accordance with the Maryland Rules.
(4)    If a person fails to comply with a subpoena issued under this subsection, on petition of the State Administrator, a circuit court of competent jurisdiction may compel compliance with the subpoena.
(b)    (1)    At the conclusion of an investigation under subsection (a)(1) of this section, subject to paragraph (2) of this subsection, the State Board may request that the Attorney General institute an action in a circuit court for injunctive relief in accordance with the Maryland Rules to:
(i)    require a purchaser of a qualifying paid digital communication to comply with § 13–401 or § 13–405 of this subtitle; or
(ii)    require an online platform to remove a qualified paid digital communication that does not comply with § 13–401 of this subtitle or if the purchaser of the communication does not comply with § 13–405 of this subtitle.
(2)    Before requesting that the Attorney General seek an injunction under paragraph (1) of this subsection, the State Board shall:
(i)    notify a purchaser of a qualifying paid digital communication who is the subject of an investigation of the circumstances that gave rise to the investigation; and
(ii)    provide the person reasonable opportunity to be heard at a public meeting of the State Board.
(3)    A circuit court may grant injunctive relief under this subsection only if the Attorney General shows by clear and convincing evidence that a violation of § 13–401 or § 13–405 of this subtitle is being committed.
(4)    A person who violates an injunction issued under this subsection is subject to the penalties provided in § 13–605(b) of this title.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Election Law › Title 13 - Campaign Finance › Subtitle 4 - Campaign Materials › Part I - General Provisions › Section 13-405.2 - Currency Requirements for Purchase or Sale of Campaign Material or Electioneering Communication

(a)    In this section, “electioneering communication” has the meaning stated in § 13–307(a) of this title.
(b)    A person may not purchase campaign material or an electioneering communication using any currency other than United States currency.
(c)    A person may not willfully and knowingly sell campaign material or an electioneering communication to a person who uses any currency other than United States currency to pay for the campaign material or electioneering communication.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Election Law › Title 13 - Campaign Finance › Subtitle 4 - Campaign Materials › Part II - Legislative Newsletters › Section 13-406 - Definitions

(a)    In this Part II of this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.
(b)    “Incumbent” means a member of the General Assembly.
(c)    “Publication expense” means an expenditure relating to writing, publishing, printing, issuing, mailing, or distributing an unofficial legislative newsletter.
(d)    “Unofficial legislative newsletter” means an unsolicited document used by an incumbent, without supervision by or coordination with the General Assembly, to disseminate information to a constituent, voter, or potential voter about:
(1)    the incumbent’s performance in legislative office; or
(2)    one or more issues of public interest chosen by the incumbent.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Election Law › Title 13 - Campaign Finance › Subtitle 4 - Campaign Materials › Part II - Legislative Newsletters › Section 13-408 - Payment of Publication Expenses

(a)    Publication expenses may not be paid from public funds.
(b)    Publication expenses:
(1)    may be paid by an authorized candidate campaign committee of the incumbent if the authorized candidate campaign committee complies with all other requirements of this title regarding expenditures and campaign material; and
(2)    may not be paid from the personal funds of any individual.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Election Law › Title 13 - Campaign Finance › Subtitle 5 - Local Provisions › Section 13-504 - Special Provisions -- Frederick County

As to contributions to the County Executive of Frederick County or to a member of the Frederick County Council or a candidate for election as the County Executive of Frederick County or as a member of the Frederick County Council, Title 5, Subtitle 8, Part IX of the General Provisions Article may apply.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Election Law › Title 13 - Campaign Finance › Subtitle 5 - Local Provisions › Section 13-504.1 - Applicability of Maryland Public Ethics Law to Certain Members of Anne Arundel County

As to contributions to the County Executive of Anne Arundel County or to a member of the Anne Arundel County Council or a candidate for election as the County Executive of Anne Arundel County or as a member of the Anne Arundel County Council, Title 5, Subtitle 8, Part XI of the General Provisions Article may apply.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Election Law › Title 13 - Campaign Finance › Subtitle 5 - Local Provisions › Section 13-505 - System of Public Campaign Financing

(a)    In this section, “contested election committee” means a contested election committee established under Title 12, Subtitle 3 of this article.
(b)    (1)    Subject to the provisions of this section, the governing body of a county may establish, by law, a system of public campaign financing for elective offices in the executive or legislative branches of county government.
(2)    A system of public financing established under paragraph (1) of this subsection may include public financing of a contested election committee.
(3)    When establishing a system of public campaign financing for elective offices in the executive or legislative branches of county government, the governing body of a county shall:
(i)    specify the criteria that are to be used to determine whether an individual is eligible for public campaign financing; and
(ii)    provide the funding and staff necessary for the operation, administration, and auditing of the system of public campaign financing.
(c)    A system of public campaign financing enacted under subsection (b) of this section:
(1)    shall provide for participation of candidates in public campaign financing on a strictly voluntary basis;
(2)    may not regulate candidates who choose not to participate in public campaign financing;
(3)    shall prohibit the use of public campaign financing for any campaign except a campaign for county elective office;
(4)    shall require a candidate who accepts public campaign financing to:
(i)    establish a campaign finance entity solely for the campaign for county elective office; and
(ii)    use funds from that campaign finance entity only for the campaign for county elective office;
(5)    shall prohibit a candidate who accepts public campaign financing from transferring funds:
(i)    to the campaign finance entity established to finance the campaign for county elective office from any other campaign finance entity established for the candidate; and
(ii)    from the campaign finance entity established to finance the campaign for county elective office to any other campaign finance entity;
(6)    shall provide for a public election fund for county elective offices that is administered by the chief financial officer of the county; and
(7)    shall be subject to regulation and oversight by the State Board to ensure conformity with State law and policy to the extent practicable.
(d)    A system of public campaign financing enacted under subsection (b) of this section may:
(1)    provide for more stringent regulation of campaign finance activity by candidates who choose to accept public campaign financing, including contributions, expenditures, reporting, and campaign material, than is provided for by State law;
(2)    provide for administrative penalties for violations, in accordance with § 10–202 of the Local Government Article; and
(3)    allow a publicly financed candidate to transfer any amount of funds from the candidate’s campaign finance entity to the candidate’s contested election committee.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Election Law › Title 13 - Campaign Finance › Subtitle 6 - Prohibited Acts and Penalties › Section 13-601 - False Statements, Entries and Electronic Submissions

(a)    A person may not willfully make a false, fraudulent, or misleading statement or entry in any campaign finance report or other filing that is under oath and is required by this article.
(b)    A person may not make an electronic submission of a prescribed form, affidavit, campaign finance report, or other document on behalf of another person without that person’s express consent.
(c)    A person who violates this section is guilty of perjury and on conviction subject to the penalty provided under the Criminal Law Article.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Election Law › Title 13 - Campaign Finance › Subtitle 6 - Prohibited Acts and Penalties › Section 13-603 - Other Violations -- Criminal Penalties

Except as otherwise expressly provided in this subtitle, a person who knowingly and willfully violates a provision of this title is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to a fine not exceeding $25,000 or imprisonment not exceeding 1 year or both.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Election Law › Title 13 - Campaign Finance › Subtitle 6 - Prohibited Acts and Penalties › Section 13-604 - Other Violations -- Civil Penalties

(a)    (1)    A person who violates a provision of this title without knowing that the act is illegal shall pay a civil penalty in accordance with subsections (b) through (g) of this section.
(2)    The penalty imposed under this section may not exceed $5,000.
(3)    An infraction described in paragraph (1) of this subsection is a civil offense.
(4)    This section does not apply to a violation of another section in which a penalty is expressly provided.
(b)    (1)    If the State Prosecutor or the State’s Attorney with jurisdiction determines that a person unintentionally, and without criminal intent, has violated a provision of this title, the State Prosecutor, the State’s Attorney, or both, shall issue to the person a civil citation that contains:
(i)    the name and address of the person cited;
(ii)    the nature, time, and place of the violation;
(iii)    the manner in which the violation occurred;
(iv)    the maximum penalty for the violation;
(v)    the manner and time in which to pay the penalty;
(vi)    where to pay the penalty; and
(vii)    a statement that the person receiving the citation has a right to a trial in the District Court.
(2)    The prosecuting authority who issues a citation under paragraph (1) of this subsection shall file it in the District Court.
(c)    The citation shall be served in accordance with the Maryland Rules.
(d)    (1)    On receipt of the return of service, the District Court shall schedule the case for trial and notify the person named in the citation of the trial date.
(2)    The trial in the District Court shall be conducted in the same manner as set forth for municipal infractions under §§ 6–108, 6–109, and 6–111 through 6–115 of the Local Government Article.
(3)    The District Court shall distribute all late fees collected to the Fair Campaign Financing Fund established under § 15–103 of this article.
(4)    An adjudication of a violation under this subsection:
(i)    is not a criminal conviction; and
(ii)    does not carry with it any of the civil disabilities that arise from a criminal conviction.
(e)    A person who is adjudicated in violation as set forth in a citation issued under subsection (b) of this section is liable for the cost of the District Court proceedings.
(f)    If a person who has been served with a citation fails to appear for trial, the court, at the request of the prosecutor, may dismiss the citation or enter a civil judgment against the person:
(1)    in favor of the State Board;
(2)    in accordance with the Maryland Rules; and
(3)    in an amount not exceeding the maximum fine set forth in subsection (a) of this section and any late fees owed to the State Board.
(g)    A civil penalty imposed under this section shall be distributed to the Fair Campaign Financing Fund established under § 15–103 of this article.