City of Baltimore
Baltimore City Code

§ 8-8. Executive lobbying.

(a) In general.

A person must register if, during a reporting period, the person:

(1) for the purpose of influencing any executive action, communicates with a public servant; and

(2) in furtherance of or in connection with all such communications for that or any other executive action, and all activities relating to those communications, expends $100 or more for gifts, including meals, beverages, or special events, to 1 or more public servants.

(b) Regulations; Executive Orders.

A person must register if, during a reporting period, the person:

(1) for the purpose of influencing the development, adoption, issuance, or amendment of regulations or of an executive order, communicates with a public servant; and

(2) in furtherance of or in connection with all such communications for that or any other executive action, and all activities relating to those communications:

(i) expends $100 or more for gifts, including meals, beverages, or special events, to 1 or more public servants;

(ii) incurs any expenses of $500 or more; or

(iii) earns $2,500 or more in compensation.

(c) Procurement.

(1) A person must register if, during a reporting period, the person:

(i) for the purpose of influencing executive action on a procurement contract that exceeds $50,000, communicates with a public servant; and

(ii) in furtherance of or in connection with all such communications for that or any other executive action, and all activities relating to those communications:

(A) expends $100 or more for gifts, including meals, beverages, or special events, to 1 or more public servants; or

(B) except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, is compensated for his or her services.

(2) Paragraph (1)(ii)(B) of this subsection does not apply to a bona fide salesperson or commercial selling agency employed or maintained by an employer for the purpose of soliciting or securing a procurement contract, as long as the person engages in no other acts during the reporting period that require registration.

(d) Business grants or loans.

(1) A person must register if, during a reporting period, the person:

(i) for the purpose of influencing executive action to secure for a business entity a grant or loan that exceeds $50,000, communicates with a public servant; and

(ii) in furtherance of or in connection with all such communications for that or any other executive action, and all activities relating to those communications:

(A) expends $100 or more for gifts, including meals, beverages, or special events, to 1 or more public servants; or

(B) except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, is compensated for his or her services.

(2) Paragraph (1)(ii)(B) of this subsection does not apply to either of the following, as long as the person engages in no other acts during the reporting period that require registration:

(i) a bona fide full-time official or employee of a business entity that is seeking to secure a grant or loan; or

(ii) a person who is seeking a grant or loan for the purpose of locating, relocating, or expanding a business in or into the City.