PARRIS N. GLENDENING, Governor                             Ch. 550

(1)     does or seeks to do any business, regardless of amount, with the official's
or employee's unit;

(2)     engages in an activity that is regulated or controlled by the official's or
employee's governmental unit;

(3)     has a financial interest that may be affected substantially and materially,
in a manner distinguishable from the public generally, by the performance or
nonperformance of the official's or employee's official duties; or

(4)     is a regulated lobbyist with respect to matters within the jurisdiction of
the official or employee.

(c) (1) Notwithstanding subsection (b) of this section, an official or employee
may accept a gift specified in paragraph (2) of this subsection unless:

(i) the gift would tend to impair the impartiality and independent
judgment of the official or employee; or

(ii) as to a gift of significant value:

1.       the gift would give the appearance of impairing the
impartiality and independent judgment of the official or employee; or

2.       the official or employee believes or has reason to believe that
the gift is designed to impair the impartiality and independent judgment of the official or
employee.

(2) Subject to paragraph (1) of this subsection, subsection (b) of this section
does not apply to:

(i) meals or beverages received by the official or employee in the
presence of the donor or sponsoring entity;

(ii) ceremonial gifts or awards of insignificant monetary value;

(iii) unsolicited gifts of nominal value;

(iv) trivial gifts of informational value;

(v) in return for participation on a panel or a speaking engagement at
a meeting, reasonable expenses for food, travel, lodging, or scheduled entertainment of
the official or employee if the expenses are associated with the meeting. EXCEPT THAT,
IF SUCH EXPENSES FOR A MEMBER OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY STATE OFFICIAL OF
THE LEGISLATIVE OR EXECUTIVE BRANCH ARE TO BE PAID BY A REGULATED
LOBBYIST AND ARE ANTICIPATED TO EXCEED $500, THE MEMBER OFFICIAL SHALL
OBTAIN THE PRIOR WRITTEN APPROVAL OF NOTIFY THE JOINT ETHICS COMMITTEE
APPROPRIATE ADVISORY BODY TO ATTEND BEFORE ATTENDING THE MEETING;

(vi) SUBJECT TO PARAGRAPH (3) OF THIS SUBSECTION PROVIDED
THAT THE EVENT IS SPONSORED BY THE DONOR, tickets or free admission extended to
an elected constitutional officer, as a courtesy or ceremony to the office, to attend:

1. a professional or intercollegiate sporting events or
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