1454

LAWS OF MARYLAND

Ch. 513

IMPARTIALITY AND THE INDEPENDENCE OF HIS JUDGMENT OR ANY

GIFT OF SIGNIFICANT VALUE WHICH WOULD GIVE THE APPEARANCE OF

TENDING TO IMPAIR THE IMPARTIALITY AND THE INDEPENDENCE OF

HIS JUDGMENT OR WHICH HE BELIEVES, OR HAS REASON TO BELIEVE,

IS DESIGNED TO IMPAIR THE IMPARTIALITY AND THE----INDEPENDENCE

OF HIS JUDGMENT.

(A) EXCEPT IN ACCORDANCE WITH AN ESTABLISHED SCHEDULE

OF FEES FOR GOVERNMENT SERVICES, AN OFFICIAL OR EMPLOYEE MAY
NOT KNOWINGLY SOLICIT OR ACCEPT FROM ANY PERSON, AND A
PERSON MAY NOT OFFER OR GIVE TO ANY OFFICIAL OR EMPLOYEE,
DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, FOR LESS THAN FULL LEGAL

CONSIDERATION, ANYTHING OF VALUE FOR OR BECAUSE OF ANY

OFFICIAL ACT PERFORMED OR TO BE PERFORMED BY HIM.

(B) (A) AN OFFICIAL OR EMPLOYEE MAY NOT KNOWINGLY
SOLICIT ANY GIFT OR. NO OFFICIAL OR EMPLOYEE MAY KNOWINGLY
ACCEPT ANY GIFT, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, FROM ANY PERSON
WHOM THE OFFICIAL OR EMPLOYEE KNOWS OR HAS REASON TO KNOW:

(1) IS DOING OR SEEKING TO DO BUSINESS OF ANY
KIND WITH HIS AGENCY;

(2) IS ENGAGED IN ACTIVITIES WHICH ARE REGULATED

OR CONTROLLED BY HIS AGENCY;

(3) HAS FINANCIAL INTERESTS WHICH MAY BE
SUBSTANTIALLY AND MATERIALLY AFFECTED, IN A MANNER
DISTINGUISHABLE FROM THE PUBLIC GENERALLY, BY THE
PERFORMANCE OR NONPERFORMANCE OF HIS OFFICIAL DUTY; OR

(4)

IS A REGISTRANT WITH RESPECT TO MATTERS

WITHIN HIS JURISDICTION.

(C) SUBSECTION (B) (B) UNLESS A GIFT OF ANY OF THE
FOLLOWING WOULD TEND TO IMPAIR THE IMPARTIALITY AND THE

INDEPENDENCE OF JUDGMENT OF THE OFFICIAL OR EMPLOYEE

RECEIVING IT OR, IF OF SIGNIFICANT VALUE, WOULD GIVE THE

APPEARANCE OF DOING SO, OR, IF OF SIGNIFICANT VALUE, THE

RECIPIENT OFFICIAL OR EMPLOYEE BELIEVES, OR HAS REASON TO
BELIEVE. THAT IT IS DESIGNED TO DO SO, SUBSECTION (A) DOES
NOT APPLY TO;

(1)   FOOD OR REFRESHMENTS FOR CONSUMPTION ON THE
PREMISES MEALS AND BEVERAGES;

(2)   CEREMONIAL GIFTS OR AWARDS WHICH HAVE
INSIGNIFICANT MONETARY VALUE;

(3)

UNSOLICITED GIFTS OF NOMINAL

VALUE

TRIVIAL ITEMS OF INFORMATIONAL VALUE;

OR

(4) REASONABLE EXPENSES FOR FOOD, TRAVEL,

LODGING, AND SCHEDULED ENTERTAINMENT OF THE OFFICIAL AND

SPOUSE OR THE EMPLOYEE AND SPOUSE FOR A MEETING WHICH IS

GIVEN IN RETURN FOR PARTICIPATION IN A PANEL OR SPEAKING

ENGAGEMENT AT THE MEETING;