WILLIAM DONALD SCHAEFER, Governor                         Ch. 577

(viii) "Slate" means a group, combination, or organization of candidates
created pursuant to the provisions of this article.

(ix) "Treasurer" includes a subtreasurer.

(2)     Except as provided in paragraph (3) of this subsection, a contributor,
member, or political action committee is subject to the provisions of Article [28] 40A,
Title [9] 6, SUBTITLE 6 of the Code if a payment is made by the contributor, or a transfer
is made by the political action committee, to the treasurer of the candidate or the
treasurer of the candidate's continuing political committee.

(3)     Article [28] 40A, Title [9] 6, SUBTITLE 6 of the Code does not apply to:

(i) Any payment or transfer to a slate, unless the slate is composed
solely of candidates or members;

(ii) Any transfer to the continuing political committee of a candidate
or member by the continuing political committee of another individual running for
elective office; or

(iii) A payment or transfer to the Prince George's County Central
Committee, or State Central Committee, of a political party, even if the Central
Committee supports a candidate.

(4)     A person may not make a payment in violation of Article [28] 40A, §
[9-102(a)] 6-602(A) of the Code.

Article 40A - Maryland Public Ethics Law

1-102.

(a)     The General Assembly of Maryland, recognizing that our system of
representative government is dependent in part upon the people maintaining the highest
trust in their public officials and officers, finds and declares that the people have a right
to be assured that the impartiality and independent judgment of public officials and
officers will be maintained.

(b)     It is evident that this confidence and trust is eroded when the conduct of the
State's business is subject to improper influence and even the appearance of improper
influence.

(c)     For the purpose of guarding against improper influence, the General
Assembly enacts this Public Ethics Law to require State officials and public officials to
disclose their financial affairs and to set minimum standards for their conduct of State
and local business.

(d)     It is the intention of the General Assembly that this article, except its
provisions for criminal sanctions, be liberally construed to accomplish this purpose.

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