Ch. 533

1995 LAWS OR MARYLAND

(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) EXCEPTIONS.

(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;

(VI)    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
EVENT; OR

2.        A CHARITABLE, CULTURAL, OR POLITICAL EVENT;

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