Ch. 676                                    1996 LAWS OF MARYLAND

(2)     in connection with' or for the purpose of influencing executive action,
spends a cumulative value of at least $100 for meals, beverages, special events, or gifts on
one or more officials or employees of the Executive Branch;

(3)     is employed to influence executive action on a procurement contract that
exceeds $100,000;

(4)     spends at least $2,000, including postage, for the express purpose of
soliciting others to communicate with an official to influence legislative action or
executive action; or

(5)     spends at least $500 to provide compensation to one or more entities
required to register under this subsection.

(b) (1) The following activities are exempt from regulation under this subtitle:

(i) appearances as part of the official duties of an elected or
appointed official or employee of the State, a political subdivision of the State, or the
United States, to the extent that the appearance is not on behalf of any other entity;

(ii) actions of a member of the news media, to the extent the actions
are in the ordinary course of gathering and disseminating news or making editorial
comment to the general public;

(iii) representation of a bona fide religious organization to the extent
the representation is for the purpose of protecting the right of its members to practice the
doctrine of the organization; [ or]

(iv) appearances as part of the official duties of an officer, director,
member, or employee of an association engaged exclusively in representing counties or
municipal corporations, to the extent that the appearance is not on behalf of any other
entity; OR

(V) ACTIONS AS PART OF THE OFFICIAL DUTIES OF A TRUSTEE, AN
ADMINISTRATOR, OR A FACULTY MEMBER, OR OTHER PERSONNEL OF AN A
NONPROFIT INDEPENDENT COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY IN THE STATE PROVIDED THE
OFFICIAL DUTIES OF THE INDIVIDUAL DO NOT CONSIST PRIMARILY OF ATTEMPTING TO
INFLUENCE LEGISLATIVE ACTION OR EXECUTIVE ACTION.

(2) The following activities are exempt from regulation under this subtitle if
the individual engages in no other acts during the reporting period that require
registration:

(i) professional services in drafting bills or in advising clients on the
construction or effect of proposed or pending legislation;

(ii) appearances before the entire General Assembly, or any
committee or subcommittee of the General Assembly, at the specific request of the body
involved; or

(iii) appearances before a legislative committee at the specific request
of a regulated lobbyist, if the witness notifies the committee that the witness is testifying
at the request of the regulated lobbyist.

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