(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) 1. EXCEPT FOR OFFICIALS OF THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH,
meals or beverages received AND CONSUMED by the official or employee in the
presence of the donor or sponsoring entity;

2. FOR OFFICIALS OF THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH, FOOD OR
BEVERAGES RECEIVED AND CONSUMED BY THE OFFICIAL OR EMPLOYEE FN THE
PRESENCE OF THE DONOR OR SPONSORING ENTITY AS PART OF A RECEPTION MEAL
OR RECEPTION, TO WHICH WERE INVITED ALL MEMBERS OF A LEGISLATIVE UNIT;

3. FOR A MEMBER OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, FOOD OR
BEVERAGES RECEIVED FROM A DONOR OR SPONSORING ENTITY, OTHER THAN AN
INDIVIDUAL REGULATED LOBBYIST DESCRIBED IN § 15-701(A)(1) OF THIS TITLE,
DURING A PERIOD WHEN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY IS NOT IN SESSION, AT A
LOCATION THAT IS WITHIN A COUNTY THAT CONTAINS THE MEMBER'S DISTRICT,
PROVIDED THAT THE DONOR OR SPONSORING ENTITY IS LOCATED WITHIN A
COUNTY THAT CONTAINS THE MEMBER'S DISTRICT; OR

4. FOR A MEMBER OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, FOOD OR
BEVERAGES RECEIVED AT THE TIME AND GEOGRAPHIC LOCATION OF A MEETING OF
A LEGISLATIVE ORGANIZATION FOR WHICH THE MEMBER'S PRESIDING OFFICER HAS
APPROVED THE MEMBER'S ATTENDANCE AT STATE EXPENSE:

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

(iii) except for a State official of the Executive or Legislative Branch,
unsolicited gifts of nominal value;