15-512. Suspension of disqualification.

(a) (1) (I) EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN SUBPARAGRAPH (II) OF THIS
PARAGRAPH, THE DISQUALIFICATION ARISING UNDER § 15-511 OF THIS SUBTITLE
MAY NOT BE SUSPENDED IF THE CONFLICT IS DIRECT AND PERSONAL TO:

(I) 1. THE LEGISLATOR;

(II) 2. A MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATOR'S IMMEDIATE FAMILY; OR

(III) 3. THE LEGISLATOR'S EMPLOYER
(II) THIS PARAGRAPH DOES NOT APPLY TO A VOTE ON:

1.       THE ANNUAL OPERATING BUDGET BILL, IN ITS ENTIRETY;

OR

2. THE ANNUAL CAPITAL BUDGET BILL, IN ITS ENTIRETY.

(2) [The] AS TO ANY OTHER CONFLICT, THE disqualification arising
under § 15-511 of this subtitle is suspended if a legislator with an apparent OR
PRESUMED conflict files with the Joint Ethics Committee a sworn statement [which]
THAT describes the circumstances of the apparent OR PRESUMED conflict and the
legislation OR CLASS OF LEGISLATION to which it relates and asserts the legislator is
able to vote and otherwise participate in [legislative] action relating [thereto] TO
THE LEGISLATION, fairly, objectively, and in the public interest.

(B) (1) Whenever a legislator files a statement for the suspension of the
disqualification, the Joint Ethics Committee on its own motion may issue a statement
concerning the propriety of the legislator's participation in the particular legislative
action,, with reference to the applicable ethical standards of this matter.

[(b)] (2) The suspension of the disqualification by the filing of the statement
is subject to further action by the Joint Ethics Committee if the question of conflict
comes before it as to the same circumstances and the same legislator.

(C) A MEMBER WHO IS DISQUALIFIED FROM PARTICIPATING IN LEGISLATIVE
ACTION UNDER SUBSECTION (A)(1) OF THIS SECTION, OR WHO CHOOSES TO BE
EXCUSED FROM PARTICIPATING IN LEGISLATIVE ACTION ON A BILL OR CLASS OF
BILLS BECAUSE OF THE APPEARANCE OR PRESUMPTION OF A CONFLICT, SHALL FILE
IN A TIMELY MANNER A STATEMENT WITH THE JOINT ETHICS COMMITTEE THAT
DESCRIBES THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE APPARENT OR PRESUMED CONFLICT.

[(c)] (D) (1) All [sworn] statements filed under this section shall, be a
matter of public record.

(2) THE JOINT ETHICS COMMITTEE SHALL DEVELOP PROCEDURES
UNDER WHICH A STATEMENT FILED UNDER THIS SECTION MAY BE FILED
ELECTRONICALLY WITHOUT ANY ADDITIONAL COST TO THE LEGISLATOR.

(3) THE JOINT ETHICS COMMITTEE SHALL MAKE AVAILABLE AS A
PUBLICLY AVAILABLE INTERNET DOCUMENT EACH STATEMENT FILED UNDER THIS
SECTION.