§ 7-1-201. DUTIES.

(a)

In general. The Commission shall:

(1)

Administer the provisions of this title;

(2)

Provide notice of its meetings and take and maintain written minutes of its meetings;

(3)

Keep all records and forms required under this title in the offices of the Commission to be maintained only by the staff of the Commission;

(4)

Prescribe and provide forms for reports, statements, notices, complaints, and other documents required by this title;

(5)

Retain documents filed with the Commission for at least 4 years after the date of their receipt;

(6)

Determine if changes to this title are required to be in compliance with the requirements of Title 5, Subtitle 8 of the General Provisions Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland and submit a written report with any recommendations to the County Executive and the Council for enactment;

(7)

For each financial disclosure and lobbying statement filed in accordance with this title:

(i)

Review the filing to determine if the filing complies with the provisions of this title; and

(ii)

Notify the filer of any omissions or deficiencies in the filing;

(8)

Conduct public information and education programs regarding the purpose and implementation of this title; and

(9)

Disseminate information to public officials regarding:

(i)

The purpose and scope of this title; and

(ii)

The functioning of the Commission.

(b)

Rules and regulations. The Commission may adopt rules and regulations in order to carry out the provisions of this title, including:

(1)

The conduct of Commission meetings to consider an advisory opinion request or a complaint processed in accordance with Subtitle 1 of this title;

(2)

Providing access to Commission records relating to an advisory opinion request or a complaint processed in accordance with Subtitle 1 of this title; and

(3)

Public examination of financial disclosure statements.

(c)

The Commission shall certify to the State Ethics Commission on or before October 1 of each year that the county is in compliance with the requirements of Title 5, Subtitle 8 of the General Provisions Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland for elected officials.

(1988 Code, §§ 28-46, 28-47, 28-48, 28-49, 28-50, 28-51) (Bill No. 91-99, § 2, 7-1-2004; Bill No. 75-11, § 1, 1-1-2012; Bill No. 77-15, § 2, 11-4-2015 ; Bill No. 4-19 , § 1, 3-31-2019)