§ 7-1-502. LOBBYING REGISTRATION - IN GENERAL.

(a)

Required.

(1)

(i)

Except as provided in paragraph (4) of this subsection and subsection (b) of this section, a person or entity who engages in lobbying shall file a lobbying registration with the Commission if the person or entity, during the calendar year:

1.

Expends, exclusive of personal travel and subsistence expenses, in excess of $100 in furtherance of this activity; or

2.

Is compensated in excess of $500 in connection with this activity; or

(ii)

For the purpose of influencing the comprehensive zoning map process:

1.

Engages in lobbying; and

2.

Expends money, irrespective of the amount, on a public official for meals, beverages, special events, or gifts.

(2)

The person or entity shall file the registration:

(i)

On or before the beginning of the year in which the lobbyist expects to engage in lobbying; or

(ii)

Within 5 days after engaging in lobbying activities.

(3)

A lobbyist who engages in lobbying on behalf of more than one person shall file a separate lobbying registration for each person.

(4)

The following activities are exempt from registration under this section:

(i)

Professional services in drafting bills or advising and rendering opinions to clients as to the construction and effect of proposed or pending County Council actions when these services do not otherwise constitute lobbying activities;

(ii)

Appearances before the County Council on its specific invitation or request if the person or entity engages in no further or other activities in connection with the passage or defeat of County Council actions;

(iii)

Appearances before an agency of the executive branch on the specific request of the agency if the person or entity engages in no further or other activities in connection with the passage or defeat of any agency executive action;

(iv)

Appearance as part of the official duties of a duly elected or appointed official of the state or a political subdivision of the State, or of the United States, and not on behalf of any other entity;

(v)

Actions of a publisher or working member of the press, radio, or television in the ordinary course of the business of disseminating news or making editorial comment to the general public who does not engage in further or other lobbying that would directly and specifically benefit the economic, business or professional interests of the person or entity or the employer of the person or entity;

(vi)

Appearances by an individual before the County Council at the specific invitation of a registered lobbyist if the person performs no other lobbying act and notifies the County Council that the person or entity is testifying at the request of the lobbyist;

(vii)

Appearances by an individual before a government agency at the specific invitation of a registered lobbyist if the person performs no other lobbying act and notifies the government agency that the person or entity is testifying at the request of the lobbyist;

(viii)

The representation of a bona fide religious organization solely for the purpose of protecting the right of its own members to practice the doctrine of the organization; and

(ix)

Appearance as part of the official duties of an officer, director, member or employee of an association engaged exclusively in lobbying for counties and municipalities and not on behalf of any other entity.

(b)

Exemption for rezoning process.

(1)

A person who engages in lobbying, including making public appearances, for the purpose of influencing the comprehensive zoning map process is not required to file a lobbying registration provided the person:

(i)

Does not expend money on a public official for meals, beverages, special events, or gifts; and

(ii)

Registers with the secretary to the County Council not later than 5 days after the last lobbying activity.

(2)

The registration filed with the secretary to the County Council shall:

(i)

Include the following information:

1.

The person's full and legal name and address and the full and legal name and address of any person on whose behalf the person is acting; and

2.

The property involved and the map issue number if available;

(ii)

Be made a permanent part of the County Council record; and

(iii)

Be posted on the council website.

(1988 Code, §§ 28-151, 28-153, 28-161) (Bill No. 91-99, § 2, 7-1-2004; Bill No. 57-17 , § 1, 10-16-2017; Bill No. 12-18 , § 1, 4-6-2018; Bill No. 4-19 , § 1, 3-31-2019)