Lobbyist Registration
The Ethics Law requires lobbyists to register with the Ethics Board and to file semi-annual activity reports. Review Article 8, Subtitle 8 of the Ethics Law for more information about lobbying, or press the links below:
To register as a lobbyist with the Baltimore City Ethics Board, please visit the City's Lobbyist Activity Site.
Register as a Lobbyist Online Here
For a list of all registered lobbyists from October 1, 2019, onward, visit the Lobbyist Activity Site's list of publicly registered lobbyists.
View the Public List of Registered Lobbyists Here
NOTE: Please contact Ethics Board staff at ethics@baltimorecity.gov to view amendments to lobbying activity reports or to view lobbyist registration statements and reports filed prior to October 2019. If you cannot find a lobbyist registration statement or activity report online, contact Ethics Board staff.
Lobbyist Registration | ||
Definitions
| Compensation – where lobbying is only part of a person’s employment, means prorated amount based on time devoted to lobbying. Executive Action – any official action/nonaction that is taken by a public servant and that is not “legislative action.” Legislative Action – any official action/nonaction relating to any bill, resolution, nomination, appointment, report, or other matter within the jurisdiction of the City Council; or any bill or resolution presented to the Mayor for approval or veto. Lobby – any act that requires registration under Subtitle 8. Reporting Period – all/any part of January 1 through December 31 of year during which person is registered or required to be registered as a lobbyist. | |
Registration Required
| A person engaged in any of the following must register with Ethics Board:
*Exception for bona fide salesperson/selling agency who is employed to secure procurement contract.
* Exception for bona fide full-time official/employee of the business entity seeking the grant/loan, OR a person seeking a grant/loan for purpose of relocating/expanding to the City. Separate registration is required for each principal/person on whose behalf the lobbyist is acting. | |
Lobbyist’s Employer Must Authorize | Any person that engages a lobbyist for the purpose of lobbying must provide a written authorization for the lobbyist to act on the person’s behalf. Contents of the statement/authorization must include:
Employer of lobbyist is exempt from registering if they reasonably believe that the lobbyist they employ will register as required and timely report all expenses. If their employed lobbyist fails to report, the exemption immediately terminates and employer becomes subject to registrations and reporting requirements. | |
Content of Registration
| The registration must be filed on the form provided by the Ethics Board and include:
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Time for Registering | Initially, a lobbyist must register within 5 days after first engaging in any act that requires registration. Annually, a lobbyist must file a new registration on or before January 1 of each year if, on that date, the lobbyist is engaged/expects to be engaged in lobbying. The Ethics Board is authorized to charge late fees for untimely registration. | |
Registration Filing Fee | Lobbying registration must be accompanied by a fee of $100. | |
Registration Termination | Automatic termination:
Termination by lobbyist if:
Required termination upon appointment as public servant: |
Lobbying Prohibited Conduct | |
Contingent Compensation | Lobbyist may not lobby on behalf of any person for compensation that is dependent on passage/defeat/enactment of any legislative or executive action. |
Gifts | Lobbyist may not make a gift to a public servant if the gift’s acceptance or solicitation would otherwise violate Subtitle 6, Conflicts of Interest. |
Loans | Unless in the ordinary course of lobbyist’s business as/for a banking institution, lobbyist may not make or facilitate the making of any loan of money, goods, or services to a public servant. |
Fund Raisers | A lobbyist who is an individual may not engage in any charitable fund-raising activity at the request of a public servant. |
Bell Ringing | A lobbyist may not initiate or encourage the introduction of legislation for the purpose of opposing that legislation. |
Requesting Endorsement | A lobbyist may not ask a public servant to recommend to a potential client the lobbyist’s services or the services of any other lobbyist. |
Veracity and Candor Required | When interacting with public servants in course of lobbying, lobbyist must not make false statements, and must affirmatively identify self as lobbyist and identify person on whose behalf they are lobbying. |