EXPLANATION: CAPITALS indicate matter added to existing law.
[Brackets] indicate matter deleted from existing law.
* WARNING: THIS IS AN UNOFFICIAL, INTRODUCTORY COPY OF THE BILL.
THE OFFICIAL COPY CONSIDERED BY THE CITY COUNCIL IS THE FIRST READER COPY.
INTRODUCTORY*
CITY OF BALTIMORE
COUNCIL BILL
Introduced by: The Council President
At the request of: The Administration (Ethics Board; Office of the Inspector General)
A BILL ENTITLED
AN ORDINANCE concerning
title
Public Ethics Law - Prohibited Gifts - Duplicative Exemptions
FOR the purpose of consolidating certain overlapping and redundant exemptions for gifts related to the payment of expenses for a speaking engagement or for participation on a panel; correcting, clarifying, and conforming related provisions; providing for a special effective date; and generally relating to ethics in the public sector.
body
BY repealing and reordaining, with amendments
Article 8 - Ethics
Section(s) 6-28(3), (5), and (6)
Baltimore City Code
(Edition 2000)
BY repealing
Article 8 - Ethics
Section(s) 6-28(7) and 6-30
Baltimore City Code
(Edition 2000)
SECTION 1. BE IT ORDAINED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF BALTIMORE, That the Laws of Baltimore City read as follows:
Baltimore City Code
Article 8. Ethics
Subtitle 6. Conflicts of Interest
� 6-28. Qualified exemptions.
Subject to ��{�Exemption limitations�} of this subtitle, the prohibitions in ��27 {�Acceptance prohibited�} of this subtitle do not apply to the unsolicited receipt of:
. . .
(3) in return for a speaking engagement or participation on a panel at a meeting, reasonable expenses, ACTUALLY INCURRED AND VERIFIABLE, for food, travel, lodging, CHILD OR DEPENDANT CARE, and scheduled entertainment of the public servant, but only if:
(i) the expenses are associated with the meeting; and
(ii) to the extent the expenses are anticipated to exceed $500, the public servant has notified the Ethics Board before attending the meeting;
. . .
(5) a specific gift or class of gifts that the Ethics Board exempts on a written finding that acceptance of the gift or class of gifts would not be detrimental to the impartial conduct of City business; OR
(6) gifts from a spouse, parent, child, or sibling[; or].
[(7) honoraria, to the extent provided in ��{�Honoraria�} of this subtitle.]
[� 6-30. Honoraria.]
[(a) �Honorarium� defined.]
[(1) �Honorarium� means the payment of money or anything of value for:
(i) speaking to, participating in, or attending a meeting or other function; or
(ii) writing an article that has been or is intended to be published.]
[(2) �Honorarium� does not include payment for writing a book that has been or is intended to be published.]
[(b) Permitted honoraria.]
[Subject to ��{�Exemption limitations�} of this subtitle, a public servant may accept an honorarium if:
(1) the honorarium consists of gifts described in �� of this subtitle; or
(2) the honorarium is limited to reasonable expenses, actually incurred and verifiable, for:
(i) the public servant�s meals, travel, and lodging; and
(ii) care for a child or dependent adult.]
[(c) Prohibited honoraria.]
[Other than as allowed by subsection (b) of this section, a public servant may not accept an honorarium, even if not otherwise disqualified under ��{�Exemption limitations�} of this subtitle, if:
(1) the payor of the honorarium has an interest that might be affected substantially and materially, in a manner distinguishable from the public generally, by the performance or nonperformance of the public servant�s official duties; and]
(2) the offer of the honorarium is in any way related to the public servant�s official duties.]
SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED, That the catchlines contained in this Ordinance are not law and may not be considered to have been enacted as a part of this or any prior Ordinance.
SECTION 3. AND BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED, That this Ordinance takes effect on�the date that it is enacted.
dlr14-940(2)~intro/18Mar15
art8/Gifts - Speaker,Panels/aa:me
dlr14-940(2)~intro/18Mar15
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art8/Gifts - Speaker,Panels/aa:me