Maryland § 5-843

§ 5-843.

    (a)    An applicant or party of record who makes a contribution during the 4–year election cycle before the filing of the application or during the pendency of the application shall disclose the contribution in accordance with this section.

    (b)    (1)    (i)    On filing an application, an applicant shall submit a disclosure statement that:

                1.    names each candidate or elected official to whose treasurer or political committee the applicant made a contribution; and

                2.    states the amount and the date of the contribution.

            (ii)    If a contribution was not made, the disclosure statement shall so state.

        (2)    The disclosure statement shall be filed:

            (i)    on a form approved by the County Council, which shall contain:

                1.    an affirmation clause to be signed by the applicant under the penalties of perjury that the contents of the disclosure statement are true to the best of the applicant’s knowledge, information, and belief; and

                2.    a notice that noncompliance with this subtitle may result in a fine not exceeding $1,000; and

            (ii)    with the Chief Hearing Examiner of the Office of Zoning and Administrative Hearings, unless the County Council determines otherwise.

        (3)    Within 2 weeks after entering a proceeding, a party of record that has made a contribution shall submit a disclosure statement as described under paragraph (2) of this subsection.

        (4)    A contribution made after the filing of the initial disclosure and before the final disposition of the application by the District Council shall be disclosed within 5 business days after the contribution.

    (c)    (1)    Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, a contributor is subject to this part if the contributor makes a contribution to a candidate, a slate, or a candidate’s political committee.

        (2)    This part does not apply to a transfer by a political action committee to a candidate or to the political committee of a candidate or an elected official.

    (d)    (1)    The Chief Hearing Examiner of the Office of Zoning and Administrative Hearings:

            (i)    is the official custodian of records filed under this part; and

            (ii)    shall prepare a summary report at least twice each calendar year compiling all affidavits and disclosures that have been filed.

        (2)    A summary report and disclosure statement filed under this part shall be a matter of public record and available for inspection on written request.