December 4, 2018 •
Baltimore Lobbying Bill Becomes Law without Mayor’s Signature
On October 15, 2018, the Baltimore City Council passed an ethics bill introduced by City Councilman Zeke Cohen. Ordinance No. 18-0230, also known as the Transparency in Lobbying Act, became law without the mayor’s signature on December 3, 2018. The […]
On October 15, 2018, the Baltimore City Council passed an ethics bill introduced by City Councilman Zeke Cohen.
Ordinance No. 18-0230, also known as the Transparency in Lobbying Act, became law without the mayor’s signature on December 3, 2018.
The ordinance requires lobbyists to file reports twice a year and affirmatively identify their clients when approaching city government officials. Additionally, any lobbyist violating the act may be banned for a period of three years.
An amendment was adopted delaying the effective date of the reporting provisions. As a result, lobbyists will file the annual report due January 31, 2019.
Following the 2019 annual report, lobbyists will likely report semi-annually beginning with a report due on July 31, 2019.
The bill will be effective March 3, 2019, while the section impacting reporting requirements will be effective March 3, 2019, or 30 days from a viable online reporting system being implemented, whichever is later.
October 24, 2018 •
Baltimore City Council Passes Lobbying Act
On October 15, 2018, the Baltimore City Council passed an ethics bill introduced by City Councilman Zeke Cohen. Ordinance No. 18-0230, also known as the Transparency in Lobbying Act, requires lobbyists to file reports twice a year and affirmatively identify […]
On October 15, 2018, the Baltimore City Council passed an ethics bill introduced by City Councilman Zeke Cohen.
Ordinance No. 18-0230, also known as the Transparency in Lobbying Act, requires lobbyists to file reports twice a year and affirmatively identify their clients when approaching city government officials. Additionally, any lobbyist violating the act may be banned for a period of three years.
An amendment was adopted delaying the effective date of the reporting provisions. As a result, lobbyists will file the annual report due January 31, 2019.
Following the 2019 annual report, lobbyists will likely report semi-annually beginning with a report due on July 31, 2019. The bill will become effective 90 days from the signature of Mayor Catherine Pugh.
August 24, 2018 •
Baltimore Ethics Bill Amended
In April, City Councilman Zeke Cohen introduced an ordinance amending the Baltimore City Ethics Code. Ordinance No. 18-0230 originally required lobbyists to file reports quarterly instead of annually. At a work session for the bill, the reporting period was amended […]
In April, City Councilman Zeke Cohen introduced an ordinance amending the Baltimore City Ethics Code.
Ordinance No. 18-0230 originally required lobbyists to file reports quarterly instead of annually.
At a work session for the bill, the reporting period was amended from quarterly to semi-annual reporting.
The bill was also amended to require a working online portal by June 1, 2019.
If passed, the ordinance will become effective 30 days after it is enacted.
April 23, 2018 •
Baltimore City Ethics Ordinance Introduced
City Councilman Zeke Cohen introduced an ordinance amending the Baltimore City Ethics Code. Ordinance No. 18-0230 requires lobbyists to file reports quarterly instead of annually. Additionally, the ordinance obligates lobbyists to affirmatively identify themselves as a lobbyist and the person […]
City Councilman Zeke Cohen introduced an ordinance amending the Baltimore City Ethics Code.
Ordinance No. 18-0230 requires lobbyists to file reports quarterly instead of annually. Additionally, the ordinance obligates lobbyists to affirmatively identify themselves as a lobbyist and the person on whose behalf they are lobbying to a public servant.
If passed, the ordinance will become effective 30 days after it is enacted.
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