Ch. 618                                        1995 LAWS OF MARYLAND

(i) the gift would tend to impair the impartiality and independent
judgment of the official or employee; [or]

(ii) [as to a gift of significant value:

1.] the gift would give the appearance of impairing the
impartiality and independent judgment of the official or employee; or

[2.] (III) the official or employee believes or has reason to
believe that the gift is designed to impair the impartiality and independent judgment of
the official or employee.

(2) Subject to paragraph (1) of this subsection, subsection (b) of this section
does not apply to:

(i) [meals or beverages received by the official or employee in the
presence of the donor or sponsoring entity] SPECIAL EVENTS INCLUDING PARTIES,
MEALS, ENTERTAINMENT, OR OTHER FUNCTIONS TO WHICH WERE INVITED ALL
MEMBERS OF:

1. THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY;

2. EITHER HOUSE OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY; OR

3. A STANDING COMMITTEE OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY;

(ii) ceremonial gifts or awards of insignificant monetary value;

(iii) EXCEPT FOR A MEMBER OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY STATE
OFFICIAL OF THE EXECUTIVE OR LEGISLATIVE BRANCH, unsolicited gifts of nominal
value;

(IV) AS TO A MEMBER OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY STATE OFFICIAL
OF THE EXECUTIVE OR LEGISLATIVE BRANCH, UNSOLICITED GIFTS, NOT EXCEEDING
$15 IN COST, FROM A REGULATED LOBBYIST;

(iv) (V) trivial gifts of informational value;

(v) (VI) in return for participation on a panel or a speaking
engagement at a meeting, reasonable expenses for food, travel, lodging, or scheduled
entertainment of the official or employee if the expenses are associated with the meeting;

(vi) (VII) tickets or free admission extended to an elected
constitutional officer, as a courtesy or ceremony to the office, BY A STATE INSTITUTION
OF HIGHER EDUCATION to attend:

1.       [a professional or] AN intercollegiate sporting event; or

2.        a [charitable,] cultural[, or political] event CREATED,
SPONSORED, OR PERFORMED BY STUDENTS;

[(vii) (VIII) a specific gift or class of gifts exempted from subsection (b)
of this section by the Ethics Commission upon a written finding that:

- 3520 -