2019 Maryland Code
General Provisions
Title 5 - Maryland Public Ethics Law
Subtitle 8 - Local Government Provisions.
Part II - Public Ethics Laws for Counties and Municipal Corporations.
§ 5-811. Special provisions for Prince George's County

    (a)    This section applies only to Prince George’s County.

    (b)    (1)    The conflict of interest provisions required under § 5–807(a)(1) of this subtitle shall prohibit:

            (i)    the county government from issuing a credit card to an elected county official or a member of the county school board; and

            (ii)    an elected county official from directly or indirectly soliciting a person to enter into a business relationship with or provide anything of monetary value to a specific individual or entity if the person being solicited is seeking:

                1.    the success or defeat of county legislation;

                2.    a county contract; or

                3.    any other county benefit.

        (2)    A conflict of interest provision enacted in accordance with paragraph (1)(ii) of this subsection may not be construed to affect the validity of any legally enacted requirement or condition, proposed and adopted on the public record at a public hearing, the purpose of which is to mitigate the impact of a development on the property owners in the areas surrounding the development, including:

            (i)    an adequate public facilities requirement;

            (ii)    a minority business requirement; or

            (iii)    a community benefit requirement.

    (c)    The lobbying provisions required under § 5–807(a)(3) of this subtitle shall prohibit a person from being engaged for lobbying purposes for compensation that is dependent in any manner on the outcome of executive action or legislative action before the county government.

    (d)    The county’s ethics enactments shall provide for:

        (1)    a county board of ethics that meets at least two times each year and is composed of five members appointed by the county executive, with the advice and consent of the county council; and

        (2)    an executive director of the board of ethics who:

            (i)    shall meet individually with each elected county official at least annually to advise the official regarding the requirements of any applicable ethics law, rule, or standard of conduct;

            (ii)    shall assist each elected county official in preparing any affidavit or other document required to be filed under the county’s ethics enactments;

            (iii)    shall conduct ethics–related briefings for the benefit of elected officials of the county; and

            (iv)    may provide information to any person regarding laws, rules, and other standards of ethical conduct applicable to elected county officials.