Maryland Public Ethics Law - Officials of the Legislative Branch - Gifts of Food and Beverages

HB 136 would amend Maryland's ethics law to restrict when legislative officials can accept food or beverages. Currently, officials could accept such gifts at events they were personally invited to; the bill would limit this to meals or receptions open to the public and attended by all General Assembly members. It also updates disclosure rules so these meals no longer need to be reported in financial disclosures and changes lobbyist registration requirements for hosting such events. This affects legislative staff, members, and regulated lobbyists handling hospitality under ethics guidelines.