“Regulated lobbyist” means an entity that is required to register with the Ethics Commission under § 5-702.

Md. Code Ann. Gen. Prov. § 5-101(hh)

“Lobbying” means performing any act that requires registration under § 5-702.

Md. Code Ann. Gen. Prov. § 5-101(x)

Unless exempted under subsection (b) of § 5-702, an entity must register to be a regulated lobbyist with the Maryland State Ethics Commission if, during a reporting period, the entity:

• For the purposes ofinfluencing any legislative action or any executive action relating to the development or adoption of regulations or the development or issuance of an executive order
  • communicates with an official or employee of the Legislative Branch or Executive Branch in the presence of that official or employee, and except for the personal travel or subsistence expenses of the entity or a representative of the entity, incurs expenses of at least $ 500 or earns at least $2,500 as compensation for all such communication and activities relating to the communication during the reporting period; or
  • communicates with an official or employee of the Legislative Branch or Executive Branch and earns at least $5,000 as compensation for all such communication and activities relating to the communication during the reporting period;
• In connection with or for the purpose of influencing any executive action, spends a cumulative value of at least $ 100 for gifts, including meals, beverages, and special events, to one or more officials or employees of the Executive Branch;
• Is compensated to influence executive action on a procurement contract that exceeds $100,000;
• Is compensated by a business entity to influence executive action to secure from the State a business grant or loan with a value of more than $100,000 for the business entity;
• Spends at least $2,000, including expenditures for salaries, contractual employees, postage, telecommunications services, electronic services, advertising, printing, and delivery services, for the express purpose of soliciting others to communicate with an official to influence legislative action or executive action; or
• Spends at least $2,500 to provide compensation to one or more entities required to register

Md. Code Ann. Gen. Prov. § 5-702

An entity that compensates one or more regulated lobbyists, and that reasonably believes that all expenditures requiring registration will be reported by the regulated lobbyist or lobbyists, is exempt from the registration and reporting requirements of this subtitle if the entity engages in no other act that requires registration. However, if a regulated lobbyist fails to report required information, the entity will immediately become subject to the registration and reporting requirements.

Md. Code Ann. Gen. Prov. § 5-702

Every regulated lobbyist in Maryland must register with the Maryland State Ethics Commission within 5 days after first performing an act that requires registration by submitting a Lobbying Registration Form (Form 3), along with a fee of $100 per employee the registrant represents. Lobbyist registration must be renewed annually on or before November 1st.

Md. Code Ann. Gen. Prov. § 5-704

A regulated lobbyist must also complete a training course within 6 months of the regulated lobbyist’s initial registration with the Ethics Commission (or if the initial registration is for less than 6 months, prior to any subsequent registration) and thereafter within 2 years of the previously-completed training.

Md. Code Ann. Gen. Prov. § 5-704.1

Every regulated lobbyist must file a separate Lobbying Activity Report (Form 4) for each registration: by May 31st of each year, to cover the period from November 1st through April 30th; and by November 30th of each year, to cover the period from May 1st through October 31st.

Md. Code Ann. Gen. Prov. § 5-705

Maryland State Ethics Commission: Electronic Registration and Reporting System
https://lobby.ethics.state.md.us/

Lobbying Registration Requirements – FAQs
http://ethics.gov.state.md.us/Lobbying%20Law%20-%20Freqently%20Asked%20Questions.pdf

Maryland Public Ethics Law Summary
http://ethics.gov.state.md.us/General%20Information%20-%20Lobbyists.pdf

Form 3: Lobbying Registration Form
http://ethics.gov.state.md.us/forms/Lobbying%20Registration%20Form%203%2010-1-14.pdf

Form 4: Lobbying Activity Report
http://ethics.gov.state.md.us/forms/ActivityReportForm4.pdf