LOBBYIST
FILING AGREEMENT
This
Agreement, made this 1st day of September, 2006, by and between
Maryland Library Association, and Jill B. Martin, Esquire, who has been
designated Staff Counsel for this matter by the Maryland State Ethics
Commission (hereinafter the Staff Counsel).
RECITALS
The State
Ethics Commission (“the Commission”) is the executive agency of the State of
Maryland established by Chapter 513, Acts of 1979 for the purpose of enforcing
the Maryland Public Ethics Law (State Government Article, Title 15,
Annotated Code of Maryland, hereinafter the Ethics Law) including the
provisions of Subtitle 7, the lobbying disclosure program;
Maryland
Library Association (hereinafter the “organization”) is an organization which
had lobbying activities during the period of November 1, 2005 through October
31, 2006;
On February
1, 2006, the organization sponsored a special event for all members of the
General Assembly at the Miller Senate Office Building.
On June 14,
2006, the organization submitted a lobbying activity report for the period
November 1, 2005 through April 30, 2006; the organization reported expenditures
of $5,625.39 for the special event held on February 1, 2006.
The
organization did not file the required Form 13E (“Five Day Notice”) within 5
days of the special event or the required 13F (“Fourteen Day Report”) for the
special event within 14 days of the event, as required by the State
Government Article, Section 15-708(d)(1) of the Ethics Law.
The
organization subsequently filed a Fourteen Day Report for the event on July 3,
2006. The organization reported
$5,625.39 in total cost for the event.
The
organization was not timely registered for the period of November 1, 2005 to
October 31, 2006 as a non-exempt employer;
The organization subsequently registered on July 3, 2006 for the period November 1, 2005 to October 31, 2006;
The
organization is voluntarily entering into this agreement to admit its failure
to timely file a lobbyist registration and a fourteen day report with the
Commission and to pay a sum of money in lieu of potential late filing fees
pursuant to Section 15-405(d)(1) of the Ethics Law;
NOW
THEREFORE,
in consideration of the submission of the required lobbyist registration form
and the fourteen day report by the organization on July 3, 2006 and the
admissions and agreements herein contained, the filer and the Staff Counsel
stipulate and agree as follows:
1. The organization did not timely file the organization
lobbyist registration form for the period November 1, 2005 through October 31,
2006 as required by §15-703(d)(1) of the Ethics Law or the fourteen day report
as required by §15-708(d)(1).
2. The organization reported the delinquency to
the Commission on July 3, 2006 by filing the registration form and the fourteen
day report (copies of which have been attached hereto and made a part thereof).
3. The organization understands that failure to
comply with the lobbying disclosure provisions of the Ethics Law may subject
the organization to a formal complaint by the Commission and, upon finding of a
violation, late fees and the possibility of civil fines.
4. Based on the facts stated in this agreement
the organization agrees to pay as settlement of the late filing matter, the
amount of Two Hundred and Fifty Dollars ($250.00) at the time of the execution
of this agreement in lieu of potential late fees for the above admitted late
registration statement and fourteen day report (paragraph 1).
5. The Staff Counsel will upon execution of
this Agreement by the organization recommend that the Commission not institute
any proceedings on the organization’s failure to timely register and report.
The organization understands that the Commission is under no obligation to
accept this agreement and may decide to take other action, including issuing a
complaint.
6. The organization waives a formal hearing on
this matter (if the agreement is accepted by the Commission) to which it would
be entitled if a complaint were issued, and understands that this Agreement and
materials relating to this matter are not subject to the confidentiality
provisions of the Ethics law, and will
be public information unless otherwise protected.
7. The organization and Staff Counsel have
entered into this Agreement for the sole purpose of receiving the late
submission of a lobbyist registration statement and fourteen day report and for
the payment of late fees and for no other purpose.
IN WITNESS
WHEREOF,_____________________
, representing Maryland Library Association, and Jill B. Martin, Staff Counsel,
State Ethics Commission, have hereunto set their hands.
Maryland
Library Association
/s/ By: _________________________
Jill B.
Martin, Designated Staff Counsel
State
Ethics Commission _________________________
45 Calvert
Street, 3rd Floor
(Printed Name)
Annapolis,
Maryland 21401
(410)
260-7770 __________________________
(Title)
----------
State of ______________,
County of: _______________________,
to wit:
Before me,
the undersigned, a Notary Public in and for the State and County aforesaid,
personally appeared _________________, who acknowledged herself or himself to
be the ________________of Maryland Library Association and that he or she as
such ____________________ (officer) and being authorized to do so, executed
this document for the purpose set forth herein on behalf of Maryland Library
Association on this_______ day
of ____________________. In witness
whereof I hereunto set my hand and seal.
__________________________________
Notary
Public
My Commission Expires:
______________________
---------------
State of Maryland,
County of: _______________________,
to wit:
Before me,
the undersigned, a Notary Public in and for the State and County aforesaid,
personally appeared Jill B. Martin, Staff Counsel to the State Ethics Commission,
who made oath on this day of ________________, 2006 in due form of
law that she executed this agreement for the purposes set forth herein.
__________________________________
Notary
Public
My Commission Expires: _____________________
---------------
Accepted by
the Commission
__________/s/________________________
Julian L.
Lapides, Chairman
for the
Commission
Date: September 21, 2006