LOBBYIST
FILING AGREEMENT
This
Agreement, made this 12th day of September, 2006, by and between Southern
Maryland Association of Realtors, 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;
Southern
Maryland Association of Realtors (hereinafter the “organization”) is an
organization which had lobbying activities during the period of January 1, 2006
through October 31, 2006;
On February
13, 2006, the organization sponsored a special event for members of the General
Assembly.
On May 24,
2006, the organization submitted a lobbying activity report for the period
November 1, 2005 through April 30, 2006; the organization reported expenditures
of $1,420 for the special event held on February 13, 2006 and $7,746.65 in
expenses for staff of the registrant.
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 May 24,
2006. The organization reported
$1,420.00 in total cost for the event.
The
organization is voluntarily entering into this agreement to admit its failure
to timely file a 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 fourteen day report by the
organization on May 24, 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
fourteen day report as required by §15-708(d)(1).
2. The organization reported the delinquency to
the Commission on May 24, 2006 by filing the fourteen day report (copy of which
has 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
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 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 fourteen day report and for the payment of late fees and for no
other purpose.
IN WITNESS
WHEREOF,_____________________
, representing Southern Maryland Association of Realtors, and Jill B. Martin,
Staff Counsel, State Ethics Commission, have hereunto set their hands.
Southern
Maryland Association of Realtors
/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 Southern Maryland Association of Realtors 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 Southern
Maryland Association of Realtors 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