BIPARTISANSHIP ALERT: Public Integrity Act Of 2017

Both Chambers of Maryland General Assembly Vote Unanimously to Approve Most Transformative Ethics Reform Legislation in Nearly Two Decades

“Today is a great day in our historic state capital. I commend Senate President Mike Miller, House Speaker Mike Busch, and the Maryland General Assembly for working with our administration in a bipartisan fashion to unanimously pass the most important and transformative ethics reform legislation in over a decade. Together, we have made major progress in fulfilling our shared obligation to preserve the honor and the foundation of public trust that our proud institutions of government should always command.” - Governor Larry Hogan, April 8, 2017

Governor Hogan Proposed The Public Integrity Act Of 2017 As Part Of His Robust 2017 Legislative Agenda

The Public Integrity Act Of 2017 Bars Members Of The General Assembly And State Officials From Lobbying For One Year After Leaving State Service. “...A former member of the General Assembly may not assist or represent another party for compensation in a matter that is the subject of legislative action for 1 calendar year after the member leaves office; and a former Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, Comptroller, or State Treasurer may not assist or represent another party for compensation in a matter that is the subject of legislative action for 1 calendar year after the official leaves State office.” (“House Bill 879,” Maryland General Assembly, 3/20/17)

The Public Integrity Act Of 2017 Prohibits Legislators From Participating In Legislative Action Attempting To Influence Any Legislation For Which They Have A Conflict Of Interest. “An interest of a member of the General Assembly conflicts with the public interest if the legislator’s interest tends to impair the legislator’s independence of judgement. The conflict disqualifies the legislator from participating in any legislative action, or otherwise attempting to influence any legislation, to which the conflict relates. It is presumed that an interest disqualifies a legislator from participating in an legislative action whenever the legislator: has or acquires a direct interest in an enterprise that would be affected by the legislator's vote on proposed legislation, unless the interest is common to all members of: a profession or occupation of which the legislator is a member; or the general public at large or a large class of the general public; benefits financially from a close economic association with a person whom the legislator knows has a direct interest in an enterprise or interest that would be affected by the legislator’s participation in legislative action, differently from other like enterprises or interests; benefits financially from a close economic association with a person who is lobbying for the purpose of influencing legislative action; or solicits, accepts, or agrees to accept a loan, other than a loan from a commercial lender in the normal course of business, from a person who would be affected by or has an interest in an enterprise that would be affected by the legislator’s participation in legislative action.” (“House Bill 879,” Maryland General Assembly, 3/20/17)

The Public Integrity Act Of 2017 Establishes The Citizens’ Advisory Board For Legislative Ethics; Board Shall Offer Recommendations Regarding Changes To The Public Ethics Law. “There is a Citizens’ Advisory Board for Legislative Ethics… The Board shall regularly offer recommendations to the Committee and the presiding officers regarding changes to the Public Ethics Law, the policies and procedures of the Committee, and public advisory options of the Committee.” (“House Bill 879,” Maryland General Assembly, 3/20/17)

Historic, Bipartisan Ethics Reform Legislation Received Unanimous Support In Both Chambers Of The Maryland General Assembly

The Maryland State Senate Unanimously Approved The Public Integrity Act Of 2017 By A Vote Of 46-0. (“House Bill 879,” Maryland General Assembly, 4/8/17)

The Maryland House Of Delegates Unanimously Approved The Public Integrity Act Of 2017 By A Vote Of 139-0. (“House Bill 879,” Maryland General Assembly, 4/8/17)