1. (a) A person other than as an agent or employee of the United States or a state or a political subdivision of the United States or a state may not use the word “official”, or its equivalent, in connection with a tourist or travelers' guide or information service or with related advertising or publicity.

2. (b)

   1. (1) In this subsection, “advertisement” includes a display or sign that is visible from a public highway.
   2. (2) A person may not conduct or operate a tourist or travelers' information service unless each affixed advertisement that announces the service by the prominent display of the word “information” or a synonym includes, in letters that are at least half the size of the largest letters in the advertisement and that are lighted and displayed with substantially equal prominence, a complete list of names, headed “Sales Agents For” or the equivalent, of each business from which a person, directly or indirectly connected with the service, receives a commission, fee, or other payment or remuneration for referrals to the business.

   3. (3) This subsection does not apply to:

      1. (i) a bona fide chamber or association of commerce of cities, towns, or counties of the State; or
      2. (ii) an information service furnished by a retail business if remuneration is not received from any other business other than for goods sold on the premises.
3. (c) Any person who violates any provision of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to a penalty not exceeding $500 for each offense.

Added as Art. 41, § 199A, by Acts 1956, c. 35. Transferred from Art. 41, § 228, to Art. 27, § 563A, by Acts 1959, c. 394, § 1. Transferred to Business Regulation § 19-101 by Acts 1996, c. 10, § 4, eff. April 9, 1996. Amended by Acts 1996, c. 10, § 5, eff. April 9, 1996; Acts 2003, c. 21, § 1, eff. April 8, 2003.

Formerly Art. 27, § 56A.