1. A. In this chapter, the following terms have the meanings indicated.

2. B. Terms Defined.

   1. (1) “Contribution” has the meaning stated in Election Law Article, §1-101, Annotated Code of Maryland.

   2. (2) “Covered official” means:

      1. (a) The Governor;
      2. (b) The Lieutenant Governor;
      3. (c) The Attorney General;
      4. (d) The Comptroller; and
      5. (e) A member of the General Assembly.

   3. (3) Electoral Purpose.

      1. (a) “Electoral purpose” means to directly influence or participate in an election or future election while promoting or assisting in the promotion of a candidate, political party, or question.
      2. (b) “Electoral purpose” includes an act of support that will result in the ultimate electoral benefit of the political committee making the expenditure.

   4. (4) Firewall.

      1. (a) “Firewall” means a screening mechanism maintained by a person to protect confidences from improper disclosure to other persons who are not involved in a particular representation.
      2. (b) “Firewall” includes a policy implemented to prohibit the flow of information between employees or consultants providing services for the person paying for the communication and those employees or consultants currently or previously providing services to the candidate who is clearly identified in the communication.
   5. (5) “Person” has the meaning stated COMAR 33.13.01.01B.

   6. (6) “Political committee organized in support of a non-federal candidate” means:

      1. (a) An authorized candidate campaign committee;
      2. (b) A slate;
      3. (c) A legislative party caucus committee, except for the administrative account;
      4. (d) A political party central committee, except for the administrative account; or
      5. (e) A political action committee whose major purpose is to support or oppose candidates to non-federal offices.

Authority: : Election Law Article, §§1-101(o), 1-101(aa), 2-102(b)(4), 13-218, 13-220.1, 13-221, 13-225—13-237, 13-239, 13-245, 13-306, 13-307, and 13-309.1 and Title 13, Subtitle 3, Annotated Code of Maryland

Effective date: March 19, 2012 (39:5 Md. R. 385)

Regulation .01 amended effective December 23, 2013 (40:25 Md. R. 2073)

Regulation .01B amended effective June 8, 2015 (42:11 Md. R. 727); February 29, 2016 (43:4 Md. R. 336); May 29, 2023 (50:10 Md. R. 407)

Regulation .02 amended effective August 19, 2013 (40:16 Md. R. 1347)

Regulation .02D amended effective May 6, 2019 (46:9 Md. R. 445)

Regulation .02F—I adopted effective June 8, 2015 (42:11 Md. R. 727)

Regulation .02F amended effective March 27, 2017 (44:6 Md. R. 328)

Regulation .03 adopted effective August 19, 2013 (40:16 Md. R. 1347)

Regulation .03B amended effective June 8, 2015 (42:11 Md. R. 727); March 27, 2017 (44:6 Md. R. 328)

Regulation .03C amended effective June 8, 2015 (42:11 Md. R. 727)

Regulation .03D adopted effective August 26, 2019 (46:17 Md. R. 727)

Regulation .04 adopted effective March 27, 2017 (44:6 Md. R. 328)

Regulation .04B amended effective May 29, 2023 (50:10 Md. R. 407)

Regulation .04C adopted effective May 29, 2023 (50:10 Md. R. 407)

Regulation .05 adopted effective October 2, 2023 (50:19 Md. R. 854)