Sec. 33.13.01.01. Definitions

A. In General. In this subtitle, the following terms have the meanings indicated.

B. Terms Defined.

(1) "Authority line" has the meaning stated in Election Law Article, §13-401, Annotated Code of Maryland.

(2) "Business entity" means a firm, corporation, trust, unincorporated association, general partnership, limited partnership, limited liability company, real estate investment trust, or other entity or organization, whether or not conducted for profit.

(3) "Campaign finance report" has the meaning stated in Election Law Article, §1-101, Annotated Code of Maryland.

(4) "Campaign material" has the meaning stated in Election Law Article, §1-101, Annotated Code of Maryland.

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

(6) "Donation" means the gift or transfer, or promise of gift or transfer, of money or other thing of value to:

(a) An administrative account of the central committee or legislative party caucus committee;

(b) A person who makes independent expenditures;

(c) A person who makes electioneering communications; or

(d) A compliance account of a political action committee.

(7) Electoral Purpose.

(a) "Electoral purpose" means an action that promotes or enhances the success or defeat of a candidate, a political party, or a question in an election and would not have occurred but for the existence of the candidacy, political party, or question.

(b) "Electoral purpose" includes actions that increase the visibility or viability of a candidate, political party, or question, such as:

(i) Appearing on campaign material of a political or advocacy committee or organization; or

(ii) Attending charitable or political events.

(8) "Electronic signature" has the meaning stated in Election Law Article, §1-101, Annotated Code of Maryland.

(9) "Electronic storage format" has the meaning stated in Election Law Article, §1-101, Annotated Code of Maryland.

(10) Independent Expenditure.

(a) "Independent expenditure" means a disbursement by a person or a political action committee expressly advocating the success or defeat of a clearly identified candidate or ballot issue if the disbursement is not made in coordination with or at the request or suggestion of a candidate, a campaign finance entity of a candidate, an agent of a candidate, or a ballot issue committee.

(b) For purposes of this definition, “clearly identified” means:

(i) The name of the candidate appears;

(ii) A photograph or drawing of the candidate appears; or

(iii) The identity of the candidate or ballot issue is apparent by unambiguous reference.

(11) "Legislative party caucus committee" has the meaning stated in Election Law Article, §1-101, Annotated Code of Maryland.

(12) "Lump sum contribution" means the:

(a) Net amount received by a political committee from a raffle, spin, or chance at a fundraising event; or

(b) Contributions collected by payroll deductions pursuant to Election Law Article, §13-241 or 13-242, Annotated Code of Maryland.

(13) Outstanding Obligation.

(a) "Outstanding obligation" means:

(i) A bill or other obligation owed by the campaign finance entity; or

(ii) A loan made to the campaign finance entity in accordance with Election Law Article §13-230, Annotated Code of Maryland.

(b) "Outstanding obligation" does not include a bill or other obligation that was incurred and paid for within the same reporting period.

(14) Person.

(a) "Person" includes an individual, a business entity, a federal political committee, an association, a labor organization, a union, a political club, or any other organization or group of persons.

(b) "Person" does not include a campaign finance entity organized under Election Law Article, Title 13, Subtitle 2, Part II, Annotated Code of Maryland.

(15) "Responsible officers" has the meaning stated in Election Law Article, §1-101, Annotated Code of Maryland.

(16) "Statement of organization" means the document used to establish a political committee under Election Law Article, Title 13, Subtitle 2, Part II, Annotated Code of Maryland, and signed by the responsible officers and, if applicable, an authorizing authority including a candidate.

(17) "Walk-around services" has the meaning stated in Election Law Article, §13-245(a), Annotated Code of Maryland.