Sec. 33.13.20.02. Non-Contribution Disbursements

A. Requirements. The costs in §B of this regulation will not be considered a contribution by an employee membership entity or a membership entity to an affiliated political action committee that:

(1) It has established; and

(2) Only solicits contributions from the members participating in a payroll deduction program of the employee membership entity, or a program for periodic collection of dues of the membership entity.

B. Disbursements. The following costs of operating an employee membership entity or membership entity are not considered a contribution to an affiliated political action committee it has established:

(1) The cost of establishing or modifying the payroll program or program for periodic collection of dues to permit the employer or membership entity to offer its employees or members, respectively, the option of making contributions by payroll deduction or other periodic method of payment;

(2) The cost of providing information or written materials regarding how to participate in the payroll deduction program or program for periodic collection of contributions to the members;

(3) The cost of compliance training for members who volunteer to contact other members to explain the political purpose and operation of the affiliated political committee established by the employee membership entity or membership entity and the member’s right to refuse to participate without reprisal;

(4) The costs associated with soliciting members to participate in the payroll deduction program or program for periodic collection of contributions, including:

(a) The use of office space in the employee membership entity or membership entity; or

(b) Personnel of the employee membership entity or membership entity; or

(5) The cost of legal services concerning the requirements of Election Law Article, Title 13, Annotated Code of Maryland.

C. Restrictions. A solicitation permitted under §B of this regulation by an employee membership entity or membership entity shall be limited to:

(1) Current or active members, not former members or spouses of current or former members;

(2) Appeals for voluntary contributions without promise of reimbursement, reward, or other inducement from the employee membership entity or membership entity in exchange for the member's participation; and

(3) Appeals for voluntary contributions without actual or threatened penalty, coercion, discrimination, or other reprisal for the member's non-participation.