lobbyist gifts

In 1999, the Maryland General Assembly voted to ban lobbyists from buying meals for individual lawmakers. Designed to curb the appearance of impropriety, the legislation, House Bill (HB) 1, passed with overwhelming support.

The law, however, did not forbid lobbyists from buying meals for lawmakers in a committee or county delegation setting, which has some advocacy groups calling for a total repeal on lobbyist gifts, while others say the current law prevents small lobbying firms and grassroots organizations from competing with big budget firms, and needs to be changed.

"The average Joe who wants to talk to a (General Assembly) member over a meal can't do so," Senate Majority Whip Lisa Gladden (D-Baltimore) said during an interview with PolitickerMD.com. "You have only the big wigs who can afford it."