Read the full stored bill text
EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MATTER ADDED TO EXISTING LAW.
[Brackets] indicate matter deleted from existing law.
Underlining indicates amendments to bill.
Strike out indicates matter stricken from the bill by amendment or deleted from the law by
amendment.
*sb0618*
SENATE BILL 618
G2 6lr3209
CF HB 636
By: Senators Watson and Salling
Introduced and read first time: February 5, 2026
Assigned to: Education, Energy, and the Environment
Committee Report: Favorable with amendments
Senate action: Adopted
Read second time: March 7, 2026
CHAPTER ______
AN ACT concerning 1
Public Ethics – Members of the General Assembly – State and Local Government 2
Employment Exemption 3
FOR the purpose of exempting authorizing the Joint Committee on Legislative Ethics to 4
exempt a member of the General Assembly, a filed candidate for election to the 5
General Assembly, or a member–elect of the General Assembly from the prohibition 6
against receiving earned income from an executive unit or political subdivision of the 7
State under certain circumstances; requiring the Committee to issue a certain 8
opinion; and generally relating to earned income by members of the General 9
Assembly, filed candidates for election to the General Assembly, and members–elect 10
of the General Assembly. 11
BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 12
Article – General Provisions 13
Section 5–514(a) 14
Annotated Code of Maryland 15
(2019 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) 16
SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, 17
That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: 18
Article – General Provisions 19
5–514. 20
2 SENATE BILL 618
(a) (1) Except as provided in paragraph (2) or (3) of this subsection, a member 1
of the General Assembly, a filed candidate for election to the General Assembly, or a 2
member–elect of the General Assembly may not receive earned income from: 3
(i) an executive unit; or 4
(ii) a political subdivision of the State. 5
(2) The Joint Ethics Committee may exempt an individual from the 6
provisions of paragraph (1) of this subsection if: 7
(I) the earned income is for: 8
(i) 1. educational instruction provided by the member, 9
candidate, or member–elect; 10
(ii) 2. a position that is subject to a merit system hiring process; 11
(iii) 3. a human services position; or 12
(iv) 4. a career promotion, change, or progression that is a logical 13
transition from a pre –existing relationship as described in paragraph (3)(ii) of this 14
subsection; OR 15
5. IF THE INDIVIDUAL HAS SERVED AT LEAST ONE FULL 16
TERM IN THE MARYLAND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OR ON THE GOVERNING BODY OF A 17
POLITICAL SUBDIVISION OF THE STATE, A POSITION FOR WHICH THE INDIVIDUAL 18
OBJECTIVELY SATISFIES THE MINIMUM EDUCATION, LICENSURE, AND EXPERIENCE 19
REQUIREMENTS; AND 20
(II) THE INDIVIDUAL COMPL IES WITH § 5–506 OF THIS 21
SUBTITLE. 22
(3) This subsection does not apply to compensation to a member, candidate, 23
or member–elect derived from: 24
(i) employment as a nonelected law enforcement officer or a fire or 25
rescue squad worker; [or] 26
(ii) a transaction or relationship that existed before the individual: 27
1. filed a certificate of candidacy for election to the General 28
Assembly while the individual was not an incumbent member of the General Assembly; or 29
2. was appointed to fill a vacancy; OR 30
SENATE BILL 618 3
(III) A TRANSACTION OR RELATIONSHIP: 1
1. THAT THE INDIVIDUAL ENTERED INTO AFTER HAVING 2
SERVED AT LEAST ONE FULL ELECTED TERM IN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY; AND 3
2. FOR WHICH THE INDIVI DUAL HAS OBJECTIVELY 4
SATISFIED THE MINIMUM EDUCATION , LICENSURE, AND EXPERIENCE 5
REQUIREMENTS. 6
SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That the Joint Committee on 7
Legislative Ethics shall issue an opinion to provide guidance to the members of the 8
Maryland General Assembly on compliance with this Act, including: 9
(1) necessary actions that a member should take to avoid a conflict of 10
interest; and 11
(2) factors that the Committee will consider when determining whether to 12
grant an exemption under § 5 –514(a)(2) of the General Provisions Article, as enacted by 13
Section 1 of this Act. 14
SECTION 2. 3. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect 15
October 1, 2026 January 13, 2027. 16
Approved:
________________________________________________________________________________
Governor.
________________________________________________________________________________
President of the Senate.
________________________________________________________________________________
Speaker of the House of Delegates.