Md. Speaker Seeks Rules On Lobbyist Receptions

Maryland House Speaker Michael E. Busch moved yesterday to ban lobbyist-sponsored receptions on legislative property after a St. Patrick's Day party was thrown last week by two horse-racing interests in the office suite of the House committee that writes slot-machine legislation.

The sponsors, Ocean Downs Racetrack and the Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association, stand to benefit from the slots bill passed in 2007 as well as a bill pending this session that would increase the share of slots proceeds going to racing purses.

A flyer billed the "invitation only" event as "Chairman Sheila Hixson's Annual St. Patrick's Day Party," and advertised: "Food! Friends!! Frivolity!!! Leprechauns & Libations!!!!" A lobbyist who helped organize the event, held in the Ways and Means Committee offices, said the cost was $4,683.

Although the two-hour evening reception does not appear to have violated legislative ethics laws, Busch (D-Anne Arundel) said he was concerned about how it appeared.

"I don't think there's been any wrongdoing," Busch said. "But I think that it gives the appearance of impropriety to have these events sponsored by special interests within the legislative buildings. They should be held off campus, at restaurants or hotels, where most of them are now."

Under Maryland law, lobbyists are barred from entertaining individual lawmakers but are allowed to organize dinners and receptions for the entire General Assembly, entire legislative committees and county delegations. Such events are a staple of Annapolis nightlife during the 90-day session and usually take place at steakhouses and other upscale restaurants.

Critics say the law allows greater lawmaker access to moneyed interests than to public-interest groups and other organizations that cannot afford such events.

Some lobbyist-sponsored events take place in reception rooms in the legislative complex, but lawmakers were at a loss yesterday to cite any that have been held in committee rooms or office suites.

The law does not prohibit locations for the events, said William Somerville, the legislature's ethics counsel. But a legislative ethics guide suggests sensitivity regarding committee rooms. It cautions that a sandwich tray offered by a lobbyist during voting "is not an appropriate gift, even if it could arguably be justified under exceptions contained in the Ethics Law."

Busch's policy, which was accepted by other House leaders yesterday, would apply only to House buildings and make exceptions for events hosted by nonprofit groups and county governments.

Del. Sheila E. Hixson (D-Montgomery), whose committee also has jurisdiction over tax legislation, said that she had not heard concerns before about her annual party.

"I've been doing this for years, and I was never told I couldn't use the office," she said. "Instead of taking us out to dinner, they do this."