(a) Beginning with the effective date of a lobbying registration and extending through the ending date of the registration period, a lobbyist who lobbies a local official, or a person acting on behalf of the lobbyist, may not:

(1) solicit or transmit directly or indirectly a contribution from any person, including a political committee, for the benefit of a local official or candidate;

(2) serve on a fund-raising committee of, or a political committee for the benefit of, a local official or candidate; or

(3) act as a treasurer or chair of a political committee for the benefit of a local official or candidate.

(b) This part may not be construed to prohibit a lobbyist from:

(1) making a personal contribution within the limitations established under the Election Law Article; or

(2) informing the lobbyist’s employer or others of the positions taken by a particular candidate.

(c) (1) A person who knowingly and willfully violates this part is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to a fine not exceeding $1,000 or imprisonment not exceeding 1 year or both.

(2) If the person is a business entity and not a natural person, each officer and partner of the business entity who knowingly authorized or participated in the violation is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to the same penalties as the business entity.