A Baltimore County lawmaker said he is preparing legislation that aims to close what he called a “loophole” used by County Executive Jim Smith to funnel more than $300,000 to a fellow Democratic candidate in November?s election.

Maryland laws limits transfers between candidates? accounts to $6,000, but does not cap exchanges between candidates on a mutual slate. Republican Pat McDonough, R-District 7, said Smith created a sham slate account to circumvent the cap and transfer $315,000 to the county?s now State?s Attorney-elect Scott Shellenberger.