Due to COVID-19 precautions, the Commission’s office will not be open to the public. The August 11 Commission Meeting was conducted via Zoom and live streamed to YouTube.
1. Ratification of Meeting Minutes:
Motion: To accept the Minutes from all three meetings, with corrections to the May 27 Minutes.
Made by: Mr. Nass
Seconded by: Ms. Lowry
Vote: 3-0
2. Request for Waiver of Late-Filing Penalty - Women's Leadership Fund PAC
On July 3, 2020, the Women’s Leadership Fund paid $2,500 for the production of a video communication that was subsequently circulated by Facebook. The PAC’s treasurer filed a 24-Hour Report on July 4. On July 6, the Commission staff advised the treasurer that the video would be presumed to be an independent expenditure (IE) because the video contained footage of a legislative candidate. The treasurer filed an IE Report later that day, which was two days after the filing deadline. The PAC seeks a waiver of the $100 preliminary penalty because its treasurer attempted to comply with reporting requirements but was unaware of the IE presumption.
Motion: To find a violation of the independent expenditure reporting requirement but, because there was virtually no harm to the public, to reduce the statutorily calculated penalty of $100 to $50.
Made by: Mr. Lee
Seconded by: Mr. Nass
Vote: 3-0
3. Request for Waiver of Late-Filing Penalty - Stan Gerzofsky (POSTPONED until September 30)
Stan Gerzofsky was a candidate in the July 14, 2020 Democratic primary election for State Senate, District 24. The Commission has determined that he was four days late filing a pre-primary campaign finance report due on July 6, 2020. The preliminary penalty is $390.50. Mr. Gerzofsky requests a waiver of the preliminary penalty based on mitigating circumstances involving his health.
4. Updated Guidance on Reporting as a Ballot Question Committee
The Commission staff proposes updating the Commission’s guidance on registering and reporting as a ballot question committee.
Motion: To adopt the proposed registration and reporting ballot question committee guidance, as amended.
Made by: Mr. Nass
Seconded by: Mr. Lee
Vote: 3-0
The Commission staff proposes additional guidance relating to paid communications to influence the November 3, 2020 citizen initiative to reject NECEC.
Motion: To adopt the Guidance on Paid Communications Relating to the New England Clean Energy Connect (NECEC) Transmission Project.
Made by: Mr. Nass
Seconded by: Ms. Lowry
Vote: 3-0
Other Business (None)
Executive Session
Mr. Lee made a motion to go into Executive Session pursuant to Title 1, section 405, subsection (6)(E) to discuss contemplated litigation with Commission counsel. Mr. Nass seconded the motion. Motion passed 3-0.