Note: Due to COVID-19 precautions, the Commission’s office is not open to the public. The meeting was conducted through Zoom video conferencing and streamed to YouTube for the public to access.
1. Ratification of the Meetings Minutes of:
Motion: To adopt the February 24 and March 8, 2021 Minutes as presented.
Made by: Mr. Lee
Seconded by: Mr. Schneider
Vote: 5-0
2. Complaint – Telephone Surveys concerning State Senate Candidates
In September 2020, the Lincoln County Democratic Committee filed a complaint with the Commission concerning telephone calls made to voters in State Senate District 13. The committee contended the calls were a push poll that violated disclosure requirements in Maine Election Law. Two political action committees acting for the Senate Republican caucus have responded that the calls were part of telephone survey and therefore were exempt from the disclosure requirements. Staff recommendation: the Commission staff recommended taking no further action on the complaint.
Motion: For the reasons stated by the Commissioners, that there be no further investigation of the complaint filed by the Lincoln County Democratic Committee.
Made by: Mr. Lee
Seconded by: Mr. Hastings
Vote: 5-0
3. Request for Waiver of Late-Filing Penalty – Energy PAC for Maine
On October 22, 2020, the Energy PAC for Maine made seven expenditures of $1,000 or more as contributions to other political action committees. It was required to report these expenditures in a 24-Hour Report by October 23, 2020 but did not do so until December 14, 2020. The PAC requests a waiver of the $8,840 preliminary penalty. Staff recommendation: the Commission staff recommended reducing the penalty to $750.
Motion: To adopt the Commission staff’s recommendation that the penalty for the violation by Energy PAC for Maine be reduced to $750
Made by: Mr. Lee
Seconded by: Mr. Schneider
Vote: 5-0
4. Late Notice to Major Contributor by Clean Energy Matters PAC
On November 18, 2020, the Clean Energy Matters PAC received a contribution of $813,000 from Avangrid relating to an initiative that was submitted to the Secretary of State on September 16, 2020. The Commission staff believes the contribution required the PAC to provide notice to Avangrid of its obligation to file a Major Contributor Report with the Commission by November 23, 2020. The PAC contends that no notice was required because the PAC had provided a similar notice in connection with a previous contribution by Avangrid. The PAC requests a waiver of the $50,000 preliminary penalty. Staff recommendation: the Commission staff recommended reducing the penalty to $5,000.
Motion: To find a violation of Title 21-A, section 1060-A(2) because Clean Energy Matters failed to give notice within five days of receiving the $813,000 contribution from Avangrid, which occurred on November 18, 2020.
Made by: Mr. Lee
Seconded by: Mr. Hastings
Vote: 5-0
Motion: To reduce the statutorily calculated penalty of $50,000 to $2,500.
Made by: Mr. Lee
Seconded by: Mr. Schneider
Vote: 5-0
Other Business: None
Executive Session: None