1. Ratification of the Minutes of the July 30, 2021 Meeting
Motion: To adopt the Minutes received via email on August 20, 2021.
Made by: Mr. Lee
Seconded by: Mr. Hastings
Vote: 5-0
2. Late Notices by Mainers for Local Power PAC to Major Contributors
The Commission staff preliminarily determined that the Mainers for Local Power PAC was late in providing notice to two of its contributors that they were required to file major contributor reports with the Commission. Both contributors had previously filed major contributor reports in connection with a previous initiative that was on for November 2020 and later removed from the ballot. The PAC requests a waiver of the preliminary penalties for providing the notices late.
Staff recommendation: the Commission staff recommended viewing the late notices as a single violation and assessing a total penalty of $2,500.
- Additional Comments by James Kilbreth, Esq.
- Previous Commission Decisions on Waiver Requests for Late Notice to Major Contributors
- Withdrawal of Major Contributor Notice to Vistra
Motion: To find that Mainers for Local Power violated 21-A M.R.S. § 1060-A(2) by failing to provide notice to Calpine Corporation and impose a penalty of $2,500.
Made by: Mr. Lee
Seconded by: Mr. Hastings
Vote: 5-0
Motion: To find that Mainers for Local Power did not violate 21-A M.R.S. § 1060-A(2) by not providing notice to Vistra.
Made by: Mr. Lee
Seconded by: Mr. Schneider
Vote: No Vote – Motion Withdrawn
The Commission will consider legislation proposed by the Commission staff.
Motion: To recommend the legislative change to 21-A § 1060-A(1)(B) to add the words “or a committee” in the first line of (B) as proposed by the Ethics Commission staff on page one of agenda item 3.
Made by: Mr. Lee
Seconded by: Mr. Schneider
Vote: 5-0
Motion: To change 21-A § 1060-A(4)(E) to “A major contributor may request a modification to this disclosure requirement. In considering a request, the Commission shall consider, among other things, financial, staff resources," etc.
Made by: Mr. Lee
Seconded by: Mr. Schneider
Vote: 5-0
Motion: To accept the legislative change to 21-A § 1060-A(5) as proposed on page four of agenda item 3.
Made by: Mr. Lee
Seconded by: Mr. Marble
Vote: 5-0
4. Discussion of Enhanced Compliance Reviews of Leadership PACs
The Commission will discuss whether to continue conducting enhanced compliance reviews of leadership political action committees (PACs).
Other Business: None
Executive Session: None