The meeting was livestreamed via the Commission's YouTube page.
1. Ratification of the Minutes:
Motion: Adopt the minutes as modified and presented at this meeting.
Made by: Mr. Lee
Seconded by: Mr. Marble
Vote: 5-0
2. Request for Waiver of Late-Filing Penalty – Protect Maine Elections PAC
Protect Maine Elections is a political action committee that registered on September 9, 2021 in support of a citizen initiative to reduce the influence of foreign governments in ballot question campaigns in Maine. The PAC was one day late submitting its initial campaign finance report because one of the PAC leaders had difficulty filing the report. The preliminary penalty is $1,004. Staff recommendation: the staff recommended reducing the penalty to $750.
Motion: To reduce the statutorily calculated penalty of $1,004 to $750.
Made by: Mr. Lee
Seconded by: Mr. Schneider
Vote: 5-0
3. Request for Waiver of Late-Filing Penalty – Dirigo Partners
The Dirigo Partners consulting firm mistakenly used the wrong form to file a total of six monthly lobbying reports performed for three clients during February - July 2021. The incorrect forms did not include the details of compensation earned by the firm for those clients and the bills lobbied. After reporting the mistake to the Commission, Dirigo Partners filed the correct reports. The Commission staff notified the firm of late-filing penalties totaling $2,500, and Dirigo Partners is requesting a waiver. Staff recommendation: the staff recommended reducing the penalties to a total of $300.
Motion: To find that statutorily calculated penalty of $2,500 for the late-filed lobbyist reports by Dirigo Partners be reduced to $150.
Made by: Mr. Lee
Seconded by: Mr. Schneider
Vote: 5-0
4. Request for Waiver of Late-Filing Penalty – Candidate Robyn Stanicki
In July 2020, Robyn Stanicki ran unsuccessfully in the Democratic primary election for State Senate, District 11. Because she had more than $100 in campaign funds left over after the primary, Ms. Stanicki was required to file semiannual campaign finance reports every January 15th and July 15th until she disposed of her excess campaign cash. She filed the campaign finance report due July 15, 2021 fifty-seven days late due to health and family issues. She requests a waiver of the $632.75 preliminary penalty. Staff recommendation: the staff recommended reducing the penalty to $250.
Motion: To reduce the statutorily calculated penalty of $632.75 to $250.
Made by: Mr. Lee
Seconded by: Mr. Schneider
Vote: 5-0
5. Request for Waiver of Late-Filing Penalty – Mary-Anne LaMarre - WITHDRAWN
6. Completion of Audits of 2020 Maine Clean Election Act Candidates
Jennifer Conners of the Runyon Kersteen Ouellette accounting firm presented a summary of the audits of 2020 Maine Clean Election Act candidates.
Other Business
Executive Session (if necessary)
ADJOURNMENT