The meeting was conducted in person and streamed to YouTube for the public to access.
1. Ratification of the Minutes of the March 30, 2022 Meeting
Motion: Adopt the Minutes as presented.
Made by: Mr. Schneider
Seconded by: Mr. Lee
Vote: 5-0
2. Request for Waiver of Late-Filing Penalty – Lobbyist Kenneth Fredette
Kenneth Fredette registered as a lobbyist for his client, Voatz, on February 4, 2022. He was required to file a monthly report by March 15, 2022 but filed the report one week late. In a March 22, 2022 letter requesting a waiver of the preliminary $100 penalty, he explains that his firm had not lobbied the Legislature for the client and therefore missed the deadline. Staff recommendation: the staff recommended not waiving the $100 penalty.
Motion: Find that Lobbyist Kenneth Fredette violated 3 M.R.S. § 317 by not filing the March Lobbyist report by March 15 and impose a $100 penalty.
Made by: Mr. Lee
Seconded by: Mr. Schneider
Vote: 5-0
3. Recommended Penalty for Failure to Register – Howard Patten and Timothy Keenan
After qualifying for the ballot through petitioning, candidates are required to appoint a treasurer and register with the Commission. Two candidates for State Representative qualified for the primary election ballot by submitting nominating petitions to the Secretary of State on March 7 and 14, 2022. They have not registered as candidates with the Commission in spite of multiple communications from the Commission staff, including by U.S. Mail and voicemail. Staff recommendation: the staff recommended finding each candidate in violation of the registration statute and assessing a $100 penalty under 21-A M.R.S.A. § 1020-A(1).
Motion: Find that Timothy Keenan and Howard Patten violated 21-A M.R.S. § 1013-A(1)(A) by not timely filing with the Commission and assess a $100 penalty for each of them per 21-A M.R.S.A. § 1020-A(1).
Made by: Mr. Lee
Seconded by: Mr. Marble
Vote: 5-0
Other Business (None)