Agenda
1. Ratification of the Minutes of the July 24, 2024 Meeting
Motion: To amend the Minutes
Made by: Commissioner Schneider
Seconded by: Commissioner Marble
Vote: 4-0
Motion: To ratify the Minutes as amended
Made by: Commissioner Marble
Seconded by: Commissioner Hastings
Vote: 4-0
2. Request for Penalty Waiver – Maine Republican Party
The Maine Republican Party was required to file two 24-Hour Reports by June 4 and 5, 2024. The party filed the reports 48 and 5 days late respectively. The two preliminary penalties total $38,839.80. The party requests a waiver due to an administrative oversight. Staff recommendation: reducing the penalty to $1,500 per filing for a total penalty of $3,000.
Motion: To reduce the penalty to $1,500 per filing for a total penalty of $3,000
Made by: Commissioner Schneider
Seconded by: Commissioner Hastings
Vote: 4-0
3. Request for Penalty Waiver – Friends of Maine Hospitals PAC
The Friends of Maine Hospitals was required to file a 24-Hour Report by June 8, 2024. The PAC filed the report 45 days late. The preliminary penalty is $900. The party requests a waiver due to inexperience of a staff member and other factors. Staff recommendation: reducing the penalty to $500.
Motion: To reduce the penalty to $500.
Made by: Commissioner Hastings
Seconded by: Commissioner Schneider
Vote: 4-0
4. Request for Penalty Waiver – Local 349 PAC Fund
The Local 249 PAC Fund filed a timely 42-Day Post-Primary Report on July 22, 2024 with no activity, and then submitted an amended report with significant contributions on September 11, 2024, which staff found to be substantially non-compliant with the campaign finance reporting laws. The PAC was notified of a preliminary penalty as if the entire report was filed 50 days late on September 11. The preliminary penalty is $1,369. The PAC requests a waiver due to a communication error. Staff recommendation: reducing the penalty to $500.
Motion: To reduce the penalty to $500.
Made by: Commissioner Schneider
Seconded by: Commissioner Hastings
Vote: 4-0
5. Request for Penalty Waiver – Maine Labor Climate PAC
The Maine Labor Climate PAC was required to file a 60-Day Pre-General Independent Expenditure Report by September 6, 2024. The PAC filed the report 2 days late. The preliminary penalty is $534.44. The PAC requests a waiver due to a misunderstanding of the filing deadlines. Staff recommendation: reducing the penalty to $400.
Motion: To reduce the penalty to $400.
Made by: Commissioner Schneider
Seconded by: Commissioner LeClaire
Vote: 4-0
6. Request for Penalty Waiver – Bright Future Maine PAC
The Bright Future Maine PAC was required to file a 2-Day Pre-Primary Independent Expenditure Report by May 30, 2024. The PAC filed the report 71 days late. The preliminary penalty is $6,411.30. The PAC requests a waiver due to unfamiliarity with the eFiling website. It attempted to file the report on time but used the wrong transaction type. Staff recommendation: reducing the penalty to $375.
Motion: To reduce the penalty to $375.
Made by: Commissioner Schneider
Seconded by: Commissioner Marble
Vote: 4-0
7. Penalty for Failure to File Campaign Finance Reports – 2020 Candidate John DeVeau
John DeVeau was a 2020 legislative candidate. Because he had a campaign surplus over $100, he has been required to file semiannual reports each January 15th and July 15th. In spite of multiple communications from Commission staff, Mr. DeVeau did not file reports due January 16 and July 15, 2024. Staff recommendation: assessing two penalties of $500, for a total of $1,000. In the event that Mr. Deveau files the two reports before the Commission meeting, the staff recommends smaller penalties for late filing.
Motion: To assess a penalty of $100 per filing for a total penalty of $200.
Made by: Commissioner Schneider
Seconded by: Commissioner Marble
Vote: 4-0
8. Investigation – May 2024 Referendum in St. George, Maine
Commission staff reports back on its investigation to date of an anonymous postcard mailing to influence a May 2024 referendum in St. George.
Motion: To take no further action on this matter.
Made by: Commissioner Schneider
Seconded by: Commissioner Marble
Vote: 4-0
Executive Session (if necessary)
Other Business
ADJOURNMENT