51 Pa. Code § 63.4

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 50, December 14, 2024

Section 63.4 - Noninvestigative process for late or deficient filings

The noninvestigative process for matters under section 13A04 or 13A05 of the act (relating to registration; and reporting) will include the following procedures:

(1) Prior to the issuance of a notice of alleged noncompliance pursuant to section 13A09 of the act (relating to penalties), the Executive Director of the Commission will issue a warning notice to the lobbyist, lobbying firm or principal that has allegedly failed to register or report as required by the act. The warning notice may encompass multiple alleged failures to comply with the act. The warning notice will state the nature of the alleged noncompliance and the administrative and criminal penalties for failing to register, failing to file a report, or filing a report that contains a false statement or that is incomplete.

(2) The recipient of the warning notice shall have 30 days from the mailing date of the warning notice in which to cure the alleged noncompliance. The Investigative Division, may extend the 30-day time period for curing the alleged noncompliance. If the alleged noncompliance is not cured within the 30-day period or any extension thereof, the Investigative Division of the Commission may file with the Commission a notice of alleged noncompliance. The notice will be served upon the respondent by the Investigative Division. A notice of alleged noncompliance may encompass multiple alleged failures to comply with the act.

(3) The notice of alleged noncompliance will set forth the pertinent factual averments in numbered paragraph form and will state the nature of the alleged noncompliance and the administrative and criminal penalties for failing to register, failing to file a report, or filing a report that contains a false statement or that is incomplete. A notice of alleged noncompliance will also advise of the right to appeal from the notice, to file a written answer to the notice and to request a hearing before the Commission. A notice of alleged noncompliance will set forth the time and manner in which to file an appeal, file a written answer and request a hearing.

(4) An answer to the notice of alleged noncompliance must be filed (received at the Commission) within 30 days of service of the notice upon the respondent, and the notice of alleged noncompliance will include a statement to this effect. Filing of an answer is deemed to be both an appeal and a request for a hearing.

(5) An answer to the notice of alleged noncompliance must specifically admit or deny each of the factual averments made in the petition, set forth the facts and state concisely the matters of law upon which the respondent relies. Matters not specifically denied will be deemed admitted. The notice of alleged noncompliance will include a statement to this effect.

(6) Failure to file an answer within the 30-day period or the filing of general denials will be deemed an admission of the averments of the notice of alleged noncompliance. The notice of alleged noncompliance will include a statement to this effect.

(7) To the extent that a respondent does not file an answer, a request by the respondent for a hearing must be in writing and be received at the Commission within 30 days of service of the notice of alleged noncompliance upon the respondent. Failure to submit a timely request for a hearing will be deemed a waiver of a hearing, so that a final order may be entered against the respondent without a hearing.

(8) If the recipient of a notice of alleged noncompliance fails to file a written answer or otherwise fails to file an appeal or a request for a hearing, the notice of alleged noncompliance is deemed admitted and the Commission may find the respondent to be in noncompliance and impose a penalty or penalties pursuant to the act. Furthermore, filing a notice of appeal will automatically constitute a request for a hearing.

(9) If the respondent does not file an answer or otherwise submit a timely request for a hearing, the Investigative Division will have an additional 7 days beyond the respondent's deadline in which to submit a written request for a hearing.

(10) The Commission may sua sponte schedule a hearing if it is determined that a hearing is needed to resolve contested facts to make a final determination.

(11) If a hearing is requested by the respondent or Investigative Division or is scheduled by the Commission, the respondent will be given access to evidence intended to be used by the Investigative Division at the hearing, as well as exculpatory evidence obtained by the Investigative Division.

(12) Access to evidence does not include an original complaint or the name of a complainant, information which is otherwise privileged, or information not within paragraph (11).

(13) A hearing under section 13A09(b) of the act as to a negligent failure to register or report will be public and will be conducted by the Commission in accordance with sections 1107(14) and 1108(e) of the Ethics Act (relating to powers and duties of commission; and investigations by Commission), and to the extent applicable, the related provisions of Part I (relating to State Ethics Commission). The Investigative Division bears the burden of proof.

(14) The hearing officer or the parties may request that briefs be presented. The filing of briefs must be in accordance with the procedures for filing briefs under § 21.27 (relating to briefs) to the extent applicable.

(15) After the opportunity for a hearing has been provided, and following the submission of any briefs, the Commission will determine, based upon the record before it, whether the respondent was required to register or report under the act; whether the failure to register or report was negligent; and if the failure was negligent, the amount of the administrative penalty to be imposed. At least four members of the Commission present at a meeting must find a violation by clear and convincing proof.

(16) If the Commission finds that the failure to register or report was intentional, it will refer the matter to the Attorney General for investigation and prosecution, and if the person is an attorney at law, the Commission will also refer the matter to the Board.

(17) The determination of the Commission will be in the form of a final order with findings and reasons for the adjudication.

(18) At any time prior to a final adjudication by the Commission, the Investigative Division will have authority to negotiate settlements and to enter into settlement agreements to resolve matters under this section. Settlement agreements will be subject to review and approval by the Commission. Settlement agreements may include arrangements for deferral or termination of proceedings prior to any adjudicative disposition, or terms for an adjudicative disposition, including penalties provided by the act.

(19) Requests for reconsideration may be submitted to the Commission. The Commission will consider and rule upon requests for reconsideration under the procedures in § 21.29(b) and (d)-(f) (relating to finality; reconsideration) to the extent applicable.

(20) The Commission will notify the Board of any administrative/civil penalty imposed by the Commission against an attorney at law for failure to register or report.

(21) A complainant will be notified of the final resolution of the matter.

(22) The official record of the case before the Commission will be publicly available.

(23) The files of the Investigative Division will not be publicly available.

51 Pa. Code § 63.4

This section cited in 51 Pa. Code § 63.1 (relating to commission referrals); 51 Pa. Code § 63.3 (relating to Commission proceedings regarding late or deficient filings); and 51 Pa. Code § 63.4 (relating to noninvestigative process for late or deficient filings).