Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 45, November 9, 2024
Section 63.2 - Commission proceedings regarding prohibited activities under section 13A07 of the act(a) Upon receipt of a complaint as defined in § 51.1 (relating to definitions), the Commission, through its Executive Director, will conduct a preliminary inquiry into an alleged negligent or unintentional violation of section 13A07 of the act (relating to prohibited activities). A preliminary inquiry will not be conducted for matters under the act that are required to be referred to the Board for the Board's exclusive review pursuant to section 13A07(d)(8) or for matters involving section 13A07(f) that the Commission, in its discretion, chooses to refer to the Office of Attorney General for investigation.(b) Except for matters required to be referred to the Board for its exclusive review pursuant to section 13A07(d)(8) of the act, the Commission, upon the motion of the Executive Director, may conduct a preliminary inquiry into an alleged negligent or unintentional violation of section 13A07 of the act.(c) Preliminary inquiries will be conducted in accordance with the procedures for preliminary inquiries set forth in section 1108 of the Ethics Act (relating to investigations by commission) and § 21.3 (relating to preliminary inquiries), to the extent applicable.(d) The Commission, through its Executive Director, may initiate an investigation and hold a hearing concerning alleged negligent or unintentional violations of section 13A07 of the act by a lobbyist, lobbying firm or principal, in accordance with sections 1107 and 1108 of the Ethics Act (relating to powers and duties of commission; and investigations by commission) and, to the extent applicable, the related provisions in §§ 21.1-21.3, 21.5 and 21.21-21.27. (1) If the respondent does not 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.(2) The Commission may sua sponte schedule a hearing if it is determined that a hearing is needed to resolve any contested facts to make a final determination.(e) The Commission will decide cases, issue orders and rule upon requests for reconsideration concerning alleged negligent or unintentional violations of section 13A07 of the act, in accordance with sections 1107 and 1108 of the Ethics Act and, to the extent applicable, the related provisions in §§ 21.28-21.30 (relating to decision; finality; reconsideration; and effect of order).(f) At least four members of the Commission present at a meeting must find a violation by clear and convincing proof.