Sec. 33.13.09.07. Waiver Request — Late Filing Fees

A. Availability. A person making electioneering communication may request a waiver of the penalty for the late filing of the electioneering communication report.

B. Requirements.

(1) A request to waive the late fee penalty shall be made in writing and filed with the State Administrator.

(2) The request shall include:

(a) The name, address, and telephone number of the person making the electioneering communication;

(b) A detailed statement of the facts explaining why the person making the electioneering communication failed to timely file a statement of contributions; and

(c) A history of past compliance activity regarding the person making electioneering communication.

C. Consideration and Determination.

(1) With the approval of the State Board, the State Administrator may waive the late filing penalty for just cause.

(2) The State Administrator may deny a waiver request without notice or hearing.

(3) The decision of the State Administrator on the waiver request shall be in writing.

D. Issuance of the Civil Citation. If payment of the penalty for the failure to file has not occurred within 30 days after the decision of the State Administrator, the State Board shall issue a civil citation against the person making the electioneering communication as specified in Election Law Article, §13-604.1, Annotated Code of Maryland.