32 KAR 2:050 - Conciliation

RELATES TO: KRS 121.130(1), 121.140

NECESSITY, FUNCTION, AND CONFORMITY: KRS 121.120(1)(g) authorizes the Registry of Election Finance to promulgate administrative regulations necessary to carry out the provisions of KRS Chapter 121. This administrative regulation establishes conciliation procedures.

Section 1. Negotiations.

(1) Upon a registry finding of probable cause, the general counsel and executive director shall attempt to correct or prevent the violation by informal methods of conference conciliation and persuasion, and shall attempt to reach a tentative conciliation agreement with the respondent.

(2) During conciliation negotiations, the general counsel and executive director shall consider as a mitigating factor the attendance by a candidate or treasurer at one (1) or more training sessions sponsored by the registry, directly preceding the election during which the violation occurred. Based upon this and any other mitigating factors, the general counsel and executive director may reduce a fine, if proposed by the registry.

(3) A conciliation agreement shall not be binding upon either party until it is signed by the respondent, the general counsel, and the executive director and approved by the registry.

(4) If the probable cause to believe finding is made within forty-five (45) days preceding an election, the conciliation attempt shall continue for at least fifteen (15) days from the date of the finding. In all other cases, conciliation attempts by the registry shall continue for at least thirty (30) days, not to exceed ninety (90) days.

(5) If a conciliation agreement is reached between the registry and the respondent, the general counsel shall send a copy of the signed agreement to both complainant and respondent.

Section 2. Public Disclosure of Registry Action.

(1) If the registry makes a finding of no reason to believe or no probable cause or otherwise terminates its proceedings, it shall make public its determination and the basis for the determination no later than thirty (30) days from the date on which the required notifications are sent to complainant and respondent.

(2) If a conciliation agreement is finalized, the registry shall make the agreement public.

(3) Except as provided in subsections (1) and (2) of this section, a complaint filed with the registry, any notification sent by the registry, any investigation conducted by the registry, or any findings made by the registry shall not be made public by the registry without the written consent of the respondent until a written response has been received or the expiration of the fifteen (15) day response period required by Section 3 of 32 KAR 2:030. Upon receipt of a response or the expiration of the fifteen (15) day period, the complaint, response, and materials related thereto, exclusive of materials exempted by KRS 61.878(1), shall be open for public inspection.

(4) Except as provided in subsections (1) and (2) of this section, an action by the registry or by any person, and information derived in connection with conciliation efforts shall not be made public by the registry until a final action with regard to a conciliation attempt is taken.

Notes

32 KAR 2:050

19 Ky.R. 1236; 1524; eff. 1-4-1993; 2484; 20 Ky.R. 50; eff. 7-12-1993; 25 Ky.R. 1092; 1581; eff. 1-19-1999; Crt eff. 9-27-2019.

STATUTORY AUTHORITY: KRS 121.120(1)(g)