R 4.453 Statements and reports; late reporting fees; waiver.

Rule 53. (1) Upon receipt of a written request from a lobbyist or lobbyist agent for the waiver of payment of a late reporting fee which is accompanied by documentation sufficient to satisfy the department, the department may waive the payment of the late fee for good cause stated in the request. (2) Good cause for failure to file a required statement or report and for waiver of a late reporting fee consists of any of the following reasons: (a) Incapacitating physical illness, hospitalization, accident involvement, death, or incapacitation for medical reasons of a person required to file, a person whose participation is essential to the filing of a statement or report, or a member of the immediate family of these persons. (b) Other unique, unintentional factors beyond the filer's control not stemming from a negligent act or non-action such that a reasonably prudent person would excuse the filing on a temporary basis. These factors include loss or unavailability of records due to fire, floods, theft, and similar reasons, and difficulties related to transmission of the filing to the department, such as exceptionally bad weather or strikes involving transportation systems. (3) If the department determines to waive a late reporting fee, written notice of the waiver shall be conveyed to the filer.