R 4.454 Statements and reports; extension of filing period.

Rule 54. (1) Upon receipt of a written request from a lobbyist or lobbyist agent for an extension of the date by which a statement or report is required to be filed, accompanied by documentation which is sufficient to satisfy the department, the department may approve the request and extend the period if the request states sufficient grounds for extension. An extension that is granted shall be for a period not to exceed the time necessary to accomplish filing, but shall not exceed 60 days. (2) Sufficient grounds for extension of the date by which a statement or report is required to be filed consist 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 extend the filing period on a limited basis. These factors include loss or unavailability of records due to fire, flood, theft, or similar reasons, and difficulties related to transmission of the filing to the department, such as exceptionally bad weather or strikes involving transportation systems.