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Governor, a member of the Legislature or any constitutional | officer may not intentionally solicit or accept a contribution | from a lobbyist, lobbyist associate or employer during any | period of time in which the Legislature is convened before | final adjournment, except for a qualifying contribution as | defined under Title 21-A, section 1122, subsection 7. A | lobbyist, lobbyist associate or employer may not intentionally | give, offer or promise a contribution, other than a qualifying | contribution, to the Governor, a member of the Legislature or | any constitutional officer or the staff or agent of the | Governor, a member of the Legislature or any constitutional | officer during any time in which the Legislature is convened | before final adjournment. These prohibitions apply to direct | and indirect solicitation, acceptance, giving, offering and | promising, whether through a political action committee, | political committee, political party or otherwise. |
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| | Sec. 4. 3 MRSA §317, sub-§2-A is enacted to read: |
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| | 2-A. Electronic filing.__Beginning January 1, 2006, a lobbyist | shall file monthly session reports under subsection 1 and annual | reports under subsection 2 through an electronic filing system | developed by the commission.__The commission may make an | exception to this electronic filing requirement if a lobbyist | submits a written request that states that the lobbyist lacks | access to the technology or the technological ability to file | reports electronically.__The request for an exception must be | submitted at least 10 days prior to the deadline for the first | report that the lobbyist is required to file for the lobbying | year.__The commission shall grant all reasonable requests for | exceptions. |
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| | Sec. 5. 21-A MRSA §1003, sub-§1, as amended by PL 1991, c. 839, §1 and | affected by §34, is further amended to read: |
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| | 1. Investigations. The commission may investigate undertake | audits and investigations to determine the facts concerning the | registration of a candidate, treasurer, political committee or | political action committee and contributions by or to and | expenditures by a person, candidate, treasurer, political | committee or political action committee. For this purpose, the | commission may subpoena witnesses and records and take evidence | under oath. A person or political action committee that fails to | obey the lawful subpoena of the commission or to testify before | it under oath must be punished by the Superior Court for contempt | upon application by the Attorney General on behalf of the | commission. |
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