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    Chapter 19. Statements Of Financial Interests, Miscellaneous

    CHAPTER 19. STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL INTERESTS, MISCELLANEOUS

    § 19.1. Forms; filing.

    (a)  A person required to file a Statement of Financial Interests shall file Form SEC-1, as published and revised by the Commission.

    (b) The Statement of Financial Interests form is available at the Commission, the State Board of Elections, the County Board of Elections and other locations as conditions warrant.

    (c) Additional sheets may be attached to the Statement of Financial Interests form if more space is required.

    (d) A Statement of Financial Interests sent by a form of electronic transmission that has been approved by the Commission is considered to be filed on the date the Commission receives the electronic copy.

    § 19.2. Period covered.

    The Statement of Financial Interests requires information for the full calendar year immediately preceding the year in which the Statement of Financial Interests is filed.

    § 19.3 Late or deficient filings.

    (a)  If an audit or inspection determines that a required filing is deficient or that a required filing has not been made, the Commission will provide written notice to the individual required to file, detailing the deficiency and the penalties for deficient filing or failure to file.

    (b)  If a complaint is received alleging that a required filing is deficient or has not been made, the Commission may elect to proceed in the matter under this section rather than through the investigative procedures of Chapter 21 (relating to investigations).

    (1) Upon election, the complainant will be notified of the decision as well as the final resolution of the matter.

    (2) In determining whether to proceed under this section, the Commission may consider whether:

    (i) The deficient filing or failure to file was intentional.

    (ii) The filer had prior notice of the requirements of the act.

    (iii) The filer has in the past complied with the act.

    (c) The individual notified in accordance with subsection (a) has 20 days from the mailing date of the notice to correct deficiencies or to file a Statement of Financial Interests. If the individual fails to file or to correct his Statement within that time, the Commission will review the matter to determine whether a civil penalty is appropriate under the act.

    (d) If the Commission determines that a penalty is appropriate, it will issue a rule to show cause, notifying the individual of his deficiency under the act and of the grounds for the rule and of his opportunity to respond in writing to the rule. If cause is not shown, the rule and penalty therein become absolute.

    (e) The Commission may assess a penalty of not more than $25 per day for the time a Statement of Financial Interests remains delinquent or deficient, up to a maximum of $250 total.

    (f) The penalty in subsection (d) is in addition to other penalties provided by law and the filing of a Statement of Financial Interests in accordance with subsection (a) does not otherwise vitiate the failure to comply with the act.

    § 19.4. Availability of Statements of Financial Interests.

    (a) Statements of Financial Interests filed with the Commission under the act are available for public inspection and copying at a charge not to exceed actual cost at the office of the Commission in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania during the Commission's regular business hours.

    (b) A governmental body required to maintain Statements of Financial Interests shall make them available for public inspection and copying during regular business hours.

    (c) Statements of Financial Interests more than 1 year old will be made available for public inspection and copying within 2 working days after the request has been made for the Statements. The Statements shall be kept on file for 5 years after the Commission or governmental body receives the Statements.

    § 19.5. Reporting threshold adjustments.

    (a)  On a biennial basis commencing in January 1991, the Commission will review and may increase the threshold dollar amounts in §§17.3(a), 17.4(a), 17.5(a) and 17.6(a).

    (b)  The Commission will base the increases upon a review of the National Consumer Price Index as published by the United States Department of Labor or other relevant indices.

    (c)  The Commission may hold a hearing to receive testimony or information regarding the appropriate rate of increases.

    (d)  Upon final determination of the appropriate reporting increases, the Commission will publish a schedule of the increases in the Pennsylvania Bulletin in 2 successive months and take other action deemed necessary to disseminate the information.

    (e)  The effective date of threshold increases shall be delayed a sufficient period of time to allow publication of the information to afford affected individuals the opportunity to comply therewith and relevant Commission forms shall be revised accordingly.