Nevada proposes clearer standards for waiving late campaign-finance penalties

Mark Velaschin, deputy secretary of state for elections, opened a public workshop on proposed regulation R089-25P, saying the rule would clarify when the Secretary of State may waive civil penalties for late campaign-finance reports and how such waivers are documented and published.

The regulation “sets forth certain circumstances that constitute good cause in addition to the existing requirements to receive a waiver,” Velaschin said, and it would require, in some cases, that the person, committee or entity show they properly filed the reports required for the preceding 36 months. He also said the rule would authorize the Secretary of State, with approval from the Attorney General, to grant a waiver in certain circumstances without requiring the filers to request one.

The measure follows a prior regulatory approach the office described as excessively strict; Velaschin said the office revised waiver procedures after repealing a draconian prior waiver rule and has focused on creating a process that balances compliance with fairness. Under existing law cited in the workshop, a waiver granted for good cause must be recorded and made available to the public; the proposed regulation would require the same public posting when a civil penalty is reduced.

Velaschin closed public comment on R089-25P after broadcasting indicated there were no callers. He said the office will consider testimony and written comments before finalizing any amendments.

The Secretary of State’s office is continuing the formal rulemaking process: written comments already on file were entered into the record, and the office said additional amendments might be proposed following consideration of testimony and written submissions. The workshop did not include a vote; the rulemaking timeline includes an adoption workshop scheduled later in the month.