§97-7  Penalties; administrative fines.  (a)  Any person or entity that:

     (1)  Negligently fails to file any statement or report required by this chapter;

     (2)  Negligently files a statement or report containing false information or material omission of any fact;

     (3)  Engages in activities prohibited by section 97-5;

     (4)  Fails to provide information required by section 97-2, including documentation confirming completion of the mandatory lobbyist training course, or 97-3; or

     (5)  Makes a gift in violation of section 97-5.5;

shall be subject to an administrative fine imposed by the state ethics commission that shall not exceed $1,000 for each violation of this chapter.  All fines collected under this section shall be deposited into the general fund.

     (b)  No fine shall be assessed unless the state ethics commission:

     (1)  Convenes a hearing in accordance with section 97-6(c) and chapter 91 and renders a decision; or

     (2)  Together with the alleged violator, agrees to resolve any alleged violation before the completion of the contested case process; provided that the resolution includes payment of an administrative fine or restitution, or both. [L 1975, c 160, pt of §1; am L 1980, c 129, §1(h); am L 1995, c 220, §8; am L 2001, c 146, §2; am L 2017, c 51, §6; am L 2019, c 109, §3; am L 2023, c 10, §3 and c 20, §4]