DE HB392

Establishes the Reports Appeals Subcommittee of the State Board of Elections to hear and decide appeals of the State Election Commissioner's decisions regarding tardy and incomplete campaign finance reports.

Subcommittee consists of 6 Board members with equal representation from the 2 principal political parties, with Chair and Co-Chair positions rotating annually between parties.

Members receive $50 stipends per meeting with a $250 annual cap; majority of serving members constitutes a quorum, and in tied appeal votes, the decision favors the appellant.

Shifts appeal authority from the Commissioner to the Subcommittee, which must conduct hearings within 15 days, record proceedings, make written findings, and notify appellants within 10 business days.

Takes effect February 15, 2017, and provides that reporting parties bear the burden of proof to show tardiness was due to reasonable cause rather than willful neglect.