2009 Rhode Island Code
Title 42 - State Affairs and Government
CHAPTER 42-139 - Executive Branch and Public Corporation Lobbying
§ 42-139-7 - Duties and powers of the secretary of state.

SECTION 42-139-7

   § 42-139-7  Duties and powers of the secretary of state. – The secretary of state shall have authority to perform such duties as are necessary to implement the provisions of this chapter. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the secretary of state is authorized and empowered to:

   (1) Develop forms for the making of the required financial reports.

   (2) Develop registers for lobbyists who must register pursuant to this chapter.

   (3) Adopt rules and regulations to carry out the purposes of this chapter.

   (4) Prepare and make available for public inspection through the office of the secretary of state summaries of all reports.

   (5) Prepare and publish a manual for all persons, corporations or associations which engage any person as a lobbyist and for all lobbyists which sets forth the requirements of this chapter.

   (6) Ascertain whether any person, corporation, association, or lobbyist has failed to register or file reports or has filed an incomplete or inaccurate report; and the secretary may, for good cause shown, extend the dates upon which reports are required to be filed.

   (7) Conduct investigations and/or hearings relative to alleged violations of this chapter either on his or her own initiative or upon receipt of a verified written complaint, which complaint shall, upon pain and penalty of perjury, be based upon actual knowledge and not merely on information and belief. Upon completion of the investigation, if the secretary of state has reason to believe that a violation has occurred, the secretary may convene a hearing for the purpose of taking evidence and receiving testimony regarding the alleged violation. At this hearing, the person alleged to have committed the violation shall be afforded the opportunity to present evidence and offer testimony in his or her defense. Upon completion of the hearing, if the secretary of state determines by a preponderance of the evidence that a violation has occurred, the secretary shall order the lobbyist or person engaging a lobbyist to file such a report or amended report as is necessary to correct the violation forthwith. If the secretary determines by clear and convincing evidence that the violation was intentional and that the violator failed to comply when given notice of the deficiency, then he or she may impose an administrative penalty as provided in § 22-10-11(a). Any determination and/or administrative penalty imposed by the secretary of state may be appealed by the aggrieved party to superior court pursuant to the provisions of chapter 35 of this title. If the secretary of state determines that the nature of the violation was of such seriousness and willfulness as to warrant a criminal complaint, he or she may refer the violation to the attorney general for prosecution as provided for in § 22-10-11(b).

   (8) Administer oaths.