Florida Regulations § 34-12.407 Appeal of Statutory Fines: Hearings, Unusual Circumstances

(1) A lobbying firm wishing to appeal or dispute a fine imposed in accordance with Section 112.3215(5)(e) 5., F.S., shall file with the Commission on Ethics a notice of appeal within 30 days of the date of the notice of payment due is transmitted by the lobbyist registration office, setting out with specificity the unusual circumstances surrounding the failure to file on the designated due date. The notice of appeal may be accompanied by any documentation or evidence supporting the claim.

(2) Failure to timely file a notice of appeal as described herein shall constitute a waiver of any such entitlement. A final order of waiver shall be promptly entered by the chairman of the Commission on Ethics without the necessity of any further action being taken by the Commission.

(3) A lobbying firm desiring a hearing before the Commission shall include in the notice of appeal a separate request for hearing. If no request for hearing is included in the notice of appeal, the Commission's determination shall be based on the notice and any supporting information and shall be final agency action. If a separate request for hearing is included in the notice, notice of hearing shall be provided and the Commission's determination after hearing shall be final agency action. Failure to appear in accordance with the notice of hearing shall constitute a waiver of such entitlement, and the Commission shall dispose of the case on the written record before it.

(4) "Unusual circumstances" means uncommon, rare or sudden events over which the actor has no control and which directly result in the failure to act in accordance with the filing requirements. Circumstances which allow for time in which to take those steps necessary to assure compliance with the filing requirements shall be deemed not to constitute unusual circumstances.