KRS 6.691: Adjudicatory proceedings -- Action by commission -- Appeal.

(1) The Kentucky Rules of Civil Procedure and the Kentucky Rules of Evidence shall

apply to all commission adjudicatory hearings. All testimony in a commission

adjudicatory proceeding shall be under oath. All parties shall have the right to call

and examine witnesses, to introduce exhibits, to cross-examine witnesses, to submit

evidence, and to be represented by counsel and any other due process rights,

privileges, and responsibilities of a witness appearing before the courts of the

Commonwealth of Kentucky. Be fore testifying, all witnesses shall be given a copy

of the regulations governing commission proceedings. All witnesses shall be

entitled to be represented by counsel.

(2) Any person whose name is mentioned during adjudicatory proceedings of the

commission and who may be adversely affected thereby may appear personally

before the commission on the person's own behalf, with or without attorney, to give

a statement in opposition to such adverse mention or file a written statement of that

opposition for incorporation into the record of proceeding.

(3) All adjudicatory proceedings of the commission carried out pursuant to the

provisions of this section shall be public, unless the members vote to go into

executive session in accordance with KRS 61.810.

(4) Within thirty (30) days after the end of an adjudicatory proceeding pursuant to the

provisions of this section, the commission shall meet in executive session for the

purpose of reviewing the evidence before it. Within thirty (30) days after

completion of delibe rations, the commission shall publish a written report of its

findings and conclusions which shall be based on whether the person accused has

complied with the statute as written.

(5) No penalty provided for in this section shall be imposed except as the r esult of an

adjudicatory proceeding held upon the filing of a complaint. Notwithstanding the

administrative penalties provided for in KRS 6.797, 6.807, and 6.821, the

commission, upon a finding pursuant to an adjudicatory proceeding that there has

been clear and convincing proof of a violation of this code, may:

(a) Issue an order requiring the violator to cease and desist the violation;

(b) Issue an order requiring the violator to file any report, statement, or other

information as required by this code;

(c) In writing, publicly reprimand the violator for potential violations of the law

and provide a copy of the reprimand to the presiding officer of the house in

which the alleged violator serves;

(d) In writing, recommend to the house in which the violator serves that the

violator be sanctioned as recommended by the commission, which may

include a recommendation for censure or expulsion;

(e) Issue an order requiring the violator to pay a civil penalty of not more than

two thousand dollars ($2,000); or

(f) Revoke the registration of any legislative agent or employer for a period not to

exceed five (5) years. During the period of the revocation, the agent or

employer or any other entity which constitutes nothing more than the

legislative agent or employer operating under a different name or identity shall

not be permitted to register as a legislative agent or employer.

(6) The commission may refer to the Attorney General, county attorney, or

Commonwealth's attorney of the appropriate jurisdiction, for prosecutio n evidence

of criminal violations of this code. The Attorney General shall have responsibility

for all prosecutions under the law and may request from the commission all

evidence collected in its investigation.

(7) Findings of fact or final determinations by the commission that a violation of this

code has been committed, or any testimony related to the commission's findings of

fact or final determinations, shall not be admissible in criminal proceedings in the

courts of the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Eviden ce collected by the commission

may be used in a criminal proceeding if otherwise relevant.

(8) Any person found by the commission to have committed a violation of this code

may appeal the action to the Franklin Circuit Court. The appeal shall be initiated

within thirty (30) days after the date of the final action of the commission by filing a

petition with the court against the commission. The commission shall transmit to

the clerk of the court all evidence considered by the commission at the public

hearing. The court shall hear the appeal upon the record as certified by the

commission.