SECTION 17. Section 217140 of the 1976 Code is amended to read: 217140. If an alleged violation is found to be “Section groundless by the State Ethics Commission, the entire matter must be stricken from public record. If the State Ethics Commission finds that the complaining party wilfully filed a groundless complaint, the finding must be reported to the Attorney General. The wilful filing of a groundless complaint by a person with the State Ethics Commission is a misdemeanor, and the person filing a complaint, upon conviction, must be fined not more than one thousand dollars or imprisoned not more than one year. In lieu of addition to the criminal penalty provided by this section, the commission may assess a civil penalty of not more than one thousand dollars may be assessed against the complainant upon proof, by a preponderance of the evidence, that the filing of the complaint was groundless, wilful and without just cause or with malice.” SECTION 18. Sections 1 through 6 of this act take effect on July 1, 2015, except that the election or appointment of members of the State Ethics Commission as provided for in Section 813310 of the 1976 Code, as amended by this act, may take place upon the signature of this act by the Governor so that these members may take office and begin serving on July 1, 2015. Sections 7 through 14 of this act take effect upon approval by the Governor. XX
SECTION 17. Section 217140 of the 1976 Code is amended to read: “Section 217140. If an alleged violation is found to be groundless by the State Ethics Commission, the entire matter must be stricken from public record. If the State Ethics Commission finds that the complaining party wilfully filed a groundless complaint, the finding must be reported to the Attorney General. The wilful filing of a groundless complaint by a person with the State Ethics Commission is a misdemeanor, and the person filing a complaint, upon conviction, must be fined not more than one thousand dollars or imprisoned not more than one year. In lieu of addition to the criminal penalty provided by this section, the commission may assess a civil penalty of not more than one thousand dollars may be assessed against the complainant upon proof, by a preponderance of the evidence, that the filing of the complaint was groundless, wilful and without just cause or with malice.” SECTION 18. Sections 1 through 6 of this act take effect on July 1, 2015, except that the election or appointment of members of the State Ethics Commission as provided for in Section 813310 of the 1976 Code, as amended by this act, may take place upon the signature of this act by the Governor so that these members may take office and begin serving on July 1, 2015. Sections 7 through 14 of this act take effect upon approval by the Governor. XX
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