1. (a) Upon hearing the response, if the respondent explains or otherwise responds to the complaint, and upon completion of any investigation, the commission may make a prompt preliminary determination as to whether probable cause exists that a violation of this part has been committed. The preliminary determination with findings of fact and conclusions of law shall be served upon the respondent by first-class mail. As a courtesy, the commission shall send the preliminary determination with findings of fact and conclusions of law to the respondent by electronic mail; provided that the electronic mail shall not constitute service. If the respondent is a candidate, candidate committee, or noncandidate committee and the preliminary determination is mailed to the address contained in the organizational report of the candidate or committee, there shall be a presumption that the candidate or committee received the preliminary determination within seven business days of the preliminary determination being mailed.
2. (b) The respondent shall be afforded an opportunity to contest the commission's preliminary determination of probable cause by making a request for a contested case hearing under chapter 91 within thirty days of receipt of the preliminary determination. Failure to request a contested case hearing shall render the commission's preliminary determination final.

[L 2010, c 211, pt of §2; am L 2023, c 69, §1 and c 120, §1]