House Speaker Pro Tem Ray Merrick, R-Stilwell, faces a possible fine for sending out a fundraiser invitation prior to the end of the legislative session, officials said.

Lawmakers are not allowed to solicit campaign contributions during legislative sessions.

Carol Williams, executive director of the Kansas Governmental Ethics Commission, said Merrick’s staff inadvertently sent out the fundraiser invitation about five days before the official end of the regular session in May, realized the mistake and notified her about it.

The Ethics Commission will hold a civil fine hearing at 2 p.m. Thursday on the matter. Merrick faces a possible fine of up to $5,000.