A person who fails to register or to file a properly completed and certified report or statement, as applicable, within the time required by this chapter is subject to a civil penalty of not more than $10 a day for each day the delinquency continues as determined by the commission subject to right of appeal to the superior court. An affidavit stating facts in mitigation may be submitted to the commission by a person against whom a civil penalty is assessed. However, the imposition of the penalties prescribed in this section or in AS 24.45.151 does not excuse the lobbyist or employer of a lobbyist from filing statements or reports required by this chapter.