Congressional Campaign and Election Reform Act of 1993 - Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to reduce maximum contribution amounts to candidates for Federal office from: (1) multicandidate political committees (PACs); and (2) persons other than PACs.
(Sec. 4) Delineates circumstances in which a person's contribution shall be considered as being made through an intermediary or a conduit (and therefore treated as contributions from such person).
(Sec. 5) Treats contributions by dependents not of voting age as contributions of the person or persons upon whom they are dependent.
(Sec. 6) Aggregates, for contribution limit purposes, contributions from State and local party committees with all contributions from such political party.
(Sec. 7) Makes it unlawful to secure or to use contributions secured by physical force or other intimidation.
(Sec. 8) Prohibits a candidate from accepting cash contributions aggregating more than $100 from any one person.
(Sec. 9) Defines "generic campaign activity" and "State Party Grassroots Fund."
(Sec. 10) Establishes individual and PAC contribution limits to State Party Grassroots Funds and other State party committees. Allows individuals to contribute up to a specified amount of funds annually to State party committees in addition to current amounts contributed annually to all candidates and their authorized committees.
Replaces the current individual contribution limits for any calendar year with aggregate contribution limits for an election cycle. Revises presidential campaign expenditure limits.
(Sec. 11) Prohibits, with exceptions, a national committee and a congressional campaign committee from soliciting or accepting contributions not subject to certain limitations, prohibitions, and reporting requirements. Subjects to such requirements any amount ("soft money") solicited, received, or expended by a national, State, district, or local committee of a political party with respect to certain activities such as voter registration or get-out-the vote efforts.
(Sec. 12) Sets forth fundraising limitations for Federal candidates and office holders and certain political committees.
(Sec. 13 and 14) Sets forth reporting requirements for: (1) political committees; (2) exempt contributions; (3) State committees; and (4) certain independent expenditures.
(Sec. 15) Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to require a licensee to provide equal broadcast time to qualified candidates for public office.
(Sec. 16) Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to prohibit Federal candidates from establishing leadership committees. Restricts contributions between principal campaign committees.
(Sec. 17) Prohibits fund transfers among noncandidate, nonparty political committees.
(Sec. 18) Restricts certain connected political action committee activities.
[Congressional Bills 103th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Printing Office]
[H.R. 2469 Introduced in House (IH)]
103d CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 2469
To amend the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 and related laws to
strengthen public confidence in the integrity of the legislative
process, to reform campaign practices for congressional elections, and
for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
June 18, 1993
Mr. Synar (for himself, Mr. Beilenson, Mr. Calvert, Mr. Deal, Mr.
Glickman, Mr. Grandy, Mr. Gunderson, Mr. Horn, Mr. Livingston, Mr.
Torricelli, Mr. Meehan, and Mr. Upton) introduced the following bill;
which was referred jointly to the Committees on House Administration
and Energy and Commerce
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 and related laws to
strengthen public confidence in the integrity of the legislative
process, to reform campaign practices for congressional elections, and
for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Congressional Campaign and Election
Reform Act of 1993''.
SEC. 2. REDUCTION IN LIMITATION AMOUNT FOR CONTRIBUTIONS TO CANDIDATES
FOR FEDERAL OFFICE BY MULTICANDIDATE POLITICAL
COMMITTEES.
Section 315(a)(2)(A) of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971
(2 U.S.C. 441a(a)(2)(A)) is amended by striking out ``$5,000'' and
inserting in lieu thereof ``$1,000''.
SEC. 3. REDUCTION IN LIMITATION AMOUNT FOR CONTRIBUTIONS TO CANDIDATES
FOR FEDERAL OFFICE BY PERSONS OTHER THAN MULTICANDIDATE
POLITICAL COMMITTEES.
Section 315(a)(1)(A) of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971
(2 U.S.C. 441a(a)(1)(A)) is amended by striking out ``$1,000'' and
inserting in lieu thereof ``$500''.
SEC. 4. CONTRIBUTIONS THROUGH INTERMEDIARIES AND CONDUITS.
Section 315(a)(8) of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (2
U.S.C. 441a(a)(8)) is amended to read as follows:
``(8) For the purposes of this subsection:
``(A) Contributions made by a person, either directly or
indirectly, to or on behalf of a particular candidate,
including contributions that are in any way earmarked or
otherwise directed through an intermediary or conduit to a
candidate, shall be treated as contributions from the person to
the candidate.
``(B) Contributions made directly or indirectly by a person
to or on behalf of a particular candidate through an
intermediary or conduit, including contributions made or
arranged to be made by an intermediary or conduit, shall be
treated as contributions from the intermediary or conduit to
the candidate if--
``(i) the contributions made through the
intermediary or conduit are in the form of a check or
other negotiable instrument made payable to the
intermediary or conduit rather than the intended
recipient; or
``(ii) the intermediary or conduit is--
``(I) a political committee;
``(II) an officer, employee, or agent of
such a political committee;
``(III) a political party;
``(IV) a partnership or sole
proprietorship;
``(V) a person who is required to register
or to report its lobbying activities, or a
lobbyist whose activities are required to be
reported, under section 308 of the Federal
Regulation of Lobbying Act (2 U.S.C. 267), the
Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938 (22
U.S.C. 611 et seq.), or any successor Federal
law requiring a person who is a lobbyist or
foreign agent to register or a person to report
its lobbying activities; or
``(VI) an organization prohibited from
making contributions under section 316, or an
officer, employee, or agent of such an
organization acting on the organization's
behalf.
``(C)(i) The term `intermediary or conduit' does not
include--
``(I) a candidate or representative of a candidate
receiving contributions to the candidate's principal
campaign committee or authorized committee;
``(II) a professional fundraiser compensated for
fundraising services at the usual and customary rate,
but only if the individual is not described in
subparagraph (B)(ii);
``(III) a volunteer hosting a fundraising event at
the volunteer's home, in accordance with section
301(8)(B), but only if the individual is not described
in subparagraph (B)(ii); or
``(IV) an individual who transmits a contribution
from the individual's spouse.
``(ii) The term `representative' means an individual who is
expressly authorized by the candidate to engage in fundraising,
and who occupies a significant position within the candidate's
campaign organization, provided that the individual is not
described in subparagraph (B)(ii).
``(iii) The term `contributions made or arranged to be
made' includes--
``(I) contributions delivered to a particular
candidate or the candidate's authorized committee or
agent; and
``(II) contributions directly or indirectly
arranged to be made to a particular candidate or the
candidate's authorized committee or agent, in a manner
that identifies directly or indirectly to the candidate
or authorized committee or agent the person who
arranged the making of the contributions or the person
on whose behalf such person was acting.
Such term does not include contributions made, or arranged to
be made, by reason of an oral or written communication by a
Federal candidate or officeholder expressly advocating the
nomination for election, or election, of any other Federal
candidate and encouraging the making of a contribution to such
other candidate.
``(iv) The term `acting on the organization's behalf'
includes the following activities by an officer, employee or
agent of a person described in subparagraph (B)(ii)(VI):
``(I) Soliciting or directly or indirectly
arranging the making of a contribution to a particular
candidate in the name of, or by using the name of, such
a person.
``(II) Soliciting or directly or indirectly
arranging the making of a contribution to a particular
candidate using other than incidental resources of such
a person.
``(III) Soliciting contributions for a particular
candidate by substantially directing the solicitations
to other officers, employees, or agents of such a
person.
``(D) Nothing in this paragraph shall prohibit--
``(i) bona fide joint fundraising efforts conducted
solely for the purpose of sponsorship of a fundraising
reception, dinner, or other similar event, in
accordance with rules prescribed by the Commission,
by--
``(I) 2 or more candidates;
``(II) 2 or more national, State, or local
committees of a political party within the
meaning of section 301(4) acting on their own
behalf; or
``(III) a special committee formed by 2 or
more candidates, or a candidate and a national,
State, or local committee of a political party
acting on their own behalf; or
``(ii) fundraising efforts for the benefit of a
candidate that are conducted by another candidate.
When a contribution is made to a candidate through an intermediary or
conduit, the intermediary or conduit shall report the original source
and the intended recipient of the contribution to the Commission and to
the intended recipient.''.
SEC. 5. CONTRIBUTIONS BY DEPENDENTS NOT OF VOTING AGE.
Section 315 of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (2 U.S.C.
441a) is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:
``(i) For purposes of this section, any contribution by an
individual who--
``(1) is a dependent of another individual; and
``(2) has not, as of the time of such contribution,
attained the legal age for voting for elections to Federal
office in the State in which such individual resides,
shall be treated as having been made by such other individual. If such
individual is the dependent of another individual and such other
individual's spouse, the contribution shall be allocated among such
individuals in the manner determined by them.''.
SEC. 6. CONTRIBUTIONS TO CANDIDATES FROM STATE AND LOCAL COMMITTEES OF
POLITICAL PARTIES TO BE AGGREGATED.
Section 315(a) of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (2
U.S.C. 441a(a)) is amended by adding at the end the following new
paragraph:
``(9) Notwithstanding paragraph (5)(B), a candidate for Federal
office may not accept, with respect to an election, any contribution
from a State or local committee of a political party (including any
subordinate committee of such committee), if such contribution, when
added to the total of contributions previously accepted from all such
committees of that political party, exceeds a limitation on
contributions to a candidate under this section.''.
SEC. 7. CONTRIBUTIONS AND EXPENDITURES USING MONEY SECURED BY PHYSICAL
FORCE OR OTHER INTIMIDATION.
Title III of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 is amended
by adding at the end the following new section:
``contributions and expenditures using money secured by physical force
or other intimidation
``Sec. 323. It shall be unlawful for any person to--
``(1) cause another person to make a contribution or
expenditure by using physical force, job discrimination,
financial reprisals, or the threat of physical force, job
discrimination, or financial reprisal; or
``(2) make a contribution or expenditure utilizing money or
anything of value secured in the manner described in paragraph
(1).''.
SEC. 8. PROHIBITION OF ACCEPTANCE BY A CANDIDATE OF CASH CONTRIBUTIONS
FROM ANY ONE PERSON AGGREGATING MORE THAN $100.
Section 321 of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (2 U.S.C.
441g) is amended by inserting ``, and no candidate or authorized
committee of a candidate shall accept from any one person,'' after
``make''.
SEC. 9. DEFINITIONS.
(a) Contribution and Expenditure Exceptions.--(1) Clause (xii) of
section 301(8)(B) of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (2
U.S.C. 431(8)(B)(xii)) is amended--
(A) by inserting ``in connection with volunteer
activities'' after ``such committee''; and
(B) by striking ``and'' at the end of subclause (2), by
inserting ``and'' at the end of subclause (3), and by adding at
the end the following new subclause:
``(4) such activities are conducted solely by, or
any materials are distributed solely by, volunteers;''.
(2) Clause (ix) of section 301(9)(B) of the Federal Election
Campaign Act of 1971 (2 U.S.C. 431(9)(B)(ix)) is amended--
(A) by inserting ``in connection with volunteer
activities'' after ``such committee'', and
(B) by striking ``and'' at the end of subclause (2), by
inserting ``and'' at the end of subclause (3), and by adding at
the end the following new subclause:
``(4) any materials in connection with such
activities are prepared for distribution (and are
distributed) solely by volunteers;''.
(b) Generic Activities; State Party Grassroots Fund.--Section 301
of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (2 U.S.C. 431) is amended
by adding at the end the following new paragraphs:
``(20) The term `generic campaign activity' means a
campaign activity that promotes a political party rather than
any particular Federal or non-Federal candidate.
``(21) The term `State Party Grassroots Fund' means a
separate segregated fund established and maintained by a State
committee of a political party solely for purposes of making
expenditures and other disbursements described in section
324(d).''.
SEC. 10. CONTRIBUTIONS TO POLITICAL PARTY COMMITTEES.
(a) Individual Contributions to State Party.--Paragraph (1) of
section 315(a) of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (2 U.S.C.
441a(a)(1)) is amended by striking ``or'' at the end of subparagraph
(B), by redesignating subparagraph (C) as subparagraph (D), and by
inserting after subparagraph (B) the following new subparagraph:
``(C) to--
``(i) a State Party Grassroots Fund established and
maintained by a State committee of a political party in
any calendar year which, in the aggregate, exceed
$20,000; or
``(ii) any other political committee established
and maintained by a State committee of a political
party in any calendar year which, in the aggregate,
exceed $5,000,
except that the aggregate contributions described in this
subparagraph which may be made by a person to the State Party
Grassroots Fund and all committees of a State Committee of a
political party in any State in any calendar year shall not
exceed $20,000; or''.
(b) Multicandidate Committee Contributions to State Party.--
Paragraph (2) of section 315(a) of the Federal Election Campaign Act of
1971 (2 U.S.C. 441a(a)(2)) is amended by striking ``or'' at the end of
subparagraph (B), by redesignating subparagraph (C) as subparagraph
(D), and by inserting after subparagraph (B) the following new
subparagraph:
``(C) to--
``(i) a State Party Grassroots Fund established and
maintained by a State committee of a political party in
any calendar year which, in the aggregate, exceed
$15,000; or
``(ii) to any other political committee established
and maintained by a State committee of a political
party which, in the aggregate, exceed $5,000,
except that the aggregate contributions described in this
subparagraph which may be made by a multicandidate political
committee to the State Party Grassroots Fund and all committees
of a State Committee of a political party in any State in any
calendar year shall not exceed $15,000; or''.
(c) Overall Limit.--Paragraph (3) of section 315(a) of the Federal
Election Campaign Act of 1971 (2 U.S.C. 441a(a)(3)) is amended to read
as follows:
``(3)(A) No individual shall make contributions during any election
cycle (as defined in section 301(29)(B)) which, in the aggregate,
exceed $60,000.
``(B) No individual shall make contributions during any calendar
year--
``(i) to all candidates and their authorized political
committees which, in the aggregate, exceed $25,000; or
``(ii) to all political committees established and
maintained by State committees of a political party which, in
the aggregate, exceed $20,000.
``(C) For purposes of subparagraph (B)(i), any contribution made to
a candidate or the candidate's authorized political committees in a
year other than the calendar year in which the election is held with
respect to which such contribution is made shall be treated as made
during the calendar year in which the election is held.''.
(d) Presidential Candidate Committee Transfers.--(1) Subparagraph
(B) of section 315(b)(1) of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971
(2 U.S.C. 441a(b)(1)) is amended to read as follows:
``(B) in the case of a campaign for election to
such office, an amount equal to the sum of--
``(i) $20,000,000, plus
``(ii) the lesser of--
``(I) 2 cents multiplied by the
voting age population of the United
States (as certified under subsection
(e) of this section), or
``(II) the amounts transferred by
the candidate and the authorized
committees of the candidate to the
national committee of the candidate's
political party for distribution to
State Party Grassroots Funds.''.
(2) Subparagraph (A) of section 9002(11) of the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986 (defining qualified campaign expense) is amended by
striking ``or'' at the end of clause (ii), by inserting ``or'' at the
end of clause (iii), and by inserting at the end the following new
clause ``(iv) any transfers to the national committee of the
candidate's political party for distribution to State Party Grassroots
Funds (as defined in section 301(31) of the Federal Election Campaign
Act of 1971) to the extent such transfers do not exceed the amount
determined under section 315(b)(1)(B)(ii) of such Act,''.
SEC. 11. PROVISIONS RELATING TO NATIONAL, STATE, AND LOCAL PARTY
COMMITTEES.
(a) Soft Money of Committees of Political Parties.--Title III of
the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 is amended by inserting after
section 323 the following new section:
``political party committees
``Sec. 324. (a) Limitations on National Committee.--(1) A national
committee of a political party and the congressional campaign
committees of a political party may not solicit or accept contributions
or transfers not subject to the limitations, prohibitions, and
reporting requirements of this Act.
``(2) Paragraph (1) shall not apply to contributions--
``(A) that--
``(i) are to be transferred to a State committee of
a political party and are used solely for activities
described in clauses (xi) through (xvii) of paragraph
(9)(B) of section 301; or
``(ii) are described in section 301(8)(B)(viii);
and
``(B) with respect to which contributors have been notified
that the funds will be used solely for the purposes described
in subparagraph (A).
``(b) Activities Subject to This Act.--Any amount solicited,
received, expended, or disbursed directly or indirectly by a national,
State, district, or local committee of a political party (including any
subordinate committee) with respect to any of the following activities
shall be subject to the limitations, prohibitions, and reporting
requirements of this Act:
``(1)(A) Any get-out-the-vote activity conducted during a
calendar year in which an election for the office of President
is held.
``(B) Any other get-out-the-vote activity unless subsection
(c)(2) applies to the activity.
``(2) Any generic campaign activity.
``(3) Any activity that identifies or promotes a Federal
candidate, regardless of whether--
``(A) a State or local candidate is also identified
or promoted; or
``(B) any portion of the funds disbursed
constitutes a contribution or expenditure under this
Act.
``(4) Voter registration.
``(5) Development and maintenance of voter files during an
even-numbered calendar year.
``(6) Any other activity that--
``(A) significantly affects a Federal election, or
``(B) is not otherwise described in section
301(8)(B)(xvii).
Any amount spent to raise funds that are used, in whole or in part, in
connection with activities described in the preceding paragraphs shall
be subject to the limitations, prohibitions, and reporting requirements
of this Act.
``(c) Get-Out-The-Vote Activities by State, District, and Local
Committees of Political Parties.--(1) Except as provided in paragraph
(2), any get-out-the-vote activity for a State or local candidate, or
for a ballot measure, which is conducted by a State, district, or local
committee of a political party (including any subordinate committee)
shall be subject to the limitations, prohibitions, and reporting
requirements of this Act.
``(2) Paragraph (1) shall not apply to any activity which the State
committee of a political party certifies to the Commission is an
activity which--
``(A) is conducted during a calendar year other than a
calendar year in which an election for the office of President
is held,
``(B) is exclusively on behalf of (and specifically
identifies only) one or more State or local candidates or
ballot measures, and
``(C) does not include any effort or means used to identify
or turn out those identified to be supporters of any Federal
candidate (including any activity that is undertaken in
coordination with, or on behalf of, a candidate for Federal
office).
``(d) State Party Grassroots Funds.--(1) A State committee of a
political party may make disbursements and expenditures from its State
Party Grassroots Fund only for--
``(A) any generic campaign activity;
``(B) payments described in clauses (v), (x), and (xii) of
paragraph (8)(B) and clauses (iv), (viii), and (ix) of
paragraph (9)(B) of section 301;
``(C) subject to the limitations of section 315(d),
payments described in clause (xii) of paragraph (8)(B), and
clause (ix) of paragraph (9)(B), of section 301 on behalf of
candidates other than for President and Vice President;
``(D) voter registration; and
``(E) development and maintenance of voter files during an
even-numbered calendar year.
``(2) Notwithstanding section 315(a)(4), no funds may be
transferred by a State committee of a political party from its State
Party Grassroots Fund to any other State Party Grassroots Fund or to
any other political committee, except a transfer may be made to a
district or local committee of the same political party in the same
State if such district or local committee--
``(A) has established a separate segregated fund for the
purposes described in paragraph (1); and
``(B) uses the transferred funds solely for those purposes.
``(e) Amounts Received by Grassroots Fund From State and Local
Candidate Committees.--(1) Any amount received by a State Party
Grassroots Fund from a State or local candidate committee for
expenditures described in subsection (b) that are for the benefit of
that candidate shall be treated as meeting the requirements of
subsection (b) and section 304(e) if--
``(A) such amount is derived from funds which meet the
requirements of this Act with respect to any limitation or
prohibition as to source or dollar amount specified in section
315(a) (1)(A) and (2)(A); and
``(B) the State or local candidate committee--
``(i) maintains, in the account from which payment
is made, records of the sources and amounts of funds
for purposes of determining whether such requirements
are met; and
``(ii) certifies that such requirements were met.
``(2) For purposes of paragraph (1)(A), in determining whether the
funds transferred meet the requirements of this Act described in such
paragraph--
``(A) a State or local candidate committee's cash on hand
shall be treated as consisting of the funds most recently
received by the committee, and
``(B) the committee must be able to demonstrate that its
cash on hand contains sufficient funds meeting such
requirements as are necessary to cover the transferred funds.
``(3) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), any State Party Grassroots
Fund receiving any transfer described in paragraph (1) from a State or
local candidate committee shall be required to meet the reporting
requirements of this Act, and shall submit to the Commission all
certifications received, with respect to receipt of the transfer from
such candidate committee.
``(4) For purposes of this subsection, a State or local candidate
committee is a committee established, financed, maintained, or
controlled by a candidate for other than Federal office.''.
(b) Contributions and Expenditures.--(1) Section 301(8)(B) of the
Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (2 U.S.C. 431(8)(B)) is amended
by striking ``and'' at the end of clause (xiii), by striking the period
at the end of clause (xiv) and inserting a semicolon, and by adding at
the end the following new clauses:
``(xv) any amount contributed to a
candidate for other than Federal office;
``(xvi) any amount received or expended to
pay the costs of a State or local political
convention;
``(xvii) any payment for campaign
activities that are exclusively on behalf of
(and specifically identify only) State or local
candidates and do not identify any Federal
candidate, and that are not activities
described in section 324(b) (without regard to
paragraph (6)(B)) or section 324(c)(1);
``(xviii) any payment for administrative
expenses of a State or local committee of a
political party, including expenses for--
``(I) overhead, including party
meetings;
``(II) staff (other than
individuals devoting a significant
amount of their time to elections for
Federal office and individuals engaged
in conducting get-out-the-vote
activities for a Federal election); and
``(III) conducting party elections
or caucuses;
``(xix) any payment for research pertaining
solely to State and local candidates and
issues;
``(xx) any payment for development and
maintenance of voter files other than during
the 1-year period ending on the date during an
even-numbered calendar year on which regularly
scheduled general elections for Federal office
occur; and
``(xxi) any payment for any other activity
which is solely for the purpose of influencing,
and which solely affects, an election for non-
Federal office and which is not an activity
described in section 324(b) (without regard to
paragraph (6)(B)) or section 324(c)(1).''.
(2) Section 301(9)(B) of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971
(2 U.S.C. 431(9)(B)) is amended by striking ``and'' at the end of
clause (ix), by striking the period at the end of clause (x) and
inserting a semicolon, and by adding at the end the following new
clauses:
``(xi) any amount contributed to a
candidate for other than Federal office;
``(xii) any amount received or expended to
pay the costs of a State or local political
convention;
``(xiii) any payment for campaign
activities that are exclusively on behalf of
(and specifically identify only) State or local
candidates and do not identify any Federal
candidate, and that are not activities
described in section 324(b) (without regard to
paragraph (6)(B)) or section 324(c)(1);
``(xiv) any payment for administrative
expenses of a State or local committee of a
political party, including expenses for--
``(I) overhead, including party
meetings;
``(II) staff (other than
individuals devoting a significant
amount of their time to elections for
Federal office and individuals engaged
in conducting get-out-the-vote
activities for a Federal election); and
``(III) conducting party elections
or caucuses;
``(xv) any payment for research pertaining
solely to State and local candidates and
issues;
``(xvi) any payment for development and
maintenance of voter files other than during
the 1-year period ending on the date during an
even-numbered calendar year on which regularly
scheduled general elections for Federal office
occur; and
``(xvii) any payment for any other activity
which is solely for the purpose of influencing,
and which solely affects, an election for non-
Federal office and which is not an activity
described in section 324(b) (without regard to
paragraph (6)(B)) or section 324(c)(1).''.
(c) Limitation Applied at National Level.--Paragraph (3) of section
315(d) of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (2 U.S.C.
441a(d)(3)) is amended by adding at the end the following new sentence:
``Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, the applicable congressional
campaign committee of a political party shall make the expenditures
described in this paragraph which are authorized to be made by a
national or State committee with respect to a candidate in any State
unless it allocates all or a portion of such expenditures to either or
both of such committees.''.
(d) Limitations Apply for Entire Election Cycle.--Section 315(d)(1)
of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (2 U.S.C. 441a(d)(1)) is
amended by adding at the end the following new sentence: ``Each
limitation under the following paragraphs shall apply to the entire
election cycle for an office.''.
SEC. 12. RESTRICTIONS ON FUNDRAISING BY CANDIDATES AND OFFICEHOLDERS.
(a) State Fundraising Activities.--Section 315 of the Federal
Election Campaign Act of 1971 (2 U.S.C. 441a), as amended by section 5,
is further amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:
``(j) Limitations on Fundraising Activities of Federal Candidates
and Officeholders and Certain Political Committees.--(1) For purposes
of this Act, a candidate for Federal office, an individual holding
Federal office, or any agent of the candidate or individual may not
solicit funds to, or receive funds on behalf of, any Federal or non-
Federal candidate or political committee--
``(A) which are to be expended in connection with any
election for Federal office unless such funds are subject to
the limitations, prohibitions, and requirements of this Act; or
``(B) which are to be expended in connection with any
election for other than Federal office unless such funds are
not in excess of amounts permitted with respect to Federal
candidates and political committees under subsections (a) (1)
and (2), and are not from sources prohibited by such
subsections with respect to elections to Federal office.
``(2)(A) The aggregate amount which a person described in
subparagraph (B) may solicit from a multicandidate political committee
for State committees described in subsection (a)(1)(C) (including
subordinate committees) for any calendar year shall not exceed the
dollar amount in effect under subsection (a)(2)(B) for the calendar
year.
``(B) A person is described in this subparagraph if such person is
a candidate for Federal office, an individual holding Federal office,
an agent of such a candidate or individual, or any national, State,
district, or local committee of a political party (including a
subordinate committee) and any agent of such a committee.
``(3) The appearance or participation by a candidate for Federal
office or individual holding Federal office in any fundraising event
conducted by a committee of a political party or a candidate for other
than Federal office shall not be treated as a solicitation for purposes
of paragraph (1) if such candidate or individual does not solicit or
receive, or make disbursements from, any funds resulting from such
activity.
``(4) Paragraph (1) shall not apply to the solicitation or receipt
of funds, or disbursements, by an individual who is a candidate for
other than Federal office if such activity is permitted under State
law.
``(5) For purposes of this subsection, an individual shall be
treated as holding Federal office if such individual--
``(A) holds a Federal office; or
``(B) holds a position described in level I of the
Executive Schedule under section 5312 of title 5, United States
Code.''.
(b) Tax-Exempt Organizations.--Section 315 of the Federal Election
Campaign Act of 1971 (2 U.S.C. 441a), as amended by section 5 and
subsection (a), is further amended by adding at the end the following
new subsection:
``(k) Tax-Exempt Organizations.--(1) If an individual is a
candidate for, or holds, Federal office during any period, such
individual may not during such period solicit contributions to, or on
behalf of, any organization which is described in section 501(c) of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986 if a significant portion of the
activities of such organization include voter registration or get-out-
the-vote campaigns.
``(2) For purposes of this subsection, an individual shall be
treated as holding Federal office if such individual--
``(A) holds a Federal office; or
``(B) holds a position described in level I of the
Executive Schedule under section 5312 of title 5, United States
Code.''.
SEC. 13. REPORTING REQUIREMENTS.
(a) Reporting Requirements.--Section 304 of the Federal Election
Campaign Act of 1971 (2 U.S.C. 434) is amended by adding at the end the
following new subsection:
``(d) Political Committees.--(1) The national committee of a
political party and any congressional campaign committee of a political
party, and any subordinate committee of either, shall report all
receipts and disbursements during the reporting period, whether or not
in connection with an election for Federal office.
``(2) A political committee (not described in paragraph (1)) to
which section 324 applies shall report all receipts and disbursements
including separate schedules for receipts and disbursements for State
Grassroots Funds described in section 301(31).
``(3) Any political committee to which section 324 applies shall
include in its report under paragraph (1) or (2) the amount of any
transfer described in section 324(d)(2) and shall itemize such amounts
to the extent required by section 304(b)(3)(A).
``(4) Any political committee to which paragraph (1) or (2) does
not apply shall report any receipts or disbursements which are used in
connection with a Federal election.
``(5) If a political committee has receipts or disbursements to
which this subsection applies from any person aggregating in excess of
$200 for any calendar year, the political committee shall separately
itemize its reporting for such person in the same manner as subsection
(b) (3)(A), (5), or (6).
``(6) Reports required to be filed by this subsection shall be
filed for the same time periods required for political committees under
subsection (a).''.
(b) Report of Exempt Contributions.--Section 301(8) of the Federal
Election Campaign Act of 1971 (2 U.S.C. 431(8)) is amended by inserting
at the end thereof the following:
``(C) The exclusion provided in clause (viii) of
subparagraph (B) shall not apply for purposes of any
requirement to report contributions under this Act, and
all such contributions aggregating in excess of $200
shall be reported.''.
(c) Reports by State Committees.--Section 304 of the Federal
Election Campaign Act of 1971 (2 U.S.C. 434), as amended by subsection
(a), is amended by adding at the end thereof the following new
subsection:
``(e) Filing of State Reports.--In lieu of any report required to
be filed by this Act, the Commission may allow a State committee of a
political party to file with the Commission a report required to be
filed under State law if the Commission determines such reports contain
substantially the same information.''.
(d) Other Reporting Requirements.--
(1) Authorized committees.--Paragraph (4) of section 304(b)
of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (2 U.S.C.
434(b)(4)) is amended by striking ``and'' at the end of
subparagraph (H), by inserting ``and'' at the end of
subparagraph (I), and by adding at the end the following new
subparagraph:
``(J) in the case of an authorized committee,
disbursements for the primary election, the general
election, and any other election in which the candidate
participates;''.
(2) Names and addresses.--Subparagraph (A) of section
304(b)(5) of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (2
U.S.C. 434(b)(5)(A)) is amended--
(A) by striking ``within the calendar year'', and
(B) by inserting ``, and the election to which the
operating expenditure relates'' after ``operating
expenditure''.
SEC. 14. REPORTING REQUIREMENTS FOR CERTAIN INDEPENDENT EXPENDITURES.
(a) In General.--Section 304 of the Federal Election Campaign Act
of 1971 (2 U.S.C. 434), as amended by section 13, is further amended by
adding at the end the following new subsection:
``(f) Time for Reporting Certain Expenditures.--(1) Any person
making independent expenditures aggregating $1,000 or more after the
20th day, but more than 24 hours, before any election shall file a
report of such expenditures within 24 hours after such expenditures are
made.
``(2) Any person making independent expenditures aggregating
$10,000 or more at any time up to and including the 20th day before any
election shall file a report within 48 hours after such expenditures
are made. An additional statement shall be filed each time independent
expenditures aggregating $10,000 are made with respect to the same
election as the initial statement filed under this section.
``(3) Any statement under this subsection shall be filed with the
Commission and the Secretary of State of the State involved and shall
contain the information required by subsection (b)(6)(B)(iii) of this
section, including whether the independent expenditure is in support
of, or in opposition to, the candidate involved. Not later than 48
hours after the Commission receives a report, the Commission shall
transmit a copy of the report to each candidate seeking nomination or
election to that office.
``(4) For purposes of this subsection, an expenditure shall be
treated as made when it is made or obligated to be made.
``(5)(A) If any person intends to make independent expenditures
totaling $5,000 or more during the 20 days before an election, such
person shall file a statement no later than the 20th day before the
election.
``(B) Any statement under subparagraph (A) shall be filed with the
Commission and the Secretary of State of the State involved and shall
identify each candidate whom the expenditure will support or oppose.
Not later than 48 hours after the Commission receives a statement under
this paragraph, the Commission shall transmit a copy of the statement
to each candidate identified.
``(6) The Commission may make its own determination that a person
has made, or has incurred obligations to make, independent expenditures
with respect to any Federal election which in the aggregate exceed the
applicable amounts under paragraph (1) or (2). The Commission shall
notify each candidate in such election of such determination within 24
hours of making it.''.
(b) Conforming Amendment.--Section 304(c)(2) of the Federal
Election Campaign Act of 1971 (2 U.S.C. 434(c)(2)) is amended by
striking the undesignated matter after subparagraph (C).
SEC. 15. EQUAL BROADCAST TIME.
Section 315(a) of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 315(a))
is amended to read as follows:
``(a)(1) If a licensee permits any person who is a legally
qualified candidate for public office to use a broadcasting station
other than any use required to be provided under paragraph (2), the
licensee shall afford equal opportunities to all other such candidates
for that office in the use of the broadcasting station.
``(2)(A) A person who reserves broadcast time the payment for which
would constitute an independent expenditure within the meaning of
section 301(17) of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (2 U.S.C.
431(17)) shall--
``(i) inform the licensee that payment for the broadcast
time will constitute an independent expenditure;
``(ii) inform the licensee of the names of all candidates
for the office to which the proposed broadcast relates; and
``(iii) provide the licensee a copy of the statement
described in section 304A(b)(3)(B) of the Federal Election
Campaign Act of 1971 (2 U.S.C. 434(d)(3)(B)).
``(B) A licensee who is informed as described in subparagraph (A)
shall, if any of the candidates described in subparagraph (A)(ii) has
provided the licensee the name and address of a person to whom
notification under this subparagraph is to be given--
``(i) notify such person of the proposed making of the
independent expenditure; and
``(ii) provide, without charge, any such candidate (other
than a candidate for whose benefit the independent expenditure
is made) with the same amount of broadcast time immediately
after the broadcast time paid for by the independent
expenditure.
``(3) A licensee shall have no power of censorship over the
material broadcast under this section.
``(4) Except as provided in paragraph (2), no obligation is imposed
under this subsection upon any licensee to allow the use of its station
by any candidate.
``(5)(A) Appearance by a legally qualified candidate on a--
``(i) bona fide newscast;
``(ii) bona fide news interview;
``(iii) bona fide news documentary (if the appearance of
the candidate is incidental to the presentation of the subject
or subjects covered by the news documentary); or
``(iv) on-the-spot coverage of bona fide news events
(including political conventions and activities incidental
thereto),
shall not be deemed to be use of a broadcasting station within the
meaning of this subsection.
``(B) Nothing in subparagraph (A) shall be construed as relieving
broadcasters, in connection with the presentation of newscasts, news
interviews, news documentaries, and on-the-spot coverage of news
events, from their obligation under this Act to operate in the public
interest and to afford reasonable opportunity for the discussion of
conflicting views on issues of public importance.
``(6)(A) A licensee that endorses a candidate for Federal office in
an editorial shall, within the time stated in subparagraph (B), provide
to all other candidates for election to the same office--
``(i) notice of the date and time of broadcast of the
editorial;
``(ii) a taped or printed copy of the editorial; and
``(iii) a reasonable opportunity to broadcast a response
using the licensee's facilities.
``(B) In the case of an editorial described in subparagraph (A)
that--
``(i) is first broadcast 72 hours or more prior to the date
of a primary, runoff, or general election, the notice and copy
described in subparagraph (A) (i) and (ii) shall be provided
not later than 24 hours after the time of the first broadcast
of the editorial, and
``(ii) is first broadcast less than 72 hours before the
date of an election, the notice and copy shall be provided at a
time prior to the first broadcast that will be sufficient to
enable candidates a reasonable opportunity to prepare and
broadcast a response.
``(7) A communication under reserved broadcast time described in
paragraph (2)--
``(A) in the case of a television broadcast, shall include
during the entire length of the communication a clearly
readable video statement covering at least 25 percent of the
viewing area of a television screen stating the information
required in section 318(a) of the Federal Election Campaign Act
of 1971 and, if the independent expenditure is made by a
political committee, stating the name of its connected
organization (if any) and the city and State in which such
organization is located; and
``(B) in the case of any audio broadcast (including a
television broadcast), shall include an audio statement at the
conclusion of the broadcast stating the information described
in section 318(a) of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971
and, if the independent expenditure is made by a political
committee, stating the name of its connected organization (if
any) and the city and State in which such organization is
located.''.
SEC. 16. PROHIBITION OF LEADERSHIP COMMITTEES; RESTRICTION ON
CONTRIBUTIONS BETWEEN PRINCIPAL CAMPAIGN COMMITTEES.
(a) Leadership Committee Prohibition.--Section 302 of the Federal
Election Campaign Act of 1971 (2 U.S.C. 432) is amended by adding at
the end the following new subsection:
``(j) A candidate for Federal office may not establish, maintain,
finance, or control a political committee, other than the principal
campaign committee of the candidate.''.
(b) Principal Campaign Committee Restriction.--Section 315 of the
Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (2 U.S.C. 441a), as amended by
sections 5 and 12, is further amended by adding at the end the
following new subsection:
``(l) A principal campaign committee of a candidate for Federal
office may not make any contribution to any other principal campaign
committee (other than the principal campaign committee of the same
individual as a candidate for another Federal office).''.
SEC. 17. PROHIBITION OF TRANSFERS AMONG NONCANDIDATE, NONPARTY
POLITICAL COMMITTEES.
Section 315 of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (2 U.S.C.
441a), as amended by sections 5, 12, and 16, is further amended by
adding at the end the following new subsection:
``(m) A noncandidate, nonparty political committee may not make
contributions, or otherwise transfer funds, to any other noncandidate,
nonparty political committee. As used in this subsection, the term
`noncandidate, nonparty political committee' means a political
committee that is not an authorized committee of a candidate for
Federal office and is not a political committee of a political
party.''.
SEC. 18. RESTRICTIONS ON CONNECTED POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE
ACTIVITIES.
Section 316(b)(2) of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (2
U.S.C. 441b(b)(2)) is amended by adding at the end the following new
sentence: ``The exclusion under subparagraph (C) does not permit
receipt of direct or indirect subsidies for administrative expenses
(including salaries, utility expenses, office equipment expenses, and
general overhead) from a corporation, labor organization, membership
organization, cooperative, or corporation without capital stock.''.
SEC. 19. EFFECTIVE DATE AND SUNSET PROVISIONS.
This Act and the amendments made by this Act shall become effective
January 1, 1994, and shall apply with respect to elections beginning
with the general election of 1994 (and any primary election relating to
such general election).
<all>
HR 2469 IH----2
HR 2469 IH----3
HR 2469 IH----4
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Referred to the House Committee on House Administration.
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Telecommunications and Finance.
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