Text of H.R. 269 (113th): Fair Elections Now Act (Introduced version)

113th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 269

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

January 15, 2013

Mr. Yarmuth (for himself, Ms. Pingree of Maine, Mr. Nolan, Mr. Larson of Connecticut, Mr. Blumenauer, Mr. Capuano, Ms. Chu, Mr. Cicilline, Mr. Cohen, Mr. Cooper, Mrs. Davis of California, Mr. Deutch, Mr. Ellison, Ms. Eshoo, Mr. Gene Green of Texas, Mr. Grijalva, Mr. Himes, Mr. Holt, Ms. Eddie Bernice Johnson of Texas, Mr. Langevin, Mr. Jones, Ms. Lee of California, Mr. Maffei, Ms. McCollum, Mr. McGovern, Mr. Michaud, Mr. George Miller of California, Mr. Moran, Ms. Norton, Mr. Peters of Michigan, Mr. Polis, Mr. Price of North Carolina, Mr. Rangel, Mr. Sarbanes, Ms. Schakowsky, Mr. Sires, Mr. Smith of Washington, Mr. Tonko, Ms. Tsongas, Mr. Van Hollen, Mr. Welch, Ms. Slaughter, Mr. Sherman, Ms. DeLauro, Mrs. Napolitano, Mr. Owens, Mr. McDermott, Ms. Matsui, Ms. Hahn, Mr. Waxman, Mr. O'Rourke, Ms. Wilson of Florida, and Mr. Kind) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on House Administration

A BILL

To reform the financing of House elections, and for other purposes.

(a)

This Act may be cited as the Fair Elections Now Act .

(b)

The table of contents of this Act is as follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.

Sec. 2. Findings and declarations.

Title I—Fair elections financing of House election campaigns

Sec. 101. Benefits and eligibility requirements for House candidates.

Title V—Fair elections financing of House election campaigns

Subtitle A—Benefits

Sec. 501. Benefits for participating candidates.

Sec. 502. Allocations from the Fund.

Sec. 503. Matching payments for certain small dollar contributions.

Subtitle B—Eligibility and certification

Sec. 511. Eligibility.

Sec. 512. Qualifying requirements.

Sec. 513. Certification.

Subtitle C—Requirements for Candidates Certified as Participating Candidates

Sec. 521. Contribution, expenditure, and fundraising requirements.

Sec. 522. Debate requirement.

Sec. 523. Remitting unspent funds after election.

Subtitle D—Administrative provisions

Sec. 531. Fair Elections Fund.

Sec. 532. Fair Elections Oversight Board.

Sec. 533. Administration by Commission.

Sec. 534. Violations and penalties.

Sec. 535. Election cycle defined.

Sec. 102. Transfer of portion of civil money penalties into Fair Elections Fund.

Sec. 103. Prohibiting use of contributions by participating candidates for purposes other than campaign for election.

Sec. 104. Prohibition on joint fundraising committees.

Sec. 105. Treatment of coordinated expenditures by political party committees on behalf of participating candidates.

Title II—Responsibilities of the Federal Election Commission

Sec. 201. Petition for certiorari.

Sec. 202. Filing by all candidates with Commission.

Sec. 203. Electronic filing of FEC reports.

Title III—Miscellaneous provisions

Sec. 301. Severability.

Sec. 302. Effective date.

(a)

The House of Representatives finds and declares that the current system of privately financed campaigns for election to the House of Representatives has the capacity, and is often perceived by the public, to undermine democracy in the United States by—

(1)

creating a culture that fosters actual or perceived conflicts of interest, by encouraging Members of the House to accept large campaign contributions from private interests that are directly affected by Federal legislation;

(2)

diminishing or appearing to diminish Members’ accountability to constituents by compelling legislators to be accountable to the major contributors who finance their election campaigns;

(3)

undermining the meaning of the right to vote by allowing monied interests to have a disproportionate and unfair influence within the political process;

(4)

imposing large, unwarranted costs on taxpayers through legislative and regulatory distortions caused by unequal access to lawmakers for campaign contributors;

(5)

making it difficult for some qualified candidates to mount competitive House election campaigns;

(6)

disadvantaging challengers and discouraging competitive elections, because large campaign contributors tend to donate their money to incumbent Members, thus causing House elections to be less competitive; and

(7)

burdening incumbents with a preoccupation with fundraising and thus decreasing the time available to carry out their public responsibilities.

(b)

The House of Representatives finds and declares that providing the option of the replacement of large private campaign contributions with allocations from the Fair Elections Fund for all primary, runoff, and general elections to the House of Representatives would enhance American democracy by—

(1)

reducing the actual or perceived conflicts of interest created by fully private financing of the election campaigns of public officials and restoring public confidence in the integrity and fairness of the electoral and legislative processes through a program which allows participating candidates to adhere to substantially lower contribution limits for contributors with an assurance that there will be sufficient funds for such candidates to run viable electoral campaigns;

(2)

increasing the public's confidence in the accountability of Members to the constituents who elect them, which derives from the program's qualifying criteria to participate in the voluntary program and the conclusions that constituents may draw regarding candidates who qualify and participate in the program;

(3)

helping to reduce the ability to make large campaign contributions as a determinant of a citizen's influence within the political process by facilitating the expression of support by voters at every level of wealth, encouraging political participation, incentivizing participation on the part of Members through the matching of small dollar contributions;

(4)

potentially saving taxpayers billions of dollars that may be (or that are perceived to be) currently allocated based upon legislative and regulatory agendas skewed by the influence of campaign contributions;

(5)

creating genuine opportunities for all Americans to run for the House of Representatives and encouraging more competitive elections;

(6)

encouraging participation in the electoral process by citizens of every level of wealth; and

(7)

freeing Members from the incessant preoccupation with raising money, and allowing them more time to carry out their public responsibilities.

101.

The Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (2 U.S.C. 431 et seq. ) is amended by adding at the end the following:

501.

(a)

If a candidate for election to the office of Representative in, or Delegate or Resident Commissioner to, the Congress is a participating candidate under this title with respect to an election for such office, the candidate shall be entitled to payments under this title, to be used only for authorized expenditures in connection with the election.

(b)

The payments to which a participating candidate is entitled under this section consist of—

(1)

allocations from the Fair Elections Fund, as provided in section 502; and

(2)

payments from the Fair Elections Fund to match certain small dollar contributions, as provided in section 503.

502.

(a)

(1)

Except as provided in paragraph (6), the Commission shall make an allocation from the Fair Elections Fund established under section 531 to a candidate who is certified as a participating candidate with respect to a primary election in an amount equal to 40 percent of the base amount.

(2)

The Commission shall make an allocation from the Fund to a candidate who is certified as a participating candidate with respect to a primary runoff election in an amount equal to 25 percent of the amount the participating candidate was eligible to receive under this section for the primary election.

(3)

Except as provided in paragraph (6), the Commission shall make an allocation from the Fund to a candidate who is certified as a participating candidate with respect to a general election in an amount equal to 60 percent of the base amount.

(4)

The Commission shall make an allocation from the Fund to a candidate who is certified as a participating candidate with respect to a general runoff election in an amount equal to 25 percent of the base amount.

(5)

If the appropriate State or local election official conducts a recount of an election, the Commission shall make an allocation from the Fund to a participating candidate for expenses relating to the recount in an amount equal to 25 percent of the amount the participating candidate was eligible to receive under this section for the election involved.

(6)

(A)

In the case of a primary or general election that is an uncontested election, the Commission shall make an allocation from the Fund to a participating candidate for such election in an amount equal to 25 percent of the allocation for that election with respect to such candidate.

(B)

For purposes of this subparagraph, an election is uncontested if not more than 1 candidate has campaign funds (including payments from the Fund) in an amount equal to or greater than 10 percent of the allocation a candidate would be entitled to receive under this section for that election (determined without regard to this paragraph).

(b)

The base amount is an amount equal to 80 percent of the national average disbursements of the cycle by winning candidates for the office of Representative in, or Delegate or Resident Commissioner to, the Congress in the last 2 election cycles.

(c)

(1)

The Commission shall make the allocations required under subsection (a) to a participating candidate—

(A)

in the case of amounts provided under subsection (a)(1), not later than 48 hours after the date on which such candidate is certified as a participating candidate under section 513;

(B)

in the case of a general election, not later than 48 hours after—

(i)

the date of the certification of the results of the primary election or the primary runoff election; or

(ii)

in any case in which there is no primary election, the date the candidate qualifies to be placed on the ballot;

(C)

in the case of a primary runoff election or a general runoff election, not later than 48 hours after the certification of the results of the primary election or the general election, as the case may be; and

(D)

in the case of a recount allocation, not later than 48 hours after the appropriate State or local election official orders the holding of the recount.

(2)

The Commission shall distribute funds available to participating candidates under this section through the use of an electronic funds exchange or a debit card.

503.

(a)

The Commission shall pay to each participating candidate an amount equal to 500 percent of the amount of qualified small dollar contributions received by the candidate from individuals who are residents of the State in which such participating candidate is seeking election.

(b)

The maximum payment under this section shall be the greater of—

(1)

300 percent of the allocation under paragraphs (1) through (4) of section 502(a) for that election with respect to such candidate; or

(2)

the percentage of the allocation determined by the Commission under section 532(c)(2).

(c)

The Commission shall make payments under this section not later than 2 business days after the receipt of a report made under subsection (d).

(d)

(1)

Each participating candidate shall file reports of receipts of qualified small dollar contributions at such times and in such manner as the Commission may by regulations prescribe.

(2)

Each report under this subsection shall disclose—

(A)

the amount of each qualified small dollar contribution received by the candidate;

(B)

the amount of each qualified small dollar contribution received by the candidate from a resident of the State in which the candidate is seeking election; and

(C)

the name, address, and occupation of each individual who made a qualified small dollar contribution to the candidate.

(3)

Reports under this subsection shall be made no more frequently than—

(A)

once every month until the date that is 90 days before the date of the election;

(B)

once every week after the period described in subparagraph (A) and until the date that is 21 days before the election; and

(C)

once every day after the period described in subparagraph (B).

(4)

The Commission may not prescribe any regulations with respect to reporting under this subsection with respect to any election after the date that is 180 days before the date of such election.

(e)

The Commission shall provide a written explanation with respect to any denial of any payment under this section and shall provide for the opportunity for review and reconsideration within 5 business days of such denial.

(f)

The term qualified small dollar contribution means, with respect to a participating candidate, any contribution (or a series of contributions)—

(1)

which is not a qualifying contribution (or does not include a qualifying contribution);

(2)

which is made by an individual who is not prohibited from making a contribution under this Act; and

(3)

the aggregate amount of which does not exceed the greater of—

(A)

$100 per election; or

(B)

the amount determined by the Fair Elections Oversight Board under section 532(c)(2).

511.

(a)

A candidate for the office of Representative in, or Delegate or Resident Commissioner to, the Congress is eligible to be certified as a participating candidate under this title with respect to an election if the candidate meets the following requirements:

(1)

During the election cycle for the office involved, the candidate files with the Commission a statement of intent to seek certification as a participating candidate.

(2)

The candidate meets the qualifying requirements of section 512.

(3)

Not later than the last day of the Fair Elections qualifying period, the candidate files with the Commission an affidavit signed by the candidate and the treasurer of the candidate's principal campaign committee declaring that the candidate—

(A)

has complied and, if certified, will comply with the contribution and expenditure requirements of section 521;

(B)

if certified, will comply with the debate requirements of section 522;

(C)

if certified, will run only as a participating candidate for all elections for the office that such candidate is seeking during the election cycle; and

(D)

has either qualified or will take steps to qualify under State law to be on the ballot.

(b)

Notwithstanding subsection (a), a candidate shall not be eligible to receive an allocation from the Fund for a general election or a general runoff election unless the candidate’s party nominated the candidate to be placed on the ballot for the general election or the candidate is otherwise qualified to be on the ballot under State law.

(c)

The term Fair Elections qualifying period means, with respect to any candidate for the office of Representative in, or Delegate or Resident Commissioner to, the Congress, the 120-day period (during the election cycle for such office) which begins on the date on which the candidate files a statement of intent under section 511(a)(1), except that such period may not continue after the date that is 60 days before—

(1)

the date of the primary election; or

(2)

in the case of a State that does not hold a primary election, the date prescribed by State law as the last day to qualify for a position on the general election ballot.

512.

(a)

A candidate for the office of Representative in, or Delegate or Resident Commissioner to, the Congress meets the requirement of this section if, during the Fair Elections qualifying period described in section 511(c), the candidate obtains—

(1)

a single qualifying contribution from a number of individuals equal to or greater than the lesser of—

(A)

.25% of the voting age population of the State involved (as reported in the most recent decennial census), or

(B)

1,500; and

(2)

a total dollar amount of qualifying contributions equal to or greater than $50,000.

(b)

Each qualifying contribution—

(1)

may be made by means of a personal check, money order, debit card, credit card, or electronic payment account;

(2)

shall be accompanied by a signed statement containing—

(A)

the contributor’s name and the contributor's address in the State in which the primary residence of the contributor is located; and

(B)

an oath declaring that the contributor—

(i)

understands that the purpose of the qualifying contribution is to show support for the candidate so that the candidate may qualify for Fair Elections financing;

(ii)

is making the contribution in his or her own name and from his or her own funds;

(iii)

has made the contribution willingly; and

(iv)

has not received any thing of value in return for the contribution; and

(3)

shall be acknowledged by a receipt that is sent to the contributor with a copy kept by the candidate for the Commission and a copy kept by the candidate for the election authorities in the State with respect to which the candidate is seeking election.

(c)

The Commission shall establish procedures for the auditing and verification of qualifying contributions to ensure that such contributions meet the requirements of this section.

(d)

No person may be paid a commission on a per qualifying contribution basis for collecting qualifying contributions.

(e)

In this section, the term qualifying contribution means, with respect to a candidate, a contribution that—

(1)

is in an amount that is—

(A)

not less than the greater of $5 or the amount determined by the Commission under section 532(c)(2), and

(B)

not more than the greater of $100 or the amount determined by the Commission under section 532(c)(2);

(2)

is made by an individual—

(A)

who has a primary residence in the State in which such Candidate is seeking election, and

(B)

who is not otherwise prohibited from making a contribution under this Act;

(3)

is made during the Fair Elections qualifying period described in section 511(c); and

(4)

meets the requirements of subsection (b).

513.

(a)

(1)

Not later than 5 days after a candidate files an affidavit under section 511(a)(3), the Commission shall—

(A)

determine whether or not the candidate meets the requirements for certification as a participating candidate;

(B)

if the Commission determines that the candidate meets such requirements, certify the candidate as a participating candidate; and

(C)

notify the candidate of the Commission's determination.

(2)

If the Commission certifies a candidate as a participating candidate with respect to the first election of the election cycle involved, the Commissioner shall be deemed to have certified the candidate as a participating candidate with respect to all subsequent elections of the election cycle.

(b)

(1)

The Commission may revoke a certification under subsection (a) if—

(A)

a candidate fails to qualify to appear on the ballot at any time after the date of certification (other than a candidate certified as a participating candidate with respect to a primary election who fails to qualify to appear on the ballot for a subsequent election in that election cycle); or

(B)

a candidate otherwise fails to comply with the requirements of this title, including any regulatory requirements prescribed by the Commission.

(2)

If certification is revoked under paragraph (1), the candidate shall repay to the Fair Elections Fund established under section 531 an amount equal to the value of benefits received under this title with respect to the election cycle involved plus interest (at a rate determined by the Commission) on any such amount received.

(c)

In this title, a participating candidate means a candidate for the office of Representative in, or Delegate or Resident Commissioner to, the Congress who is certified under this section as eligible to receive benefits under this title.

521.

(a)

(1)

Except as provided in subsection (c), a candidate who is certified as a participating candidate with respect to an election shall, with respect to all elections occurring during the election cycle for the office involved, accept no contributions from any source (including an unexpended contribution received by the candidate with respect to a previous election or a contribution made by any political committee or multicandidate committee) other than—

(A)

qualifying contributions described in section 512;

(B)

qualified small dollar contributions described in section 503;

(C)

allocations under section 502; and

(D)

payments under section 503.

(2)

A political committee of a participating candidate which is not an authorized committee of such candidate may accept contributions other than contributions described in paragraph (1) from any person if—

(A)

the aggregate amount of the contributions from such person for any election during the election cycle does not exceed $100; and

(B)

no portion of such contributions is disbursed in connection with the campaign of the participating candidate.

(b)

(1)

(A)

make no expenditures from any amounts other than—

(i)

qualifying contributions described in section 512;

(ii)

qualified small dollar contributions described in section 503;

(iii)

allocations under section 502; and

(iv)

payments under section 503; and

(B)

make no expenditures from personal funds or the funds of any immediate family member of the candidate (other than funds received through qualified small dollar contributions and qualifying contributions).

(2)

In paragraph (1)(B), the term immediate family means, with respect to a candidate—

(A)

the candidate’s spouse;

(B)

a child, stepchild, parent, grandparent, brother, half-brother, sister, or half-sister of the candidate or the candidate’s spouse; and

(C)

the spouse of any person described in subparagraph (B).

(c)

(1)

A candidate who has accepted contributions that are not qualified small dollar contributions, qualifying contributions, or contributions described in paragraph (a)(2) prior to the date the candidate files a statement of intent under section 511(a)(1) is not in violation of subsection (a), but only if all such contributions are—

(A)

returned to the contributor;

(B)

submitted to the Commission for deposit in the Fair Elections Fund established under section 531; or

(C)

spent in accordance with paragraph (2).

(2)

If a candidate has made expenditures prior to the date the candidate files a statement of intent under section 511(a)(1) that the candidate is prohibited from making under subsection (b), the candidate is not in violation of such subsection if the aggregate amount of the prohibited expenditures is less than 20 percent of the amount of an initial allocation to a candidate under section 502(a)(1).

(3)

Notwithstanding paragraph (1), unexpended contributions received by the candidate or an authorized committee of the candidate with respect to a previous election may be retained, but only if the candidate places the funds in escrow and refrains from raising additional funds for or spending funds from that account during the election cycle in which a candidate is a participating candidate.

(4)

Contributions received and expenditures made by the candidate or an authorized committee of the candidate prior to the effective date of this title shall not constitute a violation of subsection (a) or (b). Unexpended contributions shall be treated the same as campaign surpluses under paragraph (3), and expenditures made shall count against the limit in paragraph (2).

(d)

For purposes of this section, a payment made by a political party in coordination with a participating candidate shall not be treated as a contribution to or as an expenditure made by the participating candidate.

522.

A candidate who is certified as a participating candidate with respect to an election shall, during the election cycle for the office involved, participate in at least—

(1)

1 public debate before the primary election with other participating candidates and other willing candidates from the same party and seeking the same nomination as such candidate; and

(2)

2 public debates before the general election with other participating candidates and other willing candidates seeking the same office as such candidate.

523.

(a)

Not later than the date that is 60 days after the last election for which a candidate certified as a participating candidate qualifies to be on the ballot during the election cycle involved, such participating candidate shall remit to the Commission for deposit in the Fair Elections Fund established under section 531 an amount equal to the lesser of—

(1)

the amount of money in the candidate’s campaign account; or

(2)

the sum of the allocations received by the candidate under section 502 and the payments received by the candidate under section 503.

(b)

(1)

Subject to subsection (a), a candidate may withhold from the amount required to be remitted under paragraph (1) of such subsection the amount of any authorized expenditures which were incurred in connection with the candidate’s campaign but which remain unpaid as of the deadline applicable to the candidate under such subsection, except that any amount withheld pursuant to this paragraph shall be remitted to the Commission not later than 120 days after the date of the election to which such subsection applies.

(2)

A candidate may withhold an amount of an expenditure pursuant to paragraph (1) only if the candidate submits documentation of the expenditure and the amount to the Commission not later than the deadline applicable to the candidate under subsection (a).

531.

(a)

There is established in the Treasury a fund to be known as the Fair Elections Fund.

(b)

The Fund shall consist of the following amounts:

(1)

Amounts appropriated to the Fund, including trust fund amounts appropriated pursuant to applicable provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.

(2)

Voluntary contributions to the Fund.

(3)

Amounts transferred into the Fund pursuant to section 309(a)(13).

(4)

Amounts deposited into the Fund under—

(A)

section 521(a)(3) (relating to exceptions to contribution requirements);

(B)

section 523 (relating to remittance of allocations from the Fund);

(C)

section 534 (relating to violations); and

(D)

any other section of this Act.

(5)

Interest on, and the proceeds from, the sale or redemption of, any obligations held by the Fund under subsection (c).

(c)

The Commission shall invest portions of the Fund in obligations of the United States in the same manner as provided under section 9602(b) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.

(d)

(1)

The sums in the Fund shall be used to provide benefits to participating candidates as provided in subtitle A.

(2)

Under regulations established by the Commission, rules similar to the rules of section 9006(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 shall apply.

532.

(a)

There is established within the Federal Election Commission an entity to be known as the Fair Elections Oversight Board .

(b)

(1)

The Board shall be composed of 5 members appointed by the President, of whom—

(A)

2 shall be appointed after consultation with the Majority Leader of the House of Representatives;

(B)

2 shall be appointed after consultation with the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives; and

(C)

1 shall be appointed upon the recommendation of the members appointed under subparagraphs (A) and (B).

(2)

(A)

The members shall be individuals who are nonpartisan and, by reason of their education, experience, and attainments, exceptionally qualified to perform the duties of members of the Board.

(B)

No member of the Board may be—

(i)

an employee of the Federal Government;

(ii)

a registered lobbyist or an individual who was a registered lobbyist at any time during the 2-year period preceding appointment to the Board; or

(iii)

an officer or employee of a political party or political campaign.

(3)

Members of the Board shall be appointed not later than 60 days after the date of the enactment of this Act.

(4)

A member of the Board shall be appointed for a term of 5 years.

(5)

A vacancy on the Board shall be filled not later than 30 calendar days after the date on which the Board is given notice of the vacancy, in the same manner as the original appointment. The individual appointed to fill the vacancy shall serve only for the unexpired portion of the term for which the individual’s predecessor was appointed.

(6)

The Board shall designate a Chairperson from among the members of the Board.

(c)

(1)

The Board shall have such duties and powers as the Commission may prescribe, including the power to administer the provisions of this title.

(2)

(A)

After each regularly scheduled general election for Federal office, the Board shall conduct a comprehensive review of the Fair Elections financing program under this title, including—

(i)

the maximum dollar amount of qualified small dollar contributions under section 503(f);

(ii)

the maximum and minimum dollar amounts for qualifying contributions under section 512(d);

(iii)

the number and value of qualifying contributions a candidate is required to obtain under section 512(a) to be eligible for certification as a participating candidate;

(iv)

the amount of allocations that candidates may receive under section 502;

(v)

the maximum amount of payments a candidate may receive under section 503;

(vi)

the overall satisfaction of participating candidates and the American public with the program; and

(vii)

such other matters relating to financing of House of Representatives campaigns as the Board determines are appropriate.

(B)

In conducting the review under subparagraph (A), the Board shall consider the following:

(i)

The Board shall consider whether the number and dollar amount of qualifying contributions required and maximum dollar amount for such qualifying contributions and qualified small dollar contributions strikes a balance regarding the importance of voter involvement, the need to assure adequate incentives for participating, and fiscal responsibility, taking into consideration the number of primary and general election participating candidates, the electoral performance of those candidates, program cost, and any other information the Board determines is appropriate.

(ii)

The Board shall consider whether the totality of the amount of funds allowed to be raised by participating candidates (including through qualifying contributions and small dollar contributions), allocations under section 502, and payments under section 503 are sufficient for voters in each State to learn about the candidates to cast an informed vote, taking into account the historic amount of spending by winning candidates, media costs, primary election dates, and any other information the Board determines is appropriate.

(C)

(i)

Based on the review conducted under subparagraph (A), the Board shall provide for the adjustments of the following amounts:

(I)

the maximum dollar amount of qualified small dollar contributions under section 503(f);

(II)

the maximum and minimum dollar amounts for qualifying contributions under section 512(d);

(III)

the number and value of qualifying contributions a candidate is required to obtain under section 512(a) to be eligible for certification as a participating candidate;

(IV)

the base amount for candidates under section 502(b); and

(V)

the maximum amount of matching contributions a candidate may receive under section 503(b).

(ii)

The Commission shall promulgate regulations providing for the adjustments made by the Board under clause (i).

(D)

Not later than March 30 following any general election for Federal office, the Board shall submit a report to Congress on the review conducted under paragraph (1). Such report shall contain a detailed statement of the findings, conclusions, and recommendations of the Board based on such review.

(d)

(1)

The Board may hold such hearings, sit and act at such times and places, take such testimony, and receive such evidence as the Board considers advisable to carry out the purposes of this Act.

(2)

Three members of the Board shall constitute a quorum for purposes of voting, but a quorum is not required for members to meet and hold hearings.

(e)

Not later than March 30, 2014, and every 2 years thereafter, the Board shall submit to the Committee on House Administration of the House of Representatives a report documenting, evaluating, and making recommendations relating to the administrative implementation and enforcement of the provisions of this title.

(f)

(1)

(A)

Each member, other than the Chairperson, shall be paid at a rate equal to the daily equivalent of the minimum annual rate of basic pay prescribed for level IV of the Executive Schedule under section 5315 of title 5, United States Code.

(B)

The Chairperson shall be paid at a rate equal to the daily equivalent of the minimum annual rate of basic pay prescribed for level III of the Executive Schedule under section 5314 of title 5, United States Code.

(2)

(A)

The Board shall have a staff headed by an Executive Director. The Executive Director shall be paid at a rate equivalent to a rate established for the Senior Executive Service under section 5382 of title 5, United States Code.

(B)

With the approval of the Chairperson, the Executive Director may appoint such personnel as the Executive Director and the Board determines to be appropriate.

(C)

With the approval of the Chairperson, the Executive Director may procure temporary and intermittent services under section 3109(b) of title 5, United States Code.

(D)

Upon the request of the Chairperson, the head of any Federal agency may detail, without reimbursement, any of the personnel of such agency to the Board to assist in carrying out the duties of the Board. Any such detail shall not interrupt or otherwise affect the civil service status or privileges of the Federal employee.

(E)

The Board shall have reasonable access to materials, resources, statistical data, and other information from the Library of Congress and other agencies of the executive and legislative branches of the Federal Government. The Chairperson of the Board shall make requests for such access in writing when necessary.

(g)

There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as are necessary to carry out the purposes of this subtitle .

533.

The Commission shall prescribe regulations to carry out the purposes of this title, including regulations—

(1)

to establish procedures for—

(A)

verifying the amount of valid qualifying contributions with respect to a candidate;

(B)

effectively and efficiently monitoring and enforcing the limits on the raising of qualified small dollar contributions;

(C)

effectively and efficiently monitoring and enforcing the limits on the use of personal funds by participating candidates; and

(D)

monitoring the use of allocations from the Fair Elections Fund established under section 531 and matching contributions under this title through audits of not fewer than 1/3 of all participating candidates or other mechanisms; and

(2)

regarding the conduct of debates in a manner consistent with the best practices of States that provide public financing for elections.

534.

(a)

If a candidate who has been certified as a participating candidate accepts a contribution or makes an expenditure that is prohibited under section 521, the Commission shall assess a civil penalty against the candidate in an amount that is not more than 3 times the amount of the contribution or expenditure. Any amounts collected under this subsection shall be deposited into the Fair Elections Fund established under section 531.

(b)

(1)

If the Commission determines that any benefit made available to a participating candidate was not used as provided for in this title or that a participating candidate has violated any of the dates for remission of funds contained in this title, the Commission shall so notify the candidate and the candidate shall pay to the Fund an amount equal to—

(A)

the amount of benefits so used or not remitted, as appropriate; and

(B)

interest on any such amounts (at a rate determined by the Commission).

(2)

Any action by the Commission in accordance with this subsection shall not preclude enforcement proceedings by the Commission in accordance with section 309(a), including a referral by the Commission to the Attorney General in the case of an apparent knowing and willful violation of this title.

535.

In this title, the term election cycle means, with respect to an election for the office of Representative in, or Delegate or Resident Commissioner to, the Congress, the period beginning on the day after the date of the most recent general election for that office (or, if the general election resulted in a runoff election, the date of the runoff election) and ending on the date of the next general election for that office (or, if the general election resulted in a runoff election, the date of the runoff election).

102.

Section 309(a) of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (2 U.S.C. 437g(a)) is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:

(13)

Upon receipt in the General Fund of the Treasury of any payment attributable to a civil money penalty imposed under this subsection, there shall be transferred to the Fair Elections Fund established under section 531 an amount equal to 50 percent of the amount of such payment.

103.

Section 313 of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (2 U.S.C. 439a) is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:

(d)

Notwithstanding paragraphs (2), (3), or (4) of subsection (a), if a candidate for election for the office of Representative in, or Delegate or Resident Commissioner to, the Congress is certified as a participating candidate under title V with respect to the election, any contribution which the candidate is permitted to accept under such title may be used only for authorized expenditures in connection with the candidate’s campaign for such office.

104.

Section 302(e) of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (2 U.S.C. 432(e)) is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:

(6)

No authorized committee of a candidate may establish a joint fundraising committee with a political committee other than an authorized committee of a candidate.

105.

(a)

Section 315(d)(3) of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (2 U.S.C. 441a(d)) is amended—

(1)

by redesignating subparagraphs (A) and (B) as subparagraphs (B) and (C), respectively; and

(2)

by inserting before subparagraph (B), as redesignated by paragraph (1), the following new subparagraph:

(A)

in the case of a candidate for election to the office of Representative in, or Delegate or Resident Commissioner to, the Congress who is certified as a participating candidate under title V, the lesser of—

(i)

10 percent of the allocation that the participating candidate is eligible to receive for the general election under section 502(a); or

(ii)

the amount which would (but for this subparagraph) apply with respect to such candidate under subparagraph (B);

(b)

Section 315(d)(3) of such Act (2 U.S.C. 441a(d)(3)) is amended—

(1)

in subparagraph (B) (as redesignated by subsection (a)), by inserting who is not certified as a participating candidate under title V after only one Representative; and

(2)

in subparagraph (C) (as redesignated by subsection (a)), by inserting who is not certified as a participating candidate under title V after any other State.

201.

Section 307(a)(6) of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (2 U.S.C. 437d(a)(6)) is amended by inserting (including a proceeding before the Supreme Court on certiorari) after appeal.

202.

Section 302(g) of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (2 U.S.C. 432(g)) is amended to read as follows:

(g)

All designations, statements, and reports required to be filed under this Act shall be filed with the Commission.

203.

Section 304(a)(11) of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (2 U.S.C. 434(a)(11)) is amended—

(1)

in subparagraph (A), by striking under this Act— and all that follows and inserting under this Act shall be required to maintain and file such designation, statement, or report in electronic form accessible by computers.;

(2)

in subparagraph (B), by striking 48 hours and all that follows through filed electronically) and inserting 24 hours; and

(3)

by striking subparagraph (D).

III

301.

If any provision of this Act or amendment made by this Act, or the application of a provision or amendment to any person or circumstance, is held to be unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act and amendments made by this Act, and the application of the provisions and amendment to any person or circumstance, shall not be affected by the holding.

302.

Except as otherwise provided for in this Act, this Act and the amendments made by this Act shall take effect on January 1, 2014.

H.R. 269 (113^th): Fair Elections Now Act

Compare this bill to another bill:

React to this bill with an emoji

Save your opinion on this bill on a six-point scale from strongly oppose to strongly support

Primary Source

Widget for your website

Follow GovTrack on social media for more updates:

On GovTrack Insider: