113 S2023 IS: Fair Elections Now Act
U.S. Senate
2014-02-12
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.
1.Short
title; table of contents(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.
TITLE I—Fair elections financing of Senate election campaigns
Subtitle A—Fair elections financing program
Sec. 101. Findings and declarations.
Sec. 102. Eligibility requirements and benefits of Fair Elections financing of Senate election
campaigns.
Sec. 103. Prohibition on joint fundraising committees.
Sec. 104. Exception to limitation on coordinated expenditures by political party committees with
participating candidates.
TITLE II—Improving voter information
Sec. 201. Broadcasts relating to all Senate candidates.
Sec. 202. Broadcast rates for participating candidates.
Sec. 203. FCC to prescribe standardized form for reporting candidate campaign ads.
TITLE III—Responsibilities of the Federal Election Commission
Sec. 301. Petition for certiorari.
Sec. 302. Filing by Senate candidates with Commission.
Sec. 303. Electronic filing of FEC reports.
TITLE IV—Participation in Funding of Elections
Sec. 401. Refundable tax credit for Senate campaign contributions.
TITLE V—Revenue provisions
Sec. 501. Fair Elections Fund revenue.
TITLE VI—Miscellaneous provisions
Sec. 601. Severability.
Sec. 602. Effective date.
<enum>I</enum><header>Fair
elections financing of Senate election campaigns</header><subtitle id="id05A2573CE15A44A8A7D700BDC885D001"><enum>A</enum><header>Fair elections
financing program</header><section id="HA63B045A242D469998E37872A58FC8C"><enum>101.</enum><header>Findings and
declarations</header><subsection id="H00EC0DEAB2994F889400E57FCA813983"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Undermining of
democracy by campaign contributions from private sources</header><text>The
Senate finds and declares that the current system of privately financed
campaigns for election to the United States Senate has the capacity, and
is
often perceived by the public, to undermine democracy in the United States
by—</text><paragraph id="H5DBAE8FD0A4C4C5CB732BA7D5B010038"><enum>(1)</enum><text>creating a culture
that fosters actual or perceived conflicts of interest by encouraging
Senators
to accept large campaign contributions from private interests that are
directly
affected by Federal legislation;</text></paragraph><paragraph id="HB44F1A18396D490F92CC00B46D944119"><enum>(2)</enum><text>diminishing or
appearing to diminish Senators' accountability to constituents by
compelling
legislators to be accountable to the major contributors who finance their
election campaigns;</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H04629BDD3A644471B135D126E6BEA3C0"><enum>(3)</enum><text>undermining the
meaning of the right to vote by allowing monied interests to have a
disproportionate and unfair influence within the political process;</text></paragraph><paragraph id="HFD2781E3CA444FBBA378C19E74138BA6"><enum>(4)</enum><text>imposing large,
unwarranted costs on taxpayers through legislative and regulatory
distortions
caused by unequal access to lawmakers for campaign contributors;</text></paragraph><paragraph id="HC001A898F19B4928B15CE58BDCA0C507"><enum>(5)</enum><text>making it
difficult for some qualified candidates to mount competitive Senate
election
campaigns;</text></paragraph><paragraph id="HAFF183213BFB42E69C8584F190EAB77C"><enum>(6)</enum><text>disadvantaging
challengers and discouraging competitive elections; and</text></paragraph><paragraph id="HD8958BBE422B4061A32FE9F67E606933"><enum>(7)</enum><text>burdening
incumbents with a preoccupation with fundraising and thus decreasing the
time
available to carry out their public responsibilities.</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H58F3EFB993344C77A157F0F0B40607A8"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Enhancement of
democracy by providing allocations from the Fair Elections
Fund</header><text>The Senate 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
Senate would enhance American democracy by—</text><paragraph id="IDd69a56e6ae574926bc2bd140af2d5623"><enum>(1)</enum><text>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;</text></paragraph><paragraph id="ID250e1812bd054d1e8eeba2ba7eca307e"><enum>(2)</enum><text>increasing the
public's confidence in the accountability of Senators 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;</text></paragraph><paragraph id="ID42e08a427a7e4027b4c7ecdf5f04d127"><enum>(3)</enum><text>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, and incentivizing participation on the part of Senators
through
the matching of small dollar contributions;</text></paragraph><paragraph id="ID1919faef40124219991ee4551580d520"><enum>(4)</enum><text>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;</text></paragraph><paragraph id="ID2eae9310a5224a29808814f36483bb50"><enum>(5)</enum><text>creating genuine
opportunities for all Americans to run for the Senate and encouraging more
competitive elections;</text></paragraph><paragraph id="ID23b796b543a84807846a475055c81901"><enum>(6)</enum><text>encouraging
participation in the electoral process by citizens of every level of
wealth;
and</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H518AB74F6AAD4AB9822327E6135FEFA4"><enum>(7)</enum><text>freeing Senators
from the incessant preoccupation with raising money, and allowing them
more
time to carry out their public responsibilities.</text></paragraph></subsection></section><section id="H5490BEEFD54B4BDC00A37B5EF94E14CF"><enum>102.</enum><header>Eligibility
requirements and benefits of Fair Elections financing of Senate election
campaigns</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">The
<act-name parsable-cite="FECA">Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971</act-name>
(<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/2/431">2 U.S.C. 431 et seq.</external-xref>) is amended by adding at the end the following:</text><quoted-block act-name="Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971" id="H71DAB34295A54915B67FF3184018BF8F"><title id="HBEFEEC47F54B4B559C342584D9EB000"><enum>V</enum><header>Fair
elections financing of Senate election campaigns</header><subtitle id="idA91A47C37DBE4CC3811AB04198BE1462"><enum>A</enum><header>General
provisions</header><section id="H57DAA90275E34B869EC5F72C79BFBBDA"><enum>501.</enum><header>Definitions</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">In this title:</text><paragraph id="H38C02E99432F4C68BF00281613E2E4E5"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Allocation from
the Fund</header><text>The term <term>allocation from the Fund</term> means an
allocation of money from the Fair Elections Fund to a participating
candidate
pursuant to section 522.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="idBE7A745DAF524D02822C66B39B87C160"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Board</header><text>The
term <term>Board</term> means the Fair Elections Oversight Board established
under section 531.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="HB4779555E40A43D79DFCA0089CD9957"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Fair Elections
qualifying period</header><text>The term <term>Fair Elections qualifying
period</term> means, with respect to any candidate for Senator, the
period—</text><subparagraph id="idCC29C720FA984884BDD34031ACCFD983"><enum>(A)</enum><text>beginning on the
date on which the candidate files a statement of intent under
section
511(a)(1); and</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id6EAEF2C9214441F4B7D4E9D92F76EE76"><enum>(B)</enum><text>ending on the
date that is 30 days before—</text><clause id="id1A589073EF24418E81472A9B2DC88806"><enum>(i)</enum><text>the date of the
primary election; or</text></clause><clause id="id46E0F1DD3F6145D8888BF6CC09B618BC"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>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.</text></clause></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="id7A6EC1BAAAF5400090234248623DFFEE"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Fair Elections
start date</header><text>The term <term>Fair Elections start date</term> means,
with respect to any candidate, the date that is 180 days before—</text><subparagraph id="id8C4E821B91C14E2F9F77005B3BDE92F6"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the date of the
primary election; or</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id789A19281CC4418BB670566F8C7302CA"><enum>(B)</enum><text>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.</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="idB43FA775CBF0448599BF03DAB6477C69"><enum>(5)</enum><header>Fund</header><text>The
term <term>Fund</term> means the Fair Elections Fund established by section
502.</text></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" id="HDB1B2759122B4D93A0605B23FDE8641"><enum>(6)</enum><header>Immediate
family</header><text>The term <term>immediate family</term> means, with respect
to any candidate—</text><subparagraph commented="no" id="H52156DD19CE646D18EAF63522CEF34D"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the candidate’s
spouse;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" id="HD0F0560C95B84026A07BFE957CC48726"><enum>(B)</enum><text>a child,
stepchild, parent, grandparent, brother, half-brother, sister, or
half-sister
of the candidate or the candidate’s spouse; and</text></subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" id="H3C034C66E6594D64A910EB243EF62860"><enum>(C)</enum><text>the spouse of any
person described in subparagraph (B).</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" id="idB232333FEE8347088929E8D4C3DC92C6"><enum>(7)</enum><header>Matching
contribution</header><text>The term <term>matching contribution</term> means a
matching payment provided to a participating candidate for
qualified small
dollar contributions, as provided under section 523.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="HB59D2E8967724EE5B87E2CBAE106E1A"><enum>(8)</enum><header>Nonparticipating
candidate</header><text>The term <term>nonparticipating candidate</term> means
a candidate for Senator who is not a participating candidate.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="HA44DA8DD767543BE95013069D01F21AF"><enum>(9)</enum><header>Participating
candidate</header><text>The term <term>participating candidate</term> means a
candidate for Senator who is certified under section 515 as being
eligible to
receive an allocation from the Fund.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H03E8E762E77A49A29EB55FC6B293EDC9"><enum>(10)</enum><header>Qualifying
contribution</header><text>The term <term>qualifying contribution</term> means,
with respect to a candidate, a contribution that—</text><subparagraph id="H0AB07B7BD1824876A6884BA08E6928C6"><enum>(A)</enum><text>is in an amount
that is—</text><clause id="id44D8F247A96E49AA9676C1CACF08BCF7"><enum>(i)</enum><text>not less than the
greater of $5 or the amount determined by the Commission under
section 531;
and</text></clause><clause id="idDFFCFAD155D449259CBE079A9EA1F7C2"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>not more than
the greater of $150 or the amount determined by the Commission
under section
531;</text></clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H30888FF8043A44C59D4D6DFAF0D80694"><enum>(B)</enum><text>is made by an
individual—</text><clause id="id75F0E90914754947BE3170B02BDDF10B"><enum>(i)</enum><text>who is a resident
of the State in which such candidate is seeking election; and</text></clause><clause id="id72B33BE8320D4F7CB594C7390A8A8D7D"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>who is not
otherwise prohibited from making a contribution under this Act;</text></clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HE9400238A471454FB09B66A7A91F0875"><enum>(C)</enum><text>is made during the
Fair Elections qualifying period; and</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H400678F670C44018BAFF1818551D7C11"><enum>(D)</enum><text>meets the
requirements of section 512(b).</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="H51538682F4DA498A9461A812B56E0117"><enum>(11)</enum><header>Qualified small
dollar contribution</header><text>The term <term>qualified small dollar
contribution</term> means, with respect to a candidate, any contribution (or
series of contributions)—</text><subparagraph id="id23531767E18F45A7B07CA813879CEE63"><enum>(A)</enum><text>which is not a
qualifying contribution (or does not include a qualifying
contribution);</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="idFA564B79B1684DCCAE68243332A8B0F3"><enum>(B)</enum><text>which is made by
an individual who is not prohibited from making a contribution
under this Act;
and</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id79C6F067E3494CBAA2D979389EE99FD8"><enum>(C)</enum><text>the aggregate
amount of which does not exceed the greater of—</text><clause id="id4BC41708E87E48B38C8AE7AE4F2C16E6"><enum>(i)</enum><text>$150 per
election; or</text></clause><clause id="id19975176FAB9498E891042C782A35A1C"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>the amount per
election determined by the Commission under section 531.</text></clause></subparagraph></paragraph></section><section id="idEF43F65FD1074F1686380CDF3BBECC94"><enum>502.</enum><header>Fair Elections
Fund</header><subsection id="idF8EFD9ABE7154D26B80F69CCB58BF4A3"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Establishment</header><text>There
is established in the Treasury a fund to be known as the <quote>Fair Elections
Fund</quote>.</text></subsection><subsection id="id5FF7B7423C534A8A88F6D4BE678A13B0"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Amounts held by
Fund</header><text>The Fund shall consist of the following amounts:</text><paragraph commented="no" id="id29A67A56926948E8B058050ACCFCD232"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Appropriated
amounts</header><subparagraph commented="no" id="idD8525048F65B418D99FE3083BD292B7F"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>Amounts appropriated to the Fund.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" id="id0F8EFA97D90C410BB33555A67ACBE1F6"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Sense of the
Senate regarding appropriations</header><text>It is the sense of the Senate
that—</text><clause commented="no" id="id14D2586CFC974916BFD0B7A263BFA073"><enum>(i)</enum><text>there should be
imposed on any payment made to any person (other than a State or
local
government or a foreign nation) who has contracts with the
Government of the
United States in excess of $10,000,000 a tax equal to 0.50 percent
of amount
paid pursuant to such contracts, except that the aggregate tax for
any person
for any taxable year shall not exceed $500,000; and</text></clause><clause id="id4742E9EC93BD44A18ACAD9DE3EE8E972"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>the revenue from
such tax should be appropriated to the Fund.</text></clause></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="idCFC90B616E7A40958D2A72523B2582A0"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Voluntary
contributions</header><text>Voluntary contributions to the Fund.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="idF0606B9AEE2948BD9978C3787200EC7F"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Other
deposits</header><text>Amounts deposited into the Fund under—</text><subparagraph id="id76A2653DC12C4E5D9D1A62D6D622FB0C"><enum>(A)</enum><text>section 513(c)
(relating to exceptions to contribution requirements);</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="idC096E3E7767A413D9DE7C0394CC58052"><enum>(B)</enum><text>section 521(c)
(relating to remittance of allocations from the Fund);</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id65236A8A60F5460F9EF6575AE0A09721"><enum>(C)</enum><text>section 533
(relating to violations); and</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id8CFF0197E70C44B984351047855D0470"><enum>(D)</enum><text>any other section
of this Act.</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="id72F4980BF3734ECA921250FF4C5EB7BF"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Investment
returns</header><text>Interest on, and the proceeds from, the sale or
redemption of, any obligations held by the Fund under subsection
(c).</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="idBE390B699E6A484487B1DB59CA167858"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Investment</header><text>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.</text></subsection><subsection id="idBA4D08FB9E6747F7BEA6B44F03D087B4"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Use of
Fund</header><paragraph id="idD06F2CE88DF940899DBF17A32E9EC224"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>The sums in the Fund shall be used to provide benefits to
participating candidates as provided in subtitle C.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="id1ED363D105AD4E4881B918F5674FC9EC"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Insufficient
amounts</header><text>Under regulations established by the Commission, rules
similar to the rules of section 9006(c) of the Internal Revenue
Code shall
apply.</text></paragraph></subsection></section></subtitle><subtitle id="id6DBF0D4D74DC485497508B887AD48E31"><enum>B</enum><header>Eligibility and
certification</header><section id="H2F15285D0689466FA000DA894EE9D0F0"><enum>511.</enum><header>Eligibility</header><subsection id="id9BAFE6A2C6F54221AE5837BD6DE6AD3B"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>A candidate for Senator is eligible to receive an
allocation from the Fund for any election if the candidate meets
the following
requirements:</text><paragraph id="idF7F5631D537843CBB9B6146679EB5979"><enum>(1)</enum><text>The candidate
files with the Commission a statement of intent to seek
certification as a
participating candidate under this title during the period
beginning on the
Fair Elections start date and ending on the last day of the Fair
Elections
qualifying period.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="idEC755E76E6C741B4A1B381461218207F"><enum>(2)</enum><text>The candidate
meets the qualifying contribution requirements of section 512.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="id28012DA13E0D4CAF9D12D01B8FC4ED2D"><enum>(3)</enum><text>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—</text><subparagraph id="id73CEAEBCEFF848399BCC611BFF829B0D"><enum>(A)</enum><text>has complied and,
if certified, will comply with the contribution and expenditure
requirements of
section 513;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="idE25C006EBDDF4086BF1367D789DFF6FA"><enum>(B)</enum><text>if certified,
will comply with the debate requirements of section 514;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HBA792EDEAE16428E00C05109CCC8EBC"><enum>(C)</enum><text>if certified, will
not run as a nonparticipating candidate during such year in any
election for
the office that such candidate is seeking; and</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id33F0B3BD4227485994338BE04B4BD497"><enum>(D)</enum><text>has either
qualified or will take steps to qualify under State law to be on
the
ballot.</text></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="HC1593343D58844A7B1BB961B93597773"><enum>(b)</enum><header>General
election</header><text>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
otherwise
qualified to be on the ballot under State law.</text></subsection></section><section id="H399B118666FA4EF0A73549F2D63F1032"><enum>512.</enum><header>Qualifying
contribution requirement</header><subsection id="HB4338CFEA5E743CEB7A511E27B63408"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>A candidate for Senator meets the requirement of this
section if, during the Fair Elections qualifying period, the
candidate
obtains—</text><paragraph commented="no" id="idBEAA3DE330BD4E559C7AF8E4E30A0FCA"><enum>(1)</enum><text>a number of
qualifying contributions equal to the greater of—</text><subparagraph commented="no" id="id509A5CEFA4734429BBD9EE0D0F59A2DF"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the sum
of—</text><clause commented="no" id="id12C58D18B6274FE5BB5A9CAE1C042B84"><enum>(i)</enum><text>2,000;
plus</text></clause><clause commented="no" id="id50D4CCE5E60744B293EB8E64242DD410"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>500 for each
congressional district in the State with respect to which the
candidate is
seeking election; or</text></clause></subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" id="id524CCFAB99F649D79476345A7D7EE0D6"><enum>(B)</enum><text>the amount
determined by the Commission under section 531; and</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" id="id2308DB7B1292485BACA0ABAA3B5B37CF"><enum>(2)</enum><text>a total dollar
amount of qualifying contributions equal to the greater of—</text><subparagraph commented="no" id="idDCE137D716094C6E99647E78A1142839"><enum>(A)</enum><text>10 percent of the
amount of the allocation such candidate would be entitled to
receive for the
primary election under section 522(c)(1) (determined without regard
to
paragraph (5) thereof) if such candidate were a participating
candidate;
or</text></subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" id="idA12C7AE6001D45779017CE748E64FF0F"><enum>(B)</enum><text>the amount
determined by the Commission under section 531.</text></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H8515C084C2FE42FD870086FE578D8E"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Requirements
relating to receipt of qualifying contribution</header><text>Each qualifying
contribution—</text><paragraph id="HB0C68B98B6B64261AB557133BDBD1E82"><enum>(1)</enum><text>may be made by
means of a personal check, money order, debit card, credit card, or
electronic
payment account;</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H8EAD6DA038D649CDA6FE0068E09E22"><enum>(2)</enum><text>shall be accompanied
by a signed statement containing—</text><subparagraph id="idE2B01642A95E4EEB9EE0BFA3D6398EF9"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the contributor’s
name and the contributor's address in the State in which the
contributor is
registered to vote; and</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="idEE8537F5FB9A4960BF816D2FEFBB4147"><enum>(B)</enum><text>an oath declaring
that the contributor—</text><clause id="id795C61DD63D04730AD962CDF6FA6D901"><enum>(i)</enum><text>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;</text></clause><clause id="id0C5D96A3FA5A4A249FBFA71D643C207D"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>is making the
contribution in his or her own name and from his or her own funds;</text></clause><clause id="id75002445367E4A488D65E52F7C72F32F"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>has made the
contribution willingly; and</text></clause><clause id="id7C6B587FED39455DB5B82F0667DFB99C"><enum>(iv)</enum><text>has not received
anything of value in return for the contribution; and</text></clause></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="H88E1EB33A61F46F6803D48D4A282B045"><enum>(3)</enum><text>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.</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" id="idD34A8EBD924C4E75816E3E1FBDBAF545"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Verification of
qualifying contributions</header><text>The Commission shall establish
procedures for the auditing and verification of qualifying
contributions to
ensure that such contributions meet the requirements of this
section.</text></subsection></section><section id="HF9B6C0A9B04F48DEB769EDC67F69AA30"><enum>513.</enum><header>Contribution
and expenditure requirements</header><subsection id="id68839A27363F4AC997921D5A3BFB9424"><enum>(a)</enum><header>General
rule</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">A candidate for Senator
meets the requirements of this section if, during the election
cycle of the
candidate, the candidate—</text><paragraph id="id43E4BBDEF6654E1F92F9ACF691F548E3"><enum>(1)</enum><text>except as
provided in subsection (b), accepts no contributions other than—</text><subparagraph id="id451CD85CB4994163A5682168F12F85F2"><enum>(A)</enum><text>qualifying
contributions;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="idC3D5F4AD5132492393D67919A7EBEFC7"><enum>(B)</enum><text>qualified small
dollar contributions;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id030676A2525F4C3CA1B8FFE68D8BF70E"><enum>(C)</enum><text>allocations from
the Fund under section 522;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="idDC9F71C9C1B84975810B0499504D49C5"><enum>(D)</enum><text>matching
contributions under section 523; and</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id9ECFA6C695934B64A72A8FA155E93292"><enum>(E)</enum><text>vouchers provided
to the candidate under section 524;</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="idAE1FC2C817344E75B221078CB410CD9A"><enum>(2)</enum><text>makes no
expenditures from any amounts other than from—</text><subparagraph id="id1480464A8FA74A39A80709EC62E671CE"><enum>(A)</enum><text>qualifying
contributions;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id54F38F5F9277400CB09C8FA4702A3897"><enum>(B)</enum><text>qualified small
dollar contributions;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id0941D5325A7A41B5AC0F4DF3CEFC26A0"><enum>(C)</enum><text>allocations from
the Fund under section 522;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id38ED7BFE999F4F959B165400EE879498"><enum>(D)</enum><text>matching
contributions under section 523; and</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="idE6A5C565643045A09FEB9F1BFAF3D433"><enum>(E)</enum><text>vouchers provided
to the candidate under section 524; and</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" id="id3E9F0DB00515404F808C05A6E9437789"><enum>(3)</enum><text>makes no
expenditures from personal funds or the funds of any immediate
family member
(other than funds received through qualified small dollar
contributions and
qualifying contributions).</text></paragraph><continuation-text continuation-text-level="subsection">For
purposes of this subsection, 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.</continuation-text></subsection><subsection commented="no" id="idA9214934CAFB48E5A6704116C861FC19"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Contributions
for leadership PACs, etc</header><text>A political committee of a participating
candidate which is not an authorized committee of such candidate
may accept
contributions other than contributions described in subsection
(a)(1) from any
person if—</text><paragraph commented="no" id="idA530A5271E2449B38818A465BBC90E36"><enum>(1)</enum><text>the aggregate
contributions from such person for any calendar year do not exceed
$150;
and</text></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" id="id32522F64DAEA4EE38DC99C17D895DCFD"><enum>(2)</enum><text>no portion of
such contributions is disbursed in connection with the campaign of
the
participating candidate.</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" id="id87FD3118A4454A8DBB50E38F7DDF90AB"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Exception</header><text>Notwithstanding
subsection (a), a candidate shall not be treated as having failed
to meet the
requirements of this section if any contributions that are not
qualified small
dollar contributions, qualifying contributions, or contributions
that meet the
requirements of subsection (b) and that are accepted before the
date the
candidate files a statement of intent under section 511(a)(1) are—</text><paragraph commented="no" id="idC6E7614AC2624C59933D80D7ACC2E4AB"><enum>(1)</enum><text>returned to the
contributor; or</text></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idCC5143AFC01F4BF6BA600DABBAA57D71"><enum>(2)</enum><text>submitted to the
Commission for deposit in the Fund.</text></paragraph></subsection></section><section id="id36A35056EEEB4A558114F361015E0A2D"><enum>514.</enum><header>Debate
requirement</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">A candidate for
Senator meets the requirements of this section if the candidate
participates in
at least—</text><paragraph id="id55410626704E44F9B71F9B1EEC1215AE"><enum>(1)</enum><text>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</text></paragraph><paragraph id="idA6ED87D74C024FFBA122A4FCCAC5A09A"><enum>(2)</enum><text>2 public debates
before the general election with other participating candidates and
other
willing candidates seeking the same office as such candidate.</text></paragraph></section><section id="H193AF7D494494594BEBF5F3C55FBFA13"><enum>515.</enum><header>Certification</header><subsection id="id30662C27A0BE494E9CA3CFB172BE3418"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In
general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Not later than 5 days
after a candidate for Senator files an affidavit under section
511(a)(3), the
Commission shall—</text><paragraph id="H756658AD9CE84A2D90D42B08C1476447"><enum>(1)</enum><text>certify whether or
not the candidate is a participating candidate; and</text></paragraph><paragraph id="id880D1EE85E094E5FBC5A6F4FF6B7201B"><enum>(2)</enum><text>notify the
candidate of the Commission's determination.</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id1EE1F878E13C4E71AFDB78A4DA756CCA"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Revocation of
certification</header><paragraph id="idCA38C4ED1CBE4114827A322F1490F93D"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>The Commission may revoke a certification under
subsection (a) if—</text><subparagraph id="idC08587B4408F4D0582CE184A5AB08A01"><enum>(A)</enum><text>a candidate fails
to qualify to appear on the ballot at any time after the date of
certification;
or</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="idDF54154F36834A73B445F3C22674BF3D"><enum>(B)</enum><text>a candidate
otherwise fails to comply with the requirements of this title,
including any
regulatory requirements prescribed by the Commission.</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" id="idD8C7150E6B7D48B3B37283E2EA6D29C8"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Repayment of
benefits</header><text>If certification is revoked under paragraph (1), the
candidate shall repay to the Fund an amount equal to the value of
benefits
received under this title plus interest (at a rate determined by
the
Commission) on any such amount received.</text></paragraph></subsection></section></subtitle><subtitle id="idDBA1CA942700458E8BCB82882C57C998"><enum>C</enum><header>Benefits</header><section id="idC04E776B14D74D5FB1F9542A224BE4B6"><enum>521.</enum><header>Benefits for
participating candidates</header><subsection id="id7265A05EEFDE42A28C1E14D13B86E294"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>For each election with respect to which a candidate is
certified as a participating candidate, such candidate shall be
entitled
to—</text><paragraph id="id94609BBDD57E42F2920C984B8BF02181"><enum>(1)</enum><text>an allocation
from the Fund to make or obligate to make expenditures with respect
to such
election, as provided in section 522;</text></paragraph><paragraph id="id40570514BE17420BB448AF51B9525353"><enum>(2)</enum><text>matching
contributions, as provided in section 523; and</text></paragraph><paragraph id="id5AF499CC98394999B4DF9F8ACB1E8B46"><enum>(3)</enum><text>for the general
election, vouchers for broadcasts of political advertisements, as
provided in
section 524.</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" id="id2985D89597DA437A99B4AB57BE0042D4"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Restriction on
uses of allocations from the Fund</header><text>Allocations from the Fund
received by a participating candidate under section 522 and
matching
contributions under section 523 may only be used for
campaign-related
costs.</text></subsection><subsection id="id963D7ECBCE0E4D4CAACD37B24C77D0CD"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Remitting
allocations from the Fund</header><paragraph id="id8A266607C24940DC9EDB6634C199D444"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>Not later than the date that is 45 days after an election
in which the participating candidate appeared on the ballot, such
participating
candidate shall remit to the Commission for deposit in the Fund an
amount equal
to the lesser of—</text><subparagraph id="id129566873BE44DBBB31D5D1E744AD624"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the amount of
money in the candidate's campaign account; or</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="idFAB318BCBEE94CD4B4449A386AFC38FA"><enum>(B)</enum><text>the sum of the
allocations from the Fund received by the candidate under section
522 and the
matching contributions received by the candidate under section 523.</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="id566D82CB4A3D427C8B5550719D68E0F1"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Exception</header><text>In
the case of a candidate who qualifies to be on the ballot for a
primary runoff
election, a general election, or a general runoff election, the
amounts
described in paragraph (1) may be retained by the candidate and
used in such
subsequent election.</text></paragraph></subsection></section><section id="idA2A404E50C2F4166BB8E6FCFEFF392F0"><enum>522.</enum><header>Allocations
from the Fund</header><subsection id="id93CC8F137F014CAFACE182A4A7981FB5"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>The Commission shall make allocations from the Fund under
section 521(a)(1) to a participating candidate—</text><paragraph id="idA3FA39A882054CACA824A1DCE957CA23"><enum>(1)</enum><text>in the case of
amounts provided under subsection (c)(1), not later than 48 hours
after the
date on which such candidate is certified as a participating
candidate under
section 515;</text></paragraph><paragraph id="id6838F92850E34866915AA6C4AFF35692"><enum>(2)</enum><text>in the case of a
general election, not later than 48 hours after—</text><subparagraph id="id0BBD816B282B415C8FFE743B74D335AF"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the date of the
certification of the results of the primary election or the primary
runoff
election; or</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id73D2EE0913D34C6094A2C9E64BCD5B66"><enum>(B)</enum><text>in any case in
which there is no primary election, the date the candidate
qualifies to be
placed on the ballot; and</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="idD6C3AA9E42E841749B3AE4187FCB5854"><enum>(3)</enum><text>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.</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id79105EEC7E4D4C4189DBE77E075DAF28"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Method of
payment</header><text>The Commission shall distribute funds available to
participating candidates under this section through the use of an
electronic
funds exchange or a debit card.</text></subsection><subsection id="idB2C5D2A6A4584375AAF0BC32E1526FD5"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Amounts</header><paragraph id="id792D3189EE914B2A823E876A8CA11D7B"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Primary
election allocation; initial allocation</header><text>Except as provided in
paragraph (5), the Commission shall make an allocation from the
Fund for a
primary election to a participating candidate in an amount equal to
67 percent
of the base amount with respect to such participating candidate.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="id29753DA44CBF4F7C9AF8F486AF7ECEAF"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Primary runoff
election allocation</header><text>The Commission shall make an allocation from
the Fund for a primary runoff election to a participating candidate
in an
amount equal to 25 percent of the amount the participating
candidate was
eligible to receive under this section for the primary election.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="id1E2D09487F9A458C956B66DF4BE4F34F"><enum>(3)</enum><header>General
election allocation</header><text>Except as provided in paragraph (5), the
Commission shall make an allocation from the Fund for a general
election to a
participating candidate in an amount equal to the base amount with
respect to
such candidate.</text></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" id="idEB202008F6B84632A4D436136B0B511A"><enum>(4)</enum><header>General runoff
election allocation</header><text>The Commission shall make an allocation from
the Fund for a general runoff election to a participating candidate
in an
amount equal to 25 percent of the base amount with respect to such
candidate.</text></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" id="id88E91B11BE834144A237029B4444B06F"><enum>(5)</enum><header>Uncontested
elections</header><subparagraph commented="no" id="id4778D2A0B12B463A9E20978D462E283D"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>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 which such candidate would be entitled to under this
section for
such election if this paragraph did not apply.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" id="idBB9C95F95EBF4812A9AD30082F529A7B"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Uncontested
election defined</header><text>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 participating candidate would be entitled to receive
under this
section for such election if this paragraph did not apply.</text></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="idCFED63DF4DCC4ECEAB01584A4074079A"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Base
amount</header><paragraph id="id58BE3A7A0A7E4D0B96AEE90EBD7E477D"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, the base
amount for any candidate is an amount equal to the greater of—</text><subparagraph id="id3EFB11685594424B962647EB5529E8E4"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the sum
of—</text><clause id="idA1B25A20E7144E0DB74C2F6EBE16B09E"><enum>(i)</enum><text>$750,000;
plus</text></clause><clause id="id201FE8F95C1345E797B6237B8BC543A1"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>$150,000 for
each congressional district in the State with respect to which the
candidate is
seeking election; or</text></clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="idF8D7802A7D424D95B93C67BFFBD35480"><enum>(B)</enum><text>the amount
determined by the Commission under section 531.</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" id="id2CCD88D8F8E94462B6C01C89D86A7930"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Indexing</header><text>In
each even-numbered year after 2015—</text><subparagraph commented="no" id="idC437A5336DC6436D9C95534F2A778759"><enum>(A)</enum><text>each dollar
amount under paragraph (1)(A) shall be increased by the percent
difference
between the price index (as defined in section 315(c)(2)(A)) for
the 12 months
preceding the beginning of such calendar year and the price index
for calendar
year 2014;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" id="id7E1FC992FA8D43A6AF95D894B87E3B0A"><enum>(B)</enum><text>each dollar
amount so increased shall remain in effect for the 2-year period
beginning on
the first day following the date of the last general election in
the year
preceding the year in which the amount is increased and ending on
the date of
the next general election; and</text></subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" id="idC6C5A27181C74A2E80E05ECACA41CA85"><enum>(C)</enum><text>if any amount
after adjustment under subparagraph (A) is not a multiple of $100,
such amount
shall be rounded to the nearest multiple of $100.</text></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection></section><section id="id76FC4EB0241648D1AD2349ADBE90831A"><enum>523.</enum><header>Matching
payments for qualified small dollar contributions</header><subsection id="id2E5BC5153E1A42F19462E75D878D5B11"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>The Commission shall pay to each participating candidate
an amount equal to 600 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
after the
date on which such candidate is certified under section 515.</text></subsection><subsection id="id11E35626D2B84B0BA019BBFFD03E6F3E"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Limitation</header><text>The
aggregate payments under subsection (a) with respect to any
candidate shall not
exceed the greater of—</text><paragraph id="id2767E80FA6F1418CBCF0A71B7E66A1ED"><enum>(1)</enum><text>400 percent of
the allocation such candidate is entitled to receive for such
election under
section 522 (determined without regard to subsection (c)(5)
thereof); or</text></paragraph><paragraph id="idF8DF59B8633947D4B0F11A30954EA272"><enum>(2)</enum><text>the percentage of
such allocation determined by the Commission under section 531.</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="idBAF811D4E1144F58A29BD029F6D5ACAD"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Time of
payment</header><text>The Commission shall make payments under this section not
later than 2 business days after the receipt of a report made under
subsection
(d).</text></subsection><subsection id="id6297ACCD002F463EB976B25889E42FBC"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Reports</header><paragraph id="id0E91D29CDD524871821DE2EFE4958270"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>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.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="id94D683FE69474908A13B730024EABE18"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Contents of
reports</header><text>Each report under this subsection shall disclose—</text><subparagraph id="id22E188A1E8194CCD88428B058250207A"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the amount of
each qualified small dollar contribution received by the candidate;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="idBEBF565245E8469C8A62CC5425DFA86E"><enum>(B)</enum><text>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</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id422388EF56E04278AFA0F17769E28144"><enum>(C)</enum><text>the name,
address, and occupation of each individual who made a qualified
small dollar
contribution to the candidate.</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="id8F63F10FD7824C17AF6CC47FCE5EFE74"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Frequency of
reports</header><text>Reports under this subsection shall be made no more
frequently than—</text><subparagraph id="id8D701CF29B764EBFB27E261880AD7C1E"><enum>(A)</enum><text>once every month
until the date that is 90 days before the date of the election;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="idAAE07573AEDE47D8B3BE19F4658ACB58"><enum>(B)</enum><text>once every week
after the period described in subparagraph (A) and until the date
that is 21
days before the election; and</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id60ED210FA37C4CE4B6D3833773E1CA40"><enum>(C)</enum><text>once every day
after the period described in subparagraph (B).</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="id418775528D7944628AF275E7C4A5332D"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Limitation on
regulations</header><text>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.</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id1AE255DECCE84B54BDECF6C50E8A2030"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Appeals</header><text>The
Commission shall provide a written explanation with respect to any
denial of
any payment under this section and shall provide the opportunity
for review and
reconsideration within 5 business days of such denial.</text></subsection></section><section id="id8EE2327B693B423FA6E852551DDDC5E8"><enum>524.</enum><header>Political
advertising vouchers</header><subsection id="id24DF13B2879C49EA843A26674F7811FF"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>The Commission shall establish and administer a voucher
program for the purchase of airtime on broadcasting stations for
political
advertisements in accordance with the provisions of this section.</text></subsection><subsection id="id203EC708EBAD4B6B96A27054FA45BF0D"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Candidates</header><text>The
Commission shall only disburse vouchers under the program
established under
subsection (a) to participants certified pursuant to section 515
who have
agreed in writing to keep and furnish to the Commission such
records, books,
and other information as it may require.</text></subsection><subsection id="id9BCC23270E04465581F5FD59995409A8"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Amounts</header><text>The
Commission shall disburse vouchers to each candidate certified
under subsection
(b) in an aggregate amount equal to the greater of—</text><paragraph id="idD5583836375540019A92F9E88C321C04"><enum>(1)</enum><text>$100,000
multiplied by the number of congressional districts in the State
with respect
to which such candidate is running for office; or</text></paragraph><paragraph id="id50EAB1C8485C4F4EA7DBB439BF7BD3F2"><enum>(2)</enum><text>the amount
determined by the Commission under section 531.</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="idE07DC7D04C8F4EBF92D0C3A8F4DB5486"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Use</header><paragraph id="idBDC784CF19454CBE96D803DC71BA0437"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Exclusive
use</header><text>Vouchers disbursed by the Commission under this section may
be used only for the purchase of broadcast airtime for political
advertisements
relating to a general election for the office of Senate by the
participating
candidate to which the vouchers were disbursed, except that—</text><subparagraph commented="no" id="idD941DCF4729D46BBA5776ED97833E3AE"><enum>(A)</enum><text>a candidate may
exchange vouchers with a political party under paragraph (2); and</text></subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" id="idD2A2AB3F65F448F6AECE46A48FAF234B"><enum>(B)</enum><text>a political party
may use vouchers only to purchase broadcast airtime for political
advertisements for generic party advertising (as defined by the
Commission in
regulations), to support candidates for State or local office in a
general
election, or to support participating candidates of the party in a
general
election for Federal office, but only if it discloses the value of
the voucher
used as an expenditure under section 315(d).</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="id63B5848E2B3A44769668888D642FCEC3"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Exchange with
political party committee</header><subparagraph id="id33EEE49B3D2440DF9AA43ACCE54F1D4F"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>A participating candidate who receives a voucher under
this section may transfer the right to use all or a portion of the
value of the
voucher to a committee of the political party of which the
individual is a
candidate (or, in the case of a participating candidate who is not
a member of
any political party, to a committee of the political party of that
candidate’s
choice) in exchange for money in an amount equal to the cash value
of the
voucher or portion exchanged.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id8FD147F78CCD478E8B6E28494F7B8158"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Continuation of
candidate obligations</header><text>The transfer of a voucher, in whole or in
part, to a political party committee under this paragraph does not
release the
candidate from any obligation under the agreement made under
subsection (b) or
otherwise modify that agreement or its application to that
candidate.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id9C874E2580244A4792B75295B0957A71"><enum>(C)</enum><header>Party committee
obligations</header><text>Any political party committee to which a voucher or
portion thereof is transferred under subparagraph (A)—</text><clause id="id62A84BEDD543496AA7586D5A64BA17BF"><enum>(i)</enum><text>shall account
fully, in accordance with such requirements as the Commission may
establish,
for the receipt of the voucher; and</text></clause><clause id="idCA9A15C43F6E4576B4067AE211E77BED"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>may not use the
transferred voucher or portion thereof for any purpose other than a
purpose
described in paragraph (1)(B).</text></clause></subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" id="id859A0A08789D4A5F9D9C3E84B7C5E388"><enum>(D)</enum><header>Voucher as a
contribution under FECA</header><text>If a candidate transfers a voucher or any
portion thereof to a political party committee under subparagraph
(A)—</text><clause commented="no" id="id697C70129DBE455E9393B4B99324BF0C"><enum>(i)</enum><text>the value of the
voucher or portion thereof transferred shall be treated as a
contribution from
the candidate to the committee, and from the committee to the
candidate, for
purposes of sections 302 and 304;</text></clause><clause commented="no" id="idE46C39206E544B6A98DB089C2E6C7009"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>the committee
may, in exchange, provide to the candidate only funds subject to
the
prohibitions, limitations, and reporting requirements of title III
of this Act;
and</text></clause><clause commented="no" id="id7AC441679BEC4140B6B28BB9C361CF1B"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>the amount, if
identified as a <quote>voucher exchange</quote>, shall not be considered a
contribution for the purposes of sections 315 and 513.</text></clause></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id4F47332D0BB54AADB6677B8AB615D4D8"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Value;
acceptance; redemption</header><paragraph id="id0ACC739648204638A890438387FD1075"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Voucher</header><text>Each
voucher disbursed by the Commission under this section shall have a
value in
dollars, redeemable upon presentation to the Commission, together
with such
documentation and other information as the Commission may require,
for the
purchase of broadcast airtime for political advertisements in
accordance with
this section.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="idB69BAA4DBE294B6993E7BC28BD79BD84"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Acceptance</header><text>A
broadcasting station shall accept vouchers in payment for the
purchase of
broadcast airtime for political advertisements in accordance with
this
section.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="id8C219C775C314BEA85D2B2EAB26D5938"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Redemption</header><text>The
Commission shall redeem vouchers accepted by broadcasting stations
under
paragraph (2) upon presentation, subject to such documentation,
verification,
accounting, and application requirements as the Commission may
impose to ensure
the accuracy and integrity of the voucher redemption system.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="id7669D939931242FEA1929A014393D1F9"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Expiration</header><subparagraph id="id80E7294E5EB0480190798D2C5F94E406"><enum>(A)</enum><header>Candidates</header><text>A
voucher may only be used to pay for broadcast airtime for political
advertisements to be broadcast before midnight on the day before
the date of
the Federal election in connection with which it was issued and
shall be null
and void for any other use or purpose.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" id="idC957F1E2C9454B33B0852CCE55562A71"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Exception for
political party committees</header><text>A voucher held by a political party
committee may be used to pay for broadcast airtime for political
advertisements
to be broadcast before midnight on December 31st of the
odd-numbered year
following the year in which the voucher was issued by the
Commission.</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="idA503724BBA124A0FB857D0D873C25E68"><enum>(5)</enum><header>Voucher as
expenditure under feca</header><text>The use of a voucher to purchase broadcast
airtime constitutes an expenditure as defined in section 301(9)(A).</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="idE6E3D233D93640F69267E85829C1C3BD"><enum>(f)</enum><header>Definitions</header><text>In
this section:</text><paragraph id="id3B865384DE0D4B82B621870AE2799976"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Broadcasting
station</header><text>The term <term>broadcasting station</term> has the
meaning given that term by section 315(f)(1) of the Communications
Act of
1934.</text></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" id="id68558CFDE7E545928DC189511674DC55"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Political
party</header><text>The term <term>political party</term> means a major party
or a minor party as defined in section 9002 (3) or (4) of the
Internal Revenue
Code of 1986 (26
U.S.C. 9002 (3) or (4)).</text></paragraph></subsection></section></subtitle><subtitle id="id504AD8D6B2F94B60AB087D9B3521973E"><enum>D</enum><header>Administrative
provisions</header><section id="id45471127484E49A1B514C65E3324AA50"><enum>531.</enum><header>Fair Elections
Oversight Board</header><subsection id="id885EFF08F9DE429B9BA8390F076F2DEF"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Establishment</header><text>There
is established within the Federal Election Commission an entity to
be known as
the <quote>Fair Elections Oversight Board</quote>.</text></subsection><subsection id="idF742E93736EB48C6A29E1CFCA26C6D1B"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Structure and
membership</header><paragraph id="idF344C93E455C45EBACA87F5960059DD5"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>The Board shall be composed of 5 members appointed by the
President by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, of
whom—</text><subparagraph id="id930728F841C441E3AF6E702188F49FFF"><enum>(A)</enum><text>2 shall be
appointed after consultation with the majority leader of the
Senate;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id0CB57B3697C94CC994D5B2589A631EF3"><enum>(B)</enum><text>2 shall be
appointed after consultation with the minority leader of the
Senate; and</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="idAEB5450665EE46F9B3C11B7184486861"><enum>(C)</enum><text>1 shall be
appointed upon the recommendation of the members appointed under
subparagraphs
(A) and (B).</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="id3F9A1BD6D6C6486F92A6396B1E3513BC"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Qualifications</header><subparagraph id="id666CD8CE645045339037396592308137"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In
general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">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.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id491BFE6664A4439984598E8725CBF124"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Prohibition</header><text>No
member of the Board may be—</text><clause id="idB37955BD81EF49958CAB8A3F27245AA8"><enum>(i)</enum><text>an employee of
the Federal Government;</text></clause><clause id="id299708DD3F044607AD7BAA9A2275591E"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>a registered
lobbyist; or</text></clause><clause id="idDA880F49B69748C98D57D4C3477449E1"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>an officer or
employee of a political party or political campaign.</text></clause></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="id6ABDBE3CED574EDF806E87AF1B183DD1"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Date</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Members of the Board shall be appointed not
later than 60 days after the date of the enactment of this Act.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="idD1B15A0F3F0440EB9658D69EA3AF1629"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Terms</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">A member of the Board shall be appointed
for a term of 5 years.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="id027A5FE460074988A3CB0B586DE0F055"><enum>(5)</enum><header>Vacancies</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">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.</text></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id97D7C5B2D200408E87EF7AB858029B43"><enum>(6)</enum><header>Chairperson</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Board shall designate a Chairperson
from among the members of the Board.</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id7145B7CCCF7148E1A654896DD09B9B21"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Duties and
powers</header><paragraph id="id1875FC627F484ED7AAFD9363082D4338"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Administration</header><subparagraph id="id5D7F8D7D619640E385675BD5BAAB19B6"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>The Board shall have such duties and powers as the
Commission may prescribe, including the power to administer the
provisions of
this title.</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="idB4750EE214BA458BB9F9D4DDEC97F2D3"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Review of fair
elections financing</header><subparagraph id="id51DFE36AE81D4AFD8357C166AB4211DA"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>After each general election for Federal office, the Board
shall conduct a comprehensive review of the Fair Elections
financing program
under this title, including—</text><clause id="id8E9690C70BA1481F9541999D78226DD0"><enum>(i)</enum><text>the maximum
dollar amount of qualified small dollar contributions under section
501(11);</text></clause><clause id="id1AA71DBEBA6D49C9ABEC19325EA943A4"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>the maximum and
minimum dollar amounts for qualifying contributions under section
501(10);</text></clause><clause id="idCC17BD7159AA499DB63765F1747626B0"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>the number and
value of qualifying contributions a candidate is required to obtain
under
section 512 to qualify for allocations from the Fund;</text></clause><clause id="id09A4B8E08EC841069FE57D43F570E900"><enum>(iv)</enum><text>the amount of
allocations from the Fund that candidates may receive under section
522;</text></clause><clause id="idC1424AA1112F4623A56BCBA613B857DB"><enum>(v)</enum><text>the maximum
amount of matching contributions a candidate may receive under
section
523;</text></clause><clause id="idF817CCC6524D41B686317C8E39CD42A4"><enum>(vi)</enum><text>the amount and
usage of vouchers under section 524;</text></clause><clause id="id82FD6DF25CE44ED8A6E0EDE319DC0E14"><enum>(vii)</enum><text>the overall
satisfaction of participating candidates and the American public
with the
program; and</text></clause><clause id="id14599BB543D24A04B1BCF3587D91428A"><enum>(viii)</enum><text>such other
matters relating to financing of Senate campaigns as the Board
determines are
appropriate.</text></clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id80C2565926ED44A381E13DDB94C89E7C"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Criteria for
review</header><text>In conducting the review under subparagraph (A), the Board
shall consider the following:</text><clause id="idCD77784577B345B18E8E11369CEF9C99"><enum>(i)</enum><header>Qualifying
contributions and qualified small dollar contributions</header><text>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.</text></clause><clause id="idD721457C04564CAEB63BC543206949B5"><enum>(ii)</enum><header>Review of
program benefits</header><text>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
from the Fund under section 522, matching contributions under
section 523, and
vouchers under section 524 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.</text></clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="idA4EED098DB34486DAC787857B4EC4316"><enum>(C)</enum><header>Adjustment of
amounts</header><clause id="id1F5488A3CD6F4B2E8ED79E5D4B1E16E9"><enum>(i)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>Based on the review conducted under subparagraph (A), the
Board shall provide for the adjustments of the following amounts:</text><subclause id="id166108F0196E408A95783C7E877D20F2"><enum>(I)</enum><text>the maximum
dollar amount of qualified small dollar contributions under section
501(11)(C);</text></subclause><subclause id="idF3B8CE0F83784D798CD852FD4820EA97"><enum>(II)</enum><text>the maximum and
minimum dollar amounts for qualifying contributions under section
501(10)(A);</text></subclause><subclause id="id255E50D400E643E5BA7F55AE330096E8"><enum>(III)</enum><text>the number and
value of qualifying contributions a candidate is required to obtain
under
section 512(a)(1);</text></subclause><subclause id="id039401A558254691BBDBA62CB4556077"><enum>(IV)</enum><text>the base amount
for candidates under section 522(d);</text></subclause><subclause id="id5B1EC2353D834E32AB524CE18AB047A3"><enum>(V)</enum><text>the maximum
amount of matching contributions a candidate may receive under
section 523(b);
and</text></subclause><subclause id="id944A1C37D76B4796A0DBBA6DB70A1B27"><enum>(VI)</enum><text>the dollar
amount for vouchers under section 524(c).</text></subclause></clause><clause id="id288B050AE456413DBC6D69848BF0F710"><enum>(ii)</enum><header>Regulations</header><text>The
Commission shall promulgate regulations providing for the
adjustments made by
the Board under clause (i).</text></clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="idFA176CFBB95D4CD6A750C17431A0C0DD"><enum>(D)</enum><header>Report</header><text>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.</text></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="idCB6FD0A7C2F24FE9ABDABD8D194B7A10"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Meetings and
hearings</header><paragraph id="idFD3E0F6066BD46C9BBD8305798A3A94B"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Meetings</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">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.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="id87084B1B7E9447B1940D0667C82171F9"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Quorum</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">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.</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="idCFF2C2F73AB94215A9D5DD7CBC2928FE"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Reports</header><text>Not
later than March 30, 2017, and every 2 years thereafter, the Board
shall submit
to the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration a report
documenting,
evaluating, and making recommendations relating to the
administrative
implementation and enforcement of the provisions of this title.</text></subsection><subsection id="id1E5257A1C8694303BD18B90683972A52"><enum>(f)</enum><header>Administration</header><paragraph id="idA8C2192E056B4FDFA5359DAAA415965E"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Compensation of
members</header><subparagraph id="id2F334E28DB6F4484A285B49A18CC00C2"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In
general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">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 <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/5/5315">section 5315</external-xref> of title 5, United States Code.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id4336F6D84AF54DFAAFF9C86F00C1B426"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Chairperson</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">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.</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="idAA4789A18338463E9C9038D95C726967"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Personnel</header><subparagraph id="idF0FE6426661A42BA8BDEBD4E7C578F05"><enum>(A)</enum><header>Director</header><text>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 <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/5/5382">section 5382</external-xref> of title 5, United
States
Code.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id28EC6931DA03451F81256B8191E336B8"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Staff
appointment</header><text>With the approval of the Chairperson, the Executive
Director may appoint such personnel as the Executive Director and
the Board
determines to be appropriate.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id4AD511B9D79142D588D4E0EF17C22CBB"><enum>(C)</enum><header>Actuarial
experts and consultants</header><text>With the approval of the Chairperson, the
Executive Director may procure temporary and intermittent services
under
<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/5/3109">section 3109(b)</external-xref> of title 5, United States Code.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id5249D58B900A46EF8B1C622ABCF6CE7F"><enum>(D)</enum><header>Detail of
government employees</header><text>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.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="idC3ED1126011643909FC84BFA49881BC3"><enum>(E)</enum><header>Other
resources</header><text>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.</text></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idBB21B1310F29446497EC2835C5718FD8"><enum>(g)</enum><header>Authorization
of appropriations</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">There are
authorized to be appropriated such sums as are necessary to carry
out the
purposes of this subtitle.</text></subsection></section><section id="H1B78DE8FB6C946440092D8569D21D618"><enum>532.</enum><header>Administration
provisions</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">The Commission
shall prescribe regulations to carry out the purposes of this
title, including
regulations—</text><paragraph id="idCEF9CEDCF5AE41228CB8881BB9039F3D"><enum>(1)</enum><text>to establish
procedures for—</text><subparagraph id="idA3740D8DDFE7420284B59FCF666C4840"><enum>(A)</enum><text>verifying the
amount of valid qualifying contributions with respect to a
candidate;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" id="id78F003D948294CE180229EEC108B5AC1"><enum>(B)</enum><text>effectively and
efficiently monitoring and enforcing the limits on the raising of
qualified
small dollar contributions;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="idA6DD75129883478693157DD87A7A95B2"><enum>(C)</enum><text>effectively and
efficiently monitoring and enforcing the limits on the use of
personal funds by
participating candidates;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id0F844A4A39504D9380969AC24298B104"><enum>(D)</enum><text>monitoring the
use of allocations from the Fund and matching contributions under
this title
through audits or other mechanisms; and</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="idC224AC583D22480D9D359812474F1249"><enum>(E)</enum><text>the
administration of the voucher program under section 524; and</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="id30699EE1A1E44FCE969A40262332BE4E"><enum>(2)</enum><text>regarding the
conduct of debates in a manner consistent with the best practices
of States
that provide public financing for elections.</text></paragraph></section><section id="HE3FFF649643748AAB60009EC5072C5D"><enum>533.</enum><header>Violations and
penalties</header><subsection id="idB21FA31350274BFAA3232340A2EEF23A"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Civil penalty
for violation of contribution and expenditure requirements</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">If a candidate who has been certified as a
participating candidate under section 515(a) accepts a contribution
or makes an
expenditure that is prohibited under section 513, 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 Fund.</text></subsection><subsection commented="no" id="HAC63AA56177F4C5CA415E5AFB42176F4"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Repayment for
improper use of Fair Elections Fund</header><paragraph commented="no" id="H61B8DECB25DC4B1398CF00E529001FE5"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>If the Commission determines that any benefit made
available to a participating candidate under this title 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—</text><subparagraph commented="no" id="id408BE10D484546708A7277B978311585"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the amount of
benefits so used or not remitted, as appropriate; and</text></subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" id="idBD0DA3774D3E48B7B094F6CF23B00AAE"><enum>(B)</enum><text>interest on any
such amounts (at a rate determined by the Commission).</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" id="H4F02A7B28B934FFD9E3B772DF5F774B8"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Other action not
precluded</header><text>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.</text></paragraph></subsection></section></subtitle>.103.Prohibition on
joint fundraising committeesSection 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 participating candidate (as defined in section 501)
may
establish a joint fundraising committee with a political committee
other than
an authorized committee of a
candidate..104.Exception to
limitation on coordinated expenditures by political party committees with
participating candidatesSection 315(d) of the
Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971
(2 U.S.C. 441a(d)) is amended—(1)in paragraph (3)(A), by striking in
the case of
and inserting except as provided in paragraph (5),
in the case of
; and(2)by adding at the
end the following new paragraph:(5)(A)The limitation under
paragraph (3)(A) shall not apply with respect to any expenditure
from a
qualified political party-participating candidate coordinated
expenditure
fund.(B)In this paragraph, the term
qualified political party-participating candidate coordinated expenditure
fund means a fund established by the national committee of a political
party, or a State committee of a political party, including any
subordinate
committee of a State committee, for purposes of making expenditures
in
connection with the general election campaign of a candidate for
election to
the office of Senator who is a participating candidate (as defined
in section
501), that only accepts qualified coordinated expenditure
contributions.(C)In this paragraph, the term
qualified coordinated expenditure contribution means, with respect
to the general election campaign of a candidate for election to the
office of
Senator who is a participating candidate (as defined in section
501), any
contribution (or series of contributions)—(i)which is made by an individual who is
not prohibited from making a contribution under this Act; and(ii)the aggregate amount of which does
not exceed $500 per
election..<enum>II</enum><header>Improving voter
information</header><section id="ID97C3E135132245E8923D2EADAB91E650"><enum>201.</enum><header>Broadcasts
relating to all Senate candidates</header><subsection id="ID9AFC3BD5485548AD0099B66C00AD7390"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Lowest unit
charge; national committees</header><text>Section 315(b) of the
<act-name parsable-cite="CA34">Communications Act of 1934</act-name>
(47 U.S.C.
315(b)) is amended—</text><paragraph commented="no" id="ID3093AC5583954CAF98C8F27C17A68EA0"><enum>(1)</enum><text>by striking
<quote>to such office</quote> in paragraph (1) and inserting <quote>to such
office, or by a national committee of a political party on behalf of such
candidate in connection with such campaign,</quote>; and</text></paragraph><paragraph id="IDCCE65CF0EEC9422DB0288107C773FE64"><enum>(2)</enum><text>by inserting
<quote>for pre-emptible use thereof</quote> after <quote>station</quote> in
subparagraph (A) of paragraph (1).</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="IDA6BA70A76E414272B4E153537790E4B3"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Preemption;
audits</header><text>Section 315 of such Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/47/315">47 U.S.C. 315</external-xref>) is amended—</text><paragraph id="ID5C5528E0ACF0470798A81419C00827C2"><enum>(1)</enum><text>by redesignating
subsections (c) and (d) as subsections (e) and (f), respectively and
moving
them to follow the existing subsection (e);</text></paragraph><paragraph id="IDDDD45DE251284E670020D2129DFDB568"><enum>(2)</enum><text>by redesignating
the existing subsection (e) as subsection (c); and</text></paragraph><paragraph id="IDEC08E75CA2354EECA51623E8293EA8D1"><enum>(3)</enum><text>by inserting
after subsection (c) (as redesignated by paragraph (2)) the following:</text><quoted-block id="ID725357C17AE546319CE3FAE571866901"><subsection id="ID1778FEDB87704A74A0004ED48CB70789"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Preemption</header><paragraph id="IDECA85EDA998C475AAC90FDCB25E41B42"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>Except as provided in paragraph (2), and notwithstanding
the requirements of subsection (b)(1)(A), a licensee shall not
preempt the use
of a broadcasting station by a legally qualified candidate for
Senate who has
purchased and paid for such use.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="ID4CD32F1D187446E991BDAAC3BEFE59BF"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Circumstances
beyond control of licensee</header><text>If a program to be broadcast by a
broadcasting station is preempted because of circumstances beyond
the control
of the station, any candidate or party advertising spot scheduled
to be
broadcast during that program shall be treated in the same fashion
as a
comparable commercial advertising spot.</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="ID85E811A137DE4FD1A1CD1899909775A9"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Audits</header><text>During
the 30-day period preceding a primary election and the 60-day
period preceding
a general election, the Commission shall conduct such audits as it
deems
necessary to ensure that each broadcaster to which this section
applies is
allocating television broadcast advertising time in accordance with
this
section and section
312.</text></subsection><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" id="HC0D7B8AF48B540D4A5D9518CD182A34F"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Revocation of
license for failure To permit access</header><text>Section 312(a)(7) of the
Communications Act of 1934 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/47/312">47 U.S.C. 312(a)(7)</external-xref>) is amended—</text><paragraph commented="no" id="H6EA6F8E6445B48C2BAEF763FFB5431B1"><enum>(1)</enum><text>by striking
<quote>or repeated</quote>;</text></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" id="H7FBBF5AF5DE142869BE65918DC36A393"><enum>(2)</enum><text>by inserting
<quote>or cable system</quote> after <quote>broadcasting station</quote>;
and</text></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HD21F438C83694C99A57F6F90479D9DC1"><enum>(3)</enum><text>by striking
<quote>his candidacy</quote> and inserting <quote>the candidacy of the
candidate, under the same terms, conditions, and business practices as
apply to
the most favored advertiser of the licensee</quote>.</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="ID986D813673F4484E00AE985C0010C613"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Stylistic
amendments</header><text>Section 315 of such Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/47/315">47 U.S.C. 315</external-xref>) is
amended—</text><paragraph id="ID1BBC986483FC413FA1A600837749527F"><enum>(1)</enum><text>by striking
<quote>the</quote> in subsection (e)(1), as redesignated by subsection (b)(1),
and inserting <quote><header-in-text level="paragraph" style="OLC">Broadcasting
station</header-in-text>.—</quote>;</text></paragraph><paragraph id="ID67D316850CE746D182AEF79524C48C7D"><enum>(2)</enum><text>by striking
<quote>the</quote> in subsection (e)(2), as redesignated by subsection (b)(1),
and inserting <quote><header-in-text level="paragraph" style="OLC">Licensee;
station licensee</header-in-text>.—</quote>; and</text></paragraph><paragraph id="ID57315CF633C249D794D7CC961029A4AB"><enum>(3)</enum><text>by inserting
<quote><header-in-text level="subsection" style="OLC">Regulations</header-in-text>.—</quote> in subsection (f), as
redesignated by subsection (b)(1), before <quote>The Commission</quote>.</text></paragraph></subsection></section><section id="ID64270119695841E2B34F09180041FC53"><enum>202.</enum><header>Broadcast
rates for participating candidates</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Section 315(b) of the
<act-name parsable-cite="CA34">Communications Act of 1934</act-name> (47 U.S.C.
315(b)), as amended by subsection (a), is amended—</text><paragraph commented="no" id="HC7697F3D2D634D14A327A4F9DAE9063F"><enum>(1)</enum><text>in paragraph
(1)(A), by striking <quote>paragraph (2)</quote> and inserting
<quote>paragraphs (2) and (3)</quote>; and</text></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" id="HC7BE96769200419E9B899E014E6CACD"><enum>(2)</enum><text>by adding at the
end the following:</text><quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H375CA2EA6DE54992A400F8B1C1BFADE2" style="OLC"><paragraph commented="no" id="H2946A433FEE641D98642BFD25D6559A9"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Participating
candidates</header><text>In the case of a participating candidate (as defined
under section 501(9) of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971),
the charges
made for the use of any broadcasting station for a television
broadcast shall
not exceed 80 percent of the lowest charge described in paragraph
(1)(A)
during—</text><subparagraph commented="no" id="HD5030FF5846B43B09CD462E120B41F64"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the 45 days
preceding the date of a primary or primary runoff election in which
the
candidate is opposed; and</text></subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" id="H3F533A6E948A4610A01B48F3D5DBEFC2"><enum>(B)</enum><text>the 60 days
preceding the date of a general or special election in which the
candidate is
opposed.</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" id="H5516DB1AE6E94BB4B7823326217EA02C"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Rate
cards</header><text>A licensee shall provide to a candidate for Senate a rate
card that discloses—</text><subparagraph commented="no" id="H3566964B172A400798CC77E9E720948F"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the rate charged
under this subsection; and</text></subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H3128BF72D39F4032AF6822013CCFDC1C"><enum>(B)</enum><text>the method that
the licensee uses to determine the rate charged under this
subsection.</text></subparagraph></paragraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></paragraph></section><section commented="no" id="IDEBE9D48C15CF4840804FC28973203062"><enum>203.</enum><header>FCC to
prescribe standardized form for reporting candidate campaign ads</header><subsection commented="no" id="IDB74D0FB6F13E41E6AA668C4C69E0A3BC"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>Within 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act,
the Federal Communications Commission shall initiate a rulemaking
proceeding to
establish a standardized form to be used by broadcasting stations, as
defined
in section
315(f)(1) of the <act-name parsable-cite="CA34">Communications
Act of 1934 </act-name>(<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/47/315">47 U.S.C. 315(f)(1)</external-xref>), to
record and report the purchase of advertising time by or on behalf of a
candidate for nomination for election, or for election, to Federal
elective
office.</text></subsection><subsection commented="no" id="ID30D7F9540D3D4B0CA789838252B572C7"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Contents</header><text>The
form prescribed by the Commission under subsection (a) shall require,
broadcasting stations to report to the Commission and to the Federal
Election
Commission, at a minimum—</text><paragraph commented="no" id="ID92B5B2AD4489421BA1A7AEC5F80024DB"><enum>(1)</enum><text>the station call
letters and mailing address;</text></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" id="ID22B643C6690E4DB6B9AE791B2DAD4860"><enum>(2)</enum><text>the name and
telephone number of the station’s sales manager (or individual with
responsibility for advertising sales);</text></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" id="ID750F7FDB49FD40F99008D726F11F37D9"><enum>(3)</enum><text>the name of the
candidate who purchased the advertising time, or on whose behalf the
advertising time was purchased, and the Federal elective office for which
he or
she is a candidate;</text></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" id="ID35B24EC8B0D1440898D0FE2CFBA44B02"><enum>(4)</enum><text>the name, mailing
address, and telephone number of the person responsible for purchasing
broadcast political advertising for the candidate;</text></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" id="IDE785393F587C4FFC95EF6B68A0630029"><enum>(5)</enum><text>notation as to
whether the purchase agreement for which the information is being reported
is a
draft or final version; and</text></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" id="IDBEACE0B8634D420CB05FF21B210257B1"><enum>(6)</enum><text>the following
information about the advertisement:</text><subparagraph commented="no" id="IDEC9816A6FF214DD5B13B63B0ABD02C47"><enum>(A)</enum><text>The date and time
of the broadcast.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" id="IDCED38555541142C28F248D9EBB4BA0BD"><enum>(B)</enum><text>The program in
which the advertisement was broadcast.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" id="ID9C84B981B93E4BF392E8E54C4FB439EC"><enum>(C)</enum><text>The length of the
broadcast airtime.</text></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID19F5898299564408B2008727EB7B1C9E"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Internet
access</header><text>In its rulemaking under subsection (a), the Commission
shall require any broadcasting station required to file a report under
this
section that maintains an Internet website to make available a link to
such
reports on that website.</text></subsection></section><enum>III</enum><header>Responsibilities
of the Federal Election Commission</header><section id="H43E24398A8F742A5999251DF83A9D468"><enum>301.</enum><header>Petition for
certiorari</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Section 307(a)(6)
of the <act-name parsable-cite="FECA">Federal Election Campaign Act of
1971</act-name> (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/2/437d">2 U.S.C. 437d(a)(6)</external-xref>) is amended by inserting <quote>(including
a proceeding before the Supreme Court on certiorari)</quote> after
<quote>appeal</quote>.</text></section><section id="H3AEAA4DFC631415CB4D9D095ED868676"><enum>302.</enum><header>Filing by
Senate candidates with Commission</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Section 302(g) of the Federal Election
Campaign Act of 1971 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/2/432">2 U.S.C. 432(g)</external-xref>) is amended to read as follows:</text><quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idBE4878E8EE1C419AA526D04B037DC398" style="OLC"><subsection id="id6C0C8C84500A4CBE95523E09540D23EB" indent="down1"><enum>(g)</enum><header>Filing with the
commission</header><text>All designations, statements, and reports required to
be filed under this Act shall be filed with the
Commission.</text></subsection><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></section><section id="id6D76C077072747D38298BBFCACFE695D"><enum>303.</enum><header>Electronic
filing of FEC reports</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Section
304(a)(11) of the <act-name parsable-cite="FECA">Federal Election Campaign Act
of 1971</act-name> (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/2/434">2 U.S.C. 434(a)(11)</external-xref>) is amended—</text><paragraph id="H26A476B94BBF4B780017A97B94925DD2"><enum>(1)</enum><text>in subparagraph
(A), by striking <quote>under this Act—</quote> and all that follows and
inserting <quote>under this Act shall be required to maintain and file such
designation, statement, or report in electronic form accessible by
computers.</quote>;</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H6B456E94276F4782AAA7C266A9DE8F5C"><enum>(2)</enum><text>in subparagraph
(B), by striking <quote>48 hours</quote> and all that follows through
<quote>filed electronically)</quote> and inserting <quote>24 hours</quote>;
and</text></paragraph><paragraph id="HA5BC8258C8234B8BA6C978C3958D516E"><enum>(3)</enum><text>by striking
subparagraph (D).</text></paragraph></section><enum>IV</enum><header>Participation in Funding of Elections</header><section display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HD4B3314608D646E99C915E19F40EBE6F" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>401.</enum><header>Refundable tax credit for Senate campaign contributions</header><subsection id="HBA3E3BFB55FF4DF8B56A7813DC84D13C"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Subpart C of part IV of subchapter A of <external-xref legal-doc="usc-chapter" parsable-cite="usc-chapter/26/1">chapter 1</external-xref> of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to
refundable credits) is amended by inserting after section 36B the
following new section:</text><quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H457EBC993F24488E8FF269B4AF67DF44" style="OLC"><section id="H42F1F8F1CF67426BB86DDDA75B05FFF3"><enum>36C.</enum><header>Credit for Senate campaign contributions</header><subsection id="HC3D03C07EE5341CA83B24A0BF4CBFC7E"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">In the case of an individual, there shall be allowed as a credit against the tax imposed by this
subtitle an amount equal to 50 percent of the qualified My Voice Federal
Senate campaign contributions paid or incurred by the taxpayer during the
taxable year.</text></subsection><subsection id="H11ECDC185EF24B7AA773CC156911A89A"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Limitations</header><paragraph id="HFB379890C8534A1AA9F72B1C5A7625DD"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Dollar limitation</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The amount of qualified My Voice Federal Senate campaign contributions taken into account under
subsection (a) for the taxable year shall not exceed $50 (twice such
amount in the case of a joint return).</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H6E33F83BC2F24C18AA5B5FF0689DF505"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Limitation on contributions to Federal Senate candidates</header><text>No credit shall be allowed under this section to any taxpayer for any taxable year if such taxpayer
made aggregate contributions in excess of $300 during the taxable year to—</text><subparagraph id="H771FBD2BB26C44B1AF57EF2B16FA0E75"><enum>(A)</enum><text>any single Federal Senate candidate, or</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HF03C1A5DDB8C42D28B3FE3D2478D958B"><enum>(B)</enum><text>any political committee established and maintained by a national political party.</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="H6103F180EC8944A395C9807A7618A82E"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Provision of information</header><text>No credit shall be allowed under this section to any taxpayer unless the taxpayer provides the
Secretary with such information as the Secretary may require to verify the
taxpayer’s eligibility for the credit and the amount of the credit for the
taxpayer.</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H16A5EDC9DA0747E3A6EC87C77306A310"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Qualified My Voice Federal Senate contributions</header><text>For purposes of this section, the term <term>My Voice Federal Senate campaign contribution</term> means any contribution of cash by an individual to a Federal Senate candidate or to a political
committee established and maintained by a national political party if such
contribution is not prohibited under the Federal Election Campaign Act of
1971.</text></subsection><subsection id="HD5C96AD2AEA544E3A1DC9824FC78267E"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Federal Senate candidate</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">For purposes of this section—</text><paragraph id="HAA721FDB29B24D98ADE65D673A259B80"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The term <term>Federal Senate candidate</term> means any candidate for election to the office of Senator.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="HF4428E1C3E2B4402A2A1B20B97FB1D77"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Treatment of authorized committees</header><text>Any contribution made to an authorized committee of a Federal Senate candidate shall be treated as
made to such candidate.</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H9180A5AC64444D50A964B6749D878E08"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Inflation adjustment</header><paragraph id="H2E57973147F641709D240EAF97D29F98"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">In the case of a taxable year beginning after 2017, the $50 amount under subsection (b)(1) shall be
increased by an amount equal to—</text><subparagraph id="H5AC62558A45742C38A8FD56DCBB19A39"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">such dollar amount, multiplied by</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HF3D9AED0D02F4C5480BCDE823BF22434"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the cost-of-living adjustment determined under section 1(f)(3) for the calendar year in which the
taxable year begins, determined by substituting <quote>calendar year 2016</quote> for <quote>calendar year 1992</quote> in subparagraph (B) thereof.</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="HEAD6DE0162694EE385E37109D03BA0E4"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Rounding</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">If any amount as adjusted under subparagraph (A) is not a multiple of $5, such amount shall be
rounded to the nearest multiple of $5.</text></paragraph></subsection></section><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></subsection><subsection display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H130A97ED8E2A485EA8096DB3D05A34C7"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Conforming amendments</header><paragraph id="H7A39957E51FF4BEB883773E41740055D"><enum>(1)</enum><text>Section 6211(b)(4)(A) of such Code is amended by inserting <quote>36C,</quote> after <quote>36B,</quote>.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H7F25FC17FD6A4131BFB347C9E7D131DD"><enum>(2)</enum><text><external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/31/1324">Section 1324(b)(2)</external-xref> of title 31, United States Code, is amended by inserting <quote>36C,</quote> after <quote>36B,</quote>.</text></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" id="HD48E29661F86481AB246AD3AF190468B"><enum>(3)</enum><text>The table of sections for subpart C of part IV of subchapter A of chapter 1 of the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986 is amended by inserting after the item relating to section
36B the following new item:</text><quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H862E5BE817524BC5B9792A2E5CAC2DC0" style="OLC"><toc container-level="quoted-block-container" idref="H457EBC993F24488E8FF269B4AF67DF44" lowest-bolded-level="division-lowest-bolded" lowest-level="section" quoted-block="no-quoted-block" regeneration="yes-regeneration"><toc-entry idref="H42F1F8F1CF67426BB86DDDA75B05FFF3" level="section">Sec. 36C. Credit for Senate campaign contributions.</toc-entry></toc><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H61041A74BF334F9E811C765464F3979A"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Forms</header><text>The Secretary of the Treasury, or his designee, shall ensure that the credit for contributions to
Federal Senate candidates allowed under section 36C of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as added by this section, may be claimed on Forms
1040EZ and 1040A.</text></subsection><subsection id="H36D00EBB864F473C958873481420242E"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Administration</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">At the request of the Secretary of the Treasury, the Federal Election Commission shall provide the
Secretary of the Treasury with such information and other assistance as
the Secretary may reasonably require to administer the credit allowed
under <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/26/36C">section 36C</external-xref> of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as added by this
section.</text></subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H0BEB3A5388234D0383B725941BDF56F0"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Effective date</header><text>The amendments made by this section shall apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2016.</text></subsection></section><enum>V</enum><header>Revenue provisions</header><section id="idA4091E32E78642B185DDF50C288B8DE8"><enum>501.</enum><header>Fair Elections
Fund revenue</header><subsection id="idE61529B1AA1F4B328E86D07BA814C436"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>The Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by inserting
after chapter 36 the following new chapter:</text><quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id5671FED6D9A645718BBAA2422704CAB7" style="OLC"><chapter id="idA304DB02BF824B83B2A112F735502286"><enum>37</enum><header>Tax on payments
pursuant to certain government contracts</header><toc><toc-entry idref="idFC221CC5DD124232B5B89A76E308C207" level="section">Sec. 4501. Imposition of tax.</toc-entry></toc><section id="idFC221CC5DD124232B5B89A76E308C207"><enum>4501.</enum><header>Imposition of
tax</header><subsection id="idDE1BD568C6D5406197CC17BA337EEA0A"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Tax
imposed</header><text>There is hereby imposed on any payment made to a
qualified person pursuant to a contract with the Government of the
United
States a tax equal to 0.50 percent of the amount paid.</text></subsection><subsection id="id1C966BEDFEFE4F219621CA49538E510B"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Limitation</header><text>The
aggregate amount of tax imposed under subsection (a) for any
calendar year
shall not exceed $500,000.</text></subsection><subsection id="id7295904FE97F438998EFBEC07D41B335"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Qualified
person</header><text>For purposes of this section, the term <term>qualified
person</term> means any person which—</text><paragraph id="idB9E1A771231B4B2E88CC514A9A35F1AD"><enum>(1)</enum><text>is not a State or
local government, a foreign nation, or an organization described in
section
501(c)(3) which is exempt from taxation under section 501(a), and</text></paragraph><paragraph id="id7BCF7F37F8D848BB8740C6F3729FDCE6"><enum>(2)</enum><text>has contracts
with the Government of the United States with a value in excess of
$10,000,000.</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id1C2405EBBC2B4A1AB6416887BC43C6AB"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Payment of
tax</header><text>The tax imposed by this section shall be paid by the person
receiving such payment.</text></subsection><subsection id="id6E06A9593E6142CC922DA4AA9D780861"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Use of revenue
generated by tax</header><text>It is the sense of the Senate that amounts
equivalent to the revenue generated by the tax imposed under this
chapter
should be appropriated for the financing of a Fair Elections Fund
and used for
the public financing of Senate
elections.</text></subsection></section></chapter><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></subsection><subsection id="id2D4A4895E1CB46C99CFD4CA50DC47954"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Conforming
amendment</header><text>The table of chapters of the Internal Revenue Code of
1986 is amended by inserting after the item relating to chapter 36 the
following:</text><quoted-block id="idfed019de-ab01-45fe-8006-aedb75b61826" style="OLC"><toc><toc-entry idref="idA304DB02BF824B83B2A112F735502286" level="chapter">Chapter 37—Tax on payments pursuant to certain government
contracts</toc-entry></toc><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id5EBDE32B317A4278BF9C87795D11A3FE"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Effective
date</header><text>The amendments made by this section shall apply to contracts
entered into after the date of the enactment of this Act.</text></subsection></section><enum>VI</enum><header>Miscellaneous
provisions</header><section id="H9FE42702672C44BFAEFB0722FFF7B45F"><enum>601.</enum><header>Severability</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">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.</text></section><section commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H1771035CAF28476DB3238BFED11EF2F2" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>602.</enum><header>Effective
date</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Except as otherwise
provided for in this Act, this Act and the amendments made by this Act
shall
take effect on January 1, 2017.</text></section>