[Congressional Bills 106th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 16 Introduced in Senate (IS)]







106th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                 S. 16

  To reform the Federal election campaign laws applicable to Congress.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                            January 19, 1999

   Mr. Daschle (for himself, Mr. Sarbanes, Mr. Bryan, Mr. Kerry, Mr. 
     Rockefeller, Mr. Durbin, Mr. Wellstone, Mr. Moynihan, and Mr. 
  Lautenberg) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and 
         referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
  To reform the Federal election campaign laws applicable to Congress.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

    (a) Short Title.--This title may be cited as the ``Congressional 
Election Campaign Spending Limit and Reform Act of 1999''.
    (b) Table of Contents.--

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
          TITLE I--CONTROL OF CONGRESSIONAL CAMPAIGN SPENDING

   Subtitle A--Senate Election Campaign Spending Limits and Benefits

Sec. 101. Senate spending limits and benefits.
Sec. 102. Reporting requirements.
Sec. 103. Disclosure by candidates other than eligible Senate 
                            candidates.
Sec. 104. Excess campaign funds of Senate candidates.
Sec. 105. Contribution limit for eligible Senate candidates.
                     Subtitle B--General Provisions

Sec. 111. Broadcast rates and preemption.
Sec. 112. Reporting requirements for certain independent expenditures.
Sec. 113. Campaign advertising amendments.
Sec. 114. Definitions.
Sec. 115. Provisions relating to franked mass mailings.
                   TITLE II--INDEPENDENT EXPENDITURES

Sec. 201. Definition of independent expenditure.
Sec. 202. Independent versus coordinated expenditures by political 
                            party committees.
Sec. 203. Treatment of qualified nonprofit corporations.
Sec. 204. Equal broadcast time.
                        TITLE III--EXPENDITURES

                   Subtitle A--Personal Funds; Credit

Sec. 301. Contributions and loans from personal funds.
Sec. 302. Extensions of credit.
              Subtitle B--Soft Money of Political Parties

Sec. 311. Preparation and distribution by volunteers of materials in 
                            connection with State and local political 
                            party voter registration and get-out-the-
                            vote activities so as not to be considered 
                            a contribution or expenditure.
Sec. 312. Contributions to political party committees.
Sec. 313. Provisions relating to national, State, and local party 
                            committees.
Sec. 314. Restrictions on fundraising by candidates and officeholders.
Sec. 315. Reporting requirements.
     Subtitle C--Soft Money of Persons Other Than Political Parties

Sec. 321. Soft money of persons other than political parties.
                        TITLE IV--CONTRIBUTIONS

Sec. 401. Prohibition of certain contributions by lobbyists.
Sec. 402. Contributions by dependents not of voting age.
Sec. 403. Contributions to candidates from State and local committees 
                            of political parties to be aggregated.
Sec. 404. Contributions and expenditures using money secured by 
                            physical force or other intimidation.
Sec. 405. Prohibition of acceptance by a candidate of cash 
                            contributions from any one person 
                            aggregating more than $100.
   TITLE V--AUTHORITIES AND DUTIES OF THE FEDERAL ELECTION COMMISSION

Sec. 501. Filing of reports using computers and facsimile machines.
Sec. 502. Increase in threshold for reporting requirements.
Sec. 503. Audits.
Sec. 504. Authority to seek injunction.
Sec. 505. Penalties.
Sec. 506. Independent litigating authority.
Sec. 507. Reference of suspected violation to the Attorney General.
Sec. 508. Powers of the commission.
                        TITLE VI--MISCELLANEOUS

Sec. 601. Prohibition of leadership committees.
Sec. 602. Telephone voting by persons with disabilities.
Sec. 603. Certain tax-exempt organizations not subject to corporate 
                            limits.
Sec. 604. Aiding and abetting violations of the Federal Election 
                            Campaign Act of 1971.
Sec. 605. Campaign advertising that refers to an opponent.
Sec. 606. Limit on congressional use of the franking privilege.
Sec. 607. Strengthening foreign money ban.
Sec. 608. Certification of compliance with foreign contribution and 
                            solicitation limitations.
               TITLE VII--EFFECTIVE DATES; AUTHORIZATIONS

Sec. 701. Effective date.
Sec. 702. Budget neutrality.
Sec. 703. Severability.
Sec. 704. Expedited review of constitutional issues.
Sec. 705. Regulations.

          TITLE I--CONTROL OF CONGRESSIONAL CAMPAIGN SPENDING

   Subtitle A--Senate Election Campaign Spending Limits and Benefits

SEC. 101. SENATE SPENDING LIMITS AND BENEFITS.

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

 ``TITLE V--SPENDING LIMITS AND BENEFITS FOR SENATE ELECTION CAMPAIGNS

``SEC. 501. DEFINITIONS.

    ``In this title:
            ``(1) Eligible senate candidate.--The term `eligible Senate 
        candidate' means a candidate who is certified under section 505 
        as being eligible to receive benefits under this title.
            ``(2) Excess expenditure amount.--The term `excess 
        expenditure amount', with respect to an eligible Senate 
        candidate, means the amount applicable to the eligible Senate 
        candidate under section 504(b).
            ``(3) Expenditure.--The term `expenditure' has the meaning 
        given in paragraph (9) of section 301, excluding subparagraph 
        (B)(ii) of that paragraph.
            ``(4) General election expenditure limit.--The term 
        `general election expenditure limit', with respect to an 
        eligible Senate candidate, means the limit applicable to the 
        eligible Senate candidate under section 503(b).
            ``(5) Personal funds expenditure limit.--The term `personal 
        funds expenditure limit' means the limit stated in section 
        503(a).
            ``(6) Primary election expenditure limit.--The term 
        `primary election expenditure limit', with respect to an 
        eligible Senate candidate, means the limit applicable to the 
        eligible Senate candidate under section 502(d)(1)(A).
            ``(7) Runoff election expenditure limit.--The term `runoff 
        election expenditure limit', with respect to an eligible Senate 
        candidate, means the limit applicable to the eligible Senate 
        candidate under section 502(d)(1)(B).

``SEC. 502. ELIGIBLE SENATE CANDIDATES.

    ``(a) In General.--For purposes of this title, a candidate is an 
eligible Senate candidate if the candidate--
            ``(1) files a primary election eligibility declaration 
        under subsection (b) and is in compliance with the 
        representations made in the declaration;
            ``(2) files a general election eligibility certification 
        and declaration under subsection (c) and is in compliance with 
        the representations made in the certification and declaration; 
        and
            ``(3) meets the threshold contribution requirements of 
        subsection (e).
    ``(b) Primary Election Eligibility Declaration.--
            ``(1) In general.--The requirements of this subsection are 
        met if the candidate files with the Secretary of the Senate a 
        declaration that--
                    ``(A) the candidate and the candidate's authorized 
                committees--
                            ``(i) will meet the primary and runoff 
                        election expenditure limits of subsection (d); 
                        and
                            ``(ii) will accept only an amount of 
                        contributions for the primary and runoff 
                        elections that does not exceed those limits;
                    ``(B) the candidate and the candidate's authorized 
                committees will meet the personal funds expenditure 
                limit;
                    ``(C) the candidate and the candidate's authorized 
                committees will meet the general election expenditure 
                limit; and
                    ``(D) the candidate and the candidate's authorized 
                committees will meet the closed captioning requirements 
                of section 510.
            ``(2) Deadline for filing declaration.--The declaration 
        under paragraph (1) shall be filed not later than the date on 
which the candidate files as a candidate for the primary election.
    ``(c) General Election Eligibility Certification and Declaration.--
            ``(1) In general.--The requirements of this subsection are 
        met if the candidate files with the Secretary of the Senate--
                    ``(A) a certification, under penalty of perjury, 
                that--
                            ``(i) the candidate and the candidate's 
                        authorized committees--
                                    ``(I) met the primary and runoff 
                                election expenditure limits under 
                                subsection (d); and
                                    ``(II) did not accept contributions 
                                for the primary or runoff election in 
                                excess of the primary or runoff 
                                expenditure limit under subsection (d), 
                                whichever is applicable, reduced by any 
                                amounts transferred to the current 
                                election cycle from a preceding 
                                election cycle;
                            ``(ii) the candidate met the threshold 
                        contribution requirement under subsection (e), 
                        and that only allowable contributions were 
                        taken into account in meeting such requirement; 
                        and
                            ``(iii) at least 1 other candidate has 
                        qualified for the same general election ballot 
                        under the law of the candidate's State; and
                    ``(B) a declaration that the candidate and the 
                authorized committees of the candidate--
                            ``(i) except as otherwise provided by this 
                        title, will not make expenditures that exceed 
                        the general election expenditure limit;
                            ``(ii) will not accept any contributions in 
                        violation of section 315;
                            ``(iii) except as otherwise provided by 
                        this title, will not accept any contribution 
                        for the general election to the extent that the 
                        contribution would cause the aggregate amount 
                        of contributions to exceed the sum of the 
                        amount of the general election expenditure 
                        limit and the amounts described in subsections 
                        (c), (d), and (e) of section 503, reduced by 
                        any amounts transferred to the current election 
                        cycle from a previous election cycle and not 
                        taken into account under subparagraph 
                        (A)(ii)(II);
                            ``(iv) will deposit all payments received 
                        under this title in an account insured by the 
                        Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation from 
                        which funds may be withdrawn by check or 
                        similar means of payment to third parties;
                            ``(v) will furnish campaign records, 
                        evidence of contributions, and other 
                        appropriate information to the Commission;
                            ``(vi) will cooperate in the case of any 
                        audit and examination by the Commission under 
                        section 506 and will pay any amounts required 
                        to be paid under that section; and
                            ``(vii) will meet the closed captioning 
                        requirements of section 510.
            ``(2) Deadline for filing certification.--The certification 
        under paragraph (1) shall be filed not later than 7 days after 
        the earlier of--
                    ``(A) the date on which the candidate qualifies for 
                the general election ballot under State law; or
                    ``(B) if, under State law, a primary or runoff 
                election to qualify for the general election ballot 
                occurs after September 1, the date on which the 
                candidate wins the primary or runoff election.
    ``(d) Primary and Runoff Expenditure Limits.--
            ``(1) In general.--The requirements of this subsection are 
        met if--
                    ``(A) the candidate or the candidate's authorized 
                committees did not make expenditures for the primary 
                election in excess of the lesser of--
                            ``(i) 67 percent of the general election 
                        expenditure limit; or
                            ``(ii) $2,750,000; and
                    ``(B) the candidate and the candidate's authorized 
                committees did not make expenditures for any runoff 
                election in excess of 20 percent of the general 
                election expenditure limit.
            ``(2) Indexing.--The $2,750,000 amount under paragraph 
        (1)(A)(ii) shall be increased as of the beginning of each 
        calendar year based on the increase in the price index 
        determined under section 315(c), except that the base period 
        shall be calendar year 1998.
            ``(3) Increase.--The limitations under subparagraphs (A) 
        and (B) of paragraph (1) with respect to any candidate shall be 
        increased by the aggregate amount of independent expenditures 
        in opposition to, or on behalf of any opponent of, the 
        candidate during the primary or runoff election period, 
        whichever is applicable, that are required to be reported to 
        the Secretary of the Senate or to the Commission with respect 
        to that period under section 304.
            ``(4) Excess amount of contributions.--
                    ``(A) In general.--If the contributions received by 
                a candidate or the candidate's authorized committees 
                for the primary election or runoff election exceed the 
                expenditures for either election--
                            ``(i) the excess amount of contributions 
                        shall be treated as contributions for the 
                        general election; and
                            ``(ii) expenditures for the general 
                        election may be made from the excess amount of 
                        contributions.
                    ``(B) Limitation.--Subparagraph (A) shall not apply 
                to the extent that treatment of excess contributions in 
                accordance with subparagraph (A)--
                            ``(i) would result in the violation of any 
                        limitation under section 315; or
                            ``(ii) would cause the aggregate amount of 
                        contributions received for the general election 
                        to exceed the limits under subsection 
                        (c)(1)(D)(iii).
    ``(e) Threshold Contribution Requirements.--
            ``(1) In general.--The requirements of this subsection are 
        met if the candidate and the candidate's authorized committees 
        have received allowable contributions during the applicable 
        period in an amount at least equal to 5 percent of the general 
        election expenditure limit.
            ``(2) Definitions.--In this section and subsection (b) of 
        section 504:
                    ``(A) Allowable contribution.--The term `allowable 
                contribution' means a contribution that is made as a 
                gift of money by an individual pursuant to a written 
                instrument identifying the individual as the 
                contributor.
                    ``(B) Applicable period.--The term `applicable 
                period' means--
                            ``(i) the period beginning on January 1 of 
                        the calendar year preceding the calendar year 
                        of a general election and ending on--
                                    ``(I) the date on which the 
                                certification under subsection (c) is 
                                filed by the candidate; or
                                    ``(II) for purposes of subsection 
                                (b) of section 504, the date of the 
                                general election; or
                            ``(ii) in the case of a special election 
                        for the office of United States Senator, the 
                        period beginning on the date on which the 
                        vacancy in the office occurs and ending on the 
                        date of the general election.

``SEC. 503. LIMIT ON EXPENDITURES.

    ``(a) Personal Funds Expenditure Limit.--
            ``(1) In general.--The aggregate amount of expenditures 
        that may be made during an election cycle by an eligible Senate 
        candidate or the candidate's authorized committees from the 
        sources described in paragraph (2) shall not exceed $25,000.
            ``(2) Sources.--A source is described in this paragraph if 
        it is--
                    ``(A) personal funds of the candidate or a member 
                of the candidate's immediate family; or
                    ``(B) proceeds of indebtedness incurred by the 
                candidate or a member of the candidate's immediate 
                family.
    ``(b) General Election Expenditure Limit.--
            ``(1) In general.--Except as otherwise provided in this 
        title, the aggregate amount of expenditures for a general 
        election by an eligible Senate candidate and the candidate's 
        authorized committees shall not exceed the lesser of--
                    ``(A) $5,500,000; or
                    ``(B) the greater of--
                            ``(i) $1,200,000; or
                            ``(ii) $400,000; plus
                                    ``(I) 30 cents multiplied by the 
                                voting age population not in excess of 
                                4,000,000; and
                                    ``(II) 25 cents multiplied by the 
                                voting age population in excess of 
                                4,000,000.
            ``(2) Exception.--In the case of an eligible Senate 
        candidate in a State that has not more than 1 transmitter for a 
        commercial Very High Frequency (VHF) television station 
        licensed to operate in that State, paragraph (1)(B)(ii) shall 
        be applied by substituting--
                    ``(A) `92 cents' for `30 cents' in subclause (I); 
                and
                    ``(B) `90 cents' for `25 cents' in subclause (II).
            ``(3) Indexing.--The amount otherwise determined under 
        paragraph (1) for any calendar year shall be increased by the 
        same percentage as the percentage increase for the calendar 
        year under section 502(d)(2).
    ``(c) Legal and Accounting Compliance Fund.--
            ``(1) In general.--The general election expenditure limit, 
        shall not apply to qualified legal or accounting expenditures 
        made by a candidate or the candidate's authorized committees or 
        a Federal officeholder from a legal and accounting compliance 
        fund meeting the requirements of paragraph (2).
            ``(2) Requirements.--A legal and accounting compliance fund 
        meets the requirements of this paragraph if--
                    ``(A) the fund is established with respect to 
                qualified legal or accounting expenditures incurred 
                with respect to a particular election;
                    ``(B) the only amounts transferred to the fund are 
                amounts received in accordance with the limitations, 
                prohibitions, and reporting requirements of this Act;
                    ``(C) the aggregate amounts transferred to, and 
                expenditures made from, the fund do not exceed the sum 
                of--
                            ``(i) the lesser of--
                                    ``(I) 15 percent of the general 
                                election expenditure limit for the 
                                election for which the fund was 
                                established; or
                                    ``(II) $300,000; plus
                            ``(ii) the amount determined under 
                        paragraph (4); and
                    ``(D) no funds received by the candidate under 
                section 504(a)(3) are transferred to the fund.
            ``(3) Definition of qualified legal or accounting 
        expenditure.--For purposes of this subsection, the term 
        `qualified legal or accounting expenditure' means--
                    ``(A) an expenditure for costs of legal or 
                accounting services provided in connection with--
                            ``(i) an administrative or court proceeding 
                        initiated under this Act for the election for 
                        which the legal and accounting fund was 
                        established; or
                            ``(ii) the preparation of a document or 
                        report required by this Act or by the 
                        Commission;
                    ``(B) an expenditure for legal or accounting 
                service provided in connection with the election cycle 
                for which the legal and accounting compliance fund was 
                established to ensure compliance with this Act with 
                respect to the election cycle.
            ``(4) Increase.--
                    ``(A) Petition.--If, after a general election, 
                primary election, or runoff election, a candidate 
                determines that qualified legal or accounting 
                expenditures will exceed the limit under paragraph 
                (2)(C)(i), the candidate may petition the Commission 
                for an increase in the limit by filing the petition 
                with the Secretary of the Senate.
                    ``(B) Determination.--The Commission shall 
                authorize an increase in the limit under paragraph 
                (2)(C)(i) in the amount (if any) by which the 
                Commission determines the qualified legal or accounting 
                expenditures exceed the limit.
                    ``(C) Judicial review.--A determination under 
                subparagraph (B) shall be subject to judicial review 
                under section 507.
                    ``(D) Contributions and expenditures not counted.--
                Except as provided in section 315, a contribution 
                received or expenditure made under this paragraph shall 
                not be counted against any contribution or expenditure 
                limit applicable to the candidate under this title.
            ``(5) Treatment.--Funds in a legal and accounting 
        compliance fund shall be treated for purposes of this Act as a 
        separate segregated fund, except that any portion of the fund 
        not used to pay qualified legal or accounting expenditures, and 
        not transferred to a legal and accounting compliance fund for 
        the election cycle for the next general election, shall be 
        treated in the same manner as other campaign funds for purposes 
        of section 313(b).
    ``(d) Payment of Taxes on Earnings.--The limitation under 
subsection (b) shall not apply to any expenditure for Federal, State, 
or local income taxes on the earnings of a candidate's authorized 
committees.
    ``(e) Certain Expenses.--In the case of an eligible Senate 
candidate who holds a Federal office, the limitation under subsection 
(b) shall not apply to ordinary and necessary expenses of travel of the 
candidate and the candidate's spouse and children between Washington, 
District of Columbia, and the candidate's State in connection with the 
candidate's activities as a holder of Federal office.

``SEC. 504. BENEFITS FOR ELIGIBLE SENATE CANDIDATES.

    ``(a) In General.--An eligible Senate candidate shall be entitled 
to--
            ``(1) the broadcast media rates provided under section 
        315(b) of the Communications Act of 1934; and
            ``(2) payments in an amount equal to--
                    ``(A) the excess expenditure amount determined 
                under subsection (b); and
                    ``(B) the independent expenditure amount determined 
                under subsection (c).
    ``(b) Excess Expenditure Amount.--
            ``(1) Determination.--The excess expenditure amount is--
                    ``(A) in the case of a major party candidate, an 
                amount equal to--
                            ``(i) if the opponent's excess is less than 
                        33\1/3\ percent of the general election 
                        expenditure limit, an amount equal to one-third 
                        of the general election expenditure limit;
                            ``(ii) if the opponent's excess equals or 
                        exceeds 33\1/3\ percent but is less than 66\2/
                        3\ percent of the general election expenditure 
                        limit, an amount equal to one-third of the 
                        general election expenditure limit; or
                            ``(iii) if the opponent's excess equals or 
                        exceeds 66\2/3\ percent of the general election 
                        expenditure limit, an amount equal to one-third 
                        of the general election expenditure limit; and
                    ``(B) in the case of an eligible Senate candidate 
                who is not a major party candidate, an amount equal to 
                the least of--
                            ``(i) the amount of allowable contributions 
                        accepted by the eligible Senate candidate 
                        during the applicable period in excess of the 
                        threshold contribution requirement under 
                        section 502(e);
                            ``(ii) 50 percent of the general election 
                        expenditure limit; or
                            ``(iii) the opponent's excess.
            ``(2) Definition of opponent's excess.--In this subsection, 
        the term `opponent's excess' means the amount by which an 
        opponent of an eligible Senate candidate in the general 
        election accepts contributions or makes (or obligates to make) 
        expenditures for the election in excess of the general election 
        expenditure limit.
    ``(c) Independent Expenditure Amount.--The independent expenditure 
amount is the total amount of independent expenditures made, or 
obligated to be made, during the general election period by 1 or more 
persons in opposition to, or on behalf of an opponent of, an eligible 
Senate candidate that are required to be reported by the persons under 
section 304(d) with respect to the general election period and are 
certified by the Commission under section 304(c).
    ``(d) Waiver of Expenditure and Contribution Limits.--
            ``(1) Recipients of excess expenditure amount payments and 
        independent expenditure amount payments.--
                    ``(A) In general.--An eligible Senate candidate who 
                receives payments under subsection (a)(2) may make 
                expenditures from the payments for the general election 
                without regard to the general election expenditure 
                limit.
                    ``(B) Nonmajor party candidates.--In the case of an 
                eligible Senate candidate who is not a major party 
                candidate, the general election expenditure limit shall 
                be increased by the amount (if any) by which the 
                opponent's excess expenditure amount exceeds the amount 
                determined under subsection (b)(2)(B) with respect to 
                the candidate.
            ``(2) All benefit recipients.--
                    ``(A) In general.--An eligible Senate candidate who 
                receives benefits under this section may make 
                expenditures for the general election without regard to 
                the personal funds expenditure limit or general 
                election expenditure limit if any 1 of the eligible 
                Senate candidate's opponents who is not an eligible 
                Senate candidate raises an amount of contributions or 
                makes or becomes obligated to make an amount of 
                expenditures for the general election that exceeds 200 
                percent of the general election expenditure limit.
                    ``(B) Limitation.--The amount of the expenditures 
                that may be made by reason of subparagraph (A) shall 
                not exceed 100 percent of the general election 
                expenditure limit.
            ``(3) Acceptance of contribution without regard to section 
        502(c)(1)(b)(iii).--
                    ``(A) A candidate who receives benefits under this 
                section may accept a contribution for the general 
                election without regard to section 502(c)(1)(B)(iii) 
                if--
                            ``(i) a major party candidate in the same 
                        general election is not an eligible Senate 
                        candidate; or
                            ``(ii) any other candidate in the same 
                        general election who is not an eligible Senate 
                        candidate raises an amount of contributions or 
                        makes or becomes obligated to make an amount of 
                        expenditures for the general election that 
                        exceeds 75 percent of the general election 
                        expenditure limit applicable to such other 
                        candidate.
                    ``(B) Limitation.--The amount of contributions that 
                may be received by reason of subparagraph (A) shall not 
                exceed 100 percent of the general election expenditure 
                limit.
    ``(e) Use of Payments.--
            ``(1) Permitted use.--Payments received by an eligible 
        Senate candidate under subsection (a)(2) shall be used to make 
        expenditures with respect to the general election period for 
        the candidate.
            ``(2) Prohibited use.--Payments received by an eligible 
        Senate candidate under subsection (a)(2) shall not be used--
                    ``(A) except as provided in subparagraph (D), to 
                make any payments, directly or indirectly, to the 
                candidate or to any member of the immediate family of 
                the candidate;
                    ``(B) to make any expenditure other than an 
                expenditure to further the general election of the 
                candidate;
                    ``(C) to make an expenditure the making of which 
                constitutes a violation of any law of the United States 
                or of the State in which the expenditure is made; or
                    ``(D) subject to section 315(i), to repay any loan 
                to any person except to the extent that proceeds of the 
                loan were used to further the general election of the 
                candidate.

``SEC. 505. CERTIFICATION BY THE COMMISSION.

    ``(a) Certification of Status as Eligible Senate Candidate.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Commission shall certify to any 
        candidate meeting the requirements of section 502 that the 
        candidate is an eligible Senate candidate entitled to benefits 
        under this title.
            ``(2) Revocation.--The Commission shall revoke a 
        certification under paragraph (1) if the Commission determines 
        that a candidate fails to continue to meet the requirements of 
        section 502.
    ``(b) Certification of Eligibility To Receive Benefits.--
            ``(1) In general.--Not later than 48 hours after an 
        eligible Senate candidate files a request with the Secretary of 
        the Senate to receive benefits under section 504, the 
        Commission shall issue a certification stating whether the 
        candidate is eligible for payments under this title and the 
        amount of such payments to which such candidate is entitled.
            ``(2) Contents of request.--A request under paragraph (1) 
        shall--
                    ``(A) contain such information and be made in 
                accordance with such procedures as the Commission may 
                provide by regulation; and
                    ``(B) contain a verification signed by the 
                candidate and the treasurer of the principal campaign 
                committee of the candidate stating that the information 
                furnished in support of the request, to the best of 
                their knowledge, is correct and fully satisfies the 
                requirements of this title.
    ``(c) Determinations by the Commission.--All determinations made by 
the Commission under this title (including certifications under 
subsections (a) and (b)) shall be final and conclusive, except to the 
extent that a determination is subject to examination and audit by the 
Commission under section 506 and judicial review under section 507.

``SEC. 506. EXAMINATIONS AND AUDITS; REPAYMENTS; CIVIL PENALTIES.

    ``(a) Examinations and Audits.--
            ``(1) After a general election.--After each general 
        election, the Commission shall conduct an examination and audit 
        of the campaign accounts of all candidates in 5 percent of the 
        elections to the Senate in which there was an eligible Senate 
        candidate on the ballot, as designated by the Commission 
        through the use of an appropriate statistical method of random 
        selection, to determine whether the candidates have complied 
        with the conditions of eligibility and other requirements of 
        this title.
            ``(2) After a special election.--After each special 
        election in which an eligible Senate candidate was on the 
        ballot, the Commission shall conduct an examination and audit 
        of the campaign accounts of all candidates in the election to 
        determine whether the candidates have complied with the 
        conditions of eligibility and other requirements of this title.
            ``(3) With reason to believe there may have been a 
        violation.--The Commission may conduct an examination and audit 
        of the campaign accounts of any eligible Senate candidate in a 
        general election if the Commission determines that there exists 
        reason to believe that the eligible Senate candidate failed to 
        comply with this title.
    ``(b) Excess Payment.--If the Commission determines any payment was 
made to an eligible Senate candidate under this title in excess of the 
aggregate amounts to which the eligible Senate candidate was entitled, 
the Commission shall notify the eligible Senate candidate, and the 
eligible Senate candidate shall pay an amount equal to the excess.
    ``(c) Revocation of Status.--If the Commission revokes the 
certification of an eligible Senate candidate as an eligible Senate 
candidate under section 505(a)(1), the Commission shall notify the 
eligible Senate candidate, and the eligible Senate candidate shall pay 
an amount equal to the payments received under this title.
    ``(d) Misuse of Benefit.--If the Commission determines that any 
amount of any benefit made available to an eligible Senate candidate 
under this title was not used as provided for in this title, the 
Commission shall notify the eligible Senate candidate, and the eligible 
Senate candidate shall pay the amount of that amount.
    ``(e) Excess Expenditures.--If the Commission determines that an 
eligible Senate candidate who received benefits under this title made 
expenditures that in the aggregate exceed the primary election 
expenditure, the runoff election expenditure limit, or the general 
election expenditure limit, the Commission shall notify the eligible 
Senate candidate, and the eligible Senate candidate shall pay an amount 
equal to the amount of the excess expenditures.
    ``(f) Civil Penalties.--
            ``(1) Misuse of benefit.--If the Commission determines that 
        an eligible Senate candidate has committed a violation 
        described in subsection (d), the Commission may assess a civil 
        penalty against the eligible Senate candidate in an amount not 
        greater than 200 percent of the amount of the benefit that was 
        misused.
            ``(2) Excess expenditures.--
                    ``(A) Low amount of excess expenditures.--If the 
                Commission determines that an eligible Senate candidate 
                made expenditures that exceeded by 2.5 percent or less 
                the primary election expenditure limit, the runoff 
                election expenditure limit, or the general election 
                expenditure limit, the Commission shall assess a civil 
                penalty against the eligible Senate candidate in an 
                amount equal to the amount of the excess expenditures.
                    ``(B) Medium amount of excess expenditures.--If the 
                Commission determines that an eligible Senate candidate 
                made expenditures that exceeded by more than 2.5 
                percent and less than 5 percent the primary election 
                expenditure limit, the runoff election expenditure 
                limit, or the general election expenditure limit, the 
                Commission shall assess a civil penalty against the 
                eligible Senate candidate in an amount equal to 3 times 
                the amount of the excess expenditures.
                    ``(C) Large amount of excess expenditures.--If the 
                Commission determines that an eligible Senate candidate 
                made expenditures that exceeded by 5 percent or more 
                the primary election expenditure limit, the runoff 
                election expenditure limit, or the general election 
                expenditure limit, the Commission shall assess a civil 
                penalty against the eligible Senate candidate in an 
                amount equal to the amount of the excess expenditures 
                an amount equal to the sum of--
                            ``(i) 3 times the amount of the excess 
                        expenditures plus an additional amount 
                        determined by the Commission; plus
                            ``(ii) if the Commission determines that 
                        the exceeding of the expenditure limit was 
                        willful, an amount equal to the amount of 
                        benefits that the eligible Senate candidate 
                        received under this title.
    ``(g) Unexpended Funds.--
            ``(1) Repayment.--Subject to paragraph (2), any amount 
        received by an eligible Senate candidate under this title and 
        not expended on or before the date of the general election 
        shall be repaid not later than 30 days after the date of the 
        general election.
            ``(2) Retention for purposes of liquidation of 
        obligations.--An eligible Senate candidate may retain for a 
        period not exceeding 120 days after the date of a general 
        election a reasonable portion of unexpended funds received 
        under this title for the liquidation of all obligations to pay 
        expenditures for the general election incurred during the 
        general election period. At the end of the 120-day period, any 
        unexpended funds received under this title shall be promptly 
        repaid.
    ``(h) Payments Returned to Source.--Any payment, repayment, or 
civil penalty under this section shall be paid to the entity that 
afforded benefits under this title to the eligible Senate candidate.
    ``(i) Limit on Period for Notification.--No notification shall be 
made by the Commission under this section with respect to an election 
more than 3 years after the date of the election.

``SEC. 507. JUDICIAL REVIEW.

    ``(a) Judicial Review.--Any agency action by the Commission under 
this title shall be subject to review by the United States Court of 
Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit upon petition filed in 
that court within 30 days after the date of the agency action.
    ``(b) Application of Title 5, United States Code.--Chapter 7 of 
title 5, United States Code, shall apply to judicial review of any 
agency action by the Commission under this title.
    ``(c) Agency Action.--For purposes of this section, the term 
`agency action' has the meaning given the term in section 551(13) of 
title 5, United States Code.

``SEC. 508. PARTICIPATION BY COMMISSION IN JUDICIAL PROCEEDINGS.

    ``(a) Appearances.--The Commission may appear in and defend against 
any action instituted under this section and under section 507 by 
attorneys employed in the office of the Commission or by counsel whom 
it may appoint without regard to the provisions of title 5, United 
States Code, governing appointments in the competitive service, and 
whose compensation it may fix without regard to chapter 51 and 
subchapter III of chapter 53 of that title.
    ``(b) Actions for Recovery of Amount of Benefits.--The Commission, 
by attorneys and counsel described in subsection (a), may bring an 
action in United States district court to recover any amounts 
determined under this title to be payable to any entity that afforded a 
benefit to an eligible Senate candidate under this title.
    ``(c) Action for Injunctive Relief.--The Commission, by attorneys 
and counsel described in subsection (a), may petition the courts of the 
United States for such injunctive relief as is appropriate in order to 
implement any provision of this title.
    ``(d) Appeals.--The Commission, on behalf of the United States, may 
appeal from, and may petition the Supreme Court for certiorari to 
review, any judgment or decree entered with respect to actions in which 
the Commission under this section.

``SEC. 509. REPORTS TO CONGRESS; REGULATIONS.

    ``(a) Reports.--
            ``(1) In general.--As soon as practicable after each 
        general election, the Commission shall submit a full report to 
        the Senate setting forth--
                    ``(A) the expenditures (shown in such detail as the 
                Commission determines to be appropriate) made by each 
                eligible Senate candidate and the authorized committees 
                of the candidate;
                    ``(B) the amounts certified by the Commission under 
                section 505 as benefits available to each eligible 
                Senate candidate; and
                    ``(C) the amount of repayments, if any, required 
                under section 506 and the reason why each repayment was 
                required.
            ``(2) Printing.--Each report under paragraph (1) shall be 
        printed as a Senate document.
    ``(b) Regulations.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Commission may issue such 
        regulations, conduct such examinations and investigations, and 
        require the keeping and submission of such books, records, and 
        information, as the Commission considers necessary to carry out 
        the functions and duties of the Commission under this title.
            ``(2) Statement to senate.--Not less than 30 days before 
        issuing a regulation under paragraph (1), the Commission shall 
        submit to the Senate a statement setting forth the proposed 
        regulation and containing a detailed explanation and 
        justification for the regulation.

``SEC. 510. CLOSED CAPTIONING IN TELEVISION BROADCASTS.

    ``Any television broadcast prepared or distributed by an eligible 
Senate candidate shall be prepared in a manner that contains, is 
accompanied by, or otherwise readily permits closed captioning of the 
oral content of the broadcast to be broadcast by way of line 21 of the 
vertical blanking interval or by way of a comparable successor 
technology.

``SEC. 511. LIMITATIONS ON PAYMENTS.

    ``(a) Payments on Certification.--On receipt of a certification 
from the Commission under section 505, except as provided in subsection 
(b), the Secretary shall, subject to the availability of 
appropriations, promptly pay the amount certified by the Commission to 
the candidate.
    ``(b) Insufficient Funds.--
            ``(1) Withholding.--If, at the time of a certification by 
        the Commission under section 505 for payment to an eligible 
        Senate candidate, the Secretary determines that there are not, 
        or may not be, sufficient funds to satisfy the full entitlement 
        of all eligible Senate candidates, the Secretary shall withhold 
        from the amount of the payment such amount as the Secretary 
        determines to be necessary to ensure that each eligible Senate 
        candidate will receive the same pro rata share of the 
        candidate's full entitlement.
            ``(2) Subsequent payment.--Amounts withheld under paragraph 
        (1) shall be paid when the Secretary determines that there are 
        sufficient funds to pay all or a portion of the funds withheld 
        from all eligible Senate candidates, but, if only a portion is 
        to be paid, the portion shall be paid in such a manner that 
        each eligible Senate candidate receives an equal pro rata 
        share.
            ``(3) Notification of estimated withholding.--
                    ``(A) Advance estimate of available funds and 
                projected costs.--Not later than December 31 of any 
                calendar year preceding a calendar year in which there 
                is a regularly scheduled general election, the 
                Secretary, after consultation with the Commission, 
                shall make an estimate of--
                            ``(i) the amount of funds that will be 
                        available to make payments under this title in 
                        the general election year; and
                            ``(ii) the costs of implementing this title 
                        in the general election year.
                    ``(B) Notification.--If the Secretary determines 
                under subparagraph (A) that there will be insufficient 
                funds for any calendar year, the Secretary shall notify 
                by registered mail each candidate for the Senate on 
                January 1 of that year (or, if later, the date on which 
                an individual becomes such a candidate) of the amount 
                that the Secretary estimates will be the pro rata 
                withholding from each eligible Senate candidate's 
                payments under this subsection.
                    ``(C) Increase in contribution limit.--The amount 
                of an eligible candidate's contribution limit under 
                section 502(c)(1)(B)(iii) shall be increased by the 
                amount of the estimated pro rata withholding under 
                subparagraph (B).
            ``(4) Notification of actual withholding.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The Secretary shall notify the 
                Commission and each eligible Senate candidate by 
                registered mail of any actual reduction in the amount 
                of any payment by reason of this subsection.
                    ``(B) Greater amount of withholding.--If the amount 
                of a withholding exceeds the amount estimated under 
                paragraph (3), an eligible Senate candidate's 
                contribution limit under section 502(c)(1)(B)(iii) 
                shall be increased by the amount of the excess.''.
    (b) Effective Dates.--
            (1) In general.--Except as provided in this subsection, the 
        amendment made by subsection (a) shall apply to elections 
        occurring after December 31, 1998.
            (2) Applicability to contributions and expenditures.--For 
        purposes of any expenditure or contribution limit imposed by 
        the amendment made by subsection (a)--
                    (A) no expenditure made before January 1, 1999, 
                shall be taken into account, except that there shall be 
                taken into account any such expenditure for goods or 
                services to be provided after that date; and
                    (B) all cash, cash items, and Government securities 
                on hand as of January 1, 1999, shall be taken into 
                account in determining whether the contribution limit 
                is met, except that there shall not be taken into 
                account amounts used during the 60-day period beginning 
                on January 1, 1999, to pay for expenditures that were 
                incurred (but unpaid) before that date.
    (c) Effect of Invalidity on Other Provisions of Title.--If section 
502, 503, or 504 of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (as added 
by subsection (a)) or any part of those sections is held to be invalid, 
this Act and all amendments made by this Act shall be treated as 
invalid.

SEC. 102. REPORTING REQUIREMENTS.

    Title III of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (2 U.S.C. 
431 et seq.) is amended by inserting after section 304 the following:

``SEC. 304A. REPORTING REQUIREMENTS FOR SENATE CANDIDATES.

    ``(a) Meanings of Terms.--Any term used in this section that is 
used in title V shall have the same meaning as when used in title V.
    ``(b) Candidate Other Than Eligible Senate Candidate.--
            ``(1) Declaration of intent.--A candidate for the office of 
        Senator who does not file a certification with the Secretary of 
        the Senate under section 502(c) shall, at the time provided in 
        section 501(c)(2), file with the Secretary of the Senate a 
        declaration as to whether the candidate intends to make 
        expenditures for the general election in excess of the general 
        election expenditure limit.
            ``(2) Reports.--
                    ``(A) Initial report.--A candidate for the Senate 
                who qualifies for the ballot for a general election--
                            ``(i) who is not an eligible Senate 
                        candidate under section 502; and
                            ``(ii) who receives contributions in an 
                        aggregate amount or makes or obligates to make 
                        expenditures in an aggregate amount for the 
                        general election that exceeds 75 percent of the 
                        general election expenditure limit;
                shall file a report with the Secretary of the Senate 
                within 2 business days after aggregate contributions 
                have been received or aggregate expenditures have been 
                made or obligated to be made in that amount (or, if 
                later, within 2 business days after the date of 
                qualification for the general election ballot), setting 
                forth the candidate's aggregate amount of contributions 
                received and aggregate amount of expenditures made or 
                obligated to be made for the election as of the date of 
                the report.
                    ``(B) Additional reports.--After an initial report 
                is filed under subparagraph (A), the candidate shall 
                file additional reports (until the amount of such 
                contributions or expenditures exceeds 200 percent of 
                the general election expenditure limit) with the 
                Secretary of the Senate within 2 business days after 
                each time additional contributions are received, or 
                expenditures are made or are obligated to be made, that 
                in the aggregate exceed an amount equal to 10 percent 
                of the general election expenditure limit and after the 
                aggregate amount of contributions or expenditures 
                exceeds 100, 133\1/3\, 166\2/3\, and 200 percent of the 
                general election expenditure limit.
            ``(3) Notification of other candidates.--The Commission--
                    ``(A) shall, within 2 business days after receipt 
                of a declaration or report under paragraph (1) or (2), 
                notify each eligible Senate candidate of the filing of 
                the declaration or report; and
                    ``(B) if an opposing candidate has received 
                aggregate contributions, or made or obligated to make 
                aggregate expenditures, in excess of the general 
                election expenditure limit, shall certify, under 
                subsection (e), the eligibility for payment of any 
                amount to which an eligible Senate candidate in the 
                general election is entitled under section 504(a).
            ``(4) Action by the commission absent report.--
                    ``(A) In general.--Notwithstanding the reporting 
                requirements under this subsection, the Commission may 
make its own determination that a candidate in a general election who 
is not an eligible Senate candidate has raised aggregate contributions, 
or made or has obligated to make aggregate expenditures, in the amounts 
that would require a report under paragraph (2).
                    ``(B) Notification of eligible senate candidates.--
                The Commission shall--
                            ``(i) within 2 business days after making a 
                        determination under subparagraph (A), notify 
                        each eligible Senate candidate in the general 
                        election of the making of the determination; 
                        and
                            ``(ii) when the aggregate amount of 
                        contributions or expenditures exceeds the 
                        general election expenditure limit, certify 
                        under subsection (e) an eligible Senate 
                        candidate's eligibility for payment of any 
                        amount under section 504(a).
    ``(c) Reports on Personal Funds.--
            ``(1) Filing.--A candidate for the Senate who, during an 
        election cycle, expends more than the personal funds 
        expenditure limit during the election cycle shall file a report 
        with the Secretary of the Senate within 2 business days after 
        expenditures have been made or loans incurred in excess of the 
        personal funds expenditure limit.
            ``(2) Notification of eligible senate candidates.--Within 2 
        business days after a report has been filed under paragraph 
        (1), the Commission shall notify each eligible Senate candidate 
        in the general election of the filing of the report.
            ``(3) Action by the commission absent report.--
                    ``(A) In general.--Notwithstanding the reporting 
                requirements under this subsection, the Commission may 
                make its own determination that a candidate for the 
                Senate has made expenditures in excess of the amount 
                under paragraph (1).
                    ``(B) Notification of eligible senate candidates.--
                Within 2 business days after making a determination 
                under subparagraph (A), the Commission shall notify 
                each eligible Senate candidate in the general election 
                of the making of the determination.
    ``(d) Candidates for Other Offices.--
            ``(1) Filing.--Each individual--
                    ``(A) who becomes a candidate for the office of 
                United States Senator;
                    ``(B) who, during the election cycle for that 
                office, held any other Federal, State, or local office 
                or was a candidate for any such office; and
                    ``(C) who expended any amount during the election 
                cycle before becoming a candidate for the office of 
                United States Senator that would have been treated as 
                an expenditure if the individual had been such a 
                candidate (including amounts for activities to promote 
                the image or name recognition of the individual);
        shall, within 7 days after becoming a candidate for the office 
        of United States Senator, report to the Secretary of the Senate 
        the amount and nature of such expenditures.
            ``(2) Applicability.--Paragraph (1) shall not apply to any 
        expenditures in connection with a Federal, State, or local 
        election that has been held before the individual becomes a 
        candidate for the office of United States Senator.
            ``(3) Determination.--The Commission shall, as soon as 
        practicable, make a determination as to whether any amounts 
        reported under paragraph (1) were made for purposes of 
        influencing the election of the individual to the office of 
        Senator.
            ``(4) Certification.--The Commission shall certify to the 
        individual and the individual's opponents the amounts the 
        Commission determines to be described in paragraph (3), and 
        such amounts shall be treated as expenditures for purposes of 
        this Act.
    ``(e) Basis of Certifications.--Notwithstanding section 505(a), the 
certification required by this section shall be made by the Commission 
on the basis of reports filed in accordance with this Act or on the 
basis of the Commission's own investigation or determination.
    ``(f) Shorter Periods for Reports and Notices During Election 
Week.--Any report, determination, or notice required by reason of an 
event occurring during the 7-day period ending on the date of the 
general election shall be made within 24 hours (rather than 2 business 
days) of the event.
    ``(g) Copies of Reports and Public Inspection.--The Secretary of 
the Senate shall--
            ``(1) transmit a copy of any report or filing received 
        under this section or under title V as soon as possible (but 
        not later than 4 working hours of the Commission) after receipt 
        of the report or filing;
            ``(2) make the report or filing available for public 
        inspection and copying in the same manner as the Commission 
        under section 311(a)(4); and
            ``(3) preserve the reports and filings in the same manner 
        as the Commission under section 311(a)(5).''.

SEC. 103. DISCLOSURE BY CANDIDATES OTHER THAN ELIGIBLE SENATE 
              CANDIDATES.

    Section 318 of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (2 U.S.C. 
441d) (as amended by section 113) is amended by adding at the end the 
following:
    ``(e) Disclosure by Candidates Other Than Eligible Senate 
Candidates.--A broadcast, cablecast, or other communication that is 
paid for or authorized by a candidate in the general election for the 
office of United States Senator who is not an eligible Senate 
candidate, or the authorized committee of such a candidate, shall 
contain the following sentence: `This candidate has not agreed to 
voluntary campaign spending limits.'.''.

SEC. 104. EXCESS CAMPAIGN FUNDS OF SENATE CANDIDATES.

    Section 313 of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (2 U.S.C. 
439a) is amended--
            (1) by inserting ``(a) In General.--'' before ``Amounts'' 
        and adjusting the margin appropriately; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following:
    ``(b) Disposition of Excess Campaign Funds.--
            ``(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), and 
        notwithstanding subsection (a), a candidate for the Senate who 
        has amounts in excess of amounts necessary to defray 
        expenditures for an election cycle, including any fines or 
        penalties relating thereto, shall, not later than 1 year after 
        the date of the general election for the election cycle--
                    ``(A) expend the excess in the manner described in 
                subsection (a); or
                    ``(B) pay the excess to the general fund of the 
                Treasury of the United States.
            ``(2)  Applicability.--Paragraph (1) shall not apply to any 
        amount--
                    ``(A) that is transferred to a legal and accounting 
                compliance fund under section 503(c); or
                    ``(B) that is transferred for use in the next 
                election cycle, to the extent that the amount 
                transferred does not exceed 20 percent of the sum of 
                the primary election expenditure limit under section 
                501(d)(1)(A) and the general election expenditure limit 
                for the election cycle from which the amounts are 
                transferred.''.

SEC. 105. CONTRIBUTION LIMIT FOR ELIGIBLE SENATE CANDIDATES.

    Section 315(a)(1) of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (2 
U.S.C. 441a(a)(1)) is amended--
            (1) in subparagraph (A), by inserting ``except as provided 
        in subparagraph (B),'' before ``to'';
            (2) by redesignating subparagraphs (B) and (C) as 
        subparagraphs (C) and (D), respectively; and
            (3) by inserting after subparagraph (A) the following:
            ``(B) to an eligible Senate candidate (as defined in 
        section 501) and the authorized political committees of the 
        candidate which, in the aggregate, exceed $2,000, if an 
        opponent of the eligible Senate candidate fails to comply with 
        the expenditure limits contained in this Act and has received 
        contributions in excess of 10 percent of the general election 
        limits contained in this Act or has expended personal funds in 
        excess of 10 percent of the general election limits contained 
        in this Act;''.

                     Subtitle B--General Provisions

SEC. 111. BROADCAST RATES AND PREEMPTION.

    (a) Broadcast Rates.--Section 315(b) of the Communications Act of 
1934 (47 U.S.C. 315(b)) is amended--
            (1) by striking ``(b) The charges'' and inserting the 
        following:
    ``(b) Broadcast Media Rates.--
            ``(1) In general.--The charges'';
            (2) by redesignating paragraphs (1) and (2) as 
        subparagraphs (A) and (B), respectively, and adjusting the 
        margins accordingly;
            (3) in paragraph (1)(A) (as redesignated by paragraph 
        (2))--
                    (A) by striking ``forty-five'' and inserting 
                ``30''; and
                    (B) by striking ``lowest unit charge of the station 
                for the same class and amount of time for the same 
                period'' and inserting ``lowest charge of the station 
                for the same amount of time for the same period on the 
                same date''; and
            (4) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(2) Eligible senate candidates.--
                    ``(A) In general.--In the case of an eligible 
                Senate candidate (as described in section 501 of the 
                Federal Election Campaign Act), the charges for the use 
                of a television broadcasting station during the 30-day 
                period and 60-day period referred to in paragraph 
                (1)(A) shall not exceed 50 percent of the lowest charge 
                described in paragraph (1)(A).
                    ``(B) Applicability.--Subparagraph (A) shall not 
                apply to broadcasts that are to be paid from amounts 
                received under section 504(a)(2)(B) of the Federal 
                Election Campaign Act of 1971.''.
    (b) Preemption; Access.--Section 315 of the Communications Act of 
1947 (47 U.S.C. 315) is amended--
            (1) by redesignating subsections (c) and (d) as subsections 
        (d) and (e), respectively; and
            (2) by inserting after subsection (b) the following:
    ``(c) Preemption.--
            ``(1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), a 
        licensee shall not preempt the use, during any period specified 
        in subsection (b)(1), of a broadcasting station by a legally 
        qualified candidate for public office who has purchased and 
        paid for such use pursuant to subsection (b)(1).
            ``(2) Circumstances beyond control of licensee.--If a 
        program to be broadcast by a broadcasting station is preempted 
        because of circumstances beyond the control of the broadcasting 
        station, any candidate advertising spot scheduled to be 
        broadcast during that program may also be preempted.''.
    (c) Revocation of License for Failure To Permit Access.--Section 
312(a)(7) of the Communications Act of 1947 (47 U.S.C. 312(a)(7)) is 
amended--
            (1) by striking ``or repeated'';
            (2) by inserting ``or cable system'' after ``broadcasting 
        station''; and
            (3) by striking ``his candidacy'' and inserting ``his or 
        her candidacy, under the same terms, conditions, and business 
        practices as apply to the broadcasting station's most favored 
        advertiser''.

SEC. 112. REPORTING REQUIREMENTS FOR CERTAIN INDEPENDENT EXPENDITURES.

    (a) In General.--Section 304 of the Federal Election Campaign Act 
of 1971 (2 U.S.C. 434) (as amended by section 608) is amended by adding 
at the end the following:
    ``(e) Time for Reporting Certain Expenditures.--
            ``(1) Expenditures aggregating $1,000.--A person that makes 
        independent expenditures aggregating $1,000 or more after the 
        20th day, but more than 24 hours, before an election shall file 
        a report describing the expenditures within 24 hours after that 
        amount of independent expenditures has been made.
            ``(2) Expenditures aggregating $10,000.--
                    ``(A) Initial report.--A person that makes 
                independent expenditures aggregating $10,000 or more at 
                any time up to and including the 20th day before an 
                election shall file a report describing the 
                expenditures within 48 hours that amount of independent 
                expenditures has been made.
                    ``(B) Additional reports.--After a person files a 
                report under subparagraph (A), the person filing the 
                report shall file an additional report each time that 
                independent expenditures aggregating an additional 
                $10,000 are made with respect to the same election as 
                that to which the initial report relates.
            ``(3) Place of filing; contents; transmittal.--
                    ``(A) Place of filing; contents.--A report under 
                this subsection--
                            ``(i) shall be filed with the Secretary of 
                        the Senate or the Commission, and the Secretary 
                        of State of the candidate's State; and
                            ``(ii) shall contain the information 
                        required by subsection (b)(6)(B)(iii), 
                        including whether each independent expenditure 
                        was made in support of, or in opposition to, a 
                        candidate.
                    ``(B) Transmittal.--
                            ``(i) To the commission.--As soon as 
                        possible (but not later than 4 working hours of 
                        the Commission) after receipt of a report under 
                        this subsection, the Secretary of the Senate 
                        shall transmit the report to the Commission.
                            ``(ii) To candidates.--Not later than 48 
                        hours after receipt of a report under this 
                        subsection, the Commission shall transmit a 
                        copy of the report to each candidate seeking 
                        nomination for election to, or election to, the 
                        office in question.
            ``(4) Obligation to make expenditure.--For purposes of this 
        subsection, an expenditure shall be treated as being made when 
        it is made or obligated to be made.
            ``(5) Advance notice of intention to make independent 
        expenditures.--
                    ``(A) In general.--A person that intends to make 
                independent expenditures totaling $5,000 or more during 
                the 20 days before an election shall file a notice of 
                that intention not later than the 20th day before the 
                election.
                    ``(B) Place of filing; contents; transmittal.--
                            ``(i) Place of filing; contents.--A 
                        statement under subparagraph (A)--
                                    ``(I) shall be filed with the 
                                Secretary of the Senate or the 
                                Commission, and the Secretary of State 
                                of the candidate's State; and
                                    ``(II) shall identify each 
                                candidate whom the expenditure will 
                                support or oppose.
                            ``(ii) Transmittal.--
                                    ``(I) To the commission.--As soon 
                                as possible (but not later than 
4 working hours of the Commission) after receipt of a notice of 
intention under this paragraph, the Commission shall transmit the 
notice to the Commission.
                                    ``(II) To candidates.--Not later 
                                than 48 hours after the receipt of a 
                                notice of intention under this 
                                paragraph, the Commission shall 
                                transmit a copy of the notice to each 
                                candidate identified in the notice.
            ``(6) Determinations by the commission.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The Commission may make its own 
                determination that a person has made independent 
                expenditures with respect to any Federal election that 
                in the aggregate exceed the applicable amounts under 
                paragraph (1) or (2).
                    ``(B) Notification.--The Commission shall notify 
                each candidate in the election of the making of the 
                determination within 24 hours after making the 
                determination.
            ``(7) Certification of eligibility to receive benefits.--At 
        the same time as a candidate is notified under paragraph (3), 
        (5), or (6) with respect to expenditures during a general 
        election period, the Commission shall certify eligibility to 
        receive benefits under section 504(a).
            ``(8) Public availability; preservation.--The Secretary of 
        the Senate shall make any report or notice of intention 
        received under this subsection available for public inspection 
        and copying in the same manner as under section 311(a)(4), and 
        shall preserve the reports and notices in the same manner as 
        under section 311(a)(5).''.
    (b) Conforming Amendment.--Section 304(c)(2) of the Federal 
Election Campaign Act of 1971 (2 U.S.C. 434(c)(2)) is amended by 
striking the undesignated matter after subparagraph (C).

SEC. 113. CAMPAIGN ADVERTISING AMENDMENTS.

    Section 318 of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (2 U.S.C. 
441d) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a)--
                    (A) by striking ``Whenever'' and inserting the 
                following:
    ``(a) Disclosure.--When a political committee makes a disbursement 
for the purpose of financing any communication through any broadcasting 
station, newspaper, magazine, outdoor advertising facility, mailing, or 
any other type of general public political advertising, or when'';
                    (B) by striking ``an expenditure'' and inserting 
                ``a disbursement'';
                    (C) by striking ``direct''; and
                    (D) in paragraph (3), by inserting ``and permanent 
                street address'' after ``name'';
            (2) in subsection (b), by inserting ``Same Charge as Charge 
        for Comparable Use.--'' before ``No''; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following:
    ``(c) Requirements for Printed Communications.--A printed 
communication described in subsection (a) shall be--
            ``(1) of sufficient type size to be clearly readable by the 
        recipient of the communication;
            ``(2) contained in a printed box set apart from the other 
        contents of the communication; and
            ``(3) consist of a reasonable degree of color contrast 
        between the background and the printed statement.
    ``(d) Requirements for Broadcast and Cablecast Communications.--
            ``(1) Paid for or authorized by the candidate.--
                    ``(A) In general.--A broadcast or cablecast 
                communication described in paragraph (1) or (2) of 
                subsection (a) shall include, in addition to the 
                requirements of those paragraphs, an audio statement by 
                the candidate that identifies the candidate and states 
                that the candidate has approved the communication.
                    ``(B) Televised communications.--A broadcast or 
                cablecast communication described in paragraph (1) that 
                is broadcast or cablecast by means of television shall 
                include, in addition to the audio statement under 
                subparagraph (A), a written statement--
                            ``(i) that states: `I [name of candidate] 
                        am a candidate for [the office the candidate is 
                        seeking], and I have approved this message';
                            ``(ii) that appears at the end of the 
                        communication in a clearly readable manner with 
                        a reasonable degree of color contrast between 
                        the background and the printed statement, for a 
                        period of at least 4 seconds; and
                            ``(iii) that is accompanied by a clearly 
                        identifiable photographic or similar image of 
                        the candidate.
            ``(2) Not paid for or authorized by the candidate.--A 
        broadcast or cablecast communication described in subsection 
        (a)(3) shall include, in addition to the requirements of that 
        paragraph, in a clearly spoken manner, the statement--
            `____________________ is responsible for the content of 
        this advertisement.';
with the blank to be filled in with the name of the political committee 
or other person paying for the communication and the name of any 
connected organization of the payor; and, if the communication is 
broadcast or cablecast by means of television, the statement shall also 
appear in a clearly readable manner with a reasonable degree of color 
contrast between the background and the printed statement, for a period 
of at least 4 seconds.''.

SEC. 114. DEFINITIONS.

    (a) In General.--Section 301 of the Federal Election Campaign Act 
of 1971 (2 U.S.C. 431) is amended by striking paragraph (19) and 
inserting the following:
            ``(19) The term `general election'--
                    ``(A) means an election that will directly result 
                in the election of a person to a Federal office; and
                    ``(B) includes a primary election that may result 
                in the election of a person to a Federal office.
            ``(20) The term `general election period' means, with 
        respect to a candidate, the period beginning on the day after 
        the date of the primary or runoff election for the specific 
        office that the candidate is seeking, whichever is later, and 
        ending on the earlier of--
                    ``(A) the date of the general election; or
                    ``(B) the date on which the candidate withdraws 
                from the campaign or otherwise ceases actively to seek 
                election.
            ``(21) The term `immediate family' means--
                    ``(A) a candidate's spouse;
                    ``(B) a child, stepchild, parent, grandparent, 
                brother, half-brother, sister, or half-sister of the 
                candidate or the candidate's spouse; and
                    ``(C) the spouse of any person described in 
                subparagraph (B).
            ``(22) The term `major party' has the meaning given the 
        term in section 9002(6) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, 
        except that if a candidate qualified for the ballot in a 
        general election in an open primary in which all the candidates 
        for the office participated and which resulted in the candidate 
        and at least 1 other candidate's qualifying for the ballot in 
        the general election, the candidate shall be treated as a 
        candidate of a major party for purposes of title V.
            ``(23) The term `primary election' means an election that 
        may result in the selection of a candidate for the ballot in a 
        general election for a Federal office.
            ``(24) The term `primary election period' means, with 
        respect to a candidate, the period beginning on the day 
        following the date of the last election for the specific office 
        that the candidate is seeking and ending on the earlier of--
                    ``(A) the date of the first primary election for 
                that office following the last general election for 
                that office; or
                    ``(B) the date on which the candidate withdraws 
                from the election or otherwise ceases actively to seek 
                election.
            ``(25) The term `runoff election' means an election held 
        after a primary election that is prescribed by applicable State 
        law as the means for deciding which candidate will be on the 
        ballot in the general election for a Federal office.
            ``(26) The term `runoff election period' means, with 
        respect to any candidate, the period beginning on the day 
        following the date of the last primary election for the 
        specific office that the candidate is seeking and ending on the 
        date of the runoff election for that office.
            ``(27) The term `voting age population' means the number of 
        residents of a State who are 18 years of age or older, as 
        certified under section 315(e).
            ``(28) The term `election cycle' means--
                    ``(A) in the case of a candidate or the authorized 
                committees of a candidate, the period beginning on the 
                day after the date of the most recent general election 
                for the specific office or seat that the candidate is 
                seeking and ending on the date of the next general 
                election for that office or seat; and
                    ``(B) in the case of all other persons, the period 
                beginning on the first day following the date of the 
last general election and ending on the date of the next general 
election.''.
    (b) Identification.--Section 301(13) of the Federal Election 
Campaign Act of 1971 (2 U.S.C. 431(13)) is amended by striking 
``mailing address'' and inserting ``permanent residence address''.

SEC. 115. PROVISIONS RELATING TO FRANKED MASS MAILINGS.

    Section 3210(a)(6)(C) of title 39, United States Code, is amended--
            (1) by striking ``if the mass mailing is postmarked fewer 
        than 60 days immediately before the date'' and inserting ``if 
        the mass mailing is postmarked during the calendar year''; and
            (2) by inserting ``or reelection'' before the period.

                   TITLE II--INDEPENDENT EXPENDITURES

SEC. 201. DEFINITION OF INDEPENDENT EXPENDITURE.

    Section 301 of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (2 U.S.C. 
431) is amended by striking paragraph (17) and inserting the following:
            ``(17) Independent Expenditure.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The term ``independent 
                expenditure'' means an expenditure by a person other 
                than a candidate or candidate's authorized committee--
                            ``(i) that is made for a communication that 
                        contains express advocacy; and
                            ``(ii) is made without the participation or 
                        cooperation of and without coordination with a 
                        candidate.
                    ``(B) Express advocacy.--The term `express 
                advocacy' means a communication advocating the election 
                or defeat of a clearly identified candidate and 
                includes any communication that--
                            ``(i)(I) contains a phrase such as `vote 
                        for', `re-elect', `support', `cast your ballot 
                        for', `(name of candidate) for Congress', 
                        `(name of candidate) in (year)', `vote 
                        against', `defeat', `reject';
                            ``(II) recommends a position on an issue 
                        and clearly identifies 1 or more candidates as 
                        supporting or opposing that position; or
                            ``(III) contains campaign slogans or 
                        individual words that in context can have no 
                        reasonable meaning other than to recommend the 
                        election or defeat of 1 or more clearly 
                        identified candidates;
                            ``(ii) clearly identifies 1 or more 
                        candidates and is broadcast by a radio 
                        broadcast station or a television broadcast 
                        station (including a cable system) within 60 
                        calendar days preceding the date of an election 
                        (or with respect to a candidate for the office 
                        of Vice President or President in a general 
                        election, within 90 calendar days preceding the 
                        date of the general election); or
                            ``(iii) taken as a whole and with limited 
                        reference to external events, such as proximity 
                        to an election, expresses unmistakable support 
                        for or opposition to 1 or more clearly 
                        identified candidates.
                    ``(C) Without the participation or cooperation of 
                and without coordination with a candidate.--The term 
                `without the participation or cooperation of and 
                without coordination with a candidate', with respect to 
                an expenditure, means an expenditure that is made--
                            ``(i) without any request or suggestion 
                        from or any involvement of a candidate or 
                        candidate's representative;
                            ``(ii) without the involvement of any 
                        person who, during the election cycle in which 
                        the expenditure is made, has raised funds on 
                        behalf of the candidate, counseled or advised 
                        the candidate or the candidate's representative 
                        regarding the election (other than to provide 
                        legal and accounting services to ensure 
                        compliance with this Act), engaged in campaign-
related research or polling analysis with respect to the election, or 
communicated with or received information from the candidate or the 
candidate's representative about the candidate's plans, resources, 
expenditures, or needs regarding the election; and
                            ``(iii) without the involvement of any 
                        person who received compensation, during the 
                        election cycle in which the expenditure is 
                        made, from the candidate or candidate's 
                        representative and from the person making the 
                        independent expenditure.''.

SEC. 202. INDEPENDENT VERSUS COORDINATED EXPENDITURES BY POLITICAL 
              PARTY COMMITTEES.

    (a) Definition of Coordinated Expenditure.--Section 301 of the 
Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (2 U.S.C. 431) (as amended by 
section 114) is amended by adding at the end the following:
            ``(29) Coordinated Expenditure.--The term `coordinated 
        expenditure' means an expenditure that is made by a person 
        other than the candidate and that is not an independent 
        expenditure.''.
    (b) Independent Versus Coordinated Expenditures by Political Party 
Committees.--Section 315(d) of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 
1971 (2 U.S.C. 441a(d)) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (1) by striking ``and (3)'' and inserting 
        ``, (3) and (4)''; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following:
                    ``(4) Prohibition against making both coordinated 
                expenditures and independent expenditures.--
                            ``(A) In general.--A committee of a 
                        political party shall not make both a 
                        coordinated expenditure and an independent 
                        expenditure with respect to the same candidate 
                        during a single election cycle.
                            ``(B) Certification.--Before making a 
                        coordinated expenditure or an independent 
                        expenditure with respect to a candidate, a 
                        committee of a political party that is subject 
                        to this subsection shall file with the 
                        Commission a certification, signed by the 
                        treasurer, stating whether the committee will 
                        make coordinated expenditures or independent 
                        expenditures with respect to the candidate.
                            ``(C) Transfers.--A party committee that 
                        certifies under this paragraph that the 
                        committee will make coordinated expenditures 
                        with respect to a candidate shall not, in the 
                        same election cycle, make a transfer of funds 
                        to, or receive a transfer of funds from, any 
                        other party committee that has certified under 
                        this paragraph that it will make independent 
                        expenditures with respect to the candidate.''.

SEC. 203. TREATMENT OF QUALIFIED NONPROFIT CORPORATIONS.

    Section 316 of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (2 U.S.C. 
441b) is amended by adding at the end the following:
    ``(c) Exception for Certain Tax-Exempt Corporations.--
            ``(1) In general.--Notwithstanding the prohibitions of this 
        section, a qualified nonprofit corporation may make an 
        independent expenditure.
            ``(2) Definition of qualified nonprofit corporation.--In 
        this Act, the term `qualified nonprofit corporation' means a 
        corporation that meets the following requirements:
                    ``(A) Tax-exempt status.--The corporation is exempt 
                from taxation under section 501(a) of the Internal 
                Revenue Code of 1986 and is described in section 
                501(c)(4) of such Code.
                    ``(B) Purposes.--The corporation is organized 
                exclusively to promote specific political ideas.
                    ``(C) No trade or business.--The corporation does 
                not engage in any activity that constitutes a trade or 
                business.
                    ``(D) Establishment.--The corporation was not 
                established by--
                            ``(i) a corporation that is carrying on a 
                        trade or business;
                            ``(ii) a labor organization; or
                            ``(iii) a business league or other 
                        organization described in section 501(c)(6) of 
                        the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
                    ``(E) Contributions.--The corporation does not 
                accept, directly or indirectly, donations of anything 
                of value from any corporation, labor organization or 
                organization described in subparagraph (D)(iii), and 
                does not serve, directly or indirectly, as a conduit 
                for expenditures by such entities.
                    ``(F) Claims and incentives.--The corporation--
                            ``(i) has no shareholder or other person, 
                        other than an employee or creditor without an 
                        ownership interest, whose affiliation could 
                        allow a claim on the assets or earnings of such 
                        corporation; and
                            ``(ii) offers no incentives or 
                        disincentives for persons to associate or not 
                        to associate with the corporation other than 
                        the positions of the corporation on political 
                        issues.
            ``(3) Status as political committee.--If a qualified 
        nonprofit corporation meets the qualifications of section 
        301(4), the corporation shall be treated as a political 
        committee.
            ``(4) Disclosure to donors.--All solicitations of donations 
        by the qualified nonprofit corporation shall inform potential 
        donors that donations may be used by the corporation for 
        political purposes, such as supporting or opposing candidates 
        for public office.''.

SEC. 204. EQUAL BROADCAST TIME.

    Section 315 of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 315) is 
amended by striking subsection (a) and inserting the following:
    ``(a) Equal Opportunity To Use Broadcasting Station.--
            ``(1) In general.--A licensee that permits any person who 
        is a legally qualified candidate for public office to use a 
        broadcasting station (other than any use required to be 
        provided under paragraph (2)) shall afford equal opportunities 
        to all other such candidates for that office in the use of the 
        broadcasting station.
            ``(2) Independent expenditures.--
                    ``(A) Information to be provided to licensee by 
                person reserving broadcast time.--A person that 
                reserves broadcast time the payment for which would 
constitute an independent expenditure (as defined in section 301 of the 
Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (2 U.S.C. 431)) shall--
                            ``(i) inform the licensee that payment for 
                        the broadcast time will constitute an 
                        independent expenditure;
                            ``(ii) inform the licensee of the names of 
                        all candidates for the office to which the 
                        proposed broadcast relates and state whether 
                        the message to be broadcast is intended to be 
                        made in support of or in opposition to each 
                        such candidate; and
                            ``(iii) provide the licensee a copy of the 
                        statement described in section 304(d) of the 
                        Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (2 U.S.C. 
                        434(d)).
                    ``(B) Response by licensee.--A licensee that is 
                informed as described in subparagraph (A) shall--
                            ``(i) if any of the candidates described in 
                        subparagraph (A)(ii) has provided the licensee 
                        the name and address of a person to whom 
                        notification under this subparagraph is to be 
                        given--
                                    ``(I) notify the person of the 
                                proposed making of the independent 
                                expenditure; and
                                    ``(II) allow any such candidate 
                                (other than a candidate for whose 
                                benefit the independent expenditure is 
                                made) to purchase the same amount of 
                                broadcast time immediately after the 
                                broadcast time paid for by the 
                                independent expenditure; and
                            ``(ii) in the case of an opponent of a 
                        candidate for whose benefit the independent 
                        expenditure is made who certifies to the 
                        licensee that the opponent is eligible to have 
                        the cost of response broadcast time paid using 
                        funds derived from a payment made under section 
                        504(a)(2)(B) of the Federal Election Campaign 
                        Act of 1971, afford the opponent such broadcast 
                        time without requiring payment in advance and 
                        at the cost specified in subsection (b).
            ``(3) No censorship.--A licensee shall have no power of 
        censorship over the material broadcast under this section.
            ``(4) No obligation.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), 
        no obligation is imposed under this subsection on any licensee 
        to allow the use of its station by any candidate.
            ``(5) Certain appearances not considered use of 
        broadcasting station.--
                    ``(A) In general.--An appearance by a legally 
                qualified candidate on a--
                            ``(i) bona fide newscast;
                            ``(ii) bona fide news interview;
                            ``(iii) bona fide news documentary (if the 
                        appearance of the candidate is incidental to 
                        the presentation of the subject or subjects 
                        covered by the news documentary); or
                            ``(iv) on-the-spot coverage of bona fide 
                        news events (including political conventions 
                        and activities incidental thereto);
                shall not be considered to be use of a broadcasting 
                station within the meaning of this subsection.
                    ``(B) No relief from other obligations.--Nothing in 
                subparagraph (A) shall relieve a licensee, in 
                connection with the presentation of newscasts, news 
                interviews, news documentaries, and on-the-spot 
                coverage of news events, from the obligation under this 
                Act to operate in the public interest and to afford 
                reasonable opportunity for the discussion of 
                conflicting views on issues of public importance.
            ``(6) Endorsement of candidate by licensee.--
                    ``(A) In general.--A licensee that endorses a 
                candidate for Federal office in an editorial shall, 
                within the time stated in subparagraph (B), provide to 
                all other candidates for election to the same office--
                            ``(i) notice of the date and time of 
                        broadcast of the editorial;
                            ``(ii) a taped or printed copy of the 
                        editorial; and
                            ``(iii) a reasonable opportunity to 
                        broadcast a response using the licensee's 
                        facilities.
                    ``(B) Time for response.--
                            ``(i) 72 hours or more before election.--In 
                        the case of an editorial described in 
                        subparagraph (A) that is first broadcast 72 
                        hours or more before the date of a primary, 
                        runoff, or general election, the notice and 
                        copy described in clauses (i) and (ii) of 
                        subparagraph (A) shall be provided not later 
                        than 24 hours after the time of the first 
                        broadcast of the editorial.
                            ``(ii) Less than 72 hours before 
                        election.--In the case of an editorial 
                        described in subparagraph (A) that is first 
                        broadcast less than 72 hours before the date of 
                        an election, the notice and copy shall be 
                        provided at a time prior to the first broadcast 
                        that will be sufficient to enable candidates a 
                        reasonable opportunity to prepare and broadcast 
                        a response.''.

                        TITLE III--EXPENDITURES

                   Subtitle A--Personal Funds; Credit

SEC. 301. CONTRIBUTIONS AND LOANS FROM PERSONAL FUNDS.

    Section 315 of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (2 U.S.C. 
441a) is amended by adding at the end the following:
    ``(i) Limitations on Repayment of Loans and Return of Contributions 
From Personal Funds.--
            ``(1) Repayment of loans.--If a candidate or a member of 
        the candidate's immediate family made a loan to the candidate 
or to the candidate's authorized committees during an election cycle, 
no contribution received after the date of the general election for the 
election cycle may be used to repay the loan.
            ``(2) Return of contributions.--No contribution by a 
        candidate or member of the candidate's immediate family may be 
        returned to the candidate or member other than as part of a pro 
        rata distribution of excess contributions to all 
        contributors.''.

SEC. 302. EXTENSIONS OF CREDIT.

    Section 301(8)(A) of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (2 
U.S.C. 431(8)(A)), is amended--
            (1) by striking ``or'' at the end of clause (i);
            (2) by striking the period at the end of clause (ii) and 
        inserting ``; or''; and
            (3) by inserting at the end the following:
                            ``(iii) with respect to a candidate and the 
                        candidate's authorized committees, any 
                        extension of credit for goods or services 
                        relating to advertising on a broadcasting 
                        station, in a newspaper or magazine, or by a 
                        mailing, or relating to other similar types of 
                        general public political advertising, if the 
                        extension of credit is--
                                    ``(I) in an amount greater than 
                                $1,000; and
                                    ``(II) for a period greater than 
                                the period, not in excess of 60 days, 
                                for which credit is generally extended 
                                in the normal course of business after 
                                the date on which the goods or services 
                                are furnished or the date of a 
                                mailing.''.

              Subtitle B--Soft Money of Political Parties

SEC. 311. PREPARATION AND DISTRIBUTION BY VOLUNTEERS OF MATERIALS IN 
              CONNECTION WITH STATE AND LOCAL POLITICAL PARTY VOTER 
              REGISTRATION AND GET-OUT-THE-VOTE ACTIVITIES SO AS NOT TO 
              BE CONSIDERED A CONTRIBUTION OR EXPENDITURE.

    (a) Contribution.--Section 301(8)(B)(xii) of the Federal Election 
Campaign Act of 1971 (2 U.S.C. 431(8)(B)(xii)) is amended--
            (1) by striking ``such committee'' and inserting ``the 
        committee in connection with volunteer activities'';
            (2) by striking ``: Provided, That'' and inserting ``if'';
            (3) by redesignating the items designated as items ``(1)'', 
        ``(2)'', and ``(3)'', respectively, as subclauses (I), (II), 
        and (III);
            (4) by striking ``and'' at the end of subclause (II) (as 
        redesignated);
            (5) by inserting ``and'' at the end of subclause (III) (as 
        redesignated); and
            (6) by adding at the end the following:
                                    ``(IV) the activities are conducted 
                                solely by, and any materials are 
                                distributed solely by, volunteers;''.
    (b) Expenditure.--Section 301(9)(B)(ix) of the Federal Election 
Campaign Act of 1971 (2 U.S.C. 431(9)(B)(ix)) is amended--
            (1) by striking ``such committee'' and inserting ``the 
        committee in connection with volunteer activities'';
            (2) by striking ``: Provided, That'' and inserting ``if'';
            (3) by redesignating the items designated as items ``(1)'', 
        ``(2)'', and ``(3)'', respectively, as subclauses (I), (II), 
        and (III);
            (4) by striking ``and'' at the end of subclause (II) (as 
        redesignated);
            (5) by inserting ``and'' at the end of subclause (III) (as 
        redesignated); and
            (6) by adding at the end the following:
                                    ``(IV) any materials in connection 
                                with the activities are prepared for 
                                distribution (and are distributed) 
                                solely by volunteers; and''.

SEC. 312. CONTRIBUTIONS TO POLITICAL PARTY COMMITTEES.

    (a) Individual Contributions to State Party.--Section 315(a)(1) of 
the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (2 U.S.C. 441a(a)(1)) (as 
amended by section 105) is amended--
            (1) by striking ``or'' at the end of subparagraph (C);
            (2) by redesignating subparagraph (D) as subparagraph (E); 
        and
            (3) by inserting after subparagraph (C) the following:
            ``(D) to--
                            ``(i) a State Party Grassroots Fund 
                        established and maintained by a State committee 
                        of a political party in any calendar year that, 
                        in the aggregate, exceed $20,000; or
                            ``(ii) any other political committee 
                        established and maintained by a State committee 
                        of a political party in any calendar year that, 
                        in the aggregate, exceed $5,000;
                except that the aggregate contributions described in 
                this subparagraph that may be made by a person to the 
                State Party Grassroots Fund and all committees of a 
                State Committee of a political party in any State in 
                any calendar year shall not exceed $20,000; or''.
    (b) Multicandidate Committee Contributions to State Party.--Section 
315(a)(2) of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (2 U.S.C. 
441a(a)(2)) is amended--
            (1) by striking ``or'' at the end of subparagraph (B);
            (2) by redesignating subparagraph (C) as subparagraph (D); 
        and
            (3) by inserting after subparagraph (B) the following:
                    ``(C) to--
                            ``(i) a State Party Grassroots Fund 
                        established and maintained by a State committee 
of a political party in any calendar year that, in the aggregate, 
exceed $15,000; or
                            ``(ii) to any other political committee 
                        established and maintained by a State committee 
                        of a political party that, in the aggregate, 
                        exceed $5,000;
                except that the aggregate contributions described in 
                this subparagraph that may be made by a multicandidate 
                political committee to the State Party Grassroots Fund 
                and all committees of a State Committee of a political 
                party in any State in any calendar year shall not 
                exceed $15,000; or''.
    (c) Overall Limit.--Section 315(a) of the Federal Election Campaign 
Act of 1971 (2 U.S.C. 441a(a)) is amended by striking paragraph (3) and 
inserting the following:
            ``(3) Overall limit.--
                    ``(A) Election cycle.--No individual shall make 
                contributions during any election cycle (as defined in 
                section 301(28)(B)) that, in the aggregate, exceed 
                $60,000.
                    ``(B) Calendar year.--
                            ``(i) In general.--No individual shall make 
                        contributions during any calendar year--
                                    ``(I) to all candidates and their 
                                authorized political committees that, 
                                in the aggregate, exceed $25,000; or
                                    ``(II) to all political committees 
                                established and maintained by State 
                                committees of a political party that, 
                                in the aggregate, exceed $20,000.
                            ``(ii) Nonelection year.--For purposes of 
                        clause (i), a contribution made to a candidate 
                        or the candidate's authorized political 
                        committees in a year other than the calendar 
                        year in which the election is held with respect 
                        to which the contribution is made shall be 
                        treated as being made during the calendar year 
                        in which the election is held.''.
    (d) Presidential Candidate Committee Transfers.--
            (1) Amendment of feca.--Section 315(b)(1) of the Federal 
        Election Campaign Act of 1971 (2 U.S.C. 441a(b)(1)) is amended 
        by striking subparagraph (B) and inserting the following:
                    ``(B) in the case of a campaign for election to 
                that office, an amount equal to the sum of--
                            ``(i) $20,000,000; plus
                            ``(ii) the lesser of--
                                    ``(I) 2 cents multiplied by the 
                                voting age population of the United 
                                States (as certified under subsection 
                                (e); or
                                    ``(II) the amounts transferred by 
                                the candidate and the authorized 
                                committees of the candidate to the 
                                national committee of the candidate's 
                                political party for distribution to 
                                State Party Grassroots Funds.''.
            (2) Amendment of internal revenue code.--Subparagraph (A) 
        of section 9002(11) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 
        (defining qualified campaign expense) is amended--
                    (A) by striking ``or'' at the end of clause (ii);
                    (B) by inserting ``or'' at the end of clause (iii); 
                and
                    (C) by adding at the end the following:
                            ``(iv) any transfers to the national 
                        committee of the candidate's political party 
                        for distribution to State Party Grassroots 
                        Funds (as defined in section 301(31) of the 
                        Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971) to the 
                        extent that such transfers do not exceed the 
                        amount determined under section 
                        315(b)(1)(B)(ii) of that Act;''.

SEC. 313. PROVISIONS RELATING TO NATIONAL, STATE, AND LOCAL PARTY 
              COMMITTEES.

    (a) Soft Money of Committees of Political Parties.--Title III of 
the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (2 U.S.C. 431 et seq.) is 
amended by adding at the end the following:

``SEC. 324. POLITICAL PARTY COMMITTEES.

    ``(a) Limitations on National Committees.--
            ``(1) In general.--A national committee of a political 
        party and the congressional campaign committees of a political 
        party shall not solicit or accept any amount, or solicit or 
        accept a transfer from another political committee, that is not 
        subject to the limitations, prohibitions, and reporting 
        requirements of this Act.
            ``(2) Exclusions.--Paragraph (1) shall not apply to any 
        amount received--
                    ``(A) that--
                            ``(i) is to be transferred to a State 
                        committee of a political party and is used 
                        solely for an activity described in clause 
                        (xi), (xii), (xiii), (xiv), (xv), (xvi), or 
                        (xvii) of section 301(9)(B); or
                            ``(ii) is described in section 
                        301(8)(B)(viii); and
                    ``(B) with respect to which a contributor has been 
                notified that the amount will be used solely for the 
                purposes described in subparagraph (A).
    ``(b) Transfers to Tax-exempt Organizations.--A national committee 
or a State committee of a political party shall not transfer any funds 
to an organization that is exempt from taxation under section 501(a) of 
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and is described in section 501(c)(3) 
of the Code.
    ``(c) Activities Subject to This Act.--
            ``(1) In general.--Any amount solicited, received, 
        expended, or disbursed directly or indirectly by a national, 
        State, district, or local committee of a political party 
        (including any subordinate committee) with respect to any of 
        the following activities shall be treated as a contribution 
        subject to the limitations, prohibitions, and reporting 
        requirements of this Act:
                    ``(A)(i) Any get-out-the-vote activity conducted 
                during a calendar year in which an election for the 
                office of President is held.
                    ``(ii) Any other get-out-the-vote activity unless 
                subsection (c)(2) applies to the activity.
                    ``(B) Any generic campaign activity.
                    ``(C) Any activity that identifies or promotes a 
                Federal candidate, regardless of whether--
                            ``(i) a State or local candidate is also 
                        identified or promoted; or
                            ``(ii) any portion of the funds disbursed 
                        constitutes a contribution or expenditure under 
                        this Act.
                    ``(D) Voter registration.
                    ``(E) Development and maintenance of voter files 
                during an even-numbered calendar year.
                    ``(F) Any other activity that--
                            ``(i) significantly affects a Federal 
                        election; or
                            ``(ii) is not described in section 
                        301(8)(B)(xvii).
            ``(2) Fundraising costs.--Any amount spent to raise funds 
        that are used, in whole or in part, in connection with an 
        activity described in paragraph (1) shall be treated as an 
        expenditure subject to the limitations, prohibitions, and 
        reporting requirements of this Act.
    ``(d) Get-Out-The-Vote Activities by State, District, and Local 
Committees of a Political Party.--
            ``(1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), any 
        get-out-the-vote activity for a State or local candidate, or 
        for a ballot measure, that is conducted by a State, district, 
        or local committee of a political party (including any 
        subordinate committee) shall be treated as an expenditure 
        subject to the limitations, prohibitions, and reporting 
        requirements of this Act.
            ``(2) Exclusions.--Paragraph (1) shall not apply to any 
        activity that the State committee of a political party 
        certifies to the Commission is an activity that--
                    ``(A) is conducted during a calendar year other 
                than a calendar year in which an election for the 
                office of President is held;
                    ``(B) is exclusively on behalf of (and specifically 
                identifies only) 1 or more State or local candidates or 
                ballot measures; and
                    ``(C) does not include any effort or means used to 
                identify or turn out those identified to be supporters 
                of any Federal candidate (including any activity that 
                is undertaken in coordination with, or on behalf of, a 
                candidate for Federal office).
    ``(e) State Party Grassroots Funds.--
            ``(1) In general.--A State committee of a political party 
        may make disbursements and expenditures from its State Party 
        Grassroots Fund only for--
                    ``(A) a generic campaign activity;
                    ``(B) the making of a payment described in clause 
                (v), (x), or (xii) of paragraph (8)(B) or clause (iv), 
                (viii), or (ix) of paragraph (9)(B) of section 301;
                    ``(C) subject to the limitations of section 315(d), 
                the making of a payment described in paragraph 
                (8)(B)(xii) or (9)(B)(ix) of section 301 on behalf of a 
                candidate other than a candidate for President or Vice 
                President;
                    ``(D) voter registration; and
                    ``(E) development and maintenance of voter files 
                during an even-numbered calendar year.
            ``(2) Transfers.--
                    ``(A) In general.--Notwithstanding section 
                315(a)(4) and except as provided in subparagraph (B), 
                no funds may be transferred by a State committee of a 
                political party from its State Party Grassroots Fund to 
                any other State Party Grassroots Fund or to any other 
                political committee.
                    ``(B) Transfer to separate segregated fund of 
                district or local committee.--A transfer may be made 
                from a State Party Grassroots Fund to a district or 
                local committee of the same political party in the same 
                State if the district or local committee--
                            ``(i) has established a separate fund for 
                        the purposes described in paragraph (1); and
                            ``(ii) uses the transferred funds solely 
                        for those purposes.
    ``(f) Amounts Received by State Party Grassroots Fund From Non-
Federal Candidate Committees.--
            ``(1) In general.--Any amount received by a State Party 
        Grassroots Fund from a non-Federal candidate committee for 
        expenditures described in subsection (b) that are for the 
        benefit of that candidate shall be treated as meeting the 
        requirements of subsection (b) and section 304(f) if--
                    ``(A) the amount is derived from funds that meet 
                the requirements of this Act with respect to any 
                limitation or prohibition as to source or dollar amount 
                specified in paragraphs (1)(A) and (2)(A) of section 
                315(a); and
                    ``(B) the non-Federal candidate committee--
                            ``(i) maintains, in the account from which 
                        payment is made, records of the sources and 
                        amounts of funds for purposes of determining 
                        whether those requirements are met; and
                            ``(ii) certifies that the requirements were 
                        met.
            ``(2) Determination of compliance.--For purposes of 
        paragraph (1)(A), in determining whether the funds transferred 
        meet the requirements of this Act referred to in paragraph 
        (1)(A)--
                    ``(A) a non-Federal candidate committee's cash on 
                hand shall be treated as consisting of the funds most 
                recently received by the committee; and
                    ``(B) the committee must be able to demonstrate 
                that its cash on hand contains sufficient funds meeting 
                those requirements as are necessary to cover the 
                transferred funds.
            ``(3) Reporting.--Notwithstanding paragraph (1), a State 
        Party Grassroots Fund that receives a transfer described in 
        paragraph (1) from a non-Federal candidate committee--
                    ``(A) shall meet the reporting requirements of this 
                Act; and
                    ``(B) shall submit to the Commission all 
                certifications received with respect to receipt of the 
                transfer from the candidate committee.''.
    (b) Definitions.--
            (1) Contribution.--Section 301(8)(B) of the Federal 
        Election Campaign Act of 1971 (2 U.S.C. 431(8)(B)) is amended--
                    (A) by striking ``and'' at the end of clause 
                (xiii);
                    (B) by striking the period at the end of clause 
                (xiv) and inserting a semicolon; and
                    (C) by adding at the end the following:
                            ``(xv) any amount contributed to a 
                        candidate for other than Federal office;
                            ``(xvi) any amount received or expended to 
                        pay the costs of a State or local political 
                        convention;
                            ``(xvii) any payment for campaign 
                        activities that are exclusively on behalf of 
                        (and specifically identify only) State or local 
                        candidates and do not identify any Federal 
candidate, and that are not activities described in section 324(c) 
(without regard to paragraph (1)(F)(ii) of such section) or section 
324(d)(1);
                            ``(xviii) any payment for administrative 
                        expenses of a State or local committee of a 
                        political party, including expenses for--
                                    ``(I) overhead, including party 
                                meetings;
                                    ``(II) staff (other than 
                                individuals devoting a significant 
                                amount of their time to elections for 
                                Federal office and individuals engaged 
                                in conducting get-out-the-vote 
                                activities for a Federal election); and
                                    ``(III) party elections or 
                                caucuses;
                            ``(xix) any payment for research pertaining 
                        solely to State and local candidates and 
                        issues;
                            ``(xx) any payment for development and 
                        maintenance of voter files other than during 
                        the 1-year period ending on the date during an 
                        even-numbered calendar year on which regularly 
                        scheduled general elections for Federal office 
                        occur; and
                            ``(xxi) any payment for any other activity 
                        that is solely for the purpose of influencing, 
                        and that solely affects, an election for non-
                        Federal office and that is not an activity 
                        described in section 324(c) (without regard to 
                        paragraph (1)(F)(ii) of such section) or 
                        section 324(d)(1).''.
            (2) Expenditure.--Section 301(9)(B) of the Federal Election 
        Campaign Act of 1971 (2 U.S.C. 431(9)(B)) is amended--
                    (A) by striking ``and'' at the end of clause (ix);
                    (B) by striking the period at the end of clause (x) 
                and inserting a semicolon; and
                    (C) by adding at the end the following:
                            ``(xi) any amount contributed to a 
                        candidate for other than Federal office;
                            ``(xii) any amount received or expended to 
                        pay the costs of a State or local political 
                        convention;
                            ``(xiii) any payment for campaign 
                        activities that are exclusively on behalf of 
                        (and specifically identify only) State or local 
                        candidates and do not identify any Federal 
                        candidate, and that are not activities 
                        described in section 324(c) (without regard to 
                        paragraph (1)(F)(ii) of such section) or 
                        section 324(d)(1);
                            ``(xiv) any payment for administrative 
                        expenses of a State or local committee of a 
                        political party, including expenses for--
                                    ``(I) overhead, including party 
                                meetings;
                                    ``(II) staff (other than 
                                individuals devoting a significant 
                                amount of their time to elections for 
                                Federal office and individuals engaged 
                                in conducting get-out-the-vote 
                                activities for a Federal election); and
                                    ``(III) conducting party elections 
                                or caucuses;
                            ``(xv) any payment for research pertaining 
                        solely to State and local candidates and 
                        issues;
                            ``(xvi) any payment for development and 
                        maintenance of voter files other than during 
                        the 1-year period ending on the date during an 
                        even-numbered calendar year on which regularly 
                        scheduled general elections for Federal office 
                        occur; and
                            ``(xvii) any payment for any other activity 
                        that is solely for the purpose of influencing, 
                        and that solely affects, an election for non-
                        Federal office and that is not an activity 
                        described in section 324(c) (without regard to 
                        paragraph (1)(F)(ii) of such section) or 
                        section 324(d)(1).''.
            (3) Other terms.--Section 301 of the Federal Election 
        Campaign Act of 1971 (2 U.S.C. 431) (as amended by section 202) 
        is amended by adding at the end the following:
            ``(30) Generic campaign activity.--The term `generic 
        campaign activity' means a campaign activity that promotes a 
        political party rather than a particular candidate or non-
        Federal candidate.
            ``(31) State party grassroots fund.--The term `State Party 
        Grassroots Fund' means a separate fund established and 
        maintained by a State committee of a political party solely for 
        purposes of making expenditures and other disbursements 
        described in section 324(d).
            ``(32) Non-federal candidate.--The term `non-Federal 
        candidate' means a candidate for State or local office.
            ``(33) Non-federal candidate committee.--For purposes of 
        this subsection, the term `non-Federal candidate committee' 
        means a committee established, financed, maintained, or 
        controlled by a non-Federal candidate.''.
    (c) Limitation Applied at National Level.--Section 315(d)(3) of the 
Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (2 U.S.C. 441a(d)(3)) is 
amended--
            (1) by striking ``(3) The national'' and inserting the 
        following:
            ``(3) Candidates for the senate and the house of 
        representatives.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The national'';
            (2) by redesignating subparagraphs (A), (B), and (C) as 
        clauses (i), (ii), and (iii), respectively, and adjusting the 
        margins as appropriate; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(2) Expenditures by congressional campaign committees.--
        Notwithstanding paragraph (1), a congressional campaign 
        committee of a political party shall make the expenditures 
        described in paragraph (1) that are authorized to be made by a 
        national or State committee with respect to a candidate in any 
        State unless the congressional campaign committee allocates all 
        or a portion of the expenditures to either or both of those 
        committees.''.
    (d) Application of Limitations to Entire Election Cycle.--Section 
315(d) of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (2 U.S.C. 441a(d)) 
is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (1) by striking ``general''; and
            (2) in the first sentence of paragraph (2) and in paragraph 
        (3)--
                    (A) by striking ``general''; and
                    (B) by striking ``which'' and inserting ``that, 
                during an election cycle,''.

SEC. 314. RESTRICTIONS ON FUNDRAISING BY CANDIDATES AND OFFICEHOLDERS.

    (a) State Fundraising Activities.--Section 315 of the Federal 
Election Campaign Act of 1971 (2 U.S.C. 441a) (as amended by section 
301) is amended by adding at the end the following:
    ``(j) Limitations on Fundraising Activities of Federal Candidates 
and Officeholders and Certain Political Committees.--
            ``(1) In general.--For purposes of this Act, a candidate, 
        an individual holding Federal office, or any agent of the 
        candidate or individual may not solicit funds to, or receive 
        funds on behalf of, any person--
                    ``(A) that are to be expended in connection with 
                any election for Federal office unless the funds are 
                subject to the limitations, prohibitions, and 
                requirements of this Act; or
                    ``(B) that are to be expended in connection with 
                any election for other than Federal office unless the 
                funds are not in excess of amounts permitted with 
                respect to Federal candidates and political committees 
                under paragraphs (1) and (2) of subsection (a), and are 
                not from sources prohibited by those paragraphs with 
                respect to elections to Federal office.
            ``(2) Limitation on solicitations.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The aggregate amount that a 
                person described in subparagraph (B) may solicit from a 
                multicandidate political committee for State committees 
                described in subsection (a)(1)(C) (including 
                subordinate committees) for any calendar year shall not 
                exceed the dollar amount in effect under subsection 
                (a)(2)(B) for the calendar year.
                    ``(B) Applicability.--A person is described in this 
                subparagraph if the person is a candidate, an 
                individual holding Federal office, an agent of such a 
                candidate or individual, or a national, State, 
                district, or local committee of a political party 
                (including a subordinate committee) or an agent of such 
                a committee.
            ``(3) Appearance or participation in a fundraising event.--
        The appearance or participation by a candidate or individual 
        holding Federal office in a fundraising event conducted by a 
        committee of a political party or a non-Federal candidate shall 
        not be treated as a solicitation for purposes of paragraph (1) 
        if the candidate or individual does not solicit or receive, or 
        make disbursements from, any funds resulting from the activity.
            ``(4) State law.--Paragraph (1) shall not apply to the 
        solicitation or receipt of funds, or disbursements, by an 
        individual who is a non-Federal candidate if the activity is 
        permitted under State law.
            ``(5) Definition.--For purposes of this subsection, an 
        individual shall be treated as holding Federal office if the 
        individual--
                    ``(A) holds a Federal office; or
                    ``(B) holds a position described in level I of the 
                Executive Schedule under section 5312 of title 5, 
                United States Code.''.
    (b) Tax-Exempt Organizations.--Section 315 of the Federal Election 
Campaign Act of 1971 (2 U.S.C. 441a) (as amended by subsection (a)) is 
amended by adding at the end the following:
    ``(k) Tax-Exempt Organizations.--
            ``(1) In general.--If an individual is a candidate for, or 
        holds, Federal office during any period, the individual shall 
        not during that period solicit contributions to, or on behalf 
        of, any organization that is described in section 501(c) of the 
        Internal Revenue Code of 1986 if a significant portion of the 
        activities of the organization include voter registration or 
        get-out-the-vote campaigns.
            ``(2) Definition.--For purposes of this section, an 
        individual shall be treated as holding Federal office if the 
        individual--
                    ``(A) holds a Federal office; or
                    ``(B) holds a position described in level I of the 
                Executive Schedule under section 5312 of title 5, 
                United States Code.''.

SEC. 315. REPORTING REQUIREMENTS.

    (a) Reporting Requirements.--Section 304 of the Federal Election 
Campaign Act of 1971 (2 U.S.C. 434) (as amended by section 112(a)) is 
amended by adding at the end the following:
    ``(f) Political Committees.--
            ``(1) National and congressional political committees.--The 
        national committee of a political party, a congressional 
        campaign committee of a political party, and any subordinate 
        committee of a national committee or congressional campaign 
        committee of a political party, shall report all receipts and 
        disbursements during the reporting period, whether or not in 
        connection with an election for Federal office.
            ``(2) Other political committees to which section 324 
        applies.--A political committee (not described in paragraph 
        (1)) to which section 324 applies shall report all receipts and 
        disbursements, including separate schedules for receipts and 
        disbursements for a State Grassroots Fund.
            ``(3) Transfers.--A political committee to which section 
        324 applies shall--
                    ``(A) include in a report under paragraph (1) or 
                (2) the amount of any transfer described in section 
                324(d)(2); and
                    ``(B) itemize those amounts to the extent required 
                by section 304(b)(3)(A).
            ``(4) Other political committees.--Any political committee 
        to which paragraph (1) or (2) does not apply shall report any 
        receipts or disbursements that are used in connection with a 
        Federal election.
            ``(5) Itemization.--If a political committee has receipts 
        or disbursements to which this subsection applies from any 
        person aggregating in excess of $200 for any calendar year, the 
        political committee shall separately itemize its reporting for 
        the person in the same manner as under paragraphs (3)(A), (5), 
        and (6) of subsection (b).
            ``(6) Reporting periods.--Reports required to be filed by 
        this subsection shall be filed for the same time periods as 
        reports are required for political committees under subsection 
        (a).''.
    (b) Report of Exempt Contributions.--Section 301(8) of the Federal 
Election Campaign Act of 1971 (2 U.S.C. 431(8)) is amended by adding at 
the end the following:
                    ``(C) reporting requirement.--The exclusion 
                provided in subparagraph (B)(viii) shall not apply for 
                purposes of any requirement to report contributions 
                under this Act, and all such contributions aggregating 
in excess of $200 shall be reported.''.
    (c) Reports by State Committees.--Section 304 of the Federal 
Election Campaign Act of 1971 (2 U.S.C. 434 (as amended by subsection 
(a)) is amended by adding at the end the following:
    ``(g) Filing of State Reports.--In lieu of any report required to 
be filed under this Act, the Commission may allow a State committee of 
a political party to file with the Commission a report required to be 
filed under State law if the Commission determines that such a report 
contains substantially the same information as a report required under 
this Act.''.
    (d) Other Reporting Requirements.--
            (1) Authorized committees.--Section 304(b)(4) of the 
        Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (2 U.S.C. 434(b)(4)) is 
        amended--
                    (A) by striking ``and'' at the end of subparagraph 
                (H);
                    (B) by inserting ``and'' at the end of subparagraph 
                (I); and
                    (C) by adding at the end the following:
                    ``(J) in the case of an authorized committee, 
                disbursements for the primary election, the general 
                election, and any other election in which the candidate 
                participates;''.
            (2) Names and addresses.--Section 304(b)(5)(A) of the 
        Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (2 U.S.C. 434(b)(5)(A)) 
        is amended--
                    (A) by striking ``within the calendar year''; and
                    (B) by striking ``such operating expenditure'' and 
                inserting ``operating expense, and the election to 
                which the operating expense relates''.

     Subtitle C--Soft Money of Persons Other Than Political Parties

SEC. 321. SOFT MONEY OF PERSONS OTHER THAN POLITICAL PARTIES.

    Section 304 of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (2 U.S.C. 
434) (as amended by section 315(c)) is amended by adding at the end the 
following:
    ``(h) Election Activity of Persons Other Than Political Parties.--
            ``(1) Initial statement.--A person to which section 324 
        does not apply that makes (or obligates to make) aggregate 
        disbursements totaling in excess of $2,000 for activities 
        described in section 324(c) shall file a statement with the 
        Commission--
                    ``(A) within 48 hours after the disbursements or 
                obligations in excess of $2,000 are made; or
                    ``(B) in the case of disbursements or obligations 
                that are made within 14 days of an election, on or 
                before the 14th day before the election.
            ``(2) Additional statements.--An additional statement shall 
        be filed each time additional disbursements aggregating $2,000 
        are made by a person described in paragraph (1).
            ``(3) Applicability.--This subsection does not apply to--
                    ``(A) a candidate or a candidate's authorized 
                committees; or
                    ``(B) an independent expenditure.
            ``(4) Contents.--A statement under this section shall 
        contain such information about the disbursements as the 
        Commission shall prescribe, including if applicable, whether 
        the disbursement was in support of, or in opposition to, a 
        candidate or a political party.
            ``(5) Place of filing.--A statement under this section 
        shall be filed with the Secretary of the Senate or the Clerk of 
        the House of Representatives, and the Secretary of State (or 
        equivalent official) of the candidate's State. The Secretary of 
        the Senate or Clerk of the House of Representatives shall, as 
        soon as possible (but not later than 24 hours after receipt), 
        transmit a copy of the statement to the Commission.
            ``(6) Transmittal.--Not later than 48 hours after receipt, 
        the Commission shall transmit a statement filed under this 
        subsection--
                    ``(A) to the candidates or political parties 
                involved in the election in question; or
                    ``(B) if the disbursement is not in support of, or 
                in opposition to, a candidate or political party, to 
                the State committees of each political party in the 
                State in question.
            ``(7) Determinations by the commission.--The Commission may 
        make its own determination that disbursements described in 
        paragraph (1) have been made or are obligated to be made. The 
        Commission shall notify the candidates or political parties 
        described in paragraph (2) not later than 24 hours after its 
        determination.''.

                        TITLE IV--CONTRIBUTIONS

SEC. 401. PROHIBITION OF CERTAIN CONTRIBUTIONS BY LOBBYISTS.

    Section 315 of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (2 U.S.C. 
441a) (as amended by section 314(b)) is amended by adding at the end 
the following:
    ``(m) Prohibition of Certain Contributions by Lobbyists.--
            ``(1) In general.--A lobbyist, or a political committee 
        controlled by a lobbyist, shall not make a contribution to--
                    ``(A) a Federal officeholder or candidate for 
                Federal office if, during the preceding 12 months, the 
                lobbyist has made a lobbying contact with the 
                officeholder or candidate; or
                    ``(B) any authorized committee of the President or 
                Vice President of the United States if, during the 
                preceding 12 months, the lobbyist has made a lobbying 
                contact with a covered executive branch official.
            ``(2) Contributions to member of congress or candidate for 
        congress.--A lobbyist who, or a lobbyist whose political 
        committee, has made a contribution to a member of Congress or 
        candidate for Congress (or any authorized committee of the 
        President) shall not, during the 12 months following such 
        contribution, make a lobbying contact with the member or 
        candidate who becomes a member of Congress or with a covered 
        executive branch official.
            ``(3) Definitions.--In this subsection the terms `covered 
        executive branch official', `lobbying contact', and `lobbyist' 
        have the meanings given those terms in section 3 of the Federal 
        Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 (2 U.S.C. 1602) except that--
                    ``(A) the term `lobbyist' includes a person 
                required to register under the Foreign Agents 
                Registration Act of 1938 (22 U.S.C. 611 et seq.); and
                    ``(B) for purposes of this subsection, a lobbyist 
                shall be considered to make a lobbying contact or 
                communication with a member of Congress if the lobbyist 
                makes a lobbying contact or communication with--
                            ``(i) the member of Congress;
                            ``(ii) any person employed in the office of 
                        the member of Congress; or
                            ``(iii) any person employed by a committee, 
                        joint committee, or leadership office who, to 
                        the knowledge of the lobbyist, was employed at 
                        the request of or is employed at the pleasure 
                        of, reports primarily to, represents, or acts 
                        as the agent of the member of Congress.''.

SEC. 402. CONTRIBUTIONS BY DEPENDENTS NOT OF VOTING AGE.

    Section 315 of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (2 U.S.C. 
441a) (as amended by section 401(a)) is amended by adding at the end 
the following:
    ``(n) Dependents Not of Voting Age.--
            ``(1) In general.--For purposes of this section, any 
        contribution by an individual who--
                    ``(A) is a dependent of another individual; and
                    ``(B) has not, as of the time of the making of the 
                contribution, attained the legal age for voting in an 
                election to Federal office in the State in which the 
                individual resides;
        shall be treated as having been made by the other individual.
            ``(2) Allocation between spouses.--If an individual 
        described in paragraph (1) is the dependent of another 
        individual and the other individual's spouse, a contribution 
        described in paragraph (1) shall be allocated among those 
        individuals in a manner determined by the individuals.''.

SEC. 403. CONTRIBUTIONS TO CANDIDATES FROM STATE AND LOCAL COMMITTEES 
              OF POLITICAL PARTIES TO BE AGGREGATED.

    Section 315(a) of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (2 
U.S.C. 441a(a)) is amended by adding at the end the following:
            ``(9) Aggregation of contributions from state and local 
        committees of political parties.--Notwithstanding paragraph 
        (5)(B), a candidate may not accept, with respect to an 
        election, any contribution from a State or local committee of a 
        political party (including any subordinate committee of such a 
        committee), if the contribution, when added to the total of 
        contributions previously accepted from all such committees of 
        that political party, would cause the total amount of 
        contributions to exceed a limitation on contributions to a 
        candidate under this section.''.

SEC. 404. CONTRIBUTIONS AND EXPENDITURES USING MONEY SECURED BY 
              PHYSICAL FORCE OR OTHER INTIMIDATION.

    Title III of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (2 U.S.C. 
431) (as amended by section 313) is amended by adding at the end the 
following:

``SEC. 325. USE OF PHYSICAL FORCE OR INTIMIDATION TO OBTAIN A 
              CONTRIBUTION OR EXPENDITURE OR DETER THE FILING OF A 
              COMPLAINT.

    ``It shall be unlawful for any person to--
            ``(1) cause another person to make a contribution or 
        expenditure by using physical force, job discrimination, a 
        financial reprisal, a threat of physical force, job 
        discrimination, or financial reprisal, or taking or threatening 
        to take other adverse action;
            ``(2) make a contribution or expenditure utilizing money or 
        anything of value secured in the manner described in paragraph 
        (1); or
            ``(3) use physical force, job discrimination, or financial 
        reprisal, a threat of physical force, job discrimination, or 
        financial reprisal, or take or threaten to take other adverse 
        action, against an employee, union member, or other person--
                    ``(A) to deter or prevent any person from filing a 
                complaint, providing testimony, or otherwise 
                cooperating with enforcement efforts under this Act; or
                    ``(B) to retaliate against any person who has filed 
                a complaint, provided testimony, or otherwise 
                cooperated with enforcement efforts under this Act.''.

SEC. 405. PROHIBITION OF ACCEPTANCE BY A CANDIDATE OF CASH 
              CONTRIBUTIONS FROM ANY ONE PERSON AGGREGATING MORE THAN 
              $100.

    Section 321 of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (2 U.S.C. 
441g) is amended by inserting ``, and no candidate or authorized 
committee of a candidate shall accept from any 1 person,'' after 
``make''.

   TITLE V--AUTHORITIES AND DUTIES OF THE FEDERAL ELECTION COMMISSION

SEC. 501. FILING OF REPORTS USING COMPUTERS AND FACSIMILE MACHINES.

    Section 302(g) of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (2 
U.S.C. 432(g)) is amended by adding at the end the following:
            ``(6) Filing of reports using computers and facsimile 
        machines.--
                    ``(A) Computers.--The Commission, in consultation 
                with the Secretary of the Senate and the Clerk of the 
                House of Representatives, may issue a regulation under 
                a person required to file a designation, statement, or 
                report under this Act--
                            ``(i) are required to maintain and file the 
                        designation, statement, or report for any 
                        calendar year in electronic form accessible by 
                        computers if the person has, or has reason to 
                        expect to have, aggregate contributions or 
                        expenditures in excess of a threshold amount 
                        determined by the Commission; and
                            ``(ii) may maintain and file the 
                        designation, statement, or report in that 
                        manner if not required to do so under a 
                        regulation under clause (i).
                    ``(B) Facsimile machines.--The Commission, in 
                consultation with the Secretary of the Senate and the 
                Clerk of the House of Representatives, shall prescribe 
                a regulation that allows a person to file a 
                designation, statement, or report required by this Act 
                through the use of a facsimile machine.
                    ``(C) Verification.--In a regulation under this 
                paragraph, the Commission shall provide methods (other 
than requiring a signature on the document being filed) for verifying a 
designation, statement, or report. Any document verified under any of 
the methods shall be treated for all purposes (including penalties for 
perjury) in the same manner as a document verified by signature.
                    ``(D) Compatibility of systems.--The Secretary of 
                the Senate and the Clerk of the House of 
                Representatives shall ensure that any computer or other 
                system that the Secretary or the Clerk may develop and 
                maintain to receive designations, statements, and 
                reports in the forms required or permitted under this 
                paragraph is compatible with any system that the 
                Commission may develop and maintain.''.

SEC. 502. INCREASE IN THRESHOLD FOR REPORTING REQUIREMENTS.

    (a) Identification of Contributors.--Section 302(c)(3) of the 
Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (2 U.S.C. 432(c)(3)) is amended 
by striking ``$200'' and inserting ``$50''.
    (b) Identification of Disbursements.--Section 302(c)(5) of the 
Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (2 U.S.C. 432(c)(5)) is amended 
by striking ``$200'' and inserting ``$50''.

SEC. 503. AUDITS.

    (a) Random Audits.--Section 311(b) of the Federal Election Campaign 
Act of 1971 (2 U.S.C. 438(b)) is amended--
            (1) by inserting ``(1)'' before ``The Commission''; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following:
    ``(2) Random audits.--Notwithstanding paragraph (1), the Commission 
may from time to time conduct random audits and investigations to 
ensure voluntary compliance with this Act. The subjects of such audits 
and investigations shall be selected on the basis of criteria 
established by vote of at least 4 members of the Commission to ensure 
impartiality in the selection process. This paragraph does not apply to 
an authorized committee of a candidate for President or Vice President 
subject to audit under title VI or to an authorized committee of an 
eligible Senate candidate subject to audit under section 506.''.
    (b) Extension of Period During Which Campaign Audits May Be 
Begun.--Section 311(b) of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (2 
U.S.C. 438(b)), as redesignated by subsection (a), is amended by 
striking ``6 months'' and inserting ``12 months''.

SEC. 504. AUTHORITY TO SEEK INJUNCTION.

    Section 309(a) of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (2 
U.S.C. 437g(a)) is amended--
            (1) by adding at the end the following:
    ``(13)(A) If, at any time in a proceeding described in paragraph 
(1), (2), (3), or (4), the Commission believes that--
            ``(i) there is a substantial likelihood that a violation of 
        this Act is occurring or is about to occur;
            ``(ii) the failure to act expeditiously will result in 
        irreparable harm to a party affected by the potential 
        violation;
            ``(iii) expeditious action will not cause undue harm or 
        prejudice to the interests of others; and
            ``(iv) the public interest would be best served by the 
        issuance of an injunction;
the Commission may initiate a civil action for a temporary restraining 
order or a temporary injunction pending the outcome of the proceedings 
described in paragraphs (1), (2), (3), and (4).
    ``(B) An action under subparagraph (A) shall be brought in the 
United States district court for the district in which the defendant 
resides, transacts business, or may be found or in which the violation 
is occurring, has occurred, or is about to occur.'';
            (2) in paragraph (7), by striking ``(5) or (6)'' and 
        inserting ``(5), (6), or (13)''; and
            (3) in paragraph (11), by striking ``(6)'' and inserting 
        ``(6) or (13)''.

SEC. 505. PENALTIES.

    (a) Increased Penalties.--Section 309(a) of the Federal Election 
Campaign Act of 1971 (2 U.S.C. 437g(a)) is amended--
            (1) in paragraphs (5)(A), (6)(A), and (6)(B) by striking 
        ``$5,000'' and inserting ``$10,000'';
            (2) in paragraph (5)(B) by striking ``the greater of 
        $10,000 or an amount equal to 200 percent'' and inserting ``the 
        greater of $20,000 or 300 percent''; and
            (3) in paragraph (6)(C) by striking ``the greater of 
        $10,000 or an amount equal to 200 percent'' and inserting ``the 
        greater of $20,000 or 300 percent''.
    (b) Equitable Remedies.--Section 309(a)(5)(A) of the Federal 
Election Campaign Act of 1971 (2 U.S.C. 437g(a)(5)) is amended by 
striking the period and inserting ``, and, if authorized by the 
agreement, may include equitable remedies or penalties including 
disgorgement of funds to the United States Treasury, community service 
requirements, suspension or disbarment of treasurers, or public 
education requirements.''.
    (c) Automatic Penalty for Late Filing.--Section 309(a) of the 
Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (2 U.S.C. 437g(a)) (as amended by 
section 504) is amended--
    (1) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(14) Penalty for late filing.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The Commission shall establish a 
                schedule of mandatory monetary penalties that shall be 
                imposed by the staff director of the Commission for any 
                failure to meet the time requirements for filing under 
                section 304.
                    ``(B) Required filing of late report.--The 
                Commission may require a report that has not been filed 
                within the time requirements of section 304 to be filed 
                by a specific date.
                    ``(C) Procedure for assessing penalties and filing 
                deadlines.--Penalties and filing requirements imposed 
                under this paragraph shall not be subject to paragraph 
                (1), (2), (3), (4), (5) or (12).
                    ``(D) Appeals.--
                            ``(i) In general.--A political committee 
                        shall have 30 days after the imposition of 
                        penalty or filing requirement under this 
                        paragraph to file an exception with the 
                        Commission.
                            ``(ii) Commission determination.--Within 30 
                        days after receiving the exception, the 
                        Commission shall make a determination that is a 
                        final agency action subject to exclusive review 
                        by the United States Court of Appeals for the 
                        District of Columbia Circuit under section 706 
                        of title 5, United States Code, upon petition 
                        filed in the court by the political committee 
                        that is the subject of the agency action, if 
                        the petition is filed within 30 days of the 
                        Commission action for which review is 
                        sought.'';
            (2) in paragraph (5)(D)--
                    (A) by inserting after the first sentence the 
                following: ``In any case in which a penalty or filing 
                requirement imposed on a political committee or 
                treasurer under paragraph (14) has not been satisfied, 
                the Commission may institute a civil action for 
                enforcement under paragraph 6(A).''; and
                    (B) by inserting before the period in the last 
                sentence ``or has failed to pay a penalty or meet a 
                filing requirement imposed under paragraph (14)''; and
            (3) in paragraph (6)(A), by striking ``paragraph (4)(A)'' 
        and inserting ``paragraph (4)(A) or (14)''.

SEC. 506. INDEPENDENT LITIGATING AUTHORITY.

    (a) Litigating Authority.--Section 306(f) of Federal Election 
Campaign Act of 1971 (2 U.S.C. 437c(f)) is amended by striking 
paragraph (4) and inserting the following:
            ``(4) Independent litigating authority.--
                    ``(A) In general.--Notwithstanding paragraph (2) or 
                any other provision of law, the Commission is 
                authorized to appear on its own behalf in any action 
                related to the exercise of its statutory duties or 
                powers in any court as a party or amicus curiae, 
                either--
                            ``(i) by attorneys employed in the office 
                        of the Commission, or
                            ``(ii) by counsel whom the Commission may 
                        appoint, on a temporary basis, as may be 
                        necessary for such purpose, without regard to 
                        the provisions of title 5, United States Code, 
                        and whose compensation the Commission may fix 
                        without regard to the provisions of chapter 51 
                        and subchapter III of chapter 53 of that title.
            ``(B) Appeals.--The authority granted under subparagraph 
        (A) includes the power of the Commission to appeal from, and 
        petition the Supreme Court for certiorari to review, judgments, 
        or decrees entered with respect to actions in which the 
        Commission appears pursuant to the authority provided by this 
        Act.''.
    (b) Power of Commission To Petition the Supreme Court.--Section 
307(a)(6) of Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (2 U.S.C. 
437d(a)(6)) is amended by striking ``or appeal any civil action'' and 
inserting ``, appeal any civil action or petition the Supreme Court for 
certiorari to review judgments or decrees entered with respect to 
actions in which the Commission appears''.

SEC. 507. REFERENCE OF SUSPECTED VIOLATION TO THE ATTORNEY GENERAL.

    Section 309(a)(5) of Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (2 
U.S.C. 437g(a)) is amended by striking subparagraph (C) and inserting 
the following:
                    ``(C) Referral to the Attorney General.--The 
                Commission may at any time, by an affirmative vote of 4 
                of its members, refer a possible violation of this Act 
                or chapter 95 or chapter 96 of the Internal Revenue 
                Code of 1986 to the Attorney General of the United 
                States, without regard to any limitations set forth in 
                this section.''.

SEC. 508. POWERS OF THE COMMISSION.

    (a) Initiation of Enforcement Proceeding.--Section 309(a)(2) of 
Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (2 U.S.C. 437g(a)(2)) is amended 
by striking ``reason to believe that'' and inserting ``reason to 
investigate whether''.
    (b) Service of Process.--Section 306(f) of the Federal Election 
Campaign Act of 1971 (2 U.S.C. 437c(f)) is amended by inserting at the 
end the following:
            ``(5) Service of process.--In any matter under this Act or 
        under chapter 95 or chapter 96 of the Internal Revenue Code of 
        1986, the Commission may at its discretion, without court order 
        and with or without reimbursement, require the United States 
        Marshal Service to serve process on behalf of the Commission, 
        including serving a summons, subpoena, or complaint, upon any 
        person.''.
    (c) Venue for Violations Adjudicated in Court.--Section 
309(a)(6)(A) of Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (2 U.S.C. 
437g(a)(6)(A)) is amended by striking ``for the district in which the 
person against whom such action is brought is found, resides, or 
transacts business'' and inserting ``in which the defendant resides, 
transacts business, or is found or in which the violation occurred''.
    (d) Filing of Reports With Commission Instead of the Secretary of 
the Senate.--
            (1) Section 302.--Section 302(g) of the Federal Election 
        Campaign Act of 1971 (2 U.S.C. 432(g)) is amended--
                    (A) by striking ``(g)(1)'' and all that follows 
                through ``(3) All'' and inserting ``(g) Filing.--'';
                    (B) by striking paragraph (4); and
                    (C) by striking ``, except designations, 
                statements, and reports filed in accordance with 
                paragraph (1),''.
            (2) Section 304.--Section 304 of Federal Election Campaign 
        Act of 1971 (2 U.S.C. 434) is amended--
                    (A) in the first sentence of subsection (a)(6), by 
                striking ``the Secretary, or the Commission,'' and 
                inserting ``the Commission''; and
                    (B) in the third sentence of subsection (c)(2), by 
                striking ``the Secretary, or''.
            (3) Section 311.--Section 311(a)(4) of Federal Election 
        Campaign Act of 1971 (2 U.S.C. 438(a)(4)) is amended by 
        striking ``Secretary, or the''.
    (e) Authorization To Accept Gifts.--Section 306(f) of the Federal 
Election Campaign Act of 1971 (2 U.S.C. 437c(f)) is amended by adding 
at the end the following:
            ``(6) Authorization to accept gifts.--
                    ``(A) In general.--To carry out the purposes of 
                this Act, the Commission may accept, hold, administer, 
                and utilize gifts, devises, and bequests of property, 
                both real and personal, if the acceptance and use of 
                the gifts, devises, or bequests does not create a 
                conflict of interest.
                    ``(B) Deposit of gifts.--Gifts and bequests of 
                money and proceeds from sales of other property 
                received as gifts, devises, or bequests shall be 
                deposited in the Treasury and shall be disbursed upon 
                the order of the Commission.
                    ``(C) Use of gifts.--Property accepted pursuant to 
                this section, and the proceeds from the property, shall 
                be used as closely as practicable in accordance with 
                the terms of the gifts, devises, or bequests.''.

                        TITLE VI--MISCELLANEOUS

SEC. 601. PROHIBITION OF LEADERSHIP COMMITTEES.

    Section 302(e) of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (2 
U.S.C. 432(e)) is amended--
            (1) by striking paragraph (3) and inserting the following:
            ``(3) Limitations.--A political committee that supports or 
        has supported more than 1 candidate shall not be designated as 
        an authorized committee, except that--
                    ``(A) a candidate for the office of President 
                nominated by a political party may designate the 
                national committee of the political party as the 
                candidate's principal campaign committee if the 
                national committee maintains separate books of account 
                with respect to its functions as a principal campaign 
                committee; and
                    ``(B) a candidate may designate a political 
                committee established solely for the purpose of joint 
                fundraising by such candidates as an authorized 
                committee.''; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(6) Prohibition of leadership committees.--
                    ``(A) In general.--
                            ``(i) Prohibition.--A candidate or an 
                        individual holding Federal office shall not 
                        establish, finance, maintain, or control any 
                        political committee or non-Federal political 
                        committee other than a principal campaign 
                        committee of the candidate, authorized 
                        committee, party committee, or other political 
                        committee designated in accordance with 
                        paragraph (3).
                            ``(ii) Candidate for more than 1 office.--A 
                        candidate for more than 1 Federal office may 
                        designate a separate principal campaign 
                        committee for the campaign for election to each 
                        Federal office.
                            ``(iii) Candidates for state or local 
                        office.--This paragraph does not preclude a 
                        Federal officeholder who is a candidate for 
                        State or local office from establishing, 
                        financing, maintaining, or controlling a 
                        political committee for election of the 
                        individual to the State or local office.
                    ``(B) Transition.--
                            ``(i) Continuation for 12 months.--For a 
                        period of 12 months after the effective date of 
                        this paragraph, any political committee 
                        established before that date but that is 
                        prohibited under subparagraph (A) may continue 
                        to make contributions.
                            ``(ii) Disbursement at the end of 12 
                        months.--At the end of the 12-month period, the 
                        political committee shall disburse all funds by 
                        1 or more of the following means:
                                    ``(I) Making contributions to a 
                                person described in section 501(c)(3) 
                                of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 
                                and exempt from taxation under section 
                                501(a) of the Code.
                                    ``(II) Making a contribution to the 
                                Treasury of the United States.
                                    ``(III) Contributing to the 
                                national, State, or local committee of 
                                a political party.
                                    ``(IV) Making a contribution of not 
                                to exceed $1,000 each to 1 or more 
                                candidates or non-Federal 
                                candidates.''.

SEC. 602. TELEPHONE VOTING BY PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES.

    (a) Study of Systems To Permit Persons With Disabilities To Vote by 
Telephone.--
            (1) In general.--The Federal Election Commission shall 
        conduct a study to determine the feasibility of developing a 
        system or systems by which persons with disabilities may be 
        permitted to vote by telephone.
            (2) Consultation.--The Federal Election Commission shall 
        conduct the study described in paragraph (1) in consultation 
        with State and local election officials, representatives of the 
        telecommunications industry, representatives of persons with 
        disabilities, and other concerned members of the public.
            (3) Criteria.--The system or systems developed pursuant to 
        paragraph (1) shall--
                    (A) propose a description of the kinds of 
                disabilities that impose such difficulty in travel to 
                polling places that a person with a disability who may 
                desire to vote is discouraged from undertaking such 
                travel;
                    (B) propose procedures to identify persons who are 
                so disabled; and
                    (C) describe procedures and equipment that may be 
                used to ensure that--
                            (i) only persons who are entitled to use 
                        the system are permitted to use it;
                            (ii) the votes of persons who use the 
                        system are recorded accurately and remain 
                        secret;
                            (iii) the system minimizes the possibility 
                        of vote fraud; and
                            (iv) the system minimizes the financial 
                        costs that State and local governments would 
                        incur in establishing and operating the system.
            (4) Requests for proposals.--In developing a system 
        described in paragraph (1), the Federal Election Commission may 
        request proposals from private contractors for the design of 
        procedures and equipment to be used in the system.
            (5) Physical access.--Nothing in this section is intended 
        to supersede or supplant efforts by State and local governments 
        to make polling places physically accessible to persons with 
        disabilities.
            (6) Deadline.--The Federal Election Commission shall submit 
        to Congress the study required by this section not later than 1 
        year after the effective date of this Act.

SEC. 603. CERTAIN TAX-EXEMPT ORGANIZATIONS NOT SUBJECT TO CORPORATE 
              LIMITS.

    Section 316 of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (2 U.S.C. 
441b) (as amended by section 203) is amended by adding at the end the 
following:
    ``(d) Prohibitions Not To Apply to Independent Expenditures of 
Certain Tax-Exempt Organizations.--
            ``(1) In general.--Nothing in this section shall preclude a 
        qualified nonprofit corporation from making an independent 
        expenditure.
            ``(2) Definition of qualified nonprofit corporation.--In 
        this subsection, the term `qualified nonprofit corporation' 
        means a corporation described in section 501(c)(4) of the 
        Internal Revenue Code of 1986 that is exempt from taxation 
        under section 501(a) of the Code and that meets the following 
        requirements:
                    ``(A) Purpose.--The only express purpose of the 
                corporation is the promotion of political ideas.
                    ``(B) No trade or business.--The corporation cannot 
                and does not engage in any activities that constitute a 
                trade or business.
                    ``(C) Gross receipts.--The gross receipts of the 
                corporation for the calendar year have not (and will 
                not) exceed $100,000, and the net value of the total 
                assets at any time during the calendar year do not 
                exceed $250,000.
                    ``(D) Establishment.--The corporation--
                            ``(i) was not established by--
                                    ``(I) a person described in section 
                                501(c)(6) of the Internal Revenue Code 
                                of 1986 that is exempt from taxation 
                                under section 501(a) of the Code;
                                    ``(II) a corporation engaged in 
                                carrying out a trade or business; or
                                    ``(III) a labor organization; and
                            ``(ii) cannot and does not directly or 
                        indirectly accept donations of anything of 
                        value from any such person, corporation, or 
                        labor organization.
                    ``(E) Assets and earnings.--The corporation--
                            ``(i) has no shareholder or other person 
                        affiliated with it that could make a claim on 
                        its assets or earnings; and
                            ``(ii) offers no incentives or 
                        disincentives for associating or not 
                        associating with it other than on the basis of 
                        its position on any political issue.
            ``(3) Qualified nonprofit corporation treated as political 
        committee.--If a major purpose of a qualified nonprofit 
        corporation is the making of independent expenditures, and the 
        requirements of section 301(4) are met with respect to the 
        corporation, the corporation shall be treated as a political 
        committee.
            ``(4) Notice requirement.--All solicitations by a qualified 
        nonprofit corporation shall include a notice informing 
        contributors that donations may be used by the corporation to 
        make independent expenditures.
            ``(5) Reports.--A qualified nonprofit corporation shall 
        file reports as required by subsections (d) and (e) of section 
        304.

SEC. 604. AIDING AND ABETTING VIOLATIONS OF THE FEDERAL ELECTION 
              CAMPAIGN ACT OF 1971.

    Title III of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (as amended 
by section 404) is amended by adding at the end the following:

``SEC. 326. AIDING AND ABETTING VIOLATIONS.

    ``With reference to any provision of this Act that places a 
requirement or prohibition on any person acting in a particular 
capacity, any person who knowingly aids or abets the person in that 
capacity in violating that provision may be proceeded against as a 
principal in the violation.''.

SEC. 605. CAMPAIGN ADVERTISING THAT REFERS TO AN OPPONENT.

    Title III of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (2 U.S.C. 
431 et seq.) (as amended by section 604) is amended by adding at the 
end the following:

``SEC. 327. CAMPAIGN ADVERTISING THAT REFERS TO AN OPPONENT.

    ``(a) Candidates.--A candidate or candidate's authorized committee 
that places in the mail a campaign advertisement or any other 
communication to the general public that directly or indirectly refers 
to an opponent or the opponents of the candidate in an election, with 
or without identifying any opponent in particular, shall file an exact 
copy of the communication with the Commission and with the Secretary of 
State of the candidate's State by not later than 12:00 p.m. on the day 
on which the communication is first placed in the mail to the general 
public.
    ``(b) Persons Other Than Candidates.--
            ``(1) In general.--A person other than a candidate or 
        candidate's authorized committee that places in the mail a 
        campaign advertisement or any other communication described in 
        paragraph (2) shall file an exact copy of the communication 
        with the Commission and with the Secretary of State of the 
        candidate's State by not later than 12:00 p.m. on the day on 
        which the communication is first placed in the mail to the 
        general public.
            ``(2) Advocacy or reference to opponent.--A communication 
        is described in this paragraph if it is a communication to the 
        general public that--
                    ``(A) advocates the election of a particular 
                candidate in an election; and
                    ``(B) directly or indirectly refers to an opponent 
                or the opponents of the candidate in the election, with 
                or without identifying any opponent in particular.''.

SEC. 606. LIMIT ON CONGRESSIONAL USE OF THE FRANKING PRIVILEGE.

    Section 3210(a)(6) of title 39, United States Code, is amended by 
striking subparagraph (A) and inserting the following:
                    ``(A) A Member of Congress may not mail any mass 
                mailing as franked mail during a year in which there 
                will be an election for the seat held by the Member 
                during the period between January 1 of that year and 
                the date of the general election for that office, 
                unless the Member has made a public announcement that 
                the Member will not be a candidate for reelection to 
                that seat or for election to any other Federal 
                office.''.

SEC. 607. STRENGTHENING FOREIGN MONEY BAN.

    Section 319 of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (2 U.S.C. 
441e) is amended--
            (1) by striking the heading and inserting the following: 
        ``contributions and donations by foreign nationals''; and
            (2) by striking subsection (a) and inserting the following:
    ``(a) Prohibition.--It shall be unlawful for--
            ``(1) a foreign national, directly or indirectly, to make--
                    ``(A) a donation of money or other thing of value, 
                or to promise expressly or impliedly to make a 
                donation, in connection with a Federal, State, or local 
                election; or
                    ``(B) a contribution or donation to a committee of 
                a political party; or
            ``(2) for a person to solicit, accept, or receive such 
        contribution or donation from a foreign national.''.

SEC. 608. CERTIFICATION OF COMPLIANCE WITH FOREIGN CONTRIBUTION AND 
              SOLICITATION LIMITATIONS.

    Section 304 of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (2 U.S.C. 
434) is amended--
            (1) by redesignating subsection (c) as subsection (d); and
            (2) by inserting after subsection (b) the following:
    ``(c) Certification of Compliance With Foreign Contribution and 
Solicitation Limitations--Each report required under this section shall 
include a certification under penalty of perjury that the political 
committee has not knowingly solicited or accepted contributions 
prohibited by section 319.''.

               TITLE VII--EFFECTIVE DATES; AUTHORIZATIONS

SEC. 701. EFFECTIVE DATE.

    Except as otherwise provided in this Act, this Act and the 
amendments made by this Act shall take effect on the date of enactment 
of this Act.

SEC. 702. BUDGET NEUTRALITY.

    (a) Delayed Effectiveness.--This Act (other than this section) and 
the amendments made by this Act shall not be effective until the 
Director of the Office of Management and Budget certifies that the 
estimated costs under section 252 of the Balanced Budget and Emergency 
Deficit Control Act of 1985 (2 U.S.C. 902) have been offset by the 
enactment of legislation effectuating this Act.
    (b) Funding.--Legislation effectuating this Act shall not provide 
for general revenue increases, reduce expenditures for any existing 
Federal program, or increase the Federal budget deficit.

SEC. 703. SEVERABILITY.

    Except as provided in section 101(c), if any provision of this Act 
(including any amendment made by this Act), or the application of any 
such provision to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the 
validity of any other provision of this Act, or the application of the 
provision to other persons and circumstances shall not be affected 
thereby.

SEC. 704. EXPEDITED REVIEW OF CONSTITUTIONAL ISSUES.

    (a) Direct Appeal to Supreme Court.--An appeal may be taken 
directly to the Supreme Court of the United States from any 
interlocutory order or final judgment, decree, or order issued by any 
court ruling on the constitutionality of any provision of this Act or 
amendment made by this Act.
    (b) Acceptance and Expedition.--The Supreme Court shall, if the 
Court has not previously ruled on the question addressed in the ruling 
below, accept jurisdiction over, advance on the docket, and expedite 
the appeal to the greatest extent possible.

SEC. 705. REGULATIONS.

    The Federal Election Commission shall prescribe any regulations 
required to carry out this Act and the amendments made by this Act not 
later than 270 days after the effective date of this Act.
                                 <all>