1.Short title; table of
contents
(a)This Act may be cited
as the Fair Elections Now
Act
.
(b)The table of contents of this Act is as follows:
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Title I—Fair elections financing of House election
campaigns
Sec. 101. Findings and declarations.
Sec. 102. Eligibility requirements and benefits of fair
elections financing of House election campaigns.
Title V—Fair elections financing of House election
campaigns
Subtitle A—General provisions
Sec. 501. Definitions.
Sec. 502. Fair Elections Fund.
Subtitle B—Eligibility and certification
Sec. 511. Eligibility.
Sec. 512. Qualifying contribution requirement.
Sec. 513. Contribution and expenditure
requirements.
Sec. 514. Debate requirement.
Sec. 515. Certification.
Subtitle C—Benefits
Sec. 521. Benefits for participating candidates.
Sec. 522. Allocations from the Fund.
Sec. 523. Matching payments for qualified small dollar
contributions.
Sec. 524. Political advertising vouchers.
Subtitle D—Administrative provisions
Sec. 531. Fair Elections Oversight Board.
Sec. 532. Administration provisions.
Sec. 533. Violations and
penalties.
Sec. 103. Prohibition on joint fundraising
committees.
Sec. 104. Limitation on coordinated expenditures by political
party committees with participating candidates.
Sec. 105. Deposit of proceeds from
recovered spectrum auctions.
Sec. 106. Designation of overpayments as
contributions to Fair Elections Fund.
Title II—Improving voter information
Sec. 201. Broadcasts relating to all House
candidates.
Sec. 202. Broadcast rates for participating
candidates.
Sec. 203. FCC to prescribe standardized form for reporting
candidate campaign ads.
Title III—Responsibilities of the Federal Election
Commission
Sec. 301. Petition for certiorari.
Sec. 302. Filing by all candidates with Commission.
Sec. 303. Electronic filing of FEC reports.
Title IV—Miscellaneous provisions
Sec. 401. Severability.
Sec. 402. Effective date.
<enum>I</enum><header>Fair
elections financing of House election campaigns</header>
<section id="H0740679EF6C648789FCDFF1E10B8E5C8"><enum>101.</enum><header>Findings and
declarations</header>
<subsection id="HDA82EB82EA074FC9A6087EEFB73EF1BA"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Undermining of
democracy by campaign contributions from private sources</header><text>The
House of Representatives finds and declares that the current system of
privately financed campaigns for election to the House of Representatives has
the capacity, and is often perceived by the public, to undermine democracy in
the United States by—</text>
<paragraph id="HD73F7A98A7A74AE39C6AF57E2665065A"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">creating a culture that fosters actual or
perceived conflicts of interest, by encouraging Members of the House to accept
large campaign contributions from private interests that are directly affected
by Federal legislation;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HC186239D0B1F40E4B0FA4287FD317C87"><enum>(2)</enum><text>diminishing or
appearing to diminish Members’ accountability to constituents by compelling
legislators to be accountable to the major contributors who finance their
election campaigns;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HE65B9C04C6744189A1BDEA296FF63527"><enum>(3)</enum><text>undermining the
meaning of the right to vote by allowing monied interests to have a
disproportionate and unfair influence within the political process;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H222B6E3C9E3444B58FF19E0FE0A965CF"><enum>(4)</enum><text>imposing large,
unwarranted costs on taxpayers through legislative and regulatory distortions
caused by unequal access to lawmakers for campaign contributors;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H026C8B660B094003A1A0C7388DF8A90E"><enum>(5)</enum><text>making it
difficult for some qualified candidates to mount competitive House election
campaigns;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HF2ED53C0882448BA82156472ECCDFC51"><enum>(6)</enum><text>disadvantaging
challengers and discouraging competitive elections, because large campaign
contributors tend to donate their money to incumbent Members, thus causing
House elections to be less competitive; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HD32E35A8C30E4CDC97DB7AD74A883033"><enum>(7)</enum><text>burdening
incumbents with a preoccupation with fundraising and thus decreasing the time
available to carry out their public responsibilities.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H17B766E7EDFF42548C3055BDE7A5B921"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Enhancement of
democracy by providing allocations from the Fair Elections
Fund</header><text>The House of Representatives finds and declares that
providing the option of the replacement of large private campaign contributions
with allocations from the Fair Elections Fund for all primary, runoff, and
general elections to the House of Representatives would enhance American
democracy by—</text>
<paragraph id="HFFA08181D40B4B5696C44F6CB3F174C4"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">reducing the actual or perceived conflicts
of interest created by fully private financing of the election campaigns of
public officials and restoring public confidence in the integrity and fairness
of the electoral and legislative processes through a program which allows
participating candidates to adhere to substantially lower contribution limits
for contributors with an assurance that there will be sufficient funds for such
candidates to run viable electoral campaigns;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H379905445AE942FF9256D556BF154342"><enum>(2)</enum><text>increasing the
public's confidence in the accountability of Members to the constituents who
elect them, which derives from the program's qualifying criteria to participate
in the voluntary program and the conclusions that constituents may draw
regarding candidates who qualify and participate in the program;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H7A8B4D27E09441EE85D28D00517D79AB"><enum>(3)</enum><text>helping to reduce
the ability to make large campaign contributions as a determinant of a
citizen's influence within the political process by facilitating the expression
of support by voters at every level of wealth, encouraging political
participation, incentivizing participation on the part of Members through the
matching of small dollar contributions;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H525EBEAB37744035A79ED563F1EEA818"><enum>(4)</enum><text>potentially saving
taxpayers billions of dollars that may be (or that are perceived to be)
currently allocated based upon legislative and regulatory agendas skewed by the
influence of campaign contributions;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H3DDBB143DA184BD5B5464F6B33BC585D"><enum>(5)</enum><text>creating genuine
opportunities for all Americans to run for the House of Representatives and
encouraging more competitive elections;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H7532B27B9DDB4D0BB4A5927FE4EB3F76"><enum>(6)</enum><text>encouraging
participation in the electoral process by citizens of every level of wealth;
and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H8079900299AF464BBD69F3E80260D846"><enum>(7)</enum><text>freeing Members
from the incessant preoccupation with raising money, and allowing them more
time to carry out their public responsibilities.</text>
</paragraph></subsection></section><section id="H60AD51F3B7F042EB838637E9D5DF7B30"><enum>102.</enum><header>Eligibility
requirements and benefits of fair elections financing of House election
campaigns</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">The
<act-name parsable-cite="FECA">Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971</act-name>
(2 U.S.C. 431 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:</text>
<quoted-block act-name="Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971" id="H069285009CAB440CABDB73AFF74D320D">
<title id="H979E7FCF30054070B09176DA0C5E1905"><enum>V</enum><header>Fair elections
financing of House election campaigns</header>
<subtitle id="H51526029311644CA82F0BA8DC4A1FD21"><enum>A</enum><header>General
provisions</header>
<section id="HF276BF6C3957470B9F53661C2ABDF031"><enum>501.</enum><header>Definitions</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">In this title:</text>
<paragraph id="H8AAE486730734EA0BFBF948250B347A6"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Allocation from
the Fund</header><text>The term <term>allocation from the Fund</term> means an
allocation of money from the Fair Elections Fund to a participating candidate
pursuant to section 522.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H2D9A907E60344B36A4A412837C854B5B"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Board</header><text>The
term <term>Board</term> means the Fair Elections Oversight Board established
under section 531.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H3B9DDF0C0579493BA56548FB8E0E6281"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Fair Elections
qualifying period</header><text>The term <term>Fair Elections qualifying
period</term> means, with respect to any candidate for the office of
Representative in, or Delegate or Resident Commissioner to, the Congress, the
period—</text>
<subparagraph id="H35FF78DCB61F4559A2F0B5B9EC1328B1"><enum>(A)</enum><text>beginning on the
date on which the candidate files a statement of intent under section
511(a)(1); and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H160BE5C017D44720ACC93E9075A951FF"><enum>(B)</enum><text>ending on the date
that is 60 days before—</text>
<clause id="H401D47EFA0014B22B72ADC1A930364DC"><enum>(i)</enum><text>the date of the
primary election; or</text>
</clause><clause id="H7422C5387908443FB303E5EFA6B38972"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>in the case of a
State that does not hold a primary election, the date prescribed by State law
as the last day to qualify for a position on the general election
ballot.</text>
</clause></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="H6F101F2A46574C10812A7CECF24FF209"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Fair Elections
start date</header><text>The term <term>Fair Elections start date</term> means,
with respect to any candidate, the date that is 180 days before—</text>
<subparagraph id="HBF2B868714B44F37B97A2D575D42DFA7"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the date of the
primary election; or</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H0390B489BEBB47F2A8AD48460E74D047"><enum>(B)</enum><text>in the case of a
State that does not hold a primary election, the date prescribed by State law
as the last day to qualify for a position on the general election
ballot.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="H10E98FED474042D2A3516E728A55D0A5"><enum>(5)</enum><header>Fund</header><text>The
term <term>Fund</term> means the Fair Elections Fund established by section
502.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" id="H2A49247AEBF04F01827530AF742E4BB9"><enum>(6)</enum><header>Immediate
family</header><text>The term <term>immediate family</term> means, with respect
to any candidate—</text>
<subparagraph commented="no" id="H0A0B994BD7D14969A6F8A8377ED89460"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the candidate’s
spouse;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" id="H0A692524363A4AA0B228DEB4EAA922A6"><enum>(B)</enum><text>a child,
stepchild, parent, grandparent, brother, half-brother, sister, or half-sister
of the candidate or the candidate’s spouse; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" id="HFA5BC4A0ECCE43BF9BF3324936143390"><enum>(C)</enum><text>the spouse of any
person described in subparagraph (B).</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" id="H3359AE1DD16F41EC83D78E94FE3E8EF8"><enum>(7)</enum><header>Matching
contribution</header><text>The term <term>matching contribution</term> means a
matching payment provided to a participating candidate for qualified small
dollar contributions, as provided under section 523.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HD01183CFB2644766BA66E9ED77F08316"><enum>(8)</enum><header>Nonparticipating
candidate</header><text>The term <term>nonparticipating candidate</term> means
a candidate for the office of Representative in, or Delegate or Resident
Commissioner to, the Congress who is not a participating candidate.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HFCB90DFB721F4DCFA9064CC525CEDB65"><enum>(9)</enum><header>Participating
candidate</header><text>The term <term>participating candidate</term> means a
candidate for the office of Representative in, or Delegate or Resident
Commissioner to, the Congress who is certified under section 515 as being
eligible to receive an allocation from the Fund.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HF23D7E0DF7B74836BBB626A2E3B2E508"><enum>(10)</enum><header>Qualifying
contribution</header><text>The term <term>qualifying contribution</term> means,
with respect to a candidate, a contribution that—</text>
<subparagraph id="H3E972FA8ABAB472CBA00C2538B484A3C"><enum>(A)</enum><text>is in an amount
that is—</text>
<clause id="H65D727EF5C1542B39B923E7D8F72A1C5"><enum>(i)</enum><text>not less than the
greater of $5 or the amount determined by the Commission under section 531;
and</text>
</clause><clause id="HEF3052C60A274ABF8244C03CAD0F0274"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>not more than the
greater of $100 or the amount determined by the Commission under section
531.</text>
</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HEE83C2EC78C6443EB562FE25F06FC0A2"><enum>(B)</enum><text>is made by an
individual—</text>
<clause id="H19D6A22DE1A8484DAA44BCFF4035423E"><enum>(i)</enum><text>who is a resident
of the State in which such Candidate is seeking election; and</text>
</clause><clause id="H0BC6FF25C7FE40C9ACA422F14D5FB4FE"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>who is not
otherwise prohibited from making a contribution under this Act;</text>
</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H8FDBE8332D2042D2B3FF3868076F84C9"><enum>(C)</enum><text>is made during the
Fair Elections qualifying period; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H164B88D528C34CD9B7FEF1DA2F2F3AC5"><enum>(D)</enum><text>meets the
requirements of section 512(b).</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="H07C345E265A64A58A40E5F3B055CB0FE"><enum>(11)</enum><header>Qualified small
dollar contribution</header><text>The term <term>qualified small dollar
contribution</term> means, with respect to a candidate, any contribution (or a
series of contributions)—</text>
<subparagraph id="H408C425393994073947F1271306699F5"><enum>(A)</enum><text>which is not a
qualifying contribution (or does not include a qualifying contribution);</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="HDF92C8A1B3034661AFEBE29E22AD68CF"><enum>(B)</enum><text>which is made by
an individual who is not prohibited from making a contribution under this Act;
and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H9DF209D3C3A94B0CA7A7B9B9665609B3"><enum>(C)</enum><text>the aggregate
amount of which does not exceed the greater of—</text>
<clause id="HB303C359EEAE4BDDA8E330040FCD1756"><enum>(i)</enum><text>$100 per election;
or</text>
</clause><clause id="HD238AD284C294EB7AAFC4EEFFA3E928B"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>the amount
determined by the Commission under section 531.</text>
</clause></subparagraph></paragraph></section><section id="H7C52D37382744AD2A1A9D8C2260B80CC"><enum>502.</enum><header>Fair Elections
Fund</header>
<subsection id="HC75A38B3C6B44E4D9F14A70E6DB92434"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Establishment</header><text>There
is established in the Treasury a fund to be known as the <quote>Fair Elections
Fund</quote>.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="H90BC5999C7CB4781A81FE46A82A57D41"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Amounts held by
Fund</header><text>The Fund shall consist of the following amounts:</text>
<paragraph commented="no" id="HC562D974DFD84F52A3F722C0A7292251"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Appropriated
amounts</header>
<subparagraph commented="no" id="HA16CB3092DC3444EB7BB95F4E3A27547"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>Amounts appropriated to the Fund, including trust fund
amounts appropriated pursuant to applicable provisions of the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" id="HA793177B1A92424ABBCB2C3809EB48F5"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Proceeds from
recovered spectrum auctions</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Amounts deposited pursuant to section
309(j)(8)(E)(ii)(II) of the Communications Act of 1934.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H61FF647563A5497289EE4BE842FFE496"><enum>(C)</enum><header>Designations of
overpayments as contributions</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Amounts appropriated to the Fund equivalent
to the amounts of the overpayments of tax to which designations under section
6097 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 apply.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="HD270030E742046C980067DB4A3304FB2"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Voluntary
contributions</header><text>Voluntary contributions to the Fund.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H44E9345BA30D4359AC549B7D0B274132"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Other
deposits</header><text>Amounts deposited into the Fund under—</text>
<subparagraph id="HFF87FEB4D1E646F4A00E47B54903D097"><enum>(A)</enum><text>section 513(c)
(relating to exceptions to contribution requirements);</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="HB216993ACAD14CCB942FDD58F04D7C8B"><enum>(B)</enum><text>section 521(c)
(relating to remittance of allocations from the Fund);</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="HF83CAB671F904FF4BE39C2DE2F3BE4B9"><enum>(C)</enum><text>section 533
(relating to violations); and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="HA886D004458F4B7589FC79383BBF65FD"><enum>(D)</enum><text>any other section
of this Act.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="HEE3E024CB7EA453C88C4B7938BC5B3DB"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Investment
returns</header><text>Interest on, and the proceeds from, the sale or
redemption of, any obligations held by the Fund under subsection (c).</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="HA8DB56920AC04E0CBCA24B2A2000BCF7"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Investment</header><text>The
Commission shall invest portions of the Fund in obligations of the United
States in the same manner as provided under section 9602(b) of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="HCF01C883505D4B728803B944EF976779"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Use of
Fund</header>
<paragraph id="H13C3190BBA5644A9A71F5D32F964EB1A"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>The sums in the Fund shall be used to provide benefits to
participating candidates as provided in subtitle C.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H21B79468DD874F2391DBCBEAB47DAB26"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Insufficient
amounts</header><text>Under regulations established by the Commission, rules
similar to the rules of section 9006(c) of the Internal Revenue Code shall
apply.</text>
</paragraph></subsection></section></subtitle><subtitle id="H5292F4DC8AEF4AE6A739C0D6690F79C9"><enum>B</enum><header>Eligibility and
certification</header>
<section id="H539C26CAB8554B68AFA913CBE9F79570"><enum>511.</enum><header>Eligibility</header>
<subsection id="H783796F52FC14DE985FA45F468DD7062"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>A candidate for the office of Representative in, or
Delegate or Resident Commissioner to, the Congress is eligible to receive an
allocation from the Fund for any election if the candidate meets the following
requirements:</text>
<paragraph id="H532E48A362AE436083C85582028AB479"><enum>(1)</enum><text>The candidate
files with the Commission a statement of intent to seek certification as a
participating candidate under this title during the period beginning on the
Fair Elections start date and ending on the last day of the Fair Elections
qualifying period.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H4D280A4A9ECE48EBB68FCF1828E43C5D"><enum>(2)</enum><text>The candidate
meets the qualifying contribution requirements of section 512.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HEF81F4287258466CB4CF355A2BCF3AF3"><enum>(3)</enum><text>Not later than the
last day of the Fair Elections qualifying period, the candidate files with the
Commission an affidavit signed by the candidate and the treasurer of the
candidate's principal campaign committee declaring that the candidate—</text>
<subparagraph id="H48F5AF4DD18443B3BBD86BCB14E61C26"><enum>(A)</enum><text>has complied and,
if certified, will comply with the contribution and expenditure requirements of
section 513;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H53C5F5F04FC74D4285F4B6BC295279D5"><enum>(B)</enum><text>if certified, will
comply with the debate requirements of section 514;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H125199741BA04DF0B7AA7CE754DF3520"><enum>(C)</enum><text>if certified, will
not run as a nonparticipating candidate during such year in any election for
the office that such candidate is seeking; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H893463E1074340EBB44FE23B136E8930"><enum>(D)</enum><text>has either
qualified or will take steps to qualify under State law to be on the
ballot.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H1EE0BCCC436B4DB9A63B7ECAB9E4080D"><enum>(b)</enum><header>General
election</header><text>Notwithstanding subsection (a), a candidate shall not be
eligible to receive an allocation from the Fund for a general election or a
general runoff election unless the candidate’s party nominated the candidate to
be placed on the ballot for the general election or the candidate otherwise
qualified to be on the ballot under State law.</text>
</subsection></section><section id="H505FCA1261474E288591E6AAD047AAEE"><enum>512.</enum><header>Qualifying
contribution requirement</header>
<subsection id="H3F7A8E4A0826499AAA86162E69530DB0"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>A candidate for the office of Representative in, or
Delegate or Resident Commissioner to, the Congress meets the requirement of
this section if, during the Fair Elections qualifying period, the candidate
obtains—</text>
<paragraph commented="no" id="H9AF6856C46834AA0B4080452390EE495"><enum>(1)</enum><text>a number of
qualifying contributions equal to or greater than 1,500; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" id="H046EEFEC84934467B9A28B6BCB4C85B8"><enum>(2)</enum><text>a total dollar
amount of qualifying contributions equal to or greater than $50,000.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H99E413E5D4464A85ADB7A49A02D9E62C"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Requirements
relating to receipt of qualifying contribution</header><text>Each qualifying
contribution—</text>
<paragraph id="H0A2044804DE94EA68F88BF3558681774"><enum>(1)</enum><text>may be made by
means of a personal check, money order, debit card, credit card, or electronic
payment account;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H2CD22BD63287473997CE88BC896875EE"><enum>(2)</enum><text>shall be
accompanied by a signed statement containing—</text>
<subparagraph id="HD61F2B99A6884EAEBE5EB7AF11DE4B8F"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the contributor’s
name and the contributor's address in the State in which the contributor is
registered to vote;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H9CD339567907432C96CF79D6F6EB7DDC"><enum>(B)</enum><text>an oath declaring
that the contributor—</text>
<clause id="H7DB4885719604BDA84814EE24C479891"><enum>(i)</enum><text>understands that
the purpose of the qualifying contribution is to show support for the candidate
so that the candidate may qualify for Fair Elections financing;</text>
</clause><clause id="H6F2E4BB9B93D4176A7E8E673EC51A29B"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>is making the
contribution in his or her own name and from his or her own funds;</text>
</clause><clause id="H23D022748B0A47D39FA1C4AD8D4E2AC9"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>has made the
contribution willingly; and</text>
</clause><clause id="H1DDEAD46110E49F188E9786527025FAD"><enum>(iv)</enum><text>has not received
anything of value in return for the contribution; and</text>
</clause></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="HFADAB6D7F59848D686F79CCC4BF5BE61"><enum>(3)</enum><text>shall be
acknowledged by a receipt that is sent to the contributor with a copy kept by
the candidate for the Commission and a copy kept by the candidate for the
election authorities in the State with respect to which the candidate is
seeking election; and</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" id="H97DD28B00F474761BA6DAA6A291B9F14"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Verification of
qualifying contributions</header><text>The Commission shall establish
procedures for the auditing and verification of qualifying contributions to
ensure that such contributions meet the requirements of this section.</text>
</subsection></section><section id="HC2E893D80E1D49D7BDD952C523188BE1"><enum>513.</enum><header>Contribution
and expenditure requirements</header>
<subsection id="H9E69800ABE17463296FFCA580A27CAFA"><enum>(a)</enum><header>General
rule</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">A candidate for the
office of Representative in, or Delegate or Resident Commissioner to, the
Congress meets the requirements of this section if, during the election cycle
of the candidate, the candidate—</text>
<paragraph id="H79CC573EDBC94B77823A5339F03B10FD"><enum>(1)</enum><text>except as provided
in subsection (b), accepts no contributions other than—</text>
<subparagraph id="HE8BA3D49A7F941E8B23EACBFBA3C57C7"><enum>(A)</enum><text>qualifying
contributions;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H04351C6BBBFE4BA5B5063071A93E5FC2"><enum>(B)</enum><text>qualified small
dollar contributions;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="HCF5412A5FDF040EA96B49DEC7E16F3B8"><enum>(C)</enum><text>allocations from
the Fund under section 522;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="HCF8BBAA7E8EB48208889866C124B769B"><enum>(D)</enum><text>matching
contributions under section 523; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H7FE2DD5F016A47D7BA7EFFB254327209"><enum>(E)</enum><text>vouchers provided
to the candidate under section 524;</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="H02F83AA1ABCC4490A052587020F40739"><enum>(2)</enum><text>makes no
expenditures from any amounts other than from—</text>
<subparagraph id="HA91D2C1C1FB64446913263B613068F91"><enum>(A)</enum><text>qualifying
contributions;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H7AD923BE52AB4C3AADECBDF28A0B6358"><enum>(B)</enum><text>qualified small
dollar contributions;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H3DE8271E339A47F39423457EDE0B02D7"><enum>(C)</enum><text>allocations from
the Fund under section 522;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H41677FC3F9AE46CE9F92ADAC4A8F0AB4"><enum>(D)</enum><text>matching
contributions under section 523; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="HD8CA1693C0A04A0CA06AACE940068D15"><enum>(E)</enum><text>vouchers provided
to the candidate under section 524; and</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" id="H9150A087F5E341658D42BE46DD57D7C6"><enum>(3)</enum><text>makes no
expenditures from personal funds or the funds of any immediate family member
(other than funds received through qualified small dollar contributions and
qualifying contributions).</text>
</paragraph><continuation-text continuation-text-level="subsection">For
purposes of this subsection, a payment made by a political party in
coordination with a participating candidate shall not be treated as a
contribution to or as an expenditure made by the participating
candidate.</continuation-text></subsection><subsection commented="no" id="HC27C810B290642EF8E20AF0231B2B50E"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Contributions
for leadership PACs, etc</header><text>A political committee of a participating
candidate which is not an authorized committee of such candidate may accept
contributions other than contributions described in subsection (a)(1) from any
person if—</text>
<paragraph commented="no" id="H4E39A726324443B5A480702274B89577"><enum>(1)</enum><text>the aggregate
contributions from such person for any calendar year do not exceed $100;
and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" id="HB1C925FB9B0F49B7AB1D149879AFC8AF"><enum>(2)</enum><text>no portion of such
contributions is disbursed in connection with the campaign of the participating
candidate.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" id="H8631EE10598546CEAAC6C7605B962EC2"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Exception</header><text>Notwithstanding
subsection (a), a candidate shall not be treated as having failed to meet the
requirements of this section if any contributions that are not qualified small
dollar contributions, qualifying contributions, or contributions that meet the
requirements of subsection (b) and that are accepted before the date the
candidate files a statement of intent under section 511(a)(1) are—</text>
<paragraph commented="no" id="HF177853C18C5498296178946F4B7C976"><enum>(1)</enum><text>returned to the
contributor; or</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HB6ACFDBDFAB1473984E64B4A5FD709C7"><enum>(2)</enum><text>submitted to the
Commission for deposit in the Fund.</text>
</paragraph></subsection></section><section id="H7B90BA07BD074ADBB92C2B1B528065BF"><enum>514.</enum><header>Debate
requirement</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">A candidate for
the office of Representative in, or Delegate or Resident Commissioner to, the
Congress meets the requirements of this section if the candidate participates
in at least—</text>
<paragraph id="HDAE4CA8796934AE495E77ECDD697D006"><enum>(1)</enum><text>1 public debate
before the primary election with other participating candidates and other
willing candidates from the same party and seeking the same nomination as such
candidate; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H492BAF318FB742A98B88F6E97AF90131"><enum>(2)</enum><text>2 public debates
before the general election with other participating candidates and other
willing candidates seeking the same office as such candidate.</text>
</paragraph></section><section id="HCC7142C6341A4218BA76524A2D58FD9C"><enum>515.</enum><header>Certification</header>
<subsection id="HD72A85ACDBB04548B9080ACF8D0A0685"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In
general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Not later than 5 days
after a candidate files an affidavit under section 511(a)(3), the Commission
shall—</text>
<paragraph id="H06CBEAEFC9404B5FB2474C80790A67FA"><enum>(1)</enum><text>certify whether or
not the candidate is a participating candidate; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H75889C4302E6449695AF9E5B3A250E17"><enum>(2)</enum><text>notify the
candidate of the Commission's determination.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="HF83A7E83F7854B4DBBEB429EBC077577"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Revocation of
certification</header>
<paragraph id="H840EA2DCD37D43F4949241BA686D6F6E"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>The Commission may revoke a certification under
subsection (a) if—</text>
<subparagraph id="H9C537AC5AFFC4A508DC4CB4897DFF466"><enum>(A)</enum><text>a candidate fails
to qualify to appear on the ballot at any time after the date of certification;
or</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H6F31968C7A2F4C128FE5E8E05FB8F052"><enum>(B)</enum><text>a candidate
otherwise fails to comply with the requirements of this title, including any
regulatory requirements prescribed by the Commission.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" id="H6DE380AD3E2046E1B991FE62B1DAF69B"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Repayment of
benefits</header><text>If certification is revoked under paragraph (1), the
candidate shall repay to the Fund an amount equal to the value of benefits
received under this title plus interest (at a rate determined by the
Commission) on any such amount received.</text>
</paragraph></subsection></section></subtitle><subtitle id="H79C394E316F841519D8FEA6B42DCC2E8"><enum>C</enum><header>Benefits</header>
<section id="H65EDDF2B269F4E258FBE0B109597AF73"><enum>521.</enum><header>Benefits for
participating candidates</header>
<subsection id="H47486E8F3AFB42879262C34F59315630"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>For each election with respect to which a candidate is
certified as a participating candidate, such candidate shall be entitled
to—</text>
<paragraph id="H5F3C4321BF66436DA42A13969C7B610F"><enum>(1)</enum><text>an allocation from
the Fund to make or obligate to make expenditures with respect to such
election, as provided in section 522;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HC6CD48981BCE41A484E5DD3EF3004C9F"><enum>(2)</enum><text>matching
contributions, as provided in section 523; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HD826B081B3254D849C5E93C3E9272A0C"><enum>(3)</enum><text>for the general
election, vouchers for broadcasts of political advertisements, as provided in
section 524.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" id="HAFDC90BFBE9E49B683BC9C22C4DCD12D"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Restriction on
uses of allocations from the Fund</header><text>Allocations from the Fund
received by a participating candidate under sections 522 and matching
contributions under section 523 may only be used for campaign-related
costs.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="HEB225DB9F315481BB08C072CE12A3676"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Remitting
Allocations From the Fund</header>
<paragraph id="H41D2DF784F1443EF8ED5D3CF237F0C77"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Not later than the
date that is 45 days after an election in which the participating candidate
appeared on the ballot, such participating candidate shall remit to the
Commission for deposit in the Fund an amount equal to the lesser of—</text>
<subparagraph id="HD5C3E541D8374E808D2209F7A1EC5E9E"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the amount of money in the candidate’s
campaign account; or</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H349926856D544D72BC3178BBB583E772"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the sum of the allocations from the Fund
received by the candidate under section 522 and the matching contributions
received by the candidate under section 523.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="H0C4B69EA556F4AB1AD1777019EA9FC71"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Exception</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">In the case of a candidate who qualifies to
be on the ballot for a primary runoff election, a general election, or a
general runoff election, the amounts described in paragraph (1) may be retained
by the candidate and used in such subsequent election, and paragraph (1) shall
apply to the last applicable election in the election cycle.</text>
</paragraph></subsection></section><section id="H77B2D483661E44A4BA1C4BE74DA3F9E7"><enum>522.</enum><header>Allocations
from the Fund</header>
<subsection id="H137A4B4584C64F9295BBE1D6523EB8CE"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>The Commission shall make allocations from the Fund under
section 521(a)(1) to a participating candidate—</text>
<paragraph id="HE173FAC3781C41A48306E5C91BD6EFFD"><enum>(1)</enum><text>in the case of
amounts provided under subsection (c)(1), not later than 48 hours after the
date on which such candidate is certified as a participating candidate under
section 515;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H27E43A7EFBDA4A0E90D09C8D0536E26E"><enum>(2)</enum><text>in the case of a
general election, not later than 48 hours after—</text>
<subparagraph id="HD907959C66DE41B4ACD685058356891A"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the date of the
certification of the results of the primary election or the primary runoff
election; or</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H1C77B4EF77214CE388D788FCCA11A57D"><enum>(B)</enum><text>in any case in
which there is no primary election, the date the candidate qualifies to be
placed on the ballot; and</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="H3DE965A28CAF40F8A3F75B004D11C16A"><enum>(3)</enum><text>in the case of a
primary runoff election or a general runoff election, not later than 48 hours
after the certification of the results of the primary election or the general
election, as the case may be.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H86F04ED2BFE94FC18D8D552018BCD899"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Method of
payment</header><text>The Commission shall distribute funds available to
participating candidates under this section through the use of an electronic
funds exchange or a debit card.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="HC8F948F149534EBD80EF8A98B473A54E"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Amounts</header>
<paragraph id="H3E9E592A8DFD43BDB5C1B02F3FCABA51"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Primary election
allocation; initial allocation</header><text>Except as provided in paragraph
(5), the Commission shall make an allocation from the Fund for a primary
election to a participating candidate in an amount equal to 40 percent of the
base amount with respect to such participating candidate.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HF35C852B468A4EE9B934AFA43DCC388E"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Primary runoff
election allocation</header><text>The Commission shall make an allocation from
the Fund for a primary runoff election to a participating candidate in an
amount equal to 25 percent of the amount the participating candidate was
eligible to receive under this section for the primary election.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H663153381843454697828A0C4F5981B9"><enum>(3)</enum><header>General election
allocation</header><text>Except as provided in paragraph (5), the Commission
shall make an allocation from the Fund for a general election to a
participating candidate in an amount equal to 60 percent of the base amount
with respect to such participating candidate.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" id="HE305B19653E04F10BC5C10B91BCA1FBB"><enum>(4)</enum><header>General runoff
election allocation</header><text>The Commission shall make an allocation from
the Fund for a general runoff election to a participating candidate in an
amount equal to 25 percent of the base amount with respect to such
candidate.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" id="HEB0D1D0CE63845FD8A780594BE6E9F18"><enum>(5)</enum><header>Uncontested
elections</header>
<subparagraph commented="no" id="H3B8077C3840147B4AA4FA4B26E4F7C55"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>In the case of a primary or general election that is an
uncontested election, the Commission shall make an allocation from the Fund to
a participating candidate for such election in an amount equal to 25 percent of
the allocation for that election with respect to such candidate.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" id="HF28106C4E0EB46E18A58D100FBB74232"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Uncontested
election defined</header><text>For purposes of this subparagraph, an election
is uncontested if not more than 1 candidate has campaign funds (including
payments from the Fund) in an amount equal to or greater than 10 percent of the
allocation a candidate would be entitled to receive under this section for that
election (determined without regard to this paragraph).</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H2D64C764DD1D4E838C2A5E278869EBD1"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Base
amount</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The base amount for
any candidate is an amount equal to 80 percent of the national average spending
of the cycle by winning candidates in the last two election cycles.</text>
</subsection></section><section id="HBECF12BF67514C96A999D46A28E7767E"><enum>523.</enum><header>Matching
payments for qualified small dollar contributions</header>
<subsection id="H88AF659E5CB542A5BA54E8E62214A80E"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>The Commission shall pay to each participating candidate
an amount equal to 400 percent of the amount of qualified small dollar
contributions received by the candidate from individuals who are residents of
the State in which such participating candidate is seeking election.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="H4FD69774A962447EA7191A98A8099960"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Limitation</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The maximum payment under this section
shall be the greater of—</text>
<paragraph id="H3EC25E5F812446B1BC70CF2C917497B5"><enum>(1)</enum><text>200 percent of the
allocation under paragraphs (1) through (4) of subsection (c) for that election
with respect to such candidate; or</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H74572FD701AA43AF975A86395526C83F"><enum>(2)</enum><text>the percentage of
the allocation determined by the Commission under section 531.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="HC80F2A64DBEF4B718D7D29FEAB58E775"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Time of
payment</header><text>The Commission shall make payments under this section not
later than 2 business days after the receipt of a report made under subsection
(d).</text>
</subsection><subsection id="H7AEF6810AA6E4C6EAF781A13759B561A"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Reports</header>
<paragraph id="H30B0D06E19EA4DE0AEC6523E3F5FEC7F"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>Each participating candidate shall file reports of
receipts of qualified small dollar contributions at such times and in such
manner as the Commission may by regulations prescribe.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HAB5F565CD5F54272B74BC1E480E3E88E"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Contents of
reports</header><text>Each report under this subsection shall disclose—</text>
<subparagraph id="HA6775873F0424E4FA0B99A7C6C1FC356"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the amount of each
qualified small dollar contribution received by the candidate;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H4F2631AF06DC4E469723E360236FB5CC"><enum>(B)</enum><text>the amount of each
qualified small dollar contribution received by the candidate from a resident
of the State in which the candidate is seeking election; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="HFA0AD59A870449C2960BF3FD498C660F"><enum>(C)</enum><text>the name, address,
and occupation of each individual who made a qualified small dollar
contribution to the candidate.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="H1DBEFDBE5ED2405893E2D2B21597BD4B"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Frequency of
reports</header><text>Reports under this subsection shall be made no more
frequently than—</text>
<subparagraph id="HC9AF7AE5906B468195879B4D6269E29D"><enum>(A)</enum><text>once every month
until the date that is 90 days before the date of the election;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="HB9F6AD01ACFB447C81AD779C045D622A"><enum>(B)</enum><text>once every week
after the period described in subparagraph (A) and until the date that is 21
days before the election; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H3BE0950A181549DB8821FC8F7F938DF6"><enum>(C)</enum><text>once every day
after the period described in subparagraph (B).</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="HD6D7DA2FC45F445B83020A1705F573E6"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Limitation on
regulations</header><text>The Commission may not prescribe any regulations with
respect to reporting under this subsection with respect to any election after
the date that is 180 days before the date of such election.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H4364BA5AD5DC47D9AC7EF3E3F37F62D7"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Appeals</header><text>The
Commission shall provide a written explanation with respect to any denial of
any payment under this section and shall provide for the opportunity for review
and reconsideration within 5 business days of such denial.</text>
</subsection></section><section id="H150D4128A79D4CAF8321814998BC3A79"><enum>524.</enum><header>Political
advertising vouchers</header>
<subsection id="HE11236FECF49421589EFD8ED3DFD2BB3"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>The Commission shall establish and administer a voucher
program for the purchase of airtime on broadcasting stations for political
advertisements in accordance with the provisions of this section.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="HA8C9994F7B6F446CABCC0325EFD97CEF"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Candidates</header><text>The
Commission shall only disburse vouchers under the program established under
subsection (a) to participants certified pursuant to section 515 who have
agreed in writing to keep and furnish to the Commission such records, books,
and other information as it may require.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="H0D4FC40268D548048573A1A80666A64A"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Amounts</header><text>The
Commission shall disburse vouchers to each candidate certified under subsection
(b) in the amount of $100,000 or the amount determined by the Commission under
section 531.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="HD60BDB5523F443EEBD51094C9823C5E1"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Use</header>
<paragraph id="H907988B27C4C4219B55BA8F5DA9DF3D6"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Exclusive
use</header><text>Vouchers disbursed by the Commission under this section may
be used only for the purchase of broadcast airtime for political advertisements
relating to a general election for the office of Member of the House of
Representatives (including a Delegate or Resident Commissioner to the Congress)
by the participating candidate to which the vouchers were disbursed, except
that—</text>
<subparagraph commented="no" id="HFA56E1461D584E36B17D6FCA8E42DE8C"><enum>(A)</enum><text>a candidate may
exchange vouchers with a political party under paragraph (2); and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" id="H93353ECA52224EA4A74E7AFF0964FFB4"><enum>(B)</enum><text>a political party
may use vouchers only to purchase broadcast airtime for political
advertisements for generic party advertising (as defined by the Commission in
regulations), to support candidates for State or local office in a general
election, or to support participating candidates of the party in a general
election for Federal office, but only if it discloses the value of the voucher
used as an expenditure under section 315(d).</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="HB1B1BE65473B4E989BECE616DF06B096"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Exchange with
political party committee</header>
<subparagraph id="H5F51217DA0504335A0B9CA9ECDB63183"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>A participating candidate who receives a voucher under
this section may transfer the right to use all or a portion of the value of the
voucher to a committee of the political party of which the individual is a
candidate in exchange for money in an amount equal to the cash value of the
voucher or portion exchanged.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H35330FDA7E4A45B8B45D48855E363890"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Continuation of
candidate obligations</header><text>The transfer of a voucher, in whole or in
part, to a political party committee under this paragraph does not release the
candidate from any obligation under the agreement made under subsection (b) or
otherwise modify that agreement or its application to that candidate.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="HD83A8E1BDB5843BA8B61487D266053B0"><enum>(C)</enum><header>Party committee
obligations</header><text>Any political party committee to which a voucher or
portion thereof is transferred under subparagraph (A)—</text>
<clause id="H812C161A49E840A68A3F5262E99CB33B"><enum>(i)</enum><text>shall account
fully, in accordance with such requirements as the Commission may establish,
for the receipt of the voucher; and</text>
</clause><clause id="H33B0E608E39B42F5A917E602619ECD2D"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>may not use the
transferred voucher or portion thereof for any purpose other than a purpose
described in paragraph (1)(B).</text>
</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" id="H73C3BE82417347CEBE9A395E951FB12B"><enum>(D)</enum><header>Voucher as a
contribution</header><text>If a candidate transfers a voucher or any portion
thereof to a political party committee under subparagraph (A)—</text>
<clause commented="no" id="H314C45B4E5CC4A7CBCEA71F942AC399E"><enum>(i)</enum><text>the value of the
voucher or portion thereof transferred shall be treated as a contribution from
the candidate to the committee, and from the committee to the candidate, for
purposes of sections 302 and 304;</text>
</clause><clause commented="no" id="H5C7EC36C8D0A491FB682EE6A5BDF06D3"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>the committee
may, in exchange, provide to the candidate only funds subject to the
prohibitions, limitations, and reporting requirements of title III of this Act;
and</text>
</clause><clause commented="no" id="HD050AFEDADD949029525D58E416FF05A"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>the amount, if
identified as a <quote>voucher exchange</quote> shall not be considered a
contribution for the purposes of sections 315 and 513.</text>
</clause></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H2CEA80D15F8A45A6849E8ADE0A3E5AD5"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Value;
acceptance; redemption</header>
<paragraph id="H425AB47239004A109F65FA791064F40F"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Voucher</header><text>Each
voucher disbursed by the Commission under this section shall have a value in
dollars, redeemable upon presentation to the Commission, together with such
documentation and other information as the Commission may require, for the
purchase of broadcast airtime for political advertisements in accordance with
this section.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H4B417408B02A4B10B6ED7DC1B1F07D2C"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Acceptance</header><text>A
broadcasting station shall accept vouchers in payment for the purchase of
broadcast airtime for political advertisements in accordance with this
section.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H997E715793B841DC990C10B699061925"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Redemption</header><text>The
Commission shall redeem vouchers accepted by broadcasting stations under
paragraph (2) upon presentation, subject to such documentation, verification,
accounting, and application requirements as the Commission may impose to ensure
the accuracy and integrity of the voucher redemption system.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H1471DD6121C040B7B622BE1991228F64"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Expiration</header>
<subparagraph id="HAF39DFC947A84E288323616ECF4B22AD"><enum>(A)</enum><header>Candidates</header><text>A
voucher may only be used to pay for broadcast airtime for political
advertisements to be broadcast before midnight on the day before the date of
the Federal election in connection with which it was issued and shall be null
and void for any other use or purpose.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" id="HA524879FB2BA4D64A37CC66A344CC90C"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Exception for
political party committees</header><text>A voucher held by a political party
committee may be used to pay for broadcast airtime for political advertisements
to be broadcast before midnight on December 31st of the odd-numbered year
following the year in which the voucher was issued by the Commission.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="H32CB734796714BA8A87D6BF0E7FB5CD0"><enum>(5)</enum><header>Voucher as
expenditure</header><text>The use of a voucher to purchase broadcast airtime
constitutes an expenditure as defined in section 301(9)(A).</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H006AC8D614364B038406912F6FCC2C30"><enum>(f)</enum><header>Definitions</header><text>In
this section:</text>
<paragraph id="H97ED695BF0BF42738FD62BB6684909AC"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Broadcasting
station</header><text>The term <term>broadcasting station</term> has the
meaning given that term by section 315(f)(1) of the Communications Act of
1934.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" id="H52CE6279370943A782E9EF53ECB33449"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Political
party</header><text>The term <term>political party</term> means a major party
or a minor party as defined in section 9002 (3) or (4) of the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986 (26 U.S.C. 9002 (3) or (4)).</text>
</paragraph></subsection></section></subtitle><subtitle id="H4877CA6AB3C74B4F97FD9D8729A0AC66"><enum>D</enum><header>Administrative
provisions</header>
<section id="H2C26A9043B58446B8A8482E243B30A19"><enum>531.</enum><header>Fair Elections
Oversight Board</header>
<subsection id="HD45D0F63C9CC42F984609CD0BD1E89E4"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Establishment</header><text>There
is established within the Federal Election Commission an entity to be known as
the <quote>Fair Elections Oversight Board</quote>.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="H848F3F464F644DC6A01F3B5D169D3B32"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Structure and
membership</header>
<paragraph id="HCF46B918B5D048EB8B33DC7BCEE8E98C"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>The Board shall be composed of 5 members appointed by the
President, of whom—</text>
<subparagraph id="H9D2865F8EC704D8594DEDE41682F3C16"><enum>(A)</enum><text>2 shall be
appointed after consultation with the majority leader of the House of
Representatives;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H433E410FAE08463CB348373D1643A402"><enum>(B)</enum><text>2 shall be
appointed after consultation with the minority leader of the House of
Representatives; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="HD87E06E4BF3C4DDB88C7701A1E0A66DB"><enum>(C)</enum><text>1 shall be
appointed upon the recommendation of the members appointed under subparagraphs
(A) and (B).</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="HC1E6F4C35918418797CEB629562C7057"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Qualifications</header>
<subparagraph id="H78442DFC10B1409D95A9EC69CE58FB6D"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In
general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The members shall be
individuals who are nonpartisan and, by reason of their education, experience,
and attainments, exceptionally qualified to perform the duties of members of
the Board.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="HF8E2AE73E3F946F496FC71620ADA9441"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Prohibition</header><text>No
member of the Board may be—</text>
<clause id="H689512F821E2465F916EBACAD8852F54"><enum>(i)</enum><text>an
employee of the Federal Government;</text>
</clause><clause id="HB9B87DE71EEC430D9EE31A7012AB6A81"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>a
registered lobbyist; or</text>
</clause><clause id="HE669BFCED55F411C9462C51D63197E7C"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>an officer or
employee of a political party or political campaign.</text>
</clause></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="HC38084D4DA334E3896BE60FB9661AAE6"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Date</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Members of the Board shall be appointed not
later than 60 days after the date of the enactment of this Act.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HB65C70D1CD4548BABB13716DC8C10865"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Terms</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">A member of the Board shall be appointed
for a term of 5 years.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HF0206172547E4310B7F3D5A47A20E47D"><enum>(5)</enum><header>Vacancies</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">A vacancy on the Board shall be filled not
later than 30 calendar days after the date on which the Board is given notice
of the vacancy, in the same manner as the original appointment. The individual
appointed to fill the vacancy shall serve only for the unexpired portion of the
term for which the individual’s predecessor was appointed.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H0F1AF598FDF4414A986CF9F0147F43AA"><enum>(6)</enum><header>Chairperson</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Board shall designate a Chairperson
from among the members of the Board.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="HF3DC9DE309A2413BAC8B796E6C9E996B"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Duties and
powers</header>
<paragraph id="H3F025984642B460B9F1CFEF0970B217E"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Administration</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Board shall have such duties and powers
as the Commission may prescribe, including the power to administer the
provisions of this title.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HAD80902CFFAA466982BF85B510D97B2A"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Review of fair
elections financing</header>
<subparagraph id="H665D006461084F2EA0786A9E28EB99D6"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>After each general election for Federal office, the Board
shall conduct a comprehensive review of the Fair Elections financing program
under this title, including—</text>
<clause id="H6B8DB01FEF774350BCCE781072BE4EBE"><enum>(i)</enum><text>the maximum dollar
amount of qualified small dollar contributions under section 501(11);</text>
</clause><clause id="H145ACFFCA9DC4D96B6D1FF8A31BEB0BB"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>the maximum and
minimum dollar amounts for qualifying contributions under section
501(10);</text>
</clause><clause id="H8C8AFE07482840BAAAB6A22595B5EFC0"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>the number and
value of qualifying contributions a candidate is required to obtain under
section 512 to qualify for allocations from the Fund;</text>
</clause><clause id="H85DE2792E7AE41678DE4A4B37737997C"><enum>(iv)</enum><text>the amount of
allocations from the Fund that candidates may receive under section 522;</text>
</clause><clause id="HC35718AEA9744B78B6A877D5A28F250F"><enum>(v)</enum><text>the maximum amount
of matching contributions a candidate may receive under section 523;</text>
</clause><clause id="H9A70366DC6014A3ABC7088C7CCB93F19"><enum>(vi)</enum><text>the amount and
usage of vouchers under section 524;</text>
</clause><clause id="H457730DBD7E446A9BB00A0308C8C77E8"><enum>(vii)</enum><text>the overall
satisfaction of participating candidates and the American public with the
program; and</text>
</clause><clause id="H321BC13B9AC0410DA777785E17F83521"><enum>(viii)</enum><text>such other
matters relating to financing of House of Representatives campaigns as the
Board determines are appropriate.</text>
</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HA4F73308F2AB4CF99430E00DC33BB221"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Criteria for
review</header><text>In conducting the review under subparagraph (A), the Board
shall consider the following:</text>
<clause id="H05C2A45D285046248FD3DF751A5C0F8C"><enum>(i)</enum><header>Qualifying
contributions and qualified small dollar contributions</header><text>The Board
shall consider whether the number and dollar amount of qualifying contributions
required and maximum dollar amount for such qualifying contributions and
qualified small dollar contributions strikes a balance regarding the importance
of voter involvement, the need to assure adequate incentives for participating,
and fiscal responsibility, taking into consideration the number of primary and
general election participating candidates, the electoral performance of those
candidates, program cost, and any other information the Board determines is
appropriate.</text>
</clause><clause id="H4B34AFC3FA1C4FF192421735779917CA"><enum>(ii)</enum><header>Review of
program benefits</header><text>The Board shall consider whether the totality of
the amount of funds allowed to be raised by participating candidates (including
through qualifying contributions and small dollar contributions), allocations
from the Fund under sections 522, matching contributions under section 523, and
vouchers under section 524 are sufficient for voters in each State to learn
about the candidates to cast an informed vote, taking into account the historic
amount of spending by winning candidates, media costs, primary election dates,
and any other information the Board determines is appropriate.</text>
</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H241BE9452E3D4E6E9C4441F8B85E406B"><enum>(C)</enum><header>Adjustment of
amounts</header>
<clause id="H48C6141D912241F2A8113B4CEDFD8561"><enum>(i)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>Based on the review conducted under subparagraph (A), the
Board shall provide for the adjustments of the following amounts:</text>
<subclause id="HC48E5D15FC834E17916F539DFF2DABE2"><enum>(I)</enum><text>the maximum dollar
amount of qualified small dollar contributions under section 501(11)(C);</text>
</subclause><subclause id="HCB51E41A14A04870ACEAFD0A3A8FA5C2"><enum>(II)</enum><text>the maximum and
minimum dollar amounts for qualifying contributions under section
501(10)(A);</text>
</subclause><subclause id="H3D7259CB8C48481881EEAD0A1799966D"><enum>(III)</enum><text>the number and
value of qualifying contributions a candidate is required to obtain under
section 512(a)(1);</text>
</subclause><subclause id="H901A9696E9204A8DA8EE407E41A7826C"><enum>(IV)</enum><text>the base amount
for candidates under section 522(d);</text>
</subclause><subclause id="HADE53D6E218D458F8F200E0343FA8CE1"><enum>(V)</enum><text>the maximum amount
of matching contributions a candidate may receive under section 523(b);
and</text>
</subclause><subclause id="HCE200B5F40184BB295C86F1CFB73F883"><enum>(VI)</enum><text>the dollar amount
for vouchers under section 524(c).</text>
</subclause></clause><clause id="H9B5A399D150B4F15989ABF4749B1476A"><enum>(ii)</enum><header>Regulations</header><text>The
Commission shall promulgate regulations providing for the adjustments made by
the Board under clause (i).</text>
</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H364FBD03AABC4C5DB0811E00B96565D5"><enum>(D)</enum><header>Report</header><text>Not
later than March 30 following any general election for Federal office, the
Board shall submit a report to Congress on the review conducted under paragraph
(1). Such report shall contain a detailed statement of the findings,
conclusions, and recommendations of the Board based on such review.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H70E73F6E24724E128A583169E1103609"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Meetings and
hearings</header>
<paragraph id="HE1A5CC45B27945389C8F74EB52D2E961"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Meetings</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Board may hold such hearings, sit and
act at such times and places, take such testimony, and receive such evidence as
the Board considers advisable to carry out the purposes of this Act.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HA6DFD64BBAF44FC0910318F6D454283F"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Quorum</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Three members of the Board shall constitute
a quorum for purposes of voting, but a quorum is not required for members to
meet and hold hearings.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H200AA41A04FA4F82A68CE07B6F0049F2"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Reports</header><text>Not
later than March 30, 2011, and every 2 years thereafter, the Board shall submit
to the Committee on House Administration of the House of Representatives a
report documenting, evaluating, and making recommendations relating to the
administrative implementation and enforcement of the provisions of this
title.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="H3879DCBD19474F87A4D9EC9BAF4EFAEC"><enum>(f)</enum><header>Administration</header>
<paragraph id="H7506F30C6CD7499E95D44F0BEBFB177A"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Compensation of
members</header>
<subparagraph id="H311FA69CD2604F439A31EF4ABF28FAB9"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In
general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Each member, other
than the Chairperson, shall be paid at a rate equal to the daily equivalent of
the minimum annual rate of basic pay prescribed for level IV of the Executive
Schedule under section 5315 of title 5, United States Code.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H063731945D5B497FBB19366B991ABF86"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Chairperson</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Chairperson shall be paid at a rate
equal to the daily equivalent of the minimum annual rate of basic pay
prescribed for level III of the Executive Schedule under section 5314 of title
5, United States Code.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="H499AF274E2D049678A339490641DE2E8"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Personnel</header>
<subparagraph id="HDF20F0673D71431F9843D498494F053E"><enum>(A)</enum><header>Director</header><text>The
Board shall have a staff headed by an Executive Director. The Executive
Director shall be paid at a rate equivalent to a rate established for the
Senior Executive Service under section 5382 of title 5, United States
Code.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H5D95F15D5E5A461C8F94866E4E7A66BD"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Staff
appointment</header><text>With the approval of the Chairperson, the Executive
Director may appoint such personnel as the Executive Director and the Board
determines to be appropriate.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H6972F7E22F6543D5AC0DB0C800AC69F9"><enum>(C)</enum><header>Actuarial
experts and consultants</header><text>With the approval of the Chairperson, the
Executive Director may procure temporary and intermittent services under
section 3109(b) of title 5, United States Code.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="HB47597DC96CE4F08B02F985C402394CA"><enum>(D)</enum><header>Detail of
government employees</header><text>Upon the request of the Chairperson, the
head of any Federal agency may detail, without reimbursement, any of the
personnel of such agency to the Board to assist in carrying out the duties of
the Board. Any such detail shall not interrupt or otherwise affect the civil
service status or privileges of the Federal employee.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="HEA2953EBE616452E980F66F7E633B9E9"><enum>(E)</enum><header>Other
resources</header><text>The Board shall have reasonable access to materials,
resources, statistical data, and other information from the Library of Congress
and other agencies of the executive and legislative branches of the Federal
Government. The Chairperson of the Board shall make requests for such access in
writing when necessary.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H52F0635E028E4A1BB7FB0CF12C9F7435"><enum>(g)</enum><header>Authorization of
appropriations</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">There are
authorized to be appropriated such sums as are necessary to carry out the
purposes of this subtitle.</text>
</subsection></section><section id="H466EAA53205D463E948CD71B5704D471"><enum>532.</enum><header>Administration
provisions</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">The Commission
shall prescribe regulations to carry out the purposes of this title, including
regulations—</text>
<paragraph id="H05C782E62C2042579CF44D42B3B2550B"><enum>(1)</enum><text>to establish
procedures for—</text>
<subparagraph id="H4416CDBF776844B18A5A38CBE9FCDF71"><enum>(A)</enum><text>verifying the
amount of valid qualifying contributions with respect to a candidate;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" id="HFB707570D705454B9B26BE57367AF335"><enum>(B)</enum><text>effectively and
efficiently monitoring and enforcing the limits on the raising of qualified
small dollar contributions;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H67C8C02DB40B463FA493FEB17271ACD8"><enum>(C)</enum><text>effectively and
efficiently monitoring and enforcing the limits on the use of personal funds by
participating candidates;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="HA5E0EF7F7B294D5582510137DE00B9A5"><enum>(D)</enum><text>monitoring the use
of allocations from the Fund and matching contributions under this title
through audits or other mechanisms; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H6321EA44CA0E443E949C32154EBD9CE5"><enum>(E)</enum><text>the administration
of the voucher program under section 524; and</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="HE5CC0A2AF1C94255BF8843A11EE8971B"><enum>(2)</enum><text>regarding the
conduct of debates in a manner consistent with the best practices of States
that provide public financing for elections.</text>
</paragraph></section><section id="H24DA1A635A4B4102BCFB34C70D1E35CC"><enum>533.</enum><header>Violations and
penalties</header>
<subsection id="HD6526481D0514E9E8FE19602A82E64F8"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Civil penalty
for violation of contribution and expenditure requirements</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">If a candidate who has been certified as a
participating candidate under section 515(a) accepts a contribution or makes an
expenditure that is prohibited under section 513, the Commission shall assess a
civil penalty against the candidate in an amount that is not more than 3 times
the amount of the contribution or expenditure. Any amounts collected under this
subsection shall be deposited into the Fund.</text>
</subsection><subsection commented="no" id="H087AD581CD1446B8AA857E38B64DC063"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Repayment for
improper use of Fair Elections Fund</header>
<paragraph commented="no" id="H813AA3421A254AD99943BE7310A8E621"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>If the Commission determines that any benefit made
available to a participating candidate under this title was not used as
provided for in this title or that a participating candidate has violated any
of the dates for remission of funds contained in this title, the Commission
shall so notify the candidate and the candidate shall pay to the Fund an amount
equal to—</text>
<subparagraph commented="no" id="H5CD55DF98FA7464096201732E2E3F468"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the amount of
benefits so used or not remitted, as appropriate; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" id="H39BDF42ED9FA4F91A6D160B812F7B54E"><enum>(B)</enum><text>interest on any
such amounts (at a rate determined by the Commission).</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" id="H4D1FF09FEE4B4C61B12FE244B2C2CEE7"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Other action not
precluded</header><text>Any action by the Commission in accordance with this
subsection shall not preclude enforcement proceedings by the Commission in
accordance with section 309(a), including a referral by the Commission to the
Attorney General in the case of an apparent knowing and willful violation of
this
title.</text>
</paragraph></subsection></section></subtitle>.
103.Prohibition on
joint fundraising committeesSection 302(e) of the Federal Election
Campaign Act of 1971 (2 U.S.C. 432(e)) is amended by adding at the end the
following new paragraph:
(6)No authorized
committee of a candidate may establish a joint fundraising committee with a
political committee other than an authorized committee of a
candidate.
.
104.Limitation on
coordinated expenditures by political party committees with participating
candidates
(a)Section 315(d)(3) of
the Federal Election Campaign Act of
1971 (2 U.S.C. 441a(d)) is amended—
(1)by redesignating subparagraphs (A) and (B)
as subparagraphs (B) and (C), respectively; and
(2)by inserting before subparagraph (B), as
redesignated by paragraph (1), the following new subparagraph:
(A)in the case of a
candidate for election to the office of Representative in, or Delegate or
Resident Commissioner to, the Congress who is a participating candidate (as
defined in section 501), the lesser of—
(i)10 percent of the
allocation from the Fair Elections Fund that the participating candidate is
eligible to receive for the general election under section 522(c); or
(ii)the amount which
would (but for this subparagraph) apply with respect to such candidate under
subparagraph
(B);
.
(b)Section 315(d)(3) of such Act (2 U.S.C. 441a(d)(3)) is
amended—
(1)in subparagraph
(B) (as redesignated by subsection (a)), by inserting who is not a
participating candidate (as so defined)
after only one
Representative
; and
(2)in subparagraph
(C) (as redesignated by subsection (a)), by inserting who is not a
participating candidate (as so defined)
after any other
State
.
105.Deposit of proceeds
from recovered spectrum auctionsSection 309(j)(8)(E)(ii) of the
Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 309(j)(8)(E)(ii)) is amended—
(1)by striking
deposited in
and inserting the following: "deposited as
follows:
(I)90 percent of such
proceeds deposited in
;
and
(2)by adding at the
end the following:
(II)10 percent of
such proceeds deposited in the Fair Elections Fund established under section
502 of the Federal Election Campaign Act of
1971.
.
106.Designation of
overpayments as contributions to Fair Elections Fund
(a)Subchapter A of chapter 61 of the Internal Revenue Code
of 1986 is amended by adding at the end the following new part:
IXDesignation of
overpayments as contributions to Fair Elections Fund
Sec. 6097. Designation.
6097.
(a)Every individual
(other than a nonresident alien) whose income tax liability for the taxable
year is $10 or more may designate that $10 shall be paid over to the Fair
Elections Fund in accordance with the provisions of section 502 of the Federal
Election Campaign Act of 1971. In the case of a joint return of husband and
wife having an income tax liability of $20 or more, each spouse may designate
that $10 shall be paid to the fund.
(b)For
purposes of this section—
(1)The term Fair
Elections Fund means the fund established by section 502 of the Federal
Election Campaign Act of 1971.
(2)The term income tax liability has the
meaning given such term by section 6096(b).
(c)Manner and time
of designationA designation under subsection (a) may be made
with respect to any taxable year—
(1)at the time of
filing the return of the tax imposed by chapter 1 for such taxable year,
or
(2)at any other time
(after the time of filing the return of the tax imposed by chapter 1 for such
taxable year) specified in regulations prescribed by the Secretary.
Such
designation shall be made in such manner as the Secretary prescribes by
regulations except that such designation shall be made either on the first page
of the return or on the page bearing the taxpayer’s signature.(d)Overpayments
treated as refundedFor purposes of this title, any portion of an
overpayment of tax designated under subsection (a) shall be treated as being
refunded to the taxpayer as of the last date prescribed for filing the return
of tax imposed by chapter 1 (determined without regard to
extensions).
.
(b)The table of parts
for subchapter A of chapter 61 of such Code is amended by adding at the end the
following new item:
Part IX. Designation of Overpayments as
Contributions to Fair Elections
Fund
.
(c)The amendments made by this section shall apply to taxable
years ending after the date of the enactment of this Act.
<enum>II</enum><header>Improving voter
information</header>
<section id="HDD17D871981C44D6A18B440A06FABF36"><enum>201.</enum><header>Broadcasts
relating to all House candidates</header>
<subsection id="H175246596F7C4F339065E7447E03E232"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Lowest unit
charge; national committees</header><text>Section 315(b) of the
<act-name parsable-cite="CA34">Communications Act of 1934</act-name> (47 U.S.C.
315(b)) is amended—</text>
<paragraph commented="no" id="H5DD16489083247798AAA26B17DBB116F"><enum>(1)</enum><text>by striking
<quote>to such office</quote> in paragraph (1) and inserting <quote>to such
office, or by a national committee of a political party on behalf of such
candidate in connection with such campaign,</quote>; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H105DA4DE9428443AA5120C7D7F95A54C"><enum>(2)</enum><text>by inserting
<quote>for pre-emptible use thereof</quote> after <quote>station</quote> in
subparagraph (A) of paragraph (1).</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H9DE8B9668079433DA26804E7484E37F7"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Preemption;
audits</header><text>Section 315 of such Act (47 U.S.C. 315) is amended—</text>
<paragraph id="HDCBC06D0FCEE4D71AE56D3173FA6FA16"><enum>(1)</enum><text>by redesignating
subsections (f) and (g) as subsections (e) and (f), respectively and moving
them to follow the existing subsection (e);</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H521D9897EAED4C3FA2AED435498B5EC7"><enum>(2)</enum><text>by redesignating
the existing subsection (e) as subsection (c); and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H914E8B18A2F349319A52EAEC2D29BB86"><enum>(3)</enum><text>by inserting after
subsection (c) (as redesignated by paragraph (2)) the following:</text>
<quoted-block id="H68C5075F1ECE442D82037274546F6DCE">
<subsection id="HBAB5F968B8A84B97B753C85C544A3660"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Preemption</header>
<paragraph id="H21B834DB39BC45DA8A4039EDF5648488"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>Except as provided in paragraph (2), and notwithstanding
the requirements of subsection (b)(1)(A), a licensee shall not preempt the use
of a broadcasting station by a legally qualified candidate for the office of
Representative in, or Delegate or Resident Commissioner to, the Congress who
has purchased and paid for such use.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H1095C51B3CFB41FDB295716A81E48D32"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Circumstances
beyond control of licensee</header><text>If a program to be broadcast by a
broadcasting station is preempted because of circumstances beyond the control
of the station, any candidate or party advertising spot scheduled to be
broadcast during that program shall be treated in the same fashion as a
comparable commercial advertising spot.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H93FD6B5B75A9411E8897E378A366155C"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Audits</header><text>During
the 30-day period preceding a primary election and the 60-day period preceding
a general election, the Commission shall conduct such audits as it deems
necessary to ensure that each broadcaster to which this section applies is
allocating television broadcast advertising time in accordance with this
section and section
312.</text>
</subsection><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" id="HD7DAB56244654BE49F4D4BD82E0C557B"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Revocation of
license for failure To permit access</header><text>Section 312(a)(7) of the
Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 312(a)(7)) is amended—</text>
<paragraph commented="no" id="HF1FEF2234A3843B39CC19736387D60A4"><enum>(1)</enum><text>by striking
<quote>or repeated</quote>;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" id="HD9F7A6900A0C4FAC86B1723429F8B892"><enum>(2)</enum><text>by inserting
<quote>or cable system</quote> after <quote>broadcasting station</quote>;
and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H2EA0D3EBF0C042D7BDD413F4F5CC159B"><enum>(3)</enum><text>by striking
<quote>his candidacy</quote> and inserting <quote>the candidacy of the
candidate, under the same terms, conditions, and business practices as apply to
the most favored advertiser of the licensee</quote>.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="HFE5B28B719684FFAAE634780A54204DC"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Stylistic
amendments</header><text>Section 315 of such Act (47 U.S.C. 315) is
amended—</text>
<paragraph id="H6648576CD5614598959A9F547760016C"><enum>(1)</enum><text>by striking
<quote>the</quote> in subsection (f)(1), as redesignated by subsection (b)(1),
and inserting <quote><header-in-text level="paragraph" style="OLC">Broadcasting
station</header-in-text>.—</quote>;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HD67067D5B3584F3E9FE8FC530FC0627F"><enum>(2)</enum><text>by striking
<quote>the</quote> in subsection (f)(2), as redesignated by subsection (b)(1),
and inserting <quote><header-in-text level="paragraph" style="OLC">Licensee;
station licensee</header-in-text>.—</quote>; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H358F4FDE2C934BF38B9C0C569CB2AE32"><enum>(3)</enum><text>by inserting
<quote><header-in-text level="subsection" style="OLC">Regulations</header-in-text>.—</quote> in subsection (g), as
redesignated by subsection (b)(1), before <quote>The Commission</quote>.</text>
</paragraph></subsection></section><section id="HD9852FA2761B462D81E0933C36308C5C"><enum>202.</enum><header>Broadcast rates
for participating candidates</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Section 315(b) of the
<act-name parsable-cite="CA34">Communications Act of 1934</act-name> (47 U.S.C.
315(b)), as amended by section 201(a), is amended—</text>
<paragraph commented="no" id="HF8F9826C21C240AA996D160C0C85DE58"><enum>(1)</enum><text>in paragraph
(1)(A), by striking <quote>paragraph (2)</quote> and inserting
<quote>paragraphs (2) and (3)</quote>; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" id="HE87EC8BEA9D04F91928C5BBFD86C6C86"><enum>(2)</enum><text>by adding at the
end the following:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H7C990672D48947D382601B19B90FC4F1" style="OLC">
<paragraph commented="no" id="H07743E2556654E23A471F5129915537B"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Participating
candidates</header><text>In the case of a participating candidate (as defined
under section 501(9) of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971), the charges
made for the use of any broadcasting station for a television broadcast shall
not exceed 80 percent of the lowest charge described in paragraph (1)(A)
during—</text>
<subparagraph commented="no" id="H46E030AC52424639A8CDBFDAF968FD13"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the 45 days
preceding the date of a primary or primary runoff election in which the
candidate is opposed; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" id="H6864D149CEDC4C2CBAFB72D7FC3774DA"><enum>(B)</enum><text>the 60 days
preceding the date of a general or special election in which the candidate is
opposed.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" id="HE7BE0E1A21FE442DA26E332CA1B1B338"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Rate
cards</header><text>A licensee shall provide to a candidate for Representative
in, or Delegate or Resident Commissioner to, the Congress a rate card that
discloses—</text>
<subparagraph commented="no" id="H9196922292EC414D991D1E40E90E8DB9"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the rate charged
under this subsection; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HA8F7D58FB1CD4E7B87343DF7BED2C947"><enum>(B)</enum><text>the method that
the licensee uses to determine the rate charged under this
subsection.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</paragraph></section><section commented="no" id="HB09A193D90C14624BB4F03FD47D2B495"><enum>203.</enum><header>FCC to
prescribe standardized form for reporting candidate campaign ads</header>
<subsection commented="no" id="H0AD5493F6E4443C599A2BB648E1EC461"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>Within 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act,
the Federal Communications Commission shall initiate a rulemaking proceeding to
establish a standardized form to be used by broadcasting stations, as defined
in section 315(f)(1) of the <act-name parsable-cite="CA34">Communications Act
of 1934 </act-name>(47 U.S.C. 315(f)(1)), to record and report the purchase of
advertising time by or on behalf of a candidate for nomination for election, or
for election, to Federal elective office.</text>
</subsection><subsection commented="no" id="H08BAD1FBBC624DA1A3C6194A35130281"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Contents</header><text>The
form prescribed by the Commission under subsection (a) shall require,
broadcasting stations to report to the Commission and to the Federal Election
Commission, at a minimum—</text>
<paragraph commented="no" id="HD115108B739C4DA8A5465C6B58DEC047"><enum>(1)</enum><text>the station call
letters and mailing address;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" id="H18744385198E4A2B8A91EF0EBE23EFE0"><enum>(2)</enum><text>the name and
telephone number of the station’s sales manager (or individual with
responsibility for advertising sales);</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" id="H01BF48325C7044A1B6A4BDC0D2B07D78"><enum>(3)</enum><text>the name of the
candidate who purchased the advertising time, or on whose behalf the
advertising time was purchased, and the Federal elective office for which he or
she is a candidate;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" id="HA19D9CEE0E184B23B8A0BCD82452A2B2"><enum>(4)</enum><text>the name, mailing
address, and telephone number of the person responsible for purchasing
broadcast political advertising for the candidate;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" id="H6960D66298B8499993257DA50144684D"><enum>(5)</enum><text>notation as to
whether the purchase agreement for which the information is being reported is a
draft or final version; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" id="HCEAF4DB8BC7D4551B71C1655B0DFA53B"><enum>(6)</enum><text>the following
information about the advertisement:</text>
<subparagraph commented="no" id="H67256F41EFF94941819B5AB56A7C63F4"><enum>(A)</enum><text>The date and time
of the broadcast.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" id="H27627788E72349DBB6BA882FE4716BA4"><enum>(B)</enum><text>The program in
which the advertisement was broadcast.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" id="H4BF49D5CF95841FBB189DCDA1B292531"><enum>(C)</enum><text>The length of the
broadcast airtime.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H46271185C7644917AC4A8EE17D700FEF"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Internet
access</header><text>In its rulemaking under subsection (a), the Commission
shall require any broadcasting station required to file a report under this
section that maintains an Internet website to make available a link to such
reports on that website.</text>
</subsection></section><enum>III</enum><header>Responsibilities
of the Federal Election Commission</header>
<section id="H17734C3DC6724663844E99E41664E5E8"><enum>301.</enum><header>Petition for
certiorari</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Section 307(a)(6)
of the <act-name parsable-cite="FECA">Federal Election Campaign Act of
1971</act-name> (2 U.S.C. 437d(a)(6)) is amended by inserting <quote>(including
a proceeding before the Supreme Court on certiorari)</quote> after
<quote>appeal</quote>.</text>
</section><section id="H50D18993D00E420F96E84DD0D6DA8729"><enum>302.</enum><header>Filing by all
candidates with Commission</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Section 302(g) of the Federal Election
Campaign Act of 1971 (2 U.S.C. 432(g)) is amended to read as follows:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H141A5103A7C746A1B580A1FB2657099B" style="OLC">
<subsection id="H174CC5F3E2E24DBDAC3B5F5F1F786B6F" indent="down1"><enum>(g)</enum><header>Filing with the
commission</header><text>All designations, statements, and reports required to
be filed under this Act shall be filed with the
Commission.</text>
</subsection><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</section><section id="H3B036BAA7601440D9B9A08CDB044ED5F"><enum>303.</enum><header>Electronic
filing of FEC reports</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Section
304(a)(11) of the <act-name parsable-cite="FECA">Federal Election Campaign Act
of 1971</act-name> (2 U.S.C. 434(a)(11)) is amended—</text>
<paragraph id="H1BBD8394C3374EF6AAF312ECE705D071"><enum>(1)</enum><text>in subparagraph
(A), by striking <quote>under this Act—</quote> and all that follows and
inserting <quote>under this Act shall be required to maintain and file such
designation, statement, or report in electronic form accessible by
computers.</quote>;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HC1A9A9BFB5444B3D929CA0B40EC32348"><enum>(2)</enum><text>in subparagraph
(B), by striking <quote>48 hours</quote> and all that follows through
<quote>filed electronically)</quote> and inserting <quote>24 hours</quote>;
and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H836A150CE49642BD9977425C23894499"><enum>(3)</enum><text>by striking
subparagraph (D).</text>
</paragraph></section><enum>IV</enum><header>Miscellaneous
provisions</header>
<section id="H82D6C5B143964E5F87F437FF9017B1F3"><enum>401.</enum><header>Severability</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">If any provision of this Act or amendment
made by this Act, or the application of a provision or amendment to any person
or circumstance, is held to be unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act and
amendments made by this Act, and the application of the provisions and
amendment to any person or circumstance, shall not be affected by the
holding.</text>
</section><section commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H6DB6A4DC98ED4DB08EDBCE45DCF6F820" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>402.</enum><header>Effective
date</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Except as otherwise
provided for in this Act, this Act and the amendments made by this Act shall
take effect on January 1, 2011.</text>
</section>