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.
Sec. 2. Findings and declarations.
Title I—Fair elections financing of House election
campaigns
Sec. 101. Benefits and eligibility requirements for House
candidates.
Title V—Fair elections financing of House election
campaigns
Subtitle A—Benefits
Sec. 501. Benefits for participating candidates.
Sec. 502. Allocations from the Fund.
Sec. 503. Matching payments for certain small dollar
contributions.
Subtitle B—Eligibility and certification
Sec. 511. Eligibility.
Sec. 512. Qualifying requirements.
Sec. 513. Certification.
Subtitle C—Requirements for Candidates Certified as
Participating Candidates
Sec. 521. Contribution, expenditure, and fundraising
requirements.
Sec. 522. Debate requirement.
Sec. 523. Remitting unspent funds after election.
Subtitle D—Administrative provisions
Sec. 531. Fair Elections Fund.
Sec. 532. Fair Elections Oversight Board.
Sec. 533. Administration by Commission.
Sec. 534. Violations and penalties.
Sec. 535. Election cycle
defined.
Sec. 102. Transfer of portion of civil money penalties into
Fair Elections Fund.
Sec. 103. Prohibiting use of contributions by participating
candidates for purposes other than campaign for election.
Sec. 104. Prohibition on joint fundraising
committees.
Sec. 105. Limitation on coordinated expenditures by political
party committees with participating candidates.
Sec. 106. Deposit of proceeds from recovered spectrum
auctions.
Title II—Responsibilities of the Federal Election
Commission
Sec. 201. Petition for certiorari.
Sec. 202. Filing by all candidates with Commission.
Sec. 203. Electronic filing of FEC reports.
Title III—Miscellaneous provisions
Sec. 301. Severability.
Sec. 302. Effective date.
2.Findings and
declarations
(a)Undermining of
democracy by campaign contributions from private sourcesThe
House of Representatives finds and declares that the current system of
privately financed campaigns for election to the House of Representatives has
the capacity, and is often perceived by the public, to undermine democracy in
the United States by—
(1)creating a culture that fosters actual or
perceived conflicts of interest, by encouraging Members of the House to accept
large campaign contributions from private interests that are directly affected
by Federal legislation;
(2)diminishing or
appearing to diminish Members’ accountability to constituents by compelling
legislators to be accountable to the major contributors who finance their
election campaigns;
(3)undermining the
meaning of the right to vote by allowing monied interests to have a
disproportionate and unfair influence within the political process;
(4)imposing large,
unwarranted costs on taxpayers through legislative and regulatory distortions
caused by unequal access to lawmakers for campaign contributors;
(5)making it
difficult for some qualified candidates to mount competitive House election
campaigns;
(6)disadvantaging
challengers and discouraging competitive elections, because large campaign
contributors tend to donate their money to incumbent Members, thus causing
House elections to be less competitive; and
(7)burdening
incumbents with a preoccupation with fundraising and thus decreasing the time
available to carry out their public responsibilities.
(b)Enhancement of
democracy by providing allocations from the Fair Elections
FundThe House of Representatives finds and declares that
providing the option of the replacement of large private campaign contributions
with allocations from the Fair Elections Fund for all primary, runoff, and
general elections to the House of Representatives would enhance American
democracy by—
(1)reducing the actual or perceived conflicts
of interest created by fully private financing of the election campaigns of
public officials and restoring public confidence in the integrity and fairness
of the electoral and legislative processes through a program which allows
participating candidates to adhere to substantially lower contribution limits
for contributors with an assurance that there will be sufficient funds for such
candidates to run viable electoral campaigns;
(2)increasing the
public's confidence in the accountability of Members to the constituents who
elect them, which derives from the program's qualifying criteria to participate
in the voluntary program and the conclusions that constituents may draw
regarding candidates who qualify and participate in the program;
(3)helping to reduce
the ability to make large campaign contributions as a determinant of a
citizen's influence within the political process by facilitating the expression
of support by voters at every level of wealth, encouraging political
participation, incentivizing participation on the part of Members through the
matching of small dollar contributions;
(4)potentially saving
taxpayers billions of dollars that may be (or that are perceived to be)
currently allocated based upon legislative and regulatory agendas skewed by the
influence of campaign contributions;
(5)creating genuine
opportunities for all Americans to run for the House of Representatives and
encouraging more competitive elections;
(6)encouraging
participation in the electoral process by citizens of every level of wealth;
and
(7)freeing Members
from the incessant preoccupation with raising money, and allowing them more
time to carry out their public responsibilities.
<enum>I</enum><header>Fair
elections financing of House election campaigns</header>
<section id="H5C6D2B1DD14B42D6AE0AD5D300F2906E"><enum>101.</enum><header>Benefits and
Eligibility Requirements for House Candidates</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="H5102C0EE47704D1AA0339F18C892B785">
<title id="H73C55E5ED7A948408970520ACBE2C859"><enum>V</enum><header>Fair elections
financing of House election campaigns</header>
<subtitle id="H8C8844AB42D24C84A44177AD816BD186"><enum>A</enum><header>Benefits</header>
<section id="HE3C5B7C7E8B44FCA97D966F9CFC1CE27"><enum>501.</enum><header>Benefits for
participating candidates</header>
<subsection id="HE087875E15E0480CA7CFF08FF8F0AE66"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>If a candidate for election to the office of
Representative in, or Delegate or Resident Commissioner to, the Congress is a
participating candidate under this title with respect to an election for such
office, the candidate shall be entitled to payments under this title, to be
used only for authorized expenditures in connection with the election.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="H6A9CADD3D1E744159765DB491D7456F0"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Types of
Payments</header><text>The payments to which a participating candidate is
entitled under this section consist of—</text>
<paragraph id="H99753E2EF65148A5BFD351587078AA85"><enum>(1)</enum><text>allocations from
the Fair Elections Fund, as provided in section 502; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HE456878276B840B384FC0998FE5B5E03"><enum>(2)</enum><text>payments from the
Fair Elections Fund to match certain small dollar contributions, as provided in
section 503.</text>
</paragraph></subsection></section><section id="HDCEF92DB5D63435E85C18F68E90617B3"><enum>502.</enum><header>Allocations
from the Fund</header>
<subsection id="H6C0381F28B5A4FD290B1F8FC7AD9773C"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Amount of
Allocations</header>
<paragraph id="H2934B4DD45B240708EABB06F9A6C48F4"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Primary election
allocation; initial allocation</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Except as provided in paragraph (6), the
Commission shall make an allocation from the Fair Elections Fund established
under section 531 to a candidate who is certified as a participating candidate
with respect to a primary election in an amount equal to 40 percent of the base
amount.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H3F355D1CB5064567BD2B470C671E1C44"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Primary runoff
election allocation</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The
Commission shall make an allocation from the Fund to a candidate who is
certified as a participating candidate with respect to a primary runoff
election in an amount equal to 25 percent of the amount the participating
candidate was eligible to receive under this section for the primary
election.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H28411E2E5DA947E09E596FD54BC441F5"><enum>(3)</enum><header>General election
allocation</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Except as provided
in paragraph (6), the Commission shall make an allocation from the Fund to a
candidate who is certified as a participating candidate with respect to a
general election in an amount equal to 60 percent of the base amount.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" id="HD03A40067D214262BBFDB158642DE5BF"><enum>(4)</enum><header>General runoff
election allocation</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The
Commission shall make an allocation from the Fund to a candidate who is
certified as a participating candidate with respect to a general runoff
election in an amount equal to 25 percent of the base amount.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HFE43C5E4F58444BAAC649693EAA5B7FA"><enum>(5)</enum><header>Recount
allocation</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">If the appropriate
State or local election official conducts a recount of an election, the
Commission shall make an allocation from the Fund to a participating candidate
for expenses relating to the recount in an amount equal to 25 percent of the
amount the participating candidate was eligible to receive under this section
for the election involved.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" id="HE820DCC3F33F44CDAB648EB5BCB9DE6E"><enum>(6)</enum><header>Uncontested
elections</header>
<subparagraph commented="no" id="HF50AE3ED7E594F9DB6F7BC0150A9916E"><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="H2D6E9BCB8C2B43408C31D56012151370"><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="H8606A363669147F88FBD03B71B08A1C6"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Base
amount</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The base amount is an
amount equal to 80 percent of the national average disbursements of the cycle
by winning candidates for the office of Representative in, or Delegate or
Resident Commissioner to, the Congress in the last 2 election cycles.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="H2F04D5EBA1A1403F9CC02D48438464FC"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Timing; method
of payment</header>
<paragraph id="HD71BEB04AB994C37BC470D8BDFBF9E7D"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Timing</header><text>The
Commission shall make the allocations required under subsection (a) to a
participating candidate—</text>
<subparagraph id="H971E741023A14968B41DCF4CFADA7410"><enum>(A)</enum><text>in the case of
amounts provided under subsection (a)(1), not later than 48 hours after the
date on which such candidate is certified as a participating candidate under
section 513;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H0199C9528D7C4678A24C55849DA25801"><enum>(B)</enum><text>in the case of a
general election, not later than 48 hours after—</text>
<clause id="H3291AC372E9E4B819E28BF31EF378830"><enum>(i)</enum><text>the date of the
certification of the results of the primary election or the primary runoff
election; or</text>
</clause><clause id="HFB5B13EF813E4CBAABEE0A876516D3A0"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>in any case in
which there is no primary election, the date the candidate qualifies to be
placed on the ballot;</text>
</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H22C76AA058854C59B87D85F6CDBB2064"><enum>(C)</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; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H21D4AAA2A5444053827EDD7B728FF686"><enum>(D)</enum><text>in the case of a
recount allocation, not later than 48 hours after the appropriate State or
local election official orders the holding of the recount.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="HD7D8973512CF46C7B71F2E600D6F3F42"><enum>(2)</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>
</paragraph></subsection></section><section id="H57C5DB3A9A3B435296815B6463C7890C"><enum>503.</enum><header>Matching
payments for certain small dollar contributions</header>
<subsection id="H6CE8F8C9B49F4D6BBDA756D722696C5C"><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="H5773F384E524495F9A6430C70B132AFC"><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="HBEA99308BB9F4E9B838DC6AD932B11CF"><enum>(1)</enum><text>200 percent of the
allocation under paragraphs (1) through (4) of section 502(a) for that election
with respect to such candidate; or</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HC3E0123CDF7943C38ADE565FD88640FF"><enum>(2)</enum><text>the percentage of
the allocation determined by the Commission under section 532(c)(2).</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="HE62853D3B65A4CFFA11466DA7A4D9F7E"><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="H21418B6AB55B4ADEAC40773E9D5E0BE9"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Reports</header>
<paragraph id="H88383FD5F8FE468DAEF2C9CE8B270047"><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="H369B60C726DE4B5B9EC048CC8846C0A4"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Contents of
reports</header><text>Each report under this subsection shall disclose—</text>
<subparagraph id="HFA1D5870337541039352E9DD01B0DD98"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the amount of each
qualified small dollar contribution received by the candidate;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="HBDFE71128936421F96336484187D4B68"><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="HA50432A3B7EA417D91C9129E7019E9FD"><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="H60C9BB1A7E44473FB9C810FB5656E677"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Frequency of
reports</header><text>Reports under this subsection shall be made no more
frequently than—</text>
<subparagraph id="H6713878835994AC89039C6530269533C"><enum>(A)</enum><text>once every month
until the date that is 90 days before the date of the election;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H38528BF6D46E4C449D0E9D3865371929"><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="H544E9589840F474CAE5A82EC66D15DE6"><enum>(C)</enum><text>once every day
after the period described in subparagraph (B).</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="HD4EEFDA022544F5ABE5E0912208AD111"><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="H7693F494606A40CBB89A2F58F951C90B"><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><subsection id="H5AC808F51F474F4DB4F28B326F8FD4DF"><enum>(f)</enum><header>Qualified Small
Dollar Contribution Defined</header><text>The term <term>qualified small dollar
contribution</term> means, with respect to a participating candidate, any
contribution (or a series of contributions)—</text>
<paragraph id="H2C11B92AA7784C41945EA10E960D4E96"><enum>(1)</enum><text>which is not a
qualifying contribution (or does not include a qualifying contribution);</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H2790557ACB5E4A29BCF49B6E8C57672C"><enum>(2)</enum><text>which is made by
an individual who is not prohibited from making a contribution under this Act;
and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H3505DF3168C4495789A151F5C3AAFD12"><enum>(3)</enum><text>the aggregate
amount of which does not exceed the greater of—</text>
<subparagraph id="H9A84D771FB404FB38C4A191A3A49819A"><enum>(A)</enum><text>$100 per election;
or</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="HAE93245518D548FE8CC5072052A98AF0"><enum>(B)</enum><text>the amount
determined by the Fair Elections Oversight Board under section
532(c)(2).</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection></section></subtitle><subtitle id="HCC0BD1BBBF5343258FAB301FA79A4D52"><enum>B</enum><header>Eligibility and
certification</header>
<section id="H0B6AE211D6B840CBB6840282E42E1118"><enum>511.</enum><header>Eligibility</header>
<subsection id="HE394B9B9C7BB4A229080FCC7BE53C950"><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 be certified
as a participating candidate under this title with respect to an election if
the candidate meets the following requirements:</text>
<paragraph id="HF5967219E22243198F6531529052F16D"><enum>(1)</enum><text>During the
election cycle for the office involved, the candidate files with the Commission
a statement of intent to seek certification as a participating
candidate.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HAAB09F2E84B34DFFB896D89529ADB89B"><enum>(2)</enum><text>The candidate
meets the qualifying requirements of section 512.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H1970D72AC6554AE0AA60EC033A54A20E"><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="H78EADCE346D2403A961B1B4E1B469B23"><enum>(A)</enum><text>has complied and,
if certified, will comply with the contribution and expenditure requirements of
section 521;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H72A3623B9EDD42EA9443B9D05C1781B5"><enum>(B)</enum><text>if certified, will
comply with the debate requirements of section 522;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="HD3CFBDC6BAC747B7AEB104D5D145A3D3"><enum>(C)</enum><text>if certified, will
run only as a participating candidate for all elections for the office that
such candidate is seeking during the election cycle; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H76B55EEB2E394F41A9FD19DA1DC2F067"><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="H454F444148994FB486C8E5BF1D151C7D"><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 is otherwise
qualified to be on the ballot under State law.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="H17A4C843705B4D649F548001B0CBE222"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Fair Elections
qualifying period Defined</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
120-day period (during the election cycle for such office) which begins on the
date on which the candidate files a statement of intent under section
511(a)(1), except that such period may not continue after the date that is 60
days before—</text>
<paragraph id="H48F644434CFA4B9C8D1E109087B79CBA"><enum>(1)</enum><text>the date of the
primary election; or</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H4D8E0055D83D4BCBB968CA8C80CB0979"><enum>(2)</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>
</paragraph></subsection></section><section id="HAD843E780251493F95DDBECDDE198CE4"><enum>512.</enum><header>Qualifying
requirements</header>
<subsection id="H8A2EF736D81741E380EB6490E0F2EC93"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Receipt of
qualifying contributions</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
described in section 511(c), the candidate obtains—</text>
<paragraph commented="no" id="HDB33E881A0B04A818AF2116BC8347F8B"><enum>(1)</enum><text>a single
qualifying contribution from a number of individuals equal to or greater than
the lesser of—</text>
<subparagraph id="H227DE79330EC4EA99E3242AE520ED2AE"><enum>(A)</enum><text>.25% of the voting
age population of the State involved (as reported in the most recent decennial
census), or</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H2B2E0C10F81E4DB09F7E1400DA7C84A3"><enum>(B)</enum><text>1,500; and</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" id="H3014E4007FD24CD3874549075E174379"><enum>(2)</enum><text>a total dollar
amount of qualifying contributions equal to or greater than $50,000.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="HFFA748623F274DEB968480F2879A4284"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Requirements
relating to receipt of qualifying contribution</header><text>Each qualifying
contribution—</text>
<paragraph id="H56A723481D974B5D80DDDF5FF279A034"><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="H3B07D691F3394294B128A20A57D522C1"><enum>(2)</enum><text>shall be
accompanied by a signed statement containing—</text>
<subparagraph id="H89DBBF28075549888331EA882294557D"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the contributor’s
name and the contributor's address in the State in which the primary residence
of the contributor is located;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="HF03CF78670784F1C96C1BE605F0107A8"><enum>(B)</enum><text>an oath declaring
that the contributor—</text>
<clause id="H1E7B5BBA5E5344AFB458C203FC963F77"><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="H22F9B3A456DE4C729FB8B9373A61064E"><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="H6821D0B67C3D4947B5A1636651102A0A"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>has made the
contribution willingly; and</text>
</clause><clause id="H312FBA3A3918401BA6B61B9DF741C05B"><enum>(iv)</enum><text>has not received
any thing of value in return for the contribution; and</text>
</clause></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="HFF07EDB77E27481C864F434FDD688FA2"><enum>(3)</enum><text>shall be
acknowledged by a receipt that is sent to the contributor with a copy kept by
the candidate for the Commission and a copy kept by the candidate for the
election authorities in the State with respect to which the candidate is
seeking election.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" id="H823B9EF906914062A8C38656EFEF4E4C"><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><subsection id="H9DE80CED754B451B910517F4B5486CA9"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Prohibiting
payment on commission basis of individuals collecting qualifying
contributions</header><text>No person may be paid a commission on a per
qualifying contribution basis for collecting qualifying contributions.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="H3D1C8F2DF0AD49F6B1902C47D08250B4"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Qualifying
contribution Defined</header><text>In this section, the term <term>qualifying
contribution</term> means, with respect to a candidate, a contribution
that—</text>
<paragraph id="H1C3F24992C334FFE8D8B4E6B624819E6"><enum>(1)</enum><text>is in an amount
that is—</text>
<subparagraph id="HB3180FA8376D4CECAF6488DDE43FE30B"><enum>(A)</enum><text>not less than the
greater of $5 or the amount determined by the Commission under section
532(c)(2), and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="HD328624F7DC04DCDA5B2C51025F0107E"><enum>(B)</enum><text>not more than the
greater of $100 or the amount determined by the Commission under section
532(c)(2);</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="HA8C451ABCC924BB680A2524117A73C00"><enum>(2)</enum><text>is made by an
individual—</text>
<subparagraph id="H410A5753F9B14F6F83104FF5CD60067D"><enum>(A)</enum><text>who has a primary
residence in the State in which such Candidate is seeking election, and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="HD11E773858474CFB8313B0638D1986E5"><enum>(B)</enum><text>who is not
otherwise prohibited from making a contribution under this Act;</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="HC8C3D026147740629B7766D17AB9C1A2"><enum>(3)</enum><text>is made during the
Fair Elections qualifying period described in section 511(c); and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H262AC80196CE476C9F863E897DD3BC35"><enum>(4)</enum><text>meets the
requirements of subsection (b).</text>
</paragraph></subsection></section><section id="HF18F85D1B2AD4CC59FC20EB69908A9E6"><enum>513.</enum><header>Certification</header>
<subsection id="H1493D928DEDF46308EF4CCCBE0C1D7B5"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Deadline and
Notification</header>
<paragraph id="H2E2D4D17B50D48CB9630AF2EE3A70EF0"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>Not later than 5 days after a candidate files an
affidavit under section 511(a)(3), the Commission shall—</text>
<subparagraph id="HDB91A28EC027405A99B3529C562309C1"><enum>(A)</enum><text>determine whether
or not the candidate meets the requirements for certification as a
participating candidate;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="HA4C022E73C59424AAC447F37D77C9ED7"><enum>(B)</enum><text>if the Commission
determines that the candidate meets such requirements, certify the candidate as
a participating candidate; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H988BEF0D97584622842194E18F34F184"><enum>(C)</enum><text>notify the
candidate of the Commission's determination.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="H9FBD964E38CD439F9F14D8ADBB971D47"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Deemed
certification for all elections in election cycle</header><text>If the
Commission certifies a candidate as a participating candidate with respect to
the first election of the election cycle involved, the Commissioner shall be
deemed to have certified the candidate as a participating candidate with
respect to all subsequent elections of the election cycle.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="HFE224316310E48C5AF67F854093E5200"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Revocation of
certification</header>
<paragraph id="H1739589738C94AC18F50B3A89FB200E8"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>The Commission may revoke a certification under
subsection (a) if—</text>
<subparagraph id="HFA8A04345A124289A5D200EF6082C27A"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">a candidate fails to qualify to appear on
the ballot at any time after the date of certification (other than a candidate
certified as a participating candidate with respect to a primary election who
fails to qualify to appear on the ballot for a subsequent election in that
election cycle); or</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="HFC96402851864BBE9846770CD6608FEC"><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="H8BB8788A8D5642BBAE492D3CDF90A5E8"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Repayment of
benefits</header><text>If certification is revoked under paragraph (1), the
candidate shall repay to the Fair Elections Fund established under section 531
an amount equal to the value of benefits received under this title with respect
to the election cycle involved plus interest (at a rate determined by the
Commission) on any such amount received.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="HAC985604068C4D93B5F82F65E0550ACB"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Participating
Candidate defined</header><text>In this title, a <quote>participating
candidate</quote> means a candidate for the office of Representative in, or
Delegate or Resident Commissioner to, the Congress who is certified under this
section as eligible to receive benefits under this title.</text>
</subsection></section></subtitle><subtitle id="H9BD33026204742AB8FC1FC8132D56CB2"><enum>C</enum><header>Requirements for
Candidates Certified as Participating Candidates</header>
<section id="H849B358F692B4EFFBDBF023B2F8ECE94"><enum>521.</enum><header>Contribution,
expenditure, and fundraising requirements</header>
<subsection id="H1C88A2A2B54F47F2BC031C83B0BBFC79"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Contributions</header>
<paragraph id="H46C5815589B94B64B94383F48712BE60"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Permitted
sources of contributions</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Except as provided in subsection (c), a
candidate who is certified as a participating candidate with respect to an
election shall, with respect to all elections occurring during the election
cycle for the office involved, accept no contributions from any source
(including an unexpended contribution received by the candidate with respect to
a previous election or a contribution made by any political committee or
multicandidate committee) other than—</text>
<subparagraph id="H6D3DDAFF12B246A8B2A0F8AF2B86EA81"><enum>(A)</enum><text>qualifying
contributions described in section 512;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="HC49684886E10483CB511B193B01C56F4"><enum>(B)</enum><text>qualified small
dollar contributions described in section 503;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="HB59617AD5E484F8A99A637832D163ED9"><enum>(C)</enum><text>allocations under
section 502; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H9AC8F2917CDB4E14A235B5E625E155CE"><enum>(D)</enum><text>payments under
section 503.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" id="H2F7A524C38854AC09C5D820D31461685"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Contributions
for leadership and related PACs</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 paragraph (1)
from any person if—</text>
<subparagraph commented="no" id="H1A7049B7D2B9453A94DD5B510D6991E3"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the aggregate
amount of the contributions from such person for any election during the
election cycle does not exceed $100; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" id="H764749A45F6F49FE8A8CC8F8D6FEF8CC"><enum>(B)</enum><text>no portion of such
contributions is disbursed in connection with the campaign of the participating
candidate.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="HF575BCDD7DCB406AA29AB7B5C7F77300"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Expenditures</header>
<paragraph id="H035B127354AB4F1792862B395A8AB4A3"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Permitted
Sources for Expenditures</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Except as provided in subsection (c), a
candidate who is certified as a participating candidate with respect to an
election shall, with respect to all elections occurring during the election
cycle for the office involved—</text>
<subparagraph id="H6383AA2D12614A7AB37FDB3B9765B53D"><enum>(A)</enum><text>make no
expenditures from any amounts other than—</text>
<clause id="H83729EC4777E42E4BAAA686AF748BF8E"><enum>(i)</enum><text>qualifying
contributions described in section 512;</text>
</clause><clause id="H31BB56B7F66140278D052C50B58B85F2"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>qualified small
dollar contributions described in section 503;</text>
</clause><clause id="H3F7F906718094357B737F1BFD5607F7E"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>allocations
under section 502; and</text>
</clause><clause id="H0C20E9BD73C24A4C82871403C9D21183"><enum>(iv)</enum><text>payments under
section 503; and</text>
</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H97AEBCEA3633496482EDA023C669F959"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">make no expenditures from personal funds or
the funds of any immediate family member of the candidate (other than funds
received through qualified small dollar contributions and qualifying
contributions).</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="HACF5C75E74244D0BA696184AFCEFFEDF"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Immediate family
member defined</header><text>In paragraph (1)(B), the term <term>immediate
family</term> means, with respect to a candidate—</text>
<subparagraph id="HF58D6DA94EEA4D7C8ABF3F5008F18493"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the candidate’s
spouse;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H5FC81FCC0F844EF5B63A7C88ACC7F379"><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 id="H14B871A449904A5CA62EFECC2F021380"><enum>(C)</enum><text>the spouse of any
person described in subparagraph (B).</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H59F1988BE1494ECCB339B168AA7E0B28"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Exceptions</header>
<paragraph id="HC837A8A9112D4E2885232134A92BE6D2"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Exception for
contributions received prior to filing of statement of intent</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">A candidate who has accepted contributions
that are not qualified small dollar contributions, qualifying contributions, or
contributions described in paragraph (a)(2) prior to the date the candidate
files a statement of intent under section 511(a)(1) is not in violation of
subsection (a), but only if all such contributions are—</text>
<subparagraph id="H1CE4A86CD3CE4445899013845EB9E6CD"><enum>(A)</enum><text>returned to the
contributor;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H6C706DFBC4F249409DDD8DB37D0A2B3B"><enum>(B)</enum><text>submitted to the
Commission for deposit in the Fair Elections Fund established under section
531; or</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="HE48D2EDB0D9642EE9F8E48B7FC161D28"><enum>(C)</enum><text>spent in
accordance with paragraph (2).</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="H2C75B55F10E047A898AEA7EFBB8DE3EA"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Exception for
expenditures made prior to filing of statement of intent</header><text>If a
candidate has made expenditures prior to the date the candidate files a
statement of intent under section 511(a)(1) that the candidate is prohibited
from making under subsection (b), the candidate is not in violation of such
subsection if the aggregate amount of the prohibited expenditures is less than
20 percent of the amount of an initial allocation to a candidate under section
502(a)(1).</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H9AB2B5BAC26547F5A82BA451715B7793"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Exception for
campaign surpluses from a previous election</header><text>Notwithstanding
paragraph (1), unexpended contributions received by the candidate or the an
authorized committee of the candidate with respect to a previous election may
be retained, but only if the candidate places the funds in escrow and refrains
from raising additional funds for or spending funds from that account during
the election cycle in which a candidate is a participating candidate.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H883CF51611774113BB5420423AAF79B9"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Exception for
contributions received before the effective date of this
title</header><text>Contributions received and expenditures made by the
candidate or an authorized committee of the candidate prior to the effective
date of this title shall not constitute a violation of subsection (a) or (b).
Unexpended contributions shall be treated the same as campaign surpluses under
paragraph (3), and expenditures made shall count against the limit in paragraph
(2).</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H83409564D3284C72AB32049FF407CE65"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Special Rule for
Coordinated Party Expenditures</header><text>For purposes of this section, a
payment made by a political party in coordination with a participating
candidate shall not be treated as a contribution to or as an expenditure made
by the participating candidate.</text>
</subsection></section><section id="H19DF72D74AD24ACA88AD24D6B2C7A0D2"><enum>522.</enum><header>Debate
requirement</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">A candidate who is
certified as a participating candidate with respect to an election shall,
during the election cycle for the office involved, participate in at
least—</text>
<paragraph id="HE4F7B71CEB964CB296C483D0F7EB27FF"><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="H16CEE72661914562931C7F57B62E1694"><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 display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HF71627FF412F40AB9A911ACFF0929A14"><enum>523.</enum><header>Remitting
Unspent Funds After Election</header>
<subsection id="H5D06C5F502F94863AF75388D3F13CB5C"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In
general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Not later than the
date that is 60 days after the last election for which a candidate certified as
a participating candidate qualifies to be on the ballot during the election
cycle involved, such participating candidate shall remit to the Commission for
deposit in the Fair Elections Fund established under section 531 an amount
equal to the lesser of—</text>
<paragraph id="H1E55FF31426E4F4A8D9694FA507ADDD7"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the amount of money in the candidate’s
campaign account; or</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H7842A751C42B432EA4AD96CFDBD2A76A"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the sum of the allocations received by the
candidate under section 502 and the payments received by the candidate under
section 503.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H1BF766993F12426CBA03E1D88E7BE7F9"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Exception for
expenditures incurred but not paid as of date of remittance</header>
<paragraph id="HACD80CC58E774DA5A05BD90544D6DB1D"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>Subject to subsection (a), a candidate may withhold from
the amount required to be remitted under paragraph (1) of such subsection the
amount of any authorized expenditures which were incurred in connection with
the candidate’s campaign but which remain unpaid as of the deadline applicable
to the candidate under such subsection, except that any amount withheld
pursuant to this paragraph shall be remitted to the Commission not later than
120 days after the date of the election to which such subsection
applies.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H6C455E1C67DE44C9835AF1EE477D4050"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Documentation
required</header><text>A candidate may withhold an amount of an expenditure
pursuant to paragraph (1) only if the candidate submits documentation of the
expenditure and the amount to the Commission not later than the deadline
applicable to the candidate under subsection (a).</text>
</paragraph></subsection></section></subtitle><subtitle id="H0507E1AB81954AE38F781C35747AD2B7"><enum>D</enum><header>Administrative
provisions</header>
<section id="H68449556E54D44F1A8A05358E075CBBF"><enum>531.</enum><header>Fair Elections
Fund</header>
<subsection id="HC73EF04FCBD34341B54227D875E244B0"><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="H97DB0A86637944989E3BEEE42E6A4E8A"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Amounts held by
Fund</header><text>The Fund shall consist of the following amounts:</text>
<paragraph commented="no" id="H318FFAF5AD71443686446FC85AECCE9F"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Appropriated
amounts</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Amounts appropriated
to the Fund, including trust fund amounts appropriated pursuant to applicable
provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HE1880B9ADE5A429CA4C6B435B8D7E6FA"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Voluntary
contributions</header><text>Voluntary contributions to the Fund.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H220C0D0AADA5438FB069AAC4B43DC644"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Transfers
resulting from payment of civil penalties</header><text>Amounts transferred
into the Fund pursuant to section 309(a)(13).</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" id="H96C37DAC2DDD405CA324253CEB2D21B3"><enum>(4)</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>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HD323A8C7244A403493E3DFB8130B594F"><enum>(5)</enum><header>Other
deposits</header><text>Amounts deposited into the Fund under—</text>
<subparagraph id="H18CC4C3C098A4C8296044D7E7839441A"><enum>(A)</enum><text>section 521(a)(3)
(relating to exceptions to contribution requirements);</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H82655C108B9344A08E52A6B7DA9B53DC"><enum>(B)</enum><text>section 523
(relating to remittance of allocations from the Fund);</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H96728C37674D4DFC9E6587981ACC620E"><enum>(C)</enum><text>section 534
(relating to violations); and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H97F863B55E684EC0BFB4E222CAB3BB2E"><enum>(D)</enum><text>any other section
of this Act.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="H817FE7DA9DAF47B99F378041A79DE5CE"><enum>(6)</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="HBE81FAB2521842D891471BE8F1673C35"><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="H8AFC1471D3BF4A128B7F53647285CCAD"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Use of
Fund</header>
<paragraph id="H2068C25864F84D5494F426616B5192E5"><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 A.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H1691BAB77D744ED4855A50FF627A8CF2"><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 of 1986
shall apply.</text>
</paragraph></subsection></section><section id="HAD8F8FB54D434CA586C7C6D6F4C942F3"><enum>532.</enum><header>Fair Elections
Oversight Board</header>
<subsection id="H7E50CAE8F1CF4EE59C9BD6452F7E1868"><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="H3B25ED564E1142E383F49FA6C9ECDD95"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Structure and
membership</header>
<paragraph id="H5E5C4703973940A68C0375E62C66CE80"><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="HFEA1B56768AA472BB40E450242F40BF9"><enum>(A)</enum><text>2 shall be
appointed after consultation with the Majority Leader of the House of
Representatives;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H370693F57CC5445CBF33F9AA942EB277"><enum>(B)</enum><text>2 shall be
appointed after consultation with the Minority Leader of the House of
Representatives; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H2C0983F5BB964FC7AC7CC616E0DF6EE4"><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="H2D4CEE77D0004F44B05D70376FAAF9A2"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Qualifications</header>
<subparagraph id="HACE9840A98B74B14B5D9E39CB2368FD7"><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="H4B005737293B4177BFA0DA44B30295AC"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Prohibition</header><text>No
member of the Board may be—</text>
<clause id="HC02039FB65D8441AA0B6379A68F0E2A5"><enum>(i)</enum><text>an
employee of the Federal government;</text>
</clause><clause id="H82F58C5772574212A6B4988B08CAA559"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>a
registered lobbyist or an individual who was a registered lobbyist at any time
during the 2-year period preceding appointment to the Board; or</text>
</clause><clause id="H06F3A0B488D94DFA8025F12DCF5CA8C5"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>an officer or
employee of a political party or political campaign.</text>
</clause></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="H2C3C14F7C56F4C5096874B4DF5B77CCD"><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="HFF6E73723D89459F9061485536978FDD"><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="H299C18F957D3489FB8B0AE8BEF849294"><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="H672F8BC8FB2D4AF69EC1FCA1184740DA"><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="H00D645DA324B4C0CB9FA63FA06BFC1BE"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Duties and
powers</header>
<paragraph id="HF09CAED6A14C453FB4D3618F32517AFB"><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="HFC3F79F47471470B94C32C6BA32BB834"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Review of fair
elections financing</header>
<subparagraph id="H6B735BB6B7E8416D815894588859F009"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>After each regularly scheduled general election for
Federal office, the Board shall conduct a comprehensive review of the Fair
Elections financing program under this title, including—</text>
<clause id="HD127A08E5EFC46AF80338B2119AD35F0"><enum>(i)</enum><text>the maximum dollar
amount of qualified small dollar contributions under section 503(f);</text>
</clause><clause id="H4FDB03D306C34A55AD8637D01B8FC5C9"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>the maximum and
minimum dollar amounts for qualifying contributions under section
512(d);</text>
</clause><clause id="H73B9E32DE5D942738D4D30FDA50DA2A6"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>the number and
value of qualifying contributions a candidate is required to obtain under
section 512(a) to be eligible for certification as a participating
candidate;</text>
</clause><clause id="HF878327C46E94F858D349C05A12186D1"><enum>(iv)</enum><text>the amount of
allocations that candidates may receive under section 502;</text>
</clause><clause id="H681734C5A3E145DDBE8977515F957154"><enum>(v)</enum><text>the maximum amount
of payments a candidate may receive under section 503;</text>
</clause><clause id="H05622DEDF1F74BDC8E5FF83AA31DACB2"><enum>(vi)</enum><text>the overall
satisfaction of participating candidates and the American public with the
program; and</text>
</clause><clause id="H41812B547E824EACBF5D82E768496481"><enum>(vii)</enum><text>such other
matters relating to financing of House of Representatives campaigns as the
Board determines are appropriate.</text>
</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H56D8FFA44646462896C1112A8B980CD1"><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="H044097DD996A4C74B5022A360FD85D86"><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="HBB578358F2414D2099753A90E23E1948"><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
under section 502, and payments under section 503 are sufficient for voters in
each State to learn about the candidates to cast an informed vote, taking into
account the historic amount of spending by winning candidates, media costs,
primary election dates, and any other information the Board determines is
appropriate.</text>
</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H4875AF704A3F450796AB9D1402CB24F8"><enum>(C)</enum><header>Adjustment of
amounts</header>
<clause id="HFD9496DF1F2F4D8CBAA5FA9F615FE581"><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="H93703BE7C9B34F64833EEF9049CD5358"><enum>(I)</enum><text>the maximum dollar
amount of qualified small dollar contributions under section 503(f);</text>
</subclause><subclause id="H4E5E87986AC14ECB93FFA68C7181AC52"><enum>(II)</enum><text>the maximum and
minimum dollar amounts for qualifying contributions under section
512(d);</text>
</subclause><subclause id="HD17FF03D653C477883C563142F6EE878"><enum>(III)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the number and value of qualifying
contributions a candidate is required to obtain under section 512(a) to be
eligible for certification as a participating candidate;</text>
</subclause><subclause id="H3355D3DFA57D4000AD0ECD6B6FB692CA"><enum>(IV)</enum><text>the base amount
for candidates under section 502(b); and</text>
</subclause><subclause id="H674535CC68244A098BF0A96E9F603C1A"><enum>(V)</enum><text>the maximum amount
of matching contributions a candidate may receive under section 503(b).</text>
</subclause></clause><clause id="HFFF7CAD6AD3D40F0B8DB2DDFB96E3E70"><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="HEE7BAE3B801846FA8894C358E0B7ADE1"><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="H0C7E6EAC52E64419AA05EB63FE66D592"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Meetings and
hearings</header>
<paragraph id="H5ADE313F6513462FB244E23C57347F57"><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="HDAFD5F86EF7F45E89C18C39E32239503"><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="H6AE48EBF9C4642FBA3C57FB864F1132C"><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="HE64C4D2C03DE46108B76BF3443FE1B65"><enum>(f)</enum><header>Administration</header>
<paragraph id="HD60CB2E80C564609B63970DCE05E5C85"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Compensation of
members</header>
<subparagraph id="H99094B82DC8D4C59B41D376DBF9FFFD7"><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="HC4CD5D9545744C9D9A939A4C6672F38E"><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="H45C6926CFF7943618DC5F7260767B199"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Personnel</header>
<subparagraph id="HE50BDE3A75E248B49FBC13393DD551C1"><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="HA32310AB106E4F9D8953524E31BF4229"><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="HFB86F5EFF227432585FBD1D9ABF38380"><enum>(C)</enum><header>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="H1BCCF3ED0A894BC797204E517E9D4093"><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="H64F7A4FD0A6F417EBB7F9824F62C4C40"><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="HB529ED47EA6242619D3C6F26DDED3EF5"><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="H00895E0BC0B945EA9FC1DEF90B8D1075"><enum>533.</enum><header>Administration
by Commission</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="H3B790B9F8A924957A1E0CDCF5388DDBC"><enum>(1)</enum><text>to establish
procedures for—</text>
<subparagraph id="HCA50D8C4D7F64588B2FD528B02BB6D9D"><enum>(A)</enum><text>verifying the
amount of valid qualifying contributions with respect to a candidate;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" id="H52D39D01329F414BA8ADA9BC4277321B"><enum>(B)</enum><text>effectively and
efficiently monitoring and enforcing the limits on the raising of qualified
small dollar contributions;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="HA3C0B6F298AD4846B36CB198E0EA6B14"><enum>(C)</enum><text>effectively and
efficiently monitoring and enforcing the limits on the use of personal funds by
participating candidates; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="HBCF584A412284B3F87541C4E648CCE26"><enum>(D)</enum><text>monitoring the use
of allocations from the Fair Elections Fund established under section 531 and
matching contributions under this title through audits of not fewer than
<fraction>1/3</fraction> of all participating candidates or other mechanisms;
and</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="HF735C713627B4EBFA6B772E1C2E07D9D"><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="H9B28DB4E5A6C4265A068662DC09E8AE3"><enum>534.</enum><header>Violations and
penalties</header>
<subsection id="H589C609495F44191A04059E5C1FF30FC"><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 accepts a contribution or makes an expenditure that is
prohibited under section 521, the Commission shall assess a civil penalty
against the candidate in an amount that is not more than 3 times the amount of
the contribution or expenditure. Any amounts collected under this subsection
shall be deposited into the Fair Elections Fund established under section
531.</text>
</subsection><subsection commented="no" id="HF8BB512A0BE147D5A570A13CA20A6023"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Repayment for
improper use of Fair Elections Fund</header>
<paragraph commented="no" id="HB423F3E30E8A45FFB21DBA0E2BCD6141"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>If the Commission determines that any benefit made
available to a participating candidate was not used as provided for in this
title or that a participating candidate has violated any of the dates for
remission of funds contained in this title, the Commission shall so notify the
candidate and the candidate shall pay to the Fund an amount equal to—</text>
<subparagraph commented="no" id="H23DF69CBC0FB48C5941BE2AE2C2E035F"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the amount of
benefits so used or not remitted, as appropriate; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" id="HD9BF79ABA40B484B8875550BC4B239B9"><enum>(B)</enum><text>interest on any
such amounts (at a rate determined by the Commission).</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" id="H2BD1E8EA519D459482E2473C78383C8A"><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><section id="H6CF8143EC5FE4E9C9B92320DE6CF14D3"><enum>535.</enum><header>Election Cycle
Defined</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">In this title, the
term <term>election cycle</term> means, with respect to an election for the
office of Representative in, or Delegate or Resident Commissioner to, the
Congress, the period beginning on the day after the date of the most recent
general election for that office (or, if the general election resulted in a
runoff election, the date of the runoff election) and ending on the date of the
next general election for that office (or, if the general election resulted in
a runoff election, the date of the runoff
election).</text>
</section></subtitle>.
102.Transfer of
Portion of Civil Money Penalties Into Fair Elections FundSection 309(a) of the Federal Election
Campaign Act of 1971 (2 U.S.C. 437g(a)) is amended by adding at the end the
following new paragraph:
(13)Upon receipt in the General Fund of
the Treasury of any payment attributable to a civil money penalty imposed under
this subsection, there shall be transferred to the Fair Elections Fund
established under section 531 an amount equal to 50 percent of the amount of
such
payment.
.
103.Prohibiting Use
of Contributions by Participating Candidates for Purposes Other Than Campaign
for ElectionSection 313 of
the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (2 U.S.C. 439a) is amended by adding
at the end the following new subsection:
(d)Restrictions on
Permitted Uses of Funds by Candidates Receiving Fair Elections
FinancingNotwithstanding
paragraphs (2), (3), or (4) of subsection (a), if a candidate for election for
the office of Representative in, or Delegate or Resident Commissioner to, the
Congress is certified as a participating candidate under title V with respect
to the election, any contribution which the candidate is permitted to accept
under such title may be used only for authorized expenditures in connection
with the candidate’s campaign for such
office.
.
104.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.
.
105.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 certified as a participating
candidate under title V, the lesser of—
(i)10 percent of the
allocation that the participating candidate is eligible to receive for the
general election under section 502(a); or
(ii)the amount which
would (but for this subparagraph) apply with respect to such candidate under
subparagraph
(B);
.
(b)Section 315(d)(3) of such Act (2 U.S.C. 441a(d)(3)) is
amended—
(1)in subparagraph
(B) (as redesignated by subsection (a)), by inserting who is not
certified as a participating candidate under title V
after only
one Representative
; and
(2)in subparagraph
(C) (as redesignated by subsection (a)), by inserting who is not
certified as a participating candidate under title V
after any
other State
.
106.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
531 of the Federal Election Campaign Act of
1971.
.
<enum>II</enum><header>Responsibilities
of the Federal Election Commission</header>
<section id="H4CC705EFD3FA4EA7AEC4D3546E317E59"><enum>201.</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="HEC18987E9A764D80BCF7920B30E1F755"><enum>202.</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="H9618D83E272A4BB0A42B6B3A3EC8AA14" style="OLC">
<subsection id="HDFBDBA85CE3B421BAB8B415FEC2BC375" 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="H5EF209EA199A4B9BA3434B44D38B1EF4"><enum>203.</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="HC3313B655FCF4D748EAF1D2406B07E29"><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="HB32E75E201ED497FB75ECEBAC6C5254C"><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="HD2AF397EAEB64F319AC3AA2334F6B3BB"><enum>(3)</enum><text>by striking
subparagraph (D).</text>
</paragraph></section><enum>III</enum><header>Miscellaneous
provisions</header>
<section id="H0B8054EAAC0F46FF9C80C21DE182CE74"><enum>301.</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="H9A0D245192E94DAF82FE853D25C50807" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>302.</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>
December 22, 2010
The Committee on
Energy and Commerce discharged; committed to the Committee of
the Whole House on the State of the Union and ordered to be
printed