[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 1 Reported in House (RH)]

<DOC>





                                                   Union Calendar No. 5
116th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                 H. R. 1

                      [Report No. 116-15, Part I]

To expand Americans' access to the ballot box, reduce the influence of 
big money in politics, and strengthen ethics rules for public servants, 
                        and for other purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                            January 3, 2019

  Mr. Sarbanes (for himself and Ms. Pelosi) introduced the following 
bill; which was referred to the Committee on House Administration, and 
 in addition to the Committees on Intelligence (Permanent Select), the 
   Judiciary, Oversight and Reform, Science, Space, and Technology, 
 Education and Labor, Ways and Means, Financial Services, Ethics, and 
 Homeland Security, for a period to be subsequently determined by the 
  Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall 
           within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned

                             March 4, 2019

Additional sponsors: Ms. Adams, Mr. Allred, Ms. Barragan, Mrs. Beatty, 
  Mr. Beyer, Mr. Bishop of Georgia, Mr. Blumenauer, Ms. Bonamici, Mr. 
 Brendan F. Boyle of Pennsylvania, Mr. Brown of Maryland, Ms. Brownley 
    of California, Mrs. Bustos, Mr. Butterfield, Mr. Carbajal, Mr. 
Cardenas, Mr. Cartwright, Mr. Case, Mr. Casten of Illinois, Ms. Castor 
 of Florida, Ms. Judy Chu of California, Mr. Cicilline, Mr. Cisneros, 
   Ms. Clark of Massachusetts, Ms. Clarke of New York, Mr. Clay, Mr. 
Clyburn, Mr. Cohen, Mr. Connolly, Mr. Cooper, Mr. Correa, Mr. Courtney, 
 Mr. Cox of California, Mrs. Craig, Mr. Crist, Mr. Crow, Mr. Cummings, 
  Ms. Davids of Kansas, Mr. Danny K. Davis of Illinois, Mrs. Davis of 
   California, Ms. Dean, Mr. DeFazio, Ms. DeGette, Ms. DeLauro, Ms. 
 DelBene, Mr. Delgado, Mrs. Demings, Mr. DeSaulnier, Mr. Deutch, Mrs. 
Dingell, Mr. Michael F. Doyle of Pennsylvania, Mr. Engel, Ms. Escobar, 
 Ms. Eshoo, Mr. Espaillat, Mr. Evans, Mrs. Fletcher, Ms. Frankel, Ms. 
Gabbard, Mr. Gallego, Mr. Garamendi, Ms. Garcia of Texas, Mr. Garcia of 
Illinois, Mr. Golden, Mr. Gomez, Mr. Green of Texas, Mr. Grijalva, Ms. 
Haaland, Mr. Harder of California, Mr. Hastings, Mrs. Hayes, Mr. Heck, 
    Mr. Higgins of New York, Ms. Hill of California, Mr. Himes, Mr. 
 Horsford, Ms. Houlahan, Mr. Hoyer, Mr. Huffman, Ms. Jackson Lee, Ms. 
Jayapal, Mr. Jeffries, Mr. Johnson of Georgia, Ms. Kaptur, Mr. Keating, 
Ms. Kelly of Illinois, Mr. Kennedy, Mr. Khanna, Mr. Kildee, Mr. Kilmer, 
Mr. Kim, Mr. Kind, Mrs. Kirkpatrick, Mr. Krishnamoorthi, Ms. Kuster of 
 New Hampshire, Mr. Lamb, Mr. Langevin, Mr. Larsen of Washington, Mr. 
Larson of Connecticut, Mrs. Lawrence, Mr. Lawson of Florida, Ms. Lee of 
  California, Mrs. Lee of Nevada, Mr. Levin of Michigan, Mr. Levin of 
 California, Mr. Lewis, Mr. Ted Lieu of California, Mr. Loebsack, Ms. 
     Lofgren, Mr. Lowenthal, Mrs. Lowey, Mr. Lujan, Mr. Lynch, Mr. 
   Malinowski, Mrs. Carolyn B. Maloney of New York, Mr. Sean Patrick 
   Maloney of New York, Ms. Matsui, Ms. McCollum, Mr. McEachin, Mr. 
McGovern, Mr. McNerney, Mr. Meeks, Ms. Meng, Mr. Morelle, Mr. Moulton, 
Ms. Mucarsel-Powell, Mr. Nadler, Mrs. Napolitano, Mr. Neal, Mr. Neguse, 
Mr. Norcross, Ms. Norton, Ms. Ocasio-Cortez, Ms. Omar, Mr. Pallone, Mr. 
Panetta, Mr. Pappas, Mr. Pascrell, Mr. Payne, Mr. Peters, Mr. Phillips, 
 Ms. Pingree, Mr. Pocan, Ms. Porter, Ms. Pressley, Mr. Price of North 
 Carolina, Mr. Quigley, Mr. Raskin, Miss Rice of New York, Mr. Rose of 
 New York, Mr. Rouda, Ms. Roybal-Allard, Mr. Ruppersberger, Mr. Rush, 
  Mr. Ryan, Ms. Sanchez, Ms. Scanlon, Ms. Schakowsky, Mr. Schiff, Mr. 
Schneider, Ms. Schrier, Mr. Scott of Virginia, Mr. Serrano, Ms. Sewell 
     of Alabama, Ms. Shalala, Mr. Sherman, Mr. Sires, Mr. Smith of 
  Washington, Mr. Soto, Ms. Spanberger, Ms. Speier, Mr. Stanton, Mr. 
    Suozzi, Mr. Swalwell of California, Mr. Takano, Mr. Thompson of 
  Mississippi, Mr. Thompson of California, Ms. Titus, Ms. Tlaib, Mr. 
     Tonko, Mrs. Torres of California, Mrs. Trahan, Mr. Trone, Ms. 
    Underwood, Mr. Vargas, Mr. Veasey, Mr. Vela, Ms. Velazquez, Ms. 
  Wasserman Schultz, Mrs. Watson Coleman, Ms. Waters, Mr. Welch, Ms. 
  Wild, Ms. Wilson of Florida, Mr. Yarmuth, Mr. Castro of Texas, Mr. 
  Carson of Indiana, Mr. Bera, Ms. Slotkin, Ms. Fudge, Ms. Johnson of 
Texas, Mr. Perlmutter, Mr. David Scott of Georgia, Mr. Ruiz, Ms. Moore, 
Mr. Foster, Mr. Cleaver, Mrs. McBath, Ms. Blunt Rochester, Mr. Aguilar, 
 Ms. Bass, Mr. O'Halleran, Mr. Gottheimer, Mr. Cunningham, Mr. Costa, 
Mr. Lipinski, Ms. Wexton, Ms. Kendra S. Horn of Oklahoma, Mr. Doggett, 
Ms. Finkenauer, Mrs. Axne, Mr. Visclosky, Mrs. Luria, Mr. Van Drew, Mr. 
  Peterson, Ms. Sherrill, Ms. Stevens, Mrs. Murphy, Mr. Brindisi, Mr. 
 Schrader, Mr. Gonzalez of Texas, Mr. McAdams, Ms. Torres Small of New 
           Mexico, Mr. Sablan, Mr. Cuellar, and Mr. Richmond


                             March 4, 2019

 Reported from the Committee on House Administration with an amendment
 [Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed 
                               in italic]

                             March 4, 2019

Committees on Intelligence (Permanent Select), the Judiciary, Oversight 
 and Reform, Science, Space, and Technology, Education and Labor, Ways 
     and Means, Financial Services, Ethics, and Homeland Security 
discharged; committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State 
                 of the Union and ordered to be printed
[For text of introduced bill, see copy of bill as introduced on January 
                                3, 2019]


_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
To expand Americans' access to the ballot box, reduce the influence of 
big money in politics, and strengthen ethics rules for public servants, 
                        and for other purposes.


 


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

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``For the People Act of 2019''.

SEC. 2. ORGANIZATION OF ACT INTO DIVISIONS; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

    (a) Divisions.--This Act is organized into 3 divisions as follows:
            (1) Division A--Voting.
            (2) Division B--Campaign Finance.
            (3) Division C--Ethics.
    (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents of this Act is as 
follows:

Sec. 1. Short title.
Sec. 2. Organization of Act into divisions; table of contents.

                           DIVISION A--VOTING

                        TITLE I--ELECTION ACCESS

Sec. 1000. Short title; statement of policy.

              Subtitle A--Voter Registration Modernization

Sec. 1000A. Short title.

                Part 1--Promoting Internet Registration

Sec. 1001. Requiring availability of Internet for voter registration.
Sec. 1002. Use of Internet to update registration information.
Sec. 1003. Provision of election information by electronic mail to 
                            individuals registered to vote.
Sec. 1004. Clarification of requirement regarding necessary information 
                            to show eligibility to vote.
Sec. 1005. Effective date.

                  Part 2--Automatic Voter Registration

Sec. 1011. Short title; findings and purpose.
Sec. 1012. Automatic registration of eligible individuals.
Sec. 1013. Contributing agency assistance in registration.
Sec. 1014. One-time contributing agency assistance in registration of 
                            eligible voters in existing records.
Sec. 1015. Voter protection and security in automatic registration.
Sec. 1016. Registration portability and correction.
Sec. 1017. Payments and grants.
Sec. 1018. Treatment of exempt States.
Sec. 1019. Miscellaneous provisions.
Sec. 1020. Definitions.
Sec. 1021. Effective date.

                  Part 3--Same Day Voter Registration

Sec. 1031. Same day registration.

   Part 4--Conditions on Removal on Basis of Interstate Cross-Checks

Sec. 1041. Conditions on removal of registrants from official list of 
                            eligible voters on basis of interstate 
                            cross-checks.

        Part 5--Other Initiatives to Promote Voter Registration

Sec. 1051. Annual reports on voter registration statistics.

           Part 6--Availability of HAVA Requirements Payments

Sec. 1061. Availability of requirements payments under HAVA to cover 
                            costs of compliance with new requirements.

        Part 7--Prohibiting Interference With Voter Registration

Sec. 1071. [Reserved].
Sec. 1072. Establishment of best practices.

     Subtitle B--Access to Voting for Individuals With Disabilities

Sec. 1101. Requirements for States to promote access to voter 
                            registration and voting for individuals 
                            with disabilities.
Sec. 1102. Expansion and reauthorization of grant program to assure 
                            voting access for individuals with 
                            disabilities.

                  Subtitle C--Prohibiting Voter Caging

Sec. 1201. [Reserved].
Sec. 1202. Development and adoption of best practices for preventing 
                            voter caging.

                         Subtitle D--[Reserved]

                         Subtitle E--[Reserved]

 Subtitle F--Promoting Accuracy, Integrity, and Security Through Voter-
                    Verified Permanent Paper Ballot

Sec. 1501. Short title.
Sec. 1502. Paper ballot and manual counting requirements.
Sec. 1503. Accessibility and ballot verification for individuals with 
                            disabilities.
Sec. 1504. Durability and readability requirements for ballots.
Sec. 1505. Effective date for new requirements.

                    Subtitle G--Provisional Ballots

Sec. 1601. Requirements for counting provisional ballots; establishment 
                            of uniform and nondiscriminatory standards.

                        Subtitle H--Early Voting

Sec. 1611. Early voting.

                       Subtitle I--Voting by Mail

Sec. 1621. Voting by Mail.

    Subtitle J--Absent Uniformed Services Voters and Overseas Voters

Sec. 1701. Pre-election reports on availability and transmission of 
                            absentee ballots.
Sec. 1702. Enforcement.
Sec. 1703. Revisions to 45-day absentee ballot transmission rule.
Sec. 1704. Use of single absentee ballot application for subsequent 
                            elections.
Sec. 1705. Effective date.

            Subtitle K--Poll Worker Recruitment and Training

Sec. 1801. [Reserved].
Sec. 1802. Grants to States for poll worker recruitment and training.
Sec. 1803. State defined.

                 Subtitle L--Enhancement of Enforcement

Sec. 1811. Enhancement of enforcement of Help America Vote Act of 2002.

                 Subtitle M--Federal Election Integrity

Sec. 1821. Prohibition on campaign activities by chief State election 
                            administration officials.

  Subtitle N--Promoting Voter Access Through Election Administration 
                              Improvements

                     Part 1--Promoting Voter Access

Sec. 1901. Treatment of institutions of higher education.
Sec. 1902. Minimum notification requirements for voters affected by 
                            polling place changes.
Sec. 1903. [Reserved].
Sec. 1904. Permitting use of sworn written statement to meet 
                            identification requirements for voting.
Sec. 1905. [Reserved].
Sec. 1906. Reimbursement for costs incurred by States in establishing 
                            program to track and confirm receipt of 
                            absentee ballots.
Sec. 1907. Voter information response systems and hotline.

  Part 2--Improvements in Operation of Election Assistance Commission

Sec. 1911. Reauthorization of Election Assistance Commission.
Sec. 1913. Requiring states to participate in post-general election 
                            surveys.
Sec. 1914. Reports by National Institute of Standards and Technology on 
                            use of funds transferred from Election 
                            Assistance Commission.
Sec. 1915. Recommendations to improve operations of Election Assistance 
                            Commission.
Sec. 1916. Repeal of exemption of Election Assistance Commission from 
                            certain government contracting 
                            requirements.

                    Part 3--Miscellaneous Provisions

Sec. 1921. Application of laws to Commonwealth of Northern Mariana 
                            Islands.
Sec. 1922. No effect on other laws.

                        Subtitle O--Severability

Sec. 1931. Severability.

                      TITLE II--ELECTION INTEGRITY

                         Subtitle A--[Reserved]

                         Subtitle B--[Reserved]

                         Subtitle C--[Reserved]

                         Subtitle D--[Reserved]

                         Subtitle E--[Reserved]

         Subtitle F--Saving Eligible Voters From Voter Purging

Sec. 2501. Short title.
Sec. 2502. Conditions for removal of voters from list of registered 
                            voters.

    Subtitle G--No Effect on Authority of States to Provide Greater 
                        Opportunities for Voting

Sec. 2601. No effect on authority of States to provide greater 
                            opportunities for voting.

                        Subtitle H--Severability

Sec. 2701. Severability.

                      TITLE III--ELECTION SECURITY

Sec. 3000. Short title; sense of Congress.

       Subtitle A--Financial Support for Election Infrastructure

           Part 1--Voting System Security Improvement Grants

Sec. 3001. Grants for obtaining compliant paper ballot voting systems 
                            and carrying out voting system security 
                            improvements.
Sec. 3002. Coordination of voting system security activities with use 
                            of requirements payments and election 
                            administration requirements under Help 
                            America Vote Act of 2002.
Sec. 3003. Incorporation of definitions.

    Part 2--Grants for Risk-limiting Audits of Results of Elections

Sec. 3011. Grants to States for conducting risk-limiting audits of 
                            results of elections.
Sec. 3012. GAO analysis of effects of audits.

                           Part 3--[Reserved]

                     Subtitle B--Security Measures

Sec. 3101. Election infrastructure designation.
Sec. 3102. Timely threat information.
Sec. 3103. Security clearance assistance for election officials.
Sec. 3104. Security risk and vulnerability assessments.
Sec. 3105. Annual reports.

    Subtitle C--Enhancing Protections for United States Democratic 
                              Institutions

Sec. 3201. National strategy to protect United States democratic 
                            institutions.
Sec. 3202. National Commission to Protect United States Democratic 
                            Institutions.

 Subtitle D--Promoting Cybersecurity Through Improvements in Election 
                             Administration

Sec. 3301. Testing of existing voting systems to ensure compliance with 
                            election cybersecurity guidelines and other 
                            guidelines.
Sec. 3302. Treatment of electronic poll books as part of voting 
                            systems.
Sec. 3303. Pre-election reports on voting system usage.
Sec. 3304. Streamlining collection of election information.

                Subtitle E--Preventing Election Hacking

Sec. 3401. Short title.
Sec. 3402. Election Security Bug Bounty Program.
Sec. 3403. Definitions.

                  Subtitle F--Miscellaneous Provisions

Sec. 3501. Definitions.
Sec. 3502. Initial report on adequacy of resources available for 
                            implementation.

                        Subtitle G--Severability

Sec. 3601. Severability.

                      DIVISION B--CAMPAIGN FINANCE

                TITLE IV--CAMPAIGN FINANCE TRANSPARENCY

    Subtitle A--Findings Relating to Illicit Money Undermining Our 
                               Democracy

Sec. 4001. Findings relating to illicit money undermining our 
                            democracy.

                        Subtitle B--DISCLOSE Act

Sec. 4100. Short title.

            Part 1--Regulation of Certain Political Spending

Sec. 4101. Application of ban on contributions and expenditures by 
                            foreign nationals to domestic corporations, 
                            limited liability corporations, and 
                            partnerships that are foreign-controlled, 
                            foreign-influenced, and foreign-owned.
Sec. 4102. Clarification of application of foreign money ban to certain 
                            disbursements and activities.

          Part 2--Reporting of Campaign-Related Disbursements

Sec. 4111. Reporting of campaign-related disbursements.
Sec. 4112. Application of foreign money ban to disbursements for 
                            campaign-related disbursements consisting 
                            of covered transfers.
Sec. 4113. Effective date.

                  Part 3--Other Administrative Reforms

Sec. 4121. Petition for certiorari.
Sec. 4122. Judicial review of actions related to campaign finance laws.

                         Subtitle C--Honest Ads

Sec. 4201. Short title.
Sec. 4202. Purpose.
Sec. 4203. Findings.
Sec. 4204. Sense of Congress.
Sec. 4205. Expansion of definition of public communication.
Sec. 4206. Expansion of definition of electioneering communication.
Sec. 4207. Application of disclaimer statements to online 
                            communications.
Sec. 4208. Political record requirements for online platforms.
Sec. 4209. Preventing contributions, expenditures, independent 
                            expenditures, and disbursements for 
                            electioneering communications by foreign 
                            nationals in the form of online 
                            advertising.

                     Subtitle D--Stand By Every Ad

Sec. 4301. Short title.
Sec. 4302. Stand By Every Ad.
Sec. 4303. Disclaimer requirements for communications made through 
                            prerecorded telephone calls.
Sec. 4304. No expansion of persons subject to disclaimer requirements 
                            on Internet communications.
Sec. 4305. Effective date.

                         Subtitle E--[Reserved]

                         Subtitle F--[Reserved]

                         Subtitle G--[Reserved]

  Subtitle H--Limitation and Disclosure Requirements for Presidential 
                          Inaugural Committees

Sec. 4701. Short title.
Sec. 4702. Limitations and disclosure of certain donations to, and 
                            disbursements by, Inaugural Committees.

                        Subtitle I--Severability

Sec. 4801. Severability.

                 TITLE V--CAMPAIGN FINANCE EMPOWERMENT

       Subtitle A--Findings Relating to Citizens United Decision

Sec. 5001. Findings relating to Citizens United decision.

                  Subtitle B--Congressional Elections

Sec. 5100. Short title.

                 Part 1--My Voice Voucher Pilot Program

Sec. 5101. Establishment of pilot program.
Sec. 5102. Voucher program described.
Sec. 5103. Reports.
Sec. 5104. Definitions.

   Part 2--Small Dollar Financing of Congressional Election Campaigns

Sec. 5111. Benefits and eligibility requirements for candidates.

````TITLE V--SMALL DOLLAR FINANCING OF CONGRESSIONAL ELECTION CAMPAIGNS

                        ````Subtitle A--Benefits

        ``Sec. 501. Benefits for participating candidates.
        ``Sec. 502. Procedures for making payments.
        ``Sec. 503. Use of funds.
        ``Sec. 504. Qualified small dollar contributions described.

             ````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 and expenditure requirements.
        ``Sec. 522. Administration of campaign.
        ``Sec. 523. Preventing unnecessary spending of public funds.
        ``Sec. 524. Remitting unspent funds after election.

                 ````Subtitle D--Enhanced Match Support

        ``Sec. 531. Enhanced support for general election.
        ``Sec. 532. Eligibility.
        ``Sec. 533. Amount.
        ``Sec. 534. Waiver of authority to retain portion of unspent 
                            funds after election.

               ````Subtitle E--Administrative Provisions

        ``Sec. 541. Freedom From Influence Fund.
        ``Sec. 542. Reviews and reports by Government Accountability 
                            Office.
        ``Sec. 543. Administration by Commission.
        ``Sec. 544. Violations and penalties.
        ``Sec. 545. Appeals process.
        ``Sec. 546. Indexing of amounts.
        ``Sec. 547. Election cycle defined.''
Sec. 5112. Contributions and expenditures by multicandidate and 
                            political party committees on behalf of 
                            participating candidates.
Sec. 5113. Prohibiting use of contributions by participating candidates 
                            for purposes other than campaign for 
                            election.
Sec. 5114. Effective date.

                   Subtitle C--Presidential Elections

Sec. 5200. Short title.

                       Part 1--Primary Elections

Sec. 5201. Increase in and modifications to matching payments.
Sec. 5202. Eligibility requirements for matching payments.
Sec. 5203. Repeal of expenditure limitations.
Sec. 5204. Period of availability of matching payments.
Sec. 5205. Examination and audits of matchable contributions.
Sec. 5206. Modification to limitation on contributions for Presidential 
                            primary candidates.
Sec. 5207. Use of Freedom From Influence Fund as source of payments.

                       Part 2--General Elections

Sec. 5211. Modification of eligibility requirements for public 
                            financing.
Sec. 5212. Repeal of expenditure limitations and use of qualified 
                            campaign contributions.
Sec. 5213. Matching payments and other modifications to payment 
                            amounts.
Sec. 5214. Increase in limit on coordinated party expenditures.
Sec. 5215. Establishment of uniform date for release of payments.
Sec. 5216. Amounts in Presidential Election Campaign Fund.
Sec. 5217. Use of general election payments for general election legal 
                            and accounting compliance.
Sec. 5218. Use of Freedom From Influence Fund as source of payments.

                         Part 3--Effective Date

Sec. 5221. Effective date.

 Subtitle D--Personal Use Services as Authorized Campaign Expenditures

Sec. 5301. Short title; findings; purpose.
Sec. 5302. Treatment of payments for child care and other personal use 
                            services as authorized campaign 
                            expenditure.

                        Subtitle E--Severability

Sec. 5401. Severability.

                  TITLE VI--CAMPAIGN FINANCE OVERSIGHT

         Subtitle A--Restoring Integrity to America's Elections

Sec. 6001. Short title.
Sec. 6002. Membership of Federal Election Commission.
Sec. 6003. Assignment of powers to Chair of Federal Election 
                            Commission.
Sec. 6004. Revision to enforcement process.
Sec. 6005. Permitting appearance at hearings on requests for advisory 
                            opinions by persons opposing the requests.
Sec. 6006. Permanent extension of administrative penalty authority.
Sec. 6007. Restrictions on ex parte communications.
Sec. 6008. Effective date; transition.

         Subtitle B--Stopping Super PAC-Candidate Coordination

Sec. 6101. Short title.
Sec. 6102. Clarification of treatment of coordinated expenditures as 
                            contributions to candidates.
Sec. 6103. Clarification of ban on fundraising for super PACs by 
                            Federal candidates and officeholders.

                        Subtitle C--Severability

Sec. 6201. Severability.

                           DIVISION C--ETHICS

                         TITLE VII--[RESERVED]

                         TITLE VIII--[RESERVED]

                 TITLE IX--CONGRESSIONAL ETHICS REFORM

  Subtitle A--Requiring Members of Congress to Reimburse Treasury for 
      Amounts Paid as Settlements and Awards Under Congressional 
                       Accountability Act of 1995

Sec. 9001. Requiring Members of Congress to reimburse Treasury for 
                            amounts paid as settlements and awards 
                            under Congressional Accountability Act of 
                            1995 in all cases of employment 
                            discrimination acts by Members.

                   Subtitle B--Conflicts of Interests

Sec. 9101. [Reserved].
Sec. 9102. Conflict of interest rules for Members of Congress and 
                            congressional staff.
Sec. 9103. Exercise of rulemaking powers.

          Subtitle C--Campaign Finance and Lobbying Disclosure

Sec. 9201. Short title.
Sec. 9202. Requiring disclosure in certain reports filed with Federal 
                            Election Commission of persons who are 
                            registered lobbyists.
Sec. 9203. Effective date.

         Subtitle D--Access to Congressionally Mandated Reports

Sec. 9301. Short title.
Sec. 9302. Definitions.
Sec. 9303. Establishment of online portal for congressionally mandated 
                            reports.
Sec. 9304. Federal agency responsibilities.
Sec. 9305. Removing and altering reports.
Sec. 9306. Relationship to the Freedom of Information Act.
Sec. 9307. Implementation.

                        Subtitle E--Severability

Sec. 9401. Severability.

                          TITLE X--[RESERVED]

                           DIVISION A--VOTING

                        TITLE I--ELECTION ACCESS

Sec. 1000. Short title; statement of policy.

              Subtitle A--Voter Registration Modernization

Sec. 1000A. Short title.

                Part 1--Promoting Internet Registration

Sec. 1001. Requiring availability of Internet for voter registration.
Sec. 1002. Use of Internet to update registration information.
Sec. 1003. Provision of election information by electronic mail to 
                            individuals registered to vote.
Sec. 1004. Clarification of requirement regarding necessary information 
                            to show eligibility to vote.
Sec. 1005. Effective date.

                  Part 2--Automatic Voter Registration

Sec. 1011. Short title; findings and purpose.
Sec. 1012. Automatic registration of eligible individuals.
Sec. 1013. Contributing agency assistance in registration.
Sec. 1014. One-time contributing agency assistance in registration of 
                            eligible voters in existing records.
Sec. 1015. Voter protection and security in automatic registration.
Sec. 1016. Registration portability and correction.
Sec. 1017. Payments and grants.
Sec. 1018. Treatment of exempt States.
Sec. 1019. Miscellaneous provisions.
Sec. 1020. Definitions.
Sec. 1021. Effective date.

                  Part 3--Same Day Voter Registration

Sec. 1031. Same day registration.

   Part 4--Conditions on Removal on Basis of Interstate Cross-Checks

Sec. 1041. Conditions on removal of registrants from official list of 
                            eligible voters on basis of interstate 
                            cross-checks.

        Part 5--Other Initiatives to Promote Voter Registration

Sec. 1051. Annual reports on voter registration statistics.

           Part 6--Availability of HAVA Requirements Payments

Sec. 1061. Availability of requirements payments under HAVA to cover 
                            costs of compliance with new requirements.

        Part 7--Prohibiting Interference With Voter Registration

Sec. 1071. [Reserved].
Sec. 1072. Establishment of best practices.

     Subtitle B--Access to Voting for Individuals With Disabilities

Sec. 1101. Requirements for States to promote access to voter 
                            registration and voting for individuals 
                            with disabilities.
Sec. 1102. Expansion and reauthorization of grant program to assure 
                            voting access for individuals with 
                            disabilities.

                  Subtitle C--Prohibiting Voter Caging

Sec. 1201. [Reserved].
Sec. 1202. Development and adoption of best practices for preventing 
                            voter caging.

                         Subtitle D--[Reserved]

                         Subtitle E--[Reserved]

 Subtitle F--Promoting Accuracy, Integrity, and Security Through Voter-
                    Verified Permanent Paper Ballot

Sec. 1501. Short title.
Sec. 1502. Paper ballot and manual counting requirements.
Sec. 1503. Accessibility and ballot verification for individuals with 
                            disabilities.
Sec. 1504. Durability and readability requirements for ballots.
Sec. 1505. Effective date for new requirements.

                    Subtitle G--Provisional Ballots

Sec. 1601. Requirements for counting provisional ballots; establishment 
                            of uniform and nondiscriminatory standards.

                        Subtitle H--Early Voting

Sec. 1611. Early voting.

                       Subtitle I--Voting by Mail

Sec. 1621. Voting by Mail.

    Subtitle J--Absent Uniformed Services Voters and Overseas Voters

Sec. 1701. Pre-election reports on availability and transmission of 
                            absentee ballots.
Sec. 1702. Enforcement.
Sec. 1703. Revisions to 45-day absentee ballot transmission rule.
Sec. 1704. Use of single absentee ballot application for subsequent 
                            elections.
Sec. 1705. Effective date.

            Subtitle K--Poll Worker Recruitment and Training

Sec. 1801. [Reserved].
Sec. 1802. Grants to States for poll worker recruitment and training.
Sec. 1803. State defined.

                 Subtitle L--Enhancement of Enforcement

Sec. 1811. Enhancement of enforcement of Help America Vote Act of 2002.

                 Subtitle M--Federal Election Integrity

Sec. 1821. Prohibition on campaign activities by chief State election 
                            administration officials.

  Subtitle N--Promoting Voter Access Through Election Administration 
                              Improvements

                     Part 1--Promoting Voter Access

Sec. 1901. Treatment of institutions of higher education.
Sec. 1902. Minimum notification requirements for voters affected by 
                            polling place changes.
Sec. 1903. [Reserved].
Sec. 1904. Permitting use of sworn written statement to meet 
                            identification requirements for voting.
Sec. 1905. [Reserved].
Sec. 1906. Reimbursement for costs incurred by States in establishing 
                            program to track and confirm receipt of 
                            absentee ballots.
Sec. 1907. Voter information response systems and hotline.

  Part 2--Improvements in Operation of Election Assistance Commission

Sec. 1911. Reauthorization of Election Assistance Commission.
Sec. 1913. Requiring states to participate in post-general election 
                            surveys.
Sec. 1914. Reports by National Institute of Standards and Technology on 
                            use of funds transferred from Election 
                            Assistance Commission.
Sec. 1915. Recommendations to improve operations of Election Assistance 
                            Commission.
Sec. 1916. Repeal of exemption of Election Assistance Commission from 
                            certain government contracting 
                            requirements.

                    Part 3--Miscellaneous Provisions

Sec. 1921. Application of laws to Commonwealth of Northern Mariana 
                            Islands.
Sec. 1922. No effect on other laws.

                        Subtitle O--Severability

Sec. 1931. Severability.

SEC. 1000. SHORT TITLE; STATEMENT OF POLICY.

    (a) Short Title.--This title may be cited as the ``Voter 
Empowerment Act of 2019''.
    (b) Statement of Policy.--It is the policy of the United States 
that--
            (1) all eligible citizens of the United States should 
        access and exercise their constitutional right to vote in a 
        free, fair, and timely manner; and
            (2) the integrity, security, and accountability of the 
        voting process must be vigilantly protected, maintained, and 
        enhanced in order to protect and preserve electoral and 
        participatory democracy in the United States.

              Subtitle A--Voter Registration Modernization

SEC. 1000A. SHORT TITLE.

    This subtitle may be cited as the ``Voter Registration 
Modernization Act of 2019''.

                PART 1--PROMOTING INTERNET REGISTRATION

SEC. 1001. REQUIRING AVAILABILITY OF INTERNET FOR VOTER REGISTRATION.

    (a) Requiring Availability of Internet for Registration.--The 
National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (52 U.S.C. 20501 et seq.) is 
amended by inserting after section 6 the following new section:

``SEC. 6A. INTERNET REGISTRATION.

    ``(a) Requiring Availability of Internet for Online Registration.--
            ``(1) Availability of online registration and correction of 
        existing registration information.--Each State, acting through 
        the chief State election official, shall ensure that the 
        following services are available to the public at any time on 
        the official public websites of the appropriate State and local 
        election officials in the State, in the same manner and subject 
        to the same terms and conditions as the services provided by 
        voter registration agencies under section 7(a):
                    ``(A) Online application for voter registration.
                    ``(B) Online assistance to applicants in applying 
                to register to vote.
                    ``(C) Online completion and submission by 
                applicants of the mail voter registration application 
                form prescribed by the Election Assistance Commission 
                pursuant to section 9(a)(2), including assistance with 
                providing a signature as required under subsection (c).
                    ``(D) Online receipt of completed voter 
                registration applications.
    ``(b) Acceptance of Completed Applications.--A State shall accept 
an online voter registration application provided by an individual 
under this section, and ensure that the individual is registered to 
vote in the State, if--
            ``(1) the individual meets the same voter registration 
        requirements applicable to individuals who register to vote by 
        mail in accordance with section 6(a)(1) using the mail voter 
        registration application form prescribed by the Election 
        Assistance Commission pursuant to section 9(a)(2); and
            ``(2) the individual meets the requirements of subsection 
        (c) to provide a signature in electronic form (but only in the 
        case of applications submitted during or after the second year 
        in which this section is in effect in the State).
    ``(c) Signature Requirements.--
            ``(1) In general.--For purposes of this section, an 
        individual meets the requirements of this subsection as 
        follows:
                    ``(A) In the case of an individual who has a 
                signature on file with a State agency, including the 
                State motor vehicle authority, that is required to 
                provide voter registration services under this Act or 
                any other law, the individual consents to the transfer 
                of that electronic signature.
                    ``(B) If subparagraph (A) does not apply, the 
                individual submits with the application an electronic 
                copy of the individual's handwritten signature through 
                electronic means.
                    ``(C) If subparagraph (A) and subparagraph (B) do 
                not apply, the individual executes a computerized mark 
                in the signature field on an online voter registration 
                application, in accordance with reasonable security 
                measures established by the State, but only if the 
                State accepts such mark from the individual.
            ``(2) Treatment of individuals unable to meet 
        requirement.--If an individual is unable to meet the 
        requirements of paragraph (1), the State shall--
                    ``(A) permit the individual to complete all other 
                elements of the online voter registration application;
                    ``(B) permit the individual to provide a signature 
                at the time the individual requests a ballot in an 
                election (whether the individual requests the ballot at 
                a polling place or requests the ballot by mail); and
                    ``(C) if the individual carries out the steps 
                described in subparagraph (A) and subparagraph (B), 
                ensure that the individual is registered to vote in the 
                State.
            ``(3) Notice.--The State shall ensure that individuals 
        applying to register to vote online are notified of the 
        requirements of paragraph (1) and of the treatment of 
        individuals unable to meet such requirements, as described in 
        paragraph (2).
    ``(d) Confirmation and Disposition.--
            ``(1) Confirmation of receipt.--Upon the online submission 
        of a completed voter registration application by an individual 
        under this section, the appropriate State or local election 
        official shall send the individual a notice confirming the 
        State's receipt of the application and providing instructions 
        on how the individual may check the status of the application.
            ``(2) Notice of disposition.--Not later than 7 days after 
        the appropriate State or local election official has approved 
        or rejected an application submitted by an individual under 
        this section, the official shall send the individual a notice 
        of the disposition of the application.
            ``(3) Method of notification.--The appropriate State or 
        local election official shall send the notices required under 
        this subsection by regular mail, and, in the case of an 
        individual who has provided the official with an electronic 
        mail address, by both electronic mail and regular mail.
    ``(e) Provision of Services in Nonpartisan Manner.--The services 
made available under subsection (a) shall be provided in a manner that 
ensures that, consistent with section 7(a)(5)--
            ``(1) the online application does not seek to influence an 
        applicant's political preference or party registration; and
            ``(2) there is no display on the website promoting any 
        political preference or party allegiance, except that nothing 
        in this paragraph may be construed to prohibit an applicant 
        from registering to vote as a member of a political party.
    ``(f) Protection of Security of Information.--In meeting the 
requirements of this section, the State shall establish appropriate 
technological security measures to prevent to the greatest extent 
practicable any unauthorized access to information provided by 
individuals using the services made available under subsection (a).
    ``(g) Accessibility of Services.--A state shall ensure that the 
services made available under this section are made available to 
individuals with disabilities to the same extent as services are made 
available to all other individuals.
    ``(h) Use of Additional Telephone-Based System.--A State shall make 
the services made available online under subsection (a) available 
through the use of an automated telephone-based system, subject to the 
same terms and conditions applicable under this section to the services 
made available online, in addition to making the services available 
online in accordance with the requirements of this section.
    ``(i) Nondiscrimination Among Registered Voters Using Mail and 
Online Registration.--In carrying out this Act, the Help America Vote 
Act of 2002, or any other Federal, State, or local law governing the 
treatment of registered voters in the State or the administration of 
elections for public office in the State, a State shall treat a 
registered voter who registered to vote online in accordance with this 
section in the same manner as the State treats a registered voter who 
registered to vote by mail.''.
    (b) Special Requirements for Individuals Using Online 
Registration.--
            (1) Treatment as individuals registering to vote by mail 
        for purposes of first-time voter identification requirements.--
        Section 303(b)(1)(A) of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (52 
        U.S.C. 21083(b)(1)(A)) is amended by striking ``by mail'' and 
        inserting ``by mail or online under section 6A of the National 
        Voter Registration Act of 1993''.
            (2) Requiring signature for first-time voters in 
        jurisdiction.--Section 303(b) of such Act (52 U.S.C. 21083(b)) 
        is amended--
                    (A) by redesignating paragraph (5) as paragraph 
                (6); and
                    (B) by inserting after paragraph (4) the following 
                new paragraph:
            ``(5) Signature requirements for first-time voters using 
        online registration.--
                    ``(A) In general.--A State shall, in a uniform and 
                nondiscriminatory manner, require an individual to meet 
                the requirements of subparagraph (B) if--
                            ``(i) the individual registered to vote in 
                        the State online under section 6A of the 
                        National Voter Registration Act of 1993; and
                            ``(ii) the individual has not previously 
                        voted in an election for Federal office in the 
                        State.
                    ``(B) Requirements.--An individual meets the 
                requirements of this subparagraph if--
                            ``(i) in the case of an individual who 
                        votes in person, the individual provides the 
                        appropriate State or local election official 
                        with a handwritten signature; or
                            ``(ii) in the case of an individual who 
                        votes by mail, the individual submits with the 
                        ballot a handwritten signature.
                    ``(C) Inapplicability.--Subparagraph (A) does not 
                apply in the case of an individual who is--
                            ``(i) entitled to vote by absentee ballot 
                        under the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens 
                        Absentee Voting Act (52 U.S.C. 20302 et seq.);
                            ``(ii) provided the right to vote otherwise 
                        than in person under section 3(b)(2)(B)(ii) of 
                        the Voting Accessibility for the Elderly and 
                        Handicapped Act (52 U.S.C. 20102(b)(2)(B)(ii)); 
                        or
                            ``(iii) entitled to vote otherwise than in 
                        person under any other Federal law.''.
            (3) Conforming amendment relating to effective date.--
        Section 303(d)(2)(A) of such Act (52 U.S.C. 21083(d)(2)(A)) is 
        amended by striking ``Each State'' and inserting ``Except as 
        provided in subsection (b)(5), each State''.
    (c) Conforming Amendments.--
            (1) Timing of registration.--Section 8(a)(1) of the 
        National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (52 U.S.C. 20507(a)(1)) 
        is amended--
                    (A) by striking ``and'' at the end of subparagraph 
                (C);
                    (B) by redesignating subparagraph (D) as 
                subparagraph (E); and
                    (C) by inserting after subparagraph (C) the 
                following new subparagraph:
                    ``(D) in the case of online registration through 
                the official public website of an election official 
                under section 6A, if the valid voter registration 
                application is submitted online not later than the 
                lesser of 30 days, or the period provided by State law, 
                before the date of the election (as determined by 
                treating the date on which the application is sent 
                electronically as the date on which it is submitted); 
                and''.
            (2) Informing applicants of eligibility requirements and 
        penalties.--Section 8(a)(5) of such Act (52 U.S.C. 20507(a)(5)) 
        is amended by striking ``and 7'' and inserting ``6A, and 7''.

SEC. 1002. USE OF INTERNET TO UPDATE REGISTRATION INFORMATION.

    (a) In General.--
            (1) Updates to information contained on computerized 
        statewide voter registration list.--Section 303(a) of the Help 
        America Vote Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C. 21083(a)) is amended by 
        adding at the end the following new paragraph:
            ``(6) Use of internet by registered voters to update 
        information.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The appropriate State or local 
                election official shall ensure that any registered 
                voter on the computerized list may at any time update 
                the voter's registration information, including the 
                voter's address and electronic mail address, online 
                through the official public website of the election 
                official responsible for the maintenance of the list, 
                so long as the voter attests to the contents of the 
                update by providing a signature in electronic form in 
                the same manner required under section 6A(c) of the 
                National Voter Registration Act of 1993.
                    ``(B) Processing of updated information by election 
                officials.--If a registered voter updates registration 
                information under subparagraph (A), the appropriate 
                State or local election official shall--
                            ``(i) revise any information on the 
                        computerized list to reflect the update made by 
                        the voter; and
                            ``(ii) if the updated registration 
                        information affects the voter's eligibility to 
                        vote in an election for Federal office, ensure 
                        that the information is processed with respect 
                        to the election if the voter updates the 
                        information not later than the lesser of 7 
                        days, or the period provided by State law, 
                        before the date of the election.
                    ``(C) Confirmation and disposition.--
                            ``(i) Confirmation of receipt.--Upon the 
                        online submission of updated registration 
                        information by an individual under this 
                        paragraph, the appropriate State or local 
                        election official shall send the individual a 
                        notice confirming the State's receipt of the 
                        updated information and providing instructions 
                        on how the individual may check the status of 
                        the update.
                            ``(ii) Notice of disposition.--Not later 
                        than 7 days after the appropriate State or 
                        local election official has accepted or 
                        rejected updated information submitted by an 
                        individual under this paragraph, the official 
                        shall send the individual a notice of the 
                        disposition of the update.
                            ``(iii) Method of notification.--The 
                        appropriate State or local election official 
                        shall send the notices required under this 
                        subparagraph by regular mail, and, in the case 
                        of an individual who has requested that the 
                        State provide voter registration and voting 
                        information through electronic mail, by both 
                        electronic mail and regular mail.''.
            (2) Conforming amendment relating to effective date.--
        Section 303(d)(1)(A) of such Act (52 U.S.C. 21083(d)(1)(A)) is 
        amended by striking ``subparagraph (B)'' and inserting 
        ``subparagraph (B) and subsection (a)(6)''.
    (b) Ability of Registrant To Use Online Update To Provide 
Information on Residence.--Section 8(d)(2)(A) of the National Voter 
Registration Act of 1993 (52 U.S.C. 20507(d)(2)(A)) is amended--
            (1) in the first sentence, by inserting after ``return the 
        card'' the following: ``or update the registrant's information 
        on the computerized Statewide voter registration list using the 
        online method provided under section 303(a)(6) of the Help 
        America Vote Act of 2002''; and
            (2) in the second sentence, by striking ``returned,'' and 
        inserting the following: ``returned or if the registrant does 
        not update the registrant's information on the computerized 
        Statewide voter registration list using such online method,''.

SEC. 1003. PROVISION OF ELECTION INFORMATION BY ELECTRONIC MAIL TO 
              INDIVIDUALS REGISTERED TO VOTE.

    (a) Including Option on Voter Registration Application To Provide 
E-Mail Address and Receive Information.--
            (1) In general.--Section 9(b) of the National Voter 
        Registration Act of 1993 (52 U.S.C. 20508(b)) is amended--
                    (A) by striking ``and'' at the end of paragraph 
                (3);
                    (B) by striking the period at the end of paragraph 
                (4) and inserting ``; and''; and
                    (C) by adding at the end the following new 
                paragraph:
            ``(5) shall include a space for the applicant to provide 
        (at the applicant's option) an electronic mail address, 
        together with a statement that, if the applicant so requests, 
        instead of using regular mail the appropriate State and local 
        election officials shall provide to the applicant, through 
        electronic mail sent to that address, the same voting 
        information (as defined in section 302(b)(2) of the Help 
        America Vote Act of 2002) which the officials would provide to 
        the applicant through regular mail.''.
            (2) Prohibiting use for purposes unrelated to official 
        duties of election officials.--Section 9 of such Act (52 U.S.C. 
        20508) is amended by adding at the end the following new 
        subsection:
    ``(c) Prohibiting Use of Electronic Mail Addresses for Other Than 
Official Purposes.--The chief State election official shall ensure that 
any electronic mail address provided by an applicant under subsection 
(b)(5) is used only for purposes of carrying out official duties of 
election officials and is not transmitted by any State or local 
election official (or any agent of such an official, including a 
contractor) to any person who does not require the address to carry out 
such official duties and who is not under the direct supervision and 
control of a State or local election official.''.
    (b) Requiring Provision of Information by Election Officials.--
Section 302(b) of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C. 
21082(b)) is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
            ``(3) Provision of other information by electronic mail.--
        If an individual who is a registered voter has provided the 
        State or local election official with an electronic mail 
        address for the purpose of receiving voting information (as 
        described in section 9(b)(5) of the National Voter Registration 
        Act of 1993), the appropriate State or local election official, 
        through electronic mail transmitted not later than 7 days 
        before the date of the election for Federal office involved, 
        shall provide the individual with information on how to obtain 
        the following information by electronic means:
                    ``(A) The name and address of the polling place at 
                which the individual is assigned to vote in the 
                election.
                    ``(B) The hours of operation for the polling place.
                    ``(C) A description of any identification or other 
                information the individual may be required to present 
                at the polling place.''.

SEC. 1004. CLARIFICATION OF REQUIREMENT REGARDING NECESSARY INFORMATION 
              TO SHOW ELIGIBILITY TO VOTE.

    Section 8 of the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (52 U.S.C. 
20507) is amended--
            (1) by redesignating subsection (j) as subsection (k); and
            (2) by inserting after subsection (i) the following new 
        subsection:
    ``(j) Requirement for State To Register Applicants Providing 
Necessary Information To Show Eligibility To Vote.--For purposes 
meeting the requirement of subsection (a)(1) that an eligible applicant 
is registered to vote in an election for Federal office within the 
deadlines required under such subsection, the State shall consider an 
applicant to have provided a `valid voter registration form' if--
            ``(1) the applicant has substantially completed the 
        application form and attested to the statement required by 
        section 9(b)(2); and
            ``(2) in the case of an applicant who registers to vote 
        online in accordance with section 6A, the applicant provides a 
        signature in accordance with subsection (c) of such section.''.

SEC. 1005. EFFECTIVE DATE.

    (a) In General.--Except as provided in subsection (b), the 
amendments made by this part (other than the amendments made by section 
1004) shall take effect January 1, 2020.
    (b) Waiver.--Subject to the approval of the Election Assistance 
Commission, if a State certifies to the Election Assistance Commission 
that the State will not meet the deadline referred to in subsection (a) 
because of extraordinary circumstances and includes in the 
certification the reasons for the failure to meet the deadline, 
subsection (a) shall apply to the State as if the reference in such 
subsection to ``January 1, 2020'' were a reference to ``January 1, 
2022''.

                  PART 2--AUTOMATIC VOTER REGISTRATION

SEC. 1011. SHORT TITLE; FINDINGS AND PURPOSE.

    (a) Short Title.--This part may be cited as the ``Automatic Voter 
Registration Act of 2019''.
    (b) Findings and Purpose.--
            (1) Findings.--Congress finds that--
                    (A) the right to vote is a fundamental right of 
                citizens of the United States;
                    (B) it is the responsibility of the State and 
                Federal Governments to ensure that every eligible 
                citizen is registered to vote;
                    (C) existing voter registration systems can be 
                inaccurate, costly, inaccessible and confusing, with 
                damaging effects on voter participation in elections 
                and disproportionate impacts on young people, persons 
                with disabilities, and racial and ethnic minorities; 
                and
                    (D) voter registration systems must be updated with 
                21st Century technologies and procedures to maintain 
                their security.
            (2) Purpose.--It is the purpose of this part--
                    (A) to establish that it is the responsibility of 
                government at every level to ensure that all eligible 
                citizens are registered to vote;
                    (B) to enable the State and Federal Governments to 
                register all eligible citizens to vote with accurate, 
                cost-efficient, and up-to-date procedures;
                    (C) to modernize voter registration and list 
                maintenance procedures with electronic and Internet 
                capabilities; and
                    (D) to protect and enhance the integrity, accuracy, 
                efficiency, and accessibility of the electoral process 
                for all eligible citizens.

SEC. 1012. AUTOMATIC REGISTRATION OF ELIGIBLE INDIVIDUALS.

    (a) Requiring States to Establish and Operate Automatic 
Registration System.--
            (1) In general.--The chief State election official of each 
        State shall establish and operate a system of automatic 
        registration for the registration of eligible individuals to 
        vote for elections for Federal office in the State, in 
        accordance with the provisions of this part.
            (2) Definition.--The term ``automatic registration'' means 
        a system that registers an individual to vote in elections for 
        Federal office in a State, if eligible, by electronically 
        transferring the information necessary for registration from 
        government agencies to election officials of the State so that, 
        unless the individual affirmatively declines to be registered, 
        the individual will be registered to vote in such elections.
    (b) Registration of Voters Based on New Agency Records.--The chief 
State election official shall--
            (1) not later than 15 days after a contributing agency has 
        transmitted information with respect to an individual pursuant 
        to section 1013, ensure that the individual is registered to 
        vote in elections for Federal office in the State if the 
        individual is eligible to be registered to vote in such 
        elections; and
            (2) not later than 120 days after a contributing agency has 
        transmitted such information with respect to the individual, 
        send written notice to the individual, in addition to other 
        means of notice established by this part, of the individual's 
        voter registration status.
    (c) One-time Registration of Voters Based on Existing Contributing 
Agency Records.--The chief State election official shall--
            (1) identify all individuals whose information is 
        transmitted by a contributing agency pursuant to section 1014 
        and who are eligible to be, but are not currently, registered 
        to vote in that State;
            (2) promptly send each such individual written notice, in 
        addition to other means of notice established by this part, 
        which shall not identify the contributing agency that 
        transmitted the information but shall include--
                    (A) an explanation that voter registration is 
                voluntary, but if the individual does not decline 
                registration, the individual will be registered to 
                vote;
                    (B) a statement offering the opportunity to decline 
                voter registration through means consistent with the 
                requirements of this part;
                    (C) in the case of a State in which affiliation or 
                enrollment with a political party is required in order 
                to participate in an election to select the party's 
                candidate in an election for Federal office, a 
                statement offering the individual the opportunity to 
                affiliate or enroll with a political party or to 
                decline to affiliate or enroll with a political party, 
                through means consistent with the requirements of this 
                part;
                    (D) the substantive qualifications of an elector in 
                the State as listed in the mail voter registration 
                application form for elections for Federal office 
                prescribed pursuant to section 9 of the National Voter 
                Registration Act of 1993, the consequences of false 
                registration, and a statement that the individual 
                should decline to register if the individual does not 
                meet all those qualifications;
                    (E) instructions for correcting any erroneous 
                information; and
                    (F) instructions for providing any additional 
                information which is listed in the mail voter 
                registration application form for elections for Federal 
                office prescribed pursuant to section 9 of the National 
                Voter Registration Act of 1993;
            (3) ensure that each such individual who is eligible to 
        register to vote in elections for Federal office in the State 
        is promptly registered to vote not later than 45 days after the 
        official sends the individual the written notice under 
        paragraph (2), unless, during the 30-day period which begins on 
        the date the election official sends the individual such 
        written notice, the individual declines registration in 
        writing, through a communication made over the Internet, or by 
        an officially-logged telephone communication; and
            (4) send written notice to each such individual, in 
        addition to other means of notice established by this part, of 
        the individual's voter registration status.
    (d) Treatment of Individuals Under 18 Years of Age.--A State may 
not refuse to treat an individual as an eligible individual for 
purposes of this part on the grounds that the individual is less than 
18 years of age at the time a contributing agency receives information 
with respect to the individual, so long as the individual is at least 
16 years of age at such time.
    (e) Contributing Agency Defined.--In this part, the term 
``contributing agency'' means, with respect to a State, an agency 
listed in section 1013(e).

SEC. 1013. CONTRIBUTING AGENCY ASSISTANCE IN REGISTRATION.

    (a) In General.--In accordance with this part, each contributing 
agency in a State shall assist the State's chief election official in 
registering to vote all eligible individuals served by that agency.
    (b) Requirements for Contributing Agencies.--
            (1) Instructions on automatic registration.--With each 
        application for service or assistance, and with each related 
        recertification, renewal, or change of address, or, in the case 
        of an institution of higher education, with each registration 
        of a student for enrollment in a course of study, each 
        contributing agency that (in the normal course of its 
        operations) requests individuals to affirm United States 
        citizenship (either directly or as part of the overall 
        application for service or assistance) shall inform each such 
        individual who is a citizen of the United States of the 
        following:
                    (A) Unless that individual declines to register to 
                vote, or is found ineligible to vote, the individual 
                will be registered to vote or, if applicable, the 
                individual's registration will be updated.
                    (B) The substantive qualifications of an elector in 
                the State as listed in the mail voter registration 
                application form for elections for Federal office 
                prescribed pursuant to section 9 of the National Voter 
                Registration Act of 1993, the consequences of false 
                registration, and the individual should decline to 
                register if the individual does not meet all those 
                qualifications.
                    (C) In the case of a State in which affiliation or 
                enrollment with a political party is required in order 
                to participate in an election to select the party's 
                candidate in an election for Federal office, the 
                requirement that the individual must affiliate or 
                enroll with a political party in order to participate 
                in such an election.
                    (D) Voter registration is voluntary, and neither 
                registering nor declining to register to vote will in 
                any way affect the availability of services or 
                benefits, nor be used for other purposes.
            (2) Opportunity to decline registration required.--Each 
        contributing agency shall ensure that each application for 
        service or assistance, and each related recertification, 
        renewal, or change of address, or, in the case of an 
        institution of higher education, each registration of a student 
        for enrollment in a course of study, cannot be completed until 
        the individual is given the opportunity to decline to be 
        registered to vote.
            (3) Information transmittal.--Upon the expiration of the 
        30-day period which begins on the date the contributing agency 
        informs the individual of the information described in 
        paragraph (1), each contributing agency shall electronically 
        transmit to the appropriate State election official, in a 
        format compatible with the statewide voter database maintained 
        under section 303 of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (52 
        U.S.C. 21083), the following information, unless during such 
        30-day period the individual declined to be registered to vote:
                    (A) The individual's given name(s) and surname(s).
                    (B) The individual's date of birth.
                    (C) The individual's residential address.
                    (D) Information showing that the individual is a 
                citizen of the United States.
                    (E) The date on which information pertaining to 
                that individual was collected or last updated.
                    (F) If available, the individual's signature in 
                electronic form.
                    (G) Information regarding the individual's 
                affiliation or enrollment with a political party, if 
                the individual provides such information.
                    (H) Any additional information listed in the mail 
                voter registration application form for elections for 
                Federal office prescribed pursuant to section 9 of the 
                National Voter Registration Act of 1993, including any 
                valid driver's license number or the last 4 digits of 
                the individual's social security number, if the 
                individual provided such information.
    (c) Alternate Procedure for Certain Contributing Agencies.--With 
each application for service or assistance, and with each related 
recertification, renewal, or change of address, any contributing agency 
that in the normal course of its operations does not request 
individuals applying for service or assistance to affirm United States 
citizenship (either directly or as part of the overall application for 
service or assistance) shall--
            (1) complete the requirements of section 7(a)(6) of the 
        National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (52 U.S.C. 
        20506(a)(6));
            (2) ensure that each applicant's transaction with the 
        agency cannot be completed until the applicant has indicated 
        whether the applicant wishes to register to vote or declines to 
        register to vote in elections for Federal office held in the 
        State; and
            (3) for each individual who wishes to register to vote, 
        transmit that individual's information in accordance with 
        subsection (b)(3).
    (d) Required Availability of Automatic Registration Opportunity 
With Each Application for Service or Assistance.--Each contributing 
agency shall offer each individual, with each application for service 
or assistance, and with each related recertification, renewal, or 
change of address, or in the case of an institution of higher 
education, with each registration of a student for enrollment in a 
course of study, the opportunity to register to vote as prescribed by 
this section without regard to whether the individual previously 
declined a registration opportunity.
    (e) Contributing Agencies.--
            (1) State agencies.--In each State, each of the following 
        agencies shall be treated as a contributing agency:
                    (A) Each agency in a State that is required by 
                Federal law to provide voter registration services, 
                including the State motor vehicle authority and other 
                voter registration agencies under the National Voter 
                Registration Act of 1993.
                    (B) Each agency in a State that administers a 
                program pursuant to title III of the Social Security 
                Act (42 U.S.C. 501 et seq.), title XIX of the Social 
                Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396 et seq.), or the Patient 
                Protection and Affordable Care Act (Public Law 111-
                148).
                    (C) Each State agency primarily responsible for 
                regulating the private possession of firearms.
                    (D) Each State agency primarily responsible for 
                maintaining identifying information for students 
                enrolled at public secondary schools, including, where 
                applicable, the State agency responsible for 
                maintaining the education data system described in 
                section 6201(e)(2) of the America COMPETES Act (20 
                U.S.C. 9871(e)(2)).
                    (E) In the case of a State in which an individual 
                disenfranchised by a criminal conviction may become 
                eligible to vote upon completion of a criminal sentence 
                or any part thereof, or upon formal restoration of 
                rights, the State agency responsible for administering 
                that sentence, or part thereof, or that restoration of 
                rights.
                    (F) Any other agency of the State which is 
                designated by the State as a contributing agency.
            (2) Federal agencies.--In each State, each of the following 
        agencies of the Federal government shall be treated as a 
        contributing agency with respect to individuals who are 
        residents of that State (except as provided in subparagraph 
        (C)):
                    (A) The Social Security Administration, the 
                Department of Veterans Affairs, the Defense Manpower 
                Data Center of the Department of Defense, the Employee 
                and Training Administration of the Department of Labor, 
                and the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services of the 
                Department of Health and Human Services.
                    (B) The Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration 
                Services, but only with respect to individuals who have 
                completed the naturalization process.
                    (C) In the case of an individual who is a resident 
                of a State in which an individual disenfranchised by a 
                criminal conviction under Federal law may become 
                eligible to vote upon completion of a criminal sentence 
                or any part thereof, or upon formal restoration of 
                rights, the Federal agency responsible for 
                administering that sentence or part thereof (without 
                regard to whether the agency is located in the same 
                State in which the individual is a resident), but only 
                with respect to individuals who have completed the 
                criminal sentence or any part thereof.
                    (D) Any other agency of the Federal government 
                which the State designates as a contributing agency, 
                but only if the State and the head of the agency 
                determine that the agency collects information 
                sufficient to carry out the responsibilities of a 
                contributing agency under this section.
            (3) Special rule for institutions of higher education.--
                    (A) Special rule.--For purposes of this part, each 
                institution of higher education described in 
                subparagraph (B) shall be treated as a contributing 
                agency in the State in which it is located, except 
                that--
                            (i) the institution shall be treated as a 
                        contributing agency only if, in its normal 
                        course of operations, the institution requests 
                        each student registering for enrollment in a 
                        course of study, including enrollment in a 
                        program of distance education, as defined in 
                        section 103(7) of the Higher Education Act of 
                        1965 (20 U.S.C. 1003(7)), to affirm whether or 
                        not the student is a United States citizen; and
                            (ii) if the institution is treated as a 
                        contributing agency in a State pursuant to 
                        clause (i), the institution shall serve as a 
                        contributing agency only with respect to 
                        students, including students enrolled in a 
                        program of distance education, as defined in 
                        section 103(7) of the Higher Education Act of 
                        1965 (20 U.S.C. 1003(7)), who reside in the 
                        State.
                    (B) Institutions described.--An institution 
                described in this subparagraph is an institution of 
                higher education which has a program participation 
                agreement in effect with the Secretary of Education 
                under section 487 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 
                (20 U.S.C. 1094) and which is located in a State to 
                which section 4(b) of the National Voter Registration 
                Act of 1993 (52 U.S.C. 20503(b)) does not apply.
            (4) Publication.--Not later than 180 days prior to the date 
        of each election for Federal office held in the State, the 
        chief State election official shall publish on the public 
        website of the official an updated list of all contributing 
        agencies in that State.
            (5) Public education.--The chief State election official of 
        each State, in collaboration with each contributing agency, 
        shall take appropriate measures to educate the public about 
        voter registration under this section.

SEC. 1014. ONE-TIME CONTRIBUTING AGENCY ASSISTANCE IN REGISTRATION OF 
              ELIGIBLE VOTERS IN EXISTING RECORDS.

    (a) Initial Transmittal of Information.--For each individual 
already listed in a contributing agency's records as of the date of 
enactment of this Act, and for whom the agency has the information 
listed in section 1013(b)(3), the agency shall promptly transmit that 
information to the appropriate State election official in accordance 
with section 1013(b)(3) not later than the effective date described in 
section 1011(a).
    (b) Transition.--For each individual listed in a contributing 
agency's records as of the effective date described in section 1011(a) 
(but who was not listed in a contributing agency's records as of the 
date of enactment of this Act), and for whom the agency has the 
information listed in section 1013(b)(3), the Agency shall promptly 
transmit that information to the appropriate State election official in 
accordance with section 1013(b)(3) not later than 6 months after the 
effective date described in section 1011(a).

SEC. 1015. VOTER PROTECTION AND SECURITY IN AUTOMATIC REGISTRATION.

    (a) Protections for Errors in Registration.--An individual shall 
not be prosecuted under any Federal or State law, adversely affected in 
any civil adjudication concerning immigration status or naturalization, 
or subject to an allegation in any legal proceeding that the individual 
is not a citizen of the United States on any of the following grounds:
            (1) The individual notified an election office of the 
        individual's automatic registration to vote under this part.
            (2) The individual is not eligible to vote in elections for 
        Federal office but was automatically registered to vote under 
        this part.
            (3) The individual was automatically registered to vote 
        under this part at an incorrect address.
            (4) The individual declined the opportunity to register to 
        vote or did not make an affirmation of citizenship, including 
        through automatic registration, under this part.
    (b) Limits on Use of Automatic Registration.--The automatic 
registration of any individual or the fact that an individual declined 
the opportunity to register to vote or did not make an affirmation of 
citizenship (including through automatic registration) under this part 
may not be used as evidence against that individual in any State or 
Federal law enforcement proceeding, and an individual's lack of 
knowledge or willfulness of such registration may be demonstrated by 
the individual's testimony alone.
    (c) Protection of Election Integrity.--Nothing in subsections (a) 
or (b) may be construed to prohibit or restrict any action under color 
of law against an individual who--
            (1) knowingly and willfully makes a false statement to 
        effectuate or perpetuate automatic voter registration by any 
        individual; or
            (2) casts a ballot knowingly and willfully in violation of 
        State law or the laws of the United States.
    (d) Contributing Agencies' Protection of Information.--Nothing in 
this part authorizes a contributing agency to collect, retain, 
transmit, or publicly disclose any of the following:
            (1) An individual's decision to decline to register to vote 
        or not to register to vote.
            (2) An individual's decision not to affirm his or her 
        citizenship.
            (3) Any information that a contributing agency transmits 
        pursuant to section 1013(b)(3), except in pursuing the agency's 
        ordinary course of business.
    (e) Election Officials' Protection of Information.--
            (1) Public disclosure prohibited.--
                    (A) In general.--Subject to subparagraph (B), with 
                respect to any individual for whom any State election 
                official receives information from a contributing 
                agency, the State election officials shall not publicly 
                disclose any of the following:
                            (i) The identity of the contributing 
                        agency.
                            (ii) Any information not necessary to voter 
                        registration.
                            (iii) Any voter information otherwise 
                        shielded from disclosure under State law or 
                        section 8(a) of the National Voter Registration 
                        Act of 1993 (52 U.S.C. 20507(a)).
                            (iv) Any portion of the individual's social 
                        security number.
                            (v) Any portion of the individual's motor 
                        vehicle driver's license number.
                            (vi) The individual's signature.
                            (vii) The individual's telephone number.
                            (viii) The individual's email address.
                    (B) Special rule for individuals registered to 
                vote.--With respect to any individual for whom any 
                State election official receives information from a 
                contributing agency and who, on the basis of such 
                information, is registered to vote in the State under 
                this part, the State election officials shall not 
                publicly disclose any of the following:
                            (i) The identity of the contributing 
                        agency.
                            (ii) Any information not necessary to voter 
                        registration.
                            (iii) Any voter information otherwise 
                        shielded from disclosure under State law or 
                        section 8(a) of the National Voter Registration 
                        Act of 1993 (52 U.S.C. 20507(a)).
                            (iv) Any portion of the individual's social 
                        security number.
                            (v) Any portion of the individual's motor 
                        vehicle driver's license number.
                            (vi) The individual's signature.
            (2) Voter record changes.--Each State shall maintain for at 
        least 2 years and shall make available for public inspection 
        (and, where available, photocopying at a reasonable cost), 
        including in electronic form and through electronic methods, 
        all records of changes to voter records, including removals, 
        the reasons for removals, and updates.
            (3) Database management standards.--The Director of the 
        National Institute of Standards and Technology shall, after 
        providing the public with notice and the opportunity to 
        comment--
                    (A) establish standards governing the comparison of 
                data for voter registration list maintenance purposes, 
                identifying as part of such standards the specific data 
                elements, the matching rules used, and how a State may 
                use the data to determine and deem that an individual 
                is ineligible under State law to vote in an election, 
                or to deem a record to be a duplicate or outdated;
                    (B) ensure that the standards developed pursuant to 
                this paragraph are uniform and nondiscriminatory and 
                are applied in a uniform and nondiscriminatory manner; 
                and
                    (C) not later than 45 days after the deadline for 
                public notice and comment, publish the standards 
                developed pursuant to this paragraph on the Director's 
                website and make those standards available in written 
                form upon request.
            (4) Security policy.--The Director of the National 
        Institute of Standards and Technology shall, after providing 
        the public with notice and the opportunity to comment, publish 
        privacy and security standards for voter registration 
        information not later than 45 days after the deadline for 
        public notice and comment. The standards shall require the 
        chief State election official of each State to adopt a policy 
        that shall specify--
                    (A) each class of users who shall have authorized 
                access to the computerized statewide voter registration 
                list, specifying for each class the permission and 
                levels of access to be granted, and setting forth other 
                safeguards to protect the privacy, security, and 
                accuracy of the information on the list; and
                    (B) security safeguards to protect personal 
                information transmitted through the information 
                transmittal processes of section 1013 or section 1014, 
                the online system used pursuant to section 1017, any 
                telephone interface, the maintenance of the voter 
                registration database, and any audit procedure to track 
                access to the system.
            (5) State compliance with national standards.--
                    (A) Certification.--The chief executive officer of 
                the State shall annually file with the Election 
                Assistance Commission a statement certifying to the 
                Director of the National Institute of Standards and 
                Technology that the State is in compliance with the 
                standards referred to in paragraphs (3) and (4). A 
                State may meet the requirement of the previous sentence 
                by filing with the Commission a statement which reads 
                as follows: ``_____ hereby certifies that it is in 
                compliance with the standards referred to in paragraphs 
                (3) and (4) of section 1015(e) of the Automatic Voter 
                Registration Act of 2019.'' (with the blank to be 
                filled in with the name of the State involved).
                    (B) Publication of policies and procedures.--The 
                chief State election official of a State shall publish 
                on the official's website the policies and procedures 
                established under this section, and shall make those 
                policies and procedures available in written form upon 
                public request.
                    (C) Funding dependent on certification.--If a State 
                does not timely file the certification required under 
                this paragraph, it shall not receive any payment under 
                this part for the upcoming fiscal year.
                    (D) Compliance of states that require changes to 
                state law.--In the case of a State that requires State 
                legislation to carry out an activity covered by any 
                certification submitted under this paragraph, for a 
                period of not more than 2 years the State shall be 
                permitted to make the certification notwithstanding 
                that the legislation has not been enacted at the time 
                the certification is submitted, and such State shall 
                submit an additional certification once such 
                legislation is enacted.
    (f) Restrictions on Use of Information.--No person acting under 
color of law may discriminate against any individual based on, or use 
for any purpose other than voter registration, election administration, 
or enforcement relating to election crimes, any of the following:
            (1) Voter registration records.
            (2) An individual's declination to register to vote or 
        complete an affirmation of citizenship under section 1013(b).
            (3) An individual's voter registration status.
    (g) Prohibition on the Use of Voter Registration Information for 
Commercial Purposes.--Information collected under this part shall not 
be used for commercial purposes. Nothing in this subsection may be 
construed to prohibit the transmission, exchange, or dissemination of 
information for political purposes, including the support of campaigns 
for election for Federal, State, or local public office or the 
activities of political committees (including committees of political 
parties) under the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971.

SEC. 1016. REGISTRATION PORTABILITY AND CORRECTION.

    (a) Correcting Registration Information at Polling Place.--
Notwithstanding section 302(a) of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (52 
U.S.C. 21082(a)), if an individual is registered to vote in elections 
for Federal office held in a State, the appropriate election official 
at the polling pace for any such election (including a location used as 
a polling place on a date other than the date of the election) shall 
permit the individual to--
            (1) update the individual's address for purposes of the 
        records of the election official;
            (2) correct any incorrect information relating to the 
        individual, including the individual's name and political party 
        affiliation, in the records of the election official; and
            (3) cast a ballot in the election on the basis of the 
        updated address or corrected information, and to have the 
        ballot treated as a regular ballot and not as a provisional 
        ballot under section 302(a) of such Act.
    (b) Updates to Computerized Statewide Voter Registration Lists.--If 
an election official at the polling place receives an updated address 
or corrected information from an individual under subsection (a), the 
official shall ensure that the address or information is promptly 
entered into the computerized Statewide voter registration list in 
accordance with section 303(a)(1)(A)(vi) of the Help America Vote Act 
of 2002 (52 U.S.C. 21083(a)(1)(A)(vi)).

SEC. 1017. PAYMENTS AND GRANTS.

    (a) In General.--The Election Assistance Commission shall make 
grants to each eligible State to assist the State in implementing the 
requirements of this part (or, in the case of an exempt State, in 
implementing its existing automatic voter registration program).
    (b) Eligibility; Application.--A State is eligible to receive a 
grant under this section if the State submits to the Commission, at 
such time and in such form as the Commission may require, an 
application containing--
            (1) a description of the activities the State will carry 
        out with the grant;
            (2) an assurance that the State shall carry out such 
        activities without partisan bias and without promoting any 
        particular point of view regarding any issue; and
            (3) such other information and assurances as the Commission 
        may require.
    (c) Amount of Grant; Priorities.--The Commission shall determine 
the amount of a grant made to an eligible State under this section. In 
determining the amounts of the grants, the Commission shall give 
priority to providing funds for those activities which are most likely 
to accelerate compliance with the requirements of this part (or, in the 
case of an exempt State, which are most likely to enhance the ability 
of the State to automatically register individuals to vote through its 
existing automatic voter registration program), including--
            (1) investments supporting electronic information transfer, 
        including electronic collection and transfer of signatures, 
        between contributing agencies and the appropriate State 
        election officials;
            (2) updates to online or electronic voter registration 
        systems already operating as of the date of the enactment of 
        this Act;
            (3) introduction of online voter registration systems in 
        jurisdictions in which those systems did not previously exist; 
        and
            (4) public education on the availability of new methods of 
        registering to vote, updating registration, and correcting 
        registration.
    (d) Authorization of Appropriations.--
            (1) Authorization.--There are authorized to be appropriated 
        to carry out this section--
                    (A) $500,000,000 for fiscal year 2019; and
                    (B) such sums as may be necessary for each 
                succeeding fiscal year.
            (2) Continuing availability of funds.--Any amounts 
        appropriated pursuant to the authority of this subsection shall 
        remain available without fiscal year limitation until expended.

SEC. 1018. TREATMENT OF EXEMPT STATES.

    (a) Waiver of Requirements.--Except as provided in subsection (b), 
this part does not apply with respect to an exempt State.
    (b) Exceptions.--The following provisions of this part apply with 
respect to an exempt State:
            (1) section 1016 (relating to registration portability and 
        correction).
            (2) section 1017 (relating to payments and grants).
            (3) Section 1019(e) (relating to enforcement).
            (4) Section 1019(f) (relating to relation to other laws).

SEC. 1019. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS.

    (a) Accessibility of Registration Services.--Each contributing 
agency shall ensure that the services it provides under this part are 
made available to individuals with disabilities to the same extent as 
services are made available to all other individuals.
    (b) Transmission Through Secure Third Party Permitted.--Nothing in 
this part shall be construed to prevent a contributing agency from 
contracting with a third party to assist the agency in meeting the 
information transmittal requirements of this part, so long as the data 
transmittal complies with the applicable requirements of this part, 
including the privacy and security provisions of section 1015.
    (c) Nonpartisan, Nondiscriminatory Provision of Services.--The 
services made available by contributing agencies under this part and by 
the State under sections 1006 and 1007 shall be made in a manner 
consistent with paragraphs (4), (5), and (6)(C) of section 7(a) of the 
National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (52 U.S.C. 20506(a)).
    (d) Notices.--Each State may send notices under this part via 
electronic mail if the individual has provided an electronic mail 
address and consented to electronic mail communications for election-
related materials. All notices sent pursuant to this part that require 
a response must offer the individual notified the opportunity to 
respond at no cost to the individual.
    (e) Enforcement.--Section 11 of the National Voter Registration Act 
of 1993 (52 U.S.C. 20510), relating to civil enforcement and the 
availability of private rights of action, shall apply with respect to 
this part in the same manner as such section applies to such Act.
    (f) Relation to Other Laws.--Except as provided, nothing in this 
part may be construed to authorize or require conduct prohibited under, 
or to supersede, restrict, or limit the application of any of the 
following:
            (1) The Voting Rights Act of 1965 (52 U.S.C. 10301 et 
        seq.).
            (2) The Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act 
        (52 U.S.C. 20301 et seq.).
            (3) The National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (52 U.S.C. 
        20501 et seq.).
            (4) The Help America Vote Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C. 20901 et 
        seq.).

SEC. 1020. DEFINITIONS.

    In this part, the following definitions apply:
            (1) The term ``chief State election official'' means, with 
        respect to a State, the individual designated by the State 
        under section 10 of the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 
        (52 U.S.C. 20509) to be responsible for coordination of the 
        State's responsibilities under such Act.
            (2) The term ``Commission'' means the Election Assistance 
        Commission.
            (3) The term ``exempt State'' means a State which, under 
        law which is in effect continuously on and after the date of 
        the enactment of this Act, operates an automatic voter 
        registration program under which an individual is automatically 
        registered to vote in elections for Federal office in the State 
        if the individual provides the motor vehicle authority of the 
        State (or, in the case of a State in which an individual is 
        automatically registered to vote at the time the individual 
        applies for benefits or services with a Permanent Dividend Fund 
        of the State, provides the appropriate official of such Fund) 
        with such identifying information as the State may require.
            (4) The term ``State'' means each of the several States and 
        the District of Columbia.

SEC. 1021. EFFECTIVE DATE.

    (a) In General.--Except as provided in subsection (b), this part 
and the amendments made by this part shall apply with respect to a 
State beginning January 1, 2021.
    (b) Waiver.--Subject to the approval of the Commission, if a State 
certifies to the Commission that the State will not meet the deadline 
referred to in subsection (a) because of extraordinary circumstances 
and includes in the certification the reasons for the failure to meet 
the deadline, subsection (a) shall apply to the State as if the 
reference in such subsection to ``January 1, 2021'' were a reference to 
``January 1, 2023''.

                  PART 3--SAME DAY VOTER REGISTRATION

SEC. 1031. SAME DAY REGISTRATION.

    (a) In General.--Title III of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (52 
U.S.C. 21081 et seq.) is amended--
            (1) by redesignating sections 304 and 305 as sections 305 
        and 306; and
            (2) by inserting after section 303 the following new 
        section:

``SEC. 304. SAME DAY REGISTRATION.

    ``(a) In General.--
            ``(1) Registration.--Notwithstanding section 8(a)(1)(D) of 
        the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (52 U.S.C. 
        20507(a)(1)(D)), each State shall permit any eligible 
        individual on the day of a Federal election and on any day when 
        voting, including early voting, is permitted for a Federal 
        election--
                    ``(A) to register to vote in such election at the 
                polling place using a form that meets the requirements 
                under section 9(b) of the National Voter Registration 
                Act of 1993 (or, if the individual is already 
                registered to vote, to revise any of the individual's 
                voter registration information); and
                    ``(B) to cast a vote in such election.
            ``(2) Exception.--The requirements under paragraph (1) 
        shall not apply to a State in which, under a State law in 
        effect continuously on and after the date of the enactment of 
        this section, there is no voter registration requirement for 
        individuals in the State with respect to elections for Federal 
        office.
    ``(b) Eligible Individual.--For purposes of this section, the term 
`eligible individual' means, with respect to any election for Federal 
office, an individual who is otherwise qualified to vote in that 
election.
    ``(c) Effective Date.--Each State shall be required to comply with 
the requirements of subsection (a) for the regularly scheduled general 
election for Federal office occurring in November 2020 and for any 
subsequent election for Federal office.''.
    (b) Conforming Amendment Relating to Enforcement.--Section 401 of 
such Act (52 U.S.C. 21111) is amended by striking ``sections 301, 302, 
and 303'' and inserting ``subtitle A of title III''.
    (c) Clerical Amendment.--The table of contents of such Act is 
amended--
            (1) by redesignating the items relating to sections 304 and 
        305 as relating to sections 305 and 306; and
            (2) by inserting after the item relating to section 303 the 
        following new item:

``Sec. 304. Same day registration.''.

   PART 4--CONDITIONS ON REMOVAL ON BASIS OF INTERSTATE CROSS-CHECKS

SEC. 1041. CONDITIONS ON REMOVAL OF REGISTRANTS FROM OFFICIAL LIST OF 
              ELIGIBLE VOTERS ON BASIS OF INTERSTATE CROSS-CHECKS.

    (a) Minimum Information Required for Removal Under Cross-check.--
Section 8(c)(2) of the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (52 
U.S.C. 20507(c)(2)) is amended--
            (1) by redesignating subparagraph (B) as subparagraph (D); 
        and
            (2) by inserting after subparagraph (A) the following new 
        subparagraphs:
    ``(B) To the extent that the program carried out by a State under 
subparagraph (A) to systematically remove the names of ineligible 
voters from the official lists of eligible voters uses information 
obtained in an interstate cross-check, in addition to any other 
conditions imposed under this Act on the authority of the State to 
remove the name of the voter from such a list, the State may not remove 
the name of the voter from such a list unless--
            ``(i) the State obtained the voter's full name (including 
        the voter's middle name, if any) and date of birth, and the 
        last 4 digits of the voter's social security number, in the 
        interstate cross-check; or
            ``(ii) the State obtained documentation from the ERIC 
        system that the voter is no longer a resident of the State.
    ``(C) In this paragraph--
            ``(i) the term `interstate cross-check' means the 
        transmission of information from an election official in one 
        State to an election official of another State; and
            ``(ii) the term `ERIC system' means the system operated by 
        the Electronic Registration Information Center to share voter 
        registration information and voter identification information 
        among participating States.''.
    (b) Requiring Completion of Cross-checks Not Later Than 6 Months 
Prior to Election.--Subparagraph (A) of section 8(c)(2) of such Act (52 
U.S.C. 20507(c)(2)) is amended by striking ``not later than 90 days'' 
and inserting the following: ``not later than 90 days (or, in the case 
of a program in which the State uses interstate cross-checks, not later 
than 6 months)''.
    (c) Conforming Amendment.--Subparagraph (D) of section 8(c)(2) of 
such Act (52 U.S.C. 20507(c)(2)), as redesignated by subsection (a)(1), 
is amended by striking ``Subparagraph (A)'' and inserting ``This 
paragraph''.
    (d) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this Act shall apply 
with respect to elections held on or after the expiration of the 6-
month period which begins on the date of the enactment of this Act.

        PART 5--OTHER INITIATIVES TO PROMOTE VOTER REGISTRATION

SEC. 1051. ANNUAL REPORTS ON VOTER REGISTRATION STATISTICS.

    (a) Annual Report.--Not later than 90 days after the end of each 
year, each State shall submit to the Election Assistance Commission and 
Congress a report containing the following categories of information 
for the year:
            (1) The number of individuals who were registered under 
        part 2.
            (2) The number of voter registration application forms 
        completed by individuals that were transmitted by motor vehicle 
        authorities in the State (pursuant to section 5(d) of the 
        National Voter Registration Act of 1993) and voter registration 
        agencies in the State (as designated under section 7 of such 
        Act) to the chief State election official of the State, broken 
        down by each such authority and agency.
            (3) The number of such individuals whose voter registration 
        application forms were accepted and who were registered to vote 
        in the State and the number of such individuals whose forms 
        were rejected and who were not registered to vote in the State, 
        broken down by each such authority and agency.
            (4) The number of change of address forms and other forms 
        of information indicating that an individual's identifying 
        information has been changed that were transmitted by such 
        motor vehicle authorities and voter registration agencies to 
        the chief State election official of the State, broken down by 
        each such authority and agency and the type of form 
        transmitted.
            (5) The number of individuals on the Statewide computerized 
        voter registration list (as established and maintained under 
        section 303 of the Help America Vote Act of 2002) whose voter 
        registration information was revised by the chief State 
        election official as a result of the forms transmitted to the 
        official by such motor vehicle authorities and voter 
        registration agencies (as described in paragraph (3)), broken 
        down by each such authority and agency and the type of form 
        transmitted.
            (6) The number of individuals who requested the chief State 
        election official to revise voter registration information on 
        such list, and the number of individuals whose information was 
        revised as a result of such a request.
    (b) Breakdown of Information by Race and Ethnicity of 
Individuals.--In preparing the report under this section, the State 
shall, for each category of information described in subsection (a), 
include a breakdown by race and ethnicity of the individuals whose 
information is included in the category, to the extent that information 
on the race and ethnicity of such individuals is available to the 
State.
    (c) Confidentiality of Information.--In preparing and submitting a 
report under this section, the chief State election official shall 
ensure that no information regarding the identification of any 
individual is revealed.
    (d) State Defined.--In this section, a ``State'' includes the 
District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the United 
States Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of 
the Northern Mariana Islands, but does not include any State in which, 
under a State law in effect continuously on and after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, there is no voter registration requirement for 
individuals in the State with respect to elections for Federal office.

           PART 6--AVAILABILITY OF HAVA REQUIREMENTS PAYMENTS

SEC. 1061. AVAILABILITY OF REQUIREMENTS PAYMENTS UNDER HAVA TO COVER 
              COSTS OF COMPLIANCE WITH NEW REQUIREMENTS.

    (a) In General.--Section 251(b) of the Help America Vote Act of 
2002 (52 U.S.C. 21001(b)) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (1), by striking ``(2) and (3)'' and 
        inserting ``(2), (3), and (4)''; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
            ``(4) Certain voter registration activities.--A State may 
        use a requirements payment to carry out any of the requirements 
        of the Voter Registration Modernization Act of 2019, including 
        the requirements of the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 
        which are imposed pursuant to the amendments made to such Act 
        by the Voter Registration Modernization Act of 2019.''.
    (b) Conforming Amendment.--Section 254(a)(1) of such Act (52 U.S.C. 
21004(a)(1)) is amended by striking ``section 251(a)(2)'' and inserting 
``section 251(b)(2)''.
    (c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall 
apply with respect to fiscal year 2018 and each succeeding fiscal year.

        PART 7--PROHIBITING INTERFERENCE WITH VOTER REGISTRATION

SEC. 1071. [RESERVED].

SEC. 1072. ESTABLISHMENT OF BEST PRACTICES.

    (a) Best Practices.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Election Assistance Commission shall develop 
and publish recommendations for best practices for States to use to 
deter and prevent violations of section 612 of title 18, United States 
Code (as added by section 1071), and section 12 of the National Voter 
Registration Act of 1993 (52 U.S.C. 20511) (relating to the unlawful 
interference with registering to vote, or voting, or attempting to 
register to vote or vote), including practices to provide for the 
posting of relevant information at polling places and voter 
registration agencies under such Act, the training of poll workers and 
election officials, and relevant educational materials. For purposes of 
this subsection, the term ``State'' includes the District of Columbia, 
the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the United 
States Virgin Islands, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana 
Islands.
    (b) Inclusion in Voter Information Requirements.--Section 302(b)(2) 
of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C. 21082(b)(2)) is 
amended--
            (1) by striking ``and'' at the end of subparagraph (E);
            (2) by striking the period at the end of subparagraph (F) 
        and inserting ``; and''; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
                    ``(G) information relating to the prohibitions of 
                section 612 of title 18, United States Code, and 
                section 12 of the National Voter Registration Act of 
                1993 (52 U.S.C. 20511) (relating to the unlawful 
                interference with registering to vote, or voting, or 
                attempting to register to vote or vote), including 
                information on how individuals may report allegations 
                of violations of such prohibitions.''.

     Subtitle B--Access to Voting for Individuals With Disabilities

SEC. 1101. REQUIREMENTS FOR STATES TO PROMOTE ACCESS TO VOTER 
              REGISTRATION AND VOTING FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH 
              DISABILITIES.

    (a) Requirements.--Subtitle A of title III of the Help America Vote 
Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C. 21081 et seq.), as amended by section 1031(a), 
is amended--
            (1) by redesignating sections 305 and 306 as sections 306 
        and 307; and
            (2) by inserting after section 304 the following new 
        section:

``SEC. 305. ACCESS TO VOTER REGISTRATION AND VOTING FOR INDIVIDUALS 
              WITH DISABILITIES.

    ``(a) Treatment of Applications and Ballots.--Each State shall--
            ``(1) permit individuals with disabilities to use absentee 
        registration procedures and to vote by absentee ballot in 
        elections for Federal office;
            ``(2) accept and process, with respect to any election for 
        Federal office, any otherwise valid voter registration 
        application and absentee ballot application from an individual 
        with a disability if the application is received by the 
        appropriate State election official within the deadline for the 
        election which is applicable under Federal law;
            ``(3) in addition to any other method of registering to 
        vote or applying for an absentee ballot in the State, establish 
        procedures--
                    ``(A) for individuals with disabilities to request 
                by mail and electronically voter registration 
                applications and absentee ballot applications with 
                respect to elections for Federal office in accordance 
                with subsection (c);
                    ``(B) for States to send by mail and electronically 
                (in accordance with the preferred method of 
                transmission designated by the individual under 
                subparagraph (C)) voter registration applications and 
                absentee ballot applications requested under 
                subparagraph (A) in accordance with subsection (c); and
                    ``(C) by which such an individual can designate 
                whether the individual prefers that such voter 
                registration application or absentee ballot application 
                be transmitted by mail or electronically;
            ``(4) in addition to any other method of transmitting blank 
        absentee ballots in the State, establish procedures for 
        transmitting by mail and electronically blank absentee ballots 
        to individuals with disabilities with respect to elections for 
        Federal office in accordance with subsection (d);
            ``(5) transmit a validly requested absentee ballot to an 
        individual with a disability--
                    ``(A) except as provided in subsection (e), in the 
                case in which the request is received at least 45 days 
                before an election for Federal office, not later than 
                45 days before the election; and
                    ``(B) in the case in which the request is received 
                less than 45 days before an election for Federal 
                office--
                            ``(i) in accordance with State law; and
                            ``(ii) if practicable and as determined 
                        appropriate by the State, in a manner that 
                        expedites the transmission of such absentee 
                        ballot; and
            ``(6) if the State declares or otherwise holds a runoff 
        election for Federal office, establish a written plan that 
        provides absentee ballots are made available to individuals 
        with disabilities in a manner that gives them sufficient time 
        to vote in the runoff election.
    ``(b) Designation of Single State Office To Provide Information on 
Registration and Absentee Ballot Procedures for All Disabled Voters in 
State.--Each State shall designate a single office which shall be 
responsible for providing information regarding voter registration 
procedures and absentee ballot procedures to be used by individuals 
with disabilities with respect to elections for Federal office to all 
individuals with disabilities who wish to register to vote or vote in 
any jurisdiction in the State.
    ``(c) Designation of Means of Electronic Communication for 
Individuals With Disabilities To Request and for States To Send Voter 
Registration Applications and Absentee Ballot Applications, and for 
Other Purposes Related to Voting Information.--
            ``(1) In general.--Each State shall, in addition to the 
        designation of a single State office under subsection (b), 
        designate not less than 1 means of electronic communication--
                    ``(A) for use by individuals with disabilities who 
                wish to register to vote or vote in any jurisdiction in 
                the State to request voter registration applications 
                and absentee ballot applications under subsection 
                (a)(3);
                    ``(B) for use by States to send voter registration 
                applications and absentee ballot applications requested 
                under such subsection; and
                    ``(C) for the purpose of providing related voting, 
                balloting, and election information to individuals with 
                disabilities.
            ``(2) Clarification regarding provision of multiple means 
        of electronic communication.--A State may, in addition to the 
        means of electronic communication so designated, provide 
        multiple means of electronic communication to individuals with 
        disabilities, including a means of electronic communication for 
        the appropriate jurisdiction of the State.
            ``(3) Inclusion of designated means of electronic 
        communication with informational and instructional materials 
        that accompany balloting materials.--Each State shall include a 
        means of electronic communication so designated with all 
        informational and instructional materials that accompany 
        balloting materials sent by the State to individuals with 
        disabilities.
            ``(4) Transmission if no preference indicated.--In the case 
        where an individual with a disability does not designate a 
        preference under subsection (a)(3)(C), the State shall transmit 
        the voter registration application or absentee ballot 
        application by any delivery method allowable in accordance with 
        applicable State law, or if there is no applicable State law, 
        by mail.
    ``(d) Transmission of Blank Absentee Ballots by Mail and 
Electronically.--
            ``(1) In general.--Each State shall establish procedures--
                    ``(A) to securely transmit blank absentee ballots 
                by mail and electronically (in accordance with the 
                preferred method of transmission designated by the 
                individual with a disability under subparagraph (B)) to 
                individuals with disabilities for an election for 
                Federal office; and
                    ``(B) by which the individual with a disability can 
                designate whether the individual prefers that such 
                blank absentee ballot be transmitted by mail or 
                electronically.
            ``(2) Transmission if no preference indicated.--In the case 
        where an individual with a disability does not designate a 
        preference under paragraph (1)(B), the State shall transmit the 
        ballot by any delivery method allowable in accordance with 
        applicable State law, or if there is no applicable State law, 
        by mail.
            ``(3) Application of methods to track delivery to and 
        return of ballot by individual requesting ballot.--Under the 
        procedures established under paragraph (1), the State shall 
        apply such methods as the State considers appropriate, such as 
        assigning a unique identifier to the ballot, to ensure that if 
        an individual with a disability requests the State to transmit 
        a blank absentee ballot to the individual in accordance with 
        this subsection, the voted absentee ballot which is returned by 
        the individual is the same blank absentee ballot which the 
        State transmitted to the individual.
    ``(e) Hardship Exemption.--
            ``(1) In general.--If the chief State election official 
        determines that the State is unable to meet the requirement 
        under subsection (a)(5)(A) with respect to an election for 
        Federal office due to an undue hardship described in paragraph 
        (2)(B), the chief State election official shall request that 
        the Attorney General grant a waiver to the State of the 
        application of such subsection. Such request shall include--
                    ``(A) a recognition that the purpose of such 
                subsection is to individuals with disabilities enough 
                time to vote in an election for Federal office;
                    ``(B) an explanation of the hardship that indicates 
                why the State is unable to transmit such individuals an 
                absentee ballot in accordance with such subsection;
                    ``(C) the number of days prior to the election for 
                Federal office that the State requires absentee ballots 
                be transmitted to such individuals; and
                    ``(D) a comprehensive plan to ensure that such 
                individuals are able to receive absentee ballots which 
                they have requested and submit marked absentee ballots 
                to the appropriate State election official in time to 
                have that ballot counted in the election for Federal 
                office, which includes--
                            ``(i) the steps the State will undertake to 
                        ensure that such individuals have time to 
                        receive, mark, and submit their ballots in time 
                        to have those ballots counted in the election;
                            ``(ii) why the plan provides such 
                        individuals sufficient time to vote as a 
                        substitute for the requirements under such 
                        subsection; and
                            ``(iii) the underlying factual information 
                        which explains how the plan provides such 
                        sufficient time to vote as a substitute for 
                        such requirements.
            ``(2) Approval of waiver request.--The Attorney General 
        shall approve a waiver request under paragraph (1) if the 
        Attorney General determines each of the following requirements 
        are met:
                    ``(A) The comprehensive plan under subparagraph (D) 
                of such paragraph provides individuals with 
                disabilities sufficient time to receive absentee 
                ballots they have requested and submit marked absentee 
                ballots to the appropriate State election official in 
                time to have that ballot counted in the election for 
                Federal office.
                    ``(B) One or more of the following issues creates 
                an undue hardship for the State:
                            ``(i) The State's primary election date 
                        prohibits the State from complying with 
                        subsection (a)(5)(A).
                            ``(ii) The State has suffered a delay in 
                        generating ballots due to a legal contest.
                            ``(iii) The State Constitution prohibits 
                        the State from complying with such subsection.
            ``(3) Timing of waiver.--
                    ``(A) In general.--Except as provided under 
                subparagraph (B), a State that requests a waiver under 
                paragraph (1) shall submit to the Attorney General the 
                written waiver request not later than 90 days before 
                the election for Federal office with respect to which 
                the request is submitted. The Attorney General shall 
                approve or deny the waiver request not later than 65 
                days before such election.
                    ``(B) Exception.--If a State requests a waiver 
                under paragraph (1) as the result of an undue hardship 
                described in paragraph (2)(B)(ii), the State shall 
                submit to the Attorney General the written waiver 
                request as soon as practicable. The Attorney General 
                shall approve or deny the waiver request not later than 
                5 business days after the date on which the request is 
                received.
            ``(4) Application of waiver.--A waiver approved under 
        paragraph (2) shall only apply with respect to the election for 
        Federal office for which the request was submitted. For each 
        subsequent election for Federal office, the Attorney General 
        shall only approve a waiver if the State has submitted a 
        request under paragraph (1) with respect to such election.
    ``(f) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section may be 
construed to allow the marking or casting of ballots over the internet.
    ``(g) Individual With a Disability Defined.--In this section, an 
`individual with a disability' means an individual with an impairment 
that substantially limits any major life activities and who is 
otherwise qualified to vote in elections for Federal office.
    ``(h) Effective Date.--This section shall apply with respect to 
elections for Federal office held on or after January 1, 2020.''.
    (b) Conforming Amendment Relating to Issuance of Voluntary Guidance 
by Election Assistance Commission.--Section 311(b) of such Act (52 
U.S.C. 21101(b)) is amended--
            (1) by striking ``and'' at the end of paragraph (2);
            (2) by striking the period at the end of paragraph (3) and 
        inserting ``; and''; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
            ``(4) in the case of the recommendations with respect to 
        section 305, January 1, 2020.''.
    (c) Clerical Amendment.--The table of contents of such Act, as 
amended by section 1031(c), is amended--
            (1) by redesignating the items relating to sections 305 and 
        306 as relating to sections 306 and 307; and
            (2) by inserting after the item relating to section 304 the 
        following new item:

``Sec. 305. Access to voter registration and voting for individuals 
                            with disabilities.''.

SEC. 1102. EXPANSION AND REAUTHORIZATION OF GRANT PROGRAM TO ASSURE 
              VOTING ACCESS FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES.

    (a) Purposes of Payments.--Section 261(b) of the Help America Vote 
Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C. 21021(b)) is amended by striking paragraphs (1) 
and (2) and inserting the following:
            ``(1) making absentee voting and voting at home accessible 
        to individuals with the full range of disabilities (including 
        impairments involving vision, hearing, mobility, or dexterity) 
        through the implementation of accessible absentee voting 
        systems that work in conjunction with assistive technologies 
        for which individuals have access at their homes, independent 
        living centers, or other facilities;
            ``(2) making polling places, including the path of travel, 
        entrances, exits, and voting areas of each polling facility, 
        accessible to individuals with disabilities, including the 
        blind and visually impaired, in a manner that provides the same 
        opportunity for access and participation (including privacy and 
        independence) as for other voters; and
            ``(3) providing solutions to problems of access to voting 
        and elections for individuals with disabilities that are 
        universally designed and provide the same opportunities for 
        individuals with and without disabilities.''.
    (b) Reauthorization.--Section 264(a) of such Act (52 U.S.C. 
21024(a)) is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
            ``(4) For fiscal year 2020 and each succeeding fiscal year, 
        such sums as may be necessary to carry out this part.''.
    (c) Period of Availability of Funds.--Section 264 of such Act (52 
U.S.C. 21024) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (b), by striking ``Any amounts'' and 
        inserting ``Except as provided in subsection (b), any 
        amounts''; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following new subsection:
    ``(c) Return and Transfer of Certain Funds.--
            ``(1) Deadline for obligation and expenditure.--In the case 
        of any amounts appropriated pursuant to the authority of 
        subsection (a) for a payment to a State or unit of local 
        government for fiscal year 2020 or any succeeding fiscal year, 
        any portion of such amounts which have not been obligated or 
        expended by the State or unit of local government prior to the 
        expiration of the 4-year period which begins on the date the 
        State or unit of local government first received the amounts 
        shall be transferred to the Commission.
            ``(2) Reallocation of transferred amounts.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The Commission shall use the 
                amounts transferred under paragraph (1) to make 
                payments on a pro rata basis to each covered payment 
                recipient described in subparagraph (B), which may 
                obligate and expend such payment for the purposes 
                described in section 261(b) during the 1-year period 
                which begins on the date of receipt.
                    ``(B) Covered payment recipients described.--In 
                subparagraph (A), a `covered payment recipient' is a 
                State or unit of local government with respect to 
                which--
                            ``(i) amounts were appropriated pursuant to 
                        the authority of subsection (a); and
                            ``(ii) no amounts were transferred to the 
                        Commission under paragraph (1).''.

                  Subtitle C--Prohibiting Voter Caging

SEC. 1201. [RESERVED].

SEC. 1202. DEVELOPMENT AND ADOPTION OF BEST PRACTICES FOR PREVENTING 
              VOTER CAGING.

    (a) Best Practices.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Election Assistance Commission shall develop 
and publish for the use of States recommendations for best practices to 
deter and prevent violations of section 613 of title 18, United States 
Code, as added by section 1201(a), including practices to provide for 
the posting of relevant information at polling places and voter 
registration agencies, the training of poll workers and election 
officials, and relevant educational measures. For purposes of this 
subsection, the term ``State'' includes the District of Columbia, the 
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the United States 
Virgin Islands, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.
    (b) Inclusion in Voting Information Requirements.--Section 
302(b)(2) of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C. 21082(b)(2)), 
as amended by section 1072(b), is amended--
            (1) by striking ``and'' at the end of subparagraph (F);
            (2) by striking the period at the end of subparagraph (G) 
        and inserting ``; and''; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
                    ``(H) information relating to the prohibition 
                against voter caging and other questionable challenges 
                (as set forth in section 613 of title 18, United States 
                Code), including information on how individuals may 
                report allegations of violations of such 
                prohibition.''.

                         Subtitle D--[Reserved]

                         Subtitle E--[Reserved]

 Subtitle F--Promoting Accuracy, Integrity, and Security Through Voter-
                    Verified Permanent Paper Ballot

SEC. 1501. SHORT TITLE.

    This subtitle may be cited as the ``Voter Confidence and Increased 
Accessibility Act of 2019''.

SEC. 1502. PAPER BALLOT AND MANUAL COUNTING REQUIREMENTS.

    (a) In General.--Section 301(a)(2) of the Help America Vote Act of 
2002 (52 U.S.C. 21081(a)(2)) is amended to read as follows:
            ``(2) Paper ballot requirement.--
                    ``(A) Voter-verified paper ballots.--
                            ``(i) Paper ballot requirement.--(I) The 
                        voting system shall require the use of an 
                        individual, durable, voter-verified paper 
                        ballot of the voter's vote that shall be marked 
                        and made available for inspection and 
                        verification by the voter before the voter's 
                        vote is cast and counted, and which shall be 
                        counted by hand or read by an optical character 
                        recognition device or other counting device. 
                        For purposes of this subclause, the term 
                        `individual, durable, voter-verified paper 
                        ballot' means a paper ballot marked by the 
                        voter by hand or a paper ballot marked through 
                        the use of a nontabulating ballot marking 
                        device or system, so long as the voter shall 
                        have the option to mark his or her ballot by 
                        hand.
                            ``(II) The voting system shall provide the 
                        voter with an opportunity to correct any error 
                        on the paper ballot before the permanent voter-
                        verified paper ballot is preserved in 
                        accordance with clause (ii).
                            ``(III) The voting system shall not 
                        preserve the voter-verified paper ballots in 
                        any manner that makes it possible, at any time 
                        after the ballot has been cast, to associate a 
                        voter with the record of the voter's vote 
                        without the voter's consent.
                            ``(ii) Preservation as official record.--
                        The individual, durable, voter-verified paper 
                        ballot used in accordance with clause (i) shall 
                        constitute the official ballot and shall be 
                        preserved and used as the official ballot for 
                        purposes of any recount or audit conducted with 
                        respect to any election for Federal office in 
                        which the voting system is used.
                            ``(iii) Manual counting requirements for 
                        recounts and audits.--(I) Each paper ballot 
                        used pursuant to clause (i) shall be suitable 
                        for a manual audit, and shall be counted by 
                        hand in any recount or audit conducted with 
                        respect to any election for Federal office.
                            ``(II) In the event of any inconsistencies 
                        or irregularities between any electronic vote 
                        tallies and the vote tallies determined by 
                        counting by hand the individual, durable, 
                        voter-verified paper ballots used pursuant to 
                        clause (i), and subject to subparagraph (B), 
                        the individual, durable, voter-verified paper 
                        ballots shall be the true and correct record of 
                        the votes cast.
                            ``(iv) Application to all ballots.--The 
                        requirements of this subparagraph shall apply 
                        to all ballots cast in elections for Federal 
                        office, including ballots cast by absent 
                        uniformed services voters and overseas voters 
                        under the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens 
                        Absentee Voting Act and other absentee voters.
                    ``(B) Special rule for treatment of disputes when 
                paper ballots have been shown to be compromised.--
                            ``(i) In general.--In the event that--
                                    ``(I) there is any inconsistency 
                                between any electronic vote tallies and 
                                the vote tallies determined by counting 
                                by hand the individual, durable, voter-
                                verified paper ballots used pursuant to 
                                subparagraph (A)(i) with respect to any 
                                election for Federal office; and
                                    ``(II) it is demonstrated by clear 
                                and convincing evidence (as determined 
                                in accordance with the applicable 
                                standards in the jurisdiction involved) 
                                in any recount, audit, or contest of 
                                the result of the election that the 
                                paper ballots have been compromised (by 
                                damage or mischief or otherwise) and 
                                that a sufficient number of the ballots 
                                have been so compromised that the 
                                result of the election could be 
                                changed,
                        the determination of the appropriate remedy 
                        with respect to the election shall be made in 
                        accordance with applicable State law, except 
                        that the electronic tally shall not be used as 
                        the exclusive basis for determining the 
                        official certified result.
                            ``(ii) Rule for consideration of ballots 
                        associated with each voting machine.--For 
                        purposes of clause (i), only the paper ballots 
                        deemed compromised, if any, shall be considered 
                        in the calculation of whether or not the result 
                        of the election could be changed due to the 
                        compromised paper ballots.''.
    (b) Conforming Amendment Clarifying Applicability of Alternative 
Language Accessibility.--Section 301(a)(4) of such Act (52 U.S.C. 
21081(a)(4)) is amended by inserting ``(including the paper ballots 
required to be used under paragraph (2))'' after ``voting system''.
    (c) Other Conforming Amendments.--Section 301(a)(1) of such Act (52 
U.S.C. 21081(a)(1)) is amended--
            (1) in subparagraph (A)(i), by striking ``counted'' and 
        inserting ``counted, in accordance with paragraphs (2) and 
        (3)'';
            (2) in subparagraph (A)(ii), by striking ``counted'' and 
        inserting ``counted, in accordance with paragraphs (2) and 
        (3)'';
            (3) in subparagraph (A)(iii), by striking ``counted'' each 
        place it appears and inserting ``counted, in accordance with 
        paragraphs (2) and (3)''; and
            (4) in subparagraph (B)(ii), by striking ``counted'' and 
        inserting ``counted, in accordance with paragraphs (2) and 
        (3)''.

SEC. 1503. ACCESSIBILITY AND BALLOT VERIFICATION FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH 
              DISABILITIES.

    (a) In General.--Section 301(a)(3)(B) of the Help America Vote Act 
of 2002 (52 U.S.C. 21081(a)(3)(B)) is amended to read as follows:
                    ``(B)(i) ensure that individuals with disabilities 
                and others are given an equivalent opportunity to vote, 
                including with privacy and independence, in a manner 
                that produces a voter-verified paper ballot as for 
                other voters;
                    ``(ii) satisfy the requirement of subparagraph (A) 
                through the use of at least one voting system equipped 
                for individuals with disabilities, including nonvisual 
                and enhanced visual accessibility for the blind and 
                visually impaired, and nonmanual and enhanced manual 
                accessibility for the mobility and dexterity impaired, 
                at each polling place; and
                    ``(iii) meet the requirements of subparagraph (A) 
                and paragraph (2)(A) by using a system that--
                            ``(I) allows the voter to privately and 
                        independently verify the permanent paper ballot 
                        through the presentation, in accessible form, 
                        of the printed or marked vote selections from 
                        the same printed or marked information that 
                        would be used for any vote counting or 
                        auditing; and
                            ``(II) allows the voter to privately and 
                        independently verify and cast the permanent 
                        paper ballot without requiring the voter to 
                        manually handle the paper ballot.''.
    (b) Specific Requirement of Study, Testing, and Development of 
Accessible Paper Ballot Verification Mechanisms.--
            (1) Study and reporting.--Subtitle C of title II of such 
        Act (52 U.S.C. 21081 et seq.) is amended--
                    (A) by redesignating section 247 as section 248; 
                and
                    (B) by inserting after section 246 the following 
                new section:

``SEC. 247. STUDY AND REPORT ON ACCESSIBLE PAPER BALLOT VERIFICATION 
              MECHANISMS.

    ``(a) Study and Report.--The Director of the National Science 
Foundation shall make grants to not fewer than 3 eligible entities to 
study, test, and develop accessible paper ballot voting, verification, 
and casting mechanisms and devices and best practices to enhance the 
accessibility of paper ballot voting and verification mechanisms for 
individuals with disabilities, for voters whose primary language is not 
English, and for voters with difficulties in literacy, including best 
practices for the mechanisms themselves and the processes through which 
the mechanisms are used.
    ``(b) Eligibility.--An entity is eligible to receive a grant under 
this part if it submits to the Director (at such time and in such form 
as the Director may require) an application containing--
            ``(1) certifications that the entity shall specifically 
        investigate enhanced methods or devices, including non-
        electronic devices, that will assist such individuals and 
        voters in marking voter-verified paper ballots and presenting 
        or transmitting the information printed or marked on such 
        ballots back to such individuals and voters, and casting such 
        ballots;
            ``(2) a certification that the entity shall complete the 
        activities carried out with the grant not later than December 
        31, 2020; and
            ``(3) such other information and certifications as the 
        Director may require.
    ``(c) Availability of Technology.--Any technology developed with 
the grants made under this section shall be treated as non-proprietary 
and shall be made available to the public, including to manufacturers 
of voting systems.
    ``(d) Coordination With Grants for Technology Improvements.--The 
Director shall carry out this section so that the activities carried 
out with the grants made under subsection (a) are coordinated with the 
research conducted under the grant program carried out by the 
Commission under section 271, to the extent that the Director and 
Commission determine necessary to provide for the advancement of 
accessible voting technology.
    ``(e) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be 
appropriated to carry out subsection (a) $5,000,000, to remain 
available until expended.''.
            (2) Clerical amendment.--The table of contents of such Act 
        is amended--
                    (A) by redesignating the item relating to section 
                247 as relating to section 248; and
                    (B) by inserting after the item relating to section 
                246 the following new item:

``Sec. 247. Study and report on accessible paper ballot verification 
                            mechanisms.''.
    (c) Clarification of Accessibility Standards Under Voluntary Voting 
System Guidance.--In adopting any voluntary guidance under subtitle B 
of title III of the Help America Vote Act with respect to the 
accessibility of the paper ballot verification requirements for 
individuals with disabilities, the Election Assistance Commission shall 
include and apply the same accessibility standards applicable under the 
voluntary guidance adopted for accessible voting systems under such 
subtitle.
    (d) Permitting Use of Funds for Protection and Advocacy Systems to 
Support Actions to Enforce Election-related Disability Access.--Section 
292(a) of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C. 21062(a)) is 
amended by striking ``; except that'' and all that follows and 
inserting a period.

SEC. 1504. DURABILITY AND READABILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR BALLOTS.

    Section 301(a) of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C. 
21081(a)) is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
            ``(7) Durability and readability requirements for 
        ballots.--
                    ``(A) Durability requirements for paper ballots.--
                            ``(i) In general.--All voter-verified paper 
                        ballots required to be used under this Act 
                        shall be marked or printed on durable paper.
                            ``(ii) Definition.--For purposes of this 
                        Act, paper is `durable' if it is capable of 
                        withstanding multiple counts and recounts by 
                        hand without compromising the fundamental 
                        integrity of the ballots, and capable of 
                        retaining the information marked or printed on 
                        them for the full duration of a retention and 
                        preservation period of 22 months.
                    ``(B) Readability requirements for paper ballots 
                marked by ballot marking device.--All voter-verified 
                paper ballots completed by the voter through the use of 
                a ballot marking device shall be clearly readable by 
                the voter without assistance (other than eyeglasses or 
                other personal vision enhancing devices) and by an 
                optical character recognition device or other device 
                equipped for individuals with disabilities.''.

SEC. 1505. EFFECTIVE DATE FOR NEW REQUIREMENTS.

    Section 301(d) of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C. 
21081(d)) is amended to read as follows:
    ``(d) Effective Date.--
            ``(1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), 
        each State and jurisdiction shall be required to comply with 
        the requirements of this section on and after January 1, 2006.
            ``(2) Special rule for certain requirements.--
                    ``(A) In general.--Except as provided in 
                subparagraphs (B) and (C), the requirements of this 
                section which are first imposed on a State and 
                jurisdiction pursuant to the amendments made by the 
                Voter Confidence and Increased Accessibility Act of 
                2019 shall apply with respect to voting systems used 
                for any election for Federal office held in 2020 or any 
                succeeding year.
                    ``(B) Delay for jurisdictions using certain paper 
                record printers or certain systems using or producing 
                voter-verifiable paper records in 2018.--
                            ``(i) Delay.--In the case of a jurisdiction 
                        described in clause (ii), subparagraph (A) 
                        shall apply to a voting system in the 
                        jurisdiction as if the reference in such 
                        subparagraph to `2020' were a reference to 
                        `2022', but only with respect to the following 
                        requirements of this section:
                                    ``(I) Paragraph (2)(A)(i)(I) of 
                                subsection (a) (relating to the use of 
                                voter-verified paper ballots).
                                    ``(II) Paragraph (3)(B)(ii)(I) and 
                                (II) of subsection (a) (relating to 
                                access to verification from and casting 
                                of the durable paper ballot).
                                    ``(III) Paragraph (7) of subsection 
                                (a) (relating to durability and 
                                readability requirements for ballots).
                            ``(ii) Jurisdictions described.--A 
                        jurisdiction described in this clause is a 
                        jurisdiction--
                                    ``(I) which used voter verifiable 
                                paper record printers attached to 
                                direct recording electronic voting 
                                machines, or which used other voting 
                                systems that used or produced paper 
                                records of the vote verifiable by 
                                voters but that are not in compliance 
                                with paragraphs (2)(A)(i)(I), 
                                (3)(B)(iii)(I) and (II), and (7) of 
                                subsection (a) (as amended or added by 
                                the Voter Confidence and Increased 
                                Accessibility Act of 2019), for the 
                                administration of the regularly 
                                scheduled general election for Federal 
                                office held in November 2018; and
                                    ``(II) which will continue to use 
                                such printers or systems for the 
                                administration of elections for Federal 
                                office held in years before 2022.
                            ``(iii) Mandatory availability of paper 
                        ballots at polling places using grandfathered 
                        printers and systems.--
                                    ``(I) Requiring ballots to be 
                                offered and provided.--The appropriate 
                                election official at each polling place 
                                that uses a printer or system described 
                                in clause (ii)(I) for the 
                                administration of elections for Federal 
                                office shall offer each individual who 
                                is eligible to cast a vote in the 
                                election at the polling place the 
                                opportunity to cast the vote using a 
                                blank pre-printed paper ballot which 
                                the individual may mark by hand and 
                                which is not produced by the direct 
                                recording electronic voting machine or 
                                other such system. The official shall 
                                provide the individual with the ballot 
                                and the supplies necessary to mark the 
                                ballot, and shall ensure (to the 
                                greatest extent practicable) that the 
                                waiting period for the individual to 
                                cast a vote is the lesser of 30 minutes 
                                or the average waiting period for an 
                                individual who does not agree to cast 
                                the vote using such a paper ballot 
                                under this clause.
                                    ``(II) Treatment of ballot.--Any 
                                paper ballot which is cast by an 
                                individual under this clause shall be 
                                counted and otherwise treated as a 
                                regular ballot for all purposes 
                                (including by incorporating it into the 
                                final unofficial vote count (as defined 
                                by the State) for the precinct) and not 
                                as a provisional ballot, unless the 
                                individual casting the ballot would 
                                have otherwise been required to cast a 
                                provisional ballot.
                                    ``(III) Posting of notice.--The 
                                appropriate election official shall 
                                ensure there is prominently displayed 
                                at each polling place a notice that 
                                describes the obligation of the 
                                official to offer individuals the 
                                opportunity to cast votes using a pre-
                                printed blank paper ballot.
                                    ``(IV) Training of election 
                                officials.--The chief State election 
                                official shall ensure that election 
                                officials at polling places in the 
                                State are aware of the requirements of 
                                this clause, including the requirement 
                                to display a notice under subclause 
                                (III), and are aware that it is a 
                                violation of the requirements of this 
                                title for an election official to fail 
                                to offer an individual the opportunity 
                                to cast a vote using a blank pre-
                                printed paper ballot.
                                    ``(V) Period of applicability.--The 
                                requirements of this clause apply only 
                                during the period in which the delay is 
                                in effect under clause (i).
                    ``(C) Special rule for jurisdictions using certain 
                nontabulating ballot marking devices.--In the case of a 
                jurisdiction which uses a nontabulating ballot marking 
                device which automatically deposits the ballot into a 
                privacy sleeve, subparagraph (A) shall apply to a 
                voting system in the jurisdiction as if the reference 
                in such subparagraph to `any election for Federal 
                office held in 2020 or any succeeding year' were a 
                reference to `elections for Federal office occurring 
                held in 2022 or each succeeding year', but only with 
                respect to paragraph (3)(B)(iii)(II) of subsection (a) 
                (relating to nonmanual casting of the durable paper 
                ballot).''.

                    Subtitle G--Provisional Ballots

SEC. 1601. REQUIREMENTS FOR COUNTING PROVISIONAL BALLOTS; ESTABLISHMENT 
              OF UNIFORM AND NONDISCRIMINATORY STANDARDS.

    (a) In General.--Section 302 of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 
(52 U.S.C. 21082) is amended--
            (1) by redesignating subsection (d) as subsection (f); and
            (2) by inserting after subsection (c) the following new 
        subsections:
    ``(d) Statewide Counting of Provisional Ballots.--
            ``(1) In general.--For purposes of subsection (a)(4), 
        notwithstanding the precinct or polling place at which a 
        provisional ballot is cast within the State, the appropriate 
        election official shall count each vote on such ballot for each 
        election in which the individual who cast such ballot is 
        eligible to vote.
            ``(2) Effective date.--This subsection shall apply with 
        respect to elections held on or after January 1, 2020.
    ``(e) Uniform and Nondiscriminatory Standards.--
            ``(1) In general.--Consistent with the requirements of this 
        section, each State shall establish uniform and 
        nondiscriminatory standards for the issuance, handling, and 
        counting of provisional ballots.
            ``(2) Effective date.--This subsection shall apply with 
        respect to elections held on or after January 1, 2020.''.
    (b) Conforming Amendment.--Section 302(f) of such Act (52 U.S.C. 
21082(f)), as redesignated by subsection (a), is amended by striking 
``Each State'' and inserting ``Except as provided in subsections (d)(2) 
and (e)(2), each State''.

                        Subtitle H--Early Voting

SEC. 1611. EARLY VOTING.

    (a) Requirements.--Subtitle A of title III of the Help America Vote 
Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C. 21081 et seq.), as amended by section 1031(a) 
and section 1101(a), is amended--
            (1) by redesignating sections 306 and 307 as sections 307 
        and 308; and
            (2) by inserting after section 305 the following new 
        section:

``SEC. 306. EARLY VOTING.

    ``(a) Requiring Voting Prior to Date of Election.--
            ``(1) In general.--Each State shall allow individuals to 
        vote in an election for Federal office during an early voting 
        period which occurs prior to the date of the election, in the 
        same manner as voting is allowed on such date.
            ``(2) Length of period.--The early voting period required 
        under this subsection with respect to an election shall consist 
        of a period of consecutive days (including weekends) which 
        begins on the 15th day before the date of the election (or, at 
        the option of the State, on a day prior to the 15th day before 
        the date of the election) and ends on the date of the election.
    ``(b) Minimum Early Voting Requirements.--Each polling place which 
allows voting during an early voting period under subsection (a) 
shall--
            ``(1) allow such voting for no less than 4 hours on each 
        day, except that the polling place may allow such voting for 
        fewer than 4 hours on Sundays; and
            ``(2) have uniform hours each day for which such voting 
        occurs.
    ``(c) Location of Polling Places Near Public Transportation.--To 
the greatest extent practicable, a State shall ensure that each polling 
place which allows voting during an early voting period under 
subsection (a) is located within walking distance of a stop on a public 
transportation route.
    ``(d) Standards.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Commission shall issue standards for 
        the administration of voting prior to the day scheduled for a 
        Federal election. Such standards shall include the 
        nondiscriminatory geographic placement of polling places at 
        which such voting occurs.
            ``(2) Deviation.--The standards described in paragraph (1) 
        shall permit States, upon providing adequate public notice, to 
        deviate from any requirement in the case of unforeseen 
        circumstances such as a natural disaster, terrorist attack, or 
        a change in voter turnout.
    ``(e) Effective Date.--This section shall apply with respect to 
elections held on or after January 1, 2020.''.
    (b) Conforming Amendment Relating to Issuance of Voluntary Guidance 
by Election Assistance Commission.--Section 311(b) of such Act (52 
U.S.C. 21101(b)), as amended by section 1101(b), is amended--
            (1) by striking ``and'' at the end of paragraph (3);
            (2) by striking the period at the end of paragraph (4) and 
        inserting ``; and''; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
            ``(5) in the case of the recommendations with respect to 
        section 306, June 30, 2020.''.
    (c) Clerical Amendment.--The table of contents of such Act, as 
amended by section 1031(c) and section 1101(d), is amended--
            (1) by redesignating the items relating to sections 306 and 
        307 as relating to sections 307 and 308; and
            (2) by inserting after the item relating to section 305 the 
        following new item:

``Sec. 306. Early voting.''.

                       Subtitle I--Voting by Mail

SEC. 1621. VOTING BY MAIL.

    (a) Requirements.--Subtitle A of title III of the Help America Vote 
Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C. 21081 et seq.), as amended by section 1031(a), 
section 1101(a), and section 1611(a), is amended--
            (1) by redesignating sections 307 and 308 as sections 308 
        and 309; and
            (2) by inserting after section 306 the following new 
        section:

``SEC. 307. PROMOTING ABILITY OF VOTERS TO VOTE BY MAIL.

    ``(a) In General.--If an individual in a State is eligible to cast 
a vote in an election for Federal office, the State may not impose any 
additional conditions or requirements on the eligibility of the 
individual to cast the vote in such election by absentee ballot by 
mail, except as required under subsection (b) and except to the extent 
that the State imposes a deadline for requesting the ballot and related 
voting materials from the appropriate State or local election official 
and for returning the ballot to the appropriate State or local election 
official.
    ``(b) Requiring Signature Verification.--
            ``(1) Requirement.--A State may not accept and process an 
        absentee ballot submitted by any individual with respect to an 
        election for Federal office unless the State verifies the 
        identification of the individual by comparing the individual's 
        signature on the absentee ballot with the individual's 
        signature on the official list of registered voters in the 
        State, in accordance with such procedures as the State may 
        adopt (subject to the requirements of paragraph (2)).
            ``(2) Due process requirements.--
                    ``(A) Notice and opportunity to cure discrepancy.--
                If an individual submits an absentee ballot and the 
                appropriate State or local election official determines 
                that a discrepancy exists between the signature on such 
                ballot and the signature of such individual on the 
                official list of registered voters in the State, such 
                election official, prior to making a final 
                determination as to the validity of such ballot, shall 
                make a good faith effort to immediately notify such 
                individual by mail, telephone, and (if available) 
                electronic mail that--
                            ``(i) a discrepancy exists between the 
                        signature on such ballot and the signature of 
                        such individual on the official list of 
                        registered voters in the State;
                            ``(ii) such individual may provide the 
                        official with information to cure such 
                        discrepancy, either in person, by telephone, or 
                        by electronic methods; and
                            ``(iii) if such discrepancy is not cured 
                        prior to the expiration of the 7-day period 
                        which begins on the date of the election, such 
                        ballot will not be counted.
                    ``(B) Other requirements.--An election official may 
                not make a determination that a discrepancy exists 
                between the signature on an absentee ballot and the 
                signature of the individual who submits the ballot on 
                the official list of registered voters in the State 
                unless--
                            ``(i) at least 2 election officials make 
                        the determination; and
                            ``(ii) each official who makes the 
                        determination has received training in 
                        procedures used to verify signatures.
    ``(c) Deadline for Providing Balloting Materials.--If an individual 
requests to vote by absentee ballot in an election for Federal office, 
the appropriate State or local election official shall ensure that the 
ballot and relating voting materials are received by the individual--
            ``(1) not later than 2 weeks before the date of the 
        election; or
            ``(2) in the case of a State which imposes a deadline for 
        requesting an absentee ballot and related voting materials 
        which is less than 2 weeks before the date of the election, as 
        expeditiously as possible.
    ``(d) Accessibility for Individuals With Disabilities.--Consistent 
with section 305, the State shall ensure that all absentee ballots and 
related voting materials in elections for Federal office are accessible 
to individuals with disabilities in a manner that provides the same 
opportunity for access and participation (including with privacy and 
independence) as for other voters.
    ``(e) Uniform Deadline for Acceptance of Mailed Ballots.--If a 
ballot submitted by an individual by mail with respect to an election 
for Federal office in a State is postmarked on or before the date of 
the election, the State may not refuse to accept or process the ballot 
on the grounds that the individual did not meet a deadline for 
returning the ballot to the appropriate State or local election 
official.
    ``(f) No Effect on Ballots Submitted by Absent Military and 
Overseas Voters.--Nothing in this section may be construed to affect 
the treatment of any ballot submitted by an individual who is entitled 
to vote by absentee ballot under the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens 
Absentee Voting Act (52 U.S.C. 20301 et seq.).
    ``(g) Effective Date.--This section shall apply with respect to 
elections held on or after January 1, 2020.''.
    (b) Conforming Amendment Relating to Issuance of Voluntary Guidance 
by Election Assistance Commission.--Section 311(b) of such Act (52 
U.S.C. 21101(b)), as amended by section 1101(b) and section 1611(b), is 
amended--
            (1) by striking ``and'' at the end of paragraph (4);
            (2) by striking the period at the end of paragraph (5) and 
        inserting ``; and''; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
            ``(6) in the case of the recommendations with respect to 
        section 307, June 30, 2020.''.
    (c) Clerical Amendment.--The table of contents of such Act, as 
amended by section 1031(c), section 1101(d), and section 1611(c), is 
amended--
            (1) by redesignating the items relating to sections 307 and 
        308 as relating to sections 308 and 309; and
            (2) by inserting after the item relating to section 306 the 
        following new item:

``Sec. 307. Promoting ability of voters to vote by mail.''.
    (d) Development of Biometric Verification.--
            (1) Development of standards.--The National Institute of 
        Standards, in consultation with the Election Assistance 
        Commission, shall develop standards for the use of biometric 
        methods which could be used voluntarily in place of the 
        signature verification requirements of section 307(b) of the 
        Help America Vote Act of 2002 (as added by subsection (a)) for 
        purposes of verifying the identification of an individual 
        voting by absentee ballot in elections for Federal office.
            (2) Public notice and comment.--The National Institute of 
        Standards shall solicit comments from the public in the 
        development of standards under paragraph (1).
            (3) Deadline.--Not later than one year after the date of 
        the enactment of this Act, the National Institute of Standards 
        shall publish the standards developed under paragraph (1).

    Subtitle J--Absent Uniformed Services Voters and Overseas Voters

SEC. 1701. PRE-ELECTION REPORTS ON AVAILABILITY AND TRANSMISSION OF 
              ABSENTEE BALLOTS.

    Section 102(c) of the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee 
Voting Act (52 U.S.C. 20302(c)) is amended to read as follows:
    ``(c) Reports on Availability, Transmission, and Receipt of 
Absentee Ballots.--
            ``(1) Pre-election report on absentee ballot 
        availability.--Not later than 55 days before any regularly 
        scheduled general election for Federal office, each State shall 
        submit a report to the Attorney General, the Election 
        Assistance Commission (hereafter in this subsection referred to 
        as the `Commission'), and the Presidential Designee, and make 
        that report publicly available that same day, certifying that 
        absentee ballots for the election are or will be available for 
        transmission to absent uniformed services voters and overseas 
        voters by not later than 45 days before the election. The 
        report shall be in a form prescribed jointly by the Attorney 
        General and the Commission and shall require the State to 
        certify specific information about ballot availability from 
        each unit of local government which will administer the 
        election.
            ``(2) Pre-election report on absentee ballot 
        transmission.--Not later than 43 days before any regularly 
        scheduled general election for Federal office, each State shall 
        submit a report to the Attorney General, the Commission, and 
        the Presidential Designee, and make that report publicly 
        available that same day, certifying whether all absentee 
        ballots have been transmitted by not later than 45 days before 
        the election to all qualified absent uniformed services and 
        overseas voters whose requests were received at least 45 days 
        before the election. The report shall be in a form prescribed 
        jointly by the Attorney General and the Commission, and shall 
        require the State to certify specific information about ballot 
        transmission, including the total numbers of ballot requests 
        received and ballots transmitted, from each unit of local 
        government which will administer the election.
            ``(3) Post-election report on number of absentee ballots 
        transmitted and received.--Not later than 90 days after the 
        date of each regularly scheduled general election for Federal 
        office, each State and unit of local government which 
        administered the election shall (through the State, in the case 
        of a unit of local government) submit a report to the Attorney 
        General, the Commission, and the Presidential Designee on the 
        combined number of absentee ballots transmitted to absent 
        uniformed services voters and overseas voters for the election 
        and the combined number of such ballots which were returned by 
        such voters and cast in the election, and shall make such 
        report available to the general public that same day.''.

SEC. 1702. ENFORCEMENT.

    (a) Availability of Civil Penalties and Private Rights of Action.--
Section 105 of the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act 
(52 U.S.C. 20307) is amended to read as follows:

``SEC. 105. ENFORCEMENT.

    ``(a) Action by Attorney General.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Attorney General may bring civil 
        action in an appropriate district court for such declaratory or 
        injunctive relief as may be necessary to carry out this title.
            ``(2) Penalty.--In a civil action brought under paragraph 
        (1), if the court finds that the State violated any provision 
        of this title, it may, to vindicate the public interest, assess 
        a civil penalty against the State--
                    ``(A) in an amount not to exceed $110,000 for each 
                such violation, in the case of a first violation; or
                    ``(B) in an amount not to exceed $220,000 for each 
                such violation, for any subsequent violation.
            ``(3) Report to congress.--Not later than December 31 of 
        each year, the Attorney General shall submit to Congress an 
        annual report on any civil action brought under paragraph (1) 
        during the preceding year.
    ``(b) Private Right of Action.--A person who is aggrieved by a 
State's violation of this title may bring a civil action in an 
appropriate district court for such declaratory or injunctive relief as 
may be necessary to carry out this title.
    ``(c) State as Only Necessary Defendant.--In any action brought 
under this section, the only necessary party defendant is the State, 
and it shall not be a defense to any such action that a local election 
official or a unit of local government is not named as a defendant, 
notwithstanding that a State has exercised the authority described in 
section 576 of the Military and Overseas Voter Empowerment Act to 
delegate to another jurisdiction in the State any duty or 
responsibility which is the subject of an action brought under this 
section.''.
    (b) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall 
apply with respect to violations alleged to have occurred on or after 
the date of the enactment of this Act.

SEC. 1703. REVISIONS TO 45-DAY ABSENTEE BALLOT TRANSMISSION RULE.

    (a) Repeal of Waiver Authority.--
            (1) In general.--Section 102 of the Uniformed and Overseas 
        Citizens Absentee Voting Act (52 U.S.C. 20302) is amended by 
        striking subsection (g).
            (2) Conforming amendment.--Section 102(a)(8)(A) of such Act 
        (52 U.S.C. 20302(a)(8)(A)) is amended by striking ``except as 
        provided in subsection (g),''.
    (b) Requiring Use of Express Delivery in Case of Failure to Meet 
Requirement.--Section 102 of such Act (52 U.S.C. 20302), as amended by 
subsection (a), is amended by inserting after subsection (f) the 
following new subsection:
    ``(g) Requiring Use of Express Delivery in Case of Failure To 
Transmit Ballots Within Deadlines.--
            ``(1) Transmission of ballot by express delivery.--If a 
        State fails to meet the requirement of subsection (a)(8)(A) to 
        transmit a validly requested absentee ballot to an absent 
        uniformed services voter or overseas voter not later than 45 
        days before the election (in the case in which the request is 
        received at least 45 days before the election)--
                    ``(A) the State shall transmit the ballot to the 
                voter by express delivery; or
                    ``(B) in the case of a voter who has designated 
                that absentee ballots be transmitted electronically in 
                accordance with subsection (f)(1), the State shall 
                transmit the ballot to the voter electronically.
            ``(2) Special rule for transmission fewer than 40 days 
        before the election.--If, in carrying out paragraph (1), a 
        State transmits an absentee ballot to an absent uniformed 
        services voter or overseas voter fewer than 40 days before the 
        election, the State shall enable the ballot to be returned by 
        the voter by express delivery, except that in the case of an 
        absentee ballot of an absent uniformed services voter for a 
        regularly scheduled general election for Federal office, the 
        State may satisfy the requirement of this paragraph by 
        notifying the voter of the procedures for the collection and 
        delivery of such ballots under section 103A.''.
    (c) Clarification of Treatment of Weekends.--Section 102(a)(8)(A) 
of such Act (52 U.S.C. 20302(a)(8)(A)) is amended by striking ``the 
election;'' and inserting the following: ``the election (or, if the 
45th day preceding the election is a weekend or legal public holiday, 
not later than the most recent weekday which precedes such 45th day and 
which is not a legal public holiday, but only if the request is 
received by at least such most recent weekday);''.

SEC. 1704. USE OF SINGLE ABSENTEE BALLOT APPLICATION FOR SUBSEQUENT 
              ELECTIONS.

    (a) In General.--Section 104 of the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens 
Absentee Voting Act (52 U.S.C. 20306) is amended to read as follows:

``SEC. 104. USE OF SINGLE APPLICATION FOR SUBSEQUENT ELECTIONS.

    ``(a) In General.--If a State accepts and processes an official 
post card form (prescribed under section 101) submitted by an absent 
uniformed services voter or overseas voter for simultaneous voter 
registration and absentee ballot application (in accordance with 
section 102(a)(4)) and the voter requests that the application be 
considered an application for an absentee ballot for each subsequent 
election for Federal office held in the State through the next 
regularly scheduled general election for Federal office (including any 
runoff elections which may occur as a result of the outcome of such 
general election), the State shall provide an absentee ballot to the 
voter for each such subsequent election.
    ``(b) Exception for Voters Changing Registration.--Subsection (a) 
shall not apply with respect to a voter registered to vote in a State 
for any election held after the voter notifies the State that the voter 
no longer wishes to be registered to vote in the State or after the 
State determines that the voter has registered to vote in another State 
or is otherwise no longer eligible to vote in the State.
    ``(c) Prohibition of Refusal of Application on Grounds of Early 
Submission.--A State may not refuse to accept or to process, with 
respect to any election for Federal office, any otherwise valid voter 
registration application or absentee ballot application (including the 
postcard form prescribed under section 101) submitted by an absent 
uniformed services voter or overseas voter on the grounds that the 
voter submitted the application before the first date on which the 
State otherwise accepts or processes such applications for that 
election which are submitted by absentee voters who are not members of 
the uniformed services or overseas citizens.''.
    (b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a) shall 
apply with respect to voter registration and absentee ballot 
applications which are submitted to a State or local election official 
on or after the date of the enactment of this Act.

SEC. 1705. EFFECTIVE DATE.

    The amendments made by this subtitle shall apply with respect to 
elections occurring on or after January 1, 2020.

            Subtitle K--Poll Worker Recruitment and Training

SEC. 1801. [RESERVED].

SEC. 1802. GRANTS TO STATES FOR POLL WORKER RECRUITMENT AND TRAINING.

    (a) Grants by Election Assistance Commission.--
            (1) In general.--The Election Assistance Commission 
        (hereafter referred to as the ``Commission'') shall make a 
        grant to each eligible State for recruiting and training 
        individuals to serve as poll workers on dates of elections for 
        public office.
            (2) Use of commission materials.--In carrying out 
        activities with a grant provided under this section, the 
        recipient of the grant shall use the manual prepared by the 
        Commission on successful practices for poll worker recruiting, 
        training and retention as an interactive training tool, and 
        shall develop training programs with the participation and 
        input of experts in adult learning.
    (b) Requirements for Eligibility.--
            (1) Application.--Each State that desires to receive a 
        payment under this section shall submit an application for the 
        payment to the Commission at such time and in such manner and 
        containing such information as the Commission shall require.
            (2) Contents of application.--Each application submitted 
        under paragraph (1) shall--
                    (A) describe the activities for which assistance 
                under this section is sought;
                    (B) provide assurances that the funds provided 
                under this section will be used to supplement and not 
                supplant other funds used to carry out the activities;
                    (C) provide assurances that the State will furnish 
                the Commission with information on the number of 
                individuals who served as poll workers after 
                recruitment and training with the funds provided under 
                this section; and
                    (D) provide such additional information and 
                certifications as the Commission determines to be 
                essential to ensure compliance with the requirements of 
                this section.
    (c) Amount of Grant.--
            (1) In general.--The amount of a grant made to a State 
        under this section shall be equal to the product of--
                    (A) the aggregate amount made available for grants 
                to States under this section; and
                    (B) the voting age population percentage for the 
                State.
            (2) Voting age population percentage defined.--In paragraph 
        (1), the ``voting age population percentage'' for a State is 
        the quotient of--
                    (A) the voting age population of the State (as 
                determined on the basis of the most recent information 
                available from the Bureau of the Census); and
                    (B) the total voting age population of all States 
                (as determined on the basis of the most recent 
                information available from the Bureau of the Census).
    (d) Reports to Congress.--
            (1) Reports by recipients of grants.--Not later than 6 
        months after the date on which the final grant is made under 
        this section, each recipient of a grant shall submit a report 
        to the Commission on the activities conducted with the funds 
        provided by the grant.
            (2) Reports by commission.--Not later than 1 year after the 
        date on which the final grant is made under this section, the 
        Commission shall submit a report to Congress on the grants made 
        under this section and the activities carried out by recipients 
        with the grants, and shall include in the report such 
        recommendations as the Commission considers appropriate.
    (e) Funding.--
            (1) Continuing availability of amount appropriated.--Any 
        amount appropriated to carry out this section shall remain 
        available without fiscal year limitation until expended.
            (2) Administrative expenses.--Of the amount appropriated 
        for any fiscal year to carry out this section, not more than 3 
        percent shall be available for administrative expenses of the 
        Commission.

SEC. 1803. STATE DEFINED.

    In this subtitle, the term ``State'' includes the District of 
Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the 
United States Virgin Islands, and the Commonwealth of the Northern 
Mariana Islands.

                 Subtitle L--Enhancement of Enforcement

SEC. 1811. ENHANCEMENT OF ENFORCEMENT OF HELP AMERICA VOTE ACT OF 2002.

    (a) Complaints; Availability of Private Right of Action.--Section 
401 of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C. 21111) is amended--
            (1) by striking ``The Attorney General'' and inserting 
        ``(a) In General.--The Attorney General''; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following new subsections:
    ``(b) Filing of Complaints by Aggrieved Persons.--
            ``(1) In general.--A person who is aggrieved by a violation 
        of title III which has occurred, is occurring, or is about to 
        occur may file a written, signed, notarized complaint with the 
        Attorney General describing the violation and requesting the 
        Attorney General to take appropriate action under this section. 
        The Attorney General shall immediately provide a copy of a 
        complaint filed under the previous sentence to the entity 
        responsible for administering the State-based administrative 
        complaint procedures described in section 402(a) for the State 
        involved.
            ``(2) Response by attorney general.--The Attorney General 
        shall respond to each complaint filed under paragraph (1), in 
        accordance with procedures established by the Attorney General 
        that require responses and determinations to be made within the 
        same (or shorter) deadlines which apply to a State under the 
        State-based administrative complaint procedures described in 
        section 402(a)(2). The Attorney General shall immediately 
        provide a copy of the response made under the previous sentence 
        to the entity responsible for administering the State-based 
        administrative complaint procedures described in section 402(a) 
        for the State involved.
    ``(c) Availability of Private Right of Action.--Any person who is 
authorized to file a complaint under subsection (b)(1) (including any 
individual who seeks to enforce the individual's right to a voter-
verified paper ballot, the right to have the voter-verified paper 
ballot counted in accordance with this Act, or any other right under 
title III) may file an action under section 1979 of the Revised 
Statutes of the United States (42 U.S.C. 1983) to enforce the uniform 
and nondiscriminatory election technology and administration 
requirements under subtitle A of title III.
    ``(d) No Effect on State Procedures.--Nothing in this section may 
be construed to affect the availability of the State-based 
administrative complaint procedures required under section 402 to any 
person filing a complaint under this subsection.''.
    (b) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall 
apply with respect to violations occurring with respect to elections 
for Federal office held in 2020 or any succeeding year.

                 Subtitle M--Federal Election Integrity

SEC. 1821. PROHIBITION ON CAMPAIGN ACTIVITIES BY CHIEF STATE ELECTION 
              ADMINISTRATION OFFICIALS.

    (a) In General.--Title III of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 
1971 (52 U.S.C. 30101 et seq.) is amended by inserting after section 
319 the following new section:

 ``campaign activities by chief state election administration officials

    ``Sec. 319A.  (a) Prohibition.--It shall be unlawful for a chief 
State election administration official to take an active part in 
political management or in a political campaign with respect to any 
election for Federal office over which such official has supervisory 
authority.
    ``(b) Chief State Election Administration Official.--The term 
`chief State election administration official' means the highest State 
official with responsibility for the administration of Federal 
elections under State law.
    ``(c) Active Part in Political Management or in a Political 
Campaign.--The term `active part in political management or in a 
political campaign' means--
            ``(1) serving as a member of an authorized committee of a 
        candidate for Federal office;
            ``(2) the use of official authority or influence for the 
        purpose of interfering with or affecting the result of an 
        election for Federal office;
            ``(3) the solicitation, acceptance, or receipt of a 
        contribution from any person on behalf of a candidate for 
        Federal office; and
            ``(4) any other act which would be prohibited under 
        paragraph (2) or (3) of section 7323(b) of title 5, United 
        States Code, if taken by an individual to whom such paragraph 
        applies (other than any prohibition on running for public 
        office).
    ``(d) Exception in Case of Recusal From Administration of Elections 
Involving Official or Immediate Family Member.--
            ``(1) In general.--This section does not apply to a chief 
        State election administration official with respect to an 
        election for Federal office in which the official or an 
        immediate family member of the official is a candidate, but 
        only if--
                    ``(A) such official recuses himself or herself from 
                all of the official's responsibilities for the 
                administration of such election; and
                    ``(B) the official who assumes responsibility for 
                supervising the administration of the election does not 
                report directly to such official.
            ``(2) Immediate family member defined.--In paragraph (1), 
        the term `immediate family member' means, with respect to a 
        candidate, a father, mother, son, daughter, brother, sister, 
        husband, wife, father-in-law, or mother-in-law.''.
    (b) Effective Date.--The amendments made by subsection (a) shall 
apply with respect to elections for Federal office held after December 
2019.

  Subtitle N--Promoting Voter Access Through Election Administration 
                              Improvements

                     PART 1--PROMOTING VOTER ACCESS

SEC. 1901. TREATMENT OF INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION.

    (a) Treatment of Certain Institutions as Voter Registration 
Agencies Under National Voter Registration Act of 1993.--Section 7(a) 
of the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (52 U.S.C. 20506(a)) is 
amended--
            (1) in paragraph (2)--
                    (A) by striking ``and'' at the end of subparagraph 
                (A);
                    (B) by striking the period at the end of 
                subparagraph (B) and inserting ``; and''; and
                    (C) by adding at the end the following new 
                subparagraph:
                    ``(C) each institution of higher education which 
                has a program participation agreement in effect with 
                the Secretary of Education under section 487 of the 
                Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1094), other 
                than an institution which is treated as a contributing 
                agency under the Automatic Voter Registration Act of 
                2019.''; and
            (2) in paragraph (6)(A), by inserting ``or, in the case of 
        an institution of higher education, with each registration of a 
        student for enrollment in a course of study, including 
        enrollment in a program of distance education, as defined in 
        section 103(7) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
        1003(7)),'' after ``assistance,''.
    (b) Responsibilities of Institutions Under Higher Education Act of 
1965.--
            (1) In general.--Section 487(a)(23) of the Higher Education 
        Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1094(a)(23)) is amended to read as 
        follows:
            ``(23)(A)(i) The institution will ensure that an 
        appropriate staff person or office is designated publicly as a 
        `Campus Vote Coordinator' and will ensure that such person's or 
        office's contact information is included on the institution's 
        website.
            ``(ii) Not fewer than twice during each calendar year 
        (beginning with 2020), the Campus Vote Coordinator shall 
        transmit electronically to each student enrolled in the 
        institution (including students enrolled in distance education 
        programs) a message containing the following information:
                    ``(I) Information on the location of polling places 
                in the jurisdiction in which the institution is 
                located, together with information on available methods 
                of transportation to and from such polling places.
                    ``(II) A referral to a government-affiliated 
                website or online platform which provides centralized 
                voter registration information for all States, 
                including access to applicable voter registration forms 
                and information to assist individuals who are not 
                registered to vote in registering to vote.
                    ``(III) Any additional voter registration and 
                voting information the Coordinator considers 
                appropriate, in consultation with the appropriate State 
                election official.
            ``(iii) In addition to transmitting the message described 
        in clause (ii) not fewer than twice during each calendar year, 
        the Campus Vote Coordinator shall transmit the message under 
        such clause not fewer than 30 days prior to the deadline for 
        registering to vote for any election for Federal, State, or 
        local office in the State.
            ``(B) If the institution in its normal course of operations 
        requests each student registering for enrollment in a course of 
        study, including students registering for enrollment in a 
        program of distance education, to affirm whether or not the 
        student is a United States citizen, the institution will comply 
        with the applicable requirements for a contributing agency 
        under the Automatic Voter Registration Act of 2019.
            ``(C) If the institution is not described in subparagraph 
        (B), the institution will comply with the requirements for a 
        voter registration agency in the State in which it is located 
        in accordance with section 7 of the National Voter Registration 
        Act of 1993 (52 U.S.C. 20506).
            ``(D) This paragraph applies only with respect to an 
        institution which is located in a State to which section 4(b) 
        of the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (52 U.S.C. 
        20503(b)) does not apply.''.
            (2) Effective date.--The amendments made by this subsection 
        shall apply with respect to elections held on or after January 
        1, 2020.
    (c) Grants to Institutions Demonstrating Excellence in Student 
Voter Registration.--
            (1) Grants authorized.--The Secretary of Education may 
        award competitive grants to public and private nonprofit 
        institutions of higher education that are subject to the 
        requirements of section 487(a)(23) of the Higher Education Act 
        of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1094(a)(23)), as amended by subsection (a) 
        and that the Secretary determines have demonstrated excellence 
        in registering students to vote in elections for public office 
        beyond meeting the minimum requirements of such section.
            (2) Eligibility.--An institution of higher education is 
        eligible to receive a grant under this subsection if the 
        institution submits to the Secretary of Education, at such time 
        and in such form as the Secretary may require, an application 
        containing such information and assurances as the Secretary may 
        require to make the determination described in paragraph (1), 
        including information and assurances that the institution 
        carried out activities to promote voter registration by 
        students, such as the following:
                    (A) Sponsoring large on-campus voter mobilization 
                efforts.
                    (B) Engaging the surrounding community in 
                nonpartisan voter registration and get out the vote 
                efforts.
                    (C) Creating a website for students with 
                centralized information about voter registration and 
                election dates.
                    (D) Inviting candidates to speak on campus.
                    (E) Offering rides to students to the polls to 
                increase voter education, registration, and 
                mobilization.
            (3) Authorization of appropriations.--There are authorized 
        to be appropriated for fiscal year 2020 and each succeeding 
        fiscal year such sums as may be necessary to award grants under 
        this subsection.
    (d) Sense of Congress Relating to Option of Students to Register in 
Jurisdiction of Institution of Higher Education or Jurisdiction of 
Domicile.--It is the sense of Congress that, as provided under existing 
law, students who attend an institution of higher education and reside 
in the jurisdiction of the institution while attending the institution 
should have the option of registering to vote in elections for Federal 
office in that jurisdiction or in the jurisdiction of their own 
domicile.

SEC. 1902. MINIMUM NOTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS FOR VOTERS AFFECTED BY 
              POLLING PLACE CHANGES.

    (a) Requirements.--Section 302 of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 
(52 U.S.C. 21082), as amended by section 1601(a), is amended--
            (1) by redesignating subsection (f) as subsection (g); and
            (2) by inserting after subsection (e) the following new 
        subsection:
    ``(f) Minimum Notification Requirements for Voters Affected by 
Polling Place Changes.--
            ``(1) In general.--If a State assigns an individual who is 
        a registered voter in a State to a polling place with respect 
        to an election for Federal office which is not the same polling 
        place to which the individual was previously assigned with 
        respect to the most recent election for Federal office in the 
        State in which the individual was eligible to vote--
                    ``(A) the State shall notify the individual of the 
                location of the polling place not later than 7 days 
                before the date of the election; or
                    ``(B) if the State makes such an assignment fewer 
                than 7 days before the date of the election and the 
                individual appears on the date of the election at the 
                polling place to which the individual was previously 
                assigned, the State shall make every reasonable effort 
                to enable the individual to vote on the date of the 
                election.
            ``(2) Effective date.--This subsection shall apply with 
        respect to elections held on or after January 1, 2020.''.
    (b) Conforming Amendment.--Section 302(g) of such Act (52 U.S.C. 
21082(g)), as redesignated by subsection (a) and as amended by section 
1601(b), is amended by striking ``(d)(2) and (e)(2)'' and inserting 
``(d)(2), (e)(2), and (f)(2)''.

SEC. 1903. [RESERVED].

SEC. 1904. PERMITTING USE OF SWORN WRITTEN STATEMENT TO MEET 
              IDENTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS FOR VOTING.

    (a) Permitting Use of Statement.--Title III of the Help America 
Vote Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C. 21081 et seq.) is amended by inserting 
after section 303 the following new section:

``SEC. 303A. PERMITTING USE OF SWORN WRITTEN STATEMENT TO MEET 
              IDENTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS.

    ``(a) Use of Statement.--
            ``(1) In general.--Except as provided in subsection (c), if 
        a State has in effect a requirement that an individual present 
        identification as a condition of receiving and casting a ballot 
        in an election for Federal office, the State shall permit the 
        individual to meet the requirement--
                    ``(A) in the case of an individual who desires to 
                vote in person, by presenting the appropriate State or 
                local election official with a sworn written statement, 
                signed by the individual under penalty of perjury, 
                attesting to the individual's identity and attesting 
                that the individual is eligible to vote in the 
                election; or
                    ``(B) in the case of an individual who desires to 
                vote by mail, by submitting with the ballot the 
                statement described in subparagraph (A).
            ``(2) Development of pre-printed version of statement by 
        commission.--The Commission shall develop a pre-printed version 
        of the statement described in paragraph (1)(A) which includes a 
        blank space for an individual to provide a name and signature 
        for use by election officials in States which are subject to 
        paragraph (1).
            ``(3) Providing pre-printed copy of statement.--A State 
        which is subject to paragraph (1) shall--
                    ``(A) make copies of the pre-printed version of the 
                statement described in paragraph (1)(A) which is 
                prepared by the Commission available at polling places 
                for election officials to distribute to individuals who 
                desire to vote in person; and
                    ``(B) include a copy of such pre-printed version of 
                the statement with each blank absentee or other ballot 
                transmitted to an individual who desires to vote by 
                mail.
    ``(b) Requiring Use of Ballot in Same Manner as Individuals 
Presenting Identification.--An individual who presents or submits a 
sworn written statement in accordance with subsection (a)(1) shall be 
permitted to cast a ballot in the election in the same manner as an 
individual who presents identification.
    ``(c) Exception for First-time Voters Registering by Mail.--
Subsections (a) and (b) do not apply with respect to any individual 
described in paragraph (1) of section 303(b) who is required to meet 
the requirements of paragraph (2) of such section.''.
    (b) Requiring States to Include Information on Use of Sworn Written 
Statement in Voting Information Material Posted at Polling Places.--
Section 302(b)(2) of such Act (52 U.S.C. 21082(b)(2)), as amended by 
section 1072(b) and section 1202(b), is amended--
            (1) by striking ``and'' at the end of subparagraph (G);
            (2) by striking the period at the end of subparagraph (H) 
        and inserting ``; and''; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
                    ``(I) in the case of a State that has in effect a 
                requirement that an individual present identification 
                as a condition of receiving and casting a ballot in an 
                election for Federal office, information on how an 
                individual may meet such requirement by presenting a 
                sworn written statement in accordance with section 
                303A.''.
    (c) Clerical Amendment.--The table of contents of such Act is 
amended by inserting after the item relating to section 303 the 
following new item:

``Sec. 303A. Permitting use of sworn written statement to meet 
                            identification requirements.''.
    (e) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall 
apply with respect to elections occurring on or after the date of the 
enactment of this Act.

SEC. 1905. [RESERVED].

SEC. 1906. REIMBURSEMENT FOR COSTS INCURRED BY STATES IN ESTABLISHING 
              PROGRAM TO TRACK AND CONFIRM RECEIPT OF ABSENTEE BALLOTS.

    (a) Reimbursement.--Subtitle D of title II of the Help America Vote 
Act of 2002 (42 U.S.C. 15401 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end 
the following new part:

     ``PART 7--PAYMENTS TO REIMBURSE STATES FOR COSTS INCURRED IN 
 ESTABLISHING PROGRAM TO TRACK AND CONFIRM RECEIPT OF ABSENTEE BALLOTS

``SEC. 297. PAYMENTS TO STATES.

    ``(a) Payments For Costs of Establishing Program.--In accordance 
with this section, the Commission shall make a payment to a State to 
reimburse the State for the costs incurred in establishing, if the 
State so chooses to establish, an absentee ballot tracking program with 
respect to elections for Federal office held in the State (including 
costs incurred prior to the date of the enactment of this part).
    ``(b) Absentee Ballot Tracking Program Described.--
            ``(1) Program described.--
                    ``(A) In general.--In this part, an `absentee 
                ballot tracking program' is a program to track and 
                confirm the receipt of absentee ballots in an election 
                for Federal office under which the State or local 
                election official responsible for the receipt of voted 
                absentee ballots in the election carries out procedures 
                to track and confirm the receipt of such ballots, and 
                makes information on the receipt of such ballots 
                available to the individual who cast the ballot, by 
                means of online access using the Internet site of the 
                official's office.
                    ``(B) Information on whether vote was counted.--The 
                information referred to under subparagraph (A) with 
                respect to the receipt of an absentee ballot shall 
                include information regarding whether the vote cast on 
                the ballot was counted, and, in the case of a vote 
                which was not counted, the reasons therefor.
            ``(2) Use of toll-free telephone number by officials 
        without internet site.--A program established by a State or 
        local election official whose office does not have an Internet 
        site may meet the description of a program under paragraph (1) 
        if the official has established a toll-free telephone number 
        that may be used by an individual who cast an absentee ballot 
        to obtain the information on the receipt of the voted absentee 
        ballot as provided under such paragraph.
    ``(c) Certification of Compliance and Costs.--
            ``(1) Certification required.--In order to receive a 
        payment under this section, a State shall submit to the 
        Commission a statement containing--
                    ``(A) a certification that the State has 
                established an absentee ballot tracking program with 
                respect to elections for Federal office held in the 
                State; and
                    ``(B) a statement of the costs incurred by the 
                State in establishing the program.
            ``(2) Amount of payment.--The amount of a payment made to a 
        State under this section shall be equal to the costs incurred 
        by the State in establishing the absentee ballot tracking 
        program, as set forth in the statement submitted under 
        paragraph (1), except that such amount may not exceed the 
        product of--
                    ``(A) the number of jurisdictions in the State 
                which are responsible for operating the program; and
                    ``(B) $3,000.
            ``(3) Limit on number of payments received.--A State may 
        not receive more than one payment under this part.

``SEC. 297A. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    ``(a) Authorization.--There are authorized to be appropriated to 
the Commission for fiscal year 2020 and each succeeding fiscal year 
such sums as may be necessary for payments under this part.
    ``(b) Continuing Availability of Funds.--Any amounts appropriated 
pursuant to the authorization under this section shall remain available 
until expended.''.
    (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of contents of such Act is 
amended by adding at the end of the items relating to subtitle D of 
title II the following:

     ``Part 7--Payments to Reimburse States for Costs Incurred in 
 Establishing Program to Track and Confirm Receipt of Absentee Ballots

``Sec. 297. Payments to States.
``Sec. 297A. Authorization of appropriations.''.

SEC. 1907. VOTER INFORMATION RESPONSE SYSTEMS AND HOTLINE.

    (a) Establishment and Operation of Systems and Services.--
            (1) State-based response systems.--The Attorney General 
        shall coordinate the establishment of a State-based response 
        system for responding to questions and complaints from 
        individuals voting or seeking to vote, or registering to vote 
        or seeking to register to vote, in elections for Federal 
        office. Such system shall provide--
                    (A) State-specific, same-day, and immediate 
                assistance to such individuals, including information 
                on how to register to vote, the location and hours of 
                operation of polling places, and how to obtain absentee 
                ballots; and
                    (B) State-specific, same-day, and immediate 
                assistance to individuals encountering problems with 
                registering to vote or voting, including individuals 
                encountering intimidation or deceptive practices.
            (2) Hotline.--The Attorney General, in consultation with 
        State election officials, shall establish and operate a toll-
        free telephone service, using a telephone number that is 
        accessible throughout the United States and that uses easily 
        identifiable numerals, through which individuals throughout the 
        United States--
                    (A) may connect directly to the State-based 
                response system described in paragraph (1) with respect 
                to the State involved;
                    (B) may obtain information on voting in elections 
                for Federal office, including information on how to 
                register to vote in such elections, the locations and 
                hours of operation of polling places, and how to obtain 
                absentee ballots; and
                    (C) may report information to the Attorney General 
                on problems encountered in registering to vote or 
                voting, including incidences of voter intimidation or 
                suppression.
            (3) Collaboration with state and local election 
        officials.--
                    (A) Collection of information from states.--The 
                Attorney General shall coordinate the collection of 
                information on State and local election laws and 
                policies, including information on the Statewide 
                computerized voter registration lists maintained under 
                title III of the Help America Vote Act of 2002, so that 
                individuals who contact the free telephone service 
                established under paragraph (2) on the date of an 
                election for Federal office may receive an immediate 
                response on that day.
                    (B) Forwarding questions and complaints to 
                states.--If an individual contacts the free telephone 
                service established under paragraph (2) on the date of 
                an election for Federal office with a question or 
                complaint with respect to a particular State or 
                jurisdiction within a State, the Attorney General shall 
                forward the question or complaint immediately to the 
                appropriate election official of the State or 
                jurisdiction so that the official may answer the 
                question or remedy the complaint on that date.
            (4) Consultation requirements for development of systems 
        and services.--The Attorney General shall ensure that the 
        State-based response system under paragraph (1) and the free 
        telephone service under paragraph (2) are each developed in 
        consultation with civil rights organizations, voting rights 
        groups, State and local election officials, voter protection 
        groups, and other interested community organizations, 
        especially those that have experience in the operation of 
        similar systems and services.
    (b) Use of Service by Individuals With Disabilities and Individuals 
With Limited English Language Proficiency.--The Attorney General shall 
design and operate the telephone service established under this section 
in a manner that ensures that individuals with disabilities are fully 
able to use the service, and that assistance is provided in any 
language in which the State (or any jurisdiction in the State) is 
required to provide election materials under section 203 of the Voting 
Rights Act of 1965..
    (c) Voter Hotline Task Force.--
            (1) Appointment by attorney general.--The Attorney General 
        shall appoint individuals (in such number as the Attorney 
        General considers appropriate but in no event fewer than 3) to 
        serve on a Voter Hotline Task Force to provide ongoing analysis 
        and assessment of the operation of the telephone service 
        established under this section, and shall give special 
        consideration in making appointments to the Task Force to 
        individuals who represent civil rights organizations. At least 
        one member of the Task Force shall be a representative of an 
        organization promoting voting rights or civil rights which has 
        experience in the operation of similar telephone services or in 
        protecting the rights of individuals to vote, especially 
        individuals who are members of racial, ethnic, or linguistic 
        minorities or of communities who have been adversely affected 
        by efforts to suppress voting rights.
            (2) Eligibility.--An individual shall be eligible to serve 
        on the Task Force under this subsection if the individual meets 
        such criteria as the Attorney General may establish, except 
        that an individual may not serve on the task force if the 
        individual has been convicted of any criminal offense relating 
        to voter intimidation or voter suppression.
            (3) Term of service.--An individual appointed to the Task 
        Force shall serve a single term of 2 years, except that the 
        initial terms of the members first appointed to the Task Force 
        shall be staggered so that there are at least 3 individuals 
        serving on the Task Force during each year. A vacancy in the 
        membership of the Task Force shall be filled in the same manner 
        as the original appointment.
            (4) No compensation for service.--Members of the Task Force 
        shall serve without pay, but shall receive travel expenses, 
        including per diem in lieu of subsistence, in accordance with 
        applicable provisions under subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 
        5, United States Code.
    (d) Bi-Annual Report to Congress.--Not later than March 1 of each 
odd-numbered year, the Attorney General shall submit a report to 
Congress on the operation of the telephone service established under 
this section during the previous 2 years, and shall include in the 
report--
            (1) an enumeration of the number and type of calls that 
        were received by the service;
            (2) a compilation and description of the reports made to 
        the service by individuals citing instances of voter 
        intimidation or suppression;
            (3) an assessment of the effectiveness of the service in 
        making information available to all households in the United 
        States with telephone service;
            (4) any recommendations developed by the Task Force 
        established under subsection (c) with respect to how voting 
        systems may be maintained or upgraded to better accommodate 
        voters and better ensure the integrity of elections, including 
        but not limited to identifying how to eliminate coordinated 
        voter suppression efforts and how to establish effective 
        mechanisms for distributing updates on changes to voting 
        requirements; and
            (5) any recommendations on best practices for the State-
        based response systems established under subsection (a)(1).
    (e) Authorization of Appropriations.--
            (1) Authorization.--There are authorized to be appropriated 
        to the Attorney General for fiscal year 2019 and each 
        succeeding fiscal year such sums as may be necessary to carry 
        out this section.
            (2) Set-aside for outreach.--Of the amounts appropriated to 
        carry out this section for a fiscal year pursuant to the 
        authorization under paragraph (1), not less than 15 percent 
        shall be used for outreach activities to make the public aware 
        of the availability of the telephone service established under 
        this section, with an emphasis on outreach to individuals with 
        disabilities and individuals with limited proficiency in the 
        English language.

  PART 2--IMPROVEMENTS IN OPERATION OF ELECTION ASSISTANCE COMMISSION

SEC. 1911. REAUTHORIZATION OF ELECTION ASSISTANCE COMMISSION.

    Section 210 of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C. 20930) 
is amended--
            (1) by striking ``for each of the fiscal years 2003 through 
        2005'' and inserting ``for fiscal year 2019 and each succeeding 
        fiscal year''; and
            (2) by striking ``(but not to exceed $10,000,000 for each 
        such year)''.

SEC. 1913. REQUIRING STATES TO PARTICIPATE IN POST-GENERAL ELECTION 
              SURVEYS.

    (a) Requirement.--Title III of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 
(52 U.S.C. 21081 et seq.), as amended by section 1904(a), is further 
amended by inserting after section 303A the following new section:

``SEC. 303B. REQUIRING PARTICIPATION IN POST-GENERAL ELECTION SURVEYS.

    ``(a) Requirement.--Each State shall furnish to the Commission such 
information as the Commission may request for purposes of conducting 
any post-election survey of the States with respect to the 
administration of a regularly scheduled general election for Federal 
office.
    ``(b) Effective Date.--This section shall apply with respect to the 
regularly scheduled general election for Federal office held in 
November 2020 and any succeeding election.''.
    (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of contents of such Act, as 
amended by section 1904(c), is further amended by inserting after the 
item relating to section 303A the following new item:

``Sec. 303B. Requiring participation in post-general election 
                            surveys.''.

SEC. 1914. REPORTS BY NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY ON 
              USE OF FUNDS TRANSFERRED FROM ELECTION ASSISTANCE 
              COMMISSION.

    (a) Requiring Reports on Use Funds as Condition of Receipt.--
Section 231 of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C. 20971) is 
amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:
    ``(e) Report on Use of Funds Transferred From Commission.--To the 
extent that funds are transferred from the Commission to the Director 
of the National Institute of Standards and Technology for purposes of 
carrying out this section during any fiscal year, the Director may not 
use such funds unless the Director certifies at the time of transfer 
that the Director will submit a report to the Commission not later than 
90 days after the end of the fiscal year detailing how the Director 
used such funds during the year.''.
    (b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a) shall 
apply with respect to fiscal year 2020 and each succeeding fiscal year.

SEC. 1915. RECOMMENDATIONS TO IMPROVE OPERATIONS OF ELECTION ASSISTANCE 
              COMMISSION.

    (a) Assessment of Information Technology and Cybersecurity.--Not 
later than December 31, 2019, the Election Assistance Commission shall 
carry out an assessment of the security and effectiveness of the 
Commission's information technology systems, including the 
cybersecurity of such systems.
    (b) Improvements to Administrative Complaint Procedures.--
            (1) Review of procedures.--The Election Assistance 
        Commission shall carry out a review of the effectiveness and 
        efficiency of the State-based administrative complaint 
        procedures established and maintained under section 402 of the 
        Help America Vote Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C. 21112) for the 
        investigation and resolution of allegations of violations of 
        title III of such Act.
            (2) Recommendations to streamline procedures.--Not later 
        than December 31, 2019, the Commission shall submit to Congress 
        a report on the review carried out under paragraph (1), and 
        shall include in the report such recommendations as the 
        Commission considers appropriate to streamline and improve the 
        procedures which are the subject of the review.

SEC. 1916. REPEAL OF EXEMPTION OF ELECTION ASSISTANCE COMMISSION FROM 
              CERTAIN GOVERNMENT CONTRACTING REQUIREMENTS.

    (a) In General.--Section 205 of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 
(52 U.S.C. 20925) is amended by striking subsection (e).
    (b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a) shall 
apply with respect to contracts entered into by the Election Assistance 
Commission on or after the date of the enactment of this Act.

                    PART 3--MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

SEC. 1921. APPLICATION OF LAWS TO COMMONWEALTH OF NORTHERN MARIANA 
              ISLANDS.

    (a) National Voter Registration Act of 1993.--Section 3(4) of the 
National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (52 U.S.C. 20502(4)) is amended 
by striking ``States and the District of Columbia'' and inserting 
``States, the District of Columbia, and the Commonwealth of the 
Northern Mariana Islands''.
    (b) Help America Vote Act of 2002.--
            (1) Coverage of commonwealth of the northern mariana 
        islands.--Section 901 of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (52 
        U.S.C. 21141) is amended by striking ``and the United States 
        Virgin Islands'' and inserting ``the United States Virgin 
        Islands, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana 
        Islands''.
            (2) Conforming amendments to help america vote act of 
        2002.--Such Act is further amended as follows:
                    (A) The second sentence of section 213(a)(2) (52 
                U.S.C. 20943(a)(2)) is amended by striking ``and 
                American Samoa'' and inserting ``American Samoa, and 
                the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands''.
                    (B) Section 252(c)(2) (52 U.S.C. 21002(c)(2)) is 
                amended by striking ``or the United States Virgin 
                Islands'' and inserting ``the United States Virgin 
                Islands, or the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana 
                Islands''.
            (3) Conforming amendment relating to consultation of help 
        america vote foundation with local election officials.--Section 
        90102(c) of title 36, United States Code, is amended by 
        striking ``and the United States Virgin Islands'' and inserting 
        ``the United States Virgin Islands, and the Commonwealth of the 
        Northern Mariana Islands''.
            (4) Effective date.--The amendments made by this subsection 
        shall apply with respect to fiscal years beginning with the 
        first fiscal year which begins after funds are appropriated to 
        the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands pursuant to 
        the payment under section 2.

SEC. 1922. NO EFFECT ON OTHER LAWS.

    (a) In General.--Except as specifically provided, nothing in this 
title may be construed to authorize or require conduct prohibited under 
any of the following laws, or to supersede, restrict, or limit the 
application of such laws:
            (1) The Voting Rights Act of 1965 (52 U.S.C. 10301 et 
        seq.).
            (2) The Voting Accessibility for the Elderly and 
        Handicapped Act (52 U.S.C. 20101 et seq.).
            (3) The Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act 
        (52 U.S.C. 20301 et seq.).
            (4) The National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (52 U.S.C. 
        20501 et seq.).
            (5) The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 
        12101 et seq.).
            (6) The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 701 et seq.).
    (b) No Effect on Preclearance or Other Requirements Under Voting 
Rights Act.--The approval by any person of a payment or grant 
application under this title, or any other action taken by any person 
under this title, shall not be considered to have any effect on 
requirements for preclearance under section 5 of the Voting Rights Act 
of 1965 (52 U.S.C. 10304) or any other requirements of such Act.
    (c) No Effect on Authority of States to Provide Greater 
Opportunities for Voting.--Nothing in this title or the amendments made 
by this title may be construed to prohibit any State from enacting any 
law which provides greater opportunities for individuals to register to 
vote and to vote in elections for Federal office than are provided by 
this title and the amendments made by this title.

                        Subtitle O--Severability

SEC. 1931. SEVERABILITY.

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

                      TITLE II--ELECTION INTEGRITY

                         Subtitle A--[Reserved]

                         Subtitle B--[Reserved]

                         Subtitle C--[Reserved]

                         Subtitle D--[Reserved]

                         Subtitle E--[Reserved]

         Subtitle F--Saving Eligible Voters From Voter Purging

Sec. 2501. Short title.
Sec. 2502. Conditions for removal of voters from list of registered 
                            voters.

    Subtitle G--No Effect on Authority of States to Provide Greater 
                        Opportunities for Voting

Sec. 2601. No effect on authority of States to provide greater 
                            opportunities for voting.

                        Subtitle H--Severability

Sec. 2701. Severability.

                         Subtitle A--[Reserved]

                         Subtitle B--[Reserved]

                         Subtitle C--[Reserved]

                         Subtitle D--[Reserved]

                         Subtitle E--[Reserved]

         Subtitle F--Saving Eligible Voters From Voter Purging

SEC. 2501. SHORT TITLE.

    This subtitle may be cited as the ``Stop Automatically Voiding 
Eligible Voters Off Their Enlisted Rolls in States Act'' or the ``Save 
Voters Act''.

SEC. 2502. CONDITIONS FOR REMOVAL OF VOTERS FROM LIST OF REGISTERED 
              VOTERS.

    (a) Conditions Described.--The National Voter Registration Act of 
1993 (52 U.S.C. 20501 et seq.) is amended by inserting after section 8 
the following new section:

``SEC. 8A. CONDITIONS FOR REMOVAL OF VOTERS FROM OFFICIAL LIST OF 
              REGISTERED VOTERS.

    ``(a) Verification on Basis of Objective and Reliable Evidence of 
Ineligibility.--
            ``(1) Requiring verification.--Notwithstanding any other 
        provision of this Act, a State may not remove the name of any 
        registrant from the official list of voters eligible to vote in 
        elections for Federal office in the State unless the State 
        verifies, on the basis of objective and reliable evidence, that 
        the registrant is ineligible to vote in such elections.
            ``(2) Factors not considered as objective and reliable 
        evidence of ineligibility.--For purposes of paragraph (2), the 
        following factors, or any combination thereof, shall not be 
        treated as objective and reliable evidence of a registrant's 
        ineligibility to vote:
                    ``(A) The failure of the registrant to vote in any 
                election.
                    ``(B) The failure of the registrant to respond to 
                any notice sent under section 8(d), unless the notice 
                has been returned as undeliverable.
                    ``(C) The failure of the registrant to take any 
                other action with respect to voting in any election or 
                with respect to the registrant's status as a 
                registrant.
    ``(b) Notice After Removal.--
            ``(1) Notice to individual removed.--
                    ``(A) In general.--Not later than 48 hours after a 
                State removes the name of a registrant from the 
                official list of eligible voters for any reason (other 
                than the death of the registrant), the State shall send 
                notice of the removal to the former registrant, and 
                shall include in the notice the grounds for the removal 
                and information how the former registrant may contest 
                the removal, including a telephone number for the 
                appropriate election official., and how to contest the 
                removal or be reinstated, including a contact phone 
                number.
                    ``(B) Exceptions.--Subparagraph (A) does not apply 
                in the case of a registrant--
                            ``(i) who sends written confirmation to the 
                        State that the registrant is no longer eligible 
                        to vote in the registrar's jurisdiction in 
                        which the registrant was registered; or
                            ``(ii) who is removed from the official 
                        list of eligible voters by reason of the death 
                        of the registrant.
            ``(2) Public notice.--Not later than 48 hours after 
        conducting any general program to remove the names of 
        ineligible voters from the official list of eligible voters (as 
        described in section 8(a)(4)), the State shall disseminate a 
        public notice through such methods as may be reasonable to 
        reach the general public (including by publishing the notice in 
        a newspaper of wide circulation or posting the notice on the 
        websites of the appropriate election officials) that list 
        maintenance is taking place and that registrants should check 
        their registration status to ensure no errors or mistakes have 
        been made. The State shall ensure that the public notice 
        disseminated under this paragraph is in a format that is 
        reasonably convenient and accessible to voters with 
        disabilities, including voters who have low vision or are 
        blind.''.
    (b) Conditions for Transmission of Notices of Removal.--Section 
8(d) of such Act (52 U.S.C. 20507(d)) is amended by adding at the end 
the following new paragraph:
            ``(4) A State may not transmit a notice to a registrant 
        under this subsection unless the State obtains objective and 
        reliable evidence (in accordance with the standards for such 
        evidence which are described in section 8A(a)(2)) that the 
        registrant has changed residence to a place outside the 
        registrar's jurisdiction in which the registrant is 
        registered.''.
    (c) Conforming Amendments.--
            (1) National voter registration act of 1993.--Section 8(a) 
        of such Act (52 U.S.C. 20507(a)) is amended--
                    (A) in paragraph (3), by striking ``provide'' and 
                inserting ``subject to section 8A, provide''; and
                    (B) in paragraph (4), by striking ``conduct'' and 
                inserting ``subject to section 8A, conduct''.
            (2) Help america vote act of 2002.--Section 303(a)(4)(A) of 
        the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C. 21083(a)(4)(A)) is 
        amended by striking ``, registrants'' and inserting ``, and 
        subject to section 8A of such Act, registrants''.
    (d) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall take 
effect on the date of the enactment of this Act.

    Subtitle G--No Effect on Authority of States to Provide Greater 
                        Opportunities for Voting

SEC. 2601. NO EFFECT ON AUTHORITY OF STATES TO PROVIDE GREATER 
              OPPORTUNITIES FOR VOTING.

    Nothing in this title or the amendments made by this title may be 
construed to prohibit any State from enacting any law which provides 
greater opportunities for individuals to register to vote and to vote 
in elections for Federal office than are provided by this title and the 
amendments made by this title.

                        Subtitle H--Severability

SEC. 2701. SEVERABILITY.

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

                      TITLE III--ELECTION SECURITY

Sec. 3000. Short title; sense of Congress.

       Subtitle A--Financial Support for Election Infrastructure

           Part 1--Voting System Security Improvement Grants

Sec. 3001. Grants for obtaining compliant paper ballot voting systems 
                            and carrying out voting system security 
                            improvements.
Sec. 3002. Coordination of voting system security activities with use 
                            of requirements payments and election 
                            administration requirements under Help 
                            America Vote Act of 2002.
Sec. 3003. Incorporation of definitions.

    Part 2--Grants for Risk-limiting Audits of Results of Elections

Sec. 3011. Grants to States for conducting risk-limiting audits of 
                            results of elections.
Sec. 3012. GAO analysis of effects of audits.

                           Part 3--[Reserved]

                     Subtitle B--Security Measures

Sec. 3101. Election infrastructure designation.
Sec. 3102. Timely threat information.
Sec. 3103. Security clearance assistance for election officials.
Sec. 3104. Security risk and vulnerability assessments.
Sec. 3105. Annual reports.

    Subtitle C--Enhancing Protections for United States Democratic 
                              Institutions

Sec. 3201. National strategy to protect United States democratic 
                            institutions.
Sec. 3202. National Commission to Protect United States Democratic 
                            Institutions.

 Subtitle D--Promoting Cybersecurity Through Improvements in Election 
                             Administration

Sec. 3301. Testing of existing voting systems to ensure compliance with 
                            election cybersecurity guidelines and other 
                            guidelines.
Sec. 3302. Treatment of electronic poll books as part of voting 
                            systems.
Sec. 3303. Pre-election reports on voting system usage.
Sec. 3304. Streamlining collection of election information.

                Subtitle E--Preventing Election Hacking

Sec. 3401. Short title.
Sec. 3402. Election Security Bug Bounty Program.
Sec. 3403. Definitions.

                  Subtitle F--Miscellaneous Provisions

Sec. 3501. Definitions.
Sec. 3502. Initial report on adequacy of resources available for 
                            implementation.

                        Subtitle G--Severability

Sec. 3601. Severability.

SEC. 3000. SHORT TITLE; SENSE OF CONGRESS.

    (a) Short Title.--This title may be cited as the ``Election 
Security Act''.
    (b) Sense of Congress on Need to Improve Election Infrastructure 
Security.--It is the sense of Congress that, in light of the lessons 
learned from Russian interference in the 2016 Presidential election, 
the Federal Government should intensify its efforts to improve the 
security of election infrastructure in the United States, including 
through the use of individual, durable, paper ballots marked by the 
voter by hand.

       Subtitle A--Financial Support for Election Infrastructure

           PART 1--VOTING SYSTEM SECURITY IMPROVEMENT GRANTS

SEC. 3001. GRANTS FOR OBTAINING COMPLIANT PAPER BALLOT VOTING SYSTEMS 
              AND CARRYING OUT VOTING SYSTEM SECURITY IMPROVEMENTS.

    (a) Availability of Grants.--Subtitle D of title II of the Help 
America Vote Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C. 21001 et seq.), as amended by 
section 1906(a), is amended by adding at the end the following new 
part:

 ``PART 8--GRANTS FOR OBTAINING COMPLIANT PAPER BALLOT VOTING SYSTEMS 
          AND CARRYING OUT VOTING SYSTEM SECURITY IMPROVEMENTS

``SEC. 298. GRANTS FOR OBTAINING COMPLIANT PAPER BALLOT VOTING SYSTEMS 
              AND CARRYING OUT VOTING SYSTEM SECURITY IMPROVEMENTS.

    ``(a) Availability and Use of Grant.--The Commission shall make a 
grant to each eligible State--
            ``(1) to replace a voting system--
                    ``(A) which does not meet the requirements which 
                are first imposed on the State pursuant to the 
                amendments made by the Voter Confidence and Increased 
                Accessibility Act of 2019 with a voting system which 
                does meet such requirements, for use in the regularly 
                scheduled general elections for Federal office held in 
                November 2020, or
                    ``(B) which does meet such requirements but which 
                is not in compliance with the most recent voluntary 
                voting system guidelines issued by the Commission prior 
                to the regularly scheduled general election for Federal 
                office held in November 2020 with another system which 
                does meet such requirements and is in compliance with 
                such guidelines; and
            ``(2) to carry out voting system security improvements 
        described in section 298A with respect to the regularly 
        scheduled general elections for Federal office held in November 
        2020 and each succeeding election for Federal office.
    ``(b) Amount of Grant.--The amount of a grant made to a State under 
this section shall be such amount as the Commission determines to be 
appropriate, except that such amount may not be less than the product 
of $1 and the average of the number of individuals who cast votes in 
any of the two most recent regularly scheduled general elections for 
Federal office held in the State.
    ``(c) Pro Rata Reductions.--If the amount of funds appropriated for 
grants under this part is insufficient to ensure that each State 
receives the amount of the grant calculated under subsection (b), the 
Commission shall make such pro rata reductions in such amounts as may 
be necessary to ensure that the entire amount appropriated under this 
part is distributed to the States.
    ``(d) Ability of Replacement Systems to Administer Ranked Choice 
Elections.--To the greatest extent practicable, an eligible State which 
receives a grant to replace a voting system under this section shall 
ensure that the replacement system is capable of administering a system 
of ranked choice voting under which each voter shall rank the 
candidates for the office in the order of the voter's preference.

``SEC. 298A. VOTING SYSTEM SECURITY IMPROVEMENTS DESCRIBED.

    ``(a) Permitted Uses.--A voting system security improvement 
described in this section is any of the following:
            ``(1) The acquisition of goods and services from qualified 
        election infrastructure vendors by purchase, lease, or such 
        other arrangements as may be appropriate.
            ``(2) Cyber and risk mitigation training.
            ``(3) A security risk and vulnerability assessment of the 
        State's election infrastructure which is carried out by a 
        provider of cybersecurity services under a contract entered 
        into between the chief State election official and the 
        provider.
            ``(4) The maintenance of election infrastructure, including 
        addressing risks and vulnerabilities which are identified under 
        either of the security risk and vulnerability assessments 
        described in paragraph (3), except that none of the funds 
        provided under this part may be used to renovate or replace a 
        building or facility which is used primarily for purposes other 
        than the administration of elections for public office.
            ``(5) Providing increased technical support for any 
        information technology infrastructure that the chief State 
        election official deems to be part of the State's election 
        infrastructure or designates as critical to the operation of 
        the State's election infrastructure.
            ``(6) Enhancing the cybersecurity and operations of the 
        information technology infrastructure described in paragraph 
        (4).
            ``(7) Enhancing the cybersecurity of voter registration 
        systems.
    ``(b) Qualified Election Infrastructure Vendors Described.--
            ``(1) In general.--For purposes of this part, a `qualified 
        election infrastructure vendor' is any person who provides, 
        supports, or maintains, or who seeks to provide, support, or 
        maintain, election infrastructure on behalf of a State, unit of 
        local government, or election agency (as defined in section 
        3501 of the Election Security Act) who meets the criteria 
        described in paragraph (2).
            ``(2) Criteria.--The criteria described in this paragraph 
        are such criteria as the Chairman, in coordination with the 
        Secretary of Homeland Security, shall establish and publish, 
        and shall include each of the following requirements:
                    ``(A) The vendor must be owned and controlled by a 
                citizen or permanent resident of the United States.
                    ``(B) The vendor must disclose to the Chairman and 
                the Secretary, and to the chief State election official 
                of any State to which the vendor provides any goods and 
                services with funds provided under this part, of any 
                sourcing outside the United States for parts of the 
                election infrastructure.
                    ``(C) The vendor agrees to ensure that the election 
                infrastructure will be developed and maintained in a 
                manner that is consistent with the cybersecurity best 
                practices issued by the Technical Guidelines 
                Development Committee.
                    ``(D) The vendor agrees to maintain its information 
                technology infrastructure in a manner that is 
                consistent with the cybersecurity best practices issued 
                by the Technical Guidelines Development Committee.
                    ``(E) The vendor agrees to meet the requirements of 
                paragraph (3) with respect to any known or suspected 
                cybersecurity incidents involving any of the goods and 
                services provided by the vendor pursuant to a grant 
                under this part.
                    ``(F) The vendor agrees to permit independent 
                security testing by the Commission (in accordance with 
                section 231(a)) and by the Secretary of the goods and 
                services provided by the vendor pursuant to a grant 
                under this part.
            ``(3) Cybersecurity incident reporting requirements.--
                    ``(A) In general.--A vendor meets the requirements 
                of this paragraph if, upon becoming aware of the 
                possibility that an election cybersecurity incident has 
                occurred involving any of the goods and services 
                provided by the vendor pursuant to a grant under this 
                part--
                            ``(i) the vendor promptly assesses whether 
                        or not such an incident occurred, and submits a 
                        notification meeting the requirements of 
                        subparagraph (B) to the Secretary and the 
                        Chairman of the assessment as soon as 
                        practicable (but in no case later than 3 days 
                        after the vendor first becomes aware of the 
                        possibility that the incident occurred);
                            ``(ii) if the incident involves goods or 
                        services provided to an election agency, the 
                        vendor submits a notification meeting the 
                        requirements of subparagraph (B) to the agency 
                        as soon as practicable (but in no case later 
                        than 3 days after the vendor first becomes 
                        aware of the possibility that the incident 
                        occurred), and cooperates with the agency in 
                        providing any other necessary notifications 
                        relating to the incident; and
                            ``(iii) the vendor provides all necessary 
                        updates to any notification submitted under 
                        clause (i) or clause (ii).
                    ``(B) Contents of notifications.--Each notification 
                submitted under clause (i) or clause (ii) of 
                subparagraph (A) shall contain the following 
                information with respect to any election cybersecurity 
                incident covered by the notification:
                            ``(i) The date, time, and time zone when 
                        the election cybersecurity incident began, if 
                        known.
                            ``(ii) The date, time, and time zone when 
                        the election cybersecurity incident was 
                        detected.
                            ``(iii) The date, time, and duration of the 
                        election cybersecurity incident.
                            ``(iv) The circumstances of the election 
                        cybersecurity incident, including the specific 
                        election infrastructure systems believed to 
                        have been accessed and information acquired, if 
                        any.
                            ``(v) Any planned and implemented technical 
                        measures to respond to and recover from the 
                        incident.
                            ``(vi) In the case of any notification 
                        which is an update to a prior notification, any 
                        additional material information relating to the 
                        incident, including technical data, as it 
                        becomes available.

``SEC. 298B. ELIGIBILITY OF STATES.

    ``A State is eligible to receive a grant under this part if the 
State submits to the Commission, at such time and in such form as the 
Commission may require, an application containing--
            ``(1) a description of how the State will use the grant to 
        carry out the activities authorized under this part;
            ``(2) a certification and assurance that, not later than 5 
        years after receiving the grant, the State will carry out risk-
        limiting audits and will carry out voting system security 
        improvements, as described in section 298A; and
            ``(3) such other information and assurances as the 
        Commission may require.

``SEC. 298C. REPORTS TO CONGRESS.

    ``Not later than 90 days after the end of each fiscal year, the 
Commission shall submit a report to the appropriate congressional 
committees, including the Committees on Homeland Security, House 
Administration, and the Judiciary of the House of Representatives and 
the Committees on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, the 
Judiciary, and Rules and Administration of the Senate, on the 
activities carried out with the funds provided under this part.

``SEC. 298D. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    ``(a) Authorization.--There are authorized to be appropriated for 
grants under this part--
            ``(1) $1,000,000,000 for fiscal year 2019; and
            ``(2) $175,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2020, 2022, 
        2024, and 2026.
    ``(b) Continuing Availability of Amounts.--Any amounts appropriated 
pursuant to the authorization of this section shall remain available 
until expended.''.
    (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of contents of such Act, as 
amended by section 1906(b), is amended by adding at the end of the 
items relating to subtitle D of title II the following:

 ``Part 8--Grants for Obtaining Compliant Paper Ballot Voting Systems 
              and Carrying Out Voting System Improvements

        ``Sec. 298. Grants for obtaining compliant paper ballot voting 
                            systems and carrying out voting system 
                            security improvements.
        ``Sec. 298A. Voting system security improvements described.
        ``Sec. 298B. Eligibility of States.
        ``Sec. 298C. Reports to Congress.
        ``Sec. 298D. Authorization of appropriations.

SEC. 3002. COORDINATION OF VOTING SYSTEM SECURITY ACTIVITIES WITH USE 
              OF REQUIREMENTS PAYMENTS AND ELECTION ADMINISTRATION 
              REQUIREMENTS UNDER HELP AMERICA VOTE ACT OF 2002.

    (a) Duties of Election Assistance Commission.--Section 202 of the 
Help America Vote Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C. 20922) is amended in the 
matter preceding paragraph (1) by striking ``by'' and inserting ``and 
the security of election infrastructure by''.
    (b) Membership of Secretary of Homeland Security on Board of 
Advisors of Election Assistance Commission.--Section 214(a) of such Act 
(52 U.S.C. 20944(a)) is amended--
            (1) by striking ``37 members'' and inserting ``38 
        members''; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
            ``(17) The Secretary of Homeland Security or the 
        Secretary's designee.''.
    (c) Representative of Department of Homeland Security on Technical 
Guidelines Development Committee.--Section 221(c)(1) of such Act (52 
U.S.C. 20961(c)(1)) is amended--
            (1) by redesignating subparagraph (E) as subparagraph (F); 
        and
            (2) by inserting after subparagraph (D) the following new 
        subparagraph:
                    ``(E) A representative of the Department of 
                Homeland Security.''.
    (d) Goals of Periodic Studies of Election Administration Issues; 
Consultation With Secretary of Homeland Security.--Section 241(a) of 
such Act (52 U.S.C. 20981(a)) is amended--
            (1) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking 
        ``the Commission shall'' and inserting ``the Commission, in 
        consultation with the Secretary of Homeland Security (as 
        appropriate), shall'';
            (2) by striking ``and'' at the end of paragraph (3);
            (3) by redesignating paragraph (4) as paragraph (5); and
            (4) by inserting after paragraph (3) the following new 
        paragraph:
            ``(4) will be secure against attempts to undermine the 
        integrity of election systems by cyber or other means; and''.
    (e) Requirements Payments.--
            (1) Use of payments for voting system security 
        improvements.--Section 251(b) of such Act (52 U.S.C. 21001(b)), 
        as amended by section 1061(a)(2), is further amended by adding 
        at the end the following new paragraph:
            ``(5) Permitting use of payments for voting system security 
        improvements.--A State may use a requirements payment to carry 
        out any of the following activities:
                    ``(A) Cyber and risk mitigation training.
                    ``(B) Providing increased technical support for any 
                information technology infrastructure that the chief 
                State election official deems to be part of the State's 
                election infrastructure or designates as critical to 
                the operation of the State's election infrastructure.
                    ``(C) Enhancing the cybersecurity and operations of 
                the information technology infrastructure described in 
                subparagraph (B).
                    ``(D) Enhancing the security of voter registration 
                databases.''.
            (2) Incorporation of election infrastructure protection in 
        state plans for use of payments.--Section 254(a)(1) of such Act 
        (52 U.S.C. 21004(a)(1)) is amended by striking the period at 
        the end and inserting ``, including the protection of election 
        infrastructure.''.
            (3) Composition of committee responsible for developing 
        state plan for use of payments.--Section 255 of such Act (52 
        U.S.C. 21005) is amended--
                    (A) by redesignating subsection (b) as subsection 
                (c); and
                    (B) by inserting after subsection (a) the following 
                new subsection:
    ``(b) Geographic Representation.--The members of the committee 
shall be a representative group of individuals from the State's 
counties, cities, towns, and Indian tribes, and shall represent the 
needs of rural as well as urban areas of the State, as the case may 
be.''.
    (f) Ensuring Protection of Computerized Statewide Voter 
Registration List.--Section 303(a)(3) of such Act (52 U.S.C. 
21083(a)(3)) is amended by striking the period at the end and inserting 
``, as well as other measures to prevent and deter cybersecurity 
incidents, as identified by the Commission, the Secretary of Homeland 
Security, and the Technical Guidelines Development Committee.''.

SEC. 3003. INCORPORATION OF DEFINITIONS.

    (a) In General.--Section 901 of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 
(52 U.S.C. 21141) is amended to read as follows:

``SEC. 901. DEFINITIONS.

    ``In this Act, the following definitions apply:
            ``(1) The term `cybersecurity incident' has the meaning 
        given the term `incident' in section 227 of the Homeland 
        Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 148).
            ``(2) The term `election infrastructure' has the meaning 
        given such term in section 3501 of the Election Security Act.
            ``(3) The term `State' means each of the several States, 
        the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, 
        Guam, American Samoa, the United States Virgin Islands, and the 
        Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.''.
    (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of contents of such Act is 
amended by amending the item relating to section 901 to read as 
follows:

``Sec. 901. Definitions.''.

    PART 2--GRANTS FOR RISK-LIMITING AUDITS OF RESULTS OF ELECTIONS

SEC. 3011. GRANTS TO STATES FOR CONDUCTING RISK-LIMITING AUDITS OF 
              RESULTS OF ELECTIONS.

    (a) Availability of Grants.--Subtitle D of title II of the Help 
America Vote Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C. 21001 et seq.), as amended by 
sections 1906(a) and 3001(a), is amended by adding at the end the 
following new part:

  ``PART 9--GRANTS FOR CONDUCTING RISK-LIMITING AUDITS OF RESULTS OF 
                               ELECTIONS

``SEC. 299. GRANTS FOR CONDUCTING RISK-LIMITING AUDITS OF RESULTS OF 
              ELECTIONS.

    ``(a) Availability of Grants.--The Commission shall make a grant to 
each eligible State to conduct risk-limiting audits as described in 
subsection (b) with respect to the regularly scheduled general 
elections for Federal office held in November 2020 and each succeeding 
election for Federal office.
    ``(b) Risk-limiting Audits Described.--In this part, a `risk-
limiting audit' is a post-election process--
            ``(1) which is conducted in accordance with rules and 
        procedures established by the chief State election official of 
        the State which meet the requirements of subsection (c); and
            ``(2) under which, if the reported outcome of the election 
        is incorrect, there is at least a predetermined percentage 
        chance that the audit will replace the incorrect outcome with 
        the correct outcome as determined by a full, hand-to-eye 
        tabulation of all votes validly cast in that election that 
        ascertains voter intent manually and directly from voter-
        verifiable paper records.
    ``(c) Requirements for Rules and Procedures.--The rules and 
procedures established for conducting a risk-limiting audit shall 
include the following elements:
            ``(1) Rules for ensuring the security of ballots and 
        documenting that prescribed procedures were followed.
            ``(2) Rules and procedures for ensuring the accuracy of 
        ballot manifests produced by election agencies.
            ``(3) Rules and procedures for governing the format of 
        ballot manifests, cast vote records, and other data involved in 
        the audit.
            ``(4) Methods to ensure that any cast vote records used in 
        the audit are those used by the voting system to tally the 
        election results sent to the chief State election official and 
        made public.
            ``(5) Procedures for the random selection of ballots to be 
        inspected manually during each audit.
            ``(6) Rules for the calculations and other methods to be 
        used in the audit and to determine whether and when the audit 
        of an election is complete.
            ``(7) Procedures and requirements for testing any software 
        used to conduct risk-limiting audits.
    ``(d) Definitions.--In this part, the following definitions apply:
            ``(1) The term `ballot manifest' means a record maintained 
        by each election agency that meets each of the following 
        requirements:
                    ``(A) The record is created without reliance on any 
                part of the voting system used to tabulate votes.
                    ``(B) The record functions as a sampling frame for 
                conducting a risk-limiting audit.
                    ``(C) The record contains the following information 
                with respect to the ballots cast and counted in the 
                election:
                            ``(i) The total number of ballots cast and 
                        counted by the agency (including undervotes, 
                        overvotes, and other invalid votes).
                            ``(ii) The total number of ballots cast in 
                        each election administered by the agency 
                        (including undervotes, overvotes, and other 
                        invalid votes).
                            ``(iii) A precise description of the manner 
                        in which the ballots are physically stored, 
                        including the total number of physical groups 
                        of ballots, the numbering system for each 
                        group, a unique label for each group, and the 
                        number of ballots in each such group.
            ``(2) The term `incorrect outcome' means an outcome that 
        differs from the outcome that would be determined by a full 
        tabulation of all votes validly cast in the election, 
        determining voter intent manually, directly from voter-
        verifiable paper records.
            ``(3) The term `outcome' means the winner of an election, 
        whether a candidate or a position.
            ``(4) The term `reported outcome' means the outcome of an 
        election which is determined according to the canvass and which 
        will become the official, certified outcome unless it is 
        revised by an audit, recount, or other legal process.

``SEC. 299A. ELIGIBILITY OF STATES.

    ``A State is eligible to receive a grant under this part if the 
State submits to the Commission, at such time and in such form as the 
Commission may require, an application containing--
            ``(1) a certification that, not later than 5 years after 
        receiving the grant, the State will conduct risk-limiting 
        audits of the results of elections for Federal office held in 
        the State as described in section 299;
            ``(2) a certification that, not later than one year after 
        the date of the enactment of this section, the chief State 
        election official of the State has established or will 
        establish the rules and procedures for conducting the audits 
        which meet the requirements of section 299(c);
            ``(3) a certification that the audit shall be completed not 
        later than the date on which the State certifies the results of 
        the election;
            ``(4) a certification that, after completing the audit, the 
        State shall publish a report on the results of the audit, 
        together with such information as necessary to confirm that the 
        audit was conducted properly;
            ``(5) a certification that, if a risk-limiting audit 
        conducted under this part leads to a full manual tally of an 
        election, State law requires that the State or election agency 
        shall use the results of the full manual tally as the official 
        results of the election; and
            ``(6) such other information and assurances as the 
        Commission may require.

``SEC. 299B. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    ``There are authorized to be appropriated for grants under this 
part $20,000,000 for fiscal year 2019, to remain available until 
expended.''.
    (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of contents of such Act, as 
amended by sections 1906(b) and 3001(b), is further amended by adding 
at the end of the items relating to subtitle D of title II the 
following:

  ``Part 9--Grants for Conducting Risk-Limiting Audits of Results of 
                               Elections

        ``Sec. 299. Grants for conducting risk-limiting audits of 
                            results of elections.
        ``Sec. 299A. Eligibility of States.
        ``Sec. 299B. Authorization of appropriations.

SEC. 3012. GAO ANALYSIS OF EFFECTS OF AUDITS.

    (a) Analysis.--Not later than 6 months after the first election for 
Federal office is held after grants are first awarded to States for 
conducting risk-limiting under part 9 of subtitle D of title II of the 
Help America Vote Act of 2002 (as added by section 3011) for conducting 
risk-limiting audits of elections for Federal office, the Comptroller 
General of the United States shall conduct an analysis of the extent to 
which such audits have improved the administration of such elections 
and the security of election infrastructure in the States receiving 
such grants.
    (b) Report.--The Comptroller General of the United States shall 
submit a report on the analysis conducted under subsection (a) to the 
appropriate congressional committees.

                           PART 3--[RESERVED]

                     Subtitle B--Security Measures

SEC. 3101. ELECTION INFRASTRUCTURE DESIGNATION.

    Subparagraph (J) of section 2001(3) of the Homeland Security Act of 
2002 (6 U.S.C. 601(3)) is amended by inserting ``, including election 
infrastructure'' before the period at the end.

SEC. 3102. TIMELY THREAT INFORMATION.

    Subsection (d) of section 201 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 
(6 U.S.C. 121) is amended by adding at the end the following new 
paragraph:
            ``(24) To provide timely threat information regarding 
        election infrastructure to the chief State election official of 
        the State with respect to which such information pertains.''.

SEC. 3103. SECURITY CLEARANCE ASSISTANCE FOR ELECTION OFFICIALS.

    In order to promote the timely sharing of information on threats to 
election infrastructure, the Secretary may--
            (1) help expedite a security clearance for the chief State 
        election official and other appropriate State personnel 
        involved in the administration of elections, as designated by 
        the chief State election official;
            (2) sponsor a security clearance for the chief State 
        election official and other appropriate State personnel 
        involved in the administration of elections, as designated by 
        the chief State election official; and
            (3) facilitate the issuance of a temporary clearance to the 
        chief State election official and other appropriate State 
        personnel involved in the administration of elections, as 
        designated by the chief State election official, if the 
        Secretary determines classified information to be timely and 
        relevant to the election infrastructure of the State at issue.

SEC. 3104. SECURITY RISK AND VULNERABILITY ASSESSMENTS.

    (a) In General.--Paragraph (6) of section 2209(c) of the Homeland 
Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 659(c)) is amended by inserting 
``(including by carrying out a security risk and vulnerability 
assessment)'' after ``risk management support''.
    (b) Prioritization to Enhance Election Security.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 90 days after receiving a 
        written request from a chief State election official, the 
        Secretary shall, to the extent practicable, commence a security 
        risk and vulnerability assessment (pursuant to paragraph (6) of 
        section 227(c) of the Homeland Security Act of 2002, as amended 
        by subsection (a)) on election infrastructure in the State at 
        issue.
            (2) Notification.--If the Secretary, upon receipt of a 
        request described in paragraph (1), determines that a security 
        risk and vulnerability assessment cannot be commenced within 90 
        days, the Secretary shall expeditiously notify the chief State 
        election official who submitted such request.

SEC. 3105. ANNUAL REPORTS.

    (a) Reports on Assistance and Assessments.--Not later than one year 
after the date of the enactment of this Act and annually thereafter 
through 2026, the Secretary shall submit to the appropriate 
congressional committees--
            (1) efforts to carry out section 203 during the prior year, 
        including specific information on which States were helped, how 
        many officials have been helped in each State, how many 
        security clearances have been sponsored in each State, and how 
        many temporary clearances have been issued in each State; and
            (2) efforts to carry out section 205 during the prior year, 
        including specific information on which States were helped, the 
        dates on which the Secretary received a request for a security 
        risk and vulnerability assessment pursuant to such section, the 
        dates on which the Secretary commenced each such request, and 
        the dates on which the Secretary transmitted a notification in 
        accordance with subsection (b)(2) of such section.
    (b) Reports on Foreign Threats.--Not later than 90 days after the 
end of each fiscal year (beginning with fiscal year 2019), the 
Secretary and the Director of National Intelligence, in coordination 
with the heads of appropriate offices of the Federal government, shall 
submit a joint report to the appropriate congressional committees on 
foreign threats to elections in the United States, including physical 
and cybersecurity threats.
    (c) Information From States.--For purposes of preparing the reports 
required under this section, the Secretary shall solicit and consider 
information and comments from States and election agencies, except that 
the provision of such information and comments by a State or election 
agency shall be voluntary and at the discretion of the State or agency.

    Subtitle C--Enhancing Protections for United States Democratic 
                              Institutions

SEC. 3201. NATIONAL STRATEGY TO PROTECT UNITED STATES DEMOCRATIC 
              INSTITUTIONS.

    (a) In General.--Not later than one year after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the President, acting through the Secretary, in 
consultation with the Chairman, the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary 
of State, the Attorney General, the Secretary of Education, the 
Director of National Intelligence, the Chairman of the Federal Election 
Commission, and the heads of any other appropriate Federal agencies, 
shall issue a national strategy to protect against cyber attacks, 
influence operations, disinformation campaigns, and other activities 
that could undermine the security and integrity of United States 
democratic institutions.
    (b) Considerations.--The national strategy required under 
subsection (a) shall include consideration of the following:
            (1) The threat of a foreign state actor, foreign terrorist 
        organization (as designated pursuant to section 219 of the 
        Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1189)), or a domestic 
        actor carrying out a cyber attack, influence operation, 
        disinformation campaign, or other activity aimed at undermining 
        the security and integrity of United States democratic 
        institutions.
            (2) The extent to which United States democratic 
        institutions are vulnerable to a cyber attack, influence 
        operation, disinformation campaign, or other activity aimed at 
        undermining the security and integrity of such democratic 
        institutions.
            (3) Potential consequences, such as an erosion of public 
        trust or an undermining of the rule of law, that could result 
        from a successful cyber attack, influence operation, 
        disinformation campaign, or other activity aimed at undermining 
        the security and integrity of United States democratic 
        institutions.
            (4) Lessons learned from other Western governments the 
        institutions of which were subject to a cyber attack, influence 
        operation, disinformation campaign, or other activity aimed at 
        undermining the security and integrity of such institutions, as 
        well as actions that could be taken by the United States 
        Government to bolster collaboration with foreign partners to 
        detect, deter, prevent, and counter such activities.
            (5) Potential impacts such as an erosion of public trust in 
        democratic institutions as could be associated with a 
        successful cyber breach or other activity negatively-affecting 
        election infrastructure.
            (6) Roles and responsibilities of the Secretary, the 
        Chairman, and the heads of other Federal entities and non-
        Federal entities, including chief State election officials and 
        representatives of multi-state information sharing and analysis 
        center.
            (7) Any findings, conclusions, and recommendations to 
        strengthen protections for United States democratic 
        institutions that have been agreed to by a majority of 
        Commission members on the National Commission to Protect United 
        States Democratic Institutions, authorized pursuant to section 
        32002.
    (c) Implementation Plan.--Not later than 90 days after the issuance 
of the national strategy required under subsection (a), the President, 
acting through the Secretary, in coordination with the Chairman, shall 
issue an implementation plan for Federal efforts to implement such 
strategy that includes the following:
            (1) Strategic objectives and corresponding tasks.
            (2) Projected timelines and costs for the tasks referred to 
        in paragraph (1).
            (3) Metrics to evaluate performance of such tasks.
    (d) Classification.--The national strategy required under 
subsection (a) shall be in unclassified form but may contain a 
classified annex.

SEC. 3202. NATIONAL COMMISSION TO PROTECT UNITED STATES DEMOCRATIC 
              INSTITUTIONS.

    (a) Establishment.--There is established within the legislative 
branch the National Commission to Protect United States Democratic 
Institutions (hereafter in this section referred to as the 
``Commission'').
    (b) Purpose.--The purpose of the Commission is to counter efforts 
to undermine democratic institutions within the United States.
    (c) Composition.--
            (1) Membership.--The Commission shall be composed of 10 
        members appointed for the life of the Commission as follows:
                    (A) One member shall be appointed by the Secretary.
                    (B) One member shall be appointed by the Chairman.
                    (C) 2 members shall be appointed by the majority 
                leader of the Senate, in consultation with the Chairman 
                of the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental 
                Affairs, the Chairman of the Committee on the 
                Judiciary, and the Chairman of the Committee on Rules 
                and Administration.
                    (D) 2 members shall be appointed by the minority 
                leader of the Senate, in consultation with the ranking 
                minority member of the Committee on Homeland Security 
                and Governmental Affairs, the ranking minority member 
                of the Committee on the Judiciary, and the ranking 
                minority member of the Committee on Rules and 
                Administration.
                    (E) 2 members shall be appointed by the Speaker of 
                the House of Representatives, in consultation with the 
                Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, the 
                Chairman of the Committee on House Administration, and 
                the Chairman of the Committee on the Judiciary.
                    (F) 2 members shall be appointed by the minority 
                leader of the House of Representatives, in consultation 
                with the ranking minority member of the Committee on 
                Homeland Security, the ranking minority member of the 
                Committee on the Judiciary, and the ranking minority 
                member of the Committee on House Administration.
            (2) Qualifications.--Individuals shall be selected for 
        appointment to the Commission solely on the basis of their 
        professional qualifications, achievements, public stature, 
        experience, and expertise in relevant fields, including, but 
        not limited to cybersecurity, national security, and the 
        Constitution of the United States.
            (3) No compensation for service.--Members shall not receive 
        compensation for service on the Commission, but shall receive 
        travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, in 
        accordance with chapter 57 of title 5, United States Code.
            (4) Deadline for appointment.--All members of the 
        Commission shall be appointed no later than 60 days after the 
        date of the enactment of this Act.
            (5) Vacancies.--A vacancy on the Commission shall not 
        affect its powers and shall be filled in the manner in which 
        the original appointment was made. The appointment of the 
        replacement member shall be made not later than 60 days after 
        the date on which the vacancy occurs.
    (d) Chair and Vice Chair.--The Commission shall elect a Chair and 
Vice Chair from among its members.
    (e) Quorum and Meetings.--
            (1) Quorum.--The Commission shall meet and begin the 
        operations of the Commission not later than 30 days after the 
        date on which all members have been appointed or, if such 
        meeting cannot be mutually agreed upon, on a date designated by 
        the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President 
        pro Tempore of the Senate. Each subsequent meeting shall occur 
        upon the call of the Chair or a majority of its members. A 
        majority of the members of the Commission shall constitute a 
        quorum, but a lesser number may hold meetings.
            (2) Authority of individuals to act for commission.--Any 
        member of the Commission may, if authorized by the Commission, 
        take any action that the Commission is authorized to take under 
        this section.
    (f) Powers.--
            (1) Hearings and evidence.--The Commission (or, on the 
        authority of the Commission, any subcommittee or member 
        thereof) may, for the purpose of carrying out this section, 
        hold hearings and sit and act at such times and places, take 
        such testimony, receive such evidence, and administer such 
        oaths as the Commission considers advisable to carry out its 
        duties.
            (2) Contracting.--The Commission may, to such extent and in 
        such amounts as are provided in appropriation Acts, enter into 
        contracts to enable the Commission to discharge its duties 
        under this section.
    (g) Assistance From Federal Agencies.--
            (1) General services administration.--The Administrator of 
        General Services shall provide to the Commission on a 
        reimbursable basis administrative support and other services 
        for the performance of the Commission's functions.
            (2) Other departments and agencies.--In addition to the 
        assistance provided under paragraph (1), the Department of 
        Homeland Security, the Election Assistance Commission, and 
        other appropriate departments and agencies of the United States 
        shall provide to the Commission such services, funds, 
        facilities, and staff as they may determine advisable and as 
        may be authorized by law.
    (h) Public Meetings.--Any public meetings of the Commission shall 
be conducted in a manner consistent with the protection of information 
provided to or developed for or by the Commission as required by any 
applicable statute, regulation, or Executive order.
    (i) Security Clearances.--
            (1) In general.--The heads of appropriate departments and 
        agencies of the executive branch shall cooperate with the 
        Commission to expeditiously provide Commission members and 
        staff with appropriate security clearances to the extent 
        possible under applicable procedures and requirements.
            (2) Preferences.--In appointing staff, obtaining detailees, 
        and entering into contracts for the provision of services for 
        the Commission, the Commission shall give preference to 
        individuals otherwise who have active security clearances.
    (j) Reports.--
            (1) Interim reports.--At any time prior to the submission 
        of the final report under paragraph (2), the Commission may 
        submit interim reports to the President and Congress such 
        findings, conclusions, and recommendations to strengthen 
        protections for democratic institutions in the United States as 
        have been agreed to by a majority of the members of the 
        Commission.
            (2) Final report.--Not later than 18 months after the date 
        of the first meeting of the Commission, the Commission shall 
        submit to the President and Congress a final report containing 
        such findings, conclusions, and recommendations to strengthen 
        protections for democratic institutions in the United States as 
        have been agreed to by a majority of the members of the 
        Commission.
    (k) Termination.--
            (1) In general.--The Commission shall terminate upon the 
        expiration of the 60-day period which begins on the date on 
        which the Commission submits the final report required under 
        subsection (j)(2).
            (2) Administrative activities prior to termination.--During 
        the 60-day period described in paragraph (2), the Commission 
        may carry out such administrative activities as may be required 
        to conclude its work, including providing testimony to 
        committees of Congress concerning the final report and 
        disseminating the final report.

 Subtitle D--Promoting Cybersecurity Through Improvements in Election 
                             Administration

SEC. 3301. TESTING OF EXISTING VOTING SYSTEMS TO ENSURE COMPLIANCE WITH 
              ELECTION CYBERSECURITY GUIDELINES AND OTHER GUIDELINES.

    (a) Requiring Testing of Existing Voting Systems.--
            (1) In general.--Section 231(a) of the Help America Vote 
        Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C. 20971(a)) is amended by adding at the 
        end the following new paragraph:
            ``(3) Testing to ensure compliance with guidelines.--
                    ``(A) Testing.--Not later than 9 months before the 
                date of each regularly scheduled general election for 
                Federal office, the Commission shall provide for the 
                testing by accredited laboratories under this section 
                of the voting system hardware and software which was 
                certified for use in the most recent such election, on 
                the basis of the most recent voting system guidelines 
                applicable to such hardware or software (including 
                election cybersecurity guidelines) issued under this 
                Act.
                    ``(B) Decertification of hardware or software 
                failing to meet guidelines.--If, on the basis of the 
                testing described in subparagraph (A), the Commission 
                determines that any voting system hardware or software 
                does not meet the most recent guidelines applicable to 
                such hardware or software issued under this Act, the 
                Commission shall decertify such hardware or 
                software.''.
            (2) Effective date.--The amendment made by paragraph (1) 
        shall apply with respect to the regularly scheduled general 
        election for Federal office held in November 2020 and each 
        succeeding regularly scheduled general election for Federal 
        office.
    (b) Issuance of Cybersecurity Guidelines by Technical Guidelines 
Development Committee.--Section 221(b) of the Help America Vote Act of 
2002 (52 U.S.C. 20961(b)) is amended by adding at the end the following 
new paragraph:
            ``(3) Election cybersecurity guidelines.--Not later than 6 
        months after the date of the enactment of this paragraph, the 
        Development Committee shall issue election cybersecurity 
        guidelines, including standards and best practices for 
        procuring, maintaining, testing, operating, and updating 
        election systems to prevent and deter cybersecurity 
        incidents.''.

SEC. 3302. TREATMENT OF ELECTRONIC POLL BOOKS AS PART OF VOTING 
              SYSTEMS.

    (a) Inclusion in Definition of Voting System.--Section 301(b) of 
the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C. 21081(b)) is amended--
            (1) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking 
        ``this section'' and inserting ``this Act'';
            (2) by striking ``and'' at the end of paragraph (1);
            (3) by redesignating paragraph (2) as paragraph (3); and
            (4) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following new 
        paragraph:
            ``(2) any electronic poll book used with respect to the 
        election; and''.
    (b) Definition.--Section 301 of such Act (52 U.S.C. 21081) is 
amended--
            (1) by redesignating subsections (c) and (d) as subsections 
        (d) and (e); and
            (2) by inserting after subsection (b) the following new 
        subsection:
    ``(c) Electronic Poll Book Defined.--In this Act, the term 
`electronic poll book' means the total combination of mechanical, 
electromechanical, or electronic equipment (including the software, 
firmware, and documentation required to program, control, and support 
the equipment) that is used--
            ``(1) to retain the list of registered voters at a polling 
        location, or vote center, or other location at which voters 
        cast votes in an election for Federal office; and
            ``(2) to identify registered voters who are eligible to 
        vote in an election.''.
    (c) Effective Date.--Section 301(e) of such Act (52 U.S.C. 
21081(e)), as redesignated by subsection (b), is amended by striking 
the period at the end and inserting the following: ``, or, with respect 
to any requirements relating to electronic poll books, on and after 
January 1, 2020.''.

SEC. 3303. PRE-ELECTION REPORTS ON VOTING SYSTEM USAGE.

    (a) Requiring States to Submit Reports.--Title III of the Help 
America Vote Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C. 21081 et seq.) is amended by 
inserting after section 301 the following new section:

``SEC. 301A. PRE-ELECTION REPORTS ON VOTING SYSTEM USAGE.

    ``(a) Requiring States to Submit Reports.--Not later than 120 days 
before the date of each regularly scheduled general election for 
Federal office, the chief State election official of a State shall 
submit a report to the Commission containing a detailed voting system 
usage plan for each jurisdiction in the State which will administer the 
election, including a detailed plan for the usage of electronic poll 
books and other equipment and components of such system.
    ``(b) Effective Date.--Subsection (a) shall apply with respect to 
the regularly scheduled general election for Federal office held in 
November 2020 and each succeeding regularly scheduled general election 
for Federal office.''.
    (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of contents of such Act is 
amended by inserting after the item relating to section 301 the 
following new item:

``Sec. 301A. Pre-election reports on voting system usage.''.

SEC. 3304. STREAMLINING COLLECTION OF ELECTION INFORMATION.

    Section 202 of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C. 20922) 
is amended--
            (1) by striking ``The Commission'' and inserting ``(a) In 
        General.--The Commission''; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following new subsection:
    ``(b) Waiver of Certain Requirements.--Subchapter I of chapter 35 
of title 44, United States Code, shall not apply to the collection of 
information for purposes of maintaining the clearinghouse described in 
paragraph (1) of subsection (a).''.

                Subtitle E--Preventing Election Hacking

SEC. 3401. SHORT TITLE.

    This subtitle may be cited as the ``Prevent Election Hacking Act of 
2019''.

SEC. 3402. ELECTION SECURITY BUG BOUNTY PROGRAM.

    (a) Establishment.--Not later than 1 year after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall establish a program to be 
known as the ``Election Security Bug Bounty Program'' (hereafter in 
this subtitle referred to as the ``Program'') to improve the 
cybersecurity of the systems used to administer elections for Federal 
office by facilitating and encouraging assessments by independent 
technical experts, in cooperation with State and local election 
officials and election service providers, to identify and report 
election cybersecurity vulnerabilities.
    (b) Voluntary Participation by Election Officials and Election 
Service Providers.--
            (1) No requirement to participate in program.--
        Participation in the Program shall be entirely voluntary for 
        State and local election officials and election service 
        providers.
            (2) Encouraging participation and input from election 
        officials.--In developing the Program, the Secretary shall 
        solicit input from, and encourage participation by, State and 
        local election officials.
    (c) Activities Funded.--In establishing and carrying out the 
Program, the Secretary shall--
            (1) establish a process for State and local election 
        officials and election service providers to voluntarily 
        participate in the Program;
            (2) designate appropriate information systems to be 
        included in the Program;
            (3) provide compensation to eligible individuals, 
        organizations, and companies for reports of previously 
        unidentified security vulnerabilities within the information 
        systems designated under subparagraph (A) and establish 
        criteria for individuals, organizations, and companies to be 
        considered eligible for such compensation in compliance with 
        Federal laws;
            (4) consult with the Attorney General on how to ensure that 
        approved individuals, organizations, or companies that comply 
        with the requirements of the Program are protected from 
        prosecution under section 1030 of title 18, United States Code, 
        and similar provisions of law, and from liability under civil 
        actions for specific activities authorized under the Program;
            (5) consult with the Secretary of Defense and the heads of 
        other departments and agencies that have implemented programs 
        to provide compensation for reports of previously undisclosed 
        vulnerabilities in information systems, regarding lessons that 
        may be applied from such programs;
            (6) develop an expeditious process by which an individual, 
        organization, or company can register with the Department, 
        submit to a background check as determined by the Department, 
        and receive a determination as to eligibility for participation 
        in the Program; and
            (7) engage qualified interested persons, including 
        representatives of private entities, about the structure of the 
        Program and, to the extent practicable, establish a recurring 
        competition for independent technical experts to assess 
        election systems for the purpose of identifying and reporting 
        election cybersecurity vulnerabilities;
    (d) Use of Service Providers.--The Secretary may award competitive 
contracts as necessary to manage the Program.

SEC. 3403. DEFINITIONS.

    In this subtitle, the following definitions apply:
            (1) The terms ``election'' and ``Federal office'' have the 
        meanings given such terms in section 301 of the Federal 
        Election Campaign Act of 1971 (52 U.S.C. 30101).
            (2) The term ``election cybersecurity vulnerability'' means 
        any security vulnerability (as defined in section 102 of the 
        Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act of 2015 (6 U.S.C. 1501)) 
        that affects an election system.
            (3) The term ``election service provider'' means any person 
        providing, supporting, or maintaining an election system on 
        behalf of a State or local election official, such as a 
        contractor or vendor.
            (4) The term ``election system'' means any information 
        system (as defined in section 3502 of title 44, United States 
        Code) which is part of an election infrastructure.
            (5) The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of Homeland 
        Security, or, upon designation by the Secretary of Homeland 
        Security, the Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security, the 
        Director of Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security of the 
        Department of Homeland Security, or a Senate-confirmed official 
        that reports to the Director.
            (6) The term ``State'' means each of the several States, 
        the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, 
        Guam, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana 
        Islands, and the United States Virgin Islands.
            (7) The term ``voting system'' has the meaning given such 
        term in section 301(b) of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (52 
        U.S.C. 21081(b)).

                  Subtitle F--Miscellaneous Provisions

SEC. 3501. DEFINITIONS.

    Except as provided in section 3404, in this title, the following 
definitions apply:
            (1) The term ``Chairman'' means the chair of the Election 
        Assistance Commission.
            (2) The term ``appropriate congressional committees'' means 
        the Committees on Homeland Security and House Administration of 
        the House of Representatives and the Committees on Homeland 
        Security and Governmental Affairs and Rules and Administration 
        of the Senate.
            (3) The term ``chief State election official'' means, with 
        respect to a State, the individual designated by the State 
        under section 10 of the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 
        (52 U.S.C. 20509) to be responsible for coordination of the 
        State's responsibilities under such Act.
            (4) The term ``Commission'' means the Election Assistance 
        Commission.
            (5) The term ``democratic institutions'' means the diverse 
        range of institutions that are essential to ensuring an 
        independent judiciary, free and fair elections, and rule of 
        law.
            (6) The term ``election agency'' means any component of a 
        State, or any component of a unit of local government in a 
        State, which is responsible for the administration of elections 
        for Federal office in the State.
            (7) The term ``election infrastructure'' means storage 
        facilities, polling places, and centralized vote tabulation 
        locations used to support the administration of elections for 
        public office, as well as related information and 
        communications technology, including voter registration 
        databases, voting machines, electronic mail and other 
        communications systems (including electronic mail and other 
        systems of vendors who have entered into contracts with 
        election agencies to support the administration of elections, 
        manage the election process, and report and display election 
        results), and other systems used to manage the election process 
        and to report and display election results on behalf of an 
        election agency.
            (8) The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of Homeland 
        Security.
            (9) The term ``State'' has the meaning given such term in 
        section 901 of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C. 
        21141).

SEC. 3502. INITIAL REPORT ON ADEQUACY OF RESOURCES AVAILABLE FOR 
              IMPLEMENTATION.

    Not later than 120 days after enactment of this Act, the Chairman 
and the Secretary shall submit a report to the appropriate committees 
of Congress, including the Committees on Homeland Security and House 
Administration of the House of Representatives and the Committee on 
Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate, analyzing the 
adequacy of the funding, resources, and personnel available to carry 
out this title and the amendments made by this title.

                        Subtitle G--Severability

SEC. 3601. SEVERABILITY.

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

                      DIVISION B--CAMPAIGN FINANCE

                TITLE IV--CAMPAIGN FINANCE TRANSPARENCY

    Subtitle A--Findings Relating to Illicit Money Undermining Our 
                               Democracy

Sec. 4001. Findings relating to illicit money undermining our 
                            democracy.

                        Subtitle B--DISCLOSE Act

Sec. 4100. Short title.

            Part 1--Regulation of Certain Political Spending

Sec. 4101. Application of ban on contributions and expenditures by 
                            foreign nationals to domestic corporations, 
                            limited liability corporations, and 
                            partnerships that are foreign-controlled, 
                            foreign-influenced, and foreign-owned.
Sec. 4102. Clarification of application of foreign money ban to certain 
                            disbursements and activities.

          Part 2--Reporting of Campaign-Related Disbursements

Sec. 4111. Reporting of campaign-related disbursements.
Sec. 4112. Application of foreign money ban to disbursements for 
                            campaign-related disbursements consisting 
                            of covered transfers.
Sec. 4113. Effective date.

                  Part 3--Other Administrative Reforms

Sec. 4121. Petition for certiorari.
Sec. 4122. Judicial review of actions related to campaign finance laws.

                         Subtitle C--Honest Ads

Sec. 4201. Short title.
Sec. 4202. Purpose.
Sec. 4203. Findings.
Sec. 4204. Sense of Congress.
Sec. 4205. Expansion of definition of public communication.
Sec. 4206. Expansion of definition of electioneering communication.
Sec. 4207. Application of disclaimer statements to online 
                            communications.
Sec. 4208. Political record requirements for online platforms.
Sec. 4209. Preventing contributions, expenditures, independent 
                            expenditures, and disbursements for 
                            electioneering communications by foreign 
                            nationals in the form of online 
                            advertising.

                     Subtitle D--Stand By Every Ad

Sec. 4301. Short title.
Sec. 4302. Stand By Every Ad.
Sec. 4303. Disclaimer requirements for communications made through 
                            prerecorded telephone calls.
Sec. 4304. No expansion of persons subject to disclaimer requirements 
                            on Internet communications.
Sec. 4305. Effective date.

                         Subtitle E--[Reserved]

                         Subtitle F--[Reserved]

                         Subtitle G--[Reserved]

  Subtitle H--Limitation and Disclosure Requirements for Presidential 
                          Inaugural Committees

Sec. 4701. Short title.
Sec. 4702. Limitations and disclosure of certain donations to, and 
                            disbursements by, Inaugural Committees.

                        Subtitle I--Severability

Sec. 4801. Severability.

    Subtitle A--Findings Relating to Illicit Money Undermining Our 
                               Democracy

SEC. 4001. FINDINGS RELATING TO ILLICIT MONEY UNDERMINING OUR 
              DEMOCRACY.

    Congress finds the following:
            (1) Criminals, terrorists, and corrupt government officials 
        frequently abuse anonymously held Limited Liability Companies 
        (LLCs), also known as ``shell companies,'' to hide, move, and 
        launder the dirty money derived from illicit activities such as 
        trafficking, bribery, exploitation, and embezzlement. Ownership 
        and control of the finances that run through shell companies 
        are obscured to regulators and law enforcement because little 
        information is required and collected when establishing these 
        entities.
            (2) The public release of the ``Panama Papers'' in 2016 and 
        the ``Paradise Papers'' in 2017 revealed that these shell 
        companies often purchase and sell United States real estate. 
        United States anti-money laundering laws do not apply to cash 
        transactions involving real estate effectively concealing the 
        beneficiaries and transactions from regulators and law 
        enforcement.
            (3) Congress should curb the use of anonymous shell 
        companies for illicit purposes by requiring United States 
        companies to disclose their beneficial owners, strengthening 
        anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism finance laws.
            (4) Congress should examine the money laundering and 
        terrorist financing risks in the real estate market, including 
        the role of anonymous parties, and review legislation to 
        address any vulnerabilities identified in this sector.
            (5) Congress should examine the methods by which corruption 
        flourishes and the means to detect and deter the financial 
        misconduct that fuels this driver of global instability. 
        Congress should monitor government efforts to enforce United 
        States anti-corruption laws and regulations.

                        Subtitle B--DISCLOSE Act

SEC. 4100. SHORT TITLE.

    This subtitle may be cited as the ``Democracy Is Strengthened by 
Casting Light On Spending in Elections Act of 2019'' or the ``DISCLOSE 
Act of 2019''.

            PART 1--REGULATION OF CERTAIN POLITICAL SPENDING

SEC. 4101. APPLICATION OF BAN ON CONTRIBUTIONS AND EXPENDITURES BY 
              FOREIGN NATIONALS TO DOMESTIC CORPORATIONS, LIMITED 
              LIABILITY CORPORATIONS, AND PARTNERSHIPS THAT ARE 
              FOREIGN-CONTROLLED, FOREIGN-INFLUENCED, AND FOREIGN-
              OWNED.

    (a) Application of Ban.--
            (1) In general.--Section 319(b) of the Federal Election 
        Campaign Act of 1971 (52 U.S.C. 30121(b)) is amended--
                    (A) by striking ``or'' at the end of paragraph (1);
                    (B) by striking the period at the end of paragraph 
                (2) and inserting ``; or''; and
                    (C) by adding at the end the following new 
                paragraph:
            ``(3) except as provided under subsection (c), any 
        corporation, limited liability corporation, or partnership 
        which is not a foreign national described in paragraph (1) 
        and--
                    ``(A) in which a foreign national described in 
                paragraph (1) or (2) directly or indirectly owns or 
                controls--
                            ``(i) 5 percent or more of the voting 
                        shares, if the foreign national is a foreign 
                        country, a foreign government official, or a 
                        corporation principally owned or controlled by 
                        a foreign country or foreign government 
                        official; or
                            ``(ii) 20 percent or more of the voting 
                        shares, if the foreign national is not 
                        described in clause (i);
                    ``(B) in which two or more foreign nationals 
                described in paragraph (1) or (2), each of whom owns or 
                controls at least 5 percent of the voting shares, 
                directly or indirectly own or control 50 percent or 
                more of the voting shares;
                    ``(C) over which one or more foreign nationals 
                described in paragraph (1) or (2) has the power to 
                direct, dictate, or control the decisionmaking process 
                of the corporation, limited liability corporation, or 
                partnership with respect to its interests in the United 
                States; or
                    ``(D) over which one or more foreign nationals 
                described in paragraph (1) or (2) has the power to 
                direct, dictate, or control the decisionmaking process 
                of the corporation, limited liability corporation, or 
                partnership with respect to activities in connection 
                with a Federal, State, or local election, including--
                            ``(i) the making of a contribution, 
                        donation, expenditure, independent expenditure, 
                        or disbursement for an electioneering 
                        communication (within the meaning of section 
                        304(f)(3)); or
                            ``(ii) the administration of a political 
                        committee established or maintained by the 
                        corporation.''.
            (2) Activities of corporate pacs of domestic 
        subsidiaries.--Section 319 of such Act (52 U.S.C. 30121) is 
        amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:
    ``(c) Activities of Corporate PACs of Domestic Subsidiaries.--
Notwithstanding subsection (a), a foreign national described in 
subparagraph (A), (B), or (C) of subsection (b)(3) which is a domestic 
corporation whose principal place of business is within the United 
States may establish, administer and solicit contributions to a 
separate segregated fund pursuant to section 316(b)(2)(C) so long as--
            ``(1) the foreign national parent corporation of such 
        domestic corporation does not directly or indirectly finance 
        the establishment, administration, or solicitation activities 
        of the fund; and
            ``(2) the fund is in compliance with complies with the 
        requirements of section 316(b)(8).''.
    (b) Certification of Compliance.--Section 319 of such Act (52 
U.S.C. 30121), as amended by subsection (a)(2), is further amended by 
adding at the end the following new subsection:
    ``(d) Certification of Compliance Required Prior To Carrying Out 
Activity.--Prior to the making in connection with an election for 
Federal office of any contribution, donation, expenditure, independent 
expenditure, or disbursement for an electioneering communication by a 
corporation, limited liability corporation, or partnership during a 
year, the chief executive officer of the corporation, limited liability 
corporation, or partnership (or, if the corporation, limited liability 
corporation, or partnership does not have a chief executive officer, 
the highest ranking official of the corporation, limited liability 
corporation, or partnership), shall file a certification with the 
Commission, under penalty of perjury, that the corporation, limited 
liability corporation, or partnership is not prohibited from carrying 
out such activity under subsection (b)(3), unless the chief executive 
officer has previously filed such a certification during that calendar 
year.''.
    (c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall take 
effect upon the expiration of the 180-day period which begins on the 
date of the enactment of this Act, and shall take effect without regard 
to whether or not the Federal Election Commission has promulgated 
regulations to carry out such amendments.

SEC. 4102. CLARIFICATION OF APPLICATION OF FOREIGN MONEY BAN TO CERTAIN 
              DISBURSEMENTS AND ACTIVITIES.

    (a) Application to Disbursements to Super PACs.--Section 
319(a)(1)(A) of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (52 U.S.C. 
30121(a)(1)(A)) is amended by striking the semicolon and inserting the 
following: ``, including any disbursement to a political committee 
which accepts donations or contributions that do not comply with the 
limitations, prohibitions, and reporting requirements of this Act (or 
any disbursement to or on behalf of any account of a political 
committee which is established for the purpose of accepting such 
donations or contributions);''.
    (b) Conditions Under Which Corporate PACs May Make Contributions 
and Expenditures.--Section 316(b) of such Act (52 U.S.C. 30118(b)) is 
amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
    ``(8) A separate segregated fund established by a corporation may 
not make a contribution or expenditure during a year unless the fund 
has certified to the Commission the following during the year:
            ``(A) Each individual who manages the fund, and who is 
        responsible for exercising decisionmaking authority for the 
        fund, is a citizen of the United States or is lawfully admitted 
        for permanent residence in the United States.
            ``(B) No foreign national under section 319 participates in 
        any way in the decisionmaking processes of the fund with regard 
        to contributions or expenditures under this Act.
            ``(C) The fund does not solicit or accept recommendations 
        from any foreign national under section 319 with respect to the 
        contributions or expenditures made by the fund.
            ``(D) Any member of the board of directors of the 
        corporation who is a foreign national under section 319 
        abstains from voting on matters concerning the fund or its 
        activities.''.

          PART 2--REPORTING OF CAMPAIGN-RELATED DISBURSEMENTS

SEC. 4111. REPORTING OF CAMPAIGN-RELATED DISBURSEMENTS.

    (a) Disclosure Requirements for Corporations, Labor Organizations, 
and Certain Other Entities.--
            (1) In general.--Section 324 of the Federal Election 
        Campaign Act of 1971 (52 U.S.C. 30126) is amended to read as 
        follows:

``SEC. 324. DISCLOSURE OF CAMPAIGN-RELATED DISBURSEMENTS BY COVERED 
              ORGANIZATIONS.

    ``(a) Disclosure Statement.--
            ``(1) In general.--Any covered organization that makes 
        campaign-related disbursements aggregating more than $10,000 in 
        an election reporting cycle shall, not later than 24 hours 
        after each disclosure date, file a statement with the 
        Commission made under penalty of perjury that contains the 
        information described in paragraph (2)--
                    ``(A) in the case of the first statement filed 
                under this subsection, for the period beginning on the 
                first day of the election reporting cycle (or, if 
                earlier, the period beginning one year before the first 
                such disclosure date) and ending on the first such 
                disclosure date; and
                    ``(B) in the case of any subsequent statement filed 
                under this subsection, for the period beginning on the 
                previous disclosure date and ending on such disclosure 
                date.
            ``(2) Information described.--The information described in 
        this paragraph is as follows:
                    ``(A) The name of the covered organization and the 
                principal place of business of such organization and, 
                in the case of a covered organization that is a 
                corporation (other than a business concern that is an 
                issuer of a class of securities registered under 
                section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 
                U.S.C. 78l) or that is required to file reports under 
                section 15(d) of that Act (15 U.S.C. 78o(d))) or an 
                entity described in subsection (e)(2), a list of the 
                beneficial owners (as defined in paragraph (4)(A)) of 
                the entity that--
                            ``(i) identifies each beneficial owner by 
                        name and current residential or business street 
                        address; and
                            ``(ii) if any beneficial owner exercises 
                        control over the entity through another legal 
                        entity, such as a corporation, partnership, 
                        limited liability company, or trust, identifies 
                        each such other legal entity and each such 
                        beneficial owner who will use that other entity 
                        to exercise control over the entity.
                    ``(B) The amount of each campaign-related 
                disbursement made by such organization during the 
                period covered by the statement of more than $1,000, 
                and the name and address of the person to whom the 
                disbursement was made.
                    ``(C) In the case of a campaign-related 
                disbursement that is not a covered transfer, the 
                election to which the campaign-related disbursement 
                pertains and if the disbursement is made for a public 
                communication, the name of any candidate identified in 
                such communication and whether such communication is in 
                support of or in opposition to a candidate.
                    ``(D) A certification by the chief executive 
                officer or person who is the head of the covered 
                organization that the campaign-related disbursement is 
                not made in cooperation, consultation, or concert with 
                or at the request or suggestion of a candidate, 
                authorized committee, or agent of a candidate, 
                political party, or agent of a political party.
                    ``(E)(i) If the covered organization makes 
                campaign-related disbursements using exclusively funds 
                in a segregated bank account consisting of funds that 
                were paid directly to such account by persons other 
                than the covered organization that controls the 
                account, for each such payment to the account--
                                    ``(I) the name and address of each 
                                person who made such payment during the 
                                period covered by the statement;
                                    ``(II) the date and amount of such 
                                payment; and
                                    ``(III) the aggregate amount of all 
                                such payments made by the person during 
                                the period beginning on the first day 
                                of the election reporting cycle (or, if 
                                earlier, the period beginning one year 
                                before the disclosure date) and ending 
                                on the disclosure date,
                but only if such payment was made by a person who made 
                payments to the account in an aggregate amount of 
                $10,000 or more during the period beginning on the 
                first day of the election reporting cycle (or, if 
                earlier, the period beginning one year before the 
                disclosure date) and ending on the disclosure date.
                    ``(ii) In any calendar year after 2020, section 
                315(c)(1)(B) shall apply to the amount described in 
                clause (i) in the same manner as such section applies 
                to the limitations established under subsections 
                (a)(1)(A), (a)(1)(B), (a)(3), and (h) of such section, 
                except that for purposes of applying such section to 
                the amounts described in subsection (b), the `base 
                period' shall be 2020.
                    ``(F)(i) If the covered organization makes 
                campaign-related disbursements using funds other than 
                funds in a segregated bank account described in 
                subparagraph (E), for each payment to the covered 
                organization--
                                    ``(I) the name and address of each 
                                person who made such payment during the 
                                period covered by the statement;
                                    ``(II) the date and amount of such 
                                payment; and
                                    ``(III) the aggregate amount of all 
                                such payments made by the person during 
                                the period beginning on the first day 
                                of the election reporting cycle (or, if 
                                earlier, the period beginning one year 
                                before the disclosure date) and ending 
                                on the disclosure date,
                but only if such payment was made by a person who made 
                payments to the covered organization in an aggregate 
                amount of $10,000 or more during the period beginning 
                on the first day of the election reporting cycle (or, 
                if earlier, the period beginning one year before the 
                disclosure date) and ending on the disclosure date.
                    ``(ii) In any calendar year after 2020, section 
                315(c)(1)(B) shall apply to the amount described in 
                clause (i) in the same manner as such section applies 
                to the limitations established under subsections 
                (a)(1)(A), (a)(1)(B), (a)(3), and (h) of such section, 
                except that for purposes of applying such section to 
                the amounts described in subsection (b), the `base 
                period' shall be 2020.
                    ``(G) Such other information as required in rules 
                established by the Commission to promote the purposes 
                of this section.
            ``(3) Exceptions.--
                    ``(A) Amounts received in ordinary course of 
                business.--The requirement to include in a statement 
                filed under paragraph (1) the information described in 
                paragraph (2) shall not apply to amounts received by 
                the covered organization in commercial transactions in 
                the ordinary course of any trade or business conducted 
                by the covered organization or in the form of 
                investments (other than investments by the principal 
                shareholder in a limited liability corporation) in the 
                covered organization. For purposes of this 
                subparagraph, amounts received by a covered 
                organization as remittances from an employee to the 
                employee's collective bargaining representative shall 
                be treated as amounts received in commercial 
                transactions in the ordinary course of the business 
                conducted by the covered organization.
                    ``(B) Donor restriction on use of funds.--The 
                requirement to include in a statement submitted under 
                paragraph (1) the information described in subparagraph 
                (F) of paragraph (2) shall not apply if--
                            ``(i) the person described in such 
                        subparagraph prohibited, in writing, the use of 
                        the payment made by such person for campaign-
                        related disbursements; and
                            ``(ii) the covered organization agreed to 
                        follow the prohibition and deposited the 
                        payment in an account which is segregated from 
                        any account used to make campaign-related 
                        disbursements.
                    ``(C) Threat of harassment or reprisal.--The 
                requirement to include any information relating to the 
                name or address of any person (other than a candidate) 
                in a statement submitted under paragraph (1) shall not 
                apply if the inclusion of the information would subject 
                the person to serious threats, harassment, or 
                reprisals.
            ``(4) Other definitions.--For purposes of this section:
                    ``(A) Beneficial owner defined.--
                            ``(i) In general.--Except as provided in 
                        clause (ii), the term `beneficial owner' means, 
                        with respect to any entity, a natural person 
                        who, directly or indirectly--
                                    ``(I) exercises substantial control 
                                over an entity through ownership, 
                                voting rights, agreement, or otherwise; 
                                or
                                    ``(II) has a substantial interest 
                                in or receives substantial economic 
                                benefits from the assets of an entity.
                            ``(ii) Exceptions.--The term `beneficial 
                        owner' shall not include--
                                    ``(I) a minor child;
                                    ``(II) a person acting as a 
                                nominee, intermediary, custodian, or 
                                agent on behalf of another person;
                                    ``(III) a person acting solely as 
                                an employee of an entity and whose 
                                control over or economic benefits from 
                                the entity derives solely from the 
                                employment status of the person;
                                    ``(IV) a person whose only interest 
                                in an entity is through a right of 
                                inheritance, unless the person also 
                                meets the requirements of clause (i); 
                                or
                                    ``(V) a creditor of an entity, 
                                unless the creditor also meets the 
                                requirements of clause (i).
                            ``(iii) Anti-abuse rule.--The exceptions 
                        under clause (ii) shall not apply if used for 
                        the purpose of evading, circumventing, or 
                        abusing the provisions of clause (i) or 
                        paragraph (2)(A).
                    ``(B) Disclosure date.--The term `disclosure date' 
                means--
                            ``(i) the first date during any election 
                        reporting cycle by which a person has made 
                        campaign-related disbursements aggregating more 
                        than $10,000; and
                            ``(ii) any other date during such election 
                        reporting cycle by which a person has made 
                        campaign-related disbursements aggregating more 
                        than $10,000 since the most recent disclosure 
                        date for such election reporting cycle.
                    ``(C) Election reporting cycle.--The term `election 
                reporting cycle' means the 2-year period beginning on 
                the date of the most recent general election for 
                Federal office.
                    ``(D) Payment.--The term `payment' includes any 
                contribution, donation, transfer, payment of dues, or 
                other payment.
    ``(b) Coordination With Other Provisions.--
            ``(1) Other reports filed with the commission.--Information 
        included in a statement filed under this section may be 
        excluded from statements and reports filed under section 304.
            ``(2) Treatment as separate segregated fund.--A segregated 
        bank account referred to in subsection (a)(2)(E) may be treated 
        as a separate segregated fund for purposes of section 527(f)(3) 
        of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
    ``(c) Filing.--Statements required to be filed under subsection (a) 
shall be subject to the requirements of section 304(d) to the same 
extent and in the same manner as if such reports had been required 
under subsection (c) or (g) of section 304.
    ``(d) Campaign-Related Disbursement Defined.--
            ``(1) In general.--In this section, the term `campaign-
        related disbursement' means a disbursement by a covered 
        organization for any of the following:
                    ``(A) An independent expenditure which expressly 
                advocates the election or defeat of a clearly 
                identified candidate for election for Federal office, 
                or is the functional equivalent of express advocacy 
                because, when taken as a whole, it can be interpreted 
                by a reasonable person only as advocating the election 
                or defeat of a candidate for election for Federal 
                office.
                    ``(B) Any public communication which refers to a 
                clearly identified candidate for election for Federal 
                office and which promotes or supports the election of a 
                candidate for that office, or attacks or opposes the 
                election of a candidate for that office, without regard 
                to whether the communication expressly advocates a vote 
                for or against a candidate for that office.
                    ``(C) An electioneering communication, as defined 
                in section 304(f)(3).
                    ``(D) A covered transfer.
            ``(2) Intent not required.--A disbursement for an item 
        described in subparagraph (A), (B), (C), or (D) of paragraph 
        (1) shall be treated as a campaign-related disbursement 
        regardless of the intent of the person making the disbursement.
    ``(e) Covered Organization Defined.--In this section, the term 
`covered organization' means any of the following:
            ``(1) A corporation (other than an organization described 
        in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986).
            ``(2) A limited liability corporation that is not otherwise 
        treated as a corporation for purposes of this Act (other than 
        an organization described in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal 
        Revenue Code of 1986).
            ``(3) An organization described in section 501(c) of such 
        Code and exempt from taxation under section 501(a) of such Code 
        (other than an organization described in section 501(c)(3) of 
        such Code).
            ``(4) A labor organization (as defined in section 316(b)).
            ``(5) Any political organization under section 527 of the 
        Internal Revenue Code of 1986, other than a political committee 
        under this Act (except as provided in paragraph (6)).
            ``(6) A political committee with an account that accepts 
        donations or contributions that do not comply with the 
        contribution limits or source prohibitions under this Act, but 
        only with respect to such accounts.
    ``(f) Covered Transfer Defined.--
            ``(1) In general.--In this section, the term `covered 
        transfer' means any transfer or payment of funds by a covered 
        organization to another person if the covered organization--
                    ``(A) designates, requests, or suggests that the 
                amounts be used for--
                            ``(i) campaign-related disbursements (other 
                        than covered transfers); or
                            ``(ii) making a transfer to another person 
                        for the purpose of making or paying for such 
                        campaign-related disbursements;
                    ``(B) made such transfer or payment in response to 
                a solicitation or other request for a donation or 
                payment for--
                            ``(i) the making of or paying for campaign-
                        related disbursements (other than covered 
                        transfers); or
                            ``(ii) making a transfer to another person 
                        for the purpose of making or paying for such 
                        campaign-related disbursements;
                    ``(C) engaged in discussions with the recipient of 
                the transfer or payment regarding--
                            ``(i) the making of or paying for campaign-
                        related disbursements (other than covered 
                        transfers); or
                            ``(ii) donating or transferring any amount 
                        of such transfer or payment to another person 
                        for the purpose of making or paying for such 
                        campaign-related disbursements;
                    ``(D) made campaign-related disbursements (other 
                than a covered transfer) in an aggregate amount of 
                $50,000 or more during the 2-year period ending on the 
                date of the transfer or payment, or knew or had reason 
                to know that the person receiving the transfer or 
                payment made such disbursements in such an aggregate 
                amount during that 2-year period; or
                    ``(E) knew or had reason to know that the person 
                receiving the transfer or payment would make campaign-
                related disbursements in an aggregate amount of $50,000 
                or more during the 2-year period beginning on the date 
                of the transfer or payment.
            ``(2) Exclusions.--The term `covered transfer' does not 
        include any of the following:
                    ``(A) A disbursement made by a covered organization 
                in a commercial transaction in the ordinary course of 
                any trade or business conducted by the covered 
                organization or in the form of investments made by the 
                covered organization.
                    ``(B) A disbursement made by a covered organization 
                if--
                            ``(i) the covered organization prohibited, 
                        in writing, the use of such disbursement for 
                        campaign-related disbursements; and
                            ``(ii) the recipient of the disbursement 
                        agreed to follow the prohibition and deposited 
                        the disbursement in an account which is 
                        segregated from any account used to make 
                        campaign-related disbursements.
            ``(3) Special rule regarding transfers among affiliates.--
                    ``(A) Special rule.--A transfer of an amount by one 
                covered organization to another covered organization 
                which is treated as a transfer between affiliates under 
                subparagraph (C) shall be considered a covered transfer 
                by the covered organization which transfers the amount 
                only if the aggregate amount transferred during the 
                year by such covered organization to that same covered 
                organization is equal to or greater than $50,000.
                    ``(B) Determination of amount of certain payments 
                among affiliates.--In determining the amount of a 
                transfer between affiliates for purposes of 
                subparagraph (A), to the extent that the transfer 
                consists of funds attributable to dues, fees, or 
                assessments which are paid by individuals on a regular, 
                periodic basis in accordance with a per-individual 
                calculation which is made on a regular basis, the 
                transfer shall be attributed to the individuals paying 
                the dues, fees, or assessments and shall not be 
                attributed to the covered organization.
                    ``(C) Description of transfers between 
                affiliates.--A transfer of amounts from one covered 
                organization to another covered organization shall be 
                treated as a transfer between affiliates if--
                            ``(i) one of the organizations is an 
                        affiliate of the other organization; or
                            ``(ii) each of the organizations is an 
                        affiliate of the same organization,
                except that the transfer shall not be treated as a 
                transfer between affiliates if one of the organizations 
                is established for the purpose of making campaign-
                related disbursements.
                    ``(D) Determination of affiliate status.--For 
                purposes of subparagraph (C), a covered organization is 
                an affiliate of another covered organization if--
                            ``(i) the governing instrument of the 
                        organization requires it to be bound by 
                        decisions of the other organization;
                            ``(ii) the governing board of the 
                        organization includes persons who are 
                        specifically designated representatives of the 
                        other organization or are members of the 
                        governing board, officers, or paid executive 
                        staff members of the other organization, or 
                        whose service on the governing board is 
                        contingent upon the approval of the other 
                        organization; or
                            ``(iii) the organization is chartered by 
                        the other organization.
                    ``(E) Coverage of transfers to affiliated section 
                501(c)(3) organizations.--This paragraph shall apply 
                with respect to an amount transferred by a covered 
                organization to an organization described in paragraph 
                (3) of section 501(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 
                1986 and exempt from tax under section 501(a) of such 
                Code in the same manner as this paragraph applies to an 
                amount transferred by a covered organization to another 
                covered organization.
    ``(g) No Effect on Other Reporting Requirements.--Nothing in this 
section shall be construed to waive or otherwise affect any other 
requirement of this Act which relates to the reporting of campaign-
related disbursements.''.
            (2) Conforming amendment.--Section 304(f)(6) of such Act 
        (52 U.S.C. 30104) is amended by striking ``Any requirement'' 
        and inserting ``Except as provided in section 324(b), any 
        requirement''.
    (b) Coordination With FinCEN.--
            (1) In general.--The Director of the Financial Crimes 
        Enforcement Network of the Department of the Treasury shall 
        provide the Federal Election Commission with such information 
        as necessary to assist in administering and enforcing section 
        324 of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971, as added by 
        this section.
            (2) Report.--Not later than 6 months after the date of the 
        enactment of this Act, the Chairman of the Federal Election 
        Commission, in consultation with the Director of the Financial 
        Crimes Enforcement Network of the Department of the Treasury, 
        shall submit to Congress a report with recommendations for 
        providing further legislative authority to assist in the 
        administration and enforcement of such section 324.

SEC. 4112. APPLICATION OF FOREIGN MONEY BAN TO DISBURSEMENTS FOR 
              CAMPAIGN-RELATED DISBURSEMENTS CONSISTING OF COVERED 
              TRANSFERS.

    Section 319(a)(1)(A) of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 
(52 U.S.C. 30121(a)(1)(A)), as amended by section 4102, is amended by 
striking the semicolon and inserting the following: ``, and any 
disbursement, other than an disbursement described in section 
324(a)(3)(A), to another person who made a campaign-related 
disbursement consisting of a covered transfer (as described in section 
324) during the 2-year period ending on the date of the 
disbursement;''.

SEC. 4113. EFFECTIVE DATE.

    The amendments made by this part shall apply with respect to 
disbursements made on or after January 1, 2020, and shall take effect 
without regard to whether or not the Federal Election Commission has 
promulgated regulations to carry out such amendments.

                  PART 3--OTHER ADMINISTRATIVE REFORMS

SEC. 4121. PETITION FOR CERTIORARI.

    Section 307(a)(6) of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (52 
U.S.C. 30107(a)(6)) is amended by inserting ``(including a proceeding 
before the Supreme Court on certiorari)'' after ``appeal''.

SEC. 4122. JUDICIAL REVIEW OF ACTIONS RELATED TO CAMPAIGN FINANCE LAWS.

    (a) In General.--Title IV of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 
1971 (52 U.S.C. 30141 et seq.) is amended by inserting after section 
406 the following new section:

``SEC. 407. JUDICIAL REVIEW.

    ``(a) In General.--Notwithstanding section 373(f), if any action is 
brought for declaratory or injunctive relief to challenge the 
constitutionality of any provision of this Act or of chapter 95 or 96 
of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, or is brought to with respect to 
any action of the Commission under chapter 95 or 96 of the Internal 
Revenue Code of 1986, the following rules shall apply:
            ``(1) The action shall be filed in the United States 
        District Court for the District of Columbia and an appeal from 
        the decision of the district court may be taken to the Court of 
        Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit.
            ``(2) In the case of an action relating to declaratory or 
        injunctive relief to challenge the constitutionality of a 
        provision--
                    ``(A) a copy of the complaint shall be delivered 
                promptly to the Clerk of the House of Representatives 
                and the Secretary of the Senate; and
                    ``(B) it shall be the duty of the United States 
                District Court for the District of Columbia, the Court 
                of Appeals for the District of Columbia, and the 
                Supreme Court of the United States to advance on the 
                docket and to expedite to the greatest possible extent 
                the disposition of the action and appeal.
    ``(b) Intervention by Members of Congress.--In any action in which 
the constitutionality of any provision of this Act or chapter 95 or 96 
of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is raised, any Member of the House 
of Representatives (including a Delegate or Resident Commissioner to 
the Congress) or Senate shall have the right to intervene either in 
support of or opposition to the position of a party to the case 
regarding the constitutionality of the provision. To avoid duplication 
of efforts and reduce the burdens placed on the parties to the action, 
the court in any such action may make such orders as it considers 
necessary, including orders to require interveners taking similar 
positions to file joint papers or to be represented by a single 
attorney at oral argument.
    ``(c) Challenge by Members of Congress.--Any Member of Congress may 
bring an action, subject to the special rules described in subsection 
(a), for declaratory or injunctive relief to challenge the 
constitutionality of any provision of this Act or chapter 95 or 96 of 
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.''.
    (b) Conforming Amendments.--
            (1) In general.--
                    (A) Section 9011 of the Internal Revenue Code of 
                1986 is amended to read as follows:

``SEC. 9011. JUDICIAL REVIEW.

    ``For provisions relating to judicial review of certifications, 
determinations, and actions by the Commission under this chapter, see 
section 407 of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971.''.
                    (B) Section 9041 of the Internal Revenue Code of 
                1986 is amended to read as follows:

``SEC. 9041. JUDICIAL REVIEW.

    ``For provisions relating to judicial review of actions by the 
Commission under this chapter, see section 407 of the Federal Election 
Campaign Act of 1971.''.
                    (C) Section 403 of the Bipartisan Campaign Reform 
                Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C. 30110 note) is repealed.
    (c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall 
apply to actions brought on or after January 1, 2019.

                         Subtitle C--Honest Ads

SEC. 4201. SHORT TITLE.

    This subtitle may be cited as the ``Honest Ads Act''.

SEC. 4202. PURPOSE.

    The purpose of this subtitle is to enhance the integrity of 
American democracy and national security by improving disclosure 
requirements for online political advertisements in order to uphold the 
Supreme Court's well-established standard that the electorate bears the 
right to be fully informed.

SEC. 4203. FINDINGS.

    Congress makes the following findings:
            (1) On January 6, 2017, the Office of the Director of 
        National Intelligence published a report titled ``Assessing 
        Russian Activities and Intentions in Recent U.S. Elections'', 
        noting that ``Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered an 
        influence campaign in 2016 aimed at the US presidential 
        election . . .''. Moscow's influence campaign followed a 
        Russian messaging strategy that blends covert intelligence 
        operation--such as cyber activity--with overt efforts by 
        Russian Government agencies, state-funded media, third-party 
        intermediaries, and paid social media users or ``trolls''.
            (2) On November 24, 2016, The Washington Post reported 
        findings from 2 teams of independent researchers that concluded 
        Russians ``exploited American-made technology platforms to 
        attack U.S. democracy at a particularly vulnerable moment . . . 
        as part of a broadly effective strategy of sowing distrust in 
        U.S. democracy and its leaders.''.
            (3) Findings from a 2017 study on the manipulation of 
        public opinion through social media conducted by the 
        Computational Propaganda Research Project at the Oxford 
        Internet Institute found that the Kremlin is using pro-Russian 
        bots to manipulate public discourse to a highly targeted 
        audience. With a sample of nearly 1,300,000 tweets, researchers 
        found that in the 2016 election's 3 decisive States, propaganda 
        constituted 40 percent of the sampled election-related tweets 
        that went to Pennsylvanians, 34 percent to Michigan voters, and 
        30 percent to those in Wisconsin. In other swing States, the 
        figure reached 42 percent in Missouri, 41 percent in Florida, 
        40 percent in North Carolina, 38 percent in Colorado, and 35 
        percent in Ohio.
            (4) On September 6, 2017, the nation's largest social media 
        platform disclosed that between June 2015 and May 2017, Russian 
        entities purchased $100,000 in political advertisements, 
        publishing roughly 3,000 ads linked to fake accounts associated 
        with the Internet Research Agency, a pro-Kremlin organization. 
        According to the company, the ads purchased focused ``on 
        amplifying divisive social and political messages . . .''.
            (5) In 2002, the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act became law, 
        establishing disclosure requirements for political 
        advertisements distributed from a television or radio broadcast 
        station or provider of cable or satellite television. In 2003, 
        the Supreme Court upheld regulations on electioneering 
        communications established under the Act, noting that such 
        requirements ``provide the electorate with information and 
        insure that the voters are fully informed about the person or 
        group who is speaking.''.
            (6) According to a study from Borrell Associates, in 2016, 
        $1,415,000,000 was spent on online advertising, more than 
        quadruple the amount in 2012.
            (7) The reach of a few large internet platforms--larger 
        than any broadcast, satellite, or cable provider--has greatly 
        facilitated the scope and effectiveness of disinformation 
        campaigns. For instance, the largest platform has over 
        210,000,000 Americans users--over 160,000,000 of them on a 
        daily basis. By contrast, the largest cable television provider 
        has 22,430,000 subscribers, while the largest satellite 
        television provider has 21,000,000 subscribers. And the most-
        watched television broadcast in United States history had 
        118,000,000 viewers.
            (8) The public nature of broadcast television, radio, and 
        satellite ensures a level of publicity for any political 
        advertisement. These communications are accessible to the 
        press, fact-checkers, and political opponents; this creates 
        strong disincentives for a candidate to disseminate materially 
        false, inflammatory, or contradictory messages to the public. 
        Social media platforms, in contrast, can target portions of the 
        electorate with direct, ephemeral advertisements often on the 
        basis of private information the platform has on individuals, 
        enabling political advertisements that are contradictory, 
        racially or socially inflammatory, or materially false.
            (9) According to comScore, 2 companies own 8 of the 10 most 
        popular smartphone applications as of June 2017, including the 
        most popular social media and email services--which deliver 
        information and news to users without requiring proactivity by 
        the user. Those same 2 companies accounted for 99 percent of 
        revenue growth from digital advertising in 2016, including 77 
        percent of gross spending. 79 percent of online Americans--
        representing 68 percent of all Americans--use the single 
        largest social network, while 66 percent of these users are 
        most likely to get their news from that site.
            (10) In its 2006 rulemaking, the Federal Election 
        Commission noted that only 18 percent of all Americans cited 
        the internet as their leading source of news about the 2004 
        Presidential election; by contrast, the Pew Research Center 
        found that 65 percent of Americans identified an internet-based 
        source as their leading source of information for the 2016 
        election.
            (11) The Federal Election Commission, the independent 
        Federal agency charged with protecting the integrity of the 
        Federal campaign finance process by providing transparency and 
        administering campaign finance laws, has failed to take action 
        to address online political advertisements.
            (12) In testimony before the Senate Select Committee on 
        Intelligence titled, ``Disinformation: A Primer in Russian 
        Active Measures and Influence Campaigns'', multiple expert 
        witnesses testified that while the disinformation tactics of 
        foreign adversaries have not necessarily changed, social media 
        services now provide ``platform[s] practically purpose-built 
        for active measures[.]'' Similarly, as Gen. Keith B. Alexander 
        (RET.), the former Director of the National Security Agency, 
        testified, during the Cold War ``if the Soviet Union sought to 
        manipulate information flow, it would have to do so principally 
        through its own propaganda outlets or through active measures 
        that would generate specific news: planting of leaflets, 
        inciting of violence, creation of other false materials and 
        narratives. But the news itself was hard to manipulate because 
        it would have required actual control of the organs of media, 
        which took long-term efforts to penetrate. Today, however, 
        because the clear majority of the information on social media 
        sites is uncurated and there is a rapid proliferation of 
        information sources and other sites that can reinforce 
        information, there is an increasing likelihood that the 
        information available to average consumers may be inaccurate 
        (whether intentionally or otherwise) and may be more easily 
        manipulable than in prior eras.''.
            (13) Current regulations on political advertisements do not 
        provide sufficient transparency to uphold the public's right to 
        be fully informed about political advertisements made online.

SEC. 4204. SENSE OF CONGRESS.

    It is the sense of Congress that--
            (1) the dramatic increase in digital political 
        advertisements, and the growing centrality of online platforms 
        in the lives of Americans, requires the Congress and the 
        Federal Election Commission to take meaningful action to ensure 
        that laws and regulations provide the accountability and 
        transparency that is fundamental to our democracy;.
            (2) free and fair elections require both transparency and 
        accountability which give the public a right to know the true 
        sources of funding for political advertisements in order to 
        make informed political choices and hold elected officials 
        accountable; and
            (3) transparency of funding for political advertisements is 
        essential to enforce other campaign finance laws, including the 
        prohibition on campaign spending by foreign nationals.

SEC. 4205. EXPANSION OF DEFINITION OF PUBLIC COMMUNICATION.

    (a) In General.--Paragraph (22) of section 301 of the Federal 
Election Campaign Act of 1971 (52 U.S.C. 30101(22)) is amended by 
striking ``or satellite communication'' and inserting ``satellite, paid 
internet, or paid digital communication''.
    (b) Treatment of Contributions and Expenditures.--Section 301 of 
such Act (52 U.S.C. 30101) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (8)(B)--
                    (A) in clause (v), by striking ``on broadcasting 
                stations, or in newspapers, magazines, or similar types 
                of general public political advertising'' and inserting 
                ``in any public communication'';
                    (B) in clause (ix), by striking ``broadcasting, 
                newspaper, magazine, billboard, direct mail, or similar 
                type of general public communication or political 
                advertising'' and inserting ``public communication''; 
                and
                    (C) in clause (x), by striking ``but not including 
                the use of broadcasting, newspapers, magazines, 
                billboards, direct mail, or similar types of general 
                public communication or political advertising'' and 
                inserting ``but not including use in any public 
                communication''; and
            (2) in paragraph (9)(B)--
                    (A) by amending clause (i) to read as follows:
                            ``(i) any news story, commentary, or 
                        editorial distributed through the facilities of 
                        any broadcasting station or any print, online, 
                        or digital newspaper, magazine, blog, 
                        publication, or periodical, unless such 
                        broadcasting, print, online, or digital 
                        facilities are owned or controlled by any 
                        political party, political committee, or 
                        candidate;''; and
                    (B) in clause (iv), by striking ``on broadcasting 
                stations, or in newspapers, magazines, or similar types 
                of general public political advertising'' and inserting 
                ``in any public communication''.
    (c) Disclosure and Disclaimer Statements.--Subsection (a) of 
section 318 of such Act (52 U.S.C. 30120) is amended--
            (1) by striking ``financing any communication through any 
        broadcasting station, newspaper, magazine, outdoor advertising 
        facility, mailing, or any other type of general public 
        political advertising'' and inserting ``financing any public 
        communication''; and
            (2) by striking ``solicits any contribution through any 
        broadcasting station, newspaper, magazine, outdoor advertising 
        facility, mailing, or any other type of general public 
        political advertising'' and inserting ``solicits any 
        contribution through any public communication''.

SEC. 4206. EXPANSION OF DEFINITION OF ELECTIONEERING COMMUNICATION.

    (a) Expansion to Online Communications.--
            (1) Application to qualified internet and digital 
        communications.--
                    (A) In general.--Subparagraph (A) of section 
                304(f)(3) of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 
                (52 U.S.C. 30104(f)(3)(A)) is amended by striking ``or 
                satellite communication'' each place it appears in 
                clauses (i) and (ii) and inserting ``satellite, or 
                qualified internet or digital communication''.
                    (B) Qualified internet or digital communication.--
                Paragraph (3) of section 304(f) of such Act (52 U.S.C. 
                30104(f)) is amended by adding at the end the following 
                new subparagraph:
                    ``(D) Qualified internet or digital 
                communication.--The term `qualified internet or digital 
                communication' means any communication which is placed 
                or promoted for a fee on an online platform (as defined 
                in subsection (j)(3)).''.
            (2) Nonapplication of relevant electorate to online 
        communications.--Section 304(f)(3)(A)(i)(III) of such Act (52 
        U.S.C. 30104(f)(3)(A)(i)(III)) is amended by inserting ``any 
        broadcast, cable, or satellite'' before ``communication''.
            (3) News exemption.--Section 304(f)(3)(B)(i) of such Act 
        (52 U.S.C. 30104(f)(3)(B)(i)) is amended to read as follows:
                            ``(i) a communication appearing in a news 
                        story, commentary, or editorial distributed 
                        through the facilities of any broadcasting 
                        station or any online or digital newspaper, 
                        magazine, blog, publication, or periodical, 
                        unless such broadcasting, online, or digital 
                        facilities are owned or controlled by any 
                        political party, political committee, or 
                        candidate;''.
    (b) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall 
apply with respect to communications made on or after January 1, 2020.

SEC. 4207. APPLICATION OF DISCLAIMER STATEMENTS TO ONLINE 
              COMMUNICATIONS.

    (a) Clear and Conspicuous Manner Requirement.--Subsection (a) of 
section 318 of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (52 U.S.C. 
30120(a)) is amended--
            (1) by striking ``shall clearly state'' each place it 
        appears in paragraphs (1), (2), and (3) and inserting ``shall 
        state in a clear and conspicuous manner''; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following flush sentence: 
        ``For purposes of this section, a communication does not make a 
        statement in a clear and conspicuous manner if it is difficult 
        to read or hear or if the placement is easily overlooked.''.
    (b) Special Rules for Qualified Internet or Digital 
Communications.--
            (1) In general.--Section 318 of such Act (52 U.S.C. 30120) 
        is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:
    ``(e) Special Rules for Qualified Internet or Digital 
Communications.--
            ``(1) Special rules with respect to statements.--In the 
        case of any qualified internet or digital communication (as 
        defined in section 304(f)(3)(D)) which is disseminated through 
        a medium in which the provision of all of the information 
        specified in this section is not possible, the communication 
        shall, in a clear and conspicuous manner--
                    ``(A) state the name of the person who paid for the 
                communication; and
                    ``(B) provide a means for the recipient of the 
                communication to obtain the remainder of the 
                information required under this section with minimal 
                effort and without receiving or viewing any additional 
                material other than such required information.
            ``(2) Safe harbor for determining clear and conspicuous 
        manner.--A statement in qualified internet or digital 
        communication (as defined in section 304(f)(3)(D)) shall be 
        considered to be made in a clear and conspicuous manner as 
        provided in subsection (a) if the communication meets the 
        following requirements:
                    ``(A) Text or graphic communications.--In the case 
                of a text or graphic communication, the statement--
                            ``(i) appears in letters at least as large 
                        as the majority of the text in the 
                        communication; and
                            ``(ii) meets the requirements of paragraphs 
                        (2) and (3) of subsection (c).
                    ``(B) Audio communications.--In the case of an 
                audio communication, the statement is spoken in a 
                clearly audible and intelligible manner at the 
                beginning or end of the communication and lasts at 
                least 3 seconds.
                    ``(C) Video communications.--In the case of a video 
                communication which also includes audio, the 
                statement--
                            ``(i) is included at either the beginning 
                        or the end of the communication; and
                            ``(ii) is made both in--
                                    ``(I) a written format that meets 
                                the requirements of subparagraph (A) 
                                and appears for at least 4 seconds; and
                                    ``(II) an audible format that meets 
                                the requirements of subparagraph (B).
                    ``(D) Other communications.--In the case of any 
                other type of communication, the statement is at least 
                as clear and conspicuous as the statement specified in 
                subparagraph (A), (B), or (C).''.
            (2) Nonapplication of certain exceptions.--The exceptions 
        provided in section 110.11(f)(1)(i) and (ii) of title 11, Code 
        of Federal Regulations, or any successor to such rules, shall 
        have no application to qualified internet or digital 
        communications (as defined in section 304(f)(3)(D) of the 
        Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971).
    (c) Modification of Additional Requirements for Certain 
Communications.--Section 318(d) of such Act (52 U.S.C. 30120(d)) is 
amended--
            (1) in paragraph (1)(A)--
                    (A) by striking ``which is transmitted through 
                radio'' and inserting ``which is in an audio format''; 
                and
                    (B) by striking ``By radio'' in the heading and 
                inserting ``Audio format'';
            (2) in paragraph (1)(B)--
                    (A) by striking ``which is transmitted through 
                television'' and inserting ``which is in video 
                format''; and
                    (B) by striking ``By television'' in the heading 
                and inserting ``Video format''; and
            (3) in paragraph (2)--
                    (A) by striking ``transmitted through radio or 
                television'' and inserting ``made in audio or video 
                format''; and
                    (B) by striking ``through television'' in the 
                second sentence and inserting ``in video format''.

SEC. 4208. POLITICAL RECORD REQUIREMENTS FOR ONLINE PLATFORMS.

    (a) In General.--Section 304 of the Federal Election Campaign Act 
of 1971 (52 U.S.C. 30104) is amended by adding at the end the following 
new subsection:
    ``(j) Disclosure of Certain Online Advertisements.--
            ``(1) In general.--
                    ``(A) Requirements for online platforms.--An online 
                platform shall maintain, and make available for online 
                public inspection in machine readable format, a 
                complete record of any request to purchase on such 
                online platform a qualified political advertisement 
                which is made by a person whose aggregate requests to 
                purchase qualified political advertisements on such 
                online platform during the calendar year exceeds $500.
                    ``(B) Requirements for advertisers.--Any person who 
                requests to purchase a qualified political 
                advertisement on an online platform shall provide the 
                online platform with such information as is necessary 
                for the online platform to comply with the requirements 
                of subparagraph (A).
            ``(2) Contents of record.--A record maintained under 
        paragraph (1)(A) shall contain--
                    ``(A) a digital copy of the qualified political 
                advertisement;
                    ``(B) a description of the audience targeted by the 
                advertisement, the number of views generated from the 
                advertisement, and the date and time that the 
                advertisement is first displayed and last displayed; 
                and
                    ``(C) information regarding--
                            ``(i) the average rate charged for the 
                        advertisement;
                            ``(ii) the name of the candidate to which 
                        the advertisement refers and the office to 
                        which the candidate is seeking election, the 
                        election to which the advertisement refers, or 
                        the national legislative issue to which the 
                        advertisement refers (as applicable);
                            ``(iii) in the case of a request made by, 
                        or on behalf of, a candidate, the name of the 
                        candidate, the authorized committee of the 
                        candidate, and the treasurer of such committee; 
                        and
                            ``(iv) in the case of any request not 
                        described in clause (iii), the name of the 
                        person purchasing the advertisement, the name 
                        and address of a contact person for such 
                        person, and a list of the chief executive 
                        officers or members of the executive committee 
                        or of the board of directors of such person.
            ``(3) Online platform.--For purposes of this subsection, 
        the term `online platform' means any public-facing website, web 
        application, or digital application (including a social 
        network, ad network, or search engine) which--
                    ``(A) sells qualified political advertisements; and
                    ``(B) has 50,000,000 or more unique monthly United 
                States visitors or users for a majority of months 
                during the preceding 12 months.
            ``(4) Qualified political advertisement.--For purposes of 
        this subsection, the term `qualified political advertisement' 
        means any advertisement (including search engine marketing, 
        display advertisements, video advertisements, native 
        advertisements, and sponsorships) that--
                    ``(A) is made by or on behalf of a candidate; or
                    ``(B) communicates a message relating to any 
                political matter of national importance, including--
                            ``(i) a candidate;
                            ``(ii) any election to Federal office; or
                            ``(iii) a national legislative issue of 
                        public importance.
            ``(5) Time to maintain file.--The information required 
        under this subsection shall be made available as soon as 
        possible and shall be retained by the online platform for a 
        period of not less than 4 years.
            ``(6) Safe harbor for platforms making best efforts to 
        identify requests which are subject to record maintenance 
        requirements.--In accordance with rules established by the 
        Commission, if an online platform shows that the platform used 
        best efforts to determine whether or not a request to purchase 
        a qualified political advertisement was subject to the 
        requirements of this subsection, the online platform shall not 
        be considered to be in violation of such requirements.
            ``(7) Penalties.--For penalties for failure by online 
        platforms, and persons requesting to purchase a qualified 
        political advertisement on online platforms, to comply with the 
        requirements of this subsection, see section 309.''.
    (b) Rulemaking.--Not later than 120 days after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Federal Election Commission shall establish 
rules--
            (1) requiring common data formats for the record required 
        to be maintained under section 304(j) of the Federal Election 
        Campaign Act of 1971 (as added by subsection (a)) so that all 
        online platforms submit and maintain data online in a common, 
        machine-readable and publicly accessible format; and
            (2) establishing search interface requirements relating to 
        such record, including searches by candidate name, issue, 
        purchaser, and date; and
            (3) establishing the criteria for the safe harbor exception 
        provided under paragraph (6) of section 304(j) of such Act (as 
        added by subsection (a)).
    (c) Reporting.--Not later than 2 years after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, and biannually thereafter, the Chairman of the 
Federal Election Commission shall submit a report to Congress on--
            (1) matters relating to compliance with and the enforcement 
        of the requirements of section 304(j) of the Federal Election 
        Campaign Act of 1971, as added by subsection (a);
            (2) recommendations for any modifications to such section 
        to assist in carrying out its purposes; and
            (3) identifying ways to bring transparency and 
        accountability to political advertisements distributed online 
        for free.

SEC. 4209. PREVENTING CONTRIBUTIONS, EXPENDITURES, INDEPENDENT 
              EXPENDITURES, AND DISBURSEMENTS FOR ELECTIONEERING 
              COMMUNICATIONS BY FOREIGN NATIONALS IN THE FORM OF ONLINE 
              ADVERTISING.

    Section 319 of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (52 U.S.C. 
30121), as amended by section 4101(a)(2) and section 4101(b), is 
further amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:
    ``(e) Responsibilities of Broadcast Stations, Providers of Cable 
and Satellite Television, and Online Platforms.--Each television or 
radio broadcast station, provider of cable or satellite television, or 
online platform (as defined in section 304(j)(3)) shall make reasonable 
efforts to ensure that communications described in section 318(a) and 
made available by such station, provider, or platform are not purchased 
by a foreign national, directly or indirectly.''.

                     Subtitle D--Stand By Every Ad

SEC. 4301. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Stand By Every Ad Act''.

SEC. 4302. STAND BY EVERY AD.

    (a) Expanded Disclaimer Requirements for Certain Communications.--
Section 318 of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (52 U.S.C. 
30120), as amended by section 4207(b)(1), is further amended--
            (1) by redesignating subsection (e) as subsection (f); and
            (2) by inserting after subsection (d) the following new 
        subsection:
    ``(e) Expanded Disclaimer Requirements for Communications Not 
Authorized by Candidates or Committees.--
            ``(1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (6), any 
        communication described in paragraph (3) of subsection (a) 
        which is transmitted in an audio or video format (including an 
        Internet or digital communication), or which is an Internet or 
        digital communication transmitted in a text or graphic format, 
        shall include, in addition to the requirements of paragraph (3) 
        of subsection (a), the following:
                    ``(A) The individual disclosure statement described 
                in paragraph (2)(A) (if the person paying for the 
                communication is an individual) or the organizational 
                disclosure statement described in paragraph (2)(B) (if 
                the person paying for the communication is not an 
                individual).
                    ``(B) If the communication is transmitted in a 
                video format, or is an Internet or digital 
                communication which is transmitted in a text or graphic 
                format, and is paid for in whole or in part with a 
                payment which is treated as a campaign-related 
                disbursement under section 324--
                            ``(i) the Top Five Funders list (if 
                        applicable); or
                            ``(ii) in the case of a communication 
                        which, as determined on the basis of criteria 
                        established in regulations issued by the 
                        Commission, is of such short duration that 
                        including the Top Five Funders list in the 
                        communication would constitute a hardship to 
                        the person paying for the communication by 
                        requiring a disproportionate amount of the 
                        content of the communication to consist of the 
                        Top Five Funders list, the name of a website 
                        which contains the Top Five Funders list (if 
                        applicable) or, in the case of an Internet or 
                        digital communication, a hyperlink to such 
                        website.
                    ``(C) If the communication is transmitted in an 
                audio format and is paid for in whole or in part with a 
                payment which is treated as a campaign-related 
                disbursement under section 324--
                            ``(i) the Top Two Funders list (if 
                        applicable); or
                            ``(ii) in the case of a communication 
                        which, as determined on the basis of criteria 
                        established in regulations issued by the 
                        Commission, is of such short duration that 
                        including the Top Two Funders list in the 
                        communication would constitute a hardship to 
                        the person paying for the communication by 
                        requiring a disproportionate amount of the 
                        content of the communication to consist of the 
                        Top Two Funders list, the name of a website 
                        which contains the Top Two Funders list (if 
                        applicable).
            ``(2) Disclosure statements described.--
                    ``(A) Individual disclosure statements.--The 
                individual disclosure statement described in this 
                subparagraph is the following: `I am ________, and I 
                approve this message.', with the blank filled in with 
                the name of the applicable individual.
                    ``(B) Organizational disclosure statements.--The 
                organizational disclosure statement described in this 
                subparagraph is the following: `I am ________, the 
                ________ of ________, and ________ approves this 
                message.', with--
                            ``(i) the first blank to be filled in with 
                        the name of the applicable individual;
                            ``(ii) the second blank to be filled in 
                        with the title of the applicable individual; 
                        and
                            ``(iii) the third and fourth blank each to 
                        be filled in with the name of the organization 
                        or other person paying for the communication.
            ``(3) Method of conveyance of statement.--
                    ``(A) Communications in text or graphic format.--In 
                the case of a communication to which this subsection 
                applies which is transmitted in a text or graphic 
                format, the disclosure statements required under 
                paragraph (1) shall appear in letters at least as large 
                as the majority of the text in the communication.
                    ``(B) Communications transmitted in audio format.--
                In the case of a communication to which this subsection 
                applies which is transmitted in an audio format, the 
                disclosure statements required under paragraph (1) 
                shall be made by audio by the applicable individual in 
                a clear and conspicuous manner.
                    ``(C) Communications transmitted in video format.--
                In the case of a communication to which this subsection 
                applies which is transmitted in a video format, the 
                information required under paragraph (1)--
                            ``(i) shall appear in writing at the end of 
                        the communication or in a crawl along the 
                        bottom of the communication in a clear and 
                        conspicuous manner, with a reasonable degree of 
                        color contrast between the background and the 
                        printed statement, for a period of at least 6 
                        seconds; and
                            ``(ii) shall also be conveyed by an 
                        unobscured, full-screen view of the applicable 
                        individual or by the applicable individual 
                        making the statement in voice-over accompanied 
                        by a clearly identifiable photograph or similar 
                        image of the individual, except in the case of 
                        a Top Five Funders list.
            ``(4) Applicable individual defined.--The term `applicable 
        individual' means, with respect to a communication to which 
        this subsection applies--
                    ``(A) if the communication is paid for by an 
                individual, the individual involved;
                    ``(B) if the communication is paid for by a 
                corporation, the chief executive officer of the 
                corporation (or, if the corporation does not have a 
                chief executive officer, the highest ranking official 
                of the corporation);
                    ``(C) if the communication is paid for by a labor 
                organization, the highest ranking officer of the labor 
                organization; and
                    ``(D) if the communication is paid for by any other 
                person, the highest ranking official of such person.
            ``(5) Top five funders list and top two funders list 
        defined.--
                    ``(A) Top five funders list.--The term `Top Five 
                Funders list' means, with respect to a communication 
                which is paid for in whole or in part with a campaign-
                related disbursement (as defined in section 324), a 
                list of the five persons who, during the 12-month 
                period ending on the date of the disbursement, provided 
                the largest payments of any type in an aggregate amount 
                equal to or exceeding $10,000 to the person who is 
                paying for the communication and the amount of the 
                payments each such person provided. If two or more 
                people provided the fifth largest of such payments, the 
                person paying for the communication shall select one of 
                those persons to be included on the Top Five Funders 
                list.
                    ``(B) Top two funders list.--The term `Top Two 
                Funders list' means, with respect to a communication 
                which is paid for in whole or in part with a campaign-
                related disbursement (as defined in section 324), a 
                list of the persons who, during the 12-month period 
                ending on the date of the disbursement, provided the 
                largest and the second largest payments of any type in 
                an aggregate amount equal to or exceeding $10,000 to 
                the person who is paying for the communication and the 
                amount of the payments each such person provided. If 
                two or more persons provided the second largest of such 
                payments, the person paying for the communication shall 
                select one of those persons to be included on the Top 
                Two Funders list.
                    ``(C) Exclusion of certain payments.--For purposes 
                of subparagraphs (A) and (B), in determining the amount 
                of payments made by a person to a person paying for a 
                communication, there shall be excluded the following:
                            ``(i) Any amounts provided in the ordinary 
                        course of any trade or business conducted by 
                        the person paying for the communication or in 
                        the form of investments in the person paying 
                        for the communication.
                            ``(ii) Any payment which the person 
                        prohibited, in writing, from being used for 
                        campaign-related disbursements, but only if the 
                        person paying for the communication agreed to 
                        follow the prohibition and deposited the 
                        payment in an account which is segregated from 
                        any account used to make campaign-related 
                        disbursements.
            ``(6) Special rules for certain communications.--
                    ``(A) Exception for communications paid for by 
                political parties and certain political committees.--
                This subsection does not apply to any communication to 
                which subsection (d)(2) applies.
                    ``(B) Treatment of video communications lasting 10 
                seconds or less.--In the case of a communication to 
                which this subsection applies which is transmitted in a 
                video format, or is an Internet or digital 
                communication which is transmitted in a text or graphic 
                format, the communication shall meet the following 
                requirements:
                            ``(i) The communication shall include the 
                        individual disclosure statement described in 
                        paragraph (2)(A) (if the person paying for the 
                        communication is an individual) or the 
                        organizational disclosure statement described 
                        in paragraph (2)(B) (if the person paying for 
                        the communication is not an individual).
                            ``(ii) The statement described in clause 
                        (i) shall appear in writing at the end of the 
                        communication, or in a crawl along the bottom 
                        of the communication, in a clear and 
                        conspicuous manner, with a reasonable degree of 
                        color contrast between the background and the 
                        printed statement, for a period of at least 4 
                        seconds.
                            ``(iii) The communication shall include, in 
                        a clear and conspicuous manner, a website 
                        address with a landing page which will provide 
                        all of the information described in paragraph 
                        (1) with respect to the communication. Such 
                        address shall appear for the full duration of 
                        the communication.
                            ``(iv) To the extent that the format in 
                        which the communication is made permits the use 
                        of a hyperlink, the communication shall include 
                        a hyperlink to the website address described in 
                        clause (iii).''.
    (b) Application of Expanded Requirements to Public Communications 
Consisting of Campaign-Related Disbursements.--Section 318(a) of such 
Act (52 U.S.C. 30120(a)) is amended by striking ``for the purpose of 
financing communications expressly advocating the election or defeat of 
a clearly identified candidate'' and inserting ``for a campaign-related 
disbursement, as defined in section 324, consisting of a public 
communication''.
    (c) Exception for Communications Paid for by Political Parties and 
Certain Political Committees.--Section 318(d)(2) of such Act (52 U.S.C. 
30120(d)(2)) is amended--
            (1) in the heading, by striking ``others'' and inserting 
        ``certain political committees'';
            (2) by striking ``Any communication'' and inserting ``(A) 
        Any communication'';
            (3) by inserting ``which (except to the extent provided in 
        subparagraph (B)) is paid for by a political committee 
        (including a political committee of a political party) and'' 
        after ``subsection (a)'';
            (4) by striking ``or other person'' each place it appears; 
        and
            (5) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
            ``(B)(i) This paragraph does not apply to a communication 
        paid for in whole or in part during a calendar year with a 
        campaign-related disbursement, but only if the covered 
        organization making the campaign-related disbursement made 
        campaign-related disbursements (as defined in section 324) 
        aggregating more than $10,000 during such calendar year.
            ``(ii) For purposes of clause (i), in determining the 
        amount of campaign-related disbursements made by a covered 
        organization during a year, there shall be excluded the 
        following:
                    ``(I) Any amounts received by the covered 
                organization in the ordinary course of any trade or 
                business conducted by the covered organization or in 
                the form of investments in the covered organization.
                    ``(II) Any amounts received by the covered 
                organization from a person who prohibited, in writing, 
                the organization from using such amounts for campaign-
                related disbursements, but only if the covered 
                organization agreed to follow the prohibition and 
                deposited the amounts in an account which is segregated 
                from any account used to make campaign-related 
                disbursements.''.

SEC. 4303. DISCLAIMER REQUIREMENTS FOR COMMUNICATIONS MADE THROUGH 
              PRERECORDED TELEPHONE CALLS.

    (a) Application of Requirements.--
            (1) In general.--Section 318(a) of the Federal Election 
        Campaign Act of 1971 (52 U.S.C. 30120(a)), as amended by 
        section 4205(c), is amended by inserting after ``public 
        communication'' each place it appears the following: 
        ``(including a telephone call consisting in substantial part of 
        a prerecorded audio message)''.
            (2) Application to communications subject to expanded 
        disclaimer requirements.--Section 318(e)(1) of such Act (52 
        U.S.C. 30120(e)(1)), as added by section 4302(a), is amended in 
        the matter preceding subparagraph (A) by striking ``which is 
        transmitted in an audio or video format'' and inserting ``which 
        is transmitted in an audio or video format or which consists of 
        a telephone call consisting in substantial part of a 
        prerecorded audio message''.
    (b) Treatment as Communication Transmitted in Audio Format.--
            (1) Communications by candidates or authorized persons.--
        Section 318(d) of such Act (52 U.S.C. 30120(d)) is amended by 
        adding at the end the following new paragraph:
            ``(3) Prerecorded telephone calls.--Any communication 
        described in paragraph (1), (2), or (3) of subsection (a) 
        (other than a communication which is subject to subsection (e)) 
        which is a telephone call consisting in substantial part of a 
        prerecorded audio message shall include, in addition to the 
        requirements of such paragraph, the audio statement required 
        under subparagraph (A) of paragraph (1) or the audio statement 
        required under paragraph (2) (whichever is applicable), except 
        that the statement shall be made at the beginning of the 
        telephone call.''.
            (2) Communications subject to expanded disclaimer 
        requirements.--Section 318(e)(3) of such Act (52 U.S.C. 
        30120(e)(3)), as added by section 4302(a), is amended by adding 
        at the end the following new subparagraph:
                    ``(D) Prerecorded telephone calls.--In the case of 
                a communication to which this subsection applies which 
                is a telephone call consisting in substantial part of a 
                prerecorded audio message, the communication shall be 
                considered to be transmitted in an audio format.''.

SEC. 4304. NO EXPANSION OF PERSONS SUBJECT TO DISCLAIMER REQUIREMENTS 
              ON INTERNET COMMUNICATIONS.

    Nothing in this subtitle or the amendments made by this subtitle 
may be construed to require any person who is not required under 
section 318 of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (as provided 
under section 110.11 of title 11 of the Code of Federal Regulations) to 
include a disclaimer on communications made by the person through the 
internet to include any disclaimer on any such communications.

SEC. 4305. EFFECTIVE DATE.

    The amendments made by this subtitle shall apply with respect to 
communications made on or after January 1, 2020, and shall take effect 
without regard to whether or not the Federal Election Commission has 
promulgated regulations to carry out such amendments.

                         Subtitle E--[Reserved]

                         Subtitle F--[Reserved]

                         Subtitle G--[Reserved]

  Subtitle H--Limitation and Disclosure Requirements for Presidential 
                          Inaugural Committees

SEC. 4701. SHORT TITLE.

    This subtitle may be cited as the ``Presidential Inaugural 
Committee Oversight Act''.

SEC. 4702. LIMITATIONS AND DISCLOSURE OF CERTAIN DONATIONS TO, AND 
              DISBURSEMENTS BY, INAUGURAL COMMITTEES.

    (a) Requirements for Inaugural Committees.--Title III of the 
Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (52 U.S.C. 30101 et seq.) is 
amended by adding at the end the following new section:

``SEC. 325. INAUGURAL COMMITTEES.

    ``(a) Prohibited Donations.--
            ``(1) In general.--It shall be unlawful--
                    ``(A) for an Inaugural Committee--
                            ``(i) to solicit, accept, or receive a 
                        donation from a person that is not an 
                        individual; or
                            ``(ii) to solicit, accept, or receive a 
                        donation from a foreign national;
                    ``(B) for a person--
                            ``(i) to make a donation to an Inaugural 
                        Committee in the name of another person, or to 
                        knowingly authorize his or her name to be used 
                        to effect such a donation;
                            ``(ii) to knowingly accept a donation to an 
                        Inaugural Committee made by a person in the 
                        name of another person; or
                            ``(iii) to convert a donation to an 
                        Inaugural Committee to personal use as 
                        described in paragraph (2); and
                    ``(C) for a foreign national to, directly or 
                indirectly, make a donation, or make an express or 
                implied promise to make a donation, to an Inaugural 
                Committee.
            ``(2) Conversion of donation to personal use.--For purposes 
        of paragraph (1)(B)(iii), a donation shall be considered to be 
        converted to personal use if any part of the donated amount is 
        used to fulfill a commitment, obligation, or expense of a 
        person that would exist irrespective of the responsibilities of 
        the Inaugural Committee under chapter 5 of title 36, United 
        States Code.
            ``(3) No effect on disbursement of unused funds to 
        nonprofit organizations.--Nothing in this subsection may be 
        construed to prohibit an Inaugural Committee from disbursing 
        unused funds to an organization which is described in section 
        501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and is exempt 
        from taxation under section 501(a) of such Code.
    ``(b) Limitation on Donations.--
            ``(1) In general.--It shall be unlawful for an individual 
        to make donations to an Inaugural Committee which, in the 
        aggregate, exceed $50,000.
            ``(2) Indexing.--At the beginning of each Presidential 
        election year (beginning with 2024), the amount described in 
        paragraph (1) shall be increased by the cumulative percent 
        difference determined in section 315(c)(1)(A) since the 
        previous Presidential election year. If any amount after such 
        increase is not a multiple of $1,000, such amount shall be 
        rounded to the nearest multiple of $1,000.
    ``(c) Disclosure of Certain Donations and Disbursements.--
            ``(1) Donations over $1,000.--
                    ``(A) In general.--An Inaugural Committee shall 
                file with the Commission a report disclosing any 
                donation by an individual to the committee in an amount 
                of $1,000 or more not later than 24 hours after the 
                receipt of such donation.
                    ``(B) Contents of report.--A report filed under 
                subparagraph (A) shall contain--
                            ``(i) the amount of the donation;
                            ``(ii) the date the donation is received; 
                        and
                            ``(iii) the name and address of the 
                        individual making the donation.
            ``(2) Final report.--Not later than the date that is 90 
        days after the date of the Presidential inaugural ceremony, the 
        Inaugural Committee shall file with the Commission a report 
        containing the following information:
                    ``(A) For each donation of money or anything of 
                value made to the committee in an aggregate amount 
                equal to or greater than $200--
                            ``(i) the amount of the donation;
                            ``(ii) the date the donation is received; 
                        and
                            ``(iii) the name and address of the 
                        individual making the donation.
                    ``(B) The total amount of all disbursements, and 
                all disbursements in the following categories:
                            ``(i) Disbursements made to meet committee 
                        operating expenses.
                            ``(ii) Repayment of all loans.
                            ``(iii) Donation refunds and other offsets 
                        to donations.
                            ``(iv) Any other disbursements.
                    ``(C) The name and address of each person--
                            ``(i) to whom a disbursement in an 
                        aggregate amount or value in excess of $200 is 
                        made by the committee to meet a committee 
                        operating expense, together with date, amount, 
                        and purpose of such operating expense;
                            ``(ii) who receives a loan repayment from 
                        the committee, together with the date and 
                        amount of such loan repayment;
                            ``(iii) who receives a donation refund or 
                        other offset to donations from the committee, 
                        together with the date and amount of such 
                        disbursement; and
                            ``(iv) to whom any other disbursement in an 
                        aggregate amount or value in excess of $200 is 
                        made by the committee, together with the date 
                        and amount of such disbursement.
    ``(d) Definitions.--For purposes of this section:
            ``(1)(A) The term `donation' includes--
                            ``(i) any gift, subscription, loan, 
                        advance, or deposit of money or anything of 
                        value made by any person to the committee; or
                            ``(ii) the payment by any person of 
                        compensation for the personal services of 
                        another person which are rendered to the 
                        committee without charge for any purpose.
                    ``(B) The term `donation' does not include the 
                value of services provided without compensation by any 
                individual who volunteers on behalf of the committee.
            ``(2) The term `foreign national' has the meaning given 
        that term by section 319(b).
            ``(3) The term `Inaugural Committee' has the meaning given 
        that term by section 501 of title 36, United States Code.''.
    (b) Confirming Amendment Related to Reporting Requirements.--
Section 304 of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (52 U.S.C. 
30104) is amended--
            (1) by striking subsection (h); and
            (2) by redesignating subsection (i) as subsection (h).
    (c) Conforming Amendment Related to Status of Committee.--Section 
510 of title 36, United States Code, is amended to read as follows:
``Sec. 510. Disclosure of and prohibition on certain donations
    ``A committee shall not be considered to be the Inaugural Committee 
for purposes of this chapter unless the committee agrees to, and meets, 
the requirements of section 325 of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 
1971.''.
    (d) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this Act shall apply 
with respect to Inaugural Committees established under chapter 5 of 
title 36, United States Code, for inaugurations held in 2021 and any 
succeeding year.

                        Subtitle I--Severability

SEC. 4801. SEVERABILITY.

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

                 TITLE V--CAMPAIGN FINANCE EMPOWERMENT

       Subtitle A--Findings Relating to Citizens United Decision

Sec. 5001. Findings relating to Citizens United decision.

                  Subtitle B--Congressional Elections

Sec. 5100. Short title.

                 Part 1--My Voice Voucher Pilot Program

Sec. 5101. Establishment of pilot program.
Sec. 5102. Voucher program described.
Sec. 5103. Reports.
Sec. 5104. Definitions.

   Part 2--Small Dollar Financing of Congressional Election Campaigns

Sec. 5111. Benefits and eligibility requirements for candidates.

 ``TITLE V--SMALL DOLLAR FINANCING OF CONGRESSIONAL ELECTION CAMPAIGNS

                         ``Subtitle A--Benefits

        ``Sec. 501. Benefits for participating candidates.
        ``Sec. 502. Procedures for making payments.
        ``Sec. 503. Use of funds.
        ``Sec. 504. Qualified small dollar contributions described.

              ``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 and expenditure requirements.
        ``Sec. 522. Administration of campaign.
        ``Sec. 523. Preventing unnecessary spending of public funds.
        ``Sec. 524. Remitting unspent funds after election.

                  ``Subtitle D--Enhanced Match Support

        ``Sec. 531. Enhanced support for general election.
        ``Sec. 532. Eligibility.
        ``Sec. 533. Amount.
        ``Sec. 534. Waiver of authority to retain portion of unspent 
                            funds after election.

                ``Subtitle E--Administrative Provisions

        ``Sec. 541. Freedom From Influence Fund.
        ``Sec. 542. Reviews and reports by Government Accountability 
                            Office.
        ``Sec. 543. Administration by Commission.
        ``Sec. 544. Violations and penalties.
        ``Sec. 545. Appeals process.
        ``Sec. 546. Indexing of amounts.
        ``Sec. 547. Election cycle defined.
Sec. 5112. Contributions and expenditures by multicandidate and 
                            political party committees on behalf of 
                            participating candidates.
Sec. 5113. Prohibiting use of contributions by participating candidates 
                            for purposes other than campaign for 
                            election.
Sec. 5114. Effective date.

                   Subtitle C--Presidential Elections

Sec. 5200. Short title.

                       Part 1--Primary Elections

Sec. 5201. Increase in and modifications to matching payments.
Sec. 5202. Eligibility requirements for matching payments.
Sec. 5203. Repeal of expenditure limitations.
Sec. 5204. Period of availability of matching payments.
Sec. 5205. Examination and audits of matchable contributions.
Sec. 5206. Modification to limitation on contributions for Presidential 
                            primary candidates.
Sec. 5207. Use of Freedom From Influence Fund as source of payments.

                       Part 2--General Elections

Sec. 5211. Modification of eligibility requirements for public 
                            financing.
Sec. 5212. Repeal of expenditure limitations and use of qualified 
                            campaign contributions.
Sec. 5213. Matching payments and other modifications to payment 
                            amounts.
Sec. 5214. Increase in limit on coordinated party expenditures.
Sec. 5215. Establishment of uniform date for release of payments.
Sec. 5216. Amounts in Presidential Election Campaign Fund.
Sec. 5217. Use of general election payments for general election legal 
                            and accounting compliance.
Sec. 5218. Use of Freedom From Influence Fund as source of payments.

                         Part 3--Effective Date

Sec. 5221. Effective date.

 Subtitle D--Personal Use Services as Authorized Campaign Expenditures

Sec. 5301. Short title; findings; purpose.
Sec. 5302. Treatment of payments for child care and other personal use 
                            services as authorized campaign 
                            expenditure.

                        Subtitle E--Severability

Sec. 5401. Severability.

       Subtitle A--Findings Relating to Citizens United Decision

SEC. 5001. FINDINGS RELATING TO CITIZENS UNITED DECISION.

    Congress finds the following:
            (1) The American Republic was founded on the principle that 
        all people are created equal, with rights and responsibilities 
        as citizens to vote, be represented, speak, debate, and 
        participate in self-government on equal terms regardless of 
        wealth. To secure these rights and responsibilities, our 
        Constitution not only protects the equal rights of all 
        Americans but also provides checks and balances to prevent 
        corruption and prevent concentrated power and wealth from 
        undermining effective self-government.
            (2) The Supreme Court's decisions in Citizens United v. 
        Federal Election Commission, 558 U.S. 310 (2010) and McCutcheon 
        v. FEC, 572 U.S. 185 (2014), as well as other court decisions, 
        erroneously invalidated even-handed rules about the spending of 
        money in local, State, and Federal elections. These flawed 
        decisions have empowered large corporations, extremely wealthy 
        individuals, and special interests to dominate election 
        spending, corrupt our politics, and degrade our democracy 
        through tidal waves of unlimited and anonymous spending. These 
        decisions also stand in contrast to a long history of efforts 
        by Congress and the States to regulate money in politics to 
        protect democracy, and they illustrate a troubling deregulatory 
        trend in campaign finance-related court decisions. 
        Additionally, an unknown amount of foreign money continues to 
        be spent in our political system as subsidiaries of foreign-
        based corporations and hostile foreign actors sometimes 
        connected to nation-States work to influence our elections.
            (3) The Supreme Court's misinterpretation of the 
        Constitution to empower monied interests at the expense of the 
        American people in elections has seriously eroded over 100 
        years of congressional action to promote fairness and protect 
        elections from the toxic influence of money.
            (4) In 1907, Congress passed the Tillman Act in response to 
        the concentration of corporate power in the post-Civil War 
        Gilded Age. The Act prohibited corporations from making 
        contributions in connection with Federal elections, aiming 
        ``not merely to prevent the subversion of the integrity of the 
        electoral process [but] . . . to sustain the active, alert 
        responsibility of the individual citizen in a democracy for the 
        wise conduct of government''.
            (5) By 1910, Congress began passing disclosure requirements 
        and campaign expenditure limits, and dozens of States passed 
        corrupt practices Acts to prohibit corporate spending in 
        elections. States also enacted campaign spending limits, and 
        some States limited the amount that people could contribute to 
        campaigns.
            (6) In 1947, the Taft-Hartley Act prohibited corporations 
        and unions from making campaign contributions or other 
        expenditures to influence elections. In 1962, a Presidential 
        commission on election spending recommended spending limits and 
        incentives to increase small contributions from more people.
            (7) The Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (FECA), as 
        amended in 1974, required disclosure of contributions and 
        expenditures, imposed contribution and expenditure limits for 
        individuals and groups, set spending limits for campaigns, 
        candidates, and groups, implemented a public funding system for 
        Presidential campaigns, and created the Federal Election 
        Commission to oversee and enforce the new rules.
            (8) In the wake of Citizens United and other damaging 
        Federal court decisions, Americans have witnessed an explosion 
        of outside spending in elections. Outside spending increased 
        nearly 900 percent between the 2008 and 2016 Presidential 
        election years. Indeed, the 2018 elections once again made 
        clear the overwhelming political power of wealthy special 
        interests, to the tune of over $5,000,000,000. And as political 
        entities adapt to a post- Citizens United, post-McCutcheon 
        landscape, these trends are getting worse, as evidenced by the 
        experience in the 2018 midterm congressional elections, where 
        outside spending more than doubled from the previous midterm 
        cycle.
            (9) The torrent of money flowing into our political system 
        has a profound effect on the democratic process for everyday 
        Americans, whose voices and policy preferences are increasingly 
        being drowned out by those of wealthy special interests. The 
        more campaign cash from wealthy special interests can flood our 
        elections, the more policies that favor those interests are 
        reflected in the national political agenda. When it comes to 
        policy preferences, our Nation's wealthiest tend to have 
        fundamentally different views than do average Americans when it 
        comes to issues ranging from unemployment benefits to the 
        minimum wage to health care coverage.
            (10) The Court has tied the hands of Congress and the 
        States, severely restricting them from setting reasonable 
        limits on campaign spending. For example, the Court has held 
        that only the Government's interest in preventing quid pro quo 
        corruption, like bribery, or the appearance of such corruption, 
        can justify limits on campaign contributions. More broadly, the 
        Court has severely curtailed attempts to reduce the ability of 
        the Nation's wealthiest and most powerful to skew our democracy 
        in their favor by buying outsized influence in our elections. 
        Because this distortion of the Constitution has prevented truly 
        meaningful regulation or reform of the way we finance elections 
        in America, a constitutional amendment is needed to achieve a 
        democracy for all the people.
            (11) Since the landmark Citizens United decision, 19 States 
        and nearly 800 municipalities, including large cities like New 
        York, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Philadelphia, have gone on 
        record supporting a constitutional amendment. Transcending 
        political leanings and geographic location, voters in States 
        and municipalities across the country that have placed 
        amendment questions on the ballot have routinely supported 
        these initiatives by considerably large margins.
            (12) At the same time millions of Americans have signed 
        petitions, marched, called their Members of Congress, written 
        letters to the editor, and otherwise demonstrated their public 
        support for a constitutional amendment to overturn Citizens 
        United that will allow Congress to reign in the outsized 
        influence of unchecked money in politics. Dozens of 
        organizations, representing tens of millions of individuals, 
        have come together in a shared strategy of supporting such an 
        amendment.
            (13) In order to protect the integrity of democracy and the 
        electoral process and to ensure political equality for all, the 
        Constitution should be amended so that Congress and the States 
        may regulate and set limits on the raising and spending of 
        money to influence elections and may distinguish between 
        natural persons and artificial entities, like corporations, 
        that are created by law, including by prohibiting such 
        artificial entities from spending money to influence elections.

                  Subtitle B--Congressional Elections

SEC. 5100. SHORT TITLE.

    This subtitle may be cited as the ``Government By the People Act of 
2019''.

                 PART 1--MY VOICE VOUCHER PILOT PROGRAM

SEC. 5101. ESTABLISHMENT OF PILOT PROGRAM.

    (a) Establishment.--The Federal Election Commission (hereafter in 
this part referred to as the ``Commission'') shall establish a pilot 
program under which the Commission shall select 3 eligible States to 
operate a voucher pilot program which is described in section 5102 
during the program operation period.
    (b) Eligibility of States.--A State is eligible to be selected to 
operate a voucher pilot program under this part if, not later than 180 
days after the beginning of the program application period, the State 
submits to the Commission an application containing--
            (1) information and assurances that the State will operate 
        a voucher program which contains the elements described in 
        section 5102(a);
            (2) information and assurances that the State will 
        establish fraud prevention mechanisms described in section 
        5102(b);
            (3) information and assurances that the State will 
        establish a commission to oversee and implement the program as 
        described in section 5102(c);
            (4) information and assurances that the State will carry 
        out a public information campaign as described in section 
        5102(d);
            (5) information and assurances that the State will submit 
        reports as required under section 5103; and
            (6) such other information and assurances as the Commission 
        may require.
    (c) Selection of Participating States.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the beginning 
        of the program application period, the Commission shall select 
        the 3 States which will operate voucher pilot programs under 
        this part.
            (2) Criteria.--In selecting States for the operation of the 
        voucher pilot programs under this part, the Commission shall 
        apply such criteria and metrics as the Commission considers 
        appropriate to determine the ability of a State to operate the 
        program successfully, and shall attempt to select States in a 
        variety of geographic regions and with a variety of political 
        party preferences.
            (3) No supermajority required for selection.--The selection 
        of States by the Commission under this subsection shall require 
        the approval of only half of the Members of the Commission.
    (d) Duties of States During Program Preparation Period.--During the 
program preparation period, each State selected to operate a voucher 
pilot program under this part shall take such actions as may be 
necessary to ensure that the State will be ready to operate the program 
during the program operation period, and shall complete such actions 
not later than 90 days before the beginning of the program operation 
period.
    (e) Termination.--Each voucher pilot program under this part shall 
terminate as of the first day after the program operation period.
    (f) Reimbursement of Costs.--
            (1) Reimbursement.--Upon receiving the report submitted by 
        a State under section 5103(a) with respect to an election 
        cycle, the Commission shall transmit a payment to the State in 
        an amount equal to the reasonable costs incurred by the State 
        in operating the voucher pilot program under this part during 
        the cycle.
            (2) Source of funds.--Payments to States under the program 
        shall be made using amounts in the Freedom From Influence Fund 
        under section 541 of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 
        (as added by section 5111), hereafter referred to as the 
        ``Fund''.
            (3) Mandatory reduction of payments in case of insufficient 
        amounts in freedom from influence fund.--
                    (A) Advance audits by commission.--Not later than 
                90 days before the first day of each program operation 
                period, the Commission shall--
                            (i) audit the Fund to determine whether, 
                        after first making payments to participating 
                        candidates under title V of the Federal 
                        Election Campaign Act of 1971 (as added by 
                        section 5111), the amounts remaining in the 
                        Fund will be sufficient to make payments to 
                        States under this part in the amounts provided 
                        under this subsection; and
                            (ii) submit a report to Congress describing 
                        the results of the audit.
                    (B) Reductions in amount of payments.--
                            (i) Automatic reduction on pro rata 
                        basis.--If, on the basis of the audit described 
                        in subparagraph (A), the Commission determines 
                        that the amount anticipated to be available in 
                        the Fund with respect to an election cycle 
                        involved is not, or may not be, sufficient to 
                        make payments to States under this part in the 
                        full amount provided under this subsection, the 
                        Commission shall reduce each amount which would 
                        otherwise be paid to a State under this 
                        subsection by such pro rata amount as may be 
                        necessary to ensure that the aggregate amount 
                        of payments anticipated to be made with respect 
                        to the cycle will not exceed the amount 
                        anticipated to be available for such payments 
                        in the Fund with respect to such cycle.
                            (ii) Restoration of reductions in case of 
                        availability of sufficient funds during 
                        election cycle.--If, after reducing the amounts 
                        paid to States with respect to an election 
                        cycle under clause (i), the Commission 
                        determines that there are sufficient amounts in 
                        the Fund to restore the amount by which such 
                        payments were reduced (or any portion thereof), 
                        to the extent that such amounts are available, 
                        the Commission may make a payment on a pro rata 
                        basis to each such State with respect to the 
                        cycle in the amount by which such State's 
                        payments were reduced under clause (i) (or any 
                        portion thereof, as the case may be).
                            (iii) No use of amounts from other 
                        sources.--In any case in which the Commission 
                        determines that there are insufficient moneys 
                        in the Fund to make payments to States under 
                        this part, moneys shall not be made available 
                        from any other source for the purpose of making 
                        such payments.
            (3) Cap on amount of payment.--The aggregate amount of 
        payments made to any State with respect to any program 
        operation period may not exceed $10,000,000. If the State 
        determines that the maximum payment amount under this paragraph 
        with respect to the program operation period involved is not, 
        or may not be, sufficient to cover the reasonable costs 
        incurred by the State in operating the program under this part 
        for such period, the State shall reduce the amount of the 
        voucher provided to each qualified individual by such pro rata 
        amount as may be necessary to ensure that the reasonable costs 
        incurred by the State in operating the program will not exceed 
        the amount paid to the State with respect to such period.

SEC. 5102. VOUCHER PROGRAM DESCRIBED.

    (a) General Elements of Program.--
            (1) Elements described.--The elements of a voucher pilot 
        program operated by a State under this part are as follows:
                    (A) The State shall provide each qualified 
                individual upon the individual's request with a voucher 
                worth $25 to be known as a ``My Voice Voucher'' during 
                the election cycle which will be assigned a routing 
                number and which at the option of the individual will 
                be provided in either paper or electronic form.
                    (B) Using the routing number assigned to the My 
                Voice Voucher, the individual may submit the My Voice 
                Voucher in either electronic or paper form to qualified 
                candidates for election for the office of 
                Representative in, or Delegate or Resident Commissioner 
                to, the Congress and allocate such portion of the value 
                of the My Voice Voucher in increments of $5 as the 
                individual may select to any such candidate.
                    (C) If the candidate transmits the My Voice Voucher 
                to the Commission, the Commission shall pay the 
                candidate the portion of the value of the My Voice 
                Voucher that the individual allocated to the candidate, 
                which shall be considered a contribution by the 
                individual to the candidate for purposes of the Federal 
                Election Campaign Act of 1971.
            (2) Designation of qualified individuals.--For purposes of 
        paragraph (1)(A), a ``qualified individual'' with respect to a 
        State means an individual--
                    (A) who is a resident of the State;
                    (B) who will be of voting age as of the date of the 
                election for the candidate to whom the individual 
                submits a My Voice Voucher; and
                    (C) who is not prohibited under Federal law from 
                making contributions to candidates for election for 
                Federal office.
            (3) Treatment as contribution to candidate.--For purposes 
        of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971, the submission of 
        a My Voice Voucher to a candidate by an individual shall be 
        treated as a contribution to the candidate by the individual in 
        the amount of the portion of the value of the Voucher that the 
        individual allocated to the candidate.
    (b) Fraud Prevention Mechanism.--In addition to the elements 
described in subsection (a), a State operating a voucher pilot program 
under this part shall permit an individual to revoke a My Voice Voucher 
not later than 2 days after submitting the My Voice Voucher to a 
candidate.
    (c) Oversight Commission.--In addition to the elements described in 
subsection (a), a State operating a voucher pilot program under this 
part shall establish a commission or designate an existing entity to 
oversee and implement the program in the State, except that no such 
commission or entity may be comprised of elected officials.
    (d) Public Information Campaign.--In addition to the elements 
described in subsection (a), a State operating a voucher pilot program 
under this part shall carry out a public information campaign to 
disseminate awareness of the program among qualified individuals.

SEC. 5103. REPORTS.

    (a) Preliminary Report.--Not later than 6 months after the first 
election cycle of the program operation period, a State which operates 
a voucher pilot program under this part shall submit a report to the 
Commission analyzing the operation and effectiveness of the program 
during the cycle and including such other information as the Commission 
may require.
    (b) Final Report.--Not later than 6 months after the end of the 
program operation period, the State shall submit a final report to the 
Commission analyzing the operation and effectiveness of the program and 
including such other information as the Commission may require.
    (c) Report by Commission.--Not later than the end of the first 
election cycle which begins after the program operation period, the 
Commission shall submit a report to Congress which summarizes and 
analyzes the results of the voucher pilot program, and shall include in 
the report such recommendations as the Commission considers appropriate 
regarding the expansion of the pilot program to all States and 
territories, along with such other recommendations and other 
information as the Commission considers appropriate.

SEC. 5104. DEFINITIONS.

    (a) Election Cycle.--In this part, the term ``election cycle'' 
means the period beginning on the day after the date of the most recent 
regularly scheduled general election for Federal office and ending on 
the date of the next regularly scheduled general election for Federal 
office.
    (b) Definitions Relating to Periods.--In this part, the following 
definitions apply:
            (1) Program application period.--The term ``program 
        application period'' means the first election cycle which 
        begins after the date of the enactment of this Act.
            (2) Program preparation period.--The term ``program 
        preparation period'' means the first election cycle which 
        begins after the program application period.
            (3) Program operation period.--The term ``program operation 
        period'' means the first 2 election cycles which begin after 
        the program preparation period.

   PART 2--SMALL DOLLAR FINANCING OF CONGRESSIONAL ELECTION CAMPAIGNS

SEC. 5111. BENEFITS AND ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR CANDIDATES.

    The Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (52 U.S.C. 30101 et seq.) 
is amended by adding at the end the following:

 ``TITLE V--SMALL DOLLAR FINANCING OF CONGRESSIONAL ELECTION CAMPAIGNS

                         ``Subtitle A--Benefits

``SEC. 501. BENEFITS FOR PARTICIPATING CANDIDATES.

    ``(a) In General.--If a candidate for election to the office of 
Representative in, or Delegate or Resident Commissioner to, the 
Congress is certified as a participating candidate under this title 
with respect to an election for such office, the candidate shall be 
entitled to payments as provided under this title.
    ``(b) Amount of Payment.--The amount of a payment made under this 
title shall be equal to 600 percent of the amount of qualified small 
dollar contributions received by the candidate since the most recent 
payment made to the candidate under this title during the election 
cycle, without regard to whether or not the candidate received any of 
the contributions before, during, or after the Small Dollar Democracy 
qualifying period applicable to the candidate under section 511(c).
    ``(c) Limit on Aggregate Amount of Payments.--The aggregate amount 
of payments made to a participating candidate with respect to an 
election cycle under this title may not exceed 50 percent of the 
average of the 20 greatest amounts of disbursements made by the 
authorized committees of any winning candidate for the office of 
Representative in, or Delegate or Resident Commissioner to, the 
Congress during the most recent election cycle, rounded to the nearest 
$100,000.

``SEC. 502. PROCEDURES FOR MAKING PAYMENTS.

    ``(a) In General.--The Commission shall make a payment under 
section 501 to a candidate who is certified as a participating 
candidate upon receipt from the candidate of a request for a payment 
which includes--
            ``(1) a statement of the number and amount of qualified 
        small dollar contributions received by the candidate since the 
        most recent payment made to the candidate under this title 
        during the election cycle;
            ``(2) a statement of the amount of the payment the 
        candidate anticipates receiving with respect to the request;
            ``(3) a statement of the total amount of payments the 
        candidate has received under this title as of the date of the 
        statement; and
            ``(4) such other information and assurances as the 
        Commission may require.
    ``(b) Restrictions on Submission of Requests.--A candidate may not 
submit a request under subsection (a) unless each of the following 
applies:
            ``(1) The amount of the qualified small dollar 
        contributions in the statement referred to in subsection (a)(1) 
        is equal to or greater than $5,000, unless the request is 
        submitted during the 30-day period which ends on the date of a 
        general election.
            ``(2) The candidate did not receive a payment under this 
        title during the 7-day period which ends on the date the 
        candidate submits the request.
    ``(c) Time of Payment.--The Commission shall, in coordination with 
the Secretary of the Treasury, take such steps as may be necessary to 
ensure that the Secretary is able to make payments under this section 
from the Treasury not later than 2 business days after the receipt of a 
request submitted under subsection (a).

``SEC. 503. USE OF FUNDS.

    ``(a) Use of Funds for Authorized Campaign Expenditures.--A 
candidate shall use payments made under this title, including payments 
provided with respect to a previous election cycle which are withheld 
from remittance to the Commission in accordance with section 524(a)(2), 
only for making direct payments for the receipt of goods and services 
which constitute authorized expenditures (as determined in accordance 
with title III) in connection with the election cycle involved.
    ``(b) Prohibiting Use of Funds for Legal Expenses, Fines, or 
Penalties.--Notwithstanding title III, a candidate may not use payments 
made under this title for the payment of expenses incurred in 
connection with any action, claim, or other matter before the 
Commission or before any court, hearing officer, arbitrator, or other 
dispute resolution entity, or for the payment of any fine or civil 
monetary penalty.

``SEC. 504. QUALIFIED SMALL DOLLAR CONTRIBUTIONS DESCRIBED.

    ``(a) In General.--In this title, the term `qualified small dollar 
contribution' means, with respect to a candidate and the authorized 
committees of a candidate, a contribution that meets the following 
requirements:
            ``(1) The contribution is in an amount that is--
                    ``(A) not less than $1; and
                    ``(B) not more than $200.
            ``(2)(A) The contribution is made directly by an individual 
        to the candidate or an authorized committee of the candidate 
        and is not--
                    ``(i) forwarded from the individual making the 
                contribution to the candidate or committee by another 
                person; or
                    ``(ii) received by the candidate or committee with 
                the knowledge that the contribution was made at the 
                request, suggestion, or recommendation of another 
                person.
            ``(B) In this paragraph--
                    ``(i) the term `person' does not include an 
                individual (other than an individual described in 
                section 304(i)(7) of the Federal Election Campaign Act 
                of 1971), a political committee of a political party, 
                or any political committee which is not a separate 
                segregated fund described in section 316(b) of the 
                Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 and which does 
                not make contributions or independent expenditures, 
                does not engage in lobbying activity under the Lobbying 
                Disclosure Act of 1995 (2 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.), and is 
                not established by, controlled by, or affiliated with a 
                registered lobbyist under such Act, an agent of a 
                registered lobbyist under such Act, or an organization 
                which retains or employs a registered lobbyist under 
                such Act; and
                    ``(ii) a contribution is not `made at the request, 
                suggestion, or recommendation of another person' solely 
                on the grounds that the contribution is made in 
                response to information provided to the individual 
                making the contribution by any person, so long as the 
                candidate or authorized committee does not know the 
                identity of the person who provided the information to 
                such individual.
            ``(3) The individual who makes the contribution does not 
        make contributions to the candidate or the authorized 
        committees of the candidate with respect to the election 
        involved in an aggregate amount that exceeds the amount 
        described in paragraph (1)(B), or any contribution to the 
        candidate or the authorized committees of the candidate with 
        respect to the election involved that otherwise is not a 
        qualified small dollar contribution.
    ``(b) Treatment of My Voice Vouchers.--Any payment received by a 
candidate and the authorized committees of a candidate which consists 
of a My Voice Voucher under the Government By the People Act of 2019 
shall be considered a qualified small dollar contribution for purposes 
of this title, so long as the individual making the payment meets the 
requirements of paragraphs (2) and (3) of subsection (a).
    ``(c) Restriction on Subsequent Contributions.--
            ``(1) Prohibiting donor from making subsequent nonqualified 
        contributions during election cycle.--
                    ``(A) In general.--An individual who makes a 
                qualified small dollar contribution to a candidate or 
                the authorized committees of a candidate with respect 
                to an election may not make any subsequent contribution 
                to such candidate or the authorized committees of such 
                candidate with respect to the election cycle which is 
                not a qualified small dollar contribution.
                    ``(B) Exception for contributions to candidates who 
                voluntarily withdraw from participation during 
                qualifying period.--Subparagraph (A) does not apply 
                with respect to a contribution made to a candidate who, 
                during the Small Dollar Democracy qualifying period 
                described in section 511(c), submits a statement to the 
                Commission under section 513(c) to voluntarily withdraw 
                from participating in the program under this title.
            ``(2) Treatment of subsequent nonqualified contributions.--
        If, notwithstanding the prohibition described in paragraph (1), 
        an individual who makes a qualified small dollar contribution 
        to a candidate or the authorized committees of a candidate with 
        respect to an election makes a subsequent contribution to such 
        candidate or the authorized committees of such candidate with 
        respect to the election which is prohibited under paragraph (1) 
        because it is not a qualified small dollar contribution, the 
        candidate may take one of the following actions:
                    ``(A) Not later than 2 weeks after receiving the 
                contribution, the candidate may return the subsequent 
                contribution to the individual. In the case of a 
                subsequent contribution which is not a qualified small 
                dollar contribution because the contribution fails to 
                meet the requirements of paragraph (3) of subsection 
                (a) (relating to the aggregate amount of contributions 
                made to the candidate or the authorized committees of 
                the candidate by the individual making the 
                contribution), the candidate may return an amount equal 
                to the difference between the amount of the subsequent 
                contribution and the amount described in paragraph 
                (1)(B) of subsection (a).
                    ``(B) The candidate may retain the subsequent 
                contribution, so long as not later than 2 weeks after 
                receiving the subsequent contribution, the candidate 
                remits to the Commission for deposit in the Freedom 
                From Influence Fund under section 541 an amount equal 
                to any payments received by the candidate under this 
                title which are attributable to the qualified small 
                dollar contribution made by the individual involved.
            ``(3) No effect on ability to make multiple 
        contributions.--Nothing in this section may be construed to 
        prohibit an individual from making multiple qualified small 
        dollar contributions to any candidate or any number of 
        candidates, so long as each contribution meets each of the 
        requirements of paragraphs (1), (2), and (3) of subsection (a).
    ``(d) Notification Requirements for Candidates.--
            ``(1) Notification.--Each authorized committee of a 
        candidate who seeks to be a participating candidate under this 
        title shall provide the following information in any materials 
        for the solicitation of contributions, including any internet 
        site through which individuals may make contributions to the 
        committee:
                    ``(A) A statement that if the candidate is 
                certified as a participating candidate under this 
                title, the candidate will receive matching payments in 
                an amount which is based on the total amount of 
                qualified small dollar contributions received.
                    ``(B) A statement that a contribution which meets 
                the requirements set forth in subsection (a) shall be 
                treated as a qualified small dollar contribution under 
                this title.
                    ``(C) A statement that if a contribution is treated 
                as qualified small dollar contribution under this 
                title, the individual who makes the contribution may 
                not make any contribution to the candidate or the 
                authorized committees of the candidate during the 
                election cycle which is not a qualified small dollar 
                contribution.
            ``(2) Alternative methods of meeting requirements.--An 
        authorized committee may meet the requirements of paragraph 
        (1)--
                    ``(A) by including the information described in 
                paragraph (1) in the receipt provided under section 
                512(b)(3) to a person making a qualified small dollar 
                contribution; or
                    ``(B) by modifying the information it provides to 
                persons making contributions which is otherwise 
                required under title III (including information it 
                provides through the internet).

              ``Subtitle B--Eligibility and Certification

``SEC. 511. ELIGIBILITY.

    ``(a) In General.--A candidate for the office of Representative in, 
or Delegate or Resident Commissioner to, the Congress is eligible to be 
certified as a participating candidate under this title with respect to 
an election if the candidate meets the following requirements:
            ``(1) The candidate files with the Commission a statement 
        of intent to seek certification as a participating candidate.
            ``(2) The candidate meets the qualifying requirements of 
        section 512.
            ``(3) The candidate files with the Commission a statement 
        certifying that the authorized committees of the candidate meet 
        the requirements of section 504(d).
            ``(4) Not later than the last day of the Small Dollar 
        Democracy qualifying period, the candidate files with the 
        Commission an affidavit signed by the candidate and the 
        treasurer of the candidate's principal campaign committee 
        declaring that the candidate--
                    ``(A) has complied and, if certified, will comply 
                with the contribution and expenditure requirements of 
                section 521;
                    ``(B) if certified, will run only as a 
                participating candidate for all elections for the 
                office that such candidate is seeking during that 
                election cycle; and
                    ``(C) has either qualified or will take steps to 
                qualify under State law to be on the ballot.
    ``(b) General Election.--Notwithstanding subsection (a), a 
candidate shall not be eligible to be certified as a participating 
candidate under this title for a general election or a general runoff 
election unless the candidate's party nominated the candidate to be 
placed on the ballot for the general election or the candidate is 
otherwise qualified to be on the ballot under State law.
    ``(c) Small Dollar Democracy Qualifying Period Defined.--The term 
`Small Dollar Democracy qualifying period' means, with respect to any 
candidate for an office, the 180-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 30 days before the date of the 
general election for the office.

``SEC. 512. QUALIFYING REQUIREMENTS.

    ``(a) Receipt of Qualified Small Dollar Contributions.--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 Small Dollar Democracy qualifying period described in 
section 511(c), each of the following occurs:
            ``(1) Not fewer than 1,000 individuals make a qualified 
        small dollar contribution to the candidate.
            ``(2) The candidate obtains a total dollar amount of 
        qualified small dollar contributions which is equal to or 
        greater than $50,000.
    ``(b) Requirements Relating to Receipt of Qualified Small Dollar 
Contribution.--Each qualified small dollar contribution--
            ``(1) may be made by means of a personal check, money 
        order, debit card, credit card, electronic payment account, or 
        any other method deemed appropriate by the Commission;
            ``(2) shall be accompanied by a signed statement (or, in 
        the case of a contribution made online or through other 
        electronic means, an electronic equivalent) containing the 
        contributor's name and address; and
            ``(3) shall be acknowledged by a receipt that is sent to 
        the contributor with a copy (in paper or electronic form) kept 
        by the candidate for the Commission.
    ``(c) Verification of Contributions.--The Commission shall 
establish procedures for the auditing and verification of the 
contributions received and expenditures made by participating 
candidates under this title, including procedures for random audits, to 
ensure that such contributions and expenditures meet the requirements 
of this title.

``SEC. 513. CERTIFICATION.

    ``(a) Deadline and Notification.--
            ``(1) In general.--Not later than 5 business days after a 
        candidate files an affidavit under section 511(a)(4), the 
        Commission shall--
                    ``(A) determine whether or not the candidate meets 
                the requirements for certification as a participating 
                candidate;
                    ``(B) if the Commission determines that the 
                candidate meets such requirements, certify the 
                candidate as a participating candidate; and
                    ``(C) notify the candidate of the Commission's 
                determination.
            ``(2) Deemed certification for all elections in election 
        cycle.--If the Commission certifies a candidate as a 
        participating candidate with respect to the first election of 
        the election cycle involved, the Commission shall be deemed to 
        have certified the candidate as a participating candidate with 
        respect to all subsequent elections of the election cycle.
    ``(b) Revocation of Certification.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Commission shall revoke a 
        certification under subsection (a) if--
                    ``(A) a candidate fails to qualify to appear on the 
                ballot at any time after the date of certification 
                (other than a candidate certified as a participating 
                candidate with respect to a primary election who fails 
                to qualify to appear on the ballot for a subsequent 
                election in that election cycle);
                    ``(B) a candidate ceases to be a candidate for the 
                office involved, as determined on the basis of an 
                official announcement by an authorized committee of the 
                candidate or on the basis of a reasonable determination 
                by the Commission; or
                    ``(C) a candidate otherwise fails to comply with 
                the requirements of this title, including any 
                regulatory requirements prescribed by the Commission.
            ``(2) Existence of criminal sanction.--The Commission shall 
        revoke a certification under subsection (a) if a penalty is 
        assessed against the candidate under section 309(d) with 
        respect to the election.
            ``(3) Effect of revocation.--If a candidate's certification 
        is revoked under this subsection--
                    ``(A) the candidate may not receive payments under 
                this title during the remainder of the election cycle 
                involved; and
                    ``(B) in the case of a candidate whose 
                certification is revoked pursuant to subparagraph (A) 
                or subparagraph (C) of paragraph (1)--
                            ``(i) the candidate shall repay to the 
                        Freedom From Influence Fund established under 
                        section 541 an amount equal to the payments 
                        received under this title with respect to the 
                        election cycle involved plus interest (at a 
                        rate determined by the Commission on the basis 
                        of an appropriate annual percentage rate for 
                        the month involved) on any such amount 
                        received; and
                            ``(ii) the candidate may not be certified 
                        as a participating candidate under this title 
                        with respect to the next election cycle.
            ``(4) Prohibiting participation in future elections for 
        candidates with multiple revocations.--If the Commission 
        revokes the certification of an individual as a participating 
        candidate under this title pursuant to subparagraph (A) or 
        subparagraph (C) of paragraph (1) a total of 3 times, the 
        individual may not be certified as a participating candidate 
        under this title with respect to any subsequent election.
    ``(c) Voluntary Withdrawal From Participating During Qualifying 
Period.--At any time during the Small Dollar Democracy qualifying 
period described in section 511(c), a candidate may withdraw from 
participation in the program under this title by submitting to the 
Commission a statement of withdrawal (without regard to whether or not 
the Commission has certified the candidate as a participating candidate 
under this title as of the time the candidate submits such statement), 
so long as the candidate has not submitted a request for payment under 
section 502.
    ``(d) Participating Candidate Defined.--In this title, a 
`participating candidate' means a candidate for the office of 
Representative in, or Delegate or Resident Commissioner to, the 
Congress who is certified under this section as eligible to receive 
benefits under this title.

 ``Subtitle C--Requirements for Candidates Certified as Participating 
                               Candidates

``SEC. 521. CONTRIBUTION AND EXPENDITURE REQUIREMENTS.

    ``(a) Permitted Sources of Contributions and Expenditures.--Except 
as provided in subsection (c), 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 and make no expenditures from any amounts, other than 
the following:
            ``(1) Qualified small dollar contributions.
            ``(2) Payments under this title.
            ``(3) Contributions from political committees established 
        and maintained by a national or State political party, subject 
        to the applicable limitations of section 315.
            ``(4) Subject to subsection (b), personal funds of the 
        candidate or of any immediate family member of the candidate 
        (other than funds received through qualified small dollar 
        contributions).
            ``(5) Contributions from individuals who are otherwise 
        permitted to make contributions under this Act, subject to the 
        applicable limitations of section 315, except that the 
        aggregate amount of contributions a participating candidate may 
        accept from any individual with respect to any election during 
        the election cycle may not exceed $1,000.
            ``(6) Contributions from multicandidate political 
        committees, subject to the applicable limitations of section 
        315.
    ``(b) Special Rules for Personal Funds.--
            ``(1) Limit on amount.--A candidate who is certified as a 
        participating candidate may use personal funds (including 
        personal funds of any immediate family member of the candidate) 
        so long as--
                    ``(A) the aggregate amount used with respect to the 
                election cycle (including any period of the cycle 
                occurring prior to the candidate's certification as a 
                participating candidate) does not exceed $50,000; and
                    ``(B) the funds are used only for making direct 
                payments for the receipt of goods and services which 
                constitute authorized expenditures in connection with 
                the election cycle involved.
            ``(2) Immediate family member defined.--In this subsection, 
        the term `immediate family member' means, with respect to a 
        candidate--
                    ``(A) the candidate's spouse;
                    ``(B) a child, stepchild, parent, grandparent, 
                brother, half-brother, sister, or half-sister of the 
                candidate or the candidate's spouse; and
                    ``(C) the spouse of any person described in 
                subparagraph (B).
    ``(c) Exceptions.--
            ``(1) Exception for contributions received prior to filing 
        of statement of intent.--A candidate who has accepted 
        contributions that are not described in subsection (a) is not 
        in violation of subsection (a), but only if all such 
        contributions are--
                    ``(A) returned to the contributor;
                    ``(B) submitted to the Commission for deposit in 
                the Freedom From Influence Fund established under 
                section 541; or
                    ``(C) spent in accordance with paragraph (2).
            ``(2) Exception for expenditures made prior to filing of 
        statement of intent.--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 (a) or subsection (b), the candidate is 
        not in violation of such subsection if the aggregate amount of 
        the prohibited expenditures is less than the amount referred to 
        in section 512(a)(2) (relating to the total dollar amount of 
        qualified small dollar contributions which the candidate is 
        required to obtain) which is applicable to the candidate.
            ``(3) Exception for campaign surpluses from a previous 
        election.--Notwithstanding paragraph (1), unexpended 
        contributions received by the candidate or an authorized 
        committee of the candidate with respect to a previous election 
        may be retained, but only if the candidate places the funds in 
        escrow and refrains from raising additional funds for or 
        spending funds from that account during the election cycle in 
        which a candidate is a participating candidate.
            ``(4) Exception for contributions received before the 
        effective date of this title.--Contributions received and 
        expenditures made by the candidate or an authorized committee 
        of the candidate prior to the effective date of this title 
        shall not constitute a violation of subsection (a) or (b). 
        Unexpended contributions shall be treated the same as campaign 
        surpluses under paragraph (3), and expenditures made shall 
        count against the limit in paragraph (2).
    ``(d) Special Rule for Coordinated Party Expenditures.--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.
    ``(e) Prohibition on Joint Fundraising Committees.--
            ``(1) Prohibition.--An authorized committee of a candidate 
        who is certified as a participating candidate under this title 
        with respect to an election may not establish a joint 
        fundraising committee with a political committee other than 
        another authorized committee of the candidate.
            ``(2) Status of existing committees for prior elections.--
        If a candidate established a joint fundraising committee 
        described in paragraph (1) with respect to a prior election for 
        which the candidate was not certified as a participating 
        candidate under this title and the candidate does not terminate 
        the committee, the candidate shall not be considered to be in 
        violation of paragraph (1) so long as that joint fundraising 
        committee does not receive any contributions or make any 
        disbursements during the election cycle for which the candidate 
        is certified as a participating candidate under this title.
    ``(f) Prohibition on Leadership PACs.--
            ``(1) Prohibition.--A candidate who is certified as a 
        participating candidate under this title with respect to an 
        election may not associate with, establish, finance, maintain, 
        or control a leadership PAC.
            ``(2) Status of existing leadership pacs.--If a candidate 
        established, financed, maintained, or controlled a leadership 
        PAC prior to being certified as a participating candidate under 
        this title and the candidate does not terminate the leadership 
        PAC, the candidate shall not be considered to be in violation 
        of paragraph (1) so long as the leadership PAC does not receive 
        any contributions or make any disbursements during the election 
        cycle for which the candidate is certified as a participating 
        candidate under this title.
            ``(3) Leadership pac defined.--In this subsection, the term 
        `leadership PAC' has the meaning given such term in section 
        304(i)(8)(B).

``SEC. 522. ADMINISTRATION OF CAMPAIGN.

    ``(a) Separate Accounting for Various Permitted Contributions.--
Each authorized committee of a candidate certified as a participating 
candidate under this title--
            ``(1) shall provide for separate accounting of each type of 
        contribution described in section 521(a) which is received by 
        the committee; and
            ``(2) shall provide for separate accounting for the 
        payments received under this title.
    ``(b) Enhanced Disclosure of Information on Donors.--
            ``(1) Mandatory identification of individuals making 
        qualified small dollar contributions.--Each authorized 
        committee of a participating candidate under this title shall 
        elect, in accordance with section 304(b)(3)(A), to include in 
        the reports the committee submits under section 304 the 
        identification of each person who makes a qualified small 
        dollar contribution to the committee.
            ``(2) Mandatory disclosure through internet.--Each 
        authorized committee of a participating candidate under this 
        title shall ensure that all information reported to the 
        Commission under this Act with respect to contributions and 
        expenditures of the committee is available to the public on the 
        internet (whether through a site established for purposes of 
        this subsection, a hyperlink on another public site of the 
        committee, or a hyperlink on a report filed electronically with 
        the Commission) in a searchable, sortable, and downloadable 
        manner.

``SEC. 523. PREVENTING UNNECESSARY SPENDING OF PUBLIC FUNDS.

    ``(a) Mandatory Spending of Available Private Funds.--An authorized 
committee of a candidate certified as a participating candidate under 
this title may not make any expenditure of any payments received under 
this title in any amount unless the committee has made an expenditure 
in an equivalent amount of funds received by the committee which are 
described in paragraphs (1), (3), (4), (5), and (6) of section 521(a).
    ``(b) Limitation.--Subsection (a) applies to an authorized 
committee only to the extent that the funds referred to in such 
subsection are available to the committee at the time the committee 
makes an expenditure of a payment received under this title.

``SEC. 524. REMITTING UNSPENT FUNDS AFTER ELECTION.

    ``(a) Remittance Required.--Not later than the date that is 180 
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 Freedom From Influence Fund 
established under section 541 an amount equal to the balance of the 
payments received under this title by the authorized committees of the 
candidate which remain unexpended as of such date.
    ``(b) Permitting Candidates Participating in Next Election Cycle to 
Retain Portion of Unspent Funds.--Notwithstanding subsection (a), a 
participating candidate may withhold not more than $100,000 from the 
amount required to be remitted under subsection (a) if the candidate 
files a signed affidavit with the Commission that the candidate will 
seek certification as a participating candidate with respect to the 
next election cycle, except that the candidate may not use any portion 
of the amount withheld until the candidate is certified as a 
participating candidate with respect to that next election cycle. If 
the candidate fails to seek certification as a participating candidate 
prior to the last day of the Small Dollar Democracy qualifying period 
for the next election cycle (as described in section 511), or if the 
Commission notifies the candidate of the Commission's determination 
does not meet the requirements for certification as a participating 
candidate with respect to such cycle, the candidate shall immediately 
remit to the Commission the amount withheld.

                  ``Subtitle D--Enhanced Match Support

``SEC. 531. ENHANCED SUPPORT FOR GENERAL ELECTION.

    ``(a) Availability of Enhanced Support.--In addition to the 
payments made under subtitle A, the Commission shall make an additional 
payment to an eligible candidate under this subtitle.
    ``(b) Use of Funds.--A candidate shall use the additional payment 
under this subtitle only for authorized expenditures in connection with 
the election involved.

``SEC. 532. ELIGIBILITY.

    ``(a) In General.--A candidate is eligible to receive an additional 
payment under this subtitle if the candidate meets each of the 
following requirements:
            ``(1) The candidate is on the ballot for the general 
        election for the office the candidate seeks.
            ``(2) The candidate is certified as a participating 
        candidate under this title with respect to the election.
            ``(3) During the enhanced support qualifying period, the 
        candidate receives qualified small dollar contributions in a 
        total amount of not less than $50,000.
            ``(4) During the enhanced support qualifying period, the 
        candidate submits to the Commission a request for the payment 
        which includes--
                    ``(A) a statement of the number and amount of 
                qualified small dollar contributions received by the 
                candidate during the enhanced support qualifying 
                period;
                    ``(B) a statement of the amount of the payment the 
                candidate anticipates receiving with respect to the 
                request; and
                    ``(C) such other information and assurances as the 
                Commission may require.
            ``(5) After submitting a request for the additional payment 
        under paragraph (4), the candidate does not submit any other 
        application for an additional payment under this subtitle.
    ``(b) Enhanced Support Qualifying Period Described.--In this 
subtitle, the term `enhanced support qualifying period' means, with 
respect to a general election, the period which begins 60 days before 
the date of the election and ends 14 days before the date of the 
election.

``SEC. 533. AMOUNT.

    ``(a) In General.--Subject to subsection (b), the amount of the 
additional payment made to an eligible candidate under this subtitle 
shall be an amount equal to 50 percent of--
            ``(1) the amount of the payment made to the candidate under 
        section 501(b) with respect to the qualified small dollar 
        contributions which are received by the candidate during the 
        enhanced support qualifying period (as included in the request 
        submitted by the candidate under section 532(a)(4)); or
            ``(2) in the case of a candidate who is not eligible to 
        receive a payment under section 501(b) with respect to such 
        qualified small dollar contributions because the candidate has 
        reached the limit on the aggregate amount of payments under 
        subtitle A for the election cycle under section 501(c), the 
        amount of the payment which would have been made to the 
        candidate under section 501(b) with respect to such qualified 
        small dollar contributions if the candidate had not reached 
        such limit.
    ``(b) Limit.--The amount of the additional payment determined under 
subsection (a) with respect to a candidate may not exceed $500,000.
    ``(c) No Effect on Aggregate Limit.--The amount of the additional 
payment made to a candidate under this subtitle shall not be included 
in determining the aggregate amount of payments made to a participating 
candidate with respect to an election cycle under section 501(c).

``SEC. 534. WAIVER OF AUTHORITY TO RETAIN PORTION OF UNSPENT FUNDS 
              AFTER ELECTION.

    ``Notwithstanding section 524(a)(2), a candidate who receives an 
additional payment under this subtitle with respect to an election is 
not permitted to withhold any portion from the amount of unspent funds 
the candidate is required to remit to the Commission under section 
524(a)(1).

                ``Subtitle E--Administrative Provisions

``SEC. 541. FREEDOM FROM INFLUENCE FUND.

    ``(a) Establishment.--There is established in the Treasury a fund 
to be known as the `Freedom From Influence Fund'.
    ``(b) Amounts Held by Fund.--The Fund shall consist of the 
following amounts:
            ``(1) Deposits.--Amounts deposited into the Fund under--
                    ``(A) section 521(c)(1)(B) (relating to exceptions 
                to contribution requirements);
                    ``(B) section 523 (relating to remittance of unused 
                payments from the Fund); and
                    ``(C) section 544 (relating to violations).
            ``(2) Investment returns.--Interest on, and the proceeds 
        from, the sale or redemption of any obligations held by the 
        Fund under subsection (c).
    ``(c) Investment.--The Commission shall invest portions of the Fund 
in obligations of the United States in the same manner as provided 
under section 9602(b) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
    ``(d) Use of Fund to Make Payments to Participating Candidates.--
            ``(1) Payments to participating candidates.--Amounts in the 
        Fund shall be available without further appropriation or fiscal 
        year limitation to make payments to participating candidates as 
        provided in this title.
            ``(2) Mandatory reduction of payments in case of 
        insufficient amounts in fund.--
                    ``(A) Advance audits by commission.--Not later than 
                90 days before the first day of each election cycle 
                (beginning with the first election cycle that begins 
                after the date of the enactment of this title), the 
                Commission shall--
                            ``(i) audit the Fund to determine whether 
                        the amounts in the Fund will be sufficient to 
                        make payments to participating candidates in 
                        the amounts provided in this title during such 
                        election cycle; and
                            ``(ii) submit a report to Congress 
                        describing the results of the audit.
                    ``(B) Reductions in amount of payments.--
                            ``(i) Automatic reduction on pro rata 
                        basis.--If, on the basis of the audit described 
                        in subparagraph (A), the Commission determines 
                        that the amount anticipated to be available in 
                        the Fund with respect to the election cycle 
                        involved is not, or may not be, sufficient to 
                        satisfy the full entitlements of participating 
                        candidates to payments under this title for 
                        such election cycle, the Commission shall 
                        reduce each amount which would otherwise be 
                        paid to a participating candidate under this 
                        title by such pro rata amount as may be 
                        necessary to ensure that the aggregate amount 
                        of payments anticipated to be made with respect 
                        to the election cycle will not exceed the 
                        amount anticipated to be available for such 
                        payments in the Fund with respect to such 
                        election cycle.
                            ``(ii) Restoration of reductions in case of 
                        availability of sufficient funds during 
                        election cycle.--If, after reducing the amounts 
                        paid to participating candidates with respect 
                        to an election cycle under clause (i), the 
                        Commission determines that there are sufficient 
                        amounts in the Fund to restore the amount by 
                        which such payments were reduced (or any 
                        portion thereof), to the extent that such 
                        amounts are available, the Commission may make 
                        a payment on a pro rata basis to each such 
                        participating candidate with respect to the 
                        election cycle in the amount by which such 
                        candidate's payments were reduced under clause 
                        (i) (or any portion thereof, as the case may 
                        be).
                            ``(iii) No use of amounts from other 
                        sources.--In any case in which the Commission 
                        determines that there are insufficient moneys 
                        in the Fund to make payments to participating 
                        candidates under this title, moneys shall not 
                        be made available from any other source for the 
                        purpose of making such payments.
    ``(e) Use of Fund to Make Other Payments.--In addition to the use 
described in subsection (d), amounts in the Fund shall be available 
without further appropriation or fiscal year limitation--
            ``(1) to make payments to States under the My Voice Voucher 
        Program under the Government By the People Act of 2019, subject 
        to reductions under section 5101(f)(3) of such Act;
            ``(2) to make payments to candidates under chapter 95 of 
        subtitle H of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, subject to 
        reductions under section 9013(b) of such Code; and
            ``(3) to make payments to candidates under chapter 96 of 
        subtitle H of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, subject to 
        reductions under section 9043(b) of such Code.
    ``(f) Effective Date.--This section shall take effect on the date 
of the enactment of this title.

``SEC. 542. REVIEWS AND REPORTS BY GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE.

    ``(a) Review of Small Dollar Financing.--
            ``(1) In general.--After each regularly scheduled general 
        election for Federal office, the Comptroller General of the 
        United States shall conduct a comprehensive review of the Small 
        Dollar financing program under this title, including--
                    ``(A) the maximum and minimum dollar amounts of 
                qualified small dollar contributions under section 504;
                    ``(B) the number and value of qualified small 
                dollar contributions a candidate is required to obtain 
                under section 512(a) to be eligible for certification 
                as a participating candidate;
                    ``(C) the maximum amount of payments a candidate 
                may receive under this title;
                    ``(D) the overall satisfaction of participating 
                candidates and the American public with the program; 
                and
                    ``(E) such other matters relating to financing of 
                campaigns as the Comptroller General determines are 
                appropriate.
            ``(2) Criteria for review.--In conducting the review under 
        subparagraph (A), the Comptroller General shall consider the 
        following:
                    ``(A) Qualified small dollar contributions.--
                Whether the number and dollar amounts of qualified 
                small dollar contributions required strikes an 
                appropriate 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 Comptroller General determines is 
                appropriate.
                    ``(B) Review of payment levels.--Whether the 
                totality of the amount of funds allowed to be raised by 
                participating candidates (including through qualified 
                small dollar contributions) and payments under this 
                title 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 Comptroller General 
                determines is appropriate.
            ``(3) Recommendations for adjustment of amounts.--Based on 
        the review conducted under subparagraph (A), the Comptroller 
        General may recommend to Congress adjustments of the following 
        amounts:
                    ``(A) The number and value of qualified small 
                dollar contributions a candidate is required to obtain 
                under section 512(a) to be eligible for certification 
                as a participating candidate.
                    ``(B) The maximum amount of payments a candidate 
                may receive under this title.
    ``(b) Reports.--Not later than each June 1 which follows a 
regularly scheduled general election for Federal office for which 
payments were made under this title, the Comptroller General shall 
submit to the Committee on House Administration of the House of 
Representatives a report--
            ``(1) containing an analysis of the review conducted under 
        subsection (a), including a detailed statement of Comptroller 
        General's findings, conclusions, and recommendations based on 
        such review, including any recommendations for adjustments of 
        amounts described in subsection (a)(3); and
            ``(2) documenting, evaluating, and making recommendations 
        relating to the administrative implementation and enforcement 
        of the provisions of this title.
    ``(c) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated such sums as are necessary to carry out the purposes of 
this section.

``SEC. 543. ADMINISTRATION BY COMMISSION.

    ``The Commission shall prescribe regulations to carry out the 
purposes of this title, including regulations to establish procedures 
for--
            ``(1) verifying the amount of qualified small dollar 
        contributions with respect to a candidate;
            ``(2) effectively and efficiently monitoring and enforcing 
        the limits on the raising of qualified small dollar 
        contributions;
            ``(3) effectively and efficiently monitoring and enforcing 
        the limits on the use of personal funds by participating 
        candidates; and
            ``(4) monitoring the use of allocations from the Freedom 
        From Influence Fund established under section 541 and matching 
        contributions under this title through audits of not fewer than 
        \1/10\ (or, in the case of the first 3 election cycles during 
        which the program under this title is in effect, not fewer than 
        \1/3\) of all participating candidates or other mechanisms.

``SEC. 544. VIOLATIONS AND PENALTIES.

    ``(a) Civil Penalty for Violation of Contribution and Expenditure 
Requirements.--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 may 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 Freedom From Influence Fund 
established under section 541.
    ``(b) Repayment for Improper Use of Freedom From Influence Fund.--
            ``(1) In general.--If the Commission determines that any 
        payment made to a participating candidate was not used as 
        provided for in this title or that a participating candidate 
        has violated any of the dates for remission of funds contained 
        in this title, the Commission shall so notify the candidate and 
        the candidate shall pay to the Fund an amount equal to--
                    ``(A) the amount of payments so used or not 
                remitted, as appropriate; and
                    ``(B) interest on any such amounts (at a rate 
                determined by the Commission).
            ``(2) Other action not precluded.--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.
    ``(c) Prohibiting Candidates Subject to Criminal Penalty From 
Qualifying as Participating Candidates.--A candidate is not eligible to 
be certified as a participating candidate under this title with respect 
to an election if a penalty has been assessed against the candidate 
under section 309(d) with respect to any previous election.

``SEC. 545. APPEALS PROCESS.

    ``(a) Review of Actions.--Any action by the Commission in carrying 
out this title shall be subject to review by the United States Court of 
Appeals for the District of Columbia upon petition filed in the Court 
not later than 30 days after the Commission takes the action for which 
the review is sought.
    ``(b) Procedures.--The provisions of chapter 7 of title 5, United 
States Code, apply to judicial review under this section.

``SEC. 546. INDEXING OF AMOUNTS.

    ``(a) Indexing.--In any calendar year after 2024, section 
315(c)(1)(B) shall apply to each amount described in subsection (b) in 
the same manner as such section applies to the limitations established 
under subsections (a)(1)(A), (a)(1)(B), (a)(3), and (h) of such 
section, except that for purposes of applying such section to the 
amounts described in subsection (b), the `base period' shall be 2024.
    ``(b) Amounts Described.--The amounts described in this subsection 
are as follows:
            ``(1) The amount referred to in section 502(b)(1) (relating 
        to the minimum amount of qualified small dollar contributions 
        included in a request for payment).
            ``(2) The amounts referred to in section 504(a)(1) 
        (relating to the amount of a qualified small dollar 
        contribution).
            ``(3) The amount referred to in section 512(a)(2) (relating 
        to the total dollar amount of qualified small dollar 
        contributions).
            ``(4) The amount referred to in section 521(a)(5) (relating 
        to the aggregate amount of contributions a participating 
        candidate may accept from any individual with respect to an 
        election).
            ``(5) The amount referred to in section 521(b)(1)(A) 
        (relating to the amount of personal funds that may be used by a 
        candidate who is certified as a participating candidate).
            ``(6) The amounts referred to in section 524(a)(2) 
        (relating to the amount of unspent funds a candidate may retain 
        for use in the next election cycle).
            ``(7) The amount referred to in section 532(a)(3) (relating 
        to the total dollar amount of qualified small dollar 
        contributions for a candidate seeking an additional payment 
        under subtitle D).
            ``(8) The amount referred to in section 533(b) (relating to 
        the limit on the amount of an additional payment made to a 
        candidate under subtitle D).

``SEC. 547. ELECTION CYCLE DEFINED.

    ``In this title, the term `election cycle' means, with respect to 
an election for an office, 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).''.

SEC. 5112. CONTRIBUTIONS AND EXPENDITURES BY MULTICANDIDATE AND 
              POLITICAL PARTY COMMITTEES ON BEHALF OF PARTICIPATING 
              CANDIDATES.

    (a) Authorizing Contributions Only From Separate Accounts 
Consisting of Qualified Small Dollar Contributions.--Section 315(a) of 
the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (52 U.S.C. 30116(a)) is 
amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
    ``(10) In the case of a multicandidate political committee or any 
political committee of a political party, the committee may make a 
contribution to a candidate who is a participating candidate under 
title V with respect to an election only if the contribution is paid 
from a separate, segregated account of the committee which consists 
solely of contributions which meet the following requirements:
            ``(A) Each such contribution is in an amount which meets 
        the requirements for the amount of a qualified small dollar 
        contribution under section 504(a)(1) with respect to the 
        election involved.
            ``(B) Each such contribution is made by an individual who 
        is not otherwise prohibited from making a contribution under 
        this Act.
            ``(C) The individual who makes the contribution does not 
        make contributions to the committee during the year in an 
        aggregate amount that exceeds the limit described in section 
        504(a)(1).''.
    (b) Permitting Unlimited Coordinated Expenditures From Small Dollar 
Sources by Political Parties.--Section 315(d) of such Act (52 U.S.C. 
30116(d)) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (3), by striking ``The national 
        committee'' and inserting ``Except as provided in paragraph 
        (5), the national committee''; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
    ``(5) The limits described in paragraph (3) do not apply in the 
case of expenditures in connection with the general election campaign 
of a candidate for the office of Representative in, or Delegate or 
Resident Commissioner to, the Congress who is a participating candidate 
under title V with respect to the election, but only if--
            ``(A) the expenditures are paid from a separate, segregated 
        account of the committee which is described in subsection 
        (a)(9); and
            ``(B) the expenditures are the sole source of funding 
        provided by the committee to the candidate.''.

SEC. 5113. PROHIBITING USE OF CONTRIBUTIONS BY PARTICIPATING CANDIDATES 
              FOR PURPOSES OTHER THAN CAMPAIGN FOR ELECTION.

    Section 313 of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (52 U.S.C. 
30114) is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:
    ``(d) Restrictions on Permitted Uses of Funds by Candidates 
Receiving Small Dollar Financing.--Notwithstanding paragraph (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, subject to section 503(b).''.

SEC. 5114. EFFECTIVE DATE.

    (a) In General.--Except as may otherwise be provided in this part 
and in the amendments made by this part, this part and the amendments 
made by this part shall apply with respect to elections occurring 
during 2026 or any succeeding year, without regard to whether or not 
the Federal Election Commission has promulgated the final regulations 
necessary to carry out this part and the amendments made by this part 
by the deadline set forth in subsection (b).
    (b) Deadline for Regulations.--Not later than June 30, 2024, the 
Federal Election Commission shall promulgate such regulations as may be 
necessary to carry out this part and the amendments made by this part.

                   Subtitle C--Presidential Elections

SEC. 5200. SHORT TITLE.

    This subtitle may be cited as the ``Empower Act of 2019''.

                       PART 1--PRIMARY ELECTIONS

SEC. 5201. INCREASE IN AND MODIFICATIONS TO MATCHING PAYMENTS.

    (a) Increase and Modification.--
            (1) In general.--The first sentence of section 9034(a) of 
        the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended--
                    (A) by striking ``an amount equal to the amount of 
                each contribution'' and inserting ``an amount equal to 
                600 percent of the amount of each matchable 
                contribution (disregarding any amount of contributions 
                from any person to the extent that the total of the 
                amounts contributed by such person for the election 
                exceeds $200)''; and
                    (B) by striking ``authorized committees'' and all 
                that follows through ``$250'' and inserting 
                ``authorized committees''.
            (2) Matchable contributions.--Section 9034 of such Code is 
        amended--
                    (A) by striking the last sentence of subsection 
                (a); and
                    (B) by adding at the end the following new 
                subsection:
    ``(c) Matchable Contribution Defined.--For purposes of this section 
and section 9033(b)--
            ``(1) Matchable contribution.--The term `matchable 
        contribution' means, with respect to the nomination for 
        election to the office of President of the United States, a 
        contribution by an individual to a candidate or an authorized 
        committee of a candidate with respect to which the candidate 
        has certified in writing that--
                    ``(A) the individual making such contribution has 
                not made aggregate contributions (including such 
                matchable contribution) to such candidate and the 
                authorized committees of such candidate in excess of 
                $1,000 for the election;
                    ``(B) such candidate and the authorized committees 
                of such candidate will not accept contributions from 
                such individual (including such matchable contribution) 
                aggregating more than the amount described in 
                subparagraph (A); and
                    ``(C) such contribution was a direct contribution.
            ``(2) Contribution.--For purposes of this subsection, the 
        term `contribution' means a gift of money made by a written 
        instrument which identifies the individual making the 
        contribution by full name and mailing address, but does not 
        include a subscription, loan, advance, or deposit of money, or 
        anything of value or anything described in subparagraph (B), 
        (C), or (D) of section 9032(4).
            ``(3) Direct contribution.--
                    ``(A) In general.--For purposes of this subsection, 
                the term `direct contribution' means, with respect to a 
                candidate, a contribution which is made directly by an 
                individual to the candidate or an authorized committee 
                of the candidate and is not--
                            ``(i) forwarded from the individual making 
                        the contribution to the candidate or committee 
                        by another person; or
                            ``(ii) received by the candidate or 
                        committee with the knowledge that the 
                        contribution was made at the request, 
                        suggestion, or recommendation of another 
                        person.
                    ``(B) Other definitions.--In subparagraph (A)--
                            ``(i) the term `person' does not include an 
                        individual (other than an individual described 
                        in section 304(i)(7) of the Federal Election 
                        Campaign Act of 1971), a political committee of 
                        a political party, or any political committee 
                        which is not a separate segregated fund 
                        described in section 316(b) of the Federal 
                        Election Campaign Act of 1971 and which does 
                        not make contributions or independent 
                        expenditures, does not engage in lobbying 
                        activity under the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 
                        1995 (2 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.), and is not 
                        established by, controlled by, or affiliated 
                        with a registered lobbyist under such Act, an 
                        agent of a registered lobbyist under such Act, 
                        or an organization which retains or employs a 
                        registered lobbyist under such Act; and
                            ``(ii) a contribution is not `made at the 
                        request, suggestion, or recommendation of 
                        another person' solely on the grounds that the 
                        contribution is made in response to information 
                        provided to the individual making the 
                        contribution by any person, so long as the 
                        candidate or authorized committee does not know 
                        the identity of the person who provided the 
                        information to such individual.''.
            (3) Conforming amendments.--
                    (A) Section 9032(4) of such Code is amended by 
                striking ``section 9034(a)'' and inserting ``section 
                9034''.
                    (B) Section 9033(b)(3) of such Code is amended by 
                striking ``matching contributions'' and inserting 
                ``matchable contributions''.
    (b) Modification of Payment Limitation.--Section 9034(a) of such 
Code is amended--
            (1) by striking ``Every'' and inserting the following:
            ``(1) In general.--Every'';
            (2) by striking ``shall not exceed'' and all that follows 
        and inserting ``shall not exceed $250,000,000.'', and
            (3) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
            ``(2) Inflation adjustment.--
                    ``(A) In general.--In the case of any applicable 
                period beginning after 2029, the dollar amount in 
                paragraph (1) shall be increased by an amount equal 
                to--
                            ``(i) such dollar amount, multiplied by
                            ``(ii) the cost-of-living adjustment 
                        determined under section 1(f)(3) for the 
                        calendar year following the year which such 
                        applicable period begins, determined by 
                        substituting `calendar year 2028' for `calendar 
                        year 1992' in subparagraph (B) thereof.
                    ``(B) Applicable period.--For purposes of this 
                paragraph, the term `applicable period' means the 4-
                year period beginning with the first day following the 
                date of the general election for the office of 
                President and ending on the date of the next such 
                general election.
                    ``(C) Rounding.--If any amount as adjusted under 
                subparagraph (1) is not a multiple of $10,000, such 
                amount shall be rounded to the nearest multiple of 
                $10,000.''.

SEC. 5202. ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR MATCHING PAYMENTS.

    (a) Amount of Aggregate Contributions Per State; Disregarding of 
Amounts Contributed in Excess of $200.--Section 9033(b)(3) of the 
Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended--
            (1) by striking ``$5,000'' and inserting ``$25,000''; and
            (2) by striking ``20 States'' and inserting the following: 
        ``20 States (disregarding any amount of contributions from any 
        such resident to the extent that the total of the amounts 
        contributed by such resident for the election exceeds $200)''.
    (b) Contribution Limit.--
            (1) In general.--Paragraph (4) of section 9033(b) of such 
        Code is amended to read as follows:
            ``(4) the candidate and the authorized committees of the 
        candidate will not accept aggregate contributions from any 
        person with respect to the nomination for election to the 
        office of President of the United States in excess of $1,000 
        for the election.''.
            (2) Conforming amendments.--
                    (A) Section 9033(b) of such Code is amended by 
                adding at the end the following new flush sentence:
``For purposes of paragraph (4), the term `contribution' has the 
meaning given such term in section 301(8) of the Federal Election 
Campaign Act of 1971.''.
                    (B) Section 9032(4) of such Code, as amended by 
                section 5201(a)(3)(A), is amended by inserting ``or 
                9033(b)'' after ``9034''.
    (c) Participation in System for Payments for General Election.--
Section 9033(b) of such Code is amended--
            (1) by striking ``and'' at the end of paragraph (3);
            (2) by striking the period at the end of paragraph (4) and 
        inserting ``, and''; and
            (3) by inserting after paragraph (4) the following new 
        paragraph:
            ``(5) if the candidate is nominated by a political party 
        for election to the office of President, the candidate will 
        apply for and accept payments with respect to the general 
        election for such office in accordance with chapter 95.''.
    (d) Prohibition on Joint Fundraising Committees.--Section 9033(b) 
of such Code, as amended by subsection (c), is amended--
            (1) by striking ``and'' at the end of paragraph (4);
            (2) by striking the period at the end of paragraph (5) and 
        inserting ``; and''; and
            (3) by inserting after paragraph (5) the following new 
        paragraph:
            ``(6) the candidate will not establish a joint fundraising 
        committee with a political committee other than another 
        authorized committee of the candidate, except that candidate 
        established a joint fundraising committee with respect to a 
        prior election for which the candidate was not eligible to 
        receive payments under section 9037 and the candidate does not 
        terminate the committee, the candidate shall not be considered 
        to be in violation of this paragraph so long as that joint 
        fundraising committee does not receive any contributions or 
        make any disbursements during the election cycle for which the 
        candidate is eligible to receive payments under such 
        section.''.

SEC. 5203. REPEAL OF EXPENDITURE LIMITATIONS.

    (a) In General.--Subsection (a) of section 9035 of the Internal 
Revenue Code of 1986 is amended to read as follows:
    ``(a) Personal Expenditure Limitation.--No candidate shall 
knowingly make expenditures from his personal funds, or the personal 
funds of his immediate family, in connection with his campaign for 
nomination for election to the office of President in excess of, in the 
aggregate, $50,000.''.
    (b) Conforming Amendment.--Paragraph (1) of section 9033(b) of the 
Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended to read as follows:
            ``(1) the candidate will comply with the personal 
        expenditure limitation under section 9035,''.

SEC. 5204. PERIOD OF AVAILABILITY OF MATCHING PAYMENTS.

    Section 9032(6) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by 
striking ``the beginning of the calendar year in which a general 
election for the office of President of the United States will be 
held'' and inserting ``the date that is 6 months prior to the date of 
the earliest State primary election''.

SEC. 5205. EXAMINATION AND AUDITS OF MATCHABLE CONTRIBUTIONS.

    Section 9038(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by 
inserting ``and matchable contributions accepted by'' after ``qualified 
campaign expenses of''.

SEC. 5206. MODIFICATION TO LIMITATION ON CONTRIBUTIONS FOR PRESIDENTIAL 
              PRIMARY CANDIDATES.

    Section 315(a)(6) of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (52 
U.S.C. 30116(a)(6)) is amended by striking ``calendar year'' and 
inserting ``four-year election cycle''.

SEC. 5207. USE OF FREEDOM FROM INFLUENCE FUND AS SOURCE OF PAYMENTS.

    (a) In General.--Chapter 96 of subtitle H of the Internal Revenue 
Code of 1986 is amended by adding at the end the following new section:

``SEC. 9043. USE OF FREEDOM FROM INFLUENCE FUND AS SOURCE OF PAYMENTS.

    ``(a) In General.--Notwithstanding any other provision of this 
chapter, effective with respect to the Presidential election held in 
2028 and each succeeding Presidential election, all payments made to 
candidates under this chapter shall be made from the Freedom From 
Influence Fund established under section 541 of the Federal Election 
Campaign Act of 1971 (hereafter in this section referred to as the 
`Fund').
    ``(b) Mandatory Reduction of Payments in Case of Insufficient 
Amounts in Fund.--
            ``(1) Advance audits by commission.--Not later than 90 days 
        before the first day of each Presidential election cycle 
        (beginning with the cycle for the election held in 2028), the 
        Commission shall--
                    ``(A) audit the Fund to determine whether, after 
                first making payments to participating candidates under 
                title V of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 
                and then making payments to States under the My Voice 
                Voucher Program under the Government By the People Act 
                of 2019, the amounts remaining in the Fund will be 
                sufficient to make payments to candidates under this 
                chapter in the amounts provided under this chapter 
                during such election cycle; and
                    ``(B) submit a report to Congress describing the 
                results of the audit.
            ``(2) Reductions in amount of payments.--
                    ``(A) Automatic reduction on pro rata basis.--If, 
                on the basis of the audit described in paragraph (1), 
                the Commission determines that the amount anticipated 
                to be available in the Fund with respect to the 
                Presidential election cycle involved is not, or may not 
                be, sufficient to satisfy the full entitlements of 
                candidates to payments under this chapter for such 
                cycle, the Commission shall reduce each amount which 
                would otherwise be paid to a candidate under this 
                chapter by such pro rata amount as may be necessary to 
                ensure that the aggregate amount of payments 
                anticipated to be made with respect to the cycle will 
                not exceed the amount anticipated to be available for 
                such payments in the Fund with respect to such cycle.
                    ``(B) Restoration of reductions in case of 
                availability of sufficient funds during election 
                cycle.--If, after reducing the amounts paid to 
                candidates with respect to an election cycle under 
                subparagraph (A), the Commission determines that there 
                are sufficient amounts in the Fund to restore the 
                amount by which such payments were reduced (or any 
                portion thereof), to the extent that such amounts are 
                available, the Commission may make a payment on a pro 
                rata basis to each such candidate with respect to the 
                election cycle in the amount by which such candidate's 
                payments were reduced under subparagraph (A) (or any 
                portion thereof, as the case may be).
                    ``(C) No use of amounts from other sources.--In any 
                case in which the Commission determines that there are 
                insufficient moneys in the Fund to make payments to 
                candidates under this chapter, moneys shall not be made 
                available from any other source for the purpose of 
                making such payments.
            ``(3) No effect on amounts transferred for pediatric 
        research initiative.--This section does not apply to the 
        transfer of funds under section 9008(i).
            ``(4) Presidential election cycle defined.--In this 
        section, the term `Presidential election cycle' means, with 
        respect to a Presidential election, the period beginning on the 
        day after the date of the previous Presidential general 
        election and ending on the date of the Presidential 
        election.''.
    (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections for chapter 96 of 
subtitle H of such Code is amended by adding at the end the following 
new item:

``Sec. 9043. Use of Freedom From Influence Fund as source of 
                            payments.''.

                       PART 2--GENERAL ELECTIONS

SEC. 5211. MODIFICATION OF ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR PUBLIC 
              FINANCING.

    Subsection (a) of section 9003 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 
is amended to read as follows:
    ``(a) In General.--In order to be eligible to receive any payments 
under section 9006, the candidates of a political party in a 
Presidential election shall meet the following requirements:
            ``(1) Participation in primary payment system.--The 
        candidate for President received payments under chapter 96 for 
        the campaign for nomination for election to be President.
            ``(2) Agreements with commission.--The candidates, in 
        writing--
                    ``(A) agree to obtain and furnish to the Commission 
                such evidence as it may request of the qualified 
                campaign expenses of such candidates,
                    ``(B) agree to keep and furnish to the Commission 
                such records, books, and other information as it may 
                request, and
                    ``(C) agree to an audit and examination by the 
                Commission under section 9007 and to pay any amounts 
                required to be paid under such section.
            ``(3) Prohibition on joint fundraising committees.--
                    ``(A) Prohibition.--The candidates certifies in 
                writing that the candidates will not establish a joint 
                fundraising committee with a political committee other 
                than another authorized committee of the candidate.
                    ``(B) Status of existing committees for prior 
                elections.--If a candidate established a joint 
                fundraising committee described in subparagraph (A) 
                with respect to a prior election for which the 
                candidate was not eligible to receive payments under 
                section 9006 and the candidate does not terminate the 
                committee, the candidate shall not be considered to be 
                in violation of subparagraph (A) so long as that joint 
                fundraising committee does not receive any 
                contributions or make any disbursements with respect to 
                the election for which the candidate is eligible to 
                receive payments under section 9006.''.

SEC. 5212. REPEAL OF EXPENDITURE LIMITATIONS AND USE OF QUALIFIED 
              CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS.

    (a) Use of Qualified Campaign Contributions Without Expenditure 
Limits; Application of Same Requirements for Major, Minor, and New 
Parties.--Section 9003 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended 
by striking subsections (b) and (c) and inserting the following:
    ``(b) Use of Qualified Campaign Contributions To Defray Expenses.--
            ``(1) In general.--In order to be eligible to receive any 
        payments under section 9006, the candidates of a party in a 
        Presidential election shall certify to the Commission, under 
        penalty of perjury, that--
                    ``(A) such candidates and their authorized 
                committees have not and will not accept any 
                contributions to defray qualified campaign expenses 
                other than--
                            ``(i) qualified campaign contributions, and
                            ``(ii) contributions to the extent 
                        necessary to make up any deficiency payments 
                        received out of the fund on account of the 
                        application of section 9006(c), and
                    ``(B) such candidates and their authorized 
                committees have not and will not accept any 
                contribution to defray expenses which would be 
                qualified campaign expenses but for subparagraph (C) of 
                section 9002(11).
            ``(2) Timing of certification.--The candidate shall make 
        the certification required under this subsection at the same 
        time the candidate makes the certification required under 
        subsection (a)(3).''.
    (b) Definition of Qualified Campaign Contribution.--Section 9002 of 
such Code is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
            ``(13) Qualified campaign contribution.--The term 
        `qualified campaign contribution' means, with respect to any 
        election for the office of President of the United States, a 
        contribution from an individual to a candidate or an authorized 
        committee of a candidate which--
                    ``(A) does not exceed $1,000 for the election; and
                    ``(B) with respect to which the candidate has 
                certified in writing that--
                            ``(i) the individual making such 
                        contribution has not made aggregate 
                        contributions (including such qualified 
                        contribution) to such candidate and the 
                        authorized committees of such candidate in 
                        excess of the amount described in subparagraph 
                        (A), and
                            ``(ii) such candidate and the authorized 
                        committees of such candidate will not accept 
                        contributions from such individual (including 
                        such qualified contribution) aggregating more 
                        than the amount described in subparagraph (A) 
                        with respect to such election.''.
    (c) Conforming Amendments.--
            (1) Repeal of expenditure limits.--
                    (A) In general.--Section 315 of the Federal 
                Election Campaign Act of 1971 (52 U.S.C. 30116) is 
                amended by striking subsection (b).
                    (B) Conforming amendments.--Section 315(c) of such 
                Act (52 U.S.C. 30116(c)) is amended--
                            (i) in paragraph (1)(B)(i), by striking ``, 
                        (b)''; and
                            (ii) in paragraph (2)(B)(i), by striking 
                        ``subsections (b) and (d)'' and inserting 
                        ``subsection (d)''.
            (2) Repeal of repayment requirement.--
                    (A) In general.--Section 9007(b) of the Internal 
                Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by striking paragraph 
                (2) and redesignating paragraphs (3), (4), and (5) as 
                paragraphs (2), (3), and (4), respectively.
                    (B) Conforming amendment.--Paragraph (2) of section 
                9007(b) of such Code, as redesignated by subparagraph 
                (A), is amended--
                            (i) by striking ``a major party'' and 
                        inserting ``a party'';
                            (ii) by inserting ``qualified contributions 
                        and'' after ``contributions (other than''; and
                            (iii) by striking ``(other than qualified 
                        campaign expenses with respect to which payment 
                        is required under paragraph (2))''.
            (3) Criminal penalties.--
                    (A) Repeal of penalty for excess expenses.--Section 
                9012 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by 
                striking subsection (a).
                    (B) Penalty for acceptance of disallowed 
                contributions; application of same penalty for 
                candidates of major, minor, and new parties.--
                Subsection (b) of section 9012 of such Code is amended 
                to read as follows:
    ``(b) Contributions.--
            ``(1) Acceptance of disallowed contributions.--It shall be 
        unlawful for an eligible candidate of a party in a Presidential 
        election or any of his authorized committees knowingly and 
        willfully to accept--
                    ``(A) any contribution other than a qualified 
                campaign contribution to defray qualified campaign 
                expenses, except to the extent necessary to make up any 
                deficiency in payments received out of the fund on 
                account of the application of section 9006(c); or
                    ``(B) any contribution to defray expenses which 
                would be qualified campaign expenses but for 
                subparagraph (C) of section 9002(11).
            ``(2) Penalty.--Any person who violates paragraph (1) shall 
        be fined not more than $5,000, or imprisoned not more than one 
        year, or both. In the case of a violation by an authorized 
        committee, any officer or member of such committee who 
        knowingly and willfully consents to such violation shall be 
        fined not more than $5,000, or imprisoned not more than one 
        year, or both.''.

SEC. 5213. MATCHING PAYMENTS AND OTHER MODIFICATIONS TO PAYMENT 
              AMOUNTS.

    (a) In General.--
            (1) Amount of payments; application of same amount for 
        candidates of major, minor, and new parties.--Subsection (a) of 
        section 9004 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended to 
        read as follows:
    ``(a) In General.--Subject to the provisions of this chapter, the 
eligible candidates of a party in a Presidential election shall be 
entitled to equal payment under section 9006 in an amount equal to 600 
percent of the amount of each matchable contribution received by such 
candidate or by the candidate's authorized committees (disregarding any 
amount of contributions from any person to the extent that the total of 
the amounts contributed by such person for the election exceeds $200), 
except that total amount to which a candidate is entitled under this 
paragraph shall not exceed $250,000,000.''.
            (2) Repeal of separate limitations for candidates of minor 
        and new parties; inflation adjustment.--Subsection (b) of 
        section 9004 of such Code is amended to read as follows:
    ``(b) Inflation Adjustment.--
            ``(1) In general.--In the case of any applicable period 
        beginning after 2029, the $250,000,000 dollar amount in 
        subsection (a) shall be increased by an amount equal to--
                    ``(A) such dollar amount; multiplied by
                    ``(B) the cost-of-living adjustment determined 
                under section 1(f)(3) for the calendar year following 
                the year which such applicable period begins, 
                determined by substituting `calendar year 2028' for 
                `calendar year 1992' in subparagraph (B) thereof.
            ``(2) Applicable period.--For purposes of this subsection, 
        the term `applicable period' means the 4-year period beginning 
        with the first day following the date of the general election 
        for the office of President and ending on the date of the next 
        such general election.
            ``(3) Rounding.--If any amount as adjusted under paragraph 
        (1) is not a multiple of $10,000, such amount shall be rounded 
        to the nearest multiple of $10,000.''.
            (3) Conforming amendment.--Section 9005(a) of such Code is 
        amended by adding at the end the following new sentence: ``The 
        Commission shall make such additional certifications as may be 
        necessary to receive payments under section 9004.''.
    (b) Matchable Contribution.--Section 9002 of such Code, as amended 
by section 5212(b), is amended by adding at the end the following new 
paragraph:
            ``(14) Matchable contribution.--The term `matchable 
        contribution' means, with respect to the election to the office 
        of President of the United States, a contribution by an 
        individual to a candidate or an authorized committee of a 
        candidate with respect to which the candidate has certified in 
        writing that--
                    ``(A) the individual making such contribution has 
                not made aggregate contributions (including such 
                matchable contribution) to such candidate and the 
                authorized committees of such candidate in excess of 
                $1,000 for the election;
                    ``(B) such candidate and the authorized committees 
                of such candidate will not accept contributions from 
                such individual (including such matchable contribution) 
                aggregating more than the amount described in 
                subparagraph (A) with respect to such election; and
                    ``(C) such contribution was a direct contribution 
                (as defined in section 9034(c)(3)).''.

SEC. 5214. INCREASE IN LIMIT ON COORDINATED PARTY EXPENDITURES.

    (a) In General.--Section 315(d)(2) of the Federal Election Campaign 
Act of 1971 (52 U.S.C. 30116(d)(2)) is amended to read as follows:
    ``(2)(A) The national committee of a political party may not make 
any expenditure in connection with the general election campaign of any 
candidate for President of the United States who is affiliated with 
such party which exceeds $100,000,000.
    ``(B) For purposes of this paragraph--
            ``(i) any expenditure made by or on behalf of a national 
        committee of a political party and in connection with a 
        Presidential election shall be considered to be made in 
        connection with the general election campaign of a candidate 
        for President of the United States who is affiliated with such 
        party; and
            ``(ii) any communication made by or on behalf of such party 
        shall be considered to be made in connection with the general 
        election campaign of a candidate for President of the United 
        States who is affiliated with such party if any portion of the 
        communication is in connection with such election.
    ``(C) Any expenditure under this paragraph shall be in addition to 
any expenditure by a national committee of a political party serving as 
the principal campaign committee of a candidate for the office of 
President of the United States.''.
    (b) Conforming Amendments Relating to Timing of Cost-of-Living 
Adjustment.--
            (1) In general.--Section 315(c)(1) of such Act (52 U.S.C. 
        30116(c)(1)) is amended--
                    (A) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``(d)'' and 
                inserting ``(d)(2)''; and
                    (B) by adding at the end the following new 
                subparagraph:
    ``(D) In any calendar year after 2028--
            ``(i) the dollar amount in subsection (d)(2) shall be 
        increased by the percent difference determined under 
        subparagraph (A);
            ``(ii) the amount so increased shall remain in effect for 
        the calendar year; and
            ``(iii) if the amount after adjustment under clause (i) is 
        not a multiple of $100, such amount shall be rounded to the 
        nearest multiple of $100.''.
            (2) Base year.--Section 315(c)(2)(B) of such Act (52 U.S.C. 
        30116(c)(2)(B)) is amended--
                    (A) in clause (i)--
                            (i) by striking ``(d)'' and inserting 
                        ``(d)(3)''; and
                            (ii) by striking ``and'' at the end;
                    (B) in clause (ii), by striking the period at the 
                end and inserting ``; and''; and
                    (C) by adding at the end the following new clause:
                    ``(iii) for purposes of subsection (d)(2), calendar 
                year 2027.''.

SEC. 5215. ESTABLISHMENT OF UNIFORM DATE FOR RELEASE OF PAYMENTS.

    (a) Date for Payments.--
            (1) In general.--Section 9006(b) of the Internal Revenue 
        Code of 1986 is amended to read as follows:
    ``(b) Payments From the Fund.--If the Secretary of the Treasury 
receives a certification from the Commission under section 9005 for 
payment to the eligible candidates of a political party, the Secretary 
shall pay to such candidates out of the fund the amount certified by 
the Commission on the later of--
            ``(1) the last Friday occurring before the first Monday in 
        September; or
            ``(2) 24 hours after receiving the certifications for the 
        eligible candidates of all major political parties.
Amounts paid to any such candidates shall be under the control of such 
candidates.''.
            (2) Conforming amendment.--The first sentence of section 
        9006(c) of such Code is amended by striking ``the time of a 
        certification by the Commission under section 9005 for 
        payment'' and inserting ``the time of making a payment under 
        subsection (b)''.
    (b) Time for Certification.--Section 9005(a) of the Internal 
Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by striking ``10 days'' and inserting 
``24 hours''.

SEC. 5216. AMOUNTS IN PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION CAMPAIGN FUND.

    Section 9006(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by 
adding at the end the following new sentence: ``In making a 
determination of whether there are insufficient moneys in the fund for 
purposes of the previous sentence, the Secretary shall take into 
account in determining the balance of the fund for a Presidential 
election year the Secretary's best estimate of the amount of moneys 
which will be deposited into the fund during the year, except that the 
amount of the estimate may not exceed the average of the annual amounts 
deposited in the fund during the previous 3 years.''.

SEC. 5217. USE OF GENERAL ELECTION PAYMENTS FOR GENERAL ELECTION LEGAL 
              AND ACCOUNTING COMPLIANCE.

    Section 9002(11) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by 
adding at the end the following new sentence: ``For purposes of 
subparagraph (A), an expense incurred by a candidate or authorized 
committee for general election legal and accounting compliance purposes 
shall be considered to be an expense to further the election of such 
candidate.''.

SEC. 5218. USE OF FREEDOM FROM INFLUENCE FUND AS SOURCE OF PAYMENTS.

    (a) In General.--Chapter 95 of subtitle H of the Internal Revenue 
Code of 1986 is amended by adding at the end the following new section:

``SEC. 9013. USE OF FREEDOM FROM INFLUENCE FUND AS SOURCE OF PAYMENTS.

    ``(a) In General.--Notwithstanding any other provision of this 
chapter, effective with respect to the Presidential election held in 
2028 and each succeeding Presidential election, all payments made under 
this chapter shall be made from the Freedom From Influence Fund 
established under section 541 of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 
1971.
    ``(b) Mandatory Reduction of Payments in Case of Insufficient 
Amounts in Fund.--
            ``(1) Advance audits by commission.--Not later than 90 days 
        before the first day of each Presidential election cycle 
        (beginning with the cycle for the election held in 2028), the 
        Commission shall--
                    ``(A) audit the Fund to determine whether, after 
                first making payments to participating candidates under 
                title V of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 
                and then making payments to States under the My Voice 
                Voucher Program under the Government By the People Act 
                of 2019 and then making payments to candidates under 
                chapter 96, the amounts remaining in the Fund will be 
                sufficient to make payments to candidates under this 
                chapter in the amounts provided under this chapter 
                during such election cycle; and
                    ``(B) submit a report to Congress describing the 
                results of the audit.
            ``(2) Reductions in amount of payments.--
                    ``(A) Automatic reduction on pro rata basis.--If, 
                on the basis of the audit described in paragraph (1), 
                the Commission determines that the amount anticipated 
                to be available in the Fund with respect to the 
                Presidential election cycle involved is not, or may not 
                be, sufficient to satisfy the full entitlements of 
                candidates to payments under this chapter for such 
                cycle, the Commission shall reduce each amount which 
                would otherwise be paid to a candidate under this 
                chapter by such pro rata amount as may be necessary to 
                ensure that the aggregate amount of payments 
                anticipated to be made with respect to the cycle will 
                not exceed the amount anticipated to be available for 
                such payments in the Fund with respect to such cycle.
                    ``(B) Restoration of reductions in case of 
                availability of sufficient funds during election 
                cycle.--If, after reducing the amounts paid to 
                candidates with respect to an election cycle under 
                subparagraph (A), the Commission determines that there 
                are sufficient amounts in the Fund to restore the 
                amount by which such payments were reduced (or any 
                portion thereof), to the extent that such amounts are 
                available, the Commission may make a payment on a pro 
                rata basis to each such candidate with respect to the 
                election cycle in the amount by which such candidate's 
                payments were reduced under subparagraph (A) (or any 
                portion thereof, as the case may be).
                    ``(C) No use of amounts from other sources.--In any 
                case in which the Commission determines that there are 
                insufficient moneys in the Fund to make payments to 
                candidates under this chapter, moneys shall not be made 
                available from any other source for the purpose of 
                making such payments.
            ``(3) No effect on amounts transferred for pediatric 
        research initiative.--This section does not apply to the 
        transfer of funds under section 9008(i).
            ``(4) Presidential election cycle defined.--In this 
        section, the term `Presidential election cycle' means, with 
        respect to a Presidential election, the period beginning on the 
        day after the date of the previous Presidential general 
        election and ending on the date of the Presidential 
        election.''.
    (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections for chapter 95 of 
subtitle H of such Code is amended by adding at the end the following 
new item:

``Sec. 9013. Use of Freedom From Influence Fund as source of 
                            payments.''.

                         PART 3--EFFECTIVE DATE

SEC. 5221. EFFECTIVE DATE.

    (a) In General.--Except as otherwise provided, this subtitle and 
the amendments made by this subtitle shall apply with respect to the 
Presidential election held in 2028 and each succeeding Presidential 
election, without regard to whether or not the Federal Election 
Commission has promulgated the final regulations necessary to carry out 
this part and the amendments made by this part by the deadline set 
forth in subsection (b).
    (b) Deadline for Regulations.--Not later than June 30, 2026, the 
Federal Election Commission shall promulgate such regulations as may be 
necessary to carry out this part and the amendments made by this part.

 Subtitle D--Personal Use Services as Authorized Campaign Expenditures

SEC. 5301. SHORT TITLE; FINDINGS; PURPOSE.

    (a) Short Title.--This subtitle may be cited as the ``Help America 
Run Act''.
    (b) Findings.--Congress finds the following:
            (1) Everyday Americans experience barriers to entry before 
        they can consider running for office to serve their 
        communities.
            (2) Current law states that campaign funds cannot be spent 
        on everyday expenses that would exist whether or not a 
        candidate were running for office, like childcare and food. 
        While the law seems neutral, its actual effect is to privilege 
        the independently wealthy who want to run, because given the 
        demands of running for office, candidates who must work to pay 
        for childcare or to afford health insurance are effectively 
        being left out of the process, even if they have sufficient 
        support to mount a viable campaign.
            (3) Thus current practice favors those prospective 
        candidates who do not need to rely on a regular paycheck to 
        make ends meet. The consequence is that everyday Americans who 
        have firsthand knowledge of the importance of stable childcare, 
        a safety net, or great public schools are less likely to get a 
        seat at the table. This governance by the few is antithetical 
        to the democratic experiment, but most importantly, when 
        lawmakers do not share the concerns of everyday Americans, 
        their policies reflect that.
            (4) These circumstances have contributed to a Congress that 
        does not always reflect everyday Americans. The New York Times 
        reported in 2019 that fewer than 5 percent of representatives 
        cite blue-collar or service jobs in their biographies. A 2015 
        survey by the Center for Responsive Politics showed that the 
        median net worth of lawmakers was just over $1 million in 2013, 
        or 18 times the wealth of the typical American household.
            (5) These circumstances have also contributed to a 
        governing body that does not reflect the nation it serves. For 
        instance, women are 51% of the American population. Yet even 
        with a record number of women serving in the One Hundred 
        Sixteenth Congress, the Pew Research Center notes that more 
        than three out of four Members of this Congress are male. The 
        Center for American Women And Politics found that one third of 
        women legislators surveyed had been actively discouraged from 
        running for office, often by political professionals. This type 
        of discouragement, combined with the prohibitions on using 
        campaign funds for domestic needs like childcare, burdens that 
        still fall disproportionately on American women, particularly 
        disadvantages working mothers. These barriers may explain why 
        only 10 women in history have given birth while serving in 
        Congress, in spite of the prevalence of working parents in 
        other professions. Yet working mothers and fathers are best 
        positioned to create policy that reflects the lived experience 
        of most Americans.
    (c) Purpose.--It is the purpose of this subtitle to ensure that all 
Americans who are otherwise qualified to serve this Nation are able to 
run for office, regardless of their economic status. By expanding 
permissible uses of campaign funds and providing modest assurance that 
testing a run for office will not cost one's livelihood, the Help 
America Run Act will facilitate the candidacy of representatives who 
more accurately reflect the experiences, challenges, and ideals of 
everyday Americans.

SEC. 5302. TREATMENT OF PAYMENTS FOR CHILD CARE AND OTHER PERSONAL USE 
              SERVICES AS AUTHORIZED CAMPAIGN EXPENDITURE.

    (a) Personal Use Services as Authorized Campaign Expenditures.--
Section 313 of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (52 U.S.C. 
30114), as amended by section 5113, is amended by adding at the end the 
following new subsection:
    ``(e) Treatment of Payments for Child Care and Other Personal Use 
Services as Authorized Campaign Expenditure.--
            ``(1) Authorized expenditures.--For purposes of subsection 
        (a), the payment by an authorized committee of a candidate for 
        any of the personal use services described in paragraph (3) 
        shall be treated as an authorized expenditure if the services 
        are necessary to enable the participation of the candidate in 
        campaign-connected activities.
            ``(2) Limitations.--
                    ``(A) Limit on total amount of payments.--The total 
                amount of payments made by an authorized committee of a 
                candidate for personal use services described in 
                paragraph (3) may not exceed the limit which is 
                applicable under any law, rule, or regulation on the 
                amount of payments which may be made by the committee 
                for the salary of the candidate (without regard to 
                whether or not the committee makes payments to the 
                candidate for that purpose).
                    ``(B) Corresponding reduction in amount of salary 
                paid to candidate.--To the extent that an authorized 
                committee of a candidate makes payments for the salary 
                of the candidate, any limit on the amount of such 
                payments which is applicable under any law, rule, or 
                regulation shall be reduced by the amount of any 
                payments made to or on behalf of the candidate for 
                personal use services described in paragraph (3), other 
                than personal use services described in subparagraph 
                (E) of such paragraph.
                    ``(C) Exclusion of candidates who are 
                officeholders.--Paragraph (1) does not apply with 
                respect to an authorized committee of a candidate who 
                is a holder of Federal office.
            ``(3) Personal use services described.--The personal use 
        services described in this paragraph are as follows:
                    ``(A) Child care services.
                    ``(B) Elder care services.
                    ``(C) Services similar to the services described in 
                subparagraph (A) or subparagraph (B) which are provided 
                on behalf of any dependent who is a qualifying relative 
                under section 152 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
                    ``(D) Dues, fees, and other expenses required to 
                maintain an license or similar requirement related to 
                an individual's profession.
                    ``(E) Costs associated with health insurance 
                coverage.''.
    (b) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall take 
effect on the date of the enactment of this Act.

                        Subtitle E--Severability

SEC. 5401. SEVERABILITY.

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

                  TITLE VI--CAMPAIGN FINANCE OVERSIGHT

         Subtitle A--Restoring Integrity to America's Elections

Sec. 6001. Short title.
Sec. 6002. Membership of Federal Election Commission.
Sec. 6003. Assignment of powers to Chair of Federal Election 
                            Commission.
Sec. 6004. Revision to enforcement process.
Sec. 6005. Permitting appearance at hearings on requests for advisory 
                            opinions by persons opposing the requests.
Sec. 6006. Permanent extension of administrative penalty authority.
Sec. 6007. Restrictions on ex parte communications.
Sec. 6008. Effective date; transition.

         Subtitle B--Stopping Super PAC-Candidate Coordination

Sec. 6101. Short title.
Sec. 6102. Clarification of treatment of coordinated expenditures as 
                            contributions to candidates.
Sec. 6103. Clarification of ban on fundraising for super PACs by 
                            Federal candidates and officeholders.

                        Subtitle C--Severability

Sec. 6201. Severability.

         Subtitle A--Restoring Integrity to America's Elections

SEC. 6001. SHORT TITLE.

    This subtitle may be cited as the ``Restoring Integrity to 
America's Elections Act''.

SEC. 6002. MEMBERSHIP OF FEDERAL ELECTION COMMISSION.

    (a) Reduction in Number of Members; Removal of Secretary of Senate 
and Clerk of House as Ex Officio Members.--
            (1) In general; quorum.--Section 306(a)(1) of the Federal 
        Election Campaign Act of 1971 (52 U.S.C. 30106(a)(1)) is 
        amended by striking the second and third sentences and 
        inserting the following: ``The Commission is composed of 5 
        members appointed by the President by and with the advice and 
        consent of the Senate, of whom no more than 2 may be affiliated 
        with the same political party. A member shall by treated as 
        affiliated with a political party if the member was affiliated, 
        including as a registered voter, employee, consultant, donor, 
        officer, or attorney, with such political party or any of its 
        candidates or elected public officials at any time during the 
        5-year period ending on the date on which such individual is 
        nominated to be a member of the Commission. A majority of the 
        number of members of the Commission who are serving at the time 
        shall constitute a quorum, except that 3 members shall 
        constitute a quorum if there are 4 members serving at the 
        time.''.
            (2) Conforming amendments relating to reduction in number 
        of members.--(A) The second sentence of section 306(c) of such 
        Act (52 U.S.C. 30106(c)) is amended by striking ``affirmative 
        vote of 4 members of the Commission'' and inserting 
        ``affirmative vote of a majority of the members of the 
        Commission who are serving at the time''.
            (B) Such Act is further amended by striking ``affirmative 
        vote of 4 of its members'' and inserting ``affirmative vote of 
        a majority of the members of the Commission who are serving at 
        the time'' each place it appears in the following sections:
                    (i) Section 309(a)(2) (52 U.S.C. 30109(a)(2)).
                    (ii) Section 309(a)(4)(A)(i) (52 U.S.C. 
                30109(a)(4)(A)(i)).
                    (iii) Section 309(a)(5)(C) (52 U.S.C. 
                30109(a)(5)(C)).
                    (iv) Section 309(a)(6)(A) (52 U.S.C. 
                30109(a)(6)(A)).
                    (v) Section 311(b) (52 U.S.C. 30111(b)).
            (3) Conforming amendment relating to removal of ex officio 
        members.--Section 306(a) of such Act (52 U.S.C. 30106(a)) is 
        amended by striking ``(other than the Secretary of the Senate 
        and the Clerk of the House of Representatives)'' each place it 
        appears in paragraphs (4) and (5).
    (b) Terms of Service.--Section 306(a)(2) of such Act (52 U.S.C. 
30106(a)(2)) is amended to read as follows:
            ``(2) Terms of service.--
                    ``(A) In general.--Each member of the Commission 
                shall serve for a single term of 6 years.
                    ``(B) Special rule for initial appointments.--Of 
                the members first appointed to serve terms that begin 
                in January 2022, the President shall designate 2 to 
                serve for a 3-year term.
                    ``(C) No reappointment permitted.--An individual 
                who served a term as a member of the Commission may not 
                serve for an additional term, except that--
                            ``(i) an individual who served a 3-year 
                        term under subparagraph (B) may also be 
                        appointed to serve a 6-year term under 
                        subparagraph (A); and
                            ``(ii) for purposes of this subparagraph, 
                        an individual who is appointed to fill a 
                        vacancy under subparagraph (D) shall not be 
                        considered to have served a term if the portion 
                        of the unexpired term the individual fills is 
                        less than 50 percent of the period of the term.
                    ``(D) Vacancies.--Any vacancy occurring in the 
                membership of the Commission shall be filled in the 
                same manner as in the case of the original appointment. 
                Except as provided in subparagraph (C), an individual 
                appointed to fill a vacancy occurring other than by the 
                expiration of a term of office shall be appointed only 
                for the unexpired term of the member he or she 
                succeeds.
                    ``(E) Limitation on service after expiration of 
                term.--A member of the Commission may continue to serve 
                on the Commission after the expiration of the member's 
                term for an additional period, but only until the 
                earlier of--
                            ``(i) the date on which the member's 
                        successor has taken office as a member of the 
                        Commission; or
                            ``(ii) the expiration of the 1-year period 
                        that begins on the last day of the member's 
                        term.''.
    (c) Qualifications.--Section 306(a)(3) of such Act (52 U.S.C. 
30106(a)(3)) is amended to read as follows:
            ``(3) Qualifications.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The President may select an 
                individual for service as a member of the Commission if 
                the individual has experience in election law and has a 
                demonstrated record of integrity, impartiality, and 
                good judgment.
                    ``(B) Assistance of blue ribbon advisory panel.--
                            ``(i) In general.--Prior to the regularly 
                        scheduled expiration of the term of a member of 
                        the Commission and upon the occurrence of a 
                        vacancy in the membership of the Commission 
                        prior to the expiration of a term, the 
                        President shall convene a Blue Ribbon Advisory 
                        Panel, consisting of an odd number of 
                        individuals selected by the President from 
                        retired Federal judges, former law enforcement 
                        officials, or individuals with experience in 
                        election law, except that the President may not 
                        select any individual to serve on the panel who 
                        holds any public office at the time of 
                        selection.
                            ``(ii) Recommendations.--With respect to 
                        each member of the Commission whose term is 
                        expiring or each vacancy in the membership of 
                        the Commission (as the case may be), the Blue 
                        Ribbon Advisory Panel shall recommend to the 
                        President at least one but not more than 3 
                        individuals for nomination for appointment as a 
                        member of the Commission.
                            ``(iii) Publication.--At the time the 
                        President submits to the Senate the nominations 
                        for individuals to be appointed as members of 
                        the Commission, the President shall publish the 
                        Blue Ribbon Advisory Panel's recommendations 
                        for such nominations.
                            ``(iv) Exemption from federal advisory 
                        committee act.--The Federal Advisory Committee 
                        Act (5 U.S.C. App.) does not apply to a Blue 
                        Ribbon Advisory Panel convened under this 
                        subparagraph.
                    ``(C) Prohibiting engagement with other business or 
                employment during service.--A member of the Commission 
                shall not engage in any other business, vocation, or 
                employment. Any individual who is engaging in any other 
                business, vocation, or employment at the time of his or 
                her appointment to the Commission shall terminate or 
                liquidate such activity no later than 90 days after 
                such appointment.''.

SEC. 6003. ASSIGNMENT OF POWERS TO CHAIR OF FEDERAL ELECTION 
              COMMISSION.

    (a) Appointment of Chair by President.--
            (1) In general.--Section 306(a)(5) of the Federal Election 
        Campaign Act of 1971 (52 U.S.C. 30106(a)(5)) is amended to read 
        as follows:
            ``(5) Chair.--
                    ``(A) Initial appointment.--Of the members first 
                appointed to serve terms that begin in January 2022, 
                one such member (as designated by the President at the 
                time the President submits nominations to the Senate) 
                shall serve as Chair of the Commission.
                    ``(B) Subsequent appointments.--Any individual who 
                is appointed to succeed the member who serves as Chair 
                of the Commission for the term beginning in January 
                2022 (as well as any individual who is appointed to 
                fill a vacancy if such member does not serve a full 
                term as Chair) shall serve as Chair of the Commission.
                    ``(C) Vice chair.--The Commission shall select, by 
                majority vote of its members, one of its members to 
                serve as Vice Chair, who shall act as Chair in the 
                absence or disability of the Chair or in the event of a 
                vacancy in the position of Chair.''.
            (2) Conforming amendment.--Section 309(a)(2) of such Act 
        (52 U.S.C. 30109(a)(2)) is amended by striking ``through its 
        chairman or vice chairman'' and inserting ``through the 
        Chair''.
    (b) Powers.--
            (1) Assignment of certain powers to chair.--Section 307(a) 
        of such Act (52 U.S.C. 30107(a)) is amended to read as follows:
    ``(a) Distribution of Powers Between Chair and Commission.--
            ``(1) Powers assigned to chair.--
                    ``(A) Administrative powers.--The Chair of the 
                Commission shall be the chief administrative officer of 
                the Commission and shall have the authority to 
                administer the Commission and its staff, and (in 
                consultation with the other members of the Commission) 
                shall have the power--
                            ``(i) to appoint and remove the staff 
                        director of the Commission;
                            ``(ii) to request the assistance (including 
                        personnel and facilities) of other agencies and 
                        departments of the United States, whose heads 
                        may make such assistance available to the 
                        Commission with or without reimbursement; and
                            ``(iii) to prepare and establish the budget 
                        of the Commission and to make budget requests 
                        to the President, the Director of the Office of 
                        Management and Budget, and Congress.
                    ``(B) Other powers.--The Chair of the Commission 
                shall have the power--
                            ``(i) to appoint and remove the general 
                        counsel of the Commission with the concurrence 
                        of at least 2 other members of the Commission;
                            ``(ii) to require by special or general 
                        orders, any person to submit, under oath, such 
                        written reports and answers to questions as the 
                        Chair may prescribe;
                            ``(iii) to administer oaths or 
                        affirmations;
                            ``(iv) to require by subpoena, signed by 
                        the Chair, the attendance and testimony of 
                        witnesses and the production of all documentary 
                        evidence relating to the execution of its 
                        duties;
                            ``(v) in any proceeding or investigation, 
                        to order testimony to be taken by deposition 
                        before any person who is designated by the 
                        Chair, and shall have the power to administer 
                        oaths and, in such instances, to compel 
                        testimony and the production of evidence in the 
                        same manner as authorized under clause (iv); 
                        and
                            ``(vi) to pay witnesses the same fees and 
                        mileage as are paid in like circumstances in 
                        the courts of the United States.
            ``(2) Powers assigned to commission.--The Commission shall 
        have the power--
                    ``(A) to initiate (through civil actions for 
                injunctive, declaratory, or other appropriate relief), 
                defend (in the case of any civil action brought under 
                section 309(a)(8) of this Act) or appeal (including a 
                proceeding before the Supreme Court on certiorari) any 
                civil action in the name of the Commission to enforce 
                the provisions of this Act and chapter 95 and chapter 
                96 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, through its 
                general counsel;
                    ``(B) to render advisory opinions under section 308 
                of this Act;
                    ``(C) to develop such prescribed forms and to make, 
                amend, and repeal such rules, pursuant to the 
                provisions of chapter 5 of title 5, United States Code, 
                as are necessary to carry out the provisions of this 
                Act and chapter 95 and chapter 96 of the Internal 
                Revenue Code of 1986;
                    ``(D) to conduct investigations and hearings 
                expeditiously, to encourage voluntary compliance, and 
                to report apparent violations to the appropriate law 
                enforcement authorities; and
                    ``(E) to transmit to the President and Congress not 
                later than June 1 of each year a report which states in 
                detail the activities of the Commission in carrying out 
                its duties under this Act, and which includes any 
                recommendations for any legislative or other action the 
                Commission considers appropriate.
            ``(3) Permitting commission to exercise other powers of 
        chair.--With respect to any investigation, action, or 
        proceeding, the Commission, by an affirmative vote of a 
        majority of the members who are serving at the time, may 
        exercise any of the powers of the Chair described in paragraph 
        (1)(B).''.
            (2) Conforming amendments relating to personnel 
        authority.--Section 306(f) of such Act (52 U.S.C. 30106(f)) is 
        amended--
                    (A) by amending the first sentence of paragraph (1) 
                to read as follows: ``The Commission shall have a staff 
                director who shall be appointed by the Chair of the 
                Commission in consultation with the other members and a 
                general counsel who shall be appointed by the Chair 
                with the concurrence of at least two other members.'';
                    (B) in paragraph (2), by striking ``With the 
                approval of the Commission'' and inserting ``With the 
                approval of the Chair of the Commission''; and
                    (C) by striking paragraph (3).
            (3) Conforming amendment relating to budget submission.--
        Section 307(d)(1) of such Act (52 U.S.C. 30107(d)(1)) is 
        amended by striking ``the Commission submits any budget'' and 
        inserting ``the Chair (or, pursuant to subsection (a)(3), the 
        Commission) submits any budget''.
            (4) Other conforming amendments.--Section 306(c) of such 
        Act (52 U.S.C. 30106(c)) is amended by striking ``All 
        decisions'' and inserting ``Subject to section 307(a), all 
        decisions''.
            (5) Technical amendment.--The heading of section 307 of 
        such Act (52 U.S.C. 30107) is amended by striking ``the 
        commission'' and inserting ``the chair and the commission''.

SEC. 6004. REVISION TO ENFORCEMENT PROCESS.

    (a) Standard for Initiating Investigations and Determining Whether 
Violations Have Occurred.--
            (1) Revision of standards.--Section 309(a) of the Federal 
        Election Campaign Act of 1971 (52 U.S.C. 30109(a)) is amended 
        by striking paragraphs (2) and (3) and inserting the following:
    ``(2)(A) The general counsel, upon receiving a complaint filed with 
the Commission under paragraph (1) or upon the basis of information 
ascertained by the Commission in the normal course of carrying out its 
supervisory responsibilities, shall make a determination as to whether 
or not there is reason to believe that a person has committed, or is 
about to commit, a violation of this Act or chapter 95 or chapter 96 of 
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, and as to whether or not the 
Commission should either initiate an investigation of the matter or 
that the complaint should be dismissed. The general counsel shall 
promptly provide notification to the Commission of such determination 
and the reasons therefore, together with any written response submitted 
under paragraph (1) by the person alleged to have committed the 
violation. Upon the expiration of the 30-day period which begins on the 
date the general counsel provides such notification, the general 
counsel's determination shall take effect, unless during such 30-day 
period the Commission, by vote of a majority of the members of the 
Commission who are serving at the time, overrules the general counsel's 
determination. If the determination by the general counsel that the 
Commission should investigate the matter takes effect, or if the 
determination by the general counsel that the complaint should be 
dismissed is overruled as provided under the previous sentence, the 
general counsel shall initiate an investigation of the matter on behalf 
of the Commission.
    ``(B) If the Commission initiates an investigation pursuant to 
subparagraph (A), the Commission, through the Chair, shall notify the 
subject of the investigation of the alleged violation. Such 
notification shall set forth the factual basis for such alleged 
violation. The Commission shall make an investigation of such alleged 
violation, which may include a field investigation or audit, in 
accordance with the provisions of this section. The general counsel 
shall provide notification to the Commission of any intent to issue a 
subpoena or conduct any other form of discovery pursuant to the 
investigation. Upon the expiration of the 15-day period which begins on 
the date the general counsel provides such notification, the general 
counsel may issue the subpoena or conduct the discovery, unless during 
such 15-day period the Commission, by vote of a majority of the members 
of the Commission who are serving at the time, prohibits the general 
counsel from issuing the subpoena or conducting the discovery.
    ``(3)(A) Upon completion of an investigation under paragraph (2), 
the general counsel shall promptly submit to the Commission the general 
counsel's recommendation that the Commission find either that there is 
probable cause or that there is not probable cause to believe that a 
person has committed, or is about to commit, a violation of this Act or 
chapter 95 or chapter 96 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, and 
shall include with the recommendation a brief stating the position of 
the general counsel on the legal and factual issues of the case.
    ``(B) At the time the general counsel submits to the Commission the 
recommendation under subparagraph (A), the general counsel shall 
simultaneously notify the respondent of such recommendation and the 
reasons therefore, shall provide the respondent with an opportunity to 
submit a brief within 30 days stating the position of the respondent on 
the legal and factual issues of the case and replying to the brief of 
the general counsel. The general counsel and shall promptly submit such 
brief to the Commission upon receipt.
    ``(C) Not later than 30 days after the general counsel submits the 
recommendation to the Commission under subparagraph (A) (or, if the 
respondent submits a brief under subparagraph (B), not later than 30 
days after the general counsel submits the respondent's brief to the 
Commission under such subparagraph), the Commission shall approve or 
disapprove the recommendation by vote of a majority of the members of 
the Commission who are serving at the time.''.
            (2) Conforming amendment relating to initial response to 
        filing of complaint.--Section 309(a)(1) of such Act (52 U.S.C. 
        30109(a)(1)) is amended--
                    (A) in the third sentence, by striking ``the 
                Commission'' and inserting ``the general counsel''; and
                    (B) by amending the fourth sentence to read as 
                follows: ``Not later than 15 days after receiving 
                notice from the general counsel under the previous 
                sentence, the person may provide the general counsel 
                with a written response that no action should be taken 
                against such person on the basis of the complaint.''.
    (b) Revision of Standard for Review of Dismissal of Complaints.--
            (1) In general.--Section 309(a)(8) of such Act (52 U.S.C. 
        30109(a)(8)) is amended to read as follows:
    ``(8)(A)(i) Any party aggrieved by an order of the Commission 
dismissing a complaint filed by such party after finding either no 
reason to believe a violation has occurred or no probable cause a 
violation has occurred may file a petition with the United States 
District Court for the District of Columbia. Any petition under this 
subparagraph shall be filed within 60 days after the date on which the 
party received notice of the dismissal of the complaint.
    ``(ii) In any proceeding under this subparagraph, the court shall 
determine by de novo review whether the agency's dismissal of the 
complaint is contrary to law. In any matter in which the penalty for 
the alleged violation is greater than $50,000, the court should 
disregard any claim or defense by the Commission of prosecutorial 
discretion as a basis for dismissing the complaint.
    ``(B)(i) Any party who has filed a complaint with the Commission 
and who is aggrieved by a failure of the Commission, within one year 
after the filing of the complaint, to either dismiss the complaint or 
to find reason to believe a violation has occurred or is about to 
occur, may file a petition with the United States District Court for 
the District of Columbia.
    ``(ii) In any proceeding under this subparagraph, the court shall 
treat the failure to act on the complaint as a dismissal of the 
complaint, and shall determine by de novo review whether the agency's 
failure to act on the complaint is contrary to law.
    ``(C) In any proceeding under this paragraph the court may declare 
that the dismissal of the complaint or the failure to act is contrary 
to law, and may direct the Commission to conform with such declaration 
within 30 days, failing which the complainant may bring, in the name of 
such complainant, a civil action to remedy the violation involved in 
the original complaint.''.
            (2) Effective date.--The amendments made by paragraph (1) 
        shall apply--
                    (A) in the case of complaints which are dismissed 
                by the Federal Election Commission, with respect to 
                complaints which are dismissed on or after the date of 
                the enactment of this Act; and
                    (B) in the case of complaints upon which the 
                Federal Election Commission failed to act, with respect 
                to complaints which were filed on or after the date of 
                the enactment of this Act.

SEC. 6005. PERMITTING APPEARANCE AT HEARINGS ON REQUESTS FOR ADVISORY 
              OPINIONS BY PERSONS OPPOSING THE REQUESTS.

    (a) In General.--Section 308 of such Act (52 U.S.C. 30108) is 
amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:
    ``(e) To the extent that the Commission provides an opportunity for 
a person requesting an advisory opinion under this section (or counsel 
for such person) to appear before the Commission to present testimony 
in support of the request, and the person (or counsel) accepts such 
opportunity, the Commission shall provide a reasonable opportunity for 
an interested party who submitted written comments under subsection (d) 
in response to the request (or counsel for such interested party) to 
appear before the Commission to present testimony in response to the 
request.''.
    (b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a) shall 
apply with respect to requests for advisory opinions under section 308 
of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 which are made on or after 
the date of the enactment of this Act.

SEC. 6006. PERMANENT EXTENSION OF ADMINISTRATIVE PENALTY AUTHORITY.

    (a) Extension of Authority.--Section 309(a)(4)(C)(v) of the Federal 
Election Campaign Act of 1971 (52 U.S.C. 30109(a)(4)(C)(v)) is amended 
by striking ``, and that end on or before December 31, 2023''.
    (b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a) shall 
take effect on December 31, 2018.

SEC. 6007. RESTRICTIONS ON EX PARTE COMMUNICATIONS.

    Section 306(e) of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (52 
U.S.C. 30106(e)) is amended--
            (1) by striking ``(e) The Commission'' and inserting 
        ``(e)(1) The Commission''; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
    ``(2) Members and employees of the Commission shall be subject to 
limitations on ex parte communications, as provided in the regulations 
promulgated by the Commission regarding such communications which are 
in effect on the date of the enactment of this paragraph.''.

SEC. 6008. EFFECTIVE DATE; TRANSITION.

    (a) In General.--Except as otherwise provided, the amendments made 
by this subtitle shall apply beginning January 1, 2022.
    (b) Transition.--
            (1) Termination of service of current members.--
        Notwithstanding any provision of the Federal Election Campaign 
        Act of 1971, the term of any individual serving as a member of 
        the Federal Election Commission as of December 31, 2021, shall 
        expire on that date.
            (2) No effect on existing cases or proceedings.--Nothing in 
        this subtitle or in any amendment made by this subtitle shall 
        affect any of the powers exercised by the Federal Election 
        Commission prior to December 31, 2021, including any 
        investigation initiated by the Commission prior to such date or 
        any proceeding (including any enforcement action) pending as of 
        such date.

         Subtitle B--Stopping Super PAC-Candidate Coordination

SEC. 6101. SHORT TITLE.

    This subtitle may be cited as the ``Stop Super PAC-Candidate 
Coordination Act''.

SEC. 6102. CLARIFICATION OF TREATMENT OF COORDINATED EXPENDITURES AS 
              CONTRIBUTIONS TO CANDIDATES.

    (a) Treatment as Contribution to Candidate.--Section 301(8)(A) of 
the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (52 U.S.C. 30101(8)(A)) is 
amended--
            (1) by striking ``or'' at the end of clause (i);
            (2) by striking the period at the end of clause (ii) and 
        inserting ``; or''; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following new clause:
                    ``(iii) any payment made by any person (other than 
                a candidate, an authorized committee of a candidate, or 
                a political committee of a political party) for a 
                coordinated expenditure (as such term is defined in 
                section 326) which is not otherwise treated as a 
                contribution under clause (i) or clause (ii).''.
    (b) Definitions.--Title III of such Act (52 U.S.C. 30101 et seq.), 
as amended by section 4702(a), is amended by adding at the end the 
following new section:

``SEC. 326. PAYMENTS FOR COORDINATED EXPENDITURES.

    ``(a) Coordinated Expenditures.--
            ``(1) In general.--For purposes of section 301(8)(A)(iii), 
        the term `coordinated expenditure' means--
                    ``(A) any expenditure, or any payment for a covered 
                communication described in subsection (d), which is 
                made in cooperation, consultation, or concert with, or 
                at the request or suggestion of, a candidate, an 
                authorized committee of a candidate, a political 
                committee of a political party, or agents of the 
                candidate or committee, as defined in subsection (b); 
                or
                    ``(B) any payment for any communication which 
                republishes, disseminates, or distributes, in whole or 
                in part, any video or broadcast or any written, 
                graphic, or other form of campaign material prepared by 
                the candidate or committee or by agents of the 
                candidate or committee (including any excerpt or use of 
                any video from any such broadcast or written, graphic, 
                or other form of campaign material).
            ``(2) Exception for payments for certain communications.--A 
        payment for a communication (including a covered communication 
        described in subsection (d)) shall not be treated as a 
        coordinated expenditure under this subsection if--
                    ``(A) the communication appears in a news story, 
                commentary, or editorial distributed through the 
                facilities of any broadcasting station, newspaper, 
                magazine, or other periodical publication, unless such 
                facilities are owned or controlled by any political 
                party, political committee, or candidate; or
                    ``(B) the communication constitutes a candidate 
                debate or forum conducted pursuant to regulations 
                adopted by the Commission pursuant to section 
                304(f)(3)(B)(iii), or which solely promotes such a 
                debate or forum and is made by or on behalf of the 
                person sponsoring the debate or forum.
    ``(b) Coordination Described.--
            ``(1) In general.--For purposes of this section, a payment 
        is made `in cooperation, consultation, or concert with, or at 
        the request or suggestion of,' a candidate, an authorized 
        committee of a candidate, a political committee of a political 
        party, or agents of the candidate or committee, if the payment, 
        or any communication for which the payment is made, is not made 
        entirely independently of the candidate, committee, or agents. 
        For purposes of the previous sentence, a payment or 
        communication not made entirely independently of the candidate 
        or committee includes any payment or communication made 
        pursuant to any general or particular understanding with, or 
        pursuant to any communication with, the candidate, committee, 
        or agents about the payment or communication.
            ``(2) No finding of coordination based solely on sharing of 
        information regarding legislative or policy position.--For 
        purposes of this section, a payment shall not be considered to 
        be made by a person in cooperation, consultation, or concert 
        with, or at the request or suggestion of, a candidate or 
        committee, solely on the grounds that the person or the 
        person's agent engaged in discussions with the candidate or 
        committee, or with any agent of the candidate or committee, 
        regarding that person's position on a legislative or policy 
        matter (including urging the candidate or committee to adopt 
        that person's position), so long as there is no communication 
        between the person and the candidate or committee, or any agent 
        of the candidate or committee, regarding the candidate's or 
        committee's campaign advertising, message, strategy, policy, 
        polling, allocation of resources, fundraising, or other 
        campaign activities.
            ``(3) No effect on party coordination standard.--Nothing in 
        this section shall be construed to affect the determination of 
        coordination between a candidate and a political committee of a 
        political party for purposes of section 315(d).
            ``(4) No safe harbor for use of firewall.--A person shall 
        be determined to have made a payment in cooperation, 
        consultation, or concert with, or at the request or suggestion 
        of, a candidate or committee, in accordance with this section 
        without regard to whether or not the person established and 
        used a firewall or similar procedures to restrict the sharing 
        of information between individuals who are employed by or who 
        are serving as agents for the person making the payment.
    ``(c) Payments by Coordinated Spenders for Covered 
Communications.--
            ``(1) Payments made in cooperation, consultation, or 
        concert with candidates.--For purposes of subsection (a)(1)(A), 
        if the person who makes a payment for a covered communication, 
        as defined in subsection (d), is a coordinated spender under 
        paragraph (2) with respect to the candidate as described in 
        subsection (d)(1), the payment for the covered communication is 
        made in cooperation, consultation, or concert with the 
        candidate.
            ``(2) Coordinated spender defined.--For purposes of this 
        subsection, the term `coordinated spender' means, with respect 
        to a candidate or an authorized committee of a candidate, a 
        person (other than a political committee of a political party) 
        for which any of the following applies:
                    ``(A) During the 4-year period ending on the date 
                on which the person makes the payment, the person was 
                directly or indirectly formed or established by or at 
                the request or suggestion of, or with the encouragement 
                of, the candidate (including an individual who later 
                becomes a candidate) or committee or agents of the 
                candidate or committee, including with the approval of 
                the candidate or committee or agents of the candidate 
                or committee.
                    ``(B) The candidate or committee or any agent of 
                the candidate or committee solicits funds, appears at a 
                fundraising event, or engages in other fundraising 
                activity on the person's behalf during the election 
                cycle involved, including by providing the person with 
                names of potential donors or other lists to be used by 
                the person in engaging in fundraising activity, 
                regardless of whether the person pays fair market value 
                for the names or lists provided. For purposes of this 
                subparagraph, the term `election cycle' means, with 
                respect to an election for Federal office, 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).
                    ``(C) The person is established, directed, or 
                managed by the candidate or committee or by any person 
                who, during the 4-year period ending on the date on 
                which the person makes the payment, has been employed 
                or retained as a political, campaign media, or 
                fundraising adviser or consultant for the candidate or 
                committee or for any other entity directly or 
                indirectly controlled by the candidate or committee, or 
                has held a formal position with the candidate or 
                committee (including a position as an employee of the 
                office of the candidate at any time the candidate held 
                any Federal, State, or local public office during the 
                4-year period).
                    ``(D) The person has retained the professional 
                services of any person who, during the 2-year period 
                ending on the date on which the person makes the 
                payment, has provided or is providing professional 
                services relating to the campaign to the candidate or 
                committee, without regard to whether the person 
                providing the professional services used a firewall. 
                For purposes of this subparagraph, the term 
                `professional services' includes any services in 
                support of the candidate's or committee's campaign 
                activities, including advertising, message, strategy, 
                policy, polling, allocation of resources, fundraising, 
                and campaign operations, but does not include 
                accounting or legal services.
                    ``(E) The person is established, directed, or 
                managed by a member of the immediate family of the 
                candidate, or the person or any officer or agent of the 
                person has had more than incidental discussions about 
                the candidate's campaign with a member of the immediate 
                family of the candidate. For purposes of this 
                subparagraph, the term `immediate family' has the 
                meaning given such term in section 9004(e) of the 
                Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
    ``(d) Covered Communication Defined.--
            ``(1) In general.--For purposes of this section, the term 
        `covered communication' means, with respect to a candidate or 
        an authorized committee of a candidate, a public communication 
        (as defined in section 301(22)) which--
                    ``(A) expressly advocates the election of the 
                candidate or the defeat of an opponent of the candidate 
                (or contains the functional equivalent of express 
                advocacy);
                    ``(B) promotes or supports the election of the 
                candidate, or attacks or opposes the election of an 
                opponent of the candidate (regardless of whether the 
                communication expressly advocates the election or 
                defeat of a candidate or contains the functional 
                equivalent of express advocacy); or
                    ``(C) refers to the candidate or an opponent of the 
                candidate but is not described in subparagraph (A) or 
                subparagraph (B), but only if the communication is 
                disseminated during the applicable election period.
            ``(2) Applicable election period.--In paragraph (1)(C), the 
        `applicable election period' with respect to a communication 
        means--
                    ``(A) in the case of a communication which refers 
                to a candidate in a general, special, or runoff 
                election, the 120-day period which ends on the date of 
                the election; or
                    ``(B) in the case of a communication which refers 
                to a candidate in a primary or preference election, or 
                convention or caucus of a political party that has 
                authority to nominate a candidate, the 60-day period 
                which ends on the date of the election or convention or 
                caucus.
            ``(3) Special rules for communications involving 
        congressional candidates.--For purposes of this subsection, a 
        public communication shall not be considered to be a covered 
        communication with respect to a candidate for election for an 
        office other than the office of President or Vice President 
        unless it is publicly disseminated or distributed in the 
        jurisdiction of the office the candidate is seeking.
    ``(e) Penalty.--
            ``(1) Determination of amount.--Any person who knowingly 
        and willfully commits a violation of this Act by making a 
        contribution which consists of a payment for a coordinated 
        expenditure shall be fined an amount equal to the greater of--
                    ``(A) in the case of a person who makes a 
                contribution which consists of a payment for a 
                coordinated expenditure in an amount exceeding the 
                applicable contribution limit under this Act, 300 
                percent of the amount by which the amount of the 
                payment made by the person exceeds such applicable 
                contribution limit; or
                    ``(B) in the case of a person who is prohibited 
                under this Act from making a contribution in any 
                amount, 300 percent of the amount of the payment made 
                by the person for the coordinated expenditure.
            ``(2) Joint and several liability.--Any director, manager, 
        or officer of a person who is subject to a penalty under 
        paragraph (1) shall be jointly and severally liable for any 
        amount of such penalty that is not paid by the person prior to 
        the expiration of the 1-year period which begins on the date 
        the Commission imposes the penalty or the 1-year period which 
        begins on the date of the final judgment following any judicial 
        review of the Commission's action, whichever is later.''.
    (c) Effective Date.--
            (1) Repeal of existing regulations on coordination.--
        Effective upon the expiration of the 90-day period which begins 
        on the date of the enactment of this Act--
                    (A) the regulations on coordinated communications 
                adopted by the Federal Election Commission which are in 
                effect on the date of the enactment of this Act (as set 
                forth in 11 CFR Part 109, Subpart C, under the heading 
                ``Coordination'') are repealed; and
                    (B) the Federal Election Commission shall 
                promulgate new regulations on coordinated 
                communications which reflect the amendments made by 
                this Act.
            (2) Effective date.--The amendments made by this section 
        shall apply with respect to payments made on or after the 
        expiration of the 120-day period which begins on the date of 
        the enactment of this Act, without regard to whether or not the 
        Federal Election Commission has promulgated regulations in 
        accordance with paragraph (1)(B) as of the expiration of such 
        period.

SEC. 6103. CLARIFICATION OF BAN ON FUNDRAISING FOR SUPER PACS BY 
              FEDERAL CANDIDATES AND OFFICEHOLDERS.

    (a) In General.--Section 323(e)(1) of the Federal Election Campaign 
Act of 1971 (52 U.S.C. 30125(e)(1)) is amended--
            (1) by striking ``or'' at the end of subparagraph (A);
            (2) by striking the period at the end of subparagraph (B) 
        and inserting ``; or''; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
                    ``(C) solicit, receive, direct, or transfer funds 
                to or on behalf of any political committee which 
                accepts donations or contributions that do not comply 
                with the limitations, prohibitions, and reporting 
                requirements of this Act (or to or on behalf of any 
                account of a political committee which is established 
                for the purpose of accepting such donations or 
                contributions), or to or on behalf of any political 
                organization under section 527 of the Internal Revenue 
                Code of 1986 which accepts such donations or 
                contributions (other than a committee of a State or 
                local political party or a candidate for election for 
                State or local office).''.
    (b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a) shall 
apply with respect to elections occurring after January 1, 2020.

                        Subtitle C--Severability

SEC. 6201. SEVERABILITY.

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

                           DIVISION C--ETHICS

                         TITLE VII--[RESERVED]

                         TITLE VIII--[RESERVED]

                 TITLE IX--CONGRESSIONAL ETHICS REFORM

  Subtitle A--Requiring Members of Congress to Reimburse Treasury for 
      Amounts Paid as Settlements and Awards Under Congressional 
                       Accountability Act of 1995

Sec. 9001. Requiring Members of Congress to reimburse Treasury for 
                            amounts paid as settlements and awards 
                            under Congressional Accountability Act of 
                            1995 in all cases of employment 
                            discrimination acts by Members.

                   Subtitle B--Conflicts of Interests

Sec. 9101. [Reserved].
Sec. 9102. Conflict of interest rules for Members of Congress and 
                            congressional staff.
Sec. 9103. Exercise of rulemaking powers.

          Subtitle C--Campaign Finance and Lobbying Disclosure

Sec. 9201. Short title.
Sec. 9202. Requiring disclosure in certain reports filed with Federal 
                            Election Commission of persons who are 
                            registered lobbyists.
Sec. 9203. Effective date.

         Subtitle D--Access to Congressionally Mandated Reports

Sec. 9301. Short title.
Sec. 9302. Definitions.
Sec. 9303. Establishment of online portal for congressionally mandated 
                            reports.
Sec. 9304. Federal agency responsibilities.
Sec. 9305. Removing and altering reports.
Sec. 9306. Relationship to the Freedom of Information Act.
Sec. 9307. Implementation.

                        Subtitle E--Severability

Sec. 9401. Severability.

  Subtitle A--Requiring Members of Congress to Reimburse Treasury for 
      Amounts Paid as Settlements and Awards Under Congressional 
                       Accountability Act of 1995

SEC. 9001. REQUIRING MEMBERS OF CONGRESS TO REIMBURSE TREASURY FOR 
              AMOUNTS PAID AS SETTLEMENTS AND AWARDS UNDER 
              CONGRESSIONAL ACCOUNTABILITY ACT OF 1995 IN ALL CASES OF 
              EMPLOYMENT DISCRIMINATION ACTS BY MEMBERS.

    (a) Requiring Reimbursement.--Clause (i) of section 415(d)(1)(C) of 
the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 (2 U.S.C. 1415(d)(1)(C)), 
as amended by section 111(a) of the Congressional Accountability Act of 
1995 Reform Act, is amended to read as follows:
                            ``(i) a violation of section 201(a) or 
                        section 206(a); or''.
    (b) Conforming Amendment Relating to Notification of Possibility of 
Reimbursement.--Clause (i) of section 402(b)(2)(B) of the Congressional 
Accountability Act of 1995 (2 U.S.C. 1402(b)(2)(B)), as amended by 
section 102(a) of the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 Reform 
Act, is amended to read as follows:
                            ``(i) a violation of section 201(a) or 
                        section 206(a); or''.
    (c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall take 
effect as if included in the enactment of the Congressional 
Accountability Act of 1995 Reform Act.

                   Subtitle B--Conflicts of Interests

SEC. 9101. [RESERVED].

SEC. 9102. CONFLICT OF INTEREST RULES FOR MEMBERS OF CONGRESS AND 
              CONGRESSIONAL STAFF.

    No Member, officer, or employee of a committee or Member of either 
House of Congress may knowingly use his or her official position to 
introduce or aid the progress or passage of legislation, a principal 
purpose of which is to further only his or her pecuniary interest, only 
the pecuniary interest of his or her immediate family, or only the 
pecuniary interest of a limited class of persons or enterprises, when 
he or she, or his or her immediate family, or enterprises controlled by 
them, are members of the affected class.

SEC. 9103. EXERCISE OF RULEMAKING POWERS.

    The provisions of this subtitle are enacted by the Congress--
            (1) as an exercise of the rulemaking power of the House of 
        Representatives and the Senate, respectively, and as such they 
        shall be considered as part of the rules of each House, 
        respectively, or of that House to which they specifically 
        apply, and such rules shall supersede other rules only to the 
        extent that they are inconsistent therewith; and
            (2) with full recognition of the constitutional right of 
        either House to change such rules (so far as relating to such 
        House) at any time, in the same manner, and to the same extent 
        as in the case of any other rule of such House.

          Subtitle C--Campaign Finance and Lobbying Disclosure

SEC. 9201. SHORT TITLE.

    This subtitle may be cited as the ``Connecting Lobbyists and 
Electeds for Accountability and Reform Act'' or the ``CLEAR Act''.

SEC. 9202. REQUIRING DISCLOSURE IN CERTAIN REPORTS FILED WITH FEDERAL 
              ELECTION COMMISSION OF PERSONS WHO ARE REGISTERED 
              LOBBYISTS.

    (a) Reports Filed by Political Committees.--Section 304(b) of the 
Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (52 U.S.C. 30104(b)) is amended--
            (1) by striking ``and'' at the end of paragraph (7);
            (2) by striking the period at the end of paragraph (8) and 
        inserting ``; and''; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
            ``(9) if any person identified in subparagraph (A), (E), 
        (F), or (G) of paragraph (3) is a registered lobbyist under the 
        Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995, a separate statement that such 
        person is a registered lobbyist under such Act.''.
    (b) Reports Filed by Persons Making Independent Expenditures.--
Section 304(c)(2) of such Act (52 U.S.C. 30104(c)(2)) is amended--
            (1) by striking ``and'' at the end of subparagraph (B);
            (2) by striking the period at the end of subparagraph (C) 
        and inserting ``; and''; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
            ``(D) if the person filing the statement, or a person whose 
        identification is required to be disclosed under subparagraph 
        (C), is a registered lobbyist under the Lobbying Disclosure Act 
        of 1995, a separate statement that such person is a registered 
        lobbyist under such Act.''.
    (c) Reports Filed by Persons Making Disbursements for 
Electioneering Communications.--Section 304(f)(2) of such Act (52 
U.S.C. 30104(f)(2)) is amended by adding at the end the following new 
subparagraph:
                    ``(G) If the person making the disbursement, or a 
                contributor described in subparagraph (E) or (F), is a 
                registered lobbyist under the Lobbying Disclosure Act 
                of 1995, a separate statement that such person or 
                contributor is a registered lobbyist under such Act.''.
    (d) Requiring Commission to Establish Link to Websites of Clerk of 
House and Secretary of Senate.--Section 304 of such Act (52 U.S.C. 
30104), as amended by section 4308(a), is amended by adding at the end 
the following new subsection:
    ``(k) Requiring Information on Registered Lobbyists to Be Linked to 
Websites of Clerk of House and Secretary of Senate.--
            ``(1) Links to websites.--The Commission shall ensure that 
        the Commission's public database containing information 
        described in paragraph (2) is linked electronically to the 
        websites maintained by the Secretary of the Senate and the 
        Clerk of the House of Representatives containing information 
        filed pursuant to the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995.
            ``(2) Information described.--The information described in 
        this paragraph is each of the following:
                    ``(A) Information disclosed under paragraph (9) of 
                subsection (b).
                    ``(B) Information disclosed under subparagraph (D) 
                of subsection (c)(2).
                    ``(C) Information disclosed under subparagraph (G) 
                of subsection (f)(2).''.

SEC. 9203. EFFECTIVE DATE.

    The amendments made by this subtitle shall apply with respect to 
reports required to be filed under the Federal Election Campaign Act of 
1971 on or after the expiration of the 90-day period which begins on 
the date of the enactment of this Act.

         Subtitle D--Access to Congressionally Mandated Reports

SEC. 9301. SHORT TITLE.

    This subtitle may be cited as the ``Access to Congressionally 
Mandated Reports Act''.

SEC. 9302. DEFINITIONS.

    In this subtitle:
            (1) Congressionally mandated report.--The term 
        ``congressionally mandated report''--
                    (A) means a report that is required to be submitted 
                to either House of Congress or any committee of 
                Congress, or subcommittee thereof, by a statute, 
                resolution, or conference report that accompanies 
                legislation enacted into law; and
                    (B) does not include a report required under part B 
                of subtitle II of title 36, United States Code.
            (2) Director.--The term ``Director'' means the Director of 
        the Government Publishing Office.
            (3) Federal agency.--The term ``Federal agency'' has the 
        meaning given that term under section 102 of title 40, United 
        States Code, but does not include the Government Accountability 
        Office.
            (4) Open format.--The term ``open format'' means a file 
        format for storing digital data based on an underlying open 
        standard that--
                    (A) is not encumbered by any restrictions that 
                would impede reuse; and
                    (B) is based on an underlying open data standard 
                that is maintained by a standards organization.
            (5) Reports online portal.--The term ``reports online 
        portal'' means the online portal established under section 
        (3)(a).

SEC. 9303. ESTABLISHMENT OF ONLINE PORTAL FOR CONGRESSIONALLY MANDATED 
              REPORTS.

    (a) Requirement To Establish Online Portal.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
        enactment of this Act, the Director shall establish and 
        maintain an online portal accessible by the public that allows 
        the public to obtain electronic copies of all congressionally 
        mandated reports in one place. The Director may publish other 
        reports on the online portal.
            (2) Existing functionality.--To the extent possible, the 
        Director shall meet the requirements under paragraph (1) by 
        using existing online portals and functionality under the 
        authority of the Director.
            (3) Consultation.--In carrying out this subtitle, the 
        Director shall consult with the Clerk of the House of 
        Representatives, the Secretary of the Senate, and the Librarian 
        of Congress regarding the requirements for and maintenance of 
        congressionally mandated reports on the reports online portal.
    (b) Content and Function.--The Director shall ensure that the 
reports online portal includes the following:
            (1) Subject to subsection (c), with respect to each 
        congressionally mandated report, each of the following:
                    (A) A citation to the statute, conference report, 
                or resolution requiring the report.
                    (B) An electronic copy of the report, including any 
                transmittal letter associated with the report, in an 
                open format that is platform independent and that is 
                available to the public without restrictions, including 
                restrictions that would impede the re-use of the 
                information in the report.
                    (C) The ability to retrieve a report, to the extent 
                practicable, through searches based on each, and any 
                combination, of the following:
                            (i) The title of the report.
                            (ii) The reporting Federal agency.
                            (iii) The date of publication.
                            (iv) Each congressional committee receiving 
                        the report, if applicable.
                            (v) The statute, resolution, or conference 
                        report requiring the report.
                            (vi) Subject tags.
                            (vii) A unique alphanumeric identifier for 
                        the report that is consistent across report 
                        editions.
                            (viii) The serial number, Superintendent of 
                        Documents number, or other identification 
                        number for the report, if applicable.
                            (ix) Key words.
                            (x) Full text search.
                            (xi) Any other relevant information 
                        specified by the Director.
                    (D) The date on which the report was required to be 
                submitted, and on which the report was submitted, to 
                the reports online portal.
                    (E) Access to the report not later than 30 calendar 
                days after its submission to Congress.
                    (F) To the extent practicable, a permanent means of 
                accessing the report electronically.
            (2) A means for bulk download of all congressionally 
        mandated reports.
            (3) A means for downloading individual reports as the 
        result of a search.
            (4) An electronic means for the head of each Federal agency 
        to submit to the reports online portal each congressionally 
        mandated report of the agency, as required by section 4.
            (5) In tabular form, a list of all congressionally mandated 
        reports that can be searched, sorted, and downloaded by--
                    (A) reports submitted within the required time;
                    (B) reports submitted after the date on which such 
                reports were required to be submitted; and
                    (C) reports not submitted.
    (c) Noncompliance by Federal Agencies.--
            (1) Reports not submitted.--If a Federal agency does not 
        submit a congressionally mandated report to the Director, the 
        Director shall to the extent practicable--
                    (A) include on the reports online portal--
                            (i) the information required under clauses 
                        (i), (ii), (iv), and (v) of subsection 
                        (b)(1)(C); and
                            (ii) the date on which the report was 
                        required to be submitted; and
                    (B) include the congressionally mandated report on 
                the list described in subsection (b)(5)(C).
            (2) Reports not in open format.--If a Federal agency 
        submits a congressionally mandated report that is not in an 
        open format, the Director shall include the congressionally 
        mandated report in another format on the reports online portal.
    (d) Free Access.--The Director may not charge a fee, require 
registration, or impose any other limitation in exchange for access to 
the reports online portal.
    (e) Upgrade Capability.--The reports online portal shall be 
enhanced and updated as necessary to carry out the purposes of this 
subtitle.

SEC. 9304. FEDERAL AGENCY RESPONSIBILITIES.

    (a) Submission of Electronic Copies of Reports.--Concurrently with 
the submission to Congress of each congressionally mandated report, the 
head of the Federal agency submitting the congressionally mandated 
report shall submit to the Director the information required under 
subparagraphs (A) through (D) of section 3(b)(1) with respect to the 
congressionally mandated report. Nothing in this subtitle shall relieve 
a Federal agency of any other requirement to publish the 
congressionally mandated report on the online portal of the Federal 
agency or otherwise submit the congressionally mandated report to 
Congress or specific committees of Congress, or subcommittees thereof.
    (b) Guidance.--Not later than 240 days after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, in 
consultation with the Director, shall issue guidance to agencies on the 
implementation of this Act.
    (c) Structure of Submitted Report Data.--The head of each Federal 
agency shall ensure that each congressionally mandated report submitted 
to the Director complies with the open format criteria established by 
the Director in the guidance issued under subsection (b).
    (d) Point of Contact.--The head of each Federal agency shall 
designate a point of contact for congressionally mandated report.
    (e) List of Reports.--As soon as practicable each calendar year 
(but not later than April 1), and on a rolling basis during the year if 
feasible, the Librarian of Congress shall submit to the Director a list 
of congressionally mandated reports from the previous calendar year, in 
consultation with the Clerk of the House of Representatives, which 
shall--
            (1) be provided in an open format;
            (2) include the information required under clauses (i), 
        (ii), (iv), (v) of section 3(b)(1)(C) for each report;
            (3) include the frequency of the report;
            (4) include a unique alphanumeric identifier for the report 
        that is consistent across report editions;
            (5) include the date on which each report is required to be 
        submitted; and
            (6) be updated and provided to the Director, as necessary.

SEC. 9305. REMOVING AND ALTERING REPORTS.

    A report submitted to be published to the reports online portal may 
only be changed or removed, with the exception of technical changes, by 
the head of the Federal agency concerned if--
            (1) the head of the Federal agency consults with each 
        congressional committee to which the report is submitted; and
            (2) Congress enacts a joint resolution authorizing the 
        changing or removal of the report.

SEC. 9306. RELATIONSHIP TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT.

    (a) In General.--Nothing in this subtitle shall be construed to--
            (1) require the disclosure of information or records that 
        are exempt from public disclosure under section 552 of title 5, 
        United States Code; or
            (2) to impose any affirmative duty on the Director to 
        review congressionally mandated reports submitted for 
        publication to the reports online portal for the purpose of 
        identifying and redacting such information or records.
    (b) Redaction of Information.--The head of a Federal agency may 
redact information required to be disclosed under this Act if the 
information would be properly withheld from disclosure under section 
552 of title 5, United States Code, and shall--
            (1) redact information required to be disclosed under this 
        subtitle if disclosure of such information is prohibited by 
        law;
            (2) redact information being withheld under this subsection 
        prior to submitting the information to the Director;
            (3) redact only such information properly withheld under 
        this subsection from the submission of information or from any 
        congressionally mandated report submitted under this subtitle;
            (4) identify where any such redaction is made in the 
        submission or report; and
            (5) identify the exemption under which each such redaction 
        is made.

SEC. 9307. IMPLEMENTATION.

    Except as provided in section 9304(b), this subtitle shall be 
implemented not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this 
Act and shall apply with respect to congressionally mandated reports 
submitted to Congress on or after the date that is 1 year after such 
date of enactment.

                        Subtitle E--Severability

SEC. 9401. SEVERABILITY.

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

                          TITLE X--[RESERVED]
                                                   Union Calendar No. 5

116th CONGRESS

  1st Session

                                H. R. 1

                      [Report No. 116-15, Part I]

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL

To expand Americans' access to the ballot box, reduce the influence of 
big money in politics, and strengthen ethics rules for public servants, 
                        and for other purposes.

_______________________________________________________________________

                             March 4, 2019

 Reported from the Committee on House Administration with an amendment

                             March 4, 2019

Committees on Intelligence (Permanent Select), the Judiciary, Oversight 
 and Reform, Science, Space, and Technology, Education and Labor, Ways 
     and Means, Financial Services, Ethics, and Homeland Security 
discharged; committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State 
                 of the Union and ordered to be printed