[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 54 (Thursday, March 20, 1997)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 13355-13356]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-6955]


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FEDERAL ELECTION COMMISSION

11 CFR Parts 100 and 114

[Notice 1997 4]


Rulemaking Petition: Definition of ``Member'' of a Membership 
Association; Notice of Availability

AGENCY: Federal Election Commission.

ACTION: Rulemaking petition: Notice of availability.

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SUMMARY: On February 24, 1997, the Commission received a Petition for 
Rulemaking from James Bopp, Jr., on behalf of the National Right to 
Life Committee, Inc. The Petition urges the Commission to revise its 
rules defining who is a member of a membership association in view of a 
recent court decision. The Petition is available for inspection in the 
commission's Public Records Office.

DATES: Statements in support of, or in opposition to, the Petition must 
be filed on or before April 21, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Comments must be in writing and addressed to: Ms. Susan E. 
Propper, Assistant General Counsel, 999 E Street, NW., Washington, DC 
20463.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Ms. Susan E. Propper, Assistant General Counsel, or Ms. Rita A. Reimer, 
Attorney, 999 E Street, NW., Washington, DC 20463, (202) 219-3690 or 
(800) 424-9530.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The petitioner is requesting the Commission 
to revise its rules defining who is a member of a membership 
association in view of the decision by the United States Court of 
Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit in Chamber of Commerce of 
the United States versus Federal Election Commission, 69 F.3d 600 (D.C. 
Cir 1995), amended on denial of rehearing, 76 F.3d 1234 (D.C. Cir. 
1996). The decision held that the current rules at 11 CFR 
100.8(b)(4)(iv) and 114.1(e), which require members in most instances 
to have direct or indirect voting rights for at least one member of the 
association's highest governing body, cannot be applied to the Chamber 
of Commerce or the American Medical Association, because of other 
financial and organizational ties that exist between these entities and 
their members.
    Copies of the Petition for Rulemaking are available for public 
inspection at the Commission's Public Records Office, 999 E Street, 
NW., Washington, DC 20463, Monday though Friday between the hours of 
9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Interested persons may also obtain a copy of 
the Petition by dialing the Commission's FlashFAX service at (202) 501-
3413 and following its instructions, at any time of the day and week. 
Request document #232.
    Statements in support of, or in opposition to, the Petition for 
Rulemaking must be submitted in writing by April 21, 1997.
    Consideration of the merits of the Petition will be deferred until 
the close of the comment period. If the Commission decides that the 
Petition has merit, it may begin a rulemaking proceeding. Any 
subsequent action taken by the Commission will be announced in the 
Federal Register.


[[Page 13356]]


    Dated: March 14, 1997.
John Warren McGarry,
Chairman.
[FR Doc. 97-6955 Filed 3-19-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6715-01-M