[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 237 (Wednesday, December 10, 1997)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 65040]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-32287]


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FEDERAL ELECTION COMMISSION

[Notice 1997-17]
11 CFR Part 114


Qualified Nonprofit Corporations

AGENCY: Federal Election Commission.

ACTION: Rulemaking petition: notice of availability.

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SUMMARY: On November 17, 1997, the Commission received a Petition for 
Rulemaking from the James Madison Center for Free Speech urging the 
Commission to begin a rulemaking proceeding to conform portions of its 
regulations to a decision of the United States Court of Appeals for the 
Eighth Circuit. These regulations set forth the scope of the exemption 
from the prohibition on corporate independent expenditures for a narrow 
class of non-profit ideological corporations. 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 January 23, 1998.

ADDRESSES: All comments should be addressed to Susan E. Propper, 
Assistant General Counsel, and must be submitted in either written or 
electronic form. Written comments should be sent to the Federal 
Election Commission, 999 E Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20463. Faxed 
comments should be sent to (202) 219-3923, with printed copy follow up. 
Electronic mail comments should be sent to [email protected]. 
Commenters sending comments by electronic mail should include their 
full name and postal service address within the text of their comments. 
Electronic mail comments that do not contain the full name, electronic 
mail address and postal service address of the commenter will not be 
considered.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Susan E. Propper, Assistant 
General Counsel, or Paul Sanford, Staff Attorney, 999 E Street, N.W., 
Washington, D.C. 20463, (202) 219-3690 or (800) 424-9530.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On November 17, 1997, the Commission 
received a Petition for Rulemaking from the James Madison Center for 
Free Speech requesting that the Commission institute a rulemaking 
proceeding to conform its regulations at 11 CFR 114.10 to the decision 
of the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit in 
Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life v. Federal Election Commission, 
113 F.3d 129 (8th Cir. 1997). These regulations describe a category of 
nonprofit corporations that are exempt from the prohibition on 
independent expenditures in 2 U.S.C. Sec. 441b. See also 11 CFR 114.2.
    Copies of the petition are available for public inspection in the 
Commission's Public Records Office, 999 E Street, N.W., Washington, DC 
20463, Monday through Friday between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 
p.m. Copies of the petition can also be obtained at any time of the day 
and week from the Commission's home page at www.fec.gov, or from the 
Commission's FAXline service. To obtain copies of the petition from 
FAXline, dial (202) 501-3413 and follow the FAXline service 
instructions. Request document #233 to receive the petition.
    Members of the public are invited to comment on the petition. All 
statements in support of or in opposition to the petition should be 
addressed to Susan E. Propper, Assistant General Counsel, and must be 
submitted in either written or electronic form. Written comments should 
be sent to the Commission's postal service address: Federal Election 
Commission, 999 E Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20463. Faxed comments 
should be sent to (202) 219-3923. Commenters submitting faxed comments 
should also submit a printed copy to the Commission's postal service 
address to ensure legibility. Comments may also be sent by electronic 
mail to [email protected]. Commenters sending comments by electronic 
mail should include their full name, electronic mail address and postal 
service address within the text of their comments. Electronic mail 
comments that do not contain the full name, electronic mail address and 
postal service address of the commenter will not be considered. All 
comments, regardless of form, must be submitted by January 23, 1998.
    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.

    Dated: December 5, 1997.
John Warren McGarry,
Chairman, Federal Election Commission.
[FR Doc. 97-32287 Filed 12-9-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6715-01-P