[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 184 (Thursday, September 23, 1999)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 51422-51423]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-24773]


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FEDERAL ELECTION COMMISSION

11 CFR Part 9034

[Notice 1999-18]


Matching Credit Card and Debit Card Contributions in Presidential 
Campaigns

AGENCY: Federal Election Commission.

ACTION: Final rule; announcement of effective date.

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SUMMARY: On June 17, 1999, the Commission published the text of revised 
regulations that would allow contributions made by credit or debit 
card, including contributions made over the Internet, to be matched 
under the Presidential Primary Matching Payment Account Act. The 
Commission announces that these rules are effective retroactive to 
January 1, 1999.

EFFECTIVE DATE: January 1, 1999.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Rosemary C. Smith, Acting 
Assistant General Counsel, or Ms. Rita A. Reimer, Attorney, 999 E 
Street, NW, Washington, DC 20463, (202) 694-1650 or toll free (800) 
424-9530.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Commission is announcing the effective 
date of new regulations at 11 CFR 9034.2 and 9034.3 that allow certain 
contributions made by credit or debit card, including contributions 
made over the Internet, to be matched under the Presidential Primary 
Matching Payment Account Act (``Matching Payment Act''), 26 U.S.C. 9031 
et seq. ``Matchable contributions'' are those which, when received by 
candidates who qualify for payments under the Matching Payment Act, are 
matched by the Federal Government.
    Section 9039(c) of Title 26, United States Code, requires that any 
rules or regulations prescribed by the Commission to implement Title 26 
of the United States Code be transmitted to the Speaker of the House of

[[Page 51423]]

Representatives and the President of the Senate thirty legislative days 
prior to final promulgation. The revisions to 11 CFR 9034.2 and 9034.3 
were transmitted to Congress on June 11, 1999. Thirty legislative days 
expired in the Senate and the House of Representatives on September 9, 
1999.
    In the Explanation and Justification that accompanied the final 
rules, the Commission explained that, since many presidential campaigns 
will have engaged in substantial fundraising by the time these rules 
take effect, it would retroactively match credit and debit card 
contributions made on January 1, 1999 and thereafter. 64 FR at 32397. 
Accordingly, these new rules are effective retroactive to January 1, 
1999.
    Also, on June 10, 1999, the Commission approved Advisory Opinion 
(``AO'') 1999-9 on this same topic, but stated that this approval would 
be of no effect if Congress and the President disapproved these final 
rules. Since this did not occur, the contingency has been removed, and 
AO 1999-9 is now in effect.
    Announcement of Effective Date: The amendments to 11 CFR 9034.2 and 
9034.3, as published at 64 FR 32394 (June 17, 1999), are effective 
retroactive to January 1, 1999.

    Dated: September 17, 1999.
Scott E. Thomas,
Chairman, Federal Election Commission.
[FR Doc. 99-24773 Filed 9-22-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6715-01-U