[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 99 (Monday, May 22, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 32094-32095]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-12775]


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FEDERAL ELECTION COMMISSION

[Notice 2000-11]


Computerized Magnetic Media Requirements for Presidential 
Committees

AGENCY: Federal Election Commission.

ACTION: Announcement of Changes to the Computerized Magnetic Media 
Requirements for Presidential Primary, General Election and Convention 
Committees.

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SUMMARY: The Commission has revised its document entitled 
``Computerized Magnetic Media Requirements for Title 26 Candidates/
Committees Receiving Federal Funding'' (``CMMR''). The CMMR sets forth 
technical standards designed to ensure the compatibility of magnetic 
media provided for Commission use during the matching fund submission 
process and mandatory audits of these publicly-funded campaign 
committees.

EFFECTIVE DATE: April 13, 2000.

FOR FURTHER NFORMATION CONTACT: Rick Halter, Deputy Assistant Staff 
Director, or Charles Ratcliff, Data Systems Development Division; 999 E 
Street NW, Washington, DC 20463; (202) 694-1200 (Mr. Halter), (202) 
694-1295 (Mr. Ratcliff), or (800) 424-9530 (toll free).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On June 21, 1990, the Federal Election 
Commission adopted a document entitled ``Computerized Magnetic Media 
Requirements for Title 26 Candidates/Committees Receiving Federal 
Funding'' (``CMMR''). The CMMR was revised on

[[Page 32095]]

January 30, 1992 to reflect technological advances during the 
intervening period (see 57 FR 4453 (Feb. 5, 1992)), and again on 
January 11, 1996 (see 61 FR 6245 (Feb. 16, 1996)). This Notice 
summarizes the most recent revisions, which were adopted by the 
Commission on April 13, 2000 and apply to all publicly-funded 
committees that participate in the 2000 presidential election.
    The CMMR sets forth technical standards designed to ensure the 
compatibility of magnetic media provided for Commission use during the 
matching fund submission process, which is also discussed in the 
Commission's ``Guideline for Presentation in Good Order'' (``PIGO''), 
and the mandatory audits of publicly-funded presidential campaign and 
convention committees. Each presidential candidate and convention 
committee must agree to maintain and provide computerized magnetic 
media in the format prescribed by the CMMR, if the committee maintains 
or uses computerized information containing any specified categories of 
data. See 11 CFR 9003.1(b)(4), 9008.3(a)(4)(v), and 9033.1(b)(5). The 
technical standards in the CMMR include general requirements for 
magnetic tape and magnetic diskettes, as well as file format 
specifications for records of receipts, including contributors, 
vendors, invoices, bank accounts and check files.
    Until this latest revision, the CMMR included file format 
specifications for records of disbursements. While the same information 
is still required, no particular format is now specified.
    The CMMR has also been revised to reflect technological advances in 
computer software since the 1996 revisions. It thus provides campaigns 
with more options than the previous version of the CMMR. The Commission 
continues to encourage committees to provide samples of their magnetic 
tape or magnetic diskettes, so that the Commission may determine 
whether the samples comply with the specifications established.
    The CMMR is included as Appendix 2 to the Commission's Financial 
Control and Compliance Manual For Presidential Primary Candidates 
Receiving Public Financing (April 2000). It is also available from the 
Commission's Public Records Office or the Audit Division, and will soon 
be available on the Commission's web site, www.fec.gov. The Public 
Records Office can be reached at (800) 424-9530, extension #3 (toll 
free), or 202-694-1120. That Office also responds to E-mail requests at 
[email protected].
    Please note that the technical requirements found in the CMMR are 
not intended to promote or discourage the use of any particular 
computer system or software. The Commission believes that committees 
should have as much discretion as possible in selecting the computer 
equipment they wish to use, determining what types of financial records 
and information should be computerized, and deciding how the 
computerized information is maintained. However, committees are 
expected to present this financial information to the Commission in the 
format specified in the CMMR.

    Dated: May 17, 2000.
Darryl R. Wold,
Chairman, Federal Election Commission.
[FR Doc. 00-12775 Filed 5-19-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6715-01-P