Lobbying and Campaign Finance Reform Act of 2015

To provide limits on bundling, to reform the lobbyist registration process, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Lobbying and Campaign Finance Reform Act of 2015 2. Limitation on bundled contributions (a) In general Section 315(a) of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 ( 52 U.S.C. 30116 (10) For purposes of paragraph (1), any bundled contribution (as defined in section 304(i)(8)) forwarded by a person described in section 304(i)(7) to a committee described in section 304(i)(6) shall be treated both as a contribution made by the person forwarding such contribution and as a contribution made by the contributor. . (b) Definition of bundled contribution Clause (ii) of section 304(i)(A) of such Act is amended by inserting (whether in writing or otherwise) other means (c) Effective date (1) In general The amendment made by subsection (a) shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act. (2) Definition of bundled contribution The amendment made by subsection (b) shall take effect 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act. 3. Lobbyist registration reforms Section 3(10) of the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 ( 2 U.S.C. 1602(10) contact, other than 3-month period. contact over a 2-year period. 4. Ban on soliciting campaign contributions from registered lobbyists Title III of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 ( 52 U.S.C. 30101 et seq. 325. Solicitations of registered lobbyists (a) Senate A candidate for the office of Senator, an individual holding the office of Senator, an agent of such a candidate or an individual holding such office, or an entity directly or indirectly established, financed, maintained, or controlled by or acting on behalf of 1 or more such candidates or individuals holding such office may not solicit from any registered lobbyist funds in connection with any election for the office of Senator during any period in which the Senate is in session. (b) House of Representatives A candidate for Representative to, or Representative in, or Delegate or Resident Commissioner to, the Congress, an individual holding such an office, an agent of a candidate or an individual holding such an office, or an entity directly or indirectly established, financed, maintained, or controlled by or acting on behalf of 1 or more such candidates or individuals holding such an office may not solicit from any registered lobbyist funds in connection with any election for Representative to, or Representative in, or Delegate or Resident Commissioner to, the Congress during any period in which the House of Representatives is in session. (c) Registered lobbyist For purposes of this section, the term registered lobbyist (d) Determination of when body is in session For purposes of this section, the Senate or House of Representatives shall be considered to be in session during any period unless such body has adjourned for, or is in recess for, a period of 10 calendar days or longer. .

Summary: Lobbying and Campaign Finance Reform Act of 2015 Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (FECA) to declare that, for purposes of dollar limits on contributions, any bundled contribution forwarded by a currently registered lobbyist or a political committee established or controlled by one to an authorized committee of a candidate, a leadership political action committee, or a political party committee shall be treated as both a contribution made by the person forwarding it and as a contribution made by the contributor. Amends the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 to revise the definition of "lobbyist" with respect to its exemption from coverage of certain individuals whose lobbying activities constitute less than 20% of the time engaged in the services provided to a client over a 3-month period. Extends the 3-month period into a 2-year period. Amends FECA to prohibit House of Representatives and Senate candidates, Members, Senators, their agents, or any entities directly or indirectly established, financed, maintained, or controlled by or acting on behalf of one or more of them from soliciting funds from any registered lobbyist in connection with an election to the House or Senate during any period in which the chamber is in session (excluding adjournments or recesses for 10 calendar days or longer).