I 
111TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 1826 
To reform the financing of House elections, and for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
MARCH 31, 2009 
Mr. LARSON of Connecticut (for himself, Mr. NADLER of New York, Ms. PIN-
GREE of Maine, Mr. JONES, Mr. PLATTS, Mr. COOPER, Mr. HOLT, Mr. 
COHEN, Mr. HEINRICH, Mr. POLIS of Colorado, Ms. EDWARDS of Mary-
land, Mr. CAPUANO, and Mr. DOYLE) introduced the following bill; which 
was referred to the Committee on House Administration, and in addition 
to the Committees on Energy and Commerce and Ways and Means, for 
a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for 
consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the com-
mittee concerned 
A BILL 
To reform the financing of House elections, and for other 
purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS. 
(a) SHORT TITLE.—This Act may be cited as the 
‘‘Fair Elections Now Act’’. 
(b) TABLE OF CONTENTS.—The table of contents of 
this Act is as follows: 
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Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents. 
TITLE I—FAIR ELECTIONS FINANCING OF HOUSE ELECTION 
CAMPAIGNS 
Sec. 101. Findings and declarations. 
Sec. 102. Eligibility requirements and benefits of fair elections financing of 
House election campaigns. 
‘‘TITLE V—FAIR ELECTIONS FINANCING OF HOUSE ELECTION 
CAMPAIGNS 
‘‘Subtitle A—General Provisions 
‘‘Sec. 501. Definitions. 
‘‘Sec. 502. Fair Elections Fund. 
‘‘Subtitle B—Eligibility and Certification 
‘‘Sec. 511. Eligibility. 
‘‘Sec. 512. Qualifying contribution requirement. 
‘‘Sec. 513. Contribution and expenditure requirements. 
‘‘Sec. 514. Debate requirement. 
‘‘Sec. 515. Certification. 
‘‘Subtitle C—Benefits 
‘‘Sec. 521. Benefits for participating candidates. 
‘‘Sec. 522. Allocations from the Fund. 
‘‘Sec. 523. Matching payments for qualified small dollar contributions. 
‘‘Sec. 524. Political advertising vouchers. 
‘‘Subtitle D—Administrative Provisions 
‘‘Sec. 531. Fair Elections Oversight Board. 
‘‘Sec. 532. Administration provisions. 
‘‘Sec. 533. Violations and penalties. 
Sec. 103. Prohibition on joint fundraising committees. 
Sec. 104. Limitation on coordinated expenditures by political party committees 
with participating candidates. 
Sec. 105. Deposit of proceeds from recovered spectrum auctions. 
Sec. 106. Designation of overpayments as contributions to Fair Elections Fund. 
TITLE II—IMPROVING VOTER INFORMATION 
Sec. 201. Broadcasts relating to all House candidates. 
Sec. 202. Broadcast rates for participating candidates. 
Sec. 203. FCC to prescribe standardized form for reporting candidate campaign 
ads. 
TITLE III—RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE FEDERAL ELECTION 
COMMISSION 
Sec. 301. Petition for certiorari. 
Sec. 302. Filing by all candidates with Commission. 
Sec. 303. Electronic filing of FEC reports. 
TITLE IV—MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS 
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Sec. 401. Severability. 
Sec. 402. Effective date. 
TITLE I—FAIR ELECTIONS FI-
NANCING OF HOUSE ELEC-
TION CAMPAIGNS 
SEC. 101. FINDINGS AND DECLARATIONS. 
(a) UNDERMINING OF DEMOCRACY BY CAMPAIGN 
CONTRIBUTIONS FROM PRIVATE SOURCES.—The House 
of Representatives finds and declares that the current sys-
tem of privately financed campaigns for election to the 
House of Representatives has the capacity, and is often 
perceived by the public, to undermine democracy in the 
United States by— 
(1) creating a culture that fosters actual or per-
ceived conflicts of interest, by encouraging Members 
of the House to accept large campaign contributions 
from private interests that are directly affected by 
Federal legislation; 
(2) diminishing or appearing to diminish Mem-
bers’ accountability to constituents by compelling 
legislators to be accountable to the major contribu-
tors who finance their election campaigns; 
(3) undermining the meaning of the right to 
vote by allowing monied interests to have a dis-
proportionate and unfair influence within the polit-
ical process; 
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(4) imposing large, unwarranted costs on tax-
payers through legislative and regulatory distortions 
caused by unequal access to lawmakers for campaign 
contributors; 
(5) making it difficult for some qualified can-
didates to mount competitive House election cam-
paigns; 
(6) disadvantaging challengers and discouraging 
competitive elections, because large campaign con-
tributors tend to donate their money to incumbent 
Members, thus causing House elections to be less 
competitive; and 
(7) burdening incumbents with a preoccupation 
with fundraising and thus decreasing the time avail-
able to carry out their public responsibilities. 
(b) ENHANCEMENT OF DEMOCRACY BY PROVIDING 
ALLOCATIONS FROM THE FAIR ELECTIONS FUND.—The 
House of Representatives finds and declares that pro-
viding the option of the replacement of large private cam-
paign contributions with allocations from the Fair Elec-
tions Fund for all primary, runoff, and general elections 
to the House of Representatives would enhance American 
democracy by— 
(1) reducing the actual or perceived conflicts of 
interest created by fully private financing of the elec-
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tion campaigns of public officials and restoring pub-
lic confidence in the integrity and fairness of the 
electoral and legislative processes through a program 
which allows participating candidates to adhere to 
substantially lower contribution limits for contribu-
tors with an assurance that there will be sufficient 
funds for such candidates to run viable electoral 
campaigns; 
(2) increasing the public’s confidence in the ac-
countability of Members to the constituents who 
elect them, which derives from the program’s quali-
fying criteria to participate in the voluntary program 
and the conclusions that constituents may draw re-
garding candidates who qualify and participate in 
the program; 
(3) helping to reduce the ability to make large 
campaign contributions as a determinant of a citi-
zen’s influence within the political process by facili-
tating the expression of support by voters at every 
level of wealth, encouraging political participation, 
incentivizing participation on the part of Members 
through the matching of small dollar contributions; 
(4) potentially saving taxpayers billions of dol-
lars that may be (or that are perceived to be) cur-
rently allocated based upon legislative and regu-
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latory agendas skewed by the influence of campaign 
contributions; 
(5) creating genuine opportunities for all Amer-
icans to run for the House of Representatives and 
encouraging more competitive elections; 
(6) encouraging participation in the electoral 
process by citizens of every level of wealth; and 
(7) freeing Members from the incessant pre-
occupation with raising money, and allowing them 
more time to carry out their public responsibilities. 
SEC. 102. ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS AND BENEFITS OF 
FAIR 
ELECTIONS 
FINANCING 
OF 
HOUSE 
ELECTION CAMPAIGNS. 
The Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (2 
U.S.C. 431 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the 
following: 
‘‘TITLE V—FAIR ELECTIONS FI-
NANCING OF HOUSE ELEC-
TION CAMPAIGNS 
‘‘Subtitle A—General Provisions 
‘‘SEC. 501. DEFINITIONS. 
‘‘In this title: 
‘‘(1) ALLOCATION FROM THE FUND.—The term 
‘allocation from the Fund’ means an allocation of 
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money from the Fair Elections Fund to a partici-
pating candidate pursuant to section 522. 
‘‘(2) BOARD.—The term ‘Board’ means the 
Fair Elections Oversight Board established under 
section 531. 
‘‘(3) FAIR ELECTIONS QUALIFYING PERIOD.— 
The term ‘Fair Elections qualifying period’ means, 
with respect to any candidate for the office of Rep-
resentative in, or Delegate or Resident Commis-
sioner to, the Congress, the period— 
‘‘(A) beginning on the date on which the 
candidate files a statement of intent under sec-
tion 511(a)(1); and 
‘‘(B) ending on the date that is 60 days 
before— 
‘‘(i) the date of the primary election; 
or 
‘‘(ii) in the case of a State that does 
not hold a primary election, the date pre-
scribed by State law as the last day to 
qualify for a position on the general elec-
tion ballot. 
‘‘(4) FAIR ELECTIONS START DATE.—The term 
‘Fair Elections start date’ means, with respect to 
any candidate, the date that is 180 days before— 
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‘‘(A) the date of the primary election; or 
‘‘(B) in the case of a State that does not 
hold a primary election, the date prescribed by 
State law as the last day to qualify for a posi-
tion on the general election ballot. 
‘‘(5) FUND.—The term ‘Fund’ means the Fair 
Elections Fund established by section 502. 
‘‘(6) IMMEDIATE
FAMILY.—The term ‘imme-
diate family’ means, with respect to any candidate— 
‘‘(A) the candidate’s spouse; 
‘‘(B) a child, stepchild, parent, grand-
parent, brother, half-brother, sister, or half-sis-
ter of the candidate or the candidate’s spouse; 
and 
‘‘(C) the spouse of any person described in 
subparagraph (B). 
‘‘(7) MATCHING
CONTRIBUTION.—The term 
‘matching contribution’ means a matching payment 
provided to a participating candidate for qualified 
small dollar contributions, as provided under section 
523. 
‘‘(8) 
NONPARTICIPATING
CANDIDATE.—The 
term ‘nonparticipating candidate’ means a candidate 
for the office of Representative in, or Delegate or 
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‘‘(C) is made during the Fair Elections 
qualifying period; and 
‘‘(D) meets the requirements of section 
512(b). 
‘‘(11) QUALIFIED
SMALL
DOLLAR
CONTRIBU-
TION.—The term ‘qualified small dollar contribution’ 
means, with respect to a candidate, any contribution 
(or a series of contributions)— 
‘‘(A) which is not a qualifying contribution 
(or does not include a qualifying contribution); 
‘‘(B) which is made by an individual who 
is not prohibited from making a contribution 
under this Act; and 
‘‘(C) the aggregate amount of which does 
not exceed the greater of— 
‘‘(i) $100 per election; or 
‘‘(ii) the amount determined by the 
Commission under section 531. 
‘‘SEC. 502. FAIR ELECTIONS FUND. 
‘‘(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—There is established in the 
Treasury a fund to be known as the ‘Fair Elections Fund’. 
‘‘(b) AMOUNTS HELD BY FUND.—The Fund shall 
consist of the following amounts: 
‘‘(1) APPROPRIATED AMOUNTS.— 
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‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—Amounts appropriated 
to the Fund, including trust fund amounts ap-
propriated pursuant to applicable provisions of 
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. 
‘‘(B) PROCEEDS FROM RECOVERED SPEC-
TRUM AUCTIONS.—Amounts deposited pursuant 
to section 309(j)(8)(E)(ii)(II) of the Commu-
nications Act of 1934. 
‘‘(C) DESIGNATIONS
OF
OVERPAYMENTS 
AS CONTRIBUTIONS.—Amounts appropriated to 
the Fund equivalent to the amounts of the over-
payments of tax to which designations under 
section 6097 of the Internal Revenue Code of 
1986 apply. 
‘‘(2) VOLUNTARY CONTRIBUTIONS.—Voluntary 
contributions to the Fund. 
‘‘(3) OTHER
DEPOSITS.—Amounts deposited 
into the Fund under— 
‘‘(A) section 513(c) (relating to exceptions 
to contribution requirements); 
‘‘(B) section 521(c) (relating to remittance 
of allocations from the Fund); 
‘‘(C) section 533 (relating to violations); 
and 
‘‘(D) any other section of this Act. 
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‘‘(4) INVESTMENT RETURNS.—Interest on, and 
the proceeds from, the sale or redemption of, any 
obligations held by the Fund under subsection (c). 
‘‘(c) INVESTMENT.—The Commission shall invest 
portions of the Fund in obligations of the United States 
in the same manner as provided under section 9602(b) 
of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. 
‘‘(d) USE OF FUND.— 
‘‘(1) IN
GENERAL.—The sums in the Fund 
shall be used to provide benefits to participating 
candidates as provided in subtitle C. 
‘‘(2) INSUFFICIENT AMOUNTS.—Under regula-
tions established by the Commission, rules similar to 
the rules of section 9006(c) of the Internal Revenue 
Code shall apply. 
‘‘Subtitle B—Eligibility and 
Certification 
‘‘SEC. 511. ELIGIBILITY. 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—A candidate for the office of 
Representative in, or Delegate or Resident Commissioner 
to, the Congress is eligible to receive an allocation from 
the Fund for any election if the candidate meets the fol-
lowing requirements: 
‘‘(1) The candidate files with the Commission a 
statement of intent to seek certification as a partici-
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pating candidate under this title during the period 
beginning on the Fair Elections start date and end-
ing on the last day of the Fair Elections qualifying 
period. 
‘‘(2) The candidate meets the qualifying con-
tribution requirements of section 512. 
‘‘(3) Not later than the last day of the Fair 
Elections qualifying period, the candidate files with 
the Commission an affidavit signed by the candidate 
and the treasurer of the candidate’s principal cam-
paign committee declaring that the candidate— 
‘‘(A) has complied and, if certified, will 
comply with the contribution and expenditure 
requirements of section 513; 
‘‘(B) if certified, will comply with the de-
bate requirements of section 514; 
‘‘(C) if certified, will not run as a non-
participating candidate during such year in any 
election for the office that such candidate is 
seeking; and 
‘‘(D) has either qualified or will take steps 
to qualify under State law to be on the ballot. 
‘‘(b) GENERAL ELECTION.—Notwithstanding sub-
section (a), a candidate shall not be eligible to receive an 
allocation from the Fund for a general election or a gen-
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eral runoff election unless the candidate’s party nominated 
the candidate to be placed on the ballot for the general 
election or the candidate otherwise qualified to be on the 
ballot under State law. 
‘‘SEC. 512. QUALIFYING CONTRIBUTION REQUIREMENT. 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—A candidate for the office of 
Representative in, or Delegate or Resident Commissioner 
to, the Congress meets the requirement of this section if, 
during the Fair Elections qualifying period, the candidate 
obtains— 
‘‘(1) a number of qualifying contributions equal 
to or greater than 1,500; and 
‘‘(2) a total dollar amount of qualifying con-
tributions equal to or greater than $50,000. 
‘‘(b) REQUIREMENTS RELATING
TO RECEIPT
OF 
QUALIFYING CONTRIBUTION.—Each qualifying contribu-
tion— 
‘‘(1) may be made by means of a personal 
check, money order, debit card, credit card, or elec-
tronic payment account; 
‘‘(2) shall be accompanied by a signed state-
ment containing— 
‘‘(A) the contributor’s name and the con-
tributor’s address in the State in which the con-
tributor is registered to vote; 
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‘‘(B) an oath declaring that the contrib-
utor— 
‘‘(i) understands that the purpose of 
the qualifying contribution is to show sup-
port for the candidate so that the can-
didate may qualify for Fair Elections fi-
nancing; 
‘‘(ii) is making the contribution in his 
or her own name and from his or her own 
funds; 
‘‘(iii) has made the contribution will-
ingly; and 
‘‘(iv) has not received anything of 
value in return for the contribution; and 
‘‘(3) shall be acknowledged by a receipt that is 
sent to the contributor with a copy kept by the can-
didate for the Commission and a copy kept by the 
candidate for the election authorities in the State 
with respect to which the candidate is seeking elec-
tion; and 
‘‘(c) VERIFICATION
OF
QUALIFYING
CONTRIBU-
TIONS.—The Commission shall establish procedures for 
the auditing and verification of qualifying contributions to 
ensure that such contributions meet the requirements of 
this section. 
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‘‘SEC. 513. CONTRIBUTION AND EXPENDITURE REQUIRE-
MENTS. 
‘‘(a) GENERAL RULE.—A candidate for the office of 
Representative in, or Delegate or Resident Commissioner 
to, the Congress meets the requirements of this section 
if, during the election cycle of the candidate, the can-
didate— 
‘‘(1) except as provided in subsection (b), ac-
cepts no contributions other than— 
‘‘(A) qualifying contributions; 
‘‘(B) qualified small dollar contributions; 
‘‘(C) allocations from the Fund under sec-
tion 522; 
‘‘(D) matching contributions under section 
523; and 
‘‘(E) vouchers provided to the candidate 
under section 524; 
‘‘(2) makes no expenditures from any amounts 
other than from— 
‘‘(A) qualifying contributions; 
‘‘(B) qualified small dollar contributions; 
‘‘(C) allocations from the Fund under sec-
tion 522; 
‘‘(D) matching contributions under section 
523; and 
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‘‘(E) vouchers provided to the candidate 
under section 524; and 
‘‘(3) makes no expenditures from personal 
funds or the funds of any immediate family member 
(other than funds received through qualified small 
dollar contributions and qualifying contributions). 
For purposes of this subsection, a payment made by a po-
litical party in coordination with a participating candidate 
shall not be treated as a contribution to or as an expendi-
ture made by the participating candidate. 
‘‘(b) CONTRIBUTIONS
FOR
LEADERSHIP
PACS, 
ETC.—A political committee of a participating candidate 
which is not an authorized committee of such candidate 
may accept contributions other than contributions de-
scribed in subsection (a)(1) from any person if— 
‘‘(1) the aggregate contributions from such per-
son for any calendar year do not exceed $100; and 
‘‘(2) no portion of such contributions is dis-
bursed in connection with the campaign of the par-
ticipating candidate. 
‘‘(c) EXCEPTION.—Notwithstanding subsection (a), a 
candidate shall not be treated as having failed to meet 
the requirements of this section if any contributions that 
are not qualified small dollar contributions, qualifying con-
tributions, or contributions that meet the requirements of 
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subsection (b) and that are accepted before the date the 
candidate files a statement of intent under section 
511(a)(1) are— 
‘‘(1) returned to the contributor; or 
‘‘(2) submitted to the Commission for deposit in 
the Fund. 
‘‘SEC. 514. DEBATE REQUIREMENT. 
‘‘A candidate for the office of Representative in, or 
Delegate or Resident Commissioner to, the Congress 
meets the requirements of this section if the candidate 
participates in at least— 
‘‘(1) 1 public debate before the primary election 
with other participating candidates and other willing 
candidates from the same party and seeking the 
same nomination as such candidate; and 
‘‘(2) 2 public debates before the general election 
with other participating candidates and other willing 
candidates seeking the same office as such can-
didate. 
‘‘SEC. 515. CERTIFICATION. 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 5 days after a 
candidate files an affidavit under section 511(a)(3), the 
Commission shall— 
‘‘(1) certify whether or not the candidate is a 
participating candidate; and 
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‘‘(2) notify the candidate of the Commission’s 
determination. 
‘‘(b) REVOCATION OF CERTIFICATION.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Commission may re-
voke a certification under subsection (a) if— 
‘‘(A) a candidate fails to qualify to appear 
on the ballot at any time after the date of cer-
tification; or 
‘‘(B) a candidate otherwise fails to comply 
with the requirements of this title, including 
any regulatory requirements prescribed by the 
Commission. 
‘‘(2) REPAYMENT
OF
BENEFITS.—If certifi-
cation is revoked under paragraph (1), the candidate 
shall repay to the Fund an amount equal to the 
value of benefits received under this title plus inter-
est (at a rate determined by the Commission) on any 
such amount received. 
‘‘Subtitle C—Benefits 
‘‘SEC. 521. BENEFITS FOR PARTICIPATING CANDIDATES. 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—For each election with respect 
to which a candidate is certified as a participating can-
didate, such candidate shall be entitled to— 
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‘‘(1) an allocation from the Fund to make or 
obligate to make expenditures with respect to such 
election, as provided in section 522; 
‘‘(2) matching contributions, as provided in sec-
tion 523; and 
‘‘(3) for the general election, vouchers for 
broadcasts of political advertisements, as provided in 
section 524. 
‘‘(b) RESTRICTION ON USES OF ALLOCATIONS FROM 
THE FUND.—Allocations from the Fund received by a par-
ticipating candidate under sections 522 and matching con-
tributions under section 523 may only be used for cam-
paign-related costs. 
‘‘(c) REMITTING ALLOCATIONS FROM THE FUND.— 
‘‘(1) IN
GENERAL.—Not later than the date 
that is 45 days after an election in which the partici-
pating candidate appeared on the ballot, such par-
ticipating candidate shall remit to the Commission 
for deposit in the Fund an amount equal to the less-
er of— 
‘‘(A) the amount of money in the can-
didate’s campaign account; or 
‘‘(B) the sum of the allocations from the 
Fund received by the candidate under section 
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522 and the matching contributions received by 
the candidate under section 523. 
‘‘(2) EXCEPTION.—In the case of a candidate 
who qualifies to be on the ballot for a primary run-
off election, a general election, or a general runoff 
election, the amounts described in paragraph (1) 
may be retained by the candidate and used in such 
subsequent election, and paragraph (1) shall apply 
to the last applicable election in the election cycle. 
‘‘SEC. 522. ALLOCATIONS FROM THE FUND. 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Commission shall make allo-
cations from the Fund under section 521(a)(1) to a par-
ticipating candidate— 
‘‘(1) in the case of amounts provided under 
subsection (c)(1), not later than 48 hours after the 
date on which such candidate is certified as a par-
ticipating candidate under section 515; 
‘‘(2) in the case of a general election, not later 
than 48 hours after— 
‘‘(A) the date of the certification of the re-
sults of the primary election or the primary 
runoff election; or 
‘‘(B) in any case in which there is no pri-
mary election, the date the candidate qualifies 
to be placed on the ballot; and 
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‘‘(3) in the case of a primary runoff election or 
a general runoff election, not later than 48 hours 
after the certification of the results of the primary 
election or the general election, as the case may be. 
‘‘(b) METHOD OF PAYMENT.—The Commission shall 
distribute funds available to participating candidates 
under this section through the use of an electronic funds 
exchange or a debit card. 
‘‘(c) AMOUNTS.— 
‘‘(1) PRIMARY ELECTION ALLOCATION; INITIAL 
ALLOCATION.—Except as provided in paragraph (5), 
the Commission shall make an allocation from the 
Fund for a primary election to a participating can-
didate in an amount equal to 40 percent of the base 
amount with respect to such participating candidate. 
‘‘(2) PRIMARY
RUNOFF
ELECTION
ALLOCA-
TION.—The Commission shall make an allocation 
from the Fund for a primary runoff election to a 
participating candidate in an amount equal to 25 
percent of the amount the participating candidate 
was eligible to receive under this section for the pri-
mary election. 
‘‘(3) GENERAL
ELECTION
ALLOCATION.—Ex-
cept as provided in paragraph (5), the Commission 
shall make an allocation from the Fund for a gen-
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eral election to a participating candidate in an 
amount equal to 60 percent of the base amount with 
respect to such participating candidate. 
‘‘(4) GENERAL
RUNOFF
ELECTION
ALLOCA-
TION.—The Commission shall make an allocation 
from the Fund for a general runoff election to a par-
ticipating candidate in an amount equal to 25 per-
cent of the base amount with respect to such can-
didate. 
‘‘(5) UNCONTESTED ELECTIONS.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—In the case of a pri-
mary or general election that is an uncontested 
election, the Commission shall make an alloca-
tion from the Fund to a participating candidate 
for such election in an amount equal to 25 per-
cent of the allocation for that election with re-
spect to such candidate. 
‘‘(B) 
UNCONTESTED
ELECTION
DE-
FINED.—For purposes of this subparagraph, an 
election is uncontested if not more than 1 can-
didate has campaign funds (including payments 
from the Fund) in an amount equal to or great-
er than 10 percent of the allocation a candidate 
would be entitled to receive under this section 
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for that election (determined without regard to 
this paragraph). 
‘‘(d) BASE AMOUNT.—The base amount for any can-
didate is an amount equal to 80 percent of the national 
average spending of the cycle by winning candidates in the 
last two election cycles. 
‘‘SEC. 523. MATCHING PAYMENTS FOR QUALIFIED SMALL 
DOLLAR CONTRIBUTIONS. 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Commission shall pay to 
each participating candidate an amount equal to 400 per-
cent of the amount of qualified small dollar contributions 
received by the candidate from individuals who are resi-
dents of the State in which such participating candidate 
is seeking election. 
‘‘(b) LIMITATION.—The maximum payment under 
this section shall be the greater of— 
‘‘(1) 200 percent of the allocation under para-
graphs (1) through (4) of subsection (c) for that 
election with respect to such candidate; or 
‘‘(2) the percentage of the allocation determined 
by the Commission under section 531. 
‘‘(c) TIME
OF PAYMENT.—The Commission shall 
make payments under this section not later than 2 busi-
ness days after the receipt of a report made under sub-
section (d). 
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‘‘(d) REPORTS.— 
‘‘(1) IN
GENERAL.—Each participating can-
didate shall file reports of receipts of qualified small 
dollar contributions at such times and in such man-
ner as the Commission may by regulations prescribe. 
‘‘(2) CONTENTS
OF
REPORTS.—Each report 
under this subsection shall disclose— 
‘‘(A) the amount of each qualified small 
dollar contribution received by the candidate; 
‘‘(B) the amount of each qualified small 
dollar contribution received by the candidate 
from a resident of the State in which the can-
didate is seeking election; and 
‘‘(C) the name, address, and occupation of 
each individual who made a qualified small dol-
lar contribution to the candidate. 
‘‘(3) FREQUENCY OF REPORTS.—Reports under 
this subsection shall be made no more frequently 
than— 
‘‘(A) once every month until the date that 
is 90 days before the date of the election; 
‘‘(B) once every week after the period de-
scribed in subparagraph (A) and until the date 
that is 21 days before the election; and 
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‘‘(C) once every day after the period de-
scribed in subparagraph (B). 
‘‘(4) 
LIMITATION
ON
REGULATIONS.—The 
Commission may not prescribe any regulations with 
respect to reporting under this subsection with re-
spect to any election after the date that is 180 days 
before the date of such election. 
‘‘(e) APPEALS.—The Commission shall provide a 
written explanation with respect to any denial of any pay-
ment under this section and shall provide for the oppor-
tunity for review and reconsideration within 5 business 
days of such denial. 
‘‘SEC. 524. POLITICAL ADVERTISING VOUCHERS. 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Commission shall establish 
and administer a voucher program for the purchase of 
airtime on broadcasting stations for political advertise-
ments in accordance with the provisions of this section. 
‘‘(b) CANDIDATES.—The Commission shall only dis-
burse vouchers under the program established under sub-
section (a) to participants certified pursuant to section 
515 who have agreed in writing to keep and furnish to 
the Commission such records, books, and other informa-
tion as it may require. 
‘‘(c) AMOUNTS.—The Commission shall disburse 
vouchers to each candidate certified under subsection (b) 
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in the amount of $100,000 or the amount determined by 
the Commission under section 531. 
‘‘(d) USE.— 
‘‘(1) EXCLUSIVE USE.—Vouchers disbursed by 
the Commission under this section may be used only 
for the purchase of broadcast airtime for political 
advertisements relating to a general election for the 
office of Member of the House of Representatives 
(including a Delegate or Resident Commissioner to 
the Congress) by the participating candidate to 
which the vouchers were disbursed, except that— 
‘‘(A) a candidate may exchange vouchers 
with a political party under paragraph (2); and 
‘‘(B) a political party may use vouchers 
only to purchase broadcast airtime for political 
advertisements for generic party advertising (as 
defined by the Commission in regulations), to 
support candidates for State or local office in a 
general election, or to support participating 
candidates of the party in a general election for 
Federal office, but only if it discloses the value 
of the voucher used as an expenditure under 
section 315(d). 
‘‘(2) EXCHANGE WITH POLITICAL PARTY COM-
MITTEE.— 
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‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—A participating can-
didate who receives a voucher under this section 
may transfer the right to use all or a portion 
of the value of the voucher to a committee of 
the political party of which the individual is a 
candidate in exchange for money in an amount 
equal to the cash value of the voucher or por-
tion exchanged. 
‘‘(B) CONTINUATION OF CANDIDATE OBLI-
GATIONS.—The transfer of a voucher, in whole 
or in part, to a political party committee under 
this paragraph does not release the candidate 
from any obligation under the agreement made 
under subsection (b) or otherwise modify that 
agreement or its application to that candidate. 
‘‘(C) PARTY COMMITTEE OBLIGATIONS.— 
Any political party committee to which a vouch-
er or portion thereof is transferred under sub-
paragraph (A)— 
‘‘(i) shall account fully, in accordance 
with such requirements as the Commission 
may establish, for the receipt of the vouch-
er; and 
‘‘(ii) may not use the transferred 
voucher or portion thereof for any purpose 
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other than a purpose described in para-
graph (1)(B). 
‘‘(D) VOUCHER AS A CONTRIBUTION.—If a 
candidate transfers a voucher or any portion 
thereof to a political party committee under 
subparagraph (A)— 
‘‘(i) the value of the voucher or por-
tion thereof transferred shall be treated as 
a contribution from the candidate to the 
committee, and from the committee to the 
candidate, for purposes of sections 302 
and 304; 
‘‘(ii) the committee may, in exchange, 
provide to the candidate only funds subject 
to the prohibitions, limitations, and report-
ing requirements of title III of this Act; 
and 
‘‘(iii) the amount, if identified as a 
‘voucher exchange’ shall not be considered 
a contribution for the purposes of sections 
315 and 513. 
‘‘(e) VALUE; ACCEPTANCE; REDEMPTION.— 
‘‘(1) VOUCHER.—Each voucher disbursed by 
the Commission under this section shall have a value 
in dollars, redeemable upon presentation to the 
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Commission, together with such documentation and 
other information as the Commission may require, 
for the purchase of broadcast airtime for political 
advertisements in accordance with this section. 
‘‘(2) ACCEPTANCE.—A broadcasting station 
shall accept vouchers in payment for the purchase of 
broadcast airtime for political advertisements in ac-
cordance with this section. 
‘‘(3) REDEMPTION.—The Commission shall re-
deem vouchers accepted by broadcasting stations 
under paragraph (2) upon presentation, subject to 
such documentation, verification, accounting, and 
application requirements as the Commission may im-
pose to ensure the accuracy and integrity of the 
voucher redemption system. 
‘‘(4) EXPIRATION.— 
‘‘(A) CANDIDATES.—A voucher may only 
be used to pay for broadcast airtime for polit-
ical advertisements to be broadcast before mid-
night on the day before the date of the Federal 
election in connection with which it was issued 
and shall be null and void for any other use or 
purpose. 
‘‘(B) EXCEPTION
FOR
POLITICAL
PARTY 
COMMITTEES.—A voucher held by a political 
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party committee may be used to pay for broad-
cast airtime for political advertisements to be 
broadcast before midnight on December 31st of 
the odd-numbered year following the year in 
which the voucher was issued by the Commis-
sion. 
‘‘(5) VOUCHER AS EXPENDITURE.—The use of 
a voucher to purchase broadcast airtime constitutes 
an expenditure as defined in section 301(9)(A). 
‘‘(f) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
‘‘(1) 
BROADCASTING
STATION.—The 
term 
‘broadcasting station’ has the meaning given that 
term by section 315(f)(1) of the Communications 
Act of 1934. 
‘‘(2) POLITICAL
PARTY.—The term ‘political 
party’ means a major party or a minor party as de-
fined in section 9002 (3) or (4) of the Internal Rev-
enue Code of 1986 (26 U.S.C. 9002 (3) or (4)). 
‘‘Subtitle D—Administrative 
Provisions 
‘‘SEC. 531. FAIR ELECTIONS OVERSIGHT BOARD. 
‘‘(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—There is established within 
the Federal Election Commission an entity to be known 
as the ‘Fair Elections Oversight Board’. 
‘‘(b) STRUCTURE AND MEMBERSHIP.— 
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‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Board shall be com-
posed of 5 members appointed by the President, of 
whom— 
‘‘(A) 2 shall be appointed after consulta-
tion with the majority leader of the House of 
Representatives; 
‘‘(B) 2 shall be appointed after consulta-
tion with the minority leader of the House of 
Representatives; and 
‘‘(C) 1 shall be appointed upon the rec-
ommendation of the members appointed under 
subparagraphs (A) and (B). 
‘‘(2) QUALIFICATIONS.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—The members shall be 
individuals who are nonpartisan and, by reason 
of their education, experience, and attainments, 
exceptionally qualified to perform the duties of 
members of the Board. 
‘‘(B) PROHIBITION.—No member of the 
Board may be— 
‘‘(i) an employee of the Federal Gov-
ernment; 
‘‘(ii) a registered lobbyist; or 
‘‘(iii) an officer or employee of a polit-
ical party or political campaign. 
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‘‘(3) DATE.—Members of the Board shall be 
appointed not later than 60 days after the date of 
the enactment of this Act. 
‘‘(4) TERMS.—A member of the Board shall be 
appointed for a term of 5 years. 
‘‘(5) VACANCIES.—A vacancy on the Board 
shall be filled not later than 30 calendar days after 
the date on which the Board is given notice of the 
vacancy, in the same manner as the original ap-
pointment. The individual appointed to fill the va-
cancy shall serve only for the unexpired portion of 
the term for which the individual’s predecessor was 
appointed. 
‘‘(6) CHAIRPERSON.—The Board shall des-
ignate a Chairperson from among the members of 
the Board. 
‘‘(c) DUTIES AND POWERS.— 
‘‘(1) ADMINISTRATION.—The Board shall have 
such duties and powers as the Commission may pre-
scribe, including the power to administer the provi-
sions of this title. 
‘‘(2) REVIEW
OF
FAIR
ELECTIONS
FINANC-
ING.— 
‘‘(A) IN
GENERAL.—After each general 
election for Federal office, the Board shall con-
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duct a comprehensive review of the Fair Elec-
tions financing program under this title, includ-
ing— 
‘‘(i) the maximum dollar amount of 
qualified small dollar contributions under 
section 501(11); 
‘‘(ii) the maximum and minimum dol-
lar amounts for qualifying contributions 
under section 501(10); 
‘‘(iii) the number and value of quali-
fying contributions a candidate is required 
to obtain under section 512 to qualify for 
allocations from the Fund; 
‘‘(iv) the amount of allocations from 
the Fund that candidates may receive 
under section 522; 
‘‘(v) the maximum amount of match-
ing contributions a candidate may receive 
under section 523; 
‘‘(vi) the amount and usage of vouch-
ers under section 524; 
‘‘(vii) the overall satisfaction of par-
ticipating candidates and the American 
public with the program; and 
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‘‘(viii) such other matters relating to 
financing of House of Representatives 
campaigns as the Board determines are 
appropriate. 
‘‘(B) CRITERIA
FOR
REVIEW.—In con-
ducting the review under subparagraph (A), the 
Board shall consider the following: 
‘‘(i) 
QUALIFYING
CONTRIBUTIONS 
AND
QUALIFIED
SMALL
DOLLAR
CON-
TRIBUTIONS.—The Board shall consider 
whether the number and dollar amount of 
qualifying contributions required and max-
imum dollar amount for such qualifying 
contributions and qualified small dollar 
contributions strikes a balance regarding 
the importance of voter involvement, the 
need to assure adequate incentives for par-
ticipating, and fiscal responsibility, taking 
into consideration the number of primary 
and general election participating can-
didates, the electoral performance of those 
candidates, program cost, and any other 
information the Board determines is ap-
propriate. 
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‘‘(ii) REVIEW
OF
PROGRAM
BENE-
FITS.—The Board shall consider whether 
the totality of the amount of funds allowed 
to be raised by participating candidates 
(including through qualifying contributions 
and small dollar contributions), allocations 
from the Fund under sections 522, match-
ing contributions under section 523, and 
vouchers under section 524 are sufficient 
for voters in each State to learn about the 
candidates to cast an informed vote, taking 
into account the historic amount of spend-
ing by winning candidates, media costs, 
primary election dates, and any other in-
formation the Board determines is appro-
priate. 
‘‘(C) ADJUSTMENT OF AMOUNTS.— 
‘‘(i) IN GENERAL.—Based on the re-
view conducted under subparagraph (A), 
the Board shall provide for the adjust-
ments of the following amounts: 
‘‘(I) the maximum dollar amount 
of qualified small dollar contributions 
under section 501(11)(C); 
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‘‘(II) the maximum and min-
imum dollar amounts for qualifying 
contributions 
under 
section 
501(10)(A); 
‘‘(III) the number and value of 
qualifying contributions a candidate is 
required to obtain under section 
512(a)(1); 
‘‘(IV) the base amount for can-
didates under section 522(d); 
‘‘(V) the maximum amount of 
matching contributions a candidate 
may receive under section 523(b); and 
‘‘(VI) the dollar amount for 
vouchers under section 524(c). 
‘‘(ii) REGULATIONS.—The Commis-
sion shall promulgate regulations providing 
for the adjustments made by the Board 
under clause (i). 
‘‘(D) REPORT.—Not later than March 30 
following any general election for Federal office, 
the Board shall submit a report to Congress on 
the review conducted under paragraph (1). 
Such report shall contain a detailed statement 
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of the findings, conclusions, and recommenda-
tions of the Board based on such review. 
‘‘(d) MEETINGS AND HEARINGS.— 
‘‘(1) MEETINGS.—The Board may hold such 
hearings, sit and act at such times and places, take 
such testimony, and receive such evidence as the 
Board considers advisable to carry out the purposes 
of this Act. 
‘‘(2) QUORUM.—Three members of the Board 
shall constitute a quorum for purposes of voting, but 
a quorum is not required for members to meet and 
hold hearings. 
‘‘(e) REPORTS.—Not later than March 30, 2011, and 
every 2 years thereafter, the Board shall submit to the 
Committee on House Administration of the House of Rep-
resentatives a report documenting, evaluating, and making 
recommendations relating to the administrative implemen-
tation and enforcement of the provisions of this title. 
‘‘(f) ADMINISTRATION.— 
‘‘(1) COMPENSATION OF MEMBERS.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—Each member, other 
than the Chairperson, shall be paid at a rate 
equal to the daily equivalent of the minimum 
annual rate of basic pay prescribed for level IV 
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of the Executive Schedule under section 5315 
of title 5, United States Code. 
‘‘(B) 
CHAIRPERSON.—The 
Chairperson 
shall be paid at a rate equal to the daily equiva-
lent of the minimum annual rate of basic pay 
prescribed for level III of the Executive Sched-
ule under section 5314 of title 5, United States 
Code. 
‘‘(2) PERSONNEL.— 
‘‘(A) DIRECTOR.—The Board shall have a 
staff headed by an Executive Director. The Ex-
ecutive Director shall be paid at a rate equiva-
lent to a rate established for the Senior Execu-
tive Service under section 5382 of title 5, 
United States Code. 
‘‘(B) STAFF APPOINTMENT.—With the ap-
proval of the Chairperson, the Executive Direc-
tor may appoint such personnel as the Execu-
tive Director and the Board determines to be 
appropriate. 
‘‘(C) ACTUARIAL EXPERTS AND CONSULT-
ANTS.—With the approval of the Chairperson, 
the Executive Director may procure temporary 
and intermittent services under section 3109(b) 
of title 5, United States Code. 
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‘‘(D) DETAIL OF GOVERNMENT EMPLOY-
EES.—Upon the request of the Chairperson, the 
head of any Federal agency may detail, without 
reimbursement, any of the personnel of such 
agency to the Board to assist in carrying out 
the duties of the Board. Any such detail shall 
not interrupt or otherwise affect the civil service 
status or privileges of the Federal employee. 
‘‘(E) OTHER
RESOURCES.—The Board 
shall have reasonable access to materials, re-
sources, statistical data, and other information 
from the Library of Congress and other agen-
cies of the executive and legislative branches of 
the Federal Government. The Chairperson of 
the Board shall make requests for such access 
in writing when necessary. 
‘‘(g) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There 
are authorized to be appropriated such sums as are nec-
essary to carry out the purposes of this subtitle. 
‘‘SEC. 532. ADMINISTRATION PROVISIONS. 
‘‘The Commission shall prescribe regulations to carry 
out the purposes of this title, including regulations— 
‘‘(1) to establish procedures for— 
‘‘(A) verifying the amount of valid quali-
fying contributions with respect to a candidate; 
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‘‘(B) effectively and efficiently monitoring 
and enforcing the limits on the raising of quali-
fied small dollar contributions; 
‘‘(C) effectively and efficiently monitoring 
and enforcing the limits on the use of personal 
funds by participating candidates; 
‘‘(D) monitoring the use of allocations 
from the Fund and matching contributions 
under this title through audits or other mecha-
nisms; and 
‘‘(E) the administration of the voucher 
program under section 524; and 
‘‘(2) regarding the conduct of debates in a man-
ner consistent with the best practices of States that 
provide public financing for elections. 
‘‘SEC. 533. VIOLATIONS AND PENALTIES. 
‘‘(a) CIVIL PENALTY FOR VIOLATION OF CONTRIBU-
TION
AND EXPENDITURE REQUIREMENTS.—If a can-
didate who has been certified as a participating candidate 
under section 515(a) accepts a contribution or makes an 
expenditure that is prohibited under section 513, the Com-
mission shall assess a civil penalty against the candidate 
in an amount that is not more than 3 times the amount 
of the contribution or expenditure. Any amounts collected 
under this subsection shall be deposited into the Fund. 
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‘‘(b) REPAYMENT
FOR IMPROPER USE
OF FAIR 
ELECTIONS FUND.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—If the Commission deter-
mines that any benefit made available to a partici-
pating candidate under this title was not used as 
provided for in this title or that a participating can-
didate has violated any of the dates for remission of 
funds contained in this title, the Commission shall 
so notify the candidate and the candidate shall pay 
to the Fund an amount equal to— 
‘‘(A) the amount of benefits so used or not 
remitted, as appropriate; and 
‘‘(B) interest on any such amounts (at a 
rate determined by the Commission). 
‘‘(2) OTHER
ACTION
NOT
PRECLUDED.—Any 
action by the Commission in accordance with this 
subsection shall not preclude enforcement pro-
ceedings by the Commission in accordance with sec-
tion 309(a), including a referral by the Commission 
to the Attorney General in the case of an apparent 
knowing and willful violation of this title.’’. 
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SEC. 103. PROHIBITION ON JOINT FUNDRAISING COMMIT-
TEES. 
Section 302(e) of the Federal Election Campaign Act 
of 1971 (2 U.S.C. 432(e)) is amended by adding at the 
end the following new paragraph: 
‘‘(6) No authorized committee of a candidate 
may establish a joint fundraising committee with a 
political committee other than an authorized com-
mittee of a candidate.’’. 
SEC. 104. LIMITATION ON COORDINATED EXPENDITURES 
BY POLITICAL PARTY COMMITTEES WITH 
PARTICIPATING CANDIDATES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 315(d)(3) of the Federal 
Election Campaign Act of 1971 (2 U.S.C. 441a(d)) is 
amended— 
(1) by redesignating subparagraphs (A) and 
(B) as subparagraphs (B) and (C), respectively; and 
(2) by inserting before subparagraph (B), as re-
designated by paragraph (1), the following new sub-
paragraph: 
‘‘(A) in the case of a candidate for election 
to the office of Representative in, or Delegate 
or Resident Commissioner to, the Congress who 
is a participating candidate (as defined in sec-
tion 501), the lesser of— 
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‘‘(i) 10 percent of the allocation from 
the Fair Elections Fund that the partici-
pating candidate is eligible to receive for 
the general election under section 522(c); 
or 
‘‘(ii) the amount which would (but for 
this subparagraph) apply with respect to 
such candidate under subparagraph (B);’’. 
(b) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—Section 315(d)(3) 
of such Act (2 U.S.C. 441a(d)(3)) is amended— 
(1) in subparagraph (B) (as redesignated by 
subsection (a)), by inserting ‘‘who is not a partici-
pating candidate (as so defined)’’ after ‘‘only one 
Representative’’; and 
(2) in subparagraph (C) (as redesignated by 
subsection (a)), by inserting ‘‘who is not a partici-
pating candidate (as so defined)’’ after ‘‘any other 
State’’. 
SEC. 105. DEPOSIT OF PROCEEDS FROM RECOVERED SPEC-
TRUM AUCTIONS. 
Section 309(j)(8)(E)(ii) of the Communications Act 
of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 309(j)(8)(E)(ii)) is amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘deposited in’’ and inserting the 
following: ″deposited as follows: 
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‘‘(I) 90 percent of such proceeds 
deposited in’’; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(II) 10 percent of such proceeds 
deposited in the Fair Elections Fund 
established under section 502 of the 
Federal Election Campaign Act of 
1971.’’. 
SEC. 106. DESIGNATION OF OVERPAYMENTS AS CONTRIBU-
TIONS TO FAIR ELECTIONS FUND. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Subchapter A of chapter 61 of the 
Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by adding at 
the end the following new part: 
‘‘PART IX—DESIGNATION OF OVERPAYMENTS AS 
CONTRIBUTIONS TO FAIR ELECTIONS FUND 
‘‘Sec. 6097. Designation. 
‘‘SEC. 6097. DESIGNATION. 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—Every individual (other than a 
nonresident alien) whose income tax liability for the tax-
able year is $10 or more may designate that $10 shall 
be paid over to the Fair Elections Fund in accordance 
with the provisions of section 502 of the Federal Election 
Campaign Act of 1971. In the case of a joint return of 
husband and wife having an income tax liability of $20 
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or more, each spouse may designate that $10 shall be paid 
to the fund. 
‘‘(b) DEFINITIONS.—For purposes of this section— 
‘‘(1) FAIR ELECTIONS FUND.—The term ‘Fair 
Elections Fund’ means the fund established by sec-
tion 502 of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 
1971. 
‘‘(2) INCOME TAX LIABILITY.—The term ‘in-
come tax liability’ has the meaning given such term 
by section 6096(b). 
‘‘(c) MANNER AND TIME OF DESIGNATION.—A des-
ignation under subsection (a) may be made with respect 
to any taxable year— 
‘‘(1) at the time of filing the return of the tax 
imposed by chapter 1 for such taxable year, or 
‘‘(2) at any other time (after the time of filing 
the return of the tax imposed by chapter 1 for such 
taxable year) specified in regulations prescribed by 
the Secretary. 
Such designation shall be made in such manner as the 
Secretary prescribes by regulations except that such des-
ignation shall be made either on the first page of the re-
turn or on the page bearing the taxpayer’s signature. 
‘‘(d) OVERPAYMENTS TREATED
AS REFUNDED.— 
For purposes of this title, any portion of an overpayment 
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of tax designated under subsection (a) shall be treated as 
being refunded to the taxpayer as of the last date pre-
scribed for filing the return of tax imposed by chapter 1 
(determined without regard to extensions).’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of parts for 
subchapter A of chapter 61 of such Code is amended by 
adding at the end the following new item: 
‘‘PART IX. DESIGNATION OF OVERPAYMENTS AS CONTRIBUTIONS TO FAIR 
ELECTIONS FUND’’. 
(c) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made by 
this section shall apply to taxable years ending after the 
date of the enactment of this Act. 
TITLE II—IMPROVING VOTER 
INFORMATION 
SEC. 201. BROADCASTS RELATING TO ALL HOUSE CAN-
DIDATES. 
(a) LOWEST UNIT CHARGE; NATIONAL COMMIT-
TEES.—Section 315(b) of the Communications Act of 
1934 (47 U.S.C. 315(b)) is amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘to such office’’ in paragraph 
(1) and inserting ‘‘to such office, or by a national 
committee of a political party on behalf of such can-
didate in connection with such campaign,’’; and 
(2) by inserting ‘‘for pre-emptible use thereof’’ 
after ‘‘station’’ in subparagraph (A) of paragraph 
(1). 
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(b) PREEMPTION; AUDITS.—Section 315 of such Act 
(47 U.S.C. 315) is amended— 
(1) by redesignating subsections (f) and (g) as 
subsections (e) and (f), respectively and moving 
them to follow the existing subsection (e); 
(2) by redesignating the existing subsection (e) 
as subsection (c); and 
(3) by inserting after subsection (c) (as redesig-
nated by paragraph (2)) the following: 
‘‘(d) PREEMPTION.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in para-
graph (2), and notwithstanding the requirements of 
subsection (b)(1)(A), a licensee shall not preempt 
the use of a broadcasting station by a legally quali-
fied candidate for the office of Representative in, or 
Delegate or Resident Commissioner to, the Congress 
who has purchased and paid for such use. 
‘‘(2) CIRCUMSTANCES BEYOND CONTROL OF LI-
CENSEE.—If a program to be broadcast by a broad-
casting station is preempted because of cir-
cumstances beyond the control of the station, any 
candidate or party advertising spot scheduled to be 
broadcast during that program shall be treated in 
the same fashion as a comparable commercial adver-
tising spot. 
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‘‘(e) AUDITS.—During the 30-day period preceding 
a primary election and the 60-day period preceding a gen-
eral election, the Commission shall conduct such audits 
as it deems necessary to ensure that each broadcaster to 
which this section applies is allocating television broadcast 
advertising time in accordance with this section and sec-
tion 312.’’. 
(c) REVOCATION OF LICENSE FOR FAILURE TO PER-
MIT ACCESS.—Section 312(a)(7) of the Communications 
Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 312(a)(7)) is amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘or repeated’’; 
(2) by inserting ‘‘or cable system’’ after ‘‘broad-
casting station’’; and 
(3) by striking ‘‘his candidacy’’ and inserting 
‘‘the candidacy of the candidate, under the same 
terms, conditions, and business practices as apply to 
the most favored advertiser of the licensee’’. 
(d) STYLISTIC AMENDMENTS.—Section 315 of such 
Act (47 U.S.C. 315) is amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘the’’ in subsection (f)(1), as re-
designated by subsection (b)(1), and inserting 
‘‘BROADCASTING STATION.—’’; 
(2) by striking ‘‘the’’ in subsection (f)(2), as re-
designated by subsection (b)(1), and inserting ‘‘LI-
CENSEE; STATION LICENSEE.—’’; and 
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(3) by inserting ‘‘REGULATIONS.—’’ in sub-
section (g), as redesignated by subsection (b)(1), be-
fore ‘‘The Commission’’. 
SEC. 202. BROADCAST RATES FOR PARTICIPATING CAN-
DIDATES. 
Section 315(b) of the Communications Act of 1934 
(47 U.S.C. 315(b)), as amended by section 201(a), is 
amended— 
(1) in paragraph (1)(A), by striking ‘‘paragraph 
(2)’’ and inserting ‘‘paragraphs (2) and (3)’’; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(3) PARTICIPATING CANDIDATES.—In the case 
of a participating candidate (as defined under sec-
tion 501(9) of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 
1971), the charges made for the use of any broad-
casting station for a television broadcast shall not 
exceed 80 percent of the lowest charge described in 
paragraph (1)(A) during— 
‘‘(A) the 45 days preceding the date of a 
primary or primary runoff election in which the 
candidate is opposed; and 
‘‘(B) the 60 days preceding the date of a 
general or special election in which the can-
didate is opposed. 
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‘‘(4) RATE CARDS.—A licensee shall provide to 
a candidate for Representative in, or Delegate or 
Resident Commissioner to, the Congress a rate card 
that discloses— 
‘‘(A) the rate charged under this sub-
section; and 
‘‘(B) the method that the licensee uses to 
determine the rate charged under this sub-
section.’’. 
SEC. 203. FCC TO PRESCRIBE STANDARDIZED FORM FOR 
REPORTING CANDIDATE CAMPAIGN ADS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Within 90 days after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Federal Communications Com-
mission shall initiate a rulemaking proceeding to establish 
a standardized form to be used by broadcasting stations, 
as defined in section 315(f)(1) of the Communications Act 
of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 315(f)(1)), to record and report the 
purchase of advertising time by or on behalf of a candidate 
for nomination for election, or for election, to Federal elec-
tive office. 
(b) CONTENTS.—The form prescribed by the Com-
mission under subsection (a) shall require, broadcasting 
stations to report to the Commission and to the Federal 
Election Commission, at a minimum— 
(1) the station call letters and mailing address; 
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(2) the name and telephone number of the sta-
tion’s sales manager (or individual with responsi-
bility for advertising sales); 
(3) the name of the candidate who purchased 
the advertising time, or on whose behalf the adver-
tising time was purchased, and the Federal elective 
office for which he or she is a candidate; 
(4) the name, mailing address, and telephone 
number of the person responsible for purchasing 
broadcast political advertising for the candidate; 
(5) notation as to whether the purchase agree-
ment for which the information is being reported is 
a draft or final version; and 
(6) the following information about the adver-
tisement: 
(A) The date and time of the broadcast. 
(B) The program in which the advertise-
ment was broadcast. 
(C) The length of the broadcast airtime. 
(c) INTERNET ACCESS.—In its rulemaking under 
subsection (a), the Commission shall require any broad-
casting station required to file a report under this section 
that maintains an Internet website to make available a 
link to such reports on that website. 
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TITLE 
III—RESPONSIBILITIES 
OF THE FEDERAL ELECTION 
COMMISSION 
SEC. 301. PETITION FOR CERTIORARI. 
Section 307(a)(6) of the Federal Election Campaign 
Act of 1971 (2 U.S.C. 437d(a)(6)) is amended by insert-
ing ‘‘(including a proceeding before the Supreme Court on 
certiorari)’’ after ‘‘appeal’’. 
SEC. 302. FILING BY ALL CANDIDATES WITH COMMISSION. 
Section 302(g) of the Federal Election Campaign Act 
of 1971 (2 U.S.C. 432(g)) is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘(g) FILING WITH THE COMMISSION.—All des-
ignations, statements, and reports required to be 
filed under this Act shall be filed with the Commis-
sion.’’. 
SEC. 303. ELECTRONIC FILING OF FEC REPORTS. 
Section 304(a)(11) of the Federal Election Campaign 
Act of 1971 (2 U.S.C. 434(a)(11)) is amended— 
(1) in subparagraph (A), by striking ‘‘under 
this Act—’’ and all that follows and inserting 
‘‘under this Act shall be required to maintain and 
file such designation, statement, or report in elec-
tronic form accessible by computers.’’; 
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(2) in subparagraph (B), by striking ‘‘48 
hours’’ and all that follows through ‘‘filed electroni-
cally)’’ and inserting ‘‘24 hours’’; and 
(3) by striking subparagraph (D). 
TITLE IV—MISCELLANEOUS 
PROVISIONS 
SEC. 401. SEVERABILITY. 
If any provision of this Act or amendment made by 
this Act, or the application of a provision or amendment 
to any person or circumstance, is held to be unconstitu-
tional, the remainder of this Act and amendments made 
by this Act, and the application of the provisions and 
amendment to any person or circumstance, shall not be 
affected by the holding. 
SEC. 402. EFFECTIVE DATE. 
Except as otherwise provided for in this Act, this Act 
and the amendments made by this Act shall take effect 
on January 1, 2011. 
Æ 
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