‘‘(g) INDEXING.—The dollar amounts specified in
subsections (a), (b), and (c) shall be adjusted at the begin-
ning of each calendar year based on the increase in the
price index determined under section 315(c), except that,
for the purposes of such adjustment, the base period shall
be calendar year 1996.
‘‘(h) RECALL ACTIONS.—The limitations of this sec-
tion do not apply in the case of any recall action held pur-
suant to State law.
‘‘SEC. 502. PERSONAL CONTRIBUTION LIMITATIONS.
‘‘(a) PERSONAL CONTRIBUTIONS.—An eligible House
of Representatives candidate may not, with respect to an
election cycle, make contributions or loans to the can-
didate’s own campaign totaling more than $50,000 from
the personal funds of the candidate. Contributions from
the personal funds of a candidate may not qualify for cer-
tification for voter benefits under this title.
‘‘(b) LIMITATION EXCEPTION.—The limitation im-
posed by subsection (a) does not apply—
‘‘(1) in the case of an eligible House of Rep-
resentatives candidate if any other general election
candidate for that office makes contributions or
loans to the candidate’s own campaign totaling more
than $50,000 from the personal funds of the can-
didate; or
‘‘(2) with respect to any contribution or loan
used for costs described in section 501 (e) or (f).
‘‘(c) AGGREGATION.—For purposes of subsection (a),
any contribution or loan to a candidate’s campaign by a
member of a candidate’s immediate family shall be treated
as made by the candidate.
‘‘SEC. 503. DEFINITION.
‘‘As used in this title, the term ‘benefits’ means, with
respect to an eligible House of Representatives candidate,
reduced charges for use of a broadcasting station under
section 315 of the Communications Act of 1934 (47
U.S.C. 315) and eligibility for nonprofit third-class bulk
rates of postage under section 3626(e) of title 39, United
States Code.
‘‘Subtitle B—Administrative
Provisions
‘‘SEC. 511. CERTIFICATIONS BY COMMISSION.
‘‘(a) GENERAL ELIGIBILITY.—The Commission shall
certify whether a candidate is eligible to receive benefits
under subtitle A. The initial determination shall be based
on the candidate’s filings under this title. Any subsequent
determination shall be based on relevant additional infor-
mation submitted in such form and manner as the Com-
mission may require.
‘‘(b) CERTIFICATION OF BENEFITS.—
‘‘(1) 
DEADLINE
FOR
RESPONSE
TO
RE-
QUESTS.—The Commission shall respond to a can-
didate’s request for certification for eligibility to re-
ceive benefits under this section not later than 5
business days after the candidate submits the re-
quest.
‘‘(2) REQUESTS.—Any request for certification
submitted by a candidate shall contain—
‘‘(A) such information and be made in ac-
cordance with such procedures as the Commis-
sion may provide by regulation; and
‘‘(B) a verification signed by the candidate
and the treasurer of the principal campaign
committee of such candidate stating that the in-
formation furnished in support of the request,
to the best of their knowledge, is correct and
fully satisfies the requirement of this title.
‘‘(3) PARTIAL CERTIFICATION.—If the Commis-
sion determines that any portion of a request does
not meet the requirement for certification, the Com-
mission shall withhold the certification for that por-
tion only and inform the candidate as to how the re-
quest may be corrected.
‘‘(4) CERTIFICATION
WITHHELD.—The Com-
mission may withhold certification if it determines
that a candidate who is otherwise eligible has en-
gaged in a pattern of activity indicating that the
candidate’s filings under this title cannot be relied
upon.
‘‘(c) WITHDRAWAL OF CERTIFICATION.—If the Com-
mission determines that a candidate who is certified as
an eligible House of Representatives candidate pursuant
to this section has made expenditures in excess of any
limit under subtitle A or otherwise no longer meets the
requirements for certification under this title, the Com-
mission shall revoke the candidate’s certification.
‘‘SEC. 512. EXAMINATION AND AUDITS; REPAYMENTS AND
CIVIL PENALTIES.
‘‘(a) EXAMINATIONS AND AUDITS.—
‘‘(1) GENERAL ELECTIONS.—After each general
election, the Commission shall conduct an examina-
tion and audit of the campaign accounts of 5 per-
cent of the eligible House of Representatives can-
didates, as designated by the Commission through
the use of an appropriate statistical method of ran-
dom selection, to determine whether such candidates
have complied with the conditions of eligibility and
other requirements of this title. The Commission
shall conduct an examination and audit of the ac-
counts of all candidates for election to an office
where any eligible candidate for the office is selected
for examination and audit.
‘‘(2) SPECIAL
ELECTION.—After each special
election involving an eligible candidate, the Commis-
sion shall conduct an examination and audit of the
campaign accounts of all candidates in the election
to determine whether the candidates have complied
with the conditions of eligibility and other require-
ments of this Act.
‘‘(3) AFFIRMATIVE
VOTE.—The Commission
may conduct an examination and audit of the cam-
paign accounts of any eligible House of Representa-
tives candidate in a general election if the Commis-
sion determines that there exists reason to believe
whether such candidate may have violated any provi-
sion of this title.
‘‘(b) NOTIFICATION OF EXCESS EXPENDITURES.—If
the Commission determines that any eligible candidate
who has received benefits under this title has made ex-
penditures in excess of any limit under subtitle A, the
Commission shall notify the candidate.
‘‘(c) CIVIL PENALTIES.—
‘‘(1) EXCESS EXPENDITURES.—
‘‘(A) LOW AMOUNT OF EXCESS EXPENDI-
TURES.—Any eligible House of Representatives
candidate who makes expenditures that exceed
a limitation under subtitle A by 2.5 percent or
less shall pay to the Commission an amount
equal to the amount of the excess expenditures.
‘‘(B) MEDIUM
AMOUNT
OF
EXCESS
EX-
PENDITURES.—Any eligible House of Rep-
resentatives candidate who makes expenditures
that exceed a limitation under subtitle A by
more than 2.5 percent and less than 5 percent
shall pay to the Commission an amount equal
to three times the amount of the excess expend-
itures.
‘‘(C) LARGE AMOUNT OF EXCESS EXPEND-
ITURES.—Any eligible House of Representatives
candidate who makes expenditures that exceed
a limitation under subtitle A by 5 percent or
more shall pay to the Commission an amount
equal to three times the amount of the excess
expenditures plus, if the Commission deter-
mines such excess expenditures were knowing
and willful, a civil penalty in an amount deter-
mined by the Commission.
‘‘(2) MISUSED BENEFITS OF CANDIDATES.—If
the Commission determines that an eligible House of
Representatives candidate used any benefit received
under this title in a manner not provided for in this
title, the Commission may assess a civil penalty
against such candidate in an amount not greater
than 200 percent of the amount involved.
‘‘(d) LIMIT ON PERIOD FOR NOTIFICATION.—No no-
tification shall be made by the Commission under this sec-
tion with respect to an election more than 3 years after
the date of such election.
‘‘SEC. 513. JUDICIAL REVIEW.
‘‘(a) JUDICIAL REVIEW.—Any agency action by the
Commission made under the provisions of this title shall
be subject to review by the United States Court of Appeals
for the District of Columbia Circuit upon petition filed in
such court within 30 days after the agency action by the
Commission for which review is sought. It shall be the
duty of the Court of Appeals, ahead of all matters not
filed under this title, to advance on the docket and expedi-
tiously take action on all petitions filed pursuant to this
title.
‘‘(b) APPLICATION OF TITLE 5.—The provisions of
chapter 7 of title 5, United States Code, shall apply to
judicial review of any agency action by the Commission.
‘‘(c) AGENCY ACTION.—For purposes of this section,
the term ‘agency action’ has the meaning given such term
by section 551(13) of title 5, United States Code.
‘‘SEC. 514. REPORTS TO CONGRESS; CERTIFICATIONS; REG-
ULATIONS.
‘‘(a) REPORTS.—The Commission shall, as soon as
practicable after each election, submit a full report to the
House of Representatives setting forth—
‘‘(1) the expenditures (shown in such detail as
the Commission determines appropriate) made by
each eligible candidate and the authorized commit-
tees of such candidate;
‘‘(2) the benefits certified by the Commission as
available to each eligible candidate under this title;
and
‘‘(3) the names of any candidates against whom
penalties were imposed under section 512, together
with the amount of each such penalty and the rea-
sons for its imposition.
‘‘(b) DETERMINATIONS BY COMMISSION.—Subject to
sections 512 and 513, all determinations (including certifi-
cations under section 511) made by the Commission under
this title shall be final and conclusive.
‘‘(c) RULES AND REGULATIONS.—The Commission is
authorized to prescribe such rules and regulations, in ac-
cordance with the provisions of subsection (d), to conduct
such audits, examinations and investigations, and to re-
quire the keeping and submission of such books, records,
and information, as it deems necessary to carry out the
functions and duties imposed on it by this title.
‘‘(d) REPORT
OF PROPOSED REGULATIONS.—The
Commission shall submit to the House of Representatives
a report containing a detailed explanation and justification
of each rule and regulation of the Commission under this
title. No such rule, regulation, or form may take effect
until a period of 60 legislative days has elapsed after the
report is received. As used in this subsection, the terms
‘rule’ and ‘regulation’ mean a provision or series of inter-
related provisions stating a single, separable rule of law.
‘‘SEC. 515. CLOSED CAPTIONING REQUIREMENT FOR TELE-
VISION COMMERCIALS OF ELIGIBLE CAN-
DIDATES.
‘‘No eligible House of Representatives candidate may
receive benefits under subtitle A unless such candidate has
certified that any television commercial prepared or dis-
tributed by the candidate will be prepared in a manner
that contains, is accompanied by, or otherwise readily per-
mits closed captioning of the oral content of the commer-
cial to be broadcast by way of line 21 of the vertical blank-
ing interval, or by way of comparable successor tech-
nologies.’’.
Subtitle B—Limitations on Con-
tributions to House of Rep-
resentatives Candidates
SEC. 121. LIMITATIONS ON POLITICAL COMMITTEES.
(a) MULTICANDIDATE POLITICAL COMMITTEES.—
Section 315(a)(2)(A) of the Federal Election Campaign
Act of 1971 (2 U.S.C. 441a(a)(2)(A)) is amended by
striking out ‘‘with respect’’ and all that follows through
‘‘$5,000,’’ and inserting in lieu thereof: ‘‘which, in the ag-
gregate, exceed $5,000 with respect to an election for Fed-
eral office or $8,000 with respect to an election cycle (not
including a runoff election);’’.
(b) CANDIDATE’S COMMITTEES.—(1) Section 315(a)
of such Act (2 U.S.C. 441a(a)) is amended by adding at
the end the following new paragraph:
‘‘(9) For the purposes of the limitations provided by
paragraphs (1) and (2), any political committee which is
established or financed or maintained or controlled by any
candidate or Federal officeholder shall be deemed to be
an authorized committee of such candidate or officeholder.
Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to permit
the establishment, financing, maintenance, or control of
any committee which is prohibited by paragraph (3) or
(6) of section 302(e).’’
(2) Section 302(e)(3) of such Act (2 U.S.C.
432(e)(3)) is amended to read as follows:
‘‘(3) No political committee that supports or has sup-
ported more than one candidate may be designated as an
authorized committee, except that—
‘‘(A) a candidate for the office of President
nominated by a political party may designate the na-
tional committee of such political party as the can-
didate’s principal campaign committee, but only if
that national committee maintains separate books of
account with respect to its functions as a principal
campaign committee; and
‘‘(B) a candidate may designate a political com-
mittee established solely for the purpose of joint
fundraising by such candidates as an authorized
committee.’’
(c) EFFECTIVE DATES.—(1) Except as provided in
paragraph (2), the amendments made by this section shall
apply to elections (and the election cycles relating thereto)
occurring after December 31, 1996.
(2) In applying the amendments made by this section,
there shall not be taken into account—
(A) contributions made or received before Janu-
ary 1, 1997; or
(B) contributions made to, or received by, a
candidate on or after January 1, 1997, to the extent
such contributions are not greater than the excess
(if any) of—
(i) such contributions received by any op-
ponent of the candidate before January 1,
1997, over
(ii) such contributions received by the can-
didate before January 1, 1997.
SEC. 122. LIMITATIONS ON POLITICAL COMMITTEE AND
LARGE DONOR CONTRIBUTIONS THAT MAY
BE ACCEPTED BY HOUSE OF REPRESENTA-
TIVES CANDIDATES.
Section 315 of the Federal Election Campaign Act
of 1971 (2 U.S.C. 441a) is amended by adding at the end
the following new subsection:
‘‘(i) LIMITATIONS ON CONTRIBUTIONS ACCEPTED BY
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CANDIDATE.—
‘‘(1) POLITICAL COMMITTEES.—A candidate for
the office of Representative in, or Delegate or Resi-
dent Commissioner to, the Congress may not, with
respect to an election cycle, accept contributions
from political committees aggregating in excess of
$200,000.
‘‘(2) PERSONS OTHER THAN POLITICAL COM-
MITTEES.—A candidate for the office of Representa-
tive in, or Delegate or Resident Commissioner to,
the Congress may not, with respect to an election
cycle, accept contributions aggregating in excess of
$200,000 from persons other than political commit-
tees whose contributions total more than $200.
‘‘(3) CONTESTED PRIMARIES.—In addition to
the contributions under paragraphs (1) and (2), if a
House of Representatives candidate in a contested
primary election wins that primary election by a
margin of 20 percentage points or less, the can-
didate may accept contributions of—
‘‘(A) not more than $66,600 from political
committees; and
‘‘(B) not more than $66,600 from persons
referred to in paragraph (2).
‘‘(4) RUNOFF ELECTIONS.—In addition to the
contributions under paragraphs (1) and (2), a
House of Representatives candidate who is a can-
didate in a runoff election may accept contributions
of (A) not more than $100,000 from political com-
mittees; and (B) not more than $100,000 from per-
sons referred to in paragraph (2).
‘‘(5) EXEMPTION
FOR
CERTAIN
COSTS.—Any
amount—
‘‘(A) accepted by a House of Representa-
tives candidate; and
‘‘(B) used for costs incurred under section
501 (e) and (f),
shall not be considered in the computation of
amounts subject to limitation under this subsection.
‘‘(6) TRANSFER
PROVISION.—The limitations
imposed by this subsection shall apply without re-
gard to amounts transferred from previous election
cycles or other authorized committees of the same
candidate. Candidates shall not be required to seek
the redesignation of contributions in order to trans-
fer such contributions to a later election cycle.
‘‘(7) INDEXATION
OF
AMOUNTS.—The dollar
amounts specified in this subsection shall be ad-
justed at the beginning of each calendar year based
on the increase in the price index determined under
subsection (c), except that, for the purposes of such
adjustment, the base period shall be calendar year
1996.’’
Subtitle C—Related Provisions
SEC. 131. REPORTING REQUIREMENTS.
Title III of the Federal Election Campaign Act of
1971 is amended by adding after section 304 the following
new section:
‘‘REPORTING REQUIREMENTS FOR HOUSE CANDIDATES
‘‘SEC. 304A. A candidate for the office of Represent-
ative in, or Delegate or Resident Commissioner to, the
Congress who—
‘‘(1) makes contributions in excess of $50,000
of personal funds of the candidate to the authorized
committee of the candidate; or
‘‘(2) makes expenditures in excess of 50 percent
and 100 percent of the limitation under section
501(a);
shall report that the threshold has been reached to the
Commission not later than 48 hours after reaching the
threshold. The Commission shall transmit a copy to each
other candidate for election to the same office within 48
hours of receipt.’’
SEC. 132. REGISTRATION AS ELIGIBLE HOUSE OF REP-
RESENTATIVES CANDIDATE.
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 paragraphs:
‘‘(6)(A) In the case of a candidate for the office of
Representative in, or Delegate or Resident Commissioner
to, the Congress, who desires to be an eligible House of
Representatives candidate, a declaration of participation
of the candidate to abide by the limits specified in sections
315(i), 501, and 502 and provide the information required
under section 503(b)(4) shall be included in the designa-
tion required to be filed under paragraph (1).
‘‘(B) A declaration of participation that is included
in a statement of candidacy may not thereafter be re-
voked.’’
SEC. 133. DEFINITIONS.
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 301 of the Federal Elec-
tion Campaign Act of 1971 (2 U.S.C. 431) is amended
by striking paragraph (19) and inserting the following new
paragraphs:
‘‘(19) The term ‘election cycle’ means—
‘‘(A) in the case of a candidate or the author-
ized committees of a candidate, the term beginning
on the day after the date of the most recent general
election for the specific office or seat which such
candidate seeks and ending on the date of the next
general election for such office or seat; or
‘‘(B) for all other persons, the term beginning
on the first day following the date of the last general
election and ending on the date of the next general
election.
‘‘(20) The term ‘general election’ means any election
which will directly result in the election of a person to a
Federal office.
‘‘(21) The term ‘general election period’ means, with
respect to any candidate, the period beginning on the day
after the date of the primary or runoff election for the
specific office the candidate is seeking, whichever is later,
and ending on the earlier of—
‘‘(A) the date of such general election; or
‘‘(B) the date on which the candidate withdraws
from the campaign or otherwise ceases actively to
seek election.
‘‘(22) The term ‘immediate family’ means—
‘‘(A) a candidate’s spouse;
‘‘(B) a child, stepchild, parent, grandparent,
brother, half-brother, sister or half-sister of the can-
didate or the candidate’s spouse; and
‘‘(C) the spouse of any person described in sub-
paragraph (B).
‘‘(23) The term ‘primary election’ means an election
which may result in the selection of a candidate for the
ballot in a general election for a Federal office.
‘‘(24) The term ‘primary election period’ means, with
respect to any candidate, the period beginning on the day
following the date of the last election for the specific office
the candidate is seeking and ending on the earlier of—
‘‘(A) the date of the first primary election for
that office following the last general election for that
office; or
‘‘(B) the date on which the candidate withdraws
from the election or otherwise ceases actively to seek
election.
‘‘(25) The term ‘runoff election’ means an election
held after a primary election which is prescribed by appli-
cable State law as the means for deciding which candidate
will be on the ballot in the general election for a Federal
office.
‘‘(26) The term ‘runoff election period’ means, with
respect to any candidate, the period beginning on the day
following the date of the last primary election for the spe-
cific office such candidate is seeking and ending on the
date of the runoff election for such office.
‘‘(27) The term ‘special election’ means any election
(whether primary, runoff, or general) for Federal office
held by reason of a vacancy in the office arising before
the end of the term of the office.
‘‘(28) The term ‘special election period’ means, with
respect to any candidate for any Federal office, the period
beginning on the date the vacancy described in paragraph
(28) occurs and ending on the earlier of—
‘‘(A) the date the election resulting in the elec-
tion of a person to the office occurs; or
‘‘(B) the date on which the candidate withdraws
from the campaign or otherwise ceases actively to
seek election.
‘‘(29) The term ‘eligible House of Representatives
candidate’ means a candidate for election to the office of
Representative in, or Delegate or Resident Commissioner
to, the Congress, who, as determined by the Commission
under section 511, is eligible to receive benefits under sub-
title A of title V by reason of filing a declaration of partici-
pation under section 302(e) and complying with the con-
tinuing eligibility requirements under section 511.’’
(b) IDENTIFICATION.—Section 301(13)(A) of such
Act (2 U.S.C. 431(13)(A)) is amended by striking ‘‘mail-
ing address’’ and inserting ‘‘permanent residence ad-
dress’’.
Subtitle D—Tax on Excess Political
Expenditures of Certain Con-
gressional Campaign Funds
SEC. 141. TAX TREATMENT OF CERTAIN CAMPAIGN FUNDS.
(a) GENERAL RULE.—Chapter 41 of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by adding at the end
thereof the following new subchapter:
‘‘Subchapter B—Excess Political Expendi-
tures of Certain Congressional Campaign
Funds
‘‘Sec. 4915. Tax on excess political expenditures of certain cam-
paign funds.
‘‘SEC. 4915. TAX ON EXCESS POLITICAL EXPENDITURES OF
CERTAIN CAMPAIGN FUNDS.
‘‘(a) IMPOSITION OF TAX.—If any applicable cam-
paign fund has excess political expenditures for any elec-
tion cycle, there is hereby imposed on such excess political
expenditures a tax equal to the amount of such excess po-
litical expenditures multiplied by the highest rate of tax
specified in section 11(b). Such tax shall be imposed for
the taxable year of such fund in which such election cycle
ends.
‘‘(b) APPLICABLE CAMPAIGN FUND.—For purposes
of this section, the term ‘applicable campaign fund’ means
any political organization if—
‘‘(1) such organization is designated by a can-
didate for election or nomination to the House of
Representatives as such candidate’s principal cam-
paign committee for purposes of section 302(e) of
the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (2
U.S.C. 432(e)), and
‘‘(2) such candidate has made contributions to
such political organization during the election cycle
in excess of the contribution limitation which would
have been applicable under section 501(a) or 512(a)
of such Act, whichever is applicable, if an election
under such section had been made.
‘‘(c) EXCESS POLITICAL EXPENDITURES.—
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—For purposes of this sec-
tion, the term ‘excess political expenditures’ means,
with respect to any election cycle, the excess (if any)
of the political expenditures incurred by the applica-
ble campaign fund during such cycle, over, in the
case of a House of Representatives candidate, the
expenditure ceiling which would have been applicable
under subtitle B of title V of such Act if an election
under such subtitle had been made.
‘‘(2) 
SPECIAL
RULE
FOR
DETERMINING
AMOUNT OF EXPENDITURES.—For purposes of para-
graph (1), in determining the amount of political ex-
penditures incurred by an applicable campaign fund,
there shall be excluded any such expenditure which
would not have been subject to the expenditure limi-
tations of title V of the Federal Election Campaign
Act of 1971 had such limitations been applicable,
other than any such expenditure which would have
been exempt from such limitations under section
501(e) or 501(f) of such Act.
‘‘(d) OTHER DEFINITIONS AND SPECIAL RULES.—
For purposes of this section—
‘‘(1) ELECTION
CYCLE.—The term ‘election
cycle’ has the meaning given such term by section
301 of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971.
‘‘(2) POLITICAL ORGANIZATION.—The term ‘po-
litical organization’ has the meaning given to such
term by section 527(e)(1).
‘‘(3) CERTAIN
RULES
MADE
APPLICABLE.—
Rules similar to the rules of section 4911(e)(4) shall
apply.’’
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENTS.—
(1) Chapter 41 of such Code is amended by
striking the chapter heading and inserting the fol-
lowing:
‘‘CHAPTER 41—LOBBYING AND POLITICAL
EXPENDITURES OF CERTAIN ORGANI-
ZATIONS
‘‘Subchapter A. Public charities.
‘‘Subchapter B. Excess political expenditures of certain campaign
funds.
‘‘Subchapter A—Public Charities’’.
(2) The table of sections for subtitle D of such
Code is amended by striking the item relating to
chapter 41 and inserting the following:
‘‘Chapter 41. Lobbying and political expenditures of certain orga-
nizations.’’
(c) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made by
this section shall apply to taxable years beginning after
December 31, 1996.
TITLE II—INDEPENDENT
EXPENDITURES
SEC. 201. CLARIFICATION OF DEFINITIONS RELATING TO
INDEPENDENT EXPENDITURES.
(a) 
INDEPENDENT
EXPENDITURE
DEFINITION
AMENDMENT.—Section 301 of the Federal Election Cam-
paign Act of 1971 (2 U.S.C. 431) is amended by striking
paragraphs (17) and (18) and inserting the following:
‘‘(17)(A) The term ‘independent expenditure’ means
an expenditure that—
‘‘(i) contains express advocacy; and
‘‘(ii) is made without the participation or co-
operation of and without consultation with a can-
didate or a candidate’s representative.
‘‘(B) The following shall not be considered an inde-
pendent expenditure:
‘‘(i) An expenditure made by—
‘‘(I) an authorized committee of a can-
didate for Federal office, or
‘‘(II) a political committee of a political
party.
‘‘(ii) An expenditure if there is any arrange-
ment, coordination, or direction with respect to the
expenditure between the candidate or the candidate’s
agent and the person making the expenditure.
‘‘(iii) An expenditure if, in the same election
cycle, the person making the expenditure is or has
been—
‘‘(I) authorized to raise or expend funds on
behalf of the candidate or the candidate’s au-
thorized committees; or
‘‘(II) serving as a member, employee, or
agent of the candidate’s authorized committees
in an executive or policymaking position.
‘‘(iv) An expenditure if the person making the
expenditure retains the professional services of any
individual or other person also providing services in
the same election cycle to the candidate in connec-
tion with the candidate’s pursuit of nomination for
election, or election, to Federal office, including any
services relating to the candidate’s decision to seek
Federal office. For purposes of this clause, the term
‘professional services’ shall include any services
(other than legal and accounting services solely for
purposes of ensuring compliance with any Federal
law) in support of any candidate’s or candidates’
pursuit of nomination for election, or election, to
Federal office.
For purposes of this subparagraph, the person making the
expenditure shall include any officer, director, employee,
or agent of such person.
‘‘(18)(A) The term ‘express advocacy’ means, when
a communication is taken as a whole and with limited ref-
erence to external events, an expression of support for or
opposition to a specific candidate, to a specific group of
candidates, or to candidates of a particular political party.
‘‘(B) The term ‘expression of support for or opposi-
tion to’ includes a suggestion to take action with respect
to an election, such as to vote for or against, make con-
tributions to, or participate in campaign activity, or to re-
frain from taking action.’’.
(b) CONTRIBUTION DEFINITION AMENDMENT.—Sec-
tion 301(8)(A) of such Act (2 U.S.C. 431(8)(A)) is
amended—
(1) in clause (i), by striking ‘‘or’’ after the
semicolon at the end;
(2) in clause (ii), by striking the period at the
end and inserting ‘‘; or’’; and
(3) by adding at the end the following new
clause:
‘‘(iii) any payment or other transaction referred
to in paragraph (17)(A)(i) that is not an independ-
ent expenditure under paragraph (17).’’.
SEC. 202. REPORTING REQUIREMENTS FOR CERTAIN INDE-
PENDENT EXPENDITURES.
Section 304(c) of the Federal Election Campaign Act
of 1971 (2 U.S.C. 434(c)) is amended—
(1) in paragraph (2), by striking the undesig-
nated matter after subparagraph (C);
(2) by redesignating paragraph (3) as para-
graph (9); and
(3) by inserting after paragraph (2), as amend-
ed by paragraph (1), the following new paragraphs:
‘‘(3)(A) Any person (including a political committee)
making independent expenditures (including those de-
scribed in subsection (b)(6)(B)(iii)) with respect to a can-
didate in an election aggregating $1,000 or more made
after the 20th day, but more than 24 hours, before the
election shall file a report within 24 hours after such inde-
pendent expenditures are made. An additional report shall
be filed each time independent expenditures aggregating
$1,000 are made with respect to the same candidate after
the latest report filed under this subparagraph.
‘‘(B) Any person (including a political committee)
making independent expenditures with respect to a can-
didate in an election aggregating $2,500 or more made
at any time up to and including the 20th day before the
election shall file a report within 48 hours after such inde-
pendent expenditures are made. An additional report shall
be filed each time independent expenditures aggregating
$2,500 are made with respect to the same candidate after
the latest report filed under this paragraph.
‘‘(C) A report under subparagraph (A) or (B) shall
be filed with the Commission and the Secretary of State
of the State involved, and shall identify each candidate
whom the expenditure is actually intended to support or
to oppose. Not later than 48 hours after the Commission
receives a report, the Commission shall transmit a copy
of the report to each candidate seeking nomination or elec-
tion to that office.
‘‘(D) For purposes of this section, an independent ex-
penditure shall be considered to have been made upon the
making of any payment or the taking of any action to
incur an obligation for payment.
‘‘(4)(A) If any person (including a political commit-
tee) intends to make independent expenditures with re-
spect to a candidate in an election totaling $2,500 or more
during the 20 days before an election, such person shall
file a report no later than the 20th day before the election.
‘‘(B) A report under subparagraph (A) shall be filed
with the Commission and the Secretary of State of the
State involved, and shall identify each candidate whom the
expenditure is actually intended to support or to oppose.
Not later than 48 hours after the Commission receives a
report under this paragraph, the Commission shall trans-
mit a copy of the statement to each candidate identified.
‘‘(5) The Commission may, upon a request of a can-
didate or on its own initiative, make its own determination
that a person has made, or has incurred obligations to
make, independent expenditures with respect to any can-
didate in any election which in the aggregate exceed the
applicable amounts under paragraph (3) or (4). The Com-
mission shall notify each candidate in such election of such
determination within 48 hours after making it. Any deter-
mination made at the request of a candidate shall be made
within 48 hours of the request.
‘‘(6) At the time at which an eligible House of Rep-
resentatives candidate is notified under paragraph (3),
(4), or (5) with respect to expenditures during a general
election period, the Commission shall certify eligibility to
receive benefits under section 504(a)(3)(B) or section
513(f).
‘‘(7)(A) A person that makes a reservation of broad-
cast time to which section 315(a) of the Communications
Act of 1947 (47 U.S.C. 315(a)) applies, the payment for
which would constitute an independent expenditure, shall
at the time of reservation—
‘‘(i) inform the broadcast licensee that payment
for the broadcast time will constitute an independent
expenditure;
‘‘(ii) inform the broadcast licensee of the names
of all candidates for the office to which the proposed
broadcast relates and state whether the message to
be broadcast is intended to be made in support of
or in opposition to each such candidate;
‘‘(iii) transmit to all candidates for the office to
which the proposed broadcast relates a script or tape
recording of the communication, or an accurate sum-
mary of the communication if a script or tape re-
cording is not available.’’.
TITLE III—CONTRIBUTIONS AND
EXPENDITURES 
BY 
POLITI-
CAL PARTY COMMITTEES
SEC. 301. DEFINITIONS.
(a) CONTRIBUTION
AND
EXPENDITURE
EXCEP-
TIONS.—(1) Section 301(8)(B) of the Federal Election
Campaign Act of 1971 (2 U.S.C. 431(8)(B)) is amend-
ed—
(A) in clause (x)—
(i) by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end of sub-
clause (2),
(ii) by inserting ‘‘and’’ at the end of sub-
clause (3), and
(iii) by adding at the end the following new
subclause:
‘‘(4) such activities are conducted solely by, and
any materials are prepared for distribution and
mailing and are distributed (if other than by mail-
ing) solely by, volunteers;’’;
(B) in clause (xi), by striking ‘‘That’’ and all
that follows through ‘‘Act;’’ and inserting ‘‘That—
‘‘(1) such payments are made from contribu-
tions subject to the limitations and prohibitions of
this Act; and
‘‘(2) such activities are conducted solely by, and
any materials are prepared for distribution and
mailing and are distributed (if other than by mail-
ing) solely by, volunteers;’’ and
(C) in clause (xii)—
(i) by inserting ‘‘in connection with volun-
teer activities’’ after ‘‘such committee’’,
(ii) by striking ‘‘for President and Vice
President’’,
(iii) by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end of sub-
clause (2),
(iv) by inserting ‘‘and’’ at the end of sub-
clause (3), and
(v) by adding at the end the following new
subclause:
‘‘(4) such activities are conducted solely
by, and any materials are prepared for distribu-
tion and mailing and are distributed (if other
than by mailing) solely by, volunteers;’’.
(2) Section 301(9)(B) of such Act (2 U.S.C.
431(9)(B)) is amended—
(A) in clause (viii)—
(i) by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end of sub-
clause (2),
(ii) by inserting ‘‘and’’ at the end of sub-
clause (3), and
(iii) by adding at the end the following new
subclause:
‘‘(4) such activities are conducted solely
by, and any materials are prepared for distribu-
tion and mailing and are distributed (if other
than by mailing) solely by, volunteers;’’; and
(B) in clause (ix)—
(i) by inserting ‘‘in connection with volun-
teer activities’’ after ‘‘such committee’’,
(ii) by striking ‘‘for President or Vice
President’’, and
(iii) by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end of sub-
clause (2), by inserting ‘‘and’’ at the end of
subclause (3), and by adding at the end the fol-
lowing new subclause:
‘‘(4) such activities are conducted solely
by, and any materials are prepared for distribu-
tion and are distributed (if other than by mail-
ing) solely by, volunteers;’’.
(b) GENERIC ACTIVITIES; STATE PARTY GRASS-
ROOTS FUND.—Section 301 of such Act (2 U.S.C. 431),
as amended by section 133, is further amended by adding
at the end the following new paragraphs:
‘‘(30) The term ‘generic campaign activity’
means a campaign activity that promotes a political
party rather than any particular Federal or non-
Federal candidate.
‘‘(31) The term ‘State Party Grassroots Fund’
means a separate segregated fund established and
maintained by a State committee of a political party
solely for purposes of making expenditures and other
disbursements described in section 324(d).’’.
SEC. 302. CONTRIBUTIONS TO POLITICAL PARTY COMMIT-
TEES.
(a) 
INDIVIDUAL
CONTRIBUTIONS
TO
STATE
PARTY.—Section 315(a)(1) of the Federal Election Cam-
paign Act of 1971 (2 U.S.C. 441a(a)(1)) is amended—
(1) by striking ‘‘or’’ at the end of subparagraph
(B);
(2) by redesignating subparagraph (C) as sub-
paragraph (D); and
(3) by inserting after subparagraph (B) the fol-
lowing new subparagraph:
‘‘(C) to—
‘‘(i) a State Party Grassroots Fund estab-
lished and maintained by a State committee of
a political party in any calendar year which, in
the aggregate, exceed $20,000; or
‘‘(ii) any other political committee estab-
lished and maintained by a State committee of
a political party in any calendar year which, in
the aggregate, exceed $5,000,
except that the aggregate contributions described in
this subparagraph which may be made by a person
to the State Party Grassroots Fund and all commit-
tees of a State committee of a political party in any
State in any calendar year shall not exceed $20,000;
or’’.
(b) MULTICANDIDATE COMMITTEE CONTRIBUTIONS
TO STATE PARTY.—Section 315(a)(2) of such Act (2
U.S.C. 441a(a)(2)) is amended—
(1) by striking ‘‘or’’ at the end of subparagraph
(B);
(2) by redesignating subparagraph (C) as sub-
paragraph (D); and
(3) by inserting after subparagraph (B) the fol-
lowing new subparagraph:
‘‘(C) to—
‘‘(i) a State Party Grassroots Fund estab-
lished and maintained by a State committee of
a political party in any calendar year which, in
the aggregate, exceed $15,000; or
‘‘(ii) to any other political committee estab-
lished and maintained by a State committee of
a political party which, in the aggregate, exceed
$5,000,
except that the aggregate contributions described in
this subparagraph which may be made by a multi-
candidate political committee to the State Party
Grassroots Fund and all committees of a State com-
mittee of a political party in any State in any cal-
endar year shall not exceed $15,000; or’’.
(c) OVERALL LIMIT.—Section 315(a)(3) of such Act
(2 U.S.C. 441a(a)(3)) is amended to read as follows:
‘‘(3)(A) No individual shall make contributions dur-
ing any election cycle which, in the aggregate, exceed
$100,000.
‘‘(B) No individual shall make contributions during
any calendar year—
‘‘(i) to all candidates and their authorized polit-
ical committees which, in the aggregate, exceed
$25,000; or
‘‘(ii) to all political committees established and
maintained by State committees of a political party
which, in the aggregate, exceed $20,000.
‘‘(C) For purposes of subparagraph (B)(i), any con-
tribution made to a candidate or the candidate’s author-
ized political committees in a year other than the calendar
year in which the election is held with respect to which
such contribution is made shall be treated as made during
the calendar year in which the election is held.’’.
(d) PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE COMMITTEE TRANS-
FERS.—(1) Section 315(b)(1) of such Act (2 U.S.C.
441a(b)(1)) is amended to read as follows:
‘‘(B) in the case of a campaign for election to
such office, an amount equal to the sum of—
‘‘(i) $20,000,000, plus
‘‘(ii) the amounts transferred by the can-
didate and the authorized committees of the
candidate to the national committee of the can-
didate’s political party for distribution to State
Party Grassroots Funds.
In no event shall the amount under subparagraph (B)(ii)
exceed 2 cents multiplied by the voting age population of
the United States (as certified under subsection (e)). The
Commission may require reporting of the transfers de-
scribed in subparagraph (B)(ii), may conduct an examina-
tion and audit of any such transfer, and may require the
return of the transferred amounts to the Presidential
Election Campaign Fund if not used for the appropriate
purpose.’’
(2) Subparagraph (A) of section 9002(11) of the In-
ternal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended—
(A) by striking ‘‘or’’ at the end of clause (ii);
and
(B) in clause (iii), by striking ‘‘offices,’’ and in-
serting the following: ‘‘offices, or (iv) consisting of a
transfer to the national committee of the political
party of a candidate for the office of President or
Vice President for distribution to State Party Grass-
roots Funds (as defined in the Federal Election
Campaign Act of 1971) to the extent such transfers
do not exceed the amount determined under section
315(b)(1)(B)(ii) of such Act,’’.
SEC. 303. INCREASE IN THE AMOUNT THAT MULTICAN-
DIDATE POLITICAL COMMITTEES MAY CON-
TRIBUTE TO NATIONAL POLITICAL PARTY
COMMITTEES.
Section 315(a)(2)(B) of the Federal Election Cam-
paign Act of 1971 (2 U.S.C. 441a(a)(2)(B)) is amended
by striking ‘‘$15,000’’ and inserting ‘‘$25,000’’.
SEC. 304. MERCHANDISING AND AFFINITY CARDS.
Section 316 of the Federal Election Campaign Act
of 1971 (2 U.S.C. 441b) is amended by adding at the end
the following new subsection:
‘‘(c) Notwithstanding the provisions of this section or
any other provision of this Act to the contrary, an amount
received from a corporation (including a State-chartered
or national bank) by any political committee (other than
a separate segregated fund established under section
316(b)(2)(C)) shall be deemed to meet the limitations and
prohibitions of this Act if such amount represents a com-
mission or royalty on the sale of goods or services, or on
the issuance of credit cards, by such corporation and if—
‘‘(1) such goods, services, or credit cards are
promoted by or in the name of the political commit-
tee as a means of contributing to or supporting the
political committee and are offered to consumers
using the name of the political committee or using
a message, design, or device created and owned by
the political committee, or both;
‘‘(2) the corporation is in the business of mer-
chandising such goods or services, or of issuing such
credit cards;
‘‘(3) the royalty or commission has been offered
by the corporation to the political committee in the
ordinary course of the corporation’s business and on
the same terms and conditions as those on which
such corporation offers royalties or commissions to
nonpolitical entities;
‘‘(4) all revenue on which the commission or
royalty is based represents, or results from, sales to
or fees paid by individual consumers in the ordinary
course of retail transactions;
‘‘(5) the costs of any unsold inventory of goods
are ultimately borne by the political committee in ac-
cordance with rules to be prescribed by the Commis-
sion; and
‘‘(6) except for any royalty or commission per-
mitted to be paid by this subsection, no goods, serv-
ices, or anything else of value is provided by such
corporation to the political committee, except that
such corporation may advance or finance costs or ex-
tend credit in connection with the manufacture and
distribution of goods, provision of services, or issu-
ance of credit cards pursuant to this subsection if
and to the extent such advance, financing, or exten-
sion is undertaken in the ordinary course of the cor-
poration’s business and is undertaken on similar
terms by such corporation in its transactions with
nonpolitical entities in like circumstances.’’
SEC. 305. PROVISIONS RELATING TO NATIONAL, STATE,
AND LOCAL PARTY COMMITTEES.
(a) SOFT MONEY OF COMMITTEES OF POLITICAL
PARTIES.—Title III of the Federal Election Campaign Act
of 1971 is amended by inserting after section 323 the fol-
lowing new section:
‘‘POLITICAL PARTY COMMITTEES
‘‘SEC. 324. (a) LIMITATIONS ON NATIONAL COMMIT-
TEE.—(1) A national committee of a political party and
the congressional campaign committees of a political party
may not solicit or accept contributions or transfers not
subject to the limitations, prohibitions, and reporting re-
quirements of this Act.
‘‘(2) Paragraph (1) shall not apply to contributions—
‘‘(A) that—
‘‘(i) are to be transferred to a State com-
mittee of a political party and are used solely
for activities described in clauses (xi) through
(xvii) of paragraph (9)(B) of section 301; or
‘‘(ii) 
are 
described 
in 
section
301(8)(B)(viii); and
‘‘(B) with respect to which contributors have
been notified that the funds will be used solely for
the purposes described in subparagraph (A).
‘‘(b) ACTIVITIES
SUBJECT
TO
THIS
ACT.—Any
amount solicited, received, expended, or disbursed directly
or indirectly by a national, State, district, or local commit-
tee of a political party with respect to any of the following
activities shall be subject to the limitations, prohibitions,
and reporting requirements of this Act:
‘‘(1)(A) Any get-out-the-vote activity conducted
during a calendar year in which an election for the
office of President is held.
‘‘(B) Any other get-out-the-vote activity unless
subsection (c)(2) applies to the activity.
‘‘(2) Any generic campaign activity.
‘‘(3) Any activity that identifies or promotes a
Federal candidate, regardless of whether—
‘‘(A) a State or local candidate is also
identified or promoted; or
‘‘(B) any portion of the funds disbursed
constitutes a contribution or expenditure under
this Act.
‘‘(4) Voter registration.
‘‘(5) Development and maintenance of voter
files during an even-numbered calendar year.
‘‘(6) Any other activity that—
‘‘(A) significantly affects a Federal elec-
tion, or
‘‘(B) is not otherwise described in section
301(9)(B)(xvii).
Any amount spent to raise funds that are used, in whole
or in part, in connection with activities described in the
preceding paragraphs shall be subject to the limitations,
prohibitions, and reporting requirements of this Act.
‘‘(c) GET-OUT-THE-VOTE ACTIVITIES BY STATE,
DISTRICT, AND LOCAL COMMITTEES OF POLITICAL PAR-
TIES.—(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), any get-
out-the-vote activity for a State or local candidate, or for
a ballot measure, which is conducted by a State, district,
or local committee of a political party shall be subject to
the limitations, prohibitions, and reporting requirements
of this Act.
‘‘(2) Paragraph (1) shall not apply to any activity
which the State committee of a political party certifies to
the Commission is an activity which—
‘‘(A) is conducted during a calendar year other
than a calendar year in which an election for the of-
fice of President is held,
‘‘(B) is exclusively on behalf of (and specifically
identifies only) one or more State or local candidates
or ballot measures, and
‘‘(C) does not include any effort or means used
to identify or turn out those identified to be support-
ers of any Federal candidate (including any activity
that is undertaken in coordination with, or on behalf
of, a candidate for Federal office).
‘‘(d) STATE PARTY GRASSROOTS FUNDS.—(1) A
State committee of a political party may make disburse-
ments and expenditures from its State Party Grassroots
Fund only for—
‘‘(A) any generic campaign activity;
‘‘(B) payments described in clauses (v), (x), and
(xii) of paragraph (8)(B) and clauses (iv), (viii), and
(ix) of paragraph (9)(B) of section 301;
‘‘(C) subject to the limitations of section
315(d), payments described in clause (xii) of para-
graph (8)(B), and clause (ix) of paragraph (9)(B),
of section 301 on behalf of candidates other than for
President and Vice President;
‘‘(D) voter registration; and
‘‘(E) development and maintenance of voter
files during an even-numbered calendar year.
‘‘(2) Notwithstanding section 315(a)(4), no funds
may be transferred by a State committee of a political
party from its State Party Grassroots Fund to any other
State Party Grassroots Fund or to any other political com-
mittee, except a transfer may be made to a district or local
committee of the same political party in the same State
if such district or local committee—
‘‘(A) has established a separate segregated fund
for the purposes described in paragraph (1); and
‘‘(B) uses the transferred funds solely for those
purposes.
‘‘(e) AMOUNTS RECEIVED BY GRASSROOTS FUND
FROM STATE AND LOCAL CANDIDATE COMMITTEES.—(1)
Any amount received by a State Party Grassroots Fund
from a State or local candidate committee for expenditures
described in subsection (b) that are for the benefit of that
candidate shall be treated as meeting the requirements of
subsection (b) and section 304(e) if—
‘‘(A) such amount is derived from funds which
meet the requirements of this Act with respect to
any limitation or prohibition as to source or dollar
amount specified in section 315(a) (1)(A) and
(2)(A); and
‘‘(B) the State or local candidate committee—
‘‘(i) maintains, in the account from which
payment is made, records of the sources and
amounts of funds for purposes of determining
whether such requirements are met; and
‘‘(ii) certifies that such requirements were
met.
‘‘(2) For purposes of paragraph (1)(A), in determin-
ing whether the funds transferred meet the requirements
of this Act described in such paragraph—
‘‘(A) a State or local candidate committee’s
cash on hand shall be treated as consisting of the
funds most recently received by the committee, and
‘‘(B) the committee must be able to dem-
onstrate that its cash on hand contains sufficient
funds meeting such requirements as are necessary to
cover the transferred funds.
‘‘(3) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), any State Party
Grassroots Fund receiving any transfer described in para-
graph (1) from a State or local candidate committee shall
be required to meet the reporting requirements of this Act,
and shall submit to the Commission all certifications re-
ceived, with respect to receipt of the transfer from such
candidate committee.
‘‘(4) For purposes of this subsection, a State or local
candidate committee is a committee established, financed,
maintained, or controlled by a candidate for other than
Federal office.
‘‘(f) RELATED ENTITIES.—The provisions of this Act
shall apply to any entity that is established, financed, or
maintained by a national committee or State committee
of a political party in the same manner as they apply to
the national or State committee.’’
(b) CONTRIBUTIONS AND EXPENDITURES.—
(1) CONTRIBUTIONS.—Section 301(8)(B) of
such Act (2 U.S.C. 431(8)(B)) is amended—
(A) in clause (viii), by inserting after
‘‘Federal office’’ the following: ‘‘, or any
amounts received by the committees of any na-
tional political party to support the operation of
a television and radio broadcast facility’’;
(B) by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end of clause
(xiii);
(C) by striking clause (xiv); and
(D) by adding at the end the following new
clauses:
‘‘(xiv) any amount contributed to a
candidate for other than Federal office;
‘‘(xv) any amount received or ex-
pended to pay the costs of a State or local
political convention;
‘‘(xvi) any payment for campaign ac-
tivities that are exclusively on behalf of
(and specifically identify only) State or
local candidates and do not identify any
Federal candidate, and that are not activi-
ties described in section 324(b) (without
regard to paragraph (6)(B)) or section
324(c)(1);
‘‘(xvii) any payment for administrative
expenses of a State or local committee of
a political party, including expenses for—
‘‘(I) overhead, including party
meetings;
‘‘(II) staff (other than individuals
devoting a significant amount of their
time to elections for Federal office
and individuals engaged in conducting
get-out-the-vote activities for a Fed-
eral election); and
‘‘(III) conducting party elections
or caucuses;
‘‘(xviii) any payment for research per-
taining solely to State and local candidates
and issues;
‘‘(xix) any payment for development
and maintenance of voter files other than
during the 1-year period ending on the
date during an even-numbered calendar
year on which regularly scheduled general
elections for Federal office occur; and
‘‘(xx) any payment for any other ac-
tivity which is solely for the purpose of in-
fluencing, and which solely affects, an elec-
tion for non-Federal office and which is
not an activity described in section 324(b)
(without regard to paragraph (6)(B)) or
section 324(c)(1).’’.
(2) EXPENDITURES.—Section 301(9)(B) of
such Act (2 U.S.C. 431(9)(B)) is amended—
(A) by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end of clause
(ix);
(B) by striking the period at the end of
clause (x) and inserting a semicolon; and
(C) by adding at the end the following new
clauses:
‘‘(xi) any amount contributed to a
candidate for other than Federal office;
‘‘(xii) any amount received or ex-
pended to pay the costs of a State or local
political convention;
‘‘(xiii) any payment for campaign ac-
tivities that are exclusively on behalf of
(and specifically identify only) State or
local candidates and do not identify any
Federal candidate, and that are not activi-
ties described in section 324(b) (without
regard to paragraph (6)(B)) or section
324(c)(1);
‘‘(xiv) any payment for administrative
expenses of a State or local committee of
a political party, including expenses for—
‘‘(I) overhead, including party
meetings;
‘‘(II) staff (other than individuals
devoting a significant amount of their
time to elections for Federal office
and individuals engaged in conducting
get-out-the-vote activities for a Fed-
eral election); and
‘‘(III) conducting party elections
or caucuses;
‘‘(xv) any payment for research per-
taining solely to State and local candidates
and issues;
‘‘(xvi) any payment for development
and maintenance of voter files other than
during the 1-year period ending on the
date during an even-numbered calendar
year on which regularly scheduled general
elections for Federal office occur; and
‘‘(xvii) any payment for any other ac-
tivity which is solely for the purpose of in-
fluencing, and which solely affects, an elec-
tion for non-Federal office and which is
not an activity described in section 324(b)
(without regard to paragraph (6)(B)) or
section 324(c)(1).’’.
(c) LIMITATION APPLIED AT NATIONAL LEVEL; PER-
MITTING COMMITTEES TO MATCH INDEPENDENT EX-
PENDITURES MADE ON OPPONENT’S BEHALF.—Section
315(d) of such Act (2 U.S.C. 441a(d)) is amended—
(1) in paragraph (3), by striking ‘‘The national
committee’’ and inserting ‘‘Subject to paragraph (4),
the national committee’’; and
(2) by adding at the end the following new
paragraph:
‘‘(4)(A) Notwithstanding paragraph (3), the applica-
ble congressional campaign committee of a political party
shall make the expenditures described in such paragraph
which are authorized to be made by a national or State
committee with respect to a candidate in any State unless
it allocates all or a portion of such expenditures to either
or both of such committees.
‘‘(B) For purposes of paragraph (3), in determining
the amount of expenditures of a national or State commit-
tee of a political party in connection with the general elec-
tion campaign of a candidate for election to the office of
Representative, Delegate, or Resident Commissioner,
there shall be excluded an amount equal to the total
amount of independent expenditures made during the
campaign on behalf of candidates opposing the can-
didate.’’.
(d) LIMITATIONS APPLY
FOR ENTIRE ELECTION
CYCLE.—Section 315(d)(1) of such Act (2 U.S.C.
441a(d)(1)) is amended by adding at the end the following
new sentence: ‘‘Each limitation under the following para-
graphs shall apply to the entire election cycle for an of-
fice.’’.
SEC. 306. RESTRICTIONS ON FUNDRAISING BY CANDIDATES
AND OFFICEHOLDERS.
(a) STATE FUNDRAISING ACTIVITIES.—Section 315
of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (2 U.S.C.
441a), as amended by section 122, is further amended by
adding at the end the following new subsection:
‘‘(j) LIMITATIONS ON FUNDRAISING ACTIVITIES OF
FEDERAL CANDIDATES AND OFFICEHOLDERS AND CER-
TAIN POLITICAL COMMITTEES.—(1) For purposes of this
Act, a candidate for Federal office, an individual holding
Federal office, or any agent of the candidate or individual
may not solicit funds to, or receive funds on behalf of,
any Federal or non-Federal candidate or political commit-
tee—
‘‘(A) which are to be expended in connection
with any election for Federal office unless such
funds are subject to the limitations, prohibitions,
and requirements of this Act; or
‘‘(B) which are to be expended in connection
with any election for other than Federal office unless
such funds are not in excess of amounts permitted
with respect to Federal candidates and political com-
mittees under subsections (a) (1) and (2), and are
not from sources prohibited by such subsections with
respect to elections to Federal office.
‘‘(2)(A) The aggregate amount which a person de-
scribed in subparagraph (B) may solicit from a multican-
didate political committee for State committees described
in subsection (a)(1)(C) (including subordinate commit-
tees) for any calendar year shall not exceed the dollar
amount in effect under subsection (a)(2)(B) for the cal-
endar year.
‘‘(B) A person is described in this subparagraph if
such person is a candidate for Federal office, an individual
holding Federal office, an agent of such a candidate or
individual, or any national, State, district, or local commit-
tee of a political party (including a subordinate committee)
and any agent of such a committee.
‘‘(3) The appearance or participation by a candidate
for Federal office or individual holding Federal office in
any fundraising event conducted by a committee of a polit-
ical party or a candidate for other than Federal office shall
not be treated as a solicitation for purposes of paragraph
(1) if such candidate or individual does not solicit or re-
ceive, or make disbursements from, any funds resulting
from such activity.
‘‘(4) Paragraph (1) shall not apply to the solicitation
or receipt of funds, or disbursements, by an individual who
is a candidate for other than Federal office if such activity
is permitted under State law.
‘‘(5) For purposes of this subsection, an individual
shall be treated as holding Federal office if such individ-
ual—
‘‘(A) holds a Federal office; or
‘‘(B) holds a position described in level I of the
Executive Schedule under section 5312 of title 5,
United States Code.’’.
(b) TAX-EXEMPT ORGANIZATIONS.—Section 315 of
such Act (2 U.S.C. 441a), as amended by section 122 and
subsection (a), is further amended by adding at the end
the following new subsection:
‘‘(k) TAX-EXEMPT ORGANIZATIONS.—(1) If an indi-
vidual is a candidate for, or holds, Federal office during
any period, such individual may not during such period
solicit contributions to, or on behalf of, any organization
which is described in section 501(c) of the Internal Reve-
nue Code of 1986 if—
‘‘(A) the organization is established, main-
tained, or controlled by such individual; and
‘‘(B) a significant portion of the activities of
such organization include voter registration or get-
out-the-vote campaigns.
‘‘(2) For purposes of this subsection, an individual
shall be treated as holding Federal office if such individ-
ual—
‘‘(A) holds a Federal office; or
‘‘(B) holds a position described in level I of the
Executive Schedule under section 5312 of title 5,
United States Code.’’.
SEC. 307. REPORTING REQUIREMENTS.
(a) REPORTING REQUIREMENTS.—Section 304 of the
Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (2 U.S.C. 434)
is amended by adding at the end the following new sub-
section:
‘‘(d) POLITICAL COMMITTEES.—(1) The national
committee of a political party and any congressional cam-
paign committee of a political party, and any subordinate
committee of either, shall report all receipts and disburse-
ments during the reporting period, whether or not in con-
nection with an election for Federal office.
‘‘(2) A State, district, or local committee of a political
party to which section 324 applies shall report all receipts
and disbursements for the reporting period, including sep-
arate schedules for receipts and disbursements for State
Grassroots Funds.
‘‘(3) Any political committee shall include in its re-
port under paragraph (1) or (2) the amount of any trans-
fer described in section 324(d)(2) and shall itemize such
amounts to the extent required by section 304(b)(3)(A).
‘‘(4) The Commission may prescribe regulations to
require any political committee to which paragraph (1) or
(2) does not apply to report any receipts or disbursements
used in connection with a Federal election, including those
which are also used, directly or indirectly, to affect a State
or local election.
‘‘(5) If a political committee has receipts or disburse-
ments to which this subsection applies from any person
aggregating in excess of $200 for any calendar year, the
political committee shall separately itemize its reporting
for such person in the same manner as subsection (b)
(3)(A), (5), or (6).
(A) by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end of sub-
paragraph (H);
(B) by adding ‘‘and’’ at the end of sub-
paragraph (I); and
(C) by adding at the end the following new
subparagraph:
‘‘(J) in the case of an authorized commit-
tee, disbursements for the primary election, the
general election, and any other election in which
the candidate participates;’’.
(2) 
NAMES
AND
ADDRESSES.—Section
304(b)(5)(A) of such Act (2 U.S.C. 434(b)(5)(A)) is
amended—
(A) by striking ‘‘within the calendar year’’,
and
(B) by inserting ‘‘, and the election to
which the operating expenditure relates’’ after
‘‘operating expenditure’’.
TITLE IV—CONTRIBUTIONS
SEC. 401. RESTRICTIONS ON BUNDLING.
Section 315(a)(8) of the Federal Election Campaign
Act of 1971 (2 U.S.C. 441a(a)(8)) is amended to read
as follows:
‘‘(8)(A) No person, either directly or indirectly, may
act as a conduit or intermediary for any contribution to
a candidate.
‘‘(B)(i) Nothing in this section shall prohibit—
‘‘(I) joint fundraising conducted in accordance
with rules prescribed by the Commission by 2 or
more candidates; or
‘‘(II) fundraising for the benefit of a candidate
that is conducted by another candidate.
‘‘(ii) No other person may conduct or otherwise par-
ticipate in joint fundraising activities with or on behalf
of any candidate.
‘‘(C) The term ‘conduit or intermediary’ means a per-
son who transmits a contribution to a candidate or can-
didate’s committee or representative from another person,
except that—
‘‘(i) a House of Representatives candidate or
representative of a House of Representatives can-
didate is not a conduit or intermediary for the pur-
pose of transmitting contributions to the candidate’s
principal campaign committee or authorized commit-
tee;
‘‘(ii) a professional fundraiser is not a conduit
or intermediary, if the fundraiser is compensated for
fundraising services at the usual and customary
rate;
‘‘(iii) a volunteer hosting a fundraising event at
the volunteer’s home, in accordance with section
301(8)(b), is not a conduit or intermediary for the
purposes of that event; and
‘‘(iv) an individual is not a conduit or
intermediary for the purpose of transmitting a con-
tribution from the individual’s spouse.
For purposes of this section a conduit or intermediary
transmits a contribution when receiving or otherwise tak-
ing possession of the contribution and forwarding it di-
rectly to the candidate or the candidate’s committee or
representative.
‘‘(D) For purposes of this section, the term ‘rep-
resentative’—
‘‘(i) shall mean a person who is expressly au-
thorized by the candidate to engage in fundraising,
and who, in the case of an individual, is not acting
as an officer, employee, or agent of any other per-
son;
‘‘(ii) shall not include—
‘‘(I) a political committee with a connected
organization;
‘‘(II) a political party;
‘‘(III) a partnership or sole proprietorship;
‘‘(IV) an organization prohibited from
making contributions under section 316; or
‘‘(V) a person required to register under
the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 (2 U.S.C.
1601 et seq.).
‘‘(E) For purposes of this section, the term ‘acting
as an officer, employee, or agent of any other person’ in-
cludes the following activities by a salaried officer, em-
ployee, or paid agent of a person described in subpara-
graph (D)(ii)(IV):
‘‘(i) Soliciting contributions to a particular can-
didate in the name of, or by using the name of, such
a person.
‘‘(ii) Soliciting contributions to a particular
candidate using other than the incidental resources
of such a person.
‘‘(iii) Soliciting contributions to a particular
candidate under the direction or control of other sal-
aried officers, employees, or paid agents of such a
person.
For purposes of this subparagraph, the term ‘agent’ shall
include any person (other than individual members of an
organization described in subparagraph (b)(4)(C) of sec-
tion 316) acting on authority or under the direction of
such organization.’’.
SEC. 402. CONTRIBUTIONS BY DEPENDENTS NOT OF VOT-
ING AGE.
Section 315 of the Federal Election Campaign Act
of 1971 (2 U.S.C. 441a), as amended by sections 122 and
306, is further amended by adding at the end the following
new subsection:
‘‘(l) For purposes of this section, any contribution by
an individual who—
‘‘(1) is a dependent of another individual; and
‘‘(2) has not, as of the time of such contribu-
tion, attained the legal age for voting for elections
to Federal office in the State in which such individ-
ual resides,
shall be treated as having been made by such other indi-
vidual. If such individual is the dependent of another indi-
vidual and such other individual’s spouse, the contribution
shall be allocated among such individuals in the manner
determined by them.’’.
SEC. 403. PROHIBITION OF ACCEPTANCE BY A CANDIDATE
OF CASH CONTRIBUTIONS FROM ANY ONE
PERSON AGGREGATING MORE THAN $100.
Section 321 of the Federal Election Campaign Act
of 1971 (2 U.S.C. 441g) is amended by inserting ‘‘, and
‘‘(b) No person shall solicit contributions by falsely
representing himself or herself as a candidate or as a rep-
resentative of a candidate, a political committee, or a polit-
ical party.’’.
SEC. 406. LIMITED EXCLUSION OF ADVANCES BY CAM-
PAIGN WORKERS FROM THE DEFINITION OF
THE TERM ‘‘CONTRIBUTION’’.
Section 301(8)(B) of the Federal Election Campaign
Act of 1971 (2 U.S.C. 431(8)(B)), as amended by section
305, is amended—
(1) in clause (xix), by striking ‘‘and’’ after the
semicolon at the end;
(2) in clause (xx), by striking the period at the
end and inserting: ‘‘; and’’; and
(3) by adding at the end the following new
clause:
‘‘(xxi) any advance voluntarily made on behalf
of an authorized committee of a candidate by an in-
dividual in the normal course of such individual’s re-
sponsibilities as a volunteer for, or employee of, the
committee, if the advance is reimbursed by the com-
mittee within 10 days after the date on which the
advance is made, and the value of advances on be-
half of a committee does not exceed $500 with re-
spect to an election.’’.
SEC. 407. AMENDMENT TO SECTION 316 OF THE FEDERAL
ELECTION CAMPAIGN ACT OF 1971.
Section 316(b)(2) of the Federal Election Campaign
Act of 1971 (2 U.S.C. 441b(b)(2)) is amended—
(1) by striking ‘‘(2) For’’ and inserting ‘‘(2)(A)
Except as provided in subparagraph (B), for’’;
(2) by redesignating subparagraphs (A), (B),
and (C) as clauses (i), (ii), and (iii), respectively;
and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
‘‘(B) Payments by a corporation or labor organization
for candidate debates, voter guides, or voting records di-
rected to the general public shall be considered contribu-
tions unless—
‘‘(i) in the case of a candidate debate, the orga-
nization staging the debate is either an organization
described in section 301 (9)(B)(i) whose broadcasts,
cablecasts, or publications are supported by commer-
cial advertising, subscriptions, or sales to the public,
including a noncommercial educational broadcaster,
or a nonprofit organization exempt from Federal
taxation under section 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(4) of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986 that does not en-
dorse, support, or oppose candidates or political par-
ties, and any such debate features at least 2 can-
didates competing for election to that office;
‘‘(ii) in the case of a voter guide, the guide is
prepared and distributed by a corporation or labor
organization and consists of questions posed to at
least two candidates for election to that office; and
‘‘(iii) in the case of a voting record, the record
is prepared and distributed by a corporation or labor
organization at the end of a session of Congress and
consists solely of votes by all Members of Congress
in that session on one or more issues;
except that such payments shall be treated as contribu-
tions if any communication made by a corporation or labor
organization in connection with the candidate debate,
voter guide, or voting record contains express advocacy,
or any structure or format of the candidate debate, voter
guide, or voting record, or any preparation or distribution
of any such guide or record, reflects a purpose of influenc-
ing the election of a particular candidate.’’.
SEC. 408. PROHIBITION OF CERTAIN ELECTION-RELATED
ACTIVITIES OF FOREIGN NATIONALS.
Section 319 of the Federal Election Campaign Act
of 1971 (2 U.S.C. 441e) is amended by adding at the end
the following new subsection:
‘‘(c) A foreign national shall not directly or indirectly
direct, control, influence, or participate in any person’s
election-related activities, such as the making of contribu-
tions or expenditures in connection with elections for any
local, State, or Federal office or the administration of a
political committee.’’.
TITLE V—REPORTING
REQUIREMENTS
SEC. 501. CHANGE IN CERTAIN REPORTING FROM A CAL-
ENDAR YEAR BASIS TO AN ELECTION CYCLE
BASIS.
Paragraphs (2), (3), (4), (6), and (7) of section
304(b) of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (2
U.S.C. 434(b) (2)–(7)) are each amended by inserting
‘‘(election cycle, in the case of an authorized committee
of a candidate for Federal office)’’ after ‘‘calendar year’’
each place it appears.
SEC. 502. DISCLOSURE OF PERSONAL AND CONSULTING
SERVICES.
(a) REPORTING BY POLITICAL COMMITTEES.—Sec-
tion 304(b)(5)(A) of the Federal Election Campaign Act
of 1971 (2 U.S.C. 434(b)(5)(A)) is amended by adding
before the semicolon at the end the following: ‘‘, except
that if a person to whom an expenditure is made by a
candidate or the candidate’s authorized committees is
merely providing personal or consulting services and is in
turn making expenditures to other persons (not including
its owners or employees) who provide goods or services to
the candidate or the candidate’s authorized committees,
the name and address of such other person, together with
the date, amount and purpose of such expenditure shall
also be disclosed’’.
(b) RECORDKEEPING AND REPORTING BY PERSONS
TO WHOM EXPENDITURES ARE PASSED THROUGH.—Sec-
tion 302 of such Act (2 U.S.C. 432) is amended by adding
at the end the following new subsection:
‘‘(j) The person described in section 304(b)(5)(A)
who is providing personal or consulting services and who
is in turn making expenditures to other persons (not in-
cluding employees) for goods or services provided to a can-
didate shall maintain records of and shall provide to a po-
litical committee the information necessary to enable the
political committee to report the information described in
section 304(b)(5)(A).’’.
SEC. 503. POLITICAL COMMITTEES OTHER THAN CAN-
DIDATE COMMITTEES.
Section 303(b) of the Federal Election Campaign Act
of 1971 (2 U.S.C. 433(b)) is amended—
(1) in paragraph (2), by inserting ‘‘, and if the
organization or committee is incorporated, the State
of incorporation’’ after ‘‘committee’’; and
(2) by striking the ‘‘name and address of the
treasurer’’ in paragraph (4) and inserting ‘‘the
names and addresses of any officers (including the
treasurer)’’.
SEC. 504. USE OF CANDIDATES’ NAMES.
Section 302(e)(4) of the Federal Election Campaign
Act of 1971 (2 U.S.C. 432(e)(4)) is amended to read as
follows:
‘‘(4)(A) The name of each authorized committee shall
include the name of the candidate who authorized the com-
mittee under paragraph (1).
‘‘(B) A political committee that is not an authorized
committee shall not—
‘‘(i) include the name of any candidate in its
name, or
‘‘(ii) except in the case of a national, State, or
local party committee, use the name of any can-
didate in any activity on behalf of such committee
in such a context as to suggest that the committee
is an authorized committee of the candidate or that
the use of the candidate’s name has been authorized
by the candidate.’’.
SEC. 505. REPORTING REQUIREMENTS.
(a) FILING ON THE 20TH DAY OF A MONTH.—Sec-
tion 304(a) of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971
(2 U.S.C. 434(a)) is amended—
(1) in paragraph (2)(A)(iii), by striking ‘‘15th’’
and inserting ‘‘20th’’;
(2) in paragraph (3)(B)(ii), by striking ‘‘15th’’
and inserting ‘‘20th’’;
(3) in paragraph (4)(A)(i), by striking ‘‘15th’’
and inserting ‘‘20th’’; and
(4) in paragraph (8), by striking ‘‘15th’’ and
inserting ‘‘20th’’.
(b) OPTION TO FILE MONTHLY REPORTS.—Section
304(a)(2) of such Act (2 U.S.C. 434(a)(2)) is amended—
(1) in subparagraph (A), by striking ‘‘and’’ at
the end;
(2) in subparagraph (B), by striking the period
at the end and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and
(3) by inserting the following new subparagraph
at the end:
‘‘(C) in lieu of the reports required by subpara-
graphs (A) and (B), the treasurer may file monthly
reports in all calendar years, which shall be filed no
later than the 20th day after the last day of the
month and shall be complete as of the last day of
the month, except that, in lieu of filing the reports
otherwise due in November and December of any
year in which a regularly scheduled general election
is held, a pre-primary election report and a pre-gen-
eral election report shall be filed in accordance with
subparagraph (A)(i), a post-general election report
shall be filed in accordance with subparagraph
(A)(ii), and a year end report shall be filed no later
than January 31 of the following calendar year.’’.
(c) POLITICAL COMMITTEES.—Section 304(a)(4) of
such Act (2 U.S.C. 434(a)(4)) is amended in subpara-
graph (A)(i) by inserting ‘‘, and except that if at any time
during the election year a committee receives contributions
in excess of $100,000 ($10,000 in the case of a multican-
didate political committee), or makes disbursements in ex-
cess of $100,000 ($10,000 in the case of a multicandidate
political committee), monthly reports on the 20th day of
each month after the month in which that amount of con-
tributions is first received or that amount of disburse-
ments is first anticipated to be made during that year’’
before the semicolon.
(d) INCOMPLETE OR FALSE CONTRIBUTOR INFORMA-
TION.—Section 302(i) of such Act (2 U.S.C. 432(i)) is
amended—
(1) by inserting ‘‘(1)’’ after ‘‘(i)’’;
(2) by striking ‘‘submit’’ and inserting ‘‘re-
port’’; and
(3) by adding at the end the following new
paragraph:
‘‘(2) A treasurer shall be considered to have used best
efforts under this section only if—
‘‘(A) all written solicitations include a clear and
conspicuous request for the contributor’s identifica-
tion and inform the contributor of the committee’s
obligation to report the identification in a statement
prescribed by the Commission;
‘‘(B) the treasurer makes at least 1 additional
request for the contributor’s identification for each
contribution received that aggregates in excess of
$200 per calendar year and which does not contain
all of the information required by this Act; and
‘‘(C) the treasurer reports all information in the
committee’s possession regarding contributor identi-
fications.’’.
(e) WAIVER.—Section 304 of such Act (2 U.S.C.
434), as amended by section 307, is further amended by
adding at the end the following new subsection:
‘‘(f) WAIVER.—The Commission may relieve any cat-
egory of political committees of the obligation to file 1 or
more reports required by this section, or may change the
due dates of such reports, if it determines that such action
is consistent with the purposes of this Act. The Commis-
sion may waive requirements to file reports in accordance
with this subsection through a rule of general applicability
or, in a specific case, may waive or extend the due date
of a report by notifying all political committees affected.’’.
SEC. 506. SIMULTANEOUS REGISTRATION OF CANDIDATE
AND 
CANDIDATE’S 
PRINCIPAL 
CAMPAIGN
COMMITTEE.
Section 303(a) of the Federal Election Campaign Act
of 1971 (2 U.S.C. 433(a)) is amended in the first sentence
by striking ‘‘no later than 10 days after designation’’ and
inserting ‘‘on the date of its designation’’.
SEC. 507. REPORTING ON GENERAL CAMPAIGN ACTIVITIES
OF PERSONS OTHER THAN POLITICAL PAR-
TIES.
(a) REPORTING REQUIREMENT.—Section 304 of the
Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (2 U.S.C. 434),
as amended by sections 307 and 505, is further amended
by adding at the end the following new subsection:
‘‘(g) CERTAIN COMMUNICATIONS BY CORPORATIONS
AND LABOR ORGANIZATIONS.—(1) Any person making
disbursements to pay the cost of applicable communication
activities aggregating $5,000 or more with respect to a
candidate in an election after the 20th day, but more than
24 hours, before the election shall file a report of such
disbursements within 24 hours after such disbursements
are made.
‘‘(2) Any person making disbursements to pay the
cost of applicable communications activities aggregating
$5,000 or more with respect to a candidate in an election
at any time up to and including the 20th day before the
election shall file a report within 48 hours after such dis-
bursements are made.
‘‘(3) Any person required to file a report under para-
graph (1) or (2) which also makes disbursements to pay
the cost directly attributable to a get-out-the-vote cam-
paign described in section 316(b)(2)(B) aggregating
$25,000 or more with respect to an election shall file a
report within 48 hours after such disbursements are made.
‘‘(4) An additional report shall be filed each time ad-
ditional disbursements described in paragraph (1), (2), or
(3), whichever is applicable, aggregating $10,000 are
made with respect to the same candidate in the same elec-
tion as the initial report filed under this subsection. Each
such report shall be filed within 48 hours after the dis-
bursements are made.
‘‘(5) For purposes of this subsection, the term ‘appli-
cable communication activities’ means activities which are
covered by the exception to section 301(9)(B)(iii).
‘‘(6) Any statement under this subsection—
‘‘(A) shall be filed in the case of—
‘‘(i) disbursements relating to candidates
for the House of Representatives, with the
Clerk of the House of Representatives and the
Secretary of State of the State involved, and
‘‘(ii) any other disbursements, with the
Commission, and
‘‘(B) shall contain such information as the
Commission shall prescribe.’’
(b) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—Section 301(9)(B)
of such Act (2 U.S.C. 431(9)(B)) is amended by inserting
‘‘and shall, if such costs exceeds the amount described in
paragraph (1), (2), or (4) of section 304(g), be reported
in the manner provided in section 304(g)’’ before the semi-
colon at the end of clause (iii).
TITLE VI—BROADCAST RATES
AND CAMPAIGN ADVERTISING
SEC. 601. BROADCAST RATES AND CAMPAIGN ADVERTIS-
ING.
(a) BROADCAST RATES.—Section 315 of the Commu-
nications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 315) is amended—
(1) by amending subsection (b) to read as fol-
lows:
‘‘(b)(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), the
charges made for the use of a broadcasting station by a
person who is a legally qualified candidate for public office