Federal Election Campaign Act Amendments of 1979
PL 96-187 (H.R.5010), enacted 01/08/1980

PUBLIC LAW 96-187—JAN. 8, 1980 
93 STAT. 1339 
Public Law 96-187 
96th Congress 
An Act 
To amend the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to make certain changes in 
Jan. 8, 1980 
the reporting and disclosure requirements of such Act, and for other purposes. 
[H.R. 5010] 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of 
America in Congress assembled, That this Act may be Federal Election 
cited as the "Federal Election Campaign Act Amendments of 1979". ^Smenlfof 
1979. 
TITLE I—AMENDMENTS TO FEDERAL ELECTION CAMPAIGN 2 use 431 note. 
ACT OF 1971 
DEFINITIONS 
SEC. 101. Section 301 of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 
(2 U.S.C. 431), hereinafter in this Act referred to as the "Act", is 
amended to read as follows: 
"DEFINITIONS 
"SEC. 301. When used in this Act: 
"(1) The term 'election' means— 
"(A) a general, special, primary, or runoff election; 
"(B) a convention or caucus of a political party which has 
authority to nominate a candidate; 
"(C) a primary election held for the selection of delegates to a 
national nominating convention of a political party; and 
"(D) a primary election held for the expression of a preference 
for the nomination of individuals for election to the office of 
President. 
"(2) The term 'candidate' means an individual who seeks nomina-
tion for election, or election, to Federal office, and for purposes of this 
paragraph, an individual shall be deemed to seek nomination for 
election, or election— 
"(A) if such individual has received contributions aggregating 
in excess of $5,000 or has made expenditures aggregating in 
excess of $5,000; or 
"(B) if such individual has given his or her consent to another 
person to receive contributions or make expenditures on behalf 
of such individual and if such person has received such contribu-
tions aggregating in excess of $5,000 or has made such expendi-
tures aggregating in excess of $5,000. 
"(3) The term 'Federal office' means the office of President or Vice 
President, or of Senator or Representative in, or Delegate or Resident 
Commissioner to, the Congress. 
"(4) The term 'political committee' means— 
"(A) any committee, club, association, or other group of persons 
which receives contributions aggregating in excess of $1,000 
during a calendar year or which makes expenditures aggregating 
in excess of $1,000 during a calendar year; or 
"(B) any separate segregated fund established under the provi-
sions of section 316(b); or 
Post, p. 1354. 
93 STAT. 1340 
PUBLIC LAW 96-187—JAN. 8, 1980 
"(C) any local committee of a political party which receives 
contributions aggregating in excess of $5,000 during a calendar 
year, or makes payments exempted from the definition of contri-
bution or expenditure as defined in section 301 (8) and (9) 
aggregating in excess of $5,000 during a calendar year, or makes 
contributions aggregating in excess of $1,000 during a calendar 
year or makes expenditures aggregating in excess of $1,000 
during a calendar year. 
"(5) The term 'principal campaign committee' means a political 
committee designated and authorized by a candidate under section 
Post, p. 1345. 
302(e)(1). 
"(6) The term 'authorized committee' means the principal cam-
paign committee or any other political committee authorized by a 
candidate under section 302(e)(1) to receive contributions or make 
expenditures on behalf of such candidate. 
"(7) The term 'connected organization' means any organization 
which is not a political committee but which directly or indirectly 
establishes, administers, or financially supports a political commit-
tee. 
"(8)(A) The term 'contribution' includes— 
"(i) any gift, subscription, loan, advance, or deposit of money or 
anything of value made by any person for the purpose of 
influencing any election for Federal office; or 
"(ii) the payment by any person of compensation for the 
personal services of another person which are rendered to a 
political committee without charge for any purpose. 
"(B) The term 'contribution' does not include— 
"(i) the value of services provided without compensation by any 
individual who volunteers on behalf of a candidate or political 
committee; 
"(ii) the use of real or personal property, including a church or 
community room used on a regular basis by members of a 
community for noncommercial purposes, and the cost of invita-
tions, food, and beverages, voluntarily provided by an individual 
to any candidate or any political committee of a political party in 
rendering voluntary personal services on the individual's resi-
dential premises or in the church or community room for 
candidate-related or political party-related activities, to the ex-
tent that the cumulative value of such invitations, food, and 
beverages provided by such individual on behalf of any single 
candidate does not exceed $1,000 with respect to any single 
election, and on behalf of all political committees of a political 
party does not exceed $2,000 in any calendar year; 
"(iii) the sale of any food or beverage by a vendor for use in any 
candidate's campaign or for use by or on behalf of any political 
committee of a political party at a charge less than the normal 
comparable charge, if such charge is at least equal to the cost of 
such food or beverage to the vendor, to the extent that the 
cumulative value of such activity by such vendor on behalf of any 
single candidate does not exceed $1,000 with respect to any single 
election, and on behalf of all political committees of a political 
party does not exceed $2,000 in any calendar year; 
"(iv) any unreimbursed payment for travel expenses made by 
any individual on behalf of any candidate or any political 
committee of a political party, to the extent that the cumulative 
value of such activity by such individual on behalf of any single 
candidate does not exceed $1,000 with respect to any single 
PUBLIC LAW 96-187—JAN. 8, 1980 
93 STAT. 1341 
election, and on behalf of all political committees of a political 
party does not exceed $2,000 in any calendar year; 
"(v) the payment by a State or local committee of a political 
party of the costs of preparation, display, or mailing or other 
distribution incurred by such committee with respect to a 
printed slate card or sample ballot, or other printed listing, of 3 
or more candidates for any public office for which an election is 
held in the State in which such committee is organized, except 
that this clause shall not apply to any cost incurred by such 
committee with respect to a display of any such listing made on 
broadcasting stations, or in newspapers, magazines, or similar 
types of general public political advertising; 
"(vi) any payment made or obligation incurred by a corpora-
tion or a labor organization which, under section 316(b), would Post, p. 1354. 
not constitute an expenditure by such corporation or labor 
organization; 
"(vii) any loan of money by a State bank, a federally chartered 
depository institution, or a depository institution the deposits or 
accounts of which are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance 
Corporation, Federal Savings and Loan Insurance Corporation, 
or the National Credit Union Administration, other than any 
overdraft made with respect to a checking or savings account, 
made in accordance with applicable law and in the ordinary 
course of business, but such loan— 
"(I) shall be considered a loan by each endorser or guaran-
tor, in that proportion of the unpaid balance that each 
endorser or guarantor bears to the total number of endorsers 
or guarantors; 
"(II) shall be made on a basis which assures repayment, 
evidenced by a written instrument, and subject to a due date 
or amortization schedule; and 
"(III) shall bear the usual and customary interest rate of 
the lending institution; 
"(viii) any gift, subscription, loan, advance, or deposit of money 
or anything of value to a national or a State committee of a 
political party specifically designated to defray any cost for 
construction or purchase of any office facility not acquired for 
the purpose of influencing the election of any candidate in any 
particular election for Federal office; 
"(ix) any legal or accounting services rendered to or on behalf 
of-
"(I) any political committee of a political party if the 
person paying for such services is the regular employer of 
the person rendering such services and if such services are 
* 
not attributable to activities which directly further the 
election of any designated candidate to Federal office; or 
"(II) an authorized committee of a candidate or any other 
political committee, if the person paying for such services is 
the regular employer of the individual rendering such serv-
ices and if such services are solely for the purpose of 
ensuring compliance with this Act or chapter 95 or chapter 
96 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, 
26 use 9001 et 
but amounts paid or incurred by the regular employer for such ®^9' ^^^^ ^^^^'^• 
legal or accounting services shall be reported in accordance with 
section 304(b) by the committee receiving such services; 
Post, p. 1348. 
"(x) the payment by a State or local committee of a political 
party of the costs of campaign materials (such as pins, bumper 
stickers, handbills, brochures, posters, party tabloids, and yard 
93 STAT. 1342 
PUBLIC LAW 96-187—JAN. 8, 1980 
signs) used by such committee in connection with volunteer 
activities on behalf of nominees of such party: Provided, That— 
"(1) such payments are not for the costs of campaign 
materials or activities used in connection with any broad-
casting, newspaper, magazine, billboard, direct mail, or 
similar type of general public communication or political 
advertising; 
"(2) such payments are made from contributions subject to 
the limitations and prohibitions of this Act; and 
"(3) such payments are not made from contributions 
designated to be spent on behalf of a particular candidate or 
particular candidates; 
"(xi) the payment by a candidate, for nomination or election to 
any public office (including State or local office), or authorized 
committee of a candidate, of the costs of campaign materials 
which include information on or reference to any other candidate 
and which are used in connection with volunteer activities 
(including pins, bumper stickers, handbills, brochures, posters, 
and yard signs, but not including the use of broadcasting, 
newspapers, magazines, billboards, direct mail, or similar types 
of general public communication or political advertising): Pro-
vided, That such payments are made from contributions subject 
to the limitations and prohibitions of this Act; 
"(xii) the payment by a State or local committee of a political 
party of the costs of voter registration and get-out-the-vote 
activities conducted by such committee on behalf of nominees of 
such party for President and Vice President: Provided, That— 
"(1) such payments are not for the costs of campaign 
materials or activities used in connection with any broad-
casting, newspaper, magazine, billboard, direct mail, or 
similar type of general public communication or political 
advertising; 
"(2) such payments are made from contributions subject to 
the limitations and prohibitions of this Act; and 
"(3) such payments are not made from contributions 
designated to be spent on behalf of a particular candidate or 
candidates; 
"(xiii) payments made by a candidate or the authorized com-
mittee of a candidate as a condition of ballot access and payments 
received by any political party committee as a condition of ballot 
access; and 
"(xiv) any honorarium (within the meaning of section 323 of 
Post, p. 1354. 
this Act). 
"(9)(A) The term 'expenditure' includes— 
"(i) any purchase, payment, distribution, loan, advance, de-
posit, or gift of money or anything of value, made by any person 
for the purpose of influencing any election for Federal office; and 
"(ii) a written contract, promise, or agreement to make an 
expenditure. 
"(B) The term 'expenditure' does not include— 
"(i) any news story, commentary, or editorial distributed 
through the facilities of any broadcasting station, newspaper, 
magazine, or other periodical publication, unless such facilities 
are owned or controlled by any political party, political commit-
tee, or candidate; 
"(ii) nonpartisan activity designed to encourage individuals to 
vote or to register to vote; 
PUBLIC LAW 96-187—JAN. 8, 1980 
93 STAT. 1343 
"(iii) any communication by any membership organization or 
corporation to its members, stockholders, or executive or admin-
istrative personnel, if such membership organization or corpora-
tion is not organized primarily for the purpose of influencing the 
nomination for election, or election, of any individual to Federal 
office, except that the costs incurred by a membership organiza-
tion (including a labor organization) or by a corporation directly 
attributable to a communication expressly advocating the elec-
tion or defeat of a clearly identified candidate (other than a 
communication primarily devoted to subjects other than the 
express advocacy of the election or defeat of a clearly identified 
candidate), shall, if such costs exceed $2,000 for any election, be 
reported to the Commission in accordance with section 
304(a)(4)(A)(i), and in accordance with section 304(a)(4)(A)(ii) with Post, p. 1348. 
respect to any general election; 
"(iv) the payment by a State or local committee of a political 
party of the costs of preparation, display, or mailing or other 
distribution incurred by such committee with respect to a 
printed slate card or sample ballot, or other printed listing, of 3 
or more candidates for any public office for which an election is 
held in the State in which such committee is organized, except 
that this clause shall not apply to costs incurred by such 
committee with respect to a display of any such listing made on 
broadcasting stations, or in newspapers, magazines, or similar 
types of general public political advertising; 
"(v) any payment made or obligation incurred by a corporation 
or a labor organization which, under section 316(b), would not Post, p. 1354. 
constitute an expenditure by such corporation or labor 
organization; 
"(vi) any costs incurred by an authorized committee or candi-
date in connection with the solicitation of contributions on behalf 
of such candidate, except that this clause shall not apply with 
respect to costs incurred by an authorized committee of a 
candidate in excess of an amount equal to 20 percent of the 
expenditure limitation applicable to such candidate under sec-
tion 315(b), but all such costs shall be reported in accordance with Post, p. 1354. 
section 304(b); 
Post, p. 1348. 
"(vii) the payment of compensation for legal or accounting 
services— 
"(I) rendered to or on behalf of any political committee of a 
political party if the person paying for such services is the 
regular employer of the individual rendering such services, 
and if such services are not attributable to activities which 
directly further the election of any designated candidate to 
Federal office; or 
"(II) rendered to or on behalf of a candidate or political 
committee if the person paying for such services is the 
regular employer of the individual rendering such services, 
and if such services are solely for the purpose of ensuring 
compliance with this Act or chapter 95 or chapter 96 of the 
Internal Revenue Code of 1954, 
26 use 9001 et 
but amounts paid or incurred by the regular employer for such *^^' ^^^^ ^*®^^-
legal or accounting services shall be reported in accordance with 
section 304(b) by the committee receiving such services; 
"(viii) the payment by a State or local committee of a political 
party of the costs of campaign materials (such as pins, bumper 
stickers, handbills, brochures, posters, party tabloids, and yard 
93 STAT. 1344 
PUBLIC LAW 96-187—JAN. 9, 1980 
signs) used by such committee in connection with volunteer 
activities on behalf of nominees of such party: Provided, That— 
"(1) such payments are not for the costs of campaign 
materials or activities used in connection with any broad-
casting, newspaper, magazine, billboard, direct mail, or 
similar type of general public communication or political 
advertising; 
"(2) such payments are made from contributions subject to 
the limitations and prohibitions of this Act; and 
"(3) such payments are not made from contributions 
designated to be spent on behalf of a particular candidate or 
particular candidates; 
"(ix) the payment by a State or local committee of a political 
party of the costs of voter registration and get-out-the-vote 
activities conducted by such committee on behalf of nominees of 
such party for President and Vice President: Provided, That— 
"(1) such payments are not for the costs of campaign 
materials or activities used in connection with any broad-
casting, newspaper, magazine, billboard, direct mail, or 
similar type of general public communication or political 
advertising; 
"(2) such payments are made from contributions subject to 
the limitations and prohibitions of this Act; and 
"(3) such payments are not made from contributions 
designated to be spent on behalf of a particular candidate or 
candidates; and 
"(x) payments received by a political party committee as a 
condition of ballot access which are transferred to another 
political party committee or the appropriate State official. 
"(10) The term 'Commission' means the Federal 
Election 
Commission. 
"(11) The term 'person' includes an individual, partnership, com-
mittee, association, corporation, labor organization, or any other 
organization or group of persons, but such term does not include the 
Federal Government or any authority of the Federal Government. 
"(12) The term 'State' means a State of the United States, the 
District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or a terri-
tory or possession of the United States. 
"(13) The term 'identification' means— 
"(A) in the case of any individual, the name, the mailing 
address, and the occupation of such individual, as well as the 
name of his or her employer; and 
"(B) in the case of any other person, the full name and address 
of such person. 
"(14) The term 'national committee' means the organization which, 
by virtue of the bylaws of a political party, is responsible for the day-
to-day operation of such political party at the national level, as 
determined by the Commission. 
"(15) The term 'State committee' means the organization which, by 
virtue of the bylaws of a political party, is responsible for the day-to-
day operation of such political party at the State level, as determined 
by the Commission. 
"(16) The term 'political party' means an association, committee, or 
organization which nominates a candidate for election to any Federal 
office whose name appears on the election ballot as the candidate of 
such association, committee, or organization. 
"(17) The term 'independent expenditure' means an expenditure by 
a person expressly advocating the election or defeat of a clearly 
PUBLIC LAW 96-187—JAN. 8, 1980 
93 STAT. 1345 
identified candidate which is made without cooperation or consulta-
tion with any candidate, or any authorized committee or agent of 
such candidate, and which is not made in concert with, or at the 
request or suggestion of, any candidate, or any authorized committee 
or agent of such candidate. 
"(18) The term 'clearly identified' means that— 
"(A) the name of the candidate involved appears; 
"(B) a photograph or drawing of the candidate appears; or 
"(C) the identity of the candidate is apparent by unambiguous 
reference. 
"(19) The term 'Act* means the Federal Election Campaign Act of 
1971 as amended.". 
ORGANIZATION OP POLITICAL COMMITTEES 
SEC. 102. Section 302 of the Act (2 U.S.C. 432) is amended to read as 
follows: 
"ORGANIZATION OP POLITICAL COMMITTEES 
2 u s e 431 note. 
Treasurer. 
"SEC. 302. (a) Every political committee shall have a treasurer. No 
contribution or expenditure shall be accepted or made by or on behalf 
of a political committee during any period in which the office of 
treasurer is vacant. No expenditure shall be made for or on behalf of 
a political committee without the authorization of the treasurer or 
his or her designated agent. 
"(b)(1) Every person who receives a contribution for an authorized 
political committee shall, no later than 10 days after receiving such 
contribution, forward to the treasurer such contribution, and if the 
amount of the contribution is in excess of $50 the name and address of 
the person making the contribution and the date of receipt. 
"(2) Every person who receives a contribution for a political 
committee which is not an authorized committee shall— 
"(A) if the amount of the contribution is $50 or less, forward to 
the treasurer such contribution no later than 30 days after 
receiving the contribution; and 
"(B) if the amount of the contribution is in excess of $50, 
forward to the treasurer such contribution, the name and 
address of the person making the contribution, and the date of 
receipt of the contribution, no later than 10 days after receiving 
the contribution. 
"(3) All funds of a political committee shall be segregated from, and Personal funds. 
may not be commingled with, the personal funds of any individual. 
"(c) The treasurer of a political committee shall keep an account 
o
f
— 
"(1) all contributions received by or on behalf of such political 
committee; 
"(2) the name and address of any person who makes any 
contribution in excess of $50, together with the date and amount 
of such contribution by any person; 
"(3) the identification of any person who makes a contribution 
or contributions aggregating more than $200 during a calendar 
year, together with the date and amount of any such 
contribution; 
"(4) the identification of any political committee which makes 
a contribution, together with the date and amount of any such 
contribution; and 
"(5) the name and address of every person to whom any 
disbursement is made, the date, amount, and purpose of the 
Accounting 
records. 
-194 O — 81 
87 : QL3 
93 STAT. 1346 
PUBLIC LAW 96-187—JAN. 8, 1980 
Record 
retention. 
Campaign 
committee, 
designation. 
"Support." 
Post, p. 1354. 
Filing 
requirements. 
Filing 
requirements. 
disbursement, and the name of the candidate and the office 
sought by the candidate, if any, for whom the disbursement was 
made, including a receipt, invoice, or canceled check for each 
disbursement in excess of $200. 
"(d) The treasurer shall preserve all records required to be kept by 
this section and copies of all reports required to be filed by this title 
for 3 years after the report is filed. 
"(e)(1) Each candidate for Federal office (other than the nominee 
for the office of Vice President) shall designate in writing a political 
committee in accordance with paragraph (3) to serve as the principal 
campaign committee of such candidate. Such designation shall be 
made no later than 15 days after becoming a candidate. A candidate 
may designate additional political committees in accordance with 
paragraph (3) to serve as authorized committees of such candidate. 
Such designation shall be in writing and filed with the principal 
campaign committee of such candidate in accordance with subsection 
(f)(1). 
"(2) Any candidate described in paragraph (1) who receives a 
contribution, or any loan for use in connection with the campaign of 
such candidate for election, or makes a disbursement in connection 
with such campaign, shall be considered, for purposes of this Act, as 
having received the contribution or loan, or as having made the 
disbursement, as the case may be, as an agent of the authorized 
committee or committees of such candidate. 
"(3)(A) No political committee which supports or has supported 
more than one candidate may be designated as an authorized commit-
tee, except that— 
"(i) the candidate for the office of President nominated by a 
political party may designate the national committee of such 
political party as a principal campaign committee, but only if 
that national committee maintains separate books of account 
with respect to its function as a principal campaign committee; 
and 
"(ii) candidates may designate a political committee estab-
lished solely for the purpose of joint fundraising by such candi-
dates as an authorized committee. 
"(B) As used in this section, the term 'support* does not include a 
contribution by any authorized committee in amounts of $1,000 or 
less to an authorized committee of any other candidate. 
"(4) The name of each authorized committee shall include the name 
of the candidate who authorized such committee under paragraph (1). 
In the case of any political committee which is not an authorized 
committee, such political committee shall not include the name of 
any candidate in its name. 
"(5) The name of any separate segregated fund established pur-
suant to section 316(b) shall include the name of its connected 
organization. 
"(f)(1) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, each 
designation, statement, or report of receipts or disbursements made 
by an authorized committee of a candidate shall be filed with the 
candidate's principal campaign committee. 
"(2) Each principal campaign committee shall receive all designa-
tions, statements, and reports required to be filed with it under 
paragraph (1) and shall compile and file such designations, state-
ments, and reports in accordance with this Act. 
"(g)(1) Designations, statements, and reports required to be filed 
under this Act by a candidate or by an authorized committee of a 
candidate for the office of Representative in, or Delegate or Resident 
PUBLIC LAW 96-187—JAN. 8, 1980 
93 STAT. 1347 
Commissioner to, the Congress, and by the principal campaign 
committee of such a candidate, shall be filed with the Clerk of the 
House of Representatives, who shall receive such designations, state-
ments, and reports as custodian for the Commission. 
"(2) Designations, statements, and reports required to be filed 
under this Act by a candidate for the office of Senator, and by the 
principal campaign committee of such candidate, shall be filed with 
the Secretary of the Senate, who shall receive such designations, 
statements, and reports, as custodian for the Commission. 
"(3) The Clerk of the House of Representatives and the Secretary of 
the Senate shall forward a copy of any designation, statement, or 
report filed with them under this subsection to the Commission as 
soon as possible (but no later than 2 working days) after receiving 
such designation, statement, or report. 
"(4) All designations, statements, and reports required to be filed 
under this Act, except designations, statements, and reports filed in 
accordance with paragraphs (1) and (2), shall be filed with the 
Commission. 
"(5) The Clerk of the House of Representatives and the Secretary of 
the Senate shall make the designations, statements, and reports 
received under this subsection available for public inspection and 
copying in the same manner as the Commission under section 
311(a)(4), and shall preserve such designations, statements, and Post, p. 1362. 
reports in the same manner as the Commission under section 
311(a)(5). 
"(h)(1) Each political committee shall designate one or more State 
banks, federally chartered depository institutions, or depository insti-
tutions the deposits or accounts of which are insured by the Federal 
Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Federal Savings and Loan Insur-
ance Corporation, or the National Credit Union Administration, as 
its campaign depository or depositories. Each political committee 
shall maintain at least one checking account and such other accounts 
as the committee determines at a depository designated by such 
committee. All receipts received by such committee shall be deposited 
in such accounts. No disbursements may be made (other than petty 
cash disbursements under paragraph (2)) by such committee except 
by check drawn on such accounts in accordance with this section. 
"(2) A political committee may maintain a petty cash fund for Petty cash fund 
disbursements not in excess of $100 to any person in connection with 
a single purchase or transaction. A record of all petty cash disburse-
ments shall be maintained in accordance with subsection (c)(5). 
"(i) When the treasurer of a political committee shows that best 
efforts have been used to obtain, maintain, and submit the informa-
tion required by this Act for the political committee, any report or 
any records of such committee shall be considered in compliance with 
this Act or chapter 95 or chapter 96 of the Internal Revenue Code of 
1954.". 
REGISTRATION OF POLITICAL COMMITTEES; STATEMENTS 
SEC. 103. Section 303 of the Act (2 U.S.C. 433) is amended to read as 
follows: 
Public 
inspection and 
copying. 
Campaign 
depositories, 
designation. 
26 u s e 9001 et 
seq., 9031 et seq. 
REGISTRATION OF POLITICAL COMMITTEES; STATEMENTS 
"SEC. 303. (a) Each authorized campaign committee shall file a 
statement of organization no later than 10 days after designation 
pursuant to section 302(e)(1). Each separate segregated fund estab-
lished under the provisions of section 316(b) shall file a statement of 
Organizational 
statements. 
Ante, p. 1345. 
Post, p. 1354. 
93 STAT. 1348 
PUBLIC LAW 96-187—JAN. 8, 1980 
Ante, p. 1339. 
Ante, p. 1345. 
Committee 
termination. 
organization no later than 10 days after establishment. All other 
committees shall file a statement of organization within 10 days after 
becoming a political committee within the meaning of section 301(4). 
"(b) The statement of organization of a political committee shall 
include— 
"(1) the name, address, and ty^pe of committee; 
"(2) the name, address, relationship, and type of any connected 
organization or affiliated committee; 
"(3) the name, address, and position of the custodian of books 
and accounts of the committee; 
"(4) the name and address of the treasurer of the committee; 
"(5) if the committee is authorized by a candidate, the name, 
address, office sought, and party affiliation of the candidate; and 
"(6) a listing of all banks, safety deposit boxes, or other 
depositories used by the committee. 
"(c) Any change in information previously submitted in a state-
ment of organization shall be reported in accordance with section 
302(g) no later than 10 days after the date of the change. 
"(d)(1) A political committee may terminate only when such a 
committee files a written statement, in accordance with section 
302(g), that it will no longer receive any contributions or make any 
disbursements and that such committee has no outstanding debts or 
obligations. 
"(2) Nothing contained in this subsection may be construed to 
eliminate or limit the authority of the Commission to establish 
procedures for— 
"(A) the determination of insolvency with respect to any 
political committee; 
"(B) the orderly liquidation of an insolvent political committee, 
and the orderly application of its assets for the reduction of 
outstanding debts; and 
"(C) the termination of an insolvent political committee after 
such liquidation and application of assets.". 
REPORTS 
SEC. 104. Section 304 of the Act (2 U.S.C. 434) is amended to read as 
follows: 
"REPORTS 
"SEC. 304. (a)(1) Each treasurer of a political committee shall file 
reports of receipts and disbursements in accordance with the provi-
sions of this subsection. The treasurer shall sign each such report. 
Congressional 
"(2) If the political Committee is the principal campaign committee 
campaigns. 
Qf ^ candidate for the House of Representatives or for the Senate— 
"(A) in any calendar year during which there is regularly 
scheduled election for which such candidate is seeking election, 
or nomination for election, the treasurer shall file the following 
reports: 
"(i) a pre-election report, which shall be filed no later than 
the 12th day before (or posted by registered or certified mail 
no later than the 15th day before) any election in which such 
candidate is seeking election, or nomination for election, and 
which shall be complete as of the 20th day before such 
election; 
"(ii) a post-general election report, which shall be filed no 
later than the 30th day after any general election in which 
PUBLIC LAW 96-187—JAN. 8, 1980 
93 STAT. 1349 
such candidate has sought election, and which shall be 
complete as of the 20th day after such general election; and 
"(iii) additional quarterly reports, which shall be filed no 
later than the 15th day after the last day of each calendar 
quarter, and which shall be complete as of the last day of 
each calendar quarter: except that the report for the quarter 
ending December 31 shall be filed no later than January 31 
of the following calendar year; and 
"(B) in any other calendar year the following reports shall be 
filed: 
"(i) a report covering the period beginning January 1 and 
ending June 30, which shall be filed no later than July 31; 
and 
"(ii) a report covering the period beginning July 1 and 
ending December 31, which shall be filed no later than 
January 31 of the following calendar year. 
"(3) If the committee is the principal campaign committee of a 
candidate for the office of President— 
"(A) in any calendar year during which a general election is 
held to fill such office— 
"(i) the treasurer shall file monthly reports if such com-
mittee has on January 1 of such year, received contributions 
aggregating $100,000 or made expenditures aggregating 
$100,000 or anticipates receiving contributions aggregating 
$100,000 or more or making expenditures aggregating 
$100,000 or more during such year: such monthly reports 
shall be filed no later than the 20th day after the last day of 
each month and shall be complete as of the last day of the 
month, except that, in lieu of filing the report otherwise due 
in November and December, a pre-general election report 
shall be filed in accordance with paragraph (2)(A)(i), a post-
general election report shall be filed in accordance with 
paragraph (2)(A)(ii), and a year end report shall be filed no 
later than January 31 of the following calendar year; 
"(ii) the treasurer of the other principal campaign commit-
tees of a candidate for the office of President shall file a pre-
election report or reports in accordance with paragraph 
(2)(A)(i), a post-general election report in accordance with 
paragraph (2)(A)(ii), and quarterly reports in accordance 
with paragraph (2)(A)(iii); and 
"(iii) if at any time during the election year a committee 
filing under paragraph (3)(A)(ii) receives contributions in 
excess of $100,000 or makes expenditures in excess of 
$100,000, the treasurer shall begin filing monthly reports-
under paragraph (3)(A)(i) at the next reporting period; and 
"(B) in any other calendar year, the treasurer shall file 
either— 
"(i) monthly reports, which shall be filed no later than the 
20th day after the last day of each month and shall be 
complete as of the last day of the month; or 
"(ii) quarterly reports, which shall be filed no later than 
the 15th day after the last day of each calendar quarter and 
which shall be complete as of the last day of each calendar 
quarter. 
"(4) All political committees other than authorized committees of a 
candidate shall file either— 
"(A)(i) quarterly reports, in a calendar year in which a regu-
larly scheduled general election is held, which shall be filed no 
Presidential 
campaigns, 
contributions 
and 
expenditures. 
93 STAT. 1350 
PUBLIC LAW 96-187—JAN. 8, 1980 
Mailing, date of 
filing. 
Notification for 
contributions of 
$1,000 or more. 
Filing dates. 
later than the 15th day after the last day of each calendar 
quarter: except that the report for the quarter ending on Decem-
ber 31 of such calendar year shall be filed no later than January 
31 of the following calendar year; 
"(ii) a pre-election report, which shall be filed no later than the 
12th day before (or posted by registered or certified mail no later 
than the 15th day before) any election in which the committee 
makes a contribution to or expenditure on behalf of a candidate 
in such election, and which shall be complete as of the 20th day 
before the election; 
"(iii) a post-general election report, which shall be filed no later 
than the 30th day after the general election and which shall be 
complete as of the 20th day after such general election; and 
"(iv) in any other calendar year, a report covering the period 
beginning January 1 and ending June 30, which shall be filed no 
later than July 31 and a report covering the period beginning 
July 1 and ending December 31, which shall be filed no later than 
January 31 of the following calendar year; or 
"(B) 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 Decem-
ber of any year in which a regularly scheduled general election is 
held, a pre-general election report shall be filed in accordance 
with paragraph (2)(A)(i), a post-general election report shall be 
filed in accordance with paragraph (2)(A)(ii), and a year end 
report shall be filed no later than January 31 of the following 
calendar year. 
"(5) If a designation, report, or statement filed pursuant to this Act 
(other than under paragraph (2)(A)(i) or (4)(A)(ii)) is sent by registered 
or certified mail, the United States postmark shall be considered the 
date of filing of the designation, report, or statement. 
"(6)(A) The principal campaign committee of a candidate shall 
notify the Clerk, the Secretary, or the Commission, and the Secretary 
of State, as appropriate, in writing, of any contribution of $1,000 or 
more received by any authorized committee of such candidate after 
the 20th day, but more than 48 hours before, any election. This 
notification shall be made within 48 hours after the receipt of such 
contribution and shall include the name of the candidate and the 
office sought by the candidate, the identification of the contributor, 
and the date of receipt and amount of the contribution. 
"(B) The notification required under this paragraph shall be in 
addition to all other reporting requirements under this Act. 
"(7) The reports required to be filed by this subsection shall be 
cumulative during the calendar year to which they relate, but where 
there has been no change in an item reported in a previous report 
during such year, only the amount need be carried forward. 
"(8) The requirement for a political committee to file a quarterly 
report under paragraph (2)(A)(iii) or paragraph (4)(A)(i) shall be 
waived if such committee is required to file a pre-election report 
under paragraph (2)(A)(i), or paragraph (4)(A)(ii) during the period 
beginning on the 5th day after the close of the calendar quarter and 
ending on the 15th day after the close of the calendar quarter. 
"(9) The Commission shall set filing dates for reports to be filed by 
principal campaign committees of candidates seeking election, or 
nomination for election, in special elections and political committees 
filing under paragraph (4)(A) which make contributions to or expend-
itures on behalf of a candidate or candidates in special elections. The 
PUBLIC LAW 96-187—JAN. 8, 1980 
93 STAT. 1351 
Vice 
Presidential 
campaigns. 
Commission shall require no more than one pre-election report for 
each election and one post-election report for the election which fills 
the vacancy. The Commission may waive any reporting obligation of Waiver. 
committees required to file for special elections if any report required 
by paragraph (2) or (4) is required to be filed within 10 days of a report 
required under this subsection. The Commission shall establish the 
reporting dates within 5 days of the setting of such election and shall 
publish such dates and notify the principal campaign committees of 
all candidates in such election of the reporting dates. 
"(10) The treasurer of a committee supporting a candidate for the 
office of Vice President (other than the nominee of a political party) 
shall file reports in accordance with paragraph (3). 
"(b) Each report under this section shall disclose— 
"(1) the amount of cash on hand at the beginning of the 
reporting period; 
"(2) for the reporting period and the calendar year, the total Receipts, 
amount of all receipts, and the total amount of all receipts in the 
following categories: 
"(A) contributions from persons other than political com-
mittees; 
"(B) for an authorized committee, contributions from the 
candidate; 
"(C) contributions from political party committees; 
"(D) contributions from other political committees; 
"(E) for an authorized committee, transfers from other 
authorized committees of the same candidate; 
"(F) transfers from affiliated committees and, where the 
reporting committee is a political party committee, transfers 
from other political party committees, regardless of whether 
such committees are affiliated; 
"(G) for an authorized committee, loans made by or guar-
anteed by the candidate; 
"(H) all other loans; 
"(I) rebates, refunds, and other offsets to operating ex-
penditures; 
"(J) dividends, interest, and other forms of receipts; and 
"(K) for an authorized committee of a candidate for the 
office of President, Federal funds received under chapter 95 
and chapter 96 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954; 26USC9001ef 
' '(3) the identification of each— 
*^9' ^^^^ ^^ ««9-
"(A) person (other than a political committee) who makes 
a contribution to the reporting committee during the report-
ing period, whose contribution or contributions have an 
aggregate amount or value in excess of $200 within the 
calendar year, or in any lesser amount if the reporting 
committee should so elect, together with the date and 
amount of any such contribution; 
"(B) political committee which makes a contribution to the 
reporting committee during the reporting period, together 
with the date and amount of any such contribution; 
"(C) authorized committee which makes a transfer to the 
reporting committee; 
"(D) affiliated committee which makes a transfer to the 
reporting committee during the reporting period and, where 
the reporting committee is a political party committee, each 
transfer of funds to the reporting committee from another 
political party committee, regardless of whether such com-
93 STAT. 1352 
PUBLIC LAW 96-187—JAN. 8, 1980 
Disbursements. 
Post, p. 1354. 
mittees are affiliated, together with the date and amount of 
such transfer; 
"(E) person who makes a loan to the reporting committee 
during the reporting period, together with the identification 
of any endorser or guarantor of such loan, and the date and 
amount or value of such loan; 
"(F) person who provides a rebate, refund, or other offset 
to operating expenditures to the reporting committee in an 
aggregate amount or value in excess of $200 within the 
calendar year, together with the date and amount of such 
receipt; and 
"(G) person who provides any dividend, interest, or other 
receipt to the reporting committee in an aggregate value or 
amount in excess of $200 within the calendar year, together 
with the date and amount of any such receipt; 
"(4) for the reporting period and the calendar year, the total 
amount of all disbursements, and all disbursements in the 
following categories: 
"(A) expenditures made to meet candidate or committee 
operating expenses; 
"(B) for authorized committees, transfers to other commit-
tees authorized by the same candidate; 
"(C) transfers to affiliated committees and, where the 
reporting committee is a political party committee, transfers 
to other political party committees, regardless of whether 
they are affiliated; 
"(D) for an authorized committee, repayment of loans 
made by or guaranteed by the candidate; 
"(E) repayment of all other loans; 
"(F) contribution refunds and other offsets to contribu-
tions; 
"(G) for an authorized committee, any other disburse-
ments; 
"(H) for any political committee other than an authorized 
committee— 
"(i) contributions made to other political committees; 
"(ii) loans made by the reporting committees; 
"(iii) independent expenditures; 
"(iv) expenditures made under section 315(d) of this 
Act; and 
"(v) any other disbursements; and 
"(I) for an authorized committee of a candidate for the 
office of President, disbursements not subject to the limita-
tion of section 315(b); 
"(5) the name and address of each— 
"(A) person to whom an expenditure in an aggregate 
amount or value in excess of $200 within the calendar year is 
made by the reporting committee to meet a candidate or 
committee operating expense, together with the date, 
amount, and purpose of such operating expenditure; 
"(B) authorized committee to which a transfer is made by 
the reporting committee; 
"(C) affiliated committee to which a transfer is made by 
the reporting committee during the reporting period and, 
where the reporting committee is a political party commit-
tee, each transfer of funds by the reporting committee to 
another political party committee, regardless of whether 
PUBLIC LAW 96-187—JAN. 8, 1980 
93 STAT. 1353 
such committees are affiliated, together with the date and 
amount of such transfers; 
"(D) person who receives a loan repayment from the 
reporting committee during the reporting period, together 
with the date and amount of such loan repayment; and 
"(E) person who receives a contribution refund or other 
offset to contributions from the reporting committee where 
such contribution was reported under paragraph (3)(A) of 
this subsection, together with the date and amount of such 
disbursement; 
"(6)(A) for an authorized committee, the name and address of 
each person who has received any disbursement not disclosed 
under paragraph (5) in an aggregate amount or value in excess of 
$200 within the calendar year, together with the date and 
amount of any such disbursement; 
"(B) for any other political committee, the name and address of 
each— 
"(i) political committee which has received a contribution 
from the reporting committee during the reporting period, 
together with the date and amount of any such contribution; 
"(ii) person who has received a loan from the reporting 
committee during the reporting period, together with the 
date and amount of such loan; 
"(iii) person who receives any disbursement during the 
reporting period in an aggregate amount or value in excess 
of $200 within the calendar year in connection with an 
independent expenditure by the reporting committee, to-
gether with the date, amount, and purpose of any such 
independent expenditure and a statement which indicates 
whether such independent expenditure is in support of, or in 
opposition to, a candidate, as well as the name and office 
sought by such candidate, and a certification, under penalty 
of perjury, whether such independent expenditure is made 
in cooperation, consultation, or concert, with, or at the 
request or suggestion of, any candidate or any authorized 
committee or agent of such committee; 
"(iv) person who receives any expenditure from the report-
ing committee during the reporting period in connection 
with an expenditure under section 315(d) in the Act, together Post, p. 1354. 
with the date, amount, and purpose of any such expenditure 
as well as the name of, and office sought by, the candidate on 
whose behalf the expenditure is made; and 
"(v) person who has received any disbursement not other-
wise disclosed in this paragraph or paragraph (5) in an 
aggregate amount or value in excess of $200 within the 
calendar year from the reporting committee within the 
reporting period, together with the date, amount, and 
purpose of any such disbursement; 
"(7) the total sum of all contributions to such political commit-
tee, together with the total contributions less offsets to contribu-
tions and the total sum of all operating expenditures made by 
such political committee, together with total operating expendi-
tures less offsets to operating expenditures, for both the report-
ing period and the calendar year; and 
"(8) the amount and nature of outstanding debts and obliga-
tions owed by or to such political committee; and where such 
debts and obligations are settled for less than their reported 
amount or value, a statement as to the circumstances and 
93 STAT. 1354 
PUBLIC LAW 96-187—JAN. 8, 1980 
Independent 
expenditures in 
excess of $250. 
Statement filing. 
Indexing 
requirement. 
conditions under which such debts or obligations were extin-
guished and the consideration therefor. 
"(cXD Every person (other than a political committee) who makes 
independent expenditures in an aggregate amount or value in excess 
of $250 during a calendar year shall file a statement containing the 
information required under subsection OJXSXA) for all contributions 
received by such person. 
"(2) Statements required to be filed by this subsection shall be filed 
in accordance with subsection (aX2), and shall include— 
"(A) the information required by subsection OiXBXBXiii), indi-
cating whether the independent expenditure is in support of, or 
in opposition to, the candidate involved; 
"(B) under penalty of perjury, a certification whether or not 
such independent expenditure is made in cooperation, consulta-
tion, or concert, with, or at the request or suggestion of, any 
candidate or any authorized committee or agent of such candi-
date; and 
"(C) the identification of each person who made a contribution 
in excess of $200 to the person filing such statement which was 
made for the purpose of furthering an independent expenditure. 
Any independent expenditure (including those described in subsec-
tion (bXBXBXiii)) aggregating $1,000 or more made after the 20th day, 
but more than 24 hours, before any election shall be reported within 
24 hours after such independent expenditure is made. Such state-
ment shall be filed with the Clerk, the Secretary, or the Commission 
and the Secretary of State and shall contain the information required 
by subsection (b)(6XBXiii) indicating whether the independent ex-
penditure is in support of, or in opposition to, the candidate involved. 
"(3) The Commission shall be responsible for expeditiously prepar-
ing indices which set forth, on a candidate-by-candidate basis, all 
independent expenditures separately, including those reported under 
subsection (bX6XB)(iii), made by or for each candidate, £is reported 
under this subsection, and for periodically publishing such indices on 
a timely pre-election bsisis.". 
2 u s e 435, 436, 
437b, 437e, 439b, 
441j. 
2 u s e 487. 
2 u s e 437c, 
437d. 
2 use 
437f-439a. 
2 u s e 439c-441i. 
FEDERAL ELECTION COMMISSION 
SEC. 105. Title III of the Act (2 U.S.C. 431 et seq.) is amended— 
(1) by striking out sections 305, 306, 308, 311, 318, and 329; 
(2) by redesignating section 307 as section 305; 
(3) by redesignating sections 309 and 310 as sections 306 and 
307, respectively; 
(4) by redesignating sections 312 through 317 as sections 308 
through 313, respectively; 
(5) by redesignating sections 319 through 328 as sections 314 
through 323, respectively; and 
(6) by amending section 306, as so redesignated by section 
105(aX3), to read as follows: 
Members. 
2 u s e 437c. 
FEDERAL ELECTION COMMISSION 
"SEC. 306. (a)(1) There is established a commission to be known as 
the Federal Election Commission. The Commission is composed of the 
Secretary of the Senate and the Clerk of the House of Representatives 
or their designees, ex officio and without the right to vote, and 6 
members appointed by the President, by and with the advice and 
consent of the Senate. No more than 3 members of the Commission 
PUBLIC LAW 96-187—JAN. 8, 1980 
93 STAT. 1355 
appointed under this paragraph may be affiliated with the same 
political party. 
"(2)(A) Members of the Commission shall serve for terms of 6 years, Terms. 
except that of the members first appointed— 
"(i) two of the members, not affiliated with the same political 
party, shall be appointed for terms ending on April 30, 1977; 
"(ii) two of the members, not affiliated with the same political 
party, shall be appointed for terms ending on April 30,1979; and 
"(iii) two of the members, not affiliated with the same political 
party, shall be appointed for terms ending on April 30, 1981. 
"(B) A member of the Commission may serve on the Commission 
after the expiration of his or her term until his or her successor has 
taken office as a member of the Commission. 
"(C) An individual appointed to fill a vacancy occurring other than 
by the expiration of a term of office shall be appointed only for the 
unexpired term of the member he or she succeeds. 
"(D) Any vacancy occurring in the membership of the Commission 
shall be filled in the same manner as in the case of the original 
appointment. 
"(3) Members shall be chosen on the basis of their experience, Qualifications. 
integrity, impartiality, and good judgment and members (other than 
the Secretary of the Senate and the Clerk of the House of Representa-
tives) shall be individuals who, at the time appointed to the Commis-
sion, are not elected or appointed officers or employees in the 
executive, legislative, or judicial branch of the Federal Government. 
Such members of the Commission shall not engage in any other 
business, vocation, or employment. Any individual who is engaging in 
any other business, vocation, or employment at the time of his or her 
appointment to the Commission shall terminate or liquidate such 
activity no later than 90 days after such appointment. 
"(4) Members of the Commission (other than the Secretary of the Compensation 
Senate and the Clerk of the House of Representatives) shall receive 
compensation equivalent to the compensation paid at level IV of the 
Executive Schedule (5 U.S.C. 5315). 
"(5) The Commission shall elect a chairman and a vice chairman 
from among its members (other than the Secretary of the Senate and 
the Clerk of the House of Representatives) for a term of one year. A 
member may serve as chairman only once during any term of office to 
which such member is appointed. The chairman and the vice chair-
man shall not be affiliated with the same political party. The vice 
chairman shall act as chairman in the absence or disability of the 
chairman or in the event of a vacancy in such office. 
"(b)(1) The Commission shall administer, seek to obtain compliance 
with, and formulate policy with respect to, this Act and chapter 95 
and chapter 96 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954. The Commis-
sion shall have exclusive jurisdiction with respect to the civil enforce-
ment of such provisions. 
"(2) Nothing in this Act shall be construed to limit, restrict, or 
diminish any investigatory, informational, oversight, supervisory, or 
disciplinary authority or function of the Congress or any committee 
of the Congress with respect to elections for Federal office. 
"(c) All decisions of the Commission with respect to the exercise of Decisionmaking, 
its duties and powers under the provisions of this Act shall be made 
by a majority vote of the members of the Commission. A member of 
the Commission may not delegate to any person his or her vote or any 
decisionmaking authority or duty vested in the Commission by the 
provisions of this Act, except that the affirmative vote of 4 members 
of the Commission shall be required in order for the Commission to 
Chairman and 
vice chairman. 
26 u s e 9001 et 
seq., 9031 et seq. 
93 STAT. 1356 
PUBLIC LAW 96-187—JAN. 8, 1980 
Infra. 
26 u s e 9001 et 
seq., 9031 et seq. 
Meetings. 
Rules, seal, 
principal office. 
Staff director; 
general counsel. 
Temporary and 
intermittent 
Assistance from 
other agencies. 
Legal actions. 
5 u s e 5101 et 
seq., 5331. 
take any action in accordance with paragraph (6), (7), (8), or (9) of 
section 307(a) of this Act or with chapter 95 or chapter 96 of the 
Internal Revenue Code of 1954. 
"(d) The Commission shall meet at least once each month and also 
at the call of any member. 
"(e) The Commission shall prepare written rules for the conduct of 
its activities, shall have an official seal which shall be judicially 
noticed, and shall have its principal office in or near the District of 
Columbia (but it may meet or exercise any of its powers an3rwhere in 
the United States). 
"(0(1) The Commission shall have a staff director and a general 
counsel who shall be appointed by the Commission. The staff director 
shall be paid at a rate not to exceed the rate of basic pay in effect for 
level IV of the Executive Schedule (5 U.S.C. 5315). The general 
counsel shall be paid at a rate not to exceed the rate of basic pay in 
effect for level V of the Executive Schedule (5 U.S.C. 5316). With the 
approval of the Commission, the staff director may appoint and fix 
the pay of such additional personnel as he or she considers desirable 
without regard to the provisions of title 5, United States Code, 
governing appointments in the competitive service. 
"(2) With the approval of the Commission, the staff director may 
procure temporary and intermittent services to the same extent as is 
authorized by section 3109(b) of title 5, United States Code, but at 
rates for individuals not to exceed the daily equivalent of the annual 
rate of basic pay in effect for grade GS-15 of the General Schedule (5 
U.S.a 5332). 
"(3) In carrying out its responsibilities under this Act, the Commis-
sion shall, to the fullest extent practicable, avail itself of the assist-
ance, including personnel and facilities of other agencies and 
departments of the United States. The heads of such agencies and 
departments may make available to the Commission such personnel, 
facilities, and other assistance, with or without reimbursement, as 
the Commission may request. 
"(4) Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (2), the Commis-
sion is authorized to appear in and defend against any action 
instituted under this Act, either (A) by attorneys employed in its 
office, or (B) by counsel whom it may appoint, on a temporary basis as 
may be necessary for such purpose, without regard to the provisions 
of title 5, United States Code, governing appointments in the competi-
tive service, and whose compensation it may fix without regard to the 
provisions of chapter 51 and subchapter III of chapter 53 of such title. 
The compensation of counsel so appointed on a temporary basis shall 
be paid out of any funds otherwise available to pay the compensation 
of employees of the Commission.". 
POWERS OF THE COMMISSION 
Ante, p. 1354. 
SEC. 106. Section 307, as so redesignated in section 105(a)(3), is 
amended to read as follows: 
POWERS OF THE COMMISSION 
2 use 437d. 
"SEC. 307. (a) The Commission has the power— 
"(1) to require by special or general orders, any person to 
submit, under oath, such written reports and answers to ques-
tions as the Commission may prescribe; 
"(2) to administer oaths or affirmations; 
PUBLIC LAW 96-187—JAN. 8, 1980 
93 STAT. 1357 
"(3) to require by subpena, signed by the chairman or the vice 
chairman, the attendance and testimony of witnesses and the 
production of all documentary evidence relating to the execution 
of its duties; 
"(4) in any proceeding or investigation, to order testimony to 
be taken by deposition before any person who is designated by 
the Commission and has the power to administer oaths and, in 
such instances, to compel testimony and the production of 
evidence in the same manner as authorized under paragraph (3); 
"(5) to pay witnesses the same fees and mileage as are paid in 
like circumstances in the courts of the United States; 
"(6) to initiate (through civil actions for injunctive, declara-
tory, or other appropriate relief), defend (in the case of any civil 
action brought under section 309(a)(8) of this Act) or appeal any 
civil action in the name of the Commission to enforce the 
provisions of this Act and chapter 95 and chapter 96 of the 
Internal Revenue Code of 1954, through its general counsel; 
"(7) to render advisory opinions under section 308 of this Act; 
"(8) to develop such prescribed forms and to make, amend, and 
repeal such rules, pursuant to the provisions of chapter 5 of title 
5, United States Code, as are necessary to carry out the provi-
sions of this Act and chapter 95 and chapter 96 of the Internal 
Revenue Code of 1954; and 
"(9) to conduct investigations and hearings expeditiously, to 
encourage voluntary compliance, and to report apparent viola-
tions to the appropriate law enforcement authorities. 
"(b) Upon petition by the Commission, any United States district 
court within the jurisdiction of which any inquiry is being carried on 
may, in case of refusal to obey a subpena or order of the Commission 
issued under subsection (a), issue an order requiring compliance. Any 
failure to obey the order of the court may be punished by the court as 
a contempt thereof. 
"(c) No person shall be subject to civil liability to any person (other 
than the Commission or the United States) for disclosing information 
at the request of the Commission. 
"(d)(1) Whenever the Commission submits any budget estimate or 
request to the President or the Office of Management and Budget, it 
shall concurrently transmit a copy of such estimate or request to the 
Congress. 
"(2) Whenever the Commission submits any legislative recommen-
dation, or testimony, or comments on legislation, requested by the 
Congress or by any Member of the Congress, to the President or the 
Office of Management and Budget, it shall concurrently transmit a 
copy thereof to the Congress or to the Member requesting the same. 
No officer or agency of the United States shall have any authority to 
require the Commission to submit its legislative recommendations, 
testimony, or comments on legislation, to any office or agency of the 
United States for approval, comments, or review, prior to the submis-
sion of such recommendations, testimony, or comments to the 
Congress. 
"(e) Except as provided in section 309(a)(8) of this Act, the power of 
the Commission to initiate civil actions under subsection (a)(6) of this 
section shall be the exclusive civil remedy for the enforcement of the 
provisions of this Act.". 
ADVISORY OPINIONS 
SEC. 107. (a) Section 308 of the Act, as so redesignated in section 
105(a)(4), is amended to read as follows: 
Witnesses, fees 
and mileage 
payment. 
Post, p. 1358. 
26 u s e 9001 et 
seq., 9031 et seq. 
Infra. 
5 use 500 et seq. 
Budget, 
transmittal to 
Congress. 
Legislation, 
transmittal to 
Congress. 
Post, p. 1358. 
Ante, p. 1354. 
93 STAT. 1358 
PUBLIC LAW 96-187—JAN. 8, 1980 
2 u s e 437f. 
26 u s e 9001 et 
seq., 9031 et seq. 
Post, p. 1362. 
Public 
comments. 
Ante, p. 1354. 
ADVISORY OPINIONS 
"SEC. 308. (a)(1) Not later than 60 days after the Commission 
receives from a person a complete written request concerning the 
application of this Act, chapter 95 or chapter 96 of the Internal 
Revenue Code of 1954, or a rule or regulation prescribed by the 
Commission, with respect to a specific transaction or activity by the 
person, the Commission shall render a written advisory opinion 
relating to such transaction or activity to the person. 
"(2) If an advisory opinion is requested by a candidate, or any 
authorized committee of such candidate, during the 60-day period 
before any election for Federal office involving the requesting party, 
the Commission shall render a written advisory opinion relating to 
such request no later than 20 days after the Commission receives a 
complete written request. 
"(b) Any rule of law which is not stated in this Act or in chapter 95 
or chapter 96 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 may be initially 
proposed by the Commission only as a rule or regulation pursuant to 
procedures established in section 811(d). No opinion of an advisory 
nature may be issued by the Commission or any of its employees 
except in accordance with the provisions of this section. 
"(c)(1) Any advisory opinion rendered by the Commission under 
subsection (a) may be relied upon by— 
"(A) any person involved in the specific transaction or activity 
with respect to which such advisory opinion is rendered; and 
"(B) any person involved in any specific transaction or activity 
which is indistinguishable in all its material aspects from the 
transaction or activity with respect to which such advisory 
opinion is rendered. 
"(2) Notwithstanding any other provisions of law, any person who 
relies upon any provision or finding of an advisory opinion in 
accordance with the provisions of paragraph (1) and who acts in good 
faith in accordance with the provisions and findings of such advisory 
opinion shall not, as a result of any such act, be subject to any 
sanction provided by this Act or by chapter 95 or chapter 96 of the 
Internal Revenue Code of 1954. 
"(d) The Commission shall make public any request made under 
subsection (a) for an advisory opinion. Before rendering an advisory 
opinion, the Commission shall accept written comments submitted by 
any interested party within the 10-day period following the date the 
request is made public". 
ENFORCEMENT 
SEC. 108. Section 309 of the Act, as so redesignated in section 
105(a)(4), is amended to read as follows: 
Complaints, 
filing. 
2 u s e 437g. 
26 u s e 9001 et 
seq., 9031 et seq. 
ENFORCEMENT 
"SEC. 309. (a)(1) Any person who believes a violation of this Act or of 
chapter 95 or chapter 96 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 has 
occurred, may file a complaint with the Commission. Such complaint 
shall be in writing, signed and sworn to by the person filing such 
complaint, shall be notarized, and shall be made under penalty of 
perjury and subject to the provisions of section 1001 of title 18, United 
States Code. Within 5 days after receipt of a complaint, the Commis-
sion shall notify, in writing, any person alleged in the complaint to 
have committed such a violation. Before the Commission conducts 
any vote on the complaint, other than a vote to dismiss, any person so 
notified shall have the opportunity to demonstrate, in writing, to the 
PUBLIC LAW 96-187—JAN. 8, 1980 
93 STAT. 1359 
Commission within 15 days after notification that no action should be 
taken against such person on the basis of the complaint. The 
Commission may not conduct any investigation or take any other 
action under this section solely on the basis of a complaint of a person 
whose identity is not disclosed to the Commission. 
"(2) If the Commission, upon receiving a complaint under para-
graph (1) or on the basis of information ascertained in the normal 
course of carrying out its supervisory responsibilities, determines, by 
an affirmative vote of 4 of its members, that it has reason to believe 
that a person has committed, or is about to commit, a violation of this 
Act or chapter 95 or chapter 96 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, 
the Commission shall, through its chairman or vice chairman, notify 
the person of the alleged violation. Such notification shall set forth 
the factual basis for such alleged violation. The Commission shall 
make an investigation of such alleged violation, which may include a 
field investigation or audit, in accordance with the provisions of this 
section. 
"(3) The general counsel of the Commission shall notify the 
respondent of any recommendation to the Commission by the general 
counsel to proceed to a vote on probable cause pursuant to paragraph 
(4)(A)(i). With such notification, the general counsel shall include a 
brief stating the position of the general counsel on the legal and 
factual issues of the case. Within 15 days of receipt of such brief, 
respondent may submit a brief stating the position of such respond-
ent on the legal and factual issues of the case, and replying to the 
brief of general counsel. Such briefs shall be filed with the Secretary 
of the Commission and shall be considered by the Commission before 
proceeding under paragraph (4). 
"(4)(A)(i) Except as provided in clause (ii), if the Commission 
determines, by an affirmative vote of 4 of its members, that there is 
probable cause to believe that any person has committed, or is about 
to commit, a violation of this Act or of chapter 95 or chapter 96 of the 
Internal Revenue Code of 1954, the Commission shall attempt, for a 
period of at least 30 days, to correct or prevent such violation by 
informal methods of conference, conciliation, and persuasion, and to 
enter into a conciliation agreement with any person involved. Such 
attempt by the Commission to correct or prevent such violation may 
continue for a period of not more than 90 days. The Commission may 
not enter into a conciliation agreement under this clause except 
pursuant to an affirmative vote of 4 of its members. A conciliation 
agreement, unless violated, is a complete bar to any further action by 
the Commission, including the bringing of a civil proceeding under 
paragraph (6)(A). 
"(ii) If any determination of the Commission under clause (i) occurs 
during the 45-day period immediately preceding any election, then 
the Commission shall attempt, for a period of at least 15 days, to 
correct or prevent the violation involved by the methods specified in 
clause (i). 
"(B)(i) No action by the Commission or any person, and no informa-
tion derived, in connection with any conciliation attempt by the 
Commission under subparagraph (A) may be made public by the 
Commission without the written consent of the respondent and the 
Commission. 
"(ii) If a conciliation agreement is agreed upon by the Commission 
and the respondent, the Commission shall make public any concilia-
tion agreement signed by both the Commission and the respondent. If 
the Commission makes a determination that a person has not 
26 u s e 9001 c 
seq., 9031 et st 
Notification o 
respondent. 
Conciliation 
agreements. 
93 STAT. 1360 
PUBLIC LAW 96-187—JAN. 8, 1980 
violated this Act or chapter 95 or chapter 96 of the Internal Revenue 
^^ ^onQ?^^^ ^
^ 
Code of 1954, the Commission shall make public such determination. 
seq., 90di et seq. 
"(5)(A) If the Commission believes that a violation of this Act or of 
chapter 95 or chapter 96 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 has 
been committed, a conciliation agreement entered into by the Com-
mission under paragraph (4)(A) may include a requirement that the 
person involved in such conciliation agreement shall pay a civil 
penalty which does not exceed the greater of $5,000 or an amount 
equal to any contribution or expenditure involved in such violation. 
"(B) If the Commission believes that a knowing and willful viola-
tion of this Act or of chapter 95 or chapter 96 of the Internal Revenue 
Code of 1954 has been committed, a conciliation agreement entered 
into by the Commission under paragraph (4)(A) may require that the 
person involved in such conciliation agreement shall pay a civil 
penalty which does not exceed the greater of $10,000 or an amount 
equal to 200 percent of any contribution or expenditure involved in 
such violation. 
"(C) If the Commission by an affirmative vote of 4 of its members, 
determines that there is probable cause to believe that a knowing and 
willful violation of this Act which is subject to subsection (d), or a 
knowing and willful violation of chapter 95 or chapter 96 of the 
Internal Revenue Code of 1954, has occurred or is about to occur, it 
may refer such apparent violation to the Attorney General of the 
United States without regard to any limitations set forth in para-
graph (4)(A). 
"(D) In any case in which a person has entered into a conciliation 
agreement with the Commission under paragraph (4)(A), the Commis-
sion may institute a civil action for relief under paragraph (6)(A) if it 
believes that the person has violated any provision of such concilia-
tion agreement. For the Commission to obtain relief in any civil 
action, the Commission need only establish that the person has 
violated, in whole or in part, any requirement of such conciliation 
agreement. 
"(6)(A) If the Commission is unable to correct or prevent any 
violation of this Act or of chapter 95 or chapter 96 of the Internal 
Revenue Code of 1954, by the methods specified in paragraph (4)(A), 
the Commission may, upon an affirmative vote of 4 of its members, 
institute a civil action for relief, including a permanent or temporary 
injunction, restraining order, or any other appropriate order (includ-
ing an order for a civil penalty which does not exceed the greater of 
$5,000 or an amount equal to any contribution or expenditure 
involved in such violation) in the district court of the United States 
for the district in which the person against whom such action is 
brought is found, resides, or transacts business. 
"(B) In any civil action instituted by the Commission under 
subparagraph (A), the court may grant a permanent or temporary 
injunction, restraining order, or other order, including a civil penalty 
which does not exceed the greater of $5,000 or an amount equal to any 
contribution or expenditure involved in such violation, upon a proper 
showing that the person involved has committed, or is about to 
commit (if the relief sought is a permanent or temporary injunction 
or a restraining order), a violation of this Act or chapter 95 or chapter 
96 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954. 
"(C) In any civil action for relief instituted by the Commission 
under subparagraph (A), if the court determines that the Commission 
has established that the person involved in such civil action has 
committed a knowing and willful violation of this Act or of chapter 95 
or chapter 96 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, the court may 
PUBLIC LAW 96-187—JAN. 8, 1980 
93 STAT. 13(51 
impose a civil penalty which does not exceed the greater of $10,000 or 
an amount equal to 200 percent of any contribution or expenditure 
involved in such violation. 
"(7) In any action brought under paragraph (5) or (6), subpenas for 
witnesses who are required to attend a United States district court 
may run into any other district. 
"(8)(A) Any party aggrieved by an order of the Commission dismiss-
ing a complaint filed by such party under paragraph (1), or by a 
failure of the Commission to act on such complaint during the 120-
day period beginning on the date the complaint is filed, may file a 
petition with the United States District Court for the District of 
Columbia. 
"(B) Any petition under subparagraph (A) shall be filed, in the case 
of a dismissal of a complaint by the Commission, within 60 days after 
the date of the dismissal. 
"(C) In any proceeding under this paragraph the court may declare 
that the dismissal of the complaint or the failure to act is contrary to 
law, and may direct the Commission to conform with such declara-
tion within 30 days, failing which the complainant may bring, in the 
name of such complainant, a civil action to remedy the violation 
involved in the original complaint. 
"(9) Any judgment of a district court under this subsection may be 
appealed to the court of appeals, and the judgment of the court of 
appeals affirming or setting aside, in whole or in part, any such order 
of the district court shall be final, subject to review by the Supreme 
Court of the United States upon certiorari or certification as provided 
in section 1254 of title 28, United States Code. 
"(10) Any action brought under this subsection shall be advanced 
on the docket of the court in which filed, and put ahead of all other 
actions (other than other actions brought under this subsection or 
under section 310 of this Act). 
Ante, p. 1354. 
"(11) If the Commission determines after an investigation that any 
person has violated an order of the court entered in a proceeding 
brought under paragraph (6), it may petition the court for an order to 
hold such person in civil contempt, but if it believes the violation to be 
knowing and willful it may petition the court for an order to hold 
such person in criminal contempt. 
"(12)(A) Any notification or investigation made under this section 
shall not be made public by the Commission or by any person without 
the written consent of the person receiving such notification or the 
person with respect to whom such investigation is made. 
"(B) Any member or employee of the Commission, or any other 
person, who violates the provisions of subparagraph (A) shall be fined 
not more than $2,000. Any such member, employee, or other person 
who knowingly and willfully violates the provisions of subparagraph 
(A) shall be fined not more than $5,000. 
"(b) Before taking any action under subsection (a) against any 
person who has failed to file a report required under section 
304(a)(2)(A)(iii) for the calendar quarter immediately preceding the Ante, p. 1348. 
election involved, or in accordance with section 304(a)(2)(A)(i), the 
Commission shall notify the person of such failure to file the required 
reports. If a satisfactory response is not received within 4 business 
days after the date of notification, the Commission shall, pursuant to 
section 311(a)(7), publish before the election the name of the person Post, p. 1362. 
and the report or reports such person has failed to file. 
"(c) Whenever the Commission refers an apparent violation to the Attorney 
Attorney General, the Attorney General shall report to the Commis- General, report 
sion any action taken by the Attorney General regarding the appar- *° Commission. 
59-194 0 — 81 
88 : QL3 
93 STAT. 1362 
PUBLIC LAW 96-187—JAN. 8, 1980 
Ante, p. 1354. 
Ante, p. 1354. 
Ante, p. 1354. 
26 u s e 9001 et 
seq., 9031 et seq. 
ent violation. Each report shall be transmitted within 60 days after 
the date the Commission refers an apparent violation, and every 30 
days thereafter until the final disposition of the apparent violation. 
"(d)(1)(A) Any person who knowingly and willfully commits a 
violation of any provision of this Act which involves the making, 
receiving, or reporting of any contribution or expenditure aggregat-
ing $2,000 or more during a calendar year shall be fined, or impris-
oned for not more than one year, or both. The amount of this fine 
shall not exceed the greater of $25,000 or 300 percent of any 
contribution or expenditure involved in such violation. 
"(B) In the case of a knowing and willful violation of section 
31603)(3), the penalties set forth in this subsection shall apply to a 
violation involving an amount aggregating $250 or more during a 
calendar year. Such violation of section 31603)(3) may incorporate a 
violation of section 317(b), 320, or 321. 
"(C) In the case of a knowing and willful violation of section 322, the 
penalties set forth in this subsection shall apply without regard to 
whether the making, receiving, or reporting of a contribution or 
expenditure of $1,000 or more is involved. 
"(2) In any criminal action brought for a violation of any provision 
of this Act or of chapter 95 or chapter 96 of the Internal Revenue Code 
of 1954, any defendant may evidence their lack of knowledge or 
intent to commit the alleged violation by introducing as evidence a 
conciliation agreement entered into between the defendant and the 
Commission under subsection (a)(4)(A) which specifically deals with 
the act or failure to act constituting such violation and which is still 
in effect. 
"(3) In any criminal action brought for a violation of any provision 
of this Act or of chapter 95 or chapter 96 of the Internal Revenue Code 
of 1954, the court before which such action is brought shall take into 
account, in weighing the seriousness of the violation and in consider-
ing the appropriateness of the penalty to be imposed if the defendant 
is found guilty, whether— 
"(A) the specific act or failure to act which constitutes the 
violation for which the action was brought is the subject of a 
conciliation agreement entered into between the defendant and 
the Commission under subparagraph (a)(4)(A); 
"(B) the conciliation agreement is in effect; and 
"(C) the defendant is, with respect to the violation involved, in 
compliance with the conciliation agreement.". 
ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS 
SEC. 109. Section 311 of the Act, as so redesignated in section 
Ante, p. 1354. 
105(a)(4), is amended to read as follows: 
2 u s e 438. 
Public 
inspection and 
copying of 
Commission 
reports and 
statements. 
ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS 
"SEC. 311. (a) The Commission shall— 
"(1) prescribe forms necessary to implement this Act; 
"(2) prepare, publish, and furnish to all persons required to file 
reports and statements under this Act a manual recommending 
uniform methods of bookkeeping and reporting; 
"(3) develop a filing, coding, and cross-indexing system consist-
ent with the purposes of this Act; 
"(4) within 48 hours after the time of the receipt by the 
Commission of reports and statements filed with it, make them 
available for public inspection, and copying, at the expense of the 
PUBLIC LAW 96-187—JAN. 8, 1980 
93 STAT. 1363 
person requesting such copying, except that any information 
copied from such reports or statements may not be sold or used 
by any person for the purpose of soliciting contributions or for 
commercial purposes, other than using the name and address of 
any political committee to solicit contributions from such com-
mittee. A political committee may submit 10 pseudonyms on each 
report filed in order to protect against the illegal use of names 
and addresses of contributors, provided such committee attaches 
a list of such pseudonyms to the appropriate report. The Clerk, 
Secretary, or the Commission shall exclude these lists from the 
public record; 
"(5) keep such designations, reports, and statements for a 
period of 10 years from the date of receipt, except that designa-
tions, reports, and statements that relate solely to candidates for 
the House of Representatives shall be kept for 5 years from the 
date of their receipt; 
"(6KA) compile and maintain a cumulative index of designa-
tions, reports, and statements filed under this Act, which index 
shall be published at regular intervals and made available for 
purchase directly or by mail; 
"(B) compile, maintain, and revise a separate cumulative index 
of reports and statements filed by multi-candidate committees, 
including in such index a list of multi-candidate committees; and 
"(C) compile and maintain a list of multi-candidate commit-
tees, which shall be revised and made available monthly; 
"(7) prepare and publish periodically lists of authorized com-
mittees which fail to file reports as required by this Act; 
"(8) prescribe rules, regulations, and forms to carry out the 
provisions of this Act, in accordance with the provisions of 
subsection (d); 
"(9) transmit to the President and to each House of the 
Congress no later than June 1 of each year, a report which states 
in detail the activities of the Commission in carrying out its 
duties under this Act, and any recommendations for any legisla-
tive or other action the Commission considers appropriate; and 
"(10) serve as a national clearinghouse for the compilation of 
information and review of procedures with respect to the admin-
istration of Federal elections. The Commission may enter into 
contracts for the purpose of conducting studies under this para-
graph. Reports or studies made under this paragraph shall be 
available to the public upon the pajmient of the cost thereof, 
except that copies shall be made available without cost, upon 
request, to agencies and branches of the Federal Government. 
"Oa) The Commission may conduct audits and field investigations of 
any political committee required to file a report under section 304 of 
this Act. All audits and field investigations concerning the verifica-
tion for, and receipt and use of, any payments received by a candidate 
or committee under chapter 95 or chapter 96 of the Internal Revenue 
Code of 1954 shall be given priority. Prior to conducting any audit 
under this subsection, the Commission shall perform an internal 
review of reports filed by selected committees to determine if the 
reports filed by a particular committee meet the threshold require-
ments for substantial compliance with the Act. Such thresholds for 
compliance shall be established by the Commission. The Commission 
may, upon an affirmative vote of 4 of its members, conduct an audit 
and field investigation of any committee which does meet the 
threshold requirements established by the Commission. Such audit 
shall be commenced within 30 days of such vote, except that any audit 
Record 
retention. 
Indexing 
requirements. 
Rules and 
regulations. 
Report to 
President and 
Congress. 
National 
clearinghouse. 
Audits and field 
investigations. 
Ante, p. 1348. 
26 u s e 9001 et 
seq., 9031 et seq. 
93 STAT. 1364 
PUBLIC LAW 96-187—JAN. 8, 1980 
Proposals, 
transmittal to 
Congress. 
"Legislative 
day." 
"Rule" and 
"regulation.' 
Rules and 
regulations, 
compliance. 
26 u s e 9001 et 
seq., 9031 et seq. 
Annual report to 
Congress 
Ante, p. 1354. 
of an authorized committee of a candidate, under the provisions of 
this subsection, shall be commenced within 6 months of the election 
for which such committee is authorized. 
"(c) Any forms prescribed by the Commission under subsection 
(a)(1), and any information-gathering activities of the Commission 
under this Act, shall not be subject to the provisions of section 8512 of 
title 44, United States Code. 
"(d)(1) Before prescribing any rule, regulation, or form under this 
section or any other provision of this Act, the Commission shall 
transmit a statement with respect to such rule, regulation, or form to 
the Senate and the House of Representatives, in accordance with this 
subsection. Such statement shall set forth the proposed rule, regula-
tion, or form, and shall contain a detailed explanation and justifica-
tion of it. 
"(2) If either House of the Congress does not disapprove by 
resolution any proposed rule or regulation submitted by the Commis-
sion under this section within 30 legislative days after the date of the 
receipt of such proposed rule or regulation or within 10 legislative 
days after the date of receipt of such proposed form, the Commission 
may prescribe such rule, regulation, or form. 
"(3) For purposes of this subsection, the term 'legislative day' 
means, with respect to statements transmitted to the Senate, any 
calendar day on which the Senate is in session, and with respect to 
statements transmitted to the House of Representatives, any calen-
dar day on which the House of Representatives is in session. 
"(4) For purposes of this subsection, the terms 'rule' and 'regula-
tion' mean a provision or series of interrelated provisions stating a 
single, separable rule of law. 
"(5)(A) A motion to discharge a committee of the Senate from the 
consideration of a resolution relating to any such rule, regulation, or 
form or a motion to proceed to the consideration of such a resolution, 
is highly privileged and shall be decided without debate. 
"(B) Whenever a committee of the House of Representatives 
reports any resolution relating to any such form, rule or regulation, it 
is at any time thereafter in order (even though a previous motion to 
the same effect has been disagreed to) to move to proceed to the 
consideration of the resolution. The motion is highly privileged and is 
not debatable. An amendment to the motion is not in order, and is not 
in order to move to reconsider the vote by which the motion is agreed 
to or disagreed with. 
"(e) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, any person who 
relies upon any rule or regulation prescribed by the Commission in 
accordance with the provisions of this section and who acts in good 
faith in accordance with such rule or regulation shall not, as a result 
of such act, be subject to any sanction provided by this Act or by 
chapter 95 or chapter 96 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954. 
"(f) In prescribing such rules, regulations, and forms under this 
section, the Commission and the Internal Revenue Service shall 
consult and work together to promulgate rules, regulations, and 
forms which are mutually consistent. The Commission shall report to 
the Congress annually on the steps it has taken to comply with this 
subsection.". 
STATEMENTS FILED WITH STATE OFFICERS 
SEC. 110. Section 312 of the Act, as so redesignated in section 
105(a)(4), is amended to read as follows: 
PUBLIC LAW 96-187—JAN. 8, 1980 
93 STAT. 1365 
"Appropriate 
State." 
STATEMENTS FILED WITH STATE OFFICERS 
"SEC. 312. (a)(1) A copy of each report and statement required to be 2 use 439. 
filed by any person under this Act shall be filed by such person with 
the Secretary of State (or equivalent State officer) of the appropriate 
State, or, if different, the officer of such State who is charged by State 
law with maintaining State election campaign reports. The chief 
executive officer of such State shall designate any such officer and 
notify the Commission of any such designation. 
"(2) For purposes of this subsection, the term 'appropriate State' 
means— 
"(A) for statements and reports in connection with the cam-
paign for nomination for election of a candidate to the office of 
President or Vice President, each State in which an expenditure 
is made on behalf of the candidate; and 
"(B) for statements and reports in connection with the cam-
paign for nomination for election, or election, of a candidate to 
the office of Senator or Representative in, or Delegate or Resi-
dent Commissioner to, the Congress, the State in which the 
candidate seeks election; except that political committees other 
than authorized committees are only required to file, and Secre-
taries of State required to keep, that portion of the report 
applicable to candidates seeking election in that State. 
"(b) The Secretary of State (or equivalent State officer), or the 
officer designated under subsection (a)(1), shall— 
"(1) receive and maintain in an orderly manner all reports and 
statements required by this Act to be filed therewith; 
"(2) keep such reports and statements (either in original filed 
form or in facsimile copy by microfilm or otherwise) for 2 years 
after their date of receipt; 
"(3) make each report and statement filed therewith available 
as soon as practicable (but within 48 hours of receipt) for public 
inspection and copying during regular business hours, and per-
mit copying of any such report or statement by hand or by 
duplicating machine at the request of any person, except that 
such copying shall be at the expense of the person making the 
request; and 
"(4) compile and maintain a current list of all reports and 
statements pertaining to each candidate.". 
Record 
retention. 
Public 
inspection and 
copying. 
PUBLICATION AND DISTRIBUTION OF STATEMENTS AND SOLICITATIONS 
SEC. 111. Section 318 of the Act, as so redesignated in section 
105(a)(5), is amended to read as follows: 
Ante, p. 1354. 
PUBLICATION AND DISTRIBUTION OF STATEMENTS AND SOLICITATIONS 
"SEC. 318. (a) Whenever any person makes an expenditure for the 
purpose of financing communications expressly advocating the elec-
tion or defeat of a clearly identified candidate, or solicits any 
contribution through any broadcasting station, newspaper, maga-
zine, outdoor advertising facility, direct mailing, or any other type of 
general public political advertising, such communication— 
"(1) if paid for and authorized by a candidate, an authorized 
political committee of a candidate, or its agents, shall clearly 
state that the communication has been paid for by such author-
ized political committee, or 
"(2) if paid for by other persons but authorized by a candidate, 
an authorized political committee of a candidate, or its agents, 
Authorizing and 
funding sources, 
identification. 
2 u s e 441d. 
93 STAT. 1366 
PUBLIC LAW 96-187—JAN. 8, 1980 
shall clearly state that the communication is paid for by such 
other persons and authorized by such authorized political 
committee; 
"(3) if not authorized by a candidate, an authorized political 
committee of a candidate, or its agents, shall clearly state the 
name of the person who paid for the communication and state 
that the communication is not authorized by any candidate or 
candidate's committee. 
Newspaper or 
"(b) No person who sells space in a newspaper or magazine to a 
magazine fees. 
candidate or to the agent of a candidate, for use in connection with 
such candidate's campaign, may charge any amount for such space 
which exceeds the amount charged for comparable use of such space 
for other purposes.". 
TECHNICAL AMENDMENTS 
SEC. 112. (a) Section 305 of the Act, as so redesignated in section 
Ante, p. 1354. 
105(a)(2), is amended— 
(1) by striking out "sixty" and inserting in lieu thereof "60"; 
(2) by striking out "twenty" and inserting in lieu thereof "20"; 
and 
(3) by striking out "Federal Election". 
2 use 437c. 
(b) Section 306(c) of the Act, as so redesignated in section 105(a)(3), 
is amended by striking out "section 310(a)" and inserting in lieu 
thereof "section 307(a)". 
2 use 437h. 
(c) Section 310(a) of the Act, as so redesignated in section 105(a)(4), 
is amended by striking out "of the United States" the first place it 
appears therein. 
2 use 441b. 
(d) The first sentence of section 316(b)(4)(B) of the Act, as so 
redesignated in section 105(a)(5), is amended by striking out "it" and 
inserting in lieu thereof "It". 
42 use 5043. 
(e)(1) Section 403(a) of the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973 is 
amended— 
(A) by striking out "section 301(a)" and inserting in lieu thereof 
"section 301(1)"; and 
(B) by striking out "section 301(c)" and inserting in lieu thereof 
"section 301(3)". 
(2) Section 6 of the Department of State Appropriations Authoriza-
22 use 901a. 
tion Act of 1973 is amended by striking out "section 301(e)" and 
inserting in lieu thereof "section 301(8)". 
USE OF CONTRIBUTED AMOUNTS FOR CERTAIN PURPOSES 
Ante, p. 1354. 
SEC. 113. Section 313 of the Act (as redesignated by section 105(4)) is 
amended to read as follows: 
"USE OF CONTRIBUTED AMOUNTS FOR CERTAIN PURPOSES 
2 use 439a. 
"SEC. 313. Amounts received by a candidate as contributions that 
are in excess of any amount necessary to defray his expenditures, and 
any other amounts contributed to an individual for the purpose of 
supporting his or her activities as a holder of Federal office, may be 
used by such candidate or individual, as the case may be, to defray 
any ordinary and necessary expenses incurred in connection with his 
or her duties as a holder of Federal office, may be contributed to any 
organization described in section 170(c) of the Internal Revenue Code 
26 use 170. 
of 1954, or may be used for any other lawful purpose, including 
transfers without limitation to any national, State, or local commit-
tee of any political party; except that, with respect to any individual 
who is not a Senator or Representative in, or Delegate or Resident 
PUBLIC LAW 96-187—JAN. 8, 1980 
93 STAT. 1367 
Commissioner to, the Congress on the date of the enactment of the 
Federal Election Campaign Act Amendments of 1979, no such Ante, p. 1339. 
amounts may be converted by any person to any personal use, other 
than to defray any ordinary and necessary expenses incurred in 
connection with his or her duties as a holder of Federal office.". 
TITLE II—AMENDMENTS TO OTHER LAWS 
( 
MISCELLANEOUS AMENDMENTS TO TITLE 18, UNITED STATES CODE 
SEC. 201. (aXD Chapter 29 of title 18, United States Code, is Repeal. 
amended by striking out section 591. 
1
8 use 591. 
(2) The table of sections for chapter 29 of title 18, United States 
Code, is amended by striking out the item relating to section 591. 
(3) Section 602 of such title is amended to read as follows: 
"SOUCITATION OP POUTICAL CONTRIBUTIONS 
"SEC. 602. It shall be unlawful for— 
is use 602. 
"(1) a candidate for the Congress; 
"(2) an individual elected to or serving in the office of Senator 
or Representative in, or Delegate or Resident Commissioner to, 
the Congress; 
"(3) an officer or employee of the United States or any 
department or agency thereof; or 
"(4) a person receiving any salary or compensation for services 
from money derived from the Treasurj^ of the United States to 
knowingly solicit, any contribution within the meaning of section 
301(8) of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 from any Ante, p. 1339. 
other such officer, employee, or person. Any person who violates 
this section shall be fined not more than $5,000 or imprisoned not 
more than three years, or both.". 
(4) Section 603 of such title is amended to read as follows: 
" M A K I N G FOLTTICAL CONTRIBUTIONS 
"SEC 603. (a) It shall be unlawful for an officer or employee of the is use 603. 
United States or any department or agency thereof, or a person 
receiving any salary or compensation for services from money de-
rived from the Treasury of the United States, to make any contribu-
tion within the meaning of section 301(8) of the Federal Election 
Campaign Act of 1971 to any other such officer, employee or person or 
to any Senator or Representative in, or Delegate or Resident Commis-
sioner to, the Congress, if the person receiving such contribution is 
the employer or employing authority of the person making the 
contribution. Any person who violates this section shall be 
fined 
not 
more than $5,000 or imprisoned not more than three years, or both. 
"(b) For purposes of this section, a contribution to an authorized 
committee as defined in section 302(e)(1) of the Federal Election 
Campaign Act of 1971 shtil be considered a contribution to the Ante, p. 1345. 
individual who has authorized such committee.". 
(5) Section 607 of such title is amended to read as follows: 
"PLACE OF SOUCITATION 
"SEC. 607. (a) It shall be unlawful for any person to solicit or receive I8 use 607. 
any contribution within the meaning of section 301(8) of the Federal 
Election Campaign Act of 1971 in any room or building occupied in Ante, p. 1339. 
the discharge of official duties by any person mentioned in section 
93 STAT. 1368 
PUBLIC LAW 96-187—JAN. 8, 1980 
Ante, p. 1345. 
603, or in any navy yard, fort, or arsenal. Anv person who violates 
this section shall be fined not more than $5,000 or imprisoned not 
more than three years, or both. 
"(b) The prohibition in subsection (a) shall not apply to the receipt 
of contributions by persons on the staff of a Senator or Representa-
tive in, or Delegate or Resident Commissioner to, the Congress, 
provided, that such contributions have not been solicited in any 
manner which directs the contributor to mail or deliver a contribu-
tion to any room, building, or other facility referred to in subsection 
(a), and provided that such contributions are transferred within seven 
days of receipt to a political committee within the meaning of section 
302(e) of 
the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971.". 
MISCELLANEOUS AMENDMENT TO THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 
1954 
26 use 9008. 
SEC. 202. Section 9008(b) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 is 
amended by striking at the end thereof the figure "$2,000,000" and 
inserting in lieu thereof "$3,000,000". 
MISCELLANEOUS AMENDMENT TO TITLE 5, UNITED STATES CODE 
SEC. 203. Section 3132(aXl) of title 5, United States Code, is 
amended— 
(1) by adding "or" after the semicolon at the end of subpara-
graph (B); and 
(2) by adding the following new subparagraph at the end 
thereor 
"(C) the Federal Election Commission;". 
TITLE in-GENERAL PROVISIONS 
EFFECTIVE DATES 
2 u s e 431 note. 
Ante, p. 1348. 
SEC. 301. (a) Except as provided in subsection (b), the amendments 
made by this Act are effective upon enactment. 
(b) For authorized committees of candidates for President and Vice 
President, section 304(b) of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 
1971 shall be effective for elections occurring after January 1,1981. 
2 u s e 431 note. 
Report to 
Congress. 
Proposed rules 
and regulations, 
transmittal to 
Congress. 
2 u s e 431 note. 
VOTING SYSTEM STUDY 
SEC. 302. The Federal Election Commission, with the cooperation 
and assistance of the National Bureau of Standards, shall conduct a 
preliminary study with respect to the future development of volun-
tary engineering and procedural performance standards for voting 
systems used in the United States. The Commission shall report to 
the Congress the results of the study, and such report shall include 
recommendations, if any, for the implementation of a program of 
such stemdards (including estimates of the costs and time require-
ments of implementing such a program). The cost of the study shall 
be paid out of any funds otherwise available to defray the expenses of 
the Commission. 
TRANSITION PROVISIONS 
SEC. 303. (a) The Federal Election Commission shall transmit to the 
Congress proposed rules and regulations necessary for the purpose of 
implementing the provisions of this Act, and the amendments made 
by this Act, prior to February 29,1980. 
PUBLIC LAW 96-187—JAN. 8, 1980 
93 STAT. 1369 
(b) The provisions of section 311(d) of the Federal Election Cam-
paign Act of 1971 allowing disapproval of rules and regulations by Ante, p. 1362. 
either House of 
Congress within 30 legislative days after receipt shall, 
with respect to rules and regulations required to be proposed under 
subsection (a) of this section, be deemed to allow such disapproval 
within 15 legislative days after receipt. 
Approved January 8, 1980. 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY: 
HOUSE REPORT No. 96-422 (Comm. on House Administration). 
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 125 (1979): 
Sept. 10, considered and passed House. 
Dec. 18, considered and passed Senate, amended. 
Dec. 20, House agreed to Senate amendment. 
WEEKLY COMPILATION OF PRESIDENTIAL DOCUMENTS, Vol. 16, No. 2: 
Jan. 8, Presidential statement.