Commission extends comment periods for proposed rules

The Commission has extended until September 29, 2005, the periods for public comment on proposed rules regarding:

• The definition of “federal election activity” (FEA); and
• State and local party committee payments for the salaries of employees who spend 25 percent or less of their compensated time during a month on activities in connection with a federal election or FEA.

The proposed rules respond to the district court decision in Shays v. FEC, which invalidated several Commission regulations that were found to be inconsistent with the intent of Congress or improperly promulgated.1

The Commission held hearings on these rules on August 4, 2005, and witnesses at the hearings suggested that the Commission seek additional information that may assist it in its decision-making.

The Notices of Proposed Rulemaking for these proposed rules are available on the FEC website. See the September 2005 Record and the June 2005 Record.

Footnote:

1 On July 15, 2005, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia upheld the appealed portion of the district court’s decision. See the September 2005 Record.