FEC Approves Final Rule on Technical Amendments

WASHINGTON — The Federal Election Commission today discussed an advisory opinion request and approved a Final Rule and Explanation and Justification for Technical Amendments to 2015 CFR. The Commission also discussed initiating a draft Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) in connection with campaign finance provisions of the Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2015 (H.R. 83), which enabled national party committees to establish accounts to defray certain expenses incurred with respect to presidential nominating conventions, national party headquarters buildings, and election recounts and contests and other legal proceedings.

Advisory Opinion Request 2016-04 (Grand Trunk Western Railroad Co. – Illinois Central Railroad Co. PAC) 

The Commission discussed a draft responding to an advisory opinion request from Grand Trunk Western Railroad Co. – Illinois Central Railroad Co. PAC, but was unable to reach agreement by the required four affirmative votes to issue an advisory opinion. The requestor is the separate segregated fund (SSF) of two wholly owned subsidiary corporations. The requestor asked whether several proposed abbreviations for the name of the SSF are permissible under the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971, as amended (the Act), and Commission regulations. During the discussion, the Commission heard from the requestor’s counsel.

Final Rule and Explanation and Justification for Technical Amendments to 2015 CFR 

The Commission approved technical corrections to various sections of its regulations.

Proposed Statement of Policy Regarding the Public Disclosure of Closed Enforcement Documents 

The Commission held over discussion of three draft documents addressing a proposed statement of policy that would expand the range of records to be made publicly available on a regular basis.

REG 2014-01 Outline Of Draft NPRM Implementing Party Segregated Accounts 

The Commission discussed a potential draft Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) in connection with campaign finance provisions of the Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2015 (H.R. 83), which has enabled national party committees to establish accounts to defray certain expenses incurred with respect to presidential nominating conventions, national party headquarters buildings, and election recounts and contests and other legal proceedings.