FEC Approves Interim Final Rules to Adjust Civil Monetary Penalties for Inflation

WASHINGTON — The Federal Election Commission today approved interim final rules to adjust civil monetary penalties for inflation. The Commission also considered a proposed policy regarding the disclosure of closed enforcement documents. Discussions on revisions to campaign finance reports and reporting instructions, a new agency email retention policy and a draft advisory opinion were held over to a future meeting.

REG 2016-02 Civil Monetary Penalties Inflation Adjustments Interim Final Rules 

The Commission approved interim final rules to adjust for inflation the civil monetary penalties established under the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971, as amended (the Act), the Presidential Election Campaign Fund Act, and the Presidential Primary Matching Payment Account Act.

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

The Commission discussed a proposed statement of policy that would expand the range of records to be made publicly available on a regular basis.

Advisory Opinion Request 2016-05 (Huckabee for President) 

The Commission held over discussion of a draft responding to an advisory opinion request from Huckabee for President, Inc. The requestor, the principal campaign committee for former presidential candidate Mike Huckabee, asks whether a separate legal defense fund may be used to pay the amount the Committee has agreed to pay in settlement of a copyright infringement lawsuit.

Proposed Revisions to Forms 3, 3P, 3X, 6 and Instructions 

The Commission held over discussion on proposed revisions to several campaign finance reporting forms and their accompanying instructions.

FEC Email Management Policy 

The Commission held over discussion of the agency’s email retention policy.