For Immediate Release Contact: Bob Biersack
May 3, 2007 George Smaragdis
Michelle Ryan
FEC Approves Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on Hybrid Communications and Two Advisory Opinions
At its open meeting today, the Federal Election Commission (FEC/Commission) approved for public comment a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on hybrid communications, which are political party communications that refer to one or more clearly identified Federal candidate(s) and also refer generically to other candidates without clearly identifying them. The Notice seeks public comment on all aspects of the proposed rule, including what types of communications should be considered hybrid communications, and how political party committees should attribute the costs of such communications among candidates.
The Notice will be published in the Federal Register, with a public comment period of thirty days following publication. The FEC will hold a public hearing on July 11, 2007, when interested parties who have offered comments may testify.
The Commission issued Advisory Opinion 2007-05 to Mr. Erik Iverson, a Congressional staffer who is seeking election as Chairman of the Montana Republican State Central Committee. . The FEC concluded that Mr. Iverson may solicit, direct, and spend non-federal funds on behalf of the State party committee while he serves as Chief of Staff to a U.S. Congressman, and also if he is elected Chairman and continues his Congressional employment. Pursuant to the Advisory Opinion, Mr. Iverson may only solicit non-federal funds in his own capacity and exclusively on behalf of the State party committee, and not as a fundraising agent acting on the authority of a Federal candidate or officeholder.
The Commission also approved Advisory Opinion 2007-06, concluding that the Libertarian Party of Indiana qualifies as a state party committee for purpose of Federal campaign finance law.
The Federal Election Commission is an independent regulatory agency that administers and enforces federal campaign finance laws. The FEC has jurisdiction over the financing of campaigns for the U.S. House, the U.S. Senate, the Presidency and the Vice Presidency. Established in 1975, the FEC is composed of six Commissioners who are nominated by the President and confirmed by the U.S. Senate.
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