FEC Completes Seventh Rulemaking Implementing New Campaign Finance Law
News Releases, Media Advisories
| For Immediate Release December 10, 2002 |
Contact: | Bob Biersack Ron Harris Ian Stirton Kelly Huff |
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| FEC COMPLETES SEVENTH RULEMAKING IMPLEMENTING NEW CAMPAIGN FINANCE LAW |
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| WASHINGTON – The Federal Election Commission (FEC) has completed action on the
seventh rulemaking implementing the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act (BCRA). On December 5
Commissioners approved 5-1 the rules implementing BCRA provisions regarding coordinated
and independent expenditures. The rules on coordinated and independent expenditures set out the criteria the Commission will use to determine whether interaction between candidates, political parties, and outside individuals or groups cause expenditures for advertisements by these individuals or groups to be considered "coordinated" with the candidate or party committee. If expenditures meet these definitions they will be considered to be either in-kind contributions to the candidate or party committee, or coordinated expenditures by a party committee (allowed for party committees supporting general election candidates). Both contributions and coordinated expenditures are limited in amount and as to the sources of funds permitted for their use. Under the new rule, there are separate "content standards" (examining the substance of the advertisement paid for by the expenditure) and "conduct standards" (examining the nature of the interaction between the individual or group paying for the advertisement and the candidate or party committee). Both must be met for an expenditure to be coordinated. Detailed information about BCRA rulemakings can be found at http://www.fec.gov/pages/bcra/rulemakings/rulemakings_bcra.htm. The Commission has previously completed rules for BCRA provisions related to national, state, and local party activities (soft money), electioneering communications, Federal Communications Commission requirements related to electioneering communications, contribution limitations and prohibitions, a reorganization of rules on contributions and expenditures, and provisions of BCRA relating to disclaimers required on public communications, personal use of campaign funds, and other provisions. A Notice of Proposed Rulemaking regarding leadership political action committees is scheduled to be considered at the Commission’s December 12 open meeting, as well as consideration of final rules regarding consolidated reporting of electioneering communications, independent expenditures, and building funds. Interim rules on the "millionaire’s amendment" in BCRA are scheduled to be considered by the Commission on December 18. ### |