FEC Issues Advisory Opinion, Discusses a Second Advisory Opinion Request, Approves Policy to Expand Disclosure of Enforcement Matters and Adopts Revisions to Reporting Forms

WASHINGTON — The Federal Election Commission today issued an advisory opinion, discussed a second advisory opinion request and approved a statement of policy in connection with the disclosure of closed enforcement matters. The Commission also adopted revisions to campaign finance reporting forms.

Advisory Opinion Request 2016-06 (Internet Association and Internet Association Political Action Committee) 

The Commission discussed three drafts in response to an advisory opinion request from the Internet Association, a trade organization representing members of the Internet industry, and its separate segregated fund, the Internet Association Political Action Committee, but was unable to reach consensus by the required four affirmative votes. The Commissioners held over the matter to develop a consensus draft to be submitted for a tally vote in the near future. The requestors asked a number of questions about their proposal to host an online candidate interaction and fundraising platform. During the discussion, the Commission heard from the requestor's counsel.

Advisory Opinion 2016-07 (United National Committee) 

The Commission approved an advisory opinion in response to a request from the United National Committee (the Committee), the governing body of the Unity Party. The Commission concluded that the Committee does not qualify as a national committee of a political party under the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971, as amended (the Act), and Commission regulations because, as a threshold matter, the Unity Party does not meet the definition of a “political party” under the Act.

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

The Commission approved a statement of policy that would expand the range of records on enforcement and administrative functions to be made publicly available on a regular basis.

Revisions to Forms 

The Commission voted to adopted revisions to forms, which are intended to assist with compliance, provide clearer disclosure, and make the forms more consistent with one another.

REG 2013-01: Draft Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on Technological Modernization 

The Commission held over discussion of a draft NPRM on technological modernization.