Week of February 22 - February 26, 2010
Weekly Digest Week of February 22 – 26
COMMISSION MEETINGS On February 24, the Commission held an Executive Session. Sunshine Act Notices for Executive Sessions are here. On February 25, the Commission held an Open Session. Agendas and related documents for Open Meetings are here. Audio recordings of meetings, hearings and presentations are here. ADVISORY OPINIONS
Advisory Opinion Issued
AO 2010-01 (Nevada State Democratic Party). On February 25, the Commission approved AO 2010-01 (Nevada State Democratic Party). The Commission concluded that proposed payments by the State Party for campaign materials to be used in connection with volunteer activities on behalf of a Federal candidate before the Nevada 2010 primary election would be exempt from the definitions of “contribution” and “expenditure” if the candidate is the State Party’s presumptive nominee. Candidate filing closes on March 12, 2010. If a Candidate is unopposed after that date he is the presumptive nominee. Only volunteer activities which take place after that date qualify for the exemption.
Advisory Opinions, Requests, Comments and Extensions are available here.
ENFORCEMENT The Commission made public five closed cases this week. For more information, see the case documents in the Enforcement Query System. MUR 6133 – National Right to Life PAC and Carol Tobias, in her official capacity as treasurer. The Commission agreed to accept a conciliation agreement providing for the respondents to pay a civil penalty of $99,000. MUR 6149 – Hillary Clinton for President and Shelly Moskwa, in her official capacity as treasurer. The Commission exercised its prosecutorial discretion and dismissed the case. MUR 6155 – Hillary Clinton for President and Shelly Moskwa, in her official capacity as treasurer. The Commission exercised its prosecutorial discretion and dismissed the case. MUR 6165 – Patriots for Crimmins and William Baber, in his official capacity as treasurer. The Commission exercised its prosecutorial discretion and dismissed the case. MUR 6175 – Obama Victory Fund and Andrew Tobias, in his official capacity as treasurer. The Commission exercised its prosecutorial discretion and dismissed the case. On February 24, the Commission published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) on Collection of Administrative Debts and Collection of Debts Arising from Enforcement and Administration of Campaign Finance Laws in the Federal Register. The Commission requests comments on proposed rules implementing statutory provisions regarding the collection of debts owed to the United States Government.
On February 24, the Commission published its Price Index Adjustments for Expenditure Limitations and Lobbyist Bundling Disclosure Threshold in the Federal Register.
On February 23, the Commission made public the comments concerning the Supplemental Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on Coordinated Communications (SNPRM). The SNPRM supplemented a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) on Coordinated Communications, which was published in the Federal Register on October 21, 2009, presenting possible alternatives to the regulations that govern communications made in coordination with federal candidates, their authorized committees or political parties but paid for by other persons. The NPRM also proposes to define “promote, support, attack, or oppose.” The Commission will hold a hearing on March 2 and 3, 2010.
On February 22, the Commission made public the reply comment concerning the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) on Federal Officeholders'''' and Candidates'''' Participation in Nonfederal Fundraising Events. The Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) on Federal Officeholders'''' and Candidates'''' Participation in Nonfederal Fundraising Events proposes three possible alternative approaches to the regulations that govern federal candidates’ and officeholders’ attending, speaking and being featured guests at non-federal fundraising events, as well as their inclusion in publicity relating to such events.
WORKSHOPS
February 24, Washington, FEC staff conducted a Travel Rules Workshop. The program flyer is here. PRESS RELEASES
FEC Approves Advisory Opinion, Approves NPRM on Standards of Conduct (issued on February 25)
March 9-10, Washington, Conference for Corporations and their PACs. The conference registration information and agenda are here.
March 16, Washington, FEC hearing on the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) on Federal Officeholders'''' and Candidates'''' Participation in Nonfederal Fundraising Events. Comments from the public on this NPRM were due by February 8 and reply comments by February 22. Note: March 16 is the new hearing date, a change from the originally scheduled date of March 10.
April 7, Washington, Seminar for Nonconnected Committees. The seminar registration information and agenda are here.
March 23-24, New Orleans, LA. The Regional Conference for Campaigns, Party Committees and Corporate/Labor/Trade PACs. This conference was previously scheduled for February 9-10. For more information, click here.
NEXT WEEK (MARCH 1 – 5)
March 2-3, Washington, FEC hearing on the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) on Coordinated Communications and Supplemental Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on Coordinated Communications (SNPRM). Comments were due on February 24.
March 4: The Commission is scheduled to hold open audit hearings on the AFL-CIO Committee on Political Education/Political Contributions Committee (AFL PCC) and The Jefferson Committee (TJC).
UPCOMING REPORTING DUE DATES
March 1: Texas Minor Party Conventions (Districts 7, 16, 18, 20, 29, 30 and 32) Pre-Convention Disclosure reports are due. Click here for information on electronic filing.
OTHER RESOURCES
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