Week of October 11 - October 15, 2010

Weekly Digest

Week of October 11 – 15

COMMISSION MEETINGS

No Commission Executive Sessions or Open Meetings were scheduled this week.

ADVISORY OPINIONS

Draft Available for Public Comment

AO 2010-22 (Working Families Party of Connecticut). On October 14, the Commission made public a draft of Advisory Opinion 2010-22.  Working Families Party of Connecticut''''s State committee asked whether it qualifies as a State committee of a political party under the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971, as amended (the Act), and Commission regulations.

Supplement Received

AOR 2010-25 (RG Entertainment).  On October 13, the Commission made public supplemental materials and an extension of time from RG Entertainment, Star Parker, Star Parker for Congress, Motive Entertainment, Inc., engage4 LLC, and InService America, Inc. The requestors have asked whether (1) disbursements in connection with the production, marketing, and distribution of a documentary film and its trailer would be covered by the press exemption or would constitute bona fide commercial activity; (2) payments for the production and distribution of the film would constitute a coordinated communication with  Parker, a candidate who appears in the film; (3) public theatrical exhibitions of the film would require disclaimers; and (4) Parker''''s appearances and licensing activities in conjunction with screenings of the film would be subject to the Act and Commission regulations. 

Request Received

AOR 2010-28 (Indiana Democratic Congressional Victory Committee and Hoosiers for Hill). On October 12, the Commission made public Advisory Opinion Request 2010-28. The Indiana Democratic Congressional Victory Committee (the "State Committee") and Hoosiers for Hill. the principal campaign committee of Representative Baron Hill, asked whether the State Committee may refund a $34,600 transfer made from Hoosiers for Hill to the State Committee in accordance with 2 U.S.C. 439a(a)(4). The Commission must issue a response no later than 20 days after receipt of the complete request, that is, by October 27, because this request was submitted by a Federal candidate within 60 days before a Federal election. On October 13, the Commission made public a supplement to the request.

Advisory Opinions and Requests are available here.

ENFORCEMENT

The Commission made public the following closed case. For more information, see the case documents in the Enforcement Query System.

MUR 6319 – Vicky Hartzler for Congress and Delbert Scott, in his official capacity as treasurer. The Commission dismissed the case.

 LITIGATION

Citizens For Responsibility And Ethics In Washington (CREW) v. FEC. On October 12, the Commission filed a Motion to Dismiss in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia.

PRESS RELEASES

FEC Takes Final Action on Six Cases (issued October 15)

CAMPAIGN FINANCE REPORTS

October 15:  October Quarterly Reports were due. For information on reporting dates, click here.

UPCOMING COMMISSION MEETINGS

October 19: The Commission is scheduled to hold an Executive Session.

October 21: The Commission is scheduled to hold an Open Session. When the Commission releases an agenda, it will be available on the Commission’s website here.

UPCOMING REPORTING DUE DATES

October 20: October Monthly Reports are due. For information on reporting dates, click here.

October 21:  Pre-General Reports are due. For information on reporting dates for this election, click here.

October 21: Indiana 3rd District Special General Election Reports are due. For information on reporting dates for this special election, click here.

October 21: Illinois Special Senate General Election Reports are due. For information on reporting dates for this special election, click here.

October 21: New York 29th District Special General Election Reports are due. For information on reporting dates for this special election, click here.

October 21: West Virginia Special Senate General Election Reports are due. For information on reporting dates for this special election, click here.

UPCOMING EVENTS

November 17, Washington, DC. FEC Roundtable Workshops on Winding Down the Campaign for House and Senate Campaigns. Registration information and schedule are here.

OTHER RESOURCES

The October issue of The Record is here. Sign up here to receive email notification when a new issue of the Record is posted.

The monthly supplements to the FEC’s Campaign Guides are here.

Sunshine Act Notices for previous Executive Sessions are here. Agendas and related documents for previous Open Meetings are here. Audio recordings for selected previous meetings, hearings and presentations are here.