Prohibited and Excessive Contributions; ``Soft Money''

Proposed Rules

Federal Register

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Proposed Rules

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FEDERAL ELECTION COMMISSION

11 CFR Parts 100, 102, 104, 106, 110 and 114

[Notice 1997--10]

Prohibited and Excessive Contributions; ``Soft Money''

AGENCY: Federal Election Commission.

ACTION: Rulemaking petitions: Notice of Availability.

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SUMMARY: On May 20, 1997, the Commission received a Petition for

Rulemaking from five Members of Congress urging the Commission ``to

modify its rules to help end or at least significantly lessen the

influence of soft money.'' On June 5, 1997, the Commission received a

Petition for Rulemaking from President Bill Clinton asking the

Commission to ``ban soft money'' and ``adopt new rules requiring that

candidates for federal office and national parties be permitted to

raise and spend only ``hard dollars.'' These petitions are available

for inspection in the Commission's Public Records Office.

DATES: Statements in support of or in opposition to the petitions must

be filed on or before July 18, 1997.

ADDRESSES: All comments should be addressed to Susan E. Propper,

Assistant General Counsel, and must be submitted in either written or

electronic form. Written comments should be sent to the Federal

Election Commission, 999 E Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20463. Faxed

comments should be sent to (202) 219-3923, with printed copy follow up.

Electronic mail comments should be sent to [email protected], and

should include the full name, electronic mail address and postal

service address of the commenter. Additional information on electronic

submission is provided below.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Susan E

99 E Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20463. Faxed

comments should be sent to (202) 219-3923, with printed copy follow up.

Electronic mail comments should be sent to [email protected], and

should include the full name, electronic mail address and postal

service address of the commenter. Additional information on electronic

submission is provided below.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Susan E. Propper, Assistant

General Counsel, or Paul Sanford, Staff Attorney, 999 E Street, N.W.,

Washington, D.C. 20463, (202) 219-3690 or (800) 424-9530.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On May 20, 1997, the Commission received a

Petition for Rulemaking from five members of the United States House of

Representatives. This petition urges the Commission ``to modify its

rules to help end or at least significantly lessen the influence of

soft money.'' On June 5, 1997, the Commission received a second

Petition for Rulemaking relating to soft money, this one submitted by

President Bill Clinton. President Clinton's petition asks the

Commission to ``ban soft money'' and ``adopt new rules requiring that

candidates for federal office and national parties be permitted to

raise and spend only ``hard dollars.'' Generally, the term ``soft

money'' refers to funds that are prohibited under the Federal Election

Campaign Act, 2 U.S.C. 431 et seq. [``FECA''], either because they come

from a prohibited source, see 2 U.S.C. 441b, 441c and 441e, or because

the amount exceeds the contribution limits in 2 U.S.C. 441a.

Conversely, the term ``hard dollars'' refers to funds that are

permissible under the FECA because they come from permissible sources

and do not exceed applicable contribution limits.

Because both petitions relate to soft money and also seek similar

Commission action, the Commission has decided to address the petitions

in a single proceeding. The first stage of that proceeding is to

announce the availability of the petitions for public comment

s that are

permissible under the FECA because they come from permissible sources

and do not exceed applicable contribution limits.

Because both petitions relate to soft money and also seek similar

Commission action, the Commission has decided to address the petitions

in a single proceeding. The first stage of that proceeding is to

announce the availability of the petitions for public comment.

Copies of the petitions are available for public inspection in the

Commission's Public Records Office, 999 E Street, N.W., Washington, DC

20463, Monday through Friday between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 5:00

p.m. Copies of the petitions can also be obtained at any time of the

day and week from the Commission's home page at www.fec.gov, or from

the Commission's FlashFAX service. To obtain copies of the petitions

from FlashFAX, dial (202) 501-3413 and follow the FlashFAX service

instructions. Request document # 230 to receive both petitions.

All statements in support of or in opposition to the petitions

should be addressed to Susan E. Propper, Assistant General Counsel, and

must be submitted in either written or electronic form. Written

comments should be sent to the Commission's postal service address:

Federal Election Commission, 999 E Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20463.

Faxed comments should be sent to (202) 219-3923. Commenters submitting

faxed comments should also submit a printed copy to the Commission's

postal service address to ensure legibility. Comments may also be sent

by electronic mail to [email protected]. Commenters sending comments by

electronic mail should include their full name, electronic mail address

and postal service address within the text of their comments. All

comments, regardless of form, must be submitted by July 18, 1997.

Consideration of the merits of these petitions will be deferred

until the close of the comment period. If the Commission decides that

one or both petitions has merit, it may begin a rulemaking proceeding

ail should include their full name, electronic mail address

and postal service address within the text of their comments. All

comments, regardless of form, must be submitted by July 18, 1997.

Consideration of the merits of these petitions will be deferred

until the close of the comment period. If the Commission decides that

one or both petitions has merit, it may begin a rulemaking proceeding.

Any subsequent action taken by the Commission will be announced in the

Federal Register.

Dated: June 13, 1997.

John Warren McGarry,

Chairman, Federal Election Commission.

[FR Doc. 97-15940 Filed 6-17-97; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 6715-01-P