(Sec. 101) Defines the term "donation" to mean a gift, subscription, loan, advance, or deposit of money or anything else of value made by any person to a national committee of a political party or a Senatorial or Congressional Campaign Committee of a national political party for any purpose, but does not include a contribution.
(Sec. 102) Increases the $1,000 individual per candidate limit on contributions to $2,000. Provides for the indexing of such limit and other contribution limits.
(Sec. 103) Amends the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) to allow individuals a limited tax credit for the aggregate amount of contributions made to local congressional candidates during the taxable year.
Title II: Leveling the Playing Field for Candidates - Amends FECA to permit certain House and Senate individual and multicandidate political committee contribution limits to be increased up to four times until the aggregate amount of contributions accepted exceed specified limits.
(Sec. 202) Increases individual and multicandidate political committee contribution limits for a particular election when personal expenditures in excess of $25,000 are made by an opposing candidate. Requires Senate candidates making expenditures from personal funds in excess of such amount in connection with any election to file a notification within 24 hours.
(Sec. 203) Amends Federal postal law to revise provisions concerning time limits on the mailing of any mass mailing as franked mail by Members or Members-elect, including adding a provision which prohibits a Member of the Senate from mailing any mass mailing as franked mail during a year in which there will be an election for the seat held by the Member during the period between January 1 of that year and the date of the general election for that office, unless the Member has made a public announcement that he or she will not be a candidate for reelection to that office in that year.
Title III: Voluntariness of Political Contributions - Sets forth requirements for the voluntary, written authorization of the use of dues and fees of employees of labor organizations.
(Sec. 301) Amends the Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act of 1959 to require a labor organization's annual financial report to include such information as will allow labor organization members and employees to determine whether disbursements categorized as other disbursements were necessary to perform the duties of exclusive representation of the employees in dealing with the employer on labor- management issues. Directs the Secretary of Labor, upon the written request of any person, to make available the complete copies of a labor organization's constitution, bylaws, and annual financial reports. (Currently, such documents may be inspected but there is no specific requirement to make available complete copies.)
(Sec. 302) Amends FECA to require corporations, required by any Federal law to submit annual reports to shareholders, to disclose the aggregate amount of donations made and the name of the political committee to which each donation was made.
Title IV: Elimination of Election Campaign Excesses - Amends the Federal criminal code to prohibit the solicitation or receipt of donations (as well as contributions) on Federal property. (Currently, the prohibition is limited to solicitation or receipt of contributions.)
(Sec. 402) Amends FECA to set forth provisions concerning the return to donors of certain contributions and donations.
(Sec. 403) Prohibits an individual's aggregate (soft money) donations to a national committee of a political party (or any subordinate committee of a national party) or a Senatorial or Congressional Campaign Committee of a national political party (or an entity that is either directly or indirectly established, financed, maintained, controlled by, or acting on behalf of, such a committee) from exceeding, in the aggregate, $100,000 during a calendar year.
Increases the following limits: (1) from $20,000 to $50,000, the limit on an individual's contributions to political committees of a national political party; and (2) from $25,000 to $50,000, the limit on an individual's aggregate contributions.
(Sec. 404) Revises provisions concerning the prohibition on the conversion of contributions to personal use.
Title V: Enhanced Disclosure - Amends FECA to revise certain reporting requirements with respect to candidates, including requiring the treasurer of a candidate's principal campaign committee to file weekly reports beginning 30 days before a general election.
(Sec. 502) Directs the Federal Election Commission (FEC) to make information contained in FECA reports available on the Internet and at FEC offices.
(Sec. 503) Sets forth provisions requiring the reporting of independent expenditures made within 20 days before an election which, in the aggregate, total more than $1,000. Requires, in addition, a report within 48 hours when during such time, in the aggregate, they total more than $10,000.
(Sec. 504) Amends the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995, regarding semiannual reports by registered lobbyists, to require: (1) such lobbyists to disclose contributions and donations in such reports; and (2) such reports to include specified information if the registrant, the registrant's employer, or a separate segregated fund of such employer made contributions or donations to covered executive branch officials, covered legislative branch officials, or political committees.
Title VI: Federal Election Commission Reform - Amends FECA to: (1) provide for the filing of reports using computers and facsimile (fax) machines; (2) revise the term limit for members of the FEC to establish a single term of eight years for new members; (3) increase the penalty for knowing and willful violations of FECA or of IRC provisions relating to the Presidential Election Campaign Fund and the Presidential Primary Matching Payment Account; (4) permit an individual who is responding with a brief to an alleged violation of FECA or of the preceding IRC provisions to submit, with the brief, a request to present oral arguments before the FEC; (5) establish civil penalties for minor reporting violations; (6) change certain reporting from a calendar year basis to an election cycle basis; and (7) provide for the appointment of the staff director and general counsel of the FEC by the President, subject to Senate confirmation (currently such appointments are made by the FEC).
Title VII: Improvements to the National Voter Registration Act - Amends the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 to: (1) repeal the requirement for States to provide for voter registration by mail; (2) require applicants registering to vote to provide certain additional information; (3) permit States to remove certain registrants from the official list of eligible voters; (4) permit States to require voters to produce a valid photographic identification and provide a signature (unless illiterate or disabled) before receiving a ballot for voting; and (5) repeal the requirement that States permit registrants who have changed residence and now have a new polling place, but are still within the same registrar's jurisdiction and the same congressional district, to vote at the polling place for their former address.
[Congressional Bills 106th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 1107 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
106th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 1107
To reform the conduct of Federal elections.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
May 24, 1999
Mr. Warner introduced the following bill; which was read twice and
referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To reform the conduct of Federal elections.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.
(a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Constitutional and
Effective Reform of Campaigns Act of 1999''.
(b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents of this Act is as
follows:
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Effective date.
TITLE I--ENHANCEMENT OF CITIZEN INVOLVEMENT
Sec. 101. Prohibition of contributions and donations by foreign
nationals and other individuals not
eligible to register to vote; additional
restrictions on foreign nationals.
Sec. 102. Update of individual contribution limit and indexing of
limits.
Sec. 103. Encouraging small contributions to local congressional
candidates.
TITLE II--LEVELING THE PLAYING FIELD FOR CANDIDATES
Sec. 201. Seed money to encourage new candidates and competitive
campaigns.
Sec. 202. Modification of contribution limits in response to
expenditures from personal funds.
Sec. 203. Limit on Senate use of the franking privilege.
TITLE III--VOLUNTARINESS OF POLITICAL CONTRIBUTIONS
Sec. 301. Consent for use of dues and fees of labor organizations.
Sec. 302. Corporate shareholder notification.
TITLE IV--ELIMINATION OF ELECTION CAMPAIGN EXCESSES
Sec. 401. Prohibition of fundraising on Federal property and other
criminal prohibitions.
Sec. 402. Deposit of certain contributions and donations in Treasury
account.
Sec. 403. National political party committees; ``soft'' and ``hard''
money.
Sec. 404. Prohibition of conversion of campaign funds to personal use.
TITLE V--ENHANCED DISCLOSURE
Sec. 501. Reporting requirements for candidates.
Sec. 502. Access to information on the Internet.
Sec. 503. Reporting requirements for independent expenditures within 20
days before an election.
Sec. 504. Required lobbyist disclosure of contributions and donations.
TITLE VI--FEDERAL ELECTION COMMISSION REFORM
Sec. 601. Filing of reports using computers and facsimile machines.
Sec. 602. Term limits for Federal Election Commission.
Sec. 603. Increase in penalty for knowing and willful violations.
Sec. 604. Civil penalties for minor reporting violations.
Sec. 605. Oral arguments; index of actions.
Sec. 606. Change in certain reporting from a calendar year basis to an
election cycle basis.
Sec. 607. Confirmation of general counsel and executive director.
TITLE VII--IMPROVEMENTS TO THE NATIONAL VOTER REGISTRATION ACT
Sec. 701. Repeal of requirement for States to provide for voter
registration by mail.
Sec. 702. Requiring applicants registering to vote to provide certain
additional information.
Sec. 703. Removal of certain registrants from official list of eligible
voters.
Sec. 704. Permitting State to require voters to produce additional
information prior to voting.
Sec. 705. Repeal of requirement that States permit registrants changing
residence to vote at polling place for
former address.
SEC. 2. EFFECTIVE DATE.
Except as otherwise provided in this Act, the amendments made by,
and the provisions of, this Act shall take effect on January 1, 2001.
TITLE I--ENHANCEMENT OF CITIZEN INVOLVEMENT
SEC. 101. PROHIBITION OF CONTRIBUTIONS AND DONATIONS BY FOREIGN
NATIONALS AND OTHER INDIVIDUALS NOT ELIGIBLE TO REGISTER
TO VOTE; ADDITIONAL RESTRICTIONS ON FOREIGN NATIONALS.
(a) Prohibition of Contributions and Donations by Foreign Nationals
and Other Individuals Not Eligible To Register To Vote; Additional
Restrictions on Foreign Nationals.--
(1) In general.--Section 319(a) of the Federal Election
Campaign Act of 1971 (2 U.S.C. 441e(a)) is amended to read as
follows:
``(a) Prohibitions.--
``(1) Individuals not eligible to register to vote.--
``(A) In general.--Subject to subparagraph (B), it
shall be unlawful for--
``(i) an individual who is not eligible to
register to vote in a Federal election
(including a foreign national) to make a
contribution or donation or to promise
expressly or impliedly to make a contribution
or donation; or
``(ii) any person to solicit, accept, or
receive a contribution or donation from an
individual who is not eligible to register to
vote in a Federal election (including a foreign
national).
``(B) Application.--Subparagraph (A) shall not
apply in the case of an individual who is not eligible
to register to vote solely by reason of a residency
requirement under State law.
``(2) Foreign national.--
``(A) Prohibition on contributions and donations.--
``(i) In general.--Subject to clause (ii),
it shall be unlawful for--
``(I) a foreign national, or an
entity that is a domestic subsidiary of
a foreign national, to make, directly
or through any other person, any
contribution of money or other thing of
value, or promise expressly or
impliedly to make any such
contribution, in connection with an
election to any political office or in
connection with any primary election, convention, or caucus held to
select a candidate for any political office or make any donation, or
promise expressly or impliedly to make any such donation; or
``(II) any person to solicit,
accept, or receive any such
contribution or donation from a foreign
national.
``(ii) Exception.--Clause (i) shall not
apply to an entity that is a domestic
subsidiary of a foreign national if the entity
can demonstrate through a reasonable accounting
method that the entity has sufficient funds in
the entity's account, other than funds given or
loaned by the foreign national parent of the
entity, from which the contribution or donation
is made.
``(B) Independent expenditure.--It shall be
unlawful for a foreign national to make an independent
expenditure.
``(C) Prohibited participation.--A foreign national
shall not direct, dictate, control, or directly or
indirectly participate in the decision-making process of any person
with regard to such person's election-related activities, including
decisions concerning the making of contributions, donations, or
expenditures in connection with elections for any local, State, or
Federal office or decisions concerning the administration of a
political committee.''.
(2) Conforming amendment.--Section 319 of Federal Election
Campaign Act of 1971 (2 U.S.C. 431 et seq.) is amended by
striking the heading and inserting ``RESTRICTIONS ON FOREIGN
NATIONALS AND OTHER INDIVIDUALS NOT ELIGIBLE TO REGISTER TO
VOTE''.
(b) Definition of Donation.--Section 301 of the Federal Election
Campaign Act of 1971 (2 U.S.C. 431) is amended by adding at the end the
following:
``(20) Donation.--The term `donation' means a gift,
subscription, loan, advance, or deposit of money or anything
else of value made by any person to a national committee of a
political party or a Senatorial or Congressional Campaign
Committee of a national political party for any purpose, but
does not include a contribution (as defined in paragraph
(8)).''.
SEC. 102. UPDATE OF INDIVIDUAL CONTRIBUTION LIMIT AND INDEXING OF
LIMITS.
(a) Update of Individual Contribution Limit.--Section 315(a)(1)(A)
of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (2 U.S.C. 441a(a)(1)(A))
is amended by striking ``$1,000'' and inserting ``$2,000''.
(b) Indexing.--Section 315(c) of the Federal Election Campaign Act
of 1971 (2 U.S.C. 441a(c)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1)--
(A) by striking the second and third sentences;
(B) by inserting before ``At the beginning'' the
following: ``(A)''; and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
``(B) Each limitation established by subsection (a), (b), (d), or
(i) shall be increased by the percent difference determined under
subparagraph (A), and the increased amount, if not a multiple of $100,
shall be rounded to the next higher multiple of $100.
``(C) Each amount increased under subparagraph (B) shall remain in
effect for the calendar year in which the amount is increased.
``(D) The Commission shall publish each year in the Federal
Register any change made to a limit under this subsection.''; and
(2) in paragraph (2)(B), by striking ``means the calendar
year 1974.'' and inserting ``means--
``(i) for purposes of subsections (b) and (d),
calendar year 1974; and
``(ii) for purposes of subsections (a) and (i),
calendar year 1999.''.
SEC. 103. ENCOURAGING SMALL CONTRIBUTIONS TO LOCAL CONGRESSIONAL
CANDIDATES.
(a) General Rule.--Subpart A of part IV of subchapter A of chapter
1 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to nonrefundable
personal credits) is amended by inserting after section 25A the
following:
``SEC. 25B. IN-STATE CONTRIBUTIONS TO CONGRESSIONAL CANDIDATES.
``(a) General Rule.--In the case of an individual, there shall be
allowed as a credit against the tax imposed by this chapter for the
taxable year an amount equal to the aggregate amount of contributions
made during the taxable year by the individual to any local
congressional candidate.
``(b) Limitations.--
``(1) Maximum credit.--The credit allowed by subsection (a)
for any taxable year shall not exceed $100 ($200 in the case of
a joint return).
``(2) Adjusted gross income.--No credit shall be allowed
under subsection (a) for a taxable year if the taxpayer's
modified adjusted gross income (as defined in section
25A(d)(3)) exceeds $60,000 ($120,000 in the case of a joint
return).
``(3) Verification.--The credit allowed by subsection (a)
shall be allowed with respect to any contribution only if the
contribution is verified in such manner as the Secretary shall
prescribe by regulation.
``(c) Definition.--In this section--
``(1) Candidate.--The term `candidate' has the meaning
given the term in section 301 of the Federal Election Campaign
Act of 1971 (2 U.S.C. 431).
``(2) Contribution.--The term `contribution' has the
meaning given the term in section 301 of the Federal Election
Campaign Act of 1971 (2 U.S.C. 431).
``(3) Local congressional candidate.--The term `local
congressional candidate' means a candidate in a primary,
general, runoff, or special election seeking nomination for
election to, or election to the Senate or the House of
Representatives for the State in which the principal residence
of the taxpayer is located.
``(4) Principal residence.--The term `principal residence'
has the same meaning as when used in section 121.''.
(b) Conforming Amendments.--
(1) Section 642 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986
(relating to special rules for credits and deductions of
estates or trusts) is amended by adding at the end the
following:
``(j) Credit for Certain Contributions Not Allowed.--An estate or
trust shall not be allowed the credit against tax provided by section
25B.''.
(2) The table of sections for subpart A of part IV of
subchapter A of chapter 1 of such Code is amended by inserting
after the item relating to section 25A the following new item:
``Sec. 25B. In-State contributions to
congressional candidates.''.
(c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall
apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 1999.
TITLE II--LEVELING THE PLAYING FIELD FOR CANDIDATES
SEC. 201. SEED MONEY TO ENCOURAGE NEW CANDIDATES AND COMPETITIVE
CAMPAIGNS.
(a) In General.--Section 315 of the Federal Election Campaign Act
of 1971 (2 U.S.C. 441a) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)(1), by striking ``No person'' and
inserting ``Except as provided in subsection (i), no person'';
(2) in subsection (a)(2), by striking ``No multicandidate''
and inserting ``Except as provided in subsection (i), no
multicandidate''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(i) Modification of Limits.--
``(1) Seed money.--
``(A) In general.--In the case of a nomination for
election to, or election to, the Senate or House of
Representatives, the limits under paragraphs (1)(A) and
(2)(A) of subsection (a) for any calendar year shall be
4 times such limit determined without regard to this
section until such time as the aggregate amount of
contributions accepted exceed the applicable limit for
a candidate.
``(B) Candidate's applicable limit.--The applicable
limit under subparagraph (A) shall be--
``(i) an amount equal to--
``(I) in the case of a candidate
for the Senate, $300,000; and
``(II) in the case of a candidate
for the House of Representatives,
$100,000,
reduced (but not below zero) by
``(ii) the aggregate amount determined
under subsection (j)(1) that the candidate and
the candidate's authorized committees have
available to transfer from a previous election
cycle to the current election cycle.
``(C) Time to accept contributions under modified
limit.--A candidate and the candidate's authorized
committees shall not accept a contribution under the
modified limits of this subsection until the candidate
has received notification of the aggregate amount under
subsection (j)(2).''.
(b) Determination of Contributions Transferred From Previous
Election Cycle.--Section 315 of the Federal Election Campaign Act of
1971 (2 U.S.C. 441a) (as amended by subsection (a)) is amended by
adding at the end the following:
``(j) Determination of Contributions Transferred From Previous
Election Cycles.--
``(1) Determination.--For purposes of subsection (i)--
``(A) in the case of an individual elected to the
House of Representatives or the Senate, after the
receipt of the individual's post-general election
report under section 304(a)(2)(A)(ii) for the election
cycle in which the individual was elected, the
Commission shall determine the aggregate amount of
contributions that is available to be transferred from
1 or more previous election cycles to the current
election cycle of the candidate (regardless of whether
the amount has been so transferred); and
``(B) in the case of any other individual, the
amount shall be zero.
``(2) Notification.--The Commission shall notify the
candidate of the amount that is determined under paragraph (1).
``(3) Adjustment.--On receipt of notification under
paragraph (2), the limits under paragraphs (1)(B) and (2)(B) of
subsection (i) shall be adjusted accordingly.''.
SEC. 202. MODIFICATION OF CONTRIBUTION LIMITS IN RESPONSE TO
EXPENDITURES FROM PERSONAL FUNDS.
(a) Modification of Contribution Limits in Response to Expenditures
From Personal Funds.--Section 315(i) of the Federal Election Campaign
Act of 1971 (2 U.S.C. 441a) (as added by section 201) is amended by
adding at the end the following:
``(2) Increase in limit to allow response to expenditures
from personal funds.--
``(A) In general.--The applicable limit under
paragraph (1) for a particular election shall be
increased by the personal funds amount.
``(B) Personal funds amount.--The personal funds
amount is an amount equal to the excess (if any) of--
``(i) the greatest aggregate amount of
expenditures from personal funds (as defined in
section 304(a)(6)(B)) in excess of $25,000 that
an opposing candidate in the same election
makes; over
``(ii) the aggregate amount of expenditures
from personal funds made by the candidate in
the election.''.
(b) Notification of Expenditures From Personal Funds.--Section
304(a)(6) of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (2 U.S.C.
434(a)(6)) is amended--
(1) by redesignating subparagraph (B) as subparagraph (D);
and
(2) by inserting after subparagraph (A) the following:
``(B) Notification of expenditure from personal funds.--
``(i) Definition of expenditure from personal funds.--In
this subparagraph, the term `expenditure from personal funds'
means--
``(I) an expenditure made by a candidate using
personal funds; and
``(II) a contribution made by a candidate using
personal funds to the candidate's authorized committee.
``(ii) Initial notification.--Not later than 24 hours after
a candidate seeking nomination for election to, or election to,
the Senate makes or obligates to make an aggregate amount of
expenditures from personal funds in excess of $25,000 in
connection with any election, the candidate shall file a
notification stating the amount of the expenditure with--
``(I) the Commission; and
``(II) each candidate in the same election.
``(iii) Additional notification.--After a candidate files
an initial notification under clause (ii), the candidate shall
file an additional notification each time expenditures from
personal funds are made or obligated to be made in an aggregate
amount of $5,000 with--
``(I) the Commission; and
``(II) each candidate in the same election.
``(iv) Contents.--A notification under clause (ii) or (iii)
shall include--
``(I) the name of the candidate and the office
sought by the candidate;
``(II) the date and amount of each expenditure; and
``(III) the total amount of expenditures from
personal funds that the candidate has made, or
obligated to make, with respect to an election as of
the date of the expenditure that is the subject of the
notification.''.
(c) Definitions.--Section 301 of the Federal Election Campaign Act
of 1971 (2 U.S.C. 431) (as amended by section 101(c)) is amended by
adding at the end the following:
``(21) Election Cycle.--The term `election cycle' means the period
beginning on the day after the date of the most recent general election
for the specific office or seat that a candidate is seeking and ending
on the date of the next general election for that office or seat.
``(22) Personal Funds.--The term `personal funds' means an amount
that is derived from--
``(A) any asset that, under applicable State law, at the
time the individual became a candidate, the candidate had legal
right of access to or control over, and with respect to which
the candidate had--
``(i) legal and rightful title; or
``(ii) an equitable interest;
``(B) income received during the current election cycle of
the candidate, including--
``(i) a salary and other earned income from bona
fide employment;
``(ii) dividends and proceeds from the sale of the
candidate's stocks or other investments;
``(iii) bequests to the candidate;
``(iv) income from trusts established before the
beginning of the election cycle;
``(v) income from trusts established by bequest
after the beginning of the election cycle of which the
candidate is the beneficiary;
``(vi) gifts of a personal nature that had been
customarily received by the candidate prior to
beginning of the election cycle; and
``(vii) proceeds from lotteries and similar legal
games of chance; and
``(C) a portion of assets that are jointly owned by the
candidate and the candidate's spouse equal to the candidate's
share of the asset under the instrument of conveyance or
ownership but if no specific share is indicated by an
instrument of conveyance or ownership, the value of \1/2\ of
the property.''.
SEC. 203. LIMIT ON SENATE USE OF THE FRANKING PRIVILEGE.
Section 3210(a)(6) of title 39, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in subparagraph (A)--
(A) in the matter preceding clause (i), by striking
``Congress may not'' and inserting ``the House of
Representatives may not''; and
(B) in clause (i), by striking ``60 days (or, in
the case of a Member of the House, fewer than 90
days)'' and inserting ``90 days''; and
(2) by striking subparagraph (C) and inserting the
following:
``(C)(i) A Member of the Senate shall not mail any
mass mailing as franked mail during a year in which
there will be an election for the seat held by the
Member during the period between January 1 of that year
and the date of the general election for that office,
unless the Member has made a public announcement that
the Member will not be a candidate for reelection to
that office in that year.
``(ii) A Member of the Senate shall not mail any
mass mailing as franked mail if the mass mailing is
postmarked fewer than 60 days before the date of any
primary election or general election (whether regular,
special, or runoff) for any national, State, or local
office in which the Member is a candidate for
election.''.
TITLE III--VOLUNTARINESS OF POLITICAL CONTRIBUTIONS
SEC. 301. CONSENT FOR USE OF DUES AND FEES OF LABOR ORGANIZATIONS.
(a) Findings.--Congress finds that--
(1) workers who pay dues or fees to a labor organization
may not, as a matter of law, be required to pay to that
organization any dues or fees supporting activities that are
not necessary to perform the duties of the exclusive
representative of employees in dealing with the employer on
labor-management issues;
(2) many labor organizations use portions of the dues or
fees they collect from the workers they represent for
activities that are not necessary to perform those duties, such
as supporting political, social, or charitable causes or other
non-collective bargaining activities;
(3) unfortunately, many workers who pay such dues or fees
have insufficient information about the workers' rights
regarding the payment of dues or fees to a labor organization
and how labor organizations spend employee dues or fees; and
(4) it is a fundamental tenet of this Nation that all men
and women have a right to make individual and informed choices
about the political, social, or charitable causes they support,
and the law should protect that right to the greatest extent
possible.
(b) Purpose.--The purpose of this section is to ensure that--
(1) all workers have sufficient information about their
rights regarding the payment of dues or fees to labor
organizations and the uses of employee dues and fees by labor
organizations; and
(2) the right of all workers to make individual and
informed choices about the political, social, or charitable
causes they support is protected to the greatest extent
possible.
(c) Written Consent.--
(1) In general.--
(A) Authorization.--Before accepting payment of any
dues or fees from an employee as a condition of
employment, under an agreement authorized by Federal
law, a labor organization shall obtain from each
employee voluntary, written authorization for any
portion of the dues or fees that will be used for an
activity that is not necessary to perform the duties of
the exclusive representative of the employees in
dealing with the employer on labor-management issues.
(B) Requirements.--An authorization under
subparagraph (A) shall clearly state that--
(i) an employee may not be required to
provide the authorization; and
(ii) if the authorization is provided, the
employee agrees to allow any dues or fees paid
to the labor organization to be used for
activities that are not necessary to perform
the duties of the exclusive representative and
that may be political, social, or charitable in
nature.
(2) Revocation.--An authorization under paragraph (1) is
effective until revoked by written notice to the labor
organization and a revocation shall be effective on the date
that is 30 days after the date of receipt of the notice by the
labor organization.
(3) Civil action by employee.--
(A) In general.--An affected employee may bring a
civil action against a labor organization that violates
this subsection in any Federal or State court of
competent jurisdiction for--
(i) damages equal to--
(I) twice the amount of the dues or
fees accepted in violation of this
subsection; and
(II) the interest on the amount
described in subclause (I) calculated
at the prevailing rate; and
(ii) such equitable relief as may be
appropriate.
(B) Fees and costs.--The court shall, in addition
to any judgment awarded to the plaintiff, allow a
reasonable attorney's fee, reasonable expert witness
fee, and other costs of the civil action.
(C) Limitation.--
(i) In general.--Except as provided in
clause (ii), a civil action may be brought
under this paragraph not later than the date
that is 2 years after the date on which the
employee knew or should have known that dues or
fees were accepted or spent by a labor
organization in violation of this subsection.
(ii) Willful violation.--In the case of a
willful violation of this subsection, clause
(i) shall be applied by substituting ``3
years'' for ``2 years''.
(d) Notice.--An employer shall post a notice, of such size and in
such form as the Secretary of Labor shall prescribe, in conspicuous
places on the employer's property (including plants, offices, and all
places where notices to employees are customarily posted) informing
employees that any labor organization accepting payment of any dues or
fees from an employee as a condition of employment under an agreement
authorized by Federal law must obtain from each employee prior, written
authorization if any portion of such dues or fees will be used for
activities not necessary to perform the duties of the exclusive
representative of the employees in dealing with the employer on labor-
management issues.
(e) Disclosure to Workers.--
(1) Expenses reporting.--Section 201(b)(6) of the Labor-
Management Reporting and Disclosure Act of 1959 (29 U.S.C.
431(b)(6)) is amended by inserting ``and attributing the
disbursements in such detail as necessary to allow members and
employees required to pay any dues or fees to the labor
organization to determine whether the disbursements
were necessary to perform the duties of the exclusive representative of
the employees in dealing with the employer on labor-management issues''
before ``thereof''.
(2) Disclosure.--Section 201(c) of the Labor-Management
Reporting and Disclosure Act of 1959 (29 U.S.C. 431(c)) is
amended in the first sentence--
(A) by inserting ``and employees required to pay
any dues or fees to the labor organization'' after
``members''; and
(B) by inserting ``or employee required to pay any
dues or fees to the labor organization'' after
``member'' each place it appears.
(3) Written requests.--Section 205 of the Labor-Management
Reporting and Disclosure Act of 1959 (29 U.S.C. 435) is
amended--
(A) by striking subsection (b) and inserting the
following:
``(b) Inspection, Examination, and Copying of Information and
Data.--The Secretary shall by regulation make reasonable provision
for--
``(1) on the request of any person, the inspection and
examination of the information and data contained in any report
or other document filed with the Secretary under section 201,
202, 203, or 211; and
``(2) on written request of any person, the availability of
complete copies of any report or other document filed under
section 201.''; and
(B) in subsection (c), in the first sentence, by
inserting ``(except as provided in subsection (b)(2))''
before the period.
(f) Regulations.--The Secretary of Labor shall promulgate a
regulation as necessary to carry out--
(1) the amendments made by subsection (d), not later than
the date that is 60 days after the date of enactment of this
Act; and
(2) the amendments made by subsection (e), not later than
the date that is 120 days after the date of enactment of this
Act.
SEC. 302. CORPORATE SHAREHOLDER NOTIFICATION.
Title III of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (2 U.S.C.
431 et seq.) is amended by inserting after section 316 the following:
``SEC. 316A. CORPORATE SHAREHOLDER NOTIFICATION.
``A corporation required by any law of Congress to submit an annual
report to the corporation's shareholders shall disclose--
``(1) the aggregate amount of donations (as defined in
section 301(20)) made by the corporation during the year; and
``(2) the name of the political committee to which each
donation was made.''.
TITLE IV--ELIMINATION OF ELECTION CAMPAIGN EXCESSES
SEC. 401. PROHIBITION OF FUNDRAISING ON FEDERAL PROPERTY AND OTHER
CRIMINAL PROHIBITIONS.
(a) Prohibition of Fundraising on Federal Property.--Section 607 of
title 18, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in subsection (a), by striking ``within the meaning of
section 301(8)'' and inserting ``or donation within the meaning
of paragraphs (8) and (20) of section 301(8)''; and
(2) in subsection (b)--
(A) by inserting ``or donations'' after
``contributions'' each place it appears;
(B) by inserting ``or donation'' after
``contribution''; and
(C) by inserting ``donor'' after ``contributor''.
(b) Amendment of Title 18 To Include Prohibition of Donations.--
Chapter 29 of title 18, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in section 602(a)(4), by striking ``within the meaning
of section 301(8)'' and inserting ``or donation within the
meaning of paragraphs (8) and (20) of section 301''; and
(2) in section 603(a)--
(A) by striking ``within the meaning of section
301(8)'' and inserting ``or donation within the meaning
of paragraphs (8) and (20) of section 301''; and
(B) by inserting ``or donation'' after contribution
the second and third time it appears.
(c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall
apply to violations occurring on or after the date of enactment of this
Act.
SEC. 402. DEPOSIT OF CERTAIN CONTRIBUTIONS AND DONATIONS IN TREASURY
ACCOUNT.
(a) In General.--Title III of the Federal Election Campaign Act of
1971 (2 U.S.C. 431 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the
following:
``SEC. 324. TREATMENT OF CERTAIN CONTRIBUTIONS AND DONATIONS TO BE
RETURNED TO DONORS.
``(a) Transfer to Commission.--
``(1) In general.--Notwithstanding any other provision of
this Act, if a political committee intends to return any
contribution or donation given to the political committee, the
committee shall transfer the contribution or donation to the
Commission if--
``(A) the contribution or donation is in an amount
equal to or greater than $500 (other than a
contribution or donation returned within 60 days of
receipt by the committee); or
``(B) the contribution or donation was made in
violation of section 315, 316, 317, 319, 320, or 325
(other than a contribution or donation returned within
30 days of receipt by the committee).
``(2) Information included with transferred contribution or
donation.--A political committee shall include with any
contribution or donation transferred under paragraph (1)--
``(A) a request that the Commission return the
contribution or donation to the person making the
contribution or donation; and
``(B) information regarding the circumstances
surrounding the making of the contribution or donation
and any opinion of the political committee concerning
whether the contribution or donation may have been made
in violation of this Act.
``(3) Establishment of escrow account.--
``(A) In general.--The Commission shall establish a
single interest-bearing escrow account for deposit of
amounts transferred under paragraph (1).
``(B) Disposition of amounts received.--On
receiving an amount from a political committee under
paragraph (1), the Commission shall--
``(i) deposit the amount in the escrow
account established under subparagraph (A); and
``(ii) notify the Attorney General and the
Commissioner of the Internal Revenue Service of
the receipt of the amount from the political
committee.
``(C) Use of interest to cover administrative
costs.--Any interest earned on amounts in the escrow
account established under subparagraph (A) shall be
applied toward the administrative costs incurred by the
Commission in establishing and administering the
account, and any remaining interest shall be deposited
in the general fund of the Treasury.
``(4) Treatment of returned contribution or donation as a
complaint.--The transfer of any contribution or donation to the
Commission under this section shall be treated as the filing of
a complaint under section 309(a).
``(b) Use of Amounts Placed in Escrow To Cover Fines and
Penalties.--The Commission or the Attorney General may require any
amount deposited in the escrow account under subsection (a)(3) to be
applied toward the payment of any fine or penalty imposed under this
Act or title 18, United States Code against the person making the
contribution or donation.
``(c) Return of Contribution or Donation After Deposit in Escrow.--
``(1) In general.--The Commission shall return a
contribution or donation deposited in the escrow account under
subsection (a)(3) to the person making the contribution or
donation if--
``(A) within 180 days after the date the
contribution or donation is transferred, the Commission
has not made a determination under section 309(a)(2)
that the Commission has reason to believe that the
making of the contribution or donation was made in
violation of this Act; or
``(B)(i) the contribution or donation will not be
used to cover fines, penalties, or costs pursuant to
subsection (b); or
``(ii) in the case of a contribution or donation
that will be used for a purpose described in clause
(i), the amounts required for such purpose have been
withdrawn from the escrow account and subtracted from
the returnable contribution or donation.
``(2) No effect on status of investigation.--The return of
a contribution or donation by the Commission under this
subsection shall not be construed as having an effect on the
status of an investigation by the Commission or the Attorney
General of the contribution or donation or the circumstances
surrounding the contribution or donation, or on the ability of
the Commission or the Attorney General to take future actions
with respect to the contribution or donation.''.
(b) Amounts Used To Determine Amount of Penalty for Violation.--
Section 309(a) of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (2 U.S.C.
437g(a)) is amended by inserting after paragraph (9) the following:
``(10) For purposes of determining the amount of a civil penalty
imposed under this subsection for a violation of section 324, the
amount of the donation involved shall be treated as the amount of the
contribution involved.''.
(c) Disgorgement Authority.--Section 309 of the Federal Election
Campaign Act of 1971 (2 U.S.C. 437g) is amended by adding at the end
the following:
``(e) Disgorgement Authority.--Any conciliation agreement, civil
action, or criminal action entered into or instituted under this
section may require a person to forfeit to the Treasury any
contribution, donation, or expenditure that is the subject of the
agreement or action for transfer to the Commission for deposit in
accordance with section 324.''.
(d) Effective Date.--The amendments made by subsections (a) and (b)
shall apply with respect to contributions or donations returned on or
after the date of enactment of this Act, without regard to whether the
Federal Election Commission or Attorney General has issued regulations
to carry out section 324 of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971
(as added by subsection (a)) by that date.
SEC. 403. NATIONAL POLITICAL PARTY COMMITTEES; ``SOFT'' AND ``HARD''
MONEY.
(a) ``Soft'' Money of National Political Party Committees.--Title
III of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (2 U.S.C. 431 et seq.)
(as amended by section 402) is amended by adding at the end the
following:
``SEC. 325. `SOFT' MONEY OF POLITICAL PARTY COMMITTEES.
``A national committee of a political party, any subordinate
committee of a national committee, a Senatorial or Congressional
Campaign Committee of a national political party, or an entity that is
directly or indirectly established, financed, maintained, or controlled
by a national committee or a Senatorial or Congressional Campaign
Committee of a national political party or that is an entity acting on
behalf of a national committee or a Senatorial or Congressional
Campaign Committee of a national political party shall not accept
donations from any person during a calendar year in an aggregate amount
that exceeds $100,000.''.
(b) Increase in ``Hard'' Limits on Contributions.--Section 315(a)
of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (2 U.S.C. 441a(a)) is
amended--
(1) in paragraph (1)(B), by striking ``$20,000'' and
inserting ``$50,000''; and
(2) in paragraph (3), by striking ``$25,000'' and inserting
``$50,000''.
SEC. 404. PROHIBITION OF CONVERSION OF CAMPAIGN FUNDS TO PERSONAL USE.
Section 313 of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (2 U.S.C.
439a) is amended to read as follows:
``SEC. 313. USE OF CONTRIBUTED AMOUNTS FOR CERTAIN PURPOSES.
``(a) Permitted Uses.--A contribution accepted by a candidate, and
any other amount received by an individual as support for activities of
the individual as a holder of Federal office, may be used by the
candidate or individual--
``(1) for expenditures in connection with the campaign for
Federal office of the candidate or individual;
``(2) for ordinary and necessary expenses incurred in
connection with duties of the individual as a holder of Federal
office;
``(3) for a charitable contribution (as defined in section
170(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986) to an organization
described in section 170(c)(2) of such Code; or
``(4) for transfers to a national, State, or local
committee of a political party.
``(b) Prohibited Use.--
``(1) In general.--A contribution or amount described in
subsection (a) shall not be converted by any person to personal
use.
``(2) Conversion.--For the purposes of paragraph (1), a
contribution or amount shall be considered to be converted to
personal use if the contribution or amount is used to fulfill
any commitment, obligation, or expense of a person that would
exist irrespective of the candidate's election campaign or
individual's duties as a holder of Federal office, including--
``(A) a home mortgage, rent, or utility payment;
``(B) a clothing purchase;
``(C) a noncampaign-related automobile expense;
``(D) a country club membership;
``(E) a vacation or other noncampaign-related trip;
``(F) a household food item;
``(G) a tuition payment;
``(H) admission to a sporting event, concert,
theater, or other form of entertainment not associated
with an election campaign; and
``(I) dues, fees, and other payments to a health
club or recreational facility.''.
TITLE V--ENHANCED DISCLOSURE
SEC. 501. REPORTING REQUIREMENTS FOR CANDIDATES.
(a) Weekly Reports.--Section 304(a)(2)(A) of the Federal Election
Campaign Act of 1971 (2 U.S.C. 434(a)(2)(A)) is amended--
(1) in clause (ii), by striking ``and'' at the end; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``(iv) beginning on the date that is 30 days before
the date of the general election and ending on the date
of the general election, additional weekly reports
which shall be filed not later than Monday of each
week; and''.
(b) Expedited Reporting for Large Contributions Made to Principal
Campaign Committee Within 90 Days of Election.--Section 304(a)(6)(A) of
the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (2 U.S.C. 434(a)(6)(A)) is
amended by striking ``after the 20th day'' and inserting ``after the
90th day before an election''.
(c) Waiver of ``Best Efforts'' Exception for Information on
Identification of Contributors.--Section 302(i) of the Federal Election
Campaign Act of 1971 (2 U.S.C. 432(i)) is amended--
(1) by striking ``(i) When the treasurer'' and inserting
``(i)(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), when the
treasurer''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``(2) Paragraph (1) shall not apply with respect to information
regarding the identification of any person who makes a contribution or
contributions aggregating more than $200 during a calendar year (as
required to be provided under subsection (c)(3)).''.
SEC. 502. ACCESS TO INFORMATION ON THE INTERNET.
Section 304 of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (2 U.S.C.
434(a)) is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(d) Electronic Disclosure to the Public.--The Commission shall
make the information contained in a report submitted under this section
available to the public on the Internet and at the offices of the
Commission as soon as practicable after the information is received by
the Commission.''.
SEC. 503. REPORTING REQUIREMENTS FOR INDEPENDENT EXPENDITURES WITHIN 20
DAYS BEFORE AN ELECTION.
Section 304 of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (2 U.S.C.
434(c)) is amended--
(1) by redesignating subsection (d) (as added by section
502) as subsection (e); and
(2) in subsection (c)--
(A) in paragraph (2), by striking the undesignated
matter after subparagraph (C);
(B) by redesignating paragraph (3) as paragraph
(7); and
(C) by inserting after paragraph (2) the following:
``(d) Time for Reporting Certain Expenditures.--
``(1) Expenditures aggregating $1,000.--
``(A) Initial report.--A person that makes
independent expenditures aggregating $1,000 or more
after the 20th day, but more than 24 hours, before the
date of an election shall file a report describing the
expenditures within 24 hours after that amount of
independent expenditures has been made.
``(B) Additional reports.--After a person files a
report under subparagraph (A), the person shall file an
additional report each time that independent
expenditures aggregating an additional $1,000 are made
with respect to the same election as that to which the
initial report relates.
``(2) Expenditures aggregating $10,000.--
``(A) Initial report.--A person that makes
independent expenditures aggregating $10,000 or more at
any time up to and including the 20th day before an
election shall file a report describing the
expenditures within 48 hours after that amount of
independent expenditures is made.
``(B) Additional reports.--After a person files a
report under subparagraph (A), the person shall file an
additional report each time that independent
expenditures aggregating an additional $10,000 are made
with respect to the same election as that to which the
initial report relates.
``(3) Place of filing; contents; transmittal.--
``(A) Place of filing; contents.--A report under
this subsection--
``(i) shall be filed with the Commission;
and
``(ii) shall contain the information
required by subsection (b)(6)(B)(iii).
``(B) Transmittal to candidates.--Not later than 2
business days after receipt of a report under this
subsection, the Commission shall transmit a copy of the
report to each candidate seeking nomination for
election to, or election to, the office in question.
``(4) Obligation to make expenditure.--For purposes of this
subsection, an expenditure shall be treated as being made on
the making of any payment or the taking of any action to incur
an obligation for payment.''.
SEC. 504. REQUIRED LOBBYIST DISCLOSURE OF CONTRIBUTIONS AND DONATIONS.
Section 5 of the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 (2 U.S.C. 1604) is
amended--
(1) in subsection (a), by inserting ``, contributions, and
donations'' after ``lobbying activities''; and
(2) in subsection (b)--
(A) in paragraph (3), by striking ``; and'' at the
end;
(B) in paragraph (4), by striking the period at the
end and inserting ``; and''; and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
``(5) if the registrant, the registrant's employer, or a
separate segregated fund of such employer has made a
contribution or donation (as defined in section 301 of the
Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (2 U.S.C. 431)) to a
covered executive branch official, covered legislative branch
official, or political committee (as defined in section 301 of
the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (2 U.S.C. 431)), the
amount of the contribution or donation, the official or
political committee to whom the contribution or donation was
made, and the date on which the contribution or donation was
made.''.
TITLE VI--FEDERAL ELECTION COMMISSION REFORM
SEC. 601. FILING OF REPORTS USING COMPUTERS AND FACSIMILE MACHINES.
Section 304(a) of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (2
U.S.C. 434(a)) is amended by striking paragraph (11) and inserting the
following:
``(11) Filing reports using computers and facsimile
machines.--
``(A) Software.--The Commission shall--
``(i) develop software for use to file a
designation, statement, or report under this
Act; and
``(ii) provide a copy of the software at no
cost to a person required to file a
designation, statement, or report under this
Act.
``(B) Computers.--The Commission shall promulgate a
regulation under which a person required to file a
designation, statement, or report under this Act--
``(i) is required to maintain and file the
designation, statement, or report for any
calendar year in electronic form accessible by
computers if the person has, or has reason to
expect to have, aggregate contributions or
expenditures in excess of a threshold amount
determined by the Commission; and
``(ii) may maintain and file a designation,
statement, or report in that manner if not
required to do so under a regulation
promulgated under clause (i).
``(C) Facsimile machine.--The Commission shall
promulgate a regulation which allows a person to file a
designation, statement, or report required by this Act
through the use of a facsimile machine.
``(D) Verification of signature.--In promulgating a
regulation under this paragraph, the Commission shall
provide methods (other than requiring a signature on
the document being filed) for verifying a designation,
statement, or report covered by the regulation. A
document verified under any of the methods shall be
treated for all purposes (including penalties for
perjury) in the same manner as a document verified by
signature.''.
SEC. 602. TERM LIMITS FOR FEDERAL ELECTION COMMISSION.
(a) In General.--Section 306(a)(2)(A) of the Federal Election
Campaign Act of 1971 (2 U.S.C. 437c(a)(2)(A)) is amended in the matter
preceding clause (i) by striking ``6 years'' and inserting ``8 years''.
(b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a) shall
apply to appointments made after the date of enactment of this Act.
SEC. 603. INCREASE IN PENALTY FOR KNOWING AND WILLFUL VIOLATIONS.
Section 309(a)(5)(B) of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971
(2 U.S.C. 437g(a)(5)(B)) is amended by striking ``the greater of
$10,000 or an amount equal to 200 percent'' and inserting ``the greater
of $15,000 or an amount equal to 300 percent''.
SEC. 604. CIVIL PENALTIES FOR MINOR REPORTING VIOLATIONS.
Section 309(a)(4)(A) of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971
(2 U.S.C. 437g(a)(4)(A)) is amended--
(1) in the first sentence of clause (i) by striking
``clause (ii)'' and inserting ``clauses (ii) and (iii)''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``(iii) Minor reporting violations.--
``(I) Definition of minor reporting violation.--The
Commission shall by regulation establish a definition
of the term `minor reporting violation' for the
purposes of this clause.
``(II) Assessment by the commission.--After notice
and hearing, the Commission may, without following the
procedure of subparagraph (A) or paragraph (5) or (6),
assess a civil penalty against a person that commits a
minor reporting violation.
``(III) Schedule of amounts of civil penalties.--
The Commission shall by regulation establish a schedule
of the amounts (or ranges of amounts) of civil
penalties (not to exceed $5,000) that shall be assessed
for different categories of minor reporting violations.
``(IV) Considerations.--In determining the amounts
of civil penalties, the Commission shall consider the
effect that a violation could be expected to have on
the conduct of an election campaign or on the outcome
of an election, the previous compliance record of the
violator, and other appropriate factors.
``(V) Limitation.--A civil penalty assessed by the
Commission under this clause shall not be made public
within 30 days before the date of an election.
``(VI) Enforcement and judicial review.--The
Commission, acting through its own attorneys, may bring
a civil action in United States district court for
payment of, and a person against whom a civil penalty
has been assessed may bring a civil action in
United States district court to review, a civil penalty under subclause
(II). Paragraph (7) shall apply to a civil action under this subclause.
``(VII) Election of remedy.--If the Commission
elects to proceed under this clause against a person
for a minor reporting violation, the Commission shall
be precluded from seeking enforcement with respect to
that violation under any other provision of this Act or
other law.''.
SEC. 605. ORAL ARGUMENTS; INDEX OF ACTIONS.
(a) Opportunity for Oral Arguments Before Commission.--Section
309(a)(3) of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (2 U.S.C.
437g(a)(3)) is amended--
(1) by striking ``(3)'' and inserting ``(3)(A)''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``(B) Oral argument.--
``(i) Request.--If a respondent submits a
brief under subparagraph (A), the respondent
may submit, with the brief, a request to
present an oral argument before the Commission
in support of the respondent's brief.
``(ii) Presentation.--
``(I) In general.--If at least 2
members of the Commission approve of a
request submitted under clause (i), the
respondent or the respondent's
representative shall appear before the
Commission in an open session and make
an oral presentation in support of the
brief and respond to questions of
members of the Commission.
``(II) Time.--The appearance shall
take place at a time specified by the
Commission during the 30-day period
that begins on the date the request is
approved, and the Commission may limit
the length of the respondent's
appearance to a period of time that the
Commission considers appropriate.
``(III) Consideration.--Information
provided by the respondent during the
appearance shall be considered by the
Commission before proceeding under
paragraph (4).''.
(b) Index of Advisory Opinions, Regulations, and Enforcement
Actions.--Section 311 of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (2
U.S.C. 438) is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(g) Compilation of Index.--The Commission shall compile, publish,
and regularly update a complete and detailed index of the advisory
opinions issued under this section 308, enforcement actions under
section 309, and regulations issued under this Act.''.
SEC. 606. CHANGE IN CERTAIN REPORTING FROM A CALENDAR YEAR BASIS TO AN
ELECTION CYCLE BASIS.
Paragraphs (2), (3), (4), (5), (6), and (7) of section 304(b) of
the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (2 U.S.C. 434(b)) are each
amended by inserting ``(election cycle, in the case of a candidate's
authorized committee)'' after ``calendar year'' each place it appears.
SEC. 607. CONFIRMATION OF GENERAL COUNSEL AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR.
Section 306(f)(1) of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (2
U.S.C. 437c(f)(1)) is amended in the first sentence by striking
``Commission'' and inserting ``President, by and with the advice and
consent of the Senate'' before the period.
TITLE VII--IMPROVEMENTS TO THE NATIONAL VOTER REGISTRATION ACT
SEC. 701. REPEAL OF REQUIREMENT FOR STATES TO PROVIDE FOR VOTER
REGISTRATION BY MAIL.
(a) In General.--Section 4(a) of the National Voter Registration
Act of 1993 (42 U.S.C. 1973gg-2(a)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1), by adding ``and'' at the end;
(2) by striking paragraph (2); and
(3) by redesignating paragraph (3) as paragraph (2).
(b) Conforming Amendments Relating to Uniform Mail Voter
Registration Form.--
(1) The National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (42 U.S.C.
1973gg et seq.) is amended by striking section 9.
(2) Section 7(a)(6)(A) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1973gg-
5(a)(6)(A)) is amended by striking ``assistance--'' and all
that follows and inserting the following: ``assistance, a voter
registration application form which meets the requirements
described in section 5(c)(2) (other than subparagraph (A) of
such section), unless the applicant, in writing, declines to
register to vote;''.
(c) Other Conforming Amendments.--(1) The National Voter
Registration Act of 1993 (42 U.S.C. 1973gg et seq.) is amended by
striking section 6.
(2) Section 8(a)(5) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1973gg-6(a)(5)) is
amended by striking ``5, 6, and 7'' and inserting ``5 and 7''.
SEC. 702. REQUIRING APPLICANTS REGISTERING TO VOTE TO PROVIDE CERTAIN
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.
(a) Social Security Number.--
(1) In general.--Section 5(c)(2) of the National Voter
Registration Act of 1993 (42 U.S.C. 1973gg-3(c)(2)) is
amended--
(A) by striking ``and'' at the end of subparagraph
(D);
(B) by striking the period at the end of
subparagraph (E) and inserting ``; and''; and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
``(F) shall require the applicant to provide the
applicant's Social Security number.''.
(2) Conforming amendment.--Section 5(c)(2)(A) of such Act
(42 U.S.C. 1973gg-3(c)(2)(A)) is amended by inserting after
``subparagraph (C)'' the following: ``, or the information
described in subparagraph (F)''.
(3) Effective date.--The amendments made by this section
shall take effect January 1, 2000, and shall apply with respect
to applicants registering to vote in elections for Federal
office on or after such date.
(b) Actual Proof of Citizenship.--
(1) Registration with application for driver's license.--
Section 5(c) of the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (42
U.S.C. 1973gg-3(c)) is amended by adding at the end the
following:
``(3) The voter registration portion of an application for a State
motor vehicle driver's license shall not be considered to be completed
unless the applicant provides to the appropriate State motor vehicle
authority proof that the applicant is a citizen of the United
States.''.
(2) Registration with voter registration agencies.--Section
7(a) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1973gg-5(a)) is amended by adding
at the end the following:
``(8) A voter registration application received by a voter
registration agency shall not be considered to be completed unless the
applicant provides to the agency proof that the applicant is a citizen
of the United States.''.
(3) Conforming amendment.--Section 8(a)(5)(A) of such Act
(42 U.S.C. 1973gg-6(a)(5)(A)) is amended by inserting ``,
including the requirement that the applicant provide proof of
citizenship'' after ``requirements''.
SEC. 703. REMOVAL OF CERTAIN REGISTRANTS FROM OFFICIAL LIST OF ELIGIBLE
VOTERS.
(a) In General.--Section 8(d) of the National Voter Registration
Act of 1993 (42 U.S.C. 1973gg-6(d)) is amended--
(1) by redesignating paragraph (3) as paragraph (4); and
(2) by inserting after paragraph (2) the following new
paragraph:
``(3)(A) At the option of the State, a State may remove the name of
a registrant from the official list of eligible voters in elections for
Federal office (and, if necessary, correct the registrar's record of
the registrant's address) on the ground that the registrant has changed
residence if--
``(i) the registrant has not voted or appeared to vote in
an election during the period beginning on the day after the
date of the second previous general election for Federal office
held prior to the date the confirmation notice described in
subparagraph (B) is sent and ending on the date of such notice;
``(ii) the registrant has not voted or appeared to vote in
any of the first two general elections for Federal office held
after the confirmation notice described in subparagraph (B) is
sent; and
``(iii) during the period beginning on the date the
confirmation notice described in subparagraph (B) is sent and
ending on the date of the second general election for Federal
office held after the date such notice is sent, the registrant
has failed to notify the State in response to the notice that
the registrant did not change his or her residence, or changed
residence but remained in the registrar's jurisdiction.
``(B) A confirmation notice described in this subparagraph is a
postage prepaid and pre-addressed return card, sent by forwardable
mail, on which a registrant may state his or her current address,
together with information concerning how the registrant can continue to
be eligible to vote if the registrant has changed residence to a place
outside the registrar's jurisdiction and a statement that the
registrant may be removed from the official list of eligible voters if
the registrant does not respond to the notice (during the period
described in subparagraph (A)(iii)) by stating that the registrant did
not change his or her residence, or changed residence but remained in
the registrar's jurisdiction.''.
(b) Conforming Amendment.--Section 8(i)(2) of such Act (42 U.S.C.
1973gg-6(d)) is amended by inserting ``or subsection (d)(3)'' after
``subsection (d)(2)''.
SEC. 704. PERMITTING STATE TO REQUIRE VOTERS TO PRODUCE ADDITIONAL
INFORMATION PRIOR TO VOTING.
(a) Photographic Identification.--Section 8 of the National Voter
Registration Act of 1993 (42 U.S.C. 1973gg-6) is amended--
(1) by redesignating subsection (j) as subsection (k); and
(2) by inserting after subsection (i) the following new
subsection:
``(j) Permitting States To Require Voters To Produce Photo
Identification.--A State may require an individual to produce a valid
photographic identification before receiving a ballot for voting in an
election for Federal office.''.
(b) Signature.--Section 8 of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1973gg-6), as
amended by subsection (a), is amended--
(1) by redesignating subsection (k) as subsection (l); and
(2) by inserting after subsection (j) the following new
subsection:
``(k) Permitting States To Require Voters To Provide Signature.--A
State may require an individual to provide the individual's signature
(in the presence of an election official at the polling place) before
receiving a ballot for voting in an election for Federal office, other
than an individual who is unable to provide a signature because of
illiteracy or disability.''.
SEC. 705. REPEAL OF REQUIREMENT THAT STATES PERMIT REGISTRANTS CHANGING
RESIDENCE TO VOTE AT POLLING PLACE FOR FORMER ADDRESS.
Section 8(e)(2) of the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (42
U.S.C. 1973gg-6(e)(2)) is amended--
(1) by striking ``(2)(A)'' and inserting ``(2)''; and
(2) by striking ``election, at the option of the
registrant--'' and all that follows and inserting the
following: ``election shall be permitted to correct the voting
records for purposes of voting in future elections at the
appropriate polling place for the current address and, if
permitted by State law, shall be permitted to vote in the
present election, upon confirmation by the registrant of the
new address by such means as are required by law.''.
<all>
Introduced in Senate
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S5851-5853)
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration.
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