11 CFR Part 100 - SCOPE AND DEFINITIONS (52 U.S.C. 30101)

The Federal Election Commission requests comment on two alternative proposals to amend its regulations concerning disclaimers on public communications on the internet that contain express advocacy, solicit contributions, or are made by political committees. The Commission is undertaking this rulemaking in light of technological advances since the Commission last revised its rules governing internet disclaimers in 2006, and questions from the public about the application of those rules to internet communications. The Commission's goal is to promulgate a rule that in its text and interpretation recognizes the paramount importance of providing the public with the clearest disclosure of the payor or sponsor of these public communications on the internet. Both proposals are intended to give the American public easy access to information about the persons paying for and candidates authorizing these internet communications, pursuant to the Federal Election Campaign Act. Both proposals would continue to require disclaimers for certain internet communications, and both would allow certain internet communications to provide disclaimers through alternative technology. The proposals differ, however, in their approach. The Commission requests comment on all elements of both proposals. The two proposals need not be considered as fixed alternatives; commenters are encouraged to extract the best elements of each, or suggest improvements or alternatives, to help the Commission fashion the best possible rule. The Commission also requests comment on proposed changes to the definition of “public communication.” The Commission has not made any final decisions on any of the issues or proposals presented in this rulemaking.

The Commission is making technical corrections to various sections of its regulations. These are non-substantive amendments to correct typographical errors, update references, and remove provisions that no longer apply.

The Federal Election Commission requests comment on proposed changes to its regulations to address contributions and expenditures that are made by electronic means, such as through internet-based payment processors or text messaging; to eliminate and update references to outdated technologies; and to address similar issues. The Commission has not made any final decisions about the issues and proposals presented in this rulemaking.

On June 15, 2016, the Federal Election Commission received a Petition for Rulemaking asking the Commission to revise existing rules regarding the use of federal funds to pay for certain activities of state, district, or local committees of a political party. The Commission seeks comments on this petition.

The Commission is making technical corrections to various sections of its regulations.

The Commission announces its disposition of a Petition for Rulemaking (“Petition”) filed on August 28, 2014, by National Convention PBC. The Petition asks the Commission to amend 11 CFR 100.4 to revise the definition of “federal office” to include delegates to a constitutional convention. The Commission has decided not to initiate a rulemaking at this time. The Petition and other documents relating to this matter are available on the Commission's Web site, http://www.fec.gov/fosers/, and in the Commission's Public Records Office.

On August 28, 2014, the Commission received a Petition for Rulemaking from National Convention PBC. The petition asks the Commission to amend 11 CFR 100.4 to include delegates to a constitutional convention in the definition of “federal office.” The Commission seeks comments on this petition.

The Commission is making technical corrections to various sections of its regulations.

The Federal Election Commission is clarifying its interpretation of its rules for determining the date of a special primary election as those rules apply to nominations conducted under New York statutes that provide for a candidate to be nominated for a special election by a vote of a state or county party committee.