Weekly Digest
Week of January 18 – 22
COMMISSION MEETINGS
The Commission did not hold Open or Executive Sessions this week. Sunshine Act Notices for Executive Sessions are here. Agendas and related documents for Open Meetings are here.
Audio recordings for selected meetings, hearings and presentations are here.
ADVISORY OPINIONS
Drafts
AOR 2009-30 (TechNet). On January 24, the Commission made public draft Advisory Opinion 2009-30. TechNet, a 501(c)(6) trade association, asked on behalf of its corporate members whether the Act and Commission regulations permit corporations to pay for TechNet's fundraising consulting services for the corporations' separate segregated funds. The Commission must issue a response no later than 60 days after receipt of a complete request, that is, by February 1.
AOR 2009-31 (MAXIMUS, Inc). On January 22, the Commission made public draft Advisory Opinion 2009-31. MAXIMUS, Inc. asked whether the Act and Commission regulations permit it, as a corporation, to allow its restricted class employees to contribute the value of "credits" received as part of their compensation plans to MAXIMUS's separate segregated fund. The Commission must issue a response no later than 60 days after receipt of a complete request, that is, by February 1.
AOR 2009-32 (Jorgensen). On January 24, the Commission made public draft Advisory Opinion 2009-32, in which Dr. Richard Jorgensen asks whether Commission regulations permit him to sell certain fundraising items for political committees. The Commission must issue a response no later than 60 days after receipt of a complete request, that is, by February 16.
Advisory Opinions, Requests, Comments and Extensions are available here.
ENFORCEMENT
The Commission made public one closed case this week. For more information, see the case documents in the Enforcement Query System.
MUR 6233 – Norman Hsu. The Commission exercised its prosecutorial discretion and dismissed the case.
LITIGATION
Citizens United v. FEC. On January 21, the Supreme Court issued its opinion. The text may be found at: http://www.supremecourtus.gov/opinions/09pdf/08-205.pdf or http://www.fec.gov/law/litigation/cu_sc08_opinion.pdf .
The Commission is considering the impact of the opinion on its existing regulations, as well as its ongoing enforcement processes, and will be providing guidance to the public as soon as possible regarding what steps will be taken to comply fully with the opinion.
Citizens United had challenged the application of BCRA's electioneering communication provisions to the cable-video-on demand broadcast of a film produced by Citizens United, as well as to televised advertising for that film.
RULEMAKING AND AGENCY PROCEDURES
January 19: Public comments in response to the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on Coordinated Communications were due. The comments can be viewed here.
WORKSHOPS
January 20, Washington – FEC staff conducted reporting workshops for candidates, parties and PACs.
CAMPAIGN FINANCE REPORTS
January 21– Florida 19th District Pre-Primary Reports were due. For information on reporting dates for this election, click here. For information on campaign finance data concerning the special election, click here.
January 21– Illinois House and Senate Pre-Primary Reports were due. For information on reporting dates for this election, click here. Click here for information on electronic filing.
PRESS RELEASES
Supreme Court Issues Opinion in Citizens United v. FEC (issued January 21)
UPCOMING EVENTS
February 9-10, New Orleans, LA – Regional Conference for Campaigns, Party Committees and Corporate/Labor/Trade PACs. Conference and registration information and the agenda are here.
February 24, Washington, FEC Travel Rules Workshop. The program flyer is here.
March 9-10, Washington, Conference for Corporations and their PACs. Conference and registration information and the agenda are here.
NEXT WEEK (JANUARY 25 – 29, 2009)
January 27, Washington – Oral argument is scheduled in the Keating v. FEC (consolidated with SpeechNow.org v. FEC) case before the en banc panel of the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit.
January 29: The Commission is scheduled to hold an Open Session.
UPCOMING REPORTING DUE DATES
January 31: Year-End Disclosure Reports due. Click here for information on electronic filing.
OTHER RESOURCES
The January issue of The Record is here. Sign up here to receive email notification when a new issue of the Record is posted.
The January supplements to the FEC’s Campaign guides are here.
