Recent Developments in the Law

This page provides comprehensive information regarding selected legal issues, including educational materials that summarize the source documents relating to legislation, litigation and rulemakings. For information on matters not listed here, please visit the pages comprising the Law and Regulations section of this website. Should you have questions, please contact the FEC's Information Division, toll free at 800-424-9530 or by e-mail at info@fec.gov.

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Selected Current/Recent Legal Issues:

Hybrid PACs: Committees that Maintain a Non-Contribution Account (Carey)
Independent Expenditure Committees - aka Super PACs (SpeechNow)
Corporate/Labor Expenditures (Citizens United)
Allocation of Expenses by SSFs and Nonconnected Committees; Funds Received in Response to Solicitations (EMILY's List)
Coordinated Communications (Shays III )
Federal Election Activity (Shays III )
Nonfederal Fundraising by Federal Candidates/Officeholders (Shays III )

Hybrid PACs: **Committees that Maintain a Non-Contribution Account (Carey)**

Independent Expenditure Committees - aka Super PACs (SpeechNow)

Advisory Opinions
- Advisory Opinion 2011-24: StandLouder [PDF]
  - RECORD Summary of AO
- Advisory Opinion 2011-12: Majority PAC [PDF]
  - RECORD Summary of AO [PDF]
- Advisory Opinion 2011-11: Stephen Colbert [PDF]
  - RECORD Summary of AO [PDF]
- Advisory Opinion 2010-11: Commonsense Ten [PDF]
  - RECORD Summary of AO [PDF]
- Advisory Opinion 2010-09: Club for Growth [PDF]
  - RECORD Summary of AO [PDF]
IE Committee Letter [PDF] - Template for letter independent expenditure committees may file with their FEC Form 1, pending forthcoming FEC rules.
Litigation Documents, including District and Appeals Court Opinions
- RECORD Summary of Appeals Court decision

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Corporate/Labor Expenditures (Citizens United)

Key Rulemaking Documents
- Notice of Proposed Rulemaking [12/27/11][PDF]
  - Public Hearing March 7, 2012
- Draft Notices of Proposed Rulemaking [12/15/11]
  - Agenda Document No.11-73 [PDF] - James Madison Center
  - Agenda Document No. 11-74 [PDF] - Rep. Chris Van Hollen
- Draft Notices of Availability [6/15/2011]
  - Agenda Document No. 11-35 [PDF] - James Madison Center
  - Agenda Document No. 11-36 [PDF] - Rep. Chris Van Hollen
- Draft Notices of Proposed Rulemaking [6/15/2011]
  - Statement by Commissioner Ellen Weintraub [PDF]
  - Statement by Vice Chair Hunter and Commissioners McGahn and Petersen [PDF]
  - Agenda Document No. 11-33 [PDF]
  - Agenda Document No. 11-33A [PDF]
- Petition for Rulemaking on Disclosure of Independent Expenditures [PDF]
  - RECORD Summary of Petition [PDF]
- Draft Notices of Proposed Rulemaking [1/20/2011]
- Original Petition for Rulemaking [PDF]
  - RECORD Summary of Petition [PDF]
Advisory Opinions
- Advisory Opinion 2011-12: Majority PAC [PDF]
  - RECORD Summary of AO [PDF]
- Advisory Opinion 2011-11: Stephen Colbert [PDF]
  - RECORD Summary of AO [PDF]
- Advisory Opinion 2010-11: Commonsense Ten [PDF]
  - RECORD Summary of AO [PDF]
  Advisory Opinion 2010-9: Club for Growth [PDF]
  - RECORD Summary of AO [PDF]
Interim Guidance on Corporate/Labor Expenditures (MPEG)

FEC Form 5 - Report of Independent Expenditures Made and Contributions Received [PDF]
FEC Form 9 - 24-Hour Notice of Disbursements/Obligations for Electioneering Communications [PDF]