FEC approves Draft Supplemental Notice of Disposition of Petition for Rulemaking and two Audit Division Recommendation Memorandums

WASHINGTON – The Federal Election Commission today approved a Draft Supplemental Notice of Disposition of Petition for Rulemaking and two Audit Division Recommendation Memorandums. The Commission also discussed the 2017 report of the Chief FOIA Officer to the United States Attorney General, a revised email management policy for the agency, and a resolution to open a rulemaking with respect to political parties.

Advisory Opinion Request 2016-23 (Socialist Workers Party). The Commission held over discussion of several drafts in response to an advisory opinion request from the Socialist Workers Party (SWP). The SWP and Socialist Workers Campaign Committee request that the Commission extend the partial reporting exemption provided in earlier advisory opinions to the Socialist Workers Party.

Petition to Amend 11 C.F.R. 110.13(c) from Level the Playing Field – Draft Supplemental Notice of Disposition. The Commission approved a Supplemental Notice of Disposition of Petition for Rulemaking, declining to initiate a rulemaking at this time. The petition asked the Commission to conduct a rulemaking proceeding to revise its regulations governing criteria for inclusion of candidates in presidential and vice presidential general election debates. Commissioner Lee E. Goodman issued a Concurring Statement.

Audit Division Recommendation Memorandum on the Colorado Republican Committee. The Commission held over discussion of the Audit Division Recommendation Memorandum on the Colorado Republican Committee, covering activity between January 1, 2011 and December 31, 2012. The findings in the memorandum relate to the misstatement of financial activity, reporting of apparent independent expenditures, recordkeeping for communications, and failure to itemize debts and obligations.

Audit Division Recommendation Memorandum on Kind for Congress Committee. Prior to the meeting, the Commission approved the Audit Division Recommendation Memorandum on the Kind for Congress Committee, covering campaign finance activity between January 1, 2013, and December 31, 2014. The Commission approved a finding related to the untimely deposit of receipts.

Audit Division Recommendation Memorandum on the Kansas Democratic Party. Prior to the meeting, the Commission approved the Audit Division Recommendation on the Kansas Democratic Party covering campaign finance activity between January 1, 2011, and December 31, 2012. The Commission approved findings related to the misstatement of financial activity, recordkeeping for employees, reporting of debts and obligations, and Levin Funds activity.

Chief FOIA Officer Report. The Commission discussed the 2017 report of the Chief FOIA Officer to the United States Department of Justice, describing steps taken by the agency to improve the Commission’s compliance with the Freedom of Information Act and transparency.

FEC Email Management Policy. The Commission discussed a revised email management policy for the agency, reflecting updated records management guidance from the National Archives.

REG 2014-10, Implementing the Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2015, and REG 2016-03, Political Party Rules. The Commission discussed a resolution introduced by Commissioner Lee E. Goodman to open a rulemaking with respect to political parties, consistent with two petitions for rulemaking.