[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 184 (Thursday, September 23, 1999)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 51422-51423]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-24773]
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FEDERAL ELECTION COMMISSION
11 CFR Part 9034
[Notice 1999-18]
Matching Credit Card and Debit Card Contributions in Presidential
Campaigns
AGENCY: Federal Election Commission.
ACTION: Final rule; announcement of effective date.
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SUMMARY: On June 17, 1999, the Commission published the text of revised
regulations that would allow contributions made by credit or debit
card, including contributions made over the Internet, to be matched
under the Presidential Primary Matching Payment Account Act. The
Commission announces that these rules are effective retroactive to
January 1, 1999.
EFFECTIVE DATE: January 1, 1999.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Rosemary C. Smith, Acting
Assistant General Counsel, or Ms. Rita A. Reimer, Attorney, 999 E
Street, NW, Washington, DC 20463, (202) 694-1650 or toll free (800)
424-9530.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Commission is announcing the effective
date of new regulations at 11 CFR 9034.2 and 9034.3 that allow certain
contributions made by credit or debit card, including contributions
made over the Internet, to be matched under the Presidential Primary
Matching Payment Account Act (``Matching Payment Act''), 26 U.S.C. 9031
et seq. ``Matchable contributions'' are those which, when received by
candidates who qualify for payments under the Matching Payment Act, are
matched by the Federal Government.
Section 9039(c) of Title 26, United States Code, requires that any
rules or regulations prescribed by the Commission to implement Title 26
of the United States Code be transmitted to the Speaker of the House of
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Representatives and the President of the Senate thirty legislative days
prior to final promulgation. The revisions to 11 CFR 9034.2 and 9034.3
were transmitted to Congress on June 11, 1999. Thirty legislative days
expired in the Senate and the House of Representatives on September 9,
1999.
In the Explanation and Justification that accompanied the final
rules, the Commission explained that, since many presidential campaigns
will have engaged in substantial fundraising by the time these rules
take effect, it would retroactively match credit and debit card
contributions made on January 1, 1999 and thereafter. 64 FR at 32397.
Accordingly, these new rules are effective retroactive to January 1,
1999.
Also, on June 10, 1999, the Commission approved Advisory Opinion
(``AO'') 1999-9 on this same topic, but stated that this approval would
be of no effect if Congress and the President disapproved these final
rules. Since this did not occur, the contingency has been removed, and
AO 1999-9 is now in effect.
Announcement of Effective Date: The amendments to 11 CFR 9034.2 and
9034.3, as published at 64 FR 32394 (June 17, 1999), are effective
retroactive to January 1, 1999.
Dated: September 17, 1999.
Scott E. Thomas,
Chairman, Federal Election Commission.
[FR Doc. 99-24773 Filed 9-22-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6715-01-U
