Collection of Administrative Debts; Collection of Debts Arising From Enforcement and Administration of Campaign Finance Laws, 19873-19877 [2010-8736]

Agencies

• Federal Election Commission

[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 73 (Friday, April 16, 2010)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 19873-19877]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-8736]



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Rules and Regulations
                                                Federal Register
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Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 73 / Friday, April 16, 2010 / Rules 
and Regulations

[[Page 19873]]



FEDERAL ELECTION COMMISSION

11 CFR Parts 8 and 111

[Notice 2010-10]


Collection of Administrative Debts; Collection of Debts Arising 
From Enforcement and Administration of Campaign Finance Laws

AGENCY: Federal Election Commission.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The Federal Election Commission (``Commission'') is 
promulgating rules implementing statutory provisions regarding the 
collection of debts owed to the United States Government. The 
Commission is also integrating its rules regarding the collection of 
debts arising solely from the Administrative Fines program into the new 
rules.

DATES: This rule is effective on May 17, 2010.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Amy L. Rothstein, Assistant 
General Counsel, or Ms. Esther D. Heiden, Attorney, 999 E Street, NW., 
Washington, DC 20463, (202) 694-1650 or (800) 424-9530.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Commission is promulgating new rules to 
implement the Debt Collection Improvement Act of 1996 (``DCIA''), 
Public Law 104-134, 110 Stat. 1321-358. The DCIA governs the Federal 
government's debt collection activities, and mandates that all nontax 
debts or claims owed to the United States that have been delinquent for 
a period of 180 days shall be referred to the U.S. Department of the 
Treasury or a Treasury-designated collection center for appropriate 
action to collect or terminate collection of the claim or debt. 31 
U.S.C. 3711(g)(1). The purposes of the DCIA are: (1) To maximize 
collections of delinquent debts owed to the Government by ensuring 
quick action to enforce recovery of debts and the use of all 
appropriate collection tools; (2) to minimize the costs of debt 
collection by consolidating related functions and activities and using 
interagency teams; (3) to reduce losses arising from debt management 
activity by requiring proper screening of potential borrowers, 
aggressive monitoring of all accounts, and sharing of information 
within and among Federal agencies; (4) to ensure that the public is 
fully informed of the Federal government's debt collection policies and 
that debtors are aware of their obligations to repay amounts owed to 
the Federal government; (5) to ensure that debtors have all appropriate 
due process rights, including the ability to verify, challenge, and 
compromise claims, and access to administrative appeals procedures that 
are both reasonable and protect the interests of the United States; (6) 
to encourage agencies, when appropriate, to sell delinquent debt, 
particularly debts with underlying collateral; and (7) to rely on the 
experience and expertise of private sector professionals to provide 
debt collection services to Federal agencies. Public Law 104-134, sec. 
31001(b), 110 Stat. 1321-358, 1321-358.
    The Federal Claims Collection Standards (``FCCS''), 31 CFR parts 
900-904, were promulgated by the U.S. Department of the Treasury and 
the U.S. Department of Justice. The FCCS prescribes the standards that 
Federal agencies must use in the administrative collection, offset, 
compromise, and suspension or termination of collection activity for 
civil claims of money, funds, or property as defined by 31 U.S.C. 
3701(b). The FCCS applies unless more specific Federal statutes or 
agency regulations apply, and in certain cases involving bankruptcy. 
The FCCS clarifies and simplifies Federal debt collection procedures, 
and prescribes the steps that an agency must take before initiating 
debt collection to ensure that individuals' rights are protected. These 
steps include notifying the debtor of the debt and the consequences of 
failing to resolve the debt. See 31 CFR 901.2. The FCCS provides 
agencies with limited discretion to adopt agency-specific regulations, 
tailored to the legal and policy requirements applicable to various 
types of Federal debt.
    The new regulations incorporate the provisions of the DCIA and the 
FCCS, in some instances directly, and in other instances by cross-
reference.
    The Commission published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in the 
Federal Register on February 24, 2010. See Notice of Proposed 
Rulemaking on Collection of Administrative Debts; Collection of Debts 
Arising From Enforcement and Administration of Campaign Finance Laws, 
75 FR 8274 (February 24, 2010) (the ``NPRM''). The comment period 
closed on March 26, 2010. The Commission received one comment in 
response to the proposed rules.\1\
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    \1\ This comment was from the Internal Revenue Service, stating 
that the Internal Revenue Service did not find any conflict between 
the Internal Revenue Code and Treasury regulations and the 
Commission's proposed rules.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Under the Administrative Procedure Act, 5 U.S.C. 553(d), and the 
Congressional Review of Agency Rulemaking Act, 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1), 
agencies must submit final rules to the Speaker of the House of 
Representatives and the President of the Senate, and publish them in 
the Federal Register at least thirty calendar days before they take 
effect. The final rules that follow were transmitted to Congress on 
April 12, 2010.

Explanation and Justification

I. 11 CFR Part 8--Collection of Administrative Debts

    The Commission is adding new part 8 and new subpart C to part 111 
of its regulations to provide for debt collection. The two provisions 
taken together are designed to cover all types of debt that the 
Commission must collect. The approach of separating the two general 
categories of debt in the regulations at 11 CFR part 8 and 11 CFR part 
111 subpart C is for the convenience of the reader. Placing provisions 
concerning the collection of debts arising from the Commission's 
enforcement of the campaign finance laws in 11 CFR part 111 is 
consistent with the current placement of the regulations for collecting 
Administrative Fines debts with the enforcement provisions of part 111; 
placing the other debt collection provisions in 11 CFR part 8 also 
enables general administrative provisions to be located together.

[[Page 19874]]

A. 11 CFR 8.1--Purpose and Scope

    Section 8.1 of 11 CFR provides that the purpose of the regulations 
is to apply the collection standards set out in the DCIA and the FCCS.

B. 11 CFR 8.2--Debts That Are Covered

    Section 8.2 of 11 CFR states that the new Commission regulations in 
part 8 cover only those debts that are either owed by current and 
former Commission employees, or arise from the provision of goods or 
services by contractors or vendors doing business with the Commission. 
The regulations in part 8 do not cover debts arising from compliance 
matters, administrative fines, alternative dispute resolution, 
repayments of public funds, and court judgments arising from the 
Commission's enforcement of the campaign finance laws, which are 
covered in new 11 CFR part 111 subpart C. Section 8.2 mirrors 11 CFR 
111.51. The Commission's regulations also do not cover other types of 
debt that are specifically excluded from the FCCS, such as debts 
involving criminal actions of fraud, the presentation of a false claim, 
or misrepresentation on the part of the debtor or any other person 
having an interest in the claim, and debts under the Internal Revenue 
Code of 1986.

C. 11 CFR 8.3--Administrative Collection of Claims

    Section 8.3 of 11 CFR states that the Commission will collect the 
claims or debts covered by 11 CFR part 8 in accordance with the FCCS, 
and adopts by cross-reference the relevant provisions of the DCIA, and 
U.S. Department of the Treasury and Department of Justice debt 
collection regulations. See 31 U.S.C. 3701 et seq.; 31 CFR 285.2, 
285.4, 285.7, 285.11, and parts 900-904. Proposed section 8.3 stated 
that the Commission will refer debts to the U.S. Department of the 
Treasury for collection no later than 180 days after the debts become 
delinquent. The final rule states that the Commission will refer all 
debts that are more than 180 days delinquent to the U.S. Department of 
the Treasury, and may, at its discretion, transfer delinquent debts 
prior to the end of the 180 day period. This clarifies that the 
Commission need not complete the referral process to Treasury within 
the 180 day period. Instead, the Commission is required to transfer 
debts that are more than 180 days delinquent, and has the discretion to 
transfer debts before they are 180 days delinquent. The rule includes 
examples of collection actions that the U.S. Department of the Treasury 
might take: referral to another debt collection center, referral to a 
private collection contractor, or referral to the Department of Justice 
for litigation. These examples are taken from the U.S. Department of 
the Treasury regulation governing the transfer of debts to the U.S. 
Department of the Treasury, and are not a comprehensive list of the 
actions that the U.S. Department of the Treasury may take in collecting 
such debt. See 31 CFR 285.12(c)(2). During the 180 days before the 
mandatory transfer of a debt to the U.S. Department of the Treasury, 
the Commission may take any action under these rules to attempt to 
collect the debt.

D. 11 CFR 8.4--Bankruptcy Claims

    Section 8.4 of 11 CFR recognizes that in cases where a debtor has 
sought protection under the Bankruptcy Code, the Code, particularly 11 
U.S.C. 553, may require the Commission to take different action from 
that prescribed under the debt collection regulations set forth in part 
8 and the FCCS. In these situations, bankruptcy law will govern the 
debt collection process.

E. 11 CFR 8.5--Interest, Penalties, and Administrative Costs

    Section 8.5 of 11 CFR states that the Commission shall assess 
interest, penalties, and administrative costs on debts owed to the 
United States, in accordance with Federal law. The Commission shall 
waive collection of interest and administrative costs on debts or 
portions of debts that are paid within thirty days after the date on 
which interest begins to accrue.
    The regulation also provides that the Commission may, at its 
discretion, waive collection of interest, penalties, or administrative 
costs on any debt, even debts that are not paid within thirty days 
after the date on which interest begins to accrue. The regulation 
states that the Commission may waive collection of interest, penalties, 
or administrative costs if it determines that: (1) Collection is 
against equity and good conscience or is not in the best interest of 
the United States, including when an administrative offset or 
installment agreement is in effect; or, (2) waiver is appropriate under 
the criteria for compromise of debts set forth at 31 CFR 902.2(a).

II. Removal of 11 CFR 111.45

    The Commission has removed the provision previously located at 11 
CFR 111.45. This provision governed debt collection with respect to the 
Administrative Fines program. Under the new regulations, these debts 
are covered by 11 CFR part 111 subpart C--Collection of Debts Arising 
from Enforcement and Administration of Campaign Finance Laws.

III. 11 CFR Part 111 Subpart C--Collection of Debts Arising From 
Enforcement and Administration of Campaign Finance Laws

    The regulations in 11 CFR part 111 subpart C govern the 
Commission's collection of debts arising from compliance matters, 
administrative fines, alternative dispute resolution, repayments of 
public funds, and court judgments arising from the Commission's 
enforcement of the campaign finance laws. The regulations cover the 
collection of debts only, and will be invoked only after the completion 
of existing Commission processes during which respondents or other 
parties have had a full and fair opportunity to demonstrate that no 
civil penalty or repayment should be imposed. See 11 CFR parts 111 and 
9038, and 9008.11-9008.15.

A. 11 CFR 111.50--Purpose and Scope

    Section 111.50 of 11 CFR provides that the purpose of the 
regulations is to apply the collection standards set out in the DCIA 
and the FCCS. This provision treats debts under 11 CFR part 111 in a 
similar manner to those owed by employees and vendors under 11 CFR 8.1, 
discussed above.

B. 11 CFR 111.51--Debts That Are Covered

    Section 111.51 of 11 CFR states that the new Commission regulations 
in 11 CFR part 111 subpart C cover only those debts arising from 
compliance matters, administrative fines, alternative dispute 
resolution, repayments of public funds, and court judgments arising 
from the Commission's enforcement and administration of the campaign 
finance laws. The regulations in 11 CFR part 111 subpart C do not cover 
debts either owed by current and former Commission employees, or 
arising from the provision of goods or services by contractors or 
vendors doing business with the Commission, which are covered by new 11 
CFR part 8. This new provision treats debts under 11 CFR part 111 in a 
similar manner to those owed by employees and vendors under new 11 CFR 
8.2, and the two provisions taken together are designed to cover all 
types of debt that the Commission must collect. The Commission's 
regulations also do not cover other types of debt that are specifically 
excluded from the FCCS, such as debts involving criminal actions of 
fraud, the presentation of a false claim, or misrepresentation on the 
part of the debtor or any other person

[[Page 19875]]

having an interest in the claim, and debts under the Internal Revenue 
Code of 1986.

C. 11 CFR 111.52--Administrative Collection of Claims

    Section 111.52 of 11 CFR states that the Commission will collect 
all claims or debts in accordance with the FCCS, and adopts by cross-
reference the relevant DCIA, U.S. Department of the Treasury, and U.S. 
Department of Justice debt collection provisions. See 31 U.S.C. 3701 et 
seq.; 31 CFR 285.2, 285.4, 285.7, 285.11, and parts 900-904. This 
provision treats the debts covered by new 11 CFR part 111 subpart C in 
a similar manner to those owed by employees and vendors under new 11 
CFR 8.3, discussed above. The proposed provision stated that the 
Commission will refer debts to the U.S. Department of the Treasury for 
collection no later than 180 days after the debt becomes delinquent. 
The final rule states that the Commission will refer all debts that are 
more than 180 days delinquent to the U.S. Department of the Treasury, 
and may, at its discretion, transfer delinquent debts prior to the end 
of the 180 day period. This clarifies that the Commission need not 
complete the referral process to Treasury within the 180 day period. 
Instead, the Commission is required to transfer debts that are more 
than 180 days delinquent, and has the discretion to transfer debts 
before they are 180 days delinquent. The rule includes examples of 
collection actions that the U.S. Department of the Treasury might take: 
referral to another debt collection center, or referral to a private 
collection contractor. These examples are taken from the U.S. 
Department of the Treasury regulation governing the transfer of debts 
to the U.S. Department of the Treasury, and are not a comprehensive 
list of the actions that the U.S. Department of the Treasury may take 
in collecting such debt. See 31 CFR 285.12(c)(2). During the 180 days 
before the mandatory transfer of a debt to the U.S. Department of the 
Treasury, the Commission may take any action under these rules, or may 
go to court under the Commission's litigating authority in 31 U.S.C. 
437g to attempt to collect the debt.

D. 11 CFR 111.53--Litigation by the Commission

    Section 111.53 of 11 CFR states that nothing in the debt collection 
procedures precludes the Commission from filing suit under 2 U.S.C. 
437g to enforce compliance with a conciliation agreement, seek a civil 
money penalty, petition the court for a contempt order, or otherwise 
exercise its authority to enforce or administer the campaign finance 
laws and regulations.

E. 11 CFR 111.54--Bankruptcy Claims

    Section 111.54 of 11 CFR recognizes that in cases where a debtor 
has sought protection under the Bankruptcy Code, the Code, particularly 
11 U.S.C. 362, may require the Commission to take different action from 
that prescribed under the debt collection regulations set forth in part 
111 and the FCCS. In this event, bankruptcy law will govern the debt 
collection process. See 31 CFR 901.3(a)(5).

F. 11 CFR 111.55--Interest, Penalties, and Administrative Costs

    Section 111.55 of 11 CFR states that the Commission shall assess 
interest, penalties, and administrative costs on debts owed to the 
United States, as required by Federal law. See 31 U.S.C. 3717. The 
Commission shall waive collection of interest and administrative costs 
on debts or portions of debts that are paid within thirty days after 
the date on which interest begins to accrue.
    The regulation also provides that the Commission may, at its 
discretion, waive collection of interest, penalties, or administrative 
costs on any debt, even debts that are not paid within thirty days 
after the date on which interest begins to accrue. The regulation 
states that the Commission may waive collection of interest, penalties, 
or administrative costs if it determines that: (1) Collection is 
against equity and good conscience or is not in the best interest of 
the United States, including when an administrative offset or 
installment agreement is in effect; or, (2) waiver is appropriate under 
the criteria for compromise of debts set forth at 31 CFR 902.2(a). This 
provision treats the debts covered by new 11 CFR part 111 subpart C in 
a similar manner to those owed by employees and vendors under new 11 
CFR 8.5, discussed above.

Certification of No Effect Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 605(b) (Regulatory 
Flexibility Act)

    The attached final rules do not have a significant economic impact 
on a substantial number of small entities. There are two bases for this 
certification. First, the attached final rules implement statutorily 
required processes for collecting unpaid debts, and any economic impact 
of these rules is caused by the statutory mandate, rather than agency 
decisions contained in these rules. Second, the provisions in the new 
rules relate to agency management and procedure and do not impose new 
substantive or compliance requirements directly on members of the 
public. If the provision regarding the imposition of interest, 
penalties, and administrative costs could be viewed as imposing a new 
requirement on the public, the regulation merely implements the 
statutory requirement that the Commission assess these additional costs 
and provides that the Commission can exercise its discretion to waive 
the assessment of such costs in appropriate circumstances. Thus, any 
incremental economic impact of this rule on small entities is not 
significant. Therefore, the Commission certifies that the attached 
final rules will not have a significant economic impact on a 
substantial number of small entities.

List of Subjects

11 CFR Part 8

    Administrative practice and procedure, Debt collection procedures, 
Government contracts, Law enforcement, Penalties.

11 CFR Part 111

    Administrative practice and procedure, Debt collection procedures, 
Elections, Law enforcement, Penalties.

0
For the reasons set out in the preamble, the Federal Election 
Commission is amending Chapter 1 of Title 11 of the Code of Federal 
Regulations as follows:
0
1. Part 8 is added to read as follows:

PART 8--Collection of Administrative Debts

Sec.
8.1 Purpose and scope.
8.2 Debts that are covered.
8.3 Administrative collection of claims.
8.4 Bankruptcy claims.
8.5 Interest, penalties, and administrative costs.

    Authority: 31 U.S.C. 3701, 3711, and 3716-3720A, as amended; 2 
U.S.C 431 et seq., as amended; 31 CFR parts 285, and 900-904.

Sec.  8.1  Purpose and scope.

    This part prescribes standards and procedures under which the 
Commission will collect and dispose of certain debts owed to the United 
States, as described in 11 CFR 8.2. The regulations in this part 
implement the Debt Collection Improvement Act of 1996, 31 U.S.C. 3701, 
3711, and 3716-3720A, as amended; and the Federal Claims Collection 
Standards, 31 CFR parts 900-904. The activities covered include: the 
collection of claims of any amount; compromising claims; suspending or 
terminating the collection of claims; referring debts to the U.S. 
Department of the Treasury for collection action; and referring debts

[[Page 19876]]

under this part 8 of more than $100,000 (exclusive of any interest and 
charges) to the Department of Justice for litigation.


Sec.  8.2  Debts that are covered.

    (a) The procedures covered by this part apply to debts that are 
either owed by current and former Commission employees, or arise from 
the provision of goods or services by contractors or vendors doing 
business with the Commission.
    (b) The procedures covered by this part do not apply to any of the 
following debts:
    (1) Debts that are covered by 11 CFR 111.51, regarding debts 
arising from compliance matters, administrative fines, alternative 
dispute resolution, repayments, and court judgments arising under the 
statutes specified in 11 CFR 111.51(a).
    (2) Debts involving criminal actions of fraud, the presentation of 
a false claim, or misrepresentation on the part of the debtor or any 
other person having an interest in the claim.
    (3) Debts based in whole or in part on conduct in violation of the 
antitrust laws.
    (4) Debts under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
    (5) Debts between the Commission and another Federal agency. The 
Commission will attempt to resolve interagency claims by negotiation in 
accordance with Executive Order 12146, 3 CFR pp. 409-12 (1980 Comp.).
    (6) Debts that have become subject to salary offset under 5 U.S.C. 
5514.


Sec.  8.3  Administrative collection of claims.

    (a) The Commission shall act to collect all claims or debts. These 
collection activities will be undertaken promptly and follow up action 
will be taken as appropriate in accordance with 31 CFR 901.1.
    (b) The Commission may take any and all appropriate collection 
actions authorized and required by the Debt Collection Act of 1982, as 
amended by the Debt Collection Improvement Act of 1996, 31 U.S.C. 3701 
et seq. The U.S. Department of the Treasury regulations at 31 CFR 
285.2, 285.4, 285.7 and 285.11, and the Federal Claims Collection 
Standards issued jointly by the Department of Justice and the U.S. 
Department of the Treasury at 31 CFR parts 900-904 also apply. The 
Commission has adopted these regulations by cross-reference.
    (c) The Commission will refer to the Dept. of Treasury all debt 
that has been delinquent for more than 180 days, and may refer to the 
Dept. of Treasury any debt that has been delinquent for 180 days or 
less. On behalf of the Commission, the U.S. Department of the Treasury 
will attempt to collect the debt, in accordance with the statutory and 
regulatory requirements and authorities applicable to the debt and 
action. This may include referral to another debt collection center, a 
private collection contractor, or the Department of Justice for 
litigation. See 31 CFR 285.12 (Transfer of debts to Treasury for 
collection). This requirement does not apply to any debt that:
    (1) Is in litigation or foreclosure;
    (2) Will be disposed of under an approved asset sale program;
    (3) Has been referred to a private collection contractor for a 
period of time acceptable to the U.S. Department of the Treasury; or
    (4) Will be collected under internal offset procedures within three 
years after the debt first became delinquent.
    (d) The U.S. Department of the Treasury is authorized to charge a 
fee for services rendered regarding referred or transferred debts. The 
Commission will add the fee to the debt as an administrative cost, in 
accordance with 11 CFR 8.5.


Sec.  8.4  Bankruptcy claims.

    When the Commission learns that a bankruptcy petition has been 
filed by a debtor, before proceeding with further collection action, 
the Commission will take any necessary action in accordance with the 
provision of 31 CFR 901.2(h).


Sec.  8.5  Interest, penalties, and administrative costs.

    (a) The Commission shall assess interest, penalties, and 
administrative costs on debts owed to the United States Government in 
accordance with 31 U.S.C. 3717 and 31 CFR 901.9.
    (b) The Commission shall waive collection of interest and 
administrative costs on a debt or any portion of the debt that is paid 
in full within thirty days after the date on which the interest begins 
to accrue.
    (c) The Commission may waive collection of interest, penalties, and 
administrative costs if it:
    (1) Determines that collection is against equity and good 
conscience or not in the best interest of the United States, including 
when an administrative offset or installment agreement is in effect; or
    (2) Determines that waiver is appropriate under the criteria for 
compromise of debts set forth at 31 CFR 902.2(a).
    (d) The Commission is authorized to impose interest and related 
charges on debts not subject to 31 U.S.C. 3717, in accordance with 
common law.

PART 111--COMPLIANCE PROCEDURES

0
2. The authority citation for part 111 is revised to read as follows:

    Authority: 2 U.S.C. 432(i), 437g, 437d(a), 438(a)(8); 28 U.S.C. 
2461 nt; 31 U.S.C. 3701, 3711, 3716-3719, and 3720A, as amended; 31 
CFR parts 285 and 900-904.

Subpart B--Administrative Fines


Sec.  111.45  [Removed and Reserved]

0
3. Remove and reserve Sec.  111.45.

0
4. Subpart C is added to read as follows:

Subpart C--Collection of Debts Arising From Enforcement and 
Administration of Campaign Finance Laws

Sec.
111.50 Purpose and scope.
111.51 Debts that are covered.
111.52 Administrative collection of claims.
111.53 Litigation by the Commission.
111.54 Bankruptcy claims.
111.55 Interest, penalties, and administrative costs.


Sec.  111.50  Purpose and scope.

    Subpart C prescribes standards and procedures under which the 
Commission will collect and dispose of certain debts owed to the United 
States, as described in 11 CFR 111.51. The regulations in this subpart 
implement the Debt Collection Improvement Act of 1996, 31 U.S.C. 3701, 
3711, and 3716-3720A, as amended; and the Federal Claims Collection 
Standards, 31 CFR parts 900-904. The activities covered include: The 
collection of claims of any amount; compromising claims; suspending or 
terminating the collection of claims; and referring debts to the U.S. 
Department of the Treasury for collection action.


Sec.  111.51  Debts that are covered.

    (a) The procedures of this subpart C of part 111 apply to claims 
for payment or debt arising from, or ancillary to, any action 
undertaken by or on behalf of the Commission in furtherance of efforts 
to ensure compliance with the Federal Election Campaign Act, 2 U.S.C. 
431 et seq., as amended, and to administer the Presidential Election 
Campaign Fund Act, 26 U.S.C. 9001 et seq., or the Presidential Primary 
Matching Payment Account Act, 26 U.S.C. 9031 et seq., and Commission 
regulations, including:
    (1) Negotiated civil penalties in enforcement matters and 
alternative dispute resolution matters;
    (2) Civil money penalties assessed under the administrative fines 
program;
    (3) Claims reduced to judgment in the courts and that are no longer 
in litigation;

[[Page 19877]]

    (4) Repayments of public funds under the Presidential Election 
Campaign Fund Act, 26 U.S.C. 9001 et seq.; or
    (5) Repayment of public funds under the Presidential Primary 
Matching Payment Account Act, 26 U.S.C. 9031 et seq.
    (c) The procedures covered by this subpart do not apply to any of 
the following debts:
    (1) Debts that result from administrative activities of the 
Commission that are governed by 11 CFR part 8.
    (2) Debts involving criminal actions of fraud, the presentation of 
a false claim, or misrepresentation on the part of the debtor or any 
other person having an interest in the claim.
    (3) Debts based in whole or in part on conduct in violation of the 
antitrust laws.
    (4) Debts under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
    (5) Debts between the Commission and another Federal agency. The 
Commission will attempt to resolve interagency claims by negotiation in 
accordance with Executive Order 12146, 3 CFR pp. 409-12 (1980 Comp.).
    (6) Debts that have become subject to salary offset under 5 U.S.C. 
5514.


Sec.  111.52  Administrative collection of claims.

    (a) The Commission shall act to collect all claims or debts. These 
collection activities will be undertaken promptly and follow up action 
will be taken as appropriate in accordance with 31 CFR 901.1.
    (b) The Commission may take any and all appropriate collection 
actions authorized and required by the Debt Collection Act of 1982, as 
amended by the Debt Collection Improvement Act of 1996, 31 U.S.C. 3701 
et seq. The U.S. Department of the Treasury regulations at 31 CFR 
285.2, 285.4, 285.7, and 285.11, and the Federal Claims Collection 
Standards issued jointly by the Department of Justice and the U.S. 
Department of the Treasury at 31 CFR parts 900-904, also apply. The 
Commission has adopted these regulations by cross-reference.
    (c) The Commission will refer to the Dept. of Treasury all debt 
that has been delinquent for more than 180 days, and may refer to the 
Dept. of Treasury any debt that has been delinquent for 180 days or 
less. On behalf of the Commission, the U.S. Department of the Treasury 
will attempt to collect the debt, in accordance with the statutory and 
regulatory requirements and authorities applicable to the debt and 
action. This may include referral to another debt collection center, or 
a private collection contractor. See 31 CFR 285.12 (Transfer of debts 
to Treasury for collection). This requirement does not apply to any 
debt that:
    (1) Is in litigation or foreclosure;
    (2) Will be disposed of under an approved asset sale program;
    (3) Has been referred to a private collection contractor for a 
period of time acceptable to the U.S. Department of the Treasury; or
    (4) Will be collected under internal offset procedures within three 
years after the debt first became delinquent.
    (d) The U.S. Department of the Treasury is authorized to charge a 
fee for services rendered regarding referred or transferred debts. The 
Commission will add the fee to the debt as an administrative cost, in 
accordance with 11 CFR 111.55.


Sec.  111.53  Litigation by the Commission.

    Nothing in this subpart C precludes the Commission from filing suit 
in the appropriate court to enforce compliance with a conciliation 
agreement under 2 U.S.C. 437g(a)(5)(D), seek a civil money penalty 
under 2 U.S.C. 437g(a)(6), petition the court for a contempt order 
under 2 U.S.C. 437g(a)(11), or otherwise exercise its authority to 
enforce or administer the statutes specified in 11 CFR 111.51(a).


Sec.  111.54  Bankruptcy claims.

    When the Commission learns that a bankruptcy petition has been 
filed by a debtor, before proceeding with further collection action, 
the Commission will take any necessary action in accordance with the 
provision of 31 CFR 901.2(h).


Sec.  111.55  Interest, penalties, and administrative costs.

    (a) The Commission shall assess interest, penalties, and 
administrative costs on debts owed to the United States Government, 
pursuant to 31 U.S.C. 3717. Interest, penalties, and administrative 
costs will be assessed in accordance with 31 CFR 901.9.
    (b) The Commission shall waive collection of interest and 
administrative costs on a debt or any portion of the debt that is paid 
within thirty days after the date on which the interest begins to 
accrue.
    (c) The Commission may waive collection of interest, penalties, and 
administrative costs if it:
    (1) Determines that collection is against equity and good 
conscience or not in the best interest of the United States, including 
when an administrative offset or installment agreement is in effect; or
    (2) Determines that waiver is appropriate under the criteria for 
compromise of debts set forth at 31 CFR 902.2(a).
    (d) The Commission is authorized to impose interest and related 
charges on debts not subject to 31 U.S.C. 3717, in accordance with 
common law.

    Dated: April 12, 2010.

    On behalf of the Commission.
Matthew S. Petersen,
Chairman, Federal Election Commission.
[FR Doc. 2010-8736 Filed 4-15-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6715-01-P