Federal Election Commission April 2005 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Federal Election Commission requests comments on proposed changes to its rules that would include paid advertisements on the Internet in the definition of ``public communication.'' These changes to the Commission's rules would implement the recent decision of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia in Shays v. Federal Election Commission, which held that the current definition of ``public communication'' impermissibly excludes all Internet communications. Comment is also sought on the related definition of ``generic campaign activity'' and on proposed changes to the disclaimer regulations. Additionally, comment is sought on proposed new exceptions to the definitions of ``contribution'' and ``expenditure'' for certain Internet activities and communications that would qualify as individual volunteer activity or that would qualify for the ``press exemption.'' These proposals are intended to ensure that political committees properly finance and disclose their Internet communications, without impeding individual citizens from using the Internet to speak freely regarding candidates and elections. The Commission has made no final decision on the issues raised in this rulemaking. Further information appears in the supplementary information that follows.