,i #aacth ,,congress #ast ,session ,h4 ,r4 #bfh ,,in ,,the ,,house ,,of ,,representatives ,january #ae1 #bjac ,mr4 ,sarbanes 7for himself1 ,ms4 ,bonamici1 ,mr4 ,brady of ,pennsylvania1 ,mr4 ,capuano1 ,mr4 ,cicilline1 ,mr4 ,cohen1 ,mr4 ,conyers1 ,mr4 ,courtney1 ,ms4 ,de,lauro1 ,mr4 ,deutch1 ,mr4 ,dingell1 ,ms4 ,edwards1 ,mr4 ,ellison1 ,ms4 ,eshoo1 ,mr4 ,george ,miller of ,california1 ,mr4 ,grijalva1 ,mr4 ,himes1 ,mr4 ,holt1 ,mr4 ,larson of ,connecticut1 ,ms4 ,lee of ,california1 ,mr4 ,maffei1 ,mr4 ,mc,govern1 ,mr4 ,nolan1 ,ms4 ,norton1 ,mr4 ,o',rourke1 ,ms4 ,pingree of ,maine1 ,mr4 ,polis1 ,mr4 ,price of ,north ,carolina1 ,mr4 ,rush1 ,mr4 ,scott of ,virginia1 ,mr4 ,sires1 ,mr4 ,tonko1 ,mr4 ,van ,hollen1 and ,mr4 ,yarmuth7 introduced the following bill2 which was referred to the ,committee on ,house ,administration1 and in addition to the ,committees on ,ways and ,means1 and ,energy and ,commerce1 for a period to be subsequently determined by the ,speaker1 in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned ,a ,,bill ,to reform the financing of ,congressional elections by encouraging grassroots participation in the funding of campaigns1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short title2 table of contents 7a7 ,short ,title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,grassroots ,democracy ,act of #bjac4 7b7 ,table of contents ,the table of contents of this ,act is as follows3 ,sec4 #a4 ,short title2 table of contents4 ,title ,i--,grassroots ,participation in ,funding of ,elections ,subtitle ,a--,grassroots ,democracy ,dollars ,sec4 #aja4 ,refundable credit for grassroots contributions to ,federal congressional candidates4 ,subtitle ,b--,grassroots ,democracy ,coupon ,pilot ,program ,sec4 #aaa4 ,establishment of pilot program4 ,sec4 #aab4 ,reports to ,congress4 ,title ,,ii--,grassroots financing of congressional election campaigns ,sec4 #bja4 ,benefits and eligibility requirements for candidates4 ,title ,v--,grassroots financing of congressional election campaigns ,subtitle ,a--,benefits ,sec4 #eja4 ,benefits for participating candidates4 ,sec4 #ejb4 ,procedures for making payments4 ,sec4 #ejc4 ,use of funds4 ,sec4 #ejd4 ,qualified grassroots contributions described4 ,subtitle ,b--,eligibility and certification ,sec4 #eaa4 ,eligibility4 ,sec4 #eab4 ,qualifying requirements4 ,sec4 #eac4 ,certification4 ,subtitle ,c--,requirements for ,candidates ,certified as ,participating ,candidates ,sec4 #eba4 ,contribution and expenditure requirements4 ,sec4 #ebb4 ,administration of campaign4 ,sec4 #ebc4 ,preventing unnecessary spending of public funds4 ,sec4 #ebd4 ,remitting unspent funds after election4 ,subtitle ,d--,supplemental ,grassroots ,democracy ,people's ,fund ,payments ,sec4 #eca4 ,eligibility of participating candidates for payments4 ,sec4 #ecb4 ,amount of payment2 use of funds4 ,sec4 #ecc4 ,severability4 ,subtitle ,e--,administrative provisions ,sec4 #eda4 ,grassroots ,democracy ,fund4 ,sec4 #edb4 ,grassroots ,democracy ,advisory ,commission4 ,sec4 #edc4 ,administration by ,commission4 ,sec4 #edd4 ,violations and penalties4 ,sec4 #ede4 ,election cycle defined4 ,sec4 #bjb4 ,prohibiting use of contributions by participating candidates for purposes other than campaign for election4 ,title ,,iii--,other administrative reforms ,sec4 #cja4 ,expanding requirement to disclose bundlers who are registered lobbyists to all bundlers4 ,sec4 #cjb4 ,expansion of period for treatment of communications as electioneering communications4 ,sec4 #cjc4 ,user fees for committees and bundlers4 ,sec4 #cjd4 ,petition for certiorari4 ,sec4 #cje4 ,filing by all candidates with ,commission4 ,sec4 #cjf4 ,electronic filing of ,,fec reports4 ,sec4 #cjg4 ,effective date4 ,title ,,iv--,offsets ,sec4 #dja4 ,reform of tax rules related to political organizations4 ,sec4 #djb4 ,voluntary contributions to the ,grassroots ,democracy ,fund4 ,title ,v--,expanding ,candidate ,access to ,advertising ,sec4 #eja4 ,broadcasts by or on behalf of candidates4 ,i ,grassroots ,participation in ,funding of ,elections ,a ,grassroots ,democracy ,dollars #aja4 ,refundable credit for grassroots contributions to ,federal congressional candidates 7a7 ,in general ,subpart ,c of part ,,iv of subchapter ,a of chapter #a of the ,internal ,revenue ,code of #aihf 7relating to refundable credits7 is amended by inserting after section #cf;,b the following new section3 #cf;,c4 ,credit for grassroots contributions to ,federal congressional candidates 7a7 ,in general ,in the case of an individual1 there shall be allowed as a credit against the tax imposed by this subtitle an amount equal to the qualified grassroots ,federal congressional campaign contributions paid or incurred by the taxpayer during the taxable year4 7b7 ,limitations 7#a7 ,dollar limitation ,the credit allowed under subsection 7a7 to any taxpayer with respect to any taxable year shall not exceed #be 7twice such amount in the case of a joint return74 7#b7 ,limitation on contributions to ,federal congressional candidates ,no credit shall be allowed under this section to any taxpayer for any taxable year if such taxpayer made aggregate contributions in excess of #bjj 7twice such amount in the case of a joint return7 during the taxable year to-- 7,a7 any single ,federal congressional candidate1 or 7,b7 any political committee established and maintained by a national political party4 7#c7 ,ineligibility of individuals using ,grassroots ,democracy ,coupons ,no credit shall be allowed under this section with respect to any individual for any taxable year during which such individual submitted a ,grassroots ,democracy ,coupon under subtitle ,b of title ,i of the ,grassroots ,democracy ,act of #bjac to a candidate for election for ,federal office4 ,in the case of a joint return with respect to which this paragraph applies to one of the spouses1 such return shall not be treated as a joint return for purposes of determining the dollar limitation under paragraph 7#a74 7c7 ,qualified grassroots ,federal congressional campaign contributions ,for purposes of this section1 the term qualified grassroots ,federal congressional campaign contribution means any contribution of cash by an individual to a ,federal congressional candidate or to a political committee established and maintained by a national political party if such contribution is not prohibited under the ,federal ,election ,campaign ,act of #aiga4 7d7 ,federal congressional candidate ,for purposes of this section-- 7#a7 ,in general ,the term ,federal congressional candidate means any candidate for election to the office of ,senator or ,representative in1 or ,delegate or ,resident ,commissioner to1 the ,congress4 7#b7 ,treatment of authorized committees ,any contribution made to an authorized committee of a ,federal congressional candidate shall be treated as made to such candidate4 7e7 ,inflation adjustment 7#a7 ,in general ,in the case of a taxable year beginning after #bjad1 the #be amount under subsection 7b77#a7 shall be increased by an amount equal to-- 7,a7 such dollar amount1 multiplied by 7,b7 the cost-of-living adjustment determined under section #a7;f77#c7 for the calendar year in which the taxable year begins1 determined by substituting calendar year #bjac for calendar year #aiib in subparagraph 7,b7 thereof4 7#b7 ,rounding ,if any amount as adjusted under subparagraph 7,a7 is not a multiple of #e1 such amount shall be rounded to the nearest multiple of #e4 4 7b7 ,conforming amendments 7#a7 ,section #fbaa7;b77#d77;,a7 of such ,code is amended by inserting #cf;,c1 after #cf;,b14 7#b7 ,section #acbd7;b77#b7 of title #ca1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended by inserting #cf;,c1 after #cf;,b14 7#c7 ,the table of sections for subpart ,c of part ,,iv of subchapter ,a of chapter #a of the ,internal ,revenue ,code of #aihf is amended by inserting after the item relating to section #cf;,b the following new item3 ,sec4 #cf;,c4 ,credit for grassroots contributions to ,federal congressional candidates4 4 7c7 ,forms ,the ,secretary of the ,treasury1 or his designee1 shall ensure that the credit for grassroots contributions to ,federal congressional candidates allowed under section #cf;,c of the ,internal ,revenue ,code of #aihf1 as added by this section1 may be claimed on ,forms #ajdj;,,ez and #ajdj;,a4 7d7 ,effective date ,the amendments made by this section shall apply to taxable years beginning after the date of the enactment of this ,act4 ,b ,grassroots ,democracy ,coupon ,pilot ,program #aaa4 ,establishment of pilot program 7a7 ,establishment ,the ,grassroots ,democracy ,advisory ,commission established under section #edb of the ,federal ,election ,campaign ,act of #aiga 7as added by section #bja7 7hereafter in this subtitle referred to as the ,commission7 shall establish a pilot program under which-- 7#a7 a qualified individual who resides in a ,state selected for participation in the program shall be provided with a voucher to be known as a ,grassroots ,democracy ,coupon during the election cycle which will be assigned a routing number and which at the option of the individual will be provided in either paper or electronic form2 7#b7 using the routing number assigned to the ,coupon1 the individual may submit the ,grassroots ,democracy ,coupon in either electronic or paper form to qualified candidates for election for ,federal office and allocate such portion of the value of the voucher in increments of #e 7in an amount not to exceed #ej for any single candidate7 as the individual may select to any such candidate2 and 7#c7 if the candidate transmits such ,grassroots ,democracy ,coupon to the ,commission1 the ,commission shall pay the candidate the portion of the value of the voucher that the individual allocated to the candidate1 which shall be considered a contribution by the individual to the candidate for purposes of the ,federal ,election ,campaign ,act of #aiga4 7b7 ,selection of ,states 7#a7 ,in general ,a ,state that seeks to participate in the pilot program under this title shall submit to the ,commission 7at such time and in such form as the ,commission may require7 an application containing such information and assurances as the ,commission may require4 7#b7 ,criteria ,in selecting among ,states that seek to participate in the program1 the ,commission shall ensure a balance among various geographic regions1 population sizes1 and other demographic characteristics4 7c7 ,standards for qualification of individuals ,the ,commission shall establish standards for the qualification of individuals to whom ,grassroots ,democracy ,coupons will be provided1 so that only individuals who are registered to vote in elections for ,federal office may qualify and such individuals would be able to claim the ,coupons immediately upon registering to vote4 7d7 ,other administrative specifications ,in carrying out the pilot program under this subtitle1 the ,commission shall-- 7#a7 create the necessary routing numbers for the ,grassroots ,democracy ,coupons1 which will be matched with ,state-issued voter registration cards2 7#b7 provide incentives for candidates for election for ,federal office and interested organizations to develop online platforms through which individuals may select among eligible candidates for the submission and acceptance of ,grassroots ,democracy ,coupons in electronic or paper form2 and 7#c7 establish fraud prevention mechanisms so that an individual may revoke a ,grassroots ,democracy ,coupon not later than #b days after submitting the ,coupon to a candidate4 #aab4 ,reports to ,congress 7a7 ,reports ,not later than #f months after each election cycle during which the pilot program under this subtitle is in effect1 the ,commission and the ,government ,accountability ,office shall each submit a report to ,congress analyzing the operation and effectiveness of the program during the cycle1 and shall include in each such report such recommendations as the ,commission and the ,government ,accountability ,office 7as the case may be7 consider appropriate regarding the expansion of the pilot program to all ,states and territories1 along with such other recommendations as the ,commission and ,government ,accountability ,office consider appropriate4 7b7 ,definition ,in subsection 7a71 the term election cycle means the period beginning on the day after the date of the most recent regularly scheduled general election for ,federal office and ending on the date of the next regularly scheduled general election for ,federal office4 ,,ii ,grassroots financing of congressional election campaigns #bja4 ,benefits and eligibility requirements for candidates ,the ,federal ,election ,campaign ,act of #aiga 7#b ,u4,s4,c4 #dca et seq47 is amended by adding at the end the following3 ,v ,grassroots financing of congressional election campaigns ,a ,benefits #eja4 ,benefits for participating candidates 7a7 ,in general ,if a candidate for election to the office of ,senator or ,representative in1 or ,delegate or ,resident ,commissioner to1 the ,congress is certified as a participating candidate under this title with respect to an election for such office1 the candidate shall be entitled to payments as provided under this title4 7b7 ,amount of payment 7#a7 ,tier #a candidates ,in the case of a participating candidate who is a ,tier #a candidate1 the amount of a payment made under this title shall be equal to #ejj percent of the amount of qualified grassroots contributions received by the candidate since the most recent payment made to the candidate under this title during the election cycle which are attributable to residents of the ,state in which the candidate seeks election4 7#b7 ,tier #b candidates ,in the case of a participating candidate who is a ,tier #b candidate1 the amount of the payment made under this title shall be equal to #a1jjj percent of the amount of qualified grassroots contributions received by the candidate since the most recent payment made to the candidate under this title during the election cycle4 7c7 ,limit on aggregate amount of payments 7#a7 ,tier #a candidates ,in the case of a participating candidate who is a ,tier #a candidate1 the aggregate amount of payments made under this title may not exceed #ej of the average of the #aj greatest amounts of disbursements made by the authorized committees of any winning candidate for the office of ,representative in1 or ,delegate or ,resident ,commissioner to1 the ,congress during the most recent election cycle 7in the case of a participating candidate for such office7 or any winning candidate for the office of ,senator during the most recent election cycle 7in the case of a participating candidate for such office74 7#b7 ,tier #b candidates ,in the case of a participating candidate who is a ,tier #b candidate1 the aggregate amount of payments made under this title may not exceed #ajj of the average of the #aj greatest amounts of disbursements made by the authorized committees of any winning candidate for the office of ,representative in1 or ,delegate or ,resident ,commissioner to1 the ,congress during the most recent election cycle 7in the case of a participating candidate for such office7 or any winning candidate for the office of ,senator during the most recent election cycle 7in the case of a participating candidate for such office74 #ejb4 ,procedures for making payments 7a7 ,in general ,the ,commission make a payment under section #eja to a candidate who is certified as a participating candidate upon receipt from the candidate of a request for a payment which includes-- 7#a7 a statement of the number of qualified grassroots contributions received by the candidate since the most recent payment made to the candidate under this title during the election cycle2 7#b7 a statement of the amount of the payment the candidate anticipates receiving with respect to the request2 and 7#c7 such other information and assurances as the ,commission may require4 7b7 ,restrictions on submission of requests ,a candidate may not submit a request under subsection 7a7 unless each of the following applies3 7#a7 ,the number of individuals in the statement referred to in subsection 7a77#a7 is equal to or greater than #ajj1 unless the request is submitted during the #cj-;day period which ends on the date of a general election4 7#b7 ,of the number of individuals in the statement referred to in subsection 7a77#a71 at least #ej percent are residents of the ,congressional district involved 7in the case of a candidate for election for the office of ,representative in1 or ,delegate or ,resident ,commissioner to1 the ,congress7 or the ,state involved 7in the case of a candidate for election for the office of ,senator74 7#c7 ,the candidate did not receive a payment under this title during the #g-;day period which ends on the date the candidate submits the request4 7c7 ,time of payment ,the ,commission shall make payments under this section not later than #b business days after the receipt of a request submitted under subsection 7a74 7d7 ,declaration of tier #a or tier #b status ,a candidate shall include in the first request for payment submitted under subsection 7a7 a statement specifying whether the candidate is a ,tier #a candidate or a ,tier #b candidate under this title4 7e7 ,appeals ,the ,commission shall provide a written explanation with respect to any denial of a request for payment which is submitted under this section and shall provide for the opportunity for review and reconsideration within #e business days of such denial4 #ejc4 ,use of funds 7a7 ,in general ,a candidate shall use payments made under this title only for making direct payments for the receipt of goods and services which constitute authorized expenditures in connection with the election cycle involved4 7b7 ,limit on amount of payment made on commission basis to individuals collecting qualified grassroots contributions ,if a candidate who is certified as a participating candidate under this title pays any person a commission on a per contribution basis for collecting qualified grassroots contributions1 the amount paid by the candidate and the authorized committees of the candidate may not exceed #bj of the value of the qualified grassroots contributions the person collected4 #ejd4 ,qualified grassroots contributions described 7a7 ,in general ,in this title1 the term qualified grassroots contribution means1 with respect to a candidate and the authorized committees of a candidate1 a contribution that meets the following requirements3 7#a7 ,the contribution is in an amount that is-- 7,a7 not less than the greater of #e or the amount determined by the ,commission under section #edb7;c77#b72 and 7,b7 not more than the greater of #ajj or the amount determined by the ,commission under section #edb7;c77#b74 7#b7 ,the contribution is made by an individual who is not otherwise prohibited from making a contribution under this ,act4 7#c7 ,the individual who makes the contribution has not made any contribution to the candidate or the authorized committees of the candidate during the election cycle involved that is not a qualified grassroots contribution4 7b7 ,treatment of grassroots refundable credits and grassroots democracy vouchers ,any payment received by a candidate and the authorized committees of a candidate which is treated as a qualified grassroots ,federal congressional campaign contribution under section #cf;,b of the ,internal ,revenue ,code of #aihf or which consists of a ,grassroots ,democracy ,coupon under subtitle ,b of title ,i of the ,grassroots ,democracy ,act of #bjac shall be considered a qualified grassroots contribution for purposes of this title1 so long as the individual making the payment meets the requirements of paragraphs 7#b7 and 7#c7 of subsection 7a74 7c7 ,exception for contributions by individuals opting out of grassroots systems 7#a7 ,in general ,a contribution by an individual shall not be treated as a qualified grassroots contribution for purposes of this title if1 at the time the individual makes the contribution1 the individual notifies the recipient that the contribution is not to be treated as a qualified grassroots contribution4 7#b7 ,contributions deemed qualified ,any contribution which meets the requirements set forth in subsection 7a7 shall be deemed a qualified grassroots contribution without regard to whether the individual making the contribution designates the contribution as a qualified grassroots contribution for purposes of this title4 7d7 ,restriction on subsequent contributions 7#a7 ,in general ,an individual who makes a qualified grassroots contribution to a candidate or the authorized committees of a candidate during an election cycle may not make any contribution to such candidate or the authorized committees of such candidate during the cycle which is not a qualified grassroots contribution4 7#b7 ,no effect on ability to make multiple contributions ,nothing in this section may be construed to prohibit an individual from making multiple qualified grassroots contributions to any candidate or any number of candidates1 so long as each contribution meets the requirements of this section4 7e7 ,notification requirements for candidates 7#a7 ,notification ,each authorized committee of a candidate who seeks to be a participating candidate under this title shall provide the following information in any materials for the solicitation of contributions1 including any ,internet site through which individuals may make contributions to the committee3 7,a7 ,a statement that if the candidate is certified as a participating candidate under this title1 the candidate will receive matching payments in an amount which is based on the total amount of qualified grassroots contributions received4 7,b7 ,a statement that a contribution which meets the requirements set forth in subsection 7a7 shall be treated as a qualified grassroots contribution under this title unless the contributor notifies the committee that the contribution is not to be so treated4 7,c7 ,a statement that if a contribution is treated as qualified grassroots contribution under this title1 the individual who makes the contribution may not make any contribution to the candidate or the authorized committees of the candidate during the election cycle which is not a qualified grassroots contribution4 7#b7 ,expansion of other disclosure statements ,an authorized committee may meet the requirements of paragraph 7#a7 by modifying the information it provides to persons making contributions which is otherwise required under title ,,iii 7including information it provides through the ,internet74 ,b ,eligibility and certification #eaa4 ,eligibility 7a7 ,in general ,a candidate for the office of ,senator or ,representative in1 or ,delegate or ,resident ,commissioner to1 the ,congress is eligible to be certified as a participating candidate under this title with respect to an election if the candidate meets the following requirements3 7#a7 ,during the election cycle for the office involved1 the candidate files with the ,commission a statement of intent to seek certification as a participating candidate1 and specifies in the statement whether the candidate intends to seek certification as a ,tier #a candidate or a ,tier #b candidate4 7#b7 ,each authorized committee of the candidate provides the information required under section #ejc7;d74 7#c7 ,the candidate meets the qualifying requirements of section #eab4 7#d7 ,not later than the last day of the ,grassroots ,democracy qualifying period1 the candidate files with the ,commission an affidavit signed by the candidate and the treasurer of the candidate's principal campaign committee declaring that the candidate-- 7,a7 has complied and1 if certified1 will comply with the contribution and expenditure requirements of section #eba2 7,b7 if certified1 will run only as a participating candidate for all elections for the office that such candidate is seeking during that election cycle2 and 7,c7 has either qualified or will take steps to qualify under ,state law to be on the ballot4 7b7 ,general election ,notwithstanding subsection 7a71 a candidate shall not be eligible to be certified as a participating candidate under this title for a general election or a general runoff election unless the candidate's party nominated the candidate to be placed on the ballot for the general election or the candidate is otherwise qualified to be on the ballot under ,state law4 7c7 ,grassroots ,democracy qualifying period ,defined ,the term ,grassroots ,democracy qualifying period means1 with respect to any candidate for an office1 the #bdj-;day period 7during the election cycle for such office7 which begins on the date on which the candidate files a statement of intent under section #eaa7;a77#a71 except that such period may not continue after the date that is #cj days before-- 7#a7 the date of the primary election2 or 7#b7 in the case of a ,state that does not hold a primary election1 the date prescribed by ,state law as the last day to qualify for a position on the general election ballot4 #eab4 ,qualifying requirements 7a7 ,receipt of qualified grassroots contributions ,a candidate for the office of ,senator or ,representative in1 or ,delegate or ,resident ,commissioner to1 the ,congress meets the requirement of this section if1 during the ,grassroots ,democracy qualifying period described in section #eaa7;c71 the candidate obtains the following3 7#a7 ,a single qualified grassroots contribution from not fewer than-- 7,a7 in the case of a candidate for the office of ,representative in1 or ,delegate or ,resident ,commissioner to1 the ,congress1 #b1jjj individuals1 of whom not fewer than #ej percent shall be residents of the ,congressional district the candidate seeks to represent2 or 7,b7 in the case of a candidate for the office of ,senator1 a number of individuals equal to the sum of #b1jjj plus an amount equal to the product of #ejj and the number of ,congressional districts in the ,state involved1 of whom not fewer than #ej percent shall be residents of the ,state in which the candidate seeks election4 7#b7 ,a total dollar amount of qualified grassroots contributions equal to or greater than-- 7,a7 in the case of a candidate for the office of ,representative in1 or ,delegate or ,resident ,commissioner to1 the ,congress1 #ej1jjj2 or 7,b7 in the case of a candidate for the office of ,senator1 the sum of #bjj1jjj plus an amount equal to the product of #be1jjj and the number of ,congressional districts in the ,state involved4 7b7 ,requirements relating to receipt of qualified grassroots contribution ,each qualified grassroots contribution-- 7#a7 may be made by means of a personal check1 money order1 debit card1 credit card1 electronic payment account1 or text message2 7#b7 shall be accompanied by a signed statement 7or1 in the case of a contribution made online or through other electronic means1 an electronic equivalent7 containing-- 7,a7 the contributor's name and the contributor's address in the ,state in which the primary residence of the contributor is located1 and 7,b7 an oath declaring that the contributor-- 7i7 understands that the purpose of the contribution is to show support for the candidate so that the candidate may qualify for ,grassroots ,democracy financing1 7ii7 is making the contribution in his or her own name and from his or her own funds1 7iii7 has made the contribution willingly1 and 7iv7 has not received any thing of value in return for the contribution2 and 7#c7 shall be acknowledged by a receipt that is sent to the contributor with a copy 7in paper or electronic form7 kept by the candidate for the ,commission and a copy 7in paper or electronic form7 kept by the candidate for the election authorities in the ,state with respect to which the candidate is seeking election4 7c7 ,verification of qualified grassroots contributions ,the ,commission shall establish procedures for the auditing and verification of qualified grassroots contributions to ensure that such contributions meet the requirements of this section4 7d7 ,prohibiting payment on commission basis of individuals collecting qualified grassroots contributions ,no person may be paid a commission on a per contribution basis for collecting qualified grassroots contributions4 #eac4 ,certification 7a7 ,deadline and ,notification 7#a7 ,in general ,not later than #e days after a candidate files an affidavit under section #eaa7;a77#c71 the ,commission shall-- 7,a7 determine whether or not the candidate meets the requirements for certification as a participating candidate2 7,b7 if the ,commission determines that the candidate meets such requirements1 certify the candidate as a participating ,tier #a candidate or a participating ,tier #b candidate2 and 7,c7 notify the candidate of the ,commission's determination4 7#b7 ,deemed certification for all elections in election cycle ,if the ,commission certifies a candidate as a participating ,tier #a candidate or a participating ,tier #b candidate with respect to the first election of the election cycle involved1 the ,commissioner shall be deemed to have certified the candidate as such a participating candidate with respect to all subsequent elections of the election cycle4 7b7 ,revocation of certification 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,commission may revoke a certification under subsection 7a7 if-- 7,a7 a candidate fails to qualify to appear on the ballot at any time after the date of certification 7other than a candidate certified as a participating candidate with respect to a primary election who fails to qualify to appear on the ballot for a subsequent election in that election cycle72 or 7,b7 a candidate otherwise fails to comply with the requirements of this title1 including any regulatory requirements prescribed by the ,commission4 7#b7 ,effect of revocation ,if a candidate's certification is revoked under paragraph 7#a7-- 7,a7 the candidate shall repay to the ,grassroots ,democracy ,fund established under section #eda an amount equal to the payments received under this title with respect to the election cycle involved plus interest 7at a rate determined by the ,commission7 on any such amount received2 7,b7 the candidate may not receive payments under this title during the remainder of the election cycle involved2 and 7,c7 the candidate may not be certified as a participating candidate under this title with respect to the next election cycle4 7#c7 ,prohibiting participation in future elections for candidates with multiple revocations ,if the ,commission revokes the certification of an individual as a participating candidate under this title #c times1 the individual may not be certified as a participating candidate under this title with respect to any subsequent election4 7c7 ,participating ,candidate defined ,in this title1 a participating candidate means a candidate for the office of ,senator or ,representative in1 or ,delegate or ,resident ,commissioner to1 the ,congress who is certified under this section as eligible to receive benefits under this title4 ,c ,requirements for ,candidates ,certified as ,participating ,candidates #eba4 ,contribution and expenditure requirements 7a7 ,permitted sources of contributions and expenditures 7#a7 ,tier #a candidates ,except as provided in subsection 7c71 a participating candidate who is certified as a ,tier #a candidate with respect to an election shall1 with respect to all elections occurring during the election cycle for the office involved1 accept no contributions from any source and make no expenditures from any amounts1 other than the following3 7,a7 ,qualified grassroots contributions4 7,b7 ,payments under this title4 7,c7 ,contributions from political committees established and maintained by a national or ,state political party4 7,d7 ,subject to subsection 7b71 personal funds of the candidate or of any immediate family member of the candidate 7other than funds received through qualified grassroots contributions74 7,e7 ,subject to subsection 7e71 contributions from individuals who are otherwise permitted to make contributions under this ,act4 7#b7 ,tier #b candidates ,except as provided in subsection 7c71 a participating candidate who is certified as a ,tier #b candidate with respect to an election shall1 with respect to all elections occurring during the election cycle for the office involved1 accept no contributions from any source and make no expenditures from any amounts1 other than the following3 7,a7 ,qualified grassroots contributions4 7,b7 ,payments under this title4 7,c7 ,contributions from political committees established and maintained by a national or ,state political party4 7,d7 ,subject to subsection 7b71 personal funds of the candidate or of any immediate family member of the candidate 7other than funds received through qualified grassroots contributions74 7b7 ,special rules for personal funds 7#a7 ,limit on amount ,a candidate who is certified as a participating candidate may use personal funds 7including personal funds of any immediate family member of the candidate7 so long as-- 7,a7 the amount used with respect to the election cycle does not exceed #ej1jjj2 and 7,b7 the funds are used only for making direct payments for the receipt of goods and services which constitute authorized expenditures in connection with the election cycle involved4 7#b7 ,immediate family member defined ,in this subsection1 the term immediate family means1 with respect to a candidate-- 7,a7 the candidate's spouse2 7,b7 a child1 stepchild1 parent1 grandparent1 brother1 half-brother1 sister1 or half-sister of the candidate or the candidate's spouse2 and 7,c7 the spouse of any person described in subparagraph 7,b74 7c7 ,exceptions 7#a7 ,exception for contributions received prior to filing of statement of intent ,a candidate who has accepted contributions that are not described in paragraph 7#a7 of subsection 7a7 7in the case of a ,tier #a candidate7 or in paragraph 7#b7 of subsection 7a7 7in the case of a ,tier #b candidate7 prior to the date the candidate files a statement of intent under section #eaa7;a77#a7 is not in violation of subsection 7a71 but only if all such contributions are-- 7,a7 returned to the contributor2 7,b7 submitted to the ,commission for deposit in the ,grassroots ,democracy ,fund established under section #eda2 or 7,c7 spent in accordance with paragraph 7#b74 7#b7 ,exception for expenditures made prior to filing of statement of intent ,if a candidate has made expenditures prior to the date the candidate files a statement of intent under section #eaa7;a77#a7 that the candidate is prohibited from making under subsection 7a7 or subsection 7b71 the candidate is not in violation of such subsection if the aggregate amount of the prohibited expenditures is less than the amount referred to in section #eab7;a77#b7 7relating to the total dollar amount of qualified grassroots contributions which the candidate is required to obtain7 which is applicable to the candidate4 7#c7 ,exception for campaign surpluses from a previous election ,notwithstanding paragraph 7#a71 unexpended contributions received by the candidate or the an authorized committee of the candidate with respect to a previous election may be retained1 but only if the candidate places the funds in escrow and refrains from raising additional funds for or spending funds from that account during the election cycle in which a candidate is a participating candidate4 7#d7 ,exception for contributions received before the effective date of this title ,contributions received and expenditures made by the candidate or an authorized committee of the candidate prior to the effective date of this title shall not constitute a violation of subsection 7a7 or 7b74 ,unexpended contributions shall be treated the same as campaign surpluses under paragraph 7#c71 and expenditures made shall count against the limit in paragraph 7#b74 7d7 ,special ,rule for ,coordinated ,party ,expenditures ,for purposes of this section1 a payment made by a political party in coordination with a participating candidate shall not be treated as a contribution to or as an expenditure made by the participating candidate4 7e7 ,phase-,out of amount of private contributions that may be accepted by ,tier #a candidates ,with respect to an election cycle occurring after the first #c election cycles for which this title is in effect1 the amount of a contribution that may be accepted from an individual by a participating candidate who is certified as a ,tier #a candidate may not exceed the following3 7#a7 ,for the fourth election cycle for which this title is in effect1 an amount equal to #fj of the limitation on the amount of a contribution which a candidate may accept from an individual for such cycle under section #cae7;a77#a74 7#b7 ,for the fifth election cycle for which this title is in effect1 an amount equal to #dj of the limitation on the amount of a contribution which a candidate may accept from an individual for such cycle under section #cae7;a77#a74 7#c7 ,for the sixth election cycle for which this title is in effect and any subsequent election cycle1 an amount equal to #bj of the limitation on the amount of a contribution which a candidate may accept from an individual for such cycle under section #cae7;a77#a74 7f7 ,prohibition on joint fundraising committees 7#a7 ,prohibition ,an authorized committee of a candidate who is certified as a participating candidate under this title with respect to an election may not establish a joint fundraising committee with a political committee other than another authorized committee of the candidate4 7#b7 ,status of existing committees for prior elections ,if a candidate established a joint fundraising committee described in paragraph 7#a7 with respect to a prior election for which the candidate was not certified as a participating candidate under this title and the candidate does not terminate the committee1 the candidate shall not be considered to be in violation of paragraph 7#a7 so long as that joint fundraising committee does not receive any contributions or make any disbursements during the election cycle for which the candidate is certified as a participating candidate under this title4 #ebb4 ,administration of campaign 7a7 ,use of separate accounts for various permitted contributions ,each authorized committee of a candidate certified as a participating candidate under this title-- 7#a7 shall establish a separate account for each type of contribution described in paragraph 7#a7 of section #eba7;a7 7in the case of a ,tier #a candidate7 or paragraph 7#b7 of section #eba7;a7 7in the case of a ,tier #b candidate7 which is received by the committee1 and shall deposit each contribution in the account established for that type of contribution2 and 7#b7 shall establish a separate account for the payments received under this title1 and shall deposit each such payment in that account4 7b7 ,enhanced reporting of disbursements ,in addition to any reports required under section #cjd1 not later than #c months after the end of the election cycle involved1 each authorized committee of a candidate certified as a participating candidate under this title shall submit a report to the ,commission on all disbursements made from each separate account established under subsection 7a7 7in the same manner as the report required under section #cjd7;b77#d774 7c7 ,enhanced internet disclosure of information on donors ,each authorized committee of a candidate shall ensure that all information reported to the ,commission under this ,act with respect to contributions and expenditures of the committee is available to the public on the ,internet 7whether through a site established for purposes of this subsection1 a hyperlink on another public site of the committee1 or a hyperlink on a report filed electronically with the ,commission7 in a searchable1 sortable1 and downloadable manner4 #ebc4 ,preventing unnecessary spending of public funds 7a7 ,mandatory spending of available private funds ,an authorized committee of a candidate certified as a participating candidate under this title may not make any expenditure of any payments received under this title in any amount unless the committee has made an expenditure in an equivalent amount of funds received by the committee which are described in-- 7#a7 subparagraphs 7,c71 7,d71 and 7,e7 of paragraph 7#a7 of section #eba7;a71 in the case of a ,tier #a candidate2 or 7#b7 subparagraphs 7,c7 and 7,d7 of paragraph 7#b7 of section #eba7;a71 in the case of a ,tier #b candidate4 7b7 ,limitation ,subsection 7a7 applies to an authorized committee only to the extent that the funds referred to in paragraph 7#a7 of such subsection 7in the case of a ,tier #a candidate7 or in paragraph 7#b7 of such subsection 7in the case of a ,tier #b candidate7 are available to the committee at the time the committee makes an expenditure of a payment received under this title4 #ebd4 ,remitting unspent funds after election 7a7 ,remittance required 7#a7 ,in general ,not later than the date that is #fj days after the last election for which a candidate certified as a participating candidate qualifies to be on the ballot during the election cycle involved1 such participating candidate shall remit to the ,commission for deposit in the ,grassroots ,democracy ,fund established under section #eda an amount equal to the balance of the accounts established by the authorized committees of the candidate under section #ebb for the payments received under this title4 7#b7 ,exception for tier #b candidates participating in next cycle ,notwithstanding paragraph 7#a71 a ,tier #b candidate may withhold not more than #ej1jjj from the amount required to be remitted under paragraph 7#a7 if the candidate files a signed affidavit with the ,commission that the candidate will seek certification as a ,tier #b candidate with respect to the next election cycle4 ,if the candidate fails to seek certification as a ,tier #b candidate prior to the last day of the ,grassroots ,democracy qualifying period for the next election cycle 7as described in section #eaa71 or if the ,commission notifies the candidate of the ,commission's determination does not meet the requirements for certification as a ,tier #b candidate with respect to such cycle1 the candidate shall immediately remit to the ,commission the amount withheld4 7b7 ,exception for expenditures incurred but not paid as of date of remittance 7#a7 ,in general ,a candidate may withhold from the amount required to be remitted under subsection 7a7 the amount of any authorized expenditures which were incurred in connection with the candidate's campaign but which remain unpaid as of the deadline applicable to the candidate under such subsection1 except that any amount withheld pursuant to this paragraph shall be remitted to the ,commission not later than #abj days after the date of the election to which such subsection applies4 7#b7 ,documentation required ,a candidate may withhold an amount of an expenditure pursuant to paragraph 7#a7 only if the candidate submits documentation of the expenditure and the amount to the ,commission not later than the deadline applicable to the candidate under subsection 7a74 ,d ,supplemental ,grassroots ,democracy ,people's ,fund ,payments #eca4 ,eligibility of participating candidates for payments 7a7 ,payments to candidates ,in addition to the payments made under subtitle ,a1 a candidate certified as a participating candidate under this title with respect to an election shall be entitled to a supplemental ,grassroots ,democracy ,people's ,fund payment from the ,grassroots ,democracy ,fund each time during the election cycle that the ,commission issues a determination under subsection 7b7 that the outside speech threshold with respect to the election has been reached4 7b7 ,outside speech threshold 7#a7 ,determinations by commission 7,a7 ,in general ,for purposes of this section1 the ,commission shall issue a determination that the outside speech threshold with respect to an election is reached each time during the election cycle that the ,commission determines that the amount disbursed for political activity with respect to the election exceeds-- 7i7 the ,house threshold1 in the case of an election for the office of ,representative in1 or ,delegate or ,resident ,commissioner to1 the ,congress2 or 7ii7 the ,senate threshold1 in the case of an election for the office of ,senator4 7,b7 ,exclusion of certain disbursements ,for purposes of subparagraph 7,a71 in determining the amount disbursed for political activity with respect to an election1 there shall be excluded-- 7i7 disbursements made by any authorized committee of a candidate2 and 7ii7 disbursements made by a political committee of a national political party4 7,c7 ,inclusion of amounts spent on non-candidate-specific advertisements ,in determining the amount disbursed for political activity with respect to an election under subparagraph 7,a71 there shall be included any amount disbursed for a political advertisement described in subsection 7c77#c74 7#b7 ,subsequent determinations after threshold is first reached ,after the first time during the election cycle that the ,commission issues a determination under paragraph 7#a7 that the outside speech threshold with respect to an election has been reached1 any subsequent determination as to whether the threshold has been reached shall be made only on the basis of disbursements made after the most recent such determination issued by the ,commission4 7#c7 ,house threshold 7,a7 ,in general ,for purposes of paragraph 7#a77;,a71 the ,house threshold with respect to an election is an amount equal to the product of the adjusted baseline amount under subparagraph 7,b7 and the number of candidates in the election4 7,b7 ,adjusted baseline amount ,for purposes of subparagraph 7,a71 the adjusted baseline amount with respect to an election is an amount equal to the product of #bej1jjj and an adjustment factor applied by the ,commission to take into account the relative media-related costs of political activity in the ,congressional district involved as compared to the average of such costs among all ,congressional districts4 7,c7 ,exclusion of certain candidates ,for purposes of subparagraph 7,a71 in determining the number of candidates in an election1 there shall be excluded any candidate who is determined by the ,commission to be a minor candidate1 in accordance with such criteria as the ,commission shall by regulation establish1 taking into account the amount of funds raised and expended by the candidate1 the candidate's ability to qualify for the ballot1 and such other factors as the ,commission considers appropriate4 7#d7 ,senate threshold 7,a7 ,in general ,for purposes of paragraph 7#a77;,a71 the ,senate threshold with respect to an election is an amount equal to the product of the adjusted baseline amount under subparagraph 7,b7 and the number of candidates in the election4 7,b7 ,adjusted baseline amount ,for purposes of subparagraph 7,a71 the adjusted baseline amount with respect to an election is an amount equal to the product of-- 7i7 the sum of #bej1jjj plus the product of #ajj1jjj and the number of ,congressional districts in the ,state involved2 and 7ii7 an adjustment factor applied by the ,commission to take into account the relative media-related costs of political activity in the ,state involved as compared to the average of such costs among all ,states4 7,c7 ,exclusion of certain candidates ,for purposes of subparagraph 7,a71 in determining the number of candidates in an election1 there shall be excluded any candidate who is determined by the ,commission to be a minor candidate1 in accordance with such criteria as the ,commission shall by regulation establish1 taking into account the amount of funds raised and expended by the candidate1 the candidate's ability to qualify for the ballot1 and such other factors as the ,commission considers appropriate4 7c7 ,political activity defined ,in this section1 political activity means1 with respect to an election1 any of the following3 7#a7 ,a publicly disseminated communication consisting of an independent expenditure 7as defined in section #cja7ag77 which advocates the election or defeat of a candidate in the election4 7#b7 ,a publicly disseminated communication consisting of an electioneering communication 7as defined in section #cjd7;f77 which refers to a candidate in the election4 7#c7 ,a publicly disseminated communication consisting of a communication which refers to the political party of a candidate in the election and which would be treated as an electioneering communication 7as defined in section #cjd7;f77 if it referred to a clearly identified candidate for ,federal office4 7#d7 ,voter registration1 voter identification1 get-out-the-vote1 and other related activity carried out in connection with the election4 #ecb4 ,amount of payment2 use of funds 7a7 ,amount ,the amount of the supplemental ,grassroots ,democracy ,people's ,fund payment made to a candidate under this subtitle shall be equal to #ajj percent of the aggregate amount of qualified grassroots donations received by the candidate1 as reported in the most recent request for a payment under this title which has been submitted by the candidate under section #ejb at the time the ,commission issues a determination under section #eda7;b74 7b7 ,use of funds ,a candidate shall use the supplemental payment under this subtitle only for authorized expenditures in connection with the election cycle involved4 #ecc4 ,severability ,if any provision of this subtitle1 or the application of a provision of this subtitle to any person or circumstance1 is held to be unconstitutional1 the remainder of this title1 and the application of the provisions to any person or circumstance1 shall not be affected by the holding4 ,e ,administrative provisions #eda4 ,grassroots ,democracy ,fund 7a7 ,establishment ,there is established in the ,treasury a fund to be known as the ,grassroots ,democracy ,fund4 7b7 ,amounts held by ,fund ,the ,fund shall consist of the following amounts3 7#a7 ,appropriated amounts ,amounts appropriated to the ,fund1 including trust fund amounts appropriated pursuant to applicable provisions of the ,internal ,revenue ,code of #aihf4 7#b7 ,voluntary contributions ,voluntary contributions to the ,fund4 7#c7 ,other deposits ,amounts deposited into the ,fund under-- 7,a7 section #fjih of the ,internal ,revenue ,code of #aihf 7relating to contributions to ,grassroots ,democracy ,fund72 7,b7 section #eba7;c7 7relating to exceptions to contribution requirements72 7,c7 section #ebc 7relating to remittance of unused payments from the ,fund72 7,d7 section #edd 7relating to violations72 and 7,e7 any other section of this ,act4 7#d7 ,investment returns ,interest on1 and the proceeds from1 the sale or redemption of1 any obligations held by the ,fund under subsection 7c74 7c7 ,investment ,the ,commission shall invest portions of the ,fund in obligations of the ,united ,states in the same manner as provided under section #ifjb7;b7 of the ,internal ,revenue ,code of #aihf4 7d7 ,use of ,fund 7#a7 ,in general ,the sums in the ,fund shall be used to make payments to participating candidates as provided in this title4 7#b7 ,insufficient amounts ,under regulations established by the ,commission1 rules similar to the rules of section #ijjf7;c7 of the ,internal ,revenue ,code of #aihf shall apply4 #edb4 ,grassroots ,democracy ,advisory ,commission 7a7 ,establishment ,there is established within the ,federal ,election ,commission an entity to be known as the ,grassroots ,democracy ,advisory ,commission 7in this title referred to as the ,advisory ,commission74 7b7 ,structure and membership 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,advisory ,commission shall be composed of #e members appointed by the ,president with the advice and consent of the ,senate1 of whom-- 7,a7 #b shall be appointed after consultation with the ,majority ,leader of the ,house of ,representatives2 7,b7 #b shall be appointed after consultation with the ,minority ,leader of the ,house of ,representatives2 and 7,c7 #a shall be appointed upon the recommendation of the members appointed under subparagraphs 7,a7 and 7,b74 7#b7 ,qualifications 7,a7 ,in general ,the members shall be individuals who by reason of their education1 experience1 and attainments1 are exceptionally qualified to perform the duties of members of the ,advisory ,commission4 7,b7 ,prohibition ,no member of the ,advisory ,commission may be-- 7i7 an employee of the ,federal ,government2 7ii7 a registered lobbyist or an individual who was a registered lobbyist at any time during the #b-year period preceding appointment to the ,advisory ,commission2 or 7iii7 an officer or employee of a political party or political campaign4 7#c7 ,date ,members of the ,advisory ,commission shall be appointed not later than #fj days after the date of the enactment of this ,act4 7#d7 ,terms ,a member of the ,advisory ,commission shall be appointed for a term of #e years4 7#e7 ,vacancies ,a vacancy on the ,advisory ,commission shall be filled not later than #cj calendar days after the date on which the ,advisory ,commission is given notice of the vacancy1 in the same manner as the original appointment4 ,the individual appointed to fill the vacancy shall serve only for the unexpired portion of the term for which the individual's predecessor was appointed4 7#f7 ,chairperson ,the ,advisory ,commission shall designate a ,chairperson from among the members of the ,board4 7c7 ,duties and powers 7#a7 ,administration ,the ,advisory ,commission shall have such duties and powers as the ,commission may prescribe1 including the power to administer the provisions of this title4 7#b7 ,review of ,grassroots ,democracy financing 7,a7 ,in general ,after each regularly scheduled general election for ,federal office1 the ,advisory ,commission shall conduct a comprehensive review of the ,grassroots ,democracy financing program under this title1 including-- 7i7 the maximum and minimum dollar amounts of qualified grassroots contributions under section #ejd2 7ii7 the number and value of qualified grassroots contributions a candidate is required to obtain under section #eab7;a7 to be eligible for certification as a participating candidate2 7iii7 the maximum amount of payments a candidate may receive under this title2 7iv7 the overall satisfaction of participating candidates and the ,american public with the program2 and 7v7 such other matters relating to financing of campaigns as the ,advisory ,commission determines are appropriate4 7,b7 ,criteria for review ,in conducting the review under subparagraph 7,a71 the ,advisory ,commission shall consider the following3 7i7 ,qualified grassroots contributions ,the ,advisory ,commission shall consider whether the number and dollar amounts of qualified grassroots contributions required strikes a balance regarding the importance of voter involvement1 the need to assure adequate incentives for participating1 and fiscal responsibility1 taking into consideration the number of primary and general election participating candidates1 the electoral performance of those candidates1 program cost1 and any other information the ,advisory ,commission determines is appropriate4 7ii7 ,review of payment levels ,the ,advisory ,commission shall consider whether the totality of the amount of funds allowed to be raised by participating candidates 7including through qualified grassroots contributions7 and payments under this title are sufficient for voters in each ,state to learn about the candidates to cast an informed vote1 taking into account the historic amount of spending by winning candidates1 media costs1 primary election dates1 and any other information the ,advisory ,commission determines is appropriate4 7,c7 ,adjustment of amounts 7i7 ,in general ,based on the review conducted under subparagraph 7,a71 the ,advisory ,commission shall provide for the adjustments of the following amounts3 7,i7 ,the maximum and minimum dollar amounts of qualified grassroots contributions under section #ejd4 7,,ii7 ,the number and value of qualified grassroots contributions a candidate is required to obtain under section #eab7;a7 to be eligible for certification as a participating candidate4 7,,iii7 ,the maximum amount of payments may receive under this title4 7ii7 ,regulations ,the ,commission shall promulgate regulations providing for the adjustments made by the ,advisory ,commission under clause 7i74 7,d7 ,review of ,grassroots ,democracy ,people's ,fund ,program ,after each regularly scheduled general election for ,federal office1 the ,advisory ,commission shall conduct a comprehensive review of the program for making supplemental ,grassroots ,democracy ,people's ,fund payments under subtitle ,d1 and shall include in the review the following3 7i7 ,a review of the outside speech threshold established under section #eca7;b71 including the amounts used to determine the ,house threshold under paragraph 7#c7 of such section and the ,senate threshold under paragraph 7#d7 of such section4 7ii7 ,the effectiveness of the adjustment factors applied by the ,commission under section #eca7;b7 to take into account the relative media-related costs of political activity in ,congressional districts and ,states4 7iii7 ,the overall satisfaction of participating candidates and the ,american public with the ,program4 7iv7 ,such other matters relating to the making of payments under such subtitle as the ,advisory ,commission determines are appropriate4 7,e7 ,report ,not later than each ,june #a which follows a regularly scheduled general election for ,federal office for which payments were made under this title1 the ,advisory ,commission shall submit a report to ,congress on the review conducted under this paragraph4 ,such report shall contain a detailed statement of the findings1 conclusions1 and recommendations of the ,advisory ,commission based on such review4 7d7 ,meetings and hearings 7#a7 ,meetings ,the ,advisory ,commission may hold such hearings1 sit and act at such times and places1 take such testimony1 and receive such evidence as the ,advisory ,commission considers advisable to carry out the purposes of this ,act4 7#b7 ,quorum ,three members of the ,advisory ,commission shall constitute a quorum for purposes of voting1 but a quorum is not required for members to meet and hold hearings4 7e7 ,reports ,not later than each ,june #a which follows a regularly scheduled general election for ,federal office for which payments were made under this title1 the ,advisory ,commission shall submit to the ,committee on ,house ,administration of the ,house of ,representatives a report documenting1 evaluating1 and making recommendations relating to the administrative implementation and enforcement of the provisions of this title4 7f7 ,administration 7#a7 ,compensation of members 7,a7 ,in general ,each member1 other than the ,chairperson1 shall be paid at a rate equal to the daily equivalent of the minimum annual rate of basic pay prescribed for level ,,iv of the ,executive ,schedule under section #ecae of title #e1 ,united ,states ,code4 7,b7 ,chairperson ,the ,chairperson shall be paid at a rate equal to the daily equivalent of the minimum annual rate of basic pay prescribed for level ,,iii of the ,executive ,schedule under section #ecad of title #e1 ,united ,states ,code4 7#b7 ,personnel 7,a7 ,director ,the ,advisory ,commission shall have a staff headed by an ,executive ,director4 ,the ,executive ,director shall be paid at a rate equivalent to a rate established for the ,senior ,executive ,service under section #echb of title #e1 ,united ,states ,code4 7,b7 ,staff appointment ,with the approval of the ,chairperson1 the ,executive ,director may appoint such personnel as the ,executive ,director and the ,advisory ,commission determines to be appropriate4 7,c7 ,experts and consultants ,with the approval of the ,chairperson1 the ,executive ,director may procure temporary and intermittent services under section #caji7;b7 of title #e1 ,united ,states ,code4 7,d7 ,detail of government employees ,upon the request of the ,chairperson1 the head of any ,federal agency may detail1 without reimbursement1 any of the personnel of such agency to the ,advisory ,commission to assist in carrying out the duties of the ,advisory ,commission4 ,any such detail shall not interrupt or otherwise affect the civil service status or privileges of the ,federal employee4 7,e7 ,other resources ,the ,advisory ,commission shall have reasonable access to materials1 resources1 statistical data1 and other information from the ,library of ,congress and other agencies of the executive and legislative branches of the ,federal ,government4 ,the ,chairperson of the ,advisory ,commission shall make requests for such access in writing when necessary4 7g7 ,authorization of appropriations ,there are authorized to be appropriated such sums as are necessary to carry out the purposes of this subtitle4 #edc4 ,administration by ,commission ,the ,commission shall prescribe regulations to carry out the purposes of this title1 including regulations-- 7#a7 to establish procedures for-- 7,a7 verifying the amount of qualified grassroots contributions with respect to a candidate1 7,b7 effectively and efficiently monitoring and enforcing the limits on the raising of qualified grassroots contributions1 7,c7 effectively and efficiently monitoring and enforcing the limits on the use of personal funds by participating candidates1 and 7,d7 monitoring the use of allocations from the ,grassroots ,democracy ,fund established under section #eda and matching contributions under this title through audits of not fewer than #a_/aj 7or1 in the case of the first #c election cycles during which the program under this title is in effect1 not fewer than #a_/c7 of all participating candidates or other mechanisms2 and 7#b7 regarding the conduct of debates in a manner consistent with the best practices of ,states that provide public financing for elections4 #edd4 ,violations and penalties 7a7 ,civil penalty for violation of contribution and expenditure requirements ,if a candidate who has been certified as a participating candidate accepts a contribution or makes an expenditure that is prohibited under section #eba1 the ,commission shall assess a civil penalty against the candidate in an amount that is not more than #c times the amount of the contribution or expenditure4 ,any amounts collected under this subsection shall be deposited into the ,grassroots ,democracy ,fund established under section #eda4 7b7 ,repayment for improper use of ,grassroots ,democracy ,fund 7#a7 ,in general ,if the ,commission determines that any payment made to a participating candidate was not used as provided for in this title or that a participating candidate has violated any of the dates for remission of funds contained in this title1 the ,commission shall so notify the candidate and the candidate shall pay to the ,fund an amount equal to-- 7,a7 the amount of payments so used or not remitted1 as appropriate2 and 7,b7 interest on any such amounts 7at a rate determined by the ,commission74 7#b7 ,other action not precluded ,any action by the ,commission in accordance with this subsection shall not preclude enforcement proceedings by the ,commission in accordance with section #cji7;a71 including a referral by the ,commission to the ,attorney ,general in the case of an apparent knowing and willful violation of this title4 #ede4 ,election cycle defined ,in this title1 the term election cycle means1 with respect to an election for an office1 the period beginning on the day after the date of the most recent general election for that office 7or1 if the general election resulted in a runoff election1 the date of the runoff election7 and ending on the date of the next general election for that office 7or1 if the general election resulted in a runoff election1 the date of the runoff election74 4 #bjb4 ,prohibiting use of contributions by participating candidates for purposes other than campaign for election ,section #cac of the ,federal ,election ,campaign ,act of #aiga 7#b ,u4,s4,c4 #dci;a7 is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection3 7d7 ,restrictions on ,permitted ,uses of ,funds by ,candidates ,receiving ,grassroots ,democracy ,financing ,notwithstanding paragraphs 7#b71 7#c71 or 7#d7 of subsection 7a71 if a candidate for election for the office of ,representative in1 or ,delegate or ,resident ,commissioner to1 the ,congress is certified as a participating candidate under title ,v with respect to the election1 any contribution which the candidate is permitted to accept under such title may be used only for authorized expenditures in connection with the candidate's campaign for such office4 4 ,,iii ,other administrative reforms #cja4 ,expanding requirement to disclose bundlers who are registered lobbyists to all bundlers 7a7 ,expanding bundler disclosure requirements to all bundlers ,section #cjd7;i77#a7 of the ,federal ,election ,campaign ,act of #aiga 7#b ,u4,s4,c4 #dcd7;i77#a77 is amended by striking reasonably known by the committee to be a person described in paragraph 7#g74 7b7 ,conforming amendments ,section #cjd7;i7 of such ,act 7#b ,u4,s4,c4 #dcd7;i77 is amended-- 7#a7 in paragraph 7#b77;,c71 by striking described in paragraph 7#g72 7#b7 in paragraph 7#c77;,a71 by striking a person described in paragraph 7#g7 and inserting any person2 7#c7 in paragraph 7#e7-- 7,a7 by striking subparagraph 7,b7 and redesignating subparagraphs 7,c7 and 7,d7 as subparagraphs 7,b7 and 7,c71 7,b7 in subparagraph 7,b7 7as so redesignated71 by striking described in paragraph 7#g71 and 7,c7 in subparagraph 7,c7 7as so redesignated71 by striking by persons described in paragraph 7#g72 7#d7 by striking paragraph 7#g7 and redesignating paragraph 7#h7 as paragraph 7#g72 and 7#e7 in paragraph 7#g77;,a7 7as so redesignated71 by striking a person described in paragraph 7#g71 and inserting a person14 #cjb4 ,expansion of period for treatment of communications as electioneering communications 7a7 ,expansion of period covering general election ,section #cjd7;f77#c77;,a77,i77,,ii77aa7 of the ,federal ,election ,campaign ,act of #aiga 7#b ,u4,s4,c4 #dcd7;f77#c77;,a77,i77,,ii77aa77 is amended by striking #fj days and inserting #abj days4 7b7 ,effective date2 transition for communications made prior to enactment ,the amendment made by subsection 7a7 shall apply with respect to communications made on or after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 without regard to whether or not the ,federal ,election ,commission has promulgated regulations to carry out such amendments1 except that no communication which is made prior to the date of the enactment of this ,act shall be treated as an electioneering communication under section #cjd7;f77#c77;,a77,i77,,ii7 of the ,federal ,election ,campaign ,act of #aiga 7as amended by subsection 7a77 unless the communication would be treated as an electioneering communication under such section if the amendment made by subsection 7a7 did not apply4 #cjc4 ,user fees for committees and bundlers 7a7 ,political committees ,section #cjc of the ,federal ,election ,campaign ,act of #aiga 7#b ,u4,s4,c4 #dcc7 is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection3 7e7 ,user fee 7#a7 ,payment ,at the time a political committee files the statement of organization required under subsection 7a71 and annually thereafter until the termination of the committee1 the committee shall pay a user fee to the ,commission in an amount equal to #ajj4 7#b7 ,exception for candidate committees ,paragraph 7#a7 does not apply in the case of a political committee which is an authorized committee of a candidate4 7#c7 ,use of funds ,the amounts received by the ,commission under this subsection shall be used to support the administration of the ,grassroots ,democracy ,advisory ,commission under section #edb4 4 7b7 ,bundlers ,title ,,iii of such ,act 7#b ,u4,s4,c4 #dca et seq47 is amended by inserting after section #cjc the following new section3 #cjc;,a4 user fees for bundlers of contributions 7a7 ,user fee required ,a person may not provide a bundled contribution to a political committee during a year unless the person has paid a user fee to the ,commission during the year in an amount equal to #ajj4 7b7 ,use of funds ,the amounts received by the ,commission under this subsection shall be used to support the administration of the ,grassroots ,democracy ,advisory ,commission under section #edb4 7c7 ,bundled contribution defined ,in this section1 the term bundled contribution has the meaning given such term in section #cjd7;i77#g74 4 #cjd4 ,petition for certiorari ,section #cjg7;a77#f7 of the ,federal ,election ,campaign ,act of #aiga 7#b ,u4,s4,c4 #dcg;d7a77#f77 is amended by inserting 7including a proceeding before the ,supreme ,court on certiorari7 after appeal4 #cje4 ,filing by all candidates with ,commission ,section #cjb7;g7 of the ,federal ,election ,campaign ,act of #aiga 7#b ,u4,s4,c4 #dcb7;g77 is amended to read as follows3 7g7 ,filing with the commission ,all designations1 statements1 and reports required to be filed under this ,act shall be filed with the ,commission4 4 #cjf4 ,electronic filing of ,,fec reports ,section #cjd7;a77#aa7 of the ,federal ,election ,campaign ,act of #aiga 7#b ,u4,s4,c4 #dcd7;a77#aa77 is amended-- 7#a7 in subparagraph 7,a71 by striking under this ,act-- and all that follows and inserting under this ,act shall be required to maintain and file such designation1 statement1 or report in electronic form accessible by computers42 7#b7 in subparagraph 7,b71 by striking #dh hours and all that follows through filed electronically7 and inserting #bd hours2 and 7#c7 by striking subparagraph 7,d74 #cjg4 ,effective date ,except as provided in section #cjb7;b71 the amendments made by this title shall apply with respect to reports filed on or after the date of the enactment of this ,act4 ,,iv ,offsets #dja4 ,reform of tax rules related to political organizations 7a7 ,decoupling of rate of tax on political organizations from corporate tax rate ,subsection 7b7 of section #ebg of the ,internal ,revenue ,code of #aihf is amended-- 7#a7 by striking all that precedes ,a tax is hereby imposed and inserting the following3 7b7 ,tax imposed 1 7#b7 by striking paragraph 7#b71 and 7#c7 by striking the highest rate of tax specified in section #aa7;b7 and inserting #ce percent4 7b7 ,repeal of exemptions for proceeds from merchandise and entertainment events ,paragraph 7#c7 of section #ebg7;c7 of such ,code is amended-- 7#a7 by adding or at the end of subparagraph 7,a71 7#b7 by striking the comma at the end of subparagraph 7,b7 and inserting a period1 and 7#c7 by striking subparagraphs 7,c7 and 7,d74 7c7 ,modification of limitation on tax paid by charitable organizations engaged in exempt functions ,paragraph 7#a7 of section #ebg7;f7 of such ,code is amended by striking equal to the lesser of-- and all that follows and inserting equal to the aggregate amount so expended during the taxable year for such an exempt function4 ,if such aggregate amount does not exceed #ejj1jjj1 the amount included in gross income under the preceding sentence shall not exceed the net investment income of such organization for the taxable year44 7d7 ,repeal of graduated rates for principal campaign committees ,section #ebg of such ,code is amended by striking subsection 7h74 7e7 ,effective date ,the amendments made by this section shall apply to taxable years beginning after the date of the enactment of this ,act4 #djb4 ,voluntary contributions to the ,grassroots ,democracy ,fund 7a7 ,in general ,subchapter ,a of chapter #fa of the ,internal ,revenue ,code of #aihf is amended by adding at the end the following new part3 ,,ix ,contributions to ,grassroots ,democracy ,fund ,sec4 #fjih4 ,contributions to ,grassroots ,democracy ,fund4 #fjih4 ,contributions to ,grassroots ,democracy ,fund 7a7 ,in general ,every individual1 with respect to the taxpayer's return for the taxable year of the tax imposed by chapter #a1 may designate that a specified portion 7not less than #a7 of any overpayment of tax shall be contributed to the ,grassroots ,democracy ,fund established under section #eda of the ,federal ,election ,campaign ,act of #aiga4 7b7 ,manner and ,time of ,designation 7#a7 ,time of designation ,a designation under subsection 7a7 may be made with respect to any taxable year-- 7,a7 at the time of filing the return of the tax imposed by chapter #a for such taxable year1 or 7,b7 at any other time 7after such time of filing7 specified in regulations prescribed by the ,secretary4 7#b7 ,manner of designation ,such designation shall be made in such manner as the ,secretary prescribes by regulations except that1 if such designation is made at the time of filing the return of the tax imposed by chapter #a for such taxable year1 such designation shall be made either on the first page of the return or on the page bearing the taxpayer's signature4 7c7 ,overpayments treated as refunded ,for purposes of this title1 any portion of an overpayment of tax designated under subsection 7a7 shall be treated as-- 7#a7 being refunded to the taxpayer as of the last date prescribed for filing the return of tax imposed by chapter #a 7determined without regard to extensions7 or1 if later1 the date the return is filed1 and 7#b7 a contribution made by such taxpayer on such date to the ,united ,states4 7d7 ,on-,line contributions ,the ,secretary shall establish and maintain a ,web site through which persons may make contributions to the ,grassroots ,democracy ,fund4 ,any such contribution shall not be treated as an overpayment of tax but shall be treated as a contribution made by such person to the ,united ,states4 4 7b7 ,clerical amendment ,the table of parts for subchapter ,a of chapter #fa of the ,internal ,revenue ,code of #aihf is amended by adding at the end the following new item3 ,part ,,ix4 ,contributions to ,grassroots ,democracy ,fund4 4 7c7 ,effective ,date ,the amendments made by this section shall apply to taxable years beginning after the date of the enactment of this ,act4 ,v ,expanding ,candidate ,access to ,advertising #eja4 ,broadcasts by or on behalf of candidates 7a7 ,use of broadcasting station at lowest unit charge ,section #cae7;b7 of the ,communications ,act of #aicd 7#dg ,u4,s4,c4 #cae7;b77 is amended-- 7#a7 in paragraph 7#a7-- 7,a7 in the matter preceding subparagraph 7,a71 by inserting 1 or by a national committee of a political party in connection with such a campaign of such a candidate who is affiliated with the party1 after to such office2 7,b7 in subparagraph 7,a71 by inserting for preemptible use thereof after station2 and 7,c7 by moving subparagraphs 7,a7 and 7,b7 #b ems to the right2 and 7#b7 in paragraph 7#b7-- 7,a7 in subparagraph 7,a7-- 7i7 by striking ,in general4-- and inserting ,certification4--2 7ii7 by striking the broadcast station and inserting such station2 7iii7 by striking ,in the case of and inserting the following3 7i7 ,by candidates ,in the case of 2 and 7iv7 by adding at the end the following3 7ii7 ,by party national committees ,in the case of the use of any broadcasting station by a national committee of a political party in connection with the campaign of a candidate for ,federal office who is affiliated with the party1 such committee shall not be entitled to receive the rate under paragraph 7#a77;,a7 for such use unless such committee provides written certification to such station that such committee shall not make any direct reference to another candidate for the same office1 in any broadcast using the rights and conditions of access under this ,act1 unless such reference meets the requirements of subparagraph 7,c7 or 7,d74 2 7,b7 in subparagraph 7,b7-- 7i7 by striking subparagraph 7,a7 and inserting subparagraph 7,a77i72 7ii7 by striking ,if a candidate and inserting the following3 7i7 ,for candidates ,if a candidate 2 and 7iii7 by adding at the end the following3 7ii7 ,for party national committees ,if the national committee of a political party makes a reference described in subparagraph 7,a77ii7 in any broadcast that does not meet the requirements of subparagraph 7,c7 or 7,d71 such national committee shall not be entitled to receive the rate under paragraph 7#a77;,a7 for such broadcast or any other broadcast in connection with the campaign of the candidate during any portion of the #de-;day and #fj-;day periods described in paragraph 7#a77;,a71 that occur on or after the date of such broadcast4 2 7,c7 in subparagraph 7,c7-- 7i7 by striking ,a candidate and inserting ,a television broadcast2 7ii7 by striking 1 in the case of a television broadcast12 and 7iii7 in clause 7ii71 by inserting or the national committee of a political party after authorized committee2 7,d7 in subparagraph 7,d7-- 7i7 by striking ,a candidate and inserting ,a radio broadcast2 and 7ii7 by striking 1 in the case of a radio broadcast12 and 7,e7 in subparagraph 7,e71 by inserting or national committee after candidate74 7b7 ,preemption2 audits ,section #cae of the ,communications ,act of #aicd 7#dg ,u4,s4,c4 #cae7 is amended-- 7#a7 by redesignating subsection 7c7 as subsection 7g72 7#b7 by redesignating subsection 7d7 as subsection 7f72 and 7#c7 by inserting after subsection 7b7 the following3 7c7 ,preemption 7#a7 ,in general ,except as provided in paragraph 7#b7 and notwithstanding the requirements of subsection 7b77#a77;,a71 a licensee may not preempt the use of a broadcasting station by a legally qualified candidate or national committee of a political party that has purchased and paid for such use under circumstances entitling such candidate or committee to receive the rate under such subsection for such use4 7#b7 ,circumstances beyond control of licensee ,if a program to be broadcast by a broadcasting station is preempted because of circumstances beyond the control of the licensee1 an advertisement that is scheduled to be broadcast during such program and the broadcast of which constitutes use of the broadcasting station described in paragraph 7#a7 shall be treated in the same fashion as a comparable commercial advertisement4 7d7 ,audits ,during the #de-;day period preceding the date of a primary or primary runoff election and during the #fj-;day period preceding the date of a general election or special election1 the ,commission shall conduct such audits as it considers necessary to ensure that the licensee of each broadcasting station is allocating use of the station in accordance with this section and in a manner that does not warrant revocation of the station license under section #cab7;a77#g74 4 7c7 ,revocation of license for failure ,to permit access by ,federal candidates ,section #cab of the ,communications ,act of #aicd 7#dg ,u4,s4,c4 #cab7 is amended-- 7#a7 in subsection 7a77#g7-- 7,a7 by inserting in accordance with subsection 7h71 before for willful2 7,b7 by striking or repeated2 7,c7 by inserting or a cable system after non-commercial educational broadcast station12 and 7,d7 by striking his candidacy and inserting the candidacy of the candidate1 or by a national committee of a political party in connection with the campaign of a legally qualified candidate for ,federal elective office who is affiliated with the party1 under the same terms1 conditions1 and business practices as apply to the most-favored advertiser of the broadcasting station or cable system2 and 7#b7 by adding at the end the following3 7h7 ,conditions for revocation for failure ,to allow access by ,federal candidates 7#a7 ,three-strikes rule ,the ,commission may revoke a station license or construction permit under subsection 7a77#g7 only if the ,commission finds that the licensee or permittee has engaged in at least #c failures described in such subsection with respect to the broadcasting station or cable system to which the license or permit relates4 7#b7 ,duration ,in the case of a person whose station license or construction permit with respect to a broadcasting station or cable system has been revoked under subsection 7a77#g7-- 7,a7 the ,commission may not grant a station license or construction permit to such person with respect to such broadcasting station or cable system during the #e-year period following the revocation2 and 7,b7 if the ,commission grants such a station license or construction permit to such person after such #e-year period1 the number of failures described in subsection 7a77#g7 shall be calculated for purposes of paragraph 7#a7 without regard to any such failures that occurred while a previous license or permit was in effect4 4 7d7 ,conforming amendments ,section #cae of the ,communications ,act of #aicd1 as amended by subsection 7b71 is further amended-- 7#a7 in subsection 7a71 by striking ,if any licensee and inserting ,equal opportunities for candidates for same office4--,if any licensee2 7#b7 in subsection 7f71 as redesignated1 by striking ,the ,commission and inserting ,regulations4--,the ,commission2 and 7#c7 in subsection 7g71 as redesignated1 by striking ,for purposes and inserting ,definitions4--,for purposes4