,i #aaeth ,,congress #b;d ,session ,h4 ,r4 #gcjf ,,in ,,the ,,house ,,of ,,representatives ,december #ac1 #bjah,mr4 ,khanna introduced the following bill2 which was referred to the ,committee on ,house ,administration1 and in addition to the ,committee on ,ways and ,means1 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 establish the ,democracy ,dollars ,program under which citizens may direct the making of payments to candidates in elections for ,federal office and to political committees supporting campaigns for election for ,federal office1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short title2 table of contents 7a7 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,democracy ,dollars ,act4 7b7 ,table of contents ,the table of contents of this ,act is as follows3 ,sec4 #a4 ,short title2 table of contents4 ,title ,i--,democracy ,dollars ,program ,subtitle ,a--,availability of ,democracy ,dollars to ,qualified ,candidates ,sec4 #aja4 ,establishment of ,democracy ,dollars ,program4 ,sec4 #ajb4 ,eligibility of individuals to participate in ,program4 ,sec4 #ajc4 ,eligibility of candidates and authorized committees to receive payments2 use of payments4 ,sec4 #ajd4 ,democracy ,dollars ,exploratory ,fund4 ,sec4 #aje4 ,eligibility of other political committees to receive payments2 use of payments4 ,sec4 #ajf4 ,reports on disbursements of funds received under ,program4 ,subtitle ,b--,payments of ,democracy ,dollars ,sec4 #aaa4 ,amount available for eligible individuals to direct for payments4 ,sec4 #aab4 ,payments to candidates and committees from available amounts4 ,sec4 #aac4 ,limitations on amount of payments to candidates and committees4 ,sec4 #aad4 ,protecting privacy of eligible individuals4 ,sec4 #aae4 ,remitting unexpended payments4 ,subtitle ,c--,public ,outreach and ,education ,sec4 #aba4 ,public outreach and education program4 ,sec4 #abb4 ,requiring materials to be provided in minority languages4 ,sec4 #abc4 ,authorization of appropriations4 ,title ,,ii--,democracy ,fund ,commission ,sec4 #bja4 ,establishment4 ,sec4 #bjb4 ,membership4 ,sec4 #bjc4 ,staff4 ,sec4 #bjd4 ,functions4 ,sec4 #bje4 ,state responsibility for implementation of ,program4 ,sec4 #bjf4 ,administration of program in case of ,states without approved implementation plans in effect4 ,title ,,iii--,democracy ,dollars ,fund ,sec4 #cja4 ,democracy ,dollars ,fund4 ,sec4 #cjb4 ,termination of ,presidential ,election ,campaign ,fund2 transfer of balance to ,democracy ,dollars ,fund4 ,title ,,iv--,miscellaneous ,provisions ,sec4 #dja4 ,violations and penalties4 ,sec4 #djb4 ,democracy ,dollar ,administrator defined4 ,sec4 #djc4 ,other definitions4 ,title ,v--,severability ,sec4 #eja4 ,severability4 ,i ,democracy ,dollars ,program ,a ,availability of ,democracy ,dollars to ,qualified ,candidates #aja4 ,establishment of ,democracy ,dollars ,program ,in accordance with this ,act1 the ,democracy ,fund ,commission 7as established under title ,,ii7 shall establish and operate a program to be known as the ,democracy ,dollars ,program1 under which eligible individuals may direct that amounts in the ,democracy ,dollars ,fund 7as established under title ,,iii7 be used to make payments to eligible candidates for election for ,federal office 7including the authorized committees of such candidates7 or eligible political committees1 in accordance with subtitle ,b4 #ajb4 ,eligibility of individuals to participate in ,program 7a7 ,eligibility of registered voters ,an individual is eligible to participate in the ,democracy ,dollars ,program with respect to an election for ,federal office if the individual is registered to vote in any election for ,federal office during the year in which the election will be held1 as determined on the basis of the most recent version of the computerized statewide voter registration list maintained under section #cjc of the ,help ,america ,vote ,act of #bjjb 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #bajhc7 by the ,state in which the individual resides4 7b7 ,special rule for residents of ,states without voter registration ,in the case of an individual who is a resident of a ,state in which there is no voter registration requirement for any voter in the ,state with respect to an election for ,federal office1 an individual is eligible to participate in the ,program with respect to an election for ,federal office if the individual is eligible to vote in any election for ,federal office in that ,state4 #ajc4 ,eligibility of candidates and authorized committees to receive payments2 use of payments 7a7 ,eligibility ,a candidate 7including the authorized committees of the candidate7 is eligible to receive payments under the ,democracy ,dollars ,program if-- 7#a7 the candidate and each authorized committee of the candidate registers with the ,democracy ,fund ,commission to participate in the ,program2 7#b7 each such committee certifies to such ,commission that it has established a ,democracy ,dollars ,exploratory ,fund in accordance with section #ajd2 7#c7 except as provided in subsection 7d71 each such committee certifies to such ,commission that1 in accordance with section #ajd1 the aggregate amount of qualified contributions that it has accepted1 or that it will accept1 to such ,democracy ,dollars ,exploratory ,fund is equal to the applicable threshold under such section2 7#d7 each such committee certifies to such ,commission that it will maintain a separate account for payments received under the ,program2 and 7#e7 each such committee certifies to such ,commission that it will meet the applicable requirements of this title1 including the requirements of subsection 7c7 7relating to restrictions on the source of the contributions the candidate and committees may accept and the expenditures the candidate and committees may make74 7b7 ,exclusive use of ,democracy ,dollars payments for authorized campaign expenditures 7#a7 ,authorized campaign expenditures of candidate 7,a7 ,in general ,except as provided in paragraph 7#b71 a candidate 7including an authorized committee of the candidate7 may use a payment received under the ,program only for otherwise authorized expenditures in connection with the campaign for ,federal office of the candidate1 and may not convert the payment to personal use4 7,b7 ,application of rules applicable to contributions to candidates under ,federal ,election ,campaign ,act of #aiga ,for purposes of this paragraph1 section #cac of the ,federal ,election ,campaign ,act of #aiga 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #cjaad7 shall apply to the use of a payment under the ,program in the same manner as such section applies to the use of a contribution or donation described in such section4 7#b7 ,contributions to other candidates ,a candidate 7including an authorized committee of a candidate7 may use a payment received under the ,program to make a contribution to the authorized committee of another candidate1 except that the aggregate amount of contributions made to such a committee using such payments with respect to an election may not exceed the limit on the amount of contributions which may be made to such a committee with respect to the election under section #cae7;a7 of the ,federal ,election ,campaign ,act of #aiga 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #cjaaf7;a774 7c7 ,democracy ,dollars payments as exclusive source of contributions and expenditures ,a candidate 7including an authorized committee of the candidate7 receiving a payment under the ,democracy ,dollars ,program with respect to an election may not accept any contributions or make any expenditures in connection with any election occurring during the election cycle for the office involved other than the following3 7#a7 ,payments made under the ,democracy ,dollars ,program4 7#b7 ,amounts accepted and deposited in the candidate's ,democracy ,dollars ,exploratory ,fund under section #ajd1 so long as such amounts do not exceed the applicable threshold for the candidate under such section4 7#c7 ,personal funds 7including personal funds of the candidate or any immediate family member of the candidate7 in an amount that does not exceed an aggregate amount of #ej1jjj for all such elections4 7d7 ,permitting certification by candidates and committees accepting excess contributions to ,democracy ,dollars ,exploratory ,fund ,a candidate 7including an authorized committee of the candidate7 which has accepted an aggregate amount of qualified contributions to a ,democracy ,dollars ,exploratory ,fund under section #ajd which is greater than the applicable threshold under such section shall be considered to meet the requirements of paragraph 7#c7 of subsection 7a7 if1 not later than #e business days after the date on which the aggregate amount of qualified contributions deposited into such ,fund was first equal to such applicable threshold1 the candidate provides the ,democracy ,fund ,commission with-- 7#a7 a statement of the amount of contributions in such ,fund2 and 7#b7 a certification that the candidate or committee returned all contributions accepted after such date to the persons who made such contributions4 #ajd4 ,democracy ,dollars ,exploratory ,fund 7a7 ,requiring establishment and minimum balance as condition of eligibility ,as a condition of eligibility to receive payments under the ,democracy ,dollars ,program1 a candidate 7including the authorized committees of a candidate7 shall-- 7#a7 establish a separate account to be known as the ,democracy ,dollars ,exploratory ,fund2 7#b7 accept a qualified contribution 7as described in subsection 7b77 from a number of individuals equal to or greater than the applicable donor threshold described in subsection 7c72 and 7#c7 deposit into ,democracy ,dollars ,exploratory ,fund an aggregate amount of qualified contributions accepted by the candidate or the committee which is equal to the applicable dollar threshold described in subsection 7d74 7b7 ,qualified contribution described ,in this section1 a qualified contribution means a contribution to a candidate or an authorized committee of a candidate which does not consist of any personal funds of the candidate and which is made by an individual who is not a member of the immediate family of the candidate1 except that such term does not include a contribution made to the candidate or committee by another candidate 7or an authorized committee of such a candidate7 using a payment received under the ,program1 as described in section #ajc7;b74 7c7 ,applicable donor threshold described ,in this section1 the applicable donor threshold with respect to a candidate or authorized committee is-- 7#a7 #abe individuals1 in the case of a candidate for a ,house election2 7#b7 #bej individuals1 in the case of a candidate for election for the office of ,senator2 or 7#c7 #ejj individuals1 in the case of a candidate for election for the office of ,president or ,vice ,president4 7d7 ,applicable threshold described ,in this section1 the applicable dollar threshold with respect to a candidate or authorized committee is-- 7#a7 #ej1jjj1 in the case of a candidate for a ,house election2 7#b7 #ejj1jjj1 in the case of a candidate for election for the office of ,senator2 or 7#c7 #a1jjj1jjj1 in the case of a candidate for election for the office of ,president or ,vice ,president4 #aje4 ,eligibility of other political committees to receive payments2 use of payments 7a7 ,eligibility ,a political committee which is not an authorized committee of a candidate is eligible to receive payments under the ,democracy ,dollars ,program if-- 7#a7 the committee registers with the ,democracy ,fund ,commission to participate in the ,program2 and 7#b7 the committee certifies that it will maintain a separate account for payments received under the ,program4 7b7 ,exclusive use of ,democracy ,dollars payments for contributions to candidates and other authorized campaign expenditures 7#a7 ,in general ,a political committee which is not an authorized committee of a candidate may use a payment received under the ,democracy ,dollars ,program only to make a contribution to the authorized committee of a candidate1 except that a political committee of a political party may also use a payment received under the ,program for otherwise authorized expenditures in connection with the campaigns for ,federal office of candidates who are members of the political party1 so long as the payment is not converted to personal use4 ,for purposes of this paragraph1 section #cac of the ,federal ,election ,campaign ,act of #aiga 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #cjaad7 shall apply to the use of a payment under the ,program in the same manner as such section applies to the use of a contribution or donation described in such section4 7#b7 ,limit on amount of contribution ,the aggregate amount of contributions made by a committee under this section to the authorized committee of a candidate using payments received under the ,democracy ,dollars ,program with respect to an election may not exceed the limit on the amount of contributions which may be made to such an authorized committee with respect to the election under section #cae7;a7 of the ,federal ,election ,campaign ,act of #aiga 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #cjaaf7;a774 #ajf4 ,reports on disbursements of funds received under ,program 7a7 ,requiring committees ,to file reports ,each authorized committee of a candidate or other political committee which receives payments under the ,democracy ,dollars ,program shall file reports with the ,democracy ,fund ,commission listing the name and address of each person who has received any disbursement from the separate account maintained by the committee for payments received under the ,program 7and1 if applicable1 from the ,democracy ,dollars ,exploratory ,fund established pursuant to section #ajd7 in an aggregate amount or value in excess of #bjj during the period covered by the report1 together with the date and amount of any such disbursement4 7b7 ,timing of reports2 period of coverage ,a committee shall file a report required under this section with respect to an election at the same time as the committee files a report required under section #cjd7;a7 of the ,federal ,election ,campaign ,act of #aiga 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #cjajd7 with respect to that election1 and each report filed under this section shall be complete as of the same period applicable to the report the committee files at that time under section #cjd7;a7 of such ,act4 7c7 ,electronic filing2 public availability 7#a7 ,mandatory electronic filing ,in accordance with regulations promulgated by the ,democracy ,fund ,commission1 a committee shall file each report required under this section in electronic form accessible by computers4 7#b7 ,public availability ,the ,commission shall make a report filed under this section available for inspection by the public in the offices of the ,commission and accessible to the public on the internet not later than #bd hours after the ,commission receives the report4 7#c7 ,methods for verification ,in promulgating regulations under this subsection1 the ,commission shall provide methods 7other than requiring a signature on the document being filed7 for verifying reports filed under this section4 ,any document verified under any of the methods shall be treated for all purposes 7including penalties for perjury7 in the same manner as a document verified by signature4 ,b ,payments of ,democracy ,dollars #aaa4 ,amount available for eligible individuals to direct for payments 7a7 ,in general ,effective on the first day of each odd-numbered year 7beginning with #bjai71 an eligible individual may direct the ,democracy ,dollar ,administrator to make payments with respect to elections for ,federal office held in the following year 7or1 in the case of special elections1 an election held in either such odd-numbered year or the following year7 in an aggregate amount equal to the sum of the following3 7#a7 ,a ,house election share of-- 7,a7 for #bjai1 #aj2 or 7,b7 for #bjba and each subsequent odd-numbered year1 the amount established under this paragraph for the previous odd-numbered year increased by the adjustment percentage for ,house elections 7as described in paragraph 7#a7 of subsection 7b77 for the year4 7#b7 ,if a regularly scheduled election for the office of ,senator will be held during the following year in the ,state in which the individual resides1 a ,senate election share of-- 7,a7 for #bjai1 #ae2 or 7,b7 for #bjba and each subsequent odd-numbered year1 the amount established under this paragraph for the previous odd-numbered year increased by the adjustment percentage for ,senate elections 7as described in paragraph 7#b7 of subsection 7b77 for the year4 7#c7 ,if an election for the office of ,president and ,vice ,president will be held during the following year1 a presidential election share of-- 7,a7 for #bjai1 #be2 or 7,b7 for #bjbc and each fourth year thereafter1 the amount established under this paragraph for the previous odd-numbered year increased by the adjustment percentage for presidential elections 7as described in paragraph 7#c7 of subsection 7b77 for the year4 7b7 ,adjustment percentages described 7#a7 ,house elections ,the adjustment percentage for ,house elections for an odd-numbered year is the greater of #ajj percent or the percentage 7if any7 by which-- 7,a7 the aggregate amount of contributions made to authorized committees of candidates for ,house elections in the previous year from sources other than payments under the ,democracy ,dollars ,program2 exceeded 7,b7 the aggregate of amount of contributions made to such authorized committees for such elections that consisted of payments under the ,program1 including payments made to such authorized committees by other political committees using payments under the ,program 7as described in section #aje7;b774 7#b7 ,senate elections ,the adjustment percentage for ,senate elections for an odd-numbered year is the greater of #ajj percent or the percentage 7if any7 by which-- 7,a7 the aggregate amount of contributions made to authorized committees of candidates for elections for the office of ,senator in the previous year from sources other than payments under the ,democracy ,dollars ,program2 exceeded 7,b7 the aggregate of amount of contributions made to such authorized committees for such elections that consisted of payments under the ,program1 including payments made to such authorized committees by other political committees using payments under the ,program 7as described in section #aje7;b774 7#c7 ,presidential elections ,the adjustment percentage for presidential elections for a year is the greater of #ajj percent or the percentage 7if any7 by which-- 7,a7 the aggregate amount of contributions made to authorized committees of candidates for the most recent election for the office of ,president from sources other than payments under the ,democracy ,dollars ,program2 exceeded 7,b7 the aggregate amount of contributions made to such authorized committees for such election that consisted of payments under the ,program1 including payments made to such authorized committees by other political committees using payments under the ,program 7as described in section #aje7;b774 7c7 ,treatment of special elections 7#a7 ,house elections ,if an eligible individual is a resident of a congressional district in which a special ,house election will be held1 the ,house election share amount set forth under paragraph 7#a7 of subsection 7a7 for the individual shall be increased by #aj4 7#b7 ,senate elections ,if an eligible individual is a resident of a ,state in which a special election will be held for the office of ,senator1 the ,senate election share amount set forth under paragraph 7#b7 for the individual shall be increased by #ae4 7d7 ,no carry-,over of amounts ,on the last day of each even-numbered year1 the amount available under this section with respect to an eligible individual shall be reduced to #j1 and no further payments may be made under this ,act with respect to elections held in such year4 7e7 ,indexing of amounts ,in any calendar year after #bjai1 section #cae7;c77#a77;,b7 of the ,federal ,election ,campaign ,act of #aiga 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #cjaaf7;c77#a77;,b77 shall apply to each amount described in this section in the same manner as such section applies to the limitations established under subsections 7a77#a77;,a71 7a77#a77;,b71 7a77#c71 and 7h7 of such section1 except that for purposes of applying such section to the amounts described in this section1 the base period shall be #bjai4 7f7 ,prohibiting paying individuals ,to direct payments to candidates and committees ,it shall be unlawful-- 7#a7 for any person to provide money or anything of value to an eligible individual1 or to make an express promise to provide money or anything of value to an eligible individual1 in exchange for the eligible individual directing the ,democracy ,dollar ,administrator to make payments to a candidate or committee under the ,democracy ,dollars ,program2 or 7#b7 for an eligible individual to solicit money or anything of value from another person in exchange for the eligible individual directing the ,democracy ,dollar ,administrator to make payments to a candidate or committee under the ,democracy ,dollars ,program4 #aab4 ,payments to candidates and committees from available amounts 7a7 ,requests by eligible individuals ,an eligible individual may submit to the ,democracy ,dollar ,administrator a request to make a payment from the amount available to the eligible individual under section #aaa to an eligible candidate or political committee identified by the eligible individual1 in such amount as the eligible individual may specify4 7b7 ,payments by ,democracy ,dollar ,administrator ,upon the expiration of the #e-;day period which begins on the date the eligible individual submits a request under subsection 7a71 the ,democracy ,dollar ,administrator shall make a payment to the eligible candidate or political committee identified by the individual in the request1 in the amount specified in the request1 unless during such #e-;day period1 the individual notifies the ,administrator that the individual cancels the request4 7c7 ,statement of balance of amounts remaining ,after making a payment to an eligible candidate or political committee at the direction of an individual1 the ,democracy ,dollar ,administrator shall transmit to the individual 7as promptly as the ,administrator determines to be feasible1 in accordance with regulations promulgated by the ,commission7 a statement of the amount remaining for the individual to use for payments under the ,democracy ,dollars ,program during the year4 #aac4 ,limitations on amount of payments to candidates and committees 7a7 ,limitations based on type of election ,the total amount of payments made at the direction of an eligible individual to candidates and the authorized committees of candidates may not exceed-- 7#a7 in the case of candidates for ,house elections1 the ,house election share amount set forth under paragraph 7#a7 of section #aaa7;a72 7#b7 in the case of candidates for election for the office of ,senator1 the ,senate election share amount set forth under paragraph 7#b7 of section #aaa7;a72 and 7#c7 in the case of candidates for election for the office of ,president1 the presidential election share amount set forth under paragraph 7#c7 of section #aaa7;a74 7b7 ,special rule for certain ,presidential elections ,in the case of elections for the office of ,president held in a year in which the incumbent is a candidate-- 7#a7 the total amount of payments made at the direction of an eligible individual to candidates and the authorized committees of candidates in primary elections for such office may not exceed #dj percent of the presidential election share amount set forth under paragraph 7#c7 of section #aaa7;a72 and 7#b7 the total amount of payments made at the direction of an eligible individual to candidates and the authorized committees of candidates in the general election for such office may not exceed #fj percent of the presidential election share amount set forth under paragraph 7#c7 of section #aaa7;a74 #aad4 ,protecting privacy of eligible individuals 7a7 ,no treatment of payments as contributions made by individuals to candidates or committees ,a payment made to a candidate or committee under the ,democracy ,dollars ,program at the direction of an eligible individual1 as described in this subtitle1 shall not be treated as a contribution made to the candidate or committee by the eligible individual for purposes of the ,federal ,election ,campaign ,act of #aiga 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #cjaja et seq474 7b7 ,ensuring anonymity of individuals directing payments to candidates and committees ,in making payments to candidates and political committees under this section at the request of an eligible individual1 the ,democracy ,dollar ,administrator shall take all practicable steps to ensure that no information relating to the identity of the individual who requests that the payment be made to the candidate or committee is disclosed or otherwise made known to the candidate or the committee1 including through the use of blind trusts or similar devices4 #aae4 ,remitting unexpended payments 7a7 ,remittance required ,not later than the date that is #aj days after the date on which a candidate withdraws from an election or no longer qualifies to be on the ballot for an election1 any authorized committee of the candidate to which payments were made under the ,program shall remit to the ,democracy ,dollars ,fund under section #cja any amounts in the separate account established by the committee for payments received under the ,program 7as described in section #ajc7;a77#c77 which remain unexpended as of such date4 7b7 ,reallocation to amounts available for payments at direction of eligible individuals ,to the greatest extent practicable1 the ,democracy ,dollar ,administrator shall increase the amounts available under this subtitle for an eligible individual to make payments under the ,democracy ,dollars ,program to take into account the remittance of unspent amounts under this section by an authorized committee that were attributable to payments made at the request of the eligible individual1 and shall allocate such increase-- 7#a7 to the ,house election share set forth for the individual under paragraph 7#a7 of section #aaa7;a71 in the case of an authorized committee of a candidate for a ,house election2 7#b7 to the ,senate election share set forth for the individual under paragraph 7#b7 of section #aaa7;a71 in the case of an authorized committee of a candidate for election to the office of ,senator2 and 7#c7 to the presidential election share set forth for the individual under paragraph 7#c7 of section #aaa7;a71 in the case of an authorized committee of a candidate for election to the office of ,president or ,vice ,president4 ,c ,public ,outreach and ,education #aba4 ,public outreach and education program 7a7 ,program required ,as part of carrying out the ,democracy ,dollar ,program1 the ,democracy ,dollar ,administrator1 in consultation with the ,democracy ,fund ,commission and such other persons as the ,administrator determines to be appropriate1 shall develop and carry out a ,state-based public outreach and education campaign to increase public awareness regarding the ability of eligible individuals to direct that payments to be made to candidates and committees under the ,program4 7b7 ,grants authorized ,in carrying out the public outreach and education program under this subtitle1 the ,democracy ,dollar ,administration may make grants to local election officials and nonprofit organizations 7including organizations described in section #ejd7;c7 of the ,internal ,revenue ,code of #aihf7 to carry out appropriate outreach and education activities1 under such terms and conditions as the ,administrator considers appropriate4 7c7 ,website ,in carrying out the public outreach and education program under this subtitle1 the ,democracy ,dollar ,administrator1 in consultation with the ,democracy ,fund ,commission and such other persons as the ,administrator determines to be appropriate1 shall develop1 establish1 and update as necessary1 a single ,state-sponsored public website through which the public may obtain1 in an easy to understand and user-friendly format1 information about the ,democracy ,dollar ,program1 including the ability of eligible individuals to direct payments to be made to candidates and committees under the ,program4 7d7 ,social media ,the ,democracy ,dollar ,administrator may use publicly available social media platforms to supplement the public outreach and education program under this subtitle and to support the operation of the pubic website developed and established under subsection 7c74 #abb4 ,requiring materials to be provided in minority languages ,as part of carrying out the ,democracy ,dollar ,program1 the ,democracy ,dollar ,administrator shall ensure that forms1 materials1 and information relating to the ,program are provided in the applicable language of language minority groups1 as defined in section #bjc of the ,voting ,rights ,act of #aife 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #ajejc74 #abc4 ,authorization of appropriations ,there are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this subtitle such sums as may be necessary for each of the fiscal years #bjai through #bjbc4 ,,ii ,democracy ,fund ,commission #bja4 ,establishment ,there is hereby established the ,democracy ,fund ,commission 7in this ,act referred to as the ,commission71 which shall be responsible for administering the ,democracy ,dollars ,program under this ,act4 #bjb4 ,membership 7a7 ,appointment 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,commission shall be composed of #e members appointed by the ,president with the advice and consent of the ,senate4 7#b7 ,qualifications ,an individual is eligible to serve as a ,member of the ,commission if the individual is a retired judge of the ,united ,states4 7#c7 ,restrictions on outside employment ,a member of the ,commission may not engage in any other business1 vocation1 or employment4 ,any individual who is engaging in any other business1 vocation1 or employment at the time of the individual's appointment to the ,commission shall terminate or liquidate such activity no later than #ij days after such appointment4 7#d7 ,vacancies2 no effect on authority of remaining members ,a vacancy in the membership of the ,commission shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment1 and shall have no effect on the authority of the remaining members of the ,commission to carry out their duties under this ,act4 7b7 ,term of service 7#a7 ,single #aj-year term ,except as provided in paragraphs 7#b7 and 7#c71 a member of the ,commission shall serve for a term of #aj years1 and may not be reappointed to an additional term1 except that an individual may serve after the expiration of that individual's term until a successor has begun serving as a member of the ,commission4 7#b7 ,staggering of initial terms ,of the members first appointed to the ,commission-- 7,a7 one 7as designated at the time of appointment7 shall serve for a term of #b years2 7,b7 one 7as designated at the time of appointment7 shall serve for a term of #d years2 7,c7 one 7as designated at the time of appointment7 shall serve for a term of #f years2 and 7,d7 one 7as designated at the time of appointment7 shall serve for a term of #h years4 7#c7 ,permitting individuals serving initial staggered term to be reappointed to a full term ,an individual who is one of the members first appointed to the ,commission to serve for an initial term of #b years under subparagraph 7,a7 of paragraph 7#b7 or to serve for an initial term of #d years under subparagraph 7,b7 of paragraph 7#b7 may be appointed subsequently to serve a term of #aj years under paragraph 7#a74 7#d7 ,vacancy ,an individual appointed to fill a vacancy occurring in the membership of the ,commission before the expiration of the term for which the individual's predecessor was appointed shall serve only for the remainder of that term4 7c7 ,compensation ,each member of the ,commission shall receive compensation at a rate equivalent to the most recent rate of compensation applicable to the individual as a judge of the ,united ,states4 7d7 ,process in event of deadlock ,if a vote by the members of the ,commission on any matter results in a tie1 the vote of the longest-serving member 7or1 in the case of members first appointed to serve for initial terms under paragraph 7#b7 of subsection 7b71 the vote of the member appointed for the longest term7 shall prevail4 7e7 ,conforming amendment to ,executive ,schedule ,level ,,iv ,positions ,section #ecae of title #e1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended by adding at the end the following3 ,member1 ,democracy ,fund ,commission4 4 #bjc4 ,staff 7a7 ,authority ,to appoint staff ,the ,commission may appoint and fix the pay of such personnel as the ,commission considers appropriate4 7b7 ,applicability of certain civil service laws ,the personnel of the ,commission may be appointed without regard to the provisions of title #e1 ,united ,states ,code1 governing appointments in the competitive service1 and may be paid without regard to the provisions of chapter #ea and subchapter ,,iii of chapter #ec of that title relating to classification and ,general ,schedule pay rates1 except that an individual so appointed may not receive pay in excess of the annual rate of basic pay in effect for grade ,,gs-#ae of the ,general ,schedule4 7c7 ,experts and consultants ,the ,commission may procure temporary and intermittent services to the same extent as is authorized by section #caji7;b7 of title #e1 ,united ,states ,code1 but at rates for individuals not to exceed the daily equivalent of the annual rate of basic pay in effect for grade ,,gs-#ae of the ,general ,schedule 7#e ,u4,s4,c4 #eccb74 7d7 ,staff of ,federal agencies ,upon request of the ,commission1 the head of any ,federal department or agency may detail1 on a reimbursable basis1 any of the personnel of that department or agency to the ,commission to assist it in carrying out its duties4 #bjd4 ,functions ,the ,commission shall administer the ,democracy ,dollars ,program under this ,act4 ,in administering the ,program1 the ,commission shall carry out the following3 7#a7 ,the ,commission shall promulgate regulations to carry out the ,democracy ,dollars ,program1 including regulations applicable to ,state implementation plans under section #bje1 and shall review the regulations not less frequently than every #d years4 7#b7 ,the ,commission shall solicit and review applications from ,states for the approval of ,state implementation plans under section #bje7;b74 7#c7 ,in the case of ,states whose implementation plans are approved under section #bje7;b71 the ,commission shall monitor and audit the performance of such ,states in carrying out such plans4 7#d7 ,in accordance with section #bjf1 the ,commission carry out the ,democracy ,dollars ,program with respect to ,states that do not have an approved implementation plan in effect4 7#e7 ,the ,commission shall carry out such other activities as the ,commission considers appropriate to administer the ,democracy ,dollars ,program4 #bje4 ,state responsibility for implementation of ,program 7a7 ,responsibility for administration of ,program ,except as provided in section #bjf1 each ,state shall administer the ,democracy ,dollars ,program with respect to individuals who are residents of the ,state1 in accordance with a ,state implementation plan approved by the ,commission under subsection 7b74 7b7 ,approval of ,state implementation plans 7#a7 ,approval by ,commission ,each ,state shall submit its plan for administering the ,democracy ,dollars ,program to the ,commission1 who shall approve the plan if the ,commission finds that the plan meets each of the following conditions3 7,a7 ,the plan includes such provisions and safeguards as are necessary to ensure the effective administration of the ,program in the ,state in a nonpartisan and competent manner4 7,b7 ,if the plan permits the use of private financial intermediaries to assist in the processing of requests made by eligible individuals to make payments to candidates and political committees under subtitle ,b of title ,i-- 7i7 to the greatest extent feasible1 the ,state uses a competitive bidding process to select such intermediaries for participation in the implementation of the plan2 and 7ii7 the plan requires these intermediaries to meet the requirements of section #aad7;b7 7relating to ensuring the anonymity of such individuals7 and to take actions to deter fraud and abuse4 7,c7 ,the plan is overseen by a certified authority designated by the ,state4 7,d7 ,the plan meets such other requirements as the ,commission may by regulation require4 7#b7 ,period for which approved plan is in effect ,if the ,commission approves a ,state plan under this subsection1 the plan shall be in effect for a #d-year period1 and the ,commission may extend the plan for additional #d-year periods at the request of the ,state if the ,commission finds that the plan continues to meet the conditions set forth in paragraph 7#a74 7c7 ,payment of costs of implementation 7#a7 ,authorization to receive payments ,a ,state whose implementation plan under this subtitle is approved and in effect with respect to a year may receive payments from the ,commission to cover the costs of carrying out the plan during the year1 in the form of advance payments in accordance with paragraph 7#b7 or reimbursement in accordance with paragraph 7#c71 at the option of the ,state4 7#b7 ,eligibility to receive advance payments ,a ,state is eligible to receive advance payments under this subsection with respect to a year if the ,state submits to the ,commission1 at such time and in such form as the ,commission may require1 an application containing-- 7,a7 a statement of the reasonable and necessary costs the ,state expects to incur in carrying out its implementation plan under this subtitle during the year2 and 7,b7 such other information and assurances as the ,commission may require4 7#c7 ,eligibility to receive reimbursement ,a ,state is eligible to receive reimbursement under this subsection for the reasonable and necessary costs the ,state incurred in carrying out its implementation plan during a year if the ,state submits to the ,commission1 at such time and in such form as the ,commission may require1 an application containing-- 7,a7 a statement of the reasonable and necessary costs the ,state incurred in carrying out its implementation plan during the year2 and 7,b7 such other information and assurances as the ,commission may require4 7#d7 ,authorization of appropriations ,there are authorized to be appropriated such sums as are necessary for payments under this subsection4 7d7 ,revocation of approval2 recapture of advance payments ,if the ,commission determines that the implementation plan of a ,state whose implementation plan under this subtitle is approved is no longer in compliance with the applicable requirements for such a plan1 or if the ,commission determines that the ,state is administering the plan in a biased or incompetent manner-- 7#a7 the ,commission shall revoke the approval of the plan2 and 7#b7 the ,state shall repay the ,commission for any advance payments made under subsection 7c7 with respect to any period during which the plan was not in compliance with such requirements or was administered in a biased or incompetent manner4 #bjf4 ,administration of program in case of ,states without approved implementation plans in effect 7a7 ,administration by ,commission authorized ,if a ,state does not have an approved ,state implementation plan in effect with respect to a year under section #bje1 the ,commission shall administer the ,democracy ,dollars ,program during the year with respect to individuals who are residents of the ,state1 in accordance with a ,federal implementation plan for the ,state that meets the requirements of subsection 7b74 7b7 ,availability of ,federal receivership in case of revocation on grounds of bias or incompetence 7#a7 ,receivership ,if a ,state does not have an approved ,state implementation plan in effect because1 in accordance with subsection 7d7 of section #bje1 the ,commission revoked its approval of a ,state implementation plan on the grounds that the ,state administered the plan in a biased or incompetent manner1 the ,commission may file an action to appoint a receiver to administer the ,democracy ,dollars ,program in the ,state4 7#b7 ,procedures for consideration of request for receivership ,in any action brought by the ,commission to appoint a receiver under this subsection1 the following rules shall apply3 7,a7 ,the action shall be filed in the appropriate district court of the ,united ,states and shall be heard by a #c-;judge court convened pursuant to section #bbhd of title #bh1 ,united ,states ,code4 7,b7 ,a final decision in the action shall be reviewable only by appeal directly to the ,supreme ,court of the ,united ,states4 ,such appeal shall be taken by the filing of a notice of appeal within #aj days1 and the filing of a jurisdictional statement within #cj days1 of the entry of the final decision4 7,c7 ,it shall be the duty of the appropriate district court of the ,united ,states and the ,supreme ,court of the ,united ,states to advance on the docket and to expedite to the greatest extent possible the disposition of the action and the appeal4 7c7 ,federal implementation plan described ,a ,federal implementation plan for a ,state meets the requirements of this subsection if-- 7#a7 the plan meets the conditions described in paragraphs 7#a7 and 7#b7 of section #bje7;b7 which would apply to a ,state implementation plan of the ,state under such section2 7#b7 to the extent that the ,commission requests information and assistance from the ,state in order to carry out the plan1 the plan provides for a method by which the ,commission may reimburse the ,state for the costs incurred in providing such information and assistance2 and 7#c7 the plan meets such other requirements as the ,commission may require4 ,,iii ,democracy ,dollars ,fund #cja4 ,democracy ,dollars ,fund 7a7 ,establishment ,there is established in the ,treasury of the ,united ,states a fund to be known as the ,democracy ,dollars ,fund 7hereafter referred to as the ,fund74 7b7 ,uses of ,fund ,amounts in the ,fund shall be used-- 7#a7 for payments to candidates and political committees under subtitle ,b of title ,i2 7#b7 for advance payments and reimbursements to ,states under section #bje2 7#c7 for payments to ,states as described in paragraph 7#b7 of section #bjf7;b72 and 7#d7 for the administration of the ,democracy ,dollars ,program by the ,democracy ,fund ,commission4 7c7 ,contents of ,fund ,the ,fund shall consist of-- 7#a7 amounts appropriated or transferred to the ,fund under law1 including amounts transferred under section #ijjf7;d77#b7 of the ,internal ,revenue ,code of #aihf2 7#b7 repayments made by ,states under paragraph 7#b7 of section #bje7;d72 7#c7 unspent payments under the ,program which are remitted under section #aae2 7#d7 civil penalties assessed under section #dja2 and 7#e7 interest earned on balances of the ,fund4 7d7 ,authority ,to make payments at request of ,state or ,democracy ,fund ,commission ,with respect to a payment made under the ,program at the direction of an eligible individual pursuant to section #aab1 the ,secretary of the ,treasury shall make such payment from the ,fund upon the request of the ,democracy ,dollar ,administrator for the individual involved4 #cjb4 ,termination of ,presidential ,election ,campaign ,fund2 transfer of balance to ,democracy ,dollars ,fund 7a7 ,termination of designation of income tax payments ,section #fjif of the ,internal ,revenue ,code of #aihf is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection3 7d7 ,termination ,this section shall not apply to taxable years beginning after ,december #ca1 #bjaf4 4 7b7 ,termination of fund and account 7#a7 ,termination of presidential election campaign fund 7,a7 ,in general ,chapter #ie of subtitle ,h of such ,code is amended by adding at the end the following new section3 #ijad4 ,termination ,the provisions of this chapter shall not apply with respect to any presidential election 7or any presidential nominating convention7 after the date of the enactment of this section1 or to any candidate in such an election4 4 7,b7 ,transfer of remaining funds ,section #ijjf of such ,code is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection3 7d7 ,transfer of funds remaining after termination ,of the amounts in the fund as of the date of the enactment of this subsection-- 7#a7 the ,secretary shall transfer #fc1jjb1djj to the #aj-,year ,pediatric ,research ,initiative ,fund described in section #ijjh7;i77#b71 to be available as described in such section2 and 7#b7 the ,secretary shall transfer the remainder to the ,democracy ,dollars ,fund under title ,,iii of the ,democracy ,dollars ,act4 4 7#b7 ,termination of account ,chapter #if of subtitle ,h of such ,code is amended by adding at the end the following new section3 #ijdc4 ,termination ,the provisions of this chapter shall not apply to any candidate with respect to any presidential election after the date of the enactment of this section4 4 7c7 ,clerical amendments 7#a7 ,the table of sections for chapter #ie of subtitle ,h of such ,code is amended by adding at the end the following new item3 ,sec4 #ijad4 ,termination4 4 7#b7 ,the table of sections for chapter #if of subtitle ,h of such ,code is amended by adding at the end the following new item3 ,sec4 #ijdc4 ,termination4 4 ,,iv ,miscellaneous ,provisions #dja4 ,violations and penalties 7a7 ,improper use of ,democracy ,dollars payments ,if the ,democracy ,dollar ,administrator determines that any payment made under this ,act to a candidate or committee was not used as provided for in this ,act1 the ,administrator shall so notify the candidate or committee1 and may impose a civil penalty on the candidate or committee in an amount equal to #ejj percent of the amount of the payment that was used improperly4 7b7 ,improper use of outside funds by candidates and authorized committees receiving ,democracy ,dollar payments ,if the ,democracy ,dollar ,administrator determines that a candidate1 including an authorized committee of the candidate1 receiving a payment under this ,act with respect to an election used amounts in connection with an election occurring in the election cycle involved in violation of section #ajc7;c71 the ,administrator shall so notify the candidate or committee1 and may impose a civil penalty on the candidate or committee in an amount equal to #bjj percent of the amounts used by the candidate or committee in violation of section #ajc7;c7 in connection with the election4 7c7 ,criminal penalties 7#a7 ,imposition of penalty ,any person who knowingly and willfully commits a violation of this ,act which involves the making1 receiving1 or reporting of any amounts-- 7,a7 aggregating #be1jjj or more during a calendar year shall be fined under title #ah1 ,united ,states ,code1 or imprisoned for not more than #e years1 or both2 or 7,b7 aggregating #b1jjj or more 7but less than #be1jjj7 during a calendar year shall be fined under title #ah1 ,united ,states ,code1 or imprisoned for not more than #a year1 or both4 7#b7 ,referral to ,attorney ,general ,if the ,democracy ,dollar ,administrator determines that there is probable cause to believe that a knowing and willful violation of this ,act has occurred1 the ,administrator may refer such apparent violation to the ,attorney ,general4 #djb4 ,democracy ,dollar ,administrator defined ,in this ,act1 the ,democracy ,dollar ,administrator with respect to an eligible individual is-- 7#a7 in the case of an individual who is a resident of a ,state with a ,state implementation plan approved by the ,democracy ,fund ,commission under section #bje7;b71 the official of the ,state who is designated to administer the ,democracy ,dollars ,program in the ,state under such plan2 or 7#b7 in the case of an individual who is not a resident of a ,state described in paragraph 7#a71 the ,democracy ,fund ,commission under section #bjf4 #djc4 ,other definitions ,in this ,act-- 7#a7 each of the terms candidate1 election1 authorized committee1 and political committee has the meaning given such term in the ,federal ,election ,campaign ,act of #aiga 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #cjaja et seq472 7#b7 the term election cycle means1 with respect to an office1 the period beginning on the day after the date of the most recent regularly scheduled general election for such office and ending on the date of the next regularly scheduled general election for such office2 7#c7 the term ,house election means an election for the office of ,representative in1 or ,delegate or ,resident ,commissioner to1 the ,congress2 and 7#d7 the term ,state means each of the several ,states1 the ,district of ,columbia1 the ,commonwealth of ,puerto ,rico1 ,american ,samoa1 ,guam1 the ,united ,states ,virgin ,islands1 and the ,commonwealth of the ,northern ,mariana ,islands4 ,v ,severability #eja4 ,severability ,if any provision of this ,act or any amendment made by this ,act1 or the application of a provision of this ,act or an amendment made by this ,act to any person or circumstance1 is held to be unconstitutional1 the remainder of this ,act1 and the application of the provisions to any person or circumstance1 shall not be affected by the holding4