FEC approves Audit Division Recommendation Memorandum, Notice of Inquiry

WASHINGTON – At its open meeting today, the Federal Election Commission approved an Audit Division Recommendation Memorandum and a Notice of Inquiry concerning segregated party accounts. The Commission discussed and held over consideration of an advisory opinion request.

Advisory Opinion Request 2024-02 (Waters) The Commission discussed and held over two drafts of an advisory opinion in response to a request from Congresswoman Maxine Waters and Citizens for Waters concerning a proposal to design, publish, and mail brochures featuring the Congresswoman’s endorsements of federal and non-federal candidates, together with her positions of support for or opposition to ballot measures to be voted on the March 5, 2024, California primary ballot. The Requestors ask whether Congresswoman Waters and Citizens for Waters may accept reimbursements from non-federal candidates, state independent expenditure-only political committees, and state ballot measure committees using funds that do not exceed the applicable contribution limits of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971, as amended (the Act), and from sources that would not be prohibited under the Act. During the discussion, the Commission heard from Counsel for the Requestors.

Audit Division Recommendation Memorandum on the Madison Project Inc. The Commission approved an Audit Division Recommendation Memorandum on the Madison Project Inc., covering campaign finance activity between January 1, 2019 and December 31, 2020, subject to edits made at the table. The Commission approved a finding related to disclosure of occupation and name of employer.

REG 2014-10 and REG 2019-04 – Draft Notice of Inquiry for Segregated Party Accounts The Commission approved a Notice of Inquiry in response to two petitions that asked the Commission to issue new rules and to revise its existing rules regarding the segregated accounts of national party committees. The Commission invites comments on both petitions and the Notice. A Federal Register Notice will be published at a future date announcing the comment period.