Venable attorneys regularly publish commentary and analysis on our blog, Political Law Briefing. For your convenience, we have assembled our blog posts from January and February 2015.
More to Give: FEC Raises Contribution Limits
Authors: Ron Jacobs and Larry Norton
As it has done every two years since the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act indexed contribution limits for inflation, the FEC has announced revised contribution limits for the 2016 election cycle. In addition to the traditional limits for candidates, PACs, and parties, the FEC also set the indexed limit for the new special accounts created at the end of 2014 for the national political parties.
Click here to read the complete article on Venable's Political Law Blog, www.politicallawbriefing.com.
Justice Department Brings First Criminal Case for Campaign, Super PAC Coordination
Authors: Larry Norton and Ron Jacobs
The U.S. Department of Justice has announced the first criminal prosecution for a violation of federal laws prohibiting outside groups from coordinating their activities with the candidates and campaigns they support.
The six-member Federal Election Commission, which is primarily responsible for interpreting and enforcing federal campaign finance laws, has deadlocked repeatedly over whether to investigate complaints of coordination. But with this announcement, the Justice Department, which may pursue knowing and willful violations of the same laws, has stepped into the breach.
Click here to read the complete article on Venable's Political Law Blog, www.politicallawbriefing.com.
Not Homeward Bound: California Lobbyists Barred from Hosting Fundraisers in their Homes
Author: Ron Jacobs
California's ethics watchdog, the Fair Political Practices Commission , adopted a new rule that prohibits lobbyists from hosting fundraisers in their homes. This rule implements legislation passed after a lobbyist was fined for hosting what the LA Times called "lavish fundraisers" featuring "wine, liquor, and cigars," in his home. Lobbyists in California are prohibited from making campaign contributions, but the statute previously exempted from the definition of a "contribution" the use of one's home for a campaign event, along with $500 for food and drink.
Click here to read the complete article on Venable's Political Law Blog, www.politicallawbriefing.com.
Naming Your PAC
Author: Ron Jacobs
The Washington Examiner recently wrote about the art of naming a PAC, pointing out that the name must "balance patriotic with practical considerations." The Examiner talked about making sure the name is not too long if the PAC will have to include "paid for by" statements on its ads. But there are some other legal considerations as well. Let's look at some of the FEC's naming rules.
Click here to read the complete article on Venable's Political Law Blog, www.politicallawbriefing.com.
Oh What a Tangled Web Maryland Weaves: Updates on the Pay-to-Play Disclosure Process Before February 5 Report is Due
Author: Ron Jacobs
As we have discussed , Maryland amended its pay-to-play rules to impose new reporting requirements on entities that do business with state or local governments. The first report under the new system was due on February 5, and if the roundtable hosted on February 3 by the State Board of Elections is any indication, confusion abounds regarding the law's core requirements.
Click here to read the complete article on Venable's Political Law Blog, www.politicallawbriefing.com.
New Maryland Law Shines Light on Political Contributions by Government Contractors and their Principals, Also Hikes Contribution Limits and Regulates Nonprofits
Authors: Larry Norton, Ron Jacobs, and Lyndsay Steinmet
The Maryland legislature overhauled the state's campaign finance law almost two years ago, but many of the key provisions did not take effect until January 1, 2015. These changes significantly affect state government contractors by introducing a new electronic registration system overseen by the State Board of Elections, and requiring electronic reporting of contributions made by the contractor, as well as by its PAC and subsidiaries, and its officers, directors, and partners.
Click here to read the complete article.
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