Citizen Representative Act of 1996

TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Control of Congressional Campaign Spending Subtitle A: (Reserved) Subtitle B: Expenditure Limitations, Contribution Limitations, and Voter Communication Vouchers for Eligible House of Representatives Candidates Title II: Limitations on Political Committee and Large Donor Contributions that May be Accepted by House of Representatives Candidates Title III: Independent Expenditures Title IV: Contributions and Expenditures by Political Party Committees Title V: Contributions Title VI: Reporting Requirements Title VII: Federal Election Commission Title VIII: Miscellaneous Title IX: House of Representatives Campaign Election Funding and Related Matters Title X: Effective Dates; Severability Citizen Representative Act of 1996 - Title I: Control of Congressional Campaign Spending - Subtitle A: (Reserved). Subtitle B: Expenditure Limitations, Contribution Limitations, and Voter Communication Vouchers for Eligible House of Representatives Candidates - Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to limit the amount of aggregate expenditures an eligible House of Representatives candidate may make in an election cycle, runoff election, special election, and closely contested primary. Provides for civil penalties for low, medium, and large amounts of excess expenditures with respect to an election cycle, runoff election, and special election. Prohibits an eligible House candidate from making contributions or loans from personal funds to his or her campaign totaling more than $25,000 and conditions that the amount a candidate may accept from individuals shall be reduced by such contribution amount. Prohibits matching of a candidate's personal funds. Exempts an eligible House candidate from the limitation if any other candidate for that office: (1) is not an eligible House general election candidate; and (2) makes personal contributions to his or her campaign totaling more than $25,000. Entitles an eligible House candidate to receive voter communication vouchers in an amount not more than $200,000 and limits the amount per individual to $250. Sets forth requirements for receiving and using communication vouchers. Prohibits an eligible candidate who receives voter communication vouchers from converting any amount to personal use or to make any direct or indirect payments to such candidate or to any immediate family members. Requires the repayment of unexpended voucher amounts. Prohibits the receipt of such voucher amounts unless such candidate certifies to the Federal Election Commission that any television commercials of the candidate contain closed captioning. Authorizes the Commission to examine and audit the campaign accounts of five percent of the eligible House candidates after each general election. (Sec. 122) Provides for registration as an eligible House candidate. Title II: Limitations on Political Committee and Large Donor Contributions That May Be Accepted By House of Representatives Candidates - Places limitations on contributions from political committees (PACs) and individual large donors to candidates for the office of Representative in, or Delegate, or Resident Commissioner to the Congress. Provides for civil penalties for low, medium, and large amounts of excess contributions. Title III: Independent Expenditures - Redefines the term independent expenditures. (Sec. 302) Sets forth reporting requirements for certain independent expenditures. (Sec. 303) Sets forth provisions regarding broadcast and cable independent expenditure communications made by any individual against an eligible House of Representatives candidate. Title IV: Contributions and Expenditures by Political Party Committees - Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act to limit soft money contributions and expenditures of national political parties. (Sec. 403) Requires an individual who makes disbursements or obligations for disbursement in excess of $2,000 for election activities to file a statement with respect to reporting requirements. (Sec. 405) Limits the fundraising activities of Federal candidates and office holders and certain political committees. (Sec. 406) Increases the limitation amount for certain contributions to a political committee of a State political party. (Sec. 407) Eliminates the exception for building funds relating to the definition of the term "contribution." Title V: Contributions - Sets forth restrictions on the bundling of contributions. (Sec. 503) Prohibits a candidate or the candidate's authorized committee from accepting a cash contribution from any one person aggregating more than $100. (Sec. 504) Prohibits a candidate for Federal office from accepting any contribution from a State or local committee of a political party, including any subordinate committee of such committee, if such contribution when aggregated exceeds the contribution limit. (Sec. 506) Revises the definition of "contribution" to provide for a limited exclusion of any advance voluntarily made by a campaign worker on behalf of the candidate's authorized committee. (Sec. 507) Makes amendments with respect to payments made by corporations or labor organizations for candidate appearances, candidate debates, voter guides, or voting records directed to the general public. (Sec. 508) Prohibits a foreign national from directly or indirectly participating in any individual's election-related activities. Title VI: Reporting Requirements - Changes certain reporting from a calendar year basis to an election cycle basis. (Sec. 602) Requires that a political committee report expenditures made for personal and consulting services by certain individuals other than employees and prescribes that such individuals maintain records of such services and report the information to the political committee. (Sec. 603) Reduces the threshold for contributions from $200 to $100 for the reporting of certain information by individuals other than political committees. (Sec. 604) Authorizes the Federal Election Commission to maintain computerized indices of contributions of $200 or more. (Sec. 609) Permits the candidate's principal campaign committee to register on the date of its designation. (Sec. 610) Requires disclosure of Federal campaign funds by organizations engaged in lobbying activities. Title VII: Federal Election Commission - Authorizes the Federal Election Commission to appear on its own behalf in any action relating to the exercise of its statutory duties in any court as either a party or as amicus curiae. (Sec. 702) Authorizes the Commission to broadcast public service announcements to inform the public of the: (1) existence and purpose of the Citizen Representative Fund; and (2) role citizens can play in the election process by voluntarily contributing to the Fund. (Sec. 703) Authorizes the Commission to seek temporary restraining orders or temporary injunctions at any time in a proceeding that there is a substantial likelihood that a violation is occurring or is about to occur. (Sec. 704) Provides for expedited procedures for complaints in a proceeding. (Sec. 705) Directs that proceedings by the Commission constitute the sole means by which an insolvent political committee may compromise its debts, liquidate its assets, and terminate its existence. Title VIII: Miscellaneous - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to revise provisions relating to broadcast rates and preemption of the use of a broadcast station by a legally qualified candidate. (Sec. 803) Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to authorize the Federal Election Commission to conduct a study to determine the feasibility of developing a system or systems to permit disabled individuals to vote by telephone. (Sec. 804) Transfers provisions from the Internal Revenue Code respecting the presidential election campaign fund and the presidential primary matching payment account to the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971. Title IX: House of Representatives Campaign Election Funding and Related Matters - Establishes the Citizen Representative Fund for the purposes of providing benefits and making expenditures for the administration of the fund. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to issue communication vouchers within 48 hours to an eligible candidate out of the fund upon certification by the Federal Election Commission. Allows for issued and used communication vouchers to be redeemed at face value. (Sec. 902) Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an individual at the time of filing a return to designate a specified portion of any overpayment of tax not less than one dollar or more than $5,000 ($10,000 for a joint return) or any contribution included with such return to be used for the Citizen Representative Fund. (Sec. 903) Amends the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act of 1990 to: (1) provide for inflation adjustments to Federal civil penalties; and (2) authorize the Secretary of the Treasury to transfer to the citizen Representative Fund the amount of civil penalties attributable to such inflation adjustments collected by each Federal department or agency during the preceding year. (Sec. 904) Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to set forth provisions regarding amounts received by the Citizen Representative Fund as a commission or royalty on the issuance or use of credit cards from a corporation, including a State-chartered or national bank. Title X: Effective Dates; Severability - Sets forth provisions concerning: (1) effective date; (2) severability; and (3) Supreme Court review of constitutional issues.