To amend the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to require the deposit of certain contributions and donations to be returned to donors in a special account, and for other purposes.

Referred to the House Committee on House Oversight.

Congressional Research Service

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Oct 10, 1998

Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to establish guidelines for the transfer to the Federal Election Commission (FEC) and deposit into a special account of any contribution or donation given to a political committee that the committee intends to return, as well as for the return of such contribution or donation after it is deposited to the person who made it. Requires: (1) the political committee to include certain information along with the transferred contribution or donation, such as a request that the FEC return the contribution or donation to the person making it; and (2) the FEC to notify the Attorney General and the Commissioner of the Internal Revenue Service of the receipt of such contribution or donation. Allows amounts in the special account to be applied toward the payment of any applicable fines or penalties.

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People & committees

Who introduced it

Rep. Gekas, George W. [R-PA-17] · R–PA

Committees

Committee on House Administration

0 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Legislative record

Actions

A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.

Oct 10, 1998
Referred to the House Committee on House Oversight.
Oct 10, 1998
Introduced in House
Oct 10, 1998
Introduced in House

Primary sources

Bill text & related measures

Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.

Introduced in House · Oct 10, 1998 Formatted Text PDF

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.

Source last updated: Apr 7, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

AI Conversation Starters

Explore the bill from different angles

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Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze H.R.4786 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.4786, 105th Congress: To amend the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to require the deposit of certain contributions and donations to be returned to donors in a special account, and for other purposes.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/105th-congress/house-bill/4786

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 1998-10-10.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/105/bills/hr4786/BILLS-105hr4786ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-04-07T15:33:42Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Analyze H.R.4786 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine H.R.4786 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.4786, 105th Congress: To amend the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to require the deposit of certain contributions and donations to be returned to donors in a special account, and for other purposes.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/105th-congress/house-bill/4786

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 1998-10-10.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/105/bills/hr4786/BILLS-105hr4786ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-04-07T15:33:42Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.4786 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine H.R.4786 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.4786, 105th Congress: To amend the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to require the deposit of certain contributions and donations to be returned to donors in a special account, and for other purposes.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/105th-congress/house-bill/4786

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 1998-10-10.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/105/bills/hr4786/BILLS-105hr4786ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-04-07T15:33:42Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.4786 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine H.R.4786 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.4786, 105th Congress: To amend the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to require the deposit of certain contributions and donations to be returned to donors in a special account, and for other purposes.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/105th-congress/house-bill/4786

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 1998-10-10.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/105/bills/hr4786/BILLS-105hr4786ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-04-07T15:33:42Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.4786 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.