Common Sense Campaign Reform Act of 1997

TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Reforms to Political Party Fundraising Title II: Limits on Franking Privilege; Paycheck Protections Title III: Expanded Disclosure Title IV: Severability; Constitutionality; Effective Date; Regulations Common Sense Campaign Reform Act of 1997 - Title I: Reforms to Political Party Fundraising - Amends FECA with respect to "soft money" to: (1) prohibit a national committee of a political party (including a national congressional campaign committee of a political party), an entity of a national committee or its agent, an entity acting on behalf of a national committee, and an officer or agent acting on behalf of any such committee or entity, (but not including a State, district, or local committee of a political party an entity of a State, district, or local committee and an officer or agent acting on behalf of any such committee or entity) from soliciting or receiving contributions or making expenditures not subject to such Act; (2) require a State, district, or local committee of a political party (including an entity of a State, district, or local committee and an officer or agent acting on behalf of any such committee or entity) to make Federal election year expenditures (with exceptions) from funds subject to such Act; and (3) require any amount spent by a national, State, district, or local committee, an entity of a State, district, or local committee, or an agent or officer of any such committee or entity to pay the costs of a specified activity, to be made from funds subject to such Act. (Sec. 102) Establishes aggregate and separate individual contribution limits to State Party Grassroots Funds and all committees established by a State committee of a political party. Increases annual individual contribution limits. (Sec. 103) Sets forth State Party Grassroots Fund and reporting provisions. Eliminates the exception for building funds relating to the definition of the term "contribution." Authorizes the filing of State reports by State committees. Requires the reporting of all disbursements made by authorized committees. Revises requirements for the reporting of the names and addresses of persons to whom certain expenditures are made to meet candidate or committee operating expenses, to require the reporting of the election to which the operating expenditure relates. (Sec. 104) Raises the aggregate limit on contributions made: (1) to political parties; and (2) by an individual. (Sec. 105) Eliminates the limit on coordinated spending by the national committee of a political party and a State committee of a political party, including any subordinate committee of a State committee, made in connection with the general election campaign of candidates for Federal office. Title II: Limits on Franking Privilege; Paycheck Protections - Amends Federal law to prohibit franked mass mailings by a Member in his or her election year, unless such Member will not be a candidate for any Federal office. (Sec. 202) Requires prior, written, voluntary authorization for the use of certain funds by corporations, national banks, and labor organizations for political activities. Title III: Expanded Disclosure - Repeals requirements for notification by the candidate's principal campaign committee of contributions received by the candidate's authorized committees. Replaces them with provisions to require political committees to report contributions received within 20 days of an election. Directs the Federal Election Commission to make the information contained in a notification submitted available on the Internet and publicly available at the Commission offices as soon as practicable (no later than 24 hours) after the information is received. Title IV: Severability; Constitutionality; Effective Date; Regulations - Provides for: (1) severability; (2) review of constitutional issues; (3) an effective date; and (4) regulations.