Contribution and expenditure limitations and prohibitions: Corporate and labor organizations— Membership association member; definition; public hearing,

[Federal Register: February 19, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 33)]

[Proposed Rules]

[Page 8270]

From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

[DOCID:fr19fe99-16]

Proposed Rules Federal Register

This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.

[[Page 8270]]

FEDERAL ELECTION COMMISSION

11 CFR PARTS 100 and 114

[Notice 1999-3]

Definition of ``Member'' of a Membership Association

AGENCY: Federal Election Commission.

ACTION: Notice of Public Hearing.

SUMMARY: The Federal Election Commission is announcing a public hearing on additional proposed changes to its rules governing who qualifies as a ``member'' of a membership association.

DATES: The hearing will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, March 17, 1999. Requests to testify must be received on or before March 1, 1999. Persons requesting to testify must also submit written comments by March 1, 1999, if they have not previously filedwritten comments on the proposed rules.

ADDRESSES: Requests to testify, and any accompanying comments, should be addressed to Ms. Susan E. Propper, Assistant General Counsel, and must be submitted in either written or electronic form. Written requests and comments should be sent to the Commission's postal service address: Federal Election Commission, 999 E St. NW, Washington, DC 20463. Faxed requests and comments should be sent to (202) 219-3923. Commenters submitting faxed material also should submit a printed copy to the Commission's postal service address to ensure legibility. Requests to testify and comments also may be sent by electronic mail to members@fec.gov. Persons sending requests and comments by electronic mail should include their full name, electronic mail address and postal service address within the text of the request and comments. Commission hearings are held in the Commission's ninth floor meeting room, 999 E St. NW, Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Susan E. Propper, Assistant General Counsel, or Ms. Rita A. Reimer, Attorney, 999 E Street NW, Washington, DC 20463, (202) 694-1650 or toll free (800) 424-9530.

Supplementary Information: On December 16, 1998, the Commission published a second Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (``NPRM'') seeking additional comments on proposed amendments to its rules governing who qualifies as a ``member'' of a membership association. 63 FR 69224. The comment period ended on February 1, 1999.

The Commission originally published an NPRM on this topic on December 22, 1997. 62 FR 66832. The Commission held a public hearing on this rulemaking on April 29, 1998. When the first NPRM and hearing produced no consensus on the best way to address this issue, the Commission published the current NPRM. This document focuses on attributes of membership organizations as well as on the qualifications of their members.

To date the Commission has received comments from several sources in response to the second NPRM. Although that NPRM did not announce a public hearing on the proposed rules, one commenter has requested a public hearing, and three others have requested to testify at a public hearing, if one is held.

After considering these requests and the other comments received to date in response to the NPRM, the Commission believes a public hearing would be helpful in considering the issues raised in this rulemaking. The hearing will be held on 10:00 a.m. on March 17, 1999.

Dated: February 12, 1999. Scott E. Thomas, Chairman, Federal Election Commission.

[FR Doc. 99-4054Filed2-18-99; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 6715-01-P