Summary:
Transparency in Government Act of 2014 - Amends the Ethics in Government Act of 1978 and the Rules of the House of Representatives to expand disclosure requirements for the personal financial information of Members of Congress and for foreign travel, gifts, earmarks, and representational allowances. Requires the Comptroller General (GAO) to study the effect of written requests by Members of Congress to executive agencies to carry out and provide funding for projects and activities.

Requires each congressional committee to: (1)  post on its website the schedule for public hearings and markups conducted by each committee, and (2) submit to the Clerk of the House of Representatives a complete list of all public hearings and markup schedules of the committee and its subcommittees for posting on the House website.

Requires the Clerk and the Secretary of the Senate to post on their respective websites voting record information for each Member of Congress.

Public Access to Congressional Research Service Reports Resolution of 2014 or the Congressional Research Service Electronic Accessibility Resolution of 2014 - Requires the Clerk of the House of Representatives, in consultation with the Congressional Research Service (CRS), to establish and maintain a centralized, searchable, bulk downloadable, electronic database consisting of CRS issue briefs, reports, authorization of appropriation products and appropriation products, and similar material intended or available for general congressional distribution. Exempts from public disclosure information that is determined to be confidential or any document that is the product of a confidential research request made by a Member, officer, employee, or office of the House of Representatives and that is not intended for distribution.

Lobbyist Disclosure Enhancement Act - Directs the Attorney General to establish the Lobbying Disclosure Act Enforcement Task Force, which shall have primary responsibility for investigating and prosecuting each case referred to the Attorney General under the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995.

Amends the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 to require: (1) expedited online registration of lobbyists, (2) more frequent disclosure of contributions made by lobbyists, and (3) a system for assigning an identification number to each lobbyist who is required to register or report under such Act. Requires lobbyists registered under such Act to complete an ethics training program.

Amends the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006 to require the USAspending.gov website to provide specified information on federal awards.

Requires each agency Inspector General to conduct an annual audit of the data used on USAspending.gov and report on such audit to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).

Requires OMB to: (1) revise its guidance to federal agencies on reporting federal awards, and (2) ensure that the unique identifier used to link information about an award recipient is also used to link information about that recipient on the Federal Awardee Performance Integrity Information System.

Amends the Duncan Hunter National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2009 to require information about individuals receiving awards or grants to be maintained on the Federal Awardee Performance Integrity Information System for 10 years.

Requires: (1) every advertisement or other communication paid for by a federal agency to include a prominent notice that the agency has paid for such advertisement or communication, (2) disclosure of White House visitor logs with personal information redacted, (3) online disclosure of OMB budget justifications, (4) disclosure of draft proposed or final rules by the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, and (4) online disclosure of tax information of nonprofit organizations and registration information of foreign agents.

 Requires each federal agency to: (1) make available in an electronic format its completed responses to Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests, and (2) use FOAIonline to log, track, and publish all FOIA requests received by the agency.

Directs the Comptroller General to: (1) conduct a study of the effect on the U.S. Supreme Court of video recording oral arguments and making those recordings publicly available on the website of the Court, and (2) conduct an audit of the public access to court electronic records system (Pacer) maintained by the Administrative Office of the United States Courts.

Requires the Chief Justice of the United States to ensure that the audio of an oral argument made before the Supreme Court is recorded and made publicly available on the website of the Court at the same time that it is recorded.

Requires the U.S. Judicial Conference to post on its website any report filed by a judicial officer.

transparency government act amends ethics government act rules house_of_representatives expand disclosure requirements personal financial information members congress foreign travel gifts earmarks representational allowances requires comptroller general gao study effect written requests members congress executive agencies carry provide funding projects activities requires congressional committee post website schedule public hearings conducted committee submit clerk house_of_representatives complete list public hearings schedules committee subcommittees posting house website requires clerk secretary senate post respective websites voting record information member congress public access congressional research service reports resolution requires clerk house_of_representatives consultation congressional_research_service crs establish maintain centralized searchable bulk downloadable electronic database consisting crs issue briefs reports authorization appropriation products appropriation products similar material intended available general congressional distribution exempts public disclosure information determined confidential document product confidential research request member officer employee office house_of_representatives intended distribution lobbyist disclosure enhancement act directs attorney general establish lobbying disclosure act enforcement task force shall primary responsibility investigating prosecuting case referred attorney general lobbying disclosure act amends lobbying disclosure act require expedited online registration lobbyists frequent disclosure contributions lobbyists system assigning identification number lobbyist required register report act requires lobbyists registered act complete ethics training program amends federal_funding_accountability transparency act require website provide specified information federal awards requires agency inspector general conduct annual audit data report audit office_of_management_and_budget omb requires omb revise guidance federal agencies reporting federal awards ensure unique identifier link information award recipient link information recipient amends duncan hunter national defense authorization act fiscal year require information individuals receiving awards grants maintained years requires advertisement communication paid federal agency include prominent notice agency paid advertisement communication disclosure white_house visitor logs personal information redacted online disclosure omb budget justifications disclosure draft proposed final rules office_of_information_and_regulatory_affairs online disclosure tax information nonprofit organizations registration information foreign agents requires federal agency available electronic format completed responses freedom information act foia requests use log track publish foia requests received agency directs comptroller general conduct study effect video recording oral arguments making recordings publicly available website court conduct audit public access court electronic records system maintained administrative_office_of_the_united_states_courts requires chief justice united_states ensure audio oral argument supreme_court recorded publicly available website court time recorded requires post website report filed judicial officer


Summary:
Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to revise the requirement of a 48-hour notification of a campaign contribution of $1,000 or more to the Federal Election Commission (FEC) and certain other officials by the principal campaign committee of a candidate for federal office.

Applies this requirement, with certain additions, but for reporting exclusively to the FEC, to any political committee regarding cumulative contributions of $1,000 or more from any contributor during a calendar year.

(Currently, a candidate's principal campaign committee is required to give a written 48-hour notification to the Secretary of the Senate or the FEC, and the Secretary of State, as appropriate, after the receipt of any contribution of $1,000 or more by any authorized committee of such candidate after the 20th day, but more than 48 hours before, any election.)

Treats any amount transferred by a joint fundraising committee established by a candidate's authorized committee to any other authorized committee of that candidate as a contribution by the joint fundraising committee to such authorized committee (and thus subject to the 48-hour notification requirement). Requires Senate candidates to file designations, statements, and reports directly with the FEC (instead of via the Secretary of the Senate, as currently required).

amends federal_election_campaign_act revise requirement hour notification campaign contribution federal_election_commission fec certain officials principal campaign committee candidate federal office applies requirement certain additions reporting exclusively fec political committee cumulative contributions contributor calendar year currently candidate principal campaign committee required written hour notification secretary senate fec secretary state appropriate receipt contribution authorized committee candidate 20th day hours election treats transferred joint fundraising committee established candidate authorized committee authorized committee candidate contribution joint fundraising committee authorized committee subject hour notification requirement requires senate candidates file designations statements reports directly fec instead secretary senate currently required


Summary:
Real Time Transparency Act of 2014 - Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to revise the requirement of a 48-hour notification of a campaign contribution of $1,000 or more to the Federal Election Commission (FEC) and certain other officials by the principal campaign committee of a candidate for federal office.

Applies this requirement, with certain additions, but for reporting exclusively to the FEC, to any political committee regarding cumulative contributions of $1,000 or more from any contributor during a calendar year.

(Currently, a candidate's principal campaign committee is required to give a written 48-hour notification to the Secretary of the Senate or the FEC, and the Secretary of State, as appropriate, after the receipt of any contribution of $1,000 or more by any authorized committee of such candidate after the 20th day, but more than 48 hours before, any election.)

Treats any amount transferred by a joint fundraising committee established by a candidate's authorized committee to any other authorized committee of that candidate as a contribution by the joint fundraising committee to such authorized committee (and thus subject to the 48-hour notification requirement).

Requires Senate candidates to file designations, statements, and reports directly with the FEC (instead of via the Secretary of the Senate, as currently required).

real time transparency act amends federal election campaign act revise requirement hour notification campaign contribution federal_election_commission fec certain officials principal campaign committee candidate federal office applies requirement certain additions reporting exclusively fec political committee cumulative contributions contributor calendar year currently candidate principal campaign committee required written hour notification secretary senate fec secretary state appropriate receipt contribution authorized committee candidate 20th day hours election treats transferred joint fundraising committee established candidate authorized committee authorized committee candidate contribution joint fundraising committee authorized committee subject hour notification requirement requires senate candidates file designations statements reports directly fec instead secretary senate currently required


Summary:
Stand By Every Ad Act of 2014 - Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to require the identification of funding and authorizing sources in communications expressly advocating the election or defeat of a clearly identified candidate (as under current law) or which consist of the functional equivalent of express advocacy.

Prescribes special rules for express advocacy radio and television communications which are not authorized by a candidate, an authorized political committee of a candidate, or its agents. Requires individual disclosure statements about the head of the entity paying for the communication and about any other person that disbursed funds to the entity to finance the communication.

Requires disclosure of such identifying information within paid audio and video communications made through the Internet or e-mail.

Applies such disclosure requirements to prerecorded telephone calls.

stand act amends federal election campaign act require identification funding authorizing sources communications expressly advocating election defeat clearly identified candidate current law consist functional equivalent express advocacy prescribes special rules express advocacy radio television communications authorized candidate authorized political committee candidate agents requires individual disclosure statements head entity paying communication person disbursed funds entity finance communication requires disclosure identifying information paid audio video communications internet mail applies disclosure requirements prerecorded telephone calls


Summary:
Native Contract and Rate Expenditure Act of 2014 or the Native CARE Act of 2014 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to remove the restriction to hospitals furnishing inpatient Medicare services and allow all service providers to participate under: (1) the Purchased/Referred Care program (formerly called the contract health services program) funded and operated by the Indian Health Service (IHS), and (2) any program funded by IHS and operated by an urban Indian organization.

Prohibits Medicare payment for an item or service furnished by a supplier unless the supplier agrees to participate under both such programs.

Prohibits any reduction, offset, or limitation to any appropriations made to IHS under the Indian Health Care Improvement Act, the Snyder Act, or any other provision of law as a result of this Act.

Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), acting through the Director of IHS, to study the impact of this Act on access to care under the IHS Purchased/Referred Care program.

rate expenditure act native care act amends title xviii medicare social security act remove restriction hospitals furnishing inpatient medicare services allow service providers participate program called contract health services program funded operated indian_health_service ihs program funded ihs operated urban indian organization payment item service furnished supplier supplier agrees participate programs prohibits reduction offset limitation appropriations ihs indian_health_care_improvement_act snyder act provision law result act directs secretary health_and_human_services hhs acting director ihs study impact act access care program


Summary:
Making Every Representative's Integrity Transparent Act of 2014 or the MERIT Act - Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to prohibit a candidate's authorized committee from employing any of the candidate's relatives in a paid position.

Prohibits a leadership political action committee (PAC) from employing in a paid position any relative of the candidate or any individual holding federal office who establishes, finances, maintains, or controls the leadership PAC.

Limits the interest rate an authorized committee may pay on a loan accepted from the candidate to an annual rate no higher than the prime rate plus 2%.

Revises political committee disclosure requirements about:

 loans made by candidates, expenditures to relatives of candidates for operating expenses, and disbursements received by a candidate's relative or a business organization one of whose officers or dicrectors is a relative of the candidate. Applies the prohibition against the conversion to personal use of contributions accepted by candidates also to contributions accepted by political committees.

Allows the use of contributions accepted by political committees for authorized expenditures in connection with political activities.

Amends the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 to: (1) require lobbying registrations to contain, for each employee of the registrant who has acted or who the registrant expects to act as a lobbyist on behalf of the client, the name of each relative of the employee who serves currently or who has served previously as a covered executive or legislative branch official, including the Congressional Bioguide Identifier of any covered official who is or was a Member of Congress; (2) require updates to registrations for employees who become relatives of covered officials, and (3) include lobbying contacts with relatives who are covered officials in quarterly reports on lobbying activities.

making representative integrity transparent act merit act amends federal election campaign act prohibit candidate authorized committee employing candidate relatives paid position prohibits leadership political action committee pac employing paid position relative candidate individual holding federal office establishes finances maintains controls leadership pac limits interest rate authorized committee pay loan accepted candidate annual rate higher prime rate plus revises political committee disclosure requirements loans candidates expenditures relatives candidates operating expenses disbursements received candidate relative business organization officers relative candidate applies prohibition conversion personal use contributions accepted candidates contributions accepted political committees allows use contributions accepted political committees authorized expenditures connection political activities amends lobbying disclosure act require lobbying registrations contain employee registrant acted registrant expects act lobbyist behalf client relative employee serves currently served previously covered executive legislative branch official including covered official member congress require updates registrations employees relatives covered officials include lobbying contacts relatives covered officials quarterly reports lobbying activities


Summary:
Open Our Democracy Act of 2014 - Requires all candidates for election to the House of Representatives to run in a single open primary, regardless of political party preference.

Limits the ensuing general election to the two candidates receiving the greatest number of votes in the single open primary.

Gives candidates the option, at the time of filing to run for office, to declare a political party preference, which does not constitute or imply endorsement of the candidate by the party designated.

Treats the general election day in the same manner as a legal public holiday for purposes of federal employment.

Expresses the sense of Congress that private employers should give their employees a day off on the general election day in November 2016 and each even-numbered year thereafter to enable them to cast votes in elections held on that day.

Requires the Comptroller General (GAO) to study the feasibility and desirability of enacting national standards and criteria for congressional redistricting.

open democracy act requires candidates election house_of_representatives run single open primary regardless political party preference limits ensuing general election candidates receiving greatest number votes single open primary gives candidates option time filing run office declare political party preference constitute imply endorsement candidate party designated treats general election day manner legal public holiday purposes federal employment expresses sense congress private employers employees day general election day november numbered year enable cast votes elections held day requires comptroller general gao study feasibility desirability enacting national standards criteria congressional redistricting


Summary:
Political Intelligence Transparency Act of 2014 - Amends the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 (LDA) to require the disclosure of political intelligence activities, particularly relating to information useful for analyzing securities or commodities markets.

Requires political intelligence consultants or their employing organizations to register with the Secretary of the Senate and the Clerk of the House of Representatives, and make quarterly reports on political intelligence activities.

Requires any person or entity that makes an oral or written political intelligence contact with a covered legislative branch or executive branch official on the official's request to: (1) state whether such person or entity is registered under the LDA, (2) identify the client on behalf of whom the contact is made, and (3) state whether such client is a foreign entity, and make any related disclosures.

Amends the federal criminal code to subject to a fine or imprisonment, or both, certain former officers, employees, and elected officials of the executive and legislative branches who knowingly make any communication to or appearance before any officer or employee of a federal or District of Columbia agency or court in violation of certain permanent or temporary restrictions, and with the intent to gain information for use in analyzing securities or commodities markets, or in informing investment decisions in these markets.

Excludes from such prohibition any communication made by a representative of a media organization to gather and disseminate news and information to the public.

political intelligence transparency act amends lobbying disclosure act lda require disclosure political intelligence activities particularly relating information useful analyzing securities commodities markets requires political intelligence consultants employing organizations register secretary senate clerk house_of_representatives quarterly reports political intelligence activities requires person entity makes oral written political intelligence contact covered legislative branch executive branch official official request state person entity registered lda identify client behalf contact state client foreign entity related disclosures amends federal criminal code subject fine imprisonment certain officers employees elected officials executive legislative branches knowingly communication appearance officer employee federal district_of_columbia agency court violation certain permanent temporary restrictions intent gain information use analyzing securities commodities markets informing investment decisions markets excludes prohibition communication representative media organization gather disseminate news information public


Summary:
Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (FECA) to treat as a campaign contribution any payment made by any person (other than a candidate, an authorized committee of a candidate, or a political committee of a political party) for a coordinated expenditure which is not otherwise treated as a contribution.

Repeals the prohibition against contributions by minors.

Sets forth rules governing payments for coordinated expenditures, including special rule for payments by coordinated spenders for covered communications.

Defines "covered communication" as a public communication which: (1) promotes or supports the candidate, or attacks or opposes an opponent of the candidate (regardless of whether the communication expressly advocates the election or defeat of a candidate or contains the functional equivalent of express advocacy); or (2) refers to the candidate or an opponent of the candidate in other ways, but only if the communication is disseminated during the applicable election period.

Prohibits candidates or individuals holding federal office, their agents, and certain related entities from soliciting, receiving, directing, or transferring funds to or on behalf of any political committee which accepts donations or contributions that do not comply with FECA limitations, prohibitions, and reporting requirements, or to or on behalf of any 527 organization which accepts such donations or contributions (other than a committee of a state or local political party or a candidate for election for state or local office).

(A 527 organization, tax-exempt in certain circumstances under Section 527 of the Internal Revenue Code, is created primarily to influence the selection, nomination, election, appointment or defeat of candidates to federal, state or local public office.)

amends federal_election_campaign_act feca treat campaign contribution payment person candidate authorized committee candidate political committee political party coordinated expenditure treated contribution repeals prohibition contributions minors sets forth rules governing payments coordinated expenditures including special rule payments coordinated covered communications defines covered communication public communication promotes supports candidate attacks opposes opponent candidate regardless communication expressly advocates election defeat candidate contains functional equivalent express advocacy refers candidate opponent candidate ways communication disseminated applicable election period prohibits candidates individuals holding federal office agents certain related entities soliciting receiving directing transferring funds behalf political committee accepts donations contributions comply feca limitations prohibitions reporting requirements behalf organization accepts donations contributions committee state local political party candidate election state local office organization tax exempt certain circumstances section internal revenue code created primarily influence selection nomination election appointment defeat candidates federal state local public office


Summary:
Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to allow the use of contributions or donations only for the six years following the most recent federal election for a six-year office (e.g. the Senate) in which an individual was a candidate for the office if that individual is not a candidate for that office during those ensuing six years.

Requires contributions or donations remaining available to to such an individual after such six-year period ends to be disposed of within 30 days, as follows: (1) to pay any debts or obligations owed in connection with the campaign for that office; (2) to return those contributions or donations to the individuals, entities, or both, who made them; (3) to make contributions to a charitable organization; and (4) to make transfers to a national, state or local committee of a political party.

amends federal_election_campaign_act allow use contributions donations years following recent federal election year office senate individual candidate office individual candidate office ensuing years requires contributions donations remaining available individual year period ends disposed days follows pay debts obligations owed connection campaign office return contributions donations individuals entities contributions charitable organization transfers national state local committee political party


Summary:
Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971, as amended by the Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2015, to repeal certain limits on separate contributions by persons or multicandidate political committees to political committees of a national political party which are not the authorized political committees of any candidate. Specifies those contributions used to defray expenses for:

 a presidential nominating convention; the construction, purchase, renovation, operation, and furnishing of party headquarters buildings; and the preparation for and the conduct of election recounts, contests, and other legal proceedings.

amends federal_election_campaign_act amended consolidated continuing appropriations act repeal certain limits separate contributions persons multicandidate political committees political committees national political party authorized political committees candidate specifies contributions defray expenses presidential nominating convention construction purchase renovation operation furnishing party headquarters buildings preparation conduct election contests legal proceedings


Summary:
Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to prohibit any authorized committee of a candidate or any other political committee established, maintained, or controlled by a candidate or person who holds a federal office from employing the spouse or any immediate family member of such candidate or federal office holder.

Amends the federal criminal code to subject to specified criminal and civil penalties any spouse of a Member of Congress who: (1) was not a registered lobbyist at least one year before the Member's election to Congress; and (2) knowingly lobbies, after the election of such Member, any Member on behalf of a client for compensation or is associated with any such lobbying activity by his or her employer.

amends federal_election_campaign_act prohibit authorized committee candidate political committee established maintained controlled candidate person holds federal office employing spouse immediate family member candidate federal office holder amends federal criminal code subject specified criminal civil penalties spouse member congress registered lobbyist year member election congress knowingly election member member behalf client compensation associated lobbying activity employer


Summary: Amends the Internal Revenue Code to repeal provisions providing for the use of funds from the Presidential Election Campaign Fund for presidential nominating conventions.

amends internal revenue code repeal provisions providing use funds presidential_election_campaign_fund presidential nominating conventions


Summary: Senate Campaign Disclosure Parity Act - Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to require all election-related designations, statements, and reports required to be filed under the Act to be filed directly with the Federal Election Commission (FEC).

senate campaign disclosure parity act amends federal election campaign act require election related designations statements reports required filed act filed directly federal_election_commission fec


Summary:
Follow the Money Act of 2013 - Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 and the Internal Revenue Code to set forth requirements for the disclosure of independent federal election-related contributions and expenditures.

Defines "independent federal election-related activity expenditure" to mean any expenditure that: (1) a reasonable person would conclude is made solely or substantially to influence or attempt to influence the nomination or election of any individual to federal office; (2) is not made in concert or cooperation with, or at the suggestion of, a candidate, the candidate's authorized committee, or a political party committee; and (3) is a payment made to another person if the transferor knows or has reason to know that such payment will be used to fund an independent federal election-related activity expenditure. Defines "independent political actor" to mean any person that: (1) makes independent federal election-related activity expenditures of $10,000 or more during the election cycle, (2) receives contributions that are intended by the transferor and understood by the recipient to be substantially used for making independently federal election-related activity expenditures and that aggregate $10,000 or more during the election cycle, or (3) makes qualified solicitations to 500 or more people during the election cycle.

Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to: (1) require every person who is an independent political actor and every treasurer of an independent political actor to file a registration statement with the Federal Election Commission (FEC) not later than 10 days after such person becomes an indepen dent political actor; (2) increase from $200 to $1,000 the threshold level at which candidates have to disclose contributions on FEC reports; (3) require candidates for the U.S. Senate to file reports directly with the FEC rather than with the Secretary of the Senate; and (4) allow a candidate or an authorized committee of a candidate to file with the FEC a statement disavowing any public communication which is not made in cooperation, consultation, or concert with such candidate or authorized committee.

Requires the FEC, not later than January 1, 2015, to make available an instant disclosure system for use in reporting contributions under the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971.

Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) impose an excise tax on tax-exempt organizations that fail to report contributions or election-related activity expenditures, (2) revoke the tax-exempt status of organizations that fail to register or report election-related expenditures and contributions, (3) deny a business-related tax deduction for independent election-related activity expenditures, and (4) extend protections to whistle blowers reporting violations of campaign finance laws.

Requires the Secretary of the Treasury and the FEC, not later than September 30, 2014, to prescribe joint regulations with respect to the definitions of "independent federal election-related activity expenditure" and "covered contribution" and the forms and regulations necessary to carry out the registration and reports required by the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971.

Amends the federal criminal code to impose a criminal penalty on, and terminate the employment of, any federal employee or officer who discriminates against any person on the basis of information reported under the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971.

follow money act amends federal election campaign act internal revenue code set forth requirements disclosure independent federal election related contributions expenditures defines independent federal election related activity expenditure mean expenditure reasonable person conclude solely substantially influence attempt influence nomination election individual federal office concert cooperation candidate candidate authorized committee political party committee payment person transferor knows reason know payment fund independent federal election related activity expenditure defines independent political actor mean person makes independent federal election related activity expenditures election cycle receives contributions intended transferor understood recipient substantially making independently federal election related activity expenditures aggregate election cycle makes qualified solicitations people election cycle amends federal_election_campaign_act require person independent political actor treasurer independent political actor file registration statement federal_election_commission fec later days person political actor increase threshold level candidates disclose contributions fec reports require candidates file reports directly fec secretary senate allow candidate authorized committee candidate file fec statement public communication cooperation consultation concert candidate authorized committee requires fec later january available instant disclosure system use reporting contributions federal_election_campaign_act amends internal revenue code impose excise tax tax exempt organizations fail report contributions election related activity expenditures revoke tax exempt status organizations fail register report election related expenditures contributions deny business related tax deduction independent election related activity expenditures extend protections whistle blowers reporting violations campaign finance laws requires secretary treasury fec later september prescribe joint regulations respect definitions independent federal election related activity expenditure covered contribution forms regulations necessary carry registration reports required federal_election_campaign_act amends federal criminal code impose criminal penalty terminate employment federal employee officer discriminates person basis information reported federal_election_campaign_act


Summary: State Ethics Law Protection Act of 2013 - Considers a state transportation department not to have violated federal contract requirements for the construction of a federal-aid highway project solely because the state in which the department is located, or a local government within that state, has in effect a law or order that limits the amount of money an individual or entity doing business with a state or local agency with respect to such a project may contribute to a political party, campaign, or elected official (pay to play).

considers state transportation department violated federal contract requirements construction federal aid highway project solely state department located local government state effect law order limits money individual entity business state local agency respect project contribute political party campaign elected official pay play


Summary:
Safeguarding Elections for our Nation's Troops through Reforms and Improvements (SENTRI) Act - Makes amendments to the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act to expand access to voting in federal elections for members of the uniformed services and U.S. citizens residing abroad (overseas voters).

Title I: Amendments Related to the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act - (Sec. 101) Requires the chief election official of a state to report, not later than 43 days before any federal election held in the state, on the total number of absentee ballots validly requested by absent uniformed services voters and overseas voters whose requests were received by the 47th day before the election.

(Sec. 102) Eliminates the hardship waiver allowed for states from the requirement to provide absentee voters ballots 46 days prior to an election. Requires express delivery of an absentee ballot that is not timely transmitted, unless a state permits transmission and return of an absentee ballot by electronic means.

Requires a state to notify the Attorney General as soon as practicable and take all actions necessary, including seeking necessary judicial review, to ensure that affected absent uniformed services voters and overseas voters are provided a reasonable opportunity to receive and return their absentee ballots in time to be counted.

(Sec. 104) Prohibits a state from disqualifying any voter who has registered to vote using the official post card form prescribed by the National Voter Registration Act of 1993.

(Sec. 105) Prohibits a state from rejecting a voter registration or absentee ballot application from an overseas voter because of early submission. Allows an absentee voter to use a single absentee ballot application for subsequent elections. Requires the presidential designee to ensure that the official postcard form prescribed under the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act enables a voter using the form to request: (1) an absentee ballot for each election for federal office held in a state through the next regularly scheduled general election, including any runoff elections; or (2) an absentee ballot for a specific election or elections for federal office.

(Sec. 106) Makes the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act applicable to the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

(Sec. 107) Revises reporting requirements for voting assistance programs for members of the uniformed services and overseas voters to require a biennial report by the presidential designee on June 30 of each odd-numbered year (currently, March 31 of each year) on the effectiveness of such programs. Requires the Comptroller General (GAO) to review such biennial reports for elections held in calendar years 2014 through 2020 and report to Congress on such review.

(Sec. 108) Makes the amendments made by this title effective on January 1, 2015.

Title II: Provision of Voter Assistance to Members of the Armed Forces - Directs the Secretary of Defense (DOD), in coordination with the Secretary of each military department, to: (1) affirmatively offer, on an annual basis, each member of the Armed Forces on active duty (other than active duty for training) the opportunity, through an online system, to register to vote in a federal election, update voter registration information, or request an absentee ballot; (2) implement an online system for such purposes; and (3) implement a system to track a change of address or duty status of a member of the Armed Forces on active duty to provide an automatic notice to such member of voter registration requirements. Requires the Secretary to prescribe regulations to implement such voter assistance measures and report to the House Committees on Appropriations, Armed Services, and Administration and the Senate Committees on Appropriations, Armed Services, and Rules and Administration on such implementation.

Title III: Electronic Voting Systems - Amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2002 to repeal the demonstration project allowing absent members of the uniformed services to vote in the regularly scheduled general election for federal office for November 2002 through an electronic voting system.

safeguarding elections nation troops reforms improvements sentri amendments uniformed overseas citizens absentee voting act expand access voting federal elections members uniformed services citizens residing abroad overseas voters title amendments related uniformed overseas citizens absentee voting act sec requires chief election official state report later days federal election held state total number absentee ballots validly requested absent uniformed services voters overseas voters requests received day election sec eliminates hardship waiver allowed states requirement provide absentee voters ballots days prior election requires express delivery absentee ballot timely transmitted state permits transmission return absentee ballot electronic means requires state notify attorney general soon practicable actions necessary including seeking necessary judicial review ensure affected absent uniformed services voters overseas voters provided reasonable opportunity receive return absentee ballots time counted sec prohibits state disqualifying voter registered vote official post card form prescribed sec prohibits state rejecting voter registration absentee ballot application overseas voter early submission allows absentee voter use single absentee ballot application subsequent elections requires presidential designee ensure official form prescribed uniformed overseas citizens absentee voting act enables voter form request absentee ballot election federal office held state regularly scheduled general election including runoff elections absentee ballot specific election elections federal office sec makes uniformed overseas citizens absentee voting act applicable commonwealth_of_the_northern_mariana_islands sec revises reporting requirements voting assistance programs members uniformed services overseas voters require biennial report presidential designee june odd numbered year currently march year effectiveness programs requires comptroller general gao review biennial reports elections held calendar years report congress review sec makes amendments title effective january title provision voter assistance members secretary defense dod coordination secretary military department affirmatively offer annual basis member armed_forces active duty active duty training opportunity online system register vote federal election update voter registration information request absentee ballot implement online system purposes implement system track change address duty status member armed_forces active duty provide automatic notice member voter registration requirements requires secretary prescribe regulations implement voter assistance measures report administration rules administration implementation title iii electronic voting systems amends national defense authorization act fiscal year repeal demonstration project allowing absent members uniformed services vote regularly scheduled general election federal office november electronic voting system


Summary: Stop Targeting of Political Beliefs by the IRS Act of 2014 - Requires the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) standards and definitions in effect on January 1, 2010, for determining whether an organization qualifies for tax-exempt status as an organization operated exclusively for social welfare to apply to such determinations after enactment of this Act. Prohibits the Secretary of the Treasury, or any delegate of the Secretary, from issuing, revising, or finalizing any regulation (including proposed regulations), revenue ruling, or other guidance not limited to a particular taxpayer relating to such standards and definitions. Terminates this Act one year after its enactment.

stop targeting political beliefs irs act requires internal_revenue_service irs standards definitions effect january determining organization qualifies tax exempt status organization operated exclusively social welfare apply determinations enactment act prohibits secretary treasury delegate secretary issuing revising finalizing regulation including proposed regulations revenue ruling guidance limited particular taxpayer relating standards definitions terminates act year enactment


Summary:
Fair Elections Now Act - Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (FECA) with respect to: (1) eligibility and qualifying contribution requirements and benefits of fair elections financing of Senate election campaigns, (2) establishment of a Fair Elections Fund, (3) eligibility for Fund allocations, (4) contribution and expenditure requirements, (5) a public debate requirement, (6) certification of whether or not a federal election candidate is a participating candidate, (7) benefits for participating candidates, (8) 600% matching payments to candidates for certain small dollar contributions, (9) political advertising vouchers, (10) establishment of a Fair Elections Oversight Board, (11) civil penalties for violation of contribution and expenditure requirements, (12) prohibition of joint fundraising committees with any political committee other than a candidate's authorized committee, and (13) an exception to a specified limitation on coordinated expenditures by political party committees with participating candidates for any expenditure from a qualified political party-participating candidate coordinated expenditure fund.

Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to: (1) prohibit the preemption of the use of a broadcasting station by a legally qualified Senate candidate who has purchased and paid for such use, (2) revise Federal Communications Commission (FCC) authority to revoke licenses for broadcasting stations who fail to provide access to Senate candidates, and (3) revise the formula for determining reduced broadcast rates for participating candidates in certain circumstances.

Directs the FCC to initiate a rulemaking proceeding to establish a standardized form to be used by broadcasting stations to record and report the purchase of advertising time by or on behalf of a candidate for nomination for election, or for election, to federal elective office.

Amends FECA to: (1) empower the Federal Election Commission (FEC) to petition the U.S. Supreme Court for a writ of certiorari to appeal a civil action; (2) require all designations, statements, and reports required to be filed under FECA to be filed directly with the FEC, and in computer-accessible electronic form; and (3) reduce from 48 to 24 hours after their receipt the deadline for the FEC to make designations, statements, reports, or notifications available to the public in the FEC office and on the Internet.

Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a refundable tax credit in the amount of 50% of the qualified My Voice Federal Senate campaign contributions paid or incurred by the taxpayer during the taxable year. Limits such credit to a maximum $50 (twice such amount in the case of a joint return). Prohibits any such credit to any taxpayer who made aggregate contribuitons in excess of $300 during the taxable year to any single federal Senate candidate or to any political committee established and maintained by a national party.

Imposes an excise tax on any payment made pursuant to a U.S. government contract to any person that is not a state or local government, a foreign nation, or a tax-exempt organization and that has contracts with the U.S. government in excess of $10 million. Sets the rate of such tax imposed on any payment to a qualified person under any such contract at 0.50% of the amount paid and limits the aggregate annual amount of tax so imposed for any calendar year to not more than $500,000.

Expresses the sense of the Senate that the tax revenues raised by this Act should be used for the financing of a Fair Elections Fund and the public financing of Senate elections.

fair elections act amends federal election campaign act feca respect eligibility qualifying contribution requirements benefits fair elections financing senate election campaigns establishment fair_elections_fund eligibility fund allocations contribution expenditure requirements public debate requirement certification federal election candidate participating candidate benefits participating candidates matching payments candidates certain small dollar contributions political advertising vouchers establishment civil penalties violation contribution expenditure requirements prohibition joint fundraising committees political committee candidate authorized committee exception specified limitation coordinated expenditures political party committees participating candidates expenditure qualified political party participating candidate coordinated expenditure fund amends communications act prohibit preemption use broadcasting station legally qualified senate candidate purchased paid use revise federal_communications_commission fcc authority revoke licenses broadcasting stations fail provide access senate candidates revise formula determining reduced broadcast rates participating candidates certain circumstances directs fcc initiate rulemaking proceeding establish standardized form broadcasting stations record report purchase advertising time behalf candidate nomination election election federal elective office amends feca empower federal_election_commission fec petition writ certiorari appeal civil action require designations statements reports required filed feca filed directly fec computer accessible electronic form reduce hours receipt deadline fec designations statements reports notifications available public fec office internet amends internal revenue code allow refundable tax credit qualified campaign contributions paid incurred taxpayer taxable year limits credit maximum twice case joint return prohibits credit taxpayer aggregate excess taxable year single federal senate candidate political committee established maintained national party imposes excise tax payment pursuant government contract person state local government foreign nation tax exempt organization contracts government excess million sets rate tax imposed payment qualified person contract paid limits aggregate annual tax imposed calendar year expresses sense senate tax revenues raised act financing fair_elections_fund public financing senate elections


Summary:
Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to revise the requirement of a 48-hour notification of a campaign contribution of $1,000 or more to the Federal Election Commission (FEC) and certain other officials by the principal campaign committee of a candidate for federal office.

Applies this requirement, with certain additions, but for reporting exclusively to the FEC, to any political committee regarding cumulative contributions of $1,000 or more from any contributor during a calendar year.

(Currently, a candidate's principal campaign committee is required to give a written 48-hour notification to the Secretary of the Senate or the FEC, and the Secretary of State, as appropriate, after the receipt of any contribution of $1,000 or more by any authorized committee of such candidate after the 20th day, but more than 48 hours before, any election.)

Treats any amount transferred by a joint fundraising committee established by a candidate's authorized committee to any other authorized committee of that candidate as a contribution by the joint fundraising committee to such authorized committee (and thus subject to the 48-hour notification requirement).

Requires Senate candidates to file designations, statements, and reports directly with the FEC (instead of via the Secretary of the Senate, as currently required).

amends federal_election_campaign_act revise requirement hour notification campaign contribution federal_election_commission fec certain officials principal campaign committee candidate federal office applies requirement certain additions reporting exclusively fec political committee cumulative contributions contributor calendar year currently candidate principal campaign committee required written hour notification secretary senate fec secretary state appropriate receipt contribution authorized committee candidate 20th day hours election treats transferred joint fundraising committee established candidate authorized committee authorized committee candidate contribution joint fundraising committee authorized committee subject hour notification requirement requires senate candidates file designations statements reports directly fec instead secretary senate currently required


Summary: SuperPAC Elimination Act of 2014 - Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to: (1) eliminate the limitations on direct contributions to candidates in federal elections, and (2) require 24-hour notification to the Secretary of the Senate, or the Federal Election Commission, and the Secretary of State, as appropriate, for all direct contributions to candidates in excess of $200.

elimination act amends federal election campaign act eliminate limitations direct contributions candidates federal elections require hour notification secretary senate federal_election_commission secretary state appropriate direct contributions candidates excess


Summary:
Close the Revolving Door Act of 2014 - Amends the federal criminal code to impose a lifetime ban on any former Senator, Member of the House of Representatives, or elected officer of the Senate or House of Representatives lobbying any current Member, officer, or employee of Congress or any employee of any other legislative office (currently, the ban is for two years after a Senator leaves office and one year after a Member of the House of Representatives leaves office). Extends such ban from one to six years for officers and employees of the Senate, personal staff of Members, committee staff, leadership staff, and other legislative offices.

Prohibits for a six-year period the hiring of a registered lobbyist or agent of a foreign principal by a Member of Congress or a congressional committee with whom the lobbyist or agent has had a substantial lobbying contact.

Amends the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 to: (1) direct the Secretary of the Senate and the Clerk of the House of Representatives to maintain a joint lobbyist disclosure Internet database for information required to be publicly disclosed by such Act, (2) require a substantial lobbying entity to file with Congress a list of any employees who provide paid consulting services and who are former Members of Congress or highly-paid congressional staffers, and (3) increase the civil penalty for violations of the disclosure or reporting provisions of such Act.

close revolving door act amends federal criminal code impose lifetime ban senator member house_of_representatives elected officer senate house_of_representatives lobbying current member officer employee congress employee legislative office currently ban years senator leaves office year member house_of_representatives leaves office extends ban years officers employees senate personal staff members committee staff leadership staff legislative offices prohibits year period hiring registered lobbyist agent foreign principal member congress congressional committee lobbyist agent substantial lobbying contact amends lobbying disclosure act direct secretary senate clerk house_of_representatives maintain joint lobbyist disclosure internet database information required publicly disclosed act require substantial lobbying entity file congress list employees provide paid consulting services members congress highly paid congressional increase civil penalty violations disclosure reporting provisions act


Summary:
Democracy Is Strengthened by Casting Light On Spending in Elections Act of 2014 or the DISCLOSE Act of 2014 - Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (FECA) to redefine the term "independent expenditure" as an expenditure by a person that, when taken as a whole, expressly advocates the election or defeat of a clearly identified candidate, or is the functional equivalent of express advocacy because it can be interpreted by a reasonable person only as advocating the election or defeat of a candidate, taking into account whether the communication involved mentions a candidacy, a political party, or a challenger to a candidate, or takes a position on a candidate's character, qualifications, or fitness for office.

Expands the period during which certain communications are treated as electioneering communications.

Prescribes disclosure requirements for corporations, labor organizations, and certain other entities, including a political committee with an account established for the purpose of accepting donations or contributions that do not comply with the contribution limits or source prohibitions under FECA (but only with respect to such accounts).

Repeals the prohibition against political contributions by individuals age 17 or younger.

democracy strengthened casting light spending elections act disclose act amends federal election campaign act feca redefine term independent expenditure expenditure person taken expressly advocates election defeat clearly identified candidate functional equivalent express advocacy interpreted reasonable person advocating election defeat candidate taking account communication involved mentions candidacy political party challenger candidate takes position candidate character qualifications fitness office expands period certain communications treated electioneering communications prescribes disclosure requirements corporations labor organizations certain entities including political committee account established purpose accepting donations contributions comply contribution limits source prohibitions feca respect accounts repeals prohibition political contributions individuals age younger


Summary: Keep the Promise Act of 2014 - Restricts gaming on land within the Phoenix, Arizona metropolitan area acquired by the Secretary of the Interior in trust for the benefit of an Indian tribe after April 9, 2013. Terminates the restriction on January 1, 2027.

promise act restricts gaming land phoenix arizona metropolitan area acquired secretary interior trust benefit indian tribe april terminates restriction january


Summary:
Lobbying and Campaign Finance Reform Act of 2014 - Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (FECA) to declare that, for purposes of dollar limits on contributions, any bundled contribution forwarded by a currently registered lobbyist or a political committee established or controlled by one to an authorized committee of a candidate, a leadership political action committee (PAC), or a political party committee shall be treated as both a contribution made by the person forwarding it and as a contribution made by the contributor.

Amends the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 to revise the definition of "lobbyist" with respect to its exemption from coverage of certain individuals whose lobbying activities constitute less than 20% of the time engaged in the services provided to a client over a 3-month period. Extends the 3-month period into a 2-year period.

Amends FECA to prohibit House of Representatives and Senate candidates, Members, Senators, their agents, or any entities directly or indirectly established, financed, maintained, or controlled by or acting on behalf of one or more of them from soliciting funds from any registered lobbyist in connection with an election to the House or Senate during any period in which the chamber is in session (excluding adjournments or recesses for 10 calendar days or longer).

reform act amends federal election campaign act feca declare purposes dollar limits contributions bundled contribution forwarded currently registered lobbyist political committee established controlled authorized committee candidate leadership political action committee pac political party committee shall treated contribution person forwarding contribution contributor amends lobbying disclosure act revise definition lobbyist respect exemption coverage certain individuals lobbying activities constitute time engaged services provided client month period extends month period year period amends feca prohibit house_of_representatives senate candidates members senators agents entities directly indirectly established financed maintained controlled acting behalf soliciting funds registered lobbyist connection election house senate period chamber session excluding calendar days longer


Summary:
Economic Development Through Tribal Land Exchange Act - Requires the Secretary of the Interior, upon receipt of confirmation that Lloyd L. Fields has executed and deposited with an escrow holder in California a deed conveying title to certain lands designated on the Morongo Indian Reservation, County of Riverside, State of California Land Exchange Map (dated May 22, 2014) as "Fields lands" to the United States in trust for the exclusive use and benefit of the Morongo Band of Mission Indians, and upon receipt by Fields of confirmation that the Secretary has executed and deposited with such escrow holder a patent conveying title to lands designated as "Morongo lands" to Fields and a specified easement to the city of Banning in Riverside County in California for a public right-of-way, to instruct such escrow holder to cause: (1) the patent to the Morongo lands to be recorded and issued to Fields, (2) such easement to be recorded and issued to the city, and (3) the deed to the Fields lands to be delivered to the Secretary.

Instructs the Secretary, after completion of such transfers and as soon as practicable after receipt of confirmation that the city has vacated its interest in land designated as "Banning land," to cause such land to be held in trust for the Tribe subject to: (1) any valid existing rights of any third parties, and (2) legal review and approval of the form and content of all instruments of conveyance.

economic development tribal land exchange act requires secretary interior receipt confirmation executed deposited escrow holder california deed conveying title certain lands designated county riverside state map dated fields lands united_states trust exclusive use benefit morongo_band_of_mission_indians receipt fields confirmation secretary executed deposited escrow holder patent conveying title lands designated morongo lands fields specified easement city banning riverside_county california public right way instruct escrow holder cause patent morongo lands recorded issued fields easement recorded issued city deed fields lands delivered secretary instructs secretary completion transfers soon practicable receipt confirmation city vacated interest land designated banning land cause land held trust tribe subject valid existing rights parties legal review approval form content instruments conveyance


Summary:
Fairness and Independence in Redistricting Act - Prohibits a state that has been redistricted after an apportionment from being redistricted again until after the next apportionment of Representatives, unless the state is ordered by a court to conduct such a subsequent redistricting in order to comply with the U.S. Constitution or enforce the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

Requires such redistricting to be conducted through a plan developed by the independent redistricting commission established in the state, or if such plan is not enacted into law, the redistricting plan selected by the state's highest court or developed by a U.S. district court.

Prescribes requirements for: (1) establishment of a state independent redistricting commission (including provisions for holding each of its meetings in public and maintaining a public Internet website); (2) development of a redistricting plan (including soliciting and considering public comments) and its submission to the state legislature (with public notice of plans at least seven days prior to such submission); (3) selection of a plan, under specified conditions, by the state's highest court or the U.S. district court for the district in which the capital of the state is located; (4) special rules for redistricting conducted under a federal court order; and (5) Election Assistance Commission payments to states for carrying out redistricting.

fairness independence redistricting act prohibits state redistricted apportionment redistricted apportionment representatives state ordered court conduct subsequent redistricting order comply enforce voting rights act requires redistricting conducted plan developed independent redistricting commission established state plan enacted law redistricting plan selected state highest court developed district court prescribes requirements establishment state independent redistricting commission including provisions holding meetings public maintaining public internet website development redistricting plan including soliciting considering public comments submission state legislature public notice plans seven days prior submission selection plan specified conditions state highest court district court district capital state located special rules redistricting conducted federal court order election assistance commission payments states carrying redistricting


Summary: Sunlight for Unaccountable Non-profits (SUN) Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to require: (1) the annual tax return information for tax-exempt organizations and deferred compensation plans to be made available to the public at no charge and in an open structured data format that is processable by computers, with the information easy to find, access, reuse, and download in bulk; and (2) the disclosure of the names and addresses of contributors of $5,000 or more to tax-exempt organizations that participate or intervene in political campaigns on behalf of, or in opposition to, any candidate for public office.

sunlight non profits sun act amends internal revenue code require annual tax return information tax exempt organizations deferred compensation plans available public charge open structured data format processable computers information easy find access reuse download bulk disclosure names addresses contributors tax exempt organizations participate intervene political campaigns behalf opposition candidate public office


Summary:
New Chance for a New Start in Life Act of 2015

 Directs the Secretary of Labor to make grants to state and local governments and Indian tribes to carry out employment training programs to assist long-term unemployed persons obtain the skills and training to re-enter the workforce and fill jobs in sectors of the economy projected to have the highest rates of demand during the period 2014 through 2024.

Prescribes certain grant condition and use requirements.

Declares that receiving services or compensation under this Act shall not cause any reduction in the amount of unemployment compensation that an individual is otherwise due.

new start life act directs secretary labor grants state local governments indian tribes carry employment training programs assist long term unemployed persons obtain skills training enter workforce fill jobs sectors economy projected highest rates demand period prescribes certain grant condition use requirements declares receiving services compensation act shall cause reduction unemployment compensation individual


Summary:
This bill amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to permit candidates for election to federal office to: (1) designate an individual for each of a candidate's authorized campaign committees who will be authorized to disburse funds of the committee in the event of the candidate's death, and (2) designate another individual to carry out the responsibilities of the designated individual in the event of the death or incapacity of the designated individual or the designated individual's unwillingness to carry out the responsibilities.

The bill prescribes procedures for filing and revoking such a designation, and permits the filing of a designation to contain the candidate's instructions regarding the disbursement of funds.

bill amends federal_election_campaign_act permit candidates election federal office designate individual candidate authorized campaign committees authorized disburse funds committee event candidate death designate individual carry responsibilities designated individual event death incapacity designated individual designated individual unwillingness carry responsibilities bill prescribes procedures filing revoking designation permits filing designation contain candidate instructions disbursement funds


Summary:
No Political Funds for Personal Use Act

 Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 with respect to the use of campaign contributions to apply the prohibition against the conversion to personal use of contributions accepted by candidates also to contributions accepted by political committees.

political funds personal use act amends federal_election_campaign_act respect use campaign contributions apply prohibition conversion personal use contributions accepted candidates contributions accepted political committees


Summary:
Close the Floodgates Act

Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971, as amended by the Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2015, to repeal certain limits on separate contributions by persons or multicandidate political committees to political committees of a national political party which are not the authorized political committees of any candidate. Specifies those contributions used to defray expenses for:

 a presidential nominating convention; the construction, purchase, renovation, operation, and furnishing of party headquarters buildings; and the preparation for and the conduct of election recounts, contests, and other legal proceedings.

close act amends federal election campaign act amended consolidated continuing appropriations act repeal certain limits separate contributions persons multicandidate political committees political committees national political party authorized political committees candidate specifies contributions defray expenses presidential nominating convention construction purchase renovation operation furnishing party headquarters buildings preparation conduct election contests legal proceedings


Summary:
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.)

Election Assistance Commission Termination Act

(Sec. 2) Amends the Help America Vote Act of 2002 to terminate the Election Assistance Commission (EAC), the EAC Standards Board, and the EAC Board of Advisors. Requires the Director of the Office of Management and Budget to perform EAC functions with respect to certain existing contracts and agreements during the transition period for winding up EAC affairs.

Transfers specified election administration functions of the EAC to the Federal Election Commission.

Terminates the Technical Guidelines Development Committee.

measure amended introduced summary expanded action occurred measure election assistance commission termination act sec amends help america vote act terminate election_assistance_commission eac requires director office_of_management_and_budget perform eac functions respect certain existing contracts agreements transition period winding eac affairs transfers specified election administration functions eac federal_election_commission terminates technical guidelines development committee


Summary:
Stop the Revolving Door in Washington Act

 Amends the federal criminal code regarding the two-year ban on lobbying contacts by former Senators with any Member, officer, or employee of either chamber, or employee of any other legislative office.

Imposes: (1) a five-year lobbying ban on all former Members of Congress; and (2) a two-year (currently, one-year) ban on lobbying contacts by former elected officers of either chamber, former congressional employees, or former employees of any other legislative office with any Member, officer, or employee.

stop revolving door amends federal criminal code year ban lobbying contacts senators member officer employee chamber employee legislative office imposes year lobbying ban members congress year currently year ban lobbying contacts elected officers chamber congressional employees employees legislative office member officer employee


Summary:
End the Congressional Revolving Door Act

Prohibits a former Member of Congress or former congressional employee who is a registered lobbyist, and entitled to compensation as such, from being eligible for any benefits beginning after enactment of this Act under:

 the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS), including the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP); the Federal Employees' Retirement System (FERS), including the TSP; the Federal Employees' Health Benefits Program, including federal enhanced dental and vision benefits; or the Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance Program. States that nothing in this Act shall be considered to prevent the payment of any CSRS or FERS lump-sum credit to which an individual is entitled or any nonforfeitable amount in an individual's TSP account.

end prohibits member congress congressional employee registered lobbyist entitled compensation eligible benefits beginning enactment act civil_service_retirement_system csrs including thrift savings plan tsp fers including tsp including federal enhanced dental vision benefits states act shall considered prevent payment csrs fers lump sum credit individual entitled nonforfeitable individual tsp account


Summary:
Campaign Sunlight Act of 2015

 Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to direct the Federal Election Commission (FEC) to establish and operate a website (Campaign Accountability Site) through which members of the public may view the contents of political advertisements.

Requires the sponsor of a political advertisement to submit its contents to the FEC in a format the FEC may require. Requires the format to make the sources of such contents available on the website directly or through hyperlinks to the sources.

Requires the sponsor to submit an advertisement to the FEC within: (1) 24 hours after its dissemination, if it is disseminated during the 7 days before the election involved; or (2) 72 hours after dissemination during any other period.

campaign sunlight act amends federal_election_campaign_act direct federal_election_commission fec establish operate website campaign accountability site members public view contents political advertisements requires sponsor political advertisement submit contents fec format fec require requires format sources contents available website directly hyperlinks sources requires sponsor submit advertisement fec hours dissemination disseminated days election involved hours dissemination period


Summary:
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.)

This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to terminate: (1) the taxpayer election to designate $3 of income tax liability for financing of presidential election campaigns for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2014, (2) the Presidential Election Campaign Fund, and (3) the Presidential Primary Matching Payment Account.

Of the amounts in the Fund as of the date of enactment of this Act: (1) a specified amount shall be transferred to the 10-Year Pediatric Research Initiative Fund, and (2) the remainder shall be transferred to the general fund of the Treasury to be used only for reducing the budget deficit.

measure amended introduced summary expanded action occurred measure bill amends internal_revenue_code terminate taxpayer election designate income tax liability financing presidential election campaigns taxable years beginning december presidential_election_campaign_fund presidential_primary_matching_payment_account amounts fund date enactment act specified shall transferred year pediatric research initiative fund remainder shall transferred general fund treasury reducing budget deficit


Summary:
Corporate Politics Transparency Act

 Amends the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to require that quarterly and annual reports of an issuer, any proxy solicitation or consent or authorization in respect of any security, and the issuer's registration statement disclose total political expenditures in support of or in opposition to any candidate for federal, state, or local public office made by the issuer during the preceding six-year period.

Requires such disclosures to include: (1) the name and political party affiliation of each candidate in support of whom or in opposition to whom a political expenditure was made; (2) the amount of each such expenditure; (3) the public office that such candidate was or is seeking; (4) the relevant state, city, or district; and (5) a statement of the issuer's interest in and reason for making such expenditure.

corporate politics transparency act amends securities exchange act require quarterly annual reports issuer proxy solicitation consent authorization respect security issuer registration statement disclose total political expenditures support opposition candidate federal state local public office issuer preceding year period requires disclosures include political party affiliation candidate support opposition political expenditure expenditure public office candidate seeking relevant state city district statement issuer interest reason making expenditure


Summary:
Empowering Citizens Act

Amends the Internal Revenue Code and the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (FECA) to revise the system of public financing for presidential primary and general elections occurring after January 1, 2016, and to establish a system of public financing for congressional elections.

Increases the amount of matching funds for presidential primaries from a one-to-one match to a six-to-one match for contributions of $250 or less from individuals, with a limit on aggregate individual contributions of $1,000. Limits the total amount of payments to a presidential primary candidate to $300 million. Provides for an inflation adjustment to matching contributions beginning after 2015.

Requires presidential primary candidates who opt to participate in the public financing system to certify to the Federal Election Commission (FEC) that they have raised $25,000 (currently, $5,000) in each of 20 states, with individual contributions limited to $250. Requires such candidates to commit to accept public financing in both the primary and general elections.

Prohibits presidential primary candidates from accepting contributions or bundled contributions (i.e., combining small contributions into one large contribution) from lobbyists or political action committees (PACs).

Eliminates expenditure limitations for presidential primary and general elections.

Changes the period for payment of matching funds to presidential primary candidates from January 1 of the election year to six months prior to the date of the earliest state primary election.

Revises general election payment provisions to allow a grant of $50 million to candidates and an additional $150 million in matching funds based upon a six-to-one match of contributions raised after June 1 of the general election year from individual donors giving up to $250 each.

Increases to $100 million the limit on coordinated spending by a national party and its presidential candidate in a general election campaign.

Provides for public financing of congressional election campaigns. Establishes the Empowering Citizens Payment Account in the Presidential Election Campaign Fund to finance congressional election campaigns.

Amends the FECA to prohibit federal candidates or office holders from soliciting, receiving, directing, or transferring funds to or on behalf of any political committee that accepts donations or contributions that do not comply with FECA limitations, prohibitions, and reporting requirements (Super PACs), or to or on behalf of any Section 527 organization which accepts such donations or contributions (other than a committee of a state or local political party or a candidate for election for state or local office).

Increases from $3 to $20 ($6 to $40 for joint returns) the tax check-off for contributions to the Presidential Election Campaign Fund. Directs the Department of the Treasury to prescribe regulations to ensure that approved tax preparation software does not automatically accept or decline a check-off of contributions for the public financing system.

Directs the FEC to issue regulations on best efforts for identifying persons making contributions to political committees.

Prohibits an authorized committee of a candidate from establishing a joint fundraising committee with a political committee other than an authorized committee of a candidate.

Revises reporting requirements for the disclosure of bundled contributions by lobbyists and to presidential campaigns.

Sets forth rules for judicial review of campaign finance laws and FEC actions.

empowering citizens act amends internal revenue code federal_election_campaign_act feca revise system public financing presidential primary general elections occurring january establish system public financing congressional elections increases matching funds presidential primaries match match contributions individuals limit aggregate individual contributions limits total payments presidential primary candidate million provides inflation adjustment matching contributions beginning requires presidential primary candidates opt participate public financing system certify federal_election_commission fec raised currently states individual contributions limited requires candidates commit accept public financing primary general elections prohibits presidential primary candidates accepting contributions bundled contributions combining small contributions large contribution lobbyists political action committees pacs eliminates expenditure limitations presidential primary general elections changes period payment matching funds presidential primary candidates january election year months prior date earliest state primary election revises general election payment provisions allow grant million candidates additional million matching funds based match contributions raised june general election year individual donors giving increases million limit coordinated spending national party presidential candidate general election campaign provides public financing congressional election campaigns establishes empowering citizens payment account presidential_election_campaign_fund finance congressional election campaigns amends feca prohibit federal candidates office holders soliciting receiving directing transferring funds behalf political committee accepts donations contributions comply feca limitations prohibitions reporting requirements super pacs behalf section organization accepts donations contributions committee state local political party candidate election state local office increases joint returns tax check contributions presidential_election_campaign_fund directs department_of_the_treasury prescribe regulations ensure approved tax preparation software automatically accept decline check contributions public financing system directs fec issue regulations best efforts identifying persons making contributions political committees prohibits authorized committee candidate establishing joint fundraising committee political committee authorized committee candidate revises reporting requirements disclosure bundled contributions lobbyists presidential campaigns sets forth rules judicial review campaign finance laws fec actions


Summary:
Stop Super PAC-Candidate Coordination Act

Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (FECA) to treat as a campaign contribution any payment made by any person (other than a candidate, an authorized committee of a candidate, or a political committee of a political party) for a coordinated expenditure which is not otherwise treated as a contribution.

(In effect, replaces and eliminates a prohibition against contributions by minors which the U.S. Supreme Court in McConnell v. Federal Election Commission ruled an unconstitutional violation of the First Amendment.)

Sets forth rules governing payments for coordinated expenditures, including special rule for payments by coordinated spenders for covered communications.

Defines "covered communication" as a public communication which: (1) expressly advocates the election of the candidate or the defeat of an opponent of the candidate (or contains the functional equivalent of express advocacy); (2) promotes or supports the candidate, or attacks or opposes an opponent of the candidate (regardless of whether the communication expressly advocates the election or defeat of a candidate or contains the functional equivalent of express advocacy); or (3) refers to the candidate or an opponent of the candidate in other ways, but only if the communication is disseminated during the applicable election period.

Prescribes penalties for knowing and willfull violation of this Act by a contribution which consists of a payment for a coordinated expenditure.

Prohibits candidates or individuals holding federal office, their agents, and certain related entities from soliciting, receiving, directing, or transferring funds to or on behalf of any political committee which accepts donations or contributions that do not comply with FECA limitations, prohibitions, and reporting requirements, or to or on behalf of any 527 organization which accepts such donations or contributions (other than a committee of a state or local political party or a candidate for election for state or local office).

(A 527 organization, tax-exempt in certain circumstances under Section 527 of the Internal Revenue Code, is created primarily to influence the selection, nomination, election, appointment or defeat of candidates to federal, state or local public office.)

stop super pac candidate coordination act amends federal_election_campaign_act feca treat campaign contribution payment person candidate authorized committee candidate political committee political party coordinated expenditure treated contribution effect replaces eliminates prohibition contributions minors federal_election_commission ruled unconstitutional violation amendment sets forth rules governing payments coordinated expenditures including special rule payments coordinated covered communications defines covered communication public communication expressly advocates election candidate defeat opponent candidate contains functional equivalent express advocacy promotes supports candidate attacks opposes opponent candidate regardless communication expressly advocates election defeat candidate contains functional equivalent express advocacy refers candidate opponent candidate ways communication disseminated applicable election period prescribes penalties knowing violation act contribution consists payment coordinated expenditure prohibits candidates individuals holding federal office agents certain related entities soliciting receiving directing transferring funds behalf political committee accepts donations contributions comply feca limitations prohibitions reporting requirements behalf organization accepts donations contributions committee state local political party candidate election state local office organization tax exempt certain circumstances section internal revenue code created primarily influence selection nomination election appointment defeat candidates federal state local public office


Summary:
Disclosure of Information on Spending on Campaigns Leads to Open and Secure Elections Act of 2015 or the DISCLOSE 2015 Act

 Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to redefine the term "independent expenditure" as an expenditure by a person that, when taken as a whole, expressly advocates the election or defeat of a clearly identified candidate, or is the functional equivalent of express advocacy because it can be interpreted by a reasonable person only as advocating the election or defeat of a candidate, taking into account whether the communication involved mentions a candidacy, a political party, or a challenger to a candidate, or takes a position on a candidates, qualifications, or fitness for office.

Expands the period during which certain communications are treated as electioneering communications.

Prescribes: (1) disclosure requirements for corporations, labor organizations, and certain other entities; and (2) disclaimer requirements for campaign-related disbursements and for certain communications.

Requires any communication transmitted through radio or television to include an individual or organizational disclosure statement, together with: (1) the Top Two Funders List of the persons providing the largest and second largest aggregate payments of $10,000 or more for a radio communication, and (2) the Top Five Funders List of the five persons providing the largest aggregate payments of $10,000 or more for a television communication.

Repeals the prohibition against political contributions by individuals age 17 or younger.

Requires a covered organization which submits regular, periodic reports to its shareholders, members, or donors on its finances or activities to include in each report, in a clear and conspicuous manner, the information included in the statements it has filed about campaign-related disbursements the organization has made during the period covered by the report.

Amends the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 to require semiannual reports on certain election campaign contributions filed with the Secretary of the Senate or the Clerk of the House of Representatives by registered lobbyists (or persons or organizations required to register as lobbyists) to contain: (1) the amount of any independent expenditure of $1,000 or more made by each such person or organization, along with the name of each candidate being supported or opposed and the amount spent supporting or opposing that candidate; and (2) the amount of any electioneering communication of $1,000 or more made by such person or organization, along with the name of the candidate referred to in the communication and whether the communication involved was in support of or in opposition to the candidate.

disclosure information spending campaigns leads open secure elections act disclose act amends federal_election_campaign_act redefine term independent expenditure expenditure person taken expressly advocates election defeat clearly identified candidate functional equivalent express advocacy interpreted reasonable person advocating election defeat candidate taking account communication involved mentions candidacy political party challenger candidate takes position candidates qualifications fitness office expands period certain communications treated electioneering communications prescribes disclosure requirements corporations labor organizations certain entities disclaimer requirements campaign related disbursements certain communications requires communication transmitted radio television include individual organizational disclosure statement funders list persons providing largest second largest aggregate payments radio communication funders list persons providing largest aggregate payments television communication repeals prohibition political contributions individuals age younger requires covered organization submits regular periodic reports shareholders members donors finances activities include report clear conspicuous manner information included statements filed campaign related disbursements organization period covered report amends lobbying disclosure act require semiannual reports certain election campaign contributions filed secretary senate clerk house_of_representatives registered lobbyists persons organizations required register lobbyists contain independent expenditure person organization candidate supported opposed spent supporting opposing candidate electioneering communication person organization candidate referred communication communication involved support opposition candidate


Summary:
Shareholder Protection Act of 2015

 Amends the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to require that any solicitation of a proxy, consent, or authorization with respect to any security of an issuer: (1) describe the specific nature (to the extent known) and total amount of expenditures proposed for political activities for the forthcoming fiscal year but not yet authorized by a vote of the issuer's shareholders, and (2) provide for a separate shareholder vote to authorize such proposed expenditures.

Prohibits an issuer from making an expenditure for political activities in any fiscal year unless: (1) such expenditure is of the nature of those proposed by the issuer according to the requirements of this Act, and (2) authorization for such expenditure has been granted by votes representing a majority of outstanding shares.

Deems a violation of this requirement to be a breach of the fiduciary duty of the officers and directors who authorized such expenditure. Subjects officers and directors who authorize the expenditure without prior shareholder authorization to joint and several liability to any shareholder or class of shareholders for the amount of such expenditure.

Requires certain institutional investment managers to disclose annually in mandatory reports how they voted (proxies) in certain shareholder votes.

Prohibits any person from bringing any civil, criminal, or administrative action against an institutional investment manager, or any of its employees, officers, or directors, based solely upon the investment manager's decision to divest from, or not to invest in, securities of an issuer because of expenditures for political activities made by that issuer.

Requires the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to direct the national securities exchanges and national securities associations to prohibit the listing of any equity security of an issuer whose corporate bylaws do not expressly provide for a vote of the issuer's directors on any individual expenditure for political activities in excess of $50,000. Requires an issuer to make public, within 48 hours, the individual votes of the directors regarding any such expenditure.

Directs the SEC to: (1) require issuers to disclose expenditures for political activities made during the preceding quarter and the individual votes by board members authorizing such expenditures, and (2) make such reports publicly available through the SEC website.

Requires the SEC to make annual assessments of the compliance by public corporations and their management with the reporting and disclosure requirements of this Act, and the Comptroller General to evaluate periodically the effectiveness of SEC oversight of these requirements.

shareholder protection act amends securities_exchange_act require solicitation proxy consent authorization respect security issuer describe specific nature extent known total expenditures proposed political activities forthcoming fiscal year authorized vote issuer shareholders provide separate shareholder vote authorize proposed expenditures prohibits issuer making expenditure political activities fiscal year expenditure nature proposed issuer according requirements act authorization expenditure granted votes representing majority outstanding shares deems violation requirement breach fiduciary duty officers directors authorized expenditure subjects officers directors authorize expenditure prior shareholder authorization joint liability shareholder class shareholders expenditure requires certain institutional investment managers disclose annually mandatory reports voted proxies certain shareholder votes prohibits person bringing civil criminal administrative action institutional investment manager employees officers directors based solely investment manager decision divest invest securities issuer expenditures political activities issuer requires securities_and_exchange_commission sec direct national securities exchanges national securities associations prohibit listing equity security issuer corporate bylaws expressly provide vote issuer directors individual expenditure political activities excess requires issuer public hours individual votes directors expenditure directs sec require issuers disclose expenditures political activities preceding quarter individual votes board members authorizing expenditures reports publicly available sec website requires sec annual assessments compliance public corporations management reporting disclosure requirements act comptroller general evaluate periodically effectiveness sec oversight requirements


Summary:
Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to reduce from $2,000 to $1,000 the maximum amount of contributions that any person may make to any candidate with respect to election for federal office.

Requires adjustment to such amount (indexing) for inflation after 2018.

amends federal_election_campaign_act reduce maximum contributions person candidate respect election federal office requires adjustment indexing inflation