Section 1 Short title
This Act may be cited as the “Lobbying and Campaign Finance Reform Act of 2014”.
Lobbying and Campaign Finance Reform Act of 2014
A BILL
To provide limits on bundling, to reform the lobbyist registration process, and for other purposes.
Sec. 2 Limitation on bundled contributions
In general— Section 315(a) of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (2 U.S.C. 441) is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
“(9) For purposes of paragraph (1), any bundled contribution (as defined in section 304(i)(8)) forwarded by a person described in section 304(i)(7) to a committee described in section 304(i)(6) shall be treated both as a contribution made by the person forwarding such contribution and as a contribution made by the contributor.”
Definition of bundled contribution— Clause (ii) of section 304(i)(A) is amended by inserting “(whether in writing or otherwise)” after “other means”.
Effective date—
In general— The amendment made by subsection (a) shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act.
Definition of bundled contribution— The amendment made by subsection (b) shall take effect 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act.
Sec. 3 Lobbyist registration reforms
Section 3(10) of the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 (2 U.S.C. 1602(10)) is amended by striking “contact, other than” and all that follows through “3-month period.” and inserting “contact over a 2-year period.”.
Sec. 4 Ban on soliciting campaign contributions from registered lobbyists
Title III of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (2 U.S.C. 431 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following new section:
“325. Solicitations of registered lobbyists
“(a) Senate—A candidate for the office of Senator, an individual holding the office of Senator, an agent of such a candidate or an individual holding such office, or an entity directly or indirectly established, financed, maintained, or controlled by or acting on behalf of 1 or more such candidates or individuals holding such office may not solicit from any registered lobbyist funds in connection with any election for the office of Senator during any period in which the Senate is in session.
“(b) House of Representatives—A candidate for Representative to, or Representative in, or Delegate or Resident Commissioner to, the Congress, an individual holding such an office, an agent of a candidate or an individual holding such an office, or an entity directly or indirectly established, financed, maintained, or controlled by or acting on behalf of 1 or more such candidates or individuals holding such an office may not solicit from any registered lobbyist funds in connection with any election for Representative to, or Representative in, or Delegate or Resident Commissioner to, the Congress during any period in which the House of Representatives is in session.
“(c) Registered lobbyist—For purposes of this section, the term registered lobbyist means any person who is described in subparagraph (A), (B), or (C) of section 304(i)(7).
“(d) Determination of when body is in session—For purposes of this section, the Senate or House of Representatives shall be considered to be in session during any period unless such body has adjourned for, or is in recess for, a period of 10 calendar days or longer.”