---
kind: "section"
citation: "52 U.S.C. § 30117"
title: "52"
title_heading: "Voting and Elections"
number: "30117"
heading: "Modification of certain limits for House candidates in response to personal fund expenditures of opponents"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/52/30117"
units:
  - "Subtitle III — Federal Campaign Finance"
  - "Chapter 301 — Federal Election Campaigns"
  - "Subchapter I — Disclosure of Federal Campaign Funds"
---

# §30117. Modification of certain limits for House candidates in response to personal fund expenditures of opponents

- (a) **Availability of increased limit—**
  - (1) **In general—** Subject to [paragraph (3)](#a-3), if the opposition [personal funds](/usc/52/30101.md?p=26) amount with respect to a [candidate](/usc/52/30101.md?p=2) for [election](/usc/52/30101.md?p=1) to the office of Representative in, or Delegate or Resident Commissioner to, the Congress exceeds $350,000—
    - (A) the limit under [subsection (a)(1)(A)](#a-1-A)[^1] with respect to the [candidate](/usc/52/30101.md?p=2) shall be tripled;
    - (B) the limit under [subsection (a)(3)](#a-3)[^1] shall not apply with respect to any [contribution](/usc/52/30101.md?p=8-A) made with respect to the [candidate](/usc/52/30101.md?p=2) if the [contribution](/usc/52/30101.md?p=8-A) is made under the increased limit allowed under [subparagraph (A)](#a-1-A) during a period in which the [candidate](/usc/52/30101.md?p=2) may accept such a [contribution](/usc/52/30101.md?p=8-A); and
    - (C) the limits under subsection (d)[^1] with respect to any [expenditure](/usc/52/30101.md?p=9-A) by a [State](/usc/52/30101.md?p=12) or [national committee](/usc/52/30101.md?p=14) of a [political party](/usc/52/30101.md?p=16) on behalf of the [candidate](/usc/52/30101.md?p=2) shall not apply.
  - (2) **Determination of opposition personal funds amount—**
    - (A) **In general—** The opposition [personal funds](/usc/52/30101.md?p=26) amount is an amount equal to the excess (if any) of—
      - (i) the greatest aggregate amount of [expenditures](/usc/52/30101.md?p=9-A) from [personal funds](/usc/52/30101.md?p=26) (as defined in [subsection (b)(1)](#b-1)) that an opposing [candidate](/usc/52/30101.md?p=2) in the same [election](/usc/52/30101.md?p=1) makes; over
      - (ii) the aggregate amount of [expenditures](/usc/52/30101.md?p=9-A) from [personal funds](/usc/52/30101.md?p=26) made by the [candidate](/usc/52/30101.md?p=2) with respect to the [election](/usc/52/30101.md?p=1).
    - (B) **Special rule for candidate’s campaign funds—**
      - (i) **In general—** For purposes of determining the aggregate amount of [expenditures](/usc/52/30101.md?p=9-A) from [personal funds](/usc/52/30101.md?p=26) under [subparagraph (A)](#a-2-A), such amount shall include the gross receipts advantage of the [candidate](/usc/52/30101.md?p=2)’s [authorized committee](/usc/52/30101.md?p=6).
      - (ii) **Gross receipts advantage—** For purposes of [clause (i)](#a-2-B-i), the term “gross receipts advantage” means the excess, if any, of—
        - (I) the aggregate amount of 50 percent of gross receipts of a [candidate](/usc/52/30101.md?p=2)’s [authorized committee](/usc/52/30101.md?p=6) during any [election cycle](/usc/52/30101.md?p=25) (not including [contributions](/usc/52/30101.md?p=8-A) from [personal funds](/usc/52/30101.md?p=26) of the [candidate](/usc/52/30101.md?p=2)) that may be expended in connection with the [election](/usc/52/30101.md?p=1), as determined on June 30 and December 31 of the year preceding the year in which a general [election](/usc/52/30101.md?p=1) is held, over
        - (II) the aggregate amount of 50 percent of gross receipts of the opposing [candidate](/usc/52/30101.md?p=2)’s [authorized committee](/usc/52/30101.md?p=6) during any [election cycle](/usc/52/30101.md?p=25) (not including [contributions](/usc/52/30101.md?p=8-A) from [personal funds](/usc/52/30101.md?p=26) of the [candidate](/usc/52/30101.md?p=2)) that may be expended in connection with the [election](/usc/52/30101.md?p=1), as determined on June 30 and December 31 of the year preceding the year in which a general [election](/usc/52/30101.md?p=1) is held.
  - (3) **Time to accept contributions under increased limit—**
    - (A) **In general—** Subject to [subparagraph (B)](#a-3-B), a [candidate](/usc/52/30101.md?p=2) and the [candidate](/usc/52/30101.md?p=2)’s [authorized committee](/usc/52/30101.md?p=6) shall not accept any [contribution](/usc/52/30101.md?p=8-A), and a party committee shall not make any [expenditure](/usc/52/30101.md?p=9-A), under the increased limit under [paragraph (1)](#a-1)—
      - (i) until the [candidate](/usc/52/30101.md?p=2) has received notification of the opposition [personal funds](/usc/52/30101.md?p=26) amount under [subsection (b)(1)](#b-1); and
      - (ii) to the extent that such [contribution](/usc/52/30101.md?p=8-A), when added to the aggregate amount of [contributions](/usc/52/30101.md?p=8-A) previously accepted and party [expenditures](/usc/52/30101.md?p=9-A) previously made under the increased limits under this subsection for the [election cycle](/usc/52/30101.md?p=25), exceeds 100 percent of the opposition [personal funds](/usc/52/30101.md?p=26) amount.
    - (B) **Effect of withdrawal of an opposing candidate—** A [candidate](/usc/52/30101.md?p=2) and a [candidate](/usc/52/30101.md?p=2)’s [authorized committee](/usc/52/30101.md?p=6) shall not accept any [contribution](/usc/52/30101.md?p=8-A) and a party shall not make any [expenditure](/usc/52/30101.md?p=9-A) under the increased limit after the date on which an opposing [candidate](/usc/52/30101.md?p=2) ceases to be a [candidate](/usc/52/30101.md?p=2) to the extent that the amount of such increased limit is attributable to such an opposing [candidate](/usc/52/30101.md?p=2).
  - (4) **Disposal of excess contributions—**
    - (A) **In general—** The aggregate amount of [contributions](/usc/52/30101.md?p=8-A) accepted by a [candidate](/usc/52/30101.md?p=2) or a [candidate](/usc/52/30101.md?p=2)’s [authorized committee](/usc/52/30101.md?p=6) under the increased limit under [paragraph (1)](#a-1) and not otherwise expended in connection with the [election](/usc/52/30101.md?p=1) with respect to which such [contributions](/usc/52/30101.md?p=8-A) relate shall, not later than 50 days after the date of such [election](/usc/52/30101.md?p=1), be used in the manner described in [subparagraph (B)](#a-4-B).
    - (B) **Return to contributors—** A [candidate](/usc/52/30101.md?p=2) or a [candidate](/usc/52/30101.md?p=2)’s [authorized committee](/usc/52/30101.md?p=6) shall return the excess [contribution](/usc/52/30101.md?p=8-A) to the [person](/usc/52/30101.md?p=11) who made the [contribution](/usc/52/30101.md?p=8-A).
- (b) **Notification of expenditures from personal funds—**
  - (1) **In general—**
    - (A) **Definition of expenditure from personal funds—** In this paragraph, the term “[expenditure](/usc/52/30101.md?p=9-A) from [personal funds](/usc/52/30101.md?p=26)” means—
      - (i) an [expenditure](/usc/52/30101.md?p=9-A) made by a [candidate](/usc/52/30101.md?p=2) using [personal funds](/usc/52/30101.md?p=26); and
      - (ii) a [contribution](/usc/52/30101.md?p=8-A) or loan made by a [candidate](/usc/52/30101.md?p=2) using [personal funds](/usc/52/30101.md?p=26) or a loan secured using such funds to the [candidate](/usc/52/30101.md?p=2)’s [authorized committee](/usc/52/30101.md?p=6).
    - (B) **Declaration of intent—** Not later than the date that is 15 days after the date on which an individual becomes a [candidate](/usc/52/30101.md?p=2) for the office of Representative in, or Delegate or Resident Commissioner to, the Congress, the [candidate](/usc/52/30101.md?p=2) shall file a declaration stating the total amount of [expenditures](/usc/52/30101.md?p=9-A) from [personal funds](/usc/52/30101.md?p=26) that the [candidate](/usc/52/30101.md?p=2) intends to make, or to obligate to make, with respect to the [election](/usc/52/30101.md?p=1) that will exceed $350,000.
    - (C) **Initial notification—** Not later than 24 hours after a [candidate](/usc/52/30101.md?p=2) described in [subparagraph (B)](#b-1-B) makes or obligates to make an aggregate amount of [expenditures](/usc/52/30101.md?p=9-A) from [personal funds](/usc/52/30101.md?p=26) in excess of $350,000 in connection with any [election](/usc/52/30101.md?p=1), the [candidate](/usc/52/30101.md?p=2) shall file a notification.
    - (D) **Additional notification—** After a [candidate](/usc/52/30101.md?p=2) files an initial notification under [subparagraph (C)](#b-1-C), the [candidate](/usc/52/30101.md?p=2) shall file an additional notification each time [expenditures](/usc/52/30101.md?p=9-A) from [personal funds](/usc/52/30101.md?p=26) are made or obligated to be made in an aggregate amount that exceeds $10,000. Such notification shall be filed not later than 24 hours after the [expenditure](/usc/52/30101.md?p=9-A) is made.
    - (E) **Contents—** A notification under subparagraph [(C)](#b-1-C) or [(D)](#b-1-D) shall include—
      - (i) the name of the [candidate](/usc/52/30101.md?p=2) and the office sought by the [candidate](/usc/52/30101.md?p=2);
      - (ii) the date and amount of each [expenditure](/usc/52/30101.md?p=9-A); and
      - (iii) the total amount of [expenditures](/usc/52/30101.md?p=9-A) from [personal funds](/usc/52/30101.md?p=26) that the [candidate](/usc/52/30101.md?p=2) has made, or obligated to make, with respect to an [election](/usc/52/30101.md?p=1) as of the date of the [expenditure](/usc/52/30101.md?p=9-A) that is the subject of the notification.
    - (F) **Place of filing—** Each declaration or notification required to be filed by a [candidate](/usc/52/30101.md?p=2) under subparagraph [(C)](#b-1-C), [(D)](#b-1-D), or [(E)](#b-1-E) shall be filed with—
      - (i) the [Commission](/usc/52/30101.md?p=10); and
      - (ii) each [candidate](/usc/52/30101.md?p=2) in the same [election](/usc/52/30101.md?p=1) and the national party of each such [candidate](/usc/52/30101.md?p=2).
  - (2) **Notification of disposal of excess contributions—** In the next regularly scheduled report after the date of the [election](/usc/52/30101.md?p=1) for which a [candidate](/usc/52/30101.md?p=2) seeks nomination for [election](/usc/52/30101.md?p=1) to, or [election](/usc/52/30101.md?p=1) to, [Federal office](/usc/52/30101.md?p=3), the [candidate](/usc/52/30101.md?p=2) or the [candidate](/usc/52/30101.md?p=2)’s [authorized committee](/usc/52/30101.md?p=6) shall submit to the [Commission](/usc/52/30101.md?p=10) a report indicating the source and amount of any excess [contributions](/usc/52/30101.md?p=8-A) (as determined under [subsection (a)](#a)) and the manner in which the [candidate](/usc/52/30101.md?p=2) or the [candidate](/usc/52/30101.md?p=2)’s [authorized committee](/usc/52/30101.md?p=6) used such funds.
  - (3) **Enforcement—** For provisions providing for the enforcement of the reporting requirements under this subsection, see [section 30109 of this title](/usc/52/30109.md).

## Footnotes

[^1]: See References in Text note below.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 92–225, title III, § 315A, as added Pub. L. 107–155, title III, § 319(a), Mar. 27, 2002, 116 Stat. 109.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### References in Text

Subsections (a)(1)(A), (3), and (d), referred to in subsec. (a)(1), probably mean subsections (a)(1)(A), (3), and (d) of section 30116 of this title.

### Codification

Section was formerly classified to section 441a–1 of Title 2, The Congress, prior to editorial reclassification and renumbering as this section.

### Constitutionality

For information regarding the constitutionality of section 315A of Pub. L. 92–225, as added by section 319(a) of Pub. L. 107–155, see the Table of Laws Held Unconstitutional in Whole or in Part by the Supreme Court on the Constitution Annotated website, constitution.congress.gov.

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Effective Date

Section effective Nov. 6, 2002, but not applicable with respect to runoff elections, recounts, or election contests resulting from elections held prior to Nov. 6, 2002, see section 402 of Pub. L. 107–155, set out as an Effective Date of 2002 Amendment; Regulations note under section 30101 of this title.