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Bill · 119th Congress · HR 8738
FEC Administrative Improvements Act
Refreshed 3 h ago
Introduced 2026-05-12Topic: elections democracy · governance ethicsSummary
Summary by the Congressional Research ServiceFEC Administrative Improvements Act This bill expands electronic filing requirements and allows political committees to make disbursements by methods other than check. First, current law requires the Federal Election Commission (FEC) to make electronic filing mandatory for political committees and others required to file with the FEC who, in a calendar year, have, or have reason to expect to have, total contributions or expenditures exceeding a threshold amount set by the FEC (which is currently $50,000). Many independent expenditure reports are also subject to mandatory electronic filing. However, the current mandatory electronic filing provision does not apply to certain reports. This bill expands the types of reports that are required to be filed electronically to include electioneering communications (subject to the threshold amount). Second, current law requires political committees to maintain at least one campaign depository account and make all disbursements (other than petty cash disbursements) by check drawn on such accounts. This bill removes the requirement that disbursements must be made by check drawn on campaign depository accounts. Therefore, the bill allows political committees to make disbursements in other forms (e.g., credit or debit cards).
Sponsors
- Joseph D. Morelle Democrat sponsor
- 3 cosponsors
Action history
| Date | Chamber | Action | Status effect |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-07-14 | Senate | Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration. | refer |
| 2026-07-13 | House | Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection. | |
| 2026-07-13 | House | On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H4401-4402) | |
| 2026-07-13 | Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H4401-4402) | floor pass | |
| 2026-07-13 | House | DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 8738. | |
| 2026-07-13 | House | Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H4401-4402) | |
| 2026-07-13 | House | Mr. Steil moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. | |
| 2026-05-14 | House | Ordered to be Reported by the Yeas and Nays: 11 - 0. | refer |
| 2026-05-14 | House | Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held | refer |
| 2026-05-12 | House | Referred to the House Committee on House Administration. | refer |
| 2026-05-12 | Introduced in House | introduce | |
| 2026-05-12 | Introduced in House | introduce |