§30117 Modification of Certain Limits for House Candidates in Response to Personal Fund Expenditures of Opponents

Summary

If an opponent spends more than $350,000 of their own money in a House race, the normal money limits change. The amount one person may give to the candidate is tripled. Another smaller contribution cap does not apply to gifts given under the higher limit. Limits on how much state or national party committees can spend for the candidate do not apply either. The "opposition personal funds amount" is how much the opponent’s personal spending exceeds the candidate’s own personal spending. It also adds a "gross receipts advantage" that counts 50% of a campaign committee’s receipts (measured on June 30 and December 31 of the year before the general election) when comparing the campaigns. Candidates must follow rules before using the higher limits. They cannot take larger donations until they get a notice saying the opposition personal funds amount. Total extra money taken under the higher limits cannot exceed 100% of that opposition amount. If the opposing candidate stops running, the increased limit tied to that opponent ends. Any extra contributions not spent must be returned within 50 days after the election. A candidate who plans to spend over $350,000 of personal money must file a declaration within 15 days of becoming a candidate. If they actually spend over $350,000, they must notify others within 24 hours. After that, every time personal spending goes up by more than $10,000 they must file another notice within 24 hours. Each notice must give the candidate’s name, the office sought, the date and amount of the spending, and the total so far, and must be sent to the Federal Election Commission, each opponent in the race, and the opponents’ national parties. After the election, the next regular report must say where any excess contributions came from and how they were used.