[Federal Register: May 22, 2000 (Volume 65, Number 99)]
[Notices]
[Page 32094-32095]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr22my00-76]
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FEDERAL ELECTION COMMISSION
[Notice 2000-11]
Computerized Magnetic Media Requirements for Presidential
Committees
AGENCY: Federal Election Commission.
ACTION: Announcement of Changes to the Computerized Magnetic Media
Requirements for Presidential Primary, General Election and Convention
Committees.
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SUMMARY: The Commission has revised its document entitled
``Computerized Magnetic Media Requirements for Title 26 Candidates/
Committees Receiving Federal Funding'' (``CMMR''). The CMMR sets forth
technical standards designed to ensure the compatibility of magnetic
media provided for Commission use during the matching fund submission
process and mandatory audits of these publicly-funded campaign
committees.
EFFECTIVE DATE: April 13, 2000.
FOR FURTHER NFORMATION CONTACT: Rick Halter, Deputy Assistant Staff
Director, or Charles Ratcliff, Data Systems Development Division; 999 E
Street NW, Washington, DC 20463; (202) 694-1200 (Mr. Halter), (202)
694-1295 (Mr. Ratcliff), or (800) 424-9530 (toll free).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On June 21, 1990, the Federal Election
Commission adopted a document entitled ``Computerized Magnetic Media
Requirements for Title 26 Candidates/Committees Receiving Federal
Funding'' (``CMMR''). The CMMR was revised on
[[Page 32095]]
January 30, 1992 to reflect technological advances during the
intervening period (see 57 FR 4453 (Feb. 5, 1992)), and again on
January 11, 1996 (see 61 FR 6245 (Feb. 16, 1996)). This Notice
summarizes the most recent revisions, which were adopted by the
Commission on April 13, 2000 and apply to all publicly-funded
committees that participate in the 2000 presidential election.
The CMMR sets forth technical standards designed to ensure the
compatibility of magnetic media provided for Commission use during the
matching fund submission process, which is also discussed in the
Commission's ``Guideline for Presentation in Good Order'' (``PIGO''),
and the mandatory audits of publicly-funded presidential campaign and
convention committees. Each presidential candidate and convention
committee must agree to maintain and provide computerized magnetic
media in the format prescribed by the CMMR, if the committee maintains
or uses computerized information containing any specified categories of
data. See 11 CFR 9003.1(b)(4), 9008.3(a)(4)(v), and 9033.1(b)(5). The
technical standards in the CMMR include general requirements for
magnetic tape and magnetic diskettes, as well as file format
specifications for records of receipts, including contributors,
vendors, invoices, bank accounts and check files.
Until this latest revision, the CMMR included file format
specifications for records of disbursements. While the same information
is still required, no particular format is now specified.
The CMMR has also been revised to reflect technological advances in
computer software since the 1996 revisions. It thus provides campaigns
with more options than the previous version of the CMMR. The Commission
continues to encourage committees to provide samples of their magnetic
tape or magnetic diskettes, so that the Commission may determine
whether the samples comply with the specifications established.
The CMMR is included as Appendix 2 to the Commission's Financial
Control and Compliance Manual For Presidential Primary Candidates
Receiving Public Financing (April 2000). It is also available from the
Commission's Public Records Office or the Audit Division, and will soon
be available on the Commission's web site, www.fec.gov. The Public
Records Office can be reached at (800) 424-9530, extension #3 (toll
free), or 202-694-1120. That Office also responds to E-mail requests at
pubrec@fec.gov.
Please note that the technical requirements found in the CMMR are
not intended to promote or discourage the use of any particular
computer system or software. The Commission believes that committees
should have as much discretion as possible in selecting the computer
equipment they wish to use, determining what types of financial records
and information should be computerized, and deciding how the
computerized information is maintained. However, committees are
expected to present this financial information to the Commission in the
format specified in the CMMR.
Dated: May 17, 2000.
Darryl R. Wold,
Chairman, Federal Election Commission.
[FR Doc. 00-12775 Filed 5-19-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6715-01-P