Reporting Under Part 374a of the DOT’s Special
Regulations with Respect to Extension of Credit by Airlines to Federal
Political Candidates
Department of Transportation, Bureau of Transportation Statistics, Office of
Airline Information
Number 273
Issue Date: 2/5/04
Effective Date: Immediately
Part: 374a
Section: 374a .6 and .7
Since 2004 is a Federal
election year, this directive is to remind carriers of the reporting
requirements of 14 CFR Part 374a of the DOT’s Special Regulations.
Extension of Credit by Airlines to Federal Political Candidates
Part 374a requires air
carriers operating under a certificate of public convenience and necessity
under 49 U.S.C. 41102 (formerly Section 401 certificates, which includes both
large and small certificated air carriers) to file reports on credit extended
to political candidates for Federal Office, or to persons acting on behalf of
such candidates. This credit information is reported to the Department on DOT
Form 183, "Report of Extension of Credit to Political
Candidates."
Reporting Before Nomination or Election
Pursuant to Section
374.6(a), carriers shall report on DOT Form 183 the indebtedness for
transportation furnished to candidates or persons acting on the candidates’
behalf that is due on the last day of a month during the six months before
nomination or election.
Under Section 374a.6(b) and (c), carriers shall file a separate DOT Form 183
only when the indebtedness for transportation furnished to a candidate or a person
acting on the candidate’s behalf exceeds $5,000 on the last day of a month during the six months before
nomination or election. Once activated, the reporting requirement continues on a
monthly basis unless the indebtedness falls below $5,000 on the last day of any
month during this period. When this occurs, the carrier is not required to submit
a report for that month and no additional reports are required unless the aggregated
indebtedness climbs above $5,000.
Reporting After Election or Nomination
After the nomination or election, carriers are required to file reports only
when changes occur in the indebtedness balance. Also, a final (negative report)
must be filed when the indebtedness balance reaches zero.
Miscellaneous Information
The Democratic and Republican National Conventions will be held on July 26–29,
2004 and August 30-September 2, 2004 respectively. Perhaps because of an oversight,
some carriers have not filed reports for six months before nomination as
required by the above paragraph. If this is the case, we request that they be
filed immediately. BTS Form 183 should be filed by the 20th day
following the end of the calendar month to which it relates. Send reports to:
K-14, Room 4125
Office of Airline Information
U.S. Department of Transportation
Bureau of Transportation Statistics
400 Seventh Street, S.W.
Washington D.C. 20590-0001
We are enclosing a copy of Part 374a and a supply of Form 183. If additional
forms are needed, they can be obtained from this office (202-366-6112). The reporting
requirements of Part 374a have been approved by OMB through July 31, 2006,
under OMB Clearance No. 2138-0016.
Section 374a.7 requires carriers to retain for two years documents such as
statements, invoices, and bills, relating to the furnishing of air transportation to
candidates for political office or persons acting on the candidate’s behalf.
Accounting and Reporting Directives Number 246 dated July 21, 2000, is hereby
rescinded.
Questions about this directive or the Form 183 reporting requirements can be
directed to Clay Moritz on (202-366-4385) or by e-mail at
clay.moritz@bts.gov.
This action is taken pursuant to delegated authority as set forth in section
385.27(b) of the DOT’s Organization Regulations (14 CFR 385.27(b)).
Donald W. Bright
Assistant Director
Airline Information
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