FEC finalizes definition of member.

The Federal Election Commission has finalized its definition of who constitutes an association member for election law purposes. The final rules closely resemble the last set of proposed regulations the FEC released. The rules define a membership organization as an unincorporated association; trade association; cooperative; corporation without capital stock; or local, national, or international labor organization that

1. is composed of members, some or ali of whom are vested with the power and authority to operate or administer the organization pursuant to its articles, bylaws, constitution, or other formal organizational documents;

2. expressly states the rights, qualifications, obligations, and requirements for membership in its formal organizational documents;

3. makes its articles, bylaws, constitution, and other formal documents available to its members;

4. expressly solicits persons to become members;

5. expressly acknowledges the acceptance of membership, such as by sending a membership card or inclusion on a membership newsletter list; and

6. is not organized primarily to influence the nomination for election, or reelection, of any individual for federal office.

Members are defined as people who

* currently satisfy the requirements for membership in a membership organization;

* affirmatively accept the membership organization's invitation to become a member; and

* either 1) have a significant financial attachment to the membership organization, such as a significant investment or ownership stake; 2) are required to pay membership dues at least annually; or 3) have a significant organizational attachment that includes direct and enforceable participatory and governing rights.

Only those who are association members in the eyes of the FEC may receive partisan political communication from an association and be solicited to donate to an association's political action committee. For more information, call [phone].