4 Pa. Code § 172.1

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 49, December 7, 2024

Section 172.1 - Definitions

The following words and terms, when used in this part, have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

Affiliated organization-Both of the following:

(i) Authorized committees of the same candidate.

(ii) Committees-including separate segregated funds-established, financed, maintained or controlled by the same corporation, unincorporated association, person or group of persons, including a parent, subsidiary, branch, division, department or local unit thereof; provided that nothing in this subparagraph is construed to mean that committees which merely have a common source of contributions are affiliated organizations.

Contribution-A payment, gift, subscription, assessment, contract, payment for services, dues, loan, forbearance, advance or deposit of money, or any valuable thing to a candidate or political committee made for the purpose of influencing any election in this Commonwealth or for paying debts incurred by or for a candidate or committee before or after any election. The term includes the purchase of tickets for events such as dinners, luncheons, rallies, and all other fund raising events-including but not limited to, advertising space in publications promoting the candidacy of certain individuals, such as "Ad-Books"; the granting of discounts or rebates not available to the general public or the granting of discounts or rebates by television and radio stations and newspapers not extended on an equal basis to all candidates for the same office; and payments provided for the benefit of a candidate, including payments for the services of a person serving as an agent of a candidate or committee by a person other than the candidate or committee or a person whose expenditures the candidate or committee must report under the Pennsylvania Election Code (25 P. S. § § 2600-3591). The term includes any receipt or use of anything of value received by a political committee from another political committee and any return on investments by a political committee.

Connected organization-An organization which is not a political committee but which directly or indirectly establishes, administers or financially supports the registrant, such as a corporation including one without capital stock, an unincorporated association, a membership organization, a cooperative or a trade association.

File, filed or filing-The reports and statements shall be deemed filed when they are received by the Secretary or respective County Board of Elections.

Financial activity-The receipt of contributions or the expenditure of funds, or both.

Lobbyist-A natural person whenever the person is one of the following:

(i) Registered under the Lobbying Registration and Regulation Act (46 P. S. § § 148.1-148.7b).

(ii) Employed or engaged for compensation by another person or partnership, committee, association, corporation or another organization to lobby.

(iii) Makes expenditures or incurs obligations on behalf of a person he represents in excess of $300 in a calendar month; except that a natural person may not be considered a lobbyist when that person either:

(A) Formally communicates with or formally presents testimony before an agency of the Commonwealth or the General Assembly.

(B) Testifies before a committee of the General Assembly.

(C) Is an officer, official or employe of the Commonwealth or a political subdivision thereof and is acting in an official capacity.

Secretary-The Secretary of the Commonwealth.

4 Pa. Code § 172.1

The provisions of this § 172.1 amended November 9, 1979, effective 11/10/1979, 9 Pa.B. 3745.