Federal Election Reform Act of 1997

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

Title I: Spending Limits in House Elections

Title II: Expanding Scope of Contributions and Expenditures

Subject to Federal Law

Title III: Other Reforms

Title IV: General Provisions

Federal Election Reform Act of 1997 - Title I: Spending Limits in House Elections - Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (Act) to establish a $700,00 election cycle expenditure limit for each House of Representatives candidate (with specified increases for runoff elections and closely contested primaries). Exempts specified legal service, income tax, and recount expenses from such limit. Includes a candidate's authorized committee expenditures within such limit. Sets forth excess expenditure penalty provisions.

(Sec. 102) Establishes: (1) a $30,000 expenditure limit for national or State political party committees; and (2) a $25,000 independent expenditure limit.

Title II: Expanding Scope of Contributions and Expenditures Subject to Federal Law - Amends the Act to ban soft money solicitation, receipt, transfer, or expenditure.

(Sec. 202) Subjects to regulation under such Act: (1) certain advocacy communications; and (2) recount-related contributions or expenditures.

Title III: Other Reforms - Amends the Act to remove the $200 disclosure threshold for specified expenditures and contributions. Requires disclosure of certain independent communication expenditures.

(Sec. 302) Prohibits: (1) leadership committees; and (2) fund raising on behalf of certain nonprofit organizations.

Title IV: General Provisions - Sets forth effective date and severability provisions.