The FEC passed, unanimously, the proposed Internet rules. Additional explanation was provided, including more discussion of the allowance for unlimited corporate employee or union member (or officer or employee)  personal use of office facilities, such as computer equipment and Internet services, for Internet activities. The new rules provide that computer equipment and service use by company employees, or union employees, members and officeholders, engaged in  personal volunteer political activities, would not be subject to a 1 hour per week or four per month "safe habor" allowance under current rules for these uses of office facilities. The use would still be considered "occasional, isolated, or incidental" use of office facilities--therefore permissible and unlimited--so long as the use 1) did not prevent those engaged in these activities from completing their assigned work; 2) was not  "coerced" by their employer; and 3) did not result in increased overhead costs to the employer.   

     The additional edits and explanatory materials approved by the FEC are found here, a statement by Chairman Toner is found here, a statement by Commissioner von Spakovksy is here, and a statement by Commissioner Weintraub is here.

Bob Bauer