H.R. 4734, a bill to amend the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to permit candidates for election for federal office to designate an individual who will be authorized to disburse funds of the authorized campaign committees of the candidate in the eve

H.R. 4734 would amend federal law to allow a candidate for federal office the option of granting an individual the responsibility of disbursing campaign funds in the event of the candidate’s death. Under current law, that role lies with the campaign treasurer. Under the bill, the Federal Election Commission (FEC) would be responsible for regulating such designations and for registering information filed by candidates.

Based on information from the FEC, CBO estimates that implementing H.R. 4734 would cost about $500,000 in 2017; such spending would be subject to the availability of appropriated funds. That amount includes one-time computer-related expenses as well as the cost of issuing new regulations. In future years, the legislation would increase general administrative costs of the FEC, but we estimate that those costs would be insignificant.

Enacting H.R. 4734 would not affect direct spending or revenues; therefore, pay-as-you go procedures do not apply. CBO estimates that enacting H.R. 4734 would not increase net direct spending or on-budget deficits in any of the four consecutive 10-year periods beginning in 2027.

H.R. 4734 contains no intergovernmental or private-sector mandates as defined in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act and would not affect the budgets of state, local, or tribal governments.