[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 11, Volume 1]
[Revised as of January 1, 2004]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 11CFR111.18]

[Page 188]
 
                       TITLE 11--FEDERAL ELECTIONS
 
                 CHAPTER I--FEDERAL ELECTION COMMISSION
 
PART 111_COMPLIANCE PROCEDURE (2 U.S.C. 437g, 437d(a))--Table of Contents
 
                          Subpart A_Enforcement
 
Sec.  111.18  Conciliation (2 U.S.C. 437g(a)(4)).

    (a) Upon a Commission finding of probable cause to believe, the 
Office of General Counsel shall attempt to correct or prevent the 
violation by informal methods of conference conciliation and persuasion, 
and shall attempt to reach a tentative conciliation agreement with the 
respondent.
    (b) A conciliation agreement is not binding upon either party unless 
and until it is signed by the respondent and by the General Counsel upon 
approval by the affirmative vote of four (4) members of the Commission.
    (c) If the probable cause to believe finding is made within forty-
five days prior to any election, such conciliation attempt shall 
continue for at least fifteen (15) days from the date of such finding. 
In all other cases such attempts by the Commission shall continue for at 
least thirty (30) days, not to exceed ninety (90) days.
    (d) Nothing in these regulations shall be construed to prevent the 
Commission from entering into a conciliation agreement with a respondent 
prior to a Commission finding of probable cause if a respondent 
indicates by letter to the General Counsel a desire to enter into 
negotiations directed towards reaching such a conciliation agreement. 
However, the Commission is not required to enter into any negotiations 
directed towards reaching a conciliation agreement unless and until it 
makes a finding of probable cause to believe. Any conciliation agreement 
reached under this subsection is subject to the provisions of subsection 
(b) of this section and shall have the same force and effect as a 
conciliation agreement reached after a Commission finding of probable 
cause to believe.
    (e) If a conciliation agreement is reached between the Commission 
and the respondent, the General Counsel shall send a copy of the signed 
agreement to both complainant and respondent.