A nonconnected PAC is an independent political committee that has no sponsoring "connected" organization (like a corporation, union, membership group or trade association). Unlike a connected/SSF committee, a nonconnected PAC may solicit the general public for contributions and is established by individuals or groups; it must register with the FEC and follow regular PAC reporting and recordkeeping rules. (Connected/SSF PACs are created and administered by a sponsoring organization and may only solicit certain affiliated individuals.)
Super PACs (independent‑expenditure‑only committees) may accept unlimited funds from individuals, corporations, unions and other PACs but may not give to candidates or coordinate with them; they report independent expenditures (Schedule E on Form 3X) and file regular FEC reports. Hybrid PACs maintain separate accounts: a contribution‑account subject to contribution limits for making candidate contributions, and a non‑contribution (independent‑expenditure) account that can accept unlimited funds for independent activity; both accounts’ receipts and disbursements must be separately reported. Leadership PACs are nonconnected committees established/controlled by a candidate or officeholder (not the candidate’s authorized committee); they may contribute to other candidates and must follow standard PAC reporting and contribution‑limit rules.
Pay.gov is the federal government’s secure online payments portal (run for agencies to accept fees and registrations). ACH (bank transfer) refunds can be slow or administratively difficult because Pay.gov directs users to contact the paying agency for refunds and some agencies cannot or do not issue electronic ACH refunds readily; the Pay.gov help pages advise contacting the agency and note Pay.gov itself does not issue refunds. That operational reality is why the FEC encourages credit‑card payment (easier to refund).
Nonconnected PACs will primarily learn about FEC reporting on Form 3X (Report of Receipts and Disbursements for other‑than‑an‑authorized committee) and the schedules used there: Schedule A (itemized receipts), Schedule B (itemized disbursements), Schedule E (independent expenditures) and Schedule C (debts/loans), plus other applicable schedules and the Form 1 Statement of Organization for registration. The FEC’s Form 3X instructions and reporting guidance are the primary references.
CLE stands for Continuing Legal Education. The FEC issues a letter certifying attendance/participation that attendees can submit when seeking CLE or other professional credits; how to use it varies by state/credentialing body—usually you retain the FEC participation letter and follow your state bar’s CLE submission process (submit the certificate and any required application/fee). For specific submission rules, contact your state CLE authority; the FEC also directs CLE questions to conferences@fec.gov.
The FEC’s Information Division handles public assistance, training logistics and general inquiries (contact numbers, registration help, workshop materials), while the Reports Analysis Division (RAD) analyzes filings and provides technical reporting guidance to committees; RAD staff commonly present on reporting rules and Form 3X schedules at FEC trainings. The webinar announcement lists the FEC’s Information Division and RAD among the program contacts/presenters for nonconnected PAC operations training.