BNA Money and Politics and Roll Call (subscription required) have reported on the FEC decision to go forward with a pilot program that allows those accused of violating campaign finance rules to have closed hearings whereby the commissioners will decide whether or not to take on the case. This change of enforcement procedures allows the accused to contest the charges. Some feel that this will only slow down the enforcement process. Two other measures were voted on: FEC backed a policy statement and proposed regulation regarding parties who are accused of violating recordkeeping and reporting requirements and argue that they made their "best efforts" to comply with campaign finance law. . . .The FEC advanced a new policy that would reduce by up to 75 percent penalties for violators of campaign finance law that self-report their offenses. See the Campaign Legal Center blog and More Soft Money More Hard Law blog for differing opinions on the issue.