The TPFFA has for many years encouraged each of its affiliate locals to create and fund their own state registered Political Action Committees or PACs. There are two types of Political Action Committees that we are required to have to be politically active as union fire fighters when endorsing candidates and making campaign contributions.  They are federally registered PACs and state registered PACs. The IAFF has a federally registered PAC that takes care of campaign contributions to our endorsed candidates through voluntary contributions to the IAFF Fire PAC. The TPFFA has a state registered PAC that is funded by its member locals. The TPFFA PAC is primarily used to contribute to candidates campaigns in areas of the state where we do not have a local or in races that we may decide to target. The reason why we consider it so important that each of our affiliate locals have their own PAC is that a local PAC can help out with contributions to state candidates within their jurisdictions that in turn allow the TPFFA to use its resources in a more productive manner. A local PAC also allows our affiliates to contribute to candidates in their own city and county races that directly affect their members.  

 The State of Tennessee has three agencies that deal with political action. 

1. Tennessee Ethics Commission – regulates lobbyist registration and disclosures.
2. Tennessee Election Commission – regulates campaigns.
3. Tennessee Registry of Elections – regulates campaign finance (including PACs).  

 How do you know if you need to register as a PAC? Tennessee considers you a PAC if you support or oppose two or more candidates in an election cycle. At that time you must register and report PAC contributions.

Campaign contribution limits for TN PACs are:

Also PACs cannot contribute to a campaign within ten days prior to an election or during the legislative session.

If your local does not have a PAC and would like create one we have provided a generic “Articles of Organization for a Political Action Committee” sample attached below. For further information on registering your PAC you should contact the TN Registry of Elections at 615-741-7959 or at www.tennessee.gov/tref/.

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Articles of Organization Draft File