Section 76.1701 - Political file(a) Every cable television system operator engaged in origination programming shall maintain, and make available for public inspection, a complete record of a request to purchase cablecast time that:(1) Is made by or on behalf of a legally qualified candidate for public office; or(2) Communicates a message relating to any political matter of national importance, including: (i) A legally qualified candidate;(ii) Any election to Federal office; or(iii) A national legislative issue of public importance.(b) A record maintained under paragraph (a) shall contain information regarding:(1) Whether the request to purchase cablecast time is accepted or rejected by the cable television system operator;(2) The rate charged for the cablecast time;(3) The date and time on which the communication is aired;(4) The class of time that is purchased;(5) The name of the candidate to which the communication refers and the office to which the candidate is seeking election, the election to which the communication refers, or the issue to whih the communication refers (as applicable);(6) In the case of a request made by, or on behalf of, a candidate, the name of the candidate, the authorized committee of the candidate, and the treasurer of such committee; and(7) In the case of any other request, the name of the person purchasing the time, the name, address, and phone number of a contact person for such person, and a list of the chief executive officers or members of the executive committee or of the board of directors of such person.(c) When free time is provided for use by or on behalf of candidates, a record of the free time provided shall be placed in the political file.(d) All records required by this paragraph shall be placed in the political file as soon as possible and shall be retained for a period of two years. As soon as possible means immediately absent unusual circumstances.(e) Where origination cablecasting material is a political matter or matter involving the discussion of a controversial issue of public importance and a corporation, committee, association or other unincorporated group, or other entity is paying for or furnishing the matter, the system operator shall, in addition to making the announcement required by § 76.1615 , require that a list of the chief executive officers or members of the executive committee or of the board of directors of the corporation, committee, association or other unincorporated group, or other entity shall be made available for public inspection at the local office of the system. Such lists shall be kept and made available for two years.65 FR 53621, Sept. 5, 2000, as amended at 83 FR 7631, Feb. 22, 2018; 87 FR 7755, Feb. 10, 2022; 87 FR 33441, June 2, 2022 83 FR 7631, 4/23/2018; 87 FR 7754, 2/10/2022