Nonprofit Policy News Archives
New Charitable Volunteer Mileage Bill
Senators Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and John Ensign
(R-NV) have introduced the GIVE Act of 2008, “Giving Incentives to
Volunteers Everywhere” (S 3429). Of the ten bills introduced on this
issue, NCNA, Independent Sector, AARP, Catholic Charities USA, the American Red Cross, and the United Way of America
are all endorsing this bill. NCNA actively lobbied for this bill and it
offers the best combination of passage (because of the bipartisan
sponsorship by key members of the Senate Finance Committee) and overall
package of benefits for the sector and the communities we serve: 1) the
bill would raise the charitable mileage deduction from 14 cents to almost 41 cents immediately; 2) it would make future adjustments to the rate tied
to 70% of the standard business mileage rate so we would not have to
try to fight this issue every year that gas prices increase; and 3) it
would exclude from any income tax consequence actual mileage reimbursements made to volunteers.
These features not only address economic pain being felt in America’s
communities, but also recognize the vital role the nonprofit sector
plays in coordinating volunteer efforts to meet human needs.
Related article
Bills Introduced to Raise Charitable Mileage RateCurrent rate is 14 cents compared to business rate of 58.5 centsTwo
bills, HR 2020 and HR 1827, seeking to set the charitable mileage
deduction at the same variable rate as business communities’ rate , are
before the House Ways and Means Committee, while yet another has been
introduced (HR 6283). Meanwhile, two others have been introduced in the
Senate and referred to the Finance Committee (S3032 and S403). Learn ways that you can take action on this issue...
New Principles and Practices for Public Interest Lobbying ReleasedWashington, DC – The Center for Lobbying in the Public Interest (CLPI) released today the newly developed Smart and Ethical Principles and Practices for Public Interest Lobbying.
The four principles and 17 practices serve as a benchmarking tool
nonprofits can use to assess their current lobbying work and set
aspirations for their future lobbying efforts. The result of an
18-month, collaborative development process with a group of nonprofit
leaders and funding by the Rockefeller Brothers Fund, the principles
and practices are CLPI’s response to the need for nonprofits to claim
public interest lobbying as an honorable and effective strategy for
advancing their missions. Read more...
IRS Makes Script of Recent Phone Forum on Election Year Rules Available
Lobbying Bill Defeated Despite
concerted efforts by the nonprofit community to urge legislators to
support Senate Bill 482 - which would allow nonprofit volunteers, board
members and executives to serve on state committees and commissions
without having to register as a lobbyist - the House voted 142 to 204
June 4th to reject the Conference Committees' report - thus killing the
bill. The House floor debate focused on possible unethical conduct by
lawyers serving on commissions when they have lobbyist colleagues, not
on the fact that this would impact the nonprofit sector. The NH Center
for Nonprofits will be preparing a seminar on the implications of this
action for later this year. Read more...Voice for Health - Public Policy Tracking Sheet - Updated 6-13-2008
Conference Committee to Meet on SB482
On
May 21, the full Senate non-concurred with the House amendment for
SB482 (relative to lobbyist registration) and requested a Committee of
Conference. The Conference Committee meeting is scheduled on May 27 at 4 p.m. in the State House Room 103. Stay tuned for more details.
 Nonprofit Leaders Witness Governor’s Signing of NH HealthFirst
On Monday, May 19, NHCN Executive Director Mary
Ellen Jackson and
many other nonprofit leaders witnessed Governor John Lynch signing the
New Hampshire HealthFirst bill into law, a new initiative aimed at
helping small businesses better afford health insurance for their
workers. The new health coverage benefit is scheduled to be offered by
October 1, 2009.
Governor Signs NH HealthFirst New Law Will Provide More Affordable Health Insurance Alternatives to Small Businesses Monday,
May 19th, Governor John Lynch signed into law New Hampshire
HealthFirst, a new initiative aimed at helping small businesses better
afford health insurance for their workers. It will require major
insurance carriers to offer a standard wellness plan for businesses
with up to 50 employees. Premium costs will be controlled by focusing
on prevention, managing chronic conditions and promoting best practices. Read more...
Lobbying Law Update: House Passed SB482On
May 15th The House passed Senate Bill 482 which now includes some of
the the amendments formerly known as HB 91. It will amend the lobbyist
registration law as follows: 1.) Quarterly lobbyist reports instead of monthly report are now required; 2.) Service on task forces and commissions is exempt from lobbying 3.) Research provided to the legislature is exempt from lobbying 4.) Public testimony is exempt from lobbying. The
House passed a floor amendment introduced by Rep. James Splaine of
Portsmouth to maintain the prohibition in current law on lobbyists and
their colleagues from serving on task forces and commissions that are
not subject to the right to know law. The bill now heads back to the full Senate for a concurrence vote on the amended version. Stay tuned for more details. Voice for Health - Public Policy Tracking Sheet - Updated 5-18-2008
House Committee Postpones Action on HB 91
On May 6, the Legislative Administration
Committee took no action on HB 91 and instead decided to consider new
movement on amendments to SB 482 which would salvage some of the
lobbying amendments included in HB 91, however, not the 75-hour
threshold for nonprofits to communicate with legislators before
triggering lobbyist registration. Several improvements would be
salvaged including moving to quarterly reporting and various exemptions
(i.e. testifying at a hearing, serving on a task force, providing
research to a committee) . Advocates are seeking clarification on the
effect this would have on advocacy efforts by nonprofits. Stay tuned
to this website for more information.
Updates on Legislation Impacting Nonprofits - May 4th, 2008
SB540 Amendment Filed with the HouseOn
Tuesday, April 29, the full House Commerce Committee recommended Senate
Bill 540 (establishing the principles and process for creation of an
affordable, wellness-based bealth coverage benefit for small business
employers and employees) as "ought to pass with amendment." This bill
now heads to the floor of the House for a vote by the full body on
Wednesday, May 7, 2008. Stay tuned for an update after May 7. View the updated tracking sheet...Including Nonprofits in Right-to-Know LawHB 1179 would amend the state’s “right-to-know”
law to include 501(c)(3) organizations among those groups obligated to
provide reasonable public access to meetings and records. In March, the
House passed this bill with amendment. It was introduced in the Senate
and referred to the Public and Municipal Affairs Committee.
IRS Continues Program on Political Campaign Activity by Charities; Stresses Education and Enforcement
WASHINGTON - The Internal Revenue Service announced its Political Activities Compliance Initiative (PACI) once again will be in effect for the 2008 election season. The PACI program seeks to educate section 501(c)(3) organizations such as charities and churches about the federal law concerning political campaign activity and to enforce the law in this area. Read more...
IRS 2008 PACI Program Letter to EO Employees Many argue for more disclosure
CONCORD — Whether it's about bills moving through the Legislature or political contributions, state government in many cases offers the public easy access to information.
But anyone who wants to know how much money was spent on lobbying last year should be ready to spend a lot of time on the Statehouse's second floor. Read more... Robert Egger Continues the Work Started by the Nonprofit Primary Project in NH
Robert Egger, chair of the Nonprofit Primary Project, launched the V3 Campaign. In his words, "The V3 Campaign will make the VOICE of the nonprofit sector heard, its VALUE realized, and its VOTES counted in EVERY election in America by Inauguration Day, January 20th, 2017."
Learn more about the V3 campaign at the new website www.v3campaign.org
House Expected to vote on HB 91
House to Vote on Changes to Lobbying Law
On Thursday, May 1, the Senate approved HB91 (a retained bill related
to lobbying) with minor amendments. The House is expected to vote on
whether to accept the Senate amendments Wednesday, May 7, or ask for a
committee of conference. This bill would allow for a 75-hour threshold
before one has to register as a lobbyist, thus allowing individuals
including nonprofit volunteers and staff to testify on occasion
throughout the year without having to register as a lobbyist. Stay
tuned for more details.
HealthFirst Update 4/10/2008
Senator Presents Health Plan for Small Businesses to the HouseCONCORD (04/10/2008) – Senator Kathleen Sgambati (D-Tilton) testified before the House Commerce Committee in support of HealthFirst, legislation to provide new and cheaper alternatives for small business health insurance. Read more...Gov. Lynch Urges House Commerce Committee To Support NH HealthFirstBipartisan Legislation Aimed at Making Health Insurance More Affordable for NH Small BusinessesCONCORD (4/10/2008) - Gov. John Lynch urged the House Commerce Committee to support legislation implementing New Hampshire HealthFirst, a bipartisan initiative to help New Hampshire small businesses better afford health insurance for their workers. Read more...
Senate Passes Small Business Insurance Bill Legislation Now Heads to the HouseLegislation that would require major insurance carriers in the state to offer a standard wellness plan for small businesses with up to 50 employees at affordable rates has passed in the Senate with a vote of 21-3. Statewide, the media has been covering the story. Read these stories and learn more about what this legislation means for your small nonprofit.
Lobbying Law Update: Changes Passed in House
HB 91 Moves on to the Senate
House Bill 91, a retained bill related to lobbying, was passed with the proposed amendment (HB 91-FN) as of January 2, 2008 from the House to the Senate. The Senate hearing on the bill has not been set yet, but we will keep you informed as to when that will be.
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