 Public Policy - "The set of decisions that we make as a society about how we will care for one another, our communities and the land" -Marcia Avner, Minnesota Council of Nonprofits
Advocacy - Active promotion of a cause or principle through education, current research and background info on a specific topic.
Lobbying - Conducting activities aimed at influencing public officials regarding specific legislation
National Council of Nonprofit Associations
 The National Council of Nonprofit Associations monitors nonprofit policy news from around the country. Check out their policy page. You can also subscribe to receive updates via email. Join NCNA and colleagues from around the country for the Nonprofit Congress 2008 which will be held June 1–4 in Washington, DC. To find out more, visit www.nonprofitcongress.org/meeting. Headlines
HealthFirst Legislation Passes in the House 259-93 Gov. Lynch Applauds House’s Strong Support Of NH HealthFirst Legislation Will Provide More Affordable Health Insurance Alternatives to Small Businesses Concord -(5/7/2008) - Gov. John Lynch applauded the House’s strong support of the New Hampshire HealthFirst initiative, which is aimed at helping small businesses better afford health insurance for their workers. Read more...
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
Archives
Visit our archives page to view previous articles. Election Activities Resources
The Nonprofit Voter Engagement Network's 2006 edition of Nonprofits, Voting and Elections: A Guide for 501(c)(3) Organizations
helps charities understand both the prohibition against partisan
election activities and, at the same time, the range of permissible
activities that encourage voter participation on a non-partisan basis.
The new guide highlights the 10 most common activities 501(c)(3)s may
undertake with their staff, boards and constituencies – from voter
registration and voter education to getting out the vote and helping
their communities vote on Election Day.
http://www.nonprofitvote.org/
The ban on political campaign activity by charities and churches was
created by Congress 52 years ago. The Internal Revenue Service
administers the tax laws written by Congress and has enforcement
authority over tax-exempt organizations. The IRS Charities, Churches and Politics web site page
provides information on the political campaign activity ban and the
latest IRS reports regarding its adminstration of this congressional
ban.
http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=161131,00.html |
