3/17/2021 Legislative Watch

Updates on Issues Discussed In the Last Legislative Watch

• Idaho COVID Vaccination Efforts: A pre-registration system has been launched that allows Idahoans to add their names to a list telling vaccine providers that you are interested in receiving the vaccine; when a provider has an appointment available, you will be contacted to schedule your vaccination.
   
  Read the INC’s guidance on the vaccine in your workplace here.

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Federal Updates: ​

American Rescue Plan Act
Last week, President Biden signed the American Rescue Plan Act, a $1.9 trillion economic relief package. Nonprofit advocacy efforts proved effective, resulting in the inclusion of the following priorities in this package:

• PPP Loans:
  • Increased funding by $7.25 billion
  • Expanded eligibility to nonprofits with more than 500 employees operating at multiple locations
• Unemployment Coverage:
  • Extended federal benefits for unemployed workers through September 6, 2021

Read a full analysis of key provisions affecting nonprofits here.
 
Paycheck Protection Program
As of now, the deadline for PPP Loan Applications remains March 31. On March 9, the House of Representatives introduced the bipartisan PPP Extension Act of 2021 in efforts to extend the application deadline through May 31st.
 
Universal Giving Pandemic Response and Recovery Act
On Tuesday, March 9th, Senator Lankford (R-OK) introduced the bipartisan Universal Giving Pandemic Response and Recovery Act; the bill would make available to taxpayers who do not itemize on their tax returns a below-the-line deduction for charitable giving on federal income taxes valued at up to one-third of the standard deduction (around $4,000 for an individual filer and $8,000 for married joint filers). This incentive would be available for tax years 2021 and 2022.
 
WORK NOW Act
On Thursday, March 11th, Senator Klobuchar (D-MN) introduced the WORK NOW Act, the legislation to provide $50 billion in grants to charitable nonprofits to expand staff and hire unemployed individuals. Priority relief would be provided to organizations that provide services related to the COVID-19 pandemic. 
 
Employee Retention Tax Credit
When first enacted, nonprofits could not claim the ERTC if they also received a PPP loan. Congress changed this restriction at the close of 2020, meaning nonprofits can now claim the ERTC for wages not part of their forgiven PPP loan. Click here for more information.

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Happening Now in Idaho

Below is relevant proposed legislation currently under consideration by the Idaho Legislature.Senate Bills:

• S1028: Gradually increases hourly minimum wage from $7.50 to $15.00 between 2021 and 2023. Tipped employee hourly wages will increase from from $3.35 to $7.50 in the same time frame. Additionally, counties may establish individual minimum wage laws higher than the state minimum.
  
  
• S1030: Amends existing law to provide that freedom from discrimination due to sexual orientation or gender identity is a civil right.  
  
  
• S1110: Amends existing law to revise signature requirements for ballot initiative or referendum petitions. 
  • In 2019, the Legislature passed SB 1159, seeking to increase hurdles for citizen-led initiatives and received widespread bipartisan condemnation (Read more). 
    
  • The current proposed bill (S1110) is seeking to further increase these hurdles. 
    
  • Resources: Boise Public Radio, Idaho Press
    

House Bills:

• H0041: Prohibits additional filing or reporting requirements not outlined in Idaho Code as applies to private foundations and charitable trusts.
  
  
• H0103: Amends existing law to permit remote participation (through platforms permitted by the Board of Directors) in meetings and formal voting for nonprofit organizations.
  
  
• H0177: Adds to existing law to provide than an employer may not penalize an employee for using earned or accrued sick leave

For a full list of proposed bills passing through the legislature right now, click here.

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Stay Connected with the Idaho Legislature: Idaho In Sessio

Idaho Public Television offers Idaho In Session, a free streaming service that allows organizations to track hearings and legislation that impacts them and their constituents can be found here.

More information

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The Idaho Nonprofit Center would like to thank the National Council of Nonprofits for Content Themes. ​