How Does the Veto Impact You?

Action Alert

• Nonprofit Impact of S1381 (Coronavirus Pause Act): The Idaho Nonprofit Center advocated against this bill and was pleased to see Governor Little veto it this week. This would have potentially punished private businesses and nonprofits that require employees to be vaccinated against the coronavirus (additional detail in section below).
  
• What can you do? There is a possibility that Little’s veto will be overridden by the Legislature. Please reach out to your representative and share your opinion. 

Let the Legislature Know What You Think

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Noteworthy Bills for the Nonprofit Sector

• H0742: Appropriation to the Division of Financial Management for fiscal years 2022 and 2023.
  • Nonprofit impact: Provides funding for emergency rental assistance and housing programs that nonprofit organizations and their clients may benefit from during the state’s housing crunch. This appropriation (i.e., funding) bill was signed into law on March 23rd by Governor Little. 
• H0764: Appropriation to the Department of Health and Welfare for fiscal year 2023.
  • Nonprofit impact: Provides funding for grants that many nonprofits across the state administer (e.g. Child Care Assistance, Low Income Household Energy Assistance Program, Low Income Household Water Assistance Program). Governor Little signed this bill into law on March 23rd. 
• H0775: Requires any Non-Governmental Organization that facilitates the resettlement of refugees to report the age, sex, and country of origin to certain state agencies, as well as to the Board of County Commissioners and mayor of each city, where the refugee is being placed.
  • Nonprofit impact: Poses a threat to the safe resettlement of refugees, and to the missions of nonprofits aiming to assist them. Thanks to strong advocacy from nonprofits, especially those serving refugees, this bill died in committee.
• S1401: Additional appropriation to the Department of Health and Welfare for fiscal years 2022 and 2023.
  • Nonprofit impact: Provides funding that many nonprofits serving survivors of domestic violence will benefit from: Appropriates funding for the Domestic Violence Council, Developmental Disabilities Council, Family Violence and Preventative Services Grants, and Victim Services Grants. This was signed into law by Governor Little on March 25th. 

Idaho Nonprofit Center Bill Tracker
Track the status of all bills mentioned in the Legislative Watch as they make their way through the legislation using the online 2022 Bill Tracker. ​

Find the Status of All Bills Mentioned in Our 2022 Bill Tracker

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In Our State

Governor Little Vetoes Bill Blocking Private Businesses from Vaccine Mandates
On March 28, Governor Brad Little vetoed Senate Bill 1381, a bill which would have prohibited and potentially punished employers with existing or future coronavirus vaccination mandates. Little cited his belief that private businesses should manage their operations with limited government interference. 

We are pleased that Little vetoed this bill, allowing nonprofits and their boards of directors the autonomy to enact their own health and safety protocols as they see fit. The INC advocated against this bill on the premise that nonprofits (as part of the private sector) should be able to determine their own health and safety protocols weighing the needs of their clients, staff, and patrons. 

Read More

Senator Crapo Comments on Charitable Giving
The US Senate Finance Committee met on March 17 to examine charitable giving and trends in the nonprofit sector. During this hearing, Idaho Senator Mike Crapo voiced his support for helping to increase charitable giving by being proactive about new developments and trends in the nonprofit sector by working on bipartisan tax policies to “responsibly encourage giving.”

“In Idaho, charitable organizations stepped up to serve Idahoans when they needed it most during the darkest days of the pandemic…They deserve our thanks, our praise, and our commitment to continued support.”

Read Senator Crapo's Full Remarks

Idaho Falls Habitat for Humanity Breaks Ground at New Site
On Wednesday, March 23rd, Idaho Falls Mayor Rebecca Caper and US Representative Mike Simpson broke ground at the new Habitat for Humanity property, Peterson Place. $3 million in initial federal funding has been secured for the project, which intends to construct more than eight properties in efforts to build equity in home ownership.

Read More

New Government Website for Public Meeting Information
Governor Little and State Controller Brandon Woold announced Townhall.Idaho.Gov on Tuesday, a website that “makes it easier for the public to understand and engage with their government,” according to Governor Little. The site will have searchable information pertaining to public meetings for state agencies and state-affiliated commissions.

Read the News Release

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Idaho Nonprofit Center Advocacy Agenda

The Idaho Nonprofit Center’s Policy Agenda details the policy issues that affect the nonprofit sector and provides an outline for determining whether the Center will advocate for or against state or federal legislation. This is what guided us when making the above decisions.

We welcome comments and feedback on our draft policy agenda which can be viewed here. Feedback or comments can be sent to [email protected]. 

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

See Our Policy Focuses