How the Most Recent Idaho Bills Will Affect Your Nonprofit

Happening Now in Idaho

Bills We Are Taking a Stance On

Advocating Against:

• H0740: Requires any Non-Governmental Organization that facilitates resettlement of refugees to report the name, age, sex, country of origin, and reason for resettlement to certain state and local agencies (this would be above and beyond what is already required for refugee resettlement vetting).
  • Nonprofit impact: Inclusion of additional personally identifying information above and beyond what is already required for the process poses grave privacy concerns for both refugees and nonprofits working with refugees. 

Find your Idaho legislator’s contact info here and let them know how your organization is impacted.

Learn More About INC Policy Decisions

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Other Noteworthy Bills of the Nonprofit Sector

• H0687: Appropriates $19.7 Million for senior services through the Commission on Aging.
  • Nonprofit impact: Some funds from this appropriation would impact nonprofits that provide services like Meals on Wheels to seniors.
• H0719: Provides that in the event an employee requests a religious exemption from a coronavirus vaccine requirement, the employer shall bear the burden of proof that the denial of such request is essential to compelling interests & is the least restrictive means of furthering that interest.
  • Nonprofit impact: If passed, this bill may require nonprofits with vaccine mandates currently in place to adjust and reevaluate their process of managing requests for religious exemptions.
• S1332: Protects confidential communications between clients of non-governmental domestic/sexual violence programs and staff/volunteers of such program.
  • Nonprofit impact: Protects the missions and clients supported by nonprofits seeking to assist survivors of domestic and sexual violence. 
• H0764: Provides funds through the Department of Health and Welfare’s Division of Welfare for the child care assistance program, the Low Income Household Energy Assistance Program, and the Low Income Household Water Assistance Program.
  • Nonprofit impact: Assists nonprofits managing childcare and human services in providing financial assistance to their clients. 
• S1391: Provides funds for the Commission of the Arts, including funds for pandemic grants.
  • Nonprofit impact: Includes a $766k in grant support for arts and cultural nonprofits in Idaho.

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

On March 8, 2022, Governor Little announced that the public health emergency declared in response to the COVID-19 pandemic will end on April 15, 2022. The end of this declaration disables use of Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) funds to cover costs associated with the distribution of critical supplies, support, and other emergency needs. According to the Governor’s statement, Idaho is maintaining a fund to respond to COVID-19 if needs change in the future. 

FEMA funding has benefitted many nonprofits in emergency management services by providing the funds to serve their communities throughout the ongoing global crisis.

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Federal Updates

On March 9, 2022, the House passed an omnibus spending bill with a bipartisan vote. Despite efforts from the nonprofit sector, the $1.5 trillion funding package does not include nonprofit policy priorities.

Bring the importance of funding nonprofit priorities to your congressional delegation by reaching out to your representatives:
Senator James Risch 
Senator Mike Crapo
Congressman Russ Fulcher (1st District)
Congressman Mike Simpson (2nd District)

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

See Our Policy Focuses