Legislative Watch - 3/21/18

In This Issue
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1. Keeping up with Current Bills
2. Power of the Johnson Amendment
3. Nonprofit Days
4. Idaho Center for Fiscal Policy

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Keeping up with Current Bills

House Bill 463 - TAXES – Repeals, adds to, and amends existing law to provide for applicability of the Internal Revenue Code to different tax years; to revise the calculation of a net operating loss; to revise the calculation of net taxable income for corporations; to reduce the individual and corporate income tax rate; and to provide for a child tax credit.

• Signed by the governor March 12, 2018
  

House Bill 513 - SALES TAX – Amends existing law to provide a sales tax exemption for the Idaho Association of Free and Charitable Clinics and its member clinics.

• Delivered to the governor March 13, 2018​

House Bill 379 - NONPROFIT CORPORATIONS – Amends existing law to provide that only one incorporator of a nonprofit corporation need sign the articles of incorporation when filing with the Secretary of State.

• Signed by the governor March 1, 2018

House Bill 385 - ELECTIONS – Amends existing law to revise the timelines for the transmission of certain election and ballot information and to make other election law changes.
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• Last action: January 24, 2018, reported printed and referred to State Affairs

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The Power of the Johnson Amendment

If the Johnson Amendment was repealed:

• Churches and other nonprofits would be pressured to endorse candidates for mayor, boards of supervisors, Congressmen, and Senators in exchange for charitable contributions.
  
  
• Churches – because they do not have to disclose their donors – would be especially vulnerable as targets for dark money pass-throughs. Campaigns could take out billboards trumpeting which churches have endorsed their candidate.
  
  
• Elected officials would be tempted to funnel money to nonprofits that have endorsed them, and to deny them funding if they endorsed an opponent.
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• Pop-up fake nonprofits – whose only purpose is to spend campaign cash and engage in electioneering – could become a real problem.

To find out about what the National Council of Nonprofits has to say about the Johnson Amendment click here.

The Idaho Nonprofit Center's Policy Statement Regarding the Johnson Amendment

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Building Relationships Through Nonprofit Days at the Capitols: Inspiration from Communities Around Us

Here are just a few examples of state associations helping nonprofits put advocacy in action:

• The Maine Association of Nonprofits recently celebrated its 15th annual Nonprofit Day at the State Capitol, a collective day of action to raise awareness for how #NonprofitsWorkforME.
  
  • The state association gathers charitable organizations from many missions and parts of the state to increase policymaker awareness of nonprofits and their vital contributions to Maine’s economy and way of life.
    
    
• Kentucky Nonprofit Network (KNN) declared purpose: “to create visibility for the sector and help nonprofits connect with policymakers.”
  
  • to give nonprofits the opportunity to learn from and educate state government officials and network with nonprofits from across the Commonwealth.
    
    
• Utah Nonprofits Association (UNA) the “Nonprofit Day on the Hill is Your Chance to Share your Mission.
  
  • Participants were encouraged to “begin building relationships with legislators and join with other nonprofits to advocate for our sector.”
    
    
• Minnesota Council of Nonprofits (MCN) - nonprofits heard directly from leaders of the legislative caucuses as they shared their priorities for the legislative session, identified issues that they think will dominate the debate, and gave their ideas on how nonprofits can be a resource to decision makers and their staff.
  
  
• Washington Nonprofits hosted its 5th Annual Nonprofit Legislative Reception
  
  • a combination that reinforces the message to government officials that the nonprofit sector is a collaborating community and trusted partner with government.
    
    
• CT Community Nonprofit Alliance hosted its first of two week-long Nonprofit Alliance Weeks at the Capitol 2018.
  
  • This longstanding event takes advantage of the layout of the Capitol campus that enables nonprofits to set up tables or booths in the primary corridor between the legislators’ offices and the legislative chambers.
    

Find out more here

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Idaho Center for Fiscal Policy Event

Please join Idaho Center for Fiscal Policy for breakfast and a robust discussion of how Idaho’s fiscal policy decisions impact the future of our state.
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• When: Wednesday, April 25, 2018
• Time: 9:00 am (doors open at 8:45 am)
• Where: Hillcrest Country Club
• Tickets: $35
• Register Here

Questions? Please contact Jessamine Jones at [email protected] or 208-947-4255

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Brooke Damico

Legislative Watch is written by Brooke Damico, a public policy student at Boise State University.