Legislative Watch: Successful Advocacy Season

4/18/2024

Thank you!

Thank you for helping us collectively build a movement where nonprofits are known and valued for the invaluable contributions you make to your local communities and to the state.

Idaho Runs on Nonprofits. Nonprofits are a key reason that our communities are places where all residents have the opportunity to thrive. Thank you for engaging in the issues that touch your mission and our sector at large and, as always, don’t hesitate to reach out to us if you have advocacy questions, issues to put on our radar, or anything else we should know as we head into the legislative offseason!

Concluding the Session

There were three bills we followed closely this year, due to the negative impact they could have on Idaho nonprofits. Initially, we opposed each one and worked with the sector to voice our opinions.

Although two of these bills were passed, the amendments that we helped craft alongside elected officials were workable compromises that limited the adverse effects on local nonprofits.

Thank you for contacting your legislators and advocating on behalf of Idaho nonprofits.

HB603 would limit State Sponsorships and Donations, in turn impacting the way nonprofits can partner with State Agencies.

The legislation was amended, which changed the requirements for an agency from needing the governor’s approval to sponsor events to needing the director of the department's approval.
Although the bill still seems unnecessary, we believe the amendments helped to take out the most damaging parts of the bill.
The bill was signed into law.

H739 would endanger the property tax exemption of property for hospitals.

This is the second year in a row—with multiple attempts each year—of passing similar legislation, so it could make an appearance again next year and has implications for protecting tax exemptions for other types of 501(c)(3) nonprofits.
It stalled this year, but the idea could be back next year.

S1374 would legislate guns on public property leased by a private entity.

The amendments make the bill less problematic for nonprofits holding events on public property, clarifying that any event on public property with “restricted access” (whether admission is charged or not) can still limit concealed carry of guns.
This means that nonprofits can still restrict guns at events if they have “restricted access” for participants of the event only (e.g. temporary fencing/perimeter around event)
It has been signed into law by the Governor with the added amendments.

To see the full list of bills we tracked impacting the nonprofit sector, check out our final bill tracker of the session.

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Lessons Learned

Each session trends emerge, which can help identify what the legislative priorities might be for future sessions. Here are some lessons learned, and how they might impact Idaho nonprofits.
“Going on” is still a priority. Whether trade school, an associate degree, or a university, the legislature has shown their commitment to helping Idahoans go on after high school through initiatives like Idaho Launch. Similarly, the Advanced Opportunities funding that allows high school students to pay for concurrent college courses was increased.

The implications for the nonprofit workforce are that many of today’s 18-22 year old students who will take advantage of these higher education opportunities are tomorrow’s nonprofit employees (nonprofits directly employ over 67,000 Idahoans currently—the 5th largest private employment sector)

Diversity and Inclusion are still tough topics. Diversity statements are banned from use in public universities, teachers and state employees cannot be forced to use someone’s pronouns that don’t align with their sex at birth, and DEI programs in higher ed were once again targeted.

As part of the private sector, however, nonprofits can still decide how and what is best for their own values and mission as it relates to any workplace DEI initiatives.

What’s Next?

Identify one or two elected officials that have influence on your clients, community, and/or mission. This could be your local representative or someone that sits on a certain committee.
Prepare your marketing materials and be disciplined about your main messaging.
Invite your identified elected officials to tour your office or to attend your events.
Go to events that elected officials and key community stakeholders will also attend. The more they see you, the stronger the relationships can become.
Steward the relationship—connect your cause with something they care about.

Positive overhaul of federal grants guidance announced

These significant reforms correct longstanding challenges in the government grants process that have

limited nonprofit effectiveness
discouraged qualified organizations from seeking and performing under federal grants
cost billions of dollars and countless hours in needlessly complex application and reporting requirements

The federal Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has released its major rewrite of the Uniform Guidance, the set of common rules governing most federal grantmaking to charitable nonprofits, state, local, and Tribal governments, and others.

Among other things, the reforms guarantee higher reimbursement rates for indirect costs, strengthen nonprofit protections, and streamline and simplify funding notices.

+Read more

Get updates through Idaho Public Television

Idaho Public Television offers Idaho In Session, a gavel-to-gavel service that includes live on-air and online coverage of the Idaho Legislature.

You can also stay up to date on the latest legislative news on Idaho Reports, IdahoPTV’s weekly broadcast.

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