Signed by Governor Asa Hutchinson

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to amend and pass a bill that prohibits public agencies from disclosing membership, volunteers and financial donors to 501(c) nonprofit organizations.

Highlights:

• Prohibits any state agency or official from imposing annual filing or reporting requirements for nonprofit organizations (Sec. 1).

• Exempts the following from the aforementioned provision, including (Sec. 1):

• State grants and contracts;

• Fraud investigations;

• Regulation or licensing of entities by the Department of Human Services;

• Regulation or licensing by the Department of Labor and Licensing.

• Authorizes any state agency or official to restrict enforcement actions against specific nonprofit organizations or restrict or limit functions, powers, and duties granted to the Attorney General to investigate violations of state or federal law (Sec. 1).

• Prohibits public agencies from disclosing or releasing personal information about membership, volunteers, and financial and nonfinancial donors to 501(c) nonprofit organizations (Sec. 2).

• Defines “personal information” as a list, record, register, registry, roll, roster, or other compilation of data that identifies a person as a member, supporter, volunteer of, or donor of financial or nonfinancial support to an entity exempt from federal income tax (Sec. 2).

• Defines “public agency” as a state or local government entity, including (Sec. 2):

• A department, division, agency, office, commission, board, or other government organization;

• A political subdivision, including a county, city, town, municipality, or conservation district;

• A public school, school district, charter school, or public institution of higher education;

• Judicial or quasi-judicial body.

Full Bill Text