May federal nonprofit policy updates

From the National Council of Nonprofit Associations

High court revisits campaign ads – The Supreme Court heard arguments on April 25 regarding ads aired in weeks immediately preceding an election. The case, Wisconsin Right to Life v. FEC, addresses whether issue ads aired by WRTL in 2003 were protected by the First Amendment. Currently, nonprofits are banned from running certain ads within 30 days before a primary and 60 days before a general election under the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act.

Lobby reform expected soon – Democrats in the House are pushing to introduce and pass the delayed lobby reform bill in May. Grassroots lobbying disclosure, lobbyist bundled political contribution disclosure and “revolving-door” rules for former lawmakers engaged in lobbying are among the issues under contention. The Senate passed a lobby reform bill, (S.1) in January.

FY2008 budget talks focus on tax issues – As the almost $3 trillion FY2008 budget resolutions (H. Con. Res. 99 and S. Con. Res. 21) move towards formal negotiations, Budget Committee Chairs Sen. John Spratt (D-S. Car.) and Rep. Kent Conrad (D-N. Dak.) say expiring middle-class tax cuts will be the largest challenge facing budget negotiators. In addition, pay-as-you-go rules are expected to impact funding decisions.

IRA rollover gains co-sponsors – The Public Good IRA Rollover Act of 2007 has gained support in the House and Senate. The House version, (H.R. 1419) now has 31 sponsors and the Senate version (S. 819)  has 10. The provision would extend and broaden the rules allowing charitable donations directly from Individual Retirement Accounts.

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