CalNonprofits is launching a three-pronged initiative to help prepare nonprofits and their constituents to take full advantage of the health care exchange created by the Affordable Care Act.

Nonprofits have three main questions about healthcare reform:Pig with stethoscope

  • How will this affect our clients and constituents?
  • How will healthcare reform affect our funding?
  • How will this affect our nonprofit's ability to provide health insurance for our employees?

To answer these questions, CalNonprofits' three-part initiative will include education, direct enrollment and advocacy.

Check out our new online Legislation Tracker to see the bills we think are most interesting and relevant to nonprofits in California. With a quick glance you can see the bills, authors, a brief description, CalNonprofits' position, and the bill's status. You can also find links to other legislation trackers we recommend. Let us know what you think in the comments (below)!

AB 580, which would significantly increase funding to the California Arts Council for arts-related grantmaking to nonprofits, has passed its first policy committee and is now in Assembly Appropriations. CalNonprofits has signed on as co-sponsors of AB 580, along with Californians for the Arts, Latino Arts Network and California LGBT Arts Alliance. We’re working now to make sure the bill has its best chance to pass from Appropriations and get a full vote on the Assembly Floor. Like most bills with a price tag, there will be negotiation needed to get out of Appropriations. We’ll keep you posted!

SB 323, which would revoke the state tax exemption of youth organizations found to discriminate on the basis of gender identity, sexual orientation and other factors, has passed from the Senate Committee on Governance and Finance and is off to Senate Appropriations. The Governance and Finance hearing featured spirited debate and long lines of individuals and organizations voicing support and opposition. CalNonprofits is not taking a position on the bill, but we are in communication with lead organizations supporting and opposing the bill. We welcome input from California’s nonprofit community on this issue, so feel free to email our policy director, Kris Lev-Twombly.

AB 149, which would require county jails, parole offices and probation offices to provide voter eligibility and voter registration information to inmates and supervisees, just sailed out of Assembly Public Safety committee with a 5-2 vote. CalNonprofits strongly supports this bill because it promotes voter accessibility and addresses the confusion people face about their voting rights when going through the criminal justice system. Restoring voting rights is an important part of getting back on track and contributing to society. CalNonprofits voiced our support in the hearing, and we encourage you to sign on in support of this bill. Find tools for contacting your legislators here.

Assembly Member Norma Torres has introduced AB 491, which would authorize California corporations-- including nonprofit organizations-- to adopt emergency bylaws and emergency powers so they may continue to operate and govern themselves during catastrophes and emergencies. CalNonprofits supports this bill. Because nonprofit corporations may play crucial roles in emergency response, both immediately and over time, following a catastrophic event, it is of particular importance for nonprofits to have the authority to adopt emergency bylaws and take specific action during an emergency to ensure the ability to operate effectively and also remain in compliance with state laws while continuing to operate. We encourage you to sign on in support of AB 491. The bill will be heard in the Assembly Judiciary committee on May 7.

CalNonprofits is supporting three bills, AB 511, AB 754 and SB 571, that create contribution check off boxes on state tax returns for arts, costal conservation and emergency service programs served by California nonprofits. We have some concerns about tax returns become more of a venue for charitable giving, and about how some nonprofits are better positioned than others to benefit from this form of giving. But we do see these bills as good opportunities to increase funding for state programs that are already served primarily by nonprofit organizations. We will keep you informed as these bills continue their way through the Legislature.

Do you have something to say about any of these bills or CalNonprofit's positions? Let us know! You can comment below or send an email to our Policy Director Kris Lev-Twombly.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – Wednesday April 17, 2013

California Association of Nonprofits is pleased to announce a collaborative partnership to produce a series of webinar forums focusing on California public policies that affect nonprofits and philanthropy. Partners include:

California Association of Nonprofits (CalNonprofits)
Northern California Grantmakers
San Diego Grantmakers
Southern California Grantmakers

"More than ever, nonprofits and grantmakers need to be aware of -- and involved with -- public policy," commented NCG President Colin Lacon. "We're pleased that our four organizations will be working together to bring top notch speakers and information to the conversation."

The series, called the California Policy Forum for Nonprofits and Philanthropy debuted in January with a pilot session on the impact of the fiscal cliff deal. Featuring speakers from the White House, the California State Department of Finance, and the National Council of Nonprofits, the webinar drew 140 participants. The next California Policy Forum, focusing on social impact bonds (also known as pay-for-performance), will be held May 10, 2013 with State Senator Price (who has introduced legislation on the topic), Carla Javits (REDF), and Jon Pratt (Minnesota Council of Nonprofits). This Forum will be moderated by Jan Masaoka, CEO of the California Association of Nonprofits (CalNonprofits).

headline-Upcoming

MAY 16 - Thursday
Kris Lev-Twombly presents "
Achieving and Measuring Success in Legislative Advocacy" for The California Wellness Foundation grantees, in Los Angeles

JUNE 12 Wednesday
Jan Masaoka speaks at Nonprofit Boot Camp in Mountain View

June 21 Friday
Jan Masaoka speaks at luncheon of Desert Communities AFP in Palm Springs

JUNE 26 - Wednesday
CalNonprofits Regional Town Hall in Fresno

OCTOBER 10 - Thursday
CalNonprofits Regional Town Hall with NorCAN in Fortuna

NOVEMBER 14 - Thursday
CalNonprofits Annual Convention in San Francisco

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