CalNonprofits Priority Bills Advance

We have encouraging news to share from Sacramento! Thanks to the steady commitment of our champions in the legislature and the collective advocacy voice of our sector, CalNonprofits’ priority bills have cleared a major hurdle, successfully advancing through the appropriations committees and passing on the Senate or Assembly Floor. All the bills now move out of the house of origin to the second house.

• SB 1240 (McNerney): CalNonprofits’ sponsored bill to establish a centralized Office of Nonprofit Empowerment (ONE) passed through Senate Appropriations and the Senate floor unanimously. This office will serve as a much-needed hub within state government to break down complex contracting barriers, improve technical assistance, and streamline state funding for nonprofits. Learn more here. 
  
• AB 2221 (Irwin): This bill to improve the Department of Justice’s Registry of Charities and Fundraisers sailed through Assembly Appropriations and the Assembly floor unanimously. Sponsored by CalNonprofits, this legislation creates a fairer, more efficient regulatory framework that simplifies nonprofit compliance with the state. It would establish a 10-day processing deadline, create a four-month window to correct clerical errors before “good standing” is impacted, and modernize the Registry with electronic filing and automatic approvals. 
  
• AB 2084 (Bauer-Kahan): Another CalNonprofits-sponsored bill, this sector-defense measure protects a nonprofit’s state tax-exempt status from arbitrary political targeting by giving the Franchise Tax Board more discretion in cases where the IRS takes action that threatens 501c3 status. Nonprofits need a fair way to challenge such threats before being penalized.
  
• SB 1288 (Laird): Co-sponsored by CalNonprofits, Valley Humane Society, and San Diego Humane Society, this bill requires financial institutions to proactively notify nonprofit beneficiaries of gifts (nonprobate assets) and streamlines the verification process so charitable bequests are honored quickly and efficiently. Currently, nonprofits are rarely notified about donations left to them, and when they are, they face burdensome hurdles to actually receive the funds.

KEEP THE MOMENTUM GOING:
Take Action to Support the Office Of Nonprofit Empowerment (ONE)

While clearing the Appropriations Committees and the Senate floor are monumental steps, a long, rigorous legislative path remains before these bills reach the Governor’s desk. With the state navigating a complex budget cycle, maintaining momentum is critical. Our sector’s strength depends on our ability to mobilize, and we will need even greater advocacy support in the months ahead to get these bills across the finish line in August.

Nearly 350 nonprofits have signed on to support SB 1240 establishing a dedicated office within state government to support the nonprofit sector – like CalOSBA or GO-Biz. But you can still help strengthen our advocacy by adding your organization’s name to our official sign-on letter. Let’s make sure lawmakers know how critical this new hub would be to increase the efficiency and community impact of California nonprofits. If you haven’t already, signing on to our letter directly signals to policymakers that structural equity and centralized support are non-negotiable for our sector.

Already signed on? Thank you! No need to submit again –instead, please share this form with your network to help us expand our impact. 

To keep a close eye on the daily progress, amendments, and next hearing dates for our full slate of priority bills, make sure to visit our CalNonprofits Legislation Tracker.

Thank you for your continued partnership and advocacy – let’s finish this legislative session strong!