However, they are not permitted to directly or indirectly provide any financial or other support, or to endorse or indicate preferences, for political candidates. These Form 990 reports must be made available on request by the public and several projects are under way nationally to post all of them on the internet. Several proposals considered by the Commission, and which may be raised during your deliberations, while perhaps reasonable when applied to those who earn significant compensation from lobbying and who are considered members of the 'profession', could have greatly increased the hesitance of smaller groups or associations to engage in any contact with their own elected officials or the policy-making process. As currently proposed, House Bill 2 and Senate Bill 75 have avoided most of these potential concerns. It is not uncommon for organizations to engage in activity requiring registration in one legislative session, one six-month period, and not for extended periods of time before or after, if ever.
Nonprofit groups seeking grants through state bond bills are a common example.
We thank you for considering this issue and hope that this legislation will be a positive step to improve public confidence in the legislative process. Contact Henry Bogdan for more information.