Apr. 26, 2017
HARRISBURG — The House this week passed legislation, sponsored by Rep. Dan Moul, which would enable volunteers of charitable organizations to produce fundraising mailers on behalf of the organization, without triggering burdensome annual state registration requirements.
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House Bill 144 would ease the regulatory and financial burden the law now imposes on many of our volunteer organizations by requiring them to register annually with the Department of State,” said Moul. “Any group required to register with the state must also file a financial report and, depending on the level of contributions it receives, the organization may be required to have its financial report independently audited, reviewed or compiled by a public accountant, which imposes an unnecessary burden.”
Under current law, veterans groups, volunteer fire companies, ambulance and rescue squads, and their auxiliaries are exempt from registration only if all fundraising activities are carried on by organization members or volunteers. If they employ an outside party to prepare a fundraising mailer for an event, for instance, the exemption is lost and the organization must register with the state, submit a financial report and undergo the appropriate level of financial scrutiny by state law. Moul’s legislation changes this by permitting the production and distribution of flyers under certain conditions.
“Putting together a formal financial report is a burden and the cost of paying for an official audit or review by a public accountant can easily run into several thousands of dollars. My legislation would exempt these organizations from this unnecessary and costly mandate provided they do not use a professional solicitor to actually solicit contributions,” Moul said.
House Bill 144 now goes to the Senate for consideration.
Representative Dan Moul
91st District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Donna Pinkham
717.260.6452
dpinkham@pahousegop.com
RepMoul.com