Summary — HB 25-1170: "Lobbying by Nonprofit Entities"
Bill Number: HB 25-1170
Title: Lobbying by Nonprofit Entities
Introduced: February 4, 2025
Status (as of latest action): House Committee on Appropriations — Lay Over Unamended (Amendments Failed) — last action May 13, 2025
Primary Sponsors: Andrew Boesenecker, Eliza Hamrick, Faith Winter
Cosponsors: J. Joseph; J. Marchman; D. Michaelson Jenet; M. Bradfield; B. Titone
Note: The full statutory text of HB 25-1170 was not provided. The summary below identifies the bill’s stated purpose (per title and legislative context), the likely substantive areas it would address, procedural history, and potential impacts. For precise legal requirements and obligations, refer to the bill text and fiscal note when available.
Purpose and intent
HB 25-1170 is titled “Lobbying by Nonprofit Entities.” Its primary objective is to clarify, modify, or expand how nonprofit organizations engage in lobbying and how those activities are regulated and disclosed under state law. The bill appears intended to increase transparency and accountability for lobbying conducted by tax-exempt or nonprofit organizations.
Key provisions likely addressed (based on bill title and common legislative approaches)
Because the bill text is not provided here, readers should expect the bill to include one or more of the following types of provisions:
- Definitions: Who qualifies as a “nonprofit entity” and what activities qualify as “lobbying” (direct lobbying, grassroots advocacy, communications to policymakers).
- Registration requirements: Thresholds for when a nonprofit must register as a lobbyist or lobbying organization (e.g., spending, time, or contacts thresholds).
- Reporting and disclosure: Frequency and content of required reports (expenditures, donors dedicated to lobbying, staff time devoted to lobbying).
- Exemptions and carve-outs: Activities allowed for educational or charitable purposes, or exemptions for smaller organizations.
- Enforcement and penalties: Civil fines, administrative actions, or referral mechanisms for violations.
- Implementation timelines and agency authority to adopt rules.
Who would be affected
- Tax-exempt and nonprofit organizations (charities, foundations, trade associations, advocacy groups).
- Individuals within nonprofits who engage in policy advocacy or meet lobbying thresholds.
- State agencies tasked with registration, record-keeping, and enforcement.
- Donors if donor disclosure provisions are included.
Procedural history and next steps
- Introduced February 4, 2025; assigned to House Committee on State, Civic, Military, & Veterans Affairs.
- Committee activity included witness testimony (Feb 24, 2025).
- Amended in committee and referred to Appropriations (March 3, 2025).
- On May 13, 2025, the House Appropriations Committee laid the bill over unamended; amendment(s) considered in Appropriations failed.
Potential impacts and considerations
- Increased compliance costs for nonprofits (tracking, reporting, legal review).
- Greater transparency for policymakers and the public on nonprofit advocacy.
- Possible chilling effects on advocacy depending on thresholds and disclosure requirements.
- Fiscal implications for the state if enforcement or administration duties expand.
For a definitive description of obligations, exemptions, fiscal impacts, and legal language, consult the bill text and fiscal note once available.
