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HR 9254

Stop the SPLC Act of 2026

119th Congress Introduced by Lauren Boebert and 8 co-sponsors

The bill would declare that the Southern Poverty Law Center is not eligible for 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status.

Introduced in House
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HR 9254

Overview

  • Bill: HR 9254
  • Session: 119
  • Jurisdiction: United States
  • Title: To specify that the Southern Poverty Law Center shall not be treated as described in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986
  • Introduced: 2026-06-10
  • Action history: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means; introduced in the House
  • Principal sponsors (co-sponsors): Chip Roy; Scott Perry; Wesley Hunt; Andy Ogles; Josh Brecheen; Mark Harris; Mary Miller; Lauren Boebert

Purpose and intent

  • The bill seeks to specify that the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) shall not be treated as an organization described in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
  • In practical terms, this implies that SPLC would not be recognized as a tax-exempt, nonprofit charitable or educational organization under 26 U.S.C. § 501(c)(3).
  • The stated objective appears to involve altering the tax-status designation or recognition of SPLC for purposes related to tax exemption, eligibility for donor deductions, and related regulatory treatment.

Key provisions (as implied by the title)

  • Prohibition or disqualification of SPLC from 501(c)(3) status: The bill would create a determination or presumption that SPLC does not meet the requirements to be treated as a 501(c)(3) organization.
  • Administrative or reporting implications: If SPLC were previously treated as 501(c)(3) and subsequently deemed ineligible under this bill, it could affect its tax-exempt status, annual filings (e.g., Form 990), and donor tax deduction eligibility.
  • Scope and applicability: The provision would apply specifically to SPLC; the text as provided indicates a targeted designation rather than a broad remapping of 501(c)(3) criteria to other organizations.

Effects and who would be affected

  • Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC): Primary entity affected; the bill would change its tax-exempt status designation.
  • Donors to SPLC: Potential impact on the deductibility of contributions for federal tax purposes if SPLC loses 501(c)(3) status.
  • SPLC program operations and funding: Possible implications for fundraising, grant eligibility, and partnerships that rely on 501(c)(3) status.
  • Tax administration: Internal Revenue Service (IRS) would be responsible for determining and enforcing the status change for SPLC, and compliance activities by SPLC would change accordingly.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Current stage: Introduction and referral to the House Committee on Ways and Means (as of 2026-06-10).
  • Next steps (typical legislative path): Committee review, potential markup, and floor consideration in the House; if approved, passage would move to the Senate and/or be subject to further negotiation, amendments, and potential presidential action.
  • Notable timing details: The summary provides only initial action history; no explicit effective date or phase-in period is specified in the information provided. If enacted, the bill would likely specify when the 501(c)(3) status designation would take effect.

Practical considerations

  • Constitutional and policy context: Targeted actions against a specific nonprofit’s tax status can raise questions about regulatory overreach, First Amendment protections, and the role of tax-exemption in nonprofit activity. However, the bill’s text, as described, focuses on a tax-status designation rather than altering charitable activity requirements.
  • Legal robustness: The bill would need precise statutory language to define the mechanism for denying 501(c)(3) treatment to SPLC and to address potential remedies, appeals, or transitional rules for ongoing activities.

If you’d like, I can tailor this summary to emphasize legal standards for 501(c)(3) eligibility, potential impacts on donors, or provide a side-by-side comparison with typical criteria for 501(c)(3) organizations.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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