Commentary on 2017 Texas Legislative Activity Affecting Nonprofits and State Associations

by

My August 24 presentation at the 15th Annual State Bar Governance of Nonprofit Organizations course is available here. I received a positive response from those attending and welcome your comments or questions regarding the paper.

The 85th Legislature’s First Special Session ended on August 14, and there were no developments of note regarding nonprofit organizations, foundations and state associations. Updates and items of interest will be posted here during the current “interim” period before the legislature returns in January 2019.

(Print the paper.)

Seminar commentary on 2015 Texas legislation affecting nonprofits

by

Three months after adjournment of the 2015 Texas Legislature, reflecting on issues and trends raised during the session is in order. My presentation on August 13 at the annual State Bar of Texas Governance Nonprofit Organizations seminar is available here, and it highlights these items of interest:

  • The overall regulatory environment for nonprofit entities in Texas remains “light” in comparison to other states where there are extensive annual registration or licensing requirements with fees, regulation of solicitations from the public, mandatory public disclosure of organizational finances and other state government compliance regimes.
  • There were no significant changes to the Texas Nonprofit Corporation Law in Chapter 22 of the Texas Business Organizations Code, which is the primary body of law relating to nonprofit governance and disclosure issues.
  • The legislature showed continuing interest in granting legal immunity or limiting the liability of volunteers, first responders, volunteers supervising local amateur athletic events, and licensed professionals who volunteer during a disaster response.

[Read more…]

2015 Texas Legislative Summary for nonprofits – Last-day-of-session report

by

As the haze of the 140-day 2015 legislative session lifts, winners and losers come into view—bills that passed, that almost passed, should have passed or died due to some parliamentary or procedural circumstance. Equally important is to consider groups of dead bills that reflect an issue, idea or constituent base that will be back in 2017 for another try.

The complete June 1, 2015 SUMMARY OF ISSUES AFFECTING NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS is available here, and will be updated when the Governor’s veto period has lapsed and effective dates of passed bills can be listed.

During the coming hot summer, there will be time to reflect on the effect of new laws on nonprofit organizations, state associations, foundations and local volunteer leaders. Some items of interest: [Read more…]