Arkansas Senate Bill SB484

Arkansas 2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/27/23
• Refer: 3/27/23
• Report Pass: 3/31/23
• Engrossed: 4/3/23
• Refer: 4/3/23
• Report Pass: 4/5/23
• Enrolled: 4/7/23
• Chaptered: 4/11/23
• Passed: 4/11/23

Caption

To Modify The Law Concerning Charitable Organizations; To Clarify Contributions Of Charitable Organizations; And To Exclude Certain Bequests And Testamentary Distributions From Trusts From Contributions.

Impact

The enactment of SB484 will simplify the financial reporting requirements for charitable organizations that primarily rely on bequests and testamentary distributions. This legislative change is expected to relieve the administrative burden on such organizations, enabling them to allocate resources more effectively towards their charitable missions rather than on compliance with financial paperwork. Furthermore, it could encourage greater charitable giving by ensuring that more organizations are able to accept and manage funds without the complication of extensive financial audits.

Summary

Senate Bill 484 focuses on the statutory framework governing charitable organizations in Arkansas. The primary objective of the bill is to clarify the definition of 'contributions' by explicitly stating that bequests and testamentary distributions received by charitable organizations from a decedent's estate or a trust do not count as contributions. This amendment aims to alleviate the requirement for certain charitable organizations to submit audited financial statements when the only income comes from these exceptional cases. By modifying the existing law, the bill seeks to make compliance easier for some organizations while ensuring clear guidelines about what constitutes a contribution.

Sentiment

The overall sentiment among legislators during discussions surrounding SB484 appears to be positive, as the bill received unanimous support during voting. The fact that there were no opposing votes signals a bipartisan consensus on the necessity and benefits of clarifying these regulations. Stakeholders in the charitable sector expressed approval, indicating that the clarity provided by this bill is a step in the right direction towards fostering a more transparent and less burdensome regulatory environment for charitable organizations.

Contention

Despite the overall support for SB484, some advocacy groups and financial watchdogs could raise concerns about potential loopholes in defining contributions and the impact on financial transparency for charitable organizations. Critics might argue that by excluding significant funding sources from the definition of contributions, the bill could inadvertently diminish oversight and accountability. However, no significant opposition was recorded during the voting process, suggesting that these concerns did not substantially influence the legislative outcome.