Oklahoma House Bill HB2268

Oklahoma 2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/6/23
• Refer: 2/7/23

Caption

Charitable organizations; disclosures; solicitations; procedures; violation; effective date.

Impact

The bill modifies existing laws under the Oklahoma Solicitation of Charitable Contributions Act, placing additional obligations on charitable organizations and fundraisers. By instituting disclosure requirements, the state intends to protect potential donors from fraudulent activities and ensure that contributions are being directed to legitimate causes. Any organization failing to comply with these new regulations could face civil penalties of up to ten thousand dollars per violation, enhancing the stakes for charity compliance significantly.

Summary

House Bill 2268 introduces new regulations concerning charitable organizations in Oklahoma, specifically focusing on disclosure requirements for fundraising solicitations. The legislation mandates that organizations with gross revenues of one million dollars or more and professional fundraisers disclose certain information during solicitation. This includes the legal name of the organization, the purposes for which funds will be used, and a disclaimer indicating that they are registered with the state. These changes aim to improve transparency and accountability in charitable fundraising practices.

Contention

While the intention behind HB2268 is to safeguard contributors and promote transparent solicitation practices, there may be concerns about the increased regulatory burden on smaller charitable organizations. Opponents of the bill might argue that the cost and administrative workload associated with maintaining compliance could deter smaller non-profits from soliciting donations altogether. Furthermore, the implementation of strict penalties for violations could disproportionately affect organizations that may inadvertently fall short of the detailed disclosure requirements outlined in the bill.