Tennessee House Bill HB1802

Tennessee 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/10/24
• Refer: 1/22/24

Caption

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 48, Chapter 101, Part 5, relative to charitable organizations.

Action

The effective date for this legislation is set for January 1, 2025, which gives organizations time to prepare and adjust to the new regulations. The public welfare's consideration emphasizes the bill's role in ensuring that charitable organizations operate effectively while meeting necessary state standards.

Impact

The change in the financial threshold could have significant implications for smaller charitable organizations, as it raises the amount of revenue that must be reported to the state. Currently, organizations generating below the previous threshold may have faced fewer regulatory burdens. Consequently, this amendment may lead to an increase in compliance demands for charities that cross the new threshold, thereby impacting their operational efficiency and fundraising strategies.

Summary

House Bill 1802 seeks to amend the Tennessee Code Annotated in relation to charitable organizations. Specifically, the bill proposes to increase the financial threshold for certain requirements from five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000) to seven hundred fifty thousand dollars ($750,000). This amendment aims to adjust the regulatory framework governing charitable organizations operating within the state, particularly concerning their financial operations and reporting requirements.

Contention

Though the text of the bill is straightforward, there are notable points of contention regarding its potential impact on various charities across Tennessee. Proponents of the bill argue that raising the threshold aligns with inflation and modernizes the regulatory landscape for nonprofits. However, critics may voice concerns over whether this increase effectively disregards the operational realities of smaller charitable organizations, which may struggle to meet increased reporting demands or find themselves unfairly penalized for growing their fundraising efforts.