Sponsors call it a method to protect the identity of donors to nonprofits such as Habitat for Humanity. Critics say it could open the pathway for out-of-state “dark money” to flow into political campaigns.
Gaining momentum in the General Assembly, the Personal Privacy Protection Act would prohibit the release of information for all 501(c) organizations, those holding nonprofit, tax-exempt status under federal IRS code.
Sponsored by Rep. Ryan Williams, R-Cookeville, House Bill 159 passed the Civil Justice Committee Wednesday on a voice vote and moves on to the Government Operations Committee for consideration. The Senate State and Local Government Committee voted 6-2 Tuesday to send SB1608 to the Calendar Committee to be scheduled for a floor vote.
Williams told the committee Tuesday the legislation would not change disclosure requirements for political action committees. He explained, though, that as a member of the Habitat for Humanity board, he found that private donors want their identities to remain anonymous to avoid being hounded for money.
“We’re just making sure the information stays confidential and doesn’t get released to the public,” Williams said.