Title: An act relating to charitable organizations that solicit contributions from the public.

Brief Description: Regulating charitable organizations that solicit contributions from the public.

Sponsors: Representatives Rodne, Lantz, Darneille, Kirby, Ahern, Ross, Flannigan, Moeller, Kenney and Morrell; by request of Secretary of State.

Hearing Date: 2/9/07

Staff: Jasmine Vasavada (786-5793).

Background:

The Charitable Solicitations Act (CSA) requires charitable organizations and commercial fund raisers that solicit charitable donations from the general public to register with the Secretary of State's office. In addition, the CSA includes detailed disclosure requirements and prohibitions on certain kinds of representations. The Charities Program of the Secretary of State's office makes general information about charitable organizations available to the public.

A "charitable organization" is defined as one that solicits or collects contributions from the general public to support a charitable activity. "Charitable" activities expressly exclude religious or political activities. A commercial fund raiser is defined as any entity that is paid to solicit funds on behalf of a charity. Commercial fund raisers do not include an entity that provides advice or consultation to a charitable organization but neither solicits nor receives contributions on behalf of a charitable organization.

Summary of Proposed Substitute Bill:

The purpose of the Charitable Solicitations Act (CSA) is amended to include (1) improving the transparency and accountability of organizations that solicit funds from the public and (2) developing and operating educational programs to help build public confidence and trust in these organizations.

A number of statutory definitions are added or refined to clarify which entities are required to register:

• Churches and integrated auxiliaries are expressly exempted from several provisions of the CSA, but other religious organizations are not.
• "Fund-raising counsel" and "commercial coventurers" are newly defined and exempted from the registration requirements of commercial fund raisers.
• The definition of "parent organization" is repealed, consolidated filings by umbrella organizations are no longer permitted, and individual foundations, supporting organizations, chapters, branches, or affiliates of a parent organization must each file individually.

Appeals for funds on behalf of a specific individual are newly exempted.

The process by which out-of-state charitable organizations may be exempted from state registration requirements is changed. Out-of-state organizations may be exempted if the Secretary of State (Secretary) enters into a reciprocity agreement with the organization's home state.

Requirements of a commercial fund raiser are changed. A commercial fund raiser must agree in its contract with a charitable organization to provide officers of the charity reasonable access to the names of all of the fund raisers' employees or staff who are conducting solicitations or fund-raising on behalf of the charitable organizations. Commercial fund raisers are no longer required to submit lists of states and provinces other than Washington where fund-raising has been performed.

A charitable organization must ensure that its board has reviewed and accepted any financial report that the organization is required to file with the Secretary's office. Charitable organizations may be subject to criminal penalties of up to 90 days in jail and up to $1,000 in fines if there is a material error in the financial information filed. A charitable organization or commercial fund raiser must notify the Secretary's office within thirty days if there is a change in information reported in a solicitation report. Charitable organizations must also provide notice if a change has occurred in the total revenue of the preceding year.

The Secretary is given new authority in four areas: (1) the creation of an advisory council; (2) the development and operation of an educational program, funded by additional fees; (3) the establishment of a tiered financial reporting system; and (4) the ability to enter into reciprocity agreements with other states.

The Secretary may create a charitable advisory council, including representatives from a broad range of charities, to provide advice related to training and educational needs of charitable organizations, and help develop model policies related to governance and administration.

The Secretary is authorized to work with the state Attorney General to develop and operate an education program for charitable organizations, their board members, and the general public. To fund this program, the Secretary may establish additional registration fees for entities required to file under the CSA. The fees must be deposited into a new dedicated account in the State Treasury, the "charitable organization education account." Only the Secretary or his or her designee may authorize expenditures from the account.

The Secretary may establish tiered requirements for financial reporting, based on the revenues of the charitable organization. If a tiered system is adopted, organizations with revenues exceeding an average of $3 million for the preceding three years would be required to submit an audited financial statement with their filings. Those with revenues exceeding an average of $1 million for the preceding three years would be required to have federal financial reporting forms completed or reviewed by a third party.

The Secretary may enter into reciprocal agreements with other states for the purpose of exchanging information about charitable organizations and commercial fund raisers. If such a reciprocal agreement is created, the Secretary may exempt a charitable organization from the requirement to register in Washington, if the organization is: (1) organized under the laws of another state; (2) has its principal place of business outside of Washington and funds derived principally from sources outside Washington; and (3) is exempt under the laws of the state in which it is principally located. The Secretary may also accept information filed by a charitable organization or commercial fund raiser with another state if it is substantially similar to that required under the CSA.

A number of technical changes help streamline reporting of financial information. In addition, no entity may place a telephone call to a donor or potential donor before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m. Pacific Time. Formerly, no calls could be placed to an individual who would receive the call before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.