2011 Arizona Legislative Update

Major Proposals Affecting Nonprofits

A number of bills were considered in the 2011 session of the Arizona state legislature that affected the nonprofit community. A selection of major proposals includes:

Four bills that would limit the legislature's authority to appropriate funds for programs supporting nonprofit services (SB 1231, SB 1408, HB 2707, SCR 1026). HB 2707 passed the legislature and was sent to the Governor for her signature.
A proposal to allow low-profit limited liability corporations (L3Cs) in Arizona (SB 1503) - This bill failed to advance out of the House Commerce Committee.
A bill to require nonprofits whose donors use the working poor tax credit against state income taxes certify that the organization "does not provide, pay for, promote, provide coverage of or provide referrals for abortions and does not financially support any other entity that provides, pays for, promotes, provides coverage of or provides referrals for abortions" (SB 1265) - passed Senate Healthcare and Medical Liability Reform Committee
A proposal to create the micro-enterprise development program, which provides funding for low income entrepreneurs through nonprofits (HB 2267) -This bill failed to get a hearing from the House Banking & Insurance Committee.
A proposal to require certain nonprofits to include in all print, broadcast and multimedia a disclosure statement in the advertisement stating that it is either partially or fully paid for with public monies (HB 2502) - passed the House 37-23. HB2502 has advanced out of the Government Reform & Rules Committees.
On April 8, Governor Brewer signed Arizona's new budget into law. Read this analysis of of the 2011 Arizona budget by Children's Action Alliance. "Arizona families need a state budget that works for them but budget adopted by the House and Senate Republicans seels out our future. The budget takes more giant steps backwards for children's health, education and security. It removes resources from the classroom and promises a weaker workforce."

National Issues

The Alliance is a member of the National Council of Nonprofits. Read the latest news about national issues coordinated by the National Council.

Find Resources in the Recovery Act (Stimulus)

Arizona received close to $6 billion from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Many of these dollars were distributed to Arizona nonprofits through a variety of federal, state and local programs.

The Alliance offered Arizona nonprofits a number of ways to learn about the opportunities raised by these stimulus funds to assist them during the current recession:

View information from our April 17, 2009 forum: How Will the Federal Stimulus Package Impact Arizona Nonprofits? Featuring representatives of Arizona Governor Jan Brewer, the National Council of Nonprofits and local government, this forum offered nonprofits and funders with the best available information about how these funds may be allocated and provide nonprofits and funders with a better understanding of how nonprofits will be impacted and what they can/should do to ensure they are prepared to distribute the funds to their respective clients. See information in our Recovery Act section of this website.
Stay in touch with the Arizona State Government's website dedicated to the latest news on stimulus funding in Arizona.
The National Council of Nonprofits has produced a series of special reports on the federal stimulus law to help nonprofits understand the implications for their work.