The Disclosure Digest: February 9, 2021
 Welcome to Disclosure DigestFebruary 2021Welcome to Ballotpedia's Disclosure Digest. Last month, we highlighted three states (Iowa, Nebraska, and Tennessee) considering bills that would bar public agencies from publicly disclosing identifying information about nonprofit donors. This month, we take a closer look at the Nebraska legislation. We also share what we're reading, and cover the current state of disclosure related legislation. 
Nebraska lawmakers consider bill limiting disclosure of nonprofit donor informationLast month, we highlighted three states (Iowa, Nebraska, and Tennessee) considering bills that would bar public agencies from publicly disclosing identifying information about nonprofit donors. This week, we take a closer look at the Nebraska legislation. What the bill proposes Nebraska LB370 would bar any public agency (including state and municipal government units and courts) from:
The legislation carves out exceptions for the following situations:
Nebraska LB370 does not specify penalties for violations of the law, specifying only that a person alleging a violation "may be entitled to appropriate injunctive relief and damages." Arguments There has been no media coverage of arguments for or against this bill. However, here's what we have seen for similar bills in other states. In 2018, Michigan lawmakers approved SB1176, which is similar to LB370. In an op-ed for The Detroit News, Sean Parnell, vice-president of public policy for the Philanthropy Roundtable, wrote: "Michiganians are no stranger to anonymous giving, whether it’s the tens of millions of dollars given to support the Kalamazoo Promise or the numerous small anonymous gifts made through sites like GoFundMe.com. The Personal Privacy Protection Act ensures these and countless other acts of kindness can remain private if the giver wishes, while doing nothing to undermine Michigan’s laws regarding disclosure of campaign donations or punishing fraud by nonprofits. If Michigan wants to continue to encourage philanthropic giving, passage of this bill should be a priority..." The Campaign Legal Center's Erin Cholpak opposed the Michigan bill, writing: "While other states have been working to close loopholes that have allowed the increasing role of dark money in election campaigns, SB 1176 would codify those loopholes as enforceable law in Michigan. … And even if SB 1176 ultimately exempts campaign finance disclosure requirements from its broad disclosure ban, the bill will still make it easier for Michigan lawmakers to hide any conflicts of interest and could facilitate a rise of pay-to-play politics by shielding such arrangements from public scrutiny." Gov. Rick Snyder (R) vetoed SB1176. Similar legislation was also introduced last year in Iowa, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Utah, and West Virginia. The Utah and West Virginia bills were enacted. Legislative status Sen. Rita Sanders (R) introduced LB370 on Jan. 13. It was referred to the Judiciary Committee, which has scheduled a hearing for March 11. The legislature is scheduled to adjourn on June 10. Political context: The Nebraska Senate is the nation's only unicameral state legislature. Although the legislature is formally nonpartisan, members affiliated with the Republican Party control a majority of seats. The governor of Nebraska is also a Republican.  What We're Reading
The Big PictureNumber of relevant bills by state: We're currently tracking 20 pieces of legislation dealing with donor disclosure. On the map below, a darker shade of green indicates a greater number of relevant bills. Click here for a complete list of all the bills we're tracking. Recent Legislative Actions:For complete information on all of the bills we are tracking, click here.
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