Council on Foundations Legislative Network
Update – May 5, 2005

In This Update:

Grassley, Baucus Announce Bill to Curtail the Use of Charities in Life Insurance Deals
Next week, Senate Finance Committee Chairman Charles Grassley (R-IA) and Ranking Member Max Baucus (D-MT) will introduce legislation aimed at reducing abuses in certain life insurance contacts involving tax-exempt organizations.  The bill will target life insurance contracts that inappropriately afford benefits to private investors that would not otherwise be available without the charity’s involvement.  In a May 3 Senate Finance Committee press release, Senator Baucus pledged to work with Senator Grassley, “to make sure that these insurance scams are shut down quickly.”  While the Senate Finance Committee has been examining life insurance deals involving charities for some time, the issue was not mentioned in the committee’s June 2004 staff discussion draft.  To read the full press release, click on http://finance.senate.gov/press/Gpress/2005/prg050305.pdf.  For more information, contact Diane Canova (mailto:canod@cof.org or 202/467-0405), Luis Maldonado (mailto:maldl@cof.org or 202/467-0394) or Brian Flahaven (mailto:flahb@cof.org or 202/467-0424).

Senate Finance Committee Hearing on Land Donations Expected in Early June
The Senate Finance Committee is expected to hold another hearing on charities in early June.  The hearing will focus on land donations, including the committee’s review of the operations of The Nature Conservancy and limitations on gifts of appreciated property.  The Council will alert the Legislative Network once a date and time is announced.  For more information, contact Diane Canova (mailto:canod@cof.org or 202/467-0405), Luis Maldonado (mailto:maldl@cof.org or 202/467-0394) or Brian Flahaven (mailto:flahb@cof.org or 202/467-0424).

Panel on the Nonprofit Sector to Release Phase II Work Group Recommendations
Early next week, the Panel on the Nonprofit Sector will release its Phase II Work Group recommendations for public comment.  The Panel will consider the Work Group recommendations and public feedback when drafting its June 2005 report to the Senate Finance Committee.  Foundations, charities and individuals wishing to comment on the Work Group recommendations can do so at www.nonprofitpanel.org.  The comment period ends on Thursday, May 19, 2005.  For more information, contact Diane Canova (mailto:canod@cof.org or 202/467-0405), Luis Maldonado (mailto:maldl@cof.org or 202/467-0394) or Brian Flahaven (mailto:flahb@cof.org or 202/467-0424).

Foundations on the Hill 2006 Scheduled for March 14-15, 2006
Mark Your Calendars!  The Council on Foundations and the Forum of Regional Associations of Grantmakers announced that Foundations on the Hill 2006 will take place on Tuesday and Wednesday, March 14-15, 2006 in Washington, D.C.  Foundations on the Hill is an annual event designed to inform members of Congress about the important role foundations play in their communities, districts and states. A record 180 foundation representatives from around the country participated in Foundations on the Hill 2005, the largest number of participants in the event’s 11 year history.  For more information, visit www.foundationsonthehill.org or contact Brian Flahaven (flahb@cof.org or 202/467-0424). 


Congressional Schedule
The House is in session this week, the Senate is on recess.  Both the House and the Senate will be in session next week.  Today, the House is considering a bill to overhaul the federal deposit insurance system and a vocational and technical education measure.  Next Thursday, the House Committee on Ways and Means will hold a hearing on alternatives to strengthen Social Security. 

Luis Maldonado Joins the Council’s Government Relations Staff
On May 2, Luis Maldonado joined the Council as Director of the Government Relations and Public Policy Department.  Most recently, Luis served as the Executive Director for Legislative Affairs for the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU).  He also was the Associate Director, Intergovernmental Affairs for the Washington, DC office of the Puerto Rican Governor and was a visiting professor at the George Washington University Medical Center.  Luis can be reached at mailto:maldl@cof.org or 202/467-0394.

New E-Mail Address?
The Council is updating the Legislative Network subscriber list.  If you have a new e-mail address or new contact information, please send it to mailto:govt@cof.org.  Please put LN EDIT in the subject line.   

Legislative Network is a service of the Government Relations and Public Policy Department at the Council on Foundations.  For assistance, contact:

Diane Canova                    Luis Maldonado          Brian Flahaven          Elina Urli
Vice President                  Director                        Coordinator                     Coordinator
mailto:canod@cof.org            mailto:maldl@cof.org            mailto:flahb@cof.org            mailto:urlie@cof.org
               
Ask Your Colleagues to Join the Network!  Sign up at:
http://www.cof.org/Content/General/Display.cfm?contentID=267

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The Legislative Network e-mail list is sponsored by the Council on Foundations. Discussions on this e-mail list do not reflect the official opinion or endorsement of the Council on Foundations. Queries posted to this list sometimes involve issues that require interpreting the law of charitable giving or of tax-exempt organizations. Please remember that you should never rely on any contribution to this, or any, Internet discussion forum for advice on important legal questions. Neither this list or any other Internet discussion forum is a substitute for the careful legal advice of a competent attorney at law retained by you to discuss your specific situation.