HB184 Alabama 2023 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Jamie KielRepresentative

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2023

Title

Relating to charitable organizations; to amend Section 13A-9-71, Code of Alabama 1975, to prohibit the imposition of certain filing or reporting requirements on certain charitable organizations.

Summary

HB184 protects charitable organizations from new, tighter filing rules by limiting state agencies to the needs already set by existing law, while strengthening registration and reporting rules for charities soliciting in Alabama.

What This Bill Does

It requires charitable organizations that solicit contributions in Alabama to register with the Attorney General before soliciting and to provide specific information about the organization. It also establishes initial registration and annual reporting requirements, including fees and record-keeping, and outlines exemptions for certain groups. Additionally, it prohibits state agencies from imposing annual filing or reporting requirements that are more stringent than those provided by the act, with some exceptions, and specifies enforcement mechanisms and penalties for charitable fraud.

Who It Affects

• Charitable organizations physically located in Alabama that solicit contributions (or have contributions solicited on their behalf) and their officers, by requiring pre-solicitation registration, ongoing reporting, and record-keeping.
• State agencies and officials (and their regulators) by restricting their ability to create stricter annual filing or reporting requirements for charities beyond what the act allows.

Key Provisions

• Registration before solicitation: Charitable organizations must file a registration statement with the Attorney General containing information such as organization name, officers, addresses, establishment details, purposes, fiscal year end, authorization to solicit, and details about professional fundraisers and co-venturers.
• Initial registration materials: In addition to registration, organizations must file copies of charters/bylaws and tax-exemption documents; registration must be signed by the organization's president and chief fiscal officer.
• Fees and duration: A $25 registration fee is required; registration remains in effect unless canceled or withdrawn, and changes must be reported within 10 days; annual fee of $25 is also required with the annual report.
• Annual reporting: Within 90 days after the close of each fiscal year, a sworn annual report with financial statements, balance sheet, and activity details must be filed; a Form 990 can meet this requirement; a $25 report fee applies; failure can lead to cancellation.
• Exemptions: Several groups are not required to register, including educational institutions, religious and political organizations, certain fraternal and civic groups, and fundraising for relief of individuals under certain limits.
• State-agency reporting cap: No state agency or official may impose annual filing or reporting requirements on charities that are more stringent than those authorized by state law, with specific carve-outs for state grants/contracts and fraud investigations.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.