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House committees adopt AG amendments to online-fundraising bill after GoFundMe and AG present compromise
Summary
The joint committees adopted Attorney General–proposed amendments to S.B.1048 after GoFundMe and the AG presented a compromise draft that pares back waiting periods and bonding and removes vicarious-liability language for platforms.
The committees considered S.B.1048 (S.D.2) concerning solicitation of funds from the public and adopted amendments largely based on the Attorney General’s recommendations while acknowledging an industry compromise proposed by GoFundMe.
GoFundMe’s policy lead, Amanda Brown Lehrman, testified the platform and the Attorney General have met and drafted compromise language that would remove overly burdensome requirements (such as a 10-day waiting period and bonding), allow donor email and IP address in place of a mailing address for online contributions, streamline reporting, and eliminate vicarious liability for platforms. The Attorney General’s deputy, Christy Chang, said the office supports amendments and emphasized the need for enforcement tools; the AG’s office confirmed it has criminal investigative avenues but that the act as currently implemented in prior law did not include civil monetary penalties for platforms.
Members asked how enforcement would operate against platforms that do not remove fraudulent pages; the AG said such matters can be referred to the office’s criminal investigative division and that the office’s investigative reach is evolving in this space. The AG and GoFundMe representatives said they reached consensus on many items and supplied a draft compromise for the committee’s consideration.
Committee outcome: the committee adopted the Attorney General’s proposed amendments and adjusted effective-date language so section 10 in the AG draft takes effect July 1, 2025. The committee record notes the compromise drafting from GoFundMe and the AG; members asked the AG to follow up on enforcement procedures and to clarify civil remedies in any subsequent drafts.
