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Bill to shield nonprofit donor, volunteer lists draws broad bipartisan support at Senate hearing
Summary
Assembly Bill 197 would prohibit many government entities from collecting or disclosing records that identify donors, members or volunteers of nonprofits; sponsors and a wide mix of advocacy groups testified in favor, arguing it protects First Amendment rights.
Assembly Bill 197, introduced by Assemblymember Shay Backus, would require government entities to keep confidential personal information that identifies donors, members or volunteers of nonprofit organizations except in specified lawful circumstances. Backus described the measure as a preventative statute intended to stop government actors from “weaponizing” access to nonprofit lists.
The bill would prohibit government agencies from requesting donor lists except in enumerated situations (for example, when a court order authorizes disclosure or where other state law already requires disclosure). The sponsor and supporters emphasized the bill does not change campaign‑finance disclosure requirements: campaign‑law filings and other legally mandated disclosures remain intact.
Supporters included a wide cross section of groups: United Way of Southern Nevada, Americans for Prosperity, Las Vegas‑area nonprofits, labor organizations and Latino civic groups. Testimony cited concerns that public disclosure of donor or volunteer lists can expose individuals to harassment and chill free association: one supporter said “protecting personal privacy is an essential American ideal.”
The bill’s proponents said they negotiated exceptions over several months, including law‑enforcement and litigation exceptions and specific safe harbors for sealed records and campaign filings. The secretary of state’s current routine nonprofit filings were discussed; sponsor language aims to keep donor lists out of routine government disclosure while preserving statutorily required filings.
No opposition appeared in the hearing and there were no committee actions taken during the hearing.
