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Supporters and opponents spar as committee hears 'Not On Our Dime' bill restricting nonprofit funding for illegal settlement activity
Summary
HB 11 84 would bar Maryland nonprofits from knowingly funding illegal settlement activity overseas; civil‑rights and Muslim/Jewish groups urged a favorable report citing international law, while Jewish community leaders warned the measure risks singling out Jewish charities and could fuel antisemitism without clear targeted evidence.
Delegate Acevedo introduced HB 11 84, the "Not On Our Dime Act," asking the Judiciary Committee to bar Maryland‑registered charities from knowingly using donations to support activities that facilitate illegal settlement activity in occupied Palestinian territory. "This bill regulates the use of nonprofit funds, not speech, religion, or identity," the sponsor said.
Proponents — including civil‑rights organizations, Muslim advocacy groups and local chapters of Jewish Voice for Peace — framed the bill as conduct‑focused. They cited the fourth Geneva Convention, United Nations resolutions and international‑court findings that characterize Israeli settlement expansion in the occupied West Bank as lacking legal validity and causing forced displacement. "Charitable donations collected in our state should never be used to facilitate violence or violations of international law," said a representative of CARE.
Opponents — including local Jewish federation representatives and prominent community donors — warned the bill is overbroad, risks singling out Jewish charities and could inflame antisemitism. Bruce Barriano, representing a coalition of Jewish institutions, called the measure "a slander on organizations that do much good in Maryland," and said he was not aware that mainstream Jewish charities in the state fund the activities described by proponents.
Committee members asked sponsors for targeted examples and an itemized list of organizations the bill would affect; several requested clearer drafting to avoid unintentionally penalizing charities that fund humanitarian or community projects. Sponsors said the bill targets conduct tied to documented land transfers and settlement financing, and offered to provide more specifics to the committee.
Ending — The hearing closed after extended, sometimes emotional testimony from both sides. Lawmakers requested additional detail and suggested further drafting refinement before committee action.
