National Advocacy
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Current Nonprofit Related Issues
Proposed Rule Changes
Nonprofits have an opportunity to provide input on rule changes that would effect nonprofit employers and any organization with a federal grant or wanting to apply for a federal grant.
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Proposed New Overtime Rules
The Department of Labor is proposing changes to the overtime rules governing salaried employees. If implemented, the effect would vary depending upon size and location (urban vs. rural).
The Department of Labor is asking all employers to review the proposed regulations and submit public comments on key questions like what the rules changes would cost each organization, how many employees would be affected, and what entities are planning to do to comply.
The comprehensive reform proposal seeks to amend the OMB Uniform Guidance that provides common rules that govern most federal grantmaking to charitable nonprofits, state, local, and tribal governments, and others.
If the proposed higher minimum salary thresholds go through at some point in 2024, employers will likely need to make adjustments to the pay and work plans for affected employees. See What Your Nonprofit Needs to Know about the (Latest) New FLSA Overtime Rule by our colleagues at North Carolina Center for Nonprofits.
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Read Evaluating the Labor Department's Overtime Proposed Rule to get the background information and key questions to consider,
Submit comments on the proposed rule changes by November 7, 2023.
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Proposed New Federal Grants Rules
The Biden Administration is proposing significant changes to the rules governing federal grantmaking that would correct longstanding challenges that have limited nonprofit effectiveness, discouraged qualified organizations from seeking and performing under federal grants, and wasted billions of dollars and countless hours in needlessly complex reporting requirements.
The comprehensive reform proposal seeks to amend the OMB Uniform Guidance that provides common rules that govern most federal grantmaking to charitable nonprofits, state, local, and tribal governments, and others.
For more information, see the initial analysis from the National Council of Nonprofits.
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Read the proposal and analysis.
Submit comments on the proposed rule changes by December 4, 2023.
Proposed Legislation
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Streamlining Federal Grants Act
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The legislation would make getting and managing federal grants easier.
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S. 2286/H.R. 5934 will improve the effectiveness and performance of federal grants.
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See the Streamlining Federal Grants Act and the Benefits to Nonprofits
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The Charitable Act
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The legislation would encourage and empower taxpayers to give back to their communities by granting a tax incentive:
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H.R. 3435/S. 566 provides a non-itemizer deduction of up to one-third of the standard deduction (approximately $4,600 per individual and $9,200 per couple)
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Will be available in 2023 and 2024
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Volunteer Driver Tax Appreciation Act of 2022
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Congress established the volunteer mileage rate of 14 cents per mile in 1997. This legislation would encourage volunteer drivers to return to assisting their fellow residents at less personal cost:
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H.R. 3032/S. 3020 increases the Charitable Mileage Rate for nonprofit volunteer drivers delivering people or products on behalf of nonprofits to the standard business rate, currently set at 65.5 cents per mile
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Eliminates taxation of mileage reimbursements up to the business rate
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The Nonprofit Stakeholders Engaging and Advancing Together Act (S.E.A.T. Act)
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Charitable nonprofits partner with governments at all levels to promote the public good. Yet, there is no one in the federal government charged with ensuring the challenges and concerns of charitable organizations are heard and addressed. The S.E.A.T. Act would establish structures for the exchange of information and ideas, while also advancing solutions to several long-standing challenges. H.R. 3245:
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Establishes a White House Office, an Interagency Councill, and Advisory Board to give nonprofits a voice in federal policy
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Creates a commission to promote enforcement of protections in the OMB Uniform Guidance, require quarterly nonprofit jobs/wages reports, and promote volunteerism
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New Mexico Thrives communicates with our Representatives and Senators to provide information about the needs and concerns of New Mexico's nonprofits. New Mexico Thrives also partners with the National Council of Nonprofits on national advocacy initiatives.
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2023
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New Mexico Thrives met with Congressional delegates and their staff to brag about the exemplary work on New Mexico nonprofits and to discuss their needs.
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New Mexico's Federal Delegation
Contact your congressional delegates to let them know about the work of your organization and the needs of your community. Find out which staff member has nonprofits in their portfolio. They will be the most direct point of contact with your elected official.
Representative Melanie Stansbury, Congressional District 1
Committees:
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House Committee on Natural Resources
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Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, Ranking Member
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House Committee on Oversight and Accountability
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Subcommittee on Economic Growth, Energy Policy, and the Federal Workforce
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Subcommittee on Government Operations and the Federal Workforce
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Contact information:
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Twitter: @Rep_Stansbury
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DC Phone: 202-225-6316
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Representative Gabe Vasquez, Congressional District 2
Committees:
- House Agriculture Committee
- Conservation, Research and Biotechnology Subcommittee
- Forestry Subcommittee
- House Armed Services Committee
- Strategic Forces Subcommittee, Vice Ranking Member
- Readiness Subcommittee
Contact information:
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Twitter: @RepGabeVasquez
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DC Phone: 202-225-2365
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Representative Teresa Leger Fernandez, Congressional District 3
Committees:
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House Rules Committee
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Subcommittee on Legislative and Budget Process, Ranking Member
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House Committee on Natural Resources
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Indian and Insular Affairs Subcommittee, Ranking Member
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House Committee on Education and the Workforce
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Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Development
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Contact information:
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Twitter: @RepTeresaLF
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DC Phone: 202-225-6190
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Senator Martin Heinrich
Committees:
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U.S. Congress Joint Economic, Chair
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Senate Committee on Energy & Natural Resources
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Senate Committee on Appropriations
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Senate Appropriations Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Subcommittee, Chair
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Senate Committee on Intelligence
Contact information:
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Twitter: @MartinHeinrich
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DC Phone: 202-224-5521
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Senator Ben Ray Lujan
Committees:
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Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition & Forestry
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Senate Committee on Budget
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Senate Committee on Commerce, Science & Transportation
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Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor & Pensions
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Senate Committee on Indian Affairs
Contact information:
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Twitter: @SenatorLujan
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DC Phone: 202-224-6621
Rep. Melanie Stansbury & Tsiporah Nephesh
D.C. 2023 PHOTOS
