Despite recent amendments to the measure that would further protect the anonymity of donors, the governor remains concerned there might still be enough information available to link the donor to a donation. The governor is concerned the bill could have a chilling effect on donors' willingness to give to these organizations if donors are not confident that their identities would be fully protected under the bill.
Recent amendments would exempt the disclosure of personal information gathered by foundations that they use to solicit potential donors that is tantamount to trade secret information. SB 330 will also be amended when the legislature returns from its summer recess to exempt donor’s addresses and telephone numbers from being disclosed.
SB 330 was introduced to overturn a 2001 appellate court decision involving the Fresno Bee,which ruled that these agencies are not subject to the CPRA even though they perform governmental functions. A similar measure authored by Senator Yee was vetoed by the governor last year.
CNPA will continue to work with the Governor’s office and Senator Yee to address the governor’s concerns before the bill is heard on the Assembly floor in early August.
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