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Primary Sponsor

Last Action

Ch. SL 2025-792025-07-29

Vote Breakdown

Plain Language Summary

This bill prohibits North Carolina public agencies from collecting, disclosing, or publicly releasing personal information about members, volunteers, and donors to nonprofit organizations, except in limited legal circumstances like court-ordered warrants or litigation with protective orders. Violations can result in civil lawsuits for damages of at least $2,500 per violation, up to triple that amount for intentional violations, plus attorneys' fees, and can constitute a Class 2 misdemeanor.

Arguments in Favor

• •Supporters argue this bill protects First Amendment associational rights by preventing government surveillance of nonprofit donors and supporters, which could chill charitable giving and civic participation.
• •They contend that nonprofit membership and donor lists are sensitive personal information that should not be vulnerable to public disclosure, and that the law includes reasonable exemptions for legitimate law enforcement and legal proceedings.

Arguments Against

• •Opponents worry the bill may hamper government oversight and accountability by restricting public agencies' ability to investigate fraud, conflicts of interest, or misuse of public funds involving nonprofit organizations and their donors.
• •They also raise concerns that the broad protections could shield illegal activity from discovery in civil litigation and that the financial penalties and criminal provisions may discourage legitimate government inquiries into nonprofit compliance with state and federal law.