The Assembly Governmental Organization Committee advanced SB 1240 on June 24, moving a bill that would create an Office of Nonprofit Empowerment to help nonprofits navigate state procurement, grants and reimbursements.
The hearing drew support from a long list of service organizations, including Child Care Resource Center, San Diego Humane Society, Kaiser Advocacy, the California Behavioral Health Association, the California Alliance of Child and Family Services and the California Community Action Partnership Association, according to the committee record. Tamara Foster of the Little Hoover Commission also testified in support, citing a January report on state nonprofit partnerships.
Backers argued that California’s nonprofit sector faces chronic late payments and heavy administrative burdens in its work with state government. One supporter compared the proposed office to GoBiz, the state’s business-assistance shop for companies.
Assemblymember Davis raised accountability and oversight questions during the hearing, while Assemblymember Salachim spoke in support of the bill and said he had worked in the nonprofit world for 20 years.
The committee record available for the hearing does not include the final vote tally or whether amendments were attached.
