SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) – California lawmakers are advancing legislation to get taxpayers’ donations into the hands of charities more quickly following a critical report by The Associated Press.
Democratic Sen. Bob Hertzberg of Van Nuys wrote SB1476 after an AP investigation found at least one-tenth of all charitable donations made on tax returns went unspent last year.
AP’s review found nearly $10 million in 29 funds was awaiting delivery to or distribution by state agencies and another $278,000 had reverted to state coffers.
Hertzberg says taxpayers have donated about $100 million through the check-off system since 1982.
His bill would continuously appropriate the aid and retire a fund if taxpayers provide less than $250,000 in one year.
The Assembly unanimously approved the bill Monday, sending it to the Senate.
