Calif. Lawmakers OK New Powers to Audit Political Nonprofits

The California Assembly gave final legislative approval Monday to a measure that would ramp up the authority of the state’s ethics and tax agencies to investigate “dark money” nonprofit groups that pour funds into political campaigns, the Los Angeles Times reports.

The bill would allow the Fair Political Practices Commission to initiate audits when it suspects illicit politicking before an election occurs and to seek injunctions to force donor disclosure by electioneering groups. The state Franchise Tax Board would get similar audit powers.

The measure is one of several regulations on nonprofit political activity proposed in the wake of an anonymous $11-million donation from an Arizona nonprofit aimed at influencing two California ballot questions in 2012. Many of those bills have stalled, but legislation to mandate greater donor disclosure by political nonprofits has been passed by the Assembly and is awaiting a Senate vote.