Virtual Public Forum on Assembly Bill 488

On December 1, 2021,  the California Department of Justice will hold a virtual public forum on Assembly Bill 488, a new law governing charitable fundraising on internet platforms. The forum will provide the public with an initial opportunity to provide public comment and participate in the rulemaking process.

AB 488 amends The Supervision of Trustees and Fundraisers for Charitable Purposes Act, which vests the Attorney General with regulatory supervision of charities, charitable trustees, and other legal entities holding charitable assets or soliciting donations in California. AB 488 expands the Attorney General’s supervision to include “charitable fundraising platforms” and “platform charities.” Charitable fundraising platforms include charitable crowdfunding websites, e-commerce companies that solicit donations for charities on their websites or engage in online charitable sales promotions, and companies that provide customizable versions of their fundraising platforms to charities. 

 WHEN: December 1, 2021, from 9:30 AM PT to 12:30 PM PT

 WHERE: A link to the virtual forum will be provided upon RSVP. Members of the public should RSVP to charities.regulations@doj.ca.gov. Members of the media should RSVP to agpressoffice@doj.ca.gov.

NOTE: Members of the public who wish to speak at the forum are requested to RSVP in advance to charities.regulations@doj.ca.gov with the following information: name, title, affiliation, e-mail address, and whether you require accommodations, such as a sign language interpreter or translator.

RSVPs to speak at the virtual forum may also be submitted by mail to: The California Department of Justice, ATTN: Charitable Trusts Section, 455 Golden Gate Ave., Suite 11000, San Francisco, CA 94102-7004. If you wish to submit written comments on the regulatory topics, please provide your comments to the same email or mailing address noted above no later than December 1, 2021. Please note that any information provided is subject to the California Public Records Act.

This e-bulletin was written by Louis E. Michelson.

For more information about the Nonprofit Organizations Committee and its programs, please contact Committee Chair Louis E. Michelson (louis@lemtax.com).

Know someone who would like to receive our E-bulletins?  Anyone interested may sign up on the website of the California Lawyers Association.   

Become an official member of the Nonprofit Organizations Committee!  The CLA Business Law Section is accepting applications online here. Applicants must be Business Law Section members who have been admitted to the California Bar for at least five years. 

Upcoming meeting dates: 

• Jan 20, 2022 10 am, The Unique Aspects of Tax Law Affecting Religious Organizations, Myron Steeves
• Feb 17, 2022 10 am Tania M. Ibanez, Senior Assistant Attorney General in charge of the Charitable Trust Section of the California Attorney General’s Office.
• Mar 17, 2022 10 am, How to Maintain Your Client Trust Account to Efficiently Run Your Practice AND Avoid Bar Discipline (Ethics Credit)
• Apr 21, 2022 10 am
• May 19, 2022 10 am
• Jun 16, 2022 10 am
• Jul 21, 2022 10 am, Welfare Exemption, Sy Nguyen, Los Angeles County Office of the Assessor