Senate pauses bill on nonprofits and partisan activity amid questions about the Johnson Amendment

Senators spent a substantial portion of floor time March 20 debating a bill intended to prepare Maryland’s nonprofit oversight if a pending federal court decision or policy change alters enforcement of the Johnson Amendment.

Sponsor (speaker 3) said the measure is a contingency plan for Maryland’s roughly 41,000 nonprofits, seeking to protect those organizations and prevent large donors from coercing charities into partisan activity. The sponsor described procedural protections — a warning, mediation and, only in serious cases, potential revocation of nonprofit status — and said the bill would only take effect if the federal Johnson Amendment were weakened.

Several senators expressed concern that the bill could chill longstanding political and advocacy roles for faith institutions. Senator 17 said, "I feel very strongly that this bill is not needed," and argued churches and religious leaders have historically played crucial roles in political movements. Others, including senator 16 who works with nonprofits, supported stronger safeguards for charities that accept public donations.

The sponsor agreed to special order the bill until the next first session on Monday to allow time for amendment drafting and stakeholder review. The Senate voted to special‑order the bill and will reconsider it after further work.

What happens next: The bill will be returned to the floor at the designated special‑order time to consider sponsor or other amendments; final action will follow further committee or floor amendment work.