Sec. 12. 9 MRSA §5017, as enacted by PL 2003, c. 541, §18, is amended to read:

§5017. Denial or refusal to renew registration

The commissioner may deny or refuse to renew a registration under this chapter for fraud, misrepresentation or deception on an application or for violation of any provision of statute or rule adopted under this chapter.

SUMMARY

This bill:

1. Eliminates the requirement that professional fund-raising counsel carry a $25,000 surety bond;

2. Eliminates the requirement that businesses donating less than $10,000 annually to charitable organizations become registered as commercial co-venturers. This will apply the same exemption limit to commercial co-venturers as currently applies to charitable organizations;

3. Amends the definition of "contribution" by adding an exception for money or property received from an organization. This will produce the effect of exempting from the registration requirement individuals who contract with charitable organizations to provide grant-writing services for the purpose of obtaining money or property from organizations;

4. Corrects an inconsistency between the definition of "charitable organization" and the description of entities subject to the registration requirements applicable to charitable organizations; and

5. Deletes a reference to the financial report filing fee, which no longer is charged to charitable organizations receiving more than $30,000 annually in gross contributions.