• We have added a Stimulus Package Legal News page.

• The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has just issued a letter to the U.S. Department of Energy that states that CAA employees doing weatherization projects fully or partly funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (stimulus funding) will be covered by the Davis-Bacon Act provisions and must be paid prevailing wages, as determined by DOL.  Employees of outside contractors doing weatherization work for CAAs are, of course, also covered.  However, weatherization inspectors and auditors are not covered, regardless of whether they are CAA employees or outside contractors. Click here to see the letter.

• The National Low Income Housing Coalition has posted an announcement about recently enacted renter protection laws for those living in foreclosed properties, including a 90-day pre-eviction notice requirement.  Visit the NLIHC for more information.

• Fisher & Phillips, LLP is offering a free webinar on compliance with the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). The webinar will be offered on June 11, 2009, at 1:00 EST.  Registration is required.

• CAPLAW's May 2009 Legal Update Newsletter is now available for download [PDF] or online viewing.

• Press Release: Winston A. Ross Elected New President of CAPLAW.

• We have added new sample Conflict of Interest and Complaint Resolution policies to our Model Policies page.

• This spring, the IRS is offering a series of one-day workshops for tax-compliance administrators at small- to mid-sized 501(c)(3) organizations.  For registration information, please click here.

• The IRS has released the final version of the 2008 Form 990.

• CAPLAW's new Governance Case Studies are now available for download.  The studies are designed to educate board members and nonprofit managers about the challenges involved in creating an effective, well-managed board.  You can also download a free mp3 recording of CAPLAW's Governance Case Studies audio conference.

• Missed CAPLAW's recent audio conferences "Effective Cost Allocation Strategies" and "The Legal Lowdown on Weathization Stimulus Funding"?  Order an audio conference recording and materials by clicking here.

 

*NEW* - Lobbying and Advocacy Q & A

CAPLAW Legal Update May 2009 [pdf] Inside this issue: How the Economic Stimulus Affects CAAs and Their Clients CAPLAW Founder Steps Down as President; Winston Ross Elected as New President What’s New at CAPLAW OMB Issues Guidance on Use of Stimulus Funds Stimulus Act Reduces COBRA Premiums Owed by Laid-Off Workers Are You in Compliance with the New FMLA Regulations and ADA Amendments? DAB Decisions Stress Importance of Obtaining Prior Approval for Grant-Related Changes DAB Confirms that Head Start Funds Can’t Be Used for Cash Assistance but Permits Purchase of Plasma TV

The head of the IRS's Tax-Exempt organization section recently spoke about nonprofit governance and the new Form 990.  Click here to read his comments.

Head Start Reauthorization: NEW—The Office of Head Start recently released a program instruction on the Head Start salary cap.

For more information about the newly reauthorized Head Start Act – including a summary of the main changes, links to the new law and to guidance on it from the Office of Head Start, information on ordering a CD of CAPLAW’s audio conference on reauthorization, Q&As, and other resources, click here.

New IRS Form 990:  The IRS has released the final redesigned Form 990 that private, nonprofit CAAs and other tax-exempt organizations will use for the 2008 tax year. To view the redesigned form, schedules and instructions and for more IRS information on the new form including online mini-courses, click here.

For a helpful article from Guidestar on changes in Form 990 compensation reporting, click here.