Legislation protecting donor privacy for nonprofit organizations is now on its way to North Carolina Governor Josh Stein. The Personal Privacy Protection Act, also known as Senate Bill 416, passed both the state House and Senate Thursday, mostly along party lines.
The bill prohibits public agencies from collecting or disclosing personal information about members, volunteers, and both financial and non-financial donors to 501(c) nonprofit groups, unless disclosure is required by law. Critics argue the bill could weaken transparency in political funding, while supporters insist it protects citizens from harassment and preserves civil liberties.
Campaign finance disclosure laws at both the federal and state levels remain unaffected. Requirements for reporting to the IRS and North Carolina State Board of Elections are also unchanged.
Supporters say the bill is a response to rising concerns over political intimidation, where donors to certain causes have been publicly targeted. “This is not about hiding dark money,” proponents argued. “It’s about protecting North Carolinians’ rights to support the causes they believe in without fear of retaliation.”
The final Senate vote was 24-15, with all Republicans voting in favor. Two Democrats—Sens. Gale Adcock and Julie Mayfield—also supported it. The House approved the bill 63-46, with three Democrats—Reps. Carla Cunningham, Charles Smith, and Shelly Willingham—joining Republicans in favor.
The bill now awaits action from Governor Stein, a Democrat in his first term. Once it is officially presented, he will have 10 days to sign, veto, or allow it to become law without his signature. As of Friday afternoon, the 10-day countdown had not yet begun.
