California nonprofits could soon file charity registry paperwork online, after a joint legislative hearing on Aug. 5 previewed a modernization effort that would replace paper submissions with a system for filings, reports, payments and email notices.
According to a hearing transcript summary, committee members were told the registry had relied on paper forms, supporting documents and mailed checks, and that the digital rollout is expected to let the office handle notices and reminders by email. Lawmakers also asked whether the change would save processing time and free staff for more customer-service work.
The same hearing also focused on broader complaints from nonprofit witnesses about how California administers grants and contracts. Witnesses said state agencies do not always use the full grant periods approved by the Legislature, creating uncertainty for staffing and retention and pulling staff time toward applications and award processing instead of services. Others urged agencies to give more meaningful feedback to unsuccessful applicants.
Testimony also pressed state agencies to reimburse nonprofit indirect costs at no less than 15%, the federal minimum rate cited in the hearing, arguing that unpaid indirect costs force nonprofits to subsidize state-funded programs with their own resources. The transcript summary also says speakers described contract registration and procurement delays as sources of financial strain and barriers to service delivery.
The hearing did not show a formal vote or bill action in the material reviewed, and the transcript excerpt does not identify all speakers by name or say which agency will own the online filing rollout.
