Message-ID: <5465344.1075840277523.JavaMail.evans@thyme> Date: Thu, 7 Dec 2000 00:59:00 -0800 (PST) From: clark97@swbell.net To: syeager@fyi-net.com, jttkyle@jttrotter.com, jvalenti@mpaa.org, jhduncan@aol.com, klay@enron.com, pdouglas@salus.net, will.reed@techforall.org Subject: [Fwd: IRS Proposed Regulation of Speech on Nonprofit's Internet Sites] Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit X-From: "Andrew J. Clark III" X-To: "F. Scott Yeager" , "J.T. Trotter" , Jack Valenti , John Duncan , Ken Lay , Peter Douglas , Will Reed X-cc: X-bcc: X-Folder: \Kenneth_Lay_Dec2000\Notes Folders\Notes inbox X-Origin: LAY-K X-FileName: klay.nsf FYI Jack Clark Content-transfer-encoding: 7bit Return-path: Received: from mta1.rcsntx.swbell.net (mta1-pr.rcsntx.swbell.net) by sims1.rcsntx.swbell.net (Sun Internet Mail Server sims.3.5.2000.01.05.12.18.p9) with ESMTP id <0G56006C6NMOJU@sims1.rcsntx.swbell.net> for clark97@sims-ms-daemon; Wed, 6 Dec 2000 23:37:37 -0600 (CST) Received: from imo-r12.mail.aol.com ([152.163.225.66]) by mta1.rcsntx.swbell.net (Sun Internet Mail Server sims.3.5.2000.01.05.12.18.p9) with ESMTP id <0G56004MRNJKU0@mta1.rcsntx.swbell.net> for clark97@sims1.rcsntx.swbell.net; Wed, 06 Dec 2000 23:35:44 -0600 (CST) Received: from WewerLacy@aol.com by imo-r12.mx.aol.com (mail_out_v28.34.) id 2.5a.e02fe16 (7402); Thu, 07 Dec 2000 00:36:52 -0500 (EST) Date: Thu, 07 Dec 2000 00:36:52 -0500 (EST) From: WewerLacy@aol.com Subject: IRS Proposed Regulation of Speech on Nonprofit's Internet Sites To: undisclosed-recipients: ; Message-id: <5a.e02fe16.27607bf4@aol.com> MIME-version: 1.0 X-Mailer: AOL for Macintosh sub 146 Content-type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" X-Mozilla-Status2: 00000000 Clients and friends: Nonprofit organizations that maintain websites will want to know that the IRS is considering regulating nonprofit Web speech. Public comments are being sought by the IRS on these proposed new rules for nonprofits. The Internal Revenue Service has released "Announcement 2000-84" soliciting public comment on possible new regulations for charities, think tanks and educational organizations. Among the questions the IRS is addressing in its review of exempt organization's speech on their Internet sites is: "Does providing a hyperlink on a charitable organization's website to another organization that engages in political campaign intervention result in per se prohibited political intervention?" "To what extent are statements made by subscribers to a forum, such as a listserv or newsgroup, attributable to an exempt organization that maintains the forum?" "Does a website constitute a single publication or communication? If not, how should it be separated into distinct publications or communications?" House Majority Leader Dick Armey, R-Texas, has issued a statement condemning the IRS' consideration of new regulations for the Internet. "The IRS has no business getting involved in whether a think thank has links on its website, or how often a charity's site is updated," he said. "The idea of turning the tax man into a Net cop would have a chilling effect on free speech on the Internet. I'm glad the agency has not taken any regulatory action yet. But let's be clear about this. We will be watching what they do, and we will not tolerate any backdoor attempt to regulate the Internet." The public comment period on this issue will close Feb. 13, 2001, according to the IRS announcement. Comments are to be directed to Judith E. Kindell, the principal author of the announcement, at the IRS, 1111 Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, D.C. 20224. We hope you find this information of interest. As always, if we can answer any questions, please contact us. Sincerely, James V. Lacy Wewer & Lacy, LLP CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The information contained in this communication and any accompanying document(s) is protected by the attorney-client and/or the attorney/work product privileges. It is intended for the sole use of the addressee. If the person actually receiving this communication or any other reader of the communication is not the named recipient, or the employee or agent responsible to deliver it to the named recipient, you are advised that any disclosure, copying, distribution, or the taking of any action in reliance upon the communication is strictly prohibited. Any such inadvertent disclosure shall not compromise or be a waiver of any applicable privilege as to this communication or otherwise. If you have received this communication in error, please immediately notify us by telephone at (949) 248-1154, or contact the sender at our email address above. Thank you.