H.R. 3126 - Saving Local News Act of 2019

116TH CONGRESS
1ST SESSION

H.R. 3126

To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to include
publication of written news articles as a tax-exempt purpose
for organizations, and for other purposes.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

JUNE 5, 2019

Mr. DESAULNIER introduced the following bill; which was
referred to the Committee on Ways and Means

A BILL

To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to include publication of written news articles as a tax-exempt purpose for organizations, and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the "Saving Local News Act of 2019".

SEC. 2. PUBLICATION OF WRITTEN NEWS ARTICLES AS TAX-EXEMPT PURPOSE.

(a) IN GENERAL. — Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by inserting "or for the publication (including electronic publication) of written news articles," after "animals,".

(b) INCOME FROM ADVERTISING NOT UNRELATED BUSINESS TAXABLE INCOME. — Section 512(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:

"(8) SPECIAL RULE APPLICABLE TO NEWS ORGANIZATIONS DESCRIBED IN SECTION 501(c)(3). — In the case of an organization described in section 501(c)(3) by reason of publication of written news articles, the term 'unrelated business taxable income' does not include any amount attributable to payments for advertisements in news publications.".

(c) EXPEDITED APPLICATION. — Section 508 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:

"(g) TIMING FOR APPROVAL OF APPLICATIONS BY NEWS ORGANIZATIONS. — In the case of an organization described in section 501(c)(3) by reason of publication of written news articles, the Secretary shall approve or deny such organization for recognition of 501(c)(3) status not later than the date that is 12 months after notice is given under subsection (a).".

(d) EFFECTIVE DATE. — The amendments made by this section shall apply with respect to taxable years beginning after the date of the enactment of this Act.