Calif. Bill to Strip Boy Scouts of Tax-Exempt Status Stalls

Attempt to punish organization for position on gay leaders

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- A bill to strip the Boy Scouts of America of its tax-exempt status in California because of the organization's refusal to allow gay troop leaders stalled Thursday in the Legislature after failing to garner enough votes for passage.

SB323 by Sen. Ricardo Lara, D-Bell Gardens, would deny state tax breaks to nonprofit youth groups that discriminate on the basis of gender identity, race, sexual orientation, nationality, religion or religious affiliation.

Because the legislation is a tax measure, it requires a two-thirds vote in both houses to pass. The Senate approved it in May, but it was placed on the inactive file in the Assembly on Thursday, which is expected to be the final day of this year's legislative session.