UnGovr is a 501(c)(3). This page explains the IRS nonpartisan-analysis standard we follow and our methodology.

About UnGovr's Nonpartisan Analysis

What "nonpartisan analysis" means

UnGovr publishes nonpartisan analyses of legislation under the IRS standard for 501(c)(3) organizations. A nonpartisan analysis is an independent, objective exposition of a subject — presenting the pertinent facts on all sides so that readers can reach their own conclusions. The IRS defines the standard this way:

"Nonpartisan analysis, study, or research" may advocate a particular position or viewpoint so long as there is a sufficiently full and fair exposition of the pertinent facts to enable the public or an individual to form an independent opinion or conclusion. Treas. Reg. §56.4911-2(c)(1)(ii)

In practice this means that an analysis may lean toward a conclusion, provided that the facts on all sides are presented genuinely and fairly. UnGovr's analyses are written to meet this standard: primary sources, both-sides coverage of tradeoffs, and no selective omission of inconvenient facts.

The bright line: no direct encouragement regarding legislation

The IRS draws a clear line between nonpartisan analysis and lobbying. A communication that presents a view on specific legislation loses its nonpartisan-analysis status if it directly encourages the recipient to act on that legislation in some way:

A communication that reflects a view on specific legislation is not within the nonpartisan analysis, study, or research exception … if the communication directly encourages the recipient to take action with respect to such legislation. Treas. Reg. §56.4911-2(c)(1)(vi)

UnGovr's analyses are designed so that nothing in the nonpartisan analysis prose asks or encourages readers to contact a legislator, cast a ballot on a bill, or otherwise engage with specific legislation in any directive way. Where UnGovr has a separate position on a related practice (distinct from the legislation itself), that position is placed in a clearly labeled section separate from the analysis.

Why UnGovr publishes in this form

UnGovr's mission is government transparency — giving the public access to information about how government works. Publishing full-and-fair nonpartisan analyses of legislation is consistent with that mission: it provides more data on topics relevant to government accountability, helping readers understand the law and what it does, without asking them to take any particular action. As a 501(c)(3), UnGovr may publish this kind of analysis under the IRS rules cited above.

Methodology

Each analysis is based on primary sources: the text of the legislation, the statutes it amends, and authoritative public records. Where operational figures are cited (for example, data from UnGovr's report index), the figures are described precisely, linked to their source, and re-verified at each publication. Tradeoffs are presented with genuine weight on both sides — the goal is a fair exposition, not a preordained conclusion.

Every analysis carries a "last verified" date. For analyses of pending legislation, a dated "status as of" line is included, because the status of a bill can change. If you notice a fact that appears incorrect or out of date, please let us know via the feedback form.

A publication-stage lint tool scans each analysis for advocacy language before it can be published. This is a technical safeguard that makes it difficult to accidentally publish language that crosses the IRS bright line on direct encouragement regarding legislation.

The IRS rules