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HF1750 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))

Minnesota Civic Fund program established, political contribution refund program repealed, rulemaking authorized, and money appropriated.

Related bill: SF1911

AI Generated Summary

This bill proposes the establishment of the Minnesota Civic Fund Program, which will replace the existing Political Contribution Refund (PCR) Program.

Key Provisions:

  1. Minnesota Civic Fund Program Creation:

    • Establishes a new program where registered voters and certain other eligible Minnesota residents receive an automatic civic fund credit.
    • Participants can direct their credits in $25 increments to qualified candidates or political parties.
    • The credits have no cash value, cannot be transferred, and must be assigned within 30 days after the next state general election.

  2. Repeal of the Political Contribution Refund (PCR) Program:

    • Eliminates the longstanding political contribution refund system after December 31, 2027.

  3. Candidate and Political Party Eligibility:

    • Candidates must adhere to voluntary spending limits.
    • Candidates must meet small donor fundraising thresholds to qualify.
    • Political parties must be recognized under Minnesota law.

  4. Funding and Redemption:

    • The Minnesota Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board will oversee the administration and redemption of civic fund credits.
    • The total amount redeemable in a calendar year is capped initially at 8% of total credits issued, with provisions for gradual increases.
    • Candidates and parties must submit credits for redemption by December 31 of the year in which they were issued.

  5. Prohibited Actions:

    • Sale or transfer of civic fund credits for cash or other benefits is strictly prohibited.
    • Violations are subject to penalties and enforcement by the Campaign Finance Board.

  6. Appropriations and Rulemaking:

    • The bill provides ongoing funding for administering the program.
    • The Campaign Finance Board is granted rulemaking authority.

Impact:

The bill aims to reform campaign financing in Minnesota by encouraging small-dollar contributions and increasing public participation in elections while eliminating the direct taxpayer refund mechanism of the PCR program.

Bill text versions

Actions

DateChamberWhereTypeNameCommittee Name
March 02, 2025HouseFloorActionIntroduction and first reading, referred toElections Finance and Government Operations
March 04, 2025HouseFloorActionAuthors added

Citations

 
[
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Includes Minnesota Civic Fund credit redemption under chapter 10B as part of the definition of 'Contribution'."
      ],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Modification to the definition of 'Contribution' under section 10A.01, subdivision 11.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "10A.01"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Explicit notice requirements to senate and house committees about rulemaking actions."
      ],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Amendment to rulemaking procedures in section 10A.02, subdivision 13.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "10A.02"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Clarification that anonymous contributions are ineligible for the Minnesota Civic Fund program."
      ],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Change in handling of anonymous contributions under section 10A.15, subdivision 1.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "10A.15"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Requirement to disclose the value of Minnesota Civic Fund credits redeemed."
      ],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Adjustment to the content requirements of campaign finance reports in section 10A.20, subdivision 3.",
      "modified": [
        "Organization and numbering of paragraphs within report content requirements."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "10A.20"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [
        "Mention of refund eligibility with the discontinuation of related programs."
      ],
      "summary": "Amendment relating to refund receipt forms in section 10A.322, subdivision 4.",
      "modified": [
        "Clarification on penalties for inappropriate issuance of refund receipt forms."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "10A.322"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Civil penalties up to $3,000 for unspecified violations in chapter 10B."
      ],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Penalty provisions for violations connected to the Minnesota Civic Fund in section 10A.34.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "10A.34"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Clarification on the scope of erroneous refunds concerning multiple tax-related chapters."
      ],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Amendment addressing erroneous refunds in section 289A.37, subdivision 2.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "289A.37"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Implications for claims made under section 290.06, subdivision 23 in the context of erroneous refunds.",
      "modified": [
        "Clarification of interaction with erroneous refund specifications."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "290.06"
  }
]

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