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HF2105 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))

Definitions related to lobbying amended, and certain lobbyist communications made exempt from disclosure requirements.

AI Generated Summary

Purpose of the Bill

This bill focuses on revising the definition of "lobbyist" and updating lobbyist registration requirements in Minnesota. Additionally, it aims to protect certain confidential or privileged communications from being disclosed.

Main Provisions

  • Definition of Lobbyist: Changes are made to clarify who is considered a lobbyist. The bill specifies that individuals are considered lobbyists if they are paid over $3,000 in a year for lobbying activities exceeding ten hours a month, or if they spend more than $3,000 of personal funds on lobbying.
  • Exemptions: The bill lists several exemptions to who does not need to register as a lobbyist, including public officials, certain employees, individuals representing their own interests, unpaid volunteers, and those providing factual information due to professional expertise.
  • Lobbying Activities: Individuals whose job is to offer consulting for government relations that exceed 20% of their tasks over three months are considered lobbyists.

Significant Changes

  • Confidential Communications: The bill introduces a provision that allows licensed professionals, such as attorneys, to withhold confidential and privileged communications under attorney-client privilege or other legally recognized privileges. This ensures that professionals are not compelled to disclose information that contravenes their confidentiality obligations.

Relevant Terms

  • Lobbyist, confidential communications, privileged communications, attorney-client privilege, professional confidentiality, lobbying activities, government relations, political subdivision.

Bill text versions

Actions

DateChamberWhereTypeNameCommittee Name
March 09, 2025HouseFloorActionIntroduction and first reading, referred toState Government Finance and Policy
March 09, 2025HouseFloorActionMotion to recall and re-refer, motion prevailedElections Finance and Government Operations
March 12, 2025HouseFloorActionCommittee report, to adopt and re-refer toState Government Finance and Policy

Citations

 
[
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Clarifies who is considered engaged in lobbying activities based on federal definitions."
      ],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "The bill references definitions provided under United States Code, title 2, section 1602, which pertains to lobbying disclosures at the federal level.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "2 U.S.C. § 1602"
  }
]

Sponsors