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HF2284 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))

Definitions of lobbyist and metropolitan governmental unit modified, expert witness lobbying reporting requirements modified, and additional individuals required to file statements of economic interest.

Related bill: SF2562

AI Generated Summary

Purpose of the Bill

The bill aims to update and modify Minnesota's campaign finance laws, including changes to lobbyist definitions and reporting requirements, as well as altering the filing requirements for statements of economic interest.

Main Provisions

  • Lobbyist Definition Update:
    • Expands the definition of a lobbyist to include individuals actively involved in influencing legislative or administrative actions if they spend more than $3,000 annually.
    • Excludes certain individuals from this definition, such as public officials, state employees, and unpaid volunteers.
  • Metropolitan Governmental Unit Definition:
    • Updates which entities are considered metropolitan governmental units, including any city in the metropolitan area with a population over 50,000.
  • Expert Witness Requirements:
    • Introduces the need for lobbyists to report if an expert witness is employed to communicate with public or local officials.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

  • Lobbying Reporting Requirements:
    • Mandates lobbyists to specify subjects of interest and provide detail on administrative actions they attempt to influence.
    • Requires reporting on gifts given to public officials and major sources of lobbying funds.
  • Statements of Economic Interest:
    • Requires additional public and local officials to file these statements, including those newly defined as part of metropolitan governmental units with populations over 50,000.
  • Conflict of Interest and Representation Disclosures:
    • Updates procedures for disclosing potential conflicts of interest and representation of clients before government agencies by public officials.

Relevant Terms

  • Lobbyist, Metropolitan Governmental Unit, Expert Witness, Public Official, Economic Interest, Legislative Action, Administrative Action, Conflict of Interest, Gift Reporting, Campaign Finance.

Bill text versions

Actions

DateChamberWhereTypeNameCommittee Name
March 12, 2025HouseFloorActionIntroduction and first reading, referred toElections Finance and Government Operations

Citations

 
[
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "None"
      ],
      "removed": [
        "None"
      ],
      "summary": "The bill mentions the definition of the metropolitan area as outlined in section 473.121.",
      "modified": [
        "Clarification on application to local officials in metropolitan areas."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "473.121"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "None"
      ],
      "removed": [
        "None"
      ],
      "summary": "Reference to regional railroad authorities established under section 398A.03.",
      "modified": [
        "None"
      ]
    },
    "citation": "398A.03"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "None"
      ],
      "removed": [
        "None"
      ],
      "summary": "Section 10A.071 is referenced regarding the definition of 'official' for lobbying reports.",
      "modified": [
        "None"
      ]
    },
    "citation": "10A.071"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "None"
      ],
      "removed": [
        "None"
      ],
      "summary": "Definition of watershed management organization according to section 103B.205.",
      "modified": [
        "Application to filing requirements for statements of economic interest."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "103B.205"
  }
]

Sponsors