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HF2642 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))

Definition of lobbyist modified, and related definitions added.

AI Generated Summary

Purpose of the Bill

The bill aims to update and clarify the definitions and regulations related to lobbying activities in Minnesota. It seeks to specify what constitutes a lobbying contact, who qualifies as a lobbyist, and who is defined as a principal in lobbying activities.

Main Provisions

  • Definition of Lobbying Contact: The bill provides a detailed definition of what constitutes a lobbying contact. It includes any communication, oral or written (including electronic), made to officials to influence legislation, policies, rules, and official actions.

  • Exclusions from Lobbying Contact: The bill lists several types of communications that are not considered lobbying contacts. These include communications by public officials performing their official duties, media activities aimed at news gathering, public speeches or publications, requests for meetings without lobbying intent, testimony in public legislative or agency proceedings, and other specified exceptions.

  • Updated Definition of Lobbyist: The bill revises the criteria of who qualifies as a lobbyist. An individual must either be paid specifically to influence public officials or spend more than a specified amount of personal funds on such activities to be considered a lobbyist.

  • Updated Definition of Principal: The term principal is defined as any individual or association that hires or compensates individuals for lobbying activities. The definition clarifies the financial thresholds necessary for someone to be deemed a principal.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

  • The bill makes significant changes to existing lobbying laws by providing more explicit details regarding what constitutes lobbying activity and who must register as a lobbyist.

  • It introduces specific monetary thresholds that determine if someone should be classified as a lobbyist or a principal.

  • The bill explicitly identifies the types of communications and actions that do not qualify as lobbying, thereby narrowing the scope of what must be reported.

Relevant Terms

  • Lobbyist
  • Lobbying contact
  • Principal
  • Legislative proposal
  • Administrative rule
  • Public official
  • Local official
  • Media organizations
  • Adjudication
  • Collective bargaining

Bill text versions

Actions

DateChamberWhereTypeNameCommittee Name
March 23, 2025HouseFloorActionIntroduction and first reading, referred toElections Finance and Government Operations
March 23, 2025HouseFloorActionIntroduction and first reading, referred toElections Finance and Government Operations

Citations

 
[
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        ""
      ],
      "removed": [
        ""
      ],
      "summary": "This section references participation in advisory committees as outlined in existing Minnesota Statutes.",
      "modified": [
        ""
      ]
    },
    "citation": "14.101",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 2"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        ""
      ],
      "removed": [
        ""
      ],
      "summary": "This section references protections under Minnesota's whistleblower statutes.",
      "modified": [
        ""
      ]
    },
    "citation": "181.932",
    "subdivision": ""
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        ""
      ],
      "removed": [
        ""
      ],
      "summary": "This section pertains to reporting requirements for principals engaging in lobbying activities.",
      "modified": [
        "Specifies expenditure limits for lobbying activities."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "10A.04",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 6"
  }
]

Sponsors