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HF3285 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))

Public subsidy program repealed, conforming changes made, and money transferred.

Related bill: SF3459

AI Generated Summary

Purpose of the Bill

This legislative proposal seeks to change how campaign finances are managed in Minnesota by eliminating the public subsidy program. It also aims to make several changes to related procedures and laws.

Main Provisions

  • Repeal of Public Subsidy Program: The bill abolishes the public subsidy program that provides financial assistance to political campaigns from state funds.
  • Conforming Amendments: Adjustments are made to existing statutes to align with the removal of public subsidies.
  • Transfer of Funds: Any remaining money from the state elections campaign accounts will be moved to the general fund.
  • Campaign Finance Reporting: Alters how monetary campaign contributions are received and recorded, particularly focusing on electronic contributions.
  • Investigation and Compliance: Details the authority of campaign finance boards to investigate potential violations and establishes processes for handling complaints.
  • Equitable Relief for Candidates: Allows candidates to seek court intervention if their opponents fail to file mandatory pre-election reports.
  • Amendments to Penalties and Procedures: Makes adjustments to civil actions related to campaign finance violations, including protocols for resolving excess contributions and expenditures through conciliation.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

  • Removal of Public Campaign Funding: The bill eliminates the public funding of political campaigns, changing how candidates can finance their campaigns.
  • Adjustments to Reporting and Absence of Spending Limits: Without the public subsidy program, candidates will no longer have state-imposed limits linked to subsidies, impacting strategies for campaign expenditures.
  • Administrative Changes in Campaign Finance: By removing several subdivisions and sections of existing law, the bill changes multiple procedures related to campaign finance, such as reporting requirements and compliance checks.

Relevant Terms

campaign finance, public subsidy program, campaign contributions, campaign finance reporting, investigation authority, election fund transfer, contribution limits, compliance procedures, public findings, civil penalty, equitable relief, state elections campaign account.

Bill text versions

Actions

DateChamberWhereTypeNameCommittee Name
April 30, 2025HouseFloorActionIntroduction and first reading, referred toElections Finance and Government Operations
April 30, 2025HouseFloorActionIntroduction and first reading, referred toElections Finance and Government Operations

Citations

 
[
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Updates to the procedure for investigating complaints related to campaign finance violations."
      ],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "The bill modifies the investigation authority of the board concerning campaign finance violations.",
      "modified": [
        "Clarified the scope and process of board investigations."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "10A.022",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 3"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "This section amends the time of receipt for campaign contributions.",
      "modified": [
        "Clarifies the time at which campaign contributions are considered received based on the method of delivery."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "10A.15",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 2a"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Equitable relief provisions for candidates are amended.",
      "modified": [
        "Allows candidates to petition for immediate relief in court if opponents fail to file timely reports."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "10A.20",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 15"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Exceptions clarified regarding party unit expenditures.",
      "modified": [
        "Details on what expenditures are not considered contributions."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "10A.275",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 1"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Conciliation agreement procedure is modified.",
      "modified": [
        "Sets procedure for conciliation agreements concerning excess campaign expenditures or contributions."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "10A.28",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 3"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Civil action procedures are modified.",
      "modified": [
        "Outlines the steps the board must take if informal methods fail to resolve campaign finance issues."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "10A.28",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 4"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Penalty provisions related to refund receipts are updated.",
      "modified": [
        "Penalties for improper issuance of refund receipt forms updated."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "10A.322",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 4"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [
        "Certain limitations on contributions that qualify for refunds."
      ],
      "summary": "The refund of contributions to political parties and candidates is amended.",
      "modified": [
        "Conditions under which taxpayers may claim refunds for political contributions."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "290.06",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 23"
  }
]

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