HF3285

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.