SF1555

SF1555 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))

Campaign report requirements amendment to require disclosure of all contributors for legislative or statewide candidates and ballot questions

Related bill: HF1405

AI Generated Summary

Senate File No. 1555 is a bill intended to modify current requirements related to campaign finance reporting for legislative, statewide candidates, and ballot questions in Minnesota. It mandates more comprehensive disclosure about contributors and financial activities during campaign periods. Key aspects of the proposed changes include:

All contributors who donate more than $200 to legislative or statewide candidates, or more than $500 to ballot questions within a year, must have their details (name, address, employer, and registration number if applicable) reported.
Detailed record of all financial contributions, loans, receipts, and expenditures must be maintained and reported. This includes specifics like the amount, date, and purpose of each transaction.
Transaction details such as forgiven loans or in-kind donations must also be reported and treated as contributions in the year they are made or forgiven.
The bill prescribes specific guidelines for how all these financial transactions should be reported, including the order and format.
Enhanced transparency is a significant theme, with specific formatting and detailed disclosure intended to ensure all campaign financing elements are clearly and openly documented for public record.

In summary, the bill seeks to ensure greater transparency and accountability in campaign financing by tightening reporting rules for candidates and campaign entities, requiring comprehensive disclosure of financial transactions to offer clearer insights into campaign finance activities.

Bill text versions

Introduction PDF file

Actions

Date	Chamber	Where	Type	Name	Committee Name
February 16, 2025	Senate	Floor	Action	Introduction and first reading
February 16, 2025	Senate	Floor	Action	Referred to	Elections

Citations

[
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Requires disclosure of all contributors, including ticket purchases for fundraising efforts exceeding $200 for candidates or $500 for ballot questions."
      ],
      "removed": [
        "No information removed in this amendment."
      ],
      "summary": "The bill amends campaign report requirements to enhance disclosure for legislative or statewide candidates and ballot questions as outlined in section 10A.20, subdivision 3.",
      "modified": [
        "Clarifies existing reporting structures, including itemizing contributions from contributors exceeding specified thresholds."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "10A.20, subdivision 3"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Disclosures must be made regarding the administrative assistance provided by nonprofits to political entities."
      ],
      "removed": [
        "No removals related to this particular citation."
      ],
      "summary": "The bill includes new disclosure requirements involving nonprofit corporations providing administrative assistance, referring to existing statute 211B.15, subdivision 17.",
      "modified": [
        "Reporting format for nonprofits' assistance including fair market value and type of assistance."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "211B.15, subdivision 17"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Provides clarification on expenditure reporting requirements for ballot questions."
      ],
      "removed": [
        "No removal of information related to this citation."
      ],
      "summary": "The bill references section 10A.01, subdivision 7, in defining ballot question expenditure reports.",
      "modified": [
        "Details how itemization and expenditure disclosures are to be structured."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "10A.01, subdivision 7"
  }
]