This bill (S.F. No. 1735) proposes new accounting requirements for school district expenditures on advertising and event sponsorships in Minnesota.

Key provisions of the bill: - Accounting Requirements: Starting in fiscal year 2026, school districts must separately account for spending on: 1. Paid media advertisements, including TV, radio, newspapers, magazines, billboards, internet-based ads, and other commercial promotions for school enrollment. 2. Public event sponsorships, which apply to publicly advertised events that require an admission fee, such as concerts, performances, fairs, and parades. However, certain school-related activities like assemblies, field trips, graduation ceremonies, and extracurricular activities are excluded.

• Transparency in Advertising: Paid advertisements must include a disclosure that the expenditures are funded by taxpayer dollars.

• Implementation: The Minnesota Commissioner of Education must update the Uniform Financial Accounting and Reporting Standards (UFARS) to align with these new requirements.

The goal of this bill is to increase transparency and accountability in how taxpayer money is spent on advertising and sponsorships by public schools.