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SF1911 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))

Minnesota Civic Fund program establishment

Related bill: HF1750

AI Generated Summary

This bill proposes the creation of the Minnesota Civic Fund Program while repealing the Political Contribution Refund Program. Here are the key provisions of the bill:

Key Points:

  1. Establishment of the Minnesota Civic Fund Program

    • The program enables Minnesota residents to allocate civic fund credits in $25 increments (up to a total of $100 per person per year) to eligible political candidates or parties.
    • Citizens on the voter registration list are automatically enrolled, and others can opt in.

  2. Eligibility for Candidates & Political Parties

    • Candidates must sign voluntary spending limits agreements.
    • Candidates must collect a minimum number of small contributions from individuals in their electoral district.
    • Only major and qualifying minor political parties are eligible.

  3. Contribution Tracking & Redemption

    • Credits have no cash value, cannot be sold or transferred, and must be used by the end of the election cycle.
    • Candidates and parties can redeem credits from the state, which will be funded up to a cap based on total credits distributed.
    • Contributions assigned through the program must comply with existing campaign finance limits and reporting requirements.

  4. Program Administration & Funding

    • The Campaign Finance Board will oversee registration, reporting, and enforcement.
    • Funding is appropriated from the general fund, not to exceed the redemption cap.
    • Transparent reporting and random audits ensure compliance.

  5. Repeal of the Political Contribution Refund Program

    • The bill eliminates the current system where contributors receive state tax refunds for political donations.
    • It transfers support to the new Civic Fund, adjusting reporting and refund mechanisms accordingly.

  6. Penalties and Enforcement

    • Unused campaign funds from credited contributions must be returned to the state.
    • Misuse of funds, fraudulent credit assignments, and unauthorized transfers carry financial and legal penalties.

Summary:

The bill aims to reform Minnesota’s public campaign financing system by replacing tax refunds for contributions with a direct state-funded civic credit system. This change seeks to make political donations more accessible while maintaining fairness and transparency in campaign financing.

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Bill text versions

Actions

DateChamberWhereTypeNameCommittee Name
February 26, 2025SenateFloorActionIntroduction and first reading
February 26, 2025SenateFloorActionReferred toElections
March 02, 2025SenateFloorActionAuthor added

Citations

 
[
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Clarifies penalty limits for chapter 10B or section 211B under the board's jurisdiction."
      ],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "This bill modifies the penalty for certain violations under section 10A.34.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "10A.34"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Allows candidates to sign agreements for spending limits."
      ],
      "removed": [
        "Repeals certain subsections related to refund receipt forms."
      ],
      "summary": "This bill proposes amendments concerning refund forms and agreements under section 10A.322.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "10A.322"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "New informational elements required in the report, dealing with civic fund credits."
      ],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "This bill updates reporting requirements under section 10A.20.",
      "modified": [
        "Expansion of elements considered part of the report."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "10A.20"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Specifies types of refunds which are considered erroneous."
      ],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "This bill clarifies definitions of erroneous refunds in terms of section 289A.37.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "289A.37"
  }
]

Sponsors