SF1915

Purpose

To require a formal study of Minnesota’s voluntary campaign spending limits and the public subsidy program, so lawmakers can understand current participation, spending patterns, and how other states handle similar limits.

Main Provisions

• The Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board must study the current voluntary campaign spending limits and the public subsidy program.
• By January 15, 2026, the Board must report to the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees with jurisdiction over the Board, including:
  • The number of candidates participating in the public subsidy program, broken down by office.
  • The number of candidates not participating in the public subsidy program, broken down by office.
  • Ten years’ worth of historic trend data for the information in the above two items.
  • For candidates not participating in the public subsidy program: how much the candidate and their opponent spend, and how much is spent on independent expenditures in the race.
  • How other states set voluntary campaign spending limits, including:
  • Whether other states distinguish between highly contested races and other races in funding or spending.
  • Whether other states have an automatic inflator for subsidies and limits.
  • The level of candidate participation over time in those programs.
  • Any recommendations the Board has regarding Minnesota’s current public subsidy program and whether the current spending limits are appropriate.

What the Bill Seeks to Accomplish

• Establish a comprehensive, data-driven evaluation of current spending limits and subsidy programs.
• Compare Minnesota to other states to determine best practices and potential improvements.
• Provide lawmakers with detailed metrics and recommendations to inform possible policy changes.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Creates a formal requirement for a detailed study and public report, rather than immediate changes to spending limits.
• Involves the Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board in collecting multi-year data, comparing practices in other states, and making recommendations about the public subsidy program and spending limits.

Timeline

• Study and reporting deadline: January 15, 2026.

Implications to Watch

• Depending on findings, this could lead to proposed adjustments to Minnesota’s public subsidy program or to campaign spending limits in the future.
• The report’s comparison with other states may influence debates about enhancements such as automatic inflators or stricter/looser limits.

Note on Scope

• Focuses on voluntary spending limits and the public subsidy program, not on enacting immediate new limits or subsidies.

Relevant Terms - Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board - campaign spending limits - voluntary campaign spending limits - public subsidy program - independent expenditures - historical trend data - highly contested races - automatic inflator - participating vs. non-participating candidates - offices (state offices, as applicable) - reporting to chairs and ranking minority members - offices (by office category for breakdown)