SF3543

Purpose of the Bill

The bill aims to ensure that financial resources provided to local governments in Minnesota, such as counties, cities, and towns, are allocated effectively by reducing the funds equivalent to their lobbying expenditures. This reduction is intended to discourage excessive lobbying activities.

Main Provisions

• The bill proposes adjustments to the financial aid provided to counties, cities, and towns, specifically targeting reductions based on lobbying expenditures.
• These adjustments will be made for the financial aid given under existing laws in sections 477A.0124 and 477A.013 of the Minnesota Statutes.
• The reduction in aid will be calculated based on the total lobbying expenses reported by local governments, as well as any part of the dues paid to associations that are reported as lobbying expenses.
• Importantly, the reduction in aid cannot result in a negative aid amount, ensuring that no local government's aid is completely eliminated.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• The bill introduces a new stipulation within Chapter 477A of the Minnesota Statutes, focusing specifically on adjusting the certified amount of local governmental aids to reflect lobbying activity expenses.
• This change seeks to create fiscal accountability by aligning aid with local government spending priorities, namely, to discourage spending on lobbying versus other community-beneficial activities.

Relevant Terms

• Local government aids
• Lobbying expenditures
• Financial aid reduction
• Minnesota Statutes Chapter 477A
• County program aid
• Dues paid to associations