SF3710

Purpose

• The bill aims to change how campaign finance information is collected, stored, and shown to the public. It focuses on protecting personal street addresses, redefining data classifications, updating reporting requirements for contributors and disclosures, and tightening disclaimer rules for campaign materials and independent expenditures. It also requires the campaign finance board to meet a deadline to implement website changes.

Key goals and effects

• Increase privacy for individuals by limiting when street addresses appear in public reports or on the board’s website.
• Strengthen reporting requirements for economic interests and financial connections to improve transparency and reduce conflicts of interest.
• Standardize and expand campaign material and independent expenditure disclaimers to clearly identify who is paying for political messaging.
• Improve how data is handled in electronic reporting systems, while allowing limited use of data for refunds with the Revenue Department.
• Set a timeline for the board to implement website changes and comply with new rules.

Main provisions

• Data privacy and electronic reporting (Sec. 1)

  • The Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board may run electronic systems for treasurers to enter and store campaign data.
  • Data entered by treasurers or their agents is not government data unless needed with the filer’s consent; however, street addresses for individuals are treated as sensitive data and may be publicly accessible only under specific rules.
  • Street addresses in reports are generally nonpublic or private data, but a filer can access their own data. The board may use street addresses to check compliance, but is not required to redact printed copies.
  • For tax refunds, the board can access certain data (amount of contribution, contributor name and address, unique identifiers, recipient info, date received) and share this with the Department of Revenue; this data remains nonpublic/private.

• Website posting restrictions (Sec. 2)

  • The board must not post on its website certain sensitive information (e.g., canceled checks, bank account numbers, Social Security numbers).
  • The board must not post street addresses of individuals disclosed on certain campaign-related reports.
  • Reports available before the law’s effective date can be redacted to remove street addresses.

• Expanded statements of economic interest (Sec. 3)

  • The form for economic interest statements must include extensive details:
  • Name, address, occupation, and principal place of business.
  • All associated businesses and their links to the filer.
  • Real property in the state owned or controlled, with specific valuation thresholds and location details; also applies to property held through partnerships.
  • Investments or interests in parimutuel horse racing.
  • Principal business or activity categories for both employment and independent contracting, using IRS Schedule C categories for consistency.
  • Full details of securities owned above a value threshold.
  • Contracts, licenses, leases, or franchises with government agencies in which the filer or a business they own has a significant interest.
  • The law emphasizes not disclosing whether the filer or their spouse owns the listed item.
  • Definitions clarify how to value property, compensation from single sources, and appointment dates; certain categories may only be added if enacted by law.

• Expanded reporting for candidates and committees (Sec. 4)

  • Filers must provide:
  • Candidate name and office sought; filer contact details; cash on hand; totals of contributions and disbursements.
  • When disbursements to a single vendor exceed $100, the vendor’s name and full address and the amount, date, and purpose.
  • Names, addresses, and employer/occupation for any person or entity that contributed more than $100 in the period, with amount and date.
  • Public access to addresses of individuals who donated more than $100 can be restricted if the donor signs a statement asking for safety-related address withholding.

• Campaign material and disclaimer requirements (Sec. 5 and Sec. 6)

  • Campaign material (including materials prepared or disseminated by committees or others) must prominently include who caused the material to be prepared or disseminated, with a disclaimer showing the responsible party’s name and address.
  • For material produced at no cost, the “paid for” language can be omitted; for broadcast, disclaimers include who paid and the responsible committee, with similar rules if no cost is involved.
  • Independent expenditures must include a disclaimer identifying who paid for the material and whether it is coordinated with or approved by a candidate. The disclaimer must also include the paying entity’s address or a monitored contact (mailing address, email, or website) and indicate non-coordination with any candidate.
  • If no cost is involved, certain disclaimer language can be shortened, but the party responsible for content remains identified.

• Website compliance timeline (Sec. 7)

  • The board must implement these new website-related requirements within six months of the law’s effective date.
  • If full compliance isn’t possible in that window, the board must explain to legislative leaders why and what issues must be resolved.

Significant changes to existing law

• Privacy focus: Street addresses on campaign reports are now largely protected data (nonpublic/private) and are not automatically posted on the board’s website.
• Data handling: Introduction of explicit rules about electronic reporting data being nonpublic/private and the limited circumstances under which addresses can be accessed or shared (notably for safety and tax refund processes).
• Expanded disclosure requirements: A long, detailed list of information that must be reported in statements of economic interests, including real property, partnerships, securities, and business activities, with privacy protections about identity of ownership.
• Contributor privacy: Filers may request that their addresses be withheld from public reports when contributions exceed $100 and safety concerns are identified.
• Disclosure for messaging: Stronger and more explicit disclaimer requirements for campaign materials and independent expenditures, including who is responsible, how to identify the payer, and how to present the disclaimer in various media.
• Implementation timeline: A clear deadline for website changes and a process to report delays or issues.

Practical impacts

• For the public: More privacy for individual street addresses and more standardized disclosures about financial interests and activities; but potentially less accessible street-address data on the board’s website.
• For filers and donors: Expanded reporting obligations and new thresholds; potential safety-related withholding of donor addresses; clearer rules on how to disclose financial interests.
• For the board and agencies: A higher burden to implement a compliant electronic system and ensure timely, consistent disclosures and disclaimers.

Relevant terms - Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board - street address - nonpublic data - private data on individuals - government data (chapter 13) - electronic reporting system - data privacy - contributions - disclosures - statements of economic interest - parimutuel horse racing - real property - investment disclosures - independent expenditures - disclaimer - paid for by - not coordinated with or approved by a candidate - filing officer - safety of individuals or families - compliance timeline - website posting restrictions - refunds (section 290.06 subdivision 23) - IRS Schedule C (categories for reporting) - government agency contracts and licenses