HF 3837

as introduced - 90th Legislature (2017 - 2018) Posted on 03/19/2018 04:51pm

A bill for an act
relating to campaign finance; adding new definitions; amending provisions relating
to disclosure, independent expenditures, noncampaign disbursements, reporting
requirements, coordinated and noncoordinated expenditures, and various other
changes to campaign finance laws; amending Minnesota Statutes 2016, sections
10A.01, subdivisions 5, 26, by adding subdivisions; 10A.022, subdivision 3, by
adding subdivisions; 10A.025, by adding a subdivision; 10A.07, subdivisions 1,
2; 10A.08, subdivision 1, by adding a subdivision; 10A.15, by adding subdivisions;
10A.17, subdivision 4; 10A.25, subdivision 3a; 10A.273, subdivision 3; 10A.322,
subdivision 1; 211B.04; Minnesota Statutes 2017 Supplement, sections 10A.09,
subdivisions 5, 6; 10A.155; 10A.20, subdivision 3; 10A.27, subdivision 16a;
10A.323; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 10A;
repealing Minnesota Rules, parts 4501.0200, subparts 1, 2; 4501.0500, subpart 1a;
4503.0100, subpart 6; 4503.0500, subpart 2; 4503.1300, subpart 4; 4505.0010;
4505.0100, subparts 1, 4, 6; 4505.0700; 4515.0010; 4515.0100, subparts 1, 5;
4515.0500, subpart 1; 4520.0010; 4520.0100, subparts 1, 4, 6; 4520.0400;
4520.0500; 4525.0330; 4525.0340, subpart 1.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 10A.01, subdivision 5, is amended to read:

Subd. 5.

Associated business.

"Associated business" means an association, corporation,
partnership, limited liability company, limited liability partnership, or other organized legal
entity from which the individual receives compensation in excess of deleted text begin $50 deleted text end new text begin $250 new text end , except for
actual and reasonable expenses, in any month as a director, officer, owner, member, partner,
employer or employee, or whose securities the individual holds worth more than deleted text begin $2,500 deleted text end new text begin
$10,000 new text end at fair market value.

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 10A.01, subdivision 26, is amended to read:

Subd. 26.

Noncampaign disbursement.

new text begin (a) new text end "Noncampaign disbursement" means a
purchase or payment of money or anything of value made, or an advance of credit incurred,
or a donation in kind received, by a principal campaign committee for any of the following
purposes:

(1) payment for accounting and legal services;

(2) return of a contribution to the source;

(3) repayment of a loan made to the principal campaign committee by that committee;

(4) return of a public subsidy;

(5) payment for food, beverages, and necessary utensils and supplies, entertainment,
and facility rental for a fund-raising event;

(6) services for a constituent by a member of the legislature or a constitutional officer
in the executive branch deleted text begin , including the costs of preparing and distributing a suggestion or
idea solicitation to constituents, performed from the beginning of the term of office to
adjournment sine die of the legislature in the election year for the office held, and half the
cost of services for a constituent by a member of the legislature or a constitutional officer
in the executive branch performed from adjournment sine die to 60 days after adjournment
sine die deleted text end new text begin as provided in section 10A.173, subdivision 1 new text end ;

(7) payment for food and beverages consumed by a candidate or volunteers while they
are engaged in campaign activities;

(8) payment for food or a beverage consumed while attending a reception or meeting
directly related to legislative duties;

(9) payment of expenses incurred by elected or appointed leaders of a legislative caucus
in carrying out their leadership responsibilities;

(10) payment by a principal campaign committee of the candidate's expenses for serving
in public office, other than for personal uses;

(11) costs of child care for the candidate's children when campaigning;

(12) fees paid to attend a campaign school;

(13) costs of a postelection party during the election year when a candidate's name will
no longer appear on a ballot or the general election is concluded, whichever occurs first;

(14) interest on loans paid by a principal campaign committee on outstanding loans;

(15) filing fees;

(16) post-general election holiday or seasonal cards, thank-you notes, or advertisements
in the news media mailed or published prior to the end of the election cycle;

(17) the cost of campaign material purchased to replace defective campaign material, if
the defective material is destroyed without being used;

(18) contributions to a party unit;

(19) payments for funeral gifts or memorials;

(20) the cost of a magnet less than six inches in diameter containing legislator contact
information and distributed to constituents;

(21) costs associated with a candidate attending a political party state or national
convention in this state;

(22) other purchases or payments specified in board rules or advisory opinions as being
for any purpose other than to influence the nomination or election of a candidate or to
promote or defeat a ballot question; deleted text begin and
deleted text end

(23) costs paid to a third party for processing contributions made by a credit card, debit
card, or electronic check new text begin ;
new text end

new text begin (24) a contribution to a fund established to support a candidate's participation in a recount
of ballots affecting that candidate's election;
new text end

new text begin (25) costs paid by a candidate's principal campaign committee for a single reception
given in honor of the candidate's retirement from public office after the filing period for
affidavits of candidacy for that office has closed;
new text end

new text begin (26) a donation from a terminating principal campaign committee to the state general
fund; and
new text end

new text begin (27) a donation from a terminating principal campaign committee to a county obligated
to incur special election expenses due to that candidate's resignation from state office new text end .

new text begin (b) new text end The board must determine whether an activity involves a noncampaign disbursement
within the meaning of this subdivision.

new text begin (c) new text end A noncampaign disbursement is considered to be made in the year in which the
candidate made the purchase of goods or services or incurred an obligation to pay for goods
or services.

Sec. 3.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 10A.01, is amended by adding a subdivision to
read:

new text begin Subd. 35a. new text end

new text begin Securities. new text end

new text begin (a) "Securities" means any stock, share, bond, warrant, option,
pledge, note, mortgage, annuity, debenture, lease, or commercial paper in any corporation,
partnership, trust, or other association.
new text end

new text begin (b) Securities do not include deposits in a savings account; certificates of deposit; money
market certificates; treasury bills; treasury bonds; treasury notes; dividends from securities;
shares in a mutual fund; shares in an exchange traded fund; or the underlying holdings
owned by an annuity or in a defined benefit pension plan. For beneficiaries of a blind trust,
securities do not include the underlying assets owned by the blind trust.
new text end

Sec. 4.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 10A.01, is amended by adding a subdivision to
read:

new text begin Subd. 35b. new text end

new text begin Services for a constituent or constituent services. new text end

new text begin "Services for a
constituent" or "constituent services" means services performed or provided by an incumbent
legislator or constitutional officer for the benefit of one or more residents of the official's
district, but does not include gifts, congratulatory advertisements, or charitable contributions.
new text end

Sec. 5.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 10A.022, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

Investigation authority; complaint process.

new text begin (a) new text end The board may investigate
any alleged new text begin or potential new text end violation of this chapter. The board may also investigate an alleged
new text begin or potential new text end violation of section 211B.04, 211B.12, or 211B.15 by or related to a candidate,
treasurer, principal campaign committee, political committee, political fund, or party unit,
as those terms are defined in this chapter. new text begin The board may only investigate an alleged violation
if the board:
new text end

new text begin (1) receives a written complaint alleging a violation;
new text end

new text begin (2) discovers a potential violation as a result of an audit conducted by the board; or
new text end

new text begin (3) discovers a potential violation as a result of a staff review.
new text end

new text begin (b) When the board investigates the allegations made in a written complaint and the
investigation reveals other potential violations that were not included in the complaint, the
board may investigate the potential violations not alleged in the complaint only after making
a determination under paragraph (d) that probable cause exists to believe a violation that
warrants a formal investigation has occurred.
new text end

deleted text begin (1) deleted text end new text begin (c) new text end Upon receipt of a written complaint filed with the board, the board chair or another
board member designated by the chair shall promptly make a determination as to whether
the complaint alleges a prima facie violation. If a determination is made that the complaint
does not allege a prima facie violation, the complaint shall be dismissed without prejudice
and the complainant and the subject of the complaint must be promptly notified of the
reasons the complaint did not allege a prima facie violation. The notice to the subject of the
complaint must include a copy of the complaint. If the complainant files a revised complaint
regarding the same facts and the same subject, the prima facie determination must be
completed by a board member other than the member who made the initial determination
and who does not support the same political party as the member who made the initial
determination. The chair may order that the prima facie determination for any complaint
be made by the full board and must order that the prima facie determination for a complaint
being submitted for the third time be made by the full board.

deleted text begin (2) deleted text end new text begin (d) new text end If a determination is made that the complaint alleges a prima facie violation, the
board shall, within 45 days of the prima facie determination, make findings and conclusions
as to whether probable cause exists to believe the alleged violation that warrants a formal
investigation has occurred. Any party filing a complaint and any party against whom a
complaint is filed must be given an opportunity to be heard by the board prior to the board's
determination as to whether probable cause exists to believe a violation that warrants a
formal investigation has occurred.

deleted text begin (3) deleted text end new text begin (e) new text end Upon a determination by the board that probable cause exists to believe a violation
that warrants a formal investigation has occurred, the board must undertake an investigation
under subdivision 2 and must issue an order at the conclusion of the investigation, except
that if the complaint alleges a violation of section 10A.25 or 10A.27, the board must either
enter a conciliation agreement or make public findings and conclusions as to whether a
violation has occurred and must issue an order within 60 days after the probable cause
determination has been made. Prior to making findings and conclusions in an investigation,
the board must offer the subject of the complaint an opportunity to answer the allegations
of the complaint in writing and to appear before the board to address the matter. The deadline
for action on a written complaint may be extended by majority vote of the board.

Sec. 6.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 10A.022, is amended by adding a subdivision to
read:

new text begin Subd. 3a. new text end

new text begin Matter under staff review resolved by conciliation agreement. new text end

new text begin (a) A matter
under staff review that is resolved by conciliation agreement must be presented to the board
for approval at a meeting closed to the public. The respondent must be given an opportunity
to be heard by the board before the board makes a determination regarding the agreement.
new text end

new text begin (b) The executive director must send notice of the meeting under paragraph (a) to the
respondent. The notice must be sent no later than the time that the agreement is provided
to the board and must include a copy of the agreement. The notice must include the date of
the meeting at which the board will consider the matter and a statement that the respondent
has the opportunity to be heard by the board before the board's determination regarding the
agreement.
new text end

new text begin (c) A conciliation agreement to resolve a matter under staff review is final only after the
board approves the agreement.
new text end

new text begin (d) If the board does not approve a conciliation agreement to resolve a matter under staff
review, the board must lay the matter over until its next meeting, and:
new text end

new text begin (1) provide guidance and direct the executive director to continue the staff review; or
new text end

new text begin (2) direct the executive director to prepare the matter for resolution by the board without
an agreement pursuant to subdivision 3d.
new text end

new text begin (e) If an agreement proposed under this subdivision is not approved by the board, any
admissions by the respondent and any remedial steps taken or agreed to by the respondent
are not evidence of a violation in any subsequent proceeding.
new text end

Sec. 7.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 10A.022, is amended by adding a subdivision to
read:

new text begin Subd. 3b. new text end

new text begin Matter under staff review resolved; no violation. new text end

new text begin The executive director
must close a matter under staff review when the staff review establishes that no violation
of campaign finance laws has occurred. The executive director must report the closure of
the matter to the board at a meeting closed to the public, and must send notice of the closure
to the respondent.
new text end

Sec. 8.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 10A.022, is amended by adding a subdivision to
read:

new text begin Subd. 3c. new text end

new text begin Matter under staff review resolved without formal investigation. new text end

new text begin (a) A
matter under staff review that is resolved without a formal investigation under subdivision
3d, must be submitted to the board for approval at a meeting closed to the public. The
respondent must be given an opportunity to be heard by the board before the board makes
a determination regarding the staff review.
new text end

new text begin (b) The executive director must send notice of the meeting under paragraph (a) to the
respondent. The notice must be sent no later than the time when the written document
resolving the matter is provided to the board and must include a copy of the written document
resolving the matter. The notice must include the date of the meeting at which the board
will consider the matter and a statement that the respondent has the opportunity to be heard
by the board before the board's determination regarding the resolution of staff review.
new text end

new text begin (c) A written document concluding a matter under staff review without formal
investigation is final only after the board approves the document.
new text end

new text begin (d) If the board does not approve the written document resolving a matter under staff
review without a formal investigation, the board must:
new text end

new text begin (1) provide guidance and direct the executive director to continue the staff review;
new text end

new text begin (2) initiate a formal investigation of the matter; or
new text end

new text begin (3) direct the executive director to prepare the matter for resolution by the board under
subdivision 3d.
new text end

new text begin (e) If a written document resolving a staff review without a formal investigation under
this subdivision is not approved by the board, any admissions by the respondent and any
remedial steps taken or agreed to by the respondent are not evidence of a violation in any
subsequent proceeding.
new text end

Sec. 9.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 10A.022, is amended by adding a subdivision to
read:

new text begin Subd. 3d. new text end

new text begin Submission to board. new text end

new text begin (a) The executive director must submit the following
matters to the board for a determination under this subdivision:
new text end

new text begin (1) a matter under staff review that is not resolved under subdivision 3a, 3b, or 3c; and
new text end

new text begin (2) any other matter that the board is to consider for the authorization of a formal
investigation, other than a matter arising from a filed complaint.
new text end

new text begin The submission must be in writing, must describe the potential violation involved, and must
include any supporting information. The submission must explain the actions undertaken
in any summary proceedings and any points of disagreement preventing resolution of the
matter. The respondent must be given an opportunity to be heard by the board before the
board makes a determination regarding the submission.
new text end

new text begin (b) The executive director must send notice of the submission made under paragraph
(a) to the respondent. The notice must be sent no later than the time the submission is
provided to the board and must include a copy of the submission. The notice must include
the date of the meeting at which the board will consider the matter, and a statement that the
respondent has the opportunity to be heard by the board before the board's determination
regarding the submission.
new text end

Sec. 10.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 10A.025, is amended by adding a subdivision
to read:

new text begin Subd. 1b. new text end

new text begin Completion of filing. new text end

new text begin A filing with the board is complete upon:
new text end

new text begin (1) receipt in the board office of the document being filed, bearing the original signature
of the person responsible for filing the document;
new text end

new text begin (2) receipt of a facsimile transmission of the document, subject to subdivision 1a;
new text end

new text begin (3) the postmark date of a first class or certified mailing of the document being filed,
properly addressed to the board at its current address; or
new text end

new text begin (4) the successful submission of an electronic file to the board.
new text end

Sec. 11.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 10A.07, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Disclosure of potential conflicts.

new text begin (a) new text end A public official or a local official
elected to or appointed by a metropolitan governmental unit who in the discharge of official
duties would be required to take an action or make a decision that would substantially affect
the official's financial interests or those of an associated business, unless the effect on the
official is no greater than on other members of the official's business classification,
profession, or occupation, must take the following actions:

(1) prepare a written statement describing the matter requiring action or decision and
the nature of the potential conflict of interest;

(2) deliver copies of the statement to the official's immediate superior, if any; and

(3) if a member of the legislature or of the governing body of a metropolitan governmental
unit, deliver a copy of the statement to the presiding officer of the body of service.

If a potential conflict of interest presents itself and there is insufficient time to comply
with clauses (1) to (3), the public or local official must orally inform the superior or the
official body of service or committee of the body of the potential conflict.

new text begin (b) For purposes of this section, "financial interest" means any ownership or control in
an asset which has the potential to produce a monetary return.
new text end

Sec. 12.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 10A.07, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Required actions.

new text begin (a) new text end If the official is not a member of the legislature or of the
governing body of a metropolitan governmental unit, the superior must assign the matter,
if possible, to another employee who does not have a potential conflict of interest.

new text begin (b) new text end If there is no immediate superior, the official must abstain, if possible, deleted text begin in a manner
prescribed by the board from influence over the action or decision in question deleted text end new text begin by assigning
the matter to a subordinate for disposition or requesting the appointing authority to designate
another to determine the matter. The official shall not chair a meeting, participate in any
vote, or offer any motion or discussion on the matter giving rise to the potential conflict of
interest new text end .

new text begin (c) new text end If the official is a member of the legislature, the house of service may, at the member's
request, excuse the member from taking part in the action or decision in question.

new text begin (d) new text end If deleted text begin the deleted text end new text begin an new text end official is not permitted or is otherwise unable to abstain from action in
connection with the matter, the official must file a statement describing the potential conflict
and the action taken. A public official must file the statement with the board and a local
official must file the statement with the governing body of the official's political subdivision.
The statement must be filed within a week of the action taken.

Sec. 13.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 10A.08, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Disclosure required.

new text begin (a) new text end A public official who represents a client for a
fee before an individual, board, commission, or agency that has rulemaking authority in a
hearing conducted under chapter 14, must disclose the official's participation in the action
to the board within 14 days after the new text begin public official's initial new text end appearance new text begin at a hearing new text end . If the
public official fails to disclose the participation by the date that the disclosure was due, the
board may impose a late filing fee of $25 per day, not to exceed $1,000, starting on the day
after the disclosure was due. The board must send notice by certified mail to a public official
who fails to disclose the participation within ten business days after the disclosure was due
that the public official may be subject to a civil penalty for failure to disclose the
participation. A public official who fails to disclose the participation within seven days after
the certified mail notice was sent by the board is subject to a civil penalty imposed by the
board of up to $1,000.

new text begin (b) A public official required to disclose representation under this section shall provide
the following information: name, address, and office held; name and address of each client
represented at the hearing; the name of the individual, board, commission, or agency
conducting the hearing and the date and location of the initial appearance at the hearing;
and a general description of the subject or subjects on which the public official represented
the client in the hearing.
new text end

Sec. 14.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 10A.08, is amended by adding a subdivision to
read:

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Definitions. new text end

new text begin (a) For purposes of this section, the definitions have the meanings
given.
new text end

new text begin (b) "Fee" means any compensation or other consideration for services performed or for
future services.
new text end

new text begin (c) "Initial appearance at a hearing" means the first appearance by a public official
representing a client for a fee at a hearing on a single subject. Subsequent appearances at
continuations of the same hearing are not initial appearances.
new text end

Sec. 15.

Minnesota Statutes 2017 Supplement, section 10A.09, subdivision 5, is amended
to read:

Subd. 5.

Form new text begin ; general requirements new text end .

(a) A statement of economic interest required
by this section must be on a form prescribed by the board. The individual filing must provide
the following information:

(1) name, address, occupation, and principal place of business;

(2) the name of each associated business and the nature of that association;

(3) a listing of all real property within the state, excluding homestead property, in which
the individual holds: (i) a fee simple interest, a mortgage, a contract for deed as buyer or
seller, or an option to buy, whether direct or indirect, if the interest is valued in excess of
$2,500; or (ii) an option to buy, if the property has a fair market value of more than $50,000;

(4) a listing of all real property within the state in which a partnership of which the
individual is a member holds: (i) a fee simple interest, a mortgage, a contract for deed as
buyer or seller, or an option to buy, whether direct or indirect, if the individual's share of
the partnership interest is valued in excess of $2,500; or (ii) an option to buy, if the property
has a fair market value of more than $50,000. A listing under this clause or clause (3) must
indicate the street address and the municipality or the section, township, range and
approximate acreage, whichever applies, and the county in which the property is located;

(5) a listing of any investments, ownership, or interests in property connected with
pari-mutuel horse racing in the United States and Canada, including a racehorse, in which
the individual directly or indirectly holds a partial or full interest or an immediate family
member holds a partial or full interest;

(6) a listing of the principal business or professional activity category of each business
from which the individual receives more than deleted text begin $50 deleted text end new text begin $250 new text end in any month as an employee, if
the individual has an ownership interest of 25 percent or more in the business;

(7) a listing of each principal business or professional activity category from which the
individual received compensation of more than $2,500 in the past 12 months as an
independent contractor; and

(8) new text begin a listing of new text end the full name of each security with a value of more than deleted text begin $2,500 deleted text end new text begin $10,000 new text end
owned in part or in full by the deleted text begin public official deleted text end new text begin individual, new text end at any time during the reporting
period.

(b) The business or professional categories for purposes of paragraph (a), clauses (6)
and (7), must be the general topic headings used by the federal Internal Revenue Service
for purposes of reporting self-employment income on Schedule C. This paragraph does not
require an individual to report any specific code number from that schedule. Any additional
principal business or professional activity category may only be adopted if the category is
enacted by law.

(c) For the purpose of an original statement of economic interest, "compensation in any
month" includes only compensation received in the calendar month immediately preceding
the date of appointment as a public official or filing as a candidate.

(d) For the purpose of calculating the amount of compensation received from any single
source in a single month, the amount shall include the total amount received from the source
during the month, whether or not the amount covers compensation for more than one month.

new text begin (e) For the purpose of determining the value of an individual's interest in real property,
the value of the property is the market value shown on the property tax statement.
new text end

new text begin (f) For the purpose of an original statement of economic interest, the individual shall
disclose only those real properties owned on the date of appointment as a public official or
filing as a candidate.
new text end

new text begin (g) For the purpose of this section, "date of appointment" means the effective date of
appointment to a position.
new text end

new text begin (h) For the purpose of this section, "accepting employment as a public official" means
the effective date of the appointment to the position, as stated in the appointing authority's
notice to the board.
new text end

Sec. 16.

Minnesota Statutes 2017 Supplement, section 10A.09, subdivision 6, is amended
to read:

Subd. 6.

Annual statement.

(a) Each individual who is required to file a statement of
economic interest must also file an annual statement by the last Monday in January of each
year that the individual remains in office. The annual statement must cover the period
through December 31 of the year prior to the year when the statement is due. The annual
statement must include the amount of each honorarium in excess of $50 received since the
previous statement and the name and address of the source of the honorarium. The board
must maintain each annual statement of economic interest submitted by an officeholder in
the same file with the statement submitted as a candidate.

(b) For the purpose of annual statements of economic interest to be filed, "compensation
in any month" includes compensation and honoraria received in any month between the
end of the period covered in the preceding statement of economic interest and the end of
the current period.

(c) An individual must file the annual statement of economic interest required by this
subdivision to cover the period for which the individual served as a public official even
though at the time the statement was filed, the individual is no longer holding that office as
a public official.

new text begin (d) For the purpose of an annual statement of economic interest, the individual shall
disclose any real property owned at any time between the end of the period covered by the
preceding statement of economic interest and through the last day of the month preceding
the current filing or the last day of employment, if the individual is no longer a public
official.
new text end

Sec. 17.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 10A.15, is amended by adding a subdivision to
read:

new text begin Subd. 2a. new text end

new text begin Time of receipt. new text end

new text begin (a) A monetary contribution not made through electronic
means is received for reporting and contribution limit purposes when the contribution is
physically received by the treasurer, the candidate, or a committee, fund, or party unit
worker.
new text end

new text begin (b) A contribution delivered through the United States mail is received on the date the
mail is collected from the delivery point by the treasurer or candidate, or by a committee,
fund, or party unit worker.
new text end

new text begin (c) A monetary contribution made through electronic means is received on the date that
the contributor makes the contribution to the contribution processor for the following
purposes:
new text end

new text begin (1) the registration requirements in section 10A.14;
new text end

new text begin (2) the reporting requirements in section 10A.20;
new text end

new text begin (3) the requirements related to contributions during the legislative session in section
10A.273; and
new text end

new text begin (4) the affidavit of contributions requirement in section 10A.323.
new text end

new text begin (d) A monetary contribution made through electronic means is received for purposes of
the deposit requirements in subdivision 3 on the date that the treasurer or candidate, or the
committee, fund, or party unit worker has access to the funds under the terms of the
agreement with the contribution processor.
new text end

Sec. 18.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 10A.15, is amended by adding a subdivision to
read:

new text begin Subd. 7. new text end

new text begin Electronic contribution processors. new text end

new text begin An organization that provides contribution
processing and delivery services, when acting in the ordinary course of business by collecting
and disbursing contributions to a committee or fund that was designated by the contributor,
is not required to register under section 10A.14 or report under section 10A.20.
new text end

Sec. 19.

Minnesota Statutes 2017 Supplement, section 10A.155, is amended to read:

10A.155 deleted text begin VALUE OF CONTRIBUTIONS deleted text end new text begin REIMBURSEMENT new text end OF AUTOMOBILE
USE.

new text begin (a) new text end Automobile use provided to a committee by an individual new text begin who will be reimbursed
new text end may be valued at the deleted text begin lowest rate used by the state to reimburse its employees for automobile
use deleted text end new text begin standard mileage rate set by the Internal Revenue Service for business miles new text end .
Alternatively, the value of the automobile may be calculated as the actual cost of fuel,
maintenance, repairs, and insurance directly related to the use of the automobile. An
automobile provided by an association must be valued at the fair market value for renting
an equivalent automobile.

new text begin (b) When a committee reimburses mileage expenses, the committee must obtain a mileage
log documenting the reimbursable expenses. For each trip, the log must include:
new text end

new text begin (1) the date of the trip;
new text end

new text begin (2) the purpose of the trip;
new text end

new text begin (3) the distance traveled during the trip; and
new text end

new text begin (4) if the mileage is not being paid at the standard mileage rate set by the Internal Revenue
Service for business miles, the actual cost of fuel, maintenance, repairs, and insurance
directly related to the use of the automobile.
new text end

Sec. 20.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 10A.17, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

Subd. 4.

Independent expenditures.

deleted text begin (a) Except as provided in paragraphs (b) and (c),
deleted text end An individual, political committee, political fund, principal campaign committee, or party
unit that independently solicits or accepts contributions or makes independent expenditures
on behalf of a candidate must publicly disclose that the expenditure is an independent
expenditure. All written new text begin and broadcast new text end communications with those from whom contributions
are independently solicited or accepted or to whom independent expenditures are made on
behalf of a candidate must contain a statement deleted text begin in conspicuous type that the activity is an
independent expenditure and is not approved by the candidate nor is the candidate responsible
for it. Similar language must be included in all oral communications, in conspicuous type deleted text end new text begin
in substantially the form provided in section 211B.04, subdivision 2. The statement must
be new text end on the front page of all deleted text begin literature and advertisements published or posted, deleted text end new text begin written
communications new text end and at the end of all broadcast deleted text begin advertisements deleted text end new text begin communications new text end made by
that individual, political committee, political fund, principal campaign committee, or party
unit on the candidate's behalf.

deleted text begin (b) Paragraph (a) does not apply to individuals or associations that are not required to
register or report under this chapter.
deleted text end

deleted text begin (c) Paragraph (a) does not apply to the following:
deleted text end

deleted text begin (1) bumper stickers, pins, buttons, pens, or similar small items on which the independent
expenditure statement cannot be conveniently printed;
deleted text end

deleted text begin (2) skywriting, wearing apparel, or other means of displaying an advertisement of such
a nature that the inclusion of the independent expenditure statement would be impracticable;
and
deleted text end

deleted text begin (3) online banner ads and similar electronic communications that link directly to an
online page that includes the independent expenditure statement.
deleted text end

Sec. 21.

new text begin [10A.173] NONCAMPAIGN DISBURSEMENTS.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Services for a constituent. new text end

new text begin (a) The cost of services for a constituent
performed from the beginning of the term of office to adjournment sine die of the legislature
in the election year for the office held are noncampaign disbursements. Half of the cost of
services for a constituent performed from adjournment sine die to 60 days after adjournment
sine die are noncampaign disbursements.
new text end

new text begin (b) During the periods provided in paragraph (a), a candidate's committee may claim
the following expenses as a noncampaign disbursement for services for a constituent under
section 10A.01, subdivision 26, clause (6):
new text end

new text begin (1) the cost of a charter bus to transport constituents to an educational day held at the
State Capitol during a legislative session;
new text end

new text begin (2) the cost of hiring an intern that is directly attributable to the intern's provision of
services for constituents;
new text end

new text begin (3) the cost of congratulatory letters sent to the office holder's constituents that include
information about government services available to the recipient or how the recipient can
register to vote;
new text end

new text begin (4) the cost of food or beverages consumed by a constituent during a meeting with the
office holder, in compliance with section 211B.13;
new text end

new text begin (5) the cost of food and beverages consumed by the candidate or volunteers when the
candidate or volunteers are distributing communications that qualify as services to a
constituent; and
new text end

new text begin (6) the cost of printing and distributing a review of legislative action and issues to the
office holder's constituents if the distribution occurs prior to the sine die adjournment of
the legislature.
new text end

new text begin If the review of legislative action described in clause (6) is distributed after the legislature
adjourns sine die, the printing and distribution costs must be prorated between noncampaign
disbursements and campaign expenditures as described in paragraph (a), even if the printing
occurred prior to adjournment.
new text end

new text begin (c) A communication prepared as a service for a constituent must include the disclaimer
required by section 211B.04 when the communication is disseminated after adjournment
sine die of the legislature in the election year for the office held.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Food and beverages while campaigning. new text end

new text begin A candidate's committee may not
claim the cost of food and beverages consumed by the candidate and volunteers when the
candidate and volunteers are campaigning outside of the candidate's district, unless the
committee intends to terminate and complies with section 10A.27, subdivision 9, paragraph
(b), as noncampaign disbursements under section 10A.01, subdivision 26, clause (7).
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Food and beverages; legislative duties. new text end

new text begin (a) A candidate's committee may
claim the expense of food and beverages consumed by other legislators or legislative staff
at a reception or meeting as a noncampaign disbursement under section 10A.01, subdivision
26, clause (8).
new text end

new text begin (b) Except as provided by paragraph (a), a candidate's committee may not claim the
expense of food and beverages consumed by individuals other than the legislator at a
reception or meeting as a noncampaign disbursement under section 10A.01, subdivision
26, clause (8).
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Expenses for serving in public office. new text end

new text begin (a) A candidate's committee may claim
the following expenses as noncampaign disbursements for expenses for serving in public
office under section 10A.01, subdivision 26, clause (10):
new text end

new text begin (1) the cost of transportation, lodging, meals, and other expenses necessary to attend
meetings and conferences when the reason that the candidate attends the event is to assist
the candidate in performing the duties of the office held and the candidate would not attend
the event if the candidate were not an office holder;
new text end

new text begin (2) the cost of traveling to the State Capitol for scheduled legislative committee meetings
and regular and special legislative sessions when those costs are not reimbursed by another
source; and
new text end

new text begin (3) the cost of meals for legislative staff while the staff member is engaged in performing
legislative work for the candidate.
new text end

new text begin (b) A candidate's committee may not claim the following expenses as noncampaign
disbursements for expenses for serving in public office under section 10A.01, subdivision
26, clause (10):
new text end

new text begin (1) the cost of membership fees and dues necessary to belong to organizations located
in the office holder's district;
new text end

new text begin (2) costs incurred for transportation, lodging, and other expenses for trips taken outside
of the office holder's district for the purpose of relationship building; and
new text end

new text begin (3) costs incurred for transportation, lodging, and other expenses by an individual
accompanying an office holder on a trip unless the office holder is a person with a disability,
as defined in section 363A.03, subdivision 12, and the accompanying individual is providing
services that are made necessary by the disability.
new text end

new text begin Clause (3) does not require a committee to allocate a travel expense between an office holder
and an individual accompanying the office holder on a trip when the presence of the
accompanying individual does not increase the amount of the expense.
new text end

Sec. 22.

new text begin [10A.175] COORDINATED AND NONCOORDINATED EXPENDITURES;
DEFINITIONS.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Scope. new text end

new text begin The definitions in subdivisions 2 to 6 apply to sections 10A.175
to 10A.177.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Agent. new text end

new text begin "Agent" means a person serving during an election segment as a
candidate's chairperson, deputy chairperson, treasurer, deputy treasurer, or any other person
whose actions are coordinated.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Candidate. new text end

new text begin "Candidate" means a candidate as defined in section 10A.01,
subdivision 10, the candidate's principal campaign committee, or the candidate's agent.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Consulting services. new text end

new text begin "Consulting services" means the following services
involving campaign strategy: polling, communications planning and design, advertising,
and messaging. Consulting services do not mean printing or mailing campaign material,
legal services that do not involve campaign strategy, accounting services, or costs for the
use of a medium for communications purposes.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Coordinated. new text end

new text begin "Coordinated" means with the authorization or expressed or
implied consent of, or in cooperation or in concert with, or at the request or suggestion of
the candidate. A coordinated expenditure is an approved expenditure under section 10A.01,
subdivision 4.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 6. new text end

new text begin Spender. new text end

new text begin "Spender" means an individual; an association; a political committee;
a political fund; an independent expenditure political committee; an independent expenditure
political fund; or a party unit.
new text end

Sec. 23.

new text begin [10A.176] COORDINATED EXPENDITURES.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Scope. new text end

new text begin An expenditure described in this section that expressly advocates
for the election of the candidate or the defeat of the candidate's opponent is a coordinated
expenditure and is not independent under section 10A.01, subdivision 18.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Fund-raising. new text end

new text begin (a) An expenditure is a coordinated expenditure if the expenditure
is made on or after January 1 of the year the office will appear on the ballot by a spender
for which the candidate, on or after January 1 of the year the office will appear on the ballot,
has engaged in fund-raising of money that is not general treasury money, as defined in
section 10A.01, subdivision 17c, of the spender.
new text end

new text begin (b) For purposes of this subdivision, candidate fund-raising includes:
new text end

new text begin (1) soliciting or collecting money for or to the spender that is not general treasury money;
and
new text end

new text begin (2) appearing for the spender as a speaker at an event raising money that is not general
treasury money.
new text end

new text begin (c) This subdivision does not apply to a candidate's fund-raising on behalf of a party
unit.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Relationship with spender. new text end

new text begin An expenditure is a coordinated expenditure if
the expenditure is made on or after January 1 of the year the office will appear on the ballot
by a spender that:
new text end

new text begin (1) is not a party unit; and
new text end

new text begin (2) is an association, political committee, political fund, independent expenditure political
committee, or independent expenditure political fund, in which the candidate was a
chairperson, deputy chairperson, treasurer, or deputy treasurer on or after January 1 of the
year the office will appear on the ballot.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Consulting services. new text end

new text begin (a) An expenditure is a coordinated expenditure if the
expenditure is made during an election segment for consulting services from a consultant
who has also provided consulting services to the candidate or the candidate's opponent
during that same election segment.
new text end

new text begin (b) This subdivision does not apply when the following conditions are met:
new text end

new text begin (1) the consultant assigns separate personnel to the spender and the candidate;
new text end

new text begin (2) the consultant has a written policy that describes the measures that the consultant
has taken to prohibit the flow of information between the personnel providing services to
the spender and the personnel providing services to the candidate;
new text end

new text begin (3) the written policy has been distributed to all personnel and clients covered by the
policy, including the candidate and the spender;
new text end

new text begin (4) the consultant has implemented the measures described in the written policy; and
new text end

new text begin (5) no information has been shared between the spender and the personnel provided
services to the spender and the candidate and the personnel providing services to the
candidate.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Receiving information that is not publicly available. new text end

new text begin An expenditure is a
coordinated expenditure if the expenditure is made after the spender receives from the
candidate information that is not publicly available regarding the candidate's campaign
plans, strategy, or needs.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 6. new text end

new text begin Spender-provided information. new text end

new text begin An expenditure is a coordinated expenditure
if the expenditure is made when:
new text end

new text begin (1) the spender provides information to the candidate regarding the expenditure's contents,
intended audience, timing, location or mode, volume, or frequency; and
new text end

new text begin (2) the information is provided to the candidate before the expenditure is communicated
to the public.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 7. new text end

new text begin Candidate's participation. new text end

new text begin An expenditure is a coordinated expenditure if the
expenditure is made with the candidate's participation in the following:
new text end

new text begin (1) any of the processes required for the creation and development of the expenditure,
including budgeting decisions, media design, acquisition of graphics and text, production,
and distribution of the final product; or
new text end

new text begin (2) any decision regarding the content, timing, location, intended audience, volume of
distribution, or frequency of the expenditure.
new text end

Sec. 24.

new text begin [10A.177] NONCOORDINATED EXPENDITURES.
new text end

new text begin Any of the following actions, taken alone, do not establish that an expenditure made by
the spender is coordinated with the candidate:
new text end

new text begin (1) a candidate asks a spender not to make any expenditure to support the candidate or
oppose the candidate's opponent;
new text end

new text begin (2) a candidate provides to a spender names of potential donors;
new text end

new text begin (3) an expenditure uses a photograph, video, or audio recording obtained from a publicly
available source or public event;
new text end

new text begin (4) an expenditure uses information obtained from a biography, position paper, press
release, or similar material about the candidate from a publicly available source or public
event;
new text end

new text begin (5) the spender contributes to the candidate, makes an in-kind donation to the candidate,
or endorses the candidate;
new text end

new text begin (6) an expenditure includes a hyperlink to the candidate's Web site or social media page;
new text end

new text begin (7) an expenditure appears in a news story, commentary, or editorial distributed through
the facilities of any broadcasting station, newspaper, magazine, or other periodical
publication;
new text end

new text begin (8) the spender discusses the candidate's position on a legislative or policy matter with
the candidate. This paragraph includes the sending, completion, and return of a survey
conducted by the spender to determine whether to endorse the candidate; or
new text end

new text begin (9) the spender invites the candidate to appear before the spender's members, employees,
or shareholders, including the candidate's participation in the event, unless the event promotes
the election of the candidate or the defeat of the candidate's opponent, or the candidate
requests or accepts campaign contributions at the event.
new text end

Sec. 25.

new text begin [10A.179] EXPENDITURES AND NONCAMPAIGN DISBURSEMENTS;
GENERAL PROVISIONS.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Reimbursements. new text end

new text begin (a) When a committee reimburses an individual or
association for an expenditure or a noncampaign disbursement, the reimbursement is not
required to be itemized on a report of receipts and expenditures unless the total
reimbursements and payments made by the committee during the year to that individual or
association exceed $200.
new text end

new text begin (b) When a committee reimburses an individual or association for an expenditure or
noncampaign disbursement that requires itemization on a report of receipts and expenditures
and chooses under section 10A.20, subdivision 13, to report the expenditure or noncampaign
disbursement as a reimbursement to a third party, the committee must disclose the following
information on the report:
new text end

new text begin (1) the name and address of the individual or association to which reimbursement was
made;
new text end

new text begin (2) the name and address of the vendor supplying the good or service for which
reimbursement was made;
new text end

new text begin (3) the date of the expenditure or noncampaign disbursement for which reimbursement
was made;
new text end

new text begin (4) the date of the reimbursement;
new text end

new text begin (5) a description of the specific good or service purchased; and
new text end

new text begin (6) if the reimbursement was for a noncampaign disbursement, the specific noncampaign
disbursement category in section 10A.01, subdivision 26, that is applicable to the good or
service for which reimbursement was made.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Allocating ongoing expenses. new text end

new text begin When an ongoing expense has both a campaign
purpose and a purpose listed as a noncampaign disbursement in section 10A.01, subdivision
26, the committee must allocate the cost of the expense between the two purposes according
to the proportion of actual use for each purpose.
new text end

Sec. 26.

Minnesota Statutes 2017 Supplement, section 10A.20, subdivision 3, is amended
to read:

Subd. 3.

Contents of report.

(a) The report required by this section must include each
of the items listed in paragraphs (b) to (q) that are applicable to the filer. The board shall
prescribe forms based on filer type indicating which of those items must be included on the
filer's report.

(b) The report must disclose the amount of liquid assets on hand at the beginning of the
reporting period.

(c) The report must disclose the name, address, employer, or occupation if self-employed,
and registration number if registered with the board, of each individual or association that
has made one or more contributions to the reporting entity, including the purchase of tickets
for a fund-raising effort, that in aggregate within the year exceed $200 for legislative or
statewide candidates or more than $500 for ballot questions, together with the amount and
date of each contribution, and the aggregate amount of contributions within the year from
each source so disclosed. A donation in kind must be disclosed at its fair market value. An
approved expenditure must be listed as a donation in kind. A donation in kind is considered
consumed in the reporting period in which it is received. The names of contributors must
be listed in alphabetical order. Contributions from the same contributor must be listed under
the same name. When a contribution received from a contributor in a reporting period is
added to previously reported unitemized contributions from the same contributor and the
aggregate exceeds the disclosure threshold of this paragraph, the name, address, and
employer, or occupation if self-employed, of the contributor must then be listed on the
report.

(d) The report must disclose the sum of contributions to the reporting entity during the
reporting period.

(e) The report must disclose each loan made or received by the reporting entity within
the year in aggregate in excess of $200, continuously reported until repaid or forgiven,
together with the name, address, occupation, principal place of business, if any, and
registration number if registered with the board of the lender and any endorser and the date
and amount of the loan. If a loan made to the principal campaign committee of a candidate
is forgiven or is repaid by an entity other than that principal campaign committee, it must
be reported as a contribution for the year in which the loan was made.

(f) The report must disclose each receipt over $200 during the reporting period not
otherwise listed under paragraphs (c) to (e).

(g) The report must disclose the sum of all receipts of the reporting entity during the
reporting period.

(h) The report must disclose the name, address, and registration number if registered
with the board of each individual or association to whom aggregate expenditures, approved
expenditures, independent expenditures, and ballot question expenditures have been made
by or on behalf of the reporting entity within the year in excess of $200, together with the
amount, date, and purpose of each expenditure new text begin , including an explanation of how the
expenditures was used, new text end and the name and address of, and office sought by, each candidate
on whose behalf the expenditure was made, identification of the ballot question that the
expenditure was intended to promote or defeat and an indication of whether the expenditure
was to promote or to defeat the ballot question, and in the case of independent expenditures
made in opposition to a candidate, the candidate's name, address, and office sought. A
reporting entity making an expenditure on behalf of more than one candidate for state or
legislative office must allocate the expenditure among the candidates on a reasonable cost
basis and report the allocation for each candidate.

(i) The report must disclose the sum of all expenditures made by or on behalf of the
reporting entity during the reporting period.

(j) The report must disclose the amount and nature of an advance of credit incurred by
the reporting entity, continuously reported until paid or forgiven. If an advance of credit
incurred by the principal campaign committee of a candidate is forgiven by the creditor or
paid by an entity other than that principal campaign committee, it must be reported as a
donation in kind for the year in which the advance of credit was made.

(k) The report must disclose the name, address, and registration number if registered
with the board of each political committee, political fund, principal campaign committee,
or party unit to which contributions have been made that aggregate in excess of $200 within
the year and the amount and date of each contribution.

(l) The report must disclose the sum of all contributions made by the reporting entity
during the reporting period.

(m) The report must disclose the name, address, and registration number if registered
with the board of each individual or association to whom noncampaign disbursements have
been made that aggregate in excess of $200 within the year by or on behalf of the reporting
entity and the amount, date, and purpose of each noncampaign disbursement new text begin , including an
explanation of how the expenditure was used new text end .

(n) The report must disclose the sum of all noncampaign disbursements made within
the year by or on behalf of the reporting entity.

(o) The report must disclose the name and address of a nonprofit corporation that provides
administrative assistance to a political committee or political fund as authorized by section
211B.15, subdivision 17, the type of administrative assistance provided, and the aggregate
fair market value of each type of assistance provided to the political committee or political
fund during the reporting period.

(p) Legislative, statewide, and judicial candidates, party units, and political committees
and funds must itemize contributions that in aggregate within the year exceed $200 for
legislative or statewide candidates or more than $500 for ballot questions on reports submitted
to the board. The itemization must include the date on which the contribution was received,
the individual or association that provided the contribution, and the address of the contributor.
Additionally, the itemization for a donation in kind must provide a description of the item
or service received. Contributions that are less than the itemization amount must be reported
as an aggregate total.

(q) Legislative, statewide, and judicial candidates, party units, political committees and
funds, and committees to promote or defeat a ballot question must itemize expenditures and
noncampaign disbursements that in aggregate exceed $200 in a calendar year on reports
submitted to the board. The itemization must include the date on which the committee made
or became obligated to make the expenditure or disbursement, the name and address of the
vendor that provided the service or item purchased, and a description of the service or item
purchased new text begin , including an explanation of how the expenditure was used new text end . Expenditures and
noncampaign disbursements must be listed on the report alphabetically by vendor.

Sec. 27.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 10A.25, subdivision 3a, is amended to read:

Subd. 3a.

Independent expenditures.

The principal campaign committee of a candidate
must not make independent expenditures. new text begin If the principal campaign committee of a candidate
makes a contribution to an independent expenditure committee or independent expenditure
fund on or after January 1 of the year the candidate's office will appear on the ballot, the
independent expenditure committee or independent expenditure fund must not make an
independent expenditure for that candidate.
new text end

Sec. 28.

Minnesota Statutes 2017 Supplement, section 10A.27, subdivision 16a, is amended
to read:

Subd. 16a.

deleted text begin Return of deleted text end Contributions deleted text begin after merger of deleted text end new text begin to new text end governor and lieutenant
governor deleted text begin funds deleted text end new text begin ; merger new text end .

new text begin (a) Prior to the merger of separate principal campaign committees
for governor and lieutenant governor, each committee may accept contributions up to the
limits set forth in section 10A.27, subdivision 1, paragraph (a), for governor and lieutenant
governor running together.
new text end

new text begin (b) After the merger of the committees, contributions to either committee from a single
source must be aggregated in determining whether the contribution limit for the joint
committee has been reached or exceeded. If the limit has been exceeded, contributions must
be returned as provided in paragraph (c).
new text end

new text begin (c) new text end Funds transferred to the joint committee for candidates for governor and lieutenant
governor that result in aggregate contributions in excess of the applicable limits may be
returned to the contributor within 90 days of the transfer of funds to the joint committee.

Sec. 29.

new text begin [10A.271] SALE OF GOODS AND SERVICES FOR FUND-RAISING
PURPOSES.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Notice to contributors. new text end

new text begin A political committee, political fund, political
party unit, or principal campaign committee that raises funds through the sale of goods or
services must disclose to potential customers that the proceeds from the purchase are a
political contribution. The notice may be provided verbally at the time of purchase, or
through the prominent display of a sign providing the notice at the location where the goods
or services are retailed.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Exception. new text end

new text begin This section does not apply to goods or services sold at fund-raising
events which require the purchase of a ticket to attend or at events where the main purpose
is to conduct fund-raising.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Penalty. new text end

new text begin A political committee, political fund, political party unit, or principal
campaign committee that knowingly violates this section is subject to a civil penalty imposed
by the board of up to $1,000.
new text end

Sec. 30.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 10A.273, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

Definition.

For purposes of this section, a "regular session" deleted text begin includes the entire deleted text end
new text begin starts at 12:00 a.m., on the new text end first day new text begin of each annual session new text end and deleted text begin the entire deleted text end new text begin ends at 11:59 on
the new text end last day of each annual session. For purposes of this section, regular session does not
include a special session or the interim between the two annual sessions of a biennium.

Sec. 31.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 10A.322, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Agreement by candidate.

(a) As a condition of receiving a public subsidy,
a candidate must sign and file with the board a written agreement in which the candidate
agrees that the candidate will comply with sections 10A.25; 10A.27, subdivision 10; 10A.324;
and 10A.38.

(b) Before the first day of filing for office, the board must forward agreement forms to
all filing officers. The board must also provide agreement forms to candidates on request
at any time. The candidate must file the agreement with the board at least three weeks before
the candidate's state primary. An agreement may not be filed after that date. An agreement
once filed may not be rescinded.

(c) The board must notify the commissioner of revenue of any agreement signed under
this subdivision.

(d) Notwithstanding paragraph (b), if a vacancy occurs that will be filled by means of
a special election and the filing period does not coincide with the filing period for the general
election, a candidate may sign and submit a spending limit agreement not later than the day
after the close of the filing period for the special election for which the candidate filed.

new text begin (e) Notwithstanding paragraphs (b) and (d), if a vacancy occurs that will be filled by
means of a special election called under section 204B.13, subdivision 2, paragraph (c), a
candidate may sign and submit a spending limit agreement not later than eight calendar
days after the general election.
new text end

Sec. 32.

Minnesota Statutes 2017 Supplement, section 10A.323, is amended to read:

10A.323 AFFIDAVIT OF CONTRIBUTIONS.

(a) In addition to the requirements of section 10A.322, to be eligible to receive a public
subsidy under section 10A.31 a candidate or the candidate's treasurer must:

(1) between January 1 of the previous year and the cutoff date for transactions included
in the report of receipts and expenditures due before the primary election, accumulate
contributions from individuals eligible to vote in this state in at least the amount indicated
for the office sought, counting only the first $50 received from each contributor, excluding
in-kind contributions:

(i) candidates for governor and lieutenant governor running together, $35,000;

(ii) candidates for attorney general, $15,000;

(iii) candidates for secretary of state and state auditor, separately, $6,000;

(iv) candidates for the senate, $3,000; and

(v) candidates for the house of representatives, $1,500;

(2) file an affidavit with the board stating that the principal campaign committee has
complied with this paragraph. The affidavit must state the total amount of contributions that
have been received from individuals eligible to vote in this state, excluding:

(i) the portion of any contribution in excess of $50;

(ii) any in-kind contribution; and

(iii) any contribution for which the name and address of the contributor is not known
and recorded; and

(3) submit the affidavit required by this section to the board in writing by the deadline
for reporting of receipts and expenditures before a primary under section 10A.20, subdivision
4.

(b) A candidate for a vacancy to be filled at a special election for which the filing period
does not coincide with the filing period for the general election must accumulate the
contributions specified in paragraph (a) and must submit the affidavit required by this section
to the board within five days after the close of the filing period for the special election for
which the candidate filed.

(c) new text begin Notwithstanding paragraphs (a) and (b), a candidate for a vacancy to be filled at a
special election called under section 204B.13, subdivision 2, paragraph (c), must accumulate
the contributions specified in paragraph (a) and must submit the affidavit required by this
section to the board within 12 calendar days after the general election.
new text end

new text begin (d) new text end A candidate or the candidate's treasurer must be able to electronically file the affidavit
required under this section in the same manner as other reports required by this chapter.
The board must not require the candidate or candidate's treasurer to notarize the affidavit
of contribution.

Sec. 33.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 211B.04, is amended to read:

211B.04 CAMPAIGN deleted text begin LITERATURE deleted text end new text begin MATERIAL new text end MUST INCLUDE
DISCLAIMER.

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Campaign material. new text end

(a) A person who participates in the preparation or
dissemination of campaign material other than as provided in section 211B.05, subdivision
1, that does not prominently include the name and address of the person or committee
causing the material to be prepared or disseminated in a disclaimer substantially in the form
provided in paragraph (b) or (c) is guilty of a misdemeanor.

(b) Except in cases covered by paragraph (c), the required form of disclaimer is: "Prepared
and paid for by the .......... committee, .........(address)" for material prepared and paid for
by a principal campaign committee, or "Prepared and paid for by the .......... committee,
.........(address)" for material prepared and paid for by a person or committee other than a
principal campaign committee. new text begin The address must be either the committee's mailing address
or the committee's Web site, if the Web site includes the committee's mailing address. new text end If
the material is produced and disseminated without cost, the words "paid for" may be omitted
from the disclaimer.

(c) In the case of broadcast media, the required form of disclaimer is: "Paid for by the
............ committee." If the material is produced and broadcast without cost, the required
form of the disclaimer is: "The ............ committee is responsible for the content of this
message."

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Independent expenditures. new text end

new text begin (a) The required form of the disclaimer on a written
independent expenditure is: "This is an independent expenditure prepared and paid for by
..… (name of entity participating in the expenditure), ….. (address). It is not coordinated
with or approved by any candidate nor is any candidate responsible for it." The address
must be either the entity's mailing address or the entity's Web site, if the Web site includes
the entity's mailing address. When a written independent expenditure is produced and
disseminated without cost, the words "and paid for" may be omitted from the disclaimer.
new text end

new text begin (b) The required form of the disclaimer on a broadcast independent expenditure is: "This
independent expenditure is paid for by .…. (name of entity participating in the expenditure).
It is not coordinated with or approved by any candidate nor is any candidate responsible
for it." When a broadcast independent expenditure is produced and disseminated without
cost, the following disclaimer may be used: "….. (name of entity participating in the
expenditure) is responsible for the contents of this independent expenditure. It is not
coordinated with or approved by any candidate nor is any candidate responsible for it."
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Material that does not need a disclaimer. new text end

deleted text begin (d) deleted text end new text begin (a) new text end This section does not apply
to fund-raising tickets, business cards, personal letters, or similar items that are clearly being
distributed by the candidate.

deleted text begin (e) deleted text end new text begin (b) new text end This section does not apply to an individual or association that is not required to
register or report under chapter 10A or 211A.

deleted text begin (f) deleted text end new text begin (c) new text end This section does not apply to the following:

(1) bumper stickers, pins, buttons, pens, or similar small items on which the disclaimer
cannot be conveniently printed;

(2) skywriting, wearing apparel, or other means of displaying an advertisement of such
a nature that the inclusion of a disclaimer would be impracticable; and

(3) online banner ads and similar electronic communications that link directly to an
online page that includes the disclaimer.

deleted text begin (g) deleted text end new text begin (d) new text end This section does not modify or repeal section 211B.06.

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Web sites. new text end

new text begin The requirements of this section are satisfied for an entire Web site
or social media page when the disclaimer required in subdivision 1 or 2 appears once on
the homepage of the site.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Font size. new text end

new text begin For written communications other than an outdoor sign, Web site,
or social media page, the disclaimer must be printed in 8-point font or larger.
new text end

Sec. 34. new text begin REPEALER.
new text end

new text begin Minnesota Rules, parts 4501.0200, subparts 1 and 2; 4501.0500, subpart 1a; 4503.0100,
subpart 6; 4503.0500, subpart 2; 4503.1300, subpart 4; 4505.0010; 4505.0100, subparts 1,
4, and 6; 4505.0700; 4515.0010; 4515.0100, subparts 1 and 5; 4515.0500, subpart 1;
4520.0010; 4520.0100, subparts 1, 4, and 6; 4520.0400; 4520.0500; 4525.0330; and
4525.0340, subpart 1, new text end new text begin are repealed.
new text end

Sec. 35. new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE.
new text end

new text begin Except as otherwise provided, this act is effective June 1, 2018.
new text end

APPENDIX

Repealed Minnesota Rule: 18-6972

4501.0200 SECURITIES.

Subpart 1.

Items which are securities.

Securities include any stock, share, bond, warrant, option, pledge, note, mortgage, debenture, lease, or commercial paper, in any corporation, partnership, mutual fund, trust, or other association.

4501.0200 SECURITIES.

Subp. 2.

Items which are not securities.

Securities do not include deposits in a savings account, certificates of deposit, money market certificates, treasury bills, bonds or notes, dividends from securities, or holdings in a pension or retirement plan.

4501.0500 FILINGS, SUBMISSIONS, AND DISCLOSURES.

Subp. 1a.

Completion of filing.

A filing with the board is complete upon:

A.

receipt in the board office of the document being filed, bearing the original signature of the person responsible for filing the document;

B.

receipt of a facsimile transmission of the document, subject to subpart 2;

C.

the postmark date of a first class or certified mailing of the document being filed, properly addressed to the board at its current address; or

D.

the successful submission of an electronic file to the board.

4503.0100 DEFINITIONS.

Subp. 6.

Services for a constituent; constituent services.

"Services for a constituent" or "constituent services" means services performed or provided by an incumbent legislator or constitutional officer for the benefit of one or more residents of the official's district, but does not include gifts, congratulatory advertisements, charitable contributions, or similar expenditures.

4503.0500 CONTRIBUTIONS.

Subp. 2.

Time of receipt of contributions.

A.

A monetary contribution is received by a political committee or political fund, for reporting and contribution limit purposes, when the instrument conveying the contribution, such as cash, check, or money order, is physically received by the treasurer, the candidate, or a committee or fund worker.

B.

A contribution delivered through the mail is received on the date the mail is gathered from the delivery point by the treasurer, the candidate, or a committee or fund worker.

4503.1300 GOVERNOR AND LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR.

Subp. 4.

Contribution limits for governor and lieutenant governor before and after merger of separate committees.

Prior to the merger of separate principal campaign committees for governor and lieutenant governor, each committee may accept contributions up to the limits set forth in Minnesota Statutes, section 10A.27, subdivision 1, clause (a), for governor and lieutenant governor running together. After the merger of the committees, contributions to either committee from a single source must be aggregated in determining whether the contribution limit for the joint committee has been reached or exceeded. If the limit has been exceeded, contributions must be returned in accordance with subpart 5.

4505.0010 SCOPE.

This chapter applies to the filing of statements of economic interest required by Minnesota Statutes, section 10A.09.

4505.0100 DEFINITIONS.

Subpart 1.

Scope.

For the purposes of this chapter and Minnesota Statutes, section 10A.09, the terms defined in this part have the meanings given them. The definitions in chapter 4501 and in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 10A, apply to this chapter.

4505.0100 DEFINITIONS.

Subp. 4.

Date of appointment.

"Date of appointment" means the effective date of appointment to a position.

4505.0100 DEFINITIONS.

Subp. 6.

Accepting employment as a public official.

"Accepting employment as a public official" means the effective date of the appointment to the position, as stated in the appointing authority's notice to the board.

4505.0700 REAL PROPERTY.

For the purpose of determining the value of an individual's interest in real property, the value of the property shall be the market value shown on the property tax statement. For the purpose of an original statement of economic interest, the individual shall disclose only those real properties owned on the date of appointment as a public official or filing as a candidate. For the purpose of a supplementary statement of economic interest, the individual shall disclose any real property owned at any time between the end of the period covered by the preceding statement of economic interest and through the last day of the month preceding the current filing or the last day of employment, if no longer a public official.

4515.0010 SCOPE.

This chapter applies to the conflict of interest provisions of Minnesota Statutes, section 10A.07.

4515.0100 DEFINITIONS.

Subpart 1.

Scope.

The definitions in this part apply to this chapter and Minnesota Statutes, section 10A.07. The definitions in chapter 4501 and in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 10A, apply to this chapter.

4515.0100 DEFINITIONS.

Subp. 5.

Financial interest.

"Financial interest" means any ownership or control in an asset which has the potential to produce a monetary return.

4515.0500 ABSTENTION.

Subpart 1.

Nonlegislator.

A public official who is not a legislator or a member of the governing body of a metropolitan governmental unit and who has a potential conflict of interest and who does not have an immediate superior shall abstain from the matter, if possible, by assigning the matter to a subordinate for disposition or requesting the appointing authority to designate another to determine the matter. In such a case, the official shall not chair a meeting, participate in any vote, or offer any motion or discussion on the matter giving rise to the potential conflict of interest.

4520.0010 SCOPE.

This chapter applies to the representation disclosure requirements of Minnesota Statutes, section 10A.08.

4520.0100 DEFINITIONS.

Subpart 1.

Scope.

The definitions in this part apply to this chapter and Minnesota Statutes, section 10A.08. The definitions in chapter 4501 and in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 10A, apply to this chapter.

4520.0100 DEFINITIONS.

Subp. 4.

Fee.

"Fee" means any compensation or other consideration for services performed or for future services.

4520.0100 DEFINITIONS.

Subp. 6.

Initial appearance at a hearing.

"Initial appearance at a hearing" means the first appearance by a public official representing a client for a fee at a hearing on a single subject. Subsequent appearances at continuations of the same hearing are not initial appearances.

4520.0400 OBLIGATION TO DISCLOSE REPRESENTATION.

A public official's obligation to disclose representation arises upon the public official's initial appearance at a hearing.

4520.0500 REQUIRED REPORTING INFORMATION.

Each public official required to report shall provide the following information: name, address, and office held; name and address of each client represented at the hearing; the name of the individual, board, commission, or agency conducting the hearing and the date and location of the initial appearance at the hearing; and a general description of the subject or subjects on which the public official represented the client in the hearing.

4525.0330 SUBMISSION TO BOARD; MATTER UNDER STAFF REVIEW RESOLVED BY CONCILIATION AGREEMENT.

A matter under staff review that is resolved by conciliation agreement under part 4525.0320 must be presented to the board for approval at a meeting closed to the public under part 4525.0200, subpart 5.

The respondent must be given an opportunity to be heard by the board prior to the board's decision regarding the agreement.

The executive director must send notice of the meeting to the respondent. The notice must be sent not later than the time that the agreement is provided to the board and must include a copy of the agreement. The notice must include the date of the meeting at which the board will consider the matter and a statement that the respondent has the opportunity to be heard by the board before the board's determination regarding the agreement.

A conciliation agreement made under part 4525.0320 to resolve a matter under staff review is final only after the board approves the agreement.

If the board does not approve a conciliation agreement to resolve a matter under staff review, the board must lay the matter over until its next meeting and:

A.

provide guidance and direct the executive director to continue the staff review; or

B.

direct the executive director to prepare the matter for resolution by the board without an agreement pursuant to part 4525.0340.

If an agreement proposed under this subpart is not approved by the board, any admissions by the respondent and any remedial steps taken or agreed to by the respondent are not evidence of a violation in any subsequent proceeding.

4525.0340 SUBMISSION TO BOARD; BOARD-INITIATED INVESTIGATIONS AND MATTERS NOT RESOLVED BY CONCILIATION AGREEMENT.

Subpart 1.

Submission to board.

The executive director must submit the following matters to the board for decision under this part:

A.

a matter under staff review that is not resolved by conciliation agreement under parts 4525.0320 and 4525.0330; and

B.

any other matter that the board is to consider for the authorization of a formal investigation, other than a matter arising from a filed complaint.

The submission must be in writing, must describe the potential violation involved, and must include any supporting information. The submission must explain the actions undertaken in any summary proceedings and any points of disagreement preventing resolution of the matter.

The respondent must be given an opportunity to be heard by the board prior to the board's decision regarding the submission.

The executive director must send notice of the submission to the respondent. The notice must be sent not later than the time that the submission is provided to the board and must include a copy of the submission. The notice must include the date of the meeting at which the board will consider the matter, and a statement that the respondent has the opportunity to be heard by the board before the board's determination regarding the submission.