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HF 863

2nd Engrossment - 88th Legislature (2013 - 2014) Posted on 05/07/2013 09:59am

KEY: stricken = removed, old language.
underscored = added, new language.

Current Version - 2nd Engrossment

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A bill for an act
relating to campaign finance; providing for additional disclosure; making various
changes to campaign finance and public disclosure law; providing penalties;
amending Minnesota Statutes 2012, sections 10A.01, subdivisions 10, 11, 27,
28, by adding subdivisions; 10A.02, subdivisions 9, 10, 11, 12, 15; 10A.025,
subdivisions 2, 3; 10A.105, subdivision 1; 10A.12, subdivisions 1, 1a, 2;
10A.121; 10A.14, subdivision 1, by adding a subdivision; 10A.15, subdivisions
1, 2, 3; 10A.20, subdivisions 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, by adding a subdivision; 10A.241;
10A.25, subdivisions 2, 2a, 3; 10A.257, subdivision 1; 10A.27, subdivisions 1,
10, 11, 13, 14, 15; 10A.323; 211B.32, subdivision 1; proposing coding for new
law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 10A; repealing Minnesota Statutes 2012,
sections 10A.24; 10A.242; 10A.25, subdivision 6.

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

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 10A.01, is amended by adding a
subdivision to read:


new text begin Subd. 7c. new text end

new text begin Ballot question political committee. new text end

new text begin "Ballot question political
committee" means a political committee that makes only expenditures to promote or defeat
a ballot question and disbursements permitted under section 10A.121, subdivision 1.
new text end

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 10A.01, is amended by adding a subdivision
to read:


new text begin Subd. 7d. new text end

new text begin Ballot question political fund. new text end

new text begin "Ballot question political fund" means
a political fund that makes only expenditures to promote or defeat a ballot question and
disbursements permitted under section 10A.121, subdivision 1.
new text end

Sec. 3.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 10A.01, subdivision 10, is amended to read:


Subd. 10.

Candidate.

"Candidate" means an individual who seeks nomination or
election as a state constitutional officer, legislator, or judge. An individual is deemed to seek
nomination or election if the individual has taken the action necessary under the law of this
state to qualify for nomination or election, has received contributions or made expenditures
in excess of $100, or has given implicit or explicit consent for any other person to receive
contributions or make expenditures in excess of $100, for the purpose of bringing about the
individual's nomination or election. A candidate remains a candidate until the candidate's
principal campaign committee is dissolved as provided in section deleted text begin 10A.24deleted text end new text begin 10A.243new text end .

Sec. 4.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 10A.01, subdivision 11, is amended to read:


Subd. 11.

Contribution.

(a) "Contribution" means money, a negotiable instrument,
or a donation in kind that is given to a political committee, political fund, principal
campaign committee, or party unit.new text begin An allocation by an association of general treasury
money to be used for activities that must be or are reported through the association's
political fund is considered to be a contribution for the purposes of disclosure required
by this chapter.
new text end

(b) "Contribution" includes a loan or advance of credit to a political committee,
political fund, principal campaign committee, or party unit, if the loan or advance of credit
is: (1) forgiven; or (2) repaid by an individual or an association other than the political
committee, political fund, principal campaign committee, or party unit to which the loan
or advance of credit was made. If an advance of credit or a loan is forgiven or repaid as
provided in this paragraph, it is a contribution in the year in which the loan or advance
of credit was made.

(c) "Contribution" does not include services provided without compensation by an
individual volunteering personal time on behalf of a candidate, ballot question, political
committee, political fund, principal campaign committee, or party unit; the publishing or
broadcasting of news items or editorial comments by the news media; or an individual's
unreimbursed personal use of an automobile owned by the individual while volunteering
personal time.

Sec. 5.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 10A.01, is amended by adding a subdivision
to read:


new text begin Subd. 16a. new text end

new text begin Expressly advocating. new text end

new text begin "Expressly advocating" means that a
communication clearly identifies a candidate and uses words or phrases of express
advocacy.
new text end

Sec. 6.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 10A.01, is amended by adding a subdivision
to read:


new text begin Subd. 17c. new text end

new text begin General treasury money. new text end

new text begin "General treasury money" means money
that an association other than a principal campaign committee, party unit, or political
committee accumulates through membership dues and fees, donations to the association
for its general purposes, and income from the operation of a business. General treasury
money does not include money collected to influence the nomination or election of
candidates or to promote or defeat a ballot question.
new text end

Sec. 7.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 10A.01, is amended by adding a subdivision
to read:


new text begin Subd. 26a. new text end

new text begin Person. new text end

new text begin "Person" means an individual, an association, a political
subdivision, or a public higher education system.
new text end

Sec. 8.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 10A.01, subdivision 27, is amended to read:


Subd. 27.

Political committee.

"Political committee" means an association whose
major purpose is to influence the nomination or election of deleted text begin a candidatedeleted text end new text begin one or more
candidates
new text end or to promote or defeat a ballot question, other than a principal campaign
committee or a political party unit.

Sec. 9.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 10A.01, subdivision 28, is amended to read:


Subd. 28.

Political fund.

"Political fund" means an accumulation of dues or
voluntary contributions by an association other than a political committee, principal
campaign committee, or party unit, if the accumulation is collected or expended to
influence the nomination or election of deleted text begin a candidatedeleted text end new text begin one or more candidatesnew text end or to promote
or defeat a ballot question.new text begin The term "political fund" as used in this chapter may also refer
to the association acting through its political fund.
new text end

Sec. 10.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 10A.02, subdivision 9, is amended to read:


Subd. 9.

Documents; information.

The executive director must inspect all material
filed with the board as promptly as necessary to comply with this chapter deleted text begin anddeleted text end new text begin , withnew text end other
provisions of law requiring the filing of a document with the boardnew text begin , and with other
provisions of law under the board's jurisdiction pursuant to subdivision 11
new text end . The executive
director must immediately notify deleted text begin thedeleted text end new text begin annew text end individual deleted text begin required to file a document with the
board
deleted text end if a written complaint is filed with the board alleging, or it otherwise appears, that a
document filed with the board is inaccurate or does not comply with this chapter, or that
the individual has failed to file a document required by this chapternew text begin or has failed to comply
with this chapter or other provisions under the board's jurisdiction pursuant to subdivision
11
new text end .deleted text begin The executive director may provide an individual required to file a document under
this chapter with factual information concerning the limitations on corporate campaign
contributions imposed by section 211B.15.
deleted text end

Sec. 11.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 10A.02, subdivision 10, is amended to read:


Subd. 10.

Audits and investigations.

The board may make audits and investigationsnew text begin ,
impose statutory civil penalties, and issue orders for compliance
new text end with respect to deleted text begin statements
and reports that are filed or that should have been filed under
deleted text end new text begin the requirements ofnew text end this
chapternew text begin and provisions under the board's jurisdiction pursuant to subdivision 11new text end . In all
matters relating to its official duties, the board has the power to issue subpoenas and cause
them to be served. If a person does not comply with a subpoena, the board may apply to
the District Court of Ramsey County for issuance of an order compelling obedience to the
subpoena. A person failing to obey the order is punishable by the court as for contempt.

Sec. 12.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 10A.02, subdivision 11, is amended to read:


Subd. 11.

Violations; enforcement.

(a) The board may investigate any alleged
violation of this chapter.new text begin The board may also investigate an alleged 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 end The board must investigate any violation that is alleged in a written complaint
filed with the board and must within 30 days after the filing of the complaint make deleted text begin a public
finding of whether there is probable cause to believe a violation has occurred
deleted text end new text begin findings and
conclusions as to whether a violation has occurred and must issue an order
new text end , 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 deleted text begin adeleted text end public deleted text begin finding of whether there is probable cause,
deleted text end new text begin findings and conclusions as to whether a violation has occurred and must issue an order
new text end within 60 days after the filing of the complaint. The deadline for action on a written
complaint may be extended by majority vote of the board.

new text begin (b) The board may bring legal actions or negotiate settlements in its own name to
recover money raised from contributions subject to the conditions in this paragraph.
new text end

new text begin (1) No action may be commenced unless the board has made a formal determination,
after an investigation, that the money was raised for political purposes as defined in
section 211B.01, subdivision 6, and that the money was used for purposes not permitted
under this chapter or under section 211B.12.
new text end

new text begin (2) Prior to commencing an action, the board must give the association whose money
was misused written notice by certified mail of its intent to take action under this subdivision
and must give the association a reasonable opportunity, for a period of not less than 90
days, to recover the money without board intervention. This period must be extended
for at least an additional 90 days for good cause if the association is actively pursuing
recovery of the money. The board may not commence a legal action under this subdivision
if the association has commenced a legal action for the recovery of the same money.
new text end

new text begin (3) Any funds recovered under this subdivision must be deposited in a campaign
finance recovery account in the special revenue fund and are appropriated as follows:
new text end

new text begin (i) an amount equal to the board's actual costs and disbursements in the action,
including court reporter fees for depositions taken in the course of an investigation, is
appropriated to the board for its operations;
new text end

new text begin (ii) an amount equal to the reasonable value of legal services provided by the Office
of the Attorney General in the recovery matter, calculated on the same basis as is used
for charging legal fees to state agencies, is appropriated to the attorney general for the
attorney general's operations; and
new text end

new text begin (iii) any remaining balance is appropriated to the board for distribution to the
association to which the money was originally contributed.
new text end

new text begin (4) Notwithstanding clause (3), item (iii), if the candidate of a principal campaign
committee is the person who used the association's money for illegal purposes, or if the
association or political fund whose money was misused is no longer registered with the
board, any money remaining after the payments specified in clause (3), items (i) and (ii),
must be transferred to the general account of the state elections campaign account.
new text end

new text begin (5) Any action by the board under this paragraph must be commenced not later than
four years after the improper use of money is shown on a report filed with the board or the
board has actual knowledge of improper use. No action may be commenced under this
paragraph for improper uses disclosed on reports for calendar years prior to 2011.
new text end

new text begin (6) If the board prevails in an action brought under this subdivision and the court
makes a finding that the misuse of funds was willful, the court may enter judgment in favor
of the board and against the person misusing the funds in the amount of the misused funds.
new text end

deleted text begin (b)deleted text end new text begin (c)new text end Within a reasonable time after beginning an investigation of an individual
or association, the board must notify the individual or association of the fact of the
investigation. The board must not make a finding of whether there is probable cause to
believe a violation has occurred without notifying the individual or association of the
nature of the allegations and affording an opportunity to answer those allegations.

deleted text begin (c)deleted text end new text begin (d)new text end A hearing or action of the board concerning a complaint or investigation
other than a finding concerning probable cause or a conciliation agreement is confidential.
Until the board makes a public finding concerning probable cause or enters a conciliation
agreement:

(1) a member, employee, or agent of the board must not disclose to an individual
information obtained by that member, employee, or agent concerning a complaint or
investigation except as required to carry out the investigation or take action in the matter
as authorized by this chapter; and

(2) an individual who discloses information contrary to this subdivision is subject
to a civil penalty imposed by the board of up to $1,000.

new text begin (e) A matter that is under the board's jurisdiction pursuant to this section and that
may result in a criminal offense must be finally disposed of by the board before the alleged
violation may be prosecuted by a city or county attorney.
new text end

Sec. 13.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 10A.02, subdivision 12, is amended to read:


Subd. 12.

Advisory opinions.

(a) The board may issue and publish advisory
opinions on the requirements of this chapternew text begin and of those sections listed in subdivision 11
new text end based upon real or hypothetical situations. An application for an advisory opinion may
be made only by deleted text begin an individual or associationdeleted text end new text begin a personnew text end whonew text begin is subject to chapter 10A and
who
new text end wishes to use the opinion to guide the deleted text begin individual's or the association'sdeleted text end new text begin person'snew text end own
conduct. The board must issue written opinions on all such questions submitted to it
within 30 days after receipt of written application, unless a majority of the board agrees
to extend the time limit.

(b) A written advisory opinion issued by the board is binding on the board in a
subsequent board proceeding concerning the person making or covered by the request and
is a defense in a judicial proceeding that involves the subject matter of the opinion and is
brought against the person making or covered by the request unless:

(1) the board has amended or revoked the opinion before the initiation of the board
or judicial proceeding, has notified the person making or covered by the request of its
action, and has allowed at least 30 days for the person to do anything that might be
necessary to comply with the amended or revoked opinion;

(2) the request has omitted or misstated material facts; or

(3) the person making or covered by the request has not acted in good faith in
reliance on the opinion.

(c) A request for an opinion and the opinion itself are nonpublic data. The board,
however, may publish an opinion or a summary of an opinion, but may not include in the
publication the name of the requester, the name of a person covered by a request from an
agency or political subdivision, or any other information that might identify the requester,
unless the person consents to the inclusion.

Sec. 14.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 10A.02, subdivision 15, is amended to read:


Subd. 15.

Disposition of fees.

The board must deposit all feesnew text begin and civil penalties
new text end collected under this chapter into the general fund in the state treasury.

Sec. 15.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 10A.025, subdivision 2, is amended to read:


Subd. 2.

Penalty for false statements.

new text begin (a) new text end A report or statement required to be filed
under this chapter must be signed and certified as true by the individual required to file the
report. The signature may be an electronic signature consisting of a password assigned
by the board.

new text begin (b)new text end An individual deleted text begin who signs and certifiesdeleted text end new text begin shall not sign and certifynew text end to be true a
report or statement knowing it contains false information or deleted text begin who knowinglydeleted text end new text begin knowing it
new text end omits required information deleted text begin is guilty of a gross misdemeanor and subject to a civil penalty
imposed by the board of up to $3,000
deleted text end .

new text begin (c) An individual shall not knowingly provide false or incomplete information to
a treasurer with the intent that the treasurer will rely on that information in signing and
certifying to be true a report or statement.
new text end

new text begin (d) A person who violates paragraph (b) or (c) is subject to a civil penalty imposed
by the board of up to $3,000. A violation of paragraph (b) or (c) is a gross misdemeanor.
new text end

new text begin (e) The board may impose an additional civil penalty of up to $3,000 on the principal
campaign committee or candidate, party unit, political committee, or association that has a
political fund that is affiliated with an individual who violated paragraph (b) or (c).
new text end

Sec. 16.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 10A.025, subdivision 3, is amended to read:


Subd. 3.

Record keeping; penalty.

new text begin (a) new text end A person required to file a report or statement
new text begin or who has accepted record-keeping responsibility for the filernew text end must maintain records on
the matters required to be reported, including vouchers, canceled checks, bills, invoices,
worksheets, and receipts, that will provide in sufficient detail the necessary information
from which the filed reports and statements may be verified, explained, clarified, and
checked for accuracy and completeness. The person must keep the records available for
audit, inspection, or examination by the board or its authorized representatives for four
years from the date of filing of the reports or statements or of changes or corrections to
them. deleted text begin A person who knowingly violates this subdivision is guilty of a misdemeanor.
deleted text end

new text begin (b) The board may impose a civil penalty of up to $3,000 on a person who knowingly
violates this subdivision. The board may impose a separate civil penalty of up to $3,000
on the principal campaign committee or candidate, party unit, political committee, or
association that has a political fund that is affiliated with an individual who violated
this subdivision.
new text end

new text begin (c) A knowing violation of this subdivision is a misdemeanor.
new text end

Sec. 17.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 10A.105, subdivision 1, is amended to read:


Subdivision 1.

Single committee.

A candidate must not accept contributions from a
source, other than self, in aggregate in excess of deleted text begin $100deleted text end new text begin $750new text end or accept a public subsidy
unless the candidate designates and causes to be formed a single principal campaign
committee for each office sought. A candidate may not authorize, designate, or cause to be
formed any other political committee bearing the candidate's name or title or otherwise
operating under the direct or indirect control of the candidate. However, a candidate may
be involved in the direct or indirect control of a party unit.

Sec. 18.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 10A.12, subdivision 1, is amended to read:


Subdivision 1.

When requirednew text begin for contributions and approved expendituresnew text end .

An
association other than a political committee or party unit may not contribute more than
deleted text begin $100deleted text end new text begin $750new text end in aggregate in any deleted text begin onedeleted text end new text begin calendarnew text end year to candidates, political committees, or
party units or make deleted text begin anydeleted text end approved deleted text begin or independent expenditure or expenditure to promote
or defeat a ballot question
deleted text end new text begin expenditures of more than $750 in aggregate in any calendar
year
new text end unless the contribution or expenditure is made deleted text begin fromdeleted text end new text begin throughnew text end a political fund.

Sec. 19.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 10A.12, subdivision 1a, is amended to read:


Subd. 1a.

When required for independent expendituresnew text begin or ballot questionsnew text end .

An
association other than a political committee that makes only independent expenditures
deleted text begin and disbursements permitted under section 10A.121, subdivision 1,deleted text end new text begin or expenditures to
promote or defeat a ballot question
new text end must do so deleted text begin by forming and registeringdeleted text end new text begin throughnew text end an
independent expenditurenew text begin or ballot questionnew text end political fund if the deleted text begin expenditure is in excess of
$100
deleted text end new text begin independent expenditures aggregate more than $1,500 in a calendar year or if the
expenditures to promote or defeat a ballot question aggregate more than $5,000 in a
calendar year,
new text end or by contributing to an existing independent expenditurenew text begin or ballot question
new text end political committee or deleted text begin politicaldeleted text end fund.

Sec. 20.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 10A.12, subdivision 2, is amended to read:


Subd. 2.

Commingling prohibited.

The contents of deleted text begin adeleted text end new text begin an association'snew text end political
fund may not be commingled with other funds or with the personal funds of an officer or
member of thenew text begin association or thenew text end fund.new text begin It is not commingling for an association that uses
only its own general treasury money to make expenditures and disbursements permitted
under section 10A.121, subdivision 1, directly from the depository used for its general
treasury money. An association that accepts more than $1,500 in contributions to influence
the nomination or election of candidates or more than $5,000 in contributions to promote
or defeat a ballot question must establish a separate depository for those contributions.
new text end

Sec. 21.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 10A.121, is amended to read:


10A.121 INDEPENDENT EXPENDITURE new text begin AND BALLOT QUESTION
new text end POLITICAL COMMITTEES AND deleted text begin INDEPENDENT EXPENDITURE POLITICAL
deleted text end FUNDS.

Subdivision 1.

Permitted disbursements.

An independent expenditure political
committee or deleted text begin an independent expenditure politicaldeleted text end new text begin fund, or a ballot question political
committee or
new text end fund, deleted text begin in addition to making independent expenditures,deleted text end may:

(1) pay costs associated with its fund-raising and general operations;

(2) pay for communications that do not constitute contributions or approved
expenditures; deleted text begin and
deleted text end

(3) make contributions to deleted text begin otherdeleted text end independent expenditure new text begin or ballot question new text end political
committees or deleted text begin independent expenditure politicaldeleted text end fundsnew text begin ;
new text end

new text begin (4) make independent expenditures;
new text end

new text begin (5) make expenditures to promote or defeat ballot questions;
new text end

new text begin (6) return a contribution to its source;
new text end

new text begin (7) for a political fund, record bookkeeping entries transferring the association's
general treasury money allocated for political purposes back to the general treasury of
the association; and
new text end

new text begin (8) for a political fund, return general treasury money transferred to a separate
depository to the general depository of the association
new text end .

Subd. 2.

Penalty.

(a) An independent expenditure political committee or
independent expenditure political fund is subject to a civil penalty of up to four times the
amount of the contribution or approved expenditure if it does the following:

(1) makes a contribution to a candidate, party unit, political committee, or political
fund other than an independent expenditure political committee or an independent
expenditure political fund; or

(2) makes an approved expenditure.

(b) No other penalty provided in law may be imposed for conduct that is subject to a
civil penalty under this section.

Sec. 22.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 10A.14, subdivision 1, is amended to read:


Subdivision 1.

First registration.

The treasurer of a political committee, political
fund, principal campaign committee, or party unit must register with the board by filing
anew text begin registrationnew text end statement deleted text begin of organizationdeleted text end no later than 14 days after the committee, fund,
or party unit has made a contribution, received contributions, or made expenditures in
excess of deleted text begin $100deleted text end new text begin $750new text end , or by the end of the next business day after it has received a loan
or contribution that must be reported under section 10A.20, subdivision 5, whichever is
earlier.new text begin This subdivision does not apply to ballot question or independent expenditure
political committees or funds, which are subject to subdivision 1a.
new text end

Sec. 23.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 10A.14, is amended by adding a subdivision
to read:


new text begin Subd. 1a. new text end

new text begin Independent expenditure or ballot question political committees
and funds; first registration; reporting.
new text end

new text begin The treasurer of an independent expenditure
or ballot question political committee or fund must register with the board by filing
a registration statement:
new text end

new text begin (1) no later than 14 calendar days after the committee or the association registering
the political fund has:
new text end

new text begin (i) received aggregate contributions for independent expenditures of more than
$1,500 in a calendar year;
new text end

new text begin (ii) received aggregate contributions for expenditures to promote or defeat a ballot
question of more than $5,000 in a calendar year;
new text end

new text begin (iii) made aggregate independent expenditures of more than $1,500 in a calendar
year; or
new text end

new text begin (iv) made aggregate expenditures to promote or defeat a ballot question of more
than $5,000 in a calendar year; or
new text end

new text begin (2) by the end of the next business day after it has received a loan or contribution
that must be reported under section 10A.20, subdivision 5, and it has met one of the
requirements of clause (1).
new text end

Sec. 24.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 10A.15, subdivision 1, is amended to read:


Subdivision 1.

Anonymous contributions.

A political committee, political fund,
principal campaign committee, or party unit may not retain an anonymous contribution in
excess of deleted text begin $20deleted text end new text begin $50new text end , but must forward it to the board for deposit in the general account of
the state elections campaign deleted text begin funddeleted text end new text begin accountnew text end .

Sec. 25.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 10A.15, subdivision 2, is amended to read:


Subd. 2.

Source; amount; date.

An individual who receives a contribution in
excess of deleted text begin $20deleted text end new text begin $50new text end for a political committee, political fund, principal campaign committee,
or party unit must, on demand of the treasurer, inform the treasurer of the name and, if
known, the address of the source of the contribution, the amount of the contribution, and
the date it was received.

Sec. 26.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 10A.15, subdivision 3, is amended to read:


Subd. 3.

Deposit.

All contributions received by or on behalf of a candidate,
principal campaign committee, political committee, political fund, or party unit must
be deposited in an account designated "Campaign Fund of ..... (name of candidate,
committee, fund, or party unit)." All contributions must be deposited promptly upon
receipt and, except for contributions received during the last three days of a reporting
period as described in section 10A.20, must be deposited during the reporting period
in which they were received. A contribution received during the last three days of a
reporting period must be deposited within 72 hours after receipt and must be reported
as received during the reporting period whether or not deposited within that period. A
candidate, principal campaign committee, political committee, political fund, or party unit
may refuse to accept a contribution. A deposited contribution may be returned to the
contributor within deleted text begin 60deleted text end new text begin 90new text end days after deposit. A contribution deposited and not returned
within deleted text begin 60deleted text end new text begin 90new text end days after that deposit must be reported as accepted.

Sec. 27.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 10A.20, subdivision 1, is amended to read:


Subdivision 1.

First filing; duration.

The treasurer of a political committee, political
fund, principal campaign committee, or party unit must begin to file the reports required
by this section deleted text begin indeleted text end new text begin fornew text end the first year it receives contributions or makes expenditures deleted text begin in excess
of $100
deleted text end new text begin that require it to register under section 10A.14new text end and must continue to file until the
committee, fund, or party unit is terminated. The reports must be filed electronically in a
standards-based open format specified by the board. For good cause shown, the board
must grant exemptions to the requirement that reports be filed electronically.

Sec. 28.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 10A.20, subdivision 2, is amended to read:


Subd. 2.

Time for filing.

(a) The reports must be filed with the board on or before
January 31 of each year and additional reports must be filed as required and in accordance
with paragraphs (b) to (d).

(b) In each year in which the name of deleted text begin thedeleted text end new text begin anew text end candidatenew text begin for legislative or district court
judicial office
new text end is on the ballot, the report of the principal campaign committee must be
filed 15 days before a primary and ten days before a general election, seven days before a
special primary and a special election, and ten days after a special election cycle.

(c) In each general election year, a political committee deleted text begin ordeleted text end new text begin , anew text end political fund deleted text begin must file
reports 28 and 15 days before a primary and 42 and ten days before a general election.
Beginning in 2012, reports required under this paragraph must also be filed 56 days before
a primary.
deleted text end new text begin , a state party committee, a party unit established by all or a part of the party
organization within a house of the legislature, and the principal campaign committee
of a candidate for constitutional or appellate court judicial office must file reports on
the following schedule:
new text end

new text begin (1) a first-quarter report covering the calendar year through March 31, which is
due April 14;
new text end

new text begin (2) in a year in which a primary election is held in August, a report covering the
calendar year through May 31, which is due June 14;
new text end

new text begin (3) in a year in which a primary election is held before August, a pre-general-election
report covering the calendar year through July 15, which is due July 29;
new text end

new text begin (4) a pre-primary-election report due 15 days before a primary election;
new text end

new text begin (5) a pre-general-election report due 42 days before the general election;
new text end

new text begin (6) a pre-general-election report due ten days before a general election; and
new text end

new text begin (7) for a special election, a constitutional office candidate whose name is on the
ballot must file reports seven days before a special primary and a special election, and ten
days after a special election cycle.
new text end

(d) In each general election year, a party unitnew text begin not included in paragraph (c)new text end must file
reports 15 days before a primarynew text begin electionnew text end and ten days before a general election.

new text begin (e) Notwithstanding paragraphs (a) to (d), the principal campaign committee of a
candidate whose name will not be on the general election ballot is not required to file the
report due ten days before a general election or seven days before a special election.
new text end

Sec. 29.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 10A.20, subdivision 3, is amended to read:


Subd. 3.

Contents of report.

new text begin (a) The report required by this section must include
each of the items listed in paragraphs (b) to (o) 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.
new text end

deleted text begin (a)deleted text end new text begin (b)new text end The report must disclose the amount of liquid assets on hand at the beginning
of the reporting period.

deleted text begin (b)deleted text end new text begin (c)new text end The report must disclose the name, address, and employer, or occupation if
self-employed, 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 deleted text begin $100deleted text end new text begin $200new text end for legislative or statewide candidates or new text begin more
than $500 for
new text end 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.

deleted text begin (c)deleted text end new text begin (d) new text end The report must disclose the sum of contributions to the reporting entity
during the reporting period.

deleted text begin (d)deleted text end new text begin (e) new text end The report must disclose each loan made or received by the reporting entity
within the year in aggregate in excess of deleted text begin $100deleted text end new text begin $200new text end , continuously reported until repaid or
forgiven, together with the name, address, occupation, and principal place of business,
if any, 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.

deleted text begin (e)deleted text end new text begin (f) new text end The report must disclose each receipt over deleted text begin $100deleted text end new text begin $200new text end during the reporting
period not otherwise listed under paragraphs deleted text begin (b)deleted text end new text begin (c)new text end to deleted text begin (d)deleted text end new text begin (e)new text end .

deleted text begin (f)deleted text end new text begin (g) new text end The report must disclose the sum of all receipts of the reporting entity during
the reporting period.

deleted text begin (g)deleted text end new text begin (h) new text end The report must disclose the name and address of each individual or
association to whom aggregate expenditures, deleted text begin includingdeleted text end approved expenditures,
new text begin independent expenditures and ballot question expenditures new text end have been made by or on
behalf of the reporting entity within the year in excess of deleted text begin $100deleted text end new text begin $200new text end , together with the
amount, date, and purpose of each expenditure 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 defeatnew text begin and an indication of
whether the expenditure was to promote or to defeat the ballot question
new text end , 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.

deleted text begin (h)deleted text end new text begin (i) new text end The report must disclose the sum of all expenditures made by or on behalf of
the reporting entity during the reporting period.

deleted text begin (i)deleted text end new text begin (j) new text end 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.

deleted text begin (j)deleted text end new text begin (k) new text end The report must disclose the name and address of each political committee,
political fund, principal campaign committee, or party unit to which contributions have
been made that aggregate in excess of deleted text begin $100deleted text end new text begin $200new text end within the year and the amount and
date of each contribution.

deleted text begin (k)deleted text end new text begin (l) new text end The report must disclose the sum of all contributions made by the reporting
entity during the reporting period.

deleted text begin (l)deleted text end new text begin (m) new text end The report must disclose the name and address of each individual or
association to whom noncampaign disbursements have been made that aggregate in excess
of deleted text begin $100deleted text end new text begin $200new text end within the year by or on behalf of the reporting entity and the amount, date,
and purpose of each noncampaign disbursement.

deleted text begin (m)deleted text end new text begin (n) new text end The report must disclose the sum of all noncampaign disbursements made
within the year by or on behalf of the reporting entity.

deleted text begin (n)deleted text end new text begin (o) new text end 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.

Sec. 30.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 10A.20, subdivision 5, is amended to read:


Subd. 5.

deleted text begin Preelectiondeleted text end new text begin Pre-electionnew text end reports.

new text begin (a) new text end Any loan, contribution, or
contributionsnew text begin :
new text end

new text begin (1)new text end to a political committee or political fund from any one source totalingnew text begin more than
new text end $1,000 deleted text begin or more, or in a statewide election fordeleted text end new text begin ;
new text end

new text begin (2) to the principal campaign committee of a candidate for an appellate courtnew text end judicial
officedeleted text begin , any loan, contribution, or contributions from any one sourcedeleted text end totalingnew text begin more than
new text end $2,000 deleted text begin or more, or in any judicialdeleted text end new text begin ;
new text end

new text begin (3) to the principal campaign committee of a candidate fornew text end districtnew text begin court judge
new text end totalingnew text begin more thannew text end $400 deleted text begin or more, and any loan, contribution, or contributionsdeleted text end new text begin ; or
new text end

new text begin (4)new text end tonew text begin the principal campaign committee ofnew text end a candidate for constitutional office or
for the legislature deleted text begin from any one sourcedeleted text end totaling deleted text begin 80deleted text end new text begin more than 50new text end percent deleted text begin or moredeleted text end of the
new text begin election cyclenew text end contribution limit for the office, received between the last day covered in
the last report before an election and the election must be reported to the board deleted text begin in one of
the following ways:
deleted text end new text begin in the manner provided in paragraph (b).
new text end

new text begin (b) A loan, contribution, or contributions required to be reported to the board under
paragraph (a) must be reported to the board either:
new text end

(1) in person by the end of the next business day after its receipt; or

(2) by electronic means sent within 24 hours after its receipt.

new text begin (c) new text end These loans and contributions must also be reported in the next required report.

new text begin (d) new text end This notice requirement does not apply deleted text begin with respect todeleted text end new text begin innew text end a primary deleted text begin in which
the statewide or legislative
deleted text end new text begin election to anew text end candidatenew text begin whonew text end is unopposednew text begin in the primary, in a
primary election to a ballot question political committee or fund, or in a general election to
a candidate whose name is not on the general election ballot
new text end . The board must post the
report on its Web site by the end of the next business day after it is received.

new text begin (e) This subdivision does not apply to a ballot question or independent expenditure
political committee or fund that has not met the registration threshold of section 10A.14,
subdivision 1a. However, if a contribution that would be subject to this section triggers the
registration requirement in section 10A.14, subdivision 1a, then both registration under
that section and reporting under this section are required.
new text end

Sec. 31.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 10A.20, subdivision 6, is amended to read:


Subd. 6.

Report when no committee.

new text begin (a) new text end A candidate who does not designate
and cause to be formed a principal campaign committee and deleted text begin an individualdeleted text end who makes
deleted text begin independent expenditures ordeleted text end new text begin campaignnew text end expenditures deleted text begin expressly advocating the approval or
defeat of a ballot question
deleted text end in aggregate in excess of deleted text begin $100deleted text end new text begin $750new text end in a year must file with
the board a report containing the information required by subdivision 3. Reports required
by this subdivision must be filed deleted text begin ondeleted text end new text begin bynew text end the dates on which reports bynew text begin principal campaign
new text end committeesdeleted text begin , funds, and party units aredeleted text end new text begin must benew text end filed.

new text begin (b) An individual who makes independent expenditures that aggregate more than
$1,500 in a calendar year or expenditures to promote or defeat a ballot question that
aggregate more than $5,000 in a calendar year must file with the board a report containing
the information required by subdivision 3. A report required by this subdivision must be
filed by the date on which the next report by political committees and political funds
must be filed.
new text end

Sec. 32.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 10A.20, subdivision 7, is amended to read:


Subd. 7.

Statement of inactivity.

If a deleted text begin reporting entitydeleted text end new text begin principal campaign
committee, party unit, or political committee,
new text end has no receipts or expenditures during a
reporting period, the treasurer must file with the board at the time required by this section
a statement to that effect.

Sec. 33.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 10A.20, is amended by adding a subdivision
to read:


new text begin Subd. 7a. new text end

new text begin Activity of political fund. new text end

new text begin An association is not required to file any
statement or report for a reporting period when the association accepted no contributions
into the association's political fund and made no expenditures from its political fund since
the last date included in its most recent filed report. If the association maintains a separate
checking account for its political fund, the receipt of interest on the proceeds of that
account and the payment of fees to maintain that account do not constitute activity that
requires the filing of a report for an otherwise inactive political fund.
new text end

Sec. 34.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 10A.241, is amended to read:


10A.241 TRANSFER OF DEBTS.

deleted text begin Notwithstanding section 10A.24,deleted text end A candidate may terminate the candidate's
principal campaign committee for one state office by transferring any debts of that
committee to the candidate's principal campaign committee for another state office if
all outstanding unpaid bills or loans from the committee being terminated are assumed
and continuously reported by the committee to which the transfer is being made until
paid or forgiven. A loan that is forgiven is covered by section 10A.20 anddeleted text begin , for purposes
of section 10A.324,
deleted text end is a contribution to the principal campaign committee from which
the debt was transferred under this section.

Sec. 35.

new text begin [10A.243] TERMINATION OF REGISTRATION.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Termination report. new text end

new text begin A political committee, political fund, principal
campaign committee, or party unit may terminate its registration with the board after it
has disposed of all its assets in excess of $100 by filing a final report of receipts and
expenditures. The final report must be identified as a termination report and must include
all financial transactions that occurred after the last date included on the most recent
report filed with the board. The termination report may be filed at any time after the
asset threshold in this section is reached.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Asset disposition. new text end

new text begin "Assets" include credit balances at vendors, prepaid
postage and postage stamps, as well as physical assets. Assets must be disposed of at their
fair market value. Assets of a political fund that consist of, or were acquired using, only
the general treasury money of the fund's supporting association remain the property of the
association upon termination of the association's political fund registration and are not
subject to the disposal requirements of this section.
new text end

Sec. 36.

new text begin [10A.244] VOLUNTARY INACTIVE STATUS; POLITICAL FUNDS.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Election of voluntary inactive status. new text end

new text begin An association that has a
political fund registered under this chapter may elect to have the fund placed on voluntary
inactive status if the following conditions are met:
new text end

new text begin (1) the association makes a written request for inactive status;
new text end

new text begin (2) the association has filed all periodic reports required by this chapter and
has received no contributions into its political fund and made no expenditures or
disbursements through its political fund since the last date included on the association's
most recent report; and
new text end

new text begin (3) the association has satisfied all obligations to the state for late filing fees and civil
penalties imposed by the board or the board has waived this requirement.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Effect of voluntary inactive status. new text end

new text begin After an association has complied
with the requirements of subdivision 1:
new text end

new text begin (1) the board must notify the association that its political fund has been placed in
voluntary inactive status and of the terms of this section;
new text end

new text begin (2) the board must stop sending the association reports, forms, and notices of report
due dates that are periodically sent to entities registered with the board;
new text end

new text begin (3) the association is not required to file periodic disclosure reports for its political
fund as otherwise required under this chapter;
new text end

new text begin (4) the association may not accept contributions into its political fund and may not
make expenditures, contributions, or disbursements through its political fund; and
new text end

new text begin (5) if the association maintains a separate depository account for its political fund,
it may continue to pay bank service charges and receive interest paid on that account
while its political fund is in inactive status.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Resumption of active status or termination. new text end

new text begin (a) An association that
has placed its political fund in voluntary inactive status may resume active status upon
written notice to the board.
new text end

new text begin (b) A political fund placed in voluntary inactive status must resume active status
within 14 days of the date that it has accepted contributions or made expenditures,
contributions, or disbursements that aggregate more than $750 since the political fund was
placed on inactive status. If, after meeting this threshold, the association does not notify
the board that its fund has resumed active status, the board may place the association's
political fund in active status and notify the association of the change in status.
new text end

new text begin (c) An association that has placed its political fund in voluntary inactive status may
terminate the registration of the fund without returning it to active status.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Penalty for financial activity while in voluntary inactive status. new text end

new text begin If an
association fails to notify the board of its political fund's resumption of active status under
subdivision 3, the board may impose a civil penalty of $50 per day, not to exceed $1,000
commencing on the 15th calendar day after the fund resumed active status.
new text end

Sec. 37.

new text begin [10A.245] ADMINISTRATIVE TERMINATION OF INACTIVE
COMMITTEES AND FUNDS.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Inactivity defined. new text end

new text begin (a) A principal campaign committee becomes
inactive on the later of the following dates:
new text end

new text begin (1) six years after the last election in which the individual for whom the committee
exists was a candidate for the office sought or held at the time the principal campaign
committee registered with the board; or
new text end

new text begin (2) six years after the last day on which the individual for whom the committee
exists served in an elective office subject to this chapter.
new text end

new text begin (b) A political committee, political fund, or party unit becomes inactive when
four years have elapsed since the end of a reporting period during which the political
committee, political fund, or party unit made an expenditure or disbursement requiring
itemized disclosure under this chapter.
new text end

new text begin (c) A political fund that has elected voluntary inactive status under section 10A.244
becomes inactive within the meaning of this section when four years have elapsed during
which the political fund was continuously in voluntary inactive status.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Termination by board. new text end

new text begin The board may terminate the registration of a
principal campaign committee, party unit, political committee, or political fund found to be
inactive under this section 60 days after sending written notice of inactivity by certified mail
to the affected association at the last address on record with the board for that association.
Within 60 days after the board sends notice under this section, the affected association must
dispose of its assets as provided in this subdivision. The assets of the principal campaign
committee, party unit, or political committee must be used for the purposes authorized by
this chapter or section 211B.12 or must be liquidated and deposited in the general account
of the state elections campaign account. The assets of an association's political fund that
were derived from the association's general treasury money revert to the association's
general treasury. Assets of a political fund that resulted from contributions to the political
fund must be used for the purposes authorized by this chapter or section 211B.12 or must
be liquidated and deposited in the general account of the state elections campaign account.
new text end

Sec. 38.

new text begin [10A.246] UNPAID DEBT UPON TERMINATION.
new text end

new text begin Termination of a registration with the board does not affect the liability, if any, of the
association or its candidates, officers, or other individuals for obligations incurred in the
name of the association or its political fund.
new text end

Sec. 39.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 10A.25, subdivision 2, is amended to read:


Subd. 2.

Amounts.

(a) In deleted text begin a year in which an election is helddeleted text end new text begin each election cyclenew text end for
an office sought by a candidate, the principal campaign committee of the candidate must
not make campaign expenditures nor permit approved expenditures to be made on behalf
of the candidate that result in aggregate expenditures in excess of the following:

(1) for governor and lieutenant governor, running together, deleted text begin $2,577,200deleted text end new text begin $5,000,000new text end ;

(2) for attorney general, deleted text begin $429,600;
deleted text end

deleted text begin (3) fordeleted text end secretary of statenew text begin ,new text end and state auditor, deleted text begin separately, $214,800deleted text end new text begin each $1,500,000new text end ;

deleted text begin (4)deleted text end new text begin (3)new text end for state senator, deleted text begin $68,100deleted text end new text begin $120,000new text end ;

deleted text begin (5)deleted text end new text begin (4)new text end for state representative, deleted text begin $34,300deleted text end new text begin $60,000new text end .

(b) In addition to the amount in paragraph (a), clause (1), a candidate for
endorsement for the office of lieutenant governor at the convention of a political party
may make campaign expenditures and approved expenditures of five percent of that
amount to seek endorsement.

(c) If a special election cycle occurs during a general election cycle, expenditures by
or on behalf of a candidate in the special election new text begin cycle new text end do not count as expenditures by or
on behalf of the candidate in the general electionnew text begin cyclenew text end .

(d) The expenditure limits in this subdivision for an office are increased by ten
percent for a candidate who deleted text begin is running for that office for the first timedeleted text end new text begin has not previously
held the same office, whose name has not previously been on the primary or general
election ballot for that office,
new text end and who has not new text begin in the past ten years raised or spent
more than $750 in a
new text end run deleted text begin previouslydeleted text end for any other office whose territory now includes a
population that is more than one-third of the population in the territory of the new office.
new text begin In the case of a legislative candidate, the office is that of a member of the house of
representatives or senate without regard to any specific district.
new text end

Sec. 40.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 10A.25, subdivision 2a, is amended to read:


Subd. 2a.

Aggregated expenditures.

If a candidate makes expenditures from more
than one principal campaign committee for nomination or election to statewide office
in the same election deleted text begin yeardeleted text end new text begin cyclenew text end , the amount of expenditures from all of the candidate's
principal campaign committees for statewide office for that election deleted text begin yeardeleted text end new text begin cyclenew text end must be
aggregated for purposes of applying the limits on expenditures under subdivision 2.

Sec. 41.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 10A.25, subdivision 3, is amended to read:


Subd. 3.

Governor and lieutenant governor a single candidate.

For the purposes
of deleted text begin sections 10A.11 to 10A.34deleted text end new text begin this chapternew text end , a candidate for governor and a candidate
for lieutenant governor, running together, are considered a single candidate. Except
as provided in subdivision 2, paragraph (b), all expenditures made by or all approved
expenditures made on behalf of the candidate for lieutenant governor are considered to be
expenditures by or approved expenditures on behalf of the candidate for governor.

Sec. 42.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 10A.257, subdivision 1, is amended to read:


Subdivision 1.

Unused funds.

After all campaign expenditures and noncampaign
disbursements for an election cycle have been made, an amount up to deleted text begin 50deleted text end new text begin 25new text end percent of the
election deleted text begin yeardeleted text end new text begin cyclenew text end expenditure limit for the office may be carried forward. Any remaining
amount up to the total amount of the public subsidy from the state elections campaign fund
must be returned to the state treasury for credit to the general fund under section 10A.324.
Any remaining amount in excess of the total public subsidy must be contributed to the
state elections campaign deleted text begin funddeleted text end new text begin accountnew text end or a political party for multicandidate expenditures
as defined in section 10A.275.

Sec. 43.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 10A.27, subdivision 1, is amended to read:


Subdivision 1.

Contribution limits.

(a) Except as provided in subdivision 2,
a candidate must not permit the candidate's principal campaign committee to accept
aggregate contributions new text begin in an election cycle new text end made or delivered by any individual, political
committee, deleted text begin ordeleted text end political fundnew text begin , or association not registered with the boardnew text end in excess of
the following:

(1) to candidates for governor and lieutenant governor running together, deleted text begin $2,000 in
an election year for the office sought and $500 in other years
deleted text end new text begin $6,000new text end ;

(2) to a candidate for attorney general, secretary of state, or state auditor, deleted text begin $1,000 in
an election year for the office sought and $200 in other years
deleted text end new text begin $4,000new text end ;

(3) to a candidate for state senator, deleted text begin $500 in an election year for the office sought
and $100 in other years
deleted text end new text begin $3,000new text end ;

(4) to a candidate for state representative, deleted text begin $500 in an election year for the office
sought and $100 in the other year
deleted text end new text begin $1,500new text end ; and

(5) to a candidate for judicial office, deleted text begin $2,000 in an election year for the office sought
and $500 in other years
deleted text end new text begin $4,500new text end .

(b) The following deliveries are not subject to the bundling limitation in this
subdivision:

(1) delivery of contributions collected by a member of the candidate's principal
campaign committee, such as a block worker or a volunteer who hosts a fund-raising
event, to the committee's treasurer; and

(2) a delivery made by an individual on behalf of the individual's spouse.

(c) A lobbyist, political committee, political party unit, deleted text begin ordeleted text end new text begin an association that has a
new text end political fundnew text begin , or an association not registered with the boardnew text end must not make a contribution
a candidate is prohibited from accepting.

Sec. 44.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 10A.27, subdivision 10, is amended to read:


Subd. 10.

Limited personal contributions.

A candidate who deleted text begin accepts a public
subsidy
deleted text end new text begin signs an agreement under section 10A.322new text end may not contribute to the candidate's
own campaign during deleted text begin a yeardeleted text end new text begin an election cyclenew text end more than deleted text begin tendeleted text end new text begin fivenew text end times the candidate's
election deleted text begin yeardeleted text end new text begin cyclenew text end contribution limit under subdivision 1.

Sec. 45.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 10A.27, subdivision 11, is amended to read:


Subd. 11.

Contributions from certain types of contributors.

A candidate must
not permit the candidate's principal campaign committee to accept a contribution from
a political committee, political fund, lobbyist, deleted text begin ordeleted text end large contributor, new text begin or association not
registered with the board
new text end if the contribution will cause the aggregate contributions from
those types of contributors to exceed an amount equal to 20 percent of the expenditure
limits for the office sought by the candidate, provided that the 20 percent limit must be
rounded to the nearest $100. For purposes of this subdivision, "large contributor" means
an individual, other than the candidate, who contributes an amount that is deleted text begin more than $100
and
deleted text end more than one-half the amount an individual may contribute.

Sec. 46.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 10A.27, subdivision 13, is amended to read:


Subd. 13.

Unregistered association limit; statement; penalty.

(a) The treasurer of
a political committee, political fund, principal campaign committee, or party unit must not
accept a contribution of more than deleted text begin $100deleted text end new text begin $200new text end from an association not registered under
this chapter unless the contribution is accompanied by a written statement that meets the
disclosure and reporting period requirements imposed by section 10A.20. This statement
must be certified as true and correct by an officer of the contributing association. The
committee, fund, or party unit that accepts the contribution must include a copy of the
statement with the report that discloses the contribution to the board. deleted text begin This subdivision
does not apply when a national political party contributes money to its affiliate in this state.
deleted text end

(b) An unregistered association may provide the written statement required by this
subdivision to no more than three committees, funds, or party units in a calendar year. Each
statement must cover at least the 30 days immediately preceding and including the date on
which the contribution was made. An unregistered association or an officer of it is subject
to a civil penalty imposed by the board of up to $1,000, if the association or its officer:

(1) fails to provide a written statement as required by this subdivision; or

(2) fails to register after giving the written statement required by this subdivision to
more than three committees, funds, or party units in a calendar year.

(c) The treasurer of a political committee, political fund, principal campaign
committee, or party unit who accepts a contribution in excess of deleted text begin $100deleted text end new text begin $200new text end from an
unregistered association without the required written disclosure statement is subject to a
civil penalty up to four times the amount in excess of deleted text begin $100deleted text end new text begin $200new text end .

new text begin (d) This subdivision does not apply:
new text end

new text begin (1) when a national political party contributes money to its state committee; or
new text end

new text begin (2) to purchases by candidates for federal office of tickets to events or space rental
at events held by party units in this state (i) if the geographical area represented by the
party unit includes any part of the geographical area of the office that the federal candidate
is seeking and (ii) the purchase price is not more than that paid by other attendees or
renters of similar spaces.
new text end

Sec. 47.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 10A.27, subdivision 14, is amended to read:


Subd. 14.

Contributions of business revenue.

An association may, if not prohibited
by other law, contribute revenue from the operation of a business to an independent
expenditure new text begin or ballot question new text end political committee or deleted text begin an independent expenditure political
deleted text end fund without complying with subdivision 13.

Sec. 48.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 10A.27, subdivision 15, is amended to read:


Subd. 15.

Contributions deleted text begin of dues or contribution revenuedeleted text end new text begin or use of general
treasury money
new text end .

(a) An association may, if not prohibited by other law, contribute deleted text begin revenue
from membership dues or fees, or from contributions received by the association
deleted text end new text begin its general
treasury money
new text end to an independent expenditure new text begin or ballot question new text end political committee or
deleted text begin an independent expenditure politicaldeleted text end fundnew text begin , including its own independent expenditure or
ballot question political committee or fund,
new text end without complying with subdivision 13.

new text begin (b)new text end Before the day when the recipient committee or fund's next report must be
filed with the board under section 10A.20, subdivision 2 or 5, an association that has
contributed new text begin more than new text end $5,000 deleted text begin or moredeleted text end in aggregate to independent expenditure political
committees or funds during the calendar year new text begin or has contributed more than $5,000 in
aggregate to ballot question political committees or funds during the calendar year
new text end must provide in writing to the recipient's treasurer a statement that includes the name,
address, and amount attributable to each deleted text begin individual or associationdeleted text end new text begin personnew text end that paid the
association dues or fees, or made deleted text begin contributionsdeleted text end new text begin donationsnew text end to the association that, in total,
aggregate new text begin more than new text end deleted text begin $1,000 or moredeleted text end new text begin $5,000new text end of the contribution from the association to the
independent expenditure new text begin or ballot question new text end political committee or fund. The statement
must also include the total amount of the contribution deleted text begin from individuals or associations
deleted text end new text begin attributable to persons new text end not subject to itemization under this section. The statement must be
certified as true deleted text begin and correctdeleted text end by an officer of the donor association.

deleted text begin (b)deleted text end new text begin (c)new text end To determine the new text begin amount of new text end membership dues or fees, or deleted text begin contributions
deleted text end new text begin donationsnew text end made by deleted text begin an individual or association that exceed $1,000 of the contribution
made by the donor association
deleted text end new text begin a person to an association and attributable to the
association's contribution
new text end to the independent expenditure new text begin or ballot question new text end political
committee or fund, the donor association must:

(1) apply a pro rata calculation to all unrestricted dues, fees, and contributions
received by the donor association in the calendar year; or

(2) as provided in paragraph deleted text begin (c)deleted text end new text begin (d)new text end , identify the specific individuals or associations
whose dues, fees, or contributions are included in the contribution to the independent
expenditure political committee or fund.

deleted text begin (c)deleted text end new text begin (d)new text end Dues, fees, or contributions from an individual or association must be
identified in a contribution to an independent expenditure political committee or fund
under paragraph deleted text begin (b)deleted text end new text begin (c)new text end , clause (2), if:

(1) the individual or association has specifically authorized the donor association to
use the individual's or association's dues, fees, or contributions for this purpose; or

(2) the individual's or association's dues, fees, or contributions to the donor
association are unrestricted and the donor association designates them as the source of the
subject contribution to the independent expenditure political committee or fund.

new text begin (e)new text end After a portion of deleted text begin an individual's or association's dues, fees, or contributions
to the donor association have
deleted text end new text begin the general treasury money received by an association
from a person has
new text end been designated as the source of a contribution to an independent
expenditure new text begin or ballot question new text end political committee or fund, that portion of the deleted text begin individual's
or association's dues, fees, or contributions to the donor association
deleted text end new text begin association's general
treasury money received from that person
new text end may not be designated as the source of any other
contribution to an independent expenditure new text begin or ballot question new text end political committee or fund.

deleted text begin (d) For the purposes of this section, "donor association" means the association
contributing to an independent expenditure political committee or fund that is required to
provide a statement under paragraph (a).
deleted text end

Sec. 49.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 10A.323, is amended to read:


10A.323 AFFIDAVIT OF CONTRIBUTIONS.

new text begin (a) new text end 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 deleted text begin file an
affidavit with the board stating that
deleted text end new text begin :
new text end

new text begin (1)new text end 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 deleted text begin the
candidate has accumulated
deleted text end new text begin , accumulatenew text end contributions from deleted text begin personsdeleted text end new text begin individualsnew text end eligible to
vote in this state in at least the amount indicated for the office sought, counting only the
first $50 received from each contributornew text begin , excluding in-kind contributionsnew text end :

deleted text begin (1)deleted text end new text begin (i)new text end candidates for governor and lieutenant governor running together, $35,000;

deleted text begin (2)deleted text end new text begin (ii)new text end candidates for attorney general, $15,000;

deleted text begin (3)deleted text end new text begin (iii)new text end candidates for secretary of state and state auditor, separately, $6,000;

deleted text begin (4)deleted text end new text begin (iv)new text end candidates for the senate, $3,000; and

deleted text begin (5)deleted text end new text begin (v)new text end candidates for the house of representatives, $1,500deleted text begin .deleted text end new text begin ;
new text end

new text begin (2) the candidate or the candidate's treasurer must file an affidavit with the board
stating that the principal campaign committee has complied with this paragraph.
new text end The
affidavit must state the total amount of contributions that have been received from deleted text begin persons
deleted text end new text begin individualsnew text end eligible to vote in this state, deleted text begin disregardingdeleted text end new text begin excluding:
new text end

new text begin (i)new text end the portion of any contribution in excess of $50deleted text begin .deleted text end new text begin ;
new text end

new text begin (ii) any in-kind contribution; and
new text end

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

new text begin (3) new text end the candidate or the candidate's treasurer must 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.

new text begin (b) new text end 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 new text begin accumulate
the contributions specified in paragraph (a) and must
new text end 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.

Sec. 50.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 211B.32, subdivision 1, is amended to read:


Subdivision 1.

Administrative remedy; exhaustion.

new text begin (a) Except as provided in
paragraph (b),
new text end a complaint alleging a violation of chapter 211A or 211B must be filed with
the office. The complaint must be finally disposed of by the office before the alleged
violation may be prosecuted by a county attorney.

new text begin (b) Complaints arising under those sections and related to those individuals and
associations specified in section 10A.02, subdivision 11, paragraph (a), must be filed with
the Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board.
new text end

Sec. 51. new text begin REPEALER.
new text end

new text begin Minnesota Statutes 2012, sections 10A.24; 10A.242; and 10A.25, subdivision 6, new text end new text begin are
repealed.
new text end

Sec. 52. new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE.
new text end

new text begin This act is effective the day following final enactment.
new text end