HF 2526

Introduction - 94th Legislature (2025 - 2026)

Posted on 03/20/2025 03:02 p.m.

A bill for an act
relating to local government; expanding exceptions to prohibition against gifts to
local officials under certain conditions; amending Minnesota Statutes 2024, section
471.895, subdivision 3.

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

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 471.895, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

Exceptions.

(a) The prohibitions in this section do not apply if the gift is:

(1) a contribution as defined in section 211A.01, subdivision 5;

(2) services to assist an official in the performance of official duties, including but not
limited to providing advice, consultation, information, and communication in connection
with legislation, and services to constituents;

(3) services of insignificant monetary value;

(4) a plaque or similar memento recognizing individual services in a field of specialty
or to a charitable cause;

(5) a trinket or memento costing $5 or less;

(6) informational material of unexceptional value; deleted text begin or
deleted text end

(7) food or a beverage given at a reception, meal, or meeting away from the recipient's
place of work by an organization before whom the recipient appears to make a speech or
answer questions as part of a program deleted text begin . deleted text end new text begin ;
new text end

new text begin (8) services for mental health or wellness support, including but not limited to counseling,
therapy, peer support, recreational activities, wellness days, or meals that are provided at
no cost to first responders by any nonprofit organization whose primary mission is to support
the mental or physical health and well-being of public safety personnel, provided that such
services are offered voluntarily and are not contingent upon any official action or decision
by the recipient; or
new text end

new text begin (9) a meal or event organized by a nonprofit entity that is specifically designed to provide
comfort and support to first responders following a death or significant traumatic event that
occurred in the line of duty, provided that the event is open to all affected personnel and
not targeted to influence specific political or official actions.
new text end

(b) The prohibitions in this section do not apply if the gift is given:

(1) because of the recipient's membership in a group, a majority of whose members are
not local officials, and an equivalent gift is given or offered to the other members of the
group;

(2) by an interested person who is a member of the family of the recipient, unless the
gift is given on behalf of someone who is not a member of that family; or

(3) by a national or multistate organization of governmental organizations or public
officials, if a majority of the dues to the organization are paid from public funds, to attendees
at a conference sponsored by that organization, if the gift is food or a beverage given at a
reception or meal and an equivalent gift is given or offered to all other attendees.