1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to state government operations; establishing a biennial budget; 
1.3 	appropriating money for the legislature, certain constitutional offices and state 
1.4 	agencies, the Minnesota Historical Society, the Minnesota Humanities Center, 
1.5 	certain retirement accounts, certain offices, departments, boards, commissions, 
1.6 	councils, general contingent account, and tort claims; transferring money; raising 
1.7 	fees; making changes to policy provisions for state government operations and 
1.8 	local government policy; modifying state personnel management policies; 
1.9 	modifying business filing and fraud policies; making changes to certain licensing 
1.10 	boards; making technical changes; repealing provisions; modifying various laws 
1.11 	related to election administration; modifying voting and absentee voting 
1.12 	requirements and procedures; formalizing the election reporting system; modifying 
1.13 	special election provisions; clarifying terminology; modifying campaign finance 
1.14 	definitions; establishing and modifying disclaimer requirements; modifying laws 
1.15 	on transition expenses; modifying statement of economic interest requirements; 
1.16 	authorizing rulemaking; repealing the voting equipment grant account; requiring 
1.17 	reports and publications;amending Minnesota Statutes 2024, sections 3.06; 3.099, 
1.18 	subdivision 3; 3.303, subdivision 3; 3.305, subdivisions 1, 9; 3.971, subdivisions 
1.19 	2, 8a, 9, by adding a subdivision; 10A.01, subdivisions 21, 22, 26, 26b, by adding 
1.20 	a subdivision; 10A.04, subdivision 4; 10A.06; 10A.09, subdivision 1; 10A.20, by 
1.21 	adding a subdivision; 11A.07, subdivisions 4, 4b; 11A.24, by adding a subdivision; 
1.22 	13.04, subdivision 4; 13.485, subdivision 1, by adding a subdivision; 13D.02, 
1.23 	subdivisions 1, 4; 14.48, subdivisions 1, 2; 14.62, subdivisions 1, 2a, by adding a 
1.24 	subdivision; 15A.082, subdivisions 3, 7; 16A.057, subdivision 5; 16A.103, 
1.25 	subdivision 1a; 16A.152, subdivision 8; 16A.28, subdivision 3; 16B.055, 
1.26 	subdivision 1; 16B.335, subdivision 2; 16B.48, subdivision 4; 16B.54, subdivision 
1.27 	2; 16B.97, subdivision 1; 16B.98, subdivisions 1, 4, 5, by adding a subdivision; 
1.28 	16B.981, subdivision 4; 16B.991, subdivision 2; 16C.05, subdivision 2, by adding 
1.29 	a subdivision; 16C.137, subdivision 2; 16C.16, subdivisions 2, 6, 6a, 7; 16D.09, 
1.30 	subdivision 1; 43A.01, subdivision 3; 43A.02, subdivision 14; 43A.04, subdivisions 
1.31 	1, 4, 8; 43A.05, subdivision 3; 43A.08, subdivisions 1a, 4; 43A.11, subdivision 9; 
1.32 	43A.121; 43A.15, subdivisions 4, 7, 12, 14; 43A.17, subdivision 5; 43A.18, 
1.33 	subdivision 2; 43A.181, subdivision 1; 43A.1815; 43A.19, subdivision 1; 43A.23, 
1.34 	subdivisions 1, 2; 43A.24, subdivisions 1a, 2; 43A.27, subdivisions 2, 3; 43A.33, 
1.35 	subdivision 3; 43A.346, subdivisions 2, 6; 43A.36, subdivision 1; 43A.421; 
1.36 	117.036, subdivision 2; 151.741, subdivision 5; 155A.23, by adding a subdivision; 
1.37 	155A.27, subdivision 2; 155A.2705, subdivision 3; 155A.30, subdivision 2; 
1.38 	181.931, by adding subdivisions; 181.932, subdivision 1; 201.054, subdivisions 
2.1 	1, 2; 201.056; 201.061, subdivisions 1, 3, 3a, 4, 5, 7; 201.071, subdivisions 1, 4; 
2.2 	201.091, subdivisions 5, 8; 201.121, subdivisions 1, 3; 201.13, subdivision 3; 
2.3 	201.14; 201.161, subdivisions 4, 5, 8; 201.162; 201.225, subdivisions 2, 5; 201.275; 
2.4 	203B.04, subdivisions 1, 4; 203B.06, subdivision 4; 203B.07, subdivisions 1, 3; 
2.5 	203B.08, subdivisions 1, 3; 203B.081, subdivision 4; 203B.121, subdivisions 4, 
2.6 	5; 203B.17, subdivision 3; 203B.23, subdivision 2; 203B.29, subdivisions 1, 2; 
2.7 	203B.30, subdivisions 2, 3; 204B.06, subdivisions 1, 1b; 204B.07, subdivision 2; 
2.8 	204B.09, subdivisions 1a, 2, 3; 204B.14, subdivisions 2, 4a; 204B.16, subdivisions 
2.9 	1a, 4; 204B.175, subdivision 3; 204B.19, subdivision 5; 204B.24; 204B.25, 
2.10 	subdivision 1; 204B.28, subdivision 2; 204B.44; 204B.45, subdivision 2; 204C.05, 
2.11 	subdivision 2; 204C.06, subdivisions 1, 2, 6; 204C.08, subdivision 1d; 204C.09, 
2.12 	subdivision 1; 204C.10; 204C.15, subdivisions 2, 3; 204C.24, subdivision 1; 
2.13 	204C.32, subdivision 1; 204C.33, subdivision 1; 204D.19, subdivisions 1, 2, 3; 
2.14 	204D.195; 205.13, subdivisions 1, 1a; 205A.06, subdivisions 1, 1a; 205A.11, 
2.15 	subdivision 2; 206.83; 206.845, subdivision 1; 211A.02, subdivisions 1, 2; 211B.20, 
2.16 	subdivision 2, by adding a subdivision; 211B.32, subdivision 4; 211B.35, 
2.17 	subdivision 2; 222.37, subdivision 1; 240.131, subdivision 7; 326.05; 326.10, 
2.18 	subdivisions 1, 2, 10; 326.111, subdivisions 3, 4, 5, by adding a subdivision; 
2.19 	326A.03, subdivision 6, by adding subdivisions; 326A.14; 331A.10, subdivision 
2.20 	2; 349A.01, by adding a subdivision; 349A.06, subdivisions 2, 4, 11; 367.36, 
2.21 	subdivision 1; 368.47; 375.20; 383B.041, subdivision 5; 383C.035; 412.02, 
2.22 	subdivision 3; 412.341, subdivision 1, by adding a subdivision; 412.591, subdivision 
2.23 	3; 414.09, subdivision 3; 447.32, subdivision 4; 471.6985, subdivision 2; 477A.017, 
2.24 	subdivision 3; 609.48, subdivision 1; Laws 1992, chapter 534, sections 7, 
2.25 	subdivisions 1, 2, 3; 8, subdivision 2; 10, subdivision 4; 16; Laws 2023, chapter 
2.26 	53, article 17, section 2, subdivision 1; Laws 2023, chapter 62, article 1, sections 
2.27 	11, subdivision 2; 13; 47; Laws 2024, chapter 127, article 67, section 6; proposing 
2.28 	coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapters 1; 5; 6; 8; 10A; 13; 15; 204B; 
2.29 	211B; 300; 383A; 471; repealing Minnesota Statutes 2024, sections 3.8842; 3.8845; 
2.30 	16A.90; 16B.328, subdivision 2; 16B.356; 16B.357; 16B.358; 16B.359; 16B.45; 
2.31 	16C.36; 43A.315; 43A.317, subdivisions 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12; 43A.318, 
2.32 	subdivisions 1, 2, 4, 5; 204B.25, subdivision 3; 206.57, subdivision 5b; 206.95; 
2.33 	211B.06; 211B.08; 383C.07; 383C.74, subdivisions 1, 2, 3, 4; Laws 2019, First 
2.34 	Special Session chapter 3, article 2, section 34, as amended; Laws 2022, chapter 
2.35 	50, article 3, section 2; Minnesota Rules, part 1105.7900, item D.
2.36 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

2.37 	ARTICLE 1
2.38 	STATE GOVERNMENT AND ELECTIONS APPROPRIATIONS

2.39	Section 1. STATE GOVERNMENT AND ELECTIONS APPROPRIATIONS.
 	
2.40 	The sums shown in the columns marked "Appropriations" are appropriated to the agencies 
2.41 	and for the purposes specified in this article. The appropriations are from the general fund, 
2.42 	or another named fund, and are available for the fiscal years indicated for each purpose. 
2.43 	The figures "2026" and "2027" used in this article mean that the appropriations listed under 
2.44 	them are available for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026, or June 30, 2027, respectively. 
2.45 	"The first year" is fiscal year 2026. "The second year" is fiscal year 2027. "The biennium" 
2.46 	is fiscal years 2026 and 2027.

2.47				APPROPRIATIONS
	
2.48				Available for the Year
	
3.1				Ending June 30
	
3.2					2026
		2027

3.3	Sec. 2. LEGISLATURE

3.4	Subdivision 1.Total Appropriation
 	$
	112,970,000
	$
	114,534,000
	
3.5 	The amounts that may be spent for each 
3.6 	purpose are specified in the following 
3.7 	subdivisions. The base for this appropriation 
3.8 	is $112,818,000 in fiscal year 2028 and each 
3.9 	fiscal year thereafter.

3.10	Subd. 2.Senate
 		38,238,000
		39,690,000

3.11	Subd. 3.House of Representatives
 		42,375,000
		41,163,000
	
3.12 	The base for this appropriation is $39,437,000 
3.13 	in fiscal year 2028 and each fiscal year 
3.14 	thereafter.

3.15	Subd. 4.Legislative Coordinating Commission
 		32,357,000
		33,681,000
	
3.16 	The base for this appropriation is $33,691,000 
3.17 	in fiscal year 2028 and each fiscal year 
3.18 	thereafter.
3.19 	Legislative Auditor. $12,365,000 the first 
3.20 	year and $12,857,000 the second year are for 
3.21 	the Office of the Legislative Auditor. The base 
3.22 	for this appropriation is $12,867,000 in fiscal 
3.23 	year 2028 and each fiscal year thereafter.
3.24 	Revisor of Statutes. $9,094,000 the first year 
3.25 	and $9,466,000 the second year are for the 
3.26 	Office of the Revisor of Statutes.
3.27 	Legislative Reference Library. $2,278,000 
3.28 	the first year and $2,369,000 the second year 
3.29 	are for the Legislative Reference Library.
3.30 	Legislative Budget Office. $2,800,000 the 
3.31 	first year and $2,965,000 the second year are 
3.32 	for the Legislative Budget Office.

4.1
4.2	Sec. 3. GOVERNOR AND LIEUTENANT 
GOVERNOR
 	$
	9,231,000
	$
	9,231,000
	
4.3 	(a) $19,000 each year is for necessary 
4.4 	expenses in the normal performance of the 
4.5 	governor's and lieutenant governor's duties for 
4.6 	which no other reimbursement is provided.
4.7 	(b) By September 1 of each year, the 
4.8 	commissioner of management and budget shall 
4.9 	report to the chairs and ranking minority 
4.10 	members of the legislative committees with 
4.11 	jurisdiction over state government finance any 
4.12 	personnel costs incurred by the Offices of the 
4.13 	Governor and Lieutenant Governor that were 
4.14 	supported by appropriations to other agencies 
4.15 	during the previous fiscal year. The Office of 
4.16 	the Governor shall inform the chairs and 
4.17 	ranking minority members of the committees 
4.18 	before initiating any interagency agreements.

4.19	Sec. 4. STATE AUDITOR
 	$
	15,634,000
	$
	16,247,000
	
4.20 	The base for this appropriation is $16,163,000 
4.21 	in fiscal year 2028 and each fiscal year 
4.22 	thereafter.

4.23	Sec. 5. ATTORNEY GENERAL
 	$
	48,875,000
	$
	47,684,000

4.24	Appropriations by Fund
	
4.25		2026
	2027
	
4.26	General
	45,459,000
	44,268,000
	
4.27
4.28	State Government 
Special Revenue
	3,021,000
	3,021,000
	
4.29	Environmental
	145,000
	145,000
	
4.30	Remediation
	250,000
	250,000
	
4.31 	The general fund base for this appropriation 
4.32 	is $43,909,000 in fiscal year 2029 and each 
4.33 	fiscal year thereafter.

4.34	Sec. 6. SECRETARY OF STATE
 	$
	10,045,000
	$
	9,929,000
	
5.1 	The base for this appropriation is $9,859,000 
5.2 	in fiscal year 2028 and $9,929,000 in fiscal 
5.3 	year 2029.

5.4
5.5	Sec. 7. CAMPAIGN FINANCE AND PUBLIC 
DISCLOSURE BOARD
 	$
	2,579,000
	$
	1,846,000
	
5.6 	$760,000 the first year is to pay fees and 
5.7 	expenses if an order granting plaintiff's motion 
5.8 	for them is filed in Minnesota Chamber of 
5.9 	Commerce v. Choi (23-CV-02015). The board 
5.10 	must pay, on behalf of all defendants, all fees 
5.11 	and expenses awarded to the plaintiff.

5.12	Sec. 8. STATE BOARD OF INVESTMENT
 	$
	139,000
	$
	139,000

5.13	Sec. 9. ADMINISTRATIVE HEARINGS
 	$
	11,110,000
	$
	11,709,000

5.14	Appropriations by Fund
	
5.15		2026
	2027
	
5.16	General
	705,000
	715,000
	
5.17
5.18	Workers' 
Compensation
	10,405,000
	10,994,000

5.19
5.20	Sec. 10. INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY 
SERVICES
 	$
	10,939,000
	$
	11,150,000
	
5.21 	During the biennium ending June 30, 2027, 
5.22 	the Department of Information Technology 
5.23 	Services must not charge fees to a public 
5.24 	noncommercial educational television 
5.25 	broadcast station eligible for funding under 
5.26 	Minnesota Statutes, chapter 129D, for access 
5.27 	to the state broadcast infrastructure. If the 
5.28 	access fees not charged to public 
5.29 	noncommercial educational television 
5.30 	broadcast stations total more than $400,000 
5.31 	for the biennium, the office may charge for 
5.32 	access fees in excess of these amounts.

5.33	Sec. 11. ADMINISTRATION

5.34	Subdivision 1.Total Appropriation
 	$
	36,849,000
	$
	37,166,000
	
6.1 	The base for this appropriation is $36,666,000 
6.2 	in fiscal year 2028 and each fiscal year 
6.3 	thereafter. The amounts that may be spent for 
6.4 	each purpose are specified in the following 
6.5 	subdivisions.

6.6	Subd. 2.Government and Citizen Services
 		17,367,000
		17,644,000
	
6.7 	The base for this appropriation is $17,646,000 
6.8 	in fiscal year 2028 and each fiscal year 
6.9 	thereafter.
6.10 	Council on Developmental Disabilities.
6.11 	$222,000 each year is for the Council on 
6.12 	Developmental Disabilities.
6.13 	State Agency Accommodation 
6.14 	Reimbursement. $200,000 each year may be 
6.15 	transferred to the accommodation account 
6.16 	established in Minnesota Statutes, section 
6.17 	16B.4805.
6.18 	Office of Enterprise Translations.
6.19 	$1,010,000 each year is for the Office of 
6.20 	Enterprise Translations. Of this amount, 
6.21 	$100,000 each year may be transferred to the 
6.22 	language access service account established 
6.23 	in Minnesota Statutes, section 16B.373.

6.24	Subd. 3.Strategic Management Services
 		2,676,000
		2,716,000

6.25	Subd. 4.Fiscal Agent
 		16,806,000
		16,806,000
	
6.26 	The base for this appropriation is $16,304,000 
6.27 	in fiscal year 2028 and each fiscal year 
6.28 	thereafter. The appropriations under this 
6.29 	subdivision are to the commissioner of 
6.30 	administration for the purposes specified.
6.31 	In Lieu of Rent. $12,102,000 each year is for 
6.32 	space costs of the legislature and veterans 
6.33 	organizations, ceremonial space, and 
7.1 	statutorily free space. The base for this 
7.2 	appropriation is $11,600,000 in fiscal year 
7.3 	2028 and each fiscal year thereafter.
7.4 	Public Television. (a) $1,550,000 each year 
7.5 	is for matching grants for public television.
7.6 	(b) $250,000 each year is for public television 
7.7 	equipment grants under Minnesota Statutes, 
7.8 	section 129D.13.
7.9 	(c) $500,000 each year is for block grants to 
7.10 	public television under Minnesota Statutes, 
7.11 	section 129D.13. Of this amount, up to three 
7.12 	percent is for the commissioner of 
7.13 	administration to administer the grants.
7.14 	(d) The commissioner of administration must 
7.15 	consider the recommendations of the 
7.16 	Minnesota Public Television Association 
7.17 	before allocating the amounts appropriated in 
7.18 	paragraphs (a) and (b) for equipment or 
7.19 	matching grants.
7.20 	Public Radio. (a) $1,242,000 each year is for 
7.21 	community service grants to public 
7.22 	educational radio stations. This appropriation 
7.23 	may be used to disseminate emergency 
7.24 	information in foreign languages. Any 
7.25 	unencumbered balance does not cancel at the 
7.26 	end of the first year and is available for the 
7.27 	second year. The Association of Minnesota 
7.28 	Public Educational Radio Stations may use up 
7.29 	to four percent of this appropriation for costs 
7.30 	that are directly related to and necessary for 
7.31 	the administration of these grants.
7.32 	(b) $142,000 each year is for equipment grants 
7.33 	to public educational radio stations. This 
7.34 	appropriation may be used for the repair, 
8.1 	rental, purchase, upgrades of equipment and 
8.2 	software, including computer software, 
8.3 	applications, firmware, and equipment under 
8.4 	$500.
8.5 	(c) $1,020,000 each year is for equipment 
8.6 	grants to Minnesota Public Radio, Inc., 
8.7 	including upgrades to Minnesota's Emergency 
8.8 	Alert and AMBER Alert Systems.
8.9 	(d) The appropriations in paragraphs (a) to (c) 
8.10 	may not be used for indirect costs claimed by 
8.11 	an institution or governing body.
8.12 	(e) The commissioner of administration must 
8.13 	consider the recommendations of the 
8.14 	Association of Minnesota Public Educational 
8.15 	Radio Stations before awarding grants under 
8.16 	Minnesota Statutes, section 129D.14, using 
8.17 	the appropriations in paragraphs (a) and (b). 
8.18 	No grantee is eligible for a grant unless they 
8.19 	are a member of the Association of Minnesota 
8.20 	Public Educational Radio Stations on or before 
8.21 	July 1, 2025.
8.22 	(f) Any unencumbered balance remaining the 
8.23 	first year for grants to public television or 
8.24 	public radio stations does not cancel and is 
8.25 	available for the second year.

8.26
8.27	Sec. 12. CAPITOL AREA ARCHITECTURAL 
AND PLANNING BOARD
 	$
	464,000
	$
	472,000

8.28
8.29	Sec. 13. MINNESOTA MANAGEMENT AND 
BUDGET
 	$
	52,114,000
	$
	52,312,000

8.30	Sec. 14. REVENUE

8.31	Subdivision 1.Total Appropriation
 	$
	215,661,000
	$
	216,973,000

8.32	Appropriations by Fund
	
8.33		2026
	2027
	
8.34	General
	211,401,000
	212,713,000
	
9.1	Health Care Access
	1,760,000
	1,760,000
	
9.2
9.3	Highway User Tax 
Distribution
	2,195,000
	2,195,000
	
9.4	Environmental
	305,000
	305,000
	
9.5 	The general fund base for this appropriation 
9.6 	is $212,651,000 in fiscal year 2028 and each 
9.7 	fiscal year thereafter.

9.8	Subd. 2.Tax System Management
 		179,876,000
		180,453,000

9.9	Appropriations by Fund
	
9.10	General
	175,616,000
	176,193,000
	
9.11	Health Care Access
	1,760,000
	1,760,000
	
9.12
9.13	Highway User Tax 
Distribution
	2,195,000
	2,195,000
	
9.14	Environmental
	305,000
	305,000
	
9.15 	The general fund base for this appropriation 
9.16 	is $176,131,000 in fiscal year 2028 and each 
9.17 	fiscal year thereafter.
9.18 	Taxpayer Assistance and Tax Credit 
9.19 	Outreach Grants. (a) $1,250,000 each year 
9.20 	is for taxpayer assistance grants under 
9.21 	Minnesota Statutes, section 270C.21, 
9.22 	subdivision 3. The unencumbered balance in 
9.23 	the first year does not cancel but is available 
9.24 	for the second year.
9.25 	(b) $1,500,000 each year is for tax credit 
9.26 	outreach grants under Minnesota Statutes, 
9.27 	section 270C.21, subdivision 4.

9.28	Subd. 3.Debt Collection Management
 		35,785,000
		36,520,000

9.29	Sec. 15. GAMBLING CONTROL
 	$
	6,334,000
	$
	6,334,000
	
9.30 	These appropriations are from the lawful 
9.31 	gambling regulation account in the special 
9.32 	revenue fund.

9.33	Sec. 16. RACING COMMISSION
 	$
	954,000
	$
	954,000
	
10.1 	These appropriations are from the racing and 
10.2 	card playing regulation accounts in the special 
10.3 	revenue fund.

10.4	Sec. 17. STATE LOTTERY
 					
10.5 	Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 
10.6 	349A.10, subdivision 3, the State Lottery's 
10.7 	operating budget must not exceed $45,000,000 
10.8 	in fiscal year 2026 and $45,000,000 in fiscal 
10.9 	year 2027.

10.10	Sec. 18. AMATEUR SPORTS COMMISSION
 	$
	401,000
	$
	411,000

10.11
10.12	Sec. 19. COUNCIL FOR MINNESOTANS OF 
AFRICAN HERITAGE
 	$
	828,000
	$
	840,000

10.13	Sec. 20. COUNCIL ON LATINO AFFAIRS
 	$
	743,000
	$
	755,000

10.14
10.15	Sec. 21. COUNCIL ON ASIAN-PACIFIC 
MINNESOTANS
 	$
	655,000
	$
	665,000

10.16
10.17	Sec. 22. COUNCIL ON LGBTQIA2S+ 
MINNESOTANS
 	$
	557,000
	$
	565,000

10.18	Sec. 23. INDIAN AFFAIRS COUNCIL
 	$
	1,381,000
	$
	1,402,000

10.19
10.20	Sec. 24. MINNESOTA HISTORICAL 
SOCIETY

10.21	Subdivision 1.Total Appropriation
 	$
	26,763,000
	$
	27,076,000
	
10.22 	The amounts that may be spent for each 
10.23 	purpose are specified in the following 
10.24 	subdivisions.

10.25	Subd. 2.Operations and Programs
 		26,442,000
		26,755,000
	
10.26 	Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 
10.27 	138.668, the Minnesota Historical Society may 
10.28 	not charge a fee for its general tours at the 
10.29 	Capitol, but may charge fees for special 
10.30 	programs other than general tours.

10.31	Subd. 3.Fiscal Agent
 		321,000
		321,000

10.32	(a) Global Minnesota
		39,000
		39,000

10.33	(b) Minnesota Air National Guard Museum
		17,000
		17,000

11.1	(c) Hockey Hall of Fame
		100,000
		100,000

11.2	(d) Farmamerica
		115,000
		115,000

11.3	(e) Minnesota Military Museum
		50,000
		50,000
	
11.4 	Any unencumbered balance remaining in this 
11.5 	subdivision the first year does not cancel but 
11.6 	is available for the second year of the 
11.7 	biennium.

11.8	Sec. 25. BOARD OF THE ARTS

11.9	Subdivision 1.Total Appropriation
 	$
	7,798,000
	$
	7,808,000
	
11.10 	The amounts that may be spent for each 
11.11 	purpose are specified in the following 
11.12 	subdivisions.

11.13	Subd. 2.Operations and Services
 		859,000
		869,000

11.14	Subd. 3.Grants Program
 		4,800,000
		4,800,000

11.15	Subd. 4.Regional Arts Councils
 		2,139,000
		2,139,000
	
11.16 	Any unencumbered balance remaining in this 
11.17 	section the first year does not cancel, but is 
11.18 	available for the second year.
11.19 	Money appropriated in this section and 
11.20 	distributed as grants may only be spent on 
11.21 	projects located in Minnesota. A recipient of 
11.22 	a grant funded by an appropriation in this 
11.23 	section must not use more than ten percent of 
11.24 	the total grant for costs related to travel outside 
11.25 	the state of Minnesota.

11.26
11.27	Sec. 26. MINNESOTA HUMANITIES 
CENTER
 	$
	970,000
	$
	970,000
	
11.28 	$500,000 each year is for Healthy Eating, Here 
11.29 	at Home grants under Minnesota Statutes, 
11.30 	section 138.912. No more than three percent 
11.31 	of the appropriation may be used for the 
11.32 	nonprofit administration of the program.

12.1	Sec. 27. BOARD OF ACCOUNTANCY
 	$
	873,000
	$
	887,000

12.2
12.3
12.4
12.5	Sec. 28. BOARD OF ARCHITECTURE 
ENGINEERING, LAND SURVEYING, 
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE, 
GEOSCIENCE, AND INTERIOR DESIGN
 	$
	928,000
	$
	943,000

12.6
12.7	Sec. 29. BOARD OF COSMETOLOGIST 
EXAMINERS
 	$
	3,659,000
	$
	3,716,000

12.8	Sec. 30. BOARD OF BARBER EXAMINERS
 	$
	459,000
	$
	466,000

12.912.10
	Sec. 31. CHILDREN, YOUTH, AND 
FAMILIES
 	$
	55,000
	$
	-0-
	
12.11 	$55,000 the first year is to integrate the transit 
12.12 	assistance program into the MNbenefits web 
12.13 	portal under article 2, section 66.

12.14
12.15	Sec. 32. GENERAL CONTINGENT 
ACCOUNTS
 	$
	2,000,000
	$
	500,000

12.16	Appropriations by Fund
	
12.17		2026
	2027
	
12.18	General
	1,500,000
	-0-
	
12.19
12.20	State Government 
Special Revenue
	400,000
	400,000
	
12.21
12.22	Workers' 
Compensation
	100,000
	100,000
	
12.23 	(a) The general fund base for this 
12.24 	appropriation is $1,500,000 in fiscal year 2028 
12.25 	and each even-numbered fiscal year thereafter. 
12.26 	The base is $0 for fiscal year 2029 and each 
12.27 	odd-numbered fiscal year thereafter.
12.28 	(b) The appropriations in this section may only 
12.29 	be spent with the approval of the governor 
12.30 	after consultation with the Legislative 
12.31 	Advisory Commission pursuant to Minnesota 
12.32 	Statutes, section 3.30.
12.33 	(c) If an appropriation in this section for either 
12.34 	year is insufficient, the appropriation for the 
12.35 	other year is available for it.

12.36	Sec. 33. TORT CLAIMS
 	$
	161,000
	$
	161,000
	
13.1 	These appropriations are to be spent by the 
13.2 	commissioner of management and budget 
13.3 	according to Minnesota Statutes, section 
13.4 	3.736, subdivision 7. If the appropriation for 
13.5 	either year is insufficient, the appropriation 
13.6 	for the other year is available for it.

13.7
13.8	Sec. 34. MINNESOTA STATE RETIREMENT 
SYSTEM

13.9	Subdivision 1.Total Appropriation
 	$
	15,064,000
	$
	15,154,000
	
13.10 	The amounts that may be spent for each 
13.11 	purpose are specified in the following 
13.12 	subdivisions.

13.13
13.14	Subd. 2.Combined Legislators and 
Constitutional Officers Retirement Plan
 		9,064,000
		9,154,000
	
13.15 	Under Minnesota Statutes, sections 3A.03, 
13.16 	subdivision 2; 3A.04, subdivisions 3 and 4; 
13.17 	and 3A.115.

13.18	Subd. 3.Judges Retirement Plan
 		6,000,000
		6,000,000
	
13.19 	For transfer to the judges retirement fund 
13.20 	under Minnesota Statutes, section 490.123. 
13.21 	This transfer continues each fiscal year until 
13.22 	the judges retirement plan reaches 100 percent 
13.23 	funding as determined by an actuarial 
13.24 	valuation prepared according to Minnesota 
13.25 	Statutes, section 356.214.

13.26
13.27	Sec. 35. PUBLIC EMPLOYEES RETIREMENT 
ASSOCIATION
 	$
	25,000,000
	$
	25,000,000
	
13.28 	(a) $9,000,000 each year is for direct state aid 
13.29 	to the public employees police and fire 
13.30 	retirement plan authorized under Minnesota 
13.31 	Statutes, section 353.65, subdivision 3b.
13.32 	(b) State payments from the general fund to 
13.33 	the Public Employees Retirement Association 
13.34 	on behalf of the former MERF division 
14.1 	account are $16,000,000 on September 15, 
14.2 	2026, and $16,000,000 on September 15, 
14.3 	2027. These amounts are estimated to be 
14.4 	needed under Minnesota Statutes, section 
14.5 	353.505.

14.6
14.7	Sec. 36. TEACHERS RETIREMENT 
ASSOCIATION
 	$
	29,831,000
	$
	29,831,000
	
14.8 	The amounts estimated to be needed are as 
14.9 	follows:
14.10 	Special Direct State Aid. $27,331,000 each 
14.11 	year is for special direct state aid authorized 
14.12 	under Minnesota Statutes, section 354.436.
14.13 	Special Direct State Matching Aid.
14.14 	$2,500,000 each year is for special direct state 
14.15 	matching aid authorized under Minnesota 
14.16 	Statutes, section 354.435.

14.17
14.18	Sec. 37. ST. PAUL TEACHERS RETIREMENT 
FUND
 	$
	14,827,000
	$
	14,827,000
	
14.19 	The amounts estimated to be needed for 
14.20 	special direct state aid to the first class city 
14.21 	teachers retirement fund association authorized 
14.22 	under Minnesota Statutes, section 354A.12, 
14.23 	subdivisions 3a and 3c.

14.24 	Sec. 38. Laws 2023, chapter 53, article 17, section 2, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
14.25 		Subdivision 1.Account established; appropriation. (a) A Capitol Area community 
14.26 	vitality account is established in the special revenue fund. Money in the account is 
14.27 	appropriated to the commissioner of administration to improve the livability, economic 
14.28 	health, and safety of communities within the Capitol Area, provided that no funds may be 
14.29 	expended until a detailed program and oversight plan to govern their use, in accordance 
14.30 	with the spending recommendations of the Capitol Area Community Vitality Task Force 
14.31 	as approved by the Capitol Area Architectural and Planning Board, has been further approved 
14.32 	by law.
15.1 	(b) As used in this section, "Capitol Area" includes that part of the city of St. Paul within 
15.2 	the boundaries described in Minnesota Statutes, section 15B.02.

15.3 	Sec. 39. Laws 2023, chapter 62, article 1, section 11, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

15.4	Subd. 2.Government and Citizen Services
 		39,928,000
		19,943,000
	
15.5 	The base for this appropriation is $17,268,000 
15.6 	in fiscal year 2026 and $17,280,000 in fiscal 
15.7 	year 2027.
15.8 	Council on Developmental Disabilities.
15.9 	$222,000 each year is for the Council on 
15.10 	Developmental Disabilities.
15.11 	State Agency Accommodation 
15.12 	Reimbursement. $200,000 each year may be 
15.13 	transferred to the accommodation account 
15.14 	established in Minnesota Statutes, section 
15.15 	16B.4805.
15.16 	Disparity Study. $500,000 the first year and 
15.17 	$1,000,000 the second year are to conduct a 
15.18 	study on disparities in state procurement. This 
15.19 	is a onetime appropriation.
15.20 	Grants Administration Oversight.
15.21 	$2,411,000 the first year and $1,782,000 the 
15.22 	second year are for grants administration 
15.23 	oversight. The base for this appropriation in 
15.24 	fiscal year 2026 and each year thereafter is 
15.25 	$1,581,000.
15.26 	$735,000 the first year and $201,000 the 
15.27 	second year are for a study to develop a road 
15.28 	map on the need for an enterprise grants 
15.29 	management system and to implement the 
15.30 	study's recommendation. This is a onetime 
15.31 	appropriation.
15.32 	Risk Management Fund Property 
15.33 	Self-Insurance. $12,500,000 the first year is 
16.1 	for transfer to the risk management fund under 
16.2 	Minnesota Statutes, section 16B.85. This is a 
16.3 	onetime appropriation.
16.4 	Office of Enterprise Translations.
16.5 	$1,306,000 the first year and $1,159,000 the 
16.6 	second year are to establish the Office of 
16.7 	Enterprise Translations. $250,000 each year 
16.8 	may be transferred to the language access 
16.9 	service account established in Minnesota 
16.10 	Statutes, section 16B.373.
16.11 	Capitol Mall Design Framework 
16.12 	Implementation. $5,000,000 the first year is 
16.13 	to implement the updated Capitol Mall Design 
16.14 	Framework, prioritizing the framework plans 
16.15 	identified in article 2, section 124. This 
16.16 	appropriation is available until December 31, 
16.17 	2024 June 30, 2027.
16.18 	Parking Fund. $3,255,000 the first year and 
16.19 	$1,085,000 the second year are for a transfer 
16.20 	to the state parking account to maintain the 
16.21 	operations of the parking and transit program 
16.22 	on the Capitol complex. These are onetime 
16.23 	transfers.
16.24 	Procurement; Environmental Analysis and 
16.25 	Task Force. $522,000 the first year and 
16.26 	$367,000 the second year are to implement 
16.27 	the provisions of Minnesota Statutes, section 
16.28 	16B.312.
16.29 	Center for Rural Policy and Development. 
16.30 	$100,000 the first year is for a grant to the 
16.31 	Center for Rural Policy and Development.

16.32 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective retroactively from July 1, 2024.

17.1 	Sec. 40. Laws 2023, chapter 62, article 1, section 13, is amended to read:

17.2
17.3	Sec. 13. MINNESOTA MANAGEMENT AND 
BUDGET
 	$
	55,356,000
	$
	58,057,000
56,357,000
	
17.4 	The base for this appropriation is $47,831,000 
17.5 	in fiscal year 2026 and each fiscal year 
17.6 	thereafter.
17.7 	(a) $13,489,000 the first year and $14,490,000 
17.8 	the second year are to stabilize and secure the 
17.9 	state's enterprise resource planning systems. 
17.10 	This amount is available until June 30, 2027. 
17.11 	The base for this appropriation is $6,470,000 
17.12 	in fiscal year 2026 and each fiscal year 
17.13 	thereafter.
17.14 	(b) $1,000,000 each year is for administration 
17.15 	and staffing of the Children's Cabinet 
17.16 	established in Minnesota Statutes, section 
17.17 	4.045.
17.18 	(c) $317,000 each year is to increase the 
17.19 	agency's capacity to proactively raise 
17.20 	awareness about the capital budget process 
17.21 	and provide technical assistance around the 
17.22 	requirements associated with the capital 
17.23 	budget process and receiving general fund or 
17.24 	general obligation bond funding for capital 
17.25 	projects, including compliance requirements 
17.26 	that must be met at various stages of capital 
17.27 	project development, with particular focus on 
17.28 	nonprofits, American Indian communities, and 
17.29 	communities of color that have traditionally 
17.30 	not participated in the state capital budget 
17.31 	process. This appropriation may also be used 
17.32 	to increase the agency's capacity to coordinate 
17.33 	with other state agencies regarding the 
17.34 	administration of grant agreements, programs, 
17.35 	and technical assistance related to capital 
18.1 	projects governed by the provisions of 
18.2 	Minnesota Statutes, chapter 16A, and other 
18.3 	applicable laws and statutes.
18.4 	(d) $2,500,000 each in fiscal year is 2024 and 
18.5 	$800,000 in fiscal year 2025 are for 
18.6 	interagency collaboration to develop data 
18.7 	collection standards for race, ethnicity, gender 
18.8 	identity, and disability status and to develop 
18.9 	a roadmap and timeline for implementation 
18.10 	of the data standards across state government. 
18.11 	These funds may be transferred to other 
18.12 	agencies to support this work and may be used 
18.13 	to update computer systems to accommodate 
18.14 	revised data collection standards. This is a 
18.15 	onetime appropriation and is available until 
18.16 	June 30, 2027.
18.17 	(e) $102,000 the first year and $60,000 the 
18.18 	second year are for the report required under 
18.19 	Minnesota Statutes, section 43A.15, 
18.20 	subdivision 14a, and for training and content 
18.21 	development relating to ADA Title II, 
18.22 	affirmative action, equal employment 
18.23 	opportunity, digital accessibility, inclusion, 
18.24 	disability awareness, and cultural competence.

18.25 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.

18.26 	Sec. 41. Laws 2023, chapter 62, article 1, section 47, is amended to read:
18.27 	Sec. 47. ST. ANTHONY FALLS STUDY.
 18.28 	$1,000,000 in fiscal year 2024 is appropriated from the general fund to the Board of 
18.29 	Regents of the University of Minnesota for a geophysical study and hazard assessment of 
18.30 	the St. Anthony Falls area and St. Anthony Falls cutoff wall. The study must include a 
18.31 	field-based investigation of the cutoff wall and other subsurface structures, modeling of the 
18.32 	surrounding area, examination of public safety and infrastructure risks posed by potential 
18.33 	failure of the cutoff wall or surrounding area, and emergency response plan for identified 
19.1 	risks. By conducting this study, the Board of Regents does not consent to accepting liability 
19.2 	for the current condition or risks posed by a potential failure of the cutoff wall. By July 1, 
19.3 	2025 2026, the Board of Regents must submit a report to the legislative committees with 
19.4 	jurisdiction over state and local government policy and finance. This appropriation is 
19.5 	available until June 30, 2025 2026.

19.6 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.

19.7 	Sec. 42. Laws 2024, chapter 127, article 67, section 6, is amended to read:

19.8
19.9	Sec. 6. COMMISSIONER OF MANAGEMENT 
AND BUDGET

19.10	Appropriations by Fund
	
19.11		2024
	2025
	
19.12	General
	-0-
	(232,000)
	
19.13	Health Care Access
	-0-
	100,000
	
19.14 	(a) Insulin safety net program. $100,000 in 
19.15 	fiscal year 2025 is from the health care access 
19.16 	fund for the insulin safety net program in 
19.17 	Minnesota Statutes, section 151.74.
19.18 	(b) Transfer. The commissioner must transfer 
19.19 	from the health care access fund to the insulin 
19.20 	safety net program repayment account in the 
19.21 	special revenue fund the amount certified by 
19.22 	the commissioner of administration under 
19.23 	Minnesota Statutes, section 151.741, 
19.24 	subdivision 5, paragraph (b), estimated to be 
19.25 	$100,000 in fiscal year 2025, for 
19.26 	reimbursement to manufacturers for insulin 
19.27 	dispensed under the insulin safety net program 
19.28 	in Minnesota Statutes, section 151.74. The 
19.29 	base for this transfer is estimated to be 
19.30 	$100,000 in fiscal year 2026 and $100,000 in 
19.31 	fiscal year 2027.
19.32 	(c) Base Level Adjustment. The health care 
19.33 	access fund base is increased by $100,000 in 
20.1 	fiscal year 2026 and increased by $100,000 in 
20.2 	fiscal year 2027.

20.3 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.

20.4 	Sec. 43. APPROPRIATION EXTENSION; AMATEUR SPORTS COMMISSION.
 20.5 	The fiscal year 2024 appropriation in Laws 2023, chapter 62, article 1, section 18, is 
20.6 	available until June 30, 2027.

20.7 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.

20.8 	Sec. 44. TEMPORARY CARRYFORWARD AUTHORITY.
 20.9 		Subdivision 1.Definitions. The definitions in Minnesota Statutes, section 16A.011 apply 
20.10 	to this section.
20.11 		Subd. 2.Carryforward. (a) Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 16A.28, 
20.12 	subdivision 3, agencies may carry forward unexpended and unencumbered nongrant operating 
20.13 	balances from fiscal year 2025 into fiscal year 2026.
20.14 	(b) Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 16A.28, subdivision 3, agencies may 
20.15 	carry forward unexpended and unencumbered nongrant operating balances from fiscal year 
20.16 	2027 into fiscal year 2028.
20.17 	(c) Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 16A.28, subdivision 3, agencies may 
20.18 	carry forward unexpended and unencumbered nongrant operating balances from fiscal year 
20.19 	2029 into fiscal year 2030.

20.20 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.

20.21 	Sec. 45. APPROPRIATION; ADMINISTRATION.
 20.22 	$3,000,000 in fiscal year 2026 is appropriated from the Capitol Area community vitality 
20.23 	account to the commissioner of administration for a grant to Ramsey County for the Ramsey 
20.24 	County sheriff to implement a coordinated public safety and livability plan in the Capitol 
20.25 	Area. The plan must be developed in partnership with the Capitol Area Architectural and 
20.26 	Planning Board and their community partners to improve the livability, economic health, 
20.27 	and safety of communities within the Capitol Area excluding the state-owned buildings and 
20.28 	state leased-to-own buildings in the Capitol Area. The coordinated effort must focus 
20.29 	specifically on public safety, youth and family programming, and street and neighborhood 
20.30 	cleanup and ambassadors. The Ramsey County sheriff must consult the commissioner of 
21.1 	public safety in all matters involving the Capitol complex prior to the expenditure of these 
21.2 	funds. This appropriation is available until June 30, 2029.

21.3 	Sec. 46. TRANSFERS.
 21.4 	(a) The secretary of state, in consultation with the commissioner of management and 
21.5 	budget, must transfer $3,000,000 in fiscal year 2026 and $3,000,000 in fiscal year 2027 
21.6 	from the general fund to the voting operations, technology, and election resources account 
21.7 	established under Minnesota Statutes, section 5.305. For fiscal years 2028 to 2031, the 
21.8 	commissioner of management and budget must include a transfer of $3,000,000 each year 
21.9 	from the general fund to the voting operations, technology, and election resources account, 
21.10 	when preparing each forecast from the effective date of this section through the February 
21.11 	2027 forecast, under Minnesota Statutes, section 16A.103.
21.12 	(b) The secretary of state, in consultation with the commissioner of management and 
21.13 	budget, must transfer $25,000 in fiscal year 2026 and $25,000 in fiscal year 2027 from the 
21.14 	general fund to the Voting Rights Act cost sharing account established under Minnesota 
21.15 	Statutes, section 200.60, subdivision 1. For fiscal years 2028 to 2031, the commissioner of 
21.16 	management and budget must include a transfer of $25,000 each year from the general fund 
21.17 	to the Voting Rights Act cost sharing account, when preparing each forecast from the 
21.18 	effective date of this section through the February 2027 forecast, under Minnesota Statutes, 
21.19 	section 16A.103.
21.20 	(c) The secretary of state, in consultation with the commissioner of management and 
21.21 	budget, must transfer $200,000 in fiscal year 2026 from the general fund to the Help America 
21.22 	Vote Act (HAVA) account established in Minnesota Statutes, section 5.30. This is a onetime 
21.23 	transfer.
21.24 	(d) The secretary of state, in consultation with the commissioner of management and 
21.25 	budget, must transfer any balance remaining in the voting equipment grant account 
21.26 	established under Minnesota Statutes, section 206.95, on the effective date of this section 
21.27 	to the voting operations, technology, and election resources account established under 
21.28 	Minnesota Statutes, section 5.305.
21.29 	(e) The commissioner of management and budget must transfer $2,000,000 in fiscal 
21.30 	year 2026 from the Capitol Area vitality account established in Laws 2023, chapter 53, 
21.31 	article 17, section 2, to the general fund. This is a onetime transfer.

21.32 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.

22.1 	ARTICLE 2
22.2 	STATE GOVERNMENT POLICY

22.3 	Section 1. [1.1466] STATE FOSSIL.
22.4 		Subdivision 1.Designation. Castoroides ohioensis, commonly known as the giant 
22.5 	beaver, or capa in Dakota and amik in Ojibwe, is designated as the official state fossil of 
22.6 	the state of Minnesota.
22.7 		Subd. 2.Photograph. A photograph of the giant beaver, approved by the commissioner 
22.8 	of natural resources, shall be preserved and may be displayed in the Office of the Secretary 
22.9 	of State.

22.10 	Sec. 2. [1.1493] STATE CONSTELLATION.
22.11 	Ursa Minor is the official constellation of the state of Minnesota.

22.12 	Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 3.06, is amended to read:
22.13 	3.06 OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES.
22.14 		Subdivision 1.Election. Thereupon, if a quorum is present, the houses shall elect the 
22.15 	following officers, any of whom may be removed by resolution of the appointing body.
22.16 	The senate shall elect a president, who shall be a member of the senate, secretary, a first 
22.17 	and a second assistant secretary, an enrolling clerk, an engrossing clerk, a sergeant-at-arms, 
22.18 	an assistant sergeant-at-arms, and a chaplain.
22.19 	The house of representatives shall elect a speaker, who shall be a member of the house 
22.20 	of representatives, a chief clerk, a first and a second assistant clerk, an index clerk, a chief 
22.21 	sergeant-at-arms, a first and a second assistant sergeant-at-arms, a postmaster, an assistant 
22.22 	postmaster, and a chaplain.
22.23 		Subd. 2.Successors. If an officer of the house of representatives or senate resigns or 
22.24 	dies, the duties of the officer shall be performed by a successor as provided in the rules of 
22.25 	the officer's house until a successor is elected at a regular or special session.

22.26 	Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 3.099, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
22.27 		Subd. 3.Leaders. The senate Committee on Rules and Administration for the senate 
22.28 	and the house of representatives Committee on Rules and Legislative Administration for 
22.29 	the house of representatives may each designate for their respective body up to five six
22.30 	leadership positions to receive up to 140 percent of the compensation of other members.
23.1 	At the commencement of each biennial legislative session, each house of the legislature 
23.2 	shall adopt a resolution designating its majority and minority leader.
23.3 	The majority leader is the person elected by the caucus of members in each house which 
23.4 	is its largest political affiliation. The minority leader is the person elected by the caucus 
23.5 	which is its second largest political affiliation.

23.6 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective retroactively from January 14, 2025.

23.7 	Sec. 5. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 3.303, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
23.8 		Subd. 3.Chair and vice-chair. The chair of the commission alternates between the 
23.9 	president of the senate and the speaker of the house of representatives at the start of the 
23.10 	regular legislative session in each odd-numbered year. When not serving as chair, the 
23.11 	president of the senate or the speaker of the house serves as vice-chair.

23.12 	Sec. 6. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 3.305, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
23.13 		Subdivision 1.Definitions. (a) "Legislative commission" means a joint commission, 
23.14 	committee, or other entity in the legislative branch composed exclusively of members of 
23.15 	the senate and the house of representatives.
23.16 	(b) "Joint offices" means the Revisor of Statutes, Legislative Reference Library, the 
23.17 	Office of Legislative Auditor, the Legislative Budget Office, Legislative Coordinating 
23.18 	Commission, and any other joint legislative service office.

23.19 	Sec. 7. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 3.305, subdivision 9, is amended to read:
23.20 		Subd. 9.Joint legislative studies. The Legislative Coordinating Commission shall 
23.21 	oversee and coordinate all joint legislative studies mandated by the legislature and may 
23.22 	require regular progress reports to the commission and appropriate standing committees of 
23.23 	the house of representatives and the senate. Appropriations for all joint legislative studies 
23.24 	except those specifically assigned to an existing legislative office or commission shall be 
23.25 	made to the Legislative Coordinating Commission. Responsibility and appropriations for 
23.26 	a joint legislative study may be delegated by the Legislative Coordinating Commission to 
23.27 	an existing staff office of the house of representatives or senate, a legislative commission, 
23.28 	a joint legislative committee or office or a state agency. The office, commission, joint 
23.29 	committee, or agency responsible for the study may contract with another agent for assistance.

24.1 	Sec. 8. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 3.971, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
24.2 		Subd. 2.Staff; compensation. (a) The legislative auditor shall establish a Financial 
24.3 	Audits Division and, a Program Evaluation Division, and a Special Reviews Division to 
24.4 	fulfill the duties prescribed in this section.
24.5 	(b) Each division may be supervised by a deputy auditor, appointed by the legislative 
24.6 	auditor, with the approval of the commission, for a term coterminous with the legislative 
24.7 	auditor's term. The deputy auditors may be removed before the expiration of their terms 
24.8 	only for cause. The legislative auditor and deputy auditors may each appoint an administrative 
24.9 	support specialist to serve at pleasure. The salaries and benefits of the legislative auditor, 
24.10 	deputy auditors, and administrative support specialists shall be determined by the 
24.11 	compensation plan approved by the Legislative Coordinating Commission. The deputy 
24.12 	auditors may perform and exercise the powers, duties and responsibilities imposed by law 
24.13 	on the legislative auditor when authorized by the legislative auditor.
24.14 	(c) The legislative auditor, deputy auditors, and administrative support specialists shall 
24.15 	serve in the unclassified civil service, but all other employees of the legislative auditor shall 
24.16 	serve in the classified civil service. Compensation for employees of the legislative auditor 
24.17 	in the classified service shall be governed by a plan prepared by the legislative auditor and 
24.18 	approved by the Legislative Coordinating Commission and the legislature under section 
24.19 	3.855, subdivision 3.
24.20 	(d) While in office, a person appointed deputy for the Financial Audit Division must 
24.21 	hold an active license as a certified public accountant.
24.22 	(e) Notwithstanding section 43A.32, subdivisions 2 and 3, or any other law to the 
24.23 	contrary, an employee of the legislative auditor is prohibited from being a candidate for a 
24.24 	partisan elected public office.

24.25 	Sec. 9. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 3.971, subdivision 8a, is amended to read:
24.26 		Subd. 8a.Special reviews. The legislative auditor may conduct a special review to: (1) 
24.27 	fulfill a legal requirement; (2) investigate allegations that an individual or organization 
24.28 	subject to audit by the legislative auditor may not have complied with legal requirements, 
24.29 	including but not limited to legal requirements related to the use of public money, other 
24.30 	public resources, or government data classified as not public; (3) respond to a legislative 
24.31 	request for a review of an organization or program subject to audit by the legislative auditor; 
24.32 	or (4) investigate allegations that an individual may not have complied with section 43A.38
25.1 	or 43A.39. After the legislative auditor conducts a special review, the legislative auditor 
25.2 	may periodically conduct a follow-up special review to assess what changes have occurred.

25.3 	Sec. 10. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 3.971, subdivision 9, is amended to read:
25.4 		Subd. 9.Obligation to notify the legislative auditor. The chief executive, financial, 
25.5 	or information officers (a) An obligated officer of an organization subject to audit under 
25.6 	this section must promptly notify the legislative auditor when the officer obtains information 
25.7 	indicating that public money or other public resources may have been used for an unlawful 
25.8 	purpose, or when the officer obtains information indicating that government data classified 
25.9 	by chapter 13 as not public may have been accessed by or provided to a person without 
25.10 	lawful authorization. As necessary, the legislative auditor shall coordinate an investigation 
25.11 	of the allegation with appropriate law enforcement officials.
25.12 	(b) For purposes of this subdivision, "obligated officer" means the organization's:
25.13 	(1) chief executive officer;
25.14 	(2) deputy and assistant chief executive officers;
25.15 	(3) chief administrative, chief financial, chief information, and chief investigative officers;
25.16 	(4) heads of divisions, bureaus, departments, institutes, or other organizational units; 
25.17 	and
25.18 	(5) board chair, where applicable.

25.19 	Sec. 11. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 3.971, is amended by adding a subdivision to 
25.20 	read:
25.21 		Subd. 10.Implementation of audit recommendations. (a) By February 1 each year, 
25.22 	as resources permit, the legislative auditor must submit a report to the chairs and ranking 
25.23 	minority members of the legislative committees with fiscal jurisdiction over an entity subject 
25.24 	to audit under this section. The report must detail whether the entity has implemented any 
25.25 	recommendations identified by the legislative auditor during the prior five years in a financial 
25.26 	audit, program evaluation, or special review.
25.27 	(b) By July 1 each year, as resources permit, the legislative auditor must submit a report 
25.28 	to designated legislators listing the standing committees in the senate and the house of 
25.29 	representatives to which the legislative auditor did or did not present their reports under 
25.30 	paragraph (a) in a public hearing. For purposes of this paragraph, "designated legislators" 
25.31 	means the chairs and ranking minority members of the senate Committees on State and 
26.1 	Local Government, Rules and Administration, and Finance, and the house of representatives 
26.2 	Committees on State Government Finance and Policy, Rules and Legislative Administration, 
26.3 	and Ways and Means.

26.4 	Sec. 12. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 11A.07, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
26.5 		Subd. 4.Duties and powers. The director, at the direction of the state board, shall:
26.6 	(1) plan, direct, coordinate, and execute administrative and investment functions in 
26.7 	conformity with the policies and directives of the state board and the requirements of this 
26.8 	chapter and of chapter 356A;
26.9 	(2) prepare and submit biennial and annual budgets to the board and with the approval 
26.10 	of the board submit the budgets to the Department of Management and Budget;
26.11 	(3) employ professional and clerical staff as necessary;
26.12 	(4) report to the state board on all operations under the director's control and supervision;
26.13 	(5) maintain accurate and complete records of securities transactions and official 
26.14 	activities;
26.15 	(6) establish a policy, which is subject to state board approval, relating to the purchase 
26.16 	and sale of securities on the basis of competitive offerings or bids;
26.17 	(7) cause securities acquired to be kept in the custody of the commissioner of management 
26.18 	and budget or other depositories consistent with chapter 356A, as the state board deems 
26.19 	appropriate;
26.20 	(8) prepare and file with the director of the Legislative Reference Library, by December 
26.21 	31 of each year, a report summarizing the activities of the state board, the council, and the 
26.22 	director during the preceding fiscal year;
26.23 	(9) include on the state board's website its annual report and an executive summary of 
26.24 	its quarterly reports;
26.25 	(10) require state officials from any department or agency to produce and provide access 
26.26 	to any financial documents the state board deems necessary in the conduct of its investment 
26.27 	activities;
26.28 	(11) receive and expend legislative appropriations; and
26.29 	(12) undertake any other activities necessary to implement the duties and powers set 
26.30 	forth in this subdivision consistent with chapter 356A.

27.1 	Sec. 13. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 11A.07, subdivision 4b, is amended to read:
27.2 		Subd. 4b.Annual report. The report required under subdivision 4, clause (8), must 
27.3 	include an executive summary, must be prepared and filed after the completion of the 
27.4 	applicable fiscal year audit but no later than March 31 of each year, and must be prepared 
27.5 	so as to provide the legislature and the people of the state with:
27.6 	(1) a clear, comprehensive summary of the portfolio composition, the transactions, the 
27.7 	total annual rate of return, and the yield to the state treasury and to each of the funds with 
27.8 	assets invested by the state board; and
27.9 	(2) the recipients of business placed or commissions allocated among the various 
27.10 	commercial banks, investment bankers, money managers, and brokerage organizations and 
27.11 	the amount of these commissions or other fees.

27.12 	Sec. 14. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 11A.24, is amended by adding a subdivision to 
27.13 	read:
27.14 		Subd. 8.Contracts. Section 16C.05, subdivision 8, paragraph (a), clauses (2) and (5), 
27.15 	do not apply to contracts entered into by the State Board of Investment related to an 
27.16 	investment under this section.

27.17 	Sec. 15. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 13.04, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
27.18 		Subd. 4.Procedure when data is not accurate or complete. (a) An individual subject 
27.19 	of the data may contest the accuracy or completeness of public or private data about 
27.20 	themselves.
27.21 	(b) To exercise this right, an individual shall notify in writing the responsible authority 
27.22 	of the government entity that maintains the data, describing the nature of the disagreement.
27.23 	(c) Upon receiving notification from the data subject, the responsible authority shall 
27.24 	within 30 days either:
27.25 	(1) correct the data found to be inaccurate or incomplete and attempt to notify past 
27.26 	recipients of inaccurate or incomplete data, including recipients named by the individual; 
27.27 	or
27.28 	(2) notify the individual that the responsible authority has determined the data to be 
27.29 	correct. If the challenged data are determined to be accurate or complete, the responsible 
27.30 	authority shall inform the individual of the right to appeal the determination to the 
28.1 	commissioner as specified under paragraph (d). Data in dispute shall be disclosed only if 
28.2 	the individual's statement of disagreement is included with the disclosed data.
28.3 	(d) A data subject may appeal the determination of the responsible authority pursuant 
28.4 	to the provisions of the Administrative Procedure Act relating to contested cases. An 
28.5 	individual must submit an appeal to the commissioner within 60 days of the responsible 
28.6 	authority's notice of the right to appeal or as otherwise provided by the rules of the 
28.7 	commissioner. Upon receipt of an appeal by an individual, the commissioner shall, before 
28.8 	issuing the order and notice of a contested case hearing required by chapter 14, try to resolve 
28.9 	the dispute through education, conference, conciliation, or persuasion. If the parties consent, 
28.10 	the commissioner may refer the matter to mediation. Following these efforts, the 
28.11 	commissioner shall dismiss the appeal or issue the order and notice of hearing.
28.12 	(e) The commissioner may dismiss an appeal without first attempting to resolve the 
28.13 	dispute or before issuing an order and notice of a contested case hearing if:
28.14 	(1) the appeal to the commissioner is not timely;
28.15 	(2) the appeal concerns data previously presented as evidence in a court proceeding in 
28.16 	which the data subject was a party; or
28.17 	(3) the individual making the appeal is not the subject of the data challenged as inaccurate 
28.18 	or incomplete.
28.19 	(f) A responsible authority may submit private data to the commissioner to respond to 
28.20 	a data subject's appeal of the determination that data are accurate and complete. Section 
28.21 	13.03, subdivision 4, applies to data submitted by the responsible authority. Government 
28.22 	data submitted to the commissioner by a government entity, copies of government data 
28.23 	submitted by a data subject, or government data described by the data subject in their appeal 
28.24 	have the same classification as the data when maintained by the government entity. The 
28.25 	commissioner may disclose private data contained within the appeal record to the Office 
28.26 	of Administrative Hearings.
28.27 	(f) (g) Data on individuals that have been successfully challenged by an individual must 
28.28 	be completed, corrected, or destroyed by a government entity without regard to the 
28.29 	requirements of section 138.17.
28.30 	(g) (h) After completing, correcting, or destroying successfully challenged data, a 
28.31 	government entity may retain a copy of the commissioner of administration's order issued 
28.32 	under chapter 14 or, if no order were issued, a summary of the dispute between the parties 
28.33 	that does not contain any particulars of the successfully challenged data.
29.1 	(i) Data maintained by the commissioner that a responsible authority has completed, 
29.2 	corrected, or destroyed as the result of the informal resolution process described in paragraph 
29.3 	(d) or by order of the commissioner are private data on individuals.

29.4 	Sec. 16. [13.357] DATA SHARING.
29.5 		Subdivision 1.Definitions. (a) For purposes of this section, the following terms have 
29.6 	the meanings given.
29.7 	(b) "Public program" means any program funded by a state or federal agency that involves 
29.8 	transfer or disbursement of public funds or other public resources. For purposes of the data 
29.9 	sharing authority granted to the commissioner of revenue under subdivision 2, public program 
29.10 	does not include refunds, payments, or other disbursements made by the commissioner of 
29.11 	revenue in the administration of state revenue laws.
29.12 	(c) "Fraud" means an intentional or deliberate act to deprive another of property or 
29.13 	money or to acquire property or money by deception or other unfair means. Fraud includes 
29.14 	intentionally submitting false information to a federal, state, or local government entity for 
29.15 	the purpose of obtaining a greater compensation or benefit than that to which the person is 
29.16 	legally entitled. Fraud includes acts that constitute a crime against any program, or acts that 
29.17 	attempt or conspire to commit those crimes, including but not limited to theft in violation 
29.18 	of section 609.52, perjury in violation of section 609.48, and aggravated forgery and forgery 
29.19 	in violation of sections 609.625 and 609.63, and substantially similar federal laws.
29.20 		Subd. 2.Authority to share data regarding fraud in public programs. Except where 
29.21 	a provision of law specifically prohibits data sharing, any government entity may disclose 
29.22 	data relating to suspected or confirmed fraud in public programs to any other government 
29.23 	entity, federal agency, or law enforcement agency if the access would promote the protection 
29.24 	of public resources, promote the integrity of public programs, or aid the law enforcement 
29.25 	process.

29.26 	Sec. 17. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 14.48, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
29.27 		Subdivision 1.Creation. A state Office Court of Administrative Hearings is created.

29.28 	Sec. 18. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 14.48, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
29.29 		Subd. 2.Chief administrative law judge. (a) The office court shall be under the direction 
29.30 	of a chief administrative law judge who shall be learned in the law and appointed by the 
29.31 	governor, with the advice and consent of the senate, for a term ending on June 30 of the 
30.1 	sixth calendar year after appointment. Senate confirmation of the chief administrative law 
30.2 	judge shall be as provided by section 15.066.
30.3 	(b) The chief administrative law judge may hear cases and, in accordance with chapter 
30.4 	43A, shall appoint a deputy chief judge and additional administrative law judges and 
30.5 	compensation judges to serve in the office court as necessary to fulfill the duties of the 
30.6 	Office Court of Administrative Hearings.
30.7 	(c) The chief administrative law judge may delegate to a subordinate employee the 
30.8 	exercise of a specified statutory power or duty as deemed advisable, subject to the control 
30.9 	of the chief administrative law judge. Every delegation must be by written order filed with 
30.10 	the secretary of state. The chief administrative law judge is subject to the provisions of the 
30.11 	Minnesota Constitution, article VI, section 6, the jurisdiction of the Board on Judicial 
30.12 	Standards, and the provisions of the Code of Judicial Conduct.
30.13 	(d) If a vacancy in the position of chief administrative law judge occurs, an acting or 
30.14 	temporary chief administrative law judge must be named as follows:
30.15 	(1) at the end of the term of a chief administrative law judge, the incumbent chief 
30.16 	administrative law judge may, at the discretion of the appointing authority, serve as acting 
30.17 	chief administrative law judge until a successor is appointed; and
30.18 	(2) if at the end of a term of a chief administrative law judge the incumbent chief 
30.19 	administrative law judge is not designated as acting chief administrative law judge, or if a 
30.20 	vacancy occurs in the position of chief administrative law judge, the deputy chief judge 
30.21 	shall immediately become temporary chief administrative law judge without further official 
30.22 	action.
30.23 	(e) The appointing authority of the chief administrative law judge may appoint a person 
30.24 	other than the deputy chief judge to serve as temporary chief administrative law judge and 
30.25 	may replace any other acting or temporary chief administrative law judge designated pursuant 
30.26 	to paragraph (d), clause (1) or (2).

30.27 	Sec. 19. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 14.62, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
30.28 		Subdivision 1.Writing required. Every decision and order rendered by an agency in 
30.29 	a contested case shall be in writing, shall be based on the record and shall include the agency's 
30.30 	findings of fact and conclusions on all material issues. A decision or order that rejects or 
30.31 	modifies a finding of fact, conclusion, or recommendation contained in the report of the 
30.32 	administrative law judge required under sections 14.48 to 14.56, or requests remand under 
30.33 	subdivision 2b, must include the reasons for each rejection or, modification, or request for 
31.1 	remand. A copy of the decision and order shall be served upon each party or the party's 
31.2 	representative and the administrative law judge by first class mail.

31.3 	Sec. 20. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 14.62, subdivision 2a, is amended to read:
31.4 		Subd. 2a.Administrative law judge decision final; exception. Unless otherwise 
31.5 	provided by law, the report or order of the administrative law judge constitutes the final 
31.6 	decision in the case unless the agency modifies or rejects it under, rejects, or requests remand 
31.7 	pursuant to subdivision 1 within 90 days after the record of the proceeding closes under 
31.8 	section 14.61. When the agency fails to act within 90 days on a licensing case, the agency 
31.9 	must return the record of the proceeding to the administrative law judge for consideration 
31.10 	of disciplinary action. In all contested cases where the report or order of the administrative 
31.11 	law judge constitutes the final decision in the case, the administrative law judge shall issue 
31.12 	findings of fact, conclusions, and an order within 90 days after the hearing record closes 
31.13 	under section 14.61. Upon a showing of good cause by a party or the agency, the chief 
31.14 	administrative law judge may order a reasonable extension of either of the two 90-day 
31.15 	deadlines specified in this subdivision. The 90-day deadline will be tolled while the chief 
31.16 	administrative law judge considers a request for reasonable extension so long as the request 
31.17 	was filed and served within the applicable 90-day period.

31.18 	Sec. 21. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 14.62, is amended by adding a subdivision to 
31.19 	read:
31.20 		Subd. 2b.Agency request for remand. (a) An agency may request remand of a finding 
31.21 	of fact, conclusion of law, or recommendation within 45 days following the close of the 
31.22 	hearing record under section 14.61.  Upon a showing of good cause by the agency, the chief 
31.23 	administrative law judge may consider a request for remand received after the deadline 
31.24 	specified in this provision.
31.25 	(b) The requesting agency must state with specificity the reasons the agency is requesting 
31.26 	remand. If the agency requests remand for additional fact finding, the agency must state 
31.27 	with specificity that it is requesting remand for further fact finding, identify the issues for 
31.28 	which further fact finding is needed, and explain why further fact finding is necessary to 
31.29 	facilitate a fair and just final decision.
31.30 	(c) The chief administrative law judge, or their designee, must accept a request for 
31.31 	remand within ten business days if:
31.32 	(1) the agency rejects a recommendation to grant summary disposition;
32.1 	(2) a party who had procedurally defaulted during the administrative proceedings seeks 
32.2 	to participate; or
32.3 	(3) following remand from the Minnesota Court of Appeals or Minnesota Supreme 
32.4 	Court, or identification of a mathematical or clerical error, the agency identifies a need for 
32.5 	additional proceedings before the Court of Administrative Hearings.
32.6 	(d) The chief administrative law judge, or their designee, may accept a request for remand 
32.7 	within ten business days for other reasons as justice requires and consistent with section 
32.8 	14.001.
32.9 	(e) When a request for remand is accepted by the chief administrative law judge or their 
32.10 	designee, the chief administrative law judge or their designee must assign an administrative 
32.11 	law judge to conduct further proceedings under this chapter on the issues accepted for 
32.12 	remand.

32.13 	Sec. 22. [15.013] PROGRAM PAYMENTS WITHHELD; FRAUD.
32.14 		Subdivision 1.Definitions. (a) For purposes of this section, the following terms have 
32.15 	the meanings given.
32.16 	(b) "Entity" means any corporation, partnership, proprietorship, firm, enterprise,  franchise, 
32.17 	association, organization, or any other legal entity that engages in either nonprofit or 
32.18 	profit-making activities.
32.19 	(c) "Evidence" means credible evidence obtained from an internal agency investigation, 
32.20 	audits, court records, law enforcement investigations, or investigations by other state or 
32.21 	federal agencies.
32.22 	(d) "Fraud" means an intentional or deliberate act to deprive another of property or 
32.23 	money or to acquire property or money by deception. Fraud includes knowingly submitting 
32.24 	false information to a federal, state, or local government entity for the purpose of obtaining 
32.25 	a greater compensation or benefit than the person is legally entitled. Fraud also includes 
32.26 	acts that constitute a crime against any program, or the attempts or plans to commit those 
32.27 	crimes, including but not limited to theft in violation of section 609.52, perjury in violation 
32.28 	of section 609.48, and aggravated forgery and forgery in violation of sections 609.625 and 
32.29 	609.63, and substantially similar federal laws.
32.30 	(e) "Individual" means a natural person.
32.31 	(f) "Program" means any program funded by a state or federal agency that involves the 
32.32 	transfer or disbursement of public funds or other public resources.
33.1 	(g) "Program participant" means an entity, or an individual on behalf of an entity, that 
33.2 	receives, disburses, or has custody of funds or other resources transferred or disbursed under 
33.3 	a program.
33.4 	(h) "Agency" has the meaning given in section 16B.01, subdivision 2, and includes the 
33.5 	Minnesota State Colleges and Universities.
33.6 		Subd. 2.Administrative withholding of payments. (a) The head of an agency may 
33.7 	withhold payments to a program participant in a program administered by that agency for 
33.8 	a period not to exceed 60 days if the agency head determines that a preponderance of the 
33.9 	evidence shows that the program participant has committed fraud to obtain payments under 
33.10 	the program.
33.11 	(b) Notwithstanding subdivision 3, the agency head must notify the program participant 
33.12 	of the decision to withhold payments at least 24 hours before withholding a payment. The 
33.13 	notice must:
33.14 	(1) state that payments will be withheld in accordance with this section;
33.15 	(2) state the date the administrative withholding of payments is effective;
33.16 	(3) state the reasons for withholding payments, excluding specific information that may 
33.17 	jeopardize an active investigation;
33.18 	(4) state the date the administrative withholding period terminates;
33.19 	(5) inform the program participant of the right to submit written evidence for 
33.20 	consideration by the agency head; and
33.21 	(6) inform the program participant of their rights under chapter 14 to appeal the decision 
33.22 	to withhold payment.
33.23 	(c) Following notice and to the extent practicable, the agency must ensure that any person 
33.24 	whose public funds are interrupted and who is not implicated in the suspected fraud receives 
33.25 	notice of their rights related to continued receipt of the public funds, services, or programs 
33.26 	for which they are eligible. The agency head must provide a point of contact for the impacted 
33.27 	persons.
33.28 	(d) A program participant may appeal an agency head's decision under this subdivision 
33.29 	by initiating a contested case proceeding under chapter 14 or by petitioning the court for 
33.30 	relief, including injunctive relief.
33.31 	(e) This subdivision does not apply if an agency is precluded from withholding payments 
33.32 	to a program participant by federal law or obligations under a contract.
34.1 		Subd. 3.Data classification and access. (a) During the administrative payment 
34.2 	withholding period under subdivision 2, data relating to evidence of fraud are classified as: 
34.3 	(1) confidential data on individuals pursuant to section 13.02, subdivision 3; or (2) protected 
34.4 	nonpublic data pursuant to section 13.02, subdivision 13, in the case of data not on 
34.5 	individuals.
34.6 	(b) All data relating to evidence of fraud become public at the termination of the 
34.7 	withholding period unless classified as not public data under state or federal law. The identity 
34.8 	of a complainant is private data on individuals, as defined in section 13.02, subdivision 12.
34.9 	(c) An agency may disclose data classified as confidential or protected nonpublic under 
34.10 	this section to a federal, state, or local government agency or a law enforcement agency if 
34.11 	the agency determines that access will help prevent fraud against public programs or aid 
34.12 	the law enforcement process.
34.13 		Subd. 4.Court order. The head of an agency may petition the court for a temporary 
34.14 	order pursuant to Rule 65 of the Minnesota Rules of Civil Procedure to withhold payments 
34.15 	to a program participant in a program administered by that agency if the agency head 
34.16 	determines that a preponderance of the evidence shows that the program participant has 
34.17 	committed fraud to obtain payments under the program.
34.18 		Subd. 5.Report. (a) An agency that has withheld a payment under this section must 
34.19 	report the following to the commissioner of management and budget by March 1, 2026:
34.20 	(1) the number of program participants from whom payments have been withheld;
34.21 	(2) a description of the reason the payments were withheld from the program participant;
34.22 	(3) the dollar amount of payments withheld;
34.23 	(4) the identification of the program;
34.24 	(5) whether the payments withheld were state or federal funds; and
34.25 	(6) whether the withholding of payment was challenged by a program participant and 
34.26 	the outcome of the challenge.
34.27 	(b) The commissioner of management and budget must compile the reports from the 
34.28 	agencies under paragraph (a) and submit the compiled report to the chairs and ranking 
34.29 	minority members of the committees in the house of representative and the senate with 
34.30 	jurisdiction over state government, judiciary, health and human services, and education by 
34.31 	March 15, 2026.
34.32 		Subd. 6.Sunset. This section expires July 1, 2027.

35.1 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.

35.2 	Sec. 23. [15.0573] REPORTING ALLEGED MISUSE OF PUBLIC RESOURCES 
35.3 	OR DATA.
35.4 	The commissioner or chief executive officer of each state department, board, commission, 
35.5 	office, or other agency must ensure that employee and nonemployee concerns about the 
35.6 	misuse of public money, other public resources, or government data are promptly directed 
35.7 	to one or more of the obligated officers identified in section 3.971, subdivision 9, or the 
35.8 	Office of the Legislative Auditor. The commissioner of management and budget must 
35.9 	develop a policy to operationalize and standardize the process under this section across state 
35.10 	agencies.

35.11 	Sec. 24. [15.0574] ORGANIZATIONAL CHARTS POSTED.
35.12 	Each state agency must clearly post on the agency's website a current organizational 
35.13 	chart that includes the name and contact information for the agency head, all deputy and 
35.14 	assistant agency heads, and the head of each division or bureau within the agency.

35.15 	Sec. 25. [15.442] LOCAL NEWS ORGANIZATION ADVERTISING BY STATE 
35.16 	AGENCIES.
35.17 		Subdivision 1.Definitions. (a) For purposes of this section, the following terms have 
35.18 	the meanings given.
35.19 	(b) "Advertising" means paid communication transmitted via newspaper, magazine, 
35.20 	radio, television, social media, Internet, or other electronic means to make any person aware 
35.21 	of information relevant to an agency or a program or public awareness campaign operated 
35.22 	by an agency.
35.23 	(c) "Agency" means any board, commission, authority, department, entity, or organization 
35.24 	of the executive branch of state government. Agency does not include the Minnesota State 
35.25 	Colleges and Universities or the Minnesota Zoo.
35.26 	(d) "Local news organization" means a print, digital, or hybrid publication, or a broadcast 
35.27 	television or radio station, that:
35.28 	(1) primarily serves the needs of the state of Minnesota or a regional, local, or ethnic 
35.29 	community within Minnesota;
35.30 	(2) primarily has content derived from primary sources relating to news, information, 
35.31 	entertainment, and current events;
36.1 	(3) employs at least one journalist who resides in Minnesota and who regularly gathers, 
36.2 	collects, photographs, records, writes, or reports news or information that concerns local 
36.3 	events or other matters of local public interest;
36.4 	(4) has a known Minnesota-based office of publication or broadcast station where business 
36.5 	is transacted during usual business hours with a local telephone number and must list contact 
36.6 	information in each updated publication or on their website; and
36.7 	(5) has not received more than 10 percent of its gross receipts for the previous year from 
36.8 	political action committees or other entities described in section 527 of the Internal Revenue 
36.9 	Code, or from an organization that maintains section 501(c)(4), 501(c)(5), or 501(c)(6) 
36.10 	status under the Internal Revenue Code.
36.11 		Subd. 2.Transparency. By February 1, 2026, and each year thereafter, all agencies 
36.12 	must publish the following information on their website for the previous fiscal year:
36.13 	(1) the total advertising spending by the agency; and
36.14 	(2) the total percentage of advertising spending in local news organizations, including 
36.15 	a breakdown of the total percentage of advertising spending in local newspapers, radio, and 
36.16 	television.
36.17 		Subd. 3.Expiration. This section expires February 2, 2031.

36.18 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective August 1, 2025.

36.19 	Sec. 26. [15.761] SAVI PROGRAM.
36.20 		Subdivision 1.Program established. The state agency value initiative (SAVI) program 
36.21 	is established to encourage state agencies to identify cost-effective and efficiency measures 
36.22 	in agency programs and operations that result in cost savings for the state. All state agencies, 
36.23 	including Minnesota State Colleges and Universities, may participate in this program.
36.24 		Subd. 2.Retained savings. (a) In order to encourage innovation and creative cost savings 
36.25 	by state employees, upon approval of the commissioner of management and budget, 50 
36.26 	percent of any appropriations for agency operations that remain unspent at the end of a 
36.27 	biennium because of unanticipated innovation, efficiencies, or creative cost-savings may 
36.28 	be carried forward and retained by the agency to fund specific agency proposals or projects. 
36.29 	Agencies choosing to spend retained savings funds must ensure that project expenditures 
36.30 	do not create future obligations beyond the amounts available from the retained savings. 
36.31 	The retained savings must be used only to fund projects that directly support the agency's 
37.1 	mission. This section does not restrict authority granted by other law to carry forward money 
37.2 	for a different period or for different purposes.
37.3 	(b) This section supersedes any contrary provision of section 16A.28.
37.4 		Subd. 3.Special peer review panel; review process. (a) Each participating agency 
37.5 	must organize a peer review panel that will determine which proposal or project receives 
37.6 	funding from the SAVI program. The peer review panel must be comprised of department 
37.7 	employees who are credited with cost-savings initiatives and department managers. The 
37.8 	ratio between managers and department employees must be balanced.
37.9 	(b) An agency may spend money for a project recommended for funding by the peer 
37.10 	review panel after:
37.11 	(1) the agency has posted notice of spending for the proposed project on the agency 
37.12 	website for at least 30 days; and
37.13 	(2) the commissioner of management and budget has approved spending money from 
37.14 	the SAVI account for the project.
37.15 	(c) Before approving a project, the commissioner of management and budget must submit 
37.16 	the request to the Legislative Advisory Commission for its review and recommendation. 
37.17 	Upon receiving a request from the commissioner, the Legislative Advisory Commission 
37.18 	shall post notice of the request on a legislative website for at least 30 days. Failure of the 
37.19 	commission to make a recommendation within this 30-day period is considered a negative 
37.20 	recommendation. A recommendation of the commission must be made at a meeting of the 
37.21 	commission unless a written recommendation is signed by all members entitled to vote on 
37.22 	the item.
37.23 		Subd. 4.SAVI-dedicated account. Each agency that participates in the SAVI program 
37.24 	shall have a SAVI-dedicated account in the special revenue fund, or other appropriate fund 
37.25 	as determined by the commissioner of management and budget, into which the agency's 
37.26 	savings are deposited. The agency will manage and review projects that are funded from 
37.27 	this account. Money in the account is appropriated to the participating agency for purposes 
37.28 	authorized by this section.
37.29 		Subd. 5.Expiration. This section expires June 30, 2030.

37.30 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective June 30, 2025, and first applies to funds 
37.31 	to be carried forward from the biennium ending June 30, 2025, to the biennium beginning 
37.32 	July 1, 2025.

38.1 	Sec. 27. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 15A.082, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
38.2 		Subd. 3.Submission of recommendations and determination. (a) By April September
38.3 	1 in each odd-numbered even-numbered year, the Compensation Council shall submit to 
38.4 	the speaker of the house and the president of the senate salary recommendations for justices 
38.5 	of the supreme court, and judges of the court of appeals and district court. The recommended 
38.6 	salaries take effect on July 1 of that the next year and July 1 of the subsequent even-numbered 
38.7 	year and at whatever interval the council recommends thereafter, unless the legislature by 
38.8 	law provides otherwise. The salary recommendations take effect if an appropriation of 
38.9 	money to pay the recommended salaries is enacted after the recommendations are submitted 
38.10 	and before their effective date. Recommendations may be expressly modified or rejected.
38.11 	(b) By April 1 in each odd-numbered year, the Compensation Council must prescribe 
38.12 	salaries for constitutional officers, and for the agency and metropolitan agency heads 
38.13 	identified in section 15A.0815. The prescribed salary for each office must take effect July 
38.14 	1 of that year and July 1 of the subsequent even-numbered year and at whatever interval 
38.15 	the council determines thereafter, unless the legislature by law provides otherwise. An 
38.16 	appropriation by the legislature to fund the relevant office, branch, or agency of an amount 
38.17 	sufficient to pay the salaries prescribed by the council constitutes a prescription by law as 
38.18 	provided in the Minnesota Constitution, article V, sections 4 and 5.
38.19 	(c) By April 1 in each odd-numbered year, the Compensation Council must prescribe 
38.20 	daily compensation for voting members of the Direct Care and Treatment executive board. 
38.21 	The recommended daily compensation takes effect on July 1 of that year and July 1 of the 
38.22 	subsequent even-numbered year and at whatever interval the council recommends thereafter, 
38.23 	unless the legislature by law provides otherwise.

38.24 	Sec. 28. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 15A.082, subdivision 7, is amended to read:
38.25 		Subd. 7.No ex parte communications. Members may not have any communication 
38.26 	with a constitutional officer, a head of a state agency, a member of the judiciary, or a member 
38.27 	of the Direct Care and Treatment executive board during the period after the first meeting 
38.28 	is convened under this section and the date the prescribed and recommended salaries and 
38.29 	daily compensation are submitted under subdivision 3. This subdivision does not apply to 
38.30 	testimony provided to the council in the course of an official council meeting or to other 
38.31 	communications when a majority of the members are present. This subdivision does not 
38.32 	preclude a member who is an attorney from communicating with an agency head, judge, or 
38.33 	justice as necessary to represent a client.

39.1 	Sec. 29. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 16A.057, subdivision 5, is amended to read:
39.2 		Subd. 5.Monitoring Office of the Legislative Auditor audits. (a) The commissioner 
39.3 	must review audit reports from the Office of the Legislative Auditor and take appropriate 
39.4 	steps to address internal control problems found in executive agencies.
39.5 	(b) The commissioner must submit a report to the legislative auditor no later than 
39.6 	September 1 of each year detailing the implementation status of all recommendations 
39.7 	identified in an auditor's financial audit, program evaluation, or special review during the 
39.8 	prior five years. The report must include a specific itemization of recommendations that 
39.9 	have not been implemented during that period, along with the basis for that decision.

39.10 	Sec. 30. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 16A.103, subdivision 1a, is amended to read:
39.11 		Subd. 1a.Forecast parameters. The forecast must assume the continuation of current 
39.12 	laws and reasonable estimates of projected growth in the national and state economies and 
39.13 	affected populations. Revenue must be estimated for all sources provided for in current law. 
39.14 	Expenditures must be estimated for all obligations imposed by law and those projected to 
39.15 	occur as a result of inflation and variables outside the control of the legislature. Expenditure 
39.16 	estimates related to the amount of state bonding must not include any assumptions of future 
39.17 	authorizations of state general obligation bonds.

39.18 	Sec. 31. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 16A.152, subdivision 8, is amended to read:
39.19 		Subd. 8.Report on budget reserve percentage. (a) The commissioner of management 
39.20 	and budget shall develop and annually review a methodology for evaluating the adequacy 
39.21 	of the budget reserve based on the volatility of Minnesota's general fund tax structure. The 
39.22 	review must take into consideration relevant statistical and economic literature. After 
39.23 	completing the review, the commissioner may revise the methodology if necessary. The 
39.24 	commissioner must use the methodology to annually estimate the percentage of the current 
39.25 	biennium's general fund nondedicated revenues recommended as a budget reserve.
39.26 	(b) By September October 30 of each year, the commissioner shall report the percentage 
39.27 	of the current biennium's general fund nondedicated revenue that is recommended as a 
39.28 	budget reserve to the chairs and ranking minority members of the senate Committee on 
39.29 	Finance, the house of representatives Committee on Ways and Means, and the senate and 
39.30 	house of representatives Committees on Taxes. The report must also specify:
39.31 	(1) whether the commissioner revised the recommendation as a result of significant 
39.32 	changes in the mix of general fund taxes or the base of one or more general fund taxes;
40.1 	(2) whether the commissioner revised the recommendation as a result of a revision to 
40.2 	the methodology; and
40.3 	(3) any additional appropriate information.

40.4 	Sec. 32. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 16A.28, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
40.5 		Subd. 3.Lapse. Any portion of any appropriation not carried forward and remaining 
40.6 	unexpended and unencumbered at the close of a fiscal year lapses to the fund from which 
40.7 	it was originally appropriated. Except as provided in section 15.761, any appropriation 
40.8 	amounts not carried forward and remaining unexpended and unencumbered at the close of 
40.9 	a biennium lapse to the fund from which the appropriation was made.

40.10 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective June 30, 2025.

40.11 	Sec. 33. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 16B.055, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
40.12 		Subdivision 1.Federal Assistive Technology Act. (a) The Department of Administration 
40.13 	is designated as the lead agency to carry out all the responsibilities under the 21st Century 
40.14 	Assistive Technology Act of 1998, as provided by Public Law 108-364, as amended 117-263. 
40.15 	The Minnesota Assistive Technology Advisory Council is established to fulfill the 
40.16 	responsibilities required by the 21st Century Assistive Technology Act, as provided by 
40.17 	Public Law 108-364, as amended 117-263. Because the existence of this council is required 
40.18 	by federal law, this council does not expire.
40.19 	(b) Except as provided in paragraph (c), the governor shall appoint the membership of 
40.20 	the council as required by the 21st Century Assistive Technology Act of 1998, as provided 
40.21 	by Public Law 108-364, as amended 117-263. After the governor has completed the 
40.22 	appointments required by this subdivision, the commissioner of administration, or the 
40.23 	commissioner's designee, shall convene the first meeting of the council following the 
40.24 	appointments. Members shall serve two-year terms commencing July 1 of each odd-numbered 
40.25 	year, and receive the compensation specified by the 21st Century Assistive Technology Act 
40.26 	of 1998, as provided by Public Law 108-364, as amended 117-263. The members of the 
40.27 	council shall select their chair at the first meeting following their appointment.
40.28 	(c) After consulting with the appropriate commissioner, the commissioner of 
40.29 	administration shall appoint a representative from:
40.30 	(1) State Services for the Blind who has assistive technology expertise;
40.31 	(2) vocational rehabilitation services who has assistive technology expertise;
41.1 	(3) the Workforce Development Board; and
41.2 	(4) the Department of Education who has assistive technology expertise.; and
41.3 	(5) the Board on Aging.

41.4 	Sec. 34. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 16B.335, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
41.5 		Subd. 2.Other projects. All other capital projects for which a specific appropriation is 
41.6 	made, including projects that are exempt under subdivision 1, paragraph (b), must not 
41.7 	proceed until the recipient undertaking the project has notified the chairs and ranking minority 
41.8 	members of the senate Capital Investment and Finance Committees and the house of 
41.9 	representatives Capital Investment and Ways and Means Committees that the work is ready 
41.10 	to begin. Notice is not required for:
41.11 	(1) capital projects needed to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act;
41.12 	(2) asset preservation projects to which section 16B.307 applies;
41.13 	(3) projects funded by an agency's operating budget; or
41.14 	(4) projects funded by a capital asset preservation and replacement account under section 
41.15 	16A.632, a higher education asset preservation and replacement account under section 
41.16 	135A.046, or a natural resources asset preservation and replacement account under section 
41.17 	84.946.

41.18 	Sec. 35. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 16B.48, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
41.19 		Subd. 4.Reimbursements. (a) Except as specifically provided otherwise by law, each 
41.20 	agency shall reimburse the general services revolving funds for the cost of all services, 
41.21 	supplies, materials, labor, and depreciation of equipment, including reasonable overhead 
41.22 	costs, which the commissioner is authorized and directed to furnish an agency. The cost of 
41.23 	all publications or other materials produced by the commissioner and financed from the 
41.24 	general services revolving fund must include reasonable overhead costs.
41.25 	(b) The commissioner of administration shall report the rates to be charged for the general 
41.26 	services revolving funds no later than July 1 September 15 each year to the chair of the 
41.27 	committee or division in the senate and house of representatives with primary jurisdiction 
41.28 	over the budget of the Department of Administration.
41.29 	(c) The commissioner of management and budget shall make appropriate transfers to 
41.30 	the revolving funds described in this section when requested by the commissioner of 
41.31 	administration. The commissioner of administration may make allotments, encumbrances, 
42.1 	and, with the approval of the commissioner of management and budget, disbursements in 
42.2 	anticipation of such transfers. In addition, the commissioner of administration, with the 
42.3 	approval of the commissioner of management and budget, may require an agency to make 
42.4 	advance payments to the revolving funds in this section sufficient to cover the agency's 
42.5 	estimated obligation for a period of at least 60 days.
42.6 	(d) All reimbursements and other money received by the commissioner of administration 
42.7 	under this section must be deposited in the appropriate revolving fund. Any earnings 
42.8 	remaining in the fund established to account for the documents service prescribed by section 
42.9 	16B.51 at the end of each fiscal year not otherwise needed for present or future operations, 
42.10 	as determined by the commissioners of administration and management and budget, must 
42.11 	be transferred to the general fund.

42.12 	Sec. 36. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 16B.54, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
42.13 		Subd. 2.Vehicles. (a) The commissioner may direct an agency to make a transfer of a 
42.14 	passenger motor vehicle or truck currently assigned to it. The transfer must be made to the 
42.15 	commissioner for use in the enterprise fleet. The commissioner shall reimburse an agency 
42.16 	whose motor vehicles have been paid for with funds dedicated by the constitution for a 
42.17 	special purpose and which are assigned to the enterprise fleet. The amount of reimbursement 
42.18 	for a motor vehicle is its average wholesale price as determined from the midwest edition 
42.19 	of the National Automobile Dealers Association official used car guide.
42.20 	(b) To the extent that funds are available for the purpose, the commissioner may purchase 
42.21 	or otherwise acquire additional passenger motor vehicles and trucks necessary for the 
42.22 	enterprise fleet. The title to all motor vehicles assigned to or purchased or acquired for the 
42.23 	enterprise fleet is in the name of the Department of Administration.
42.24 	(c) On the request of an agency, the commissioner may transfer to the enterprise fleet 
42.25 	any passenger motor vehicle or truck for the purpose of disposing of it. The department or 
42.26 	agency transferring the vehicle or truck must be paid for it from the motor pool revolving 
42.27 	account established by this section in an amount equal to two-thirds of the average wholesale 
42.28 	price of the vehicle or truck as determined from the midwest edition of the National 
42.29 	Automobile Dealers Association official used car guide.
42.30 	(d) The commissioner shall provide for the uniform marking of all motor vehicles. Motor 
42.31 	vehicle colors must be selected from the regular color chart provided by the manufacturer 
42.32 	each year. The commissioner may further provide for the use of motor vehicles without 
42.33 	marking by:
43.1 	(1) the governor;
43.2 	(2) the lieutenant governor;
43.3 	(3) the Division of Criminal Apprehension, the Division of Alcohol and Gambling 
43.4 	Enforcement, and arson investigators of the Division of Fire Marshal in the Department of 
43.5 	Public Safety;
43.6 	(4) the Financial Institutions Division and investigative staff of the Department of 
43.7 	Commerce;
43.8 	(5) the Division of Disease Prevention and Control of the Department of Health;
43.9 	(6) the State Lottery;
43.10 	(7) criminal investigators of the Department of Revenue;
43.11 	(8) state-owned community service facilities in Direct Care and Treatment;
43.12 	(9) the Office of the Attorney General;
43.13 	(10) the investigative staff of the Gambling Control Board; and
43.14 	(11) the Department of Corrections inmate community work crew program under section 
43.15 	352.91, subdivision 3g.; and
43.16 	(12) the Office of Ombudsman for Long-Term Care.

43.17 	Sec. 37. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 16B.97, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
43.18 		Subdivision 1.Grant agreement Definitions. (a) For purposes of this section, the 
43.19 	following terms have the meanings given:
43.20 	A grant agreement is (1) "grant agreement" means a written instrument or electronic 
43.21 	document defining a legal relationship between a granting agency and a grantee when the 
43.22 	principal purpose of the relationship is to transfer cash or something of value to the recipient 
43.23 	to support a public purpose authorized by law instead of acquiring by professional or technical 
43.24 	contract, purchase, lease, or barter property or services for the direct benefit or use of the 
43.25 	granting agency.; and
43.26 	(2) "grantee" means a potential or current recipient of a state-issued grant.
43.27 	(b) This section does not apply to general obligation grants as defined by section 16A.695
43.28 	and, capital project grants to political subdivisions as defined by section 16A.86, or capital 
43.29 	project grants otherwise subject to section 16A.642, all of which are subject to the policies 
44.1 	and procedures adopted by the commissioner of management and budget and other 
44.2 	requirements specified in applicable law.

44.3 	Sec. 38. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 16B.98, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
44.4 		Subdivision 1.Limitation. (a) As a condition of receiving a grant from an appropriation 
44.5 	of state funds, the recipient of the grant must agree to minimize that administrative costs
44.6 	must be necessary and reasonable. The granting agency is responsible for negotiating 
44.7 	appropriate limits to these costs so that the state derives the optimum benefit for grant 
44.8 	funding.
44.9 	(b) This section does not apply to general obligation grants as defined by section 16A.695
44.10 	and also capital project grants to political subdivisions as defined by section 16A.86, or 
44.11 	capital project grants otherwise subject to section 16A.642.

44.12 	Sec. 39. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 16B.98, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
44.13 		Subd. 4.Reporting of violations. A state employee who discovers evidence of violation 
44.14 	of laws or rules governing grants is encouraged to must promptly report the violation or 
44.15 	suspected violation to the employee's supervisor or manager, the commissioner or the 
44.16 	commissioner's designee, or the legislative auditor. If the state employee notifies the 
44.17 	employee's supervisor or manager, or the commissioner or the commissioner's designee, 
44.18 	then the supervisor, manager, commissioner, or commissioner's designee must notify the 
44.19 	legislative auditor. The legislative auditor shall report to the Legislative Audit Commission 
44.20 	if there are multiple complaints about the same agency. The auditor's report to the Legislative 
44.21 	Audit Commission under this section must disclose only the number and type of violations 
44.22 	alleged. An employee making a good faith report under this section has the protections 
44.23 	provided for under section 181.932, prohibiting the employer from discriminating against 
44.24 	the employee.

44.25 	Sec. 40. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 16B.98, subdivision 5, is amended to read:
44.26 		Subd. 5.Creation and validity of grant agreements. (a) A grant agreement and 
44.27 	amendments are not valid and do not bind unless:
44.28 	(1) the grant agreement and amendments have been executed by the head of the agency 
44.29 	or a delegate who is party to the grant;
44.30 	(2) the grant agreement and amendments have been approved by the commissioner;
45.1 	(3) the accounting system shows an encumbrance for the amount of the grant in 
45.2 	accordance with policy approved by the commissioner except as provided in subdivision 
45.3 	11; and
45.4 	(4) the grant agreement and amendments include an effective date that references either 
45.5 	section 16C.05, subdivision 2, or 16B.98, subdivisions 5 and 7, as determined by the granting 
45.6 	agency.
45.7 	(b) The combined grant agreement and amendments must not exceed five years without 
45.8 	specific, written approval by the commissioner according to established policy, procedures, 
45.9 	and standards, or unless the commissioner determines that a longer duration is in the best 
45.10 	interest of the state.
45.11 	(c) A fully executed copy of the grant agreement with all amendments and other required 
45.12 	records relating to the grant must be kept on file at the granting agency for a time equal to 
45.13 	that required of grantees in subdivision 8.
45.14 	(d) Grant agreements must comply with policies established by the commissioner for 
45.15 	minimum grant agreement standards and practices. As determined by the commissioner, 
45.16 	grant agreements must require the grantee to clearly post on the grantee's website the names 
45.17 	of, and contact information for, the organization's leadership and the employee or other 
45.18 	person who directly manages and oversees the grant for the grantee.
45.19 	(e) The attorney general may periodically review and evaluate a sample of state agency 
45.20 	grants to ensure compliance with applicable laws.
45.21 	(f) If funding is canceled, withdrawn, or terminated, an agency may, at its option, suspend 
45.22 	its performance until funding is restored. Nothing in this paragraph releases the state from 
45.23 	its obligations during a period of suspension.

45.24 	Sec. 41. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 16B.98, is amended by adding a subdivision to 
45.25 	read:
45.26 		Subd. 6a.Grants management training. All state agency staff assigned grant 
45.27 	management responsibilities must complete initial grants management training before 
45.28 	assuming grants management job duties and must complete continuing grants management 
45.29 	training on an annual basis.

45.30 	Sec. 42. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 16B.981, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
45.31 		Subd. 4.Agency authority to not award grant. (a) If, while performing the required 
45.32 	steps in subdivision 2 and pursuant to sections 16B.97, 16B.98, and 16B.991, the agency 
46.1 	requires additional information to determine whether there is a substantial risk that the 
46.2 	potential grantee cannot or would not perform the required duties of the grant agreement, 
46.3 	the agency must give the grantee 30 business 15 calendar days within which the grantee 
46.4 	can respond to the agency for the purpose of satisfying the agency's concerns or work with 
46.5 	the agency to develop a plan to satisfy the concerns.
46.6 	(b) If, after performing the required steps in subdivision 2 and pursuant to sections 
46.7 	16B.97, 16B.98, and 16B.991, and after reviewing any additional requested information 
46.8 	from the grantee, the agency still has concerns that there is a substantial risk that a potential 
46.9 	grantee cannot or would not perform the required duties under the grant agreement, the 
46.10 	agency must either create a plan to satisfy remaining concerns with the grantee or must not 
46.11 	award the grant.
46.12 	(c) If, pursuant to paragraphs (a) and (b), the agency does not award a competitive, 
46.13 	single-source, or sole-source grant, the agency must provide notification to the grantee and 
46.14 	the commissioner of administration of the determination. The notification to the grantee 
46.15 	must include the agency's reason for postponing or forgoing the grant, including information 
46.16 	sufficient to explain and support the agency's decision, and notify the applicant of the process 
46.17 	for contesting the agency's decision with the agency and the applicant's options under 
46.18 	paragraph (d). If the applicant contests the agency's decision no later than 15 business days 
46.19 	after receiving the notice, the agency must consider any additional written information 
46.20 	submitted by the grantee. The agency has 15 business days to consider this information, 
46.21 	during which the agency may reverse or modify the agency's initial decision to postpone 
46.22 	or forgo the grant.
46.23 	(d) The final decision by an agency under paragraph (c) may be challenged as a contested 
46.24 	case under chapter 14. The contested case proceeding must be initiated within 30 business
46.25 	calendar days of the date of written notification of a final decision by the agency.
46.26 	(e) If, pursuant to paragraphs (a) and (b), the agency does not award a legislatively named 
46.27 	grant, the agency must delay award of the grant until adjournment of the next regular or 
46.28 	special legislative session for action from the legislature. The agency must provide 
46.29 	notification to the potential grantee, the commissioner of administration, and the chairs and 
46.30 	ranking minority members of the Ways and Means Committee in the house of representatives 
46.31 	and the chairs and ranking minority members of the Finance Committee in the senate. The 
46.32 	notification to the grantee must include the agency's reason for postponing or forgoing the 
46.33 	grant, including information sufficient to explain and support the agency's decision and 
46.34 	notify the applicant of the process for contesting the agency's decision under paragraph (d). 
46.35 	If the applicant contests the agency's decision no later than 15 business days after receiving 
47.1 	the notice, the agency must consider any additional written information submitted by the 
47.2 	grantee. The agency has 15 business days to consider this information, during which the 
47.3 	agency may reverse or modify the agency's initial decision to postpone or forgo the grant.
47.4 	The notification to the commissioner of administration and legislators must identify the 
47.5 	legislatively named potential grantee and the agency's reason for postponing or forgoing 
47.6 	the grant. After hearing the concerns of the agency, the legislature may reaffirm the award 
47.7 	of the grant or reappropriate the funds to a different legislatively named grantee. Based on 
47.8 	the action of the legislature, the agency must award the grant to the legislatively named 
47.9 	grantee. If the legislature does not provide direction to the agency on the disposition of the 
47.10 	grant, the funds revert to the original appropriation source.

47.11 	Sec. 43. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 16B.991, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
47.12 		Subd. 2.Authority. A grant agreement must by its terms permit the commissioner to 
47.13 	unilaterally terminate the grant agreement prior to completion if the commissioner determines 
47.14 	that further performance under the grant agreement would not serve agency purposes or 
47.15 	performance under the grant agreement is not in the best interests of the state.

47.16 	Sec. 44. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 16C.05, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
47.17 		Subd. 2.Creation and validity of contracts. (a) A contract and amendments are not 
47.18 	valid and the state is not bound by them and no agency, without the prior written approval 
47.19 	of the commissioner granted pursuant to subdivision 2a, may authorize work to begin on 
47.20 	them unless:
47.21 	(1) they have first been executed by the head of the agency or a delegate who is a party 
47.22 	to the contract;
47.23 	(2) they have been approved by the commissioner; and
47.24 	(3) the accounting system shows an encumbrance for the amount of the contract liability, 
47.25 	except as allowed by policy approved by the commissioner and commissioner of management 
47.26 	and budget for routine, low-dollar procurements and section 16B.98, subdivision 11.
47.27 	(b) Grants, interagency agreements, purchase orders, work orders, and annual plans need 
47.28 	not, in the discretion of the commissioner and attorney general, require the signature of the 
47.29 	commissioner and/or the attorney general. A signature is not required for work orders and 
47.30 	amendments to work orders related to Department of Transportation contracts. Bond purchase 
47.31 	agreements by the Minnesota Public Facilities Authority do not require the approval of the 
47.32 	commissioner.
48.1 	(c) Amendments to contracts must entail tasks that are substantially similar to those in 
48.2 	the original contract or involve tasks that are so closely related to the original contract that 
48.3 	it would be impracticable for a different contractor to perform the work. The commissioner 
48.4 	or an agency official to whom the commissioner has delegated contracting authority under 
48.5 	section 16C.03, subdivision 16, must determine that an amendment would serve the interest 
48.6 	of the state better than a new contract and would cost no more.
48.7 	(d) A record must be kept of all responses to solicitations, including names of bidders 
48.8 	and amounts of bids or proposals. A fully executed copy of every contract, amendments to 
48.9 	the contract, and performance evaluations relating to the contract must be kept on file at 
48.10 	the contracting agency for a time equal to that specified for contract vendors and other 
48.11 	parties in subdivision 5. These records are open to public inspection, subject to section 
48.12 	13.591 and other applicable law.
48.13 	(e) The attorney general must periodically review and evaluate a sample of state agency 
48.14 	contracts to ensure compliance with laws.
48.15 	(f) Before executing a contract or license agreement involving intellectual property 
48.16 	developed or acquired by the state, a state agency shall seek review and comment from the 
48.17 	attorney general on the terms and conditions of the contract or agreement.
48.18 	(g) If funding is canceled, withdrawn, or terminated, an agency may, at its option, suspend 
48.19 	its performance until funding is restored. Nothing in this paragraph releases the state from 
48.20 	its obligations during a period of suspension.

48.21 	Sec. 45. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 16C.05, is amended by adding a subdivision to 
48.22 	read:
48.23 		Subd. 8.Unenforceable terms. (a) A contract entered into by the state shall not contain 
48.24 	a term that:
48.25 	(1) requires the state to defend, indemnify, or hold harmless another person or entity, 
48.26 	unless specifically authorized by statute;
48.27 	(2) binds a party by terms and conditions that may be unilaterally changed by the other 
48.28 	party;
48.29 	(3) requires mandatory arbitration;
48.30 	(4) attempts to extend arbitration obligations to disputes unrelated to the original contract;
48.31 	(5) construes the contract in accordance with the laws of a state other than Minnesota;
49.1 	(6) obligates state funds in subsequent fiscal years in the form of automatic renewal as 
49.2 	defined in section 325G.56; or
49.3 	(7) is inconsistent with chapter 13, the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act.
49.4 	(b) If a contract is entered into that contains a term prohibited in paragraph (a), that term 
49.5 	shall be void and the contract is enforceable as if it did not contain that term.
49.6 	(c) The commissioner shall post a copy of this section on the department's website.

49.7 	Sec. 46. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 16C.137, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
49.8 		Subd. 2.Report Evaluation. (a) The commissioner of administration, in collaboration 
49.9 	with the commissioners of the Pollution Control Agency, the Departments of Agriculture, 
49.10 	Commerce, Natural Resources, and Transportation, and other state departments, must 
49.11 	evaluate the goals and directives established in this section and report include their findings 
49.12 	to the governor and the appropriate committees of the legislature by February 1 of each 
49.13 	odd-numbered year in the public dashboard under section 16B.372. In the report public 
49.14 	dashboard, the commissioner must make recommendations for new or adjusted goals, 
49.15 	directives, or legislative initiatives, in light of the progress the state has made implementing 
49.16 	this section and the availability of new or improved technologies.
49.17 	(b) The Department of Administration shall implement a fleet reporting and information 
49.18 	management system. Each department will use this management system to demonstrate its 
49.19 	progress in complying with this section.

49.20 	Sec. 47. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 16C.16, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
49.21 		Subd. 2.Small business. The commissioner shall adopt the size standards for "small 
49.22 	business" found in Code of Federal Regulations, title 49, section 26.65, a small business
49.23 	for purposes of sections 16C.16 to 16C.21, 137.31, 137.35, 161.321, and 473.142, provided 
49.24 	that the business has its principal place of business in Minnesota. The commissioner may 
49.25 	use the definition for "small business" in the Code of Federal Regulations, title 49, section 
49.26 	26.65, or may adopt another standard.

49.27 	Sec. 48. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 16C.16, subdivision 6, is amended to read:
49.28 		Subd. 6.Purchasing methods. (a) The commissioner may award up to a 12 percent 
49.29 	preference for specified goods or services to small targeted group businesses.
49.30 	(b) The commissioner may award a contract for goods, services, or construction directly 
49.31 	to a small business or small targeted group business without going through a competitive 
50.1 	solicitation process up to a total contract award value, including extension options, of 
50.2 	$100,000.
50.3 	(c) The commissioner may designate a purchase of goods or services for award only to 
50.4 	small businesses or small targeted group businesses if the commissioner determines that at 
50.5 	least three small businesses or small targeted group businesses are likely to respond to a 
50.6 	solicitation.
50.7 	(d) The commissioner, as a condition of awarding a construction contract or approving 
50.8 	a contract for professional or technical services, may set goals that require the prime 
50.9 	contractor to subcontract a portion of the contract to small businesses or small targeted 
50.10 	group businesses. The commissioner must establish a procedure for granting waivers from 
50.11 	the subcontracting requirement when qualified small businesses or small targeted group 
50.12 	businesses are not reasonably available. The commissioner may establish financial incentives 
50.13 	for prime contractors who exceed the goals for use of small business or small targeted group 
50.14 	business subcontractors and financial penalties for prime contractors who fail to meet goals 
50.15 	under this paragraph. The subcontracting requirements of this paragraph do not apply to 
50.16 	prime contractors who are small businesses or small targeted group businesses.

50.17 	Sec. 49. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 16C.16, subdivision 6a, is amended to read:
50.18 		Subd. 6a.Veteran-owned small businesses. (a) Except when mandated by the federal 
50.19 	government as a condition of receiving federal funds, the commissioner shall award up to 
50.20 	a 12 percent preference, but no less than the percentage awarded to any other group under 
50.21 	this section, on state procurement to certified small businesses that are majority-owned and 
50.22 	operated by veterans.
50.23 	(b) The commissioner may award a contract for goods, services, or construction directly 
50.24 	to a veteran-owned small business without going through a competitive solicitation process 
50.25 	up to a total contract award value, including extension options, of $100,000.
50.26 	(c) The commissioner may designate a purchase of goods or services for award only to 
50.27 	a veteran-owned small business if the commissioner determines that at least three 
50.28 	veteran-owned small businesses are likely to respond to a solicitation.
50.29 	(d) The commissioner, as a condition of awarding a construction contract or approving 
50.30 	a contract for professional or technical services, may set goals that require the prime 
50.31 	contractor to subcontract a portion of the contract to a veteran-owned small business. The 
50.32 	commissioner must establish a procedure for granting waivers from the subcontracting 
50.33 	requirement when qualified veteran-owned small businesses are not reasonably available. 
51.1 	The commissioner may establish financial incentives for prime contractors who exceed the 
51.2 	goals for use of veteran-owned small business subcontractors and financial penalties for 
51.3 	prime contractors who fail to meet goals under this paragraph. The subcontracting 
51.4 	requirements of this paragraph do not apply to prime contractors who are veteran-owned 
51.5 	small businesses.
51.6 	(e) The purpose of this designation is to facilitate the transition of veterans from military 
51.7 	to civilian life, and to help compensate veterans for their sacrifices, including but not limited 
51.8 	to their sacrifice of health and time, to the state and nation during their military service, as 
51.9 	well as to enhance economic development within Minnesota.
51.10 	(f) Before the commissioner certifies that a small business is majority-owned and operated 
51.11 	by a veteran, the commissioner of veterans affairs must verify that the owner of the small 
51.12 	business is a veteran, as defined in section 197.447.

51.13 	Sec. 50. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 16C.16, subdivision 7, is amended to read:
51.14 		Subd. 7.Economically disadvantaged areas. (a) The commissioner may award up to 
51.15 	a 12 percent preference on state procurement to small businesses located in an economically 
51.16 	disadvantaged area.
51.17 	(b) The commissioner may award a contract for goods, services, or construction directly 
51.18 	to a small business located in an economically disadvantaged area without going through 
51.19 	a competitive solicitation process up to a total contract award value, including extension 
51.20 	options, of $100,000.
51.21 	(c) The commissioner may designate a purchase of goods or services for award only to 
51.22 	a small business located in an economically disadvantaged area if the commissioner 
51.23 	determines that at least three small businesses located in an economically disadvantaged 
51.24 	area are likely to respond to a solicitation.
51.25 	(d) The commissioner, as a condition of awarding a construction contract or approving 
51.26 	a contract for professional or technical services, may set goals that require the prime 
51.27 	contractor to subcontract a portion of the contract to a small business located in an 
51.28 	economically disadvantaged area. The commissioner must establish a procedure for granting 
51.29 	waivers from the subcontracting requirement when qualified small businesses located in an 
51.30 	economically disadvantaged area are not reasonably available. The commissioner may 
51.31 	establish financial incentives for prime contractors who exceed the goals for use of 
51.32 	subcontractors that are small businesses located in an economically disadvantaged area and 
51.33 	financial penalties for prime contractors who fail to meet goals under this paragraph. The 
52.1 	subcontracting requirements of this paragraph do not apply to prime contractors who are 
52.2 	small businesses located in an economically disadvantaged area.
52.3 	(e) A business is located in an economically disadvantaged area if:
52.4 	(1) the owner resides in or the business is located in a county in which the median income 
52.5 	for married couples is less than 70 percent of the state median income for married couples;
52.6 	(2) the owner resides in or the business is located in an area designated a labor surplus 
52.7 	area by the United States Department of Labor; or
52.8 	(3) the business is a certified rehabilitation facility or extended employment provider as 
52.9 	described in chapter 268A.
52.10 	(f) The commissioner may designate one or more areas designated as targeted 
52.11 	neighborhoods under section 469.202 or as border city enterprise zones under section 
52.12 	469.166 as economically disadvantaged areas for purposes of this subdivision if the 
52.13 	commissioner determines that this designation would further the purposes of this section. 
52.14 	If the owner of a small business resides or is employed in a designated area, the small 
52.15 	business is eligible for any preference provided under this subdivision.
52.16 	(g) The Department of Revenue shall gather data necessary to make the determinations 
52.17 	required by paragraph (e), clause (1), and shall annually certify counties that qualify under 
52.18 	paragraph (e), clause (1). An area designated a labor surplus area retains that status for 120 
52.19 	days after certified small businesses in the area are notified of the termination of the 
52.20 	designation by the United States Department of Labor.

52.21 	Sec. 51. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 16D.09, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
52.22 		Subdivision 1.Generally. (a) When a debt is determined by a state agency to be 
52.23 	uncollectible, the debt may be written off by the state agency from the state agency's financial 
52.24 	accounting records and no longer recognized as an account receivable for financial reporting 
52.25 	purposes. A debt is considered to be uncollectible when (1) all reasonable collection efforts 
52.26 	have been exhausted, (2) the cost of further collection action will exceed the amount 
52.27 	recoverable, (3) the debt is legally without merit or cannot be substantiated by evidence, 
52.28 	(4) the debtor cannot be located, (5) the available assets or income, current or anticipated, 
52.29 	that may be available for payment of the debt are insufficient, (6) the debt has been 
52.30 	discharged in bankruptcy, (7) the applicable statute of limitations for collection of the debt 
52.31 	has expired, or (8) it is not in the public interest to pursue collection of the debt.
52.32 	(b) Uncollectible debt must be reported by the state agency as part of its quarterly reports 
52.33 	to the commissioner of management and budget. The basis for the determination of the 
53.1 	uncollectibility of the debt must be maintained by the state agency. If an uncollectible debt 
53.2 	equals or exceeds $100,000, the agency shall notify the chairs and ranking minority members 
53.3 	of the legislative committees with jurisdiction over the state agency's budget at the time the 
53.4 	debt is determined to be uncollectible. The information reported shall contain the entity 
53.5 	associated with the uncollected debt, the amount of the debt, the revenue type, the reason 
53.6 	the debt is considered uncollectible, and the duration the debt has been outstanding. The 
53.7 	commissioner of management and budget shall report to the chairs and ranking minority 
53.8 	members of the legislative committees with jurisdiction over Minnesota Management and 
53.9 	Budget an annual summary of the number and dollar amount of debts determined to be 
53.10 	uncollectible during the previous fiscal year by October 31 November 30 of each year. 
53.11 	Determining that the debt is uncollectible does not cancel the legal obligation of the debtor 
53.12 	to pay the debt.

53.13 	Sec. 52. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 43A.27, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
53.14 		Subd. 3.Retired employees. (a) A person may elect to purchase at personal expense 
53.15 	individual and dependent hospital, medical, and dental coverages if the person is:
53.16 	(1) a retired employee of the state or an organization listed in subdivision 2 or section 
53.17 	43A.24, subdivision 2, who, at separation of service:
53.18 	(i) is immediately eligible to receive a retirement benefit under chapter 354B or an 
53.19 	annuity under a retirement program sponsored by the state or such organization of the state;
53.20 	(ii) immediately meets the age and service requirements in section 352.115, subdivision 
53.21 	1; and
53.22 	(iii) has five years of service or meets the service requirement of the collective bargaining 
53.23 	agreement or plan, whichever is greater; or
53.24 	(2) a retired employee of the state who is at least 50 years of age and has at least 15 
53.25 	years of state service.
53.26 	(b) The commissioner shall offer at least one plan which is actuarially equivalent to 
53.27 	those made available through collective bargaining agreements or plans established under 
53.28 	section 43A.18 to employees in positions equivalent to that from which retired.
53.29 	(c) A spouse of a person eligible under paragraph (a) may purchase the coverage listed 
53.30 	in this subdivision if the spouse was a dependent under the retired employee's coverage at 
53.31 	the time of the retiree's death.
54.1 	(d) A spouse of a person eligible under paragraph (a) who is a dependent under the 
54.2 	retired employee's coverage may purchase the coverage listed in this subdivision if the 
54.3 	retired employee loses eligibility for coverage because the retired employee enrolls in 
54.4 	medical assistance under chapter 256B and has a disability that meets the categorical 
54.5 	eligibility requirements of the Supplemental Security Income program.
54.6 	(d) (e) Coverages must be coordinated with relevant health insurance benefits provided 
54.7 	through the federally sponsored Medicare program. Until the retired employee reaches age 
54.8 	65, the retired employee and dependents must be pooled in the same group as active 
54.9 	employees for purposes of establishing premiums and coverage for hospital, medical, and 
54.10 	dental insurance. Coverage for retired employees and their dependents may not discriminate 
54.11 	on the basis of evidence of insurability or preexisting conditions unless identical conditions 
54.12 	are imposed on active employees in the group that the employee left. Appointing authorities 
54.13 	shall provide notice to employees no later than the effective date of their retirement of the 
54.14 	right to exercise the option provided in this subdivision. The retired employee must notify 
54.15 	the commissioner or designee of the commissioner within 30 days after the effective date 
54.16 	of the retirement of intent to exercise this option.

54.17 	Sec. 53. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 151.741, subdivision 5, is amended to read:
54.18 		Subd. 5.Insulin repayment account; annual transfer from health care access fund. (a) 
54.19 	The insulin repayment account is established in the special revenue fund in the state treasury. 
54.20 	Money in the account is appropriated each fiscal year to the commissioner of administration 
54.21 	to reimburse manufacturers for insulin dispensed under the insulin safety net program in 
54.22 	section 151.74, in accordance with section 151.74, subdivisions 3, paragraph (h), and 6, 
54.23 	paragraph (h), and to cover costs incurred by the commissioner in providing these 
54.24 	reimbursement payments.
54.25 	(b) By June 30, 2025, and each June 30 thereafter, the commissioner of administration 
54.26 	shall certify to the commissioner of management and budget the total amount expended in 
54.27 	the prior fiscal year for:
54.28 	(1) reimbursement to manufacturers for insulin dispensed under the insulin safety net 
54.29 	program in section 151.74, in accordance with section 151.74, subdivisions 3, paragraph 
54.30 	(h), and 6, paragraph (h); and
54.31 	(2) costs incurred by the commissioner of administration in providing the reimbursement 
54.32 	payments described in clause (1).
55.1 	(c) The commissioner of management and budget shall transfer from the health care 
55.2 	access fund to the special revenue fund insulin repayment account, beginning July 1, 2025, 
55.3 	and each July 1 thereafter, an amount equal to the amount to which the commissioner of 
55.4 	administration certified pursuant to paragraph (b).

55.5 	Sec. 54. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 181.931, is amended by adding a subdivision 
55.6 	to read:
55.7 		Subd. 3a.Fraud. "Fraud" means an intentional or deceptive act, or failure to act, to gain 
55.8 	an unlawful benefit.

55.9 	Sec. 55. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 181.931, is amended by adding a subdivision 
55.10 	to read:
55.11 		Subd. 4a.Misuse. "Misuse" means the improper use of authority or position for personal 
55.12 	gain or to cause harm to others, including the improper use of public resources or programs 
55.13 	contrary to their intended purpose.

55.14 	Sec. 56. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 181.931, is amended by adding a subdivision 
55.15 	to read:
55.16 		Subd. 5a.Personal gain. "Personal gain" means a benefit to a person; a person's spouse, 
55.17 	parent, child, or other legal dependent; or an in-law of the person or the person's child.

55.18 	Sec. 57. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 181.932, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
55.19 		Subdivision 1.Prohibited action. An employer shall not discharge, discipline, penalize, 
55.20 	interfere with, threaten, restrain, coerce, or otherwise retaliate or discriminate against an 
55.21 	employee regarding the employee's compensation, terms, conditions, location, or privileges 
55.22 	of employment because:
55.23 	(1) the employee, or a person acting on behalf of an employee, in good faith, reports a 
55.24 	violation, suspected violation, or planned violation of any federal or state law or common 
55.25 	law or rule adopted pursuant to law to an employer or to any governmental body or law 
55.26 	enforcement official;
55.27 	(2) the employee is requested by a public body or office to participate in an investigation, 
55.28 	hearing, inquiry;
55.29 	(3) the employee refuses an employer's order to perform an action that the employee 
55.30 	has an objective basis in fact to believe violates any state or federal law or rule or regulation 
56.1 	adopted pursuant to law, and the employee informs the employer that the order is being 
56.2 	refused for that reason;
56.3 	(4) the employee, in good faith, reports a situation in which the quality of health care 
56.4 	services provided by a health care facility, organization, or health care provider violates a 
56.5 	standard established by federal or state law or a professionally recognized national clinical 
56.6 	or ethical standard and potentially places the public at risk of harm;
56.7 	(5) a public employee communicates the findings of a scientific or technical study that 
56.8 	the employee, in good faith, believes to be truthful and accurate, including reports to a 
56.9 	governmental body or law enforcement official; or
56.10 	(6) an employee in the classified service of state governmenta state employee
56.11 	communicates information that the employee, in good faith, believes to be truthful and 
56.12 	accurate, and that relates to state services, including the financing of state services programs, 
56.13 	services, or financing, including but not limited to fraud or misuse within state programs, 
56.14 	services, or financing, to:
56.15 	(i) a legislator or the legislative auditor; or
56.16 	(ii) a constitutional officer.;
56.17 	(iii) an employer;
56.18 	(iv) any governmental body; or
56.19 	(v) a law enforcement official.
56.20 	The disclosures protected pursuant to this section do not authorize the disclosure of data 
56.21 	otherwise protected by law.

56.22 	Sec. 58. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 240.131, subdivision 7, is amended to read:
56.23 		Subd. 7.Payments to state. (a) A regulatory fee is imposed at the rate of one two percent 
56.24 	of all amounts wagered by Minnesota residents with an authorized advance deposit wagering 
56.25 	provider. The fee shall be declared on a form prescribed by the commission. The ADW 
56.26 	provider must pay the fee to the commission no more than 15 days after the end of the month 
56.27 	in which the wager was made. Fees collected under this paragraph must be deposited in the 
56.28 	state treasury and credited to a racing and card-playing regulation account in the special 
56.29 	revenue fund and are appropriated to the commission to offset the costs incurred by the 
56.30 	commission as described in section 240.30, subdivision 9, or the costs associated with 
56.31 	regulating horse racing and pari-mutuel wagering in Minnesota.
57.1 	(b) A breeders fund fee is imposed in the amount of one-quarter of one percent of all 
57.2 	amounts wagered by Minnesota residents with an authorized advance deposit wagering 
57.3 	provider. The fee shall be declared on a form prescribed by the commission. The ADW 
57.4 	provider must pay the fee to the commission no more than 15 days after the end of the month 
57.5 	in which the wager was made. Fees collected under this paragraph must be deposited in the 
57.6 	state treasury and credited to a racing and card-playing regulation account in the special 
57.7 	revenue fund and are appropriated to the commission to offset the cost of administering the 
57.8 	breeders fund, to support racehorse adoption, retirement, and repurposing, and promote 
57.9 	horse breeding in Minnesota.

57.10 	Sec. 59. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 349A.01, is amended by adding a subdivision 
57.11 	to read:
57.12 		Subd. 13a.Responsible lottery official.  "Responsible lottery official" means an officer, 
57.13 	director, or owner of an organization, firm, partnership, or corporation that have oversight 
57.14 	of lottery ticket sales.

57.15 	Sec. 60. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 349A.06, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
57.16 		Subd. 2.Qualifications. (a) The director may not contract with a retailer sole proprietor 
57.17 	to be a lottery retailer who:
57.18 	(1) is under the age of 18;
57.19 	(2) is in business solely as a seller of lottery tickets;
57.20 	(3) owes $500 or more in delinquent taxes as defined in section 270C.72;
57.21 	(4) has been convicted within the previous five years of a felony or gross misdemeanor, 
57.22 	any crime involving fraud or misrepresentation, or a gambling-related offense in any 
57.23 	jurisdiction in the United States;
57.24 	(5) is a member of the immediate family, residing in the same household, as the director 
57.25 	or any employee of the lottery;
57.26 	(6) in the director's judgment does not have the financial stability or responsibility to 
57.27 	act as a lottery retailer, or whose contracting as a lottery retailer would adversely affect the 
57.28 	public health, welfare, and safety, or endanger the security and integrity of the lottery; or
57.29 	(7) is a currency exchange, as defined in section 53A.01.
57.30 	A contract entered into before August 1, 1990, which violates clause (7) may continue 
57.31 	in effect until its expiration but may not be renewed.
58.1 	(b) The director may not contract with an organization, firm, partnership, or corporation 
58.2 	to be a lottery retailer that:
58.3 	(1) has a responsible lottery official who: (i) is under the age of 18; (ii) owes $500 or 
58.4 	more in delinquent taxes as defined in section 270C.72; or (iii) has been convicted within 
58.5 	the previous five years of a felony or gross misdemeanor, any crime involving fraud or 
58.6 	misrepresentation, or a gambling-related offense in any jurisdiction in the United States;
58.7 	(2) An organization, firm, partnership, or corporation that has a stockholder who owns 
58.8 	more than five percent of the business or the stock of the corporation, a responsible lottery 
58.9 	official, an officer, or a director, that does not meet the requirements of paragraph (a), clause 
58.10 	(4), is not eligible to be a lottery retailer under this section who is a member of the immediate 
58.11 	family of, or resides in the same household as, the director or any employee of the lottery;
58.12 	(3) is in business solely as a seller of lottery tickets;
58.13 	(4) in the director's judgment does not have the financial stability or responsibility to 
58.14 	act as a lottery retailer, or whose contracting as a lottery retailer would adversely affect 
58.15 	public health, welfare, and safety, or endanger the security and integrity of the lottery; or
58.16 	(5) is a currency exchange, as defined in section 53A.01.
58.17 	(c) The restrictions under paragraph (a), clause (4), do not apply to an organization, 
58.18 	partnership, or corporation if the director determines that the organization, partnership, or 
58.19 	firm has terminated its relationship with the individual whose actions directly contributed 
58.20 	to the disqualification under this subdivision.

58.21 	Sec. 61. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 349A.06, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
58.22 		Subd. 4.Criminal history. The director may request the director of alcohol and gambling 
58.23 	enforcement to investigate all applicants for lottery retailer contracts to determine their 
58.24 	compliance with the requirements of subdivision 2.
58.25 	(a) Upon the director's request, an applicant for a lottery retailer contract must submit a 
58.26 	completed criminal history records check consent form, a full set of classifiable fingerprints, 
58.27 	and required fees to the director or the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension. Upon receipt of 
58.28 	the information, the director must submit the completed criminal history records check 
58.29 	consent form, full set of classifiable fingerprints, and required fees to the Bureau of Criminal 
58.30 	Apprehension.
58.31 	(b) After receiving the information, the bureau must conduct a Minnesota criminal history 
58.32 	records check of the individual. The bureau is authorized to exchange the fingerprints with 
59.1 	the Federal Bureau of Investigation to obtain the applicant's national criminal history record 
59.2 	information. The bureau must return the results of the Minnesota and national criminal 
59.3 	history records checks to the director to determine the individual's compliance with the 
59.4 	requirements of subdivision 2.
59.5 	(c) The director must request a Minnesota and national criminal history records check 
59.6 	for any sole proprietor or responsible lottery official that applies to be a lottery retailer and 
59.7 	(1) has not undergone a check under this section within the past seven years, or (2) has had 
59.8 	any lapse in a contract to sell lottery tickets.
59.9 	(d) The director may issue a temporary contract, valid for not more than 90 days, to an 
59.10 	applicant pending the completion of the investigation or a final determination of qualifications 
59.11 	under this section. The director has access to all criminal history data compiled by the 
59.12 	director of alcohol and gambling enforcement Bureau of Criminal Apprehension on (1) any 
59.13 	person holding or applying for a retailer contract, (2) any person holding a lottery vendor 
59.14 	contract or who has submitted a bid on such a contract, and (3) any person applying for 
59.15 	employment with the lottery.

59.16 	Sec. 62. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 349A.06, subdivision 11, is amended to read:
59.17 		Subd. 11.Cancellation, suspension, and refusal to renew contracts or locations. (a) 
59.18 	The director shall cancel the contract of any lottery retailer or prohibit a lottery retailer from 
59.19 	selling lottery tickets at a business location who:
59.20 	(1) hasis a sole proprietor or has a responsible lottery official who has been convicted 
59.21 	of a felony or gross misdemeanor in any jurisdiction in the United States;
59.22 	(2) hasis a sole proprietor or has a responsible lottery official who has committed fraud, 
59.23 	misrepresentation, or deceit any crime involving fraud or misrepresentation, or a 
59.24 	gambling-related offense in any jurisdiction in the United States;
59.25 	(3) has provided false or misleading information to the lottery; or
59.26 	(4) has acted in a manner prejudicial to public confidence in the integrity of the lottery.
59.27 	(b) The director may cancel, suspend, or refuse to renew the contract of any lottery 
59.28 	retailer or prohibit a lottery retailer from selling lottery tickets at a business location who:
59.29 	(1) changes business location;
59.30 	(2) fails to account for lottery tickets received or the proceeds from tickets sold;
59.31 	(3) fails to remit funds to the director in accordance with the director's rules;
60.1 	(4) violates a law or a rule or order of the director;
60.2 	(5) fails to comply with any of the terms in the lottery retailer's contract;
60.3 	(6) fails to file a bond, securities, or a letter of credit as required under subdivision 3;
60.4 	(7) in the opinion of the director fails to maintain a sufficient sales volume to justify 
60.5 	continuation as a lottery retailer; or
60.6 	(8) has violated section 340A.503, subdivision 2, clause (1), two or more times within 
60.7 	a two-year period.
60.8 	(c) The director may also cancel, suspend, or refuse to renew a lottery retailer's contract 
60.9 	or prohibit a lottery retailer from selling lottery tickets at a business location if there is a 
60.10 	material change in any of the factors considered by the director under subdivision 2.
60.11 	(d) A contract cancellation, suspension, refusal to renew, or prohibiting a lottery retailer 
60.12 	from selling lottery tickets at a business location under this subdivision is a contested case 
60.13 	under sections 14.57 to 14.69 and is in addition to any criminal penalties provided for a 
60.14 	violation of law or rule.
60.15 	(e) The director may temporarily suspend a contract or temporarily prohibit a lottery 
60.16 	retailer from selling lottery tickets at a business location without notice for any of the reasons 
60.17 	specified in this subdivision provided that a hearing is conducted within seven days after a 
60.18 	request for a hearing is made by a lottery retailer. Within 20 days after receiving the 
60.19 	administrative law judge's report, the director shall issue an order vacating the temporary 
60.20 	suspension or prohibition or making any other appropriate order. If no hearing is requested 
60.21 	within 30 days of the temporary suspension or prohibition taking effect, the suspension or 
60.22 	prohibition becomes permanent unless the director vacates or modifies the order.

60.23 	Sec. 63. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 471.6985, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
60.24 		Subd. 2.If $350,000 $750,000 sales, audited statement. Any city operating a municipal 
60.25 	liquor store with total annual sales in excess of $350,000 $750,000, as adjusted for inflation 
60.26 	annually by the state auditor using the implicit price deflator for state and local expenditures 
60.27 	published by the United States Department of Commerce, shall submit to the state auditor 
60.28 	audited financial statements produced in conformity with generally accepted accounting 
60.29 	principles for the liquor store that have been attested to by a certified public accountant or 
60.30 	the state auditor within 180 days after the close of the fiscal year, except that the state auditor 
60.31 	may extend the deadline upon request of a city and a showing of inability to conform. The 
60.32 	state auditor may accept this report in lieu of the report required by subdivision 1.

61.1 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.

61.2 	Sec. 64. 2025 COMPENSATION COUNCIL REVIVED.
 61.3 	The Compensation Council appointed under Minnesota Statutes, section 15A.082, in 
61.4 	2025 is revived on June 1, 2026, and expires upon the council's submission of judicial salary 
61.5 	recommendations in accordance with Minnesota Statutes, section 15A.082, subdivision 3, 
61.6 	paragraph (a), as amended in section 27.

61.7 	Sec. 65. OPEN POSITIONS REPORT.
 61.8 	The commissioner of management and budget must report the number of posted executive 
61.9 	branch job openings that have gone unfilled for at least six months. The commissioner's 
61.10 	report must identify such openings by agency and job title, and identify which specific job 
61.11 	titles or classes take longest to fill on average and those that experience the most turnover. 
61.12 	No later than February 1, 2026, August 1, 2026, and February 1, 2027, the commissioner 
61.13 	must submit this report to the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative 
61.14 	committees with jurisdiction over state government finance and policy.

61.15 	Sec. 66. INTEGRATING APPLICATION INFORMATION AND A REFERRAL 
61.16 	PROCESS FOR THE TRANSIT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM ON THE MNBENEFITS 
61.17 	WEB PORTAL.
 61.18 	No later than June 30, 2026, the commissioner of children, youth, and families, in 
61.19 	consultation with Metro Transit and the commissioners of transportation, human services, 
61.20 	and Minnesota IT Services, must integrate application information and a referral process 
61.21 	for the transit assistance program administered by Metro Transit into the MNbenefits web 
61.22 	portal. Metro Transit and the Metropolitan Council must continue to process applications 
61.23 	for the transit assistance program after application information and a referral process are 
61.24 	integrated into the MNbenefits web portal.

61.25 	Sec. 67. STATUE REPLACEMENT.
 61.26 	The commissioner of administration may accept private funds, submit a request to the 
61.27 	Joint Committee on the Library of Congress, and erect a new statue in Statuary Hall in the 
61.28 	United States Capitol, including removing an existing statue from Statuary Hall and 
61.29 	transporting it to Minnesota, recasting an existing statue in Minnesota, and transporting and 
61.30 	installing the new statue in Statuary Hall. All money accepted by the commissioner under 
61.31 	this section must be deposited in a dedicated account in the special revenue fund and is 
62.1 	appropriated to the commissioner for purposes of this section. The account expires on 
62.2 	January 1, 2028, with any money remaining in the account at that time appropriated to the 
62.3 	State Arts Board for purposes of the programs and activities authorized under Minnesota 
62.4 	Statutes, chapter 129D.

62.5 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day after the chief clerk of the house 
62.6 	of representatives and the secretary of the senate jointly notify the revisor of statutes and 
62.7 	the commissioner of administration that the state has satisfied the requirements for a statue 
62.8 	replacement request under United States Code, title 2, chapter 30, section 2132.

62.9 	Sec. 68. REVISOR INSTRUCTION.
 62.10 	The revisor of statutes shall change the term "Office of Administrative Hearings" to 
62.11 	"Court of Administrative Hearings" wherever the term appears in Minnesota Statutes. The 
62.12 	revisor of statutes shall also change the term "office" to "court" wherever the term "office" 
62.13 	appears and refers to the Office of Administrative Hearings in Minnesota Statutes.

62.14 	Sec. 69. REPEALER.
 62.15 		Subdivision 1.Legislative commissions. (a) Minnesota Statutes 2024, sections 3.8842; 
62.16 	and 3.8845, are repealed.
62.17 	(b) Laws 2019, First Special Session chapter 3, article 2, section 34, as amended by 
62.18 	Laws 2020, chapter 100, section 22; and Laws 2022, chapter 50, article 3, section 2, are 
62.19 	repealed.
62.20 		Subd. 2.Employee gainsharing. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 16A.90, is repealed.
62.21 		Subd. 3.Department of Administration. Minnesota Statutes 2024, sections 16B.328, 
62.22 	subdivision 2; and 16C.36, are repealed.
62.23 		Subd. 4.Advisory Council on Infrastructure. Minnesota Statutes 2024, sections 
62.24 	16B.356; 16B.357; 16B.358; and 16B.359, are repealed.
62.25 		Subd. 5.Office of the Legislative Auditor. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 16B.45,
62.26 	is repealed.
62.27 		Subd. 6.Political and campaign provisions. Minnesota Statutes 2024, sections 211B.06; 
62.28 	and 211B.08, are repealed.

63.1 	ARTICLE 3
63.2 	STATE PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT

63.3 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 43A.01, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
63.4 		Subd. 3.Equitable compensation relationships. It is the policy of this state to attempt
63.5 	to establish equitable compensation relationships between female-dominated, 
63.6 	male-dominated, and balanced classes of employees in the executive branch. Compensation 
63.7 	relationships are equitable within the meaning of this subdivision when the primary 
63.8 	consideration in negotiating, establishing, recommending, and approving total compensation 
63.9 	is comparability of the value of the work in relationship to other positions classifications
63.10 	in the executive branch.

63.11 	Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 43A.02, subdivision 14, is amended to read:
63.12 		Subd. 14.Commissioner's Nonrepresented employees compensation
63.13 	plan. "Commissioner's Nonrepresented employees compensation plan" means the plan 
63.14 	required by section 3.855 regarding total compensation and terms and conditions of 
63.15 	employment, including grievance administration, for employees of the executive branch 
63.16 	who are not otherwise provided for in this chapter or other law.

63.17 	Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 43A.04, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
63.18 		Subdivision 1.Statewide leadership. (a) The commissioner is the chief personnel and 
63.19 	labor relations manager of the civil service in the executive branch.
63.20 	Whenever any power or responsibility is given to the commissioner by any provision 
63.21 	of this chapter, unless otherwise expressly provided, the power or authority applies to all 
63.22 	employees of agencies in the executive branch and to employees in classified positions in 
63.23 	the Office of the Legislative Auditor, the Minnesota State Retirement System, the Public 
63.24 	Employees Retirement Association, and the Teacher's Retirement Association. Unless 
63.25 	otherwise provided by law, the power or authority does not apply to unclassified employees 
63.26 	in the legislative and judicial branches.
63.27 	(b) The commissioner shall operate an information system from which personnel data, 
63.28 	as defined in section 13.43, concerning employees and applicants for positions in the 
63.29 	classified service can be retrieved.
63.30 	The commissioner has access to all public and private personnel data kept by appointing 
63.31 	authorities that will aid in the discharge of the commissioner's duties.
64.1 	(c) The commissioner may consider and investigate any matters concerned with the 
64.2 	administration of provisions of this chapter, and may order any remedial actions consistent 
64.3 	with law. The commissioner, at the request of an agency, shall provide assistance in employee 
64.4 	misconduct investigations. Upon request of the appointing authority, the commissioner may 
64.5 	issue determinations on personnel matters regarding board-appointed executive directors 
64.6 	or leaders. The commissioner shall have the right to assess from the requesting agency, any 
64.7 	costs incurred while assisting the agency in the employee misconduct investigation. Money 
64.8 	received by the commissioner under this paragraph is appropriated to the commissioner for 
64.9 	purposes of this paragraph.
64.10 	(d) The commissioner may assess or establish and collect premiums from all state entities 
64.11 	to cover the costs of programs under sections section15.46and 176.603.

64.12 	Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 43A.04, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
64.13 		Subd. 4.Administrative procedures. The commissioner shall develop administrative 
64.14 	procedures, which are not subject to the rulemaking provisions of the Administrative 
64.15 	Procedure Act, to effect provisions of chapter 43A which do not directly affect the rights 
64.16 	of or processes available to the general public. The commissioner may also adopt 
64.17 	administrative procedures, not subject to the Administrative Procedure Act, which concern 
64.18 	topics affecting the general public if those procedures concern only the internal management 
64.19 	of the department or other agencies and if those elements of the topics which affect the 
64.20 	general public are the subject of department rules.
64.21 	Administrative procedures shall be reproduced and made available for comment in 
64.22 	accessible digital formats under section 16E.03 to agencies, employees, and appropriate 
64.23 	exclusive representatives certified pursuant to sections 179A.01 to 179A.25, for at least 15 
64.24 	days prior to implementation and shall include but are not limited to:
64.25 	(1) maintenance and administration of a plan of classification for all positions in the 
64.26 	classified service and for comparisons of unclassified positions with positions in the classified 
64.27 	service;
64.28 	(2) procedures for administration of collective bargaining agreements and plans 
64.29 	established pursuant to section 43A.18 concerning total compensation and the terms and 
64.30 	conditions of employment for employees;
64.31 	(3) procedures for effecting all personnel actions internal to the state service such as 
64.32 	processes and requirements for agencies to publicize job openings and consider applicants 
65.1 	who are referred or nominate themselves apply, conduct of selection procedures limited to 
65.2 	employees, noncompetitive and qualifying appointments of employees and leaves of absence;
65.3 	(4) maintenance and administration of employee performance appraisal, training and 
65.4 	other programs; and
65.5 	(5) procedures for pilots of the reengineered employee selection process. Employment 
65.6 	provisions of this chapter, associated personnel rules adopted under subdivision 3, and 
65.7 	administrative procedures established under clauses (1) and (3) may be waived for the 
65.8 	purposes of these pilots. The pilots may affect the rights of and processes available to 
65.9 	members of the general public seeking employment in the classified service. The 
65.10 	commissioner will provide public notice of any pilot directly affecting the rights of and 
65.11 	processes available to the general public and make the administrative procedures available 
65.12 	for comment to the general public, agencies, employees, and appropriate exclusive 
65.13 	representatives certified pursuant to sections 179A.01 to 179A.25 for at least 30 days prior 
65.14 	to implementation. The commissioner must publish the public notice in an accessible digital 
65.15 	format under section 16E.03. The commissioner must provide a comment process that allows 
65.16 	the public to submit comments through multiple formats to ensure accessibility. These 
65.17 	formats must include telephone, digital content, and email.

65.18 	Sec. 5. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 43A.04, subdivision 8, is amended to read:
65.19 		Subd. 8.Donation of time. Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, the commissioner 
65.20 	shall authorize the appointing authority to permit the donation of up to eight hours of 
65.21 	accumulated vacation time in each year by each employee who is a member of law 
65.22 	enforcement unit number 1, 18, or 19 to their union representative for the purpose of carrying 
65.23 	out the duties of office.

65.24 	Sec. 6. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 43A.05, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
65.25 		Subd. 3.Commissioner's Nonrepresented employees compensation plan. The 
65.26 	commissioner shall periodically develop and establish pursuant to this chapter a 
65.27 	commissioner's nonrepresented employees compensation plan. The commissioner shall 
65.28 	submit the plan to the Legislative Coordinating Commission.

65.29 	Sec. 7. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 43A.08, subdivision 1a, is amended to read:
65.30 		Subd. 1a.Additional unclassified positions. Appointing authorities for the following 
65.31 	agencies may designate additional unclassified positions according to this subdivision: the 
65.32 	Departments of Administration; Agriculture; Children, Youth, and Families; Commerce; 
66.1 	Corrections; Education; Employment and Economic Development; Explore Minnesota 
66.2 	Tourism; Management and Budget; Health; Human Rights; Human Services; Labor and 
66.3 	Industry; Natural Resources; Public Safety; Revenue; Transportation; and Veterans Affairs; 
66.4 	the Housing Finance and Pollution Control Agencies; the State Lottery; the State Board of 
66.5 	Investment; the Office of Administrative Hearings; the Department of Information 
66.6 	Technology Services; an agency, including the Offices of the Attorney General, Secretary 
66.7 	of State, and State Auditor; the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities; the Minnesota 
66.8 	Office of Higher Education; the Perpich Center for Arts Education; Direct Care and 
66.9 	Treatment; the Minnesota Zoological Board; and the Office of Emergency Medical Services, 
66.10 	may designate additional unclassified positions.
66.11 	A position designated by an appointing authority according to this subdivision must 
66.12 	meet the following standards and criteria:
66.13 	(1) the designation of the position would not be contrary to other law relating specifically 
66.14 	to that agency;
66.15 	(2) the person occupying the position would report directly to the agency head or deputy 
66.16 	agency head and would be designated as part of the agency head's management team;
66.17 	(3) the duties of the position would involve significant discretion and substantial 
66.18 	involvement in the development, interpretation, and implementation of agency policy;
66.19 	(4) the duties of the position would not require primarily personnel, accounting, or other 
66.20 	technical expertise where continuity in the position would be important;
66.21 	(5) there would be a need for the person occupying the position to be accountable to, 
66.22 	loyal to, and compatible with, the governor and the agency head, the employing statutory 
66.23 	board or commission, or the employing constitutional officer;
66.24 	(6) the position would be at the level of division or bureau director or assistant to the 
66.25 	agency head; and
66.26 	(7) the commissioner has approved the designation as being consistent with the standards 
66.27 	and criteria in this subdivision.

66.28 	Sec. 8. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 43A.08, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
66.29 		Subd. 4.Length of service for student workers. A person may notonly be employed 
66.30 	as a student worker in the unclassified service under subdivision 1 for more than 36 months. 
66.31 	Employment at a school that a student attends is not counted for purposes of this 36-month 
66.32 	limit. Student workers in the Minnesota Department of Transportation SEEDS program 
67.1 	who are actively involved in a four-year degree program preparing for a professional career 
67.2 	job in the Minnesota Department of Transportation may be employed as a student worker 
67.3 	for up to 48 months if they are enrolled in secondary, postsecondary, or graduate study.

67.4 	Sec. 9. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 43A.11, subdivision 9, is amended to read:
67.5 		Subd. 9.Rejection Nonselection; explanation. If the appointing authority rejectsdoes 
67.6 	not select a member of the finalist pool who has claimed veteran's preference, the appointing 
67.7 	authority shall notify the finalist in writing of the reasons for the rejection.

67.8 	Sec. 10. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 43A.121, is amended to read:
67.9 	43A.121 RANKING OF THE APPLICANT POOL.
67.10 	Applicants referred from a layoff list shall be ranked as provided in the collective 
67.11 	bargaining agreement or plan established under section 43A.18, under which the layoff list 
67.12 	was established. All other names in an applicant pool shall be ranked according to the 
67.13 	veteran's preference provisions of section 43A.11, subdivision 7, and then in descending 
67.14 	order of the number of skill matches for the vacant position. If any ties in rank remain, those 
67.15 	names shall appear in alphabetical order.

67.16 	Sec. 11. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 43A.15, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
67.17 		Subd. 4.Provisional appointments. The commissioner may authorize an appointing 
67.18 	authority to make a provisional appointment if no applicant is suitable or available for 
67.19 	appointment and the person to be provisionally appointed is qualified in all respects except 
67.20 	for completion of a licensure or certification requirement.
67.21 	No person shall be employed on a provisional basis for more than six months unless the 
67.22 	commissioner grants an extension to a maximum of 12 months in the best interest of the 
67.23 	state. No extension may be granted beyond 12 months except where there is a lack of 
67.24 	applicants and the provisional appointee is continuing to work to complete the licensure or 
67.25 	certification requirement.
67.26 	At the request of an appointing authority, the commissioner may authorize the 
67.27 	probationary appointment of a provisional appointee who has performed satisfactorily for 
67.28 	at least 60 days and has completed the licensure or certification requirement.

68.1 	Sec. 12. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 43A.15, subdivision 7, is amended to read:
68.2 		Subd. 7.Appointments for unclassified incumbents of newly classified positions. The 
68.3 	commissioner may authorize the probationary appointment of an incumbent who has passed 
68.4 	a qualifying selection process and who has served at least one year in an unclassified position 
68.5 	which has been placed in the classified service by proper authority.

68.6 	Sec. 13. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 43A.15, subdivision 12, is amended to read:
68.7 		Subd. 12.Work-training Trainee appointments. The commissioner may authorize 
68.8 	the probationary appointment of persons who successfully complete on-the-job state training 
68.9 	programs which that have been approved by the commissioner.

68.10 	Sec. 14. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 43A.15, subdivision 14, is amended to read:
68.11 		Subd. 14.700-hour on-the-job demonstration experience. (a) The commissioner shall 
68.12 	consult with the Department of Employment and Economic Development's Vocational 
68.13 	Rehabilitation Services and State Services for the Blind and other disability experts in 
68.14 	establishing, reviewing, and modifying the qualifying procedures for applicants whose 
68.15 	disabilities are of such a significant nature that the applicants are unable to demonstrate 
68.16 	their abilities in the selection process. The qualifying procedures must consist of up to 700 
68.17 	hours of on-the-job demonstration experience. The 700-hour on-the-job demonstration 
68.18 	experience is an alternative, noncompetitive hiring process for qualified applicants with 
68.19 	disabilities. All permanent executive branch classified positions are eligible for a 700-hour 
68.20 	on-the-job demonstration experience, and all permanent classified job postings must provide 
68.21 	information regarding the on-the-job demonstration overview and certification process.
68.22 	(b) The commissioner may shall authorize the probationary appointment of an applicant 
68.23 	based on the request of the appointing authority that documents that the applicant has 
68.24 	successfully demonstrated qualifications for the position through completion of an on-the-job 
68.25 	demonstration experience. A qualified applicant should shall be converted to permanent,
68.26 	probationary appointments at the point in the 700-hour on-the-job experience when the 
68.27 	applicant has demonstrated the ability to perform the essential functions of the job with or 
68.28 	without reasonable accommodation. The implementation of this subdivision may not be 
68.29 	deemed a violation of chapter 43A or 363A.
68.30 	(c) The commissioner and the ADA and disability employment director, described in 
68.31 	section 43A.19, subdivision 1, paragraph (e), are responsible for the administration and 
68.32 	oversight of the 700-hour on-the-job demonstration experience, including the establishment 
68.33 	of policies and procedures, data collection and reporting requirements, and compliance.
69.1 	(d) The commissioner or the commissioner's designee shall design and implement a 
69.2 	training curriculum for the 700-hour on-the-job demonstration experience. All executive 
69.3 	leaders, managers, supervisors, human resources professionals, affirmative action officers, 
69.4 	and ADA coordinators must receive annual training on the program.
69.5 	(e) The commissioner or the commissioner's designee shall develop, administer, and 
69.6 	make public a formal grievance process for individuals in the 700-hour on-the-job 
69.7 	demonstration experience under this subdivision and supported work customized employment
69.8 	program under section 43A.421, subdivision 2.
69.9 	(f) An appointing authority must make reasonable accommodations in response to a 
69.10 	request from an applicant with a disability, including providing accommodations in a timely 
69.11 	manner during the application and hiring process and throughout the 700-hour on-the-job 
69.12 	demonstration experience. Requirements for accessibility for public records under section 
69.13 	363A.42, continuing education under section 363A.43, and technology under section 16E.03, 
69.14 	subdivision 2, clauses (3) and (9), apply to an agency filling an appointment during the 
69.15 	application and hiring process and through the on-the-job demonstration experience period.

69.16 	Sec. 15. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 43A.17, subdivision 5, is amended to read:
69.17 		Subd. 5.Salary on demotion; special cases. The commissioner may, upon request of 
69.18 	an appointing authority, approve payment of an employee with permanent status at a salary 
69.19 	rate above the maximum of the class to which the employee is demoted. The commissioner 
69.20 	shall take such action as required by collective bargaining agreements or plans pursuant to 
69.21 	section 43A.18. If the action is justified by the employee's long or outstanding service, 
69.22 	exceptional or technical qualifications, age, health, or substantial changes in work assignment 
69.23 	beyond the control of the employee, the commissioner may approve a rate up to and including 
69.24 	the employee's salary immediately prior to demotion. Thereafter, so long as the employee 
69.25 	remains in the same position, the employee shall not be eligible to receive any increase in 
69.26 	salary until the employee's salary is within the range of the class to which the employee's 
69.27 	position is allocated unless such increases are specifically provided in collective bargaining 
69.28 	agreements or plans pursuant to section 43A.18.

69.29 	Sec. 16. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 43A.18, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
69.30 		Subd. 2.Commissioner's Nonrepresented employees compensation plan. Except as 
69.31 	provided in section 43A.01, the compensation, terms and conditions of employment for all 
69.32 	classified and unclassified employees, except unclassified employees in the legislative and 
69.33 	judicial branches, who are not covered by a collective bargaining agreement and not otherwise 
70.1 	provided for in chapter 43A or other law are governed solely by a plan developed by the 
70.2 	commissioner. The Legislative Coordinating Commission shall review the plan under section 
70.3 	3.855, subdivision 2. The plan need not be adopted in accordance with the rulemaking 
70.4 	provisions of chapter 14.

70.5 	Sec. 17. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 43A.181, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
70.6 		Subdivision 1.Donation of vacation time. A state employee may donate up to 12 hours 
70.7 	of accrued vacation time in any fiscal year to the account established by subdivision 2 for 
70.8 	the benefit of another state employee. The employee must notify the employee's agency 
70.9 	head of the amount of accrued vacation time the employee wishes to donate and the name 
70.10 	of the other state employee who is to benefit from the donation. The agency head shall 
70.11 	determine the monetary value of the donated time, using the gross salary of the employee 
70.12 	making the donation. The agency head shall transfer that amount, less deductions for 
70.13 	applicable taxes and retirement contributions, to the account established by subdivision 2.
70.14 	A donation of accrued vacation time is irrevocable once its monetary value has been 
70.15 	transferred to the account.

70.16 	Sec. 18. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 43A.1815, is amended to read:
70.17 	43A.1815 VACATION DONATION TO SICK LEAVE ACCOUNT.
70.18 	(a) In addition to donations under section 43A.181, a state employee may donate a total 
70.19 	of up to 40 hours of accrued vacation leave each fiscal year to the sick leave account of one 
70.20 	or more state employees. A state employee may not be paid for more than 80 hours in a 
70.21 	payroll period during which the employee uses sick leave credited to the employee's account 
70.22 	as a result of a transfer from another state employee's vacation account.
70.23 	(b) At retirement, eligible state employees may donate additional accumulated vacation 
70.24 	hours in excess of their vacation payout at time of retirement, into a general pool, even if 
70.25 	they already have donated 40 hours.
70.26 	(b) (c) The recipient employee must receive donations, as available, for a life-threatening 
70.27 	condition of the employee or spouse or dependent child that prevents the employee from 
70.28 	working. A recipient may use program donations retroactively to when all forms of paid 
70.29 	leave are exhausted if the employee has sufficient donations to cover the period of 
70.30 	retroactivity. A recipient who receives program donations under this section may use up to 
70.31 	80 hours of program donations after the death of a spouse or dependent child.
71.1 	(c) (d) An applicant for benefits under this section who receives an unfavorable 
71.2 	determination may select a designee to consult with the commissioner or commissioner's 
71.3 	designee on the reasons for the determination.
71.4 	(d) (e) The commissioner shall establish procedures under section 43A.04, subdivision 
71.5 	4, for eligibility, duration of need based on individual cases, monitoring and evaluation of 
71.6 	individual eligibility status, and other topics related to administration of this program.

71.7 	Sec. 19. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 43A.19, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
71.8 		Subdivision 1.Statewide affirmative action program. (a) To assure that positions in 
71.9 	the executive branch of the civil service are equally accessible to all qualified persons, and 
71.10 	to eliminate the effects of past and present discrimination, intended or unintended, on the 
71.11 	basis of protected group status, the commissioner shall adopt and periodically revise, if 
71.12 	necessary, a statewide affirmative action program. The statewide affirmative action program 
71.13 	must consist of at least the following:
71.14 	(1) objectives, goals, and policies;
71.15 	(2) procedures, standards, and assumptions to be used by agencies in the preparation of 
71.16 	agency affirmative action plans, including methods by which goals and timetables are 
71.17 	established;
71.18 	(3) the analysis of separation patterns to determine the impact on protected group 
71.19 	members; and
71.20 	(4) requirements for annual objectives and submission of affirmative action progress 
71.21 	reports from heads of agencies.
71.22 	Agency heads must report the data in clause (3) to the state Director of Recruitment, 
71.23 	Retention and Affirmative Action and the state ADA coordinator, in addition to being 
71.24 	available to anyone upon request. The commissioner must annually post the aggregate and 
71.25 	agency-level reports under clause (4) on the agency's website.
71.26 	(b) The commissioner shall establish statewide affirmative action goals for each of the 
71.27 	federal Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) occupational categories applicable to state 
71.28 	employment, using at least the following factors:
71.29 	(1) the percentage of members of each protected class in the recruiting area population 
71.30 	who have the necessary skills; and
71.31 	(2) the availability for promotion or transfer of current employees who are members of 
71.32 	protected classes.
72.1 	(c) The commissioner may use any of the following factors in addition to the factors 
72.2 	required under paragraph (b):
72.3 	(1) the extent of unemployment of members of protected classes in the recruiting area 
72.4 	population;
72.5 	(2) the existence of training programs in needed skill areas offered by employing agencies 
72.6 	and other institutions; and
72.7 	(3) the expected number of available positions to be filled.
72.8 	(d) The commissioner shall designate a state director of diversity and equal employment 
72.9 	opportunity who may be delegated the preparation, revision, implementation, and 
72.10 	administration of the program. The commissioner of management and budget may place 
72.11 	the director's position in the unclassified service if the position meets the criteria established 
72.12 	in section 43A.08, subdivision 1a.
72.13 	(e) The commissioner shall designate a statewide ADA and disability employment 
72.14 	director. The commissioner may delegate the preparation, revision, implementation, 
72.15 	evaluation, and administration of the program to the director. The director must administer 
72.16 	the 700-hour on-the-job demonstration experience under the supported work customized 
72.17 	employment program and disabled veteran's employment programs. The ADA and disability 
72.18 	employment director shall have education, knowledge, and skills in disability policy, 
72.19 	employment, and the ADA. The commissioner may place the director's position in the 
72.20 	unclassified service if the position meets the criteria established in section 43A.08, 
72.21 	subdivision 1a.
72.22 	(f) Agency affirmative action plans, including reports and progress, must be posted on 
72.23 	the agency's public and internal websites within 30 days of being approved. The 
72.24 	commissioner of management and budget shall post a link to all executive branch 
72.25 	agency-approved affirmative action plans on its public website. Accessible copies of the 
72.26 	affirmative action plan must be available to all employees and members of the general public 
72.27 	upon request.

72.28 	Sec. 20. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 43A.23, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
72.29 		Subdivision 1.General. (a) The commissioner is authorized to request proposals or to 
72.30 	negotiate and to enter into contracts with parties which in the judgment of the commissioner 
72.31 	are best qualified to provide service to the benefit plans. Contracts entered into are not 
72.32 	subject to the requirements of sections 16C.16 to 16C.19. The commissioner may negotiate 
72.33 	premium rates and coverage. The commissioner shall consider the cost of the plans, 
73.1 	conversion options relating to the contracts, service capabilities, character, financial position, 
73.2 	and reputation of the carriers, and any other factors which that the commissioner deems 
73.3 	appropriate. Each benefit contract must be for a uniform term of at least one year, but may 
73.4 	be made automatically renewable from term to term in the absence of notice of termination 
73.5 	by either party. A carrier licensed under chapter 62A is exempt from the taxes imposed by 
73.6 	chapter 297I on premiums paid to it by the state.
73.7 	(b) All self-insured hospital and medical service products must comply with coverage 
73.8 	mandates, data reporting, and consumer protection requirements applicable to the licensed 
73.9 	carrier administering the product, had the product been insured, including chapters 62J, 
73.10 	62M, and 62Q. Any self-insured products that limit coverage to a network of providers or 
73.11 	provide different levels of coverage between network and nonnetwork providers shall comply 
73.12 	with section 62D.123 and geographic access standards for health maintenance organizations 
73.13 	adopted by the commissioner of health in rule under chapter 62D.
73.14 	(c) Notwithstanding paragraph (b), a self-insured hospital and medical product offered 
73.15 	under sections 43A.22 to 43A.30 is required to extend dependent coverage to an eligible 
73.16 	employee's child to the full extent required under chapters 62A and 62L. Dependent child 
73.17 	coverage must, at a minimum, extend to an eligible employee's dependent child to the 
73.18 	limiting age as defined in section 62Q.01, subdivision 2a, disabled children to the extent 
73.19 	required in sections 62A.14 and 62A.141, and dependent grandchildren to the extent required 
73.20 	in sections 62A.042 and 62A.302.
73.21 	(d) Beginning January 1, 2010, the health insurance benefit plans offered in the 
73.22 	commissioner's nonrepresented employees compensation plan under section 43A.18, 
73.23 	subdivision 2, and the managerial plan under section 43A.18, subdivision 3, must include 
73.24 	an option for a health plan that is compatible with the definition of a high-deductible health 
73.25 	plan in section 223 of the United States Internal Revenue Code.

73.26 	Sec. 21. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 43A.23, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
73.27 		Subd. 2.Contract to contain statement of benefits. (a) Each contract under sections 
73.28 	43A.22 to 43A.30 shall contain a detailed statement of benefits offered and shall include 
73.29 	any maximums, limitations, exclusions, and other definitions of benefits the commissioner 
73.30 	deems necessary or desirable. Each hospital and medical benefits contract shall provide 
73.31 	benefits at least equal to those required by section 62E.06, subdivision 2.
73.32 	(b) All summaries of benefits describing the hospital and medical service benefits offered 
73.33 	to state employees must comply with laws and rules for content and clarity applicable to 
73.34 	the licensed carrier administering the product. Referral procedures must be clearly described. 
74.1 	The commissioners of commerce and health, as appropriate, shall may review the summaries 
74.2 	of benefits, whether written or electronic, and advise the commissioner on any changes 
74.3 	needed to ensure compliance.

74.4 	Sec. 22. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 43A.24, subdivision 1a, is amended to read:
74.5 		Subd. 1a.Opt out. (a) An individual eligible for state-paid hospital, medical, and dental 
74.6 	benefits under this section has the right to decline those benefits, provided the individual 
74.7 	declining the benefits can prove health insurance coverage from another source. Any 
74.8 	individual declining benefits must do so in writing, signed and dated, on a form provided 
74.9 	by the commissioner.
74.10 	(b) The commissioner must create, and make available in hard copy and online a form 
74.11 	for individuals to use in declining state-paid hospital, medical, and dental benefits. The form 
74.12 	must, at a minimum, include notice to the declining individual of the next available 
74.13 	opportunity and procedure to re-enroll in the benefits.
74.14 	(c) No later than January 15 of each year, the commissioner of management and budget 
74.15 	must provide a report to the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative 
74.16 	committees with jurisdiction over state government finance on the number of employees 
74.17 	choosing to opt-out of state employee group insurance coverage under this section. The 
74.18 	report must provide itemized statistics, by agency, and include the total amount of savings 
74.19 	accrued to each agency resulting from the opt-outs.

74.20 	Sec. 23. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 43A.24, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
74.21 		Subd. 2.Other eligible persons. The following persons are eligible for state paid life 
74.22 	insurance and hospital, medical, and dental benefits as determined in applicable collective 
74.23 	bargaining agreements or by the commissioner or by plans pursuant to section 43A.18, 
74.24 	subdivision 6, or by the Board of Regents for employees of the University of Minnesota 
74.25 	not covered by collective bargaining agreements. Coverages made available, including 
74.26 	optional coverages, are as contained in the plan established pursuant to section 43A.18, 
74.27 	subdivision 2:
74.28 	(1) a member of the state legislature, provided that changes in benefits resulting in 
74.29 	increased costs to the state shall not be effective until expiration of the term of the members 
74.30 	of the existing house of representatives. An eligible member of the state legislature may 
74.31 	decline to be enrolled for state paid coverages by filing a written waiver with the 
74.32 	commissioner. The waiver shall not prohibit the member from enrolling the member or 
74.33 	dependents for optional coverages, without cost to the state, as provided for in section 
75.1 	43A.26. A member of the state legislature who returns from a leave of absence to a position 
75.2 	previously occupied in the civil service shall be eligible to receive the life insurance and 
75.3 	hospital, medical, and dental benefits to which the position is entitled;
75.4 	(2) an employee of the legislature or an employee of a permanent study or interim 
75.5 	committee or commission or a state employee on leave of absence to work for the legislature, 
75.6 	during a regular or special legislative session, as determined by the Legislative Coordinating 
75.7 	Commission;
75.8 	(3) a judge of the appellate courts or an officer or employee of these courts; a judge of 
75.9 	the district court, a judge of county court, or a judge of county municipal court; a district 
75.10 	court referee, judicial officer, court reporter, or law clerk; a district administrator; an 
75.11 	employee of the Office of the District Administrator that is not in the Second or Fourth 
75.12 	Judicial District; a court administrator or employee of the court administrator in a judicial 
75.13 	district under section 480.181, subdivision 1, paragraph (b), and a guardian ad litem program 
75.14 	employee;
75.15 	(4) a salaried employee of the Public Employees Retirement Association;
75.16 	(5) a full-time military or civilian officer or employee in the unclassified service of the 
75.17 	Department of Military Affairs whose salary is paid from state funds;
75.18 	(6) an employee of the Minnesota Historical Society, whether paid from state funds or 
75.19 	otherwise, who is not a member of the governing board;
75.20 	(7) an employee of the regents of the University of Minnesota;
75.21 	(8) (7) notwithstanding section 43A.27, subdivision 3, an employee of the state of 
75.22 	Minnesota or the regents of the University of Minnesota who is at least 60 and not yet 65 
75.23 	years of age on July 1, 1982, who is otherwise eligible for employee and dependent insurance 
75.24 	and benefits pursuant to section 43A.18 or other law, who has at least 20 years of service 
75.25 	and retires, earlier than required, within 60 days of March 23, 1982; or an employee who 
75.26 	is at least 60 and not yet 65 years of age on July 1, 1982, who has at least 20 years of state 
75.27 	service and retires, earlier than required, from employment at Rochester state hospital after 
75.28 	July 1, 1981; or an employee who is at least 55 and not yet 65 years of age on July 1, 1982, 
75.29 	and is covered by the Minnesota State Retirement System correctional employee retirement 
75.30 	plan or the State Patrol retirement fund, who has at least 20 years of state service and retires, 
75.31 	earlier than required, within 60 days of March 23, 1982. For purposes of this clause, a person 
75.32 	retires when the person terminates active employment in state or University of Minnesota 
75.33 	service and applies for a retirement annuity. Eligibility shall cease when the retired employee 
75.34 	attains the age of 65, or when the employee chooses not to receive the annuity that the 
76.1 	employee has applied for. The retired employee shall be eligible for coverages to which the 
76.2 	employee was entitled at the time of retirement, subject to any changes in coverage through 
76.3 	collective bargaining or plans established pursuant to section 43A.18, for employees in 
76.4 	positions equivalent to that from which retired, provided that the retired employee shall not 
76.5 	be eligible for state-paid life insurance. Coverages shall be coordinated with relevant health 
76.6 	insurance benefits provided through the federally sponsored Medicare program;
76.7 	(9) (8) an employee of an agency of the state of Minnesota identified through the process 
76.8 	provided in this paragraph who is eligible to retire prior to age 65. The commissioner and 
76.9 	the exclusive representative of state employees shall enter into agreements under section 
76.10 	179A.22 to identify employees whose positions are in programs that are being permanently 
76.11 	eliminated or reduced due to federal or state policies or practices. Failure to reach agreement 
76.12 	identifying these employees is not subject to impasse procedures provided in chapter 179A. 
76.13 	The commissioner must prepare a plan identifying eligible employees not covered by a 
76.14 	collective bargaining agreement in accordance with the process outlined in section 43A.18, 
76.15 	subdivisions 2 and 3. For purposes of this paragraph, a person retires when the person 
76.16 	terminates active employment in state service and applies for a retirement annuity. Eligibility 
76.17 	ends as provided in the agreement or plan, but must cease at the end of the month in which 
76.18 	the retired employee chooses not to receive an annuity, or the employee is eligible for 
76.19 	employer-paid health insurance from a new employer. The retired employees shall be eligible 
76.20 	for coverages to which they were entitled at the time of retirement, subject to any changes 
76.21 	in coverage through collective bargaining or plans established under section 43A.18 for 
76.22 	employees in positions equivalent to that from which they retired, provided that the retired 
76.23 	employees shall not be eligible for state-paid life insurance;
76.24 	(10) (9) employees of the state Board of Public Defense, with eligibility determined by 
76.25 	the state Board of Public Defense in consultation with the commissioner of management 
76.26 	and budget; and
76.27 	(11) (10) employees of supporting organizations of Enterprise Minnesota, Inc., established 
76.28 	after July 1, 2003, under section 116O.05, subdivision 4, as paid for by the supporting 
76.29 	organization.

76.30 	Sec. 24. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 43A.27, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
76.31 		Subd. 2.Elective eligibility. The following persons, if not otherwise covered by section 
76.32 	43A.24, may elect coverage for themselves or their dependents at their own expense:
76.33 	(1) a state employee, including persons on layoff from a civil service position as provided 
76.34 	in collective bargaining agreements or a plan established pursuant to section 43A.18;
77.1 	(2) an employee of the Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota, including 
77.2 	persons on layoff, as provided in collective bargaining agreements or by the Board of 
77.3 	Regents;
77.4 	(3) (2) an officer or employee of the State Agricultural Society, Center for Rural Policy 
77.5 	and Development, Agricultural Utilization Research Institute, State Horticultural Society, 
77.6 	Sibley House Association, Minnesota Humanities Center, Minnesota Area Industry Labor 
77.7 	Management Councils, Minnesota International Center, Minnesota Academy of Science, 
77.8 	Science Museum of Minnesota, Minnesota Safety Council, state Office of Disabled American 
77.9 	Veterans, state Office of the American Legion and its auxiliary, state Office of Veterans of 
77.10 	Foreign Wars and its auxiliary, or state Office of the Military Order of the Purple Heart;
77.11 	(4) (3) a civilian employee of the adjutant general who is paid from federal funds and 
77.12 	who is not eligible for benefits from any federal civilian employee group life insurance or 
77.13 	health benefits program;
77.14 	(5) (4) an officer or employee of the State Capitol Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union 
77.15 	or the Highway Credit Union; and
77.16 	(6) (5) an employee of the joint underwriting association pursuant to section 62I.121 or 
77.17 	Minnesota FAIR plan pursuant to section 65A.35, subdivision 5, unless the commissioner 
77.18 	determines that making these employees eligible to purchase this coverage would cause the 
77.19 	state employee group insurance program to lose its status as a governmental plan or would 
77.20 	cause the program to be treated as a multiemployer welfare arrangement.

77.21 	Sec. 25. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 43A.33, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
77.22 		Subd. 3.Procedures. (a) Procedures for discipline and discharge of employees covered 
77.23 	by collective bargaining agreements shall be governed by the agreements. Procedures for 
77.24 	employees not covered by a collective bargaining agreement shall be governed by this 
77.25 	subdivision and by the commissioner's and managerial plans.
77.26 	(b) For discharge, suspension without pay or demotion, no later than the effective date 
77.27 	of such action, a permanent classified employee not covered by a collective bargaining 
77.28 	agreement shall be given written notice by the appointing authority. The content of that 
77.29 	notice as well as the employee's right to reply to the appointing authority shall be as 
77.30 	prescribed in the grievance procedure contained in the applicable plan established pursuant 
77.31 	to section 43A.18. The notice shall also include a statement that the employee may elect to 
77.32 	appeal the action to the Bureau of Mediation Services within 30 calendar days following 
77.33 	the effective date of the disciplinary action. A copy of the notice and the employee's reply, 
78.1 	if any, shall be filed by the appointing authority with the commissioner no later than ten 
78.2 	calendar days following the effective date of the disciplinary action. The commissioner 
78.3 	shall have final authority to decide whether the appointing authority shall settle the dispute 
78.4 	prior to the hearing provided under this subdivision 4.
78.5 	(c) For discharge, suspension, or demotion of an employee serving an initial probationary 
78.6 	period, and for noncertification in any subsequent probationary period, grievance procedures 
78.7 	shall be as provided in the plan established pursuant to section 43A.18.
78.8 	(d) Within ten days of receipt of the employee's written notice of appeal, the commissioner 
78.9 	of the Bureau of Mediation Services shall provide both parties with a list of potential 
78.10 	arbitrators according to the rules of the Bureau of Mediation Services to hear the appeal. 
78.11 	The process of selecting the arbitrator from the list shall be determined by the plan.The 
78.12 	hearing shall be conducted pursuant to the rules of the Bureau of Mediation Services. If the 
78.13 	arbitrator finds, based on the hearing record, that the action appealed was not taken by the 
78.14 	appointing authority for just cause, the employee shall be reinstated to the position, or an 
78.15 	equal position in another division within the same agency, without loss of pay. If the arbitrator 
78.16 	finds that there exists sufficient grounds for institution of the appointing authority's action 
78.17 	but the hearing record establishes extenuating circumstances, the arbitrator may reinstate 
78.18 	the employee, with full, partial, or no pay, or may modify the appointing authority's action. 
78.19 	The appointing authority shall bear the costs of the arbitrator for hearings provided for in 
78.20 	this section.

78.21 	Sec. 26. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 43A.346, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
78.22 		Subd. 2.Eligibility. (a) This section applies to a terminated state employee who:
78.23 	(1) for at least the five years immediately preceding separation under clause clauses (2)
78.24 	and (3), was regularly scheduled to work 1,044 or more hours per year in a position covered 
78.25 	by a pension plan administered by the Minnesota State Retirement System or the Public 
78.26 	Employees Retirement Association;
78.27 	(2) terminated state or Metropolitan Council employment;
78.28 	(3) at the time of termination under clause (2), met the age and service requirements 
78.29 	necessary to receive an unreduced retirement annuity from the plan and satisfied requirements 
78.30 	for the commencement of the retirement annuity or, for a terminated employee under the 
78.31 	unclassified employees retirement plan, met the age and service requirements necessary to 
78.32 	receive an unreduced retirement annuity from the plan and satisfied requirements for the 
78.33 	commencement of the retirement annuity or elected a lump-sum payment; and
79.1 	(4) agrees to accept a postretirement option position with the same or a different 
79.2 	appointing authority, working a reduced schedule that is both (i) a reduction of at least 25 
79.3 	percent from the employee's number of previously regularly scheduled work hours; and (ii) 
79.4 	1,044 hours or less in state or Metropolitan Council service.
79.5 	(b) For purposes of this section, an unreduced retirement annuity includes a retirement 
79.6 	annuity computed under a provision of law which permits retirement, without application 
79.7 	of an earlier retirement reduction factor, whenever age plus years of allowable service total 
79.8 	at least 90.
79.9 	(c) For purposes of this section, as it applies to state employees who are members of the 
79.10 	Public Employees Retirement Association who are at least age 62, the length of separation 
79.11 	requirement and termination of service requirement prohibiting return to work agreements 
79.12 	under section 353.01, subdivisions 11a and 28, are not applicable.

79.13 	Sec. 27. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 43A.346, subdivision 6, is amended to read:
79.14 		Subd. 6.Duration. Postretirement option employment is for an initial period not to 
79.15 	exceed one year. During that period, the appointing authority may not modify the conditions 
79.16 	of employment specified in the written offer without the person's consent, except as required 
79.17 	by law or by the collective bargaining agreement or compensation plan applicable to the 
79.18 	person. At the end of the initial period, the appointing authority has sole discretion to 
79.19 	determine if the offer of a postretirement option position will be renewed, renewed with 
79.20 	modifications, or terminated. Postretirement option employment may be renewed for periods 
79.21 	of up to one year, not to exceed a total duration of five years. No person may be employed 
79.22 	in one or a combination of postretirement option positions under this section for a total of 
79.23 	more than five years.

79.24 	Sec. 28. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 43A.36, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
79.25 		Subdivision 1.Cooperation; state agencies. (a) The commissioner may delegate 
79.26 	administrative functions associated with the duties of the commissioner to appointing 
79.27 	authorities who have the capability to perform such functions when the commissioner 
79.28 	determines that it is in the best interests of the state civil service. The commissioner shall 
79.29 	consult with agencies and agencies shall cooperate as appropriate in implementation of this 
79.30 	chapter.
79.31 	(b) The commissioner, in conjunction with appointing authorities, shall analyze and 
79.32 	assess current and future human resource requirements of the civil service and coordinate 
79.33 	personnel actions throughout the civil service to meet the requirements. The commissioner 
80.1 	shall provide recruiting assistance and make the applicant database available to appointing 
80.2 	authorities to use in making appointments to positions in the unclassified service.
80.3 	(c) The head of each agency in the executive branch shall designate an agency personnel 
80.4 	officer. The agency personnel officer shall be accountable to the agency head for all personnel 
80.5 	functions prescribed by laws, rules, collective bargaining agreements, the commissioner 
80.6 	and the agency head. Except when otherwise prescribed by the agency head in a specific 
80.7 	instance, the personnel officer shall be assumed to be the authority accountable to the agency 
80.8 	head over any other officer or employee in the agency for personnel functions.
80.9 	(d) The head of each agency in the executive branch shall designate an affirmative action 
80.10 	officer who shall have primary responsibility for the administration of the agency's 
80.11 	affirmative action plan. The officer shall report directly to the head of the agency on 
80.12 	affirmative action matters.
80.13 	(e) Pursuant to section 43A.431, the head of each agency in the executive branch shall 
80.14 	designate an ADA coordinator who shall have primary responsibility for the administration 
80.15 	of ADA policies, procedures, trainings, requests, and arbitration. The coordinator shall 
80.16 	report directly to the commissioner agency head.

80.17 	Sec. 29. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 43A.421, is amended to read:
80.18 	43A.421 SUPPORTED WORK CUSTOMIZED EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM.
80.19 		Subdivision 1.Program established. Active positions within agencies of state 
80.20 	government may be selected for inclusion for a supported work program for persons with 
80.21 	significant disabilities. A full-time position may be shared by up to three persons with 
80.22 	significant disabilities and their job coach. The job coach is not a state employee within the 
80.23 	scope of section 43A.02, subdivision 21, or 179A.03, subdivision 14, unless the job coach 
80.24 	holds another position within the scope of section 43A.02, subdivision 21, or 179A.03, 
80.25 	subdivision 14. All classified supported work job postings need to link to the overview and 
80.26 	application process for the supported work program. The commissioner is responsible for 
80.27 	the establishment, administration, and oversight of a program providing customized 
80.28 	employment opportunities for individuals with significant disabilities as defined in United 
80.29 	States Code, title 29, section 705(21). Employees in the customized employment program 
80.30 	are appointed to a customized employment position by matching the skills offered by eligible 
80.31 	individuals to specific tasks and projects within agencies, rather than to an existing job 
80.32 	classification. When job coach services are necessary for the individuals employed through 
80.33 	this program, the job coach is not a state employee within the scope of section 43A.02, 
81.1 	subdivision 21, or 179A.03, subdivision 14, unless the job coach holds another position 
81.2 	within the scope of section 43A.02, subdivision 21, or 179A.03, subdivision 14.
81.3 		Subd. 2.Responsibilities Customized employment. (a) The commissioner is responsible 
81.4 	for the administration and oversight of the supported work customized employment program, 
81.5 	including the establishment of policies and procedures, eligibility, data collection and 
81.6 	reporting requirements, and compliance.
81.7 	(b) The commissioner or the commissioner's designee shall design and implement a 
81.8 	training curriculum for the supported work customized employment program. All executive 
81.9 	leaders, managers, supervisors, human resources professionals, affirmative action officers, 
81.10 	and Americans with Disabilities Act coordinators must receive annual training regarding 
81.11 	the program.
81.12 	(c) The commissioner or the commissioner's designee shall develop, administer, and 
81.13 	make public a formal grievance process for individuals in the program.

81.14 	Sec. 30. REPEALER.
 81.15 	Minnesota Statutes 2024, sections 43A.315; 43A.317, subdivisions 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 
81.16 	10, and 12; and 43A.318, subdivisions 1, 2, 4, and 5, are repealed.

81.17 	ARTICLE 4
81.18 	LICENSING BOARDS

81.19 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 155A.23, is amended by adding a subdivision 
81.20 	to read:
81.21 		Subd. 22.Textured hair. "Textured hair" is hair that is coiled, curly, or wavy.

81.22 	Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 155A.27, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
81.23 		Subd. 2.Qualifications. (a) Qualifications for licensing in each classification shall be 
81.24 	determined by the board and established by rule, and shall include educational and 
81.25 	experiential prerequisites.
81.26 	(b) A person applying for an individual license to practice as a cosmetologist, hair 
81.27 	technician, manager, or instructor must: (1) successfully complete training on the properties 
81.28 	of the hair and all hair types and textures, including coil, curl, or wave patterns, hair strand 
81.29 	thicknesses, and volumes of hair; and (2) have experience providing services to individuals 
81.30 	with hair of all types and textures, including coil, curl, or wave patterns, hair strand 
81.31 	thicknesses, and volumes of hair.
82.1 	(c) (b) The rules shall require a demonstrated knowledge of procedures necessary to 
82.2 	protect the health and safety of the practitioner and the consumer of cosmetology services, 
82.3 	including but not limited to infection control, use of implements, apparatuses and other 
82.4 	appliances, and the use of chemicals.

82.5 	Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 155A.2705, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
82.6 		Subd. 3.Training. Hair technician training must be completed at a Minnesota-licensed 
82.7 	cosmetology school. The training must consist of 900 hours of coursework and planned 
82.8 	clinical instruction and experience that includes:
82.9 	(1) the first 300 hours of the hair technology course that includes:
82.10 	(i) student orientation;
82.11 	(ii) preclinical instruction in the theory of sciences, including:
82.12 	(A) muscle and bone structure and function;
82.13 	(B) properties of the hair, a study of all hair types and textures, including coil, curl, or 
82.14 	wave patterns, hair strand thicknesses, and volumes of hair, and scalp;
82.15 	(C) disorders and diseases of the hair and scalp;
82.16 	(D) chemistry as related to hair technology; and
82.17 	(E) electricity and light related to the practice of hair technology;
82.18 	(iii) theory and preclinical instruction on client and service safety prior to students 
82.19 	offering services;
82.20 	(iv) introductory service skills that are limited to the observation of an instructor 
82.21 	demonstration, student use of mannequins, or student-to-student application of basic services 
82.22 	related to hair technology;
82.23 	(v) Minnesota statutes and rules pertaining to the regulation of hair technology;
82.24 	(vi) health and safety instruction that includes:
82.25 	(A) chemical safety;
82.26 	(B) safety data sheets;
82.27 	(C) personal protective equipment (PPE);
82.28 	(D) hazardous substances; and
82.29 	(E) laws and regulations related to health and public safety; and
83.1 	(vii) infection control to protect the health and safety of the public and technician that 
83.2 	includes:
83.3 	(A) disinfectants;
83.4 	(B) disinfectant procedures;
83.5 	(C) cleaning and disinfection;
83.6 	(D) single use items;
83.7 	(E) storage of tools, implements, and linens; and
83.8 	(F) other implements and equipment used in salons and schools;
83.9 	(2) 300 hours in hair cutting and styling that includes hair and scalp analysis; providing 
83.10 	services to individuals who have all hair types and textures, including coil, curl, or wave 
83.11 	patterns, hair strand thicknesses, and volumes of hair; cleaning;, scalp and hair conditioning;,
83.12 	hair design and shaping;, drying;, arranging;, curling;, dressing;, waving;, and nonchemical 
83.13 	straightening; and
83.14 	(3) 300 hours in chemical hair services that includes hair and scalp analysis; providing 
83.15 	services to individuals with all hair types and textures, including coil, curl, or wave patterns, 
83.16 	hair strand thicknesses, and volumes of hair;, dying;, bleaching;, reactive chemicals;, keratin;,
83.17 	hair coloring;, permanent straightening;, permanent waving;, predisposition and strand 
83.18 	tests;, safety precautions;, chemical mixing;, color formulation;, and the use of dye removers.

83.19 	Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 155A.30, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
83.20 		Subd. 2.Standards. (a) Cosmetologist and hair technician course content must include 
83.21 	textured hair training that consists of theoretical and clinical instruction on working with 
83.22 	hair with various:
83.23 	(1) curl, coil, and wave patterns;
83.24 	(2) hair strand thicknesses; and
83.25 	(3) volumes.
83.26 	(b) The board shall by rule establish minimum standards of course content and length 
83.27 	specific to the educational preparation prerequisite to testing and licensing as cosmetologist, 
83.28 	esthetician, and nail technician.

84.1 	Sec. 5. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 326.05, is amended to read:
84.2 	326.05 QUALIFICATIONS OF BOARD MEMBERS.
84.3 	Each member of the board shall must be a resident of this state at the time of and 
84.4 	throughout the member's appointment. Each member except the public members shall must
84.5 	have been engaged in the practice of the relevant profession for at least ten five years and 
84.6 	shall have been in responsible charge of professional work requiring licensure as an architect, 
84.7 	engineer, land surveyor, landscape architect, or geoscientist, or certification as an interior 
84.8 	designer for at least five two years.

84.9 	Sec. 6. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 326.10, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
84.10 		Subdivision 1.Issuance.  The board shall on application therefor on a prescribed form, 
84.11 	and upon payment of a fee prescribed by rule of the board, issue a license or certificate as 
84.12 	an architect, engineer, land surveyor, landscape architect, geoscientist, or certified interior 
84.13 	designer. A separate fee shall be paid for each profession licensed.
84.14 	(1) To any person over 25 years of age, who is of good moral character and repute, who 
84.15 	complies with the Rules of Professional Conduct established in rules by the board and who 
84.16 	has the experience and educational qualifications which that the board by rule may prescribe.
84.17 	(2) To any person who holds an unexpired certificate of registration or license issued 
84.18 	by proper authority in the District of Columbia, any state or territory of the United States, 
84.19 	or any foreign country, in which the requirements for registration or licensure of architects, 
84.20 	engineers, land surveyors, landscape architects, geoscientists, or certified interior designers, 
84.21 	respectively, at the time of registration or licensure in the other jurisdiction, were equal, in 
84.22 	the opinion of the board, substantially equivalent as established in rules by the board to 
84.23 	those fixed by the board and by the laws of this state, and in which similar privileges are 
84.24 	extended to the holders of certificates of registration or licensure issued by this state. The 
84.25 	board may require such person to submit a certificate of technical qualification from the 
84.26 	National Council of Architectural Registration Boards in the case of an architect, from the 
84.27 	National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying in the case of an engineer, 
84.28 	from the Council of Landscape Architectural Registration Boards in the case of a landscape 
84.29 	architect, and from the National Council for Interior Design Qualification in the case of a 
84.30 	certified interior designer.

85.1 	Sec. 7. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 326.10, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
85.2 		Subd. 2.Examination. The board, or a committee of the board, may subject any applicant 
85.3 	for licensure or certification to such examinations as may be deemed necessary to establish 
85.4 	qualifications.
85.5 	In determining the qualifications of applicants, at least one member determining the 
85.6 	qualifications must be licensed or certified in the same profession as that being evaluated.
85.7 	An applicant for licensure or certification must provide evidence of passing the required 
85.8 	examinations as prescribed by the board in rules.

85.9 	Sec. 8. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 326.10, subdivision 10, is amended to read:
85.10 		Subd. 10.Temporary military license. The board shall establish a temporary license 
85.11 	in accordance with section 197.4552 for the practice of architecture, professional engineering, 
85.12 	geosciences, land surveying, landscape architecture, and interior design. The fee for the 
85.13 	temporary license under this subdivision for the practice of architecture, professional 
85.14 	engineering, geosciences, land surveying, landscape architecture, or interior design is $132
85.15 	$0.

85.16 	Sec. 9. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 326.111, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
85.17 		Subd. 3.Cease and desist orders. (a) The board, or the complaint committee if 
85.18 	authorized by the board, may issue and have served upon a person an order requiring the 
85.19 	person to cease and desist from the unauthorized practice of architecture, engineering, land 
85.20 	surveying, landscape architecture, geoscience, or the unauthorized use of the titles architect, 
85.21 	professional engineer, land surveyor, landscape architect, professional geologist, professional 
85.22 	soil scientist, certified interior designer, or violation of the statute, rule, or order. The order 
85.23 	shall be calculated to give reasonable notice of the rights of the person to request a hearing 
85.24 	and shall state the reasons for the entry of the order.
85.25 	(b) Service of the order is effective if the order is served on the person or counsel of 
85.26 	record personally or by certified mail to the most recent address provided to the board for 
85.27 	the person or counsel of record. Service of the order must be by first class United States 
85.28 	mail, including certified United States mail, or overnight express mail service with the 
85.29 	postage prepaid and addressed to the party at the party's last known address. Service by 
85.30 	United States mail, including certified mail, is complete upon placing the order in the mail 
85.31 	or otherwise delivering the order to the United States mail service. Service by overnight 
86.1 	express mail service is complete upon delivering the order to an authorized agent of the 
86.2 	express mail service.
86.3 	(c) Unless otherwise agreed by the board, or the complaint committee if authorized by 
86.4 	the board, and the person requesting the hearing, the hearing shall be held no later than 30 
86.5 	days after the request for the hearing is received by the board.
86.6 	(d) The administrative law judge shall issue a report within 30 days of the close of the 
86.7 	contested case hearing record, notwithstanding Minnesota Rules, part 1400.8100, subpart 
86.8 	3. Within 30 days after receiving the report and any exceptions to it, the board shall issue 
86.9 	a further order vacating, modifying, or making permanent the cease and desist orders as the 
86.10 	facts require.
86.11 	(e) If no hearing is requested within 30 days of service of the order, the order becomes 
86.12 	final and remains in effect until it is modified or vacated by the board.
86.13 	(f) If the person to whom a cease and desist order is issued fails to appear at the hearing 
86.14 	after being duly notified, the person is in default and the proceeding may be determined 
86.15 	against that person upon consideration of the cease and desist order, the allegations of which 
86.16 	may be considered to be true.

86.17 	Sec. 10. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 326.111, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
86.18 		Subd. 4.Actions against applicants and licensees. (a) The board may, by order, deny, 
86.19 	refuse to renew, suspend, temporarily suspend, or revoke the application, license, or 
86.20 	certification of a person; censure or reprimand that person; condition or limit the person's 
86.21 	practice; refuse to permit a person to sit for examination; or refuse to release the person's 
86.22 	examination grades if the board finds that the order is in the public interest and the applicant, 
86.23 	licensee, or certificate holder:
86.24 	(1) has violated a statute, rule, or order that the board has issued or is empowered to 
86.25 	enforce;
86.26 	(2) has engaged in conduct or acts that are fraudulent, deceptive, or dishonest whether 
86.27 	or not the conduct or acts relate to the practice of architecture, engineering, land surveying, 
86.28 	landscape architecture, geoscience, or certified interior design, providing that the fraudulent, 
86.29 	deceptive, or dishonest conduct or acts reflect adversely on the person's ability or fitness to 
86.30 	engage in the practice of architecture, engineering, land surveying, landscape architecture, 
86.31 	geoscience, or certified interior design;
86.32 	(3) has engaged in conduct or acts that are negligent or otherwise in violation of the 
86.33 	standards established by Minnesota Rules, chapters 1800 and 1805, where the conduct or 
87.1 	acts relate to the practice of architecture, engineering, land surveying, landscape architecture, 
87.2 	geoscience, or use of the title certified interior designer;
87.3 	(4) has been convicted of or has pled guilty or nolo contendere to a felony, an element 
87.4 	of which is dishonesty or fraud, whether or not the person admits guilt, or has been shown 
87.5 	to have engaged in acts or practices tending to show that the applicant or licensee is 
87.6 	incompetent or has engaged in conduct reflecting adversely on the person's ability or fitness 
87.7 	to engage in the practice of architecture, engineering, land surveying, landscape architecture, 
87.8 	geoscience, or use of the title certified interior designer;
87.9 	(5) employed fraud or deception in obtaining a certificate, license, renewal, or 
87.10 	reinstatement or in passing all or a portion of the examination;
87.11 	(6) has had the person's architecture, engineering, land surveying, landscape architecture, 
87.12 	geoscience, or interior design license, certificate, right to examine, or other similar authority 
87.13 	revoked, suspended, canceled, limited, or not renewed for cause in any state, commonwealth, 
87.14 	or territory of the United States, in the District of Columbia, or in any foreign country;
87.15 	(7) has had the person's right to practice before any federal, state, or other government 
87.16 	agency revoked, suspended, canceled, limited, or not renewed;
87.17 	(8) failed to meet any requirement for the issuance or renewal of the person's license or 
87.18 	certificate;
87.19 	(9) has attached the person's seal or signature to a plan, specification, report, plat, or 
87.20 	other architectural, engineering, land surveying, landscape architectural, geoscientific, or 
87.21 	interior design document not prepared by the person sealing or signing it or under that 
87.22 	person's direct supervision; or
87.23 	(10) with respect to temporary suspension orders, has committed an act, engaged in 
87.24 	conduct, or committed practices that may, or has in the opinion of the board, or the complaint 
87.25 	committee if authorized by the board, resulted in an immediate threat to the public.
87.26 	(b) In lieu of or in addition to any remedy provided in paragraph (a), the board may 
87.27 	require, as a condition of continued licensure, possession of certificate, termination of 
87.28 	suspension, reinstatement of license or certificate, examination, or release of examination 
87.29 	grades, that the person:
87.30 	(1) submit to a quality review of the person's ability, skills, or quality of work, conducted 
87.31 	in such fashion and by such persons, entity, or entities as the board may require including, 
87.32 	but not limited to, remedial education courses; and
88.1 	(2) complete to the satisfaction of the board such continuing professional education 
88.2 	courses as the board may specify by rule.
88.3 	(c) Service of the order is effective if the order is served on the licensee, certificate 
88.4 	holder, applicant, person, or counsel of record personally or by certified mail, to the most 
88.5 	recent address provided to the board for the licensee, certificate holder, applicant, person, 
88.6 	or counsel of record. must be by first class United States mail, including certified United 
88.7 	States mail, or overnight express mail service with the postage prepaid and addressed to the 
88.8 	party at the party's last known address. Service by United States mail, including certified 
88.9 	mail, is complete upon placing the order in the mail or otherwise delivering the order to the 
88.10 	United States mail service. Service by overnight express mail service is complete upon 
88.11 	delivering the order to an authorized agent of the express mail service. The order shall state 
88.12 	the reasons for the entry of the order.
88.13 	(d) All hearings required by this section shall be conducted in accordance with chapter 
88.14 	14, except with respect to temporary suspension orders, as provided for in subdivision 5, 
88.15 	paragraph (d).

88.16 	Sec. 11. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 326.111, subdivision 5, is amended to read:
88.17 		Subd. 5.Procedure for temporary suspension of license or certificate. (a) When the 
88.18 	board, or the complaint committee if authorized by the board, issues a temporary suspension 
88.19 	order, the suspension is in effect upon service of a written order on the licensee or counsel 
88.20 	of record, specifying the statute, rule, or order violated. The order remains in effect until 
88.21 	the board issues a final order in the matter after a hearing or upon agreement between the 
88.22 	board and the licensee.
88.23 	(b) Service of the order is effective if the order is served on the licensee or counsel of 
88.24 	record personally or by certified mail, to the most recent address provided to the board for 
88.25 	the licensee or counsel of record. must be by first class United States mail, including certified 
88.26 	United States mail, or overnight express mail service with postage prepaid and addressed 
88.27 	to the party at the party's last known address. Service by United States mail, including 
88.28 	certified mail, is complete upon placing the order in the mail or otherwise delivering the 
88.29 	order to the United States mail service. Service by overnight express mail service is complete 
88.30 	upon delivering the order to an authorized agent of the express mail service.
88.31 	(c) The order shall set forth the rights to a hearing contained in this subdivision and shall 
88.32 	state the reasons for the entry of the order.
89.1 	(d) Within ten days after service of the order, the licensee may request a hearing in 
89.2 	writing. The board shall hold a hearing before its own members within five working days 
89.3 	of receipt of a request for hearing on the sole issue of whether there is a reasonable basis 
89.4 	to continue, modify, or lift the temporary suspension. This hearing is not subject to chapter 
89.5 	14. Evidence presented by the board or the licensee shall be in affidavit form only. The 
89.6 	licensee or counsel of record may appear for oral argument.
89.7 	(e) Within five working days after the hearing, the board shall issue its order and, if the 
89.8 	suspension is continued, schedule a contested case hearing within 30 days after issuance of 
89.9 	the order. The administrative law judge shall issue a report within 30 days after closing of 
89.10 	the contested case hearing record, notwithstanding the provisions of Minnesota Rules, part 
89.11 	1400.8100, subpart 3. The board shall issue a final order within 30 days after receipt of that 
89.12 	report and any exceptions to it.

89.13 	Sec. 12. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 326.111, is amended by adding a subdivision 
89.14 	to read:
89.15 		Subd. 8.Actions against a person with a lapsed license or certificate. If a person's 
89.16 	license or certificate lapses; is surrendered, withdrawn, or terminated; or otherwise becomes 
89.17 	ineffective, the board may institute a proceeding against the person under this subdivision 
89.18 	within two years after the license or certificate was last effective and enter a revocation or 
89.19 	suspension order as of the last date on which the license or certificate was in effect or impose 
89.20 	a civil penalty as provided in subdivision 6.

89.21 	Sec. 13. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 326A.03, subdivision 6, is amended to read:
89.22 		Subd. 6.Certificate; required education and experience until July 1, 2030. (a) On 
89.23 	or after July 1, 2006, and before July 1, 2030, a person who has passed the examination 
89.24 	required in this section must be granted a certificate as a certified public accountant provided: 
89.25 	(1) the person certifies to the board that the person has completed at least 150 semester or 
89.26 	225 quarter hours at a college or university that is fully accredited by a recognized accrediting 
89.27 	agency listed with the United States Department of Education, or an equivalent accrediting 
89.28 	association, and has completed at least one year of experience of the type specified in 
89.29 	paragraph (b); (2) the board verifies the certifications; and (3) the person complies with 
89.30 	requirements for initial issuance of the certificate as a certified public accountant as 
89.31 	prescribed by the board by rule.
89.32 	(b) An applicant for initial issuance of a certificate under this subdivision shall show 
89.33 	that the applicant has had one year of experience. Acceptable experience includes providing 
90.1 	any type of service or advice involving the use of accounting, attest, compilation, 
90.2 	management advisory, financial advisory, tax, or consulting skills, as verified by a licensee 
90.3 	and meeting requirements prescribed by the board by rule. Acceptable experience may be 
90.4 	gained through employment in government, industry, academia, or public practice. 
90.5 	Experience as an auditor in the Office of the Legislative Auditor or State Auditor, as verified 
90.6 	by a licensee, shall be acceptable experience.
90.7 	(c) This subdivision expires July 1, 2030.

90.8 	Sec. 14. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 326A.03, is amended by adding a subdivision 
90.9 	to read:
90.10 		Subd. 6a.Certificate; required education and experience after June 30, 2030. (a) 
90.11 	On and after July 1, 2030, or during the transitional period as provided in subdivision 6b, 
90.12 	the board must grant a certificate as a certified public accountant to a person who has not 
90.13 	previously been certified and who has passed the examination required in this section if:
90.14 	(1) the person certifies to the board that the person has:
90.15 	(i) completed a master's degree at a college or university that is fully accredited by a 
90.16 	recognized accrediting agency listed with the United States Department of Education and 
90.17 	has completed at least one year of acceptable experience as described in paragraph (b); or
90.18 	(ii) earned a bachelor's or graduate degree from a college or university that is fully 
90.19 	accredited by a recognized accrediting agency listed with the United States Department of 
90.20 	Education and has completed at least two years of acceptable experience as described in 
90.21 	paragraph (b);
90.22 	(2) the board verifies the certification under clause (1); and
90.23 	(3) the person complies with requirements as prescribed by the board for an initial 
90.24 	certificate.
90.25 	(b) Acceptable experience includes providing any type of service or advice that involves 
90.26 	accounting, attestation, compilation, management advisement, financial advisement, tax, 
90.27 	or consulting, as verified by a licensee and meeting requirements prescribed by the board 
90.28 	by rule. Acceptable experience may be gained through employment in government, industry, 
90.29 	academia, or public practice. Experience as an auditor in the Office of the Legislative Auditor 
90.30 	or the Office of the State Auditor, as verified by a licensee, is acceptable experience.

91.1 	Sec. 15. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 326A.03, is amended by adding a subdivision 
91.2 	to read:
91.3 		Subd. 6b.Transitional period. (a) Until July 1, 2030, a person must be granted an initial 
91.4 	certificate as a certified public accountant if the person meets either:
91.5 	(1) all requirements under subdivision 6; or
91.6 	(2) all requirements under subdivision 6a.
91.7 	(b) This subdivision expires July 1, 2030.

91.8 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective January 1, 2026.

91.9 	Sec. 16. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 326A.14, is amended to read:
91.10 	326A.14 SUBSTANTIAL EQUIVALENCY MOBILITY.
91.11 		Subdivision 1.Requirements. (a) An individual whose principal place of business is 
91.12 	not in this state and who holds a valid license in good standing as a certified public accountant 
91.13 	from any state which, upon verification, is in substantial equivalence with the certified 
91.14 	public accountant licensure requirements of section 326A.03, subdivisions 3, 4, and 6, shall 
91.15 	be presumed to have qualifications substantially equivalent to this state's requirements and 
91.16 	shall have all the privileges of licensees of this state without the need to obtain a license., 
91.17 	if the person:
91.18 	(1) holds a valid certificate, license, or permit to practice as a certified public accountant 
91.19 	that was issued in another state and is in good standing to practice as a certified public 
91.20 	accountant in that state;
91.21 	(2) has a bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited postsecondary school with an 
91.22 	accounting concentration or equivalent as determined by the board by rule; and
91.23 	(3) has passed the Uniform CPA Examination.
91.24 	(b) Notwithstanding any contrary provision of this chapter, an individual who offers or 
91.25 	renders professional services, whether in person, by mail, telephone, or electronic means, 
91.26 	under this paragraph (a): (1) shall be granted practice privileges in this state; (2) is subject 
91.27 	to the requirements in paragraph (c); and (3) is not required to provide any notice or other 
91.28 	submission.
91.29 	(b) An individual whose principal place of business is not in this state and who holds a 
91.30 	valid license in good standing as a certified public accountant from any state whose certified 
91.31 	public accountant licensure qualifications, upon verification, are not substantially equivalent 
92.1 	with the licensure requirements of section 326A.03, subdivisions 3, 4, and 6, shall be 
92.2 	presumed to have qualifications substantially equivalent to this state's requirements and 
92.3 	shall have all the privileges of licensees of this state without the need to obtain a license if 
92.4 	the individual obtains verification, as specified in board rule, that the individual's 
92.5 	qualifications are substantially equivalent to the licensure requirements of section 326A.03, 
92.6 	subdivisions 3, 4, and 6. For purposes of this paragraph, any individual who passed the 
92.7 	Uniform CPA Examination and holds a valid license issued by any other state prior to 
92.8 	January 1, 2009, is exempt from the education requirement in section 326A.03, subdivision 
92.9 	6, paragraph (a), provided the individual meets the education requirement in section 326A.03, 
92.10 	subdivision 3. Notwithstanding any contrary provision of this chapter, an individual who 
92.11 	offers or renders professional services, whether in person, by mail, telephone, or electronic 
92.12 	means, under this paragraph: (1) shall, after the verification specified by adopted rules, be 
92.13 	granted practice privileges in this state; (2) is subject to the requirements in paragraph (c); 
92.14 	and (3) is not required to provide any notice or other submission.
92.15 	(c) An individual licensee of another state exercising the privilege afforded under this 
92.16 	section and the firm which employs that licensee are deemed to have consented, as a condition 
92.17 	of the grant of this privilege:
92.18 	(1) to the personal and subject matter jurisdiction and disciplinary authority of the board;
92.19 	(2) to comply with this chapter and the board's rules;
92.20 	(3) to the appointment of the state board that issued the license as the licensee's agent 
92.21 	upon whom process may be served in any action or proceeding by this board against the 
92.22 	licensee; and
92.23 	(4) to cease offering or rendering professional services in this state individually and on 
92.24 	behalf of a firm in the event the license issued by the state of the individual's principal place 
92.25 	of business is no longer valid or in good standing.
92.26 	(d) An individual who has been granted practice privileges under this section who 
92.27 	performs attest services as defined in section 326A.01, subdivision 2, clause (1), (4), or (5), 
92.28 	for any entity with its headquarters in this state, may only do so through a firm which has 
92.29 	obtained a permit under section 326A.05.
92.30 		Subd. 2.Use of title in another state. A licensee of this state offering or rendering 
92.31 	services or using the CPA title in another state is subject to the same disciplinary action in 
92.32 	this state for which the licensee would be subject to discipline for an act committed in the 
92.33 	other state. The board shall investigate any complaint made by the board of accountancy 
92.34 	of another state.

93.1 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.

93.2 	Sec. 17. REPEALER.
 93.3 	Minnesota Rules, part 1105.7900, item D, is repealed.

93.4 	ARTICLE 5
93.5 	BUSINESS FILING FRAUD AND DECEPTIVE MAILINGS

93.6 	Section 1. [5.60] LATE RENEWAL PENALTY.
93.7 		Subdivision 1.Late penalty. The secretary of state may require a person to pay a late 
93.8 	penalty of up to $40, as business needs require, when filing for renewal or reinstatement of 
93.9 	a business entity that the secretary of state has dissolved, terminated, or revoked due to 
93.10 	failure to file an annual renewal, or a business entity for which the secretary of state has 
93.11 	canceled a certificate of authority. The secretary of state must deposit all late penalty revenue 
93.12 	in the account created under subdivision 2. The late penalty is in addition to any other fee 
93.13 	or assessment provided by law.
93.14 		Subd. 2.Account; appropriation. The secretary of state fraud prevention and data 
93.15 	security account is created in the special revenue fund. Money in the account is appropriated 
93.16 	to the secretary of state to:
93.17 	(1) fulfill statutory and constitutional duties regarding fraud prevention and data privacy 
93.18 	and security, including but not limited to cyber security and the Minnesota Business Filing 
93.19 	Fraud Prevention Act under sections 300.70 to 300.78;
93.20 	(2) ensure the accuracy and completeness of documents that are permitted or required 
93.21 	under law to be filed with the secretary of state; and
93.22 	(3) enhance the secretary of state's information and telecommunications technology 
93.23 	systems and services.
93.24 		Subd. 3.Annual report. By February 15 each year, the secretary of state must submit 
93.25 	a report identifying the amount of revenue collected and outcomes achieved under this 
93.26 	section to the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees with 
93.27 	jurisdiction over state government finance and policy.

93.28 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2025, and applies to renewal or 
93.29 	reinstatement applications submitted on or after that date.

94.1 	Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 13.485, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
94.2 		Subdivision 1.Scope. The sections referred to in subdivisions 3 to 6 7 are codified 
94.3 	outside this chapter. Those sections classify corporation data as other than public, place 
94.4 	restrictions on access to government data, or involve data sharing.

94.5 	Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 13.485, is amended by adding a subdivision to 
94.6 	read:
94.7 		Subd. 7.Business fraud investigations. Government data related to investigations under 
94.8 	sections 300.70 to 300.78 are governed by section 300.78.

94.9 	Sec. 4. [300.70] CITATION AND DEFINITIONS.
94.10 		Subdivision 1.Citation. Sections 300.70 to 300.78 may be cited as the "Minnesota 
94.11 	Business Filing Fraud Prevention Act."
94.12 		Subd. 2.Definitions. (a) For purposes of sections 300.70 to 300.78, the following terms 
94.13 	have the meanings given.
94.14 	(b) "Complainant" means a person who (1) delivers a declaration of wrongful filing, and 
94.15 	(2) has a connection to the allegedly wrongful filing or the related business.
94.16 	(c) "Filer" means the person who has allegedly made a wrongful filing.
94.17 	(d) "Office" means the Office of the Secretary of State.

94.18 	Sec. 5. [300.71] DECLARATION OF WRONGFUL FILING.
94.19 		Subdivision 1.Form and contents of declaration. (a) A complainant may deliver a 
94.20 	declaration of wrongful filing to the office if the complainant believes that a document filed 
94.21 	under chapters 301 to 323A:
94.22 	(1) was not authorized to be filed; and
94.23 	(2) was filed with the intent to: (i) modify the ownership, registered agent, business 
94.24 	address, contact information, governance, or other information of a business on record; or 
94.25 	(ii) register a business using another person's name, address, or identity.
94.26 	(b) A declaration of wrongful filing must include:
94.27 	(1) the file number of the allegedly wrongful filing;
94.28 	(2) the complainant's name, mailing address, and email address;
95.1 	(3) whether the complainant is employed by or has an ownership interest in the business 
95.2 	that is the subject of the filing;
95.3 	(4) any information or evidence supporting the complainant's allegations under this 
95.4 	section;
95.5 	(5) a statement verifying the complainant believes in good faith that the facts stated in 
95.6 	the declaration are true; and
95.7 	(6) any other information the office deems necessary.
95.8 	(c) The office must provide a form for declarations filed under this section. A complainant 
95.9 	must use the provided form when submitting a declaration of wrongful filing.
95.10 	(d) A false material statement of fact in a declaration of wrongful filing or any other 
95.11 	document submitted under sections 300.70 to 300.78 is a violation of section 609.48.
95.12 		Subd. 2.Review of declaration. (a) The office must promptly accept or reject a 
95.13 	declaration of wrongful filing.
95.14 	(b) The office may reject a declaration of wrongful filing that is incomplete or does not 
95.15 	use the provided form or if the office reasonably believes it was delivered with the intent 
95.16 	to harass or defraud the filer. The office may reject a declaration of wrongful filing if the 
95.17 	office has already issued a final order on the filing identified in the declaration.
95.18 		Subd. 3.Nonexclusive remedy. The remedy in sections 300.70 to 300.78 is not exclusive. 
95.19 	An aggrieved party may seek district court action regardless of whether the individual has 
95.20 	initiated or completed the procedure described in these sections.

95.21 	Sec. 6. [300.72] NOTICE.
95.22 	(a) When the office accepts a declaration of wrongful filing, the office must provide 
95.23 	notice of the declaration to the complainant and the filer. The notice must describe the 
95.24 	allegations made in the declaration and the process used to resolve the allegations. The 
95.25 	notice must prominently state the response timeline in section 300.73 and the consequences 
95.26 	if the filer does not respond. The notice must prominently state that a false statement of 
95.27 	material fact in any documents submitted under sections 300.70 to 300.78 is a violation of 
95.28 	section 609.48.
95.29 	(b) The office must send the notice by first class mail, postage prepaid, to:
95.30 	(1) the complainant at the mailing address provided in the declaration; and
95.31 	(2) the filer at:
96.1 	(i) the most recent registered business address associated with the filing named in the 
96.2 	declaration; or
96.3 	(ii) if a mailing address for the filer cannot be identified, the notice may be served on 
96.4 	the filer as provided under section 5.25, subdivision 6.
96.5 	(c) Notice is deemed received by the complainant and the filer upon mailing.
96.6 	(d) If the notice to the filer is returned as undeliverable, the office may deem the filing 
96.7 	fraudulent and immediately issue a final order as provided under section 300.76, 
96.8 	notwithstanding the time period under section 300.73.

96.9 	Sec. 7. [300.73] RESPONSE.
96.10 	(a) After notice is received, the filer must respond in writing to the allegations in the 
96.11 	declaration. The response must be received by the office within 21 calendar days of receipt 
96.12 	of the notice.
96.13 	(b) The filer's response under this section must include any information refuting the 
96.14 	allegations contained in the complainant's declaration.

96.15 	Sec. 8. [300.74] PROCEDURE WHEN NO RESPONSE RECEIVED.
96.16 	If the filer does not respond within the time period under section 300.73, the office must 
96.17 	deem the filing fraudulent and issue a final order as provided under section 300.76.

96.18 	Sec. 9. [300.75] PROCEDURE WHEN RESPONSE RECEIVED.
96.19 		Subdivision 1.Preliminary determination. (a) If the filer responds within the period 
96.20 	under section 300.73, the office must further investigate the allegations in the declaration 
96.21 	and information in the response and make a preliminary determination regarding whether 
96.22 	the filing named in the declaration is fraudulent.
96.23 	(b) The office may request additional information from the complainant and the filer if 
96.24 	necessary to make the preliminary determination.
96.25 		Subd. 2.Notice of preliminary determination. The office must send notice of the 
96.26 	preliminary determination to the complainant and the filer in the manner described under 
96.27 	section 300.72. Notice is deemed received in the manner described under section 300.72.
96.28 		Subd. 3.Response. After notice is received, the nonprevailing party must respond to 
96.29 	the preliminary determination within ten calendar days with additional information or 
96.30 	evidence in support of the nonprevailing party's position. The prevailing party may send 
97.1 	additional information or evidence within the same time period. The response must be 
97.2 	received by the office within the time period provided under this subdivision.
97.3 		Subd. 4.Procedure if no second response is received. If the nonprevailing party does 
97.4 	not respond as required under subdivision 3, the preliminary determination becomes final 
97.5 	and the office must issue a final order under section 300.76.
97.6 		Subd. 5.Procedure if second response is received. If the nonprevailing party responds 
97.7 	as required under subdivision 3, the office must consider the additional information provided, 
97.8 	make a final determination regarding whether the filing named in the declaration is fraudulent, 
97.9 	and issue a final order under section 300.76.
97.10 		Subd. 6.Factors. When making a preliminary or final determination under this section, 
97.11 	the office may consider various factors, including but not limited to:
97.12 	(1) whether the office has previously received declarations of wrongful filing or issued 
97.13 	final orders relating to the business, the filer, or the complainant;
97.14 	(2) the previous filing history relating to the business, the filer, or the complainant;
97.15 	(3) whether the filer or complainant failed to respond to a request for additional 
97.16 	information; and
97.17 	(4) whether the office is able to independently verify the information provided by the 
97.18 	filer or complainant using publicly available information.

97.19 	Sec. 10. [300.76] FINAL ORDER.
97.20 		Subdivision 1.Filings deemed fraudulent. (a) If the office deems a filing fraudulent 
97.21 	under section 300.74 or 300.75, the office must issue a final order under this subdivision. 
97.22 	The final order must provide the office's rationale for deeming the filing fraudulent.
97.23 	(b) When a filing is deemed fraudulent pursuant to a final order under this subdivision, 
97.24 	the filing must be treated for legal purposes as if the filing never existed. In the case of a 
97.25 	business registered using a Minnesota resident's name, address, or identity without the 
97.26 	resident's authorization, the business is deemed dissolved.
97.27 	(c) When a filing is deemed fraudulent pursuant to a final order, the office must:
97.28 	(1) mark the unauthorized filing or the business record as unauthorized or fraudulent;
97.29 	(2) redact names and addresses that were used without authorization; and
97.30 	(3) retain a copy of the final order.
97.31 	(d) In addition to the actions in paragraph (c), the office may:
98.1 	(1) disable additional filing functionality on the business entity's record; or
98.2 	(2) take other action the office deems necessary to prevent further unauthorized filings, 
98.3 	protect private information, or prevent misuse of unauthorized information.
98.4 		Subd. 2.Filings deemed not fraudulent or insufficient evidence. If the office 
98.5 	determines that a filing is not fraudulent or that insufficient information is available to make 
98.6 	a determination, the office must issue a final order stating that the office is not removing 
98.7 	the filing from the database. The final order must provide the office's rationale for 
98.8 	determining that the filing is not fraudulent or that insufficient information is available to 
98.9 	make a determination.

98.10 	Sec. 11. [300.77] JUDICIAL REVIEW.
98.11 	(a) Any party who is aggrieved by a final order under section 300.76 may appeal the 
98.12 	order to the district court of the Minnesota county where the business that is the subject of 
98.13 	the final order is registered or was registered before the business's dissolution or, if the 
98.14 	business is not registered in Minnesota, to the district court of Ramsey County. The aggrieved 
98.15 	party may also appeal the final order as part of any district court action between the filer 
98.16 	and complainant where the filing at issue is relevant to the issues in the case.
98.17 	(b) The aggrieved party must serve a written copy of a notice of appeal upon the office 
98.18 	and any adverse party of record within 30 calendar days after the date the final order was 
98.19 	issued and must also file the original notice and proof of service with the court administrator 
98.20 	of the district court. Service may be made in person or by mail. Service by mail is complete 
98.21 	upon mailing. The court administrator is prohibited from requiring a filing fee for appeals 
98.22 	taken pursuant to this section.
98.23 	(c) The office may elect to become a party to the proceedings in the district court.
98.24 	(d) The court may order that the office furnish the court and all parties to the proceedings 
98.25 	with a copy of the decision, the filing that is the subject of the decision, and any materials 
98.26 	or information submitted to the office. Any materials provided under this section that are 
98.27 	filed with the court must be done so under restricted access unless the court orders otherwise.
98.28 	(e) A party may obtain a hearing at a special term of the district court by serving a written 
98.29 	notice of the hearing's time and place at least ten days before the date of the hearing.
98.30 	(f) A party aggrieved by the order of the district court may appeal the order as in other 
98.31 	civil cases. Costs or disbursements must not be taxed against a party. A filing fee or bond 
98.32 	must not be required of a party.

99.1 	Sec. 12. [300.78] DATA PRACTICES.
99.2 		Subdivision 1.Definitions. For purposes of this section, "nonpublic data" has the meaning 
99.3 	given in section 13.02, subdivision 9, and "private data on individuals" has the meaning 
99.4 	given in section 13.02, subdivision 12.
99.5 		Subd. 2.Data classification. Data submitted by a complainant or filer under sections 
99.6 	300.70 to 300.78 is classified as nonpublic data or private data on individuals. A final order 
99.7 	under section 300.76 is public data, subject to the following: the complainant or filer's 
99.8 	personal contact information is classified as private data on individuals. The unredacted 
99.9 	version of a filing deemed fraudulent pursuant to a final order under section 300.76, 
99.10 	subdivision 1, is classified as nonpublic data or private data on individuals. The version of 
99.11 	the filing that has been redacted pursuant to section 300.76, subdivision 1, paragraph (c), 
99.12 	is classified as public data.
99.13 		Subd. 3.Dissemination permitted. Notwithstanding subdivision 2, the office may 
99.14 	disseminate data of any classification collected, created, or maintained under sections 300.70 
99.15 	to 300.78:
99.16 	(1) to the attorney general to aid the office in the investigation and review of a filing 
99.17 	that is the subject of a declaration of wrongful filing;
99.18 	(2) to a person or agency if the office determines that access to the data aids a criminal 
99.19 	or civil investigation; or
99.20 	(3) if required or authorized by a court order or other state or federal law.

99.21 	Sec. 13. [300.79] PROHIBITION ON DECEPTIVE BUSINESS MAILINGS.
99.22 		Subdivision 1.Definition. For purposes of this section, "solicitation" means a 
99.23 	communication that is sent by a nongovernment third party to a business and that purports 
99.24 	to:
99.25 	(1) notify the business of an operating requirement, including but not limited to filing 
99.26 	documents with or retrieving documents from the Office of the Secretary of State; or
99.27 	(2) offer a service that relates to filing documents with, producing documents for, or 
99.28 	reporting information to the Office of the Secretary of State.
99.29 		Subd. 2.Design and content requirements. (a) A solicitation must:
99.30 	(1) include a clear statement indicating that the solicitation is an advertisement and is 
99.31 	not from a government agency. The statement must be placed at the top of a physical 
99.32 	document or the beginning of an electronic communication and must be in at least 24-point 
100.1 	font. All other text in the document must be smaller than the statement required by this 
100.2 	clause;
100.3 	(2) provide information indicating where an individual is able to directly file documents 
100.4 	with the secretary of state or retrieve copies of public records;
100.5 	(3) disclose the name and physical address of the company sending the solicitation. The 
100.6 	physical address must not be a post office box; and
100.7 	(4) for a mailed solicitation, prominently display in capital letters on the envelope or 
100.8 	outer wrapper the words "THIS IS NOT A GOVERNMENT DOCUMENT."
100.9 	(b) The overall design and language of a solicitation must not:
100.10 	(1) create the impression that the solicitation is an official government notice or document;
100.11 	(2) incorporate the Minnesota state seal or other logo or branding of the state or any 
100.12 	state agency; or
100.13 	(3) indicate or imply a legal duty to act on the solicitation or a penalty for failure to act 
100.14 	on the solicitation.
100.15 		Subd. 3.Penalties. (a) A person who sends a solicitation that does not comply with the 
100.16 	requirements of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor.
100.17 	(b) A violation of this section is a violation of sections 325D.43 to 325D.48.

100.18 	Sec. 14. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 609.48, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
100.19 		Subdivision 1.Acts constituting. Whoever makes a false material statement not believing 
100.20 	it to be true in any of the following cases is guilty of perjury and may be sentenced as 
100.21 	provided in subdivision 4:
100.22 	(1) in or for an action, hearing or proceeding of any kind in which the statement is 
100.23 	required or authorized by law to be made under oath or affirmation;
100.24 	(2) in any writing which is required or authorized by law to be under oath or affirmation;
100.25 	(3) in any writing made according to section 358.115;
100.26 	(4) in any writing made according to section 358.116; or
100.27 	(5) in any writing made according to sections 300.70 to 300.78; or
100.28 	(6) in any other case in which the penalties for perjury are imposed by law and no specific 
100.29 	sentence is otherwise provided.

101.1 	Sec. 15. RULEMAKING.
 101.2 	The secretary of state may adopt rules to carry out the provisions of this article. 
101.3 	Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 14.125, no time limit applies to the authority 
101.4 	granted under this section.

101.5 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.

101.6 	Sec. 16. EFFECTIVE DATE.
 101.7 	Sections 2 to 12 and 14 are effective the day following final enactment and apply to 
101.8 	filings made on or after January 1, 2026.

101.9 	ARTICLE 6
101.10 	LOCAL GOVERNMENT POLICY

101.11 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 13D.02, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
101.12 		Subdivision 1.Conditions. (a) A meeting governed by section 13D.01, subdivisions 1, 
101.13 	2, 4, and 5, and this section may be conducted by interactive technology so long as:
101.14 	(1) all members of the body participating in the meeting, wherever their physical location, 
101.15 	can hear and see one another and can hear and see all discussion and testimony presented 
101.16 	at any location at which at least one member is present;
101.17 	(2) members of the public present at the regular meeting location of the body can hear 
101.18 	and see all discussion and testimony and all votes of members of the body;
101.19 	(3) at least one member of the body is physically present at the regular meeting location;
101.20 	and
101.21 	(4) all votes are conducted by roll call so each member's vote on each issue can be 
101.22 	identified and recorded; and.
101.23 	(5) each location at which a member of the body is present is open and accessible to the 
101.24 	public.
101.25 	(b) A meeting satisfies the requirements of paragraph (a), although a member of the 
101.26 	public body participates from a location that is not open or accessible to the public, if the 
101.27 	member has not participated more than three times in a calendar year from a location that 
101.28 	is not open or accessible to the public, and:
101.29 	(1) the member is serving in the military and is at a required drill, deployed, or on active 
101.30 	duty; or
102.1 	(2) the member has been advised by a health care professional against being in a public 
102.2 	place for personal or family medical reasons.

102.3 	Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 13D.02, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
102.4 		Subd. 4.Notice of regular and all member meeting locations. If interactive technology 
102.5 	is used to conduct a regular, special, or emergency meeting, the public body shall provide 
102.6 	notice of the regular meeting location and notice of any location where a member of the 
102.7 	public body will be participating the fact that members may participate in the meeting by 
102.8 	interactive technology, except for the locations of members participating pursuant to 
102.9 	subdivision 1, paragraph (b). The timing and method of providing notice of the regular 
102.10 	meeting location must be as described in section 13D.04.

102.11 	Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 117.036, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
102.12 		Subd. 2.Appraisal. (a) Before commencing an eminent domain proceeding under this 
102.13 	chapter for an acquisition greater than $25,000, the acquiring authority must obtain at least 
102.14 	one appraisal for the property proposed to be acquired. In making the appraisal, the appraiser 
102.15 	must confer with one or more of the owners of the property, if reasonably possible. For 
102.16 	acquisitions less than $25,000, the acquiring authority may obtain a minimum damage 
102.17 	acquisition report in lieu of an appraisal. In making the minimum damage acquisition report, 
102.18 	the qualified person with appraisal knowledge must confer with one or more of the owners 
102.19 	of the property, if reasonably possible. Notwithstanding section 13.44, the acquiring authority 
102.20 	must provide the owner with a copy of (1) each appraisal for property acquisitions over 
102.21 	$25,000, or (2) the minimum damage acquisition report for properties under $25,000, the 
102.22 	acquiring authority has obtained for the property at the time an offer is made, but no later 
102.23 	than 60 days before presenting a petition under section 117.055. The acquiring authority 
102.24 	must also inform the owner of the right to obtain an appraisal under this section. Upon 
102.25 	request, the acquiring authority must make available to the owner all appraisals for properties 
102.26 	over $25,000, or the minimum damage acquisition report for properties under $25,000. If 
102.27 	the acquiring authority is considering both a full and partial taking of the property, the 
102.28 	acquiring authority shall obtain and provide the owner with appraisals for properties over 
102.29 	$25,000 for both types of takings, or minimum damage acquisition reports for properties 
102.30 	under $25,000.
102.31 	(b) The owner may obtain an appraisal by a qualified appraiser of the property proposed 
102.32 	to be acquired. The owner is entitled to reimbursement for the reasonable costs of the 
102.33 	appraisal from the acquiring authority up to a maximum of $1,500 $3,000 for single family 
103.1 	and two-family residential property and minimum damage acquisitions and $5,000 $10,000
103.2 	for other types of property, provided that the owner submits to the acquiring authority the 
103.3 	information necessary for reimbursement, including a copy of the owner's appraisal, at least 
103.4 	five days before a condemnation commissioners' hearing. For purposes of this subdivision, 
103.5 	a "minimum damage acquisition" means an interest in property that a qualified person having 
103.6 	an understanding of the local real estate market indicates can be acquired for $25,000 or 
103.7 	less.
103.8 	(c) The acquiring authority must pay the reimbursement to the owner within 30 days 
103.9 	after receiving a copy of the appraisal and the reimbursement information. Upon agreement 
103.10 	between the acquiring authority and the owner, the acquiring authority may pay the 
103.11 	reimbursement directly to the appraiser.

103.12 	Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 222.37, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
103.13 		Subdivision 1.Use requirements. (a) Any water power, telegraph, telephone, pneumatic 
103.14 	tube, pipeline, community antenna television, cable communications or electric light, heat, 
103.15 	power company, entity that receives a route permit under chapter 216E for a high-voltage 
103.16 	transmission line necessary to interconnect an electric power generating facility with 
103.17 	transmission lines or associated facilities of an entity that directly, or through its members 
103.18 	or agents, provides retail electric service in the state, or fire department may use public 
103.19 	roads for the purpose of constructing, using, operating, and maintaining lines, subways, 
103.20 	canals, conduits, transmission lines, hydrants, or dry hydrants, for their business, but such 
103.21 	lines shall be so located as in no way to interfere with the safety and convenience of ordinary 
103.22 	travel along or over the same; and, in the construction and maintenance of such line, subway, 
103.23 	canal, conduit, transmission lines, hydrants, or dry hydrants, the entity shall be subject to 
103.24 	all reasonable regulations imposed by the governing body of any county, town or city in 
103.25 	which such public road may be. If the governing body does not require the entity to obtain 
103.26 	a permit, an entity shall notify the governing body of any county, town, or city having 
103.27 	jurisdiction over a public road prior to the construction or major repair, involving extensive 
103.28 	excavation on the road right-of-way, of the entity's equipment along, over, or under the 
103.29 	public road, unless the governing body waives the notice requirement. A waiver of the 
103.30 	notice requirement must be renewed on an annual basis. For emergency repair an entity 
103.31 	shall notify the governing body as soon as practical after the repair is made. Nothing herein 
103.32 	shall be construed to grant to any person any rights for the maintenance of a telegraph, 
103.33 	telephone, pneumatic tube, community antenna television system, cable communications 
103.34 	system, or light, heat, power system, electric power generating system, high-voltage 
103.35 	transmission line, or hydrant system within the corporate limits of any city until such person 
104.1 	shall have obtained the right to maintain such system within such city or for a period beyond 
104.2 	that for which the right to operate such system is granted by such city.
104.3 	(b) Any public water district, sewer district, or combination water and sewer district 
104.4 	established under chapter 116A may install water and sewer lines and all other ancillary 
104.5 	infrastructure within a public township, county, or state road right-of-way in accordance 
104.6 	with paragraph (a). When installing water and sewer lines within a trunk highway 
104.7 	right-of-way under this paragraph, a district must comply with the requirements under 
104.8 	section 161.45, and Minnesota Rules, parts 8810.3100 to 8810.3600.

104.9 	Sec. 5. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 331A.10, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
104.10 		Subd. 2.Discontinuance. (a) When a newspaper ceases to be published before the 
104.11 	publication of a public notice is commenced, or when commenced ceases before the 
104.12 	publication is completed, the following procedures apply: (1) when the publication is required 
104.13 	by court order, the order for publication, when one is required in the first instance, may be 
104.14 	amended by order of the court or judge, to designate another newspaper, as may be necessary. 
104.15 	If no order is required in the first instance,; or (2) when the publication is required by law, 
104.16 	rule, or ordinance, the publication may be made or completed in any other qualified 
104.17 	newspaper.
104.18 	(b) If no qualified newspaper is available for publication of a public notice after the 
104.19 	discontinuance of a newspaper, the political subdivision must post the information required 
104.20 	to be published on the political subdivision's website until another qualified newspaper is 
104.21 	identified, which shall then be designated. During the time when no qualified newspaper is 
104.22 	available, the political subdivision must also post the public notice on the Minnesota 
104.23 	Newspaper Association's statewide public notice website, at no additional cost to the political 
104.24 	subdivision.
104.25 	(c) Any time during which the notice is published in the first a newspaper prior to the 
104.26 	newspaper's discontinuance shall be calculated as a part of the time required for the 
104.27 	publication, proof of which may be made by affidavit of any person acquainted with the 
104.28 	facts.

104.29 	Sec. 6. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 367.36, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
104.30 		Subdivision 1.Transition; audit. (a) In a town in which option D is adopted, the 
104.31 	incumbent treasurer shall continue in office until the expiration of the term. Thereafter, or 
104.32 	at any time a vacancy other than a temporary vacancy under section 367.03 occurs in the 
104.33 	position, the duties of the treasurer prescribed by law shall be performed by the clerk who 
105.1 	shall be referred to as the clerk-treasurer. If option D is adopted at an election in which the 
105.2 	treasurer is also elected, the election of the treasurer's position is void.
105.3 	(b) If the offices of clerk and treasurer are combined and the town's annual revenue for 
105.4 	all governmental and enterprise funds combined is more than the amount in paragraph (c), 
105.5 	the town board shall provide for an annual audit of the town's financial affairs by the state 
105.6 	auditor or a public accountant in accordance with minimum audit procedures prescribed by 
105.7 	the state auditor. If the offices of clerk and treasurer are combined and the town's annual 
105.8 	revenue for all governmental and enterprise funds combined is the amount in paragraph (c) 
105.9 	or less, the town board shall provide for an audit of the town's financial affairs by the state 
105.10 	auditor or a public accountant in accordance with minimum audit procedures prescribed by 
105.11 	the state auditor at least once every five years, which audit shall be for a one-year period 
105.12 	to be determined at random by the person conducting the audit. Upon completion of an 
105.13 	audit by a public accountant, the public accountant shall forward a copy of the audit to the 
105.14 	state auditor. For purposes of this subdivision, "public accountant" means a certified public 
105.15 	accountant or a certified public accounting firm licensed in accordance with chapter 326A.
105.16 	(c) For the purposes of paragraph (b), the amount in 2004 2025 is $150,000 $1,000,000, 
105.17 	and in 2005 and after, $150,000 is adjusted annually thereafter for inflation using the annual 
105.18 	implicit price deflator for state and local expenditures as published by the United States 
105.19 	Department of Commerce.

105.20 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective August 1, 2025, and applies to audits 
105.21 	performed for 2026 and thereafter.

105.22 	Sec. 7. [383A.151] RAMSEY COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT 
105.23 	AUTHORITY.
105.24 		Subdivision 1.Creation. (a) There is created in the county of Ramsey a public body, 
105.25 	corporate and politic, known as the Ramsey County Economic Development Authority, 
105.26 	that has the powers contained in sections 469.090 to 469.108, except for sections 469.101, 
105.27 	subdivision 19, 469.102, and 469.107; the powers of a housing and redevelopment authority 
105.28 	under sections 469.001 to 469.047; and the powers of a city under sections 469.124 to 
105.29 	469.133. For purposes of applying chapter 469 to the county of Ramsey, the county has all 
105.30 	the powers and duties of a city; the county board has all the powers and duties of a governing 
105.31 	body; the chair of the county board has all the powers and duties of a mayor; and, with 
105.32 	respect to the exercise of the powers under section 469.008, the area of operation includes 
105.33 	the area within the territorial boundaries of the county.
106.1 	(b) Section 469.1082 does not apply to the county of Ramsey, except for section 
106.2 	469.1082, subdivision 5.
106.3 		Subd. 2.Commissioners. Notwithstanding the provisions of chapter 469 or other law 
106.4 	to the contrary, the Ramsey County Economic Development Authority consists of seven 
106.5 	commissioners. The county board must appoint the commissioners and fill vacancies in the 
106.6 	office of any commissioner. Pursuant to Ramsey County Resolution No. 94-357, dated July 
106.7 	26, 1994, the Ramsey County Board of Commissioners also constitutes the Ramsey County 
106.8 	Housing and Redevelopment Authority. The board may, by resolution, appoint the sitting 
106.9 	commissioners of the Ramsey County Housing and Redevelopment Authority as 
106.10 	commissioners of the Ramsey County Economic Development Authority, the terms of each 
106.11 	commissioner corresponding accordingly.

106.12 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day after the governing body of 
106.13 	Ramsey County and its chief clerical officer comply with Minnesota Statutes, section 
106.14 	645.021, subdivisions 2 and 3.

106.15 	Sec. 8. [383A.152] RAMSEY COUNTY HOUSING AND REDEVELOPMENT 
106.16 	AUTHORITY; ADDITIONAL POWERS.
106.17 	The Ramsey County Housing and Redevelopment Authority, established pursuant to 
106.18 	Ramsey County Resolution No. 93-155, dated March 9, 1993, shall have the powers and 
106.19 	duties of the Ramsey County Economic Development Authority under section 383A.151 
106.20 	and shall retain all the powers of a housing and redevelopment authority under sections 
106.21 	469.001 to 469.047. For purposes of applying chapter 469 to the county of Ramsey, the 
106.22 	county has all the powers and duties of a city; the county board has all the powers and duties 
106.23 	of a governing body; the chair of the county has all the powers and duties of a mayor; and, 
106.24 	with respect to the exercise of the powers under section 469.008, the area of operation 
106.25 	includes the area within the territorial boundaries of the county.

106.26 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day after the governing body of 
106.27 	Ramsey County and its chief clerical officer comply with Minnesota Statutes, section 
106.28 	645.021, subdivisions 2 and 3.

106.29 	Sec. 9. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 383C.035, is amended to read:
106.30 	383C.035 UNCLASSIFIED CIVIL SERVICE.
106.31 	(a) The officers and employees of the county and of any agency, board, or commission, 
106.32 	supported in whole or in part by taxation upon the taxable property of the county or appointed 
107.1 	by the judges of the district court for the county, are divided into the unclassified and 
107.2 	classified service.
107.3 	(b) The unclassified service comprises:
107.4 	(1) all officers elected by popular vote or persons appointed to fill vacancies in such 
107.5 	offices;
107.6 	(2) superintendent or principal administrative officer or comptroller of any separate 
107.7 	department of county government which is now or hereafter created pursuant to law, who 
107.8 	is directly responsible to the board of county commissioners or any other board or 
107.9 	commission, as well as the county agricultural agents reporting to the county extension 
107.10 	committee;
107.11 	(3) members of nonpaid board, or commissioners appointed by the board of county 
107.12 	commissioners or acting in an advisory capacity;
107.13 	(4) assistant county attorneys or special investigators in the employ of the county attorney. 
107.14 	For purposes of this section, special investigators are defined as all nonclerical positions in 
107.15 	the employ of the county attorney;
107.16 	(5) all common labor temporarily employed on an hourly basis;
107.17 	(6) not more than a total of nine full-time equivalent clerical employees serving the 
107.18 	county board and administrator;
107.19 	(7) a legislative lobbyist/grant coordinator appointed by the county board to act as 
107.20 	legislative liaison with the St. Louis County legislative delegation and pursue legislative 
107.21 	concerns and grant opportunities for the county, and the clerk for that position;
107.22 	(8) any department head and deputy director designated by the county board;
107.23 	(9) three administrative assistants in the county administrator's office;
107.24 	(10) the county administrator and two deputy administrators; and
107.25 	(11) all court bailiffs.
107.26 	(c) The classified service includes all other positions now existing and hereinafter created 
107.27 	in the service of the county or any board or commission, agency, or offices of the county.

107.28 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day after the St. Louis County Board 
107.29 	of Commissioners and its chief clerical officer comply with Minnesota Statutes, section 
107.30 	645.021, subdivisions 2 and 3.

108.1 	Sec. 10. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 412.02, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
108.2 		Subd. 3.Clerk, treasurer combined; audit standards. (a) In cities operating under 
108.3 	the standard plan of government the council may by ordinance adopted at least 60 days 
108.4 	before the next regular city election combine the offices of clerk and treasurer in the office 
108.5 	of clerk-treasurer, but such an ordinance shall not be effective until the expiration of the 
108.6 	term of the incumbent treasurer or when an earlier vacancy occurs. After the effective date 
108.7 	of the ordinance, the duties of the treasurer and deputy treasurer as prescribed by this chapter 
108.8 	shall be performed by the clerk-treasurer or a duly appointed deputy. The offices of clerk 
108.9 	and treasurer may be reestablished by ordinance.
108.10 	(b) If the offices of clerk and treasurer are combined as provided by this section and the 
108.11 	city's annual revenue for all governmental and enterprise funds combined is more than the 
108.12 	amount in paragraph (c), the council shall provide for an annual audit of the city's financial 
108.13 	affairs by the state auditor or a public accountant in accordance with minimum auditing 
108.14 	procedures prescribed by the state auditor. If the offices of clerk and treasurer are combined 
108.15 	and the city's annual revenue for all governmental and enterprise funds combined is the 
108.16 	amount in paragraph (c), or less, the council shall provide for an audit of the city's financial 
108.17 	affairs by the state auditor or a public accountant in accordance with minimum audit 
108.18 	procedures prescribed by the state auditor at least once every five years, which audit shall 
108.19 	be for a one-year period to be determined at random by the person conducting the audit.
108.20 	(c) For the purposes of paragraph (b), the amount in 2004 2025 is $150,000 $1,000,000, 
108.21 	and in 2005 and after, $150,000 is adjusted annually thereafter for inflation using the annual 
108.22 	implicit price deflator for state and local expenditures as published by the United States 
108.23 	Department of Commerce.

108.24 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective August 1, 2025, and applies to audits 
108.25 	performed for 2026 and thereafter.

108.26 	Sec. 11. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 412.341, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
108.27 		Subdivision 1.Membership. (a) The commission shall consist of three, five, or seven
108.28 	members appointed by the council. No more than one member may be chosen from the 
108.29 	council membership for a commission with three members, and no more than two members 
108.30 	may be chosen from the council membership for a commission with five or seven members. 
108.31 	Except for the terms of members appointed to the initial commission as provided in paragraph 
108.32 	(b), each member shall serve for a term of three years and until a successor is appointed 
108.33 	and qualified except that of the members initially appointed in any city, one shall serve for 
108.34 	a term of one year, one for a term of two years, and one for a term of three years. Residence 
109.1 	shall not be a qualification for membership on the commission unless the council so provides. 
109.2 	A vacancy shall be filled by the council for the unexpired term.
109.3 	(b) The members appointed to the initial commission after its establishment under section 
109.4 	412.331 shall serve the following terms:
109.5 	(1) if the initial commission consists of three members, one member shall serve for a 
109.6 	term of one year, one member for a term of two years, and one member for a term of three 
109.7 	years;
109.8 	(2) if the initial commission consists of five members, one member shall serve for a term 
109.9 	of one year, two members for a term of two years, and two members for a term of three 
109.10 	years; or
109.11 	(3) if the initial commission consists of seven members, two members shall serve for a 
109.12 	term of one year, two members for a term of two years, and three members for a term of 
109.13 	three years.

109.14 	Sec. 12. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 412.341, is amended by adding a subdivision 
109.15 	to read:
109.16 		Subd. 3.Change in membership; procedures. (a) The number of commission members 
109.17 	may be increased or decreased by ordinance within the permitted number of commissioner 
109.18 	members as provided in subdivision 1, paragraph (a). The ordinance changing the number 
109.19 	of commission members must include a provision for maintaining staggered terms for 
109.20 	commission members, provided that if the number of members is reduced, the reduction 
109.21 	must be effected in such a manner that all incumbent members are permitted to serve their 
109.22 	full terms. An ordinance adopted under this subdivision must not be effective until at least 
109.23 	45 days after its adoption.
109.24 	(b) An ordinance reducing the size of the commission shall not take effect and the 
109.25 	question of whether to reduce the size of the commission must be placed on the ballot at 
109.26 	the next general or special election if: (1) within 45 days of the ordinance's adoption by the 
109.27 	city council, a petition is filed with the city clerk requesting that a referendum be held on 
109.28 	reducing the size of the commission; and (2) the petition is signed by a number of eligible 
109.29 	voters equal to at least 15 percent of the number of electors voting at the most recent general 
109.30 	election. The ballot question shall be substantially stated as follows:
109.31 	"Shall the size of the public utilities commission be reduced from ....... members to 
109.32 	.......members?"
110.1 	The question shall be followed by the words "Yes" and "No" with an appropriate oval or 
110.2 	similar target shape before each in which a voter may record a choice. If a majority of the 
110.3 	votes cast on the question are in favor of reducing the size of the commission, the ordinance 
110.4 	shall be considered approved and shall be effective immediately. If the majority of votes 
110.5 	cast on the question are against reducing the size of the commission, the ordinance shall 
110.6 	not take effect.

110.7 	Sec. 13. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 412.591, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
110.8 		Subd. 3.Audit standards if combined. (a) If the offices of clerk and treasurer are 
110.9 	combined as provided by this section, and the city's annual revenue for all governmental 
110.10 	and enterprise funds combined is more than the amount in paragraph (b), the council shall 
110.11 	provide for an annual audit of the city's financial affairs by the state auditor or a certified 
110.12 	public accountant in accordance with minimum procedures prescribed by the state auditor. 
110.13 	If the offices of clerk and treasurer are combined and the city's annual revenue for all 
110.14 	governmental and enterprise funds combined is the amount in paragraph (b), or less, the 
110.15 	council shall provide for an audit of the city's financial affairs by the state auditor or a 
110.16 	certified public accountant in accordance with minimum audit procedures prescribed by the 
110.17 	state auditor at least once every five years, which audit shall be for a one-year period to be 
110.18 	determined at random by the person conducting the audit.
110.19 	(b) For the purposes of paragraph (a), the amount in 2004 2025 is $150,000 $1,000,000, 
110.20 	and in 2005 and after, $150,000is adjusted annually thereafter for inflation using the annual 
110.21 	implicit price deflator for state and local expenditures as published by the United States 
110.22 	Department of Commerce.

110.23 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective August 1, 2025, and applies to audits 
110.24 	performed for 2026 and thereafter.

110.25 	Sec. 14. [471.3458] VOLUNTEER EMERGENCY SERVICES PROVIDERS; TIRE 
110.26 	PURCHASES.
110.27 		Subdivision 1.Definitions. (a) For purposes of this section, the following terms have 
110.28 	the meanings given.
110.29 	(b) "Fire department" has the meaning given in section 299N.01, subdivision 2.
110.30 	(c) "Municipality" means a statutory or home rule charter city or a town.
110.31 	(d) "Volunteer emergency services provider" means a volunteer firefighter, as defined 
110.32 	in section 299N.03, subdivision 7; volunteer ambulance attendant, as defined in section 
111.1 	144E.001, subdivision 15; volunteer paramedic; or any other volunteer emergency medical 
111.2 	personnel performing emergency medical services for a municipality or fire department.
111.3 		Subd. 2.Tire purchases. A municipality or fire department may authorize a volunteer 
111.4 	emergency services provider who has performed services for the municipality or fire 
111.5 	department for at least three years and who is currently performing services for the 
111.6 	municipality or fire department to purchase up to four vehicle tires for one personal vehicle 
111.7 	owned by the volunteer emergency services provider every three years under a contract for 
111.8 	tires from which the municipality or fire department purchases vehicle tires. The volunteer 
111.9 	emergency services provider must pay for any tires purchased under this section, including 
111.10 	all applicable taxes and fees.
111.11 		Subd. 3.Authorization requirements. (a) The authorization by a municipality or fire 
111.12 	department to purchase tires under this section must be in writing on the municipality's or 
111.13 	fire department's letterhead and include the following:
111.14 	(1) the volunteer emergency services provider's name;
111.15 	(2) the number of years the volunteer emergency services provider has performed services 
111.16 	for the municipality or fire department;
111.17 	(3) the license plate number of the personal vehicle on which the tires will be placed; 
111.18 	and
111.19 	(4) a reference to the contract under which the municipality or fire department purchases 
111.20 	vehicle tires.
111.21 	(b) The municipality or fire department must document how many tires each volunteer 
111.22 	emergency services provider purchases during the periods specified in this section.

111.23 	Sec. 15. [471.9994] LANDLORD-TENANT GUIDE.
111.24 	If a home rule charter city, statutory city, or town issues or renews a rental license, a 
111.25 	registration or certificate of occupancy, or a similar document for purposes of allowing a 
111.26 	dwelling unit to be occupied by a residential tenant, as defined in section 504B.001, 
111.27 	subdivision 12, the city or town must provide the landlord, as defined in section 504B.001, 
111.28 	subdivision 7, with a link to the attorney general's website where an electronic version of 
111.29 	the attorney general's landlord-tenant guide, as defined in section 504B.275, is published, 
111.30 	and instructions explaining how to request the guide in an alternative format from the 
111.31 	attorney general's office.

112.1 	Sec. 16. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 477A.017, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
112.2 		Subd. 3.Conformity. (a) Other law to the contrary notwithstanding, in order to receive 
112.3 	distributions under sections 477A.011 to 477A.03, or a special district aid program, counties 
112.4 	and, cities, towns, and special districts, must conform to the standards set in subdivision 2 
112.5 	in making all financial reports required to be made to the state auditor.
112.6 	(b) For the purpose of this subdivision, "special district" has the meaning under section 
112.7 	6.465, subdivision 3.

112.8 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective August 1, 2025, and applies to aid 
112.9 	distributions on or after that date.

112.10 	Sec. 17. Laws 1992, chapter 534, section 7, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
112.11 		Subdivision 1.Governing board. The hospital district shall be governed by a board of 
112.12 	directors of at least nine and not more than 12 six voting members, elected as provided in 
112.13 	subdivision 2. All members of the hospital board at the time the hospital district is organized 
112.14 	shall continue in office until the members of the first board of the hospital district are elected 
112.15 	and qualify. The hospital district may change the number of board members through the 
112.16 	adoption and amendment of bylaws under section 10, subdivision 5.

112.17 	Sec. 18. Laws 1992, chapter 534, section 7, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
112.18 		Subd. 2.Election. Three Two directors shall be elected by the city council and six four
112.19 	directors shall be elected by the county board, unless otherwise provided in the bylaws 
112.20 	under section 10, subdivision 5. Up to three Additional voting members and additional 
112.21 	nonvoting members may be provided for in bylaws adopted pursuant to section 5 10, 
112.22 	subdivision 5. As nearly as possible, one-third of the members of the first board of directors 
112.23 	shall be elected for a term to expire one year from the next December 31 following that 
112.24 	election, one-third for a term to expire two years from that date, and one-third for a term to 
112.25 	expire three years from that date. Each of the political subdivisions electing directors shall 
112.26 	assign terms of office to each director according to these staggered terms. Successors to the 
112.27 	first board members shall each be elected for terms of three years, and all members shall 
112.28 	hold office until their successors are elected and qualify. Terms of office shall expire on 
112.29 	December 31. In case of vacancy on the board of directors, whether due to death, removal 
112.30 	from the district, inability to serve, resignation, removal by the entity that elected the director, 
112.31 	or other cause, the majority of the governing body of the entity that elected the director 
112.32 	whose position is vacant shall elect a director to fill such vacancy for the then unexpired 
112.33 	term.

113.1 	Sec. 19. Laws 1992, chapter 534, section 7, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
113.2 		Subd. 3.Compensation. The members of the board of directors may receive 
113.3 	compensation for their services as such and may be reimbursed for reasonable expenses 
113.4 	necessarily incurred in the performance of their duties to the extent provided for in bylaws 
113.5 	adopted pursuant to section 5 10, subdivision 5.

113.6 	Sec. 20. Laws 1992, chapter 534, section 8, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
113.7 		Subd. 2.Duties. The officers shall have the duties specified in this subdivision and 
113.8 	additional duties as set forth in bylaws adopted in accordance with section 5 10, subdivision 
113.9 	5. The chair shall preside at all meetings of the board of directors and shall perform all 
113.10 	duties usually incumbent upon such an officer. The vice-chair shall preside in the absence 
113.11 	of the chair. The secretary shall record the minutes of all meetings of the board and be the 
113.12 	custodian of all books and records of the district. The treasurer shall be the custodian of 
113.13 	money received by the district and shall see that they are properly accounted for. The board 
113.14 	may appoint deputies who shall perform any functions and duties of any officer, subject to 
113.15 	the supervision and control of the officer.

113.16 	Sec. 21. Laws 1992, chapter 534, section 10, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
113.17 		Subd. 4.Approval for sale or lease. Nothing contained in this section 5 shall be 
113.18 	construed to authorize the district or its board of directors to at any time sell, lease, or 
113.19 	otherwise transfer the management, control or operation of the hospital, including nursing 
113.20 	home or other facilities, except upon approval by a majority vote of the county board and 
113.21 	the city council.

113.22 	Sec. 22. Laws 1992, chapter 534, section 16, is amended to read:
113.23 	Sec. 16. LEASE OF FACILITIES TO NONPROFIT OR PUBLIC CORPORATION.
 113.24 	Subject to section 5 10, subdivision 4, the hospital district may lease hospital, nursing 
113.25 	home, or other facilities to be run by a nonprofit or public corporation as community facilities. 
113.26 	The facilities must be open to all residents of the community on equal terms. The district 
113.27 	may lease related medical facilities to any person, firm, association, or corporation, at rent 
113.28 	and on conditions agreed. The term of the lease must not exceed 30 years. The lessee may 
113.29 	be granted an option to renew the lease for an additional term or to purchase the facilities. 
113.30 	The terms of renewal or purchase must be provided for in the lease. The hospital district 
113.31 	may by resolution of its governing body agree to pay to the lessee annually, and to include 
114.1 	in each annual budget for hospital and nursing home purposes, a fixed compensation for 
114.2 	services agreed to be performed by the lessee in running the hospital, nursing home, or other 
114.3 	facilities as a community facility; for any investment by the lessee of its own funds or funds 
114.4 	granted or contributed to it in the construction or equipment of the hospital, nursing home, 
114.5 	or other facilities; and for any auxiliary services to be provided or made available by the 
114.6 	lessee through other facilities owned or operated by it. Services other than those provided 
114.7 	for in the lease agreement may be compensated at rates agreed upon later. The lease 
114.8 	agreement must, however, require the lessee to pay a net rental not less than the amount 
114.9 	required to pay the principal and interest when due on all revenue bonds issued by the 
114.10 	hospital district to acquire, improve, and refinance the leased facilities, and to maintain the 
114.11 	agreed revenue bond reserve. The lease agreement must not grant the lessee an option to 
114.12 	purchase the facilities at a price less than the amount of the bonds issued and interest accrued 
114.13 	on them, except bonds and accrued interest paid from the net rentals before the option is 
114.14 	exercised.
114.15 	To the extent that the facilities are leased under this section for use by persons in private 
114.16 	medical or dental or similar practice or other private business, a tax on that use must be 
114.17 	imposed just as though the user were the owner of the space. It must be collected as provided 
114.18 	in Minnesota Statutes, section 272.01, subdivision 2.

114.19 	Sec. 23. REPEALER.
 114.20 	Minnesota Statutes 2024, sections 383C.07; and 383C.74, subdivisions 1, 2, 3, and 4,
114.21 	are repealed.

114.22 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day after the St. Louis County Board 
114.23 	of Commissioners and its chief clerical officer comply with Minnesota Statutes, section 
114.24 	645.021, subdivisions 2 and 3.

114.25 	Sec. 24. EFFECTIVE DATE.
 114.26 	(a) Sections 17 to 22 are effective the day after the governing bodies of Swift County 
114.27 	and the city of Benson comply with the requirements of Minnesota Statutes, section 645.021, 
114.28 	subdivisions 2 and 3.
114.29 	(b) Except as otherwise specified, this article is effective the day following final 
114.30 	enactment.

115.1 	ARTICLE 7
115.2 	CAMPAIGN FINANCE

115.3 	Section 1. [5.51] EXPENSES OF SECRETARY OF STATE-ELECT.
115.4 		Subdivision 1.Definitions. (a) For purposes of this section, the terms defined have the 
115.5 	meanings given them.
115.6 	(b) "Secretary of state-elect" means the person who is not currently secretary of state 
115.7 	and is the apparent successful candidate for the Office of Secretary of State following a 
115.8 	general election.
115.9 	(c) "Commissioner" means the commissioner of the Department of Management and 
115.10 	Budget.
115.11 		Subd. 2.Transition expenses. In the fiscal year of an election for secretary of state and 
115.12 	subject to availability of funds, the commissioner shall transfer up to $25,000 from the 
115.13 	general contingent account in the general fund to the Department of Management and 
115.14 	Budget. This transfer is subject to the review and advice of the Legislative Advisory 
115.15 	Commission pursuant to section 3.30. In consultation with the secretary of state-elect, the 
115.16 	commissioner shall use the transferred funds to pay expenses of the secretary of state-elect 
115.17 	associated with preparing for the assumption of official duties as secretary of state. The 
115.18 	commissioner may use the transferred funds for expenses necessary and prudent for 
115.19 	establishment of a transition office prior to the election and for dissolution of the office if 
115.20 	the incumbent secretary of state is reelected or after the inauguration of a new secretary of 
115.21 	state. Expenses of the secretary of state-elect may include suitable office space and 
115.22 	equipment, communications and technology support, consulting services, compensation 
115.23 	and travel costs, and other reasonable expenses. Compensation rates for temporary employees 
115.24 	hired to support the secretary of state-elect and rates paid for consulting services for the 
115.25 	secretary of state-elect shall be determined by the secretary of state-elect.
115.26 		Subd. 3.Unused funds. No new obligations shall be incurred for expenses of the secretary 
115.27 	of state-elect after the date of the inauguration. By March 31 of the year of the inauguration, 
115.28 	the commissioner shall return to the general contingent account any funds transferred under 
115.29 	this section that the commissioner determines are not needed to pay expenses of the secretary 
115.30 	of state-elect.

115.31 	Sec. 2. [6.93] EXPENSES OF STATE AUDITOR-ELECT.
115.32 		Subdivision 1.Definitions. (a) For purposes of this section, the terms defined have the 
115.33 	meanings given them.
116.1 	(b) "State auditor-elect" means the person who is not currently state auditor and is the 
116.2 	apparent successful candidate for the Office of State Auditor following a general election.
116.3 	(c) "Commissioner" means the commissioner of the Department of Management and 
116.4 	Budget.
116.5 		Subd. 2.Transition expenses. In the fiscal year of an election for state auditor and 
116.6 	subject to availability of funds, the commissioner shall transfer up to $25,000 from the 
116.7 	general contingent account in the general fund to the Department of Management and 
116.8 	Budget. This transfer is subject to the review and advice of the Legislative Advisory 
116.9 	Commission pursuant to section 3.30. In consultation with the state auditor-elect, the 
116.10 	commissioner shall use the transferred funds to pay expenses of the state auditor-elect 
116.11 	associated with preparing for the assumption of official duties as state auditor. The 
116.12 	commissioner may use the transferred funds for expenses necessary and prudent for 
116.13 	establishment of a transition office prior to the election and for dissolution of the office if 
116.14 	the incumbent state auditor is reelected or after the inauguration of a new state auditor. 
116.15 	Expenses of the state auditor-elect may include suitable office space and equipment, 
116.16 	communications and technology support, consulting services, compensation and travel 
116.17 	costs, and other reasonable expenses. Compensation rates for temporary employees hired 
116.18 	to support the state auditor-elect and rates paid for consulting services for the state 
116.19 	auditor-elect shall be determined by the state auditor-elect.
116.20 		Subd. 3.Unused funds. No new obligations shall be incurred for expenses of the state 
116.21 	auditor-elect after the date of the inauguration. By March 31 of the year of the inauguration, 
116.22 	the commissioner shall return to the general contingent account any funds transferred under 
116.23 	this section that the commissioner determines are not needed to pay expenses of the state 
116.24 	auditor-elect.

116.25 	Sec. 3. [8.40] EXPENSES OF ATTORNEY GENERAL-ELECT.
116.26 		Subdivision 1.Definitions. (a) For purposes of this section, the terms defined have the 
116.27 	meanings given them.
116.28 	(b) "Attorney general-elect" means the person who is not currently attorney general and 
116.29 	is the apparent successful candidate for the Office of Attorney General following a general 
116.30 	election.
116.31 	(c) "Commissioner" means the commissioner of the Department of Management and 
116.32 	Budget.
117.1 		Subd. 2.Transition expenses. In the fiscal year of an election for attorney general and 
117.2 	subject to availability of funds, the commissioner shall transfer up to $35,000 from the 
117.3 	general contingent account in the general fund to the Department of Management and 
117.4 	Budget. This transfer is subject to the review and advice of the Legislative Advisory 
117.5 	Commission pursuant to section 3.30. In consultation with the attorney general-elect, the 
117.6 	commissioner shall use the transferred funds to pay expenses of the attorney general-elect 
117.7 	associated with preparing for the assumption of official duties as attorney general. The 
117.8 	commissioner may use the transferred funds for expenses necessary and prudent for 
117.9 	establishment of a transition office prior to the election and for dissolution of the office if 
117.10 	the incumbent attorney general is reelected or after the inauguration of a new attorney 
117.11 	general. Expenses of the attorney general-elect may include suitable office space and 
117.12 	equipment, communications and technology support, consulting services, compensation 
117.13 	and travel costs, and other reasonable expenses. Compensation rates for temporary employees 
117.14 	hired to support the attorney general-elect and rates paid for consulting services for the 
117.15 	attorney general-elect shall be determined by the attorney general-elect.
117.16 		Subd. 3.Unused funds. No new obligations shall be incurred for expenses of the attorney 
117.17 	general-elect after the date of the inauguration. By March 31 of the year of the inauguration, 
117.18 	the commissioner shall return to the general contingent account any funds transferred under 
117.19 	this section that the commissioner determines are not needed to pay expenses of the attorney 
117.20 	general-elect.

117.21 	Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 10A.01, is amended by adding a subdivision to 
117.22 	read:
117.23 		Subd. 16c.Expert witness. "Expert witness" means an individual preparing or delivering 
117.24 	testimony or a report consisting of information, data, or professional opinions on which the 
117.25 	individual has particular expertise gained through formal education, professional or 
117.26 	occupational training, or experience in a field in which the individual is or has been 
117.27 	employed.

117.28 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective June 1, 2025.

117.29 	Sec. 5. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 10A.01, subdivision 21, is amended to read:
117.30 		Subd. 21.Lobbyist. (a) "Lobbyist" means an individual:
117.31 	(1) engaged for pay or other consideration of more than $3,000 from all sources in any 
117.32 	year:
118.1 	(i) for the purpose of attempting to influence legislative or administrative action, or the 
118.2 	official action of a political subdivision, by communicating with public or local officials; 
118.3 	or
118.4 	(ii) from a business whose primary source of revenue is derived from facilitating 
118.5 	government relations or government affairs services if the individual's job duties include 
118.6 	offering direct or indirect consulting or advice that helps the business provide those services 
118.7 	to clients; or
118.8 	(2) who spends more than $3,000 of the individual's personal funds, not including the 
118.9 	individual's own traveling expenses and membership dues, in any year for the purpose of 
118.10 	attempting to influence legislative or administrative action, or the official action of a political 
118.11 	subdivision, by communicating with public or local officials.
118.12 	(b) "Lobbyist" does not include:
118.13 	(1) a public official;
118.14 	(2) an employee of the state, including an employee of any of the public higher education 
118.15 	systems;
118.16 	(3) an elected local official;
118.17 	(4) a nonelected local official or an employee of a political subdivision acting in an 
118.18 	official capacity, unless the nonelected official or employee of a political subdivision spends 
118.19 	more than 50 hours in any month attempting to influence legislative or administrative action, 
118.20 	or the official action of a political subdivision other than the political subdivision employing 
118.21 	the official or employee, by communicating or urging others to communicate with public 
118.22 	or local officials, including time spent monitoring legislative or administrative action, or 
118.23 	the official action of a political subdivision, and related research, analysis, and compilation 
118.24 	and dissemination of information relating to legislative or administrative policy in this state, 
118.25 	or to the policies of political subdivisions local official or employee spends more than 50 
118.26 	hours in any month attempting to influence legislative or administrative action or the official 
118.27 	action of a metropolitan governmental unit, other than a political subdivision employing 
118.28 	the official or employee, by communicating with public or local officials;
118.29 	(5) a party or the party's representative appearing in a proceeding before a state board, 
118.30 	commission, or agency of the executive branch unless the board, commission, or agency is 
118.31 	taking administrative action;
118.32 	(6) an individual while engaged in selling goods or services to be paid for by public 
118.33 	funds;
119.1 	(7) a finance professional subject to Security Exchange Commission regulation who 
119.2 	works with a registered lobbyist and a principal to the extent the finance professional is 
119.3 	participating in conduit financing through a political subdivision;
119.4 	(7) (8) a news medium or its employees or agents while engaged in the publishing or 
119.5 	broadcasting of news items, editorial comments, or paid advertisements which directly or 
119.6 	indirectly urge official action;
119.7 	(8) a paid expert witness whose testimony is requested by the body before which the 
119.8 	witness is appearing, but only to the extent of preparing or delivering testimony (9) an expert 
119.9 	witness who communicates with public or local officials, other than the Public Utilities 
119.10 	Commission, if the communication occurs at a public meeting or is made available to the 
119.11 	general public;
119.12 	(9) (10) a party or the party's representative appearing to present a claim to the legislature 
119.13 	and communicating to legislators only by the filing of a claim form and supporting documents 
119.14 	and by appearing at public hearings on the claim; or
119.15 	(10) (11) an individual providing information or advice to members of a collective 
119.16 	bargaining unit when the unit is actively engaged in the collective bargaining process with 
119.17 	a state agency or a political subdivision.
119.18 	(c) An individual who volunteers personal time to work without pay or other consideration 
119.19 	on a lobbying campaign, and who does not spend more than the limit in paragraph (a), clause 
119.20 	(2), need not register as a lobbyist.
119.21 	(d) An individual who provides administrative support to a lobbyist and whose salary 
119.22 	and administrative expenses attributable to lobbying activities are reported as lobbying 
119.23 	expenses by the lobbyist, but who does not communicate or urge others to communicate 
119.24 	with public or local officials, need not register as a lobbyist.

119.25 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective June 1, 2025.

119.26 	Sec. 6. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 10A.01, subdivision 22, is amended to read:
119.27 		Subd. 22.Local official. "Local official" means a person who holds elective office in a 
119.28 	political subdivision or who is appointed to or employed in a public position in a political 
119.29 	subdivision in which the person has:
119.30 	(1) the authority to make, to recommend, major decisions regarding the expenditure or 
119.31 	investment of public money;
120.1 	(2) the responsibility to make recommendations to a chief executive or the governing 
120.2 	body about major decisions regarding the expenditure or investment of public money; or
120.3 	(3) the authority to vote on as a member of the governing body, on major decisions 
120.4 	regarding the expenditure or investment of public money.

120.5 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective June 1, 2025.

120.6 	Sec. 7. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 10A.01, subdivision 26, is amended to read:
120.7 		Subd. 26.Noncampaign disbursement. (a) "Noncampaign disbursement" means a 
120.8 	purchase or payment of money or anything of value made, or an advance of credit incurred, 
120.9 	or a donation in kind received, by a principal campaign committee for any of the following 
120.10 	purposes:
120.11 	(1) payment for accounting and legal services related to operating the candidate's 
120.12 	campaign committee, serving in office, or security for the candidate or the candidate's 
120.13 	immediate family, including but not limited to seeking and obtaining a harassment restraining 
120.14 	order;
120.15 	(2) return of a contribution to the source;
120.16 	(3) repayment of a loan made to the principal campaign committee by that committee;
120.17 	(4) return of a public subsidy;
120.18 	(5) payment for food, beverages, and necessary utensils and supplies, entertainment, 
120.19 	and facility rental for a fundraising event;
120.20 	(6) services for a constituent by a member of the legislature or a constitutional officer 
120.21 	in the executive branch as provided in section 10A.173, subdivision 1;
120.22 	(7) payment for food and beverages consumed by a candidate or volunteers while they 
120.23 	are engaged in campaign activities;
120.24 	(8) payment for food or a beverage consumed while attending a reception or meeting 
120.25 	directly related to legislative duties;
120.26 	(9) payment of expenses incurred by elected or appointed leaders of a legislative caucus 
120.27 	in carrying out their leadership responsibilities;
120.28 	(10) payment by a principal campaign committee of the candidate's expenses for serving 
120.29 	in public office, other than for personal uses;
120.30 	(11) costs of child care for the candidate's children when campaigning;
121.1 	(12) fees paid to attend a campaign school;
121.2 	(13) costs of a postelection party during the election year when a candidate's name will 
121.3 	no longer appear on a ballot or the general election is concluded, whichever occurs first;
121.4 	(14) interest on loans paid by a principal campaign committee on outstanding loans;
121.5 	(15) filing fees;
121.6 	(16) post-general election holiday or seasonal cards, thank-you notes, or advertisements 
121.7 	in the news media mailed or published prior to the end of the election cycle;
121.8 	(17) the cost of campaign material purchased to replace defective campaign material, if 
121.9 	the defective material is destroyed without being used;
121.10 	(18) contributions to a party unit;
121.11 	(19) payments for funeral gifts or memorials;
121.12 	(20) the cost of a magnet less than six inches in diameter containing legislator contact 
121.13 	information and distributed to constituents;
121.14 	(21) costs associated with a candidate attending a political party state or national 
121.15 	convention in this state;
121.16 	(22) other purchases or payments specified in board rules or advisory opinions as being 
121.17 	for any purpose other than to influence the nomination or election of a candidate or to 
121.18 	promote or defeat a ballot question;
121.19 	(23) costs paid to a third party for processing contributions made by a credit card, debit 
121.20 	card, or electronic check;
121.21 	(24) costs paid by a candidate's principal campaign committee to support the candidate's 
121.22 	participation in a recount of ballots affecting the candidate's election;
121.23 	(25) a contribution to a fund established to support a candidate's participation in a recount 
121.24 	of ballots affecting that candidate's election;
121.25 	(26) costs paid by a candidate's principal campaign committee for a single reception 
121.26 	given in honor of the candidate's retirement from public office after the filing period for 
121.27 	affidavits of candidacy for that office has closed;
121.28 	(27) a donation from a terminating principal campaign committee to the state general 
121.29 	fund;
121.30 	(28) a donation from a terminating principal campaign committee to a county obligated 
121.31 	to incur special election expenses due to that candidate's resignation from state office;
122.1 	(29) during a period starting January 1 in the year following a general election and ending 
122.2 	on December 31 of the year of general election, total payments of up to $3,000 for 
122.3 	detection-related security monitoring expenses for a candidate, including home security 
122.4 	hardware, maintenance of home security monitoring hardware, identity theft monitoring 
122.5 	services, and credit monitoring services; and
122.6 	(30) costs paid to repair or replace campaign property that was: (i) lost or stolen, or (ii) 
122.7 	damaged or defaced to such a degree that the property no longer serves its intended purpose. 
122.8 	For purposes of this clause, campaign property includes but is not limited to campaign lawn 
122.9 	signs. The candidate must document the need for these costs in writing or with photographs; 
122.10 	and
122.11 	(31) transition expenses and inaugural event expenses as defined in section 10A.174.
122.12 	(b) The board must determine whether an activity involves a noncampaign disbursement 
122.13 	within the meaning of this subdivision.
122.14 	(c) A noncampaign disbursement is considered to be made in the year in which the 
122.15 	candidate made the purchase of goods or services or incurred an obligation to pay for goods 
122.16 	or services.

122.17 	Sec. 8. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 10A.01, subdivision 26b, is amended to read:
122.18 		Subd. 26b.Official action of a political subdivision. "Official action of a political 
122.19 	subdivision" means:
122.20 	(1) any action that requires a vote or approval by one or more elected local officials 
122.21 	while acting in their official capacity; or
122.22 	(2) an action by an appointed or employed local official to make, to recommend, or to 
122.23 	vote on as a member of the governing body, if the official uses:
122.24 	(i) the authority to make major decisions regarding the expenditure or investment of 
122.25 	public money;
122.26 	(ii) the responsibility to make recommendations to a chief executive or the governing 
122.27 	body about major decisions regarding the expenditure or investment of public money; or
122.28 	(iii) the authority to vote as a member of the governing body on major decisions regarding 
122.29 	the expenditure or investment of public money.

122.30 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective June 1, 2025.

123.1 	Sec. 9. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 10A.04, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
123.2 		Subd. 4.Content. (a) A report under this section must include information the board 
123.3 	requires from the registration form and the information required by this subdivision for the 
123.4 	reporting period.
123.5 	(b) A lobbyist must report the specific subjects of interest for an entity represented by 
123.6 	the lobbyist on each report submitted under this section. A lobbyist must describe a specific 
123.7 	subject of interest in the report with enough information to show the particular issue of 
123.8 	importance to the entity represented.
123.9 	(c) A lobbyist must report every state agency that had administrative action that the 
123.10 	represented entity sought to influence during the reporting period. The lobbyist must report 
123.11 	the specific subjects of interest for each administrative action and the revisor of statutes 
123.12 	rule draft number assigned to the administrative rulemaking.
123.13 	(d) A lobbyist must report every political subdivision that considered official action that 
123.14 	the represented entity sought to influence during the reporting period. The lobbyist must 
123.15 	report the specific subjects of interest for each action.
123.16 	(e) A lobbyist must report general lobbying categories and up to four specific subjects 
123.17 	of interest related to each general lobbying category on which the lobbyist attempted to 
123.18 	influence legislative action during the reporting period. If the lobbyist attempted to influence 
123.19 	legislative action on more than four specific subjects of interest for a general lobbying 
123.20 	category, the lobbyist, in consultation with the represented entity, must determine which 
123.21 	four specific subjects of interest were the entity's highest priorities during the reporting 
123.22 	period and report only those four subjects.
123.23 	(f) A lobbyist must report the Public Utilities Commission project name for each rate 
123.24 	setting, power plant and powerline siting, or granting of certification of need before the 
123.25 	Public Utilities Commission that the represented entity sought to influence during the 
123.26 	reporting period.
123.27 	(g) A lobbyist must report the amount and nature of each gift, item, or benefit, excluding 
123.28 	contributions to a candidate, equal in value to $5 or more, given or paid to any official, as 
123.29 	defined in section 10A.071, subdivision 1, by the lobbyist or an employer or employee of 
123.30 	the lobbyist. The list must include the name and address of each official to whom the gift, 
123.31 	item, or benefit was given or paid and the date it was given or paid.
123.32 	(h) A lobbyist must report each original source of money in excess of $500 in any year 
123.33 	used for the purpose of lobbying to influence legislative action, administrative action, or 
124.1 	the official action of a political subdivision. The list must include the name, address, and 
124.2 	employer, or, if self-employed, the occupation and principal place of business, of each payer 
124.3 	of money in excess of $500.
124.4 	(i) On each report, a lobbyist must disclose the general lobbying categories that were 
124.5 	lobbied on in the reporting period.
124.6 	(j) A lobbyist must report each expert witness that the lobbyist requested to communicate  
124.7 	with public or local officials as described in section 10A.01, subdivision 21, paragraph (b), 
124.8 	clause (9), and each finance professional who participated in conduit financing as described 
124.9 	in section 10A.01, subdivision 21, paragraph (b), clause (7). The lobbyist must report the 
124.10 	name of the expert witness or finance professional; the employer, if any, of the expert witness 
124.11 	or finance professional; the government entity that received the communication from the 
124.12 	expert witness or finance professional; and the specific subject on which the expert witness 
124.13 	or finance professional communicated. The designated lobbyist must also report this 
124.14 	information if the expert witness or finance professional is requested to communicate by 
124.15 	the principal or association that the lobbyist represents.

124.16 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective June 1, 2025.

124.17 	Sec. 10. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 10A.06, is amended to read:
124.18 	10A.06 CONTINGENT FEES PROHIBITED.
124.19 	(a) No person may act as or employ a lobbyist for compensation that is dependent upon 
124.20 	the result or outcome of any legislative or administrative action, or of the official action of 
124.21 	a political subdivision.
124.22 	(b) This section does not apply to an attorney or financial professional to the extent that 
124.23 	the attorney or financial professional is participating in conduit financing through a political 
124.24 	subdivision.
124.25 	(c) A person who violates this section is guilty of a gross misdemeanor.

124.26 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective June 1, 2025.

124.27 	Sec. 11. [10A.066] HANDBOOK FOR LOBBYING.
124.28 	(a) The board must publish on the board's website a handbook for lobbying written in 
124.29 	plain language. At a minimum, the handbook must clearly explain:
124.30 	(1) lobbyist registration requirements, including:
125.1 	(i) an explanation of when a person is required to register as a lobbyist and what specific 
125.2 	types of activities count toward reaching the dollar amount thresholds in section 10A.01, 
125.3 	subdivision 21; and
125.4 	(ii) how registration requirements apply if a person is employed by a government entity;
125.5 	(2) which activities and expenses do not count toward the dollar amount thresholds in 
125.6 	section 10A.01, subdivision 21, but are required to be reported as lobbying disbursements 
125.7 	on a principal's report; and
125.8 	(3) any differences between lobbying the legislature, the executive branch, a political 
125.9 	subdivision, and the Public Utilities Commission.
125.10 	(b) The board must regularly update the handbook to reflect changes to statutes and 
125.11 	rules. In developing and updating the handbook, the board must consult individuals who 
125.12 	are registered lobbyists and individuals who are not full-time lobbyists, including individuals 
125.13 	from nonprofit organizations and small organizations.

125.14 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment, except 
125.15 	that the board is not required to publish the handbook until January 15, 2026.

125.16 	Sec. 12. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 10A.09, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
125.17 		Subdivision 1.Time for filing.  An individual must file a statement of economic interest:
125.18 	(1) within 60 days of accepting employment as a public official or a local official in a 
125.19 	metropolitan governmental unit;
125.20 	(2) within 60 days of assuming office as a district court judge, appeals court judge, 
125.21 	supreme court justice, or county commissioner;
125.22 	(3) within 14 days after the end of the filing period for a candidate who filed an affidavit 
125.23 	of candidacy or petition to appear on the ballot for an elective state constitutional or 
125.24 	legislative office or an elective local office in a metropolitan governmental unit other than 
125.25 	county commissioner;
125.26 	(4) in the case of a public official requiring the advice and consent of the senate, within 
125.27 	14 days after undertaking the duties of office; or
125.28 	(5) in the case of members of the Minnesota Racing Commission, the director of the 
125.29 	Minnesota Racing Commission, chief of security, medical officer, inspector of pari-mutuels, 
125.30 	and stewards employed or approved by the commission or persons who fulfill those duties 
125.31 	under contract, within 60 days of accepting or assuming duties.

126.1 	Sec. 13. [10A.174] INAUGURAL EVENT AND TRANSITION EXPENSES.
126.2 		Subdivision 1.Definitions. (a) For purposes of this section, the following terms have 
126.3 	the meanings given.
126.4 	(b) "Inaugural event expenses" means expenses incurred for any event related to the 
126.5 	individual's inauguration held between the date of the general election at which an individual 
126.6 	is elected to a statewide office and January 31 of the year in which the officeholder takes 
126.7 	office. In the event that an individual fills a vacancy in a constitutional office, "inaugural 
126.8 	event expenses" means expenses incurred for any event related to the individual's 
126.9 	inauguration between the time that it was confirmed that the individual would assume the 
126.10 	constitutional office and the date four weeks after the individual is sworn into office.
126.11 	(c) "Transition expenses" means expenses incurred in preparing for the assumption of 
126.12 	official duties as governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state, state auditor, or attorney 
126.13 	general. Expenses include but are not limited to establishment of a transition office, the 
126.14 	dissolution of the office, office space and equipment, communications and technology 
126.15 	support, consulting services, compensation and travel costs, and other reasonable expenses. 
126.16 	Transition expenses do not include expenses that are incurred after the officeholder takes 
126.17 	office.
126.18 		Subd. 2.Inaugural event and transition expenses; contributions. A candidate or a 
126.19 	candidate's principal campaign committee must not solicit or accept any contributions for 
126.20 	or make any expenditure for inaugural event expenses or transition expenses except through 
126.21 	the candidate's principal campaign committee or as otherwise prescribed by law.

126.22 	Sec. 14. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 10A.20, is amended by adding a subdivision to 
126.23 	read:
126.24 		Subd. 5a.Report on personal contributions. A candidate for constitutional or legislative 
126.25 	office that makes a contribution or loan to the candidate's principal campaign committee 
126.26 	that, in aggregate, exceeds the amount permitted by section 10A.27, subdivision 10, must 
126.27 	report the contribution or loan to the board by the next business day. A candidate must file 
126.28 	a new report each time that the reporting threshold is exceeded during an election cycle 
126.29 	segment.

127.1 	Sec. 15. [10A.52] MAJOR DECISION OF NONELECTED LOCAL OFFICIALS.
127.2 		Subdivision 1.Major decision regarding the expenditure of public money. (a) 
127.3 	Attempting to influence a nonelected local official is lobbying if the nonelected local official 
127.4 	uses:
127.5 	(1) the authority to make major decisions regarding the expenditure or investment of 
127.6 	public money;
127.7 	(2) the responsibility to make recommendations to a chief executive or the governing 
127.8 	body about major decisions regarding the expenditure or investment of public money; or
127.9 	(3) the authority to vote as a member of the governing body on major decisions regarding 
127.10 	the expenditure or investment of public money.
127.11 	(b) The mere act of submitting an application for a grant or responding to a request for 
127.12 	proposals is not lobbying. Communications of a purely administerial or technical nature 
127.13 	regarding the submission of a grant application or response to requests for proposals are 
127.14 	not lobbying.
127.15 		Subd. 2.Actions that are a major decision regarding public funds. A major decision 
127.16 	regarding the expenditure or investment of public money includes but is not limited to a 
127.17 	decision on:
127.18 	(1) the development and ratification of operating and capital budgets of a political 
127.19 	subdivision, including development of the budget request for an office or department within 
127.20 	the political subdivision;
127.21 	(2) whether to apply for or accept state, federal, or private grant funding;
127.22 	(3) selecting recipients for government grants from the political subdivision; or
127.23 	(4) tax abatement, tax increment financing, or expenditures on public infrastructure used 
127.24 	to support private housing or business developments.
127.25 		Subd. 3.Actions that are not a major decision. A major decision regarding the 
127.26 	expenditure of public money does not include:
127.27 	(1) the purchase of goods or services with public funds in the operating or capital budget 
127.28 	of a political subdivision;
127.29 	(2) collective bargaining of a labor contract on behalf of a political subdivision; or
127.30 	(3) participating in discussions with a party or a party's representative regarding litigation 
127.31 	between the party and the political subdivision of the local official.

128.1 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective June 1, 2025.

128.2 	Sec. 16. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 211A.02, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
128.3 		Subdivision 1.When and where filed by committees or candidates. (a) A committee 
128.4 	or a candidate who receives contributions or makes disbursements of more than $750 in a 
128.5 	calendar year shall submit an initial report to the filing officer within 14 days after the 
128.6 	candidate or committee receives or makes disbursements of more than $750 and must 
128.7 	continue to make the reports required by this subdivision until a final report is filed.
128.8 	(b) In a year in which a candidate receives contributions or makes disbursements of 
128.9 	more than $750 or the candidate's name appears on the ballot, the candidate must file a 
128.10 	report:
128.11 	(1) ten days before the primary or special primary if a primary is held in the jurisdiction, 
128.12 	regardless of whether the candidate is on the primary ballot. If a primary is not conducted, 
128.13 	the report is due ten days before the primary date specified in section 205.065;
128.14 	(2) ten days before the general election or special election; and
128.15 	(3) 30 days after a general or special election.
128.16 	The reporting obligations in this paragraph begin with the first report due after the reporting 
128.17 	period in which the candidate reaches the spending threshold specified in paragraph (a). A 
128.18 	candidate who did not file for office is not required to file reports required by this paragraph 
128.19 	that are due after the end of the filing period. A candidate whose name will not be on the 
128.20 	general election ballot is not required to file the reports required by clauses (2) and (3).
128.21 	(c) Until a final report is filed, a candidate must file a report by January 31 of each year. 
128.22 	Notwithstanding subdivision 2, clause (4), the report required by this subdivision must only 
128.23 	include the information from the previous calendar year.

128.24 	Sec. 17. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 211A.02, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
128.25 		Subd. 2.Information required. The report to be filed by a candidate or committee must 
128.26 	include:
128.27 	(1) the name of the candidate and office sought;
128.28 	(2) the printed name, address, telephone number, signature, and email address, if available,
128.29 	or an attestation that the candidate and the candidate's campaign do not possess an email 
128.30 	address, of the person responsible for filing the report;
128.31 	(3) the total cash on hand designated to be used for political purposes;
129.1 	(4) the total amount of contributions received and the total amount of disbursements for 
129.2 	the period from the last previous report to five days before the current report is due;
129.3 	(5) if disbursements made to the same vendor exceed $100 in the aggregate during the 
129.4 	period covered by the report, the name and address for the vendor and the amount, date, 
129.5 	and purpose for each disbursement; and
129.6 	(6) the name, address, and employer, or occupation if self-employed, of any individual 
129.7 	or entity that during the period covered by the report has made one or more contributions 
129.8 	that in the aggregate exceed $100, and the amount and date of each contribution. The filing 
129.9 	officer must restrict public access to the address of any individual who has made a 
129.10 	contribution that exceeds $100 and who has filed with the filing officer a written statement 
129.11 	signed by the individual that withholding the individual's address from the financial report 
129.12 	is required for the safety of the individual or the individual's family.

129.13 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective January 1, 2026.

129.14 	Sec. 18. [211B.066] DISTRIBUTION OF ABSENTEE BALLOT APPLICATIONS 
129.15 	AND SAMPLE BALLOTS.
129.16 		Subdivision 1.Definitions. (a) For purposes of this section, the following terms have 
129.17 	the meanings given.
129.18 	(b) "Person or entity" means any individual, committee, or association as defined in 
129.19 	section 10A.01, subdivision 6.
129.20 	(c) "Sample ballot" means a document that is formatted and printed in a manner that so 
129.21 	closely resembles an official ballot that it could lead a reasonable person to believe the 
129.22 	document is an official ballot. A document that contains the names of particular candidates 
129.23 	or ballot questions alongside illustrations of a generic ballot or common ballot markings is 
129.24 	not a sample ballot as long as the document does not closely resemble an official ballot and 
129.25 	would not lead a reasonable person to believe the document is an official ballot.
129.26 		Subd. 2.Requirements. (a) Except as otherwise provided in this paragraph, any person 
129.27 	or entity that mails an absentee ballot application or sample ballot to anyone in the state 
129.28 	must comply with this section. This section does not apply to a unit of government or 
129.29 	employee of that unit of government when discharging official election duties.
129.30 	(b) The person or entity mailing the absentee ballot application or sample ballot must 
129.31 	include the following statement: "This mailing is not an official election communication 
129.32 	from a unit of government. This [absentee ballot application or sample ballot] has not been 
129.33 	included at the request of a government official." If a sample ballot is enclosed, the statement 
130.1 	must also include the following: "This is a sample ballot, not an official ballot. You cannot 
130.2 	cast the enclosed sample ballot."
130.3 	(c) The statement required in paragraph (b) must be printed in a typeface and format 
130.4 	designed to be clearly visible at the time the mailing is opened. The person or entity sending 
130.5 	the sample ballot or absentee ballot application must include the person or entity's name 
130.6 	and street address in the return address position on the mailing envelope.
130.7 	(d) If an absentee ballot application is included, the space on the application to indicate 
130.8 	the applicant's preference to join the permanent absentee voter list must be left blank and 
130.9 	may only be marked by the applicant.

130.10 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective January 1, 2026.

130.11 	Sec. 19. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 211B.32, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
130.12 		Subd. 4.Proof of claim. The burden of proving the allegations in the complaint is on 
130.13 	the complainant. The standard of proof of a violation of section 211B.06, relating to false 
130.14 	statements in paid political advertising or campaign material, is clear and convincing 
130.15 	evidence. The standard of proof of any other a violation of chapter 211A or 211B is a 
130.16 	preponderance of the evidence.

130.17 	Sec. 20. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 211B.35, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
130.18 		Subd. 2.Disposition of complaint. The panel must determine whether the violation 
130.19 	alleged in the complaint occurred and must make at least one of the following dispositions:
130.20 	(a) The panel may dismiss the complaint.
130.21 	(b) The panel may issue a reprimand.
130.22 	(c) The panel may find that a statement made in a paid advertisement or campaign 
130.23 	material violated section 211B.06.
130.24 	(d) The panel may impose a civil penalty of up to $5,000 for any violation of chapter 
130.25 	211A or 211B.
130.26 	(e) (d) The panel may refer the complaint to the appropriate county attorney.

130.27 	Sec. 21. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 383B.041, subdivision 5, is amended to read:
130.28 		Subd. 5.Economic interest disclosure; Special School District No. 1. Every candidate 
130.29 	for school board in Special School District No. 1, Minneapolis, must file an original statement 
130.30 	of economic interest with the school district within 14 days of the filing of an affidavit or 
131.1 	petition to appear on the ballot the end of the candidate filing period. An elected official in 
131.2 	Special School District No. 1, Minneapolis, must file the annual statement required in section 
131.3 	10A.09, subdivision 6, with the school district for every year that the individual serves in 
131.4 	office. An original and annual statement must contain the information listed in section 
131.5 	10A.09, subdivision 5. The provisions of section 10A.09, subdivisions 6a, 7, and 9, apply 
131.6 	to statements required under this subdivision.

131.7 	Sec. 22. RULEMAKING.
 131.8 	The Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board must amend Minnesota Rules, part 
131.9 	4503.0900, to conform to the requirements of Minnesota Statutes, section 10A.174, regarding 
131.10 	transition expenses. The board may use the good cause exemption under Minnesota Statutes, 
131.11 	section 14.388, for purposes of this section.

131.12 	Sec. 23. EFFECTIVE DATE.
 131.13 	Unless otherwise provided, this article is effective January 1, 2026.

131.14 	ARTICLE 8
131.15 	ELECTIONS POLICY

131.16 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 201.054, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
131.17 		Subdivision 1.Registration. (a) An individual may register to vote or update a voter 
131.18 	registration:
131.19 	(1) at any time before the 20th day preceding any election as provided in section 201.061, 
131.20 	subdivision 1;
131.21 	(2) on the day of an election as provided in section 201.061, subdivision 3; or
131.22 	(3) when submitting an absentee ballot, by enclosing a completed registration application 
131.23 	as provided in section 203B.04, subdivision 4.
131.24 	(b) An individual who is under the age of 18, but who is at least 16 years of age and 
131.25 	otherwise eligible, may submit a voter registration application as provided in section 201.061, 
131.26 	subdivisions 1 and 1b.

131.27 	Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 201.054, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
131.28 		Subd. 2.Prohibitions; penalty. No An individual shall must not intentionally:
132.1 	(1) cause or attempt to cause the individual's name to be registered in any precinct if the 
132.2 	individual is not eligible to vote, except as permitted by section 201.061, subdivision 1b;
132.3 	(2) cause or attempt to cause the individual's name to be registered for the purpose of 
132.4 	voting in more than one precinct;
132.5 	(3) misrepresent the individual's identity when attempting to register to vote or to update 
132.6 	a registration; or
132.7 	(4) aid, abet, counsel, or procure any other individual to violate this subdivision.
132.8 	A violation of this subdivision is a felony.

132.9 	Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 201.056, is amended to read:
132.10 	201.056 SIGNATURE OF REGISTERED VOTER; MARKS ALLOWED.
132.11 	An individual who is unable to write the individual's name shall be required to must
132.12 	sign a registration application in the manner provided by section 645.44, subdivision 14. If 
132.13 	the individual registers in person and signs by making a mark, the clerk or election judge 
132.14 	accepting the registration shall or update must certify the mark by signing the individual's 
132.15 	name. If the individual registers or updates a registration by mail and signs by making a 
132.16 	mark, the mark shall must be certified by having a voter registered in the individual's precinct 
132.17 	sign the individual's name and the voter's own name and give the voter's own address.

132.18 	Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 201.061, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
132.19 		Subdivision 1.Prior to election day. (a) At any time except during the 20 days 
132.20 	immediately preceding any regularly scheduled election, an eligible voter or any individual 
132.21 	who will be an eligible voter at the time of the next election may register or update a 
132.22 	registration to vote in the precinct in which the voter maintains residence by completing a 
132.23 	voter registration application as described in section 201.071, subdivision 1. A completed 
132.24 	application may be submitted:
132.25 	(1) in person or by mail to the county auditor of that county or to the Secretary of State's 
132.26 	Office; or
132.27 	(2) electronically through a secure website that shall must be maintained by the secretary 
132.28 	of state for this purpose, if the applicant has an email address and provides the applicant's 
132.29 	verifiable Minnesota driver's license number, Minnesota state identification card number, 
132.30 	or the last four digits of the applicant's Social Security number.
133.1 	(b) A registration or update to a registration that is received in person or by mail no later 
133.2 	than 5:00 p.m. on the 21st day preceding any election, or a registration or update to a 
133.3 	registration received electronically through the secretary of state's secure website no later 
133.4 	than 11:59 p.m. on the 21st day preceding any election, shall must be accepted. An 
133.5 	improperly addressed or delivered registration application shall must be forwarded within 
133.6 	two working days after receipt to the county auditor of the county where the voter maintains 
133.7 	residence. A state or local agency or an individual that accepts completed voter registration 
133.8 	applications from a voter must submit the completed applications to the secretary of state 
133.9 	or the appropriate county auditor within ten calendar days after the applications are dated 
133.10 	by the voter.
133.11 	(c) An application submitted electronically under paragraph (a), clause (2), may only 
133.12 	be transmitted to the county auditor for processing if the secretary of state has verified the 
133.13 	application information matches the information in a government database associated with 
133.14 	the applicant's driver's license number, state identification card number, or Social Security 
133.15 	number. The secretary of state must review all unverifiable voter registration applications 
133.16 	submitted electronically for evidence of suspicious activity and must forward any such 
133.17 	application to an appropriate law enforcement agency for investigation.
133.18 	(d) An individual may not electronically submit a voter registration application on behalf 
133.19 	of any other individual, except that the secretary of state may provide features on the secure 
133.20 	website established under paragraph (a), clause (2), that allow third parties to connect 
133.21 	application programming interfaces that facilitate an individual's submission of voter 
133.22 	registration information while interacting with the third party.
133.23 	(e) For purposes of this section, mail registration is defined as a voter registration 
133.24 	application delivered to the secretary of state, county auditor, or municipal clerk by the 
133.25 	United States Postal Service or a commercial carrier.

133.26 	Sec. 5. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 201.061, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
133.27 		Subd. 3.Election day registration. (a) An individual who is eligible to vote may register
133.28 	or update a registration on election day by appearing in person at the polling place for the 
133.29 	precinct in which the individual maintains residence, by completing a registration application, 
133.30 	making an oath in the form prescribed by the secretary of state and providing proof of 
133.31 	residence. An individual may prove residence for purposes of registering or updating a 
133.32 	registration by:
133.33 	(1) presenting a driver's license or Minnesota identification card issued pursuant to 
133.34 	section 171.07;
134.1 	(2) presenting any document approved by the secretary of state as proper identification;
134.2 	(3) presenting a current student fee statement that contains the student's valid address 
134.3 	in the precinct together with a picture identification card; or
134.4 	(4) having a voter who is registered to vote in the precinct, or an employee who provides 
134.5 	proof that they are employed by and working in a residential facility in the precinct and 
134.6 	vouching for a resident in the facility, sign an oath in the presence of the election judge 
134.7 	vouching that the voter or employee personally knows that the individual is a resident of 
134.8 	the precinct. A voter who has been vouched for on election day may not sign a proof of 
134.9 	residence oath vouching for any other individual on that election day. An election judge 
134.10 	may not sign a proof of residence oath vouching for any individual who appears in the 
134.11 	precinct where the election judge is working unless the election judge personally knows the 
134.12 	individual is a resident of the precinct. A voter who is registered to vote in the precinct may 
134.13 	sign up to eight proof-of-residence oaths on any election day. This limitation does not apply 
134.14 	to an employee of a residential facility described in this clause. The secretary of state shall 
134.15 	provide a form for election judges to use in recording the number of individuals for whom 
134.16 	a voter signs proof-of-residence oaths on election day. The form must include space for the 
134.17 	maximum number of individuals for whom a voter may sign proof-of-residence oaths. For 
134.18 	each proof-of-residence oath, the form must include a statement that the individual: (i) is 
134.19 	registered to vote in the precinct or is an employee of a residential facility in the precinct, 
134.20 	(ii) personally knows that the voter is a resident of the precinct, and (iii) is making the 
134.21 	statement on oath. The form must include a space for the voter's printed name, signature, 
134.22 	telephone number, and address.
134.23 	The oath required by this subdivision and Minnesota Rules, part 8200.9939, must be 
134.24 	attached to the voter registration application.
134.25 	(b) The operator of a residential facility shall prepare a list of the names of its employees 
134.26 	currently working in the residential facility and the address of the residential facility. The 
134.27 	operator shall certify the list and provide it to the appropriate county auditor no less than 
134.28 	20 days before each election for use in election day registration. The secretary of state must 
134.29 	publish guidance for residential facilities and residential facility employees on the vouching 
134.30 	process and the requirements of this subdivision.
134.31 	(c) "Residential facility" means transitional housing as defined in section 256K.48, 
134.32 	subdivision 1; a supervised living facility licensed by the commissioner of health under 
134.33 	section 144.50, subdivision 6; a nursing home as defined in section 144A.01, subdivision 
134.34 	5; an assisted living facility licensed by the commissioner of health under chapter 144G; a 
135.1 	veterans home operated by the board of directors of the Minnesota Veterans Homes under 
135.2 	chapter 198; a residence licensed by the commissioner of human services to provide a 
135.3 	residential program as defined in section 245A.02, subdivision 14; a residential facility for 
135.4 	persons with a developmental disability licensed by the commissioner of human services 
135.5 	under section 252.28; setting authorized to provide housing support as defined in section 
135.6 	256I.03, subdivision 10a; a shelter for battered women as defined in section 611A.37, 
135.7 	subdivision 4; a supervised publicly or privately operated shelter or dwelling designed to 
135.8 	provide temporary living accommodations for the homeless; a facility where a provider 
135.9 	operates a residential treatment program as defined in section 245.462, subdivision 23; or 
135.10 	a facility where a provider operates an adult foster care program as defined in section 
135.11 	245A.02, subdivision 6c.
135.12 	(d) For tribal band members, an individual may prove residence for purposes of 
135.13 	registering or updating a registration by:
135.14 	(1) presenting an identification card issued by the tribal government of a tribe recognized 
135.15 	by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, United States Department of the Interior, that contains the 
135.16 	name, address, signature, and picture of the individual; or
135.17 	(2) presenting an identification card issued by the tribal government of a tribe recognized 
135.18 	by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, United States Department of the Interior, that contains the 
135.19 	name, signature, and picture of the individual and also presenting one of the documents 
135.20 	listed in Minnesota Rules, part 8200.5100, subpart 2, item B.
135.21 	(e) A county, school district, or municipality may require that an election judge 
135.22 	responsible for election day registration initial each completed registration application.

135.23 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective January 1, 2026.

135.24 	Sec. 6. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 201.061, subdivision 3a, is amended to read:
135.25 		Subd. 3a.Additional proofs of residence permitted for students. (a) If an eligible 
135.26 	voter's name; student identification number, if available; and address within the precinct 
135.27 	appear on a current residential housing list under section 135A.17 certified to the county 
135.28 	auditor by the postsecondary educational institution, the voter may prove residence by 
135.29 	presenting a current valid photo identification issued by a postsecondary educational 
135.30 	institution in Minnesota; identification authorized in subdivision 3, paragraph (a), clause 
135.31 	(1) or (2); or identification authorized in subdivision 3, paragraph (d) (c), clause (1) or (2).
135.32 	(b) This additional proof of residence for students must not be allowed unless the 
135.33 	postsecondary educational institution submits to the county auditor no later than 60 days 
136.1 	prior to the election a written agreement that the postsecondary educational institution will 
136.2 	certify for use at the election accurate updated residential housing lists under section 135A.17. 
136.3 	A written agreement is effective for the election and all subsequent elections held in that 
136.4 	calendar year, including the November general election.
136.5 	(c) The additional proof of residence for students must be allowed on an equal basis for 
136.6 	voters who reside in housing meeting the requirements of section 135A.17, if the residential 
136.7 	housing lists certified by the postsecondary educational institution meet the requirements 
136.8 	of this subdivision.
136.9 	(d) An updated residential housing list must be certified to the county auditor no later 
136.10 	than 20 35 days prior to each election. The certification must be dated and signed by the 
136.11 	chief officer or designee of the postsecondary educational institution and must state that the 
136.12 	list is current and accurate and includes only the names of persons residing in the institution's 
136.13 	housing and, for students who do not live in the institution's housing, that it reflects the 
136.14 	institution's records as of the date of the certification.
136.15 	(e) This additional proof of residence for students must be allowed during the 18 days 
136.16 	before an election and on election day. The county auditor shall instruct the election judges 
136.17 	of the precinct in procedures for use of the list in conjunction with photo identification. The 
136.18 	auditor shall supply a list to the election judges with the election supplies for the precinct.
136.19 	(f) The county auditor shall notify all postsecondary educational institutions in the county 
136.20 	of the provisions of this subdivision.

136.21 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective January 1, 2026, and applies to elections 
136.22 	held on or after February 6, 2026.

136.23 	Sec. 7. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 201.061, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
136.24 		Subd. 4.Registration by election judges; procedures. Registration and updates to 
136.25 	registrations at the polling place on election day shall must be conducted by the election 
136.26 	judges. Before registering an individual to vote or updating an individual's registration at 
136.27 	the polling place, the election judge must review any list of voters who registered or updated 
136.28 	a registration with an absentee election day registrants ballot provided by the county auditor 
136.29 	or municipal clerk to see if the person individual has already voted by absentee ballot. If 
136.30 	the person's individual's name appears on the list, the election judge must not allow the 
136.31 	individual to register, to update the individual's registration, or to vote in the polling place. 
136.32 	The election judge who registers an individual or updates an individual's registration at the 
136.33 	polling place on election day shall must not handle that voter's ballots at any time prior to 
137.1 	the opening of the ballot box after the voting ends. Registration applications and forms for 
137.2 	oaths shall must be available at each polling place. If an individual who registers or updates 
137.3 	a registration on election day proves residence by oath of a registered voter, the form 
137.4 	containing the oath shall must be attached to the individual's registration application. 
137.5 	Registration applications completed on election day shall must be forwarded to the county 
137.6 	auditor who shall must add the name of each voter to the registration system or update the 
137.7 	voter's registration unless the information forwarded is substantially deficient. A county 
137.8 	auditor who finds an election day registration or update substantially deficient shall must
137.9 	give written notice to the individual whose registration is found deficient. An election day 
137.10 	registration shall or update must not be found deficient solely because the individual who 
137.11 	provided proof of residence was ineligible to do so.

137.12 	Sec. 8. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 201.061, subdivision 5, is amended to read:
137.13 		Subd. 5.Unregistered voters; penalty. No election judge in any precinct in which 
137.14 	registration is required may receive the vote at any election of any individual whose name 
137.15 	is not registered in a manner specified in section 201.054, subdivision 1 or not recorded 
137.16 	under section 203B.19. A violation of this subdivision is a felony.

137.17 	Sec. 9. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 201.061, subdivision 7, is amended to read:
137.18 		Subd. 7.Record of attempted registrations. The election judge responsible for election 
137.19 	day registration shall must attempt to keep a record of the number of individuals who attempt 
137.20 	to register or update a registration on election day but who cannot provide proof of residence 
137.21 	as required by this section. The record shall must be forwarded to the county auditor with 
137.22 	the election returns for that precinct.

137.23 	Sec. 10. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 201.071, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
137.24 		Subdivision 1.Form. Both paper and electronic voter registration applications must 
137.25 	contain the same information unless otherwise provided by law. A voter registration 
137.26 	application must contain spaces for the following required information: voter's first name, 
137.27 	middle name, and last name; voter's previous name, if any; voter's current address; voter's 
137.28 	previous address, if any; voter's date of birth; voter's municipality and county of residence; 
137.29 	voter's telephone number, if provided by the voter; date of registration; current and valid 
137.30 	Minnesota driver's license number or Minnesota state identification number, or if the voter 
137.31 	has no current and valid Minnesota driver's license or Minnesota state identification, the 
137.32 	last four digits of the voter's Social Security number; a box to indicate a voter's preference 
137.33 	to join the permanent absentee voter list; and voter's signature. The paper registration 
138.1 	application must provide a space for a voter to provide a physical description of the location 
138.2 	of their residence, if the voter resides in an area lacking a specific physical address. The 
138.3 	description must be sufficient for the county auditor to identify the correct precinct for the 
138.4 	voter. The description may include the closest cross street or the nearest address to the 
138.5 	described location that is identified on a precinct map, and directions from that cross street 
138.6 	or address to the described location, including but not limited to the cardinal direction and 
138.7 	approximate distance to the location. The paper registration application may include the 
138.8 	voter's email address, if provided by the voter. The electronic voter registration application 
138.9 	must include the voter's email address. The registration application may include the voter's 
138.10 	interest in serving as an election judge, if indicated by the voter. The application must also 
138.11 	contain the following certification of voter eligibility:
138.12 	"I certify that I:
138.13 	(1) am at least 16 years old and understand that I must be at least 18 years old to be 
138.14 	eligible to vote;
138.15 	(2) am a citizen of the United States;
138.16 	(3) will have maintained residence in Minnesota for 20 days immediately preceding 
138.17 	election day;
138.18 	(4) maintain residence at the address or location given on the registration form;
138.19 	(5) am not under court-ordered guardianship in which the court order revokes my right 
138.20 	to vote;
138.21 	(6) have not been found by a court to be legally incompetent to vote;
138.22 	(7) am not currently incarcerated for a conviction of a felony offense; and
138.23 	(8) have read and understand the following statement: that giving false information is a 
138.24 	felony punishable by not more than five years imprisonment or a fine of not more than 
138.25 	$10,000, or both."
138.26 	The certification must include boxes for the voter to respond to the following questions:
138.27 	"(1) Are you a citizen of the United States?" and
138.28 	"(2) Are you at least 16 years old and will you be at least 18 years old on or before the 
138.29 	day of the election in which you intend to vote?"
138.30 	And the instruction:
138.31 	"If you checked 'no' to either of these questions, do not complete this form."
139.1 	The form of the voter registration application and the certification of voter eligibility 
139.2 	must be as provided in this subdivision and approved by the secretary of state. Voter 
139.3 	registration forms authorized by the National Voter Registration Act must also be accepted 
139.4 	as valid. The federal postcard application form must also be accepted as valid if it is not 
139.5 	deficient and the voter is eligible to register in Minnesota.
139.6 	An individual may use a voter registration application to apply to register to vote in 
139.7 	Minnesota or to change update information on an existing registration.

139.8 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2025, except that this section is 
139.9 	effective January 1, 2026, for the secretary of state's online voter registration application.

139.10 	Sec. 11. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 201.071, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
139.11 		Subd. 4.Change of registration. A county auditor who receives a registration application 
139.12 	indicating that an individual was previously registered in a different county in Minnesota 
139.13 	shall must update the voter's record electronically through the statewide registration system 
139.14 	in the manner prescribed by the secretary of state. A county auditor who receives a 
139.15 	registration application or notification requiring a change an update of registration records 
139.16 	under this subdivision as a result of an a voter updating the voter's registration on election 
139.17 	day registration shall must also check the statewide registration system to determine whether 
139.18 	the individual voted in more than one precinct in the most recent election.

139.19 	Sec. 12. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 201.091, subdivision 5, is amended to read:
139.20 		Subd. 5.Copy of list to registered voter. The county auditors and the secretary of state 
139.21 	shall must provide copies of the public information lists in electronic or other media to any 
139.22 	voter registered in Minnesota within ten five business days of receiving a complete written 
139.23 	or electronic request accompanied by payment of the cost of reproduction. The county 
139.24 	auditors and the secretary of state shall must make a copy of the list available for public 
139.25 	inspection without cost. An individual who inspects or acquires a copy of a public information 
139.26 	list may must not use any information contained in it for purposes unrelated to elections, 
139.27 	political activities, or law enforcement.

139.28 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective January 1, 2026.

139.29 	Sec. 13. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 201.091, subdivision 8, is amended to read:
139.30 		Subd. 8.Registration places. (a) Each county auditor shall must designate a number of 
139.31 	public buildings in those political subdivisions of the county where preregistration of voters 
140.1 	is allowed as provided in section 201.061, subdivision 1, where eligible voters may register 
140.2 	to vote or update the voter's registration as provided in section 201.061, subdivision 1.
140.3 	(b) An adequate supply of registration applications and instructions must be maintained 
140.4 	at each designated location, and a designated individual must be available there to accept 
140.5 	registration applications and transmit them to the county auditor.
140.6 	(c) A person who, because of disability, needs assistance in order to determine eligibility 
140.7 	or, to register must, or to update a voter registration may be assisted by a designated 
140.8 	individual. Assistance includes but is not limited to reading the registration form and 
140.9 	instructions and filling out the registration form as directed by the eligible voter.

140.10 	Sec. 14. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 201.121, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
140.11 		Subdivision 1.Entry of registration information. (a) At the time a voter registration 
140.12 	application is properly completed, submitted, and received in accordance with sections 
140.13 	201.061 and 201.071, the county auditor shall must enter or update the information contained 
140.14 	on it into the statewide registration system. Voter registration applications completed before 
140.15 	election day must be entered into the statewide registration system within ten days after 
140.16 	they have been submitted to the county auditor. Voter registration applications completed 
140.17 	on election day must be entered into the statewide registration system within 42 days after 
140.18 	the election, unless the county auditor notifies the secretary of state before the deadline has 
140.19 	expired that the deadline will not be met. Upon receipt of a notification under this paragraph, 
140.20 	the secretary of state must extend the deadline for that county auditor by an additional 28 
140.21 	days. The secretary of state may waive a county's obligations under this paragraph if, on 
140.22 	good cause shown, the county demonstrates its permanent inability to comply.
140.23 	The secretary of state must post data on each county's compliance with this paragraph on 
140.24 	the secretary of state's website including, as applicable, the date each county fully complied 
140.25 	or the deadline by which a county's compliance must be complete.
140.26 	(b) Upon receiving a completed voter registration application, the secretary of state may 
140.27 	electronically transmit the information on the application to the appropriate county auditor 
140.28 	as soon as possible for review by the county auditor before final entry into or update in the 
140.29 	statewide registration system. The secretary of state may mail the voter registration 
140.30 	application to the county auditor.
140.31 	(c) Within ten days after the county auditor has entered or updated information from a 
140.32 	voter registration application into in the statewide registration system, the secretary of state 
140.33 	shall must compare the voter's name, date of birth, and driver's license number, state 
141.1 	identification number, or the last four digits of the Social Security number with the same 
141.2 	information contained in the Department of Public Safety database.
141.3 	(d) The secretary of state shall must provide a report to the county auditor on a weekly 
141.4 	basis that includes a list of voters whose name, date of birth, or identification number have 
141.5 	been compared with the same information in the Department of Public Safety database and 
141.6 	cannot be verified as provided in this subdivision. The report must list separately those 
141.7 	voters who have submitted a voter registration application by mail and have not voted in a 
141.8 	federal election in this state.
141.9 	(e) The county auditor shall must compile a list of voters for whom the county auditor 
141.10 	and the secretary of state are unable to conclude that information on the voter registration 
141.11 	application and the corresponding information in the Department of Public Safety database 
141.12 	relate to the same person.
141.13 	(f) The county auditor shall must send a notice of incomplete registration to any voter 
141.14 	whose name appears on the list and change the voter's status to "challenged." A voter who 
141.15 	receives a notice of incomplete registration from the county auditor may either provide the 
141.16 	information required to clear the challenge at least 21 days before the next election or at 
141.17 	the polling place on election day.

141.18 	Sec. 15. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 201.121, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
141.19 		Subd. 3.Postelection sampling. (a) Within ten days after an election, the county auditor 
141.20 	shall must send the notice required by subdivision 2 to a random sampling of the individuals 
141.21 	who registered or updated voter registration information on election day. The random 
141.22 	sampling shall must be determined in accordance with the rules of the secretary of state. 
141.23 	As soon as practicable after the election, the county auditor shall must mail the notice 
141.24 	required by subdivision 2 to all other individuals who registered or updated voter registration 
141.25 	information on election day. If a notice is returned as not deliverable, the county auditor 
141.26 	shall must attempt to determine the reason for the return. A county auditor who does not 
141.27 	receive or obtain satisfactory proof of an individual's eligibility to vote shall must
141.28 	immediately notify the county attorney of all of the relevant information. By February 15 
141.29 	of each year, the county auditor must notify the secretary of state of the following information 
141.30 	for each election held in the previous year by each precinct:
141.31 	(1) the total number of all notices that were returned as nondeliverable;
141.32 	(2) the total number of nondeliverable notices that the county auditor was able to 
141.33 	determine the reason for the return along with the reason for each return; and
142.1 	(3) the total number of individuals for whom the county auditor does not receive or 
142.2 	obtain satisfactory proof of an individual's eligibility to vote.
142.3 	(b) By March 1 of every year, the secretary of state shall must report to the chair and 
142.4 	ranking minority members of the legislative committees with jurisdiction over elections the 
142.5 	following information for each election held in the previous year by each precinct and each 
142.6 	county:
142.7 	(1) the total number of all notices that were returned as nondeliverable;
142.8 	(2) the total number of nondeliverable notices that a county auditor was able to determine 
142.9 	the reason for the return along with the reason for each return; and
142.10 	(3) the total number of individuals for whom the county auditor does not receive or 
142.11 	obtain satisfactory proof of an individual's eligibility to vote.

142.12 	Sec. 16. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 201.13, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
142.13 		Subd. 3.Use of change of address system. (a) At least once each month the secretary 
142.14 	of state shall must obtain a list of individuals registered to vote in this state who have filed 
142.15 	with the United States Postal Service a change of their permanent address. The secretary 
142.16 	of state may also periodically obtain a list of individuals with driver's licenses or state 
142.17 	identification cards to identify those who are registered to vote who have applied to the 
142.18 	Department of Public Safety for a replacement driver's license or state identification card 
142.19 	with a different address, and a list of individuals for whom the Department of Public Safety 
142.20 	received notification of a driver's license or state identification card cancellation due to a 
142.21 	change of residency out of state. However, the secretary of state shall must not load data 
142.22 	derived from these lists into the statewide voter registration system within the 47 days before 
142.23 	the state primary or 47 days before a November general election.
142.24 	(b) If the address is changed to another address in this state, the secretary of state shall
142.25 	must locate the precinct in which the voter maintains residence, if possible. If the secretary 
142.26 	of state is able to locate the precinct in which the voter maintains residence, the secretary 
142.27 	must transmit the information about the changed address by electronic means to the county 
142.28 	auditor of the county in which the new address is located. For addresses for which the 
142.29 	secretary of state is unable to determine the precinct, the secretary may forward information 
142.30 	to the appropriate county auditors for individual review. If the voter has not voted or 
142.31 	submitted a voter registration application since the address change, upon receipt of the 
142.32 	information, the county auditor shall must update the voter's address in the statewide voter 
142.33 	registration system. The county auditor shall must mail to the voter a notice stating the 
143.1 	voter's name, address, precinct, and polling place, unless the voter's record is challenged 
143.2 	due to a felony conviction, noncitizenship, name change, incompetence, or a court's 
143.3 	revocation of voting rights of individuals under guardianship, in which case the auditor 
143.4 	must not mail the notice. The notice must advise the voter that the voter's voting address 
143.5 	has been changed updated and that the voter must notify the county auditor within 21 days 
143.6 	if the new address is not the voter's address of residence. The notice must state that it must 
143.7 	be returned if it is not deliverable to the voter at the named address.
143.8 	(c) If the change of permanent address is to an address outside this state, the secretary 
143.9 	of state shall must notify by electronic means the auditor of the county where the voter 
143.10 	formerly maintained residence that the voter has moved to another state. If the voter has 
143.11 	not voted or submitted a voter registration application since the address change, the county 
143.12 	auditor shall must promptly mail to the voter at the voter's new address a notice advising 
143.13 	the voter that the voter's status in the statewide voter registration system will be changed to 
143.14 	"inactive" unless the voter notifies the county auditor within 21 days that the voter is retaining 
143.15 	the former address as the voter's address of residence, except that if the voter's record is 
143.16 	challenged due to a felony conviction, noncitizenship, name change, incompetence, or a 
143.17 	court's revocation of voting rights of individuals under guardianship, the auditor must not 
143.18 	mail the notice. If the notice is not received by the deadline, the county auditor shall must
143.19 	change the voter's status to "inactive" in the statewide voter registration system.
143.20 	(d) If, in order to maintain voter registration records, the secretary of state enters an 
143.21 	agreement to share information or data with an organization governed exclusively by a 
143.22 	group of states, the secretary must first determine that the data security protocols are sufficient 
143.23 	to safeguard the information or data shared. If required by such an agreement, the secretary 
143.24 	of state may share the following data from the statewide voter registration system and data 
143.25 	released to the secretary of state under section 171.12, subdivision 7a:
143.26 	(1) name;
143.27 	(2) date of birth;
143.28 	(3) address;
143.29 	(4) driver's license or state identification card number;
143.30 	(5) the last four digits of an individual's Social Security number; and
143.31 	(6) the date that an individual's record was last updated.
143.32 	If the secretary of state enters into such an agreement, the secretary and county auditors 
143.33 	must process changes updates to voter records based upon that data in accordance with this 
144.1 	section. Except as otherwise provided in this subdivision, when data is shared with the 
144.2 	secretary of state by another state, the secretary of state must maintain the same data 
144.3 	classification that the data had while it was in the possession of the state providing the data.

144.4 	Sec. 17. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 201.14, is amended to read:
144.5 	201.14 COURT ADMINISTRATOR OF DISTRICT COURT; REPORT CHANGES 
144.6 	OF NAMES.
144.7 	The state court administrator shall must regularly report by electronic means to the 
144.8 	secretary of state the name, address, and, if available, driver's license or state identification 
144.9 	card number of each individual, 18 years of age or over, whose name was changed since 
144.10 	the last report, by marriage, divorce, or any order or decree of the court. The secretary of 
144.11 	state shall must determine if any of the persons individuals in the report are registered to 
144.12 	vote under their previous name and shall must prepare a list of those registrants for each 
144.13 	county auditor. Upon receipt of the list, the county auditor shall make the change in must 
144.14 	update the voter's record with this information and mail to the voter the notice of registration 
144.15 	required by section 201.121, subdivision 2. A notice must not be mailed if the voter's record 
144.16 	is challenged due to a felony conviction, lack of United States citizenship, legal 
144.17 	incompetence, or court-ordered revocation of voting rights of persons under guardianship.

144.18 	Sec. 18. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 201.161, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
144.19 		Subd. 4.Department of Human Services. (a) If permitted by the federal government, 
144.20 	the commissioner of human services, in consultation with the secretary of state, must ensure 
144.21 	the applications described in subdivision 1, paragraph (a), clause (2), also serve as voter 
144.22 	registration applications for applicants 18 years of age or older whose United States 
144.23 	citizenship has been verified as part of the application. The commissioner must transmit 
144.24 	information required to register to vote, as prescribed by the secretary of state, daily by 
144.25 	electronic means to the secretary of state for an individual whose United States citizenship 
144.26 	has been verified. The commissioner must submit data to the secretary of state identifying 
144.27 	the total number of individuals who completed qualifying transactions under this section 
144.28 	and the total number of individuals whose records were ultimately transferred for registration
144.29 	or updates to registrations. At a minimum, the commissioner must submit the data to the 
144.30 	secretary of state on the same day each month.
144.31 	(b) No applicant may be registered to vote or have a registration updated under this 
144.32 	subdivision until (1) the commissioner of human services has certified that the department's 
144.33 	systems have been tested and can accurately provide the required data and accurately exclude 
145.1 	from transmission data on individuals who have not provided documentary evidence of 
145.2 	United States citizenship, and (2) the secretary of state has certified that the system for 
145.3 	automatic registration of those applicants has been tested and is capable of properly 
145.4 	determining whether an applicant is eligible to vote. The department's systems must be 
145.5 	tested and accurately provide the necessary data no later than September 30 of the year 
145.6 	following the year in which federal approval or permission is given, contingent on 
145.7 	appropriations being available for this purpose.

145.8 	Sec. 19. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 201.161, subdivision 5, is amended to read:
145.9 		Subd. 5.Other agencies and units of government. (a) The commissioner of management 
145.10 	and budget must, in consultation with the secretary of state, identify any other state agency 
145.11 	that is eligible to implement automatic voter registration. The commissioner must consider 
145.12 	a state agency eligible if the agency collects, processes, or stores the following information 
145.13 	as part of providing assistance or services: name, residential address, date of birth, and 
145.14 	citizenship verification. An eligible agency must submit a report to the governor and secretary 
145.15 	of state no later than December 1, 2024, describing steps needed to implement automatic 
145.16 	voter registration, barriers to implementation and ways to mitigate them, and applicable 
145.17 	federal and state privacy protections for the data under consideration. By June 1, 2025, the 
145.18 	governor, at the governor's sole discretion, must make final decisions, as to which agencies 
145.19 	will implement automatic voter registration by December 31, 2025, and which agencies 
145.20 	could implement automatic voter registration if provided with additional resources or if the 
145.21 	legislature changed the law to allow data to be used for automatic voter registration. The 
145.22 	governor must notify the commissioner of management and budget of the governor's 
145.23 	decisions related to automatic voter registration. By October 1, 2025, the commissioner of 
145.24 	management and budget must report to the chairs and ranking minority members of the 
145.25 	legislative committees with jurisdiction over election policy and finance. The report must 
145.26 	include:
145.27 	(1) the agencies that will implement automatic voter registration by December 31, 2025;
145.28 	(2) the agencies which could implement automatic voter registration if provided with 
145.29 	additional resources and recommendations on the necessary additional resources; and
145.30 	(3) the agencies that could implement automatic voter registration if the legislature 
145.31 	changed the law to allow data to be used for voter registration and recommendations on 
145.32 	how the law could be changed to allow the use of the data for this purpose.
145.33 	(b) An agency may not begin verifying citizenship as part of an agency transaction for 
145.34 	the sole purpose of providing automatic voter registration. Once an agency has implemented 
146.1 	automatic voter registration, it must continue to provide automatic voter registration unless 
146.2 	otherwise expressly required by law. For each individual whose United States citizenship 
146.3 	has been verified, the commissioner or agency head must transmit information required to 
146.4 	register to vote, as prescribed by the secretary of state, to the secretary of state by electronic 
146.5 	means. The governor must determine the frequency of the transmissions for each agency.
146.6 	(c) No applicant may be registered to vote or have a registration updated under this 
146.7 	subdivision until (1) the agency's commissioner or agency head has certified that the 
146.8 	necessary systems have been tested and can accurately provide the required data and 
146.9 	accurately exclude from transmission data on individuals whose United States citizenship 
146.10 	has not been verified, and (2) the secretary of state has certified that the system for automatic 
146.11 	registration of those applicants has been tested and is capable of properly determining 
146.12 	whether an applicant is eligible to vote.

146.13 	Sec. 20. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 201.161, subdivision 8, is amended to read:
146.14 		Subd. 8.Effective date of registration. Unless the applicant declines registration, the 
146.15 	effective date for the voter registration or update to a voter registration is the date that the 
146.16 	county auditor processes the application. This subdivision does not limit the ability of a 
146.17 	person to register to vote or update their registration on election day as provided in section 
146.18 	201.061, subdivision 3. Any person who submits a qualifying application under subdivision 
146.19 	1 that is dated during the 20 days before an election must be provided, at the time of 
146.20 	application, with a notice advising the applicant of the procedures to register to vote or 
146.21 	update a voter registration on election day.

146.22 	Sec. 21. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 201.162, is amended to read:
146.23 	201.162 DUTIES OF STATE AGENCIES.
146.24 	The commissioner or chief administrative officer of each state agency or 
146.25 	community-based public agency or nonprofit corporation that contracts with the state agency 
146.26 	to carry out obligations of the state agency shall must provide voter registration services 
146.27 	for employees and the public, including, as applicable, automatic voter registration or 
146.28 	information on voter eligibility and, registration procedures, and updating registrations as 
146.29 	required under section 201.161. A person An individual may complete a voter registration 
146.30 	application or apply to change update a voter registration name or address if the person
146.31 	individual has the proper qualifications on the date of application. Nonpartisan voter 
146.32 	registration assistance, including routinely asking members of the public served by the 
146.33 	agency whether they would like to register to vote or update a voter registration and, if 
147.1 	necessary, assisting them in preparing the registration forms must be part of the job of 
147.2 	appropriate agency employees.

147.3 	Sec. 22. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 201.225, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
147.4 		Subd. 2.Technology requirements. An electronic roster must:
147.5 	(1) be able to be loaded with a data file that includes voter registration data in a file 
147.6 	format prescribed by the secretary of state;
147.7 	(2) allow for data to be exported in a file format prescribed by the secretary of state;
147.8 	(3) allow for data to be entered manually or by scanning a Minnesota driver's license or 
147.9 	identification card to locate a voter record or populate a voter registration application that 
147.10 	would be printed and signed and dated by the voter. The printed registration application 
147.11 	can be a printed form, a label printed with voter information to be affixed to a preprinted 
147.12 	form, a combination of a form and label, or an electronic record that the voter signs 
147.13 	electronically and is printed following its completion at the polling place;
147.14 	(4) allow an election judge to update data that was populated from a scanned driver's 
147.15 	license or identification card;
147.16 	(5) cue an election judge to ask for and input data that is not populated from a scanned 
147.17 	driver's license or identification card that is otherwise required to be collected from the voter 
147.18 	or an election judge;
147.19 	(6) immediately alert the election judge if the voter has provided information that indicates 
147.20 	that the voter is not eligible to vote;
147.21 	(7) immediately alert the election judge if the electronic roster indicates that a voter has 
147.22 	already voted in that precinct, the voter's registration status is challenged, or it appears the 
147.23 	voter maintains residence in a different precinct;
147.24 	(8) provide immediate instructions on how to resolve a particular type of challenge when 
147.25 	a voter's record is challenged;
147.26 	(9) provide for a printed voter signature certificate, containing the voter's name, address 
147.27 	of residence, date of birth, voter identification number, the oath required by section 204C.10, 
147.28 	and a space for the voter's original signature. The printed voter signature certificate can be 
147.29 	a printed form, a label printed with the voter's information to be affixed to the oath, or an 
147.30 	electronic record that the voter signs electronically and is printed following its completion 
147.31 	at the polling place;
148.1 	(10) contain only preregisteredregistered voters within the precinct, and not contain 
148.2 	preregisteredregistered voter data on voters registered outside of the precinct, unless being 
148.3 	utilized for a combined polling place pursuant to section 204B.14, subdivision 2, absentee 
148.4 	or early voting under chapter 203B or for mail balloting on election day pursuant to section 
148.5 	204B.45, subdivision 2a;
148.6 	(11) be only networked within the polling location on election day, except for the purpose 
148.7 	of updating absentee ballot records;
148.8 	(12) meet minimum security, reliability, and networking standards established by the 
148.9 	Office of the Secretary of State in consultation with the Department of Information 
148.10 	Technology Services;
148.11 	(13) be capable of providing a voter's correct polling place; and
148.12 	(14) perform any other functions necessary for the efficient and secure administration 
148.13 	of the participating election, as determined by the secretary of state.
148.14 	Electronic rosters used only for election day registrationregistering voters and updating 
148.15 	voters' registration do not need to comply with clauses (1), (8), and (10). Electronic rosters 
148.16 	used only for preregistered voter processing voters who are registered and do not need to 
148.17 	update a registration do not need to comply with clauses (4) and (5).

148.18 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective June 1, 2025.

148.19 	Sec. 23. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 201.225, subdivision 5, is amended to read:
148.20 		Subd. 5.Election day. (a) Precincts may use electronic rosters for registering voters 
148.21 	and updating registrations on election day registration, to process preregistered registered
148.22 	voters, or both. The printed election day registration applications must be reviewed when 
148.23 	electronic records are processed in the statewide voter registration system. The election 
148.24 	judges shall must determine the number of ballots to be counted by counting the number 
148.25 	of original voter signature certificates or the number of voter receipts.
148.26 	(b) Each precinct using electronic rosters shall must have a paper backup system approved 
148.27 	by the secretary of state present at the polling place to use in the event that the election 
148.28 	judges are unable to use the electronic roster.

149.1 	Sec. 24. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 201.275, is amended to read:
149.2 	201.275 INVESTIGATIONS; PROSECUTIONS.
149.3 	(a) A law enforcement agency that is notified by affidavit of an alleged violation of this 
149.4 	chapter shall must promptly investigate. Upon receiving an affidavit alleging a violation of 
149.5 	this chapter, a county attorney shall must promptly forward it to a law enforcement agency 
149.6 	with jurisdiction for investigation. If there is probable cause for instituting a prosecution, 
149.7 	the county attorney shall must proceed according to the generally applicable standards 
149.8 	regarding the prosecutorial functions and duties of a county attorney, provided that the 
149.9 	county attorney is not required to proceed with the prosecution if the complainant withdraws 
149.10 	the allegation. A county attorney who refuses or intentionally fails to faithfully perform this 
149.11 	or any other duty imposed by this chapter is guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction 
149.12 	shall must forfeit office.
149.13 	(b) Willful violation of this chapter by any public employee constitutes just cause for 
149.14 	suspension without pay or dismissal of the public employee.
149.15 	(c) Where the matter relates to a voter registration application submitted electronically 
149.16 	through the secure website established in section 201.061, subdivision 1, alleged violations 
149.17 	of this chapter may be investigated and prosecuted in the county in which the individual 
149.18 	registered, updated a voter registration, or attempted to register.

149.19 	Sec. 25. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 203B.04, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
149.20 		Subdivision 1.Application procedures. (a) Except as otherwise allowed by subdivision 
149.21 	2 or by section 203B.11, subdivision 4, an application for absentee ballots for any election 
149.22 	may be submitted at any time not less than one day before the day of that election. The 
149.23 	county auditor shall prepare absentee ballot application forms in the format provided by the 
149.24 	secretary of state and shall furnish them to any person on request. By January 1 of each 
149.25 	even-numbered year, the secretary of state shall make the forms to be used available to 
149.26 	auditors through electronic means. An application submitted pursuant to this subdivision 
149.27 	shall be in writing. An application may be submitted in person, by electronic facsimile 
149.28 	device, by electronic mail, or by mail to:
149.29 	(1) the county auditor of the county where the applicant maintains residence; or
149.30 	(2) the municipal clerk of the municipality, or school district if applicable, where the 
149.31 	applicant maintains residence.
149.32 	(b) An absentee ballot application may alternatively be submitted electronically through 
149.33 	a secure website that shall be maintained by the secretary of state for this purpose. 
150.1 	Notwithstanding paragraph (d), the secretary of state must require applicants using the 
150.2 	website to submit the applicant's email address and the applicant's:
150.3 	(1) verifiable Minnesota driver's license number, or Minnesota state identification card 
150.4 	number, or; and
150.5 	(2) the last four digits of the applicant's Social Security number.
150.6 	If an applicant does not possess both types of documents, the applicant must include the 
150.7 	number for one type of document and must affirmatively certify that the applicant does not 
150.8 	possess the other type of documentation. This paragraph does not apply to a town election 
150.9 	held in March.
150.10 	(c) An application submitted electronically under this paragraph (b) may only be 
150.11 	transmitted to the county auditor for processing if the secretary of state has verified the 
150.12 	application information matches the information in a government database associated with 
150.13 	the applicant's driver's license number, state identification card number, or Social Security 
150.14 	number. The secretary of state must review all unverifiable applications for evidence of 
150.15 	suspicious activity and must forward any such application to an appropriate law enforcement 
150.16 	agency for investigation.
150.17 	(d) An application shall be approved if it is timely received, signed and dated by the 
150.18 	applicant, contains the applicant's name and residence and mailing addresses, date of birth, 
150.19 	and at least one of the following:
150.20 	(1) the applicant's Minnesota driver's license number;
150.21 	(2) Minnesota state identification card number;
150.22 	(3) the last four digits of the applicant's Social Security number; or
150.23 	(4) a statement that the applicant does not have any of these numbers.
150.24 	(e) To be approved, the application must contain an oath that the information contained 
150.25 	on the form is accurate, that the applicant is applying on the applicant's own behalf, and 
150.26 	that the applicant is signing the form under penalty of perjury.
150.27 	(f) An applicant's full date of birth, Minnesota driver's license or state identification 
150.28 	number, and the last four digits of the applicant's Social Security number must not be made 
150.29 	available for public inspection. An application may be submitted to the county auditor or 
150.30 	municipal clerk by an electronic facsimile device. An application mailed or returned in 
150.31 	person to the county auditor or municipal clerk on behalf of a voter by a person other than 
150.32 	the voter must be deposited in the mail or returned in person to the county auditor or 
151.1 	municipal clerk within ten days after it has been dated by the voter and no later than six 
151.2 	days before the election.
151.3 	(g) An application under this subdivision may contain an application under subdivision 
151.4 	5 to automatically receive an absentee ballot. The application form must not be preprinted 
151.5 	in a manner that requires the applicant to affirmatively opt out of being assigned to a 
151.6 	permanent absentee voter list.

151.7 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective January 1, 2026.

151.8 	Sec. 26. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 203B.04, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
151.9 		Subd. 4.Registration at time of application; updating registration. An eligible voter 
151.10 	who is not registered to vote or needs to update the voter's registration but who is otherwise 
151.11 	eligible to vote by absentee ballot may register or update a registration by including a 
151.12 	completed voter registration application with the absentee ballot. The individual shall must
151.13 	present proof of residence as required by section 201.061, subdivision 3, to the individual 
151.14 	who witnesses the marking of the absentee ballots. A military voter, as defined in section 
151.15 	203B.01, may register in this manner if voting pursuant to sections 203B.04 to 203B.15, or 
151.16 	may register pursuant to sections 203B.16 to 203B.27.

151.17 	Sec. 27. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 203B.06, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
151.18 		Subd. 4.Registration check. Upon receipt of an application for ballots, the county 
151.19 	auditor, municipal clerk, or election judge acting pursuant to section 203B.11, who receives 
151.20 	the application shall must determine whether the applicant is a registered voter. If the 
151.21 	applicant is not registered to vote or needs to update the voter's registration, the county 
151.22 	auditor, municipal clerk, or election judge shall must include a voter registration application 
151.23 	among the election materials provided to the applicant.

151.24 	Sec. 28. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 203B.07, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
151.25 		Subdivision 1.Delivery of envelopes, directions. The county auditor or the municipal 
151.26 	clerk shall must prepare, print, and transmit a return envelope, a signature envelope, a ballot 
151.27 	envelope, and a copy of the directions for casting an absentee ballot to each applicant whose 
151.28 	application for absentee ballots is accepted pursuant to section 203B.04. The county auditor 
151.29 	or municipal clerk shall must provide first class postage for the return envelope. The 
151.30 	directions for casting an absentee ballot shall must be printed in at least 14-point bold type 
151.31 	with heavy leading and may be printed on the ballot envelope. When a person requests the 
151.32 	directions in Braille or on audio file, the county auditor or municipal clerk shall must provide 
152.1 	them in the form requested. The secretary of state shall must prepare Braille and audio file 
152.2 	copies and make them available.
152.3 	When a voter registration application is sent to the applicant as provided in section 
152.4 	203B.06, subdivision 4, the directions or registration application shall must include 
152.5 	instructions for registering to vote or updating a voter's registration.

152.6 	Sec. 29. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 203B.07, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
152.7 		Subd. 3.Eligibility certificate. A certificate of eligibility to vote by absentee ballot 
152.8 	shall must be printed on the back of the signature envelope. The certificate shall must contain 
152.9 	space for the voter's Minnesota driver's license number, state identification number, or the 
152.10 	last four digits of the voter's Social Security number, or to indicate that the voter does not 
152.11 	have one of these numbers. The space must be designed to ensure that the voter provides 
152.12 	the same type of identification as provided on the voter's absentee ballot application for 
152.13 	purposes of comparison. The certificate must also contain a statement to be signed and 
152.14 	sworn by the voter indicating that the voter meets all of the requirements established by law 
152.15 	for voting by absentee ballot and space for a statement signed by a person who is at least 
152.16 	18 years of age on or before the day of the election and a citizen of the United States or by 
152.17 	a notary public or other individual authorized to administer oaths stating that:
152.18 	(1) the ballots were displayed to that individual unmarked;
152.19 	(2) the voter marked the ballots in that individual's presence without showing how they 
152.20 	were marked, or, if the voter was physically unable to mark them, that the voter directed 
152.21 	another individual to mark them; and
152.22 	(3) if the voter was not previously registered or needed to update the voter's registration, 
152.23 	the voter has provided proof of residence as required by section 201.061, subdivision 3.

152.24 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective June 1, 2026.

152.25 	Sec. 30. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 203B.08, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
152.26 		Subdivision 1.Marking and return by voter. (a) An eligible voter who receives absentee 
152.27 	ballots as provided in this chapter shall mark them in the manner specified in the directions 
152.28 	for casting the absentee ballots. The return signature envelope containing marked ballots 
152.29 	may be mailed as provided in the directions for casting the absentee ballots, may be left 
152.30 	with the county auditor or municipal clerk who transmitted the absentee ballots to the voter, 
152.31 	or may be left in a drop box as provided in section 203B.082. If delivered in person, the 
153.1 	return signature envelope must be submitted to the county auditor or municipal clerk by 
153.2 	8:00 5:00 p.m. on election day.
153.3 	(b) The voter may designate an agent to deliver in person the sealed absentee ballot 
153.4 	return envelope to the county auditor or municipal clerk or to deposit the return envelope 
153.5 	in the mail. An agent may deliver or mail the return envelopes of not more than three voters 
153.6 	in any election. Any person designated as an agent who tampers with either the return 
153.7 	envelope or the voted ballots or does not immediately mail or deliver the return envelope 
153.8 	to the county auditor or municipal clerk is guilty of a misdemeanor.

153.9 	Sec. 31. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 203B.08, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
153.10 		Subd. 3.Procedures on receipt of ballots. When absentee ballots are returned to a 
153.11 	county auditor or municipal clerk, that official shall stamp or initial and date the return
153.12 	signature envelope and place it in a locked ballot container or other secured and locked 
153.13 	space with other return signature envelopes received by that office. Within five days after 
153.14 	receipt, the county auditor or municipal clerk shall deliver to the ballot board all ballots
153.15 	signature envelopes received, except that during the 14 days immediately preceding an 
153.16 	election, the county auditor or municipal clerk shall deliver all ballots signature envelopes
153.17 	received to the ballot board within three days. Ballots Signature envelopes received on 
153.18 	election day after 8:00 p.m. shall be marked as received late by the county auditor or 
153.19 	municipal clerk, and must not be delivered to the ballot board.

153.20 	Sec. 32. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 203B.081, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
153.21 		Subd. 4.Temporary locations. (a) A county auditor or municipal clerk authorized under 
153.22 	section 203B.05 to administer voting before election day may designate additional polling 
153.23 	places with days and hours that differ from those required by section 203B.085. A designation 
153.24 	authorized by this subdivision must be made at least 47 days before the election. As soon 
153.25 	as practicable and no later than five business days after designating an additional polling 
153.26 	place under this subdivision, the county auditor or municipal clerk must post on the county's 
153.27 	or municipality's website the address of the polling place and the dates and times the polling 
153.28 	place will be available for voting. The county auditor or municipal clerk must provide notice 
153.29 	to the secretary of state at the time that the designations are made. As soon as practicable 
153.30 	and no later than five business days after receiving the notice, the secretary of state must 
153.31 	post on the secretary of state's website the address of the polling place and the dates and 
153.32 	times the polling place will be available for voting.
154.1 	(b) At the request of a federally recognized Indian Tribe with a reservation or 
154.2 	off-reservation Tribal lands in the county, the county auditor must establish an additional 
154.3 	polling place for at least one day on the Indian reservation or off-reservation Tribal lands 
154.4 	on a site agreed upon by the Tribe and the county auditor that is accessible to the county 
154.5 	auditor by a public road.
154.6 	(c) At the request of a postsecondary institution or the student government organization 
154.7 	of a postsecondary institution in the county or municipality, the county auditor or a municipal 
154.8 	clerk authorized to administer absentee voting under section 203B.05 must establish an 
154.9 	additional temporary polling place for the state general election or the odd-year city general 
154.10 	election for at least one day at a location agreed upon by the institution and the county 
154.11 	auditor or municipal clerk that:
154.12 	(1) is accessible to the public;
154.13 	(2) satisfies the requirements of state and federal law; and
154.14 	(3) is on the institution's campus or is within one-half mile of the institution's campus 
154.15 	and is reasonably accessible to the institution's students.
154.16 	A request must be made no later than May 31 before an election and the request is valid 
154.17 	only for that election. This paragraph only applies to a postsecondary institution that provides 
154.18 	on-campus student housing to 100 or more students. Nothing in this paragraph prevents the 
154.19 	county auditor or municipal clerk from engaging in a dialogue with the entity that made the 
154.20 	request regarding potential alternative locations for a temporary polling place that does not 
154.21 	meet the requirements of clause (3). An entity that made a request for a temporary polling 
154.22 	place may withdraw its request by notifying the county auditor or municipal clerk.

154.23 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective September 1, 2025.

154.24 	Sec. 33. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 203B.121, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
154.25 		Subd. 4.Opening of envelopes. (a) After the close of business on the 19th day before 
154.26 	the election, the ballots from secrecy ballot envelopes within the signature envelopes marked 
154.27 	"Accepted" may be opened, duplicated as needed in the manner provided in section 206.86, 
154.28 	subdivision 5, initialed by the members of the ballot board, and deposited in the appropriate 
154.29 	ballot box. If more than one voted ballot is enclosed in the ballot envelope, the ballots must 
154.30 	be returned in the manner provided by section 204C.25 for return of spoiled ballots, and 
154.31 	may not be counted.
154.32 	(b) Accepted signature envelopes must be segregated by precinct and processed in 
154.33 	accordance with this subdivision on a precinct-by-precinct basis. Precincts within a combined 
155.1 	polling place established in section 205A.11, subdivision 2, may be processed together. At 
155.2 	each step, members of the ballot board must notify the official responsible for the ballot 
155.3 	board if there is a discrepancy in any count required by paragraphs (c) to (e) and note it in 
155.4 	the ballot board incident log.
155.5 	(c) Before opening accepted signature envelopes, two members of the ballot board must 
155.6 	count and record the number of envelopes and ensure that the count matches either the 
155.7 	number of accepted signature envelopes provided by the official responsible for the ballot 
155.8 	board or the number of signature envelopes accepted by the ballot board that day.
155.9 	(d) Two members of the ballot board must remove the ballots from the ballot envelopes. 
155.10 	The governing body responsible for the ballot board must not dispose of or destroy any 
155.11 	ballot envelopes until 48 hours after the deadline for bringing an election contest expires 
155.12 	or, if a contest is filed, 48 hours after completion of the contest and any related appeals, 
155.13 	whichever is later.
155.14 	(e) After ballots have been removed from the ballot envelopes, two members of the 
155.15 	ballot board must count and record the number of ballots to ensure the count matches the 
155.16 	number of accepted signature envelopes, accounting for any empty envelopes or spoiled 
155.17 	ballots, which must be noted on the ballot board incident log.

155.18 	Sec. 34. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 203B.121, subdivision 5, is amended to read:
155.19 		Subd. 5.Storage and counting of absentee ballots. (a) On a day on which absentee 
155.20 	ballots are inserted into a ballot box, two members of the ballot board must:
155.21 	(1) remove the ballots from the ballot box at the end of the day;
155.22 	(2) without inspecting the ballots, ensure that the number of ballots removed from the 
155.23 	ballot box is equal to the number of voters whose absentee ballots were accepted from the 
155.24 	tally in subdivision 4 that were to be inserted into the ballot box that day; and
155.25 	(3) seal and secure all voted and unvoted ballots present in that location at the end of 
155.26 	the day.
155.27 	(b) After the polls have closed on election day, two members of the ballot board must 
155.28 	count the ballots, tabulating the vote in a manner that indicates each vote of the voter and 
155.29 	the total votes cast for each candidate or question. In state primary and state general elections, 
155.30 	the results must indicate the total votes cast for each candidate or question in each precinct 
155.31 	and report the vote totals tabulated for each precinct. The count must be recorded on a 
155.32 	summary statement in substantially the same format as provided in section 204C.26. The 
155.33 	ballot board shall must submit at least one completed summary statement to the county 
156.1 	auditor or municipal clerk. The county auditor or municipal clerk may require the ballot 
156.2 	board to submit a sufficient number of completed summary statements to comply with the 
156.3 	provisions of section 204C.27, or the county auditor or municipal clerk may certify reports 
156.4 	containing the details of the ballot board summary statement to the recipients of the summary 
156.5 	statements designated in section 204C.27.
156.6 	In state primary and state general elections, These vote totals shall must be added to the 
156.7 	vote totals on the summary statements of the returns for the appropriate precinct. In other 
156.8 	elections, these vote totals may be added to the vote totals on the summary statement of 
156.9 	returns for the appropriate precinct or may be reported as a separate total.
156.10 	The count shall must be public. No vote totals from ballots may be made public before 
156.11 	the close of voting on election day.
156.12 	(c) In addition to the requirements of paragraphs (a) and (b), if the task has not been 
156.13 	completed previously, the members of the ballot board must verify as soon as possible, but 
156.14 	no later than 24 hours after the end of the hours for voting, that voters whose absentee ballots 
156.15 	arrived after the rosters were marked or supplemental reports were generated and whose 
156.16 	ballots were accepted did not vote in person on election day. An absentee ballot submitted 
156.17 	by a voter who has voted in person on election day must be rejected. All other accepted 
156.18 	absentee ballots must be opened in accordance with the procedures outlined in subdivision 
156.19 	4, except for the absentee ballots cast using the alternative procedure in section 203B.081, 
156.20 	subdivision 3, duplicated if necessary, and counted by members of the ballot board. The 
156.21 	vote totals from these ballots must be incorporated into the totals with the other absentee 
156.22 	ballots and handled according to paragraph (b).

156.23 	Sec. 35. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 203B.17, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
156.24 		Subd. 3.Website security. (a) The secretary of state shall maintain a log of each Internet 
156.25 	Protocol address used to submit an absentee ballot application electronically under this 
156.26 	section, and must monitor the log, volume of website use, and other appropriate indicators 
156.27 	for suspicious activity. Evidence of suspicious activity that cannot be resolved by the 
156.28 	secretary of state must be forwarded to an appropriate law enforcement agency for 
156.29 	investigation.
156.30 	(b) The electronic absentee ballot application system must be secure. The website shall 
156.31 	maintain the confidentiality of all users and preserve the integrity of the data submitted. 
156.32 	The secretary of state shall employ security measures to ensure the accuracy and integrity 
156.33 	of absentee ballot applications submitted electronically pursuant to this section. All data 
156.34 	sent and received through the website must be encrypted.
157.1 	(c) The secretary of state must provide ongoing testing and monitoring to ensure continued 
157.2 	security. The secretary of state must work with the chief information officer as defined in 
157.3 	section 16E.01, subdivision 1, or another security expert to annually assess the security of 
157.4 	the system. The security assessment must include a certification signed by the secretary of 
157.5 	state that states that adequate security measures are in place. The certification must also be 
157.6 	signed by the chief information officer or another security expert affirming that the 
157.7 	assessment is accurate. The secretary of state must submit the security assessment to the 
157.8 	legislative auditor and to the chairs and ranking minority members of the committees in the 
157.9 	senate and house of representatives with primary jurisdiction over elections by January 1 
157.10 	of each year, except that the first annual security assessment must be submitted by September 
157.11 	30, 2014, and no report is required for January 1, 2015.
157.12 	(d) In developing the electronic absentee ballot application system, the secretary of state 
157.13 	must consult with the chief information officer or the chief's designee to ensure the site is 
157.14 	secure.

157.15 	Sec. 36. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 203B.23, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
157.16 		Subd. 2.Duties. (a) The absentee ballot board must examine all returned absentee ballot 
157.17 	envelopes for ballots issued under sections 203B.16 to 203B.27 and accept or reject the 
157.18 	absentee ballots in the manner provided in section 203B.24. If the certificate of voter 
157.19 	eligibility is not printed on the signature envelope, the certificate must be attached to the 
157.20 	ballot envelope.
157.21 	(b) The absentee ballot board must immediately examine the signature envelopes or 
157.22 	certificates of voter eligibility that are attached to the ballot envelopes and mark them 
157.23 	"accepted" or "rejected" during the 45 days before the election. If an envelope has been 
157.24 	rejected at least five days before the election, the ballots in the envelope must be considered 
157.25 	spoiled ballots and the official in charge of the absentee ballot board must provide the voter 
157.26 	with a replacement absentee ballot and envelopes in place of the spoiled ballot.
157.27 	(c) If a county has delegated the responsibility for administering absentee balloting to 
157.28 	a municipality under section 203B.05, accepted absentee ballots must be delivered to the 
157.29 	appropriate municipality's absentee ballot board, except as otherwise provided in this 
157.30 	paragraph. If a municipality and county agree that the county's ballot board retains 
157.31 	responsibility for ballots issued pursuant to sections 203B.16 to 203B.27, absentee ballots 
157.32 	issued pursuant to these sections that are accepted must be opened, counted, and retained 
157.33 	by the county's absentee ballot board. The absentee ballot board with the authority to open 
158.1 	and count the ballots must do so in accordance with section 203B.121, subdivisions 4 and 
158.2 	5.

158.3 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.

158.4 	Sec. 37. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 203B.29, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
158.5 		Subdivision 1.Emergency response providers. Any eligible Minnesota voter who is 
158.6 	a trained or certified emergency response provider or utility worker who is deployed in 
158.7 	response to any state of emergency declared by the President of the United States or any 
158.8 	governor of any state within the United States during the time period authorized by law for 
158.9 	absentee voting or on election day may request that ballots, instructions, and a certificate 
158.10 	of voter eligibility be transmitted to the voter electronically. Upon receipt of a properly 
158.11 	completed application requesting electronic transmission, the county auditor must 
158.12 	electronically transmit the requested materials to the voter. The absentee ballot application 
158.13 	deadlines in section 203B.04, subdivision 1, do not apply to this subdivision. The county 
158.14 	auditor is not required to provide return postage to voters to whom ballots are transmitted 
158.15 	electronically.

158.16 	Sec. 38. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 203B.29, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
158.17 		Subd. 2.Reasonable accommodation for voter with disability. Any eligible Minnesota 
158.18 	voter with a print disability, including any voter with disabilities that interfere with the 
158.19 	effective reading, writing, or use of printed materials, may request that ballots, instructions, 
158.20 	and a certificate of voter eligibility be transmitted to the voter electronically in an accessible 
158.21 	format that meets Election Assistance Commission minimum accessibility requirements. 
158.22 	Upon receipt of a properly completed application requesting electronic transmission, the 
158.23 	county auditor shall electronically transmit the requested materials to the voter. The absentee 
158.24 	ballot application deadlines in section 203B.04, subdivision 1, do not apply to this 
158.25 	subdivision. The county auditor must also mail the voter materials required under section 
158.26 	203B.07.

158.27 	Sec. 39. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 203B.30, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
158.28 		Subd. 2.Voting procedure. (a) When a voter appears in an early voting polling place, 
158.29 	the voter must state the voter's name, address, and, if requested, the voter's date of birth to 
158.30 	the early voting official. The early voting official must confirm that the voter's registration 
158.31 	is current in the statewide voter registration system and that the voter has not already cast 
158.32 	a ballot in the election. If the voter's status is challenged, the voter may resolve the challenge 
159.1 	as provided in section 204C.12. An individual who is not registered to vote or must register 
159.2 	and a voter whose name or address has changed must register update the voter's registration
159.3 	in the manner provided in section 201.061, subdivision 3. A voter who has already cast a 
159.4 	ballot in the election must not be provided with a ballot.
159.5 	(b) Each voter must sign the certification provided in section 204C.10. The signature of 
159.6 	an individual on the voter's certificate and the issuance of a ballot to the individual is evidence 
159.7 	of the intent of the individual to vote at that election. After the voter signs the certification, 
159.8 	two early voting officials must initial the ballot and issue it to the voter. The voter must 
159.9 	immediately retire to a voting station or other designated location in the polling place to 
159.10 	mark the ballot. The voter must not take a ballot from the polling place. If the voter spoils 
159.11 	the ballot, the voter may return it to the early voting official in exchange for a new ballot. 
159.12 	After completing the ballot, the voter must deposit the ballot into the ballot counter and 
159.13 	ballot box. The early voting official must immediately record that the voter has voted in the 
159.14 	manner provided in section 203B.121, subdivision 3.

159.15 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective upon the revisor of statutes' receipt of 
159.16 	the early voting certification and applies to elections held on or after the 85th day after the 
159.17 	revisor of statutes receives the certification.

159.18 	Sec. 40. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 203B.30, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
159.19 		Subd. 3.Processing of ballots. Each day when early voting occurs, the early voting 
159.20 	officials must:
159.21 	(1) remove and secure ballots cast during the early voting period following the procedures 
159.22 	in section 203B.121, subdivision 5, paragraph (a)., noting the date, voting location, and 
159.23 	number of ballots cast;
159.24 	(2) without inspecting the ballots, ensure that the number of ballots removed from the 
159.25 	ballot box is equal to the number of voter certificates that were signed by voters in subdivision 
159.26 	2, paragraph (b); and
159.27 	(3) seal and secure all voted and unvoted ballots present in that location at the end of 
159.28 	the day.
159.29 	The absentee ballot board must count the ballots after the polls have closed on election 
159.30 	day following the procedures in section 203B.121, subdivision 5, paragraph (b).

159.31 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective upon the revisor of statutes' receipt of 
159.32 	the early voting certification and applies to elections held on or after the 85th day after the 
159.33 	revisor of statutes receives the certification.

160.1 	Sec. 41. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 204B.06, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
160.2 		Subdivision 1.Form of affidavit. (a) An affidavit of candidacy shall state the name of 
160.3 	the office sought and, except as provided in subdivision 4, shall state that the candidate:
160.4 	(1) is an eligible voter;
160.5 	(2) has no other affidavit on file as a candidate for any office at the same primary or 
160.6 	next ensuing general election, except as authorized by subdivision 9; and
160.7 	(3) is, or will be on assuming the office, 21 years of age or more, and will have maintained 
160.8 	residence in the district from which the candidate seeks election for 30 days before the 
160.9 	general election.
160.10 	(b) An affidavit of candidacy must include a statement that the candidate's name as 
160.11 	written on the affidavit for ballot designation is the candidate's true name or the name by 
160.12 	which the candidate is commonly and generally known in the community. and:
160.13 	(1) the phonetic spelling or an explanation for the pronunciation of the full name 
160.14 	designated for the ballot; or
160.15 	(2) a certification that the candidate is directing the official responsible for programming 
160.16 	materials for the election to use the applicable technology's default pronunciation of the 
160.17 	candidate's name.
160.18 	(c) An affidavit of candidacy for partisan office shall also state the name of the candidate's 
160.19 	political party or political principle, stated in three words or less.

160.20 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective January 1, 2026.

160.21 	Sec. 42. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 204B.06, subdivision 1b, is amended to read:
160.22 		Subd. 1b.Address, electronic mail address, and telephone number. (a) An affidavit 
160.23 	of candidacy must state a telephone number where the candidate can be contacted. An 
160.24 	affidavit must also state the candidate's or campaign's nongovernment issued electronic 
160.25 	mail address or an attestation that the candidate and the candidate's campaign do not possess 
160.26 	an electronic mail address. Except for affidavits of candidacy for (1) judicial office, (2) the 
160.27 	office of county attorney, or (3) county sheriff, an affidavit must also state the candidate's 
160.28 	current address of residence as determined under section 200.031, or at the candidate's 
160.29 	request in accordance with paragraph (c), the candidate's campaign contact address. When 
160.30 	filing the affidavit, the candidate must present the filing officer with the candidate's valid 
160.31 	driver's license or state identification card that contains the candidate's current address of 
160.32 	residence, or documentation of proof of residence authorized for election day registration 
161.1 	in section 201.061, subdivision 3, paragraph (a), clause (2); clause (3), item (ii); or paragraph 
161.2 	(d). If an original bill is shown, the due date on the bill must be within 30 days before or 
161.3 	after the beginning of the filing period or, for bills without a due date, dated within 30 days 
161.4 	before the beginning of the filing period. If the address on the affidavit and the documentation 
161.5 	do not match, the filing officer must not accept the affidavit. The form for the affidavit of 
161.6 	candidacy must allow the candidate to request, if eligible, that the candidate's address of 
161.7 	residence be classified as private data, and to provide the certification required under 
161.8 	paragraph (c) for classification of that address.
161.9 	(b) If an affidavit for an office where a residency requirement must be satisfied by the 
161.10 	close of the filing period is filed as provided by paragraph (c), the filing officer must, within 
161.11 	one business day of receiving the filing, determine whether the address provided in the 
161.12 	affidavit of candidacy is within the area represented by the office the candidate is seeking. 
161.13 	For all other candidates who filed for an office whose residency requirement must be satisfied 
161.14 	by the close of the filing period, a registered voter in this state may request in writing that 
161.15 	the filing officer receiving the affidavit of candidacy review the address as provided in this 
161.16 	paragraph, at any time up to one day after the last day for filing for office. If requested, the 
161.17 	filing officer must determine whether the address provided in the affidavit of candidacy is 
161.18 	within the area represented by the office the candidate is seeking. If the filing officer 
161.19 	determines that the address is not within the area represented by the office, the filing officer 
161.20 	must immediately notify the candidate and the candidate's name must be removed from the 
161.21 	ballot for that office. A determination made by a filing officer under this paragraph is subject 
161.22 	to judicial review under section 204B.44.
161.23 	(c) If the candidate requests that the candidate's address of residence be classified as 
161.24 	private data, the candidate must list the candidate's address of residence on a separate form 
161.25 	to be attached to the affidavit. The candidate must also certify on the affidavit that either: 
161.26 	(1) a police report has been submitted, an order for protection has been issued, or the 
161.27 	candidate has a reasonable fear in regard to the safety of the candidate or the candidate's 
161.28 	family; or (2) the candidate's address is otherwise private pursuant to Minnesota law. The 
161.29 	address of residence provided by a candidate who makes a request for classification on the 
161.30 	candidate's affidavit of candidacy and provides the certification required by this paragraph 
161.31 	is classified as private data, as defined in section 13.02, subdivision 12, but may be reviewed 
161.32 	by the filing officer as provided in this subdivision.
161.33 	(d) The requirements of this subdivision do not apply to affidavits of candidacy for a 
161.34 	candidate for: (1) judicial office; (2) the office of county attorney; or (3) county sheriff.

161.35 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.

162.1 	Sec. 43. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 204B.07, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
162.2 		Subd. 2.Petitions for presidential electors and alternates. (a) This subdivision section
162.3 	does not apply to candidates for presidential elector or alternate nominated by major political 
162.4 	parties. Major party candidates for presidential elector or alternate are certified under section 
162.5 	208.03. Other presidential electors or alternates are nominated by petition pursuant to this 
162.6 	section.
162.7 	(b) On petitions nominating presidential electors or alternates, the names of the candidates 
162.8 	for president and vice-president shall be added to the political party or political principle 
162.9 	stated on the petition. One petition may be filed to nominate a slate of presidential electors 
162.10 	equal in number to the number of electors to which the state is entitled and an alternate for 
162.11 	each elector nominee.
162.12 	(c) In addition to the petition, each nominated candidate must submit a signed, notarized 
162.13 	affidavit of candidacy for president or vice president that includes the following information:
162.14 	(1) the candidate's name in the form as it should appear on the ballot;
162.15 	(2) the candidate's campaign address, website, phone number, and email address;
162.16 	(3) the name of the political party or political principle stated on the petition;
162.17 	(4) the office sought by the candidate; and
162.18 	(5) a declaration that the candidate is aware of and will follow all applicable election 
162.19 	laws and campaign finance laws.

162.20 	Sec. 44. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 204B.09, subdivision 1a, is amended to read:
162.21 		Subd. 1a.Absent candidates. (a) A candidate for special district, county, state, or federal 
162.22 	office who will be absent from the state during the filing period may submit a properly 
162.23 	executed affidavit of candidacy, the appropriate filing fee, and any necessary petitions in 
162.24 	person to the filing officer. The candidate shall state in writing the reason for being unable 
162.25 	to submit the affidavit during the filing period. The affidavit, filing fee, if any, and petitions 
162.26 	must be submitted to the filing officer during the seven days immediately preceding the 
162.27 	candidate's absence from the state. Nominating petitions may be signed during the 14 days 
162.28 	immediately preceding the date when the affidavit of candidacy is filed.
162.29 	(b) A candidate for special district, county, state, or federal office who will be absent 
162.30 	from the state during the entire filing period or who must leave the state for the remainder 
162.31 	of the filing period and who certifies to the secretary of state that the circumstances constitute 
162.32 	an emergency and were unforeseen, may submit a properly executed affidavit of candidacy 
163.1 	by facsimile device or by transmitting electronically a scanned image of the affidavit and 
163.2 	proof of residence required in section 204B.06, subdivision 1b, to the secretary of state 
163.3 	during the filing period. The candidate shall state in writing the specific reason for being 
163.4 	unable to submit the affidavit by mail or by hand during the filing period or in person prior 
163.5 	to the start of the filing period. The affidavit of candidacy, filing fee, if any, and any necessary 
163.6 	petitions must be received by the secretary of state by 5:00 p.m. on the last day for filing. 
163.7 	If the candidate is filing for a special district or county office, the secretary of state shall 
163.8 	forward the affidavit of candidacy, filing fee, if any, and any necessary petitions to the 
163.9 	appropriate filing officer. Copies of a proof of residence submitted under this subdivision 
163.10 	are private data on individuals, as defined in section 13.02, subdivision 12.

163.11 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.

163.12 	Sec. 45. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 204B.09, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
163.13 		Subd. 2.Other elections. (a) Affidavits of candidacy and nominating petitions for city, 
163.14 	town or other elective offices shall be filed during the time and with the official specified 
163.15 	in chapter 205 or other applicable law or charter, except as provided for a special district 
163.16 	candidate under subdivision 1a. Affidavits of candidacy and applications filed on behalf of 
163.17 	eligible voters for school board office shall be filed during the time and with the official 
163.18 	specified in chapter 205A or other applicable law. Affidavits of candidacy, including proof 
163.19 	of residence required in section 204B.06, subdivision 1b, and nominating petitions filed 
163.20 	under this subdivision must be submitted by mail or by hand, notwithstanding chapter 325L, 
163.21 	or any other law to the contrary, and must be received by the appropriate official within the 
163.22 	specified time for the filing of affidavits and petitions for the office. Copies of a proof of 
163.23 	residence submitted by mail are private data on individuals, as defined in section 13.02, 
163.24 	subdivision 12.
163.25 	(b) The official receiving the filing shall notify the official responsible for preparing the 
163.26 	ballot of the names of the candidates placed on the ballot, any changes to candidates, or 
163.27 	other information necessary to prepare the ballot. The notification must be made within one 
163.28 	business day of receiving the filing or change or immediately following the close of the 
163.29 	filing period, whichever is sooner, unless the clerk and official agree to an alternative 
163.30 	notification timeline.

163.31 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.

164.1 	Sec. 46. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 204B.09, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
164.2 		Subd. 3.Write-in candidates. (a) A candidate for county, state, or federal office who 
164.3 	wants write-in votes for the candidate to be counted must file a written request with the 
164.4 	filing office for the office sought not more than 84 days before the primary and no later 
164.5 	than the seventh 19th day before the general election. The filing officer shall provide copies 
164.6 	of the form to make the request. The filing officer shall not accept a written request later 
164.7 	than 5:00 p.m. on the last day for filing a written request.
164.8 	(b) The governing body of a statutory or home rule charter city may adopt a resolution 
164.9 	governing the counting of write-in votes for local elective office. The resolution may:
164.10 	(1) require the candidate to file a written request with the chief election official no later 
164.11 	than the seventh 19th day before the city election if the candidate wants to have the 
164.12 	candidate's write-in votes individually recorded; or
164.13 	(2) require that write-in votes for an individual candidate only be individually recorded 
164.14 	if the total number of write-in votes for that office is equal to or greater than the fewest 
164.15 	number of non-write-in votes for a ballot candidate.
164.16 	If the governing body of the statutory or home rule charter city adopts a resolution authorized 
164.17 	by this paragraph, the resolution must be adopted and the city clerk must notify the county 
164.18 	auditor before the first day of filing for office. A resolution adopted under this paragraph 
164.19 	remains in effect until a subsequent resolution on the same subject is adopted by the 
164.20 	governing body of the statutory or home rule charter city.
164.21 	(c) The governing body of a township, school district, hospital district, park district, soil 
164.22 	and water district, or other ancillary elected district may adopt a resolution governing the 
164.23 	counting of write-in votes for local elective office. The resolution may require that write-in 
164.24 	votes for an individual candidate only be individually recorded if the total number of write-in 
164.25 	votes for that office is equal to or greater than the fewest number of non-write-in votes for 
164.26 	a ballot candidate. If a governing body adopts a resolution authorized by this paragraph, 
164.27 	the resolution must be adopted and the clerk must notify the county auditor before the first 
164.28 	day of filing for office. A resolution adopted under this paragraph remains in effect until a 
164.29 	subsequent resolution on the same subject is adopted by the governing body.
164.30 	(d) A candidate for president of the United States who files a request under this 
164.31 	subdivision must include the name of a candidate for vice president of the United States. 
164.32 	The request must also include the name of at least one candidate for presidential elector. 
164.33 	The total number of names of candidates for presidential elector on the request may not 
164.34 	exceed the total number of electoral votes to be cast by Minnesota in the presidential election.
165.1 	(e) A candidate for governor who files a request under this subdivision must file jointly 
165.2 	with another individual seeking nomination as a candidate for lieutenant governor. A 
165.3 	candidate for lieutenant governor who files a request under this subdivision must file jointly 
165.4 	with another individual seeking nomination as a candidate for governor.

165.5 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective on January 1, 2026.

165.6 	Sec. 47. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 204B.14, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
165.7 		Subd. 2.Separate precincts; combined polling place. (a) The following shall constitute 
165.8 	at least one election precinct:
165.9 	(1) each city ward; and
165.10 	(2) each town and each statutory city.
165.11 	(b) A single, accessible, combined polling place may be established no later than 
165.12 	November 1 if a presidential nomination primary is scheduled to occur in the following 
165.13 	year or May 1 of any other year:
165.14 	(1) for any city of the third or fourth class, any town, or any city having territory in more 
165.15 	than one county, in which all the voters of the city or town shall cast their ballots;
165.16 	(2) for contiguous precincts in the same municipality;
165.17 	(3) for up to four contiguous municipalities located entirely outside the metropolitan 
165.18 	area, as defined by section 200.02, subdivision 24, that are contained in the same county; 
165.19 	or
165.20 	(4) for noncontiguous precincts located in one or more counties.
165.21 	Subject to the requirements of paragraph (c), a single, accessible, combined polling place 
165.22 	may be established after May 1 of any year in the event of an emergency.
165.23 	A copy of the ordinance or resolution establishing a combined polling place must be 
165.24 	filed with the county auditor within 30 days after approval by the governing body, and the 
165.25 	county auditor must provide notice within ten days to the secretary of state, in a manner 
165.26 	and including information prescribed by the secretary of state. A polling place combined 
165.27 	under clause (3) must be approved by the governing body of each participating municipality. 
165.28 	A polling place combined under clause (4) must be approved by the governing body of each 
165.29 	participating municipality and the secretary of state and may be located outside any of the 
165.30 	noncontiguous precincts. A municipality withdrawing from participation in a combined 
165.31 	polling place must do so by filing a resolution of withdrawal with the county auditor no 
165.32 	later than October 1 if a presidential nomination primary is scheduled to occur in the 
166.1 	following year or April 1 of any other year, and the county auditor must provide notice 
166.2 	within ten days to the secretary of state, in a manner and including information prescribed 
166.3 	by the secretary of state.
166.4 	The secretary of state shall provide a separate polling place roster for each precinct 
166.5 	served by the combined polling place, except that. In a precinct that uses electronic rosters,
166.6 	the secretary of state shall provide separate data files for each precinct and the election 
166.7 	official responsible for the electronic rosters may combine the files as necessary to be loaded 
166.8 	onto one or more electronic rosters, provided that the requirements under section 201.225, 
166.9 	subdivision 2, are met. The secretary of state and county auditor must provide guidance to 
166.10 	the election judges serving in a combined polling place on the procedures to be used to 
166.11 	ensure each voter is provided the correct ballot for that voter's precinct. A single set of 
166.12 	election judges may be appointed to serve at a combined polling place. The number of 
166.13 	election judges required must be based on the total number of persons voting at the last 
166.14 	similar election in all precincts to be voting at the combined polling place. Separate ballot 
166.15 	boxes must be provided for the ballots from each precinct. The results of the election must 
166.16 	be reported separately for each precinct served by the combined polling place, except in a 
166.17 	polling place established under clause (2) where one of the precincts has fewer than ten 
166.18 	registered voters, in which case the results of that precinct must be reported in the manner 
166.19 	specified by the secretary of state. In addition to other required informational material and 
166.20 	notices, a map showing the precincts served by the combined polling place, along with a 
166.21 	notice that multiple ballot styles are in use, must be prominently displayed near the entrance 
166.22 	to the combined polling place.
166.23 	(c) If a local elections official determines that an emergency situation preventing the 
166.24 	safe, secure, and full operation of a polling place on election day has occurred or is imminent, 
166.25 	the local elections official may combine two or more polling places for that election pursuant 
166.26 	to this subdivision. To the extent possible, the polling places must be combined and the 
166.27 	election conducted according to the requirements of paragraph (b), except that:
166.28 	(1) polling places may be combined after May 1 and until the polls close on election 
166.29 	day;
166.30 	(2) any city or town, regardless of size or location, may establish a combined polling 
166.31 	place under this paragraph;
166.32 	(3) the governing body is not required to adopt an ordinance or resolution to establish 
166.33 	the combined polling place;
167.1 	(4) a polling place combined under paragraph (b), clause (3) or (4), must be approved 
167.2 	by the local election official of each participating municipality;
167.3 	(5) the local elections official must immediately notify the county auditor and the 
167.4 	secretary of state of the combination, including the reason for the emergency combination 
167.5 	and the location of the combined polling place. As soon as possible, the local elections 
167.6 	official must also post a notice stating the reason for the combination and the location of 
167.7 	the combined polling place. The notice must also be posted on the governing board's website, 
167.8 	if one exists. The local elections official must also notify the election judges and request 
167.9 	that local media outlets publicly announce the reason for the combination and the location 
167.10 	of the combined polling place; and
167.11 	(6) on election day, the local elections official must post a notice in large print in a 
167.12 	conspicuous place at the polling place where the emergency occurred, if practical, stating 
167.13 	the location of the combined polling place. The local election official must also post the 
167.14 	notice, if practical, in a location visible by voters who vote from their motor vehicles as 
167.15 	provided in section 204C.15, subdivision 2. If polling place hours are extended pursuant to 
167.16 	section 204C.05, subdivision 2, paragraph (b), the posted notices required by this paragraph 
167.17 	must include a statement that the polling place hours at the combined polling place will be 
167.18 	extended until the specified time.

167.19 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective January 1, 2026.

167.20 	Sec. 48. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 204B.14, subdivision 4a, is amended to read:
167.21 		Subd. 4a.Municipal boundary adjustment procedure. A change in the boundary of 
167.22 	an election precinct that has occurred as a result of a municipal boundary adjustment made 
167.23 	under chapter 414 that is effective more than 21 46 days before a regularly scheduled election 
167.24 	takes effect at the scheduled election.
167.25 	A change in the boundary of an election precinct that has occurred as a result of a 
167.26 	municipal boundary adjustment made under chapter 414 that is effective less than 21 46  or 
167.27 	fewer days before a regularly scheduled election takes effect the day after the scheduled 
167.28 	election.

167.29 	Sec. 49. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 204B.16, subdivision 1a, is amended to read:
167.30 		Subd. 1a.Notice to voters. (a) If the location of a polling place has been changed, the 
167.31 	governing body establishing the polling place shall send to every affected household with 
167.32 	at least one registered voter in the precinct a nonforwardable mailed notice stating the 
168.1 	location of the new polling place at least 25 days before the next election. The secretary of 
168.2 	state shall prepare a sample of this notice. A notice that is returned as undeliverable must 
168.3 	be forwarded immediately to the county auditor. This subdivision does not apply to a polling 
168.4 	place location that is changed on election day under section 204B.175.
168.5 	(b) If the location of a polling place has been changed, the local official for the governing 
168.6 	body establishing the polling place must post a notice in large print and in a conspicuous 
168.7 	place at the closed polling place, if practical, stating the location of the new polling place. 
168.8 	The local election official must also post the notice, if practical, in a location visible by 
168.9 	voters who vote from their motor vehicles as provided in section 204C.15, subdivision 2. 
168.10 	The notice must be in all languages required under section 204B.295 for that precinct. The 
168.11 	notice must be posted for each special, primary, and general election until a November 
168.12 	presidential election or redistricting has occurred. The secretary of state shall prepare a 
168.13 	sample of this notice.

168.14 	Sec. 50. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 204B.16, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
168.15 		Subd. 4.Prohibited locations. No polling place shall be designated in any place where 
168.16 	intoxicating liquors or nonintoxicating malt beverages are served or in any adjoining room. 
168.17 	No polling place shall be designated in any location where cannabis products, as defined 
168.18 	in section 342.01, subdivision 20, are served or sold or in any adjoining room. No polling 
168.19 	place shall be designated in any place in which substantial compliance with the requirements 
168.20 	of this chapter cannot be attained.

168.21 	Sec. 51. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 204B.175, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
168.22 		Subd. 3.Notice. (a) Upon making the determination to relocate a polling place, the local 
168.23 	election official must immediately notify the county auditor and the secretary of state. The 
168.24 	notice must include the reason for the relocation and the reason for the location of the new 
168.25 	polling place. As soon as possible, the local election official must also post a notice stating 
168.26 	the reason for the relocation and the location of the new polling place. The notice must also 
168.27 	be posted on the website of the public body, if there is one. The local election official must 
168.28 	also notify the election judges and request that local media outlets publicly announce the 
168.29 	reason for the relocation and the location of the polling place. If the relocation occurs more 
168.30 	than 14 days prior to the election, the local election official must mail a notice to the impacted 
168.31 	voters of the reason for the relocation and the location of the polling place.
168.32 	(b) On election day, the local election official must post a notice in large print in a 
168.33 	conspicuous place at the polling place where the emergency occurred, if practical, stating 
169.1 	the location of the new polling place. The local election official must also post the notice, 
169.2 	if practical, in a location visible by voters who vote from their motor vehicles as provided 
169.3 	in section 204C.15, subdivision 2. If polling place hours are extended pursuant to section 
169.4 	204C.05, subdivision 2, paragraph (b), the posted notices required by this paragraph must 
169.5 	include a statement that the polling place hours at the new polling place will be extended 
169.6 	until the specified time. Notices required by this paragraph must be in all languages required 
169.7 	under section 204B.295 for that precinct.

169.8 	Sec. 52. [204B.182] CHAIN OF CUSTODY PLANS.
169.9 	(a) The county auditor must develop a county elections chain of custody plan to be used 
169.10 	in all state, county, municipal, school district, and special district elections held in that 
169.11 	county. If any of the political subdivisions cross county lines, the affected counties must 
169.12 	make efforts to ensure that the elections chain of custody procedures affecting the local 
169.13 	jurisdiction are uniform throughout the jurisdiction. County auditors must file the elections 
169.14 	chain of custody plans with the secretary of state.
169.15 	(b) The chain of custody plan must account for both the physical and cyber security of 
169.16 	elections-related materials.  The plan must include sample chain of custody documentation.
169.17 	(c) The secretary of state may provide additional guidance to counties on elections chain 
169.18 	of custody best practices and planning.
169.19 	(d) A municipal clerk, school district clerk, or special district clerk must utilize either 
169.20 	the county chain of custody plan or create a local chain of custody plan for use in local 
169.21 	elections not held in conjunction with federal, state, or county elections that meets or exceeds 
169.22 	the requirements of the county elections chain of custody plan. Any plan adopted under this 
169.23 	paragraph must be adopted and filed with the secretary of state and the county auditor at 
169.24 	least 84 days before the first election in which it will be used.
169.25 	(e) Each political subdivision clerk who develops a local elections chain of custody plan 
169.26 	pursuant to paragraph (d) and each county auditor must review their respective elections 
169.27 	chain of custody plan prior to each state primary election. Any revisions to the elections 
169.28 	chain of custody plan must be completed and filed with the secretary of state by June 1 prior 
169.29 	to the state primary election.

169.30 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment and 
169.31 	county auditors must file an elections chain of custody plan with the secretary of state by 
169.32 	June 1, 2026.

170.1 	Sec. 53. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 204B.19, subdivision 5, is amended to read:
170.2 		Subd. 5.Party balance requirement. Unless exempted by sections 205.075, subdivision 
170.3 	4, and 205A.10, subdivision 2, no more than half of the election judges in a precinct, or at 
170.4 	any location where ballots are being counted, may be members of the same major political 
170.5 	party unless the election board consists of an odd number of election judges, in which case 
170.6 	the number of election judges who are members of the same major political party may be 
170.7 	one more than half the number of election judges in that precinct. Each major political party 
170.8 	must be represented by at least one election judge in each precinct.

170.9 	Sec. 54. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 204B.24, is amended to read:
170.10 	204B.24 ELECTION JUDGES; OATH.
170.11 	Each election judge shall sign the following oath before assuming the duties of the office:
170.12 	"I .......... solemnly swear (or affirm) that:
170.13 	(1) I will perform the duties of election judge according to law and the best of my ability 
170.14 	and will diligently endeavor to prevent fraud, deceit and abuse in conducting this election.
170.15 	(2) I will perform my duties in a fair and impartial manner and not attempt to create an 
170.16 	advantage for my party or for any candidate.
170.17 	(3) I will not share information about voting that I know to be materially false and will 
170.18 	not intentionally hinder, interfere with, or prevent a person from voting, registering to vote, 
170.19 	or aiding another person in casting a ballot or registering to vote, except as specifically 
170.20 	required by law."
170.21 	The oath shall be attached to the summary statement of the election returns of that 
170.22 	precinct. If there is no individual present who is authorized to administer oaths, the election 
170.23 	judges may administer the oath to each other.

170.24 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective January 1, 2026.

170.25 	Sec. 55. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 204B.25, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
170.26 		Subdivision 1.Duties of county auditor. Each county auditor shall provide training for 
170.27 	all election judges who are appointed to serve at any election to be held in the county. The 
170.28 	county auditor shall also provide a procedure for emergency training of election judges 
170.29 	elected to fill vacancies. The county auditor may delegate to a municipal election official 
170.30 	the duty to provide training of election judges in that municipality or school district. The 
171.1 	training must be consistent with the training programs established by the secretary of state 
171.2 	under subdivision 2.

171.3 	Sec. 56. [204B.275] ELECTION REPORTING SYSTEM.
171.4 		Subdivision 1.Definition. "Election reporting system" means the computerized central 
171.5 	statewide database for offices, candidates, ballot questions, and unofficial results developed 
171.6 	and maintained by the secretary of state. The system facilitates the collection, aggregation, 
171.7 	reporting, and secure sharing of unofficial election results to the public.
171.8 		Subd. 2.Authority. The secretary of state must maintain an election reporting system 
171.9 	as provided in this section.
171.10 		Subd. 3.Entry of names. (a) For federal and state elections, the county auditor must 
171.11 	enter in the election reporting system the names of all candidates who have filed for office 
171.12 	with the county auditor no later than one day after the filing is received. Within one day of 
171.13 	receiving notification and no later than one day after the withdrawal period closes, the 
171.14 	county auditor must enter in the election reporting system the names of candidates for city, 
171.15 	town, school district, or other elective office for which the county auditor has been notified. 
171.16 	For any candidate who files by nominating petition or a petition in place of filing fee, the 
171.17 	county auditor must enter in the election reporting system the name of the candidate within 
171.18 	one day after the petition has been reviewed and determined to meet all legal requirements.
171.19 	(b) The secretary of state must enter in the election reporting system the names of all 
171.20 	candidates who have filed for office with the secretary of state no later than one day after 
171.21 	the filing is received. For any candidate who files by nominating petition or a petition in 
171.22 	place of filing fee, the secretary of state must enter in the election reporting system the name 
171.23 	of the candidate within one day after the petition has been reviewed and determined to meet 
171.24 	all legal requirements.
171.25 		Subd. 4.Results reporting testing. At least seven days prior to any federal or state 
171.26 	primary, general, or special election, the county auditor must test the results reporting 
171.27 	functions in the election reporting system maintained by the secretary of state. The test must 
171.28 	include the entry of vote totals for all candidates or ballot question responses within each 
171.29 	contest or ballot question, and the county auditor must verify that the predetermined test 
171.30 	results are displayed. The county auditor must report to the secretary of state that the test 
171.31 	has been conducted, and no errors are apparent. If errors occur during the test, the county 
171.32 	auditor must work with the secretary of state to resolve all issues and retest until resolved.
172.1 		Subd. 5.Reporting results. For federal and state elections, as soon as practicable after 
172.2 	delivery of the returns, the county auditor must report all unofficial election results in the 
172.3 	elections reporting system.
172.4 		Subd. 6.Unofficial results. Results reported to the election reporting system are unofficial 
172.5 	results. Election results are not official until after the canvassing board certifies the result 
172.6 	of the election.

172.7 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective June 1, 2025.

172.8 	Sec. 57. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 204B.28, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
172.9 		Subd. 2.Election supplies; duties of county auditors and clerks. (a) Except as 
172.10 	otherwise provided in this section and for absentee ballots in section 204B.35, subdivision 
172.11 	4, the county auditor shall complete the preparation of the election materials for which the 
172.12 	auditor is responsible at least four days before every state primary and state general election. 
172.13 	At any time after all election materials are available from the county auditor but not later 
172.14 	than four days the day before the election each municipal clerk shall secure from the county 
172.15 	auditor:
172.16 	(1) the forms that are required for the conduct of the election;
172.17 	(2) any printed voter instruction materials furnished by the secretary of state;
172.18 	(3) any other instructions for election officers; and
172.19 	(4) a sufficient quantity of the official ballots, registration files, envelopes for ballot 
172.20 	returns, and other supplies and materials required for each precinct in order to comply with 
172.21 	the provisions of the Minnesota Election Law. The county auditor may furnish the election 
172.22 	supplies to the municipal clerks in the same manner as the supplies are furnished to precincts 
172.23 	in unorganized territory pursuant to section 204B.29, subdivision 1.
172.24 	(b) The county auditor must prepare and make available election materials for early 
172.25 	voting to municipal clerks designated to administer early voting under section 203B.05 on 
172.26 	or before the 19th day before the election.

172.27 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.

173.1 	Sec. 58. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 204B.44, is amended to read:
173.2 	204B.44 ERRORS AND OMISSIONS; REMEDY.
173.3 	(a) Any individual may file a petition in the manner provided in this section for the 
173.4 	correction of any of the following errors, omissions, or wrongful acts which have occurred 
173.5 	or are about to occur:
173.6 	(1) an error or omission in the placement or printing of the name or description of any 
173.7 	candidate or any question on any official ballot, including the placement of a candidate on 
173.8 	the official ballot who is not eligible to hold the office for which the candidate has filed;
173.9 	(2) any other error in preparing or printing any official ballot;
173.10 	(3) failure of the chair or secretary of the proper committee of a major political party to 
173.11 	execute or file a certificate of nomination;
173.12 	(4) any wrongful act, omission, or error of any election judge, municipal clerk, county 
173.13 	auditor, canvassing board or any of its members, the secretary of state, or any other individual 
173.14 	charged with any duty concerning an election.
173.15 	(b) The petition shall describe the error, omission, or wrongful act and the correction 
173.16 	sought by the petitioner. The petition shall be filed with any judge of the supreme court in 
173.17 	the case of an election for state or federal office or any judge of the district court in that 
173.18 	county in the case of an election for county, municipal, or school district office. The petitioner 
173.19 	shall serve a copy of the petition on the officer, board or individual charged with the error, 
173.20 	omission, or wrongful act, on all candidates for the office in the case of an election for state, 
173.21 	federal, county, municipal, or school district office, and on any other party as required by 
173.22 	the court. Upon receipt of the petition the court shall immediately set a time for a hearing 
173.23 	on the matter and order the officer, board or individual charged with the error, omission or 
173.24 	wrongful act to correct the error or wrongful act or perform the duty or show cause for not 
173.25 	doing so. In the case of a review of a candidate's eligibility to hold office, the court may 
173.26 	order the candidate to appear and present sufficient evidence of the candidate's eligibility. 
173.27 	The court shall issue its findings and a final order for appropriate relief as soon as possible 
173.28 	after the hearing. Failure to obey the order is contempt of court.
173.29 	(c) Any service required by this section on a candidate may be accomplished by electronic 
173.30 	mail sent to the address the candidate provided on the candidate's affidavit of candidacy 
173.31 	pursuant to section 204B.06, subdivision 1b, or by any other means permitted by law.
173.32 	(d) If all candidates for an office and the officer, board, or individual charged with the 
173.33 	error, omission, or wrongful act unanimously agree in writing:
174.1 	(1) that an error, omission, or wrongful act occurred; and
174.2 	(2) on the appropriate correction for the error, omission, or wrongful act,
174.3 	then the officer, board, or individual charged with the error, omission, or wrongful act must 
174.4 	correct the error in the manner agreed to without an order from the court. Such agreement 
174.5 	must address, at a minimum, how the correction will take place and, if the correction involves 
174.6 	a change to a ballot, how voters who have received or returned an incomplete ballot will 
174.7 	be notified of the change and what, if any, steps voters who have returned an incorrect ballot 
174.8 	can take to receive a corrected replacement ballot.
174.9 	The officer, board, or individual must notify the secretary of state in writing of the error 
174.10 	and proposed correction within one business day of receiving notification of the candidate's 
174.11 	written agreement and must not distribute any ballots reflecting the proposed correction for 
174.12 	two business days unless the secretary of state waives this notice period. Nothing in this 
174.13 	paragraph shall be construed to preclude any person from filing a petition under this section 
174.14 	alleging that the written agreement constitutes an error, omission, or wrongful act that 
174.15 	requires correction by the court.
174.16 	(e) Any candidate for an office who does not enter into an agreement under paragraph 
174.17 	(d) and who does not prevail at any subsequent proceeding involving a petition filed under 
174.18 	this section must pay the costs and disbursements of the prevailing party or parties unless 
174.19 	the court determines that the candidate's position was substantially justified or such costs 
174.20 	and disbursements would impose undue hardship or otherwise be inequitable.
174.21 	(f) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, an official may correct any 
174.22 	official ballot without order from the court if the ballot is not in compliance with sections 
174.23 	204B.35 to 204B.37 or any rules promulgated under sections 204B.35 to 204B.37.

174.24 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective June 1, 2025.

174.25 	Sec. 59. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 204B.45, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
174.26 		Subd. 2.Procedure; voting prior to election day. Notice of the election and the special 
174.27 	mail procedure must be given at least ten weeks prior to the election. Not more than 46 days 
174.28 	nor later than 14 28 days before a regularly scheduled any election and not more than 30 
174.29 	days nor later than 14 days before any other election, the auditor shall mail ballots by 
174.30 	nonforwardable mail to all voters registered in the city, town, or unorganized territory. No 
174.31 	later than 14 days before the election, the auditor must make a subsequent mailing of ballots 
174.32 	to those voters who register to vote after the initial mailing but before the 20th day before 
174.33 	the election. Eligible voters not registered at the time the ballots are mailed may apply for 
175.1 	ballots as provided in chapter 203B. Ballot return envelopes, with return postage provided, 
175.2 	must be preaddressed to the auditor or clerk and the voter may return the ballot by mail or 
175.3 	in person to the office of the auditor or clerk. The auditor or clerk must appoint a ballot 
175.4 	board to examine the mail and absentee ballot return envelopes and mark them "accepted" 
175.5 	or "rejected" within three days of receipt if there are 14 or fewer days before election day, 
175.6 	or within five days of receipt if there are more than 14 days before election day. The board 
175.7 	may consist of deputy county auditors or deputy municipal clerks who have received training 
175.8 	in the processing and counting of mail ballots, who need not be affiliated with a major 
175.9 	political party. Election judges performing the duties in this section must be of different 
175.10 	major political parties, unless they are exempt from that requirement under section  205.075, 
175.11 	subdivision 4, or section 205A.10. If an envelope has been rejected at least five days before 
175.12 	the election, the ballots in the envelope must remain sealed and the auditor or clerk shall 
175.13 	provide the voter with a replacement ballot and return envelope in place of the spoiled ballot. 
175.14 	If the ballot is rejected within five days of the election, the envelope must remain sealed 
175.15 	and the official in charge of the ballot board must attempt to contact the voter by telephone 
175.16 	or email to notify the voter that the voter's ballot has been rejected. The official must 
175.17 	document the attempts made to contact the voter.
175.18 	If the ballot is accepted, the county auditor or municipal clerk must mark the roster to 
175.19 	indicate that the voter has already cast a ballot in that election. After the close of business 
175.20 	on the 19th day before the election, the ballots from return envelopes marked "Accepted" 
175.21 	may be opened, duplicated as needed in the manner provided by section 206.86, subdivision 
175.22 	5, initialed by the members of the ballot board, and deposited in the ballot box.
175.23 	In all other respects, the provisions of the Minnesota Election Law governing deposit 
175.24 	and counting of ballots apply.
175.25 	The mail and absentee ballots for a precinct must be counted together and reported as 
175.26 	one vote total. No vote totals from mail or absentee ballots may be made public before the 
175.27 	close of voting on election day.
175.28 	The costs of the mailing shall be paid by the election jurisdiction in which the voter 
175.29 	maintains residence. Any ballot received by 8:00 p.m. on the day of the election must be 
175.30 	counted.

175.31 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective November 15, 2025, for elections held 
175.32 	on or after January 1, 2026.

176.1 	Sec. 60. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 204C.05, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
176.2 		Subd. 2.Voters in line at closing. (a) At or before the hour when voting is scheduled 
176.3 	to begin, the election judges shall must agree upon the standard of time they will use to 
176.4 	determine when voting will begin and end. Voting shall must not be allowed after the time 
176.5 	when it is scheduled to end, unless individuals are waiting in the polling place or waiting 
176.6 	in line at the door to register, to update the voter's registration, or to vote. The voting shall
176.7 	must continue until those individuals have been allowed to vote. No An individual who 
176.8 	comes to the polling place or to a line outside the polling place after the time when voting 
176.9 	is scheduled to end shall must not be allowed to vote.
176.10 	(b) The local election official may extend polling place hours to accommodate voters 
176.11 	that would have been in line at the regular polling place if the polling place had not been 
176.12 	combined or moved on election day pursuant to section 204B.14, subdivision 2, or 204B.175. 
176.13 	Polling place hours may be extended at the new polling place for one hour. The local election 
176.14 	official must immediately provide notice to the county auditor, secretary of state, and election 
176.15 	judges of the extension in polling place hours. The local election official must also request 
176.16 	that the local media outlets publicly announce the extended polling place hours. Voters in 
176.17 	the polling place or waiting in line at the door to register, to update the voter's registration,
176.18 	or to vote at the end of the extended polling place hours shall must be allowed to vote 
176.19 	pursuant to paragraph (a).

176.20 	Sec. 61. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 204C.06, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
176.21 		Subdivision 1.Persons allowed near polling place. An individual shall must be allowed 
176.22 	to go to and from the polling place for the purpose of voting without unlawful interference. 
176.23 	No one Except an election official or an individual who is waiting to register, to update the 
176.24 	voter's registration, or to vote or an individual who is conducting exit polling shall, an 
176.25 	individual must not stand within 100 feet of the building in which a polling place is located.

176.26 	Sec. 62. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 204C.06, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
176.27 		Subd. 2.Individuals allowed in polling place; identification. (a) Representatives of 
176.28 	the secretary of state's office, the county auditor's office, and the municipal or school district 
176.29 	clerk's office may be present at the polling place to observe election procedures. Except for 
176.30 	these representatives, election judges, sergeants-at-arms, and challengers, an individual may 
176.31 	remain inside the polling place during voting hours only while voting or, updating the voter's 
176.32 	registration, registering to vote, providing proof of residence for an individual who is 
176.33 	registering to vote or updating a registration, or assisting a disabled voter with a disability 
177.1 	or a voter who is unable to read English. During voting hours no one except individuals 
177.2 	receiving, marking, or depositing ballots shall approach within six feet of a voting booth, 
177.3 	ballot counter, or electronic voting equipment, unless lawfully authorized to do so by an 
177.4 	election judge or the individual is an election judge monitoring the operation of the ballot 
177.5 	counter or electronic voting equipment.
177.6 	(b) Teachers and elementary or secondary school students participating in an educational 
177.7 	activity authorized by section 204B.27, subdivision 7, may be present at the polling place 
177.8 	during voting hours.
177.9 	(c) Each official on duty in the polling place must wear an identification badge that 
177.10 	shows their role in the election process. The badge must not show their party affiliation.

177.11 	Sec. 63. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 204C.06, subdivision 6, is amended to read:
177.12 		Subd. 6.Peace officers. Except when summoned by an election judge to restore the 
177.13 	peace or when voting, updating a registration, or registering to vote, no peace officer shall 
177.14 	enter or remain in a polling place or stand within 50 feet of the entrance of a polling place.

177.15 	Sec. 64. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 204C.08, subdivision 1d, is amended to read:
177.16 		Subd. 1d.Voter's Bill of Rights. The county auditor shall prepare and provide to each 
177.17 	polling place sufficient copies of a poster setting forth the Voter's Bill of Rights as set forth 
177.18 	in this section. Before the hours of voting are scheduled to begin, the election judges shall 
177.19 	post it in a conspicuous location or locations in the polling place. The Voter's Bill of Rights 
177.20 	is as follows:
177.21 	"VOTER'S BILL OF RIGHTS
177.22 	For all persons residing in this state who meet federal voting eligibility requirements:
177.23 	(1) You have the right to be absent from work for the purpose of voting in a state, federal, 
177.24 	or regularly scheduled election without reduction to your pay, personal leave, or vacation 
177.25 	time on election day for the time necessary to appear at your polling place, cast a ballot, 
177.26 	and return to work.
177.27 	(2) If you are in line at your polling place any time before 8:00 p.m., you have the right 
177.28 	to vote.
177.29 	(3) If you can provide the required proof of residence, you have the right to register to 
177.30 	vote or to update your registration and to vote on election day.
178.1 	(4) If you are unable to sign your name, you have the right to orally confirm your identity 
178.2 	with an election judge and to direct another person to sign your name for you.
178.3 	(5) You have the right to request special assistance when voting.
178.4 	(6) If you need assistance, you may be accompanied into the voting booth by a person 
178.5 	of your choice, except by an agent of your employer or union or a candidate.
178.6 	(7) You have the right to bring your minor children into the polling place and into the 
178.7 	voting booth with you.
178.8 	(8) You have the right to vote if you are not currently incarcerated for conviction of a 
178.9 	felony offense.
178.10 	(9) If you are under a guardianship, you have the right to vote, unless the court order 
178.11 	revokes your right to vote.
178.12 	(10) You have the right to vote without anyone in the polling place trying to influence 
178.13 	your vote.
178.14 	(11) If you make a mistake or spoil your ballot before it is submitted, you have the right 
178.15 	to receive a replacement ballot and vote.
178.16 	(12) You have the right to file a written complaint at your polling place if you are 
178.17 	dissatisfied with the way an election is being run.
178.18 	(13) You have the right to take a sample ballot into the voting booth with you.
178.19 	(14) You have the right to take a copy of this Voter's Bill of Rights into the voting booth 
178.20 	with you."

178.21 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment, except 
178.22 	that the change in clause (3) is effective January 1, 2026.

178.23 	Sec. 65. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 204C.09, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
178.24 		Subdivision 1.Counting and initialing. (a) Before the voting begins, at least two election 
178.25 	judges must certify the number of ballots delivered to the precinct. Election judges may 
178.26 	conduct this count, presuming that the total count provided for prepackaged ballots is correct. 
178.27 	As each package is opened, two judges must count the ballots in the package to ensure that 
178.28 	the total count provided for the package is correct. Any discrepancy must be noted on the 
178.29 	incident log.
179.1 	(b) Before the voting begins, or as soon as possible after it begins, at least two election 
179.2 	judges shall each initial the backs of all the ballots. The election judges shall not otherwise 
179.3 	mark the ballots.

179.4 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.

179.5 	Sec. 66. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 204C.10, is amended to read:
179.6 	204C.10 POLLING PLACE ROSTER; VOTER SIGNATURE CERTIFICATE; 
179.7 	VOTER RECEIPT.
179.8 	(a) An individual seeking to vote shall sign a polling place roster or voter signature 
179.9 	certificate which states that the individual:
179.10 	(1) is at least 18 years old;
179.11 	(2) is a citizen of the United States;
179.12 	(3) has maintained residence in Minnesota for 20 days immediately preceding the election;
179.13 	(4) maintains residence at the address or location shown;
179.14 	(5) is not under a guardianship in which the court order revokes the individual's right to 
179.15 	vote;
179.16 	(6) has not been found by a court of law to be legally incompetent to vote;
179.17 	(7) has the right to vote because, if the individual was convicted of a felony, the individual 
179.18 	is not currently incarcerated for that conviction;
179.19 	(8) is registered; and
179.20 	(9) has not already voted in the election.
179.21 	The roster must also state: "I understand that deliberately providing false information 
179.22 	is a felony punishable by not more than five years imprisonment and a fine of not more than 
179.23 	$10,000, or both."
179.24 	(b) At the presidential nomination primary, the polling place roster must also state: "I 
179.25 	am in general agreement with the principles of the party for whose candidate I intend to 
179.26 	vote." This statement must appear separately from the statements required in paragraph (a). 
179.27 	The felony penalty provided for in paragraph (a) does not apply to this paragraph.
179.28 	(c) A judge may, before the applicant signs the roster or voter signature certificate, 
179.29 	confirm the applicant's name, address, and date of birth.
180.1 	(d) After the applicant signs the roster or voter signature certificate, the judge shall give 
180.2 	the applicant a voter's receipt. The voter shall deliver the voter's receipt to the judge in 
180.3 	charge of ballots as proof of the voter's right to vote, and thereupon the judge shall hand to 
180.4 	the voter the ballot. The voters' receipts must be maintained during the time for notice of 
180.5 	filing an election contest.
180.6 	(e) Whenever a challenged status appears on the polling place roster, an election judge 
180.7 	must ensure that the challenge is concealed or hidden from the view of any voter other than 
180.8 	the voter whose status is challenged.

180.9 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective September 1, 2025.

180.10 	Sec. 67. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 204C.15, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
180.11 		Subd. 2.Outside the polling place. An individual who is unable to enter a polling place 
180.12 	where paper ballots or an electronic voting system are used may register or update the voter's 
180.13 	registration and vote without leaving a motor vehicle. Two election judges who are members 
180.14 	of different major political parties shall must assist the voter to register or to update a 
180.15 	registration, as applicable, and to complete a voter's certificate and shall must provide the 
180.16 	necessary ballots. The voter may request additional assistance in marking ballots as provided 
180.17 	in subdivision 1.

180.18 	Sec. 68. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 204C.15, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
180.19 		Subd. 3.Voting lines. In all polling places, upon request of the voter, two election judges 
180.20 	shall must assist a disabled voter with a disability to enter the polling place and go through 
180.21 	the registration and voting lines lines to register to vote or update the voter's registration, 
180.22 	as applicable, and to vote. The voter may also request the assistance of election judges or 
180.23 	any other individual in marking ballots, as provided in subdivision 1.

180.24 	Sec. 69. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 204C.24, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
180.25 		Subdivision 1.Information requirements. Precinct summary statements shall must be 
180.26 	submitted by the election judges in every precinct. For all elections, the election judges 
180.27 	shall must complete three or more copies of the summary statements, and each copy shall
180.28 	must contain the following information for each kind of ballot:
180.29 	(1) the number of ballots delivered to the precinct as adjusted by the actual count made 
180.30 	by the election judges, the number of unofficial ballots made, and the number of absentee 
180.31 	ballots delivered to the precinct;
181.1 	(2) the number of votes each candidate received or the number of yes and no votes on 
181.2 	each question, the number of undervotes, the number of overvotes, and the number of 
181.3 	defective ballots with respect to each office or question;
181.4 	(3) the number of spoiled ballots, the number of duplicate ballots made, the number of 
181.5 	absentee ballots rejected, and the number of unused ballots, presuming that the total count 
181.6 	provided on each package of unopened prepackaged ballots is correct;
181.7 	(4) the number of voted ballots indicating only a voter's choices as provided by section 
181.8 	206.80, paragraph (b), clause (2), item (ii), in precincts that use an assistive voting device 
181.9 	that produces this type of ballot;
181.10 	(5) the number of individuals who voted at the election in the precinct which must equal 
181.11 	the total number of ballots cast in the precinct, as required by sections 204C.20 and 206.86, 
181.12 	subdivision 1;
181.13 	(6) the number of voters registering or updating registrations on election day in that 
181.14 	precinct;
181.15 	(7) the signatures of the election judges who counted the ballots certifying that all of the 
181.16 	ballots cast were properly piled, checked, and counted; and that the numbers entered by the 
181.17 	election judges on the summary statements correctly show the number of votes cast for each 
181.18 	candidate and for and against each question;
181.19 	(8) the number of election judges that worked in that precinct on election day; and
181.20 	(9) the number of voting booths used in that precinct on election day.
181.21 	At least two copies of the summary statement must be prepared for elections not held 
181.22 	on the same day as the state elections.

181.23 	Sec. 70. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 204C.32, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
181.24 		Subdivision 1.County canvass. The county canvassing board shall must meet at the 
181.25 	county auditor's office on either the second or third day following the state primary. After 
181.26 	taking the oath of office, the canvassing board shall must publicly canvass the election 
181.27 	returns delivered to the county auditor. The board shall must complete the canvass by the 
181.28 	third day following the state primary and shall must promptly prepare and file with the 
181.29 	county auditor a report that states:
181.30 	(a) the number of individuals voting at the election in the county, and in each precinct;
182.1 	(b) for each precinct, the number of individuals registering to vote or updating 
182.2 	registrations on election day and the number of individuals who were registered before 
182.3 	election day in each precinct and did not need to update the voter's registration;
182.4 	(c) for each major political party, the names of the candidates running for each partisan 
182.5 	office and the number of votes received by each candidate in the county and in each precinct;
182.6 	(d) the names of the candidates of each major political party who are nominated; and
182.7 	(e) the number of votes received by each of the candidates for nonpartisan office in each 
182.8 	precinct in the county and the names of the candidates nominated for nonpartisan office.
182.9 	Upon completion of the canvass, the county auditor shall must mail or deliver a notice 
182.10 	of nomination to each nominee for county office voted for only in that county. The county 
182.11 	auditor shall must transmit one of the certified copies of the county canvassing board report 
182.12 	for state and federal offices to the secretary of state by express mail or similar service 
182.13 	immediately upon conclusion of the county canvass. The secretary of state shall must mail 
182.14 	a notice of nomination to each nominee for state or federal office.

182.15 	Sec. 71. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 204C.33, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
182.16 		Subdivision 1.County canvass. The county canvassing board shall must meet at the 
182.17 	county auditor's office between the third and eighth days following the state general election. 
182.18 	After taking the oath of office, the board shall must promptly and publicly canvass the 
182.19 	general election returns delivered to the county auditor. Upon completion of the canvass, 
182.20 	the board shall must promptly prepare and file with the county auditor a report which states:
182.21 	(a) the number of individuals voting at the election in the county and in each precinct;
182.22 	(b) for each precinct, the number of individuals registering to vote or updating 
182.23 	registrations on election day and the number of individuals who were registered before 
182.24 	election day in each precinct and did not need to update the voter's registration;
182.25 	(c) the names of the candidates for each office and the number of votes received by each 
182.26 	candidate in the county and in each precinct;
182.27 	(d) the number of votes counted for and against a proposed change of county lines or 
182.28 	county seat; and
182.29 	(e) the number of votes counted for and against a constitutional amendment or other 
182.30 	question in the county and in each precinct.
182.31 	The result of write-in votes cast on the general election ballots must be compiled by the 
182.32 	county auditor before the county canvass, except that write-in votes for a candidate for 
183.1 	federal, state, or county office must not be counted unless the candidate has timely filed a 
183.2 	request under section 204B.09, subdivision 3. The county auditor shall must arrange for 
183.3 	each municipality to provide an adequate number of election judges to perform this duty or 
183.4 	the county auditor may appoint additional election judges for this purpose. The county 
183.5 	auditor may open the envelopes or containers in which the voted ballots have been sealed 
183.6 	in order to count and record the write-in votes and must reseal the voted ballots at the 
183.7 	conclusion of this process. The county auditor must prepare a separate report of votes 
183.8 	received by precinct for write-in candidates for federal, state, and county offices who have 
183.9 	requested under section 204B.09 that votes for those candidates be tallied.
183.10 	Upon completion of the canvass, the county canvassing board shall must declare the 
183.11 	candidate duly elected who received the highest number of votes for each county and state 
183.12 	office voted for only within the county. The county auditor shall must transmit a certified 
183.13 	copy of the county canvassing board report for state and federal offices to the secretary of 
183.14 	state by messenger, express mail, or similar service immediately upon conclusion of the 
183.15 	county canvass.

183.16 	Sec. 72. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 204D.19, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
183.17 		Subdivision 1.Vacancy filled at general election. When a vacancy occurs more than 
183.18 	150 days before the next state general election, and the legislature will not be in session 
183.19 	before the final canvass of the state general election returns, the vacancy shall be filled at 
183.20 	the next state general election. When practicable, the filing period for the vacancy must be 
183.21 	concurrent with the filing period for the general election filing period provided in section 
183.22 	204B.09. If not possible, the filing period for the vacancy must be a minimum of five days 
183.23 	and a maximum of ten days, excluding holidays.

183.24 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment and 
183.25 	applies to vacancies in legislative offices that occur on or after that date.

183.26 	Sec. 73. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 204D.19, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
183.27 		Subd. 2.Special election when legislature will be in session. Except for vacancies in 
183.28 	the legislature which occur at any time between the last day of session in an odd-numbered 
183.29 	year and the 40th day prior to the opening day of session in the succeeding even-numbered 
183.30 	year, when a vacancy occurs and the legislature will be in session so that the individual 
183.31 	elected as provided by this section could take office and exercise the duties of the office 
183.32 	immediately upon election, the governor shall issue within five days after the vacancy occurs 
183.33 	a writ calling for a special election. The filing period for the vacancy must be a minimum 
184.1 	of three days, excluding holidays. The special election shall be held as soon as possible, 
184.2 	consistent with the notice requirements of section 204D.22, subdivision 3, but in no event 
184.3 	more than 35 days after the issuance of the writ. A special election must not be held during 
184.4 	the four two days before or the four two days after a holiday as defined in section 645.44, 
184.5 	subdivision 5.

184.6 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment and 
184.7 	applies to vacancies in legislative offices that occur on or after that date.

184.8 	Sec. 74. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 204D.19, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
184.9 		Subd. 3.Special election at other times. When a vacancy occurs at a time other than 
184.10 	those described in subdivisions 1 and 2 the governor shall issue a writ, calling for a special 
184.11 	election to be held so that the individual elected may take office at the opening of the next 
184.12 	session of the legislature, or at the reconvening of a session of the legislature. The filing 
184.13 	period for the vacancy must be a minimum of five days and a maximum of ten days, 
184.14 	excluding holidays.

184.15 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment and 
184.16 	applies to vacancies in legislative offices that occur on or after that date.

184.17 	Sec. 75. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 204D.195, is amended to read:
184.18 	204D.195 DATE OF SPECIAL ELECTION; CERTAIN TIMES PROHIBITED.
184.19 	Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a special primary and special general election 
184.20 	may not be held:
184.21 	(1) for a period beginning the day following the date of the state primary election and 
184.22 	ending the day prior to the date of the state general election; or
184.23 	(2) on a holiday, or during the four two days before or after a holiday, as defined in 
184.24 	section 645.44, subdivision 5.

184.25 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.

184.26 	Sec. 76. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 205.13, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
184.27 		Subdivision 1.Affidavit of candidacy. (a) An individual who is eligible and desires to 
184.28 	become a candidate for an office to be voted for at the municipal general election shall file 
184.29 	an affidavit of candidacy with the municipal clerk. Candidates for a special election to fill 
184.30 	a vacancy held as provided in section 412.02, subdivision 2a, must file an affidavit of 
184.31 	candidacy for the specific office to fill the unexpired portion of the term. Subject to the 
185.1 	approval of the county auditor, the town clerk may authorize candidates for township offices 
185.2 	to file affidavits of candidacy with the county auditor. The affidavit shall be in the same 
185.3 	form as that in section 204B.06. The municipal clerk shall also accept an application signed 
185.4 	by not less than five voters and filed on behalf of an eligible voter in the municipality whom 
185.5 	they desire to be a candidate, if service of a copy of the application has been made on the 
185.6 	candidate and proof of service is endorsed on the application being filed. Upon receipt of 
185.7 	the proper filing fee, the clerk shall place the name of the candidate on the official ballot 
185.8 	without partisan designation.
185.9 	(b) The municipal clerk shall notify the official responsible for preparing the ballot of 
185.10 	the names of the candidates placed on the ballot, any changes to candidates, and other 
185.11 	information necessary to prepare the ballot. The notification must be made within one 
185.12 	business day of receiving the filing or change or immediately following the close of the 
185.13 	filing period, whichever is sooner, unless the clerk and official agree to an alternative 
185.14 	notification timeline.

185.15 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.

185.16 	Sec. 77. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 205.13, subdivision 1a, is amended to read:
185.17 		Subd. 1a.Filing period. In a city nominating candidates at a primary, an affidavit of 
185.18 	candidacy for a city office voted on in November must be filed no more than 84 days nor 
185.19 	less than 70 days before the city primary. In municipalities that do not hold a primary, an 
185.20 	affidavit of candidacy must be filed no more than 70 days and not less than 56 days before 
185.21 	the municipal general election held in March in any year, or a special election not held in 
185.22 	conjunction with another election, and no more than 98 112 days nor less than 84 98 days 
185.23 	before the municipal general election held in November of any year. The municipal clerk's 
185.24 	office must be open for filing from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on the last day of the filing period.

185.25 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective January 1, 2026.

185.26 	Sec. 78. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 205A.06, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
185.27 		Subdivision 1.Affidavit of candidacy. (a) An individual who is eligible and desires to 
185.28 	become a candidate for an office to be voted on at the election must file an affidavit of 
185.29 	candidacy with the school district clerk. The affidavit must be in the form prescribed by 
185.30 	section 204B.06. The school district clerk shall also accept an application signed by at least 
185.31 	five voters and filed on behalf of an eligible voter in the school district whom they desire 
185.32 	to be a candidate, if service of a copy of the application has been made on the candidate 
185.33 	and proof of service is endorsed on the application being filed. No individual shall be 
186.1 	nominated by nominating petition for a school district elective office. Upon receipt of the 
186.2 	proper filing fee, the clerk shall place the name of the candidate on the official ballot without 
186.3 	partisan designation.
186.4 	(b) The school district clerk shall notify the official responsible for preparing the ballot 
186.5 	of the names of the candidates placed on the ballot, any changes to candidates, and other 
186.6 	information necessary to prepare the ballot. The notification must be made within one 
186.7 	business day of receiving the filing or change or immediately following the close of the 
186.8 	filing period, whichever is sooner, unless the clerk and official agree to an alternative 
186.9 	notification timeline.

186.10 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.

186.11 	Sec. 79. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 205A.06, subdivision 1a, is amended to read:
186.12 		Subd. 1a.Filing period. In school districts that have adopted a resolution to choose 
186.13 	nominees for school board by a primary election, affidavits of candidacy must be filed with 
186.14 	the school district clerk no earlier than the 84th day and no later than the 70th day before 
186.15 	the second Tuesday in August in the year when the school district general election is held. 
186.16 	In all other school districts, affidavits of candidacy must be filed no earlier than the 98th
186.17 	112th day and no later than the 84th 98th day before the school district general election.

186.18 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective January 1, 2026.

186.19 	Sec. 80. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 205A.11, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
186.20 		Subd. 2.Combined polling place. (a) When no other election is being held in a school 
186.21 	district, the school board may designate combined polling places at which the voters in 
186.22 	those precincts may vote in the school district election.
186.23 	(b) By December 31 of each year, the school board must designate, by resolution, any 
186.24 	changes to combined polling places. The combined polling places designated in the resolution 
186.25 	are the polling places, unless a change is made in accordance with this paragraph or:
186.26 	(1) pursuant to section 204B.175; or
186.27 	(2) because a polling place has become unavailable.
186.28 	(c) If the school board designates combined polling places pursuant to this subdivision, 
186.29 	polling places must be designated throughout the district, taking into account both 
186.30 	geographical distribution and population distribution. A combined polling place must be at 
186.31 	a location designated for use as a polling place by a county or municipality, except as 
187.1 	provided in this paragraph. If the municipality conducts elections by mail balloting pursuant 
187.2 	to section 204B.45, the school board may designate a polling place not used by the 
187.3 	municipality if the polling place satisfies the requirements in section 204B.16, subdivisions 
187.4 	4 to 7.
187.5 	(d) In school districts that have organized into separate board member election districts 
187.6 	under section 205A.12, a combined polling place for a school general election must be 
187.7 	arranged so that it does not include more than one board member election district.

187.8 	Sec. 81. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 206.83, is amended to read:
187.9 	206.83 TESTING OF VOTING SYSTEMS.
187.10 	At least three days before voting equipment is used, the official in charge of elections 
187.11 	shall have the voting system tested to ascertain that the system will correctly mark ballots 
187.12 	using all methods supported by the system, including through assistive technology, and 
187.13 	count the votes cast for all candidates and on all questions. Public notice of the time and 
187.14 	place of the test must be given at least two five days in advance by publication once in 
187.15 	official newspapers. The test must be observed by at least two election judges, who are not 
187.16 	of the same major political party, and must be open to representatives of the political parties, 
187.17 	candidates, the press, and the public. The test must be conducted by (1) processing a 
187.18 	preaudited group of ballots punched or marked to record a predetermined number of valid 
187.19 	votes for each candidate and on each question in the contest, and must include for each 
187.20 	office one or more ballot cards which have votes in excess of the number allowed by law 
187.21 	in order to test the ability of the voting system tabulator and electronic ballot marker to 
187.22 	reject those votes; and (2) processing an additional test deck of ballots marked using the 
187.23 	electronic ballot marker for the precinct, including ballots marked using the electronic ballot 
187.24 	display, audio ballot reader, and any assistive voting technology used with the electronic 
187.25 	ballot marker. If any error is detected, the cause must be ascertained and corrected and an 
187.26 	errorless count must be made before the voting system may be used in the election. After 
187.27 	the completion of the test, the programs used and ballot cards must be sealed, retained, and 
187.28 	disposed of as provided for paper ballots.

187.29 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective September 1, 2025.

187.30 	Sec. 82. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 206.845, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
187.31 		Subdivision 1.Prohibited connections. The county auditor and municipal clerk must 
187.32 	secure ballot recording and tabulating systems physically and electronically against 
187.33 	unauthorized access. Except for wired connections within the polling place, ballot recording 
188.1 	and tabulating systems must not be connected to or operated on, directly or indirectly, any 
188.2 	electronic network, including a local area network, a wide-area network, the Internet, or the 
188.3 	World Wide Web. Wireless communications may not be used in any way in a vote recording 
188.4 	or vote tabulating system. Wireless, device-to-device capability is not permitted. No 
188.5 	connection by modem is permitted.
188.6 	Transfer of information from the ballot recording or tabulating system to another system 
188.7 	for network distribution or broadcast must be made by disk, tape, or other physical means 
188.8 	of communication, other than direct or indirect electronic connection of the vote recording 
188.9 	or vote tabulating system. A county auditor or municipal clerk may not create or disclose, 
188.10 	or permit any other person to create or disclose, an electronic image of the hard drive of 
188.11 	any vote recording or tabulating system or any other component of an electronic voting 
188.12 	system, except as authorized in writing by the secretary of state or for the purpose of 
188.13 	conducting official duties as expressly authorized by law. A password used to access any 
188.14 	ballot recording or tabulating system must be kept in a safe and secure place in the precinct 
188.15 	so that it is not accessible to or visible by the public.

188.16 	Sec. 83. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 211B.20, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
188.17 		Subd. 2.Exceptions. Subdivision 1 does not prohibit:
188.18 	(1) denial of admittance into a particular apartment, room, manufactured home, or 
188.19 	personal residential unit;
188.20 	(2) requiring reasonable and proper identification as a necessary prerequisite to admission 
188.21 	to a multiple unit dwelling;
188.22 	(3) in the case of a nursing home or an assisted living facility under chapter 144G, denial 
188.23 	of permission to visit certain persons for valid health reasons;
188.24 	(4) limiting visits by candidates or volunteers accompanied by the candidate to a 
188.25 	reasonable number of persons or reasonable hours, provided that access must be permitted 
188.26 	during the hours of 9:00 a.m. through 9:00 p.m. on any day, at a minimum;
188.27 	(5) requiring a prior appointment to gain access to the facility; or
188.28 	(6) denial of admittance to or expulsion from a multiple unit dwelling for good cause.

189.1 	Sec. 84. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 211B.20, is amended by adding a subdivision 
189.2 	to read:
189.3 		Subd. 3.Notice to residents. The owner, manager, or operator of a multiple unit dwelling 
189.4 	is encouraged to notify residents of the days on which a candidate has provided notice of 
189.5 	an intent to be present.

189.6 	Sec. 85. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 368.47, is amended to read:
189.7 	368.47 TOWNS MAY BE DISSOLVED.
189.8 	(1) When the voters residing within a town have failed to elect any town officials for 
189.9 	more than ten years continuously;
189.10 	(2) when a town has failed for a period of ten years to exercise any of the powers and 
189.11 	functions of a town;
189.12 	(3) when the estimated market value of a town drops to less than $165,000;
189.13 	(4) when the tax delinquency of a town, exclusive of taxes that are delinquent or unpaid 
189.14 	because they are contested in proceedings for the enforcement of taxes, amounts to 12 
189.15 	percent of its market value; or
189.16 	(5) when the state or federal government has acquired title to 50 percent of the real estate 
189.17 	of a town,
189.18 	which facts, or any of them, may be found and determined by the resolution of the county 
189.19 	board of the county in which the town is located, according to the official records in the 
189.20 	office of the county auditor, the county board by resolution may declare the town, naming 
189.21 	it, dissolved and no longer entitled to exercise any of the powers or functions of a town.
189.22 	In Cass, Itasca, and St. Louis Counties, before the dissolution is effective the voters of 
189.23 	the town shall express their approval or disapproval. The town clerk shall, upon a petition 
189.24 	signed by a majority of the registered voters of the town, filed with the clerk at least 60 84
189.25 	days before a regular or special town election, give notice at the same time and in the same 
189.26 	manner of the election that the question of dissolution of the town will be submitted for 
189.27 	determination at the election. At the election the question shall be voted upon by a separate 
189.28 	ballot. The form of the question under this chapter shall be substantially in the following 
189.29 	form: "Shall the town of ... be dissolved?" The ballot shall be deposited in a separate ballot 
189.30 	box and The result of the voting canvassed, certified, and returned in the same manner and 
189.31 	at the same time as other facts and returns of the election. If a majority of the votes cast at 
190.1 	the election are for dissolution, the town shall be dissolved. If a majority of the votes cast 
190.2 	at the election are against dissolution, the town shall not be dissolved.
190.3 	When a town is dissolved under sections 368.47 to 368.49 the county shall acquire title 
190.4 	to any telephone company or other business conducted by the town. The business shall be 
190.5 	operated by the board of county commissioners until it can be sold. The subscribers or 
190.6 	patrons of the business shall have the first opportunity of purchase. If the town has any 
190.7 	outstanding indebtedness chargeable to the business, the county auditor shall levy a tax 
190.8 	against the property situated in the dissolved town to pay the indebtedness as it becomes 
190.9 	due.

190.10 	Sec. 86. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 375.20, is amended to read:
190.11 	375.20 BALLOT QUESTIONS.
190.12 	If the county board may do an act, incur a debt, appropriate money for a purpose, or 
190.13 	exercise any other power or authority, only if authorized by a vote of the people, the question 
190.14 	may be submitted at a special or general election, by a resolution specifying the matter or 
190.15 	question to be voted upon. If the question is to authorize the appropriation of money, creation 
190.16 	of a debt, or levy of a tax, it shall state the amount. Notice of the election shall be given as 
190.17 	in the case of special elections. If the question submitted is adopted, the board shall pass an 
190.18 	appropriate resolution to carry it into effect. In the election the form of the ballot shall be: 
190.19 	"Shall (here state the substance of the resolution to be submitted)?, Yes ...... No......,". The 
190.20 	county board may call a special county election upon a question to be held within 74 84
190.21 	days after a resolution to that effect is adopted by the county board. Upon the adoption of 
190.22 	the resolution the county auditor shall post and publish notices of the election, as required 
190.23 	by section 204D.22, subdivisions 2 and 3. The election shall be conducted and the returns 
190.24 	canvassed in the manner prescribed by sections 204D.20 to 204D.27, so far as practicable.

190.25 	Sec. 87. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 414.09, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
190.26 		Subd. 3.Elections of municipal officers. (a) An order approving an incorporation or 
190.27 	consolidation pursuant to this chapter, or an order requiring an election under section 414.031, 
190.28 	subdivision 4a, shall set a date for an election of new municipal officers not less than 45 
190.29 	days nor more than 60 days after the issuance of such order in accordance with the uniform 
190.30 	election dates defined in section 205.10, subdivision 3a.
190.31 	(b) The chief administrative law judge shall appoint an acting clerk for election purposes, 
190.32 	at least three election judges who shall be residents of the new municipality, and shall 
190.33 	designate polling places within the new municipality.
191.1 	(c) The acting clerk shall prepare the official election ballot pursuant to section 205.17.
191.2 	(d) Any person eligible to hold municipal office may file an affidavit of candidacy not 
191.3 	more than four weeks nor less than two weeks before the date designated in the order for 
191.4 	the election pursuant to section 205.13.
191.5 	(e) The election shall be conducted in conformity with the charter and the laws for 
191.6 	conducting municipal elections insofar as applicable.
191.7 	(f) Any person eligible to vote at a township or municipal election within the area of the 
191.8 	new municipality, is eligible to vote at such election.
191.9 	(g) Any excess in the expense of conducting the election over receipts from filing fees 
191.10 	shall be a charge against the new municipality; any excess of receipts shall be deposited in 
191.11 	the treasury of the new municipality.

191.12 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective June 1, 2025.

191.13 	Sec. 88. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 447.32, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
191.14 		Subd. 4.Candidates; ballots; certifying election. (a) A person who wants to be a 
191.15 	candidate for the hospital board shall file an affidavit of candidacy for the election either 
191.16 	as member at large or as a member representing the city or town where the candidate 
191.17 	maintains residence. The affidavit of candidacy must be filed with the city or town clerk 
191.18 	not more than 98 112 days nor less than 84 98 days before the first Tuesday after the first 
191.19 	Monday in November of the year in which the general election is held. The city or town 
191.20 	clerk must forward the affidavits of candidacy to the clerk of the hospital district or, for the 
191.21 	first election, the clerk of the most populous city or town immediately after the last day of 
191.22 	the filing period. A candidate may withdraw from the election by filing an affidavit of 
191.23 	withdrawal with the clerk of the district no later than 5:00 p.m. two days after the last day 
191.24 	to file affidavits of candidacy.
191.25 	(b) Voting must be by secret ballot. The clerk shall prepare, at the expense of the district, 
191.26 	necessary ballots for the election of officers. Ballots must be prepared as provided in the 
191.27 	rules of the secretary of state. The ballots must be marked and initialed by at least two judges 
191.28 	as official ballots and used exclusively at the election. Any proposition to be voted on may 
191.29 	be printed on the ballot provided for the election of officers. The hospital board may also 
191.30 	authorize the use of voting systems subject to chapter 206. Enough election judges may be 
191.31 	appointed to receive the votes at each polling place. The election judges shall act as clerks 
191.32 	of election, count the ballots cast, and submit them to the board for canvass.
192.1 	(c) Between the third and 14th days after an election, the board must act as the canvassing 
192.2 	board, canvass the returns, and declare the candidate duly elected who received the highest 
192.3 	number of votes for each hospital district office and the results of any ballot questions.
192.4 	(d) After canvassing the election, the board shall issue a certificate of election to the 
192.5 	candidate who received the largest number of votes cast for each office. The clerk shall 
192.6 	deliver the certificate to the person entitled to it in person or by certified mail. Each person 
192.7 	certified shall file an acceptance and oath of office in writing with the clerk within 30 days 
192.8 	after the date of delivery or mailing of the certificate. The board may fill any office as 
192.9 	provided in subdivision 1 if the person elected fails to qualify within 30 days, but qualification 
192.10 	is effective if made before the board acts to fill the vacancy.

192.11 	EFFECTIVE DATE. Paragraph (a) is effective January 1, 2026.

192.12 	Sec. 89. TRANSITION TO NEW VOTER REGISTRATION APPLICATIONS; 
192.13 	ABSENTEE BALLOT APPLICATIONS.
 192.14 	Notwithstanding the requirements of section 10, a completed voter registration application 
192.15 	submitted by a voter is not deficient for purposes of registering that voter if the application 
192.16 	form was printed or provided to the voter prior to July 1, 2025. On or after July 1, 2025, an 
192.17 	election official must not print or copy a blank voter registration application that does not 
192.18 	include the modifications required by section 10. An election official may distribute copies 
192.19 	of registration applications that were printed prior to the effective date.

192.20 	Sec. 90. REPEALER.
 192.21 	Minnesota Statutes 2024, sections 204B.25, subdivision 3; 206.57, subdivision 5b; and 
192.22 	206.95, are repealed.

192.23 	Sec. 91. EFFECTIVE DATE.
 192.24 	Unless otherwise provided, this article is effective July 1, 2025.

	ARTICLE 1	STATE GOVERNMENT AND ELECTIONS APPROPRIATIONS........	Page.Ln 2.37	
	ARTICLE 2	STATE GOVERNMENT POLICY........	Page.Ln 22.1	
	ARTICLE 3	STATE PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT........	Page.Ln 63.1	
	ARTICLE 4	LICENSING BOARDS........	Page.Ln 81.17	
	ARTICLE 5	BUSINESS FILING FRAUD AND DECEPTIVE MAILINGS........	Page.Ln 93.4	
	ARTICLE 6	LOCAL GOVERNMENT POLICY........	Page.Ln 101.9	
	ARTICLE 7	CAMPAIGN FINANCE........	Page.Ln 115.1	
	ARTICLE 8	ELECTIONS POLICY........	Page.Ln 131.14	

APPENDIX 

Repealed Minnesota Statutes: S3045-4 

No active language found for: 3.8842 

No active language found for: 3.8845 

No active language found for: 16A.90 

16B.328 OUTDOOR LIGHTING FIXTURES MODEL ORDINANCE.
No active language found for: 16B.328.2 

No active language found for: 16B.356 

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No active language found for: 16B.45 

No active language found for: 16C.36 

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204B.25 TRAINING FOR ELECTION JUDGES.
No active language found for: 204B.25.3 

206.57 EXAMINATION OF NEW VOTING SYSTEMS.
No active language found for: 206.57.5b 

No active language found for: 206.95 

No active language found for: 211B.06 

No active language found for: 211B.08 

383C.07 MEMBERS OF BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS; TERMS OF OFFICE.
Notwithstanding the provisions of any law to the contrary, in St. Louis County every lay member hereafter appointed by the county board to any board or commission heretofore or hereafter created by law, shall be appointed for a term of three years. 

383C.74 HISTORICAL WORK.Subdivision 1.Appropriation. 
The St. Louis County Board may appropriate from the treasury of the county a sum not to exceed $2,500 each year for the promotion of historical work within its borders. 

Subd. 2.Minnesota State Historical Society. 
Said sum shall be so appropriated for the use of a historical society organized in said county and devoted to the collection, preservation and publication of historical material, the dissemination of historical information and in general carrying on historical work, said society to be designated by the Minnesota State Historical Society. 

Subd. 3.Purpose of appropriation. 
The work of said historical society shall be done in the county making such appropriation and in reference to the history of said county and all facts relevant thereto. 

Subd. 4.Money to remain in county treasury. 
The money appropriated as aforesaid shall remain in the treasury of the county and be paid out in payment of expense incurred by said county historical society for the purposes above indicated on verified bills approved by said local society according to its rules, in the same way that county bills are paid. Said appropriation shall be available for expense occurring in any year although not paid until the succeeding year. Any unused portion of any appropriation for any year shall revert to the funds of the county. Said appropriation shall be effective only for the year in which it is made. 

Repealed Minnesota Session Laws: S3045-4 

Laws 2019, First Special Session chapter 3, article 2, section 34, as amended by Laws 2020, chapter 100, section 22; as amended by Laws 2025, chapter 39, article 2, section 69
Subdivision 1.Legislative commissions. (a) Minnesota Statutes 2024, sections 3.8842; and 3.8845, are repealed.(b) Laws 2019, First Special Session chapter 3, article 2, section 34, as amended by Laws 2020, chapter 100, section 22; and Laws 2022, chapter 50, article 3, section 2, are repealed.Subd. 2.Driver and Vehicle Systems Oversight Committee established. 
(a) The Driver and Vehicle Systems Oversight Committee is established and consists of the following members: 

(1) the chair of the senate Finance Committee, or a senator appointed by the chair of the senate Finance Committee; 

(2) the chair and ranking minority member of the senate committee with jurisdiction over transportation finance; 

(3) the chair of the house of representatives Ways and Means Committee, or a member of the house of representatives appointed by the chair of the house of representatives Ways and Means Committee; and 

(4) the chair and ranking minority member of the house of representatives committee with jurisdiction over transportation finance. 

(b) The chair of the Blue Ribbon Council on Information Technology, or the chair's designee, must serve on the committee as a nonvoting member. If the council expires or is dissolved, the chair of the council at the time of expiration or dissolution, or the chair's designee, must continue to serve on the committee as a nonvoting member until the committee expires as provided by subdivision 8. 

Subd. 3.Department of Administration. Minnesota Statutes 2024, sections 16B.328, subdivision 2; and 16C.36, are repealed.Subd. 4.Advisory Council on Infrastructure. Minnesota Statutes 2024, sections 16B.356; 16B.357; 16B.358; and 16B.359, are repealed.Subd. 5.Office of the Legislative Auditor. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 16B.45, is repealed.Subd. 6.Political and campaign provisions. Minnesota Statutes 2024, sections 211B.06; and 211B.08, are repealed.Subd. 7.Administration. 
The Legislative Coordinating Commission must provide meeting space and administrative support for the Oversight Committee. 

Subd. 8.Expiration. 
The Oversight Committee expires six months after full implementation of VTRS. After full implementation but prior to the expiration of the Oversight Committee, the Oversight Committee must complete a report that, at a minimum, summarizes the activities of the Oversight Committee and makes recommendations to the legislature on proposed changes to state driver and vehicle laws. The Oversight Committee must submit the report to the legislative auditor. For purposes of this subdivision, "full implementation" means all packaged software solution components are implemented and functioning and all MNLARS and legacy components are decommissioned. 

Laws 2022, chapter 50, article 3, section 2 by Laws 2025, chapter 39, article 2, section 69
Sec. 2. LEGISLATIVE COVID-19 RESPONSE COMMISSION. 
Laws 2020, chapter 71, article 1, section 7, as amended by Laws 2020, chapter 81, sections 1 and 2, is revived and reenacted as of December 30, 2020.  

EFFECTIVE DATE. 
This section is effective retroactively from December 30, 2020, and applies to duties required under this article. 

1105.7900SUBSTANTIAL EQUIVALENCY. D.
 Individuals required by Minnesota Statutes, section 326A.14, subdivision 1, paragraph (b), to obtain a verification that their individual qualifications are substantially equivalent to the licensure requirements of Minnesota Statutes, section 326A.03, subdivisions 3, 4, and 6, shall obtain the verification from the NASBA National Qualification Appraisal Service prior to rendering professional services in this state. Documentation supporting this verification must be maintained by the individual for a minimum period of six years and must be submitted to the board upon request.