HF 4239
Introduction - 94th Legislature (2025 - 2026)
Posted on 03/23/2026 05:02 p.m.
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A bill for an act
relating to campaign finance; modifying certain requirements for reports and
disclaimers; amending Minnesota Statutes 2024, sections 10A.04, subdivision 6;
211B.04, subdivisions 3, 5; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes,
chapter 10A.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:
Section 1.
Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 10A.04, subdivision 6, is amended to read:
Subd. 6.
Principal reports.
(a) A principal must report to the board as required in this
subdivision by March 15 for the preceding calendar year.
(b) The principal must report the total amount, rounded to the nearest $5,000, spent by
the principal during the preceding calendar year on each type of lobbying listed below:
(1) lobbying to influence legislative action;
(2) lobbying to influence administrative action, other than lobbying described in clause
(3);
(3) lobbying to influence administrative action in cases of rate setting, power plant and
powerline siting, and granting of certificates of need under section 216B.243; and
(4) lobbying to influence official action of a political subdivision.
(c) For each type of lobbying listed in paragraph (b), the principal must report a total
amount that includes:
(1) the portion of all direct payments for compensation and benefits paid by the principal
to lobbyists in this state for that type of lobbying;
(2) the portion of all expenditures for advertising, mailing, research, consulting, surveys,
expert testimony, new text begin finance professionals, new text end studies, reports, analysis, compilation and
dissemination of information, communications deleted text begin and staff costs used for the purpose of urging
members of the public to contact public or local officials to influence official actionsdeleted text end , social
media deleted text begin anddeleted text end new text begin ,new text end public relations campaigns, and legal counsel used to support that type of lobbying
in this state; and
(3) a reasonable good faith estimate of the portion of all salaries and administrative
overhead expenses attributable to activities of the principal for that type of lobbying in this
state.
deleted text begin
(d) The principal must report disbursements made and obligations incurred that exceed
$2,000 for paid advertising used for the purpose of urging members of the public to contact
public or local officials to influence official actions during the reporting period. Paid
advertising includes the cost to boost the distribution of an advertisement on social media.
The report must provide the date that the advertising was purchased, the name and address
of the vendor, a description of the advertising purchased, and any specific subjects of interest
addressed by the advertisement.
deleted text end
new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end
new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment. new text end
Sec. 2.
new text begin
[10A.067] DISCLAIMER FOR LOBBYING MATERIAL.
new text end
new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end
new text begin Requirement. new text end
new text begin
(a) A paid advertisement that urges members of the public
to contact public or local officials to influence a legislative or administrative action, or the
official action of a political subdivision, must identify the individual or association
responsible for the advertisement with a disclaimer substantially in the form provided in
paragraph (b).
new text end
new text begin
(b) The disclaimer must identify the name of the individual or association responsible
for the content of the advertisement and either a phone number, actively monitored email
address, or website address that can be used to contact the individual or association.
new text end
new text begin Subd. 2. new text end
new text begin Limitations. new text end
new text begin
This disclaimer requirement does not apply to advertisements that
are campaign material, independent expenditures, or electioneering communications that
contain the disclaimer required under section 10A.202 or 211B.04. This section does not
apply to advertisements placed on the items listed in section 211B.04, subdivision 3,
paragraph (c).
new text end
new text begin Subd. 3. new text end
new text begin Exception. new text end
new text begin
The disclaimer required in this section is not required for
communications between an association and its membership. An individual or association
that is not required to file a report under section 10A.04 covering any portion of the year
in which the advertisement is disseminated does not need to comply with the requirements
of this section.
new text end
new text begin Subd. 4. new text end
new text begin Size, duration, and location. new text end
new text begin
(a) For written advertisements other than an
outdoor sign, website, or social media advertisement, the disclaimer must be printed in
8-point font or larger and provided in black text, or in color text that is in high contrast, on
a white background.
new text end
new text begin
(b) Disclaimers on websites and social media must be clearly legible without manual
adjustment or magnification by the user.
new text end
new text begin
(c) Audiovisual advertisements must display the disclaimer for a minimum of four
seconds at the end of the advertisement.
new text end
new text begin
(d) Advertisements that only consist of audio must contain a disclaimer that is delivered
at a volume, speed, and cadence that can be easily understood.
new text end
new text begin
(e) Disclaimers on outdoor signs that are no greater than two feet tall and three feet wide
must be printed in 12-point font or larger and provided in black text, or in color text that is
in high contrast, on a white background.
new text end
new text begin
(f) Disclaimers on outdoor signs larger than two feet tall and three feet wide must be at
least five percent of the vertical height on the sign and printed in black text, or in color text
that is in high contrast, on a white background.
new text end
new text begin Subd. 5. new text end
new text begin Penalties. new text end
new text begin
The board may impose a civil penalty of up to $3,000 on an individual
or association that fails to provide the disclaimer required under this section.
new text end
Sec. 3.
Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 211B.04, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
Subd. 3.
Material that does not need a disclaimer.
(a) This section does not apply to
fundraising tickets, business cards, personal letters, or similar items that are clearly being
distributed by the candidate.
(b) This section does not apply to an individual or association that is not required to
register or report under chapter 10A or 211A.
(c) This section does not apply to the following:
(1) bumper stickers, pins, buttons, pens, or similar small items on which the disclaimer
cannot be conveniently printed;
(2) skywriting, wearing apparel, or other means of displaying an advertisement of such
a nature that the inclusion of a disclaimer would be impracticable; and
(3) online banner ads and similar electronic communications that link directly to an
online page that includes the disclaimer.
deleted text begin
(d) This section does not modify or repeal section 211B.06.
deleted text end
Sec. 4.
Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 211B.04, subdivision 5, is amended to read:
Subd. 5.
deleted text begin Fontdeleted text end Sizenew text begin , duration, and locationnew text end .
new text begin (a) new text end For written communications other than
an outdoor sign, website, or social media page, the disclaimer must be printed in 8-point
font or largernew text begin and provided in black text, or in color text that is in high contrast, on a white
backgroundnew text end .
new text begin
(b) Disclaimers on websites and social media must be clearly legible without manual
adjustment or magnification by the user.
new text end
new text begin
(c) Audiovisual advertisements must display the disclaimer for a minimum of four
seconds at the end of the advertisement.
new text end
new text begin
(d) Advertisements that only consist of audio must contain a disclaimer that is delivered
at a volume, speed, and cadence that can be easily understood.
new text end
new text begin
(e) Disclaimers on outdoor signs that are no greater than two feet tall and three feet wide
must be printed in 12-point font or larger and provided in black text, or in color text that is
in high contrast, on a white background.
new text end
new text begin
(f) Disclaimers on outdoor signs larger than two feet tall and three feet wide must be at
least five percent of the vertical height on the sign and printed in black text, or in color text
that is in high contrast, on a white background.
new text end
new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end
new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2026, except paragraphs (e) and (f) are effective for signs produced after January 1, 2027. new text end