HF 4563
Introduction - 94th Legislature (2025 - 2026)
Posted on 03/23/2026 03:22 p.m.
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A bill for an act
relating to fair campaign practices; increasing penalties for intimidation and
interference with the voting process; increasing penalties for interference related
to the performance of duties by an election official; amending Minnesota Statutes
2024, sections 211B.075, subdivision 5; 211B.076, subdivision 11.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:
Section 1.
Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 211B.075, subdivision 5, is amended to read:
Subd. 5.
Criminal penalties; civil remedies.
(a) A person who violates this section is
guilty of a deleted text begin gross misdemeanordeleted text end new text begin felonynew text end .
(b) The attorney general, a county attorney, or any person injured by an act prohibited
by this section may bring a civil action to prevent or restrain a violation of this section if
there is a reasonable basis to believe that an individual or entity is committing or intends
to commit a prohibited act.
(c) The attorney general, a county attorney, or any person injured by an act prohibited
by this section, may bring a civil action pursuant to section 8.31 to recover damages, together
with costs of investigation and reasonable attorney fees, and receive other equitable relief
as determined by the court. An action brought by any person under section 8.31, subdivision
3a, is in the public interest. In addition to all other damages, the court may impose a civil
penalty of up to deleted text begin $1,000deleted text end new text begin $10,000new text end for each violation.
(d) Civil remedies allowable under this section are cumulative and do not restrict any
other right or remedy otherwise available. An action for a penalty or remedy under this
section must be brought within two years of the date the violation is alleged to have occurred.
The complaint process provided in sections 211B.31 to 211B.36 does not apply to violations
of this section.
new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end
new text begin
This section is effective the day following final enactment and
applies to crimes committed on or after that date and to causes of action accruing on or after
that date.
new text end
Sec. 2.
Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 211B.076, subdivision 11, is amended to read:
Subd. 11.
Criminal penalties; civil remedies.
(a) Except as otherwise provided, a person
who violates this section is guilty of a deleted text begin gross misdemeanordeleted text end new text begin felonynew text end .
(b) The attorney general, a county attorney, or an election official may bring a civil
action to prevent or restrain a violation of this section if there is a reasonable basis to believe
that an individual or entity is committing or intends to commit a prohibited act.
(c) The attorney general, or an election official injured by an act prohibited by this
section, may bring a civil action pursuant to section 8.31 to recover damages, together with
costs of investigation and reasonable attorney fees, and receive other equitable relief as
determined by the court. An action brought by an election official under section 8.31,
subdivision 3a, is in the public interest. In addition to all other damages, the court may
impose a civil penalty of up to deleted text begin $1,000deleted text end new text begin $10,000new text end for each violation.
(d) Civil remedies allowable under this section are cumulative and do not restrict any
other right or remedy otherwise available. An action for a penalty or remedy under this
section must be brought within two years of the date the violation is alleged to have occurred.
The complaint process provided in sections 211B.31 to 211B.36 does not apply to violations
of this section.
new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end
new text begin
This section is effective the day following final enactment and
applies to crimes committed on or after that date and to causes of action accruing on or after
that date.
new text end