HF 1655

1st Engrossment - 84th Legislature (2005 - 2006) Posted on 12/15/2009 12:00am

A bill for an act
relating to campaign finance; broadening the
definition of "corporation"; prohibiting certain
government contributions; amending Minnesota Statutes
2004, section 211B.15, subdivision 1; proposing coding
for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 211B.

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

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 211B.15,
subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Definitions.

For purposes of this
section, "corporation" means:

(1) a corporation organized for profit that does business
in this state;

(2) a nonprofit corporation that carries out activities in
this state; deleted text begin or
deleted text end

(3) a limited liability company formed under chapter 322B,
or under similar laws of another state, that does business in
this state new text begin ; or
new text end

new text begin (4) a business entity established or operated by a foreign
government or by an entity or subdivision of an entity that
exercises governmental functions for purposes of Public Law
97-473, Title II new text end .

Sec. 2.

new text begin [211B.153] CONTRIBUTIONS FROM GOVERNMENT UNITS.
new text end

new text begin A candidate or the treasurer of a candidate's principal
campaign committee must not accept a contribution from any
foreign government or any state or local government unit in this
state or in any other state. For purposes of this subdivision,
"government unit" means any state agency, board, commission, or
department; or any county, statutory or home rule charter city,
town, school district, special district, or any local board,
commission, district, or authority created pursuant to law or
local ordinance. A candidate or treasurer who accepts a
contribution prohibited by this section or a government unit
that makes a contribution prohibited by this section is subject
to a civil penalty not greater than $40,000.
new text end