HF 2727

as introduced - 89th Legislature (2015 - 2016) Posted on 04/18/2016 04:37pm

A bill for an act
proposing an amendment to the Minnesota Constitution, article VII, section
9; requiring the legislature to enact laws providing for disclosure of certain
campaign contributions and expenditures.

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

Section 1. new text begin CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT PROPOSED.
new text end

new text begin An amendment to the Minnesota Constitution is proposed to the people. If the
amendment is adopted, article VII, section 9, will read:
new text end

Sec. 9.

The amount that may be spent by candidates for constitutional and legislative
offices to campaign for nomination or election shall be limited by law.

The legislature shall provide by law for disclosure of contributions and expenditures
made to support or oppose candidates for state elective offices. new text begin At a minimum, disclosure
must be required for contributions and expenditures for communications made within a
reasonable proximity to an election that clearly identify a candidate, communications
that use words or phrases of express advocacy, and communications that, when taken
as a whole and with limited reference to external events, including the proximity to an
election, are not susceptible to any other interpretation by a reasonable person other than
as advocating the election or defeat of a candidate. Exceptions to disclosure for de
minimus contributions and expenditures and for contributions and expenditures directed
by an organization to its own subscribed membership may be provided by law.
new text end

new text begin As used in this section, "candidate" means an individual seeking nomination or
election to a constitutional or legislative office and includes an incumbent seeking
renomination or reelection to an office.
new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin SUBMISSION TO VOTERS.
new text end

new text begin The proposed amendment must be submitted to the people at the 2016 general
election. The question submitted must be:
new text end

new text begin "Shall the Minnesota Constitution be amended to require public disclosure of
contributions and expenditures for communications made within a reasonable proximity
to an election that clearly identify a candidate, communications that expressly advocate
for or against a candidate for state elected office, and communications that could be
interpreted by a reasonable person as advocating the election or defeat of a candidate
for state elected office?
new text end

	new text begin Yes . new text end
	new text begin No . new text end	new text begin " new text end

Sec. 3. new text begin DISCLOSE ACT.
new text end

new text begin This act shall be referred to as the Democracy is Strengthened by Casting Light on
Spending in Elections (DISCLOSE) Act.
new text end