SF 581

as introduced - 90th Legislature (2017 - 2018) Posted on 11/09/2017 11:26am

A bill for an act
relating to campaign finance; prohibiting use of public funds to promote or defeat
a ballot question; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapters
5; 10A.

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

Section 1.

new text begin [5.385] USE OF PUBLIC FUNDS; BALLOT QUESTIONS.
new text end

new text begin Notwithstanding section 10A.52, paragraph (b), the secretary of state shall not spend,
or cause to be spent, any public funds or use any other public resource with the purpose of
promoting or defeating a ballot question at any time. The secretary of state shall not use the
inherent prestige of the office in any manner that has the effect of promoting or defeating
a ballot question. The secretary of state may spend public funds to provide impartial and
balanced information on ballot questions that does not have the effect of promoting or
defeating a ballot question. For purposes of this section, public funds means all general,
special, permanent, trust, and other funds, regardless of source or purpose, held or
administered by a government entity.
new text end

Sec. 2.

new text begin [10A.52] USE OF PUBLIC FUNDS; BALLOT QUESTIONS.
new text end

new text begin (a) No public official shall spend, or cause to be spent, any public funds or use any other
public resource with the purpose of promoting or defeating a ballot question or in a manner
that has the effect of promoting or defeating a ballot question.
new text end

new text begin (b) This prohibition only applies after final enactment of a legislative act that places a
ballot question on the ballot.
new text end

new text begin (c) For purposes of this section, public funds means all general, special, permanent, trust,
and other funds, regardless of source or purpose, held or administered by a government
entity.
new text end