Minnesota Administrative Rules

4511.0100 DEFINITIONS.

Subpart 1.

Scope.

The definitions in this part apply to this chapter and Minnesota Statutes, chapter 10A. The definitions in chapter 4501 and in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 10A, also apply to this chapter.

Subp. 1a.

[Repealed, L 2023 c 62 art 5 s 44]

Subp. 1b.

Administrative overhead expenses.

"Administrative overhead expenses" means costs incurred by the principal for office space, transportation costs, and website operations that are used to support lobbying in Minnesota.

Subp. 1c.

Development of prospective legislation.

"Development of prospective legislation" means communications that request support for legislation that has not been introduced as a bill, communications that provide language, or comments on language, used in draft legislation that has not been introduced as a bill, or communications that are intended to facilitate the drafting of language, or comments on language, used in draft legislation that has not been introduced as a bill. The following actions do not constitute development of prospective legislation:

A.

responding to a request for information by a public official;

B.

requesting that a public official respond to a survey on the official's support or opposition for an issue;

C.

providing information to public officials in order to raise awareness and educate on an issue or topic; or

D.

advocating for an issue without requesting action by the public official.

Subp. 2.

Gift.

"Gift" has the meaning given in chapter 4512 and Minnesota Statutes, section 10A.071.

Subp. 3.

Lobbying.

"Lobbying" means attempting to influence legislative action, administrative action, or the official action of a political subdivision by communicating with or urging others to communicate with public officials or local officials. Any activity that directly supports this communication is considered a part of lobbying. Payment of an application fee, or processing charge, for a government service, permit, or license is not lobbying or an activity that directly supports lobbying.

Subp. 4.

Lobbyist's disbursements.

"Lobbyist's disbursements" include disbursements for each gift given by the lobbyist, the lobbyist's employer, or any person or association represented by the lobbyist.

Subp. 5.

Original source of funds.

"Original source of funds" means a source of funds, provided by an individual or association other than the entity for which a lobbyist is registered, paid to the lobbyist, the lobbyist's employer, the entity represented by the lobbyist, or the lobbyist's principal, for lobbying purposes.

Subp. 5a.

Pay or consideration for lobbying.

"Pay or consideration for lobbying" means the compensation paid to an individual for lobbying. An individual whose job responsibilities do not include lobbying, and who has not been directed or requested to lobby on an issue by their employer, does not receive pay or consideration for lobbying they undertake on their own initiative.

Subp. 6.

Public higher education system.

"Public higher education system" includes the University of Minnesota and the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities governed by Minnesota Statutes, chapter 136F. The board may issue advisory opinions at the request of other entities with respect to whether or not they are also included within this definition.

Subp. 7.

Reporting lobbyist.

"Reporting lobbyist" means a lobbyist responsible for reporting lobbying activity of two or more lobbyists representing the same entity. Lobbying activity on behalf of an entity may be reported by each individual lobbyist that represents an entity, or by one or more reporting lobbyists, or a combination of individual reports and reports from a reporting lobbyist.

Subp. 8.

State agency.

"State agency" means any office, officer, department, division, bureau, board, commission, authority, district, or agency of the state of Minnesota.

Statutory Authority:

MS s 10A.01; 10A.02; 10A.022; 10A.025

History:

21 SR 1779; 26 SR 1363; 49 SR 979

Published Electronically:

March 17, 2025