1997 Minnesota Statutes

     10A.065 Contributions and solicitations during 
  legislative session. 

    Subdivision 1.    Registered lobbyist contributions; 
 legislative session.  A candidate for the legislature or for 
 constitutional office, a candidate's principal campaign 
 committee, any other political committee with the candidate's 
 name or title, any committee authorized by the candidate, or a 
 political committee established by all or a part of the party 
 organization within a house of the legislature, shall not 
 solicit or accept a contribution on behalf of a candidate's 
 principal campaign committee, any other political committee with 
 the candidate's name or title, any committee authorized by the 
 candidate, or a political committee established by all or a part 
 of the party organization within a house of the legislature, 
 from a registered lobbyist, political committee, or political 
 fund during a regular session of the legislature.  

    Subd. 1a.    Party unit solicitations.  A political 
 party unit shall not solicit or receive at an event hosted by a 
 candidate for the legislature or by a candidate for 
 constitutional office a contribution from a lobbyist, political 
 committee, or political fund during a regular session of the 
 legislature. 

    Subd. 2.    Definition.  For purposes of this section, 
 "regular session" does not include a special session or the 
 interim between the two annual sessions of a biennium.  

    Subd. 3.    Civil penalty.  A candidate or political 
 committee that violates this section is subject to a civil fine 
 of up to $500.  If the board makes a public finding that there 
 is probable cause to believe a violation of this section has 
 occurred, the board shall bring an action, or transmit the 
 finding to a county attorney who shall bring an action, in the 
 district court of Ramsey county, to impose a civil fine as 
 prescribed by the board.  Fines paid under this section must be 
 deposited in the general fund in the state treasury. 

    Subd. 4.    Special election.  This section does not 
 apply to a candidate or a candidate's principal campaign 
 committee in a legislative special election during the period 
 beginning when the person becomes a candidate in the special 
 election and ending on the day of the special election. 

    Subd. 5.    Political committee.  Except as provided in 
 subdivision 1a, this section does not apply to a political 
 committee established by a state political party; by the party 
 organization within a congressional district, county, 
 legislative district, municipality, or precinct; by a candidate 
 for a judicial office; or to a member of such a political 
 committee acting solely on behalf of the committee. 

    HIST: 1990 c 608 art 3 s 4; 1991 c 349 s 9,10; 1993 c 318 art 
 2 s 6,7; 1994 c 377 s 3,4