HF1405 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))
Campaign report requirements amended to require disclosure of all contributors for legislative or statewide candidates and ballot questions.
Related bill: SF1555
AI Generated Summary
This bill (H.F. No. 1405) proposes amendments to Minnesota’s election laws, specifically regarding campaign finance reporting requirements. The main objective of the bill is to enhance transparency by requiring more detailed disclosure of contributions to legislative or statewide candidates and ballot question campaigns.
Key Provisions of the Bill:
Expanded Disclosure Requirements:
- Candidates for legislative and statewide offices, as well as committees advocating for or against ballot questions, must disclose all contributors whose aggregate donations exceed $200 within a year.
- Contributions exceeding $500 to ballot question campaigns must also be disclosed.
- Required details include the name, address, employer (or occupation if self-employed), and registration number (if applicable) of contributors.
Disclosure of Loans and Other Contributions:
- Loans exceeding $200 must be continuously reported until repaid or forgiven.
- Contributions from the same donor must be combined across reporting periods, and once they exceed the disclosure threshold, the required personal details must be listed.
Transparency in Expenditures and Disbursements:
- Expenditures over $200 in a year must be itemized, including details about the recipient, purpose, amount, and how the expenditure was used.
- Independent expenditures supporting or opposing specific candidates or ballot questions must clearly identify the relevant candidate, office sought, or ballot measure.
Administrative Assistance Disclosure:
- Nonprofit corporations providing administrative support to political committees must disclose the type of assistance provided and its fair market value.
Impact:
The bill aims to increase transparency in campaign finance, ensuring that voters have access to more detailed information about the sources of political funding. By requiring greater disclosure of donors and expenditures, the legislation seeks to prevent hidden influences in elections and promote accountability.
This bill has been referred to the Committee on Elections, Finance, and Government Operations for further discussion.
Bill text versions
- Introduction PDF file
Actions
| Date | Chamber | Where | Type | Name | Committee Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| February 23, 2025 | House | Floor | Action | Introduction and first reading, referred to | Elections Finance and Government Operations |
| February 23, 2025 | House | Floor | Action | Introduction and first reading, referred to | Elections Finance and Government Operations |
Citations
[
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Requirement to list each contributor in alphabetical order."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "This bill modifies the campaign report filing requirements concerning contribution disclosures for legislative or statewide candidates and ballot questions.",
"modified": [
"Changes the threshold for aggregate contributions requiring disclosure."
]
},
"citation": "10A.20",
"subdivision": "subdivision 3"
}
]