HF2451

HF2451 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))

Office of Administrative Hearings renamed Court of Administrative Hearings, and opportunity for remand provided.

Related bill: SF2236

AI Generated Summary

Purpose of the Bill

The purpose of the bill is to rename and reorganize the Office of Administrative Hearings in Minnesota to the Court of Administrative Hearings. It also seeks to amend procedures related to administrative law judges and allows for greater flexibility in the management and remand of administrative cases.

Main Provisions

Renaming: The Office of Administrative Hearings will be renamed as the Court of Administrative Hearings throughout Minnesota statutes.
Leadership Structure: The Court will be directed by a Chief Administrative Law Judge, appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the senate for a six-year term.
Delegation: The Chief Administrative Law Judge has the authority to delegate powers to subordinates by written order.
Vacancies: Provisions are made for appointing acting or temporary chief judges when there is a vacancy.
Remand Procedures: Agencies can request a remand of a case for further fact-finding within 45 days of the hearing record closing. The Chief Judge is allowed to accept requests for remand based on several specific conditions, such as the rejection of summary disposition or the need for additional proceedings after a higher court remand.
Final Decisions: Orders or decisions by administrative law judges are considered final unless an agency modifies them within 90 days. Agencies have to provide reasons for any modifications, rejections, or requests for remand.
Repeal: The bill repeals Minnesota Statutes sections 211B.06 and 211B.08, which affect regulations around campaign materials and political contributions. This includes the repeal of provisions penalizing the dissemination of false political information and restrictions on contribution solicitations by candidates.

Significant Changes

The rebranding from the Office of Administrative Hearings to the Court of Administrative Hearings signals a more formal judicial role.
Enhanced procedural clarity and expanded authority for Chief Administrative Law Judges in remanding cases and managing administrative judges.
The removal of criminal penalties related to false political advertising and solicitation restrictions marks a shift in the regulation of political campaign activities.

Relevant Terms

Office of Administrative Hearings
Court of Administrative Hearings
Administrative Law Judge
Chief Administrative Law Judge
Remand
Political Advertising
Campaign Contributions
False Information

Bill text versions

Introduction PDF file
Introduction PDF file

Actions

Date	Chamber	Where	Type	Name	Committee Name
March 16, 2025	House	Floor	Action	Introduction and first reading, referred to	State Government Finance and Policy

Citations

[
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "The bill renames the Office of Administrative Hearings to the Court of Administrative Hearings under section 14.48 subdivision 1.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "14.48",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 1"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "The bill modifies the position and responsibilities of the chief administrative law judge in section 14.48 subdivision 2.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "14.48",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 2"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Section 14.48 subdivision 2 references section 15.066 for the confirmation of the chief administrative law judge.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "15.066",
    "subdivision": ""
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Amendments to writing requirements for agency decisions in contested cases under section 14.62 subdivision 1.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "14.62",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 1"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "The bill clarifies the finality of administrative law judge decisions and agency response times under section 14.62 subdivision 2a.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "14.62",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 2a"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Section 14.62 subdivision 2a references section 14.61 in relation to closing the record of the proceeding.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "14.61",
    "subdivision": ""
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [
        "Entire section concerning false political and campaign material."
      ],
      "summary": "The bill repeals Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 211B.06 regarding false political and campaign material.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "211B.06",
    "subdivision": ""
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [
        "Entire section concerning solicitation of contributions by specific organizations."
      ],
      "summary": "The bill repeals Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 211B.08 regarding the solicitation of contributions.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "211B.08",
    "subdivision": ""
  }
]