SF1996

SF1996 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))

Campaign finance provisions modifications

AI Generated Summary

This Minnesota Senate bill (S.F. No. 1996) proposes various amendments to the state's campaign finance and election laws. Key provisions include:

Definition Changes:
- Modifies the definition of "expressly advocating" by expanding the criteria under which a communication is considered to advocate for or against a candidate.
- Adjusts the definition of "independent expenditure" to include certain promotional or oppositional communications even if they do not use explicit advocacy language.
Economic Interest Disclosures:
- Updates requirements for filing a statement of economic interest by public officials, judges, commissioners, and candidates within specific timeframes.
Campaign Coordination Rules:
- Establishes detailed content and conduct standards to determine when an expenditure is considered "coordinated" with a candidate rather than "independent."
- Introduces specific criteria for fundraising, relationships between a candidate and an entity making expenditures, sharing of non-public campaign information, and consulting services.
Disclosure Requirements for Campaign Contributions:
- Requires candidates who contribute or loan funds to their campaign committees above certain thresholds to report such contributions promptly.
Electioneering Communications:
- Revises the definition of "electioneering communications" to include digital communications and extend the period before an election during which certain communications are regulated.
- Requires disclaimers on electioneering communications specifying the source and funding of the ad.
Campaign Advertising Disclaimer Rules:
- Strengthens disclaimer requirements for independent expenditures and electioneering communications, specifying formatting and wording.
- Establishes new rules for digital and online advertisements, requiring clickable disclaimers linking to more detailed sponsor information.
- Exempts specific small-format items (e.g., bumper stickers, buttons) from disclaimer requirements.
Repealers:
- Repeals an outdated statute allowing campaign websites to meet disclaimer requirements by including them only on the homepage.
- Repeals a Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board rule related to material linked to a disclaimer.

This bill primarily seeks to enhance transparency, regulate digital campaign advertising, and prevent undisclosed coordination between candidates and outside spending groups.

Bill text versions

Introduction PDF file

Actions

Date	Chamber	Where	Type	Name	Committee Name
February 26, 2025	House	Floor	Action	Introduction and first reading
February 26, 2025	Senate	Floor	Action	Introduction and first reading
February 26, 2025	House	Floor	Action	Referred to	Elections
February 26, 2025	Senate	Floor	Action	Referred to	Elections

Citations

[
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "New examples of clear and unambiguous electoral advocacy."
      ],
      "removed": [
        "Previous vague language regarding election-related communications."
      ],
      "summary": "This bill amends the definition of 'expressly advocating' under section 10A.01.",
      "modified": [
        "Clarifications on what constitutes express advocacy."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "10A.01",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 16a"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Clarification that expenditures promoting a candidate without express advocacy are included."
      ],
      "removed": [
        ""
      ],
      "summary": "This bill modifies the definition of 'independent expenditure' under section 10A.01.",
      "modified": [
        "Detailed conditions under which an expenditure is not considered independent."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "10A.01",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 18"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Different timelines for various public officials and candidates."
      ],
      "removed": [
        ""
      ],
      "summary": "This bill changes the timelines for filing statements of economic interest under section 10A.09.",
      "modified": [
        "Specific deadlines for different types of officials and circumstances."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "10A.09",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 1"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "New subdivision requiring immediate reporting of personal contributions above a certain threshold."
      ],
      "removed": [
        ""
      ],
      "summary": "A new reporting requirement for personal contributions by candidates under section 10A.20.",
      "modified": [
        "Clarified reporting timelines and threshold criteria."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "10A.20",
    "subdivision": ""
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Inclusion of digital communications as electioneering."
      ],
      "removed": [
        ""
      ],
      "summary": "Changes the definition of electioneering communication under section 10A.201.",
      "modified": [
        "Timeframes and targeting criteria for electioneering communications."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "10A.201",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 6"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Digital formats and considerations in disclaimers."
      ],
      "removed": [
        ""
      ],
      "summary": "Amends disclaimer requirements for electioneering communications under section 10A.202.",
      "modified": [
        "Consistency with campaign material disclaimer requirements."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "10A.202",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 4"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Detailed timelines for candidates exceeding contribution thresholds."
      ],
      "removed": [
        ""
      ],
      "summary": "Modifications to when and where reports must be filed by committees or candidates under section 211A.02.",
      "modified": [
        "Clarifications on sequential reporting based on contribution level."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "211A.02",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 1"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Specific details for contributors over certain thresholds."
      ],
      "removed": [
        ""
      ],
      "summary": "Clarifies information required in reports under section 211A.02.",
      "modified": [
        "Information filing and public access restrictions based on contributor safety."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "211A.02",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 2"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Audio/visual media specific disclaimer forms."
      ],
      "removed": [
        ""
      ],
      "summary": "Amends the campaign material disclaimer requirements under section 211B.04.",
      "modified": [
        "Form and placement of disclaimers across various media."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "211B.04",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 1"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Specific disclaimers for written and media broadcast expenditures."
      ],
      "removed": [
        ""
      ],
      "summary": "Specifies disclaimer requirements for independent expenditures under section 211B.04.",
      "modified": [
        "Use of entity addresses and situations where cost wording can be omitted."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "211B.04",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 2"
  }
]