SF3543 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))
Post-certification adjustments for lobbying expenses establishment
AI Generated Summary
Purpose
This bill aims to regulate the use of government funds for lobbying by establishing a financial penalty for local governments that spend money on lobbying activities.
Main Provisions
- Postcertification Adjustments: The bill proposes that the financial aid received by counties, cities, and towns from the state will be reduced if they have spent money on lobbying.
- Reduction Mechanism: The reduction will equal the amount that each local government reports for lobbying expenses. This includes direct lobbying costs and the portion of membership dues to associations that cover lobbying activities.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- The bill introduces a new requirement that local government financial aids (county program aid, local government aid, and aid to towns and cities) will be adjusted downward based on their lobbying expenses.
- It establishes a new regulation that prevents any reduction in financial aid to fall below zero, ensuring that no government entity incurs a negative balance from these adjustments.
Relevant Terms
lobbying expenses, local government aids, financial aid reduction, government funds, lobbying activities, postcertification adjustments, Minnesota Statutes chapter 477A.
Bill text versions
- Introduction PDF file
Actions
| Date | Chamber | Where | Type | Name | Committee Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 19, 2025 | Senate | Floor | Action | Introduction and first reading | |
| May 19, 2025 | Senate | Floor | Action | Referred to | Taxes |
Citations
[
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Adjustment for lobbying expenses included in aid calculations."
],
"removed": [
""
],
"summary": "The bill references section 477A.0124 regarding the certification of county program aid amounts.",
"modified": [
"Aid amount may be reduced by lobbying expenditures."
]
},
"citation": "477A.0124",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Postcertification adjustments for lobbying expenses."
],
"removed": [
""
],
"summary": "The bill modifies local government aid certification as described in section 477A.013, subdivision 9.",
"modified": [
"Reduction based on reported lobbying expenditures."
]
},
"citation": "477A.013",
"subdivision": "subdivision 9"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Consideration of lobbying costs in aid amount calculation."
],
"removed": [
""
],
"summary": "This section pertains to city and town aid as influenced by section 477A.013, subdivision 1.",
"modified": [
"Adjusts certified amount based on lobbying expenditures."
]
},
"citation": "477A.013",
"subdivision": "subdivision 1"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Clarification of lobbying expenditure definitions."
],
"removed": [
""
],
"summary": "The bill mentions section 6.76 regarding lobbying expenditures reporting requirements.",
"modified": [
"Incorporation into aid adjustment process."
]
},
"citation": "6.76",
"subdivision": ""
}
]Progress through the legislative process
In Committee