This bill aims to define what constitutes major decisions made by nonelected local officials in the context of campaign finance, proposing new legal language to be added to Minnesota Statutes, chapter 10A. It establishes that lobbying occurs when an attempt is made to influence a nonelected local official who has the authority to make, recommend, or vote on significant decisions regarding the expenditure or investment of public funds. The bill clarifies that merely submitting a grant application or responding to requests for proposals does not qualify as lobbying, and it specifies that communications of a purely administrative or technical nature are also exempt from this definition.

Furthermore, the bill outlines specific actions that are considered major decisions regarding public funds, including the development and ratification of budgets, decisions on grant funding, selecting grant recipients, and tax-related decisions for public infrastructure. Conversely, it delineates actions that do not fall under the category of major decisions, such as routine purchases of goods or services, collective bargaining for labor contracts, and discussions related to litigation involving the political subdivision. This legislation seeks to provide clarity and transparency in the interactions between local officials and those attempting to influence their decisions regarding public expenditures.