This bill establishes the Minnesota Civic Fund program and repeals the existing political contribution refund program. It amends various sections of Minnesota Statutes to include definitions, rules for contributions, and reporting requirements related to the new civic fund. A significant feature of the bill is the introduction of Minnesota Civic Fund credits, which individuals can assign to qualified candidates or political parties. The legislation also outlines provisions for both automatic and optional participation in the program, as well as guidelines for the assignment and redemption of these credits. Notably, anonymous contributions are excluded from eligibility for the Minnesota Civic Fund credit program, and reporting entities are required to disclose the total value of all credits redeemed during the reporting period.

Additionally, the bill includes several amendments that clarify the nature of civic fund credits, stating they have no cash value and cannot be transferred for cash or other considerations. Candidates and political parties must meet specific qualifications to redeem these credits, and a cap on the redemption value is established based on a percentage of the total credits issued annually. The bill mandates the return of any unspent proceeds from redeemed credits and emphasizes that contributions must be used for authorized purposes, with penalties for violations. It also tasks the Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board with conducting a public education campaign to raise awareness of the Civic Fund, particularly in lower-income communities, and provides a one-time appropriation for fiscal year 2026 to support these initiatives. The repeal of certain sections related to political contribution refunds will take effect on January 1, 2028, and the Board is authorized to adopt rules for the Civic Fund through an expedited process.

Statutes affected:
Introduction: 10A.01, 10A.02, 10A.15, 10A.20, 10A.322, 10A.34, 289A.37, 289A.50, 290.01, 290.06