This bill seeks to amend various aspects of Minnesota's campaign finance laws, focusing on the definitions and requirements surrounding campaign communications and expenditures. A significant change is the redefinition of "expressly advocating" to "expressly advocates," which alters the criteria for campaign communications. The bill introduces new disclaimer requirements for digital advertisements and modifies existing rules for electioneering communications, ensuring that all such communications clearly indicate their source and lack coordination with candidates. Additionally, it establishes a new reporting obligation for candidates who contribute or loan significant amounts to their campaign committees.

The legislation also revises the standards for independent and coordinated expenditures, clarifying the conditions under which a disbursement may be considered coordinated. It repeals certain outdated rules, including a specific statute regarding website disclaimers, and adjusts the timing for public officials to file statements of economic interest. The bill further refines reporting requirements, ensuring that candidates who do not file for office are exempt from certain post-filing reports, and introduces new provisions for report information, including an attestation requirement for those without email addresses. Overall, these changes aim to enhance transparency and accountability in campaign finance practices in Minnesota.

Statutes affected:
Introduction: 211B.04, 10A.01, 10A.09, 10A.175, 10A.176, 10A.177, 10A.20, 10A.201, 10A.202, 211A.02