The proposed bill aims to amend various sections of Minnesota Statutes related to campaign finance, specifically focusing on the definitions of lobbyists and metropolitan governmental units, as well as enhancing lobbying reporting requirements. Notably, the bill introduces a new definition for "expert witness," which is defined as an individual providing testimony or reports based on their expertise. Additionally, the definition of "lobbyist" is modified to clarify the conditions under which individuals are considered lobbyists, including changes to the criteria for local officials and the exclusion of certain expert witnesses from being classified as lobbyists under specific circumstances.

Furthermore, the bill mandates that lobbyists report additional information regarding expert witnesses they engage, including the name of the expert, their employer, and the subject of communication with public officials. It also expands the requirement for public officials and local officials to file statements of economic interest, particularly for those in metropolitan governmental units or larger political subdivisions. The bill includes various amendments to existing statutes, such as the addition of new subdivisions and the deletion of outdated language, to ensure clarity and compliance with the updated definitions and reporting requirements.

Statutes affected:
Introduction: 10A.01, 10A.04, 10A.07, 10A.08, 10A.09