This bill focuses on enhancing the privacy of candidates' residential addresses in Minnesota's campaign finance laws. It introduces new definitions for "address," "security services," and "street address," and classifies street address data as nonpublic or private data. The bill prohibits the Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board from posting private data on its website and requires the modification and reposting of reports to comply with privacy standards. It also allows candidates to classify their addresses as private data by submitting a separate form and establishes that such data will remain classified as nonpublic until May 1, 2026. Additionally, it removes certification requirements for classifying an address as private on affidavits of candidacy and imposes penalties for noncompliance.

Moreover, the bill modifies reporting requirements for political contributions and expenditures, including detailed disclosures for contributions above certain amounts and the inclusion of contributors' city, state, and zip code. It clarifies that expenditures by party units for security services are not considered contributions, streamlining the reporting process while ensuring transparency. The bill also allows registered voters to review a candidate's residency address shortly after the filing period, with provisions for removing candidates from the ballot if their address is found outside the designated area. Lastly, it updates nominating petition requirements, removes the need for candidates to disclose their residence address, and mandates the removal of private data from campaign finance reports within specified timelines.

Statutes affected:
Introduction: 10A.027, 10A.09, 211B.04
1st Engrossment: 10A.09, 10A.01, 10A.02, 10A.027, 10A.20, 10A.27, 10A.275, 204B.07, 211A.01, 211B.04
2nd Engrossment: 10A.01, 10A.02, 10A.027, 10A.09, 10A.20, 10A.27, 10A.275, 204B.07, 211A.01, 211B.04