This bill amends Minnesota campaign finance laws by introducing modifications to late fees and civil penalties, establishing enhanced penalties for violations, and prohibiting the board from waiving these enhanced penalties. It defines key terms such as "campaign finance report," "enhanced penalty," "total contributions," and "total disbursements." The bill also mandates that a portion of late fees and civil penalties collected be deposited into the state elections campaign account, ensuring that funds are allocated to support election-related activities.

Additionally, the bill outlines specific penalties for various violations related to campaign finance reports, including willful omissions or inaccuracies. For instance, penalties can be up to four times the amount of contributions or disbursements that were willfully false or omitted. The legislation emphasizes the importance of compliance by imposing stricter penalties for repeat offenders and clarifies that late fees and civil penalties can be paid by affiliated political entities. The act is set to take effect on August 12, 2026, applying to reports and statements due on or after that date.

Statutes affected:
Introduction: 10A.01, 10A.02, 10A.025, 10A.12, 10A.14, 10A.20, 10A.244, 10A.27, 10A.29
1st Engrossment: 10A.01, 10A.02, 10A.025, 10A.12, 10A.14, 10A.20, 10A.27, 10A.29
2nd Engrossment: 10A.01, 10A.02, 10A.025, 10A.20