[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6624185,"mediaKeyId","2766650-8ac2062497b84a2eca991f1255701b54","parentId",2766650,"title","Senate file compiles Campaign Finance Board recommendations to clarify lobbyist definitions and expert witness rules","audioSeconds",634,"startMs",3822940,"endMs",4457310,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2766650-8ac2062497b84a2eca991f1255701b54&start=3822&end=4457","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2766650-8ac2062497b84a2eca991f1255701b54/thumbnail_3822940.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6624185/Minnesota/Senate-file-compiles-Campaign-Finance-Board-recommendations-to-clarify-lobbyist-definitions-and-expert-witness-rules","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6624185-0cbb81fdbd94e5611c8a9500c38ec5cd/orig.mp4?Expires=1775903976&Signature=NzskQ23zx36syMEwInRaskn6YNUuDAgD6zHvbImbEpdhIeiy44~2ts1mjU9PZQ6Zk75QhvtH-dMMzdVTVqlLlNfqnYE2vkAVwPRJvCoY9fl6IbvLz7INfLJ8DrCWKNm-tlR6dFHYPwolSdnNjLrm38hBlQNBPw-tXZdPuuYoI8V~Q8DEFjiCIDL7Df8b9kKVUmoC3vjvTSn8roqkJ7WzyBYAURRXS4msSMNscNHMDx3818jwj5AU1wZRhdmES0BVO~dIiyzy3bS372k3Z-iqIc6N-Vfs2Lrm21~2l7J2xShz4K~G2ppNvMWHOMaN0HI8CCgeQAtSwmfXBN8koLxRZA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Minnesota Legislature","date","2025-03-25T21:58:54.477Z","article","Senator Westland presented Senate File 25‑62 on March 25 as a compilation of the Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board's recommendations to clarify lobbying rules adopted since 2023.

The bill would (among other changes) refine the definition of \"expert witness,\" exempting such witnesses from registration when their communications occur in public forums or are otherwise public; require lobbyists to report information on expert witnesses who communicate with public or local officials at a principal's request; preserve the existing registration threshold for public employees (with a 50‑hour per month trigger for non‑employees); clarify the definition of metropolitan unit of government to include a regional railroad authority in the seven‑county metro area; and remove certain local officeholders from the statutory definition of \"public official\" for clarity about coverage.

Representatives of the Minnesota Government Relations Council, Associated General Contractors of Minnesota and allied professional associations supported clarification. Amy Wawlstein of MGRC urged clearer lines between consulting and advocacy so technical professionals are not inadvertently treated as lobbyists. Laura Ziegler of the Associated General Contractors said architects, engineers and construction professionals regularly provide technical testimony to local planning and zoning commissions and sought statutory clarity that such work is expert testimony rather than lobbying. Marie Ellis of the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits said the expert witness provisions would allow staff with direct program experience to testify without becoming registered lobbyists while requiring appropriate disclosure.

Witnesses and the sponsor said discussions will continue on details including PUC treatment, confidentiality and whether disclosure requirements might be adjusted for expert testimony. The committee laid the bill over for possible omnibus inclusion after testimony and indicated further drafting discussions will continue among stakeholders and the CFB.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Committee on Elections - 03/25/25","oneSentenceSummary","Senate File 25‑62 compiles the Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board's recommendations to clarify who must register as a lobbyist, define expert witnesses, and adjust coverage for certain local officials; the committee heard multiple industry stakeholders and laid the bill over for further work.","taxTitle","2025 Legislature MN, Minnesota","taxId",77817,"location","Minnesota","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6624190,"Bill would clarify that submitting RFPs and grant proposals is not lobbying",551,3237405,3789190,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2766650-8ac2062497b84a2eca991f1255701b54&start=3237&end=3789","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2766650-8ac2062497b84a2eca991f1255701b54/thumbnail_3237405.jpg","/articles/6624190/Minnesota/Bill-would-clarify-that-submitting-RFPs-and-grant-proposals-is-not-lobbying","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6624190-1cf3c66141af7f760a315fb374b0199a/orig.mp4?Expires=1775903976&Signature=gjQQixJMn6J3v0ItolaXsI0SCYr4Q4DSvrVotw9V-FN9H41WZ2p4lpPiOKml1gY0akpcmz4lKEQ5qU6xtgBptLTQPOndTWbl~W1bxtlhGHtss3T2oJWNNkp4S6x9N8dkqQeHvM4kPJxE5OvosEFYkwW2qALLPD1bWGAPyivGjbZDE0NAWtQ2FS5V7mDzMmTmNyIK6jlHjE85OfTyg-~q3L9tBpxLilu~DXsaEmW3IVKXuBuh3egUat1HiL6-4TYVSMW23N3uEDQoEZ66vtpi7hdpXccqHn1mRqD9pj0P7PLvioPcrv9etuqhNrBBJEq70BP-0Hy8vE-iPACFd5oHAQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senator Bonnie Wesselen told the Senate Elections Committee that Senate File 16‑62 codifies Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board guidance to clarify that submitting a grant application or responding to a request for proposals (RFP) is not lobbying.

The bill aims to resolve uncertainty raised after 2023 changes to the statutory definitions of lobbying and \"legislative action.\" Senator Wesselen explained the measure clarifies that the mere act of submitting an RFP or grant proposal, or engaging in purely administrative or technical communications about those processes, should not be treated as attempting to influence a public subdivision's official action.

Marie Ellis of the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits testified in support, saying organizations frequently respond to local government RFPs to provide services and that such responses are partnerships, not lobbying. \"Responding to state and federal RFPs is not currently considered lobbying, and there's no reason why local government RFPs should be viewed any differently,\" Ellis told the committee.

Jeff Sigurdsson of the Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board answered member questions about the boundary between advocating for budget items and responding to procurements. Sigurdsson said the distinction in practice is that asking a local government to add an item to its operating or capital budget (for example, funding a new fire station) can be lobbying, whereas pitching goods or services for purchase under an existing budget appropriation is not. He also noted existing exclusions for employees of political subdivisions and that lobbying registration generally requires compensation above statutory thresholds.

Committee members sought clarification on scenarios such as neighborhood groups asking for a new park or a fire chief requesting a new engine. Sigurdsson explained those scenarios depend on compensation triggers, employee status and whether the communication seeks changes to an overall budget versus responding to a procurement.

Senator Wesselen said the bill includes a repealer to avoid conflict with the CFB rule being codified. The committee laid the bill over for possible inclusion in the omnibus package and asked the CFB to continue to provide guidance to stakeholders.

","Senate File 16‑62 would codify Campaign Finance Board guidance to exempt submission of grant proposals or responses to requests for proposals from the statutory definition of lobbying; proponents said the change prevents routine procurement and grant responses from triggering registration requirements, and the bill was laid over.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6624196,"Committee hears bill to require plain‑language lobbying handbook for nonprofits and small advocates",1028,2176769,3205650,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2766650-8ac2062497b84a2eca991f1255701b54&start=2176&end=3205","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2766650-8ac2062497b84a2eca991f1255701b54/thumbnail_2176769.jpg","/articles/6624196/Minnesota/Committee-hears-bill-to-require-plainlanguage-lobbying-handbook-for-nonprofits-and-small-advocates","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6624196-ca4f7394af136b878cbaa98878bfa739/orig.mp4?Expires=1775903976&Signature=MFs4q4-SNdsR4up8E0YTI7DAyvi3kVBzdIlnvhWd5l7AxdSCTnnu-WY7xlHsSvA0J0~DEB0I3bt9dLAD4rkW5Q-LGJIVyK86N4UowAZCuw0eiSyqblSY7bzVW4jBjvD4BUszfhJ-fCFCyJycZB5eKtzVos1XD6Ow~gfCBuQNopuLtrfUnUtnnxVSlOpm69qw36vQ2Kp-MipA507NEPFO7-VZ9sE1H5irb00AAQJEgNLV04dXiOkuLixssS~OcKF6ukCnOnxWdwHXesQC8bi96jDcA6FVI8uVvaIrTH-7-ciIzmJxLBq1J4oCkWHfdJboLN88PTALCeRFPKNoSN2VNQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senator Westland presented Senate File 2021 to the Senate Elections Committee on March 25, directing the Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board (CFB) to publish a plain‑language lobbying handbook on its website.

The bill responds to confusion since recent changes to lobbying rules about who must register and report. \"Lobbying rules and procedures should be clear so that nonprofit staff can easily understand if they need to register,\" Marie Ellis of the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits told the committee. She said clear guidance would help nonprofits participate in the legislative process without inadvertently violating reporting rules.

E. Lily Abeyso of Clean Elections Minnesota testified in support, saying the handbook would help small nonprofits and grassroots advocates who lack the resources of established firms: \"This bill ensures that all Minnesotans, regardless of their background, can engage in the legislative process with clarity and confidence,\" Abeyso said. Kate Klosner of the Minnesota Government Relations Council (MGRC) and other professional lobbyists said members also support clearer guidance; MGRC volunteers and other professionals said the handbook would reduce confusion caused by expanded definitions of lobbying adopted in 2023.

Key provisions require the CFB to explain registration triggers, what activities count as lobbying, which expenditures do and do not count toward thresholds, and differences among lobbying at the legislature, executive branch, political subdivisions and the Public Utilities Commission. The bill requires the CFB to consult with registered lobbyists who are not full‑time professionals, and specifically with nonprofits, small organizations and organizations led by people who are Black, Indigenous, or people of color, when creating and updating the handbook.

Committee members asked questions about the consultation language and whether singling out organizations led by BIPOC individuals raises discrimination concerns. Senator Westland and witnesses said the intent is inclusive: the provision is meant to ensure perspectives from smaller and underrepresented organizations are included, not to exclude other stakeholders.

Senators thanked the CFB for indicating it would absorb the work and asked that the board be pragmatic about update timing; Westland said the handbook should be updated when statutes change. Senator Kranz and others suggested the language may be refined, and the bill was laid over for possible inclusion in the omnibus bill.

","Senate File 2021 would require the Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board to publish a plain‑language lobbying handbook, updated when statutes change, and the committee heard support from nonprofits and grassroots groups; the bill was laid over for possible inclusion in the omnibus bill.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6624200,"Senate committee approves bill to ban payments for petition signatures, expands civil enforcement",2136,27850,2164025,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2766650-8ac2062497b84a2eca991f1255701b54&start=27&end=2164","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2766650-8ac2062497b84a2eca991f1255701b54/thumbnail_27850.jpg","/articles/6624200/Minnesota/Senate-committee-approves-bill-to-ban-payments-for-petition-signatures-expands-civil-enforcement","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6624200-3ced782bdafa1101a9ac4fbefe176c0c/orig.mp4?Expires=1775903976&Signature=SrUQst2R0mvAwdc1Ctk2ZT4t~dQeyl4px0ERIki89SbGqmQxuBrF~36IDujogTc8bQFXeN0ddHrPGUeauJ-gfdYdC7Mday3KKOQl-eyebQ5kx9KN7QlUyHx9TkceTs6pUhXB5JFZtacEWINRv3FUeq1g8GRZCtYW796sS001Nq6D2-YuCguZvutDcKUicA669uYsBRcins9qEzO76bgkUfDAwtWbboaib3SadtpyYvTvUSgQpiYwq1J6M4agM3XoAwEddp74cUwcNvBLwT9yMBgd~r8qAXOqXOhus-4EA1RDZWFYgVvKmrVcX6FFPa8v~xcEe9Zwi0wEQG53R4j6Hg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senator Westland told the Senate Elections Committee on March 25 that Senate File 18‑12 is aimed at stopping efforts by outside groups to pay voters for petition signatures, calling the practice an attempt to “bribe citizens for their votes.”

The bill, which the committee approved 7‑4, would expand Minnesota's anti‑bribery prohibitions to make it a felony for a person who willfully, directly or indirectly advances, pays, gives, promises or provides money, goods or similar incentives to induce an eligible or registered voter to sign a petition directly related to an election or to induce an individual to register to vote. The bill also grants civil enforcement authority over violations to the state attorney general and county attorneys.

Sen. Westland said the proposal was driven by reports of paid petition‑signing schemes in neighboring Wisconsin, where outside groups and independent expenditure committees offered money to voters for signatures. \"This bill expands the current prohibitions on bribery,\" Westland said, adding it is intended to \"protect our elections\" and \"send a message that we do not want billionaires coming into our state attempting to bribe our citizens and influence our elections.\" The bill includes a time window that applies from the first day of the absentee voting period through election day.

Two nonprofit advocates testified in support. Mary Hartnett, executive director of Clean Elections Minnesota, called the Wisconsin practice \"bribery, plain and simple\" and urged the committee to \"vote yes to protect the integrity of our democratic process.\" Paul Huffman (testifying as an elections advocate) said the targeted payments are not campaign speech or ordinary outreach and emphasized they directly inject money to influence voters: \"This is not free speech. This is not funding campaign information.\" Both groups asked the committee to support the bill.

Opponents and skeptics on the committee questioned whether the problem described had occurred in Minnesota and criticized what they called selective focus on particular donors. Senator Kranz said he viewed the measure as a \"knee‑jerk reaction\" to events in Wisconsin and requested a roll call vote. Senator Lucero and others argued for evenhanded enforcement against all large donors and urged broader work on dark‑money transparency.

The committee adopted the author's A2 delete‑all amendment (with a small oral change substituting the word \"directly\" for \"materially\" in one line) and then advanced the bill on a roll call. The clerk recorded the final outcome as 7 ayes and 4 nays; the measure was recommended to pass and was referred to the Judiciary Committee for further consideration.

Votes at a glance: the committee recorded a 7‑4 roll call to advance SF 18‑12 as recommended. Individual, named votes were read into the record during the roll call but the committee tally in the proceedings was reported as 7 ayes and 4 nays.

The committee discussion makes clear the bill is narrowly targeted at payments or other incentives tied to petition signatures and voter registration in a specified election period; it does not change campaign finance limits generally. Supporters said the change narrows a loophole used to pay voters for electoral actions, while opponents urged broader measures aimed at dark money or questioned the scale of the problem in Minnesota.

The committee sent the measure to the Judiciary Committee; no further action was taken in the March 25 meeting.

","The Senate Elections Committee on March 25 approved Senate File 18‑12, a bill that makes it a felony to directly or indirectly pay or offer incentives to induce voter registration or signatures on election‑related petitions and gives new civil enforcement authority to the attorney general and county attorneys.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Senate file compiles Campaign Finance Board recommendations to clarify lobbyist definitions and expert witness rules

Bill would clarify that submitting RFPs and grant proposals is not lobbying

Committee hears bill to require plain‑language lobbying handbook for nonprofits and small advocates

Senate committee approves bill to ban payments for petition signatures, expands civil enforcement