[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-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",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_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",6621470,"mediaKeyId","2801822-1e2f88b1ef8e8d2cfcf52c15d5e85b00","parentId",2801822,"title","Senate committee advances original-source disclosure bill aimed at dark-money transparency","audioSeconds",1702,"startMs",4122000,"endMs",5824000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2801822-1e2f88b1ef8e8d2cfcf52c15d5e85b00&start=4122&end=5824","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2801822-1e2f88b1ef8e8d2cfcf52c15d5e85b00/thumbnail_4122000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6621470/Minnesota/Senate-committee-advances-original-source-disclosure-bill-aimed-at-dark-money-transparency","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6621470-47ab885b80daac6e4093bc2780e1f1c9/orig.mp4?Expires=1771166237&Signature=Dx7fIokz0vLFF9Zdwbe5qJX7Np3FSTwzKwsjq9H6a5Ah1oNs9S~qvIkc-hqMG5GULcTpIrlXIfIXNLArmRR~n75OeqLFAW2zi3j0dX~9u4lNfMyTznXrt10s1STq4aOrnrHIGqvrdxyER86d-EkUDxPpFWX2RM4~lsng6PM5UQHpeYct3x16RZvSJhbyow66OK3lw1hnmY6gMvfQRdoz8FXENvOpvVbbtrYOsvtp2MPWNRZ1qZN-aOajI2i~SjnlZqA8UtSas60Qf12YFS~PySDM0tdUdjzNXIaixtdEeZ-WzdfMUyE9ayuFXu72ytyOfOz6idYHU01OzjyTUgtyYw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Minnesota Legislature","date","2025-03-27T21:55:42.923Z","article","The Senate Elections Committee voted to recommend passage of Senate File 905, a bill to require \"original source\" disclosure for major outside spending entities, and referred the measure to the Judiciary and Public Safety Committee after a roll-call vote of 8–1 on March 27.

Senator Port, the bill author, said the proposal would help Minnesota voters identify the true sources behind large, often opaque campaign expenditures and independent spending. The bill would require covered entities that make independent expenditures or electioneering communications above statutory thresholds to disclose the original sources of funds that financed their work and to identify top sources in ad disclaimers.

Supporters including Clean Elections Minnesota, volunteer advisor David Fisher, and Campaign Legal Center legal counsel Elizabeth Schimek testified that the measure would increase transparency, deter corruption or its appearance, and provide voters information needed to assess the motivations behind large outside spending. Fisher cited the Minnesota Constitution's provisions on disclosure and the historical role of disclosure as a check on concentrated political power.

Witnesses and senators discussed administrative implications. Committee staff from the Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board estimated adding significant reporting and hosting needs; senators sought and discussed fiscal implications and how the bill would trace funds through multiple intermediary entities. The author said the requirement places the trace-and-disclose burden on the spending entities and their upstream layers.

Senator Port moved the committee recommendation; a roll-call vote followed. The committee recorded eight ayes and one nay and recommended passage and referral to the Judiciary and Public Safety Committee.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Committee on Elections - 03/27/25","oneSentenceSummary","Senate File 905 would require major outside spenders to disclose original funding sources; the committee recommended the bill to pass by roll call (8–1) and referred it to the Judiciary and Public Safety Committee.","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},6621473,"Tough debate as committee weighs expanding economic-interest filings to local officials",2182,1147000,3329000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2801822-1e2f88b1ef8e8d2cfcf52c15d5e85b00&start=1147&end=3329","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2801822-1e2f88b1ef8e8d2cfcf52c15d5e85b00/thumbnail_1147000.jpg","/articles/6621473/Minnesota/Tough-debate-as-committee-weighs-expanding-economic-interest-filings-to-local-officials","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6621473-714b98e88445e25998905978373a38e9/orig.mp4?Expires=1771166237&Signature=WNyO0t8cOXTKe6XoGqaqSE1zzcsNfXBpA8UE6Bo4Tl3NSboWCDFXzY6a1T~PfVI8PXl6OAreBP6D6O~MiDqvEFiLz9LbbBrsnzU-dHJQWOwOSzxrpL7y4xByTfK0bKJkerfnlAcu1iMUZNt30gf4HHjgELCGcRGNC63WoJRDQLBjTBqrYxbTAnp-283vAV0nnMyZzUapqZq61iGFPxdTL8uqAZNKNZVm58oUt3B8WZ6YRUuTobDm2JFalhvZGCngHgWYsLkGx30-VExksbNj9b6qZuEIAr4T3N5MpBTzDlh4foOVU8nBkNjDJDBpkYGzlLXntUzQJL1zt3TgVz3x2g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senate File 2412, a proposal to expand the scope of the statement-of-economic-interest requirement to a broader set of local elected officials, drew extensive testimony March 27 from school boards, small-city and county associations and transparency advocates and was laid over for possible omnibus inclusion after the committee adopted an A2 amendment.

Author Senator Swazinski said the measure aims to increase transparency and public confidence by ensuring voters can see candidates' economic ties. He argued voters have a right to know whether officials' financial interests could influence decisions about public spending.

Witnesses opposed and supported the expansion. Kim Lewis of the Minnesota School Boards Association said the change would impose a difficult 15-day filing deadline and a significant burden on largely volunteer school board members and could discourage candidates in small communities. Cap O'Rourke of the Minnesota Association of Small Cities and Pierre Ouellette of the League of Minnesota Cities cautioned the expansion could affect hundreds of small cities and create administrative strain for jurisdictions with few staff. The Association of Minnesota Counties flagged recruitment concerns for technical positions and urged the committee to more narrowly define which officials must file.

Clean Elections Minnesota and volunteer advisor David Fisher testified in favor, saying routine annual filings promote transparency and public trust. Jeff Sigurdsson of the Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board provided a staff perspective, estimating roughly 14,408 additional elected officials would be covered by the draft language and noting that, under current statute, only county commissioners and soil-and-water supervisors file directly with the board; most local filings are kept at the local filing agent.

Committee members asked about enforcement, public availability of the filings and whether the new requirement might deter candidates. Some senators expressed concern about administrative burden for small localities; others argued transparency for local decision-makers is important regardless of jurisdiction size. The committee laid the bill over for possible inclusion; members requested further information on fiscal impacts and filing logistics.","Senate File 2412, which would expand state economic-interest filing requirements to many local elected officials, prompted extensive testimony from school boards, small cities, counties and advocates; the committee adopted an amendment clarifying application beyond metropolitan units and laid the bill 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},6621475,"Bill requiring notices at changed polling places laid over after wide local support",511,549000,1060000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2801822-1e2f88b1ef8e8d2cfcf52c15d5e85b00&start=549&end=1060","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2801822-1e2f88b1ef8e8d2cfcf52c15d5e85b00/thumbnail_549000.jpg","/articles/6621475/Minnesota/Bill-requiring-notices-at-changed-polling-places-laid-over-after-wide-local-support","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6621475-f1bd930e7ab2666faed98d007a6e8a33/orig.mp4?Expires=1771166237&Signature=nYThzv9h5VJU906KosEpizBqgwqiI-UEDtqIXBJiTN2CLVribIjFF0qvxUNcLfeWiLMplLD4mlHZOifxrynrHAAgl7xhO3qyz1hn74-4A4HY6rrttE~RamOfQlihY3BpYEdv9mcd5GEdUFj19nEXF0NaqTyaw59wAkf9C7NBf~drqRc9f23ZK6OSKsn~eYlPDWyZO-co~k2meZYGIKJ5USPZ1sn7QCF4EGIEqYydngiOFaRFFRRaOML3s4Hsnimm5ouu21nRB5xAHlo85bOSEAUyC~WQOsT2GPLqv3IEvaBndTaIfSyk-QRO1LyqYyHX8Lxd6s92EBo~54qmnvEdbw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senate File 2846, a bill that would require notification to voters and signage at polling places that have changed locations, was presented to the Senate Elections Committee on March 27 and laid over for possible inclusion in the omnibus bill.

Senator Bolton sponsored the measure and offered an A2 author's amendment that made technical changes on advice from the Office of the Secretary of State; the committee adopted the A2 amendment. Bolton described the proposal as a \"common sense\" response to voters who went to old polling locations only to find the site had moved.

Emma Raige, policy and civic engagement manager at Common Cause Minnesota, told the committee the bill addresses recurring issues identified by the organization's election-protection volunteers. The bill requires a non-forwardable mailed notice to every affected household at least 25 days before election day and, where practical, a large-print notice posted at the closed polling place that is visible to voters in vehicles and available in required non-English languages.

Michael Stahlberger, director of property and environmental resources for Blue Earth County, testified for the Minnesota Association of County Officials, saying many counties already post signs when a polling place moves and that codifying the practice will create statewide consistency. Stahlberger noted the law's triggers are tied to presidential-election and redistricting cycles to limit repeated notices and explained that the secretary of state will provide a sample notice for consistency.

After questions and discussion, the committee laid the bill over for possible inclusion in the omnibus bill.","Senate File 2846 would require non-forwardable mailed notices and large-print signage when polling places change; county and election-administration groups supported the measure and it was laid over by the Senate Elections Committee.",{"_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},6621477,"Committee lays over bill to require crypto holdings disclosure on economic interest forms",239,239000,478000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2801822-1e2f88b1ef8e8d2cfcf52c15d5e85b00&start=239&end=478","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2801822-1e2f88b1ef8e8d2cfcf52c15d5e85b00/thumbnail_239000.jpg","/articles/6621477/Minnesota/Committee-lays-over-bill-to-require-crypto-holdings-disclosure-on-economic-interest-forms","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6621477-82dd5688b7dee323518e67f8f556bee6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771166237&Signature=NmyflIkD1SLN8SX4gsiDo07WAgiHDyg5yVraR-Db9ZpqTUjSvrYar~q2JpKp8nv1bJlGhcKeRqcbGng00eqbuTZOD2mK-JBSn6cZnPAPZNifLYTEz0LwUwefb44hUgNVZmhZYQdpj5skHTOwA7YkLBXfBNGS-Au9IWNRrX7Dqt6q3fJiggpoJg1n65k4bBWNhKeX~q56qPf6xsYWob5YGqTBJreQf3El1A~JFmaBNaS6O9F76DDGLoZBAfXC8nCLgcLcjXTVbL3N~cfNH7Ky3inCQKGU-ondI5t~9ULLGVzJDPZjCWWFQjN0jqUMAmhXwyzBLxFid4GGUCl6P6JYRA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senate File 2768, which would add virtual currencies valued at $10,000 or more to assets disclosed on statements of economic interest, was presented to the Senate Elections Committee on March 27 and laid over for possible inclusion in the omnibus bill.

Senator Westland described the measure as treating virtual currencies \"much like stocks,\" noting crypto's growing mainstream role and the potential for public-policy decisions to affect asset values. The bill would require listing each virtual currency owned in part or in full by the filer or spouse if its value meets the $10,000 threshold and would require listing dates and the value of each purchase or sale associated with the asset.

Mary Hartnett, executive director of Clean Elections Minnesota, testified in support and said disclosure would help ensure voters have a complete picture of candidates' financial interests. \"Virtual currencies, like any other financial asset, can potentially affect an official's decision making,\" Hartnett said, urging committee members to include the provision on the economic interest statement.

Committee discussion noted the proposal incorporates prior language about reporting sales and values of stocks, and no substantive objections were raised at the hearing. The committee laid the bill over for possible inclusion in the omnibus bill.","Senate File 2768 would require candidates to disclose virtual-currency holdings valued at $10,000 or more on statements of economic interest; the measure was presented, supported by Clean Elections Minnesota, and laid over for possible omnibus inclusion.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6621479,"Senate committee hears bill to repeal campaign statutes deemed unconstitutional",140,62000,202000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2801822-1e2f88b1ef8e8d2cfcf52c15d5e85b00&start=62&end=202","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2801822-1e2f88b1ef8e8d2cfcf52c15d5e85b00/thumbnail_62000.jpg","/articles/6621479/Minnesota/Senate-committee-hears-bill-to-repeal-campaign-statutes-deemed-unconstitutional","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6621479-b95d421b6653573eb3ed6bddd51f884c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771166237&Signature=CTLSLkugGlVYM75DI-BEdiKxAR777ph5vibrsujb8NC9OYCQUW9EBQ1bFnXtjP4PyG1xHBdtkSwn~rReHfk0ke7aOpyOIlWUzdNc-1IGIe3swodcKpURvs4PmhVsM0cR6bvYp5UxXZLAFblE8byWK5u0azewSZXESj6EXC553ojrvNDCBLERsWaDnXdhxeEB-i0LArnnw9hFWOCMb0Y37L2U840lP8heiRWAuMZoN9E1v6KEvjYqCJj~54uphEXkEB5Oe9K~NJlPjbw8-EuAVr0cDWAt2N43ETviTBrqcUPGLmsaPLECWO-pv2Bf4aO7dIBacdaxK2J1i35K-htiOw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senate File 2236, an agency bill from the Office of Administrative Hearings that would repeal two campaign-related criminal provisions, was introduced and laid over by the Senate Elections Committee on March 27.

The bill includes a repeal of two statutory provisions the author and agency counsel described as inconsistent with higher-court decisions. Senator Gustafson told the committee the measure would remove a gross-misdemeanor provision that currently criminalizes knowingly disseminating false information in political advertising, campaign material or a letter to the editor and another provision that restricts religious, charitable or educational organizations from requesting political contributions. \"Section 2.11(b)(0.06) makes a person guilty of a gross misdemeanor for certain actions related to disseminating information in political advertising ... that the person knows to be false or communicates to others with reckless disregard,\" Gustafson said during her introduction.

Abigail Reinking, associate general counsel at the Office of Administrative Hearings, testified for the agency and told the committee the repealers respond to past Eighth Circuit decisions and are intended to align Minnesota statutes with those rulings. Reinking described the changes as cleaning up existing law rather than creating new policy and said she was available to answer committee questions.

Committee members had no additional questions during the session. Chair Carlson said the committee would lay the bill over for possible inclusion in the omnibus bill.

Because the committee did not take a final committee vote on the merits, the bill was recorded as laid over for potential omnibus inclusion. No formal amendments or votes on the bill's merits were reported.","The Senate Elections Committee heard Senate File 2236, an Office of Administrative Hearings agency bill that would repeal two campaign-related criminalization provisions the committee says higher courts have found unconstitutional; the bill was laid over for possible inclusion in the omnibus bill.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Senate committee advances original-source disclosure bill aimed at dark-money transparency

Tough debate as committee weighs expanding economic-interest filings to local officials

Bill requiring notices at changed polling places laid over after wide local support

Committee lays over bill to require crypto holdings disclosure on economic interest forms

Senate committee hears bill to repeal campaign statutes deemed unconstitutional