Senate ethics subcommittee hears Senator Champion’s request for advisory opinion on past pro bono work

ST. PAUL — The Minnesota Senate Subcommittee on Ethical Conduct met April 22 to hear Senator Bobby Joe Champion’s request for a public advisory opinion under Senate Rule 55.2 about whether his prior pro bono legal representation of Salem Inc. and Reverend Jerry McAfee created a potential conflict of interest with his sponsorship of Senate File 2970 (2023) and Senate File 2978 (2025).

Senate counsel Andrea Stengel opened with an overview of the advisory-opinion process and the statute the subcommittee applies. "This rule allows a member to request this subcommittee to serve in an advisory capacity and issue recommendations and advice on a potential conflict of interest," Stengel said, and she summarized Minnesota Statute section 10A.07 and Senate Rule 56.4, noting the statute’s three elements for a potential conflict: an official action or decision, a substantial effect on the member’s financial interests (or those of an associated business), and an effect greater than that on others in the same business class, profession, or…