Bill would create working group to review local campaign finance filing process

Representative Nathan Coulter told the committee that House File 71 would establish a working group to study the process for filing campaign finance reports for local candidates (county, city, school district and township offices) and to evaluate whether filings should be centralized with the State Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board.

"This working group would explore the possibility of all local candidates filing with the State campaign finance board," Representative Nathan Coulter said, adding the group would also examine funding and infrastructure needs and ease of public access to the information.

Under the bill as described by the author, the working group’s membership would include two campaign finance board members from different parties, the board’s executive director, a representative appointed by each of the League of Minnesota Cities, the Association of Minnesota Counties, the Minnesota Association of Townships and the Minnesota School Boards Association, and one legislator appointed by each caucus. A report would be due no later than Jan. 15, 2026.

The committee considered and approved an amendment (A2) that incorporated Legislative Coordinating Commission staff recommendations: the working-group chair would be one of the legislative members (elected by the working group) and the Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board would provide research and technical assistance if requested. The committee then laid the bill over for possible inclusion.

Representative Verne and other legislators who spoke in support noted practical difficulty finding local candidate reports and said centralizing filings could improve public access. The bill carries a fiscal note; staff said the most-likely costs would be per diem and mileage for a small number of working-group members.

The committee did not take a final vote to pass the bill; it was laid over for further consideration after adoption of the amendment.