Committee advances data‑privacy, AI 'nudify' ban and several other bills; OIG changes adopted

The House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law Committee moved a package of bills forward on March 26 after debate and multiple amendments.

HF2700 (consumer data privacy): Representative Elkins described the bill as adding a definition of health data to the Minnesota Consumer Data Privacy Act, classifying wearable and health‑app information as sensitive personal data and making sharing/sale of that data subject to opt‑in consent. The author's A8 amendment was adopted. Andrew Kingman of the State Privacy and Security Coalition said the bill’s added 'share' definition overlaps with an intentionally broad statutory definition of 'sale' and asked for clearer drafting; he also recommended narrowing geofencing language to avoid overbreadth. The committee placed HF2700 on the general register by voice vote.

HF1606 (ban on 'nudify' AI features): Representative Hansen's bill would require that nudifying features on apps and platforms be turned off in Minnesota and would prohibit advertisement or promotion of such features; it also provides civil penalties and remedies. Survivors gave emotional testimony: Jessica Gustales and Molly Kelly recounted their personal harm after a single individual used automated tools to create multiple pornographic images and videos from private photos. Advocacy groups including RAIN urged passage; members discussed enforcement details and civil‑penalty uses. The committee adopted the bill to the general register.

Other actions: The committee adopted author and technical amendments and advanced several bills: - HF3356 (limits on impersonating officers) was amended (A4) and re‑referred to Ways and Means. - HF3946 (domestic violence statute changes, including longer arrest windows and judicial‑review factors) adopted A6 and was re‑referred to Ways and Means after testimony from survivors and advocates. - HF3970 (remedies allowing survivors to seek termination of an abuser’s interest in contract for deed) had a dE2 amendment adopted and was placed on the general register. - HF3658 (a tool for removing firearms in certain risk situations) had an A3 amendment adopted and was placed on the general register.

SF856 (Office of Inspector General): Representative Norris presented a bipartisan OIG bill and the committee adopted an A13 amendment requested by the Office of Legislative Auditor to avoid duplication and clarify data‑access and role boundaries between the OIG and the OLA. Members asked detailed questions about overlap with agency program‑integrity units (for example DHS’s Medicaid integrity functions), potential staffing/budget implications, and safeguards for cooperation between agencies. The committee re‑referred SF856 to Ways and Means.

What to watch: Several members asked for clearer fiscal information and implementation plans (notably for the Commerce ombudsman referrals under SF1750 and for staffing/costs tied to SF856). Many measures passed on voice votes; the record did not include roll‑call tallies in committee for those motions.

Sources: Committee hearing on March 26, testimony and member remarks.