[{"_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",6326782,"mediaKeyId","2323688-42164428f26f06468ec70a3077cc7f25","parentId",2323688,"title","Committee approves modernization amendment and lays over PCR increase bill for omnibus consideration","audioSeconds",509,"startMs",5310000,"endMs",5819000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2323688-42164428f26f06468ec70a3077cc7f25&start=5310&end=5819","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2323688-42164428f26f06468ec70a3077cc7f25/thumbnail_5310000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6326782/Minnesota/Committee-approves-modernization-amendment-and-lays-over-PCR-increase-bill-for-omnibus-consideration","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6326782-c101e04de13a6e711db3685f58d9d399/orig.mp4?Expires=1771106249&Signature=LamotZ98AJcfPLUQ9WxeRv3hEAwvAjWjmljBgcTCWue~8PXaV3bxFGHDiqdQOHMfiX-nST0fV5mZPGnbJUO2jxNSuAmSstjpCk8ExHwKBpgILjpNnXidyfjJmAir1wTLE4ynTG~K9yCj~8B2A1QYuVZunh5pqEi1AEZ2LjcDidc6WlE4MNZH80p4aPIKuiNCQgakK3UqVa0gpMgxg~VzOZ6OWU0Kypdrs1BqxQl70OXoyMA0TmbUYMWGhUP9uk5nNpHkMIxcCLVu~B5rMlOZOAnONlHef~7qF6cgYd4j3it9914qvBc2eOkGs-sUEHB52YGi5xIlM4pJtpyySssNoA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","MNHouseInfo","date","2025-02-17T00:00:00Z","article","The House Elections and Government Operations Committee approved an amendment to modernize Minnesota's Political Contribution Refund (PCR) program and laid over House File 73 for possible inclusion in later omnibus legislation.

Representative Freiberg led discussion of changes to the PCR, a public-financing mechanism that refunds small contributions to participating candidates. The committee adopted an A1 amendment that would allow donors to file refund requests electronically, require candidate receipts to include unique identifiers for verification by the Department of Revenue, and make other administrative updates. The amendment passed by voice vote with no audible opposition.

Eli Ibbiso of Clean Elections Minnesota testified in support of increasing the refund amount and modernizing the program. \"Increasing the amount to $100 for individuals and $200 for households would increase the voice of everyday voters regardless of political affiliation,\" Ibbiso said, referencing the group’s support letter in the committee packet.

Representative Greenman suggested working with the Campaign Finance Board on implementation details. Nonpartisan staff and committee members discussed technical coordination between the Campaign Finance Board and the Department of Revenue to enable electronic filing and verification. Representative Freiberg and others said the modernization amendment should be workable and asked to continue technical conversations with the Campaign Finance Board.

With the A1 amendment adopted, Representative Lee moved House File 73 be laid over for possible inclusion in omnibus legislation. The committee laid the bill over.

The PCR increase and modernization remain subject to fiscal considerations and potential inclusion in a later bill; committee members noted the modernization amendment has bipartisan support and minimal cost, while the requested increase in the refund amount would have budget implications depending on revenue targets.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","House Elections Finance and Government Operations Committee 2/17/25","oneSentenceSummary","The committee adopted an amendment to modernize the Political Contribution Refund (PCR) process and laid over House File 73, which would raise the PCR refund and allow electronic filing, for possible inclusion in an omnibus bill.","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},6326785,"Panel sends proposal to shift local school elections to even years to next committee amid ranked-choice and local-control concerns",2125,3035000,5160000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2323688-42164428f26f06468ec70a3077cc7f25&start=3035&end=5160","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2323688-42164428f26f06468ec70a3077cc7f25/thumbnail_3035000.jpg","/articles/6326785/Minnesota/Panel-sends-proposal-to-shift-local-school-elections-to-even-years-to-next-committee-amid-ranked-choice-and-local-control-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6326785-9ba6916327a28d48c5770e785f89f506/orig.mp4?Expires=1771106249&Signature=jLySw7iaDnpRQLxfHWI~AYfYOkJYos4MXvRVmCQZOfw6SkCdHe6FMleezoIxB-jf72MILRGxE6-MDO9V1Rlxo81-ynuha43bi0AnYjZDjyK-jtXlzVkN4HDnXv5051NEwE-KRjVqhPCay0vd3ZORkOEuoY4mtNRUlptUp6Pb0Ez09ByQJT-b0clYb2JZczFwOLnbvZyOe4dqT6WmDSjzVl-CCoY5d~lvC8uqxBESq8ZITGnmHqoLn~bvmqwDnrlU7pYMDlc96HlXw2O1Jr7G9jxJlXBW7nECDS~DYaJ0YUagoCQbmEbrubNsp7YKQxrLwmJhgGg7idr0oYE16DEFLQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The House Elections and Government Operations Committee referred House File 69 to the Education Policy Committee after hearing nearly an hour of testimony from local officials and school-district representatives opposed to a statewide mandate shifting remaining odd-year school board elections to even-numbered years.

Chair Quam said the measure is intended to increase voter participation by consolidating more elections into high-turnout November cycles. \"If you have it so that more people vote, you get a truer voice of the people in elections,\" he said.

Testimony opposing the mandate came from Greg Abbott, representing the Minnesota School Boards Association and the Association of Metropolitan School Districts; Pierre Ouillet of the League of Minnesota Cities; and Jim Demay, a Mounds View school board member.

Greg Abbott told the committee that 25 of Minnesota's 331 school districts remain on odd-year schedules, and argued a state mandate would \"force the remaining 25 districts into even-year elections, breaking the contract set when school district elections were moved from May to November.\" He said many districts retained odd-year elections to keep local, nonpartisan school contests focused on school issues.

Pierre Ouillet warned that a statewide mandate would erode local decision-making and could prevent cities from choosing alternative voting systems, including ranked-choice voting. \"We feel strongly that we should preserve cities' local authority to do what they think is best for their communities,\" he said.

Several legislators raised ranked-choice voting and charter-city complications. Nonpartisan staff told members that first-class cities (Minneapolis and Saint Paul) would be exempt under the bill language, but that other municipalities that have adopted ranked-choice voting would need county-auditor agreements or other practical arrangements to conduct different ballot formats simultaneously.

Representative Freiberg urged more study and sought to preserve local options; Representative Coulter said his constituency includes charter cities with charter language specifying odd-year elections and said the bill's transition timelines could conflict with local charter processes.

Chair Quam renewed his motion to send the bill on for further consideration. \"I would like to have this get discussed in the education policy committee,\" Quam said. The committee referred House File 69 to the Education Policy Committee for additional review and possible amendments.","The committee referred House File 69 to the Education Policy Committee after testimony from school boards and municipal groups arguing that forcing odd-year districts into even-year elections would erode local control and could disrupt ranked-choice voting plans in some cities.",{"_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},6326790,"Committee advances bill extending candidate filing window for special elections",842,2199000,3041000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2323688-42164428f26f06468ec70a3077cc7f25&start=2199&end=3041","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2323688-42164428f26f06468ec70a3077cc7f25/thumbnail_2199000.jpg","/articles/6326790/Minnesota/Committee-advances-bill-extending-candidate-filing-window-for-special-elections","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6326790-77b840cd1ea5e94d3d035c56a8e838eb/orig.mp4?Expires=1771106249&Signature=awJWbMxIUuuEaxYeIHzaFP5DGCukvlbjAEn4bx8haJlLDN36B9tkWr7uwNtj16XekGRaLk~wpvK5lDo64Bcpmzsnte914OIzm54rJh6s00U6s9-8icz9I84hi2WNVQjDVNU5JZL-gPbS4YLs-h7VdaHHVNbX~Sgs7T6duAzkZWWmzDs-98ofEzkJRu--~r0nxB8wI8f0~0j2GDdjWCS0lkBfcbL2NV16ClMfmm34vLofBNQHK224yZYxOV6EWfrpd~TPScmB~xu9PL6km9-IbjFv1ILjvpS3VGInOaG1evUdhjjQPP-Um~6pD9xoq1oEpcgJI8qS48-N0Bk9x~0o2A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The House Elections and Government Operations Committee voted to refer House File 66 to the General Register after testimony from election stakeholders and committee discussion.

Chair Quam introduced House File 66, which would set a minimum filing period for candidates who seek to run in special elections. \"My intent with this bill is to ensure that there's a minimum amount of time allowed for filing so we give the public an opportunity to think it through and decide whether they wish to run,\" Chair Quam said.

Testimony from Chip Tangen, vice chair and political director of the Libertarian Party of Minnesota, described practical difficulties faced by minor-party and independent candidates when governors issue writs that allow only a single day or two for filing. Tangen said special-election writs in 2024 ranged from one- to seven-day filing periods and recounted that collecting the required 500 signatures in a single day is often infeasible, especially in rural districts.

Representative Freiberg moved and Representative Lee offered the A2 amendment during committee consideration; the amendment would have removed a provision changing the period between a writ and a special election but retained the longer filing window. Chair Quam said he is open to continuing discussions over in-session timing and legal considerations but asked that the bill move forward to the education policy committee for fuller review of impacts on local jurisdictions and charter cities.

The committee ultimately renewed the motion and referred House File 66 to the General Register. Committee members signaled further discussion would occur in subsequent committees about balancing voter turnout, candidate filing time and the time a district is represented during session.

Representative Lee and others raised follow-up questions about how the bill would affect cities with ranked-choice voting and charter provisions, which nonpartisan staff said would require county-auditor agreements or other local-state coordination.

The bill will next be scheduled for floor action from the General Register or for additional committee work as members seek clarifying language on timing and implementation.","The committee moved House File 66 to the General Register after testimony from minor-party officials and discussion about the barriers short filing windows create for minor-party and independent candidates in special elections.",{"_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},6326795,"Committee advances bill to bar state-funded organizations from spending on elections; amendments fail",1950,202000,2152000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2323688-42164428f26f06468ec70a3077cc7f25&start=202&end=2152","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2323688-42164428f26f06468ec70a3077cc7f25/thumbnail_202000.jpg","/articles/6326795/Minnesota/Committee-advances-bill-to-bar-state-funded-organizations-from-spending-on-elections-amendments-fail","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6326795-cd8666236879e3742d54456d8d9a8385/orig.mp4?Expires=1771106249&Signature=i3HhoidChNIB~sNmbnM1J4prt5sf72mlTWS6YLwAUdBMNHwcLAZ3JCCGAT6GOHdv2Z4tdqJ2~edy82FtGIIe9Wm-AztsWWxNX1oMK2B1nQBs6x9XicdXb16ilgadvcqwmb6Hzzjq8PjWAculwAsRMBIjC0r8ShkRqvihnxcbkqLYYNST6CyGdJDSuNJCY-j1fCdKjw75ZRIyPLvDZxpqU5JV~ZtiRYeADvB4D~qWDVDnhiPNPQf06Tb1~FBILhlxRQuxv5CYk4HtRJG0WQUeAJamrAYt-NPDW44akgafP0GZTIQh6KxCSl0~TM8zoakGnfjogHU~flovM7roOI0HqQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The House Elections and Government Operations Committee voted to move House File 72 to the General Register on a 6-5 roll call after a day-long discussion about so-called \"dark money\" and state appropriations.

House File 72, presented by Representative Ingham, would bar organizations that receive state appropriations from using those state funds to influence elections. \"House File 72 is about one thing and one thing only, eliminating the inherent conflict of interest that arises when politicians are able to appropriate money to the same organizations who finance and fund their reelection efforts,\" Representative Ingham said.

The bill's sponsor, Representative Ingham, framed the measure as a transparency and conflict-of-interest reform. He told the committee that in 2023 about $1.1 billion in state appropriations were made to organizations that, under current law, could also contribute to candidates and party units. \"This bill will bring to heel a large portion of the unethical and irresponsible dark money campaign apparatus,\" he said.

Committee members pressed on the legal and practical reach of the proposal. Representative Greenman and other members noted federal tax rules that already limit political activity by certain nonprofit types. Nonpartisan staff and a witness from the Campaign Finance Board explained the complexity: some nonprofit entities may contribute directly in Minnesota under Chapter 10a exceptions, while other nonprofit or affiliated entities can route funds through political funds or independent expenditure vehicles.

Jess Sigurdsson, executive director of the Campaign Finance Board, told the committee that \"[s]ubdivision 15 provides that a nonprofit corporation is exempted from the prohibition on making contributions\" under limited circumstances and described reporting obligations when organizations move money into political funds.

Two floor amendments that would have broadened or narrowed the bill's reach failed. Representative Grama's A1 amendment — which would have expanded the bill to include corporations and a broader set of tax expenditures, credits and deductions — was defeated on a roll call (5 ayes, 6 nays). Representative Coulter's A2 amendment, which would have limited spending on elections to individuals rather than organizations, also failed (5 ayes, 6 nays).

After the failed amendments, Representative Altendorf moved the bill to the General Register. On the final roll call the bill passed 6-5. The roll call recorded the following votes: Ayes — Chair Quam, Vice Chair Altendorf, Representative Davis, Representative Gordon, Representative McDonald, Representative Roach; Nays — Representative Acum, Representative Coulter, Representative Greenman, Representative Lee, Representative Verneig.

Committee discussion emphasized intent rather than immediate implementation. Representative Ingham said he is open to working with colleagues to narrow or refine definitions, and he pointed the committee to reporting and investigative work documenting alleged overlaps between appropriated funds and later political spending.

The committee did not adopt language to expand the bill to corporate tax expenditures or to create a comprehensive disclosure regime during this hearing; sponsors and opponents said they would continue discussions offline.

Votes at a glance: House File 72 — moved to the General Register (motion carried 6-5, roll call recorded above).","The House Elections and Government Operations Committee voted to move House File 72 to the General Register after debate over whether state-funded nonprofits and corporations should be barred from spending on elections and how broadly to define recipients of state benefits.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee approves modernization amendment and lays over PCR increase bill for omnibus consideration

Panel sends proposal to shift local school elections to even years to next committee amid ranked-choice and local-control concerns

Committee advances bill extending candidate filing window for special elections

Committee advances bill to bar state-funded organizations from spending on elections; amendments fail