as introduced - 89th Legislature (2015 - 2016) Posted on 02/17/2015 08:43am
A bill for an act
relating to campaign finance; requiring legislators to disclose certain travel
payments; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 10A.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:
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(a) For purposes of this section, the definitions have
the meanings given.
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(b) "Legislator" means a member of the house of representatives or senate or a
former member of the house of representatives or senate that was in office at the time of
the legislative trip.
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(c) "Legislative trip" means any travel undertaken by a legislator to a conference, tour,
or other event where the legislator receives a direct or indirect payment or reimbursement
of more than $250 from an individual or entity, excluding payment or reimbursement from:
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(1) an employer for travel related to that employment;
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(2) relatives or friends of the legislator for personal travel;
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(3) the legislator's campaign fund; or
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(4) the legislature or state.
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A legislator must file a travel disclosure statement with
the Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board within 90 days of the completion of
each legislative trip.
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The travel disclosure statement required by this section must be
on a form prescribed by the board. The legislator filing must provide the following
information for each legislative trip:
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(1) the date and location of the travel;
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(2) the purpose for the travel; and
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(3) the name and address of each individual or entity from whom the legislator
received indirect or direct payment or reimbursement for travel, lodging, meals, registration
fees, or other related expenses and the amount received from each individual or entity.
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If a legislator fails to file a travel disclosure statement required
by this section within 90 days of the completion of a legislative trip, the board must
impose a late filing fee of twice the amount of the entire cost of the travel or $5,000,
whichever is less.
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Nothing in this section shall be construed to allow a public
official, lobbyist, or principal to receive or give a prohibited gift under section 10A.07.
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This section is effective on August 1, 2015, and applies to
legislative trips taken on or after that date.
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