<div class="xtend">
         <div class="xtend_ce"><a id="pl.1.1"></a><var>1.1</var>A bill for an act<br />
            		
         </div><a id="pl.1.2"></a><var>1.2</var>relating to campaign finance; providing for additional disclosure; making various <br />
         		<a id="pl.1.3"></a><var>1.3</var>changes to campaign finance and public disclosure law; providing penalties;<br />
         		<a id="pl.1.4"></a><var>1.4</var>amending Minnesota Statutes 2012, sections 10A.01, subdivisions 10, 11, 27, <br />
         		<a id="pl.1.5"></a><var>1.5</var>28, 35, by adding subdivisions; 10A.02, subdivisions 9, 10, 11, 12, 15; 10A.025, <br />
         		<a id="pl.1.6"></a><var>1.6</var>subdivisions 2, 3; 10A.07; 10A.071, subdivision 1; 10A.08; 10A.09, subdivision <br />
         		<a id="pl.1.7"></a><var>1.7</var>6a, by adding a subdivision; 10A.105, subdivision 1; 10A.12, subdivisions <br />
         		<a id="pl.1.8"></a><var>1.8</var>1, 1a, 2; 10A.121; 10A.14, subdivision 1, by adding a subdivision; 10A.15, <br />
         		<a id="pl.1.9"></a><var>1.9</var>subdivisions 1, 2, 3; 10A.20, subdivisions 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, by adding a subdivision; <br />
         		<a id="pl.1.10"></a><var>1.10</var>10A.241; 10A.25, subdivisions 2, 2a, 3, 5; 10A.257, subdivision 1; 10A.27, <br />
         		<a id="pl.1.11"></a><var>1.11</var>subdivisions 1, 10, 11, 13, 14, 15; 10A.323; 211B.32, subdivision 1; proposing <br />
         		<a id="pl.1.12"></a><var>1.12</var>coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 10A; repealing Minnesota <br />
         		<a id="pl.1.13"></a><var>1.13</var>Statutes 2012, sections 10A.24; 10A.242; 10A.25, subdivision 6.<br />
         		<a id="pl.1.14"></a><var>1.14</var>BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:<br />
         		<br />
         		<a id="bill.1.0.0"></a><div class="xtend_ce"><a id="pl.1.15"></a><var>1.15</var><b>ARTICLE 1</b><br />
            		
         </div>
         <div class="xtend_ce"><a id="pl.1.16"></a><var>1.16</var><b>CAMPAIGN FINANCE AND PUBLIC DISCLOSURE</b><br />
            		
         </div><br />
         		<a id="bill.1.1.0"></a><a id="pl.1.17"></a><var>1.17</var>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 10A.01, is amended by adding a <br />
         		<a id="pl.1.18"></a><var>1.18</var>subdivision to read:<br />
         		<a id="pl.1.19"></a><var>1.19</var>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Subd. 7c. <b>Ballot question political committee.</b> "Ballot question political <br />
         		<a id="pl.1.20"></a><var>1.20</var>committee" means a political committee that makes only expenditures to promote or defeat <br />
         		<a id="pl.1.21"></a><var>1.21</var>a ballot question and disbursements permitted under section 10A.121, subdivision 1.<br />
         		<br />
         		<a id="bill.1.2.0"></a><a id="pl.1.22"></a><var>1.22</var>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 10A.01, is amended by adding a subdivision <br />
         		<a id="pl.1.23"></a><var>1.23</var>to read:<br />
         		<a id="pl.1.24"></a><var>1.24</var>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Subd. 7d. <b>Ballot question political fund.</b> "Ballot question political fund" means <br />
         		<a id="pl.1.25"></a><var>1.25</var>a political fund that makes only expenditures to promote or defeat a ballot question and <br />
         		<a id="pl.1.26"></a><var>1.26</var>disbursements permitted under section 10A.121, subdivision 1.<br />
         		<br />
         		<a id="bill.1.3.0"></a><a id="pl.2.1"></a><var>2.1</var>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 10A.01, subdivision 10, is amended to read:<br />
         		<a id="pl.2.2"></a><var>2.2</var>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Subd. 10. <b>Candidate.</b> "Candidate" means an individual who seeks nomination or <br />
         		<a id="pl.2.3"></a><var>2.3</var>election as a state constitutional officer, legislator, or judge. An individual is deemed to seek <br />
         		<a id="pl.2.4"></a><var>2.4</var>nomination or election if the individual has taken the action necessary under the law of this <br />
         		<a id="pl.2.5"></a><var>2.5</var>state to qualify for nomination or election, has received contributions or made expenditures <br />
         		<a id="pl.2.6"></a><var>2.6</var>in excess of $100, or has given implicit or explicit consent for any other person to receive <br />
         		<a id="pl.2.7"></a><var>2.7</var>contributions or make expenditures in excess of $100, for the purpose of bringing about the <br />
         		<a id="pl.2.8"></a><var>2.8</var>individual's nomination or election. A candidate remains a candidate until the candidate's <br />
         		<a id="pl.2.9"></a><var>2.9</var>principal campaign committee is dissolved as provided in section 
         <statute_ref>10A.24</statute_ref> 10A.243.<br />
         		<br />
         		<a id="bill.1.4.0"></a><a id="pl.2.10"></a><var>2.10</var>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 10A.01, subdivision 11, is amended to read:<br />
         		<a id="pl.2.11"></a><var>2.11</var>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Subd. 11. <b>Contribution.</b> (a) "Contribution" means money, a negotiable instrument, <br />
         		<a id="pl.2.12"></a><var>2.12</var>or a donation in kind that is given to a political committee, political fund, principal <br />
         		<a id="pl.2.13"></a><var>2.13</var>campaign committee, or party unit. An allocation by an association of general treasury <br />
         		<a id="pl.2.14"></a><var>2.14</var>money to be used for activities that must be or are reported through the association's <br />
         		<a id="pl.2.15"></a><var>2.15</var>political fund is considered to be a contribution for the purposes of disclosure required <br />
         		<a id="pl.2.16"></a><var>2.16</var>by this chapter.<br />
         		<a id="pl.2.17"></a><var>2.17</var>(b) "Contribution" includes a loan or advance of credit to a political committee, <br />
         		<a id="pl.2.18"></a><var>2.18</var>political fund, principal campaign committee, or party unit, if the loan or advance of credit <br />
         		<a id="pl.2.19"></a><var>2.19</var>is: (1) forgiven; or (2) repaid by an individual or an association other than the political <br />
         		<a id="pl.2.20"></a><var>2.20</var>committee, political fund, principal campaign committee, or party unit to which the loan <br />
         		<a id="pl.2.21"></a><var>2.21</var>or advance of credit was made. If an advance of credit or a loan is forgiven or repaid as <br />
         		<a id="pl.2.22"></a><var>2.22</var>provided in this paragraph, it is a contribution in the year in which the loan or advance <br />
         		<a id="pl.2.23"></a><var>2.23</var>of credit was made.<br />
         		<a id="pl.2.24"></a><var>2.24</var>(c) "Contribution" does not include services provided without compensation by an <br />
         		<a id="pl.2.25"></a><var>2.25</var>individual volunteering personal time on behalf of a candidate, ballot question, political <br />
         		<a id="pl.2.26"></a><var>2.26</var>committee, political fund, principal campaign committee, or party unit; the publishing or <br />
         		<a id="pl.2.27"></a><var>2.27</var>broadcasting of news items or editorial comments by the news media; or an individual's <br />
         		<a id="pl.2.28"></a><var>2.28</var>unreimbursed personal use of an automobile owned by the individual while volunteering <br />
         		<a id="pl.2.29"></a><var>2.29</var>personal time.<br />
         		<br />
         		<a id="bill.1.5.0"></a><a id="pl.2.30"></a><var>2.30</var>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Sec. 5. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 10A.01, is amended by adding a subdivision <br />
         		<a id="pl.2.31"></a><var>2.31</var>to read:<br />
         		<a id="pl.2.32"></a><var>2.32</var>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Subd. 16a. <b>Expressly advocating.</b> "Expressly advocating" means that a <br />
         		<a id="pl.2.33"></a><var>2.33</var>communication clearly identifies a candidate and uses words or phrases of express <br />
         		<a id="pl.2.34"></a><var>2.34</var>advocacy.<br />
         		<br />
         		<a id="bill.1.6.0"></a><a id="pl.3.1"></a><var>3.1</var>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Sec. 6. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 10A.01, is amended by adding a subdivision <br />
         		<a id="pl.3.2"></a><var>3.2</var>to read:<br />
         		<a id="pl.3.3"></a><var>3.3</var>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Subd. 17c. <b>General treasury money.</b> "General treasury money" means money <br />
         		<a id="pl.3.4"></a><var>3.4</var>that an association other than a principal campaign committee, party unit, or political <br />
         		<a id="pl.3.5"></a><var>3.5</var>committee accumulates through membership dues and fees, donations to the association <br />
         		<a id="pl.3.6"></a><var>3.6</var>for its general purposes, and income from the operation of a business. General treasury <br />
         		<a id="pl.3.7"></a><var>3.7</var>money does not include money collected to influence the nomination or election of <br />
         		<a id="pl.3.8"></a><var>3.8</var>candidates or to promote or defeat a ballot question.<br />
         		<br />
         		<a id="bill.1.7.0"></a><a id="pl.3.9"></a><var>3.9</var>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Sec. 7. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 10A.01, is amended by adding a subdivision <br />
         		<a id="pl.3.10"></a><var>3.10</var>to read:<br />
         		<a id="pl.3.11"></a><var>3.11</var>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Subd. 26a. <b>Person.</b> "Person" means an individual, an association, a political <br />
         		<a id="pl.3.12"></a><var>3.12</var>subdivision, or a public higher education system.<br />
         		<br />
         		<a id="bill.1.8.0"></a><a id="pl.3.13"></a><var>3.13</var>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Sec. 8. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 10A.01, subdivision 27, is amended to read:<br />
         		<a id="pl.3.14"></a><var>3.14</var>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Subd. 27. <b>Political committee.</b> "Political committee" means an association whose <br />
         		<a id="pl.3.15"></a><var>3.15</var>major purpose is to influence the nomination or election of a candidate one or more <br />
         		<a id="pl.3.16"></a><var>3.16</var>candidates or to promote or defeat a ballot question, other than a principal campaign <br />
         		<a id="pl.3.17"></a><var>3.17</var>committee or a political party unit.<br />
         		<br />
         		<a id="bill.1.9.0"></a><a id="pl.3.18"></a><var>3.18</var>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Sec. 9. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 10A.01, subdivision 28, is amended to read:<br />
         		<a id="pl.3.19"></a><var>3.19</var>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Subd. 28. <b>Political fund.</b> "Political fund" means an accumulation of dues or <br />
         		<a id="pl.3.20"></a><var>3.20</var>voluntary contributions by an association other than a political committee, principal <br />
         		<a id="pl.3.21"></a><var>3.21</var>campaign committee, or party unit, if the accumulation is collected or expended to <br />
         		<a id="pl.3.22"></a><var>3.22</var>influence the nomination or election of a candidate one or more candidates or to promote <br />
         		<a id="pl.3.23"></a><var>3.23</var>or defeat a ballot question. The term "political fund" as used in this chapter may also refer <br />
         		<a id="pl.3.24"></a><var>3.24</var>to the association acting through its political fund.<br />
         		<br />
         		<a id="bill.1.10.0"></a><a id="pl.3.25"></a><var>3.25</var>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Sec. 10. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 10A.02, subdivision 9, is amended to read:<br />
         		<a id="pl.3.26"></a><var>3.26</var>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Subd. 9. <b>Documents; information.</b> The executive director must inspect all material <br />
         		<a id="pl.3.27"></a><var>3.27</var>filed with the board as promptly as necessary to comply with this chapter and, with other <br />
         		<a id="pl.3.28"></a><var>3.28</var>provisions of law requiring the filing of a document with the board, and with other <br />
         		<a id="pl.3.29"></a><var>3.29</var>provisions of law under the board's jurisdiction pursuant to subdivision 11. The executive <br />
         		<a id="pl.3.30"></a><var>3.30</var>director must immediately notify the an individual required to file a document with the <br />
         		<a id="pl.3.31"></a><var>3.31</var>board if a written complaint is filed with the board alleging, or it otherwise appears, that a <br />
         		<a id="pl.3.32"></a><var>3.32</var>document filed with the board is inaccurate or does not comply with this chapter, or that <br />
         		<a id="pl.4.1"></a><var>4.1</var>the individual has failed to file a document required by this chapter or has failed to comply <br />
         		<a id="pl.4.2"></a><var>4.2</var>with this chapter or other provisions under the board's jurisdiction pursuant to subdivision <br />
         		<a id="pl.4.3"></a><var>4.3</var>11. The executive director may provide an individual required to file a document under <br />
         		<a id="pl.4.4"></a><var>4.4</var>this chapter with factual information concerning the limitations on corporate campaign <br />
         		<a id="pl.4.5"></a><var>4.5</var>contributions imposed by section 
         <statute_ref>211B.15</statute_ref>.<br />
         		<br />
         		<a id="bill.1.11.0"></a><a id="pl.4.6"></a><var>4.6</var>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Sec. 11. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 10A.02, subdivision 10, is amended to read:<br />
         		<a id="pl.4.7"></a><var>4.7</var>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Subd. 10. <b>Audits and investigations.</b> The board may make audits and investigations, <br />
         		<a id="pl.4.8"></a><var>4.8</var>impose statutory civil penalties, and issue orders for compliance with respect to statements <br />
         		<a id="pl.4.9"></a><var>4.9</var>and reports that are filed or that should have been filed under the requirements of this <br />
         		<a id="pl.4.10"></a><var>4.10</var>chapter and provisions under the board's jurisdiction pursuant to subdivision 11. In all <br />
         		<a id="pl.4.11"></a><var>4.11</var>matters relating to its official duties, the board has the power to issue subpoenas and cause <br />
         		<a id="pl.4.12"></a><var>4.12</var>them to be served. If a person does not comply with a subpoena, the board may apply to <br />
         		<a id="pl.4.13"></a><var>4.13</var>the District Court of Ramsey County for issuance of an order compelling obedience to the <br />
         		<a id="pl.4.14"></a><var>4.14</var>subpoena. A person failing to obey the order is punishable by the court as for contempt.<br />
         		<br />
         		<a id="bill.1.12.0"></a><a id="pl.4.15"></a><var>4.15</var>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Sec. 12. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 10A.02, subdivision 11, is amended to read:<br />
         		<a id="pl.4.16"></a><var>4.16</var>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Subd. 11. <b>Violations; enforcement.</b> (a) The board may investigate any alleged <br />
         		<a id="pl.4.17"></a><var>4.17</var>violation of this chapter. The board may also investigate an alleged violation of section <br />
         		<a id="pl.4.18"></a><var>4.18</var>211B.04, 211B.12, or 211B.15 by or related to a candidate, treasurer, principal campaign <br />
         		<a id="pl.4.19"></a><var>4.19</var>committee, political committee, political fund, or party unit, as those terms are defined in <br />
         		<a id="pl.4.20"></a><var>4.20</var>this chapter. The board must investigate any violation that is alleged in a written complaint <br />
         		<a id="pl.4.21"></a><var>4.21</var>filed with the board and must within 30 days after the filing of the complaint make a public <br />
         		<a id="pl.4.22"></a><var>4.22</var>finding of whether there is probable cause to believe a violation has occurred findings and <br />
         		<a id="pl.4.23"></a><var>4.23</var>conclusions as to whether a violation has occurred and must issue an order, except that <br />
         		<a id="pl.4.24"></a><var>4.24</var>if the complaint alleges a violation of section 
         <statute_ref>10A.25</statute_ref> or 
         <statute_ref>10A.27</statute_ref>, the board must either <br />
         		<a id="pl.4.25"></a><var>4.25</var>enter a conciliation agreement or make a public finding of whether there is probable cause,<br />
         		<a id="pl.4.26"></a><var>4.26</var> findings and conclusions as to whether a violation has occurred and must issue an order<br />
         		<a id="pl.4.27"></a><var>4.27</var> within 60 days after the filing of the complaint. The deadline for action on a written <br />
         		<a id="pl.4.28"></a><var>4.28</var>complaint may be extended by majority vote of the board.<br />
         		<a id="pl.4.29"></a><var>4.29</var>(b) The board may bring legal actions or negotiate settlements in its own name to <br />
         		<a id="pl.4.30"></a><var>4.30</var>recover money raised from contributions subject to the conditions in this paragraph.<br />
         		<a id="pl.4.31"></a><var>4.31</var>(1) No action may be commenced unless the board has made a formal determination, <br />
         		<a id="pl.4.32"></a><var>4.32</var>after an investigation, that the money was raised for political purposes as defined in <br />
         		<a id="pl.4.33"></a><var>4.33</var>section 211B.01, subdivision 6, and that the money was used for purposes not permitted <br />
         		<a id="pl.4.34"></a><var>4.34</var>under this chapter or under section 211B.12.<br />
         		<a id="pl.5.1"></a><var>5.1</var>(2) Prior to commencing an action, the board must give the association whose money <br />
         		<a id="pl.5.2"></a><var>5.2</var>was misused written notice by certified mail of its intent to take action under this subdivision <br />
         		<a id="pl.5.3"></a><var>5.3</var>and must give the association a reasonable opportunity, for a period of not less than 90 <br />
         		<a id="pl.5.4"></a><var>5.4</var>days, to recover the money without board intervention. This period must be extended <br />
         		<a id="pl.5.5"></a><var>5.5</var>for at least an additional 90 days for good cause if the association is actively pursuing <br />
         		<a id="pl.5.6"></a><var>5.6</var>recovery of the money. The board may not commence a legal action under this subdivision <br />
         		<a id="pl.5.7"></a><var>5.7</var>if the association has commenced a legal action for the recovery of the same money.<br />
         		<a id="pl.5.8"></a><var>5.8</var>(3) Any funds recovered under this subdivision must be deposited in a campaign <br />
         		<a id="pl.5.9"></a><var>5.9</var>finance recovery account in the special revenue fund and are appropriated as follows:<br />
         		<a id="pl.5.10"></a><var>5.10</var>(i) an amount equal to the board's actual costs and disbursements in the action, <br />
         		<a id="pl.5.11"></a><var>5.11</var>including court reporter fees for depositions taken in the course of an investigation, is <br />
         		<a id="pl.5.12"></a><var>5.12</var>appropriated to the board for its operations; <br />
         		<a id="pl.5.13"></a><var>5.13</var>(ii) an amount equal to the reasonable value of legal services provided by the Office <br />
         		<a id="pl.5.14"></a><var>5.14</var>of the Attorney General in the recovery matter, calculated on the same basis as is used <br />
         		<a id="pl.5.15"></a><var>5.15</var>for charging legal fees to state agencies, is appropriated to the attorney general for the <br />
         		<a id="pl.5.16"></a><var>5.16</var>attorney general's operations; and<br />
         		<a id="pl.5.17"></a><var>5.17</var>(iii) any remaining balance is appropriated to the board for distribution to the <br />
         		<a id="pl.5.18"></a><var>5.18</var>association to which the money was originally contributed.<br />
         		<a id="pl.5.19"></a><var>5.19</var>(4) Notwithstanding clause (3), item (iii), if the candidate of a principal campaign <br />
         		<a id="pl.5.20"></a><var>5.20</var>committee is the person who used the association's money for illegal purposes, or if the <br />
         		<a id="pl.5.21"></a><var>5.21</var>association or political fund whose money was misused is no longer registered with the <br />
         		<a id="pl.5.22"></a><var>5.22</var>board, any money remaining after the payments specified in clause (3), items (i) and (ii), <br />
         		<a id="pl.5.23"></a><var>5.23</var>must be transferred to the general account of the state elections campaign account.<br />
         		<a id="pl.5.24"></a><var>5.24</var>(5) Any action by the board under this paragraph must be commenced not later than <br />
         		<a id="pl.5.25"></a><var>5.25</var>four years after the improper use of money is shown on a report filed with the board or the <br />
         		<a id="pl.5.26"></a><var>5.26</var>board has actual knowledge of improper use. No action may be commenced under this <br />
         		<a id="pl.5.27"></a><var>5.27</var>paragraph for improper uses disclosed on reports for calendar years prior to 2011.<br />
         		<a id="pl.5.28"></a><var>5.28</var>(6) If the board prevails in an action brought under this subdivision and the court <br />
         		<a id="pl.5.29"></a><var>5.29</var>makes a finding that the misuse of funds was willful, the court may enter judgment in favor <br />
         		<a id="pl.5.30"></a><var>5.30</var>of the board and against the person misusing the funds in the amount of the misused funds.<br />
         		<a id="pl.5.31"></a><var>5.31</var>(b) (c) Within a reasonable time after beginning an investigation of an individual <br />
         		<a id="pl.5.32"></a><var>5.32</var>or association, the board must notify the individual or association of the fact of the <br />
         		<a id="pl.5.33"></a><var>5.33</var>investigation. The board must not make a finding of whether there is probable cause to <br />
         		<a id="pl.5.34"></a><var>5.34</var>believe a violation has occurred without notifying the individual or association of the <br />
         		<a id="pl.5.35"></a><var>5.35</var>nature of the allegations and affording an opportunity to answer those allegations.<br />
         		<a id="pl.6.1"></a><var>6.1</var>(c) (d) A hearing or action of the board concerning a complaint or investigation <br />
         		<a id="pl.6.2"></a><var>6.2</var>other than a finding concerning probable cause or a conciliation agreement is confidential. <br />
         		<a id="pl.6.3"></a><var>6.3</var>Until the board makes a public finding concerning probable cause or enters a conciliation <br />
         		<a id="pl.6.4"></a><var>6.4</var>agreement:<br />
         		<a id="pl.6.5"></a><var>6.5</var>(1) a member, employee, or agent of the board must not disclose to an individual <br />
         		<a id="pl.6.6"></a><var>6.6</var>information obtained by that member, employee, or agent concerning a complaint or <br />
         		<a id="pl.6.7"></a><var>6.7</var>investigation except as required to carry out the investigation or take action in the matter <br />
         		<a id="pl.6.8"></a><var>6.8</var>as authorized by this chapter; and<br />
         		<a id="pl.6.9"></a><var>6.9</var>(2) an individual who discloses information contrary to this subdivision is subject <br />
         		<a id="pl.6.10"></a><var>6.10</var>to a civil penalty imposed by the board of up to $1,000.<br />
         		<a id="pl.6.11"></a><var>6.11</var>(e) A matter that is under the board's jurisdiction pursuant to this section and that <br />
         		<a id="pl.6.12"></a><var>6.12</var>may result in a criminal offense must be finally disposed of by the board before the alleged <br />
         		<a id="pl.6.13"></a><var>6.13</var>violation may be prosecuted by a city or county attorney.<br />
         		<br />
         		<a id="bill.1.13.0"></a><a id="pl.6.14"></a><var>6.14</var>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Sec. 13. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 10A.02, subdivision 12, is amended to read:<br />
         		<a id="pl.6.15"></a><var>6.15</var>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Subd. 12. <b>Advisory opinions.</b> (a) The board may issue and publish advisory <br />
         		<a id="pl.6.16"></a><var>6.16</var>opinions on the requirements of this chapter and of those sections listed in subdivision 11<br />
         		<a id="pl.6.17"></a><var>6.17</var> based upon real or hypothetical situations. An application for an advisory opinion may <br />
         		<a id="pl.6.18"></a><var>6.18</var>be made only by an individual or association a person who is subject to chapter 10A and <br />
         		<a id="pl.6.19"></a><var>6.19</var>who wishes to use the opinion to guide the individual's or the association's person's own <br />
         		<a id="pl.6.20"></a><var>6.20</var>conduct. The board must issue written opinions on all such questions submitted to it <br />
         		<a id="pl.6.21"></a><var>6.21</var>within 30 days after receipt of written application, unless a majority of the board agrees <br />
         		<a id="pl.6.22"></a><var>6.22</var>to extend the time limit.<br />
         		<a id="pl.6.23"></a><var>6.23</var>(b) A written advisory opinion issued by the board is binding on the board in a <br />
         		<a id="pl.6.24"></a><var>6.24</var>subsequent board proceeding concerning the person making or covered by the request and <br />
         		<a id="pl.6.25"></a><var>6.25</var>is a defense in a judicial proceeding that involves the subject matter of the opinion and is <br />
         		<a id="pl.6.26"></a><var>6.26</var>brought against the person making or covered by the request unless:<br />
         		<a id="pl.6.27"></a><var>6.27</var>(1) the board has amended or revoked the opinion before the initiation of the board <br />
         		<a id="pl.6.28"></a><var>6.28</var>or judicial proceeding, has notified the person making or covered by the request of its <br />
         		<a id="pl.6.29"></a><var>6.29</var>action, and has allowed at least 30 days for the person to do anything that might be <br />
         		<a id="pl.6.30"></a><var>6.30</var>necessary to comply with the amended or revoked opinion;<br />
         		<a id="pl.6.31"></a><var>6.31</var>(2) the request has omitted or misstated material facts; or<br />
         		<a id="pl.6.32"></a><var>6.32</var>(3) the person making or covered by the request has not acted in good faith in <br />
         		<a id="pl.6.33"></a><var>6.33</var>reliance on the opinion.<br />
         		<a id="pl.6.34"></a><var>6.34</var>(c) A request for an opinion and the opinion itself are nonpublic data. The board, <br />
         		<a id="pl.6.35"></a><var>6.35</var>however, may publish an opinion or a summary of an opinion, but may not include in the <br />
         		<a id="pl.7.1"></a><var>7.1</var>publication the name of the requester, the name of a person covered by a request from an <br />
         		<a id="pl.7.2"></a><var>7.2</var>agency or political subdivision, or any other information that might identify the requester, <br />
         		<a id="pl.7.3"></a><var>7.3</var>unless the person consents to the inclusion.<br />
         		<br />
         		<a id="bill.1.14.0"></a><a id="pl.7.4"></a><var>7.4</var>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Sec. 14. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 10A.02, subdivision 15, is amended to read:<br />
         		<a id="pl.7.5"></a><var>7.5</var>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Subd. 15. <b>Disposition of fees.</b> The board must deposit all fees and civil penalties<br />
         		<a id="pl.7.6"></a><var>7.6</var> collected under this chapter into the general fund in the state treasury.<br />
         		<br />
         		<a id="bill.1.15.0"></a><a id="pl.7.7"></a><var>7.7</var>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Sec. 15. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 10A.025, subdivision 2, is amended to read:<br />
         		<a id="pl.7.8"></a><var>7.8</var>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Subd. 2. <b>Penalty for false statements.</b> (a) A report or statement required to be filed <br />
         		<a id="pl.7.9"></a><var>7.9</var>under this chapter must be signed and certified as true by the individual required to file the <br />
         		<a id="pl.7.10"></a><var>7.10</var>report. The signature may be an electronic signature consisting of a password assigned <br />
         		<a id="pl.7.11"></a><var>7.11</var>by the board.<br />
         		<a id="pl.7.12"></a><var>7.12</var>(b) An individual who signs and certifies shall not sign and certify to be true a <br />
         		<a id="pl.7.13"></a><var>7.13</var>report or statement knowing it contains false information or who knowingly knowing it<br />
         		<a id="pl.7.14"></a><var>7.14</var> omits required information is guilty of a gross misdemeanor and subject to a civil penalty <br />
         		<a id="pl.7.15"></a><var>7.15</var>imposed by the board of up to $3,000.<br />
         		<a id="pl.7.16"></a><var>7.16</var>(c) An individual shall not knowingly provide false or incomplete information to <br />
         		<a id="pl.7.17"></a><var>7.17</var>a treasurer with the intent that the treasurer will rely on that information in signing and <br />
         		<a id="pl.7.18"></a><var>7.18</var>certifying to be true a report or statement.<br />
         		<a id="pl.7.19"></a><var>7.19</var>(d) A person who violates paragraph (b) or (c) is subject to a civil penalty imposed <br />
         		<a id="pl.7.20"></a><var>7.20</var>by the board of up to $3,000. A violation of paragraph (b) or (c) is a gross misdemeanor.<br />
         		<a id="pl.7.21"></a><var>7.21</var>(e) The board may impose an additional civil penalty of up to $3,000 on the principal <br />
         		<a id="pl.7.22"></a><var>7.22</var>campaign committee or candidate, party unit, political committee, or association that has a <br />
         		<a id="pl.7.23"></a><var>7.23</var>political fund that is affiliated with an individual who violated paragraph (b) or (c).<br />
         		<br />
         		<a id="bill.1.16.0"></a><a id="pl.7.24"></a><var>7.24</var>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Sec. 16. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 10A.025, subdivision 3, is amended to read:<br />
         		<a id="pl.7.25"></a><var>7.25</var>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Subd. 3. <b>Record keeping; penalty.</b> (a) A person required to file a report or statement<br />
         		<a id="pl.7.26"></a><var>7.26</var> or who has accepted record-keeping responsibility for the filer must maintain records on <br />
         		<a id="pl.7.27"></a><var>7.27</var>the matters required to be reported, including vouchers, canceled checks, bills, invoices, <br />
         		<a id="pl.7.28"></a><var>7.28</var>worksheets, and receipts, that will provide in sufficient detail the necessary information <br />
         		<a id="pl.7.29"></a><var>7.29</var>from which the filed reports and statements may be verified, explained, clarified, and <br />
         		<a id="pl.7.30"></a><var>7.30</var>checked for accuracy and completeness. The person must keep the records available for <br />
         		<a id="pl.7.31"></a><var>7.31</var>audit, inspection, or examination by the board or its authorized representatives for four <br />
         		<a id="pl.7.32"></a><var>7.32</var>years from the date of filing of the reports or statements or of changes or corrections to <br />
         		<a id="pl.7.33"></a><var>7.33</var>them. A person who knowingly violates this subdivision is guilty of a misdemeanor.<br />
         		<a id="pl.8.1"></a><var>8.1</var>(b) The board may impose a civil penalty of up to $3,000 on a person who knowingly <br />
         		<a id="pl.8.2"></a><var>8.2</var>violates this subdivision. The board may impose a separate civil penalty of up to $3,000 <br />
         		<a id="pl.8.3"></a><var>8.3</var>on the principal campaign committee or candidate, party unit, political committee, or <br />
         		<a id="pl.8.4"></a><var>8.4</var>association that has a political fund that is affiliated with an individual who violated <br />
         		<a id="pl.8.5"></a><var>8.5</var>this subdivision.<br />
         		<a id="pl.8.6"></a><var>8.6</var>(c) A knowing violation of this subdivision is a misdemeanor.<br />
         		<br />
         		<a id="bill.1.17.0"></a><a id="pl.8.7"></a><var>8.7</var>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Sec. 17. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 10A.105, subdivision 1, is amended to read:<br />
         		<a id="pl.8.8"></a><var>8.8</var>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Subdivision 1. <b>Single committee.</b> A candidate must not accept contributions from a <br />
         		<a id="pl.8.9"></a><var>8.9</var>source, other than self, in aggregate in excess of $100 $750 or accept a public subsidy <br />
         		<a id="pl.8.10"></a><var>8.10</var>unless the candidate designates and causes to be formed a single principal campaign <br />
         		<a id="pl.8.11"></a><var>8.11</var>committee for each office sought. A candidate may not authorize, designate, or cause to be <br />
         		<a id="pl.8.12"></a><var>8.12</var>formed any other political committee bearing the candidate's name or title or otherwise <br />
         		<a id="pl.8.13"></a><var>8.13</var>operating under the direct or indirect control of the candidate. However, a candidate may <br />
         		<a id="pl.8.14"></a><var>8.14</var>be involved in the direct or indirect control of a party unit.<br />
         		<br />
         		<a id="bill.1.18.0"></a><a id="pl.8.15"></a><var>8.15</var>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Sec. 18. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 10A.12, subdivision 1, is amended to read:<br />
         		<a id="pl.8.16"></a><var>8.16</var>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Subdivision 1. <b>When required</b><b> for contributions and approved expenditures</b><b>.</b> An <br />
         		<a id="pl.8.17"></a><var>8.17</var>association other than a political committee or party unit may not contribute more than <br />
         		<a id="pl.8.18"></a><var>8.18</var>$100 $750 in aggregate in any one calendar year to candidates, political committees, or <br />
         		<a id="pl.8.19"></a><var>8.19</var>party units or make any approved or independent expenditure or expenditure to promote <br />
         		<a id="pl.8.20"></a><var>8.20</var>or defeat a ballot question expenditures of more than $750 in aggregate in any calendar <br />
         		<a id="pl.8.21"></a><var>8.21</var>year unless the contribution or expenditure is made from through a political fund.<br />
         		<br />
         		<a id="bill.1.19.0"></a><a id="pl.8.22"></a><var>8.22</var>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Sec. 19. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 10A.12, subdivision 1a, is amended to read:<br />
         		<a id="pl.8.23"></a><var>8.23</var>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Subd. 1a. <b>When required for independent expenditures</b><b> or ballot questions</b><b>.</b> An <br />
         		<a id="pl.8.24"></a><var>8.24</var>association other than a political committee that makes only independent expenditures <br />
         		<a id="pl.8.25"></a><var>8.25</var>and disbursements permitted under section 
         <statute_ref>10A.121, subdivision 1</statute_ref>, or expenditures to <br />
         		<a id="pl.8.26"></a><var>8.26</var>promote or defeat a ballot question must do so by forming and registering through an <br />
         		<a id="pl.8.27"></a><var>8.27</var>independent expenditure or ballot question political fund if the expenditure is in excess of <br />
         		<a id="pl.8.28"></a><var>8.28</var>$100 independent expenditures aggregate more than $1,500 in a calendar year or if the <br />
         		<a id="pl.8.29"></a><var>8.29</var>expenditures to promote or defeat a ballot question aggregate more than $5,000 in a <br />
         		<a id="pl.8.30"></a><var>8.30</var>calendar year,  or by contributing to an existing independent expenditure or ballot question<br />
         		<a id="pl.8.31"></a><var>8.31</var> political committee or political fund.<br />
         		<br />
         		<a id="bill.1.20.0"></a><a id="pl.8.32"></a><var>8.32</var>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Sec. 20. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 10A.12, subdivision 2, is amended to read:<br />
         		<a id="pl.9.1"></a><var>9.1</var>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Subd. 2. <b>Commingling prohibited.</b> The contents of a an association's political <br />
         		<a id="pl.9.2"></a><var>9.2</var>fund may not be commingled with other funds or with the personal funds of an officer or <br />
         		<a id="pl.9.3"></a><var>9.3</var>member of the association or the fund. It is not commingling for an association that uses <br />
         		<a id="pl.9.4"></a><var>9.4</var>only its own general treasury money to make expenditures and disbursements permitted <br />
         		<a id="pl.9.5"></a><var>9.5</var>under section 10A.121, subdivision 1, directly from the depository used for its general <br />
         		<a id="pl.9.6"></a><var>9.6</var>treasury money. An association that accepts more than $1,500 in contributions to influence <br />
         		<a id="pl.9.7"></a><var>9.7</var>the nomination or election of candidates or more than $5,000 in contributions to promote <br />
         		<a id="pl.9.8"></a><var>9.8</var>or defeat a ballot question must establish a separate depository for those contributions.<br />
         		<br />
         		<a id="bill.1.21.0"></a><a id="pl.9.9"></a><var>9.9</var>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Sec. 21. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 10A.121, is amended to read:<br />
         		<a id="pl.9.10"></a><var>9.10</var><b>10A.121 INDEPENDENT EXPENDITURE </b><b>AND BALLOT QUESTION </b><br />
         		<a id="pl.9.11"></a><var>9.11</var><b>POLITICAL COMMITTEES AND </b><b>INDEPENDENT EXPENDITURE POLITICAL </b><br />
         		<a id="pl.9.12"></a><var>9.12</var><b>FUNDS.</b><br />
         		<a id="pl.9.13"></a><var>9.13</var>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Subdivision 1. <b>Permitted disbursements.</b> An independent expenditure political <br />
         		<a id="pl.9.14"></a><var>9.14</var>committee or an independent expenditure political fund, or a ballot question political <br />
         		<a id="pl.9.15"></a><var>9.15</var>committee or fund, in addition to making independent expenditures, may:<br />
         		<a id="pl.9.16"></a><var>9.16</var>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(1) pay costs associated with its fund-raising and general operations;<br />
         		<a id="pl.9.17"></a><var>9.17</var>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(2) pay for communications that do not constitute contributions or approved <br />
         		<a id="pl.9.18"></a><var>9.18</var>expenditures; and<br />
         		<a id="pl.9.19"></a><var>9.19</var>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(3) make contributions to other independent expenditure or ballot question political <br />
         		<a id="pl.9.20"></a><var>9.20</var>committees or independent expenditure political funds;<br />
         		<a id="pl.9.21"></a><var>9.21</var>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(4) make independent expenditures; <br />
         		<a id="pl.9.22"></a><var>9.22</var>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(5) make expenditures to promote or defeat ballot questions;<br />
         		<a id="pl.9.23"></a><var>9.23</var>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(6) return a contribution to its source; <br />
         		<a id="pl.9.24"></a><var>9.24</var>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(7) for a political fund, record bookkeeping entries transferring the association's <br />
         		<a id="pl.9.25"></a><var>9.25</var>general treasury money allocated for political purposes back to the general treasury of <br />
         		<a id="pl.9.26"></a><var>9.26</var>the association; and<br />
         		<a id="pl.9.27"></a><var>9.27</var>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(8) for a political fund, return general treasury money transferred to a separate <br />
         		<a id="pl.9.28"></a><var>9.28</var>depository to the general depository of the association.<br />
         		<a id="pl.9.29"></a><var>9.29</var>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Subd. 2. <b>Penalty.</b> (a) An independent expenditure political committee or <br />
         		<a id="pl.9.30"></a><var>9.30</var>independent expenditure political fund is subject to a civil penalty of up to four times the <br />
         		<a id="pl.9.31"></a><var>9.31</var>amount of the contribution or approved expenditure if it does the following:<br />
         		<a id="pl.9.32"></a><var>9.32</var>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(1) makes a contribution to a candidate, party unit, political committee, or political <br />
         		<a id="pl.9.33"></a><var>9.33</var>fund other than an independent expenditure political committee or an independent <br />
         		<a id="pl.9.34"></a><var>9.34</var>expenditure political fund; or<br />
         		<a id="pl.9.35"></a><var>9.35</var>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(2) makes an approved expenditure.<br />
         		<a id="pl.10.1"></a><var>10.1</var>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(b) No other penalty provided in law may be imposed for conduct that is subject to a <br />
         		<a id="pl.10.2"></a><var>10.2</var>civil penalty under this section.<br />
         		<br />
         		<a id="bill.1.22.0"></a><a id="pl.10.3"></a><var>10.3</var>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Sec. 22. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 10A.14, subdivision 1, is amended to read:<br />
         		<a id="pl.10.4"></a><var>10.4</var>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Subdivision 1. <b>First registration.</b> The treasurer of a political committee, political <br />
         		<a id="pl.10.5"></a><var>10.5</var>fund, principal campaign committee, or party unit must register with the board by filing <br />
         		<a id="pl.10.6"></a><var>10.6</var>a registration statement of organization no later than 14 days after the committee, fund, <br />
         		<a id="pl.10.7"></a><var>10.7</var>or party unit has made a contribution, received contributions, or made expenditures in <br />
         		<a id="pl.10.8"></a><var>10.8</var>excess of $100 $750, or by the end of the next business day after it has received a loan <br />
         		<a id="pl.10.9"></a><var>10.9</var>or contribution that must be reported under section 
         <statute_ref>10A.20, subdivision 5</statute_ref>, whichever is <br />
         		<a id="pl.10.10"></a><var>10.10</var>earlier. This subdivision does not apply to ballot question or independent expenditure <br />
         		<a id="pl.10.11"></a><var>10.11</var>political committees or funds, which are subject to subdivision 1a.<br />
         		<br />
         		<a id="bill.1.23.0"></a><a id="pl.10.12"></a><var>10.12</var>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Sec. 23. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 10A.14, is amended by adding a subdivision <br />
         		<a id="pl.10.13"></a><var>10.13</var>to read:<br />
         		<a id="pl.10.14"></a><var>10.14</var>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Subd. 1a. <b>Independent expenditure or ballot question political committees </b><br />
         		<a id="pl.10.15"></a><var>10.15</var><b>and funds; first registration; reporting.</b> The treasurer of an independent expenditure <br />
         		<a id="pl.10.16"></a><var>10.16</var>or ballot question political committee or fund must register with the board by filing <br />
         		<a id="pl.10.17"></a><var>10.17</var>a registration statement:<br />
         		<a id="pl.10.18"></a><var>10.18</var>(1) no later than 14 calendar days after the committee or the association registering <br />
         		<a id="pl.10.19"></a><var>10.19</var>the political fund has:<br />
         		<a id="pl.10.20"></a><var>10.20</var>(i) received aggregate contributions for independent expenditures of more than <br />
         		<a id="pl.10.21"></a><var>10.21</var>$1,500 in a calendar year;<br />
         		<a id="pl.10.22"></a><var>10.22</var>(ii) received aggregate contributions for expenditures to promote or defeat a ballot <br />
         		<a id="pl.10.23"></a><var>10.23</var>question of more than $5,000 in a calendar year;<br />
         		<a id="pl.10.24"></a><var>10.24</var>(iii) made aggregate independent expenditures of more than $1,500 in a calendar <br />
         		<a id="pl.10.25"></a><var>10.25</var>year; or<br />
         		<a id="pl.10.26"></a><var>10.26</var>(iv) made aggregate expenditures to promote or defeat a ballot question of more <br />
         		<a id="pl.10.27"></a><var>10.27</var>than $5,000 in a calendar year; or<br />
         		<a id="pl.10.28"></a><var>10.28</var>(2) by the end of the next business day after it has received a loan or contribution <br />
         		<a id="pl.10.29"></a><var>10.29</var>that must be reported under section 10A.20, subdivision 5, and it has met one of the <br />
         		<a id="pl.10.30"></a><var>10.30</var>requirements of clause (1).<br />
         		<br />
         		<a id="bill.1.24.0"></a><a id="pl.10.31"></a><var>10.31</var>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Sec. 24. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 10A.15, subdivision 1, is amended to read:<br />
         		<a id="pl.10.32"></a><var>10.32</var>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Subdivision 1. <b>Anonymous contributions.</b> A political committee, political fund, <br />
         		<a id="pl.10.33"></a><var>10.33</var>principal campaign committee, or party unit may not retain an anonymous contribution in <br />
         		<a id="pl.11.1"></a><var>11.1</var>excess of $20 $50, but must forward it to the board for deposit in the general account of <br />
         		<a id="pl.11.2"></a><var>11.2</var>the state elections campaign fund account.<br />
         		<br />
         		<a id="bill.1.25.0"></a><a id="pl.11.3"></a><var>11.3</var>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Sec. 25. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 10A.15, subdivision 2, is amended to read:<br />
         		<a id="pl.11.4"></a><var>11.4</var>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Subd. 2. <b>Source; amount; date.</b> An individual who receives a contribution in <br />
         		<a id="pl.11.5"></a><var>11.5</var>excess of $20 $50 for a political committee, political fund, principal campaign committee, <br />
         		<a id="pl.11.6"></a><var>11.6</var>or party unit must, on demand of the treasurer, inform the treasurer of the name and, if <br />
         		<a id="pl.11.7"></a><var>11.7</var>known, the address of the source of the contribution, the amount of the contribution, and <br />
         		<a id="pl.11.8"></a><var>11.8</var>the date it was received.<br />
         		<br />
         		<a id="bill.1.26.0"></a><a id="pl.11.9"></a><var>11.9</var>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Sec. 26. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 10A.15, subdivision 3, is amended to read:<br />
         		<a id="pl.11.10"></a><var>11.10</var>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Subd. 3. <b>Deposit.</b> All contributions received by or on behalf of a candidate, <br />
         		<a id="pl.11.11"></a><var>11.11</var>principal campaign committee, political committee, political fund, or party unit must <br />
         		<a id="pl.11.12"></a><var>11.12</var>be deposited in an account designated "Campaign Fund of ..... (name of candidate, <br />
         		<a id="pl.11.13"></a><var>11.13</var>committee, fund, or party unit)." All contributions must be deposited promptly upon <br />
         		<a id="pl.11.14"></a><var>11.14</var>receipt and, except for contributions received during the last three days of a reporting <br />
         		<a id="pl.11.15"></a><var>11.15</var>period as described in section 
         <statute_ref>10A.20</statute_ref>, must be deposited during the reporting period <br />
         		<a id="pl.11.16"></a><var>11.16</var>in which they were received. A contribution received during the last three days of a <br />
         		<a id="pl.11.17"></a><var>11.17</var>reporting period must be deposited within 72 hours after receipt and must be reported <br />
         		<a id="pl.11.18"></a><var>11.18</var>as received during the reporting period whether or not deposited within that period. A <br />
         		<a id="pl.11.19"></a><var>11.19</var>candidate, principal campaign committee, political committee, political fund, or party unit <br />
         		<a id="pl.11.20"></a><var>11.20</var>may refuse to accept a contribution. A deposited contribution may be returned to the <br />
         		<a id="pl.11.21"></a><var>11.21</var>contributor within 60 90 days after deposit. A contribution deposited and not returned <br />
         		<a id="pl.11.22"></a><var>11.22</var>within 60 90 days after that deposit must be reported as accepted.<br />
         		<br />
         		<a id="bill.1.27.0"></a><a id="pl.11.23"></a><var>11.23</var>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Sec. 27. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 10A.20, subdivision 1, is amended to read:<br />
         		<a id="pl.11.24"></a><var>11.24</var>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Subdivision 1. <b>First filing; duration.</b> The treasurer of a political committee, political <br />
         		<a id="pl.11.25"></a><var>11.25</var>fund, principal campaign committee, or party unit must begin to file the reports required <br />
         		<a id="pl.11.26"></a><var>11.26</var>by this section in for the first year it receives contributions or makes expenditures in excess <br />
         		<a id="pl.11.27"></a><var>11.27</var>of $100 that require it to register under section 10A.14 and must continue to file until the <br />
         		<a id="pl.11.28"></a><var>11.28</var>committee, fund, or party unit is terminated. The reports must be filed electronically in a <br />
         		<a id="pl.11.29"></a><var>11.29</var>standards-based open format specified by the board. For good cause shown, the board <br />
         		<a id="pl.11.30"></a><var>11.30</var>must grant exemptions to the requirement that reports be filed electronically.<br />
         		<br />
         		<a id="bill.1.28.0"></a><a id="pl.11.31"></a><var>11.31</var>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Sec. 28. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 10A.20, subdivision 2, is amended to read:<br />
         		<a id="pl.12.1"></a><var>12.1</var>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Subd. 2. <b>Time for filing.</b> (a) The reports must be filed with the board on or before <br />
         		<a id="pl.12.2"></a><var>12.2</var>January 31 of each year and additional reports must be filed as required and in accordance <br />
         		<a id="pl.12.3"></a><var>12.3</var>with paragraphs (b) to (d).<br />
         		<a id="pl.12.4"></a><var>12.4</var>(b) In each year in which the name of the a candidate for legislative or district court <br />
         		<a id="pl.12.5"></a><var>12.5</var>judicial office is on the ballot, the report of the principal campaign committee must be <br />
         		<a id="pl.12.6"></a><var>12.6</var>filed 15 days before a primary and ten days before a general election, seven days before a <br />
         		<a id="pl.12.7"></a><var>12.7</var>special primary and a special election, and ten days after a special election cycle.<br />
         		<a id="pl.12.8"></a><var>12.8</var>(c) In each general election year, a political committee or, a political fund must file <br />
         		<a id="pl.12.9"></a><var>12.9</var>reports 28 and 15 days before a primary and 42 and ten days before a general election. <br />
         		<a id="pl.12.10"></a><var>12.10</var>Beginning in 2012, reports required under this paragraph must also be filed 56 days before <br />
         		<a id="pl.12.11"></a><var>12.11</var>a primary., a state party committee, a party unit established by all or a part of the party <br />
         		<a id="pl.12.12"></a><var>12.12</var>organization within a house of the legislature, and the principal campaign committee <br />
         		<a id="pl.12.13"></a><var>12.13</var>of a candidate for constitutional or appellate court judicial office must file reports on <br />
         		<a id="pl.12.14"></a><var>12.14</var>the following schedule:<br />
         		<a id="pl.12.15"></a><var>12.15</var>(1) a first-quarter report covering the calendar year through March 31, which is <br />
         		<a id="pl.12.16"></a><var>12.16</var>due April 14;<br />
         		<a id="pl.12.17"></a><var>12.17</var>(2) in a year in which a primary election is held in August, a report covering the <br />
         		<a id="pl.12.18"></a><var>12.18</var>calendar year through May 31, which is due June 14;<br />
         		<a id="pl.12.19"></a><var>12.19</var>(3) in a year in which a primary election is held before August, a pre-general-election <br />
         		<a id="pl.12.20"></a><var>12.20</var>report covering the calendar year through July 15, which is due July 29;<br />
         		<a id="pl.12.21"></a><var>12.21</var>(4) a pre-primary-election report due 15 days before a primary election;<br />
         		<a id="pl.12.22"></a><var>12.22</var>(5) a pre-general-election report due 42 days before the general election;<br />
         		<a id="pl.12.23"></a><var>12.23</var>(6) a pre-general-election report due ten days before a general election; and<br />
         		<a id="pl.12.24"></a><var>12.24</var>(7) for a special election, a constitutional office candidate whose name is on the <br />
         		<a id="pl.12.25"></a><var>12.25</var>ballot must file reports seven days before a special primary and a special election, and ten <br />
         		<a id="pl.12.26"></a><var>12.26</var>days after a special election cycle.<br />
         		<a id="pl.12.27"></a><var>12.27</var>(d) In each general election year, a party unit not included in paragraph (c) must file <br />
         		<a id="pl.12.28"></a><var>12.28</var>reports 15 days before a primary election and ten days before a general election.<br />
         		<a id="pl.12.29"></a><var>12.29</var>(e) Notwithstanding paragraphs (a) to (d), the principal campaign committee of a <br />
         		<a id="pl.12.30"></a><var>12.30</var>candidate whose name will not be on the general election ballot is not required to file the <br />
         		<a id="pl.12.31"></a><var>12.31</var>report due ten days before a general election or seven days before a special election.<br />
         		<br />
         		<a id="bill.1.29.0"></a><a id="pl.12.32"></a><var>12.32</var>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Sec. 29. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 10A.20, subdivision 3, is amended to read:<br />
         		<a id="pl.12.33"></a><var>12.33</var>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Subd. 3. <b>Contents of report.</b> (a) The report required by this section must include <br />
         		<a id="pl.12.34"></a><var>12.34</var>each of the items listed in paragraphs (b) to (o) that are applicable to the filer. The board <br />
         		<a id="pl.13.1"></a><var>13.1</var>shall prescribe forms based on filer type indicating which of those items must be included <br />
         		<a id="pl.13.2"></a><var>13.2</var>on the filer's report.<br />
         		<a id="pl.13.3"></a><var>13.3</var>(a) (b) The report must disclose the amount of liquid assets on hand at the beginning <br />
         		<a id="pl.13.4"></a><var>13.4</var>of the reporting period.<br />
         		<a id="pl.13.5"></a><var>13.5</var>(b) (c) The report must disclose the name, address, and employer, or occupation if <br />
         		<a id="pl.13.6"></a><var>13.6</var>self-employed, of each individual or association that has made one or more contributions <br />
         		<a id="pl.13.7"></a><var>13.7</var>to the reporting entity, including the purchase of tickets for a fund-raising effort, that in <br />
         		<a id="pl.13.8"></a><var>13.8</var>aggregate within the year exceed $100 $200 for legislative or statewide candidates or more <br />
         		<a id="pl.13.9"></a><var>13.9</var>than $500 for ballot questions, together with the amount and date of each contribution, and <br />
         		<a id="pl.13.10"></a><var>13.10</var>the aggregate amount of contributions within the year from each source so disclosed. A <br />
         		<a id="pl.13.11"></a><var>13.11</var>donation in kind must be disclosed at its fair market value. An approved expenditure must <br />
         		<a id="pl.13.12"></a><var>13.12</var>be listed as a donation in kind. A donation in kind is considered consumed in the reporting <br />
         		<a id="pl.13.13"></a><var>13.13</var>period in which it is received. The names of contributors must be listed in alphabetical <br />
         		<a id="pl.13.14"></a><var>13.14</var>order. Contributions from the same contributor must be listed under the same name. When <br />
         		<a id="pl.13.15"></a><var>13.15</var>a contribution received from a contributor in a reporting period is added to previously <br />
         		<a id="pl.13.16"></a><var>13.16</var>reported unitemized contributions from the same contributor and the aggregate exceeds <br />
         		<a id="pl.13.17"></a><var>13.17</var>the disclosure threshold of this paragraph, the name, address, and employer, or occupation <br />
         		<a id="pl.13.18"></a><var>13.18</var>if self-employed, of the contributor must then be listed on the report.<br />
         		<a id="pl.13.19"></a><var>13.19</var>(c) (d) The report must disclose the sum of contributions to the reporting entity <br />
         		<a id="pl.13.20"></a><var>13.20</var>during the reporting period.<br />
         		<a id="pl.13.21"></a><var>13.21</var>(d) (e) The report must disclose each loan made or received by the reporting entity <br />
         		<a id="pl.13.22"></a><var>13.22</var>within the year in aggregate in excess of $100 $200, continuously reported until repaid or <br />
         		<a id="pl.13.23"></a><var>13.23</var>forgiven, together with the name, address, occupation, and principal place of business, <br />
         		<a id="pl.13.24"></a><var>13.24</var>if any, of the lender and any endorser and the date and amount of the loan. If a loan <br />
         		<a id="pl.13.25"></a><var>13.25</var>made to the principal campaign committee of a candidate is forgiven or is repaid by an <br />
         		<a id="pl.13.26"></a><var>13.26</var>entity other than that principal campaign committee, it must be reported as a contribution <br />
         		<a id="pl.13.27"></a><var>13.27</var>for the year in which the loan was made.<br />
         		<a id="pl.13.28"></a><var>13.28</var>(e) (f) The report must disclose each receipt over $100 $200 during the reporting <br />
         		<a id="pl.13.29"></a><var>13.29</var>period not otherwise listed under paragraphs (b) (c) to (d) (e).<br />
         		<a id="pl.13.30"></a><var>13.30</var>(f) (g) The report must disclose the sum of all receipts of the reporting entity during <br />
         		<a id="pl.13.31"></a><var>13.31</var>the reporting period.<br />
         		<a id="pl.13.32"></a><var>13.32</var>(g) (h) The report must disclose the name and address of each individual or <br />
         		<a id="pl.13.33"></a><var>13.33</var>association to whom aggregate expenditures, including approved expenditures,<br />
         		<a id="pl.13.34"></a><var>13.34</var> independent expenditures and ballot question expenditures  have been made by or on <br />
         		<a id="pl.13.35"></a><var>13.35</var>behalf of the reporting entity within the year in excess of $100 $200, together with the <br />
         		<a id="pl.13.36"></a><var>13.36</var>amount, date, and purpose of each expenditure and the name and address of, and office <br />
         		<a id="pl.14.1"></a><var>14.1</var>sought by, each candidate on whose behalf the expenditure was made, identification of the <br />
         		<a id="pl.14.2"></a><var>14.2</var>ballot question that the expenditure was intended to promote or defeat and an indication of <br />
         		<a id="pl.14.3"></a><var>14.3</var>whether the expenditure was to promote or to defeat the ballot question, and in the case <br />
         		<a id="pl.14.4"></a><var>14.4</var>of independent expenditures made in opposition to a candidate, the candidate's name, <br />
         		<a id="pl.14.5"></a><var>14.5</var>address, and office sought. A reporting entity making an expenditure on behalf of more <br />
         		<a id="pl.14.6"></a><var>14.6</var>than one candidate for state or legislative office must allocate the expenditure among the <br />
         		<a id="pl.14.7"></a><var>14.7</var>candidates on a reasonable cost basis and report the allocation for each candidate.<br />
         		<a id="pl.14.8"></a><var>14.8</var>(h) (i) The report must disclose the sum of all expenditures made by or on behalf of <br />
         		<a id="pl.14.9"></a><var>14.9</var>the reporting entity during the reporting period.<br />
         		<a id="pl.14.10"></a><var>14.10</var>(i) (j) The report must disclose the amount and nature of an advance of credit <br />
         		<a id="pl.14.11"></a><var>14.11</var>incurred by the reporting entity, continuously reported until paid or forgiven. If an advance <br />
         		<a id="pl.14.12"></a><var>14.12</var>of credit incurred by the principal campaign committee of a candidate is forgiven by the <br />
         		<a id="pl.14.13"></a><var>14.13</var>creditor or paid by an entity other than that principal campaign committee, it must be <br />
         		<a id="pl.14.14"></a><var>14.14</var>reported as a donation in kind for the year in which the advance of credit was made.<br />
         		<a id="pl.14.15"></a><var>14.15</var>(j) (k) The report must disclose the name and address of each political committee, <br />
         		<a id="pl.14.16"></a><var>14.16</var>political fund, principal campaign committee, or party unit to which contributions have <br />
         		<a id="pl.14.17"></a><var>14.17</var>been made that aggregate in excess of $100 $200 within the year and the amount and <br />
         		<a id="pl.14.18"></a><var>14.18</var>date of each contribution.<br />
         		<a id="pl.14.19"></a><var>14.19</var>(k) (l) The report must disclose the sum of all contributions made by the reporting <br />
         		<a id="pl.14.20"></a><var>14.20</var>entity during the reporting period.<br />
         		<a id="pl.14.21"></a><var>14.21</var>(l) (m) The report must disclose the name and address of each individual or <br />
         		<a id="pl.14.22"></a><var>14.22</var>association to whom noncampaign disbursements have been made that aggregate in excess <br />
         		<a id="pl.14.23"></a><var>14.23</var>of $100 $200 within the year by or on behalf of the reporting entity and the amount, date, <br />
         		<a id="pl.14.24"></a><var>14.24</var>and purpose of each noncampaign disbursement.<br />
         		<a id="pl.14.25"></a><var>14.25</var>(m) (n) The report must disclose the sum of all noncampaign disbursements made <br />
         		<a id="pl.14.26"></a><var>14.26</var>within the year by or on behalf of the reporting entity.<br />
         		<a id="pl.14.27"></a><var>14.27</var>(n) (o) The report must disclose the name and address of a nonprofit corporation that <br />
         		<a id="pl.14.28"></a><var>14.28</var>provides administrative assistance to a political committee or political fund as authorized <br />
         		<a id="pl.14.29"></a><var>14.29</var>by section 
         <statute_ref>211B.15, subdivision 17</statute_ref>, the type of administrative assistance provided, and the <br />
         		<a id="pl.14.30"></a><var>14.30</var>aggregate fair market value of each type of assistance provided to the political committee <br />
         		<a id="pl.14.31"></a><var>14.31</var>or political fund during the reporting period.<br />
         		<br />
         		<a id="bill.1.30.0"></a><a id="pl.14.32"></a><var>14.32</var>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Sec. 30. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 10A.20, subdivision 5, is amended to read:<br />
         		<a id="pl.14.33"></a><var>14.33</var>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Subd. 5. <b>Preelection</b><b> Pre-election</b><b> reports.</b> (a) Any loan, contribution, or <br />
         		<a id="pl.14.34"></a><var>14.34</var>contributions:<br />
         		<a id="pl.15.1"></a><var>15.1</var>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(1) to a political committee or political fund from any one source totaling more than<br />
         		<a id="pl.15.2"></a><var>15.2</var> $1,000 or more, or in a statewide election for;<br />
         		<a id="pl.15.3"></a><var>15.3</var>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(2) to the principal campaign committee of a candidate for an appellate court judicial <br />
         		<a id="pl.15.4"></a><var>15.4</var>office, any loan, contribution, or contributions from any one source totaling more than<br />
         		<a id="pl.15.5"></a><var>15.5</var> $2,000 or more, or in any judicial;<br />
         		<a id="pl.15.6"></a><var>15.6</var>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(3) to the principal campaign committee of a candidate for district court judge<br />
         		<a id="pl.15.7"></a><var>15.7</var> totaling more than $400 or more, and any loan, contribution, or contributions; or<br />
         		<a id="pl.15.8"></a><var>15.8</var>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(4) to the principal campaign committee of a candidate for constitutional office or <br />
         		<a id="pl.15.9"></a><var>15.9</var>for the legislature from any one source totaling 80 more than 50 percent or more of the<br />
         		<a id="pl.15.10"></a><var>15.10</var> election cycle contribution limit for the office, received between the last day covered in <br />
         		<a id="pl.15.11"></a><var>15.11</var>the last report before an election and the election must be reported to the board in one of <br />
         		<a id="pl.15.12"></a><var>15.12</var>the following ways: in the manner provided in paragraph (b).<br />
         		<a id="pl.15.13"></a><var>15.13</var>(b) A loan, contribution, or contributions required to be reported to the board under <br />
         		<a id="pl.15.14"></a><var>15.14</var>paragraph (a) must be reported to the board either:<br />
         		<a id="pl.15.15"></a><var>15.15</var>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(1) in person by the end of the next business day after its receipt; or<br />
         		<a id="pl.15.16"></a><var>15.16</var>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(2) by electronic means sent within 24 hours after its receipt.<br />
         		<a id="pl.15.17"></a><var>15.17</var>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(c) These loans and contributions must also be reported in the next required report.<br />
         		<a id="pl.15.18"></a><var>15.18</var>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(d) This notice requirement does not apply with respect to in a primary in which <br />
         		<a id="pl.15.19"></a><var>15.19</var>the statewide or legislative election to a candidate who is unopposed in the primary, in a <br />
         		<a id="pl.15.20"></a><var>15.20</var>primary election to a ballot question political committee or fund, or in a general election to <br />
         		<a id="pl.15.21"></a><var>15.21</var>a candidate whose name is not on the general election ballot. The board must post the <br />
         		<a id="pl.15.22"></a><var>15.22</var>report on its Web site by the end of the next business day after it is received.<br />
         		<a id="pl.15.23"></a><var>15.23</var>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(e) This subdivision does not apply to a ballot question or independent expenditure <br />
         		<a id="pl.15.24"></a><var>15.24</var>political committee or fund that has not met the registration threshold of section 10A.14, <br />
         		<a id="pl.15.25"></a><var>15.25</var>subdivision 1a. However, if a contribution that would be subject to this section triggers the <br />
         		<a id="pl.15.26"></a><var>15.26</var>registration requirement in section 10A.14, subdivision 1a, then both registration under <br />
         		<a id="pl.15.27"></a><var>15.27</var>that section and reporting under this section are required.<br />
         		<br />
         		<a id="bill.1.31.0"></a><a id="pl.15.28"></a><var>15.28</var>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Sec. 31. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 10A.20, subdivision 6, is amended to read:<br />
         		<a id="pl.15.29"></a><var>15.29</var>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Subd. 6. <b>Report when no committee.</b> (a) A candidate who does not designate <br />
         		<a id="pl.15.30"></a><var>15.30</var>and cause to be formed a principal campaign committee and an individual who makes <br />
         		<a id="pl.15.31"></a><var>15.31</var>independent expenditures or campaign expenditures expressly advocating the approval or <br />
         		<a id="pl.15.32"></a><var>15.32</var>defeat of a ballot question in aggregate in excess of $100 $750 in a year must file with <br />
         		<a id="pl.15.33"></a><var>15.33</var>the board a report containing the information required by subdivision 3. Reports required <br />
         		<a id="pl.15.34"></a><var>15.34</var>by this subdivision must be filed on by the dates on which reports by principal campaign<br />
         		<a id="pl.15.35"></a><var>15.35</var> committees, funds, and party units are must be filed.<br />
         		<a id="pl.16.1"></a><var>16.1</var>(b) An individual who makes independent expenditures that aggregate more than <br />
         		<a id="pl.16.2"></a><var>16.2</var>$1,500 in a calendar year or expenditures to promote or defeat a ballot question that <br />
         		<a id="pl.16.3"></a><var>16.3</var>aggregate more than $5,000 in a calendar year must file with the board a report containing <br />
         		<a id="pl.16.4"></a><var>16.4</var>the information required by subdivision 3. A report required by this subdivision must be <br />
         		<a id="pl.16.5"></a><var>16.5</var>filed by the date on which the next report by political committees and political funds <br />
         		<a id="pl.16.6"></a><var>16.6</var>must be filed.<br />
         		<br />
         		<a id="bill.1.32.0"></a><a id="pl.16.7"></a><var>16.7</var>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Sec. 32. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 10A.20, subdivision 7, is amended to read:<br />
         		<a id="pl.16.8"></a><var>16.8</var>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Subd. 7. <b>Statement of inactivity.</b> If a reporting entity principal campaign <br />
         		<a id="pl.16.9"></a><var>16.9</var>committee, party unit, or political committee, has no receipts or expenditures during a <br />
         		<a id="pl.16.10"></a><var>16.10</var>reporting period, the treasurer must file with the board at the time required by this section <br />
         		<a id="pl.16.11"></a><var>16.11</var>a statement to that effect.<br />
         		<br />
         		<a id="bill.1.33.0"></a><a id="pl.16.12"></a><var>16.12</var>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Sec. 33. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 10A.20, is amended by adding a subdivision <br />
         		<a id="pl.16.13"></a><var>16.13</var>to read:<br />
         		<a id="pl.16.14"></a><var>16.14</var>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Subd. 7a. <b>Activity of political fund.</b> An association is not required to file any <br />
         		<a id="pl.16.15"></a><var>16.15</var>statement or report for a reporting period when the association accepted no contributions <br />
         		<a id="pl.16.16"></a><var>16.16</var>into the association's political fund and made no expenditures from its political fund since <br />
         		<a id="pl.16.17"></a><var>16.17</var>the last date included in its most recent filed report. If the association maintains a separate <br />
         		<a id="pl.16.18"></a><var>16.18</var>checking account for its political fund, the receipt of interest on the proceeds of that <br />
         		<a id="pl.16.19"></a><var>16.19</var>account and the payment of fees to maintain that account do not constitute activity that <br />
         		<a id="pl.16.20"></a><var>16.20</var>requires the filing of a report for an otherwise inactive political fund.<br />
         		<br />
         		<a id="bill.1.34.0"></a><a id="pl.16.21"></a><var>16.21</var>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Sec. 34. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 10A.241, is amended to read:<br />
         		<a id="pl.16.22"></a><var>16.22</var><b>10A.241 TRANSFER OF DEBTS.</b><br />
         		<a id="pl.16.23"></a><var>16.23</var>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Notwithstanding section 
         <statute_ref>10A.24</statute_ref>, A candidate may terminate the candidate's <br />
         		<a id="pl.16.24"></a><var>16.24</var>principal campaign committee for one state office by transferring any debts of that <br />
         		<a id="pl.16.25"></a><var>16.25</var>committee to the candidate's principal campaign committee for another state office if <br />
         		<a id="pl.16.26"></a><var>16.26</var>all outstanding unpaid bills or loans from the committee being terminated are assumed <br />
         		<a id="pl.16.27"></a><var>16.27</var>and continuously reported by the committee to which the transfer is being made until <br />
         		<a id="pl.16.28"></a><var>16.28</var>paid or forgiven. A loan that is forgiven is covered by section 
         <statute_ref>10A.20</statute_ref> and, for purposes <br />
         		<a id="pl.16.29"></a><var>16.29</var>of section 
         <statute_ref>10A.324</statute_ref>, is a contribution to the principal campaign committee from which <br />
         		<a id="pl.16.30"></a><var>16.30</var>the debt was transferred under this section.<br />
         		<br />
         		<a id="bill.1.35.0"></a><a id="pl.16.31"></a><var>16.31</var>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Sec. 35. <b>[10A.243] TERMINATION OF REGISTRATION.</b><br />
         		<a id="pl.17.1"></a><var>17.1</var>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Subdivision 1. <b>Termination report.</b> A political committee, political fund, principal <br />
         		<a id="pl.17.2"></a><var>17.2</var>campaign committee, or party unit may terminate its registration with the board after it <br />
         		<a id="pl.17.3"></a><var>17.3</var>has disposed of all its assets in excess of $100 by filing a final report of receipts and <br />
         		<a id="pl.17.4"></a><var>17.4</var>expenditures. The final report must be identified as a termination report and must include <br />
         		<a id="pl.17.5"></a><var>17.5</var>all financial transactions that occurred after the last date included on the most recent <br />
         		<a id="pl.17.6"></a><var>17.6</var>report filed with the board. The termination report may be filed at any time after the <br />
         		<a id="pl.17.7"></a><var>17.7</var>asset threshold in this section is reached.<br />
         		<a id="pl.17.8"></a><var>17.8</var>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Subd. 2. <b>Asset disposition.</b> "Assets" include credit balances at vendors, prepaid <br />
         		<a id="pl.17.9"></a><var>17.9</var>postage and postage stamps, as well as physical assets. Assets must be disposed of at their <br />
         		<a id="pl.17.10"></a><var>17.10</var>fair market value. Assets of a political fund that consist of, or were acquired using, only <br />
         		<a id="pl.17.11"></a><var>17.11</var>the general treasury money of the fund's supporting association remain the property of the <br />
         		<a id="pl.17.12"></a><var>17.12</var>association upon termination of the association's political fund registration and are not <br />
         		<a id="pl.17.13"></a><var>17.13</var>subject to the disposal requirements of this section.<br />
         		<br />
         		<a id="bill.1.36.0"></a><a id="pl.17.14"></a><var>17.14</var>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Sec. 36. <b>[10A.244] VOLUNTARY INACTIVE STATUS; POLITICAL FUNDS.</b><br />
         		<a id="pl.17.15"></a><var>17.15</var>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Subdivision 1. <b>Election of voluntary inactive status.</b> An association that has a <br />
         		<a id="pl.17.16"></a><var>17.16</var>political fund registered under this chapter may elect to have the fund placed on voluntary <br />
         		<a id="pl.17.17"></a><var>17.17</var>inactive status if the following conditions are met:<br />
         		<a id="pl.17.18"></a><var>17.18</var>(1) the association makes a written request for inactive status;<br />
         		<a id="pl.17.19"></a><var>17.19</var>(2) the association has filed all periodic reports required by this chapter and <br />
         		<a id="pl.17.20"></a><var>17.20</var>has received no contributions into its political fund and made no expenditures or <br />
         		<a id="pl.17.21"></a><var>17.21</var>disbursements through its political fund since the last date included on the association's <br />
         		<a id="pl.17.22"></a><var>17.22</var>most recent report; and<br />
         		<a id="pl.17.23"></a><var>17.23</var>(3) the association has satisfied all obligations to the state for late filing fees and civil <br />
         		<a id="pl.17.24"></a><var>17.24</var>penalties imposed by the board or the board has waived this requirement.<br />
         		<a id="pl.17.25"></a><var>17.25</var>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Subd. 2. <b>Effect of voluntary inactive status.</b> After an association has complied <br />
         		<a id="pl.17.26"></a><var>17.26</var>with the requirements of subdivision 1:<br />
         		<a id="pl.17.27"></a><var>17.27</var>(1) the board must notify the association that its political fund has been placed in <br />
         		<a id="pl.17.28"></a><var>17.28</var>voluntary inactive status and of the terms of this section;<br />
         		<a id="pl.17.29"></a><var>17.29</var>(2) the board must stop sending the association reports, forms, and notices of report <br />
         		<a id="pl.17.30"></a><var>17.30</var>due dates that are periodically sent to entities registered with the board;<br />
         		<a id="pl.17.31"></a><var>17.31</var>(3) the association is not required to file periodic disclosure reports for its political <br />
         		<a id="pl.17.32"></a><var>17.32</var>fund as otherwise required under this chapter;<br />
         		<a id="pl.17.33"></a><var>17.33</var>(4) the association may not accept contributions into its political fund and may not <br />
         		<a id="pl.17.34"></a><var>17.34</var>make expenditures, contributions, or disbursements through its political fund; and<br />
         		<a id="pl.18.1"></a><var>18.1</var>(5) if the association maintains a separate depository account for its political fund, <br />
         		<a id="pl.18.2"></a><var>18.2</var>it may continue to pay bank service charges and receive interest paid on that account <br />
         		<a id="pl.18.3"></a><var>18.3</var>while its political fund is in inactive status.<br />
         		<a id="pl.18.4"></a><var>18.4</var>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Subd. 3. <b>Resumption of active status or termination.</b> (a) An association that <br />
         		<a id="pl.18.5"></a><var>18.5</var>has placed its political fund in voluntary inactive status may resume active status upon <br />
         		<a id="pl.18.6"></a><var>18.6</var>written notice to the board.<br />
         		<a id="pl.18.7"></a><var>18.7</var>(b) A political fund placed in voluntary inactive status must resume active status <br />
         		<a id="pl.18.8"></a><var>18.8</var>within 14 days of the date that it has accepted contributions or made expenditures, <br />
         		<a id="pl.18.9"></a><var>18.9</var>contributions, or disbursements that aggregate more than $750 since the political fund was <br />
         		<a id="pl.18.10"></a><var>18.10</var>placed on inactive status. If, after meeting this threshold, the association does not notify <br />
         		<a id="pl.18.11"></a><var>18.11</var>the board that its fund has resumed active status, the board may place the association's <br />
         		<a id="pl.18.12"></a><var>18.12</var>political fund in active status and notify the association of the change in status.<br />
         		<a id="pl.18.13"></a><var>18.13</var>(c) An association that has placed its political fund in voluntary inactive status may <br />
         		<a id="pl.18.14"></a><var>18.14</var>terminate the registration of the fund without returning it to active status.<br />
         		<a id="pl.18.15"></a><var>18.15</var>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Subd. 4. <b>Penalty for financial activity while in voluntary inactive status.</b> If an <br />
         		<a id="pl.18.16"></a><var>18.16</var>association fails to notify the board of its political fund's resumption of active status under <br />
         		<a id="pl.18.17"></a><var>18.17</var>subdivision 3, the board may impose a civil penalty of $50 per day, not to exceed $1,000 <br />
         		<a id="pl.18.18"></a><var>18.18</var>commencing on the 15th calendar day after the fund resumed active status.<br />
         		<br />
         		<a id="bill.1.37.0"></a><a id="pl.18.19"></a><var>18.19</var>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Sec. 37. <b>[10A.245] ADMINISTRATIVE TERMINATION OF INACTIVE </b><br />
         		<a id="pl.18.20"></a><var>18.20</var><b>COMMITTEES AND FUNDS.</b><br />
         		<a id="pl.18.21"></a><var>18.21</var>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Subdivision 1. <b>Inactivity defined.</b> (a) A principal campaign committee becomes <br />
         		<a id="pl.18.22"></a><var>18.22</var>inactive on the later of the following dates:<br />
         		<a id="pl.18.23"></a><var>18.23</var>(1) six years after the last election in which the individual for whom the committee <br />
         		<a id="pl.18.24"></a><var>18.24</var>exists was a candidate for the office sought or held at the time the principal campaign <br />
         		<a id="pl.18.25"></a><var>18.25</var>committee registered with the board; or<br />
         		<a id="pl.18.26"></a><var>18.26</var>(2) six years after the last day on which the individual for whom the committee <br />
         		<a id="pl.18.27"></a><var>18.27</var>exists served in an elective office subject to this chapter.<br />
         		<a id="pl.18.28"></a><var>18.28</var>(b) A political committee, political fund, or party unit becomes inactive when <br />
         		<a id="pl.18.29"></a><var>18.29</var>four years have elapsed since the end of a reporting period during which the political <br />
         		<a id="pl.18.30"></a><var>18.30</var>committee, political fund, or party unit made an expenditure or disbursement requiring <br />
         		<a id="pl.18.31"></a><var>18.31</var>itemized disclosure under this chapter.<br />
         		<a id="pl.18.32"></a><var>18.32</var>(c) A political fund that has elected voluntary inactive status under section 10A.244 <br />
         		<a id="pl.18.33"></a><var>18.33</var>becomes inactive within the meaning of this section when four years have elapsed during <br />
         		<a id="pl.18.34"></a><var>18.34</var>which the political fund was continuously in voluntary inactive status.<br />
         		<a id="pl.19.1"></a><var>19.1</var>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Subd. 2. <b>Termination by board.</b> The board may terminate the registration of a <br />
         		<a id="pl.19.2"></a><var>19.2</var>principal campaign committee, party unit, political committee, or political fund found to be <br />
         		<a id="pl.19.3"></a><var>19.3</var>inactive under this section 60 days after sending written notice of inactivity by certified mail <br />
         		<a id="pl.19.4"></a><var>19.4</var>to the affected association at the last address on record with the board for that association. <br />
         		<a id="pl.19.5"></a><var>19.5</var>Within 60 days after the board sends notice under this section, the affected association must <br />
         		<a id="pl.19.6"></a><var>19.6</var>dispose of its assets as provided in this subdivision. The assets of the principal campaign <br />
         		<a id="pl.19.7"></a><var>19.7</var>committee, party unit, or political committee must be used for the purposes authorized by <br />
         		<a id="pl.19.8"></a><var>19.8</var>this chapter or section 211B.12 or must be liquidated and deposited in the general account <br />
         		<a id="pl.19.9"></a><var>19.9</var>of the state elections campaign account. The assets of an association's political fund that <br />
         		<a id="pl.19.10"></a><var>19.10</var>were derived from the association's general treasury money revert to the association's <br />
         		<a id="pl.19.11"></a><var>19.11</var>general treasury. Assets of a political fund that resulted from contributions to the political <br />
         		<a id="pl.19.12"></a><var>19.12</var>fund must be used for the purposes authorized by this chapter or section 211B.12 or must <br />
         		<a id="pl.19.13"></a><var>19.13</var>be liquidated and deposited in the general account of the state elections campaign account.<br />
         		<br />
         		<a id="bill.1.38.0"></a><a id="pl.19.14"></a><var>19.14</var>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Sec. 38. <b>[10A.246] UNPAID DEBT UPON TERMINATION.</b><br />
         		<a id="pl.19.15"></a><var>19.15</var>Termination of a registration with the board does not affect the liability, if any, of the <br />
         		<a id="pl.19.16"></a><var>19.16</var>association or its candidates, officers, or other individuals for obligations incurred in the <br />
         		<a id="pl.19.17"></a><var>19.17</var>name of the association or its political fund.<br />
         		<br />
         		<a id="bill.1.39.0"></a><a id="pl.19.18"></a><var>19.18</var>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Sec. 39. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 10A.25, subdivision 2, is amended to read:<br />
         		<a id="pl.19.19"></a><var>19.19</var>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Subd. 2. <b>Amounts.</b> (a) In a year in which an election is held each election cycle for <br />
         		<a id="pl.19.20"></a><var>19.20</var>an office sought by a candidate, the principal campaign committee of the candidate must <br />
         		<a id="pl.19.21"></a><var>19.21</var>not make campaign expenditures nor permit approved expenditures to be made on behalf <br />
         		<a id="pl.19.22"></a><var>19.22</var>of the candidate that result in aggregate expenditures in excess of the following:<br />
         		<a id="pl.19.23"></a><var>19.23</var>(1) for governor and lieutenant governor, running together, $2,577,200 $5,000,000;<br />
         		<a id="pl.19.24"></a><var>19.24</var>(2) for attorney general, $429,600;<br />
         		<a id="pl.19.25"></a><var>19.25</var>(3) for secretary of state, and state auditor, separately, $214,800 each $1,500,000;<br />
         		<a id="pl.19.26"></a><var>19.26</var>(4) (3) for state senator, $68,100 $120,000;<br />
         		<a id="pl.19.27"></a><var>19.27</var>(5) (4) for state representative, $34,300 $60,000.<br />
         		<a id="pl.19.28"></a><var>19.28</var>(b) In addition to the amount in paragraph (a), clause (1), a candidate for <br />
         		<a id="pl.19.29"></a><var>19.29</var>endorsement for the office of lieutenant governor at the convention of a political party <br />
         		<a id="pl.19.30"></a><var>19.30</var>may make campaign expenditures and approved expenditures of five percent of that <br />
         		<a id="pl.19.31"></a><var>19.31</var>amount to seek endorsement.<br />
         		<a id="pl.19.32"></a><var>19.32</var>(c) If a special election cycle occurs during a general election cycle, expenditures by <br />
         		<a id="pl.19.33"></a><var>19.33</var>or on behalf of a candidate in the special election cycle do not count as expenditures by or <br />
         		<a id="pl.19.34"></a><var>19.34</var>on behalf of the candidate in the general election cycle.<br />
         		<a id="pl.20.1"></a><var>20.1</var>(d) The expenditure limits in this subdivision for an office are increased by ten <br />
         		<a id="pl.20.2"></a><var>20.2</var>percent for a candidate who is running for that office for the first time has not previously <br />
         		<a id="pl.20.3"></a><var>20.3</var>held the same office, whose name has not previously been on the primary or general <br />
         		<a id="pl.20.4"></a><var>20.4</var>election ballot for that office, and who has not in the past ten years raised or spent <br />
         		<a id="pl.20.5"></a><var>20.5</var>more than $750 in a run previously for any other office whose territory now includes a <br />
         		<a id="pl.20.6"></a><var>20.6</var>population that is more than one-third of the population in the territory of the new office.<br />
         		<a id="pl.20.7"></a><var>20.7</var> In the case of a legislative candidate, the office is that of a member of the house of <br />
         		<a id="pl.20.8"></a><var>20.8</var>representatives or senate without regard to any specific district.<br />
         		<br />
         		<a id="bill.1.40.0"></a><a id="pl.20.9"></a><var>20.9</var>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Sec. 40. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 10A.25, subdivision 2a, is amended to read:<br />
         		<a id="pl.20.10"></a><var>20.10</var>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Subd. 2a. <b>Aggregated expenditures.</b> If a candidate makes expenditures from more <br />
         		<a id="pl.20.11"></a><var>20.11</var>than one principal campaign committee for nomination or election to statewide office <br />
         		<a id="pl.20.12"></a><var>20.12</var>in the same election year cycle, the amount of expenditures from all of the candidate's <br />
         		<a id="pl.20.13"></a><var>20.13</var>principal campaign committees for statewide office for that election year cycle must be <br />
         		<a id="pl.20.14"></a><var>20.14</var>aggregated for purposes of applying the limits on expenditures under subdivision 2.<br />
         		<br />
         		<a id="bill.1.41.0"></a><a id="pl.20.15"></a><var>20.15</var>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Sec. 41. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 10A.25, subdivision 3, is amended to read:<br />
         		<a id="pl.20.16"></a><var>20.16</var>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Subd. 3. <b>Governor and lieutenant governor a single candidate.</b> For the purposes <br />
         		<a id="pl.20.17"></a><var>20.17</var>of sections 10A.11 to 10A.34 this chapter, a candidate for governor and a candidate <br />
         		<a id="pl.20.18"></a><var>20.18</var>for lieutenant governor, running together, are considered a single candidate. Except <br />
         		<a id="pl.20.19"></a><var>20.19</var>as provided in subdivision 2, paragraph (b), all expenditures made by or all approved <br />
         		<a id="pl.20.20"></a><var>20.20</var>expenditures made on behalf of the candidate for lieutenant governor are considered to be <br />
         		<a id="pl.20.21"></a><var>20.21</var>expenditures by or approved expenditures on behalf of the candidate for governor.<br />
         		<br />
         		<a id="bill.1.42.0"></a><a id="pl.20.22"></a><var>20.22</var>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Sec. 42. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 10A.25, subdivision 5, is amended to read:<br />
         		<a id="pl.20.23"></a><var>20.23</var>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Subd. 5. <b>Contested primary races.</b> Notwithstanding the limits imposed by <br />
         		<a id="pl.20.24"></a><var>20.24</var>subdivision 2, the winning candidate in a contested race in a primary who received fewer <br />
         		<a id="pl.20.25"></a><var>20.25</var>than twice three times as many votes as any one of the candidate's opponents in that <br />
         		<a id="pl.20.26"></a><var>20.26</var>primary may make expenditures and permit approved expenditures to be made on behalf <br />
         		<a id="pl.20.27"></a><var>20.27</var>of the candidate equal to 120 130 percent of the applicable limit as set forth in subdivision <br />
         		<a id="pl.20.28"></a><var>20.28</var>2, but no more than 100 percent of the limit until after the primary.<br />
         		<br />
         		<a id="bill.1.43.0"></a><a id="pl.20.29"></a><var>20.29</var>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Sec. 43. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 10A.257, subdivision 1, is amended to read:<br />
         		<a id="pl.20.30"></a><var>20.30</var>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Subdivision 1. <b>Unused funds.</b> After all campaign expenditures and noncampaign <br />
         		<a id="pl.20.31"></a><var>20.31</var>disbursements for an election cycle have been made, an amount up to 50 25 percent of the <br />
         		<a id="pl.20.32"></a><var>20.32</var>election year cycle expenditure limit for the office may be carried forward. Any remaining <br />
         		<a id="pl.21.1"></a><var>21.1</var>amount up to the total amount of the public subsidy from the state elections campaign fund <br />
         		<a id="pl.21.2"></a><var>21.2</var>must be returned to the state treasury for credit to the general fund under section 
         <statute_ref>10A.324</statute_ref>. <br />
         		<a id="pl.21.3"></a><var>21.3</var>Any remaining amount in excess of the total public subsidy must be contributed to the <br />
         		<a id="pl.21.4"></a><var>21.4</var>state elections campaign fund account or a political party for multicandidate expenditures <br />
         		<a id="pl.21.5"></a><var>21.5</var>as defined in section 
         <statute_ref>10A.275</statute_ref>.<br />
         		<br />
         		<a id="bill.1.44.0"></a><a id="pl.21.6"></a><var>21.6</var>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Sec. 44. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 10A.27, subdivision 1, is amended to read:<br />
         		<a id="pl.21.7"></a><var>21.7</var>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Subdivision 1. <b>Contribution limits.</b> (a) Except as provided in subdivision 2, <br />
         		<a id="pl.21.8"></a><var>21.8</var>a candidate must not permit the candidate's principal campaign committee to accept <br />
         		<a id="pl.21.9"></a><var>21.9</var>aggregate contributions in an election cycle made or delivered by any individual, political <br />
         		<a id="pl.21.10"></a><var>21.10</var>committee, or political fund, or association not registered with the board in excess of <br />
         		<a id="pl.21.11"></a><var>21.11</var>the following:<br />
         		<a id="pl.21.12"></a><var>21.12</var>(1) to candidates for governor and lieutenant governor running together, $2,000 in <br />
         		<a id="pl.21.13"></a><var>21.13</var>an election year for the office sought and $500 in other years $6,000;<br />
         		<a id="pl.21.14"></a><var>21.14</var>(2) to a candidate for attorney general, secretary of state, or state auditor, $1,000 in <br />
         		<a id="pl.21.15"></a><var>21.15</var>an election year for the office sought and $200 in other years $4,000;<br />
         		<a id="pl.21.16"></a><var>21.16</var>(3) to a candidate for state senator, $500 in an election year for the office sought <br />
         		<a id="pl.21.17"></a><var>21.17</var>and $100 in other years $3,000;<br />
         		<a id="pl.21.18"></a><var>21.18</var>(4) to a candidate for state representative, $500 in an election year for the office <br />
         		<a id="pl.21.19"></a><var>21.19</var>sought and $100 in the other year $1,500; and<br />
         		<a id="pl.21.20"></a><var>21.20</var>(5) to a candidate for judicial office, $2,000 in an election year for the office sought <br />
         		<a id="pl.21.21"></a><var>21.21</var>and $500 in other years $4,500.<br />
         		<a id="pl.21.22"></a><var>21.22</var>(b) The following deliveries are not subject to the bundling limitation in this <br />
         		<a id="pl.21.23"></a><var>21.23</var>subdivision:<br />
         		<a id="pl.21.24"></a><var>21.24</var>(1) delivery of contributions collected by a member of the candidate's principal <br />
         		<a id="pl.21.25"></a><var>21.25</var>campaign committee, such as a block worker or a volunteer who hosts a fund-raising <br />
         		<a id="pl.21.26"></a><var>21.26</var>event, to the committee's treasurer; and<br />
         		<a id="pl.21.27"></a><var>21.27</var>(2) a delivery made by an individual on behalf of the individual's spouse.<br />
         		<a id="pl.21.28"></a><var>21.28</var>(c) A lobbyist, political committee, political party unit, or an association that has a<br />
         		<a id="pl.21.29"></a><var>21.29</var> political fund, or an association not registered with the board must not make a contribution <br />
         		<a id="pl.21.30"></a><var>21.30</var>a candidate is prohibited from accepting.<br />
         		<br />
         		<a id="bill.1.45.0"></a><a id="pl.21.31"></a><var>21.31</var>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Sec. 45. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 10A.27, subdivision 10, is amended to read:<br />
         		<a id="pl.21.32"></a><var>21.32</var>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Subd. 10. <b>Limited personal contributions.</b> A candidate who accepts a public <br />
         		<a id="pl.21.33"></a><var>21.33</var>subsidy signs an agreement under section 10A.322 may not contribute to the candidate's <br />
         		<a id="pl.22.1"></a><var>22.1</var>own campaign during a year an election cycle more than ten five times the candidate's <br />
         		<a id="pl.22.2"></a><var>22.2</var>election year cycle contribution limit under subdivision 1.<br />
         		<br />
         		<a id="bill.1.46.0"></a><a id="pl.22.3"></a><var>22.3</var>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Sec. 46. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 10A.27, subdivision 11, is amended to read:<br />
         		<a id="pl.22.4"></a><var>22.4</var>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Subd. 11. <b>Contributions from certain types of contributors.</b> A candidate must <br />
         		<a id="pl.22.5"></a><var>22.5</var>not permit the candidate's principal campaign committee to accept a contribution from <br />
         		<a id="pl.22.6"></a><var>22.6</var>a political committee, political fund, lobbyist, or large contributor, or association not <br />
         		<a id="pl.22.7"></a><var>22.7</var>registered with the board if the contribution will cause the aggregate contributions from <br />
         		<a id="pl.22.8"></a><var>22.8</var>those types of contributors to exceed an amount equal to 20 percent of the expenditure <br />
         		<a id="pl.22.9"></a><var>22.9</var>limits for the office sought by the candidate, provided that the 20 percent limit must be <br />
         		<a id="pl.22.10"></a><var>22.10</var>rounded to the nearest $100. For purposes of this subdivision, "large contributor" means <br />
         		<a id="pl.22.11"></a><var>22.11</var>an individual, other than the candidate, who contributes an amount that is more than $100 <br />
         		<a id="pl.22.12"></a><var>22.12</var>and more than one-half the amount an individual may contribute.<br />
         		<br />
         		<a id="bill.1.47.0"></a><a id="pl.22.13"></a><var>22.13</var>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Sec. 47. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 10A.27, subdivision 13, is amended to read:<br />
         		<a id="pl.22.14"></a><var>22.14</var>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Subd. 13. <b>Unregistered association limit; statement; penalty.</b> (a) The treasurer of <br />
         		<a id="pl.22.15"></a><var>22.15</var>a political committee, political fund, principal campaign committee, or party unit must not <br />
         		<a id="pl.22.16"></a><var>22.16</var>accept a contribution of more than $100 $200 from an association not registered under <br />
         		<a id="pl.22.17"></a><var>22.17</var>this chapter unless the contribution is accompanied by a written statement that meets the <br />
         		<a id="pl.22.18"></a><var>22.18</var>disclosure and reporting period requirements imposed by section 
         <statute_ref>10A.20</statute_ref>. This statement <br />
         		<a id="pl.22.19"></a><var>22.19</var>must be certified as true and correct by an officer of the contributing association. The <br />
         		<a id="pl.22.20"></a><var>22.20</var>committee, fund, or party unit that accepts the contribution must include a copy of the <br />
         		<a id="pl.22.21"></a><var>22.21</var>statement with the report that discloses the contribution to the board. This subdivision <br />
         		<a id="pl.22.22"></a><var>22.22</var>does not apply when a national political party contributes money to its affiliate in this state.<br />
         		<a id="pl.22.23"></a><var>22.23</var>(b) An unregistered association may provide the written statement required by this <br />
         		<a id="pl.22.24"></a><var>22.24</var>subdivision to no more than three committees, funds, or party units in a calendar year. Each <br />
         		<a id="pl.22.25"></a><var>22.25</var>statement must cover at least the 30 days immediately preceding and including the date on <br />
         		<a id="pl.22.26"></a><var>22.26</var>which the contribution was made. An unregistered association or an officer of it is subject <br />
         		<a id="pl.22.27"></a><var>22.27</var>to a civil penalty imposed by the board of up to $1,000, if the association or its officer:<br />
         		<a id="pl.22.28"></a><var>22.28</var>(1) fails to provide a written statement as required by this subdivision; or<br />
         		<a id="pl.22.29"></a><var>22.29</var>(2) fails to register after giving the written statement required by this subdivision to <br />
         		<a id="pl.22.30"></a><var>22.30</var>more than three committees, funds, or party units in a calendar year.<br />
         		<a id="pl.22.31"></a><var>22.31</var>(c) The treasurer of a political committee, political fund, principal campaign <br />
         		<a id="pl.22.32"></a><var>22.32</var>committee, or party unit who accepts a contribution in excess of $100 $200 from an <br />
         		<a id="pl.22.33"></a><var>22.33</var>unregistered association without the required written disclosure statement is subject to a <br />
         		<a id="pl.22.34"></a><var>22.34</var>civil penalty up to four times the amount in excess of $100 $200.<br />
         		<a id="pl.23.1"></a><var>23.1</var>(d) This subdivision does not apply:<br />
         		<a id="pl.23.2"></a><var>23.2</var>(1) when a national political party contributes money to its state committee; or<br />
         		<a id="pl.23.3"></a><var>23.3</var>(2) to purchases by candidates for federal office of tickets to events or space rental <br />
         		<a id="pl.23.4"></a><var>23.4</var>at events held by party units in this state (i) if the geographical area represented by the <br />
         		<a id="pl.23.5"></a><var>23.5</var>party unit includes any part of the geographical area of the office that the federal candidate <br />
         		<a id="pl.23.6"></a><var>23.6</var>is seeking and (ii) the purchase price is not more than that paid by other attendees or <br />
         		<a id="pl.23.7"></a><var>23.7</var>renters of similar spaces.<br />
         		<br />
         		<a id="bill.1.48.0"></a><a id="pl.23.8"></a><var>23.8</var>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Sec. 48. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 10A.27, subdivision 14, is amended to read:<br />
         		<a id="pl.23.9"></a><var>23.9</var>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Subd. 14. <b>Contributions of business revenue.</b> An association may, if not prohibited <br />
         		<a id="pl.23.10"></a><var>23.10</var>by other law, contribute revenue from the operation of a business to an independent <br />
         		<a id="pl.23.11"></a><var>23.11</var>expenditure or ballot question political committee or an independent expenditure political<br />
         		<a id="pl.23.12"></a><var>23.12</var> fund without complying with subdivision 13.<br />
         		<br />
         		<a id="bill.1.49.0"></a><a id="pl.23.13"></a><var>23.13</var>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Sec. 49. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 10A.27, subdivision 15, is amended to read:<br />
         		<a id="pl.23.14"></a><var>23.14</var>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Subd. 15. <b>Contributions </b><b>of dues or contribution revenue</b><b> or use of general </b><br />
         		<a id="pl.23.15"></a><var>23.15</var><b>treasury money</b><b>.</b> (a) An association may, if not prohibited by other law, contribute revenue <br />
         		<a id="pl.23.16"></a><var>23.16</var>from membership dues or fees, or from contributions received by the association its general <br />
         		<a id="pl.23.17"></a><var>23.17</var>treasury money to an independent expenditure or ballot question political committee or <br />
         		<a id="pl.23.18"></a><var>23.18</var>an independent expenditure political fund, including its own independent expenditure or <br />
         		<a id="pl.23.19"></a><var>23.19</var>ballot question political committee or fund, without complying with subdivision 13.<br />
         		<a id="pl.23.20"></a><var>23.20</var>(b) Before the day when the recipient committee or fund's next report must be <br />
         		<a id="pl.23.21"></a><var>23.21</var>filed with the board under section 
         <statute_ref>10A.20, subdivision 2</statute_ref> or 5, an association that has <br />
         		<a id="pl.23.22"></a><var>23.22</var>contributed more than $5,000 or more in aggregate to independent expenditure political <br />
         		<a id="pl.23.23"></a><var>23.23</var>committees or funds during the calendar year or has contributed more than $5,000 in <br />
         		<a id="pl.23.24"></a><var>23.24</var>aggregate to ballot question political committees or funds during the calendar year <br />
         		<a id="pl.23.25"></a><var>23.25</var>must provide in writing to the recipient's treasurer a statement that includes the name, <br />
         		<a id="pl.23.26"></a><var>23.26</var>address, and amount attributable to each individual or association person that paid the <br />
         		<a id="pl.23.27"></a><var>23.27</var>association dues or fees, or made contributions donations to the association that, in total, <br />
         		<a id="pl.23.28"></a><var>23.28</var>aggregate more than $1,000 or more $5,000 of the contribution from the association to the <br />
         		<a id="pl.23.29"></a><var>23.29</var>independent expenditure or ballot question political committee or fund. The statement <br />
         		<a id="pl.23.30"></a><var>23.30</var>must also include the total amount of the contribution from individuals or associations<br />
         		<a id="pl.23.31"></a><var>23.31</var> attributable to persons  not subject to itemization under this section. The statement must be <br />
         		<a id="pl.23.32"></a><var>23.32</var>certified as true and correct by an officer of the donor association.<br />
         		<a id="pl.23.33"></a><var>23.33</var>(b) (c) To determine the amount of membership dues or fees, or contributions<br />
         		<a id="pl.23.34"></a><var>23.34</var> donations made by an individual or association that exceed $1,000 of the contribution <br />
         		<a id="pl.24.1"></a><var>24.1</var>made by the donor association a person to an association and attributable to the <br />
         		<a id="pl.24.2"></a><var>24.2</var>association's contribution to the independent expenditure or ballot question political <br />
         		<a id="pl.24.3"></a><var>24.3</var>committee or fund, the donor association must:<br />
         		<a id="pl.24.4"></a><var>24.4</var>(1) apply a pro rata calculation to all unrestricted dues, fees, and contributions <br />
         		<a id="pl.24.5"></a><var>24.5</var>received by the donor association in the calendar year; or<br />
         		<a id="pl.24.6"></a><var>24.6</var>(2) as provided in paragraph (c) (d), identify the specific individuals or associations <br />
         		<a id="pl.24.7"></a><var>24.7</var>whose dues, fees, or contributions are included in the contribution to the independent <br />
         		<a id="pl.24.8"></a><var>24.8</var>expenditure political committee or fund.<br />
         		<a id="pl.24.9"></a><var>24.9</var>(c) (d) Dues, fees, or contributions from an individual or association must be <br />
         		<a id="pl.24.10"></a><var>24.10</var>identified in a contribution to an independent expenditure political committee or fund <br />
         		<a id="pl.24.11"></a><var>24.11</var>under paragraph (b) (c), clause (2), if:<br />
         		<a id="pl.24.12"></a><var>24.12</var>(1) the individual or association has specifically authorized the donor association to <br />
         		<a id="pl.24.13"></a><var>24.13</var>use the individual's or association's dues, fees, or contributions for this purpose; or<br />
         		<a id="pl.24.14"></a><var>24.14</var>(2) the individual's or association's dues, fees, or contributions to the donor <br />
         		<a id="pl.24.15"></a><var>24.15</var>association are unrestricted and the donor association designates them as the source of the <br />
         		<a id="pl.24.16"></a><var>24.16</var>subject contribution to the independent expenditure political committee or fund.<br />
         		<a id="pl.24.17"></a><var>24.17</var>(e) After a portion of an individual's or association's dues, fees, or contributions <br />
         		<a id="pl.24.18"></a><var>24.18</var>to the donor association have the general treasury money received by an association <br />
         		<a id="pl.24.19"></a><var>24.19</var>from a person has been designated as the source of a contribution to an independent <br />
         		<a id="pl.24.20"></a><var>24.20</var>expenditure or ballot question political committee or fund, that portion of the individual's <br />
         		<a id="pl.24.21"></a><var>24.21</var>or association's dues, fees, or contributions to the donor association association's general <br />
         		<a id="pl.24.22"></a><var>24.22</var>treasury money received from that person may not be designated as the source of any other <br />
         		<a id="pl.24.23"></a><var>24.23</var>contribution to an independent expenditure or ballot question political committee or fund.<br />
         		<a id="pl.24.24"></a><var>24.24</var>(d) For the purposes of this section, "donor association" means the association <br />
         		<a id="pl.24.25"></a><var>24.25</var>contributing to an independent expenditure political committee or fund that is required to <br />
         		<a id="pl.24.26"></a><var>24.26</var>provide a statement under paragraph (a).<br />
         		<br />
         		<a id="bill.1.50.0"></a><a id="pl.24.27"></a><var>24.27</var>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Sec. 50. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 10A.323, is amended to read:<br />
         		<a id="pl.24.28"></a><var>24.28</var><b>10A.323 AFFIDAVIT OF CONTRIBUTIONS.</b><br />
         		<a id="pl.24.29"></a><var>24.29</var>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(a) In addition to the requirements of section 
         <statute_ref>10A.322</statute_ref>, to be eligible to receive a <br />
         		<a id="pl.24.30"></a><var>24.30</var>public subsidy under section 
         <statute_ref>10A.31</statute_ref> a candidate or the candidate's treasurer must file an <br />
         		<a id="pl.24.31"></a><var>24.31</var>affidavit with the board stating that:<br />
         		<a id="pl.24.32"></a><var>24.32</var>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(1) between January 1 of the previous year and the cutoff date for transactions <br />
         		<a id="pl.24.33"></a><var>24.33</var>included in the report of receipts and expenditures due before the primary election the <br />
         		<a id="pl.24.34"></a><var>24.34</var>candidate has accumulated, accumulate contributions from persons individuals eligible to <br />
         		<a id="pl.25.1"></a><var>25.1</var>vote in this state in at least the amount indicated for the office sought, counting only the <br />
         		<a id="pl.25.2"></a><var>25.2</var>first $50 received from each contributor, excluding in-kind contributions:<br />
         		<a id="pl.25.3"></a><var>25.3</var>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(1) (i) candidates for governor and lieutenant governor running together, $35,000;<br />
         		<a id="pl.25.4"></a><var>25.4</var>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(2) (ii) candidates for attorney general, $15,000;<br />
         		<a id="pl.25.5"></a><var>25.5</var>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(3) (iii) candidates for secretary of state and state auditor, separately, $6,000;<br />
         		<a id="pl.25.6"></a><var>25.6</var>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(4) (iv) candidates for the senate, $3,000; and<br />
         		<a id="pl.25.7"></a><var>25.7</var>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(5) (v) candidates for the house of representatives, $1,500.;<br />
         		<a id="pl.25.8"></a><var>25.8</var>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(2) the candidate or the candidate's treasurer must file an affidavit with the board <br />
         		<a id="pl.25.9"></a><var>25.9</var>stating that the principal campaign committee has complied with this paragraph. The <br />
         		<a id="pl.25.10"></a><var>25.10</var>affidavit must state the total amount of contributions that have been received from persons<br />
         		<a id="pl.25.11"></a><var>25.11</var> individuals eligible to vote in this state, disregarding excluding:<br />
         		<a id="pl.25.12"></a><var>25.12</var>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(i) the portion of any contribution in excess of $50.;<br />
         		<a id="pl.25.13"></a><var>25.13</var>(ii) any in-kind contribution; and<br />
         		<a id="pl.25.14"></a><var>25.14</var>(iii) any contribution for which the name and address of the contributor is not known <br />
         		<a id="pl.25.15"></a><var>25.15</var>and recorded; and<br />
         		<a id="pl.25.16"></a><var>25.16</var>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(3) the candidate or the candidate's treasurer must submit the affidavit required <br />
         		<a id="pl.25.17"></a><var>25.17</var>by this section to the board in writing by the deadline for reporting of receipts and <br />
         		<a id="pl.25.18"></a><var>25.18</var>expenditures before a primary under section 
         <statute_ref>10A.20</statute_ref>, subdivision 4.<br />
         		<a id="pl.25.19"></a><var>25.19</var>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(b) A candidate for a vacancy to be filled at a special election for which the filing <br />
         		<a id="pl.25.20"></a><var>25.20</var>period does not coincide with the filing period for the general election must accumulate <br />
         		<a id="pl.25.21"></a><var>25.21</var>the contributions specified in paragraph (a) and must submit the affidavit required by this <br />
         		<a id="pl.25.22"></a><var>25.22</var>section to the board within five days after the close of the filing period for the special <br />
         		<a id="pl.25.23"></a><var>25.23</var>election for which the candidate filed.<br />
         		<br />
         		<a id="bill.1.51.0"></a><a id="pl.25.24"></a><var>25.24</var>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Sec. 51. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 211B.32, subdivision 1, is amended to read:<br />
         		<a id="pl.25.25"></a><var>25.25</var>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Subdivision 1. <b>Administrative remedy; exhaustion.</b> (a) Except as provided in <br />
         		<a id="pl.25.26"></a><var>25.26</var>paragraph (b), a complaint alleging a violation of chapter 211A or 211B must be filed with <br />
         		<a id="pl.25.27"></a><var>25.27</var>the office. The complaint must be finally disposed of by the office before the alleged <br />
         		<a id="pl.25.28"></a><var>25.28</var>violation may be prosecuted by a county attorney.<br />
         		<a id="pl.25.29"></a><var>25.29</var>(b) Complaints arising under those sections and related to those individuals and <br />
         		<a id="pl.25.30"></a><var>25.30</var>associations specified in section 10A.02, subdivision 11, paragraph (a), must be filed with <br />
         		<a id="pl.25.31"></a><var>25.31</var>the Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board.<br />
         		<br />
         		<a id="bill.1.52.0"></a><a id="pl.25.32"></a><var>25.32</var>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Sec. 52. <b> REPEALER.</b><br />
         		<a id="pl.25.33"></a><var>25.33</var>Minnesota Statutes 2012, sections 10A.24; 10A.242; and 10A.25, subdivision 6, are <br />
         		<a id="pl.25.34"></a><var>25.34</var>repealed.<br />
         		<br />
         		<a id="bill.1.53.0"></a><a id="pl.26.1"></a><var>26.1</var>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Sec. 53. <b>EFFECTIVE DATE.</b><br />
         		<a id="pl.26.2"></a><var>26.2</var>This article is effective the day following final enactment.<br />
         		<br />
         		<a id="bill.2.0.0"></a><div class="xtend_ce"><a id="pl.26.3"></a><var>26.3</var><b>ARTICLE 2</b><br />
            		
         </div>
         <div class="xtend_ce"><a id="pl.26.4"></a><var>26.4</var><b>PUBLIC OFFICIAL</b><br />
            		
         </div><br />
         		<a id="bill.2.1.0"></a><a id="pl.26.5"></a><var>26.5</var>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 10A.01, subdivision 35, is amended to read:<br />
         		<a id="pl.26.6"></a><var>26.6</var>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Subd. 35. <b>Public official.</b> "Public official" means any:<br />
         		<a id="pl.26.7"></a><var>26.7</var>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(1) member of the legislature;<br />
         		<a id="pl.26.8"></a><var>26.8</var>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(2) individual employed by the legislature as secretary of the senate, legislative <br />
         		<a id="pl.26.9"></a><var>26.9</var>auditor, chief clerk of the house of representatives, revisor of statutes, or researcher, <br />
         		<a id="pl.26.10"></a><var>26.10</var>legislative analyst, or attorney in the Office of Senate Counsel and Research or House <br />
         		<a id="pl.26.11"></a><var>26.11</var>Research;<br />
         		<a id="pl.26.12"></a><var>26.12</var>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(3) constitutional officer in the executive branch and the officer's chief administrative <br />
         		<a id="pl.26.13"></a><var>26.13</var>deputy;<br />
         		<a id="pl.26.14"></a><var>26.14</var>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(4) solicitor general or deputy, assistant, or special assistant attorney general;<br />
         		<a id="pl.26.15"></a><var>26.15</var>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(5) commissioner, deputy commissioner, or assistant commissioner of any state <br />
         		<a id="pl.26.16"></a><var>26.16</var>department or agency as listed in section 
         <statute_ref>15.01</statute_ref> or 
         <statute_ref>15.06</statute_ref>, or the state chief information <br />
         		<a id="pl.26.17"></a><var>26.17</var>officer;<br />
         		<a id="pl.26.18"></a><var>26.18</var>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(6) member, chief administrative officer, or deputy chief administrative officer of a <br />
         		<a id="pl.26.19"></a><var>26.19</var>state board or commission that has either the power to adopt, amend, or repeal rules under <br />
         		<a id="pl.26.20"></a><var>26.20</var>chapter 14, or the power to adjudicate contested cases or appeals under chapter 14;<br />
         		<a id="pl.26.21"></a><var>26.21</var>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(7) individual employed in the executive branch who is authorized to adopt, amend, <br />
         		<a id="pl.26.22"></a><var>26.22</var>or repeal rules under chapter 14 or adjudicate contested cases under chapter 14;<br />
         		<a id="pl.26.23"></a><var>26.23</var>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(8) executive director of the State Board of Investment;<br />
         		<a id="pl.26.24"></a><var>26.24</var>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(9) deputy of any official listed in clauses (7) and (8);<br />
         		<a id="pl.26.25"></a><var>26.25</var>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(10) judge of the Workers' Compensation Court of Appeals;<br />
         		<a id="pl.26.26"></a><var>26.26</var>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(11) administrative law judge or compensation judge in the State Office of <br />
         		<a id="pl.26.27"></a><var>26.27</var>Administrative Hearings or unemployment law judge in the Department of Employment <br />
         		<a id="pl.26.28"></a><var>26.28</var>and Economic Development;<br />
         		<a id="pl.26.29"></a><var>26.29</var>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(12) member, regional administrator, division director, general counsel, or operations <br />
         		<a id="pl.26.30"></a><var>26.30</var>manager of the Metropolitan Council;<br />
         		<a id="pl.26.31"></a><var>26.31</var>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(13) member or chief administrator of a metropolitan agency;<br />
         		<a id="pl.26.32"></a><var>26.32</var>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(14) director of the Division of Alcohol and Gambling Enforcement in the <br />
         		<a id="pl.26.33"></a><var>26.33</var>Department of Public Safety;<br />
         		<a id="pl.26.34"></a><var>26.34</var>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(15) member or executive director of the Higher Education Facilities Authority;<br />
         		<a id="pl.26.35"></a><var>26.35</var>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(16) member of the board of directors or president of Enterprise Minnesota, Inc.;<br />
         		<a id="pl.27.1"></a><var>27.1</var>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(17) member of the board of directors or executive director of the Minnesota State <br />
         		<a id="pl.27.2"></a><var>27.2</var>High School League;<br />
         		<a id="pl.27.3"></a><var>27.3</var>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(18) member of the Minnesota Ballpark Authority established in section 
         <statute_ref>473.755</statute_ref>;<br />
         		<a id="pl.27.4"></a><var>27.4</var>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(19) citizen member of the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources;<br />
         		<a id="pl.27.5"></a><var>27.5</var>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(20) manager of a watershed district, or member of a watershed management <br />
         		<a id="pl.27.6"></a><var>27.6</var>organization as defined under section 
         <statute_ref>103B.205, subdivision 13</statute_ref>;<br />
         		<a id="pl.27.7"></a><var>27.7</var>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(21) supervisor of a soil and water conservation district;<br />
         		<a id="pl.27.8"></a><var>27.8</var>(22) director of Explore Minnesota Tourism;<br />
         		<a id="pl.27.9"></a><var>27.9</var>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(23) citizen member of the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council established <br />
         		<a id="pl.27.10"></a><var>27.10</var>in section 97A.056;<br />
         		<a id="pl.27.11"></a><var>27.11</var>(24) citizen member of the Clean Water Council established in section 
         <statute_ref>114D.30</statute_ref>; or<br />
         		<a id="pl.27.12"></a><var>27.12</var>(25) member or chief executive of the Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority <br />
         		<a id="pl.27.13"></a><var>27.13</var>established in section 
         <statute_ref>473J.07</statute_ref>.;<br />
         		<a id="pl.27.14"></a><var>27.14</var>(26) district court judge, appeals court judge, or Supreme Court justice; or<br />
         		<a id="pl.27.15"></a><var>27.15</var>(27) county commissioner.<br />
         		<br />
         		<a id="bill.2.2.0"></a><a id="pl.27.16"></a><var>27.16</var>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 10A.07, is amended to read:<br />
         		<a id="pl.27.17"></a><var>27.17</var><b>10A.07 CONFLICTS OF INTEREST.</b><br />
         		<a id="pl.27.18"></a><var>27.18</var>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Subdivision 1. <b>Disclosure of potential conflicts.</b> A public official or a local <br />
         		<a id="pl.27.19"></a><var>27.19</var>official elected to or appointed by a metropolitan governmental unit who in the discharge <br />
         		<a id="pl.27.20"></a><var>27.20</var>of official duties would be required to take an action or make a decision that would <br />
         		<a id="pl.27.21"></a><var>27.21</var>substantially affect the official's financial interests or those of an associated business, <br />
         		<a id="pl.27.22"></a><var>27.22</var>unless the effect on the official is no greater than on other members of the official's <br />
         		<a id="pl.27.23"></a><var>27.23</var>business classification, profession, or occupation, must take the following actions:<br />
         		<a id="pl.27.24"></a><var>27.24</var>(1) prepare a written statement describing the matter requiring action or decision and <br />
         		<a id="pl.27.25"></a><var>27.25</var>the nature of the potential conflict of interest;<br />
         		<a id="pl.27.26"></a><var>27.26</var>(2) deliver copies of the statement to the official's immediate superior, if any; and<br />
         		<a id="pl.27.27"></a><var>27.27</var>(3) if a member of the legislature or of the governing body of a metropolitan <br />
         		<a id="pl.27.28"></a><var>27.28</var>governmental unit, deliver a copy of the statement to the presiding officer of the body <br />
         		<a id="pl.27.29"></a><var>27.29</var>of service.<br />
         		<a id="pl.27.30"></a><var>27.30</var>If a potential conflict of interest presents itself and there is insufficient time to <br />
         		<a id="pl.27.31"></a><var>27.31</var>comply with clauses (1) to (3), the public or local official must orally inform the superior <br />
         		<a id="pl.27.32"></a><var>27.32</var>or the official body of service or committee of the body of the potential conflict.<br />
         		<a id="pl.27.33"></a><var>27.33</var>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Subd. 2. <b>Required actions.</b> If the official is not a member of the legislature or of the <br />
         		<a id="pl.27.34"></a><var>27.34</var>governing body of a metropolitan governmental unit, the superior must assign the matter, <br />
         		<a id="pl.27.35"></a><var>27.35</var>if possible, to another employee who does not have a potential conflict of interest. If there <br />
         		<a id="pl.28.1"></a><var>28.1</var>is no immediate superior, the official must abstain, if possible, in a manner prescribed by <br />
         		<a id="pl.28.2"></a><var>28.2</var>the board from influence over the action or decision in question. If the official is a member <br />
         		<a id="pl.28.3"></a><var>28.3</var>of the legislature, the house of service may, at the member's request, excuse the member <br />
         		<a id="pl.28.4"></a><var>28.4</var>from taking part in the action or decision in question. If the official is not permitted or is <br />
         		<a id="pl.28.5"></a><var>28.5</var>otherwise unable to abstain from action in connection with the matter, the official must <br />
         		<a id="pl.28.6"></a><var>28.6</var>file a statement describing the potential conflict and the action taken. A public official <br />
         		<a id="pl.28.7"></a><var>28.7</var>must file the statement with the board and a local official must file the statement with the <br />
         		<a id="pl.28.8"></a><var>28.8</var>governing body of the official's political subdivision. The statement must be filed within a <br />
         		<a id="pl.28.9"></a><var>28.9</var>week of the action taken.<br />
         		<a id="pl.28.10"></a><var>28.10</var>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Subd. 3. <b>Interest in contract; local officials.</b> This section does not apply to a local <br />
         		<a id="pl.28.11"></a><var>28.11</var>official with respect to a matter governed by sections 
         <statute_ref>471.87</statute_ref> and 
         <statute_ref>471.88</statute_ref>.<br />
         		<a id="pl.28.12"></a><var>28.12</var>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Subd. 4. <b>Exception; judges.</b> Notwithstanding subdivisions 1 and 2, a public official <br />
         		<a id="pl.28.13"></a><var>28.13</var>who is a district court judge, an appeals court judge, or a Supreme Court justice is not <br />
         		<a id="pl.28.14"></a><var>28.14</var>required to comply with the provisions of this section.<br />
         		<br />
         		<a id="bill.2.3.0"></a><a id="pl.28.15"></a><var>28.15</var>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 10A.071, subdivision 1, is amended to read:<br />
         		<a id="pl.28.16"></a><var>28.16</var>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Subdivision 1. <b>Definitions.</b> (a) The definitions in this subdivision apply to this <br />
         		<a id="pl.28.17"></a><var>28.17</var>section.<br />
         		<a id="pl.28.18"></a><var>28.18</var>(b) "Gift" means money, real or personal property, a service, a loan, a forbearance or <br />
         		<a id="pl.28.19"></a><var>28.19</var>forgiveness of indebtedness, or a promise of future employment, that is given and received <br />
         		<a id="pl.28.20"></a><var>28.20</var>without the giver receiving consideration of equal or greater value in return.<br />
         		<a id="pl.28.21"></a><var>28.21</var>(c) "Official" means a public official, an employee of the legislature, a judge, or a <br />
         		<a id="pl.28.22"></a><var>28.22</var>local official of a metropolitan governmental unit.<br />
         		<br />
         		<a id="bill.2.4.0"></a><a id="pl.28.23"></a><var>28.23</var>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 10A.08, is amended to read:<br />
         		<a id="pl.28.24"></a><var>28.24</var><b>10A.08 REPRESENTATION DISCLOSURE.</b><br />
         		<a id="pl.28.25"></a><var>28.25</var>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Subdivision 1. <b>Disclosure required.</b> A public official who represents a client for a <br />
         		<a id="pl.28.26"></a><var>28.26</var>fee before an individual, board, commission, or agency that has rulemaking authority in a <br />
         		<a id="pl.28.27"></a><var>28.27</var>hearing conducted under chapter 14, must disclose the official's participation in the action <br />
         		<a id="pl.28.28"></a><var>28.28</var>to the board within 14 days after the appearance. If the public official fails to disclose the <br />
         		<a id="pl.28.29"></a><var>28.29</var>participation within ten business days after the disclosure required by this section was due, <br />
         		<a id="pl.28.30"></a><var>28.30</var>the board may impose a late filing fee of $5 per day, not to exceed $100, starting on the <br />
         		<a id="pl.28.31"></a><var>28.31</var>11th day after the disclosure was due. The board must send notice by certified mail to a <br />
         		<a id="pl.28.32"></a><var>28.32</var>public official who fails to disclose the participation within ten business days after the <br />
         		<a id="pl.28.33"></a><var>28.33</var>disclosure was due that the public official may be subject to a civil penalty for failure to <br />
         		<a id="pl.28.34"></a><var>28.34</var>disclose the participation. A public official who fails to disclose the participation within <br />
         		<a id="pl.29.1"></a><var>29.1</var>seven days after the certified mail notice was sent by the board is subject to a civil penalty <br />
         		<a id="pl.29.2"></a><var>29.2</var>imposed by the board of up to $1,000.<br />
         		<a id="pl.29.3"></a><var>29.3</var>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Subd. 2. <b>Exception; judges.</b> Notwithstanding subdivision 1, a public official who is <br />
         		<a id="pl.29.4"></a><var>29.4</var>a district court judge, an appeals court judge, or a Supreme Court justice is not required to <br />
         		<a id="pl.29.5"></a><var>29.5</var>comply with the provisions of this section.<br />
         		<br />
         		<a id="bill.2.5.0"></a><a id="pl.29.6"></a><var>29.6</var>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Sec. 5. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 10A.09, subdivision 6a, is amended to read:<br />
         		<a id="pl.29.7"></a><var>29.7</var>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Subd. 6a. <b>Local officials</b><b> Place of filing</b><b>.</b> A public official required to file a <br />
         		<a id="pl.29.8"></a><var>29.8</var>statement under this section must file it with the board. A local official required to file a <br />
         		<a id="pl.29.9"></a><var>29.9</var>statement under this section must file it with the governing body of the official's political <br />
         		<a id="pl.29.10"></a><var>29.10</var>subdivision. The governing body must maintain statements filed with it under this <br />
         		<a id="pl.29.11"></a><var>29.11</var>subdivision as public data. If an official position is defined as both a public official and as <br />
         		<a id="pl.29.12"></a><var>29.12</var>a local official of a metropolitan governmental unit under this chapter, the official must <br />
         		<a id="pl.29.13"></a><var>29.13</var>file the statement with the board.<br />
         		<br />
         		<a id="bill.2.6.0"></a><a id="pl.29.14"></a><var>29.14</var>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Sec. 6. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 10A.09, is amended by adding a subdivision <br />
         		<a id="pl.29.15"></a><var>29.15</var>to read:<br />
         		<a id="pl.29.16"></a><var>29.16</var>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Subd. 9. <b>Waivers.</b> Upon written request and for good cause shown, the board may <br />
         		<a id="pl.29.17"></a><var>29.17</var>waive the requirement that an official disclose the address of real property that constitutes <br />
         		<a id="pl.29.18"></a><var>29.18</var>a secondary residence of the official.<br />
         		<br />
         		<a id="bill.2.7.0"></a><a id="pl.29.19"></a><var>29.19</var>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Sec. 7. <b>EFFECTIVE DATE.</b><br />
         		<a id="pl.29.20"></a><var>29.20</var>This article is effective January 1, 2014, and applies to public officials elected or <br />
         		<a id="pl.29.21"></a><var>29.21</var>appointed to terms of office commencing on or after that date.<br />
         		
      </div>