Bill > HF1750

This bill establishes the Minnesota Civic Fund program, which creates a new system for political contributions that replaces the existing political contribution refund program. Under the new program, eligible Minnesota voters will automatically receive a civic fund credit that they can assign to qualified candidates or political parties in $25 increments, up to a total of $100 per person. Participation is automatic for registered voters, with the secretary of state providing voter information to the Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board, which will then send notifications about the program. To be eligible to receive credits, candidates must have a registered principal campaign committee, be seeking an office with voluntary spending limits, have signed an agreement to limit campaign expenditures, and have collected a minimum number of small contributions from individuals in their represented area. The program includes strict rules about credit assignment, including prohibitions on selling or transferring credits, and establishes a redemption value cap to limit the total amount of credits that can be redeemed each year. The bill also repeals the existing political contribution refund program, with the new system set to take effect on January 1, 2026, and the old program fully phased out by April 15, 2028. Additionally, the bill requires the Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board to conduct a public education campaign about the new program, with a focus on lower-income communities.

Government Affairs

https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/bill.php?b=House&f=HF1750&ssn=0&y=2025