Bill > SF3459

This bill proposes to repeal Minnesota's campaign public subsidy program, effectively eliminating the state's system of public financing for political campaigns. The bill would remove numerous existing statutes related to the state elections campaign account, public campaign subsidies, spending limits, and contribution refunds. Key changes include eliminating the ability for taxpayers to designate $5 of their state income tax return to political campaigns, removing provisions for public subsidies to candidates who agree to spending limits, and canceling the process by which candidates could receive state funding for their campaigns. Any remaining balances in the state elections campaign account would be transferred to the general fund. The bill also makes conforming changes to various campaign finance laws, removing references to the now-defunct public subsidy system. These changes would fundamentally alter Minnesota's approach to campaign financing, shifting from a system that provided state funding to candidates to a model where campaigns are solely funded through private contributions. The bill is set to take effect on July 1, 2025, giving political parties and candidates time to adjust to the new campaign finance landscape.

Government Affairs

https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/bill.php?b=Senate&f=SF3459&ssn=0&y=2025