Bill > HF3285

This bill repeals Minnesota's public subsidy program for campaign finance, making several significant changes to existing campaign finance laws. Specifically, the bill eliminates the state's system of public campaign financing, which previously allowed candidates to receive taxpayer-funded campaign subsidies if they agreed to certain spending limits. The bill removes multiple sections of law related to this program, including provisions for calculating public subsidies, setting spending limits, and managing state elections campaign accounts. Key changes include removing the ability for taxpayers to designate $5 of their tax returns to campaign financing, eliminating the requirement for candidates to file affidavits of contributions to receive public funds, and transferring any remaining balances in the state elections campaign accounts to the general fund. The bill effectively dismantles the existing public campaign financing system in Minnesota, with all changes set to take effect on July 1, 2025. This represents a significant shift in how political campaigns will be funded in the state, removing the previous voluntary public subsidy mechanism that had been in place to provide financial support to candidates who agreed to spending restrictions.

Government Affairs

https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/bill.php?b=House&f=HF3285&ssn=0&y=2025