Bill > SF3543

This bill establishes a new mechanism for reducing local government aid (specifically county, city, and town aid) based on lobbying expenses. Under the proposed law, the amount of aid a local government receives will be decreased by the total amount of lobbying expenditures that the government reports under existing reporting requirements in section 6.76. The bill defines "lobbying expenditures" comprehensively, including both direct lobbying expenses reported by the local government and the portion of association membership dues allocated to lobbying activities. Importantly, the aid reduction cannot reduce a county's, city's, or town's aid below zero, providing a safeguard against completely eliminating government support. The provision will take effect for aid payments in calendar year 2026 and subsequent years, giving local governments advance notice of this new financial adjustment. The goal appears to be discouraging local governments from spending significant funds on lobbying activities by directly linking such expenses to reductions in state aid.

Budget and Finance

https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/bill.php?b=Senate&f=SF3543&ssn=0&y=2025