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Bill

HF 1943

Elections finance bill.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Mike Freiberg and 1 co-sponsor

Provides dedicated multi-year state funding for campaign finance oversight (CFPDB) and HAVA-related election administration (SoS) in Minnesota, ensuring ongoing compliance and disc

Committee report, to adopt as amended and re-refer to Ways and Means
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HF 1943

Summary of HF 1943 (2025-2026) — Elections Finance Bill

This summary explains the bill’s purpose, key provisions, who/how it affects, and notable procedural/timeline aspects. It focuses on substantive content related to elections funding and campaign finance oversight.

Purpose and Intent

  • HF 1943 is an elections finance bill intended to adjust funding for elections administration and campaign finance oversight in Minnesota. It includes appropriations for agencies involved in campaign finance/public disclosure and for the Secretary of State related to transfer to a federal grant program (Help America Vote Act match) and overall funding for the Elections Finance and Government Operations framework.

Key Provisions and Changes

Overall Structure

  • The bill provides appropriations (from the general fund) for the 2026 and 2027 fiscal years (aligning with the Minnesota fiscal year: first year = 2026, second year = 2027).
  • It explicitly defines how the appropriations are to be used by:
    • Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board (CFPDB)
    • Secretary of State (SoS)

Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board (CFPDB)

  • Allocation: $1,819,000 available for the year 2026, and $1,846,000 available for the year 2027.
  • Note: The figure for 2028 and thereafter is referenced as the base appropriation of $1,846,000, suggesting a fixed baseline for future years unless amended by law.
  • Implication: This funding supports the CFPDB’s operations related to campaign finance enforcement, disclosure, audits, compliance, and related administrative activities.

Secretary of State (SoS)

  • Allocation: $200,000 for the year 2026.
  • This amount is designated for transfer to the Help America Vote Act (HAVA) account established in Minnesota Statutes, section 5.30.
  • Purpose: The transfer is tied to meeting the state match requirement of the federal Further Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2024 (Public Law 118-47). This facilitates Minnesota’s participation in federal grant programs under HAVA, supporting election administration improvements and compliance.

Affected Entities and Stakeholders

  • Primary recipients of the appropriations:
    • Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board (CFPDB): funding to support operations related to campaign finance disclosure and enforcement.
    • Minnesota Secretary of State: funding to support HAVA match requirements and election administration activities.
  • Indirectly, candidates, political committees, lobbyists, and the general public benefit from strengthened campaign finance oversight and enhanced election administration capabilities.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Session and Version:
    • HF 1943 is in the 94th Minnesota Legislature (2025-2026). It has undergone at least one engrossment (first engrossment posted 03/04/2025; revised engrossment posted 04/21/2025).
  • Committee and Amendments:
    • The bill was reported by the Elections Finance and Government Operations committee with an amendment and re-reference to Ways and Means (as of 04/21/2025).
  • Effective Dates:
    • The appropriations are provided for fiscal years 2026 and 2027, with a baseline appropriation amount for 2028 and beyond, indicating a multi-year funding plan subject to future changes.

Summary of Impact

  • Financial: Establishes and clarifies state funding levels for CFPDB and SoS related to election finance and administration, ensuring ongoing resources for enforcement, disclosure, and HAVA-related activities.
  • Compliance and Administration: Supports robust campaign finance oversight and improved election infrastructure, aiding compliance with federal requirements and state-level disclosure obligations.
  • Long-Term Planning: Sets a baseline for continued funding in subsequent years (2028 onward), providing budgetary stability for election-related operations.

If you’d like, I can tailor this summary to a specific audience (e.g., policymakers, journalists, or the general public) or add a short comparison to current law to highlight changes.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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