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HF 990

Entities or organizations that receive state funding prohibited from making campaign expenditures or otherwise expending money for any political purpose.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Jimmy Gordon

The bill bars any entity receiving state funding from spending money on campaign activities or political advocacy.

Introduction and first reading, referred to Elections Finance and Government Operations
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Bill Summary · HF 990

Bill overview

HF 990 (Session 2025-2026, Minnesota) proposes prohibiting entities or organizations that receive state funding from making campaign expenditures or spending money for any political purpose.

Purpose and intent

  • To prevent recipients of state funds from directly or indirectly influencing elections through campaign activities.
  • To ensure that public funds are not used to support political advocacy or campaign-related expenditures.
  • To establish a clear separation between state-funded entities and political activity.

Key provisions and changes

  • Prohibition on campaign expenditures: Any entity or organization that receives state funding would be barred from spending money on campaign activities. This includes political contributions, advertising, organizing, or otherwise financing campaigns.
  • Scope of "state funding": The bill defines or relies on a definition of what constitutes state funding (e.g., grants, contracts, subsidies, or other financial support provided by state government).
  • Definition of political purpose or campaign expenditures: The bill specifies what counts as political expenditures, such as campaign advertisements, voter outreach for or against ballot measures, candidate support or opposition, and related political advocacy.
  • Compliance standards: Recipients would need to track expenditures to ensure they do not engage in prohibited political spending and may be subject to reporting or certification requirements.
  • Enforcement mechanisms: The bill would establish penalties or remedies for violations, potentially including fines, clawbacks of funding, or disqualification from future state funding.
  • Exclusions or carve-outs: The bill may include specific exemptions (e.g., nonpartisan educational activities, routine administrative costs, or general information dissemination) or clarify that certain entities (e.g., charitable organizations) are not impacted if they do not engage in political campaigning.

Who would be affected

  • Public or private organizations, nonprofits, or other entities that currently receive state funding (grants, contracts, subsidies, or other financial assistance) from Minnesota state government.
  • Sub-recipients or partners of funded programs if they participate in campaign activities using funds derived from state support.
  • Compliance officers and financial officers within funded entities who would ensure adherence to the prohibition.
  • State agencies and officials responsible for administering funding and oversight, including monitoring, reporting, and enforcement.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Introduction and first-reading: February 17, 2025, and referred to the Elections Finance and Government Operations committee.
  • Next steps typically include committee hearings, potential amendments, and floor debate in the Minnesota House of Representatives.
  • If advanced, the bill could proceed to the Senate in a future session or continued legislative steps, including potential conference committees if there are differences between chambers.
  • Effective date: The bill would specify an effective date for the prohibitions (e.g., upon enactment or a phased-in date), and any transitional provisions for existing funding arrangements.

Potential implications and considerations

  • Fiscal impact: Possible changes in grant distributions or enforcement costs; could affect recipients’ budgeting for political activities.
  • Administrative burden: Recipients may need enhanced accounting to separate funds and demonstrate compliance.
  • Political implications: The scope of “state funding” and “political purpose” definitions could determine how broad or narrow the prohibition is in practice.
  • Legal considerations: The definitions and enforcement provisions would shape enforceability and potential challenges.

If you’d like, I can tailor this summary to include hypothetical sample definitions, potential amendments, or align it with the bill’s exact text once available.

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

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