Minnesota2026Passed Legislature
HF4239
Changes to Campaign Finance Rules for Noncampaign Spending
Last scannedAug 22, 2026, 3:39 AM
In one sentence
This bill updates Minnesota laws to define specific types of campaign spending that do not count as election influence, sets rules and limits for security costs, and modifies how data is handled in reporting systems.
What it does
- Defines 'noncampaign disbursements' as payments like legal fees related to the committee or office, food at fundraisers, child care while campaigning, post-election parties, and transition expenses.
- Increases the yearly limit on spending for candidate security monitoring from $3,000 to $10,000.
- Creates a new definition for 'security services' that includes threat assessments and guards provided by law enforcement or licensed vendors.
- Allows campaign committees to pay for repairing or replacing stolen, lost, or damaged signs if the damage is documented in writing or with photos.
- Updates rules on how data privacy works within electronic reporting systems used by individuals.
Who it affects
- Principal campaign committees
- Candidates running for state office
- Elected officials and constitutional officers
Limits and unknowns
- Security services cannot be provided by relatives of the official or cost more than fair market value.
- Candidates must provide written proof or photos to get reimbursed for damaged campaign property like lawn signs.
- The bill does not state a specific effective date in the provided text.
Plain language
Terms to know
- Noncampaign disbursement
- A payment made by a principal campaign committee that is not intended to influence an election, such as paying for legal services related to the office or security.
- Security services
- Threat assessments, guards, or screening provided by law enforcement or licensed vendors specifically to address safety concerns from holding office.
- Principal campaign committee
- The main group that collects money and spends it for a candidate's election efforts.
Official record
Sources
Official summary
Noncampaign disbursements provided; data classification provided; complaints provided; and requirements for reports, written communications, and disclaimers modified.
Official activity
Bill history
- Presented to Governor 05/15/2026House
- Presentment date 05/15/26Senate
- Returned from Senate with amendmentHouse
- House rule 1.15 (c), message requesting concurrence receivedHouse
- Taken from tableSenate
- Taken from tableSenate
- Received from HouseSenate
- AmendedHouse
- House rule 1.21, placed on Calendar for the Day 04/27/2026House
- Committee report, to adoptHouse
- Introduction and first reading, referred to Elections Finance and Government OperationsHouse