Plain English Breakdown
The plain English breakdown is still being put together. The official documents below are already here.
SF1851 • 2026
Misrepresentation of campaign authority prohibition
Misrepresentation of campaign authority prohibition
Passed Legislature
This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.
Bill History
-
2025-04-01
House
Comm report: To pass and re-referred to Elections
-
2025-03-03
House
Comm report: To pass as amended and re-refer to Judiciary and Public Safety
-
2025-02-27
House
Author added Draheim
-
2025-02-24
House
Introduction and first reading
Official Summary Text
Misrepresentation of campaign authority prohibition
Current Bill Text
Read the full stored bill text
A bill for an act relating to elections; prohibiting misrepresentation of campaign authority; providing criminal penalties and civil remedies; amending Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 211B.32, subdivision 1; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 211B. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA: Section 1. new text begin [211B.065] MISREPRESENTATION OF CAMPAIGN AUTHORITY. new text end new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end new text begin Misrepresentation prohibited. new text end new text begin (a) A person must not: new text end new text begin (1) misrepresent the person or any committee or organization as speaking or writing or otherwise acting for or on behalf of any real, potential, spurious, or nonexistent candidate, political party, committee, fund, or organization with the intent to defraud; or new text end new text begin (2) willfully and knowingly participate in or conspire to participate in any plan, scheme, or design to violate clause (1). new text end new text begin (b) A person must not: new text end new text begin (1) misrepresent the person as speaking, writing, or otherwise acting for or on behalf of any real, potential, spurious, or nonexistent candidate, political party, committee, fund, or organization or employee or agent of any such candidate, political party, or political committee or organization when soliciting money or any other thing of value with the intent to defraud; or new text end new text begin (2) willfully and knowingly participate in or conspire to participate in any plan, scheme, or design to violate clause (1). new text end new text begin Subd. 2. new text end new text begin Criminal penalties; civil remedies. new text end new text begin (a) Except as otherwise provided, a person who violates this section is guilty of a gross misdemeanor. new text end new text begin (b) The attorney general, a county attorney, or a party injured by a violation of subdivision 1 may bring a civil action pursuant to section 8.31 to recover damages, together with costs of investigation and reasonable attorney fees, and receive other equitable relief as determined by the court. An action brought by an injured party under section 8.31, subdivision 3a, benefits the public. In addition to all other damages, the court may impose a civil penalty of up to $1,000 for each violation. new text end new text begin (c) Civil remedies allowable under this section are cumulative and do not restrict any other right or remedy otherwise available. The complaint process provided in sections 211B.31 to 211B.36 does not apply to violations of this section. new text end new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end new text begin This section is effective August 1, 2025, and applies to crimes committed on or after that date and causes of action accruing on or after that date. new text end Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 211B.32, subdivision 1, is amended to read: Subdivision 1. Administrative remedy; exhaustion. (a) Except as provided in paragraphs (b) and (c), a complaint alleging a violation of chapter 211A or 211B must be filed with the office. The complaint must be finally disposed of by the office before the alleged violation may be prosecuted by a county attorney. (b) Complaints arising under those sections and related to those individuals and associations specified in section 10A.022, subdivision 3 , must be filed with the Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board. (c) Violations of sections new text begin 211B.065, new text end 211B.075 new text begin , new text end and 211B.076 may be enforced as provided in those sections.