Minnesota Administrative Rules Agency 143 - Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board
Here’s a structured overview of Agency 143 – Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board under the Minnesota Administrative Rules:
📘 Organization of Agency 143 Rules
The agency’s rules are organized into several key chapters, each covering a different area of responsibility:
1. Chapter 4501 – General Provisions (Parts 4501.0010–4501.0700)
Defines scope, authority, definitions, filing procedures, and general compliance standards.
2. Chapter 4503 – Campaign Finance Activities (Parts 4503.0010–4503.2000)
Covers campaign committee registration, contribution limits, credit‑card usage, judicial candidate rules, public subsidy agreements, and 48-hour notice filings.
3. Chapter 4505 – Economic Interest Disclosure (Parts 4505.0010–4505.1000)
Establishes reporting requirements for economic interests held by public officials
4. Chapter 4511 – Lobbyist Registration & Reporting (Parts 4511.0010–4511.1100)
Details rules for lobbyist registration, principals, reporting disbursements, compensation, administrative action, and rules on political-subdivision lobbying.
5. Chapter 4512 – Gift Prohibition (Parts 4512.0010–4512.0600)
Defines prohibited gifts, exceptions (plaques, insignificant items), and group‑gift conditions. Includes formal definitions and allowed exceptions.
6. Chapter 4515 – Conflicts of Interest (Parts 4515.0010–4515.0800)
Addresses disclosure requirements and restrictions to avoid conflicts, ensuring transparency.
7. Chapter 4520 – Representation Disclosure (Parts 4520.0010–4520.0800)
Establishes requirements for listing representation by various persons before state agencies.
8. Chapter 4525 – Hearings, Audits & Investigations (Parts 4525.0010–4525.1000)
Outlines processes for complaints, investigations, audits, contested cases, summary proceedings, and anonymous proceedings.
🔍 Highlights & Key Provisions
Campaign Rules (Ch. 4503): Set contribution limits, regulate candidate and committee filings, public subsidy mechanisms, and mandate 48-hour disclosures. Compulsory use of 48-hour notice for last-minute contributions.
Economic Interest Filings (Ch. 4505): Require officials to declare financial interests like investments, real property, and debts to prevent undisclosed conflicts.
Lobbyist Oversight (Ch. 4511): Requires lobbyists to register, declare clients and expenditures, and includes oversight of their principal relationships.
Gift Rules (Ch. 4512):
Prohibits gifts from lobbyists or principals to officials (including via third-party routing).
Exceptions include plaques under $5, trivial mementos, and items provided evenly to a non‑official majority in a group.
Definitions and valuation rules provided
Enforcement Procedures (Ch. 4525):
Investigative and audit protocols, complaint handling, summary proceedings, contested cases, and allowances for anonymous submissions.
✅ Why It Matters
These rules implement Minnesota Statutes Chapter 10A and related ethics laws, ensuring:
Transparency in campaign donations, lobbying, and economic holdings.
Integrity & fairness, by preventing undue influence through gifts and financial conflicts.
Accountability, through defined enforcement and audit processes.
🔗 For More
Official current text: Minnesota Revisor’s Office, Agency 143.
Summaries: Sites like LII, Justia, and Casetext provide detailed breakdowns.
Board’s website (cfb.mn.gov): Offers advisory opinions (e.g., on gift exceptions), forms, guidance documents, and recent rule updates.
RELATED Blog
0 comments