HF 2526 Minnesota House · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Exceptions expanded to prohibition against gifts to local officials, and penalties provided for using a gift to influence a decision of a public safety officer.

HF 2526 expands exceptions to Minnesota's ban on gifts to local officials. It adds two new exceptions: (1) free mental health services (like counseling) from nonprofits supporting first responders, provided they're voluntary and not tied to official decisions; and (2) meals or events offering comfort after traumatic incidents involving first responders, open to all affected personnel. These changes apply to local officials like mayors and council members who interact with first responders. The bill modifies Minnesota Statutes section 471.895, adding these provisions while maintaining existing gift restrictions.

Issues: ✓ Healthcare

Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Mar 2025

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced Mar 20, 2025 Last action Mar 25, 2026

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What changed between versions

Introduction → 1st Engrossment · 5 edits · Mar 25, 2026

MODERATE

This bill expands the list of acceptable gifts to local officials by adding specific exceptions for mental health services and post-trauma support events for public safety officers. It introduces new definitions for 'public safety officer' and establishes that these gifts are only legal if they are voluntary, medically necessary, and not luxury services. Additionally, the bill creates a new penalty for using these gifts to influence an officer's duties and requires the Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board to set standards for what constitutes a luxury service.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded from general local government officials to specifically include public safety officers, adding new categories of permissible gifts and enforcement penalties for that specific group.

DEFINITION

Added a specific definition for 'public safety officer' to include non-peace officers who process records or evidence related to traumatic events.

ELIGIBILITY

Created new exceptions allowing free mental health services and post-trauma support meals for public safety officers, provided they are voluntary and not contingent on official actions.

REQUIREMENT

Added requirements that mental health services must be provided by qualified professionals and qualify as medical treatment for recovery from a traumatic event.

Mandated that the Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board establish and publish standards to define what constitutes a 'luxury service or event'.

ENFORCEMENT

Introduced a specific penalty under section 609.42 for giving or accepting these specific gifts with the intent to influence a public safety officer's performance of duties.

Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Mar 25, 2026

Lower · Passed

Committee report, to adopt as amended

lower

Mar 20, 2025

Introduced

Introduction and first reading, referred to Elections Finance and Government Operations

lower

1 primary · 1 co-sponsor