SF 4147 Minnesota Senate · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Certain powers removal and reallocation

This bill redefines the powers that business organizations and other legal entities in Minnesota can exercise, specifically by removing their ability to engage in political spending. It directly affects corporations, nonprofits, and other entities operating under state law by clarifying that their authorized powers are limited to those necessary for their lawful business or organizational purposes. The bill explicitly prohibits legal entities from using money to support or oppose candidates, political parties, or ballot measures, while allowing them to distribute news and editorial content through media outlets. If an entity violates these rules, the attorney general can seek administrative dissolution, and any political spending acts by the entity are automatically void and unenforceable. The legislation also establishes civil penalties and provides a process for reinstating entities that have been dissolved for violations.

Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Mar 2026

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced Mar 4, 2026 Last action Mar 23, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

1st Engrossment → 2nd Engrossment · 3 edits · Mar 23, 2026

MINOR

The bill was updated from the 1st to the 2nd engrossment, moving the posting date from March 20 to March 24, 2026. Substantively, the enforcement mechanism for administrative dissolution was strengthened by mandating that the Secretary of State must issue a dissolution certificate upon receiving a petition from the Attorney General, whereas the previous version only stated the Attorney General could petition. Additionally, the reinstatement and liability rules were moved to a new subsection, and a new provision was added allowing legal entities to challenge the dissolution decision in district court.

Scope change

The scope of enforcement was expanded to make administrative dissolution mandatory upon petition, and the scope of rights was expanded to include a judicial challenge process for affected entities.

ENFORCEMENT

Changed the dissolution process from a discretionary petition to a mandatory action where the Secretary of State must issue a certificate of administrative dissolution upon receiving a petition from the Attorney General.

Added a new right for legal entities to challenge the Secretary of State's decision to issue a dissolution certificate by filing an action in district court.

REQUIREMENT

Reorganized the bill structure by moving reinstatement and liability limitations to a new subsection and adding a new subsection for legal challenges.

Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Mar 23, 2026

Upper · Passed

Comm report: To pass as amended and re-refer to State and Local Government

upper

Mar 12, 2026

Upper · Passed

Comm report: To pass as amended and re-refer to Judiciary and Public Safety

upper

Mar 4, 2026

Committee

Referred to Elections

upper

Mar 4, 2026

Introduced

Introduction and first reading

upper

1 primary · 3 co-sponsors