SF 4196 Minnesota Senate · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board to impose fees and civil penalties for various violations requirement

This bill strengthens Minnesota's campaign finance enforcement by requiring the Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board to impose enhanced penalties for specific violations without allowing waivers. It defines "enhanced penalties" as late fees or civil penalties applied when contribution or disbursement thresholds of $25,000 or $250,000 are exceeded, using multipliers based on the amount involved. The legislation clarifies definitions for total contributions and disbursements, mandates stricter record-keeping requirements for four years, and increases civil penalties for knowingly submitting false reports or failing to maintain accurate financial records. All collected fees and penalties must be deposited into the state elections campaign account rather than the general fund.

Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Mar 2026

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced Mar 9, 2026 Last action Apr 21, 2026

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What changed between versions

1st Engrossment → 2nd Engrossment · 6 edits · Apr 21, 2026

MODERATE

This bill revision strengthens Minnesota's campaign finance enforcement by raising the financial threshold for 'enhanced penalties' from $250,000 to $1,000,000 and clarifying that these penalties apply to any violation exceeding $25,000. It mandates stricter reporting requirements, requiring individuals to 'willfully' sign false reports rather than just 'knowingly,' and expands the definition of reports subject to these higher penalties. The changes also adjust late filing fees and civil penalties for specific scenarios, such as unregistered associations and discrepancies in reports, while updating the effective date to August 12, 2026.

Scope change

The scope of enhanced penalties was broadened to apply to a wider range of violations, specifically those involving amounts exceeding $25,000, rather than being limited to violations involving over $250,000.

ENFORCEMENT

The threshold for triggering enhanced penalties was raised from $250,000 to $1,000,000, and the standard was clarified to apply to any willful violation exceeding $25,000.

Penalties for failing to report material changes or reconcile discrepancies were updated to explicitly target 'willful' violations and adjusted based on the amount involved.

Late filing fees and civil penalties for unregistered associations and specific report types were restructured to include higher multipliers for willful violations.

REQUIREMENT

The standard for signing false reports was tightened from 'knowingly' to 'willfully,' requiring a higher intent to be liable for penalties.

DEFINITION

New definitions and clarifications were added to specify which reports are subject to enhanced penalties and how they are calculated.

TIMELINE

The effective date of the act was updated to August 12, 2026, applying to reports and statements due on or after that date.

Floor votes

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Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Apr 21, 2026

Upper · Passed

Comm report: To pass as amended and re-refer to Finance

upper

Mar 17, 2026

Upper · Passed

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

upper

Mar 9, 2026

Committee

Referred to Elections

upper

Mar 9, 2026

Introduced

Introduction and first reading

upper

1 primary · 1 co-sponsor