SF 4640 Minnesota Senate · 2025-2026 Regular Session

State employees and legislators prohibition from taking employment with or serve as an independent contractor for grant recipients in certain situations

This bill establishes employment restrictions for former state employees and legislators in Minnesota to prevent conflicts of interest related to state grants. It prohibits former legislators from working for companies they voted to fund with grants within 12 months of leaving office, and bars former state employees from working for organizations they helped evaluate, rank, or administer grants for during their tenure. The legislation also defines violations as criminal offenses and allows the state to void affected grants, require repayment of funds, and ban violators from receiving future state grants for one year. Additionally, the bill expands the definition of serious crimes used to recall state officers to include more misdemeanor offenses involving public safety and dishonesty.

Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Mar 2026

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced Mar 23, 2026 Last action Apr 20, 2026

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What changed between versions

Introduction → 1st Engrossment · 4 edits · Apr 7, 2026

MODERATE

This bill significantly strengthens ethics rules by extending the 'revolving door' cooling-off period for former legislators and state employees from 12 months to 5 years. It also introduces new restrictions preventing former employees from contracting with entities they previously helped evaluate or select for grants. These changes aim to prevent conflicts of interest and ensure fair decision-making in government grant programs.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope of restrictions to include independent contractor relationships in addition to traditional employment and extends the time window during which these restrictions apply.

TIMELINE

Extended the cooling-off period for former legislators and state employees from 12 months to 5 years before accepting employment or contracts with grant recipients.

REQUIREMENT

Added new restrictions preventing former employees from contracting with entities they previously evaluated, ranked, or administered grants for, even if the cooling-off period for general employment has passed.

ENFORCEMENT

Increased the penalty for employers who violate these rules by extending the ban on receiving state grants from 12 months to 10 years.

DEFINITION

Clarified that 'employ' and 'employer' now include contracting for services to cover independent contractor relationships.

Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Apr 20, 2026

Committee

Pursuant to Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 6, referred to Rules and Administration

upper

Apr 20, 2026

Committee

Comm report: No recommendation, re-referred to Elections

upper

Apr 7, 2026

Upper · Passed

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

upper

Mar 23, 2026

Committee

Referred to State and Local Government

upper

Mar 23, 2026

Introduced

Introduction and first reading

upper

1 primary · 4 co-sponsors