STATE OF MINNESOTA TWENTY-THIRD MEETING
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES NINETY-FOURTH SESSION
ELECTIONS FINANCE AND GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS COMMITTEE MINUTES
Representative Mike Freiberg, Co-Chair of the Elections Finance and Government Operations Committee, called the meeting to order at 1:00 PM on March 18th, 2026, in Room G23 of the Capitol Building.
The clerk noted the roll.
Members present:
FREIBERG, Mike, DFL Co-Chair
QUAM, Duane, GOP Co-Chair
LEE, Liz, DFL Vice Chair
ALTENDORF, Pam, GOP Vice Chair
ACOMB, Patty
COULTER, Nathan
DAVIS, Ben
GORDON, Jimmy
GREENMAN, Emma
MCDONALD, Joe
ROACH, Drew
VIRNIG, Bianca
A quorum was present.
Representative Lee moved that the minutes from March 4th, 2026, be adopted. THE MOTION PREVAILED.
Representative Coulter moved that the minutes from March 9th, 2026, be adopted. THE MOTION PREVAILED.
Representative Roach moved that the minutes from March 11th, 2026, be adopted. THE MOTION PREVAILED.
HF 3698 (Gottfried) Certain terms in libraries’ electronic book and digital audiobook license agreements or contracts prohibited.
Representative Freiberg brought HF 3698 before the committee.
Representative Freiberg moves that HF 3698 be re-referred to the Commerce Finance and Policy Committee.
Representative Gottfried presented HF 3698.
Testifying:
• Sarah Hawkins, Legislative Chair, Minnesota Library Association
• Stacey Hendren, Deputy Director, Rochester Public Library
• Todd Hill, Lobbyist, Hill Capitol Strategies
Representative Altendorf requested a roll call on the motion to re-refer HF 3698.
The clerk noted the roll.
AYES:
FREIBERG, Mike, DFL Co-Chair
QUAM, Duane, GOP Co-Chair
LEE, Liz, DFL Vice Chair
ACOMB, Patty
COULTER, Nathan
GORDON, Jimmy
GREENMAN, Emma
VIRNIG, Bianca
NAYS:
ALTENDORF, Pam, GOP Vice Chair
DAVIS, Ben
MCDONALD, Joe
ROACH, Drew
With 8 AYES, 4 NAYS, THE MOTION PREVAILED.
Representative Lee assumed the gavel at 1:46 PM.
HF 4243 (Freiberg) Reporting thresholds increased, deadlines and filing periods clarified, conforming changes for local candidates made, and technical changes made.
Representative Freiberg brought HF 4243 before the committee.
Representative Freiberg moved that HF 4243 be placed on the General Register.
Representative Freiberg presented HF 4243.
Testifying:
• Jeff Sigurdson, Director, Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board
Representative Freiberg renewed the motion that HF 4243 be placed on the General Register. THE MOTION PREVAILED.
HF 4239 (Freiberg) Lobbying material; certain requirements for reports and disclaimers modified.
Representative Freiberg brought HF 4239 before the committee.
Representative Freiberg presented HF 4239.
Testifying:
• Jeff Sigurdson, Director, Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board
Representative Freiberg moved that HF 4239 be placed on the General Register.
Representative Freiberg renewed the motion that HF 4239 be placed on the General Register. THE MOTION PREVAILED.
HF 4241 (Freiberg) Procedure to select the Hennepin County medical examiner modified.
Representative Freiberg brought HF 4241 before the committee.
Representative Freiberg moved that HF 4241 be placed on the General Register.
Representative Freiberg presented HF 4241.
Testifying:
• Shawn Wilson, Director of Medical Examiner Operations, Medical County Medical Examiner’s Office
Representative Freiberg moved the H4241A1 amendment to HF 4241.
Representative Freiberg moved the H4241A3 amendment to the H4241A1 amendment. THE MOTION PREVAILED. THE AMENDMENT WAS ADOPTED.
Representative Freiberg renewed the motion that the H4241A1 amendment, as amended, to HF 4241 be adopted. THE MOTION PREVAILED. THE AMENDMENT WAS ADOPTED.
Representative Freiberg moved the H4241A2 amendment to HF 4241, as amended. THE MOTION PREVAILED. THE AMENDMENT WAS ADOPTED.
Representative Freiberg renewed the motion to place HF 4241, as amended, on the General Register. THE MOTION PREVAILED.
HF 4242 (Freiberg) Provisions governing disposition of decedents’ personal property by coroners and medical examiners modified.
Representative Freiberg brought HF 4242 before the committee.
Representative Freiberg presented HF 4242.
Testifying:
• Shawn Wilson, Director of Medical Examiner Operations, Medical County Medical Examiner’s Office
The committee concluded discussion on HF 4242, and the bill was laid over.
HF 4240 (Freiberg) Various changes related to election administration made, provisions related to absentee voting modified, timelines modified, technical and clarifying changes made, and money appropriated.
Representative Freiberg brought HF 4240 before the committee.
Representative Freiberg moved that HF 4240 be re-referred to the Ways and Means Committee.
Representative Freiberg presented HF 4240.
Representative Freiberg moved the H4240A1 amendment to HF 4240. THE MOTION PREVAILED. THE AMENDMENT WAS ADOPTED.
Testifying:
• Nicole Freeman, Government Relations Director, Office of the Secretary of State
Representative Freiberg renewed the motion to re-refer HF 4240, as amended, to the Ways and Means Committee. THE MOTION PREVAILED.
The meeting was adjourned at 2:35 PM.
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Representative Mike Freiberg, DFL Chair
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Christopher Olendorf, Committee Legislative Assistant