Lobbyist and campaign material disclaimers, nonpublic addresses

A new law that makes several changes to campaign finance law to classify candidate addresses as nonpublic, allow for candidates to purchase security equipment using campaign funds and require disclaimers on certain paid advertising.

The law, mostly effective May 19, 2026, adds the purchase, installation, and maintenance of structural security devices to the definition of noncampaign disbursements, creates an exception to candidates contributing to their own campaign for this purpose and increases the total payment limit for security expenses from $3,000 to $10,000.

It classifies street addresses on reports and statements filed with the Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board, county, municipality, school district or other political subdivision as nonpublic data and forbids the board from posting street addresses disclosed in reports and statements on its website.

The law also no longer requires a candidate’s address on a form or petition, instead requiring the campaign website and the candidate’s or campaign’s non-governmental-issued email address or a statement that the candidate and the candidate’s campaign do not possess an email address.

Paid advertising that urges members of the public to contact public or local officials to influence a legislative, administrative, or official action of a political subdivision will need to include a disclaimer identifying the individual or association responsible for the content. Provisions related to outdoor campaign signs are effective for signs produced on or after Jan. 1, 2027.

The Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board will be authorized to impose a civil penalty of up to $3,000 on an individual or association that fails to include a required disclaimer.

To avoid repetitious accusations of a campaign finance violation that has been resolved, the board will have the authority to dismiss a written complaint “if the board chair determines that the complaint is frivolous, was filed for the purpose of harassment, or is duplicative of facts and allegations that were previously submitted to and received by the board.”

And lobbyist principal reports will now include certain expenses associated with the use of a finance professional.

Rep. Mike Freiberg (DFL-Golden Valley) and Sen. Bonnie Westlin (DFL-Plymouth) are the sponsors.

HF4239/SF5253*/CH101

HF4239* / SF5253 / CH101