Bill seeks to clarify that stadium suite guest lists are public data

There would be no question that guest books for two publicly owned suites at U.S. Bank Stadium would be public data, under a bill sponsored by Rep. Peggy Scott (R-Andover).

The House Civil Law and Data Practices Policy Committee approved HF291 Thursday, sending it to the House State Government Finance Committee. There is no Senate companion.

Scott, the committee chair, said her bill would make clear that lists of who sits in two Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority stadium suites for Minnesota Vikings games and other stadium events are public data.  

That’s already the case, said Matt Ehling, a board member at the Minnesota Coalition on Government Information, but he said HF291 would clarify the public classification of the guest rosters under the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act.

Ehling recounted the recent controversy over public officials and others who attended stadium events without paying as guests of the authority, which he said first rebuffed then relented on demands for suite visitor lists.

Part of the data-practices law temporarily exempts some authority records, Ehling said, making data about potential rentals at the stadium not public while deals are pending.

WATCH Committee discussion of the bill on YouTube

Rep. Raymond Dehn (DFL-Mpls) noted that, except for such rental information, HF291 would make public all data “regarding persons receiving free or discounted admission, tickets, or other gifts from publicly owned and operated convention facilities.” To Dehn that seemed overbroad, potentially ensnaring people who merely register for an early-bird special that discounts conference registration fees.

Rep. Debra Hilstrom (DFL-Brooklyn Center) wondered if corporations that get discounts might count as persons under HF291. Scott said guest lists for corporate suites shouldn’t fall under public data law, but she was willing to tweak her bill as needed.

Earlier this month, Authority Chair Michele Kelm-Helgen told the House Government Operations and Elections Policy Committee the authority had adopted a new policy on suites that bans commissioners’ friends and family members.

A report on suite usage from the Office of the Legislative Auditor is due in February.