1.1 A bill for an act
1.2 relating to local government; expanding exceptions to prohibition against gifts to
1.3 local officials under certain conditions; amending Minnesota Statutes 2024, section
1.4 471.895, subdivision 3.
1.5BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:
1.6 Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 471.895, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
1.7 Subd. 3.Exceptions.(a) The prohibitions in this section do not apply if the gift is:
1.8 (1) a contribution as defined in section 211A.01, subdivision 5;
1.9 (2) services to assist an official in the performance of official duties, including but not
1.10limited to providing advice, consultation, information, and communication in connection
1.11with legislation, and services to constituents;
1.12 (3) services of insignificant monetary value;
1.13 (4) a plaque or similar memento recognizing individual services in a field of specialty
1.14or to a charitable cause;
1.15 (5) a trinket or memento costing $5 or less;
1.16 (6) informational material of unexceptional value; or
1.17 (7) food or a beverage given at a reception, meal, or meeting away from the recipient's
1.18place of work by an organization before whom the recipient appears to make a speech or
1.19answer questions as part of a program.;
1.20 (8) services for mental health or wellness support, including but not limited to counseling,
1.21therapy, peer support, recreational activities, wellness days, or meals that are provided at
1Section 1.
REVISOR MS/RC 25-0483303/12/25
State of Minnesota
This Document can be made available
in alternative formats upon request
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
H. F. No. 2526
NINETY-FOURTH SESSION
Authored by Duran03/20/2025
The bill was read for the first time and referred to the Committee on Elections Finance and Government Operations 2.1no cost to first responders by any nonprofit organization whose primary mission is to support
2.2the mental or physical health and well-being of public safety personnel, provided that such
2.3services are offered voluntarily and are not contingent upon any official action or decision
2.4by the recipient; or
2.5 (9) a meal or event organized by a nonprofit entity that is specifically designed to provide
2.6comfort and support to first responders following a death or significant traumatic event that
2.7occurred in the line of duty, provided that the event is open to all affected personnel and
2.8not targeted to influence specific political or official actions.
2.9 (b) The prohibitions in this section do not apply if the gift is given:
2.10 (1) because of the recipient's membership in a group, a majority of whose members are
2.11not local officials, and an equivalent gift is given or offered to the other members of the
2.12group;
2.13 (2) by an interested person who is a member of the family of the recipient, unless the
2.14gift is given on behalf of someone who is not a member of that family; or
2.15 (3) by a national or multistate organization of governmental organizations or public
2.16officials, if a majority of the dues to the organization are paid from public funds, to attendees
2.17at a conference sponsored by that organization, if the gift is food or a beverage given at a
2.18reception or meal and an equivalent gift is given or offered to all other attendees.
2Section 1.
REVISOR MS/RC 25-0483303/12/25