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Local government

Omnibus State and Local Government and Elections Finance Bill Advances with Key Policy Differences

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Legislators in St. Paul, Minnesota, continued their negotiations on the omnibus state and local government and elections finance bill, sponsored by Rep. Ginny Klevorn (DFL-Plymouth) and Sen. Jim Carlson (DFL-Eagan). The bill aims to provide funding for various government programs and elections, including voter registration, redistricting, and cybersecurity measures. While both the House and Senate bills share some similarities, significant policy differences have emerged, particularly in regards to elections-related policies and state government funding.

Key Takeaways:

  • The House bill proposes net General Fund spending of $24.62 million for fiscal years 2023-25, while the Senate bill suggests a shade over $24.6 million.
  • Elections funding provisions include allocating $495,000 for litigation fees associated with redistricting and $14,000 for felon voting rights in the current fiscal year.
  • The Senate bill includes $461,000 for a Help America Vote state match, while the House funds this provision in fiscal year 2024.
  • The establishment of a small donor state match campaign program is set to begin in fiscal year 2025, with the Senate allocating $3.9 million, $917,000 more than the House.
  • Other key differences include:

+ $2.58 million transferred from the General Fund to the voting operations, technology, and election resources account (House).

+ $800,000 for counties and municipalities to improve polling place access for individuals with a disability (Senate).

+ $489,000 for a Ranked Choice Voting and Voter Engagement Advisory Task Force (Senate).

+ $200,000 for a campaign about restoration of felon voting rights (Senate).

  • Elections-related policy differences include:

+ Automatic voter registration (already included in HF3, headed to the governor).

+definition of a major political party (House).

+ Establishment of a Secretary of State Voting Task Force (Senate).

+ Prohibiting certain forms of incentive-based compensation for absentee ballot applications (House).

+ Modification of boundaries in Senate Districts 9 and 12 and House Districts 9B and 12B (House).

+ Access to multi-unit residence facilities by U.S. Census employees (House).

+ A principal campaign committee, political committee, political fund, or party unit may accept monetary contributions using a mobile payment service (Senate).

+ Lobbying provisions expanded to include all political subdivisions (Senate).

Statistics:

  • Net General Fund spending for fiscal years 2023-25: $24.62 million (House) vs. $24.6 million (Senate).
  • Elections funding provisions:

+ Litigation fees associated with redistricting: $495,000 (current fiscal year).

+ Felon voting rights: $14,000 (current fiscal year).

+ Help America Vote state match: $461,000 (Senate) vs. $0 (House, fiscal year 2024).

+ Small donor state match campaign program: $3.9 million (Senate) vs. $2.98 million (House, fiscal year 2025).

  • State government funding:

+ Historic sites asset preservation: $18.96 million (Senate).

+ Minnesota Management and Budget funding: $8.34 million (Senate).

+ Civility and cultural awareness programs and grants: $5 million (House).

+ Enhanced anti-trust, nonprofit oversight: $2.5 million (House).

+ Executive branch digital media services: $2.5 million (Senate).

+ The Council on LGBTQIA Minnesotans: $1.19 million (Senate).

+ Youth Advisory Council: $1.03 million (Senate).

+ Legislative Coordinating Commission translation services: $1 million (House).

+ Study of the St. Anthony Falls cutoff wall: $1 million (House).

+ Office of the Secretary of State content management system upgrade: $800,000 (Senate).

Sources:

  • Minnesota House of Representatives, "Omnibus State and Local Government and Elections Finance Bill Advances"
  • Rep. Ginny Klevorn (DFL-Plymouth), "Sponsored HF1830/SF1424"
  • Sen. Jim Carlson (DFL-Eagan), "Sponsored SF1424/HF1830"
  • Legislative Coordinating Commission, "Translation Services"
  • Office of the Secretary of State, "Content Management System Upgrade"
  • The Council on LGBTQIA Minnesotans, "Established with $1.19 million"
  • Youth Advisory Council, "Established with $1.03 million"

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