The Ethics Commission issued an opinion to clarify the prohibition on public officials or employees soliciting or using their public position to secure a financial benefit or detriment for a family member. Formal Advisory Opinion 2025-01 confirms domestic partners are considered members of a public official’s family. The commission concluded this opinion is consistent with how other state and local agencies treat domestic partnerships in family-related internal policies.

Secretary of State Monae L. Johnson published the 2025 annual limit for lobbyist gifts to public officials. The change for 2025 was 3.4%, making the newly adjusted cumulative gift limit $127.16 for 2025. No public official and no member of the immediate family of a public official may accept from any lobbyist or principal any gifts with a cumulative value greater than $127.16 during the 2025 calendar year.

The U.S. District Court permanently enjoined a statute passed by the Minnesota Legislature in 2023 that prevented entities who had a single foreign investor with a 1% interest or an aggregate of foreign investors holding 5% interest from making any independent expenditures or contributions. The court determined in its final ruling in Minnesota Chamber of Commerce v. Choi the statute violated the First Amendment right to free speech. Specifically, the court acknowledged the state has a compelling interest to prevent foreign influence in its elections but concluded the statute was not narrowly tailored to accomplish that interest.

Gov. Kim Reynolds called a special election for March 11, 2025, to fill the Iowa House District 100 vacancy caused by the death of Rep. Martin Graber. Before the special election, the state Democratic and Republican parties will convene for district nominating conventions, where delegates will select their party candidates for the seat. The winner of the special election will hold the seat until the end of Graber’s elected term and the seat will be on the general election ballot in 2026.

The Kentucky Registry of Election Finance published the new contribution limits effective January 1 on its website. Contribution limits for individuals and PACs increased from $2,100 to $2,200 to candidates per election and to PACs and contributing organizations per year. The $2,200 contribution limit is not applicable to political issues committees.

Gov. Tim Walz issued a writ of special election to fill the vacant seat in House District 40B following the resignation of Representative-elect Curtis Johnson after a district judge ruled the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party (DFL) candidate did not meet the residency requirement to serve the district. The special election will be held on Tuesday, March 11. If necessary, a special primary election will be held on Tuesday, February 25. The Minnesota Supreme Court canceled a previously scheduled date ruling Gov. Walz scheduled the election too soon. The decision left Republicans with a one-seat advantage in the chamber over the DFL, who were boycotting the session as a result. Wednesday evening DFL and Republican caucus leadership reached an agreement to organize the body. With a quorum for the first time, the House officially began the 2025-26 session Thursday, February 6, after a more than three-week DFL boycott and elected Republican Rep. Lisa Demuth as speaker.

The State Board of Elections published the new contribution limits summary sheet, which increases limits on January 1 of every odd-numbered year to reflect increases in inflation. The amount corporations and labor organizations may contribute in each election cycle increased from $13,700 to $14,600 to any candidate committee; from $27,400 to $29,100 to any political party or legislative caucus committee; and from $27,400 to $29,100 to any PAC. The amount an individual may contribute in each election cycle increased from $6,900 to $7,300 to any candidate committee; from $13,700 to $14,600 to any political party or legislative caucus committee; and from $13,700 to $14,600 to any PAC. The amount PACs are limited to contributing to any candidate committee, political party committee, legislative caucus committee, or PAC each election cycle increased from $68,500 to $72,800.

The Minnesota Supreme Court canceled a special election for House District 40B set for January 28. The court agreed with Republicans who claimed Gov. Walz scheduled the election too soon, ruling state law allows the governor to call a special election only after the legislative session begins and a vacancy is clear. Democrat Curtis Johnson won a Roseville-area seat in November but was disqualified by a judge over residency questions and declined to appeal.

The decision left Republicans with a one-seat advantage in the chamber over Democrats, who have been boycotting the session as a result. There is a separate legal dispute before the court over the legitimacy of the session convening without Democrats present. Walz has not yet set a new date for the election but stated it will now likely happen in March.

The Department of State will hold a public hearing on March 18 to receive public comments on proposed changes to the Gifts Under the Lobby Act rules. The proposed changes are intended to codify two interpretive statements issued in 2024 addressing a gift loophole allowing officials to offer reimbursement for the difference between the actual gift value and the current limit. The changes are also aimed at providing additional general explanation about the regulation of gifts from lobbyists and their agents to public officials. Comments on the proposed rules may be made at the hearing, by mail, or by email at Elections-PublicComment@michigan.gov.

Gov. Tim Walz issued the second writ of special election within a week to fill the vacancy in Senate District 60 created by the death of Senator Kari Dziedzic.

The special election will be held on Tuesday, January 28, 2025, along with the special election for House District 40B.

Due to the number of candidates running, a special primary election will be held on Tuesday, January 14, 2025.

After the party decided to back one candidate for the vacancy in House District 40B, all other candidates withdrew so there will be no special primary for House District 40B.

Gov. Tim Walz issued a writ of special election to fill the vacant seat in House District 40B following the resignation of Representative-elect Curtis Johnson.

The special election will be held on Tuesday, January 28, 2025.

If necessary, a special primary election will be held on Tuesday, January 14, 2025.

Johnson won the seat by more than 30% at the Nov. 5 election, but a district judge ruled last Friday the DFL candidate did not meet the residency requirement to serve the district.

Gov. Kim Reynolds called a special election for January 28, 2025, to fill the Senate District 35 vacancy caused by the resignation of Sen. Chris Cournoyer.

Cournoyer resigned effective December 16 when Gov. Reynolds appointed her lieutenant governor.

The Executive Branch Ethics Commission voted to raise the registration fee for Employers and Real Parties in Interest from $500 to $750.

This funding increase was authorized by House Bill 8, Section 61, passed during the 2024 regular legislative session for a new online filing system.

The executive agency lobbyist registration fee is paid with the updated registration statement due July 31 of each year and covers the July 1 to June 30 reporting period or through termination if occurring before June 30.

The updated registration statement forms have been updated to reflect this change.

The 135th General Assembly adjourned on December 18, until Monday December 23, 2024, after a marathon session lasting two days.

With not many days left in this legislative session, lawmakers have likely completed most of their work.

One bill affecting campaign finance was passed during the special session in May and June of this year.

Special Session Amended Substitute House Bill 0001 prohibits individuals and certain entities from knowingly soliciting or accepting political contributions or expenditures from a foreign national. The lone ethics bill intended to enact the Ethics and Financial Disclosure Reform Act, changing the ethics laws for public officials and employees and reporting requirements for lobbyists, never made it out of committee.

The 136th General Assembly will convene on January 6, 2025.