Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz signed House File 1952 amending campaign finance disclosure laws by requiring reporting of contributions, campaign expenditures and independent expenditures made to certain local candidates or ballot issues.

The bill defines local candidate as an individual who seeks any county office in Hennepin County; any city office in any home rule charter city or statutory city located wholly within Hennepin County and having a population of 75,000 or more; or the school board in Special School District No. 1.

Cities included within the definition of local candidate include Minneapolis, Bloomington, and Brooklyn Park.

The bill also amends the definition of public official to include a chancellor or member of the Board of Trustees of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities.

The bill also amends the requirements for filing and contents of statements of economic interest.

These amendments will be effective January 1, 2022 and apply to reports and disclosures required to be filed with the state Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board on or after that date.