Subdivision 1. Exceeding expenditure limits. A candidate subject to the expenditure limits in section 10A.25 who permits the candidate's principal campaign committee to make expenditures or permits approved expenditures to be made on the candidate's behalf in excess of the limits imposed by section 10A.25, as adjusted by section 10A.255, is subject to a civil penalty up to four times the amount by which the expenditures exceeded the limit.
Subd. 2. Exceeding contribution limits. The following are subject to a civil penalty of up to four times the amount by which a contribution exceeds the applicable limits:
(1) a lobbyist, political committee, or political fund that makes a contribution in excess of the limits imposed by section 10A.27, subdivisions 1 and 8;
(2) a principal campaign committee that makes a contribution in excess of the limits imposed by section 10A.27, subdivision 2;
(3) a political party unit that makes a contribution in excess of the limits imposed by section 10A.27, subdivisions 2 and 8; or
(4) a candidate who permits the candidate's principal campaign committee to accept contributions in excess of the limits imposed by section 10A.27.
Subd. 3. Conciliation agreement. If the board finds that there is reason to believe that excess expenditures have been made or excess contributions accepted contrary to subdivision 1 or 2, the board must make every effort for a period of at least 14 days after its finding to correct the matter by informal methods of conference and conciliation and to enter a conciliation agreement with the person involved. A conciliation agreement under this subdivision is a matter of public record. Unless violated, a conciliation agreement is a bar to any civil proceeding under subdivision 4.
Subd. 4. Civil action. If the board is unable after a reasonable time to correct by informal methods a matter where there is reason to believe that excess expenditures have been made or excess contributions accepted contrary to subdivision 1 or 2, the board must make a public finding in the matter. The board may use section 10A.34 to recover fees and penalties or to seek an injunction.
1974 c 470 s 28; 1975 c 271 s 6; 1978 c 463 s 84; 1986 c 444; 1990 c 608 art 3 s 20; 1993 c 318 art 2 s 32; 1999 c 220 s 36,50; 2002 c 363 s 34-36; 2005 c 156 art 6 s 8; 2014 c 309 s 21
Structure Minnesota Statutes
Chapters 10 - 12B — Government Miscellany
Chapter 10A — Campaign Finance And Public Disclosure
Section 10A.02 — Campaign Finance And Public Disclosure Board.
Section 10A.022 — Violations And Enforcement.
Section 10A.025 — Filing Requirements.
Section 10A.027 — Information On Website.
Section 10A.03 — Lobbyist Registration.
Section 10A.04 — Lobbyist Reports.
Section 10A.05 — Lobbyist Report.
Section 10A.06 — Contingent Fees Prohibited.
Section 10A.07 — Conflicts Of Interest.
Section 10A.071 — Certain Gifts By Lobbyists And Principals Prohibited.
Section 10A.08 — Representation Disclosure.
Section 10A.09 — Statements Of Economic Interest.
Section 10A.105 — Principal Campaign Committee.
Section 10A.11 — Organization Of Committees And Party Units.
Section 10A.12 — Political Funds.
Section 10A.121 — Independent Expenditure And Ballot Question Political Committees And Funds.
Section 10A.13 — Accounts That Must Be Kept.
Section 10A.14 — Registration.
Section 10A.15 — Contributions.
Section 10A.155 — Reimbursement Of Automobile Use.
Section 10A.16 — Earmarking Contributions Prohibited.
Section 10A.17 — Expenditures.
Section 10A.173 — Noncampaign Disbursements.
Section 10A.175 — Coordinated And Noncoordinated Expenditures; Definitions.
Section 10A.176 — Coordinated Expenditures.
Section 10A.177 — Noncoordinated Expenditures.
Section 10A.179 — Expenditures And Noncampaign Disbursements; General Provisions.
Section 10A.18 — Time For Rendering Bills, Charges, Or Claims; Penalty.
Section 10A.20 — Campaign Reports.
Section 10A.241 — Transfer Of Debts.
Section 10A.243 — Termination Of Registration.
Section 10A.244 — Voluntary Inactive Status; Political Funds.
Section 10A.245 — Administrative Termination Of Inactive Committees And Funds.
Section 10A.246 — Unpaid Debt Upon Termination.
Section 10A.25 — Spending Limits.
Section 10A.255 — Adjustment By Consumer Price Index.
Section 10A.257 — Carryforward.
Section 10A.27 — Contribution Limits.
Section 10A.271 — Sale Of Goods And Services For Fundraising Purposes.
Section 10A.273 — Contributions And Solicitations During Legislative Session.
Section 10A.275 — Multicandidate Political Party Expenditures.
Section 10A.28 — Penalty For Exceeding Limits.
Section 10A.29 — Circumvention Prohibited.
Section 10A.30 — State Elections Campaign Account.
Section 10A.31 — Designation Of Income Tax Payments.
Section 10A.315 — Special Election Subsidy.
Section 10A.321 — Estimates Of Minimum Amounts To Be Received.
Section 10A.322 — Spending Limit Agreements.
Section 10A.323 — Affidavit Of Contributions.
Section 10A.324 — Return Of Public Subsidy.
Section 10A.35 — Commercial Use Of Information Prohibited.
Section 10A.36 — Reprisals Prohibited; Penalty.