Subdivision 1. Definition. As used in this section, "office" means the Office of Administrative Hearings.
Subd. 2. Complaints. (a) A complaint alleging a violation of this chapter for which an order to compel compliance is requested may be filed with the office. An action to compel compliance does not include procedures pursuant to section 13.04, subdivision 4 or 4a.
(b) The complaint must be filed with the office within two years after the occurrence of the act or failure to act that is the subject of the complaint, except that if the act or failure to act involves concealment or misrepresentation by the government entity that could not be discovered during that period, the complaint may be filed with the office within one year after the concealment or misrepresentation is discovered.
(c) The complaint must be made in writing, submitted under oath, and detail the factual basis for the claim that a violation of law has occurred. The office may prescribe a standard form for the complaint. The complaint must be accompanied by a filing fee of $1,000 or a bond to guarantee the payment of this fee.
(d) Upon receipt of a filed complaint, the office must immediately notify the respondent and, if known, the applicable responsible authority for the government entity, if the responsible authority is not otherwise named as the respondent. The office must provide the respondent with a copy of the complaint by the most expeditious means available. Notice to a responsible authority must be delivered by certified mail. The office must also notify, to the extent practicable, any individual or entity that is the subject of all or part of the data in dispute.
(e) The office must notify the commissioner of administration of an action filed under this section. Proceedings under this section must be dismissed if a request for an opinion from the commissioner was accepted on the matter under section 13.072 before the complaint was filed, and the complainant's filing fee must be refunded.
(f) The respondent must file a response to the complaint within 15 business days of receipt of the notice. For good cause shown, the office may extend the time for filing a response.
Subd. 3. Probable cause review. (a) The chief administrative law judge must assign an administrative law judge to review each complaint. Within 20 business days after a response is filed, or the respondent's time to file the response, including any extension, has expired, the administrative law judge must make a preliminary determination for its disposition as follows:
(1) if the administrative law judge determines that the complaint and any timely response of the respondent agency do not present sufficient facts to believe that a violation of this chapter has occurred, the complaint must be dismissed; or
(2) if the administrative law judge determines that the complaint and any timely response of the respondent agency do present sufficient facts to believe that a violation of this chapter has occurred, the judge must schedule a hearing as provided in subdivision 4.
(b) The office must notify all parties of the determination made under paragraph (a). The notice must provide as follows:
(1) if the complaint is scheduled for a hearing, the notice must identify the time and place of the hearing and inform all parties that they may submit evidence, affidavits, documentation, and argument for consideration by the administrative law judge; or
(2) if the complaint is dismissed for failure to present sufficient facts to believe that a violation of this chapter has occurred, the notice must inform the parties of the right of the complainant to seek reconsideration of the decision on the record by the chief administrative law judge, as provided in paragraph (c).
(c) A petition for reconsideration may be filed no later than five business days after a complaint is dismissed for failure to present sufficient facts to believe that a violation of this chapter has occurred. The chief administrative law judge must review the petition and make a final ruling within ten business days after its receipt. If the chief administrative law judge determines that the assigned administrative law judge made a clear material error, the chief administrative law judge must schedule the matter for a hearing as provided in subdivision 4.
Subd. 4. Hearing; procedure. (a) A hearing on a complaint must be held within 30 business days after the parties are notified that a hearing will be held. An oral hearing to resolve questions of law may be waived upon consent of all parties and the presiding administrative law judge. For good cause shown, the judge may delay the date of a hearing by no more than ten business days. The judge may continue a hearing to enable the parties to submit additional evidence or testimony.
(b) The administrative law judge must consider any evidence and argument submitted until the hearing record is closed, including affidavits and documentation.
(c) All hearings, and any records relating to the hearing, must be open to the public, except that the judge may inspect in camera any government data in dispute. If the hearing record contains information that is not public data, the judge may conduct a closed hearing to consider the information, issue necessary protective orders, and seal all or part of the hearing record, as provided in section 14.60, subdivision 2. If a party contends, and the judge concludes, that not public data could be improperly disclosed while that party is presenting its arguments, the judge shall close any portion of the hearing as necessary to prevent the disclosure. A hearing may be conducted by conference telephone call or interactive audio/video system, at the discretion of the presiding judge, and upon consent of all parties.
Subd. 5. Disposition. (a) Following a hearing, the judge must determine whether the violation alleged in the complaint occurred and must make at least one of the following dispositions. The judge may:
(1) dismiss the complaint;
(2) find that an act or failure to act constituted a violation of this chapter;
(3) impose a civil penalty against the respondent of up to $300;
(4) issue an order compelling the respondent to comply with a provision of law that has been violated, and may establish a deadline for production of data, if necessary; and
(5) refer the complaint to the appropriate prosecuting authority for consideration of criminal charges.
(b) In determining whether to assess a civil penalty, the office shall consider the factors described in section 13.08, subdivision 4.
(c) The judge must render a decision on a complaint within ten business days after the hearing record closes. The chief administrative law judge shall provide for public dissemination of orders issued under this section. If the judge determines that a government entity has violated a provision of law and issues an order to compel compliance, the office shall forward a copy of the order to the commissioner of administration. Any order issued pursuant to this section is enforceable through the district court for the district in which the respondent is located.
(d) A party aggrieved by a final decision on a complaint filed under this section is entitled to judicial review as provided in sections 14.63 to 14.69. Proceedings on a complaint are not a contested case within the meaning of chapter 14 and are not otherwise governed by chapter 14.
(e) A decision of the office under this section is not controlling in any subsequent action brought in district court alleging the same violation and seeking damages.
(f) A government entity or person that releases not public data pursuant to an order under this section is immune from civil and criminal liability for that release. A government entity or person that acts in conformity with an order issued under this section to the government entity or to any other person is not liable for compensatory or exemplary damage or awards of attorney fees for acting in conformity with that order in actions under this section or section 13.08, or for a penalty under section 13.09.
Subd. 6. Costs; attorney fees. (a) A rebuttable presumption shall exist that a complainant who substantially prevails on the merits in an action brought under this section is entitled to an award of reasonable attorney fees, not to exceed $5,000. An award of attorney fees may be denied if the judge determines that the violation is merely technical or that there is a genuine uncertainty about the meaning of the governing law.
(b) Reasonable attorney fees, not to exceed $5,000, must be awarded to a substantially prevailing complainant if the government entity that is the respondent in the action was also the subject of a written opinion issued under section 13.072 and the administrative law judge finds that the opinion is directly related to the matter in dispute and that the government entity did not act in conformity with the opinion.
(c) The office shall refund the filing fee of a substantially prevailing complainant in full, less $50, and the office's costs in conducting the matter shall be billed to the respondent, not to exceed $1,000.
(d) A complainant that does not substantially prevail on the merits shall be entitled to a refund of the filing fee, less any costs incurred by the office in conducting the matter.
(e) If the administrative law judge determines that a complaint is frivolous, or brought for purposes of harassment, the judge must order that the complainant pay the respondent's reasonable attorney fees, not to exceed $5,000. The complainant shall not be entitled to a refund of the filing fee.
(f) The court shall award the complainant costs and attorney fees incurred in bringing an action in district court to enforce an order of the Office of Administrative Hearings under this section.
Subd. 7. Special account; appropriation. Proceeds collected by the office from filing fees and bonds submitted under this section shall be deposited into the administrative hearings account established under section 14.54 and are appropriated to the office for use in administering the requirements of this section. By September 1 each year, the chief administrative law judge must report to the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees and divisions with jurisdiction over the office on receipt and expenditure of money under this section in the preceding fiscal year.
2010 c 297 s 3
Structure Minnesota Statutes
Chapters 13 - 13C — Data Practices
Chapter 13 — Government Data Practices
Section 13.01 — Government Data.
Section 13.025 — Government Entity Obligation.
Section 13.03 — Access To Government Data.
Section 13.04 — Rights Of Subjects Of Data.
Section 13.045 — Safe At Home Program Participant Data.
Section 13.05 — Duties Of Responsible Authority.
Section 13.055 — Disclosure Of Breach In Security; Notification And Investigation Report Required.
Section 13.06 — Temporary Classification.
Section 13.07 — Duties Of Commissioner; Rules.
Section 13.072 — Opinions By The Commissioner.
Section 13.073 — Public Information Policy Training Program.
Section 13.08 — Civil Remedies.
Section 13.085 — Administrative Remedy.
Section 13.10 — Data On Decedents.
Section 13.15 — Computer Data.
Section 13.201 — Rideshare Data.
Section 13.202 — Political Subdivision Data Coded Elsewhere.
Section 13.203 — Service Cooperative Claims Data.
Section 13.319 — Education Data Coded Elsewhere.
Section 13.32 — Educational Data.
Section 13.321 — Prekindergarten To Grade 12 Educational Data Coded Elsewhere.
Section 13.3215 — University Of Minnesota Data.
Section 13.322 — Postsecondary Education Data Coded Elsewhere.
Section 13.34 — Examination Data.
Section 13.35 — Federal Contracts Data.
Section 13.355 — Social Security Numbers.
Section 13.356 — Personal Contact And Online Account Information.
Section 13.37 — General Nonpublic Data.
Section 13.3805 — Public Health Data.
Section 13.3806 — Public Health Data Coded Elsewhere.
Section 13.381 — Health Regulatory Data Coded Elsewhere.
Section 13.383 — Health Occupations Investigative Data Coded Elsewhere.
Section 13.384 — Medical Data.
Section 13.386 — Treatment Of Genetic Information Held By Government Entities And Other Persons.
Section 13.387 — Health Care Contract Data.
Section 13.39 — Civil Investigation.
Section 13.392 — Internal Auditing Data.
Section 13.40 — Library And Historical Data.
Section 13.401 — Library And Historical Data Coded Elsewhere.
Section 13.41 — Licensing Data.
Section 13.411 — Licensing Data Coded Elsewhere.
Section 13.43 — Personnel Data.
Section 13.435 — Salary Benefit Survey Data.
Section 13.44 — Property Data.
Section 13.441 — Property Data Coded Elsewhere.
Section 13.461 — Human Services Data Coded Elsewhere.
Section 13.462 — Benefit Data.
Section 13.463 — Education Support Services Data.
Section 13.465 — Family And Domestic Relations Data Coded Elsewhere.
Section 13.467 — Foster Care Data.
Section 13.47 — Employment And Training Data.
Section 13.485 — Corporation Data Coded Elsewhere.
Section 13.487 — Trade Regulation And Consumer Data Coded Elsewhere.
Section 13.495 — Lodging Tax Data.
Section 13.4961 — General Tax Data Coded Elsewhere.
Section 13.4963 — Classification And Disclosure Tax Data Coded Elsewhere.
Section 13.4965 — Property Tax Data Coded Elsewhere.
Section 13.4967 — Other Tax Data Coded Elsewhere.
Section 13.51 — Assessor's Data.
Section 13.52 — Deferred Assessment Data.
Section 13.548 — Social Recreational Data.
Section 13.55 — Convention Center Data.
Section 13.552 — Human Rights Data Coded Elsewhere.
Section 13.585 — Housing Agency Data.
Section 13.586 — Housing Agency Data Coded Elsewhere.
Section 13.587 — Emergency Services For Homeless Persons; Private Data.
Section 13.59 — Housing And Redevelopment Data.
Section 13.591 — Business Data.
Section 13.598 — Employment And Economic Development Data Coded Elsewhere.
Section 13.601 — Elected And Appointed Officials.
Section 13.602 — Elected And Appointed Official Data Coded Elsewhere.
Section 13.605 — Legislative Data.
Section 13.606 — Legislative Data Coded Elsewhere.
Section 13.607 — Campaign Finance, Public Disclosure, And Election Data Coded Elsewhere.
Section 13.63 — Retirement Data.
Section 13.631 — Retirement Data Coded Elsewhere.
Section 13.632 — Teachers Retirement Fund Association Data; Certain Cities.
Section 13.635 — General State Agency Data Coded Elsewhere.
Section 13.64 — Administration; Management And Budget Data.
Section 13.6401 — Administration And Management And Budget Data Coded Elsewhere.
Section 13.643 — Agricultural Data.
Section 13.6435 — Agricultural Data Coded Elsewhere.
Section 13.65 — Attorney General Data.
Section 13.67 — Employee Relations Data.
Section 13.6705 — Employee Relations Data Coded Elsewhere.
Section 13.679 — Public Utility Data.
Section 13.68 — Energy And Financial Data And Statistics.
Section 13.681 — Energy And Utilities Data Coded Elsewhere.
Section 13.685 — Municipal Utility Customer Data.
Section 13.69 — Public Safety Department Data.
Section 13.6905 — Public Safety Data Coded Elsewhere.
Section 13.711 — Department Of Commerce Data; Release Of Complaint To Respondent.
Section 13.712 — Commerce Data Coded Elsewhere.
Section 13.713 — Banking Data Coded Elsewhere.
Section 13.714 — Insurance Trust Data; Private And Nonpublic Data.
Section 13.715 — General Insurance Powers Data; Surplus Line Insurance.
Section 13.716 — General Insurance Powers Data Coded Elsewhere.
Section 13.717 — Insurance; Health Care Cost Containment Data Coded Elsewhere.
Section 13.719 — Miscellaneous Insurance Data.
Section 13.7191 — Miscellaneous Insurance Data Coded Elsewhere.
Section 13.72 — Transportation Department Data.
Section 13.721 — Transportation Data Coded Elsewhere.
Section 13.741 — Pollution Control; Environmental Quality Data.
Section 13.7411 — Pollution Control And Environmental Quality Data Coded Elsewhere.
Section 13.745 — Pari-mutuel Horse Racing Coded Elsewhere.
Section 13.746 — Gaming Data Coded Elsewhere.
Section 13.785 — Veterans Data Coded Elsewhere.
Section 13.79 — Department Of Labor And Industry Data.
Section 13.7905 — Labor And Industry Data Coded Elsewhere.
Section 13.7908 — Bureau Of Mediation Services Data.
Section 13.791 — Rehabilitation Data.
Section 13.7911 — Bioprocess Piping And Equipment Data.
Section 13.792 — Private Donor Gift Data.
Section 13.793 — Natural Resource Data; Mineral Data.
Section 13.7931 — Natural Resource Data Coded Elsewhere.
Section 13.7932 — Logger Safety And Education Program Data.
Section 13.80 — Domestic Abuse Data.
Section 13.805 — Address Confidentiality Data Coded Elsewhere.
Section 13.82 — Comprehensive Law Enforcement Data.
Section 13.821 — Videotapes Of Child Abuse Victims.
Section 13.822 — Sexual Assault Data.
Section 13.823 — Domestic Abuse Or Sexual Assault Programs.
Section 13.824 — Automated License Plate Readers.
Section 13.825 — Portable Recording Systems.
Section 13.83 — Medical Examiner Data.
Section 13.84 — Court Services Data.
Section 13.841 — Court Services Data Coded Elsewhere.
Section 13.85 — Corrections And Detention Data.
Section 13.851 — Corrections And Detention Data Coded Elsewhere.
Section 13.854 — Release Of Arrested, Detained, Or Confined Person; Automated Notification Service.
Section 13.856 — Ombudsperson For Corrections; Data.
Section 13.86 — Investigative Detention Data.
Section 13.861 — Security Service Data.
Section 13.87 — Criminal Justice Data.
Section 13.871 — Criminal Justice Data Coded Elsewhere.
Section 13.873 — Integrated Search Service Data Subject Access.
Section 13.875 — Juvenile Justice Data Coded Elsewhere.
Section 13.876 — Foster Youth Ombudsperson; Data.
Section 13.88 — Community Dispute Resolution Center Data.
Section 13.89 — Dissemination Of Data To Protection And Advocacy Systems.