Purpose

This bill provides a one-time funding action to cover court-ordered legal fees and expenses. Specifically, it appropriates money from the state's general fund to the Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board (CFPDB) to pay fees and expenses that may be awarded to a plaintiff in a named court case.

Main Provisions

• An amount of $900,000 in fiscal year 2025 is appropriated from the general fund to the Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board.
• The trigger for the appropriation is a court order in Minnesota Chamber of Commerce v. Choi, case number 23CV02015, granting the plaintiff’s motion for fees and expenses.
• The CFPDB must pay, on behalf of all defendants, all fees and expenses awarded to the plaintiff.
• This is a one-time appropriation.
• The funds are available for a limited period (the bill specifies a deadline, expected to be June 30, 2026, for use of the appropriation).

Financial Details

• Source: General Fund
• Amount: $900,000
• Fiscal Year: 2025
• Recipient/Must-Disburse To: Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board
• Condition: An order granting the plaintiff’s motion for fees and expenses in Minnesota Chamber of Commerce v. Choi (23CV02015)
• Purpose: Pay fees and expenses awarded to the plaintiff
• Duration: One-time appropriation, availability through mid-2026

Significance and Changes to Existing Law

• Creates a new, one-time funding mechanism tied to a specific court case, rather than a standing, ongoing funding provision.
• Transfers the responsibility to pay court-awarded fees and expenses to the CFPDB, on behalf of all defendants, rather than leaving this funding to separate or ongoing appropriations.
• Establishes a time-limited window for utilizing the funds.

Terminology and Concepts (Key terms from the bill)

• Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board (CFPDB)
• Minnesota Chamber of Commerce v. Choi (case name)
• 23CV02015 (case number)
• fees and expenses
• plaintiff
• defendants
• order granting motion for fees and expenses
• appropriation
• general fund
• one-time appropriation
• fiscal year 2025
• legal fees

Relevant Terms - CFPDB - Minnesota Chamber of Commerce v. Choi - 23CV02015 - fees and expenses - plaintiff - defendants - order granting motion for fees and expenses - appropriation - general fund - one-time - fiscal year 2025