Minneslate Logo

SF1472 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))

Definition modification of administrative action as it applies to the Public Utilities Commission

Related bill: HF2188

AI Generated Summary

Purpose

  • This bill changes how “administrative action” is defined for campaign finance rules, specifically as it applies to the Public Utilities Commission (PUC). It aims to clarify which actions by state agencies count as administrative action for the purposes of campaign finance regulation.

Main Provisions

  • Defines administrative action as an action by any official board, commission, or agency of the executive branch to adopt, amend, or repeal a rule under chapter 14.
  • States that administrative action does not include the application or administration of an adopted rule, except in certain energy-related cases (rate setting, power plant siting, powerline siting, and the granting of certificates of need under section 216B.243).
  • Adds a carve-out specifically for the Public Utilities Commission: notwithstanding the general rule, administrative action includes the exercise of any power or duty given to the PUC under statute or adopted rule.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

  • Expands the scope of “administrative action” to explicitly include the PUC’s exercise of its powers or duties.
  • Narrows the general exclusion for “application or administration” of adopted rules by clarifying that, for most agencies, such actions are not administrative action unless they involve the enumerated energy-related items or the PUC’s powers.
  • Aligns the definition with how the PUC operates, potentially bringing more PUC actions under campaign finance regulation or related oversight.

Effects and Implications

  • The bill may broaden which PUC actions are subject to campaign finance rules by ensuring PUC powers are treated as administrative action.
  • It clarifies that certain energy infrastructure-related processes remain excluded from administrative action unless they involve the PUC’s statutory powers.

Notable Terms and Phrases (for quick reference)

  • administrative action
  • official board commission or agency
  • executive branch
  • adopt amend or repeal a rule
  • chapter 14
  • application or administration of an adopted rule
  • rate setting
  • power plant siting
  • powerline siting
  • certificates of need
  • section 216B.243
  • Public Utilities Commission
  • statute
  • adopted rule

Relevant Terms - administrative action - campaign finance - Public Utilities Commission (PUC) - Minnesota Statutes - chapter 14 - rate setting - power plant siting - powerline siting - certificates of need - section 216B.243 - statute - adopted rule

Bill text versions

Actions

DateChamberWhereTypeNameCommittee Name
February 17, 2025SenateActionIntroduction and first reading
February 17, 2025SenateActionReferred toElections

Citations

 
[
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Includes the exercise of any PUC power or duty under statute or adopted rule as 'administrative action'."
      ],
      "removed": [
        "No existing provisions removed; the core definition remains but is expanded."
      ],
      "summary": "This bill amends Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 10A.01, subdivision 2 to redefine 'Administrative action' in relation to the Public Utilities Commission, expanding the concept to include the exercise of any power or duty given to the PUC under statute or adopted rule, while clarifying that rate setting, siting of power plants/powerlines, and certificates of need under section 216B.243 remain treated separately.",
      "modified": [
        "Expands the scope of 'administrative action' to cover PUC actions beyond rulemaking; preserves existing exclusions for certain rate-making activities."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "10A.01 Subd.2",
    "subdivision": ""
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Not applicable; the reference is for context in the amended definition."
      ],
      "removed": [
        ""
      ],
      "summary": "The bill references Minnesota Statutes section 216B.243 concerning certificates of need, in the context of defining administrative action for rate setting and siting actions.",
      "modified": [
        "The inclusion of 216B.243 as the basis for certificates of need clarifies its relation to administrative action."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "216B.243",
    "subdivision": ""
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Cross-reference to the rulemaking chapter in the definition of administrative action."
      ],
      "removed": [
        ""
      ],
      "summary": "The bill refers to 'chapter 14' in the definition of administrative action, which governs rulemaking. This is a cross-reference to the Minnesota Statutes governing administrative rules.",
      "modified": [
        "Maintains cross-reference to chapter 14 as the framework for rulemaking."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "14",
    "subdivision": ""
  }
]

Progress through the legislative process

17%
In Committee

Sponsors

Loading…