SF4898

Purpose

This bill restricts how certain official resources are used in the Minnesota Senate and House of Representatives. It aims to limit who can have official communication tools (email and phone) and who can occupy office space, and it sets how these restrictions are to be enforced.

Main Provisions

• Subdivision 1 — Email and telephone:

  • A member, officer, or employee of the Senate or House may not create a legislative email address or assign a legislative telephone number to a person who is not a member, officer, or employee.

• Subdivision 2 — Member telephone numbers:

  • The legislative telephone number assigned to a member is for the exclusive use of that member.
  • If authorized by the member, an employee assigned to the member by the member’s caucus or the House may use the number.

• Subdivision 3 — Office space:

  • A member, officer, or employee may not allow a contractor or other person who is not a member, officer, or employee to permanently or temporarily occupy office space assigned by the commissioner of administration without prior written notice to the leaders of each caucus in the relevant house.

• Subdivision 4 — Enforcement:

  • The Senate and House must adopt rules to implement this section, including remedies.
  • The remedies in these rules are exclusive; courts or administrative agencies do not have jurisdiction to enforce, interpret, penalize, award damages, or otherwise act on violations of this section, nor to invalidate other laws because of this section.

How this Changes Existing Law (Significant Changes)

• Tightens control of official communications and contact information by limiting who can have official email addresses and legislative phone numbers.
• Limits who may use a member’s official contact resources (phone) to the member or authorized staff.
• Requires notification to caucus leaders before non-member occupancy of office space assigned to the legislature, introducing a new procedural step.
• Shifts enforcement away from courts or external agencies to internal legislative rules with exclusive remedies, reducing outside jurisdiction over violations.

Overall Effect

The bill formalizes stricter use and ownership boundaries for official communication tools and office space within the legislative branch, and it centralizes enforcement within the legislature itself.

Relevant Terms - legislative email address - legislative telephone number - office space - commissioner of administration - Senate - House of Representatives - caucus leaders - exclusive use - remedies - enforcement - rules - Minnesota Statutes - contractor - non-member - obstruction or occupancy restrictions - jurisdiction - administrative agency