Minnesota Agencies

Administers campaign finance disclosure for state candidates; economic interest disclosure for state and metropolitan public officials, and for local officials in metropolitan governmental units; lobbyist registrations; and public subsidy of state candidates and political party committees.

The State Ethics Commission was created in 1974 to administer the Ethics in Government Act which relates to certain elected and appointed officials in the legislative, judicial, and executive branches of government (Minn. Laws 1974 Chap. 470). The name was changed to the Ethical Practices Board in 1975.

The board's goal is to maintain public confidence in the integrity of government through public disclosure of sources of potential influence or conflict of interest and through public financing of candidates for election to public office. Lobbyists appearing before the legislature as well as state agencies are required to file with the board and report their areas of interest and the amount of money spent on various activities while attempting to influence legislation or administrative actions. The board administers the program of public financing of candidates and requires those candidates to file agreements with the board. Candidates and committees who raise money for election purposes must also file reports with the board. The board also is the repository for personal statements of economic interest of persons designated "public official" by law. Moreover, public officials must identify potential conflicts of interest between their public duties and private economic interests and file reports thereon with the board. The statements and reports are open for public inspection. The board investigates complaints of violations in each of the areas noted above, and any individual or association may request an advisory opinion regarding an interpretation of the Ethics in Government Act.

The Board's name changed to the Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board, effective July 1, 1997.

6 members (1 former state legislator from a major political party different from the governor, 1 former state legislator from the same political party as the governor, 2 members who have not been public officials and have not held party office within three years prior to appointment; no more than 3 members may support the same political party; no member may currently serve as a lobbyist); appointed by governor; house and senate confirmation; 4-year terms; per diem and expenses; members must file with the Ethical Practices Board.

Executive directors: B. Allen Clutter, 1975-1980; Mary Ann McCoy, 1981-; Members of the board: Constance Burchett, 1977-1978; John Carey, 1979-1982; Harold Chase, 1977-1978; Rosemary Davis, 1974-1976; David Durenberger, 1974-1978; Elizabeth Ebbott, 1974-1980; Robyn Hansen, 1979-1983; Stanley Holmquist, 1974-1976; Karen Jensen, 1979-1983; Vernon K. Jensen, 1979-1982; Roger Noreen, 1977-1980; Irene Scott, 1974-1976; Spencer Sokolowski, 1974-1978. Members not listed after 1981: John Holahan, 1994-

Agency notebook information includes: Official communication from the office of the governor of the state of Minnesota, 16 April 1993 (appointing John L. Holahan, Jr.). Filed: "Perot activist named to state post," Star Tribune-St. Paul, 20 April 1993 (concerning appointment of John Holahan). Filed: "Ethics board gets new chairman," Star Tribune-Minneapolis, 4 July 1994 (John Holahan).

The Library has additional years of the Annual Report of the State Ethical Practices Board available in print.