H.F. 1554 Summary

• Repeals Minnesota's public subsidy program for campaign finance, effective July 1, 2019, eliminating the state elections campaign account and tax checkoff designation system.

• Converts mandatory spending limit agreements into voluntary pledges that candidates may sign to comply with expenditure limits under sections 10A.25, 10A.27, and 10A.38.

• Removes "return of public subsidy" from the definition of noncampaign disbursements and eliminates all related public subsidy distribution, allocation, and repayment provisions.

• Makes pledges voluntary rather than a condition of receiving public funding, with compliance not subject to board audits, investigations, or enforcement actions.

• Requires the board to post each filed pledge on its website where pledges cannot be rescinded once filed, and applies all changes to elections held on or after July 1, 2019.