MN HF4162

Transfer responsibilities for Minnesota Government Data Practices Act and Open Meeting Law oversight from the Commissioner of Administration to the Chief Administrative Law Judge in the Office of Administrative Hearings

Establish a data practices coordinator position within the Office of Administrative Hearings, appointed by the chief administrative law judge, to advise government entities and the public on data access, privacy, and compliance matters

Amend the administrative remedy process under chapter 13 to allow complaints to be filed with the Office of Administrative Hearings, with civil penalties up to $300 and attorney fee awards of up to $5,000 for substantially prevailing complainants

Require the Office of Administrative Hearings to publish all decisions and previously issued advisory opinions in a searchable database on its website, with precedential effect on future complaints

Appropriate up to $547,000 annually from the general fund to the Office of Administrative Hearings to cover unreimbursed costs for data practices and open meetings law responsibilities