HF 1999 Minnesota House · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Public data request restrictions added.

HF 1999 restricts how people can request public data from Minnesota school districts. It requires requesters to provide their identity (no anonymous requests) and pay for costs if they fail to appear to inspect the data in person. The law applies to all public data requests to school districts under Minnesota's government data practices law, but does not affect requests made by students under separate privacy rules. These changes take effect 24 hours after the bill is signed into law.

Issues: ✗ Technology

Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Mar 2025

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced Mar 6, 2025 Last action Apr 10, 2025

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What changed between versions

Introduction → 1st Engrossment · 6 edits · Apr 10, 2025

MODERATE

The bill was amended from its introduction to its first engrossment, shifting the focus from restricting data requests specifically to school districts to applying to all government entities. The text was reorganized to replace a single new subdivision with a comprehensive amendment to an existing subdivision, adding new requirements for electronic data access, fee structures, and denial procedures.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded from applying only to school districts to applying to all government entities that maintain public data.

SCOPE

The bill no longer limits its application to school districts but now applies to all government entities.

REQUIREMENT

New provisions require government entities to provide electronic copies of public data in the format they are stored and allow for remote access.

New rules establish specific fee limits (25 cents per page) for standard copies and allow higher fees only for data with commercial value or enhanced access.

New requirements mandate that if access is denied, the authority must provide a written certification citing the specific legal basis for the denial.

A new provision allows authorities to suspend further responses to requests if the requester fails to inspect data or collect copies within five days of notification.

The previous requirement prohibiting anonymous requests to school districts was removed as the section now applies generally.

Floor votes

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Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Apr 10, 2025

Lower · Passed

Committee report, to adopt as amended

lower

Mar 6, 2025

Introduced

Introduction and first reading, referred to Judiciary Finance and Civil Law

lower

1 primary · 11 co-sponsors