SF 4548 Minnesota Senate · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Ban local elected officials from entering certain nondisclosure agreements

This bill prohibits local elected officials and employees in Minnesota from signing nondisclosure agreements related to potential data center developments within their jurisdictions. The law makes any such agreements void and unenforceable if they restrict public access to information about data center projects, while allowing the rest of a contract to remain valid if the prohibited clause is removed. Local governments must publicly disclose any contracts that violate this restriction, and the measure applies to agreements entered into on or after August 1, 2026.

Issues: ✓ Energy ✓ Technology

Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Mar 2026

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced Mar 18, 2026 Last action Mar 25, 2026

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What changed between versions

Introduction → 1st Engrossment · 4 edits · Mar 25, 2026

MODERATE

The bill was updated from its initial introduction to its first engrossment version, reflecting changes made during the legislative process. The most significant substantive change involves redefining who is subject to new data center disclosure rules, shifting from specific elected officials to a broader category that includes city and county employees. This expansion ensures that non-elected staff members are also bound by the same transparency requirements regarding potential data center developments.

Scope change

The bill's scope was expanded to include employees of local governments, not just elected officials, thereby increasing the number of individuals subject to the new disclosure restrictions.

DEFINITION

The definition of the regulated party changed from 'local elected official' to 'local government,' which now explicitly includes employees of cities, counties, and towns.

REQUIREMENT

The prohibition on entering nondisclosure agreements was updated to apply to the broader 'local government' entity rather than just individual elected officials.

The public disclosure requirement for violating contracts was updated to apply to the 'local government' entity instead of just the individual official.

TECHNICAL

The document title and posting date were updated to reflect the bill's progression from introduction to first engrossment.

Floor votes

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Full legislative history

Actions timeline

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Key actions

Committee

Mar 25, 2026

Upper · Passed

Comm report: To pass as amended and re-refer to Judiciary and Public Safety

upper

Mar 18, 2026

Committee

Referred to State and Local Government

upper

Mar 18, 2026

Introduced

Introduction and first reading

upper

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors