STATE OF MINNESOTA

CAMPAIGN FINANCE AND PUBLIC DISCLOSURE BOARD

FINDINGS IN THE MATTER OF CONTRIBUTIONS MADE BY THE

(DON) SAMUELSON FOR GOVERNOR COMMITTEE

TO OTHER PRINCIPAL CAMPAIGN COMMITTEES

Procedural Background

The (Don) Samuelson for Governor Committee ("Committee") filed a Report of Receipts and Expenditures ("Report") for the period covering January 1, through December 31, 1998, with the Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board ("Board"). Review of the Report by Board staff disclosed that on August 10, 1998, the Committee made a $250 contribution to the (Edwina) Garcia for Secretary of State Committee and a $250 contribution to the Kris Hasskamp Campaign Committee, a $1,000 contribution to the (Hubert) Humphrey for Governor Committee, and a $300 contribution to the Doug (Johnson) for Gov Committee. All of these committees are principal campaign committees registered with the Board.

Staff notified Norma Miller, treasurer, and Senator Don Samuelson of a potential violation of Minn. Stat. 10A.27, subd. 9(a), which prohibits a principal campaign committee from making a contribution to another principal campaign committee, unless the donating committee is being dissolved.

Senator Don Samuelson responded by letter dated August 4, 1999, in which he stated that it was his understanding that a principal campaign committee was required to terminate after six years of inactivity, and now realizes that, by making the contributions to other principal campaign committees, his committee should have terminated by December 31, 1998.

The matter was considered by the Board in executive sessions on August 24, 1999. No one from the Committee asked to appear before the Board. The matter was considered based on the Report and the response provided by the Committee.

Based on the record before it, the Board issues the following:

STATEMENT OF THE EVIDENCE

1. The (Don) Samuelson for Governor Committee ("Committee") is a principal campaign committee registered with the Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board ("Board").

2. The Committee did not terminate its registration with the Board in calendar year 1998.

3. The Committee made a $250 contribution to the (Edwina) Garcia for Secretary of State Volunteer Committee, a $250 contribution to the Kris Hasskamp Campaign Committee, a $1,000 contribution to the (Hubert) Humphrey for Governor Committee, and a $300 contribution to the Doug (Johnson) for Gov Committee on August 10, 1998. These committees are principal campaign committee registered with the Board.

4. Minn. Stat. 10A.27, subd. 9(a), prohibits a principal campaign committee from making contributions to another principal campaign committee, unless the donating candidate's committee is being dissolved. Minn. Rules Chapter 4503.0300, subp. 2, provides that when such a contribution is made, the dissolution must be completed in the same filing period.

Based on the above Statement of the Evidence, the Board makes the following:

FINDINGS CONCERNING PROBABLE CAUSE

1. There is probable cause to believe that the (Don) Samuelson for Governor Committee violated Minn. Stat. 10A.27, subd. 9(a), when it made contributions to other principal campaign committees on August 10, 1998.

2. Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 10A provides no penalty for this violation.

Based on the above Findings, the Board issues the following:

ORDER

The Board investigation of this matter is entered into the public record in accordance with Minn. Stat. 10A.02, subd. 11.

Board staff shall provide a copy to Senator Don Samuelson.

Dated: _________________________________________

Sidney Pauly, chair

Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board