On April 24, the Subcommittee on Ethical Conduct met to discuss Senator Champion’s request for an advisory opinion under Senate Rules as it pertained to Minnesota Statute 10A.07.  On a 4-0 vote, the committee adopted a resolution stating:

“The Subcommittee find that Sen. Champion has no financial conflict of interest under Minn. Stat. 10A.07 and Senate Rule 56.4  relating to SF 2978 in 2025. However, the Subcommittee recommends that in the future Senator Champion disclose any appearance of a potential conflict of interest to the committees of interest when the chief author of bills; the Subcommittee further makes no finding on SF 2970 from 2023; and that an advisory opinion be issued to this effect.”

It’s important to note this resolution only pertains to Sen. Champion’s request regarding Senate Rule 56.4. Senators Michael Kreun (Blaine), Steve Drazkowski (Mazeppa), Steve Green (Fosston), Eric Lucero (St Michael), Paul Utke (Park Rapids), Nathan Wesenberg (Little Falls), have a complaint under rules 56.1 and 56.3 that will be heard on May 5.

In response to the results of the Subcommittee on Ethical Conduct’s ruling, Senator Michael Kreun (Blaine)  issued the following statement:

“Legislators are expected to hold themselves to a higher standard and avoid behavior that betrays the public trust or brings the Senate into dishonor or disrepute. The choice to carry legislation that provided funding to an entity with which Champion has a privileged relationship without disclosing the relationship fails to meet those standards and this opinion from the Subcommittee on Ethical Conduct acknowledges that fact by saying he should make disclosures in the future.”

Further, during Senate session today, Senator Steve Drazkowski (Mazeppa) offered a resolution to remove Senator Champion as President of the Senate. Drazkowski spoke on the floor about the concerns surrounding Champion carrying legislation that directed tax dollars to an organization he previously represented in court. Under Senate Rule 6.3, the resolution was referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration. All members of the Subcommittee on Ethical Conduct abstained from votes related to the proceedings.

Senator Drazkowski issued the following statement:

“It is our responsibility to maintain the integrity of the Minnesota Senate. Our rules of ethical conduct are clear that members must adhere to the highest standard of ethical conduct. We cannot have a president overseeing our Senate proceedings and acting as the face of the chamber while at the center of an ethical firestorm. I urge the Rules Committee take up this resolution as quickly as possible to protect the integrity of the Senate.”