SEPTEMBER 2025

Informal Drafts of Administrative Rules Available

The Data Practices Office is in the process of updating the administrative rules implementing the Data Practices Act. The current rules were adopted more than 40 years ago, and we plan to update the rules to reflect the many legislative changes to the Data Practices Act as well as to incorporate modern government processes. As part of this work, we have created informal drafts of proposed changes to the rules, and our office is seeking initial feedback on these drafts as well as other suggestions for how to update and clarify the rules.  You can find a copy of DPO's proposed changes on our website, and you can email any comments you have to info.dpo@state.mn.us. Please submit any comments by October 10, 2025. Please note: This is not the formal request for comment period, which we will plan to initiate sometime after this initial, informal review. You can find additional information about the rulemaking process on the DPO website, and we have a video on our YouTube channel with more information. You can also email us with any questions you have.

Upcoming Data Practices Trainings

Government Personnel Data Webinar Series

The Data Practices Office is hosting a free webinar series focusing on government personnel data! This series will cover the basics of section 13.43, sharing personnel data, complaint and disciplinary data, as well as frequently asked questions about personnel data. We'll also include a live Q&A session during each webinar.

This series will be held over four sessions on Thursdays at 11 a.m. on the following dates:

• September 4 - Section 13.43 Basics
• September 18 - Sharing Personnel Data
• October 9 - Complaints and Discipline
• October 16 - Recap and Frequently Asked Questions

There is no cost to attend these webinars, and registration for all webinars is open now.

Please visit our website for more information and to register.

Advisory Opinion Updates

Response to data requests

In Advisory Opinion 25-007, a member of the public asked whether a city responded appropriately to requests for public data. The requester made four data requests between September 1, 2023 and September 13, 2024, but received no response from the City as of July 2025. The City indicated that it was working with the data requester and had begun providing data to the requester upon learning of the pending advisory opinion request. The Commissioner determined that the City did not comply with the Data Practices Act because its response was not appropriate, prompt, or within a reasonable time.

Data Practices or OML Questions?

Have questions about data practices or the Open Meeting Law? Contact us by email at info.dpo@state.mn.us or by phone at 651-296-6733. We are here to help!