Data Practices Complaints

The Court of Administrative Hearings (CAH) provides an expedited, administrative process to address violations of the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act (the Act) found in Minnesota Statutes chapter 13. The process is governed by Minn. Stat. § 13.085.

Any person may file a Data Practices complaint with CAH to compel compliance with the Act. The Act provides that all state government data are public unless a state or federal law says the data are not public. "Government data" means all recorded information a government entity has, regardless of form or method of storage. The Act also says that government agencies must keep all data in a way that makes it easy for members of the public to access it.

Data Practices complaints must be accompanied by a $1,000 filing fee. Minnesota law does not allow this fee to be waived.

Complaint filing

To file a Data Practices complaint:

  1. Complete the Data Practices Complaint form.
  2. Complete a personal check, cashier's check, or money order for the $1,000 filing fee. Make it payable to Minnesota Court of Administrative Hearings. Electronic forms of payment are not accepted. Complainants may also use a bond to guarantee payment of this fee, and there is no refund of any bonding fee if that option is selected. Waiver of the filing fee is not available.
  3. Mail the form and the payment to PO Box 64620, Saint Paul, MN 55164 OR deliver them via personal delivery to 600 N Robert Street, Saint Paul, MN 55101.

The complaint is considered filed when CAH has received both the form and the $1,000 filing fee.

Complaint process

  1. A Data Practices complaint and the required $1,000 filing fee are filed at CAH.

  2. Once CAH receives the complaint, it immediately notifies the government agency.

  3. After notice is given, the government agency responds within 15 business days. This deadline may be extended.

  4. CAH notifies the subject of the data and the Commissioner of Administration of the complaint. If the Commissioner of Administration has already been asked to issue an opinion on the same matter, the complaint is dismissed and the $1,000 filing fee is refunded.

  5. The judge rules on the complaint within 20 business days after the agency responds. Depending on the facts alleged, the judge may dismiss the complaint or schedule a hearing.

  6. Within five business days after a complaint is dismissed, the person who brought the complaint may request that the Chief Administrative Law Judge reconsider the dismissal decision.

  7. If a hearing is ordered, the case is set for hearing within 30 business days, subject to an extension for good cause.

  8. At the hearing, the parties present evidence and testimony to support their position.

  9. The judge issues a decision within ten business days after the record closes.

  10. In their decision, the judge may: (1) dismiss the complaint; (2) determine that the agency violated the law; (3) impose a fine of up to $300; (4) issue an order requiring the agency to comply with the law; and/or (5) refer the complaint for possible criminal charges.

Minnesota law requires that CAH publicly disseminate its decisions on Data Practices complaints. Judges' decisions regarding data practices complaints may be found in the administrative law decision archive.

Notice to Subjects of Data



You might receive a Notice from CAH that you are a subject of data which might be disclosed in response to a Data Practices complaint. Even if the complaint could result in disclosure of data about you, you are not necessarily a party to the proceeding. You can request to become a party by filing a written Motion for Intervention detailing your interest in the dispute and what rights, if any, will be impacted if you are not included in the proceeding. Include the case name and docket number in the Motion and serve your Motion upon all other parties.

For more information about this process, call a CAH staff attorney at (651) 361-7900.

More information: