Primary navigation

    Search Opinions

    Browse Opinions by Date

    Request an Opinion

    Our Role

    Help with searching

    For a Topic Search use terms suggested on our Topics page. Please note that clicking the "Browse Topics" link on the Search Opinions tab will take you away from the search page to a different page, which will lose any existing search results or data that has been entered into search boxes. If you plan to search by topic, we recommend selecting your topic first, and complete any additional fields in the search form after that.

    For a simple search, type a few words or a phrase in the Full Text search box, then hit Enter or click the Search button. Your search query can be a single word, multiple words separated by spaces, or it can use more advanced syntax described in the FAQ below. Try to use words that are likely to be unique to the content you're looking for.

    Note: For best results when searching for a particular citation, spell out the section and subdivision. For example, “13.43, subdivision 4.”


    About Search Results

    The advisory opinion library currently includes:
    • Data practices advisory opinions issued by the Commissioner of Administration from 1993 to the present.
    • Open Meeting Law advisory opinions issued by the Commissioner of Administration from 2003 to the present.
    The Commissioner's authority is found in Minnesota Statutes, section 13.072. Opinions are nonbinding, but a court may give them deference in a court action. Parties to a court action that act in conformity with an advisory opinion are not liable for certain damages or attorneys fees.
    A written, numbered, and published opinion issued by the attorney general shall take precedence over an advisory opinion issued by the Commissioner of Administration.
    Results 1 - 2 of 2
    Advisory Opinion 14-006
    June 5, 2014; Independent School District 625 (St. Paul)
    This is an opinion of the Commissioner of Administration issued pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, section 13.072 (2013). It is based on the facts and information ...
    Description: Pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 13, did Independent School District 625, St. Paul, respond appropriately to a March 15, 2014, request for data? Pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 13, did Independent School District 625, St. Paul, respond appropriately to a March 25, 2014, request for data pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, section 13.04, subdivision 3?
    Category: Data subjects, Personnel data, Requests for data, Response to data requests
    Keywords: Data subjects, Personnel data, Requests for data, Response to data requests, Timely response required, access immediately or within ten business days, Complaint or charge, Clarification of request
    Commissioner: Spencer Cronk
    mn.gov/admin/data-practices/opinions/library/opinions-library.jsp?id=36-267728
    Advisory Opinion 04-032
    June 1, 2004; School District 700 (Hermantown)
    This is an opinion of the Commissioner of Administration issued pursuant to section 13.072 of Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 13 - the Minnesota Government Data ...
    Description: Did Independent School District 700, Hermantown, comply with Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 13, in responding to a data subject's request for a copy of her time sheets?
    Category: Copy costs, Data subjects, Existence of data, Personnel data, Requests for data, Response to data requests
    Keywords: Copy costs, Data subjects, Existence of data, Personnel data, Requests for data, Response to data requests, Limit on frequency of access to data, Data not found, Time sheets or payroll, Clarification of request
    Commissioner: Brian J. Lamb
    mn.gov/admin/data-practices/opinions/library/opinions-library.jsp?id=36-267590
      back to top