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 - 7 of 7
Advisory Opinion 04-042
June 28, 2004; Benton County Sheriff
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: Has the Benton County Sheriff's Office complied with Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 13, in charging $8.50 for a seven-page fax in response to a request for government data?
Category: Copy costs
Keywords: Copy costs, Flat or standard fee, Verification of data accuracy
Commissioner: Brian J. Lamb
Advisory Opinion 04-041
June 28, 2004; Stearns County Auditor-Treasurer
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: Is the Stearns County Auditor-Treasurer's Office in compliance with Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 13, with respect to its charge of $1.00 per page for a one-page property tax statement?
Category: Copy costs, Copy costs
Keywords: Copy costs, Copy costs, Actual cost - public, Flat or standard fee
Commissioner: Brian J. Lamb
Advisory Opinion 04-040
June 28, 2004; Stearns County Recorder
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: Is the Stearns County Recorder's Office in compliance with Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 13, with respect to its charge of $1.00 per page for an eight page document?
Category: Copy costs, Copy costs
Keywords: Copy costs, Copy costs, Actual cost - public, Flat or standard fee
Commissioner: Brian J. Lamb
Advisory Opinion 99-042
November 18, 1999; Minnesota Department of Human Rights
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: Has the Minnesota Department of Human Rights complied with the requirements of Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 13, in charging L $.30/page for copies of government data?
Category: Copy costs
Keywords: Copy costs, Justification of costs, Flat or standard fee, Minimum charge not allowed
Commissioner: David F. Fisher
Advisory Opinion 97-012
March 19, 1997; City of St. Bonifacius & Minnetrista Public Safety Department ("SBMPSD")
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: Pursuant to Chapter 13, may the St. Bonifacius & Minnetrista Public Safety Department charge a set fee of $25 in addition to the cost of copies of the photographs?
Pursuant to Chapter 13, is it appropriate for St. Bonifacius and Minnetrista Public Safety Department to require a consent to release authorization as described by Mr. Curtiss?
NOTE: In the January 22, 1997, letter sent to Chief Anderson, PIPA mistakenly included an issue that the Commissioner did not intend to address in this opinion. Mr. Everett did not address that issue in his response.
Category: Copy costs, Law enforcement data
Keywords: Copy costs, Law enforcement data, Actual cost - public, Flat or standard fee, Photographs, Photographs/videotapes (See also: Law enforcement - Booking photos), Photographs
Commissioner: Elaine S. Hansen
Advisory Opinion 94-040
October 5, 1994; City of Buffalo
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: When an employee of the City of Buffalo didn't know what the classification of a piece of private data was, did that constitute a violation of the minor child's rights by impeding access to government data and not applying appropriate safeguards?
When the City of Buffalo charged a set fee of $5.00 on May 4 and June 10, to copy information from a Minnesota Government Data Practices Act Request, were they impeding access to government data and violating the minor child's rights?
When Buffalo Police Officer Steven Huberty disseminated private data to the Buffalo High School, did that violate the minor child's rights to privacy and rights to challenge the accuracy of data being maintained by the Buffalo Police Department?
Was the City of Buffalo suppose to respond to the custodial parent's Minnesota Government Data Practices Act Request of May 6 in 30 days? Did the City of Buffalo violate Minnesota Statutes and the rights of the data subject in the manner they responded?
Category: Copy costs, Data subjects, Educational data, Law enforcement data
Keywords: Copy costs, Data subjects, Educational data, Law enforcement data, Challenge accuracy and completeness of data, Operating expenses excluded, Flat or standard fee, Juveniles (260.161 / 260B.171), Law enforcement data
Commissioner: Debra Rae Anderson
Advisory Opinion 94-028
August 3, 1994; Ramsey County
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 the Sheriff's office in general and Investigator Johnson in particular have any basis to their denial of my file?
Are the costs assessed by the Sheriff's department for copying the material excessive?
Do the deletions made by the Sheriff to the records eventually provided have a basis in law? Was the Sheriff's department required to justify each deletion or omission with particularity?
Category: Copy costs
Keywords: Copy costs, Flat or standard fee
Commissioner: Debra Rae Anderson