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 - 5 of 5
Advisory Opinion 99-002
February 26, 1999; Freeborn 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: Pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 13, did the Freeborn County Department of Human Services respond appropriately to a data subject's request for access to data?
Category: Data subjects
Keywords: Data subjects, Informed of existence/classification, Investigative data
Commissioner: Scott R. Simmons Acting
Advisory Opinion 97-008
February 25, 1997; City of Minneapolis
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 Minnesota Statutes Section 13.04, subdivision 3, has the City of Minneapolis Police Department responded appropriately to J's request for access to data about J?
Category: Data subjects
Keywords: Data subjects, Subject's right to know, Informed of existence/classification
Commissioner: Elaine S. Hansen
Advisory Opinion 96-012
March 14, 1996; Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
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 Mr. Spaulding entitled to gain access to the data he requested?
What is DNR's obligation under Minnesota Statutes Chapter 13 to respond to Mr. Spaulding's request?
Category: Data subjects, Response to data requests, Statutory construction (Ch. 645)
Keywords: Data subjects, Response to data requests, Statutory construction (Ch. 645), Informed of existence/classification, Definition of prompt or reasonable time, Words and phrases construed (645.08)
Commissioner: Elaine S. Hansen
Advisory Opinion 95-010
March 8, 1995; Olmsted 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: Is X entitled to gain access to data maintained about him by the Olmsted County Community Services Department?
Category: Data subjects, Tennessen warning
Keywords: Data subjects, Tennessen warning, Informed of existence/classification, Tennessen warning notice (13.04, subd. 2), Vulnerable adults
Commissioner: Elaine S. Hansen
Advisory Opinion 94-003
January 4, 1994; City of Waseca
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 police department violate Minnesota Statute Section 13.04, Subdivision 3 by refusing to provide Y all of the records regarding X within the five day timeline, which began to run on October 9, 1992?
Was the police department entitled to delay providing records regarding X because the police department claimed to be investigating the situation, without advising us of same, pursuant to Minnesota Statute Section 13.39?
Category: Data subjects, Educational data, Law enforcement data
Keywords: Data subjects, Educational data, Law enforcement data, Data access to data subject, Subject's right to know, Informed of existence/classification, Victim access to active investigative data (13.82, subd. 13 / subd. 6)
Commissioner: Debra Rae Anderson