Minnesota bill banning NDAs for elected officials advances amid data center controversy

Legislation aiming to ban elected officials from signing non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) is moving forward at the Minnesota Capitol. Authored by DFL Senator Grant Hauschild of Hermantown, the bill passed the Senate State and Local Government Committee. Senator Hauschild stated that this legislation arose after county commissioners signed NDAs related to Google's proposed data center in Hermantown. This action led to considerable pushback from residents who felt betrayed by their elected representatives. Last legislative session, Minnesota lawmakers established a regulatory framework to attract data centers, which included provisions for consumer protection and oversight of water usage. Hauschild's current bill seeks to fill a perceived gap in the existing process by ensuring transparency from elected officials regarding such agreements.