Stadium Reform Bill, Co-Authored By Burnsville Rep, Passes House

Earlier this week, the Minnesota House passed House File 778, a bill to reform the Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority (MSFA), with bipartisan support, 122-7.

The bill makes it clear that MSFA-controlled suites should be used exclusively for marketing purposes and makes major reforms to the MSFA governance structure.

"The misuse of suites at U.S. Bank Stadium by commissioners violated the public's trust," said Burnsville's Republican Rep. Drew Christensen, a coauthor of the bill, in a statement.

"This bill will reform the MSFA and make their actions more transparent and hold them accountable to the public."

Christensen's office said a report by the Minnesota Office of the Legislative Auditor found that less than a third of the tickets distributed by the MSFA were for marketing purposes while the rest were for a combination of commissioners, friends, and family members.

Christensen also noted that recent reports also revealed the Board Chair received seat licenses for friends and family ahead of season ticket holders.

The bill directs revenue of the suites to pay down the debt on the stadium, according to a news release.

It also changes the structure of the board by cleaning house and providing greater oversight from the Legislature and a Certified Public Accountant.

Image via Google Streetview