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Legislative Commission Examines Growing Data Challenges
Local government stakeholders testified on best practices for data retention, minimization, and storage before the Legislative Commission on Data Practices.
The Legislative Commission on Data Practices and Personal Data Privacy held its second meeting on Nov. 20, 2025, to examine emerging issues related to the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act (MGDPA) and the protection of individuals’ personal data.
Testifiers shared best practices and ongoing challenges in areas such as data retention, geolocation data, automatic license plate readers, body-worn camera footage, and how these intersect with state and federal privacy laws.
View a recording of the Nov. 20, 2025, Legislative Commission on Data Practices meeting.
The League of Minnesota Cities, alongside other local government stakeholders, highlighted the increasing strain on city staff as technology evolves faster than MGDPA guidance. As the volume of data created and retained by local governments grows, so does the number of complex data requests. The League emphasized the need for tools that allow local governments to recover the actual costs of fulfilling large-scale and complex data requests, which currently fall on local taxpayers.
The commission will meet again on Dec. 11 to focus on the intersection of state and federal data privacy requirements. The League will continue working with the commission and stakeholders to develop solutions that balance transparency, individual privacy, and efficient government operations.
Cities interested in sharing their experiences with the MGDPA are encouraged to contact commission members or League IGR staff.
For more information on the League’s city policies on data practices, check out the 2026 City Policies.