Fundraiser exemption for auctioneers

An auctioneer’s job is to talk and sell — sometimes for private events, sometimes for charity.

Addressing the House Commerce and Labor Committee Feb. 28, Kurt Johnson, former president of the Minnesota State Auctioneers Association, said that the Office of the Attorney General recently became aware of an auctioneer who was asking for money at a nonprofit fundraiser.

In response, Johnson said, the office broadly interpreted current law to say that all auctioneers must be registered as professional fundraisers.

In an effort to clarify what an auctioneer can and cannot do at a charitable event, a new law states if an auctioneer is licensed and bonded, and he or she does not have access to the proceeds from the event, they do not have to register as a professional fundraiser.

Sponsored by Rep. Al Juhnke (DFL-Willmar) and Sen. LeRoy Stumpf (DFL-Plummer), the new law was signed by Gov. Tim Pawlenty on April 10. It is effective the next day.

HF3289*/SF2979/CH181