Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 13 ( the “Government Data Practices Act”) presumes that all government data are public unless a state or federal law states otherwise. Government data is a term that encompasses all data collected, created, received, maintained, or disseminated by any government entity regardless of its physical form, storage media, or conditions of use.

The Government Data Practices Act requires that the Saint Paul Port Authority (“SPPA”) keep public data in a way that makes it easy for the public to access. Individuals requesting government data (“Requesters”) have the right to look at and inspect all public SPPA data free of charge. Requesters also have the right to receive copies of SPPA public data. However, SPPA is allowed to charge for copies. The Requester does have the right to view the data free of charge before deciding to request copies.

How to Make a Data Practices Request

Data requests made to SPPA should be made in writing. The online form below is the preferred means of making a request. A formal letter will also be accepted, addressed to the Designee (see Data Practices Contacts below).

SPPA cannot require any member of the public to identify themselves or explain the reason for any data request. At the same time, some contact information may be needed to deliver the data. If the Requester chooses not to provide identifying information, the Designee will be the appropriate person to contact regarding the status of the request. If SPPA has no way to contact the Requester or does not have enough information to understand the request, staff will not be able to process the request.

Data About You

If as the Requester of SPPA data, you are a subject of the data and can be identified by the data, click on the following link for more details: Data Practices Policy for Data Subjects. You will still use the form above to request the data.

Data Parameters

SPPA data is public information and can be seen by anyone unless there is a state or federal law that classifies the data as private. If any of the data requested is considered private, a representative from SPPA will inform the Requester of this fact with an explanation.

Requests to create new data, defined as data not already collected or maintained by SPPA, fall outside of the Government Data Practices Act requirements and will not be fulfilled.  

Requests for Summary Data

Summary data are statistical records or reports that are prepared by removing all identifiers from private or confidential data on individuals. The preparation of summary data is not a means to gain access to private or confidential data. SPPA will prepare summary data upon written request. The Requester may be required pre-pay for copies and for the cost of creating the data. Upon receiving a written request, SPPA will respond within ten business days with the data or details of when the data will be ready and how much will be charged.

Saint Paul Port Authority Process

  1. All requests are delivered to the Designee, who will forward to the Responsible Authority (“RA”), both of whom are identified in Data Practices Contacts below. The RA will make the determination if SPPA is required to proceed with the request.

  2. The Designee will gather and prepare the information.  

  3. The information will be reviewed and approved by the RA and Data Practices Compliance Officer (“DPCO”) for accuracy and public data verification.

  4. Upon approval, the Designee will share the information requested via a website link or email. If printed copies are required, SPPA reserves the right to request $.25/copy (if greater than 100 pages) and the cost of staff time, paid in advance. SPPA reserves the right to impose “Actual Costs” as outlined below. SPPA reserves the right to determine the appropriate means for information delivery.

  5. SPPA will work with the Requester should more time be needed to collect the data.

  6. If the data is not available, or is classified as nonpublic, private, or confidential, SPPA will contact the requester in a timely manner and inform them of this determination.
  7. When a charge is not set by statute or rule, SPPA may charge the Requester for “Actual Costs” of searching for and retrieving the data and making copies or electronically transmitting the data. In determining the Actual Costs, SPPA will factor in employee time, material costs, and delivery charges. If the request is for data that SPPA cannot reproduce, the Requester will be responsible for costs incurred using outside vendors for copies and delivery. SPPA will provide the Requester a cost estimate in a timely manner prior to proceeding. 

Data Practices Contacts

The Government Data Practices Act (Chapter 13 of Minnesota Statues) and Minnesota Rules, Chapter 1205, assign several duties to government entities. The specific employees at the SPPA responsible for carrying out these duties include:

Responsible Authority

The RA is the person who is ultimately responsible for the collection, use, and dissemination of all entity data, and for all the entity’s data practices decisions.

Todd Hurley, President
400 Wabasha Street North, Suite 240
Saint Paul, MN 55102

The Responsible Authority, identified above, names the following individuals as Data Practices Compliance Official and Designee:

Data Practices Compliance Official

The DPCO receives and responds to questions or concerns about data practices problems, including problems in obtaining and accessing data the entity keeps.

Emily Lawrence, General Counsel
400 Wabasha Street, Suite 240
Saint Paul, MN 55102

Designee

A Designee is a person designated by the RA to help administer and implement the requirements of the Government Data Practices Act.

Dana Krueger, Director of Business Administration
400 Wabasha Street North, Suite 240
Saint Paul, MN 55102

Minnesota Statutes, Sections 13.025 and 13.03 require this policy.

Policy Updates

This policy was last updated March 19, 2024 and will be annually reviewed and updated as needed.