SF 956

2nd Engrossment - 87th Legislature (2011 - 2012) Posted on 03/06/2012 02:42pm

A bill for an act
relating to local government; discontinuing Hennepin Conservation District
and transferring duties; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes,
chapter 383B.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

new text begin [383B.76] DISCONTINUANCE OF HENNEPIN CONSERVATION
DISTRICT; TRANSFER OF DUTIES.
new text end

new text begin (a) Notwithstanding section 103C.225, the Hennepin Conservation District is
discontinued and the duties and authorities of the district under chapter 103C and other
statutory responsibilities are transferred to the Hennepin County Board of Commissioners
operating through the Hennepin County Department of Environmental Services or other
organizational unit as assigned by the county board.
new text end

new text begin (b) Upon the discontinuance of the Hennepin Conservation District, the Hennepin
County Board of Commissioners operating through the Hennepin County Department of
Environmental Services or other organizational unit as assigned by the county board
retains the eligibility of the Hennepin Conservation District for state grant funds.
new text end

new text begin (c) Upon the effective date of the discontinuance of the Hennepin Conservation
District, all contracts entered into, to which the district or district board was a party, remain
in force and effect for the period provided in the contracts. The Hennepin County Board
of Commissioners operating through the Hennepin County Department of Environmental
Services or its successors shall be substituted for the district or district board as party to
the contracts and succeed to the district's rights and duties. Any assets of the district on the
date of the discontinuance of the district are transferred to the Hennepin County Board of
Commissioners for the purpose of implementing the transferred duties and responsibilities.
new text end

new text begin (d) If the Board of Water and Soil Resources finds that the Hennepin County Board
of Commissioners operating through the Hennepin County Department of Environmental
Services or its successors is not sufficiently carrying out the duties and responsibilities of
a soil and water conservation district under chapter 103C, the Board of Water and Soil
Resources may, in order:
new text end

new text begin (1) reduce, withhold, or redirect grants and other funding if deficiencies have not
been corrected as prescribed in a notice from the Board of Water and Soil Resources
within one year from the date of the notice; and
new text end

new text begin (2) seek to reestablish the Hennepin Conservation District by legislative action.
new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE; LOCAL APPROVAL.
new text end

new text begin Section 1 is effective the day after the governing body of Hennepin County and its
chief clerical officer timely complete their compliance with Minnesota Statutes, section
645.021, subdivisions 2 and 3.
new text end