SF 1928

as introduced - 86th Legislature (2009 - 2010) Posted on 02/09/2010 02:24am

A bill for an act
relating to state government; modifying administration of the Lessard Outdoor
Heritage Council; amending Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 97A.056,
subdivisions 2, 7.

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

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 97A.056, subdivision 2, is amended to
read:

Subd. 2.

Lessard Outdoor Heritage Council.

(a) The Lessard Outdoor Heritage
Council of 12 members is created in the legislative branch, consisting of:

(1) two public members appointed by the senate Subcommittee on Committees of
the Committee on Rules and Administration;

(2) two public members appointed by the speaker of the house;

(3) four public members appointed by the governor;

(4) two members of the senate appointed by the senate Subcommittee on Committees
of the Committee on Rules and Administration; and

(5) two members of the house of representatives appointed by the speaker of the
house.

(b) Members appointed under paragraph (a) must not be registered lobbyists.
In making appointments, the governor, senate Subcommittee on Committees of the
Committee on Rules and Administration, and the speaker of the house shall consider
geographic balance, gender, age, ethnicity, and varying interests including hunting and
fishing. The governor's appointments to the council are subject to the advice and consent
of the senate.

(c) Public members appointed under paragraph (a) shall have practical experience
or expertise or demonstrated knowledge in the science, policy, or practice of restoring,
protecting, and enhancing wetlands, prairies, forests, and habitat for fish, game, and
wildlife.

(d) Legislative members appointed under paragraph (a) shall include the chairs
of the legislative committees with jurisdiction over environment and natural resources
finance or their designee, one member from the minority party of the senate, and one
member from the minority party of the house of representatives.

(e) Members serve four-year terms and shall be initially appointed according to
the following schedule of terms:

(1) two public members appointed by the governor for a term ending the first
Monday in January 2011;

(2) one public member appointed by the senate Subcommittee on Committees of the
Committee on Rules and Administration for a term ending the first Monday in January
2011;

(3) one public member appointed by the speaker of the house for a term ending
the first Monday in January 2011;

(4) two public members appointed by the governor for a term ending the first
Monday in January 2013;

(5) one public member appointed by the senate Subcommittee on Committees of the
Committee on Rules and Administration for a term ending the first Monday in January
2013;

(6) one public member appointed by the speaker of the house for a term ending the
first Monday in January 2013; and

(7) two members of the senate appointed by the senate Subcommittee on Committees
of the Committee on Rules and Administration for a term ending the first Monday in
January 2013, and two members of the house of representatives appointed by the speaker
of the house for a term ending the first Monday in January 2013.

(f) Compensation and removal of public members are as provided in section
15.0575. A vacancy on the council may be filled by the appointing authority for the
remainder of the unexpired term.

(g) The first meeting of the council shall be convened by the chair of the Legislative
Coordinating Commission no later than December 1, 2008. Members shall elect a chair,
vice-chair, secretary, and other officers as determined by the council. The chair may
convene meetings as necessary to conduct the duties prescribed by this section.

(h) The deleted text begin Department of Natural Resources shall provide administrative support for deleted text end new text begin
council may employ staff and contract with consultants as necessary to carry out the
functions of new text end the council. Up to one percent of the money appropriated from the fund may
be used to deleted text begin cover the staffing and related administrative expenses of the department and to
cover the compensation and travel expenses deleted text end new text begin pay for administrative expenses of the council
and for compensation and expense reimbursement new text end of council members.

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 97A.056, subdivision 7, is amended to read:

Subd. 7.

Legislative oversight.

(a) The senate and house of representatives chairs
of the committees with jurisdiction over the environment and natural resources budget
shall convene a joint hearing to review the activities and evaluate the effectiveness of the
council and evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of the deleted text begin department's deleted text end administration
and staffing of the council after five years but no later than June 30, 2014.

(b) By January 15, 2013, a professional outside review authority shall be chosen by
the chairs of the house of representatives and senate committees with jurisdiction over
environment and natural resources to evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of the
deleted text begin department's deleted text end administration and staffing of the council. A report shall be submitted to
the chairs by January 15, 2014.