SF 1228

as introduced - 89th Legislature (2015 - 2016) Posted on 09/08/2015 03:36pm

A bill for an act
relating to elections; establishing the Elections Emergency Planning Task Force;
appropriating money.

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

Section 1. new text begin ELECTIONS EMERGENCY PLANNING TASK FORCE.
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new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Membership. new text end

new text begin (a) The Elections Emergency Planning Task Force
consists of the following members:
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new text begin (1) the director of the Department of Public Safety, Division of Homeland Security
and Emergency Management, or designee;
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new text begin (2) the secretary of state, or designee;
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new text begin (3) one individual designated by the secretary of state, from the elections division in
the Office of the Secretary of State;
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new text begin (4) the Minnesota Adjutant General, or designee;
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new text begin (5) one county auditor, appointed by the Minnesota Association of County Auditors;
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new text begin (6) one local professional emergency manager, appointed by the Association of
Minnesota Emergency Managers;
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new text begin (7) one town election official, appointed by the Minnesota Association of Townships;
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new text begin (8) one city election official, appointed by the League of Minnesota Cities;
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new text begin (9) one school district election official, appointed by the Minnesota School Boards
Association;
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new text begin (10) one representative appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives;
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new text begin (11) one representative appointed by the minority leader of the house of
representatives;
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new text begin (12) one senator appointed by the senate majority leader; and
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new text begin (13) one senator appointed by the senate minority leader.
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new text begin (b) Any vacancy shall be filled by appointment of the appointing authority for the
vacating member.
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new text begin (c) Members shall be appointed by July 1, 2015.
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new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Duties. new text end

new text begin The task force must research the following issues:
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new text begin (1) potential emergency scenarios that could impact elections;
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new text begin (2) current capacity and authority to address emergency situations;
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new text begin (3) potential direct and indirect costs of an emergency that disrupts elections;
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new text begin (4) maintaining ballot security in event of an emergency;
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new text begin (5) continuity of operations procedures; and
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new text begin (6) communications plans and key emergency contacts.
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new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin First meeting; chair. new text end

new text begin The secretary of state, or the secretary's designee,
must convene the initial meeting of the task force by August 1, 2015. The members of
the task force must elect a chair and vice-chair from the members of the task force at the
first meeting.
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new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Compensation. new text end

new text begin Public members of the task force shall be compensated
pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, section 15.059, subdivision 3.
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new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Staff. new text end

new text begin The Legislative Coordinating Commission shall provide staff
support, as needed, to facilitate the task force's work.
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new text begin Subd. 6. new text end

new text begin Report. new text end

new text begin The task force must submit a report by January 1, 2016, to the
chairs and ranking minority members of the committees in the senate and house of
representatives with primary jurisdiction over elections, summarizing its findings and
listing recommendations for the development of elections emergency plans statewide. The
report shall include draft legislation to implement the recommendations of the task force.
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new text begin Subd. 7. new text end

new text begin Sunset. new text end

new text begin The task force shall sunset the day following the submission of the
report under subdivision 6, or January 1, 2016, whichever is earlier.
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Sec. 2. new text begin APPROPRIATION.
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new text begin $....... is appropriated from the general fund to the Legislative Coordinating
Commission in fiscal year 2016 for the purposes of this act.
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Sec. 3. new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE.
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new text begin This act is effective the day following final enactment.
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