Minnesota Legislature
HF 279
as introduced - 87th Legislature (2011 - 2012) Posted on 01/31/2011 10:24am
Current Version - as introduced
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A bill for an act
relating to families; creating a Council on East African Minnesotans; providing
for appointment of members; creating an ombudsperson for East African
Minnesotans; appropriating money; amending Minnesota Statutes 2010, sections
257.0755, subdivision 1; 257.076, subdivision 3; 257.0768, subdivision 1;
257.0769, subdivision 1; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes,
chapter 3.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:
Section 1.
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[3.9228] COUNCIL ON EAST AFRICAN MINNESOTANS.
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new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end
new text begin Creation. new text end
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A state Council on East African Minnesotans consists of
13 members, six appointed by the governor and seven appointed by the legislature. The
members of the council must be broadly representative of the East African community of
the state. Membership terms, compensation, removal of members, and filling of vacancies
for nonlegislative members are as provided in section 15.0575. Because the council
performs functions that are not purely advisory, the council is not subject to the expiration
date in section 15.059. Two members of the house of representatives appointed by the
speaker and two members of the senate appointed by the Subcommittee on Committees
of the Committee on Rules and Administration shall serve as nonvoting members of the
council. The council shall annually elect from its membership a chair and other officers
it deems necessary.
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new text begin Subd. 2. new text end
new text begin Definition. new text end
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For purposes of this section, "East African" means the eastern
region of the continent of Africa, comprising areas occupied by the countries of Burundi,
Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, and Somalia.
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new text begin Subd. 3. new text end
new text begin Duties. new text end
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The council shall:
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(1) advise the governor and the legislature on the nature of the issues confronting
East African people in this state;
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(2) advise the governor and the legislature on statutes or rules necessary to ensure
that East African people have access to benefits and services provided to people in this
state;
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(3) recommend to the governor and the legislature any revisions in the state's
affirmative action program and other steps that are necessary to eliminate underutilization
of East Africans in the state's work force;
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(4) recommend to the governor and the legislature legislation to improve the
economic and social conditions of East African people in this state;
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(5) serve as a conduit to state government for organizations of East African people
in this state;
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(6) serve as a referral agency to assist East African people to secure access to state
agencies and programs;
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(7) serve as a liaison with the federal government, local government units, and
private organizations on matters relating to the East African people of this state;
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(8) perform or contract for the performance of studies designed to suggest solutions
to problems of East African people in the areas of education, employment, human rights,
health, housing, social welfare, and other related issues;
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(9) implement programs designed to solve problems of East Africans when
authorized by other statute, rule, or order; and
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(10) implement programs designed to provide early identification and treatment,
interventions, and assistance in accessing services for children who have, or are thought to
have, an autism spectrum disorder.
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new text begin Subd. 4. new text end
new text begin Review of grant applications. new text end
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All applications by a state department or
agency for the receipt of federal funds which will have their primary effect on East African
Minnesotans shall be submitted to the council for review and recommendation at least 30
days before submission to a federal agency.
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new text begin Subd. 5. new text end
new text begin Powers. new text end
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The council may contract in its own name, but no money shall be
accepted or received as a loan nor indebtedness incurred except as otherwise provided
by law. Contracts shall be approved by a majority of the members of the council and
executed by the chair and the executive director. The council may apply for, receive, and
expend in its own name grants and gifts of money consistent with the powers and duties
specified in subdivisions 1 to 7.
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The council shall appoint an executive director who is experienced in administrative
activities and familiar with the problems and needs of East African people. The council
may delegate to the executive director powers and duties under subdivisions 1 to 7 which
do not require council approval. The executive director serves in the unclassified service
and may be removed at any time by the council. The executive director shall recommend
to the council, and the council may appoint, the appropriate staff necessary to carry
out its duties. Staff members serve in the unclassified service. The commissioner of
administration shall provide the council with necessary administrative services.
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new text begin Subd. 6. new text end
new text begin State agency assistance. new text end
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Other state agencies shall supply the council
upon request with advisory staff services on matters relating to the jurisdiction of the
council. The council shall cooperate and coordinate its activities with other state agencies
to the highest possible degree.
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new text begin Subd. 7. new text end
new text begin Report. new text end
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The council shall prepare and distribute a report to the governor
and legislature by November 15 of each even-numbered year. The report shall summarize
the activities of the council since its last report, list receipts and expenditures, identify the
major problems and issues confronting East African people, and list the specific objectives
which the council seeks to attain during the next biennium.
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Sec. 2.
Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 257.0755, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
Subdivision 1.
Creation.
One ombudsperson shall operate independently from but
in collaboration with each of the following groups: the Indian Affairs Council, the Council
on Affairs of Chicano/Latino people, the Council on Black Minnesotans, deleted text begin anddeleted text end the Council
on Asian-Pacific Minnesotansnew text begin , and the Council for East African Minnesotansnew text end .
Sec. 3.
Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 257.076, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
Subd. 3.
Communities of color.
"Communities of color" means the following:
American Indian, Hispanic-Latino, Asian-Pacific, African, deleted text begin anddeleted text end African-Americannew text begin , and
East Africannew text end communities.
Sec. 4.
Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 257.0768, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
Subdivision 1.
Membership.
deleted text begin Fourdeleted text end new text begin Five new text end community-specific boards are created.
Each board consists of five members. The chair of each of the following groups shall
appoint the board for the community represented by the group: the Indian Affairs Council;
the Council on Affairs of Chicano/Latino people; the Council on Black Minnesotans; deleted text begin anddeleted text end
the Council on Asian-Pacific Minnesotansnew text begin ; and the Council on East African Minnesotansnew text end .
In making appointments, the chair must consult with other members of the council.
Sec. 5.
Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 257.0769, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
Subdivision 1.
Appropriations.
(a) Money is appropriated from the special fund
authorized by section 256.01, subdivision 2, clause (15), to the Indian Affairs Council for
the purposes of sections 257.0755 to 257.0768.
(b) Money is appropriated from the special fund authorized by section 256.01,
subdivision 2, clause (15), to the council on affairs of Chicano/Latino people for the
purposes of sections 257.0755 to 257.0768.
(c) Money is appropriated from the special fund authorized by section 256.01,
subdivision 2, clause (15), to the Council of Black Minnesotans for the purposes of
sections 257.0755 to 257.0768.
(d) Money is appropriated from the special fund authorized by section 256.01,
subdivision 2, clause (15), to the Council on Asian-Pacific Minnesotans for the purposes
of sections 257.0755 to 257.0768.
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(e) Money is appropriated from the special fund authorized by section 256.01,
subdivision 2, clause (15), to the Council on East African Minnesotans for the purposes of
sections 257.0755 to 257.0768.
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