HF 1916

as introduced - 86th Legislature (2009 - 2010) Posted on 02/09/2010 01:56am

A bill for an act
relating to public safety; creating advisory task force to study fire protection
and first responder services.

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

Section 1. new text begin FIRE PROTECTION AND FIRST RESPONDER SERVICES
ADVISORY TASK FORCE.
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new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Establishment and purpose. new text end

new text begin An advisory task force is established
to study and make possible recommendations on best management practices and options
for reducing service delivery costs related to fire protection and first responder services.
Issues to be examined and discussed include, but are not limited to:
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new text begin (1) identification of required and desired fire protection and first responder service
levels in different types of communities across the state;
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new text begin (2) identification of current cost factors for providing such services;
new text end

new text begin (3) identification of options for reducing costs, including alternative service delivery
and administrative options, as well as best practices suggestions for service delivery;
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new text begin (4) establishment of equitable cost-sharing formulas; and
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new text begin (5) effective and efficient use of special service districts.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Membership. new text end

new text begin (a) The task force is comprised of the following members:
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new text begin (1) two members of the senate, one from the majority party and one from a minority
party, appointed by the senate Rules and Administration Subcommittee on Committees;
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new text begin (2) two members of the house of representatives, one appointed by the speaker of the
house and one appointed by the minority leader;
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new text begin (3) three representatives of city interests, at least one of whom must represent a
city with a population under 5,000, another who must represent a city with a population
under 1,000, and at least one who must be an elected city official, to be appointed by
the League of Minnesota Cities;
new text end

new text begin (4) three representatives of town interests, appointed by the Minnesota Association
of Townships, at least one of whom must be a town supervisor;
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new text begin (5) two members of the Minnesota State Fire Chiefs' Association appointed by
the association; and
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new text begin (6) two members of the Minnesota Ambulance Association appointed by the
association.
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new text begin (b) Each appointing authority shall appoint its members no later than 45 days
after the day following final enactment or July 1, 2009, whichever is earlier. In making
appointments, each appointing authority shall consider geographic balance. Appointments
must be reported to the senate majority leader. Members shall serve without compensation.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Meetings. new text end

new text begin The senator appointed from the majority party shall convene
the first meeting of the task force no later than August 1, 2009. At the first meeting, the
members shall appoint by majority vote one of the members to be the chair. The chair is
responsible for scheduling all subsequent meetings of the task force.
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new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Report. new text end

new text begin The task force shall report its findings and any recommendations
to the legislative committees with jurisdiction over local government by February 1, 2010.
The task force shall also provide copies of its report to the Legislative Reference Library
pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, section 3.195.
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new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment
and expires February 15, 2010, or the day following submission of the report required by
subdivision 4, whichever is later.
new text end