HF 2135

as introduced - 85th Legislature (2007 - 2008) Posted on 12/15/2009 12:00am

A bill for an act
relating to the Minnesota Sesquicentennial Commission; changing certain duties,
powers, and procedures; amending Laws 2005, First Special Session chapter 1,
article 4, section 121.

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

Section 1.

Laws 2005, First Special Session chapter 1, article 4, section 121, is
amended to read:

Sec. 121. SESQUICENTENNIAL COMMISSION.

Subdivision 1.

Commission; purpose.

The Minnesota Sesquicentennial
Commission is established to plan for activities relating to Minnesota's 150th anniversary
of statehood. The commission shall create a plan for deleted text begin capital improvements, deleted text end celebratory
activities deleted text begin , deleted text end and public engagement in every county in the state of Minnesota.

Subd. 2.

Membership.

The commission shall consist of 17 members who shall
serve until the completion of the sesquicentennial year of statehood, appointed as follows:

(1) nine members appointed by the governor, representing major corporate,
nonprofit, and public sectors of the state, selected from all parts of the state;

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

(3) two members appointed by the minority leader of the house of representatives;

(4) two members from the majority party in the senate, appointed by the
Subcommittee on Committees; and

(5) two members from the minority party in the senate, appointed by the
Subcommittee on Committees.

Subd. 3.

Compensation; operation.

Members shall select a chair from the
membership of the commission. The chair shall convene all meetings and set the agenda
for the commission. The Minnesota Historical Society shall provide office space and staff
support for the commission, and shall cooperate with the University of Minnesota and
Minnesota State Colleges and Universities to support the programs of the commission.
Meetings shall be at the call of the chair. The commission may appoint an advisory
council to advise and assist the commission with its duties. Members shall receive no
compensation for service on the Sesquicentennial Commission. Members appointed by
the governor may be reimbursed for expenses under Minnesota Statutes, section 15.059,
subdivision 3.

Subd. 4.

Duties.

The commission shall have the following duties:

(1) to present to the governor and legislature a plan for deleted text begin capital deleted text end grants to pay for
capital improvements on Minnesota's historic public and private buildings, to be known as
sesquicentennial grants;

(2) to seek funding for activities to celebrate the 150th anniversary of statehood, and
to form partnerships with private parties to further this mission; and

(3) to present an annual report to the governor and legislature outlining progress
made towards the celebration of the sesquicentennial.

new text begin Subd. 4a. new text end

new text begin Powers. new text end

new text begin (a) The commission may accept gifts, grants, and other donations
and revenues, either in cash or in-kind. These gifts, grants, and donations are accepted on
behalf of the state and constitute donations to the state of Minnesota. Funds received under
this subdivision are appropriated to the commission for the purpose of commemorating
the Minnesota sesquicentennial.
new text end

new text begin (b) The commission may enter into contracts and award grants to carry out its
purposes.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4b. new text end

new text begin Meetings. new text end

new text begin (a) If compliance with Minnesota Statutes, section 13D.02, is
impractical, the commission may conduct a meeting of its members by telephone or other
electronic means so long as the following conditions are met:
new text end

new text begin (1) all members of the commission participating in the meeting, wherever their
physical location, can hear one another and can hear all discussion and testimony;
new text end

new text begin (2) all members of the public present at the regular meeting location can clearly hear
all discussion and testimony and all votes of members;
new text end

new text begin (3) at least one member of the commission is physically present at the regular
meeting location; and
new text end

new text begin (4) all votes committing funds, finalizing recommendations, and approving contracts
are conducted by roll call, so each member's vote on each issue can be identified and
recorded.
new text end

new text begin (b) Each member of the commission participating in a meeting by telephone or
other electronic means is considered present at the meeting for purposes of determining
a quorum and participating in all proceedings. If telephone or other electronic means is
used to conduct a meeting, the commission, to the extent practical, shall allow a person to
monitor the meeting electronically from a remote location. The commission may require
the person making such a connection to pay for documented marginal costs that the
commission incurs as a result of the additional connection. If telephone or other electronic
means is used to conduct a regular, special, or emergency meeting, the commission
shall provide notice of the regular meeting location, of the fact that some members may
participate by telephone or other electronic means, and of whether and how a person may
monitor the meeting electronically from a remote location. The timing and method of
providing notice is governed by Minnesota Statutes, section 13D.04.
new text end

Subd. 5.

Commemorative coin.

The commission may arrange for design,
production, distribution, marketing, and sale of a commemorative coin. Proceeds from
sale of the commemorative coin are appropriated to the commission.

Subd. 6.

Expiration.

The commission shall continue to operate until January 30,
2009, at which time it shall expire.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment.
new text end