HF 2462

as introduced - 93rd Legislature (2023 - 2024) Posted on 03/02/2023 02:13pm

A bill for an act
relating to state government; establishing the Council on LGBTQIA Minnesotans;
proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 15.

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

Section 1.

new text begin [15.0146] COUNCIL ON LGBTQIA MINNESOTANS.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Council established; membership. new text end

new text begin (a) The Council on LGBTQIA
Minnesotans is established. The council consists of 16 voting members.
new text end

new text begin (b) The governor shall appoint a total of 12 public voting members. The governor may
additionally appoint a commissioner of a state agency or a designee of the commissioner
to serve as an ex-officio, nonvoting member of the council.
new text end

new text begin (c) Four legislators shall be appointed to the council. The speaker of the house and the
minority leader of the house of representatives shall each appoint one member of the house
of representatives to the council. The senate Subcommittee on Committees of the Committee
on Rules and Administration shall appoint one member of the senate majority caucus and
one member of the senate minority caucus.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Appointments; terms; removal. new text end

new text begin (a) In making appointments to the council,
the governor shall consider an appointee's proven dedication and commitment to Minnesota's
LGBTQIA community and any expertise possessed by the appointee that might be beneficial
to the council, such as experience in public policy, legal affairs, social work, business, or
management. The executive director and legislative members may offer advice to the
governor on applicants seeking appointment.
new text end

new text begin (b) Terms, compensation, and filling of vacancies for members appointed by the governor
are as provided in section 15.059. Removal of members appointed by the governor is
governed by section 15.059, except that: (1) a member who misses more than half of the
council meetings convened during a 12-month period is automatically removed from the
council; and (2) a member appointed by the governor may be removed by a vote of three
of the four legislative members of the council. The chair of the council shall inform the
governor of the need for the governor to fill a vacancy on the council. Legislative members
serve at the pleasure of their appointing authority.
new text end

new text begin (c) A member appointed by the governor may serve no more than a total of eight years
on the council. A legislator may serve no more than eight consecutive years or 12
nonconsecutive years on the council.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Training; executive committee; meetings; support. new text end

new text begin (a) A member appointed
by the governor must attend orientation training within the first six months of service for
the member's initial term. The commissioner of administration must arrange for the training
to include but not be limited to the legislative process, government data practices, ethics,
conflicts of interest, Open Meeting Law, Robert's Rules of Order, fiscal management, and
human resources. The governor must remove a member who does not complete the training.
new text end

new text begin (b) The council shall annually elect from among the members appointed by the governor
a chair and other officers the council deems necessary. These officers and one legislative
member selected by the council shall serve as the executive committee of the council.
new text end

new text begin (c) Forty percent of voting members of the council constitutes a quorum. A quorum is
required to conduct council business. A council member may not vote on any action if the
member has a conflict of interest under section 10A.07.
new text end

new text begin (d) The council shall receive administrative support from the commissioner of
administration under section 16B.371. The council may contract in its own name but may
not accept or receive a loan or incur indebtedness except as otherwise provided by law.
Contracts must 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 this
section.
new text end

new text begin (e) The attorney general shall provide legal services to the council on behalf of the state
on all matters relating to the council, including matters relating to the state as the employer
of the executive director of the council and other council staff.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Executive director; staff. new text end

new text begin (a) The Legislative Coordinating Commission must
appoint an executive director for the council. The executive director must be experienced
in administrative activities and familiar with the challenges and needs of Minnesota's
LGBTQIA community. The executive director serves in the unclassified service at the
pleasure of the Legislative Coordinating Commission.
new text end

new text begin (b) The Legislative Coordinating Commission must establish a process for recruiting
and selecting applicants for the executive director position. This process must include
consultation and collaboration with the council.
new text end

new text begin (c) The executive director and council members must work together in fulfilling council
duties. The executive director must consult with the commissioner of administration to
ensure appropriate financial, purchasing, human resources, and other services for operation
of the council.
new text end

new text begin (d) Once appointed, the council is responsible for supervising the work of the executive
director. The council chair must report to the chair of the Legislative Coordinating
Commission regarding the performance of the executive director, including recommendations
regarding any disciplinary actions. The executive director must appoint and supervise the
work of other staff necessary to carry out the duties of the council. The executive director
must consult with the council chair prior to taking the following disciplinary actions with
council staff: written reprimand, suspension, demotion, or discharge. The executive director
and other council staff are executive branch employees.
new text end

new text begin (e) The executive director must submit the council's biennial budget request to the
commissioner of management and budget as provided under chapter 16A.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Duties of council. new text end

new text begin (a) The council must work for the implementation of
economic, social, legal, and political equality for Minnesota's LGBTQIA community. The
council shall work with the legislature and governor to carry out this work by performing
the duties in this section.
new text end

new text begin (b) The council shall advise the governor and the legislature on issues confronting the
LGBTQIA community. This may include but is not limited to presenting the results of
surveys, studies, and community forums to the appropriate executive departments and
legislative committees.
new text end

new text begin (c) The council shall advise the governor and the legislature of administrative and
legislative changes needed to improve the economic and social condition of Minnesota's
LGBTQIA community. This may include but is not limited to working with legislators to
develop legislation to address issues and to work for passage of legislation. This may also
include making recommendations regarding the state's affirmative action program and the
state's targeted group small business program or working with state agencies and
organizations to develop business opportunities and promote economic development for
the LGBTQIA community.
new text end

new text begin (d) The council shall advise the governor and the legislature of the implications and
effect of proposed administrative and legislative changes on the constituency of the council.
This may include but is not limited to tracking legislation, testifying as appropriate, and
meeting with executive departments and legislators.
new text end

new text begin (e) The council shall serve as a liaison between state government and organizations that
serve Minnesota's LGBTQIA community. This may include but is not limited to working
with these organizations to carry out the duties in paragraphs (a) to (d) and working with
these organizations to develop informational programs or publications to involve and
empower the community in seeking improvement in their economic and social conditions.
new text end

new text begin (f) The council shall perform or contract for the performance of studies designed to
suggest solutions to the problems of Minnesota's LGBTQIA community in the areas of
education, employment, human rights, health, housing, social welfare, and other related
areas.
new text end

new text begin (g) In carrying out duties under this subdivision, the council may act to advise on issues
that affect the shared constituencies with the councils established in section 15.0145.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 6. new text end

new text begin Duties of council members. new text end

new text begin A council member shall:
new text end

new text begin (1) attend and participate in scheduled meetings and be prepared by reviewing meeting
notes;
new text end

new text begin (2) maintain and build communication with Minnesota's LGBTQIA community;
new text end

new text begin (3) collaborate with the council and executive director in carrying out the council's duties;
and
new text end

new text begin (4) participate in activities the council or executive director deem appropriate and
necessary to facilitate the goals and duties of the council.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 7. new text end

new text begin Reports. new text end

new text begin The council must report on the measurable outcomes achieved in the
council's current strategic plan to meet its statutory duties, along with the specific objectives
and outcome measures proposed for the following year. The council must submit the report
by January 15 each year to the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative
committees with primary jurisdiction over state government operations. Each report must
cover the calendar year of the year before the report is submitted. The specific objectives
and outcome measures for the following current year must focus on three or four achievable
objectives, action steps, and measurable outcomes for which the council will be held
accountable. The strategic plan may include other items that support the statutory purposes
of the council but should not distract from the primary statutory proposals presented. The
biennial budget of the council must be submitted to the Legislative Coordinating Commission
by February 1 in each odd-numbered year.
new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin APPROPRIATION.
new text end

new text begin $....... in fiscal year 2024 and $....... in fiscal year 2025 are appropriated from the general
fund to the Council on LGBTQIA Minnesotans to implement the purposes in section 1.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

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