HF 3610

as introduced - 86th Legislature (2009 - 2010) Posted on 03/10/2010 03:37pm

A bill for an act
relating to natural resources; establishing the Legislative Commission on
Minnesota Water Governance and Policy; proposing coding for new law in
Minnesota Statutes, chapter 3.

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

Section 1.

new text begin [3.886] LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION ON MINNESOTA WATER
GOVERNANCE AND POLICY.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Establishment. new text end

new text begin A Legislative Commission on Minnesota Water
Governance and Policy is established.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Membership. new text end

new text begin (a) The Legislative Commission on Minnesota Water
Governance and Policy shall consist of ten members appointed as follows:
new text end

new text begin (1) five members of the senate to be appointed by the Subcommittee on Committees
of the Committee on Rules and Administration and to serve until their successors are
appointed; and
new text end

new text begin (2) five members of the house of representatives to be appointed by the speaker and
to serve until their successors are appointed.
new text end

new text begin (b) Vacancies occurring on the commission shall not affect the authority of the
remaining members of the commission to carry out the function of the commission.
Vacancies shall be filled in the same manner as the original positions.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Staff. new text end

new text begin Staff from the house of representatives, senate, and Legislative
Coordinating Commission shall assist the commission in carrying out its duties.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Powers and duties. new text end

new text begin (a) The Legislative Commission on Minnesota Water
Governance and Policy shall examine the water related activities of the Pollution Control
Agency, the Department of Natural Resources, the Board of Water and Soil Resources,
the Department of Agriculture, the Environmental Quality Board, and the Metropolitan
Council for the purpose of determining in what areas the interagency management of
Minnesota's ground and surface waters is working well, and in what areas it is working
poorly. The commission shall examine whether Minnesota's water quality has improved
under the oversight of these agencies, and whether the investments Minnesotans have
made in water protection are providing an adequate return on investment. The commission
shall examine alternative management structures which may cost less or do a better job of
protecting water quality in Minnesota or both. The commission shall examine whether
duplication or inconsistency exists under the current interagency water management
structure.
new text end

new text begin (b) The commission may conduct public hearings and otherwise secure data and
expressions of opinion. The commission shall make recommendations to the legislative
committees with jurisdiction over water policy and finance as it deems proper to assist
the legislature in formulating legislation. Any data or information compiled by the
commission shall be made available to any committee of the legislature upon request
of the chair of the respective committee.
new text end