HF 1721

as introduced - 86th Legislature (2009 - 2010) Posted on 02/09/2010 01:54am

A bill for an act
relating to environment; modifying Legislative-Citizen Commission on
Minnesota Resources membership terms; amending Minnesota Statutes 2008,
section 116P.05, subdivision 1.

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

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 116P.05, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Membership.

(a) A Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota
Resources of 17 members is created in the legislative branch, consisting of the chairs
of the house of representatives and senate committees on environment and natural
resources finance or designees appointed for the terms of the chairs, four members of
the senate appointed by the Subcommittee on Committees of the Committee on Rules
and Administration, and four members of the house of representatives appointed by the
speaker.

At least two members from the senate and two members from the house of
representatives must be from the minority caucus. Members are entitled to reimbursement
for per diem expenses plus travel expenses incurred in the services of the commission.

Seven citizens are members of the commission, five appointed by the governor, one
appointed by the Senate Subcommittee on Committees of the Committee on Rules and
Administration, and one appointed by the speaker of the house. The citizen members
are selected and recommended to the appointing authorities according to subdivision
1a and must:

(1) have experience or expertise in the science, policy, or practice of the protection,
conservation, preservation, and enhancement of the state's air, water, land, fish, wildlife,
and other natural resources;

(2) have strong knowledge in the state's environment and natural resource issues
around the state; and

(3) have demonstrated ability to work in a collaborative environment.

(b) Members shall develop procedures to elect a chair that rotates between legislative
and citizen members. The chair shall preside and convene meetings as often as necessary
to conduct duties prescribed by this chapter.

(c) Appointed legislative members shall serve on the commission for two-year
terms, beginning in January of each odd-numbered year and continuing through the
end of December of the next even-numbered year new text begin , and citizen members shall serve for
three-year terms new text end . Citizen and legislative members continue to serve until their successors
are appointed.

(d) A citizen member may be removed by an appointing authority for cause.
Vacancies occurring on the commission shall not affect the authority of the remaining
members of the commission to carry out their duties, and vacancies shall be filled for the
remainder of the term in the same manner under paragraph (a).

(e) Citizen members shall be initially appointed according to the following schedule
of terms:

(1) two members appointed by the governor for a term ending the first Monday in
January 2010;

(2) one member appointed by the senate Subcommittee on Committees of the
Committee on Rules and Administration for a term ending the first Monday in January
2010 and one member appointed by the speaker of the house for a term ending the first
Monday in January 2010;

(3) two members appointed by the governor for a term ending the first Monday in
January 2009; and

(4) one member appointed by the governor for a term ending the first Monday in
January 2008.

(f) Citizen members are entitled to per diem and reimbursement for expenses
incurred in the services of the commission, as provided in section 15.059, subdivision 3.

(g) The governor's appointments are subject to the advice and consent of the senate.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective retroactively from June 1, 2006.
new text end