HF 2825

as introduced - 93rd Legislature (2023 - 2024) Posted on 03/09/2023 12:49pm

A bill for an act
relating to local government; establishing the County Law Library Task Force;
requiring a report; appropriating money.

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

Section 1. new text begin COUNTY LAW LIBRARY TASK FORCE.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Establishment. new text end

new text begin The County Law Library Task Force is established to
review the funding and operations of county law libraries and make recommendations to
the legislature regarding establishing a sustainable source of funding for county law libraries,
improving access to county law libraries, and improving the efficiency of county law
libraries.
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 consists of the following members:
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new text begin (1) two members from the senate, including one appointed by the senate majority leader
and one appointed by the senate minority leader;
new text end

new text begin (2) two members from the house of representatives, including one appointed by the
speaker of the house and one appointed by the minority leader;
new text end

new text begin (3) one appellate judge appointed by the chief justice;
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new text begin (4) two district court judges appointed by the chief justice, of whom one must be from
a metropolitan county as defined in Minnesota Statutes, section 473.121, subdivision 4, and
one from a county other than a metropolitan county;
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new text begin (5) one county law librarian appointed by the chief justice;
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new text begin (6) the state law librarian or designee;
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new text begin (7) the state court administrator or designee;
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new text begin (8) the state public defender or designee;
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new text begin (9) a county attorney or assistant county attorney appointed by the Minnesota County
Attorney's Association;
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new text begin (10) one county commissioner who serves on a law library board appointed by the
governor;
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new text begin (11) one member appointed by the governor representing a group that provides legal aid
to people with low incomes, including but not limited to Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid, Southern
Minnesota Legal Services, and the Legal Rights Center; and
new text end

new text begin (12) two members appointed by the Minnesota Bar Association representing small or
solo practices, of whom one must be from a metropolitan county as defined in Minnesota
Statutes, section 473.121, subdivision 4, and one from a county other than a metropolitan
county.
new text end

new text begin (b) Appointments must be made no later than August 15, 2023.
new text end

new text begin (c) Members of the task force are eligible for compensation pursuant to Minnesota
Statutes, section 15.059, subdivision 3.
new text end

new text begin (d) Members of the task force serve at the pleasure of the appointing authority or until
the task force expires. A vacancy shall be filled by the appointing authority consistent with
the qualifications of the vacating member required by this subdivision.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Officers; meetings. new text end

new text begin (a) The state law librarian or designee shall serve as chair.
The task force shall elect a vice-chair and may elect other officers as necessary.
new text end

new text begin (b) The commissioner of administration shall convene the first meeting of the task force
no later than September 1, 2023, and shall provide meeting space and administrative
assistance as necessary for the task force to conduct its work.
new text end

new text begin (c) The task force shall meet at least monthly or upon the call of the chair. The task force
shall hold sufficient meetings to accomplish the tasks identified in this section. Meetings
of the task force are subject to Minnesota Statutes, chapter 13D.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Duties. new text end

new text begin The task force shall:
new text end

new text begin (1) review existing methods of funding for county law libraries;
new text end

new text begin (2) recommend changes that provide a sustainable source of funding that ensures free
and accessible law library services across the state and does not rely on fines or fees for
those involved in the criminal justice system; and
new text end

new text begin (3) propose changes to improve access to county law libraries and the efficiency of
services provided by county law libraries that include but are not limited to the reduction
of redundancies and promotion of coordinated service delivery statewide.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Report. new text end

new text begin On or before February 15, 2024, the task force shall submit a report
to the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees and divisions with
jurisdiction over state and local government finance and policy and judiciary finance and
policy on the findings and recommendations of the task force, including any draft legislation
necessary to implement the recommendations.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 6. new text end

new text begin Expiration. new text end

new text begin This section expires the day after the task force submits the report
required under subdivision 5.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2023.
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Sec. 2. new text begin COUNTY LAW LIBRARY TASK FORCE; APPROPRIATION.
new text end

new text begin $....... in fiscal year 2024 is appropriated from the general fund to the commissioner of
administration for meeting space, administrative support, and other expenses related to the
County Law Library Task Force.
new text end