HF 4121

as introduced - 93rd Legislature (2023 - 2024) Posted on 03/11/2024 04:42pm

A bill for an act
relating to local government; establishing a fire service consolidation working
group; requiring a report; appropriating money.

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

Section 1. new text begin FIRE SERVICE CONSOLIDATION WORKING GROUP.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Creation. new text end

new text begin The fire service consolidation working group consists of the
following members, who shall represent rural, suburban, and metropolitan areas of the state:
new text end

new text begin (1) the state fire marshal or the marshal's designee;
new text end

new text begin (2) up to three members of the Minnesota State Fire Chiefs Association, including
association members who have actively pursued the establishment of fire districts or other
forms of fire and emergency service consolidation;
new text end

new text begin (3) up to four local government elected officials who have a history and an interest in
evaluating the future delivery of fire and other emergency services appointed by the state
fire marshal, representing different sectors of the state;
new text end

new text begin (4) up to three active firefighters who have an interest in evaluating the future delivery
of fire and other emergency services appointed by the state fire marshal, representing
different sectors of the state;
new text end

new text begin (5) one representative from the League of Minnesota Cities who is familiar with fire
service organization and finances;
new text end

new text begin (6) one representative from the Minnesota Association of Townships who is familiar
with fire service organization and finances;
new text end

new text begin (7) one city administrator or manager and one county administrator or coordinator who
have an interest in evaluating the future delivery of fire and other emergency services
appointed by the state fire marshal;
new text end

new text begin (8) a member of the Minnesota Office of the State Auditor familiar with fire service
organizations, finances, and pensions and the executive director of the Minnesota Legislative
Commission on Pensions and Retirement; and
new text end

new text begin (9) at least three members of the public who have been involved or are interested in fire
department consolidation appointed by the state fire marshal.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Duties. new text end

new text begin The working group must identify strategies, make recommendations,
and explore the merits of, and state and local incentives for, the voluntary consolidation of
fire departments or the creation of regional fire departments, fire districts, or other models
for collaborative and efficient delivery of fire and emergency services in the state. The
working group must also review the legislative process and pension regulations and make
recommendations to streamline future consolidations and explore infrastructure funding
options for combined or regional fire departments, fire districts, or other models for
collaborative and efficient delivery of fire and emergency services in the state. The working
group must provide a report by February 1, 2025, to the chairs and ranking minority members
of the legislative committees with jurisdiction over local government, public safety, and
bonding.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Administrative process and administrative support. new text end

new text begin (a) The state fire marshal
or the marshal's designee must convene the initial meeting of the working group by ......
The members of the working group must elect a chair from the working group members.
new text end

new text begin (b) Members of the working group shall serve with compensation.
new text end

new text begin (c) The task force may hire part-time administrative support for the task force.
new text end

new text begin (d) The working group is subject to the Open Meeting Law under Minnesota Statutes,
chapter 13D.
new text end

new text begin (e) The working group expires upon submission of the report required under subdivision
2.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Deadline for appointments or designations. new text end

new text begin The appointments and designations
authorized by this section must be completed by August 1, 2024.
new text end

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

new text begin $....... in fiscal year 2025 is appropriated for purposes of section 1.
new text end