HF 1411

as introduced - 89th Legislature (2015 - 2016) Posted on 03/04/2015 11:28am

A bill for an act
relating to metropolitan government; establishing a task force to study and make
recommendations on metropolitan governance.

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

Section 1. TASK FORCE ON METROPOLITAN GOVERNANCE.

Subdivision 1.

Established.

A task force on metropolitan governance is established
to study and make recommendations to the legislature on metropolitan governance.

Subd. 2.

Membership.

The task force consists of 17 members appointed as follows:

(1) four persons with interest and experience in urban and regional government,
appointed one each by the speaker of the house, the house minority leader, the senate
Subcommittee on Committees of the senate Committee on Rules and Administration,
and the senate minority leader;

(2) two persons representing cities in the metropolitan area, appointed by Metro
Cities;

(3) two county commissioners representing counties in the metropolitan area,
appointed by the Counties Transit Improvement Board, at least one of whom must
represent Scott or Carver County;

(4) one person appointed by the mayor of the city of Minneapolis and one person
appointed by the mayor of the city of St. Paul;

(5) one person representing townships in the metropolitan area, appointed by the
Minnesota Association of Townships;

(6) one person representing an employee collective bargaining unit of the
Metropolitan Council, appointed by the Minnesota AFL-CIO;

(7) one person representing private business, appointed by the Minnesota Chamber
of Commerce;

(8) two persons representing suburban mayors in the metropolitan area, appointed
by the Regional Council of Mayors;

(9) the chair of the Counties Transit Improvement Board; and

(10) the chair of the Metropolitan Council.

Subd. 3.

Chair; other officers.

The task force shall elect from among its members
a chair and vice-chair and any other officers that the task force determines would be
necessary or convenient.

Subd. 4.

Duties.

The task force shall study and evaluate models of metropolitan
governance to address regional planning, financing, construction or acquisition, and
operation of infrastructure and services, including but not limited to transportation, water
and wastewater, parks, trails, recreation facilities, and open space.

Subd. 5.

State; metropolitan agencies must cooperate; subcommittees.

The
Metropolitan Council and state and metropolitan agencies shall cooperate with the task
force and provide information requested in a timely fashion. The task force may establish
subcommittees and invite other stakeholders to participate in the task force's study and
development of recommendations.

Subd. 6.

No compensation or expenses; grants.

Members of the task force
shall receive no compensation or per diem for participation on the task force. The task
force may accept grant funds from any federal, state, local, or nongovernmental source
to support its work and offset any costs imposed on the Metropolitan Council, provided
accepting the money does not create a conflict of interest for the task force or its members.
The Metropolitan Council may administer any grant money given to the task force.

Subd. 7.

Administrative support; staff.

The Metropolitan Council must provide
meeting space, administrative support, and staff support for the task force. The task force
may hold meetings in any publicly accessible location in the metropolitan area.

Subd. 8.

Open meeting law.

Meetings of the task force are subject to chapter 13D.

Subd. 9.

Report.

The task force shall report its findings and recommendations to
the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees with responsibility
for or jurisdiction over the Metropolitan Council and metropolitan agencies. The report is
due by February 1, 2016.

EFFECTIVE DATE; EXPIRATION; APPLICATION.

This section is effective
the day following final enactment and expires June 30, 2016. Subdivisions 5, 6, and 7 apply
in the counties of Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott, and Washington.