1.1                          A bill for an act
  1.2             relating to economic development; creating a 
  1.3             geographic zone; establishing a board. 
  1.4   BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA: 
  1.5      Section 1.  [VOYAGEUR RECREATION AREA.] 
  1.6      Subdivision 1.  [ESTABLISHMENT.] A recreation zone called 
  1.7   the "Voyageur recreation area" is established and consists of 
  1.8   all contiguous land in Koochiching county and that part of St. 
  1.9   Louis county lying north of county highway 23 and west of county 
  1.10  highway 24 to the Canadian border. 
  1.11     Subd. 2.  [PURPOSE.] The purpose of the Voyageur recreation 
  1.12  area is to encourage and attract public and private funds in 
  1.13  order to diversify and promote economic development and 
  1.14  recreational and educational opportunities throughout the area. 
  1.15     Sec. 2.  [BOARD CREATED.] 
  1.16     Subdivision 1.  [MEMBERSHIP.] A Voyageur recreation area 
  1.17  board is created of nine members, with representation from the 
  1.18  following groups: 
  1.19     (1) International Falls Visitors and Convention Bureau; 
  1.20     (2) Kabetogama lake association; 
  1.21     (3) Ash River/Crane Lake resort association; 
  1.22     (4) Koochiching county; 
  1.23     (5) St. Louis county; 
  1.24     (6) city of Orr; 
  2.1      (7) city of Ranier; 
  2.2      (8) city of International Falls; and 
  2.3      (9) city of Cook.  
  2.4      Subd. 2.  [TERMS.] The membership terms, removal, and 
  2.5   filling of vacancies of board members are as provided in 
  2.6   Minnesota Statutes, section 15.0575. 
  2.7      Subd. 3.  [CHAIR; OTHER OFFICERS.] The board shall annually 
  2.8   elect a chair and other officers as necessary from its members. 
  2.9      Sec. 3.  [POWERS.] 
  2.10     Subdivision 1.  [CONTRACTS.] The board may enter into 
  2.11  contracts and grant agreements necessary to carry out its 
  2.12  responsibilities. 
  2.13     Subd. 2.  [GIFTS; GRANTS.] The board may apply for, accept, 
  2.14  and disburse gifts, grants, or other property from the United 
  2.15  States, the state, private foundations, or any other source.  It 
  2.16  may enter into an agreement required for the gifts or grants and 
  2.17  may hold, use, and dispose of its assets in accordance with the 
  2.18  terms of the gift, grant, or agreement.  Money received by the 
  2.19  board under this subdivision must be deposited in a separate 
  2.20  account. 
  2.21     Sec. 4.  [EFFECTIVE DATE.] 
  2.22     This act is effective the day following final enactment.