1.1                          A bill for an act 
  1.2             relating to financing state and local government; 
  1.3             providing a sales tax rebate; reducing individual 
  1.4             income tax rates; making changes to income, sales and 
  1.5             use, property, excise, mortgage registry and deed, 
  1.6             health care provider, motor fuels, cigarette and 
  1.7             tobacco, liquor, insurance premiums, aircraft 
  1.8             registration, lawful gambling, taconite production, 
  1.9             solid waste, and special taxes; establishing an 
  1.10            agricultural homestead credit; changing and allowing 
  1.11            tax credits, subtractions, and exemptions; changing 
  1.12            property tax valuation, assessment, levy, 
  1.13            classification, homestead, credit, aid, exemption, 
  1.14            review, appeal, abatement, and distribution 
  1.15            provisions; extending levy limits and changing levy 
  1.16            authority; providing for reverse referenda on certain 
  1.17            levy increases; phasing out health care provider 
  1.18            taxes; extending the suspension of the tax on certain 
  1.19            insurance premiums; reducing tax rates on lawful 
  1.20            gambling; changing tax increment financing law and 
  1.21            providing special authority for certain cities; 
  1.22            authorizing water and sanitary sewer districts; 
  1.23            providing for the funding of courts in certain 
  1.24            judicial districts; changing tax forfeiture and 
  1.25            delinquency provisions; changing and clarifying tax 
  1.26            administration, collection, enforcement, and penalty 
  1.27            provisions; freezing the taconite production tax and 
  1.28            providing for its distribution; providing for funding 
  1.29            for border cities; changing fiscal note requirements; 
  1.30            providing for deposit of tobacco settlement funds; 
  1.31            providing for allocation of certain budget surpluses; 
  1.32            requiring studies; establishing a task force; and 
  1.33            providing for appointments; transferring funds; 
  1.34            appropriating money; amending Minnesota Statutes 1998, 
  1.35            sections 3.986, subdivision 2; 3.987, subdivision 1; 
  1.36            16A.152, subdivision 2, and by adding a subdivision; 
  1.37            16A.1521; 60A.15, subdivision 1; 62J.041, subdivision 
  1.38            1; 62Q.095, subdivision 6; 92.51; 97A.065, subdivision 
  1.39            2; 214.16, subdivisions 2 and 3; 270.07, subdivision 
  1.40            1; 270.65; 270.67, by adding a subdivision; 270B.01, 
  1.41            subdivision 8; 270B.14, subdivision 1, and by adding a 
  1.42            subdivision; 271.01, subdivision 5; 271.21, 
  1.43            subdivision 2; 272.02, subdivision 1; 272.027; 272.03, 
  1.44            subdivision 6; 273.11, subdivisions 1a and 16; 
  1.45            273.111, by adding a subdivision; 273.124, 
  1.46            subdivisions 1, 7, 8, 13, 14, and by adding a 
  2.1             subdivision; 273.13, subdivisions 22, 23, 24, 25, 31, 
  2.2             and by adding a subdivision; 273.1382; 273.1398, 
  2.3             subdivisions 2, 8, and by adding a subdivision; 
  2.4             273.1399, subdivision 6; 273.20; 274.01, subdivision 
  2.5             1; 275.065, subdivisions 3, 5a, 6, 8, and by adding a 
  2.6             subdivision; 275.07, subdivision 1; 275.71, 
  2.7             subdivisions 2, 3, and 4; 276.131; 279.37, 
  2.8             subdivisions 1, 1a, and 2; 281.23, subdivisions 2, 4, 
  2.9             and 6; 282.01, subdivisions 1, 4, and 7; 282.04, 
  2.10            subdivision 2; 282.05; 282.08; 282.09; 282.241; 
  2.11            282.261, subdivision 4, and by adding a subdivision; 
  2.12            283.10; 287.01, subdivision 3, as amended; 287.05, 
  2.13            subdivisions 1, as amended, and 1a, as amended; 
  2.14            289A.02, subdivision 7; 289A.18, subdivision 4; 
  2.15            289A.20, subdivision 4; 289A.31, subdivision 2; 
  2.16            289A.40, subdivisions 1 and 1a; 289A.50, subdivision 
  2.17            7, and by adding a subdivision; 289A.56, subdivision 
  2.18            4; 289A.60, subdivisions 3 and 21; 290.01, 
  2.19            subdivisions 7, 19, 19a, 19b, 19f, 31, and by adding a 
  2.20            subdivision; 290.06, subdivisions 2c, 2d, and by 
  2.21            adding subdivisions; 290.0671, subdivision 1; 
  2.22            290.0672, subdivision 1; 290.0674, subdivisions 1 and 
  2.23            2; 290.091, subdivisions 1, 2, and 6; 290.0921, 
  2.24            subdivision 5; 290.095, subdivision 3; 290.17, 
  2.25            subdivisions 3, 4, and 6; 290.191, subdivisions 2 and 
  2.26            3; 290.9725; 290.9726, by adding a subdivision; 
  2.27            290A.03, subdivisions 3 and 15; 290B.03, subdivision 
  2.28            1; 290B.04, subdivisions 3 and 4; 290B.05, subdivision 
  2.29            1; 291.005, subdivision 1; 295.50, subdivision 4; 
  2.30            295.52, subdivision 7; 295.53, subdivision 1; 295.55, 
  2.31            subdivisions 2 and 3; 296A.16, by adding subdivisions; 
  2.32            297A.01, subdivision 15; 297A.15, subdivision 5; 
  2.33            297A.25, subdivisions 9, 11, 63, 73, and by adding 
  2.34            subdivisions; 297A.48, by adding a subdivision; 
  2.35            297B.01, subdivision 7; 297B.03; 297E.01, by adding a 
  2.36            subdivision; 297E.02, subdivisions 1, 3, 4, and 6; 
  2.37            297F.01, subdivision 23; 297F.17, subdivision 6; 
  2.38            297H.05; 297H.06, subdivision 2; 298.24, subdivision 
  2.39            1; 298.28, subdivision 9a; 299D.03, subdivision 5; 
  2.40            357.021, subdivision 1a; 360.55, by adding a 
  2.41            subdivision; 375.192, subdivision 2; 383C.482, 
  2.42            subdivision 1; 465.82, by adding a subdivision; 
  2.43            469.169, subdivision 12, and by adding a subdivision; 
  2.44            469.1735, by adding a subdivision; 469.176, 
  2.45            subdivision 4g; 469.1763, by adding a subdivision; 
  2.46            469.1771, subdivision 1, and by adding a subdivision; 
  2.47            469.1791, subdivision 3; 469.1813, subdivisions 1, 2, 
  2.48            3, 6, and by adding a subdivision; 469.1815, 
  2.49            subdivision 2; 473.249, subdivision 1; 473.252, 
  2.50            subdivision 2; 473.253, subdivision 1; 477A.03, 
  2.51            subdivision 2; 477A.06, subdivision 1; 485.018, 
  2.52            subdivision 5; 487.02, subdivision 2; 487.32, 
  2.53            subdivision 3; 487.33, subdivision 5; and 574.34, 
  2.54            subdivision 1; Laws 1988, chapter 645, section 3; Laws 
  2.55            1997, chapter 231, article 1, section 19, subdivisions 
  2.56            1 and 3; Laws 1997, chapter 231, article 3, section 9; 
  2.57            Laws 1997, First Special Session chapter 3, section 
  2.58            27; Laws 1997, Second Special Session chapter 2, 
  2.59            section 6; Laws 1998, chapter 389, article 1, section 
  2.60            1; and Laws 1998, chapter 389, article 8, section 44, 
  2.61            subdivisions 5, 6, and 7, as amended; proposing coding 
  2.62            for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapters 16A; 62Q; 
  2.63            256L; 275; 297A; 469; and 473; repealing Minnesota 
  2.64            Statutes 1998, sections 13.99, subdivision 86b; 
  2.65            16A.724; 16A.76; 92.22; 144.1484, subdivision 2; 
  2.66            256L.02, subdivision 3; 273.11, subdivision 10; 
  2.67            280.27; 281.13; 281.38; 284.01; 284.02; 284.03; 
  2.68            284.04; 284.05; 284.06; 295.50; 295.51; 295.52; 
  2.69            295.53; 295.54; 295.55; 295.56; 295.57; 295.58; 
  2.70            295.582; 295.59; 297E.12, subdivision 3; 297F.19, 
  2.71            subdivision 4; 297G.18, subdivision 4; and 473.252, 
  3.1             subdivisions 4 and 5; Laws 1997, chapter 231, article 
  3.2             1, section 19, subdivision 2; and Laws 1998, chapter 
  3.3             389, article 3, section 45. 
  3.4   BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA: 
  3.5                              ARTICLE 1 
  3.6                           SALES TAX REBATE 
  3.7      Section 1.  [STATEMENT OF PURPOSE.] 
  3.8      (a) The state of Minnesota derives revenues from a variety 
  3.9   of taxes, fees, and other sources, including the state sales tax.
  3.10     (b) It is fair and reasonable to refund the existing state 
  3.11  budget surplus in the form of a rebate of nonbusiness consumer 
  3.12  sales taxes paid by individuals in calendar year 1997. 
  3.13     (c) Information concerning the amount of sales tax paid at 
  3.14  various income levels is contained in the Minnesota tax 
  3.15  incidence report, which is written by the commissioner of 
  3.16  revenue and presented to the legislature according to Minnesota 
  3.17  Statutes, section 270.0682. 
  3.18     (d) It is fair and reasonable to use information contained 
  3.19  in the Minnesota tax incidence report to determine the 
  3.20  proportionate share of the sales tax rebate due each eligible 
  3.21  taxpayer since no effective or practical mechanism exists for 
  3.22  determining the amount of actual sales tax paid by each eligible 
  3.23  individual. 
  3.24     Sec. 2.  [SALES TAX REBATE.] 
  3.25     (a) An individual who was eligible for a credit under Laws 
  3.26  1997, chapter 231, article 1, section 16, as amended by Laws 
  3.27  1997, First Special Session chapter 5, section 35, and Laws 
  3.28  1997, Third Special Session chapter 3, section 11, and Laws 
  3.29  1998, chapter 304, and Laws 1998, chapter 389, article 1, 
  3.30  section 3, and who filed for that credit on or before April 15, 
  3.31  1999, or who filed a 1997 Minnesota income tax return and had a 
  3.32  tax liability before refundable credits on that return of at 
  3.33  least $1 but did not file the claim for credit authorized under 
  3.34  Laws 1997, chapter 231, article 1, section 16, as amended, and 
  3.35  who was not claimed as a dependent on a 1997 federal income tax 
  3.36  return filed by another person, shall receive a sales tax rebate.
  3.37     (b) The sales tax rebate for taxpayers who filed the claim 
  4.1   for credit authorized under Laws 1997, chapter 231, article 1, 
  4.2   section 16, as amended, or the 1997 Minnesota income tax return 
  4.3   as married filing joint or head of household must be computed 
  4.4   according to the following schedule: 
  4.5        Income                             Sales Tax Rebate
  4.6    less than $2,500                              $  380
  4.7    at least $2,500 but less than $5,000          $  497
  4.8    at least $5,000 but less than $10,000         $  532
  4.9    at least $10,000 but less than $15,000        $  582
  4.10   at least $15,000 but less than $20,000        $  641
  4.11   at least $20,000 but less than $25,000        $  680
  4.12   at least $25,000 but less than $30,000        $  732
  4.13   at least $30,000 but less than $35,000        $  808
  4.14   at least $35,000 but less than $40,000        $  869
  4.15   at least $40,000 but less than $45,000        $  927
  4.16   at least $45,000 but less than $50,000        $  977
  4.17   at least $50,000 but less than $60,000        $1,028
  4.18   at least $60,000 but less than $70,000        $1,136
  4.19   at least $70,000 but less than $80,000        $1,232
  4.20   at least $80,000 but less than $90,000        $1,353
  4.21   at least $90,000 but less than $100,000       $1,503
  4.22   at least $100,000 but less than $120,000      $1,628
  4.23   at least $120,000 but less than $140,000      $1,783
  4.24   at least $140,000 but less than $160,000      $1,928
  4.25   at least $160,000 but less than $180,000      $2,064
  4.26   at least $180,000 but less than $200,000      $2,193
  4.27   at least $200,000 but less than $400,000      $2,804
  4.28   at least $400,000 but less than $600,000      $3,690
  4.29   at least $600,000 but less than $800,000      $4,427
  4.30   $800,000 and over                             $5,000
  4.31     (c) The sales tax rebate for individuals who filed the 
  4.32  claim for credit authorized under Laws 1997, chapter 231, 
  4.33  article 1, section 16, as amended, or the 1997 Minnesota income 
  4.34  tax return, as single or married filing separately must be 
  4.35  computed according to the following schedule: 
  4.36        Income                                 Sales Tax Rebate
  5.1    less than $2,500                              $  217
  5.2    at least $2,500 but less than $5,000          $  264
  5.3    at least $5,000 but less than $10,000         $  318
  5.4    at least $10,000 but less than $15,000        $  432
  5.5    at least $15,000 but less than $20,000        $  492
  5.6    at least $20,000 but less than $25,000        $  526
  5.7    at least $25,000 but less than $30,000        $  546
  5.8    at least $30,000 but less than $40,000        $  604
  5.9    at least $40,000 but less than $50,000        $  688
  5.10   at least $50,000 but less than $70,000        $  823
  5.11   at least $70,000 but less than $100,000       $1,016
  5.12   at least $100,000 but less than $140,000      $1,224
  5.13   at least $140,000 but less than $200,000      $1,478
  5.14   at least $200,000 but less than $400,000      $2,004
  5.15   $400,000 and over                             $2,500
  5.16     (d) Individuals who were not residents of Minnesota for any 
  5.17  part of 1997 and who paid more than $10 in Minnesota sales tax 
  5.18  on nonbusiness consumer purchases in that year qualify for a 
  5.19  rebate under this paragraph only.  Qualifying nonresidents must 
  5.20  file a claim for rebate on a form prescribed by the commissioner 
  5.21  before the later of May 15, 1999, or 30 days after the date of 
  5.22  enactment of this act.  The claim must include receipts showing 
  5.23  the Minnesota sales tax paid and the date of the sale.  Taxes 
  5.24  paid on purchases allowed in the computation of federal taxable 
  5.25  income or reimbursed by an employer are not eligible for the 
  5.26  rebate.  The commissioner shall determine the qualifying taxes 
  5.27  paid and rebate the lesser of: 
  5.28     (1) 68.08 percent of that amount; or 
  5.29     (2) the maximum amount for which the claimant would have 
  5.30  been eligible as determined under paragraph (b) if the taxpayer 
  5.31  filed the 1997 federal income tax return as a married taxpayer 
  5.32  filing jointly or head of household, or as determined under 
  5.33  paragraph (c) for other taxpayers. 
  5.34     (e) "Income," for purposes of this section other than 
  5.35  paragraph (d), is taxable income as defined in section 63 of the 
  5.36  Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended through December 31, 
  6.1   1996, plus the sum of any additions to federal taxable income 
  6.2   for the taxpayer under Minnesota Statutes, section 290.01, 
  6.3   subdivision 19a, and reported on the original return submitted 
  6.4   to claim the credit under Laws 1997, chapter 231, article 1, 
  6.5   section 16, as amended, or by subsequent adjustments to that 
  6.6   return made within the time limits specified in paragraph (h).  
  6.7   For an individual who was a resident of Minnesota for less than 
  6.8   the entire year, the sales tax rebate equals the sales tax 
  6.9   rebate calculated under paragraph (b) or (c) multiplied by the 
  6.10  percentage determined pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, section 
  6.11  290.06, subdivision 2c, paragraph (e), as calculated on the 
  6.12  original return submitted to claim the credit under Laws 1997, 
  6.13  chapter 231, article 1, section 16, as amended, or by subsequent 
  6.14  adjustments to that return made within the time limits specified 
  6.15  in paragraph (h).  For purposes of paragraph (d), "income" is 
  6.16  taxable income as defined in section 63 of the Internal Revenue 
  6.17  Code of 1986, as amended through December 31, 1996, and reported 
  6.18  on the taxpayer's original federal tax return for the first 
  6.19  taxable year beginning after December 31, 1996. 
  6.20     (f) The commissioner of revenue must begin making sales tax 
  6.21  rebates by June 1, 1999.  Sales tax rebates not paid by July 1, 
  6.22  1999, shall bear interest at the rate specified in Minnesota 
  6.23  Statutes, section 270.75. 
  6.24     (g) A sales tax rebate shall not be adjusted based on 
  6.25  changes to the return on which the claim for credit authorized 
  6.26  under Laws 1997, chapter 231, article 1, section 16, as amended, 
  6.27  is based that are made by order of assessment after April 15, 
  6.28  1999, or made by the taxpayer that are filed with the 
  6.29  commissioner of revenue after April 15, 1999. 
  6.30     (h) Individuals who filed a joint claim for credit under 
  6.31  Laws 1997, chapter 231, article 1, section 16, as amended, shall 
  6.32  receive a joint sales tax rebate.  After the sales tax rebate 
  6.33  has been issued, but before the check has been cashed, either 
  6.34  joint claimant may request a separate check for one-half of the 
  6.35  joint sales tax rebate. 
  6.36     (i) The commissioner may pay rebates required by this 
  7.1   section by electronic funds transfer to individuals who 
  7.2   requested their 1998 individual income tax refund be paid 
  7.3   through electronic funds transfer.  The commissioner may make 
  7.4   the electronic funds transfer payments to the same financial 
  7.5   institution and into the same account as the 1998 individual 
  7.6   income tax refund. 
  7.7      (j) The sales tax rebate is a "Minnesota tax law" for 
  7.8   purposes of Minnesota Statutes, section 270B.01, subdivision 8. 
  7.9      (k) The sales tax rebate is "an overpayment of any tax 
  7.10  collected by the commissioner" for purposes of Minnesota 
  7.11  Statutes, section 270.07, subdivision 5.  For purposes of this 
  7.12  paragraph, a joint sales tax rebate is payable to each spouse 
  7.13  equally. 
  7.14     (l) If the commissioner of revenue cannot locate an 
  7.15  individual entitled to a sales tax rebate by July 1, 2001, or if 
  7.16  an individual to whom a sales tax rebate was issued has not 
  7.17  cashed the check by July 1, 2001, the right to the sales tax 
  7.18  rebate shall lapse and the check shall be deposited in the 
  7.19  general fund. 
  7.20     (m) Individuals entitled to a sales tax rebate pursuant to 
  7.21  paragraph (a), but who did not receive one, and individuals who 
  7.22  receive a sales tax rebate that was not correctly computed, must 
  7.23  file a claim with the commissioner before July 1, 2000, in a 
  7.24  form prescribed by the commissioner.  These claims shall be 
  7.25  treated as if they are a claim for refund under Minnesota 
  7.26  Statutes, section 289A.50, subdivisions 4 and 7. 
  7.27     (n) The sales tax rebate is a refund subject to revenue 
  7.28  recapture under Minnesota Statutes, chapter 270A.  The 
  7.29  commissioner of revenue shall remit the entire refund to the 
  7.30  claimant agency, which shall, upon the request of the spouse who 
  7.31  does not owe the debt, refund one-half of the joint sales tax 
  7.32  rebate to the spouse who does not owe the debt. 
  7.33     (o) The amount necessary to make the sales tax rebates and 
  7.34  interest provided in this section is appropriated from the 
  7.35  general fund to the commissioner of revenue in fiscal years 
  7.36  1999, 2000, and 2001.  The first $200,000,000 of this 
  8.1   appropriation is from the tax reform and reduction account. 
  8.2      (p) If a sales tax rebate check is cashed by someone other 
  8.3   than the payee or payees of the check, and the commissioner of 
  8.4   revenue determines that the check has been forged or improperly 
  8.5   endorsed, the commissioner may issue an order of assessment for 
  8.6   the amount of the check against the person or persons cashing 
  8.7   it.  The assessment must be made within two years after the 
  8.8   check is cashed, but if cashing the check constitutes theft 
  8.9   under Minnesota Statutes, section 609.52, or forgery under 
  8.10  Minnesota Statutes, section 609.631, the assessment can be made 
  8.11  at any time.  The assessment may be appealed administratively 
  8.12  and judicially.  The commissioner may take action to collect the 
  8.13  assessment in the same manner as provided by Minnesota Statutes, 
  8.14  chapter 289A, for any other order of the commissioner assessing 
  8.15  tax. 
  8.16     (q) Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, sections 9.031, 
  8.17  16A.40, 16B.49, 16B.50, and any other law to the contrary, the 
  8.18  commissioner of revenue may take whatever actions the 
  8.19  commissioner deems necessary to pay the rebates required by this 
  8.20  section, and may, in consultation with the commissioner of 
  8.21  finance and the state treasurer, contract with a private vendor 
  8.22  or vendors to process, print, and mail the rebate checks or 
  8.23  warrants required under this section and receive and disburse 
  8.24  state funds to pay those checks or warrants. 
  8.25     Sec. 3.  [PAYMENT TO STATE.] 
  8.26     (a) A taxpayer receiving a rebate under section 2 may 
  8.27  endorse and return the rebate check to the state and designate 
  8.28  that the returned rebate must be deposited in one or more of the 
  8.29  following accounts for use only for the purposes designated in 
  8.30  this section: 
  8.31     (1) an account for the basic sliding fee child care program 
  8.32  for child care assistance to families administered by the 
  8.33  commissioner of children, families, and learning under Minnesota 
  8.34  Statutes, section 119B.03; 
  8.35     (2) an account to lower kindergarten through grade 6 
  8.36  classroom size and reduce instructor-to-student ratios to an 
  9.1   average level of 1 to 17 to be administered by the commissioner 
  9.2   of children, families, and learning; 
  9.3      (3) the affordable rental investment fund to be used by the 
  9.4   housing finance agency for family rental housing assistance 
  9.5   under Minnesota Statutes, section 462A.21, subdivision 8b; 
  9.6      (4) the contaminated site cleanup and development account 
  9.7   to be used by the commissioner of trade and economic development 
  9.8   for contamination cleanup development grants under Minnesota 
  9.9   Statutes, sections 116J.551 to 116J.556; 
  9.10     (5) an account to increase funding of the State Board of 
  9.11  the Arts for grants under chapter 129D; and 
  9.12     (6) the general fund for use as appropriated by law. 
  9.13     (b) Each rebate check shall have printed on the back of the 
  9.14  check that it may be endorsed to the state of Minnesota and used 
  9.15  for the designated option under paragraph (a).  If more than one 
  9.16  use of the rebate is designated, the rebate must be divided 
  9.17  evenly between the designated options.  If a check is endorsed 
  9.18  and mailed to the state and no option is designated, the check 
  9.19  must be deposited in the general fund. 
  9.20     (c) The rebate check shall be accompanied by a notice 
  9.21  prepared by the commissioner of revenue that explains the 
  9.22  taxpayer's option to endorse the check to the state, and 
  9.23  explains the uses of the funds that the taxpayer may designate.  
  9.24  In preparing the notice, the commissioner of revenue shall 
  9.25  consult with the commissioners or agencies that administer the 
  9.26  funds or accounts.  The notice shall also explain that a 
  9.27  taxpayer may cash the rebate check and mail a contribution of 
  9.28  any amount to the state and that the contribution must be used 
  9.29  for the option or options under paragraph (a) as designated by 
  9.30  the taxpayer.  The notice shall contain in bold print the 
  9.31  address to which the endorsed check or a state contribution may 
  9.32  be mailed. 
  9.33     (d) Funds endorsed and mailed to the state and 
  9.34  contributions mailed to the state under this section shall be 
  9.35  deposited by the commissioner of finance in the fund or account 
  9.36  designated, and are appropriated to the agency or commissioner 
 10.1   designated by the taxpayer or contributor for use as provided in 
 10.2   this section.  Funds appropriated under this paragraph are 
 10.3   available until expended. 
 10.4      (e) Funds appropriated under this section are in addition 
 10.5   to any funds appropriated for the purposes given in this section 
 10.6   and may not be used for any other purposes including the 
 10.7   reduction of any other appropriations.  Funds appropriated to a 
 10.8   commissioner or agency under this section are not included in 
 10.9   the department's or agency's budget base. 
 10.10     Sec. 4.  [APPROPRIATIONS.] 
 10.11     $1,000,000 is appropriated from the general fund to the 
 10.12  commissioner of revenue to administer the sales tax rebate for 
 10.13  fiscal year 1999.  Any unencumbered balance remaining on June 
 10.14  30, 1999, does not cancel but is available for expenditure by 
 10.15  the commissioner of revenue until June 30, 2001. 
 10.16     Sec. 5.  [EFFECTIVE DATE.] 
 10.17     Sections 1 to 4 are effective the day following final 
 10.18  enactment. 
 10.19                             ARTICLE 2
 10.20                     INCOME AND FRANCHISE TAXES
 10.21     Section 1.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 289A.02, 
 10.22  subdivision 7, is amended to read: 
 10.23     Subd. 7.  [INTERNAL REVENUE CODE.] Unless specifically 
 10.24  defined otherwise, "Internal Revenue Code" means the Internal 
 10.25  Revenue Code of 1986, as amended through December 31, 1997 1998. 
 10.26     Sec. 2.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 290.01, 
 10.27  subdivision 7, is amended to read: 
 10.28     Subd. 7.  [RESIDENT.] The term "resident" means (1) any 
 10.29  individual domiciled in Minnesota, except that an individual is 
 10.30  not a "resident" for the period of time that the individual is a 
 10.31  "qualified individual" as defined in section 911(d)(1) of the 
 10.32  Internal Revenue Code, if the qualified individual notifies the 
 10.33  county within three months of moving out of the country that 
 10.34  homestead status be revoked for the Minnesota residence of the 
 10.35  qualified individual, and the property is not classified as a 
 10.36  homestead while the individual remains a qualified individual; 
 11.1   and (2) any individual domiciled outside the state who maintains 
 11.2   a place of abode in the state and spends in the aggregate more 
 11.3   than one-half of the tax year in Minnesota, unless the 
 11.4   individual or the spouse of the individual is in the armed 
 11.5   forces of the United States, or the individual is covered under 
 11.6   the reciprocity provisions in section 290.081. 
 11.7      For purposes of this subdivision, presence within the state 
 11.8   for any part of a calendar day constitutes a day spent in the 
 11.9   state.  Individuals shall keep adequate records to substantiate 
 11.10  the days spent outside the state. 
 11.11     The term "abode" means a dwelling maintained by an 
 11.12  individual, whether or not owned by the individual and whether 
 11.13  or not occupied by the individual, and includes a dwelling place 
 11.14  owned or leased by the individual's spouse. 
 11.15     Neither the commissioner nor any court shall consider 
 11.16  charitable contributions made by an individual within or without 
 11.17  the state in determining if the individual is domiciled in 
 11.18  Minnesota. 
 11.19     Sec. 3.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 290.01, 
 11.20  subdivision 19, is amended to read: 
 11.21     Subd. 19.  [NET INCOME.] The term "net income" means the 
 11.22  federal taxable income, as defined in section 63 of the Internal 
 11.23  Revenue Code of 1986, as amended through the date named in this 
 11.24  subdivision, incorporating any elections made by the taxpayer in 
 11.25  accordance with the Internal Revenue Code in determining federal 
 11.26  taxable income for federal income tax purposes, and with the 
 11.27  modifications provided in subdivisions 19a to 19f. 
 11.28     In the case of a regulated investment company or a fund 
 11.29  thereof, as defined in section 851(a) or 851(g) of the Internal 
 11.30  Revenue Code, federal taxable income means investment company 
 11.31  taxable income as defined in section 852(b)(2) of the Internal 
 11.32  Revenue Code, except that:  
 11.33     (1) the exclusion of net capital gain provided in section 
 11.34  852(b)(2)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code does not apply; 
 11.35     (2) the deduction for dividends paid under section 
 11.36  852(b)(2)(D) of the Internal Revenue Code must be applied by 
 12.1   allowing a deduction for capital gain dividends and 
 12.2   exempt-interest dividends as defined in sections 852(b)(3)(C) 
 12.3   and 852(b)(5) of the Internal Revenue Code; and 
 12.4      (3) the deduction for dividends paid must also be applied 
 12.5   in the amount of any undistributed capital gains which the 
 12.6   regulated investment company elects to have treated as provided 
 12.7   in section 852(b)(3)(D) of the Internal Revenue Code.  
 12.8      The net income of a real estate investment trust as defined 
 12.9   and limited by section 856(a), (b), and (c) of the Internal 
 12.10  Revenue Code means the real estate investment trust taxable 
 12.11  income as defined in section 857(b)(2) of the Internal Revenue 
 12.12  Code.  
 12.13     The net income of a designated settlement fund as defined 
 12.14  in section 468B(d) of the Internal Revenue Code means the gross 
 12.15  income as defined in section 468B(b) of the Internal Revenue 
 12.16  Code. 
 12.17     The Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended through 
 12.18  December 31, 1986, shall be in effect for taxable years 
 12.19  beginning after December 31, 1986.  The provisions of sections 
 12.20  10104, 10202, 10203, 10204, 10206, 10212, 10221, 10222, 10223, 
 12.21  10226, 10227, 10228, 10611, 10631, 10632, and 10711 of the 
 12.22  Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1987, Public Law Number 
 12.23  100-203, the provisions of sections 1001, 1002, 1003, 1004, 
 12.24  1005, 1006, 1008, 1009, 1010, 1011, 1011A, 1011B, 1012, 1013, 
 12.25  1014, 1015, 1018, 2004, 3041, 4009, 6007, 6026, 6032, 6137, 
 12.26  6277, and 6282 of the Technical and Miscellaneous Revenue Act of 
 12.27  1988, Public Law Number 100-647, the provisions of sections 
 12.28  7811, 7816, and 7831 of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 
 12.29  1989, Public Law Number 101-239, the provisions of sections 
 12.30  1305, 1704(r), and 1704(e)(1) of the Small Business Job 
 12.31  Protection Act, Public Law Number 104-188, and the provisions of 
 12.32  sections 975 and 1604(d)(2) and (e) of the Taxpayer Relief Act 
 12.33  of 1997, Public Law Number 105-34, and the provisions of section 
 12.34  4004 of the Omnibus Consolidated and Emergency Supplemental 
 12.35  Appropriations Act, 1999, Public Law Number 105-277, shall be 
 12.36  effective at the time they become effective for federal income 
 13.1   tax purposes.  
 13.2      The Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended through 
 13.3   December 31, 1987, shall be in effect for taxable years 
 13.4   beginning after December 31, 1987.  The provisions of sections 
 13.5   4001, 4002, 4011, 5021, 5041, 5053, 5075, 6003, 6008, 6011, 
 13.6   6030, 6031, 6033, 6057, 6064, 6066, 6079, 6130, 6176, 6180, 
 13.7   6182, 6280, and 6281 of the Technical and Miscellaneous Revenue 
 13.8   Act of 1988, Public Law Number 100-647, the provisions of 
 13.9   sections 7815 and 7821 of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act 
 13.10  of 1989, Public Law Number 101-239, and the provisions of 
 13.11  section 11702 of the Revenue Reconciliation Act of 1990, Public 
 13.12  Law Number 101-508, shall become effective at the time they 
 13.13  become effective for federal tax purposes.  
 13.14     The Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended through 
 13.15  December 31, 1988, shall be in effect for taxable years 
 13.16  beginning after December 31, 1988.  The provisions of sections 
 13.17  7101, 7102, 7104, 7105, 7201, 7202, 7203, 7204, 7205, 7206, 
 13.18  7207, 7210, 7211, 7301, 7302, 7303, 7304, 7601, 7621, 7622, 
 13.19  7641, 7642, 7645, 7647, 7651, and 7652 of the Omnibus Budget 
 13.20  Reconciliation Act of 1989, Public Law Number 101-239, the 
 13.21  provision of section 1401 of the Financial Institutions Reform, 
 13.22  Recovery, and Enforcement Act of 1989, Public Law Number 101-73, 
 13.23  the provisions of sections 11701 and 11703 of the Revenue 
 13.24  Reconciliation Act of 1990, Public Law Number 101-508, and the 
 13.25  provisions of sections 1702(g) and 1704(f)(2)(A) and (B) of the 
 13.26  Small Business Job Protection Act, Public Law Number 104-188, 
 13.27  shall become effective at the time they become effective for 
 13.28  federal tax purposes.  
 13.29     The Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended through 
 13.30  December 31, 1989, shall be in effect for taxable years 
 13.31  beginning after December 31, 1989.  The provisions of sections 
 13.32  11321, 11322, 11324, 11325, 11403, 11404, 11410, and 11521 of 
 13.33  the Revenue Reconciliation Act of 1990, Public Law Number 
 13.34  101-508, and the provisions of sections 13224 and 13261 of the 
 13.35  Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993, Public Law Number 
 13.36  103-66, shall become effective at the time they become effective 
 14.1   for federal purposes.  
 14.2      The Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended through 
 14.3   December 31, 1990, shall be in effect for taxable years 
 14.4   beginning after December 31, 1990. 
 14.5      The provisions of section 13431 of the Omnibus Budget 
 14.6   Reconciliation Act of 1993, Public Law Number 103-66, shall 
 14.7   become effective at the time they became effective for federal 
 14.8   purposes.  
 14.9      The Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended through 
 14.10  December 31, 1991, shall be in effect for taxable years 
 14.11  beginning after December 31, 1991.  
 14.12     The provisions of sections 1936 and 1937 of the 
 14.13  Comprehensive National Energy Policy Act of 1992, Public Law 
 14.14  Number 102-486, the provisions of sections 13101, 13114, 13122, 
 14.15  13141, 13150, 13151, 13174, 13239, 13301, and 13442 of the 
 14.16  Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993, Public Law Number 
 14.17  103-66, and the provisions of section 1604(a)(1), (2), and (3) 
 14.18  of the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997, Public Law Number 105-34, 
 14.19  shall become effective at the time they become effective for 
 14.20  federal purposes.  
 14.21     The Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended through 
 14.22  December 31, 1992, shall be in effect for taxable years 
 14.23  beginning after December 31, 1992.  
 14.24     The provisions of sections 13116, 13121, 13206, 13210, 
 14.25  13222, 13223, 13231, 13232, 13233, 13239, 13262, and 13321 of 
 14.26  the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993, Public Law Number 
 14.27  103-66, the provisions of sections 1703(a), 1703(d), 1703(i), 
 14.28  1703(l), and 1703(m) of the Small Business Job Protection Act, 
 14.29  Public Law Number 104-188, and the provision of section 1604(c) 
 14.30  of the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997, Public Law Number 105-34, 
 14.31  shall become effective at the time they become effective for 
 14.32  federal purposes. 
 14.33     The Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended through 
 14.34  December 31, 1993, shall be in effect for taxable years 
 14.35  beginning after December 31, 1993. 
 14.36     The provision of section 741 of Legislation to Implement 
 15.1   Uruguay Round of General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade, Public 
 15.2   Law Number 103-465, the provisions of sections 1, 2, and 3, of 
 15.3   the Self-Employed Health Insurance Act of 1995, Public Law 
 15.4   Number 104-7, the provision of section 501(b)(2) of the Health 
 15.5   Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, Public Law Number 
 15.6   104-191, the provisions of sections 1604 and 1704(p)(1) and (2) 
 15.7   of the Small Business Job Protection Act, Public Law Number 
 15.8   104-188, and the provisions of sections 1011, 1211(b)(1), and 
 15.9   1602(f) of the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997, Public Law Number 
 15.10  105-34, shall become effective at the time they become effective 
 15.11  for federal purposes. 
 15.12     The Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended through 
 15.13  December 31, 1994, shall be in effect for taxable years 
 15.14  beginning after December 31, 1994. 
 15.15     The provisions of sections 1119(a), 1120, 1121, 1202(a), 
 15.16  1444, 1449(b), 1602(a), 1610(a), 1613, and 1805 of the Small 
 15.17  Business Job Protection Act, Public Law Number 104-188, the 
 15.18  provision of section 511 of the Health Insurance Portability and 
 15.19  Accountability Act, Public Law Number 104-191, and the 
 15.20  provisions of sections 1174 and 1601(i)(2) of the Taxpayer 
 15.21  Relief Act of 1997, Public Law Number 105-34, shall become 
 15.22  effective at the time they become effective for federal purposes.
 15.23     The Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended through March 
 15.24  22, 1996, is in effect for taxable years beginning after 
 15.25  December 31, 1995. 
 15.26     The provisions of sections 1113(a), 1117, 1206(a), 1313(a), 
 15.27  1402(a), 1403(a), 1443, 1450, 1501(a), 1605, 1611(a), 1612, 
 15.28  1616, 1617, 1704(l), and 1704(m) of the Small Business Job 
 15.29  Protection Act, Public Law Number 104-188, the provisions of 
 15.30  Public Law Number 104-117, and the provisions of sections 313(a) 
 15.31  and (b)(1), 602(a), 913(b), 941, 961, 971, 1001(a) and (b), 
 15.32  1002, 1003, 1012, 1013, 1014, 1061, 1062, 1081, 1084(b), 1086, 
 15.33  1087, 1111(a), 1131(b) and (c), 1211(b), 1213, 1530(c)(2), 
 15.34  1601(f)(5) and (h), and 1604(d)(1) of the Taxpayer Relief Act of 
 15.35  1997, Public Law Number 105-34, the provisions of section 6010 
 15.36  of the Internal Revenue Service Restructuring and Reform Act of 
 16.1   1998, Public Law Number 105-206, and the provisions of section 
 16.2   4003 of the Omnibus Consolidated and Emergency Supplemental 
 16.3   Appropriations Act, 1999, Public Law Number 105-277, shall 
 16.4   become effective at the time they become effective for federal 
 16.5   purposes. 
 16.6      The Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended through 
 16.7   December 31, 1996, shall be in effect for taxable years 
 16.8   beginning after December 31, 1996. 
 16.9      The provisions of sections 202(a) and (b), 221(a), 225, 
 16.10  312, 313, 913(a), 934, 962, 1004, 1005, 1052, 1063, 1084(a) and 
 16.11  (c), 1089, 1112, 1171, 1204, 1271(a) and (b), 1305(a), 1306, 
 16.12  1307, 1308, 1309, 1501(b), 1502(b), 1504(a), 1505, 1527, 1528, 
 16.13  1530, 1601(d), (e), (f), and (i) and 1602(a), (b), (c), and (e) 
 16.14  of the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997, Public Law Number 
 16.15  105-34, the provisions of sections 6004, 6005, 6012, 6013, 6015, 
 16.16  6016, 7002, and 7003 of the Internal Revenue Service 
 16.17  Restructuring and Reform Act of 1998, Public Law Number 105-206, 
 16.18  and the provisions of section 3001 of the Omnibus Consolidated 
 16.19  and Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act, 1999, Public Law 
 16.20  Number 105-277, shall become effective at the time they become 
 16.21  effective for federal purposes. 
 16.22     The Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended through 
 16.23  December 31, 1997, shall be in effect for taxable years 
 16.24  beginning after December 31, 1997. 
 16.25     The provisions of sections 5002, 6009, 6011, and 7001 of 
 16.26  the Internal Revenue Service Restructuring and Reform Act of 
 16.27  1998, Public Law Number 105-206, the provisions of section 9010 
 16.28  of the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century, Public 
 16.29  Law Number 105-178, the provisions of sections 1004, 4002, and 
 16.30  5301 of the Omnibus Consolidation and Emergency Supplemental 
 16.31  Appropriations Act, 1999, Public Law Number 105-277, and the 
 16.32  provisions of section 303 of the Ricky Ray Hemophilia Relief 
 16.33  Fund Act of 1998, Public Law Number 105-369, shall become 
 16.34  effective at the time they become effective for federal purposes.
 16.35     The Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended through 
 16.36  December 31, 1998, shall be in effect for taxable years 
 17.1   beginning after December 31, 1998. 
 17.2      Except as otherwise provided, references to the Internal 
 17.3   Revenue Code in subdivisions 19a to 19g mean the code in effect 
 17.4   for purposes of determining net income for the applicable year. 
 17.5      Sec. 4.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 290.01, 
 17.6   subdivision 19a, is amended to read: 
 17.7      Subd. 19a.  [ADDITIONS TO FEDERAL TAXABLE INCOME.] For 
 17.8   individuals, estates, and trusts, there shall be added to 
 17.9   federal taxable income: 
 17.10     (1)(i) interest income on obligations of any state other 
 17.11  than Minnesota or a political or governmental subdivision, 
 17.12  municipality, or governmental agency or instrumentality of any 
 17.13  state other than Minnesota exempt from federal income taxes 
 17.14  under the Internal Revenue Code or any other federal statute, 
 17.15  and 
 17.16     (ii) exempt-interest dividends as defined in section 
 17.17  852(b)(5) of the Internal Revenue Code, except the portion of 
 17.18  the exempt-interest dividends derived from interest income on 
 17.19  obligations of the state of Minnesota or its political or 
 17.20  governmental subdivisions, municipalities, governmental agencies 
 17.21  or instrumentalities, but only if the portion of the 
 17.22  exempt-interest dividends from such Minnesota sources paid to 
 17.23  all shareholders represents 95 percent or more of the 
 17.24  exempt-interest dividends that are paid by the regulated 
 17.25  investment company as defined in section 851(a) of the Internal 
 17.26  Revenue Code, or the fund of the regulated investment company as 
 17.27  defined in section 851(g) of the Internal Revenue Code, making 
 17.28  the payment; and 
 17.29     (iii) for the purposes of items (i) and (ii), interest on 
 17.30  obligations of an Indian tribal government described in section 
 17.31  7871(c) of the Internal Revenue Code shall be treated as 
 17.32  interest income on obligations of the state in which the tribe 
 17.33  is located; 
 17.34     (2) the amount of income taxes paid or accrued within the 
 17.35  taxable year under this chapter and income taxes paid to any 
 17.36  other state or to any province or territory of Canada, to the 
 18.1   extent allowed as a deduction under section 63(d) of the 
 18.2   Internal Revenue Code, but the addition may not be more than the 
 18.3   amount by which the itemized deductions as allowed under section 
 18.4   63(d) of the Internal Revenue Code exceeds the amount of the 
 18.5   standard deduction as defined in section 63(c) of the Internal 
 18.6   Revenue Code.  For the purpose of this paragraph, the 
 18.7   disallowance of itemized deductions under section 68 of the 
 18.8   Internal Revenue Code of 1986, income tax is the last itemized 
 18.9   deduction disallowed; 
 18.10     (3) the capital gain amount of a lump sum distribution to 
 18.11  which the special tax under section 1122(h)(3)(B)(ii) of the Tax 
 18.12  Reform Act of 1986, Public Law Number 99-514, applies; 
 18.13     (4) the amount of income taxes paid or accrued within the 
 18.14  taxable year under this chapter and income taxes paid to any 
 18.15  other state or any province or territory of Canada, to the 
 18.16  extent allowed as a deduction in determining federal adjusted 
 18.17  gross income.  For the purpose of this paragraph, income taxes 
 18.18  do not include the taxes imposed by sections 290.0922, 
 18.19  subdivision 1, paragraph (b), 290.9727, 290.9728, and 290.9729; 
 18.20     (5) the amount of loss or expense included in federal 
 18.21  taxable income under section 1366 of the Internal Revenue Code 
 18.22  flowing from a corporation that has a valid election in effect 
 18.23  for the taxable year under section 1362 of the Internal Revenue 
 18.24  Code, but which is not allowed to be an "S" corporation under 
 18.25  section 290.9725; 
 18.26     (6) the amount of any distributions in cash or property 
 18.27  made to a shareholder during the taxable year by a corporation 
 18.28  that has a valid election in effect for the taxable year under 
 18.29  section 1362 of the Internal Revenue Code, but which is not 
 18.30  allowed to be an "S" corporation under section 290.9725 to the 
 18.31  extent not already included in federal taxable income under 
 18.32  section 1368 of the Internal Revenue Code; 
 18.33     (7) in the year stock of a corporation that had made a 
 18.34  valid election under section 1362 of the Internal Revenue Code 
 18.35  but was not an "S" corporation under section 290.9725 is sold or 
 18.36  disposed of in a transaction taxable under the Internal Revenue 
 19.1   Code, the amount of difference between the Minnesota basis of 
 19.2   the stock under subdivision 19f, paragraph (m), and the federal 
 19.3   basis if the Minnesota basis is lower than the shareholder's 
 19.4   federal basis; 
 19.5      (8) (5) the amount of expense, interest, or taxes 
 19.6   disallowed pursuant to section 290.10; and 
 19.7      (9) (6) the amount of a partner's pro rata share of net 
 19.8   income which does not flow through to the partner because the 
 19.9   partnership elected to pay the tax on the income under section 
 19.10  6242(a)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code. 
 19.11     Sec. 5.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 290.01, 
 19.12  subdivision 19b, is amended to read: 
 19.13     Subd. 19b.  [SUBTRACTIONS FROM FEDERAL TAXABLE INCOME.] For 
 19.14  individuals, estates, and trusts, there shall be subtracted from 
 19.15  federal taxable income: 
 19.16     (1) interest income on obligations of any authority, 
 19.17  commission, or instrumentality of the United States to the 
 19.18  extent includable in taxable income for federal income tax 
 19.19  purposes but exempt from state income tax under the laws of the 
 19.20  United States; 
 19.21     (2) if included in federal taxable income, the amount of 
 19.22  any overpayment of income tax to Minnesota or to any other 
 19.23  state, for any previous taxable year, whether the amount is 
 19.24  received as a refund or as a credit to another taxable year's 
 19.25  income tax liability; 
 19.26     (3) the amount paid to others, less the credit allowed 
 19.27  under section 290.0674, not to exceed $1,625 for each dependent 
 19.28  qualifying child in grades kindergarten to 6 and $2,500 for each 
 19.29  dependent qualifying child in grades 7 to 12, for tuition, 
 19.30  textbooks, and transportation of each dependent qualifying child 
 19.31  in attending an elementary or secondary school situated in 
 19.32  Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa, or Wisconsin, 
 19.33  wherein a resident of this state may legally fulfill the state's 
 19.34  compulsory attendance laws, which is not operated for profit, 
 19.35  and which adheres to the provisions of the Civil Rights Act of 
 19.36  1964 and chapter 363.  For the purposes of this clause, 
 20.1   "tuition" includes fees or tuition as defined in section 
 20.2   290.0674, subdivision 1, clause (1).  As used in this clause, 
 20.3   "textbooks" includes books and other instructional materials and 
 20.4   equipment used in elementary and secondary schools in teaching 
 20.5   only those subjects legally and commonly taught in public 
 20.6   elementary and secondary schools in this state.  Equipment 
 20.7   expenses qualifying for deduction includes expenses as defined 
 20.8   and limited in section 290.0674, subdivision 1, clause (3).  
 20.9   "Textbooks" does not include instructional books and materials 
 20.10  used in the teaching of religious tenets, doctrines, or worship, 
 20.11  the purpose of which is to instill such tenets, doctrines, or 
 20.12  worship, nor does it include books or materials for, or 
 20.13  transportation to, extracurricular activities including sporting 
 20.14  events, musical or dramatic events, speech activities, driver's 
 20.15  education, or similar programs.  For purposes of the subtraction 
 20.16  provided by this clause, "qualifying child" has the meaning 
 20.17  given in section 32(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code; 
 20.18     (4) to the extent included in federal taxable income, 
 20.19  distributions from a qualified governmental pension plan, an 
 20.20  individual retirement account, simplified employee pension, or 
 20.21  qualified plan covering a self-employed person that represent a 
 20.22  return of contributions that were included in Minnesota gross 
 20.23  income in the taxable year for which the contributions were made 
 20.24  but were deducted or were not included in the computation of 
 20.25  federal adjusted gross income.  The distribution shall be 
 20.26  allocated first to return of contributions until the 
 20.27  contributions included in Minnesota gross income have been 
 20.28  exhausted.  This subtraction applies only to contributions made 
 20.29  in a taxable year prior to 1985; 
 20.30     (5) income as provided under section 290.0802; 
 20.31     (6) the amount of unrecovered accelerated cost recovery 
 20.32  system deductions allowed under subdivision 19g; 
 20.33     (7) to the extent included in federal adjusted gross 
 20.34  income, income realized on disposition of property exempt from 
 20.35  tax under section 290.491; 
 20.36     (8) to the extent not deducted in determining federal 
 21.1   taxable income, the amount paid for health insurance of 
 21.2   self-employed individuals as determined under section 162(l) of 
 21.3   the Internal Revenue Code, except that the 25 percent limit does 
 21.4   not apply.  If the taxpayer deducted insurance payments under 
 21.5   section 213 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, the 
 21.6   subtraction under this clause must be reduced by the lesser of: 
 21.7      (i) the total itemized deductions allowed under section 
 21.8   63(d) of the Internal Revenue Code, less state, local, and 
 21.9   foreign income taxes deductible under section 164 of the 
 21.10  Internal Revenue Code and the standard deduction under section 
 21.11  63(c) of the Internal Revenue Code; or 
 21.12     (ii) the lesser of (A) the amount of insurance qualifying 
 21.13  as "medical care" under section 213(d) of the Internal Revenue 
 21.14  Code to the extent not deducted under section 162(1) of the 
 21.15  Internal Revenue Code or excluded from income or (B) the total 
 21.16  amount deductible for medical care under section 213(a); 
 21.17     (9) the exemption amount allowed under Laws 1995, chapter 
 21.18  255, article 3, section 2, subdivision 3; 
 21.19     (10) to the extent included in federal taxable income, 
 21.20  postservice benefits for youth community service under section 
 21.21  124D.42 for volunteer service under United States Code, title 
 21.22  42, section 5011(d), as amended; 
 21.23     (11) to the extent not subtracted under clause (1), the 
 21.24  amount of income or gain included in federal taxable income 
 21.25  under section 1366 of the Internal Revenue Code flowing from a 
 21.26  corporation that has a valid election in effect for the taxable 
 21.27  year under section 1362 of the Internal Revenue Code which is 
 21.28  not allowed to be an "S" corporation under section 290.9725; 
 21.29     (12) in the year stock of a corporation that had made a 
 21.30  valid election under section 1362 of the Internal Revenue Code 
 21.31  but was not an "S" corporation under section 290.9725 is sold or 
 21.32  disposed of in a transaction taxable under the Internal Revenue 
 21.33  Code, the amount of difference between the Minnesota basis of 
 21.34  the stock under subdivision 19f, paragraph (m), and the federal 
 21.35  basis if the Minnesota basis is higher than the shareholder's 
 21.36  federal basis; and 
 22.1      (13) an amount equal to an individual's, trust's, or 
 22.2   estate's net federal income tax liability for the tax year that 
 22.3   is attributable to items of income, expense, gain, loss, or 
 22.4   credits federally flowing to the taxpayer in the tax year from a 
 22.5   corporation, having a valid election in effect for federal tax 
 22.6   purposes under section 1362 of the Internal Revenue Code but not 
 22.7   treated as an "S" corporation for state tax purposes under 
 22.8   section 290.9725. 
 22.9      (11) to the extent not deducted in determining federal 
 22.10  taxable income by an individual who does not itemize deductions 
 22.11  for federal income tax purposes for the taxable year, an amount 
 22.12  equal to 50 percent of the excess of charitable contributions 
 22.13  allowable as a deduction for the taxable year under section 
 22.14  170(a) of the Internal Revenue Code over $500; and 
 22.15     (12) to the extent included in federal taxable income, 
 22.16  holocaust victims' settlement payments for any injury incurred 
 22.17  as a result of the holocaust, if received by an individual who 
 22.18  was persecuted for racial or religious reasons by Nazi Germany 
 22.19  or any other Axis regime or an heir of such a person. 
 22.20     Sec. 6.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 290.01, 
 22.21  subdivision 19f, is amended to read: 
 22.22     Subd. 19f.  [BASIS MODIFICATIONS AFFECTING GAIN OR LOSS ON 
 22.23  DISPOSITION OF PROPERTY.] (a) For individuals, estates, and 
 22.24  trusts, the basis of property is its adjusted basis for federal 
 22.25  income tax purposes except as set forth in paragraphs (f), (g), 
 22.26  and (m).  For corporations, the basis of property is its 
 22.27  adjusted basis for federal income tax purposes, without regard 
 22.28  to the time when the property became subject to tax under this 
 22.29  chapter or to whether out-of-state losses or items of tax 
 22.30  preference with respect to the property were not deductible 
 22.31  under this chapter, except that the modifications to the basis 
 22.32  for federal income tax purposes set forth in paragraphs (b) to 
 22.33  (j) are allowed to corporations, and the resulting modifications 
 22.34  to federal taxable income must be made in the year in which gain 
 22.35  or loss on the sale or other disposition of property is 
 22.36  recognized. 
 23.1      (b) The basis of property shall not be reduced to reflect 
 23.2   federal investment tax credit.  
 23.3      (c) The basis of property subject to the accelerated cost 
 23.4   recovery system under section 168 of the Internal Revenue Code 
 23.5   shall be modified to reflect the modifications in depreciation 
 23.6   with respect to the property provided for in subdivision 19e.  
 23.7   For certified pollution control facilities for which 
 23.8   amortization deductions were elected under section 169 of the 
 23.9   Internal Revenue Code of 1954, the basis of the property must be 
 23.10  increased by the amount of the amortization deduction not 
 23.11  previously allowed under this chapter. 
 23.12     (d) For property acquired before January 1, 1933, the basis 
 23.13  for computing a gain is the fair market value of the property as 
 23.14  of that date.  The basis for determining a loss is the cost of 
 23.15  the property to the taxpayer less any depreciation, 
 23.16  amortization, or depletion, actually sustained before that 
 23.17  date.  If the adjusted cost exceeds the fair market value of the 
 23.18  property, then the basis is the adjusted cost regardless of 
 23.19  whether there is a gain or loss.  
 23.20     (e) The basis is reduced by the allowance for amortization 
 23.21  of bond premium if an election to amortize was made pursuant to 
 23.22  Minnesota Statutes 1986, section 290.09, subdivision 13, and the 
 23.23  allowance could have been deducted by the taxpayer under this 
 23.24  chapter during the period of the taxpayer's ownership of the 
 23.25  property.  
 23.26     (f) For assets placed in service before January 1, 1987, 
 23.27  corporations, partnerships, or individuals engaged in the 
 23.28  business of mining ores other than iron ore or taconite 
 23.29  concentrates subject to the occupation tax under chapter 298 
 23.30  must use the occupation tax basis of property used in that 
 23.31  business. 
 23.32     (g) For assets placed in service before January 1, 1990, 
 23.33  corporations, partnerships, or individuals engaged in the 
 23.34  business of mining iron ore or taconite concentrates subject to 
 23.35  the occupation tax under chapter 298 must use the occupation tax 
 23.36  basis of property used in that business.  
 24.1      (h) In applying the provisions of sections 301(c)(3)(B), 
 24.2   312(f) and (g), and 316(a)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code, the 
 24.3   dates December 31, 1932, and January 1, 1933, shall be 
 24.4   substituted for February 28, 1913, and March 1, 1913, 
 24.5   respectively.  
 24.6      (i) In applying the provisions of section 362(a) and (c) of 
 24.7   the Internal Revenue Code, the date December 31, 1956, shall be 
 24.8   substituted for June 22, 1954.  
 24.9      (j) The basis of property shall be increased by the amount 
 24.10  of intangible drilling costs not previously allowed due to 
 24.11  differences between this chapter and the Internal Revenue Code.  
 24.12     (k) The adjusted basis of any corporate partner's interest 
 24.13  in a partnership is the same as the adjusted basis for federal 
 24.14  income tax purposes modified as required to reflect the basis 
 24.15  modifications set forth in paragraphs (b) to (j).  The adjusted 
 24.16  basis of a partnership in which the partner is an individual, 
 24.17  estate, or trust is the same as the adjusted basis for federal 
 24.18  income tax purposes modified as required to reflect the basis 
 24.19  modifications set forth in paragraphs (f) and (g).  
 24.20     (l) The modifications contained in paragraphs (b) to (j) 
 24.21  also apply to the basis of property that is determined by 
 24.22  reference to the basis of the same property in the hands of a 
 24.23  different taxpayer or by reference to the basis of different 
 24.24  property.  
 24.25     (m) If a corporation has a valid election in effect for the 
 24.26  taxable year under section 1362 of the Internal Revenue Code, 
 24.27  but is not allowed to be an "S" corporation under section 
 24.28  290.9725, and the corporation is liquidated or the individual 
 24.29  shareholder disposes of the stock, the Minnesota basis in the 
 24.30  shareholder's stock in the corporation shall be computed as if 
 24.31  the corporation were not an "S" corporation for federal tax 
 24.32  purposes. 
 24.33     Sec. 7.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 290.01, 
 24.34  subdivision 31, is amended to read: 
 24.35     Subd. 31.  [INTERNAL REVENUE CODE.] Unless specifically 
 24.36  defined otherwise, "Internal Revenue Code" means the Internal 
 25.1   Revenue Code of 1986, as amended through December 31, 1997 1998. 
 25.2      Sec. 8.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 290.01, is 
 25.3   amended by adding a subdivision to read: 
 25.4      Subd. 32.  [HOLOCAUST SETTLEMENT PAYMENTS.] "Holocaust 
 25.5   victims' settlement payments" means: 
 25.6      (1) a payment received as a result of settlement of the 
 25.7   action entitled In re Holocaust Victims' Asset Litigation, in 
 25.8   United States district court for the eastern district of New 
 25.9   York, C.A. No. 96-4849; 
 25.10     (2) any amount received under the German Act Regulating 
 25.11  Unresolved Property Claims or any other foreign law providing 
 25.12  for payments for holocaust claims; and 
 25.13     (3) a payment received as a result of the settlement of a 
 25.14  holocaust claim not described in clause (1) or (2), including an 
 25.15  insurance claim, a claim relating to looted art or financial 
 25.16  assets, and a claim relating to slave labor wages. 
 25.17     Sec. 9.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 290.06, 
 25.18  subdivision 2c, is amended to read: 
 25.19     Subd. 2c.  [SCHEDULES OF RATES FOR INDIVIDUALS, ESTATES, 
 25.20  AND TRUSTS.] (a) The income taxes imposed by this chapter upon 
 25.21  married individuals filing joint returns and surviving spouses 
 25.22  as defined in section 2(a) of the Internal Revenue Code must be 
 25.23  computed by applying to their taxable net income the following 
 25.24  schedule of rates: 
 25.25     (1) On the first $19,910 $34,500, 6 5.5 percent; 
 25.26     (2) On all over $19,910 $34,500, but not 
 25.27  over $79,120 $113,360, 8 7 percent; 
 25.28     (3) On all over $79,120 $113,360, 8.5 8 percent. 
 25.29     Married individuals filing separate returns, estates, and 
 25.30  trusts must compute their income tax by applying the above rates 
 25.31  to their taxable income, except that the income brackets will be 
 25.32  one-half of the above amounts.  
 25.33     (b) The income taxes imposed by this chapter upon unmarried 
 25.34  individuals must be computed by applying to taxable net income 
 25.35  the following schedule of rates: 
 25.36     (1) On the first $13,620 $17,250, 6 5.5 percent; 
 26.1      (2) On all over $13,620 $17,250, but not 
 26.2   over $44,750 $56,680, 8 7 percent; 
 26.3      (3) On all over $44,750 $56,680, 8.5 8 percent. 
 26.4      (c) The income taxes imposed by this chapter upon unmarried 
 26.5   individuals qualifying as a head of household as defined in 
 26.6   section 2(b) of the Internal Revenue Code must be computed by 
 26.7   applying to taxable net income the following schedule of rates: 
 26.8      (1) On the first $16,770 $25,870, 6 5.5 percent; 
 26.9      (2) On all over $16,770 $25,870, but not 
 26.10  over $67,390 $85,020, 8 7 percent; 
 26.11     (3) On all over $67,390 $85,020, 8.5 8 percent. 
 26.12     (d) In lieu of a tax computed according to the rates set 
 26.13  forth in this subdivision, the tax of any individual taxpayer 
 26.14  whose taxable net income for the taxable year is less than an 
 26.15  amount determined by the commissioner must be computed in 
 26.16  accordance with tables prepared and issued by the commissioner 
 26.17  of revenue based on income brackets of not more than $100.  The 
 26.18  amount of tax for each bracket shall be computed at the rates 
 26.19  set forth in this subdivision, provided that the commissioner 
 26.20  may disregard a fractional part of a dollar unless it amounts to 
 26.21  50 cents or more, in which case it may be increased to $1. 
 26.22     (e) An individual who is not a Minnesota resident for the 
 26.23  entire year must compute the individual's Minnesota income tax 
 26.24  as provided in this subdivision.  After the application of the 
 26.25  nonrefundable credits provided in this chapter, the tax 
 26.26  liability must then be multiplied by a fraction in which:  
 26.27     (1) the numerator is the individual's Minnesota source 
 26.28  federal adjusted gross income as defined in section 62 of the 
 26.29  Internal Revenue Code disregarding income or loss flowing from a 
 26.30  corporation having a valid election for the taxable year under 
 26.31  section 1362 of the Internal Revenue Code but which is not an 
 26.32  "S" corporation under section 290.9725 and increased by the 
 26.33  additions required under section 290.01, subdivision 19a, 
 26.34  clauses (1) and (9) (6), after applying the allocation and 
 26.35  assignability provisions of section 290.081, clause (a), or 
 26.36  290.17; and 
 27.1      (2) the denominator is the individual's federal adjusted 
 27.2   gross income as defined in section 62 of the Internal Revenue 
 27.3   Code of 1986, increased by the amounts specified in section 
 27.4   290.01, subdivision 19a, clauses (1), (5), (6), (7), and 
 27.5   (9) (6), and reduced by the amounts specified in section 290.01, 
 27.6   subdivision 19b, clauses clause (1), (11), and (12). 
 27.7      Sec. 10.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 290.06, 
 27.8   subdivision 2d, is amended to read: 
 27.9      Subd. 2d.  [INFLATION ADJUSTMENT OF BRACKETS.] (a) For 
 27.10  taxable years beginning after December 31, 1991 1999, the 
 27.11  minimum and maximum dollar amounts for each rate bracket for 
 27.12  which a tax is imposed in subdivision 2c shall be adjusted for 
 27.13  inflation by the percentage determined under paragraph (b).  For 
 27.14  the purpose of making the adjustment as provided in this 
 27.15  subdivision all of the rate brackets provided in subdivision 2c 
 27.16  shall be the rate brackets as they existed for taxable years 
 27.17  beginning after December 31, 1990 1998, and before January 
 27.18  1, 1992 2000.  The rate applicable to any rate bracket must not 
 27.19  be changed.  The dollar amounts setting forth the tax shall be 
 27.20  adjusted to reflect the changes in the rate brackets.  The rate 
 27.21  brackets as adjusted must be rounded to the nearest $10 amount.  
 27.22  If the rate bracket ends in $5, it must be rounded up to the 
 27.23  nearest $10 amount.  
 27.24     (b) The commissioner shall adjust the rate brackets and by 
 27.25  the percentage determined pursuant to the provisions of section 
 27.26  1(f) of the Internal Revenue Code, except that in section 
 27.27  1(f)(3)(B) the word "1990 1998" shall be substituted for the 
 27.28  word "1987 1992."  For 1991 2000, the commissioner shall then 
 27.29  determine the percent change from the 12 months ending on August 
 27.30  31, 1990 1998, to the 12 months ending on August 31, 1991 1999, 
 27.31  and in each subsequent year, from the 12 months ending on August 
 27.32  31, 1990 1998, to the 12 months ending on August 31 of the year 
 27.33  preceding the taxable year.  The determination of the 
 27.34  commissioner pursuant to this subdivision shall not be 
 27.35  considered a "rule" and shall not be subject to the 
 27.36  Administrative Procedure Act contained in chapter 14.  
 28.1      No later than December 15 of each year, the commissioner 
 28.2   shall announce the specific percentage that will be used to 
 28.3   adjust the tax rate brackets. 
 28.4      Sec. 11.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 290.06, is 
 28.5   amended by adding a subdivision to read: 
 28.6      Subd. 26.  [BANK S CORPORATIONS.] A shareholder of an S 
 28.7   corporation subject to tax under section 290.9725, clause (2), 
 28.8   is allowed a credit against the tax imposed under this chapter.  
 28.9   The credit equals 85 percent of the tax apportioned to the 
 28.10  shareholder under section 290.9726, subdivision 7, for the 
 28.11  taxable year.  
 28.12     Sec. 12.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 290.06, is 
 28.13  amended by adding a subdivision to read: 
 28.14     Subd. 27.  [TAX PAID TO ANOTHER STATE; CORPORATIONS.] (a) A 
 28.15  credit is allowed against the tax imposed under subdivision 1 
 28.16  for tax paid to another state based on net income. 
 28.17     (b) The amount of the credit equals the amount of 
 28.18  qualifying tax paid to the other state for the taxable year, 
 28.19  multiplied by the taxpayer's apportionment percentage under 
 28.20  section 290.191.  If the item of income or gain is assigned to 
 28.21  Minnesota as nonbusiness income, the entire amount of the 
 28.22  qualifying tax is allowed as a credit.  The maximum amount of 
 28.23  the credit is limited to the tax liability under subdivision 1 
 28.24  for the taxable year and, in no case, may the credit exceed the 
 28.25  reduction in the amount of tax under subdivision 1 if the item 
 28.26  of income or gain were excluded from net income. 
 28.27     (c) For purposes of this subdivision, "qualifying tax" 
 28.28  means the amount of tax paid to another state on an item of 
 28.29  income or gain for the taxable year, if: 
 28.30     (1) the law of another state requires and the taxpayer 
 28.31  assigns the entire amount of the income or gain to one other 
 28.32  state; and 
 28.33     (2) the income or gain is included in the measure of the 
 28.34  exercise of the corporate franchise that is taxable under 
 28.35  subdivision 1.  
 28.36     (d) The amount of tax paid to another state on an item of 
 29.1   income or gain is the difference between the tax paid to the 
 29.2   state and the amount of tax that would have been paid to the 
 29.3   state if the item of income or gain had not been included in the 
 29.4   net income of that state. 
 29.5      (e) The taxpayer must report to the commissioner of revenue 
 29.6   any change in tax in the other state, the change in qualifying 
 29.7   tax, and a copy of the final determination of the tax by the 
 29.8   taxing authority of the other state.  A taxpayer who claims the 
 29.9   credit consents to extend the period of limitation for the 
 29.10  commissioner to recompute the credit and reassess the tax due, 
 29.11  including a refund, for a period of one year following a report 
 29.12  by the taxpayer of a final determination of tax by the state in 
 29.13  which the entire amount of income or gain is reported, 
 29.14  notwithstanding any period of limitations to the contrary, or 
 29.15  within any applicable period of limitations, whichever is 
 29.16  longer.  If a taxpayer fails to report as required by this 
 29.17  paragraph, the commissioner may recompute the tax, including a 
 29.18  refund, based on the information available to the commissioner.  
 29.19  The tax may be recomputed within six years after the report 
 29.20  should have been filed, notwithstanding any period of 
 29.21  limitations to the contrary. 
 29.22     Sec. 13.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 290.0671, 
 29.23  subdivision 1, is amended to read: 
 29.24     Subdivision 1.  [CREDIT ALLOWED.] (a) An individual is 
 29.25  allowed a credit against the tax imposed by this chapter equal 
 29.26  to a percentage of earned income.  To receive a credit, a 
 29.27  taxpayer must be eligible for a credit under section 32 of the 
 29.28  Internal Revenue Code.  
 29.29     (b) For individuals with no qualifying children, the credit 
 29.30  equals 1.1475 percent of the first $4,460 of earned income.  The 
 29.31  credit is reduced by 1.1475 percent of earned income or modified 
 29.32  adjusted gross income, whichever is greater, in excess of 
 29.33  $5,570, but in no case is the credit less than zero. 
 29.34     (c) For individuals with one qualifying child, the credit 
 29.35  equals 6.8 percent of the first $6,680 of earned income and 8.5 
 29.36  percent of earned income over $11,650 but less than $12,990.  
 30.1   The credit is reduced by 4.77 percent of earned income or 
 30.2   modified adjusted gross income, whichever is greater, in excess 
 30.3   of $14,560, but in no case is the credit less than zero. 
 30.4      (d) For individuals with two or more qualifying children, 
 30.5   the credit equals eight percent of the first $9,390 of earned 
 30.6   income and 20 percent of earned income over $14,350 but less 
 30.7   than $16,230.  The credit is reduced by 8.8 percent of earned 
 30.8   income or modified adjusted gross income, whichever is greater, 
 30.9   in excess of $17,280, but in no case is the credit less than 
 30.10  zero. 
 30.11     (e) For a nonresident or part-year resident, the credit 
 30.12  must be allocated based on the percentage calculated under 
 30.13  section 290.06, subdivision 2c, paragraph (e). 
 30.14     (f) For a person who was a resident for the entire tax year 
 30.15  and has earned income not subject to tax under this chapter, the 
 30.16  credit must be allocated based on the ratio of federal adjusted 
 30.17  gross income reduced by the earned income not subject to tax 
 30.18  under this chapter over federal adjusted gross income. 
 30.19     (g) The commissioner shall construct tables showing the 
 30.20  amount of the credit at various income levels and make them 
 30.21  available to taxpayers.  The tables shall follow the schedule 
 30.22  contained in this subdivision, except that the commissioner may 
 30.23  graduate the transition between income brackets. 
 30.24     Sec. 14.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 290.0672, 
 30.25  subdivision 1, is amended to read: 
 30.26     Subdivision 1.  [DEFINITIONS.] (a) For purposes of this 
 30.27  section, the following terms have the meanings given. 
 30.28     (b) "Long-term care insurance" means a policy that: 
 30.29     (1) qualifies for a deduction under section 213 of the 
 30.30  Internal Revenue Code, disregarding the 7.5 percent income test; 
 30.31  or meets the requirements given in section 62A.46; or provides 
 30.32  similar coverage issued under the laws of another jurisdiction; 
 30.33  and 
 30.34     (2) does not have a lifetime long-term care benefit limit 
 30.35  of less than $100,000; and 
 30.36     (3) includes inflation protection that meets or exceeds has 
 31.1   been offered in compliance with the inflation protection 
 31.2   requirements of the long-term care insurance model regulation 
 31.3   cited under section 7702B(g)(2)(A)(i)(x) of the Internal Revenue 
 31.4   Code 62S.23. 
 31.5      (c) "Qualified beneficiary" means the taxpayer or the 
 31.6   taxpayer's spouse.  
 31.7      (d) "Premiums deducted in determining federal taxable 
 31.8   income" means the lesser of (1) long-term care insurance 
 31.9   premiums that qualify as deductions under section 213 of the 
 31.10  Internal Revenue Code; and (2) the total amount deductible for 
 31.11  medical care under section 213 of the Internal Revenue Code. 
 31.12     Sec. 15.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 290.0674, 
 31.13  subdivision 1, is amended to read: 
 31.14     Subdivision 1.  [CREDIT ALLOWED.] An individual is allowed 
 31.15  a credit against the tax imposed by this chapter in an amount 
 31.16  equal to the amount paid for education-related expenses for 
 31.17  a dependent qualifying child in kindergarten through grade 12.  
 31.18  For purposes of this section, "education-related expenses" means:
 31.19     (1) fees or tuition for instruction by an instructor under 
 31.20  section 120A.22, subdivision 10, clause (1), (2), (3), (4), or 
 31.21  (5), for instruction outside the regular school day or school 
 31.22  year, including tutoring, driver's education offered as part of 
 31.23  school curriculum, regardless of whether it is taken from a 
 31.24  public or private entity or summer camps, in grade or age 
 31.25  appropriate curricula that supplement curricula and instruction 
 31.26  available during the regular school year, that assists a 
 31.27  dependent to improve knowledge of core curriculum areas or to 
 31.28  expand knowledge and skills under the graduation rule under 
 31.29  section 120B.02 and that do not include the teaching of 
 31.30  religious tenets, doctrines, or worship, the purpose of which is 
 31.31  to instill such tenets, doctrines, or worship; 
 31.32     (2) expenses for textbooks, including books and other 
 31.33  instructional materials and equipment used in elementary and 
 31.34  secondary schools in teaching only those subjects legally and 
 31.35  commonly taught in public elementary and secondary schools in 
 31.36  this state.  "Textbooks" does not include instructional books 
 32.1   and materials used in the teaching of religious tenets, 
 32.2   doctrines, or worship, the purpose of which is to instill such 
 32.3   tenets, doctrines, or worship, nor does it include books or 
 32.4   materials for extracurricular activities including sporting 
 32.5   events, musical or dramatic events, speech activities, driver's 
 32.6   education, or similar programs; 
 32.7      (3) a maximum expense of $200 per family for personal 
 32.8   computer hardware, excluding single purpose processors, and 
 32.9   educational software that assists a dependent to improve 
 32.10  knowledge of core curriculum areas or to expand knowledge and 
 32.11  skills under the graduation rule under section 120B.02 purchased 
 32.12  for use in the taxpayer's home and not used in a trade or 
 32.13  business regardless of whether the computer is required by the 
 32.14  dependent's school; and 
 32.15     (4) the amount paid to others for transportation of a 
 32.16  dependent qualifying child attending an elementary or secondary 
 32.17  school situated in Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa, 
 32.18  or Wisconsin, wherein a resident of this state may legally 
 32.19  fulfill the state's compulsory attendance laws, which is not 
 32.20  operated for profit, and which adheres to the provisions of the 
 32.21  Civil Rights Act of 1964 and chapter 363. 
 32.22     For purposes of this section, "qualifying child" has the 
 32.23  meaning given in section 32(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. 
 32.24     Sec. 16.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 290.0674, 
 32.25  subdivision 2, is amended to read: 
 32.26     Subd. 2.  [LIMITATIONS.] (a) For claimants with income not 
 32.27  greater than $33,500, the maximum credit allowed is $1,000 per 
 32.28  qualifying child and $2,000 per family.  No credit is allowed 
 32.29  for education-related expenses for claimants with income greater 
 32.30  than $33,500 $37,500.  The maximum credit per child is reduced 
 32.31  by $1 for each $4 of household income over $33,500, and the 
 32.32  maximum credit per family is reduced by $2 for each $4 of 
 32.33  household income over $33,500, but in no case is the credit less 
 32.34  than zero. 
 32.35     For purposes of this section "income" has the meaning given 
 32.36  in section 290.067, subdivision 2a.  In the case of a married 
 33.1   claimant, a credit is not allowed unless a joint income tax 
 33.2   return is filed. 
 33.3      (b) For a nonresident or part-year resident, the credit 
 33.4   determined under subdivision 1 and the maximum credit amount in 
 33.5   paragraph (a) must be allocated using the percentage calculated 
 33.6   in section 290.06, subdivision 2c, paragraph (e). 
 33.7      Sec. 17.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 290.091, 
 33.8   subdivision 1, is amended to read: 
 33.9      Subdivision 1.  [IMPOSITION OF TAX.] In addition to all 
 33.10  other taxes imposed by this chapter a tax is imposed on 
 33.11  individuals, estates, and trusts equal to the excess (if any) of 
 33.12     (a) an amount equal to seven 6.5 percent of alternative 
 33.13  minimum taxable income after subtracting the exemption amount, 
 33.14  over 
 33.15     (b) the regular tax for the taxable year. 
 33.16     Sec. 18.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 290.091, 
 33.17  subdivision 2, is amended to read: 
 33.18     Subd. 2.  [DEFINITIONS.] For purposes of the tax imposed by 
 33.19  this section, the following terms have the meanings given: 
 33.20     (a) "Alternative minimum taxable income" means the sum of 
 33.21  the following for the taxable year: 
 33.22     (1) the taxpayer's federal alternative minimum taxable 
 33.23  income as defined in section 55(b)(2) of the Internal Revenue 
 33.24  Code; 
 33.25     (2) the taxpayer's itemized deductions allowed in computing 
 33.26  federal alternative minimum taxable income, but excluding: 
 33.27     (i) the Minnesota charitable contribution deduction; 
 33.28     (ii) the medical expense deduction; 
 33.29     (iii) the casualty, theft, and disaster loss deduction; and 
 33.30     (iv) the impairment-related work expenses of a disabled 
 33.31  person; and 
 33.32     (v) holocaust victims' settlement payments to the extent 
 33.33  allowed under section 290.01, subdivision 19b; and 
 33.34     (3) for depletion allowances computed under section 613A(c) 
 33.35  of the Internal Revenue Code, with respect to each property (as 
 33.36  defined in section 614 of the Internal Revenue Code), to the 
 34.1   extent not included in federal alternative minimum taxable 
 34.2   income, the excess of the deduction for depletion allowable 
 34.3   under section 611 of the Internal Revenue Code for the taxable 
 34.4   year over the adjusted basis of the property at the end of the 
 34.5   taxable year (determined without regard to the depletion 
 34.6   deduction for the taxable year); 
 34.7      (4) to the extent not included in federal alternative 
 34.8   minimum taxable income, the amount of the tax preference for 
 34.9   intangible drilling cost under section 57(a)(2) of the Internal 
 34.10  Revenue Code determined without regard to subparagraph (E); 
 34.11     (5) to the extent not included in federal alternative 
 34.12  minimum taxable income, the amount of interest income as 
 34.13  provided by section 290.01, subdivision 19a, clause (1); 
 34.14     (6) amounts added to federal taxable income as provided by 
 34.15  section 290.01, subdivision 19a, clauses (5), (6), and (7); 
 34.16     less the sum of the amounts determined under the following 
 34.17  clauses (1) to (4) (3): 
 34.18     (1) interest income as defined in section 290.01, 
 34.19  subdivision 19b, clause (1); 
 34.20     (2) an overpayment of state income tax as provided by 
 34.21  section 290.01, subdivision 19b, clause (2), to the extent 
 34.22  included in federal alternative minimum taxable income; and 
 34.23     (3) the amount of investment interest paid or accrued 
 34.24  within the taxable year on indebtedness to the extent that the 
 34.25  amount does not exceed net investment income, as defined in 
 34.26  section 163(d)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code.  Interest does 
 34.27  not include amounts deducted in computing federal adjusted gross 
 34.28  income; and. 
 34.29     (4) amounts subtracted from federal taxable income as 
 34.30  provided by section 290.01, subdivision 19b, clauses (11) and 
 34.31  (12). 
 34.32     In the case of an estate or trust, alternative minimum 
 34.33  taxable income must be computed as provided in section 59(c) of 
 34.34  the Internal Revenue Code. 
 34.35     (b) "Investment interest" means investment interest as 
 34.36  defined in section 163(d)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. 
 35.1      (c) "Tentative minimum tax" equals seven 6.5 percent of 
 35.2   alternative minimum taxable income after subtracting the 
 35.3   exemption amount determined under subdivision 3. 
 35.4      (d) "Regular tax" means the tax that would be imposed under 
 35.5   this chapter (without regard to this section and section 
 35.6   290.032), reduced by the sum of the nonrefundable credits 
 35.7   allowed under this chapter.  
 35.8      (e) "Net minimum tax" means the minimum tax imposed by this 
 35.9   section. 
 35.10     (f) "Minnesota charitable contribution deduction" means a 
 35.11  charitable contribution deduction under section 170 of the 
 35.12  Internal Revenue Code to or for the use of an entity described 
 35.13  in section 290.21, subdivision 3, clauses (a) to (e).  When the 
 35.14  federal deduction for charitable contributions is limited under 
 35.15  section 170(b) of the Internal Revenue Code, the allowable 
 35.16  contributions in the year of contribution are deemed to be first 
 35.17  contributions to entities described in section 290.21, 
 35.18  subdivision 3, clauses (a) to (e). 
 35.19     Sec. 19.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 290.091, 
 35.20  subdivision 6, is amended to read: 
 35.21     Subd. 6.  [CREDIT FOR PRIOR YEARS' LIABILITY.] (a) A credit 
 35.22  is allowed against the tax imposed by this chapter on 
 35.23  individuals, trusts, and estates equal to the minimum tax credit 
 35.24  for the taxable year.  The minimum tax credit equals the 
 35.25  adjusted net minimum tax for taxable years beginning after 
 35.26  December 31, 1988, reduced by the minimum tax credits allowed in 
 35.27  a prior taxable year.  The credit may not exceed the excess (if 
 35.28  any) for the taxable year of 
 35.29     (1) the regular tax, over 
 35.30     (2) the greater of (i) the tentative alternative minimum 
 35.31  tax, or (ii) zero. 
 35.32     (b) The adjusted net minimum tax for a taxable year equals 
 35.33  the lesser of the net minimum tax or the excess (if any) of 
 35.34     (1) the tentative minimum tax, over 
 35.35     (2) seven 6.5 percent of the sum of 
 35.36     (i) adjusted gross income as defined in section 62 of the 
 36.1   Internal Revenue Code, 
 36.2      (ii) interest income as defined in section 290.01, 
 36.3   subdivision 19a, clause (1), 
 36.4      (iii) the amount added to federal taxable income as 
 36.5   provided by section 290.01, subdivision 19a, clauses (5), (6), 
 36.6   and (7), 
 36.7      (iv) interest on specified private activity bonds, as 
 36.8   defined in section 57(a)(5) of the Internal Revenue Code, to the 
 36.9   extent not included under clause (ii), 
 36.10     (v) (iv) depletion as defined in section 57(a)(1), 
 36.11  determined without regard to the last sentence of paragraph (1), 
 36.12  of the Internal Revenue Code, less 
 36.13     (vi) (v) the deductions allowed in computing alternative 
 36.14  minimum taxable income provided in subdivision 2, paragraph (a), 
 36.15  clause (2) of the first series of clauses and clauses (1), 
 36.16  (2), and (3), and (4) of the second series of clauses, and 
 36.17     (vii) (vi) the exemption amount determined under 
 36.18  subdivision 3. 
 36.19     In the case of an individual who is not a Minnesota 
 36.20  resident for the entire year, adjusted net minimum tax must be 
 36.21  multiplied by the fraction defined in section 290.06, 
 36.22  subdivision 2c, paragraph (e).  In the case of a trust or 
 36.23  estate, adjusted net minimum tax must be multiplied by the 
 36.24  fraction defined under subdivision 4, paragraph (b). 
 36.25     Sec. 20.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 290.0921, 
 36.26  subdivision 5, is amended to read: 
 36.27     Subd. 5.  [CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTIONS.] (a) A deduction from 
 36.28  alternative minimum taxable net income is allowed equal to 
 36.29  the contributions subject to the deduction for charitable 
 36.30  contributions under section 290.21, subdivision 3, without 
 36.31  application of the limitation in section 290.21, subdivision 3.  
 36.32  The deduction allowable for capital gain property is limited to 
 36.33  the adjusted basis of the property as defined in section 290.01, 
 36.34  subdivision 19f.  The term capital gain property has the meaning 
 36.35  given by section 170(b)(1)(C)(iv) of the Internal Revenue Code, 
 36.36  but does not include property to which an election under section 
 37.1   170(b)(1)(C)(iii) of the Internal Revenue Code applies. 
 37.2      (b) The amount of the deduction may not exceed 15 percent 
 37.3   of alternative minimum taxable net income less the deduction 
 37.4   allowed under subdivision 6. 
 37.5      Sec. 21.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 290.095, 
 37.6   subdivision 3, is amended to read: 
 37.7      Subd. 3.  [CARRYOVER.] (a) A net operating loss incurred in 
 37.8   a taxable year:  (i) beginning after December 31, 1986, shall be 
 37.9   a net operating loss carryover to each of the 15 taxable years 
 37.10  following the taxable year of such loss; (ii) beginning before 
 37.11  January 1, 1987, shall be a net operating loss carryover to each 
 37.12  of the five taxable years following the taxable year of such 
 37.13  loss subject to the provisions of Minnesota Statutes 1986, 
 37.14  section 290.095; and (iii) beginning before January 1, 1987, 
 37.15  shall be a net operating loss carryback to each of the three 
 37.16  taxable years preceding the loss year subject to the provisions 
 37.17  of Minnesota Statutes 1986, section 290.095. 
 37.18     (b) The entire amount of the net operating loss for any 
 37.19  taxable year shall be carried to the earliest of the taxable 
 37.20  years to which such loss may be carried.  The portion of such 
 37.21  loss which shall be carried to each of the other taxable years 
 37.22  shall be the excess, if any, of the amount of such loss over the 
 37.23  sum of the taxable net income, adjusted by the modifications 
 37.24  specified in subdivision 4, for each of the taxable years to 
 37.25  which such loss may be carried. 
 37.26     (c) Where a corporation does business both within and 
 37.27  without Minnesota, and apportions its income under the 
 37.28  provisions of section 290.191, the net operating loss deduction 
 37.29  incurred in any taxable year shall be allowed to the extent of 
 37.30  the apportionment ratio of the loss year. 
 37.31     (d) The provisions of sections 381, 382, and 384 of the 
 37.32  Internal Revenue Code apply to carryovers in certain corporate 
 37.33  acquisitions and special limitations on net operating loss 
 37.34  carryovers.  The limitation amount determined under section 382 
 37.35  shall be applied to net income, before apportionment, in each 
 37.36  post change year to which a loss is carried. 
 38.1      Sec. 22.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 290.17, 
 38.2   subdivision 3, is amended to read: 
 38.3      Subd. 3.  [TRADE OR BUSINESS INCOME; GENERAL RULE.] All 
 38.4   income of a unitary business is subject to apportionment except 
 38.5   nonbusiness income.  Income derived from carrying on a trade or 
 38.6   a unitary business must be assigned to this state if the trade 
 38.7   or unitary business is conducted wholly within this state, 
 38.8   assigned outside this state if conducted wholly without this 
 38.9   state and apportioned between this state and other states and 
 38.10  countries under this subdivision if conducted partly within and 
 38.11  partly without this state.  For purposes of determining whether 
 38.12  a trade or unitary business is carried on exclusively within or 
 38.13  without this state:  
 38.14     (a) A trade or unitary business physically located 
 38.15  exclusively within this state is nevertheless carried on partly 
 38.16  within and partly without this state if any of the principles 
 38.17  set forth in section 290.191 for the allocation of sales or 
 38.18  receipts within or without this state when applied to the 
 38.19  taxpayer's situation result in the allocation of any sales or 
 38.20  receipts without this state.  
 38.21     (b) A trade or unitary business physically located 
 38.22  exclusively without this state is nevertheless carried on partly 
 38.23  within and partly without this state if any of the principles 
 38.24  set forth in section 290.191 for the allocation of sales or 
 38.25  receipts within or without this state when applied to the 
 38.26  taxpayer's situation result in the allocation of any sales or 
 38.27  receipts without this state.  The jurisdiction to tax such a 
 38.28  business under this chapter must be determined in accordance 
 38.29  with sections 290.014 and 290.015. 
 38.30     Sec. 23.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 290.17, 
 38.31  subdivision 4, is amended to read: 
 38.32     Subd. 4.  [UNITARY BUSINESS PRINCIPLE.] (a) If a trade or 
 38.33  business conducted wholly within this state or partly within and 
 38.34  partly without this state is part of a unitary business, the 
 38.35  entire income of the unitary business is subject to 
 38.36  apportionment pursuant to section 290.191.  Notwithstanding 
 39.1   subdivision 2, paragraph (c), none of the income of a unitary 
 39.2   business is considered to be derived from any particular source 
 39.3   and none may be allocated to a particular place except as 
 39.4   provided by the applicable apportionment formula.  The 
 39.5   provisions of this subdivision do not apply to farm income 
 39.6   subject to subdivision 5, paragraph (a), business income subject 
 39.7   to subdivision 5, paragraph (b) or (c), income of an insurance 
 39.8   company determined under section 290.35, or income of an 
 39.9   investment company determined under section 290.36. 
 39.10     (b) The term "unitary business" means business activities 
 39.11  or operations which are of mutual benefit, dependent upon, or 
 39.12  contributory to one another, individually or as a group result 
 39.13  in a flow of value between them.  The term may be applied within 
 39.14  a single legal entity or between multiple entities and without 
 39.15  regard to whether each entity is a sole proprietorship, a 
 39.16  corporation, a partnership or a trust.  
 39.17     (c) Unity is presumed whenever there is unity of ownership, 
 39.18  operation, and use, evidenced by centralized management or 
 39.19  executive force, centralized purchasing, advertising, 
 39.20  accounting, or other controlled interaction, but the absence of 
 39.21  these centralized activities will not necessarily evidence a 
 39.22  nonunitary business.  Unity is also presumed when business 
 39.23  activities or operations are of mutual benefit, dependent upon 
 39.24  or contributory to one another, either individually or as a 
 39.25  group. 
 39.26     (d) Where a business operation conducted in Minnesota is 
 39.27  owned by a business entity that carries on business activity 
 39.28  outside the state different in kind from that conducted within 
 39.29  this state, and the other business is conducted entirely outside 
 39.30  the state, it is presumed that the two business operations are 
 39.31  unitary in nature, interrelated, connected, and interdependent 
 39.32  unless it can be shown to the contrary.  
 39.33     (e) Unity of ownership is not deemed to exist when a 
 39.34  corporation is involved unless that corporation is a member of a 
 39.35  group of two or more business entities and more than 50 percent 
 39.36  of the voting stock of each member of the group is directly or 
 40.1   indirectly owned by a common owner or by common owners, either 
 40.2   corporate or noncorporate, or by one or more of the member 
 40.3   corporations of the group.  For this purpose, the term "voting 
 40.4   stock" shall include membership interests of mutual insurance 
 40.5   holding companies formed under section 60A.077.  
 40.6      (f) The net income and apportionment factors under section 
 40.7   290.191 or 290.20 of foreign corporations and other foreign 
 40.8   entities which are part of a unitary business shall not be 
 40.9   included in the net income or the apportionment factors of the 
 40.10  unitary business.  A foreign corporation or other foreign entity 
 40.11  which is required to file a return under this chapter shall file 
 40.12  on a separate return basis.  The net income and apportionment 
 40.13  factors under section 290.191 or 290.20 of foreign operating 
 40.14  corporations shall not be included in the net income or the 
 40.15  apportionment factors of the unitary business except as provided 
 40.16  in paragraph (g). 
 40.17     (g) The adjusted net income of a foreign operating 
 40.18  corporation shall be deemed to be paid as a dividend on the last 
 40.19  day of its taxable year to each shareholder thereof, in 
 40.20  proportion to each shareholder's ownership, with which such 
 40.21  corporation is engaged in a unitary business.  Such deemed 
 40.22  dividend shall be treated as a dividend under section 290.21, 
 40.23  subdivision 4. 
 40.24     Dividends actually paid by a foreign operating corporation 
 40.25  to a corporate shareholder which is a member of the same unitary 
 40.26  business as the foreign operating corporation shall be 
 40.27  eliminated from the net income of the unitary business in 
 40.28  preparing a combined report for the unitary business.  The 
 40.29  adjusted net income of a foreign operating corporation shall be 
 40.30  its net income adjusted as follows: 
 40.31     (1) any taxes paid or accrued to a foreign country, the 
 40.32  commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or a United States possession or 
 40.33  political subdivision of any of the foregoing shall be a 
 40.34  deduction; and 
 40.35     (2) the subtraction from federal taxable income for 
 40.36  payments received from foreign corporations or foreign operating 
 41.1   corporations under section 290.01, subdivision 19d, clause (11), 
 41.2   shall not be allowed. 
 41.3      If a foreign operating corporation incurs a net loss, 
 41.4   neither income nor deduction from that corporation shall be 
 41.5   included in determining the net income of the unitary business. 
 41.6      (h) For purposes of determining the net income of a unitary 
 41.7   business and the factors to be used in the apportionment of net 
 41.8   income pursuant to section 290.191 or 290.20, there must be 
 41.9   included only the income and apportionment factors of domestic 
 41.10  corporations or other domestic entities other than foreign 
 41.11  operating corporations that are determined to be part of the 
 41.12  unitary business pursuant to this subdivision, notwithstanding 
 41.13  that foreign corporations or other foreign entities might be 
 41.14  included in the unitary business.  
 41.15     (i) Deductions for expenses, interest, or taxes otherwise 
 41.16  allowable under this chapter that are connected with or 
 41.17  allocable against dividends, deemed dividends described in 
 41.18  paragraph (g), or royalties, fees, or other like income 
 41.19  described in section 290.01, subdivision 19d, clause (11), shall 
 41.20  not be disallowed. 
 41.21     (j) Each corporation or other entity, except a sole 
 41.22  proprietorship, that is part of a unitary business must file 
 41.23  combined reports as the commissioner determines.  On the 
 41.24  reports, all intercompany transactions between entities included 
 41.25  pursuant to paragraph (h) must be eliminated and the entire net 
 41.26  income of the unitary business determined in accordance with 
 41.27  this subdivision is apportioned among the entities by using each 
 41.28  entity's Minnesota factors for apportionment purposes in the 
 41.29  numerators of the apportionment formula and the total factors 
 41.30  for apportionment purposes of all entities included pursuant to 
 41.31  paragraph (h) in the denominators of the apportionment formula. 
 41.32     (k) If a corporation has been divested from a unitary 
 41.33  business and is included in a combined report for a fractional 
 41.34  part of the common accounting period of the combined report:  
 41.35     (1) its income includable in the combined report is its 
 41.36  income incurred for that part of the year determined by 
 42.1   proration or separate accounting; and 
 42.2      (2) its sales, property, and payroll included in the 
 42.3   apportionment formula must be prorated or accounted for 
 42.4   separately. 
 42.5      Sec. 24.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 290.17, 
 42.6   subdivision 6, is amended to read: 
 42.7      Subd. 6.  [NONBUSINESS INCOME.] For a trade or business for 
 42.8   which allocation of income within and without this state is 
 42.9   required, if the taxpayer has any income not connected with the 
 42.10  trade or business carried on partly within and partly without 
 42.11  this state that income must be allocated under subdivision 2.  
 42.12  Intangible property is employed in a trade or business if the 
 42.13  owner of the property holds it as a means of furthering the 
 42.14  trade or business. (a) Nonbusiness income is income of the 
 42.15  unitary business that cannot be apportioned by this state 
 42.16  because of the United States Constitution or the constitution of 
 42.17  the state of Minnesota and includes income that cannot 
 42.18  constitutionally be apportioned to this state and is derived 
 42.19  from a capital transaction that solely serves an investment 
 42.20  function.  Nonbusiness income must be allocated under 
 42.21  subdivision 2. 
 42.22     (b) A taxpayer may elect that all income, whether or not 
 42.23  connected with the trade or business carried on partly within 
 42.24  and partly without this state, is business income apportionable 
 42.25  under subdivision 3 and is not subject to paragraph (a) and 
 42.26  subdivision 2.  The election is effective and irrevocable for 
 42.27  the following ten taxable years after the taxable year in which 
 42.28  the election is made.  The election is binding on all members of 
 42.29  a unitary business. 
 42.30     Sec. 25.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 290.191, 
 42.31  subdivision 2, is amended to read: 
 42.32     Subd. 2.  [APPORTIONMENT FORMULA OF GENERAL APPLICATION.] 
 42.33  Except for those trades or businesses required to use a 
 42.34  different formula under subdivision 3 or section 290.35 or 
 42.35  290.36, and for those trades or businesses that receive 
 42.36  permission to use some other method under section 290.20 or 
 43.1   under subdivision 4, a trade or business required to apportion 
 43.2   its net income must apportion its income to this state on the 
 43.3   basis of the percentage obtained by taking the sum of:  
 43.4      (1) 70 80 percent of the percentage which the sales made 
 43.5   within this state in connection with the trade or business 
 43.6   during the tax period are of the total sales wherever made in 
 43.7   connection with the trade or business during the tax period; 
 43.8      (2) 15 10 percent of the percentage which the total 
 43.9   tangible property used by the taxpayer in this state in 
 43.10  connection with the trade or business during the tax period is 
 43.11  of the total tangible property, wherever located, used by the 
 43.12  taxpayer in connection with the trade or business during the tax 
 43.13  period; and 
 43.14     (3) 15 10 percent of the percentage which the taxpayer's 
 43.15  total payrolls paid or incurred in this state or paid in respect 
 43.16  to labor performed in this state in connection with the trade or 
 43.17  business during the tax period are of the taxpayer's total 
 43.18  payrolls paid or incurred in connection with the trade or 
 43.19  business during the tax period.  
 43.20     Sec. 26.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 290.191, 
 43.21  subdivision 3, is amended to read: 
 43.22     Subd. 3.  [APPORTIONMENT FORMULA FOR FINANCIAL 
 43.23  INSTITUTIONS.] Except for an investment company required to 
 43.24  apportion its income under section 290.36, a financial 
 43.25  institution that is required to apportion its net income must 
 43.26  apportion its net income to this state on the basis of the 
 43.27  percentage obtained by taking the sum of:  
 43.28     (1) 70 80 percent of the percentage which the receipts from 
 43.29  within this state in connection with the trade or business 
 43.30  during the tax period are of the total receipts in connection 
 43.31  with the trade or business during the tax period, from wherever 
 43.32  derived; 
 43.33     (2) 15 10 percent of the percentage which the sum of the 
 43.34  total tangible property used by the taxpayer in this state and 
 43.35  the intangible property owned by the taxpayer and attributed to 
 43.36  this state in connection with the trade or business during the 
 44.1   tax period is of the sum of the total tangible property, 
 44.2   wherever located, used by the taxpayer and the intangible 
 44.3   property owned by the taxpayer and attributed to all states in 
 44.4   connection with the trade or business during the tax period; and 
 44.5      (3) 15 10 percent of the percentage which the taxpayer's 
 44.6   total payrolls paid or incurred in this state or paid in respect 
 44.7   to labor performed in this state in connection with the trade or 
 44.8   business during the tax period are of the taxpayer's total 
 44.9   payrolls paid or incurred in connection with the trade or 
 44.10  business during the tax period. 
 44.11     Sec. 27.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 290.9725, is 
 44.12  amended to read: 
 44.13     290.9725 [S CORPORATION.] 
 44.14     For purposes of this chapter, the term "S corporation" 
 44.15  means any corporation having a valid election in effect for the 
 44.16  taxable year under section 1362 of the Internal Revenue Code, 
 44.17  except that a corporation which either: 
 44.18     (1) is a financial institution to which either section 585 
 44.19  or section 593 of the Internal Revenue Code applies; or 
 44.20     (2) has a wholly owned subsidiary as described in section 
 44.21  1361(b)(3)(B) of the Internal Revenue Code which is a financial 
 44.22  institution as described above 
 44.23  is not an "S" corporation for the purposes of this chapter.  An 
 44.24  S corporation shall not be subject to the taxes imposed by this 
 44.25  chapter, except:  
 44.26     (1) the taxes imposed under sections 290.0922, 290.92, 
 44.27  290.9727, 290.9728, and 290.9729; and 
 44.28     (2) the tax under sections 290.06, subdivision 1, and 
 44.29  290.0921 apply to a financial institution to which either 
 44.30  section 585 or 593 of the Internal Revenue Code applies or that 
 44.31  has a wholly owned subsidiary as described in section 
 44.32  1361(b)(3)(B) of the Internal Revenue Code which is a financial 
 44.33  institution under section 585 or 593 of the Internal Revenue 
 44.34  Code. 
 44.35     Sec. 28.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 290.9726, is 
 44.36  amended by adding a subdivision to read: 
 45.1      Subd. 7.  [FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS.] An S corporation that 
 45.2   is subject to the tax under section 290.9725, clause (2), must 
 45.3   report to each shareholder an apportionment of the S 
 45.4   corporation's tax obligation for the taxable year for purposes 
 45.5   of the credit under section 290.06, subdivision 26.  The 
 45.6   apportionment to a shareholder must be made in proportion to the 
 45.7   amount of taxable income of the S corporation apportioned to the 
 45.8   shareholder. 
 45.9      Sec. 29.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 290A.03, 
 45.10  subdivision 3, is amended to read: 
 45.11     Subd. 3.  [INCOME.] (1) "Income" means the sum of the 
 45.12  following:  
 45.13     (a) federal adjusted gross income as defined in the 
 45.14  Internal Revenue Code; and 
 45.15     (b) the sum of the following amounts to the extent not 
 45.16  included in clause (a):  
 45.17     (i) all nontaxable income; 
 45.18     (ii) the amount of a passive activity loss that is not 
 45.19  disallowed as a result of section 469, paragraph (i) or (m) of 
 45.20  the Internal Revenue Code and the amount of passive activity 
 45.21  loss carryover allowed under section 469(b) of the Internal 
 45.22  Revenue Code; 
 45.23     (iii) an amount equal to the total of any discharge of 
 45.24  qualified farm indebtedness of a solvent individual excluded 
 45.25  from gross income under section 108(g) of the Internal Revenue 
 45.26  Code; 
 45.27     (iv) cash public assistance and relief; 
 45.28     (v) any pension or annuity (including railroad retirement 
 45.29  benefits, all payments received under the federal Social 
 45.30  Security Act, supplemental security income, and veterans 
 45.31  benefits), which was not exclusively funded by the claimant or 
 45.32  spouse, or which was funded exclusively by the claimant or 
 45.33  spouse and which funding payments were excluded from federal 
 45.34  adjusted gross income in the years when the payments were made; 
 45.35     (vi) interest received from the federal or a state 
 45.36  government or any instrumentality or political subdivision 
 46.1   thereof; 
 46.2      (vii) workers' compensation; 
 46.3      (viii) nontaxable strike benefits; 
 46.4      (ix) the gross amounts of payments received in the nature 
 46.5   of disability income or sick pay as a result of accident, 
 46.6   sickness, or other disability, whether funded through insurance 
 46.7   or otherwise; 
 46.8      (x) a lump sum distribution under section 402(e)(3) of the 
 46.9   Internal Revenue Code; 
 46.10     (xi) contributions made by the claimant to an individual 
 46.11  retirement account, including a qualified voluntary employee 
 46.12  contribution; simplified employee pension plan; self-employed 
 46.13  retirement plan; cash or deferred arrangement plan under section 
 46.14  401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code; or deferred compensation 
 46.15  plan under section 457 of the Internal Revenue Code; and 
 46.16     (xii) nontaxable scholarship or fellowship grants.  
 46.17     In the case of an individual who files an income tax return 
 46.18  on a fiscal year basis, the term "federal adjusted gross income" 
 46.19  shall mean federal adjusted gross income reflected in the fiscal 
 46.20  year ending in the calendar year.  Federal adjusted gross income 
 46.21  shall not be reduced by the amount of a net operating loss 
 46.22  carryback or carryforward or a capital loss carryback or 
 46.23  carryforward allowed for the year.  
 46.24     (2) "Income" does not include:  
 46.25     (a) amounts excluded pursuant to the Internal Revenue Code, 
 46.26  sections 101(a) and 102; 
 46.27     (b) amounts of any pension or annuity which was exclusively 
 46.28  funded by the claimant or spouse and which funding payments were 
 46.29  not excluded from federal adjusted gross income in the years 
 46.30  when the payments were made; 
 46.31     (c) surplus food or other relief in kind supplied by a 
 46.32  governmental agency; 
 46.33     (d) relief granted under this chapter; or 
 46.34     (e) child support payments received under a temporary or 
 46.35  final decree of dissolution or legal separation; or 
 46.36     (f) holocaust settlement payments as defined in section 
 47.1   290.01, subdivision 32.  
 47.2      (3) The sum of the following amounts may be subtracted from 
 47.3   income:  
 47.4      (a) for the claimant's first dependent, the exemption 
 47.5   amount multiplied by 1.4; 
 47.6      (b) for the claimant's second dependent, the exemption 
 47.7   amount multiplied by 1.3; 
 47.8      (c) for the claimant's third dependent, the exemption 
 47.9   amount multiplied by 1.2; 
 47.10     (d) for the claimant's fourth dependent, the exemption 
 47.11  amount multiplied by 1.1; 
 47.12     (e) for the claimant's fifth dependent, the exemption 
 47.13  amount; and 
 47.14     (f) if the claimant or claimant's spouse was disabled or 
 47.15  attained the age of 65 on or before December 31 of the year for 
 47.16  which the taxes were levied or rent paid, the exemption amount.  
 47.17     For purposes of this subdivision, the "exemption amount" 
 47.18  means the exemption amount under section 151(d) of the Internal 
 47.19  Revenue Code for the taxable year for which the income is 
 47.20  reported.  
 47.21     (4) Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, for 
 47.22  purposes of determining eligibility, levels of assistance, and 
 47.23  participant payments or fees for state programs other than those 
 47.24  in chapter 518, "income" does not include holocaust settlement 
 47.25  payments as defined in section 290.01, subdivision 32.  For 
 47.26  purposes of determining fees under section 256E.08, subdivision 
 47.27  6, counties must exclude holocaust settlement payments, as 
 47.28  defined in section 290.01, subdivision 32, from income. 
 47.29     Sec. 30.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 290A.03, 
 47.30  subdivision 15, is amended to read: 
 47.31     Subd. 15.  [INTERNAL REVENUE CODE.] "Internal Revenue Code" 
 47.32  means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended through 
 47.33  December 31, 1997 1998. 
 47.34     Sec. 31.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 291.005, 
 47.35  subdivision 1, is amended to read: 
 47.36     Subdivision 1.  Unless the context otherwise clearly 
 48.1   requires, the following terms used in this chapter shall have 
 48.2   the following meanings: 
 48.3      (1) "Federal gross estate" means the gross estate of a 
 48.4   decedent as valued and otherwise determined for federal estate 
 48.5   tax purposes by federal taxing authorities pursuant to the 
 48.6   provisions of the Internal Revenue Code. 
 48.7      (2) "Minnesota gross estate" means the federal gross estate 
 48.8   of a decedent after (a) excluding therefrom any property 
 48.9   included therein which has its situs outside Minnesota and (b) 
 48.10  including therein any property omitted from the federal gross 
 48.11  estate which is includable therein, has its situs in Minnesota, 
 48.12  and was not disclosed to federal taxing authorities.  
 48.13     (3) "Personal representative" means the executor, 
 48.14  administrator or other person appointed by the court to 
 48.15  administer and dispose of the property of the decedent.  If 
 48.16  there is no executor, administrator or other person appointed, 
 48.17  qualified, and acting within this state, then any person in 
 48.18  actual or constructive possession of any property having a situs 
 48.19  in this state which is included in the federal gross estate of 
 48.20  the decedent shall be deemed to be a personal representative to 
 48.21  the extent of the property and the Minnesota estate tax due with 
 48.22  respect to the property. 
 48.23     (4) "Resident decedent" means an individual whose domicile 
 48.24  at the time of death was in Minnesota. 
 48.25     (5) "Nonresident decedent" means an individual whose 
 48.26  domicile at the time of death was not in Minnesota. 
 48.27     (6) "Situs of property" means, with respect to real 
 48.28  property, the state or country in which it is located; with 
 48.29  respect to tangible personal property, the state or country in 
 48.30  which it was normally kept or located at the time of the 
 48.31  decedent's death; and with respect to intangible personal 
 48.32  property, the state or country in which the decedent was 
 48.33  domiciled at death. 
 48.34     (7) "Commissioner" means the commissioner of revenue or any 
 48.35  person to whom the commissioner has delegated functions under 
 48.36  this chapter. 
 49.1      (8) "Internal Revenue Code" means the United States 
 49.2   Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended through December 31, 
 49.3   1997 1998. 
 49.4      Sec. 32.  [NONBUSINESS INCOME; PRE-1999 TAX YEARS.] 
 49.5      If all items of income, gain, or loss are reported by a 
 49.6   taxpayer as business income or loss on an original or amended 
 49.7   return for a tax year to which this section applies, the 
 49.8   commissioner of revenue shall not adjust the tax liability for 
 49.9   that tax year, or for any other tax year affected by a carryover 
 49.10  from that tax year, by treating any of the items as nonbusiness 
 49.11  income or loss under Minnesota Statutes, section 290.17, 
 49.12  subdivision 6.  Any adjustment treating an item as nonbusiness 
 49.13  income or loss ordered by the commissioner before the effective 
 49.14  date of this section must be reversed if the order is subject to 
 49.15  administrative or judicial challenge on the effective date and 
 49.16  such a challenge is timely filed.  The reporting of any item as 
 49.17  nonbusiness income, gain, or loss does not preclude the 
 49.18  application of this section if the taxpayer may not 
 49.19  constitutionally be required to treat the item as business 
 49.20  income, gain, or loss. 
 49.21     Sec. 33.  [BANK S CORPORATION SHAREHOLDERS; ALTERNATIVE 
 49.22  MINIMUM TAX.] 
 49.23     For taxable years beginning after December 31, 1997, and 
 49.24  before January 1, 1999, a taxpayer is allowed a deduction in 
 49.25  computing alternative minimum taxable income under Minnesota 
 49.26  Statutes 1998, section 290.091, subdivision 2, paragraph (a), 
 49.27  equal to the amount of the subtraction under Minnesota Statutes 
 49.28  1998, section 290.01, subdivision 19b, clause (13). 
 49.29     Sec. 34.  [APPROPRIATION.] 
 49.30     (a) $50,000 is appropriated from the general fund to the 
 49.31  commissioner of revenue to make grants to one or more nonprofit 
 49.32  organizations, qualifying under section 501(c)(3) of the 
 49.33  Internal Revenue Code of 1986, to coordinate, facilitate, 
 49.34  encourage, and aid in the provision of taxpayer assistance 
 49.35  services.  In making grants under this appropriation, the 
 49.36  commissioner shall give preference to organizations that will 
 50.1   use the grants to attract new and train new and existing 
 50.2   volunteers to provide taxpayer assistance.  This appropriation 
 50.3   is available for fiscal years 1999 and 2000. 
 50.4      (b) "Taxpayer assistance services" means accounting and tax 
 50.5   preparation services provided by volunteers to low-income and 
 50.6   disadvantaged Minnesota residents to help them file federal and 
 50.7   state income tax returns and Minnesota property tax refund 
 50.8   claims and to provide personal representation before the 
 50.9   department of revenue and the Internal Revenue Service. 
 50.10     Sec. 35.  [EFFECTIVE DATE.] 
 50.11     (a) Sections 1, 7, 30, and 31 are effective at the same 
 50.12  time federal changes made by the Internal Revenue Service 
 50.13  Restructuring and Reform Act of 1998, Public Law Number 105-206, 
 50.14  and the Omnibus Consolidation and Emergency Supplemental 
 50.15  Appropriations Act, 1999, Public Law Number 105-277, which are 
 50.16  incorporated into Minnesota Statutes, chapters 289A, 290, 290A, 
 50.17  and 291 by these sections become effective for federal tax 
 50.18  purposes.  
 50.19     (b) Section 2 is intended to clarify rather than to change 
 50.20  the definition of resident and is effective for all 
 50.21  examinations, claims for refund, administrative appeals, and 
 50.22  court proceedings that are pending or begin on or after the day 
 50.23  following final enactment. 
 50.24     (c) Sections 4 to 6, 8 to 12, 14 to 19, 22, 23, the changes 
 50.25  to clauses (b), (c), and (j), and 24 to 29 are effective for tax 
 50.26  years beginning after December 31, 1998.  
 50.27     (d) Section 13 is effective for tax years beginning after 
 50.28  December 31, 1997.  
 50.29     (e) Sections 20, 21, and 23, the changes to clause (a), are 
 50.30  effective for tax years beginning on or after the day following 
 50.31  final enactment.  
 50.32     (f) Section 32 is effective on the day after final 
 50.33  enactment and applies to tax years beginning before January 1, 
 50.34  1999. 
 50.35     (g) Section 33 is effective for tax years after December 
 50.36  31, 1997, and beginning before January 1, 1999. 
 51.1      (h) Section 34 is effective the day following final 
 51.2   enactment. 
 51.3                              ARTICLE 3 
 51.4                         SALES AND USE TAXES 
 51.5      Section 1.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 289A.18, 
 51.6   subdivision 4, is amended to read: 
 51.7      Subd. 4.  [SALES AND USE TAX RETURNS.] (a) Sales and use 
 51.8   tax returns must be filed on or before the 20th day of the month 
 51.9   following the close of the preceding reporting period, except 
 51.10  that annual use tax returns provided for under section 289A.11, 
 51.11  subdivision 1, must be filed by April 15 following the close of 
 51.12  the calendar year, in the case of individuals.  Annual use tax 
 51.13  returns of businesses, including sole proprietorships, and 
 51.14  annual sales tax returns must be filed by February 5 following 
 51.15  the close of the calendar year.  
 51.16     (b) Except for the return for the June reporting period, 
 51.17  which is due on the following August 25, returns filed by 
 51.18  retailers required to remit liabilities by means of funds 
 51.19  transfer under section 289A.20, subdivision 4, paragraph (d), 
 51.20  are due on or before the 25th day of the month following the 
 51.21  close of the preceding reporting period.  
 51.22     (c) If a retailer has an average sales and use tax 
 51.23  liability, including local sales and use taxes administered by 
 51.24  the commissioner, equal to or less than $500 per month in any 
 51.25  quarter of a calendar year, and has substantially complied with 
 51.26  the tax laws during the preceding four calendar quarters, the 
 51.27  retailer may request authorization to file and pay the taxes 
 51.28  quarterly in subsequent calendar quarters.  The authorization 
 51.29  remains in effect during the period in which the retailer's 
 51.30  quarterly returns reflect sales and use tax liabilities of less 
 51.31  than $1,500 and there is continued compliance with state tax 
 51.32  laws. 
 51.33     (d) If a retailer has an average sales and use tax 
 51.34  liability, including local sales and use taxes administered by 
 51.35  the commissioner, equal to or less than $100 per month during a 
 51.36  calendar year, and has substantially complied with the tax laws 
 52.1   during that period, the retailer may request authorization to 
 52.2   file and pay the taxes annually in subsequent years.  The 
 52.3   authorization remains in effect during the period in which the 
 52.4   retailer's annual returns reflect sales and use tax liabilities 
 52.5   of less than $1,200 and there is continued compliance with state 
 52.6   tax laws. 
 52.7      (e) The commissioner may also grant quarterly or annual 
 52.8   filing and payment authorizations to retailers if the 
 52.9   commissioner concludes that the retailers' future tax 
 52.10  liabilities will be less than the monthly totals identified in 
 52.11  paragraphs (c) and (d).  An authorization granted under this 
 52.12  paragraph is subject to the same conditions as an authorization 
 52.13  granted under paragraphs (c) and (d). 
 52.14     (f) A taxpayer who is a materials supplier may report gross 
 52.15  receipts either on: 
 52.16     (1) the cash basis as the consideration is received; or 
 52.17     (2) the accrual basis as sales are made.  
 52.18  As used in this paragraph, "materials supplier" means a person 
 52.19  who provides materials for the improvement of real property; who 
 52.20  is primarily engaged in the sale of lumber and building 
 52.21  materials-related products to owners, contractors, 
 52.22  subcontractors, repairers, or consumers; who is authorized to 
 52.23  file a mechanics lien upon real property and improvements under 
 52.24  chapter 514; and who files with the commissioner an election to 
 52.25  file sales and use tax returns on the basis of this paragraph. 
 52.26     Sec. 2.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 289A.20, 
 52.27  subdivision 4, is amended to read: 
 52.28     Subd. 4.  [SALES AND USE TAX.] (a) The taxes imposed by 
 52.29  chapter 297A are due and payable to the commissioner monthly on 
 52.30  or before the 20th day of the month following the month in which 
 52.31  the taxable event occurred, or following another reporting 
 52.32  period as the commissioner prescribes or as allowed under 
 52.33  section 289A.18, subdivision 4, paragraph (f), except that use 
 52.34  taxes due on an annual use tax return as provided under section 
 52.35  289A.11, subdivision 1, are payable by April 15 following the 
 52.36  close of the calendar year. 
 53.1      (b) A vendor having a liability of $120,000 or more during 
 53.2   a fiscal year ending June 30 must remit the June liability for 
 53.3   the next year in the following manner: 
 53.4      (1) Two business days before June 30 of the year, the 
 53.5   vendor must remit 75 percent of the estimated June liability to 
 53.6   the commissioner.  
 53.7      (2) On or before August 14 of the year, the vendor must pay 
 53.8   any additional amount of tax not remitted in June. 
 53.9      (c) A vendor having a liability of $120,000 or more during 
 53.10  a fiscal year ending June 30 must remit all liabilities in the 
 53.11  subsequent calendar year by means of a funds transfer as defined 
 53.12  in section 336.4A-104, paragraph (a).  The funds transfer 
 53.13  payment date, as defined in section 336.4A-401, must be on or 
 53.14  before the 14th day of the month following the month in which 
 53.15  the taxable event occurred, or on or before the 14th day of the 
 53.16  month following the month in which the sale is reported under 
 53.17  section 289A.18, subdivision 4, except for 75 percent of the 
 53.18  estimated June liability, which is due two business days before 
 53.19  June 30.  The remaining amount of the June liability is due on 
 53.20  August 14.  If the date the tax is due is not a funds transfer 
 53.21  business day, as defined in section 336.4A-105, paragraph (a), 
 53.22  clause (4), the payment date must be on or before the funds 
 53.23  transfer business day next following the date the tax is due. 
 53.24     (d) If the vendor required to remit by electronic funds 
 53.25  transfer as provided in paragraph (c) is unable due to 
 53.26  reasonable cause to determine the actual sales and use tax due 
 53.27  on or before the due date for payment, the vendor may remit an 
 53.28  estimate of the tax owed using one of the following options: 
 53.29     (1) 100 percent of the tax reported on the previous month's 
 53.30  sales and use tax return; 
 53.31     (2) 100 percent of the tax reported on the sales and use 
 53.32  tax return for the same month in the previous calendar year; or 
 53.33     (3) 95 percent of the actual tax due. 
 53.34     Any additional amount of tax that is not remitted on or 
 53.35  before the due date for payment, must be remitted with the 
 53.36  return.  If a vendor fails to remit the actual liability or does 
 54.1   not remit using one of the estimate options by the due date for 
 54.2   payment, the vendor must remit actual liability as provided in 
 54.3   paragraph (c) in all subsequent periods.  This paragraph does 
 54.4   not apply to the June sales and use tax liability. 
 54.5      Sec. 3.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 289A.56, 
 54.6   subdivision 4, is amended to read: 
 54.7      Subd. 4.  [CAPITAL EQUIPMENT REFUNDS; REFUNDS TO 
 54.8   PURCHASERS.] Notwithstanding subdivision 3, for refunds payable 
 54.9   under section 297A.15, subdivision 5, interest is computed from 
 54.10  the date the refund claim is filed with the commissioner.  For 
 54.11  refunds payable under section 289A.50, subdivision 2a, interest 
 54.12  is computed from the 20th day of the month following the month 
 54.13  of the invoice date for the purchase which is the subject of the 
 54.14  refund, if the refund claim includes a detailed schedule of 
 54.15  purchases made during each of the periods in the claim.  If the 
 54.16  refund claim submitted does not contain a schedule reflecting 
 54.17  purchases made in each period, interest is computed from the 
 54.18  date the claim was filed. 
 54.19     Sec. 4.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 297A.01, 
 54.20  subdivision 15, is amended to read: 
 54.21     Subd. 15.  "Farm machinery" means new or used machinery, 
 54.22  equipment, implements, accessories, and contrivances used 
 54.23  directly and principally in the production for sale, but not 
 54.24  including the processing, of livestock, dairy animals, dairy 
 54.25  products, poultry and poultry products, fruits, vegetables, 
 54.26  trees and shrubs as nursery stock, forage, grains and bees and 
 54.27  apiary products.  "Farm machinery"  includes: 
 54.28     (1) machinery for the preparation, seeding or cultivation 
 54.29  of soil for growing agricultural crops and sod, harvesting and 
 54.30  threshing of agricultural products, harvesting or mowing of sod, 
 54.31  and certain machinery for dairy, livestock and poultry farms; 
 54.32     (2) barn cleaners, milking systems, grain dryers, automatic 
 54.33  feeding systems and similar installations, whether or not the 
 54.34  equipment is installed by the seller and becomes part of the 
 54.35  real property; 
 54.36     (3) irrigation equipment sold for exclusively agricultural 
 55.1   use, including pumps, pipe fittings, valves, sprinklers and 
 55.2   other equipment necessary to the operation of an irrigation 
 55.3   system when sold as part of an irrigation system, whether or not 
 55.4   the equipment is installed by the seller and becomes part of the 
 55.5   real property; 
 55.6      (4) logging equipment, including chain saws used for 
 55.7   commercial logging; 
 55.8      (5) fencing used for the containment of farmed cervidae, as 
 55.9   defined in section 17.451, subdivision 2; 
 55.10     (6) primary and backup generator units used to generate 
 55.11  electricity for the purpose of operating farm machinery, as 
 55.12  defined in this subdivision, or providing light or space heating 
 55.13  necessary for the production of livestock, dairy animals, dairy 
 55.14  products, or poultry and poultry products; and 
 55.15     (7) aquaculture production equipment as defined in 
 55.16  subdivision 19.  
 55.17     Repair or replacement parts for farm machinery shall not be 
 55.18  included in the definition of farm machinery.  
 55.19     Tools, shop equipment, grain bins, feed bunks, fencing 
 55.20  material except fencing material covered by clause (5), 
 55.21  communication equipment and other farm supplies shall not be 
 55.22  considered to be farm machinery.  "Farm machinery" does not 
 55.23  include motor vehicles taxed under chapter 297B, snowmobiles, 
 55.24  snow blowers, lawn mowers except those used in the production of 
 55.25  sod for sale, garden-type tractors or garden tillers and the 
 55.26  repair and replacement parts for those vehicles and machines. 
 55.27     Sec. 5.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 297A.25, 
 55.28  subdivision 9, is amended to read: 
 55.29     Subd. 9.  [MATERIALS CONSUMED IN PRODUCTION.] The gross 
 55.30  receipts from the sale of and the storage, use, or consumption 
 55.31  of all materials, including chemicals, fuels, petroleum 
 55.32  products, lubricants, packaging materials, including returnable 
 55.33  containers used in packaging food and beverage products, feeds, 
 55.34  seeds, fertilizers, electricity, gas and steam, used or consumed 
 55.35  in agricultural or industrial production of personal property 
 55.36  intended to be sold ultimately at retail, whether or not the 
 56.1   item so used becomes an ingredient or constituent part of the 
 56.2   property produced are exempt.  Seeds, trees, fertilizers, and 
 56.3   herbicides purchased for use by farmers in the Conservation 
 56.4   Reserve Program under United States Code, title 16, section 
 56.5   590h, as amended through December 31, 1991, the Integrated Farm 
 56.6   Management Program under section 1627 of Public Law Number 
 56.7   101-624, the Wheat and Feed Grain Programs under sections 301 to 
 56.8   305 and 401 to 405 of Public Law Number 101-624, and the 
 56.9   conservation reserve program under sections 103F.505 to 
 56.10  103F.531, are included in this exemption.  Sales to a 
 56.11  veterinarian of materials used or consumed in the care, 
 56.12  medication, and treatment of horses and agricultural production 
 56.13  animals are exempt under this subdivision.  Chemicals used for 
 56.14  cleaning food processing machinery and equipment are included in 
 56.15  this exemption.  Materials, including chemicals, fuels, and 
 56.16  electricity purchased by persons engaged in agricultural or 
 56.17  industrial production to treat waste generated as a result of 
 56.18  the production process are included in this exemption.  Such 
 56.19  production shall include, but is not limited to, research, 
 56.20  development, design or production of any tangible personal 
 56.21  property, manufacturing, processing (other than by restaurants 
 56.22  and consumers) of agricultural products whether vegetable or 
 56.23  animal, commercial fishing, refining, smelting, reducing, 
 56.24  brewing, distilling, printing, mining, quarrying, lumbering, 
 56.25  generating electricity and the production of road building 
 56.26  materials.  Such production shall not include painting, 
 56.27  cleaning, repairing or similar processing of property except as 
 56.28  part of the original manufacturing process.  Machinery, 
 56.29  equipment, implements, tools, accessories, appliances, 
 56.30  contrivances, furniture and fixtures, used in such production 
 56.31  and fuel, electricity, gas or steam used for space heating or 
 56.32  lighting, are not included within this exemption; however, 
 56.33  accessory tools, equipment and other short lived items, which 
 56.34  are separate detachable units used in producing a direct effect 
 56.35  upon the product, where such items have an ordinary useful life 
 56.36  of less than 12 months, are included within the exemption 
 57.1   provided herein.  The following materials, tools, and equipment 
 57.2   used in metalcasting are exempt under this subdivision: 
 57.3   crucibles, thermocouple protection sheaths and tubes, stalk 
 57.4   tubes, refractory materials, molten metal filters and filter 
 57.5   boxes, and degassing lances.  Electricity used to make snow for 
 57.6   outdoor use for ski hills, ski slopes, or ski trails is included 
 57.7   in this exemption.  Petroleum and special fuels used in 
 57.8   producing or generating power for propelling ready-mixed 
 57.9   concrete trucks on the public highways of this state are not 
 57.10  included in this exemption. 
 57.11     Sec. 6.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 297A.25, 
 57.12  subdivision 11, is amended to read: 
 57.13     Subd. 11.  [SALES TO GOVERNMENT.] The gross receipts from 
 57.14  all sales, including sales in which title is retained by a 
 57.15  seller or a vendor or is assigned to a third party under an 
 57.16  installment sale or lease purchase agreement under section 
 57.17  465.71, of tangible personal property to, and all storage, use 
 57.18  or consumption of such property by, the United States and its 
 57.19  agencies and instrumentalities, the University of Minnesota, 
 57.20  state universities, community colleges, technical colleges, 
 57.21  state academies, the Lola and Rudy Perpich Minnesota center for 
 57.22  arts education, an instrumentality of a political subdivision 
 57.23  that is accredited as an optional/special function school by the 
 57.24  North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, school 
 57.25  districts, public libraries, public library systems, 
 57.26  multicounty, multitype library systems as defined in section 
 57.27  134.001, county law libraries under chapter 134A, the state 
 57.28  library under section 480.09, and the legislative reference 
 57.29  library are exempt. 
 57.30     As used in this subdivision, "school districts" means 
 57.31  public school entities and districts of every kind and nature 
 57.32  organized under the laws of the state of Minnesota, including, 
 57.33  without limitation, school districts, intermediate school 
 57.34  districts, education districts, service cooperatives, secondary 
 57.35  vocational cooperative centers, special education cooperatives, 
 57.36  joint purchasing cooperatives, telecommunication cooperatives, 
 58.1   regional management information centers, and any instrumentality 
 58.2   of a school district, as defined in section 471.59. 
 58.3      Sales exempted by this subdivision include sales under 
 58.4   section 297A.01, subdivision 3, paragraph (f).  
 58.5      Sales to hospitals and nursing homes owned and operated by 
 58.6   political subdivisions of the state are exempt under this 
 58.7   subdivision.  
 58.8      Sales of supplies and equipment used in the operation of an 
 58.9   ambulance service owned and operated by a political subdivision 
 58.10  of the state are exempt under this subdivision provided that the 
 58.11  supplies and equipment are used in the course of providing 
 58.12  medical care.  Sales to a political subdivision of repair and 
 58.13  replacement parts for emergency rescue vehicles and fire trucks 
 58.14  and apparatus are exempt under this subdivision.  
 58.15     Sales to a political subdivision of machinery and 
 58.16  equipment, except for motor vehicles, used directly for mixed 
 58.17  municipal solid waste management services at a solid waste 
 58.18  disposal facility as defined in section 115A.03, subdivision 10, 
 58.19  are exempt under this subdivision.  
 58.20     Sales to political subdivisions of chore and homemaking 
 58.21  services to be provided to elderly or disabled individuals are 
 58.22  exempt. 
 58.23     Sales to a county or town of gravel and of machinery, 
 58.24  equipment, and accessories, except motor vehicles, used 
 58.25  exclusively for road and bridge maintenance, and leases of motor 
 58.26  vehicles exempt from tax under section 297B.03, clause (10), are 
 58.27  exempt. 
 58.28     Sales of telephone services to the department of 
 58.29  administration that are used to provide telecommunications 
 58.30  services through the intertechnologies revolving fund are exempt 
 58.31  under this subdivision. 
 58.32     This exemption shall not apply to building, construction or 
 58.33  reconstruction materials purchased by a contractor or a 
 58.34  subcontractor as a part of a lump-sum contract or similar type 
 58.35  of contract with a guaranteed maximum price covering both labor 
 58.36  and materials for use in the construction, alteration, or repair 
 59.1   of a building or facility.  This exemption does not apply to 
 59.2   construction materials purchased by tax exempt entities or their 
 59.3   contractors to be used in constructing buildings or facilities 
 59.4   which will not be used principally by the tax exempt entities. 
 59.5      This exemption does not apply to the leasing of a motor 
 59.6   vehicle as defined in section 297B.01, subdivision 5, except for 
 59.7   leases entered into by the United States or its agencies or 
 59.8   instrumentalities.  
 59.9      The tax imposed on sales to political subdivisions of the 
 59.10  state under this section applies to all political subdivisions 
 59.11  other than those explicitly exempted under this subdivision, 
 59.12  notwithstanding section 115A.69, subdivision 6, 116A.25, 
 59.13  360.035, 458A.09, 458A.30, 458D.23, 469.101, subdivision 2, 
 59.14  469.127, 473.448, 473.545, or 473.608 or any other law to the 
 59.15  contrary enacted before 1992. 
 59.16     Sales exempted by this subdivision include sales made to 
 59.17  other states or political subdivisions of other states, if the 
 59.18  sale would be exempt from taxation if it occurred in that state, 
 59.19  but do not include sales under section 297A.01, subdivision 3, 
 59.20  paragraphs (c) and (e). 
 59.21     Sec. 7.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 297A.25, 
 59.22  subdivision 63, is amended to read: 
 59.23     Subd. 63.  [HOSPITALS AND OUTPATIENT SURGICAL CENTERS.] (a) 
 59.24  The gross receipts from the sale of tangible personal property 
 59.25  to, and the storage, use, or consumption of such property by, a 
 59.26  hospital are exempt, if the property purchased is to be used in 
 59.27  providing hospital services to human beings.  For purposes of 
 59.28  this subdivision, "hospital" means a hospital organized and 
 59.29  operated for charitable purposes within the meaning of section 
 59.30  501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and 
 59.31  licensed under chapter 144 or by any other jurisdiction.  For 
 59.32  purposes of this subdivision, "hospital services" are means 
 59.33  services authorized or required to be performed by 
 59.34  a "hospital" hospital under chapter 144 and regulations rules 
 59.35  thereunder or under the applicable licensure law of any other 
 59.36  jurisdiction.  This exemption does 
 60.1      (b) The gross receipts from the sale of tangible personal 
 60.2   property to, and the storage, use, or consumption of such 
 60.3   property by, an outpatient surgical center are exempt, if the 
 60.4   property purchased is to be used in providing outpatient 
 60.5   surgical services to human beings.  For purposes of this 
 60.6   subdivision, "outpatient surgical center" means an outpatient 
 60.7   surgical center organized and operated for charitable purposes 
 60.8   within the meaning of section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue 
 60.9   Code of 1986, as amended, and licensed under chapter 144 or by 
 60.10  any other jurisdiction.  For the purposes of this subdivision, 
 60.11  "outpatient surgical services" means:  (1) services authorized 
 60.12  or required to be performed by an outpatient surgical center 
 60.13  under chapter 144 and rules thereunder or under the applicable 
 60.14  licensure law of any other jurisdiction; and (2) urgent care.  
 60.15  For purposes of this subdivision, "urgent care" means health 
 60.16  services furnished to a person whose medical condition is 
 60.17  sufficiently acute to require treatment unavailable through, or 
 60.18  inappropriate to be provided by, a clinic or physician's office, 
 60.19  but not so acute as to require treatment in a hospital emergency 
 60.20  room.  
 60.21     (c) These exemptions do not apply to purchases made by a 
 60.22  clinic, physician's office, or any other medical facility not 
 60.23  operating as a hospital or outpatient surgical center, even 
 60.24  though the clinic, office, or facility may be owned and operated 
 60.25  by a hospital or outpatient surgical center.  Sales exempted by 
 60.26  this subdivision do not include sales under section 297A.01, 
 60.27  subdivision 3, paragraphs (c) and (e).  This exemption 
 60.28  does These exemptions do not apply to building, construction, or 
 60.29  reconstruction materials purchased by a contractor or a 
 60.30  subcontractor as a part of a lump-sum contract or similar type 
 60.31  of contract with a guaranteed maximum price covering both labor 
 60.32  and materials for use in the construction, alteration, or repair 
 60.33  of a hospital or outpatient surgical center.  This exemption 
 60.34  does These exemptions do not apply to construction materials to 
 60.35  be used in constructing buildings or facilities which will not 
 60.36  be used principally by a hospital or outpatient surgical 
 61.1   center.  This exemption does These exemptions do not apply to 
 61.2   the leasing of a motor vehicle as defined in section 297B.01, 
 61.3   subdivision 5. 
 61.4      Sec. 8.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 297A.25, 
 61.5   subdivision 73, is amended to read: 
 61.6      Subd. 73.  [BIOSOLIDS PROCESSING EQUIPMENT.] The gross 
 61.7   receipts from the sale of and the storage, use, or consumption 
 61.8   of equipment designed to process, dewater, and recycle biosolids 
 61.9   for wastewater treatment facilities of political subdivisions, 
 61.10  and materials incidental to installation of that 
 61.11  equipment, including materials used to construct buildings to 
 61.12  house that equipment, are exempt. 
 61.13     Sec. 9.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 297A.25, is 
 61.14  amended by adding a subdivision to read: 
 61.15     Subd. 79.  [PRIZES.] The gross receipts from the sales of 
 61.16  tangible personal property which will be given as prizes to 
 61.17  players in games of skill or chance conducted at events such as 
 61.18  community festivals, fairs, and carnivals lasting less than six 
 61.19  days are exempt.  This exemption shall not apply to property 
 61.20  awarded as prizes in connection with lawful gambling as defined 
 61.21  in section 349.12 or the state lottery. 
 61.22     Sec. 10.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 297A.25, is 
 61.23  amended by adding a subdivision to read: 
 61.24     Subd. 80.  [CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS AND SUPPLIES; 
 61.25  AGRICULTURAL PROCESSING FACILITY.] Purchases of construction 
 61.26  materials, supplies, and equipment are exempt from the sales and 
 61.27  use taxes imposed under this chapter, regardless of whether 
 61.28  purchased by the owner or a contractor, subcontractor, or 
 61.29  builder, if: 
 61.30     (1) the materials, supplies, and equipment are used or 
 61.31  consumed in the expansion, remodeling, or improvement of a 
 61.32  facility used for cattle slaughtering; 
 61.33     (2) the cost of the expansion or improvement project 
 61.34  exceeds $15,000,000; 
 61.35     (3) the expansion, remodeling, or improvement of the 
 61.36  facility will be used to fabricate beef; 
 62.1      (4) the number of jobs at the facility will increase by at 
 62.2   least 150 when the project is completed; and 
 62.3      (5) the project is completed by December 31, 2001. 
 62.4      Sec. 11.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 297A.25, is 
 62.5   amended by adding a subdivision to read: 
 62.6      Subd. 81.  [SMOKING CESSATION DEVICES.] The gross receipts 
 62.7   from the sale of and the storage, use, or consumption of items 
 62.8   of personal property that are approved by the Federal Drug 
 62.9   Administration for use exclusively to assist individuals to 
 62.10  refrain from smoking tobacco, such as nicotine patches and 
 62.11  nicotine gum, are exempt. 
 62.12     Sec. 12.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 297A.25, is 
 62.13  amended by adding a subdivision to read: 
 62.14     Subd. 82.  [TELEVISION COMMERCIALS.] The gross receipts 
 62.15  from the sale of and storage, use, or consumption of tangible 
 62.16  personal property which is primarily used or consumed in the 
 62.17  preproduction, production, or postproduction of any television 
 62.18  commercial and any such commercial, regardless of the medium in 
 62.19  which it is transferred, are exempt.  "Preproduction" and 
 62.20  "production" include but are not limited to all activities 
 62.21  related to the preparation for shooting and the shooting of 
 62.22  television commercials, including film processing.  Equipment 
 62.23  rented for the preproduction and production activities is 
 62.24  exempt.  "Postproduction" includes but is not limited to all 
 62.25  activities related to the finishing and duplication of 
 62.26  television commercials.  This exemption does not apply to 
 62.27  tangible personal property used primarily in administration, 
 62.28  general management, or marketing.  Machinery and equipment 
 62.29  purchased for use in producing such commercials and fuel, 
 62.30  electricity, gas, or steam used for space heating or lighting 
 62.31  are not exempt under this subdivision. 
 62.32     Sec. 13.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 297A.25, is 
 62.33  amended by adding a subdivision to read: 
 62.34     Subd. 83.  [CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENT; BIOMASS 
 62.35  ELECTRICAL GENERATING FACILITY.] The gross receipts from the 
 62.36  purchases of materials and supplies used or consumed in, and 
 63.1   equipment incorporated into, the construction, improvement, or 
 63.2   expansion of a facility using biomass to generate electricity 
 63.3   are exempt from the sales and use taxes imposed under this 
 63.4   chapter, regardless of whether purchased by the owner or a 
 63.5   contractor, subcontractor, or builder, if: 
 63.6      (1) the facility exclusively utilizes residue wood, 
 63.7   sawdust, bark, chipped wood, or brush to generate electricity; 
 63.8      (2) the facility utilizes a reciprocated grate combination 
 63.9   system; and 
 63.10     (3) the total gross capacity of the facility is 15 to 21 
 63.11  megawatts. 
 63.12     Sec. 14.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 297A.48, is 
 63.13  amended by adding a subdivision to read: 
 63.14     Subd. 7a.  [DETERMINATION OF WHERE SALES OCCUR.] In 
 63.15  determining whether a sale occurs within a political 
 63.16  subdivision, the retailer may use the zip code of the 
 63.17  purchaser's delivery address only if that zip code area is 
 63.18  entirely contained within the political subdivision.  If the zip 
 63.19  code area contains more than one political subdivision, the 
 63.20  retailer must use the purchaser's actual delivery address to 
 63.21  determine the local sales tax that is imposed.  Notwithstanding 
 63.22  subdivision 10, this subdivision applies to all local sales 
 63.23  taxes without regard to the date of authorization. 
 63.24     Sec. 15.  [297A.2532] [HEALTH CLUBS; SALES TAX NOTICE.] 
 63.25     Each organization, whether or not incorporated, whose 
 63.26  primary business purpose is to provide access to equipment and 
 63.27  services for aerobic or anaerobic exercise for the promotion of 
 63.28  health and fitness which is not member governed or member 
 63.29  controlled, and which is subject to the sales tax by virtue of 
 63.30  section 297A.01, subdivision 3, paragraph (k), shall separately 
 63.31  identify in its membership agreement or invoices the sales tax 
 63.32  collected by the organization on the organization's initiation 
 63.33  fees and membership dues. 
 63.34     Sec. 16.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 297B.01, 
 63.35  subdivision 7, is amended to read: 
 63.36     Subd. 7.  [SALE, SELLS, SELLING, PURCHASE, PURCHASED, OR 
 64.1   ACQUIRED.] "Sale," "sells," "selling," "purchase," "purchased," 
 64.2   or "acquired" means any transfer of title of any motor vehicle, 
 64.3   whether absolutely or conditionally, for a consideration in 
 64.4   money or by exchange or barter for any purpose other than resale 
 64.5   in the regular course of business.  Any motor vehicle utilized 
 64.6   by the owner only by leasing such vehicle to others or by 
 64.7   holding it in an effort to so lease it, and which is put to no 
 64.8   other use by the owner other than resale after such lease or 
 64.9   effort to lease, shall be considered property purchased for 
 64.10  resale.  The terms also shall include any transfer of title or 
 64.11  ownership of a motor vehicle by way of gift or by any other 
 64.12  manner or by any other means whatsoever, for or without 
 64.13  consideration, except that these terms shall not include: 
 64.14     (a) the acquisition of a motor vehicle by inheritance from 
 64.15  or by bequest of, a decedent who owned it; 
 64.16     (b) the transfer of a motor vehicle which was previously 
 64.17  licensed in the names of two or more joint tenants and 
 64.18  subsequently transferred without monetary consideration to one 
 64.19  or more of the joint tenants; 
 64.20     (c) the transfer of a motor vehicle by way of gift between 
 64.21  a husband and wife or parent and child individuals, when the 
 64.22  transfer is with no monetary or other consideration or in 
 64.23  expectation of consideration and the parties to the transfer 
 64.24  submit an affidavit to this effect at the time the title 
 64.25  transfer is recorded; 
 64.26     (d) the voluntary or involuntary transfer of a motor 
 64.27  vehicle between a husband and wife in a divorce proceeding; or 
 64.28     (e) the transfer of a motor vehicle by way of a gift to an 
 64.29  organization that is exempt from federal income taxation under 
 64.30  section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, as amended 
 64.31  through December 31, 1996, when the motor vehicle will be used 
 64.32  exclusively for religious, charitable, or educational purposes. 
 64.33     Sec. 17.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 297B.03, is 
 64.34  amended to read: 
 64.35     297B.03 [EXEMPTIONS.] 
 64.36     There is specifically exempted from the provisions of this 
 65.1   chapter and from computation of the amount of tax imposed by it 
 65.2   the following:  
 65.3      (1) Purchase or use, including use under a lease purchase 
 65.4   agreement or installment sales contract made pursuant to section 
 65.5   465.71, of any motor vehicle by the United States and its 
 65.6   agencies and instrumentalities and by any person described in 
 65.7   and subject to the conditions provided in section 297A.25, 
 65.8   subdivision 18.  
 65.9      (2) Purchase or use of any motor vehicle by any person who 
 65.10  was a resident of another state at the time of the purchase and 
 65.11  who subsequently becomes a resident of Minnesota, provided the 
 65.12  purchase occurred more than 60 days prior to the date such 
 65.13  person began residing in the state of Minnesota.  
 65.14     (3) Purchase or use of any motor vehicle by any person 
 65.15  making a valid election to be taxed under the provisions of 
 65.16  section 297A.211.  
 65.17     (4) Purchase or use of any motor vehicle previously 
 65.18  registered in the state of Minnesota when such transfer 
 65.19  constitutes a transfer within the meaning of section 351 or 721 
 65.20  of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended through 
 65.21  December 31, 1988.  
 65.22     (5) Purchase or use of any vehicle owned by a resident of 
 65.23  another state and leased to a Minnesota based private or for 
 65.24  hire carrier for regular use in the transportation of persons or 
 65.25  property in interstate commerce provided the vehicle is titled 
 65.26  in the state of the owner or secured party, and that state does 
 65.27  not impose a sales tax or sales tax on motor vehicles used in 
 65.28  interstate commerce.  
 65.29     (6) Purchase or use of a motor vehicle by a private 
 65.30  nonprofit or public educational institution for use as an 
 65.31  instructional aid in automotive training programs operated by 
 65.32  the institution.  "Automotive training programs" includes motor 
 65.33  vehicle body and mechanical repair courses but does not include 
 65.34  driver education programs.  
 65.35     (7) Purchase of a motor vehicle for use as an ambulance by 
 65.36  an ambulance service licensed under section 144E.10. 
 66.1      (8) Purchase of a motor vehicle by or for a public library, 
 66.2   as defined in section 134.001, subdivision 2, as a bookmobile or 
 66.3   library delivery vehicle. 
 66.4      (9) Purchase of a ready-mixed concrete truck. 
 66.5      (10) Purchase or use of a motor vehicle by a county or town 
 66.6   for use exclusively for road maintenance, including snowplows 
 66.7   and dump trucks, but not including automobiles, vans, or pickup 
 66.8   trucks. 
 66.9      Sec. 18.  Laws 1998, chapter 389, article 8, section 44, 
 66.10  subdivision 5, is amended to read: 
 66.11     Subd. 5.  [USE OF REVENUES.] (a) Revenues received from the 
 66.12  taxes authorized by subdivisions 1 to 4 must be used to pay for 
 66.13  the cost of collecting the taxes; to pay all or part of the 
 66.14  capital or administrative cost of the acquisition, construction, 
 66.15  and improvement of the Central Minnesota Events Center and 
 66.16  related on-site and off-site improvements; and to pay for the 
 66.17  operating deficit, if any, in the first five years of operation 
 66.18  of the facility.  Authorized expenses related to acquisition, 
 66.19  construction, and improvement of the center include, but are not 
 66.20  limited to, acquiring property, paying construction and 
 66.21  operating expenses related to the development of the facility, 
 66.22  and securing and paying debt service on bonds or other 
 66.23  obligations issued to finance construction or improvement of the 
 66.24  authorized facility. 
 66.25     (b) In addition, if the revenues collected from a tax 
 66.26  imposed in subdivisions 1 to 4 are greater than the amount 
 66.27  needed to meet obligations under paragraph (a) in any year, the 
 66.28  surplus may be returned to the cities in a manner agreed upon by 
 66.29  the participating cities under this section, to be used by the 
 66.30  cities for projects of regional significance, limited to the 
 66.31  acquisition and improvement of park land and open space; the 
 66.32  purchase, renovation, and construction of public buildings and 
 66.33  land primarily used for the arts, libraries, and community 
 66.34  centers; and for debt service on bonds issued for these 
 66.35  purposes.  The amount of surplus revenues raised by a tax will 
 66.36  be determined either as provided for by an applicable joint 
 67.1   powers agreement or by a governing entity in charge of 
 67.2   administering the project in paragraph (a). 
 67.3      (c) If start of the Central Minnesota Events Center under 
 67.4   paragraph (a) is delayed, the cities may still impose the tax, 
 67.5   and use a portion of the revenue to fund the projects under 
 67.6   paragraph (b), provided that revenues are reserved to pay future 
 67.7   costs of the construction of the events center in paragraph (a) 
 67.8   as provided by a joint powers agreement or by a governing entity 
 67.9   in charge of administering the project.  If a decision is made 
 67.10  not to proceed with the event center under paragraph (a) or 
 67.11  construction of the event center has not begun by December 31, 
 67.12  2008, the funds in the reserve account shall be distributed to 
 67.13  the cities based on the joint powers agreement to pay for other 
 67.14  projects permitted under paragraph (b).  All revenues raised 
 67.15  from these taxes after December 31, 2008, must be used 
 67.16  exclusively to pay off bonds for the event center project under 
 67.17  paragraph (a) and to pay off bonds issued under subdivision 6. 
 67.18     Sec. 19.  Laws 1998, chapter 389, article 8, section 44, 
 67.19  subdivision 6, is amended to read: 
 67.20     Subd. 6.  [BONDING AUTHORITY.] (a) The cities named in 
 67.21  subdivision 1 may issue bonds under Minnesota Statutes, chapter 
 67.22  475, to finance the acquisition, construction, and improvement 
 67.23  of the Central Minnesota Events Center.  An election to approve 
 67.24  the bonds under Minnesota Statutes, section 475.58, may be held 
 67.25  in combination with the election to authorize imposition of the 
 67.26  tax under subdivision 1.  Whether to permit imposition of the 
 67.27  tax and issuance of bonds may be posed to the voters as a single 
 67.28  question.  The question must state that the sales tax revenues 
 67.29  are pledged to pay the bonds, but that the bonds are general 
 67.30  obligations and will be guaranteed by the city's property taxes. 
 67.31     (b) The issuance of bonds under this subdivision is not 
 67.32  subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 275.60. 
 67.33     (c) The bonds are not included in computing any debt 
 67.34  limitation applicable to the city, and the levy of taxes under 
 67.35  Minnesota Statutes, section 475.61, to pay principal of and 
 67.36  interest on the bonds is not subject to any levy limitation. 
 68.1   The aggregate principal amount of bonds issued by all cities 
 68.2   named in subdivision 1, plus the aggregate of the taxes used 
 68.3   directly to pay eligible capital expenditures and improvements 
 68.4   for the Central Minnesota Events Center, may not exceed 
 68.5   $50,000,000, plus an amount equal to the costs related to 
 68.6   issuance of the bonds, less any amount made available to the 
 68.7   cities for the project described in subdivision 5 under the 
 68.8   capital expenditure legislation adopted during the 1998 session 
 68.9   of the legislature. 
 68.10     (d) The taxes may be pledged to and used for the payment of 
 68.11  the bonds and any bonds issued to refund them, only if the bonds 
 68.12  and any refunding bonds are general obligations of the city. 
 68.13     (e) The cities named in subdivision 1 may issue bonds for 
 68.14  the projects listed in subdivision 5, paragraph (b), under 
 68.15  regular bonding authority.  Bonds for these projects, to be paid 
 68.16  from tax revenues under this section, may not be issued after 
 68.17  December 31, 2008. 
 68.18     Sec. 20.  Laws 1998, chapter 389, article 8, section 44, 
 68.19  subdivision 7, as amended by Laws 1998, chapter 408, section 20, 
 68.20  is amended to read: 
 68.21     Subd. 7.  [TERMINATION OF TAXES.] The taxes imposed by each 
 68.22  city under subdivisions 1 to 4 expire at the earlier of 30 years 
 68.23  or when sufficient funds have been received from the taxes to 
 68.24  finance the obligations under subdivisions 5, paragraph (a), and 
 68.25  6, and to prepay or retire at maturity the principal, interest, 
 68.26  and premium due on the original bonds issued for the initial 
 68.27  acquisition, construction, and improvement of the Central 
 68.28  Minnesota Events Center as determined under an applicable joint 
 68.29  powers agreement or by a governing entity in charge of 
 68.30  administering the project.  Any funds remaining after completion 
 68.31  of the project and retirement or redemption of the bonds may be 
 68.32  placed in the general funds of the cities imposing the taxes.  
 68.33  The taxes imposed by a city under this section may expire at an 
 68.34  earlier time by city ordinance, if authorized under the 
 68.35  applicable joint powers agreement or by the governing entity in 
 68.36  charge of administering the project. 
 69.1      If the cities that pass a referendum required under 
 69.2   subdivision 6 1 determine that the revenues raised from the sum 
 69.3   of all the taxes authorized by referendum under this subdivision 
 69.4   section will not be sufficient to fund the project in 
 69.5   subdivision 5, paragraph (a), none of the authorized taxes may 
 69.6   be imposed. 
 69.7      If the taxes are imposed, as allowed under subdivision 5, 
 69.8   paragraph (c), and the cities determine at a later date that 
 69.9   there are not sufficient funds to fund the Central Minnesota 
 69.10  Events Center under subdivision 5, paragraph (a), or the funding 
 69.11  for the event center has not been determined by December 31, 
 69.12  2008, the taxes will be terminated as soon as sufficient 
 69.13  revenues are raised to prepay or retire at maturity the 
 69.14  principal, interest, and premium due on bonds issued under 
 69.15  subdivision 6, paragraph (e). 
 69.16     Sec. 21.  [EFFECTIVE DATES.] 
 69.17     Sections 1, 2, 4, 6, 7, 9, 11, 12, and 17 are effective for 
 69.18  sales and purchases made after June 30, 1999.  
 69.19     Section 3 is effective for amended returns and refund 
 69.20  claims filed on or after July 1, 1999. 
 69.21     Section 5 is effective the day following final enactment 
 69.22  and applies retroactively to all open tax years and to 
 69.23  assessments and appeals under Minnesota Statutes, sections 
 69.24  289A.38 and 289A.65, for which the time limits have not expired 
 69.25  on the date of final enactment of this act.  The provisions of 
 69.26  Minnesota Statutes, section 289A.50, apply to refunds claimed 
 69.27  under section 5.  Refunds claimed under section 5 must be filed 
 69.28  by the later of December 31, 1999, or the time limit under 
 69.29  Minnesota Statutes, section 289A.40, subdivision 1. 
 69.30     Section 8 is effective retroactively for sales and 
 69.31  purchases made after June 30, 1998. 
 69.32     Section 10 is effective for purchases and sales made after 
 69.33  the date of final enactment.  
 69.34     Section 13 is effective for purchases made after the date 
 69.35  of final enactment and before July 1, 2001. 
 69.36     Section 14 is effective the day following final enactment. 
 70.1      Section 16 is effective July 1, 1999. 
 70.2                              ARTICLE 4
 70.3                            SPECIAL TAXES
 70.4      Section 1.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 287.01, 
 70.5   subdivision 3, as amended by Laws 1999, chapter 31, section 1, 
 70.6   is amended to read: 
 70.7      Subd. 3.  [DEBT.] "Debt" means the principal amount of an 
 70.8   obligation to pay money or to perform or refrain from performing 
 70.9   an act that is secured in whole or in part by a mortgage of an 
 70.10  interest in real property. 
 70.11     Sec. 2.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 287.05, 
 70.12  subdivision 1, as amended by Laws 1999, chapter 31, section 5, 
 70.13  is amended to read: 
 70.14     Subdivision 1.  [REAL PROPERTY OUTSIDE MINNESOTA.] (a) When 
 70.15  a multistate mortgage is intended to secure only a portion of a 
 70.16  debt amount recited or referred to in the mortgage, the mortgage 
 70.17  may contain the following statement, or its equivalent, on the 
 70.18  first page:  "Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, 
 70.19  enforcement of this mortgage in Minnesota is limited to a debt 
 70.20  amount of $....... under chapter 287 of Minnesota Statutes."  In 
 70.21  such case, the tax shall be imposed based only on the amount of 
 70.22  debt so stated to be secured by real property located in this 
 70.23  state; and, the effect of the mortgage, or any amendment or 
 70.24  extension, as evidence in any court in this state, or as notice 
 70.25  for any purpose in this state, shall be limited to the amount 
 70.26  contained in the statement and for which the tax has been 
 70.27  paid and additional amounts for accrued interest and advances 
 70.28  not subject to tax under section 287.035 or 287.05, subdivision 
 70.29  4.  
 70.30     (b) All multistate mortgages not taxed under paragraph (a) 
 70.31  shall be taxed under sections 287.01 to 287.13 as if the real 
 70.32  property identified in the mortgage secures payment of that 
 70.33  portion of the maximum debt amount referred to, or incorporated 
 70.34  by reference, in the mortgage that is equal to a fraction the 
 70.35  numerator of which is the value of the real property described 
 70.36  in the mortgage that is located in this state and the 
 71.1   denominator of which is the value of all the real property 
 71.2   described in the mortgage.  
 71.3      Sec. 3.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 287.05, 
 71.4   subdivision 1a, as amended by Laws 1999, chapter 31, section 5, 
 71.5   is amended to read: 
 71.6      Subd. 1a.  [REAL PROPERTY IN THIS STATE SECURES PORTION OF 
 71.7   DEBT.] (a) When the real property identified in a mortgage is 
 71.8   located entirely in this state and is intended to secure only a 
 71.9   portion of a debt amount recited or referred to in the mortgage, 
 71.10  the mortgage may contain the following statement, or its 
 71.11  equivalent, on the first page:  "Notwithstanding anything to the 
 71.12  contrary herein, enforcement of this mortgage is limited to a 
 71.13  debt amount of $....... under chapter 287 of Minnesota 
 71.14  Statutes."  In such case, the tax shall be imposed based only on 
 71.15  the amount of debt so stated to be secured by real property; 
 71.16  and, the effect of the mortgage, or any amendment or extension, 
 71.17  evidence in any court in this state, or as notice for any 
 71.18  purpose in this state, shall be limited to the amount contained 
 71.19  in the statement and for which the tax has been paid and 
 71.20  additional amounts for accrued interest and advances not subject 
 71.21  to tax under section 287.035 or 287.05, subdivision 4.  
 71.22     (b) All mortgages that are not multistate mortgages and 
 71.23  that are not taxed under paragraph (a) shall be taxed under 
 71.24  sections 287.01 to 287.13 as if the real property identified in 
 71.25  the mortgage secures payment of the maximum debt amount referred 
 71.26  to, or incorporated by reference, in the mortgage. 
 71.27     Sec. 4.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 296A.16, is 
 71.28  amended by adding a subdivision to read: 
 71.29     Subd. 4a.  [UNDYED KEROSENE; REFUNDS.] Notwithstanding 
 71.30  subdivision 1, the commissioner shall allow a refund of the tax 
 71.31  paid on undyed kerosene used exclusively for a purpose other 
 71.32  than as fuel for a motor vehicle using the streets and 
 71.33  highways.  To obtain a refund, the person making the sale to an 
 71.34  end user must meet the Internal Revenue Service requirements for 
 71.35  sales from a blocked pump.  A claim for a refund may be filed as 
 71.36  provided in this section. 
 72.1      Sec. 5.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 296A.16, is 
 72.2   amended by adding a subdivision to read: 
 72.3      Subd. 4b.  [RACING GASOLINE; REFUNDS.] Notwithstanding 
 72.4   subdivision 1, the commissioner shall allow a licensed 
 72.5   distributor a refund of the tax paid on leaded gasoline of 110 
 72.6   octane or more that does not meet ASTM specification D4814 for 
 72.7   gasoline and that is sold in bulk for use in nonregistered motor 
 72.8   vehicles.  A claim for a refund may be filed as provided for in 
 72.9   this section. 
 72.10     Sec. 6.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 297E.01, is 
 72.11  amended by adding a subdivision to read: 
 72.12     Subd. 17a.  [BUSINESS DAY.] "Business day" means Monday 
 72.13  through Friday, excluding any holidays as defined in section 
 72.14  645.44. 
 72.15     Sec. 7.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 297E.02, 
 72.16  subdivision 1, is amended to read: 
 72.17     Subdivision 1.  [IMPOSITION.] A tax is imposed on all 
 72.18  lawful gambling other than (1) pull-tabs purchased and placed 
 72.19  into inventory after January 1, 1987, pull-tab deals or games; 
 72.20  and (2) tipboards purchased and placed into inventory after June 
 72.21  30, 1988 tipboard deals or games; and (3) items listed in 
 72.22  section 297E.01, subdivision 8, clauses (4) and (5), at the rate 
 72.23  of 9.5 8.5 percent on the gross receipts as defined in section 
 72.24  297E.01, subdivision 8, less prizes actually paid.  The tax 
 72.25  imposed by this subdivision is in lieu of the tax imposed by 
 72.26  section 297A.02 and all local taxes and license fees except a 
 72.27  fee authorized under section 349.16, subdivision 8, or a tax 
 72.28  authorized under subdivision 5.  
 72.29     The tax imposed under this subdivision is payable by the 
 72.30  organization or party conducting, directly or indirectly, the 
 72.31  gambling.  
 72.32     Sec. 8.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 297E.02, 
 72.33  subdivision 3, is amended to read: 
 72.34     Subd. 3.  [COLLECTION; DISPOSITION.] Taxes imposed by this 
 72.35  section other than in subdivision 4 are due and payable to the 
 72.36  commissioner when the gambling tax return is required to be 
 73.1   filed.  Taxes imposed by subdivision 4 are due and payable to 
 73.2   the commissioner on or before the last business day of the month 
 73.3   following the month in which the taxable sale was made.  Returns 
 73.4   covering the taxes imposed under this section must be filed with 
 73.5   the commissioner on or before the 20th day of the month 
 73.6   following the close of the previous calendar month.  The 
 73.7   commissioner may require that the returns be filed via magnetic 
 73.8   media or electronic data transfer.  The proceeds, along with the 
 73.9   revenue received from all license fees and other fees under 
 73.10  sections 349.11 to 349.191, 349.211, and 349.213, must be paid 
 73.11  to the state treasurer for deposit in the general fund. 
 73.12     Sec. 9.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 297E.02, 
 73.13  subdivision 4, is amended to read: 
 73.14     Subd. 4.  [PULL-TAB AND TIPBOARD TAX.] (a) A tax is imposed 
 73.15  on the sale of each deal of pull-tabs and tipboards sold by a 
 73.16  distributor.  The rate of the tax is 1.9 1.7 percent of the 
 73.17  ideal gross of the pull-tab or tipboard deal.  The sales tax 
 73.18  imposed by chapter 297A on the sale of the pull-tabs and 
 73.19  tipboards by the distributor is imposed on the retail sales 
 73.20  price less the tax imposed by this subdivision.  The retail sale 
 73.21  of pull-tabs or tipboards by the organization is exempt from 
 73.22  taxes imposed by chapter 297A and is exempt from all local taxes 
 73.23  and license fees except a fee authorized under section 349.16, 
 73.24  subdivision 8.  
 73.25     (b) The liability for the tax imposed by this section is 
 73.26  incurred when the pull-tabs and tipboards are delivered by the 
 73.27  distributor to the customer or to a common or contract carrier 
 73.28  for delivery to the customer, or when received by the customer's 
 73.29  authorized representative at the distributor's place of 
 73.30  business, regardless of the distributor's method of accounting 
 73.31  or the terms of the sale.  
 73.32     The tax imposed by this subdivision is imposed on all sales 
 73.33  of pull-tabs and tipboards, except the following:  
 73.34     (1) sales to the governing body of an Indian tribal 
 73.35  organization for use on an Indian reservation; 
 73.36     (2) sales to distributors licensed under the laws of 
 74.1   another state or of a province of Canada, as long as all 
 74.2   statutory and regulatory requirements are met in the other state 
 74.3   or province; 
 74.4      (3) sales of promotional tickets as defined in section 
 74.5   349.12; and 
 74.6      (4) pull-tabs and tipboards sold to an organization that 
 74.7   sells pull-tabs and tipboards under the exemption from licensing 
 74.8   in section 349.166, subdivision 2.  A distributor shall require 
 74.9   an organization conducting exempt gambling to show proof of its 
 74.10  exempt status before making a tax-exempt sale of pull-tabs or 
 74.11  tipboards to the organization.  A distributor shall identify, on 
 74.12  all reports submitted to the commissioner, all sales of 
 74.13  pull-tabs and tipboards that are exempt from tax under this 
 74.14  subdivision.  
 74.15     (c) A distributor having a liability of $120,000 or more 
 74.16  during a fiscal year ending June 30 must remit all liabilities 
 74.17  in the subsequent calendar year by a funds transfer as defined 
 74.18  in section 336.4A-104, paragraph (a).  The funds transfer 
 74.19  payment date, as defined in section 336.4A-401, must be on or 
 74.20  before the date the tax is due.  If the date the tax is due is 
 74.21  not a funds transfer business day, as defined in section 
 74.22  336.4A-105, paragraph (a), clause (4), the payment date must be 
 74.23  on or before the funds transfer business day next following the 
 74.24  date the tax is due. 
 74.25     (d) Any customer who purchases deals of pull-tabs or 
 74.26  tipboards from a distributor may file an annual claim for a 
 74.27  refund or credit of taxes paid pursuant to this subdivision for 
 74.28  unsold pull-tab and tipboard tickets.  The claim must be filed 
 74.29  with the commissioner on a form prescribed by the commissioner 
 74.30  by March 20 of the year following the calendar year for which 
 74.31  the refund is claimed.  The refund must be filed as part of the 
 74.32  customer's February monthly return.  The refund or credit is 
 74.33  equal to 1.9 1.7 percent of the face value of the unsold 
 74.34  pull-tab or tipboard tickets, provided that the refund or credit 
 74.35  will be 1.95 1.8 percent of the face value of the unsold 
 74.36  pull-tab or tipboard tickets for claims for a refund or credit 
 75.1   of taxes filed on the February 1999 2000 monthly return.  The 
 75.2   refund claimed will be applied as a credit against tax owing 
 75.3   under this chapter on the February monthly return.  If the 
 75.4   refund claimed exceeds the tax owing on the February monthly 
 75.5   return, that amount will be refunded.  The amount refunded will 
 75.6   bear interest pursuant to section 270.76 from 90 days after the 
 75.7   claim is filed.  
 75.8      Sec. 10.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 297E.02, 
 75.9   subdivision 6, is amended to read: 
 75.10     Subd. 6.  [COMBINED RECEIPTS TAX.] In addition to the taxes 
 75.11  imposed under subdivisions 1 and 4, a tax is imposed on the 
 75.12  combined receipts of the organization.  As used in this section, 
 75.13  "combined receipts" is the sum of the organization's gross 
 75.14  receipts from lawful gambling less gross receipts directly 
 75.15  derived from the conduct of bingo, raffles, and paddlewheels, as 
 75.16  defined in section 297E.01, subdivision 8, for the fiscal year.  
 75.17  The combined receipts of an organization are subject to a tax 
 75.18  computed according to the following schedule: 
 75.19     If the combined receipts for the          The tax is:
 75.20     fiscal year are:
 75.21     Not over $500,000                   zero
 75.22     Over $500,000, but not over
 75.23     $700,000                            1.9 1.7 percent of the 
 75.24                                         amount over $500,000, but 
 75.25                                         not over $700,000
 75.26     Over $700,000, but not over
 75.27     $900,000                            $3,800 $3,400 plus 3.8 
 75.28                                         3.4 percent of the amount 
 75.29                                         over $700,000, but 
 75.30                                         not over $900,000
 75.31     Over $900,000                       $11,400 $10,200 plus 5.7 
 75.32                                         5.1 percent of the
 75.33                                         amount over $900,000
 75.34     Sec. 11.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 297F.01, 
 75.35  subdivision 23, is amended to read: 
 75.36     Subd. 23.  [WHOLESALE PRICE.] "Wholesale price" means the 
 76.1   established price for which a manufacturer or person sells a 
 76.2   tobacco product to a distributor, exclusive of any discount or 
 76.3   other reduction. 
 76.4      Sec. 12.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 297F.17, 
 76.5   subdivision 6, is amended to read: 
 76.6      Subd. 6.  [TIME LIMIT FOR BAD DEBT DEDUCTION REFUND.] 
 76.7   Claims for refund must be filed with the commissioner within one 
 76.8   year of during the one-year period beginning with the timely 
 76.9   filing date of the taxpayer's federal income tax return 
 76.10  containing the bad debt deduction that is being claimed.  
 76.11  Claimants under this subdivision are subject to the notice 
 76.12  requirements of section 289A.38, subdivision 7. 
 76.13     Sec. 13.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 297H.05, is 
 76.14  amended to read: 
 76.15     297H.05 [SELF-HAULERS.] 
 76.16     (a) A self-hauler of mixed municipal solid waste shall pay 
 76.17  the tax to the operator of the waste management facility to 
 76.18  which the waste is delivered at the rate imposed under section 
 76.19  297H.03, based on the sales price of the waste management 
 76.20  services. 
 76.21     (b) A self-hauler of non-mixed-municipal solid waste shall 
 76.22  pay the tax to the operator of the waste management facility to 
 76.23  which the waste is delivered at the rate imposed under section 
 76.24  297H.04. 
 76.25     (c) The tax imposed on the self-hauler of 
 76.26  non-mixed-municipal solid waste may be based either on the 
 76.27  capacity of the container, the actual volume, or the 
 76.28  weight-to-volume conversion schedule in paragraph (d).  However, 
 76.29  the tax must be calculated by the operator using the same method 
 76.30  for calculating the tipping fee so that both are calculated 
 76.31  according to container capacity, actual volume, or weight. 
 76.32     (d) The weight-to-volume conversion schedule for: 
 76.33     (1) construction debris as defined in section 115A.03, 
 76.34  subdivision 7, is one ton equals 3.33 cubic yards, or $2 per 
 76.35  ton; 
 76.36     (2) industrial waste as defined in section 115A.03, 
 77.1   subdivision 13a, is equal to 60 cents per cubic yard.  The 
 77.2   commissioner of revenue, after consultation with the 
 77.3   commissioner of the pollution control agency, shall determine, 
 77.4   and may publish by notice, a conversion schedule for various 
 77.5   industrial wastes; and 
 77.6      (3) infectious waste as defined in section 116.76, 
 77.7   subdivision 12, and pathological waste as defined in section 
 77.8   116.76, subdivision 14, is 150 pounds equals one cubic yard, or 
 77.9   60 cents per 150 pounds. 
 77.10     (e) For mixed municipal solid waste the tax is imposed upon 
 77.11  the difference between the market price and the tip fee at a 
 77.12  processing or disposal facility if the tip fee is less than the 
 77.13  market price and the political subdivision subsidizes the cost 
 77.14  of service at the facility.  The political subdivision is liable 
 77.15  for the tax. 
 77.16     Sec. 14.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 297H.06, 
 77.17  subdivision 2, is amended to read: 
 77.18     Subd. 2.  [MATERIALS.] The tax is not imposed upon charges 
 77.19  to generators of mixed municipal solid waste or upon the volume 
 77.20  of non-mixed-municipal solid waste for waste management services 
 77.21  to manage the following materials: 
 77.22     (1) mixed municipal solid waste and non-mixed-municipal 
 77.23  solid waste generated outside of Minnesota; 
 77.24     (2) recyclable materials that are separated for recycling 
 77.25  by the generator, collected separately from other waste, and 
 77.26  recycled, to the extent the price of the service for handling 
 77.27  recyclable material is separately itemized; 
 77.28     (3) recyclable non-mixed-municipal solid waste that is 
 77.29  separated for recycling by the generator, collected separately 
 77.30  from other waste, delivered to a waste facility for the purpose 
 77.31  of recycling, and recycled; 
 77.32     (4) industrial waste, when it is transported to a facility 
 77.33  owned and operated by the same person that generated it; 
 77.34     (5) mixed municipal solid waste from a recycling facility 
 77.35  that separates or processes recyclable materials and reduces the 
 77.36  volume of the waste by at least 85 percent, provided that the 
 78.1   exempted waste is managed separately from other waste; 
 78.2      (6) recyclable materials that are separated from mixed 
 78.3   municipal solid waste by the generator, collected and delivered 
 78.4   to a waste facility that recycles at least 85 percent of its 
 78.5   waste, and are collected with mixed municipal solid waste that 
 78.6   is segregated in leakproof bags, provided that the mixed 
 78.7   municipal solid waste does not exceed five percent of the total 
 78.8   weight of the materials delivered to the facility and is 
 78.9   ultimately delivered to a waste facility identified as a 
 78.10  preferred waste management facility in county solid waste plans 
 78.11  under section 115A.46; 
 78.12     (7) through December 31, 2002, source-separated compostable 
 78.13  waste, if the waste is delivered to a facility exempted as 
 78.14  described in this clause.  To initially qualify for an 
 78.15  exemption, a facility must apply for an exemption in its 
 78.16  application for a new or amended solid waste permit to the 
 78.17  pollution control agency.  The first time a facility applies to 
 78.18  the agency it must certify in its application that it will 
 78.19  comply with the criteria in items (i) to (v) and the 
 78.20  commissioner of the agency shall so certify to the commissioner 
 78.21  of revenue who must grant the exemption.  For each subsequent 
 78.22  calendar year, by October 1 of the preceding year, the facility 
 78.23  must apply to the agency for certification to renew its 
 78.24  exemption for the following year.  The application must be filed 
 78.25  according to the procedures of, and contain the information 
 78.26  required by, the agency.  The commissioner of revenue shall 
 78.27  grant the exemption if the commissioner of the pollution control 
 78.28  agency finds and certifies to the commissioner of revenue that 
 78.29  based on an evaluation of the composition of incoming waste and 
 78.30  residuals and the quality and use of the product: 
 78.31     (i) generators separate materials at the source; 
 78.32     (ii) the separation is performed in a manner appropriate to 
 78.33  the technology specific to the facility that: 
 78.34     (A) maximizes the quality of the product; 
 78.35     (B) minimizes the toxicity and quantity of residuals; and 
 78.36     (C) provides an opportunity for significant improvement in 
 79.1   the environmental efficiency of the operation; 
 79.2      (iii) the operator of the facility educates generators, in 
 79.3   coordination with each county using the facility, about 
 79.4   separating the waste to maximize the quality of the waste stream 
 79.5   for technology specific to the facility; 
 79.6      (iv) process residuals do not exceed 15 percent of the 
 79.7   weight of the total material delivered to the facility; and 
 79.8      (v) the final product is accepted for use; and 
 79.9      (8) waste and waste by-products for which the tax has been 
 79.10  paid; and 
 79.11     (9) daily cover for landfills that has been approved in 
 79.12  writing by the Minnesota pollution control agency.  
 79.13     Sec. 15.  [EFFECTIVE DATES.] 
 79.14     Sections 1 to 3 are effective for documents executed, 
 79.15  recorded, or registered after June 30, 1999. 
 79.16     Section 4 is effective retroactively for sales made after 
 79.17  June 30, 1998.  Section 5 is effective retroactively for sales 
 79.18  made after January 31, 1999.  Section 6 is effective August 1, 
 79.19  1999.  Sections 7, 9, and 10 are effective July 1, 1999.  
 79.20  Section 8 is effective for taxes first becoming due on or after 
 79.21  August 1, 1999.  Sections 11 and 14 are effective the day 
 79.22  following final enactment.  Section 12 is effective for refund 
 79.23  claims filed on or after July 1, 1999.  Section 13 is effective 
 79.24  for services provided on or after July 1, 1999. 
 79.25                             ARTICLE 5
 79.26                           MINNESOTACARE
 79.27     Section 1.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 60A.15, 
 79.28  subdivision 1, is amended to read: 
 79.29     Subdivision 1.  [DOMESTIC AND FOREIGN COMPANIES.] (a) On or 
 79.30  before April 1, June 1, and December 1 of each year, every 
 79.31  domestic and foreign company, including town and farmers' mutual 
 79.32  insurance companies, domestic mutual insurance companies, marine 
 79.33  insurance companies, health maintenance organizations, community 
 79.34  integrated service networks, and nonprofit health service plan 
 79.35  corporations, shall pay to the commissioner of revenue 
 79.36  installments equal to one-third of the insurer's total estimated 
 80.1   tax for the current year.  Except as provided in paragraphs (d), 
 80.2   (e), (h), and (i), installments must be based on a sum equal to 
 80.3   two percent of the premiums described in paragraph (b). 
 80.4      (b) Installments under paragraph (a), (d), or (e) are 
 80.5   percentages of gross premiums less return premiums on all direct 
 80.6   business received by the insurer in this state, or by its agents 
 80.7   for it, in cash or otherwise, during such year. 
 80.8      (c) Failure of a company to make payments of at least 
 80.9   one-third of either (1) the total tax paid during the previous 
 80.10  calendar year or (2) 80 percent of the actual tax for the 
 80.11  current calendar year shall subject the company to the penalty 
 80.12  and interest provided in this section, unless the total tax for 
 80.13  the current tax year is $500 or less. 
 80.14     (d) For health maintenance organizations, nonprofit health 
 80.15  service plan corporations, and community integrated service 
 80.16  networks, the installments must be based on an amount determined 
 80.17  under paragraph (h) or (i). 
 80.18     (e) For purposes of computing installments for town and 
 80.19  farmers' mutual insurance companies and for mutual property 
 80.20  casualty companies with total assets on December 31, 1989, of 
 80.21  $1,600,000,000 or less, the following rates apply: 
 80.22     (1) for all life insurance, two percent; 
 80.23     (2) for town and farmers' mutual insurance companies and 
 80.24  for mutual property and casualty companies with total assets of 
 80.25  $5,000,000 or less, on all other coverages, one percent; and 
 80.26     (3) for mutual property and casualty companies with total 
 80.27  assets on December 31, 1989, of $1,600,000,000 or less, on all 
 80.28  other coverages, 1.26 percent. 
 80.29     (f) If the aggregate amount of premium tax payments under 
 80.30  this section and the fire marshal tax payments under section 
 80.31  299F.21 made during a calendar year is equal to or exceeds 
 80.32  $120,000, all tax payments in the subsequent calendar year must 
 80.33  be paid by means of a funds transfer as defined in section 
 80.34  336.4A-104, paragraph (a).  The funds transfer payment date, as 
 80.35  defined in section 336.4A-401, must be on or before the date the 
 80.36  payment is due.  If the date the payment is due is not a funds 
 81.1   transfer business day, as defined in section 336.4A-105, 
 81.2   paragraph (a), clause (4), the payment date must be on or before 
 81.3   the funds transfer business day next following the date the 
 81.4   payment is due.  
 81.5      (g) Premiums under medical assistance, general assistance 
 81.6   medical care, the MinnesotaCare program, and the Minnesota 
 81.7   comprehensive health insurance plan and all payments, revenues, 
 81.8   and reimbursements received from the federal government for 
 81.9   Medicare-related coverage as defined in section 62A.31, 
 81.10  subdivision 3, paragraph (e), are not subject to tax under this 
 81.11  section. 
 81.12     (h) For calendar years 1997, 1998, and 1999, 2000, and 
 81.13  2001, the installments for health maintenance organizations, 
 81.14  community integrated service networks, and nonprofit health 
 81.15  service plan corporations must be based on an amount equal to 
 81.16  one percent of premiums described under paragraph (b).  Health 
 81.17  maintenance organizations, community integrated service 
 81.18  networks, and nonprofit health service plan corporations that 
 81.19  have met the cost containment goals established under section 
 81.20  62J.04 in the individual and small employer market for calendar 
 81.21  year 1996 are exempt from payment of the tax imposed under this 
 81.22  section for premiums paid after March 30, 1997, and before April 
 81.23  1, 1998.  Health maintenance organizations, community integrated 
 81.24  service networks, and nonprofit health service plan corporations 
 81.25  that have met the cost containment goals established under 
 81.26  section 62J.04 in the individual and small employer market for 
 81.27  calendar year 1997 are exempt from payment of the tax imposed 
 81.28  under this section for premiums paid after March 30, 1998, and 
 81.29  before April 1, 1999.  Health maintenance organizations, 
 81.30  community integrated service networks, and nonprofit health 
 81.31  service plan corporations that have met the cost containment 
 81.32  goals established under section 62J.04 in the individual and 
 81.33  small employer market for the previous calendar year 1998 are 
 81.34  exempt from payment of the tax imposed under this section for 
 81.35  premiums paid after March 30, 1999, and before January 1, 
 81.36  2000 during the calendar year.  
 82.1      (i) For calendar years after 1999 2001, the commissioner of 
 82.2   finance shall determine the balance of the health care access 
 82.3   fund on September 1 of each year beginning September 1, 1999 
 82.4   2001.  If the commissioner determines that there is no 
 82.5   structural deficit for the next fiscal year, no tax shall be 
 82.6   imposed under paragraph (d) for the following calendar year.  If 
 82.7   the commissioner determines that there will be a structural 
 82.8   deficit in the fund for the following fiscal year, then the 
 82.9   commissioner, in consultation with the commissioner of revenue, 
 82.10  shall determine the amount needed to eliminate the structural 
 82.11  deficit and a tax shall be imposed under paragraph (d) for the 
 82.12  following calendar year.  The commissioner shall determine the 
 82.13  rate of the tax as either one-quarter of one percent, one-half 
 82.14  of one percent, three-quarters of one percent, or one percent of 
 82.15  premiums described in paragraph (b), whichever is the lowest of 
 82.16  those rates that the commissioner determines will produce 
 82.17  sufficient revenue to eliminate the projected structural 
 82.18  deficit.  The commissioner of finance shall publish in the State 
 82.19  Register by October 1 of each year the amount of tax to be 
 82.20  imposed for the following calendar year.  In determining the 
 82.21  structural balance of the health care access fund for fiscal 
 82.22  years 2000 and 2001, the commissioner shall disregard the 
 82.23  transfer amount from the health care access fund to the general 
 82.24  fund for expenditures associated with the services provided to 
 82.25  pregnant women and children under the age of two enrolled in the 
 82.26  MinnesotaCare program.  
 82.27     (j) In approving the premium rates as required in sections 
 82.28  62L.08, subdivision 8, and 62A.65, subdivision 3, the 
 82.29  commissioners of health and commerce shall ensure that any 
 82.30  exemption from the tax as described in paragraphs (h) and (i) is 
 82.31  reflected in the premium rate. 
 82.32     Sec. 2.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 62J.041, 
 82.33  subdivision 1, is amended to read: 
 82.34     Subdivision 1.  [DEFINITIONS.] (a) For purposes of this 
 82.35  section, the following definitions apply. 
 82.36     (b) "Health plan company" has the definition provided in 
 83.1   section 62Q.01. 
 83.2      (c) "Total expenditures" means incurred claims or 
 83.3   expenditures on health care services, administrative expenses, 
 83.4   charitable contributions, and all other payments made by health 
 83.5   plan companies out of premium revenues. 
 83.6      (d) "Net expenditures" means total expenditures minus 
 83.7   exempted taxes and assessments and payments or allocations made 
 83.8   to establish or maintain reserves.  
 83.9      (e) "Exempted taxes and assessments" means direct payments 
 83.10  for taxes to government agencies, contributions to the Minnesota 
 83.11  comprehensive health association, the medical assistance 
 83.12  provider's surcharge under section 256.9657, the MinnesotaCare 
 83.13  provider tax under Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 295.52, 
 83.14  assessments by the health coverage reinsurance association, 
 83.15  assessments by the Minnesota life and health insurance guaranty 
 83.16  association, assessments by the Minnesota risk adjustment 
 83.17  association, and any new assessments imposed by federal or state 
 83.18  law. 
 83.19     (f) "Consumer cost-sharing or subscriber liability" means 
 83.20  enrollee coinsurance, copayment, deductible payments, and 
 83.21  amounts in excess of benefit plan maximums. 
 83.22     Sec. 3.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 62Q.095, 
 83.23  subdivision 6, is amended to read: 
 83.24     Subd. 6.  [EXEMPTION.] A health plan company, to the extent 
 83.25  that it operates as a staff model health plan company as defined 
 83.26  in section 295.50, subdivision 12b, by employing allied 
 83.27  independent health care providers to deliver health care 
 83.28  services to enrollees, is exempt from this section.  For 
 83.29  purposes of this subdivision, "staff model health plan company" 
 83.30  means a health plan company as defined in section 62Q.01, 
 83.31  subdivision 4, which employs one or more types of health care 
 83.32  providers to deliver health care services to the health plan 
 83.33  company's enrollees. 
 83.34     Sec. 4.  [62Q.68] [PASS-THROUGH OF SAVINGS TO CONSUMERS.] 
 83.35     Subdivision 1.  [REDUCED PREMIUMS.] All health plan 
 83.36  companies shall pass on to consumers, in the form of reduced 
 84.1   premium rates, all savings resulting from the phase-out and 
 84.2   repeal of the MinnesotaCare provider taxes imposed under 
 84.3   Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 295.52, and the resulting 
 84.4   reduction in the transfer of additional expenses generated by 
 84.5   Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 295.52, obligations to third 
 84.6   party contracts under Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 295.582. 
 84.7      Subd. 2.  [DOCUMENTING COMPLIANCE.] Each health plan 
 84.8   company shall include with its annual renewal for certification 
 84.9   of authority or licensure documentation indicating compliance 
 84.10  with subdivision 1. 
 84.11     Subd. 3.  [ENFORCEMENT.] If the appropriate commissioner 
 84.12  finds that a health plan company has not complied with 
 84.13  subdivision 1, the commissioner may take enforcement action 
 84.14  against that health plan company.  The commissioner may, by 
 84.15  order, fine or censure the health plan company or revoke or 
 84.16  suspend the certificate of authority or license of the health 
 84.17  plan company to do business in this state if the commissioner 
 84.18  finds that the health plan company has not complied with this 
 84.19  section.  The health plan company may appeal the commissioner's 
 84.20  order through a contested case hearing in accordance with 
 84.21  chapter 14. 
 84.22     Sec. 5.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 214.16, 
 84.23  subdivision 2, is amended to read: 
 84.24     Subd. 2.  [BOARD COOPERATION REQUIRED.] The board shall 
 84.25  assist the commissioner of health in data collection activities 
 84.26  required under Laws 1992, chapter 549, article 7, and shall 
 84.27  assist the commissioner of revenue in activities related to 
 84.28  collection of the health care provider tax required under Laws 
 84.29  1992, chapter 549, article 9.  Upon the request of the 
 84.30  commissioner or the commissioner of revenue, the board shall 
 84.31  make available names and addresses of current licensees and 
 84.32  provide other information or assistance as needed. 
 84.33     Sec. 6.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 214.16, 
 84.34  subdivision 3, is amended to read: 
 84.35     Subd. 3.  [GROUNDS FOR DISCIPLINARY ACTION.] The board 
 84.36  shall take disciplinary action, which may include license 
 85.1   revocation, against a regulated person for: 
 85.2      (1) intentional failure to provide the commissioner of 
 85.3   health with the data required under chapter 62J; 
 85.4      (2) intentional failure to provide the commissioner of 
 85.5   revenue with data on gross revenue and other information 
 85.6   required for the commissioner to implement sections 295.50 to 
 85.7   295.58; 
 85.8      (3) intentional failure to pay the health care provider tax 
 85.9   required under section 295.52; and 
 85.10     (4) (2) entering into a contract or arrangement that is 
 85.11  prohibited under sections 62J.70 to 62J.73. 
 85.12     Sec. 7.  [256L.021] [USE OF TOBACCO SETTLEMENT PROCEEDS.] 
 85.13     (a) The commissioner of finance for fiscal years 2000 and 
 85.14  2001 shall deposit the annual payments due under the terms of 
 85.15  the tobacco settlement into the health care access fund 
 85.16  established under section 16A.724. 
 85.17     (b) If the commissioner of finance determines that there 
 85.18  will be a sufficient surplus to permit the tobacco settlement 
 85.19  annual payments to be deposited in the health care access fund 
 85.20  under section 16A.152, subdivision 2a, for fiscal years 2002 and 
 85.21  2003, the commissioner of finance shall deposit all tobacco 
 85.22  settlement annual payments in the health care access fund. 
 85.23     (c) For purposes of this section, "tobacco settlement" 
 85.24  means the consent judgment entered in the case of State of 
 85.25  Minnesota v. Philip Morris Inc. et al. in Minnesota district 
 85.26  court for the second judicial district, Ramsey county (court 
 85.27  file number C1-94-8565). 
 85.28     Sec. 8.  [256L.022] [MINNESOTACARE PROGRAM FINANCIAL 
 85.29  MANAGEMENT.] 
 85.30     Subdivision 1.  [FORECASTING FUNDS.] The MinnesotaCare 
 85.31  program is not an entitlement.  The commissioner of human 
 85.32  services shall not expend more funds than the appropriations 
 85.33  made available by the legislature.  Appropriations made 
 85.34  available must include the state-appropriated funds and federal 
 85.35  funds specified for this purpose and other available funds 
 85.36  transferred from other accounts as allowed by Minnesota law.  
 86.1   Regardless of this limitation on expenditures, the total 
 86.2   projected costs of this program must be forecasted and 
 86.3   recognized in the fund balance. 
 86.4      Subd. 2.  [DETERMINATION BY COMMISSIONER.] As part of each 
 86.5   state revenue and expenditure forecast, the commissioner shall 
 86.6   make an assessment of expected MinnesotaCare program 
 86.7   expenditures for the remainder of the current biennium and for 
 86.8   the following biennium.  If the commissioner determines that 
 86.9   projected MinnesotaCare expenditures during a biennium will 
 86.10  exceed the total of:  (1) the funds projected to be available in 
 86.11  the health care access fund; and (2) projected annual payments 
 86.12  from the tobacco settlement required to be deposited in the 
 86.13  health care access fund under section 256L.021 for that 
 86.14  biennium, the commissioner of human services and the 
 86.15  commissioner of finance shall implement subdivision 1, effective 
 86.16  on the first day of the biennium for which the commissioner of 
 86.17  human services makes the determination. 
 86.18     Subd. 3.  [CONTINGENT APPLICABILITY.] This section is 
 86.19  effective only if the commissioner of human services makes a 
 86.20  determination under subdivision 2 that projected MinnesotaCare 
 86.21  program expenditures will exceed available funding during a 
 86.22  biennium.  If the commissioner makes this determination, this 
 86.23  section is effective on the first day of the biennium for which 
 86.24  the commissioner makes the determination. 
 86.25     Sec. 9.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 270B.01, 
 86.26  subdivision 8, is amended to read: 
 86.27     Subd. 8.  [MINNESOTA TAX LAWS.] For purposes of this 
 86.28  chapter only, unless expressly stated otherwise, "Minnesota tax 
 86.29  laws" means the taxes, refunds, and fees administered by or paid 
 86.30  to the commissioner under chapters 115B (except taxes imposed 
 86.31  under sections 115B.21 to 115B.24), 289A (except taxes imposed 
 86.32  under sections 298.01, 298.015, and 298.24), 290, 290A, 291, 
 86.33  297A, and 297H and sections 295.50 to 295.59, or any similar 
 86.34  Indian tribal tax administered by the commissioner pursuant to 
 86.35  any tax agreement between the state and the Indian tribal 
 86.36  government, and includes any laws for the assessment, 
 87.1   collection, and enforcement of those taxes, refunds, and fees. 
 87.2      Sec. 10.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 270B.14, 
 87.3   subdivision 1, is amended to read: 
 87.4      Subdivision 1.  [DISCLOSURE TO COMMISSIONER OF HUMAN 
 87.5   SERVICES.] (a) On the request of the commissioner of human 
 87.6   services, the commissioner shall disclose return information 
 87.7   regarding taxes imposed by chapter 290, and claims for refunds 
 87.8   under chapter 290A, to the extent provided in paragraph (b) and 
 87.9   for the purposes set forth in paragraph (c). 
 87.10     (b) Data that may be disclosed are limited to data relating 
 87.11  to the identity, whereabouts, employment, income, and property 
 87.12  of a person owing or alleged to be owing an obligation of child 
 87.13  support. 
 87.14     (c) The commissioner of human services may request data 
 87.15  only for the purposes of carrying out the child support 
 87.16  enforcement program and to assist in the location of parents who 
 87.17  have, or appear to have, deserted their children.  Data received 
 87.18  may be used only as set forth in section 256.978. 
 87.19     (d) The commissioner shall provide the records and 
 87.20  information necessary to administer the supplemental housing 
 87.21  allowance to the commissioner of human services.  
 87.22     (e) At the request of the commissioner of human services, 
 87.23  the commissioner of revenue shall electronically match the 
 87.24  social security numbers and names of participants in the 
 87.25  telephone assistance plan operated under sections 237.69 to 
 87.26  237.711, with those of property tax refund filers, and determine 
 87.27  whether each participant's household income is within the 
 87.28  eligibility standards for the telephone assistance plan. 
 87.29     (f) The commissioner may provide records and information 
 87.30  collected under Minnesota Statutes 1998, sections 295.50 to 
 87.31  295.59, to the commissioner of human services for purposes of 
 87.32  the Medicaid Voluntary Contribution and Provider-Specific Tax 
 87.33  Amendments of 1991, Public Law Number 102-234.  Upon the written 
 87.34  agreement by the United States Department of Health and Human 
 87.35  Services to maintain the confidentiality of the data, the 
 87.36  commissioner may provide records and information collected under 
 88.1   Minnesota Statutes 1998, sections 295.50 to 295.59, to the 
 88.2   Health Care Financing Administration section of the United 
 88.3   States Department of Health and Human Services for purposes of 
 88.4   meeting federal reporting requirements.  
 88.5      (g) The commissioner may provide records and information to 
 88.6   the commissioner of human services as necessary to administer 
 88.7   the early refund of refundable tax credits. 
 88.8      (h) The commissioner may disclose information to the 
 88.9   commissioner of human services necessary to verify income for 
 88.10  eligibility and premium payment under the MinnesotaCare program, 
 88.11  under section 256L.05, subdivision 2. 
 88.12     Sec. 11.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 295.50, 
 88.13  subdivision 4, is amended to read: 
 88.14     Subd. 4.  [HEALTH CARE PROVIDER.] (a) "Health care 
 88.15  provider" means: 
 88.16     (1) a person whose health care occupation is regulated or 
 88.17  required to be regulated by the state of Minnesota furnishing 
 88.18  any or all of the following goods or services directly to a 
 88.19  patient or consumer:  medical, surgical, optical, visual, 
 88.20  dental, hearing, nursing services, drugs, laboratory, diagnostic 
 88.21  or therapeutic services; 
 88.22     (2) a person who provides goods and services not listed in 
 88.23  clause (1) that qualify for reimbursement under the medical 
 88.24  assistance program provided under chapter 256B; 
 88.25     (3) a staff model health plan company; 
 88.26     (4) an ambulance service required to be licensed; or 
 88.27     (5) a person who sells or repairs hearing aids and related 
 88.28  equipment or prescription eyewear. 
 88.29     (b) Health care provider does not include:  (1) hospitals; 
 88.30  medical supplies distributors, except as specified under 
 88.31  paragraph (a), clause (5); nursing homes licensed under chapter 
 88.32  144A or licensed in any other jurisdiction; pharmacies; surgical 
 88.33  centers; bus and taxicab transportation, or any other providers 
 88.34  of transportation services other than ambulance services 
 88.35  required to be licensed; supervised living facilities for 
 88.36  persons with mental retardation or related conditions, licensed 
 89.1   under Minnesota Rules, parts 4665.0100 to 4665.9900; residential 
 89.2   care homes licensed under chapter 144B; board and lodging 
 89.3   establishments providing only custodial services that are 
 89.4   licensed under chapter 157 and registered under section 157.17 
 89.5   to provide supportive services or health supervision services; 
 89.6   adult foster homes as defined in Minnesota Rules, part 
 89.7   9555.5105; day training and habilitation services for adults 
 89.8   with mental retardation and related conditions as defined in 
 89.9   section 252.41, subdivision 3; and boarding care homes, as 
 89.10  defined in Minnesota Rules, part 4655.0100.; 
 89.11     (c) For purposes of this subdivision, "directly to a 
 89.12  patient or consumer" includes goods and services provided in 
 89.13  connection with independent medical examinations under section 
 89.14  65B.56 or other examinations for purposes of litigation or 
 89.15  insurance claims. 
 89.16     (2) home health agencies as defined in Minnesota Rules, 
 89.17  part 9505.0175, subpart 15; a person providing personal care 
 89.18  services and supervision of personal care services as defined in 
 89.19  Minnesota Rules, part 9505.0335; a person providing private duty 
 89.20  nursing services as defined in Minnesota Rules, part 9505.0360; 
 89.21  and home care providers required to be licensed under chapter 
 89.22  144A; 
 89.23     (3) a person who employs health care providers solely for 
 89.24  the purpose of providing patient services to its employees; and 
 89.25     (4) an educational institution that employs health care 
 89.26  providers solely for the purpose of providing patient services 
 89.27  to its students if the institution does not receive fee for 
 89.28  service payments or payments for extended coverage. 
 89.29     Sec. 12.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 295.52, 
 89.30  subdivision 7, is amended to read: 
 89.31     Subd. 7.  [TAX REDUCTION.] (a) Notwithstanding subdivisions 
 89.32  1, 1a, 2, 3, and 4, the tax imposed under this section equals 
 89.33  for calendar years year: 
 89.34     (1) 1998 and, 1999 shall be equal to, and 2000, 1.5 
 89.35  percent of the gross revenues received on or after January 1, 
 89.36  1998, and before January 1, 2000.  The commissioner shall extend 
 90.1   the reduced tax rate of 1.5 percent for gross revenues received 
 90.2   on or after January 1, 2000, and before January 1, 2002, if the 
 90.3   commissioner of finance determines that the health care access 
 90.4   fund structural balance projected for fiscal year 2001 will 
 90.5   remain positive, prior to any increase of the one percent 
 90.6   premium tax under section 60A.15, subdivision 1, paragraph (h), 
 90.7   and prior to any tax expenditures related to the increase in the 
 90.8   maximum tax credit for research expenses under section 295.53, 
 90.9   subdivision 4a, as amended by Laws 1997, chapter 225 2001; 
 90.10     (2) 2001, 0.5 percent of the gross revenues received on or 
 90.11  after January 1, 2001, and before January 1, 2002; and 
 90.12     (3) 2002 and later for gross revenues received on or after 
 90.13  January 1, 2002, zero. 
 90.14     (b) The rates under paragraph (a) must be reduced as 
 90.15  provided in section 16A.152, subdivision 2a, if the commissioner 
 90.16  of finance determines that $50,000,000 or more of additional 
 90.17  annual tobacco settlement monies will be deposited in the health 
 90.18  care access fund in the 2002-2003 biennium. 
 90.19     Sec. 13.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 295.53, 
 90.20  subdivision 1, is amended to read: 
 90.21     Subdivision 1.  [EXEMPTIONS.] (a) The following payments 
 90.22  are excluded from the gross revenues subject to the hospital, 
 90.23  surgical center, or health care provider taxes under sections 
 90.24  295.50 to 295.57: 
 90.25     (1) payments received for services provided under the 
 90.26  Medicare program, including payments received from the 
 90.27  government, and organizations governed by sections 1833 and 1876 
 90.28  of title XVIII of the federal Social Security Act, United States 
 90.29  Code, title 42, section 1395, and enrollee deductibles, 
 90.30  coinsurance, and copayments, whether paid by the Medicare 
 90.31  enrollee or by a Medicare supplemental coverage as defined in 
 90.32  section 62A.011, subdivision 3, clause (10).  Payments for 
 90.33  services not covered by Medicare are taxable; 
 90.34     (2) medical assistance payments including payments received 
 90.35  directly from the government or from a prepaid plan; 
 90.36     (3) payments received for home health care services; 
 91.1      (4) payments received from hospitals or surgical centers 
 91.2   for goods and services on which liability for tax is imposed 
 91.3   under section 295.52 or the source of funds for the payment is 
 91.4   exempt under clause (1), (2), (7), (8), or (10), or (13); 
 91.5      (5) payments received from health care providers for goods 
 91.6   and services on which liability for tax is imposed under this 
 91.7   chapter or the source of funds for the payment is exempt under 
 91.8   clause (1), (2), (7), (8), or (10), or (13); 
 91.9      (6) amounts paid for legend drugs, other than nutritional 
 91.10  products, to a wholesale drug distributor who is subject to tax 
 91.11  under section 295.52, subdivision 3, reduced by reimbursements 
 91.12  received for legend drugs under clauses (1), (2), (7), and (8); 
 91.13     (7) payments received under the general assistance medical 
 91.14  care program including payments received directly from the 
 91.15  government or from a prepaid plan; 
 91.16     (8) payments received for providing services under the 
 91.17  MinnesotaCare program including payments received directly from 
 91.18  the government or from a prepaid plan and enrollee deductibles, 
 91.19  coinsurance, and copayments.  For purposes of this clause, 
 91.20  coinsurance means the portion of payment that the enrollee is 
 91.21  required to pay for the covered service; 
 91.22     (9) payments received by a health care provider or the 
 91.23  wholly owned subsidiary of a health care provider for care 
 91.24  provided outside Minnesota to a patient who is not domiciled in 
 91.25  Minnesota; 
 91.26     (10) payments received from the chemical dependency fund 
 91.27  under chapter 254B; 
 91.28     (11) payments received in the nature of charitable 
 91.29  donations that are not designated for providing patient services 
 91.30  to a specific individual or group; 
 91.31     (12) payments received for providing patient services 
 91.32  incurred through a formal program of health care research 
 91.33  conducted in conformity with federal regulations governing 
 91.34  research on human subjects.  Payments received from patients or 
 91.35  from other persons paying on behalf of the patients are subject 
 91.36  to tax; 
 92.1      (13) payments received from any governmental agency for 
 92.2   services benefiting the public, not including payments made by 
 92.3   the government in its capacity as an employer or insurer; 
 92.4      (14) payments received for services provided by community 
 92.5   residential mental health facilities licensed under Minnesota 
 92.6   Rules, parts 9520.0500 to 9520.0690, community support programs 
 92.7   and family community support programs approved under Minnesota 
 92.8   Rules, parts 9535.1700 to 9535.1760, and community mental health 
 92.9   centers as defined in section 245.62, subdivision 2; 
 92.10     (15) government payments received by a regional treatment 
 92.11  center; 
 92.12     (16) payments received for hospice care services; 
 92.13     (17) payments received by a health care provider for 
 92.14  hearing aids and related equipment or prescription eyewear 
 92.15  delivered outside of Minnesota; 
 92.16     (18) payments received by a post-secondary an educational 
 92.17  institution from student tuition, student activity fees, health 
 92.18  care service fees, government appropriations, donations, or 
 92.19  grants.  Fee for service payments and payments for extended 
 92.20  coverage are taxable; and 
 92.21     (19) payments received for services provided by:  assisted 
 92.22  living programs and congregate housing programs; 
 92.23     (20) payments received from nursing homes licensed under 
 92.24  chapter 144A for services provided to a nursing home; and 
 92.25     (21) payments received for examinations for purposes of 
 92.26  utilization reviews, insurance claims or eligibility, 
 92.27  litigation, and employment, including reviews of medical records 
 92.28  for those purposes. 
 92.29     (b) Payments received by wholesale drug distributors for 
 92.30  legend drugs sold directly to veterinarians or veterinary bulk 
 92.31  purchasing organizations are excluded from the gross revenues 
 92.32  subject to the wholesale drug distributor tax under sections 
 92.33  295.50 to 295.59. 
 92.34     Sec. 14.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 295.55, 
 92.35  subdivision 2, is amended to read: 
 92.36     Subd. 2.  [ESTIMATED TAX; HOSPITALS; SURGICAL CENTERS.] (a) 
 93.1   Each hospital or surgical center must make estimated payments of 
 93.2   the taxes for the calendar year in monthly installments to the 
 93.3   commissioner within 15 days after the end of the month. 
 93.4      (b) Estimated tax payments are not required of hospitals or 
 93.5   surgical centers if:  (1) the tax for the current calendar year 
 93.6   is less than $500; or (2) the tax for the previous calendar year 
 93.7   is less than $500, if the taxpayer had a tax liability and was 
 93.8   doing business the entire year; or (3) if a hospital has been 
 93.9   allowed a grant under section 144.1484, subdivision 2, for the 
 93.10  year. 
 93.11     (c) Underpayment of estimated installments bear interest at 
 93.12  the rate specified in section 270.75, from the due date of the 
 93.13  payment until paid or until the due date of the annual return at 
 93.14  the rate specified in section 270.75 whichever comes first.  An 
 93.15  underpayment of an estimated installment is the difference 
 93.16  between the amount paid and the lesser of (1) 90 percent of 
 93.17  one-twelfth of the tax for the calendar year or (2) one-twelfth 
 93.18  of the total tax for the actual gross revenues received during 
 93.19  the month previous calendar year if the taxpayer had a tax 
 93.20  liability and was doing business the entire year. 
 93.21     Sec. 15.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 295.55, 
 93.22  subdivision 3, is amended to read: 
 93.23     Subd. 3.  [ESTIMATED TAX; OTHER TAXPAYERS.] (a) Each 
 93.24  taxpayer, other than a hospital or surgical center, must make 
 93.25  estimated payments of the taxes for the calendar year in 
 93.26  quarterly installments to the commissioner by April 15, July 15, 
 93.27  October 15, and January 15 of the following calendar year. 
 93.28     (b) Estimated tax payments are not required if:  (1) the 
 93.29  tax for the current calendar year is less than $500; or (2) the 
 93.30  tax for the previous calendar year is less than $500, if the 
 93.31  taxpayer had a tax liability and was doing business the entire 
 93.32  year. 
 93.33     (c) Underpayment of estimated installments bear interest at 
 93.34  the rate specified in section 270.75, from the due date of the 
 93.35  payment until paid or until the due date of the annual return at 
 93.36  the rate specified in section 270.75 whichever comes first.  An 
 94.1   underpayment of an estimated installment is the difference 
 94.2   between the amount paid and the lesser of (1) 90 percent of 
 94.3   one-quarter of the tax for the calendar year or (2) one-quarter 
 94.4   of the total tax for the actual gross revenues received during 
 94.5   the quarter previous calendar year if the taxpayer had a tax 
 94.6   liability and was doing business the entire year. 
 94.7      Sec. 16.  [REPEALER.] 
 94.8      (a) Minnesota Statutes 1998, sections 13.99, subdivision 
 94.9   86b; 144.1484, subdivision 2; 295.50; 295.51; 295.52; 295.53; 
 94.10  295.54; 295.55; 295.56; 295.57; 295.58; 295.582; and 295.59, are 
 94.11  repealed effective January 1, 2002. 
 94.12     (b) Minnesota Statutes 1998, sections 16A.76; and 256L.02, 
 94.13  subdivision 3, are repealed effective January 1, 2000. 
 94.14     Sec. 17.  [CONTINGENT REPEALER; HEALTH CARE ACCESS FUND.] 
 94.15     Subdivision 1.  [REPEALER.] Minnesota Statutes 1998, 
 94.16  section 16A.724, is repealed, effective as provided under 
 94.17  subdivision 3. 
 94.18     Subd. 2.  [TRANSFER TO GENERAL FUND.] Upon repeal of the 
 94.19  health care access fund under subdivision 1, the commissioner of 
 94.20  finance shall transfer any funds in the health care access fund 
 94.21  to the general fund and the health care access fund is combined 
 94.22  with and becomes part of the general fund. 
 94.23     Subd. 3.  [CONTINGENT EFFECTIVE DATE.] This section is 
 94.24  effective only if the commissioner of human services makes a 
 94.25  determination under Minnesota Statutes, section 256L.022, that 
 94.26  projected MinnesotaCare program expenditures will exceed 
 94.27  available funding during a biennium.  If the commissioner makes 
 94.28  this determination, this section is effective on the first day 
 94.29  of the biennium for which the commissioner makes the 
 94.30  determination. 
 94.31     Sec. 18.  [EFFECTIVE DATE.] 
 94.32     Sections 2, 3, 5, 6, 9, and 10 are effective January 1, 
 94.33  2002. 
 94.34     Section 4 is effective January 1, 2000, and applies to 
 94.35  premium rates for health plans issued or renewed on or after 
 94.36  that date. 
 95.1      The provisions of section 11, striking clause (c), and 
 95.2   section 13, clause (21), are effective for services provided 
 95.3   after December 31, 1998.  The rest of section 11, the rest of 
 95.4   section 13 and sections 14 and 15 are effective for payments 
 95.5   received on or after January 1, 2000. 
 95.6      Section 16, paragraph (a), is effective January 1, 2002, 
 95.7   and applies to tax years beginning on or after that date. 
 95.8                              ARTICLE 6 
 95.9                            PROPERTY TAXES 
 95.10     Section 1.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 16A.1521, is 
 95.11  amended to read: 
 95.12     16A.1521 [PROPERTY TAX REFORM ACCOUNT.] 
 95.13     Subdivision 1.  [ESTABLISHMENT; USES OF FUNDS.] (a) A 
 95.14  property tax reform account is established in the general fund. 
 95.15     (b) Amounts in the account are available for and may only 
 95.16  be spent to reform the property tax system by: 
 95.17     (1) reducing the class rates to the target rates specified 
 95.18  in section 273.13, subdivision 32 2, or to further reduce the 
 95.19  ratio of the highest class rate to the lowest class rate; 
 95.20     (2) increasing state education aids to reduce property 
 95.21  taxes; 
 95.22     (3) increasing the state share of education funding to 70 
 95.23  percent; 
 95.24     (4) increasing the education homestead credit; or 
 95.25     (5) increasing the property tax refund. 
 95.26  As provided by section 273.13, subdivision 32, the governor 
 95.27  shall recommend to the legislature uses The primary use of money 
 95.28  in the account is to compress class rate ratios, while 
 95.29  mitigating the shifting of relative property tax burdens from 
 95.30  one class to another through the mechanisms listed in clauses 
 95.31  (2) through (5).  
 95.32     (c) The balance in the account does not cancel and remains 
 95.33  in the account until appropriated for property tax reform.  
 95.34  Investment earnings on the account are credited to the account. 
 95.35     Subd. 2.  [TARGET CLASS RATES.] The following class rates 
 95.36  are established as state property tax policy goals: 
 96.1      (1) three percent for the upper tier of 
 96.2   commercial-industrial property; 
 96.3      (2) two percent for apartment property; and 
 96.4      (3) 1.5 percent for the upper tier of other residential 
 96.5   property. 
 96.6      Sec. 2.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 271.01, 
 96.7   subdivision 5, is amended to read: 
 96.8      Subd. 5.  [JURISDICTION.] The tax court shall have 
 96.9   statewide jurisdiction.  Except for an appeal to the supreme 
 96.10  court or any other appeal allowed under this subdivision, the 
 96.11  tax court shall be the sole, exclusive, and final authority for 
 96.12  the hearing and determination of all questions of law and fact 
 96.13  arising under the tax laws of the state, as defined in this 
 96.14  subdivision, in those cases that have been appealed to the tax 
 96.15  court and in any case that has been transferred by the district 
 96.16  court to the tax court.  The tax court shall have no 
 96.17  jurisdiction in any case that does not arise under the tax laws 
 96.18  of the state or in any criminal case or in any case determining 
 96.19  or granting title to real property or in any case that is under 
 96.20  the probate jurisdiction of the district court.  The small 
 96.21  claims division of the tax court shall have no jurisdiction in 
 96.22  any case dealing with property valuation or assessment for 
 96.23  property tax purposes until the taxpayer has appealed the 
 96.24  valuation or assessment to the county board of equalization, and 
 96.25  in those towns and cities which have not transferred their 
 96.26  duties to the county, the town or city board of equalization, 
 96.27  except for:  (i) those taxpayers whose original assessments are 
 96.28  determined by the commissioner of revenue; and (ii) those 
 96.29  taxpayers appealing a denial of a current year application for 
 96.30  the homestead classification for their property and the denial 
 96.31  was not reflected on a valuation notice issued in the year.  The 
 96.32  tax court shall have no jurisdiction in any case involving an 
 96.33  order of the state board of equalization unless a taxpayer 
 96.34  contests the valuation of property.  Laws governing taxes, aids, 
 96.35  and related matters administered by the commissioner of revenue, 
 96.36  laws dealing with property valuation, assessment or taxation of 
 97.1   property for property tax purposes, and any other laws that 
 97.2   contain provisions authorizing review of taxes, aids, and 
 97.3   related matters by the tax court shall be considered tax laws of 
 97.4   this state subject to the jurisdiction of the tax court.  This 
 97.5   subdivision shall not be construed to prevent an appeal, as 
 97.6   provided by law, to an administrative agency, board of 
 97.7   equalization, review under section 274.13, subdivision 1c, or to 
 97.8   the commissioner of revenue.  Wherever used in this chapter, the 
 97.9   term commissioner shall mean the commissioner of revenue, unless 
 97.10  otherwise specified. 
 97.11     Sec. 3.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 271.21, 
 97.12  subdivision 2, is amended to read: 
 97.13     Subd. 2.  [JURISDICTION.] At the election of the taxpayer, 
 97.14  the small claims division shall have jurisdiction only in the 
 97.15  following matters: 
 97.16     (a) in cases involving valuation, assessment, or taxation 
 97.17  of real or personal property, if the taxpayer has satisfied the 
 97.18  requirements of section 271.01, subdivision 5, and:  (i) the 
 97.19  issue is a denial of a current year application for the 
 97.20  homestead classification for the taxpayer's property and the 
 97.21  denial was not reflected on a valuation notice issued in the 
 97.22  year; or (ii) in the case of nonhomestead property, the 
 97.23  assessor's estimated market value is less than $100,000; or 
 97.24     (b) any other case concerning the tax laws as defined in 
 97.25  section 271.01, subdivision 5, in which the amount in 
 97.26  controversy does not exceed $5,000, including penalty and 
 97.27  interest. 
 97.28     Sec. 4.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 272.02, 
 97.29  subdivision 1, is amended to read: 
 97.30     Subdivision 1.  [EXEMPT PROPERTY DESCRIBED.] All property 
 97.31  described in this section to the extent herein limited shall be 
 97.32  exempt from taxation: 
 97.33     (1) All public burying grounds. 
 97.34     (2) All public schoolhouses. 
 97.35     (3) All public hospitals. 
 97.36     (4) All academies, colleges, and universities, and all 
 98.1   seminaries of learning. 
 98.2      (5) All churches, church property, and houses of worship. 
 98.3      (6) Institutions of purely public charity except parcels of 
 98.4   property containing structures and the structures described in 
 98.5   section 273.13, subdivision 25, paragraph (e), other than those 
 98.6   that qualify for exemption under clause (25). 
 98.7      (7) All public property exclusively used for any public 
 98.8   purpose. 
 98.9      (8) Except for the taxable personal property enumerated 
 98.10  below, all personal property and the property described in 
 98.11  section 272.03, subdivision 1, paragraphs (c) and (d), shall be 
 98.12  exempt.  
 98.13     The following personal property shall be taxable:  
 98.14     (a) personal property which is part of an electric 
 98.15  generating, transmission, or distribution system or a pipeline 
 98.16  system transporting or distributing water, gas, crude oil, or 
 98.17  petroleum products or mains and pipes used in the distribution 
 98.18  of steam or hot or chilled water for heating or cooling 
 98.19  buildings and structures; 
 98.20     (b) railroad docks and wharves which are part of the 
 98.21  operating property of a railroad company as defined in section 
 98.22  270.80; 
 98.23     (c) personal property defined in section 272.03, 
 98.24  subdivision 2, clause (3); 
 98.25     (d) leasehold or other personal property interests which 
 98.26  are taxed pursuant to section 272.01, subdivision 2; 273.124, 
 98.27  subdivision 7; or 273.19, subdivision 1; or any other law 
 98.28  providing the property is taxable as if the lessee or user were 
 98.29  the fee owner; 
 98.30     (e) manufactured homes and sectional structures, including 
 98.31  storage sheds, decks, and similar removable improvements 
 98.32  constructed on the site of a manufactured home, sectional 
 98.33  structure, park trailer or travel trailer as provided in section 
 98.34  273.125, subdivision 8, paragraph (f); and 
 98.35     (f) flight property as defined in section 270.071.  
 98.36     (9) Personal property used primarily for the abatement and 
 99.1   control of air, water, or land pollution to the extent that it 
 99.2   is so used, and real property which is used primarily for 
 99.3   abatement and control of air, water, or land pollution as part 
 99.4   of an agricultural operation, as a part of a centralized 
 99.5   treatment and recovery facility operating under a permit issued 
 99.6   by the Minnesota pollution control agency pursuant to chapters 
 99.7   115 and 116 and Minnesota Rules, parts 7001.0500 to 7001.0730, 
 99.8   and 7045.0020 to 7045.1260, as a wastewater treatment facility 
 99.9   and for the treatment, recovery, and stabilization of metals, 
 99.10  oils, chemicals, water, sludges, or inorganic materials from 
 99.11  hazardous industrial wastes, or as part of an electric 
 99.12  generation system.  For purposes of this clause, personal 
 99.13  property includes ponderous machinery and equipment used in a 
 99.14  business or production activity that at common law is considered 
 99.15  real property. 
 99.16     Any taxpayer requesting exemption of all or a portion of 
 99.17  any real property or any equipment or device, or part thereof, 
 99.18  operated primarily for the control or abatement of air or water 
 99.19  pollution shall file an application with the commissioner of 
 99.20  revenue.  The equipment or device shall meet standards, rules, 
 99.21  or criteria prescribed by the Minnesota pollution control 
 99.22  agency, and must be installed or operated in accordance with a 
 99.23  permit or order issued by that agency.  The Minnesota pollution 
 99.24  control agency shall upon request of the commissioner furnish 
 99.25  information or advice to the commissioner.  On determining that 
 99.26  property qualifies for exemption, the commissioner shall issue 
 99.27  an order exempting the property from taxation.  The equipment or 
 99.28  device shall continue to be exempt from taxation as long as the 
 99.29  permit issued by the Minnesota pollution control agency remains 
 99.30  in effect. 
 99.31     (10) Wetlands.  For purposes of this subdivision, 
 99.32  "wetlands" means:  (i) land described in section 103G.005, 
 99.33  subdivision 15a; (ii) land which is mostly under water, produces 
 99.34  little if any income, and has no use except for wildlife or 
 99.35  water conservation purposes, provided it is preserved in its 
 99.36  natural condition and drainage of it would be legal, feasible, 
100.1   and economically practical for the production of livestock, 
100.2   dairy animals, poultry, fruit, vegetables, forage and grains, 
100.3   except wild rice; or (iii) land in a wetland preservation area 
100.4   under sections 103F.612 to 103F.616.  "Wetlands" under items (i) 
100.5   and (ii) include adjacent land which is not suitable for 
100.6   agricultural purposes due to the presence of the wetlands, but 
100.7   do not include woody swamps containing shrubs or trees, wet 
100.8   meadows, meandered water, streams, rivers, and floodplains or 
100.9   river bottoms.  Exemption of wetlands from taxation pursuant to 
100.10  this section shall not grant the public any additional or 
100.11  greater right of access to the wetlands or diminish any right of 
100.12  ownership to the wetlands. 
100.13     (11) Native prairie.  The commissioner of the department of 
100.14  natural resources shall determine lands in the state which are 
100.15  native prairie and shall notify the county assessor of each 
100.16  county in which the lands are located.  Pasture land used for 
100.17  livestock grazing purposes shall not be considered native 
100.18  prairie for the purposes of this clause.  Upon receipt of an 
100.19  application for the exemption provided in this clause for lands 
100.20  for which the assessor has no determination from the 
100.21  commissioner of natural resources, the assessor shall refer the 
100.22  application to the commissioner of natural resources who shall 
100.23  determine within 30 days whether the land is native prairie and 
100.24  notify the county assessor of the decision.  Exemption of native 
100.25  prairie pursuant to this clause shall not grant the public any 
100.26  additional or greater right of access to the native prairie or 
100.27  diminish any right of ownership to it. 
100.28     (12) Property used in a continuous program to provide 
100.29  emergency shelter for victims of domestic abuse, provided the 
100.30  organization that owns and sponsors the shelter is exempt from 
100.31  federal income taxation pursuant to section 501(c)(3) of the 
100.32  Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended through December 31, 
100.33  1992, notwithstanding the fact that the sponsoring organization 
100.34  receives funding under section 8 of the United States Housing 
100.35  Act of 1937, as amended. 
100.36     (13) If approved by the governing body of the municipality 
101.1   in which the property is located, property not exceeding one 
101.2   acre which is owned and operated by any senior citizen group or 
101.3   association of groups that in general limits membership to 
101.4   persons age 55 or older and is organized and operated 
101.5   exclusively for pleasure, recreation, and other nonprofit 
101.6   purposes, no part of the net earnings of which inures to the 
101.7   benefit of any private shareholders; provided the property is 
101.8   used primarily as a clubhouse, meeting facility, or recreational 
101.9   facility by the group or association and the property is not 
101.10  used for residential purposes on either a temporary or permanent 
101.11  basis. 
101.12     (14) To the extent provided by section 295.44, real and 
101.13  personal property used or to be used primarily for the 
101.14  production of hydroelectric or hydromechanical power on a site 
101.15  owned by the federal government, the state, or a local 
101.16  governmental unit which is developed and operated pursuant to 
101.17  the provisions of section 103G.535. 
101.18     (15) If approved by the governing body of the municipality 
101.19  in which the property is located, and if construction is 
101.20  commenced after June 30, 1983:  
101.21     (a) a "direct satellite broadcasting facility" operated by 
101.22  a corporation licensed by the federal communications commission 
101.23  to provide direct satellite broadcasting services using direct 
101.24  broadcast satellites operating in the 12-ghz. band; and 
101.25     (b) a "fixed satellite regional or national program service 
101.26  facility" operated by a corporation licensed by the federal 
101.27  communications commission to provide fixed satellite-transmitted 
101.28  regularly scheduled broadcasting services using satellites 
101.29  operating in the 6-ghz. band. 
101.30  An exemption provided by clause (15) shall apply for a period 
101.31  not to exceed five years.  When the facility no longer qualifies 
101.32  for exemption, it shall be placed on the assessment rolls as 
101.33  provided in subdivision 4.  Before approving a tax exemption 
101.34  pursuant to this paragraph, the governing body of the 
101.35  municipality shall provide an opportunity to the members of the 
101.36  county board of commissioners of the county in which the 
102.1   facility is proposed to be located and the members of the school 
102.2   board of the school district in which the facility is proposed 
102.3   to be located to meet with the governing body.  The governing 
102.4   body shall present to the members of those boards its estimate 
102.5   of the fiscal impact of the proposed property tax exemption.  
102.6   The tax exemption shall not be approved by the governing body 
102.7   until the county board of commissioners has presented its 
102.8   written comment on the proposal to the governing body or 30 days 
102.9   have passed from the date of the transmittal by the governing 
102.10  body to the board of the information on the fiscal impact, 
102.11  whichever occurs first. 
102.12     (16) Real and personal property owned and operated by a 
102.13  private, nonprofit corporation exempt from federal income 
102.14  taxation pursuant to United States Code, title 26, section 
102.15  501(c)(3), primarily used in the generation and distribution of 
102.16  hot water for heating buildings and structures.  
102.17     (17) Notwithstanding section 273.19, state lands that are
102.18  leased from the department of natural resources under section 
102.19  92.46. 
102.20     (18) Electric power distribution lines and their 
102.21  attachments and appurtenances, that are used primarily for 
102.22  supplying electricity to farmers at retail.  
102.23     (19) Transitional housing facilities.  "Transitional 
102.24  housing facility" means a facility that meets the following 
102.25  requirements.  (i) It provides temporary housing to individuals, 
102.26  couples, or families.  (ii) It has the purpose of reuniting 
102.27  families and enabling parents or individuals to obtain 
102.28  self-sufficiency, advance their education, get job training, or 
102.29  become employed in jobs that provide a living wage.  (iii) It 
102.30  provides support services such as child care, work readiness 
102.31  training, and career development counseling; and a 
102.32  self-sufficiency program with periodic monitoring of each 
102.33  resident's progress in completing the program's goals.  (iv) It 
102.34  provides services to a resident of the facility for at least 
102.35  three months but no longer than three years, except residents 
102.36  enrolled in an educational or vocational institution or job 
103.1   training program.  These residents may receive services during 
103.2   the time they are enrolled but in no event longer than four 
103.3   years.  (v) It is owned and operated or under lease from a unit 
103.4   of government or governmental agency under a property 
103.5   disposition program and operated by one or more organizations 
103.6   exempt from federal income tax under section 501(c)(3) of the 
103.7   Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended through December 31, 
103.8   1992.  This exemption applies notwithstanding the fact that the 
103.9   sponsoring organization receives financing by a direct federal 
103.10  loan or federally insured loan or a loan made by the Minnesota 
103.11  housing finance agency under the provisions of either Title II 
103.12  of the National Housing Act or the Minnesota Housing Finance 
103.13  Agency Law of 1971 or rules promulgated by the agency pursuant 
103.14  to it, and notwithstanding the fact that the sponsoring 
103.15  organization receives funding under Section 8 of the United 
103.16  States Housing Act of 1937, as amended. 
103.17     (20) Real and personal property, including leasehold or 
103.18  other personal property interests, owned and operated by a 
103.19  corporation if more than 50 percent of the total voting power of 
103.20  the stock of the corporation is owned collectively by:  (i) the 
103.21  board of regents of the University of Minnesota, (ii) the 
103.22  University of Minnesota Foundation, an organization exempt from 
103.23  federal income taxation under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal 
103.24  Revenue Code of 1986, as amended through December 31, 1992, and 
103.25  (iii) a corporation organized under chapter 317A, which by its 
103.26  articles of incorporation is prohibited from providing pecuniary 
103.27  gain to any person or entity other than the regents of the 
103.28  University of Minnesota; which property is used primarily to 
103.29  manage or provide goods, services, or facilities utilizing or 
103.30  relating to large-scale advanced scientific computing resources 
103.31  to the regents of the University of Minnesota and others. 
103.32     (21)(a) Small scale wind energy conversion systems 
103.33  installed after January 1, 1991, and used as an electric power 
103.34  source are exempt. 
103.35     "Small scale wind energy conversion systems" are wind 
103.36  energy conversion systems, as defined in section 216C.06, 
104.1   subdivision 12, including the foundation or support pad, which 
104.2   are (i) used as an electric power source; (ii) located within 
104.3   one county and owned by the same owner; and (iii) produce two 
104.4   megawatts or less of electricity as measured by nameplate 
104.5   ratings. 
104.6      (b) Medium scale wind energy conversion systems installed 
104.7   after January 1, 1991, are treated as follows:  (i) the 
104.8   foundation and support pad are taxable; (ii) the associated 
104.9   supporting and protective structures are exempt for the first 
104.10  five assessment years after they have been constructed, and 
104.11  thereafter, 30 percent of the market value of the associated 
104.12  supporting and protective structures are taxable; and (iii) the 
104.13  turbines, blades, transformers, and its related equipment, are 
104.14  exempt.  "Medium scale wind energy conversion systems" are wind 
104.15  energy conversion systems as defined in section 216C.06, 
104.16  subdivision 12, including the foundation or support pad, which 
104.17  are:  (i) used as an electric power source; (ii) located within 
104.18  one county and owned by the same owner; and (iii) produce more 
104.19  than two but equal to or less than 12 megawatts of energy as 
104.20  measured by nameplate ratings. 
104.21     (c) Large scale wind energy conversion systems installed 
104.22  after January 1, 1991, are treated as follows:  25 percent of 
104.23  the market value of all property is taxable, including (i) the 
104.24  foundation and support pad; (ii) the associated supporting and 
104.25  protective structures; and (iii) the turbines, blades, 
104.26  transformers, and its related equipment.  "Large scale wind 
104.27  energy conversion systems" are wind energy conversion systems as 
104.28  defined in section 216C.06, subdivision 12, including the 
104.29  foundation or support pad, which are:  (i) used as an electric 
104.30  power source; and (ii) produce more than 12 megawatts of energy 
104.31  as measured by nameplate ratings. 
104.32     (22) Containment tanks, cache basins, and that portion of 
104.33  the structure needed for the containment facility used to 
104.34  confine agricultural chemicals as defined in section 18D.01, 
104.35  subdivision 3, as required by the commissioner of agriculture 
104.36  under chapter 18B or 18C. 
105.1      (23) Photovoltaic devices, as defined in section 216C.06, 
105.2   subdivision 13, installed after January 1, 1992, and used to 
105.3   produce or store electric power. 
105.4      (24) Real and personal property owned and operated by a 
105.5   private, nonprofit corporation exempt from federal income 
105.6   taxation pursuant to United States Code, title 26, section 
105.7   501(c)(3), primarily used for an ice arena or ice rink, and used 
105.8   primarily for youth and high school programs. 
105.9      (25) A structure that is situated on real property that is 
105.10  used for: 
105.11     (i) housing for the elderly or for low- and moderate-income 
105.12  families as defined in Title II of the National Housing Act, as 
105.13  amended through December 31, 1990, and funded by a direct 
105.14  federal loan or federally insured loan made pursuant to Title II 
105.15  of the act; or 
105.16     (ii) housing lower income families or elderly or 
105.17  handicapped persons, as defined in Section 8 of the United 
105.18  States Housing Act of 1937, as amended. 
105.19     In order for a structure to be exempt under item (i) or 
105.20  (ii), it must also meet each of the following criteria: 
105.21     (A) is owned by an entity which is operated as a nonprofit 
105.22  corporation organized under chapter 317A; 
105.23     (B) is owned by an entity which has not entered into a 
105.24  housing assistance payments contract under Section 8 of the 
105.25  United States Housing Act of 1937, or, if the entity which owns 
105.26  the structure has entered into a housing assistance payments 
105.27  contract under Section 8 of the United States Housing Act of 
105.28  1937, the contract provides assistance for less than 90 percent 
105.29  of the dwelling units in the structure, excluding dwelling units 
105.30  intended for management or maintenance personnel; 
105.31     (C) operates an on-site congregate dining program in which 
105.32  participation by residents is mandatory, and provides assisted 
105.33  living or similar social and physical support services for 
105.34  residents; and 
105.35     (D) was not assessed and did not pay tax under chapter 273 
105.36  prior to the 1991 levy, while meeting the other conditions of 
106.1   this clause. 
106.2      An exemption under this clause remains in effect for taxes 
106.3   levied in each year or partial year of the term of its permanent 
106.4   financing. 
106.5      (26) Real and personal property that is located in the 
106.6   Superior National Forest, and owned or leased and operated by a 
106.7   nonprofit organization that is exempt from federal income 
106.8   taxation under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 
106.9   1986, as amended through December 31, 1992, and primarily used 
106.10  to provide recreational opportunities for disabled veterans and 
106.11  their families. 
106.12     (27) Manure pits and appurtenances, which may include 
106.13  slatted floors and pipes, installed or operated in accordance 
106.14  with a permit, order, or certificate of compliance issued by the 
106.15  Minnesota pollution control agency.  The exemption shall 
106.16  continue for as long as the permit, order, or certificate issued 
106.17  by the Minnesota pollution control agency remains in effect. 
106.18     (28) Notwithstanding clause (8), item (a), attached 
106.19  machinery and other personal property which is part of a 
106.20  facility containing a cogeneration system as described in 
106.21  section 216B.166, subdivision 2, paragraph (a), if the 
106.22  cogeneration system has met the following criteria:  (i) the 
106.23  system utilizes natural gas as a primary fuel and the 
106.24  cogenerated steam initially replaces steam generated from 
106.25  existing thermal boilers utilizing coal; (ii) the facility 
106.26  developer is selected as a result of a procurement process 
106.27  ordered by the public utilities commission; and (iii) 
106.28  construction of the facility is commenced after July 1, 1994, 
106.29  and before July 1, 1997. 
106.30     (29) Real property acquired by a home rule charter city, 
106.31  statutory city, county, town, or school district under a lease 
106.32  purchase agreement or an installment purchase contract during 
106.33  the term of the lease purchase agreement as long as and to the 
106.34  extent that the property is used by the city, county, town, or 
106.35  school district and devoted to a public use and to the extent it 
106.36  is not subleased to any private individual, entity, association, 
107.1   or corporation in connection with a business or enterprise 
107.2   operated for profit. 
107.3      (30) Property owned by a nonprofit charitable organization 
107.4   that qualifies for tax exemption under section 501(c)(3) of the 
107.5   Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended through December 31, 
107.6   1997, that is intended to be used as a business incubator in a 
107.7   high-unemployment county but is not occupied on the assessment 
107.8   date.  As used in this clause, a "business incubator" is a 
107.9   facility used for the development of nonretail businesses, 
107.10  offering access to equipment, space, services, and advice to the 
107.11  tenant businesses, for the purpose of encouraging economic 
107.12  development, diversification, and job creation in the area 
107.13  served by the organization, and "high-unemployment county" is a 
107.14  county that had an average annual unemployment rate of 7.9 
107.15  percent or greater in 1997.  Property that qualifies for the 
107.16  exemption under this clause is limited to no more than two 
107.17  contiguous parcels and structures that do not exceed in the 
107.18  aggregate 40,000 square feet.  This exemption expires after 
107.19  taxes payable in 2005. 
107.20     (31) Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, real 
107.21  property that meets the following criteria is exempt: 
107.22     (i) constitutes a wastewater treatment system (a) 
107.23  constructed by a municipality using public funds, (b) operates 
107.24  under a State Disposal System Permit issued by the Minnesota 
107.25  pollution control agency pursuant to chapters 115 and 116 and 
107.26  Minnesota Rules, chapter 700l, and (c) applies its effluent to 
107.27  land used as part of an agricultural operation; 
107.28     (ii) is located within a municipality of a population of 
107.29  less than 10,000; 
107.30     (iii) is used for treatment of effluent from a private 
107.31  potato processing facility; and 
107.32     (iv) is owned by a municipality and operated by a private 
107.33  entity under agreement with that municipality. 
107.34     (32) Notwithstanding clause (8), item (a), attached 
107.35  machinery and other personal property which is part of a 
107.36  simple-cycle combustion-turbine electric generation facility 
108.1   that exceeds 250 megawatts of installed capacity and that meets 
108.2   the requirements of this clause.  At the time of construction, 
108.3   the facility must:  
108.4      (i) not be owned by a public utility as defined in section 
108.5   216B.02, subdivision 4; 
108.6      (ii) utilize natural gas as a primary fuel; 
108.7      (iii) be located within 20 miles of the intersection of an 
108.8   existing 42-inch (outside diameter) natural gas pipeline and a 
108.9   345-kilovolt high-voltage electric transmission line; and 
108.10     (iv) be designed to provide peaking, emergency backup, or 
108.11  contingency services, and have received a certificate of need 
108.12  pursuant to section 216B.243 demonstrating demand for its 
108.13  capacity.  
108.14  Construction of the facility must be commenced after July 1, 
108.15  1999, and before July 1, 2003.  Property eligible for this 
108.16  exemption does not include electric transmission lines and 
108.17  interconnections or gas pipelines and interconnections 
108.18  appurtenant to the property or the facility. 
108.19     Sec. 5.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 272.027, is 
108.20  amended to read: 
108.21     272.027 [PERSONAL PROPERTY USED TO GENERATE ELECTRICITY FOR 
108.22  PRODUCTION AND RESALE.] 
108.23     Subdivision 1.  [ELECTRICITY GENERATED TO PRODUCE GOODS AND 
108.24  SERVICES.] Personal property used to generate electric power is 
108.25  exempt from property taxation if the electric power is used to 
108.26  manufacture or produce goods, products, or services, other than 
108.27  electric power, by the owner of the electric generation 
108.28  plant.  Except as provided in subdivisions 2 and 3, the 
108.29  exemption does not apply to property used to produce electric 
108.30  power for sale to others and does not apply to real property.  
108.31  In determining the value subject to tax, a proportionate share 
108.32  of the value of the generating facilities, equal to the 
108.33  proportion that the power sold to others bears to the total 
108.34  generation of the plant, is subject to the general property tax 
108.35  in the same manner as other property.  Power generated in such a 
108.36  plant and exchanged for an equivalent amount of power that is 
109.1   used for the manufacture or production of goods, products, or 
109.2   services other than electric power by the owner of the 
109.3   generating plant is considered to be used by the owner of the 
109.4   plant. 
109.5      Subd. 2.  [EXEMPTION FOR CUSTOMER OWNED PROPERTY 
109.6   TRANSFERRED TO A UTILITY.] (a) Tools, implements, and machinery 
109.7   of an electric generating facility are exempt if all the 
109.8   following requirements are met: 
109.9      (1) the electric generating facilities were operational and 
109.10  met the requirements for exemption of personal property under 
109.11  subdivision 1 on January 2, 1999; and 
109.12     (2) the generating facility is sold to a Minnesota electric 
109.13  utility. 
109.14     (b) Any tools, implements, and machinery installed to 
109.15  increase generation capacity are also exempt under this section 
109.16  provided that the existing tools, implements, and machinery are 
109.17  exempt under paragraph (a). 
109.18     Subd. 3.  [EXEMPTION ELECTRIC POWER PLANT PERSONAL 
109.19  PROPERTY; TACONITE AND STEEL MILL.] 
109.20     Tools, implements, and machinery of an electric generating 
109.21  facility are exempt if all the following requirements are met: 
109.22     (1) the electric generating facility, when completed, will 
109.23  have a capacity of at least 450 megawatts; 
109.24     (2) the electric generating facility is adjacent to a 
109.25  taconite mine direct-reduction steel mill; and 
109.26     (3) the electric generating facility supplied over 60 
109.27  percent of its electricity generated in the prior year to the 
109.28  adjacent direct-reduction plant and steel mill. 
109.29     Sec. 6.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 272.03, 
109.30  subdivision 6, is amended to read: 
109.31     Subd. 6.  [TRACT, LOT, PARCEL, AND PIECE OR PARCEL.] 
109.32  (a) "Tract," "lot," "parcel," and "piece or parcel" of land 
109.33  means any contiguous quantity of land in the possession of, 
109.34  owned by, or recorded as the property of, the same claimant or 
109.35  person.  
109.36     (b) Notwithstanding paragraph (a), property that is owned 
110.1   by a utility, leased for residential or recreational uses for 
110.2   terms of 20 years or longer, and separately valued by the 
110.3   assessor, will be treated for property tax purposes as separate 
110.4   parcels. 
110.5      Sec. 7.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 273.11, 
110.6   subdivision 1a, is amended to read: 
110.7      Subd. 1a.  [LIMITED MARKET VALUE.] In the case of all 
110.8   property classified as agricultural homestead or nonhomestead, 
110.9   residential homestead or nonhomestead, or noncommercial seasonal 
110.10  recreational residential, the assessor shall compare the value 
110.11  with that determined in the preceding assessment.  The amount of 
110.12  the increase entered in the current assessment shall not exceed 
110.13  the greater of (1) ten seven percent of the value in the 
110.14  preceding assessment, or (2) one-fourth 15 percent of the 
110.15  difference between the current assessment and the preceding 
110.16  assessment.  This limitation shall not apply to increases in 
110.17  value due to improvements.  For purposes of this subdivision, 
110.18  the term "assessment" means the value prior to any exclusion 
110.19  under subdivision 16. 
110.20     The provisions of this subdivision shall be in effect only 
110.21  for assessment years 1993 through 2001. 
110.22     For purposes of the assessment/sales ratio study conducted 
110.23  under section 127A.48, and the computation of state aids paid 
110.24  under chapters 122A, 123A, 123B, 124D, 125A, 126C, 127A, and 
110.25  477A, market values and net tax capacities determined under this 
110.26  subdivision and subdivision 16, shall be used. 
110.27     Sec. 8.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 273.11, 
110.28  subdivision 16, is amended to read: 
110.29     Subd. 16.  [VALUATION EXCLUSION FOR CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS.] 
110.30  Improvements to homestead property made before January 2, 2003, 
110.31  shall be fully or partially excluded from the value of the 
110.32  property for assessment purposes provided that (1) the house is 
110.33  at least 35 45 years old at the time of the improvement and (2) 
110.34  either 
110.35     (a) the assessor's estimated market value of the house on 
110.36  January 2 of the current year is equal to or less than $150,000, 
111.1   or $300,000. 
111.2      (b) if the estimated market value of the house is over 
111.3   $150,000 market value but is less than $300,000 on January 2 of 
111.4   the current year, the property qualifies if 
111.5      (i) it is located in a city or town in which 50 percent or 
111.6   more of the owner-occupied housing units were constructed before 
111.7   1960 based upon the 1990 federal census, and 
111.8      (ii) the city or town's median family income based upon the 
111.9   1990 federal census is less than the statewide median family 
111.10  income based upon the 1990 federal census, or 
111.11     (c) if the estimated market value of the house is $300,000 
111.12  or more on January 2 of the current year, the property qualifies 
111.13  if 
111.14     (i) it is located in a city or town in which 45 percent or 
111.15  more of the homes were constructed before 1940 based upon the 
111.16  1990 federal census, and 
111.17     (ii) it is located in a city or town in which 45 percent or 
111.18  more of the housing units were rental based upon the 1990 
111.19  federal census, and 
111.20     (iii) the city or town's median value of owner-occupied 
111.21  housing units based upon the 1990 federal census is less than 
111.22  the statewide median value of owner-occupied housing units based 
111.23  upon the 1990 federal census. 
111.24     For purposes of determining this eligibility, "house" means 
111.25  land and buildings.  
111.26     The age of a residence is the number of years since the 
111.27  original year of its construction.  In the case of a residence 
111.28  that is relocated, the relocation must be from a location within 
111.29  the state and the only improvements eligible for exclusion under 
111.30  this subdivision are (1) those for which building permits were 
111.31  issued to the homeowner after the residence was relocated to its 
111.32  present site, and (2) those undertaken during or after the year 
111.33  the residence is initially occupied by the homeowner, excluding 
111.34  any market value increase relating to basic improvements that 
111.35  are necessary to install the residence on its foundation and 
111.36  connect it to utilities at its present site.  In the case of an 
112.1   owner-occupied duplex or triplex, the improvement is eligible 
112.2   regardless of which portion of the property was improved. 
112.3      If the property lies in a jurisdiction which is subject to 
112.4   a building permit process, a building permit must have been 
112.5   issued prior to commencement of the improvement.  Any 
112.6   improvement The improvements for a single project or in any one 
112.7   year must add at least $1,000 $5,000 to the value of the 
112.8   property to be eligible for exclusion under this subdivision.  
112.9   Only improvements to the structure which is the residence of the 
112.10  qualifying homesteader or construction of or improvements to no 
112.11  more than one two-car garage per residence qualify for the 
112.12  provisions of this subdivision.  If an improvement was begun 
112.13  between January 2, 1992, and January 2, 1993, any value added 
112.14  from that improvement for the January 1994 and subsequent 
112.15  assessments shall qualify for exclusion under this subdivision 
112.16  provided that a building permit was obtained for the improvement 
112.17  between January 2, 1992, and January 2, 1993.  Whenever a 
112.18  building permit is issued for property currently classified as 
112.19  homestead, the issuing jurisdiction shall notify the property 
112.20  owner of the possibility of valuation exclusion under this 
112.21  subdivision.  The assessor shall require an application, 
112.22  including documentation of the age of the house from the owner, 
112.23  if unknown by the assessor.  The application may be filed 
112.24  subsequent to the date of the building permit provided that the 
112.25  application must be filed within three years of the date the 
112.26  building permit was issued for the improvement.  If the property 
112.27  lies in a jurisdiction which is not subject to a building permit 
112.28  process, the application must be filed within three years of the 
112.29  date the improvement was made.  The assessor may require proof 
112.30  from the taxpayer of the date the improvement was made.  
112.31  Applications must be received prior to July 1 of any year in 
112.32  order to be effective for taxes payable in the following year. 
112.33     No exclusion for an improvement may be granted for an 
112.34  improvement by a local board of review or county board of 
112.35  equalization, and no abatement of the taxes for qualifying 
112.36  improvements may be granted by the county board unless (1) a 
113.1   building permit was issued prior to the commencement of the 
113.2   improvement if the jurisdiction requires a building permit, and 
113.3   (2) an application was completed. 
113.4      The assessor shall note the qualifying value of each 
113.5   improvement on the property's record, and the sum of those 
113.6   amounts shall be subtracted from the value of the property in 
113.7   each year for ten years after the improvement has been made, at 
113.8   which time an amount equal to 20 percent of the qualifying value 
113.9   shall be added back in each of the five subsequent assessment 
113.10  years.  After ten years the amount of the qualifying value shall 
113.11  be added back as follows: 
113.12     (1) 50 percent in the two subsequent assessment years if 
113.13  the qualifying value is equal to or less than $10,000 market 
113.14  value; or 
113.15     (2) 20 percent in the five subsequent assessment years if 
113.16  the qualifying value is greater than $10,000 market value. 
113.17  If an application is filed after the first assessment date at 
113.18  which an improvement could have been subject to the valuation 
113.19  exclusion under this subdivision, the ten-year period during 
113.20  which the value is subject to exclusion is reduced by the number 
113.21  of years that have elapsed since the property would have 
113.22  qualified initially.  The valuation exclusion shall terminate 
113.23  whenever (1) the property is sold, or (2) the property is 
113.24  reclassified to a class which does not qualify for treatment 
113.25  under this subdivision.  Improvements made by an occupant who is 
113.26  the purchaser of the property under a conditional purchase 
113.27  contract do not qualify under this subdivision unless the seller 
113.28  of the property is a governmental entity.  The qualifying value 
113.29  of the property shall be computed based upon the increase from 
113.30  that structure's market value as of January 2 preceding the 
113.31  acquisition of the property by the governmental entity. 
113.32     The total qualifying value for a homestead may not exceed 
113.33  $50,000.  The total qualifying value for a homestead with a 
113.34  house that is less than 70 years old may not exceed $25,000.  
113.35  The term "qualifying value" means the increase in estimated 
113.36  market value resulting from the improvement if the improvement 
114.1   occurs when the house is at least 70 years old, or one-half of 
114.2   the increase in estimated market value resulting from the 
114.3   improvement otherwise.  The $25,000 and $50,000 maximum 
114.4   qualifying value under this subdivision may result from up to 
114.5   three separate multiple improvements to the homestead.  The 
114.6   application shall state, in clear language, that If more than 
114.7   three improvements are made to the qualifying property, a 
114.8   taxpayer may choose which three improvements are eligible, 
114.9   provided that after the taxpayer has made the choice and any 
114.10  valuation attributable to those improvements has been excluded 
114.11  from taxation, no further changes can be made by the taxpayer. 
114.12     If 50 percent or more of the square footage of a structure 
114.13  is voluntarily razed or removed, the valuation increase 
114.14  attributable to any subsequent improvements to the remaining 
114.15  structure does not qualify for the exclusion under this 
114.16  subdivision.  If a structure is unintentionally or accidentally 
114.17  destroyed by a natural disaster, the property is eligible for an 
114.18  exclusion under this subdivision provided that the structure was 
114.19  not completely destroyed.  The qualifying value on property 
114.20  destroyed by a natural disaster shall be computed based upon the 
114.21  increase from that structure's market value as determined on 
114.22  January 2 of the year in which the disaster occurred.  A 
114.23  property receiving benefits under the homestead disaster 
114.24  provisions under section 273.123 is not disqualified from 
114.25  receiving an exclusion under this subdivision.  If any 
114.26  combination of improvements made to a structure after January 1, 
114.27  1993, increases the size of the structure by 100 percent or 
114.28  more, the valuation increase attributable to the portion of the 
114.29  improvement that causes the structure's size to exceed 100 
114.30  percent does not qualify for exclusion under this subdivision. 
114.31     Sec. 9.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 273.111, is 
114.32  amended by adding a subdivision to read: 
114.33     Subd. 15.  [DISSECTED PARCELS; CONTINUED DEFERMENT.] Real 
114.34  estate consisting of more than ten, but less than 15, acres 
114.35  which has: 
114.36     (1) been owned by the applicant or the applicant's parents 
115.1   for at least 70 years; 
115.2      (2) been dissected by two or more major parkways or 
115.3   interstate highways; and 
115.4      (3) qualified for the agricultural valuation and tax 
115.5   deferment under this section through assessment year 1996, taxes 
115.6   payable in 1997, shall continue to qualify for treatment under 
115.7   this section until the applicant's death or transfer or sale by 
115.8   the applicant of the applicant's interest in the real estate. 
115.9      Sec. 10.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 273.124, 
115.10  subdivision 1, is amended to read: 
115.11     Subdivision 1.  [GENERAL RULE.] (a) Residential real estate 
115.12  that is occupied and used for the purposes of a homestead by its 
115.13  owner, who must be a Minnesota resident, is a residential 
115.14  homestead.  
115.15     Agricultural land, as defined in section 273.13, 
115.16  subdivision 23, that is occupied and used as a homestead by its 
115.17  owner, who must be a Minnesota resident, is an agricultural 
115.18  homestead. 
115.19     Dates for establishment of a homestead and homestead 
115.20  treatment provided to particular types of property are as 
115.21  provided in this section.  
115.22     Property of a trustee, beneficiary, or grantor of a trust 
115.23  is not disqualified from receiving homestead benefits if the 
115.24  homestead requirements under this chapter are satisfied. 
115.25     The assessor shall require proof, as provided in 
115.26  subdivision 13, of the facts upon which classification as a 
115.27  homestead may be determined.  Notwithstanding any other law, the 
115.28  assessor may at any time require a homestead application to be 
115.29  filed in order to verify that any property classified as a 
115.30  homestead continues to be eligible for homestead status.  
115.31  Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, the department of 
115.32  revenue may, upon request from an assessor, verify whether an 
115.33  individual who is requesting or receiving homestead 
115.34  classification has filed a Minnesota income tax return as a 
115.35  resident for the most recent taxable year for which the 
115.36  information is available. 
116.1      When there is a name change or a transfer of homestead 
116.2   property, the assessor may reclassify the property in the next 
116.3   assessment unless a homestead application is filed to verify 
116.4   that the property continues to qualify for homestead 
116.5   classification. 
116.6      (b) For purposes of this section, homestead property shall 
116.7   include property which is used for purposes of the homestead but 
116.8   is separated from the homestead by a road, street, lot, 
116.9   waterway, or other similar intervening property.  The term "used 
116.10  for purposes of the homestead" shall include but not be limited 
116.11  to uses for gardens, garages, or other outbuildings commonly 
116.12  associated with a homestead, but shall not include vacant land 
116.13  held primarily for future development.  In order to receive 
116.14  homestead treatment for the noncontiguous property, the owner 
116.15  must use the property for the purposes of the homestead, and 
116.16  must apply to the assessor, both by the deadlines given in 
116.17  subdivision 9.  After initial qualification for the homestead 
116.18  treatment, additional applications for subsequent years are not 
116.19  required. 
116.20     (c) Residential real estate that is occupied and used for 
116.21  purposes of a homestead by a relative of the owner is a 
116.22  homestead but only to the extent of the homestead treatment that 
116.23  would be provided if the related owner occupied the property.  
116.24  For purposes of this paragraph and paragraph (g), "relative" 
116.25  means a parent, stepparent, child, stepchild, grandparent, 
116.26  grandchild, brother, sister, uncle, or aunt.  This relationship 
116.27  may be by blood or marriage.  Property that has been classified 
116.28  as seasonal recreational residential property at any time during 
116.29  which it has been owned by the current owner or spouse of the 
116.30  current owner will not be reclassified as a homestead unless it 
116.31  is occupied as a homestead by the owner; this prohibition also 
116.32  applies to property that, in the absence of this paragraph, 
116.33  would have been classified as seasonal recreational residential 
116.34  property at the time when the residence was constructed.  
116.35  Neither the related occupant nor the owner of the property may 
116.36  claim a property tax refund under chapter 290A for a homestead 
117.1   occupied by a relative.  In the case of a residence located on 
117.2   agricultural land, only the house, garage, and immediately 
117.3   surrounding one acre of land shall be classified as a homestead 
117.4   under this paragraph, except as provided in paragraph (d). 
117.5      (d) Agricultural property that is occupied and used for 
117.6   purposes of a homestead by a relative of the owner, is a 
117.7   homestead, only to the extent of the homestead treatment that 
117.8   would be provided if the related owner occupied the property, 
117.9   and only if all of the following criteria are met: 
117.10     (1) the relative who is occupying the agricultural property 
117.11  is a son, daughter, father, or mother of the owner of the 
117.12  agricultural property or a son or daughter of the spouse of the 
117.13  owner of the agricultural property, 
117.14     (2) notwithstanding the residency requirement in paragraph 
117.15  (a), the owner of the agricultural property must need not be a 
117.16  Minnesota resident, 
117.17     (3) the relative occupying the agricultural property is 
117.18  actively farming the property and is a Minnesota resident, 
117.19     (4) the owner of the agricultural property must not receive 
117.20  homestead treatment on any other agricultural property in 
117.21  Minnesota, and 
117.22     (4) (5) the owner of the agricultural property is limited 
117.23  to only one agricultural homestead per family under this 
117.24  paragraph. 
117.25     Neither the related occupant nor the owner of the property 
117.26  may claim a property tax refund under chapter 290A for a 
117.27  homestead occupied by a relative qualifying under this 
117.28  paragraph.  For purposes of this paragraph, "agricultural 
117.29  property" means the house, garage, other farm buildings and 
117.30  structures, and agricultural land. 
117.31     Application must be made to the assessor by the owner of 
117.32  the agricultural property to receive homestead benefits under 
117.33  this paragraph.  The assessor may require the necessary proof 
117.34  that the requirements under this paragraph have been met. 
117.35     (e) In the case of property owned by a property owner who 
117.36  is married, the assessor must not deny homestead treatment in 
118.1   whole or in part if only one of the spouses occupies the 
118.2   property and the other spouse is absent due to:  (1) marriage 
118.3   dissolution proceedings, (2) legal separation, (3) employment or 
118.4   self-employment in another location, or (4) other personal 
118.5   circumstances causing the spouses to live separately, not 
118.6   including an intent to obtain two homestead classifications for 
118.7   property tax purposes.  To qualify under clause (3), the 
118.8   spouse's place of employment or self-employment must be at least 
118.9   50 miles distant from the other spouse's place of employment, 
118.10  and the homesteads must be at least 50 miles distant from each 
118.11  other.  Homestead treatment, in whole or in part, shall not be 
118.12  denied to the owner's spouse who previously occupied the 
118.13  residence with the owner if the absence of the owner is due to 
118.14  one of the exceptions provided in this paragraph. 
118.15     (f) The assessor must not deny homestead treatment in whole 
118.16  or in part if: 
118.17     (1) in the case of a property owner who is not married, the 
118.18  owner is absent due to residence in a nursing home or boarding 
118.19  care facility and the property is not otherwise occupied; or 
118.20     (2) in the case of a property owner who is married, the 
118.21  owner or the owner's spouse or both are absent due to residence 
118.22  in a nursing home or boarding care facility and the property is 
118.23  not occupied or is occupied only by the owner's spouse. 
118.24     (g) If an individual is purchasing property with the intent 
118.25  of claiming it as a homestead and is required by the terms of 
118.26  the financing agreement to have a relative shown on the deed as 
118.27  a coowner, the assessor shall allow a full homestead 
118.28  classification.  This provision only applies to first-time 
118.29  purchasers, whether married or single, or to a person who had 
118.30  previously been married and is purchasing as a single individual 
118.31  for the first time.  The application for homestead benefits must 
118.32  be on a form prescribed by the commissioner and must contain the 
118.33  data necessary for the assessor to determine if full homestead 
118.34  benefits are warranted. 
118.35     (h) If residential or agricultural real estate is occupied 
118.36  and used for purposes of a homestead by a child of a deceased 
119.1   owner and the property is subject to jurisdiction of probate 
119.2   court, the child shall receive relative homestead classification 
119.3   under paragraph (c) or (d) to the same extent they would be 
119.4   entitled to it if the owner was still living, until the probate 
119.5   is completed.  For purposes of this paragraph, "child" includes 
119.6   a relationship by blood or by marriage. 
119.7      Sec. 11.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 273.124, 
119.8   subdivision 7, is amended to read: 
119.9      Subd. 7.  [LEASED BUILDINGS OR LAND.] For purposes of class 
119.10  1 determinations, homesteads include: 
119.11     (a) buildings and appurtenances owned and used by the 
119.12  occupant as a permanent residence which are located upon land 
119.13  the title to which is vested in a person or entity other than 
119.14  the occupant; 
119.15     (b) all buildings and appurtenances located upon land owned 
119.16  by the occupant and used for the purposes of a homestead 
119.17  together with the land upon which they are located, if all of 
119.18  the following criteria are met: 
119.19     (1) the occupant is using the property as a permanent 
119.20  residence; 
119.21     (2) the occupant is paying the property taxes and any 
119.22  special assessments levied against the property; 
119.23     (3) the occupant has signed a lease which has an option to 
119.24  purchase the buildings and appurtenances; 
119.25     (4) the term of the lease is at least five years; and 
119.26     (5) the occupant has made a down payment of at least $5,000 
119.27  in cash if the property was purchased by means of a contract for 
119.28  deed or subject to a mortgage. 
119.29     (c) all buildings and appurtenances and the land upon which 
119.30  they are located that are used for purposes of a homestead, if 
119.31  all of the following criteria are met: 
119.32     (1) the land is owned by a utility, which maintains 
119.33  ownership of the land in order to facilitate compliance with the 
119.34  terms of its hydroelectric project license from the federal 
119.35  energy regulatory commission; 
119.36     (2) the land is leased for a term of 20 years or more; 
120.1      (3) the occupant is using the property as a permanent 
120.2   residence; and 
120.3      (4) the occupant is paying the property taxes and any 
120.4   special assessments levied against the property. 
120.5      Any taxpayer meeting all the requirements of this paragraph 
120.6   must notify the county assessor, or the assessor who has the 
120.7   powers of the county assessor pursuant to section 273.063, in 
120.8   writing, as soon as possible after signing the lease agreement 
120.9   and occupying the buildings as a homestead. 
120.10     Sec. 12.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 273.124, 
120.11  subdivision 8, is amended to read: 
120.12     Subd. 8.  [HOMESTEAD OWNED BY FAMILY FARM CORPORATION OR 
120.13  PARTNERSHIP OR LEASED TO FAMILY FARM CORPORATION.] (a) Each 
120.14  family farm corporation and each partnership operating a family 
120.15  farm is entitled to class 1b under section 273.13, subdivision 
120.16  22, paragraph (b), or class 2a assessment for one homestead 
120.17  occupied by a shareholder or partner thereof who is residing on 
120.18  the land and actively engaged in farming of the land owned by 
120.19  the corporation or partnership.  Homestead treatment applies 
120.20  even if legal title to the property is in the name of the 
120.21  corporation or partnership and not in the name of the person 
120.22  residing on it.  "Family farm corporation" and "family farm" 
120.23  have the meanings given in section 500.24, except that the 
120.24  number of allowable shareholders or partners under this 
120.25  subdivision shall not exceed 12. 
120.26     (b) In addition to property specified in paragraph (a), any 
120.27  other residences owned by corporations or partnerships described 
120.28  in paragraph (a) which are located on agricultural land and 
120.29  occupied as homesteads by shareholders or partners who are 
120.30  actively engaged in farming on behalf of the corporation or 
120.31  partnership must also be assessed as class 2a property or as 
120.32  class 1b property under section 273.13, subdivision 22, 
120.33  paragraph (b), but the property eligible is limited to the 
120.34  residence itself and as much of the land surrounding the 
120.35  homestead, not exceeding one acre, as is reasonably necessary 
120.36  for the use of the dwelling as a home, and does not include any 
121.1   other structures that may be located on it. 
121.2      (c) Agricultural property owned by a shareholder of a 
121.3   family farm corporation, as defined in paragraph (a), and leased 
121.4   to the family farm corporation by the shareholder, is entitled 
121.5   to class 1b under section 273.13, subdivision 22, paragraph (b), 
121.6   or class 2a under section 273.13, subdivision 23, paragraph (a), 
121.7   if the owner is actually residing on the property and is 
121.8   actually engaged in farming the land on behalf of the 
121.9   corporation.  This paragraph applies without regard to any legal 
121.10  possession rights of the family farm corporation under the lease.
121.11     Sec. 13.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 273.124, 
121.12  subdivision 13, is amended to read: 
121.13     Subd. 13.  [HOMESTEAD APPLICATION.] (a) A person who meets 
121.14  the homestead requirements under subdivision 1 must file a 
121.15  homestead application with the county assessor to initially 
121.16  obtain homestead classification. 
121.17     (b) On or before January 2, 1993, each county assessor 
121.18  shall mail a homestead application to the owner of each parcel 
121.19  of property within the county which was classified as homestead 
121.20  for the 1992 assessment year.  The format and contents of a 
121.21  uniform homestead application shall be prescribed by the 
121.22  commissioner of revenue.  The commissioner shall consult with 
121.23  the chairs of the house and senate tax committees on the 
121.24  contents of the homestead application form.  The application 
121.25  must clearly inform the taxpayer that this application must be 
121.26  signed by all owners who occupy the property or by the 
121.27  qualifying relative and returned to the county assessor in order 
121.28  for the property to continue receiving homestead treatment.  The 
121.29  envelope containing the homestead application shall clearly 
121.30  identify its contents and alert the taxpayer of its necessary 
121.31  immediate response. 
121.32     (c) Every property owner applying for homestead 
121.33  classification must furnish to the county assessor the social 
121.34  security number of each occupant who is listed as an owner of 
121.35  the property on the deed of record, the name and address of each 
121.36  owner who does not occupy the property, and the name and social 
122.1   security number of each owner's spouse who occupies the 
122.2   property.  The application must be signed by each owner who 
122.3   occupies the property and by each owner's spouse who occupies 
122.4   the property, or, in the case of property that qualifies as a 
122.5   homestead under subdivision 1, paragraph (c), by the qualifying 
122.6   relative. 
122.7      If a property owner occupies a homestead, the property 
122.8   owner's spouse may not claim another property as a homestead 
122.9   unless the property owner and the property owner's spouse file 
122.10  with the assessor an affidavit or other proof required by the 
122.11  assessor stating that the property qualifies as a homestead 
122.12  under subdivision 1, paragraph (e). 
122.13     Owners or spouses occupying residences owned by their 
122.14  spouses and previously occupied with the other spouse, either of 
122.15  whom fail to include the other spouse's name and social security 
122.16  number on the homestead application or provide the affidavits or 
122.17  other proof requested, will be deemed to have elected to receive 
122.18  only partial homestead treatment of their residence.  The 
122.19  remainder of the residence will be classified as nonhomestead 
122.20  residential.  When an owner or spouse's name and social security 
122.21  number appear on homestead applications for two separate 
122.22  residences and only one application is signed, the owner or 
122.23  spouse will be deemed to have elected to homestead the residence 
122.24  for which the application was signed. 
122.25     The social security numbers or affidavits or other proofs 
122.26  of the property owners and spouses are private data on 
122.27  individuals as defined by section 13.02, subdivision 12, but, 
122.28  notwithstanding that section, the private data may be disclosed 
122.29  to the commissioner of revenue, or, for purposes of proceeding 
122.30  under the Revenue Recapture Act to recover personal property 
122.31  taxes owing, to the county treasurer. 
122.32     (d) If residential real estate is occupied and used for 
122.33  purposes of a homestead by a relative of the owner and qualifies 
122.34  for a homestead under subdivision 1, paragraph (c), in order for 
122.35  the property to receive homestead status, a homestead 
122.36  application must be filed with the assessor.  The social 
123.1   security number of each relative occupying the property and the 
123.2   social security number of each owner who is related to an 
123.3   occupant of the property shall be required on the homestead 
123.4   application filed under this subdivision.  If a different 
123.5   relative of the owner subsequently occupies the property, the 
123.6   owner of the property must notify the assessor within 30 days of 
123.7   the change in occupancy.  The social security number of a 
123.8   relative occupying the property is private data on individuals 
123.9   as defined by section 13.02, subdivision 12, but may be 
123.10  disclosed to the commissioner of revenue.  
123.11     (e) The homestead application shall also notify the 
123.12  property owners that the application filed under this section 
123.13  will not be mailed annually and that if the property is granted 
123.14  homestead status for the 1993 assessment, or any assessment year 
123.15  thereafter, that same property shall remain classified as 
123.16  homestead until the property is sold or transferred to another 
123.17  person, or the owners, the spouse of the owner, or the relatives 
123.18  no longer use the property as their homestead.  Upon the sale or 
123.19  transfer of the homestead property, a certificate of value must 
123.20  be timely filed with the county auditor as provided under 
123.21  section 272.115.  Failure to notify the assessor within 30 days 
123.22  that the property has been sold, transferred, or that the owner, 
123.23  the spouse of the owner, or the relative is no longer occupying 
123.24  the property as a homestead, shall result in the penalty 
123.25  provided under this subdivision and the property will lose its 
123.26  current homestead status. 
123.27     (f) If the homestead application is not returned within 30 
123.28  days, the county will send a second application to the present 
123.29  owners of record.  The notice of proposed property taxes 
123.30  prepared under section 275.065, subdivision 3, shall reflect the 
123.31  property's classification.  Beginning with assessment year 1993 
123.32  for all properties, if a homestead application has not been 
123.33  filed with the county by December 15, the assessor shall 
123.34  classify the property as nonhomestead for the current assessment 
123.35  year for taxes payable in the following year, provided that the 
123.36  owner may be entitled to receive the homestead classification by 
124.1   proper application under section 375.192. 
124.2      (g) At the request of the commissioner, each county must 
124.3   give the commissioner a list that includes the name and social 
124.4   security number of each property owner and the property owner's 
124.5   spouse occupying the property, or relative of a property owner, 
124.6   applying for homestead classification under this subdivision.  
124.7   The commissioner shall use the information provided on the lists 
124.8   as appropriate under the law, including for the detection of 
124.9   improper claims by owners, or relatives of owners, under chapter 
124.10  290A.  
124.11     (h) If the commissioner finds that a property owner may be 
124.12  claiming a fraudulent homestead, the commissioner shall notify 
124.13  the appropriate counties.  Within 90 days of the notification, 
124.14  the county assessor shall investigate to determine if the 
124.15  homestead classification was properly claimed.  If the property 
124.16  owner does not qualify, the county assessor shall notify the 
124.17  county auditor who will determine the amount of homestead 
124.18  benefits that had been improperly allowed.  For the purpose of 
124.19  this section, "homestead benefits" means the tax reduction 
124.20  resulting from the classification as a homestead under section 
124.21  273.13, the taconite homestead credit under section 273.135, and 
124.22  the supplemental homestead credit under section 273.1391. 
124.23     The county auditor shall send a notice to the person who 
124.24  owned the affected property at the time the homestead 
124.25  application related to the improper homestead was filed, 
124.26  demanding reimbursement of the homestead benefits plus a penalty 
124.27  equal to 100 percent of the homestead benefits.  The person 
124.28  notified may appeal the county's determination by serving copies 
124.29  of a petition for review with county officials as provided in 
124.30  section 278.01 and filing proof of service as provided in 
124.31  section 278.01 with the Minnesota tax court within 60 days of 
124.32  the date of the notice from the county.  Procedurally, the 
124.33  appeal is governed by the provisions in chapter 271 which apply 
124.34  to the appeal of a property tax assessment or levy, but without 
124.35  requiring any prepayment of the amount in controversy.  If the 
124.36  amount of homestead benefits and penalty is not paid within 60 
125.1   days, and if no appeal has been filed, the county auditor shall 
125.2   certify the amount of taxes and penalty to the county 
125.3   treasurer.  The county treasurer will add interest to the unpaid 
125.4   homestead benefits and penalty amounts at the rate provided in 
125.5   section 279.03 for real property taxes becoming delinquent in 
125.6   the calendar year during which the amount remains unpaid.  
125.7   Interest may be assessed for the period beginning 60 days after 
125.8   demand for payment was made. 
125.9      If the person notified is the current owner of the 
125.10  property, the treasurer may add the total amount of benefits, 
125.11  penalty, interest, and costs to the ad valorem taxes otherwise 
125.12  payable on the property by including the amounts on the property 
125.13  tax statements under section 276.04, subdivision 3.  The amounts 
125.14  added under this paragraph to the ad valorem taxes shall include 
125.15  interest accrued through December 31 of the year preceding the 
125.16  taxes payable year for which the amounts are first added.  These 
125.17  amounts, when added to the property tax statement, become 
125.18  subject to all the laws for the enforcement of real or personal 
125.19  property taxes for that year, and for any subsequent year. 
125.20     If the person notified is not the current owner of the 
125.21  property, the treasurer may collect the amounts due under the 
125.22  Revenue Recapture Act in chapter 270A, or use any of the powers 
125.23  granted in sections 277.20 and 277.21 without exclusion, to 
125.24  enforce payment of the benefits, penalty, interest, and costs, 
125.25  as if those amounts were delinquent tax obligations of the 
125.26  person who owned the property at the time the application 
125.27  related to the improperly allowed homestead was filed.  The 
125.28  treasurer may relieve a prior owner of personal liability for 
125.29  the benefits, penalty, interest, and costs, and instead extend 
125.30  those amounts on the tax lists against the property as provided 
125.31  in this paragraph to the extent that the current owner agrees in 
125.32  writing.  On all demands, billings, property tax statements, and 
125.33  related correspondence, the county must list and state 
125.34  separately the amounts of homestead benefits, penalty, interest 
125.35  and costs being demanded, billed or assessed. 
125.36     (i) Any amount of homestead benefits recovered by the 
126.1   county from the property owner shall be distributed to the 
126.2   county, city or town, and school district where the property is 
126.3   located in the same proportion that each taxing district's levy 
126.4   was to the total of the three taxing districts' levy for the 
126.5   current year.  Any amount recovered attributable to taconite 
126.6   homestead credit shall be transmitted to the St. Louis county 
126.7   auditor to be deposited in the taconite property tax relief 
126.8   account.  Any amount recovered that is attributable to 
126.9   supplemental homestead credit is to be transmitted to the 
126.10  commissioner of revenue for deposit in the general fund of the 
126.11  state treasury.  The total amount of penalty collected must be 
126.12  deposited in the county general fund. 
126.13     (j) If a property owner has applied for more than one 
126.14  homestead and the county assessors cannot determine which 
126.15  property should be classified as homestead, the county assessors 
126.16  will refer the information to the commissioner.  The 
126.17  commissioner shall make the determination and notify the 
126.18  counties within 60 days. 
126.19     (k) In addition to lists of homestead properties, the 
126.20  commissioner may ask the counties to furnish lists of all 
126.21  properties and the record owners.  The social security numbers 
126.22  and federal identification numbers that are maintained by a 
126.23  county or city assessor for property tax administration 
126.24  purposes, and that may appear on the lists retain their 
126.25  classification as private or nonpublic data; but may be viewed, 
126.26  accessed, and used by the county auditor or treasurer of the 
126.27  same county for the limited purpose of assisting the 
126.28  commissioner in the preparation of microdata samples under 
126.29  section 270.0681. 
126.30     Sec. 14.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 273.124, 
126.31  subdivision 14, is amended to read: 
126.32     Subd. 14.  [AGRICULTURAL HOMESTEADS; SPECIAL PROVISIONS.] 
126.33  (a) Real estate of less than ten acres that is the homestead of 
126.34  its owner must be classified as class 2a under section 273.13, 
126.35  subdivision 23, paragraph (a), if:  
126.36     (1) the parcel on which the house is located is contiguous 
127.1   on at least two sides to (i) agricultural land, (ii) land owned 
127.2   or administered by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, 
127.3   or (iii) land administered by the department of natural 
127.4   resources on which in lieu taxes are paid under sections 477A.11 
127.5   to 477A.14; 
127.6      (2) its owner also owns a noncontiguous parcel of 
127.7   agricultural land that is at least 20 acres; 
127.8      (3) the noncontiguous land is located not farther than four 
127.9   townships or cities, or a combination of townships or cities 
127.10  from the homestead; and 
127.11     (4) the agricultural use value of the noncontiguous land 
127.12  and farm buildings is equal to at least 50 percent of the market 
127.13  value of the house, garage, and one acre of land. 
127.14     Homesteads initially classified as class 2a under the 
127.15  provisions of this paragraph shall remain classified as class 
127.16  2a, irrespective of subsequent changes in the use of adjoining 
127.17  properties, as long as the homestead remains under the same 
127.18  ownership, the owner owns a noncontiguous parcel of agricultural 
127.19  land that is at least 20 acres, and the agricultural use value 
127.20  qualifies under clause (4).  Homestead classification under this 
127.21  paragraph is limited to property that qualified under this 
127.22  paragraph for the 1998 assessment. 
127.23     (b) Agricultural property consisting of at least 40 acres 
127.24  shall be classified homestead, to the same extent as other 
127.25  agricultural homestead property, if all of the following 
127.26  criteria are met: 
127.27     (1) the owner is actively farming the agricultural 
127.28  property; 
127.29     (2) the owner of the agricultural property is a Minnesota 
127.30  resident; 
127.31     (3) neither the owner nor the spouse of the agricultural 
127.32  property claims another agricultural homestead in Minnesota; and 
127.33     (4) the owner does not live farther than four townships or 
127.34  cities, or a combination of four townships or cities, from the 
127.35  agricultural property. 
127.36     (b) (c) Except as provided in paragraph (d) (e), 
128.1   noncontiguous land shall be included as part of a homestead 
128.2   under section 273.13, subdivision 23, paragraph (a), only if the 
128.3   homestead is classified as class 2a and the detached land is 
128.4   located in the same township or city, or not farther than four 
128.5   townships or cities or combination thereof from the homestead.  
128.6   Any taxpayer of these noncontiguous lands must notify the county 
128.7   assessor that the noncontiguous land is part of the taxpayer's 
128.8   homestead, and, if the homestead is located in another county, 
128.9   the taxpayer must also notify the assessor of the other county. 
128.10     (c) (d) Agricultural land used for purposes of a homestead 
128.11  and actively farmed by a person holding a vested remainder 
128.12  interest in it must be classified as a homestead under section 
128.13  273.13, subdivision 23, paragraph (a).  If agricultural land is 
128.14  classified class 2a, any other dwellings on the land used for 
128.15  purposes of a homestead by persons holding vested remainder 
128.16  interests who are actively engaged in farming the property, and 
128.17  up to one acre of the land surrounding each homestead and 
128.18  reasonably necessary for the use of the dwelling as a home, must 
128.19  also be assessed class 2a. 
128.20     (d) (e) Agricultural land and buildings that were class 2a 
128.21  homestead property under section 273.13, subdivision 23, 
128.22  paragraph (a), for the 1997 assessment shall remain classified 
128.23  as agricultural homesteads for subsequent assessments if:  
128.24     (1) the property owner abandoned the homestead dwelling 
128.25  located on the agricultural homestead as a result of the April 
128.26  1997 floods; 
128.27     (2) the property is located in the county of Polk, Clay, 
128.28  Kittson, Marshall, Norman, or Wilkin; 
128.29     (3) the agricultural land and buildings remain under the 
128.30  same ownership for the current assessment year as existed for 
128.31  the 1997 assessment year and continue to be used for 
128.32  agricultural purposes; 
128.33     (4) the dwelling occupied by the owner is located in 
128.34  Minnesota and is within 30 miles of one of the parcels of 
128.35  agricultural land that is owned by the taxpayer; and 
128.36     (5) the owner notifies the county assessor that the 
129.1   relocation was due to the 1997 floods, and the owner furnishes 
129.2   the assessor any information deemed necessary by the assessor in 
129.3   verifying the change in dwelling.  Further notifications to the 
129.4   assessor are not required if the property continues to meet all 
129.5   the requirements in this paragraph and any dwellings on the 
129.6   agricultural land remain uninhabited. 
129.7      (e) (f) Agricultural land and buildings that were class 2a 
129.8   homestead property under section 273.13, subdivision 23, 
129.9   paragraph (a), for the 1998 assessment shall remain classified 
129.10  agricultural homesteads for subsequent assessments if: 
129.11     (1) the property owner abandoned the homestead dwelling 
129.12  located on the agricultural homestead as a result of damage 
129.13  caused by a March 29, 1998, tornado; 
129.14     (2) the property is located in the county of Blue Earth, 
129.15  Brown, Cottonwood, LeSueur, Nicollet, Nobles, or Rice; 
129.16     (3) the agricultural land and buildings remain under the 
129.17  same ownership for the current assessment year as existed for 
129.18  the 1998 assessment year; 
129.19     (4) the dwelling occupied by the owner is located in this 
129.20  state and is within 50 miles of one of the parcels of 
129.21  agricultural land that is owned by the taxpayer; and 
129.22     (5) the owner notifies the county assessor that the 
129.23  relocation was due to a March 29, 1998, tornado, and the owner 
129.24  furnishes the assessor any information deemed necessary by the 
129.25  assessor in verifying the change in homestead dwelling.  For 
129.26  taxes payable in 1999, the owner must notify the assessor by 
129.27  December 1, 1998.  Further notifications to the assessor are not 
129.28  required if the property continues to meet all the requirements 
129.29  in this paragraph and any dwellings on the agricultural land 
129.30  remain uninhabited. 
129.31     Sec. 15.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 273.124, is 
129.32  amended by adding a subdivision to read: 
129.33     Subd. 20.  [ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS PROHIBITED.] No 
129.34  political subdivision may impose any requirements not contained 
129.35  in this chapter or chapter 272 to disqualify property from being 
129.36  classified as a homestead if the property otherwise meets the 
130.1   requirements for homestead treatment under this chapter and 
130.2   chapter 272. 
130.3      Sec. 16.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 273.13, 
130.4   subdivision 22, is amended to read: 
130.5      Subd. 22.  [CLASS 1.] (a) Except as provided in subdivision 
130.6   23, real estate which is residential and used for homestead 
130.7   purposes is class 1.  The market value of class 1a property must 
130.8   be determined based upon the value of the house, garage, and 
130.9   land.  
130.10     The first $75,000 $78,000 of market value of class 1a 
130.11  property has a net class rate of one percent of its market 
130.12  value; and the market value of class 1a property that 
130.13  exceeds $75,000 $78,000 has a class rate of 1.7 1.6 percent of 
130.14  its market value.  
130.15     (b) Class 1b property includes homestead real estate or 
130.16  homestead manufactured homes used for the purposes of a 
130.17  homestead by 
130.18     (1) any blind person, or the blind person and the blind 
130.19  person's spouse; or 
130.20     (2) any person, hereinafter referred to as "veteran," who: 
130.21     (i) served in the active military or naval service of the 
130.22  United States; and 
130.23     (ii) is entitled to compensation under the laws and 
130.24  regulations of the United States for permanent and total 
130.25  service-connected disability due to the loss, or loss of use, by 
130.26  reason of amputation, ankylosis, progressive muscular 
130.27  dystrophies, or paralysis, of both lower extremities, such as to 
130.28  preclude motion without the aid of braces, crutches, canes, or a 
130.29  wheelchair; and 
130.30     (iii) has acquired a special housing unit with special 
130.31  fixtures or movable facilities made necessary by the nature of 
130.32  the veteran's disability, or the surviving spouse of the 
130.33  deceased veteran for as long as the surviving spouse retains the 
130.34  special housing unit as a homestead; or 
130.35     (3) any person who: 
130.36     (i) is permanently and totally disabled and 
131.1      (ii) receives 90 percent or more of total household income, 
131.2   as defined in section 290A.03, subdivision 5, from 
131.3      (A) aid from any state as a result of that disability; or 
131.4      (B) supplemental security income for the disabled; or 
131.5      (C) workers' compensation based on a finding of total and 
131.6   permanent disability; or 
131.7      (D) social security disability, including the amount of a 
131.8   disability insurance benefit which is converted to an old age 
131.9   insurance benefit and any subsequent cost of living increases; 
131.10  or 
131.11     (E) aid under the federal Railroad Retirement Act of 1937, 
131.12  United States Code Annotated, title 45, section 228b(a)5; or 
131.13     (F) a pension from any local government retirement fund 
131.14  located in the state of Minnesota as a result of that 
131.15  disability; or 
131.16     (G) pension, annuity, or other income paid as a result of 
131.17  that disability from a private pension or disability plan, 
131.18  including employer, employee, union, and insurance plans and 
131.19     (iii) has household income as defined in section 290A.03, 
131.20  subdivision 5, of $50,000 or less; or 
131.21     (4) any person who is permanently and totally disabled and 
131.22  whose household income as defined in section 290A.03, 
131.23  subdivision 5, is 275 percent or less of the federal poverty 
131.24  level. 
131.25     Property is classified and assessed under clause (4) only 
131.26  if the government agency or income-providing source certifies, 
131.27  upon the request of the homestead occupant, that the homestead 
131.28  occupant satisfies the disability requirements of this paragraph.
131.29     Property is classified and assessed pursuant to clause (1) 
131.30  only if the commissioner of economic security certifies to the 
131.31  assessor that the homestead occupant satisfies the requirements 
131.32  of this paragraph.  
131.33     Permanently and totally disabled for the purpose of this 
131.34  subdivision means a condition which is permanent in nature and 
131.35  totally incapacitates the person from working at an occupation 
131.36  which brings the person an income.  The first $32,000 market 
132.1   value of class 1b property has a net class rate of .45 percent 
132.2   of its market value.  The remaining market value of class 1b 
132.3   property has a net class rate using the rates for class 1 or 
132.4   class 2a property, whichever is appropriate, of similar market 
132.5   value.  
132.6      (c) Class 1c property is commercial use real property that 
132.7   abuts a lakeshore line and is devoted to temporary and seasonal 
132.8   residential occupancy for recreational purposes but not devoted 
132.9   to commercial purposes for more than 250 days in the year 
132.10  preceding the year of assessment, and that includes a portion 
132.11  used as a homestead by the owner, which includes a dwelling 
132.12  occupied as a homestead by a shareholder of a corporation that 
132.13  owns the resort or a partner in a partnership that owns the 
132.14  resort, even if the title to the homestead is held by the 
132.15  corporation or partnership.  For purposes of this clause, 
132.16  property is devoted to a commercial purpose on a specific day if 
132.17  any portion of the property, excluding the portion used 
132.18  exclusively as a homestead, is used for residential occupancy 
132.19  and a fee is charged for residential occupancy.  Class 1c 
132.20  property has a class rate of one percent of total market value 
132.21  with the following limitation:  the area of the property must 
132.22  not exceed 100 feet of lakeshore footage for each cabin or 
132.23  campsite located on the property up to a total of 800 feet and 
132.24  500 feet in depth, measured away from the lakeshore.  If any 
132.25  portion of the class 1c resort property is classified as class 
132.26  4c under subdivision 25, the entire property must meet the 
132.27  requirements of subdivision 25, paragraph (d), clause (1), to 
132.28  qualify for class 1c treatment under this paragraph. 
132.29     (d) Class 1d property includes structures that meet all of 
132.30  the following criteria: 
132.31     (1) the structure is located on property that is classified 
132.32  as agricultural property under section 273.13, subdivision 23; 
132.33     (2) the structure is occupied exclusively by seasonal farm 
132.34  workers during the time when they work on that farm, and the 
132.35  occupants are not charged rent for the privilege of occupying 
132.36  the property, provided that use of the structure for storage of 
133.1   farm equipment and produce does not disqualify the property from 
133.2   classification under this paragraph; 
133.3      (3) the structure meets all applicable health and safety 
133.4   requirements for the appropriate season; and 
133.5      (4) the structure is not salable as residential property 
133.6   because it does not comply with local ordinances relating to 
133.7   location in relation to streets or roads. 
133.8      The market value of class 1d property has the same class 
133.9   rates as class 1a property under paragraph (a). 
133.10     Sec. 17.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 273.13, 
133.11  subdivision 23, is amended to read: 
133.12     Subd. 23.  [CLASS 2.] (a) Class 2a property is agricultural 
133.13  land including any improvements that is homesteaded.  The market 
133.14  value of the house and garage and immediately surrounding one 
133.15  acre of land has the same class rates as class 1a property under 
133.16  subdivision 22.  The value of the remaining land including 
133.17  improvements up to $115,000 has a net class rate of 0.35 0.33 
133.18  percent of market value.  The remaining value of class 2a 
133.19  property over $115,000 of market value that does not exceed 320 
133.20  acres has a net class rate of 0.8 0.75 percent of market value.  
133.21  The remaining property over $115,000 market value in excess of 
133.22  320 acres has a class rate of 1.25 1.15 percent of market value. 
133.23     (b) Class 2b property is (1) real estate, rural in 
133.24  character and used exclusively for growing trees for timber, 
133.25  lumber, and wood and wood products; (2) real estate that is not 
133.26  improved with a structure and is used exclusively for growing 
133.27  trees for timber, lumber, and wood and wood products, if the 
133.28  owner has participated or is participating in a cost-sharing 
133.29  program for afforestation, reforestation, or timber stand 
133.30  improvement on that particular property, administered or 
133.31  coordinated by the commissioner of natural resources; (3) real 
133.32  estate that is nonhomestead agricultural land; or (4) a landing 
133.33  area or public access area of a privately owned public use 
133.34  airport.  Class 2b property has a net class rate of 1.25 1.15 
133.35  percent of market value. 
133.36     (c) Agricultural land as used in this section means 
134.1   contiguous acreage of ten acres or more, used during the 
134.2   preceding year for agricultural purposes.  "Agricultural 
134.3   purposes" as used in this section means the raising or 
134.4   cultivation of agricultural products or enrollment in the 
134.5   Reinvest in Minnesota program under sections 103F.501 to 
134.6   103F.535 or the federal Conservation Reserve Program as 
134.7   contained in Public Law Number 99-198.  Contiguous acreage on 
134.8   the same parcel, or contiguous acreage on an immediately 
134.9   adjacent parcel under the same ownership, may also qualify as 
134.10  agricultural land, but only if it is pasture, timber, waste, 
134.11  unusable wild land, or land included in state or federal farm 
134.12  programs.  Agricultural classification for property shall be 
134.13  determined excluding the house, garage, and immediately 
134.14  surrounding one acre of land, and shall not be based upon the 
134.15  market value of any residential structures on the parcel or 
134.16  contiguous parcels under the same ownership. 
134.17     (d) Real estate, excluding the house, garage, and 
134.18  immediately surrounding one acre of land, of less than ten acres 
134.19  which is exclusively and intensively used for raising or 
134.20  cultivating agricultural products, shall be considered as 
134.21  agricultural land.  
134.22     Land shall be classified as agricultural even if all or a 
134.23  portion of the agricultural use of that property is the leasing 
134.24  to, or use by another person for agricultural purposes. 
134.25     Classification under this subdivision is not determinative 
134.26  for qualifying under section 273.111. 
134.27     The property classification under this section supersedes, 
134.28  for property tax purposes only, any locally administered 
134.29  agricultural policies or land use restrictions that define 
134.30  minimum or maximum farm acreage. 
134.31     (e) The term "agricultural products" as used in this 
134.32  subdivision includes production for sale of:  
134.33     (1) livestock, dairy animals, dairy products, poultry and 
134.34  poultry products, fur-bearing animals, horticultural and nursery 
134.35  stock described in sections 18.44 to 18.61, fruit of all kinds, 
134.36  vegetables, forage, grains, bees, and apiary products by the 
135.1   owner; 
135.2      (2) fish bred for sale and consumption if the fish breeding 
135.3   occurs on land zoned for agricultural use; 
135.4      (3) the commercial boarding of horses if the boarding is 
135.5   done in conjunction with raising or cultivating agricultural 
135.6   products as defined in clause (1); 
135.7      (4) property which is owned and operated by nonprofit 
135.8   organizations used for equestrian activities, excluding racing; 
135.9   and 
135.10     (5) game birds and waterfowl bred and raised for use on a 
135.11  shooting preserve licensed under section 97A.115; 
135.12     (6) insects primarily bred to be used as food for animals; 
135.13  and 
135.14     (7) trees, grown for sale as a crop, and not sold for 
135.15  timber, lumber, wood, or wood products. 
135.16     (f) If a parcel used for agricultural purposes is also used 
135.17  for commercial or industrial purposes, including but not limited 
135.18  to:  
135.19     (1) wholesale and retail sales; 
135.20     (2) processing of raw agricultural products or other goods; 
135.21     (3) warehousing or storage of processed goods; and 
135.22     (4) office facilities for the support of the activities 
135.23  enumerated in clauses (1), (2), and (3), 
135.24  the assessor shall classify the part of the parcel used for 
135.25  agricultural purposes as class 1b, 2a, or 2b, whichever is 
135.26  appropriate, and the remainder in the class appropriate to its 
135.27  use.  The grading, sorting, and packaging of raw agricultural 
135.28  products for first sale is considered an agricultural purpose.  
135.29  A greenhouse or other building where horticultural or nursery 
135.30  products are grown that is also used for the conduct of retail 
135.31  sales must be classified as agricultural if it is primarily used 
135.32  for the growing of horticultural or nursery products from seed, 
135.33  cuttings, or roots and occasionally as a showroom for the retail 
135.34  sale of those products.  Use of a greenhouse or building only 
135.35  for the display of already grown horticultural or nursery 
135.36  products does not qualify as an agricultural purpose.  
136.1      The assessor shall determine and list separately on the 
136.2   records the market value of the homestead dwelling and the one 
136.3   acre of land on which that dwelling is located.  If any farm 
136.4   buildings or structures are located on this homesteaded acre of 
136.5   land, their market value shall not be included in this separate 
136.6   determination.  
136.7      (g) To qualify for classification under paragraph (b), 
136.8   clause (4), a privately owned public use airport must be 
136.9   licensed as a public airport under section 360.018.  For 
136.10  purposes of paragraph (b), clause (4), "landing area" means that 
136.11  part of a privately owned public use airport properly cleared, 
136.12  regularly maintained, and made available to the public for use 
136.13  by aircraft and includes runways, taxiways, aprons, and sites 
136.14  upon which are situated landing or navigational aids.  A landing 
136.15  area also includes land underlying both the primary surface and 
136.16  the approach surfaces that comply with all of the following:  
136.17     (i) the land is properly cleared and regularly maintained 
136.18  for the primary purposes of the landing, taking off, and taxiing 
136.19  of aircraft; but that portion of the land that contains 
136.20  facilities for servicing, repair, or maintenance of aircraft is 
136.21  not included as a landing area; 
136.22     (ii) the land is part of the airport property; and 
136.23     (iii) the land is not used for commercial or residential 
136.24  purposes. 
136.25  The land contained in a landing area under paragraph (b), clause 
136.26  (4), must be described and certified by the commissioner of 
136.27  transportation.  The certification is effective until it is 
136.28  modified, or until the airport or landing area no longer meets 
136.29  the requirements of paragraph (b), clause (4).  For purposes of 
136.30  paragraph (b), clause (4), "public access area" means property 
136.31  used as an aircraft parking ramp, apron, or storage hangar, or 
136.32  an arrival and departure building in connection with the airport.
136.33     Sec. 18.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 273.13, 
136.34  subdivision 24, is amended to read: 
136.35     Subd. 24.  [CLASS 3.] (a) Commercial and industrial 
136.36  property and utility real and personal property, except class 5 
137.1   property as identified in subdivision 31, clause (1), is class 
137.2   3a.  Each parcel of real property has a class rate of 2.45 2.25 
137.3   percent of the first tier of market value, and 3.5 3.25 percent 
137.4   of the remaining market value, except that in the case of 
137.5   contiguous parcels of commercial and industrial property owned 
137.6   by the same person or entity, only the value equal to the 
137.7   first-tier value of the contiguous parcels qualifies for the 
137.8   reduced class rate.  For the purposes of this subdivision, the 
137.9   first tier means the first $150,000 of market value.  In the 
137.10  case of utility property owned by one person or entity, only one 
137.11  parcel in each county has a reduced class rate on the first tier 
137.12  of market value.  Real property owned in fee by a utility for 
137.13  transmission line right-of-way shall be classified at the class 
137.14  rate for the higher tier.  All personal property shall be 
137.15  classified at the class rate for the higher tier.  For purposes 
137.16  of this subdivision "personal property" means tools, implements, 
137.17  and machinery of an electric generating, transmission, or 
137.18  distribution system, or a pipeline system transporting or 
137.19  distributing water, gas, crude oil, or petroleum products or 
137.20  mains and pipes used in the distribution of steam or hot or 
137.21  chilled water for heating or cooling buildings, which are 
137.22  fixtures. 
137.23     For purposes of this paragraph, parcels are considered to 
137.24  be contiguous even if they are separated from each other by a 
137.25  road, street, vacant lot, waterway, or other similar intervening 
137.26  type of property. 
137.27     (b) Employment property defined in section 469.166, during 
137.28  the period provided in section 469.170, shall constitute class 
137.29  3b and has a class rate of 2.3 percent of the first $50,000 of 
137.30  market value and 3.5 percent of the remainder, except that for 
137.31  employment property located in a border city enterprise zone 
137.32  designated pursuant to section 469.168, subdivision 4, paragraph 
137.33  (c),.  The class rate of the first tier of market value and the 
137.34  class rate of the remainder is rates for class 3b property are 
137.35  determined under paragraph (a), unless the governing body of the 
137.36  city designated as an enterprise zone determines that a specific 
138.1   parcel shall be assessed pursuant to the first clause of this 
138.2   sentence.  The governing body may provide for assessment under 
138.3   the first clause of the preceding sentence only for property 
138.4   which is located in an area which has been designated by the 
138.5   governing body for the receipt of tax reductions authorized by 
138.6   section 469.171, subdivision 1. 
138.7      (c)(1) Subject to the limitations of clause (2), structures 
138.8   which are (i) located on property classified as class 3a, (ii) 
138.9   constructed under an initial building permit issued after 
138.10  January 2, 1996, (iii) located in a transit zone as defined 
138.11  under section 473.3915, subdivision 3, (iv) located within the 
138.12  boundaries of a school district, and (v) not primarily used for 
138.13  retail or transient lodging purposes, shall have a class rate 
138.14  equal to 85 percent of to the lesser of 2.975 percent or the 
138.15  class rate of the second tier of the commercial property rate 
138.16  under paragraph (a) on any portion of the market value that does 
138.17  not qualify for the first tier class rate under paragraph (a).  
138.18  As used in item (v), a structure is primarily used for retail or 
138.19  transient lodging purposes if over 50 percent of its square 
138.20  footage is used for those purposes.  A class rate equal to 85 
138.21  percent of the lesser of 2.975 percent or the class rate of the 
138.22  second tier of the commercial property class rate under 
138.23  paragraph (a) shall also apply to improvements to existing 
138.24  structures that meet the requirements of items (i) to (v) if the 
138.25  improvements are constructed under an initial building permit 
138.26  issued after January 2, 1996, even if the remainder of the 
138.27  structure was constructed prior to January 2, 1996.  For the 
138.28  purposes of this paragraph, a structure shall be considered to 
138.29  be located in a transit zone if any portion of the structure 
138.30  lies within the zone.  If any property once eligible for 
138.31  treatment under this paragraph ceases to remain eligible due to 
138.32  revisions in transit zone boundaries, the property shall 
138.33  continue to receive treatment under this paragraph for a period 
138.34  of three years. 
138.35     (2) This clause applies to any structure qualifying for the 
138.36  transit zone reduced class rate under clause (1) on January 2, 
139.1   1999, or any structure meeting any of the qualification criteria 
139.2   in item (i) and otherwise qualifying for the transit zone 
139.3   reduced class rate under clause (1).  Such a structure continues 
139.4   to receive the transit zone reduced class rate until the 
139.5   occurrence of one of the events in item (ii). 
139.6      (i) A structure qualifies for the rate in this clause if it 
139.7   is: 
139.8      (A) property for which a building permit was issued before 
139.9   December 31, 1998; or 
139.10     (B) property for which a building permit was issued before 
139.11  June 30, 2001, if: 
139.12     (I) at least 50 percent of the land on which the structure 
139.13  is to be built has been acquired or is the subject of signed 
139.14  purchase agreements or signed options as of March 15, 1998, by 
139.15  the entity that proposes construction of the project or an 
139.16  affiliate of the entity; 
139.17     (II) signed agreements have been entered into with one 
139.18  entity or with affiliated entities to lease for the account of 
139.19  the entity or affiliated entities at least 50 percent of the 
139.20  square footage of the structure or the owner of the structure 
139.21  will occupy at least 50 percent of the square footage of the 
139.22  structure; and 
139.23     (III) one of the following requirements is met: 
139.24     the project proposer has submitted the completed data 
139.25  portions of an environmental assessment worksheet by December 
139.26  31, 1998; or 
139.27     a notice of determination of adequacy of an environmental 
139.28  impact statement has been published by April 1, 1999; or 
139.29     an alternative urban areawide review has been completed by 
139.30  April 1, 1999; or 
139.31     (C) property for which a building permit is issued before 
139.32  July 30, 1999, if: 
139.33     (I) at least 50 percent of the land on which the structure 
139.34  is to be built has been acquired or is the subject of signed 
139.35  purchase agreements as of March 31, 1998, by the entity that 
139.36  proposes construction of the project or an affiliate of the 
140.1   entity; 
140.2      (II) a signed agreement has been entered into between the 
140.3   building developer and a tenant to lease for its own account at 
140.4   least 200,000 square feet of space in the building; 
140.5      (III) a signed letter of intent is entered into by July 1, 
140.6   1998, between the building developer and the tenant to lease the 
140.7   space for its own account; and 
140.8      (IV) the environmental review process required by state law 
140.9   was commenced by December 31, 1998. 
140.10     (ii) A structure specified by this clause shall continue to 
140.11  receive the transit zone reduced class rate until the occurrence 
140.12  of one of the following events: 
140.13     (A) if the structure upon initial occupancy will be owner 
140.14  occupied by the entity initially constructing the structure or 
140.15  an affiliated entity, the structure receives the reduced class 
140.16  rate until the structure ceases to be at least 50 percent 
140.17  occupied by the entity or an affiliated entity, provided, if the 
140.18  portion of the structure occupied by that entity or an affiliate 
140.19  of the entity is less than 85 percent, the transit zone class 
140.20  rate reduction for the portion of structure not so occupied 
140.21  terminates upon the leasing of such space to any nonaffiliated 
140.22  entity; or 
140.23     (B) if the structure is leased by a single entity or 
140.24  affiliated entity at the time of initial occupancy, the 
140.25  structure shall receive the reduced class rate until the 
140.26  structure ceases to be at least 50 percent occupied by the 
140.27  entity or an affiliated entity, provided, if the portion of the 
140.28  structure occupied by that entity or an affiliate of the entity 
140.29  is less than 85 percent, the transit zone class rate reduction 
140.30  for the portion of structure not so occupied shall terminate 
140.31  upon the leasing of such space to any nonaffiliated entity; or 
140.32     (C) if the structure meets the criteria in item (i)(C), the 
140.33  structure shall receive the reduced class rate until the 
140.34  expiration of the initial lease term of the applicable tenants. 
140.35     Percentages occupied or leased shall be determined based 
140.36  upon net leasable square footage in the structure.  The assessor 
141.1   shall allocate the value of the structure in the same fashion as 
141.2   provided in the general law for portions of any structure 
141.3   receiving and not receiving the transit tax class reduction as a 
141.4   result of this clause. 
141.5      Sec. 19.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 273.13, is 
141.6   amended by adding a subdivision to read: 
141.7      Subd. 24a.  [TRANSIT ZONE PROPERTIES; PERSONAL PROPERTY 
141.8   TAX.] (a) Notwithstanding the provisions of section 272.02 or 
141.9   any other law to the contrary, a personal property tax is 
141.10  imposed on the leasehold of a tenant of a structure described in 
141.11  subdivision 24, paragraph (c), clause (2), item (i)(C). 
141.12     (b) The tax equals the amount obtained by multiplying the 
141.13  sum of the local tax rates by: 
141.14     (1) the estimated market value of the structure multiplied 
141.15  by 
141.16     (2) the square footage of the structure under lease that 
141.17  qualifies under subdivision 24, clause (c)(1), divided by 
141.18     (3) the total square footage of the structure that 
141.19  qualifies under subdivision 24, clause (c)(1), multiplied by 
141.20     (4) the difference between the class rate under subdivision 
141.21  24, paragraph (a), for the second tier and the class rate under 
141.22  subdivision 24, paragraph (c), for the second tier for the 
141.23  qualifying parts of a structure. 
141.24     (c) The tax under this subdivision does not apply to a 
141.25  lease that: 
141.26     (1) was executed before May 1, 1999; 
141.27     (2) was entered according to a binding written agreement 
141.28  executed before May 1, 1999; or 
141.29     (3) is a lease entered under an expansion option contained 
141.30  in a lease or binding written agreement qualifying under clause 
141.31  (1) or (2). 
141.32     (d) The tax imposed under this subdivision is a personal 
141.33  property tax and is imposed on the lessee or tenant and not on 
141.34  the structure or the real property.  The tax is an obligation of 
141.35  the lessee or tenant and must be collected in the manner 
141.36  provided for personal property taxes. 
142.1      (e) The personal property tax applies only to a year in 
142.2   which the leased structure qualifies for the transit zone class 
142.3   rate. 
142.4      Sec. 20.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 273.13, 
142.5   subdivision 25, is amended to read: 
142.6      Subd. 25.  [CLASS 4.] (a) Class 4a is residential real 
142.7   estate containing four or more units and used or held for use by 
142.8   the owner or by the tenants or lessees of the owner as a 
142.9   residence for rental periods of 30 days or more.  Class 4a also 
142.10  includes hospitals licensed under sections 144.50 to 144.56, 
142.11  other than hospitals exempt under section 272.02, and contiguous 
142.12  property used for hospital purposes, without regard to whether 
142.13  the property has been platted or subdivided.  Class 4a property 
142.14  in a city with a population of 5,000 or less, that is (1) 
142.15  located outside of the metropolitan area, as defined in section 
142.16  473.121, subdivision 2, or outside any county contiguous to the 
142.17  metropolitan area, and (2) whose city boundary is at least 15 
142.18  miles from the boundary of any city with a population greater 
142.19  than 5,000 has a class rate of 2.15 percent of market value.  
142.20  All other class 4a property has a class rate of 2.5 2.25 percent 
142.21  of market value.  For purposes of this paragraph, population has 
142.22  the same meaning given in section 477A.011, subdivision 3. 
142.23     (b) Class 4b includes: 
142.24     (1) residential real estate containing less than four units 
142.25  that does not qualify as class 4bb, other than seasonal 
142.26  residential, and recreational; 
142.27     (2) manufactured homes not classified under any other 
142.28  provision; 
142.29     (3) a dwelling, garage, and surrounding one acre of 
142.30  property on a nonhomestead farm classified under subdivision 23, 
142.31  paragraph (b) containing two or three units; 
142.32     (4) unimproved property that is classified residential as 
142.33  determined under subdivision 33.  
142.34     Class 4b property has a class rate of 1.7 1.6 percent of 
142.35  market value.  
142.36     (c) Class 4bb includes: 
143.1      (1) nonhomestead residential real estate containing one 
143.2   unit, other than seasonal residential, and recreational; and 
143.3      (2) a single family dwelling, garage, and surrounding one 
143.4   acre of property on a nonhomestead farm classified under 
143.5   subdivision 23, paragraph (b). 
143.6      Class 4bb has a class rate of 1.25 1.15 percent on the 
143.7   first $75,000 $78,000 of market value and a class rate of 1.7 
143.8   1.6 percent of its market value that exceeds $75,000 $78,000. 
143.9      Property that has been classified as seasonal recreational 
143.10  residential property at any time during which it has been owned 
143.11  by the current owner or spouse of the current owner does not 
143.12  qualify for class 4bb. 
143.13     (d) Class 4c property includes: 
143.14     (1) except as provided in subdivision 22, paragraph (c), 
143.15  real property devoted to temporary and seasonal residential 
143.16  occupancy for recreation purposes, including real property 
143.17  devoted to temporary and seasonal residential occupancy for 
143.18  recreation purposes and not devoted to commercial purposes for 
143.19  more than 250 days in the year preceding the year of 
143.20  assessment.  For purposes of this clause, property is devoted to 
143.21  a commercial purpose on a specific day if any portion of the 
143.22  property is used for residential occupancy, and a fee is charged 
143.23  for residential occupancy.  In order for a property to be 
143.24  classified as class 4c, seasonal recreational residential for 
143.25  commercial purposes, at least 40 percent of the annual gross 
143.26  lodging receipts related to the property must be from business 
143.27  conducted during 90 consecutive days and either (i) at least 60 
143.28  percent of all paid bookings by lodging guests during the year 
143.29  must be for periods of at least two consecutive nights; or (ii) 
143.30  at least 20 percent of the annual gross receipts must be from 
143.31  charges for rental of fish houses, boats and motors, 
143.32  snowmobiles, downhill or cross-country ski equipment, or charges 
143.33  for marina services, launch services, and guide services, or the 
143.34  sale of bait and fishing tackle.  For purposes of this 
143.35  determination, a paid booking of five or more nights shall be 
143.36  counted as two bookings.  Class 4c also includes commercial use 
144.1   real property used exclusively for recreational purposes in 
144.2   conjunction with class 4c property devoted to temporary and 
144.3   seasonal residential occupancy for recreational purposes, up to 
144.4   a total of two acres, provided the property is not devoted to 
144.5   commercial recreational use for more than 250 days in the year 
144.6   preceding the year of assessment and is located within two miles 
144.7   of the class 4c property with which it is used.  Class 4c 
144.8   property classified in this clause also includes the remainder 
144.9   of class 1c resorts provided that the entire property including 
144.10  that portion of the property classified as class 1c also meets 
144.11  the requirements for class 4c under this clause; otherwise the 
144.12  entire property is classified as class 3.  Owners of real 
144.13  property devoted to temporary and seasonal residential occupancy 
144.14  for recreation purposes and all or a portion of which was 
144.15  devoted to commercial purposes for not more than 250 days in the 
144.16  year preceding the year of assessment desiring classification as 
144.17  class 1c or 4c, must submit a declaration to the assessor 
144.18  designating the cabins or units occupied for 250 days or less in 
144.19  the year preceding the year of assessment by January 15 of the 
144.20  assessment year.  Those cabins or units and a proportionate 
144.21  share of the land on which they are located will be designated 
144.22  class 1c or 4c as otherwise provided.  The remainder of the 
144.23  cabins or units and a proportionate share of the land on which 
144.24  they are located will be designated as class 3a.  The owner of 
144.25  property desiring designation as class 1c or 4c property must 
144.26  provide guest registers or other records demonstrating that the 
144.27  units for which class 1c or 4c designation is sought were not 
144.28  occupied for more than 250 days in the year preceding the 
144.29  assessment if so requested.  The portion of a property operated 
144.30  as a (1) restaurant, (2) bar, (3) gift shop, and (4) other 
144.31  nonresidential facility operated on a commercial basis not 
144.32  directly related to temporary and seasonal residential occupancy 
144.33  for recreation purposes shall not qualify for class 1c or 4c; 
144.34     (2) qualified property used as a golf course if: 
144.35     (i) it is open to the public on a daily fee basis.  It may 
144.36  charge membership fees or dues, but a membership fee may not be 
145.1   required in order to use the property for golfing, and its green 
145.2   fees for golfing must be comparable to green fees typically 
145.3   charged by municipal courses; and 
145.4      (ii) it meets the requirements of section 273.112, 
145.5   subdivision 3, paragraph (d). 
145.6      A structure used as a clubhouse, restaurant, or place of 
145.7   refreshment in conjunction with the golf course is classified as 
145.8   class 3a property. 
145.9      (3) real property up to a maximum of one acre of land owned 
145.10  by a nonprofit community service oriented organization; provided 
145.11  that the property is not used for a revenue-producing activity 
145.12  for more than six days in the calendar year preceding the year 
145.13  of assessment and the property is not used for residential 
145.14  purposes on either a temporary or permanent basis.  For purposes 
145.15  of this clause, a "nonprofit community service oriented 
145.16  organization" means any corporation, society, association, 
145.17  foundation, or institution organized and operated exclusively 
145.18  for charitable, religious, fraternal, civic, or educational 
145.19  purposes, and which is exempt from federal income taxation 
145.20  pursuant to section 501(c)(3), (10), or (19) of the Internal 
145.21  Revenue Code of 1986, as amended through December 31, 1990.  For 
145.22  purposes of this clause, "revenue-producing activities" shall 
145.23  include but not be limited to property or that portion of the 
145.24  property that is used as an on-sale intoxicating liquor or 3.2 
145.25  percent malt liquor establishment licensed under chapter 340A, a 
145.26  restaurant open to the public, bowling alley, a retail store, 
145.27  gambling conducted by organizations licensed under chapter 349, 
145.28  an insurance business, or office or other space leased or rented 
145.29  to a lessee who conducts a for-profit enterprise on the 
145.30  premises.  Any portion of the property which is used for 
145.31  revenue-producing activities for more than six days in the 
145.32  calendar year preceding the year of assessment shall be assessed 
145.33  as class 3a.  The use of the property for social events open 
145.34  exclusively to members and their guests for periods of less than 
145.35  24 hours, when an admission is not charged nor any revenues are 
145.36  received by the organization shall not be considered a 
146.1   revenue-producing activity; 
146.2      (4) post-secondary student housing of not more than one 
146.3   acre of land that is owned by a nonprofit corporation organized 
146.4   under chapter 317A and is used exclusively by a student 
146.5   cooperative, sorority, or fraternity for on-campus housing or 
146.6   housing located within two miles of the border of a college 
146.7   campus; 
146.8      (5) manufactured home parks as defined in section 327.14, 
146.9   subdivision 3; and 
146.10     (6) real property that is actively and exclusively devoted 
146.11  to indoor fitness, health, social, recreational, and related 
146.12  uses, is owned and operated by a not-for-profit corporation, and 
146.13  is located within the metropolitan area as defined in section 
146.14  473.121, subdivision 2. 
146.15     Class 4c property has a class rate of 1.8 1.6 percent of 
146.16  market value, except that (i) for each parcel of seasonal 
146.17  residential recreational property not used for commercial 
146.18  purposes the first $75,000 of market value has a class rate of 
146.19  1.25 percent, and the market value that exceeds $75,000 has a 
146.20  class rate of 2.2 percent has the same class rates as class 4bb 
146.21  property, (ii) manufactured home parks assessed under clause (5) 
146.22  have a the same class rate of two percent as class 4b property, 
146.23  and (iii) property described in paragraph (d), clause (4), has 
146.24  the same class rate as the rate applicable to the first tier of 
146.25  class 4bb nonhomestead residential real estate under paragraph 
146.26  (c).  
146.27     (e) Class 4d property is qualifying low-income rental 
146.28  housing certified to the assessor by the housing finance agency 
146.29  under sections 273.126 and 462A.071.  Class 4d includes land in 
146.30  proportion to the total market value of the building that is 
146.31  qualifying low-income rental housing.  For all properties 
146.32  qualifying as class 4d, the market value determined by the 
146.33  assessor must be based on the normal approach to value using 
146.34  normal unrestricted rents. 
146.35     Class 4d property has a class rate of one percent of market 
146.36  value.  
147.1      (f) Class 4e property consists of the residential portion 
147.2   of any structure located within a city that was converted from 
147.3   nonresidential use to residential use, provided that: 
147.4      (1) the structure had formerly been used as a warehouse; 
147.5      (2) the structure was originally constructed prior to 1940; 
147.6      (3) the conversion was done after December 31, 1995, but 
147.7   before January 1, 2003; and 
147.8      (4) the conversion involved an investment of at least 
147.9   $25,000 per residential unit. 
147.10     Class 4e property has a class rate of 2.3 percent, provided 
147.11  that a structure is eligible for class 4e classification only in 
147.12  the 12 assessment years immediately following the conversion. 
147.13     (f) Class 4f property consists of any parcel, portion of a 
147.14  parcel, or contiguous parcels of unimproved real estate, 
147.15  excluding agricultural land classified under subdivision 23 that 
147.16  meets the requirements in clauses (1) to (4): 
147.17     (1) the property consists of at least 300 contiguous feet 
147.18  of unimproved real estate that borders a meandered lake as 
147.19  contained in section 103G.005, subdivisions 11 and 15, clause 
147.20  (3); 
147.21     (2) the unimproved real estate is located within 400 feet 
147.22  from the ordinary high water elevation of the meandered lake.  
147.23  For purposes of this clause, "unimproved" means that the 
147.24  property qualifying under this paragraph has:  
147.25     (i) no structures; 
147.26     (ii) no docks or landings on its shoreline; 
147.27     (iii) undisturbed natural terrain and vegetation; and 
147.28     (iv) no on-site sewage disposal on the property; 
147.29     (3) the owner files an application with the county assessor 
147.30  by July 1 for classification under this paragraph for the 
147.31  subsequent assessment year; and 
147.32     (4) the owner of the property signs a covenant agreement 
147.33  and files a copy of the covenant with the county assessor and 
147.34  files for record the original covenant agreement with the county 
147.35  recorder or registrar in the county where the property is 
147.36  located.  The commissioner of revenue shall prepare a 
148.1   standardized covenant agreement form for use under this 
148.2   classification and make copies available to each county.  The 
148.3   covenant agreement must include all of the following: 
148.4      (i) a legal description of the area to which the covenant 
148.5   applies; 
148.6      (ii) the name and address of the owner; 
148.7      (iii) a statement that the land described in the covenant 
148.8   must be kept as undeveloped land for the duration of the 
148.9   covenant; 
148.10     (iv) a statement that the landowner may initiate expiration 
148.11  of the covenant agreement by notifying the county assessor and 
148.12  filing a notice for record with the county recorder or 
148.13  registrar, in writing, with the date of expiration which must be 
148.14  at least ten years from the date of the expiration notice; 
148.15     (v) a statement that the covenant is binding on the owner 
148.16  or owner's successor or assignee and runs with the land; and 
148.17     (vi) a witnessed signature of the owner covenanting to keep 
148.18  the land in its undeveloped state as it existed on the date the 
148.19  covenant was signed. 
148.20     Upon expiration of a covenant agreement in clause (4), the 
148.21  property which is sold is subject to additional taxes.  The 
148.22  amount of additional taxes due on the property equals the 
148.23  difference between the taxes actually levied and the taxes that 
148.24  would have been imposed if the property had been valued and 
148.25  classified if class 4f did not apply.  The additional taxes must 
148.26  be extended against the property on the tax list for the current 
148.27  year.  No interest or penalties may be levied on the additional 
148.28  taxes if timely paid, and the additional taxes must be levied 
148.29  only with respect to the last ten years that the property was 
148.30  valued and assessed as class 4f property. 
148.31     The tax imposed under this paragraph is a lien on the 
148.32  property assessed to the same extent and for the same duration 
148.33  as other real property taxes.  The tax must be extended by the 
148.34  county auditor and, when payable, be collected and distributed 
148.35  in the same manner provided by law for the collection and 
148.36  distribution of other property taxes. 
149.1      Class 4f has a class rate of 1.0 percent of market value. 
149.2      Sec. 21.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 273.13, 
149.3   subdivision 31, is amended to read: 
149.4      Subd. 31.  [CLASS 5.] Class 5 property includes:  
149.5      (1) tools, implements, and machinery of an electric 
149.6   generating, transmission, or distribution system or a pipeline 
149.7   system transporting or distributing water, gas, crude oil, or 
149.8   petroleum products or mains and pipes used in the distribution 
149.9   of steam or hot or chilled water for heating or cooling 
149.10  buildings, which are fixtures; 
149.11     (2) unmined iron ore and low-grade iron-bearing formations 
149.12  as defined in section 273.14; and 
149.13     (3) (2) all other property not otherwise classified. 
149.14     Class 5 property has a class rate of 3.5 3.25 percent of 
149.15  market value. 
149.16     Sec. 22.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 273.1382, is 
149.17  amended to read: 
149.18     273.1382 [EDUCATION HOMESTEAD CREDIT; EDUCATION 
149.19  AGRICULTURAL CREDIT.] 
149.20     Subdivision 1.  [EDUCATION HOMESTEAD CREDIT TAX RATE.] Each 
149.21  year, the respective county auditors shall determine the initial 
149.22  tax rate for each school district for the general education levy 
149.23  certified under section 126C.13, subdivision 2 or 3.  That rate 
149.24  plus the school district's education homestead credit tax rate 
149.25  adjustment under section 275.08, subdivision 1e, shall be the 
149.26  general education homestead credit local tax rate for the 
149.27  district.  The 
149.28     Subd. 1a.  [EDUCATION HOMESTEAD CREDIT.] Each county 
149.29  auditor shall then determine a general education homestead 
149.30  credit for each homestead within the county equal to 68 66.2 
149.31  percent for taxes payable in 1999 and 69 96 percent for taxes 
149.32  payable in 2000 and thereafter of the general education 
149.33  homestead credit local tax rate times the net tax capacity of 
149.34  the homestead for the taxes payable year.  The amount of general 
149.35  education homestead credit for a homestead may not exceed $320 
149.36  for taxes payable in 1999 and $335 $450 for taxes payable in 
150.1   2000 and thereafter.  In the case of an agricultural homestead, 
150.2   only the net tax capacity of the house, garage, and surrounding 
150.3   one acre of land shall be used in determining the property's 
150.4   education homestead credit. 
150.5      Subd. 1a.  [CREDIT PERCENTAGE REDUCTION.] If the general 
150.6   education levy target for fiscal year 2000 or 2001 is increased 
150.7   by another law enacted prior to the 1999 legislative session, 
150.8   the commissioner of revenue shall adjust the percentage rates of 
150.9   the education homestead credit for the corresponding taxes 
150.10  payable year by multiplying the percentage rate by the ratio of 
150.11  the prior general education levy target to the current general 
150.12  education levy target.  If an adjustment is made under this 
150.13  section for fiscal year 2001, the adjusted rate shall remain in 
150.14  effect for future years until amended by subsequent legislation. 
150.15     Subd. 1b.  [EDUCATION AGRICULTURAL CREDIT.] Property 
150.16  classified as class 2a agricultural homestead or class 2b 
150.17  agricultural nonhomestead is eligible for education agricultural 
150.18  credit.  The credit is equal to 50 percent, in the case of 
150.19  agricultural homestead property, or 40 percent, in the case of 
150.20  agricultural nonhomestead property, of the property's net tax 
150.21  capacity times the education credit tax rate determined in 
150.22  subdivision 1.  The net tax capacity of class 2a property 
150.23  attributable to the house, garage, and surrounding one acre of 
150.24  land is not eligible for the credit under this subdivision. 
150.25     Subd. 2.  [CREDIT REIMBURSEMENTS.] (a) The commissioner of 
150.26  revenue shall determine the tax reductions allowed under this 
150.27  section for each taxes payable year, and for each school 
150.28  district based upon a review of the abstracts of tax lists 
150.29  submitted by the county auditors under section 275.29, and from 
150.30  any other information which the commissioner deems relevant.  
150.31  The commissioner of revenue shall generally compute the tax 
150.32  reductions at the unique taxing jurisdiction level, however the 
150.33  commissioner may compute the tax reductions at a higher 
150.34  geographic level if that would have a negligible impact, or if 
150.35  changes in the composition of unique taxing jurisdictions do not 
150.36  permit computation at the unique taxing jurisdiction level.  The 
151.1   commissioner's determinations under this paragraph are not rules.
151.2      (b) The commissioner of revenue shall certify the total of 
151.3   the tax reductions granted under this section for each taxes 
151.4   payable year within each school district to the commissioner of 
151.5   children, families, and learning after July 1 and on or before 
151.6   August 1 of the taxes payable year.  The commissioner of 
151.7   children, families, and learning shall reimburse each affected 
151.8   school district for the amount of the property tax reductions 
151.9   allowed under this section as provided in section 273.1392.  The 
151.10  commissioner of children, families, and learning shall treat the 
151.11  reimbursement payments as entitlements for the same state fiscal 
151.12  year as certified, including with each district's initial 
151.13  payment all amounts that would have been paid up to that date, 
151.14  computed as if 90 percent of the annual reimbursement amount for 
151.15  the district were being paid one-twelfth in each month of the 
151.16  fiscal year.  
151.17     Subd. 3.  [APPROPRIATION.] An amount sufficient to make the 
151.18  payments required by this section is annually appropriated from 
151.19  the general fund to the commissioner of children, families, and 
151.20  learning.  
151.21     Sec. 23.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 273.1398, 
151.22  subdivision 8, is amended to read: 
151.23     Subd. 8.  [APPROPRIATION.] (a) An amount sufficient to pay 
151.24  the aids and credits provided under this section for school 
151.25  districts, intermediate school districts, or any group of school 
151.26  districts levying as a single taxing entity, is annually 
151.27  appropriated from the general fund to the commissioner of 
151.28  children, families, and learning.  An amount sufficient to pay 
151.29  the aids and credits provided under this section for counties, 
151.30  cities, towns, and special taxing districts is annually 
151.31  appropriated from the general fund to the commissioner of 
151.32  revenue.  A jurisdiction's aid amount may be increased or 
151.33  decreased based on any prior year adjustments for homestead 
151.34  credit or other property tax credit or aid programs. 
151.35     (b) The commissioner of finance shall bill the commissioner 
151.36  of revenue for the cost of preparation of local impact notes as 
152.1   required by section 3.987 only to the extent to which those 
152.2   costs exceed those costs incurred in fiscal year 1997 and for 
152.3   any other new costs attributable to the local impact note 
152.4   function required by section 3.987, not to exceed $100,000 in a 
152.5   fiscal year 1998 and $200,000 in fiscal year 1999 and thereafter.
152.6      The commissioner of revenue shall deduct the amount billed 
152.7   under this paragraph from aid payments to be made to cities and 
152.8   counties under subdivision 2 on a pro rata basis.  The amount 
152.9   deducted under this paragraph is appropriated to the 
152.10  commissioner of finance for the preparation of local impact 
152.11  notes. 
152.12     Sec. 24.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 273.20, is 
152.13  amended to read: 
152.14     273.20 [ASSESSOR MAY ENTER DWELLINGS, BUILDINGS, OR 
152.15  STRUCTURES.] 
152.16     Any officer authorized by law to assess property for 
152.17  taxation may, when necessary to the proper performance of 
152.18  duties, enter any dwelling-house, building, or structure, and 
152.19  view the same and the property therein.  
152.20     Any officer authorized by law to assess property for ad 
152.21  valorem tax purposes shall have reasonable access to land and 
152.22  structures as necessary for the proper performance of their 
152.23  duties.  A property owner may refuse to allow an assessor to 
152.24  inspect their property.  This refusal by the property owner must 
152.25  be either verbal or expressly stated in a letter to the county 
152.26  assessor.  If the assessor is denied access to view a property, 
152.27  the assessor is authorized to estimate the property's estimated 
152.28  market value by making assumptions believed appropriate 
152.29  concerning the property's finish and condition. 
152.30     Sec. 25.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 274.01, 
152.31  subdivision 1, is amended to read: 
152.32     Subdivision 1.  [ORDINARY BOARD; MEETINGS, DEADLINES, 
152.33  GRIEVANCES.] (a) The town board of a town, or the council or 
152.34  other governing body of a city, is the board of review except 
152.35  (1) in cities whose charters provide for a board of equalization 
152.36  or (2) in any city or town that has transferred its local board 
153.1   of review power and duties to the county board as provided in 
153.2   subdivision 3.  The county assessor shall fix a day and time 
153.3   when the board or the board of equalization shall meet in the 
153.4   assessment districts of the county.  On or before February 15 of 
153.5   each year the assessor shall give written notice of the time to 
153.6   the city or town clerk.  Notwithstanding the provisions of any 
153.7   charter to the contrary, the meetings must be held between April 
153.8   1 and May 31 each year.  The clerk shall give published and 
153.9   posted notice of the meeting at least ten days before the date 
153.10  of the meeting.  
153.11     If in any county, at least 25 percent of the total net tax 
153.12  capacity of a city or town is noncommercial seasonal residential 
153.13  recreational property classified under section 273.13, 
153.14  subdivision 25, the county must hold two countywide 
153.15  informational meetings on Saturdays.  The meetings will allow 
153.16  noncommercial seasonal residential recreational taxpayers to 
153.17  discuss their property valuation with the appropriate assessment 
153.18  staff.  These Saturday informational meetings must be scheduled 
153.19  to allow the owner of the noncommercial seasonal residential 
153.20  recreational property the opportunity to attend one of the 
153.21  meetings prior to the scheduled board of review for their city 
153.22  or town.  The Saturday meeting dates must be contained on the 
153.23  notice of valuation of real property under section 273.121.  
153.24     The board shall meet at the office of the clerk to review 
153.25  the assessment and classification of property in the town or 
153.26  city.  No changes in valuation or classification which are 
153.27  intended to correct errors in judgment by the county assessor 
153.28  may be made by the county assessor after the board of review has 
153.29  adjourned in those cities or towns that hold a local board of 
153.30  review; however, corrections of errors that are merely clerical 
153.31  in nature or changes that extend homestead treatment to property 
153.32  are permitted after adjournment until the tax extension date for 
153.33  that assessment year.  The changes must be fully documented and 
153.34  maintained in the assessor's office and must be available for 
153.35  review by any person.  A copy of the changes made during this 
153.36  period in those cities or towns that hold a local board of 
154.1   review must be sent to the county board no later than December 
154.2   31 of the assessment year.  
154.3      (b) The board shall determine whether the taxable property 
154.4   in the town or city has been properly placed on the list and 
154.5   properly valued by the assessor.  If real or personal property 
154.6   has been omitted, the board shall place it on the list with its 
154.7   market value, and correct the assessment so that each tract or 
154.8   lot of real property, and each article, parcel, or class of 
154.9   personal property, is entered on the assessment list at its 
154.10  market value.  No assessment of the property of any person may 
154.11  be raised unless the person has been duly notified of the intent 
154.12  of the board to do so.  On application of any person feeling 
154.13  aggrieved, the board shall review the assessment or 
154.14  classification, or both, and correct it as appears just.  The 
154.15  board may not make an individual market value adjustment or 
154.16  classification change that would benefit the property in cases 
154.17  where the owner or other person having control over the property 
154.18  will not permit the assessor to inspect the property and the 
154.19  interior of any buildings or structures.  
154.20     (c) A local board of review may reduce assessments upon 
154.21  petition of the taxpayer but the total reductions must not 
154.22  reduce the aggregate assessment made by the county assessor by 
154.23  more than one percent.  If the total reductions would lower the 
154.24  aggregate assessments made by the county assessor by more than 
154.25  one percent, none of the adjustments may be made.  The assessor 
154.26  shall correct any clerical errors or double assessments 
154.27  discovered by the board of review without regard to the one 
154.28  percent limitation.  
154.29     (d) A majority of the members may act at the meeting, and 
154.30  adjourn from day to day until they finish hearing the cases 
154.31  presented.  The assessor shall attend, with the assessment books 
154.32  and papers, and take part in the proceedings, but must not 
154.33  vote.  The county assessor, or an assistant delegated by the 
154.34  county assessor shall attend the meetings.  The board shall list 
154.35  separately, on a form appended to the assessment book, all 
154.36  omitted property added to the list by the board and all items of 
155.1   property increased or decreased, with the market value of each 
155.2   item of property, added or changed by the board, placed opposite 
155.3   the item.  The county assessor shall enter all changes made by 
155.4   the board in the assessment book.  
155.5      (e) Except as provided in subdivision 3, if a person fails 
155.6   to appear in person, by counsel, or by written communication 
155.7   before the board after being duly notified of the board's intent 
155.8   to raise the assessment of the property, or if a person feeling 
155.9   aggrieved by an assessment or classification fails to apply for 
155.10  a review of the assessment or classification, the person may not 
155.11  appear before the county board of equalization for a review of 
155.12  the assessment or classification.  This paragraph does not apply 
155.13  if an assessment was made after the board meeting, as provided 
155.14  in section 273.01, or if the person can establish not having 
155.15  received notice of market value at least five days before the 
155.16  local board of review meeting.  
155.17     (f) The board of review or the board of equalization must 
155.18  complete its work and adjourn within 20 days from the time of 
155.19  convening stated in the notice of the clerk, unless a longer 
155.20  period is approved by the commissioner of revenue.  No action 
155.21  taken after that date is valid.  All complaints about an 
155.22  assessment or classification made after the meeting of the board 
155.23  must be heard and determined by the county board of 
155.24  equalization.  A nonresident may, at any time, before the 
155.25  meeting of the board of review file written objections to an 
155.26  assessment or classification with the county assessor.  The 
155.27  objections must be presented to the board of review at its 
155.28  meeting by the county assessor for its consideration. 
155.29     Sec. 26.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 276.131, is 
155.30  amended to read: 
155.31     276.131 [DISTRIBUTION OF PENALTIES, INTEREST, AND COSTS.] 
155.32     The penalties, interest, and costs collected on special 
155.33  assessments and real and personal property taxes must be 
155.34  distributed as follows: 
155.35     (1) all penalties and interest collected on special 
155.36  assessments against real or personal property must be 
156.1   distributed to the taxing jurisdiction that levied the 
156.2   assessment; 
156.3      (2) (i) 50 percent of all penalties and interest collected 
156.4   on real and personal property taxes must be distributed to the 
156.5   county in which the property is located school districts within 
156.6   the county, and 
156.7      (ii) the other remaining 50 percent must be distributed to 
156.8   the school districts within the county as follows: 
156.9      (A) the county shall receive the monies from penalties; 
156.10     (B) the city or town where the property is located shall 
156.11  receive a share of the amount of interest equal to the 
156.12  proportion that the city's or town's local tax rate for the year 
156.13  that the interest was collected, is to the sum of the city's or 
156.14  town's local tax rate and the county's local tax rate for the 
156.15  year that the interest was collected; and 
156.16     (C) the balance must be distributed to the county.  
156.17     The distribution to the school district must be in 
156.18  accordance with the provisions of section 127A.34; and 
156.19     (3) all costs collected by the county on special 
156.20  assessments and on delinquent real and personal property taxes 
156.21  must be distributed to the county in which the property is 
156.22  located.  
156.23     Sec. 27.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 290B.03, 
156.24  subdivision 1, is amended to read: 
156.25     Subdivision 1.  [PROGRAM QUALIFICATIONS.] The 
156.26  qualifications for the senior citizens' property tax deferral 
156.27  program are as follows: 
156.28     (1) the property must be owned and occupied as a homestead 
156.29  by a person 65 years of age or older.  In the case of a married 
156.30  couple, both of the spouses must be at least 65 years old at the 
156.31  time the first property tax deferral is granted, regardless of 
156.32  whether the property is titled in the name of one spouse or both 
156.33  spouses, or titled in another way that permits the property to 
156.34  have homestead status; 
156.35     (2) the total household income of the qualifying 
156.36  homeowners, as defined in section 290A.03, subdivision 5, for 
157.1   the calendar year preceding the year of the initial application 
157.2   may not exceed $30,000 $60,000; 
157.3      (3) the homestead must have been owned and occupied as the 
157.4   homestead of at least one of the qualifying homeowners for at 
157.5   least 15 years prior to the year the initial application is 
157.6   filed; 
157.7      (4) there are no delinquent property taxes, penalties, or 
157.8   interest on the homesteaded property; 
157.9      (5) there are no delinquent special assessments on the 
157.10  homesteaded property; 
157.11     (6) there are no state or federal tax liens or judgment 
157.12  liens on the homesteaded property; 
157.13     (7) there are no mortgages or other liens on the property 
157.14  that secure future advances, except for those subject to credit 
157.15  limits that result in compliance with clause (8); and 
157.16     (8) the total unpaid balances of debts secured by mortgages 
157.17  and other liens on the property, including unpaid special 
157.18  assessments, but not including property taxes payable during the 
157.19  year, does not exceed 30 percent of the assessor's estimated 
157.20  market value for the year. 
157.21     Sec. 28.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 290B.04, 
157.22  subdivision 3, is amended to read: 
157.23     Subd. 3.  [EXCESS-INCOME CERTIFICATION BY TAXPAYER.] A 
157.24  taxpayer whose initial application has been approved under 
157.25  subdivision 2 shall notify the commissioner of revenue in 
157.26  writing by July 1 if the taxpayer's household income for the 
157.27  preceding calendar year exceeded $30,000 $60,000.  The 
157.28  certification must state the homeowner's total household income 
157.29  for the previous calendar year.  No property taxes may be 
157.30  deferred under this chapter in any year following the year in 
157.31  which a program participant filed or should have filed an 
157.32  excess-income certification under this subdivision, unless the 
157.33  participant has filed a resumption of eligibility certification 
157.34  as described in subdivision 4. 
157.35     Sec. 29.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 290B.04, 
157.36  subdivision 4, is amended to read: 
158.1      Subd. 4.  [RESUMPTION OF ELIGIBILITY CERTIFICATION BY 
158.2   TAXPAYER.] A taxpayer who has previously filed an excess-income 
158.3   certification under subdivision 3 may resume program 
158.4   participation if the taxpayer's household income for a 
158.5   subsequent year is $30,000 $60,000 or less.  If the taxpayer 
158.6   chooses to resume program participation, the taxpayer must 
158.7   notify the commissioner of revenue in writing by July 1 of the 
158.8   year following a calendar year in which the taxpayer's household 
158.9   income is $30,000 $60,000 or less.  The certification must state 
158.10  the taxpayer's total household income for the previous calendar 
158.11  year.  Once a taxpayer resumes participation in the program 
158.12  under this subdivision, participation will continue until the 
158.13  taxpayer files a subsequent excess-income certification under 
158.14  subdivision 3 or until participation is terminated under section 
158.15  290B.08, subdivision 1. 
158.16     Sec. 30.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 290B.05, 
158.17  subdivision 1, is amended to read: 
158.18     Subdivision 1.  [DETERMINATION BY COMMISSIONER.] The 
158.19  commissioner shall determine each qualifying homeowner's "annual 
158.20  maximum property tax amount" following approval of the 
158.21  homeowner's initial application and following the receipt of a 
158.22  resumption of eligibility certification.  The "annual maximum 
158.23  property tax amount" equals five three percent of the 
158.24  homeowner's total household income for the year preceding either 
158.25  the initial application or the resumption of eligibility 
158.26  certification, whichever is applicable.  Following approval of 
158.27  the initial application, the commissioner shall determine the 
158.28  qualifying homeowner's "maximum allowable deferral."  No tax may 
158.29  be deferred relative to the appropriate assessment year for any 
158.30  homeowner whose total household income for the previous year 
158.31  exceeds $30,000 $60,000.  No tax shall be deferred in any year 
158.32  in which the homeowner does not meet the program qualifications 
158.33  in section 290B.03.  The maximum allowable total deferral is 
158.34  equal to 75 percent of the assessor's estimated market value for 
158.35  the year, less the balance of any mortgage loans and other 
158.36  amounts secured by liens against the property at the time of 
159.1   application, including any unpaid special assessments but not 
159.2   including property taxes payable during the year. 
159.3      Sec. 31.  [473.3985] [LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT; PROPERTY TAXES 
159.4   PROHIBITED.] 
159.5      Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, a political 
159.6   subdivision or a public corporation is prohibited from levying a 
159.7   property tax for light rail transit, including, but not limited 
159.8   to, any property tax levy for the planning or design of the 
159.9   system, acquisition of property, construction and equipping of 
159.10  the system, relocation of persons or property, or operation or 
159.11  maintenance of the system, including any costs for management 
159.12  contracts.  A political subdivision or public corporation may 
159.13  not transfer funds from any accounts, reserves, or funds 
159.14  containing property tax revenues for any of the purposes for 
159.15  which a property tax levy is prohibited under this section.  
159.16  This prohibition also applies to a property tax levy to pay 
159.17  bonds or other debt used to finance any costs or expenditures 
159.18  enumerated in the section. 
159.19     Nothing in this section prohibits a political subdivision 
159.20  or public corporation from receiving and using federal or state 
159.21  funds specifically designated for light rail transit purposes, 
159.22  or from using fare or other operating revenues from a light rail 
159.23  transit system. 
159.24     Sec. 32.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 477A.06, 
159.25  subdivision 1, is amended to read: 
159.26     Subdivision 1.  [ELIGIBILITY.] (a) For assessment years 
159.27  1998, 1999, and 2000, for all class 4d property on which 
159.28  construction was begun before January 1, 1999, the assessor 
159.29  shall determine the difference between the actual net tax 
159.30  capacity and the net tax capacity that would be determined for 
159.31  the property if the class rates for assessment year 1997 were in 
159.32  effect. 
159.33     (b) In calendar years 1999, 2000, and 2001, each city shall 
159.34  be eligible for aid equal to (i) the amount by which the sum of 
159.35  the differences determined in clause (a) for the corresponding 
159.36  assessment year exceeds 2.5 two percent of the city's total 
160.1   taxable net tax capacity for taxes payable in 1998, multiplied 
160.2   by (ii) the city government's average local tax rate for taxes 
160.3   payable in 1998. 
160.4      Sec. 33.  Laws 1997, First Special Session chapter 3, 
160.5   section 27, is amended to read: 
160.6      Sec. 27.  [TAXPAYER'S PERSONAL INFORMATION; DISCLOSURE.] 
160.7      (a) An owner of property in Washington or Ramsey county 
160.8   that is subject to property taxation must be informed in a clear 
160.9   and conspicuous manner in writing on a form sent to property 
160.10  taxpayers that the property owner's name, address, and other 
160.11  information may be used, rented, or sold for business purposes, 
160.12  including surveys, marketing, and solicitation. 
160.13     (b) If the property owner so requests on the form provided, 
160.14  then any such list generated by the county and sold for business 
160.15  purposes must exclude the owner's name and address if the 
160.16  business purpose is conducting surveys, marketing, or 
160.17  solicitation. 
160.18     (c) This section expires August 1, 1999 2001. 
160.19     Sec. 34.  Laws 1998, chapter 389, article 1, section 1, is 
160.20  amended to read: 
160.21     Section 1.  [1998 PROPERTY TAX REBATE.] 
160.22     (a) A credit is allowed against the tax imposed under 
160.23  Minnesota Statutes, chapter 290, to an individual, other than a 
160.24  dependent, as defined in sections 151 and 152 of the Internal 
160.25  Revenue Code, disregarding section 152(b)(3) of the Internal 
160.26  Revenue Code, equal to 20 percent of the qualified property tax 
160.27  paid before January 1, 1999, for taxes assessed in 1997.  The 
160.28  maximum amount of qualifying tax to which the credit applies is 
160.29  $7,500. 
160.30     (b) For property owned and occupied by the taxpayer during 
160.31  1998, qualified property tax means property taxes payable as 
160.32  defined in Minnesota Statutes, section 290A.03, subdivision 13, 
160.33  assessed in 1997 and payable in 1998, and deductible by the 
160.34  individual under section 164 of the Internal Revenue Code of 
160.35  1986, as amended through December 31, 1997, except the 
160.36  requirement in Minnesota Statutes, section 290A.03, subdivision 
161.1   13, that the taxpayer own and occupy the property on January 2, 
161.2   1998, does not apply.  In the case of agricultural land assessed 
161.3   as part of a homestead pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, section 
161.4   273.13, subdivision 23, the owner is allowed to calculate the 
161.5   credit on all property taxes on the homestead, except to the 
161.6   extent the owner is required to furnish a rent certificate under 
161.7   Minnesota Statutes, section 290A.19, to a tenant leasing a part 
161.8   of the farm homestead. 
161.9      (c) For a renter, the qualified property tax means the 
161.10  amount of rent constituting property taxes under Minnesota 
161.11  Statutes, section 290A.03, subdivision 11, based on rent paid in 
161.12  1998 except as provided in this clause.  If two or more renters 
161.13  could be claimants under Minnesota Statutes, chapter 290A, with 
161.14  regard to the rent constituting property taxes, the rules under 
161.15  Minnesota Statutes, section 290A.03, subdivision 8, paragraph 
161.16  (f), apply to determine the amount of the credit for the 
161.17  individual.  In the case of agricultural land and buildings that 
161.18  are leased, the renter is allowed to calculate the credit on the 
161.19  property taxes on the house, garage, other improvements, and on 
161.20  up to 320 acres of land that is leased by the renter, provided 
161.21  that (i) it is the renter's principal residence, (ii) the renter 
161.22  is actively engaged in farming that property, and (iii) the 
161.23  owner of the property does not claim a credit based on that 
161.24  property. 
161.25     (d) For an individual who both owned and rented principal 
161.26  residences in calendar year 1998, qualified taxes are the sum of 
161.27  the amounts under paragraphs (b) and (c). 
161.28     (e) If the amount of the credit under this section exceeds 
161.29  the taxpayer's tax liability under Minnesota Statutes, chapter 
161.30  290, the commissioner shall refund the excess. 
161.31     (f) To claim a credit under this section, the taxpayer must 
161.32  attach a copy of the property tax statement and certificate of 
161.33  rent paid, as applicable, and provide any additional information 
161.34  the commissioner requires. 
161.35     (g) This credit applies to taxable years beginning after 
161.36  December 31, 1997, and before January 1, 1999. 
162.1      (h) Payment of the credit under this section is subject to 
162.2   Minnesota Statutes, chapter 270A, and any other provision 
162.3   applicable to refunds under Minnesota Statutes, chapter 290. 
162.4      (i) An amount sufficient to pay refunds under this section 
162.5   is appropriated to the commissioner of revenue from the general 
162.6   fund. 
162.7      Sec. 35.  [ABATEMENT OF TAXES; LAKE COUNTY.] 
162.8      Subdivision 1.  [PROPERTY DEFINED.] As used in this section 
162.9   and section 36, "property" means property located in Lake county 
162.10  that meets the following description: 
162.11     All that part of Government Lot Two (2) of Section One (1) 
162.12  in Township Fifty-two (52) North, Range Eleven (11) West of the 
162.13  Fourth Principal Meridian, lying within the following described 
162.14  lines: 
162.15     Commencing at a point on the North-South quarter line of 
162.16  said Section 1 which is 20 feet south of the center of said 
162.17  Section 1 measured along said North-South quarter line; 
162.18     thence easterly at a right angle to said North-South 
162.19  quarter line a distance of 5 feet to the point of Beginning; 
162.20     thence continuing in an easterly direction at a right angle 
162.21  to said North-South quarter line a distance of 335 feet; 
162.22     thence southerly at a right angle to the last described 
162.23  line a distance of 80 feet; 
162.24     thence easterly at a right angle to the last described line 
162.25  a distance of 210 feet; 
162.26     thence southerly at a right angle to the last described 
162.27  line a distance of 255 feet; 
162.28     thence southeasterly at an angle of 102 degrees to the last 
162.29  described line to the ordinary low-water mark of Agate Bay; 
162.30     thence easterly along said ordinary low-water mark to the 
162.31  East boundary line of said Government Lot 2; 
162.32     thence in a northerly direction along said East boundary 
162.33  line to a point on said East boundary line which is 75 feet 
162.34  distant in a northerly direction from the East-West quarter line 
162.35  of said Section 1, extended, as measured along said East 
162.36  boundary line; 
163.1      thence in a northwesterly direction to a point which is 190 
163.2   feet easterly measured at a right angle to the North-South 
163.3   quarter line of said Section 1 from a point on the North-South 
163.4   quarter line, which point is 725 feet northerly of the center of 
163.5   said Section 1 when measured along said North-South quarter 
163.6   line; 
163.7      thence in a westerly direction at a right angle to said 
163.8   North-South quarter line a distance of 185 feet; 
163.9      thence southerly along a line parallel to and 5 feet 
163.10  distant easterly from said North-South quarter line a distance 
163.11  of 230 feet; 
163.12     thence easterly at a right angle to the last described line 
163.13  a distance of 130 feet; 
163.14     thence southerly at a right angle to the last described 
163.15  line a distance of 119.27 feet; 
163.16     thence westerly at a right angle to the last described line 
163.17  a distance of 130 feet; 
163.18     thence southerly along a line parallel to and 5 feet 
163.19  distant easterly from said North-South quarter line a distance 
163.20  of 395.73 feet to the point of beginning. 
163.21     Subd. 2.  [AUTHORIZATION.] Upon a majority vote of its 
163.22  members, the governing bodies of each of Lake county, the city 
163.23  of Two Harbors, and Lake Superior independent school district 
163.24  No. 381, may abate the taxes levied on the property described in 
163.25  subdivision 1 in 1979 to 1990, payable in 1980 to 1991. 
163.26     Sec. 36.  [RECORDING OF CONVEYANCE AUTHORIZED; LAKE 
163.27  COUNTY.] 
163.28     Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 272.12, or any 
163.29  other law to the contrary, if the governing bodies of Lake 
163.30  county, the city of Two Harbors, and Lake Superior independent 
163.31  school district No. 381 have all abated the taxes as provided in 
163.32  section 35, subdivision 2, the county auditor may record the 
163.33  conveyance of the property described in section 1, subdivision 1.
163.34     Sec. 37.  [STUDY OF AGRICULTURAL AND OPEN SPACE PROPERTY 
163.35  TAXATION.] 
163.36     Subdivision 1.  [ESTABLISHMENT OF TASK FORCE; ISSUES.] An 
164.1   advisory task force is established to study the taxation of 
164.2   property used for agricultural purposes and open space 
164.3   property.  The task force shall examine the implementation and 
164.4   effects of current law governing the classification of 
164.5   agricultural property, the Minnesota Agricultural Property Tax 
164.6   Law, the Minnesota Open Space Property Tax Law, the Minnesota 
164.7   Agricultural Preserves Law, and other laws relating to those 
164.8   issues.  The task force shall also analyze and make 
164.9   recommendations on proposals for new tax provisions intended to 
164.10  encourage preservation of open space and agricultural property. 
164.11     Subd. 2.  [MEMBERSHIP.] The task force consists of 11 
164.12  members, appointed as follows: 
164.13     (1) three members of the senate, at least one of whom is a 
164.14  member of the minority caucus, appointed by the committee on 
164.15  committees; 
164.16     (2) three members of the house of representatives, at least 
164.17  one of whom is a member of the minority caucus, appointed by the 
164.18  speaker; 
164.19     (3) the commissioner of revenue and the commissioner of 
164.20  agriculture; and 
164.21     (4) three county commissioners appointed by the 
164.22  commissioner of revenue, one from a metropolitan county as 
164.23  defined in Minnesota Statutes, section 473.121, subdivision 4, 
164.24  that contains a city of the first class, one from a metropolitan 
164.25  county that does not contain a city of the first class, and one 
164.26  from a county outside the metropolitan area as defined in 
164.27  Minnesota Statutes, section 473.121, subdivision 2.  
164.28     Subd. 3.  [REPORT.] The advisory task force shall report to 
164.29  the chairs of the committees on taxes of the senate and the 
164.30  house of representatives by January 15, 2000, on their 
164.31  recommendations for new or modified laws applicable to the 
164.32  taxation of agricultural and open space land. 
164.33     Subd. 4.  [EXPIRATION.] This section expires March 1, 2000. 
164.34     Sec. 38.  [AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION VALUE STUDY.] 
164.35     The commissioner of revenue, in consultation with the 
164.36  commissioner of agriculture, shall study the feasibility and the 
165.1   desirability of incorporating the concept of valuation based on 
165.2   production value in determining the value of agricultural 
165.3   property for the purposes of property taxation as an alternative 
165.4   to the education agricultural credit as provided in section 
165.5   273.1382, subdivision 1b.  The study must: 
165.6      (1) assess whether the current method of determining 
165.7   agricultural value based on sales of property in the market 
165.8   place may overstate its value due to market imperfections 
165.9   including infrequent sales, the effect of nonagricultural 
165.10  factors on sale prices, and others; 
165.11     (2) prescribe how a production-value system could be 
165.12  implemented for the state of Minnesota; 
165.13     (3) analyze whether production value would reduce the 
165.14  volatility in agricultural market values, while still providing 
165.15  an accurate measure of market values over the long run; and 
165.16     (4) examine the possibility of partial adoption of a 
165.17  production-value system, wherein production values would be used 
165.18  solely with regard to state equalization programs. 
165.19     The commissioner shall complete and submit the study to the 
165.20  tax committees of the house of representatives and the senate by 
165.21  November 30, 2000. 
165.22     Sec. 39.  [PROPERTY TAX ABATEMENT; PROPERTY DAMAGED BY 
165.23  TORNADO.] 
165.24     Subdivision 1.  [ABATEMENT AMOUNT.] The county auditor 
165.25  shall grant an abatement for taxes payable in 1999 to any 
165.26  property in a qualifying county, as defined in Laws 1998, 
165.27  chapter 383, section 20, that contains a structure that has been 
165.28  determined by the assessor to have lost over 50 percent of its 
165.29  estimated market value due to wind damage sustained on March 29, 
165.30  1998, excluding residential homestead property and the portion 
165.31  of agricultural homestead property consisting of the house, 
165.32  garage, and surrounding one acre of land.  The abatement is 
165.33  equal to 75 percent of the amount by which the net tax capacity 
165.34  of the structure was reduced by the wind damage, multiplied by 
165.35  the payable 1999 total local net tax capacity tax rate, plus 75 
165.36  percent of the amount by which the referendum market value of 
166.1   the structure was reduced by the wind damage, multiplied by the 
166.2   payable 1999 total market value tax rate.  If the amount of the 
166.3   abatement exceeds the remaining tax due on the property for 
166.4   taxes payable in 1999, a refund shall be issued to the taxpayer 
166.5   by the county treasurer by June 30, 1999. 
166.6      Subd. 2.  [CERTIFICATION.] The amount of abatements granted 
166.7   under this section shall be reported to the commissioner of 
166.8   revenue by the county auditor by June 30, 1999, in a form 
166.9   prescribed by the commissioner.  The commissioner may require 
166.10  the county to provide other information necessary to verify the 
166.11  accuracy of the abatement amounts submitted. 
166.12     Subd. 3.  [PAYMENT.] The commissioner shall make payments 
166.13  equal to the amount of abatements granted to each county by 
166.14  August 30, 1999.  The county treasurer shall distribute the 
166.15  payments to the affected taxing jurisdictions equal to the 
166.16  amount of the tax that was abated as part of the October 1999 
166.17  regular settlement as provided in Minnesota Statutes, section 
166.18  276.111. 
166.19     Subd. 4.  [APPROPRIATION.] The amount necessary to fund the 
166.20  payments required under this section is appropriated from the 
166.21  general fund to the commissioner of revenue in fiscal year 2000. 
166.22     Sec. 40.  [FUNDS TRANSFER.] 
166.23     The sum of $113,296,000 is transferred from the general 
166.24  fund to the property tax reform account on June 30, 2001.  
166.25  Amounts deposited in the property tax reform account as a result 
166.26  of this article are appropriated for education homestead credit 
166.27  payments in fiscal years 2002 and 2003. 
166.28     Sec. 41.  [REPEALER.] 
166.29     (a) Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 273.11, subdivision 
166.30  10, is repealed. 
166.31     (b) Laws 1998, chapter 389, article 3, section 45, is 
166.32  repealed. 
166.33     Sec. 42.  [EFFECTIVE DATES.] 
166.34     Sections 2 and 3 are effective for petitions filed on or 
166.35  after the day following final enactment.  
166.36     Sections 4, 5, 6, 11, 12, 16, 17, 18, paragraphs (a) and 
167.1   (b), 20, except for paragraph (f), 21, 22, and 25, are effective 
167.2   for taxes levied in 1999, payable in 2000, and thereafter. 
167.3      Section 7 is effective for assessment years 1999 through 
167.4   2001. 
167.5      Section 8 is effective for improvements made on or after 
167.6   July 1, 1999.  
167.7      Section 9 is effective retroactively for property taxes 
167.8   payable in 1998 and thereafter. 
167.9      Section 10, paragraph (h), is effective for taxes payable 
167.10  in 1999 and subsequent years. 
167.11     Sections 10, paragraph (d), and 14 are effective beginning 
167.12  with the 1999 assessment, taxes payable in 2000 and thereafter.  
167.13  For eligibility for the 1999 assessment year under sections 10, 
167.14  paragraph (d), and 14, paragraph (b), the owner or the person 
167.15  who is actively farming the property must notify the county 
167.16  assessor by July 1, 1999, and furnish to the assessor the 
167.17  information required by the assessor to determine whether the 
167.18  qualifying criteria in section 10 or 14 have been met for the 
167.19  1999 assessment on the agricultural property. 
167.20     Sections 13, 15, 24, 31, 37, 38, 39, and 41, paragraph (a), 
167.21  are effective the day following final enactment.  
167.22     Sections 18, paragraph (c), 19, and 41, paragraph (b), are 
167.23  effective for taxes levied in 2000, payable in 2001 and 
167.24  thereafter. 
167.25     Section 20, paragraph (f), is effective for the 2000 
167.26  assessment and thereafter, for taxes payable in 2001 and 
167.27  thereafter, except that for taxes payable in 2001, the date for 
167.28  filing an application with the county assessor under section 20, 
167.29  paragraph (f), clause (3), is September 1, 1999. 
167.30     Section 26 is effective for penalties and interest on 
167.31  property taxes collected after June 30, 1999. 
167.32     Sections 27 to 30 are effective for deferrals of property 
167.33  taxes payable in 2000 and thereafter.  The changes in the annual 
167.34  tax amount percentage and the maximum annual household income in 
167.35  sections 27 to 30 apply to all homeowners and all property taxes 
167.36  deferred beginning in payable 2000, including those homeowners 
168.1   who initially qualified under this program for taxes payable in 
168.2   1999. 
168.3      Section 32 is effective beginning for aid payable in 
168.4   calendar year 2000. 
168.5      Section 33 applies to Washington county only and is 
168.6   effective the day after the chief clerical officer of Washington 
168.7   county files a certificate of approval that complies with 
168.8   Minnesota Statutes, section 645.021, subdivision 3. 
168.9      Section 34 is effective the day following final enactment. 
168.10     Sections 35 and 36 are effective the day following final 
168.11  enactment, upon approval by and compliance with Minnesota 
168.12  Statutes, section 645.021, subdivision 3, by the governing 
168.13  bodies of Lake county, the city of Two Harbors, and Lake 
168.14  Superior independent school district No. 381. 
168.15                             ARTICLE 7
168.16                            LEVY LIMITS
168.17     Section 1.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 275.71, 
168.18  subdivision 2, is amended to read: 
168.19     Subd. 2.  [LEVY LIMIT BASE.] (a) The levy limit base for a 
168.20  local governmental unit for taxes levied in 1997 shall be equal 
168.21  to the sum of: 
168.22     (1) the amount the local governmental unit levied in 1996, 
168.23  less any amount levied for debt, as reported to the department 
168.24  of revenue under section 275.62, subdivision 1, clause (1), and 
168.25  less any tax levied in 1996 against market value as provided for 
168.26  in section 275.61; 
168.27     (2) the amount of aids the local governmental unit was 
168.28  certified to receive in calendar year 1997 under sections 
168.29  477A.011 to 477A.03 before any reductions for state tax 
168.30  increment financing aid under section 273.1399, subdivision 5; 
168.31     (3) the amount of homestead and agricultural credit aid the 
168.32  local governmental unit was certified to receive under section 
168.33  273.1398 in calendar year 1997 before any reductions for tax 
168.34  increment financing aid under section 273.1399, subdivision 5; 
168.35     (4) the amount of local performance aid the local 
168.36  governmental unit was certified to receive in calendar year 1997 
169.1   under section 477A.05; and 
169.2      (5) the amount of any payments certified to the local 
169.3   government unit in 1997 under sections 298.28 and 298.282. 
169.4      If a governmental unit was not required to report under 
169.5   section 275.62 for taxes levied in 1997, the commissioner shall 
169.6   request information on levies used for debt from the local 
169.7   governmental unit and adjust its levy limit base accordingly. 
169.8      (b) The levy limit base for a local governmental unit for 
169.9   taxes levied in 1998 is equal to its adjusted levy limit base in 
169.10  the previous year, subject to any adjustments under section 
169.11  275.72 and multiplied by the increase that would have occurred 
169.12  under subdivision 3, clause (3), if that clause had been in 
169.13  effect for taxes levied in 1997. 
169.14     (c) The levy limit base for a city with a population 
169.15  greater than 2,500 for taxes levied in 1999 and 2000 is limited 
169.16  to its adjusted levy limit base in the previous year, subject to 
169.17  adjustments under section 275.72. 
169.18     (d) The levy limit base for a county for taxes levied in 
169.19  1999 and 2000 is limited to the difference between (1) its 
169.20  adjusted levy limit base in the previous year subject to 
169.21  adjustments under section 275.72, and (2) one-half of the 
169.22  county's share of the net cost to the state for assumption of 
169.23  district court costs, as reported by the supreme court to the 
169.24  commissioner of revenue under article 9, section 3, paragraph 
169.25  (a). 
169.26     Sec. 2.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 275.71, 
169.27  subdivision 3, is amended to read: 
169.28     Subd. 3.  [ADJUSTED LEVY LIMIT BASE.] For taxes levied in 
169.29  1998, 1999, and 2000, the adjusted levy limit is equal to the 
169.30  levy limit base computed under subdivision 2 or section 275.72, 
169.31  multiplied by: 
169.32     (1) one plus a percentage equal to the percentage growth in 
169.33  the implicit price deflator; and 
169.34     (2) for all cities and for counties outside of the 
169.35  seven-county metropolitan area, one plus a percentage equal to 
169.36  the percentage increase in number of households, if any, for the 
170.1   most recent 12-month period for which data is available; and for 
170.2   counties located in the seven-county metropolitan area, one plus 
170.3   a percentage equal to the greater of the percentage increase in 
170.4   the number of households in the county or the percentage 
170.5   increase in the number of households in the entire seven-county 
170.6   metropolitan area for the most recent 12-month period for which 
170.7   data is available; and 
170.8      (3) one plus a percentage equal to the percentage increase 
170.9   in the taxable market value of the jurisdiction due to new 
170.10  construction of class 3 and class 5 property, as defined in 
170.11  section 273.13, subdivisions 24 and 31, for the most recent year 
170.12  for which data are available. 
170.13     Sec. 3.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 275.71, 
170.14  subdivision 4, is amended to read: 
170.15     Subd. 4.  [PROPERTY TAX LEVY LIMIT.] For taxes levied in 
170.16  1998, 1999, and 2000, the property tax levy limit for a local 
170.17  governmental unit is equal to its adjusted levy limit base 
170.18  determined under subdivision 3 plus any additional levy 
170.19  authorized under section 275.73, which is levied against net tax 
170.20  capacity, reduced by the sum of (1) the total amount of aids 
170.21  that the local governmental unit is certified to receive under 
170.22  sections 477A.011 to 477A.014, (2) homestead and agricultural 
170.23  aids it is certified to receive under section 273.1398, (3) 
170.24  local performance aid it is certified to receive under section 
170.25  477A.05, (4) taconite aids under sections 298.28 and 298.282 
170.26  including any aid which was required to be placed in a special 
170.27  fund for expenditure in the next succeeding year, (5) flood loss 
170.28  aid under section 273.1383, and (6) low-income housing aid under 
170.29  sections 477A.06 and 477A.065. 
170.30     Sec. 4.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 465.82, is 
170.31  amended by adding a subdivision to read: 
170.32     Subd. 4.  [DIFFERENTIAL TAXATION.] The plan for cooperation 
170.33  and combination adopted in accordance with subdivision 1 may 
170.34  establish that the tax rate of the local government unit with 
170.35  the lesser tax rate prior to the effective date of combination 
170.36  shall be increased in substantially equal proportions over not 
171.1   more than six years to equality with the tax rate on the 
171.2   property already within the borders of the local unit of 
171.3   government with the higher tax rate.  The appropriate period of 
171.4   time, if any, for transition to the higher tax rate shall be 
171.5   based on the time reasonably required to effectively provide 
171.6   equal municipal services to the residents of the local unit of 
171.7   government with the lower tax rate. 
171.8      Sec. 5.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 473.249, 
171.9   subdivision 1, is amended to read: 
171.10     Subdivision 1.  [INDEXED LIMIT.] (a) The metropolitan 
171.11  council may levy a tax on all taxable property in the 
171.12  metropolitan area defined in section 473.121 to provide funds 
171.13  for the purposes of sections 473.121 to 473.249 and for the 
171.14  purpose of carrying out other responsibilities of the council as 
171.15  provided by law.  This tax for general purposes shall be levied 
171.16  and collected in the manner provided by section 473.13. 
171.17     (b) The metropolitan council's property tax levied by the 
171.18  metropolitan council levy limit for general purposes for taxes 
171.19  payable in 2000 and thereafter shall not exceed the product of:  
171.20  (1) the metropolitan council's property tax levy limitation for 
171.21  general purposes for the previous year determined under this 
171.22  subdivision multiplied by (2) the lesser of 
171.23     (i) an index for market valuation changes equal to the 
171.24  total market valuation of all taxable property located within 
171.25  the metropolitan area for the current taxes payable year divided 
171.26  by the total market valuation of all taxable property located 
171.27  within the metropolitan area for the previous taxes payable 
171.28  year; 
171.29     (ii) an index equal to the implicit price deflator for 
171.30  government consumption expenditures and gross investment for 
171.31  state and local governments for the most recent month for which 
171.32  data are available divided by the same implicit price deflator 
171.33  for the same month of the previous year; or 
171.34     (iii) 103 percent. 
171.35     (c) For the purpose of determining the metropolitan 
171.36  council's property tax levy limitation for general purposes, 
172.1   "total market valuation" means the total market valuation of all 
172.2   taxable property within the metropolitan area without valuation 
172.3   adjustments for fiscal disparities (chapter 473F), tax increment 
172.4   financing (sections 469.174 to 469.179), and high voltage 
172.5   transmission lines (section 273.425) 90 percent of the 
172.6   metropolitan council's property tax levy limit for general 
172.7   purposes for taxes payable in 1999. 
172.8      Sec. 6.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 473.252, 
172.9   subdivision 2, is amended to read: 
172.10     Subd. 2.  [SOURCES OF FUNDS.] The council shall credit to 
172.11  the tax base revitalization account within the fund the amount, 
172.12  if any, provided for under subdivision 4, and the amount, if 
172.13  any, distributed to the council under section 473F.08, 
172.14  subdivision 3b. 
172.15     Sec. 7.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 473.253, 
172.16  subdivision 1, is amended to read: 
172.17     Subdivision 1.  [SOURCES OF FUNDS.] The council shall 
172.18  credit to the livable communities demonstration account the 
172.19  revenues provided in this subdivision.  This tax shall be levied 
172.20  and collected in the manner provided by section 473.13.  The 
172.21  levy for taxes payable in 2000 and thereafter shall not exceed 
172.22  the following amount for the years specified:  
172.23     (a)(1) for taxes payable in 1996, 50 percent of (i) the 
172.24  metropolitan mosquito control commission's property tax levy for 
172.25  taxes payable in 1995 multiplied by (ii) an index for market 
172.26  valuation changes equal to the total market valuation of all 
172.27  taxable property located within the metropolitan area for the 
172.28  current taxes payable year divided by the total market valuation 
172.29  of all taxable property located in the metropolitan area for the 
172.30  previous taxes payable year; and 
172.31     (2) for taxes payable in 1997 and subsequent years, the 
172.32  product of (i) the property tax levy limit under this 
172.33  subdivision for the previous year multiplied by (ii) an index 
172.34  for market valuation changes equal to the total market valuation 
172.35  of all taxable property located within the metropolitan area for 
172.36  the current taxes payable year divided by the total market 
173.1   valuation of all taxable property located in the metropolitan 
173.2   area for the previous taxes payable year. 
173.3      For the purposes of this subdivision, "total market 
173.4   valuation" means the total market valuation of all taxable 
173.5   property within the metropolitan area without valuation 
173.6   adjustments for fiscal disparities under chapter 473F, tax 
173.7   increment financing under sections 469.174 to 469.179, and high 
173.8   voltage transmission lines under section 273.425 levy limit for 
173.9   the livable communities demonstration account for taxes payable 
173.10  in 1999. 
173.11     (b) The metropolitan council, for the purposes of the fund, 
173.12  is considered a unique taxing jurisdiction for purposes of 
173.13  receiving aid pursuant to section 273.1398.  For aid to be 
173.14  received in 1996, the fund's homestead and agricultural credit 
173.15  base shall equal 50 percent of the metropolitan mosquito control 
173.16  commission's certified homestead and agricultural credit aid for 
173.17  1995, determined under section 273.1398, subdivision 2, less any 
173.18  permanent aid reduction under section 477A.0132.  For aid to be 
173.19  received under section 273.1398 in 1997 and subsequent years, 
173.20  the fund's homestead and agricultural credit base shall be 
173.21  determined in accordance with section 273.1398, subdivision 1. 
173.22     Sec. 8.  Laws 1988, chapter 645, section 3, is amended to 
173.23  read: 
173.24     Sec. 3.  [TAX; PAYMENT OF EXPENSES.] 
173.25     (a) The tax levied by the hospital district under Minnesota 
173.26  Statutes, section 447.34, must not be levied at a rate that 
173.27  exceeds 2 mills .0063 percent of taxable market value.  The 
173.28  proceeds 
173.29     (b) .0048 percent of taxable market value of that tax in 
173.30  paragraph (a) may be used only for acquisition, betterment, and 
173.31  maintenance of the district's hospital and nursing home 
173.32  facilities and equipment, and not for administrative or salary 
173.33  expenses.  
173.34     (c) .0015 percent of taxable market value of the tax in 
173.35  paragraph (a) may be used solely for the purpose of capital 
173.36  expenditures as it relates to ambulance acquisitions for the 
174.1   Cook ambulance service and the Orr ambulance service and not for 
174.2   administrative or salary expenses.  
174.3      The part of the levy referred to in paragraph (c) must be 
174.4   administered by the Cook Hospital and passed on directly to the 
174.5   Cook area ambulance service board and the city of Orr to be held 
174.6   in trust until funding for a new ambulance is needed by either 
174.7   the Cook ambulance service or the Orr ambulance service. 
174.8      Sec. 9.  Laws 1997, chapter 231, article 3, section 9, is 
174.9   amended to read: 
174.10     Sec. 9.  [EFFECTIVE DATE.] 
174.11     Sections 1 and 3 to 7, as amended by Laws 1998, chapter 
174.12  389, article 4, sections 1 to 6, are effective for taxes levied 
174.13  in 1997 and 1998 through 2000, payable in 1998 and 1999 through 
174.14  2001. 
174.15     Upon compliance with Minnesota Statutes, section 645.021, 
174.16  subdivision 3, by the governing body of Faribault county or the 
174.17  city of Blue Earth, section 8 is effective for taxes levied in 
174.18  1997 and 1998 through 2000 in the county or city that approves 
174.19  it. 
174.20     Sec. 10.  [CEMETERY LEVY FOR SAWYER BY CARLTON COUNTY.] 
174.21     Subdivision 1.  [LEVY AUTHORIZED.] Notwithstanding other 
174.22  law to the contrary, the Carlton county board of commissioners 
174.23  may levy in and for the unorganized township of Sawyer an amount 
174.24  up to $1,000 annually for cemetery purposes, beginning with 
174.25  taxes payable in 2000 and ending with taxes payable in 2009. 
174.26     Subd. 2.  [EFFECTIVE DATE.] This section is effective June 
174.27  1, 1999, without local approval. 
174.28     Sec. 11.  [COUNTY OF GOODHUE; LEVY LIMITS AND AID 
174.29  ADJUSTMENTS.] 
174.30     Subdivision 1.  [LEVY LIMIT BASE.] The levy limit base of 
174.31  the county of Goodhue for taxes levied in 1999 under Minnesota 
174.32  Statutes, section 275.71, subdivision 2, is increased by 
174.33  $422,324. 
174.34     Subd. 2.  [TEMPORARY COUNTY AGRICULTURAL AND HOMESTEAD 
174.35  CREDIT AID ADJUSTMENTS.] For aids paid in calendar year 1999 
174.36  only, the county of Goodhue shall receive an additional aid 
175.1   payment of $422,324 under the provisions of Minnesota Statutes, 
175.2   section 273.1398.  For aids paid in calendar years 2000 and 
175.3   2001, the aid paid to the county of Goodhue under section 
175.4   273.1398, subdivision 2, shall be reduced by $211,162.  The 
175.5   additional aid paid in 1999 shall not be included in calculating 
175.6   any limitation on levies or expenditures in calendar year 1999 
175.7   but the reductions in calendar years 2000 and 2001 shall be 
175.8   included in calculating any limitation on levies or expenditures.
175.9      Subd. 3.  [APPROPRIATION.] $422,324 is appropriated in 
175.10  fiscal year 2000 to the commissioner of revenue from the general 
175.11  fund to make the payment under subdivision 2. 
175.12     Subd. 4.  [EFFECTIVE DATE.] Subdivision 1 is effective for 
175.13  taxes levied in 1999 upon compliance with the governing body of 
175.14  the county of Goodhue with Minnesota Statutes, section 645.021, 
175.15  subdivision 3.  Subdivision 2 is effective for aids payable in 
175.16  calendar years 1999 to 2001. 
175.17     Sec. 12.  [CITY OF GRANT; LEVY LIMITS.] 
175.18     Subdivision 1.  [LEVY LIMIT BASE INCREASE.] The levy limit 
175.19  base for the city of Grant for taxes levied in 1999 under 
175.20  Minnesota Statutes, section 275.71, subdivision 2, is increased 
175.21  by an amount equal to the difference between (1) the amount the 
175.22  city would have raised if it had imposed a tax rate equal to 
175.23  one-third of the statewide average city tax effort rate for 
175.24  taxes payable in 1999, as defined in Minnesota Statutes, section 
175.25  477A.011, subdivision 35, on its net tax capacity for taxes 
175.26  payable in 1999, as defined in Minnesota Statutes, section 
175.27  477A.011, subdivision 20; and (2) the amount it levied for taxes 
175.28  payable in 1999. 
175.29     Subd. 2.  [LOCAL APPROVAL; EFFECTIVE DATE.] This section is 
175.30  effective upon compliance by the governing body of the city of 
175.31  Grant with Minnesota Statutes, section 645.021, subdivision 3, 
175.32  for taxes levied in 1999, payable in 2000. 
175.33     Sec. 13.  [NORTH FORK CROW RIVER WATERSHED DISTRICT.] 
175.34     Subdivision 1.  [LEVY AUTHORIZED.] Notwithstanding 
175.35  Minnesota Statutes, section 103D.905, subdivision 3, the North 
175.36  Fork Crow River watershed district may annually levy up to 
176.1   .04836 percent of taxable market value, or $140,000, whichever 
176.2   is less, for its administrative fund. 
176.3      Subd. 2.  [REVERSE REFERENDUM.] If the watershed district 
176.4   intends to exercise the authority provided by this section, it 
176.5   shall pass a resolution stating the fact before July 1, 1999.  
176.6   The resolution must be published in a newspaper of general 
176.7   circulation in the district, together with a notice fixing a 
176.8   date for a public hearing on the matter.  The hearing must be 
176.9   held at least two weeks but not more than four weeks after the 
176.10  publication of the resolution.  Following the public hearing, 
176.11  the district may determine to take no further action or adopt a 
176.12  resolution confirming its intention to exercise the authority.  
176.13  That resolution must also be published in a newspaper of general 
176.14  circulation in the district.  If within 30 days after 
176.15  publication of the resolution a petition signed by voters equal 
176.16  in number to five percent of the registered voters in the 
176.17  district requesting a vote on the proposed resolution is filed 
176.18  with the county auditors of the counties contained in the 
176.19  district, the resolution is not effective until it has been 
176.20  submitted to the voters at a general or special election and a 
176.21  majority of votes cast on the question of approving the 
176.22  resolution are in the affirmative.  The commissioner of revenue 
176.23  shall prepare a suggested form of question to be presented at 
176.24  the election.  The referendum must be held at a special or 
176.25  general election before December 1, 1999. 
176.26     Subd. 3.  [EFFECTIVE DATE.] This section is effective 
176.27  beginning with taxes levied in 1999, payable in 2000. 
176.28     Sec. 14.  [SAUK RIVER WATERSHED DISTRICT.] 
176.29     Subdivision 1.  [LEVY AUTHORIZED.] Notwithstanding 
176.30  Minnesota Statutes, section 103D.905, subdivision 3, the Sauk 
176.31  river watershed district may annually levy up to $200,000 for 
176.32  its administrative fund for taxes payable in 2000, 2001, 2002, 
176.33  2003, and 2004. 
176.34     Subd. 2.  [REVERSE REFERENDUM.] If the watershed district 
176.35  intends to exercise the authority provided by this section, it 
176.36  shall pass a resolution stating the fact before July 1, 1999.  
177.1   The resolution must be published in a newspaper of general 
177.2   circulation in the district, together with a notice fixing a 
177.3   date for a public hearing on the matter.  The hearing must be 
177.4   held at least two weeks but not more than four weeks after the 
177.5   publication of the resolution.  Following the public hearing, 
177.6   the district may determine to take no further action or adopt a 
177.7   resolution confirming its intention to exercise the authority.  
177.8   That resolution must also be published in a newspaper of general 
177.9   circulation in the district.  If within 30 days after 
177.10  publication of the resolution a petition signed by voters equal 
177.11  in number to five percent of the registered voters in the 
177.12  district requesting a vote on the proposed resolution is filed 
177.13  with the county auditors in the counties contained in the 
177.14  district, the resolution is not effective until it has been 
177.15  submitted to the voters at a general or special election and a 
177.16  majority of votes cast on the question of approving the 
177.17  resolution are in the affirmative.  The commissioner of revenue 
177.18  shall prepare a suggested form of question to be presented at 
177.19  the election.  The referendum must be held at a special or 
177.20  general election before December 1, 1999. 
177.21     Subd. 3.  [EFFECTIVE DATE.] This section is effective the 
177.22  day following final enactment.  
177.23     Sec. 15.  [SPLITTING EXISTING DEBT LEVY; CITY OF 
177.24  STILLWATER.] 
177.25     Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 272.67, 
177.26  subdivisions 2 and 5, the city of Stillwater, in order to carry 
177.27  out an orderly annexation agreement entered into for the 
177.28  annexation of a part or all of Stillwater township may divide 
177.29  its area into urban service districts and rural service 
177.30  districts constituting separate taxing districts for the purpose 
177.31  of municipal property taxes, including those levied for the 
177.32  payment of bonds and judgment, and associated interest, incurred 
177.33  prior to the annexation agreement.  
177.34     Sec. 16.  [REPEALER.] 
177.35     Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 473.252, subdivisions 4 
177.36  and 5, are repealed. 
178.1      Sec. 17.  [EFFECTIVE DATE.] 
178.2      Sections 1 to 3 and 9 are effective for taxes levied in 
178.3   1999 and 2000, and payable in 2000 and 2001.  Section 4 is 
178.4   effective the day following final enactment for taxes levied in 
178.5   1999 and thereafter.  Section 5 to 7 and 16 are effective for 
178.6   taxes levied in 1999, payable in 2000, and thereafter.  
178.7      The .0015 percent of taxable market value levy described in 
178.8   section 8, paragraph (c), is effective for the cities of Cook 
178.9   and Orr and the counties of St. Louis and Koochiching for 
178.10  affected parts of those counties on January 1, 2000, to be 
178.11  requested in the year 2000, with the first payment to be 
178.12  received in 2001. 
178.13                             ARTICLE 8 
178.14                TRUTH IN TAXATION; REVERSE REFERENDA
178.15     Section 1.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 275.065, 
178.16  subdivision 3, is amended to read: 
178.17     Subd. 3.  [NOTICE OF PROPOSED PROPERTY TAXES.] (a) The 
178.18  county auditor shall prepare and the county treasurer shall 
178.19  deliver after November 10 and on or before November 24 17 each 
178.20  year, by first class mail to each taxpayer at the address listed 
178.21  on the county's current year's assessment roll, a notice of 
178.22  proposed property taxes.  
178.23     (b) The commissioner of revenue shall prescribe the form of 
178.24  the notice. 
178.25     (c) The notice must inform taxpayers that it contains the 
178.26  amount of property taxes each taxing authority proposes to 
178.27  collect for taxes payable the following year.  In the case of a 
178.28  town, or in the case of the state determined portion of the 
178.29  school district levy, the final tax amount will be its proposed 
178.30  tax.  The notice must clearly state that each taxing authority, 
178.31  including regional library districts established under section 
178.32  134.201, and including the metropolitan taxing districts as 
178.33  defined in paragraph (i), but excluding all other special taxing 
178.34  districts, cities of 500 population or less, and towns, will 
178.35  must hold a public meeting to receive public testimony on the 
178.36  proposed budget and proposed or final property tax levy, or, in 
179.1   case of a school district, on the current budget and proposed 
179.2   property tax levy.  It In the case of a county or a city over 
179.3   500 population, a public hearing is not required if the county's 
179.4   or city's proposed property tax levy has not increased over the 
179.5   levy amount certified by the county or city under section 
179.6   275.07, subdivision 1, for the previous year.  The notice must 
179.7   clearly state the time and place of each taxing authority's 
179.8   meeting and if one is to be held.  It must also state an address 
179.9   where comments will be received by mail, whether or not a public 
179.10  hearing is held.  
179.11     (d) The notice must state for each parcel: 
179.12     (1) the market value of the property as determined under 
179.13  section 273.11, and used for computing property taxes payable in 
179.14  the following year and for taxes payable in the current year as 
179.15  each appears in the records of the county assessor on November 1 
179.16  of the current year; and, in the case of residential property, 
179.17  whether the property is classified as homestead or 
179.18  nonhomestead.  The notice must clearly inform taxpayers of the 
179.19  years to which the market values apply and that the values are 
179.20  final values; 
179.21     (2) the items listed below, shown separately by county, 
179.22  city or town, state determined school tax net of the education 
179.23  homestead credit under section 273.1382, voter approved school 
179.24  levy, other local school levy, and the sum of the special taxing 
179.25  districts, and as a total of all taxing authorities:  
179.26     (i) the actual tax for taxes payable in the current year; 
179.27     (ii) the tax change due to spending factors, defined as the 
179.28  proposed tax minus the constant spending tax amount; 
179.29     (iii) the tax change due to other factors, defined as the 
179.30  constant spending tax amount minus the actual current year tax; 
179.31  and 
179.32     (iv) the proposed tax amount. 
179.33     In the case of a town or the state determined school tax, 
179.34  the final tax shall also be its proposed tax unless the town 
179.35  changes its levy at a special town meeting under section 
179.36  365.52.  If a school district has certified under section 
180.1   126C.17, subdivision 9, that a referendum will be held in the 
180.2   school district at the November general election, the county 
180.3   auditor must note next to the school district's proposed amount 
180.4   that a referendum is pending and that, if approved by the 
180.5   voters, the tax amount may be higher than shown on the notice.  
180.6   In the case of the city of Minneapolis, the levy for the 
180.7   Minneapolis library board and the levy for Minneapolis park and 
180.8   recreation shall be listed separately from the remaining amount 
180.9   of the city's levy.  In the case of a parcel where tax increment 
180.10  or the fiscal disparities areawide tax under chapter 276A or 
180.11  473F applies, the proposed tax levy on the captured value or the 
180.12  proposed tax levy on the tax capacity subject to the areawide 
180.13  tax must each be stated separately and not included in the sum 
180.14  of the special taxing districts; and 
180.15     (3) the increase or decrease between the total taxes 
180.16  payable in the current year and the total proposed taxes, 
180.17  expressed as a percentage. 
180.18     For purposes of this section, the amount of the tax on 
180.19  homesteads qualifying under the senior citizens' property tax 
180.20  deferral program under chapter 290B is the total amount of 
180.21  property tax before subtraction of the deferred property tax 
180.22  amount. 
180.23     (e) The notice must clearly state that the proposed or 
180.24  final taxes do not include the following: 
180.25     (1) special assessments; 
180.26     (2) levies approved by the voters after the date the 
180.27  proposed taxes are certified, including bond referenda, school 
180.28  district levy referenda, and levy limit increase referenda; 
180.29     (3) amounts necessary to pay cleanup or other costs due to 
180.30  a natural disaster occurring after the date the proposed taxes 
180.31  are certified; 
180.32     (4) amounts necessary to pay tort judgments against the 
180.33  taxing authority that become final after the date the proposed 
180.34  taxes are certified; and 
180.35     (5) the contamination tax imposed on properties which 
180.36  received market value reductions for contamination. 
181.1      (f) Except as provided in subdivision 7, failure of the 
181.2   county auditor to prepare or the county treasurer to deliver the 
181.3   notice as required in this section does not invalidate the 
181.4   proposed or final tax levy or the taxes payable pursuant to the 
181.5   tax levy. 
181.6      (g) If the notice the taxpayer receives under this section 
181.7   lists the property as nonhomestead, and satisfactory 
181.8   documentation is provided to the county assessor by the 
181.9   applicable deadline, and the property qualifies for the 
181.10  homestead classification in that assessment year, the assessor 
181.11  shall reclassify the property to homestead for taxes payable in 
181.12  the following year. 
181.13     (h) In the case of class 4 residential property used as a 
181.14  residence for lease or rental periods of 30 days or more, the 
181.15  taxpayer must either: 
181.16     (1) mail or deliver a copy of the notice of proposed 
181.17  property taxes to each tenant, renter, or lessee; or 
181.18     (2) post a copy of the notice in a conspicuous place on the 
181.19  premises of the property.  
181.20     The notice must be mailed or posted by the taxpayer by 
181.21  November 27 20 or within three days of receipt of the notice, 
181.22  whichever is later.  A taxpayer may notify the county treasurer 
181.23  of the address of the taxpayer, agent, caretaker, or manager of 
181.24  the premises to which the notice must be mailed in order to 
181.25  fulfill the requirements of this paragraph. 
181.26     (i) For purposes of this subdivision, subdivisions 5a and 
181.27  6, "metropolitan special taxing districts" means the following 
181.28  taxing districts in the seven-county metropolitan area that levy 
181.29  a property tax for any of the specified purposes listed below: 
181.30     (1) metropolitan council under section 473.132, 473.167, 
181.31  473.249, 473.325, 473.446, 473.521, 473.547, or 473.834; 
181.32     (2) metropolitan airports commission under section 473.667, 
181.33  473.671, or 473.672; and 
181.34     (3) metropolitan mosquito control commission under section 
181.35  473.711. 
181.36     For purposes of this section, any levies made by the 
182.1   regional rail authorities in the county of Anoka, Carver, 
182.2   Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott, or Washington under chapter 
182.3   398A shall be included with the appropriate county's levy and 
182.4   shall be discussed at that county's public hearing, if held. 
182.5      (j) If a statutory or home rule charter city or a town has 
182.6   exercised the local levy option provided by section 473.388, 
182.7   subdivision 7, it may include in the notice of its proposed 
182.8   taxes the amount of its proposed taxes attributable to its 
182.9   exercise of the option.  In the first year of the city or town's 
182.10  exercise of this option, the statement shall include an estimate 
182.11  of the reduction of the metropolitan council's tax on the parcel 
182.12  due to exercise of that option.  The metropolitan council's levy 
182.13  shall be adjusted accordingly. 
182.14     Sec. 2.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 275.065, 
182.15  subdivision 5a, is amended to read: 
182.16     Subd. 5a.  [PUBLIC ADVERTISEMENT.] (a) A city that has a 
182.17  population of more than 2,500, county, a metropolitan special 
182.18  taxing district as defined in subdivision 3, paragraph (i), a 
182.19  regional library district established under section 134.201, or 
182.20  school district shall advertise in a newspaper a notice of its 
182.21  intent to adopt a budget and property tax levy or, in the case 
182.22  of a school district, to review its current budget and proposed 
182.23  property taxes payable in the following year, at a public 
182.24  hearing.  In the case of a county or a city that has a 
182.25  population over 2,500, if its proposed property tax levy has not 
182.26  increased over its levy amount certified under section 275.07, 
182.27  subdivision 1, for the previous year, no public hearing is 
182.28  required.  The notice must be published not less than two 
182.29  business days nor more than six business days before the 
182.30  hearing, if required due to a levy increase.  Even if a hearing 
182.31  is not required, counties and cities must continue to place an 
182.32  advertisement in the newspaper informing taxpayers of the 
182.33  proposed budget and levy amounts. 
182.34     The advertisement must be at least one-eighth page in size 
182.35  of a standard-size or a tabloid-size newspaper.  The 
182.36  advertisement must not be placed in the part of the newspaper 
183.1   where legal notices and classified advertisements appear.  The 
183.2   advertisement must be published in an official newspaper of 
183.3   general circulation in the taxing authority.  The newspaper 
183.4   selected must be one of general interest and readership in the 
183.5   community, and not one of limited subject matter.  The 
183.6   advertisement must appear in a newspaper that is published at 
183.7   least once per week.  
183.8      For purposes of this section, the metropolitan special 
183.9   taxing district's advertisement must only be published in the 
183.10  Minneapolis Star and Tribune and the Saint Paul Pioneer Press. 
183.11     (b) The advertisement for school districts, metropolitan 
183.12  special taxing districts, and regional library districts must be 
183.13  in the following form, except that the notice for a school 
183.14  district may include references to the current budget in regard 
183.15  to proposed property taxes. 
183.16                             "NOTICE OF
183.17                      PROPOSED PROPERTY TAXES
183.18                   (School District/Metropolitan
183.19                  Special Taxing District/Regional
183.20                   Library District) of .........
183.21  The governing body of ........ will soon hold budget hearings 
183.22  and vote on the property taxes for (metropolitan special taxing 
183.23  district/regional library district services that will be 
183.24  provided in (year)/school district services that will be 
183.25  provided in (year) and (year)). 
183.26                     NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING:
183.27  All concerned citizens are invited to attend a public hearing 
183.28  and express their opinions on the proposed (school 
183.29  district/metropolitan special taxing district/regional library 
183.30  district) budget and property taxes, or in the case of a school 
183.31  district, its current budget and proposed property taxes, 
183.32  payable in the following year.  The hearing will be held on 
183.33  (Month/Day/Year) at (Time) at (Location, Address)." 
183.34     (c)(i) If the city or county's proposed property tax levy 
183.35  has increased over its previous year's certified levy, the 
183.36  advertisement for cities and counties must be in the following 
184.1   form. 
184.2                         "NOTICE OF PROPOSED
184.3                   TOTAL BUDGET AND PROPERTY TAXES
184.4   The (city/county) governing body or board of commissioners will 
184.5   hold a public hearing to discuss the budget and to vote on the 
184.6   amount of property taxes to collect for services the 
184.7   (city/county) will provide in (year). 
184.8      
184.9   SPENDING:  The total budget amounts below compare 
184.10  (city's/county's) (year) total actual budget with the amount the 
184.11  (city/county) proposes to spend in (year). 
184.12     
184.13  (Year) Total          Proposed (Year)          Change from
184.14  Actual Budget             Budget               (Year)-(Year)
184.15     
184.16    $.......              $.......                ...%
184.17     
184.18  TAXES:  The property tax amounts below compare that portion of 
184.19  the current budget levied in property taxes in (city/county) for 
184.20  (year) with the property taxes the (city/county) proposes to 
184.21  collect in (year). 
184.22     
184.23  (Year) Property       Proposed (Year)          Change from
184.24      Taxes              Property Taxes         (Year)-(Year)
184.25     
184.26    $.......              $.......                ...% 
184.27     
184.28                     ATTEND THE PUBLIC HEARING
184.29  All (city/county) residents are invited to attend the public 
184.30  hearing of the (city/county) to express your opinions on the 
184.31  budget and the proposed amount of (year) property taxes.  The 
184.32  hearing will be held on: 
184.33                       (Month/Day/Year/Time)
184.34                         (Location/Address)
184.35  If the discussion of the budget cannot be completed, a time and 
184.36  place for continuing the discussion will be announced at the 
185.1   hearing.  You are also invited to send your written comments to: 
185.2                            (City/County)
185.3                         (Location/Address)"
185.4      (ii) If no hearing is required under this section for the 
185.5   city or county, its advertisement must be in the following 
185.6   form.  The advertisement must clearly state that because the 
185.7   proposed property tax levy amount is equal to or less than the 
185.8   taxing authority's previous year's actual property tax levy, no 
185.9   public hearing is required by law. 
185.10                       "NOTICE OF PROPOSED
185.11                 TOTAL BUDGET AND PROPERTY TAXES
185.12  Although no public hearing will be held, the (city/county) 
185.13  governing body or board of commissioners is planning to adopt 
185.14  the following budget and property tax levy. 
185.15     
185.16  SPENDING:  The total budget amounts below compare 
185.17  (city's/county's) (year) total actual budget with the amount the 
185.18  (city/county) proposes to spend in (year). 
185.19     
185.20  (Year) Total          Proposed (Year)          Change from
185.21  Actual Budget             Budget               (Year)-(Year)
185.22     
185.23    $.......              $.......                ...%
185.24     
185.25  TAXES:  The property tax amounts below compare that portion of 
185.26  the current budget levied in property taxes in (city/county) for 
185.27  (year) with the property taxes the (city/county) proposes to 
185.28  collect in (year). 
185.29     
185.30  (Year) Property       Proposed (Year)          Change from
185.31      Taxes              Property Taxes         (Year)-(Year)
185.32     
185.33    $.......              $.......                ...% 
185.34     Although no public hearing will be held, you are invited to 
185.35  send any written comments to: 
185.36                          (City/County)
186.1                        (Location/Address)"
186.2      (iii) If the city's governing body or county board of 
186.3   commissioners decide to hold a public hearing on the proposed 
186.4   budget and levy, even though the proposed levy is equal to or 
186.5   less than the previous year's certified levy amount, the 
186.6   advertisement format in clause (i) must be used. 
186.7      (d) For purposes of this subdivision, the budget amounts 
186.8   listed on the advertisement mean: 
186.9      (1) for cities, the total government fund expenditures, as 
186.10  defined by the state auditor under section 471.6965, less any 
186.11  expenditures for improvements or services that are specially 
186.12  assessed or charged under chapter 429, 430, 435, or the 
186.13  provisions of any other law or charter; and 
186.14     (2) for counties, the total government fund expenditures, 
186.15  as defined by the state auditor under section 375.169, less any 
186.16  expenditures for direct payments to recipients or providers for 
186.17  the human service aids listed below: 
186.18     (1) aid to families with dependent children under sections 
186.19  256.82, subdivision 1, and 256.935, subdivision 1; 
186.20     (2) medical assistance under sections 256B.041, subdivision 
186.21  5, and 256B.19, subdivision 1; 
186.22     (3) general assistance medical care under section 256D.03, 
186.23  subdivision 6; 
186.24     (4) general assistance under section 256D.03, subdivision 
186.25  2; 
186.26     (5) emergency assistance under section 256.871, subdivision 
186.27  6; 
186.28     (6) Minnesota supplemental aid under section 256D.36, 
186.29  subdivision 1; 
186.30     (7) preadmission screening under section 256B.0911, and 
186.31  alternative care grants under section 256B.0913; 
186.32     (8) general assistance medical care claims processing, 
186.33  medical transportation and related costs under section 256D.03, 
186.34  subdivision 4; 
186.35     (9) medical transportation and related costs under section 
186.36  256B.0625, subdivisions 17 to 18a; 
187.1      (10) group residential housing under 256I.05, subdivision 
187.2   8, transferred from programs in clauses (4) and (6); or 
187.3      (11) any successor programs to those listed in clauses (1) 
187.4   to (10). 
187.5      (e) A city with a population of over 500 but not more than 
187.6   2,500 must advertise by posted notice as defined in section 
187.7   645.12, subdivision 1.  The advertisement must be posted at the 
187.8   time provided in paragraph (a).  It must be in the form required 
187.9   in paragraph (b). 
187.10     (f) For purposes of this subdivision, the population of a 
187.11  city is the most recent population as determined by the state 
187.12  demographer under section 4A.02. 
187.13     (g) The commissioner of revenue, subject to the approval of 
187.14  the chairs of the house and senate tax committees, shall 
187.15  prescribe the form and format of the advertisement. 
187.16     Sec. 3.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 275.065, 
187.17  subdivision 6, is amended to read: 
187.18     Subd. 6.  [PUBLIC HEARING; ADOPTION OF BUDGET AND LEVY.] 
187.19  (a) For purposes of this section, the following terms shall have 
187.20  the meanings given: 
187.21     (1) "Initial hearing" means the first and primary hearing 
187.22  held to discuss the taxing authority's proposed budget and 
187.23  proposed property tax levy for taxes payable in the following 
187.24  year, or, for school districts, the current budget and the 
187.25  proposed property tax levy for taxes payable in the following 
187.26  year. 
187.27     (2) "Continuation hearing" means a hearing held to complete 
187.28  the initial hearing, if the initial hearing is not completed on 
187.29  its scheduled date. 
187.30     (3) "Subsequent hearing" means the hearing held to adopt 
187.31  the taxing authority's final property tax levy, and, in the case 
187.32  of taxing authorities other than school districts, the final 
187.33  budget, for taxes payable in the following year. 
187.34     (b) Except as provided in paragraph (g), between 
187.35  November 29 19 and December 20 10, the governing bodies of a 
187.36  city that has a population over 500, county, metropolitan 
188.1   special taxing districts as defined in subdivision 3, paragraph 
188.2   (i), and regional library districts shall each hold an initial 
188.3   public hearing to discuss and seek public comment on its final 
188.4   budget and property tax levy for taxes payable in the following 
188.5   year, and the governing body of the school district shall hold 
188.6   an initial public hearing to review its current budget and 
188.7   proposed property tax levy for taxes payable in the following 
188.8   year.  The metropolitan special taxing districts shall be 
188.9   required to hold only a single joint initial public hearing, the 
188.10  location of which will be determined by the affected 
188.11  metropolitan agencies. 
188.12     (c) The initial hearing must be held after 5:00 p.m. if 
188.13  scheduled on a day other than Saturday.  No initial hearing may 
188.14  be held on a Sunday.  
188.15     (d) At the initial hearing under this subdivision, the 
188.16  percentage increase in property taxes proposed by the taxing 
188.17  authority, if any, and the specific purposes for which property 
188.18  tax revenues are being increased must be discussed.  During the 
188.19  discussion, the governing body shall hear comments regarding a 
188.20  proposed increase and explain the reasons for the proposed 
188.21  increase.  The public shall be allowed to speak and to ask 
188.22  questions.  At the public hearing, the school district must also 
188.23  provide and discuss information on the distribution of its 
188.24  revenues by revenue source, and the distribution of its spending 
188.25  by program area.  
188.26     (e) If the initial hearing is not completed on its 
188.27  scheduled date, the taxing authority must announce, prior to 
188.28  adjournment of the hearing, the date, time, and place for the 
188.29  continuation of the hearing.  The continuation hearing must be 
188.30  held at least five three business days but no more than 14 seven 
188.31  business days after the initial hearing.  A continuation hearing 
188.32  may not be held later than December 20 10 except as provided in 
188.33  paragraphs (f) and (g).  A continuation hearing must be held 
188.34  after 5:00 p.m. if scheduled on a day other than Saturday.  No 
188.35  continuation hearing may be held on a Sunday. 
188.36     (f) The governing body of a county shall hold its initial 
189.1   hearing on the first Thursday third Tuesday in December November 
189.2   each year, and may hold additional initial hearings on other 
189.3   dates before December 20 10 if necessary for the convenience of 
189.4   county residents.  If the county needs a continuation of its 
189.5   hearing, the continuation hearing shall be held on the third 
189.6   Tuesday first Thursday in December.  If the third Tuesday in 
189.7   December falls on December 21, the county's continuation hearing 
189.8   shall be held on Monday, December 20.  
189.9      (g) The metropolitan special taxing districts shall hold a 
189.10  joint initial public hearing on the first Wednesday of 
189.11  December.  A continuation hearing, if necessary, shall be held 
189.12  on the second Wednesday of December even if that second 
189.13  Wednesday is after December 10. 
189.14     (h) The county auditor shall provide for the coordination 
189.15  of initial and continuation hearing dates for all school 
189.16  districts and cities within the county to prevent conflicts 
189.17  under clauses (i) and (j). 
189.18     (i) By August 10, each school board and the board of the 
189.19  regional library district shall certify to the county auditors 
189.20  of the counties in which the school district or regional library 
189.21  district is located the dates on which it elects to hold its 
189.22  initial hearing and any continuation hearing.  If a school board 
189.23  or regional library district does not certify these dates by 
189.24  August 10, the auditor will assign the initial and continuation 
189.25  hearing dates.  The dates elected or assigned must not conflict 
189.26  with the initial and continuation hearing dates of the county or 
189.27  the metropolitan special taxing districts.  
189.28     (j) By August 20, the county auditor shall notify the 
189.29  clerks of the cities within the county of the dates on which 
189.30  school districts and regional library districts have elected to 
189.31  hold their initial and continuation hearings.  At the time a 
189.32  city certifies its proposed levy under subdivision 1 it shall 
189.33  certify the dates on which it elects to hold its initial hearing 
189.34  and any continuation hearing.  Until September 15, the first and 
189.35  second Mondays fourth Monday of November and the first Monday of 
189.36  December are reserved for the use of the cities.  If a city does 
190.1   not certify its hearing dates by September 15, the auditor shall 
190.2   assign the initial and continuation hearing dates.  The dates 
190.3   elected or assigned for the initial hearing must not conflict 
190.4   with the initial hearing dates of the county, metropolitan 
190.5   special taxing districts, regional library districts, or school 
190.6   districts within which the city is located.  To the extent 
190.7   possible, the dates of the city's continuation hearing should 
190.8   not conflict with the continuation hearing dates of the county, 
190.9   metropolitan special taxing districts, regional library 
190.10  districts, or school districts within which the city is 
190.11  located.  This paragraph does not apply to cities of 500 
190.12  population or less. 
190.13     (k) The county initial hearing date and the city, 
190.14  metropolitan special taxing district, regional library district, 
190.15  and school district initial hearing dates must be designated on 
190.16  the notices required under subdivision 3.  The continuation 
190.17  hearing dates need not be stated on the notices.  
190.18     (l) At a subsequent hearing, each county, school district, 
190.19  city over 500 population, and metropolitan special taxing 
190.20  district may amend its proposed property tax levy and must adopt 
190.21  a final property tax levy.  Each county, city over 500 
190.22  population, and metropolitan special taxing district may also 
190.23  amend its proposed budget and must adopt a final budget at the 
190.24  subsequent hearing.  The final property tax levy must be adopted 
190.25  prior to adopting the final budget.  A school district is not 
190.26  required to adopt its final budget at the subsequent hearing.  
190.27  The subsequent hearing of a taxing authority must be held on a 
190.28  date subsequent to the date of the taxing authority's initial 
190.29  public hearing.  If a continuation hearing is held, the 
190.30  subsequent hearing must be held either immediately following the 
190.31  continuation hearing or on a date subsequent to the continuation 
190.32  hearing.  The subsequent hearing may be held at a regularly 
190.33  scheduled board or council meeting or at a special meeting 
190.34  scheduled for the purposes of the subsequent hearing.  The 
190.35  subsequent hearing of a taxing authority does not have to be 
190.36  coordinated by the county auditor to prevent a conflict with an 
191.1   initial hearing, a continuation hearing, or a subsequent hearing 
191.2   of any other taxing authority.  All subsequent hearings must be 
191.3   held prior to five working days after December 20 of the levy 
191.4   year.  The date, time, and place of the subsequent hearing must 
191.5   be announced at the initial public hearing or at the 
191.6   continuation hearing. 
191.7      (m) The property tax levy certified under section 275.07 by 
191.8   a city of any population, county, metropolitan special taxing 
191.9   district, regional library district, or school district must not 
191.10  exceed the proposed levy determined under subdivision 1, except 
191.11  by an amount up to the sum of the following amounts: 
191.12     (1) the amount of a school district levy whose voters 
191.13  approved a referendum to increase taxes under section 123B.63, 
191.14  subdivision 3, or 126C.17, subdivision 9, after the proposed 
191.15  levy was certified; 
191.16     (2) the amount of a city or county levy approved by the 
191.17  voters after the proposed levy was certified; 
191.18     (3) the amount of a levy to pay principal and interest on 
191.19  bonds approved by the voters under section 475.58 after the 
191.20  proposed levy was certified; 
191.21     (4) the amount of a levy to pay costs due to a natural 
191.22  disaster occurring after the proposed levy was certified, if 
191.23  that amount is approved by the commissioner of revenue under 
191.24  subdivision 6a; 
191.25     (5) the amount of a levy to pay tort judgments against a 
191.26  taxing authority that become final after the proposed levy was 
191.27  certified, if the amount is approved by the commissioner of 
191.28  revenue under subdivision 6a; 
191.29     (6) the amount of an increase in levy limits certified to 
191.30  the taxing authority by the commissioner of children, families, 
191.31  and learning or the commissioner of revenue after the proposed 
191.32  levy was certified; and 
191.33     (7) the amount required under section 126C.55. 
191.34     (n) This subdivision does not apply to towns and, special 
191.35  taxing districts other than regional library districts and 
191.36  metropolitan special taxing districts, cities under 500 
192.1   population, and any counties or cities over 500 population whose 
192.2   proposed property tax levy is less than or equal to its levy 
192.3   certified under section 275.07, subdivision 1, for the previous 
192.4   year. 
192.5      (o) Notwithstanding the requirements of this section, the 
192.6   employer is required to meet and negotiate over employee 
192.7   compensation as provided for in chapter 179A.  
192.8      Sec. 4.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 275.065, 
192.9   subdivision 8, is amended to read: 
192.10     Subd. 8.  [HEARING.] Notwithstanding any other provision of 
192.11  law, Ramsey county, the city of St. Paul, and independent school 
192.12  district No. 625 are authorized to and shall hold their initial 
192.13  public hearing jointly.  The hearing must be held on the second 
192.14  fourth Tuesday of December November each year.  The 
192.15  advertisement required in subdivision 5a may be a joint 
192.16  advertisement.  The hearing is otherwise subject to the 
192.17  requirements of this section. 
192.18     Ramsey county is authorized to hold an additional initial 
192.19  hearing or hearings as provided under this section, provided 
192.20  that any additional hearings must not conflict with the initial 
192.21  or continuation hearing dates of the other taxing districts.  
192.22  However, if Ramsey county elects not to hold such additional 
192.23  initial hearing or hearings, the joint initial hearing required 
192.24  by this subdivision must be held in a St. Paul location 
192.25  convenient to residents of Ramsey county. 
192.26     Sec. 5.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 275.065, is 
192.27  amended by adding a subdivision to read: 
192.28     Subd. 9.  [REVERSE REFERENDUM.] (a) The reverse referendum 
192.29  procedure in this subdivision applies only in the case of a 
192.30  county, or a city that has a population of more than 2,500, that 
192.31  has adopted a property tax levy increase over the levy amount 
192.32  certified under section 275.07, subdivision 1, for the previous 
192.33  year that exceeds the greater of (1) two percent, or (2) a 
192.34  percentage increase equal to the sum of the percentage increase 
192.35  in the implicit price deflator and the percentage increase in 
192.36  the number of households for that county or city, as calculated 
193.1   under section 275.71, subdivision 3, clauses (1) and (2), for 
193.2   taxes levied in the current year.  By September 1 the 
193.3   commissioner of revenue shall certify to the county the 
193.4   percentage increase allowed for each local government located in 
193.5   the county that is subject to this subdivision. 
193.6      (b) If within 14 calendar days after the public hearing and 
193.7   adoption of a levy under subdivision 6, a petition signed by 
193.8   voters equal in number to ten percent of the registered voters 
193.9   in the county or city in the last general election requesting a 
193.10  referendum on the levy increase is filed with the county 
193.11  auditor, or the city clerk, the levy increase shall not be 
193.12  effective until it has been submitted to the voters at a special 
193.13  election to be held on the last Tuesday in January, and a 
193.14  majority of votes cast on the question of approving the levy 
193.15  increase are in the affirmative.  The commissioner of revenue 
193.16  shall prepare the form of the question to be presented at the 
193.17  referendum, which shall reference only the amount of the 
193.18  property tax levy increase over the previous year. 
193.19     (c) The county or city shall notify the county auditor of 
193.20  the results of the referendum.  If the majority of the votes 
193.21  cast on the question are in the affirmative, the levy adopted 
193.22  under subdivision 6 shall be certified to the county auditor 
193.23  under section 275.07, subdivision 1.  If the majority of the 
193.24  votes cast on the question are in the negative, an amount equal 
193.25  to the preceding year's levy multiplied by one plus the 
193.26  percentage increase allowed under paragraph (a) shall be 
193.27  certified to the county auditor for purposes of section 275.07, 
193.28  subdivision 1. 
193.29     (d) For purposes of this subdivision, "property tax levy" 
193.30  does not include a levy to pay general obligation bonds, as 
193.31  certified to the county under section 475.61 or other applicable 
193.32  law. 
193.33     Sec. 6.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 275.07, 
193.34  subdivision 1, is amended to read: 
193.35     Subdivision 1.  [CERTIFICATION OF LEVY.] Except as 
193.36  otherwise provided in this subdivision, the taxes voted by 
194.1   cities, counties, school districts, and special districts shall 
194.2   be certified by the proper authorities to the county auditor on 
194.3   or before five working days after December 20 in each year.  A 
194.4   county or city to which the reverse referendum provisions under 
194.5   section 275.065, subdivision 9, apply shall certify the taxes to 
194.6   the county auditor by January 5, except that any county or city 
194.7   for which a petition has been filed under section 275.065, 
194.8   subdivision 9, must certify the day immediately following the 
194.9   election under that section.  A town must certify the levy 
194.10  adopted by the town board to the county auditor by September 15 
194.11  each year.  If the town board modifies the levy at a special 
194.12  town meeting after September 15, the town board must recertify 
194.13  its levy to the county auditor on or before five working days 
194.14  after December 20.  The taxes certified shall not be reduced by 
194.15  the county auditor by the aid received under section 273.1398, 
194.16  subdivision 2, but shall be reduced by the county auditor by the 
194.17  aid received under section 273.1398, subdivision 3.  If a city, 
194.18  town, county, school district, or special district fails to 
194.19  certify its levy by that date, its levy shall be the amount 
194.20  levied by it for the preceding year. 
194.21     Sec. 7.  [275.078] [AUTHORIZATION; TAX RATE INCREASE.] 
194.22     On or before October 1, 1999, and each subsequent year, the 
194.23  county auditor shall certify to the governing body of each home 
194.24  rule charter or statutory city in the county and to the county 
194.25  board, the following information for the taxing jurisdiction: 
194.26     (1) the taxing jurisdiction's certified levy under section 
194.27  275.08 for the previous year, taxes payable in the current year; 
194.28     (2) the taxing jurisdiction's net tax capacity for the 
194.29  current assessment year, for taxes payable in the following 
194.30  year; and 
194.31     (3) the local tax rate, obtained by dividing the amount in 
194.32  clause (1) by the amount in clause (2), rounded to the nearest 
194.33  hundredth percent. 
194.34  In order to impose a tax rate for taxes payable in the following 
194.35  year higher than the tax rate certified by the county auditor 
194.36  under clause (3), the governing body of the city or the county 
195.1   board must adopt a resolution, after holding a public hearing, 
195.2   authorizing a higher tax rate and file a copy of the resolution 
195.3   with the county auditor on or before October 20, 1999, and each 
195.4   year thereafter.  A county auditor is prohibited from fixing a 
195.5   tax rate under section 275.08 for that taxing jurisdiction for 
195.6   taxes payable in the following year that is higher than the rate 
195.7   certified under clause (3) if a resolution has not been filed.  
195.8   For purposes of this section, "public hearing" includes, but is 
195.9   not limited to, regularly scheduled city council hearings and 
195.10  county board meetings. 
195.11     Sec. 8.  [EFFECTIVE DATE.] 
195.12     Sections 1, 3, and 4 are effective for notices prepared in 
195.13  1999 and thereafter.  Section 2 is effective for newspaper 
195.14  advertisements in 1999 and thereafter.  Sections 5 and 6 are 
195.15  effective for taxes levied in 1999 and thereafter, for taxes 
195.16  payable in 2000 and thereafter. 
195.17                             ARTICLE 9
195.18                  STATE FUNDING OF DISTRICT COURTS
195.19         TRANSFER OF FINES, FEES, AND OTHER MONEY TO STATE
195.20     Section 1.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 97A.065, 
195.21  subdivision 2, is amended to read: 
195.22     Subd. 2.  [FINES AND FORFEITED BAIL.] (a) Fines and 
195.23  forfeited bail collected from prosecutions of violations of:  
195.24  the game and fish laws; sections 84.091 to 84.15; sections 84.81 
195.25  to 84.91; section 169.121, when the violation involved an 
195.26  off-road recreational vehicle as defined in section 169.01, 
195.27  subdivision 86; chapter 348; and any other law relating to wild 
195.28  animals or aquatic vegetation, must be paid to the treasurer of 
195.29  the county where the violation is prosecuted.  The county 
195.30  treasurer shall submit one-half of the receipts to the 
195.31  commissioner and credit the balance to the county general 
195.32  revenue fund except as provided in paragraphs (b), (c), and 
195.33  (d).  In a county in a judicial district under section 480.181, 
195.34  subdivision 1, paragraph (b), as added in 1999 S.F. No. 2221, 
195.35  article 7, section 26, the share that would otherwise go to the 
195.36  county under this paragraph must be submitted to the state 
196.1   treasurer for deposit in the state treasury and credited to the 
196.2   general fund. 
196.3      (b) The commissioner must reimburse a county, from the game 
196.4   and fish fund, for the cost of keeping prisoners prosecuted for 
196.5   violations under this section if the county board, by 
196.6   resolution, directs:  (1) the county treasurer to submit all 
196.7   fines and forfeited bail to the commissioner; and (2) the county 
196.8   auditor to certify and submit monthly itemized statements to the 
196.9   commissioner.  
196.10     (c) The county treasurer shall submit one-half of the 
196.11  receipts collected under paragraph (a) from prosecutions of 
196.12  violations of sections 84.81 to 84.91, and 169.121, except 
196.13  receipts that are surcharges imposed under section 357.021, 
196.14  subdivision 6, to the state treasurer and credit the balance to 
196.15  the county general fund.  The state treasurer shall credit these 
196.16  receipts to the snowmobile trails and enforcement account in the 
196.17  natural resources fund. 
196.18     (d) The county treasurer shall indicate the amount of the 
196.19  receipts that are surcharges imposed under section 357.021, 
196.20  subdivision 6, and shall submit all of those receipts to the 
196.21  state treasurer. 
196.22     Sec. 2.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 273.1398, 
196.23  subdivision 2, is amended to read: 
196.24     Subd. 2.  [HOMESTEAD AND AGRICULTURAL CREDIT AID.] 
196.25  Homestead and agricultural credit aid for each unique taxing 
196.26  jurisdiction equals the product of (1) the homestead and 
196.27  agricultural credit aid base, and (2) the growth adjustment 
196.28  factor, plus the net tax capacity adjustment and the fiscal 
196.29  disparity adjustment.  For aid payable in 2000, each county 
196.30  shall have its homestead and agricultural credit aid permanently 
196.31  reduced by an amount equal to one-third of the additional amount 
196.32  received by the county under section 477A.03, subdivision 2, 
196.33  paragraph (c), clause (ii). 
196.34     Sec. 3.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 273.1398, is 
196.35  amended by adding a subdivision to read: 
196.36     Subd. 4a.  [AID OFFSET FOR COURT COSTS.] (a) By July 15, 
197.1   1999, the supreme court shall determine and certify to the 
197.2   commissioner of revenue for each county, other than counties 
197.3   located in the eighth judicial district, the county's share of 
197.4   the costs assumed under 1999 S.F. No. 2221, article 7, during 
197.5   the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2000, less an amount equal to 
197.6   the county's share of transferred fines collected by the 
197.7   district courts in the county during calendar year 1998.  
197.8      (b) Payments to a county under subdivision 2 or section 
197.9   273.166 for calendar year 2000 must be permanently reduced by an 
197.10  amount equal to 75 percent of the net cost to the state for 
197.11  assumption of district court costs as certified in paragraph (a).
197.12     (c) Payments to a county under subdivision 2 or section 
197.13  273.166 for calendar year 2001 must be permanently reduced by an 
197.14  amount equal to 25 percent of the net cost to the state for 
197.15  assumption of district court costs as certified in paragraph (a).
197.16     Sec. 4.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 299D.03, 
197.17  subdivision 5, is amended to read: 
197.18     Subd. 5.  [FINES AND FORFEITED BAIL MONEY.] (a) All fines 
197.19  and forfeited bail money, from traffic and motor vehicle law 
197.20  violations, collected from persons apprehended or arrested by 
197.21  officers of the state patrol, shall be paid by the person or 
197.22  officer collecting the fines, forfeited bail money or 
197.23  installments thereof, on or before the tenth day after the last 
197.24  day of the month in which these moneys were collected, to the 
197.25  county treasurer of the county where the violation occurred.  
197.26  Three-eighths of these receipts shall be credited to the general 
197.27  revenue fund of the county, except that in a county in a 
197.28  judicial district under section 480.181, subdivision 1, 
197.29  paragraph (b), as added in 1999 S.F. No. 2221, article 7, 
197.30  section 26, this three-eighths share must be transmitted to the 
197.31  state treasurer for deposit in the state treasury and credited 
197.32  to the general fund.  The other five-eighths of these receipts 
197.33  shall be transmitted by that officer to the state treasurer and 
197.34  shall be credited as follows: 
197.35     (1) In the fiscal year ending June 30, 1991, the first 
197.36  $275,000 in money received by the state treasurer after June 4, 
198.1   1991, must be credited to the transportation services fund, and 
198.2   the remainder in the fiscal year credited to the trunk highway 
198.3   fund. 
198.4      (2) In fiscal year 1992, the first $215,000 in money 
198.5   received by the state treasurer in the fiscal year must be 
198.6   credited to the transportation services fund, and the remainder 
198.7   credited to the trunk highway fund. 
198.8      (3) In fiscal years 1993 and subsequent years, the entire 
198.9   amount received by the state treasurer must be credited to the 
198.10  trunk highway fund.  If, however, the violation occurs within a 
198.11  municipality and the city attorney prosecutes the offense, and a 
198.12  plea of not guilty is entered, one-third of the receipts shall 
198.13  be credited to the general revenue fund of the county, one-third 
198.14  of the receipts shall be paid to the municipality prosecuting 
198.15  the offense, and one-third shall be transmitted to the state 
198.16  treasurer as provided in this subdivision.  All costs of 
198.17  participation in a nationwide police communication system 
198.18  chargeable to the state of Minnesota shall be paid from 
198.19  appropriations for that purpose. 
198.20     (b) Notwithstanding any other provisions of law, all fines 
198.21  and forfeited bail money from violations of statutes governing 
198.22  the maximum weight of motor vehicles, collected from persons 
198.23  apprehended or arrested by employees of the state of Minnesota, 
198.24  by means of stationary or portable scales operated by these 
198.25  employees, shall be paid by the person or officer collecting the 
198.26  fines or forfeited bail money, on or before the tenth day after 
198.27  the last day of the month in which the collections were made, to 
198.28  the county treasurer of the county where the violation 
198.29  occurred.  Five-eighths of these receipts shall be transmitted 
198.30  by that officer to the state treasurer and shall be credited to 
198.31  the highway user tax distribution fund.  Three-eighths of these 
198.32  receipts shall be credited to the general revenue fund of the 
198.33  county, except that in a county in a judicial district under 
198.34  section 480.181, subdivision 1, paragraph (b), as added in 1999 
198.35  S.F. No. 2221, article 7, section 26, this three-eighths share 
198.36  must be transmitted to the state treasurer for deposit in the 
199.1   state treasury and credited to the general fund. 
199.2      Sec. 5.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 357.021, 
199.3   subdivision 1a, is amended to read: 
199.4      Subd. 1a.  [TRANSMITTAL OF FEES TO STATE TREASURER.] (a) 
199.5   Every person, including the state of Minnesota and all bodies 
199.6   politic and corporate, who shall transact any business in the 
199.7   district court, shall pay to the court administrator of said 
199.8   court the sundry fees prescribed in subdivision 2.  Except as 
199.9   provided in paragraph (d), the court administrator shall 
199.10  transmit the fees monthly to the state treasurer for deposit in 
199.11  the state treasury and credit to the general fund.  
199.12     (b) In a county which has a screener-collector position, 
199.13  fees paid by a county pursuant to this subdivision shall be 
199.14  transmitted monthly to the county treasurer, who shall apply the 
199.15  fees first to reimburse the county for the amount of the salary 
199.16  paid for the screener-collector position.  The balance of the 
199.17  fees collected shall then be forwarded to the state treasurer 
199.18  for deposit in the state treasury and credited to the general 
199.19  fund.  In a county in the eighth a judicial district under 
199.20  section 480.181, subdivision 1, paragraph (b), as added in 1999 
199.21  S.F. No. 2221, article 7, section 26, which has a 
199.22  screener-collector position, the fees paid by a county shall be 
199.23  transmitted monthly to the state treasurer for deposit in the 
199.24  state treasury and credited to the general fund.  A 
199.25  screener-collector position for purposes of this paragraph is an 
199.26  employee whose function is to increase the collection of fines 
199.27  and to review the incomes of potential clients of the public 
199.28  defender, in order to verify eligibility for that service. 
199.29     (c) No fee is required under this section from the public 
199.30  authority or the party the public authority represents in an 
199.31  action for: 
199.32     (1) child support enforcement or modification, medical 
199.33  assistance enforcement, or establishment of parentage in the 
199.34  district court, or child or medical support enforcement 
199.35  conducted by an administrative law judge in an administrative 
199.36  hearing under section 518.5511; 
200.1      (2) civil commitment under chapter 253B; 
200.2      (3) the appointment of a public conservator or public 
200.3   guardian or any other action under chapters 252A and 525; 
200.4      (4) wrongfully obtaining public assistance under section 
200.5   256.98 or 256D.07, or recovery of overpayments of public 
200.6   assistance; 
200.7      (5) court relief under chapter 260; 
200.8      (6) forfeiture of property under sections 169.1217 and 
200.9   609.531 to 609.5317; 
200.10     (7) recovery of amounts issued by political subdivisions or 
200.11  public institutions under sections 246.52, 252.27, 256.045, 
200.12  256.25, 256.87, 256B.042, 256B.14, 256B.15, 256B.37, and 
200.13  260.251, or other sections referring to other forms of public 
200.14  assistance; 
200.15     (8) restitution under section 611A.04; or 
200.16     (9) actions seeking monetary relief in favor of the state 
200.17  pursuant to section 16D.14, subdivision 5. 
200.18     (d) The fees collected for child support modifications 
200.19  under subdivision 2, clause (13), must be transmitted to the 
200.20  county treasurer for deposit in the county general fund.  The 
200.21  fees must be used by the county to pay for child support 
200.22  enforcement efforts by county attorneys. 
200.23     Sec. 6.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 477A.03, 
200.24  subdivision 2, is amended to read: 
200.25     Subd. 2.  [ANNUAL APPROPRIATION.] (a) A sum sufficient to 
200.26  discharge the duties imposed by sections 477A.011 to 477A.014 is 
200.27  annually appropriated from the general fund to the commissioner 
200.28  of revenue.  
200.29     (b) Aid payments to counties under section 477A.0121 are 
200.30  limited to $20,265,000 in 1996.  Aid payments to counties under 
200.31  section 477A.0121 are limited to $27,571,625 in 1997.  For aid 
200.32  payable in 1998 and thereafter, the total aids paid under 
200.33  section 477A.0121 are the amounts certified to be paid in the 
200.34  previous year, adjusted for inflation as provided under 
200.35  subdivision 3. 
200.36     (c)(i) For aids payable in 1998 and thereafter, the total 
201.1   aids paid to counties under section 477A.0122 are the amounts 
201.2   certified to be paid in the previous year, adjusted for 
201.3   inflation as provided under subdivision 3. 
201.4      (ii) Aid payments to counties under section 477A.0122 in 
201.5   2000 are further increased by an 
201.6   additional $30,000,000 $20,000,000 in 2000. 
201.7      (d) Aid payments to cities in 1999 under section 477A.013, 
201.8   subdivision 9, are limited to $380,565,489.  For aids payable in 
201.9   2000 and 2001, the total aids paid under section 477A.013, 
201.10  subdivision 9, are the amounts certified to be paid in the 
201.11  previous year, adjusted for inflation as provided under 
201.12  subdivision 3.  For aids payable in 2002, the total aids paid 
201.13  under section 477A.013, subdivision 9, are the amounts certified 
201.14  to be paid in the previous year, adjusted for inflation as 
201.15  provided under subdivision 3, and increased by the amount 
201.16  certified to be paid in 2001 under section 477A.06.  For aids 
201.17  payable in 2003 and thereafter, the total aids paid under 
201.18  section 477A.013, subdivision 9, are the amounts certified to be 
201.19  paid in the previous year, adjusted for inflation as provided 
201.20  under subdivision 3.  The additional amount authorized under 
201.21  subdivision 4 is not included when calculating the appropriation 
201.22  limits under this paragraph. 
201.23     Sec. 7.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 485.018, 
201.24  subdivision 5, is amended to read: 
201.25     Subd. 5.  [COLLECTION OF FEES.] The court administrator of 
201.26  district court shall charge and collect all fees as prescribed 
201.27  by law and all such fees collected by the court administrator as 
201.28  court administrator of district court shall be paid to the 
201.29  county treasurer.  Except for those portions of forfeited bail 
201.30  paid to victims pursuant to existing law, the county treasurer 
201.31  shall forward all revenue from fees and forfeited bail collected 
201.32  under chapters 357, 487, and 574 to the state treasurer for 
201.33  deposit in the state treasury and credit to the general fund, 
201.34  unless otherwise provided in chapter 611A or other law, in the 
201.35  manner and at the times prescribed by the state treasurer, but 
201.36  not less often than once each month.  If the defendant or 
202.1   probationer is located after forfeited bail proceeds have been 
202.2   forwarded to the state treasurer, the state treasurer shall 
202.3   reimburse the county, on request, for actual costs expended for 
202.4   extradition, transportation, or other costs necessary to return 
202.5   the defendant or probationer to the jurisdiction where the bail 
202.6   was posted, in an amount not more than the amount of forfeited 
202.7   bail.  All other money must be deposited in the county general 
202.8   fund unless otherwise provided by law.  The court administrator 
202.9   of district court shall not retain any additional compensation, 
202.10  per diem or other emolument for services as court administrator 
202.11  of district court, but may receive and retain mileage and 
202.12  expense allowances as prescribed by law. 
202.13     Sec. 8.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 487.02, 
202.14  subdivision 2, is amended to read: 
202.15     Subd. 2.  Except as provided in this subdivision, the 
202.16  county board shall levy taxes annually against the taxable 
202.17  property within the county as necessary for the establishment, 
202.18  operation and maintenance of the county court or courts within 
202.19  the county.  Any county in a judicial district under section 
202.20  480.181, subdivision 1, paragraph (b), as added by 1999 S.F. No. 
202.21  2221, article 7, section 26, is prohibited from levying property 
202.22  taxes for these purposes, except for any amounts necessary to 
202.23  pay the costs incurred in the first six months of calendar year 
202.24  2000 with respect to counties in the fifth, seventh, and ninth 
202.25  judicial districts. 
202.26     Sec. 9.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 487.32, 
202.27  subdivision 3, is amended to read: 
202.28     Subd. 3.  A judge of a county court may order any sums 
202.29  forfeited to be reinstated and the county state treasurer shall 
202.30  then refund accordingly.  The county state treasurer shall 
202.31  reimburse the court administrator if the court administrator 
202.32  refunds the deposit upon a judge's order and obtains a receipt 
202.33  to be used as a voucher.  
202.34     Sec. 10.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 487.33, 
202.35  subdivision 5, is amended to read: 
202.36     Subd. 5.  [ALLOCATION.] The court administrator shall 
203.1   provide the county treasurer with the name of the municipality 
203.2   or other subdivision of government where the offense was 
203.3   committed which employed or provided by contract the arresting 
203.4   or apprehending officer and the name of the municipality or 
203.5   other subdivision of government which employed the prosecuting 
203.6   attorney or otherwise provided for prosecution of the offense 
203.7   for each fine or penalty and the total amount of fines or 
203.8   penalties collected for each municipality or other subdivision 
203.9   of government.  On or before the last day of each month, the 
203.10  county treasurer shall pay over to the treasurer of each 
203.11  municipality or subdivision of government within the county all 
203.12  fines or penalties for parking violations for which complaints 
203.13  and warrants have not been issued and one-third of all fines or 
203.14  penalties collected during the previous month for offenses 
203.15  committed within the municipality or subdivision of government 
203.16  from persons arrested or issued citations by officers employed 
203.17  by the municipality or subdivision or provided by the 
203.18  municipality or subdivision by contract.  An additional 
203.19  one-third of all fines or penalties shall be paid to the 
203.20  municipality or subdivision of government providing prosecution 
203.21  of offenses of the type for which the fine or penalty is 
203.22  collected occurring within the municipality or subdivision, 
203.23  imposed for violations of state statute or of an ordinance, 
203.24  charter provision, rule or regulation of a city whether or not a 
203.25  guilty plea is entered or bail is forfeited.  Except as provided 
203.26  in section 299D.03, subdivision 5, or as otherwise provided by 
203.27  law, all other fines and forfeitures and all fees and statutory 
203.28  court costs collected by the court administrator shall be paid 
203.29  to the county treasurer of the county in which the funds were 
203.30  collected who shall dispense them as provided by law.  In a 
203.31  county in a judicial district under section 480.181, subdivision 
203.32  1, paragraph (b), as added in 1999 S.F. No. 2221, article 7, 
203.33  section 26, all other fines, forfeitures, fees, and statutory 
203.34  court costs must be paid to the state treasurer for deposit in 
203.35  the state treasury and credited to the general fund. 
203.36     Sec. 11.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 574.34, 
204.1   subdivision 1, is amended to read: 
204.2      Subdivision 1.  [GENERAL.] Fines and forfeitures not 
204.3   specially granted or appropriated by law shall be paid into the 
204.4   treasury of the county where they are incurred, except in a 
204.5   county in a judicial district under section 480.181, subdivision 
204.6   1, paragraph (b), as added in 1999 S.F. No. 2221, article 7, 
204.7   section 26, the fines and forfeitures must be deposited in the 
204.8   state treasury and credited to the general fund. 
204.9      Sec. 12.  [APPROPRIATION.] 
204.10     $18,848,866 is appropriated for fiscal year 2001 from the 
204.11  general fund to the district courts for purposes of funding the 
204.12  district court expenses under this article. 
204.13     Sec. 13.  [EFFECTIVE DATES; CONTINGENCY.] 
204.14     (a) Sections 2 and 6 are effective for aids payable in 
204.15  2000.  The other provisions of this article providing for the 
204.16  transfer of fees and fines to the state are effective January 1, 
204.17  2000, with respect to counties in the eighth judicial district, 
204.18  and July 1, 2000, with respect to counties in the fifth, 
204.19  seventh, and ninth judicial districts. 
204.20     (b) Notwithstanding paragraph (a), this article does not 
204.21  take effect unless the state assumes the district court costs 
204.22  under 1999 S.F. No. 2221, article 7. 
204.23                             ARTICLE 10
204.24                      TAX INCREMENT FINANCING
204.25     Section 1.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 273.1399, 
204.26  subdivision 6, is amended to read: 
204.27     Subd. 6.  [EXEMPT DISTRICTS.] (a) The provisions of this 
204.28  section do not apply to exempt tax increment financing districts 
204.29  as specified by this subdivision. 
204.30     (b) A tax increment financing district for an ethanol 
204.31  production facility that satisfies all of the following 
204.32  requirements is exempt: 
204.33     (1) The district is an economic development district, that 
204.34  qualifies under section 469.176, subdivision 4c, paragraph (a), 
204.35  clause (1). 
204.36     (2) The facility is certified by the commissioner of 
205.1   agriculture to qualify for state payments for ethanol 
205.2   development under section 41A.09 to the extent funds are 
205.3   available. 
205.4      (3) Increments from the district are used only to finance 
205.5   the qualifying ethanol development project located in the 
205.6   district or to pay for administrative costs of the district. 
205.7      (4) The district is located outside of the seven-county 
205.8   metropolitan area, as defined in section 473.121. 
205.9      (5) The tax increment financing plan was approved by a 
205.10  resolution of the county board. 
205.11     (6) The exemption provided by this paragraph applies until 
205.12  the first year after the total amount of increment for the 
205.13  district exceeds $1,500,000.  The county auditor shall notify 
205.14  the commissioner of revenue of the expiration of the exemption 
205.15  by June 1 of the year in which the auditor projects the revenues 
205.16  from increments will exceed $1,500,000.  On or before the 
205.17  expiration of the exemption, the municipality may elect to make 
205.18  a qualifying local contribution under paragraph (d) in lieu of 
205.19  the state aid reduction. 
205.20     (c) A qualified housing district is exempt. 
205.21     (d)(1) A district is exempt if the municipality elects at 
205.22  the time of approving the tax increment financing plan for the 
205.23  district to make a qualifying local contribution.  To qualify 
205.24  for the exemption in each year, the authority or the 
205.25  municipality must make a qualifying local contribution equal to 
205.26  the listed percentages of increment from the district or 
205.27  subdistrict: 
205.28     (A) for an economic development district, a housing 
205.29  district, or a renewal and renovation district, ten percent; 
205.30     (B) for a redevelopment district, a housing district, a 
205.31  mined underground space district, a hazardous substance 
205.32  subdistrict, or a soils condition district, five percent. 
205.33     (2) If the municipality elects to make a qualifying 
205.34  contribution and fails to make the required contribution for a 
205.35  year, the state aid reduction applies for the year.  The state 
205.36  aid reduction equals the greater of (A) the required local 
206.1   contribution or (B) the amount of the aid reduction that applies 
206.2   under subdivision 3.  For a district exempt under paragraph (b), 
206.3   no qualifying local contribution is required for years in which 
206.4   the district is exempt. 
206.5      (3)(A) If the sum of required local contributions for all 
206.6   districts in the municipality exceeds two percent of city net 
206.7   tax capacity as defined in section 477A.011, subdivision 20, for 
206.8   a year, the municipality's total required local contribution for 
206.9   that year is limited to two percent of net tax capacity to 
206.10  qualify for the exemption under this subdivision.  The 
206.11  municipality may allocate the contribution among the districts 
206.12  on which it has made elections as it determines appropriate. 
206.13     (B) If a municipality makes an election under this 
206.14  subdivision for a district in a year in which item (A) applies, 
206.15  a minimum annual qualifying contribution must be made for the 
206.16  district equal to the lesser of 0.25 percent of city net tax 
206.17  capacity or three percent of increment revenues.  This minimum 
206.18  contribution applies for the life of the district for each year 
206.19  that the restriction in item (A) applies and is in addition to 
206.20  the contribution required by item (A). 
206.21     (4) The amount of the local contribution must be made out 
206.22  of unrestricted money of the authority or municipality, such as 
206.23  the general fund, a property tax levy, or a federal or a state 
206.24  grant-in-aid which may be spent for general government 
206.25  purposes.  The local contribution may not be made, directly or 
206.26  indirectly, with tax increments or developer payments as defined 
206.27  under section 469.1766.  The local contribution must be used to 
206.28  pay project costs and cannot be used for general government 
206.29  purposes or for improvements or costs that the authority or 
206.30  municipality planned to incur absent the project.  The authority 
206.31  or municipality may request contributions from other local 
206.32  government entities that will benefit from the district's 
206.33  activities.  These contributions reduce the local contribution 
206.34  required of the municipality or authority by this paragraph.  
206.35  Cities, counties, towns, and schools may contribute to paying 
206.36  these costs, notwithstanding any other law to the contrary. 
207.1      (5) The municipality may make a local contribution in 
207.2   excess of the required contribution for a year.  If it does so, 
207.3   the municipality may credit the excess to a local contribution 
207.4   account for the district.  The balance in the account may be 
207.5   used to meet the requirements for qualifying local contributions 
207.6   for later years.  No interest or investment earnings may be 
207.7   credited or imputed to the account, except those (A) actually 
207.8   paid by the municipality out of its unrestricted funds or by 
207.9   another person or entity, other than a developer as used in 
207.10  section 469.1766, and (B) used as required for a qualifying 
207.11  local contribution. 
207.12     (6) If the state contributes to the project costs through a 
207.13  direct grant or similar incentive, the required local 
207.14  contribution is reduced by one-half of the dollar amount of the 
207.15  state grant or other similar incentive. 
207.16     Sec. 2.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 469.176, 
207.17  subdivision 4g, is amended to read: 
207.18     Subd. 4g.  [GENERAL GOVERNMENT USE PROHIBITED.] (a) These 
207.19  revenues shall not be used to circumvent existing levy limit 
207.20  law.  No revenues derived from tax increment from any district, 
207.21  whether certified before or after August 1, 1979, shall be used 
207.22  for the acquisition, construction, renovation, operation, or 
207.23  maintenance of a building to be used primarily and regularly for 
207.24  conducting the business of a municipality, county, school 
207.25  district, or any other local unit of government or the state or 
207.26  federal government or for a commons area used as a public park, 
207.27  or a facility used for social, recreational, or conference 
207.28  purposes.  This provision shall not prohibit the use of revenues 
207.29  derived from tax increments for the construction or renovation 
207.30  of a parking structure, a commons area used as a public park, or 
207.31  a facility used for social, recreational, or conference purposes 
207.32  and not primarily for conducting the business of the 
207.33  municipality.  
207.34     (b) If any publicly owned facility used for social, 
207.35  recreational, or conference purposes and financed in whole or in 
207.36  part from revenues derived from a district is operated or 
208.1   managed by an entity other than the authority, the operating and 
208.2   management policies of the facility must be approved by the 
208.3   governing body of the authority. 
208.4      (c) Tax increments may not be used to pay for the cost of 
208.5   public improvements, equipment, or other items, if: 
208.6      (1) the improvements, equipment, or other items are located 
208.7   outside of the area of the tax increment financing district from 
208.8   which the increments were collected; and 
208.9      (2) the improvements, equipment, or items that (i) 
208.10  primarily serve a decorative or aesthetic purpose, or (ii) serve 
208.11  a functional purpose, but their cost is increased by more than 
208.12  100 percent as a result of the selection of materials, design, 
208.13  or type as compared with more commonly used materials, designs, 
208.14  or types for similar improvements, equipment, or items. 
208.15     Sec. 3.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 469.1763, is 
208.16  amended by adding a subdivision to read: 
208.17     Subd. 6.  [POOLING PERMITTED FOR DEFICITS.] (a) This 
208.18  subdivision applies only to districts for which the request for 
208.19  certification was made before June 2, 1997. 
208.20     (b) The municipality for the district may transfer 
208.21  available increments from another tax increment financing 
208.22  district located in the municipality, if the transfer is 
208.23  necessary to eliminate a deficit in the district to which the 
208.24  increments are transferred.  A deficit in the district for 
208.25  purposes of this subdivision means the lesser of the following 
208.26  two amounts: 
208.27     (1)(i) the amount due during the calendar year to pay 
208.28  preexisting obligations of the district; minus 
208.29     (ii) the total increments to be collected from properties 
208.30  located within the district that are available for the calendar 
208.31  year, plus 
208.32     (iii) total increments from properties located in other 
208.33  districts in the municipality that are available to be used to 
208.34  meet the district's obligations under this section, excluding 
208.35  this subdivision, or other provisions of law (but excluding a 
208.36  special tax under section 469.1791 and the grant program under 
209.1   Laws 1997, chapter 231, article 1, section 19); or 
209.2      (2) the reduction in increments collected from properties 
209.3   located in the district for the calendar year as a result of the 
209.4   changes in class rates in Laws 1997, chapter 231, article 1; 
209.5   Laws 1998, chapter 389, article 2; and article 6 of this act. 
209.6      (c) A pre-existing obligation means bonds issued and sold 
209.7   before June 2, 1997, to the extent that the bonds are secured by 
209.8   a pledge of increments from the tax increment financing district.
209.9   For purposes of this subdivision, bonds exclude an obligation to 
209.10  reimburse or pay a developer or owner of property located in the 
209.11  district for amounts incurred or paid by the developer or owner. 
209.12     (d) The municipality may require a development authority, 
209.13  other than a seaway port authority, to transfer available 
209.14  increments for any of its tax increment financing districts in 
209.15  the municipality to make up an insufficiency in another district 
209.16  in the municipality, regardless of whether the district was 
209.17  established by the development authority or another development 
209.18  authority.  This authority applies notwithstanding any law to 
209.19  the contrary, but applies only to a development authority that: 
209.20     (1) was established by the municipality; or 
209.21     (2) the governing body of which is appointed, in whole or 
209.22  part, by the municipality or an officer of the municipality or 
209.23  which consists, in whole or part, of members of the governing 
209.24  body of the municipality. 
209.25     (e) The authority under this subdivision to spend tax 
209.26  increments outside of the area of the district from which the 
209.27  tax increments were collected: 
209.28     (1) may only be exercised after obtaining approval of the 
209.29  use of the increments, in writing, by the commissioner of 
209.30  revenue; 
209.31     (2) is an exception to the restrictions under the other 
209.32  provisions of this section and the percentage restrictions under 
209.33  subdivision 2 must be calculated after deducting increments 
209.34  spent under this subdivision from the total increments for the 
209.35  district; and 
209.36     (3) applies notwithstanding the provisions of the tax 
210.1   increment financing act in effect for districts for which the 
210.2   request for certification was made before June 30, 1982, or any 
210.3   other law to the contrary. 
210.4      Sec. 4.  [469.1764] [PRE-1982 DISTRICTS; POOLING RULES.] 
210.5      Subdivision 1.  [SCOPE; APPLICATION.] (a) This section 
210.6   applies to a tax increment financing district or area added to a 
210.7   district, if the request for certification of the district or 
210.8   the area added to the district was made after July 31, 1979, and 
210.9   before July 1, 1982. 
210.10     (b) This section, section 469.1763, subdivision 6, and any 
210.11  special law applying to the district enacted before the 
210.12  effective date of this section are the exclusive authority to 
210.13  spend tax increments on activities located outside of the 
210.14  geographic area of a tax increment financing district that is 
210.15  subject to this section. 
210.16     (c) This section does not apply to increment from a 
210.17  district that is subject to the provisions of this section, if: 
210.18     (1) the district was decertified before the enactment of 
210.19  this section; and 
210.20     (2) all increments spent on activities located outside of 
210.21  the geographic area of the district were repaid and distributed 
210.22  as excess increments under section 469.176, subdivision 2. 
210.23     Subd. 2.  [STATE AUDITOR NOTIFICATION.] By August 1, 1999, 
210.24  the state auditor shall notify in writing each authority for 
210.25  which the auditor has records that the authority has a district 
210.26  subject to this section. 
210.27     Subd. 3.  [RATIFICATION OF PAST SPENDING.] (a) The 
210.28  following expenditures of increments on activities located 
210.29  outside of the geographic area of a district subject to this 
210.30  section are permitted: 
210.31     (1) expenditures made before the earlier of (i) 
210.32  notification by the state auditor or (ii) December 31, 1999; and 
210.33     (2) expenditures to pay pre-existing outside-district 
210.34  obligations. 
210.35     Subd. 4.  [DECERTIFICATION REQUIRED.] (a) The provisions of 
210.36  this subdivision apply to any tax increment financing district 
211.1   subject to this section, if increments from the district were 
211.2   used on activities located outside of the geographic area of the 
211.3   district. 
211.4      (b) After December 31, 1999, any tax increments received by 
211.5   the authority from a district subject to this subdivision may be 
211.6   expended only to pay:  
211.7      (1) pre-existing in-district obligations; 
211.8      (2) pre-existing outside-district obligations; and 
211.9      (3) administrative expenses.  
211.10     After all pre-existing obligations have been paid or 
211.11  defeased, the district must be decertified and any remaining 
211.12  increments distributed as excess increments under section 
211.13  469.176, subdivision 2. 
211.14     Subd. 5.  [DEFINITIONS.] (a) "Notification by the state 
211.15  auditor" means the receipt by the authority or the municipality 
211.16  of a written notification from the state auditor that its 
211.17  expenditures of increments from the district on activities 
211.18  located outside of the geographic area of the district were not 
211.19  in compliance with state law. 
211.20     (b) "Pre-existing outside district obligations" mean: 
211.21     (1) bonds secured by increments from a district subject to 
211.22  this section and used to finance activities outside the 
211.23  geographic area of the district, if the bonds were issued and 
211.24  the pledge of increment was made before the earlier of (i) 
211.25  notification by the state auditor or (ii) April 1, 1999; 
211.26     (2) bonds issued to refund bonds qualifying under clause 
211.27  (1), if the refunding bonds do not increase the total amount of 
211.28  tax increments required to pay the refunded bonds; and 
211.29     (3) binding written agreements secured by the increments 
211.30  from the district subject to this section and used to finance 
211.31  activities outside the geographic area of the district, if the 
211.32  agreement was entered before the earlier of (i) notification by 
211.33  the state auditor or (ii) May 1, 1999. 
211.34     (c) "Pre-existing in-district obligations" mean: 
211.35     (1) bonds secured by increments from a district subject to 
211.36  this section and not used to finance activities outside of the 
212.1   geographic area of the district, if the bonds were issued and 
212.2   the pledge of increments was made before April 1, 1999; 
212.3      (2) bonds issued to refund bonds qualifying under clause 
212.4   (1), if the refunding bonds do not increase the total amount of 
212.5   tax increments required to pay the refunded bonds; and 
212.6      (3) binding written agreements secured by increments from a 
212.7   district subject to this section and not used to finance 
212.8   activities outside of the geographic area of the district, if 
212.9   the agreements were entered into and the pledge of increments 
212.10  was made before May 1, 1999. 
212.11     Sec. 5.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 469.1771, 
212.12  subdivision 1, is amended to read: 
212.13     Subdivision 1.  [ENFORCEMENT.] (a) The owner of taxable 
212.14  property located in the city, town, school district, or county 
212.15  in which the tax increment financing district is located may 
212.16  bring suit for equitable relief or for damages, as provided in 
212.17  subdivisions 3 and 4, arising out of a failure of a municipality 
212.18  or authority to comply with the provisions of sections 469.174 
212.19  to 469.179, or related provisions of this chapter.  The 
212.20  prevailing party in a suit filed under the preceding sentence is 
212.21  entitled to costs, including reasonable attorney fees. 
212.22     (b) The state auditor may examine and audit political 
212.23  subdivisions' use of tax increment financing.  Without previous 
212.24  notice, the state auditor may examine or audit accounts and 
212.25  records on a random basis as the auditor deems to be in the 
212.26  public interest.  If the state auditor finds evidence that an 
212.27  authority or municipality has violated a provision of the law 
212.28  for which a remedy is provided under this section, the state 
212.29  auditor shall forward the relevant information to the county 
212.30  attorney.  The county attorney may bring an action to enforce 
212.31  the provisions of sections 469.174 to 469.179 or related 
212.32  provisions of this chapter, for matters referred by the state 
212.33  auditor or on behalf of the county.  If the county attorney 
212.34  determines not to bring an action or if the county attorney has 
212.35  not brought an action within 12 months after receipt of the 
212.36  initial notification by the state auditor of the violation, the 
213.1   county attorney shall notify the state auditor in writing. 
213.2      (c) If the state auditor finds an authority is not in 
213.3   compliance with sections 469.174 to 469.179 or related 
213.4   provisions of law, the auditor shall notify the governing body 
213.5   of the municipality that approved the tax increment financing 
213.6   district of its findings.  The governing body of the 
213.7   municipality must respond in writing to the state auditor within 
213.8   60 days after receiving the notification.  Its written response 
213.9   must state whether the municipality accepts, in whole or part, 
213.10  the auditor's findings.  If the municipality does not accept the 
213.11  findings, the statement must indicate the basis for its 
213.12  disagreement.  The state auditor shall annually summarize the 
213.13  responses it receives under this section and send the summary 
213.14  and copies of the responses to the chairs of the committees of 
213.15  the legislature with jurisdiction over tax increment financing. 
213.16     (d) The state auditor shall notify the commissioner of 
213.17  revenue in writing and provide supporting materials for a 
213.18  violation found by the auditor, if the: 
213.19     (1) auditor receives notification from the county attorney 
213.20  under paragraph (b) or receives no notification for a 12-month 
213.21  period after initially notifying the county attorney and the 
213.22  state auditor confirms with the county attorney or the 
213.23  municipality that no action has been brought regarding the 
213.24  matter; and 
213.25     (2) municipality or development authority have not 
213.26  eliminated or resolved the violation to the satisfaction of the 
213.27  state auditor. 
213.28  The auditor shall provide the municipality and development 
213.29  authority a copy of the notification sent to the commissioner of 
213.30  revenue. 
213.31     Sec. 6.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 469.1771, is 
213.32  amended by adding a subdivision to read: 
213.33     Subd. 2b.  [SUSPENSION OF TIF AUTHORITY.] (a) Upon receipt 
213.34  of a notification from the state auditor under subdivision 1, 
213.35  paragraph (d), the commissioner of revenue shall review the 
213.36  materials submitted by the auditor and the municipality and 
214.1   development authority.  For a period of 30 days after the 
214.2   referral of the matter by the state auditor, the municipality or 
214.3   development authority may submit materials to the commissioner 
214.4   on the matter.  If the commissioner finds that the municipality 
214.5   or development authority violated a provision of the law 
214.6   enumerated in subdivision 1 and that the violation was 
214.7   substantial, the commissioner shall suspend the authority of the 
214.8   municipality and development authority to exercise tax increment 
214.9   financing powers.  The commissioner shall set the period of the 
214.10  suspension relative to the substantiality of the violation.  The 
214.11  period of suspension may not exceed five years. 
214.12     (b) For purposes of this subdivision, the exercise of tax 
214.13  increment financing powers means: 
214.14     (1) the authority to request certification of a new tax 
214.15  increment financing district or the addition of area to an 
214.16  existing tax increment financing district; 
214.17     (2) the authority to issue bonds under section 469.178; 
214.18     (3) the authority to amend a tax increment financing plan 
214.19  to authorize new activities or expenditures.  
214.20     (c) If an order is issued under this subdivision and no 
214.21  action has been filed under subdivision 1 before the effective 
214.22  date of the order, no action may be brought under subdivision 1 
214.23  for the violation that is the subject of the order. 
214.24     Sec. 7.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 469.1791, 
214.25  subdivision 3, is amended to read: 
214.26     Subd. 3.  [PRECONDITIONS TO ESTABLISH DISTRICT.] (a) A city 
214.27  may establish a special taxing district within a tax increment 
214.28  financing district under this section only if the conditions 
214.29  under paragraphs (b) and (c) are met or if the city elects to 
214.30  exercise the authority under paragraph (d). 
214.31     (b) The city has determined that: 
214.32     (1) total tax increments from the district, including 
214.33  unspent increments from previous years and increments 
214.34  transferred under paragraph (c), will be insufficient to pay the 
214.35  amounts due in a year on preexisting obligations; and 
214.36     (2) this insufficiency of increments resulted from the 
215.1   reduction in property tax class rates enacted in the 1997 and 
215.2   1998 legislative sessions. 
215.3      (c) The city has agreed to transfer any available 
215.4   increments from other tax increment financing districts in the 
215.5   city to pay the preexisting obligations of the district under 
215.6   section 469.1763, subdivision 6.  This requirement does not 
215.7   apply to any available increments of a qualified housing 
215.8   district, as defined in section 273.1399, subdivision 
215.9   1.  Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, the city may 
215.10  require a development authority to transfer available increments 
215.11  for any of its tax increment financing districts in the city to 
215.12  make up an insufficiency in another district in the city, 
215.13  regardless of whether the district was established by the 
215.14  development authority or another development authority.  
215.15  Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, increments transferred 
215.16  under this authority must be spent to pay preexisting 
215.17  obligations.  "Development authority" for this purpose means any 
215.18  authority as defined in section 469.174, subdivision 2. 
215.19     (d) If a tax increment financing district does not qualify 
215.20  under paragraphs (b) and (c), the governing body may elect to 
215.21  establish a special taxing district under this section.  If the 
215.22  city elects to exercise this authority, increments from the tax 
215.23  increment financing district and the proceeds of the tax imposed 
215.24  under this section may only be used to pay preexisting 
215.25  obligations and reasonable administrative expenses of the 
215.26  authority for the tax increment financing district.  The tax 
215.27  increment financing district must be decertified when all 
215.28  preexisting obligations have been paid.  
215.29     Sec. 8.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 469.1813, 
215.30  subdivision 1, is amended to read: 
215.31     Subdivision 1.  [AUTHORITY.] The governing body of a 
215.32  political subdivision may grant an abatement of the taxes 
215.33  imposed by the political subdivision on a parcel of property, if:
215.34     (a) it expects the benefits to the political subdivision of 
215.35  the proposed abatement agreement to at least equal the costs to 
215.36  the political subdivision of the proposed agreement; and 
216.1      (b) it finds that doing so is in the public interest 
216.2   because it will: 
216.3      (1) increase or preserve tax base; 
216.4      (2) provide employment opportunities in the political 
216.5   subdivision; 
216.6      (3) provide or help acquire or construct public facilities; 
216.7      (4) help redevelop or renew blighted areas; or 
216.8      (5) help provide access to services for residents of the 
216.9   political subdivision; or 
216.10     (6) finance or provide public infrastructure. 
216.11     Sec. 9.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 469.1813, 
216.12  subdivision 2, is amended to read: 
216.13     Subd. 2.  [ABATEMENT RESOLUTION.] The governing body of a 
216.14  political subdivision may grant an abatement only by adopting an 
216.15  abatement resolution, specifying the terms of the abatement.  In 
216.16  the case of a town, the board of supervisors may approve the 
216.17  abatement resolution.  The resolution must also include a 
216.18  specific statement as to the nature and extent of the public 
216.19  benefits which the governing body expects to result from the 
216.20  agreement.  The resolution may provide that the political 
216.21  subdivision will retain or transfer to another political 
216.22  subdivision the abatement to pay for all or part of the cost of 
216.23  acquisition or improvement of public infrastructure, whether or 
216.24  not located on or adjacent to the parcel for which the tax is 
216.25  abated.  The abatement may reduce all or part of the property 
216.26  tax levied by amount for the political subdivision on the 
216.27  parcel.  A political subdivision's maximum annual amount for a 
216.28  parcel equals its total local tax rate multiplied by the total 
216.29  net tax capacity of the parcel.  The political subdivision may 
216.30  limit the abatement: 
216.31     (1) to a specific dollar amount per year or in total; 
216.32     (2) to the increase in property taxes resulting from 
216.33  improvement of the property; 
216.34     (3) to the increases in property taxes resulting from 
216.35  increases in the market value or tax capacity of the property; 
216.36  or 
217.1      (4) in any other manner the governing body of the 
217.2   subdivision determines is appropriate. 
217.3   The political subdivision may not abate tax attributable to the 
217.4   value of the land or the areawide tax under chapter 276A or 
217.5   473F, except as provided in this subdivision. 
217.6      Sec. 10.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 469.1813, 
217.7   subdivision 3, is amended to read: 
217.8      Subd. 3.  [SCHOOL DISTRICT ABATEMENT PROCEDURE ABATEMENTS.] 
217.9   Notwithstanding the amounts in subdivision 2, a school district 
217.10  that grants an abatement under this section must limit the 
217.11  abatement for any property to not more than an amount equal to 
217.12  the product of:  (1) the property's net tax capacity, and (2) 
217.13  the difference between the district's total tax rate for that 
217.14  year and one-half of the general education tax rate for that 
217.15  year.  An abatement granted under this section is not an 
217.16  abatement for purposes of state aid or local levy under sections 
217.17  127A.40 to 127A.51. 
217.18     Sec. 11.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 469.1813, 
217.19  subdivision 6, is amended to read: 
217.20     Subd. 6.  [DURATION LIMIT.] (a) A political subdivision 
217.21  other than a school district may grant an abatement for a period 
217.22  no longer than ten years.  The subdivision may specify in the 
217.23  abatement resolution a shorter duration.  If the resolution does 
217.24  not specify a period of time, the abatement is for eight years.  
217.25  If an abatement has been granted to a parcel of property and the 
217.26  period of the abatement has expired, the political subdivision 
217.27  that granted the abatement may not grant another abatement for 
217.28  eight years after the expiration of the first abatement.  This 
217.29  prohibition does not apply to improvements added after and not 
217.30  subject to the first abatement. 
217.31     (b) A school district may grant an abatement for only one 
217.32  year at a time.  Once a school district has authorized an 
217.33  abatement for a property, it may reauthorize the abatement in 
217.34  any subsequent year for the next seven years, or nine years if 
217.35  provided in the original abatement agreement.  This prohibition 
217.36  does not apply to improvements added after and not subject to 
218.1   the original abatement agreement. 
218.2      Sec. 12.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 469.1813, is 
218.3   amended by adding a subdivision to read: 
218.4      Subd. 9.  [CONSENT OF PROPERTY OWNER NOT REQUIRED.] A 
218.5   political subdivision may abate the taxes on a parcel under 
218.6   sections 469.1812 to 469.1815 without obtaining the consent of 
218.7   the property owner. 
218.8      Sec. 13.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 469.1815, 
218.9   subdivision 2, is amended to read: 
218.10     Subd. 2.  [PROPERTY TAXES; ABATEMENT PAYMENT.] The total 
218.11  property taxes shall be levied on the property and shall be due 
218.12  and payable to the county at the times provided under section 
218.13  279.01.  The political subdivision will pay the abatement to the 
218.14  property owner, lessee, or a representative of the 
218.15  bondholders or will retain the abatement to pay public 
218.16  infrastructure costs, as provided by the abatement resolution. 
218.17     Sec. 14.  Laws 1997, chapter 231, article 1, section 19, 
218.18  subdivision 1, is amended to read: 
218.19     Subdivision 1.  [TIF GRANTS.] (a) The commissioner of 
218.20  revenue shall pay grants to municipalities for deficits in tax 
218.21  increment financing districts caused by the changes in class 
218.22  rates under this act.  Municipalities must submit applications 
218.23  for the grants in a form prescribed by the commissioner by no 
218.24  later than March August 1 for grants payable during the calendar 
218.25  year.  The maximum grant equals the lesser of: 
218.26     (1) for taxes payable in the year before the grant is paid, 
218.27  the reduction in the tax increment financing district's revenues 
218.28  derived from increment resulting from the class rate changes in 
218.29  this article, Laws 1998, chapter 389, article 2, and those 
218.30  enacted in the 1999 regular legislative session; or 
218.31     (2) the municipality's total tax increments, including 
218.32  unspent increments from previous years, less the amount due 
218.33  during the calendar year to pay (i) bonds issued and sold before 
218.34  the day following final enactment of this act and (ii) binding 
218.35  contracts entered into before the day following final enactment 
218.36  of this act. 
219.1      (b) The commissioner of revenue may require applicants for 
219.2   grants or pooling authority under this section to provide any 
219.3   information the commissioner deems appropriate.  The 
219.4   commissioner shall calculate the amount under paragraph (a), 
219.5   clause (2), based on the reports for the tax increment financing 
219.6   district or districts filed with the state auditor on or before 
219.7   July August 1 of the year before the year in which the grant is 
219.8   to be paid. 
219.9      (c) This subdivision applies only to deficits in tax 
219.10  increment financing districts for which: 
219.11     (1) the request for certification was made before the 
219.12  enactment date of this act; and 
219.13     (2) all timely reports have been filed with the state 
219.14  auditor, as required by Minnesota Statutes, section 469.175. 
219.15     (d) The commissioner shall pay the grants under this 
219.16  subdivision by December 26 of the year. 
219.17     (e) $2,000,000 is appropriated to the commissioner of 
219.18  revenue to make grants under this section.  This appropriation 
219.19  is available until expended or this section expires under 
219.20  subdivision 3, whichever is earlier.  If the amount of grant 
219.21  entitlements for a year exceed the appropriation, the 
219.22  commissioner shall reduce each grant proportionately so the 
219.23  total equals the amount available.  
219.24     Sec. 15.  Laws 1997, chapter 231, article 1, section 19, 
219.25  subdivision 3, is amended to read: 
219.26     Subd. 3.  [EXPIRATION.] This section expires on January 1, 
219.27  2001 2002. 
219.28     Sec. 16.  [CITY OF ONAMIA; USE OF TAX INCREMENT FINANCING.] 
219.29     Subdivision 1.  [APPLICATION OF TIME LIMIT.] For tax 
219.30  increment financing district no. 1-1, established April 14, 
219.31  1993, by the city of Onamia, Minnesota Statutes, section 
219.32  469.1763, subdivision 3, applies to the district by permitting a 
219.33  period ending three years after the enactment of this section.  
219.34     Subd. 2.  [EFFECTIVE DATE.] This section is effective upon 
219.35  approval by the governing body of the city of Onamia and 
219.36  compliance with Minnesota Statutes, section 645.021, subdivision 
220.1   3. 
220.2      Sec. 17.  [ST. CLOUD HOUSING AND REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY.] 
220.3      Subdivision 1.  [TAX INCREMENT POOLING.] Notwithstanding 
220.4   the provisions of Minnesota Statutes, section 469.1763, 
220.5   subdivision 2, and the provisions of the tax increment financing 
220.6   act in effect for districts established by the St. Cloud housing 
220.7   and redevelopment authority for which the request for 
220.8   certification was made after August 1, 1979, and before June 30, 
220.9   1982, revenue derived from tax increments paid by properties in 
220.10  the districts may be expended through a development fund or 
220.11  otherwise within other tax increment districts established by 
220.12  the authority to finance the redevelopment of commercial 
220.13  properties outside of tax increment financing districts which 
220.14  were destroyed or impacted in a natural gas explosion on 
220.15  December 11, 1998. 
220.16     Subd. 2.  [EFFECTIVE DATE.] This section is effective the 
220.17  day after compliance with Minnesota Statutes, section 645.021, 
220.18  subdivision 3. 
220.19     Sec. 18.  [CITY OF ST. PAUL.] 
220.20     Subdivision 1.  [DELAY OF DEEMED COMMENCEMENT OF TAX 
220.21  INCREMENT FINANCING DISTRICT.] Notwithstanding Minnesota 
220.22  Statutes, section 469.176, or any other law to the contrary, the 
220.23  duration limit of the Williams Hill tax increment district in 
220.24  the city of St. Paul is determined as if the date of receipt of 
220.25  the first tax increment by the authority occurs when the 
220.26  aggregate of all tax increments received from the district 
220.27  reaches $2,000.  In no case may the duration limit of the 
220.28  district be extended by more than two years.  
220.29     Subd. 2.  [EFFECTIVE DATE.] This section is effective upon 
220.30  approval by and compliance with Minnesota Statutes, sections 
220.31  469.1782, subdivision 2, and 645.021, subdivision 3, by the 
220.32  governing body of the city of St. Paul. 
220.33     Sec. 19.  [CITY OF JACKSON; TAX INCREMENT FINANCING 
220.34  DISTRICT.] 
220.35     Subdivision 1.  [DISTRICT EXTENSION.] (a) Notwithstanding 
220.36  the provisions of Minnesota Statutes, section 469.176, 
221.1   subdivision 1c, full tax increments from U.S. 71/I-90 tax 
221.2   increment financing district in the city of Jackson must be paid 
221.3   to and may be retained by the city of Jackson through taxes 
221.4   payable in 2002.  The amount to be retained by the city is 
221.5   limited to $170,000.  Any increments received during the 
221.6   extension in excess of $170,000 must be returned as excess 
221.7   increments under Minnesota Statutes, section 469.176, 
221.8   subdivision 2. 
221.9      Subd. 2.  [EFFECTIVE DATE.] This section is effective the 
221.10  day after compliance with Minnesota Statutes, sections 469.1782, 
221.11  subdivision 2, and 645.021, subdivision 3. 
221.12     Sec. 20.  [CITY OF MINNEOTA; TAX INCREMENT FINANCING.] 
221.13     Subdivision 1.  [ACTIONS RATIFIED.] The expenditure of tax 
221.14  increments on administrative expenses and public utility or 
221.15  other improvements by the city of Minneota for its tax increment 
221.16  financing district, adopted by city resolution 4-15-85A, are 
221.17  ratified and deemed to be authorized by the tax increment 
221.18  financing plan for the district. 
221.19     Subd. 2.  [EFFECTIVE DATE.] This section is effective upon 
221.20  compliance by the governing body of the city of Minneota with 
221.21  Minnesota Statutes, section 645.021, subdivision 3. 
221.22     Sec. 21.  [STEARNS COUNTY; TAX INCREMENT FINANCING.] 
221.23     Subdivision 1.  [RATIFICATION OF HOUSING AND REDEVELOPMENT 
221.24  AUTHORITY TAX INCREMENT FINANCING ACTIONS.] Except as provided 
221.25  in subdivision 2, all tax increments from tax increment 
221.26  financing districts numbers 15, 22, 58, and 68 established by 
221.27  the Stearns county housing and redevelopment authority expended 
221.28  before April 1, 1997, on any activity or program provided for in 
221.29  the tax increment financing plans, as amended through April 24, 
221.30  1998, are ratified and approved and are conclusively deemed to 
221.31  be spent in compliance with applicable law.  Any funds remaining 
221.32  in tax increment financing districts numbers 15 and 22 must be 
221.33  distributed as excess increments under Minnesota Statutes, 
221.34  section 469.176, subdivision 2.  This section does not ratify 
221.35  expenditures of tax increments where the authority has returned 
221.36  the tax increments as excess increments before the enactment 
222.1   date of this section.  
222.2      Subd. 2.  [CONDITIONS.] The ratification under subdivision 
222.3   1 is valid only if: 
222.4      (1) the Stearns county housing and redevelopment authority 
222.5   decertifies tax increment financing districts numbers 58 and 68 
222.6   as soon as all costs authorized by the tax increment financing 
222.7   plans are paid; 
222.8      (2) any payments to the Stearns county housing and 
222.9   redevelopment authority associated with litigation, court 
222.10  action, or other settlement action relating to tax increment 
222.11  financing districts numbers 15, 22, 58, and 68, less any related 
222.12  legal fees and expenses, must be distributed as excess 
222.13  increments under Minnesota Statutes, section 469.176, 
222.14  subdivision 2; and 
222.15     (3) the Stearns county housing and redevelopment authority 
222.16  repays the amount of all undocumented administrative expenses 
222.17  for the districts and these amounts are redistributed as excess 
222.18  increments under Minnesota Statutes, section 469.176, 
222.19  subdivision 2. 
222.20     Subd. 3.  [EFFECTIVE DATE.] This section is effective upon 
222.21  compliance by the governing body of Stearns county with 
222.22  Minnesota Statutes, section 645.021, subdivision 3. 
222.23     Sec. 22.  [CITY OF FRIDLEY, TAX INCREMENT FINANCING 
222.24  DISTRICT.] 
222.25     Subdivision 1.  [EXTENSION OF TIME.] (a) Notwithstanding 
222.26  the provisions of Minnesota Statutes, section 469.176, 
222.27  subdivision 1b, upon approval of the governing body of the city 
222.28  of Fridley, the Fridley housing and redevelopment authority may, 
222.29  by resolution, extend the duration of tax increment financing 
222.30  district no. 6 located in the city of Fridley.  The housing and 
222.31  redevelopment authority may not extend the duration beyond 
222.32  December 31, 2020. 
222.33     (b) The provisions of Minnesota Statutes, sections 
222.34  273.1399, subdivision 8, and 469.1782, subdivision 1, apply to 
222.35  this district if extended, except that the maximum state aid 
222.36  reduction for a year may not exceed the least of the following 
223.1   amounts: 
223.2      (1) the amount under Minnesota Statutes, section 469.1782, 
223.3   subdivision 1; or 
223.4      (2) $200,000, plus one-half of (the amount under Minnesota 
223.5   Statutes, section 469.1782, subdivision 1, minus $200,000); or 
223.6      (3) 2.5 percent of the net tax capacity of the city. 
223.7      (c) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, effective upon 
223.8   approval of this section, no increments may be spent on 
223.9   activities located outside of the area of the district, other 
223.10  than for administrative expenses. 
223.11     Subd. 2.  [EFFECTIVE DATE.] This section is effective upon 
223.12  compliance with the requirements of Minnesota Statutes, sections 
223.13  469.1782, subdivision 2, and 645.021. 
223.14     Sec. 23.  [CITY OF CHANHASSEN; TAX INCREMENT DISTRICT.] 
223.15     Subdivision 1.  [DISTRICT EXTENSION.] (a) Notwithstanding 
223.16  the provisions of Minnesota Statutes, section 469.176, 
223.17  subdivision 1c, full tax increments from the city of 
223.18  Chanhassen's Downtown Redevelopment Tax Increment Financing 
223.19  District Number 1 must be paid to and may be retained by the 
223.20  city of Chanhassen for property taxes payable in 2001, 2002, and 
223.21  2003. 
223.22     (b) Increments permitted to be paid to and retained by the 
223.23  city under paragraph (a) may only be used to pay or defease 
223.24  bonds issued or other obligations incurred prior to September 2, 
223.25  1998, the proceeds of which were used to fund public 
223.26  redevelopment costs within the redevelopment project or bonds 
223.27  issued to refund the bonds. 
223.28     (c) The maximum amount of increments allowed to be retained 
223.29  under this section is limited to the amount that would qualify 
223.30  for a grant under Laws 1997, chapter 231, article 1, section 19, 
223.31  as amended.  
223.32     Subd. 2.  [EFFECTIVE DATE.] This section is effective the 
223.33  day after compliance with Minnesota Statutes, sections 469.1782, 
223.34  subdivision 2, and 645.021, subdivision 3. 
223.35     Sec. 24.  [APPROPRIATION; TIF GRANTS.] 
223.36     $1,000,000 is appropriated to the commissioner of revenue 
224.1   for purposes of grants under Laws 1997, chapter 231, article 1, 
224.2   section 19, to municipalities to offset deficits in tax 
224.3   increment financing districts. 
224.4      Sec. 25.  [REPEALER.] 
224.5      Laws 1997, chapter 231, article 1, section 19, subdivision 
224.6   2, is repealed. 
224.7      Sec. 26.  [EFFECTIVE DATE.] 
224.8      Section 1 is effective for requests for certification of a 
224.9   new district or for the addition of geographic area to a 
224.10  district made after June 30, 1999. 
224.11     Section 2 is effective for all tax increment financing 
224.12  districts, regardless of when the request for certification was 
224.13  made, but does not apply to expenditures made or binding 
224.14  contracts entered into before July 1, 1999. 
224.15     Section 3 is effective for all districts for which the 
224.16  request for certification was made before June 2, 1997. 
224.17     Section 4 is effective the day following final enactment 
224.18  and applies to districts for which the request for certification 
224.19  was made after July 31, 1979, and before July 1, 1982.  
224.20     Sections 5 and 6 apply to all districts for which the 
224.21  request for certification was made after August 1, 1979, but is 
224.22  limited to findings of violations made by the state auditor 
224.23  after December 31, 1999. 
224.24     Sections 7 to 15, and 25 are effective the day following 
224.25  final enactment. 
224.26                             ARTICLE 11 
224.27             TAX FORFEITURE AND DELINQUENCY PROCEDURES 
224.28     Section 1.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 92.51, is 
224.29  amended to read: 
224.30     92.51 [TAXATION; REDEMPTION; SPECIAL CERTIFICATE.] 
224.31     State lands sold by the director become taxable.  A 
224.32  description of the tract sold, with the name of the purchaser, 
224.33  must be transmitted to the proper county auditor.  The auditor 
224.34  must extend the land for taxation like other land.  Only the 
224.35  interest in the land vested by the land sale certificate in its 
224.36  holder may be sold for delinquent taxes.  Upon production to the 
225.1   county treasurer of the tax certificate given upon tax sale, in 
225.2   case the lands have not been redeemed, the tax purchaser has the 
225.3   right to pay the principal and interest then in default upon the 
225.4   land sale certificate as its assignee.  To redeem from a tax 
225.5   sale, the person redeeming must pay the county treasurer, for 
225.6   the holder and owner of the tax sale certificate, in addition to 
225.7   all sums required to be paid in other cases, all amounts paid by 
225.8   the holder and owner for interest and principal upon the land 
225.9   sale certificate, with interest at 12 percent per year.  When 
225.10  the director receives the tax certificate with the county 
225.11  auditor's certificate of the expiration of the time for 
225.12  redemption, and the county treasurer's receipt for all 
225.13  delinquent interest and penalty on the land sale certificate, 
225.14  the director shall issue the holder and owner of the tax 
225.15  certificate a special certificate with the same terms and the 
225.16  same effect as the original land sale certificate. 
225.17     Sec. 2.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 279.37, 
225.18  subdivision 1, is amended to read: 
225.19     Subdivision 1.  [COMPOSITION INTO ONE ITEM.] Delinquent 
225.20  taxes upon any parcel of real estate may be composed into one 
225.21  item or amount by confession of judgment at any time prior to 
225.22  the forfeiture of the parcel of land to the state for taxes, for 
225.23  the aggregate amount of all the taxes, costs, penalties, and 
225.24  interest accrued against the parcel, as hereinafter provided in 
225.25  this section.  Taxes upon property which, for the previous 
225.26  year's assessment, was classified as mineral property, 
225.27  employment property, or commercial or industrial property shall 
225.28  are only be eligible to be composed into any confession of 
225.29  judgment under this section as provided in subdivision 
225.30  1a.  Delinquent taxes for property which has been reclassified 
225.31  from 4bb to 4b under section 273.1319 are not eligible to be 
225.32  composed into any confession of judgment pursuant to this 
225.33  subdivision.  Delinquent taxes on unimproved land are eligible 
225.34  to be composed into a confession of judgment only if the land is 
225.35  classified as homestead, agricultural, or timberland in the 
225.36  previous year or is eligible for installment payment under 
226.1   subdivision 1a.  The entire parcel is eligible for the ten-year 
226.2   installment plan as provided in subdivision 2 if 25 percent or 
226.3   more of the market value of the parcel is eligible for 
226.4   confession of judgment under this subdivision. 
226.5      Sec. 3.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 279.37, 
226.6   subdivision 1a, is amended to read: 
226.7      Subd. 1a.  [CLASS 3A PROPERTY.] (a) The delinquent taxes 
226.8   upon a parcel of property which was classified class 3a, for the 
226.9   previous year's assessment and had a total market value of less 
226.10  than $200,000 or less for that same assessment shall be eligible 
226.11  to be composed into a confession of judgment.  Property 
226.12  qualifying under this subdivision shall be subject to the same 
226.13  provisions as provided in this section except as herein provided 
226.14  in paragraphs (b) to (d). 
226.15     (a) (b) Current year taxes and penalty due at the time the 
226.16  confession of judgment is entered must be paid. 
226.17     (c) The down payment shall must include all special 
226.18  assessments due in the current tax year, all delinquent special 
226.19  assessments, and 20 percent of the ad valorem tax, penalties, 
226.20  and interest accrued against the parcel.  The balance 
226.21  remaining shall be is payable in four equal annual installments; 
226.22  and 
226.23     (b) (d) The amounts entered in judgment shall bear interest 
226.24  at the rate provided in section 279.03, subdivision 1a, 
226.25  commencing with the date the judgment is entered.  The interest 
226.26  rate is subject to change each year on the unpaid balance in the 
226.27  manner provided in section 279.03, subdivision 1a. 
226.28     Sec. 4.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 279.37, 
226.29  subdivision 2, is amended to read: 
226.30     Subd. 2.  [INSTALLMENT PAYMENTS.] The owner of any such 
226.31  parcel, or any person to whom the right to pay taxes has been 
226.32  given by statute, mortgage, or other agreement, may make and 
226.33  file with the county auditor of the county wherein in which the 
226.34  parcel is located a written offer to pay the current taxes each 
226.35  year before they become delinquent, or to contest the taxes 
226.36  under Minnesota Statutes 1941, sections 278.01 to 278.13, and 
227.1   agree to confess judgment for the amount hereinbefore provided, 
227.2   as determined by the county auditor, and shall thereby waive.  
227.3   By filing the offer, the owner waives all irregularities in 
227.4   connection with the tax proceedings affecting the parcel and any 
227.5   defense or objection which the owner may have to the 
227.6   proceedings, and shall thereby waive also waives the 
227.7   requirements of any notice of default in the payment of any 
227.8   installment or interest to become due pursuant to the composite 
227.9   judgment to be so entered, and shall tender therewith.  With the 
227.10  offer, the owner shall tender one-tenth of the amount of the 
227.11  delinquent taxes, costs, penalty, and interest, and shall tender 
227.12  all current year taxes and penalty due at the time the 
227.13  confession of judgment is entered.  In the offer, the owner 
227.14  shall agree therein to pay the balance in nine equal 
227.15  installments, with interest as provided in section 279.03, 
227.16  payable annually on installments remaining unpaid from time to 
227.17  time, on or before December 31 of each year following the year 
227.18  in which judgment was confessed, which.  The offer shall must be 
227.19  substantially as follows: 
227.20     "To the court administrator of the district court of 
227.21  ...........  county, I, ....................., am the owner of 
227.22  the following described parcel of real estate situate located in 
227.23  .................... county, Minnesota, to-wit: 
227.24  .............................. Upon which that real estate there 
227.25  are delinquent taxes for the year ........., and prior years, as 
227.26  follows:  (here insert year of delinquency and the total amount 
227.27  of delinquent taxes, costs, interest, and penalty) do hereby.  
227.28  By signing this document I offer to confess judgment in the sum 
227.29  of $...... and hereby waive all irregularities in the tax 
227.30  proceedings affecting such these taxes and any defense or 
227.31  objection which I may have thereto to them, and direct judgment 
227.32  to be entered for the amount hereby confessed amount stated 
227.33  above, less minus the sum of $............, hereby tendered to 
227.34  be paid with this document, being which is one-tenth of the 
227.35  amount of said the taxes, costs, penalty, and interest; stated 
227.36  above.  I agree to pay the balance of said the judgment in nine 
228.1   equal, annual installments, with interest as provided in section 
228.2   279.03, payable annually, on the installments remaining 
228.3   unpaid from time to time, said.  I agree to pay the installments 
228.4   and interest to be paid on or before December 31 of each year 
228.5   following the year in which this judgment is confessed and 
228.6   current taxes each year before they become delinquent, or within 
228.7   30 days after the entry of final judgment in proceedings to 
228.8   contest such the taxes under Minnesota Statutes 1941, sections 
228.9   278.01 to 278.13. 
228.10     Dated this .............., ......." 
228.11     Sec. 5.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 281.23, 
228.12  subdivision 2, is amended to read: 
228.13     Subd. 2.  [MAY COVER PARCELS BID IN AT SAME TAX SALE FORM.] 
228.14  All parcels of land bid in at the same tax judgment sale and 
228.15  having the same period of redemption shall be covered by a 
228.16  single posted notice, but a separate notice may be posted for 
228.17  any parcel which may be omitted.  Such The notice of expiration 
228.18  of redemption must contain the tax parcel identification numbers 
228.19  and legal descriptions of parcels subject to notice of 
228.20  expiration of redemption provisions prescribed under subdivision 
228.21  1.  The notice must also indicate the names of taxpayers and fee 
228.22  owners of record in the office of the county auditor at the time 
228.23  the notice is prepared and names of those parties who have filed 
228.24  their addresses according to section 276.041 and the amount of 
228.25  payment necessary to redeem as of the date of the notice.  At 
228.26  the option of the county auditor, the current filed addresses of 
228.27  affected persons may be included on the notice.  The notice 
228.28  shall be is sufficient if substantially in the following form: 
228.29                "NOTICE OF EXPIRATION OF REDEMPTION 
228.30     Office of the County Auditor 
228.31     County of ......................., State of Minnesota. 
228.32     To all persons interested having an interest in the lands 
228.33  hereinafter described in this notice: 
228.34     You are hereby notified that the parcels of land 
228.35  hereinafter described, situated in this notice and located in 
228.36  the county of ................................, state of 
229.1   Minnesota, were bid in for the state on the 
229.2   .........................  day of ......................., 
229.3   ......., at the tax judgment sale of land for delinquent taxes 
229.4   for the year .......; that the legal descriptions and tax parcel 
229.5   identification numbers of such parcels and names of the 
229.6   taxpayers and fee owners and in addition those parties who have 
229.7   filed their addresses pursuant to section 276.041, and the 
229.8   amount necessary to redeem as of the date hereof and, at the 
229.9   election of the county auditor, the current filed addresses of 
229.10  any such persons, are as follows: are subject to forfeiture to 
229.11  the state of Minnesota because of nonpayment of delinquent 
229.12  property taxes, special assessments, and/or penalty, interest, 
229.13  and costs levied on those parcels.  The time for redemption from 
229.14  forfeiture expires if a redemption is not made by the later of 
229.15  (1) 60 days after service of this notice on all persons having 
229.16  an interest in the lands of record at the office of the county 
229.17  recorder or registrar of titles, or (2) by the second Monday in 
229.18  May.  The redemption must be made in my office. 
229.19   Names (and 
229.20   Current Filed 
229.21   Addresses) for 
229.22   the Taxpayers 
229.23   and Fee Owners 
229.24   and in Addition 
229.25   Those Parties 
229.26   Who Have Filed                                      Amount
229.27   Their Addresses                        Tax      Necessary to
229.28   Pursuant to               Legal       Parcel    Redeem as of
229.29   section 276.041        Description    Number    Date Hereof
229.30                                                   of Notice
229.31   ................       ...........    ......    ............
229.32   ................       ...........    ......    ............
229.33     That the time for redemption of such lands from such sale 
229.34  will expire 60 days after service of notice and the filing of 
229.35  proof thereof in my office, as provided by law.  The redemption 
229.36  must be made in my office.  
230.1     FAILURE TO REDEEM SUCH THE LANDS PRIOR TO THE EXPIRATION 
230.2         OF REDEMPTION WILL RESULT IN THE LOSS OF THE LAND AND 
230.3         FORFEITURE OF SAID LAND TO THE STATE OF MINNESOTA. 
230.4      Inquiries as to the these proceedings set forth above can 
230.5   be made to the County Auditor for the ............... County of 
230.6   ..............., whose address is set forth below.  
230.7      Witness my hand and official seal this 
230.8   ............................  day of ................, .......  
230.9                                     ......................... 
230.10                                           County Auditor   
230.11     (OFFICIAL SEAL) 
230.12                                    ......................... 
230.13                                           (Address)   
230.14                                    .........................   
230.15                                          (Telephone)."  
230.16     Such The notice shall must be posted by the auditor in the 
230.17  auditor's office, subject to public inspection, and shall must 
230.18  remain so posted until at least one week after the date of the 
230.19  last publication of notice, as hereinafter provided in this 
230.20  section.  Proof of such posting shall must be made by the 
230.21  certificate of the auditor, filed in the auditor's office.  
230.22     Sec. 6.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 281.23, 
230.23  subdivision 4, is amended to read:  
230.24     Subd. 4.  [PROOF OF PUBLICATION.] An affidavit establishing 
230.25  proof of publication of such the notice affidavit, as provided 
230.26  by law, shall must be filed in the office of the county 
230.27  auditor.  A single published notice shall be sufficient for all 
230.28  may include parcels of land bid in at the same different tax 
230.29  judgment sale sales, having the same period but included parcels 
230.30  must have a common year for expiration of redemption, and 
230.31  covered by a notice or notices kept posted during the time of 
230.32  the publication, as hereinbefore provided.  
230.33     Sec. 7.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 281.23, 
230.34  subdivision 6, is amended to read: 
230.35     Subd. 6.  [SERVICE OF NOTICE.] (a) Forthwith Immediately 
230.36  after the commencement of such publication or mailing the county 
231.1   auditor shall deliver to the sheriff of the county or any other 
231.2   person not less than 18 years of age a sufficient number of 
231.3   copies of such the notice of expiration of redemption for 
231.4   service upon on the persons in possession of all parcels of such 
231.5   land as are actually occupied, and documentation if the 
231.6   certified mail notice was returned as undeliverable or the 
231.7   notice was not mailed to the address associated with the 
231.8   property.  Within 30 days after receipt thereof of the notice, 
231.9   the sheriff or other person serving the notice shall make such 
231.10  investigation investigate as may be necessary to ascertain 
231.11  whether or not the parcels covered by such the notice are 
231.12  actually occupied parcels, and shall serve a copy of such the 
231.13  notice of expiration of redemption upon the person in possession 
231.14  of each parcel found to be an occupied parcel, in the manner 
231.15  prescribed for serving summons in a civil action.  If the 
231.16  sheriff or another person serving the notice has made at least 
231.17  two attempts to serve the notice of expiration of redemption, 
231.18  one between the weekday hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. and the 
231.19  other on a different day and different time period, the sheriff 
231.20  or another person serving the notice may accomplish this service 
231.21  by posting a copy of the notice of expiration of redemption on a 
231.22  conspicuous location on the parcel.  The sheriff or other person 
231.23  serving the notice shall make prompt return to the auditor as to 
231.24  all notices so served and as to all parcels found vacant and 
231.25  unoccupied and parcels served by posting.  Such The return shall 
231.26  must be made upon on a copy of such the notice and shall be 
231.27  is prima facie evidence of the facts therein stated in it. 
231.28     If the notice is served by the sheriff, the sheriff shall 
231.29  receive from the county, in addition to other compensation 
231.30  prescribed by law, such fees and mileage for service on persons 
231.31  in possession as are prescribed by law for such service in other 
231.32  cases, and shall also receive such compensation for making 
231.33  investigation and return as to vacant and unoccupied lands as 
231.34  the county board may fix, subject to appeal to the district 
231.35  court as in case of other claims against the county.  As to 
231.36  either service upon persons in possession or return as to vacant 
232.1   lands, the sheriff shall charge mileage only for one trip if the 
232.2   occupants of more than two tracts are served simultaneously, and 
232.3   in such case mileage shall must be prorated and charged 
232.4   equitably against all such owners. 
232.5      (b) The secretary of state shall receive sheriff's service 
232.6   for all out-of-state interests. 
232.7      Sec. 8.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 282.01, 
232.8   subdivision 1, is amended to read: 
232.9      Subdivision 1.  [CLASSIFICATION AS CONSERVATION OR 
232.10  NONCONSERVATION.] It is the general policy of this state to 
232.11  encourage the best use of tax-forfeited lands, recognizing that 
232.12  some lands in public ownership should be retained and managed 
232.13  for public benefits while other lands should be returned to 
232.14  private ownership.  Parcels of land becoming the property of the 
232.15  state in trust under law declaring the forfeiture of lands to 
232.16  the state for taxes shall must be classified by the county board 
232.17  of the county in which the parcels lie as conservation or 
232.18  nonconservation.  In making the classification the board shall 
232.19  consider the present use of adjacent lands, the productivity of 
232.20  the soil, the character of forest or other growth, accessibility 
232.21  of lands to established roads, schools, and other public 
232.22  services, their peculiar suitability or desirability for 
232.23  particular uses and the suitability of the forest resources on 
232.24  the land for multiple use, sustained yield management.  The 
232.25  classification, furthermore, must encourage and foster a mode of 
232.26  land utilization that will facilitate the economical and 
232.27  adequate provision of transportation, roads, water supply, 
232.28  drainage, sanitation, education, and recreation; facilitate 
232.29  reduction of governmental expenditures; conserve and develop the 
232.30  natural resources; and foster and develop agriculture and other 
232.31  industries in the districts and places best suited to them. 
232.32     In making the classification the county board may use 
232.33  information made available by any office or department of the 
232.34  federal, state, or local governments, or by any other person or 
232.35  agency possessing pertinent information at the time the 
232.36  classification is made.  The lands may be reclassified from time 
233.1   to time as the county board may consider considers necessary or 
233.2   desirable, except for conservation lands held by the state free 
233.3   from any trust in favor of any taxing district.  
233.4      If the lands are located within the boundaries of an 
233.5   organized town, with taxable valuation in excess of $20,000, or 
233.6   incorporated municipality, the classification or 
233.7   reclassification and sale must first be approved by the town 
233.8   board of the town or the governing body of the municipality in 
233.9   which the lands are located.  The town board of the town or the 
233.10  governing body of the municipality is considered to have 
233.11  approved the classification or reclassification and sale if the 
233.12  county board is not notified of the disapproval of the 
233.13  classification or reclassification and sale within 90 60 days of 
233.14  the date the request for approval was transmitted to the town 
233.15  board of the town or governing body of the municipality.  If the 
233.16  town board or governing body desires to acquire any parcel lying 
233.17  in the town or municipality by procedures authorized in this 
233.18  section, it must file a written application with the county 
233.19  board to withhold the parcel from public sale.  The application 
233.20  must be filed within 90 60 days of the request for 
233.21  classification or reclassification and sale.  The county board 
233.22  shall then withhold the parcel from public sale for one year six 
233.23  months.  A municipality or governmental subdivision shall pay 
233.24  maintenance costs incurred by the county during the six-month 
233.25  period while the property is withheld from public sale, provided 
233.26  the property is not offered for public sale after the six-month 
233.27  period.  A clerical error made by county officials does not 
233.28  serve to eliminate the request of the town board or governing 
233.29  body if the board or governing body has forwarded the 
233.30  application to the county auditor. 
233.31     Sec. 9.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 282.01, 
233.32  subdivision 4, is amended to read: 
233.33     Subd. 4.  [SALE:  METHOD, REQUIREMENTS, EFFECTS.] The sale 
233.34  shall must be conducted by the county auditor at the county seat 
233.35  of the county in which the parcels lie, provided except that, in 
233.36  St. Louis and Koochiching counties, the sale may be conducted in 
234.1   any county facility within the county, and.  The parcels shall 
234.2   must be sold for cash only and at not less than the appraised 
234.3   value, unless the county board of the county shall have has 
234.4   adopted a resolution providing for their sale on terms, in which 
234.5   event the resolution shall control controls with respect thereto 
234.6   to the sale.  When the sale is made on terms other than for cash 
234.7   only (1) a payment of at least ten percent of the purchase price 
234.8   must be made at the time of purchase, thereupon and the balance 
234.9   shall must be paid in no more than ten equal annual 
234.10  installments, or (2) the payments must be made in accordance 
234.11  with county board policy, but in no event may the board require 
234.12  more than 12 installments annually, and the contract term must 
234.13  not be for more than ten years.  No Standing timber or timber 
234.14  products shall must not be removed from these lands until an 
234.15  amount equal to the appraised value of all standing timber or 
234.16  timber products on the lands at the time of purchase has been 
234.17  paid by the purchaser; provided, that in case any.  If a parcel 
234.18  of land bearing standing timber or timber products is sold at 
234.19  public auction for more than the appraised value, the amount bid 
234.20  in excess of the appraised value shall must be allocated between 
234.21  the land and the timber in proportion to the their respective 
234.22  appraised values thereof, and no.  In that case, standing timber 
234.23  or timber products shall must not be removed from the land until 
234.24  the amount of the excess bid allocated to timber or timber 
234.25  products has been paid in addition to the appraised 
234.26  value thereof of the land.  The purchaser is entitled to 
234.27  immediate possession, subject to the provisions of any existing 
234.28  valid lease made in behalf of the state. 
234.29     For sales occurring on or after July 1, 1982, the unpaid 
234.30  balance of the purchase price is subject to interest at the rate 
234.31  determined pursuant to section 549.09.  The unpaid balance of 
234.32  the purchase price for sales occurring after December 31, 1990, 
234.33  is subject to interest at the rate determined in section 279.03, 
234.34  subdivision 1a.  The interest rate is subject to change each 
234.35  year on the unpaid balance in the manner provided for rate 
234.36  changes in section 549.09 or 279.03, subdivision 1a, whichever, 
235.1   is applicable.  Interest on the unpaid contract balance on sales 
235.2   occurring before July 1, 1982, is payable at the rate applicable 
235.3   to the sale at the time that the sale occurred.  
235.4      Sec. 10.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 282.01, 
235.5   subdivision 7, is amended to read: 
235.6      Subd. 7.  [COUNTY SALES; NOTICE, PURCHASE PRICE, 
235.7   DISPOSITION.] The sale herein provided for shall must commence 
235.8   at such the time as determined by the county board of the county 
235.9   wherein such in which the parcels lie, shall direct are 
235.10  located.  The county auditor shall offer the parcels of land in 
235.11  order in which they appear in the notice of sale, and shall sell 
235.12  them to the highest bidder, but not for a less sum less than the 
235.13  appraised value, until all of the parcels of land shall have 
235.14  been offered, and thereafter.  Then the county auditor shall 
235.15  sell any remaining parcels to anyone offering to pay the 
235.16  appraised value thereof, except that if the person could have 
235.17  repurchased a parcel of property under section 282.012 or 
235.18  282.241, that person shall not be allowed to may not purchase 
235.19  that same parcel of property at the sale under this subdivision 
235.20  for a purchase price less than the sum of all delinquent taxes 
235.21  and, assessments, penalties, interest, and costs due at the time 
235.22  of forfeiture computed under section 282.251, together with 
235.23  penalties, interest, and costs that accrued or would have 
235.24  accrued if the parcel had not forfeited to the state and any 
235.25  special assessments for improvements certified as of the date of 
235.26  sale.  Said The sale shall must continue until all such 
235.27  the parcels are sold or until the county board shall order 
235.28  orders a reappraisal or shall withdraw withdraws any or all such 
235.29  of the parcels from sale.  Such The list of lands may be added 
235.30  to and the added lands may be sold at any time by publishing the 
235.31  descriptions and appraised values of such.  The added lands must 
235.32  be:  (1) parcels of land as shall that have become forfeited and 
235.33  classified as nonconservation since the commencement of any 
235.34  prior sale or such; (2) parcels as shall that have been 
235.35  reappraised, or such; (3) parcels as shall that have been 
235.36  reclassified as nonconservation; or such (4) other parcels as 
236.1   that are subject to sale but were omitted from the existing list 
236.2   for any reason.  The descriptions and appraised values must be 
236.3   published in the same manner as hereinafter provided for the 
236.4   publication of the original list, provided that any.  Parcels 
236.5   added to such the list shall must first be offered for sale to 
236.6   the highest bidder before they are sold at appraised value.  All 
236.7   parcels of land not offered for immediate sale, as well as 
236.8   parcels of such lands as that are offered and not immediately 
236.9   sold shall, continue to be held in trust by the state for the 
236.10  taxing districts interested in each of said the parcels, under 
236.11  the supervision of the county board, and such.  Those parcels 
236.12  may be used for public purposes until sold, as directed by the 
236.13  county board may direct. 
236.14     Sec. 11.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 282.04, 
236.15  subdivision 2, is amended to read: 
236.16     Subd. 2.  [RIGHTS BEFORE SALE; IMPROVEMENTS, INSURANCE, 
236.17  DEMOLITION.] Until after the sale of a parcel of forfeited land 
236.18  the county auditor may, with the approval of the county board of 
236.19  commissioners, provide for the repair and improvement of any 
236.20  building or structure located upon such the parcel, and may 
236.21  provide for maintenance of tax-forfeited lands, if it is 
236.22  determined by the county board that such repairs or, 
236.23  improvements, or maintenance are necessary for the operation, 
236.24  use, preservation and safety thereof; and, of the building or 
236.25  structure.  If so authorized by the county board, the county 
236.26  auditor may insure any such the building or structure against 
236.27  loss or damage resulting from fire or windstorm, may purchase 
236.28  workers' compensation insurance to insure the county against 
236.29  claims for injury to the persons therein employed in the 
236.30  building or structure by the county, and may insure the county, 
236.31  its officers and employees against claims for injuries to 
236.32  persons or property because of the management, use or operation 
236.33  of such the building or structure.  Such The county auditor may, 
236.34  with the approval of the county board, provide for the 
236.35  demolition of any such the building or structure, which has been 
236.36  determined by the county board to be within the purview of 
237.1   section 299F.10, and for the sale of salvaged 
237.2   materials therefrom from the building or structure.  Such The 
237.3   county auditor, with the approval of the county board, may 
237.4   provide for the sale of abandoned personal property under either 
237.5   chapter 345 or 566, as appropriate.  The net proceeds from any 
237.6   sale of such the personal property, salvaged materials, of 
237.7   timber or other products, or leases made under this law shall 
237.8   must be deposited in the forfeited tax sale fund and shall must 
237.9   be distributed in the same manner as if the parcel had been sold.
237.10     Such The county auditor, with the approval of the county 
237.11  board, may provide for the demolition of any structure or 
237.12  structures on tax-forfeited lands, if in the opinion of the 
237.13  county board, the county auditor, and the land commissioner, if 
237.14  there be is one, the sale of such the land with such the 
237.15  structure or structures thereon on it, or the continued 
237.16  existence of such the structure or structures by reason of age, 
237.17  dilapidated condition or excessive size as compared with nearby 
237.18  structures, will result in a material lessening of net tax 
237.19  capacities of real estate in the vicinity of such the 
237.20  tax-forfeited lands, or if the demolition of such the structure 
237.21  or structures will aid in disposing of such the tax-forfeited 
237.22  property. 
237.23     Before the sale of a parcel of forfeited land located in an 
237.24  urban area, the county auditor may with the approval of the 
237.25  county board provide for the grading thereof of the land by 
237.26  filling or the removal of any surplus material therefrom, and 
237.27  where from it.  If the physical condition of forfeited lands is 
237.28  such that a reasonable grading thereof of the lands is necessary 
237.29  for the protection and preservation of the property of any 
237.30  adjoining owner, such the adjoining property owner or owners may 
237.31  make application apply to the county board to have such the 
237.32  grading done.  If, after considering said the application, the 
237.33  county board believes that such the grading will enhance the 
237.34  value of such the forfeited lands commensurate with the cost 
237.35  involved, it may approve the same it, and any such the work 
237.36  shall must be performed under the supervision of the county or 
238.1   city engineer, as the case may be, and the expense thereof paid 
238.2   from the forfeited tax sale fund. 
238.3      Sec. 12.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 282.05, is 
238.4   amended to read: 
238.5      282.05 [PROCEEDS APPORTIONED.] 
238.6      The net proceeds received from the sale or rental of 
238.7   forfeited lands shall be apportioned to the general funds of the 
238.8   state or municipal subdivision thereof, in the manner 
238.9   hereinafter provided, and shall must be first used by the 
238.10  municipal subdivision to retire any indebtedness then existing 
238.11  as provided in section 282.08.  
238.12     Sec. 13.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 282.08, is 
238.13  amended to read: 
238.14     282.08 [APPORTIONMENT OF PROCEEDS TO TAXING DISTRICTS.] 
238.15     The net proceeds from the sale or rental of any parcel of 
238.16  forfeited land, or from the sale of any products therefrom from 
238.17  the forfeited land, shall must be apportioned by the county 
238.18  auditor to the taxing districts interested therein in the land, 
238.19  as follows: 
238.20     (1) Such the portion as may be required to pay any amounts 
238.21  included in the appraised value under section 282.01, 
238.22  subdivision 3, as representing increased value due to any public 
238.23  improvement made after forfeiture of such the parcel to the 
238.24  state, but not exceeding the amount certified by the clerk of 
238.25  the municipality, shall must be apportioned to the municipal 
238.26  subdivision entitled thereto to it; 
238.27     (2) Such the portion as may be required to pay any amount 
238.28  included in the appraised value under section 282.019, 
238.29  subdivision 5, representing increased value due to response 
238.30  actions taken after forfeiture of such the parcel to the state, 
238.31  but not exceeding the amount of expenses certified by the 
238.32  pollution control agency or the commissioner of 
238.33  agriculture, shall must be apportioned to the agency or the 
238.34  commissioner of agriculture and deposited in the fund from which 
238.35  the expenses were paid; 
238.36     (3) Such the portion of the remainder as may be required to 
239.1   discharge any special assessment chargeable against such the 
239.2   parcel for drainage or other purpose whether due or deferred at 
239.3   the time of forfeiture, shall must be apportioned to the 
239.4   municipal subdivision entitled thereto to it; and 
239.5      (4) any balance shall must be apportioned as follows: 
239.6      (a) Any (i) The county board may annually by resolution set 
239.7   aside no more than 30 percent of the receipts remaining to be 
239.8   used for timber development on tax-forfeited land and dedicated 
239.9   memorial forests, to be expended under the supervision of the 
239.10  county board.  It shall must be expended only on projects 
239.11  approved by the commissioner of natural resources. 
239.12     (b) Any (ii) The county board may annually by resolution 
239.13  set aside no more than 20 percent of the receipts remaining to 
239.14  be used for the acquisition and maintenance of county parks or 
239.15  recreational areas as defined in sections 398.31 to 398.36, to 
239.16  be expended under the supervision of the county board. 
239.17     (c) If the board does not avail itself of the authority 
239.18  under paragraph (a) or (b) (iii) Any balance remaining shall 
239.19  must be apportioned as follows:  county, 40 percent; town or 
239.20  city, 20 percent; and school district, 40 percent, and if the 
239.21  board avails itself of the authority under paragraph (a) or (b) 
239.22  the balance remaining shall be apportioned among the county, 
239.23  town or city, and school district in the proportions in this 
239.24  paragraph above stated, provided, however, that in unorganized 
239.25  territory that portion which should would have accrued to the 
239.26  township shall must be administered by the county board of 
239.27  commissioners. 
239.28     Sec. 14.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 282.09, is 
239.29  amended to read: 
239.30     282.09 [FORFEITED TAX SALE FUND.] 
239.31     Subdivision 1.  [MONEY PLACED IN FUND; FEES AND 
239.32  DISBURSEMENTS.] The county auditor and county treasurer shall 
239.33  place all money received through the operation of sections 
239.34  282.01 to 282.13 in a fund to be known as the forfeited tax sale 
239.35  fund, and all disbursements and costs shall must be charged 
239.36  against that fund, when allowed by the county board.  Members of 
240.1   the county board may be paid a per diem pursuant to section 
240.2   375.055, subdivision 1, and reimbursed for their necessary 
240.3   expenses, and may receive mileage as fixed by law.  The amount 
240.4   of compensation of a land commissioner and assistants, if a land 
240.5   commissioner is appointed, shall must be in the amount 
240.6   determined by the county board.  The county auditor shall must 
240.7   receive 50 cents for each certificate of sale, each contract for 
240.8   deed and each lease executed by the auditor, and, in counties 
240.9   where no land commissioner is appointed, additional annual 
240.10  compensation, not exceeding $300, as fixed by the county board.  
240.11  The amount of compensation of any other clerical help that may 
240.12  be needed by the county auditor or land commissioner shall must 
240.13  be in the amount determined by the county board.  All 
240.14  compensation provided for herein shall be in this subdivision is 
240.15  in addition to other compensation allowed by law.  Fees so 
240.16  charged in addition to the fee imposed in section 282.014 shall 
240.17  must be included in the annual settlement by the county auditor 
240.18  as hereinafter provided.  On or before February 1 each year, the 
240.19  commissioner of revenue shall certify to the commissioner of 
240.20  finance, by counties, the total number of state deeds issued and 
240.21  reissued during the preceding calendar year for which such fees 
240.22  are charged and the total amount thereof of fees.  On or before 
240.23  March 1 each year, each county shall remit to the commissioner 
240.24  of revenue, from the forfeited tax sale fund, the aggregate 
240.25  amount of the fees imposed by section 282.014 in the preceding 
240.26  calendar year.  The commissioner of revenue shall deposit the 
240.27  amounts received in the state treasury to the credit of the 
240.28  general fund.  When disbursements are made from the fund for 
240.29  repairs, refunds, expenses of actions to quiet title, or any 
240.30  other purpose which particularly affects specific parcels of 
240.31  forfeited lands, the amount of such the disbursements shall must 
240.32  be charged to the account of the taxing districts interested in 
240.33  such parcels forfeited tax sale fund.  The county auditor shall 
240.34  make an annual settlement of the net proceeds received from 
240.35  sales and rentals by the operation of sections 282.01 to 282.13, 
240.36  on the settlement day determined in section 276.09, for the 
241.1   preceding calendar year. 
241.2      Subd. 2.  [EXPENDITURES.] In all counties, from said 
241.3   "Forfeited Tax Sale Fund," the authorities duly charged with the 
241.4   execution of responsible for carrying out the duties imposed by 
241.5   sections 282.01 to 282.13, at their discretion, may expend 
241.6   moneys in repairing from the forfeited tax sale fund to repair 
241.7   any sewer or water main either inside or outside of any curb 
241.8   line situated along any property forfeited to the state for 
241.9   nonpayment of taxes, to acquire and maintain equipment used 
241.10  exclusively for the maintenance and improvement of tax-forfeited 
241.11  lands, and to cut down, otherwise destroy or eradicate noxious 
241.12  weeds on all tax-forfeited lands.  In any year, the money to be 
241.13  expended for the cutting down, destruction or eradication of 
241.14  noxious weeds shall not exceed in amount more than ten percent 
241.15  of the net proceeds of said "Forfeited Tax Sale Fund" during the 
241.16  preceding calendar year, or $10,000, whichever is the lesser 
241.17  sum, and to maintain tax-forfeited lands.  
241.18     Sec. 15.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 282.241, is 
241.19  amended to read: 
241.20     282.241 [REPURCHASE AFTER FORFEITURE.] 
241.21     The owner at the time of forfeiture, or the owner's heirs, 
241.22  devisees, or representatives, or any person to whom the right to 
241.23  pay taxes was given by statute, mortgage, or other agreement, 
241.24  may repurchase any parcel of land claimed by the state to be 
241.25  forfeited to the state for taxes unless before the time 
241.26  repurchase is made the parcel is sold under installment 
241.27  payments, or otherwise, by the state as provided by law, or is 
241.28  under mineral prospecting permit or lease, or proceedings have 
241.29  been commenced by the state or any of its political subdivisions 
241.30  or by the United States to condemn such the parcel of land.  The 
241.31  parcel of land may be repurchased for the sum of all delinquent 
241.32  taxes and assessments computed under section 282.251, together 
241.33  with penalties, interest, and costs, that accrued or would have 
241.34  accrued if the parcel of land had not forfeited to the state.  
241.35  Except for property which was homesteaded on the date of 
241.36  forfeiture, such repurchase shall be is permitted during one 
242.1   year only from the date of forfeiture, and in any case only 
242.2   after the adoption of a resolution by the board of county 
242.3   commissioners determining that thereby by repurchase undue 
242.4   hardship or injustice resulting from the forfeiture will be 
242.5   corrected, or that permitting such the repurchase will promote 
242.6   the use of such the lands that will best serve the public 
242.7   interest.  If the county board has good cause to believe that a 
242.8   repurchase installment payment plan for a particular parcel is 
242.9   unnecessary and not in the public interest, the county board may 
242.10  require as a condition of repurchase that the entire repurchase 
242.11  price be paid at the time of repurchase.  A repurchase shall 
242.12  be is subject to any easement, lease, or other encumbrance 
242.13  granted by the state prior thereto before the repurchase, and if 
242.14  said the land is located within a restricted area established by 
242.15  any county under Laws 1939, chapter 340, such the repurchase 
242.16  shall must not be permitted unless said the resolution with 
242.17  respect thereto approving the repurchase is adopted by the 
242.18  unanimous vote of the board of county commissioners. 
242.19     The person seeking to repurchase under this section shall 
242.20  pay all maintenance costs incurred by the county auditor during 
242.21  the time the property was tax-forfeited. 
242.22     Sec. 16.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 282.261, 
242.23  subdivision 4, is amended to read: 
242.24     Subd. 4.  [SERVICE FEE.] The county auditor may collect a 
242.25  service fee to cover administrative costs as set by the county 
242.26  board for each repurchase contract approved application received 
242.27  after July 1, 1985.  The fee shall must be paid at the time of 
242.28  repurchase application and shall must be credited to the county 
242.29  general revenue fund. 
242.30     Sec. 17.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 282.261, is 
242.31  amended by adding a subdivision to read: 
242.32     Subd. 5.  [COUNTY MAY IMPOSE CONDITIONS OF REPURCHASE.] The 
242.33  county auditor, after receiving county board approval, may 
242.34  impose conditions on repurchase of tax-forfeited lands limiting 
242.35  the use of the parcel subject to the repurchase, including, but 
242.36  not limited to:  environmental remediation action plan 
243.1   restrictions or covenants; easements for lines or equipment for 
243.2   telephone, telegraph, electric power, or telecommunications. 
243.3      Sec. 18.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 283.10, is 
243.4   amended to read: 
243.5      283.10 [APPLICATION MUST BE MADE WITHIN TWO YEARS.] 
243.6      No such refundment refund shall be granted unless an 
243.7   application therefor shall be duly for refund is approved and 
243.8   presented to the commissioner of revenue within two years from 
243.9   the date of such tax certificate or the state assignment 
243.10  certificate.  
243.11     Sec. 19.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 375.192, 
243.12  subdivision 2, is amended to read: 
243.13     Subd. 2.  [PROCEDURE, CONDITIONS.] Upon written application 
243.14  by the owner of any property, the county board may grant the 
243.15  reduction or abatement of estimated market valuation or taxes 
243.16  and of any costs, penalties, or interest on them as the board 
243.17  deems just and equitable and order the refund in whole or part 
243.18  of any taxes, costs, penalties, or interest which have been 
243.19  erroneously or unjustly paid.  Except as provided in sections 
243.20  469.1812 to 469.1815, no reduction or abatement may be granted 
243.21  on the basis of providing an incentive for economic development 
243.22  or redevelopment.  Except as provided in section 375.194, the 
243.23  county board is authorized to may consider and grant reductions 
243.24  or abatements on applications only as they relate to taxes 
243.25  payable in the current year and the two prior years; provided 
243.26  that reductions or abatements for the two prior years shall be 
243.27  considered or granted only for (i) clerical errors, or (ii) when 
243.28  the taxpayer fails to file for a reduction or an adjustment due 
243.29  to hardship, as determined by the county board.  The application 
243.30  must include the social security number of the applicant.  The 
243.31  social security number is private data on individuals as defined 
243.32  by section 13.02, subdivision 12.  All applications must be 
243.33  approved by the county assessor, or, if the property is located 
243.34  in a city of the first or second class having a city assessor, 
243.35  by the city assessor, and by the county auditor before 
243.36  consideration by the county board, except that the part of the 
244.1   application which is for the abatement of penalty or interest 
244.2   must be approved by the county treasurer and county auditor.  
244.3   Approval by the county or city assessor is not required for 
244.4   abatements of penalty or interest.  No reduction, abatement, or 
244.5   refund of any special assessments made or levied by any 
244.6   municipality for local improvements shall be made unless it is 
244.7   also approved by the board of review or similar taxing authority 
244.8   of the municipality.  Before taking action On any reduction or 
244.9   abatement where when the reduction of taxes, costs, penalties, 
244.10  and interest exceed $10,000, the county board shall give 20 
244.11  days' notice within 20 days to the school board and the 
244.12  municipality in which the property is located.  The notice must 
244.13  describe the property involved, the actual amount of the 
244.14  reduction being sought, and the reason for the reduction.  If 
244.15  the school board or the municipality object to the granting of 
244.16  the reduction or abatement, the county board must refer the 
244.17  abatement or reduction to the commissioner of revenue with its 
244.18  recommendation.  The commissioner shall consider the abatement 
244.19  or reduction under section 270.07, subdivision 1.  
244.20     An appeal may not be taken to the tax court from any order 
244.21  of the county board made in the exercise of the discretionary 
244.22  authority granted in this section.  
244.23     The county auditor shall notify the commissioner of revenue 
244.24  of all abatements resulting from the erroneous classification of 
244.25  real property, for tax purposes, as nonhomestead property.  For 
244.26  the abatements relating to the current year's tax processed 
244.27  through June 30, the auditor shall notify the commissioner on or 
244.28  before July 31 of that same year of all abatement applications 
244.29  granted.  For the abatements relating to the current year's tax 
244.30  processed after June 30 through the balance of the year, the 
244.31  auditor shall notify the commissioner on or before the following 
244.32  January 31 of all applications granted.  The county auditor 
244.33  shall submit a form containing the social security number of the 
244.34  applicant and such other information the commissioner prescribes.
244.35     Sec. 20.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 383C.482, 
244.36  subdivision 1, is amended to read: 
245.1      Subdivision 1.  [AUDITOR TO SEARCH RECORDS; CERTIFICATES.] 
245.2   The St. Louis county auditor, upon written application of any 
245.3   person, shall make search of the records of the auditor's office 
245.4   and the county treasurer's office, and ascertain the amount of 
245.5   current tax against any lot or parcel of land described in the 
245.6   application and the existence of all tax liens and tax sales as 
245.7   to such the lot or parcel of land, and certify the result of 
245.8   such the search under the seal of office, giving the description 
245.9   of the lot or parcel of land, the amount of the current tax, if 
245.10  any, and all tax liens and tax sales shown by such records, and 
245.11  the amount thereof of liens and tax sales, the year of tax 
245.12  covered by such the lien, and the date of tax sale, and the name 
245.13  of the purchaser at such tax sale.  For the purpose of 
245.14  ascertaining the current tax against such a lot or parcel of 
245.15  land, the county auditor has the right of access to the records 
245.16  of current taxes in the office of the county treasurer.  
245.17     Sec. 21.  [REPEALER.] 
245.18     Minnesota Statutes 1998, sections 92.22; 280.27; 281.13; 
245.19  281.38; 284.01; 284.02; 284.03; 284.04; 284.05; and 284.06, are 
245.20  repealed. 
245.21     Sec. 22.  [EFFECTIVE DATES.] 
245.22     This article is effective September 1, 1999, except that 
245.23  sections 11, and 13 to 15 are effective beginning January 1, 
245.24  2000, and except that section 12 is effective for net proceeds 
245.25  received after the date of final enactment of this act. 
245.26                             ARTICLE 12 
245.27                 WATER AND SANITARY SEWER DISTRICTS 
245.28     Section 1.  [CEDAR LAKE AREA WATER AND SANITARY SEWER 
245.29  DISTRICT; DEFINITIONS.] 
245.30     Subdivision 1.  [APPLICATION.] In sections 1 to 19, the 
245.31  definitions in this section apply. 
245.32     Subd. 2.  [DISTRICT.] "Cedar lake area water and sanitary 
245.33  sewer district" and "district" mean the area over which the 
245.34  Cedar lake area water and sanitary sewer board has jurisdiction, 
245.35  which includes the area within the city of New Prague and Helena 
245.36  and Cedar Lake townships in Scott county.  The district shall 
246.1   precisely describe the area over which it has jurisdiction by a 
246.2   metes and bounds description in the comprehensive plan adopted 
246.3   pursuant to section 5.  The territory may not be larger than the 
246.4   area encompassed by the Cedar Lake improvement district, but it 
246.5   may be smaller and the area may include a route along public 
246.6   rights-of-way from Cedar Lake to the city of New Prague along 
246.7   which the sewer main is laid. 
246.8      Subd. 3.  [BOARD.] "Water and sanitary sewer board" or 
246.9   "board" means the Cedar lake area water and sanitary sewer board 
246.10  established for the district as provided in subdivision 2. 
246.11     Subd. 4.  [PERSON.] "Person" means an individual, 
246.12  partnership, corporation, limited liability company, 
246.13  cooperative, or other organization or entity, public or private. 
246.14     Subd. 5.  [LOCAL GOVERNMENTAL UNITS.] "Local governmental 
246.15  units" or "governmental units" means Scott county, the city of 
246.16  New Prague, and Helena and Cedar Lake Townships in Scott county. 
246.17     Subd. 6.  [ACQUISITION; BETTERMENT.] "Acquisition" and 
246.18  "betterment" have the meanings given in Minnesota Statutes, 
246.19  section 475.51. 
246.20     Subd. 7.  [AGENCY.] "Agency" means the Minnesota pollution 
246.21  control agency created in Minnesota Statutes, section 116.02. 
246.22     Subd. 8.  [SEWAGE.] "Sewage" means all liquid or 
246.23  water-carried waste products from whatever sources derived, 
246.24  together with any groundwater infiltration and surface water as 
246.25  may be present. 
246.26     Subd. 9.  [POLLUTION OF WATER; SEWER SYSTEM.] "Pollution of 
246.27  water" and "sewer system" have the meanings given in Minnesota 
246.28  Statutes, section 115.01. 
246.29     Subd. 10.  [TREATMENT WORKS; DISPOSAL SYSTEM.] "Treatment 
246.30  works" and "disposal system" have the meanings given in 
246.31  Minnesota Statutes, section 115.01. 
246.32     Subd. 11.  [INTERCEPTOR.] "Interceptor" means a sewer and 
246.33  its necessary appurtenances, including but not limited to mains, 
246.34  pumping stations, and sewage flow-regulating and -measuring 
246.35  stations, that is: 
246.36     (1) designed for or used to conduct sewage originating in 
247.1   more than one local governmental unit; 
247.2      (2) designed or used to conduct all or substantially all 
247.3   the sewage originating in a single local governmental unit from 
247.4   a point of collection in that unit to an interceptor or 
247.5   treatment works outside that unit; or 
247.6      (3) determined by the board to be a major collector of 
247.7   sewage used or designed to serve a substantial area in the 
247.8   district. 
247.9      Subd. 12.  [DISTRICT DISPOSAL SYSTEM.] "District disposal 
247.10  system" means any and all interceptors or treatment works owned, 
247.11  constructed, or operated by the board unless designated by the 
247.12  board as local water and sanitary sewer facilities. 
247.13     Subd. 13.  [MUNICIPALITY.] "Municipality" means any town or 
247.14  home rule charter or statutory city. 
247.15     Subd. 14.  [TOTAL COSTS.] "Total costs of acquisition and 
247.16  betterment" and "costs of acquisition and betterment" mean all 
247.17  acquisition and betterment expenses permitted to be financed out 
247.18  of stopped bond proceeds issued in accordance with section 13, 
247.19  whether or not the expenses are in fact financed out of the bond 
247.20  proceeds. 
247.21     Subd. 15.  [CURRENT COSTS.] "Current costs of acquisition, 
247.22  betterment, and debt service" means interest and principal 
247.23  estimated to be due during the budget year on bonds issued to 
247.24  finance said acquisition and betterment and all other costs of 
247.25  acquisition and betterment estimated to be paid during the year 
247.26  from funds other than bond proceeds and federal or state grants. 
247.27     Subd. 16.  [RESIDENT.] "Resident" means the owner of a 
247.28  dwelling located in the district and receiving water or sewer 
247.29  service. 
247.30     Sec. 2.  [WATER AND SANITARY SEWER BOARD.] 
247.31     Subdivision 1.  [ESTABLISHMENT.] A water and sanitary sewer 
247.32  district is established in Helena and Cedar Lake townships and 
247.33  the city of New Prague in Scott county, to be known as the Cedar 
247.34  lake area water and sanitary sewer district.  The water and 
247.35  sewer district is under the control and management of the Cedar 
247.36  lake area water and sanitary sewer board.  The board is 
248.1   established as a public corporation and political subdivision of 
248.2   the state with perpetual succession and all the rights, powers, 
248.3   privileges, immunities, and duties granted to or imposed upon a 
248.4   municipal corporation, as provided in sections 1 to 19.  
248.5      Subd. 2.  [MEMBERS AND SELECTION.] The board is composed of 
248.6   seven members selected as provided in this subdivision.  Each of 
248.7   the town boards of the townships shall meet to appoint two 
248.8   residents to the water and sanitary sewer board.  The township 
248.9   appointees must live on Cedar lake and must be served by the 
248.10  system.  One member must be selected by the city of New Prague.  
248.11  Two members must be selected by the Scott county board of 
248.12  commissioners.  Each member has one vote.  The first terms are 
248.13  as follows:  two for one year, two for two years, and three for 
248.14  three years, fixed by lot at the district's first meeting.  
248.15  Thereafter, all terms are for three years. 
248.16     Subd. 3.  [TIME LIMITS FOR SELECTION.] The board members 
248.17  must be selected as provided in subdivision 2 within 60 days 
248.18  after sections 1 to 19 are effective.  The successor to each 
248.19  board member must be selected at any time within 60 days before 
248.20  the expiration of the member's term in the same manner as the 
248.21  predecessor was selected.  A vacancy on the board must be filled 
248.22  within 60 days after it occurs. 
248.23     Subd. 4.  [VACANCIES.] If the office of a board member 
248.24  becomes vacant, the vacancy must be filled for the unexpired 
248.25  term in the manner provided for selection of the member who 
248.26  vacated the office.  The office is deemed vacant under the 
248.27  conditions specified in Minnesota Statutes, section 351.02. 
248.28     Subd. 5.  [REMOVAL.] A board member may be removed by the 
248.29  unanimous vote of the governing body appointing the member, with 
248.30  or without cause, or for malfeasance or nonfeasance in the 
248.31  performance of official duties as provided by Minnesota 
248.32  Statutes, sections 351.14 to 351.23. 
248.33     Subd. 6.  [CERTIFICATES OF SELECTION; OATH OF OFFICE.] A 
248.34  certificate of selection of every board member selected under 
248.35  subdivision 2 stating the term for which selected, must be made 
248.36  by the respective town clerks.  The certificates, with the 
249.1   approval appended by other authority, if required, must be filed 
249.2   with the secretary of state.  Counterparts thereof must be 
249.3   furnished to the board member and the secretary of the board.  
249.4   Each member shall qualify by taking and subscribing the oath of 
249.5   office prescribed by the Minnesota Constitution, article 5, 
249.6   section 8.  The oath, duly certified by the official 
249.7   administering the same, must be filed with the secretary of 
249.8   state and the secretary of the board. 
249.9      Subd. 7.  [BOARD MEMBERS' COMPENSATION.] Each board member, 
249.10  except the chair, must be paid a per diem compensation of $35 
249.11  for meetings and for other services as are specifically 
249.12  authorized by the board, not to exceed $1,000 in any one year.  
249.13  The chair may be paid a per diem compensation of $45 for 
249.14  meetings and for other services specifically authorized by the 
249.15  board, not to exceed $1,500 in any one year.  All members of the 
249.16  board must be reimbursed for all reasonable and necessary 
249.17  expenses actually incurred in the performance of duties. 
249.18     Sec. 3.  [GENERAL PROVISIONS FOR ORGANIZATION AND OPERATION 
249.19  OF BOARD.] 
249.20     Subdivision 1.  [ORGANIZATION; OFFICERS; MEETINGS; 
249.21  SEAL.] After the selection and qualification of all board 
249.22  members, the board must meet to organize the board at the call 
249.23  of any two board members, upon seven days' notice by registered 
249.24  mail to the remaining board members, at a time and place within 
249.25  the district specified in the notice.  A majority of the members 
249.26  is a quorum at that meeting and all other meetings of the board, 
249.27  but a lesser number may meet and adjourn from time to time and 
249.28  compel the attendance of absent members.  At the first meeting 
249.29  the board shall select its officers and conduct other 
249.30  organizational business as may be necessary.  Thereafter the 
249.31  board shall meet regularly at the time and place that the board 
249.32  designates by resolution.  Special meetings may be held at any 
249.33  time upon call of the chair or any two members, upon written 
249.34  notice sent by mail to each member at least three days before 
249.35  the meeting, or upon other notice as the board by resolution may 
249.36  provide, or without notice if each member is present or files 
250.1   with the secretary a written consent to the meeting either 
250.2   before or after the meeting.  Except as otherwise provided in 
250.3   sections 1 to 19, any action within the authority of the board 
250.4   may be taken by the affirmative vote of a majority of the board 
250.5   and may be taken by regular or adjourned regular meeting or at a 
250.6   duly held special meeting, but in any case only if a quorum is 
250.7   present.  Meetings of the board must be open to the public.  The 
250.8   board may adopt a seal, which must be officially and judicially 
250.9   noticed, to authenticate instruments executed by its authority, 
250.10  but omission of the seal does not affect the validity of any 
250.11  instrument. 
250.12     Subd. 2.  [CHAIR.] The board shall elect a chair from its 
250.13  membership.  The term of the first chair of the board expires on 
250.14  January 1, 2001, and the terms of successor chairs expire on 
250.15  January 1 of each succeeding year.  The chair shall preside at 
250.16  all meetings of the board, if present, and shall perform all 
250.17  other duties and functions usually incumbent upon such an 
250.18  officer, and all administrative functions assigned to the chair 
250.19  by the board.  The board shall elect a vice-chair from its 
250.20  membership to act for the chair during temporary absence or 
250.21  disability. 
250.22     Subd. 3.  [SECRETARY AND TREASURER.] The board shall select 
250.23  persons who may, but need not be, members of the board, to act 
250.24  as its secretary and treasurer.  The two offices may be combined.
250.25  The secretary and treasurer shall hold office at the pleasure of 
250.26  the board, subject to the terms of any contract of employment 
250.27  that the board may enter into with the secretary or treasurer.  
250.28  The secretary shall record the minutes of all meetings of the 
250.29  board, and be the custodian of all books and records of the 
250.30  board except those that the board entrusts to the custody of a 
250.31  designated employee.  The treasurer is the custodian of all 
250.32  money received by the board except as the board otherwise 
250.33  entrusts to the custody of a designated employee.  The board may 
250.34  appoint a deputy to perform any and all functions of either the 
250.35  secretary or the treasurer.  A secretary or treasurer who is not 
250.36  a member of the board or a deputy of either does not have the 
251.1   right to vote. 
251.2      Subd. 4.  [PUBLIC EMPLOYEES.] The executive director and 
251.3   other persons employed by the district are public employees and 
251.4   have all the rights and duties conferred on public employees 
251.5   under Minnesota Statutes, sections 179A.01 to 179A.25.  The 
251.6   board may elect to have employees become members of either the 
251.7   public employees retirement association or the Minnesota state 
251.8   retirement system.  The compensation and conditions of 
251.9   employment of the employees must be governed by rules applicable 
251.10  to state employees in the classified service and to the 
251.11  provisions of Minnesota Statutes, chapter 15A. 
251.12     Subd. 5.  [PROCEDURES.] The board shall adopt resolutions 
251.13  or bylaws establishing procedures for board action, personnel 
251.14  administration, keeping records, approving claims, authorizing 
251.15  or making disbursements, safekeeping funds, and auditing all 
251.16  financial operations of the board. 
251.17     Subd. 6.  [SURETY BONDS AND INSURANCE.] The board may 
251.18  procure surety bonds for its officers and employees, in amounts 
251.19  deemed necessary to ensure proper performance of their duties 
251.20  and proper accounting for funds in their custody.  It may 
251.21  procure insurance against risks to property and liability of the 
251.22  board and its officers, agents, and employees for personal 
251.23  injuries or death and property damage and destruction, in 
251.24  amounts deemed necessary or desirable, with the force and effect 
251.25  stated in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 466. 
251.26     Sec. 4.  [GENERAL POWERS OF BOARD.] 
251.27     Subdivision 1.  [SCOPE.] The board has all powers necessary 
251.28  or convenient to discharge the duties imposed upon it by law.  
251.29  The powers include those specified in this section, but the 
251.30  express grant or enumeration of powers does not limit the 
251.31  generality or scope of the grant of powers contained in this 
251.32  subdivision. 
251.33     Subd. 2.  [SUIT.] The board may sue or be sued. 
251.34     Subd. 3.  [CONTRACT.] The board may enter into any contract 
251.35  necessary or proper for the exercise of its powers or the 
251.36  accomplishment of its purposes. 
252.1      Subd. 4.  [GIFTS, GRANTS, LOANS.] The board may accept 
252.2   gifts, apply for and accept grants or loans of money or other 
252.3   property from the United States, the state, or any person for 
252.4   any of its purposes, enter into any agreement required in 
252.5   connection with them, and hold, use, and dispose of the money or 
252.6   property in accordance with the terms of the gift, grant, loan, 
252.7   or agreement relating to it.  With respect to loans or grants of 
252.8   funds or real or personal property or other assistance from any 
252.9   state or federal government or its agency or instrumentality, 
252.10  the board may contract to do and perform all acts and things 
252.11  required as a condition or consideration for the gift, grant, or 
252.12  loan pursuant to state or federal law or regulations, whether or 
252.13  not included among the powers expressly granted to the board in 
252.14  sections 1 to 19.  
252.15     Subd. 5.  [COOPERATIVE ACTION.] The board may act under 
252.16  Minnesota Statutes, section 471.59, or any other appropriate law 
252.17  providing for joint or cooperative action between governmental 
252.18  units. 
252.19     Subd. 6.  [STUDIES AND INVESTIGATIONS.] The board may 
252.20  conduct research studies and programs, collect and analyze data, 
252.21  prepare reports, maps, charts, and tables, and conduct all 
252.22  necessary hearings and investigations in connection with the 
252.23  design, construction, and operation of the district disposal 
252.24  system. 
252.25     Subd. 7.  [EMPLOYEES, TERMS.] The board may employ on terms 
252.26  it deems advisable, persons or firms performing engineering, 
252.27  legal, or other services of a professional nature; require any 
252.28  employee to obtain and file with it an individual bond or 
252.29  fidelity insurance policy; and procure insurance in amounts it 
252.30  deems necessary against liability of the board or its officers 
252.31  or both, for personal injury or death and property damage or 
252.32  destruction, with the force and effect stated in Minnesota 
252.33  Statutes, chapter 466, and against risks of damage to or 
252.34  destruction of any of its facilities, equipment, or other 
252.35  property as it deems necessary. 
252.36     Subd. 8.  [PROPERTY RIGHTS, POWERS.] The board may acquire 
253.1   by purchase, lease, condemnation, gift, or grant, any real or 
253.2   personal property including positive and negative easements and 
253.3   water and air rights, and it may construct, enlarge, improve, 
253.4   replace, repair, maintain, and operate any interceptor, 
253.5   treatment works, or water facility determined to be necessary or 
253.6   convenient for the collection and disposal of sewage in the 
253.7   district.  Any local governmental unit and the commissioners of 
253.8   transportation and natural resources are authorized to convey to 
253.9   or permit the use of any of the above-mentioned facilities owned 
253.10  or controlled by it, by the board, subject to the rights of the 
253.11  holders of any bonds issued with respect to those facilities, 
253.12  with or without compensation, without an election or approval by 
253.13  any other governmental unit or agency.  All powers conferred by 
253.14  this subdivision may be exercised both within or without the 
253.15  district as may be necessary for the exercise by the board of 
253.16  its powers or the accomplishment of its purposes.  The board may 
253.17  hold, lease, convey, or otherwise dispose of the above-mentioned 
253.18  property for its purposes upon the terms and in the manner it 
253.19  deems advisable.  Unless otherwise provided, the right to 
253.20  acquire lands and property rights by condemnation may be 
253.21  exercised only in accordance with Minnesota Statutes, sections 
253.22  117.011 to 117.232, and applies to any property or interest in 
253.23  the property owned by any local governmental unit.  Property 
253.24  devoted to an actual public use at the time, or held to be 
253.25  devoted to such a use within a reasonable time, must not be so 
253.26  acquired unless a court of competent jurisdiction determines 
253.27  that the use proposed by the board is paramount to the existing 
253.28  use.  Except in the case of property in actual public use, the 
253.29  board may take possession of any property on which condemnation 
253.30  proceedings have been commenced at any time after the issuance 
253.31  of a court order appointing commissioners for its condemnation. 
253.32     Subd. 9.  [RELATIONSHIP TO OTHER PROPERTIES.] The board may 
253.33  construct or maintain its systems or facilities in, along, on, 
253.34  under, over, or through public waters, streets, bridges, 
253.35  viaducts, and other public rights-of-way without first obtaining 
253.36  a franchise from a county or municipality having jurisdiction 
254.1   over them.  However, the facilities must be constructed and 
254.2   maintained in accordance with the ordinances and resolutions of 
254.3   the county or municipality relating to constructing, installing, 
254.4   and maintaining similar facilities on public properties and must 
254.5   not unnecessarily obstruct the public use of those rights-of-way.
254.6      Subd. 10.  [DISPOSAL OF PROPERTY.] The board may sell, 
254.7   lease, or otherwise dispose of any real or personal property 
254.8   acquired by it which is no longer required for accomplishment of 
254.9   its purposes.  The property may be sold in the manner provided 
254.10  by Minnesota Statutes, section 469.065, insofar as practical.  
254.11  The board may give notice of sale as it deems appropriate.  When 
254.12  the board determines that any property or any part of the 
254.13  district disposal system acquired from a local governmental unit 
254.14  without compensation is no longer required but is required as a 
254.15  local facility by the governmental unit from which it was 
254.16  acquired, the board may by resolution transfer it to that 
254.17  governmental unit. 
254.18     Subd. 11.  [AGREEMENTS WITH OTHER GOVERNMENTAL UNITS.] The 
254.19  board may contract with the United States or any agency thereof, 
254.20  any state or agency thereof, or any regional public planning 
254.21  body in the state with jurisdiction over any part of the 
254.22  district, or any other municipal or public corporation, or 
254.23  governmental subdivision or agency or political subdivision in 
254.24  any state, for the joint use of any facility owned by the board 
254.25  or such entity, for the operation by that entity of any system 
254.26  or facility of the board, or for the performance on the board's 
254.27  behalf of any service, including but not limited to planning, on 
254.28  terms as may be agreed upon by the contracting parties.  Unless 
254.29  designated by the board as a local water and sanitary sewer 
254.30  facility, any treatment works or interceptor jointly used, or 
254.31  operated on behalf of the board, as provided in this 
254.32  subdivision, is deemed to be operated by the board for purposes 
254.33  of including those facilities in the district disposal system. 
254.34     Sec. 5.  [COMPREHENSIVE PLAN.] 
254.35     Subdivision 1.  [BOARD PLAN AND PROGRAM.] The board shall 
254.36  adopt a comprehensive plan for the collection, treatment, and 
255.1   disposal of sewage in the district for a designated period the 
255.2   board deems proper and reasonable.  The board shall prepare and 
255.3   adopt subsequent comprehensive plans for the collection, 
255.4   treatment, and disposal of sewage in the district for each 
255.5   succeeding designated period as the board deems proper and 
255.6   reasonable.  All comprehensive plans of the district shall be 
255.7   subject to the planning and zoning authority of Scott county and 
255.8   in conformance with all planning and zoning ordinances of Scott 
255.9   county.  The first plan, as modified by the board, and any 
255.10  subsequent plan shall take into account the preservation and 
255.11  best and most economic use of water and other natural resources 
255.12  in the area; the preservation, use, and potential for use of 
255.13  lands adjoining waters of the state to be used for the disposal 
255.14  of sewage; and the impact the disposal system will have on 
255.15  present and future land use in the area affected.  In no case 
255.16  shall the comprehensive plan provide for more than 325 
255.17  connections to the disposal system.  All connections must be 
255.18  charged a full assessment.  Connections made after the initial 
255.19  assessment period ends must be charged an amount equal to the 
255.20  initial assessment plus an adjustment for inflation and plus any 
255.21  other charges determined to be reasonable and necessary by the 
255.22  board.  Deferred assessments may be permitted, as provided for 
255.23  in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 429.  The plans shall include the 
255.24  general location of needed interceptors and treatment works, a 
255.25  description of the area that is to be served by the various 
255.26  interceptors and treatment works, a long-range capital 
255.27  improvements program, and any other details as the board deems 
255.28  appropriate.  In developing the plans, the board shall consult 
255.29  with persons designated for the purpose by governing bodies of 
255.30  any governmental unit within the district to represent the 
255.31  entities and shall consider the data, resources, and input 
255.32  offered to the board by the entities and any planning agency 
255.33  acting on behalf of one or more of the entities.  Each plan, 
255.34  when adopted, must be followed in the district and may be 
255.35  revised as often as the board deems necessary. 
255.36     Subd. 2.  [COMPREHENSIVE PLANS; HEARING.] Before adopting 
256.1   any subsequent comprehensive plan, the board shall hold a public 
256.2   hearing on the proposed plan at a time and place in the district 
256.3   that it selects.  The hearing may be continued from time to 
256.4   time.  Not less than 45 days before the hearing, the board shall 
256.5   publish notice of the hearing in a newspaper having general 
256.6   circulation in the district, stating the date, time, and place 
256.7   of the hearing, and the place where the proposed plan may be 
256.8   examined by any interested person.  At the hearing, all 
256.9   interested persons must be permitted to present their views on 
256.10  the plan. 
256.11     Sec. 6.  [POWERS TO ISSUE OBLIGATIONS AND IMPOSE SPECIAL 
256.12  ASSESSMENTS.] 
256.13     The Cedar lake area water and sanitary sewer board, in 
256.14  order to implement the powers granted under sections 1 to 19 to 
256.15  establish, maintain, and administer the Cedar lake area water 
256.16  and sanitary sewer district, may issue obligations and impose 
256.17  special assessments against benefited property within the limits 
256.18  of the district benefited by facilities constructed under 
256.19  sections 1 to 19 in the manner provided for local governments by 
256.20  Minnesota Statutes, chapter 429. 
256.21     Sec. 7.  [SYSTEM EXPANSION; APPLICATION TO CITIES.] 
256.22     The authority of the water and sanitary sewer board to 
256.23  establish water or sewer or combined water and sewer systems 
256.24  under this section extends to areas within the Cedar lake area 
256.25  water and sanitary sewer district organized into cities when 
256.26  requested by resolution of the governing body of the affected 
256.27  city or when ordered by the Minnesota pollution control agency 
256.28  after notice and hearing.  For the purpose of any petition filed 
256.29  or special assessment levied with respect to any system, the 
256.30  entire area to be served within a city must be treated as if it 
256.31  were owned by a single person, and the governing body shall 
256.32  exercise all the rights and be subject to all the duties of an 
256.33  owner of the area, and shall have power to provide for the 
256.34  payment of all special assessments and other charges imposed 
256.35  upon the area with respect to the system by the appropriation of 
256.36  money, the collection of service charges, or the levy of taxes, 
257.1   which shall be subject to no limitation of rate or amount. 
257.2      Sec. 8.  [SEWAGE COLLECTION AND DISPOSAL; POWERS.] 
257.3      Subdivision 1.  [POWERS.] In addition to all other powers 
257.4   conferred upon the board in sections 1 to 19, it has the powers 
257.5   specified in this section. 
257.6      Subd. 2.  [DISCHARGE OF TREATED SEWAGE.] The board may 
257.7   discharge the effluent from any treatment works operated by it 
257.8   into any waters of the state, subject to approval of the agency 
257.9   if required and in accordance with any effluent or water quality 
257.10  standards lawfully adopted by the agency, any interstate agency, 
257.11  or any federal agency having jurisdiction. 
257.12     Subd. 3.  [UTILIZATION OF DISTRICT SYSTEM.] The board may 
257.13  require any person or local governmental unit to provide for the 
257.14  discharge of any sewage, directly or indirectly, into the 
257.15  district disposal system, or to connect any disposal system or a 
257.16  part of it with the district disposal system wherever reasonable 
257.17  opportunity for connection is provided; may regulate the manner 
257.18  in which the connections are made; may require any person or 
257.19  local governmental unit discharging sewage into the disposal 
257.20  system to provide preliminary treatment for it; may prohibit the 
257.21  discharge into the district disposal system of any substance 
257.22  that it determines will or may be harmful to the system or any 
257.23  persons operating it; and may require any local governmental 
257.24  unit to discontinue the acquisition, betterment, or operation of 
257.25  any facility for the unit's disposal system wherever and so far 
257.26  as adequate service is or will be provided by the district 
257.27  disposal system. 
257.28     Subd. 4.  [SYSTEM OF COST RECOVERY TO COMPLY WITH 
257.29  APPLICABLE REGULATIONS.] Any charges, connection fees, or other 
257.30  cost-recovery techniques imposed on persons discharging sewage 
257.31  directly or indirectly into the district disposal system must 
257.32  comply with applicable state and federal law, including state 
257.33  and federal regulations governing grant applications. 
257.34     Sec. 9.  [BUDGET.] 
257.35     (a) The board shall prepare and adopt, on or before October 
257.36  1 in 2000 and each year thereafter, a budget showing for the 
258.1   following calendar year or other fiscal year determined by the 
258.2   board, sometimes referred to in sections 1 to 19 as the budget 
258.3   year, estimated receipts of money from all sources, including 
258.4   but not limited to payments by each local governmental unit, 
258.5   federal or state grants, taxes on property, and funds on hand at 
258.6   the beginning of the year, and estimated expenditures for: 
258.7      (1) costs of operation, administration, and maintenance of 
258.8   the district disposal system; 
258.9      (2) cost of acquisition and betterment of the district 
258.10  disposal system; and 
258.11     (3) debt service, including principal and interest, on 
258.12  general obligation bonds and certificates issued pursuant to 
258.13  section 13, and any money judgments entered by a court of 
258.14  competent jurisdiction.  
258.15     (b) Expenditures within these general categories, and any 
258.16  other categories as the board may from time to time determine, 
258.17  must be itemized in detail as the board prescribes.  The board 
258.18  and its officers, agents, and employees must not spend money for 
258.19  any purpose other than debt service without having set forth the 
258.20  expense in the budget nor in excess of the amount set forth in 
258.21  the budget for it.  No obligation to make an expenditure of the 
258.22  above-mentioned type is enforceable except as the obligation of 
258.23  the person or persons incurring it.  The board may amend the 
258.24  budget at any time by transferring from one purpose to another 
258.25  any sums except money for debt service and bond proceeds or by 
258.26  increasing expenditures in any amount by which actual cash 
258.27  receipts during the budget year exceed the total amounts 
258.28  designated in the original budget.  The creation of any 
258.29  obligation under section 13, or the receipt of any federal or 
258.30  state grant is a sufficient budget designation of the proceeds 
258.31  for the purpose for which it is authorized, and of the tax or 
258.32  other revenue pledged to pay the obligation and interest on it, 
258.33  whether or not specifically included in any annual budget. 
258.34     Sec. 10.  [ALLOCATION OF COSTS.] 
258.35     Subdivision 1.  [DEFINITION OF CURRENT COSTS.] The 
258.36  estimated cost of administration, operation, maintenance, and 
259.1   debt service of the district disposal system to be paid by the 
259.2   board in each fiscal year and the estimated costs of acquisition 
259.3   and betterment of the system that are to be paid during the year 
259.4   from funds other than state or federal grants and bond proceeds 
259.5   and all other previously unallocated payments made by the board 
259.6   pursuant to sections 1 to 19 to be allocated in the fiscal year 
259.7   are referred to as current costs and must be allocated by the 
259.8   board as provided in subdivision 2 in the budget for that year. 
259.9      Subd. 2.  [METHOD OF ALLOCATION OF CURRENT COSTS.] Current 
259.10  costs must be allocated in the district on an equitable basis as 
259.11  the board may determine by resolution to be in the best 
259.12  interests of the district.  The adoption or revision of any 
259.13  method of allocation used by the board must be by the 
259.14  affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the members of the 
259.15  board. 
259.16     Sec. 11.  [TAX LEVIES.] 
259.17     To accomplish any duty imposed on it the board may, in 
259.18  addition to the powers granted in sections 1 to 19 and in any 
259.19  other law or charter, exercise the powers granted any 
259.20  municipality by Minnesota Statutes, chapters 117, 412, 429, 475, 
259.21  sections 115.46, 444.075, and 471.59, with respect to the area 
259.22  in the district.  The board may levy taxes upon all taxable 
259.23  property in the district for all or a part of the amount payable 
259.24  to the board, pursuant to section 10, to be assessed and 
259.25  extended as a tax upon that taxable property by the county 
259.26  auditor for the next calendar year, free from any limit of rate 
259.27  or amount imposed by law or charter.  The tax must be collected 
259.28  and remitted in the same manner as other general taxes. 
259.29     Sec. 12.  [PUBLIC HEARING AND SPECIAL ASSESSMENTS.] 
259.30     Subdivision 1.  [PUBLIC HEARING REQUIREMENT ON SPECIFIC 
259.31  PROJECT.] Before the board orders any project involving the 
259.32  acquisition or betterment of any interceptor or treatment works, 
259.33  all or a part of the cost of which will be allocated pursuant to 
259.34  section 10 as current costs, the board must hold a public 
259.35  hearing on the proposed project.  The hearing must be held 
259.36  following two publications in a newspaper having general 
260.1   circulation in the district, stating the time and place of the 
260.2   hearing, the general nature and location of the project, the 
260.3   estimated total cost of acquisition and betterment, that portion 
260.4   of costs estimated to be paid out of federal and state grants, 
260.5   and that portion of costs estimated to be allocated.  The 
260.6   estimates must be best available at the time of the meeting and 
260.7   if costs exceed the estimate, the project cannot proceed until 
260.8   an additional public hearing is held, with notice as required at 
260.9   the initial meeting.  The two publications must be a week apart 
260.10  and the hearing at least three days after the last publication.  
260.11  Not less than 45 days before the hearing, notice of the hearing 
260.12  must also be mailed to each clerk of all local governmental 
260.13  units in the district, but failure to give mailed notice or any 
260.14  defects in the notice does not invalidate the proceedings.  The 
260.15  project may include all or part of one or more interceptors or 
260.16  treatment works.  A hearing must not be held on a project unless 
260.17  the project is within the area covered by the comprehensive plan 
260.18  adopted by the board under section 5, except that the hearing 
260.19  may be held simultaneously with a hearing on a comprehensive 
260.20  plan.  A hearing is not required with respect to a project, no 
260.21  part of the costs of which are to be allocated as the current 
260.22  costs of acquisition, betterment, and debt service. 
260.23     Subd. 2.  [NOTICE TO BENEFITED PROPERTY OWNERS.] If the 
260.24  board proposes to assess against benefited property within the 
260.25  district all or any part of the allocable costs of the project 
260.26  as provided in subdivision 5, the board shall, not less than two 
260.27  weeks before the hearing provided for in subdivision 1, cause 
260.28  mailed notice of the hearing to be given to the owner of each 
260.29  parcel within the area proposed to be specially assessed and 
260.30  shall also give two weeks' published notice of the hearing.  The 
260.31  notice of hearing must contain the same information provided in 
260.32  the notice published by the board pursuant to subdivision 1, and 
260.33  a description of the area proposed to be assessed.  For the 
260.34  purpose of giving mailed notice, owners are those shown to be on 
260.35  the records of the county auditor or, in any county where tax 
260.36  statements are mailed by the county treasurer, on the records of 
261.1   the county treasurer; but other appropriate records may be used 
261.2   for this purpose.  For properties that are tax exempt or subject 
261.3   to taxation on a gross earnings basis and not listed on the 
261.4   records of the county auditor or the county treasurer, the 
261.5   owners must be ascertained by any practicable means and mailed 
261.6   notice given them as herein provided.  Failure to give mailed 
261.7   notice or any defects in the notice does not invalidate the 
261.8   proceedings of the board. 
261.9      Subd. 3.  [BOARD PROCEEDINGS PERTAINING TO HEARING.] Before 
261.10  adoption of the resolution calling for a hearing under this 
261.11  section, the board shall secure from the district engineer or 
261.12  some other competent person of the board's selection a report 
261.13  advising it in a preliminary way as to whether the proposed 
261.14  project is feasible and whether it should be made as proposed or 
261.15  in connection with some other project and the estimated costs of 
261.16  the project as recommended.  No error or omission in the report 
261.17  invalidates the proceeding.  The board may also take other steps 
261.18  before the hearing, as will in its judgment provide helpful 
261.19  information in determining the desirability and feasibility of 
261.20  the project, including but not limited to preparation of plans 
261.21  and specifications and advertisement for bids on them.  The 
261.22  hearing may be adjourned from time to time and a resolution 
261.23  ordering the project may be adopted at any time within six 
261.24  months after the date of hearing.  In ordering the project the 
261.25  board may reduce but not increase the extent of the project as 
261.26  stated in the notice of hearing and shall find that the project 
261.27  as ordered is in accordance with the comprehensive plan and 
261.28  program adopted by the board pursuant to section 5. 
261.29     Subd. 4.  [EMERGENCY ACTION.] If the board by resolution 
261.30  adopted by the affirmative vote of not less than two-thirds of 
261.31  its members determines that an emergency exists requiring the 
261.32  immediate purchase of materials or supplies or the making of 
261.33  emergency repairs, it may order the purchase of those supplies 
261.34  and materials and the making of the repairs before any hearing 
261.35  required under this section.  The board must set as early a date 
261.36  as practicable for the hearing at the time it declares the 
262.1   emergency.  All other provisions of this section must be 
262.2   followed in giving notice of and conducting the hearing.  
262.3   Nothing in this subdivision prevents the board or its agents 
262.4   from purchasing maintenance supplies or incurring maintenance 
262.5   costs without regard to the requirements of this section. 
262.6      Subd. 5.  [POWER OF THE BOARD TO SPECIALLY ASSESS.] The 
262.7   board may specially assess all or any part of the costs of 
262.8   acquisition and betterment as provided in this subdivision, of 
262.9   any project ordered under this section.  The special assessments 
262.10  must be levied in accordance with Minnesota Statutes, sections 
262.11  429.051 to 429.081, except as otherwise provided in this 
262.12  subdivision.  No other provisions of Minnesota Statutes, chapter 
262.13  429, apply.  For purposes of levying the special assessments, 
262.14  the hearing on the project required in subdivision 1 serves as 
262.15  the hearing on the making of the original improvement provided 
262.16  for by Minnesota Statutes, section 429.051.  The area assessed 
262.17  may be less than but may not exceed the area proposed to be 
262.18  assessed as stated in the notice of hearing on the project 
262.19  provided for in subdivision 2. 
262.20     Sec. 13.  [BONDS, CERTIFICATES, AND OTHER OBLIGATIONS.] 
262.21     Subdivision 1.  [BUDGET ANTICIPATION CERTIFICATES OF 
262.22  INDEBTEDNESS.] At any time after adoption of its annual budget 
262.23  and in anticipation of the collection of tax and other revenues 
262.24  estimated and set forth by the board in the budget, except in 
262.25  the case of deficiency taxes levied under this subdivision and 
262.26  taxes levied for the payment of certificates issued under 
262.27  subdivision 2, the board may, by resolution, authorize the 
262.28  issuance, negotiation, and sale, in accordance with subdivision 
262.29  4 in the form and manner and upon terms it determines, of its 
262.30  negotiable general obligation certificates of indebtedness in 
262.31  aggregate principal amounts not exceeding 50 percent of the 
262.32  total amount of tax collections and other revenues, and maturing 
262.33  not later than three months after the close of the budget year 
262.34  in which issued.  The proceeds of the sale of the certificates 
262.35  must be used solely for the purposes for which the tax 
262.36  collections and other revenues are to be expended under the 
263.1   budget. 
263.2      All the tax collections and other revenues included in the 
263.3   budget for the budget year, after the expenditure of the tax 
263.4   collections and other revenues in accordance with the budget, 
263.5   must be irrevocably pledged and appropriated to a special fund 
263.6   to pay the principal and interest on the certificates when due.  
263.7   If for any reason the tax collections and other revenues are 
263.8   insufficient to pay the certificates and interest when due, the 
263.9   board shall levy a tax in the amount of the deficiency on all 
263.10  taxable property in the district and shall appropriate this 
263.11  amount when received to the special fund. 
263.12     Subd. 2.  [EMERGENCY CERTIFICATES OF INDEBTEDNESS.] If in 
263.13  any budget year the receipts of tax and other revenues should 
263.14  for some unforeseen cause become insufficient to pay the board's 
263.15  current expenses, or if any public emergency should subject it 
263.16  to the necessity of making extraordinary expenditures, the board 
263.17  may by resolution authorize the issuance, negotiation, and sale, 
263.18  in accordance with subdivision 4 in the form and manner and upon 
263.19  the terms and conditions it determines, of its negotiable 
263.20  general obligation certificates of indebtedness in an amount 
263.21  sufficient to meet the deficiency.  The board shall levy on all 
263.22  taxable property in the district a tax sufficient to pay the 
263.23  certificates and interest on the certificates and shall 
263.24  appropriate all collections of the tax to a special fund created 
263.25  for the payment of the certificates and the interest on them.  
263.26  Certificates issued under this subdivision mature not later than 
263.27  April 1 in the year following the year in which the tax is 
263.28  collectible. 
263.29     Subd. 3.  [GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS.] The board may by 
263.30  resolution authorize the issuance of general obligation bonds 
263.31  for the acquisition or betterment of any part of the district 
263.32  disposal system, including but without limitation the payment of 
263.33  interest during construction and for a reasonable period 
263.34  thereafter, or for the refunding of outstanding bonds, 
263.35  certificates of indebtedness, or judgments.  The board shall 
263.36  pledge its full faith and credit and taxing power for the 
264.1   payment of the bonds and shall provide for the issuance and sale 
264.2   and for the security of the bonds in the manner provided in 
264.3   Minnesota Statutes, chapter 475.  The board has the same powers 
264.4   and duties as a municipality issuing bonds under that law, 
264.5   except that no election is required and the debt limitations of 
264.6   Minnesota Statutes, chapter 475, do not apply to the bonds.  The 
264.7   board may also pledge for the payment of the bonds and deduct 
264.8   from the amount of any tax levy required under Minnesota 
264.9   Statutes, section 475.61, subdivision 1, and any revenues 
264.10  receivable under any state and federal grants anticipated by the 
264.11  board and may covenant to refund the bonds if and when and to 
264.12  the extent that for any reason the revenues, together with other 
264.13  funds available and appropriated for that purpose, are not 
264.14  sufficient to pay all principal and interest due or about to 
264.15  become due, provided that the revenues have not been anticipated 
264.16  by the issuance of certificates under subdivision 1. 
264.17     Subd. 4.  [MANNER OF SALE AND ISSUANCE OF CERTIFICATES.] 
264.18  Certificates issued under subdivisions 1 and 2 may be issued and 
264.19  sold by negotiation, without public sale, and may be sold at a 
264.20  price equal to the percentage of the par value of the 
264.21  certificates, plus accrued interest, and bearing interest at the 
264.22  rate determined by the board.  An election is not required to 
264.23  authorize the issuance of the certificates.  The certificates 
264.24  must bear the same rate of interest after maturity as before and 
264.25  the full faith and credit and taxing power of the board must be 
264.26  pledged to the payment of the certificates. 
264.27     Sec. 14.  [DEPOSITORIES.] 
264.28     The board shall designate one or more national or state 
264.29  banks, or trust companies authorized to do a banking business, 
264.30  as official depositories for money of the board, and shall 
264.31  require the treasurer to deposit all or a part of the money in 
264.32  those institutions.  The designation must be in writing and set 
264.33  forth all the terms and conditions upon which the deposits are 
264.34  made, and must be signed by the chair and treasurer and made a 
264.35  part of the minutes of the board. 
264.36     Sec. 15.  [MONEY, ACCOUNTS, AND INVESTMENTS.] 
265.1      Subdivision 1.  [RECEIPT AND APPLICATION.] Money received 
265.2   by the board must be deposited or invested by the treasurer and 
265.3   disposed of as the board may direct in accordance with its 
265.4   budget; provided that any money that has been pledged or 
265.5   dedicated by the board to the payment of obligations or interest 
265.6   on the obligations or expenses incident thereto, or for any 
265.7   other specific purpose authorized by law, must be paid by the 
265.8   treasurer into the fund to which it has been pledged. 
265.9      Subd. 2.  [FUNDS AND ACCOUNTS.] (a) The board's treasurer 
265.10  shall establish funds and accounts as may be necessary or 
265.11  convenient to handle the receipts and disbursements of the board 
265.12  in an orderly fashion. 
265.13     (b) The funds and accounts must be audited annually by a 
265.14  certified public accountant at the expense of the district. 
265.15     Subd. 3.  [DEPOSIT AND INVESTMENT.] The money on hand in 
265.16  those funds and accounts may be deposited in the official 
265.17  depositories of the board or invested as provided in this 
265.18  subdivision.  Any amount not currently needed or required by law 
265.19  to be kept in cash on deposit may be invested in obligations 
265.20  authorized for the investment of municipal sinking funds by 
265.21  Minnesota Statutes, section 475.66.  The money may also be held 
265.22  under certificates of deposit issued by any official depository 
265.23  of the board. 
265.24     Subd. 4.  [BOND PROCEEDS.] The use of proceeds of all bonds 
265.25  issued by the board for the acquisition and betterment of the 
265.26  district disposal system, and the use, other than investment, of 
265.27  all money on hand in any sinking fund or funds of the board, is 
265.28  governed by the provisions of Minnesota Statutes, chapter 475, 
265.29  the provisions of sections 1 to 19, and the provisions of 
265.30  resolutions authorizing the issuance of the bonds.  When 
265.31  received, the bond proceeds must be transferred to the treasurer 
265.32  of the board for safekeeping, investment, and payment of the 
265.33  costs for which they were issued. 
265.34     Subd. 5.  [AUDIT.] The board shall provide for and pay the 
265.35  cost of an independent annual audit of its official books and 
265.36  records by the state auditor or a public accountant authorized 
266.1   to perform that function under Minnesota Statutes, chapter 6. 
266.2      Sec. 16.  [SERVICE CONTRACTS WITH GOVERNMENTAL ENTITIES 
266.3   OUTSIDE THE JURISDICTION OF THE BOARD.] 
266.4      (a) The board may contract with the United States or any 
266.5   agency of the federal government, any state or its agency, or 
266.6   any municipal or public corporation, governmental subdivision or 
266.7   agency or political subdivision in any state, outside the 
266.8   jurisdiction of the board, for furnishing services to those 
266.9   entities, including but not limited to planning for and the 
266.10  acquisition, betterment, operation, administration, and 
266.11  maintenance of any or all interceptors, treatment works, and 
266.12  local water and sanitary sewer facilities.  The board may 
266.13  include as one of the terms of the contract that the entity must 
266.14  pay to the board an amount agreed upon as a reasonable estimate 
266.15  of the proportionate share properly allocable to the entity of 
266.16  costs of acquisition, betterment, and debt service previously 
266.17  allocated in the district.  When payments are made by entities 
266.18  to the board, they must be applied in reduction of the total 
266.19  amount of costs thereafter allocated in the district, on an 
266.20  equitable basis as the board deems to be in the best interests 
266.21  of the district, applying so far as practicable and appropriate 
266.22  the criteria set forth in section 10, subdivision 2.  A 
266.23  municipality in the state of Minnesota may enter into a contract 
266.24  and perform all acts and things required as a condition or 
266.25  consideration therefor consistent with the purposes of sections 
266.26  1 to 19, whether or not included among the powers otherwise 
266.27  granted to the municipality by law or charter. 
266.28     (b) The board shall contract with a qualified entity to 
266.29  make necessary inspections of the district facilities, and to 
266.30  otherwise process or assist in processing any of the work of the 
266.31  district. 
266.32     Sec. 17.  [CONTRACTS FOR CONSTRUCTION, MATERIALS, SUPPLIES, 
266.33  AND EQUIPMENT.] 
266.34     When the board orders a project involving the acquisition 
266.35  or betterment of a part of the district disposal system, it 
266.36  shall cause plans and specifications of the project to be made, 
267.1   or if previously made, to be modified, if necessary, and to be 
267.2   approved by the agency if required, and after any required 
267.3   approval by the agency, one or more contracts for work and 
267.4   materials called for by the plans and specification may be 
267.5   awarded as provided in Minnesota Statutes, section 471.345. 
267.6      Sec. 18.  [PROPERTY EXEMPT FROM TAXATION.] 
267.7      Any properties, real or personal, owned, leased, 
267.8   controlled, used, or occupied by the water and sanitary sewer 
267.9   board for any purpose under sections 1 to 19 are declared to be 
267.10  acquired, owned, leased, controlled, used, and occupied for 
267.11  public, governmental, and municipal purposes, and are exempt 
267.12  from taxation by the state or any political subdivision of the 
267.13  state.  The properties are subject to special assessments levied 
267.14  by a political subdivision for a local improvement in amounts 
267.15  proportionate to and not exceeding the special benefit received 
267.16  by the properties from the improvement. 
267.17     Sec. 19.  [RELATION TO EXISTING LAWS.] 
267.18     Sections 1 to 19 must be given full effect notwithstanding 
267.19  the provisions of any law or charter inconsistent with sections 
267.20  1 to 19.  The powers conferred on the board under sections 1 to 
267.21  19 do not in any way diminish or supersede the powers conferred 
267.22  on the agency by Minnesota Statutes, chapters 115 to 116. 
267.23     Sec. 20.  [BANNING JUNCTION AREA WATER AND SANITARY SEWER 
267.24  DISTRICT; DEFINITIONS.] 
267.25     Subdivision 1.  [APPLICATION.] For the purposes of sections 
267.26  20 to 38, the terms defined in this section have the meanings 
267.27  given them. 
267.28     Subd. 2.  [DISTRICT.] "Banning Junction area water and 
267.29  sanitary sewer district" and "district" mean the area over which 
267.30  the Banning Junction area water and sanitary sewer board has 
267.31  jurisdiction, including the town of Finlayson and the city of 
267.32  Finlayson in Pine county and Banning state park, but only that 
267.33  part of the township described in the comprehensive plan adopted 
267.34  by the board pursuant to section 24. 
267.35     Subd. 3.  [BOARD.] "Water and sanitary sewer board" or 
267.36  "board" means the Banning Junction area water and sanitary sewer 
268.1   board established for the district as provided in subdivision 2. 
268.2      Subd. 4.  [PERSON.] "Person" means an individual, 
268.3   partnership, corporation, limited liability company, 
268.4   cooperative, or other organization or entity, public or private. 
268.5      Subd. 5.  [LOCAL GOVERNMENTAL UNITS.] "Local governmental 
268.6   units" or "governmental units" means the town of Finlayson, the 
268.7   department of natural resources, and the city of Finlayson. 
268.8      Subd. 6.  [ACQUISITION; BETTERMENT.] "Acquisition" and 
268.9   "betterment" have the meanings given in Minnesota Statutes, 
268.10  chapter 475. 
268.11     Subd. 7.  [AGENCY.] "Agency" means the Minnesota pollution 
268.12  control agency created in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 116. 
268.13     Subd. 8.  [SEWAGE.] "Sewage" means all liquid or 
268.14  water-carried waste products from whatever sources derived, 
268.15  together with any groundwater infiltration and surface water as 
268.16  may be present. 
268.17     Subd. 9.  [POLLUTION OF WATER; SEWER SYSTEM.] "Pollution of 
268.18  water" and "sewer system" have the meanings given in Minnesota 
268.19  Statutes, section 115.01. 
268.20     Subd. 10.  [TREATMENT WORKS; DISPOSAL SYSTEM.] "Treatment 
268.21  works" and "disposal system" have the meanings given in 
268.22  Minnesota Statutes, section 115.01. 
268.23     Subd. 11.  [INTERCEPTOR.] "Interceptor" means a sewer and 
268.24  its necessary appurtenances, including but not limited to mains, 
268.25  pumping stations, and sewage flow-regulating and -measuring 
268.26  stations, that is: 
268.27     (1) designed for or used to conduct sewage originating in 
268.28  more than one local governmental unit; 
268.29     (2) designed or used to conduct all or substantially all 
268.30  the sewage originating in a single local governmental unit from 
268.31  a point of collection in that unit to an interceptor or 
268.32  treatment works outside that unit; or 
268.33     (3) determined by the board to be a major collector of 
268.34  sewage used or designed to serve a substantial area in the 
268.35  district. 
268.36     Subd. 12.  [DISTRICT DISPOSAL SYSTEM.] "District disposal 
269.1   system" means any and all interceptors or treatment works owned, 
269.2   constructed, or operated by the board unless designated by the 
269.3   board as local water and sanitary sewer facilities. 
269.4      Subd. 13.  [MUNICIPALITY.] "Municipality" means any home 
269.5   rule charter or statutory city or town. 
269.6      Subd. 14.  [TOTAL COSTS.] "Total costs of acquisition and 
269.7   betterment" and "costs of acquisition and betterment" mean all 
269.8   acquisition and betterment expenses permitted to be financed out 
269.9   of stopped bond proceeds issued in accordance with section 32, 
269.10  whether or not the expenses are in fact financed out of the bond 
269.11  proceeds. 
269.12     Subd. 15.  [CURRENT COSTS.] "Current costs of acquisition, 
269.13  betterment, and debt service" means interest and principal 
269.14  estimated to be due during the budget year on bonds issued to 
269.15  finance said acquisition and betterment and all other costs of 
269.16  acquisition and betterment estimated to be paid during the year 
269.17  from funds other than bond proceeds and federal or state grants. 
269.18     Subd. 16.  [RESIDENT.] "Resident" means the owner of a 
269.19  dwelling located in the district and receiving water or sewer 
269.20  service. 
269.21     Sec. 21.  [WATER AND SANITARY SEWER BOARD.] 
269.22     Subdivision 1.  [ESTABLISHMENT.] A water and sanitary sewer 
269.23  district is established for the town of Finlayson, for the 
269.24  Banning state park, under the jurisdiction of the Minnesota 
269.25  department of natural resources, and for the city of Finlayson 
269.26  in Pine county, to be known as the Banning Junction area water 
269.27  and sanitary sewer district.  The water and sewer district is 
269.28  under the control and management of the Banning Junction area 
269.29  water and sanitary sewer board.  The board is established as a 
269.30  public corporation and political subdivision of the state with 
269.31  perpetual succession and all the rights, powers, privileges, 
269.32  immunities, and duties that may be validly granted to or imposed 
269.33  upon a municipal corporation, as provided in sections 20 to 38. 
269.34     Subd. 2.  [MEMBERS AND SELECTION.] The board is composed of 
269.35  five members selected as follows:  the town board shall meet to 
269.36  appoint three members, one of whom shall be an elected township 
270.1   officer, and two of whom shall be persons served by the system, 
270.2   the city shall appoint one member, and the department of natural 
270.3   resources shall appoint one member to the water and sanitary 
270.4   sewer board and each board member shall have one vote.  The 
270.5   first terms must be as follows:  one for one year, two for two 
270.6   years, and two for three years, fixed by lot at the district's 
270.7   first meeting.  Thereafter, all terms are for three years. 
270.8      Subd. 3.  [TIME LIMITS FOR SELECTION.] The board members 
270.9   must be selected as provided in subdivision 2 within 60 days 
270.10  after sections 20 to 38 become effective.  The successor to each 
270.11  board member must be selected at any time within 60 days before 
270.12  the expiration of the member's term in the same manner as the 
270.13  predecessor was selected.  A vacancy on the board must be filled 
270.14  within 60 days after it occurs. 
270.15     Subd. 4.  [VACANCIES.] If the office of a board member 
270.16  becomes vacant, the vacancy must be filled for the unexpired 
270.17  term in the manner provided for selection of the member who 
270.18  vacated the office.  The office is deemed vacant under the 
270.19  conditions specified in Minnesota Statutes, section 351.02. 
270.20     Subd. 5.  [REMOVAL.] A board member may be removed by the 
270.21  unanimous vote of the governing body appointing the member, with 
270.22  or without cause, or for malfeasance or nonfeasance in the 
270.23  performance of official duties as provided by Minnesota 
270.24  Statutes, sections 351.14 to 351.23. 
270.25     Subd. 6.  [CERTIFICATES OF SELECTION; OATH OF OFFICE.] A 
270.26  certificate of selection of every board member selected under 
270.27  subdivision 2 stating the term for which selected, must be made 
270.28  by the respective town clerks, city administrator, and by the 
270.29  commissioner of natural resources.  The certificates, with the 
270.30  approval appended by other authority, if required, must be filed 
270.31  with the secretary of state.  Counterparts thereof must be 
270.32  furnished to the board member and the secretary of the board.  
270.33  Each member shall qualify by taking and subscribing the oath of 
270.34  office prescribed by the Minnesota Constitution, article V, 
270.35  section 6.  The oath, duly certified by the official 
270.36  administering the same, must be filed with the secretary of 
271.1   state and the secretary of the board. 
271.2      Subd. 7.  [BOARD MEMBERS' COMPENSATION.] Each board member, 
271.3   except the chair, must be paid a per diem compensation of $35 
271.4   for meetings and for other services as are specifically 
271.5   authorized by the board, not to exceed $1,000 in any one year.  
271.6   The chair must be paid a per diem compensation of $45 for 
271.7   meetings and for other services specifically authorized by the 
271.8   board, not to exceed $1,500 in any one year.  All members of the 
271.9   board must be reimbursed for all reasonable and necessary 
271.10  expenses actually incurred in the performance of duties. 
271.11     Sec. 22.  [GENERAL PROVISIONS FOR ORGANIZATION AND 
271.12  OPERATION OF BOARD.] 
271.13     Subdivision 1.  [ORGANIZATION; OFFICERS; MEETINGS; SEAL.] 
271.14  After the selection and qualification of all board members, they 
271.15  shall meet to organize the board at the call of any two board 
271.16  members, upon seven days' notice by registered mail to the 
271.17  remaining board members, at a time and place within the district 
271.18  specified in the notice.  A majority of the members shall 
271.19  constitute a quorum at that meeting and all other meetings of 
271.20  the board, but a lesser number may meet and adjourn from time to 
271.21  time and compel the attendance of absent members.  At the first 
271.22  meeting the board shall select its officers and conduct other 
271.23  organizational business as may be necessary.  Thereafter the 
271.24  board shall meet regularly at the time and place that the board 
271.25  designates by resolution.  Special meetings may be held at any 
271.26  time upon call of the chair or any two members, upon written 
271.27  notice sent by mail to each member at least three days before 
271.28  the meeting, or upon other notice as the board by resolution may 
271.29  provide, or without notice if each member is present or files 
271.30  with the secretary a written consent to the meeting either 
271.31  before or after the meeting.  Except as otherwise provided in 
271.32  sections 20 to 38, any action within the authority of the board 
271.33  may be taken by the affirmative vote of a majority of the board 
271.34  and may be taken by regular or adjourned regular meeting or at a 
271.35  duly held special meeting, but in any case only if a quorum is 
271.36  present.  Meetings of the board must be open to the public.  The 
272.1   board may adopt a seal, which must be officially and judicially 
272.2   noticed, to authenticate instruments executed by its authority, 
272.3   but omission of the seal does not affect the validity of any 
272.4   instrument. 
272.5      Subd. 2.  [CHAIR.] The board shall elect a chair from its 
272.6   membership.  The term of the first chair of the board shall 
272.7   expire on January 1, 2001, and the terms of successor chairs 
272.8   expire on January 1 of each succeeding year.  The chair shall 
272.9   preside at all meetings of the board, if present, and shall 
272.10  perform all other duties and functions usually incumbent upon 
272.11  such an officer, and all administrative functions assigned to 
272.12  the chair by the board.  The board shall elect a vice-chair from 
272.13  its membership to act for the chair during temporary absence or 
272.14  disability. 
272.15     Subd. 3.  [SECRETARY AND TREASURER.] The board shall select 
272.16  a person or persons who may, but need not be, a member or 
272.17  members of the board, to act as its secretary and treasurer.  
272.18  The secretary and treasurer shall hold office at the pleasure of 
272.19  the board, subject to the terms of any contract of employment 
272.20  that the board may enter into with the secretary or treasurer.  
272.21  The secretary shall record the minutes of all meetings of the 
272.22  board, and be the custodian of all books and records of the 
272.23  board except those that the board entrusts to the custody of a 
272.24  designated employee.  The treasurer is the custodian of all 
272.25  money received by the board except as the board otherwise 
272.26  entrusts to the custody of a designated employee.  The board may 
272.27  appoint a deputy to perform any and all functions of either the 
272.28  secretary or the treasurer.  A secretary or treasurer who is not 
272.29  a member of the board or a deputy of either does not have the 
272.30  right to vote. 
272.31     Subd. 4.  [EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR.] The board may appoint an 
272.32  executive director, selected solely upon the basis of training, 
272.33  experience, and other qualifications and who shall serve at the 
272.34  pleasure of the board and at a compensation to be determined by 
272.35  the board.  The executive director need not be a resident of the 
272.36  district.  The executive director may also be selected by the 
273.1   board to serve as either secretary or treasurer, or both, of the 
273.2   board.  The executive director shall attend all meetings of the 
273.3   board, but shall not vote, and shall have the following powers 
273.4   and duties: 
273.5      (1) to see that all resolutions, rules, regulations, or 
273.6   orders of the board are enforced; 
273.7      (2) to appoint and remove, upon the basis of merit and 
273.8   fitness, all subordinate officers and regular employees of the 
273.9   board except the secretary and the treasurer and their deputies; 
273.10     (3) to present to the board plans, studies, and other 
273.11  reports prepared for board purposes and recommend to the board 
273.12  for adoption the measures the executive director deems necessary 
273.13  to enforce or carry out the powers and the duties of the board, 
273.14  or the efficient administration of the affairs of the board; 
273.15     (4) to keep the board fully advised as to its financial 
273.16  condition, and to prepare and submit to the board and to the 
273.17  governing bodies of the local governmental units, the board's 
273.18  annual budget and other financial information the board may 
273.19  request; 
273.20     (5) to recommend to the board for adoption rules and 
273.21  regulations the executive director deems necessary for the 
273.22  efficient operation of the district disposal system; and 
273.23     (6) to perform other duties prescribed by the board. 
273.24     Subd. 5.  [PUBLIC EMPLOYEES.] The executive director and 
273.25  other persons employed by the district are public employees and 
273.26  have all the rights and duties conferred on public employees 
273.27  under Minnesota Statutes, sections 179A.01 to 179A.25.  The 
273.28  board may elect to have employees become members of either the 
273.29  public employees retirement association or the Minnesota state 
273.30  retirement system.  The compensation and conditions of 
273.31  employment of the employees must be governed by rules applicable 
273.32  to state employees in the classified service and to the 
273.33  provisions of Minnesota Statutes, chapter 15A. 
273.34     Subd. 6.  [PROCEDURES.] The board shall adopt resolutions 
273.35  or bylaws establishing procedures for board action, personnel 
273.36  administration, keeping records, approving claims, authorizing 
274.1   or making disbursements, safekeeping funds, and auditing all 
274.2   financial operations of the board. 
274.3      Subd. 7.  [SURETY BONDS AND INSURANCE.] The board may 
274.4   procure surety bonds for its officers and employees, in amounts 
274.5   deemed necessary to ensure proper performance of their duties 
274.6   and proper accounting for funds in their custody.  It may 
274.7   procure insurance against risks to property and liability of the 
274.8   board and its officers, agents, and employees for personal 
274.9   injuries or death and property damage and destruction, in 
274.10  amounts deemed necessary or desirable, with the force and effect 
274.11  stated in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 466. 
274.12     Sec. 23.  [GENERAL POWERS OF BOARD.] 
274.13     Subdivision 1.  [SCOPE.] The board has all powers necessary 
274.14  or convenient to discharge the duties imposed upon it by law.  
274.15  The powers include those specified in this section, but the 
274.16  express grant or enumeration of powers does not limit the 
274.17  generality or scope of the grant of powers contained in this 
274.18  subdivision. 
274.19     Subd. 2.  [SUIT.] The board may sue or be sued. 
274.20     Subd. 3.  [CONTRACT.] The board may enter into any contract 
274.21  necessary or proper for the exercise of its powers or the 
274.22  accomplishment of its purposes. 
274.23     Subd. 4.  [GIFTS, GRANTS, LOANS.] The board may accept 
274.24  gifts, apply for and accept grants or loans of money or other 
274.25  property from the United States, the state, or any person for 
274.26  any of its purposes, enter into any agreement required in 
274.27  connection with them, and hold, use, and dispose of the money or 
274.28  property in accordance with the terms of the gift, grant, loan, 
274.29  or agreement relating to it.  With respect to loans or grants of 
274.30  funds or real or personal property or other assistance from any 
274.31  state or federal government or its agency or instrumentality, 
274.32  the board may contract to do and perform all acts and things 
274.33  required as a condition or consideration for the gift, grant, or 
274.34  loan pursuant to state or federal law or regulations, whether or 
274.35  not included among the powers expressly granted to the board in 
274.36  sections 20 to 38. 
275.1      Subd. 5.  [COOPERATIVE ACTION.] The board may act under 
275.2   Minnesota Statutes, section 471.59, or any other appropriate law 
275.3   providing for joint or cooperative action between governmental 
275.4   units. 
275.5      Subd. 6.  [STUDIES AND INVESTIGATIONS.] The board may 
275.6   conduct research studies and programs, collect and analyze data, 
275.7   prepare reports, maps, charts, and tables, and conduct all 
275.8   necessary hearings and investigations in connection with the 
275.9   design, construction, and operation of the district disposal 
275.10  system. 
275.11     Subd. 7.  [EMPLOYEES, TERMS.] The board may employ on terms 
275.12  it deems advisable, persons or firms performing engineering, 
275.13  legal, or other services of a professional nature; require any 
275.14  employee to obtain and file with it an individual bond or 
275.15  fidelity insurance policy; and procure insurance in amounts it 
275.16  deems necessary against liability of the board or its officers 
275.17  or both, for personal injury or death and property damage or 
275.18  destruction, with the force and effect stated in Minnesota 
275.19  Statutes, chapter 466, and against risks of damage to or 
275.20  destruction of any of its facilities, equipment, or other 
275.21  property as it deems necessary. 
275.22     Subd. 8.  [PROPERTY RIGHTS, POWERS.] The board may acquire 
275.23  by purchase, lease, condemnation, gift, or grant, any real or 
275.24  personal property including positive and negative easements and 
275.25  water and air rights, and it may construct, enlarge, improve, 
275.26  replace, repair, maintain, and operate any interceptor, 
275.27  treatment works, or water facility determined to be necessary or 
275.28  convenient for the collection and disposal of sewage in the 
275.29  district.  Any local governmental unit and the commissioners of 
275.30  transportation and natural resources are authorized to convey to 
275.31  or permit the use of any of the above-mentioned facilities owned 
275.32  or controlled by it, by the board, subject to the rights of the 
275.33  holders of any bonds issued with respect to those facilities, 
275.34  with or without compensation, without an election or approval by 
275.35  any other governmental unit or agency.  All powers conferred by 
275.36  this subdivision may be exercised both within or without the 
276.1   district as may be necessary for the exercise by the board of 
276.2   its powers or the accomplishment of its purposes.  The board may 
276.3   hold, lease, convey, or otherwise dispose of the above-mentioned 
276.4   property for its purposes upon the terms and in the manner it 
276.5   deems advisable.  Unless otherwise provided, the right to 
276.6   acquire lands and property rights by condemnation may be 
276.7   exercised only in accordance with Minnesota Statutes, sections 
276.8   117.011 to 117.232, and shall apply to any property or interest 
276.9   in the property owned by any local governmental unit.  No 
276.10  property devoted to an actual public use at the time, or held to 
276.11  be devoted to such a use within a reasonable time, shall be so 
276.12  acquired unless a court of competent jurisdiction determines 
276.13  that the use proposed by the board is paramount to the existing 
276.14  use.  Except in the case of property in actual public use, the 
276.15  board may take possession of any property on which condemnation 
276.16  proceedings have been commenced at any time after the issuance 
276.17  of a court order appointing commissioners for its condemnation. 
276.18     Subd. 9.  [RELATIONSHIP TO OTHER PROPERTIES.] The board may 
276.19  construct or maintain its systems or facilities in, along, on, 
276.20  under, over, or through public waters, streets, bridges, 
276.21  viaducts, and other public rights-of-way without first obtaining 
276.22  a franchise from a county or municipality having jurisdiction 
276.23  over them.  However, the facilities must be constructed and 
276.24  maintained in accordance with the ordinances and resolutions of 
276.25  the county or municipality relating to constructing, installing, 
276.26  and maintaining similar facilities on public properties and must 
276.27  not unnecessarily obstruct the public use of those rights-of-way.
276.28     Subd. 10.  [DISPOSAL OF PROPERTY.] The board may sell, 
276.29  lease, or otherwise dispose of any real or personal property 
276.30  acquired by it which is no longer required for accomplishment of 
276.31  its purposes.  The property may be sold in the manner provided 
276.32  by Minnesota Statutes, section 469.065, insofar as practical.  
276.33  The board may give notice of sale as it deems appropriate.  When 
276.34  the board determines that any property or any part of the 
276.35  district disposal system acquired from a local governmental unit 
276.36  without compensation is no longer required but is required as a 
277.1   local facility by the governmental unit from which it was 
277.2   acquired, the board may by resolution transfer it to that 
277.3   governmental unit. 
277.4      Subd. 11.  [AGREEMENTS WITH OTHER GOVERNMENTAL UNITS.] The 
277.5   board may contract with the United States or any agency thereof, 
277.6   any state or agency thereof, or any regional public planning 
277.7   body in the state with jurisdiction over any part of the 
277.8   district, or any other municipal or public corporation, or 
277.9   governmental subdivision or agency or political subdivision in 
277.10  any state, for the joint use of any facility owned by the board 
277.11  or such entity, for the operation by that entity of any system 
277.12  or facility of the board, or for the performance on the board's 
277.13  behalf of any service, including but not limited to planning, on 
277.14  terms as may be agreed upon by the contracting parties.  Unless 
277.15  designated by the board as a local water and sanitary sewer 
277.16  facility, any treatment works or interceptor jointly used, or 
277.17  operated on behalf of the board, as provided in this 
277.18  subdivision, is deemed to be operated by the board for purposes 
277.19  of including those facilities in the district disposal system. 
277.20     Sec. 24.  [COMPREHENSIVE PLAN.] 
277.21     Subdivision 1.  [BOARD PLAN AND PROGRAM.] The board shall 
277.22  adopt a comprehensive plan for the collection, treatment, and 
277.23  disposal of sewage in the district for a designated period the 
277.24  board deems proper and reasonable.  The board shall prepare and 
277.25  adopt subsequent comprehensive plans for the collection, 
277.26  treatment, and disposal of sewage in the district for each 
277.27  succeeding designated period as the board deems proper and 
277.28  reasonable.  The first plan, as modified by the board, and any 
277.29  subsequent plan shall take into account the preservation and 
277.30  best and most economic use of water and other natural resources 
277.31  in the area; the preservation, use, and potential for use of 
277.32  lands adjoining waters of the state to be used for the disposal 
277.33  of sewage; and the impact the disposal system will have on 
277.34  present and future land use in the area affected.  The plans 
277.35  shall include the general location of needed interceptors and 
277.36  treatment works, a description of the area that is to be served 
278.1   by the various interceptors and treatment works, a long-range 
278.2   capital improvements program, and any other details as the board 
278.3   deems appropriate.  In developing the plans, the board shall 
278.4   consult with persons designated for the purpose by governing 
278.5   bodies of any governmental unit within the district to represent 
278.6   the entities and shall consider the data, resources, and input 
278.7   offered to the board by the entities and any planning agency 
278.8   acting on behalf of one or more of the entities.  Each plan, 
278.9   when adopted, must be followed in the district and may be 
278.10  revised as often as the board deems necessary. 
278.11     Subd. 2.  [COMPREHENSIVE PLANS; HEARING.] Before adopting 
278.12  any subsequent comprehensive plan, the board shall hold a public 
278.13  hearing on the proposed plan at a time and place in the district 
278.14  that it selects.  The hearing may be continued from time to 
278.15  time.  Not less than 45 days before the hearing, the board shall 
278.16  publish notice of the hearing in a newspaper having general 
278.17  circulation in the district, stating the date, time, and place 
278.18  of the hearing, and the place where the proposed plan may be 
278.19  examined by any interested person.  At the hearing, all 
278.20  interested persons must be permitted to present their views on 
278.21  the plan. 
278.22     Subd. 3.  [GOVERNMENTAL UNIT PLANS AND PROGRAMS; 
278.23  COORDINATION WITH BOARD'S RESPONSIBILITIES.] Once the board's 
278.24  plan is adopted, no construction project involving the 
278.25  construction of new sewers or other disposal facilities may be 
278.26  undertaken by the local governmental unit unless its governing 
278.27  body shall first find the project to be in accordance with the 
278.28  governmental unit's comprehensive plan and program as approved 
278.29  by the board.  Before approval by the board of the comprehensive 
278.30  plan and program of any local governmental unit in the district, 
278.31  no water and sanitary sewer construction project may be 
278.32  undertaken by the governmental unit unless approval of the 
278.33  project is first secured from the board as to those features of 
278.34  the project affecting the board's responsibilities as determined 
278.35  by the board. 
278.36     Sec. 25.  [POWERS TO ISSUE OBLIGATIONS AND IMPOSE SPECIAL 
279.1   ASSESSMENTS.] 
279.2      The Banning Junction area water and sanitary sewer board, 
279.3   in order to implement the powers granted under sections 20 to 38 
279.4   to establish, maintain, and administer the Banning Junction area 
279.5   water and sanitary sewer district, may issue obligations and 
279.6   impose special assessments against benefited property within the 
279.7   limits of the district benefited by facilities constructed under 
279.8   sections 20 to 38 in the manner provided for local governments 
279.9   by Minnesota Statutes, chapter 429. 
279.10     Sec. 26.  [SYSTEM EXPANSION; APPLICATION TO CITIES.] 
279.11     The authority of the water and sanitary sewer board to 
279.12  establish water or sewer or combined water and sewer systems 
279.13  under this section extends to areas within the Banning Junction 
279.14  area water and sanitary sewer district organized into cities 
279.15  when requested by resolution of the governing body of the 
279.16  affected city or when ordered by the Minnesota pollution control 
279.17  agency after notice and hearing.  For the purpose of any 
279.18  petition filed or special assessment levied with respect to any 
279.19  system, the entire area to be served within a city must be 
279.20  treated as if it were owned by a single person, and the 
279.21  governing body shall exercise all the rights and be subject to 
279.22  all the duties of an owner of the area, and shall have power to 
279.23  provide for the payment of all special assessments and other 
279.24  charges imposed upon the area with respect to the system by the 
279.25  appropriation of money, the collection of service charges, or 
279.26  the levy of taxes, which shall be subject to no limitation of 
279.27  rate or amount. 
279.28     Sec. 27.  [SEWAGE COLLECTION AND DISPOSAL; POWERS.] 
279.29     Subdivision 1.  [POWERS.] In addition to all other powers 
279.30  conferred upon the board in sections 20 to 38, it has the powers 
279.31  specified in this section. 
279.32     Subd. 2.  [DISCHARGE OF TREATED SEWAGE.] The board may 
279.33  discharge the effluent from any treatment works operated by it 
279.34  into any waters of the state, subject to approval of the agency 
279.35  if required and in accordance with any effluent or water quality 
279.36  standards lawfully adopted by the agency, any interstate agency, 
280.1   or any federal agency having jurisdiction. 
280.2      Subd. 3.  [UTILIZATION OF DISTRICT SYSTEM.] The board may 
280.3   require any person or local governmental unit to provide for the 
280.4   discharge of any sewage, directly or indirectly, into the 
280.5   district disposal system, or to connect any disposal system or a 
280.6   part of it with the district disposal system wherever reasonable 
280.7   opportunity for connection is provided; may regulate the manner 
280.8   in which the connections are made; may require any person or 
280.9   local governmental unit discharging sewage into the disposal 
280.10  system to provide preliminary treatment for it; may prohibit the 
280.11  discharge into the district disposal system of any substance 
280.12  that it determines will or may be harmful to the system or any 
280.13  persons operating it; and may require any local governmental 
280.14  unit to discontinue the acquisition, betterment, or operation of 
280.15  any facility for the unit's disposal system wherever and so far 
280.16  as adequate service is or will be provided by the district 
280.17  disposal system. 
280.18     Subd. 4.  [SYSTEM OF COST RECOVERY TO COMPLY WITH 
280.19  APPLICABLE REGULATIONS.] Any charges, connection fees, or other 
280.20  cost-recovery techniques imposed on persons discharging sewage 
280.21  directly or indirectly into the district disposal system must 
280.22  comply with applicable state and federal law, including state 
280.23  and federal regulations governing grant applications. 
280.24     Sec. 28.  [BUDGET.] 
280.25     The board shall prepare and adopt, on or before October 1 
280.26  in 1999 and each year thereafter, a budget showing for the 
280.27  following calendar year or other fiscal year determined by the 
280.28  board, sometimes referred to in sections 20 to 38 as the budget 
280.29  year, estimated receipts of money from all sources, including 
280.30  but not limited to payments by each local governmental unit, 
280.31  federal or state grants, taxes on property, and funds on hand at 
280.32  the beginning of the year, and estimated expenditures for: 
280.33     (1) costs of operation, administration, and maintenance of 
280.34  the district disposal system; 
280.35     (2) cost of acquisition and betterment of the district 
280.36  disposal system; and 
281.1      (3) debt service, including principal and interest, on 
281.2   general obligation bonds and certificates issued pursuant to 
281.3   section 32, and any money judgments entered by a court of 
281.4   competent jurisdiction.  Expenditures within these general 
281.5   categories, and any other categories as the board may from time 
281.6   to time determine, must be itemized in detail as the board 
281.7   prescribes.  The board and its officers, agents, and employees 
281.8   shall not spend money for any purpose other than debt service 
281.9   without having set forth the expense in the budget nor in excess 
281.10  of the amount set forth in the budget for it.  No obligation to 
281.11  make an expenditure of the above-mentioned type is enforceable 
281.12  except as the obligation of the person or persons incurring it.  
281.13  The board may amend the budget at any time by transferring from 
281.14  one purpose to another any sums except money for debt service 
281.15  and bond proceeds or by increasing expenditures in any amount by 
281.16  which actual cash receipts during the budget year exceed the 
281.17  total amounts designated in the original budget.  The creation 
281.18  of any obligation under section 32 or the receipt of any federal 
281.19  or state grant is a sufficient budget designation of the 
281.20  proceeds for the purpose for which it is authorized, and of the 
281.21  tax or other revenue pledged to pay the obligation and interest 
281.22  on it, whether or not specifically included in any annual budget.
281.23     Sec. 29.  [ALLOCATION OF COSTS.] 
281.24     Subdivision 1.  [DEFINITION OF CURRENT COSTS.] The 
281.25  estimated cost of administration, operation, maintenance, and 
281.26  debt service of the district disposal system to be paid by the 
281.27  board in each fiscal year and the estimated costs of acquisition 
281.28  and betterment of the system that are to be paid during the year 
281.29  from funds other than state or federal grants and bond proceeds 
281.30  and all other previously unallocated payments made by the board 
281.31  pursuant to sections 20 to 38 to be allocated in the fiscal year 
281.32  are referred to as current costs and must be allocated by the 
281.33  board as provided in subdivision 2 in the budget for that year. 
281.34     Subd. 2.  [METHOD OF ALLOCATION OF CURRENT COSTS.] Current 
281.35  costs must be allocated in the district on an equitable basis as 
281.36  the board may determine by resolution to be in the best 
282.1   interests of the district.  The adoption or revision of any 
282.2   method of allocation used by the board must be by the 
282.3   affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the members of the 
282.4   board. 
282.5      Sec. 30.  [TAX LEVIES.] 
282.6      To accomplish any duty imposed on it the board may, in 
282.7   addition to the powers granted in sections 20 to 38 and in any 
282.8   other law or charter, exercise the powers granted any 
282.9   municipality by Minnesota Statutes, chapters 117, 412, 429, 475, 
282.10  sections 115.46, 444.075, and 471.59, with respect to the area 
282.11  in the district.  The board may levy taxes upon all taxable 
282.12  property in the district for all or a part of the amount payable 
282.13  to the board, pursuant to section 29, to be assessed and 
282.14  extended as a tax upon that taxable property by the county 
282.15  auditor for the next calendar year, free from any limitation of 
282.16  rate or amount imposed by law or charter.  The tax must be 
282.17  collected and remitted in the same manner as other general taxes.
282.18     Sec. 31.  [PUBLIC HEARING AND SPECIAL ASSESSMENTS.] 
282.19     Subdivision 1.  [PUBLIC HEARING REQUIREMENT ON SPECIFIC 
282.20  PROJECT.] Before the board orders any project involving the 
282.21  acquisition or betterment of any interceptor or treatment works, 
282.22  all or a part of the cost of which will be allocated pursuant to 
282.23  section 29 as current costs, the board shall hold a public 
282.24  hearing on the proposed project.  The hearing must be held 
282.25  following two publications in a newspaper having general 
282.26  circulation in the district, stating the time and place of the 
282.27  hearing, the general nature and location of the project, the 
282.28  estimated total cost of acquisition and betterment, that portion 
282.29  of costs estimated to be paid out of federal and state grants, 
282.30  and that portion of costs estimated to be allocated.  The 
282.31  estimates must be best available at the time of the meeting and 
282.32  if costs exceed the estimate, the project cannot proceed until 
282.33  an additional public hearing is held, with notice as required at 
282.34  the initial meeting.  The two publications must be a week apart 
282.35  and the hearing at least three days after the last publication.  
282.36  Not less than 45 days before the hearing, notice of the hearing 
283.1   must also be mailed to each clerk of all local governmental 
283.2   units in the district, but failure to give mailed notice or any 
283.3   defects in the notice does not invalidate the proceedings.  The 
283.4   project may include all or part of one or more interceptors or 
283.5   treatment works.  No hearing may be held on any project unless 
283.6   the project is within the area covered by the comprehensive plan 
283.7   adopted by the board pursuant to section 24 except that the 
283.8   hearing may be held simultaneously with a hearing on a 
283.9   comprehensive plan.  A hearing is not required with respect to a 
283.10  project, no part of the costs of which are to be allocated as 
283.11  the current costs of acquisition, betterment, and debt service. 
283.12     Subd. 2.  [NOTICE TO BENEFITED PROPERTY OWNERS.] If the 
283.13  board proposes to assess against benefited property within the 
283.14  district all or any part of the allocable costs of the project 
283.15  as provided in subdivision 5, the board shall, not less than two 
283.16  weeks before the hearing provided for in subdivision 1, cause 
283.17  mailed notice of the hearing to be given to the owner of each 
283.18  parcel within the area proposed to be specially assessed and 
283.19  shall also give two weeks' published notice of the hearing.  The 
283.20  notice of hearing must contain the same information provided in 
283.21  the notice published by the board pursuant to subdivision 1, and 
283.22  a description of the area proposed to be assessed.  For the 
283.23  purpose of giving mailed notice, owners are those shown to be on 
283.24  the records of the county auditor or, in any county where tax 
283.25  statements are mailed by the county treasurer, on the records of 
283.26  the county treasurer; but other appropriate records may be used 
283.27  for this purpose.  For properties that are tax exempt or subject 
283.28  to taxation on a gross earnings basis and not listed on the 
283.29  records of the county auditor or the county treasurer, the 
283.30  owners must be ascertained by any practicable means and mailed 
283.31  notice given them as herein provided.  Failure to give mailed 
283.32  notice or any defects in the notice does not invalidate the 
283.33  proceedings of the board. 
283.34     Subd. 3.  [BOARD PROCEEDINGS PERTAINING TO HEARING.] Before 
283.35  adoption of the resolution calling for a hearing under this 
283.36  section, the board shall secure from the district engineer or 
284.1   some other competent person of the board's selection a report 
284.2   advising it in a preliminary way as to whether the proposed 
284.3   project is feasible and whether it should be made as proposed or 
284.4   in connection with some other project and the estimated costs of 
284.5   the project as recommended.  No error or omission in the report 
284.6   invalidates the proceeding.  The board may also take other steps 
284.7   before the hearing, as will in its judgment provide helpful 
284.8   information in determining the desirability and feasibility of 
284.9   the project, including but not limited to preparation of plans 
284.10  and specifications and advertisement for bids on them.  The 
284.11  hearing may be adjourned from time to time and a resolution 
284.12  ordering the project may be adopted at any time within six 
284.13  months after the date of hearing.  In ordering the project the 
284.14  board may reduce but not increase the extent of the project as 
284.15  stated in the notice of hearing and shall find that the project 
284.16  as ordered is in accordance with the comprehensive plan and 
284.17  program adopted by the board pursuant to section 24. 
284.18     Subd. 4.  [EMERGENCY ACTION.] If the board by resolution 
284.19  adopted by the affirmative vote of not less than two-thirds of 
284.20  its members determines that an emergency exists requiring the 
284.21  immediate purchase of materials or supplies or the making of 
284.22  emergency repairs, it may order the purchase of those supplies 
284.23  and materials and the making of the repairs before any hearing 
284.24  required under this section, provided that the board shall set 
284.25  as early a date as practicable for the hearing at the time it 
284.26  declares the emergency.  All other provisions of this section 
284.27  must be followed in giving notice of and conducting the 
284.28  hearing.  Nothing herein may be construed as preventing the 
284.29  board or its agents from purchasing maintenance supplies or 
284.30  incurring maintenance costs without regard to the requirements 
284.31  of this section. 
284.32     Subd. 5.  [POWER OF THE BOARD TO SPECIALLY ASSESS.] The 
284.33  board may specially assess all or any part of the costs of 
284.34  acquisition and betterment as herein provided, of any project 
284.35  ordered pursuant to this section.  The special assessments must 
284.36  be levied in accordance with the provisions of Minnesota 
285.1   Statutes, sections 429.051 to 429.081, except as otherwise 
285.2   provided in this subdivision.  No other provisions of Minnesota 
285.3   Statutes, chapter 429, apply.  For purposes of levying the 
285.4   special assessments, the hearing on the project required in 
285.5   subdivision 1 serves as the hearing on the making of the 
285.6   original improvement provided for by Minnesota Statutes, section 
285.7   429.051.  The area assessed may be less than but may not exceed 
285.8   the area proposed to be assessed as stated in the notice of 
285.9   hearing on the project provided for in subdivision 2. 
285.10     Sec. 32.  [BONDS, CERTIFICATES, AND OTHER OBLIGATIONS.] 
285.11     Subdivision 1.  [BUDGET ANTICIPATION CERTIFICATES OF 
285.12  INDEBTEDNESS.] At any time after adoption of its annual budget 
285.13  and in anticipation of the collection of tax and other revenues 
285.14  estimated and set forth by the board in the budget, except in 
285.15  the case of deficiency taxes levied under this subdivision and 
285.16  taxes levied for the payment of certificates issued under 
285.17  subdivision 2, the board may, by resolution, authorize the 
285.18  issuance, negotiation, and sale, in accordance with subdivision 
285.19  4 in the form and manner and upon terms it determines, of its 
285.20  negotiable general obligation certificates of indebtedness in 
285.21  aggregate principal amounts not exceeding 50 percent of the 
285.22  total amount of tax collections and other revenues, and maturing 
285.23  not later than three months after the close of the budget year 
285.24  in which issued.  The proceeds of the sale of the certificates 
285.25  must be used solely for the purposes for which the tax 
285.26  collections and other revenues are to be expended pursuant to 
285.27  the budget. 
285.28     All the tax collections and other revenues included in the 
285.29  budget for the budget year, after the expenditure of the tax 
285.30  collections and other revenues in accordance with the budget, 
285.31  must be irrevocably pledged and appropriated to a special fund 
285.32  to pay the principal and interest on the certificates when due.  
285.33  If for any reason the tax collections and other revenues are 
285.34  insufficient to pay the certificates and interest when due, the 
285.35  board shall levy a tax in the amount of the deficiency on all 
285.36  taxable property in the district and shall appropriate this 
286.1   amount when received to the special fund. 
286.2      Subd. 2.  [EMERGENCY CERTIFICATES OF INDEBTEDNESS.] If in 
286.3   any budget year the receipts of tax and other revenues should 
286.4   for some unforeseen cause become insufficient to pay the board's 
286.5   current expenses, or if any public emergency should subject it 
286.6   to the necessity of making extraordinary expenditures, the board 
286.7   may by resolution authorize the issuance, negotiation, and sale, 
286.8   in accordance with subdivision 4 in the form and manner and upon 
286.9   the terms and conditions it determines, of its negotiable 
286.10  general obligation certificates of indebtedness in an amount 
286.11  sufficient to meet the deficiency.  The board shall levy on all 
286.12  taxable property in the district a tax sufficient to pay the 
286.13  certificates and interest on the certificates and shall 
286.14  appropriate all collections of the tax to a special fund created 
286.15  for the payment of the certificates and the interest on them.  
286.16  Certificates issued under this subdivision mature not later than 
286.17  April 1 in the year following the year in which the tax is 
286.18  collectible. 
286.19     Subd. 3.  [GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS.] The board may by 
286.20  resolution authorize the issuance of general obligation bonds 
286.21  for the acquisition or betterment of any part of the district 
286.22  disposal system, including but without limitation the payment of 
286.23  interest during construction and for a reasonable period 
286.24  thereafter, or for the refunding of outstanding bonds, 
286.25  certificates of indebtedness, or judgments.  The board shall 
286.26  pledge its full faith and credit and taxing power for the 
286.27  payment of the bonds and shall provide for the issuance and sale 
286.28  and for the security of the bonds in the manner provided in 
286.29  Minnesota Statutes, chapter 475.  The board has the same powers 
286.30  and duties as a municipality issuing bonds under that law, 
286.31  except that no election is required and the debt limitations of 
286.32  Minnesota Statutes, chapter 475, do not apply to the bonds.  The 
286.33  board may also pledge for the payment of the bonds and deduct 
286.34  from the amount of any tax levy required under Minnesota 
286.35  Statutes, section 475.61, subdivision 1, and any revenues 
286.36  receivable under any state and federal grants anticipated by the 
287.1   board and may covenant to refund the bonds if and when and to 
287.2   the extent that for any reason the revenues, together with other 
287.3   funds available and appropriated for that purpose, are not 
287.4   sufficient to pay all principal and interest due or about to 
287.5   become due, provided that the revenues have not been anticipated 
287.6   by the issuance of certificates under subdivision 1. 
287.7      Subd. 4.  [MANNER OF SALE AND ISSUANCE OF CERTIFICATES.] 
287.8   Certificates issued under subdivisions 1 and 2 may be issued and 
287.9   sold by negotiation, without public sale, and may be sold at a 
287.10  price equal to the percentage of the par value of the 
287.11  certificates, plus accrued interest, and bearing interest at the 
287.12  rate determined by the board.  No election is required to 
287.13  authorize the issuance of the certificates.  The certificates 
287.14  must bear the same rate of interest after maturity as before and 
287.15  the full faith and credit and taxing power of the board must be 
287.16  pledged to the payment of the certificates. 
287.17     Sec. 33.  [DEPOSITORIES.] 
287.18     The board shall designate one or more national or state 
287.19  banks, or trust companies authorized to do a banking business, 
287.20  as official depositories for money of the board, and shall 
287.21  require the treasurer to deposit all or a part of the money in 
287.22  those institutions.  The designation must be in writing and must 
287.23  set forth all the terms and conditions upon which the deposits 
287.24  are made, and must be signed by the chair and treasurer and made 
287.25  a part of the minutes of the board.  
287.26     Sec. 34.  [MONEY, ACCOUNTS, AND INVESTMENTS.] 
287.27     Subdivision 1.  [RECEIPT AND APPLICATION.] Money received 
287.28  by the board must be deposited or invested by the treasurer and 
287.29  disposed of as the board may direct in accordance with its 
287.30  budget; provided that any money that has been pledged or 
287.31  dedicated by the board to the payment of obligations or interest 
287.32  on the obligations or expenses incident thereto, or for any 
287.33  other specific purpose authorized by law, must be paid by the 
287.34  treasurer into the fund to which it has been pledged. 
287.35     Subd. 2.  [FUNDS AND ACCOUNTS.] (a) The board's treasurer 
287.36  shall establish funds and accounts as may be necessary or 
288.1   convenient to handle the receipts and disbursements of the board 
288.2   in an orderly fashion. 
288.3      (b) The funds and accounts must be audited annually by a 
288.4   certified public accountant at the expense of the district. 
288.5      Subd. 3.  [DEPOSIT AND INVESTMENT.] The money on hand in 
288.6   those funds and accounts may be deposited in the official 
288.7   depositories of the board or invested as provided in this 
288.8   subdivision.  Any amount not currently needed or required by law 
288.9   to be kept in cash on deposit may be invested in obligations 
288.10  authorized for the investment of municipal sinking funds by 
288.11  Minnesota Statutes, section 475.66.  The money may also be held 
288.12  under certificates of deposit issued by any official depository 
288.13  of the board. 
288.14     Subd. 4.  [BOND PROCEEDS.] The use of proceeds of all bonds 
288.15  issued by the board for the acquisition and betterment of the 
288.16  district disposal system, and the use, other than investment, of 
288.17  all money on hand in any sinking fund or funds of the board, is 
288.18  governed by the provisions of Minnesota Statutes, chapter 475, 
288.19  the provisions of sections 20 to 38, and the provisions of 
288.20  resolutions authorizing the issuance of the bonds.  When 
288.21  received, the bond proceeds must be transferred to the treasurer 
288.22  of the board for safekeeping, investment, and payment of the 
288.23  costs for which they were issued. 
288.24     Subd. 5.  [AUDIT.] The board shall provide for and pay the 
288.25  cost of an independent annual audit of its official books and 
288.26  records by the state auditor or a public accountant authorized 
288.27  to perform that function under Minnesota Statutes, chapter 6. 
288.28     Sec. 35.  [SERVICE CONTRACTS WITH GOVERNMENTAL ENTITIES 
288.29  OUTSIDE THE JURISDICTION OF THE BOARD.] 
288.30     (a) The board may contract with the United States or any 
288.31  agency of the federal government, any state or its agency, or 
288.32  any municipal or public corporation, governmental subdivision or 
288.33  agency or political subdivision in any state, outside the 
288.34  jurisdiction of the board, for furnishing services to those 
288.35  entities, including but not limited to planning for and the 
288.36  acquisition, betterment, operation, administration, and 
289.1   maintenance of any or all interceptors, treatment works, and 
289.2   local water and sanitary sewer facilities.  The board may 
289.3   include as one of the terms of the contract that the entity must 
289.4   pay to the board an amount agreed upon as a reasonable estimate 
289.5   of the proportionate share properly allocable to the entity of 
289.6   costs of acquisition, betterment, and debt service previously 
289.7   allocated in the district.  When payments are made by entities 
289.8   to the board, they must be applied in reduction of the total 
289.9   amount of costs thereafter allocated in the district, on an 
289.10  equitable basis as the board deems to be in the best interests 
289.11  of the district, applying so far as practicable and appropriate 
289.12  the criteria set forth in section 29, subdivision 2.  A 
289.13  municipality in the state of Minnesota may enter into a contract 
289.14  and perform all acts and things required as a condition or 
289.15  consideration therefor consistent with the purposes of sections 
289.16  20 to 38, whether or not included among the powers otherwise 
289.17  granted to the municipality by law or charter. 
289.18     (b) The board shall contract with a qualified entity to 
289.19  make necessary inspections on the district facilities, and to 
289.20  otherwise process or assist in processing any of the work of the 
289.21  district. 
289.22     Sec. 36.  [CONTRACTS FOR CONSTRUCTION, MATERIALS, SUPPLIES, 
289.23  AND EQUIPMENT.] 
289.24     When the board orders a project involving the acquisition 
289.25  or betterment of a part of the district disposal system, it 
289.26  shall cause plans and specifications of the project to be made, 
289.27  or if previously made, to be modified, if necessary, and to be 
289.28  approved by the agency if required, and after any required 
289.29  approval by the agency, one or more contracts for work and 
289.30  materials called for by the plans and specification may be 
289.31  awarded as provided in Minnesota Statutes, section 471.345. 
289.32     Sec. 37.  [PROPERTY EXEMPT FROM TAXATION.] 
289.33     Any properties, real or personal, owned, leased, 
289.34  controlled, used, or occupied by the water and sanitary sewer 
289.35  board for any purpose under sections 20 to 38 are declared to be 
289.36  acquired, owned, leased, controlled, used, and occupied for 
290.1   public, governmental, and municipal purposes, and are exempt 
290.2   from taxation by the state or any political subdivision of the 
290.3   state, provided that the properties are subject to special 
290.4   assessments levied by a political subdivision for a local 
290.5   improvement in amounts proportionate to and not exceeding the 
290.6   special benefit received by the properties from the 
290.7   improvement.  No possible use of any properties in any manner 
290.8   different from their use as part of a disposal system at the 
290.9   time may be considered in determining the special benefit 
290.10  received by the properties.  All assessments are subject to 
290.11  final approval by the board, whose determination of the benefits 
290.12  is conclusive upon the political subdivision levying the 
290.13  assessment. 
290.14     Sec. 38.  [RELATION TO EXISTING LAWS.] 
290.15     The provisions of sections 20 to 38 must be given full 
290.16  effect notwithstanding the provisions of any law or charter 
290.17  inconsistent with sections 20 to 38.  The powers conferred on 
290.18  the board under sections 20 to 38 do not in any way diminish or 
290.19  supersede the powers conferred on the agency by Minnesota 
290.20  Statutes, chapters 115 to 116. 
290.21     Sec. 39.  [EFFECTIVE DATE; REVERSE REFERENDUM.] 
290.22     Prior to approval by resolution by each of the local 
290.23  governing bodies of the city of New Prague, and Helena and Cedar 
290.24  Lake townships, under Minnesota Statutes, section 645.021, 
290.25  subdivision 2, each city or township shall publish a notice of 
290.26  its intention to establish the district in a newspaper of 
290.27  general circulation in the city or township, together with a 
290.28  date for a public hearing.  The hearing must be held at least 
290.29  two weeks but not more than four weeks after the publication of 
290.30  the resolution.  Following the public hearing, the city or 
290.31  township may determine to take no further action or adopt a 
290.32  resolution confirming its intention to establish the district.  
290.33  That resolution must also be published in a newspaper of general 
290.34  circulation in the district.  If within 30 days after 
290.35  publication of the resolution, a petition signed by at least 
290.36  five percent of the registered voters in the city or township 
291.1   requesting a vote on the proposed resolution is filed with the 
291.2   county auditor, the resolution is not effective until it has 
291.3   been submitted to the voters in the city or township at a 
291.4   general or special election and a majority of votes cast on the 
291.5   question of approving the resolution are in the affirmative.  
291.6   The commissioner of revenue shall prepare a suggested form of 
291.7   question to be presented at the election.  If the majority of 
291.8   the votes are cast in the affirmative or if no reverse referenda 
291.9   are held, sections 1 to 19 are effective the day after a 
291.10  certificate of approval under Minnesota Statutes, section 
291.11  645.021, subdivision 3, is filed by the last of the four local 
291.12  governmental units subject to sections 1 to 19. 
291.13     Prior to approval by resolution by each of the local 
291.14  governing bodies of the city and town of Finlayson, under 
291.15  Minnesota Statutes, section 645.021, subdivision 2, the city or 
291.16  town shall publish a notice of its intention to establish the 
291.17  district in a newspaper of general circulation in the city or 
291.18  town, together with a date for a public hearing.  The hearing 
291.19  must be held at least two weeks but not more than four weeks 
291.20  after the publication of the resolution.  Following the public 
291.21  hearing, the city or town may determine to take no further 
291.22  action or adopt a resolution confirming its intention to 
291.23  establish the district.  That resolution must also be published 
291.24  in a newspaper of general circulation in the district.  If 
291.25  within 30 days after publication of the resolution, a petition 
291.26  signed by at least five percent of the registered voters in the 
291.27  city or town requesting a vote on the proposed resolution is 
291.28  filed with the county auditor, the resolution is not effective 
291.29  until it has been submitted to the voters in the city or town at 
291.30  a general or special election and a majority of votes cast on 
291.31  the question of approving the resolution are in the affirmative. 
291.32  The commissioner of revenue shall prepare a suggested form of 
291.33  question to be presented at the election.  If the majority of 
291.34  the votes are cast in the affirmative or if no reverse referenda 
291.35  are held, sections 20 to 38 are effective as to the city and the 
291.36  town of Finlayson separately the day after the certificate of 
292.1   approval of the governing body of each is filed as provided in 
292.2   Minnesota Statutes, section 645.021, subdivision 3. 
292.3                              ARTICLE 13 
292.4                    ALLOCATION OF FUTURE SURPLUSES 
292.5      Section 1.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 16A.152, 
292.6   subdivision 2, is amended to read: 
292.7      Subd. 2.  [ADDITIONAL REVENUES; PRIORITY.] If on the basis 
292.8   of a forecast of general fund revenues and expenditures after 
292.9   November 1 in an odd-numbered year, the commissioner of finance 
292.10  determines that there will be a positive unrestricted budgetary 
292.11  general fund balance at the close of the biennium, the 
292.12  commissioner of finance must allocate money as follows: 
292.13     (1) first, to the budget reserve until the total amount in 
292.14  the account equals $622,000,000; then 
292.15     (2) 60 percent to the property tax reform account 
292.16  established in section 16A.1521; and 
292.17     (3) 40 percent is an unrestricted balance in the general 
292.18  fund to the tax reduction and reform account. 
292.19     The amounts necessary to meet the requirements of this 
292.20  section are appropriated from the general fund within two weeks 
292.21  after the forecast is released. 
292.22     Sec. 2.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 16A.152, is 
292.23  amended by adding a subdivision to read: 
292.24     Subd. 2a.  [PLANNING ESTIMATES.] (a) In forecasts prepared 
292.25  after November 1, 1999, and before February 2001, the 
292.26  commissioner shall estimate the general fund revenues and 
292.27  spending for the 2002-2003 biennium.  In preparing these 
292.28  estimates, the commissioner shall use the methodology used 
292.29  generally to prepare planning estimates.  If the commissioner 
292.30  estimates that revenues will exceed spending for the 2002-2003 
292.31  biennium in any forecast, effective beginning July 1, 2001, the 
292.32  estimated amount shall be deposited in the health access fund up 
292.33  to the amount of and at the times that the annual tobacco 
292.34  settlement payments are received. 
292.35     (b) If the commissioner estimates in any forecast that the 
292.36  full amount of the annual tobacco settlement payments for the 
293.1   2002-2003 biennium are to be deposited in the health care access 
293.2   fund under the provisions of paragraph (a), the requirement to 
293.3   prepare estimates under paragraph (a) ceases and all future 
293.4   annual tobacco settlement payments must be deposited in the 
293.5   health care access fund. 
293.6      (c) If in any forecast, the commissioner estimates under 
293.7   paragraph (a) that $50,000,000 or more of annual tobacco 
293.8   settlement payments are to be deposited in the health care 
293.9   access fund for the 2002-2003 biennium, the tax rates under 
293.10  section 295.52 are reduced to zero effective beginning for 
293.11  calendar year 2001.  If in the November 1999 forecast the 
293.12  commissioner estimates that $100,000,000 or more of annual 
293.13  tobacco settlement payments are to be deposited in the health 
293.14  care access fund for the 2002-2003 biennium, the tax rates under 
293.15  section 295.52 for calendar year 2000 are reduced by 0.5 
293.16  percentage point for each $50,000,000 of increased deposits over 
293.17  $50,000,000. 
293.18     Sec. 3.  [16A.1522] [STATEMENT OF PURPOSE.] 
293.19     (a) The state of Minnesota derives revenues from a variety 
293.20  of taxes, fees, and other sources. 
293.21     (b) The general fund state budget is enacted for a two-year 
293.22  period based on a forecast of state revenues and authorized 
293.23  spending.  The two-year biennial budget period begins July 1 of 
293.24  odd-numbered years and ends June 30 of odd-numbered years. 
293.25     (c) Section 4 is intended to require that any positive 
293.26  unrestricted budgetary general fund balance in excess of 
293.27  one-half of one percent of total general fund biennial revenues 
293.28  at the close of the biennium be returned to the taxpayers of 
293.29  Minnesota in the form of a rebate, payable at the end of the 
293.30  budget period. 
293.31     Sec. 4.  [16A.1523] [REBATE REQUIREMENTS.] 
293.32     (a) If, on the basis of a forecast of general fund revenues 
293.33  and expenditures in November of an even-numbered year or 
293.34  February of an odd-numbered year, the commissioner of finance 
293.35  projects that there will be a positive unrestricted budgetary 
293.36  general fund balance at the close of the biennium that exceeds 
294.1   one-half of one percent of total general fund biennial revenues, 
294.2   the commissioner of finance shall designate the entire balance 
294.3   as available for rebate to the taxpayers of Minnesota. 
294.4      (b) If the commissioner of finance designates an amount for 
294.5   rebate in either forecast, then the governor shall present a 
294.6   plan to the legislature for rebating that amount to the 
294.7   taxpayers of Minnesota.  The plan must provide for payments to 
294.8   begin no later than August 15 of the odd-numbered year.  The 
294.9   legislature must adopt or modify any plan presented by the 
294.10  governor by April 15 of each odd-numbered year. 
294.11     (c) By July 15 of each odd-numbered year, the commissioner 
294.12  of finance shall certify to the commissioner of revenue the 
294.13  amount of revenues available for rebate as determined by 
294.14  preliminary June 30 end-of-year fiscal analysis. 
294.15     (d) If the amount of a positive unrestricted budgetary 
294.16  general fund balance existing on June 30 of an odd-numbered year 
294.17  is less than one-half of one percent of the total general fund 
294.18  biennial revenues, the total amount of the positive balance 
294.19  shall be deposited into the tax relief account. 
294.20     (e) Amounts certified for rebate by the commissioner of 
294.21  finance are appropriated from the general fund to the 
294.22  commissioner of revenue for the sole purpose of making the 
294.23  payments required by this section. 
294.24     Sec. 5.  [EFFECTIVE DATE.] 
294.25     Sections 1 to 4 are effective September 1, 1999. 
294.26                             ARTICLE 14 
294.27                           MISCELLANEOUS 
294.28     Section 1.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 3.986, 
294.29  subdivision 2, is amended to read: 
294.30     Subd. 2.  [LOCAL FISCAL IMPACT.] (a) "Local fiscal impact" 
294.31  means increased or decreased costs or revenues that a political 
294.32  subdivision would incur as a result of a law enacted after June 
294.33  30, 1997, or rule proposed after December 31, 1998: 
294.34     (1) that mandates a new program, eliminates an existing 
294.35  mandated program, requires an increased level of service of an 
294.36  existing program, or permits a decreased level of service in an 
295.1   existing mandated program; 
295.2      (2) that implements or interprets federal law and, by its 
295.3   implementation or interpretation, increases or decreases program 
295.4   or service levels beyond the level required by the federal law; 
295.5      (3) that implements or interprets a statute or amendment 
295.6   adopted or enacted pursuant to the approval of a statewide 
295.7   ballot measure by the voters and, by its implementation or 
295.8   interpretation, increases or decreases program or service levels 
295.9   beyond the levels required by the ballot measure; 
295.10     (4) that removes an option previously available to 
295.11  political subdivisions, or adds an option previously unavailable 
295.12  to political subdivisions, thus requiring higher program or 
295.13  service levels or permitting lower program or service levels, or 
295.14  prohibits a specific activity and so forces political 
295.15  subdivisions to use a more costly alternative to provide a 
295.16  mandated program or service; 
295.17     (5) that requires that an existing program or service be 
295.18  provided in a shorter time period and thus increases the cost of 
295.19  the program or service, or permits an existing mandated program 
295.20  or service to be provided in a longer time period, thus 
295.21  permitting a decrease in the cost of the program or service; 
295.22     (6) that adds new requirements to an existing optional 
295.23  program or service and thus increases the cost of the program or 
295.24  service because the political subdivisions have no reasonable 
295.25  alternative other than to continue the optional program; 
295.26     (7) that affects local revenue collections by changes in 
295.27  property or sales and use tax exemptions; 
295.28     (8) that requires costs previously incurred at local option 
295.29  that have subsequently been mandated by the state; or 
295.30     (9) that requires payment of a new fee or increases the 
295.31  amount of an existing fee, or permits the elimination or 
295.32  decrease of an existing fee mandated by the state. 
295.33     (b) When state law is intended to achieve compliance with 
295.34  federal law or court orders, state mandates shall be determined 
295.35  as follows: 
295.36     (1) if the federal law or court order is discretionary, the 
296.1   state law is a state mandate; 
296.2      (2) if the state law exceeds what is required by the 
296.3   federal law or court order, only the provisions of the state law 
296.4   that exceed the federal requirements are a state mandate; and 
296.5      (3) if the state law does not exceed what is required by 
296.6   the federal statute or regulation or court order, the state law 
296.7   is not a state mandate. 
296.8      Sec. 2.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 3.987, 
296.9   subdivision 1, is amended to read: 
296.10     Subdivision 1.  [LOCAL IMPACT NOTES.] The commissioner of 
296.11  finance shall coordinate the development of a local impact note 
296.12  for any proposed legislation introduced after June 30, 1997, or 
296.13  any rule proposed after December 31, 1998, upon request of the 
296.14  chair or the ranking minority member of either legislative tax 
296.15  committee.  Upon receipt of a request to prepare a local impact 
296.16  note, the commissioner must notify the authors of the proposed 
296.17  legislation or, for an administrative rule, the head of the 
296.18  relevant executive agency or department, that the request has 
296.19  been made.  The local impact note must be made available to the 
296.20  public upon request.  If the action is among the exceptions 
296.21  listed in section 3.988, a local impact note need not be 
296.22  requested nor prepared.  The commissioner shall make a 
296.23  reasonable and timely estimate of the local fiscal impact on 
296.24  each type of political subdivision that would result from the 
296.25  proposed legislation.  The commissioner of finance may require 
296.26  any political subdivision or the commissioner of an 
296.27  administrative agency of the state to supply in a timely manner 
296.28  any information determined to be necessary to determine local 
296.29  fiscal impact.  The political subdivision, its representative 
296.30  association, or commissioner shall convey the requested 
296.31  information to the commissioner of finance with a signed 
296.32  statement to the effect that the information is accurate and 
296.33  complete to the best of its ability.  The political subdivision, 
296.34  its representative association, or commissioner, when requested, 
296.35  shall update its determination of local fiscal impact based on 
296.36  actual cost or revenue figures, improved estimates, or both.  
297.1   Upon completion of the note, the commissioner must provide a 
297.2   copy to the authors of the proposed legislation or, for an 
297.3   administrative rule, to the head of the relevant executive 
297.4   agency or department. 
297.5      Sec. 3.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 270.07, 
297.6   subdivision 1, is amended to read: 
297.7      Subdivision 1.  [POWERS OF COMMISSIONER; APPLICATION FOR 
297.8   ABATEMENT; ORDERS.] (a) The commissioner of revenue shall 
297.9   prescribe the form of all blanks and books required under this 
297.10  chapter and shall hear and determine all matters of grievance 
297.11  relating to taxation.  Except for matters delegated to the 
297.12  various boards of county commissioners under section 375.192, 
297.13  and except as otherwise provided by law, the commissioner shall 
297.14  have power to grant such reduction or abatement of net tax 
297.15  capacities or taxes and of any costs, penalties or interest 
297.16  thereon as the commissioner may deem just and equitable, and to 
297.17  order the refundment, in whole or in part, of any taxes, costs, 
297.18  penalties or interest thereon which have been erroneously or 
297.19  unjustly paid.  Application therefor shall be submitted with a 
297.20  statement of facts in the case and the favorable recommendation 
297.21  of the county board or of the board of abatement of any city 
297.22  where any such board exists, and the county auditor of the 
297.23  county wherein such tax was levied or paid. In the case of taxes 
297.24  other than gross earnings taxes, the order may be made only on 
297.25  application and approval as provided in this paragraph.  No 
297.26  reduction, abatement, or refundment of any special assessments 
297.27  made or levied by any municipality for local improvements shall 
297.28  be made unless it is also approved by the board of review or 
297.29  similar taxing authority of such municipality. 
297.30     (b) The commissioner has the power to grant reductions or 
297.31  abatements of gross earnings tax.  An application for reduction 
297.32  of gross earnings taxes may be made directly to the commissioner 
297.33  without the favorable action of the county board and county 
297.34  auditor.  The commissioner shall direct that any gross earnings 
297.35  taxes that may have been erroneously or unjustly paid be applied 
297.36  against unpaid taxes due from the applicant. 
298.1      (c) The commissioner shall forward to the county auditor a 
298.2   copy of the order made by the commissioner in all cases in which 
298.3   the approval of the county board is required. 
298.4      (d) The commissioner may refer any question that may arise 
298.5   in reference to the true construction of this chapter to the 
298.6   attorney general, and the decision thereon shall be in force and 
298.7   effect until annulled by the judgment of a court of competent 
298.8   jurisdiction.  
298.9      (e) The commissioner may by written order abate, reduce, or 
298.10  refund any penalty or interest imposed by any law relating to 
298.11  taxation, if in the commissioner's opinion the failure to timely 
298.12  pay the tax or failure to timely file the return is due to 
298.13  reasonable cause, or if the taxpayer is located in a 
298.14  presidentially declared disaster area.  The order shall be made 
298.15  on application of the taxpayer to the commissioner. 
298.16     (f) If an order issued under this subdivision is for an 
298.17  abatement, reduction, or refund of over $5,000, it shall be 
298.18  valid only if approved in writing by the attorney general. 
298.19     (g) (f) An appeal may not be taken to the tax court from 
298.20  any order of the commissioner of revenue made in the exercise of 
298.21  the discretionary authority granted in paragraph (a) with 
298.22  respect to the reduction or abatement of real or personal 
298.23  property taxes in response to a taxpayer's application for an 
298.24  abatement, reduction, or refund of taxes, net tax capacities, 
298.25  costs, penalties, or interest. 
298.26     Sec. 4.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 270.65, is 
298.27  amended to read: 
298.28     270.65 [DATE OF ASSESSMENT; DEFINITION.] 
298.29     For purposes of taxes administered by the commissioner, the 
298.30  term "date of assessment" means the date a return was filed or 
298.31  the date a return should have been filed, whichever is later; 
298.32  or, in the case of taxes determined by the commissioner, "date 
298.33  of assessment" means the date of the order assessing taxes; or, 
298.34  in the case of an amended return filed by the taxpayer, the 
298.35  assessment date is the date the return was filed with the 
298.36  commissioner; or, in the case of a check from a taxpayer that is 
299.1   dishonored and results in an erroneous refund being given to the 
299.2   taxpayer, remittance of the check is deemed to be an assessment 
299.3   and the "date of assessment" is the date the check was received 
299.4   by the commissioner. 
299.5      Sec. 5.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 270.67, is 
299.6   amended by adding a subdivision to read: 
299.7      Subd. 4.  [OFFER-IN-COMPROMISE PROGRAM.] (a) In 
299.8   implementing the authority provided in subdivision 1 or in 
299.9   section 8.30 to accept offers of installment payments or 
299.10  offers-in-compromise of tax liabilities, the commissioner of 
299.11  revenue shall prescribe guidelines for employees of the 
299.12  department of revenue to determine whether an 
299.13  offer-in-compromise or an offer to make installment payments is 
299.14  adequate and should be accepted to resolve a dispute.  In 
299.15  prescribing the guidelines, the commissioner shall develop and 
299.16  publish schedules of national and local allowances designed to 
299.17  provide that taxpayers entering into a compromise have an 
299.18  adequate means to provide for basic living expenses.  The 
299.19  guidelines must provide that the taxpayer's ownership interest 
299.20  in a motor vehicle, to the extent of the value allowed in 
299.21  section 550.37, will not be considered as an asset; in the case 
299.22  of an offer related to a joint tax liability of spouses, that 
299.23  value of two motor vehicles must be excluded.  The guidelines 
299.24  must provide that employees of the department shall determine, 
299.25  on the basis of the facts and circumstances of each taxpayer, 
299.26  whether the use of the schedules is appropriate and that 
299.27  employees must not use the schedules to the extent the use would 
299.28  result in the taxpayer not having adequate means to provide for 
299.29  basic living expenses.  The guidelines must provide that: 
299.30     (1) an employee of the department shall not reject an 
299.31  offer-in-compromise from a low-income taxpayer solely on the 
299.32  basis of the amount of the offer; and 
299.33     (2) in the case of an offer-in-compromise which relates 
299.34  only to issues of liability of the taxpayer: 
299.35     (i) the offer must not be rejected solely because the 
299.36  commissioner is unable to locate the taxpayer's return or return 
300.1   information for verification of the liability; and 
300.2      (ii) the taxpayer shall not be required to provide an 
300.3   audited, reviewed, or compiled financial statement. 
300.4      (b) The commissioner shall establish procedures: 
300.5      (1) for an independent administrative review of any 
300.6   rejection of a proposed offer-in-compromise or installment 
300.7   agreement made by a taxpayer under this section before the 
300.8   rejection is communicated to the taxpayer; 
300.9      (2) that allow a taxpayer to appeal any rejection of the 
300.10  offer or agreement to the commissioner of revenue; 
300.11     (3) that provide for notification to the taxpayer when an 
300.12  offer-in-compromise has been accepted, and issuance of 
300.13  certificates of release of any liens imposed under section 
300.14  270.69 related to the liability which is the subject of the 
300.15  compromise; and 
300.16     (4) that require presentation of a counteroffer by the 
300.17  commissioner if the amount offered by the taxpayer in an 
300.18  offer-in-compromise is not accepted by the commissioner. 
300.19     Sec. 6.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 270B.14, is 
300.20  amended by adding a subdivision to read: 
300.21     Subd. 17.  [DISCLOSURE TO DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE.] The 
300.22  commissioner may disclose to the commissioner of commerce 
300.23  information required to administer the Uniform Disposition of 
300.24  Unclaimed Property Act in sections 354.31 to 345.60, including 
300.25  the social security numbers of the taxpayers whose refunds are 
300.26  on the report of abandoned property submitted by the 
300.27  commissioner to the commissioner of commerce under section 
300.28  345.41.  Except for data published under section 345.42, the 
300.29  information received that is private or nonpublic data retains 
300.30  its classification and can be used by the commissioner of 
300.31  commerce only for the purpose of verifying that the persons 
300.32  claiming the refunds are the owners. 
300.33     Sec. 7.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 289A.31, 
300.34  subdivision 2, is amended to read: 
300.35     Subd. 2.  [JOINT INCOME TAX RETURNS.] (a) If a joint income 
300.36  tax return is made by a husband and wife, the liability for the 
301.1   tax is joint and several.  A spouse who is relieved of qualifies 
301.2   for relief from a liability attributable to a substantial an 
301.3   underpayment under section 6013(e) 6015(b) of the Internal 
301.4   Revenue Code is also relieved of the state income tax liability 
301.5   on the substantial underpayment.  
301.6      (b) In the case of individuals who were a husband and wife 
301.7   prior to the dissolution of their marriage or their legal 
301.8   separation, or prior to the death of one of the individuals, for 
301.9   tax liabilities reported on a joint or combined return, the 
301.10  liability of each person is limited to the proportion of the tax 
301.11  due on the return that equals that person's proportion of the 
301.12  total tax due if the husband and wife filed separate returns for 
301.13  the taxable year.  This provision is effective only when the 
301.14  commissioner receives written notice of the marriage 
301.15  dissolution, legal separation, or death of a spouse from the 
301.16  husband or wife.  No refund may be claimed by an ex-spouse, 
301.17  legally separated or widowed spouse for any taxes paid more than 
301.18  60 days before receipt by the commissioner of the written notice.
301.19     Sec. 8.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 289A.40, 
301.20  subdivision 1, is amended to read: 
301.21     Subdivision 1.  [TIME LIMIT; GENERALLY.] Unless otherwise 
301.22  provided in this chapter, a claim for a refund of an overpayment 
301.23  of state tax must be filed within 3-1/2 years from the date 
301.24  prescribed for filing the return, plus any extension of time 
301.25  granted for filing the return, but only if filed within the 
301.26  extended time, or one year from the date of an order assessing 
301.27  tax under section 289A.37, subdivision 1, or an order 
301.28  determining an appeal under section 289A.65, subdivision 8, or 
301.29  one year from the date of a return made by the commissioner 
301.30  under section 289A.35, upon payment in full of the tax, 
301.31  penalties, and interest shown on the order or return made by the 
301.32  commissioner, whichever period expires later.  Claims for 
301.33  refund, except for taxes under chapter 297A, filed after the 
301.34  3-1/2 year period but within the one-year period are limited to 
301.35  the amount of the tax, penalties, and interest on the order or 
301.36  return made by the commissioner and to issues determined by the 
302.1   order or return made by the commissioner. 
302.2      In the case of assessments under section 289A.38, 
302.3   subdivision 5 or 6, claims for refund under chapter 297A filed 
302.4   after the 3-1/2 year period but within the one-year period are 
302.5   limited to the amount of the tax, penalties, and interest on the 
302.6   order or return made by the commissioner that are due for the 
302.7   period before the 3-1/2 year period. 
302.8      Sec. 9.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 289A.40, 
302.9   subdivision 1a, is amended to read: 
302.10     Subd. 1a.  [INDIVIDUAL INCOME TAXES; REASONABLE 
302.11  CAUSE SUSPENSION DURING PERIOD OF DISABILITY.] If the 
302.12  taxpayer establishes reasonable cause for failing to timely file 
302.13  the return required by section 289A.08, subdivision 1, files the 
302.14  required return within ten years of the date specified in 
302.15  section 289A.18, subdivision 1, and independently verifies that 
302.16  an overpayment has been made, the commissioner shall grant a 
302.17  refund claimed by the original return, notwithstanding the 
302.18  limitations of subdivision 1 meets the requirements for 
302.19  suspending the running of the time period to file a claim for 
302.20  refund under section 6511(h) of the Internal Revenue Code, the 
302.21  time period in subdivision 1 for the taxpayer to file a claim 
302.22  for an individual income tax refund is suspended. 
302.23     Sec. 10.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 289A.50, is 
302.24  amended by adding a subdivision to read: 
302.25     Subd. 1a.  [REFUND FORM.] On or before January 1, 2000, the 
302.26  commissioner of revenue shall prepare and make available to 
302.27  taxpayers a form for filing claims for refund of taxes paid in 
302.28  excess of the amount due.  If the commissioner fails to prepare 
302.29  a form under this subdivision by January 1, 2000, any claims for 
302.30  refund made after January 1, 2000, and up to ten days after the 
302.31  form is made available to taxpayers are deemed to be made in 
302.32  compliance with the requirement of the form. 
302.33     Sec. 11.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 289A.50, 
302.34  subdivision 7, is amended to read: 
302.35     Subd. 7.  [REMEDIES.] (a) If the taxpayer is notified by 
302.36  the commissioner that the refund claim is denied in whole or in 
303.1   part, the taxpayer may: 
303.2      (1) file an administrative appeal as provided in section 
303.3   289A.65, or an appeal with the tax court, within 60 days after 
303.4   issuance of the commissioner's notice of denial; or 
303.5      (2) file an action in the district court to recover the 
303.6   refund. 
303.7      (b) An action in the district court on a denied claim for 
303.8   refund must be brought within 18 months of the date of the 
303.9   denial of the claim by the commissioner. 
303.10     (c) No action in the district court or the tax court shall 
303.11  be brought within six months of the filing of the refund claim 
303.12  unless the commissioner denies the claim within that period. 
303.13     (d) If a taxpayer files a claim for refund and the 
303.14  commissioner has not issued a denial of the claim, the taxpayer 
303.15  may bring an action in the district court or the tax court at 
303.16  any time after the expiration of six months of the time the 
303.17  claim was filed, but within four years of the date that the 
303.18  claim was filed. 
303.19     (e) If the claim for refund has been filed on and in 
303.20  compliance with the requirements of the form prepared by the 
303.21  commissioner under subdivision 1a and if the commissioner has 
303.22  not denied the claim within 30 months after the claim was filed, 
303.23  the claim is deemed granted on the last day of the 30th month.  
303.24  The commissioner shall refund the amount claimed.  The 
303.25  commissioner and the taxpayer may agree to extend the 30-month 
303.26  period before its expiration. 
303.27     (f) The commissioner and the taxpayer may agree to extend 
303.28  the period for bringing an action in the district court. 
303.29     (f) (g) An action for refund of tax by the taxpayer must be 
303.30  brought in the district court of the district in which lies the 
303.31  county of the taxpayer's residence or principal place of 
303.32  business.  In the case of an estate or trust, the action must be 
303.33  brought at the principal place of its administration.  Any 
303.34  action may be brought in the district court for Ramsey county. 
303.35     Sec. 12.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 289A.60, 
303.36  subdivision 3, is amended to read: 
304.1      Subd. 3.  [COMBINED PENALTIES.] When penalties are imposed 
304.2   under subdivisions 1 and 2, except for the minimum penalty under 
304.3   subdivision 2, the penalties imposed under both subdivisions 
304.4   combined must not exceed 38 percent. 
304.5      Sec. 13.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 289A.60, 
304.6   subdivision 21, is amended to read: 
304.7      Subd. 21.  [PENALTY FOR FAILURE TO MAKE PAYMENT BY 
304.8   ELECTRONIC FUNDS TRANSFER.] (a) In addition to other applicable 
304.9   penalties imposed by this section, after notification from the 
304.10  commissioner to the taxpayer that payments are required to be 
304.11  made by means of electronic funds transfer under section 
304.12  289A.20, subdivision 2, paragraph (e), or 4, paragraph (d), or 
304.13  289A.26, subdivision 2a, and the payments are remitted by some 
304.14  other means, there is a penalty in the amount of five percent of 
304.15  each payment that should have been remitted electronically.  The 
304.16  penalty can be abated under the abatement procedures prescribed 
304.17  in section 270.07, subdivision 6, if the failure to remit the 
304.18  payment electronically is due to reasonable cause. 
304.19     (b) The penalty under paragraph (a) does not apply if the 
304.20  taxpayer pays by other means the amount due at least three 
304.21  business days before the date the payment is due.  This 
304.22  paragraph does not apply after December 31, 1997.  
304.23     Sec. 14.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 297A.15, 
304.24  subdivision 5, is amended to read: 
304.25     Subd. 5.  [REFUND; APPROPRIATION.] Notwithstanding the 
304.26  provisions of sections 297A.02, subdivision 5, and 297A.25, 
304.27  subdivision 42, the tax on sales of capital equipment, and 
304.28  replacement capital equipment, shall be imposed and collected as 
304.29  if the rate under section 297A.02, subdivision 1, applied.  Upon 
304.30  application by the purchaser, on forms prescribed by the 
304.31  commissioner, a refund equal to the reduction in the tax due as 
304.32  a result of the application of the exemption under section 
304.33  297A.25, subdivision 42, and the rate under section 297A.02, 
304.34  subdivision 5, shall be paid to the purchaser.  The application 
304.35  must include sufficient information to permit the commissioner 
304.36  to verify the sales tax paid for the project.  The application 
305.1   shall include information necessary for the commissioner 
305.2   initially to verify that the purchases qualified as capital 
305.3   equipment under section 297A.25, subdivision 42, or replacement 
305.4   capital equipment under section 297A.01, subdivision 20.  No 
305.5   more than two applications for refunds may be filed under this 
305.6   subdivision in a calendar year.  Unless otherwise specifically 
305.7   provided by this subdivision, the provisions of section sections 
305.8   289A.40 and 289A.50 apply to the refunds payable under this 
305.9   subdivision.  There is annually appropriated to the commissioner 
305.10  of revenue the amount required to make the refunds. 
305.11     The amount to be refunded shall bear interest at the rate 
305.12  in section 270.76 from the date the refund claim is filed with 
305.13  the commissioner. 
305.14     Sec. 15.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 298.24, 
305.15  subdivision 1, is amended to read: 
305.16     Subdivision 1.  (a) For concentrate produced in 1997 and 
305.17  1998 1999 and thereafter, there is imposed upon taconite and 
305.18  iron sulphides, and upon the mining and quarrying thereof, and 
305.19  upon the production of iron ore concentrate therefrom, and upon 
305.20  the concentrate so produced, a tax of $2.141 per gross ton of 
305.21  merchantable iron ore concentrate produced therefrom.  
305.22     (b) For concentrates produced in 1999 and subsequent years, 
305.23  the tax rate shall be equal to the preceding year's tax rate 
305.24  plus an amount equal to the preceding year's tax rate multiplied 
305.25  by the percentage increase in the implicit price deflator from 
305.26  the fourth quarter of the second preceding year to the fourth 
305.27  quarter of the preceding year.  "Implicit price deflator" for 
305.28  the gross national product means the implicit price deflator 
305.29  prepared by the bureau of economic analysis of the United States 
305.30  Department of Commerce.  
305.31     (c) On concentrates produced in 1997 and thereafter, an 
305.32  additional tax is imposed equal to three cents per gross ton of 
305.33  merchantable iron ore concentrate for each one percent that the 
305.34  iron content of the product exceeds 72 percent, when dried at 
305.35  212 degrees Fahrenheit. 
305.36     (d) (c) The tax shall be imposed on the average of the 
306.1   production for the current year and the previous two years.  The 
306.2   rate of the tax imposed will be the current year's tax rate 
306.3   determined under this subdivision.  This clause paragraph shall 
306.4   not apply in the case of the closing of a taconite facility if 
306.5   the property taxes on the facility would be higher if this 
306.6   clause and section 298.25 were not applicable.  
306.7      (e) (d) If the tax or any part of the tax imposed by this 
306.8   subdivision is held to be unconstitutional, a tax of $2.141 per 
306.9   gross ton of merchantable iron ore concentrate produced shall be 
306.10  imposed.  
306.11     (f) (e) Consistent with the intent of this subdivision to 
306.12  impose a tax based upon the weight of merchantable iron ore 
306.13  concentrate, the commissioner of revenue may indirectly 
306.14  determine the weight of merchantable iron ore concentrate 
306.15  included in fluxed pellets by subtracting the weight of the 
306.16  limestone, dolomite, or olivine derivatives or other basic flux 
306.17  additives included in the pellets from the weight of the 
306.18  pellets.  For purposes of this paragraph, "fluxed pellets" are 
306.19  pellets produced in a process in which limestone, dolomite, 
306.20  olivine, or other basic flux additives are combined with 
306.21  merchantable iron ore concentrate.  No subtraction from the 
306.22  weight of the pellets shall be allowed for binders, mineral and 
306.23  chemical additives other than basic flux additives, or moisture. 
306.24     (g) (f)(1) Notwithstanding any other provision of this 
306.25  subdivision, for the first two years of a plant's production of 
306.26  direct reduced ore, no tax is imposed under this section.  As 
306.27  used in this paragraph, "direct reduced ore" is ore that results 
306.28  in a product that has an iron content of at least 75 percent.  
306.29  For the third year of a plant's production of direct reduced 
306.30  ore, the rate to be applied to direct reduced ore is 25 percent 
306.31  of the rate otherwise determined under this subdivision.  For 
306.32  the fourth such production year, the rate is 50 percent of the 
306.33  rate otherwise determined under this subdivision; for the fifth 
306.34  such production year, the rate is 75 percent of the rate 
306.35  otherwise determined under this subdivision; and for all 
306.36  subsequent production years, the full rate is imposed. 
307.1      (2) Subject to clause (1), production of direct reduced ore 
307.2   in this state is subject to the tax imposed by this section, but 
307.3   if that production is not produced by a producer of taconite or 
307.4   iron sulfides, the production of taconite or iron sulfides 
307.5   consumed in the production of direct reduced iron in this state 
307.6   is not subject to the tax imposed by this section on taconite or 
307.7   iron sulfides. 
307.8      (g) For purposes of distribution of the tax proceeds under 
307.9   section 298.28, "implicit price deflator" means the implicit 
307.10  price deflator for the gross domestic product prepared by the 
307.11  Bureau of Economic Analysis of the United States Department of 
307.12  Commerce, from the fourth quarter of the second preceding year 
307.13  to the fourth quarter of the preceding year. 
307.14     Sec. 16.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 298.28, 
307.15  subdivision 9a, is amended to read: 
307.16     Subd. 9a.  [TACONITE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FUND.] (a) 
307.17  15.4 25.4 cents per ton for distributions in 1996, 1998, 1999, 
307.18  and 2000 and 20.4 cents per ton for distributions in 1997 shall 
307.19  be paid to the taconite economic development fund.  For each of 
307.20  the following nine years thereafter, the amount per ton for 
307.21  distributions must be increased 1.7 cents over the amount for 
307.22  the previous year and paid to the taconite economic development 
307.23  fund.  No distribution shall be made under this paragraph in any 
307.24  year in which total industry production falls below 30 million 
307.25  tons. 
307.26     (b) An amount equal to 50 percent of the tax under section 
307.27  298.24 for concentrate sold in the form of pellet chips and 
307.28  fines not exceeding 5/16 inch in size and not including crushed 
307.29  pellets shall be paid to the taconite economic development 
307.30  fund.  The amount paid shall not exceed $700,000 annually for 
307.31  all companies.  If the initial amount to be paid to the fund 
307.32  exceeds this amount, each company's payment shall be prorated so 
307.33  the total does not exceed $700,000. 
307.34     Sec. 17.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 360.55, is 
307.35  amended by adding a subdivision to read: 
307.36     Subd. 8.  [AGRICULTURAL AIRCRAFT.] Aircraft registered with 
308.1   the Federal Aviation Administration as restricted category 
308.2   aircraft used for agricultural purposes must be listed for 
308.3   taxation and registration upon filing by the owner a sworn 
308.4   affidavit with the commissioner.  The affidavit must state: 
308.5      (1) the name and address of the owner; 
308.6      (2) the name and address of the person from whom purchased; 
308.7      (3) the aircraft's make, year, model number, federal 
308.8   registration number, and manufacturer's identification number; 
308.9   and 
308.10     (4) that the aircraft is owned and operated solely for 
308.11  agricultural operations and purposes. 
308.12  The owner shall file the affidavit and pay an annual fee 
308.13  established under sections 360.511 to 360.67, which must not 
308.14  exceed $500.  Should the aircraft be operated other than for 
308.15  agricultural purposes, the owner shall list the aircraft for 
308.16  taxation and registration under sections 360.511 to 360.67.  If 
308.17  the aircraft is sold, the new owner shall list the aircraft for 
308.18  taxation and registration under this subdivision or under 
308.19  sections 360.511 to 360.67, as applicable. 
308.20     Sec. 18.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 469.169, 
308.21  subdivision 12, is amended to read: 
308.22     Subd. 12.  [ADDITIONAL ZONE ALLOCATIONS.] (a) In addition 
308.23  to tax reductions authorized in subdivisions 7, 8, 9, 10, and 
308.24  11, the commissioner shall allocate tax reductions to border 
308.25  city enterprise zones located on the western border of the state.
308.26  The cumulative total amount of tax reductions for all years of 
308.27  the program under sections 469.1731 to 469.1735, is limited to: 
308.28     (1) for the city of Breckenridge, $394,000; 
308.29     (2) for the city of Dilworth, $118,200; 
308.30     (3) for the city of East Grand Forks, $788,000; 
308.31     (4) for the city of Moorhead, $591,000; and 
308.32     (5) for the city of Ortonville, $78,800. 
308.33     Allocations made under this subdivision may be used for tax 
308.34  reductions provided in section 469.1732 or 469.1734 or for 
308.35  reimbursements under section 469.1735, subdivision 3, but only 
308.36  if the municipality determines that the granting of the tax 
309.1   reduction or offset is necessary to enable a business to expand 
309.2   within a city or to attract a business to a city.  Limitations 
309.3   on allocations under subdivision 7 do not apply to this 
309.4   allocation. 
309.5      (b) The limit in the allocation in paragraph (a) for a 
309.6   municipality may be waived by the commissioner if the 
309.7   commissioner of revenue finds that the municipality must provide 
309.8   an incentive under section 469.1732 or 469.1734 that, by itself 
309.9   or when aggregated with all other tax reductions granted by the 
309.10  municipality under those provisions, exceeds the municipality's 
309.11  maximum allocation under paragraph (a), in order to obtain or 
309.12  retain a business in the city that would not occur in the 
309.13  municipality without the incentive.  The limit may be waived 
309.14  only if the commissioner finds that the business for which the 
309.15  tax incentives are to be provided: 
309.16     (1) requires a private capital investment of at least 
309.17  $1,000,000 within the city; 
309.18     (2) employs at least 25 new or additional full-time 
309.19  equivalent employees within the city; and 
309.20     (3) pays its employees at the location in the city wages 
309.21  that, on the average, will exceed the average wage paid in the 
309.22  county in which the municipality is located. 
309.23     Any waiver granted under this paragraph must be reported 
309.24  within 60 days to the commissioner of finance and the chairs of 
309.25  the house and senate tax committees.  
309.26     Sec. 19.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 469.169, is 
309.27  amended by adding a subdivision to read: 
309.28     Subd. 14.  [ADDITIONAL BORDER CITY ALLOCATIONS.] In 
309.29  addition to tax reductions authorized in subdivisions 7 to 12, 
309.30  the commissioner may allocate $1,500,000 for tax reductions to 
309.31  border city enterprise zones in cities located on the western 
309.32  border of the state.  The commissioner shall make allocations to 
309.33  zones in cities on the western border on a per capita basis.  
309.34  Allocations made under this subdivision may be used for tax 
309.35  reductions as provided in section 469.171, or other offsets of 
309.36  taxes imposed on or remitted by businesses located in the 
310.1   enterprise zone, but only if the municipality determines that 
310.2   the granting of the tax reduction or offset is necessary in 
310.3   order to retain a business within or attract a business to the 
310.4   zone.  Limitations on allocations under subdivision 7, do not 
310.5   apply to this allocation. 
310.6      Sec. 20.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 469.1735, is 
310.7   amended by adding a subdivision to read: 
310.8      Subd. 4.  [APPROPRIATION; WAIVERS.] An amount sufficient to 
310.9   fund any tax reductions under a waiver made by the commissioner 
310.10  under section 469.169, subdivision 12, paragraph (b), is 
310.11  appropriated to the commissioner of revenue from the general 
310.12  fund.  This appropriation may not be deducted from the dollar 
310.13  limits under this section or section 469.169 or 469.1734. 
310.14     Sec. 21.  Laws 1997, Second Special Session chapter 2, 
310.15  section 6, is amended to read: 
310.16  Sec. 6.  TRADE AND ECONOMIC
310.17  DEVELOPMENT                                           8,200,000
310.18  Notwithstanding the requirement in 
310.19  Minnesota Statutes, section 469.169, 
310.20  subdivision 11, as added by Laws 1997, 
310.21  chapter 231, article 16, section 20, to 
310.22  base allocations to zones in cities on 
310.23  the state's western border on a per 
310.24  capita basis, $1,200,000 is a one-time 
310.25  appropriation from the general fund to 
310.26  the commissioner of trade and economic 
310.27  development for border city enterprise 
310.28  competitiveness grants under Minnesota 
310.29  Statutes, sections 469.166 to 469.173.  
310.30  Funds shall be allocated to communities 
310.31  with significant business losses that 
310.32  are at risk of losing business tax base 
310.33  due to noncompetitiveness with North 
310.34  Dakota and South Dakota and shall be 
310.35  available to communities for locally 
310.36  administered measures to retain their 
310.37  job base.  Allocations made under this 
310.38  paragraph may be used for tax 
310.39  reductions as provided in Minnesota 
310.40  Statutes, section 469.171, or other 
310.41  offsets of taxes imposed on or remitted 
310.42  by businesses located in the enterprise 
310.43  zone, but only if the municipality 
310.44  determines that the granting of the tax 
310.45  reduction or offset is necessary in 
310.46  order to retain a business within or 
310.47  attract a business to the zone.  
310.48  Limitations on allocations under 
310.49  Minnesota Statutes, section 469.169, 
310.50  subdivision 7, do not apply to this 
310.51  appropriation.  Enterprise zones that 
310.52  receive allocations under this 
310.53  paragraph may continue in effect for 
310.54  purposes of those allocations 
310.55  through December 31, 1998 June 30, 1999.
311.1   $6,000,000 is a one-time appropriation 
311.2   from the general fund to the Minnesota 
311.3   investment fund for grants to local 
311.4   units of government for locally 
311.5   administered operating loan programs 
311.6   for businesses directly and adversely 
311.7   affected by the floods.  Loan criteria 
311.8   and requirements shall be locally 
311.9   established with approval by the 
311.10  department.  For the purposes of this 
311.11  appropriation, Minnesota Statutes, 
311.12  sections 116J.8731, subdivisions 3, 4, 
311.13  5, and 7, and 116J.991, are waived. 
311.14  Businesses that receive grants or loans 
311.15  from this appropriation shall set goals 
311.16  for jobs retained and wages paid within 
311.17  the area designated under Presidential 
311.18  Declaration of Major Disaster, DR-1175. 
311.19  $1,000,000 is a one-time appropriation 
311.20  from the petroleum tank release cleanup 
311.21  fund to the commissioner of trade and 
311.22  economic development.  Notwithstanding 
311.23  Minnesota Statutes, section 115C.08, 
311.24  subdivision 4, as amended by Laws 1997, 
311.25  chapter 200, article 2, section 4, 
311.26  these funds are to be used for grants 
311.27  to buy out property substantially 
311.28  damaged by a petroleum tank release. 
311.29     Sec. 22.  [EXTENSIONS FOR OPERATION ALLIED FORCE SERVICE 
311.30  MEMBERS.] 
311.31     The limitations of time provided by Minnesota Statutes, 
311.32  chapter 289A relating to administration of taxes, chapter 290 
311.33  relating to income taxes, chapter 271 relating to the tax court 
311.34  for filing returns, paying taxes, claiming refunds, commencing 
311.35  action thereon, appealing to the tax court from orders relating 
311.36  to income taxes, and the filing of petitions under chapter 278, 
311.37  and appealing to the Supreme Court from decisions of the tax 
311.38  court relating to income taxes are extended, as provided in the 
311.39  special rule for section 7508 of the Internal Revenue Code in 
311.40  section 1, paragraph (c), of Public Law Number 106-21. 
311.41     Sec. 23.  [TRANSFER.] 
311.42     The commissioner of finance shall transfer $2,000,000 from 
311.43  the conservation fund under Minnesota Statutes, section 40A.151, 
311.44  to the general fund on July 1, 1999. 
311.45     Sec. 24.  [APPROPRIATION.] 
311.46     $1,000,000 is appropriated to the commissioner of revenue 
311.47  from the general fund for the cost of administering this act.  
311.48  This appropriation is for fiscal year 2000 and any unspent 
311.49  amount may be carried over to fiscal year 2001.  This is a 
312.1   one-time appropriation and not part of the budget base for the 
312.2   department. 
312.3      Sec. 25.  [REPEALER.] 
312.4      Minnesota Statutes 1998, sections 297E.12, subdivision 3; 
312.5   297F.19, subdivision 4; and 297G.18, subdivision 4, are repealed.
312.6      Sec. 26.  [EFFECTIVE DATES.] 
312.7      Sections 3, 6, 10, 13, 14, 18, 19, 21, and 25 are effective 
312.8   the day following final enactment.  
312.9      Section 4 is effective for checks received on or after the 
312.10  day following final enactment.  
312.11     Section 5 is effective the day following final enactment, 
312.12  and applies to offers-in-compromise submitted after June 30, 
312.13  1999. 
312.14     Section 7, paragraph (a), is effective at the same time 
312.15  that section 6015(b) of the Internal Revenue Code is effective 
312.16  for federal tax purposes.  Section 7, paragraph (b), is 
312.17  effective for claims for innocent spouse relief, requests for 
312.18  allocation of joint income tax liability, and taxes filed or 
312.19  paid on or after the day following final enactment. 
312.20     Section 8 is effective for orders issued on or after the 
312.21  day following final enactment. 
312.22     Section 9 is effective for disabilities existing on or 
312.23  after the date of enactment for which claims for refund have not 
312.24  expired under the time limit in Minnesota Statutes, section 
312.25  289A.40, subdivision 1.  Claims based upon reasonable cause must 
312.26  be filed prior to the expiration of the repealed ten-year period 
312.27  or within one year after the date of enactment, whichever is 
312.28  earlier. 
312.29     Section 11 is effective for claims for refund filed after 
312.30  December 31, 1999.  
312.31     Section 12 is effective for tax years ending on or after 
312.32  the day following final enactment.  
312.33     Section 15 is effective for concentrates produced in 1999 
312.34  and thereafter.  
312.35     Section 16 is effective for distributions in 2000 to 2009.  
312.36     Section 17 is effective for aircraft registered after June 
313.1   30, 1999. 
313.2      Section 22 is effective at the same time section 1, 
313.3   paragraph (c), of Public Law Number 106-21 becomes effective.