1.1CONFERENCE COMMITTEE REPORT ON H. F. No. 25531.2A bill for an act1.3relating to state government; creating a catastrophe survivor compensation 1.4fund; appropriating money;amending Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 13.635, 1.5by adding a subdivision; proposing coding for new law as Minnesota Statutes, 1.6chapter 8A.1.7May 5, 20081.8The Honorable Margaret Anderson Kelliher1.9Speaker of the House of Representatives1.10The Honorable James P. Metzen1.11President of the Senate1.12We, the undersigned conferees for H. F. No. 2553 report that we have agreed upon 1.13the items in dispute and recommend as follows:1.14That the Senate recede from its amendments and that H. F. No. 2553 be further 1.15amended as follows:1.16Delete everything after the enacting clause and insert:1.17    "Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 3.736, subdivision 4, is amended to read:1.18    Subd. 4. Limits. The total liability of the state and its employees acting within the 1.19scope of their employment on any tort claim shall not exceed:1.20    (a) $300,000 when the claim is one for death by wrongful act or omission and 1.21$300,000 to any claimant in any other case, for claims arising before January August1.221, 2008 2007;1.23    (b) $400,000 when the claim is one for death by wrongful act or omission and 1.24$400,000 to any claimant in any other case, for claims arising on or after January August1.251, 2008 2007, and before July 1, 2009;1.26    (c) $500,000 when the claim is one for death by wrongful act or omission and 1.27$500,000 to any claimant in any other case, for claims arising on or after July 1, 2009;1.28    (d) $750,000 for any number of claims arising out of a single occurrence, for claims 1.29arising on or after January 1, 1998, and before January 1, 2000; 2.1    (e) $1,000,000 for any number of claims arising out of a single occurrence, for 2.2claims arising on or after January 1, 2000, and before January 1, 2008; 2.3    (f) $1,200,000 for any number of claims arising out of a single occurrence, for 2.4claims arising on or after January 1, 2008, and before July 1, 2009; or2.5    (g) $1,500,000 for any number of claims arising out of a single occurrence, for 2.6claims arising on or after July 1, 2009.2.7    If the amount awarded to or settled upon multiple claimants exceeds the applicable 2.8limit under clause  (d), (e), (f), or  (g), any party may apply to the district court to apportion 2.9to each claimant a proper share of the amount available under the applicable limit under 2.10clause  (d), (e), (f), or  (g). The share apportioned to each claimant shall be in the proportion 2.11that the ratio of the award or settlement bears to the aggregate awards and settlements for 2.12all claims arising out of the occurrence.2.13    The limitation imposed by this subdivision on individual claimants includes damages 2.14claimed for loss of services or loss of support arising out of the same tort.2.15EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective retroactively from August 1, 2007.2.16    Sec. 2. [3.7391] PURPOSE.2.17    Subdivision 1.Findings; I-35W bridge.The legislature finds that the collapse of 2.18the Interstate Highway 35W bridge over the Mississippi River in Minneapolis on August 2.191, 2007, was a catastrophe of historic proportions. The bridge was the third-busiest in the 2.20state, carrying over 140,000 cars per day. Its collapse killed 13 people and injured more 2.21than 100. No other structure owned by this state has ever fallen with such devastating 2.22physical and psychological impact on so many. 2.23    Subd. 2.Compensation process.The establishment of a compensation process 2.24under sections 3.7391 to 3.7394 for survivors of the catastrophe furthers the public 2.25interest by providing a remedy for survivors while avoiding the uncertainty and expense 2.26of potentially complex and protracted litigation to resolve the issue of the liability of the 2.27state, a municipality, or their employees for damages incurred by survivors.2.28    Subd. 3.Not an admission of liability.These findings are not an admission 2.29of liability of the state, a municipality, or their employees for damages caused by the 2.30catastrophe.2.31    Sec. 3. [3.7392] DEFINITIONS.2.32    Subdivision 1.Application.The definitions in this section apply to sections 3.7391 2.33to 3.7394.3.1    Subd. 2.Catastrophe."Catastrophe" means the collapse of the I-35W bridge over 3.2the Mississippi River in Minneapolis on August 1, 2007.3.3    Subd. 3.Damages."Damages" means damages that are compensable under state 3.4tort law and damages for wrongful death that are compensable under  section 573.02. 3.5Damages do not include punitive damages or attorney fees or other fees incurred by a 3.6survivor in making a claim under this section or other law.3.7    Subd. 4.Emergency relief fund."Emergency relief fund" means the I-35W bridge 3.8emergency relief fund created by the state on November 30, 2007.3.9    Subd. 5.Municipality."Municipality" has the meaning given in section 466.01.3.10    Subd. 6.Panel."Panel" means the special master panel created under section 3.113.7393.3.12    Subd. 7.State."State" has the meaning given in  section 3.732.3.13    Subd. 8.Survivor."Survivor" means a natural person who was present on the 3.14I-35W bridge at the time of the collapse. Survivor also includes:3.15    (1) the parent or legal guardian of a survivor who is under 18 years of age;3.16    (2) a legally appointed representative of a survivor; or3.17    (3) the surviving spouse or next of kin of a deceased survivor who would be entitled 3.18to bring an action under section 573.02.3.19    Sec. 4. [3.7393] CONSIDERATION AND PAYMENT OF CLAIMS.3.20    Subdivision 1.Special master panel.The chief justice of the Supreme Court 3.21shall establish a special master panel to consider claims, make offers of settlement, and 3.22enter into settlement agreements with survivors on behalf of the state. The panel must 3.23be established by June 30, 2008. The panel must consist of three attorneys. Members of 3.24the panel must have experience in legal issues involving the settlement of tort claims and 3.25the determination of damages. The chief justice shall designate a member of the panel 3.26to serve as chair of the panel. The chief justice shall determine the pay and expenses to 3.27be received by the panel.3.28    Subd. 2.Staff.Within the limits of available appropriations, the state court 3.29administrator, in consultation with the panel, shall hire employees or retain consultants 3.30necessary to assist the panel in performing its duties under this section. Employees are in 3.31the unclassified state civil service. The panel may also use consultants who are under a 3.32contract with the state or current state employees to assist the panel in processing claims 3.33under this section.4.1    Subd. 3.Records.Records of the panel related to a claim filed by a survivor, an 4.2offer of settlement, or an acceptance or rejection of an offer are not accessible to the 4.3public except for:4.4    (1) the name of the survivor; and4.5    (2) the terms of any written settlement agreement between the survivor and the state.4.6    Subd. 4.Procedure.Consistent with sections 3.7391 to 3.7394, the panel may 4.7adopt and modify procedures, rules, and forms for considering claims, making offers of 4.8settlement, entering into settlement agreements, and considering requests for and making 4.9supplemental payments. The panel must allow each survivor to appear in person before 4.10the panel or one of its members.4.11    Subd. 5.Payment of panel expenses.The state court administrator shall forward 4.12documentation of salaries, expenses, and administrative costs under this section to the 4.13commissioner of finance for payment of those amounts.4.14    Subd. 6.Immunity.Members of the panel and employees and consultants acting 4.15under the direction of the panel are absolutely immune from civil liability for any act or 4.16omission occurring within the scope of the performance of their duties under this section.4.17    Subd. 7.General duties.The panel shall consider claims, make offers of settlement, 4.18and enter into settlement agreements with survivors as provided in this section. The panel 4.19must not consider negligence or any other theory of liability. The panel shall make offers 4.20of settlement and supplemental payments under this section with the assumption that no 4.21future appropriation will be available for these purposes and shall include a notice of this 4.22provision when making settlement offers.4.23    Subd. 8.Effect and finality of offers and settlement agreements.(a) An offer of 4.24settlement made to a survivor under this section is considered for all purposes to be an 4.25offer to the survivor to settle a legal claim.4.26    (b) A determination by the panel regarding an offer of settlement or settlement 4.27agreement or a supplemental payment is final and not subject to judicial review.4.28(c) The amount of damages incurred by a survivor calculated by the panel pursuant 4.29to subdivision 10 may not be used in a subsequent court proceeding in evidence or 4.30otherwise to determine any rights, duties, or responsibilities of the state or any other party.4.31    Subd. 9.Deadlines.In order to be eligible to receive an offer of settlement or enter 4.32into a settlement agreement under this section or to receive a supplemental payment 4.33under subdivision 12, a survivor must file a claim with the panel by October 15, 2008. 4.34Any offer of settlement must be made by February 28, 2009. A survivor must accept or 4.35reject the offer of settlement within 45 days after receiving the offer. Failure to accept an 5.1offer within 45 days is a rejection. A survivor who is eligible to receive a supplemental 5.2payment under subdivision 12 may choose to wait until the survivor's supplemental 5.3payment is calculated before accepting or rejecting an offer of settlement, provided that a 5.4survivor may not accept an offer of settlement later than 45 days after receiving notice of 5.5the proposed supplemental payment award. The decision to accept or reject an offer is 5.6irrevocable. The panel must notify a survivor of the deadlines for response to an offer of 5.7settlement as provided in this subdivision.5.8    Subd. 10.Calculation of amount.The panel shall determine the total damages 5.9incurred by a survivor. The amount of an offer of settlement under this section must be 5.10calculated based on the total damages, less:5.11    (1) payments made to the survivor up to the date the settlement offer is made from 5.12the collateral sources referred to in section 548.36, subdivision 1; 5.13    (2) any payment made to the survivor from the emergency relief fund; and5.14    (3) any payments made or required to be made to the survivor by a third-party 5.15tortfeasor under the terms of a settlement or other agreement with the survivor that exists 5.16at the time the offer is made or a final judgment in favor of the survivor concerning claims 5.17of the survivor that relate to, involve, or arise out of the catastrophe.5.18    Subd. 11.Offers of settlement; limit on amount.(a) The amount of an offer of 5.19settlement or payment required by a settlement agreement must not exceed $400,000. 5.20This limitation does not apply to a supplemental payment made under subdivision 12. An 5.21offer of settlement must be accompanied by a notice to the survivor of the remainder of 5.22the amount calculated under subdivision 10 that is not included in the offer because of the 5.23limitation under this paragraph and the amount of the remainder for which a supplemental 5.24payment may be awarded.5.25    (b) Notwithstanding section 3.736, subdivision 4, clause (e), or section 466.04, 5.26subdivision 1, paragraph (a), clause (5), the $1,000,000 limitation on state or municipal 5.27liability for claims arising out of a single occurrence otherwise applicable to the 5.28catastrophe does not apply to payments made to survivors under this section. The amount 5.29that may be paid by the state is limited by the appropriations for this purpose.5.30    Subd. 12.Supplemental payments.(a) For purposes of this subdivision, 5.31"uncompensated medical expenses" means:5.32    (1) medical expenses less payments made to a survivor from collateral sources 5.33referred to in section 548.36, subdivision 1, that provide payments for medical expenses; 5.34and6.1    (2) the present value of premiums, deductibles, and coinsurance payments for 6.2high-risk health plan coverage offered by the Minnesota Comprehensive Health 6.3Association or by another similar health plan.6.4    (b) A survivor is eligible for a supplemental payment if the offer of settlement 6.5calculation for the survivor, as provided in subdivision 10, exceeds $400,000. 6.6The supplemental payment must be calculated based solely on that portion of the 6.7uncompensated medical expenses, loss of income, future earning capacity, or other 6.8financial support for which compensation was not received under the offer of settlement or 6.9settlement agreement under subdivision 11. A supplemental payment may only be made 6.10to a survivor who has accepted an offer of settlement, entered into a settlement agreement, 6.11and executed a release under subdivision 13. Consistent with the requirements of this 6.12section, the panel shall establish necessary procedures and timelines for the award of 6.13supplemental payments. A supplemental payment may be made only for the following 6.14purposes, in the following order of priority:6.15    (1) to pay uncompensated medical expenses in excess of those paid from the first 6.16$400,000; and6.17    (2) to pay for loss of income, future earning capacity, or other financial support 6.18not included in the first $400,000.6.19    No payment may be made to a survivor for loss of income under clause (2) unless 6.20and until all survivors have been fully paid for all medical expenses for which they are 6.21eligible under clause (1).6.22(c) If the available appropriation is insufficient to make full awards to all survivors 6.23eligible for a supplemental payment, the panel may award the payments based on a uniform 6.24percentage of the amount that is less than the full amount eligible for a supplemental 6.25payment or take other steps the panel considers necessary to ensure that the available 6.26appropriation is equitably distributed among all survivors who have requested and qualify 6.27for a supplemental payment, subject to the order of priority under this subdivision.6.28    Subd. 13.Release.A survivor who accepts an offer of settlement from the panel 6.29must agree in writing and in a form developed by the panel, with the approval of the 6.30attorney general, to release the state and every municipality of this state and their 6.31employees from liability, including claims for damages, arising from the catastrophe and 6.32to cooperate with the state in pursuing claims the state may have against any other party. 6.33The release must also provide that the survivor will indemnify the state, a municipality, 6.34and their employees from any claim of contribution or indemnity, or both, made by other 6.35persons against the state, a municipality, and their employees and that the survivor will 6.36satisfy any judgment obtained by the survivor in an action against other persons to the 7.1extent of the release, if the claim or judgment relates in any way to a claim of the survivor 7.2arising from the catastrophe. The release must provide for the subrogation interest of the 7.3state under section 3.7394, subdivision 5. A survivor who previously has commenced an 7.4administrative, court, or other action against the state or a municipality of the state or their 7.5employees seeking recovery from loss resulting from the catastrophe must agree to dismiss 7.6or otherwise withdraw the action before receiving compensation under this section.7.7    Subd. 14.Payment.The panel shall promptly forward to the commissioner of 7.8finance documentation of each settlement agreement that has been entered into under 7.9this section. Except as provided in section 3.7394, subdivision 4, paragraph (b), the 7.10commissioner of finance shall pay the agreed amount within 45 days after receiving the 7.11documentation and in the order in which the documentation from the panel was received.7.12    Subd. 15.Election to proceed in district court.(a) A survivor may elect not to file 7.13a claim with the panel or not to accept an offer of settlement from the panel. A survivor 7.14who elects not to file a claim with the panel or not to accept an offer of settlement has not 7.15waived any legal rights that may be asserted against the state or a municipality or their 7.16employees and may proceed with a claim in district court.7.17    (b) If a survivor elects not to accept an offer of settlement, the state or a municipality 7.18or their employees may not use any data provided by the survivor to the panel in a 7.19subsequent legal proceeding. The state or a municipality or their employees may obtain 7.20information, including data provided to the panel, through discovery or other legal 7.21processes.7.22    Sec. 5. [3.7394] EFFECT OF SPECIAL COMPENSATION PROCESS; 7.23RELATIONSHIP TO OTHER LAW.7.24    Subdivision 1.No state liability or duty created.The establishment of the 7.25special compensation process under section 3.7393 and the emergency relief fund, and 7.26an offer of settlement or a settlement agreement, is not an admission of liability by the 7.27state or a municipality or their employees and does not establish a duty of the state, a 7.28municipality, or their employees to compensate survivors. The creation and funding 7.29of the compensation process under sections 3.7391 to 3.7394 or an offer of settlement 7.30or settlement agreement is not admissible in a judicial or administrative proceeding to 7.31establish liability or a legal duty.7.32    Subd. 2.Payments as additional compensation.Payments made under section 7.333.7393 or from the emergency relief fund are intended to supplement and be in addition to 7.34any payments required to be made by a third party under law or contract.8.1    Subd. 3.Payments from other sources.Notwithstanding any statutory or common 8.2law or agreement to the contrary, a person required to make payments, including future 8.3payments, to a survivor may not eliminate or reduce those payments as a result of 8.4compensation paid to the survivor under section 3.7393 or from the emergency relief fund 8.5or as a result of the survivor's release of claims against the state, a municipality, or their 8.6employees under section 3.7393. The obligation of any person other than the state to make 8.7payments to a survivor is primary as compared to any payment made or to be made under 8.8section 3.7393 or from the emergency relief fund. The persons referenced in and covered 8.9by this subdivision and subdivision 4 include, without limitation:8.10    (1) reparation obligors, as defined in section 65B.43, subdivision 9, whether they are 8.11insurers or self-insurers;8.12    (2) health plan companies, as defined in section 62Q.01, subdivision 4, including the 8.13Minnesota Comprehensive Health Association created under section 62E.10;8.14    (3) insurance companies, as defined in section 60A.02, subdivision 4;8.15    (4) self-insured pools of political subdivisions organized under section 471.617 or 8.16471.981, including service cooperatives pools organized under section 123A.21;8.17    (5) risk retention groups, as defined in section 60E.02, subdivision 12;8.18    (6) joint self-insurance plans governed by chapter 60F;8.19    (7) workers' compensation insurers and private self-insurers, as defined in section 8.2079.01;8.21    (8) the Minnesota Life and Health Insurance Guaranty Association governed by 8.22chapter 61B;8.23    (9) the Minnesota Insurance Guaranty Association governed by chapter 60C;8.24    (10) the Minnesota Joint Underwriting Association governed by chapter 62I;8.25    (11) all insurers providing credit life, credit accident and health, and credit 8.26involuntary unemployment insurance under chapter 62B, but also including those 8.27coverages written in connection with real estate mortgage loans and those provided to 8.28borrowers at no additional cost;8.29    (12) the Minnesota unemployment insurance program provided under chapter 268;8.30    (13) coverage offered by the state under medical assistance, general assistance 8.31medical care, and MinnesotaCare; and8.32    (14) any other plan providing health, life, disability income, or long-term care 8.33coverage.8.34    Subd. 4.No third-party subrogation or recovery.(a) Notwithstanding any 8.35statutory or common law or agreement to the contrary, a person who has paid benefits or 8.36compensation to or on behalf of a survivor does not have a subrogation or other right to 9.1recover those benefits or compensation by making a claim, or recovering from payments 9.2made, under section 3.7393 or from the emergency relief fund.9.3    (b) Following a settlement agreement under section 3.7393, a person who believes 9.4that the state cannot constitutionally prohibit assertion of a subrogation claim and who is 9.5claiming a subrogation interest against the amount to be paid by the state has 40 days after 9.6the settlement agreement was entered into to provide notice to the state and the survivor of 9.7the person's intent to assert that interest, during which time the commissioner of finance 9.8must not make the payment. The subrogation claim is waived if the notice is not provided 9.9by the deadline. If no notice is received by the deadline, the commissioner of finance shall 9.10make the payment. If a notice of claim is received, the commissioner shall withhold the 9.11payment until the subrogee abandons or waives the subrogation claim.9.12    Subd. 5.Reimbursement of state; right of subrogation.(a) Notwithstanding any 9.13statutory or common law to the contrary, the state is entitled to recover from any third 9.14party, including an agent, contractor, or vendor retained by the state, any payments made 9.15from the emergency relief fund or under section 3.7393 to the extent the third party caused 9.16or contributed to the catastrophe. The state is entitled to be reimbursed regardless of 9.17whether the survivor is fully compensated.9.18    (b) Notwithstanding any statutory or common law to the contrary, the state is 9.19subrogated to all potential claims against third-party tortfeasors of a survivor receiving 9.20payment from the emergency relief fund or under section 3.7393 to the extent the claims 9.21relate to, involve, or arise out of the catastrophe. The subrogation right of the state under 9.22this subdivision is limited to the amount paid to the survivor from the emergency relief 9.23fund and under section 3.7393. The rights of the state under this subdivision are in 9.24addition to other remedies, claims, and rights relating to the catastrophe that the state may 9.25have against other persons for the recovery of monetary or other relief.9.26    (c) A survivor must notify the state if the survivor has been fully compensated by 9.27third parties for damages caused by the catastrophe. A survivor is fully compensated if 9.28payments made or required to be made to the survivor by a third-party tortfeasor under the 9.29terms of a settlement agreement or other agreement with the survivor or a final judgment 9.30in favor of the survivor concerning claims that relate to, involve, or arise out of the 9.31catastrophe are equal to or greater than the total damages incurred by the survivor as 9.32determined by the panel under section 3.7393, subdivision 10. The state is entitled to be 9.33reimbursed by a survivor only to the extent that these payments are greater than the total 9.34damages incurred by the survivor.9.35    Subd. 6.Amounts not considered for purposes of limit on government tort 9.36liability.Payments made to survivors under section 3.7393 or from the emergency relief 10.1fund are not to be considered in calculating the $1,000,000 limit on tort claims in civil 10.2actions against the state arising out of the catastrophe for purposes of  section 3.736, 10.3subdivision 4, clause (e), or a municipality arising out of the catastrophe for purposes of 10.4section 466.04, subdivision 1, clause (5).10.5    Sec. 6. APPROPRIATIONS.10.6    Subdivision 1.Compensation to survivors.$24,000,000 is appropriated from 10.7the general fund to the commissioner of finance to make payments under settlement 10.8agreements entered into by the panel under Minnesota Statutes, section 3.7393, 10.9subdivision 11. This appropriation is available until June 30, 2010. 10.10    Subd. 2.Supplemental payments.$12,640,000 is appropriated from the general 10.11fund to the commissioner of finance to make supplemental payments under Minnesota 10.12Statutes, section 3.7393, subdivision 12. This appropriation is available until June 30, 10.132010.10.14    Subd. 3.Administrative expenses.$750,000 is appropriated from the general 10.15fund to the commissioner of finance to pay salaries, expenses, and administrative costs 10.16associated with making offers of settlement and entering into settlement agreements under 10.17Minnesota Statutes, section 3.7393. This appropriation is available until June 30, 2009.10.18    Subd. 4.Waite House. $610,000 is appropriated from the general fund to the 10.19commissioner of finance for a grant to Pillsbury United Communities in Minneapolis, to 10.20allow Waite House in Minneapolis to provide services to youth and families of youth who 10.21were on a school bus on the I-35W bridge when the bridge collapsed. Services paid for 10.22with this appropriation must not be services that could have been funded by settlement 10.23payments made to survivors. The commissioner must pay the first half of the grant by 10.24June 30, 2008, and pay the second half of the grant on June 30, 2009. Pillsbury United 10.25Communities must report to the chairs of the senate Finance and house Ways and Means 10.26Committees by June 30, 2009, and June 30, 2010, on expenditure of money under this 10.27subdivision. The appropriation is available until June 30, 2010.10.28    Subd. 5.Report.The commissioner of finance must report to the legislature by 10.29January 15 in each of 2009, 2010, and 2011, on expenditure of the appropriations in this 10.30section. The report must list the amount of compensation paid to each survivor and must 10.31list administrative expenses incurred by the special master panel.10.32    Sec. 7. EFFECTIVE DATE.10.33    This act is effective the day following final enactment."10.34Delete the title and insert:11.1"A bill for an act11.2relating to transportation; providing an alternative compensation and settlement 11.3process for survivors of the I-35W catastrophe; appropriating money;amending 11.4Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 3.736, subdivision 4; proposing coding for new 11.5law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 3."
         		We request the adoption of this report and repassage of the bill.House Conferees: (Signed) Ryan Winkler, Phyllis Kahn, Loren Solberg, Steve Simon, Chris DeLaForestSenate Conferees: (Signed) Ron Latz, David W. Hann, Linda Scheid, Don Betzold, Mee Moua

12.1We request the adoption of this report and repassage of the bill.12.2House Conferees:(Signed)12.3
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                     						12.4Ryan WinklerPhyllis Kahn12.5
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                     						12.6Loren SolbergSteve Simon12.7
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                     						12.8Chris DeLaForest12.9Senate Conferees:(Signed)12.10
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                     						12.11Ron LatzDavid W. Hann12.12
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                     						12.13Linda ScheidDon Betzold12.14
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                     						12.15Mee Moua