1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to telecommunications; modifying the voting requirements necessary to 
1.3 	authorize local government construction of certain telephone exchanges.
1.4 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.5 	Section 1. MUNICIPALITY OPERATION OF TELEPHONE EXCHANGE.
 1.6 	For the purpose of this section, "county" means a county that, as of January 1, 
1.7 	2010, has passed a county sales tax for the purpose, among other things, of funding the 
1.8 	construction of a countywide high-speed communications infrastructure network, and has 
1.9 	received federal funding from the Rural Utilities Service Broadband Initiatives Program 
1.10 	for some of its construction costs of the telephone exchange. Notwithstanding Minnesota 
1.11 	Statutes, section 237.19, a county may construct a new telephone exchange within its own 
1.12 	borders where an exchange already exists, upon authorization of a majority of those 
1.13 	voting thereon voting in favor of the undertaking at a general election or special election 
1.14 	called for that purpose. Except as provided in this section, Minnesota Statutes, section 
1.15 	237.19, applies to a county.

1.16 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.