1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to local government; repealing the exception allowing local governments 
1.3 	to control rents if approved by the voters;amending Minnesota Statutes 2020, 
1.4 	section 471.9996, subdivision 1; repealing Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 
1.5 	471.9996, subdivision 2.
1.6 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.7 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 471.9996, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
1.8 		Subdivision 1.In general Prohibition. No statutory or home rule charter city, county, 
1.9 	or town may adopt or renew by ordinance or otherwise any law to control rents on private 
1.10 	residential property except as provided in subdivision 2. This section does not impair the 
1.11 	right of any statutory or home rule charter city, county, or town:
1.12 	(1) to manage or control property in which it has a financial interest through a housing 
1.13 	authority or similar agency;
1.14 	(2) to contract with a property owner;
1.15 	(3) to act as required or authorized by laws or regulations of the United States government 
1.16 	or this state; or
1.17 	(4) to mediate between property owners and tenants for the purpose of negotiating rents.

1.18 	Sec. 2. REPEALER.
 1.19 	Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 471.9996, subdivision 2, is repealed.

2.1 	Sec. 3. EFFECTIVE DATE.
 2.2 	This act is effective the day following final enactment.

APPENDIX 

Repealed Minnesota Statutes: S0912-1 

471.9996 RENT CONTROL PROHIBITED.Subd. 2.Exception. 
Subdivision 1 does not preclude a statutory or home rule charter city, county, or town from controlling rents on private residential property to the extent that the city, county, or town has the power to adopt an ordinance, charter amendment, or law to control these rents if the ordinance, charter amendment, or law that controls rents is approved in a general election. Subdivision 1 does not limit any power or authority of the voters of a statutory or home rule charter city, county, or town to petition for an ordinance or charter amendment to control rents on private residential property to the extent that the power or authority is otherwise provided for by law, and if the ordinance or charter amendment is approved in a general election. This subdivision does not grant any additional power or authority to the citizens of a statutory or home rule charter city, county, or town to vote on any question beyond that contained in other law. 

Subdivision 1 does not apply to any statutory city unless the citizens of the statutory city have the authority to vote on the issue of rent control granted by other law.