HF 3346

Introduction - 94th Legislature (2025 - 2026)

Posted on 05/18/2025 01:45 p.m.

A bill for an act
relating to higher education; establishing a campus closure and consolidation
commission; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 136F.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

new text begin [136F.185] CAMPUS CLOSURE AND CONSOLIDATION COMMISSION.
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new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Establishment. new text end

new text begin The Campus Closure and Consolidation Commission is
created to evaluate all postsecondary campuses governed by the Board of Trustees of the
Minnesota State Colleges and Universities and make recommendations to the legislature
on which campuses should be closed or consolidated.
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new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Membership. new text end

new text begin (a) The commission consists of eight individuals appointed by
the governor. The governor shall consider geographic and population balance between the
metropolitan area and greater Minnesota in making the appointments under this section.
The governor must make the appointments under this section on or before August 1, 2025.
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new text begin (b) The chancellor of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities or the chancellor's
delegate, is an ex officio, nonvoting member of the commission.
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new text begin (c) Members of the commission must be knowledgeable in one or more of the following
areas:
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new text begin (1) postsecondary education;
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new text begin (2) demographic research;
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new text begin (3) capital construction, maintenance, or improvements; or
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new text begin (4) public finance.
new text end

new text begin (d) No elected public official or current Minnesota State Colleges and Universities
employee may be appointed to the commission under this section.
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new text begin (e) Members of the commission serve until the expiration of the commission. Members
may be removed or replaced at the pleasure of the governor.
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new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Chair; other officers. new text end

new text begin The commission must elect from among its
governor-appointed members a chair and vice-chair and any other officers that the
commission determines would be necessary or convenient.
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new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Duties. new text end

new text begin (a) The commission must complete a review of all postsecondary
campuses governed by the Board of Trustees of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities
and base its recommendations for campus closure or consolidation on the following factors:
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new text begin (1) operating costs, including but not limited to costs associated with physical plant,
heating, water, and management of the campus facilities;
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new text begin (2) capital maintenance, renovation, replacement, and renewal expenses;
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new text begin (3) student enrollment trends;
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new text begin (4) student job placement rates;
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new text begin (5) student graduation rates; and
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new text begin (6) the prestige, reputation, and certification of offered academic programs.
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new text begin (b) The commission must seek input on the impact of campus closures or consolidations
from the collective bargaining units to which faculty and staff of the Minnesota State Colleges
and Universities are assigned.
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new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Open meeting law. new text end

new text begin The commission is subject to the requirements under chapter
13D, and may use interactive technology in accordance with section 13D.015.
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new text begin Subd. 6. new text end

new text begin Compensation. new text end

new text begin Member compensation and reimbursement for expenses are
governed by section 15.059, subdivision 3.
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new text begin Subd. 7. new text end

new text begin Administrative support. new text end

new text begin The commissioner of administration must provide
meeting space, administrative support, and staff support for the commission.
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new text begin Subd. 8. new text end

new text begin Report; governor approval. new text end

new text begin (a) The commission must submit a report on or
before December 1, 2026, to the governor. The report must include the following:
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new text begin (1) a list of campuses recommended to be closed or consolidated;
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new text begin (2) the reasoning for the recommendations;
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new text begin (3) draft legislation implementing the recommendations;
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new text begin (4) an estimate of the cost to repurpose facilities on closed campuses for public or private
use, including the cost of defeasing state general obligation bonds associated with the
facilities; and
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new text begin (5) any other information the commission deems relevant.
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new text begin (b) The governor must approve or disapprove the recommendations in the report under
this subdivision in their entirety on or before December 31, 2026. If the governor approves
the recommendations, the governor must include the draft legislation implementing the
recommendations of the commission as part of the biennial budget. If the governor
disapproves the recommendations, the governor must provide the reasons for disapproval
in writing to the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees with
jurisdiction over higher education policy and finance and capital investment.
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new text begin (c) A copy of the report under this subdivision must be sent to the chairs and ranking
minority members of the legislative committees with jurisdiction over higher education
policy and finance and capital investment with its recommendations. If the governor approves
the recommendations, the legislative committees with jurisdiction over higher education
policy and finance and capital investment must hold at least one public hearing on the
legislation implementing the recommendations of the commission during the next regular
legislative session following the submission of the report to the governor.
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new text begin Subd. 9. new text end

new text begin Sunset. new text end

new text begin This section expires on October 1, 2026.
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new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment.
new text end