SF 4555

2nd Engrossment - 94th Legislature (2025 - 2026)

Posted on 04/20/2026 07:53 p.m.

A bill for an act
relating to state government; prohibiting certain work by legislative members;
changing provisions for business filings, energy and water use in state facilities,
enterprise sustainability, grant management, fraud training, pharmacy benefit
manager selection, historic site management, lien notice, public television block
grant eligibility, and attorney general civil actions; modifying provisions for local
government elections, organization, investments, personnel structure, financing
of public projects, and nondisclosure agreements; dedicating Snow Professionals
Appreciation Month and Hmong American Heritage Week; designating the state
sled; extending the Legislative Commission on Cybersecurity; requiring payment
transparency; defining terms; providing immunity for racing facilities; amending
Minnesota Statutes 2024, sections 3.084, subdivision 2; 3.888, subdivision 7; 5.02;
5.08; 5.23, subdivision 1; 15.72, by adding a subdivision; 16B.32, subdivisions 1,
2, by adding subdivisions; 16B.372, subdivision 1; 16B.97, subdivisions 4, 5;
16B.98, subdivision 11; 16B.991, subdivision 1; 43A.231, subdivision 5; 118A.09,
subdivisions 2, 4, by adding a subdivision; 129D.13, subdivision 1; 138.669;
268.058, subdivision 1; 365.05; 365.50, subdivisions 1, 2; 367.03, subdivision 2;
367.12; 367.161; 379.01, subdivision 3; 383A.281, subdivision 13; 383A.283,
subdivisions 2, 3; 383A.284, subdivisions 1, 2, 3, 4, 5; 383A.285, subdivisions 2,
3, 4, 5, 10; 383A.286, subdivisions 2, 3; 383A.288, subdivisions 5, 6; 383A.289,
subdivisions 1, 3; 383A.291, subdivision 1a; 383A.292, subdivisions 1, 2;
383A.294, subdivision 6; 383A.295, subdivisions 1, 2; 429.011, subdivision 2a;
429.021, subdivision 1; 444.075, subdivision 1; Minnesota Statutes 2025
Supplement, sections 13.43, subdivision 2; 15A.082, subdivision 3; proposing
coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapters 1; 10; 15; 43A; 358; 462; 471;
561; repealing Minnesota Statutes 2024, sections 383A.298; 383A.301; 462.357,
subdivision 5.

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

ARTICLE 1

STATE GOVERNMENT

Section 1.

new text begin [1.1494] STATE SLED.
new text end

new text begin The toboggan is the official sled of the state of Minnesota.
new text end

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 3.084, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Prohibition.

(a) A sitting member of the legislature is prohibited from accepting
employment with or otherwise receiving compensation for services performed from:

(1) a business whose primary source of revenue is derived from lobbying, government
relations or government affairs services;

(2) a business whose primary source of revenue is derived from facilitating government
relations or government affairs services between two third parties; or

(3) any other business new text begin or public employer new text end that employs or contracts with lobbyists,
government relations or government affairs professionals, if the member's job duties include
deleted text begin acting in that capacity or deleted text end new text begin :
new text end

new text begin (i) direct lobbying;
new text end

new text begin (ii) government relations or government affairs while the legislature is in session; or
new text end

new text begin (iii) new text end providing direct or indirect consulting deleted text begin , deleted text end new text begin or new text end advice deleted text begin , or administrative support for that
work deleted text end new text begin that helps the business or public employer deliver lobbying, government relations, or
government affairs services to clients new text end .

(b) This prohibition applies regardless of the location where the work of the business is
substantially conducted or its clients are located.

(c) The house of representatives and the senate must adopt rules to enforce this section.

new text begin (d) For purposes of this section, "business" means any corporation, partnership,
proprietorship, firm, enterprise, franchise, association, organization, self-employed individual,
or any other legal entity which engages in either nonprofit or profit making activities.
new text end

new text begin (e) For purposes of this section, "public employer" means a department, agency, or office
of a federal government, state government, or territory of the United States; the state or
federal judiciary; the United States Congress; a legislature of a state or territory; a local
government or political subdivision of any state or territory of the United States; or any
other public body.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective January 1, 2027.
new text end

Sec. 3.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 3.888, subdivision 7, is amended to read:

Subd. 7.

Expiration.

The commission expires December 31, deleted text begin 2028 deleted text end new text begin 2035 new text end .

Sec. 4.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 5.02, is amended to read:

5.02 ASSISTANTS.

The secretary of state shall appoint deleted text begin an assistant deleted text end new text begin a deputy new text end secretary of state, who shall
perform all the duties of the office when the secretary is absent or disabled. The secretary
may also employ deleted text begin a chief clerk, a recording clerk, and a stenographer, deleted text end new text begin and at pleasure dismiss
two additional deputies and an executive assistant new text end who, besides the duties indicated by their
titles, shall perform such services in connection with the office as the secretary or the assistant
may require. new text begin This section does not increase the complement of the secretary of state.
new text end

Sec. 5.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 5.08, is amended to read:

5.08 LEGISLATIVE MANUAL.

Subdivision 1.

Preparation.

The secretary of state shall prepare, compile, edit, and
distribute for use at each regular legislative session, a convenient manual, properly indexed,
and containing: The federal and state constitutions; the acts of Congress relating to the
organization of the territory and state; the rules of order and joint rules of the two houses,
and lists of their members, committees and employees; the names of all state officials,
whether elected or appointed, and of all persons holding office from this state under the
national government; the deleted text begin places deleted text end new text begin municipalities new text end where the said several officials reside, and
the annual compensation of each; and statistical and other information of the kind heretofore
published in the legislative manuals.

Subd. 2.

Distribution.

deleted text begin 10,000 deleted text end new text begin 5,000 new text end copies of the legislative manual shall be printed
and distributed as follows:

(1) up to deleted text begin 20 deleted text end new text begin 5 new text end copies shall be available to each member of the legislature on request;

(2) deleted text begin 50 deleted text end new text begin 12 new text end copies to the State Historical Society;

(3) deleted text begin 25 deleted text end new text begin 2 new text end copies to the state university;

(4) deleted text begin 60 deleted text end new text begin 30 new text end copies to the state library;

(5) deleted text begin two copies deleted text end new text begin one copy new text end each to the Library of Congress, the Minnesota veterans homes,
the universities, the high schools, academies, seminaries, and colleges of the state, and the
public libraries of the state;

(6) one copy each to other state institutions, the elective state officials, the appointed
heads of departments, the officers and employees of the legislature, the justices of the
supreme court, the judges of the court of appeals and the district court, the senators and
representatives in Congress from this state, and the county auditors, recorders, and attorneys; new text begin
and
new text end

(7) deleted text begin one copy to each school, to be distributed through the superintendent of each school
district; and
deleted text end

deleted text begin (8) deleted text end the remainder may be disposed of as the secretary of state deems best.

Sec. 6.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 5.23, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Failure to pay filing fee.

new text begin (a) new text end If a person files an instrument authorized
to be filed with the secretary of state with a payment order or item that is rejected or
dishonored, the secretary of state deleted text begin is deleted text end new text begin may take the actions new text end authorized new text begin under this subdivision.
new text end

new text begin (b) The secretary of state is authorized new text end to refuse the filing of further instruments submitted
by that person or on behalf of the business entity or notary on whose behalf the prior
instrument was filed or relating to the same assumed name or trademark filing.

new text begin (c) new text end new text begin If a person makes a filing related to a business entity with a payment order or item
that is rejected or dishonored, the secretary of state is authorized to terminate the business
entity and change the business entity's filing status to inactive.
new text end

new text begin (d) new text end The secretary may deleted text begin also deleted text end pursue collection of the rejected or dishonored payment order
or item and recover the face amount of the payment order or item, any service fee, and any
additional collection costs incurred to collect the amount. If the payment order or item is
honored, or the delinquent amount is paid, the secretary of state must resume filing
instruments submitted by that person or on behalf of that business entity or notary or relating
to the same assumed name or trademark filing as of the date the payment order or item is
honored and an instrument is presented for filing.

new text begin (e) new text end The secretary may impose restrictions on the manner of payment that will be accepted
for any future filings.

new text begin (f) new text end This subdivision does not apply to financing statements filed under chapter 336 or
to an effective financing statement or lien notice filed under chapter 336A.

Sec. 7.

new text begin [10.52] SNOW PROFESSIONALS APPRECIATION MONTH.
new text end

new text begin The month of January of each year is designated as Snow Professionals Appreciation
Month in recognition of the state's desire to honor, recognize, and celebrate the contributions
of snow professionals. Minnesota has thousands of snow professionals who work tirelessly
in winter months to clear snow; keep streets, sidewalks, and recreational paths safe; plow
thousands of miles of roads; and manage ice with salt and sand application. Snow
professionals monitor winter weather and track storms to dispatch appropriate snow removal
crews and equipment. Professional snow services range from small residential shoveling
services to large commercial plowing and deicing for businesses. Snow removal services
represent a significant part of Minnesota's winter economy. The state declares that in order
to educate the public, the governor may promote and encourage the observance of Snow
Professionals Appreciation Month.
new text end

Sec. 8.

new text begin [10.5801] HMONG AMERICAN HERITAGE WEEK.
new text end

new text begin (a) May 14 to May 23 each year is an official week of observance to commemorate the
state's valued Hmong American heritage. During the week of observance, all residents of
the state are urged to:
new text end

new text begin (1) recognize and honor the history, culture, traditions, and heritage of the Hmong people;
and
new text end

new text begin (2) acknowledge the contributions of Hmong people to Minnesota.
new text end

new text begin (b) Hmong American Heritage Week honors:
new text end

new text begin (1) the history, heritage, and resilience of the Hmong people, including their longstanding
cultural traditions, their service and sacrifice alongside the United States during the Secret
War in Laos, and their journey as refugees to the United States and Minnesota; and
new text end

new text begin (2) the significant contributions of Hmong Minnesotans in public service,
entrepreneurship, agriculture, education, the arts, and community life and in enriching the
cultural, civic, and economic fabric of the state.
new text end

new text begin (c) The governor is encouraged to issue a proclamation recognizing Hmong American
Heritage Week and encouraging Minnesotans to observe Hmong American Heritage Week
through programs, ceremonies, educational activities, and community events honoring the
history, culture, traditions, and heritage of the Hmong people.
new text end

new text begin (d) Schools, libraries, historical societies, cultural institutions, nonprofit organizations,
community groups, local governments, and residents are encouraged to organize and lead
programs, ceremonies, educational initiatives, and community events that highlight the
history, culture, traditions, resilience, and contributions of the Hmong people.
new text end

Sec. 9.

Minnesota Statutes 2025 Supplement, section 13.43, subdivision 2, is amended to
read:

Subd. 2.

Public data.

(a) Except for employees described in subdivision 5 and subject
to the limitations described in subdivision 5a, the following personnel data on current and
former employees, volunteers, and independent contractors of a government entity is public:

(1) name; deleted text begin employee identification number, which must not be the employee's Social
Security number; deleted text end actual gross salary; salary range; terms and conditions of employment
relationship; contract fees; actual gross pension; the value and nature of employer paid
fringe benefits; and the basis for and the amount of any added remuneration, including
expense reimbursement, in addition to salary;

(2) job title and bargaining unit; job description; education and training background;
and previous work experience;

(3) date of first and last employment;

(4) the existence and status of any complaints or charges against the employee, regardless
of whether the complaint or charge resulted in a disciplinary action;

(5) the final disposition of any disciplinary action together with the specific reasons for
the action and data documenting the basis of the action, excluding data that would identify
confidential sources who are employees of the public body;

(6) the complete terms of any agreement settling any dispute arising out of an employment
relationship, including a buyout agreement as defined in section 123B.143, subdivision 2,
paragraph (a); except that the agreement must include specific reasons for the agreement if
it involves the payment of more than $10,000 of public money;

(7) work location; a work telephone number; badge number; work-related continuing
education; and honors and awards received; and

(8) payroll time sheets or other comparable data that are only used to account for
employee's work time for payroll purposes, except to the extent that release of time sheet
data would reveal the employee's reasons for the use of sick or other medical leave or other
not public data.

(b) For purposes of this subdivision, a final disposition occurs when the government
entity makes its final decision about the disciplinary action, regardless of the possibility of
any later proceedings or court proceedings. Final disposition includes a resignation by an
individual when the resignation occurs after the final decision of the government entity, or
arbitrator. In the case of arbitration proceedings arising under collective bargaining
agreements, a final disposition occurs at the conclusion of the arbitration proceedings, or
upon the failure of the employee to elect arbitration within the time provided by the collective
bargaining agreement. A disciplinary action does not become public data if an arbitrator
sustains a grievance and reverses all aspects of any disciplinary action.

(c) The government entity may display a photograph of a current or former employee
to a prospective witness as part of the government entity's investigation of any complaint
or charge against the employee.

(d) A complainant has access to a statement provided by the complainant to a government
entity in connection with a complaint or charge against an employee.

(e) Notwithstanding paragraph (a), clause (5), and subject to paragraph (f), upon
completion of an investigation of a complaint or charge against a public official, or if a
public official resigns or is terminated from employment while the complaint or charge is
pending, all data relating to the complaint or charge are public, unless access to the data
would jeopardize an active investigation or reveal confidential sources. For purposes of this
paragraph, "public official" means:

(1) the head of a state agency and deputy and assistant state agency heads;

(2) members of boards or commissions required by law to be appointed by the governor
or other elective officers;

(3) members of the Metropolitan Council appointed by the governor under section
473.123, subdivision 3;

(4) executive or administrative heads of departments, bureaus, divisions, or institutions
within state government; and

(5) the following employees:

(i) the chief administrative officer, or the individual acting in an equivalent position, in
all political subdivisions;

(ii) individuals required to be identified by a political subdivision pursuant to section
471.701;

(iii) in a city or a county: managers; chiefs; heads or directors of departments, divisions,
bureaus, or boards; and any equivalent position;

(iv) in a school district: business managers; human resource directors; athletic directors
whose duties include at least 50 percent of their time spent in administration, personnel,
supervision, and evaluation; chief financial officers; directors; individuals defined as
superintendents and principals under Minnesota Rules, part 3512.0100; and in a charter
school, individuals employed in comparable positions; and

(v) in the Metropolitan Council, a public corporation and political subdivision of the
state established under chapter 473: the chair of the Metropolitan Council appointed by the
governor; the regional administrator appointed as the principal administrative officer by the
Metropolitan Council under section 473.125; the deputy regional administrator; the general
counsel appointed by the Metropolitan Council under section 473.123, subdivision 8; the
executive heads of divisions, including the general managers and executive directors; the
executive head responsible for compliance with Equal Employment Opportunity provisions
of federal law; and the chief law enforcement officer of the Metropolitan Transit Police
appointed by the regional administrator under section 473.407, subdivision 4.

(f) Data relating to a complaint or charge against an employee identified under paragraph
(e), clause (5), are public only if:

(1) the complaint or charge results in disciplinary action or the employee resigns or is
terminated from employment while the complaint or charge is pending; or

(2) potential legal claims arising out of the conduct that is the subject of the complaint
or charge are released as part of a settlement agreement.

This paragraph and paragraph (e) do not authorize the release of data that are made not
public under other law.

Sec. 10.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 15.72, is amended by adding a subdivision to
read:

new text begin Subd. 1a. new text end

new text begin Payment information requests. new text end

new text begin (a) Upon written request from a contractor
or subcontractor of any tier that can provide documentation of participating in the public
improvement project, a public contracting agency must provide information regarding any
progress payment, retainage payment, final payment, or other payment made by the
contracting agency.
new text end

new text begin (b) The information provided under paragraph (a) must include:
new text end

new text begin (1) the amount of the payment;
new text end

new text begin (2) the date the payment was made or approved; and
new text end

new text begin (3) a copy of the payment application submitted by the contractor.
new text end

new text begin For highway construction contracts, a copy of the estimate or voucher generated by the
public contracting agency meets this requirement.
new text end

new text begin (c) The public contracting agency must provide the requested information within seven
calendar days of receipt of the request.
new text end

new text begin (d) The public contracting agency must make available to subcontractors the contact
information for the public contracting agency for payment information under this section.
If the public contracting agency has a website, the agency must post the contact information
on the agency's public website for solicitations or bids or on another apparent location on
the agency's website. If a public contracting agency has an automated Internet-based system
to provide this information, the agency may request a requestor to use that system.
new text end

new text begin (e) No cost or fees may be charged to the contractor or subcontractor providing
information required under this section.
new text end

Sec. 11.

Minnesota Statutes 2025 Supplement, section 15A.082, subdivision 3, is amended
to read:

Subd. 3.

Submission of recommendations and determination.

(a) By September 1 in
each even-numbered year, the Compensation Council shall submit to the speaker of the
house and the president of the senate salary recommendations for justices of the supreme
court, and judges of the court of appeals and district court. The recommended salaries take
effect on July 1 of the next year and July 1 of the subsequent even-numbered year, unless
the legislature by law provides otherwise. The salary recommendations take effect if an
appropriation of money to pay the recommended salaries is enacted after the
recommendations are submitted and before their effective date. Recommendations may be
expressly modified or rejected.

(b) By deleted text begin April deleted text end new text begin May new text end 1 in each odd-numbered year, the Compensation Council must prescribe
salaries for constitutional officers, and for the agency and metropolitan agency heads
identified in section 15A.0815. The prescribed salary for each office must take effect July
1 of that year and July 1 of the subsequent even-numbered year and at whatever interval
the council determines thereafter, unless the legislature by law provides otherwise. An
appropriation by the legislature to fund the relevant office, branch, or agency of an amount
sufficient to pay the salaries prescribed by the council constitutes a prescription by law as
provided in the Minnesota Constitution, article V, sections 4 and 5.

(c) By deleted text begin April deleted text end new text begin May new text end 1 in each odd-numbered year, the Compensation Council must prescribe
daily compensation for voting members of the Direct Care and Treatment executive board.
The recommended daily compensation takes effect on July 1 of that year and July 1 of the
subsequent even-numbered year and at whatever interval the council recommends thereafter,
unless the legislature by law provides otherwise.

Sec. 12.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 16B.32, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Alternative energy sources.

(a) If the incorporation of cost-effective
energy efficiency measures into the design, materials, and operations of a building or major
building renovation subject to section 16B.325 is not sufficient to meet Sustainable Building
2030 energy performance standards required under section 216B.241, subdivision 9,
cost-effective renewable energy sources or solar thermal energy systems, or both, must be
deployed to achieve those standards.

(b) The commissioners of administration and commerce shall review compliance of
building designs and plans subject to this section with Sustainable Building 2030 performance
standards developed under section 216B.241, subdivision 9, and shall make recommendations
to the legislature as necessary to ensure that those performance standards are met.

(c) For deleted text begin the deleted text end purposes of this section:

new text begin (1) "benchmark" has the meaning given in section 216C.331, subdivision 1, paragraph
(c);
new text end

new text begin (2) "energy" has the meaning given in section 216C.331, subdivision 1, paragraph (h);
new text end

new text begin (3) "energy conservation" has the meaning given in section 216B.2402, subdivision 5,
and for energy sources identified in section 216C.331, subdivision 1, paragraph (h);
new text end

new text begin (4) "energy conservation improvement" has the meaning given in section 216B.2402,
subdivision 6;
new text end

deleted text begin (1) deleted text end new text begin (5) new text end "energy efficiency" has the meaning given new text begin for energy new text end in section 216B.2402,
subdivision 7;

deleted text begin (2) deleted text end new text begin (6) new text end "renewable energy" has the meaning given in section 216B.2422, subdivision 1,
paragraph (c), and includes hydrogen generated from wind, solar, or hydroelectric; deleted text begin and
deleted text end

deleted text begin (3) deleted text end new text begin (7) new text end "solar thermal energy systems" has the meaning given to "qualifying solar thermal
project" in section 216B.2411, subdivision 2, paragraph (e) deleted text begin . deleted text end new text begin ;
new text end

new text begin (8) "water conservation" means an action that results in the net reduction of water
consumption;
new text end

new text begin (9) "water conservation improvement" means a project or program that results in the
efficient use and conservation of water; and
new text end

new text begin (10) "water efficiency" means measures or programs designed to use less water to
accomplish the same outcome, including reducing input or wastewater.
new text end

Sec. 13.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 16B.32, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Energy deleted text begin conservation goals deleted text end new text begin shared savings program new text end .

The commissioner of
administration in consultation with the commissioner of commerce, in cooperation with
one or more public utilities or comprehensive energy services providers, may conduct a
shared-savings program involving energy conservation expenditures on state-owned and
wholly state-leased buildings. The public utility or energy services provider shall contract
with appropriate state agencies to implement energy efficiency improvements in the selected
buildings. A contract must require the public utility or energy services provider to include
all energy efficiency improvements in selected buildings that are calculated to achieve a
cost payback within ten years. The contract must require that the public utility or energy
services provider be repaid solely from energy cost savings and only to the extent of energy
cost savings. Repayments must be interest-free. The goal of the program in this paragraph
is to demonstrate that through effective energy conservation the total energy consumption
per square foot of state-owned and wholly state-leased buildings could exceed existing
energy code by at least 30 percent. deleted text begin All agencies must report to the commissioner of
administration their monthly energy usage, building schedules, inventory of
energy-consuming equipment, and other information as needed by the commissioner to
manage and evaluate the program.
deleted text end

Sec. 14.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 16B.32, is amended by adding a subdivision to
read:

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Energy and water data collection. new text end

new text begin An agency with the custodial control for
a facility must report the material energy and water consumption and cost data for the facility
to the commissioner on a basis determined by the commissioner.
new text end

Sec. 15.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 16B.32, is amended by adding a subdivision to
read:

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Energy and water goals; conservation improvement plans. new text end

new text begin An agency must
maintain energy and water benchmarks and goals, developed in partnership with the
commissioner, for buildings under the agency's custodial control. Each state agency must
maintain a plan to implement energy and water conservation improvements, the cost of
which can be recuperated within 15 years from the energy savings achieved by the
improvements, for each facility for which the agency has custodial control.
new text end

Sec. 16.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 16B.372, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Enterprise sustainability.

The Office of Enterprise Sustainability is
established to assist all state agencies in making measurable progress toward improving the
sustainability of government operations by reducing the impact on the environment,
controlling unnecessary waste of natural resources and public funds, and spurring innovation.
The office shall create new tools and share best practices, assist state agencies to plan for
and implement improvements, and monitor progress toward achieving intended outcomes.
Specific duties include but are not limited to:

(1) managing a sustainability metrics and reporting system, including new text begin setting
enterprise-wide goals, and publishing new text end a public dashboard that allows Minnesotans to track
progress and new text begin that new text end is updated annually;

(2) assisting agencies in developing and executing sustainability plans; and

(3) implementing the state building energy conservation improvement revolving loan
in deleted text begin Minnesota Statutes, deleted text end sections 16B.86 and 16B.87.

Sec. 17.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 16B.97, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

Subd. 4.

Duties.

(a) The commissioner shall:

(1) create general grants management policies and procedures that are applicable to all
executive agencies. The commissioner may approve exceptions to these policies and
procedures deleted text begin for particular grant programs deleted text end . Exceptions shall expire or be renewed after five
years. Executive agencies shall retain management of individual grants programs;

(2) provide a central point of contact concerning statewide grants management policies
and procedures;

(3) serve as a resource to executive agencies in such areas as training, evaluation,
collaboration, and best practices in grants management;

(4) ensure grants management needs are considered in the development, upgrade, and
use of statewide administrative systems and leverage existing technology wherever possible;

(5) oversee and approve future professional and technical service contracts and other
information technology spending related to executive agency grants management systems
and activities;

(6) provide a central point of contact for comments about executive agencies violating
statewide grants governance policies and about fraud and waste in grants processes;

(7) forward received comments to the appropriate agency for further action, and may
follow up as necessary;

(8) provide a single listing of all available executive agency competitive grant
opportunities and resulting grant recipients;

(9) selectively review development and implementation of executive agency grants,
policies, and practices; and

(10) selectively review executive agency compliance with best practices.

(b) The commissioner may determine that it is cost-effective for agencies to develop
and use shared grants management technology systems. This system would be governed
under section 16E.01, subdivision 3, paragraph (b).

Sec. 18.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 16B.97, subdivision 5, is amended to read:

Subd. 5.

Data classification.

Data maintained by the commissioner that identify a person
providing comments to the commissioner under subdivision 4, paragraph (a), clauses (6)
and (7), are private and nonpublic data deleted text begin but may be shared with the executive agency that is
the subject of the comments deleted text end .

Sec. 19.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 16B.98, subdivision 11, is amended to read:

Subd. 11.

Encumbrance exception.

Notwithstanding subdivision 5, paragraph (a),
clause deleted text begin (2) deleted text end new text begin (3) new text end , or section 16C.05, subdivision 2, paragraph (a), clause (3), agencies may
permit a specifically named, legislatively appropriated, noncompetitive grant recipient to
incur eligible expenses based on an agreed upon work plan and budget for up to 60 days
prior to an encumbrance being established in the accounting system.

Sec. 20.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 16B.991, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Criminal conviction.

Each grant agreement subject to sections 16B.97
and 16B.98 must provide that the agreement will immediately be terminated if the recipient
is convicted of a criminal offense relating to a state grant agreement. new text begin "Recipient" includes
individuals, entities, and key personnel of entities, including board members, officers,
executives, employees, or agents with authority over or access to grant funds, and any
individual in a position of fiduciary responsibility related to the grant.
new text end

Sec. 21.

new text begin [43A.205] TRAINING EMPLOYEES ON PREVENTING, RECOGNIZING,
AND REACTING TO FRAUD.
new text end

new text begin The commissioner of management and budget must provide annual training to state
employees on preventing, recognizing, and reacting to suspected fraud or misuse of state
funds. The training must highlight the legal requirements of the employee to report fraud
and must require each employee to sign an acknowledgment that the employee has completed
the annual training, and that the employee is aware of the consequences for failing to report
fraud and to make a payment on a claim or demand in violation of section 609.455.
new text end

Sec. 22.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 43A.231, subdivision 5, is amended to read:

Subd. 5.

Report; savings determination; process for selecting successor pharmacy
benefit manager.

(a) The commissioner of management and budget, with the assistance of
an actuarial consultant, shall compare the following: (1) actual, electronically adjudicated
prescription drug costs under the first two years of the contract that begins on January 1,
2023, with a pharmacy benefit manager that was selected by the reverse auction; and (2) a
projection of what prescription drug costs would have been for those same two years under
the pharmacy benefit manager contract in effect from 2018 to 2022, with appropriate
adjustment for any adopted formulary or beneficiary utilization changes. The projection
must use industry-recognized data sources. The commissioner of management and budget
shall report the results of the comparison to the legislative auditor and to the chairs and
ranking minority members of the committees in the senate and house of representatives
with jurisdiction over state government finance and policy by March 1, 2025.

(b) The commissioner of management and budget must require the actuarial consultant
to take appropriate measures to ensure that the consultant's work is not compromised by a
conflict of interest.

(c) By April 1, 2025, the legislative auditor shall provide a report to the commissioner
of management and budget and to the chairs and ranking minority members of the committees
in the senate and house of representatives with jurisdiction over state government finance
and policy. The legislative auditor's report must make a determination as to whether the
commissioner's report accurately performs the comparison required under paragraph (a).

(d) The technology platform vendor shall provide to the commissioner of management
and budget and to the legislative auditor the electronically adjudicated prescription drug
data and any other support or assistance required by the commissioner of management and
budget to prepare a report and for the legislative auditor to validate the accuracy of the
commissioner's results of the comparison, by deadlines established by the commissioner of
management and budget and the legislative auditor. Individual-identifying data received
from the technology platform vendor is private data on individuals, as defined by section
13.02, subdivision 12.

(e) If the commissioner of management and budget determines that savings on
prescription drug costs were not achieved, based on the comparison required under paragraph
(a), with appropriate adjustment for any adopted formulary or beneficiary utilization changes,
the commissioner may forego the use of a reverse auction for procurement of a successor
pharmacy benefit manager contract. If the commissioner of management and budget
determines that savings have been achieved, the commissioner must select the successor
pharmacy benefit manager contract using the reverse auction process described in this
section. If the commissioner's comparison in paragraph (a) finds that savings are not achieved,
the commissioner's report under paragraph (a) must include the commissioner's findings
that support a determination that savings were not achieved, analysis of the factors that
caused a failure to achieve savings, and recommendations for how savings could be achieved
in the next contract with a pharmacy benefit manager. new text begin If the commissioner's comparison in
paragraph (a) is inconclusive, the commissioner may forego the use of a reverse auction for
procurement of a successor pharmacy benefit manager contract.
new text end

Sec. 23.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 129D.13, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Distribution.

The commissioner shall distribute the money provided by
sections 129D.11 to 129D.13. Annually the commissioner shall make block grants which
shall be distributed in equal amounts to public stations for operational costs. The
commissioner shall allocate money appropriated for the purposes of sections 129D.11 to
129D.13 in such a manner that each eligible public station receives a block grant. In addition,
the commissioner shall make matching grants to public stations. Matching grants shall be
used for operational costs and shall be allocated using the procedure developed for
distribution of state money under this section for grants made in fiscal year 1979. No station's
matching grant in any fiscal year shall exceed the amount of Minnesota-based contributions
received by that station in the previous fiscal year. Grants made pursuant to this subdivision
may only be given to those federally licensed stations that deleted text begin are deleted text end new text begin were new text end certified as eligible for
community service grants through the Corporation for Public Broadcasting new text begin in 2024 new text end . Grant
funds not expended by a station during the first year of the biennium do not cancel and may
be carried over into the second fiscal year.

Sec. 24.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 138.669, is amended to read:

138.669 CONTRACTS FOR HISTORIC SITE MANAGEMENT.

The Minnesota Historical Society may contract deleted text begin with a county, municipality, or a county
or local historical society deleted text end for the management and operation of sites in the state historic site
network. Notwithstanding section 138.668, the contract may provide for the retention of
admission fees received by the management unit and for grants-in-aid to the management
unit for use in the site's operation and maintenance.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

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

Sec. 25.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 268.058, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Lien.

(a) Any amount due under this chapter or section 116L.20, from
an applicant or an employer, becomes a lien upon all the property, within this state, both
real and personal, of the person liable, from the date of assessment. The term "date of
assessment" means the date the obligation was due.

(b) The lien is not enforceable against any purchaser, mortgagee, pledgee, holder of a
Uniform Commercial Code security interest, mechanic's lien, or judgment lien creditor,
until a notice of lien has been filed with the county recorder of the county where the property
is situated, or in the case of personal property belonging to a nonresident person in the Office
of the Secretary of State. When the notice of lien is filed with the county recorder, the fee
for filing and indexing is as provided in sections 272.483 and 272.484.

(c) Notices of liens, lien renewals, and lien releases, in a form prescribed by the
commissioner, may be filed with the county recorder or the secretary of state by mail deleted text begin , deleted text end new text begin or new text end
personal delivery deleted text begin , or by electronic transmission into the computerized filing system of the
secretary of state. The secretary of state must, on any notice filed with that office, transmit
the notice electronically to the appropriate county recorder. The filing officer, whether the
county recorder or the secretary of state, must endorse and index a printout of the notice as
if the notice had been mailed or delivered deleted text end .

(d) County recorders and the secretary of state must enter information on lien notices,
renewals, and releases into the deleted text begin central database of the secretary of state deleted text end new text begin respective databases
established for lien notices, renewal new text end new text begin s, and releases new text end . deleted text begin For notices filed electronically with the
county recorders, the date and time of receipt of the notice and county recorder's file number,
and for notices filed electronically with the secretary of state, the secretary of state's recording
information, must be entered into the central database before the close of the working day
following the day of the original data entry by the commissioner.
deleted text end

(e) The lien imposed on personal property, even though properly filed, is not enforceable
against a purchaser of tangible personal property purchased at retail or personal property
listed as exempt in sections 550.37, 550.38, and 550.39.

(f) A notice of lien filed has priority over any security interest arising under chapter 336,
article 9, that is perfected prior in time to the lien imposed by this subdivision, but only if:

(1) the perfected security interest secures property not in existence at the time the notice
of lien is filed; and

(2) the property comes into existence after the 45th calendar day following the day the
notice of lien is filed, or after the secured party has actual notice or knowledge of the lien
filing, whichever is earlier.

(g) The lien is enforceable from the time the lien arises and for ten years from the date
of filing the notice of lien. A notice of lien may be renewed before expiration for an additional
ten years.

(h) The lien is enforceable by levy under subdivision 2 or by judgment lien foreclosure
under chapter 550.

(i) The lien may be imposed upon property defined as homestead property in chapter
510 but may be enforced only upon the sale, transfer, or conveyance of the homestead
property.

(j) The commissioner may sell and assign to a third party the commissioner's right of
redemption in specific real property for liens filed under this subdivision. The assignee is
limited to the same rights of redemption as the commissioner, except that in a bankruptcy
proceeding, the assignee does not obtain the commissioner's priority. Any proceeds from
the sale of the right of redemption are credited to the contingent account.

Sec. 26.

new text begin [561.015] RACING FACILITIES; IMMUNITY.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Definitions. new text end

new text begin (a) For purposes of this section, the following terms have
the meanings given.
new text end

new text begin (b) "Area of the racing facility" means within a three-mile radius of the perimeter of the
property or contiguous group of properties where a racing facility is located.
new text end

new text begin (c) "Racing facility" means a designated area, facility, or track where competitive vehicle
and motorsport races are conducted, including the track, spectator areas, garages, and any
associated grounds, buildings, or appurtenances used to operate the races.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Immunity. new text end

new text begin A racing facility is immune from any action brought by a surrounding
property owner under any claim of nuisance if the racing facility was built before the
surrounding real property owner either purchased or built the real property in the area of
the racing facility.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Substantial and material expansion. new text end

new text begin Subdivision 2 does not apply if the racing
facility makes a substantial and material expansion of operations that results in a significant
increase in the overall intensity of use of the facility, including but not limited to a
demonstrable increase in the number of racing event days beyond historical patterns of
operation existing at the time the person commencing an action acquired or improved the
person's property.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Construction. new text end

new text begin Nothing in this section shall be construed to exempt racing
facilities from compliance with state or federal environmental laws or health and safety
regulations.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Preexisting operations; nuisance. new text end

new text begin Notwithstanding any other law, a nuisance
action may not be maintained against a lawful preexisting operation based on noise or other
impacts resulting from operations if the use was in existence prior to the claimant acquiring
or improving the affected property. This subdivision does not apply if the operation has
undergone a substantial and material expansion resulting in a significant increase in the
intensity of use relative to historical operations at the time the claimant acquired or improved
the property. Nothing in this subdivision exempts an operation from compliance with
applicable state or federal law.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective August 1, 2026, and applies to causes
of action commenced on or after that date.
new text end

Sec. 27. new text begin REVISOR INSTRUCTION.
new text end

new text begin The revisor of statutes shall change the section headnote of Minnesota Statutes 2024,
section 16B.32, to "ENERGY AND WATER USE."
new text end

ARTICLE 2

LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Section 1.

new text begin [15.1711] ATTORNEY GENERAL CIVIL LAW ENFORCEMENT
ACTIONS.
new text end

new text begin When the attorney general institutes a civil law enforcement action on behalf of the state
pursuant to any authority granted by common law, the constitution of this state, or any
provision of law, the attorney general acts in the public interest of the state and not as the
legal representative or attorney of any department, agency, board, commission, or other
instrumentality of state government, including the executive, legislative, or judicial branches.
When the attorney general institutes a civil law enforcement action on behalf of the state,
the following apply:
new text end

new text begin (1) unless expressly named as a party, other public officers, departments, agencies,
boards, commissions, or other instrumentalities of state government are not parties to the
civil law enforcement action brought by the attorney general on behalf of the state and are
not subject to party discovery in the action;
new text end

new text begin (2) the records, documents, data, knowledge, and information of other state departments,
agencies, boards, commissions, or other instrumentalities of state government may only be
sought by the party adverse to the state in discovery through subpoenas issued to nonparties
pursuant to the Rules of Civil Procedure; and
new text end

new text begin (3) the records, documents, data, knowledge, and information of other state departments,
agencies, boards, commissions, or other instrumentalities of state government are not in the
possession, custody, or control of the attorney general except for data collected and retained
by the attorney general in anticipation of the civil law enforcement action brought by the
attorney general on behalf of the state.
new text end

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 16B.97, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

Subd. 4.

Duties.

(a) The commissioner shall:

(1) create general grants management policies and procedures that are applicable to all
executive agencies. The commissioner may approve exceptions to these policies and
procedures for particular grant programs. Exceptions shall expire or be renewed after five
years. Executive agencies shall retain management of individual grants programs;

(2) provide a central point of contact concerning statewide grants management policies
and procedures;

(3) serve as a resource to executive agencies in such areas as training, evaluation,
collaboration, and best practices in grants management;

(4) ensure grants management needs are considered in the development, upgrade, and
use of statewide administrative systems and leverage existing technology wherever possible;

(5) oversee and approve future professional and technical service contracts and other
information technology spending related to executive agency grants management systems
and activities;

(6) provide a central point of contact for comments about executive agencies violating
statewide grants governance policies and about fraud and waste in grants processes;

(7) forward received comments to the appropriate agency for further action, and may
follow up as necessary;

(8) provide a single listing of all available executive agency competitive grant
opportunities and resulting grant recipients;

(9) selectively review development and implementation of executive agency grants,
policies, and practices; deleted text begin and
deleted text end

(10) selectively review executive agency compliance with best practices deleted text begin . deleted text end new text begin ; and
new text end

new text begin (11) provide a standard template summary page for requests for proposals (RFP) that
represent key information about the grant opportunity in a clear and accessible format. The
template must include information regarding the purpose of the program, applicant eligibility,
funding availability and award structure, grant administration requirements, and the
application process. The summary page does not replace or supersede any specific
requirement in the full RFP.
new text end

(b) The commissioner may determine that it is cost-effective for agencies to develop
and use shared grants management technology systems. This system would be governed
under section 16E.01, subdivision 3, paragraph (b).

Sec. 3.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 118A.09, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Additional investment authority.

Qualifying governments may invest the
amount described in subdivision 3:

(1) in index mutual funds based in the United States and indexed to a broad market
United States equity index, on the condition that index mutual fund investments must be
made directly with the main sales office of the fund; deleted text begin or
deleted text end

(2) new text begin in shares of a company that:
new text end

new text begin (i) is registered with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission;
new text end

new text begin (ii) concentrates in investment grade fixed income securities;
new text end

new text begin (iii) holds, at the time of purchase, at least 80 percent of its investments in federally
insured or guaranteed securities, including by government sponsored entities; and
new text end

new text begin (iv) has a mission, in part, to provide direct investment in local multifamily housing
development; or
new text end

new text begin (3) new text end with the Minnesota State Board of Investment subject to such terms and minimum
amounts as may be adopted by the board.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

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

Sec. 4.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 118A.09, is amended by adding a subdivision to
read:

new text begin Subd. 3a. new text end

new text begin Housing and redevelopment authorities; investment authority. new text end

new text begin A housing
and redevelopment authority created in a county or statutory or home rule charter city that
meets the criteria of subdivision 1, paragraph (a), clause (1) or (2), may invest its funds in
investments that meet the criteria of subdivision 2, clause (2), subject to the limitations and
requirements for qualifying governments under subdivisions 3 and 4.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

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

Sec. 5.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 118A.09, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

Subd. 4.

Approval.

Before investing pursuant to this section, the governing body of the
qualifying government must adopt a resolution new text begin or investment policy new text end that includes the
following statements:

(1) the governing body understands that investments under subdivision 2 have a risk of
loss;

(2) the governing body understands the type of funds that are being invested and the
specific investment itself; and

(3) the governing body certifies that all funds designated for investment through the
State Board of Investment meet the requirements of this section and the policies and
procedures established by the State Board of Investment.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

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

Sec. 6.

new text begin [358.155] TOWN CLERK NOTARIZATION.
new text end

new text begin It is not a violation of chapters 357, 358, and 359 for a town clerk to notarize, attest, or
authenticate a document pursuant to official duties.
new text end

Sec. 7.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 365.05, is amended to read:

365.05 DEED OF TOWN LAND; FORMALITIES; INTEREST GIVEN.

A deed conveying real estate owned by a town must be signed by the chair of the town
board in an official capacity and attested by the clerk. deleted text begin The deed, witnessed and acknowledged,
must give the grantee all of the town's interest in the real estate.
deleted text end

Sec. 8.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 365.50, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

When, where.

The first town meeting in a new town must be held within
deleted text begin 20 deleted text end new text begin 30 new text end days after the deleted text begin town is organized deleted text end new text begin certification of the election results of a ballot question
approving organization of the town new text end . The county board shall name the time and place of the
meeting. The county auditor shall see that ten days' posted notice of the meeting is given
in the town.

Sec. 9.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 365.50, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Meeting officers.

The voters present at the meeting shall choose one of their
number as moderator, two others as judges of election, and one as clerk new text begin for the purpose of
the meeting new text end . Each of these meeting officers shall take and sign the oath required of a judge
of a general election. The oath may be administered to the judges by the moderator and to
the moderator by one of the judges. The meeting officers shall then run the meeting.

Sec. 10.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 367.03, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

New towns.

When a new town is organized and deleted text begin supervisors deleted text end new text begin township officers new text end
are elected at deleted text begin a deleted text end new text begin the first new text end town meeting prior to the annual town election, they shall serve
only until the next annual town election. At that election three supervisors shall be elected,
one for three years, one for two years, and one for one year, so that the term of one shall
expire each year. new text begin At that election, a clerk and a treasurer shall also be elected. The clerk
shall serve until the next annual town election held in an even-numbered year, and the
treasurer shall serve until the next annual town election held in an odd-numbered year. new text end The
number of years for which each is elected shall be indicated on the ballot.

Sec. 11.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 367.12, is amended to read:

367.12 DEPUTY CLERK.

Each town clerk may appoint a deputy, for whose acts the clerk shall be responsible,
and who, in the clerk's absence or disability, shall perform the clerk's duties. If a town clerk
has not appointed a deputy, the town treasurer shall perform the duties of the clerk relating
to receiving candidate filings when the clerk is absent. new text begin When the office of the clerk becomes
vacant, a deputy appointed under this section may continue in office as acting clerk until
the vacancy in the office of the clerk is filled.
new text end

Sec. 12.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 367.161, is amended to read:

367.161 DEPUTY TREASURER.

Each town treasurer may appoint a deputy not currently serving as an elected official of
the town for whose acts the treasurer is responsible, and who, in case of the treasurer's
absence or disability, shall perform the treasurer's duties. new text begin When the office of the treasurer
becomes vacant, a deputy appointed under this section may continue in office as acting
treasurer until the vacancy in the office of the treasurer is filled.
new text end

Sec. 13.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 379.01, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

deleted text begin Organizational deleted text end new text begin First town new text end meeting.

If the result of an election held under this
section is in the affirmative, the county shall arrange for the holding of the first deleted text begin organizational deleted text end new text begin
town new text end meeting not more than 30 days after the election in the township to be organized.

Sec. 14.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 383A.281, subdivision 13, is amended to read:

Subd. 13.

County personnel system.

"County personnel system" means all employees
in the departments or agencies of county government or joint city and county agencies which
receive their funding in whole or in part from the county board, including employees of new text begin the
following, but excluding other employees not subject to a county personnel system because
of state law new text end :

deleted text begin (a) deleted text end new text begin (1) new text end elected officials;

deleted text begin (b) deleted text end new text begin (2) new text end the Saint Paul-Ramsey Medical Center Commission; and

deleted text begin (c) deleted text end new text begin (3) new text end the deleted text begin court administrator of district court; deleted text end new text begin Examiner of Titles.
new text end

deleted text begin but not including:
deleted text end

deleted text begin (1) district court judges;
deleted text end

deleted text begin (2) court reporters, law clerks, referees employed by the district court, and the Second
Judicial District administrator's office;
deleted text end

deleted text begin (3) court commissioners;
deleted text end

deleted text begin (4) the public defender;
deleted text end

deleted text begin (5) employees of the Examiner of Titles, Agricultural Extension Service, Humane Society,
Historical Society, and Soil and Water Conservation District; and
deleted text end

deleted text begin (6) other employees not subject to a county personnel system because of state law.
deleted text end

Sec. 15.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 383A.283, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

deleted text begin Director deleted text end new text begin Chief human resources officer new text end .

The deleted text begin director deleted text end new text begin chief human resources
officer new text end shall be appointed by the Ramsey County deleted text begin executive director deleted text end new text begin county manager new text end , on
the basis of merit and fitness as a result of a competitive examination, subject to the approval
of the county board. The deleted text begin director deleted text end new text begin chief human resources officer new text end shall be in the deleted text begin classified deleted text end new text begin
unclassified new text end service deleted text begin and shall report directly to and be supervised by the Ramsey County
executive director deleted text end .

Sec. 16.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 383A.283, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

Responsibilities.

The new text begin chief new text end human resources deleted text begin director deleted text end new text begin officer new text end shall provide
personnel management services and assistance to all county departments, enforce any
personnel rules and regulations adopted by the county board, and carry out the responsibilities
set forth in sections 383A.281 to 383A.301.

Sec. 17.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 383A.284, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Rulemaking.

The new text begin chief new text end human resources deleted text begin director deleted text end new text begin officer new text end shall prepare
rules to implement the provisions of sections 383A.281 to 383A.301. The rules shall be
effective upon approval by the county board. Prior to approval, the county board shall hold
a public hearing on the proposed rules after giving notice to county departments, employees,
affected labor organizations, and the public. The rules approved by the county board shall
have the force and effect of law. The rules may be amended or repealed in the same manner
as originally adopted.

Sec. 18.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 383A.284, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Collective bargaining.

The deleted text begin executive director deleted text end new text begin county manager new text end or the deleted text begin director's deleted text end new text begin
county manager's new text end designee shall be the chief labor negotiator for the county. The deleted text begin executive
director deleted text end new text begin county manager new text end may, as necessary and at discretion, include department heads of
affected departments in the labor negotiation process. The deleted text begin executive director deleted text end new text begin county manager new text end
shall recommend to the county board for its final approval all collective bargaining
agreements. To the extent they are covered by a collective bargaining agreement, the
compensation, term, and conditions of employment for all employees represented by an
exclusive representative certified pursuant to chapter 179A shall be governed by the collective
bargaining agreement executed by the county board and the parties and it shall supersede
any rule or administrative procedure adopted pursuant to sections 383A.281 to 383A.301,
unless a provision of the agreement is found to violate other state or federal law.

Sec. 19.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 383A.284, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

deleted text begin Payroll voucher certification deleted text end new text begin Payrolls approved new text end .

The deleted text begin director of deleted text end new text begin chief new text end human
resources new text begin officer new text end or the deleted text begin director's deleted text end new text begin officer's new text end authorized agent shall be responsible for
deleted text begin certification of the payroll vouchers that the deleted text end new text begin payment of salary or compensation of new text end persons
deleted text begin named in them have been deleted text end appointed and employed in accordance with the provisions of
sections 383A.281 to 383A.301 and the rules under sections 383A.281 to 383A.301. deleted text begin No
Ramsey County disbursing or auditing deleted text end new text begin The chief human resources new text end officer new text begin or the officer's
authorized agent new text end shall deleted text begin make or approve or take part in making or approving payment for
personal service to deleted text end new text begin not certify a payroll item for new text end a person holding a position in county service
unless the deleted text begin payroll voucher or account for the amount bears the certification of the director
or the authorized agent deleted text end new text begin person has been appointed and employed in accordance with the
provisions of sections 383A.281 to 383A.301 and the rules authorized under sections
383A.281 to 383A.301 new text end .

Sec. 20.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 383A.284, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

Subd. 4.

Evaluation; report.

The county board shall establish performance indicators
and annually monitor the performance of the personnel management system in the county.
The new text begin chief new text end human resources deleted text begin director deleted text end new text begin officer new text end shall periodically review and evaluate current
and future staff needs of all county departments, job classes and descriptions, training and
development, and internal and market comparability of all classification and salary schedules
and report to the county board on these and other personnel management areas, as requested.

Sec. 21.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 383A.284, subdivision 5, is amended to read:

Subd. 5.

Review appointments.

Prior to each new appointment to the county personnel
system, the new text begin chief new text end human resources deleted text begin director deleted text end new text begin officer new text end shall certify that the person has been
appointed in accordance with sections 383A.281 to 383A.301 and applicable rules and
regulations.

Sec. 22.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 383A.285, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Classification plan.

The new text begin chief new text end human resources deleted text begin director deleted text end new text begin officer new text end shall maintain,
revise, and administer a classification and salary plan.

Sec. 23.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 383A.285, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

Classification of positions.

The new text begin chief new text end human resources deleted text begin director deleted text end new text begin officer new text end shall
place each position in the classified service in an appropriate class in the classification plan
or in a new class to be created, if appropriate. If a class is unique to a department, the new text begin chief
new text end human resources deleted text begin director deleted text end new text begin officer new text end shall consult the head of that department before classifying
the unique positions.

Sec. 24.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 383A.285, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

Subd. 4.

Appeal from classification or reclassification.

An appointing authority or an
employee affected by a classification or reclassification of a position may protest the action
in writing to the human resources director. The new text begin chief new text end human resources deleted text begin director deleted text end new text begin officer new text end shall
review the classification or reclassification and may change the decision. Neither the
appointing authority nor the employee shall have any further right to appeal a decision
regarding a classification or reclassification to the Personnel Review Board.

Sec. 25.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 383A.285, subdivision 5, is amended to read:

Subd. 5.

Study; implementation.

The new text begin chief new text end human resources deleted text begin director deleted text end new text begin officer new text end shall
complete a reclassification study within 60 days after receiving a reclassification request.
The appointing authority shall implement the personnel changes required by the
reclassification decision in a timely manner and qualifications for reclassified positions
shall be reasonably commensurate with the requirements of the position.

Sec. 26.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 383A.285, subdivision 10, is amended to read:

Subd. 10.

Unclassifying positions.

An employee in the classified service with permanent
tenure, who is an incumbent of a position which becomes unclassified and is not appointed
to or is removed from the unclassified position, shall be transferred by the new text begin chief new text end human
resources deleted text begin director deleted text end new text begin officer new text end to a classified position within the same department comparable
to the unclassified position. If a comparable position is unavailable, the person shall be
transferred by the deleted text begin director deleted text end new text begin chief human resources officer new text end to a classified position comparable
to that held immediately prior to being appointed to the position which was unclassified. If
the employee held an unclassified position with the same agency before being appointed to
the classified position that is unclassified, the person shall be transferred by the deleted text begin director deleted text end new text begin
chief human resources officer new text end to a classified position comparable to the classified position
next in rank below the position that is unclassified. The employee's salary shall not be less
than it was in the position which was unclassified, but it may be frozen until it is
commensurate with the class and grade of the position to which the employee was transferred.

Sec. 27.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 383A.286, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Unclassified positions.

The following positions shall be in the unclassified
service:

deleted text begin (a) deleted text end new text begin (1) new text end positions held by elected officials or persons appointed to fill an elected office;

deleted text begin (b) deleted text end new text begin (2) new text end one assistant for each elected official;

deleted text begin (c) deleted text end new text begin (3) new text end the director or principal administrative officer of a department of county
government or agency created by law deleted text begin , except that the affirmative action officer, human
resources director, internal auditor, and director of budgeting and accounting shall be
positions in the classified service deleted text end ;

deleted text begin (d) doctors, residents, and student nurses employed by the county or county agency;
deleted text end

deleted text begin (e) deleted text end new text begin (4) new text end members of a board or commission appointed by the county, or the county and
the city, and acting in an advisory capacity;

deleted text begin (f) deleted text end new text begin (5) new text end weed inspectors deleted text begin , election judges, or election clerks deleted text end ;

deleted text begin (g) special police officers or special deputy sheriffs serving without pay;
deleted text end

deleted text begin (h) judges, court administrators, court reporters, receivers, referees, the examiner or
assistant examiners of titles, public defenders, arbiters, jurors, court administrator of district
court, or persons appointed by the district court to make or conduct a special inquiry of a
judicial or temporary character;
deleted text end

deleted text begin (i) deleted text end new text begin (6) new text end all positions in the Second Judicial District administrator's office;

deleted text begin (j) deleted text end new text begin (7) new text end the deleted text begin executive director deleted text end new text begin county manager new text end and eight principal assistants;

deleted text begin (k) the chief executive officer of the medical center and seven principal assistants;
deleted text end

deleted text begin (l) interns, student workers, law clerks, or deleted text end new text begin (8) new text end other employees employed for a limited
duration as determined by the county board;

deleted text begin (m) deleted text end new text begin (9) new text end positions designated by the county board as unclassified pursuant to subdivision
3;

deleted text begin (n) deleted text end new text begin (10) new text end the sheriff, the sheriff's chief deputy, three principal assistants, and a personal
secretary; and

deleted text begin (o) deleted text end new text begin (11) new text end the county attorney, the county attorney's first assistant, one principal assistant,
and a personal secretary.

Sec. 28.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 383A.286, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

Unclassified positions authorized by county board.

new text begin (a) new text end The county board
may designate additional positions in the unclassified service if the following criteria are
met:

deleted text begin (a) deleted text end new text begin (1) new text end designation of the position is not contrary to the provisions of other law relating
specifically to that department;

deleted text begin (b) deleted text end new text begin (2) new text end the person occupying the position of supervisor or a department assistant would
report directly to the department head and would be designated as part of the department
head's management team; and

deleted text begin (c) deleted text end new text begin (3) new text end the duties of the position involve significant discretion and substantial involvement
in the development, interpretation, and implementation of department policy.

new text begin (b) new text end The new text begin chief new text end human resources deleted text begin director deleted text end new text begin officer new text end shall certify whether the designation is
consistent or inconsistent with the standards and criteria in this section. The county board
may appeal certification decisions to the Personnel Review Board.

Sec. 29.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 383A.288, subdivision 5, is amended to read:

Subd. 5.

Waiver of competitive examinations.

The new text begin chief new text end human resources deleted text begin director deleted text end new text begin
officer new text end shall establish a procedure and a definition of the criteria for the selection and referral
of qualified applicants to fill positions in routine service classifications involving unskilled
tasks. Applicants to fill vacancies in the classifications shall be exempt from ranking and
certification. The deleted text begin director deleted text end new text begin chief human resources officer new text end shall refer all qualified applicants
to the appointing authority having vacancies in the appropriate classifications.

Sec. 30.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 383A.288, subdivision 6, is amended to read:

Subd. 6.

Classified managerial positions.

The new text begin chief new text end human resources deleted text begin director deleted text end new text begin officer new text end
shall establish criteria for the designation of positions in the classified service as managerial
positions where the duties involve significant discretion and substantial involvement in the
development, interpretation, and implementation of departmental and county policy. The
new text begin chief new text end human resources deleted text begin director deleted text end new text begin officer new text end shall designate those classified positions that meet
these criteria in consultation with interested parties, including bargaining units certified
pursuant to chapter 179A representing Ramsey County employees. Classified positions, so
designated, shall be exempt from the examination and certification requirements of this
section, and the provisions of section 383A.289, and shall be filled by means of an open
application and screening process.

Sec. 31.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 383A.289, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

General.

The new text begin chief new text end human resources deleted text begin director deleted text end new text begin officer new text end shall prepare eligible
lists as provided in this section.

Sec. 32.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 383A.289, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

Term of eligibility.

The term of eligibility of eligibles on lists shall be
determined by the new text begin chief new text end human resources deleted text begin director deleted text end new text begin officer new text end .

Sec. 33.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 383A.291, subdivision 1a, is amended to read:

Subd. 1a.

Under county rules.

Upon request of the appointing authority, the new text begin chief new text end human
resources deleted text begin director deleted text end new text begin officer new text end shall certify eligibles in accordance with rules adopted under
section 383A.284, subdivision 1.

Sec. 34.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 383A.292, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Temporary appointments.

The new text begin chief new text end human resources deleted text begin director deleted text end new text begin officer new text end
may authorize the appointing authority to make a temporary appointment of not more than
six months in any 12-month period. When practicable, the human resources director may
certify any qualified eligible from an eligible list for the temporary appointment, but may
authorize the appointment of any person deemed qualified by the appointing authority.

Sec. 35.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 383A.292, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Provisional appointments.

The new text begin chief new text end human resources deleted text begin director deleted text end new text begin officer new text end may
authorize the appointing authority to make a provisional appointment for a position for
which there is no eligible list for a period of time determined by the human resources director
not to exceed six months.

Sec. 36.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 383A.294, subdivision 6, is amended to read:

Subd. 6.

Production of documents.

The new text begin chief new text end human resources deleted text begin director deleted text end new text begin officer new text end may
make a written request to an employee to produce relevant documents or to a person to
appear for the purpose of giving relevant oral statements or testimony relating to a
disciplinary action of an employee. An employee who is the subject of a disciplinary action
may make a written request to the new text begin chief new text end human resources deleted text begin director deleted text end new text begin officer new text end for the production
of relevant documents or for the appearance of a person to give relevant oral statements or
testimony relating to the disciplinary action. The request for the appearance of a person
may be to appear and testify at a hearing of the Personnel Review Board or to appear at a
specified place to give an oral statement prior to a hearing of the Personnel Review Board.
The new text begin chief new text end human resources deleted text begin director deleted text end new text begin officer new text end , or the employee upon receipt of a request for
production of relevant documents, shall furnish the requesting party the documents within
ten days of receipt of the written request. A person to whom a request for an appearance
has been made shall appear at the time and place designated in the request. If a party to
whom a request for relevant documents has been made fails to furnish the documents to the
requesting party within ten days of receipt of the request, the requesting party may make
an application to the district court for a determination that the refusal to produce the
documents was unreasonable. If a person to whom a request for appearance has been made
fails to appear at the time and place designated in the request, the party making the request
for appearance may make an application to the district court for a determination that the
failure to appear was unreasonable. If the district court determines that a failure to produce
requested documents or to appear was unreasonable, it may assess costs not exceeding $100
to the requesting party against the refusing party or person.

Sec. 37.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 383A.295, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Benefits.

The new text begin chief new text end human resources deleted text begin director deleted text end new text begin officer new text end shall have the
authority to set hours of employment, sick leave, vacation leave, leave of absence without
pay, health insurance, life insurance, and other fringe benefits for employees in the classified
and unclassified service subject to the approval of the county board and in accordance with
the law.

Sec. 38.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 383A.295, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Layoffs.

The new text begin chief new text end human resources deleted text begin director deleted text end new text begin officer new text end shall adopt rules and
regulations providing for the layoff and reemployment of employees on the basis of the
employee's seniority.

Sec. 39.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 429.011, subdivision 2a, is amended to read:

Subd. 2a.

Municipality; certain counties.

"Municipality" also includes the following:

(1) a county in the case of construction, reconstruction, or improvement of a county
state-aid highway;

(2) a county in the case of construction, reconstruction, or improvement of a county
highway as defined in section 160.02 including curbs and gutters and storm sewers;

(3) a county exercising its powers and duties under section 444.075, subdivision 1;

(4) a county for expenses not paid for under section 403.113, subdivision 3, paragraph
(b), clause (3);

(5) a county in the case of the abatement of nuisances; deleted text begin and
deleted text end

(6) a county operating an energy improvements financing program under section
216C.436 or 216C.437 new text begin ; and
new text end

new text begin (7) a county in the case of construction, reconstruction, extension, or maintenance of
thermal energy networks as defined in section 216B.2427, subdivision 1, paragraph (s) new text end .

Sec. 40.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 429.021, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Improvements authorized.

The council of a municipality shall have
power to make the following improvements:

(1) To acquire, open, and widen any street, and to improve the same by constructing,
reconstructing, and maintaining sidewalks, pavement, gutters, curbs, and vehicle parking
strips of any material, or by grading, graveling, oiling, or otherwise improving the same,
including the beautification thereof and including storm sewers or other street drainage and
connections from sewer, water, or similar mains to curb lines.

(2) To acquire, develop, construct, reconstruct, extend, and maintain storm and sanitary
sewers and systems, including outlets, holding areas and ponds, treatment plants, pumps,
lift stations, service connections, and other appurtenances of a sewer system, within and
without the corporate limits.

(3) To construct, reconstruct, extend, and maintain steam heating mains.

(4) To install, replace, extend, and maintain street lights and street lighting systems and
special lighting systems.

(5) To acquire, improve, construct, reconstruct, extend, and maintain water works systems,
including mains, valves, hydrants, service connections, wells, pumps, reservoirs, tanks,
treatment plants, and other appurtenances of a water works system, within and without the
corporate limits.

(6) To acquire, improve and equip parks, open space areas, playgrounds, and recreational
facilities within or without the corporate limits.

(7) To plant trees on streets and provide for their trimming, care, and removal.

(8) To abate nuisances and to drain swamps, marshes, and ponds on public or private
property and to fill the same.

(9) To construct, reconstruct, extend, and maintain dikes and other flood control works.

(10) To construct, reconstruct, extend, and maintain retaining walls and area walls.

(11) To acquire, construct, reconstruct, improve, alter, extend, operate, maintain, and
promote a pedestrian skyway system. Such improvement may be made upon a petition
pursuant to section 429.031, subdivision 3.

(12) To acquire, construct, reconstruct, extend, operate, maintain, and promote
underground pedestrian concourses.

(13) To acquire, construct, improve, alter, extend, operate, maintain, and promote public
malls, plazas or courtyards.

(14) To construct, reconstruct, extend, and maintain district heating systems.

(15) To construct, reconstruct, alter, extend, operate, maintain, and promote fire protection
systems in existing buildings, but only upon a petition pursuant to section 429.031,
subdivision 3.

(16) To acquire, construct, reconstruct, improve, alter, extend, and maintain highway
sound barriers.

(17) To improve, construct, reconstruct, extend, and maintain gas and electric distribution
facilities owned by a municipal gas or electric utility.

(18) To purchase, install, and maintain signs, posts, and other markers for addressing
related to the operation of enhanced 911 telephone service.

(19) To improve, construct, extend, and maintain facilities for Internet access and other
communications purposes, provided that the municipality must:

(i) not discriminate in favor of the municipality's own communications facilities by
granting the municipality more favorable or less burdensome terms and conditions than a
nonmunicipal service provider with respect to: (A) access and use of public rights-of-way;
(B) access and use of municipally owned or controlled conduit, towers, and utility poles;
and (C) permitting fees charged to access municipally owned and managed facilities;

(ii) maintain separation between the municipality's role as a regulator over firms that
offer services in competition with the services offered by the municipality over the
municipality's communications service facilities, and the municipality's role as a competitive
provider of services over the municipality's communications service facilities; and

(iii) not share inside information between employees or contractors responsible for
executing the municipality's role as a regulator over firms that offer communications services
in competition with the communication services offered by the municipality, and employees
or contractors responsible for executing the municipality's role as a competitive
communications services provider.

(20) To assess affected property owners for all or a portion of the costs agreed to with
an electric utility, telecommunications carrier, or cable system operator to bury or alter a
new or existing distribution system within the public right-of-way that exceeds the utility's
design and construction standards, or those set by law, tariff, or franchise, but only upon
petition under section 429.031, subdivision 3.

(21) To assess affected property owners for repayment of voluntary energy improvement
financings under section 216C.436, subdivision 7, or 216C.437, subdivision 28.

(22) To construct, reconstruct, alter, extend, operate, maintain, and promote energy
improvement projects in existing buildings, provided that:

(i) a petition for the improvement is made by a property owner under section 429.031,
subdivision 3;

(ii) the municipality funds and administers the energy improvement project;

(iii) project funds are only used for the installation of improvements to heating,
ventilation, and air conditioning equipment and building envelope and for the installation
of renewable energy systems;

(iv) each property owner petitioning for the improvement receives notice that free or
low-cost energy improvements may be available under federal, state, or utility programs;

(v) for energy improvement projects on residential property, only residential property
having five or more units may obtain financing for projects under this clause; and

(vi) prior to financing an energy improvement project or imposing an assessment for a
project, written notice is provided to the mortgage lender of any mortgage encumbering or
otherwise secured by the property proposed to be improved.

new text begin (23) To construct, reconstruct, extend, and maintain thermal energy networks as defined
in section 216B.2427, subdivision 1, paragraph (s).
new text end

Sec. 41.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 444.075, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Definitions.

new text begin (a) new text end The definitions in this subdivision apply deleted text begin in deleted text end new text begin to new text end this section.

deleted text begin (a) deleted text end new text begin (b) new text end "Municipality" means a home rule charter or statutory city or a town.

deleted text begin (b) deleted text end new text begin (c) new text end "Governing body" means the town board with respect to towns.

deleted text begin (c) deleted text end new text begin (d) new text end "Waterworks" means waterworks systems, including mains, valves, hydrants,
service connections, wells, pumps, reservoirs, tanks, treatment plants, new text begin thermal energy
networks as defined in section 216B.2427, subdivision 1, paragraph (s), new text end and other
appurtenances of a waterworks system.

deleted text begin (d) deleted text end new text begin (e) new text end "Sanitary sewer" means sanitary sewer systems, including sewage treatment
works, disposal systems, and other facilities for disposing of sewage, industrial waste, or
other wastes.

deleted text begin (e) deleted text end new text begin (f) new text end "Storm sewer" means storm sewer systems, including mains, holding areas and
ponds, and other appurtenances and related facilities for the collection and disposal of
stormwater.

deleted text begin (f) deleted text end new text begin (g) new text end "Facilities" means and includes waterworks, sanitary sewer and storm sewer
systems, or any portion or portions thereof.

Sec. 42.

new text begin [462.3599] DATA CENTERS.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Findings and purpose. new text end

new text begin The legislature finds that nondisclosure
agreements which prevent the public from receiving sufficient information about data center
projects of significant scope and impact on local communities prior to their approval
constitute a detriment to government transparency. It is therefore in the public interest that
such contracts are limited as to not impair public participation in land use decisions.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Applicability. new text end

new text begin This section applies to nondisclosure agreements entered into
on or after January 1, 2021.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Definitions. new text end

new text begin (a) For purposes of this section, the following terms have the
meanings given.
new text end

new text begin (b) "Data center" means a facility composed of one or more buildings that has a primary
purpose of providing for the storage, management, or processing of digital data.
new text end

new text begin (c) "End user" means the owner or operator of a constructed data center.
new text end

new text begin (d) "Municipality" means a county, home rule charter or statutory city, or town.
new text end

new text begin (e) "Security guard" has the meaning given in section 326.32, subdivision 13.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Public hearings required. new text end

new text begin A municipality must hold at least two public hearings
prior to the approval of a rezoning petition or an application for a conditional use or special
use permit made for the construction of a data center.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Disclosures required. new text end

new text begin (a) At least one public hearing under subdivision 4 must
be solely for the purpose of informing the public of the petition or application. The
municipality must disclose the following information at least 48 hours before the public
hearing:
new text end

new text begin (1) the name of the petitioner or applicant;
new text end

new text begin (2) the name of the anticipated end user of the proposed data center;
new text end

new text begin (3) the location and size of the proposed data center; and
new text end

new text begin (4) the estimated scope of utilities necessary for operation of the proposed data center,
including but not limited to fuel lines, sewer, stormwater, and electricity.
new text end

new text begin (b) Forty-eight hours before any public meeting held to vote on approval of a petition
or application, the municipality must disclose the information required under paragraph (a).
new text end

new text begin (c) A municipality may make the disclosures required under this subdivision by posting
the information on the municipality's website or by making the same information available
for inspection at a reasonable time and place.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 6. new text end

new text begin Effect of private agreements. new text end

new text begin The disclosure requirements under subdivision
5 apply notwithstanding any nondisclosure agreement or other contract signed by a
municipality or an agent of a municipality.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective August 1, 2026.
new text end

Sec. 43.

new text begin [471.3435] NONDISCLOSURE AGREEMENTS.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Definition. new text end

new text begin For purposes of this section, "municipality" means a county,
home rule charter or statutory city, town, school district, housing and redevelopment
authority, economic development authority, port authority, or any other political subdivision
of the state with authority to enter into a contract for the use of real property, and includes
any person acting in their capacity as an employee, elected official, appointed official, or
other representative of a municipality.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Applicability. new text end

new text begin This section does not apply to:
new text end

new text begin (1) municipal power agencies established under and exercising the powers authorized
by sections 453.51 to 453.62;
new text end

new text begin (2) a city when it is exercising the powers provided in section 453.58; or
new text end

new text begin (3) municipal power agencies formed under the laws of a state other than Minnesota.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Nondisclosure agreements restricted. new text end

new text begin (a) Except as required by state or federal
law, a municipality must not enter into a nondisclosure agreement or other contract with a
private person restricting the municipality from disclosing information to members of the
public about:
new text end

new text begin (1) the development of land;
new text end

new text begin (2) an economic development project or program on the agenda of a regular, special, or
emergency meeting of the governing body of the municipality; or
new text end

new text begin (3) a project or program financed in whole or in part with the municipality's tax revenues,
financial obligations, or taxing powers, including proposed tax increment financing districts,
economic development abatements, and municipal bonds or other debt obligations.
new text end

new text begin (b) Any agreement or contract, or term of an agreement or contract, that violates paragraph
(a) is void and unenforceable.
new text end

new text begin (c) If a contract contains a provision that is void and unenforceable under paragraph (b),
the provision must be severed from the other provisions of the contract to the extent that
the provision is void and unenforceable. The fact that the provision is void and unenforceable
does not affect the other provisions of the contract.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment and
applies to agreements entered into, renewed, or extended on or after that date.
new text end

Sec. 44.

new text begin [471.372] NONDISCLOSURE AGREEMENTS.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Definitions. new text end

new text begin (a) For purposes of this section, the following terms have
the meanings given.
new text end

new text begin (b) "Data center" has the meaning given in section 216B.02, subdivision 11.
new text end

new text begin (c) "Local government official" means a member of a city council, mayor, county
commissioner, town supervisor, and any other elected official established by a home rule
charter, or any employee of a city, county, or town.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Nondisclosure agreements restricted. new text end

new text begin (a) A local government official must
not enter into a nondisclosure agreement or other contract restricting public disclosure of
information about a potential data center development within the boundaries of the political
subdivision.
new text end

new text begin (b) Any agreement or contract, or term of an agreement or contract, that violates paragraph
(a) is void and unenforceable.
new text end

new text begin (c) When a contract contains a provision that is void and unenforceable under paragraph
(b), that provision must be severed from the other provisions of the contract to the extent
that it is void and unenforceable. The fact that the provision is void and unenforceable does
not affect the other provisions of the contract.
new text end

new text begin (d) If a local government official enters a contract or agreement that violates paragraph
(a), the local government official must publicly disclose the contract or agreement.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective August 1, 2026, and applies to agreements
entered into on or after that date.
new text end

Sec. 45. new text begin REPEALER.
new text end

new text begin (a) new text end new text begin Minnesota Statutes 2024, sections 383A.298; and 383A.301, new text end new text begin are repealed effective
the day after the Ramsey County Board of Commissioners and the county's chief clerical
officer comply with Minnesota Statutes, section 645.021, subdivisions 2 and 3.
new text end

new text begin (b) new text end new text begin Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 462.357, subdivision 5, new text end new text begin is repealed effective the
day following final enactment.
new text end

Sec. 46. new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE.
new text end

new text begin Sections 12 to 36 are effective the day after the Ramsey County Board of Commissioners
and the county's chief clerical officer comply with Minnesota Statutes, section 645.021,
subdivisions 2 and 3.
new text end

APPENDIX

Repealed Minnesota Statutes: S4555-2

383A.298 TRANSITIONAL PROVISIONS.

All employees of the Civil Service Department shall be transferred to the Human Resources Department. All members of the Civil Service Commission shall be members of the Personnel Review Board and serve until their current term expires and a successor is appointed.

383A.301 STATUS OF PRESENT EMPLOYEES.

Each person holding a position with the county of Ramsey who has acquired permanent tenure or who was serving a probationary period on the effective date of sections 383A.281 to 383A.301 retains the position, seniority date, and accrued benefits.

462.357 OFFICIAL CONTROLS: ZONING ORDINANCE.

Subd. 5.

Amendment; certain cities of the first class.

The provisions of this subdivision apply to the adoption or amendment of any portion of a zoning ordinance which changes all or part of the existing classification of a zoning district from residential to either commercial or industrial of a property located in a city of the first class, except a city of the first class in which a different process is provided through the operation of the city's home rule charter. In a city to which this subdivision applies, amendments to a zoning ordinance shall be made in conformance with this section but only after there shall have been filed in the office of the city clerk a written consent of the owners of two-thirds of the several descriptions of real estate situate within 100 feet of the total contiguous descriptions of real estate held by the same owner or any party purchasing any such contiguous property within one year preceding the request, and after the affirmative vote in favor thereof by a majority of the members of the governing body of any such city. The governing body of such city may, by a two-thirds vote of its members, after hearing, adopt a new zoning ordinance without such written consent whenever the planning commission or planning board of such city shall have made a survey of the whole area of the city or of an area of not less than 40 acres, within which the new ordinance or the amendments or alterations of the existing ordinance would take effect when adopted, and shall have considered whether the number of descriptions of real estate affected by such changes and alterations renders the obtaining of such written consent impractical, and such planning commission or planning board shall report in writing as to whether in its opinion the proposals of the governing body in any case are reasonably related to the overall needs of the community, to existing land use, or to a plan for future land use, and shall have conducted a public hearing on such proposed ordinance, changes or alterations, of which hearing published notice shall have been given in a daily newspaper of general circulation at least once each week for three successive weeks prior to such hearing, which notice shall state the time, place and purpose of such hearing, and shall have reported to the governing body of the city its findings and recommendations in writing.