HF 13

as introduced - 85th Legislature (2007 - 2008) Posted on 12/15/2009 12:00am

A bill for an act
relating to state government; requiring the Legislative Coordinating Commission
to oversee legislative training forums; appropriating money; proposing coding
for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 3.

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

Section 1.

new text begin [3.051] LEGISLATIVE TRAINING FORUMS.
new text end

new text begin (a) The Legislative Coordinating Commission shall oversee legislative training
forums each year. The commission shall:
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new text begin (1) create an annual gathering of legislators to be held within the first two weeks of
each legislative session, and other legislative training forums within the first two months
of each year's legislative session;
new text end

new text begin (2) select speakers, including nonpartisan legislative or executive staff, who will
provide:
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new text begin (i) an overview of the issues affecting Minnesota, including demographic issues,
economic and other perspectives on Minnesota and its role in the global economy, and
background on key policy issues the legislature is expected to address that year; and
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new text begin (ii) training to improve legislative skills in running effective meetings and other
issues; and
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new text begin (3) invite current executive branch officials to provide opportunities for legislators
and invited executive officials to interact and work to form cooperative solutions to
Minnesota issues, problems, and challenges.
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new text begin (b) The joint rules of the house of representatives and senate must prohibit any
official gathering of legislators that might conflict with the legislative forums provided
for in this section.
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new text begin (c) The Legislative Coordinating Commission may select a partner or partners from
Minnesota's institutions of higher education, executive branch agencies, and nonprofit
communities to run the training, schedule activities, and create meeting agendas. The
commission may accept donations from foundations, corporations, and individuals to
defray costs of the forums, and shall publish these donations on the legislature's Web site.
No registered lobbyist or principal shall contribute for this purpose. Donations received
are appropriated to the Legislative Coordinating Commission for purposes of this section.
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Sec. 2. new text begin APPROPRIATION.
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new text begin $20,000 is appropriated from the general fund to the Legislative Coordinating
Commission in fiscal year 2008 for the legislative forums in 2008.
new text end