HF 683

2nd Engrossment - 88th Legislature (2013 - 2014) Posted on 05/10/2013 05:11pm

A bill for an act
relating to water; creating Legislative Water Commission; providing
appointments; 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 [3.886] LEGISLATIVE WATER COMMISSION.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Establishment. new text end

new text begin A Legislative Water Commission is established.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Membership. new text end

new text begin (a) The Legislative Water Commission consists of 12
members appointed as follows:
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new text begin (1) six members of the senate, including three majority party members appointed by
the majority leader and three minority party members appointed by the minority leader; and
new text end

new text begin (2) six members of the house of representatives, including three majority party
members appointed by the speaker of the house and three minority party members
appointed by the minority leader.
new text end

new text begin (b) Members serve at the pleasure of the appointing authority and continue to serve
until their successors are appointed. Vacancies shall be filled in the same manner as the
original positions. Vacancies occurring on the commission do not affect the authority of
the remaining members of the Legislative Water Commission to carry out the function
of the commission.
new text end

new text begin (c) The first meeting of the commission shall be convened by the chair of the
Legislative Coordinating Commission. Members shall elect a chair, vice chair, secretary,
and other officers as determined by the commission. The chair may convene meetings as
necessary to conduct the duties prescribed by this section.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Staff. new text end

new text begin The Legislative Water Commission may appoint and fix the
compensation of personnel and consultants necessary to enable the commission to carry
out its functions, or to contract for services to supply necessary data subject to the approval
of the Legislative Coordinating Commission under section 3.305.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Powers and duties. new text end

new text begin (a) The Legislative Water Commission shall review
water policy reports and recommendations of the Environmental Quality Board, the Board
of Water and Soil Resources, the Pollution Control Agency, the Department of Natural
Resources, and other water-related reports as may be required by law or the legislature.
new text end

new text begin (b) The commission may conduct public hearings and otherwise secure data and
comments.
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new text begin (c) The commission shall make recommendations as it deems proper to assist the
legislature in formulating legislation.
new text end

new text begin (d) Data or information compiled by the Legislative Water Commission or its
subcommittees shall be made available to the Legislative-Citizen Commission on
Minnesota Resources, the Clean Water Council, and standing and interim committees of
the legislature on request of the chair of the respective commission, council, or committee.
new text end

new text begin (e) The commission shall coordinate with the Clean Water Council.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Expiration. new text end

new text begin This section expires July 1, 2018.
new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin APPROPRIATION.
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new text begin $180,000 is appropriated from the general fund in fiscal year 2014 and $167,000 is
appropriated from the general fund in fiscal year 2015 to the Legislative Coordinating
Commission for the purposes of this act.
new text end