HF 1208

as introduced - 91st Legislature (2019 - 2020) Posted on 03/27/2019 01:21pm

A bill for an act
relating to state government; establishing a Legislative Commission on Housing
Affordability; 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 [3.8845] LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION ON HOUSING
AFFORDABILITY.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Established. new text end

new text begin The Legislative Commission on Housing Affordability is
created to study issues relating to housing affordability, existing and future government
regulations impacting housing affordability, and access to homeownership.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Membership. new text end

new text begin The commission consists of four senators appointed by the senate
Subcommittee on Committees of the Committee on Rules and Administration, and four
members of the house of representatives appointed by the speaker. Two members from each
chamber must be from the majority party in that chamber and two members from each
chamber must be from the minority party in that chamber. Each appointing authority must
make appointments as soon as possible after the beginning of the regular legislative session
in the odd-numbered year. The ranking senator from the majority party appointed to the
commission must convene the first meeting of a biennium by February 15 in the
odd-numbered year. The commission may elect up to four former legislators who have
demonstrated an interest in, or have a history of working in, the areas of housing affordability
to serve as nonvoting members of the commission. The former legislators must not be
registered lobbyists and shall be compensated as provided under section 15.0575, subdivision
3.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Terms; vacancies. new text end

new text begin Members of the commission serve for terms beginning upon
appointment and ending at the beginning of the regular legislative session in the next
odd-numbered year. The appropriate appointing authority must fill a vacancy for a seat of
a current legislator for the remainder of the unexpired term.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Officers. new text end

new text begin The commission must elect a chair and may elect other officers as it
determines are necessary. The chair alternates between a member of the senate and a member
of the house of representatives in January of each odd-numbered year.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Staff. new text end

new text begin Legislative staff must provide administrative and research assistance to
the commission.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 6. new text end

new text begin Duties. new text end

new text begin The commission shall:
new text end

new text begin (1) review and provide the legislature with research and analysis of emerging issues
negatively affecting housing affordability and homeownership access, especially with regard
to first-time home buyers and socially and economically disadvantaged buyers;
new text end

new text begin (2) review and provide the legislature with research and analysis of policies to reduce
the homeownership equity gap; and
new text end

new text begin (3) review and make recommendations on legislative and rulemaking proposals positively
impacting personal housing affordability, access to homeownership, and other related barriers
to homeownership.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 7. new text end

new text begin Expiration. new text end

new text begin This section expires June 30, 2023.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment. Initial
members of the commission serve for a term ending in January 2021. A member of the
house of representatives shall serve as the first chair of the commission. A member of the
senate shall serve as chair of the commission beginning in January 2020.
new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin INITIAL APPOINTMENTS.
new text end

new text begin Appointing authorities for the Legislative Commission on Housing Affordability under
Minnesota Statutes, section 3.8845, must make initial appointments by June 1, 2019. The
speaker of the house of representatives must designate one member of the commission to
convene the first meeting of the commission by June 15, 2019.
new text end