Minnesota Legislature
HF 1418
as introduced - 89th Legislature (2015 - 2016) Posted on 03/04/2015 11:29am
Current Version - as introduced
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A bill for an act
relating to state government; expanding duties and powers of the Council on
Black Minnesotans; amending Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 3.9225.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:
Section 1.
Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 3.9225, is amended to read:
3.9225 COUNCIL ON BLACK MINNESOTANS.
Subdivision 1.
Creation.
A state Council on Black Minnesotans new text begin (COBM) new text end consists
of deleted text begin 13deleted text end new text begin 15new text end members appointed by the governor. The members of the council must be broadly
representative of the Black community of the state and include at least five males and at
least five females. deleted text begin One member of the council must be a person whose ethnic heritage is
from West Africa, and one member of the council must be a person whose ethnic heritage
is from East Africa.deleted text end new text begin There must be equal representation of African Americans, East
Africans, and West Africans on the council.new text end Membership terms, compensation, removal of
members, and filling of vacancies for nonlegislative members are as provided in section
15.0575. Because the council performs functions that are not purely advisory, the council
is not subject to the expiration date in section 15.059. Two members of the house of
representatives appointed by the speaker and two members of the senate appointed by
the Subcommittee on Committees of the Committee on Rules and Administration shall
serve as nonvoting members of the council. The council shall annually elect from its
membership a chair and other officers it deems necessary.
Subd. 2.
Definitions.
For the purpose of this section:
(1) "Black" describes persons who consider themselves as having origin in any of
the Black racial groups of Africa;
(2) "East Africa" means the eastern region of the continent of Africa, comprising
areas occupied by the countries of Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, and
Somalia; deleted text begin and
deleted text end
(3) "West Africa" means the western region of the continent of Africa comprising
areas occupied by the countries of Mauritania, Senegal, The Gambia, Guinea-Bissau,
Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Cote d'Ivoire, Ghana, Togo, Benin, Nigeria, Burkina Faso,
and those parts of Mali and Niger south of the Saharadeleted text begin .deleted text end new text begin ; and
new text end
new text begin
(4) "Caribbean" means Afro-Jamaican, Trinidadian, Bahamian, Barbadian, Cuban,
Costa Rican, Haitian, Puerto Rican, Grenadian, and Vincentian.
new text end
Subd. 3.
Duties.
The council shall:
(a) deleted text begin advisedeleted text end new text begin briefnew text end the governor and deleted text begin the legislaturedeleted text end new text begin legislative leaders new text end on deleted text begin the nature of
the issues confronting Black people in this statedeleted text end new text begin policy and administrative matters of
concern tonew text end new text begin Minnesotans of African heritage and the councilnew text end ;
(b) advise the governor and the legislature on statutes or rules necessary to ensure
that deleted text begin Black peopledeleted text end new text begin Minnesotans of African heritagenew text end have access to benefits and services
provided to people in this state;
(c) recommend to the governor and the legislature any revisions in the state's
affirmative action program and other steps that are necessary to eliminate underutilization
of deleted text begin Blacksdeleted text end new text begin Minnesotans of African heritagenew text end in the state's work force;
(d) recommend to the governor and the legislature legislation to improve the
economic and social condition of deleted text begin Black peopledeleted text end new text begin Minnesotans of African heritagenew text end in this
state;
(e) serve as a conduit to state government for organizations of deleted text begin Black peopledeleted text end new text begin
Minnesotans of African heritagenew text end in the state;
(f) serve as a referral agency to assist deleted text begin Black peopledeleted text end new text begin Minnesotans of African heritagenew text end
to secure access to state agencies and programs;
(g) serve as a liaison with the federal government, local government units, and
private organizations on matters relating to deleted text begin the Black people of this statedeleted text end new text begin Minnesotans
of African heritagenew text end ;
(h) perform or contract for the performance of studies designed to suggest solutions
to problems of deleted text begin Black peopledeleted text end new text begin Minnesotans of African heritagenew text end in the areas of education,
employment, human rights, health, housing, social welfare, and other related areas;
new text begin
(i) have a community membership base;
new text end
deleted text begin (i)deleted text end new text begin (j)new text end implement programs designed to solve problems of deleted text begin Black peopledeleted text end new text begin Minnesotans
of African heritagenew text end when authorized by other statute, rule, or order;
new text begin
(k) have its annual legislative agenda ratified by its membership base;
new text end
deleted text begin (j)deleted text end new text begin (l)new text end review data provided by the commissioner of human services under section
260C.215, subdivision 5, and present recommendations on the out-of-home placement
of deleted text begin Blackdeleted text end childrennew text begin of African heritagenew text end . Recommendations must be presented to the
commissioner and the legislature by February 1, 1990; November 1, 1990; and November
1 of each year thereafter; deleted text begin and
deleted text end
new text begin
(m) be the first contact for legislators and the governor's office on matters concerning
the African heritage community;
new text end
deleted text begin (k)deleted text end new text begin (n)new text end publicize the accomplishments of deleted text begin Black peopledeleted text end new text begin Minnesotans of African
heritagenew text end and their contributions to this statedeleted text begin .deleted text end new text begin ;
new text end
new text begin
(o) be available to political caucuses on matters relating to African heritage
communities;
new text end
new text begin
(p) develop a strategic plan to achieve outcomes related to the council's statutory
duties;
new text end
new text begin
(q) use an outside source to conduct periodic strategic plan outcome reviews;
new text end
new text begin
(r) operate satellite offices in Mankato, Rochester, Duluth, and St. Cloud;
new text end
new text begin
(s) testify before legislative committees on legislation affecting Minnesotans of
African heritage; and
new text end
new text begin
(t) recommend bonding initiatives that benefit Minnesotans of African heritage.
new text end
Subd. 4.
Review of grant applications.
All applications by a state department or
agency for the receipt of federal funds which will have their primary effect on deleted text begin Blackdeleted text end
Minnesotans new text begin of African heritage new text end shall be submitted to the council for review and
recommendation at least 30 days before submission to a federal agency.
Subd. 5.
Powers.
(a) The council may contract in its own name, but no money shall
be accepted or received as a loan nor indebtedness incurred except as otherwise provided
by law. Contracts shall be approved by a majority of the members of the council and
executed by the chair and the executive director. The council may apply for, receive, and
expend in its own name grants and gifts of money consistent with the power and duties
specified in subdivisions 1 to 7.
(b) The council may solicit and accept payments for advertising, use of exhibition
space, or commemorative videos or other items in connection with publications, events,
media productions, and informational programs that are sponsored by the council. These
revenues must be deposited in an account in the special revenue fund and are appropriated
to the council to defray costs of publications, events, media productions, or informational
programs consistent with the powers and duties specified in subdivisions 1 to 7. The
council may not publish advertising or provide exhibition space for any elected official
or candidate for elective office. The council must report by January 15 each year to the
chairs and ranking minority members of the house of representatives and senate funding
divisions with jurisdiction over the council on the amount and source of each payment
received under this paragraph in the prior fiscal year.
(c) The council shall appoint an executive director who is experienced in
administrative activities and familiar with the problems and needs of deleted text begin Black peopledeleted text end new text begin
Minnesotans of African heritagenew text end . The council may delegate to the executive director
powers and duties under subdivisions 1 to 7 which do not require council approval.
The executive director serves in the unclassified service and may be removed at any
time by the council. The executive director shall recommend to the council, and the
council may appoint the appropriate staff necessary to carry out its duties. Staff members
serve in the unclassified service. The commissioner of administration shall provide the
council with necessary administrative services.new text begin The council shall partner with state
agencies and departments to develop African heritage business recruitment to the state
and increase international trade relations with African nations. The council shall make
recommendations on legacy appropriations for conservation, clean water, and arts and
cultural heritage projects in Minnesota communities of African heritage.
new text end
new text begin
(d) The council shall partner with state agencies and departments to develop African
heritage business recruitment to the state and increase international trade relations with
African nations.
new text end
new text begin
(e) The council may receive legacy funds to provide grants for conservation, clean
water, and arts and cultural heritage projects in the African heritage community.
new text end
Subd. 6.
State agency assistance.
Other state agencies shall supply the council
upon request with advisory staff services on matters relating to the jurisdiction of the
council. The council shall cooperate and coordinate its activities with other state agencies
to the highest possible degree.
Subd. 7.
Report.
The council shall prepare and submit a report to the governor and
legislature by November 15 of each year. The report shall summarize the activities of the
council since its last report, list receipts and expenditures, identify the major problems and
issues confronting deleted text begin Black peopledeleted text end new text begin Minnesotans of African heritagenew text end , make recommendations
to address issues, and list the specific objectives which the council seeks to attain during
the next biennium. The council shall report on outcome measures.
Sec. 2. new text begin REVISOR'S INSTRUCTION.
new text end
new text begin
The revisor shall change the term "Council on Black Minnesotans" to "Council
for Minnesotans of African Heritage" whenever the term appears in Minnesota Statutes
or Minnesota Rules.
new text end