HF 1901

as introduced - 88th Legislature (2013 - 2014) Posted on 02/25/2014 01:38pm

A bill for an act
relating to metropolitan government; providing for reverse referendum on
the Metropolitan Council's proposed capital projects and development guide;
proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 473.

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

Section 1.

new text begin [473.1815] REVERSE REFERENDUM OPTION.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Capital projects. new text end

new text begin Before the council approves its capital budget
for the next year, the council must publish a list of proposed capital projects with an
estimated total cost of $10,000,000 or more once each week for two consecutive weeks in
the official publication of the council, and as a link on the home page of the council's Web
site, to notify the public of the council's intent to adopt the capital budget and implement
the projects. Following publication and prior to adopting the capital budget, the council
shall provide an opportunity at its next regular meeting for public comment relating to the
proposed capital projects. Twenty days after the public comment opportunity, the council
may adopt the capital budget and begin implementation of the capital projects unless a
petition has been filed with the council requesting a referendum on a capital project. The
petition must be signed by at least ten percent of the registered voters of the county or
counties in which at least 50 percent of the project would be implemented. The petition
must meet the requirements of the secretary of state, as provided in Minnesota Statutes,
section 204B.071, and any rules adopted to implement that section. If the petition is
sufficient, the question of implementing the project must be placed on the ballot at a
regular or special election in the county or counties. If a majority of the voters of those
voting on the question vote in favor of the project, the project may be implemented.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Development guide. new text end

new text begin Before the council approves any amendment or
revision to the metropolitan development guide, as defined in section 473.145, the council
must publish a summary of the proposed changes once each week for two consecutive
weeks in the official publication of the council, and as a link on the home page of
the council's Web site, to notify the public of the council's intent to adopt the revised
development guide. Following publication and prior to adopting the revised development
guide, the council shall provide an opportunity at its next regular meeting for public
comment. Twenty days after the public comment opportunity, the council may adopt the
revised development guide unless a petition has been filed with the council requesting a
referendum on adoption of the revised development guide. The petition must be signed by
at least ten percent of the registered voters of the metropolitan area. The petition must
meet the requirements of the secretary of state, as provided in Minnesota Statutes, section
204B.071, and any rules adopted to implement that section. If the petition is sufficient,
the question of implementing the project must be placed on the ballot at a regular or
special election in the metropolitan counties. If a majority of the voters of those voting
on the question vote in favor of the revised development guide, the revised development
guide may be adopted.
new text end

new text begin APPLICATION. new text end

new text begin This section applies in the counties of Anoka, Carver, Dakota,
Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott, and Washington.
new text end