HF 2181

1st Engrossment - 91st Legislature (2019 - 2020) Posted on 05/06/2019 11:47am

A bill for an act
relating to economic development; creating a Telecommuter Forward! certification;
proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 116J.

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

Section 1.

new text begin [116J.9923] TELECOMMUNICATION FORWARD! CERTIFICATION.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Definition. new text end

new text begin In this section, "political subdivision" means a city, township,
or county.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Certification. new text end

new text begin A political subdivision may apply to the commissioner of
employment and economic development for certification as a Telecommuter Forward!
Community. The commissioner of employment and economic development shall prescribe
the form and manner for making an application. Before approving an application, the
commissioner shall consider the application and the information in subdivision 3.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Resolution. new text end

new text begin In addition to the application in subdivision 2, a political subdivision
must adopt a resolution that does both of the following:
new text end

new text begin (1) states the political subdivision's support and commitment to promote the availability
of telecommuting options; and
new text end

new text begin (2) provides for a single point of contact for coordinating telecommuting opportunities
that has all of the following responsibilities:
new text end

new text begin (i) coordination and partnership with broadband providers, realtors, economic
development professionals, employers, employees, and other telecommuting stakeholders;
new text end

new text begin (ii) collaboration with broadband providers and employers to identify, develop, and
market telecommuter-capable broadband packages;
new text end

new text begin (iii) communication and partnership with broadband providers and economic development
professionals to develop common goals;
new text end

new text begin (iv) promotion of telecommuter-friendly work spaces, such as business incubators with
telecommuting spaces, if such a work space has been established in the political subdivision
at the time the political subdivision adopts the resolution;
new text end

new text begin (v) familiarity with broadband mapping tools and other state-level resources;
new text end

new text begin (vi) maintaining regular communication with the state broadband office; and
new text end

new text begin (vii) making regular reports to the governing body of the political subdivision.
new text end