HF 3776

as introduced - 93rd Legislature (2023 - 2024) Posted on 02/14/2024 11:07am

A bill for an act
relating to the Metropolitan Council; authorizing the removal of members of the
council for cause; providing for governor appointment of a vice-chair; specifying
council member salary and benefits; requiring annual reviews of the regional
administrator by the council; amending Minnesota Statutes 2022, sections 473.123,
subdivisions 2a, 4, by adding a subdivision; 473.125.

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

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 473.123, subdivision 2a, is amended to read:

Subd. 2a.

Terms.

Following each apportionment of council districts, as provided under
subdivision 3a, council members must be appointed from newly drawn districts as provided
in subdivision 3a. Each council member, other than the chair, must reside in the council
district represented. Each council district must be represented by one member of the council.
The terms of members end with the term of the governor, except that all terms expire on
the effective date of the next apportionment. A member serves at the pleasure of the governor new text begin
and can be removed for cause, after notice and hearing new text end . A member shall continue to serve
the member's district until a successor is appointed and qualified; except that, following
each apportionment, the member shall continue to serve at large until the governor appoints
16 council members, one from each of the newly drawn council districts as provided under
subdivision 3a, to serve terms as provided under this section. The appointment to the council
must be made by the first Monday in March of the year in which the term ends. new text begin An individual
may serve no more than 12 years as a member of the council.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE; APPLICATION. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following
final enactment and applies in the counties of Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey,
Scott, and Washington.
new text end

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 473.123, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

Subd. 4.

Chair; new text begin vice-chair; new text end appointment, officers, selection; duties and
compensation.

(a) The chair of the Metropolitan Council shall be appointed by the governor
as the 17th voting member thereof by and with the advice and consent of the senate to serve
at the pleasure of the governor to represent the metropolitan area at large. Senate confirmation
shall be as provided by section 15.066.

The chair of the Metropolitan Council shall, if present, preside at meetings of the council,
have the primary responsibility for meeting with local elected officials, serve as the principal
legislative liaison, present to the governor and the legislature, after council approval, the
council's plans for regional governance and operations, serve as the principal spokesperson
of the council, and perform other duties assigned by the council or by law.

(b) new text begin The vice-chair of the Metropolitan Council shall be appointed by the governor from
the 16 members appointed under subdivision 3. new text end The Metropolitan Council shall elect other
officers as it deems necessary for the conduct of its affairs for a one-year term. A secretary
and treasurer need not be members of the Metropolitan Council. Meeting times and places
shall be fixed by the Metropolitan Council and special meetings may be called by a majority
of the members of the Metropolitan Council or by the chair. The chair new text begin , vice chair, new text end and each
Metropolitan Council member shall be reimbursed for actual and necessary expenses.

(c) Each member of the council shall attend and participate in council meetings and meet
regularly with local elected officials and legislative members from the council member's
district. Each council member shall serve on at least one division committee for
transportation, environment, or community development.

(d) In the performance of its duties the Metropolitan Council may adopt policies and
procedures governing its operation, establish committees, and, when specifically authorized
by law, make appointments to other governmental agencies and districts.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE; APPLICATION. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following
final enactment and applies in the counties of Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey,
Scott, and Washington.
new text end

Sec. 3.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 473.123, is amended by adding a subdivision to
read:

new text begin Subd. 9. new text end

new text begin Salary; benefits. new text end

new text begin Beginning January 1, 2025, each member of the council shall
receive an annual salary of $40,000. The salary under this subdivision must be increased at
the same percentage and time as legislator salaries, as prescribed by the Legislative Salary
Council under section 15A.0825. Each member of the council must also be offered retirement
and other employment benefits comparable to Metropolitan Council employees under section
473.129, subdivision 2.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE; APPLICATION. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following
final enactment and applies in the counties of Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey,
Scott, and Washington.
new text end

Sec. 4.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 473.125, is amended to read:

473.125 REGIONAL ADMINISTRATOR.

The Metropolitan Council shall appoint a regional administrator to serve at the council's
pleasure as the principal administrative officer for the Metropolitan Council. The regional
administrator shall organize the work of the council staff. The regional administrator shall
appoint on the basis of merit and fitness, and discipline and discharge all employees in
accordance with the council's personnel policy, except the general counsel, as provided in
section 473.123, subdivision 8. The regional administrator must ensure that all policy
decisions of the council are carried out. The regional administrator shall attend meetings of
the council and may take part in discussions but may not vote. The regional administrator
shall recommend to the council for adoption measures deemed necessary for efficient
administration of the council, keep the council fully apprised of the financial condition of
the council, and prepare and submit an annual budget to the council for approval. The
regional administrator shall prepare and submit for approval by the council an administrative
code organizing and codifying the policies of the council, and perform other duties as
prescribed by the council. The regional administrator may be chosen from among the citizens
of the nation at large, and shall be selected on the basis of training and experience in public
administration. new text begin The regional administrator is subject to annual performance reviews by the
council.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE; APPLICATION. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following
final enactment and applies in the counties of Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey,
Scott, and Washington.
new text end