HF 480

as introduced - 93rd Legislature (2023 - 2024) Posted on 02/16/2023 11:59pm

A bill for an act
relating to local government; appropriating money to the Minnesota Council on
Disability to provide outreach, training, assistance, and auditing related to local
government website accessibility; requiring a report.

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

Section 1. new text begin APPROPRIATION; MINNESOTA COUNCIL ON DISABILITY.
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new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Appropriation. new text end

new text begin (a) $250,000 in fiscal year 2024 and $250,000 in fiscal
year 2025 are appropriated from the general fund to the Minnesota Council on Disability
to select, appoint, and compensate employees to perform the following tasks:
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new text begin (1) in consultation with the League of Minnesota Cities and the Association of Minnesota
Counties, provide a statewide training module for cities and counties on how to conform
local government websites to accessibility standards;
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new text begin (2) provide outreach, training, and technical assistance for local government officials
and staff on website accessibility; and
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new text begin (3) track and compile information about the outcomes of the activities described in
clauses (1) and (2) and the costs of implementation for cities and counties to make website
accessibility improvements.
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new text begin (b) The training module described under paragraph (a), clause (1), must be developed
and made available to counties and cities on or before July 1, 2024.
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new text begin (c) This appropriation is onetime. The base for this appropriation in fiscal year 2026 and
after is $0.
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new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Report to the legislature. new text end

new text begin On or before January 15, 2025, and annually on
January 15 thereafter, the Minnesota Council on Disability shall submit a report to the chair
and ranking minority members of the legislative committees with jurisdiction over state
government finance and local government specifying the number of cities and counties that
received training or technical assistance on website accessibility, the outcomes of website
accessibility training and outreach, the costs incurred by cities and counties to make website
accessibility improvements, and any other information that the council deems relevant.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2023.
new text end