HF 5436

as introduced - 93rd Legislature (2023 - 2024) Posted on 04/30/2024 09:58am

A bill for an act
relating to housing; establishing an Accessible Housing Task Force; requiring
reports; appropriating money.

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

Section 1. new text begin ACCESSIBLE HOUSING TASK FORCE.
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new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Definitions. new text end

new text begin (a) For purposes of this section, the following terms have
the meanings given.
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new text begin (b) "Accessible housing" means housing that is designed, constructed, or modified to
enable persons with disabilities to live independently. Accessible housing may be made
accessible through design or additional features, such as modified bathrooms, cabinetry,
appliances, furniture, space, shelves, or cupboards that improve the overall ability of persons
with disabilities to function in the housing.
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new text begin (c) "Person with a disability" has the meaning given in Minnesota Statutes, section
256.481.
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new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Establishment of task force. new text end

new text begin An Accessible Housing Task Force is established
to:
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new text begin (1) examine the housing experiences of persons with disabilities, including their
experiences seeking accessible housing or independent housing;
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new text begin (2) examine the practices of housing providers related to accessible housing and
independent housing and the issues preventing housing providers from providing accessible
housing or independent housing units; and
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new text begin (3) recommend legislation to increase the supply of safe and affordable, accessible
housing and independent housing units.
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new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Membership. new text end

new text begin (a) The task force consists of the following members appointed
by the governor:
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new text begin (1) five persons with disabilities who have experienced a lack of accessible housing;
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new text begin (2) two parents of adult persons who have experienced a lack of affordable housing;
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new text begin (3) one representative of the Minnesota Council on Disability;
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new text begin (4) one representative of Arc Minnesota;
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new text begin (5) one representative of the Minnesota Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities;
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new text begin (6) one representative of the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency;
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new text begin (7) one representative of the Minnesota Department of Human Services;
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new text begin (8) one representative of the Minnesota Department of Health;
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new text begin (9) one staff person working in a housing stabilization services program;
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new text begin (10) one representative of a housing contractor who has built accessible housing;
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new text begin (11) one representative of a housing developer who has developed property that includes
accessible housing;
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new text begin (12) one representative of an agency that helps find housing for people with disabilities;
and
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new text begin (13) two representatives of organizations or groups who advocate for persons with
disabilities.
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new text begin (b) Appointments must be made no later than July 1, 2024, and must include
representatives of both the metropolitan area and greater Minnesota.
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new text begin (c) Task force members must serve without compensation, except for public members.
Members eligible for compensation must receive expenses as provided in Minnesota Statutes,
section 15.059, subdivision 6.
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new text begin (d) Vacancies must be filled by the governor consistent with the qualifications of the
vacating member required by this subdivision.
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new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Meetings; officers. new text end

new text begin (a) The Minnesota Housing Finance Agency shall convene
the first meeting of the task force no later than August 15, 2024, and shall provide accessible
physical or virtual meeting space as necessary for the task force to conduct its work.
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new text begin (b) At its first meeting, the task force shall elect a chair and vice-chair from among the
task force members and may elect other officers as necessary.
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new text begin (c) The task force shall meet according to a schedule determined by the members or
upon the call of the task force's chair. The task force must meet as often as necessary to
accomplish the duties under subdivision 5.
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new text begin (d) Meetings of the task force are subject to Minnesota Statutes, chapter 13D.
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new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Duties. new text end

new text begin (a) The task force must seek input from:
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new text begin (1) individuals who are experiencing or who have experienced the lack of affordable,
accessible housing;
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new text begin (2) providers of accessible housing; and
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new text begin (3) any other persons or organizations with experience or expertise in affordable,
accessible housing.
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new text begin (b) The task force must:
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new text begin (1) research and analyze how other states, cities, and counties address a lack of affordable,
accessible housing; and
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new text begin (2) develop recommendations to establish statewide education on affordable, accessible
housing to ensure that local units of government include affordable, accessible housing and
affordable housing policies in local planning.
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new text begin Subd. 6. new text end

new text begin Report. new text end

new text begin (a) No later than February 1, 2025, the task force shall submit an initial
report to the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees and divisions
with jurisdiction over housing on the findings and recommendations of the task force for
improving the supply, quality, and affordability of accessible housing statewide.
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new text begin (b) No later than August 31, 2025, the task force shall submit a final report to the chairs
and ranking minority members of the legislative committees and divisions with jurisdiction
over housing on the findings and recommendations in paragraph (a).
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new text begin Subd. 7. new text end

new text begin Expiration. new text end

new text begin The task force expires the day following submission of the final
report under subdivision 6.
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new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment.
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Sec. 2. new text begin APPROPRIATION; ACCESSIBLE HOUSING TASK FORCE.
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new text begin $....... in fiscal year 2025 is appropriated from the general fund to the commissioner of
the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency for the Accessible Housing Task Force. This is a
onetime appropriation.
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