as introduced - 88th Legislature (2013 - 2014) Posted on 03/06/2013 06:04pm
A bill for an act
relating to economic development; creating a trade policy advisory group;
proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 116J.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:
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The trade policy advisory group is established to
advise and assist the governor and the legislature regarding government procurement
agreements of United States trade agreements.
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(a) The trade policy advisory group shall be appointed by
the governor and comprised of 11 members as follows:
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(1) two representatives of organized labor;
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(2) a representative of an organization representing environmental interests;
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(3) a representative of organizations representing family farmers;
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(4) two representatives from business and industry;
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(5) a representative of a nonprofit organization focused on international trade and
development;
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(6) the commissioner of employment and economic development or designee;
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(7) two senators, including one member from the majority party and one member
from the minority party, appointed by the Subcommittee on Committees of the Committee
on Rules and Administration of the senate; and
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(8) two members of the house of representatives, including one member appointed
by the speaker of the house and one member appointed by the minority leader.
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(b) Members of the trade policy advisory group shall serve for a term of two years
and may be reappointed. Members shall serve until their successors have been appointed.
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(c) The trade policy advisory group may invite representatives from other state
agencies, industries, trade and labor organizations, nongovernmental organizations, and
local governments to join the group as nonvoting ex officio members.
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(a) The commissioner of employment and economic
development or the commissioner's designee shall:
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(1) coordinate with the other appointing authorities to designate their representatives;
and
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(2) provide meeting space and administrative services for the group.
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(b) The members shall elect a chair from the legislative members of the working
group. The chair will assume responsibility for convening future meetings of the group.
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(c) Public members of the advisory group serve without compensation or payment of
expenses.
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The trade policy advisory group shall:
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(1) serve as an advisory group to the governor and the legislature on matters relating
to government procurement agreements of United States trade agreements;
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(2) assess the potential impact of government procurement agreements on the state's
economy;
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(3) advise the governor and the legislature of the group's findings and make
recommendations, including any draft legislation necessary to implement the
recommendations, to the governor and the legislature;
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(4) determine, on a case-by-case basis, the impact of a specific government
procurement agreement by requesting input from state agencies, seeking expert advice,
convening public hearings, and taking other reasonable and appropriate actions;
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(5) provide advice on other issues related to trade agreements other than government
procurement agreements when specifically requested by the governor or the legislature;
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(6) request information from the Office of the United States Trade Representative
necessary to conduct an appropriate review of government procurement agreements or
other trade issues as directed by the governor or the legislature; and
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(7) receive information obtained by the United States Trade Representative's single
point of contact for Minnesota.
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The trade policy advisory group shall issue a report to the
legislature with its findings and recommendations no less than once per fiscal year.
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