SF 175

1st Engrossment - 80th Legislature (1997 - 1998) Posted on 12/15/2009 12:00am

  1.1                          A bill for an act
  1.2             relating to the metropolitan council; providing for an 
  1.3             elected metropolitan council; providing for public 
  1.4             financing of campaigns for council seats; imposing 
  1.5             penalties; amending Minnesota Statutes 1996, sections 
  1.6             15.0597, subdivision 1; 204B.09, subdivisions 1 and 
  1.7             1a; 204B.135, subdivision 2; 204B.32, subdivision 2; 
  1.8             353D.01, subdivision 2; and 473.123, subdivisions 1, 
  1.9             2a, 3a, 4, 7, and by adding subdivisions; proposing 
  1.10            coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 473; 
  1.11            repealing Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 473.123, 
  1.12            subdivision 3. 
  1.13  BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA: 
  1.14     Section 1.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 15.0597, 
  1.15  subdivision 1, is amended to read: 
  1.16     Subdivision 1.  [DEFINITIONS.] As used in this section, the 
  1.17  following terms shall have the meanings given them. 
  1.18     (a) "Agency" means (1) a state board, commission, council, 
  1.19  committee, authority, task force, including an advisory task 
  1.20  force created under section 15.014 or 15.0593, a group created 
  1.21  by executive order of the governor, or other similar multimember 
  1.22  agency created by law and having statewide jurisdiction; and (2) 
  1.23  the metropolitan council, a metropolitan agency, capitol area 
  1.24  architectural and planning board, and any agency with a regional 
  1.25  jurisdiction created in this state pursuant to an interstate 
  1.26  compact. 
  1.27     (b) "Vacancy" or "vacant agency position" means (1) a 
  1.28  vacancy in an existing agency, or (2) a new, unfilled agency 
  1.29  position.  Vacancy includes a position that is to be filled 
  2.1   through appointment of a nonlegislator by a legislator or group 
  2.2   of legislators; vacancy does not mean (1) a vacant position on 
  2.3   an agency composed exclusively of persons employed by a 
  2.4   political subdivision or another agency, or (2) a vacancy to be 
  2.5   filled by a person required to have a specific title or position.
  2.6      (c) "Secretary" means the secretary of state. 
  2.7      Sec. 2.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 204B.09, 
  2.8   subdivision 1, is amended to read: 
  2.9      Subdivision 1.  [CANDIDATES IN STATE AND COUNTY GENERAL 
  2.10  ELECTIONS.] Except as otherwise provided by this subdivision, 
  2.11  affidavits of candidacy and nominating petitions for county, 
  2.12  metropolitan council, state and federal offices filled at the 
  2.13  state general election shall be filed not more than 70 days nor 
  2.14  less than 56 days before the state primary.  The affidavit may 
  2.15  be prepared and signed at any time between 60 days before the 
  2.16  filing period opens and the last day of the filing period.  
  2.17  Notwithstanding other law to the contrary, the affidavit of 
  2.18  candidacy must be signed in the presence of a notarial officer.  
  2.19  Candidates for presidential electors may file petitions on or 
  2.20  before the state primary day.  Nominating petitions to fill 
  2.21  vacancies in nominations shall be filed as provided in section 
  2.22  204B.13.  No affidavit or petition shall be accepted later than 
  2.23  5:00 p.m. on the last day for filing.  Affidavits and petitions 
  2.24  for offices to be voted on in only one county shall be filed 
  2.25  with the county auditor of that county.  Affidavits and 
  2.26  petitions for offices to be voted on in more than one county 
  2.27  shall be filed with the secretary of state. 
  2.28     Sec. 3.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 204B.09, 
  2.29  subdivision 1a, is amended to read: 
  2.30     Subd. 1a.  [ABSENT CANDIDATES.] A candidate for county, 
  2.31  metropolitan council, state, or federal office who will be 
  2.32  absent from the state during the filing period may submit a 
  2.33  properly executed affidavit of candidacy, the appropriate filing 
  2.34  fee, and any necessary petitions in person to the filing 
  2.35  officer.  The candidate shall state in writing the reason for 
  2.36  being unable to submit the affidavit during the filing period.  
  3.1   The affidavit, filing fee, and petitions must be submitted to 
  3.2   the filing officer during the seven days immediately preceding 
  3.3   the candidate's absence from the state.  Nominating petitions 
  3.4   may be signed during the 14 days immediately preceding the date 
  3.5   when the affidavit of candidacy is filed. 
  3.6      Sec. 4.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 204B.135, 
  3.7   subdivision 2, is amended to read: 
  3.8      Subd. 2.  [OTHER ELECTION DISTRICTS.] For purposes of this 
  3.9   subdivision, "local government election district" means a county 
  3.10  district, park and recreation district, school district, 
  3.11  metropolitan council district, or soil and water conservation 
  3.12  district.  Local government election districts, other than city 
  3.13  wards covered by subdivision 1, may not be redistricted until 
  3.14  precinct boundaries are reestablished under section 204B.14, 
  3.15  subdivision 3, paragraph (c).  Election districts covered by 
  3.16  this subdivision must be redistricted within 80 days of the time 
  3.17  when the legislature has been redistricted or at least 15 weeks 
  3.18  before the state primary election in the year ending in two, 
  3.19  whichever comes first. 
  3.20     Sec. 5.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 204B.32, 
  3.21  subdivision 2, is amended to read: 
  3.22     Subd. 2.  [ALLOCATION OF ELECTION EXPENSES.] The secretary 
  3.23  of state shall develop procedures for the allocation of election 
  3.24  expenses among counties, municipalities, and school districts, 
  3.25  and the metropolitan council for elections that are held 
  3.26  concurrently.  The following expenses must be included in the 
  3.27  procedures:  salaries of election judges; postage for absentee 
  3.28  ballots and applications; preparation of polling places; 
  3.29  preparation and testing of electronic voting systems; ballot 
  3.30  preparation; publication of election notices and sample ballots; 
  3.31  transportation of ballots and election supplies; and 
  3.32  compensation for administrative expenses of the county auditor, 
  3.33  municipal clerk, or school district clerk. 
  3.34     Sec. 6.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 353D.01, 
  3.35  subdivision 2, is amended to read: 
  3.36     Subd. 2.  [ELIGIBILITY.] (a) Eligibility to participate in 
  4.1   the defined contribution plan is available to: 
  4.2      (1) elected local government officials of a governmental 
  4.3   subdivision who elect to participate in the plan under section 
  4.4   353D.02, subdivision 1, and who, for the elected service 
  4.5   rendered to a governmental subdivision, are not members of the 
  4.6   public employees retirement association within the meaning of 
  4.7   section 353.01, subdivision 7; 
  4.8      (2) physicians who, if they did not elect to participate in 
  4.9   the plan under section 353D.02, subdivision 2, would meet the 
  4.10  definition of member under section 353.01, subdivision 7; and 
  4.11     (3) basic and advanced life support emergency medical 
  4.12  service personnel employed by or providing services for any 
  4.13  public ambulance service or privately operated ambulance service 
  4.14  that receives an operating subsidy from a governmental entity 
  4.15  that elects to participate under section 353D.02, subdivision 3. 
  4.16     (b) For purposes of this chapter, an elected local 
  4.17  government official includes a person appointed to fill a 
  4.18  vacancy in an elective office and a member of the metropolitan 
  4.19  council.  Service as an elected local government official only 
  4.20  includes service for the governmental subdivision for which the 
  4.21  official was elected by the public-at-large.  Service as an 
  4.22  elected local government official ceases and eligibility to 
  4.23  participate terminates when the person ceases to be an elected 
  4.24  official.  An elected local government official does not include 
  4.25  an elected county sheriff.  
  4.26     (c) Elected local government officials, physicians, and 
  4.27  first response personnel and emergency medical service personnel 
  4.28  who are currently covered by a public or private pension plan 
  4.29  because of their employment or provision of services are not 
  4.30  eligible to participate in the public employees defined 
  4.31  contribution plan.  
  4.32     (d) A former participant is a person who has terminated 
  4.33  eligible employment or service and has not withdrawn the value 
  4.34  of the person's individual account. 
  4.35     Sec. 7.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 473.123, 
  4.36  subdivision 1, is amended to read: 
  5.1      Subdivision 1.  [CREATION.] A metropolitan council with 
  5.2   jurisdiction in the metropolitan area is established as a public 
  5.3   corporation and political subdivision of the state.  It shall be 
  5.4   under the supervision and control of 17 16 members, all of whom 
  5.5   shall be residents of the metropolitan area. 
  5.6      Sec. 8.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 473.123, 
  5.7   subdivision 2a, is amended to read: 
  5.8      Subd. 2a.  [TERMS.] Following each apportionment redrawing 
  5.9   of council districts, as provided under subdivision 3a, council 
  5.10  members must be appointed elected on a nonpartisan basis from 
  5.11  newly drawn districts as provided in subdivision 3a.  Each 
  5.12  council member, other than the chair, must reside in the council 
  5.13  district represented.  Each council district must be represented 
  5.14  by one member of the council.  The terms of members end with the 
  5.15  term of the governor, except that all terms expire on the 
  5.16  effective date of the next apportionment.  A member serves at 
  5.17  the pleasure of the governor are as follows:  members 
  5.18  representing even-numbered districts for terms ending the first 
  5.19  Monday in January of the year ending in the numeral "7"; members 
  5.20  representing odd-numbered districts for terms ending the first 
  5.21  Monday in January of the year ending in the numeral "5".  
  5.22  Thereafter, the term of each member is four years, with terms 
  5.23  ending the first Monday in January, except that all terms expire 
  5.24  the first Monday in January after the effective date of the next 
  5.25  redistricting.  A member shall continue to serve the member's 
  5.26  district until a successor is appointed elected and qualified; 
  5.27  except that, following each apportionment, the member shall 
  5.28  continue to serve at large until the governor appoints 16 
  5.29  council members, one from each of the newly drawn council 
  5.30  districts as provided under subdivision 3a, to serve terms as 
  5.31  provided under this section.  The appointment to the council 
  5.32  must be made by the first Monday in March of the year in which 
  5.33  the term ends.  
  5.34     Sec. 9.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 473.123, 
  5.35  subdivision 3a, is amended to read: 
  5.36     Subd. 3a.  [REDISTRICTING.] The legislature metropolitan 
  6.1   council shall redraw the boundaries of the council districts 
  6.2   after each decennial federal census so that each district has 
  6.3   substantially equal population.  Redistricting is effective in 
  6.4   the year ending in the numeral "3."  Within 60 days after a 
  6.5   redistricting plan takes effect, the governor shall appoint 
  6.6   members within the time provided in section 204B.135, 
  6.7   subdivision 2.  Council districts must be bounded by town, 
  6.8   municipal, ward, or precinct lines.  A district must be composed 
  6.9   of contiguous territory as regular and compact in form as 
  6.10  practicable, and the districts must be substantially equal in 
  6.11  population.  No district may vary in population more than five 
  6.12  percent from the average for all districts, unless the result 
  6.13  forces a voting precinct to be split.  If it appears after a 
  6.14  federal census that the districts are not in accord with the 
  6.15  standards in this subdivision, the council must be redistricted 
  6.16  within the times set in section 204B.135, subdivision 2.  Before 
  6.17  acting to redistrict, the council shall publish three weeks' 
  6.18  notice of its purpose, stating the time and place of the meeting 
  6.19  where the matter will be considered, in newspapers of general 
  6.20  circulation.  Council members elected from the newly drawn 
  6.21  districts to serve terms as provided under subdivision 2a. 
  6.22     Sec. 10.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 473.123, is 
  6.23  amended by adding a subdivision to read: 
  6.24     Subd. 3d.  [ELECTIONS; PROCEDURES.] (a) Except as provided 
  6.25  in this section, Minnesota election law applies to council 
  6.26  elections as far as practicable. 
  6.27     (b) Affidavits of candidacy must be filed with the 
  6.28  secretary of state as provided under section 204B.06. 
  6.29     (c) The filing fee is the same as for county office as 
  6.30  provided in section 204B.11, subdivision 1, paragraph (d). 
  6.31     (d) At the time of filing an affidavit of candidacy, a 
  6.32  candidate may present a petition in place of the filing fee with 
  6.33  the same number of signatures required for a candidate for 
  6.34  county office in section 204B.11, subdivision 2. 
  6.35     (e) Council members must be elected at the state and county 
  6.36  general election held in the year before the terms of office 
  7.1   that they seek expire. 
  7.2      Sec. 11.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 473.123, 
  7.3   subdivision 4, is amended to read: 
  7.4      Subd. 4.  [CHAIR; APPOINTMENT, OFFICERS,; SELECTION; DUTIES 
  7.5   AND COMPENSATION.] (a) The chair of the metropolitan council 
  7.6   shall be appointed by the governor as the 17th voting member 
  7.7   thereof by and with the advice and consent of the senate to 
  7.8   serve at the pleasure of the governor to represent the 
  7.9   metropolitan area at large.  Senate confirmation shall be as 
  7.10  provided by section 15.066 must be elected by and from among the 
  7.11  members of the council at the first meeting of the council after 
  7.12  the first Monday in January each year and serves for a term of 
  7.13  one year.  In the event of a tie vote, the chair shall decide 
  7.14  the issue. 
  7.15     The chair of the metropolitan council shall, if present, 
  7.16  preside at meetings of the council, have the primary 
  7.17  responsibility for meeting with local elected officials, serve 
  7.18  as the principal legislative liaison, present to the governor 
  7.19  and the legislature, after council approval, the council's plans 
  7.20  for regional governance and operations, serve as the principal 
  7.21  spokesperson of the council, and perform other duties assigned 
  7.22  by the council or by law. 
  7.23     (b) The metropolitan council shall elect other officers as 
  7.24  it deems necessary for the conduct of its affairs for a one-year 
  7.25  term.  A secretary and treasurer need not be members of the 
  7.26  metropolitan council.  Meeting times and places shall be fixed 
  7.27  by the metropolitan council and special meetings may be called 
  7.28  by a majority of the members of the metropolitan council or by 
  7.29  the chair.  The chair and each metropolitan council member shall 
  7.30  be reimbursed for actual and necessary expenses.  The annual 
  7.31  budget of the council shall provide as a separate account 
  7.32  anticipated expenditures for compensation, travel, and 
  7.33  associated expenses for the chair and members, and compensation 
  7.34  or reimbursement shall be made to the chair and members only 
  7.35  when budgeted. 
  7.36     (c) Each member of the council shall attend and participate 
  8.1   in council meetings and meet regularly with local elected 
  8.2   officials and legislative members from the council member's 
  8.3   district.  Each council member shall serve on at least one 
  8.4   division committee for transportation, environment, or community 
  8.5   development. 
  8.6      (d) In the performance of its duties the metropolitan 
  8.7   council may adopt policies and procedures governing its 
  8.8   operation, establish committees, and, when specifically 
  8.9   authorized by law, make appointments to other governmental 
  8.10  agencies and districts.  
  8.11     Sec. 12.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 473.123, is 
  8.12  amended by adding a subdivision to read: 
  8.13     Subd. 4a.  [COMPENSATION.] Each metropolitan council member 
  8.14  must be paid as authorized by the metropolitan council.  The 
  8.15  chair and each metropolitan council member must be reimbursed 
  8.16  for actual and necessary expenses.  The annual budget of the 
  8.17  council must provide as a separate account anticipated 
  8.18  expenditures for compensation, travel, and associated expenses 
  8.19  for the chair and members, and compensation or reimbursement 
  8.20  must be made to the chair and members only when budgeted. 
  8.21     Sec. 13.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 473.123, 
  8.22  subdivision 7, is amended to read: 
  8.23     Subd. 7.  [PERFORMANCE AND BUDGET ANALYST.] The council, 
  8.24  other than the chair, may hire a performance and budget analyst 
  8.25  to assist the 16 council members with policy and budget analysis 
  8.26  and evaluation of the council's performance.  The analyst may 
  8.27  recommend and the council may hire up to two additional analysts 
  8.28  to assist the council with performance evaluation and budget 
  8.29  analysis.  The analyst and any additional analysts hired shall 
  8.30  serve at the pleasure of the council members.  The 16 members of 
  8.31  the council may prescribe all terms and conditions for the 
  8.32  employment of the analyst and any additional analysts hired, 
  8.33  including, but not limited to, the fixing of compensation, 
  8.34  benefits, and insurance.  The analyst shall prepare the budget 
  8.35  for the provisions of this section subdivision and submit the 
  8.36  budget for council approval and inclusion in the council's 
  9.1   overall budget. 
  9.2      Sec. 14.  [473.124] [METROPOLITAN COUNCIL; CAMPAIGN 
  9.3   FINANCING; DISCLOSURE OF ECONOMIC INTERESTS; CONFLICTS OF 
  9.4   INTEREST.] 
  9.5      Sections 473.124 to 473.1259 apply to the financing of 
  9.6   campaigns for metropolitan council, disclosure of economic 
  9.7   interests by candidates and elected members of the metropolitan 
  9.8   council, and conflict of interest for members of the 
  9.9   metropolitan council.  Sections 211A.02 to 211A.07 do not apply 
  9.10  to the financing of campaigns for elections to the metropolitan 
  9.11  council. 
  9.12     Sec. 15.  [473.1241] [DEFINITIONS.] 
  9.13     Subdivision 1.  [APPLICABILITY.] For the purposes of 
  9.14  sections 473.124 to 473.1259, the terms defined in this section 
  9.15  have the meanings given them.  The terms defined in chapter 200 
  9.16  also apply to sections 473.124 to 473.1259, unless a different 
  9.17  meaning is specified in this section. 
  9.18     Subd. 2.  [ADVANCE OF CREDIT.] "Advance of credit" means 
  9.19  any money owed for goods provided or services rendered.  An 
  9.20  advance of credit is an expenditure in the year in which the 
  9.21  goods or services are used or consumed.  Advance of credit does 
  9.22  not mean "loan" as defined in subdivision 11. 
  9.23     Subd. 3.  [ASSOCIATION.] "Association" means a business, 
  9.24  corporation, firm, partnership, committee, labor organization, 
  9.25  club, or any other group of two or more persons, which includes 
  9.26  more than an immediate family, acting in concert. 
  9.27     Subd. 4.  [BOARD.] "Board" means the ethical practices 
  9.28  board. 
  9.29     Subd. 5.  [BUSINESS WITH WHICH THE INDIVIDUAL IS 
  9.30  ASSOCIATED.] "Business with which the individual is associated" 
  9.31  means any association in connection with which the individual is 
  9.32  compensated in excess of $50 except for actual and reasonable 
  9.33  expenses in any month as a director, officer, owner, member, 
  9.34  partner, employer or employee, or is a holder of securities 
  9.35  worth $2,500 or more at fair market value. 
  9.36     Subd. 6.  [CANDIDATE.] "Candidate" means an individual, not 
 10.1   within the definition of candidate in section 10A.01, 
 10.2   subdivision 5, who seeks nomination or election to the 
 10.3   metropolitan council. 
 10.4      Subd. 7.  [CONTRIBUTION.] "Contribution" means a transfer 
 10.5   of funds or a donation in kind. 
 10.6      (a) Contribution includes a loan or advance of credit to a 
 10.7   political committee, political fund, or principal campaign 
 10.8   committee, if that loan or advance of credit is (1) forgiven, or 
 10.9   (2) paid by an entity other than the political committee, 
 10.10  political fund, or principal campaign committee to which the 
 10.11  loan or advance of credit is made. 
 10.12     (b) Contribution does not include services provided without 
 10.13  compensation by an individual volunteering personal time on 
 10.14  behalf of a candidate, political committee, or political fund, 
 10.15  or the publishing or broadcasting of news items or editorial 
 10.16  comments by the news media. 
 10.17     Subd. 8.  [DONATION IN KIND.] "Donation in kind" means 
 10.18  anything of value other than money or negotiable instruments 
 10.19  given by an individual or association to a political committee, 
 10.20  political fund, or principal campaign committee to influence the 
 10.21  outcome of an election. 
 10.22     Subd. 9.  [ELECTION.] "Election" means an election held to 
 10.23  nominate or elect a candidate to the metropolitan council. 
 10.24     Subd. 10.  [EXPENDITURE.] "Expenditure" means a purchase or 
 10.25  payment of money or anything of value or an advance of credit 
 10.26  made or incurred to influence the outcome of any election.  
 10.27  Expenditure does not include services provided without 
 10.28  compensation by an individual volunteering personal time on 
 10.29  behalf of a candidate, political committee, or political fund, 
 10.30  or the publishing or broadcasting of news items or editorial 
 10.31  comments by the news media. 
 10.32     Subd. 11.  [LOAN.] "Loan" means an advance of money or 
 10.33  anything of value made to a political committee, political fund, 
 10.34  or principal campaign committee. 
 10.35     Subd. 12.  [POLITICAL COMMITTEE.] "Political committee" 
 10.36  means a political party, association, or person other than an 
 11.1   individual that seeks as its major purpose to influence the 
 11.2   outcome of an election. 
 11.3      Subd. 13.  [POLITICAL FUND.] "Political fund" means an 
 11.4   accumulation of dues or voluntary contributions by an 
 11.5   association other than a political committee that is collected 
 11.6   or expended to influence the outcome of an election. 
 11.7      Subd. 14.  [PRINCIPAL CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE.] "Principal 
 11.8   campaign committee" means the single political committee 
 11.9   designated by a candidate. 
 11.10     Subd. 15.  [TRANSFER OF FUNDS OR TRANSFER.] "Transfer of 
 11.11  funds" or "transfer" means money or negotiable instruments given 
 11.12  by an individual or association to a political committee, 
 11.13  political fund, or principal campaign committee to influence the 
 11.14  outcome of an election. 
 11.15     Sec. 16.  [473.1242] [POLITICAL COMMITTEES; METROPOLITAN 
 11.16  COUNCIL ELECTIONS.] 
 11.17     Subdivision 1.  [OFFICERS.] A political committee must have 
 11.18  a chair and a treasurer, who may be the same individual.  The 
 11.19  treasurer may designate deputy treasurers and is responsible for 
 11.20  their accounts.  The treasurer shall designate a single 
 11.21  depository and account for all contributions received by the 
 11.22  political committee. 
 11.23     Subd. 2.  [PROHIBITIONS; ACCEPTANCE OF CERTAIN 
 11.24  CONTRIBUTIONS; COMMINGLING OF FUNDS; PENALTY.] A contribution 
 11.25  must not be accepted and an expenditure must not be made by or 
 11.26  on behalf of a political committee while the office of treasurer 
 11.27  is vacant.  An anonymous contribution in excess of $20 must not 
 11.28  be retained by the political committee but must be forwarded to 
 11.29  the state ethical practices board and deposited in the general 
 11.30  fund.  Funds of the political committee must not be commingled 
 11.31  with the personal funds of an officer, member, or associate of 
 11.32  the committee.  An individual who violates this subdivision is 
 11.33  guilty of a misdemeanor. 
 11.34     Sec. 17.  [473.1243] [POLITICAL FUNDS.] 
 11.35     Subdivision 1.  [WHEN REQUIRED.] An association other than 
 11.36  a political committee must not transfer more than $100 in 
 12.1   aggregate in any year to candidates or political committees or 
 12.2   make any expenditure unless the transfer or expenditure is made 
 12.3   from a political fund.  
 12.4      Subd. 2.  [TREASURER; COMMINGLING OF FUNDS; ANONYMOUS 
 12.5   CONTRIBUTIONS.] An association that has a political fund shall 
 12.6   elect or appoint a treasurer of the political fund.  
 12.7   Contributions to the political fund must not be accepted and 
 12.8   expenditures from the fund must not be made while the office of 
 12.9   treasurer is vacant.  The contents of the political fund must 
 12.10  not be commingled with other funds or with the personal funds of 
 12.11  an officer or member of the fund.  An anonymous contribution in 
 12.12  excess of $20 must not be retained by the political fund but 
 12.13  must be forwarded to the state ethical practices board and 
 12.14  deposited in the general fund. 
 12.15     Subd. 3.  [USE OF DUES AND MEMBERSHIP FEES.] 
 12.16  Notwithstanding subdivision 1, an association may, if not 
 12.17  prohibited by other law, deposit in its political fund money 
 12.18  derived from dues or membership fees.  The treasurer of the 
 12.19  fund, in any report required by section 473.1247, shall disclose 
 12.20  the name of any member whose dues, membership fees, and 
 12.21  contributions deposited in the political fund in any year exceed 
 12.22  $50 in the aggregate. 
 12.23     Subd. 4.  [PENALTY.] A person who knowingly violates this 
 12.24  section is guilty of a misdemeanor. 
 12.25     Sec. 18.  [473.1244] [PRINCIPAL CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE.] 
 12.26     A candidate who receives contributions or makes 
 12.27  expenditures in excess of $100 shall designate and cause to be 
 12.28  formed a single political committee known as the candidate's 
 12.29  principal campaign committee.  The candidate shall make 
 12.30  expenditures only through the candidate's principal campaign 
 12.31  committee.  The candidate may be the chair and treasurer of the 
 12.32  principal campaign committee. 
 12.33     Sec. 19.  [473.1245] [REGISTRATION OF POLITICAL COMMITTEES 
 12.34  AND POLITICAL FUNDS.] 
 12.35     Subdivision 1.  [FILING OFFICE; DEADLINE.] A political 
 12.36  committee, political fund, and principal campaign committee 
 13.1   shall register with the board within 14 days after the date by 
 13.2   which the committee or fund has received contributions or made 
 13.3   expenditures in excess of $100. 
 13.4      Subd. 2.  [STATEMENT REQUIRED.] A political committee or 
 13.5   fund registers by filing a statement of organization that 
 13.6   includes: 
 13.7      (1) the name and address of the political committee or 
 13.8   fund; 
 13.9      (2) the name and address of the chair, the treasurer, and 
 13.10  any deputy treasurers; 
 13.11     (3) the name and address of the depository used by the 
 13.12  committee or fund; 
 13.13     (4) the name and address of any supporting association of a 
 13.14  political fund; and 
 13.15     (5) a statement as to whether the committee is a principal 
 13.16  campaign committee. 
 13.17     The statement of organization must be filed by the 
 13.18  treasurer of the political committee, political fund, or 
 13.19  principal campaign committee. 
 13.20     Sec. 20.  [473.1246] [ACCOUNTS WHICH MUST BE KEPT.] 
 13.21     Subdivision 1.  [CONTRIBUTIONS; EXPENDITURES; TRANSFERS.] 
 13.22  The treasurer of a political committee, political fund, or 
 13.23  principal campaign committee shall keep an account of: 
 13.24     (1) the sum of all contributions, except any donation in 
 13.25  kind valued at $20 or less, made to the political committee or 
 13.26  fund; 
 13.27     (2) the name and address of each source of a transfer or 
 13.28  donation in kind in excess of $20, together with the date and 
 13.29  amount; 
 13.30     (3) each expenditure made by or on behalf of the committee 
 13.31  together with the date and amount; and 
 13.32     (4) the name and address of each political committee or 
 13.33  fund to which transfers in excess of $20 have been made, 
 13.34  together with the dates and amounts. 
 13.35     Subd. 2.  [AUTHORIZATION OF EXPENDITURES; RECEIPTS.] An 
 13.36  expenditure by a political committee, political fund, or 
 14.1   principal campaign committee must be authorized by the 
 14.2   treasurer.  The treasurer may authorize not more than $20 per 
 14.3   week as petty cash for miscellaneous expenditures.  The 
 14.4   treasurer shall obtain a receipted bill stating the particulars 
 14.5   for every expenditure of more than $100 made by or on behalf of 
 14.6   the political committee or political fund, and for any 
 14.7   expenditure of a lesser amount, if the aggregate amount of 
 14.8   lesser expenditures to the same individual or association during 
 14.9   a year exceeds $100. 
 14.10     Sec. 21.  [473.1247] [CAMPAIGN REPORTS.] 
 14.11     Subdivision 1.  [COMMITTEES REQUIRED TO REPORT; DEADLINES.] 
 14.12  The treasurer of a political committee, political fund, or 
 14.13  principal campaign committee required to register under section 
 14.14  473.1245 shall file campaign reports with the board.  In each 
 14.15  year in which the name of the candidate is on the ballot, the 
 14.16  report of the principal campaign committee must be filed ten 
 14.17  days before a regular primary and a regular election.  Political 
 14.18  committees and political funds other than principal campaign 
 14.19  committees shall file campaign reports ten days before a regular 
 14.20  primary or regular election.  The treasurer of a principal 
 14.21  campaign committee shall file additional reports seven days 
 14.22  before a special primary or other special election and 70 days 
 14.23  after a special election.  The reports must cover the period 
 14.24  from the last day of the previous reporting period to seven days 
 14.25  before the filing date.  An additional campaign report must be 
 14.26  filed by all treasurers on January 31 of each year covering the 
 14.27  period from the last day of the previous reporting period to 
 14.28  December 31 of the preceding calendar year. 
 14.29     Subd. 2.  [CONTENT OF REPORTS.] A campaign report required 
 14.30  under this section must disclose: 
 14.31     (1) the amount of liquid assets on hand at the beginning of 
 14.32  the reporting period; 
 14.33     (2) the name, address, and employer, or occupation if 
 14.34  self-employed, of each individual, political committee, or 
 14.35  political fund that made transfers or donations in kind to the 
 14.36  political committee in an aggregate amount or value in excess of 
 15.1   $100, together with the amounts and dates; 
 15.2      (3) the sum of all contributions made to the political 
 15.3   committee or political fund; 
 15.4      (4) each loan made or received by the political committee 
 15.5   or political fund within the year in aggregate in excess of 
 15.6   $100, together with the name, address, occupation, and the 
 15.7   principal place of business, if any, of the lender and any 
 15.8   endorser and the date and amount of the loan.  A loan made to a 
 15.9   political committee or political fund that is forgiven or is 
 15.10  repaid by an entity other than that political committee or 
 15.11  political fund must be reported as a contribution; 
 15.12     (5) the sum of all receipts, including all contributions 
 15.13  and loans, during the reporting period; 
 15.14     (6) the name and address of each person to whom aggregate 
 15.15  expenditures have been made by or on behalf of the political 
 15.16  committee or political fund within the year in excess of $100; 
 15.17  the amount, date, and purpose of each expenditure; and the name 
 15.18  and address of the candidate supported or opposed by the 
 15.19  expenditure; 
 15.20     (7) the sum of all expenditures made by the political 
 15.21  committee or political fund; 
 15.22     (8) the amount and nature of any advance of credit incurred 
 15.23  by the political committee or political fund continuously 
 15.24  reported until paid or forgiven.  An advance of credit incurred 
 15.25  by a political committee or political fund that is forgiven or 
 15.26  is paid by an entity other than that political committee or 
 15.27  political fund must be reported as a donation in kind; 
 15.28     (9) the name and address of each political committee or 
 15.29  political fund to which aggregate transfers in excess of $100 
 15.30  have been made within the year, together with the amount and 
 15.31  date of each transfer; 
 15.32     (10) the sum of all transfers made to political committees 
 15.33  or political funds; and 
 15.34     (11) the sum of all disbursements not made to influence the 
 15.35  outcome of an election. 
 15.36     Subd. 3.  [TERMINATION REPORTS.] A political committee or 
 16.1   political fund may dissolve upon filing of a termination report 
 16.2   indicating that the committee or fund has settled all of its 
 16.3   debts and disposed of all assets in excess of $100.  The 
 16.4   termination report must include all information required in a 
 16.5   periodic campaign report.  
 16.6      Sec. 22.  [473.1248] [EXPENDITURES BY INDIVIDUALS; 
 16.7   REPORTS.] 
 16.8      (a) An individual who makes expenditures in an aggregate 
 16.9   amount of $100 or more in any year, which are not required to be 
 16.10  reported by any political committee or political fund as 
 16.11  contributions to that political committee or political fund but 
 16.12  which were made with the cooperation or express or implied 
 16.13  consent of a candidate, political committee, or agent of a 
 16.14  candidate or political committee, shall file campaign reports in 
 16.15  the form required by section 473.1247 with respect to those 
 16.16  expenditures. 
 16.17     (b) Paragraph (a) does not apply to an individual's 
 16.18  expenditures made expressly to advocate the election or defeat 
 16.19  of a clearly identified candidate. 
 16.20     Sec. 23.  [473.1249] [ADDITIONAL INFORMATION TO BE 
 16.21  DISCLOSED.] 
 16.22     Subdivision 1.  [EARMARKED CONTRIBUTIONS PROHIBITED.] An 
 16.23  individual, political committee, or political fund may not 
 16.24  solicit or accept a contribution from any source with the 
 16.25  express or implied condition that the contribution or any part 
 16.26  of it be directed to a particular candidate other than the 
 16.27  initial recipient.  An individual, political committee, or 
 16.28  political fund who knowingly accepts any earmarked contribution 
 16.29  is guilty of a gross misdemeanor.  
 16.30     Subd. 2.  [BILLS WHEN RENDERED.] A person who has a bill, 
 16.31  charge, or claim against a political committee or political fund 
 16.32  for any expenditure shall render in writing to the treasurer of 
 16.33  the committee or fund the bill, charge, or claim within 60 days 
 16.34  after the material or service is provided.  Failure to present 
 16.35  the bill, charge, or claim as required by this subdivision is a 
 16.36  petty misdemeanor. 
 17.1      Sec. 24.  [473.1251] [CIRCUMVENTION PROHIBITED.] 
 17.2      A person who attempts to circumvent disclosure of the 
 17.3   source or amount of contributions or expenditures by redirecting 
 17.4   funds through or contributing funds on behalf of another person 
 17.5   is guilty of a misdemeanor. 
 17.6      Sec. 25.  [473.1252] [ECONOMIC REPRISALS PROHIBITED.] 
 17.7      (a) An individual or association must not engage in 
 17.8   economic reprisals or threaten loss of employment or physical 
 17.9   coercion against any individual or association because of the 
 17.10  political contributions or political activity of that individual 
 17.11  or association.  
 17.12     (b) Paragraph (a) does not apply to compensation for 
 17.13  employment or loss of employment when the political affiliation 
 17.14  or viewpoint of the employee is a bona fide occupational 
 17.15  qualification of the employment.  
 17.16     (c) Violation of this subdivision is a misdemeanor. 
 17.17     Sec. 26.  [473.1253] [ECONOMIC INTEREST DISCLOSURE.] 
 17.18     Subdivision 1.  [OFFICIALS REQUIRED TO FILE; DEADLINES.] A 
 17.19  candidate for the metropolitan council shall file statements of 
 17.20  economic interest as required by this section with the board.  A 
 17.21  candidate shall file an original statement within 14 days of the 
 17.22  filing of an affidavit or petition to appear on the ballot.  All 
 17.23  elected members shall file an original statement of economic 
 17.24  interest 60 days after forms for disclosure are provided to the 
 17.25  filing officer.  An individual required to file a statement 
 17.26  shall file a supplementary statement on April 15 of each year in 
 17.27  which the individual remains a candidate or elected official.  
 17.28  An official required to file a statement of economic interest 
 17.29  under section 10A.09 is not required to comply with this section.
 17.30     Subd. 2.  [CONTENT OF STATEMENT.] (a) An individual 
 17.31  required to file a statement of economic interest shall disclose:
 17.32     (1) the individual's name, address, occupation, and 
 17.33  principal place of business; 
 17.34     (2) the name of each business with which the individual or 
 17.35  spouse is associated and the nature of that association; 
 17.36     (3) all income received by the candidate or spouse in 
 18.1   excess of $500 and any source of such income; 
 18.2      (4) all stock in any one company with a market value of 
 18.3   $2,500 or more owned by the individual or spouse; 
 18.4      (5) a listing of all real property within the state, 
 18.5   excluding homestead property, in which the individual or spouse 
 18.6   holds: 
 18.7      (i) a fee simple interest, mortgage, contract for deed as 
 18.8   buyer or seller, or option to buy, whether direct or indirect, 
 18.9   and which interest has a market value in excess of $2,500 as 
 18.10  shown on the real estate tax statement for the property; or 
 18.11     (ii) an option to buy, which property has a fair market 
 18.12  value of $50,000 or more; 
 18.13     (6) a listing of all real property within the state in 
 18.14  which a partnership of which the individual or spouse is a 
 18.15  member holds: 
 18.16     (i) a fee simple interest, mortgage, contract for deed as 
 18.17  buyer or seller, or option to buy, whether direct or indirect, 
 18.18  if the individual's or spouse's share of the partnership 
 18.19  interest has a market value in excess of $2,500 as shown on the 
 18.20  real estate tax statement for the property; or 
 18.21     (ii) an option to buy, which property has a fair market 
 18.22  value of $50,000 or more; and 
 18.23     (7) in supplementary statements only, the amount of each 
 18.24  honorarium in excess of $50 received by the individual since the 
 18.25  last statement, together with the name and address of the source.
 18.26     (b) A listing under paragraph (a), clause (5) or (6), must 
 18.27  indicate the street address and the municipality or the section, 
 18.28  township range, and approximate acreage, whichever applies, and 
 18.29  the county in which the property is located. 
 18.30     Sec. 27.  [473.1254] [REPORTS AND STATEMENTS; 
 18.31  REQUIREMENTS.] 
 18.32     Subdivision 1.  [CERTIFICATION.] A report or statement 
 18.33  required by section 473.1245 or 473.1247 must be signed and 
 18.34  certified as true by the individual required to file the report 
 18.35  or statement.  An individual who signs and certifies to be true 
 18.36  a report or statement that the individual knows contains false 
 19.1   information or who knowingly omits required information is 
 19.2   guilty of a gross misdemeanor. 
 19.3      Subd. 2.  [REPORTS RETAINED.] The board shall retain the 
 19.4   statements, reports, and copies and make them available for 
 19.5   public inspection for a period of five years after the date of 
 19.6   receipt by the board. 
 19.7      Subd. 3.  [CHANGES AND CORRECTIONS.] Any material changes 
 19.8   in information previously submitted and any corrections to a 
 19.9   report or statement must be reported in writing to the board 
 19.10  within ten days following the date of the event prompting the 
 19.11  change or the date upon which the individual filing became aware 
 19.12  of the inaccuracy.  The change or correction must identify the 
 19.13  form and the paragraph containing the information to be changed 
 19.14  or corrected.  An individual who willfully fails to report a 
 19.15  material change or correction is guilty of a misdemeanor. 
 19.16     Subd. 4.  [RECORDKEEPING.] An individual required to file a 
 19.17  report or statement or to keep an account under sections 
 19.18  473.1245 to 473.1247 shall maintain and preserve for four years 
 19.19  the records, including vouchers, canceled checks, bills, 
 19.20  invoices, worksheets, and receipts, that will provide in 
 19.21  sufficient detail the necessary information from which the 
 19.22  accounts and the filed reports and statements may be verified, 
 19.23  explained, clarified, and checked for accuracy and completeness. 
 19.24     Subd. 5.  [PENALTIES.] The board shall notify by certified 
 19.25  mail or personal service an individual who fails to file a 
 19.26  statement or report required by sections 473.1245 to 473.1247.  
 19.27  Except for a campaign report of a principal campaign committee 
 19.28  due before an election, if an individual fails to file a 
 19.29  statement or report within seven days after receiving a notice, 
 19.30  the board may impose a late filing fee of $5 per day, not to 
 19.31  exceed $100, beginning on the eighth day after receiving 
 19.32  notice.  If a treasurer of a principal campaign committee fails 
 19.33  to file a campaign report due before an election within three 
 19.34  days of the date due, regardless of whether the treasurer has 
 19.35  received notice, the board may impose a late filing fee of $50 
 19.36  per day, not to exceed $500, beginning on the fourth day after 
 20.1   the date the statement was due.  The board shall further notify 
 20.2   by certified mail or personal service an individual who fails to 
 20.3   file a statement or report within 21 days after receiving a 
 20.4   first notice that the individual may be subject to a criminal 
 20.5   penalty for failure to file the statement or report.  An 
 20.6   individual who knowingly fails to file the statement or report 
 20.7   within seven days after receiving a second notice from the board 
 20.8   is guilty of a misdemeanor. 
 20.9      Subd. 6.  [RECOVERY OF LATE FILING FEES.] The board may 
 20.10  bring an action in Ramsey county district court to recover any 
 20.11  late filing fee imposed under subdivision 5.  All money 
 20.12  recovered must be deposited in the state general fund. 
 20.13     Subd. 7.  [REPORTS OF VIOLATIONS.] If an individual fails 
 20.14  to file the required statement or report within seven days after 
 20.15  a second notice as provided in subdivision 5, the board shall 
 20.16  inform the county attorney of the county where the individual 
 20.17  resides that a second notice was sent and that the individual 
 20.18  failed to file the required statement or report.  If a candidate 
 20.19  fails to file a report or statement after a second notice as 
 20.20  provided in subdivision 5, the board shall notify the attorney 
 20.21  general. 
 20.22     Sec. 28.  [473.1255] [CAMPAIGN FINANCING.] 
 20.23     Subdivision 1.  [ELIGIBILITY.] A candidate whose name will 
 20.24  appear on the ballot in the general election and who has: 
 20.25     (1) filed a petition or affidavit of candidacy with the 
 20.26  secretary of state as provided in section 473.123; 
 20.27     (2) filed an agreement with the state ethical practices 
 20.28  board as provided in subdivision 2; and 
 20.29     (3) raised $2,500 in campaign funds before the primary 
 20.30  election from eligible voters in the state, counting only the 
 20.31  first $50 contributed by each voter, as stated in the agreement 
 20.32  filed with the board, is eligible for $20,000 public campaign 
 20.33  financing. 
 20.34     Subd. 2.  [AGREEMENT.] A candidate for council may receive 
 20.35  public campaign financing by signing and filing with the state 
 20.36  ethical practices board a written agreement that the candidate's 
 21.1   principal campaign committee will not spend on the candidate's 
 21.2   campaign more than $47,000 during the election year for the 
 21.3   candidate and not more than 20 percent of that amount during 
 21.4   each calendar year before the election year and after the last 
 21.5   preceding election year for that seat, and by stating in the 
 21.6   agreement that the candidate has raised $2,500 as specified in 
 21.7   subdivision 1. 
 21.8      Subd. 3.  [FUNDING.] The council shall provide sufficient 
 21.9   funds for the purposes of this section.  The council may levy to 
 21.10  provide these funds and the levy authorized by this subdivision 
 21.11  shall be in addition to the levy authorized under section 
 21.12  473.249.  The levy must be levied and collected in the manner 
 21.13  provided in sections 473.13 and 473.249, subdivision 2.  
 21.14     Subd. 4.  [RETURN OF PUBLIC FUNDS.] Each candidate who 
 21.15  receives public campaign financing under this section shall 
 21.16  return to the council's public campaign financing fund any funds 
 21.17  not spent by January 1 of the year following the election, or 
 21.18  all public campaign financing funds, if the candidate's campaign 
 21.19  expenditures exceed the limits set by this section. 
 21.20     Sec. 29.  [473.1256] [CONTRIBUTION LIMITS.] 
 21.21     A candidate must not permit the candidate's principal 
 21.22  campaign committee to accept contributions in excess of $100 per 
 21.23  calendar year from an individual, political committee, or 
 21.24  political fund in aggregate. 
 21.25     Sec. 30.  [473.1257] [METROPOLITAN COUNCIL MEMBERS; 
 21.26  INTEREST IN CONTRACT; PENALTY.] 
 21.27     (a) A member of the metropolitan council who may take part 
 21.28  in any manner in making a sale, lease, or contract in the 
 21.29  member's official capacity may not voluntarily have a personal 
 21.30  financial interest in that sale, lease, or contract or 
 21.31  personally benefit financially from it.  The exceptions listed 
 21.32  in section 471.88 apply to council members.  
 21.33     (b) A member who violates paragraph (a) is guilty of a 
 21.34  gross misdemeanor.  
 21.35     Sec. 31.  [473.1258] [DUTIES OF ETHICAL PRACTICES BOARD.] 
 21.36     Subdivision 1.  [ADVISORY OPINIONS; DISCLOSURE EXEMPTIONS.] 
 22.1   The state ethical practices board shall: 
 22.2      (1) issue and publish advisory opinions concerning the 
 22.3   requirements of sections 473.124 to 473.1259 upon application in 
 22.4   writing by any individual or association who wishes to use the 
 22.5   opinion to guide the applicant's own conduct; and 
 22.6      (2) exempt any individual or association required to 
 22.7   disclose information under sections 473.124 to 473.1259 from any 
 22.8   requirement of those sections in the same manner as it exempts 
 22.9   any individual or association from disclosure requirements under 
 22.10  chapter 10A.  An individual or association exempted from the 
 22.11  disclosure provisions of chapter 10A is also exempt from the 
 22.12  disclosure provisions of sections 473.124 to 473.1259. 
 22.13     Subd. 2.  [FORMS.] The board shall develop forms for all 
 22.14  statements and reports required to be filed under sections 
 22.15  473.124 to 473.1258.  
 22.16     Sec. 32.  [473.1259] [PROSECUTION OF VIOLATIONS.] 
 22.17     A violation of a criminal provision of sections 473.124 to 
 22.18  473.1259 must be prosecuted by the county attorney of the county 
 22.19  in which the defendant resides. 
 22.20     Sec. 33.  [473.1295] [VOTER EDUCATION.] 
 22.21     Subdivision 1.  [VOTER'S GUIDE.] At least 21 days before 
 22.22  each council general election, the council shall mail a voter's 
 22.23  guide to every household in the district in which an election is 
 22.24  scheduled.  The voter's guide must include the following 
 22.25  information: 
 22.26     (1) the name, address, telephone number, and occupation of 
 22.27  each candidate; 
 22.28     (2) biographical information on each candidate, if 
 22.29  provided, not to exceed 50 words; 
 22.30     (3) a statement from each candidate, if provided, not to 
 22.31  exceed 150 words; 
 22.32     (4) information on the procedures for voter registration; 
 22.33     (5) information on the procedures for voting by absentee 
 22.34  ballot; 
 22.35     (6) information on assistance available to persons with 
 22.36  disabilities; and 
 23.1      (7) other election-related information, as determined by 
 23.2   the council. 
 23.3      The council shall provide each person filing an affidavit 
 23.4   of candidacy with blank forms and instructions to be used by the 
 23.5   candidates to submit information for the voter's guide.  
 23.6   Candidates must submit information for the voter's guide to the 
 23.7   council no later than six weeks before the council primary 
 23.8   election.  The council must provide the candidates an 
 23.9   opportunity to review submitted material before publication. 
 23.10     The council shall select a person or organization that is 
 23.11  not a member or employee of the council and who is nonpartisan 
 23.12  to edit information submitted by candidates to ensure compliance 
 23.13  with this subdivision and to delete any information which, in 
 23.14  the opinion of the council, contains obscene, profane, 
 23.15  scandalous, or defamatory language or any language that may not 
 23.16  be legally circulated through the mails.  Nothing in this 
 23.17  section makes the author of the material submitted to the 
 23.18  council exempt from any civil or criminal action due to 
 23.19  defamatory statements made by the author.  The person writing, 
 23.20  signing, or offering a statement to the council is considered 
 23.21  its author and publisher. 
 23.22     Subd. 2.  [PUBLIC ACCESS CABLE TV.] The council shall 
 23.23  arrange for candidates to have equal access to public access 
 23.24  cable television in the metropolitan area for campaign purposes 
 23.25  including debates during the four-week period prior to election 
 23.26  day.  
 23.27     Subd. 3.  [COUNCIL RECOVERY OF COSTS.] The council shall 
 23.28  determine the costs of the voter's guide, including the 
 23.29  publication and distribution of the guide, and cable television 
 23.30  access provided for each candidate and deduct that cost from the 
 23.31  public campaign financing to the candidate.  The council shall 
 23.32  bill a candidate not receiving public campaign financing and the 
 23.33  candidate shall reimburse the council for the candidate's share 
 23.34  of the voter's guide and cable television costs. 
 23.35     Sec. 34.  [TRANSITION.] 
 23.36     Subdivision 1.  [CONTINUATION OF TERMS.] The appointed 
 24.1   chair and appointed metropolitan council members holding office 
 24.2   on the effective date of this section, and any successor 
 24.3   appointed to serve as the council chair or as a member, shall 
 24.4   continue in office until the first Monday in January 1999. 
 24.5      Subd. 2.  [COMPENSATION.] Until provided otherwise by the 
 24.6   metropolitan council under Minnesota Statutes, section 473.123, 
 24.7   subdivision 4a, the annual compensation for elected metropolitan 
 24.8   council members, including the chair, is $35,000. 
 24.9      Subd. 3.  [INITIAL TERMS.] For the elected metropolitan 
 24.10  council taking office on the first Monday in January 1999, the 
 24.11  terms of the members representing even-numbered districts end 
 24.12  the first Monday in January 2003, and the terms of the members 
 24.13  representing odd-numbered districts end the first Monday in 
 24.14  January 2001. 
 24.15     Sec. 35.  [INSTRUCTION TO REVISOR.] 
 24.16     The revisor shall renumber Minnesota Statutes, section 
 24.17  473.125 to section 473.126, and correct all references to that 
 24.18  section in Minnesota Statutes and Minnesota Rules.  
 24.19     Sec. 36.  [REPEALER.] 
 24.20     Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 473.123, subdivision 3, is 
 24.21  repealed. 
 24.22     Sec. 37.  [APPLICATION.] 
 24.23     This act applies in the counties of Anoka, Carver, Dakota, 
 24.24  Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott, and Washington. 
 24.25     Sec. 38.  [EFFECTIVE DATES.] 
 24.26     Sections 1, 4, 6, 7, 9, 11, 12, 13, and 36 are effective 
 24.27  the first Monday in January 1999.  The remainder of this act is 
 24.28  effective the day after its final enactment.