SF 2947

as introduced - 86th Legislature (2009 - 2010) Posted on 03/01/2010 01:10pm

A bill for an act
relating to state government; transferring oversight of the Metropolitan Council
to the legislature; amending Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 3.8841.

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

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 3.8841, is amended to read:

3.8841 LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION ON METROPOLITAN
GOVERNMENT.

Subdivision 1.

Established.

The deleted text begin Legislative Commission on Metropolitan
Government is established to deleted text end new text begin legislature shall new text end oversee the Metropolitan Council's
operating and capital budgets, work program, and capital improvement program.

deleted text begin Subd. 2. deleted text end

deleted text begin Membership. deleted text end

deleted text begin The commission consists of four senators appointed by the
senate Subcommittee on Committees of the Committee on Rules and Administration, three
senators appointed by the senate minority leader, four state representatives appointed by
the speaker of the house, and three state representatives appointed by the house minority
leader. All members must reside in or represent a portion of the seven-county metropolitan
area. The appointing authorities must ensure balanced geographic representation. Each
appointing authority must make appointments as soon as possible after the opening of the
next regular session of the legislature in each odd-numbered year.
deleted text end

deleted text begin Subd. 3. deleted text end

deleted text begin Terms; vacancies. deleted text end

deleted text begin Members of the commission serve for a two-year term
beginning upon appointment and expiring upon appointment of a successor after the
opening of the next regular session of the legislature in the odd-numbered year. A vacancy
in the membership of the commission must be filled for the unexpired term in a manner
that will preserve the representation established by this section.
deleted text end

deleted text begin Subd. 4. deleted text end

deleted text begin Chair. deleted text end

deleted text begin The commission must meet as soon as practicable after members
are appointed in each odd-numbered year to elect its chair and other officers as it may
determine necessary. A chair serves a two-year term, expiring in the odd-numbered year
after a successor is elected. The chair must alternate biennially between the senate and the
house of representatives.
deleted text end

deleted text begin Subd. 5. deleted text end

deleted text begin Compensation. deleted text end

deleted text begin Members serve without compensation but may be
reimbursed for their reasonable expenses as members of the legislature.
deleted text end

Subd. 6.

Staff.

Legislative staff must provide administrative and research assistance
deleted text begin to the commission deleted text end .

deleted text begin Subd. 7. deleted text end

deleted text begin Meetings; procedures. deleted text end

deleted text begin The commission meets at the call of the chair.
If there is a quorum, the commission may take action by a simple majority vote of
commission members present.
deleted text end

Subd. 8.

Powers; duties; Metropolitan Council levy, budget oversight.

The
deleted text begin commission deleted text end new text begin legislature new text end must monitor, review, and make recommendations to the
Metropolitan Council deleted text begin and to the legislature deleted text end for the following calendar year on:

(1) the tax rate and dollar amount of the Metropolitan Council's property tax levies
and any proposed increases in the rate or dollar amount of tax;

(2) any request for an increase in the debt of the Metropolitan Council;

(3) the overall work and role of the Metropolitan Council;

(4) the Metropolitan Council's proposed operating and capital budgets, work
program, and capital improvement program; and

(5) the Metropolitan Council's implementation of the operating and capital budgets,
work program, and capital improvement program.

Subd. 9.

Powers; duties; Metropolitan Council appointments oversight.

The
deleted text begin commission deleted text end new text begin legislature new text end must monitor appointments to the Metropolitan Council and may
make recommendations on appointments to the nominating committee under section
473.123, subdivision 3, or to the governor before the governor makes the appointments.
deleted text begin The commission may also make recommendations to the senate before appointments are
presented to the senate for its advice and consent. deleted text end