1st Engrossment - 83rd Legislature (2003 - 2004) Posted on 12/15/2009 12:00am
1.1 A bill for an act 1.2 relating to natural resources; updating soil and water 1.3 conservation district law; changing requirements for 1.4 petitions and elections relating to soil and water 1.5 conservation districts; allowing counties the option 1.6 to authorize soil and water conservation district 1.7 levies; adding soil and water conservation districts 1.8 to the definition of special taxing district; 1.9 clarifying removal provisions for soil and water 1.10 conservation district supervisors; amending Minnesota 1.11 Statutes 2002, sections 103A.206; 103C.005; 103C.101, 1.12 subdivisions 6, 9, by adding a subdivision; 103C.201, 1.13 subdivisions 1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 8; 103C.205; 103C.211; 1.14 103C.225, subdivisions 1, 3, 4, 8; 103C.305, 1.15 subdivision 1; 103C.311, subdivisions 1, 2; 103C.315, 1.16 subdivisions 1, 2, 4, 5; 103C.331, subdivisions 11, 1.17 12, 16, 19, by adding a subdivision; 103C.401, 1.18 subdivisions 1, 2; 275.066; 351.14, subdivision 5; 1.19 proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, 1.20 chapter 103C; repealing Minnesota Statutes 2002, 1.21 section 103C.301. 1.22 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA: 1.23 Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2002, section 103A.206, is 1.24 amended to read: 1.25 103A.206 [SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION POLICY.] 1.26Improper land use practices have caused serious wind and1.27water erosion of the land of this state, the runoff of polluting1.28materials, increased costs to maintain agricultural1.29productivity, increased energy costs and increased flood1.30damageMaintaining and enhancing the quality of soil and water 1.31 for the environmental and economic benefits they produce, 1.32 preventing degradation, and restoring degraded soil and water 1.33 resources of this state contribute greatly to the health, 2.1 safety, economic well-being, and general welfare of this state 2.2 and its citizens. Land occupiers have the responsibility to 2.3 implement practicesto correct these conditions andthat 2.4 conserve the soil and water resources of the state.It isSoil 2.5 and water conservation measures implemented on private lands in 2.6 this state provide benefits to the general public by reducing 2.7 erosion, sedimentation, siltation, water pollution, and damages 2.8 caused by floods. The soil and water conservation policy of the 2.9 state is to encourage land occupiers to conserve soiland, water 2.10 , and the natural resources they support through the 2.11 implementation of practices thateffectively reduce or: 2.12 (1) control or prevent erosion, sedimentation, siltation 2.13 andagriculturallyrelated pollution in order to preserve 2.14 natural resources,; 2.15 (2) ensure continued soil productivity,; 2.16 (3)control floods,protect water quality; 2.17 (4) prevent impairment of dams and reservoirs,; 2.18 (5)assist in maintaining the navigability of rivers and2.19harbors,reduce damages caused by floods; 2.20 (6) preserve wildlife,; 2.21 (7) protect the tax base,; and 2.22 (8) protect public lands and waters. 2.23 Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2002, section 103C.005, is 2.24 amended to read: 2.25 103C.005 [SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION POLICY.] 2.26Improper land use practices have caused serious wind and2.27water erosion of the land of this state, the runoff of polluting2.28materials, increased costs to maintain agricultural2.29productivity, increased energy costs and increased flood2.30damageMaintaining and enhancing the quality of soil and water 2.31 for the environmental and economic benefits they produce, 2.32 preventing degradation, and restoring degraded soil and water 2.33 resources of this state contribute greatly to the health, 2.34 safety, economic well-being, and general welfare of this state 2.35 and its citizens. Land occupiers have the responsibility to 2.36 implement practicesto correct these conditions andthat 3.1 conserve the soil and water resources of the state.It isSoil 3.2 and water conservation measures implemented on private lands in 3.3 this state provide benefits to the general public by reducing 3.4 erosion, sedimentation, siltation, water pollution, and damages 3.5 caused by floods. The soil and water conservation policy of the 3.6 state is to encourage land occupiers to conserve soiland, water 3.7 , and the natural resources they support through the 3.8 implementation of practices thateffectively reduce or: 3.9 (1) control or prevent erosion, sedimentation, siltation 3.10 andagriculturallyrelated pollution in order to preserve 3.11 natural resources,; 3.12 (2) ensure continued soil productivity,; 3.13 (3)control floods,protect water quality; 3.14 (4) prevent impairment of dams and reservoirs,; 3.15 (5)assist in maintaining the navigability of rivers and3.16harbors,reduce damages caused by floods; 3.17 (6) preserve wildlife,; 3.18 (7) protect the tax base,; and 3.19 (8) protect public lands and waters. 3.20 Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2002, section 103C.101, 3.21 subdivision 6, is amended to read: 3.22 Subd. 6. [FEDERAL.] "Federal" means the United States, the 3.23soilnatural resources conservation service of the United States 3.24 Department of Agriculture, and agencies or instrumentalities, 3.25 corporate or otherwise, of the United States. 3.26 Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2002, section 103C.101, 3.27 subdivision 9, is amended to read: 3.28 Subd. 9. [NOMINATING PETITION.] "Nominating petition" 3.29 means a petition filed undersections 103C.301, subdivision 1,3.30andsection 103C.305, subdivision 2, to nominate candidates for 3.31 the office of supervisor. 3.32 Sec. 5. Minnesota Statutes 2002, section 103C.101, is 3.33 amended by adding a subdivision to read: 3.34 Subd. 9a. [RESIDENT OWNER.] "Resident owner" has the 3.35 meaning given in section 103D.011, subdivision 25. 3.36 Sec. 6. Minnesota Statutes 2002, section 103C.201, 4.1 subdivision 1, is amended to read: 4.2 Subdivision 1. [PETITION.] (a)Twenty-five land occupiers4.3in an area proposed to be organized into a district may fileA 4.4 petition must be signed by at least 50 resident owners in an 4.5 area proposed to be organized into a district and filed with the 4.6 state board requesting that a soil and water conservation 4.7 district be organized to function in the area described in the 4.8 petition. The petition must state: 4.9 (1) the proposed name of the district; 4.10 (2) that there is need, in the interest of the public 4.11 health, safety, and welfare, for a district in the described 4.12 area; 4.13 (3) a description of the area proposed to be organized as a 4.14 district, which need not be by metes and bounds or legal 4.15 subdivision, but may be by general description that identifies 4.16 the area; 4.17 (4) a request that the state board define the boundaries 4.18 for the district; 4.19 (5) a request for a referendum to be held in the defined 4.20 territory on the question of the creation of a district in the 4.21 territory; and 4.22 (6) a request by the state board to determine that a 4.23 district be established. 4.24 (b) If more than one petition is filed covering parts of 4.25 the same area, the state board may consolidate the petitions. 4.26 Sec. 7. Minnesota Statutes 2002, section 103C.201, 4.27 subdivision 2, is amended to read: 4.28 Subd. 2. [HEARINGS.] (a) By 30 days after a petition has 4.29 been filed with the state board, the state board may give due 4.30 notice of a proposed hearing, to be held by the state board or a 4.31 designated agent, on: 4.32 (1) the question of the desirability and necessity, in the 4.33 interest of the public health, safety, and welfare, for the 4.34 establishment of a district; 4.35 (2) the appropriate boundaries of the district; 4.36 (3) the propriety of the petition and other proceedings 5.1 taken under this section; and 5.2 (4) other questions relevant to clauses (1), (2), and (3). 5.3 (b)Land occupiersResidents in the area described in the 5.4 petition and in the area considered for addition to the 5.5 described area and other interested parties may attend the 5.6 hearing and be heard. If after a hearing, the state board 5.7 determines it may be desirable to include in the proposed 5.8 district area outside the area where notice of the hearing was 5.9 given, the hearing must be adjourned and due notice of the 5.10 continued hearing must be given throughout the entire area 5.11 considered for inclusion in the district, and the continued 5.12 hearing held. 5.13 Sec. 8. Minnesota Statutes 2002, section 103C.201, 5.14 subdivision 5, is amended to read: 5.15 Subd. 5. [REFERENDUM FOR DISTRICT ESTABLISHMENT.] (a) 5.16 After the state board has made and recorded a determination that 5.17 there is a need for a district in a particular area and has 5.18 defined the boundaries, the state board shall consider whether 5.19 the operation of a district within the boundaries is 5.20 administratively feasible. To assist the state board to 5.21 determine the feasibility, the state board shall, within a5.22reasonable time after entry of the finding that there is a need5.23for the proposed district, give notice of and hold a referendum5.24within the proposed district on the creation of the district5.25 schedule the referendum at the next general election and shall 5.26 cooperate with county election officials to accomplish the 5.27 election in the most expedient manner. 5.28 (b) The question shall be submitted by ballots with: 5.29 (1) the words printed "For creation of a soil and water 5.30 conservation district of the lands described below in the county 5.31 (or counties) of ........... and .........." and "Against 5.32 establishment of a soil and water conservation district of the 5.33 lands described below in the county (or counties) of ........ 5.34 and ........"; 5.35 (2) a square before each proposition and a direction to 5.36 insert an X mark in the square before one proposition or the 6.1 other as the voter may favor or oppose establishment of the 6.2 district; and 6.3 (3) the boundaries of the proposed district. 6.4 (c) Onlyland occupiers ineligible voters residing within 6.5 the boundaries of the proposed district, as determined by the6.6state board,may vote in the referendum. 6.7 Sec. 9. Minnesota Statutes 2002, section 103C.201, 6.8 subdivision 6, is amended to read: 6.9 Subd. 6. [ADMINISTRATION OF HEARING AND REFERENDUM.] The 6.10 state board shall pay the expenses for the notices and the 6.11 conduct of the hearingand referendum, and supervise their6.12conduct. The state board shall issue rules governing the6.13conduct of hearings and referenda, and providing for the6.14registration, before the date of the referendum, of all eligible6.15voters, or prescribing some other appropriate procedure to6.16determine eligible voters. The state board shall schedule the 6.17 referendum at the next general election and shall cooperate with 6.18 county election officials to accomplish the election in the most 6.19 expedient manner. Informalities in the conduct of a referendum 6.20 or in a matter related to it do not invalidate the referendum or 6.21 its result if notice of it has been given substantially as 6.22 provided by this section and the referendum has been fairly 6.23 conducted. 6.24 Sec. 10. Minnesota Statutes 2002, section 103C.201, 6.25 subdivision 7, is amended to read: 6.26 Subd. 7. [DETERMINATION AFTER REFERENDUM.] (a) The state 6.27 board shall publish the result of the referendum and then 6.28 determine whether the operation of a district in the defined 6.29 boundaries is administratively feasible. In making the 6.30 determination, the state board must consider the policy in 6.31 section 103A.206, and: 6.32 (1) the attitudes of the land occupiers in the defined 6.33 boundaries; 6.34 (2) the number ofland occupiers eligible to voteeligible 6.35 voters who voted in the referendumwho have voted; 6.36 (3) the proportion of the votes cast in the referendum in 7.1 favor of establishing the district to the total number of votes 7.2 cast; 7.3 (4) the approximate wealth and income of the land occupiers 7.4 of the proposed district; 7.5 (5) the probable expense of carrying on erosion-control 7.6 operations and related water quality improvements within the 7.7 district; and 7.8 (6) other relevant economic and social factors. The state 7.9 board may not determine that the operation of the proposed 7.10 district within the defined boundaries is administratively 7.11 feasible unless a majority of the votes cast in the referendum 7.12 on establishment of the district have been cast in favor of 7.13 establishing the district. 7.14 (b) If the state board determines that the operation of the 7.15 district is not administratively feasible, the state board shall 7.16 record the determination and deny the petition. Six months 7.17 after the date of entry of a determination by the state board 7.18 that operation of a proposed district is not administratively 7.19 feasible, a new petition may be filed and a new proceeding 7.20 started. 7.21 (c) If the state board determines that the operation of the 7.22 district is administratively feasible, it shall record the 7.23 determination and proceed with the establishment and 7.24 organization of the district. 7.25 Sec. 11. Minnesota Statutes 2002, section 103C.201, 7.26 subdivision 8, is amended to read: 7.27 Subd. 8. [APPLICATION BY SUPERVISORS TO SECRETARY OF 7.28 STATE.] (a) The district shall be a governmental subdivision of 7.29 this state and a public body corporate and politic after the 7.30 actions in this subdivision are taken. 7.31 (b) If the state board determines that the operation of the 7.32 proposed district within the defined boundaries is 7.33 administratively feasible, the state board must appointtwo7.34 supervisors to act, with the three elected supervisors,as the 7.35 district board within 30 days after the district is 7.36 established. A majority of the supervisors' terms must expire 8.1 after the next general election following their appointments and 8.2 the remaining supervisors' terms expire after the second general 8.3 election following their appointments. 8.4 (c) Thetwoappointed supervisors shall sign and present an 8.5 application to the secretary of state with the following 8.6 recitals: 8.7 (1) a petition for the establishment of a district was 8.8 filed with the state board; 8.9 (2) the proper proceedings were taken relating to the 8.10 petition; 8.11 (3) the application is being filed to complete the 8.12 organization of the district as a governmental subdivision and a 8.13 public body, corporate or politic; 8.14 (4) the state board has appointed the signers as 8.15 supervisors; 8.16 (5) the name and official residence of each supervisor, 8.17 with a certified copy of the supervisor's appointment; 8.18 (6) the term of office of each supervisor; 8.19 (7) the name proposed for the district; and 8.20 (8) the location of the principal office of the district 8.21 board. 8.22 (d) The application shall be subscribed and sworn to by 8.23 each supervisor before an officer authorized by state law to 8.24 take oaths. The officer shall certify upon the application that 8.25 the officer has personal knowledge of the supervisors, that they 8.26 are the supervisors named in the application, and that each 8.27 supervisor has signed the application in the officer's presence. 8.28 Sec. 12. Minnesota Statutes 2002, section 103C.205, is 8.29 amended to read: 8.30 103C.205 [ANNEXING ADDITIONAL AREA.] 8.31 (a)Land occupiersResident owners may file a petition to 8.32 include additional area within an existing district with the 8.33 state board. The procedure for a petition to establish a 8.34 district shall be followed on a petition to include additional 8.35 area. The state board shall prescribe the form for the 8.36 petition, which shall be as nearly as possible in the form for a 9.1 petition to organize a district. 9.2 (b) If thenumber of land occupiers in thepetition for an 9.3 area proposed for inclusion isless than 25, the petition may be9.4filed whensigned by a majority of theland occupiersresident 9.5 owners in the areaand, a referendum need not be held. 9.6 (c) In a referendum to include additional area, allland9.7occupierseligible voters within the proposed additional area 9.8 may vote. 9.9 (d) It is not necessary to obtain the consent of the fee 9.10 owners within the district before the additional area is annexed 9.11 to a district. 9.12 Sec. 13. Minnesota Statutes 2002, section 103C.211, is 9.13 amended to read: 9.14 103C.211 [CONSOLIDATION AND DIVISION OF DISTRICTS.] 9.15 (a) A petition to consolidate two or more districts or to 9.16 separate a district into two or more districts may be filed with 9.17 the state boardby 25 or more land occupiers within the affected9.18districts. The petition must be signed by the majority of each 9.19 board of the affected districts or by at least 100 resident 9.20 owners within the affected districts. It is not necessary to 9.21 obtain the consent of fee owners in an established district 9.22 before districts are consolidated or an existing district is 9.23 divided. Proceedings provided for petitions to organize a 9.24 district shall be followed as far as they are applicable. The 9.25 state board shall prescribe the form for a petition, which shall 9.26 be as nearly as possible in the form for petitions to organize a 9.27 district. 9.28 (b) Theland occupierseligible voters within the affected 9.29 districts may vote in the referendum. The state board may not 9.30 determine the administrative feasibility of consolidating or 9.31 separating districts unless a majority of the votes cast in the 9.32 referendum within each separate district affected, or within 9.33 each separate area sought to be made a separate district, is in 9.34 favor of the consolidation or separation. 9.35 (c) When districts are consolidated or separated, the 9.36 corporate existence and terms of office of the officers of the 10.1 old districts expire upon the issuance and recording by the 10.2 secretary of state of a certificate of organization of the new 10.3 districts. Upon consolidation, the rights and liabilities of 10.4 the consolidating districts shall be assumed by the consolidated 10.5 district. Upon separation, the rights and liabilities of the 10.6 original district shall be vested in and assumed by the new 10.7 districts in an equitable proportion determined by the state 10.8 board. A separation does not affect the term of office for 10.9 which a supervisor was elected or appointed. The supervisor 10.10 shall continue to represent the district where the supervisor 10.11 resides for that full term. 10.12 Sec. 14. Minnesota Statutes 2002, section 103C.225, 10.13 subdivision 1, is amended to read: 10.14 Subdivision 1. [PETITION FOR TERMINATION.] (a)AfterFive 10.15 years after the organization of a district,25 occupiers of land10.16in the district may filea district board may, by resolution 10.17 adopted by a majority of the board, or resident owners may, by a 10.18 petition filed with the state boardasking, ask that the 10.19 operations and existence of the district be terminated. The 10.20 resident owner petition must be signed by the lesser of: 10.21 (1) at least one percent of the resident owners within the 10.22 district; or 10.23 (2) 500 resident owners within the district. 10.24 (b) The state board may not receive a petition, conduct a 10.25 referendum, or make a determination on a petition to discontinue 10.26 a district more often than once in two years. 10.27 Sec. 15. Minnesota Statutes 2002, section 103C.225, 10.28 subdivision 3, is amended to read: 10.29 Subd. 3. [REFERENDUM.] (a) Within 60 days after the 10.30 petition is received by the state board, it shall give due 10.31 notice of the holding of a referendum,supervise the referendum,10.32and issue appropriate regulations governing the conduct of the10.33referendumschedule the referendum at the next general election, 10.34 and cooperate with county election officials to accomplish the 10.35 election in the most expedient manner. Prior to the referendum 10.36 the state board shall facilitate the preparation of a plan to 11.1 continue the administration of the powers, duties, and 11.2 responsibilities of the district, including the functions of the 11.3 district board. 11.4 (b) The question shall be submitted by ballots, upon which 11.5 the words "For terminating the existence of the 11.6 .................. (name of the soil and water conservation 11.7 district to be here inserted)" and "Against terminating the 11.8 existence of the .................. (name of the soil and water 11.9 conservation district to be here inserted)" shall be printed, 11.10 with a square before each proposition and a direction to insert 11.11 an X mark in the square before one or the other. 11.12 (c) Onlyland occupierseligible voters in the district may 11.13 vote in the referendum. 11.14 (d) Informalities in the conduct of the referendum or 11.15 matters relating to the referendum do not invalidate the 11.16 referendum, or result of the referendum, if due notice has been 11.17 given and the referendum has been fairly conducted. 11.18 (e) The state board shall publish the result of the 11.19 referendum. 11.20 Sec. 16. Minnesota Statutes 2002, section 103C.225, 11.21 subdivision 4, is amended to read: 11.22 Subd. 4. [DETERMINATION BY STATE BOARD.] (a) The state 11.23 board shall determine whether the continued operation of the 11.24 district board is administratively feasible and give 11.25 consideration to the public policy under section 103A.206, and: 11.26 (1) the attitudes oftheland occupiersof lands lying11.27 within the district; 11.28 (2) the number ofland occupiers eligible to voteeligible 11.29 voters who voted in the referendumwho have voted; 11.30 (3) the proportion of the votes cast in the referendum in 11.31 favor of the discontinuance of the district to the total number 11.32 of votes cast; 11.33 (4) the approximate wealth and income of the land occupiers 11.34 of the district; 11.35 (5) the probable expense of carrying on erosion-control 11.36 operations and related water quality improvements within the 12.1 district;and12.2 (6) the plan to continue the powers, duties, and 12.3 responsibilities of the district board; and 12.4 (7) other economic and social factors relevant to the 12.5 determination. 12.6 (b) If the state board determines that the continued 12.7 operation of the district is administratively feasible, the 12.8 state shall record the determination and deny the petition. 12.9 (c) If the state board determines that the continued 12.10 operation of the district is not administratively feasible, the 12.11 state board shall record the determination and certify the 12.12 determination to the district board. The state board maynot12.13 determine that the continued operation of the district is not 12.14 administratively feasibleunlessonly when at least a majority 12.15 of the votes cast in the referendum have been cast infavor of12.16 opposition to continuance and a satisfactory plan to continue 12.17 the powers, duties, and responsibilities of the district board 12.18 is completed. 12.19 Sec. 17. Minnesota Statutes 2002, section 103C.225, 12.20 subdivision 8, is amended to read: 12.21 Subd. 8. [EFFECT OF DISSOLUTION.] Upon issuance of the 12.22 certificate of dissolution, the ordinances and regulations in 12.23 force in the district are of no further force. All contracts 12.24 entered into, to which the district or district board were 12.25 parties, shall remain in force and effect for the period 12.26 provided in the contracts. The state board shall be substituted 12.27 for the district or district board as party to the contracts and 12.28 succeed to the district's rights and duties. The state board 12.29 may delegate the district's rights and duties to a local 12.30 government unit, as identified in the plan developed under 12.31 subdivision 3. 12.32 Sec. 18. Minnesota Statutes 2002, section 103C.305, 12.33 subdivision 1, is amended to read: 12.34 Subdivision 1. [TIME FOR ELECTION.]Except for elections12.35under section 103C.301 held after the organization of the12.36district,Elections must be held at the state general election 13.1 specified in section 204D.03, subdivision 2. A primary may not 13.2 be held. 13.3 Sec. 19. Minnesota Statutes 2002, section 103C.311, 13.4 subdivision 1, is amended to read: 13.5 Subdivision 1. [SUPERVISORS ELECTED AT LARGE.] (a) The 13.6 district board, after the initial election has been held,shall, 13.7 with the approval of the state board, divide a district into 13.8fivesupervisor districts for purposes of nomination for 13.9 election. At each election after the division, one or more 13.10 supervisors shall be nominated from each supervisor district. A 13.11 supervisor must be a resident of the supervisor district to be 13.12 elected. 13.13 (b) If the boundary of a soil and water conservation 13.14 district has been substantially changed by a division of the 13.15 district, the district shall be divided intofivesupervisor 13.16 districts for nomination purposes. 13.17 (c) This subdivision does not disqualify a supervisor 13.18 during the term for which the supervisor was elected or 13.19 nominated for election. Supervisors nominated from the 13.20 supervisor districts shall be included on the ballot for 13.21 election from the entire area included in the soil and water 13.22 conservation district. 13.23 (d) A certified copy of the minutes or the resolution of 13.24 the supervisors establishing supervisor districts must be 13.25 promptly filed by the chair of the district board with the 13.26 county auditor of the counties where the district is located and 13.27 with the state board. 13.28 Sec. 20. Minnesota Statutes 2002, section 103C.311, 13.29 subdivision 2, is amended to read: 13.30 Subd. 2. [SUPERVISORS ELECTED BY DISTRICTS.] (a)In the13.31counties of Ramsey and Washington,The district board, with the 13.32 approval of the state board, may by resolution provide that 13.33 supervisors will be elected by supervisor districts as provided 13.34 in this subdivision. 13.35 (b) The supervisor districts must be composed of precincts 13.36 established by county and municipal governing bodies under 14.1 section 204B.14. The districts must be compact, include only 14.2 contiguous territory, and be substantially equal in population. 14.3 The districts must be numbered in a regular series. The 14.4 districts must be drawn by the county board of the county 14.5 containing the largest area of the soil and water conservation 14.6 district, in consultation with the district board and with the 14.7 approval of the state board. The boundaries of the districts 14.8 must be redrawn after each decennial federal census as provided 14.9 in section 204B.135. A certified copy of the resolution 14.10 establishing supervisor districts must be filed by the chair of 14.11 the district board with the county auditor of the counties where 14.12 the soil and water conservation district is located, with the 14.13 state board, and with the secretary of state at least 30 days 14.14 before the first date candidates may file for the office of 14.15 supervisor. 14.16 (c) Each supervisor district is entitled to elect one 14.17 supervisor. A supervisor must be a resident of the district 14.18 from which elected. 14.19 (d) The district board shall provide staggered terms for 14.20 supervisors elected by district. After each redistricting, 14.21 there shall be a new election of supervisors in all the 14.22 districts at the next general election, except that if the 14.23 change made in the boundaries of a district is less than five 14.24 percent of the average population of all the districts, the 14.25 supervisor in office at the time of the redistricting shall 14.26 serve for the full term for which elected. The district board 14.27 shall determine by lot the seats to be filled for a two-year 14.28 term, a four-year term, and a six-year term. 14.29 Sec. 21. Minnesota Statutes 2002, section 103C.315, 14.30 subdivision 1, is amended to read: 14.31 Subdivision 1. [MEMBERS.] (a) Except as provided in 14.32 paragraph (c), the district board shall consist of five 14.33 supervisors, elected or appointed as provided in sections 14.34 103C.201, subdivision 8,103C.301,and 103C.305. 14.35 (b) Supervisors must belegaleligible voters residing in 14.36 the district. 15.1 (c) In counties where the county board consists of seven 15.2 members and districts have been divided into supervisor 15.3 districts, under section 103C.311, subdivision 2, the county 15.4 board may establish seven supervisor districts, elected or 15.5 appointed as provided in sections 103C.201, subdivision 8; 15.6 103C.305; and 103C.311, subdivision 2. 15.7 Sec. 22. Minnesota Statutes 2002, section 103C.315, 15.8 subdivision 2, is amended to read: 15.9 Subd. 2. [TERMS.] Thetwosupervisors appointed by the 15.10 state board upon the establishment of a district serve terms 15.11 endingon the first Monday in January following the next general15.12election after their appointmentas provided in section 15.13 103C.201, subdivision 8. Their successors shall be elected for 15.14 terms of four years commencing on the first Monday in January 15.15 and until a successor is elected or appointed and has 15.16 qualified. Vacancies in the office of supervisor appointed by 15.17 the state board shall be filled by the state board. 15.18 Sec. 23. Minnesota Statutes 2002, section 103C.315, 15.19 subdivision 4, is amended to read: 15.20 Subd. 4. [COMPENSATION.] A supervisor shall receive 15.21 compensation for servicesas the state board may determineup to 15.22 $75 per day, and may be reimbursed for expenses, including 15.23 traveling expenses, necessarily incurred in the discharge of 15.24 duties. A supervisor may be reimbursed for the use of the 15.25 supervisor's own automobile in the performance of official 15.26 duties at a rate up to the maximum tax-deductible mileage rate 15.27 permitted under the federal Internal Revenue Code. 15.28 Sec. 24. Minnesota Statutes 2002, section 103C.315, 15.29 subdivision 5, is amended to read: 15.30 Subd. 5. [REMOVAL OF SUPERVISOR.] A supervisor may be 15.31 removedby the state board upon notice and hearing, for neglect15.32of duty orfrom office in accordance with the procedures under 15.33 sections 351.14 to 351.23 for malfeasance or nonfeasance in 15.34 office, but for no other reason. 15.35 Sec. 25. Minnesota Statutes 2002, section 103C.331, 15.36 subdivision 11, is amended to read: 16.1 Subd. 11. [COMPREHENSIVE PLAN.] (a) A district may develop 16.2 and revise a comprehensive plan, specifying practices to 16.3 implement the state policy specified in section 103A.206, 16.4 including: 16.5 (1) the construction, maintenance, and operation of 16.6 structural measures; 16.7 (2) methods of cultivation; 16.8 (3) the use of vegetation; 16.9 (4) cropping programs; 16.10 (5) mechanical practices; 16.11 (6) changes in use of land; 16.12 (7) water quality improvement practices; 16.13 (8) other land use, soil erosion reduction, and 16.14 agricultural practices; and 16.15(8)(9) related technical standards and specifications. 16.16 (b) The plan shall include a classification of the soil 16.17 types within the district as determined by the Minnesota 16.18 cooperative soil survey. 16.19 (c) The plan must identify the areas within the district 16.20 where erosion, sedimentation, and related water quality problems 16.21 appear most in need of control methods. 16.22 (d) The plan shall be consistent with the statewide 16.23 framework water resources plan, the statewide water quality 16.24 management plan, and the state board's soil and water program 16.25 plan.The plan shall be prepared as required by the rules of16.26the state board.16.27 (e)By August 1 of each even-numbered year, each district16.28which applies for cost-sharing funds under section 103C.50116.29shall submit to the state board an amendment of its16.30comprehensive plan that identifies high priority erosion,16.31sedimentation and water quality problems within the district as16.32required by the rules of the state board.16.33(f) By August 1 of each year,Each district that applies 16.34 for cost-sharing funds under section 103C.501 shall submit to 16.35 the state board an annual work plan for the high priority 16.36 erosion, sedimentation, and water quality problems in the 17.1 district. The work plan shall be prepared as required by the 17.2 rules of the state board. In preparing the annual work plan, 17.3 the district shall actively identify and seek out land occupiers 17.4 with high priority erosion problems who have not participated in 17.5 cost-sharing contracts and encourage their participation in 17.6 programs to control their erosion problems. 17.7 Sec. 26. Minnesota Statutes 2002, section 103C.331, 17.8 subdivision 12, is amended to read: 17.9 Subd. 12. [ASSUMPTION OF CONSERVATION PROJECTS.] (a) A 17.10 district may take over by purchase, lease, or otherwise, and may 17.11 improve, maintain, operate, and administer a soil or water 17.12 conservation, erosion-control, erosion-prevention, water quality 17.13 improvement, watershed protection, flood prevention or flood 17.14 control project in its boundaries undertaken by the United 17.15 States or by a state agency. 17.16 (b) A district may accept donations, gifts, grants, or 17.17 contributions in money, services, materials, or otherwise from 17.18 the United States, a state agency or other source to accomplish 17.19 the authorization in this section. A board may enter into a 17.20 contract or agreement necessary or appropriate to accomplish the 17.21 transfer. A board may use or expend money, services, materials, 17.22 or other things to accomplish an authorized purpose. 17.23 Sec. 27. Minnesota Statutes 2002, section 103C.331, 17.24 subdivision 16, is amended to read: 17.25 Subd. 16. [BUDGET.] The district board shall annually 17.26 present a budget consisting of an itemized statement of district 17.27 expenses for the ensuing calendar year to the boards of county 17.28 commissioners of the counties in which the district is located. 17.29 The county boards may levy an annual tax on all taxable real 17.30 property in the district or annually authorize district levies, 17.31 as provided in section 103C.332, for the amount that the boards 17.32 determine is necessary to meet the requirements of the 17.33 district. The amount levied shall be collected and distributed 17.34 to the district as prescribed by chapter 276. The amount may be 17.35 spent by the district board for a district purpose authorized by 17.36 law. 18.1 Sec. 28. Minnesota Statutes 2002, section 103C.331, 18.2 subdivision 19, is amended to read: 18.3 Subd. 19. [ADMINISTRATION OF OFFICIAL CONTROLS.] A 18.4 district may, under a joint powers agreement under section18.5471.59,accept delegation from the state, a county, or a city of 18.6 authority to administer soil and water conservation-related 18.7 official controls, as defined in section 103B.305, subdivision 18.8 7, of the county or cityas specified in the agreement.The18.9 Prior to the delegation, the district and the state, county, or 18.10 city agreement must include provisionsrequiringthat: 18.11 (1)all costs incurred by the district in administering the18.12controls will be reimbursed by the county or cityprovide for 18.13 the source of funding for administering the official controls; 18.14 (2) the district will provide notice and hearing in the 18.15 same instances that the county or city would; and 18.16 (3)the county or cityidentify who will provide legal 18.17 advice and supportwhen requested by the districtfor 18.18 administration and enforcement. 18.19 Sec. 29. Minnesota Statutes 2002, section 103C.331, is 18.20 amended by adding a subdivision to read: 18.21 Subd. 20. [COORDINATION AND COOPERATION.] In implementing 18.22 its authorities, a district shall cooperate as far as possible 18.23 with federal, state, and local agencies and with private 18.24 organizations in order to avoid duplication and to enhance 18.25 implementation of public and private conservation initiatives 18.26 within its jurisdiction. 18.27 Sec. 30. [103C.332] [DISTRICT FUNDS AND LEVIES.] 18.28 Subdivision 1. [GENERAL FUND.] (a) A district shall create 18.29 a general fund consisting of: 18.30 (1) an ad valorem tax levy, authorized by a county board 18.31 under section 103C.331, subdivision 16, that may not exceed 18.32 0.048 percent of taxable market value, or $750,000, whichever is 18.33 less; and 18.34 (2) revenue received from the county for administration of 18.35 the district under section 103C.331, subdivision 16. 18.36 (b) The money in the fund shall be used for general 19.1 administrative expenses. The supervisors may make an annual 19.2 levy for the general fund as provided in subdivision 6. 19.3 Subd. 2. [IMPLEMENTATION AND PROJECT MATCH FUND.] A 19.4 district shall create an implementation fund to supply funds for 19.5 the implementation of the projects of the district or to match 19.6 grants from outside sources consisting of: 19.7 (1) ad valorem tax levies or fees levied or to be levied 19.8 for the implementation of projects of the district or to match 19.9 grants, authorized by the county board under section 103C.331, 19.10 subdivision 16; and 19.11 (2) revenue received from the county under section 19.12 103C.331, subdivision 16, for the implementation of projects of 19.13 the district or to match grants. 19.14 Subd. 3. [BUDGET HEARING.] (a) Before adopting a budget 19.15 when levies are authorized by the county board under section 19.16 103C.331, subdivision 16, the supervisors shall hold a public 19.17 hearing on the proposed budget. 19.18 (b) The supervisors shall publish a notice of the hearing 19.19 with a summary of the proposed budget in one or more newspapers 19.20 of general circulation in each county consisting of part of the 19.21 district. The notice and summary shall be published once each 19.22 week for two successive weeks before the hearing. The last 19.23 publication shall be at least two days before the hearing. 19.24 Subd. 4. [BUDGET ADOPTION.] On or before September 15 of 19.25 each year, the supervisors shall adopt a budget for the next 19.26 year and decide on the total amount necessary to be raised from 19.27 ad valorem tax levies to meet the district's budget. 19.28 Subd. 5. [CERTIFICATION TO AUDITOR.] After adoption of the 19.29 budget and no later than September 15, the district shall 19.30 certify to the auditor of each county within the district, the 19.31 county's share of an authorized tax, which shall be an amount 19.32 bearing the same proportion to the total levy as the net tax 19.33 capacity of the area of the county within the district bears to 19.34 the net tax capacity of the entire district. The maximum amount 19.35 of a levy may not exceed the amount provided in subdivisions 1 19.36 and 2. 20.1 Subd. 6. [LEVY.] The auditor of each county in the 20.2 district shall add the amount of an authorized levy made by the 20.3 supervisors to the other tax levies on the property of the 20.4 county within the district for collection by the county 20.5 treasurer with other taxes. The county treasurer shall make 20.6 settlement of the taxes collected with the treasurer of the 20.7 district in the same manner as other taxes are distributed to 20.8 the other political subdivisions. The levy authorized by this 20.9 section is in addition to other county taxes authorized by law. 20.10 Sec. 31. Minnesota Statutes 2002, section 103C.401, 20.11 subdivision 1, is amended to read: 20.12 Subdivision 1. [POWERS AND DUTIES.] In addition to the 20.13 powers and duties of the state board provided by other law, the 20.14 state board shall: 20.15 (1) offer to assist the district boards to implement their 20.16 programs; 20.17 (2) keep the district boards of the state informed of the 20.18 activities and experience of other districts and facilitate 20.19 cooperation and an interchange of advice and experience among 20.20 the districts; 20.21 (3) coordinate the programs and activities of the districts 20.22 with appropriate agencies by advice and consultation; 20.23 (4) approve or disapprove the plans or programs of 20.24 districts relating to the use of state funds administered by the 20.25 state board; 20.26 (5) secure the cooperation and assistance of agencies in 20.27 the work of the districts and develop a program to advise and 20.28 assist appropriate agencies in obtaining state and federal funds 20.29 for erosion, sedimentation, flooding, and agriculturally related 20.30 pollution control programs; 20.31 (6) develop and implement a public information program 20.32 concerning the districts' activities and programs, the problems 20.33 and preventive practices relating to erosion control, 20.34 sedimentation, agriculturally related pollution, flood 20.35 prevention, and the advantages of formation of districts in 20.36 areas where their organization is desirable; 21.1 (7) divide and consolidate districts without a hearing or a 21.2 referendum to confine districts within county limits, without 21.3 allowing a district, if feasible and practicable, to contain 21.4 less than four full or fractional congressional townships; 21.5 (8) assist the statewide program to inventory and classify 21.6 the types of soils in the state as determined by the Minnesota 21.7 cooperative soil survey; 21.8 (9) identify research needs and cooperate with other public 21.9 agencies in research concerning the nature and extent of 21.10 erosion, sedimentation, flooding and agriculturally related 21.11 pollution, the amounts and sources of sediment and pollutants 21.12 delivered to the waters of the state, and long-term soil 21.13 productivity; 21.14 (10) develop structural, land use management practice, and 21.15 other programs to reduce or prevent soil erosion, sedimentation, 21.16 flooding, and agriculturally related pollution; 21.17 (11) develop a system of priorities to identify the 21.18 erosion, flooding, sediment, and agriculturally related 21.19 pollution problem areas that most need control systems;and21.20 (12) ensure compliance with statewide programs and policies 21.21 established by the state board by advice, consultation, and 21.22 approval of grant agreements with the districts; and 21.23 (13) service requests from districts to consolidate 21.24 districts across county boundaries and facilitate other 21.25 agreed-to reorganizations of districts with other districts or 21.26 other local units of government, including making grants, within 21.27 the limits of available funds, to offset the cost of 21.28 consolidation or reorganization. 21.29 Sec. 32. Minnesota Statutes 2002, section 103C.401, 21.30 subdivision 2, is amended to read: 21.31 Subd. 2. [USE OF FUNDS.] (a) Funds made available to a 21.32 district from the state for expenditures necessary for its 21.33 operations may be used only for purposes authorized by the state 21.34 board. 21.35 (b) A district may designate the board of county 21.36 commissioners to act as the agent of the district to receive and 22.1 expend the funds at the direction and with the approval of the 22.2 district board. 22.3 (c)At least annuallyThe state board shallaudit, in a 22.4 manner it prescribes, provide closeout reports to the districts 22.5 regarding the expenditure of the funds. 22.6 Sec. 33. Minnesota Statutes 2002, section 275.066, is 22.7 amended to read: 22.8 275.066 [SPECIAL TAXING DISTRICTS; DEFINITION.] 22.9 For the purposes of property taxation and property tax 22.10 state aids, the term "special taxing districts" includes the 22.11 following entities: 22.12 (1) watershed districts under chapter 103D; 22.13 (2) sanitary districts under sections 115.18 to 115.37; 22.14 (3) regional sanitary sewer districts under sections 115.61 22.15 to 115.67; 22.16 (4) regional public library districts under section 22.17 134.201; 22.18 (5) park districts under chapter 398; 22.19 (6) regional railroad authorities under chapter 398A; 22.20 (7) hospital districts under sections 447.31 to 447.38; 22.21 (8) St. Cloud metropolitan transit commission under 22.22 sections 458A.01 to 458A.15; 22.23 (9) Duluth transit authority under sections 458A.21 to 22.24 458A.37; 22.25 (10) regional development commissions under sections 22.26 462.381 to 462.398; 22.27 (11) housing and redevelopment authorities under sections 22.28 469.001 to 469.047; 22.29 (12) port authorities under sections 469.048 to 469.068; 22.30 (13) economic development authorities under sections 22.31 469.090 to 469.1081; 22.32 (14) metropolitan council under sections 473.123 to 22.33 473.549; 22.34 (15) metropolitan airports commission under sections 22.35 473.601 to 473.680; 22.36 (16) metropolitan mosquito control commission under 23.1 sections 473.701 to 473.716; 23.2 (17) Morrison county rural development financing authority 23.3 under Laws 1982, chapter 437, section 1; 23.4 (18) Croft Historical Park District under Laws 1984, 23.5 chapter 502, article 13, section 6; 23.6 (19) East Lake county medical clinic district under Laws 23.7 1989, chapter 211, sections 1 to 6; 23.8 (20) Floodwood area ambulance district under Laws 1993, 23.9 chapter 375, article 5, section 39; 23.10 (21) Middle Mississippi river watershed management 23.11 organization under sections 103B.211 and 103B.241; 23.12 (22) emergency medical services special taxing districts 23.13 under section 144F.01; 23.14 (23) a county levying under the authority of section 23.15 103B.241, 103B.245, or 103B.251;and23.16 (24) soil and water conservation districts under chapter 23.17 103C; and 23.18 (25) any other political subdivision of the state of 23.19 Minnesota, excluding counties, school districts, cities, and 23.20 towns, that has the power to adopt and certify a property tax 23.21 levy to the county auditor, as determined by the commissioner of 23.22 revenue. 23.23 Sec. 34. Minnesota Statutes 2002, section 351.14, 23.24 subdivision 5, is amended to read: 23.25 Subd. 5. [ELECTED COUNTY OFFICIAL.] "Elected county 23.26 official" means any public official who is elected to countywide 23.27 office or appointed to an elective countywide office, including 23.28 county attorney, county sheriff, county auditor, county 23.29 recorder,andcounty treasurer, and soil and water conservation 23.30 supervisor. "Elected county official" also means a county 23.31 commissioner elected or appointed from a commissioner 23.32 district or a soil and water conservation district supervisor 23.33 elected or appointed from a supervisor district established 23.34 under section 103C.311, subdivision 2. 23.35 Sec. 35. [REPEALER.] 23.36 Minnesota Statutes 2002, section 103C.301, is repealed.