HF 1731

as introduced - 94th Legislature (2025 - 2026) Posted on 02/27/2025 03:16pm

A bill for an act
relating to the Metropolitan Council; authorizing local governmental units to opt
out of the Metropolitan Council regulatory jurisdiction; proposing coding for new
law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 473.

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

Section 1.

new text begin [473.1453] OPT-OUT BY LOCAL GOVERNMENTAL UNIT
AUTHORIZED.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Opt-out authorized. new text end

new text begin A local governmental unit may opt out of the
regulatory jurisdiction of the Metropolitan Council upon the filing of a resolution by the
governing body of the local governmental unit with the Metropolitan Council. The resolution
must resolve to independently exercise authority over development and public infrastructure
within the boundaries of the local governmental unit. The Metropolitan Council's regulatory
jurisdiction over the local governmental unit ceases on January 1 following the date of the
filing of the resolution with the council, and the local governmental unit is exempt from
metropolitan system plans and requirements for local governmental units on and after that
date.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Metropolitan Council tax levies prohibited. new text end

new text begin (a) Except as provided in
paragraph (b), no tax authorized to be levied by the Metropolitan Council under this chapter
may be levied on property within the boundaries of a local governmental unit that has opted
out of the regulatory jurisdiction of the Metropolitan Council in accordance with this section.
new text end

new text begin (b) The Metropolitan Council may levy a tax on property within the boundaries of a
local governmental unit that is designated within the metropolitan transit taxing district
under section 473.446, subdivision 2, regardless of whether a local governmental unit in
the district has opted out of the council's regulatory jurisdiction, if the council continues to
offer transit services within the boundaries of the local governmental unit.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Eligibility; agreements. new text end

new text begin A local governmental unit that has opted out of the
regulatory jurisdiction of the Metropolitan Council may:
new text end

new text begin (1) apply for grant programs administered by the Metropolitan Council for which it is
eligible; and
new text end

new text begin (2) enter into a joint powers agreement with the Metropolitan Council, in accordance
with section 471.59.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Metropolitan Council property; services. new text end

new text begin The Metropolitan Council may
continue to operate council-owned property and offer transportation services within the
boundaries of a local governmental unit that has opted out of the regulatory jurisdiction of
the council in accordance with this section.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Opt-in authorized. new text end

new text begin A local governmental unit that opted out of the regulatory
jurisdiction of the Metropolitan Council may opt in to the council's regulatory jurisdiction
no earlier than four years from the date of the filing of the opt-out resolution in subdivision
1. The local governmental unit may opt in by filing a resolution by the governing body of
the local governmental unit with the Metropolitan Council. The resolution must state that
the local governmental unit determines that being under the regulatory jurisdiction of the
Metropolitan Council is in the best interest of the local governmental unit. The resolution
allowing the local governmental unit to opt in to the council's regulatory jurisdiction is
effective January 1 following the date of the filing of the resolution, and the local
governmental unit is subject to metropolitan system plans and requirements for local
governmental units on and after that date.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE; APPLICATION. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following
final enactment and applies in the counties of Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey,
Scott, and Washington.
new text end