as introduced - 93rd Legislature (2023 - 2024) Posted on 03/24/2023 08:30am
A bill for an act
relating to water; reestablishing Legislative Water Commission; providing
appointments; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 3.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:
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The Legislative Water Commission is established.
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(a) The Legislative Water Commission consists of 12 members
appointed as follows:
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(1) six members of the senate, including three majority party members appointed by the
majority leader and three minority party members appointed by the minority leader; and
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(2) six members of the house of representatives, including three majority party members
appointed by the speaker of the house and three minority party members appointed by the
minority leader.
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(b) Members serve at the pleasure of the appointing authority and continue to serve until
their successors are appointed or until a member is no longer a member of the legislative
body that appointed the member to the commission. Vacancies must be filled in the same
manner as the original positions. Vacancies occurring on the commission do not affect the
authority of the remaining members of the Legislative Water Commission to carry out the
functions of the commission.
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(c) Members must elect a chair, vice-chair, and other officers as determined by the
commission. The chair may convene meetings as necessary to perform the duties prescribed
by this section.
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The Legislative Coordinating Commission must employ
staff and contract with consultants as necessary to enable the Legislative Water Commission
to carry out its duties and functions.
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(a) The Legislative Water Commission must review water
policy reports and recommendations of the Environmental Quality Board, the Board of
Water and Soil Resources, the Pollution Control Agency, the Department of Natural
Resources, and the Metropolitan Council and other water-related reports as may be required
by law or the legislature.
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(b) The commission may conduct public hearings and otherwise secure data and
comments.
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(c) The commission must make recommendations as it deems proper to assist the
legislature in formulating legislation.
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(d) Data or information compiled by the Legislative Water Commission or its
subcommittees must be made available to the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota
Resources, the Clean Water Council, and standing and interim committees of the legislature
upon request of the chair of the respective commission, council, or committee.
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(e) The commission must coordinate with the Clean Water Council.
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Members of the commission may receive per diem and expense
reimbursement incurred doing the work of the commission in the manner and amount
prescribed for per diem and expense payments by the senate Committee on Rules and
Administration and the house of representatives Committee on Rules and Legislative
Administration.
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This section expires July 1, 2028.
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