Minnesota Session Laws - 2019, Regular Session

CHAPTER 13--H.F.No. 2181

An act

relating to economic development; creating a Telecommuter Forward! certification;

proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 116J.

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

Section 1.

new text begin [116J.9923] TELECOMMUNICATION FORWARD! CERTIFICATION. new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Definition. new text end

new text begin In this section, "political subdivision" means a city, township, or county. new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Certification. new text end

new text begin A political subdivision may apply to the commissioner of employment and economic development for certification as a Telecommuter Forward! Community. The commissioner of employment and economic development shall prescribe the form and manner for making an application. Before approving an application, the commissioner shall consider the application and the information in subdivision 3. new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Resolution. new text end

new text begin In addition to the application in subdivision 2, a political subdivision must adopt a resolution that does both of the following: new text end

new text begin (1) states the political subdivision's support and commitment to promote the availability of telecommuting options; and new text end

new text begin (2) provides for a single point of contact for coordinating telecommuting opportunities that has all of the following responsibilities: new text end

new text begin (i) coordination and partnership with broadband providers, realtors, economic development professionals, employers, employees, and other telecommuting stakeholders; new text end

new text begin (ii) collaboration with broadband providers and employers to identify, develop, and market telecommuter-capable broadband packages; new text end

new text begin (iii) communication and partnership with broadband providers and economic development professionals to develop common goals; new text end

new text begin (iv) promotion of telecommuter-friendly work spaces, such as business incubators with telecommuting spaces, if such a work space has been established in the political subdivision at the time the political subdivision adopts the resolution; new text end

new text begin (v) familiarity with broadband mapping tools and other state-level resources; new text end

new text begin (vi) maintaining regular communication with the state broadband office; and new text end

new text begin (vii) making regular reports to the governing body of the political subdivision. new text end

Presented to the governor May 2, 2019

Signed by the governor May 3, 2019, 1:37 p.m.