Minnesota Session Laws - 2020, Regular Session

CHAPTER 92--H.F.No. 4605

An act

relating to local government; authorizing counties, cities, and townships to accept certain documents or signatures electronically, by mail, or by facsimile.

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

Section 1.

new text begin SUBMISSION OF DOCUMENTS OR SIGNATURES ELECTRONICALLY, BY MAIL, OR BY FACSIMILE. new text end

new text begin (a) Notwithstanding any law, rule, or ordinance to the contrary, a township, home rule charter or statutory city, or county may accept documents, signatures, or filings received by United States mail, or may use Minnesota Statutes, chapter 325L, to accept documents, signatures, or filings electronically or by facsimile, during a peacetime public health emergency for: new text end

new text begin (1) planning and zoning applications and permits under Minnesota Statutes, chapters 394 and 462; new text end

new text begin (2) land use documents under Minnesota Statutes, chapter 505; new text end

new text begin (3) documents requiring a signature under Minnesota Statutes, sections 326.03, subdivision 3, and 326.12, subdivision 3; new text end

new text begin (4) applications for birth and death certificates under Minnesota Statutes, section 144.225; and new text end

new text begin (5) recording a notary commission under Minnesota Statutes, section 359.061. new text end

new text begin (b) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, there is no in-person requirement under this section. new text end

new text begin (c) For purposes of this section, "peacetime public health emergency" means a peacetime emergency declared by the governor in an executive order that relates to the infectious disease known as COVID-19. new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment and expires January 6, 2021, or 60 days after the peacetime public health emergency is terminated, whichever is earlier. new text end

Presented to the governor May 15, 2020

Signed by the governor May 16, 2020, 11:09 a.m.