1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to telecommunications; requiring a simple majority vote within a 
1.3 	municipality seeking to construct and operate a new telephone exchange;
1.4 	amending Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 237.19.
1.5 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.6 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 237.19, is amended to read:
1.7 	237.19 MUNICIPAL TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICES.
1.8 	Any municipality shall have the right to own and operate a telephone exchange 
1.9 	within its own borders, subject to the provisions of this chapter. It may construct such 
1.10 	plant, or purchase an existing plant by agreement with the owner, or where it cannot agree 
1.11 	with the owner on price, it may acquire an existing plant by condemnation, as hereinafter 
1.12 	provided, but in no case shall a municipality construct or purchase such a plant or proceed 
1.13 	to acquire an existing plant by condemnation until such action by it is authorized by 
1.14 	a majority of the electors voting upon the proposition at a general election or a special 
1.15 	election called for that purpose, and if the proposal is to construct a new exchange where 
1.16 	an exchange already exists, it shall not be authorized to do so unless 65 percent a majority
1.17 	 of those voting thereon vote in favor of the undertaking. A municipality that owns and 
1.18 	operates a telephone exchange may enter into a joint venture as a partner or shareholder 
1.19 	with a telecommunications organization to provide telecommunications services within 
1.20 	its service area.

1.21 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.