1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to the legislature; creating a Legislative Water Commission; prescribing 
1.3 	its powers and duties; providing legislative appointments; proposing coding for 
1.4 	new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 3.
1.5 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.6 	Section 1. [3.886] LEGISLATIVE WATER COMMISSION.
1.7 		Subdivision 1.Establishment. A Legislative Water Commission is established. 
1.8 		Subd. 2.Membership. (a) The Legislative Water Commission consists of ten 
1.9 	members appointed as follows:
1.10 	(1) five members of the senate with minority representation proportionate to 
1.11 	minority membership in the senate to be appointed by the Subcommittee on Committees 
1.12 	and to serve until their successors are appointed; and
1.13 	(2) five members of the house of representatives with minority representation 
1.14 	proportionate to minority membership in the house to be appointed by the speaker of the 
1.15 	house and to serve until their successors are appointed.
1.16 	(b) Vacancies must be filled in the same manner as the original positions.
1.17 	(c) Vacancies occurring on the commission do not affect the authority of the remaining 
1.18 	members of the Legislative Water Commission to carry out the function of the commission.
1.19 		Subd. 3.Staff. The Legislative Water Commission may appoint and fix the 
1.20 	compensation of personnel and consultants necessary to enable the commission to carry 
1.21 	out its functions, or to contract for services to supply necessary data subject to the approval 
1.22 	of the Legislative Coordinating Commission under section 3.305.  State employees subject 
1.23 	to civil service laws and rules who may be assigned to the commission shall retain civil 
1.24 	service status without interruption or loss of status or privilege.
2.1 		Subd. 4.Powers and duties. (a) The Legislative Water Commission shall review 
2.2 	water policy reports and recommendations of the Environmental Quality Board, the Board 
2.3 	of Water and Soil Resources, the Pollution Control Agency, the Department of Natural 
2.4 	Resources, and other water-related reports as may be required by law or the legislature.
2.5 	(b) The commission shall oversee the activities of the Pollution Control Agency 
2.6 	under sections 116.16 to 116.181 relating to water pollution control.
2.7 	(c) The commission may conduct public hearings and otherwise secure data and 
2.8 	comments.
2.9 	(d) The commission shall make recommendations as it deems proper to assist the 
2.10 	legislature in formulating legislation.
2.11 	(e) Data or information compiled by the Legislative Water Commission or its 
2.12 	subcommittees shall be made available to the Legislative Commission on Minnesota 
2.13 	Resources and standing and interim committees of the legislature on request of the chair 
2.14 	of the respective commission or committee.