1.1                          A bill for an act 
  1.2             relating to charter commissions; providing for removal 
  1.3             of charter commission members in certain 
  1.4             circumstances; amending Minnesota Statutes 1996, 
  1.5             section 410.05, subdivision 2. 
  1.6   BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA: 
  1.7      Section 1.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 410.05, 
  1.8   subdivision 2, is amended to read: 
  1.9      Subd. 2.  [COMMISSION MEMBERS; TERMS, VACANCIES.] Charter 
  1.10  commission members shall hold office for the term of four years, 
  1.11  and until their successors are appointed and qualify, except 
  1.12  that of members initially appointed after July 1, 1967, eight 
  1.13  shall be appointed for two year terms and seven for four year 
  1.14  terms.  No person may be appointed to more than two successive 
  1.15  terms as a commission member.  Vacancies in the commission shall 
  1.16  be filled by appointment of the chief judge for the unexpired 
  1.17  terms.  Upon the expiration of each term, the chief judge shall 
  1.18  appoint new commission members.  If the chief judge fails to 
  1.19  appoint new commission members within 30 days then thereafter 
  1.20  the governing body of the city shall, appoint new commission 
  1.21  members, unless within the 30 day period the chief judge 
  1.22  indicates in writing to the governing body an intention to 
  1.23  appoint new members, in which case the chief judge shall have an 
  1.24  additional 60 days within which to make the appointment.  
  1.25  Appointments shall be made by order filed with the court 
  2.1   administrator of the district court.  An appointee who neglects 
  2.2   to file with the court administrator within 30 days a written 
  2.3   acceptance and oath of office shall be deemed to have declined 
  2.4   the appointment and the place shall be filled as though the 
  2.5   appointee had resigned.  The charter commission, within 30 days 
  2.6   after the initial appointment of the commission, shall make 
  2.7   rules, including quorum requirements, with reference to its 
  2.8   operations and procedures.  The commission shall submit to the 
  2.9   chief judge of the district court, on or before December 31 of 
  2.10  each year, an annual report outlining its activities and 
  2.11  accomplishments for the preceding calendar year.  The commission 
  2.12  shall forward a copy of the report to the clerk of the city.  
  2.13  Any member may be removed at any time from office, by written 
  2.14  order of the district court, the reason for such removal being 
  2.15  stated in the order.  When any member has failed to perform the 
  2.16  duties of office and has failed to attend four ~~consecutive~~ 
  2.17  meetings in a calendar year without being excused by the 
  2.18  commission, the secretary of the charter commission shall file a 
  2.19  certificate with the court setting forth those facts and the 
  2.20  district court shall thereupon make its order of removal and the 
  2.21  chief judge shall fill the vacancy created thereby. 
  2.22     Sec. 2.  [EFFECTIVE DATE.] 
  2.23     Section 1 is effective the day following final enactment.