1.1                          A bill for an act 
  1.2             relating to community development; clarifying and 
  1.3             restating the powers of the rural policy and 
  1.4             development center; amending Minnesota Statutes 1998, 
  1.5             section 116J.421, subdivision 3, and by adding 
  1.6             subdivisions. 
  1.7   BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA: 
  1.8      Section 1.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 116J.421, 
  1.9   subdivision 3, is amended to read: 
  1.10     Subd. 3.  [DUTIES.] The center shall: 
  1.11     (1) research and identify present and emerging social and 
  1.12  economic issues for rural Minnesota, including health care, 
  1.13  transportation, crime, housing, and job training; 
  1.14     (2) forge alliances and partnerships with rural communities 
  1.15  to find practical solutions to economic and social problems; 
  1.16     (3) provide a resource center for rural communities on 
  1.17  issues of importance to them; 
  1.18     (4) encourage collaboration across higher education 
  1.19  institutions to provide interdisciplinary team approaches to 
  1.20  problem solving with rural communities; and 
  1.21     (5) involve students in center projects. 
  1.22     Sec. 2.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 116J.421, is 
  1.23  amended by adding a subdivision to read: 
  1.24     Subd. 6.  [USED APPROPRIATION.] State appropriations to the 
  1.25  board, whether from the general fund or the rural policy and 
  1.26  development fund, may, at the discretion of the board, be 
  2.1   expended for administration of the center and to carry out its 
  2.2   duties under this section or under other law. 
  2.3      Sec. 3.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 116J.421, is 
  2.4   amended by adding a subdivision to read: 
  2.5      Subd. 7.  [BOARD COMPENSATION AND OTHER 
  2.6   FUNDS.] Compensation and expense reimbursement of board members 
  2.7   is as provided in section 15.0575, subdivision 3.