HF 2495

as introduced - 91st Legislature (2019 - 2020) Posted on 03/14/2019 02:09pm

A bill for an act
relating to state government; establishing a Legislative Commission on Housing
Affordability; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 3.

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

Section 1.

[3.8845] LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION ON HOUSING
AFFORDABILITY.

Subdivision 1.

Established.

The Legislative Commission on Housing Affordability is
created to study issues relating to housing affordability, existing and future government
regulations impacting housing affordability, and access to homeownership.

Subd. 2.

Membership.

The commission consists of four senators appointed by the senate
Subcommittee on Committees of the Committee on Rules and Administration, and four
members of the house of representatives appointed by the speaker. Two members from each
chamber must be from the majority party in that chamber and two members from each
chamber must be from the minority party in that chamber. Each appointing authority must
make appointments as soon as possible after the beginning of the regular legislative session
in the odd-numbered year. The ranking senator from the majority party appointed to the
commission must convene the first meeting of a biennium by February 15 in the
odd-numbered year. The commission may elect up to four former legislators who have
demonstrated an interest in, or have a history of working in, the areas of housing affordability
to serve as nonvoting members of the commission. The former legislators must not be
registered lobbyists and shall be compensated as provided under section 15.0575, subdivision
3.

Subd. 3.

Terms; vacancies.

Members of the commission serve for terms beginning upon
appointment and ending at the beginning of the regular legislative session in the next
odd-numbered year. The appropriate appointing authority must fill a vacancy for a seat of
a current legislator for the remainder of the unexpired term.

Subd. 4.

Officers.

The commission must elect a chair and may elect other officers as it
determines are necessary. The chair alternates between a member of the senate and a member
of the house of representatives in January of each odd-numbered year.

Subd. 5.

Staff.

Legislative staff must provide administrative and research assistance to
the commission.

Subd. 6.

Duties.

The commission shall:

(1) review and provide the legislature with research and analysis of emerging issues
negatively affecting housing affordability and homeownership access, especially with regard
to first-time home buyers and socially and economically disadvantaged buyers;

(2) review and provide the legislature with research and analysis of policies to reduce
the homeownership equity gap; and

(3) review and make recommendations on legislative and rulemaking proposals positively
impacting personal housing affordability, access to homeownership, and other related barriers
to homeownership.

Subd. 7.

Expiration.

This section expires June 30, 2023.

EFFECTIVE DATE.

This section is effective the day following final enactment. Initial
members of the commission serve for a term ending in January 2021. A member of the
house of representatives shall serve as the first chair of the commission. A member of the
senate shall serve as chair of the commission beginning in January 2020.

Sec. 2. INITIAL APPOINTMENTS.

Appointing authorities for the Legislative Commission on Housing Affordability under
Minnesota Statutes, section 3.8845, must make initial appointments by June 1, 2019. The
speaker of the house of representatives must designate one member of the commission to
convene the first meeting of the commission by June 15, 2019.