2006 Minnesota Statutes

115A.38 RECONCILIATION PROCEDURES.
    Subdivision 1. Reports to legislative commission. At least 30 days before making a final
decision under section 115A.37 in a review brought pursuant to section 115A.33, clause (d), the
chair of the board may report to the legislative commission describing permit conditions or
requirements being considered which are not within the existing authority of the agency or the
board or which would require legislation or public financial assistance. In any such report the
chair of the board may request intervention in the review pursuant to subdivisions 2 and 3.
    Subd. 2. Preintervention assessment. If the legislative commission determines that
intervention might be warranted under the terms of subdivision 1, the commission may suspend
the review process for up to 60 days to allow a preintervention assessment. The preintervention
assessment shall be conducted by an independent, impartial, and qualified public intervenor
appointed by the commission with the advice and consent of the parties to the dispute. The
intervenor shall report to the commission. The report shall include:
(a) an assessment of whether the dispute is ripe for mediation and whether the parties are
willing to mediate;
(b) an assessment of whether, within the terms of subdivision 1, substantive issues exist
which cannot be resolved effectively through normal administrative and judicial procedures;
(c) a preliminary definition of the facts and issues in dispute and actions and decisions
being considered;
(d) a description of the diverse parties having a legitimate and direct interest in the outcome
of the dispute.
    Subd. 3. Suspension of review process; intervention proceeding. Following the report
of the intervenor, the legislative commission may suspend the review process for an additional
period not to exceed 90 days for an intervention proceeding. The intervenor shall be in charge of
the intervention proceeding and may call for such participation and establish such procedures as
the intervenor deems necessary and appropriate to facilitate agreement. The intervenor shall keep
the chair of the legislative commission informed on the progress of the intervention proceeding,
particularly with respect to agreements or proposed agreements which may require action or
decisions not within the authority of the agency or board, legislative action, or public financial
assistance. The intervenor shall make recommendations to the commission respecting any
such agreements or proposed agreements. The commission may make recommendations to the
intervenor respecting any such agreement or proposed agreement. If the commission approves
of an agreement, or a decision based upon an agreement, which requires action or decisions not
within the authority of the agency or board, legislative action, or public financial assistance, the
commission shall cause the matter and recommendations to be submitted to the legislature for
consideration.
History: 1980 c 564 art 4 s 7; 1986 c 444; 1989 c 335 art 1 s 269; 1992 c 593 art 1 s 54