2006 Minnesota Statutes

CHAPTER 4. GOVERNOR

4.01 CUSTODIAN OF STATE PROPERTY.
In addition to the powers and duties prescribed by the Constitution, the governor shall be the
custodian of all property of the state not especially entrusted by law to other officers and may
take possession thereof without legal process and adopt such measures for its safekeeping as
the governor deems proper.
History: (54) RL s 26; 1986 c 444

4.02 [Repealed, 1996 c 310 s 1]

4.03 PROCLAMATIONS.
When the governor convenes the legislature in extra session it shall be done by proclamation,
giving to the members such notice as the governor deems necessary of the time of meeting; and
when assembled the governor shall inform them of the purposes for which they are convened.
The governor shall set apart and proclaim one day in each year as a day of solemn and public
thanksgiving to Almighty God for blessings to the people and no business shall be transacted
on that day at any of the departments of state. All proclamations of the governor required or
authorized by law shall be filed with the secretary of state.
History: (57) RL s 28; 1986 c 444

4.034 ENROLLED BILLS.
When the governor signs an enrolled bill to finally enact it into law as provided by the
Constitution, the governor shall note on the enrolled bill the date and time of day of signing. The
governor shall then file the bill with the secretary of state.
When the governor vetoes a bill, the governor shall file a notice with the secretary of state
indicating the chapter number of the vetoed bill.
When the governor neither signs nor vetoes a bill and legislative adjournment does not
prevent its return, then the governor shall file the bill with the secretary of state with a notice that
the governor is allowing the bill to become law without the governor's signature. If legislative
adjournment does prevent its return, then the governor shall file a notice with the secretary of
state indicating that the bill has been pocket vetoed. The notice must identify the enrolled bill by
chapter number. The bill itself must be retained in the records of the governor's office.
History: 1988 c 479 s 4

4.035 EXECUTIVE ORDERS.
    Subdivision 1. Applicability. A written statement or order executed by the governor
pursuant to constitutional or statutory authority and denominated as an executive order, or a
statement or order of the governor required by law to be in the form of an executive order, shall
be uniform in format, shall be numbered consecutively, and shall be effective and expire as
provided in this section. Executive orders creating agencies shall be consistent with the provisions
of this section and section 15.0593.
    Subd. 2. Effective date. An executive order issued pursuant to sections 12.31 to 12.32 or any
other emergency executive order issued to protect a person from an imminent threat to health and
safety shall be effective immediately and shall be filed with the secretary of state and published
in the state register as soon as possible after its issuance. Emergency executive orders shall be
identified as such in the order. Any other executive order shall be effective upon 15 days after its
publication in the state register and filing with the secretary of state. The governor shall submit
a copy of the executive order to the commissioner of administration to facilitate publication
in the State Register.
    Subd. 3. Expiration date. Unless an earlier date is specified by statute or by executive
order, an executive order shall expire 90 days after the date that the governor who issued the
order vacates office.
History: 1977 c 305 s 2; 1986 c 444

4.04 POWERS.
    Subdivision 1. Appointments; state seal. The governor shall appoint and when necessary
commission all officers and employees of the state whose selection is not otherwise provided for
by law and, at pleasure, may remove any such appointee whose term of service is not by law
prescribed. The governor shall exercise such powers of appointment, suspension, and removal
in respect of other officials as are conferred by law. Whenever the great seal of the state is lost
or worn out, the governor shall cause the same to be replaced.
    Subd. 2. Delegation to lieutenant governor. The governor may delegate to the lieutenant
governor such powers, duties, responsibilities and functions as are prescribed by law to be
performed by the governor, subject to the governor's control, by filing a written order specifying
such delegation with the secretary of state; provided, however, that no power, duty, responsibility
or function imposed upon the governor by the Constitution shall be delegated by such written
order or otherwise.
History: (58) RL s 29; 1971 c 949 s 1; 1986 c 444

4.045 CHILDREN'S CABINET.
The Children's Cabinet shall consist of the commissioners of education, human
services, employment and economic development, public safety, corrections, finance, health,
administration, Housing Finance Agency, and transportation, and the director of the Office of
Strategic and Long-Range Planning. The governor shall designate one member to serve as cabinet
chair. The chair is responsible for ensuring that the duties of the Children's Cabinet are performed.
History: 1993 c 224 art 4 s 6; 1994 c 483 s 1; 1Sp1995 c 3 art 16 s 13; 2003 c 130 s 12;
2004 c 206 s 52

4.05 [Repealed, 1961 c 561 s 17]

4.055 GOVERNOR'S RESIDENCE EMPLOYEES AND GOVERNOR APPOINTEE
BACKGROUND CHECKS.
The governor's office may request a check of:
(1) systems accessible through the criminal justice data communications network, including,
but not limited to, criminal history, predatory offender registration, warrants, and driver's license
record information from the Department of Public Safety;
(2) the statewide supervision system maintained by the Department of Corrections; and
(3) national criminal history information maintained by the Federal Bureau of Investigation;
on candidates for positions within the governor's residence or appointment by the governor. The
candidate shall provide the governor's office with a written authorization to conduct the check
of these systems. For a check of the national criminal history information, the request must
also include a set of fingerprints which shall be sent to the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.
The bureau has the authority to exchange the fingerprints with the FBI to facilitate the national
background check. The superintendent may recover fees associated with the background checks
from the governor's office.
History: 2006 c 260 art 3 s 1

4.06 VACANCY; SUCCESSION; DISABILITY.
(a) When a vacancy occurs, from any cause whatever, in the office of governor, the lieutenant
governor shall become governor and the last duly elected president of the senate shall become
lieutenant governor for the remainder of the term. When a vacancy occurs, from any cause
whatever, in the office of governor and in the office of lieutenant governor, the president of the
senate shall become governor for the remainder of the term. If there be no president of the senate,
then the speaker of the house of representatives shall become governor for the remainder of the
term; or if there be none, then the secretary of state, or the auditor, or the attorney general, in that
order, shall upon resignation from office, become governor for the remainder of the term.
(b) In case of the death or other failure to take office of the governor-elect, the lieutenant
governor-elect shall become governor from the same time and in the same manner and for the
same term as provided for the governor-elect. In case of the death or other failure to take office
of both the governor-elect and lieutenant governor-elect, the last duly elected president of the
senate, or in the case of death or other failure to take office, the last duly elected speaker of the
house of representatives, or in the case of death or other failure to take office, the secretary of
state-elect, or under the same circumstances the auditor-elect, or the attorney general-elect, in that
order shall become governor from the same time and in the same manner and for the same term
as provided for the governor-elect.
(c) If the governor transmits to the president of the senate and the speaker of the house of
representatives a written declaration of an inability to discharge the powers and duties of the office
of governor, and until the governor transmits a written declaration to the contrary, the powers and
duties of the governor shall be discharged by the lieutenant governor.
(d) The governor may be declared unable to discharge the powers and duties of the office if a
declaration is signed by four out of five of the following persons and transmitted to the president
of the senate and the speaker of the house of representatives: the chief justice of the Supreme
Court, the lieutenant governor, the governor's chief of staff, the governor's personal physician,
and a member of the governor's cabinet designated in advance by the governor. If no cabinet
member has been designated, three out of four shall be sufficient. The lieutenant governor shall
then discharge the powers and duties of the office of governor.
(e) The declaration remains in effect until the governor transmits to the president of the
senate and the speaker of the house of representatives a written declaration that no inability exists,
unless four out of five of the persons described in paragraph (d), or three out of four if no cabinet
member has been designated, sign and transmit to the president of the senate and the speaker of
the house of representatives within four days of the governor's declaration a declaration that the
governor is unable to discharge the powers and duties of the office. In that event, the lieutenant
governor shall continue to discharge the duties of the office until the legislature decides the issue,
assembling within 48 hours for that purpose if not in session. If the legislature, within 21 days
after receipt of the declaration that the governor is unable to discharge the powers and duties of
the office or, if the legislature is not in session, within 21 days after being required to assemble,
determines by two-thirds vote of both houses that the governor is unable to discharge the powers
and duties of the office, the lieutenant governor shall continue to discharge the powers and duties
of the office. Otherwise, the governor shall resume the powers and duties of the office.
History: 1961 c 573 s 1; 1973 c 720 s 76 subd 2; 1986 c 444; 1995 c 98 s 1; 2003 c 112
art 2 s 50

4.07 GOVERNOR AS STATE AGENCY FOR FEDERAL FUNDS.
    Subdivision 1. When no state agency is designated. Whenever the United States of
America, pursuant to federal law or any rule or regulation promulgated thereunder, makes
available to the state of Minnesota or any department, agency, governmental subdivision, or other
instrumentality thereof funds for any purpose and no state agency has been otherwise designated
by law to apply for, receive, and accept such federal funds, the governor is hereby designated as
the state agency for such purpose.
    Subd. 2. State agency named to act instead. The governor may designate a state agency or
agencies to act for the governor in applying for, receiving, and accepting federal funds under the
provisions of subdivision 1. Such designation of a state department or agency shall be filed in
the Office of the Secretary of State.
    Subd. 3. Federal and state law; appropriation of funds. The governor or any state
department or agency designated by the governor shall comply with any and all requirements of
federal law and any rules and regulations promulgated thereunder to enable the application for, the
receipt of, and the acceptance of such federal funds. The expenditure of any such funds received
shall be governed by the laws of the state except insofar as federal requirements may otherwise
provide. All such money received by the governor or any state department or agency designated
by the governor for such purpose shall be deposited in the state treasury and, subject to section
3.3005, are hereby appropriated annually in order to enable the governor or the state department
or agency designated by the governor for such purpose to carry out the purposes for which the
funds are received. None of such federal money so deposited in the state treasury shall cancel and
they shall be available for expenditure in accordance with the requirements of federal law.
History: 1965 c 901 s 87; 1986 c 444; 1998 c 366 s 16

4.071 OIL OVERCHARGE MONEY.
    Subdivision 1. Appropriation required. "Oil overcharge money" means money received by
the state as a result of litigation or settlements of alleged violations of federal petroleum pricing
regulations. Oil overcharge money may not be spent until it is specifically appropriated by law.
    Subd. 2. Minnesota resources projects. The legislature intends to appropriate one-half
of the oil overcharge money for projects that have been reviewed and recommended by the
Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources. A work plan must be prepared for each
proposed project for review by the commission. The commission must recommend specific
projects to the legislature.
    Subd. 3.[Repealed, 1998 c 273 s 15]
History: 1988 c 686 art 1 s 36; 1988 c 690 s 1; 1989 c 335 art 1 s 269; 1990 c 568 art 2 s
1; 1994 c 483 s 1; 2006 c 243 s 21

4.073 [Repealed, 1983 c 301 s 235]

4.075 ADMINISTRATION OF HIGHWAY SAFETY PROGRAM; ACCEPTANCE AND
DISBURSEMENT OF FEDERAL FUNDS.
    Subdivision 1. Duties. The governor of this state shall be responsible for the administration
of the state's highway safety program and, consistent with state law, may contract and cooperate
with, and act as agent for state and federal agencies, political subdivisions, and public and private
organizations in order to effectuate the purposes of the National Highway Safety Act of 1966 and
any amendments or regulations thereto to the end that available federal money and other benefits
for such purposes may be obtained. The governor may designate an appropriate agency of this
state through which this state's safety program may be administered.
    Subd. 2. Federal money. The governor shall provide for the receipt, allocation, and
disbursement of federal money received pursuant to this act in accordance with state and federal
laws and regulations.
    Subd. 3. Local programs. Counties, cities, towns, municipalities, and other political
subdivisions are authorized to administer local highway safety programs which have been
approved by the governor as part of the state highway safety program and to receive such funds as
may be available for such purposes, subject to applicable federal laws and regulations and the
approval of the governor.
History: 1967 c 443 s 1-3

4.077 ST. PAUL LANDMARK AUTHORITY.
    Subdivision 1. Plan to renovate courts building. (a) The Old Federal Courts Building in the
city of St. Paul, called in this section the "courts building," is an outstanding example of federal
architecture of its period and a significant symbol of constitutional government which spans much
of this state's history. Its acquisition, preservation, and appropriate use is a concern of the state
and an important aspect of state policy declared in the Historic Sites Act of 1965.
(b) The legislature is informed that feasible renovation and remodeling of the structure of
this historic site would make it suitable to meet existing and foreseeable need of the state for
school, classroom, and other educational use, or for use in the protection of public health, and
such practical adaptation of the courts building should not be incompatible, but rather in keeping
with, continued observance of the building as an historic monument.
(c) National policy expressed in enactments of the Congress (including, but not necessarily
limited to, the Surplus Property Act of 1944 and Federal Property and Administrative Services
Act of 1949) make this historic site, now held by and subject to the control of the administrator
of the General Service Administration, available to this state, its political subdivisions or
instrumentalities upon compliance with the conditions of the statutes and rules promulgated
thereunder for educational use or use in the protection of the public health, or as an historic
monument for the benefit of the public.
    Subd. 2. Public corporation created. (a) To implement state and national policy a public
corporation sole is hereby created in the persons of the governors of the state of Minnesota, that
is, in the person of the incumbent governor and in the person of each successor in turn, named
"the Governor's Office for a Minnesota Landmark," but referred to herein as "the corporation."
(b) The purpose of the corporation is the acquisition, preservation, and appropriate use for
the public benefit of the courts building, a public purpose, and in pursuance of this purpose it
has the powers and duties herein enumerated.
(c) The corporation is empowered to take title to the courts building by a donative grant as an
instrumentality of the state, with such restrictions and conditions compatible with appropriate
use of the courts building as may be imposed by federal authority, but it shall first determine,
after consideration of all relevant factors, including but not limited to potential income from all
sources, that ownership and appropriate use will be feasible and probably self-supporting.
(d) "Appropriate use" as a purpose of the corporation created by Laws 1971, chapter 605,
means that the corporation will own, control, manage, and use the courts building if the courts
building is transferred to it:
(1) to provide space therein by lease or other arrangement to tax supported and other
nonprofit educational institutions for school, classroom, or other educational use, or use in
protection of public health; or
(2) as an historic monument; and
(3) whether or not used as in clause (1) or (2), for such other use, private and public, as may
be compatible with the conditions and restrictions of the grant, permissible under controlling law
and rule governing the use under the grant, and in accord with the purpose of the corporation.
    Subd. 3. Associates of corporation. Associates of the corporation are:
(1) members of the executive council of the Minnesota Historical Society;
(2) members of the Capitol Area Architectural and Planning Board;
(3) the mayor and members of the council of the city of St. Paul; and
(4) members of a Minnesota nonprofit corporation that shows by its application on behalf of
its members who desire to be associates that in pursuit of a purpose expressed in its articles it is
engaged in an effort to save the courts building for the public benefit,
who request the corporation to be named an associate. An associate is not a member of
the corporation.
    Subd. 4. Board of advisors. The corporation has a board of advisors consisting of a number,
not more than nine, of advisors limited by the corporation bylaws. The corporation may delegate
by a bylaw to the board of advisors specified duties and authority in the management of the
corporation property and affairs within the area of the authority of the corporation. The term of
an advisor is four years except that the first appointments shall be so limited as to result in a
staggered ending of terms with about one-half terminating each two years. An advisor receives no
compensation but is reimbursed for actual expenses necessarily incurred in the business of the
corporation as its bylaws may provide.
    Subd. 5. Powers. In addition to the powers elsewhere given to the corporation it has the
following general powers:
(1) to have succession until dissolved by law;
(2) to sue and be sued in its corporate name;
(3) to adopt, alter, and use a corporate seal which shall be judicially noticed;
(4) to accept, hold, and administer gifts and bequests of money, securities, or other personal
property of whatsoever character, absolutely or on trust, for the purposes for which the corporation
is created. Unless otherwise restricted by the terms of the gift or bequest, the corporation is
authorized to sell, exchange, or otherwise dispose of and to invest or reinvest in such investments
as it may determine from time to time the money, securities, or other property given or bequeathed
to it. The principal of such corporate funds and the income therefrom, and all other revenues
received by it from any source whatsoever shall be placed in such depositories as the board of
directors shall determine and shall be subject to expenditure for corporate purposes;
(5) to enter into contracts generally and to execute all instruments necessary or appropriate
to carry out its corporate purposes;
(6) to appoint and prescribe the duties of officers, agents, and employees as may be necessary
to carry out its work and to compensate them;
(7) to purchase all supplies and materials necessary for carrying out of its purposes;
(8) to accept from the United States or the state of Minnesota, or any of their agencies,
moneys or other assistance whether by gift, loan, or otherwise, to carry out its corporate purposes,
and to enter into such contracts with the United States or the state of Minnesota, or any of the
agencies of either, or with any of the political subdivisions of the state, as it may deem proper and
consistent with the purposes of this section;
(9) to adopt such bylaws and rules as it deems necessary for the administration of its
functions and the accomplishment of its purpose, including among other matter the establishment
of a business office and the rules, the use of the courts building, and the administration of
corporation funds;
(10) to contract and make cooperative agreements with federal, state, and municipal
departments and agencies and private corporations, associations, and individuals for the use of the
corporation property, including but not limited to rental agreements and concessions;
(11) to convey its property, real and personal, should the accomplishment of its purpose
prove to be not feasible or compliance with the terms and conditions of the grant of the courts
building appear to be impractical;
(12) to operate and maintain and furnish, restore, and as needed or suitable from time to
time, renovate and remodel the courts building; and to accomplish its purpose and in execution
of its powers, to borrow money and issue its debentures payable from income either unsecured
or secured by pledge of revenues to be derived from the operation of its property or from other
sources, or both, and to agree, if in consonance with national policy, that income derived from
property conveyed to it by federal authority in excess of costs of repair, rehabilitation, restoration,
and maintenance will be used by it only for park or recreational purposes, and to fulfill such
agreement; and in its corporate discretion to use any such excess income which has not been so
committed for park or recreation purposes, or for educational purposes by supporting educational
institutions or activity, or for both of such purposes, and generally to do any and all lawful acts
necessary or appropriate to carry out the purposes for which it is created.
Provided, however, that the state of Minnesota is not and shall not be held liable on any
contract of the corporation for the payment of money or otherwise except as the legislature
may expressly assume or accept responsibility, but this limitation does not prevent or limit the
authority of a state department or agency to contract with the corporation for the rental of space,
or for any other purpose, if the contract is within the general authority of the department or agency
and there are funds available to it.
History: 1971 c 605 s 2-6; Ex1971 c 3 s 100 subds 2,4; 1975 c 271 s 6; 1985 c 248 s 70;
1986 c 444; 2005 c 10 art 1 s 1

4.08 [Repealed, 1973 c 757 s 5]

4.09 [Repealed, 1987 c 312 art 1 s 25]

4.10 [Renumbered 116J.40]

    Subdivision 1.[Repealed, 1981 c 356 s 247]
    Subd. 2.[Repealed, 1981 c 356 s 247]
    Subd. 3.[Repealed, 1981 c 356 s 247]
    Subd. 4.[Renumbered 116J.41, subdivision 1]
    Subd. 5.[Renumbered 116J.41, subd 2]
    Subd. 6.[Repealed, 1981 c 356 s 247]
    Subd. 7.[Repealed, 1981 c 356 s 247]
    Subd. 8.[Renumbered 116J.41, subd 3]

4.12 [Renumbered 116J.42]

4.125 [Renumbered 116J.43]

4.13 [Renumbered 116J.44]

4.14 [Repealed, 1973 c 741 s 10]

4.15 [Repealed, 1981 c 356 s 247]

    Subdivision 1.[Repealed, 1971 c 25 s 6; 1981 c 356 s 247]
    Subd. 2.[Repealed, 1971 c 25 s 6; 1981 c 356 s 247]
    Subd. 3.[Repealed, 1969 c 894 s 9; 1981 c 356 s 247]
    Subd. 4.[Repealed, 1981 c 356 s 247]
    Subd. 5.[Repealed, 1981 c 356 s 247]

4.17 [Renumbered 116J.45]

4.18 [Renumbered 116J.46]

4.19 [Repealed, 1977 c 455 s 95]

4.191 [Renumbered 116J.47]

4.20 [Repealed, 1975 c 61 s 26]

4.25 [Repealed, 1975 c 61 s 26]

4.26 [Renumbered 116J.48]

4.27 [Renumbered 116J.49]

4.28 [Renumbered 116J.50]

4.29 [Renumbered 116J.51]

4.30 [Renumbered 116J.52]

4.31 [Renumbered 16B.88]

4.35 [Renumbered 116J.53]

4.36 [Renumbered 116J.54]

4.40 [Renumbered 268.96]

4.45 [Repealed, 1996 c 310 s 1]

4.46 WASHINGTON OFFICE.
The governor may appoint employees for the Washington, D.C., office of the state of
Minnesota and may prescribe their duties. In the operation of the office, the governor may
expend money appropriated by the legislature for promotional purposes in the same manner as
private persons, firms, corporations, and associations expend money for promotional purposes.
Promotional expenditures for food, lodging, or travel are not governed by the travel rules of the
commissioner of employee relations.
History: 1991 c 345 art 2 s 7

4.47 REPORT ON COMPULSIVE GAMBLING.
The governor shall report to the legislature by February 1 of each odd-numbered year on the
state's progress in addressing the problem of compulsive gambling. The report must include:
(1) a summary of available data describing the extent of the problem in Minnesota;
(2) a summary of programs, both governmental and private, that
(i) provide diagnosis and treatment for compulsive gambling;
(ii) enhance public awareness of the problem and the availability of compulsive gambling
services;
(iii) are designed to prevent compulsive gambling and other problem gambling by elementary
and secondary school students and vulnerable adults; and
(iv) offer professional training in the identification, referral, and treatment of compulsive
gamblers;
(3) the likely impact on compulsive gambling of each form of gambling; and
(4) budget recommendations for state-level compulsive gambling programs and activities.
History: 1994 c 633 art 8 s 1

4.50 [Repealed, 2002 c 220 art 10 s 40]

4.51 EXPENSES OF GOVERNOR-ELECT.
This section applies after a state general election in which a person who is not the current
governor is elected to take office as the next governor. The commissioner of administration must
request a transfer from the general fund contingent account of an amount equal to 1.5 percent of
the amount appropriated for operation of the Office of the Governor and Lieutenant Governor
for the current fiscal year. This request is subject to the review and advice of the Legislative
Advisory Commission pursuant to section 3.30. If the transfer is approved, the commissioner
of administration must make this amount available to the governor-elect before he or she takes
office. The commissioner must provide office space for the governor-elect and for any employees
the governor-elect hires.
History: 2006 c 282 art 14 s 8