2008 Minnesota Statutes

3.303 LEGISLATIVE COORDINATING COMMISSION; CREATION AND ORGANIZATION; STAFF; DUTIES.

Subdivision 1.Purpose.

The Legislative Coordinating Commission is created to coordinate the legislative activities of the senate and house of representatives.

Subd. 2.Membership.

The commission consists of the majority leader of the senate, the president of the senate, two senators appointed by the majority leader, the minority leader of the senate, and one senator appointed by the minority leader; and the majority leader of the house of representatives, the speaker of the house, two representatives appointed by the speaker, the minority leader of the house of representatives, and one representative appointed by the minority leader. Each member shall serve until a successor is named during a regular session following appointment. A vacancy shall be filled for the unexpired term in the same manner as the original appointment.

Subd. 3.Chair.

The president of the senate and the speaker of the house shall alternate annually as chair of the commission.

Subd. 4.Reimbursement.

The members of the commission shall serve without compensation but be reimbursed in the same manner as members of standing committees of the senate and the house of representatives.

Subd. 5.Visitors from other governments.

The commission shall represent the legislature and assist state agencies to make arrangements to accommodate and appropriately recognize individuals or groups visiting Minnesota as direct or indirect representatives of foreign governments, other states, or subdivisions or agencies of foreign governments or other states and to provide other services determined by the commission.

Subd. 6.Grants; staff; space; equipment.

The commission may make grants, employ an executive director and other staff, and obtain office space, equipment, and supplies necessary to perform its duties.

Subd. 7.Economic status of women.

The commission shall study and report to the legislature on all matters relating to the economic status of women in Minnesota, including:

(1) the contributions of women to the economy;

(2) economic security of homemakers and women in the labor force;

(3) opportunities for education and vocational training;

(4) employment opportunities;

(5) women's access to benefits and services provided to citizens of this state; and

(6) laws and business practices constituting barriers to the full participation by women in the economy.

The commission shall also study the adequacy of programs and services relating to families in Minnesota. The commission shall communicate its findings and make recommendations to the legislature on an ongoing basis.

Subd. 8.Ethnic heritage and new Americans.

The commission shall undertake activities it determines are necessary to assist state government to foster an understanding and appreciation of ethnic and cultural diversity in Minnesota, to identify underutilized resources within the immigrant community, and to facilitate the full participation of immigrants in social, cultural, and political life in this state. The commission may appoint a working group under section 3.305, subdivision 6, to assist the commission in these duties. A working group under this subdivision may include legislators and public members. The commission may provide compensation for public members as provided in section 15.0575. In performing duties under this subdivision, the commission shall collaborate with the councils established in sections 3.9223, 3.9225, and 3.9226. This subdivision expires June 30, 2009.

Subd. 9.Preparedness for terrorism and disasters.

The commission shall undertake activities it determines are necessary to advise the legislature and oversee executive activities on issues related to homeland security, emergency management, man-made and natural disasters, terrorism, bioterrorism, public health emergencies, and vulnerabilities in public and private infrastructures. The commission may appoint a working group under section 3.305, subdivision 6, to assist the commission in these duties. A working group under this subdivision may include legislators and public members. The commission may provide compensation for public members as provided in section 15.0575. This subdivision expires June 30, 2011.

History:

1973 c 598 s 1; 1975 c 271 s 6; 1Sp1985 c 13 s 62; 1986 c 444; 1987 c 404 s 61; 1988 c 469 art 1 s 1; 1995 c 248 art 2 s 1; 1Sp2005 c 1 art 4 s 1; 2007 c 148 art 2 s 1,2