1997 Minnesota Statutes

     116C.59 Public participation. 

    Subdivision 1.    Advisory task force.  The board may 
 appoint one or more advisory task forces to assist it in 
 carrying out its duties.  Task forces appointed to evaluate 
 sites or routes considered for designation shall be comprised of 
 as many persons as may be designated by the board, but at least 
 one representative from each of the following:  Regional 
 development commissions, counties and municipal corporations and 
 one town board member from each county in which a site or route 
 is proposed to be located.  No officer, agent, or employee of a 
 utility shall serve on an advisory task force.  Reimbursement 
 for expenses incurred shall be made pursuant to the rules 
 governing state employees.  The task forces expire as provided 
 in section 15.059, subdivision 6. 

    Subd. 2.    Other public participation.  The board shall 
 adopt broad spectrum citizen participation as a principal of 
 operation.  The form of public participation shall not be 
 limited to public hearings and advisory task forces and shall be 
 consistent with the board's rules and guidelines as provided for 
 in section 116C.66. 

    Subd. 3.    Public advisor.  The board shall designate 
 one staff person for the sole purpose of assisting and advising 
 those affected and interested citizens on how to effectively 
 participate in site or route proceedings. 

    Subd. 4.    Scientific advisory task force.  The board 
 may appoint one or more advisory task forces composed of 
 technical and scientific experts to conduct research and make 
 recommendations concerning generic issues such as health and 
 safety, underground routes, double circuiting and long-range 
 route and site planning.  Reimbursement for expenses incurred 
 shall be made pursuant to the rules governing reimbursement of 
 state employees.  The task forces expire as provided in section 
 15.059, subdivision 6. 

    HIST: 1973 c 591 s 9; 1975 c 271 s 6; 1977 c 439 s 12,13; 1985 
 c 248 s 70; 1988 c 629 s 19-21