New law temporarily allows local governments to accept electronic filings

Towns, home rule charters, statutory cities and counties will temporarily be allowed to accept documents or signatures electronically, in the mail or by fax, during a peacetime public health emergency.

Sponsored by Rep. Mike Freiberg (DFL-Golden Valley) and Sen. Mary Kiffmeyer (R-Big Lake), a new law defines the emergency as “a peacetime emergency declared by the governor in an executive order that relates to the infections disease known as COVID-19.”

The filings that can be accepted include:

• planning and zoning applications and permits;

• land use documents;

• documents requiring a signature under section 326.03 of statutes;

• applications for birth and death certificates; and

• recording a notary commission.

The law is effective May 17, 2020 and will expire Jan. 6, 2021, or 60 days after the public health emergency ends, whichever happens sooner.

HF4605*/SF4525/CH92

HF4605* / SF4525 / CH92