Journal of the House - 97th Day - Thursday, April 27, 2006 - Top of Page 7145

 

STATE OF MINNESOTA

 

 

EIGHTY-FOURTH SESSION - 2006

 

_____________________

 

NINETY-SEVENTH DAY

 

Saint Paul, Minnesota, Thursday, April 27, 2006

 

 

      The House of Representatives convened at 12:00 noon and was called to order by Gregory M. Davids, Speaker pro tempore.

 

      Prayer was offered by Dr. Pamela Jolicoeur, President, Concordia College, Moorhead, Minnesota.

 

      The members of the House gave the pledge of allegiance to the flag of the United States of America.

 

      The roll was called and the following members were present:

 


Abeler

Abrams

Anderson, B.

Anderson, I.

Atkins

Beard

Bernardy

Blaine

Bradley

Brod

Buesgens

Carlson

Charron

Clark

Cornish

Cox

Cybart

Davids

Davnie

Dean

DeLaForest

Demmer

Dempsey

Dill

Dittrich

Dorman

Dorn

Eastlund

Eken

Emmer

Entenza

Erhardt

Erickson

Finstad

Fritz

Garofalo

Gazelka

Goodwin

Greiling

Gunther

Hackbarth

Hamilton

Hansen

Hausman

Haws

Heidgerken

Hilstrom

Hilty

Holberg

Hoppe

Hornstein

Hortman

Hosch

Howes

Huntley

Jaros

Johnson, J.

Johnson, R.

Johnson, S.

Juhnke

Kahn

Kelliher

Klinzing

Knoblach

Koenen

Kohls

Krinkie

Lanning

Larson

Latz

Lenczewski

Lesch

Liebling

Lieder

Lillie

Loeffler

Magnus

Mahoney

Marquart

McNamara

Meslow

Moe

Mullery

Murphy

Nelson, M.

Nelson, P.

Newman

Nornes

Otremba

Ozment

Paulsen

Paymar

Pelowski

Penas

Peppin

Peterson, A.

Peterson, N.

Peterson, S.

Poppe

Powell

Rukavina

Ruth

Ruud

Sailer

Samuelson

Scalze

Seifert

Sertich

Severson

Sieben

Simon

Simpson

Slawik

Smith

Soderstrom

Solberg

Sykora

Thao

Thissen

Tingelstad

Urdahl

Vandeveer

Wagenius

Walker

Wardlow

Welti

Westerberg

Westrom

Wilkin

Zellers

Spk. Sviggum


 

      A quorum was present.

 

      Mariani was excused.

 

      Olson was excused until 1:00 p.m.  Ellison was excused until 2:55 p.m.

 

      The Chief Clerk proceeded to read the Journal of the preceding day.  Hilstrom moved that further reading of the Journal be suspended and that the Journal be approved as corrected by the Chief Clerk.  The motion prevailed.


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REPORTS OF CHIEF CLERK

 

      S. F. No. 2953 and H. F. No. 3194, which had been referred to the Chief Clerk for comparison, were examined and found to be identical with certain exceptions.

 

SUSPENSION OF RULES

 

      Westerberg moved that the rules be so far suspended that S. F. No. 2953 be substituted for H. F. No. 3194 and that the House File be indefinitely postponed.  The motion prevailed.

 

 

      S. F. No. 3199 and H. F. No. 3585, which had been referred to the Chief Clerk for comparison, were examined and found to be identical with certain exceptions.

 

SUSPENSION OF RULES

 

      Smith moved that the rules be so far suspended that S. F. No. 3199 be substituted for H. F. No. 3585 and that the House File be indefinitely postponed.  The motion prevailed.

 

 

REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEES

 

 

Paulsen from the Committee on Rules and Legislative Administration to which was referred:

 

H. F. No. 2688, A bill for an act relating to veterans; authorizing the placement of a plaque on the Capitol grounds honoring the nation's war dogs and their handlers.

 

Reported the same back with the recommendation that the bill pass.

 

      The report was adopted.

 

 

Sykora from the Committee on Education Finance to which was referred:

 

H. F. No. 3179, A bill for an act relating to education; providing for general education revenue, education excellence, special programs, accounting, self-sufficiency and lifelong learning, and state agencies; authorizing rulemaking; amending Minnesota Statutes 2004, sections 119A.50, subdivision 1; 119A.52; 119A.53; 119A.545; 120A.20, subdivision 1; 120A.22, subdivision 3; 120B.023; 120B.024; 123A.06, subdivision 2; 123B.10, subdivision 1; 124D.02, subdivisions 2, 4; 124D.10, subdivision 16; 124D.518, subdivision 4; 124D.52, subdivision 1; 124D.61; 124D.68, subdivision 3; 125A.02, subdivision 1; 125A.27, subdivision 11; 125A.29; 125A.30; 125A.32; 125A.33; 125A.48; 125A.515, subdivisions 1, 3, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10; 125A.63, subdivision 4; 125A.69, subdivision 3; 125A.75, subdivision 1; 126C.05, subdivision 1; 126C.10, subdivision 6; 126C.44; Minnesota Statutes 2005 Supplement, sections 121A.53, subdivision 1; 122A.415, subdivisions 1, 3; 123B.76, subdivision 3; 124D.095, subdivision 4; 124D.68, subdivision 2; 125A.11, subdivision 1; 126C.43, subdivision 2; 127A.45, subdivision 10; Laws 2005, First Special Session chapter 5, article 2, sections 81; 84, subdivision 13; article 7, section 20, subdivision 5; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 119A; repealing Minnesota Statutes 2004, sections 119A.51; 120A.20, subdivision 3; 125A.10; 125A.515, subdivision 2.

 

Reported the same back with the following amendments:


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Delete everything after the enacting clause and insert:

 

"ARTICLE 1

 

GENERAL EDUCATION REVENUE

 

Section 1.  Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 120A.20, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

 

Subdivision 1.  Age limitations; pupils.  (a) All schools supported in whole or in part by state funds are public schools.  Admission to a public school is free to any person who: (1) resides within the district that operates the school, who; (2) is under 21 years of age, or who meet the requirements of paragraph (c); and who (3) satisfies the minimum age requirements imposed by this section.  Notwithstanding the provisions of any law to the contrary, the conduct of all students under 21 years of age attending a public secondary school is governed by a single set of reasonable rules and regulations promulgated by the school board.

 

No (b) A person shall not be admitted to any a public school (1) as a kindergarten pupil, unless the pupil is at least five years of age on September 1 of the calendar year in which the school year for which the pupil seeks admission commences; or (2) as a 1st grade student, unless the pupil is at least six years of age on September 1 of the calendar year in which the school year for which the pupil seeks admission commences or has completed kindergarten; except that any school board may establish a policy for admission of selected pupils at an earlier age.

 

(c) A pupil who becomes age 21 after enrollment is eligible for continued free public school enrollment until at least one of the following occurs: (1) the first September 1 after the pupil's 21st birthday; (2) the pupil's completion of the graduation requirements; (3) the pupil's withdrawal with no subsequent enrollment within 21 calendar days; or (4) the end of the school year.

 

Sec. 2.  Minnesota Statutes 2005 Supplement, section 122A.415, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

 

Subdivision 1.  Revenue amount.  (a) A school district, intermediate school district, school site, or charter school that meets the conditions of section 122A.414 and submits an application approved by the commissioner is eligible for alternative teacher compensation revenue.

 

(b) For school district and intermediate school district applications, the commissioner must consider only those applications to participate that are submitted jointly by a district and the exclusive representative of the teachers.  The application must contain an alternative teacher professional pay system agreement that:

 

(1) implements an alternative teacher professional pay system consistent with section 122A.414; and

 

(2) is negotiated and adopted according to the Public Employment Labor Relations Act under chapter 179A, except that notwithstanding section 179A.20, subdivision 3, a district may enter into a contract for a term of two or four years.

 

Alternative teacher compensation revenue for a qualifying school district or site in which the school board and the exclusive representative of the teachers agree to place teachers in the district or at the site on the alternative teacher professional pay system equals $260 times the ratio of the formula allowance for the current fiscal year to the formula allowance for fiscal year 2007 times the number of pupils enrolled at the district or site on October 1 of the previous fiscal year.  Alternative teacher compensation revenue for a qualifying intermediate school district must be calculated under section 126C.10, subdivision 34, paragraphs (a) and (b).


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(c) For a newly combined or consolidated district, the revenue shall be computed using the sum of pupils enrolled on October 1 of the previous year in the districts entering into the combination or consolidation.  The commissioner may adjust the revenue computed for a site using prior year data to reflect changes attributable to school closings, school openings, or grade level reconfigurations between the prior year and the current year.

 

(d) The revenue is available only to school districts, intermediate school districts, school sites, and charter schools that fully implement an alternative teacher professional pay system by October 1 of the current school year.

 

(e) The revenue must be maintained in a reserve account within the general fund.

 

Sec. 3.  Minnesota Statutes 2005 Supplement, section 122A.415, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 3.  Revenue timing.  (a) Districts, intermediate school districts, school sites, or charter schools with approved applications must receive alternative compensation revenue for each school year that the district, intermediate school district, school site, or charter school implements an alternative teacher professional pay system under this subdivision and section 122A.414.  For fiscal year 2007 and later, a qualifying district, intermediate school district, school site, or charter school that received alternative teacher compensation aid for the previous fiscal year must receive at least an amount of alternative teacher compensation revenue equal to the lesser of the amount it received for the previous fiscal year or the amount it qualifies for under subdivision 1 for the current fiscal year if the district, intermediate school district, school site, or charter school submits a timely application and the commissioner determines that the district, intermediate school district, school site, or charter school continues to implement an alternative teacher professional pay system, consistent with its application under this section.

 

(b) The commissioner shall approve applications that comply with subdivision 1, and section 122A.414, subdivisions 2, paragraph (b), and 2a, if the applicant is a charter school, in the order in which they are received, select applicants that qualify for this program, notify school districts, intermediate school districts, school sites, and charter schools about the program, develop and disseminate application materials, and carry out other activities needed to implement this section.

 

(c) For applications approved under this section before August 1 of the fiscal year for which the aid is paid, the portion of the state total basic alternative teacher compensation aid entitlement allocated to charter schools must not exceed $522,000 for fiscal year 2006 and $3,374,000 for fiscal year 2007.  For fiscal year 2008 and later, the portion of the state total basic alternative teacher compensation aid entitlement allocated to charter schools must not exceed the product of $3,374,000 times the ratio of the state total charter school enrollment for the previous fiscal year to the state total charter school enrollment for the second previous year fiscal year 2006 times the ratio of the formula allowance for the current fiscal year to the formula allowance for fiscal year 2007.  Additional basic alternative teacher compensation aid may be approved for charter schools after August 1, not to exceed the charter school limit for the following fiscal year, if the basic alternative teacher compensation aid entitlement for school districts and intermediate school districts based on applications approved by August 1 does not expend the remaining amount under the limit.

 

Sec. 4.  Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 123A.06, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 2.  People to be served.  A center shall provide programs for secondary pupils and adults.  A center may also provide programs and services for elementary and secondary pupils who are not attending the center to assist them in being successful in school.  A center shall use research-based best practices for serving limited English proficient students and their parents.  An individual education plan team may identify a center as an appropriate placement to the extent a center can provide the student with the appropriate special education services described in the student's plan.  Pupils eligible to be served are those age five to adults 22 and older who qualify under the graduation incentives program in section 124D.68, subdivision 2, those enrolled under section 124D.02, subdivision 2, or those pupils who are eligible to receive special education services under sections 125A.03 to 125A.24, and 125A.65.


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Sec. 5.  Minnesota Statutes 2005 Supplement, section 123B.76, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 3.  Expenditures by building.  (a) For the purposes of this section, "building" means education site as defined in section 123B.04, subdivision 1.

 

(b) Each district shall maintain separate accounts to identify general fund expenditures for each building.  All expenditures for regular instruction, secondary vocational instruction, and school administration must be reported to the department separately for each building.  All expenditures for special education instruction, instructional support services, and pupil support services provided within a specific building must be reported to the department separately for each building.  Salary expenditures reported by building must reflect actual salaries for staff at the building and must not be based on districtwide averages.  All other general fund expenditures may be reported by building or on a districtwide basis.

 

(c) The department must annually report information showing school district general fund expenditures per pupil by program category for each building and estimated school district general fund revenue generated by pupils attending each building on its Web site.  For purposes of this report:

 

(1) expenditures not reported by building shall be allocated among buildings on a uniform per pupil basis;

 

(2) basic skills revenue shall be allocated according to section 126C.10, subdivision 4;

 

(3) secondary sparsity revenue and elementary sparsity revenue shall be allocated according to section 126C.10, subdivisions 7 and 8;

 

(4) alternative teacher compensation revenue shall be allocated according to section 122A.415, subdivision 1;

 

(5) other general education revenue shall be allocated on a uniform per pupil unit basis;

 

(5) (6)  first grade preparedness aid shall be allocated according to section 124D.081;

 

(6) (7)  state and federal special education aid and Title I aid shall be allocated in proportion to district expenditures for these programs by building; and

 

(7) (8) other general fund revenues shall be allocated on a uniform per pupil basis, except that the department may allocate other revenues attributable to specific buildings directly to those buildings.

 

Sec. 6.  Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 124D.02, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 2.  Secondary school programs.  The board may permit a person who is over the age of 21 or who has graduated from high school to enroll as a part-time student in a class or program at a secondary school if there is space available.  In determining if there is space available, full-time public school students, eligible for free enrollment under section 120A.20, subdivision 1, and shared-time students shall be given priority over students seeking enrollment pursuant to this subdivision, and students returning to complete a regular course of study shall be given priority over part-time other students seeking enrollment pursuant to this subdivision.  The following are not prerequisites for enrollment:

 

(1) residency in the school district;

 

(2) United States citizenship; or


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(3) for a person over the age of 21, a high school diploma or equivalency certificate.  A person may enroll in a class or program even if that person attends evening school, an adult or continuing education, or a postsecondary educational program or institution.

 

Sec. 7.  Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 124D.02, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 4.  Part-time student fee.  Notwithstanding the provisions of sections 120A.20 and 123B.37, a board may charge a part-time student enrolled pursuant to subdivision 2 a reasonable fee for a class or program.

 

Sec. 8.  Minnesota Statutes 2005 Supplement, section 124D.68, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 2.  Eligible pupils.  The following pupils are A pupil under the age of 21 or who meets the requirements of section 120A.20, subdivision 1, paragraph (c), is eligible to participate in the graduation incentives program:

 

(a) any pupil under the age of 21 who, if the pupil:

 

(1) performs substantially below the performance level for pupils of the same age in a locally determined achievement test;

 

(2) is at least one year behind in satisfactorily completing coursework or obtaining credits for graduation;

 

(3) is pregnant or is a parent;

 

(4) has been assessed as chemically dependent;

 

(5) has been excluded or expelled according to sections 121A.40 to 121A.56;

 

(6) has been referred by a school district for enrollment in an eligible program or a program pursuant to section 124D.69;

 

(7) is a victim of physical or sexual abuse;

 

(8) has experienced mental health problems;

 

(9) has experienced homelessness sometime within six months before requesting a transfer to an eligible program;

 

(10) speaks English as a second language or has limited English proficiency; or

 

(11) has withdrawn from school or has been chronically truant; or.

 

(b) any person who is at least 21 years of age and who:

 

(1) has received fewer than 14 years of public or nonpublic education, beginning at age 5;

 

(2) has not completed the requirements for a high school diploma; and

 

(3) at the time of application, (i) is eligible for unemployment benefits or has exhausted the benefits, (ii) is eligible for, or is receiving income maintenance and support services, as defined in section 116L.19, subdivision 5, or (iii) is eligible for services under the displaced homemaker program or any programs under the federal Jobs Training Partnership Act or its successor.


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Sec. 9.  Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 124D.68, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 3.  Eligible programs.  (a) A pupil who is eligible according to subdivision 2 may enroll in area learning centers under sections 123A.05 to 123A.08.

 

(b) A pupil who is eligible according to subdivision 2 and who is between the ages of 16 and 21 may enroll in postsecondary courses under section 124D.09.

 

(c) A pupil who is eligible under subdivision 2, may enroll in any public elementary or secondary education program.  However, a person who is eligible according to subdivision 2, clause (b), may enroll only if the school board has adopted a resolution approving the enrollment.

 

(d) A pupil who is eligible under subdivision 2, may enroll in any nonpublic, nonsectarian school that has contracted with the serving school district to provide educational services.

 

(e) A pupil who is between the ages of 16 and 21 may enroll in any adult basic education programs approved under section 124D.52 and operated under the community education program contained in section 124D.19.

 

Sec. 10.  Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 125A.65, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 3.  Educational program; tuition.  (a) When it is determined pursuant to section 125A.69, subdivision 1 or 2, that the child is entitled to attend either school, the board of the Minnesota State Academies must provide the appropriate educational program for the child.

 

(b) For fiscal year 2006, the board of the Minnesota State Academies must make a tuition charge to the child's district of residence for the cost of providing the program.  The amount of tuition charged must not exceed the sum of (1) the general education revenue formula allowance times the pupil unit weighting factor pursuant to section 126C.05 for that child, for the amount of time the child is in the program, plus (2) if the child was enrolled at the Minnesota State Academies on October 1 of the previous fiscal year, the compensatory education revenue attributable to that child under section 126C.10, subdivision 3.  The district of the child's residence must pay the tuition and may claim general education aid for the child.  Tuition received by the board of the Minnesota State Academies, except for tuition for compensatory education revenue under this paragraph and tuition received under subdivision 4, must be deposited in the state treasury as provided in subdivision 8.

 

(c) For fiscal year 2007 and later, the district of the child's residence shall claim general education revenue for the child, except as provided in this paragraph.  Notwithstanding section 127A.47, subdivision 1, an amount equal to the general education revenue formula allowance times the pupil unit weighting factor pursuant to section 126C.05 for that child for the amount of time the child is in the program, as adjusted according to subdivision 8, paragraph (d), must be paid to the Minnesota State Academies.  Notwithstanding section 126C.15, subdivision 2, paragraph (d), the compensatory education revenue under section 126C.10, subdivision 3, attributable to children enrolled at the Minnesota State Academies on October 1 of the previous fiscal year must be paid to the Minnesota State Academies.  General education aid paid to the Minnesota State Academies under this paragraph must be credited to their general operation account.  Other general education aid attributable to the child must be paid to the district of the child's residence.

 

Sec. 11.  Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 125A.65, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 4.  Unreimbursed costs.  (a) For fiscal year 2006, in addition to the tuition charge allowed in subdivision 3, the academies may charge the child's district of residence for the academy's unreimbursed cost of providing an instructional aide assigned to that child, after deducting the special education aid under section 125A.76, attributable to the child, if that aide is required by the child's individual education plan.  Tuition received under this paragraph must be used by the academies to provide the required service.


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(b) For fiscal year 2007 and later, the special education aid paid to the academies shall be increased by the academy's unreimbursed cost of providing an instructional aide assigned to a child, after deducting the special education aid under section 125A.76 attributable to the child, if that aide is required by the child's individual education plan.  Aid received under this paragraph must be used by the academies to provide the required service.

 

(c) For fiscal year 2007 and later, the special education aid paid to the district of the child's residence shall be reduced by the amount paid to the academies for district residents under paragraph (b).

 

(d) Notwithstanding section 127A.45, subdivision 3, beginning in fiscal year 2008, the commissioner shall make an estimated final adjustment payment to the Minnesota State Academies for general education aid and special education aid for the prior fiscal year by August 15.

 

Sec. 12.  Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 125A.65, subdivision 6, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 6.  Tuition reduction.  Notwithstanding the provisions of subdivisions 3 and 5, the board of the Minnesota State Academies may agree to make a tuition charge, or receive an aid adjustment, as applicable, for less than the amount specified in subdivision 3 for pupils attending the applicable school who are residents of the district where the institution is located and who do not board at the institution, if that district agrees to make a tuition charge to the board of the Minnesota State Academies for less than the amount specified in subdivision 5 for providing appropriate educational programs to pupils attending the applicable school.

 

Sec. 13.  Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 125A.65, subdivision 8, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 8.  Student count; tuition.  (a) On May 1, 1996, and each year thereafter, the board of the Minnesota State Academies shall count the actual number of Minnesota resident special education eligible students enrolled and receiving education services at the Minnesota State Academy for the Deaf and the Minnesota State Academy for the Blind.

 

(b) For fiscal year 2006, the board of the Minnesota State Academies shall deposit in the state treasury an amount equal to all tuition received for the basic revenue according to subdivision 3, less the amount calculated in paragraph (b) (c).

 

(b) (c) For fiscal year 2006, the Minnesota State Academies shall credit to their general operation account an amount equal to the tuition received which represents tuition earned for the total number of students over 175 based on:

 

(1) the total number of enrolled students on May 1 less 175; times

 

(2) the ratio of the number of students in that grade category to the total number of students on May 1; times

 

(3) the general education revenue formula allowance; times

 

(4) the pupil unit weighting factor pursuant to section 126C.05.

 

(d) For fiscal year 2007 and later, the Minnesota State Academies shall report to the department the number of students by grade level counted according to paragraph (a).  The amount paid to the Minnesota State Academies under subdivision 3, paragraph (c), must be reduced by an amount equal to:

 

(1) the ratio of 175 to the total number of students on May 1; times

 

(2) the total basic revenue determined according to subdivision 3, paragraph (c).


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Sec. 14.  Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 125A.65, subdivision 10, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 10.  Annual appropriation.  There is annually appropriated to the department for the Minnesota State Academies the tuition or aid payment amounts received and credited to the general operation account of the academies under this section.  A balance in an appropriation under this paragraph does not cancel but is available in successive fiscal years.

 

Sec. 15.  Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 125A.69, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 3.  Out-of-state admissions.  An applicant from another state who can benefit from attending either academy may be admitted to the academy if the admission does not prevent an eligible Minnesota resident from being admitted.  The board of the Minnesota State Academies must obtain reimbursement from the other state for the costs of the out-of-state admission.  The state board may enter into an agreement with the appropriate authority in the other state for the reimbursement.  Money received from another state must be deposited in the general special revenue fund and credited to the general operating account of the academies.  The money is appropriated to the academies.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective retroactively from fiscal year 2001.

 

Sec. 16.  Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 126C.05, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

 

Subdivision 1.  Pupil unit.  Pupil units for each Minnesota resident pupil under the age of 21 or who meets the requirements of section 120A.20, subdivision 1, paragraph (c), in average daily membership enrolled in the district of residence, in another district under sections 123A.05 to 123A.08, 124D.03, 124D.06, 124D.07, 124D.08, or 124D.68; in a charter school under section 124D.10; or for whom the resident district pays tuition under section 123A.18, 123A.22, 123A.30, 123A.32, 123A.44, 123A.488, 123B.88, subdivision 4, 124D.04, 124D.05, 125A.03 to 125A.24, 125A.51, or 125A.65, shall be counted according to this subdivision.

 

(a) A prekindergarten pupil with a disability who is enrolled in a program approved by the commissioner and has an individual education plan is counted as the ratio of the number of hours of assessment and education service to 825 times 1.25 with a minimum average daily membership of 0.28, but not more than 1.25 pupil units.

 

(b) A prekindergarten pupil who is assessed but determined not to be handicapped is counted as the ratio of the number of hours of assessment service to 825 times 1.25.

 

(c) A kindergarten pupil with a disability who is enrolled in a program approved by the commissioner is counted as the ratio of the number of hours of assessment and education services required in the fiscal year by the pupil's individual education program plan to 875, but not more than one.

 

(d) A kindergarten pupil who is not included in paragraph (c) is counted as .557 of a pupil unit for fiscal year 2000 and thereafter.

 

(e) A pupil who is in any of grades 1 to 3 is counted as 1.115 pupil units for fiscal year 2000 and thereafter.

 

(f) A pupil who is any of grades 4 to 6 is counted as 1.06 pupil units for fiscal year 1995 and thereafter.

 

(g) A pupil who is in any of grades 7 to 12 is counted as 1.3 pupil units.

 

(h) A pupil who is in the postsecondary enrollment options program is counted as 1.3 pupil units.


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Sec. 17.  Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 126C.10, subdivision 6, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 6.  Definitions.  The definitions in this subdivision apply only to subdivisions 7 and 8.

 

(a) "High school" means a public secondary school, except a charter school under section 124D.10, that has pupils enrolled in at least the 10th, 11th, and 12th grades.  If there is no secondary high school in the district that has pupils enrolled in at least the 10th, 11th, and 12th grades, and the school is at least 19 miles from the next nearest school, the commissioner must designate one school in the district as a high school for the purposes of this section.

 

(b) "Secondary average daily membership" means, for a district that has only one high school, the average daily membership of pupils served in grades 7 through 12.  For a district that has more than one high school, "secondary average daily membership" for each high school means the product of the average daily membership of pupils served in grades 7 through 12 in the high school, times the ratio of six to the number of grades in the high school.

 

(c) "Attendance area" means the total surface area of the district, in square miles, divided by the number of high schools in the district.  For a district that does not operate a high school and is less than 19 miles from the nearest operating high school, the attendance area equals zero.

 

(d) "Isolation index" for a high school means the square root of 55 percent of the attendance area plus the distance in miles, according to the usually traveled routes, between the high school and the nearest high school.  For a district in which there is located land defined in section 84A.01, 84A.20, or 84A.31, the distance in miles is the sum of:

 

(1) the square root of one-half of the attendance area; and

 

(2) the distance from the border of the district to the nearest high school.

 

(e) "Qualifying high school" means a high school that has an isolation index greater than 23 and that has secondary average daily membership of less than 400.

 

(f) "Qualifying elementary school" means an a public elementary school, except a charter school under section 124D.10, that is located 19 miles or more from the nearest elementary school or from the nearest elementary school within the district and, in either case, has an elementary average daily membership of an average of 20 or fewer per grade.

 

(g) "Elementary average daily membership" means, for a district that has only one elementary school, the average daily membership of pupils served in kindergarten through grade 6.  For a district that has more than one elementary school, "average daily membership" for each school means the average daily membership of pupils served in kindergarten through grade 6 multiplied by the ratio of seven to the number of grades in the elementary school.

 

Sec. 18.  Minnesota Statutes 2005 Supplement, section 126C.10, subdivision 34, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 34.  Basic alternative teacher compensation aid.  (a) For fiscal year 2006, the basic alternative teacher compensation aid for a school district or an intermediate school district with a plan approved under section 122A.414, subdivision 2b, equals the alternative teacher compensation revenue under section 122A.415, subdivision 1.  The basic alternative teacher compensation aid for a charter school with an approved plan under section 122A.414, subdivision 2b, equals $260 times the number of pupils enrolled in the school on October 1 of the previous school year, or on October 1 of the current fiscal year for a charter school in the first year of operation.


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(b) For fiscal year 2007 and later, the basic alternative teacher compensation aid for a school district with a plan approved under section 122A.414, subdivision 2b, equals 73.1 percent of the alternative teacher compensation revenue under section 122A.415, subdivision 1.  The basic alternative teacher compensation aid for an intermediate school district or charter school with a plan approved under section 122A.414, subdivisions 2a and 2b, if the recipient is a charter school, equals $260 times the number of pupils enrolled in the school on October 1 of the previous fiscal year, or on October 1 of the current fiscal year for a charter school in the first year of operation, times the ratio of the sum of the alternative teacher compensation aid and alternative teacher compensation levy for all participating school districts to the maximum alternative teacher compensation revenue for those districts under section 122A.415, subdivision 1.

 

(c) For fiscal year 2008 and later, the basic alternative teacher compensation aid for a school district with a plan approved under section 122A.414, subdivision 2b, equals the alternative teacher compensation revenue under section 122A.415, subdivision 1, minus $70 times the number of pupils enrolled at participating sites on October 1 of the previous fiscal year.  The basic alternative teacher compensation aid for an intermediate school district or charter school with a plan approved under section 122A.414, subdivisions 2a and 2b, if the recipient is a charter school, equals $260 times the ratio of the formula allowance for the current fiscal year to the formula allowance for fiscal year 2007 times the number of pupils enrolled in the school on October 1 of the previous fiscal year, or on October 1 of the current fiscal year for a charter school in the first year of operation, times the ratio of the sum of the alternative teacher compensation aid and alternative teacher compensation levy for all participating school districts to the maximum alternative teacher compensation revenue for those districts under section 122A.415, subdivision 1.

 

(d) Notwithstanding paragraphs (a) and, (b), and (c) and section 122A.415, subdivision 1, the state total basic alternative teacher compensation aid entitlement must not exceed $19,329,000 for fiscal year 2006 and, $75,636,000 for fiscal year 2007 and later, and for fiscal year 2008 and later, $75,636,000 times the ratio of the formula allowance for the current fiscal year to the formula allowance for fiscal year 2007.  The commissioner must limit the amount of alternative teacher compensation aid approved under section sections 122A.415 and 122A.416 so as not to exceed these limits.

 

Sec. 19.  Minnesota Statutes 2005 Supplement, section 126C.43, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 2.  Payment to unemployment insurance program trust fund by state and political subdivisions.  (a) A district may levy the amount necessary (i) (1) to pay the district's obligations under section 268.052, subdivision 1, and (ii) (2) to pay for job placement services offered to employees who may become eligible for benefits pursuant to section 268.085 for the fiscal year the levy is certified.

 

(b) Districts with a balance remaining in their reserve for reemployment as of June 30, 2003, may not expend the reserved funds for future reemployment expenditures.  Each year a levy reduction must be made to return these funds to taxpayers.  The amount of the levy reduction must be equal to the lesser of: (1) the remaining reserved balance for reemployment, or (2) the amount of the district's current levy under paragraph (a).

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective the day following final enactment.

 

Sec. 20.  Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 126C.44, is amended to read:

 

126C.44 SAFE SCHOOLS LEVY. 

 

Each district may make a levy on all taxable property located within the district for the purposes specified in this section.  The maximum amount which may be levied for all costs under this section shall be equal to $27 multiplied by the district's adjusted marginal cost pupil units for the school year.  The proceeds of the levy must be reserved and used for directly funding the following purposes or for reimbursing the cities and counties who contract with the district for the following purposes: (1) to pay the costs incurred for the salaries, benefits, and transportation costs of


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peace officers and sheriffs for liaison in services in the district's schools; (2) to pay the costs for a drug abuse prevention program as defined in section 609.101, subdivision 3, paragraph (e), in the elementary schools; (3) to pay the costs for a gang resistance education training curriculum in the district's schools; (4) to pay the costs for security in the district's schools and on school property; or (5) to pay the costs for other crime prevention, drug abuse, student and staff safety, and violence prevention measures taken by the school district.  For expenditures under clause (1), the district must initially attempt to contract for services to be provided by peace officers or sheriffs with the police department of each city or the sheriff's department of the county within the district containing the school receiving the services.  If a local police department or a county sheriff's department does not wish to provide the necessary services, the district may contract for these services with any other police or sheriff's department located entirely or partially within the school district's boundaries.  The levy authorized under this section is not included in determining the school district's levy limitations.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective for revenue for fiscal year 2006.

 

Sec. 21.  Minnesota Statutes 2005 Supplement, section 127A.45, subdivision 10, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 10.  Payments to school nonoperating funds.  Each fiscal year state general fund payments for a district nonoperating fund must be made at the current year aid payment percentage of the estimated entitlement during the fiscal year of the entitlement.  This amount shall be paid in 12 equal monthly installments.  The amount of the actual entitlement, after adjustment for actual data, minus the payments made during the fiscal year of the entitlement must be paid prior to October 31 of the following school year.  The commissioner may make advance payments of debt service equalization aid and state-paid tax credits for a district's debt service fund earlier than would occur under the preceding schedule if the district submits evidence showing a serious cash flow problem in the fund.  The commissioner may make earlier payments during the year and, if necessary, increase the percent of the entitlement paid to reduce the cash flow problem.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective the day following final enactment.

 

Sec. 22.  REPEALER. 

 

Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 120A.20, subdivision 3, is repealed.

 

ARTICLE 2

 

EDUCATION EXCELLENCE

 

Section 1.  Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 120A.22, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 3.  Parent defined; residency determined.  (a) In this section and sections 120A.24 and 120A.26, "parent" means a parent, guardian, or other person having legal custody of a child.

 

(b) In sections 125A.03 to 125A.24 and 125A.65, "parent" means a parent, guardian, or other person having legal custody of a child under age 18.  For an unmarried pupil age 18 or over, "parent" means the pupil unless a guardian or conservator has been appointed, in which case it means the guardian or conservator.

 

(c) For purposes of sections 125A.03 to 125A.24 and 125A.65, the school district of residence for an unmarried pupil age 18 or over who is a parent under paragraph (b) and who is placed in a center for care and treatment, shall be the school district in which the pupil's biological or adoptive parent or designated guardian resides.

 

(d) For a married pupil age 18 or over, the school district of residence is the school district in which the married pupil resides.


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(e) If a district suspects that a student does not meet the residency requirements of the school district in which the student is attending school, the student may be removed from the school only after the district sends the student's parents written notice of the district's suspicion, including the facts upon which the suspicion is based, and an opportunity to provide documentary evidence of residency in person to the superintendent or designee, or, at the option of the parents, by sending the documentary evidence to the superintendent or a designee, who will then make a determination as to the residency status of the student.

 

Sec. 2.  Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 120B.023, is amended to read:

 

120B.023 BENCHMARKS. 

 

Subdivision 1.  Benchmarks implement, supplement statewide academic standards.  (a) The commissioner must supplement required state academic standards with grade-level benchmarks.  High school benchmarks may cover more than one grade.  The benchmarks must implement statewide academic standards by specifying the academic knowledge and skills that schools must offer and students must achieve to satisfactorily complete a state standard.  The commissioner must publish benchmarks are published to inform and guide parents, teachers, school districts, and other interested persons and for to use in developing tests consistent with the benchmarks.

 

(b) The commissioner shall publish benchmarks in the State Register and transmit the benchmarks in any other manner that makes them accessible to the general public.  The commissioner may charge a reasonable fee for publications.

 

(c) Once established, the commissioner may change the benchmarks only with specific legislative authorization and after completing a review under paragraph (d) subdivision 2.

 

(d) The commissioner must develop and implement a system for reviewing on a four-year cycle each of the required academic standards and related benchmarks and elective standards beginning in the 2006-2007 school year on a periodic cycle, consistent with subdivision 2.

 

(e) The benchmarks are not subject to chapter 14 and section 14.386 does not apply.

 

Subd. 2.  Revisions and reviews required.  (a) The commissioner of education must revise and appropriately embed technology design and information literacy standards into the state's academic standards and graduation requirements and implement a six-year review cycle for state academic standards and related benchmarks, consistent with this subdivision.  During each review cycle, the commissioner also must examine the alignment of each required academic standard and related benchmark with the knowledge and skills students need for college readiness and advanced work in the particular subject area.

 

(b) The commissioner in the 2006-2007 school year must revise and align the state's academic standards and high school graduation requirements in mathematics to require that students satisfactorily complete the revised mathematics standards, beginning in the 2010-2011 school year.  Under the revised standards:

 

(1) students must satisfactorily complete an algebra I credit by the end of eighth grade; and

 

(2) students scheduled to graduate in the 2014-2015 school year or later must satisfactorily complete an algebra II credit or its equivalent.

 

The commissioner also must ensure that the statewide mathematics assessments administered to students in grades 3 through 8 and 11 beginning in the 2010-2011 school year are aligned with the state academic standards in mathematics.  The statewide 11th grade math test administered to students under clause (2) beginning in the 2013-2014 school year must include algebra II test items that are aligned with corresponding state academic standards in mathematics.  The commissioner must implement a six-year review cycle for the academic standards and related benchmarks in mathematics beginning in the 2015-2016 school year.


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(c) The commissioner in the 2007-2008 school year must revise and align the state's academic standards and high school graduation requirements in the arts to require that students satisfactorily complete the revised arts standards beginning in the 2010-2011 school year.  The commissioner must implement a six-year review cycle for the academic standards and related benchmarks in arts beginning in the 2016-2017 school year.

 

(d) The commissioner in the 2008-2009 school year must revise and align the state's academic standards and high school graduation requirements in science to require that students satisfactorily complete the revised science standards, beginning in the 2011-2012 school year.  Under the revised standards, students scheduled to graduate in the 2014-2015 school year or later must satisfactorily complete a chemistry or physics credit.  The commissioner must implement a six-year review cycle for the academic standards and related benchmarks in science beginning in the 2017-2018 school year.

 

(e) The commissioner in the 2009-2010 school year must revise and align the state's academic standards and high school graduation requirements in language arts to require that students satisfactorily complete the revised language arts standards beginning in the 2012-2013 school year.  The commissioner must implement a six-year review cycle for the academic standards and related benchmarks in language arts beginning in the 2018-2019 school year.

 

(f) The commissioner in the 2010-2011 school year must revise and align the state's academic standards and high school graduation requirements in social studies to require that students satisfactorily complete the revised social studies standards beginning in the 2013-2014 school year.  The commissioner must implement a six-year review cycle for the academic standards and related benchmarks in social studies beginning in the 2019-2020 school year.

 

(g) School districts and charter schools must revise and align local academic standards and high school graduation requirements in health, physical education, world languages, and career and technical education to require students to complete the revised standards beginning in a school year determined by the school district or charter school.  School districts and charter schools must formally establish a periodic review cycle for the academic standards and related benchmarks in health, physical education, world languages, and career and technical education.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective the day following final enactment.

 

Sec. 3.  Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 120B.024, is amended to read:

 

120B.024 GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS; COURSE CREDITS; STUDENT TRANSFERS. 

 

(a) Students beginning 9th grade in the 2004-2005 school year and later must successfully complete the following high school level course credits for graduation:

 

(1) four credits of language arts;

 

(2) three credits of mathematics, encompassing at least algebra, geometry, statistics, and probability sufficient to satisfy the academic standard and beginning in the 2010-2011 school year for students scheduled to graduate in the 2014-2015 school year or later, one algebra II credit or its equivalent;

 

(3) three credits of science, including at least one credit in biology and for the 2011-2012 school year and later, one credit in chemistry or physics;

 

(4) three and one-half credits of social studies, encompassing at least United States history, geography, government and citizenship, world history, and economics or three credits of social studies encompassing at least United States history, geography, government and citizenship, and world history, and one-half credit of economics taught in a school's social studies, agriculture education, or business department;


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(5) one credit in the arts; and

 

(6) a minimum of seven elective course credits.

 

A course credit is equivalent to a student successfully completing an academic year of study or a student mastering the applicable subject matter, as determined by the local school district.

 

(b) An agriculture science course may fulfill a science credit requirement in addition to the specified science credits in biology and chemistry or physics under paragraph (a), clause (3).

 

(c) A district, area learning center, and charter school must establish processes by which to transfer as completed:

 

(1) those course credit requirements that other school sites within the district or other public schools verify on transcripts as completed; and

 

(2) the work that educational institutions outside the state accept for completing the equivalent of course credit requirements and verify on transcripts as completed.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective the day following final enactment.

 

Sec. 4.  Minnesota Statutes 2005 Supplement, section 120B.131, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 2.  Reimbursement for examination fees.  The state may reimburse college-level examination program (CLEP) fees for a Minnesota public high school student who has successfully completed one or more college-level courses in high school and earned a satisfactory score on one or more CLEP examinations in the following subjects: composition and literature, mathematics and science, social sciences and history, foreign languages, and business and humanities.  The state may reimburse each successful student for up to six examination fees.  The commissioner shall establish application procedures and a process and schedule for fee reimbursements.  The commissioner must give priority to reimburse the CLEP examination fees of students of low-income families.

 

Sec. 5.  Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 120B.36, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

 

Subdivision 1.  School performance report cards.  (a) The commissioner shall use objective criteria based on levels of student performance to identify four to six designations applicable to high and low performing public schools.  The objective criteria shall include at least student academic performance, school safety, and staff characteristics, with a value-added growth component added by the 2006-2007 school year.

 

(b) The commissioner shall develop, annually update, and post on the department Web site school performance report cards.  A school's designation must be clearly stated on each school performance report card.  The performance report cards must indicate both the cut scores and the corresponding percentages of items students must answer correctly at each set performance level adopted for the statewide tests the commissioner uses to determine school designations under this section.

 

(c) The commissioner must make available the first school designations and school performance report cards by November 2003, and during the beginning of each school year thereafter.

 

(d) A school or district may appeal in writing a designation under this section to the commissioner within 30 days of receiving the designation.  The commissioner's decision to uphold or deny an appeal is final.


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(e) School performance report cards are nonpublic data under section 13.02, subdivision 9, until not later than ten days after the appeal procedure described in paragraph (d) concludes.  The department shall annually post school performance report cards to its public Web site no later than September 1.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective for the 2006-2007 school year.

 

Sec. 6.  Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 121A.035, is amended to read:

 

121A.035 CRISIS MANAGEMENT POLICY. 

 

Subdivision 1.  Model policy.  By December 1, 1999, The commissioner shall maintain and make available to school boards and charter schools a model crisis management policy that includes, among other items, school lock-down and tornado drills, consistent with subdivision 2, and school fire drills under section 299F.30.

 

Subd. 2.  School district and charter school policy.  By July 1, 2000, A school board and a charter school must adopt a district crisis management policy to address potential violent crisis situations in the district or charter school.  The policy must be developed in consultation cooperatively with administrators, teachers, employees, students, parents, community members, law enforcement agencies, other emergency management officials, county attorney offices, social service agencies, emergency medical responders, and any other appropriate individuals or organizations.  The policy must include at least five school lock-down drills, five school fire drills consistent with section 299F.30, and one tornado drill.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective for the 2006-2007 school year and later.

 

Sec. 7.  [121A.037] SCHOOL SAFETY DRILLS. 

 

Private schools and educational institutions not subject to section 121A.035 must have at least five school lock-down drills, five school fire drills consistent with section 299F.30, and one tornado drill.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective for the 2006-2007 school year.

 

Sec. 8.  Minnesota Statutes 2005 Supplement, section 124D.095, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 4.  Online learning parameters.  (a) An online learning student must receive academic credit for completing the requirements of an online learning course or program.  Secondary credits granted to an online learning student must be counted toward the graduation and credit requirements of the enrolling district.  The enrolling district must apply the same graduation requirements to all students, including online learning students, and must continue to provide nonacademic services to online learning students.  If a student completes an online learning course or program that meets or exceeds a graduation standard or grade progression requirement at the enrolling district, that standard or requirement is met.  The enrolling district must use the same criteria for accepting online learning credits or courses as it does for accepting credits or courses for transfer students under section 124D.03, subdivision 9.  The enrolling district may reduce the teacher contact time of an online learning student in proportion to the number of online learning courses the student takes from an online learning provider that is not the enrolling district.

 

(b) An online learning student may:

 

(1) enroll during a single school year in a maximum of 12 semester-long courses or their equivalent delivered by an online learning provider or the enrolling district;

 

(2) complete course work at a grade level that is different from the student's current grade level; and


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(3) enroll in additional courses with the online learning provider under a separate agreement that includes terms for payment of any tuition or course fees.

 

(c) A student with a disability may enroll in an online learning course or program if the student's IEP team determines that online learning is appropriate education for the student.

 

(d) (c) An online learning student has the same access to the computer hardware and education software available in a school as all other students in the enrolling district.  An online learning provider must assist an online learning student whose family qualifies for the education tax credit under section 290.0674 to acquire computer hardware and educational software for online learning purposes.

 

(e) (d) An enrolling district may offer online learning to its enrolled students.  Such online learning does not generate online learning funds under this section.  An enrolling district that offers online learning only to its enrolled students is not subject to the reporting requirements or review criteria under subdivision 7.  A teacher with a Minnesota license must assemble and deliver instruction to enrolled students receiving online learning from an enrolling district.  The delivery of instruction occurs when the student interacts with the computer or the teacher and receives ongoing assistance and assessment of learning.  The instruction may include curriculum developed by persons other than a teacher with a Minnesota license.

 

(f) (e) An online learning provider that is not the enrolling district is subject to the reporting requirements and review criteria under subdivision 7.  A teacher with a Minnesota license must assemble and deliver instruction to online learning students.  The delivery of instruction occurs when the student interacts with the computer or the teacher and receives ongoing assistance and assessment of learning.  The instruction may include curriculum developed by persons other than a teacher with a Minnesota license.  Unless the commissioner grants a waiver, a teacher providing online learning instruction must not instruct more than 40 students in any one online learning course or program.

 

Sec. 9.  Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 124D.10, subdivision 16, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 16.  Transportation.  (a) By July 1 of each year, a charter school A charter school by March 1 of each fiscal year after its first fiscal year of operation and a charter school by July 1 of its first fiscal year of operation must notify the district in which the school is located and the Department of Education if it will provide transportation for pupils enrolled in the school its own transportation or use the transportation services of the district in which it is located for the fiscal year.

 

(b) If a charter school elects to provide transportation for pupils, the transportation must be provided by the charter school within the district in which the charter school is located.  The state must pay transportation aid to the charter school according to section 124D.11, subdivision 2.

 

For pupils who reside outside the district in which the charter school is located, the charter school is not required to provide or pay for transportation between the pupil's residence and the border of the district in which the charter school is located.  A parent may be reimbursed by the charter school for costs of transportation from the pupil's residence to the border of the district in which the charter school is located if the pupil is from a family whose income is at or below the poverty level, as determined by the federal government.  The reimbursement may not exceed the pupil's actual cost of transportation or 15 cents per mile traveled, whichever is less.  Reimbursement may not be paid for more than 250 miles per week.

 

At the time a pupil enrolls in a charter school, the charter school must provide the parent or guardian with information regarding the transportation.


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(c) If a charter school does not elect to provide transportation, transportation for pupils enrolled at the school must be provided by the district in which the school is located, according to sections 123B.88, subdivision 6, and 124D.03, subdivision 8, for a pupil residing in the same district in which the charter school is located.  Transportation may be provided by the district in which the school is located, according to sections 123B.88, subdivision 6, and 124D.03, subdivision 8, for a pupil residing in a different district.  If the district provides the transportation, the scheduling of routes, manner and method of transportation, control and discipline of the pupils, and any other matter relating to the transportation of pupils under this paragraph shall be within the sole discretion, control, and management of the district.

 

Sec. 10.  Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 124D.61, is amended to read:

 

124D.61 GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR PROGRAMS. 

 

A district which receives aid pursuant to section 124D.65 must comply with that enrolls one or more children of limited English proficiency must implement an educational program that includes at a minimum the following program requirements:

 

(1) identification and reclassification criteria for children of limited English proficiency and program entrance and exit criteria for children with limited English proficiency must be documented by the district, applied uniformly to children of limited English proficiency, and made available to parents and other stakeholders upon request;

 

(2) a written plan of services that describes programming by English proficiency level made available to parents upon request.  The plan must articulate the amount and scope of service offered to children of limited English proficiency through an educational program for children of limited English proficiency;

 

(3) professional development opportunities for ESL, bilingual education, mainstream, and all staff working with children of limited English proficiency which are: (i) coordinated with the district's professional development activities; (ii) related to the needs of children of limited English proficiency; and (iii) ongoing;

 

(4) to the extent possible, the district must avoid isolating children of limited English proficiency for a substantial part of the school day; and

 

(2) (5) in predominantly nonverbal subjects, such as art, music, and physical education, permit pupils of limited English proficiency shall be permitted to participate fully and on an equal basis with their contemporaries in public school classes provided for these subjects.  To the extent possible, the district must assure to pupils enrolled in a program for limited English proficient students an equal and meaningful opportunity to participate fully with other pupils in all extracurricular activities.

 

Sec. 11.  Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 299F.30, is amended to read:

 

299F.30 FIRE DRILL IN SCHOOL; DOORS AND EXITS. 

 

Subdivision 1.  Duties of fire marshal.  Consistent with sections 121A.035, 121A.037, and this section, it shall be the duty of the state fire marshal, deputies and assistants, to require public and private schools and educational institutions to have at least nine five fire drills each school year and to keep all doors and exits unlocked from the inside of the building during school hours.

 

Subd. 2.  Fire drill.  Each superintendent, principal or other person in charge of a public or private school, educational institution, children's home or orphanage housing 20 or more students or other persons, shall instruct and train such students or other persons to quickly and expeditiously quit the premises in case of fire or other emergency by means of drills or rapid dismissals at least once each month while such school, institution, home or orphanage is in operation.  Records of such drills shall be posted so that such records are available for review by the state fire marshal at all times and shall include the drill date and the time required to evacuate the building.


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Subd. 3.  School doors and exits.  Consistent with section 121A.035 and this section, each superintendent, principal or other person in charge of a public or private school, educational institution, children's home or orphanage shall keep all doors and exits of such school, institution, home or orphanage unlocked so that persons can leave by such doors or exits at any time during the hours of normal operation.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective for the 2006-2007 school year.

 

Sec. 12.  Laws 2005, First Special Session chapter 5, article 1, section 47, is amended to read:

 

Sec. 47.  ALTERNATIVE TEACHER COMPENSATION REVENUE GUARANTEE.  

 

Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, sections 122A.415, subdivision 1, and 126C.10, subdivision 34, paragraphs (a) and (b), a school district that received alternative teacher compensation aid for fiscal year 2005, but does not qualify for alternative teacher compensation revenue for all sites in the district for fiscal year 2006 or, 2007, 2008, or 2009, shall receive additional basic alternative teacher compensation aid for that fiscal year equal to the lesser of the amount of alternative teacher compensation aid it received for fiscal year 2005 or the amount it would have received for that fiscal year under Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 122A.415, subdivision 1, for teachers at sites not qualifying for alternative teacher compensation revenue for that fiscal year, if the district submits a timely application and the commissioner determines that the district continues to implement an alternative teacher compensation system, consistent with its application under Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 122A.415, for fiscal year 2005.  The additional basic alternative teacher compensation aid under this section must not be used in calculating the alternative teacher compensation levy under Minnesota Statutes, section 126C.10, subdivision 35.  This section applies only to fiscal years 2006 and 2007 through 2009 and does not apply to later fiscal years. 

 

Sec. 13.  Laws 2005, First Special Session chapter 5, article 2, section 84, subdivision 13, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 13.  Examination fees; teacher training and support programs. (a) For students' advanced placement and international baccalaureate examination fees under Minnesota Statutes, section 120B.13, subdivision 3, and the training and related costs for teachers and other interested educators under Minnesota Statutes, section 120B.13, subdivision 1: 

 

                                                        $4,500,000                                . . . . .                       2006

 

                                                        $4,500,000                                . . . . .                       2007

 

(b) The advanced placement program shall receive 75 percent of the appropriation each year and the international baccalaureate program shall receive 25 percent of the appropriation each year.  The department, in consultation with representatives of the advanced placement and international baccalaureate programs selected by the Advanced Placement Advisory Council and IBMN, respectively, shall determine the amounts of the expenditures each year for examination fees and training and support programs for each program. 

 

(c) Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 120B.13, subdivision 1, at least $500,000 each year is for teachers to attend subject matter summer training programs and follow-up support workshops approved by the advanced placement or international baccalaureate programs.  The amount of the subsidy for each teacher attending an advanced placement or international baccalaureate summer training program or workshop shall be the same.  The commissioner shall determine the payment process and the amount of the subsidy.  Teachers shall apply for teacher training scholarships to prepare for teaching in the advanced placement or international baccalaureate program.  Any reserved funding not expended for teacher training may be used for exam fees and other support programs for each program.  


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(d) The commissioner shall pay all examination fees for all students of low-income families under Minnesota Statutes, section 120B.13, subdivision 3, and to the extent of available appropriations shall also pay examination fees for students sitting for an advanced placement examination, international baccalaureate examination, or both. 

 

Any balance in the first year does not cancel but is available in the second year. 

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective the day following final enactment.

 

Sec. 14.  ADVISORY TASK FORCE ON SCHOOL AND STAFF EMERGENCY/ALL HAZARD PREPAREDNESS. 

 

(a) An advisory task force on school and staff emergency/all hazard preparedness is established to consider and recommend to the legislature proposals for strengthening kindergarten through grade 12 crisis management and school safety efforts including, at least, whether or not to:

 

(1) develop specific K-12 teacher and school administrator competencies related to emergency/all hazard preparedness;

 

(2) provide emergency/all hazard preparedness training to currently licensed K-12 teachers and school administrators;

 

(3) incorporate emergency/all hazard preparedness competencies into existing teacher and school administrator preparation curriculum;

 

(4) identify key emergency/all hazard preparedness competencies appropriate to teacher and school administrator preparation curriculum and ongoing teacher and school administrator training; and

 

(5) expect federal funds to supplement state emergency/all hazard preparedness initiatives.

 

(b) The commissioner of education shall appoint an advisory task force on school and staff emergency/all hazard preparedness that is composed of a representative from each of the following entities: the state Board of Teaching; the state Board of School Administrators; the state fire marshal; law enforcement agencies; emergency responders; school principals; school counselors; nonlicensed school employees; the Minnesota School Boards Association; Education Minnesota; the Minnesota Department of Education; the Minnesota Department of Health; the Minnesota Department of Public Safety; Minnesota State Colleges and Universities; Minnesota Association of School Administrators; and others recommended by task force members.  Task force members' terms and other task force matters are subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 15.059.  The commissioner may not compensate or reimburse task force members for task force activities.  The task force must submit by February 15, 2007, to the education policy and finance committees of the legislature a written report that includes recommendations on strengthening K-12 crisis management and school safety efforts.

 

(c) The task force expires February 16, 2007.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective the day following final enactment.

 

Sec. 15.  2006 SCHOOL ACCOUNTABILITY REPORT. 

 

Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 120B.36, for 2006 reporting only, the Department of Education may delay the release to the public and the posting of the 2006 school performance report cards and adequate yearly progress data on its public Web site to no later than November 30, 2006.


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Sec. 16.  ADVISORY TASK FORCE ON OPTIONS FOR ACCELERATED K-12 TECHNOLOGY, SCIENCE, AND MATHEMATICS PROGRAMS THROUGHOUT MINNESOTA. 

 

(a) An advisory task force on options for accelerated kindergarten through grade 12 technology, science, and mathematics programs throughout Minnesota is established to consider and recommend to the legislature alternatives for delivering accelerated technology, science, and mathematics programs to eligible students throughout Minnesota that include creating an academic center.  Recommended programs must provide accelerated technology, science, and mathematics instruction to eligible students in grades 6 through 12 and be cost effective and efficiently implemented and operated.  Other recommended programs may offer accelerated technology, science, and mathematics instruction to other eligible elementary grade students, provide out-of-school and summer school K-12 technology, science, and mathematics instruction throughout the state, provide professional development for K-12 teachers in technology, science and mathematics curriculum and instruction, and develop technology, science and mathematics curriculum.

 

(b) The advisory task force at least must:

 

(1) evaluate and compare at least five alternatives for delivering accelerated technology, science, and mathematics programs to Minnesota students that include creating an academic center that may be patterned after the Perpich Center for Arts Education under Minnesota Statutes, chapter 129C, and may include online learning, satellite technology, science, and mathematics centers, and a consortium of available accelerated technology, science, and mathematics or accelerated education programs, among other alternatives, and evaluate how such programs may be integrated into the academic center;

 

(2) identify and evaluate possible members for a science, mathematics, engineering, and technology leadership consortium composed of representatives of corporations, organizations, educational institutions, and research facilities to help implement accelerated K-12 technology, science, and mathematics programs in Minnesota that include creating an academic center;

 

(3) evaluate and compare at least three alternatives for preparing and assisting educational leaders who are literate in technology, science, and mathematics to help implement accelerated K-12 technology, science, and mathematics programs in Minnesota that include creating an academic center and may include gifted education and accelerated technology, science, and mathematics teacher training programs, and evaluate how such programs may be integrated into the academic center; and

 

(4) identify and evaluate postsecondary career and technical education programs offering or requiring accelerated technology, science, and mathematics instruction.

 

(c) The commissioner of education shall appoint a 17-member advisory task force on options for accelerated K‑12 technology, science, and mathematics programs throughout Minnesota that represents the following representatives: a gifted education coordinator, an educator holding a gifted education certificate or an instructor in a graduate level gifted education program; a currently licensed or retired high school physical science teacher; a currently licensed or retired high school mathematics teacher; a faculty member providing instruction under the Minnesota postsecondary enrollment options program or an educator providing instruction under the college in the schools program; a faculty member or educator providing instruction in the Minnesota talented youth mathematics program; a University of Minnesota mathematics or engineering professor; a University of Minnesota physical science professor; a manager or director in a high technology field, corporation, organization, or facility; a manager or director in a medical field or profession; a manager or director in a research-based field, corporation, organization, or facility; one or more parents of high school students gifted in technology, mathematics, or science; a physical science teacher and a biology teacher, one of whom is licensed to teach middle level students and one of whom is licensed to teach high school level students; a high school career and technical instructor; a faculty member in a postsecondary institution offering technical two-year degrees who provides career and technical instruction; a


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manager or director in a technology, mathematics, or science industry who employs persons with associate degrees in a technical field; a manager or director in the biosciences industry; and two at-large members.  In appointing members, the commissioner must attempt to ensure geographic balance.  Task force members must actively seek the participation of gifted and talented students to advise the task force throughout its existence on any recommendations the task force proposes to submit to the legislature and on any other recommendations related to this section.  Task force members may not receive compensation and may not be reimbursed for expenses related to serving on the task force.  The task force may receive, for the benefit of the task force, bequests, donations, or gifts for any proper purpose and apply the bequests, donations, or gifts to the purpose designated.  Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, the task force may conduct meetings of its members by telephone or other electronic means where all members can hear one another and all the discussion, at least one member is physically present at the regular meeting location, and interested members of the public can hear all the discussion.  Task force members' terms and other task force matters are subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 15.059.  The task force must submit by January 30, 2007, a written report and presentation to the Education Policy and Finance committees of the legislature that include recommendations on alternatives for delivering accelerated technology, science, and mathematics programs to eligible students throughout Minnesota.

 

(d) Upon request, the commissioner of education must provide the task force with technical and other support services.  The commissioner must use funds from the current operating budget of the Department of Education to cover any costs the commissioner incurs in providing services to the task force.

 

(e) The task force expires June 30, 2007.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective the day following final enactment.

 

ARTICLE 3

 

SPECIAL PROGRAMS

 

Section 1.  Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 125A.02, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

 

Subdivision 1.  Child with a disability.  Every child who has a hearing impairment, blindness, visual disability, speech or language impairment, physical handicap, other health impairment, mental handicap, emotional/behavioral disorder, specific learning disability, autism, traumatic brain injury, multiple disabilities, or deaf/blind disability and needs special instruction and services, as determined by the standards of the commissioner, is a child with a disability.  In addition, every child under age three, and at local district discretion from age three to age seven, who needs special instruction and services, as determined by the standards of the commissioner, because the child has a substantial delay or has an identifiable physical or mental condition known to hinder normal development is a child with a disability.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective the day following final enactment.

 

Sec. 2.  Minnesota Statutes 2005 Supplement, section 125A.11, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

 

Subdivision 1.  Nonresident tuition rate; other costs.  (a) For fiscal year 2006, when a school district provides instruction and services outside the district of residence, board and lodging, and any tuition to be paid, shall be paid by the district of residence.  The tuition rate to be charged for any child with a disability, excluding a pupil for whom tuition is calculated according to section 127A.47, subdivision 7, paragraph (d), must be the sum of (1) the actual cost of providing special instruction and services to the child including a proportionate amount for special transportation and unreimbursed building lease and debt service costs for facilities used primarily for special education, plus (2) the amount of general education revenue and referendum aid attributable to the pupil, minus (3) the amount of special education aid for children with a disability received on behalf of that child, minus (4) if the


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pupil receives special instruction and services outside the regular classroom for more than 60 percent of the school day, the amount of general education revenue and referendum aid, excluding portions attributable to district and school administration, district support services, operations and maintenance, capital expenditures, and pupil transportation, attributable to that pupil for the portion of time the pupil receives special instruction in and services outside the regular classroom.  If the boards involved do not agree upon the tuition rate, either board may apply to the commissioner to fix the rate.  Notwithstanding chapter 14, the commissioner must then set a date for a hearing or request a written statement from each board, giving each board at least ten days' notice, and after the hearing or review of the written statements the commissioner must make an order fixing the tuition rate, which is binding on both school districts.  General education revenue and referendum aid attributable to a pupil must be calculated using the resident district's average general education and referendum revenue per adjusted pupil unit.

 

(b) For fiscal year 2007 and later, when a school district provides special instruction and services for a pupil with a disability as defined in section 125A.02 outside the district of residence, excluding a pupil for whom an adjustment to special education aid is calculated according to section 127A.47, subdivision 7, paragraph (e), special education aid paid to the resident district must be reduced by an amount equal to (1) the actual cost of providing special instruction and services to the pupil, including a proportionate amount for special transportation and unreimbursed building lease and debt service costs for facilities used primarily for special education, plus (2) the amount of general education revenue and referendum aid attributable to that pupil, minus (3) the amount of special education aid for children with a disability received on behalf of that child, minus (4) if the pupil receives special instruction and services outside the regular classroom for more than 60 percent of the school day, the amount of general education revenue and referendum aid, excluding portions attributable to district and school administration, district support services, operations and maintenance, capital expenditures, and pupil transportation, attributable to that pupil for the portion of time the pupil receives special instruction in and services outside the regular classroom.  General education revenue and referendum aid attributable to a pupil must be calculated using the resident district's average general education revenue and referendum aid per adjusted pupil unit.  Special education aid paid to the district or cooperative providing special instruction and services for the pupil must be increased by the amount of the reduction in the aid paid to the resident district.  Amounts paid to cooperatives under this subdivision and section 127A.47, subdivision 7, shall be recognized and reported as revenues and expenditures on the resident school district's books of account under sections 123B.75 and 123B.76.  If the resident district's special education aid is insufficient to make the full adjustment, the remaining adjustment shall be made to other state aid due to the district.

 

(c) Notwithstanding paragraphs (a) and (b) and section 127A.47, subdivision 7, paragraphs (d) and (e), a charter school where more than 30 percent of enrolled students receive special education and related services, an intermediate district, or a special education cooperative may apply to the commissioner for authority to charge the resident district an additional amount to recover any remaining unreimbursed costs of serving pupils with a disability.  The application must include a description of the costs and the calculations used to determine the unreimbursed portion to be charged to the resident district.  Amounts approved by the commissioner under this paragraph must be included in the tuition billings or aid adjustments under paragraph (a) or (b), or section 127A.47, subdivision 7, paragraph (d) or (e), as applicable.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective the day following final enactment.

 

Sec. 3.  Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 125A.27, subdivision 11, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 11.  Interagency child find systems.  "Interagency child find systems" means activities developed on an interagency basis with the involvement of interagency early intervention committees and other relevant community groups using rigorous standards to actively seek out, identify, and refer infants and young children, with, or at risk of, disabilities, and their families, including a child under the age of three who: (1) is involved in a substantiated case of abuse or neglect, or (2) is identified as affected by illegal substance abuse or withdrawal symptoms resulting from prenatal drug exposure, to reduce children's need for future services.


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Sec. 4.  Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 125A.29, is amended to read:

 

125A.29 RESPONSIBILITIES OF COUNTY BOARDS AND SCHOOL BOARDS. 

 

(a) It is the joint responsibility of county boards and school boards to coordinate, provide, and pay for appropriate services, and to facilitate payment for services from public and private sources.  Appropriate services for children eligible under section 125A.02 must be determined in consultation with parents, physicians, and other educational, medical, health, and human services providers.  The services provided must be in conformity with:

 

(1) an IFSP for each eligible infant and toddler from birth through age two and its the infant's or toddler's family, including:

 

(i) American Indian infants and toddlers with disabilities and their families residing on a reservation geographically located in the state;

 

(ii) infants and toddlers with disabilities who are homeless children and their families; and

 

(iii) infants and toddlers with disabilities who are wards of the state; or

 

(2) an individual education plan (IEP) or individual service plan (ISP) for each eligible child ages three through four.

 

(b) Appropriate services include family education and counseling, home visits, occupational and physical therapy, speech pathology, audiology, psychological services, special instruction, nursing, respite, nutrition, assistive technology, transportation and related costs, social work, vision services, case management including service coordination under section 125A.33, medical services for diagnostic and evaluation purposes, early identification, and screening, assessment, and health services necessary to enable children with disabilities to benefit from early intervention services.

 

(c) School and county boards shall coordinate early intervention services.  In the absence of agreements established according to section 125A.39, service responsibilities for children birth through age two are as follows:

 

(1) school boards must provide, pay for, and facilitate payment for special education and related services required under sections 125A.05 and 125A.06;

 

(2) county boards must provide, pay for, and facilitate payment for noneducational services of social work, psychology, transportation and related costs, nursing, respite, and nutrition services not required under clause (1).

 

(d) School and county boards may develop an interagency agreement according to section 125A.39 to establish agency responsibility that assures early intervention services are coordinated, provided, paid for, and that payment is facilitated from public and private sources.

 

(e) County and school boards must jointly determine the primary agency in this cooperative effort and must notify the commissioner of the state lead agency of their decision.

 

Sec. 5.  Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 125A.30, is amended to read:

 

125A.30 INTERAGENCY EARLY INTERVENTION COMMITTEES. 

 

(a) A school district, group of districts, or special education cooperative, in cooperation with the health and human service agencies located in the county or counties in which the district or cooperative is located, must establish an Interagency Early Intervention Committee for children with disabilities under age five and their families under this section, and for children with disabilities ages three to 22 consistent with the requirements under sections


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125A.023 and 125A.027.  Committees must include representatives of local health, education, and county human service agencies, county boards, school boards, early childhood family education programs, Head Start, parents of young children with disabilities under age 12, child care resource and referral agencies, school readiness programs, current service providers, and may also include representatives from other private or public agencies and school nurses.  The committee must elect a chair from among its members and must meet at least quarterly.

 

(b) The committee must develop and implement interagency policies and procedures concerning the following ongoing duties:

 

(1) develop public awareness systems designed to inform potential recipient families, especially parents with premature infants, or infants with other physical risk factors associated with learning or development complications, of available programs and services;

 

(2) to reduce families' need for future services, and especially parents with premature infants, or infants with other physical risk factors associated with learning or development complications, implement interagency child find systems designed to actively seek out, identify, and refer infants and young children with, or at risk of, disabilities and their families, including a child under the age of three who: (i) is involved in a substantiated case of abuse or (ii) is identified as affected by illegal substance abuse or with withdrawal symptoms resulting from prenatal drug exposure;

 

(3) establish and evaluate the identification, referral, child and family assessment systems, procedural safeguard process, and community learning systems to recommend, where necessary, alterations and improvements;

 

(4) assure the development of individualized family service plans for all eligible infants and toddlers with disabilities from birth through age two, and their families, and individual education plans and individual service plans when necessary to appropriately serve children with disabilities, age three and older, and their families and recommend assignment of financial responsibilities to the appropriate agencies;

 

(5) encourage agencies to develop individual family service plans for children with disabilities, age three and older;

 

(6) implement a process for assuring that services involve cooperating agencies at all steps leading to individualized programs;

 

(7) (6) facilitate the development of a transitional plan if a service provider is not recommended to continue to provide services;

 

(8) (7) identify the current services and funding being provided within the community for children with disabilities under age five and their families;

 

(9) (8) develop a plan for the allocation and expenditure of additional state and federal early intervention funds under United States Code, title 20, section 1471 et seq. (Part C, Public Law 102-119 108-446) and United States Code, title 20, section 631, et seq. (Chapter I, Public Law 89-313); and

 

(10) (9) develop a policy that is consistent with section 13.05, subdivision 9, and federal law to enable a member of an interagency early intervention committee to allow another member access to data classified as not public.

 

(c) The local committee shall also:

 

(1) participate in needs assessments and program planning activities conducted by local social service, health and education agencies for young children with disabilities and their families; and


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(2) review and comment on the early intervention section of the total special education system for the district, the county social service plan, the section or sections of the community health services plan that address needs of and service activities targeted to children with special health care needs, the section on children with special needs in the county child care fund plan, sections in Head Start plans on coordinated planning and services for children with special needs, any relevant portions of early childhood education plans, such as early childhood family education or school readiness, or other applicable coordinated school and community plans for early childhood programs and services, and the section of the maternal and child health special project grants that address needs of and service activities targeted to children with chronic illness and disabilities.

 

Sec. 6.  Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 125A.32, is amended to read:

 

125A.32 INDIVIDUALIZED FAMILY SERVICE PLAN. 

 

(a) A team must participate in IFSP meetings to develop the IFSP.  The team shall include:

 

(1) a parent or parents of the child;

 

(2) other family members, as requested by the parent, if feasible to do so;

 

(3) an advocate or person outside of the family, if the parent requests that the person participate;

 

(4) the service coordinator who has been working with the family since the initial referral, or who has been designated by the public agency to be responsible for implementation of the IFSP and coordination with other agencies including transition services; and

 

(5) a person or persons involved in conducting evaluations and assessments.

 

(b) The IFSP must include:

 

(1) information about the child's developmental status;

 

(2) family information, with the consent of the family;

 

(3) measurable results or major outcomes expected to be achieved by the child and the family, with the family's assistance, that include the developmentally appropriate preliteracy and language skills, and criteria, procedures, and timelines related to the results or outcomes;

 

(4) specific early intervention services based on peer-reviewed research, to the extent practicable, necessary to meet the unique needs of the child and the family to achieve the outcomes;

 

(5) payment arrangements, if any;

 

(6) medical and other services that the child needs, but that are not required under the Individual with Disabilities Education Act, United States Code, title 20, section 1471 et seq. (Part C, Public Law 102-119 108-446) including funding sources to be used in paying for those services and the steps that will be taken to secure those services through public or private sources;

 

(7) dates and duration of early intervention services;

 

(8) name of the service coordinator;


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(9) steps to be taken to support a child's transition from early intervention services to other appropriate services, including convening a transition conference at least 90 days, or at the discretion of all parties, not more than nine months before the child is eligible for preschool services; and

 

(10) signature of the parent and authorized signatures of the agencies responsible for providing, paying for, or facilitating payment, or any combination of these, for early intervention services.

 

Sec. 7.  Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 125A.33, is amended to read:

 

125A.33 SERVICE COORDINATION. 

 

(a) The team developing the IFSP under section 125A.32 must select a service coordinator to carry out service coordination activities on an interagency basis.  Service coordination must actively promote a family's capacity and competency to identify, obtain, coordinate, monitor, and evaluate resources and services to meet the family's needs.  Service coordination activities include:

 

(1) coordinating the performance of evaluations and assessments;

 

(2) facilitating and participating in the development, review, and evaluation of individualized family service plans;

 

(3) assisting families in identifying available service providers;

 

(4) coordinating and monitoring the delivery of available services;

 

(5) informing families of the availability of advocacy services;

 

(6) coordinating with medical, health, and other service providers;

 

(7) facilitating the development of a transition plan at least 90 days before the time the child is no longer eligible for early intervention services, or at the discretion of all parties, not more than nine months before the child is eligible for preschool services, if appropriate;

 

(8) managing the early intervention record and submitting additional information to the local primary agency at the time of periodic review and annual evaluations; and

 

(9) notifying a local primary agency when disputes between agencies impact service delivery required by an IFSP.

 

(b) A service coordinator must be knowledgeable about children and families receiving services under this section, requirements of state and federal law, and services available in the interagency early childhood intervention system.

 

Sec. 8.  Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 125A.48, is amended to read:

 

125A.48 STATE INTERAGENCY AGREEMENT. 

 

(a) The commissioners of the Departments of Education, Health, and Human Services must enter into an agreement to implement this section and Part H C, Public Law 102-119 108-446, and as required by Code of Federal Regulations, title 34, section 303.523, to promote the development and implementation of interagency, coordinated, multidisciplinary state and local early childhood intervention service systems for serving eligible young children


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with disabilities, birth through age two, and their families and to ensure the meaningful involvement of underserved groups, including children with disabilities from minority, low-income, homeless, and rural families, and children with disabilities who are wards of the state.  The agreement must be reviewed annually.

 

(b) The state interagency agreement must outline at a minimum the conditions, procedures, purposes, and responsibilities of the participating state and local agencies for the following:

 

(1) membership, roles, and responsibilities of a state interagency committee for the oversight of priorities and budget allocations under Part H C, Public Law 102-119 108-446, and other state allocations for this program;

 

(2) child find;

 

(3) establishment of local interagency agreements;

 

(4) review by a state interagency committee of the allocation of additional state and federal early intervention funds by local agencies;

 

(5) fiscal responsibilities of the state and local agencies;

 

(6) intraagency and interagency dispute resolution;

 

(7) payor of last resort;

 

(8) maintenance of effort;

 

(9) procedural safeguards, including mediation;

 

(10) complaint resolution;

 

(11) quality assurance;

 

(12) data collection;

 

(13) an annual summary to the state Interagency Coordinating Council regarding conflict resolution activities including disputes, due process hearings, and complaints; and

 

(14) other components of the state and local early intervention system consistent with Public Law 102-119 108‑446.

 

Written materials must be developed for parents, IEIC's, and local service providers that describe procedures developed under this section as required by Code of Federal Regulations, title 34, section 303.

 

Sec. 9.  Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 125A.515, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

 

Subdivision 1.  Approval of education programs.  The commissioner shall approve education programs for placement of children and youth in care and treatment residential facilities including detention centers, before being licensed by the Department of Human Services under Minnesota Rules, parts 9545.0905 to 9545.1125 and 9545.1400 to 9545.1480, or the Department of Corrections under Minnesota Rules, chapters 2925, 2930, 2935, and 2950.  Education programs in these facilities shall conform to state and federal education laws including the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).  This section applies only to placements in residential facilities licensed by the Department of Human Services or the Department of Corrections.


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Sec. 10.  Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 125A.515, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 3.  Responsibilities for providing education.  (a) The district in which the residential facility is located must provide education services, including special education if eligible, to all students placed in a facility for care and treatment.

 

(b) For education programs operated by the Department of Corrections, the providing district shall be the Department of Corrections.  For students remanded to the commissioner of corrections, the providing and resident district shall be the Department of Corrections.

 

(c) Placement for care and treatment does not automatically make a student eligible for special education.  A student placed in a care and treatment facility is eligible for special education under state and federal law including the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act under United States Code, title 20, chapter 33.

 

Sec. 11.  Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 125A.515, subdivision 5, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 5.  Education programs for students placed in residential facilities for care and treatment.  (a) When a student is placed in a care and treatment facility approved under this section that has an on-site education program, the providing district, upon notice from the care and treatment facility, must contact the resident district within one business day to determine if a student has been identified as having a disability, and to request at least the student's transcript, and for students with disabilities, the most recent individualized education plan (IEP) and evaluation report, and to determine if the student has been identified as a student with a disability.  The resident district must send a facsimile copy to the providing district within two business days of receiving the request.

 

(b) If a student placed for care and treatment under this section has been identified as having a disability and has an individual education plan in the resident district:

 

(1) the providing agency must conduct an individualized education plan meeting to reach an agreement about continuing or modifying special education services in accordance with the current individualized education plan goals and objectives and to determine if additional evaluations are necessary; and

 

(2) at least the following people shall receive written notice or documented phone call to be followed with written notice to attend the individualized education plan meeting:

 

(i) the person or agency placing the student;

 

(ii) the resident district;

 

(iii) the appropriate teachers and related services staff from the providing district;

 

(iv) appropriate staff from the care and treatment residential facility;

 

(v) the parents or legal guardians of the student; and

 

(vi) when appropriate, the student.

 

(c) For a student who has not been identified as a student with a disability, a screening must be conducted by the providing districts as soon as possible to determine the student's educational and behavioral needs and must include a review of the student's educational records.


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Sec. 12.  Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 125A.515, subdivision 6, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 6.  Exit report summarizing educational progress.  If a student has been placed in a care and treatment facility under this section for 15 or more business days, the providing district must prepare an exit report summarizing the regular education, special education, evaluation, educational progress, and service information and must send the report to the resident district and the next providing district if different, the parent or legal guardian, and any appropriate social service agency.  For students with disabilities, this report must include the student's IEP.

 

Sec. 13.  Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 125A.515, subdivision 7, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 7.  Minimum educational services required.  When a student is placed in a facility approved under this section, at a minimum, the providing district is responsible for:

 

(1) the education necessary, including summer school services, for a student who is not performing at grade level as indicated in the education record or IEP; and

 

(2) a school day, of the same length as the school day of the providing district, unless the unique needs of the student, as documented through the IEP or education record in consultation with treatment providers, requires an alteration in the length of the school day.

 

Sec. 14.  Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 125A.515, subdivision 9, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 9.  Reimbursement for education services.  (a) Education services provided to students who have been placed for care and treatment under this section are reimbursable in accordance with special education and general education statutes.

 

(b) Indirect or consultative services provided in conjunction with regular education prereferral interventions and assessment provided to regular education students suspected of being disabled and who have demonstrated learning or behavioral problems in a screening are reimbursable with special education categorical aids.

 

(c) Regular education, including screening, provided to students with or without disabilities is not reimbursable with special education categorical aids.

 

Sec. 15.  Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 125A.515, subdivision 10, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 10.  Students unable to attend school but not placed in care and treatment facilities covered under this section.  Students who are absent from, or predicted to be absent from, school for 15 consecutive or intermittent days, and placed at home or in facilities not licensed by the Departments Department of Corrections or Human Services are not students placed for care and treatment entitled to regular and special education services, consistent with applicable law and rule.  These students include students with and without disabilities who are home due to accident or illness, in a hospital or other medical facility, or in a day treatment center.  These students are entitled to education services through their district of residence.

 

Sec. 16.  Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 125A.63, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 4.  Advisory committees.  The Special Education Advisory Council commissioner shall establish an advisory committee for each resource center.  The advisory committees shall develop recommendations regarding the resource centers and submit an annual report to the commissioner on the form and in the manner prescribed by the commissioner.


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Sec. 17.  Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 125A.75, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

 

Subdivision 1.  Travel aid.  The state must pay each district one-half of the sum actually expended by a district, based on mileage, for necessary travel of essential personnel providing home-based services to children with a disability under age five and their families.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective the day following final enactment.

 

Sec. 18.  Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 125A.76, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

 

Subd. 4a.  Special education maintenance of effort.  If, on the basis of a forecast of general fund revenues and expenditures, expenditures for special education aid under section 125A.76; transition for disabled students under section 124D.454; travel for home-based services under section 124A.75, subdivision 1; aid for students with disabilities under section 125A.75, subdivision 3; court-placed special education under section 125A.79, subdivision 4; or out-of-state tuition under section 125A.79, subdivision 8; are projected to be less than the amount previously forecast, the excess from these programs, up to an amount sufficient to meet federal special education maintenance of effort, is added to the state total special education aid in section 125A.76, subdivision 4.

 

If, on the basis of a forecast of general fund revenues and expenditures, expenditures in the programs in this subdivision are projected to be greater than previously forecast, and an addition to state total special education aid has been made under this subdivision, the state total special education aid must be reduced by the lesser of the amount of the expenditure increase or the amount previously added to state total special education aid, and this amount must be allocated back to the programs which were forecast to have an excess.

 

For the purposes of this subdivision, "previously forecast" means the allocation of funding for these programs in either the most recent forecast of general fund revenues and expenditures or the act appropriating money for these programs, whichever occurred most recently.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective for revenue for fiscal year 2006.

 

Sec. 19.  Minnesota Statutes 2005 Supplement, section 125A.79, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

 

Subdivision 1.  Definitions.  For the purposes of this section, the definitions in this subdivision apply.

 

(a) "Unreimbursed special education cost" means the sum of the following:

 

(1) expenditures for teachers' salaries, contracted services, supplies, equipment, and transportation services eligible for revenue under section 125A.76; plus

 

(2) expenditures for tuition bills received under sections 125A.03 to 125A.24 and 125A.65 for services eligible for revenue under section 125A.76, subdivision 2; minus

 

(3) revenue for teachers' salaries, contracted services, supplies, and equipment under section 125A.76; minus

 

(4) tuition receipts under sections 125A.03 to 125A.24 and 125A.65 for services eligible for revenue under section 125A.76, subdivision 2.

 

(b) "General revenue" means the sum of the general education revenue according to section 126C.10, subdivision 1, as adjusted according to section 127A.47, subdivisions 7 and 8 excluding alternative teacher compensation revenue, plus the total qualifying referendum revenue specified in paragraph (e) minus transportation sparsity revenue minus total operating capital revenue.


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(c) "Average daily membership" has the meaning given it in section 126C.05.

 

(d) "Program growth factor" means 1.02 for fiscal year 2003, and 1.0 for fiscal year 2004 and later.

 

(e) "Total qualifying referendum revenue" means two-thirds of the district's total referendum revenue as adjusted according to section 127A.47, subdivision 7, paragraphs (a), (b), and (c), for fiscal year 2006, one-third of the district's total referendum revenue for fiscal year 2007, and none of the district's total referendum revenue for fiscal year 2008 and later.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective for revenue for fiscal year 2006.

 

Sec. 20.  RULE ON VISUALLY IMPAIRED TO INCLUDE REFERENCES TO "BLIND" AND "BLINDNESS." 

 

The commissioner of education, where appropriate, must incorporate references to "blind" and "blindness" into the definition of visually impaired under Minnesota Rules, part 3525.1345, and amend the rule title to include the word "blind."

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective the day following final enactment.

 

Sec. 21.  DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION RULES. 

 

Before July 1, 2007, the Department of Education shall amend Minnesota Rules, part 3525.2325, to conform with Minnesota Statutes, section 125A.515.

 

Sec. 22.  SPECIAL EDUCATION TUITION BILLING FOR FISCAL YEARS 2006 AND 2007. 

 

(a) Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, sections 125A.11, subdivision 1, paragraph (a), and 127A.47, subdivision 7, paragraph (d), for fiscal year 2006 an intermediate district, special education cooperative, or school district that served as an applicant agency for a group of school districts for federal special education aids for fiscal year 2006 is not subject to the uniform special education tuition billing calculations, but may instead continue to bill the resident school districts for the actual unreimbursed costs of serving pupils with a disability as determined by the intermediate district.

 

(b) Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 125A.11, subdivision 1, paragraph (c), for fiscal year 2007 only, an applicant district may apply to the commissioner for a waiver from the uniform special education tuition calculations and aid adjustments under Minnesota Statutes, sections 125A.11, subdivision 1, paragraph (b), and 127A.47, subdivision 7, paragraph (e).  The commissioner must grant the waiver within 30 days of receiving the following information from the intermediate district:

 

(1) a detailed description of the applicant district's methodology for calculating special education tuition for fiscal years 2006 and 2007, as required by the applicant district to recover the full cost of serving pupils with a disability;

 

(2) sufficient data to determine the total amount of special education tuition actually charged for each student with a disability, as required by the applicant district to recover the full cost of serving pupils with a disability in fiscal year 2006; and

 

(3) sufficient data to determine the amount that would have been charged for each student for fiscal year 2006 using the uniform tuition billing methodology according to Minnesota Statutes, sections 125A.11, subdivision 1, or 127A.47, subdivision 7, as applicable.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective the day following final enactment for fiscal year 2006.


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Sec. 23.  REPEALER. 

 

Minnesota Statutes 2004, sections 125A.10; and 125A.515, subdivision 2, are repealed.

 

ARTICLE 4

 

ACCOUNTING

 

Section 1.  Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 123B.10, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

 

Subdivision 1.  Budgets.  By October 1 November 30, every board must publish revenue and expenditure budgets for the current year and the actual revenues, expenditures, fund balances for the prior year and projected fund balances for the current year in a form prescribed by the commissioner.  The forms prescribed must be designed so that year to year comparisons of revenue, expenditures and fund balances can be made.  These budgets, reports of revenue, expenditures and fund balances must be published in a qualified newspaper of general circulation in the district or on the district's official Web site.  If published on the district's official Web site, the district must also publish an announcement in a qualified newspaper of general circulation in the district that includes the Internet address where the information has been posted.

 

Sec. 2.  Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 123B.77, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

 

Subd. 1a.  School district consolidated financial statement.  The commissioner shall develop, implement, and maintain a school district consolidated financial statement format that converts uniform financial accounting and reporting standards data under subdivision 1 into a more understandable format.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective the day following final enactment.

 

Sec. 3.  Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 123B.77, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 3.  Statement for comparison and correction.  (a) By November 30 of the calendar year of the submission of the unaudited financial data, the district must provide to the commissioner audited financial data for the preceding fiscal year.  The audit must be conducted in compliance with generally accepted governmental auditing standards, the federal Single Audit Act, and the Minnesota legal compliance guide issued by the Office of the State Auditor.  An audited financial statement prepared in a form which will allow comparison with and correction of material differences in the unaudited financial data shall be submitted to the commissioner and the state auditor by December 31.  The audited financial statement must also provide a statement of assurance pertaining to uniform financial accounting and reporting standards compliance and a copy of the management letter submitted to the district by the school district's auditor.

 

(b) By December 15 of the calendar year of the submission of the unaudited financial data, the commissioner shall convert the audited financial data required by this subdivision into the consolidated financial statement format required under subdivision 1a and publish the information on the department's Web site.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective for financial statements prepared in 2006.

 

Sec. 4.  Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 123B.79, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

 

Subd. 9.  Elimination of reserve accounts.  A school board shall eliminate all reserve accounts established in the school district's general fund under Minnesota Statutes before July 1, 2005, for which no specific authority remains in statute as of June 30, 2006.  Any balance in the district's reserved for bus purchases account as of June 30, 2006, shall be transferred to the reserved account for operating capital in the school district's general fund. 


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Any balance in other reserved accounts established in the school district's general fund under Minnesota Statutes before July 1, 2005, for which no specific authority remains in statute as of June 30, 2006, shall be transferred to the school district's unreserved general fund balance.  A school board may, upon adoption of a resolution by the school board, establish a designated account for any program for which a reserved account has been eliminated.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective June 30, 2006.

 

Sec. 5.  Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 127A.41, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 2.  Errors in distribution.  On determining that the amount of state aid distributed to a school district is in error, the commissioner is authorized to adjust the amount of aid consistent with this subdivision.  On determining that the amount of aid is in excess of the school district's entitlement, the commissioner is authorized to recover the amount of the excess by any appropriate means.  Notwithstanding the fiscal years designated by the appropriation, the excess may be recovered by reducing future aid payments to the district.  Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, if the aid reduced is not of the same type as that overpaid, the district must adjust all necessary financial accounts to properly reflect all revenues earned in accordance with the uniform financial accounting and reporting standards pursuant to sections 123B.75 to 123B.83.  Notwithstanding the fiscal years designated by the appropriation, on determining that the amount of an aid paid is less than the school district's entitlement, the commissioner is authorized to increase such aid from the current appropriation.  If the aid program has been discontinued and has no appropriation, the appropriation for general education shall be used for recovery or payment of the aid decrease or increase.  Any excess of aid recovery over aid payment shall be canceled to the state general fund.

 

ARTICLE 5

 

SELF-SUFFICIENCY AND LIFELONG LEARNING

 

Section 1.  Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 124D.518, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 4.  First prior program year.  "First prior program year" means the period from May 1 of the second prior fiscal year through April 30 of the first prior fiscal year specific time period defined by the commissioner that aligns to a program academic year.

 

Sec. 2.  Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 124D.52, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

 

Subdivision 1.  Program requirements.  (a) An adult basic education program is a day or evening program offered by a district that is for people over 16 years of age who do not attend an elementary or secondary school.  The program offers academic instruction necessary to earn a high school diploma or equivalency certificate.

 

(b) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, a school board or the governing body of a consortium offering an adult basic education program may adopt a sliding fee schedule based on a family's income, but must waive the fee for participants who are under the age of 21 or unable to pay.  The fees charged must be designed to enable individuals of all socioeconomic levels to participate in the program.  A program may charge a security deposit to assure return of materials, supplies, and equipment.

 

(c) Each approved adult basic education program must develop a memorandum of understanding with the local workforce development centers located in the approved program's service delivery area.  The memorandum of understanding must describe how the adult basic education program and the workforce development centers will cooperate and coordinate services to provide unduplicated, efficient, and effective services to clients.


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(d) Adult basic education aid must be spent for adult basic education purposes as specified in sections 124D.518 to 124D.531.

 

(e) A state-approved adult basic education program must count and submit student contact hours for a program that offers high school credit toward an adult high school diploma according to student eligibility requirements and competency demonstration requirements established by the commissioner.

 

ARTICLE 6

 

PUPIL TRANSPORTATION

 

Section 1.  Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 123B.90, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 2.  Student training.  (a) Each district must provide public school pupils enrolled in kindergarten through grade 10 with age-appropriate school bus safety training, as described in this section, of the following concepts:

 

(1) transportation by school bus is a privilege and not a right;

 

(2) district policies for student conduct and school bus safety;

 

(3) appropriate conduct while on the school bus;

 

(4) the danger zones surrounding a school bus;

 

(5) procedures for safely boarding and leaving a school bus;

 

(6) procedures for safe street or road crossing; and

 

(7) school bus evacuation.

 

(b) Each nonpublic school located within the district must provide all nonpublic school pupils enrolled in kindergarten through grade 10 who are transported by school bus at public expense and attend school within the district's boundaries with training as required in paragraph (a).

 

(c) Students enrolled in kindergarten through grade 6 who are transported by school bus and are enrolled during the first or second week of school must receive the school bus safety training competencies by the end of the third week of school.  Students enrolled in grades 7 through 10 who are transported by school bus and are enrolled during the first or second week of school and have not previously received school bus safety training must receive the training or receive bus safety instructional materials by the end of the sixth week of school.  Students taking driver's training instructional classes and other students in grades 9 and grade 9 or 10 must receive training in the laws and proper procedures when operating a motor vehicle in the vicinity of a school bus.  Students enrolled in kindergarten through grade 10 who enroll in a school after the second week of school and are transported by school bus and have not received training in their previous school district shall undergo school bus safety training or receive bus safety instructional materials within four weeks of the first day of attendance.  Upon request of the superintendent of schools, the school transportation safety director in each district must certify to the superintendent of schools annually that all students transported by school bus within the district have received the school bus safety training according to this section.  Upon request of the superintendent of the school district where the nonpublic school is located, the principal or other chief administrator of each nonpublic school must certify annually to the school transportation safety director of the district in which the school is located that the school's students transported by school bus at public expense have received training according to this section.


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(d) A district and a nonpublic school with students transported by school bus at public expense may provide kindergarten pupils with bus safety training before the first day of school.

 

(e) A district and a nonpublic school with students transported by school bus at public expense may also provide student safety education for bicycling and pedestrian safety, for students enrolled in kindergarten through grade 5.

 

(f) A district and a nonpublic school with students transported by school bus at public expense must make reasonable accommodations for the school bus safety training of pupils known to speak English as a second language and pupils with disabilities.

 

(g) The district and a nonpublic school with students transported by school bus at public expense must provide students enrolled in kindergarten through grade 3 school bus safety training twice during the school year.

 

(h) A district and a nonpublic school with students transported by school bus at public expense must conduct a school bus evacuation drill at least once during the school year.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective July 1, 2006.

 

Sec. 2.  Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 123B.91, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

 

Subd. 1a.  Compliance by nonpublic and charter school students.  A nonpublic or charter school student transported by a public school district shall comply with student bus conduct and student bus discipline policies of the transporting public school district.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective July 1, 2006.

 

Sec. 3.  Minnesota Statutes 2005 Supplement, section 123B.92, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

 

Subdivision 1.  Definitions.  For purposes of this section and section 125A.76, the terms defined in this subdivision have the meanings given to them.

 

(a) "Actual expenditure per pupil transported in the regular and excess transportation categories" means the quotient obtained by dividing:

 

(1) the sum of:

 

(i) all expenditures for transportation in the regular category, as defined in paragraph (b), clause (1), and the excess category, as defined in paragraph (b), clause (2), plus

 

(ii) an amount equal to one year's depreciation on the district's school bus fleet and mobile units computed on a straight line basis at the rate of 15 percent per year for districts operating a program under section 124D.128 for grades 1 to 12 for all students in the district and 12-1/2 percent per year for other districts of the cost of the fleet, plus

 

(iii) an amount equal to one year's depreciation on the district's type three school buses, as defined in section 169.01, subdivision 6, clause (5), which must be used a majority of the time for pupil transportation purposes, computed on a straight line basis at the rate of 20 percent per year of the cost of the type three school buses by:

 

(2) the number of pupils eligible for transportation in the regular category, as defined in paragraph (b), clause (1), and the excess category, as defined in paragraph (b), clause (2).


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(b) "Transportation category" means a category of transportation service provided to pupils as follows:

 

(1) Regular transportation is:

 

(i) transportation to and from school during the regular school year for resident elementary pupils residing one mile or more from the public or nonpublic school they attend, and resident secondary pupils residing two miles or more from the public or nonpublic school they attend, excluding desegregation transportation and noon kindergarten transportation; but with respect to transportation of pupils to and from nonpublic schools, only to the extent permitted by sections 123B.84 to 123B.87;

 

(ii) transportation of resident pupils to and from language immersion programs;

 

(iii) transportation of a pupil who is a custodial parent and that pupil's child between the pupil's home and the child care provider and between the provider and the school, if the home and provider are within the attendance area of the school;

 

(iv) transportation to and from or board and lodging in another district, of resident pupils of a district without a secondary school; and

 

(v) transportation to and from school during the regular school year required under subdivision 3 for nonresident elementary pupils when the distance from the attendance area border to the public school is one mile or more, and for nonresident secondary pupils when the distance from the attendance area border to the public school is two miles or more, excluding desegregation transportation and noon kindergarten transportation.

 

For the purposes of this paragraph, a district may designate a licensed day care facility, school day care facility, respite care facility, the residence of a relative, or the residence of a person chosen by the pupil's parent or guardian as the home of a pupil for part or all of the day, if requested by the pupil's parent or guardian, and if that facility or residence is within the attendance area of the school the pupil attends.

 

(2) Excess transportation is:

 

(i) transportation to and from school during the regular school year for resident secondary pupils residing at least one mile but less than two miles from the public or nonpublic school they attend, and transportation to and from school for resident pupils residing less than one mile from school who are transported because of extraordinary traffic, drug, or crime hazards; and

 

(ii) transportation to and from school during the regular school year required under subdivision 3 for nonresident secondary pupils when the distance from the attendance area border to the school is at least one mile but less than two miles from the public school they attend, and for nonresident pupils when the distance from the attendance area border to the school is less than one mile from the school and who are transported because of extraordinary traffic, drug, or crime hazards.

 

(3) Desegregation transportation is transportation within and outside of the district during the regular school year of pupils to and from schools located outside their normal attendance areas under a plan for desegregation mandated by the commissioner or under court order.

 

(4) "Transportation services for pupils with disabilities" is:

 

(i) transportation of pupils with disabilities who cannot be transported on a regular school bus between home or a respite care facility and school;


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(ii) necessary transportation of pupils with disabilities from home or from school to other buildings, including centers such as developmental achievement centers, hospitals, and treatment centers where special instruction or services required by sections 125A.03 to 125A.24, 125A.26 to 125A.48, and 125A.65 are provided, within or outside the district where services are provided;

 

(iii) necessary transportation for resident pupils with disabilities required by sections 125A.12, and 125A.26 to 125A.48;

 

(iv) board and lodging for pupils with disabilities in a district maintaining special classes;

 

(v) transportation from one educational facility to another within the district for resident pupils enrolled on a shared-time basis in educational programs, and necessary transportation required by sections 125A.18, and 125A.26 to 125A.48, for resident pupils with disabilities who are provided special instruction and services on a shared-time basis or if resident pupils are not transported, the costs of necessary travel between public and private schools or neutral instructional sites by essential personnel employed by the district's program for children with a disability;

 

(vi) transportation for resident pupils with disabilities to and from board and lodging facilities when the pupil is boarded and lodged for educational purposes; and

 

(vii) services described in clauses (i) to (vi), when provided for pupils with disabilities in conjunction with a summer instructional program that relates to the pupil's individual education plan or in conjunction with a learning year program established under section 124D.128.

 

For purposes of computing special education base revenue under section 125A.76, subdivision 2, the cost of providing transportation for children with disabilities includes (A) the additional cost of transporting a homeless student from a temporary nonshelter home in another district to the school of origin, or a formerly homeless student from a permanent home in another district to the school of origin but only through the end of the academic year; and (B) depreciation on district-owned school buses purchased after July 1, 2005, and used primarily for transportation of pupils with disabilities, calculated according to paragraph (a), clauses (ii) and (iii).  Depreciation costs included in the disabled transportation category must be excluded in calculating the actual expenditure per pupil transported in the regular and excess transportation categories according to paragraph (a).

 

(5) "Nonpublic nonregular transportation" is:

 

(i) transportation from one educational facility to another within the district for resident pupils enrolled on a shared-time basis in educational programs, excluding transportation for nonpublic pupils with disabilities under clause (4);

 

(ii) transportation within district boundaries between a nonpublic school and a public school or a neutral site for nonpublic school pupils who are provided pupil support services pursuant to section 123B.44; and

 

(iii) late transportation home from school or between schools within a district for nonpublic school pupils involved in after-school activities.

 

(c) "Mobile unit" means a vehicle or trailer designed to provide facilities for educational programs and services, including diagnostic testing, guidance and counseling services, and health services.  A mobile unit located off nonpublic school premises is a neutral site as defined in section 123B.41, subdivision 13.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective July 1, 2006.


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Sec. 4.  Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 169.01, subdivision 6, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 6.  School bus.  "School bus" means a motor vehicle used to transport pupils to or from a school defined in section 120A.22, or to or from school-related activities, by the school or a school district, or by someone under an agreement with the school or a school district.  A school bus does not include a motor vehicle transporting children to or from school for which parents or guardians receive direct compensation from a school district, a motor coach operating under charter carrier authority, a transit bus providing services as defined in section 174.22, subdivision 7, a multifunction school activity bus as defined by federal motor vehicle safety standards, or a vehicle otherwise qualifying as a type III vehicle under paragraph (5), when the vehicle is properly registered and insured and being driven by an employee or agent of a school district for nonscheduled or nonregular transportation.  A school bus may be type A, type B, type C, or type D, or type III as follows:

 

(1) A "type A school bus" is a van conversion or bus constructed utilizing a cutaway front section vehicle with a left-side driver's door.  The entrance door is behind the front wheels.  This definition includes two classifications: type A-I, with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) less than or equal to 10,000 14,500 pounds or less; and type A-II, with a GVWR greater than 10,000 14,500 pounds and less than or equal to 21,500 pounds.

 

(2) A "type B school bus" is constructed utilizing a stripped chassis.  The entrance door is behind the front wheels.  This definition includes two classifications: type B-I, with a GVWR less than or equal to 10,000 pounds; and type B-II, with a GVWR greater than 10,000 pounds.

 

(3) A "type C school bus" is constructed utilizing a chassis with a hood and front fender assembly.  The entrance door is behind the front wheels.  A "type C school bus" also includes a cutaway truck chassis or truck chassis with cab with or without a left side door and with a GVWR greater than 21,500 pounds.

 

(4) A "type D school bus" is constructed utilizing a stripped chassis.  The entrance door is ahead of the front wheels.

 

(5) Type III school buses and type III Head Start buses are restricted to passenger cars, station wagons, vans, and buses having a maximum manufacturer's rated seating capacity of ten or fewer people, including the driver, and a gross vehicle weight rating of 10,000 pounds or less.  In this subdivision, "gross vehicle weight rating" means the value specified by the manufacturer as the loaded weight of a single vehicle.  A "type III school bus" and "type III Head Start bus" must not be outwardly equipped and identified as a type A, B, C, or D school bus or type A, B, C, or D Head Start bus.  A van or bus converted to a seating capacity of ten or fewer and placed in service on or after August 1, 1999, must have been originally manufactured to comply with the passenger safety standards.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective January 1, 2007.

 

Sec. 5.  Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 169.447, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 2.  Driver seat belt.  New School buses and Head Start buses manufactured after December 31, 1994, must be equipped with driver seat belts and seat belt assemblies of the type described in section 169.685, subdivision 3.  School bus drivers and Head Start bus drivers must use these seat belts.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective July 1, 2006.

 

Sec. 6.  Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 169.4501, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

 

Subdivision 1.  National standards adopted.  Except as provided in sections 169.4502 and 169.4503, the construction, design, equipment, and color of types A, B, C, and D school buses used for the transportation of school children shall meet the requirements of the "bus chassis standards" and "bus body standards" in the 2000 2005


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edition of the "National School Transportation Specifications and Procedures" adopted by the National Conference Congress on School Transportation.  Except as provided in section 169.4504, the construction, design, and equipment of types A, B, C, and D school buses used for the transportation of students with disabilities also shall meet the requirements of the "specially equipped school bus standards" in the 2000 2005 National School Transportation Specifications and Procedures.  The "bus chassis standards," "bus body standards," and "specially equipped school bus standards" sections of the 2000 2005 edition of the "National School Transportation Specifications and Procedures" are incorporated by reference in this chapter.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective January 1, 2007.

 

Sec. 7.  Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 169.4501, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 2.  Applicability.  (a) The standards adopted in this section and sections 169.4502 and 169.4503, govern the construction, design, equipment, and color of school buses used for the transportation of school children, when owned or leased and operated by a school or privately owned or leased and operated under a contract with a school.  Each school, its officers and employees, and each person employed under the contract is subject to these standards.

 

(b) The standards apply to school buses manufactured after October 31, 2004 December 31, 2006.  Buses complying with the standards when manufactured need not comply with standards established later except as specifically provided for by law.

 

(c) A school bus manufactured on or before October 31, 2004 December 31, 2006, must conform to the Minnesota standards in effect on the date the vehicle was manufactured except as specifically provided for in law.

 

(d) A new bus body may be remounted on a used chassis provided that the remounted vehicle meets state and federal standards for new buses which are current at the time of the remounting.  Permission must be obtained from the commissioner of public safety before the remounting is done.  A used bus body may not be remounted on a new or used chassis.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective January 1, 2007.

 

Sec. 8.  Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 169.4502, subdivision 5, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 5.  Electrical system; battery.  (a) The storage battery, as established by the manufacturer's rating, must be of sufficient capacity to care for starting, lighting, signal devices, heating, and other electrical equipment.  In a bus with a gas-powered chassis, the battery or batteries must provide a minimum of 800 cold cranking amperes.  In a bus with a diesel-powered chassis, the battery or batteries must provide a minimum of 1050 cold cranking amperes.

 

(b) In a type B bus with a gross vehicle weight rating of 15,000 pounds or more, and type C and D buses, the battery shall be temporarily mounted on the chassis frame.  The final location of the battery and the appropriate cable lengths in these buses must comply with the SBMI design objectives booklet.

 

(c) All batteries shall be mounted according to chassis manufacturers' recommendations.

 

(d) In a type C bus, other than are powered by diesel fuel, a battery providing at least 550 cold cranking amperes may be installed in the engine compartment only if used in combination with a generator or alternator of at least 120 130 amperes.

 

(e) A bus with a gross vehicle weight rating of 15,000 pounds or less may be equipped with a battery to provide a minimum of 550 cold cranking amperes only if used in combination with an alternator of at least 80 130 amperes.  This paragraph does not apply to those buses with wheelchair lifts or diesel engines.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective January 1, 2007.


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Sec. 9.  Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 169.4503, subdivision 20, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 20.  Seat and crash barriers.  (a) All restraining barriers and passenger seats shall be covered with a material that has fire retardant or fire block characteristics.

 

(b) All seats must have a minimum cushion depth of 15 inches and a seat back height of at least 20 inches above the seating reference point.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective January 1, 2007.

 

Sec. 10.  Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 171.321, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 4.  Training.  (a) No person shall drive a class A, B, C, or D school bus when transporting school children to or from school or upon a school-related trip or activity without having demonstrated sufficient skills and knowledge to transport students in a safe and legal manner.

 

(b) A bus driver must have training or experience that allows the driver to meet at least the following competencies:

 

(1) safely operate the type of school bus the driver will be driving;

 

(2) understand student behavior, including issues relating to students with disabilities;

 

(3) encourage orderly conduct of students on the bus and handle incidents of misconduct appropriately;

 

(4) know and understand relevant laws, rules of the road, and local school bus safety policies;

 

(5) handle emergency situations; and

 

(6) safely load and unload students.

 

(c) The commissioner of public safety shall develop a comprehensive model school bus driver training program and model assessments for school bus driver training competencies, which are not subject to chapter 14.  A school district, nonpublic school, or private contractor may use alternative assessments for bus driver training competencies with the approval of the commissioner of public safety.  After completion of bus driver training competencies, a driver may receive at least eight hours of school bus in-service training any year, as an alternative to being assessed for bus driver competencies.  The employer shall keep the assessment or a record of the in-service training for the current period available for inspection by representatives of the commissioner.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective July 1, 2006.

 

Sec. 11.  REPEALER. 

 

Minnesota Statutes 2004, sections 169.4502, subdivision 15; and 169.4503, subdivisions 17, 18, and 26, are repealed.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective January 1, 2007."


Journal of the House - 97th Day - Thursday, April 27, 2006 - Top of Page 7186

Delete the title and insert:

 

"A bill for an act relating to education; providing for early childhood and family and kindergarten through grade 12 education including general education revenue, education excellence, special programs, accounting, self‑sufficiency and lifelong learning, and pupil transportation; establishing task forces; requiring reports; providing for rulemaking; amending Minnesota Statutes 2004, sections 120A.20, subdivision 1; 120A.22, subdivision 3; 120B.023; 120B.024; 120B.36, subdivision 1; 121A.035; 123A.06, subdivision 2; 123B.10, subdivision 1; 123B.77, subdivision 3, by adding a subdivision; 123B.79, by adding a subdivision; 123B.90, subdivision 2; 123B.91, by adding a subdivision; 124D.02, subdivisions 2, 4; 124D.10, subdivision 16; 124D.518, subdivision 4; 124D.52, subdivision 1; 124D.61; 124D.68, subdivision 3; 125A.02, subdivision 1; 125A.27, subdivision 11; 125A.29; 125A.30; 125A.32; 125A.33; 125A.48; 125A.515, subdivisions 1, 3, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10; 125A.63, subdivision 4; 125A.65, subdivisions 3, 4, 6, 8, 10; 125A.69, subdivision 3; 125A.75, subdivision 1; 125A.76, by adding a subdivision; 126C.05, subdivision 1; 126C.10, subdivision 6; 126C.44; 127A.41, subdivision 2; 169.01, subdivision 6; 169.447, subdivision 2; 169.4501, subdivisions 1, 2; 169.4502, subdivision 5; 169.4503, subdivision 20; 171.321, subdivision 4; 299F.30; Minnesota Statutes 2005 Supplement, sections 120B.131, subdivision 2; 122A.415, subdivisions 1, 3; 123B.76, subdivision 3; 123B.92, subdivision 1; 124D.095, subdivision 4; 124D.68, subdivision 2; 125A.11, subdivision 1; 125A.79, subdivision 1; 126C.10, subdivision 34; 126C.43, subdivision 2; 127A.45, subdivision 10; Laws 2005, First Special Session chapter 5, article 1, section 47; article 2, section 84, subdivision 13; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 121A; repealing Minnesota Statutes 2004, sections 120A.20, subdivision 3; 125A.10; 125A.515, subdivision 2; 169.4502, subdivision 15; 169.4503, subdivisions 17, 18, 26.

 

 

With the recommendation that when so amended the bill pass and be re-referred to the Committee on Rules and Legislative Administration.

 

      The report was adopted.

 

 

Ozment from the Committee on Agriculture, Environment and Natural Resources Finance to which was referred:

 

H. F. No. 3718, A bill for an act relating to transportation; requiring language that the state will purchase plug-in hybrid electric vehicles when commercially available to be inserted in certain bid documents; appropriating money for the retrofitting of flexible fuel vehicles to operate as plug-in hybrid electric vehicles.

 

Reported the same back with the following amendments:

 

Delete everything after the enacting clause and insert:

 

"Section 1.  STATE PURCHASING OF PLUG-IN HYBRID ELECTRIC VEHICLES. 

 

Subdivision 1.  Definition.  (a) As used in sections 2 and 3, "plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV)" means a vehicle containing an internal combustion engine that also allows power to be delivered to the drive wheels by a battery-powered electric motor and that meets applicable federal motor vehicle safety standards.  When connected to the electrical grid via an electrical outlet, the vehicle must be able to recharge its battery.  The vehicle must have the ability to travel at least 20 miles, powered substantially by electricity.

 

(b) As used in this section, "neighborhood electric vehicle" means an electrically powered motor vehicle that has four wheels and has a speed attainable in one mile of at least 20 miles per hour but not more than 25 miles per hour on a paved level surface.


Journal of the House - 97th Day - Thursday, April 27, 2006 - Top of Page 7187

Subd. 2.  Notice of state procurement policy in bid documents.  All solicitation documents for the purchase of a passenger automobile, as defined in Minnesota Statutes, section 168.011, subdivision 7; pickup truck, as defined in Minnesota Statutes, section 168.011, subdivision 29; or van, as defined in Minnesota Statutes, section 168.011, subdivision 28, issued under the jurisdiction of the Department of Administration after June 30, 2006, must contain the following language: "It is the intention of the state of Minnesota to begin purchasing plug-in hybrid electric vehicles and neighborhood electric vehicles as soon as they become commercially available, meet the state's performance specifications, and are priced no more than ten percent above the price for comparable gasoline-powered vehicles.  It is the intention of the state to purchase plug-in hybrid electric vehicles and neighborhood electric vehicles whenever practicable after these conditions have been met and as fleet needs dictate for at least five years after these conditions have been met.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective the day following final enactment.

 

Sec. 2.  PLUG-IN HYBRID ELECTRIC VEHICLE RETROFIT PROJECT. 

 

The automotive engineering program at Minnesota State University - Mankato is strongly encouraged to retrofit two flexible fuel vehicles to also operate as plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV's).  If the legislature does not appropriate funds for this purpose, the Department of Administration and Minnesota State University - Mankato may accept donations and work cooperatively with nonprofit agencies, higher education institutions, and public agencies to procure vehicles and obtain other necessary funds to conduct the retrofit.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective the day following final enactment.

 

Sec. 3.  PLUG-IN HYBRID ELECTRIC VEHICLE TASK FORCE. 

 

Subdivision 1.  Establishment; membership.  The plug-in hybrid electric vehicle task force is established.  The task force shall consist of 13 members as follows:

 

(1) one representative each from Xcel Energy and Great River Energy;

 

(2) one representative each from the Minnesota Department of Commerce, the Minnesota Department of Transportation, and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency;

 

(3) the director of the Travel Management Division of the Minnesota Department of Administration, or the director's designee;

 

(4) a representative from the University of Minnesota Department of Electrical Engineering;

 

(5) one representative each from Minnesota-based manufacturers of electric batteries, automotive parts, and power electronics;

 

(6) a representative from an environmental advocacy organization active in electricity issues;

 

(7) a representative of United Auto Workers Local 879; and

 

(8) a representative of the Ford Motor Company.

 

Subd. 2.  Appointment.  The chairs of the senate and house of representatives committees with primary jurisdiction over energy policy shall jointly appoint the task force members.


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Subd. 3.  Cochairs.  The task force shall have two cochairs, one appointed by each of the appointing authorities established in subdivision 2.

 

Subd. 4.  Charge.  (a) The plug-in hybrid electric vehicle task force shall identify barriers to the adoption of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles by state agencies, small and large private fleets, and Minnesota drivers at-large and develop strategies to be implemented over one-, three-, and five-year time frames to overcome those barriers.  Included in the analysis should be possible financial incentives to encourage Ford Motor Company to produce plug-in hybrid, flexible-fueled vehicles at its St. Paul plant.

 

(b) The task force shall consider and evaluate the data and information presented to it under subdivision 5 in presenting its findings and recommendations.

 

Subd. 5.  Data and analysis.  The commissioner of the Pollution Control Agency shall analyze and report to the task force the environmental impacts of purchasing plug-in hybrid electric vehicles for the state-owned vehicle fleet and at penetration rates of ten percent, 25 percent, and 50 percent of all motor vehicles registered in this state.  The analysis must compare, for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles and current fleet vehicles, air emissions of sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, particulate matter less than 2.5 microns in width, volatile organic compounds, and carbon dioxide.

 

Subd. 6.  Expenses.  Members of the task force are entitled to reimbursement for expenses under Minnesota Statutes, section 15.059, subdivision 6.  Member reimbursements shall be paid for by the commissioner of commerce.

 

Subd. 7.  Staff.  The state agencies represented on the commission shall provide staff support.

 

Subd. 8.  Report.  The task force shall present its findings and recommendations in a report to the chairs of the senate and house of representatives committees with primary jurisdiction over energy policy and state government operations by April 1, 2007.

 

Subd. 9.  Expiration.  The task force expires on June 30, 2008.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective the day following final enactment."

 

Delete the title and insert:

 

"A bill for an act relating to transportation; requiring language that the state will purchase plug-in hybrid electric vehicles when commercially available to be inserted in certain bid documents; creating a task force."

 

 

With the recommendation that when so amended the bill pass.

 

      The report was adopted.

 

 

      Pursuant to Joint Rule 2.03 and in accordance with Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 8, H. F. No. 3718 was re‑referred to the Committee on Rules and Legislative Administration.


Journal of the House - 97th Day - Thursday, April 27, 2006 - Top of Page 7189

Paulsen from the Committee on Rules and Legislative Administration to which was referred:

 

H. F. No. 3855, A bill for an act relating to veterans; authorizing the placement of a plaque in the Court of Honor on the Capitol grounds honoring Minnesota's recipients of the Congressional Medal of Honor.

 

Reported the same back with the recommendation that the bill pass.

 

      The report was adopted.

 

 

Knoblach from the Committee on Ways and Means to which was referred:

 

H. F. No. 4162, A bill for an act relating to state government financing; making deficiency and supplemental appropriations.

 

Reported the same back with the following amendments:

 

Delete everything after the enacting clause and insert:

 

"Section 1.  DEFICIENCY AND SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS. 

 

The appropriations in this act are added to or, if shown in parentheses, subtracted from the appropriations enacted into law by the legislature in 2005, or other specified law, to the named agencies and for the specified programs or activities.  The sums shown are appropriated from the general fund, or another named fund, to be available for the fiscal years indicated: 2006 is the fiscal year ending June 30, 2006; 2007 is the fiscal year ending June 30, 2007; and the biennium is fiscal years 2006 and 2007.  Deficiency and supplemental appropriations and reductions to appropriations for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2006, are effective the day following final enactment.

 

                                                                                                                                                              APPROPRIATIONS

                                                                                                                                                             Available for the Year

                                                                                                                                                                   Ending June 30

                                                                                                                                                     2006                                       2007

 

      Sec. 2.  BOARD OF REGENTS                                                                                                                                $5,000,000

 

To the Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota for the purposes of section 28.  This appropriation is for academic programs supporting the University of Minnesota - Rochester, including faculty, staff, and program planning and development in the areas of biomedical technologies, engineering, and computer technologies, health care administration, and allied health programs; ongoing operations of industrial liaison activities; and operation of leased facilities.  This appropriation is in addition to the appropriation in Laws 2005, chapter 107, article 1, section 4, subdivision 2.  The funding base for activities related to section 28 is $5,000,000 for fiscal year 2008 and $6,330,000 for fiscal year 2009.


Journal of the House - 97th Day - Thursday, April 27, 2006 - Top of Page 7190

                                                                                                       APPROPRIATIONS

                                                                                                                                                             Available for the Year

                                                                                                                                                                   Ending June 30

                                                                                                                                                     2006                                       2007

 

      Sec. 3.  BOARD OF TRUSTEES                                                                                                                                   100,000

 

To the Board of Trustees of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities to facilitate the provision of assistance to veterans at Minnesota State Colleges and Universities campuses under Minnesota Statutes, section 197.585, if enacted.

 

          Sec. 4.  EMPLOYMENT AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

 

Summary by Fund

 

General                                              -0-                                   917,000

 

$467,000 in fiscal year 2007 is appropriated for a grant to the BioBusiness Alliance of Minnesota, a nonprofit organization representing Minnesota companies, colleges and universities, state government, and health care institutions, for bioscience business development programs that will grow and create bioscience jobs in the state and position Minnesota as a global biobusiness leader.  This is a onetime appropriation.

 

$150,000 in fiscal year 2007 is appropriated for the youthbuild program under Minnesota Statutes, sections 116L.361 to 116L.366.  The base for this appropriation is $75,000 in fiscal year 2008 and after.

 

$200,000 in fiscal year 2007 is appropriated for a grant to the Summit Academy OIC for the 100 hard hats program.  This is a onetime appropriation.

 

In fiscal year 2007, $100,000 is appropriated to the commissioner of employment and economic development for the direct and indirect expenses of the collaborative research partnership between the University of Minnesota and the Mayo Foundation for research in biotechnology and medical genomics.  This is a onetime appropriation.

 

An annual report on the expenditure of this appropriation must be submitted to the governor and the chairs of the senate Higher Education Budget Division, the house of representatives Higher Education Finance Committee, the senate Environment, Agriculture, and Economic Development Budget Division, and the house of representatives Jobs and Economic Opportunity Policy and Finance Committee by June 30 of each fiscal year until the appropriation is expended.  This appropriation is available until expended.


Journal of the House - 97th Day - Thursday, April 27, 2006 - Top of Page 7191

                                                                                                       APPROPRIATIONS

                                                                                                                                                             Available for the Year

                                                                                                                                                                   Ending June 30

                                                                                                                                                     2006                                       2007

 

      Sec. 5.  BOXING COMMISSION

 

General Fund                                    -0-                                     50,000

 

$50,000 in fiscal year 2007 is appropriated to the Minnesota Boxing Commission established in sections 36 to 51 for the purposes of operating and administering the commission.  This is a onetime appropriation.  The budget base for the Boxing Commission shall be $50,000 in fiscal year 2008 and $50,000 in fiscal year 2009.  These appropriations are from the special revenue fund.

 

By December 15, 2006, the commission must submit a report to the governor and the legislature setting forth a fee schedule that raises sufficient revenues to make the commission self-supporting beginning July 1, 2007.

 

      Sec. 6.  COMMISSIONER OF HUMAN SERVICES; HEALTH PROGRAMS                                                                                                                                  

 

      Subdivision 1.  Total Appropriation                                                                                 33,370,000                      49,763,000

 

Summary by Fund

 

General                                 33,370,000                              49,763,000

 

      Subd.  2.  Health Care Grants

 

Medical Assistance Basic Health Care - Families and Children

 

General                                              -0-                             (2,625,000)

 

      Subd.  3.  Health Care Management                                                                                                                                         

 

Health Care Administration

 

General                                              -0-                                   419,000

 

      Subd.  4.  Continuing Care Grants                                                                                                                                           

 

Medical Assistance Long-term Care Facilities

 

General                                              -0-                                1,818,000


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                                                                                                       APPROPRIATIONS

                                                                                                                                                             Available for the Year

                                                                                                                                                                   Ending June 30

                                                                                                                                                     2006                                       2007

 

$30,000 in fiscal year 2007 is for a temporary rate increase equivalent to six percent of the operating rate in effect on July 1, 2006, for a day training and habilitation provider in Meeker County providing services to up to 110 individuals.  This rate increase shall be in effect only until June 30, 2007.

 

The commissioner of human services shall review the appropriateness of per diem rates for day training and habilitation services, including the reasonableness of rates paid to lower cost providers, and report the results to the legislature by January 15, 2007.

 

      Subd.  5.  State-Operated Services

 

General                                 33,370,000                              50,151,000

 

MINNESOTA SECURITY HOSPITAL.  For the purposes of enhancing the safety of the public, improving supervision, and enhancing community-based mental health treatment, state-operated services may establish additional community capacity for providing treatment and supervision of clients who have been ordered into a less restrictive alternative of care from the state-operated services transition services program consistent with Minnesota Statutes, section 246.014.

 

STATE-OPERATED SERVICES BASE ADJUSTMENT.  The general fund base for state-operated services is increased by $8,699,000 in fiscal year 2008 and decreased by $925,000 in fiscal year 2009.

 

      Sec. 7.  COMMISSIONER OF HUMAN SERVICES; CHILDREN AND ECONOMIC ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS

 

      Subdivision 1.  Total Appropriation                                                                                   (370,000)                        4,768,000

 

Summary by Fund

 

General                                (7,854,000)                           (15,343,000)

 

Federal TANF                       7,484,000                              20,111,000

 

TANF MAINTENANCE OF EFFORT.  Notwithstanding Laws 2005, First Special Session chapter 4, article 9, section 2, subdivision 1, the commissioner shall ensure that for fiscal year 2007, the maintenance of effort used by the commissioner of finance for the February and November forecasts required under


Journal of the House - 97th Day - Thursday, April 27, 2006 - Top of Page 7193

                                                                                                       APPROPRIATIONS

                                                                                                                                                             Available for the Year

                                                                                                                                                                   Ending June 30

                                                                                                                                                     2006                                       2007

 

Minnesota Statutes, section 16A.103, contains expenditures under the TANF/MOE rider in Laws 2005, First Special Session chapter 4, article 9, section 2, subdivision 1, equal to at least 21 percent of the total required under Code of Federal Regulations, title 45, section 263.1.

 

INCREASE WORKING FAMILY CREDIT EXPENDITURES TO BE CLAIMED FOR TANF/MOE.  In addition to the amounts provided in Laws 2005, First Special Session chapter 4, article 9, section 2, subdivision 1, the commissioner may count the following amounts of working family credit expenditures as TANF/MOE:

 

      (1) fiscal year 2006, $9,858,000;

 

      (2) fiscal year 2007, $5,785,000;

 

      (3) fiscal year 2008, $24,936,000; and

 

      (4) fiscal year 2009, $23,653,000.

 

Notwithstanding any section to the contrary, this paragraph sunsets June 30, 2009.

 

TANF APPROPRIATION FOR WORKING FAMILY CREDIT.  $5,151,000 in fiscal year 2007 is appropriated from federal TANF funds to the commissioner of human services.  These funds shall be transferred to the commissioner of revenue to deposit into the general fund for the working family credit under Minnesota Statutes, section 290.0671.  This is a onetime appropriation.

 

      Subd.  2.  Children and Economic Assistance Grants

 

Summary by Fund

 

General                                (7,854,000)                           (15,343,000)

 

Federal TANF                       7,484,000                              14,960,000

 

(a) MFIP-DWP Grants

 

General                                (7,484,000)                                7,484,000

 

Federal TANF                       7,484,000                             (7,484,000)


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                                                                                                       APPROPRIATIONS

                                                                                                                                                             Available for the Year

                                                                                                                                                                   Ending June 30

                                                                                                                                                     2006                                       2007

 

 (b) MFIP Child Care Assistance Grants

 

General                                              -0-                                     62,000

 

CHILD CARE ABSENT DAY LIMITS.  $62,000 in fiscal year 2007 is appropriated from the general fund to the commissioner of human services for the MFIP/transition year child care program for the purposes of Minnesota Statutes, section 119B.13, subdivision 7.  The general fund base for MFIP child care assistance grants under Minnesota Statutes, section 119B.05, is increased by $103,000 in fiscal year 2008 and by $102,000 in fiscal year 2009.

 

INCREASE TANF TRANSFER TO FEDERAL CHILD CARE AND DEVELOPMENT FUND.  In addition to the TANF amounts provided in Laws 2005, First Special Session chapter 4, article 9, section 2, subdivisions 3 and 4, $2,317,000 in fiscal year 2008 and $1,027,000 in fiscal year 2009 is appropriated to the commissioner for the purposes of MFIP/transition year child care under Minnesota Statutes, section 119B.05, and shall be added to the base for fiscal years 2008 and 2009.  The commissioner shall authorize transfer of sufficient TANF funds to the federal child care and development fund to meet this appropriation and shall ensure that all transferred funds are expended according to the federal child care and development fund regulations.  Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, this paragraph shall not sunset.

 

BASIC SLIDING FEE CHILD CARE ASSISTANCE GRANTS.

 

General                                              -0-                                     46,000

 

CHILD CARE ABSENT DAY LIMITS.  $46,000 in fiscal year 2007 is appropriated from the general fund to the commissioner of human services for the basic sliding fee child care program for the purposes of Minnesota Statutes, section 119B.13, subdivision 7.  The general fund base for basic sliding fee child care grants under Minnesota Statutes, section 119B.03, is increased by $76,000 in fiscal year 2008 and by $78,000 in fiscal year 2009.

 

CHILDREN AND COMMUNITY SERVICES GRANTS.

 

General                                              -0-                           (22,444,000)

 

Federal TANF                                  -0-                              22,444,000


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                                                                                                       APPROPRIATIONS

                                                                                                                                                             Available for the Year

                                                                                                                                                                   Ending June 30

                                                                                                                                                     2006                                       2007

 

TANF TRANSFER TO SOCIAL SERVICES BLOCK GRANT.  $22,444,000 in fiscal year 2007 is appropriated to the commissioner to be transferred to the state's federal social services block grant for the purposes of providing services for families with children whose incomes are at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty guidelines.  The funds shall be distributed to counties for the children and community services grants according to the formula for the state appropriations in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 256M.  This is a onetime appropriation.  Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, this paragraph sunsets June 30, 2007.

 

The fiscal year 2007 children and community services grants general fund appropriation under Laws 2005, First Special Session chapter 4, article 9, section 2, subdivision 4, paragraph (h), is reduced by $22,444,000.  The general fund base for children and community services grants is increased by $22,444,000 in fiscal year 2008 and $22,444,000 in fiscal year 2009.

 

OTHER CHILDREN AND ECONOMIC ASSISTANCE GRANTS.

 

General                                   (370,000)                                (491,000)

 

MINNESOTA FOOD ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.  The general fund appropriations for the Minnesota Food Assistance Program under Minnesota Statutes, section 256D.053, are reduced by $370,000 in fiscal year 2006 and $491,000 in fiscal year 2007.

 

      Sec. 8.  COMMISSIONER OF HEALTH

 

      Subdivision 1.  Total Appropriation                                                                                              -0-                        1,000,000

 

      Subd. 2.  Health Protection

 

Summary by Fund

 

General                                              -0-                                1,000,000

 

PANDEMIC INFLUENZA PREPAREDNESS.  $1,000,000 from the general fund is for preparation, planning, and response to an outbreak of influenza.  The base for this is $1,000,000 in fiscal years 2008 and 2009 and $0 in 2010 and thereafter.

 

      Sec. 9.  VETERANS NURSING HOMES BOARD

 

General                                   2,448,000                                3,433,000


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                                                                                                       APPROPRIATIONS

                                                                                                                                                             Available for the Year

                                                                                                                                                                   Ending June 30

                                                                                                                                                     2006                                       2007

 

BASE ADJUSTMENT.  The general fund base is increased by $3,945,000 in fiscal year 2008 and $3,945,000 in fiscal year 2009 for the Veterans Homes Board.

 

      Sec. 10.  HEALTH-RELATED BOARDS                                                                                         

 

State Government

 Special Revenue                     500,000                                   500,000

 

Board of Medical Practice                                                                                                            500,000                           500,000

 

This increase is to cover higher than expected costs of investigation and legal action.  This is a onetime appropriation.

 

      Sec. 11.  VETERANS AFFAIRS                                                                                                                                  3,000,000

 

      Subdivision 1.  State soldiers' assistance fund

 

$2,300,000 is appropriated in fiscal year 2007 to the commissioner of veterans affairs to be deposited in the state soldiers' assistance fund established in Minnesota Statutes, section 197.03.  The appropriations in this subdivision are in addition to other appropriations made to the commissioner of veterans affairs.

 

      Subd. 2.  Centralized Web Site for Veterans Services

 

$100,000 is appropriated in fiscal year 2007 to the commissioner of veterans affairs to fund a veterans service coordinator and a veterans information officer within the Department of Veterans Affairs, whose mission is to create a centralized Web site containing information on all state, federal, local, and private agencies and organizations that provide goods or services to veterans or their families.  Prior to encumbering funds from the appropriation in this subdivision, the commissioner must adhere to the provisions of Minnesota Statutes, section 16E.03.

 

      Subd. 3.  County Veterans Service Officers Service Enhancement Grants

 

$100,000 is appropriated in fiscal year 2007 to the commissioner of veterans affairs to provide grants to counties for enhancing the benefits, programs, and services they provide to veterans.  The commissioner, in consultation with the County Veterans Service Officers' Association, shall establish grants based on objective benchmarks and standards established by the commissioner.  A county may not reduce its veterans service office budget by any


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                                                                                                       APPROPRIATIONS

                                                                                                                                                             Available for the Year

                                                                                                                                                                   Ending June 30

                                                                                                                                                     2006                                       2007

 

amount received as a grant under this section.  This grant program is in addition to grants made under Minnesota Statutes, section 197.608.  This funding may be utilized to assist counties in consolidating their county veterans services offices into bi-county or multicounty service offices.

 

      Subd. 4.  Higher Education Veterans Assistance Offices

 

$500,000 is appropriated in fiscal year 2007 for the veterans assistance offices under Minnesota Statutes, section 197.585.  The commissioner must, in consultation with the Office of Higher Education, determine the most appropriate method of allocating this appropriation to align with the needs of the students at Minnesota state colleges and universities, private colleges, and the University of Minnesota who are veterans.  Methods may include, but are not limited to, providing grants for veteran work-study positions and providing central liaison and coordination staff from a veteran pool as needed to enhance the ability of higher education institutions to be responsive to students who are veterans.  The commissioner shall designate a liaison who is a veteran to the University of Minnesota and a liaison who is a veteran to the private colleges and universities in Minnesota for the purposes of Minnesota Statutes, section 197.585.

 

      Sec. 12.  BOARD OF JUDICIAL STANDARDS                                                                172,000                                   -0-

 

In fiscal year 2006, $172,000 is appropriated to the Board on Judicial Standards for costs of special hearings and an investigation regarding complaints of judicial misconduct.  This is a onetime appropriation and is available until June 30, 2007.

 

      Sec. 13.  PUBLIC SAFETY

 

      Subdivision 1.  Total Appropriation                                                                                      284,000                        1,200,000

 

These appropriations are added to appropriations in Laws 2005, chapter 136, article 1, section 9.  The amounts that may be spent from this appropriation for each program are specified in subdivisions 2 and 3.

 

      Subd. 2.  Emergency Management                                                                                        284,000                                   -0-

 

The fiscal year 2006 appropriation is to provide matching funds for FEMA funds received for natural disaster assistance payments.  This appropriation is available on the day after enactment and is available until June 30, 2007.  This is a onetime appropriation.


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                                                                                                       APPROPRIATIONS

                                                                                                                                                             Available for the Year

                                                                                                                                                                   Ending June 30

                                                                                                                                                     2006                                       2007

 

      Subd.  3.  Criminal Apprehension                                                                                                 -0-                        1,200,000

 

$1,000,000 in fiscal year 2007 is to create a child pornography investigative unit to assist law enforcement throughout the state.  The base for this activity shall be $778,000 in fiscal year 2008 and each year thereafter.

 

$200,000 is for the enhancement of the predatory offender database to facilitate public notification of noncompliant sex offenders via the Internet.  The base for this activity shall be $116,000 in fiscal year 2008 and fiscal year 2009.

 

      Sec. 14.  CORRECTIONS

 

      Subdivision 1.  Total Appropriations                                                                                 2,088,000                        8,025,000

 

These amounts are added to the appropriations in Laws 2005, chapter 136, article 1, section 13.

 

      Subd. 2.  Correctional Institutions                                                                                    1,588,000                        6,775,000

 

      Subd. 3.  Community Services                                                                                               500,000                        1,250,000

 

      Sec. 15.  BOARD OF ANIMAL HEALTH                    227,000                                           360,000

 

To the Board of Animal Health to eliminate bovine tuberculosis from cattle herds in Minnesota.  This is a onetime appropriation.

 

      Sec. 16.  AGRICULTURE                                                                                                          40,000                           128,000

 

      Subdivision 1.  Livestock Depredation and Crop Damage 40,000                                      53,000

 

To the Department of Agriculture to make compensation payments for livestock depredation and crop damage.

 

      Subd. 2.  Renewable Energy                                                                                                           -0-                             75,000

 

To the Department of Agriculture for handling increased renewable energy inquiries.


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                                                                                                       APPROPRIATIONS

                                                                                                                                                             Available for the Year

                                                                                                                                                                   Ending June 30

                                                                                                                                                     2006                                       2007

 

      Sec. 17.  DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES

 

      Subdivision 1.  Bovine Tuberculosis                                                                                      88,000                           132,000

 

To the Department of Natural Resources for bovine tuberculosis and diagnosis to diminish the risk of disease transmission in domestic livestock.  This is a onetime appropriation.

 

      Subd. 2.  Invasive Species                                                                                                               -0-                           261,000

 

To the Department of Natural Resources for prevention and control of harmful invasive species.

 

      Subd. 3.  Corps Campsites

 

$200,000 in fiscal year 2007 is from the state park account in the natural resources fund for operation of recreational sites under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Big Sandy Lake, Leech Lake, Gull Lake, Cross Lake, Winnibigoshish Lake, and Pokegama Lake.  These sites shall be managed as state recreation areas in accordance with Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 3.

 

      Sec. 18.  WATER QUALITY APPROPRIATIONS

 

      Subdivision 1.  General Provisions

 

The appropriations in this section are from the general fund and are available for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2007.  Unless otherwise specified in this section, these appropriations do not cancel and remain available until June 30, 2007.  Appropriations in this section that are encumbered under contract, including grant contract, on or before June 30, 2007, are available until June 30, 2009.  All appropriations in this section are onetime.

 

      Subd. 2.  Pollution Control Agency                                                                                              -0-                        4,620,000

 

To the Pollution Control Agency for the purposes stated:

 

(1) $1,450,000 for statewide assessment of surface water quality and trends; and

 

(2) $3,170,000 is available to develop TMDL's and TMDL implementation plans for waters listed on the United States Environmental Protection Agency approved 2004 impaired waters list.  Of this appropriation, up to $1,740,000 is available for grants or contracts to develop TMDL's.


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                                                                                                       APPROPRIATIONS

                                                                                                                                                             Available for the Year

                                                                                                                                                                   Ending June 30

                                                                                                                                                     2006                                       2007

 

      Subd. 3.  Department of Agriculture                                                                                            -0-                        1,500,000

 

To the Department of Agriculture for the purposes stated:

 

(1) $1,000,000 is for the agricultural best management practices loan program.  This appropriation remains available until spent.  Of this amount, $800,000 is for pass-through to local governments and lenders for low-interest loans to producers and rural landowners;

 

(2) $300,000 is available to expand technical assistance to producers and conservation professionals on nutrient and pasture management, target practices to sources of water impairments, coordinate federal and state farm conservation programs to fully utilize federal conservation funds, and expand conservation planning assistance for producers.  Of this amount, $100,000 is available for grants or contracts to develop nutrient and conservation planning assistance information materials; and

 

(3) $200,000 is available for research, evaluation, and effectiveness monitoring of agricultural practices in restoring impaired waters.

 

      Subd. 4.  Board of Water and Soil Resources                                                                             -0-                        3,400,000

 

To the Board of Water and Soil Resources for restoration and prevention actions.  All of the money appropriated in this subdivision as grants to local governments will be administered through the Board of Water and Soil Resources' local water resources protection and management program under Minnesota Statutes, section 103B.3369:

 

(1) $875,000 is for targeted nonpoint restoration cost-share and incentive payments.  Of these amounts, up to $775,000 in fiscal year 2007 is available for grants;

 

(2) $1,575,000 is for targeted nonpoint restoration technical, compliance, and engineering assistance activities.  Up to $1,375,000 in fiscal year 2007 is available for grants;

 

(3) $200,000 in fiscal year 2007 is for reporting and evaluation of applied soil and water conservation practices;

 

(4) $250,000 is for grants for implementation of county individual sewage treatment system programs; and


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                                                                                                       APPROPRIATIONS

                                                                                                                                                             Available for the Year

                                                                                                                                                                   Ending June 30

                                                                                                                                                     2006                                       2007

 

(5) $500,000 is for grants to support local nonpoint source protection activities related to lake and river protection and management.

 

      Subd. 5.  Department of Natural Resources                                                                                -0-                           480,000

 

To the Department of Natural Resources for the purposes stated:

 

(1) $280,000 in fiscal year 2007 is for statewide assessment of surface water quality and trends; and

 

(2) $200,000 is available for restoration of impaired waters and actions to prevent waters from becoming impaired.  Of these amounts, up to $150,000 in fiscal year 2007 is available for grants and contracts for forest stewardship planning and implementation and for research, compliance, and monitoring.

 

      Sec. 19.  LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION ON MINNESOTA RESOURCES                                                                                                       -0-                275,000

 

To the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources, for administration from the environment and natural resources trust fund, as provided in Minnesota Statutes, section 116P.09, subdivision 5.  This is a onetime appropriation.

 

The fiscal year 2006 appropriation for administration under Laws 2005, First Special Session chapter 1, article 2, section 11, subdivision 3, is for the Legislative Commission on Minnesota Resources or its successor commission, as provided in Minnesota Statutes, section 15.039, subdivision 6.

 

Sec. 20.  Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 3.737, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

 

Subdivision 1.  Compensation required.  (a) Notwithstanding section 3.736, subdivision 3, paragraph (e), or any other law, a livestock owner shall be compensated by the commissioner of agriculture for livestock that is destroyed by a gray wolf or is so crippled by a gray wolf that it must be destroyed.  Except as provided in this section, the owner is entitled to the fair market value of the destroyed livestock as determined by the commissioner, upon recommendation of a university extension agent or a conservation officer.  In any calendar year, a livestock owner may not be compensated for a destroyed animal claim that is less than $100 in value and may be compensated up to $20,000 per claim, as determined under this section.  In any calendar year, the commissioner may provide compensation for claims filed pursuant to this section and section 3.7371 to a total of $100,000 for both programs combined.

 

(b) Either the agent or the conservation officer must make a personal inspection of the site.  The agent or the conservation officer must take into account factors in addition to a visual identification of a carcass when making a recommendation to the commissioner.  The commissioner, upon recommendation of the agent or conservation


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officer, shall determine whether the livestock was destroyed by a gray wolf and any deficiencies in the owner's adoption of the best management practices developed in subdivision 5.  The commissioner may authorize payment of claims only if the agent or the conservation officer has recommended payment.  The owner shall file a claim on forms provided by the commissioner and available at the university extension agent's office.

 

Sec. 21.  Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 3.7371, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 3.  Compensation.  The crop owner is entitled to the target price or the market price, whichever is greater, of the damaged or destroyed crop plus adjustments for yield loss determined according to agricultural stabilization and conservation service programs for individual farms, adjusted annually, as determined by the commissioner, upon recommendation of the county extension agent for the owner's county.  The commissioner, upon recommendation of the agent, shall determine whether the crop damage or destruction is caused by elk and, if so, the amount of the crop that is damaged or destroyed.  In any calendar year, a crop owner may not be compensated for a damaged or destroyed crop that is less than $100 in value and may be compensated up to $20,000, as determined under this section, if normal harvest procedures for the area are followed.  In any calendar year, the commissioner may provide compensation for claims filed pursuant to this section and section 3.737 to a total of $100,000 for both programs combined.

 

Sec. 22.  [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.

 

Sec. 23.  Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 16A.152, subdivision 1b, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 1b.  Budget reserve increase.  On July 1, 2003, the commissioner of finance shall transfer $300,000,000 to the budget reserve account in the general fund.  On July 1, 2004, the commissioner of finance shall transfer $296,000,000 to the budget reserve account in the general fund.  On July 1, 2006, the commissioner of finance shall transfer $1,000,000 from the budget reserve account in the general fund to the cash flow account in the general fund.  The amounts necessary for this purpose are appropriated from the general fund.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective the day after final enactment.

 

Sec. 24.  Minnesota Statutes 2005 Supplement, section 16A.152, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 2.  Additional revenues; priority.  (a) If on the basis of a forecast of general fund revenues and expenditures, the commissioner of finance determines that there will be a positive unrestricted budgetary general fund balance at the close of the biennium, the commissioner of finance must allocate money to the following accounts and purposes in priority order:

 

(1) the cash flow account established in subdivision 1 until that account reaches $350,000,000 $351,000,000;

 

(2) the budget reserve account established in subdivision 1a until that account reaches $653,000,000 $652,000,000;


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(3) the amount necessary to increase the aid payment schedule for school district aids and credits payments in section 127A.45 to not more than 90 percent rounded to the nearest tenth of a percent without exceeding the amount available and with any remaining funds deposited in the budget reserve; and

 

(4) the amount necessary to restore all or a portion of the net aid reductions under section 127A.441 and to reduce the property tax revenue recognition shift under section 123B.75, subdivision 5, paragraph (c), and Laws 2003, First Special Session chapter 9, article 5, section 34, as amended by Laws 2003, First Special Session chapter 23, section 20, by the same amount.

 

(b) The amounts necessary to meet the requirements of this section are appropriated from the general fund within two weeks after the forecast is released or, in the case of transfers under paragraph (a), clauses (3) and (4), as necessary to meet the appropriations schedules otherwise established in statute.

 

(c) To the extent that a positive unrestricted budgetary general fund balance is projected, appropriations under this section must be made before section 16A.1522 takes effect.

 

(d) The commissioner of finance shall certify the total dollar amount of the reductions under paragraph (a), clauses (3) and (4), to the commissioner of education.  The commissioner of education shall increase the aid payment percentage and reduce the property tax shift percentage by these amounts and apply those reductions to the current fiscal year and thereafter.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective the day after final enactment.

 

Sec. 25.  Minnesota Statutes 2005 Supplement, section 35.05, is amended to read:

 

35.05 AUTHORITY OF STATE BOARD. 

 

(a) The state board may quarantine or kill any domestic animal infected with, or which has been exposed to, a contagious or infectious dangerous disease if it is necessary to protect the health of the domestic animals of the state.

 

(b) The board may regulate or prohibit the arrival in and departure from the state of infected or exposed animals and, in case of violation of any rule or prohibition, may detain any animal at its owner's expense.  The board may regulate or prohibit the importation of domestic animals which, in its opinion, may injure the health of Minnesota livestock.

 

(c) When the governor declares an emergency under section 35.0661, the board, through its executive director, may assume control of such resources within the University of Minnesota's Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory as necessary to effectively address the disease outbreak.  The director of the laboratory and other laboratory personnel must cooperate fully in performing necessary functions related to the outbreak or threatened outbreak.

 

(d) The board may test or require tests of any bovine or cervidae in the state when the board deems it necessary to achieve or maintain bovine tuberculosis accredited free state or zone status under the regulations and laws administered by the United States Department of Agriculture.

 

(e) Rules adopted by the board under authority of this chapter must be published in the State Register.

 

Sec. 26.  Minnesota Statutes 2005 Supplement, section 119B.13, subdivision 7, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 7.  Absent days.  (a) Child care providers may not be reimbursed for more than 25 full-day absent days per child, excluding holidays, in a fiscal year, or for more than ten consecutive full-day absent days, unless the child has a documented medical condition that causes more frequent absences.  Documentation of medical conditions


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must be on the forms and submitted according to the timelines established by the commissioner.  If a child attends for part of the time authorized to be in care in a day, but is absent for part of the time authorized to be in care in that same day, the absent time will be reimbursed but the time will not count toward the ten consecutive or 25 cumulative absent day limits.  If a child attends part of an authorized day, payment to the provider must be for the full amount of care authorized for that day.  Child care providers may only be reimbursed for absent days if the provider has a written policy for child absences and charges all other families in care for similar absences.

 

(b) Child care providers must be reimbursed for up to ten federal or state holidays or designated holidays per year when the provider charges all families for these days and the holiday or designated holiday falls on a day when the child is authorized to be in attendance.  Parents may substitute other cultural or religious holidays for the ten recognized state and federal holidays.  Holidays do not count toward the ten consecutive or 25 cumulative absent day limits.

 

(c) A family or child care provider may not be assessed an overpayment for an absent day payment unless (1) there was an error in the amount of care authorized for the family, (2) all of the allowed full-day absent payments for the child have been paid, or (3) the family or provider did not timely report a change as required under law.

 

(d) The provider and family must receive notification upon initial authorization for services and ongoing notification of the number of absent days used as of the date of the notification.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective July 1, 2006.

 

Sec. 27.  Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 137.022, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 4.  Mineral research; scholarships.  (a) All income credited after July 1, 1992, to the permanent university fund from royalties for mining under state mineral leases from and after July 1, 1991, must be allocated as provided in this subdivision.

 

(b)(1) Fifty percent of the income, up to $25,000,000 $50,000,000, must be credited to the mineral research account of the fund to be allocated for the Natural Resources Research Institute-Duluth and Coleraine facilities, for mineral and mineral-related research including mineral-related environmental research; and

 

(2) The remainder must be credited to the endowed scholarship account of the fund for distribution annually for scholastic achievement as provided by the Board of Regents to undergraduates enrolled at the University of Minnesota who are resident students as defined in section 136A.101, subdivision 8.

 

(c) The annual distribution from the endowed scholarship account must be allocated to the various campuses of the University of Minnesota in proportion to the number of undergraduate resident students enrolled on each campus.

 

(d) The Board of Regents must report to the education committees of the legislature biennially at the time of the submission of its budget request on the disbursement of money from the endowed scholarship account and to the environment and natural resources committees on the use of the mineral research account.

 

(e) Capital gains and losses and portfolio income of the permanent university fund must be credited to its three accounts in proportion to the market value of each account.

 

(f) The endowment support from the income and capital gains of the endowed mineral research and endowed scholarship accounts of the fund must not total more than six percent per year of the 36-month trailing average market value of the account from which the support is derived.


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Sec. 28.  Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 137.17, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

 

Subdivision 1.  Establish.  The Board of Regents may establish a school of professional and graduate studies as a nonresidential branch campus of the University of Minnesota, in Rochester, to serve the educational needs of working adults and other nontraditional students in southeastern Minnesota.  The campus shall be a joint partnership of the University of Minnesota with Rochester Community and Technical College, and Winona State University. and to foster the economic goals of the region and the state.  The legislature intends that the University of Minnesota expand higher education offerings in Rochester.  It is the intent of the legislature that this be achieved in part by developing new and strengthening existing partnerships with higher education institutions in Rochester and the region in which the state already has a significant investment.

 

The Board of Trustees of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities shall cooperate to achieve the foregoing.

 

Sec. 29.  Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 137.17, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 3.  Missions.  The legislature intends that the mission of the expanded education offerings in Rochester be congruent with the university's unique core mission of teaching, research, and outreach in order to support the educational needs and economic development of this region and the state.  The legislature recognizes that the distinctiveness of each of the partner higher education institutions in Rochester must be maintained to achieve success in serving the higher education needs of the community and the economic goals of the state.  Further, the legislature intends that the University of Minnesota and the other partner institutions avoid duplicative offerings of courses and programs.  Therefore, the University of Minnesota, Winona State University, and Rochester Community and Technical College shall develop jointly a statement of missions, roles, and responsibilities for the programs and services at Rochester which shall be submitted to the legislature by January 30, 2000, and any time thereafter that the missions, roles, and responsibilities change.

 

Sec. 30.  [197.585] HIGHER EDUCATION VETERANS ASSISTANCE OFFICES. 

 

(a) If there is a need as determined by the commissioner of veterans affairs, each campus of the University of Minnesota and each institution within the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system shall provide adequate space for a veterans assistance office to be administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs, and each private college and university in Minnesota is requested to provide adequate space for a veterans assistance office to be administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs.  The veterans assistance office must provide information and assistance to veterans who are students or family members of students at the school so that they know what state, federal, local, and private resources are available to them.

 

(b)  By January 15 each year the commissioner shall report to the chairs of the house and senate committees having purview over veterans affairs policy and finance, regarding the implementation and effectiveness of this section.  The report must address all relevant issues raised in writing to the commissioner by those chairs by August 1 of the preceding year.

 

(c)  This section expires at the end of the first fiscal year in which the number of veterans enrolled in Minnesota public institutions of higher education is fewer than 4,000, but no later than June 30, 2012.

 

Sec. 31.  Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 256.01, subdivision 18, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 18.  Immigration status verifications.  (a) Notwithstanding any waiver of this requirement by the secretary of the United States Department of Health and Human Services, effective July 1, 2001, the commissioner shall utilize the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) program to conduct immigration status verifications:


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(1) as required under United States Code, title 8, section 1642;

 

(2) for all applicants for food assistance benefits, whether under the federal food stamp program, the MFIP or work first program, or the Minnesota food assistance program;

 

(3) for all applicants for general assistance medical care, except assistance for an emergency medical condition, for immunization with respect to an immunizable disease, or for testing and treatment of symptoms of a communicable disease, and nonfederally funded MinnesotaCare; and

 

(4) for all applicants for general assistance, Minnesota supplemental aid, medical assistance, federally funded MinnesotaCare, or group residential housing, when the benefits provided by these programs would fall under the definition of "federal public benefit" under United States Code, title 8, section 1642, if federal funds were used to pay for all or part of the benefits.

 

(b) The commissioner shall comply with the reporting requirements under United States Code, title 42, section 611a, and any federal regulation or guidance adopted under that law.

 

Sec. 32.  Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 256.01, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

 

Subd. 18a.  Reporting undocumented immigrants.  The commissioner shall require all employees of the state and counties to make a written report to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) for any violation of federal immigration law by any applicant for medical assistance under chapter 256B, general assistance medical care under chapter 256D, or MinnesotaCare under chapter 256L, that is discovered by the employee.  Employees do not need an applicant's written authorization to contact USCIS.

 

Sec. 33.  Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 256B.431, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

 

Subd. 43.  Rate increase for facilities in Stearns, Sherburne, and Benton Counties.  Effective July 1, 2006, operating payment rates of nursing facilities in Stearns, Sherburne, and Benton Counties that are reimbursed under this section, section 256B.434, or section 256B.441 shall be increased to be equal, for a RUG's rate with a weight of 1.00, to the geographic group III median rate for the same RUG's weight.  The percentage of the operating payment rate for each facility to be case-mix adjusted shall be equal to the percentage that is case-mix adjusted in that facility's June 30, 2006, operating payment rate.  This subdivision shall apply only if it results in a rate increase.  Increases provided by this subdivision shall be added to the rate determined under any new reimbursement system established under section 256B.440.

 

Sec. 34.  Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 256J.021, is amended to read:

 

256J.021 SEPARATE STATE PROGRAM FOR USE OF STATE MONEY. 

 

Beginning (a) Until October 1, 2001, and each year thereafter 2006, the commissioner of human services must treat MFIP expenditures made to or on behalf of any minor child under section 256J.02, subdivision 2, clause (1), who is a resident of this state under section 256J.12, and who is part of a two-parent eligible household as expenditures under a separately funded state program and report those expenditures to the federal Department of Health and Human Services as separate state program expenditures under Code of Federal Regulations, title 45, section 263.5.

 

(b) Beginning October 1, 2006, the commissioner of human services must treat MFIP expenditures made to or on behalf of any minor child under section 256J.02, subdivision 2, clause (1), who is a resident of this state under section 256J.12, and who is part of a two-parent eligible household as expenditures under a separately funded state program.  These expenditures shall not count toward the state's maintenance of effort (MOE) requirements under the


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federal Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) program except if counting certain families would allow the commissioner to avoid a federal penalty.  Families receiving assistance under this section must comply with all applicable requirements in this chapter.

 

Sec. 35.  Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 256J.626, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 2.  Allowable expenditures.  (a) The commissioner must restrict expenditures under the consolidated fund to benefits and services allowed under title IV-A of the federal Social Security Act.  Allowable expenditures under the consolidated fund may include, but are not limited to:

 

(1) short-term, nonrecurring shelter and utility needs that are excluded from the definition of assistance under Code of Federal Regulations, title 45, section 260.31, for families who meet the residency requirement in section 256J.12, subdivisions 1 and 1a.  Payments under this subdivision are not considered TANF cash assistance and are not counted towards the 60-month time limit;

 

(2) transportation needed to obtain or retain employment or to participate in other approved work activities;

 

(3) direct and administrative costs of staff to deliver employment services for MFIP or the diversionary work program, to administer financial assistance, and to provide specialized services intended to assist hard-to-employ participants to transition to work;

 

(4) costs of education and training including functional work literacy and English as a second language;

 

(5) cost of work supports including tools, clothing, boots, and other work-related expenses;

 

(6) county administrative expenses as defined in Code of Federal Regulations, title 45, section 260(b);

 

(7) services to parenting and pregnant teens;

 

(8) supported work;

 

(9) wage subsidies;

 

(10) child care needed for MFIP or diversionary work program participants to participate in social services;

 

(11) child care to ensure that families leaving MFIP or diversionary work program will continue to receive child care assistance from the time the family no longer qualifies for transition year child care until an opening occurs under the basic sliding fee child care program; and

 

(12) services to help noncustodial parents who live in Minnesota and have minor children receiving MFIP or DWP assistance, but do not live in the same household as the child, obtain or retain employment.

 

(b) Administrative costs that are not matched with county funds as provided in subdivision 8 may not exceed 7.5 percent of a county's or 15 percent of a tribe's allocation under this section.  The commissioner shall define administrative costs for purposes of this subdivision.

 

(c) The commissioner may waive the cap on administrative costs for a county or tribe that elects to provide an approved supported employment, unpaid work, or community work experience program for a major segment of the county's or tribe's MFIP population.  The county or tribe must apply for the waiver on forms provided by the commissioner.  In no case shall total administrative costs exceed the TANF limits.


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Sec. 36.  [341.21] DEFINITIONS. 

 

Subdivision 1.  Applicability.  The definitions in this section apply to this chapter.

 

Subd. 2.  Boxing.  "Boxing" means the act of attack and defense with the fists, using padded gloves, that is practiced as a sport under the rules of the World Boxing Association, the World Boxing Council, the International Boxing Federation, or equivalent.  Boxing includes tough person contests.

 

Subd. 3.  Commission.  "Commission" means the Minnesota Boxing Commission.

 

Subd. 4.  Contest.  "Contest" means any boxing contest, match, or exhibition.

 

Subd. 5.  Professional.  "Professional" means any person who competes for any money prize or a prize that exceeds the value of $50 or teaches, pursues, or assists in the practice of boxing as a means of obtaining a livelihood or pecuniary gain.

 

Subd. 6.  Director.  "Director" means the executive director of the commission.

 

Subd. 7.  Tough person contest.  "Tough person contest" means any boxing match consisting of one-minute rounds between two or more persons who use their hands or their feet, or both, in any manner.  Tough person contest does not include kick boxing, any recognized martial arts competition, or boxing as defined in subdivision 2.

 

Sec. 37.  [341.22] BOXING COMMISSION. 

 

There is hereby created the Minnesota Boxing Commission, consisting of five members who are citizens of this state.  The members shall be appointed by the governor and subject to the advice and consent of the senate.  One member of the commission shall be a retired judge of the Minnesota District Court, Minnesota Court of Appeals, Minnesota Supreme Court, the United States District Court for the District of Minnesota, or the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals; one member shall be a public member; and three members shall be involved in the boxing industry.  At least two of the members must be women, if possible.  Membership terms, compensation of members, removal of members, the filling of membership vacancies, and fiscal year and reporting requirements shall be as provided in sections 214.07 to 214.09.  The provision of staff, administrative services, and office space; the review and processing of complaints; the setting of fees; and other provisions relating to commission operations shall be as provided in chapter 214.  The purpose of the commission is to protect health, promote safety, and ensure fair events.

 

Sec. 38.  [341.23] LIMITATIONS. 

 

No member of the boxing commission shall directly or indirectly promote any boxing or directly or indirectly engage in the managing of any boxer or fighter or be interested in any manner in the proceeds from any boxing match.

 

Sec. 39.  [341.24] EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR. 

 

The governor may appoint, and at pleasure remove, an executive director and prescribe the powers and duties of the office.  The executive director shall not be a member of the commission.  The commission may employ personnel necessary to the performance of its duties.

 

Sec. 40.  [341.25] RULES. 

 

(a) The commission may adopt rules that include standards for the physical examination and condition of boxers and referees.


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(b) The commission may adopt other rules necessary to carry out the purposes of this chapter, including, but not limited to, the conduct of boxing exhibitions, bouts, and fights, and their manner, supervision, time, and place.

 

Sec. 41.  [341.26] MEETINGS. 

 

The commission shall hold a regular meeting quarterly and in addition may hold special meetings.  Except as otherwise provided in law, all meetings of the commission shall be open to the public and reasonable notice of the meetings shall be given under chapter 13D.

 

Sec. 42.  [341.27] COMMISSION DUTIES. 

 

The commission shall:

 

(1) issue, deny, renew, suspend, or revoke licenses;

 

(2) make and maintain records of its acts and proceedings including the issuance, denial, renewal, suspension, or revocation of licenses;

 

(3) keep public records of the commission open to inspection at all reasonable times;

 

(4) assist the director in the development of rules to be implemented under this chapter; and

 

(5) conform to the rules adopted under this chapter.

 

Sec. 43.  [341.28] REGULATION OF BOXING CONTESTS. 

 

Subdivision 1.  Regulatory authority; boxing.  All boxing contests are subject to this chapter.  Every contestant in a boxing contest shall wear padded gloves that weigh at least eight ounces.  The commission shall, for every boxing contest:

 

(1) direct a commission member to be present; and

 

(2) direct the attending commission member to make a written report of the contest.

 

All boxing contests within this state shall be conducted according to the requirements of this chapter.

 

Subd. 2.  Regulatory authority; tough person contests.  All tough person contests, including amateur tough person contests, are subject to this chapter.  Every contestant in a tough person contest shall wear padded gloves that weigh at least 12 ounces.

 

Sec. 44.  [341.29] JURISDICTION OF COMMISSION. 

 

The commission shall:

 

(1) have sole direction, supervision, regulation, control, and jurisdiction over all boxing contests and tough person contests held within this state unless a contest is exempt from the application of this chapter under federal law;

 

(2) have sole control, authority, and jurisdiction over all licenses required by this chapter; and


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(3) grant a license to an applicant if, in the judgment of the commission, the financial responsibility, experience, character, and general fitness of the applicant are consistent with the public interest, convenience, or necessity and the best interests of boxing and conforms with this chapter and the commission's rules.

 

Sec. 45.  [341.30] LICENSURE; PERSONS REQUIRED TO OBTAIN LICENSES; REQUIREMENTS; BACKGROUND INFORMATION; FEE; BOND. 

 

Subdivision 1.  Licensure; individuals.  All referees, judges, matchmakers, promoters, trainers, ring announcers, timekeepers, ringside physicians, boxers, boxers' managers, and boxers' seconds are required to be licensed by the commission.  The commission shall not permit any of these persons to participate in the holding or conduct of any boxing contest unless the commission has first issued the person a license.

 

Subd. 2.  Entity licensure.  Before participating in the holding or conduct of any boxing contest, a corporation, partnership, limited liability company, or other business entity organized and existing under law, its officers and directors, and any person holding 25 percent or more of the ownership of the corporation shall obtain a license from the commission and must be authorized to do business under the laws of this state.

 

Subd. 3.  Background investigation.  The commission shall require referees, judges, matchmakers, promoters, and boxers to furnish fingerprints and background information under commission rules before licensure.  The commission shall charge a fee for receiving fingerprints and background information in an amount determined by the commission.  The commission may require referees, judges, matchmakers, promoters, and boxers to furnish fingerprints and background information before license renewal if the commission determines that the fingerprints and background information are desirable or necessary.  The fee may include a reasonable charge for expenses incurred by the commission and, if the commission requests a criminal history background check from the superintendent of the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, must be sufficient to recover the cost to the bureau of a background check.  The portion of a fee that is collected to recover the cost to the bureau of a background check is appropriated to the commission for the purpose of reimbursing the bureau for the cost of the background check.

 

Subd. 4.  Prelicensure requirements.  (a) Before the commission issues a license to a promoter, matchmaker, corporation, or other business entity, the applicant shall:

 

(1) provide the commission with a copy of any agreement between a contestant and the applicant which binds the applicant to pay the contestant a certain fixed fee or percentage of the gate receipts;

 

(2) show on the application the owner or owners of the applicant entity and the percentage of interest held by each owner holding a 25 percent or more interest in the applicant;

 

(3) provide the commission with a copy of the latest financial statement of the entity; and

 

(4) provide the commission with a copy or other proof acceptable to the commission of the insurance contract or policy required by this chapter.

 

(b) Before the commission issues a license to a promoter, the applicant shall deposit with the commission a cash bond or surety bond in an amount set by the commission.  The bond shall be executed in favor of this state and shall be conditioned on the faithful performance by the promoter of the promoter's obligations under this chapter and the rules adopted under it.

 

(c) Before the commission issues a license to a boxer, the applicant shall submit to the commission the results of a current medical examination on forms furnished or approved by the commission.  The medical examination must include an ophthalmological and neurological examination.  The ophthalmological exam must be designed to detect any retinal defects or other damage or condition of the eye that could be aggravated by boxing.  The neurological


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examination must include an electroencephalogram or medically superior test if the boxer has been knocked unconscious in a previous boxing or other athletic competition.  The commission may also order an electroencephalogram or other appropriate neurological or physical exam before any contest, match, or exhibition if it determines that the examination is desirable to protect the health of the boxer.

 

Sec. 46.  [341.31] SIMULCAST LICENSES. 

 

The commission shall issue a license to a person or organization holding, showing, or exhibiting a simultaneous telecast of any live, current, or spontaneous boxing or sparring match on a closed circuit telecast or subscription television program viewed within the state, whether originating in this state or elsewhere, and for which a charge is made.  Each person or organization shall apply for such a license in advance of each showing.  No showing may be licensed unless the person or organization applying for the license:

 

(1) certifies that the match is subject to the jurisdiction and regulation of a boxing or athletic regulatory authority in another state or country;

 

(2) certifies the match is in compliance with the requirements of the authority;

 

(3) identifies the authority; and

 

(4) provides any information the commission may require.

 

Sec. 47.  [341.32] LICENSE FEES; EXPIRATION; RENEWAL. 

 

Subdivision 1.  Annual licensure.  The commission may establish and issue annual licenses subject to the collection of advance fees by the commission for: promoters, matchmakers, managers, judges, referees, ring announcers, ringside physicians, timekeepers, boxers, boxers' trainers, boxers' seconds, business entities filing for a license to participate in the holding of any boxing contest, and officers, directors, or other persons affiliated with the business entity.

 

Subd. 2.  Expiration and renewal.  A license expires December 31 at midnight in the year of its issuance and may be renewed on filing an application for renewal of a license with the commission and payment of the license fee required in subdivision 1.  An application for a license and renewal of a license shall be on a form provided by the commission.  There is a 30-day grace period during which a license may be renewed if a late filing penalty fee equal to the license fee is submitted with the regular license fee.  A licensee that files late shall not conduct any activity regulated by this chapter until the commission has renewed the license.  If the licensee fails to apply to the commission within the 30-day grace period, the licensee must apply for a new license under subdivision 1.

 

Sec. 48.  [341.321] FEE SCHEDULE. 

 

The fee schedule for licenses issued by the Minnesota Boxing Commission is as follows:

 

(1) referees, $35 for each initial license and each renewal;

 

(2) promoters, $400 for each initial license and each renewal;

 

(3) judges, $25 for each initial license and each renewal;

 

(4) trainers, $35 for each initial license and each renewal;

 

(5) ring announcers, $25 for each initial license and each renewal;


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(6) boxers' seconds, $25 for each initial license and each renewal;

 

(7) timekeepers, $25 for each initial license and each renewal; and

 

(8) boxers, $35 for each initial license and each renewal.

 

The commissioner shall also collect a promoter fee of $1,500 per event.

 

All fees collected by the Minnesota Boxing Commission must be deposited in an account in the special revenue fund.  Other than initial startup costs, the commission must be funded only from proceeds of these fees.

 

Sec. 49.  [341.33] CONTESTANTS AND REFEREES; PHYSICAL EXAMINATION; ATTENDANCE OF PHYSICIAN; PAYMENT OF FEES. 

 

Subdivision 1.  Examination by physician.  All boxers and referees shall be examined by a physician licensed by this state within three hours before entering the ring, and the examining physician shall immediately file with the commission a written report of the examination.  The physician's examination shall report on the condition of the boxer's heart and general physical and neurological condition.  The physician's report may record the condition of the boxer's nervous system and brain as required by the commission.  The physician may prohibit the boxer from entering the ring if, in the physician's professional opinion, it is in the best interest of the boxer's health.  The cost of the examination is payable by the person or entity conducting the contest or exhibition.

 

Subd. 2.  Attendance of physician.  Every person holding or sponsoring any boxing contest shall have in attendance at every boxing contest a physician licensed by this state.  The commission may establish a schedule of fees to be paid to each attending physician by the person holding or sponsoring the contest.

 

Sec. 50.  [341.34] INSURANCE. 

 

Subdivision 1.  Required insurance.  The commission shall:

 

(1) require insurance coverage for a boxer to provide for medical, surgical, and hospital care for injuries sustained in the ring in an amount of at least $100,000 with $25 deductible and payable to the boxer as beneficiary; and

 

(2) require life insurance for a boxer in the amount of at least $50,000 payable in case of accidental death resulting from injuries sustained in the ring.

 

Subd. 2.  Payment for insurance.  The cost of the insurance required by this section is payable by the promoter.

 

Sec. 51.  [341.35] PENALTIES FOR NONLICENSED EXHIBITIONS. 

 

Any person or persons who send or cause to be sent, published, or otherwise made known, any challenge to fight what is commonly known as a prize fight, or engage in any public boxing or sparring match, with or without gloves, for any prize, reward or compensation, or for which any admission fee is charged directly or indirectly, or go into training preparatory for such fight, exhibition, or contest, or act as a trainer, aider, abettor, backer, umpire, referee, second, surgeon, assistant, or attendant at such fight, exhibition, or contest, or in any preparation for same, and any owner or lessee of any ground, building, or structure of any kind permitting the same to be used for any fight, exhibition, or contest, is guilty of a misdemeanor unless a license for the holding of the fight, exhibition, or contest has been issued by the commission in compliance with the rules adopted by it.


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Sec. 52.  LABOR AGREEMENTS AND COMPENSATION PLANS. 

 

Subdivision 1.  American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees.  The labor agreement between the state of Minnesota and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, Council 5, approved by the Legislative Coordinating Commission Subcommittee on Employee Relations on September 14, 2005, is ratified.

 

Subd. 2.  Minnesota Association of Professional Employees.  The labor agreement between the state of Minnesota and the Minnesota Association of Professional Employees, approved by the Legislative Coordinating Commission Subcommittee on Employee Relations on September 14, 2005, is ratified.

 

Subd. 3.  Middle Management Association.  The labor agreement between the state of Minnesota and the Middle Management Association, approved by the Legislative Coordinating Commission Subcommittee on Employee Relations on November 7, 2005, is ratified.

 

Subd. 4.  Minnesota state college faculty.  The labor agreement between the state of Minnesota and the Minnesota state college faculty, approved by the Legislative Coordinating Commission Subcommittee on Employee Relations on November 7, 2005, is ratified.

 

Subd. 5.  American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees.  The labor agreement between the state of Minnesota and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, Council 5, Unit 8, approved by the Legislative Coordinating Commission Subcommittee on Employee Relations on November 7, 2005, is ratified.

 

Subd. 6.  Managerial plan.  The managerial plan, approved by the Legislative Coordinating Commission Subcommittee on Employee Relations on November 7, 2005, is ratified.

 

Subd. 7.  Commissioner's plan.  The commissioner of employee relations' plan for unrepresented employees, approved by the Legislative Coordinating Commission Subcommittee on Employee Relations on November 7, 2005, is ratified.

 

Subd. 8.  Minnesota Government Engineers Council.  The labor agreement between the state of Minnesota and the Minnesota Government Engineers Council, approved by the Legislative Coordinating Commission Subcommittee on Employee Relations on January 10, 2006, is ratified.

 

Subd. 9.  State Residential Schools Education Association.  The labor agreement between the state of Minnesota and the State Residential Schools Education Association, approved by the Legislative Coordinating Commission Subcommittee on Employee Relations on January 10, 2006, is ratified.

 

Subd. 10.  Interfaculty Organization.  The labor agreement between the state of Minnesota and the Interfaculty Organization, approved by the Legislative Coordinating Commission Subcommittee on Employee Relations on January 10, 2006, is ratified.

 

Subd. 11.  Minnesota State University Association of Administrative and Service Faculty.  The labor agreement between the state of Minnesota and the Minnesota State University Association of Administrative and Service Faculty, approved by the Legislative Coordinating Commission Subcommittee on Employee Relations on January 10, 2006, is ratified.

 

Subd. 12.  Office of Higher Education.  The compensation plan for unrepresented employees of the Office of Higher Education, approved by the Legislative Coordinating Commission Subcommittee on Employee Relations on January 10, 2006, is ratified.


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Subd. 13.  MnSCU Administrators.  The personnel plan for Minnesota State Colleges and Universities administrators, approved by the Legislative Coordinating Commission Subcommittee on Employee Relations on January 10, 2006, is ratified.

 

Subd. 14.  State Board of Investment.  The salary administration plan for the Minnesota State Board of Investment, approved by the Legislative Coordinating Commission Subcommittee on Employee Relations on March 1, 2006, is ratified.

 

Subd. 15.  Managerial plan amendment.  The amendment to the managerial plan, approved by the Legislative Coordinating Commission Subcommittee on Employee Relations on March 1, 2006, is ratified.

 

Subd. 16.  Commissioner's plan amendment.  The amendment to the commissioner's plan, approved by the Legislative Coordinating Commission Subcommittee on Employee Relations on March 1, 2006, is ratified.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective the day following final enactment.

 

Sec. 53.  TRANSFER; TAX RELIEF ACCOUNT. 

 

In fiscal year 2006, the balance in the tax relief account in Minnesota Statutes, section 16A.1522, subdivision 4, estimated to be $316,716,000, is canceled to the general fund.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective the day after final enactment.

 

Sec. 54.  TRANSFER. 

 

On June 30, 2006, the commissioner of finance shall transfer the balances in the tobacco use prevention and local public health endowment fund and the medical education endowment fund to the general fund.  These balances result from investment income credited to the funds after the transfer of balances on July 1, 2003.  The amount transferred under this section is estimated to be $2,933,000.

 

Sec. 55.  REVISOR'S INSTRUCTION. 

 

The revisor of statutes shall correct internal cross-references to sections that are affected by section 56.  The revisor may make changes necessary to correct the punctuation, grammar, or structure of the remaining text and preserve its meaning.

 

Sec. 56.  REPEALER. 

 

Minnesota Statutes 2004, sections 62J.694; and 144.395, are repealed."

 

Delete the title and insert:

 

"A bill for an act relating to the financing of state government; making supplemental appropriations; regulating government operations; providing for and modifying certain programs; providing for a Rochester campus of the University of Minnesota; creating the Boxing Commission and regulating boxing; ratifying certain labor agreements and compensation plans; providing criminal penalties; appropriating money; amending Minnesota Statutes 2004, sections 3.737, subdivision 1; 3.7371, subdivision 3; 16A.152, subdivision 1b; 137.022, subdivision 4; 137.17, subdivisions 1, 3; 256.01, subdivision 18, by adding a subdivision; 256B.431, by adding a subdivision; 256J.021; 256J.626, subdivision 2; Minnesota Statutes 2005 Supplement, sections 16A.152, subdivision 2; 35.05; 119B.13, subdivision 7; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapters 4; 197; 341; repealing Minnesota Statutes 2004, sections 62J.694; 144.395."

 

 

With the recommendation that when so amended the bill pass.

 

      The report was adopted.


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Ozment from the Committee on Agriculture, Environment and Natural Resources Finance to which was referred:

 

S. F. No. 762, A bill for an act relating to the environment; creating the Clean Water Legacy Act; providing authority, direction, and funding to achieve and maintain water quality standards for Minnesota's surface waters in accordance with section 303(d) of the federal Clean Water Act; appropriating money; amending Laws 2005, chapter 20, article 1, section 39; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 446A; proposing coding for new law as Minnesota Statutes, chapter 114D.

 

Reported the same back with the following amendments to the unofficial engrossment:

 

Delete everything after the enacting clause and insert:

 

"Section 1.  Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 103C.501, subdivision 5, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 5.  Contracts by districts.  (a) A district board may contract on a cost-share basis to furnish financial aid to a land occupier or to a state agency for permanent systems for erosion or sedimentation control or water quality improvement that are consistent with the district's comprehensive and annual work plans.

 

(b) The duration of the contract may must, at a minimum, be the time required to complete the planned systems.  A contract must specify that the land occupier is liable for monetary damages, not to exceed the and penalties in an amount of up to 150 percent of the financial assistance received from the district, for failure to complete the systems or practices in a timely manner or maintain the systems or practices as specified in the contract.

 

(c) A contract may provide for cooperation or funding with federal agencies.  A land occupier or state agency may provide the cost-sharing portion of the contract through services in kind.

 

(d) The state board or the district board may not furnish any financial aid for practices designed only to increase land productivity.

 

(e) When a district board determines that long-term maintenance of a system or practice is desirable, the board may require that such maintenance be made a covenant upon the land for the effective life of the practice.  A covenant under this subdivision shall be construed in the same manner as a conservation restriction under section 84.65.

 

Sec. 2.  [114D.05] CITATION. 

 

This chapter may be cited as the "Clean Water Legacy Act."

 

Sec. 3.  [114D.10] LEGISLATIVE PURPOSE AND FINDINGS. 

 

Subdivision 1.  Purpose.  The purpose of the Clean Water Legacy Act is to protect, restore, and preserve the quality of Minnesota's surface waters by providing authority, direction, and resources to achieve and maintain water quality standards for surface waters as required by section 303(d) of the federal Clean Water Act, United States Code, title 33, section 1313(d), and applicable federal regulations.

 

Subd. 2.  Findings.  The legislature finds that:

 

(1) there is a close link between protecting, restoring, and preserving the quality of Minnesota's surface waters and the ability to develop the state's economy, enhance its quality of life, and protect its human and natural resources;


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(2) achieving the state's water quality goals will require long-term commitment and cooperation by all state and local agencies, and other public and private organizations and individuals, with responsibility and authority for water management, planning, and protection; and

 

(3) all persons and organizations whose activities affect the quality of waters, including point and nonpoint sources of pollution, have a responsibility to participate in and support efforts to achieve the state's water quality goals.

 

Sec. 4.  [114D.15] DEFINITIONS. 

 

Subdivision 1.  Application.  The definitions provided in this section apply to the terms used in this chapter.

 

Subd. 2.  Citizen monitoring.  "Citizen monitoring" means monitoring of surface water quality by individuals and nongovernmental organizations that is consistent with section 115.06, subdivision 4, and Pollution Control Agency guidance on monitoring procedures, quality assurance protocols, and data management.

 

Subd. 3.  Clean Water Council.  "Clean Water Council" or "council" means the Clean Water Council created pursuant to section 114D.30, subdivision 1.

 

Subd. 4.  Federal TMDL requirements.  "Federal TMDL requirements" means the requirements of section 303(d) of the Clean Water Act, United States Code, title 33, section 1313(d), and associated regulations and guidance.

 

Subd. 5.  Impaired water.  "Impaired water" means surface water that does not meet applicable water quality standards.

 

Subd. 6.  Public agencies.  "Public agencies" means all state agencies, political subdivisions, joint powers organizations, and special purpose units of government with authority, responsibility, or expertise in protecting, restoring, or preserving the quality of surface waters, managing or planning for surface waters and related lands, or financing waters-related projects.  Public agencies includes the University of Minnesota and other public education institutions.

 

Subd. 7.  Restoration.  "Restoration" means actions, including effectiveness monitoring, that are taken to achieve and maintain water quality standards for impaired waters in accordance with a TMDL that has been approved by the United States Environmental Protection Agency under federal TMDL requirements.

 

Subd. 8.  Surface waters.  "Surface waters" means waters of the state as defined in section 115.01, subdivision 22, excluding groundwater as defined in section 115.01, subdivision 6.

 

Subd. 9.  Third-party TMDL.  "Third-party TMDL" means a TMDL by the Pollution Control Agency that is developed in whole or in part by a qualified public entity other than the Pollution Control Agency consistent with the goals, policies, and priorities in section 114D.20.

 

Subd. 10.  Total maximum daily load or TMDL.  "Total maximum daily load" or "TMDL" means a scientific study that contains a calculation of the maximum amount of a pollutant that may be introduced into a surface water and still ensure that applicable water quality standards for that water are restored and maintained.  A TMDL also is the sum of the pollutant load allocations for all sources of the pollutant, including a wasteload allocation for point sources, a load allocation for nonpoint sources and natural background, an allocation for future growth of point and nonpoint sources, and a margin of safety to account for uncertainty about the relationship between pollutant loads and the quality of the receiving surface water. "Natural background" means characteristics of the water body resulting from the multiplicity of factors in nature, including climate and ecosystem dynamics, that affect the physical, chemical, or biological conditions in a water body, but does not include measurable and distinguishable pollution that is attributable to human activity or influence.  A TMDL must take into account seasonal variations.


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Subd. 11.  TMDL implementation plan.  "TMDL implementation plan" means a document detailing restoration activities needed to meet the approved TMDL's pollutant load allocations for point and nonpoint sources.

 

Subd. 12.  Water quality standards.  "Water quality standards" for Minnesota surface waters are found in Minnesota Rules, chapters 7050 and 7052.

 

Sec. 5.  [114D.20] IMPLEMENTATION; COORDINATION; GOALS; POLICIES; AND PRIORITIES. 

 

Subdivision 1.  Coordination and cooperation.  In implementing this chapter, public agencies and private entities shall take into consideration the relevant provisions of local and other applicable water management, conservation, land use, land management, and development plans and programs.  Public agencies with authority for local water management, conservation, land use, land management, and development plans shall take into consideration the manner in which their plans affect the implementation of this chapter.  Public agencies shall identify opportunities to participate and assist in the successful implementation of this chapter, including the funding or technical assistance needs, if any, that may be necessary.  In implementing this chapter, public agencies shall endeavor to engage the cooperation of organizations and individuals whose activities affect the quality of surface waters, including point and nonpoint sources of pollution, and who have authority and responsibility for water management, planning, and protection.  To the extent practicable, public agencies shall endeavor to enter into formal and informal agreements and arrangements with federal agencies and departments to jointly utilize staff and educational, technical, and financial resources to deliver programs or conduct activities to achieve the intent of this chapter, including efforts under the federal Clean Water Act and other federal farm and soil and water conservation programs.  Nothing in this chapter affects the application of silvicultural exemptions under any federal, state, or local law or requires silvicultural practices more stringent than those recommended in the timber harvesting and forest management guidelines adopted by the Minnesota Forest Resources Council under section 89A.05.

 

Subd. 2.  Goals for implementation.  The following goals must guide the implementation of this chapter:

 

(1) to identify impaired waters in accordance with federal TMDL requirements within ten years after the effective date of this section and thereafter to ensure continuing evaluation of surface waters for impairments;

 

(2) to submit TMDL's to the United States Environmental Protection Agency for all impaired waters in a timely manner in accordance with federal TMDL requirements;

 

(3) to set a reasonable time for implementing restoration of each identified impaired water;

 

(4) to provide assistance and incentives to prevent waters from becoming impaired and to improve the quality of waters which are listed as impaired but have no approved TMDL addressing the impairment;

 

(5) to promptly seek the delisting of waters from the impaired waters list when those waters are shown to achieve the designated uses applicable to the waters; and

 

(6) to achieve compliance with federal Clean Water Act requirements in Minnesota.

 

Subd. 3.  Implementation policies.  The following policies must guide the implementation of this chapter:

 

(1) develop regional and watershed TMDL's and TMDL implementation plans, and TMDL's and TMDL implementation plans for multiple pollutants, where reasonable and feasible;


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(2) maximize use of available organizational, technical, and financial resources to perform sampling, monitoring, and other activities to identify impaired waters, including use of citizen monitoring and citizen monitoring data used by the Pollution Control Agency in assessing water quality must meet the requirements in Appendix D of the Volunteer Surface Water Monitoring Guide, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (2003);

 

(3) maximize opportunities for restoration of impaired waters, by prioritizing and targeting of available programmatic, financial, and technical resources and by providing additional state resources to complement and leverage available resources;

 

(4) use existing regulatory authorities to achieve restoration for point and nonpoint sources of pollution where applicable, and promote the development and use of effective nonregulatory measures to address pollution sources for which regulations are not applicable;

 

(5) use restoration methods that have a demonstrated effectiveness in reducing impairments and provide the greatest long-term positive impact on water quality protection and improvement and related conservation benefits while incorporating innovative approaches on a case-by-case basis;

 

(6) identify for the legislature any innovative approaches that may strengthen or complement existing programs;

 

(7) identify and encourage implementation of measures to prevent waters from becoming impaired and to improve the quality of waters that are listed as impaired but have no approved TMDL addressing the impairment using the best available data and technology, and establish and report outcome-based performance measures that monitor the progress and effectiveness of protection and restoration measures; and

 

(8) monitor and enforce cost-sharing contracts and impose monetary damages in an amount up to 150 percent of the financial assistance received for failure to comply.

 

Subd. 4.  Priorities for identifying impaired waters.  The Pollution Control Agency, in accordance with federal TMDL requirements, shall set priorities for identifying impaired waters, giving consideration to:

 

(1) waters where impairments would pose the greatest potential risk to human or aquatic health; and

 

(2) waters where data developed through public agency or citizen monitoring or other means, provides scientific evidence that an impaired condition exists.

 

Subd. 5.  Priorities for preparation of TMDL's.  The Clean Water Council shall recommend priorities for scheduling and preparing TMDL's and TMDL implementation plans, taking into account the severity of the impairment, the designated uses of those waters, and other applicable federal TMDL requirements.  In recommending priorities, the council shall also give consideration to waters and watersheds:

 

(1) with impairments that pose the greatest potential risk to human health;

 

(2) with impairments that pose the greatest potential risk to threatened or endangered species;

 

(3) with impairments that pose the greatest potential risk to aquatic health;

 

(4) where other public agencies and participating organizations and individuals, especially local, basinwide, watershed, or regional agencies or organizations, have demonstrated readiness to assist in carrying out the responsibilities, including availability and organization of human, technical, and financial resources necessary to undertake the work; and


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(5) where there is demonstrated coordination and cooperation among cities, counties, watershed districts, and soil and water conservation districts in planning and implementation of activities that will assist in carrying out the responsibilities.

 

Subd. 6.  Priorities for restoration of impaired waters.  In implementing restoration of impaired waters, in addition to the priority considerations in subdivision 5, the Clean Water Council shall give priority in its recommendations for restoration funding from the clean water legacy account to restoration projects that:

 

(1) coordinate with and utilize existing local authorities and infrastructure for implementation;

 

(2) can be implemented in whole or in part by providing support for existing or ongoing restoration efforts;

 

(3) most effectively leverage other sources of restoration funding, including federal, state, local, and private sources of funds;

 

(4) show a high potential for early restoration and delisting based upon scientific data developed through public agency or citizen monitoring or other means; and

 

(5) show a high potential for long-term water quality and related conservation benefits.

 

Subd. 7.  Priorities for funding prevention actions.  The Clean Water Council shall apply the priorities applicable under subdivision 6, as far as practicable, when recommending priorities for funding actions to prevent waters from becoming impaired and to improve the quality of waters that are listed as impaired but have no approved TMDL.

 

Sec. 6.  [114D.25] ADMINISTRATION; POLLUTION CONTROL AGENCY. 

 

Subdivision 1.  General duties and authorities.  (a) The Pollution Control Agency, in accordance with federal TMDL requirements, shall:

 

(1) identify impaired waters and propose a list of the waters for review and approval by the United States Environmental Protection Agency;

 

(2) develop and approve TMDL's for listed impaired waters and submit the approved TMDL's to the United State Environmental Protection Agency for final approval; and

 

(3) propose to delist waters from the Environmental Protection Agency impaired waters list.

 

(b) A TMDL must include a statement of the facts and scientific data supporting the TMDL and a list of potential implementation options, including a range of estimates of the cost of implementation and individual wasteload data for any point sources addressed by the TMDL.

 

(c) The implementation information need not be sent to the United States Environmental Protection Agency for review and approval.

 

Subd. 2.  Administrative procedures for TMDL approval.  The approval of a TMDL by the Pollution Control Agency is a final decision of the agency for purposes of section 115.05, and is subject to the contested case procedures of sections 14.57 to 14.62 in accordance with agency procedural rules.  The agency shall not submit an approved TMDL to the United States Environmental Protection Agency until the time for commencing judicial review has run or the judicial review process has been completed.  A TMDL is not subject to the rulemaking requirements of chapter 14, including section 14.386.


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Subd. 3.  TMDL submittal requirement.  Before submitting a TMDL to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, the Pollution Control Agency shall comply with the notice and procedure requirements of this section.  If a contested case proceeding is not required for a proposed TMDL, the agency may submit the TMDL to the United States Environmental Protection Agency no earlier than 30 days after the notice required in subdivision 4.  If a contested case proceeding is required for a TMDL, the TMDL may be submitted to the United States Environmental Protection Agency after the contested case proceeding and appeal process is completed.

 

Subd. 4.  TMDL notice; contents.  The Pollution Control Agency shall give notice of its intention to submit a TMDL to the United States Environmental Protection Agency.  The notice must be given by publication in the State Register and by United States mail to persons who have registered their names with the agency.  The notice must include either a copy of the proposed TMDL or an easily readable and understandable description of its nature and effect and an announcement of how free access to the proposed TMDL can be obtained.  In addition, the agency shall make reasonable efforts to notify persons or classes of persons who may be significantly affected by the TMDL by giving notice of its intention in newsletters, newspapers, or other publications, or through other means of communication.  The notice must include a statement informing the public:

 

(1) that the public has 30 days in which to submit comment in support of or in opposition to the proposed TMDL and that comment is encouraged;

 

(2) that each comment should identify the portion of the proposed TMDL addressed, the reason for the comment, and any change proposed;

 

(3) of the manner in which persons must request a contested case proceeding on the proposed TMDL;

 

(4) that the proposed TMDL may be modified if the modifications are supported by the data and views submitted; and

 

(5) the date on which the 30-day comment period ends.

 

Subd. 5.  Third-party TMDL development.  The Pollution Control Agency may enter into agreements with any qualified public agency setting forth the terms and conditions under which that entity is authorized to develop a third-party TMDL.  In determining whether the public agency is qualified to develop a third-party TMDL, the Pollution Control Agency shall consider the technical and administrative qualifications of the public agency, cost, and shall avoid any potential organizational conflict of interest, as defined in section 16C.02, subdivision 10a, of the public agency with respect to the development of the third-party TMDL.  A third-party TMDL is subject to modification and approval by the Pollution Control Agency, and must be approved by the Pollution Control Agency before it is submitted to the United States Environmental Protection Agency.  The Pollution Control Agency shall only consider authorizing the development of third-party TMDL's consistent with the goals, policies, and priorities determined under section 114D.20.

 

Sec. 7.  [114D.30] CLEAN WATER COUNCIL. 

 

Subdivision 1.  Creation; duties.  A Clean Water Council is created to advise the Pollution Control Agency and other implementing public agencies on the administration and implementation of this chapter, and foster coordination and cooperation as described in section 114D.20, subdivision 1.  The council may also advise on the development of appropriate processes for expert scientific review as described in section 114D.35, subdivision 2.  The Pollution Control Agency shall provide administrative support for the council with the support of other member agencies.  The members of the council shall elect a chair from the nonagency members of the council.


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Subd. 2.  Membership; appointment.  The governor must appoint the members of the council.  The governor must appoint one person from each of the following agencies: the Department of Natural Resources, the Department of Agriculture, the Pollution Control Agency, and the Board of Water and Soil Resources.  The governor must appoint 18 additional nonagency members of the council as follows:

 

(1) two members representing statewide farm organizations;

 

(2) two members representing business organizations;

 

(3) two members representing environmental organizations;

 

(4) one member representing soil and water conservation districts;

 

(5) one member representing watershed districts;

 

(6) one member representing nonprofit organizations focused on improvement of Minnesota lakes or streams;

 

(7) two members representing organizations of county governments;

 

(8) two members representing organizations of city governments;

 

(9) one member representing the Metropolitan Council established under section 473.123;

 

(10) one member representing an organization of township governments;

 

(11) one member representing the interests of tribal governments; and

 

(12) two members representing statewide hunting organizations.

 

In making appointments, the governor must attempt to provide for geographic balance.

 

Subd. 3.  Terms; compensation; removal.  The initial terms of members representing state agencies and the Metropolitan Council expire on the first Monday in January, 2007.  Thereafter, the terms of members representing the state agencies and the Metropolitan Council are four years and are coterminous with the governor.  The terms of other members of the council shall be as provided in section 15.059, subdivision 2.  Members may serve until their successors are appointed and qualify.  Compensation and removal of council members is as provided in section 15.059, subdivisions 3 and 4.  A vacancy on the council may be filled by the appointing authority provided in subdivision 1 for the remainder of the unexpired term.

 

Subd. 4.  Implementation plan.  The Clean Water Council shall prepare a plan for implementation of this chapter.  The plan shall address general procedures and timeframes for implementing this chapter, and shall include a more specific implementation work plan for the next fiscal biennium and a framework for setting priorities to address impaired waters consistent with section 114D.45, subdivisions 2 to 7.  The council shall issue the first implementation plan under this subdivision by December 1, 2006, and shall issue a revised work plan by December 1 of each even-numbered year thereafter.

 

Subd. 5.  Recommendations on appropriation of funds.  The Clean Water Council shall recommend to the governor the manner in which money from the clean water legacy account should be appropriated for the purposes identified in section 114D.45, subdivision 3.  The council's recommendations must be consistent with the purposes, policies, goals, and priorities in sections 114D.05 to 114D.35, and shall allocate adequate support and resources to identify impaired waters, develop TMDL's, develop TMDL implementation plans, implement restoration of


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impaired waters, and provide assistance and incentives to prevent waters from becoming impaired and improve the quality of waters which are listed as impaired but have no approved TMDL.  The council must recommend methods of ensuring that awards of grants, loans, or other funds from the clean water legacy account specify the outcomes to be achieved as a result of the funding, and specify standards to hold the recipient accountable for achieving the desired outcomes.

 

Subd. 6.  Biennial report to legislature.  By December 1 of each even-numbered year, the council shall submit a report to the legislature on the activities for which money has been or will be spent for the current biennium, the activities for which money is recommended to be spent in the next biennium, and the impact on economic development of the implementation of the impaired waters program.  The report due on December 1, 2014, must include an evaluation of the progress made through June 30, 2014, in implementing this chapter, the need for funding of future implementation of those sections, and recommendations for the sources of funding.

 

Sec. 8.  [114D.35] PUBLIC AND STAKEHOLDER PARTICIPATION; SCIENTIFIC REVIEW; EDUCATION. 

 

Subdivision 1.  Public and stakeholder participation.  Public agencies and private entities involved in the implementation of this chapter shall encourage participation by the public and stakeholders, including local citizens, landowners and managers, and public and private organizations, in the identification of impaired waters, in developing TMDL's, and in planning, priority setting, and implementing restoration of impaired waters.  In particular, the Pollution Control Agency shall make reasonable efforts to provide timely information to the public and to stakeholders about impaired waters that have been identified by the agency.  The agency shall seek broad and early public and stakeholder participation in scoping the activities necessary to develop a TMDL, including the scientific models, methods, and approaches to be used in TMDL development, and to implement restoration pursuant to section 114D.15, subdivision 7.

 

Subd. 2.  Expert scientific advice.  The Clean Water Council and public agencies and private entities shall make use of available public and private expertise from educational, research, and technical organizations, including the University of Minnesota and other higher education institutions, to provide appropriate independent expert advice on models, methods, and approaches used in identifying impaired waters, developing TMDL's, and implementing prevention and restoration.

 

Subd. 3.  Education.  The Clean Water Council shall develop strategies for informing, educating, and encouraging the participation of citizens, stakeholders, and others regarding the identification of impaired waters, development of TMDL's, development of TMDL implementation plans, and implementation of restoration for impaired waters.  Public agencies shall be responsible for implementing the strategies.

 

Sec. 9.  Minnesota Statutes 2005 Supplement, section 116.182, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 2.  Applicability.  This section governs the commissioner's certification of projects seeking financial assistance under section 103F.725, subdivision 1a; 446A.07; 446A.072; or 446A.073; 446A.074; or 446A.075.

 

Sec. 10.  Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 446A.051, is amended to read:

 

446A.051 PROJECT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE. 

 

The authority shall assist eligible governmental units in determining what grants or loans under sections 446A.06, and 446A.07, 446A.072, 446A.073, 446A.074, 446A.075, and 446A.081 to apply for to finance projects and the manner in which the governmental unit will pay for its portion of the project cost.  If a project is eligible for


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grants from one or more of the programs under sections 446A.073, 446A.074, and 446A.075, the total grant shall not exceed the greater of the maximum amount from a single program or the amount the project could receive under section 446A.072.  The authority shall review the proposed financing for each project certified by the agency to ascertain whether or not: (1) total financing of a project is assured; and (2) the governmental unit's financial plan to pay for its portion of the project cost is feasible.

 

Sec. 11.  Minnesota Statutes 2005 Supplement, section 446A.073, is amended to read:

 

446A.073 TOTAL MAXIMUM DAILY LOAD GRANTS. 

 

Subdivision 1.  Program established.  When money is appropriated for grants under this program, the authority must make grants to municipalities to cover up to one-half the cost of wastewater treatment projects made necessary by wasteload reductions under total maximum daily load plans required by section 303(d) of the federal Clean Water Act, United States Code, title 33, section 1313(d), or up to one-half of the additional project costs described in subdivision 3, paragraph (b).

 

Subd. 2.  Grant application.  Application for a grant must be made to the authority on forms prescribed by the authority for the total maximum daily load grant program, with additional information as required by the authority, including a project schedule and cost estimate for the work necessary to comply with the point source wasteload allocation.  In accordance with section 116.182, the Pollution Control Agency shall:

 

(1) calculate the essential project component percentage, which must be multiplied by the total project cost to determine the eligible project cost; and

 

(2) review and certify approved projects to the authority.

 

Subd. 3.  Project priorities.  (a) When money is appropriated for grants under this program, the authority shall accept applications from June 1 to June 30 and shall reserve money until June 30 of the following fiscal year for projects in the order that:

 

(1) their total maximum daily load plan study was approved by the United States Environmental Protection Agency and in an amount based on their most recent cost estimates submitted to the authority or the as-bid costs, whichever is less;

 

(2) their grant application is received by the authority; and

 

(3) have the greatest load reduction as determined by the Pollution Control Agency.

 

(b) Any balances remaining after money is reserved for projects in paragraph (a) may be reserved for projects on the Pollution Control Agency's project priority list to cover additional costs associated with wastewater disposal methods not requiring a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit where a new discharge to an impaired water is prohibited due to the lack of total maximum daily load approval by the United States Environmental Protection Agency.

 

(c) The authority shall reserve money for projects in an amount based on the most recent cost estimates submitted to the authority or the as-bid costs, whichever is less.


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Subd. 4.  Grant approval.  The authority must make a grant to a municipality, as defined in section 116.182, subdivision 1, only after:

 

(1) the commissioner of the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has certified to the United States Environmental Protection Agency a total maximum daily load plan study for identified waters of this state that includes a point source wasteload allocation, except for projects described in subdivision 3, paragraph (b);

 

(2) the Environmental Protection Agency has approved the plan total maximum daily load study, except for projects described in subdivision 3, paragraph (b);

 

(3) a municipality affected by the plan has estimated the cost to it of for which money is reserved has submitted as-bid costs for its wastewater treatment projects necessary to comply with the point source wasteload allocation;

 

(4) the Pollution Control Agency has approved the cost estimate reviewed and certified the project to the authority; and

 

(5) the authority has determined that the additional financing necessary to complete the project has been committed from other sources.

 

Subd. 5.  Grant disbursement.  Disbursement of a grant must be made for eligible project costs as incurred by the municipality and in accordance with a project financing agreement and applicable state and federal laws and rules governing the payments.

 

Subd. 6.  Fees.  The authority may charge the grant recipient a fee for its administrative costs not to exceed one-half of one percent of the grant amount, to be paid upon execution of the grant agreement.  Fees paid under this section must be deposited in a separate TMDL program account in the special revenue fund.  Money in the TMDL program account is appropriated to the authority for purposes of administering this section.

 

Sec. 12.  [446A.074] CLEAN WATER LEGACY PHOSPHORUS REDUCTION GRANTS. 

 

Subdivision 1.  Creation of fund.  The authority shall establish a clean water legacy capital improvement fund and shall make grants from the fund as provided in this section.

 

Subd. 2.  Grants.  The authority shall award grants from the clean water legacy capital improvement fund to governmental units for the capital costs of wastewater treatment facility projects or a portion thereof that will reduce the discharge of total phosphorus from the facility to one milligram per liter or less.  A project is eligible for a grant if it meets the following requirements:

 

(1) the applicable phosphorus discharge limit is incorporated in a permit issued by the agency for the wastewater treatment facility on or after March 28, 2000, the grantee agrees to comply with the applicable limit as a condition of receiving the grant, or the grantee made improvements to a wastewater treatment facility on or after March 28, 2000, that include infrastructure to reduce the discharge of total phosphorus to one milligram per liter or less;

 

(2) the governmental unit has submitted a facilities plan for the project to the agency and a grant application to the authority on a form prescribed by the authority; and

 

(3) the agency has approved the facilities plan, and certified the eligible costs for the project to the authority.


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Subd. 3.  Eligible capital costs.  Eligible capital costs for phosphorus reduction grants under subdivision 4, paragraph (a), include the as-bid construction costs and engineering planning and design costs for phosphorus treatment.  Eligible capital costs for phosphorus reduction grants under subdivision 4, paragraph (b), include the final, incurred construction, engineering, planning, and design costs for phosphorus treatment.

 

Subd. 4.  Grant amounts and priorities.  (a) Priority must be given to projects that start construction on or after July 1, 2006.  If a facility's plan for a project is approved by the agency before July 1, 2010, the amount of the grant is 75 percent of the eligible capital cost of the project.  If a facility's plan for a project is approved by the agency on or after July 1, 2010, the amount of the grant is 50 percent of the eligible capital cost of the project.  Priority in awarding grants under this paragraph must be based on the date of approval of the facility's plan for the project.

 

(b) Projects that meet the eligibility requirements in subdivision 2 and have started construction before July 1, 2006, are eligible for grants to reimburse up to 75 percent of the eligible capital cost of the project, less any amounts previously received in grants from other sources.  Application for a grant under this paragraph must be submitted to the authority no later than June 30, 2008.  Priority for award of grants under this paragraph must be based on the date of agency approval of the facility plan.

 

(c) In each fiscal year that money is available for grants, the authority shall first award grants under paragraph (a) to projects that met the eligibility requirements of subdivision 2 by May 1 of that year.  The authority shall use any remaining money available that year to award grants under paragraph (b).  Grants that have been approved but not awarded in a previous fiscal year carry over and must be awarded in subsequent fiscal years in accordance with the priorities in this paragraph.

 

(d) Disbursements of grants under this section by the authority to recipients must be made for eligible project costs as incurred by the recipients, and must be made by the authority in accordance with the project financing agreement and applicable state law.

 

Subd. 5.  Fees.  The authority may charge the grant recipient a fee for its administrative costs not to exceed one-half of one percent of the grant amount, to be paid upon execution of the grant agreement.

 

Sec. 13.  [446A.075] SMALL COMMUNITY WASTEWATER TREATMENT PROGRAM. 

 

Subdivision 1.  Creation of fund.  The authority shall establish a small community wastewater treatment fund and shall make loans and grants from the fund as provided in this section.  Money in the fund is annually appropriated to the authority and does not lapse.  The fund shall be credited with all loan repayments and investment income from the fund, and servicing fees assessed under section 446A.04, subdivision 5.  The authority shall manage and administer the small community wastewater treatment fund, and for these purposes, may exercise all powers provided in this chapter.

 

Subd. 2.  Loans and grants.  (a) The authority shall award loans as provided in paragraph (b) and grants as provided in paragraphs (c) and (d) to governmental units from the small community wastewater treatment fund for projects to replace noncomplying individual sewage treatment systems with a community wastewater treatment system or systems meeting the requirements of section 115.55.  A governmental unit receiving a loan or loan and grant from the fund shall own the community wastewater treatment systems built under the program and shall be responsible, either directly or through a contract with a private vendor, for all inspections, maintenance, and repairs necessary to ensure proper operation of the systems.

 

(b) Loans may be awarded for up to 100 percent of eligible project costs as described in this section.


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(c) When the area to be served by a project has a median household income below the state average median household income, the governmental unit may receive 50 percent of the funding provided under this section in the form of a grant.  An applicant may submit income survey data collected by an independent party if it believes the most recent United States census does not accurately reflect the median household income of the area to be served.

 

(d) If requested, a governmental unit receiving funding under this section may receive a grant equal to ten percent of its first year's award, up to a maximum of $30,000, to contract for technical assistance services from the University of Minnesota Extension Service to develop the technical, managerial, and financial capacity necessary to build, operate, and maintain the systems.

 

Subd. 3.  Project priority list.  Governmental units seeking loans or loans and grants from the small community wastewater treatment program shall first submit a project proposal to the agency on a form prescribed by the agency.  A project proposal shall include the compliance status for all individual sewage treatment systems in the project area.  The agency shall rank project proposals on its project priority list used for the water pollution control revolving fund under section 446A.07.

 

Subd. 4.  Applications.  Governmental units with projects on the project priority list shall submit applications to the authority on forms prescribed by the authority.  The application shall include:

 

(1) a list of the individual sewage treatment systems proposed to be replaced over a period of up to three years;

 

(2) a project schedule and cost estimate for each year of the project;

 

(3) a financing plan for repayment of the loan; and

 

(4) a management plan providing for the inspection, maintenance, and repairs necessary to ensure proper operation of the systems.

 

Subd. 5.  Awards.  The authority shall award loans or loans and grants as provided in subdivision 2 to governmental units with approved applications based on their ranking on the agency's project priority list.  The total amount awarded shall be based on the estimated project costs for the portion of the project expected to be completed within one year, up to an annual maximum of $500,000.  For projects expected to take more than one year to complete, the authority may make a multiyear commitment for a period not to exceed three years, contingent on the future availability of funds.  Each year of a multiyear commitment must be funded by a separate loan or loan and grant agreement meeting the terms and conditions in subdivision 6.  A governmental unit receiving a loan or loan and grant under a multiyear commitment shall have priority for additional loan and grant funds in subsequent years.

 

Subd. 6.  Loan terms and conditions.  Loans from the small community wastewater treatment fund shall comply with the following terms and conditions:

 

(1) principal and interest payments must begin no later than two years after the loan is awarded;

 

(2) loans shall carry an interest rate of one percent;

 

(3) loans shall be fully amortized within ten years of the first scheduled payment or, if the loan amount exceeds $10,000 per household, shall be fully amortized within 20 years but not to exceed the expected design life of the system;

 

(4) a governmental unit receiving a loan must establish a dedicated source or sources of revenues for repayment of the loan and must issue a general obligation note to the authority for the full amount of the loan; and


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(5) each property owner to be served by a community wastewater treatment system under this program must provide an easement to the governmental unit to allow access to the system for management and repairs.

 

Subd. 7.  Special assessment deferral.  (a) A governmental unit receiving a loan under this section that levies special assessments to repay the loan may defer payment of the assessments under the provisions of sections 435.193 to 435.195.

 

(b) A governmental unit that defers payment of special assessments for one or more properties under paragraph (a) may request deferral of that portion of the debt service on its loan, and the authority shall accept appropriate amendments to the general obligation note of the governmental unit.  If special assessment payments are later received from properties that received a deferral, the funds received shall be paid to the authority with the next scheduled loan payment.

 

Subd. 8.  Eligible costs.  Eligible costs for small community wastewater treatment loans and grants shall include the costs of technical assistance as provided in subdivision 2, paragraph (d), planning, design, construction, legal fees, administration, and land acquisition.

 

Subd. 9.  Disbursements.  Loan and grant disbursements by the authority under this section must be made for eligible project costs as incurred by the recipients, and must be made in accordance with the project loan or grant and loan agreement and applicable state law.

 

Subd. 10.  Audits.  A governmental unit receiving a loan under this section must annually provide to the authority for the term of the loan a copy of its annual independent audit or, if the governmental unit is not required to prepare an independent audit, a copy of the annual financial reporting form it provides to the state auditor.

 

Sec. 14.  EFFECTIVE DATE. 

 

Sections 1 to 13 are effective the day following final enactment."

 

Delete the title and insert:

 

"A bill for an act relating to the environment; modifying provisions for cost-sharing contracts for erosion control and water management; creating the Clean Water Legacy Act; providing authority, direction, and funding to achieve and maintain water quality standards according to section 303(d) of the federal Clean Water Act; creating grant and loan programs; appropriating money; amending the Minnesota Public Facilities Authority Act; amending Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 103C.501, subdivision 5; Minnesota Statutes 2005 Supplement, section 116.182, subdivision 2; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 446A; proposing coding for new law as Minnesota Statutes, chapter 114D."

 

 

With the recommendation that when so amended the bill pass.

 

      The report was adopted.

 

 

      Pursuant to Joint Rule 2.03 and in accordance with Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 8, S. F. No. 762 was re-referred to the Committee on Rules and Legislative Administration.


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Smith from the Committee on Public Safety Policy and Finance to which was referred:

 

S. F. No. 1525, A bill for an act relating to corrections; clarifying notification procedure when victim requests a test on offender; amending Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 611A.19.

 

Reported the same back with the following amendments:

 

Delete everything after the enacting clause and insert:

 

"ARTICLE 1

 

GENERAL CRIMINAL AND SENTENCING PROVISIONS

 

Section 1.  Minnesota Statutes 2005 Supplement, section 244.10, subdivision 5, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 5.  Procedures in cases where state intends to seek an aggravated departure.  (a) When the prosecutor provides reasonable notice under subdivision 4, the district court shall allow the state to prove beyond a reasonable doubt to a jury of 12 members the factors in support of the state's request for an aggravated departure from the Sentencing Guidelines or the state's request for an aggravated sentence under any sentencing enhancement statute or the state's request for a mandatory minimum under section 609.11 as provided in paragraph (b) or (c).

 

(b) The district court shall allow a unitary trial and final argument to a jury regarding both evidence in support of the elements of the offense and evidence in support of aggravating factors when the evidence in support of the aggravating factors:

 

(1) would be admissible as part of the trial on the elements of the offense; or

 

(2) would not result in unfair prejudice to the defendant.

 

The existence of each aggravating factor shall be determined by use of a special verdict form.

 

Upon the request of the prosecutor, the court shall allow bifurcated argument and jury deliberations.

 

(c) The district court shall bifurcate the proceedings, or impanel a resentencing jury, to allow for the production of evidence, argument, and deliberations on the existence of factors in support of an aggravated departure after the return of a guilty verdict when the evidence in support of an aggravated departure:

 

(1) includes evidence that is otherwise inadmissible at a trial on the elements of the offense; and

 

(2) would result in unfair prejudice to the defendant.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective the day following final enactment and applies to sentencing hearings and sentencing departures sought on or after that date.

 

Sec. 2.  Minnesota Statutes 2005 Supplement, section 244.10, subdivision 6, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 6.  Defendants to present evidence and argument.  In either a unitary or bifurcated trial under subdivision 5, a defendant shall be allowed to present evidence and argument to the jury or factfinder regarding whether facts exist that would justify an aggravated durational departure or an aggravated sentence under any


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sentencing enhancement statute or a mandatory minimum sentence under section 609.11.  A defendant is not allowed to present evidence or argument to the jury or factfinder regarding facts in support of a mitigated departure during the trial, but may present evidence and argument in support of a mitigated departure to the judge as factfinder during a sentencing hearing.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective the day following final enactment and applies to sentencing hearings and sentencing departures sought on or after that date.

 

Sec. 3.  Minnesota Statutes 2005 Supplement, section 244.10, subdivision 7, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 7.  Waiver of jury determination.  The defendant may waive the right to a jury determination of whether facts exist that would justify an aggravated sentence.  Upon receipt of a waiver of a jury trial on this issue, the district court shall determine beyond a reasonable doubt whether the factors in support of the state's motion for aggravated departure or an aggravated sentence under any sentencing enhancement statute or a mandatory minimum sentence under section 609.11 exist.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective the day following final enactment and applies to sentencing hearings and sentencing departures sought on or after that date.

 

Sec. 4.  [340A.706] ALCOHOL WITHOUT LIQUID DEVICES PROHIBITED. 

 

Subdivision 1.  Definition.  For purposes of this section, an "alcohol without liquid device" is a device, machine, apparatus, or appliance that mixes an alcoholic beverage with pure or diluted oxygen to produce an alcohol vapor that may be inhaled by an individual.  An "alcohol without liquid device" does not include an inhaler, nebulizer, atomizer, or other device that is designed and intended specifically for medical purposes to dispense prescribed or over-the-counter medications.

 

Subd. 2.  Prohibition.  Except as provided in subdivision 3, it is unlawful for any person or business establishment to possess, purchase, sell, offer to sell, or use an alcohol without liquid device.

 

Subd. 3.  Research exemption.  This section does not apply to a hospital that operates primarily for the purpose of conducting scientific research, a state institution conducting bona fide research, a private college or university conducting bona fide research, or a pharmaceutical company or biotechnology company conducting bona fide research.

 

Subd. 4.  Penalty.  Except as provided in subdivision 3, it is unlawful for any person or business establishment to utilize a nebulizer, inhaler, or atomizer or other device as described in subdivision 1, for the purposes of inhaling alcoholic beverages.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective August 1, 2006, and applies to violations committed on or after that date.

 

Sec. 5.  Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 346.155, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

 

Subdivision 1.  Definitions.  (a) The definitions in this subdivision apply to this section.

 

(b) "Person" means any natural person, firm, partnership, corporation, or association, however organized.

 

(c) "Wildlife sanctuary" means a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that:


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(1) operates a place of refuge where abused, neglected, unwanted, impounded, abandoned, orphaned, or displaced wildlife are provided care for their lifetime;

 

(2) does not conduct any commercial activity with respect to any animal of which the organization is an owner; and

 

(3) does not buy, sell, trade, auction, lease, loan, or breed any animal of which the organization is an owner, except as an integral part of the species survival plan of the American Zoo and Aquarium Association.

 

(d) "Possess" means to own, care for, have custody of, or control.

 

(e) "Regulated animal" means:

 

(1) all members of the Felidae family including, but not limited to, lions, tigers, cougars, leopards, cheetahs, ocelots, and servals, but not including domestic cats or cats recognized as a domestic breed, registered as a domestic breed, and shown as a domestic breed by a national or international multibreed cat registry association;

 

(2) bears; and

 

(3) all nonhuman primates, including, but not limited to, lemurs, monkeys, chimpanzees, gorillas, orangutans, marmosets, lorises, and tamarins.

 

Regulated animal includes any hybrid or cross between an animal listed in clause (1), (2), or (3) and a domestic animal and offspring from all subsequent generations of those crosses or hybrids.

 

(f) "Local animal control authority" means an agency of the state, county, municipality, or other governmental subdivision of the state that is responsible for animal control operations in its jurisdiction.

 

(g) "Bodily harm," "substantial bodily harm," and "great bodily harm" have the meanings given them in section 609.02.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective August 1, 2006, and applies to crimes committed on or after that date.

 

Sec. 6.  Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 346.155, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 4.  Requirements.  (a) A person who possesses a regulated animal must maintain health and ownership records on each animal and must maintain the records for the life of the animal.  If possession of the regulated animal is transferred to another person, a copy of the health and ownership records must accompany the animal.

 

(b) A person who possesses a regulated animal must maintain an ongoing program of veterinary care which includes a veterinary visit to the premises at least annually.

 

(c) A person who possesses a regulated animal must notify the local animal control authority in writing within ten days of a change in address or location where the regulated animal is kept.  The notification of change in address or location form must be prepared by the Minnesota Animal Control Association and approved by the Board of Animal Health.

 

(d) A person with a United States Department of Agriculture license for regulated animals shall forward a copy of the United States Department of Agriculture inspection report to the local animal control authority within 30 days of receipt of the inspection report.


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(e) A person who possesses a regulated animal shall prominently display a sign on the structure where the animal is housed indicating that a dangerous regulated animal is on the premises.

 

(f) A person who possesses a regulated animal must notify, as soon as practicable, local law enforcement officials of any escape of a regulated animal.  The person who possesses the regulated animal is liable for any costs incurred by any person, city, county, or state agency resulting from the escape of a regulated animal unless the escape is due to a criminal act by another person or a natural event.

 

(g) A person who possesses a regulated animal must maintain a written recovery plan in the event of the escape of a regulated animal.  The person must maintain live traps, or other equipment necessary to assist in the recovery of the regulated animal.

 

(h) If requested by the local animal control authority, A person may not move a regulated animal from its location unless the person notifies the local animal control authority prior to moving the animal.  The notification must include the date and the location where the animal is to be moved.  This paragraph does not apply to a regulated animal transported to a licensed veterinarian.

 

(i) If a person who possesses a regulated animal can no longer care for the animal, the person shall take steps to find long-term placement for the regulated animal.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective August 1, 2006, and applies to crimes committed on or after that date.

 

Sec. 7.  Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 346.155, subdivision 5, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 5.  Seizure.  (a) The local animal control authority, upon issuance of a notice of inspection, must be granted access at reasonable times to sites where the local animal control authority has reason to believe a violation of this chapter is occurring or has occurred.

 

(b) If a person who possesses a regulated animal is not in compliance with the requirements of this section, the local animal control authority shall take possession of the animal for custody and care, provided that the procedures in this subdivision are followed.

 

(c) Upon request of a person possessing a regulated animal, the local animal control authority may allow the animal to remain in the physical custody of the owner for 30 days, during which time the owner shall take all necessary actions to come in compliance with this section.  During the 30-day period, the local animal control authority may inspect, at any reasonable time, the premises where the animal is kept.

 

(d) If a person who possesses a regulated animal is not in compliance with this section following the 30-day period described in paragraph (c), the local animal control authority shall seize the animal and place it in a holding facility that is appropriate for the species for up to ten days.

 

(e) The authority taking custody of an animal under this section shall provide a notice of the seizure by delivering or mailing it to the owner, by posting a copy of it at the place where the animal is taken into custody, or by delivering it to a person residing on the property.  The notice must include:

 

(1) a description of the animal seized; the authority for and purpose of the seizure; the time, place, and circumstances under which the animal was seized; and a contact person and telephone number;


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(2) a statement that a person from whom a regulated animal was seized may post security to prevent disposition of the animal and may request a hearing concerning the seizure and that failure to do so within five business days of the date of the notice will result in disposition of the animal;

 

(3) a statement that actual costs of the care, keeping, and disposal of the regulated animal are the responsibility of the person from whom the animal was seized, except to the extent that a court or hearing officer finds that the seizure or impoundment was not substantially justified by law; and

 

(4) a form that can be used by a person from whom a regulated animal was seized for requesting a hearing under this subdivision.

 

(e) (f) If a person from whom the regulated animal was seized makes a request within five business days of the seizure, a hearing must be held within five business days of the request to determine the validity of the seizure and disposition of the animal.  The judge or hearing officer may authorize the return of the animal to the person from whom the animal was seized if the judge or hearing officer finds:

 

(1) that the person can and will provide the care required by law for the regulated animal; and

 

(2) the regulated animal is physically fit.

 

(f) (g) If a judge or hearing officer orders a permanent disposition of the regulated animal, the local animal control authority may take steps to find long-term placement for the animal with a wildlife sanctuary, persons authorized by the Department of Natural Resources, or an appropriate United States Department of Agriculture licensed facility.

 

(g) (h) A person from whom a regulated animal is seized is liable for all actual costs of care, keeping, and disposal of the animal, except to the extent that a court or hearing officer finds that the seizure was not substantially justified by law.  The costs must be paid in full or a mutually satisfactory arrangement for payment must be made between the local animal control authority and the person claiming an interest in the animal before return of the animal to the person.

 

(h) (i) A person from whom a regulated animal has been seized under this subdivision may prevent disposition of the animal by posting security in the amount sufficient to provide for the actual costs of care and keeping of the animal.  The security must be posted within five business days of the seizure, inclusive of the day of the seizure.

 

(i) (j) If circumstances exist threatening the life of a person or the life of any animal, local law enforcement or the local animal control authority shall may seize a regulated animal without an opportunity for hearing or court order, or destroy the animal.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective August 1, 2006, and applies to crimes committed on or after that date.

 

Sec. 8.  Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 346.155, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

 

Subd. 9a.  Confinement and control.  A person violates this subdivision who possesses a regulated animal and negligently fails to control the animal or keep it properly confined and as a result the animal causes bodily harm, substantial bodily harm, or great bodily harm to another person.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective August 1, 2006, and applies to crimes committed on or after that date.


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Sec. 9.  Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 346.155, subdivision 10, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 10.  Penalty.  (a) A person who knowingly violates subdivision 2, 3, paragraph (b) or (c), or 4 is guilty of a misdemeanor.

 

(b) A person who knowingly violates subdivision 3, paragraph (a), is guilty of a gross misdemeanor.

 

(c) A person who violates subdivision 9a resulting in bodily harm is guilty of a misdemeanor and may be sentenced to imprisonment for not more than 90 days or to payment of a fine of not more than $1,000, or both.

 

(d) A person who violates subdivision 9a resulting in substantial bodily harm is guilty of a gross misdemeanor and may be sentenced to imprisonment for not more than one year or to payment of a fine of not more than $3,000, or both.

 

(e) A person who violates subdivision 9a resulting in great bodily harm or death is guilty of a felony and may be sentenced to imprisonment for not more than two years or to payment of a fine of not more than $5,000, or both, unless a greater penalty is provided elsewhere.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective August 1, 2006, and applies to crimes committed on or after that date.

 

Sec. 10.  Minnesota Statutes 2005 Supplement, section 518B.01, subdivision 22, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 22.  Domestic abuse no contact order.  (a) A domestic abuse no contact order is an order issued by a court against a defendant in a criminal proceeding for:

 

(1) domestic abuse;

 

(2) harassment or stalking charged under section 609.749 and committed against a family or household member;

 

(3) violation of an order for protection charged under subdivision 14; or

 

(4) violation of a prior domestic abuse no contact order charged under this subdivision.

 

It includes pretrial orders before final disposition of the case and probationary orders after sentencing.

 

(b) A person who knows of the existence of a domestic abuse no contact order issued against the person and violates the order is guilty of a misdemeanor.

 

(c) A person is guilty of a gross misdemeanor who knowingly violates this subdivision during the time period between a previous qualified domestic violence-related offense conviction and the end of the five years following discharge from sentence for that offense.

 

(d) A peace officer shall arrest without a warrant and take into custody a person whom the peace officer has probable cause to believe has violated a domestic abuse no contact order, even if the violation of the order did not take place in the presence of the peace officer, if the existence of the order can be verified by the officer.  The person shall be held in custody for at least 36 hours, excluding the day of arrest, Sundays, and holidays, unless the person is released earlier by a judge or judicial officer.  A peace officer acting in good faith and exercising due care in making an arrest pursuant to this paragraph is immune from civil liability that might result from the officer's actions.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective August 1, 2006, and applies to crimes committed on or after that date.


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Sec. 11.  Minnesota Statutes 2005 Supplement, section 609.02, subdivision 16, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 16.  Qualified domestic violence-related offense.  "Qualified domestic violence-related offense" includes the following offenses: sections 518B.01, subdivision 14 (violation of domestic abuse order for protection); 518B.01, subdivision 22 (violation of domestic abuse no contact order); 609.221 (first-degree assault); 609.222 (second-degree assault); 609.223 (third-degree assault); 609.2231 (fourth-degree assault); 609.224 (fifth-degree assault); 609.2242 (domestic assault); 609.2247 (domestic assault by strangulation); 609.342 (first-degree criminal sexual conduct); 609.343 (second-degree criminal sexual conduct); 609.344 (third-degree criminal sexual conduct); 609.345 (fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct); 609.377 (malicious punishment of a child); 609.713 (terroristic threats); 609.748, subdivision 6 (violation of harassment restraining order); and 609.749 (harassment/stalking); and 609.78, subdivision 2 (interference with an emergency call); and similar laws of other states, the United States, the District of Columbia, tribal lands, and United States territories.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective August 1, 2006, and applies to crimes committed on or after that date.

 

Sec. 12.  Minnesota Statutes 2005 Supplement, section 609.1095, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 4.  Increased sentence for offender who commits a sixth felony.  Whenever a person is convicted of a felony, and the judge is imposing an executed sentence based on a Sentencing Guidelines presumptive imprisonment sentence, the judge may impose an aggravated durational departure from the presumptive sentence up to the statutory maximum sentence if the factfinder determines that the offender has five or more prior felony convictions and that the present offense is a felony that was committed as part of a pattern of criminal conduct.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective August 1, 2006, and applies to crimes committed on or after that date.

 

Sec. 13.  Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 609.11, subdivision 7, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 7.  Prosecutor shall establish.  Whenever reasonable grounds exist to believe that the defendant or an accomplice used a firearm or other dangerous weapon or had in possession a firearm, at the time of commission of an offense listed in subdivision 9, the prosecutor shall, at the time of trial or at the plea of guilty, present on the record all evidence tending to establish that fact unless it is otherwise admitted on the record.  The question of whether the defendant or an accomplice, at the time of commission of an offense listed in subdivision 9, used a firearm or other dangerous weapon or had in possession a firearm shall be determined by the court on the record factfinder at the time of a verdict or finding of guilt at trial or the entry of a plea of guilty based upon the record of the trial or the plea of guilty.  The court factfinder shall also determine on the record at the time of sentencing whether the defendant has been convicted of a second or subsequent offense in which the defendant or an accomplice, at the time of commission of an offense listed in subdivision 9, used a firearm or other dangerous weapon or had in possession a firearm.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective August 1, 2006, and applies to crimes committed on or after that date.

 

Sec. 14.  Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 609.2231, subdivision 6, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 6.  Public employees with mandated duties.  A person is guilty of a gross misdemeanor who:

 

(1) assaults an agricultural inspector, occupational safety and health investigator, child protection worker, public health nurse, animal control officer, or probation or parole officer while the employee is engaged in the performance of a duty mandated by law, court order, or ordinance;


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(2) knows that the victim is a public employee engaged in the performance of the official public duties of the office; and

 

(3) inflicts demonstrable bodily harm.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective August 1, 2006, and applies to crimes committed on or after that date.

 

Sec. 15.