Journal of the House - 88th Day - Monday, March 10, 2008 - Top of Page 8363

 

 

STATE OF MINNESOTA

 

 

EIGHTY-FIFTH SESSION - 2008

 

_____________________

 

EIGHTY-EIGHTH DAY

 

Saint Paul, Minnesota, Monday, March 10, 2008

 

 

The House of Representatives convened at 11:00 a.m. and was called to order by Margaret Anderson Kelliher, Speaker of the House.

 

Prayer was offered by Deacon Nathan Allen, St. Agnes Catholic Church, St. Paul, 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

Anderson, S.

Anzelc

Atkins

Beard

Benson

Berns

Bigham

Bly

Brod

Brown

Brynaert

Buesgens

Bunn

Carlson

Clark

Cornish

Davnie

Dean

DeLaForest

Demmer

Dettmer

Dill

Dittrich

Dominguez

Doty

Drazkowski

Eastlund

Eken

Erhardt

Erickson

Faust

Finstad

Fritz

Gardner

Garofalo

Gottwalt

Greiling

Gunther

Hackbarth

Hamilton

Hansen

Hausman

Haws

Heidgerken

Hilstrom

Hilty

Holberg

Hoppe

Hornstein

Hortman

Hosch

Howes

Huntley

Jaros

Johnson

Juhnke

Kahn

Kalin

Knuth

Koenen

Kohls

Kranz

Laine

Lanning

Lenczewski

Lesch

Liebling

Lieder

Lillie

Loeffler

Madore

Magnus

Mahoney

Marquart

Masin

McFarlane

McNamara

Moe

Morgan

Morrow

Mullery

Murphy, E.

Murphy, M.

Nelson

Nornes

Norton

Olin

Olson

Otremba

Ozment

Paulsen

Paymar

Pelowski

Peppin

Peterson, A.

Peterson, N.

Peterson, S.

Poppe

Rukavina

Ruud

Sailer

Scalze

Seifert

Sertich

Severson

Shimanski

Simon

Simpson

Slawik

Slocum

Solberg

Swails

Thao

Tillberry

Tingelstad

Tschumper

Urdahl

Wagenius

Walker

Ward

Wardlow

Welti

Westrom

Winkler

Wollschlager

Zellers

Spk. Kelliher


 

A quorum was present.

 

Anderson, B., and Smith were excused.

 

Emmer and Thissen were excused until 11:45 a.m. Mariani was excused until 11:50 a.m. Ruth was excused until 12:25 p.m.

 

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


Journal of the House - 88th Day - Monday, March 10, 2008 - Top of Page 8364

Due to the resignation of the House Chaplain Paul Rogers, effective December 4, 2007, the Speaker announced that the next order of business was the election of a House Chaplain.

 

 

ELECTION OF OFFICER

 

The name of the Reverend Richard D. Buller was placed in nomination for House Chaplain by Peterson, S. The nomination was seconded by Hamilton.

 

 

There being no further nominations, the Speaker declared the nominations closed.

 

 

The roll was called on the election of the House Chaplain and the following voted for the nominee:

 


Abeler

Anderson, S.

Anzelc

Atkins

Beard

Benson

Berns

Bigham

Bly

Brod

Brown

Brynaert

Buesgens

Bunn

Carlson

Clark

Cornish

Davnie

Dean

DeLaForest

Demmer

Dettmer

Dill

Dittrich

Dominguez

Doty

Drazkowski

Eastlund

Eken

Erhardt

Erickson

Faust

Fritz

Gardner

Garofalo

Gottwalt

Greiling

Gunther

Hackbarth

Hamilton

Hansen

Hausman

Haws

Heidgerken

Hilstrom

Hilty

Holberg

Hoppe

Hornstein

Hortman

Hosch

Howes

Huntley

Jaros

Johnson

Juhnke

Kahn

Kalin

Knuth

Koenen

Kohls

Kranz

Laine

Lanning

Lenczewski

Lesch

Liebling

Lieder

Lillie

Loeffler

Madore

Magnus

Mahoney

Marquart

Masin

McFarlane

McNamara

Moe

Morgan

Morrow

Mullery

Murphy, E.

Murphy, M.

Nelson

Nornes

Norton

Olin

Olson

Otremba

Ozment

Paulsen

Pelowski

Peppin

Peterson, A.

Peterson, N.

Peterson, S.

Poppe

Rukavina

Ruud

Sailer

Scalze

Seifert

Sertich

Severson

Shimanski

Simon

Simpson

Slawik

Slocum

Solberg

Swails

Thao

Tillberry

Tingelstad

Tschumper

Urdahl

Wagenius

Walker

Ward

Wardlow

Welti

Westrom

Winkler

Wollschlager

Zellers

Spk. Kelliher


 

 

The nominee, having received a majority of the votes cast, was declared duly elected House Chaplain.

 

 

OATH OF OFFICE

 

The oath of office was administered to the House Chaplain-elect by the Speaker.

 

 

REPORTS OF CHIEF CLERK

 

S. F. No. 2471 and H. F. No. 1066, which had been referred to the Chief Clerk for comparison, were examined and found to be identical with certain exceptions.

 

SUSPENSION OF RULES

 

Fritz moved that the rules be so far suspended that S. F. No. 2471 be substituted for H. F. No. 1066 and that the House File be indefinitely postponed. The motion prevailed.


Journal of the House - 88th Day - Monday, March 10, 2008 - Top of Page 8365

S. F. No. 2796 and H. F. No. 2617, which had been referred to the Chief Clerk for comparison, were examined and found to be identical.

 

Bly moved that S. F. No. 2796 be substituted for H. F. No. 2617 and that the House File be indefinitely postponed. The motion prevailed.

 

 

S. F. No. 2910 and H. F. No. 3517, which had been referred to the Chief Clerk for comparison, were examined and found to be identical with certain exceptions.

 

SUSPENSION OF RULES

 

Davnie moved that the rules be so far suspended that S. F. No. 2910 be substituted for H. F. No. 3517 and that the House File be indefinitely postponed. The motion prevailed.

 

 

REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEES AND DIVISIONS

 

 

Pelowski from the Committee on Governmental Operations, Reform, Technology and Elections to which was referred:

 

H. F. No. 2554, A bill for an act proposing an amendment to the Minnesota Constitution, article IV, section 12; adding a provision to allow the legislature or presiding officers to call a special session.

 

Reported the same back with the following amendments:

 

Page 1, line 15, delete the first "both houses" and insert "the house of representatives and a majority of the members elected to the senate"

 

Page 1, line 17, after the period, insert "A special session called by the legislature may not exceed seven legislative days. A bill may be passed on the day prescribed for adjournment of the special session."

 

Page 2, line 4, after "session" insert "for up to seven days" and delete "its members" and insert "the members of each house of the legislature"

 

 

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.

 

 

Otremba from the Committee on Agriculture, Rural Economies and Veterans Affairs to which was referred:

 

H. F. No. 2573, A bill for an act relating to agriculture; modifying prohibited uses of pesticide; amending Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 18B.07, subdivision 2.

 

Reported the same back with the following amendments:


Journal of the House - 88th Day - Monday, March 10, 2008 - Top of Page 8366

Page 2, delete lines 28 to 31 and insert:

 

"(h) Except for public health purposes, it is a violation of this chapter to apply for hire a pesticide to the incorrect site or to a site where an application has not been requested, ordered, or contracted for by the property owner or lawful manager or property manager of the site, notwithstanding that the application is done in a manner consistent with the label or labeling."

 

 

With the recommendation that when so amended the bill pass.

 

The report was adopted.

 

 

Eken from the Committee on Environment and Natural Resources to which was referred:

 

H. F. No. 2777, A bill for an act relating to environment; modifying disposition of solid waste management tax revenue; appropriating money; amending Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 297H.13, subdivision 2.

 

Reported the same back with the recommendation that the bill pass and be re-referred to the Committee on Finance.

 

The report was adopted.

 

 

Lieder from the Transportation Finance Division to which was referred:

 

H. F. No. 2967, A bill for an act relating to traffic regulations; providing for trailer brakes; imposing penalties for forging or possessing false commercial motor vehicle inspection decal; providing that officer may require weighing and inspection of truck weighing more than 10,000 pounds; amending Minnesota Statutes 2006, sections 169.67, subdivision 3; 169.781, subdivision 5; 169.85, subdivision 1.

 

Reported the same back with the recommendation that the bill pass and be re-referred to the Committee on Public Safety and Civil Justice.

 

The report was adopted.

 

 

Atkins from the Committee on Commerce and Labor to which was referred:

 

H. F. No. 2987, A bill for an act relating to motor fuels; modifying definition of biodiesel; increasing minimum biodiesel content; creating tiered biodiesel content goal; appropriating money; amending Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 239.77, as amended; Minnesota Statutes 2007 Supplement, section 296A.01, subdivision 8a.

 

Reported the same back with the following amendments:

 

Delete everything after the enacting clause and insert:

 

"Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 239.77, as amended by Laws 2007, chapter 62, sections 3 and 4, is amended to read:


Journal of the House - 88th Day - Monday, March 10, 2008 - Top of Page 8367

239.77 BIODIESEL CONTENT MANDATE.

 

Subdivision 1. Biodiesel fuel. "Biodiesel fuel" means a renewable, biodegradable, mono alkyl ester combustible liquid fuel that is derived from agricultural and other plant oils or animal fats and; that meets American Society For Testing and Materials specification D6751-07 for Biodiesel Fuel (B100) Blend Stock for Distillate Fuels; and that is manufactured by a person certified by the BQ-9000 National Biodiesel Accreditation Program.

 

Subd. 2. Minimum content. (a) Except as otherwise provided in this section, all diesel fuel sold or offered for sale in Minnesota for use in internal combustion engines must contain at least 2.0 percent the stated percentage of biodiesel fuel oil by volume. on and after the following dates:

 

(1) September 29, 2005 2 percent

(2) May 1, 2009 5 percent

(3) May 1, 2012 10 percent

(4) May 1, 2015 20 percent

 

The minimum content levels in clauses (3) and (4) are effective during the months of April, May, June, July, August, September, and October only. The minimum content for the remainder of the year is five percent. However, if the commissioners of agriculture, commerce, and pollution control determine, after consultation with the biodiesel task force and other technical experts, that an American Society for Testing and Materials specification or equivalent federal standard exists for the specified biodiesel blend level in those clauses that adequately addresses technical issues associated with Minnesota's cold weather and publish a notice in the State Register to that effect, the commissioners may allow the specified biodiesel blend level in those clauses to be effective year-round.

 

(b) The minimum content levels in paragraph (a), clauses (3) and (4), become effective on the date specified only if the commissioners of agriculture, commerce, and pollution control publish notice in the State Register and provide written notice to the chairs of the house of representatives and senate committees with jurisdiction over agriculture, commerce, and transportation policy and finance, at least 270 days prior to the date of each scheduled increase, that all of the following conditions have been met and the state is prepared to move to the next scheduled minimum content level:

 

(1) an American Society for Testing and Materials specification or equivalent federal standard exists for the next minimum diesel-biodiesel blend;

 

(2) a sufficient supply of biodiesel is available and the amount of biodiesel produced in this state is equal to at least 50 percent of anticipated demand at the next minimum content level; and

 

(3) adequate blending infrastructure and regulatory protocol are in place in order to promote biodiesel quality and avoid any potential economic disruption.

 

(c) The commissioners of agriculture, commerce, and pollution control must consult with the biodiesel task force when assessing and certifying conditions in paragraph (b), and in general must seek the guidance of the biodiesel task force regarding biodiesel labeling, enforcement, and other related issues.

 

(d) During a period of biodiesel fuel shortage or a problem with biodiesel quality that negatively affects the availability of biodiesel fuel, the commissioner of commerce may temporarily suspend the minimum content requirement in subdivision 2 until there is sufficient biodiesel fuel, as defined in subdivision 1, available to fulfill the minimum content requirement.


Journal of the House - 88th Day - Monday, March 10, 2008 - Top of Page 8368

(e) By February 1, 2012, and periodically thereafter, the commissioner of commerce shall determine the wholesale diesel price at various pipeline and refinery terminals in the region, and the biodiesel price determined after the $1 per gallon federal credit is subtracted at biodiesel plants in the region. The commissioner shall report wholesale price differences to the governor who, after consultation with the commissioners of commerce and agriculture, may by executive order adjust the biodiesel mandate if a price disparity reported by the commissioner will cause economic hardship to retailers of diesel fuel in this state. Any adjustment must be for a specified period of time, after which the percentage of biodiesel fuel to be blended into diesel fuel returns to the amount required in subdivision 2. The biodiesel mandate must not be adjusted to less than five percent.

 

Subd. 3. Exceptions. (a) The minimum content requirement requirements of subdivision 2 does do not apply to fuel used in the following equipment:

 

(1) motors located at an electric generating plant regulated by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission;

 

(2) railroad locomotives; and

 

(3) off-road taconite and copper mining equipment and machinery.

 

(b) The exemption in paragraph (a), clause (1), expires 30 days after the Nuclear Regulatory Commission has approved the use of biodiesel fuel in motors at electric generating plants under its regulation.

 

Subd. 4. Disclosure. A refinery or terminal shall provide, at the time diesel fuel is sold or transferred from the refinery or terminal, a bill of lading or shipping manifest to the person who receives the fuel. For biodiesel-blended products, the bill of lading or shipping manifest must disclose biodiesel content, stating volume percentage, gallons of biodiesel per gallons of petroleum diesel base-stock, or an ASTM "Bxx" designation where "xx" denotes the volume percent biodiesel included in the blended product. This subdivision does not apply to sales or transfers of biodiesel blend stock between refineries, between terminals, or between a refinery and a terminal.

 

Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2007 Supplement, section 296A.01, subdivision 8a, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 8a. Biodiesel fuel. "Biodiesel fuel" means a renewable, biodegradable, mono alkyl ester combustible liquid fuel derived from agricultural plant oils or animal fats and that meets American Society for Testing and Materials specification D6751-07 for Biodiesel Fuel (B100) Blend Stock for Distillate Fuels has the meaning given in section 239.77, subdivision 1.

 

Sec. 3. PROPOSAL; PETROLEUM INSPECTION FEE REVENUE.

 

The commissioners of finance, commerce, and pollution control must develop and submit to the legislature as part of their next biennial budget request a proposal for eliminating, to the extent feasible, redundant fuel inspections and dedicating all revenue from the petroleum inspection fee levied on petroleum products under Minnesota Statutes, section 239.101, subdivision 3, to the Weights and Measures Division of the Department of Commerce. All additional funding appropriated to the Weights and Measures Division under this proposal must be used for increased and enhanced fuel quality assurance enforcement activities and equipment and for educational activities focused on the handling, distribution, and use of biodiesel fuel.

 

Sec. 4. BIO-BASED DIESEL ALTERNATIVES.

 

(a) By January 1, 2011, the commissioners of agriculture, commerce, and pollution control shall jointly review the technology, economics, and operational characteristics associated with bio-based diesel alternatives and shall make recommendations concerning their use in Minnesota to the governor and the chairs of the house of representatives and senate committees with jurisdiction over agriculture and energy finance.


Journal of the House - 88th Day - Monday, March 10, 2008 - Top of Page 8369

(b) For the purposes of this section, "bio-based diesel alternatives" means alternatives to petroleum diesel fuel that are warrantied for use in a standard diesel engine without modification and derived from a biological resource.

 

Sec. 5. APPROPRIATION.

 

$1,000,000 is appropriated in fiscal year 2009 from the general fund to the commissioner of agriculture. $500,000 is for cold-weather biodiesel blending infrastructure grants to fuel terminals that serve Minnesota. $500,000 must be used to support the algae-to-biofuels research project at the University of Minnesota and the Metropolitan Council."

 

Amend the title as follows:

 

Page 1, line 3, before "appropriating" insert "requiring notice, a proposal, and recommendations to the legislature;"

 

 

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

 

The report was adopted.

 

 

Eken from the Committee on Environment and Natural Resources to which was referred:

 

H. F. No. 2998, A bill for an act relating to natural resources; authorizing free lifetime state park permits for totally and permanently disabled veterans; amending Minnesota Statutes 2006, sections 85.053, by adding a subdivision; 85.055, subdivision 1.

 

Reported the same back with the following amendments:

 

Delete everything after the enacting clause and insert:

 

"Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 85.053, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

 

Subd. 10. Free entrance; permanently and totally disabled veterans. The commissioner shall allow free entrance to state parks and state recreation areas for any veteran with a total and permanent service-connected disability who presents each year a copy of their determination letter to a park attendant or commissioner's designee for an annual park permit. For the purposes of this section, "veteran with a total and permanent service-connected disability" means a resident who has a total and permanent service-connected disability as adjudicated by the United States Veterans Administration or by the retirement board of one of the several branches of the armed forces."

 

Delete the title and insert:

 

"A bill for an act relating to natural resources; authorizing free entrance to state parks for totally and permanently disabled veterans; amending Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 85.053, by adding a subdivision."

 

 

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

 

The report was adopted.


Journal of the House - 88th Day - Monday, March 10, 2008 - Top of Page 8370

Thissen from the Committee on Health and Human Services to which was referred:

 

H. F. No. 3112, A bill for an act relating to insurance; creating statewide health insurance pool for school district employees; appropriating money; amending Minnesota Statutes 2006, sections 3.971, subdivision 6; 13.203; 62E.02, subdivision 23; 62E.10, subdivision 1; 62E.11, subdivision 5; 297I.05, subdivision 5; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 62A.

 

Reported the same back with the recommendation that the bill pass and be re-referred to the Committee on Commerce and Labor.

 

The report was adopted.

 

 

Lieder from the Transportation Finance Division to which was referred:

 

H. F. No. 3128, A bill for an act relating to transportation; permitting deputy registrar office to be moved in city of New Prague.

 

Reported the same back with the following amendments:

 

Delete everything after the enacting clause and insert:

 

"Section 1. DEPUTY REGISTRAR OF MOTOR VEHICLES OFFICE MOVE.

 

Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 168.33; Minnesota Rules, parts 7406.0350 and 7406.0355, or successor rules; or any other rules adopted by the commissioner of public safety limiting sites for the office of deputy registrar based on (1) moving the deputy registrar office to a new location, (2) the distance to an existing deputy registrar office, or (3) the annual volume of transactions processed by any deputy registrar, the commissioner of public safety shall by May 31, 2008, grant a variance to the State Bank of New Prague to move its office of deputy registrar within the limits of the city of New Prague from Scott County to Le Sueur County, with full authority to function as a registration and motor vehicle tax collection deputy registrar. All other provisions regarding the operation of a deputy registrar of motor vehicles under Minnesota Statutes, section 168.33, and Minnesota Rules, chapter 7406, apply to the office. The office move must take place by December 31, 2008.

 

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

 

 

With the recommendation that when so amended the bill pass.

 

The report was adopted.

 

 

Atkins from the Committee on Commerce and Labor to which was referred:

 

H. F. No. 3146, A bill for an act relating to consumer protection; modifying restrictions on the collection and use of Social Security numbers; amending Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 325E.59, subdivision 3, by adding a subdivision; Minnesota Statutes 2007 Supplement, section 325E.59, subdivision 1.

 

Reported the same back with the following amendments:


Journal of the House - 88th Day - Monday, March 10, 2008 - Top of Page 8371

Delete everything after the enacting clause and insert:

 

"Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2007 Supplement, section 325E.59, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

 

Subdivision 1. Generally. (a) A person or entity, not including a government entity, may not do any of the following:

 

(1) publicly post or publicly display in any manner an individual's Social Security number. "Publicly post" or "publicly display" means to intentionally communicate or otherwise make available to the general public;

 

(2) print an individual's Social Security number on any card required for the individual to access products or services provided by the person or entity;

 

(3) require an individual to transmit the individual's Social Security number over the Internet, unless the connection is secure or the Social Security number is encrypted, except as required by titles XVIII and XIX of the Social Security Act and by Code of Federal Regulations, title 42, section 483.20;

 

(4) require an individual to use the individual's Social Security number to access an Internet Web site, unless a password or unique personal identification number or other authentication device is also required to access the Internet Web site;

 

(5) print a number that the person or entity knows to be an individual's Social Security number on any materials that are mailed to the individual, unless state or federal law requires the Social Security number to be on the document to be mailed. If, in connection with a transaction involving or otherwise relating to an individual, a person or entity receives a number from a third party, that person or entity is under no duty to inquire or otherwise determine whether the number is or includes that individual's Social Security number and may print that number on materials mailed to the individual, unless the person or entity receiving the number has actual knowledge that the number is or includes the individual's Social Security number;

 

(6) assign or use a number as the primary account identifier that is identical to or incorporates an individual's complete Social Security number, except in conjunction with an employee or member retirement or benefit plan; or

 

(7) sell Social Security numbers obtained from individuals in the course of business.

 

Notwithstanding clauses (1) to (5), Social Security numbers may be included in applications and forms sent by mail, including documents sent as part of an application or enrollment process, or to establish, amend, or terminate an account, contract, or policy, or to confirm the accuracy of the Social Security number. Nothing in this paragraph authorizes inclusion of a Social Security number on the outside of a mailing or in the bulk mailing of a credit card solicitation offer.

 

(b) A person or entity, not including a government entity, must restrict access to individual Social Security numbers it holds so that only employees or agents who require access to records containing the numbers in order to perform their job duties have access to the numbers, except as required by titles XVIII and XIX of the Social Security Act and by Code of Federal Regulations, title 42, section 483.20.

 

(c) This section applies only to the use of Social Security numbers on or after July 1, 2008.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2008.


Journal of the House - 88th Day - Monday, March 10, 2008 - Top of Page 8372

Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 325E.59, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 3. Coordination with other law. (a) This section does not prevent the collection, use, or release of a Social Security number as required authorized by state or federal law or the use of a Social Security number for internal verification or administrative purposes.

 

(b) This section does not prevent the release of a Social Security number as part of a consumer report as defined in United States Code, title 15, section 1681a, paragraph (d), or in a request for such a report, that is furnished as a result of a transaction initiated by a consumer with the consumer's consent, furnished to a consumer's current or prospective employer with the consumer's consent, or furnished to a court or law enforcement agency.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2008."

 

Delete the title and insert:

 

"A bill for an act relating to consumer protection; modifying restrictions on the collection and use of Social Security numbers; amending Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 325E.59, subdivision 3; Minnesota Statutes 2007 Supplement, section 325E.59, subdivision 1."

 

 

With the recommendation that when so amended the bill pass and be re-referred to the Committee on Public Safety and Civil Justice.

 

The report was adopted.

 

 

Mullery from the Committee on Public Safety and Civil Justice to which was referred:

 

H. F. No. 3217, A bill for an act relating to crimes; including false police and fire emergency calls as misdemeanor offense; amending Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 609.78, subdivision 1.

 

Reported the same back with the following amendments:

 

Page 1, line 16, before "makes" insert "intentionally"

 

 

With the recommendation that when so amended the bill pass.

 

The report was adopted.

 

 

Thissen from the Committee on Health and Human Services to which was referred:

 

H. F. No. 3222, A bill for an act relating to human services; clarifying certain asset transfers; amending medical assistance preferred drug list; creating a cause of action for certain asset transfers; changing medical assistance lien provisions; modifying a children's pilot program; establishing a statewide health information exchange; allowing certain claims against an estate; amending Minnesota Statutes 2006, sections 256B.056, subdivision 4a; 256B.0571, subdivisions 8, 15, by adding a subdivision; 256B.0595, by adding subdivisions; 256B.0625, subdivision 13g; 256B.075, subdivision 2; 524.3-803; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 256B.

 

Reported the same back with the following amendments:


Journal of the House - 88th Day - Monday, March 10, 2008 - Top of Page 8373

Delete everything after the enacting clause and insert:

 

"Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2007 Supplement, section 256B.055, subdivision 14, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 14. Persons detained by law. (a) Medical assistance may be paid for an inmate of a correctional facility who is conditionally released as authorized under section 241.26, 244.065, or 631.425, if the individual does not require the security of a public detention facility and is housed in a halfway house or community correction center, or under house arrest and monitored by electronic surveillance in a residence approved by the commissioner of corrections, and if the individual meets the other eligibility requirements of this chapter.

 

(b) An individual who is enrolled in medical assistance, and who is charged with a crime and incarcerated for less than 12 months shall be suspended from eligibility at the time of incarceration until the individual is released. Upon release, medical assistance eligibility is reinstated without reapplication using a reinstatement process and form, if the individual is otherwise eligible.

 

(c) An individual, regardless of age, who is considered an inmate of a public institution as defined in Code of Federal Regulations, title 42, section 435.1009 435.1010, is not eligible for medical assistance.

 

Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 256B.056, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 2. Homestead exclusion and homestead equity limit for institutionalized persons residing in a long-term care facility. (a) The homestead shall be excluded for the first six calendar months of a person's stay in a long-term care facility and shall continue to be excluded for as long as the recipient can be reasonably expected to return to the homestead. For purposes of this subdivision, "reasonably expected to return to the homestead" means the recipient's attending physician has certified that the expectation is reasonable, and the recipient can show that the cost of care upon returning home will be met through medical assistance or other sources. The homestead shall continue to be excluded for persons residing in a long-term care facility if it is used as a primary residence by one of the following individuals:

 

(1) the spouse;

 

(2) a child under age 21;

 

(3) a child of any age who is blind or permanently and totally disabled as defined in the supplemental security income program;

 

(4) a sibling who has equity interest in the home and who resided in the home for at least one year immediately before the date of the person's admission to the facility; or

 

(5) a child of any age, or, subject to federal approval, a grandchild of any age, who resided in the home for at least two years immediately before the date of the person's admission to the facility, and who provided care to the person that permitted the person to reside at home rather than in an institution.

 

(b) Effective for applications filed on or after July 1, 2006, and for renewals after July 1, 2006, for persons who first applied for payment of long-term care services on or after January 2, 2006, the equity interest in the homestead of an individual whose eligibility for long-term care services is determined on or after January 1, 2006, shall not exceed $500,000, unless it is the lawful residence of the individual's spouse or child who is under age 21, blind, or disabled. The amount specified in this paragraph shall be increased beginning in year 2011, from year to year based on the percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index for all urban consumers (all items; United States city average), rounded to the nearest $1,000. This provision may be waived in the case of demonstrated hardship by a process to be determined by the secretary of health and human services pursuant to section 6014 of the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005, Public Law 109-171.


Journal of the House - 88th Day - Monday, March 10, 2008 - Top of Page 8374

Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 256B.056, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

 

Subd. 2a. Home equity limit for medical assistance payment of long-term care services. (a) Effective for requests of medical assistance payment of long-term care services filed on or after July 1, 2006, and for renewals on or after July 1, 2006, for persons who received payment of long-term care services under a request filed on or after January 1, 2006, the equity interest in the home of a person whose eligibility for long-term care services is determined on or after January 1, 2006, shall not exceed $500,000, unless it is the lawful residence of the person's spouse or child who is under age 21, or a child of any age who is blind or permanently and totally disabled as defined in the Supplemental Security Income program. The amount specified in this paragraph shall be increased beginning in year 2011, from year to year based on the percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index for all urban consumers (all items; United States city average), rounded to the nearest $1,000.

 

(b) For purposes of this subdivision, a "home" means any real or personal property interest, including an interest in an agricultural homestead as defined under section 273.124, subdivision 1, that, at the time of the request for medical assistance payment of long-term care services, is the primary dwelling of the person or was the primary dwelling of the person before receipt of long-term care services began outside of the home.

 

(c) A person denied or terminated from medical assistance payment of long-term care services because the person's home equity exceeds the home equity limit may seek a waiver based upon a hardship by filing a written request with the county agency. Hardship is an imminent threat to the person's health and well-being that is demonstrated by documentation of no alternatives for payment of long-term care services. The county agency shall make a decision regarding the written request to waive the home equity limit within 30 days if all necessary information has been provided. The county agency shall send the person and the person's representative a written notice of decision on the request for a demonstrated hardship waiver that also advises the person of appeal rights under the fair hearing process of section 256.045.

 

Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 256B.056, subdivision 4a, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 4a. Asset verification. For purposes of verification, the value of an individual is not required to make a good faith effort to sell a life estate that is not excluded under subdivision 2 and the life estate shall be considered deemed not salable unless the owner of the remainder interest intends to purchase the life estate, or the owner of the life estate and the owner of the remainder sell the entire property. This subdivision applies only for the purpose of determining eligibility for medical assistance, and does not apply to the valuation of assets owned by either the institutional spouse or the community spouse under section 256B.059, subdivision 2.

 

Sec. 5. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 256B.056, subdivision 11, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 11. Treatment of annuities. (a) Any individual applying for or seeking recertification of eligibility for person requesting medical assistance payment of long-term care services shall provide a complete description of any interest either the individual person or the individual's person's spouse has in annuities on a form designated by the department. The form shall include a statement that the state becomes a preferred remainder beneficiary of annuities or similar financial instruments by virtue of the receipt of medical assistance payment of long-term care services. The individual person and the individual's person's spouse shall furnish the agency responsible for determining eligibility with complete current copies of their annuities and related documents for review as part of the application process on disclosure forms provided by the department as part of their application and complete the form designating the state as the preferred remainder beneficiary for each annuity in which the person or the person's spouse has an interest.

 

(b) The disclosure form shall include a statement that the department becomes the remainder beneficiary under the annuity or similar financial instrument by virtue of the receipt of medical assistance. The disclosure form department shall include a provide notice to the issuer of the department's right under this section as a preferred


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remainder beneficiary under the annuity or similar financial instrument for medical assistance furnished to the individual person or the individual's person's spouse, and require the issuer to provide confirmation that a remainder beneficiary designation has been made and to notify the county agency when there is a change in the amount of the income or principal being withdrawn from the annuity or other similar financial instrument at the time of the most recent disclosure required under this section. The individual and the individual's spouse shall execute separate disclosure forms for each annuity or similar financial instrument that they are required to disclose under this section and in which they have an interest. provide notice of the issuer's responsibilities as provided in paragraph (c).

 

(c) An issuer of an annuity or similar financial instrument who receives notice on a disclosure form of the state's right to be named a preferred remainder beneficiary as described in paragraph (b) shall provide confirmation to the requesting agency that a remainder beneficiary designating the state has been made and a preferred remainder beneficiary. The issuer shall also notify the county agency when there is a change in the amount of income or principal being withdrawn from the annuity or other similar financial instrument or a change in the state's preferred remainder beneficiary designation under the annuity or other similar financial instrument occurs. The county agency shall provide the issuer with the name, address, and telephone number of a unit within the department that the issuer can contact to comply with this paragraph.

 

(d) "Preferred remainder beneficiary" for purposes of this subdivision and sections 256B.0594 and 256B.0595 means the state is a remainder beneficiary in the first position in an amount equal to the amount of medical assistance paid on behalf of the institutionalized person, or is a remainder beneficiary in the second position if the institutionalized person designates and is survived by a remainder beneficiary who is (1) a spouse who does not reside in a medical institution, (2) a minor child, or (3) a child of any age who is blind or permanently and totally disabled as defined in the Supplemental Security Income program. Notwithstanding this paragraph, the state is the remainder beneficiary in the first position if the spouse or child disposes of the remainder for less than fair market value.

 

(e) For purposes of this subdivision, "institutionalized person" and "long-term care services" have the meanings given in section 256B.0595, subdivision 1, paragraph (h).

 

(f) For purposes of this subdivision, "medical institution" means a skilled nursing facility, intermediate care facility, intermediate care facility for persons with developmental disabilities, nursing facility, or inpatient hospital.

 

Sec. 6. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 256B.057, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

 

Subdivision 1. Infants and pregnant women. (a)(1) An infant less than one year of age or a pregnant woman who has written verification of a positive pregnancy test from a physician or licensed registered nurse is eligible for medical assistance if countable family income is equal to or less than 275 percent of the federal poverty guideline for the same family size. A pregnant woman who has written verification of a positive pregnancy test from a physician or licensed registered nurse is eligible for medical assistance if countable family income is equal to or less than 200 percent of the federal poverty guideline for the same family size. For purposes of this subdivision, "countable family income" means the amount of income considered available using the methodology of the AFDC program under the state's AFDC plan as of July 16, 1996, as required by the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (PRWORA), Public Law 104-193, except for the earned income disregard and employment deductions.

 

(2) For applications processed within one calendar month prior to the effective date, eligibility shall be determined by applying the income standards and methodologies in effect prior to the effective date for any months in the six-month budget period before that date and the income standards and methodologies in effect on the effective date for any months in the six-month budget period on or after that date. The income standards for each month shall be added together and compared to the applicant's total countable income for the six-month budget period to determine eligibility.


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(b)(1) [Expired, 1Sp2003 c 14 art 12 s 19]

 

(2) For applications processed within one calendar month prior to July 1, 2003, eligibility shall be determined by applying the income standards and methodologies in effect prior to July 1, 2003, for any months in the six-month budget period before July 1, 2003, and the income standards and methodologies in effect on the expiration date for any months in the six-month budget period on or after July 1, 2003. The income standards for each month shall be added together and compared to the applicant's total countable income for the six-month budget period to determine eligibility.

 

(3) An amount equal to the amount of earned income exceeding 275 percent of the federal poverty guideline, up to a maximum of the amount by which the combined total of 185 percent of the federal poverty guideline plus the earned income disregards and deductions allowed under the state's AFDC plan as of July 16, 1996, as required by the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Act of 1996 (PRWORA), Public Law 104-193, exceeds 275 percent of the federal poverty guideline will be deducted for pregnant women and infants less than one year of age.

 

(c) Dependent care and child support paid under court order shall be deducted from the countable income of pregnant women.

 

(d) An infant born on or after January 1, 1991, to a woman who was eligible for and receiving medical assistance on the date of the child's birth shall continue to be eligible for medical assistance without redetermination until the child's first birthday, as long as the child remains in the woman's household.

 

Sec. 7. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 256B.0571, subdivision 8, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 8. Program established. (a) The commissioner, in cooperation with the commissioner of commerce, shall establish the Minnesota partnership for long-term care program to provide for the financing of long-term care through a combination of private insurance and medical assistance.

 

(b) An individual who meets the requirements in this paragraph is eligible to participate in the partnership program. The individual must:

 

(1) be a Minnesota resident at the time coverage first became effective under the partnership policy;

 

(2) be a beneficiary of a partnership policy that (i) is issued on or after the effective date of the state plan amendment implementing the partnership program in Minnesota, or (ii) qualifies as a partnership policy under the provisions of subdivision 8a, or (iii) if permitted under subdivision 17, qualifies for a partnership program established by another state under United States Code, title 42, section 1396p(b)(1)(C), and is either issued on or after the effective date of the state plan amendment implementing the partnership program in the state of issuance or qualifies for an exchange under the requirements of the partnership program in that state; and

 

(3) have exhausted all of the benefits under the partnership policy as described in this section. Benefits received under a long-term care insurance policy before July 1, 2006, do not count toward the exhaustion of benefits required in this subdivision.

 

Sec. 8. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 256B.0571, subdivision 9, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 9. Medical assistance eligibility. (a) Upon application request for medical assistance program payment of long-term care services by an individual who meets the requirements described in subdivision 8, the commissioner shall determine the individual's eligibility for medical assistance according to paragraphs (b) to (i).


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(b) After determining assets subject to the asset limit under section 256B.056, subdivision 3 or 3c, or 256B.057, subdivision 9 or 10, the commissioner shall allow the individual to designate assets to be protected from recovery under subdivisions 13 and 15 up to the dollar amount of the benefits utilized under the partnership policy. Designated assets shall be disregarded for purposes of determining eligibility for payment of long-term care services.

 

(c) The individual shall identify the designated assets and the full fair market value of those assets and designate them as assets to be protected at the time of initial application for medical assistance. The full fair market value of real property or interests in real property shall be based on the most recent full assessed value for property tax purposes for the real property, unless the individual provides a complete professional appraisal by a licensed appraiser to establish the full fair market value. The extent of a life estate in real property shall be determined using the life estate table in the health care program's manual. Ownership of any asset in joint tenancy shall be treated as ownership as tenants in common for purposes of its designation as a disregarded asset. The unprotected value of any protected asset is subject to estate recovery according to subdivisions 13 and 15.

 

(d) The right to designate assets to be protected is personal to the individual and ends when the individual dies, except as otherwise provided in subdivisions 13 and 15. It does not include the increase in the value of the protected asset and the income, dividends, or profits from the asset. It may be exercised by the individual or by anyone with the legal authority to do so on the individual's behalf. It shall not be sold, assigned, transferred, or given away.

 

(e) If the dollar amount of the benefits utilized under a partnership policy is greater than the full fair market value of all assets protected at the time of the application for medical assistance long-term care services, the individual may designate additional assets that become available during the individual's lifetime for protection under this section. The individual must make the designation in writing to the county agency no later than the last date on which the individual must report a change in circumstances to the county agency, as provided for under the medical assistance program ten days from the date the designation is requested by the county agency. Any excess used for this purpose shall not be available to the individual's estate to protect assets in the estate from recovery under section 256B.15 or 524.3-1202, or otherwise.

 

(f) This section applies only to estate recovery under United States Code, title 42, section 1396p, subsections (a) and (b), and does not apply to recovery authorized by other provisions of federal law, including, but not limited to, recovery from trusts under United States Code, title 42, section 1396p, subsection (d)(4)(A) and (C), or to recovery from annuities, or similar legal instruments, subject to section 6012, subsections (a) and (b), of the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005, Public Law 109-171.

 

(g) An individual's protected assets owned by the individual's spouse who applies for payment of medical assistance long-term care services shall not be protected assets or disregarded for purposes of eligibility of the individual's spouse solely because they were protected assets of the individual.

 

(h) Assets designated under this subdivision shall not be subject to penalty under section 256B.0595.

 

(i) The commissioner shall otherwise determine the individual's eligibility for payment of long-term care services according to medical assistance eligibility requirements.

 

Sec. 9. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 256B.0571, subdivision 15, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 15. Limitation on liens. (a) An individual's interest in real property shall not be subject to a medical assistance lien under sections 514.980 to 514.985 or a notice of potential claim lien arising under section 256B.15 while and to the extent it is protected under subdivision 9. An individual's interest in real property that exceeds the value protected under subdivision 9 is subject to a lien for recovery.


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(b) Medical assistance liens under sections 514.980 to 514.985 or liens arising under notices of potential claims section 256B.15 against an individual's interests in real property in the individual's estate that are designated as protected under subdivision 13, paragraph (b), shall be released to the extent of the dollar value of the protection applied to the interest.

 

(c) If an interest in real property is protected from a lien for recovery of medical assistance paid on behalf of the individual under paragraph (a) or (b), no lien for recovery of medical assistance paid on behalf of that individual shall be filed against the protected interest in real property after it is distributed to the individual's heirs or devisees.

 

Sec. 10. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 256B.0571, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

 

Subd. 17. Reciprocal agreements. The commissioner may enter into an agreement with any other state with a partnership program under United States Code, title 42, section 1396p(b)(1)(C), for reciprocal recognition of qualified long-term care insurance policies purchased under each state's partnership program. The commissioner shall notify the secretary of the United States Department of Health and Human Services if the commissioner declines to enter into a national reciprocal agreement.

 

Sec. 11. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 256B.058, is amended to read:

 

256B.058 TREATMENT OF INCOME OF INSTITUTIONALIZED SPOUSE.

 

Subdivision 1. Income not available. The income described in subdivisions 2 and 3 shall be deducted from an institutionalized spouse's monthly income and is not considered available for payment of the monthly costs of an institutionalized person spouse in the institution after the person has been determined eligible for medical assistance.

 

Subd. 2. Monthly income allowance for community spouse. (a) For an institutionalized spouse with a spouse residing in the community, monthly income may be allocated to the community spouse as a monthly income allowance for the community spouse. Beginning with the first full calendar month the institutionalized spouse is in the institution, the monthly income allowance is not considered available to the institutionalized spouse for monthly payment of costs of care in the institution as long as the income is made available to the community spouse.

 

(b) The monthly income allowance is the amount by which the community spouse's monthly maintenance needs allowance under paragraphs (c) and (d) exceeds the amount of monthly income otherwise available to the community spouse.

 

(c) The community spouse's monthly maintenance needs allowance is the lesser of $1,500 or 122 percent of the monthly federal poverty guideline for a family of two plus an excess shelter allowance. The excess shelter allowance is for the amount of shelter expenses that exceed 30 percent of 122 percent of the federal poverty guideline line for a family of two. Shelter expenses are the community spouse's expenses for rent, mortgage payments including principal and interest, taxes, insurance, required maintenance charges for a cooperative or condominium that is the community spouse's principal residence, and the standard utility allowance under section 5(e) of the federal Food Stamp Act of 1977. If the community spouse has a required maintenance charge for a cooperative or condominium, the standard utility allowance must be reduced by the amount of utility expenses included in the required maintenance charge.

 

If the community or institutionalized spouse establishes that the community spouse needs income greater than the monthly maintenance needs allowance determined in this paragraph due to exceptional circumstances resulting in significant financial duress, the monthly maintenance needs allowance may be increased to an amount that provides needed additional income.


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(d) The percentage of the federal poverty guideline used to determine the monthly maintenance needs allowance in paragraph (c) is increased to 133 percent on July 1, 1991, and to 150 percent on July 1, 1992. Adjustments in the income limits due to annual changes in the federal poverty guidelines shall be implemented the first day of July following publication of the annual changes. The $1,500 maximum must be adjusted January 1, 1990, and every January 1 after that by the same percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index for all urban consumers (all items; United States city average) between the two previous Septembers.

 

(e) If a court has entered an order against an institutionalized spouse for monthly income for support of the community spouse, the community spouse's monthly income allowance under this subdivision shall not be less than the amount of the monthly income ordered.

 

Subd. 3. Family allowance. (a) A family allowance determined under paragraph (b) is not considered available to the institutionalized spouse for monthly payment of costs of care in the institution.

 

(b) The family allowance is equal to one-third of the amount by which 122 percent of the monthly federal poverty guideline for a family of two exceeds the monthly income for that family member.

 

(c) For purposes of this subdivision, the term family member only includes a minor or dependent child as defined in the Internal Revenue Code, dependent parent, or dependent sibling of the institutionalized or community spouse if the sibling resides with the community spouse.

 

(d) The percentage of the federal poverty guideline used to determine the family allowance in paragraph (b) is increased to 133 percent on July 1, 1991, and to 150 percent on July 1, 1992. Adjustments in the income limits due to annual changes in the federal poverty guidelines shall be implemented the first day of July following publication of the annual changes.

 

Subd. 4. Treatment of income. (a) No income of the community spouse will be considered available to an eligible institutionalized spouse, beginning the first full calendar month of institutionalization, except as provided in this subdivision.

 

(b) In determining the income of an institutionalized spouse or community spouse, after the institutionalized spouse has been determined eligible for medical assistance, the following rules apply.

 

(1) For income that is not from a trust, availability is determined according to items (i) to (v), unless the instrument providing the income otherwise specifically provides:

 

(i) if payment is made solely in the name of one spouse, the income is considered available only to that spouse;

 

(ii) if payment is made in the names of both spouses, one-half of the income is considered available to each;

 

(iii) if payment is made in the names of one or both spouses together with one or more other persons, the income is considered available to each spouse according to the spouse's interest, or one-half of the joint interest is considered available to each spouse if each spouse's interest is not specified;

 

(iv) if there is no instrument that establishes ownership, one-half of the income is considered available to each spouse; and

 

(v) either spouse may rebut the determination of availability of income by showing by a preponderance of the evidence that ownership interests are different than provided above.


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(2) For income from a trust, income is considered available to each spouse as provided in the trust. If the trust does not specify an amount available to either or both spouses, availability will be determined according to items (i) to (iii):

 

(i) if payment of income is made only to one spouse, the income is considered available only to that spouse;

 

(ii) if payment of income is made to both spouses, one-half is considered available to each; and

 

(iii) if payment is made to either or both spouses and one or more other persons, the income is considered available to each spouse in proportion to each spouse's interest, or if no such interest is specified, one-half of the joint interest is considered available to each spouse.

 

Sec. 12. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 256B.059, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

 

Subdivision 1. Definitions. (a) For purposes of this section and section sections 256B.058 and 256B.0595, the terms defined in this subdivision have the meanings given them.

 

(b) "Community spouse" means the spouse of an institutionalized spouse.

 

(c) "Spousal share" means one-half of the total value of all assets, to the extent that either the institutionalized spouse or the community spouse had an ownership interest at the time of the first continuous period of institutionalization.

 

(d) "Assets otherwise available to the community spouse" means assets individually or jointly owned by the community spouse, other than assets excluded by subdivision 5, paragraph (c).

 

(e) "Community spouse asset allowance" is the value of assets that can be transferred under subdivision 3.

 

(f) "Institutionalized spouse" means a person who is:

 

(1) in a hospital, nursing facility, or intermediate care facility for persons with developmental disabilities, or receiving home and community-based services under section 256B.0915 or 256B.49, and is expected to remain in the facility or institution or receive the home and community-based services for at least 30 consecutive days; and

 

(2) married to a person who is not in a hospital, nursing facility, or intermediate care facility for persons with developmental disabilities, and is not receiving home and community-based services under section 256B.0915 or 256B.49.

 

(g) "For the sole benefit of" means no other individual or entity can benefit in any way from the assets or income at the time of a transfer or at any time in the future.

 

(h) "Continuous period of institutionalization" means a 30-consecutive-day period of time in which a person is expected to stay in a medical or long-term care facility, or receive home and community-based services that would qualify for coverage under the elderly waiver (EW) or alternative care (AC) programs. For a stay in a facility, the 30-consecutive-day period begins on the date of entry into a medical or long-term care facility. For receipt of home and community-based services, the 30-consecutive-day period begins on the date that the following conditions are met:

 

(1) the person is receiving services that meet the nursing facility level of care determined by a long-term care consultation;

 

(2) the person has received the long-term care consultation within the past 60 days;


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(3) the services are paid by the EW program under section 256B.0915 or the AC program under section 256B.0913 or would qualify for payment under the EW or AC programs if the person were otherwise eligible for either program, and but for the receipt of such services the person would have resided in a nursing facility; and

 

(4) the services are provided by a licensed provider qualified to provide home and community-based services.

 

Sec. 13. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 256B.059, subdivision 1a, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 1a. Institutionalized spouse. The provisions of this section apply only when a spouse is institutionalized for a begins the first continuous period beginning of institutionalization on or after October 1, 1989.

 

Sec. 14. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 256B.0594, is amended to read:

 

256B.0594 PAYMENT OF BENEFITS FROM AN ANNUITY.

 

When payment becomes due under an annuity that names the department a remainder beneficiary as described in section 256B.056, subdivision 11, the issuer shall request and the department shall, within 45 days after receipt of the request, provide a written statement of the total amount of the medical assistance paid or confirmation that any family member designated as a remainder beneficiary meets requirements for qualification as a beneficiary in the first position. Upon timely receipt of the written statement of the amount of medical assistance paid, the issuer shall pay the department an amount equal to the lesser of the amount due the department under the annuity or the total amount of medical assistance paid on behalf of the individual or the individual's spouse. Any amounts remaining after the issuer's payment to the department shall be payable according to the terms of the annuity or similar financial instrument. The county agency or the department shall provide the issuer with the name, address, and telephone number of a unit within the department the issuer can contact to comply with this section. The requirements of section 72A.201, subdivision 4, clause (3), shall not apply to payments made under this section until the issuer has received final payment information from the department, if the issuer has notified the beneficiary of the requirements of this section at the time it initially requests payment information from the department.

 

Sec. 15. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 256B.0595, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

 

Subdivision 1. Prohibited transfers. (a) For transfers of assets made on or before August 10, 1993, if a an institutionalized person or the institutionalized person's spouse has given away, sold, or disposed of, for less than fair market value, any asset or interest therein, except assets other than the homestead that are excluded under the supplemental security program, within 30 months before or any time after the date of institutionalization if the person has been determined eligible for medical assistance, or within 30 months before or any time after the date of the first approved application for medical assistance if the person has not yet been determined eligible for medical assistance, the person is ineligible for long-term care services for the period of time determined under subdivision 2.

 

(b) Effective for transfers made after August 10, 1993, a an institutionalized person, a an institutionalized person's spouse, or any person, court, or administrative body with legal authority to act in place of, on behalf of, at the direction of, or upon the request of the institutionalized person or institutionalized person's spouse, may not give away, sell, or dispose of, for less than fair market value, any asset or interest therein, except assets other than the homestead that are excluded under the supplemental security income program, for the purpose of establishing or maintaining medical assistance eligibility. This applies to all transfers, including those made by a community spouse after the month in which the institutionalized spouse is determined eligible for medical assistance. For purposes of determining eligibility for long-term care services, any transfer of such assets within 36 months before or any time after an institutionalized person applies for requests medical assistance payment of long-term care services, or 36 months before or any time after a medical assistance recipient becomes an institutionalized person, for less than fair market value may be considered. Any such transfer is presumed to have been made for the purpose of establishing or maintaining medical assistance eligibility and the institutionalized person is ineligible for long-term care services for the period of time determined under subdivision 2, unless the institutionalized person


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furnishes convincing evidence to establish that the transaction was exclusively for another purpose, or unless the transfer is permitted under subdivision 3 or 4. In the case of payments from a trust or portions of a trust that are considered transfers of assets under federal law, or in the case of any other disposal of assets made on or after February 8, 2006, any transfers made within 60 months before or any time after an institutionalized person applies for requests medical assistance payment of long-term care services and within 60 months before or any time after a medical assistance recipient becomes an institutionalized person, may be considered.

 

(c) This section applies to transfers, for less than fair market value, of income or assets, including assets that are considered income in the month received, such as inheritances, court settlements, and retroactive benefit payments or income to which the institutionalized person or the institutionalized person's spouse is entitled but does not receive due to action by the institutionalized person, the institutionalized person's spouse, or any person, court, or administrative body with legal authority to act in place of, on behalf of, at the direction of, or upon the request of the institutionalized person or the institutionalized person's spouse.

 

(d) This section applies to payments for care or personal services provided by a relative, unless the compensation was stipulated in a notarized, written agreement which was in existence when the service was performed, the care or services directly benefited the person, and the payments made represented reasonable compensation for the care or services provided. A notarized written agreement is not required if payment for the services was made within 60 days after the service was provided.

 

(e) This section applies to the portion of any asset or interest that a an institutionalized person, a an institutionalized person's spouse, or any person, court, or administrative body with legal authority to act in place of, on behalf of, at the direction of, or upon the request of the institutionalized person or the institutionalized person's spouse, transfers to any annuity that exceeds the value of the benefit likely to be returned to the institutionalized person or institutionalized person's spouse while alive, based on estimated life expectancy using the life expectancy tables employed by the supplemental security income program to determine the value of an agreement for services for life as determined according to the current actuarial tables published by the Office of the Chief Actuary of the Social Security Administration. The commissioner may adopt rules reducing life expectancies based on the need for long-term care. This section applies to an annuity described in this paragraph purchased on or after March 1, 2002, that:

 

(1) is not purchased from an insurance company or financial institution that is subject to licensing or regulation by the Minnesota Department of Commerce or a similar regulatory agency of another state;

 

(2) does not pay out principal and interest in equal monthly installments; or

 

(3) does not begin payment at the earliest possible date after annuitization.

 

(f) Effective for transactions, including the purchase of an annuity, occurring on or after February 8, 2006, the purchase of an annuity by or on behalf of an individual institutionalized person who has applied for or is receiving long-term care services or the individual's institutionalized person's spouse shall be treated as the disposal of an asset for less than fair market value unless the department is named as the a preferred remainder beneficiary in first position for an amount equal to at least the total amount of medical assistance paid on behalf of the individual or the individual's spouse; or the department is named as the remainder beneficiary in second position for an amount equal to at least the total amount of medical assistance paid on behalf of the individual or the individual's spouse after the individual's community spouse or minor or disabled child and is named as the remainder beneficiary in the first position if the community spouse or a representative of the minor or disabled child disposes of the remainder for less than fair market value as described in section 256B.056, subdivision 11. Any subsequent change to the designation of the department as a preferred remainder beneficiary shall result in the annuity being treated as a disposal of assets for less than fair market value. The amount of such transfer shall be the maximum amount the individual institutionalized person or the individual's institutionalized person's spouse could receive from the annuity or similar financial instrument. Any change in the amount of the income or principal being withdrawn from the annuity or other similar financial instrument at the time of the most recent disclosure shall be deemed to be a transfer of assets


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for less than fair market value unless the individual institutionalized person or the individual's institutionalized person's spouse demonstrates that the transaction was for fair market value. In the event a distribution of income or principal has been improperly distributed or disbursed from an annuity or other retirement planning instrument of an institutionalized person or the institutionalized person's spouse, a cause of action exists against the individual receiving the improper distribution for the cost of medical assistance services provided or the amount of the improper distribution, whichever is less.

 

(g) Effective for transactions, including the purchase of an annuity, occurring on or after February 8, 2006, the purchase of an annuity by or on behalf of an individual institutionalized person applying for or receiving long-term care services shall be treated as a disposal of assets for less than fair market value unless it is:

 

(i) an annuity described in subsection (b) or (q) of section 408 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986; or

 

(ii) purchased with proceeds from:

 

(A) an account or trust described in subsection (a), (c), or (p) of section 408 of the Internal Revenue Code;

 

(B) a simplified employee pension within the meaning of section 408(k) of the Internal Revenue Code; or

 

(C) a Roth IRA described in section 408A of the Internal Revenue Code; or

 

(iii) an annuity that is irrevocable and nonassignable; is actuarially sound as determined in accordance with actuarial publications of the Office of the Chief Actuary of the Social Security Administration; and provides for payments in equal amounts during the term of the annuity, with no deferral and no balloon payments made.

 

(h) For purposes of this section, long-term care services include services in a nursing facility, services that are eligible for payment according to section 256B.0625, subdivision 2, because they are provided in a swing bed, intermediate care facility for persons with developmental disabilities, and home and community-based services provided pursuant to sections 256B.0915, 256B.092, and 256B.49. For purposes of this subdivision and subdivisions 2, 3, and 4, "institutionalized person" includes a person who is an inpatient in a nursing facility or in a swing bed, or intermediate care facility for persons with developmental disabilities or who is receiving home and community-based services under sections 256B.0915, 256B.092, and 256B.49.

 

(i) This section applies to funds used to purchase a promissory note, loan, or mortgage unless the note, loan, or mortgage:

 

(1) has a repayment term that is actuarially sound;

 

(2) provides for payments to be made in equal amounts during the term of the loan, with no deferral and no balloon payments made; and

 

(3) prohibits the cancellation of the balance upon the death of the lender.

 

In the case of a promissory note, loan, or mortgage that does not meet an exception in clauses (1) to (3), the value of such note, loan, or mortgage shall be the outstanding balance due as of the date of the individual's application institutionalized person's request for medical assistance payment of long-term care services.

 

(j) This section applies to the purchase of a life estate interest in another individual's person's home unless the purchaser resides in the home for a period of at least one year after the date of purchase.


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Sec. 16. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 256B.0595, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 2. Period of ineligibility. (a) For any uncompensated transfer occurring on or before August 10, 1993, the number of months of ineligibility for long-term care services shall be the lesser of 30 months, or the uncompensated transfer amount divided by the average medical assistance rate for nursing facility services in the state in effect on the date of application. The amount used to calculate the average medical assistance payment rate shall be adjusted each July 1 to reflect payment rates for the previous calendar year. The period of ineligibility begins with the month in which the assets were transferred. If the transfer was not reported to the local agency at the time of application, and the applicant received long-term care services during what would have been the period of ineligibility if the transfer had been reported, a cause of action exists against the transferee for the cost of long-term care services provided during the period of ineligibility, or for the uncompensated amount of the transfer, whichever is less. The action may be brought by the state or the local agency responsible for providing medical assistance under chapter 256G. The uncompensated transfer amount is the fair market value of the asset at the time it was given away, sold, or disposed of, less the amount of compensation received.

 

(b) For uncompensated transfers made after August 10, 1993, the number of months of ineligibility for long-term care services shall be the total uncompensated value of the resources transferred divided by the average medical assistance rate for nursing facility services in the state in effect on the date of application. The amount used to calculate the average medical assistance payment rate shall be adjusted each July 1 to reflect payment rates for the previous calendar year. The period of ineligibility begins with the first day of the month after the month in which the assets were transferred except that if one or more uncompensated transfers are made during a period of ineligibility, the total assets transferred during the ineligibility period shall be combined and a penalty period calculated to begin on the first day of the month after the month in which the first uncompensated transfer was made. If the transfer was reported to the local agency after the date that advance notice of a period of ineligibility that affects the next month could be provided to the recipient and the recipient received medical assistance services or the transfer was not reported to the local agency, and the applicant or recipient received medical assistance services during what would have been the period of ineligibility if the transfer had been reported, a cause of action exists against the transferee for the cost of medical assistance that portion of long-term care services provided during the period of ineligibility, or for the uncompensated amount of the transfer, whichever is less. The action may be brought by the state or the local agency responsible for providing medical assistance under chapter 256G. The uncompensated transfer amount is the fair market value of the asset at the time it was given away, sold, or disposed of, less the amount of compensation received. Effective for transfers made on or after March 1, 1996, involving persons who apply for medical assistance on or after April 13, 1996, no cause of action exists for a transfer unless:

 

(1) the transferee knew or should have known that the transfer was being made by a person who was a resident of a long-term care facility or was receiving that level of care in the community at the time of the transfer;

 

(2) the transferee knew or should have known that the transfer was being made to assist the person to qualify for or retain medical assistance eligibility; or

 

(3) the transferee actively solicited the transfer with intent to assist the person to qualify for or retain eligibility for medical assistance.

 

(c) For uncompensated transfers made on or after February 8, 2006, the period of ineligibility:

 

(1) for uncompensated transfers by or on behalf of individuals receiving medical assistance payment of long-term care services, begins on the first day of the month in which following advance notice can be given following of the penalty period, but no later than the first day of the month in which assets have been transferred for less than fair market value, that follows three full calendar months from the date of the report or discovery of the transfer; or


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(2) for uncompensated transfers by individuals requesting medical assistance payment of long-term care services, begins the date on which the individual is eligible for medical assistance under the Medicaid state plan and would otherwise be receiving long-term care services based on an approved application for such care but for the application of the penalty period, whichever is later,; and which does not occur

 

(3) cannot begin during any other period of ineligibility.

 

(d) If a calculation of a penalty period results in a partial month, payments for long-term care services shall be reduced in an amount equal to the fraction.

 

(e) In the case of multiple fractional transfers of assets in more than one month for less than fair market value on or after February 8, 2006, the period of ineligibility is calculated by treating the total, cumulative, uncompensated value of all assets transferred during all months on or after February 8, 2006, as one transfer.

 

Sec. 17. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 256B.0595, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 3. Homestead exception to transfer prohibition. (a) An institutionalized person is not ineligible for long-term care services due to a transfer of assets for less than fair market value if the asset transferred was a homestead and:

 

(1) title to the homestead was transferred to the individual's:

 

(i) spouse;

 

(ii) child who is under age 21;

 

(iii) blind or permanently and totally disabled child as defined in the supplemental security income program;

 

(iv) sibling who has equity interest in the home and who was residing in the home for a period of at least one year immediately before the date of the individual's admission to the facility; or

 

(v) son or daughter who was residing in the individual's home for a period of at least two years immediately before the date of the individual's admission to the facility the individual became an institutionalized person, and who provided care to the individual that, as certified by the individual's attending physician, permitted the individual to reside at home rather than receive care in an institution or facility;

 

(2) a satisfactory showing is made that the individual intended to dispose of the homestead at fair market value or for other valuable consideration; or

 

(3) the local agency grants a waiver of a penalty resulting from a transfer for less than fair market value because denial of eligibility would cause undue hardship for the individual, based on imminent threat to the individual's health and well-being. Whenever an applicant or recipient is denied eligibility because of a transfer for less than fair market value, the local agency shall notify the applicant or recipient that the applicant or recipient may request a waiver of the penalty if the denial of eligibility will cause undue hardship. With the written consent of the individual or the personal representative of the individual, a long-term care facility in which an individual is residing may file an undue hardship waiver request, on behalf of the individual who is denied eligibility for long-term care services on or after July 1, 2006, due to a period of ineligibility resulting from a transfer on or after February 8, 2006. In evaluating a waiver, the local agency shall take into account whether the individual was the victim of financial exploitation, whether the individual has made reasonable efforts to recover the transferred property or resource, and other factors relevant to a determination of hardship. If the local agency does not approve a hardship waiver, the local agency shall issue a written notice to the individual stating the reasons for the denial and the process for appealing the local agency's decision.


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(b) When a waiver is granted under paragraph (a), clause (3), a cause of action exists against the person to whom the homestead was transferred for that portion of long-term care services granted provided within:

 

(1) 30 months of a transfer made on or before August 10, 1993;

 

(2) 60 months if the homestead was transferred after August 10, 1993, to a trust or portion of a trust that is considered a transfer of assets under federal law;

 

(3) 36 months if transferred in any other manner after August 10, 1993, but prior to February 8, 2006; or

 

(4) 60 months if the homestead was transferred on or after February 8, 2006,

 

or the amount of the uncompensated transfer, whichever is less, together with the costs incurred due to the action. The action shall be brought by the state unless the state delegates this responsibility to the local agency responsible for providing medical assistance under chapter 256G.

 

Sec. 18. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 256B.0595, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 4. Other exceptions to transfer prohibition. An institutionalized person who has made, or whose spouse has made a transfer prohibited by subdivision 1, is not ineligible for long-term care services if one of the following conditions applies:

 

(1) the assets were transferred to the individual's spouse or to another for the sole benefit of the spouse; or

 

(2) the institutionalized spouse, prior to being institutionalized, transferred assets to a spouse, provided that the spouse to whom the assets were transferred does not then transfer those assets to another person for less than fair market value. (At the time when one spouse is institutionalized, assets must be allocated between the spouses as provided under section 256B.059); or

 

(3) the assets were transferred to the individual's child who is blind or permanently and totally disabled as determined in the supplemental security income program; or

 

(4) a satisfactory showing is made that the individual intended to dispose of the assets either at fair market value or for other valuable consideration; or

 

(5) the local agency determines that denial of eligibility for long-term care services would work an undue hardship and grants a waiver of a penalty resulting from a transfer for less than fair market value based on an imminent threat to the individual's health and well-being. Whenever an applicant or recipient is denied eligibility because of a transfer for less than fair market value, the local agency shall notify the applicant or recipient that the applicant or recipient may request a waiver of the penalty if the denial of eligibility will cause undue hardship. With the written consent of the individual or the personal representative of the individual, a long-term care facility in which an individual is residing may file an undue hardship waiver request, on behalf of the individual who is denied eligibility for long-term care services on or after July 1, 2006, due to a period of ineligibility resulting from a transfer on or after February 8, 2006. In evaluating a waiver, the local agency shall take into account whether the individual was the victim of financial exploitation, whether the individual has made reasonable efforts to recover the transferred property or resource, whether the individual has taken any action to prevent the designation of the department as a remainder beneficiary on an annuity as described in section 256B.056, subdivision 11, and other factors relevant to a determination of hardship. The local agency shall make a determination within 30 days of the receipt of all necessary information needed to make such a determination. If the local agency does not approve a hardship waiver, the local agency shall issue a written notice to the individual stating the reasons for the denial and the process for appealing the local agency's decision. When a waiver is granted, a cause of action exists against the person to whom the assets were transferred for that portion of long-term care services granted provided within:


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(i) 30 months of a transfer made on or before August 10, 1993;

 

(ii) 60 months of a transfer if the assets were transferred after August 30, 1993, to a trust or portion of a trust that is considered a transfer of assets under federal law;

 

(iii) 36 months of a transfer if transferred in any other manner after August 10, 1993, but prior to February 8, 2006; or

 

(iv) 60 months of any transfer made on or after February 8, 2006,

 

or the amount of the uncompensated transfer, whichever is less, together with the costs incurred due to the action. The action shall be brought by the state unless the state delegates this responsibility to the local agency responsible for providing medical assistance under this chapter; or

 

(6) for transfers occurring after August 10, 1993, the assets were transferred by the person or person's spouse: (i) into a trust established for the sole benefit of a son or daughter of any age who is blind or disabled as defined by the Supplemental Security Income program; or (ii) into a trust established for the sole benefit of an individual who is under 65 years of age who is disabled as defined by the Supplemental Security Income program.

 

"For the sole benefit of" has the meaning found in section 256B.059, subdivision 1.

 

Sec. 19. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 256B.0595, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

 

Subd. 8. Cause of action; transfer prior to death. (a) A cause of action exists against a transferee who receives assets for less than fair market value, either:

 

(1) from a person who was a recipient of medical assistance and who made an uncompensated transfer that was known to the county agency but a penalty period could not be implemented under this section due to the death of the person; or

 

(2) from a person who was a recipient of medical assistance who made an uncompensated transfer that was not known to the county agency and the transfer was made with the intent to hinder, delay, or defraud the state or local agency from recovering as allowed under section 256B.15. In determining intent under this clause consideration may be given, among other factors, to whether:

 

(i) the transfer was to a family member;

 

(ii) the transferor retained possession or control of the property after the transfer;

 

(iii) the transfer was concealed;

 

(iv) the transfer included the majority of the transferor's assets;

 

(v) the value of the consideration received was not reasonably equivalent to the fair market value of the property; and

 

(vi) the transfer occurred shortly before the death of the transferor.

 

(b) No cause of action exists under this subdivision unless:


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(1) the transferee knew or should have known that the transfer was being made by a person who was receiving medical assistance as described in section 256B.15, subdivision 1, paragraph (b); and

 

(2) the transferee received the asset without providing a reasonable equivalent fair market value in exchange for the transfer.

 

(c) The cause of action is for the uncompensated amount of the transfer or the amount of medical assistance paid on behalf of the person, whichever is less. The uncompensated transfer amount is the fair market value of the asset at the time it was given away, sold, or disposed of, less the amount of the compensation received.

 

Sec. 20. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 256B.0595, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

 

Subd. 9. Filing cause of action; limitation. (a) The county of financial responsibility under chapter 256G may bring a cause of action under any or all of the following:

 

(1) subdivision 1, paragraph (f);

 

(2) subdivision 2, paragraphs (a) and (b);

 

(3) subdivision 3, paragraph (b);

 

(4) subdivision 4, clause (5); and

 

(5) subdivision 8

 

on behalf of the claimant who must be the commissioner.

 

(b) Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, a cause of action under subdivision 2, paragraph (a) or (b) or subdivision 8, must be commenced within six years of the date the local agency determines that a transfer was made for less than fair market value. Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, a cause of action under subdivision 3, paragraph (b), or subdivision 4, clause (5), must be commenced within six years of the date of approval of a waiver of the penalty period for a transfer for less than fair market value based on undue hardship.

 

Sec. 21. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 256B.0625, subdivision 13g, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 13g. Preferred drug list. (a) The commissioner shall adopt and implement a preferred drug list by January 1, 2004. The commissioner may enter into a contract with a vendor or one or more states for the purpose of participating in a multistate preferred drug list and supplemental rebate program. The commissioner shall ensure that any contract meets all federal requirements and maximizes federal financial participation. The commissioner shall publish the preferred drug list annually in the State Register and shall maintain an accurate and up-to-date list on the agency Web site.

 

(b) The commissioner may add to, delete from, and otherwise modify the preferred drug list, after consulting with the Formulary Committee and appropriate medical specialists and providing public notice and the opportunity for public comment.

 

(c) The commissioner shall adopt and administer the preferred drug list as part of the administration of the supplemental drug rebate program. Reimbursement for prescription drugs not on the preferred drug list may be subject to prior authorization, unless the drug manufacturer signs a supplemental rebate contract.


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(d) For purposes of this subdivision, "preferred drug list" means a list of prescription drugs within designated therapeutic classes selected by the commissioner, for which prior authorization based on the identity of the drug or class is not required.

 

(e) The commissioner shall seek any federal waivers or approvals necessary to implement this subdivision.

 

Sec. 22. Minnesota Statutes 2007 Supplement, section 256B.0625, subdivision 49, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 49. Community health worker. (a) Medical assistance covers the care coordination and patient education services provided by a community health worker if the community health worker has:

 

(1) received a certificate from the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities System approved community health worker curriculum; or

 

(2) at least five years of supervised experience with an enrolled physician, registered nurse, or advanced practice registered nurse, or at least five years of supervised experience by a certified public health nurse operating under the direct authority of an enrolled unit of government.

 

Community health workers eligible for payment under clause (2) must complete the certification program by January 1, 2010, to continue to be eligible for payment.

 

(b) Community health workers must work under the supervision of a medical assistance enrolled physician, registered nurse, or advanced practice registered nurse, or work under the supervision of a certified public health nurse operating under the direct authority of an enrolled unit of government.

 

Sec. 23. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 256B.075, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 2. Fee-for-service. (a) The commissioner shall develop and implement a disease management program for medical assistance and general assistance medical care recipients who are not enrolled in the prepaid medical assistance or prepaid general assistance medical care programs and who are receiving services on a fee-for-service basis. The commissioner may contract with an outside organization to provide these services.

 

(b) The commissioner shall seek any federal approval necessary to implement this section and to obtain federal matching funds.

 

(c) The commissioner shall develop and implement a pilot intensive care management program for medical assistance children with complex and chronic medical issues who are not able to participate in the metro-based U Special Kids program due to geographic distance.

 

Sec. 24. [256B.0948] STATEWIDE HEALTH INFORMATION EXCHANGE.

 

Subdivision 1. Commissioner's authority to join and participate. The commissioner of human services has the authority to join and participate as a member in a legal entity developing and operating a statewide health information exchange that shall meet the following criteria:

 

(1) the legal entity must meet all constitutional and statutory requirements to allow the commissioner to participate including, without limitation, the Minnesota Constitution, article X, section 1; and


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(2) the commissioner or the commissioner's designated representative must have the right to participate in the governance of the legal entity under the same terms and conditions and subject to the same requirements as any other member in the legal entity and in that role shall act to advance state interests and lessen the burdens of government.

 

Subd. 2. Development expenses. Notwithstanding chapter 16C, the commissioner may pay the state's prorated share of development-related expenses of the legal entity retroactively from October 29, 2007, regardless of the date the commissioner joins the legal entity as a member.

 

Sec. 25. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 256B.15, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 4. Other survivors. (a) If the decedent who was single or the surviving spouse of a married couple is survived by one of the following persons, a claim exists against the estate payable first from the value of the nonhomestead property included in the estate and the personal representative shall make, execute, and deliver to the county agency a lien against the homestead property in the estate for any unpaid balance of the claim to the claimant as provided under this section:

 

(a) (1) a sibling who resided in the decedent medical assistance recipient's home at least one year before the decedent's institutionalization and continuously since the date of institutionalization; or

 

(b) (2) a son or daughter or a grandchild who resided in the decedent medical assistance recipient's home for at least two years immediately before the parent's or grandparent's institutionalization and continuously since the date of institutionalization, and who establishes by a preponderance of the evidence having provided care to the parent or grandparent who received medical assistance, that the care was provided before institutionalization, and that the care permitted the parent or grandparent to reside at home rather than in an institution.

 

(b) For purposes of this subdivision, "institutionalization" means receiving care: (1) in a nursing facility or swing bed, or intermediate care facility for persons with developmental disabilities; or (2) through home and community-based services under section 256B.0915, 256B.092, or 256B.49.

 

Sec. 26. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 256B.69, subdivision 6, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 6. Service delivery. (a) Each demonstration provider shall be responsible for the health care coordination for eligible individuals. Demonstration providers:

 

(1) shall authorize and arrange for the provision of all needed health services including but not limited to the full range of services listed in sections 256B.02, subdivision 8, and 256B.0625 in order to ensure appropriate health care is delivered to enrollees, notwithstanding section 256B.0621, demonstration providers that provide nursing home and community-based services under this section shall provide relocation service coordination to enrolled persons age 65 and over;

 

(2) shall accept the prospective, per capita payment from the commissioner in return for the provision of comprehensive and coordinated health care services for eligible individuals enrolled in the program;

 

(3) may contract with other health care and social service practitioners to provide services to enrollees; and

 

(4) shall institute recipient grievance procedures according to the method established by the project, utilizing applicable requirements of chapter 62D. Disputes not resolved through this process shall be appealable to the commissioner as provided in subdivision 11.


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(b) Demonstration providers must comply with the standards for claims settlement under section 72A.201, subdivisions 4, 5, 7, and 8, when contracting with other health care and social service practitioners to provide services to enrollees. A demonstration provider must pay a clean claim, as defined in Code of Federal Regulations, title 42, section 447.45(b), within 30 business days of the date of acceptance of the claim.

 

Sec. 27. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 256B.69, subdivision 27, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 27. Information for persons with limited English-language proficiency. Managed care contracts entered into under this section and sections 256D.03, subdivision 4, paragraph (c), and 256L.12 must require demonstration providers to inform enrollees that upon request the enrollee can obtain a certificate of coverage in the following languages: Spanish, Hmong, Laotian, Russian, Somali, Vietnamese, or Cambodian. Upon request, the demonstration provider must provide the enrollee with a certificate of coverage in the specified language of preference provide language assistance to enrollees that ensures meaningful access to its programs and services according to Title VI of the Civil Rights Act and federal regulations adopted under that law or any guidance from the United States Department of Health and Human Services.

 

Sec. 28. Minnesota Statutes 2007 Supplement, section 256D.03, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 3. General assistance medical care; eligibility. (a) General assistance medical care may be paid for any person who is not eligible for medical assistance under chapter 256B, including eligibility for medical assistance based on a spenddown of excess income according to section 256B.056, subdivision 5, or MinnesotaCare as defined in paragraph (b), except as provided in paragraph (c), and:

 

(1) who is receiving assistance under section 256D.05, except for families with children who are eligible under Minnesota family investment program (MFIP), or who is having a payment made on the person's behalf under sections 256I.01 to 256I.06; or

 

(2) who is a resident of Minnesota; and

 

(i) who has gross countable income not in excess of 75 percent of the federal poverty guidelines for the family size, using a six-month budget period and whose equity in assets is not in excess of $1,000 per assistance unit. General assistance medical care is not available for applicants or enrollees who are otherwise eligible for medical assistance but fail to verify their assets. Enrollees who become eligible for medical assistance shall be terminated and transferred to medical assistance. Exempt assets, the reduction of excess assets, and the waiver of excess assets must conform to the medical assistance program in section 256B.056, subdivision 3, with the following exception: the maximum amount of undistributed funds in a trust that could be distributed to or on behalf of the beneficiary by the trustee, assuming the full exercise of the trustee's discretion under the terms of the trust, must be applied toward the asset maximum;

 

(ii) who has gross countable income above 75 percent of the federal poverty guidelines but not in excess of 175 percent of the federal poverty guidelines for the family size, using a six-month budget period, whose equity in assets is not in excess of the limits in section 256B.056, subdivision 3c, and who applies during an inpatient hospitalization; or

 

(iii) the commissioner shall adjust the income standards under this section each July 1 by the annual update of the federal poverty guidelines following publication by the United States Department of Health and Human Services.


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(b) Effective for applications and renewals processed on or after September 1, 2006, general assistance medical care may not be paid for applicants or recipients who are adults with dependent children under 21 whose gross family income is equal to or less than 275 percent of the federal poverty guidelines who are not described in paragraph (e).

 

(c) Effective for applications and renewals processed on or after September 1, 2006, general assistance medical care may be paid for applicants and recipients who meet all eligibility requirements of paragraph (a), clause (2), item (i), for a temporary period beginning the date of application. Immediately following approval of general assistance medical care, enrollees shall be enrolled in MinnesotaCare under section 256L.04, subdivision 7, with covered services as provided in section 256L.03 for the rest of the six-month general assistance medical care eligibility period, until their six-month renewal.

 

(d) To be eligible for general assistance medical care following enrollment in MinnesotaCare as required by paragraph (c), an individual must complete a new application.

 

(e) Applicants and recipients eligible under paragraph (a), clause (1); who are exempt from the MinnesotaCare enrollment requirements in this subdivision if they:

 

(1) have applied for and are awaiting a determination of blindness or disability by the state medical review team or a determination of eligibility for Supplemental Security Income or Social Security Disability Insurance by the Social Security Administration; who

 

(2) fail to meet the requirements of section 256L.09, subdivision 2; who

 

(3) are homeless as defined by United States Code, title 42, section 11301, et seq.; who

 

(4) are classified as end-stage renal disease beneficiaries in the Medicare program; who

 

(5) are enrolled in private health care coverage as defined in section 256B.02, subdivision 9; who

 

(6) are eligible under paragraph (j); or who

 

(7) receive treatment funded pursuant to section 254B.02 are exempt from the MinnesotaCare enrollment requirements of this subdivision; or

 

(8) reside in the Minnesota sex offender program defined in chapter 246B.

 

(f) For applications received on or after October 1, 2003, eligibility may begin no earlier than the date of application. For individuals eligible under paragraph (a), clause (2), item (i), a redetermination of eligibility must occur every 12 months. Individuals are eligible under paragraph (a), clause (2), item (ii), only during inpatient hospitalization but may reapply if there is a subsequent period of inpatient hospitalization.

 

(g) Beginning September 1, 2006, Minnesota health care program applications and renewals completed by recipients and applicants who are persons described in paragraph (c) and submitted to the county agency shall be determined for MinnesotaCare eligibility by the county agency. If all other eligibility requirements of this subdivision are met, eligibility for general assistance medical care shall be available in any month during which MinnesotaCare enrollment is pending. Upon notification of eligibility for MinnesotaCare, notice of termination for eligibility for general assistance medical care shall be sent to an applicant or recipient. If all other eligibility requirements of this subdivision are met, eligibility for general assistance medical care shall be available until enrollment in MinnesotaCare subject to the provisions of paragraphs (c), (e), and (f).


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(h) The date of an initial Minnesota health care program application necessary to begin a determination of eligibility shall be the date the applicant has provided a name, address, and Social Security number, signed and dated, to the county agency or the Department of Human Services. If the applicant is unable to provide a name, address, Social Security number, and signature when health care is delivered due to a medical condition or disability, a health care provider may act on an applicant's behalf to establish the date of an initial Minnesota health care program application by providing the county agency or Department of Human Services with provider identification and a temporary unique identifier for the applicant. The applicant must complete the remainder of the application and provide necessary verification before eligibility can be determined. The county agency must assist the applicant in obtaining verification if necessary.

 

(i) County agencies are authorized to use all automated databases containing information regarding recipients' or applicants' income in order to determine eligibility for general assistance medical care or MinnesotaCare. Such use shall be considered sufficient in order to determine eligibility and premium payments by the county agency.

 

(j) General assistance medical care is not available for a person in a correctional facility unless the person is detained by law for less than one year in a county correctional or detention facility as a person accused or convicted of a crime, or admitted as an inpatient to a hospital on a criminal hold order, and the person is a recipient of general assistance medical care at the time the person is detained by law or admitted on a criminal hold order and as long as the person continues to meet other eligibility requirements of this subdivision.

 

(k) General assistance medical care is not available for applicants or recipients who do not cooperate with the county agency to meet the requirements of medical assistance.

 

(l) In determining the amount of assets of an individual eligible under paragraph (a), clause (2), item (i), there shall be included any asset or interest in an asset, including an asset excluded under paragraph (a), that was given away, sold, or disposed of for less than fair market value within the 60 months preceding application for general assistance medical care or during the period of eligibility. Any transfer described in this paragraph shall be presumed to have been for the purpose of establishing eligibility for general assistance medical care, unless the individual furnishes convincing evidence to establish that the transaction was exclusively for another purpose. For purposes of this paragraph, the value of the asset or interest shall be the fair market value at the time it was given away, sold, or disposed of, less the amount of compensation received. For any uncompensated transfer, the number of months of ineligibility, including partial months, shall be calculated by dividing the uncompensated transfer amount by the average monthly per person payment made by the medical assistance program to skilled nursing facilities for the previous calendar year. The individual shall remain ineligible until this fixed period has expired. The period of ineligibility may exceed 30 months, and a reapplication for benefits after 30 months from the date of the transfer shall not result in eligibility unless and until the period of ineligibility has expired. The period of ineligibility begins in the month the transfer was reported to the county agency, or if the transfer was not reported, the month in which the county agency discovered the transfer, whichever comes first. For applicants, the period of ineligibility begins on the date of the first approved application.

 

(m) When determining eligibility for any state benefits under this subdivision, the income and resources of all noncitizens shall be deemed to include their sponsor's income and resources as defined in the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996, title IV, Public Law 104-193, sections 421 and 422, and subsequently set out in federal rules.

 

(n) Undocumented noncitizens and nonimmigrants are ineligible for general assistance medical care. For purposes of this subdivision, a nonimmigrant is an individual in one or more of the classes listed in United States Code, title 8, section 1101(a)(15), and an undocumented noncitizen is an individual who resides in the United States without the approval or acquiescence of the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services.


Journal of the House - 88th Day - Monday, March 10, 2008 - Top of Page 8394

(o) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a noncitizen who is ineligible for medical assistance due to the deeming of a sponsor's income and resources, is ineligible for general assistance medical care.

 

(p) Effective July 1, 2003, general assistance medical care emergency services end.

 

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

 

Sec. 29. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 524.3-803, is amended to read:

 

524.3-803 LIMITATIONS ON PRESENTATION OF CLAIMS.

 

(a) All claims as defined in section 524.1-201(6), against a decedent's estate which arose before the death of the decedent, including claims of the state and any subdivision thereof, whether due or to become due, absolute or contingent, liquidated or unliquidated, if not barred earlier by other statute of limitations, are barred against the estate, the personal representative, and the heirs and devisees of the decedent, unless presented as follows:

 

(1) in the case of a creditor who is only entitled, under the United States Constitution and under the Minnesota Constitution, to notice by publication under section 524.3-801, within four months after the date of the court administrator's notice to creditors which is subsequently published pursuant to section 524.3-801;

 

(2) in the case of a creditor who was served with notice under section 524.3-801(c), within the later to expire of four months after the date of the first publication of notice to creditors or one month after the service;

 

(3) within the later to expire of one year after the decedent's death, or one year after June 16, 1989, whether or not notice to creditors has been published or served under section 524.3-801, provided, however, that in the case of a decedent who died before June 16, 1989, no claim which was then barred by any provision of law may be deemed to have been revived by the amendment of this section. Claims authorized by section 246.53, 256B.15, or 256D.16 must not be barred after one year as provided in this clause.

 

(b) All claims against a decedent's estate which arise at or after the death of the decedent, including claims of the state and any subdivision thereof, whether due or to become due, absolute or contingent, liquidated or unliquidated, are barred against the estate, the personal representative, and the heirs and devisees of the decedent, unless presented as follows:

 

(1) a claim based on a contract with the personal representative, within four months after performance by the personal representative is due;

 

(2) any other claim, within four months after it arises.

 

(c) Nothing in this section affects or prevents:

 

(1) any proceeding to enforce any mortgage, pledge, or other lien upon property of the estate;

 

(2) any proceeding to establish liability of the decedent or the personal representative for which there is protection by liability insurance, to the limits of the insurance protection only;

 

(3) the presentment and payment at any time within one year after the decedent's death of any claim arising before the death of the decedent that is referred to in section 524.3-715, clause (18), although the same may be otherwise barred under this section; or


Journal of the House - 88th Day - Monday, March 10, 2008 - Top of Page 8395

(4) the presentment and payment at any time before a petition is filed in compliance with section 524.3-1001 or 524.3-1002 or a closing statement is filed under section 524.3-1003, of:

 

(i) any claim arising after the death of the decedent that is referred to in section 524.3-715, clause (18), although the same may be otherwise barred hereunder;

 

(ii) any other claim, including claims subject to clause (3), which would otherwise be barred hereunder, upon allowance by the court upon petition of the personal representative or the claimant for cause shown on notice and hearing as the court may direct."

 

Delete the title and insert:

 

"A bill for an act relating to human services; amending health care services provisions; making changes to general assistance medical care, medical assistance, and MinnesotaCare; modifying claims, liens, and treatment of assets; establishing a statewide information exchange; amending Minnesota Statutes 2006, sections 256B.056, subdivisions 2, 4a, 11, by adding a subdivision; 256B.057, subdivision 1; 256B.0571, subdivisions 8, 9, 15, by adding a subdivision; 256B.058; 256B.059, subdivisions 1, 1a; 256B.0594; 256B.0595, subdivisions 1, 2, 3, 4, by adding subdivisions; 256B.0625, subdivision 13g; 256B.075, subdivision 2; 256B.15, subdivision 4; 256B.69, subdivisions 6, 27; 524.3-803; Minnesota Statutes 2007 Supplement, sections 256B.055, subdivision 14; 256B.0625, subdivision 49; 256D.03, subdivision 3; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 256B."

 

 

With the recommendation that when so amended the bill pass.

 

The report was adopted.

 

 

Hilstrom from the Committee on Local Government and Metropolitan Affairs to which was referred:

 

H. F. No. 3238, A bill for an act relating to waters; providing for sustainable water use; requiring conservation rate structures; requiring drinking water emergency management plan; requiring disclosure of contaminated wells; requiring sharing groundwater information; creating Pollution Control Agency ombudsman for groundwater pollution education and assistance; extending the expiration date for the Metropolitan Area Water Supply Advisory Committee; amending Minnesota Statutes 2006, sections 103G.101, subdivision 1; 103G.291, by adding a subdivision; 103I.236; 473.1565, subdivision 2; Minnesota Statutes 2007 Supplement, section 103G.291, subdivision 3; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapters 103G; 103H; 116.

 

Reported the same back with the following amendments:

 

Page 2, line 34, after the period, insert "The rate structure must consider each residential unit as an individual user in multiple-family dwellings."

 

Page 3, line 6, after "users" insert ", as of the effective date of this act,"

 

Page 3, delete section 4

 

Page 3, line 30, after "Agency" insert "and with the Metropolitan Council"

 

Page 4, line 17, delete "be contaminated" and insert "exceed state health standards"


Journal of the House - 88th Day - Monday, March 10, 2008 - Top of Page 8396

Page 5, after line 28, insert:

 

"Sec. 7. Minnesota Statutes 2007 Supplement, section 473.1565, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

 

Subdivision 1. Planning activities. (a) The Metropolitan Council must carry out planning activities addressing the water supply needs of the metropolitan area as defined in section 473.121, subdivision 2. The planning activities must include, at a minimum:

 

(1) development and maintenance of a base of technical information needed for sound water supply decisions including surface and groundwater availability analyses, water demand projections, water withdrawal and use impact analyses, modeling, and similar studies, subject to any applicable requirements under section 103H.176;

 

(2) development and periodic update of a metropolitan area master water supply plan, prepared in cooperation with and subject to the approval of the commissioner of natural resources, that:

 

(i) provides guidance for local water supply systems and future regional investments;

 

(ii) emphasizes conservation, interjurisdictional cooperation, and long-term sustainability; and

 

(iii) addresses the reliability, security, and cost-effectiveness of the metropolitan area water supply system and its local and subregional components;

 

(3) recommendations for clarifying the appropriate roles and responsibilities of local, regional, and state government in metropolitan area water supply;

 

(4) recommendations for streamlining and consolidating metropolitan area water supply decision-making and approval processes; and

 

(5) recommendations for the ongoing and long-term funding of metropolitan area water supply planning activities and capital investments.

 

(b) The council must carry out the planning activities in this subdivision in consultation with the Metropolitan Area Water Supply Advisory Committee established in subdivision 2."

 

Renumber the sections in sequence

 

Correct the title numbers accordingly

 

Amend the title as follows:

 

Page 1, line 3, delete "requiring drinking water emergency management plan;"

 

 

With the recommendation that when so amended the bill pass and be re-referred to the Committee on Governmental Operations, Reform, Technology and Elections.

 

The report was adopted.


Journal of the House - 88th Day - Monday, March 10, 2008 - Top of Page 8397

Otremba from the Committee on Agriculture, Rural Economies and Veterans Affairs to which was referred:

 

H. F. No. 3240, A bill for an act relating to veterans; authorizing the placement of a plaque in the court of honor on the Capitol grounds to honor Mexican-American veterans of the United States armed forces.

 

Reported the same back with the following amendments:

 

Delete everything after the enacting clause and insert:

 

"Section 1. PURPOSE.

 

The legislature and members of AMVETS Mexican-American Post 5 wish to honor Mexican-American veterans and Minnesota veterans of all nationalities, ethnic groups, and subgroups who have served honorably and bravely in the United States armed forces at any time since the founding of this great nation, by erecting an honorary plaque for them in the veterans court of honor on the Capitol Mall.

 

Sec. 2. PLAQUE HONORING MEXICAN-AMERICAN VETERANS.

 

A memorial plaque may be placed in the court of honor on the Capitol grounds to recognize the valiant service of all Mexican-American veterans and Minnesota veterans of all other nationalities, ethnic groups, and subgroups who have honorably and bravely served in the United States armed forces, during both peacetime and war, since the founding of this great nation. The plaque must be furnished by the AMVETS Mexican-American Post 5 and must be approved by the commissioner of veterans affairs and the Capitol Area Architectural and Planning Board.

 

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

 

Delete the title and insert:

 

"A bill for an act relating to veterans; authorizing the placement of a plaque in the court of honor on the Capitol grounds to honor Mexican-American veterans and Minnesota's veterans of all other nationalities, ethnic groups, and subgroups who have served honorably and bravely at any time in the United States Armed Forces."

 

 

With the recommendation that when so amended the bill pass.

 

The report was adopted.

 

 

Thissen from the Committee on Health and Human Services to which was referred:

 

H. F. No. 3254, A bill for an act relating to health; changing provisions for health professional educational loan forgiveness program; expanding access to dental care services; amending Minnesota Statutes 2006, sections 144.1501, subdivisions 1, 2, by adding subdivisions; 256B.037, subdivisions 1, 1b, 4, by adding subdivisions; repealing Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 256B.037, subdivisions 1a, 1c, 2, 5, 6.

 

Reported the same back with the following amendments:

 

Delete everything after the enacting clause and insert:


Journal of the House - 88th Day - Monday, March 10, 2008 - Top of Page 8398

"Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 144.1501, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

 

Subd. 7. Dental school student scholarship program. The commissioner may award up to three scholarships each year to:

 

(1) internationally trained dental students who enroll in the Program for Advanced Standing Students at the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry and who agree upon graduation from the program and licensure in Minnesota to provide dental services through a nonprofit organization, community clinic, or federally qualified community health center for a period of at least three years; or

 

(2) current dental school students who agree after graduation to provide dental services in Minnesota through a nonprofit organization, community clinic, or federally qualified community health center for a period of at least three years.

 

Scholarships awarded under the program must be at least $30,000 each year that the graduates provide care under the scholarship agreement.

 

Sec. 2. COMMUNITY DENTAL HEALTH COORDINATOR.

 

The commissioner of health shall study the feasibility of the creation and use of community dental health coordinators to help provide dental care access and education to specific populations in need of dental care under state programs. The commissioner shall consider the education and training requirements of this new position as developed by the American Dental Association and the success of this position in other states piloting the use of community dental health coordinators. The commissioner shall report to the legislature by January 2009 on whether the state should consider certification or registration of community dental health coordinators in Minnesota.

 

Sec. 3. PUBLIC DENTAL COVERAGE PROGRAM STUDY.

 

(a) The commissioner of human services shall undertake a study to determine whether alternative approaches to offering dental coverage to public programs enrollees would result in:

 

(1) improved access to dental care;

 

(2) cost savings to providers and the department; and

 

(3) improved quality and outcomes of care.

 

Alternatives considered shall include moving to a single dental plan administrator, retaining the current model, and other innovative approaches. Issues relating to chronic disease management, medical and dental interface, plan payment approaches, and provider payment should also be addressed. The report must make a recommendation on whether to alter the current approach to contracting for dental services, and include a detailed plan on how to implement any changes. The commissioner shall consult with dentists, safety net dental providers, dental plans, health plans and county-based purchasing organizations, patients and advocates, and other interested parties in developing their findings and recommendations.

 

(b) By December 15, 2008, the commissioner of human services shall report findings and recommendations to the chairs of the house of representatives and senate committees having jurisdiction over health and human services policy and finance.

 

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


Journal of the House - 88th Day - Monday, March 10, 2008 - Top of Page 8399

Sec. 4. REPEALER.

 

Laws 2003, First Special Session chapter 5, section 11, is repealed."

 

Delete the title and insert:

 

"A bill for an act relating to health; establishing dental school student scholarship program; requiring a study on community dental health coordinator and public dental coverage program; amending Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 144.1501, by adding a subdivision; repealing Laws 2003, First Special Session chapter 5, section 11."

 

 

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

 

The report was adopted.

 

 

Mariani from the Committee on E-12 Education to which was referred:

 

H. F. No. 3263, A bill for an act relating to education; integrating instruction about the contributions of Minnesota American Indian tribes and communities into teacher preparation and licensing requirements; appropriating money; amending Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 122A.09, subdivision 4; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapters 124D; 127A.

 

Reported the same back with the following amendments:

 

Page 3, line 21, delete "COMMITTEES" and insert "COMMITTEE"

 

Page 3, line 23, delete "create one or"

 

Page 3, line 24, delete "more" and insert "establish an" and delete "committees" and insert "committee"

 

Page 3, line 31, delete "Each" and insert "The"

 

Page 4, line 1, delete "Each" and insert "The"

 

Page 4, line 3, delete "each" and insert "the"

 

Page 4, line 6, delete "Indians" and insert "Indian" and after "must" insert "coordinate department efforts to"

 

Page 4, line 19, delete "coordinate department" and insert "provide"

 

 

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

 

The report was adopted.


Journal of the House - 88th Day - Monday, March 10, 2008 - Top of Page 8400

Eken from the Committee on Environment and Natural Resources to which was referred:

 

H. F. No. 3292, A bill for an act relating to education; managing school trust fund lands; improving the returns for school trust fund lands; redefining the mission of the Permanent School Fund Advisory Committee; providing a report; amending Minnesota Statutes 2006, sections 84.027, by adding a subdivision; 127A.30.

 

Reported the same back with the recommendation that the bill pass and be re-referred to the Committee on Finance.

 

The report was adopted.

 

 

Eken from the Committee on Environment and Natural Resources to which was referred:

 

H. F. No. 3293, A bill for an act relating to environment; requiring the Pollution Control Agency to analyze cumulative pollution effects in an area prior to issuing a permit; amending Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 116.07, subdivision 4a.

 

Reported the same back with the following amendments:

 

Page 1, delete lines 18 to 21 and insert:

 

"After July 1, 2008, the agency may not issue a permit to a facility without analyzing and considering the cumulative levels and effects of past and current environmental pollution from all sources on the environment and residents of the geographic area within which the facility's emissions are likely to be deposited, provided that the facility is located in a community in a city of the first class in Hennepin County that meets all of the following conditions:

 

(1) is within a half mile of a site designated by the federal government as an EPA superfund site;

 

(2) a majority of the population are low-income persons of color and American Indians;

 

(3) a disproportionate percent of the children have childhood lead poisoning, asthma, or other environmentally related health problems;

 

(4) is located in a city that has experienced 13 air quality alert days of dangerous air quality for sensitive populations between February 2007 and February 2008; and

 

(5) is located near the junctions of several heavily trafficked state and county highways and two one-way streets which carry both truck and auto traffic."

 

 

With the recommendation that when so amended the bill pass.

 

The report was adopted.


Journal of the House - 88th Day - Monday, March 10, 2008 - Top of Page 8401

Rukavina from the Higher Education and Work Force Development Policy and Finance Division to which was referred:

 

H. F. No. 3295, A bill for an act relating to economic development; clarifying conflict of interest rules for local economic development authorities; providing criminal penalties; amending Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 469.098.

 

Reported the same back with the following amendments:

 

Page 3, after line 2, insert:

 

"Subd. 7. Exceptions. The exceptions in section 471.88 apply to this section.

 

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

 

 

With the recommendation that when so amended the bill pass and be re-referred to the Committee on Local Government and Metropolitan Affairs.

 

The report was adopted.

 

 

Otremba from the Committee on Agriculture, Rural Economies and Veterans Affairs to which was referred:

 

H. F. No. 3297, A bill for an act relating to the military; changing eligibility for brevet promotion; amending Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 192.20.

 

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

 

The report was adopted.

 

 

Otremba from the Committee on Agriculture, Rural Economies and Veterans Affairs to which was referred:

 

H. F. No. 3298, A bill for an act relating to the military; repealing authorization for the state Persian Gulf War ribbon; repealing Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 190.17.

 

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

 

The report was adopted.

 

 

Pelowski from the Committee on Governmental Operations, Reform, Technology and Elections to which was referred:

 

H. F. No. 3309, A bill for an act relating to state government; codifying the transfer of employee relations duties to the Department of Finance and other agencies; amending Minnesota Statutes 2006, sections 15.01; 15.06, subdivision 1; 15A.0815, subdivision 2; 16A.055, subdivision 1; 16B.87, subdivision 1; 43A.04, subdivisions 1, 9; 43A.044; 43A.05, subdivisions 1, 6; 43A.06, subdivisions 1, 3; 43A.08, subdivision 1a; 43A.17, subdivision 8;


Journal of the House - 88th Day - Monday, March 10, 2008 - Top of Page 8402

43A.183, subdivisions 3, 4, 5; 43A.23, subdivision 2; 43A.30, subdivisions 4, 5; 43A.311; 43A.48; 176.541, subdivisions 2, 3, 4, 6; 176.571; 176.572; 176.581; 176.591, subdivision 3; 176.603; 176.611, subdivisions 2, 2a, 3a; 356.215, subdivision 2a; Minnesota Statutes 2007 Supplement, sections 16B.04, subdivision 2; 43A.50, subdivisions 1, 2; 136F.42, subdivision 1; 353.03, subdivision 3; repealing Minnesota Statutes 2006, sections 43A.03; 176.5401.

 

Reported the same back with the following amendments:

 

Page 5, after line 2, insert:

 

"Sec. 8. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 43A.04, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 2. Executive direction. The commissioner shall direct all departmental services, appoint employees and may enter into contracts to carry out the provisions of this chapter. The commissioner may appoint one deputy with principal responsibility for employee relations. The deputy shall serve in the unclassified service."

 

Renumber the sections in sequence and correct the internal references

 

Amend the title as follows:

 

Page 1, line 3, after the semicolon, insert "permitting appointment of a deputy for employee relations;"

 

Correct the title numbers accordingly

 

 

With the recommendation that when so amended the bill pass.

 

The report was adopted.

 

 

Eken from the Committee on Environment and Natural Resources to which was referred:

 

H. F. No. 3328, A bill for an act relating to natural resources; creating a Minnesota forests for the future program; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 84.

 

Reported the same back with the following amendments:

 

Page 1, line 24, after "recreation" insert ", including all nonmotorized and motorized vehicle use, including all-terrain vehicles, off-road motorcycles, and snowmobiles"

 

 

With the recommendation that when so amended the bill pass and be re-referred to the Committee on Governmental Operations, Reform, Technology and Elections.

 

The report was adopted.

 

 

Otremba from the Committee on Agriculture, Rural Economies and Veterans Affairs to which was referred:

 

H. F. No. 3344, A bill for an act relating to veterans; changing veteran's preference provisions; amending Minnesota Statutes 2006, sections 43A.11, subdivision 7; 197.455, subdivision 8.

 

Reported the same back with the following amendments:


Journal of the House - 88th Day - Monday, March 10, 2008 - Top of Page 8403

Page 1, after line 4, insert:

 

"Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 43A.11, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

 

Subdivision 1. Creation. Recognizing that training and experience in the military services of the government and loyalty and sacrifice for the government are qualifications of merit which cannot be readily assessed by examination, a veteran's preference shall be available pursuant to this section and section 197.455 to a veteran as defined in section 197.447."

 

Page 1, line 19, delete "the higher rated"

 

Page 1, line 20, delete "person" and insert "among the top half of qualifying persons"

 

Page 2, line 2, delete "and 2" and insert "to 3"

 

Renumber the sections in sequence

 

Correct the title numbers accordingly

 

 

With the recommendation that when so amended the bill pass and be re-referred to the Committee on Governmental Operations, Reform, Technology and Elections.

 

The report was adopted.

 

 

Otremba from the Committee on Agriculture, Rural Economies and Veterans Affairs to which was referred:

 

H. F. No. 3361, A bill for an act relating to agriculture; changing certain payment provisions for certain agricultural chemical corrective action costs; amending Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 18E.04, subdivision 2.

 

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

 

The report was adopted.

 

 

Otremba from the Committee on Agriculture, Rural Economies and Veterans Affairs to which was referred:

 

H. F. No. 3362, A bill for an act relating to agriculture; authorizing certain administrative actions related to pesticide and fertilizer regulation; amending Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 18D.305, subdivision 2.

 

Reported the same back with the recommendation that the bill pass and be re-referred to the Committee on Finance.

 

The report was adopted.


Journal of the House - 88th Day - Monday, March 10, 2008 - Top of Page 8404

Eken from the Committee on Environment and Natural Resources to which was referred:

 

H. F. No. 3364, A bill for an act relating to Minnesota Public Facilities Authority; providing for wastewater infrastructure funding; providing for guarantee of certain government building debt; providing a credit enhanced bond program; appropriating money; amending Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 446A.12, subdivision 1; Minnesota Statutes 2007 Supplement, sections 446A.072, subdivisions 3, 5a; 446A.086; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 446A.

 

Reported the same back with the recommendation that the bill pass and be re-referred to the Committee on Finance.

 

The report was adopted.

 

 

Thissen from the Committee on Health and Human Services to which was referred:

 

H. F. No. 3376, A bill for an act relating to human services; amending the MFIP work participation program; changing MFIP child care assistance provisions; making technical changes; amending Minnesota Statutes 2006, sections 13.02, subdivision 3a; 13.82, subdivision 1; 119B.011, subdivision 17; 119B.03, subdivisions 1, 6; 119B.09, subdivision 1; 119B.125, by adding a subdivision; 119B.21, subdivision 10; 246.13, subdivision 2; 256E.30, subdivision 1; 256E.35, subdivision 7; 256J.24, subdivision 5; 256J.425, subdivision 1; 256J.54, subdivisions 2, 5; 256J.545; Minnesota Statutes 2007 Supplement, sections 119B.125, subdivision 2; 119B.13, subdivisions 1, 7; 119B.21, subdivision 5; 119B.231, subdivision 5; 245C.08, subdivision 2; 256E.35, subdivision 2; 256J.20, subdivision 3; 256J.575, subdivision 1; 256J.626, subdivision 7; 256J.95, subdivision 3; repealing Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 256K.25.

 

Reported the same back with the following amendments:

 

Page 2, line 10, after "2009" insert "and yearly thereafter"

 

Page 2, line 16, strike "the four quarterly measurements" and insert "12 consecutive months"

 

Page 2, line 23, after "within" insert "or above"

 

Page 2, line 30, strike "the four quarterly measurements" and insert "12 consecutive months"

 

Page 2, line 35, after "within" insert "or above"

 

Page 3, delete lines 4 to 36

 

Page 4, delete lines 1 to 6

 

Page 4, line 7, reinstate "(b)" and delete "(c)" and after "2009" insert "and yearly thereafter"

 

Page 4, line 11, strike "four quarterly measurements" and insert "12 consecutive months"

 

Page 4, line 18, after "within" insert "or above"


Journal of the House - 88th Day - Monday, March 10, 2008 - Top of Page 8405

Page 4, line 23, strike "four quarterly"

 

Page 4, line 24, strike "measurements"and insert "12 consecutive months"

 

Page 4, line 28, after "within" insert "or above"

 

Page 4, delete lines 32 to 35

 

Page 5, delete lines 1 to 32

 

Page 5, line 33, reinstate "(c)" and delete "(e)"

 

Page 6, line 1, reinstate the stricken language and delete the new language

 

Page 7, after line 7, insert:

 

"Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 119B.09, subdivision 9, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 9. Licensed and legal nonlicensed family child care providers; assistance. Licensed and legal nonlicensed family child care providers and their employees are not eligible to receive child care assistance subsidies under this chapter for their own children or children in their family during the hours they are providing child care or being paid to provide child care. Child care providers and their employees are eligible to receive child care assistance subsidies for their children when they are engaged in other activities that meet the requirements of this chapter and for which child care assistance can be paid. The hours for which the provider or their employee receives a child care subsidy for their own children must not overlap with the hours the provider provides child care services."

 

Page 16, line 25, after the semicolon, insert "or"

 

Page 16, line 26, after "nonlicensed" insert "or" and delete "child" and insert ", friend, and neighbor" and delete "; or" and insert a period

 

Page 16, delete line 27

 

Page 20, after line 3, insert:

 

"Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2007 Supplement, section 256J.49, subdivision 13, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 13. Work activity. "Work activity" means any activity in a participant's approved employment plan that leads to employment. For purposes of the MFIP program, this includes activities that meet the definition of work activity under the participation requirements of TANF. Work activity includes:

 

(1) unsubsidized employment, including work study and paid apprenticeships or internships;

 

(2) subsidized private sector or public sector employment, including grant diversion as specified in section 256J.69, on-the-job training as specified in section 256J.66, the self-employment investment demonstration program (SEID) as specified in section 256J.65, paid work experience, and supported work when a wage subsidy is provided;

 

(3) unpaid work experience, including community service, volunteer work, the community work experience program as specified in section 256J.67, unpaid apprenticeships or internships, and supported work when a wage subsidy is not provided. Unpaid work experience is only an option if the participant has been unable to obtain or maintain paid employment in the competitive labor market, and no paid work experience programs are available to the participant. Unless a participant consents to participating in unpaid work experience, the participant's employment plan may only include unpaid work experience if including the unpaid work experience in the plan will meet the following criteria:


Journal of the House - 88th Day - Monday, March 10, 2008 - Top of Page 8406

(i) the unpaid work experience will provide the participant specific skills or experience that cannot be obtained through other work activity options where the participant resides or is willing to reside; and

 

(ii) the skills or experience gained through the unpaid work experience will result in higher wages for the participant than the participant could earn without the unpaid work experience;

 

(4) job search including job readiness assistance, job clubs, job placement, job-related counseling, and job retention services;

 

(5) job readiness education, including English as a second language (ESL) or functional work literacy classes as limited by the provisions of section 256J.531, subdivision 2, general educational development (GED) course work, high school completion, and adult basic education as limited by the provisions of section 256J.531, subdivision 1;

 

(6) job skills training directly related to employment, including education and training that can reasonably be expected to lead to employment, as limited by the provisions of section 256J.53;

 

(7) providing child care services to a participant who is working in a community service program;

 

(8) activities included in the employment plan that is developed under section 256J.521, subdivision 3; and

 

(9) preemployment activities including chemical and mental health assessments, treatment, and services; learning disabilities services; child protective services; family stabilization services; or other programs designed to enhance employability.

 

Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 256J.521, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 4. Self-employment. (a) Self-employment activities may be included in an employment plan contingent on the development of a business plan which establishes a timetable and earning goals that will result in the participant exiting MFIP assistance. Business plans must be developed with assistance from an individual or organization with expertise in small business as approved by the job counselor.

 

(b) Participants with an approved plan that includes self-employment must meet the participation requirements in section 256J.55, subdivision 1. Only hours where the participant earns at least minimum wage shall be counted toward the requirement. Additional activities and hours necessary to meet the participation requirements in section 256J.55, subdivision 1, must be included in the employment plan.

 

(c) Employment plans which include self-employment activities must be reviewed every three months. Participants who fail, without good cause, to make satisfactory progress as established in the business plan must revise the employment plan to replace the self-employment with other approved work activities.

 

(d) The requirements of this subdivision may be waived for participants who are enrolled in the self-employment investment demonstration program (SEID) under section 256J.65, and who make satisfactory progress as determined by the job counselor and the SEID provider."

 

Page 21, delete section 6

 

Page 23, delete sections 1 and 2

 

Page 24, delete section 4

 

Renumber the sections in sequence and correct the internal references


Journal of the House - 88th Day - Monday, March 10, 2008 - Top of Page 8407

Amend the title as follows:

 

Page 1, line 3, delete "MFIP"

 

Correct the title numbers accordingly

 

 

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

 

The report was adopted.

 

 

Atkins from the Committee on Commerce and Labor to which was referred:

 

H. F. No. 3378, A bill for an act relating to gambling; clarifying definition of gambling device; repealing a provision relating to manufacture of gambling devices or components for shipment to other jurisdictions; amending Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 609.75, subdivision 4; repealing Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 349.40.

 

Reported the same back with the recommendation that the bill pass and be re-referred to the Committee on Public Safety and Civil Justice.

 

The report was adopted.

 

 

Mariani from the Committee on E-12 Education to which was referred:

 

H. F. No. 3390, A bill for an act relating to public health; adding nutrition as a required academic standard; requiring a BMI monitoring program for children and youth; establishing a statewide health improvement program; establishing a health, nutrition, and physical education advisory council; requiring reports; appropriating money; amending Minnesota Statutes 2007 Supplement, section 120B.021, subdivision 1; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapters 120B; 145.

 

Reported the same back with the following amendments:

 

Page 2, line 23, delete "120B.0215" and insert "145.987"

 

Page 2, line 24, delete "commissioners of education and" and insert "commissioner of" and after "health" insert "in consultation with the commissioner of education" and delete "collaboratively"

 

Page 3, lines 32 to 33, delete "ADVISORY COUNCIL" and insert "WORK GROUP"

 

Page 4, line 1, delete "an advisory council" and insert "a work group"

 

Page 4, lines 1, 3, 4, 13, 26, and 32, delete "advisory council" and insert "work group"

 

Page 4, delete line 9

 

Page 4, line 10, delete "(iv)" and insert "(iii)"

 

Page 4, line 11, delete "(v)" and insert "(iv)"

 

Page 4, line 12, delete "(vi)" and insert "(v)"


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Page 4, delete line 24 and insert:

 

"(viii) the Minnesota School Nutrition Association may appoint one member; and"

 

Page 4, line 25, delete "(viii)" and insert "(ix)"

 

Page 4, line 31, after the period, insert "The recommendations shall include cost estimates for curriculum standards implementation."

 

Page 5, line 1, delete "advisory council" and insert "work group"

 

Renumber the sections in sequence and correct internal references

 

Amend the title as follows:

 

Page 1, line 5, delete "advisory council" and insert "work group"

 

Correct the title numbers accordingly

 

 

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

 

The report was adopted.

 

 

Mullery from the Committee on Public Safety and Civil Justice to which was referred:

 

H. F. No. 3391, A bill for an act relating to health care reform; increasing affordability and continuity of care for state health care programs; modifying health care provisions; providing subsidies for employee share of employer-subsidized insurance; establishing the Minnesota Health Insurance Exchange; requiring certain employers to offer Section 125 Plan; establishing the Health Care Transformation Commission; creating an affordability standard; requiring mandated reports; appropriating money; amending Minnesota Statutes 2006, sections 62A.65, subdivision 3; 62E.141; 62L.12, subdivisions 2, 4; 256.01, by adding subdivisions; 256B.061; 256B.69, by adding a subdivision; 256D.03, by adding a subdivision; 256L.05, by adding a subdivision; 256L.06, subdivision 3; 256L.07, subdivision 3; 256L.15, by adding a subdivision; Minnesota Statutes 2007 Supplement, sections 13.46, subdivision 2; 256B.056, subdivision 10; 256L.03, subdivisions 3, 5; 256L.04, subdivisions 1, 7; 256L.05, subdivision 3a; 256L.07, subdivision 1; 256L.15, subdivision 2; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 256B; proposing coding for new law as Minnesota Statutes, chapter 62U; repealing Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 256L.15, subdivision 3.

 

Reported the same back with the recommendation that the bill pass and be re-referred to the Committee on Commerce and Labor.

 

The report was adopted.

 

 

Atkins from the Committee on Commerce and Labor to which was referred:

 

H. F. No. 3397, A bill for an act relating to lawful gambling; making changes to expenditure restrictions; modifying bingo games and prizes; making clarifying and technical changes to lawful gambling; amending Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 349.213, subdivisions 1, 3; Minnesota Statutes 2007 Supplement, sections 349.15, subdivision 1; 349.17, subdivision 8; 349.211, subdivisions 2, 2a, 2c, 3, by adding a subdivision.

 

Reported the same back with the following amendments:


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Delete everything after the enacting clause and insert:

 

"Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 349.12, subdivision 18, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 18. Gambling equipment. "Gambling equipment" means: bingo hard cards or paper sheets, linked bingo paper sheets, devices for selecting bingo numbers, electronic bingo devices, pull-tabs, jar tickets, paddlewheels, paddlewheel tables, paddletickets, paddleticket cards, tipboards, tipboard tickets, promotional tickets that mimic a pull-tab or tipboard, and pull-tab dispensing devices.

 

Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 349.12, subdivision 31, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 31. Promotional ticket. A pull-tab or tipboard ticket created and printed by a licensed manufacturer with the words "no purchase necessary" and "for promotional use only" and for which no consideration is given is a promotional ticket.

 

Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2007 Supplement, section 349.15, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

 

Subdivision 1. Expenditure restrictions. Gross profits from lawful gambling may be expended only for lawful purposes or allowable expenses as authorized by the membership of the conducting organization at a monthly meeting of the organization's membership. Provided that no more than 70 percent of the gross profit from bingo, and no more than 60 percent of the gross profit from other forms of lawful gambling, may be expended biennially during the term of the license for allowable expenses related to lawful gambling, except that for the period of July 1, 2008, to June 30, 2009, no more than 75 percent of the gross profit from bingo, and no more than 65 percent of the gross profit from other forms of lawful gambling, may be expended for allowable expenses related to lawful gambling. For licenses issued after June 30, 2006, compliance with this subdivision will be measured on a biennial basis that is concurrent with the term of the license. Compliance with this subdivision is a condition for the renewal of any license beginning on July 1, 2008. For licenses renewed with an effective date between July 1, 2006, and June 30, 2008, an organization shall carry forward an amount equal to 15 percent of any positive allowable expense carryover amount. This balance must be used to offset any future negative expense balance at the time of license renewal.

 

Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 349.15, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

 

Subd. 5. Civil penalty. (a) If an organization exceeds the expense limitation contained in subdivision 1, the board may suspend the organization's license or impose a civil penalty as follows:

 

(1) up to five percent of the reimbursement amount for the first violation;

 

(2) up to ten percent of the reimbursement amount for a second consecutive violation; and

 

(3) up to 25 percent of the reimbursement amount for subsequent consecutive violations.

 

(b) In determining any suspension or penalty for a violation of subdivision 1, the board must consider any unique factors or extraordinary circumstances that directly caused the organization to exceed the expense limitation. Unique factors or extraordinary circumstances include, but are not limited to, the purchase of capital assets necessary to conduct lawful gambling; road or other construction causing impaired access to the lawful gambling premise; and flood, tornado, or other catastrophe that had a direct impact on the continuing lawful gambling operation.

 

(c) Notwithstanding section 349.151, subdivision 4, paragraph (a), clause (10), the board may impose a civil penalty under this subdivision that exceeds $500.


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Sec. 5. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 349.161, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

 

Subdivision 1. Prohibited acts; licenses required. (a) No person may:

 

(1) sell, offer for sale, or furnish gambling equipment for use within the state other than for lawful gambling exempt or excluded from licensing, except to an organization licensed for lawful gambling;

 

(2) sell, offer for sale, or furnish gambling equipment for use within the state without having obtained a distributor license or a distributor salesperson license under this section except that an organization authorized to conduct bingo by the board may loan bingo hard cards and devices for selecting bingo numbers to another organization authorized to conduct bingo;

 

(3) sell, offer for sale, or furnish gambling equipment for use within the state that is not purchased or obtained from a manufacturer or distributor licensed under this chapter; or

 

(4) sell, offer for sale, or furnish gambling equipment for use within the state that has the same serial number as another item of gambling equipment of the same type sold or offered for sale or furnished for use in the state by that distributor.

 

(b) No licensed distributor salesperson may sell, offer for sale, or furnish gambling equipment for use within the state without being employed by a licensed distributor or owning a distributor license.

 

Sec. 6. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 349.161, subdivision 5, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 5. Prohibition. (a) No distributor, distributor salesperson, or other employee of a distributor, may also be a wholesale distributor of alcoholic beverages or an employee of a wholesale distributor of alcoholic beverages.

 

(b) No distributor, distributor salesperson, or any representative, agent, affiliate, or other employee of a distributor, may: (1) be involved in the conduct of lawful gambling by an organization; (2) keep or assist in the keeping of an organization's financial records, accounts, and inventories; or (3) prepare or assist in the preparation of tax forms and other reporting forms required to be submitted to the state by an organization.

 

(c) No distributor, distributor salesperson, or any representative, agent, affiliate, or other employee of a distributor may provide a lessor of gambling premises any compensation, gift, gratuity, premium, or other thing of value.

 

(d) No distributor, distributor salesperson, or any representative, agent, affiliate, or other employee of a distributor may provide an employee or agent of the organization any compensation, gift, gratuity, premium, or other thing of value greater than $25 per organization in a calendar year.

 

(e) No distributor, distributor salesperson, or any representative, agent, affiliate, or other employee of a distributor may participate in any gambling activity at any gambling site or premises where gambling equipment purchased from that distributor or distributor salesperson is being used in the conduct of lawful gambling.

 

(f) No distributor, distributor salesperson, or any representative, agent, affiliate, or other employee of a distributor may alter or modify any gambling equipment, except to add a "last ticket sold" prize sticker.

 

(g) No distributor, distributor salesperson, or any representative, agent, affiliate, or other employee of a distributor may: (1) recruit a person to become a gambling manager of an organization or identify to an organization a person as a candidate to become gambling manager for the organization; or (2) identify for an organization a potential gambling location.


Journal of the House - 88th Day - Monday, March 10, 2008 - Top of Page 8411

(h) No distributor or distributor salesperson may purchase gambling equipment for resale to a person for use within the state from any person not licensed as a manufacturer under section 349.163, except for gambling equipment returned from an organization licensed under section 349.16, or exempt or excluded from licensing under section 349.166.

 

(i) No distributor or distributor salesperson may sell gambling equipment, except gambling equipment identified as a promotional ticket, to any person for use in Minnesota other than (i) a licensed organization or organization excluded or exempt from licensing, or (ii) the governing body of an Indian tribe.

 

(j) No distributor or distributor salesperson may sell or otherwise provide a pull-tab or tipboard deal with the symbol required by section 349.163, subdivision 5, paragraph (d), visible on the flare to any person other than in Minnesota to a licensed organization or organization exempt from licensing.

 

Sec. 7. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 349.1641, is amended to read:

 

349.1641 LICENSES; SUMMARY SUSPENSION.

 

The board may (1) summarily suspend the license of an organization that is more than three months late in filing a tax return or in paying a tax required under chapter 297E and may keep the suspension in effect until all required returns are filed and required taxes are paid; and (2) summarily suspend for not more than 90 days any license issued by the board or director for what the board determines are actions detrimental to the integrity of lawful gambling in Minnesota; and (3) summarily suspend the license of a gambling manager who has failed to receive the training required under section 349.167, subdivision 4, clause (2), and may keep the suspension in effect until the gambling manager passes an examination prepared and administered by the board. The examination does not qualify as continuing education credit for the next calendar year. The board must notify the licensee at least 14 days before suspending the license under this section. If a license is summarily suspended under this section, a contested case hearing on the merits must be held within 20 days of the issuance of the order of suspension, unless the parties agree to a later hearing date. The administrative law judge's report must be issued within 20 days after the close of the hearing record. In all cases involving summary suspension, the board must issue its final decision within 30 days after receipt of the report of the administrative law judge and subsequent exceptions and argument under section 14.61. When an organization's license is suspended under this section, the board shall within three days notify all municipalities in which the organization's gambling premises are located and all licensed distributors in the state.

 

Sec. 8. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 349.167, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 2. Gambling managers; licenses. A person may not serve as a gambling manager for an organization unless the person possesses a valid gambling manager's license issued by the board. In addition to the disqualifications in section 349.155, subdivision 3, the board may not issue a gambling manager's license to a person applying for the license who:

 

(1) has not complied with subdivision 4, clause clauses (1) and (2);

 

(2) within the five years before the date of the license application, has committed a violation of law or board rule that resulted in the revocation of a license issued by the board;

 

(3) has ever been convicted of a criminal violation involving fraud, theft, tax evasion, misrepresentation, or gambling; or

 

(4) has engaged in conduct the board determines is contrary to the public health, welfare, or safety or the integrity of lawful gambling.


Journal of the House - 88th Day - Monday, March 10, 2008 - Top of Page 8412

A gambling manager's license runs concurrent with the organization's license unless the gambling manager's license is suspended or revoked. The annual fee for a gambling manager's license is $100.

 

Sec. 9. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 349.167, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 4. Training of gambling managers. The board shall by rule require All persons licensed as gambling managers to must receive periodic training in laws and rules governing lawful gambling. The rules must contain to comply with the following requirements:

 

(1) each gambling manager must receive training within the last six months before being issued a new license, except that in the case of the death, disability, resignation, or termination of a gambling manager, a replacement gambling manager must receive the training within 90 days of being issued a license;

 

(2) each gambling manager applying for a renewal of a license must have received receive continuing education training, as required by board rule, at least once during each calendar year of the two-year license period, or pass a gambling manager examination as required in subdivision 7; and

 

(3) the training required by this subdivision may be provided by a person authorized by the board to provide the training. Before authorizing a person to provide training, the board must determine that:

 

(i) the provider and all of the provider's personnel conducting the training are qualified to do so;

 

(ii) the curriculum to be used fully and accurately covers all elements of lawful gambling law and rules that the board determines are necessary for a gambling manager to know and understand;

 

(iii) the fee to be charged for participants in the training sessions is fair and reasonable; and

 

(iv) the training provider has an adequate system for documenting completion of training.

 

The board or the director may provide the training required by this subdivision using employees of the board.

 

Sec. 10. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 349.167, subdivision 7, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 7. Gambling manager examination. Each applicant for a new gambling manager's license, and each renewing applicant that has failed to receive training as required in subdivision 4, must pass an examination prepared and administered by the board that tests the applicant's knowledge of the responsibilities of gambling managers, and of gambling procedures, laws, and rules before being issued the license. In the case of the death, disability, resignation, or termination of a gambling manager, a replacement gambling manager must pass the examination within 90 days of being issued a gambling manager's license. The board shall revoke the replacement gambling manager's license if the replacement gambling manager fails to pass the examination as required in this subdivision.

 

Sec. 11. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 349.17, subdivision 7, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 7. Bar bingo. An organization may conduct bar bingo subject to the following restrictions:

 

(1) the bingo is conducted at a site the organization owns or leases and which has a license for the sale of intoxicating beverages on the premises under chapter 340A;

 

(2) the bingo is conducted using only bingo paper sheets purchased from a licensed distributor; and


Journal of the House - 88th Day - Monday, March 10, 2008 - Top of Page 8413

(3) no rent may be paid for a bar bingo occasion.; and

 

(4) the lessor's immediate family and employees may participate if they are not involved with the sale or operation of bar bingo.

 

Sec. 12. Minnesota Statutes 2007 Supplement, section 349.17, subdivision 8, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 8. Linked bingo games. (a) A licensed organization may conduct or participate in not more than two linked bingo games per occasion, one of which may be a progressive game in which a portion of the prize is carried over from one occasion to another until won by a player achieving a bingo within a predetermined amount of bingo numbers called.

 

(b) Each participating licensed organization shall contribute to each prize awarded in a linked bingo game in an amount not to exceed $300.

 

(c) An electronic bingo device as defined in section 349.12, subdivision 12a, may be used for a linked bingo game.

 

(d) The board may adopt rules to:

 

(1) specify the manner in which a linked bingo game must be played and how the linked bingo prizes must be awarded;

 

(2) specify the records to be maintained by a linked bingo game provider;

 

(3) require the submission of periodic reports by the linked bingo game provider and specify the content of the reports;

 

(4) establish the qualifications required to be licensed as a linked bingo game provider; and

 

(5) any other matter involving the operation of a linked bingo game.

 

Sec. 13. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 349.18, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

 

Subdivision 1. Lease or ownership required; rent limitations. (a) An organization may conduct lawful gambling only on premises it owns or leases. Leases must be on a form prescribed by the board. The term of the lease may not begin before the effective date of the premises permit and must expire on the same day that the premises permit expires. Leases approved by the board must specify that the board may authorize an organization to withhold rent from a lessor for a period of up to 90 days if the board determines that illegal gambling occurred on the premises and that the lessor or its employees participated in the illegal gambling or knew of the gambling and did not take prompt action to stop the gambling. The lease must authorize the continued tenancy of the organization without the payment of rent during the time period determined by the board under this paragraph. Copies of all leases must be made available to employees of the board and the Division of Alcohol and Gambling Enforcement on request. The board may prescribe by rule limits on the amount of rent which an organization may pay to a lessor for premises leased for bingo. Any rule adopted by the board limiting the amount of rent to be paid may only be effective for leases entered into, or renewed, after the effective date of the rule.


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(b) Rent paid by an organization for leased premises for the conduct of pull-tabs, tipboards, and paddlewheels is subject to the following limits:

 

(1) for booth operations, including booth operations where a pull-tab dispensing device is located, booth operations where a bar operation is also conducted, and booth operations where both a pull-tab dispensing device is located and a bar operation is also conducted, the maximum rent is:

 

(i) in any month where the organization's gross profit at those premises does not exceed $4,000, up to $400; and

 

(ii) in any month where the organization's gross profit at those premises exceeds $4,000, up to $400 plus not more than ten percent of the gross profit for that month in excess of $4,000;

 

(2) for bar operations, including bar operations where a pull-tab dispensing device is located but not including bar operations subject to clause (1), and for locations where only a pull-tab dispensing device is located:

 

(i) in any month where the organization's gross profit at those premises does not exceed $1,000, up to $200; and

 

(ii) in any month where the organization's gross profit at those premises exceeds $1,000, up to $200 plus not more than 20 percent of the gross profit for that month in excess of $1,000;

 

(3) a lease not governed by clauses (1) and (2) must be approved by the board before becoming effective;

 

(4) total rent paid to a lessor from all organizations from leases governed by clause (1) may not exceed $1,750 per month. Total rent paid to a lessor from all organizations from leases governed by clause (2) may not exceed $2,500 per month.

 

(c) Rent paid by an organization for leased premises for the conduct of bingo is subject to either of the following limits at the option of the parties to the lease:

 

(1) not more than ten percent of the monthly gross profit from all lawful gambling activities held during bingo occasions excluding bar bingo or at a rate based on a cost per square foot not to exceed 110 percent of a comparable cost per square foot for leased space as approved by the director; and

 

(2) no rent may be paid for bar bingo.

 

(d) Amounts paid as rent under leases are all-inclusive. No other services or expenses provided or contracted by the lessor may be paid by the organization, including, but not limited to, trash removal, janitorial and cleaning services, snow removal, lawn services, electricity, heat, security, security monitoring, storage, other utilities or services, and, in the case of bar operations, cash shortages, unless approved by the director. Any other expenditure made by an organization that is related to a leased premises must be approved by the director. An organization may not provide any compensation or thing of value to a lessor or the lessor's employees from any fund source other than its gambling account. Rent payments may not be made to an individual.

 

(e) Notwithstanding paragraph (b), an organization may pay a lessor for food or beverages or meeting room rental if the charge made is comparable to similar charges made to other individuals or groups.

 

(f) No entity other than the licensed organization may conduct any activity within a booth operation on a leased premises.


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(g) Employees of a lessor not involved in the conduct of lawful gambling on the premises or nongambling employees of an organization conducting lawful gambling on the premises may participate in lawful gambling on the premises provided if pull-tabs or tipboards are sold, the organization posts the major prizes awarded.

 

(h) A gambling employee may purchase pull-tabs or tipboards at the site of the employee's place of employment provided:

 

(1) the organization posts the major prizes for pull-tab or tipboard games; and

 

(2) the employee is not involved in the sale of pull-tabs or tipboards at that site.

 

(i) At a leased site where an organization uses a paddlewheel consisting of 30 32 numbers or less or a tipboard consisting of 30 32 tickets or less, tickets may be sold throughout the permitted premises, but winning tickets must be redeemed, the paddlewheel must be located, and the tipboard seal must be opened within the leased premises.

 

Sec. 14. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 349.19, subdivision 10, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 10. Pull-tab records. (a) The board shall by rule require a licensed organization to require each winner of a pull-tab prize of $50 or more to present identification in the form of a driver's license, Minnesota identification card, or other identification the board deems sufficient to allow the identification and tracing of the winner. The rule must require the organization to retain winning pull-tabs of $50 or more, and the identification of the winner of the pull-tab, for 3-1/2 years.

 

(b) An organization must maintain separate cash banks for each deal of pull-tabs unless (1) two or more deals are commingled in the licensed organization uses a pull-tab dispensing device, or (2) the organization uses a cash register, of a type approved by the board, which records all sales of pull-tabs by separate deals.

 

(c) The board shall:

 

(1) by rule adopt minimum technical standards for cash registers that may be used by organizations, and shall approve for use by organizations any cash register that meets the standards; and

 

(2) before allowing an organization to use a cash register that commingles receipts from several different pull-tab games in play, adopt rules that define how cash registers may be used and that establish a procedure for organizations to reconcile all pull-tab games in play at the end of each month.

 

Sec. 15. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 349.191, subdivision 1a, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 1a. Credit and sales to delinquent organizations. (a) If a distributor or linked bingo game provider does not receive payment in full from an organization within 35 30 days of the day immediately following the date of the invoice, the distributor or linked bingo game provider must notify the board in writing of the delinquency on the next business day.

 

(b) If a distributor or linked bingo game provider who has notified the board under paragraph (a) has not received payment in full from the organization within 60 days of the notification under paragraph (a), the distributor or linked bingo game provider must notify the board of the continuing delinquency.

 

(c) On receipt of a notice under paragraph (a), the board shall order all distributors and linked bingo game providers that until further notice from the board, they may sell gambling equipment to the delinquent organizations only on a cash basis with no credit extended. On receipt of a notice under paragraph (b), the board shall order all distributors and linked bingo game providers not to sell any gambling equipment to the delinquent organization.


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(d) No distributor or linked bingo game provider may extend credit or sell gambling equipment to an organization in violation of an order under paragraph (c) until the board has authorized such credit or sale.

 

Sec. 16. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 349.191, subdivision 1b, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 1b. Credit and sales to delinquent distributors. (a) If a manufacturer does not receive payment in full from a distributor within 35 30 days of the day immediately following the date of invoice, the manufacturer must notify the board in writing of the delinquency on the next business day.

 

(b) If a manufacturer who has notified the board under paragraph (a) has not received payment in full from the distributor within 60 days of the notification under paragraph (a), the manufacturer must notify the board of the continuing delinquency.

 

(c) On receipt of a notice under paragraph (a), the board shall order all manufacturers that until further notice from the board, they may sell gambling equipment to the delinquent distributor only on a cash basis with no credit extended. On receipt of a notice under paragraph (b), the board shall order all manufacturers not to sell any gambling equipment to the delinquent distributor.

 

(d) No manufacturer may extend credit or sell gambling equipment to a distributor in violation of an order under paragraph (c) until the board has authorized such credit or sale.

 

Sec. 17. Minnesota Statutes 2007 Supplement, section 349.211, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 2. Progressive bingo games. Except as provided in subdivision 1a, a prize of up to $2,000 may be awarded for a progressive bingo game, including a cover-all game. The prize for a progressive bingo game may start at $500 and be increased by up to $100 for each occasion during which the progressive bingo game is played. A consolation prize of up to $200 for a progressive bingo game may be awarded in each occasion during which the progressive bingo game is played and the accumulated prize is not won. The total amount awarded in progressive bingo game prizes in any calendar year may not exceed $48,000.

 

Sec. 18. Minnesota Statutes 2007 Supplement, section 349.211, subdivision 2a, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 2a. Pull-tab prizes. The maximum prize which may be awarded for any single pull-tab is $599 for $2 and under pull-tabs, $899 for $3 pull-tabs, $1,199 for $4 pull-tabs, and $1,499 for $5 pull-tabs, not including any cumulative or carryover prizes. Cumulative or carryover prizes in a pull-tab game shall not exceed $2,500. An organization may not sell any pull-tab for more than $5.

 

Sec. 19. Minnesota Statutes 2007 Supplement, section 349.211, subdivision 2c, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 2c. Tipboard prizes. The maximum prize which may be awarded for a tipboard ticket is $599 for $2 and under tipboard tickets, $899 for $3 tipboard tickets, $1,199 for $4 tipboard tickets, and $1,499 for $5 tipboard tickets, not including any cumulative or carryover prizes. Cumulative or carryover prizes in tipboard games shall not exceed $2,500. An organization may not sell any tipboard ticket for more than $5.

 

Sec. 20. Minnesota Statutes 2007 Supplement, section 349.211, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

 

Subd. 2d. Raffle prizes. The board may not impose an annual limit on the value of raffle prizes awarded by licensed organizations but the total value of an individual raffle prize may not exceed $50,000.


Journal of the House - 88th Day - Monday, March 10, 2008 - Top of Page 8417

Sec. 21. Minnesota Statutes 2007 Supplement, section 349.211, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 3. Other gambling. The board by rule shall establish a schedule of prize limits for all other forms of gambling consistent with the purposes set out in section 349.11. The schedule may include daily and annual prize limits and prize limits for each game, raffle or operation of a gambling device.

 

Sec. 22. Minnesota Statutes 2007 Supplement, section 349.211, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 4. Prize value. (a) Merchandise prizes must be valued at their fair market value. For purposes of sections 349.11 to 349.22 "prizes" do not include free plays awarded.

 

(b) Merchandise prizes for a paddlewheel consisting of 30 32 numbers or less or a tipboard consisting of 30 32 tickets or less may be paid for by the organization up to 30 days after the prize is received by the organization.

 

Sec. 23. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 349.2113, is amended to read:

 

349.2113 PRIZE PAYOUT LIMIT.

 

On or after January 1, 2004, a licensed organization may not put into play a pull-tab or tipboard deal game that provides for a prize payout of greater than 85 percent of the ideal gross of the deal game.

 

Sec. 24. LAWFUL GAMBLING STUDY AND REPORT.

 

The Gambling Control Board shall review operational and regulatory procedures, accounting functions, tax structure, and recent trends in lawful purpose contributions and allowable expenses incurred by licensed charitable organizations relating to lawful gambling activities. The board must seek public input including comment from licensees and professionals working in the lawful gambling industry. The board must provide a report with recommendations and proposed legislation, if any, to the chairs of the legislative standing committees with jurisdiction over lawful gambling by January 15, 2009.

 

Sec. 25. EFFECTIVE DATE.

 

This act is effective the day following final enactment."

 

Delete the title and insert:

 

"A bill for an act relating to lawful gambling; modifying bingo games, pull-tabs, tipboards, raffles, and prizes; modifying certain provisions of lawful gambling; modifying certain gambling manager provisions; providing for civil penalties; requiring a study and report on lawful gambling; amending Minnesota Statutes 2006, sections 349.12, subdivisions 18, 31; 349.15, by adding a subdivision; 349.161, subdivisions 1, 5; 349.1641; 349.167, subdivisions 2, 4, 7; 349.17, subdivision 7; 349.18, subdivision 1; 349.19, subdivision 10; 349.191, subdivisions 1a, 1b; 349.2113; Minnesota Statutes 2007 Supplement, sections 349.15, subdivision 1; 349.17, subdivision 8; 349.211, subdivisions 2, 2a, 2c, 3, 4, by adding a subdivision."

 

 

With the recommendation that when so amended the bill pass and be re-referred to the Committee on Public Safety and Civil Justice.

 

The report was adopted.


Journal of the House - 88th Day - Monday, March 10, 2008 - Top of Page 8418

Atkins from the Committee on Commerce and Labor to which was referred:

 

H. F. No. 3411, A bill for an act relating to motor fuels; updating standards for petroleum products; amending Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 296A.01, subdivisions 19, 35; Minnesota Statutes 2007 Supplement, sections 239.761; 239.77, subdivision 1; 296A.01, subdivisions 7, 8, 8a, 14, 20, 23, 24, 25, 26, 28.

 

Reported the same back with the following amendments:

 

Page 1, before line 7, insert:

 

"Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 239.751, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

 

Subd. 8. Use of number to advertise grade of gasoline. If a number is used to advertise or identify a grade of gasoline, that number can only be less than or equal to the octane of the gasoline being advertised or identified."

 

Renumber the sections in sequence

 

Amend the title as follows:

 

Page 1, line 2, after the second semicolon, insert "providing for use of number to advertise grade of gasoline;"

 

Correct the title numbers accordingly

 

 

With the recommendation that when so amended the bill pass.

 

The report was adopted.

 

 

Eken from the Committee on Environment and Natural Resources to which was referred:

 

H. F. No. 3429, A bill for an act relating to waters; providing for administrative penalty orders; providing civil penalties; requiring an implementation plan; providing a rulemaking exemption; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 103G.

 

Reported the same back with the following amendments:

 

Page 4, line 32, delete "a" and insert "the related"

 

 

With the recommendation that when so amended the bill pass and be re-referred to the Committee on Public Safety and Civil Justice.

 

The report was adopted.

 

 

Mullery from the Committee on Public Safety and Civil Justice to which was referred:

 

H. F. No. 3438, A bill for an act relating to health; changing provisions for handling genetic information; amending Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 13.386, subdivision 3; Minnesota Statutes 2007 Supplement, section 144.125, subdivision 3.

 

Reported the same back with the following amendments:


Journal of the House - 88th Day - Monday, March 10, 2008 - Top of Page 8419

Page 1, line 22, before "specimens" insert "blood"

 

Page 2, line 33, delete the second "and"

 

Page 2, line 34, before the period, insert "; and (5) the ability to seek private testing"

 

 

With the recommendation that when so amended the bill pass and be re-referred to the Committee on Health and Human Services.

 

The report was adopted.

 

 

Mariani from the Committee on E-12 Education to which was referred:

 

H. F. No. 3472, A bill for an act relating to education; providing for a plan to reduce the achievement gap.

 

Reported the same back with the following amendments:

 

Delete everything after the enacting clause and insert:

 

"Section 1. SCHOOL DISTRICT PLANS TO IMPROVE STUDENTS' ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT.

 

Subdivision 1. District academic achievement plan; priorities. (a) A school district experiencing disparities in academic achievement is encouraged to develop a short- and long-term plan encompassing one through four years to significantly improve students' academic achievement that uses concrete measures to eliminate differences in academic performance among groups of students defined by race, ethnicity, and income. The plan must:

 

(1) reflect a research-based understanding of high-performing educational systems and best educational practices;

 

(2) include innovative and practical strategies and programs, whether existing or new, that supplement district initiatives to increase students' academic achievement under state and federal educational accountability requirements; and

 

(3) contain valid and reliable measures of student achievement that the district uses to demonstrate the efficacy of the district plan to the education commissioner.

 

(b) A district must address the elements under section 2, paragraph (a), to the extent those elements are implicated in the district's plan.

 

(c) A district must identify in its plan the strategies and programs the district has implemented and found effective in improving students' academic achievement.

 

(d) The district must include with the plan the amount of expenditures necessary to implement the plan. The district must indicate how current resources are used to implement the plan, including, but not limited to, state-limited English proficiency aid under Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.65; integration revenue under Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.86; early childhood family education revenue under Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.135; school readiness aid under Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.16; basic skills revenue under Minnesota Statutes, section 126C.10, subdivision 4; extended time revenue under Minnesota Statutes, section 126C.10, subdivision 2a; and alternative compensation revenue under Minnesota Statutes, section 122A.415.


Journal of the House - 88th Day - Monday, March 10, 2008 - Top of Page 8420

Subd. 2. Plan. (a) A school district by October 1, 2008, must submit its plan in electronic format to the commissioner, consistent with subdivision 1.

 

(b) The commissioner must analyze the commonalities and differences of the district plans and the effective strategies and programs districts have implemented to improve students' academic achievement, and submit the analysis and underlying data to the advisory task force on improving students' academic achievement under section 2 by November 1, 2008, and also report the substance of the analysis to the education policy and finance committees of the legislature by January 1, 2009.

 

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

 

Sec. 2. ADVISORY TASK FORCE ON IMPROVING STUDENTS' ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT.

 

(a) An advisory task force on improving students' academic achievement is established to review the plans submitted to the education commissioner under section 1 and recommend to the education committees of the legislature a proposal for improving students' academic achievement and eliminating differences in academic performance among groups of students defined by race, ethnicity, and income. The task force members must at least consider how the following education-related issues impact the educational achievement of low-income students and students of color:

 

(1) rigorous preparation and coursework and how to (i) effectively invest in early childhood and parent education, (ii) increase academic rigor and high expectations on elementary and secondary students in schools serving a majority of low-income students and students of color, and (iii) provide parents, educators, and community members with meaningful opportunities to collaborate in educating students in schools serving a majority of low-income students and students of color;

 

(2) professional development for educators and how to (i) provide stronger financial and professional incentives to attract and retain experienced, bilingual, and culturally competent teachers and administrators in schools serving a majority of low-income students and students of color, (ii) recruit and retain teachers of color, and (iii) develop and include cultural sensitivity and interpersonal and pedagogical skills training that teachers need for effective intercultural teaching;

 

(3) English language learners and how to (i) use well-designed tests, curricula, and English as a second language programs and services as diagnostic tools to develop effective student interventions, (ii) monitor students' language capabilities, (iii) provide academic instruction in English that supports students' learning and is appropriate for students' level of language proficiency, and (iv) incorporate the perspectives and contributions of ethnic and racial groups, consistent with Minnesota Statutes, section 120B.022, subdivision 1, paragraph (b);

 

(4) special education and how to (i) incorporate linguistic and cultural sensitivity into special education diagnosis and referral, (ii) increase the frequency and quality of prereferral interventions, and (iii) decrease the number of minority and nonnative English-speaking students inappropriately placed in special education;

 

(5) GRAD tests and how to (i) incorporate linguistic and cultural sensitivity into the reading and math GRAD tests and (ii) develop interventions to meet students' learning needs; and

 

(6) valid and reliable data and how to use data on student on-time graduation rates, student dropout rates, documented disciplinary actions, and completed and rigorous course work indicators to determine how well-prepared low-income students and students of color are for postsecondary academic and career opportunities.


Journal of the House - 88th Day - Monday, March 10, 2008 - Top of Page 8421

The task force also must examine the findings of a 2008 report by Minnesota superintendents on strategies for creating a world-class educational system to establish priorities for improving students' academic achievement. The task force may consider other related matters at its discretion.

 

(b) The commissioner of education must convene the first meeting of the advisory task force on improving students' academic achievement by July 1, 2008. The task force members must adopt internal procedures and standards for subsequent meetings. The task force is composed of the following members:

 

(1) a representative from a Twin Cities metropolitan area school district, a suburban school district, a school district located in a regional center, and a rural school district, all four representatives appointed by the state demographer based on identified concentrations of low performing low-income students and students of color;

 

(2) a faculty member of a teacher preparation program at the University of Minnesota's College of Education and Human Development appointed by the college dean or the dean's designee;

 

(3) a faculty member from the urban teachers program at Metropolitan State University appointed by the university president or the president's designee;

 

(4) a faculty member from a MnSCU teacher preparation program located outside the Twin Cities metropolitan area appointed by the university president or the president's designee;

 

(5) a classroom teacher appointed by Education Minnesota;

 

(6) an expert in early childhood care and education appointed by a state early childhood organization;

 

(7) a member from each state council representing a community of color appointed by the respective council;

 

(8) a curriculum specialist with expertise in providing language instruction for nonnative English speakers appointed by a state curriculum organization;

 

(9) a special education teacher appointed by a state organization of special education educators;

 

(10) a parent of color appointed by a state parent-teacher organization;

 

(11) a district testing director appointed by a recognized Minnesota assessment group composed of assessment and evaluation directors and staff and researchers; and

 

(12) a Minnesota Department of Education staff person with expertise in school desegregation matters appointed by the education commissioner or the commissioner's designee.

 

A majority of task force members, at their discretion, may invite other representatives of interested public or nonpublic organizations, Minnesota's communities of color, and stakeholders in local and state educational equity to become task force members. A majority of task force members must be persons of color.

 

(c) Task force members' terms and other task force matters are subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 15.059. The commissioner may reimburse task force members from the education department's current operating budget but may not compensate task force members for task force activities. By February 15, 2009, the task force must submit a written proposal to the education policy and finance committees of the legislature on how to significantly improve students' academic achievement.


Journal of the House - 88th Day - Monday, March 10, 2008 - Top of Page 8422

(d) The advisory task force expires on February 16, 2009.

 

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

 

 

With the recommendation that when so amended the bill pass.

 

The report was adopted.

 

 

Mullery from the Committee on Public Safety and Civil Justice to which was referred:

 

H. F. No. 3474, A bill for an act relating to mortgages; redemption period; providing for notice of sale; amending Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 582.032, subdivision 2.

 

Reported the same back with the following amendments:

 

Delete everything after the enacting clause and insert:

 

"Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 582.032, subdivision 7, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 7. Hearing; evidence; order. At the hearing on the summons and complaint or order to show cause, the court shall enter an order reducing the mortgagor's redemption period as provided in subdivision 2 or 3, as applicable, if evidence is presented supporting the allegations in the complaint or motion and no appearance is made to oppose the relief sought. An affidavit by the sheriff or a deputy sheriff of the county in which the mortgaged premises are located, or of a building inspector, zoning administrator, housing official, or other municipal or county official having jurisdiction over the mortgaged premises, stating that the mortgaged premises are not actually occupied and further setting forth any of the following supporting facts, is prima facie evidence of abandonment:

 

(1) windows or entrances to the premises are boarded up or closed off, or multiple window panes are broken and unrepaired;

 

(2) doors to the premises are smashed through, broken off, unhinged, or continuously unlocked;

 

(3) gas, electric, or water service to the premises has been terminated;

 

(4) rubbish, trash, or debris has accumulated on the mortgaged premises;

 

(5) the police or sheriff's office has received at least two reports of trespassers on the premises, or of vandalism or other illegal acts being committed on the premises; or

 

(6) the premises are deteriorating and are either below or are in imminent danger of falling below minimum community standards for public safety and sanitation.

 

An affidavit of the party foreclosing the mortgage or holding the sheriff's certificate, or one of their agents or contractors, stating any of the above supporting facts, and that the affiant has changed locks on the mortgaged premises under section 582.031 and that for a period of ten days no party having a legal possessory right has requested entrance to the premises, is also prima facie evidence of abandonment. Either affidavit described above, or an affidavit from any other person having knowledge, may state facts supporting any other allegations in the complaint or motion and is prima facie evidence of the same. Written statements of the mortgagor, the mortgagor's personal representatives or assigns, including documents of conveyance, which indicate a clear intent to abandon the


Journal of the House - 88th Day - Monday, March 10, 2008 - Top of Page 8423

premises, are conclusive evidence of abandonment. In the absence of affidavits or written statements, or if rebuttal evidence is offered by the defendant or a party lawfully claiming through the defendant, the court may consider any competent evidence, including oral testimony, concerning any allegation in the complaint or motion. A defendant's failure to appear at the hearing after service of process in compliance with subdivision 6 is conclusive evidence of abandonment by the defendant. An order entered under this section must contain a legal description of the mortgaged premises."

 

Delete the title and insert:

 

"A bill for an act relating to mortgages; providing for abandonment of premises under certain circumstances; amending Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 582.032, subdivision 7."

 

 

With the recommendation that when so amended the bill pass and be re-referred to the Committee on Commerce and Labor.

 

The report was adopted.

 

 

Mullery from the Committee on Public Safety and Civil Justice to which was referred:

 

H. F. No. 3476, A bill for an act relating to landlord and tenant; providing for certain notices relating to foreclosure; amending Minnesota Statutes 2006, sections 504B.151; 504B.178, subdivision 8; 504B.285, subdivision 1.

 

Reported the same back with the following amendments:

 

Page 2, line 14, delete "Attornment" and insert "Transfer of tenancy"

 

Page 2, line 15, delete "attorn to" and insert "become the tenant of"

 

Page 2, line 19, delete "attorns" and insert "becomes the tenant of the holder"

 

Page 2, line 20, delete "provides and the tenant receives" and insert "mails, by first class mail to the tenant at the property address,"

 

 

With the recommendation that when so amended the bill pass and be re-referred to the Committee on Commerce and Labor.

 

The report was adopted.

 

 

Mullery from the Committee on Public Safety and Civil Justice to which was referred:

 

H. F. No. 3483, A bill for an act relating to police officers; permitting police officers to be represented by an attorney and a union representative at disciplinary hearing; amending Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 626.89, subdivision 9.

 

Reported the same back with the following amendments:


Journal of the House - 88th Day - Monday, March 10, 2008 - Top of Page 8424

Delete everything after the enacting clause and insert:

 

"Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 626.89, subdivision 9, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 9. Presence of attorney or and union representative. The officer whose formal statement is taken has the right to have an attorney or a union representative of the officer's choosing or an attorney retained by the officer, or both, present during the session. The officer may request the presence of an the attorney or the union representative, or both, at any time before or during the session. When a request under this subdivision is made, no formal statement may be taken until a reasonable opportunity is provided for the officer to obtain the presence of the attorney or the union representative."

 

 

With the recommendation that when so amended the bill pass.

 

The report was adopted.

 

 

Atkins from the Committee on Commerce and Labor to which was referred:

 

H. F. No. 3515, A bill for an act relating to environment; providing for publication of adjustments to costs announced by the Petroleum Tank Release Compensation Board; amending Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 115C.07, subdivision 3.

 

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

 

The report was adopted.

 

 

Mullery from the Committee on Public Safety and Civil Justice to which was referred:

 

H. F. No. 3516, A bill for an act relating to data practices; providing for certain data practices relating to foreclosure; requiring a report; amending Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 58.02, by adding a subdivision; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 580.

 

Reported the same back with the following amendments:

 

Page 1, line 9, after "A" insert ""transaction agent" is the"

 

Page 2, line 7, delete "following" and after "information" insert "required by this section"

 

Page 2, line 34, delete ", and expire July 31, 2013"

 

Amend the title as follows:

 

Page 1, line 2, delete "data practices; providing for certain data practices relating" and insert "mortgage foreclosure; providing specification of certain information about a premises subject"

 

 

With the recommendation that when so amended the bill pass and be re-referred to the Committee on Commerce and Labor.

 

The report was adopted.


Journal of the House - 88th Day - Monday, March 10, 2008 - Top of Page 8425

Eken from the Committee on Environment and Natural Resources to which was referred:

 

H. F. No. 3540, A bill for an act relating to solid waste; amending the definition of mixed municipal solid waste; defining reuse; establishing principles of product stewardship; requiring recycling of construction and demolition waste in state buildings; requiring a study; requiring a resource recovery facility to recover and recycle metals; setting recycling goals for certain construction and demolition projects; regulating waste management charges; setting standards for compost containers; establishing eligibility of waste management activities as greenhouse gas offset projects; exempting certain equipment from the state sales tax; regulating charges for nonmixed municipal solid waste; allowing residents to decline to receive local telephone directories; requiring a model ordinance; establishing a task force; providing penalties; appropriating money; amending Minnesota Statutes 2006, sections 115A.03, subdivisions 21, 32a, by adding a subdivision; 115A.93, subdivisions 3, 3a; 115A.9301; 297A.68, subdivision 24; 297H.02, subdivision 2; 297H.04; Minnesota Statutes 2007 Supplement, section 216B.241, by adding a subdivision; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapters 16B; 115A; 325E; repealing Minnesota Statutes 2006, sections 115A.175; 115A.18; 115A.19; 115A.191; 115A.192; 115A.194; 115A.195; 115A.20; 115A.24; 115A.28, subdivision 3; 115A.30; 115A.301; 115A.31; 115A.55, subdivision 4; 115A.5501, subdivision 1; 115A.551, subdivision 7; Minnesota Statutes 2007 Supplement, sections 115A.193; 115A.28, subdivision 2.

 

Reported the same back with the following amendments:

 

Page 4, line 2, delete "making capital investments" and insert "promoting stewardship programs,"

 

Page 4, line 3, delete "in buildings and infrastructure"

 

Page 5, delete section 7

 

Page 5, line 12, delete "...." and insert "1,000"

 

Pages 5 to 8, delete sections 9 to 11

 

Page 8, line 15, after "waste" insert "collected in the seven-county metropolitan area and" and delete everything after "facility"

 

Page 9, delete sections 14 to 16

 

Page 11, line 22, delete ".. point" and insert "12-point"

 

Page 11, line 30, after the period, insert "The telephone number, mailing address, and e-mail address must remain active for at least three years."

 

Page 12, after line 8, insert:

 

"(e) A person publishing a telephone directory may ask a resident requesting to be entered into the "Do Not Receive" registry for only the resident's name, address, and telephone number.

 

(f) A resident may not be charged a fee to be entered into the "Do Not Receive" registry."

 

Page 12, line 18, delete "develop" and insert "arrange for the development of" and after "ordinance" insert "for counties"


Journal of the House - 88th Day - Monday, March 10, 2008 - Top of Page 8426

Page 12, delete section 19 and insert:

 

"Sec. 12. REPORT ON 2020 GOALS.

 

By January 1, 2009, the commissioner shall, after obtaining input from counties inside and outside the seven-county metropolitan area, recycling and composting facilities, waste haulers, environmental organizations, and other interested parties, submit a report to the chairs and ranking minority members of the senate and house committees with primary jurisdiction over solid waste policy, that recommends options for achieving the following goals by 2020:

 

(1) an increase in county recycling rates to 60 percent of the weight of total solid waste generation; and

 

(2) the diversion, prior to delivery to landfills and waste-to-energy plants, and recycling and reuse of an amount of source-separated compostable materials equal to 15 percent of total solid waste generation.

 

The report must also contain estimates of the economic costs of implementing the strategies."

 

Page 13, delete section 20

 

Page 13, line 27, delete "115A.31;"

 

Page 13, line 29, after "are" insert "repealed."

 

Renumber the sections in sequence and correct the internal references

 

Amend the title as follows:

 

Page 1, line 2, delete everything after the first semicolon and insert "modifying the Waste Management Act; modifying definitions; establishing principles of product stewardship; requiring recycling of construction and demolition waste; setting standards for compost containers; establishing eligibility of waste management activities as greenhouse gas offset projects; allowing residents to decline to receive local telephone directories; requiring a model ordinance; providing civil penalties; requiring a study;"

 

Page 1, delete lines 3 to 11

 

Page 1, line 12, delete everything before "amending"

 

Correct the title numbers accordingly

 

 

With the recommendation that when so amended the bill pass and be re-referred to the Energy Finance and Policy Division.

 

The report was adopted.

 

 

Eken from the Committee on Environment and Natural Resources to which was referred:

 

H. F. No. 3545, A bill for an act relating to environment; requiring reporting of purchases and sales of certain gases; requiring disclosure of leakage rates of air conditioners in motor vehicles; requiring the use of certain refrigerants in mobile air conditioners under certain circumstances; prohibiting the sale of certain refrigerants; requiring a report; amending Minnesota Statutes 2006, sections 13.7411, by adding a subdivision; 115.071, subdivision 1; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 216H.

 

Reported the same back with the following amendments:


Journal of the House - 88th Day - Monday, March 10, 2008 - Top of Page 8427

Delete everything after the enacting clause and insert:

 

"Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 115.071, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

 

Subdivision 1. Remedies available. The provisions of sections 103F.701 to 103F.761, this chapter and chapters 114C, 115A, and 116, and sections 216H.10 to 216H.15, 325E.10 to 325E.1251, and 325E.32 and all rules, standards, orders, stipulation agreements, schedules of compliance, and permits adopted or issued by the agency thereunder or under any other law now in force or hereafter enacted for the prevention, control, or abatement of pollution may be enforced by any one or any combination of the following: criminal prosecution; action to recover civil penalties; injunction; action to compel performance; or other appropriate action, in accordance with the provisions of said chapters and this section.

 

Sec. 2. [216H.10] DEFINITIONS.

 

Subdivision 1. Applicability. For purposes of sections 216H.10 to 216H.15, the following terms have the meanings given.

 

Subd. 2. Agency. "Agency" means the Pollution Control Agency.

 

Subd. 3. Carbon dioxide equivalent. "Carbon dioxide equivalent" means the quantity of carbon dioxide that has the same global warming potential as a given amount of another greenhouse gas.

 

Subd. 4. Commissioner. "Commissioner" means the commissioner of the Pollution Control Agency.

 

Subd. 5. Global warming. "Global warming" means the observed and predicted increase in the temperature of the atmosphere near the earth's surface and the oceans.

 

Subd. 6. Global warming potential or GWP. "Global warming potential" or "GWP" means a quantitative measure of the potential of an emission of a greenhouse gas to contribute to global warming over a 100-year period expressed in terms of the equivalent emission of carbon dioxide needed to produce the same 100-year warming effect, as reported in Fourth Assessment Report: Climate Change 2007, International Panel on Climate Change.

 

Subd. 7. High-GWP greenhouse gas. "High-GWP greenhouse gas" means hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons, and sulfur hexafluoride.

 

Subd. 8. Mobile air conditioner. "Mobile air conditioner" means mechanical vapor compression refrigeration equipment used to cool the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle.

 

Subd. 9. Motor vehicle. "Motor vehicle" has the meaning given in section 168.011, subdivision 4.

 

Subd. 10. New motor vehicle. "New motor vehicle" has the meaning given in section 80E.03, subdivision 7.

 

Subd. 11. Refrigerant. "Refrigerant" means a substance used, sold for use, or designed and intended for use in a mobile air conditioner to transfer heat out of the space being cooled.

 

Sec. 3. [216H.11] HIGH-GWP GREENHOUSE GAS REPORTING.

 

Subdivision 1. Gas manufacturers. Beginning October 1, 2008, and each year thereafter, a manufacturer of a high-GWP greenhouse gas must report to the agency the total amount of each high-GWP greenhouse gas sold to a purchaser in this state during the previous year.


Journal of the House - 88th Day - Monday, March 10, 2008 - Top of Page 8428

Subd. 2. Purchases. Beginning October 1, 2008, and each year thereafter, a person in this state who purchases 100 metric tons or more carbon dioxide equivalent of a high-GWP greenhouse gas must report to the agency, on a form prescribed by the commissioner, the total amount of each high-GWP greenhouse gas purchased during the previous year and the purpose for which the gas was used.

 

Sec. 4. [216H.12] MOBILE AIR CONDITIONER LEAKAGE RATES; DISCLOSURE.

 

Subdivision 1. Leakage disclosure. Beginning January 1, 2009, a manufacturer selling or offering for sale a new motor vehicle in this state containing a mobile air conditioner that uses the high-GWP greenhouse gas HFC-134a (1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane) as a refrigerant must, 90 days prior to the initial sale or offer for sale, report to the commissioner the leakage rate, in grams of refrigerant per year, for the type of mobile air conditioner contained in that make, model, and model year. The leakage rate must be calculated using the information provided in the most recently published version of the Society of Automotive Engineers International document J2727, "HFC-134a Mobile Air Conditioning System Emission Chart." The method by which the leakage rate is calculated, accounting for each component of the air conditioning unit, must also be reported to the commissioner.

 

Subd. 2. Posting. Beginning January 1, 2009, the agency and the Office of the Attorney General must post on their Web sites:

 

(1) the leakage rate disclosed by a manufacturer under subdivision 1 for each model and make of new motor vehicle sold or offered for sale in this state; and

 

(2) the following statement: "Vehicle air conditioning systems can leak refrigerants that contribute to global warming. Some leak more than others. You can use the information provided in the chart to compare information about the global warming effects of refrigerant leakage from different makes and models when making a decision to purchase a vehicle."

 

Sec. 5. [216H.13] MOTOR VEHICLE SALES; REQUIREMENT.

 

Two years after the commissioner of commerce has determined that a manufacturer has sold or offered for sale at least 1,000 units of a motor vehicle containing an air conditioner that uses a refrigerant with a GWP less than 150, the manufacturer may not sell or offer for sale as a new vehicle in this state a substantially equivalent make and model of the motor vehicle that contains an air conditioner that uses a refrigerant with a GWP of 150 or greater.

 

Sec. 6. [216H.14] MOBILE AIR CONDITIONER REFRIGERANT; RESTRICTION.

 

After July 1, 2008, no person may buy or sell a refrigerant designed to be used in a mobile air conditioner in a container holding less than 15 pounds of refrigerant.

 

Sec. 7. [216H.15] ENFORCEMENT.

 

Sections 216H.10 to 216H.14 may be enforced under sections 115.071 and 116.072.

 

Sec. 8. REPORT.

 

By February 1, 2009, the commissioner of the Pollution Control Agency shall submit a report to the chairs and ranking minority members of the senate and house committees with primary jurisdiction over environmental policy that identifies the uses and emissions sources of hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons, and sulfur hexafluoride in this state and suggests options for reducing or eliminating those uses and emissions and the costs of implementing those options.


Journal of the House - 88th Day - Monday, March 10, 2008 - Top of Page 8429

Sec. 9. EFFECTIVE DATE.

 

Sections 1 to 8 are effective the day following final enactment."

 

Delete the title and insert:

 

"A bill for an act relating to environment; requiring reporting of purchases and sales of certain gases; requiring disclosure of leakage rates of air conditioners in motor vehicles; requiring the use of certain refrigerants in mobile air conditioners under certain circumstances; prohibiting the sale of certain refrigerants; requiring a report; amending Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 115.071, subdivision 1; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 216H."

 

 

With the recommendation that when so amended the bill pass and be re-referred to the Committee on Commerce and Labor.

 

The report was adopted.

 

 

Eken from the Committee on Environment and Natural Resources to which was referred:

 

H. F. No. 3547, A bill for an act relating to game and fish; modifying report requirements for game and fish fund; modifying disposition of pheasant habitat improvement account; modifying wild turkey management account; modifying hunting and fishing licensing and taking provisions; authorizing rulemaking; amending Minnesota Statutes 2006, sections 97A.015, by adding a subdivision; 97A.055, subdivision 4b; 97A.075, subdivisions 4, 5; 97A.311, subdivision 5; 97A.431, subdivision 2; 97A.433, subdivision 2; 97A.434, subdivision 2; 97A.475, subdivision 5; 97A.485, subdivision 6; 97B.015, subdivision 5; 97B.106, subdivision 1; 97B.211, subdivision 1; 97B.301, subdivision 6; 97B.721; 97C.355, subdivisions 4, 7a; 97C.401, subdivision 2; Minnesota Statutes 2007 Supplement, sections 97A.055, subdivision 4; 97A.405, subdivision 2; 97A.441, subdivision 7; 97A.475, subdivisions 2, 3, 11, 12; 97B.328; 97C.355, subdivisions 2, 8; repealing Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 97A.411, subdivision 2; Minnesota Rules, parts 6232.0200, subpart 4; 6232.0300, subpart 4.

 

Reported the same back with the following amendments:

 

Delete everything after the enacting clause and insert:

 

"Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 17.4981, is amended to read:

 

17.4981 GENERAL CONDITIONS FOR REGULATION OF AQUATIC FARMS.

 

(a) Aquatic farms are licensed to culture private aquatic life. Cultured aquatic life is not wildlife. Aquatic farms must be licensed and given classifications to prevent or minimize impacts on natural resources. The purpose of sections 17.4981 to 17.4997 is to:

 

(1) prevent public aquatic life from entering an aquatic farm;

 

(2) prevent release of nonindigenous or exotic species into public waters without approval of the commissioner;

 

(3) protect against release of disease pathogens to public waters;

 

(4) protect existing natural aquatic habitats and the wildlife dependent on them; and


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(5) protect private aquatic life from unauthorized taking or harvest.

 

(b) Private aquatic life that is legally acquired and possessed is an article of interstate commerce and may be restricted only as necessary to protect state fish and water resources.

 

(c) The commissioner of natural resources shall report to the legislature, in odd-numbered years, the proposed license and other fees that would make aquaculture self-sustaining. The fees shall not cover the costs of other programs. The commissioner shall encourage fish farming in man-made ponds and develop best management practices for aquaculture to ensure the long-term sustainability of the program.

 

Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2007 Supplement, section 17.4984, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

 

Subdivision 1. License required. (a) A person or entity may not operate an aquatic farm without first obtaining an aquatic farm license from the commissioner.

 

(b) Applications for an aquatic farm license must be made on forms provided by the commissioner.

 

(c) Licenses are valid for five years and are transferable upon notification to the commissioner.

 

(d) The commissioner shall issue an aquatic farm license on payment of the required license fee under section 17.4988.

 

(e) A license issued by the commissioner is not a determination of private property rights, but is only based on a determination that the licensee does not have a significant detrimental impact on the public resource.

 

(f) By January 15, 2008, the commissioner shall report to the senate and house of representatives committees on natural resource policy and finance on policy recommendations regarding aquaculture.

 

(g) The commissioner shall not issue or renew a license to raise minnows in a natural water body if the natural water body is the subject of a protective easement or other interest in land that was acquired with funding from federal waterfowl stamp proceeds or migratory waterfowl stamp proceeds under section 97A.075, subdivision 2, or if the natural water body was the subject of any other development, restoration, maintenance, or preservation project funded under section 97A.075, subdivision 2.

 

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

 

Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 84.027, subdivision 15, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 15. Electronic transactions. (a) The commissioner may receive an application for, sell, and issue any license, stamp, permit, pass, sticker, duplicate safety training certification, registration, or transfer under the jurisdiction of the commissioner by electronic means, including by telephone. Notwithstanding section 97A.472, electronic and telephone transactions may be made outside of the state. The commissioner may:

 

(1) provide for the electronic transfer of funds generated by electronic transactions, including by telephone;

 

(2) assign an identification number to an applicant who purchases a hunting or fishing license or recreational vehicle registration by electronic means, to serve as temporary authorization to engage in the activity requiring a license or registration until the license or registration is received or expires;


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(3) charge and permit agents to charge a fee of individuals who make electronic card transactions and in person using an electronic licensing system agent and of individuals who make transactions by telephone or Internet, including issuing fees and an additional transaction fee not to exceed $3.50. An electronic licensing system agent charging a fee of individuals making an electronic card transaction in person must post a sign informing individuals of the fee. The sign must be near the point of payment, clearly visible, and include the amount of the fee;

 

(4) establish, by written order, an electronic licensing system commission to be paid by revenues generated from all sales made through the electronic licensing system. The commissioner shall establish the commission in a manner that neither significantly overrecovers nor underrecovers costs involved in providing the electronic licensing system; and

 

(5) adopt rules to administer the provisions of this subdivision.

 

(b) The fees established under paragraph (a), clause (3), and the commission established under paragraph (a), clause (4), are not subject to the rulemaking procedures of chapter 14 and section 14.386 does not apply.

 

(c) Money received from fees and commissions collected under this subdivision, including interest earned, is annually appropriated from the game and fish fund and the natural resources fund to the commissioner for the cost of electronic licensing.

 

Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 85.46, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

 

Subdivision 1. Pass in possession. (a) Except as provided in paragraph (b), while riding, leading, or driving a horse on horse trails and associated day use areas on state trails, in state parks, in state recreation areas, and in state forests, a person 16 years of age or over shall carry in immediate possession and visibly display on person or horse tack, a valid horse trail pass. The pass must be available for inspection by a peace officer, a conservation officer, or an employee designated under section 84.0835.

 

(b) A valid horse pass is not required under this section for a person riding, leading, or driving a horse only on the portion of a horse trail that is owned by the person or the person's spouse, child, or parent.

 

Sec. 5. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 97A.015, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

 

Subd. 44a. Shelter. "Shelter" means any structure set on the ice of state waters to provide shelter.

 

Sec. 6. Minnesota Statutes 2007 Supplement, section 97A.055, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 4. Game and fish annual reports. (a) By December 15 each year, the commissioner shall submit to the legislative committees having jurisdiction over appropriations and the environment and natural resources reports on each of the following:

 

(1) the amount of revenue from the following and purposes for which expenditures were made:

 

(i) the small game license surcharge under section 97A.475, subdivision 4;

 

(ii) the Minnesota migratory waterfowl stamp under section 97A.475, subdivision 5, clause (1);

 

(iii) the trout and salmon stamp under section 97A.475, subdivision 10;

 

(iv) the pheasant stamp under section 97A.475, subdivision 5, clause (2);


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(v) the turkey stamp wild turkey management account under section 97A.475, subdivision 5, clause (3) 97A.075, subdivision 5; and

 

(vi) the deer license donations and surcharges under section 97A.475, subdivisions 3, paragraph (b), and 3a;

 

(2) the amounts available under section 97A.075, subdivision 1, paragraphs (b) and (c), and the purposes for which these amounts were spent;

 

(3) money credited to the game and fish fund under this section and purposes for which expenditures were made from the fund;

 

(4) outcome goals for the expenditures from the game and fish fund; and

 

(5) summary and comments of citizen oversight committee reviews under subdivision 4b.

 

(b) The report must include the commissioner's recommendations, if any, for changes in the laws relating to the stamps and surcharge referenced in paragraph (a).

 

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective March 1, 2009.

 

Sec. 7. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 97A.055, subdivision 4b, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 4b. Citizen oversight subcommittees. (a) The commissioner shall appoint subcommittees of affected persons to review the reports prepared under subdivision 4; review the proposed work plans and budgets for the coming year; propose changes in policies, activities, and revenue enhancements or reductions; review other relevant information; and make recommendations to the legislature and the commissioner for improvements in the management and use of money in the game and fish fund.

 

(b) The commissioner shall appoint the following subcommittees, each comprised of at least three affected persons:

 

(1) a Fisheries Operations Subcommittee to review fisheries funding, excluding activities related to trout and salmon stamp funding;

 

(2) a Wildlife Operations Subcommittee to review wildlife funding, excluding activities related to migratory waterfowl, pheasant, and turkey stamp funding and excluding review of the amounts available under section 97A.075, subdivision 1, paragraphs (b) and (c);

 

(3) a Big Game Subcommittee to review the report required in subdivision 4, paragraph (a), clause (2);

 

(4) an Ecological Services Operations Subcommittee to review ecological services funding;

 

(5) a subcommittee to review game and fish fund funding of enforcement, support services, and Department of Natural Resources administration;

 

(6) a subcommittee to review the trout and salmon stamp report and address funding issues related to trout and salmon;

 

(7) a subcommittee to review the report on the migratory waterfowl stamp and address funding issues related to migratory waterfowl;


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(8) a subcommittee to review the report on the pheasant stamp and address funding issues related to pheasants; and

 

(9) a subcommittee to review the report on the turkey stamp wild turkey management account and address funding issues related to wild turkeys.

 

(c) The chairs of each of the subcommittees shall form a Budgetary Oversight Committee to coordinate the integration of the subcommittee reports into an annual report to the legislature; recommend changes on a broad level in policies, activities, and revenue enhancements or reductions; provide a forum to address issues that transcend the subcommittees; and submit a report for any subcommittee that fails to submit its report in a timely manner.

 

(d) The Budgetary Oversight Committee shall develop recommendations for a biennial budget plan and report for expenditures on game and fish activities. By August 15 of each even-numbered year, the committee shall submit the budget plan recommendations to the commissioner and to the senate and house committees with jurisdiction over natural resources finance.

 

(e) Each subcommittee shall choose its own chair, except that the chair of the Budgetary Oversight Committee shall be appointed by the commissioner and may not be the chair of any of the subcommittees.

 

(f) The Budgetary Oversight Committee must make recommendations to the commissioner and to the senate and house committees with jurisdiction over natural resources finance for outcome goals from expenditures.

 

(g) Notwithstanding section 15.059, subdivision 5, or other law to the contrary, the Budgetary Oversight Committee and subcommittees do not expire until June 30, 2010.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective March 1, 2009.

 

Sec. 8. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 97A.075, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 4. Pheasant stamp. (a) Ninety percent of the revenue from pheasant stamps must be credited to the pheasant habitat improvement account. Money in the account may be used only for:

 

(1) the development, restoration, and maintenance of suitable habitat for ringnecked pheasants on public and private land including the establishment of nesting cover, winter cover, and reliable food sources;

 

(2) reimbursement of landowners for setting aside lands for pheasant habitat;

 

(3) reimbursement of expenditures to provide pheasant habitat on public and private land;

 

(4) the promotion of pheasant habitat development and maintenance, including promotion and evaluation of government farm program benefits for pheasant habitat; and

 

(5) the acquisition of lands suitable for pheasant habitat management and public hunting.

 

(b) Money in the account may not be used for:

 

(1) costs unless they are directly related to a specific parcel of land under paragraph (a), clause (1), (3), or (5), or to specific promotional or evaluative activities under paragraph (a), clause (4); or

 

(2) any personnel costs, except that prior to July 1, 2009 2019, personnel may be hired to provide technical and promotional assistance for private landowners to implement conservation provisions of state and federal programs.


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Sec. 9. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 97A.075, subdivision 5, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 5. Turkey stamps account. (a) Ninety percent of the revenue from turkey stamps $4.50 from each turkey license sold must be credited to the wild turkey management account. Money in the account may be used only for:

 

(1) the development, restoration, and maintenance of suitable habitat for wild turkeys on public and private land including forest stand improvement and establishment of nesting cover, winter roost area, and reliable food sources;

 

(2) acquisitions of, or easements on, critical wild turkey habitat;

 

(3) reimbursement of expenditures to provide wild turkey habitat on public and private land;

 

(4) trapping and transplantation of wild turkeys; and

 

(5) the promotion of turkey habitat development and maintenance, population surveys and monitoring, and research.

 

(b) Money in the account may not be used for:

 

(1) costs unless they are directly related to a specific parcel of land under paragraph (a), clauses (1) to (3), a specific trap and transplant project under paragraph (a), clause (4), or to specific promotional or evaluative activities under paragraph (a), clause (5); or

 

(2) any permanent personnel costs.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective March 1, 2009.

 

Sec. 10. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 97A.311, subdivision 5, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 5. Refunds. (a) The commissioner may issue a refund on a license, not including any issuing fees paid under section 97A.485, subdivision 6, if:

 

(1) the licensee dies before the opening of the licensed season. The original license and a copy of the death certificate must be provided to the commissioner; or

 

(2) the licensee is unable to participate in the licensed activity because the licensee is called to active military duty or military leave is canceled during the entire open season of the licensed activity. The original license and a copy of the military orders or notice of cancellation of leave must be provided to the commissioner; or

 

(3) the licensee purchased two identical licenses for the same license season in error.

 

(b) This subdivision does not apply to lifetime licenses.

 

Sec. 11. Minnesota Statutes 2007 Supplement, section 97A.405, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 2. Personal possession. (a) A person acting under a license or traveling from an area where a licensed activity was performed must have in personal possession either: (1) the proper license, if the license has been issued to and received by the person; or (2) the proper license identification number or stamp validation, if the license has been sold to the person by electronic means but the actual license has not been issued and received.


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(b) If possession of a license or a license identification number is required, a person must exhibit, as requested by a conservation officer or peace officer, either: (1) the proper license if the license has been issued to and received by the person; or (2) the proper license identification number or stamp validation and a valid state driver's license, state identification card, or other form of identification provided by the commissioner, if the license has been sold to the person by electronic means but the actual license has not been issued and received. A person charged with violating the license possession requirement shall not be convicted if the person produces in court or the office of the arresting officer, the actual license previously issued to that person, which was valid at the time of arrest, or satisfactory proof that at the time of the arrest the person was validly licensed. Upon request of a conservation officer or peace officer, a licensee shall write the licensee's name in the presence of the officer to determine the identity of the licensee.

 

(c) If the actual license has been issued and received, a receipt for license fees, a copy of a license, or evidence showing the issuance of a license, including the license identification number or stamp validation, does not entitle a licensee to exercise the rights or privileges conferred by a license.

 

(d) A license issued electronically and not immediately provided to the licensee shall be mailed to the licensee within 30 days of purchase of the license. A pictorial turkey, migratory waterfowl, pheasant, or trout and salmon stamp shall be provided to the licensee after purchase of a stamp validation only if the licensee pays an additional $2 fee. A pictorial turkey stamp may be purchased for a $2 fee.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective March 1, 2009.

 

Sec. 12. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 97A.431, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 2. Eligibility. Persons eligible for a moose license shall be determined under this section and commissioner's rule. A person is eligible for a moose license only if the person:

 

(1) is a resident; and

 

(2) is at least age 16 before the season opens; and

 

(3) (2) has not been issued a moose license for any of the last five seasons or after January 1, 1991.

 

Sec. 13. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 97A.433, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 2. Eligibility. Persons eligible for an elk license shall be determined under this section and commissioner's rule. A person is eligible for an elk license only if the person:

 

(1) is a resident; and

 

(2) is at least age 16 before the season opens; and

 

(3) (2) has never been issued an elk license.

 

Sec. 14. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 97A.434, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 2. Eligibility. Eligibility for a prairie chicken license shall be determined by this section and by rule adopted by the commissioner. A person is eligible for a prairie chicken license only if the person:

 

(1) is a resident; and

 

(2) was born before January 1, 1980, or possesses a firearms safety certificate.


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Sec. 15. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 97A.435, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 4. Separate selection of eligible licensees. (a) The commissioner may conduct a separate selection for up to 20 percent of the turkey licenses to be issued for any area. Only persons who are owners or tenants of and who live on at least 40 acres of land in the area, and their family members, are eligible applicants for turkey licenses for the separate selection. The qualifying land may be noncontiguous. Persons who are unsuccessful in a separate selection must be included in the selection for the remaining licenses. Persons who obtain a license in a separate selection must allow public turkey hunting on their land during that turkey season. A license issued under this subdivision is restricted to the permit area where the qualifying land is located.

 

(b) The commissioner may by rule establish criteria for determining eligible family members under this subdivision.

 

(c) The commissioner shall presume that an applicant under this subdivision is eligible in order to ensure the timely processing of applications. An applicant that knowingly makes a false statement or a license agent that knowingly issues a license to an ineligible person is subject to the penalty provisions under section 97A.311.

 

Sec. 16. Minnesota Statutes 2007 Supplement, section 97A.441, subdivision 7, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 7. Owners or tenants of agricultural land. (a) The commissioner may issue, without a fee, a license to take an antlerless deer to a person resident who is an owner or tenant of at least 80 acres of agricultural land, as defined in section 97B.001, in deer permit areas that have deer archery licenses to take additional deer under section 97B.301, subdivision 4. A person may receive only one license per year under this subdivision. For properties with co-owners or cotenants, only one co-owner or cotenant may receive a license under this subdivision per year. The license issued under this subdivision is restricted to land leased for agricultural purposes or owned by the holder of the license within the permit area where the qualifying land is located. The holder of the license may transfer the license to the holder's spouse or dependent. Notwithstanding sections 97A.415, subdivision 1, and 97B.301, subdivision 2, the holder of the license may purchase an additional license for taking deer and may take an additional deer under that license.

 

(b) A person who obtains a license under paragraph (a) must allow public deer hunting on their land during that deer hunting season, with the exception of the first Saturday and Sunday during the deer hunting season applicable to the license issued under section 97A.475, subdivision 2, clauses (4) and (13).

 

Sec. 17. Minnesota Statutes 2007 Supplement, section 97A.451, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 3. Residents under age 16; small game. (a) A resident under age 16 may not must obtain a small game license but may in order to take small game by firearms or bow and arrow without a license paying the applicable fees under section 97A.475, subdivisions 2, 4, and 5, if the resident is:

 

(1) age 14 or 15 and possesses a firearms safety certificate;

 

(2) age 13, possesses a firearms safety certificate, and is accompanied by a parent or guardian;

 

(3) age 13, 14, or 15, possesses an apprentice hunter validation, and is accompanied by a parent or guardian who possesses a small game license that was not obtained using an apprentice hunter validation; or

 

(4) age 12 or under and is accompanied by a parent or guardian.


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(b) A resident under age 16 may take small game by trapping without a small game license, but a resident 13 years of age or older must have a trapping license. A resident under age 13 may trap without a trapping license, but may not register fisher, otter, bobcat, or pine marten unless the resident is at least age five. Any fisher, otter, bobcat, or pine marten taken by a resident under age five must be included in the limit of the accompanying parent or guardian.

 

(c) A resident under age 12 may apply for a turkey license and may take a turkey without a firearms safety certificate if the resident is accompanied by an adult parent or guardian who has a firearms safety certificate.

 

Sec. 18. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 97A.451, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 4. Persons Residents under age 16; big game. A person resident under the age of 16 may not obtain a license to take big game unless the person possesses a firearms safety certificate. A person under the age of 14 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian to hunt big game. by firearms or bow and arrow if the resident obtains a license to take big game and is:

 

(1) age 14 or 15 and possesses a firearms safety certificate;

 

(2) age 13, possesses a firearms safety certificate, and is accompanied by a parent or guardian;

 

(3) age 13, 14, or 15, possesses an apprentice hunter validation, and is accompanied by a parent or guardian who possesses a big game license that was not obtained using an apprentice hunter validation;

 

(4) age 12 and is accompanied by a parent or guardian. A resident age 12 or under is not required to possess a firearms safety certificate under section 97B.020 to take big game; or

 

(5) age 10 or 11 and is under the direct supervision of a parent or guardian where the parent is within immediate reach and the youth obtains a license without paying the fee.

 

Sec. 19. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 97A.451, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

 

Subd. 4a. Nonresidents under age 16; big game. (a) A nonresident under age 16 may obtain a big game license at the applicable resident fee under section 97A.475, subdivision 2, if the nonresident is:

 

(1) age 14 or 15 and possesses a firearms safety certificate;

 

(2) age 13, possesses a firearms safety certificate, and is accompanied by a parent or guardian;

 

(3) age 12 and is accompanied by a parent or guardian. A nonresident age 12 or under is not required to possess a firearms safety certificate under section 97B.020 to take big game; or

 

(4) age 10 or 11 and is under the direct supervision of a parent or guardian where the parent is within immediate reach.

 

Sec. 20. Minnesota Statutes 2007 Supplement, section 97A.475, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 2. Resident hunting. Fees for the following licenses, to be issued to residents only, are:

 

(1) for persons age 18 or over and under age 65 to take small game, $12.50;

 

(2) for persons ages 16 and 17 and age 65 or over, $6 to take small game;


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(3) to take turkey, $18 $23;

 

(4) for persons age 18 or over to take deer with firearms, $26;

 

(5) for persons age 18 or over to take deer by archery, $26;

 

(6) to take moose, for a party of not more than six persons, $310;

 

(7) to take bear, $38;

 

(8) to take elk, for a party of not more than two persons, $250;

 

(9) multizone license to take antlered deer in more than one zone, $52;

 

(10) to take Canada geese during a special season, $4;

 

(11) all season license to take three deer throughout the state in any open deer season, except as restricted under section 97B.305, $78;

 

(12) all-firearm season license to take two deer throughout the state in any open firearms deer season, except as restricted under section 97B.305, $52;

 

(13) to take prairie chickens, $20;

 

(13) (14) for persons at least age 12 and under age 18 to take deer with firearms during the muzzle-loader season or during the regular firearms season in any open zone or time period, $13; and

 

(14) (15) for persons at least age 12 and under age 18 to take deer by archery, $13.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE. The amendment to clause (3) is effective March 1, 2009.

 

Sec. 21. Minnesota Statutes 2007 Supplement, section 97A.475, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 3. Nonresident hunting. (a) Fees for the following licenses, to be issued to nonresidents, are:

 

(1) for persons age 18 and older to take small game, $73;

 

(2) for persons age 18 and older to take deer with firearms, $135;

 

(3) for persons age 18 and older to take deer by archery, $135;

 

(4) to take bear, $195;

 

(5) to take turkey, $73 $78;

 

(6) to take raccoon or bobcat, $155;

 

(7) multizone license to take antlered deer in more than one zone, $270;

 

(8) to take Canada geese during a special season, $4;


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(9) for persons at least age 12 and under age 18 to take deer with firearms during the muzzle-loader season or during the regular firearms season in any open zone or time period, $13; and

 

(10) for persons at least age 12 and under age 18 to take deer by archery, $13.

 

(b) A $5 surcharge shall be added to nonresident hunting licenses issued under paragraph (a), clauses (1) to (7). An additional commission may not be assessed on this surcharge.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE. The amendment to paragraph (a), clause (5), is effective March 1, 2009.

 

Sec. 22. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 97A.475, subdivision 5, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 5. Hunting stamps. Fees for the following stamps and stamp validations are:

 

(1) migratory waterfowl stamp, $7.50; and

 

(2) pheasant stamp, $7.50; and

 

(3) turkey stamp validation, $5.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective March 1, 2009.

 

Sec. 23. Minnesota Statutes 2007 Supplement, section 97A.475, subdivision 11, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 11. Fish houses and, dark houses, or shelters; residents. Fees for the following licenses for a resident are:

 

(1) annual for a fish house or, dark house, or shelter that is not rented, $11.50;

 

(2) annual for a fish house or, dark house, or shelter that is rented, $26;

 

(3) three-year for a fish house or, dark house, or shelter that is not rented, $34.50; and

 

(4) three-year for a fish house or, dark house, or shelter that is rented, $78.

 

Sec. 24. Minnesota Statutes 2007 Supplement, section 97A.475, subdivision 12, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 12. Fish houses or shelters; nonresident. Fees for fish house or shelter licenses for a nonresident are:

 

(1) annual, $33;

 

(2) seven consecutive days, $19; and

 

(3) three-year, $99.

 

Sec. 25. Minnesota Statutes 2007 Supplement, section 97A.475, subdivision 16, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 16. Resident bear hunting guides outfitters. (a) The fee for a resident bear hunting outfitter license to guide bear hunters is $82.50 and is available only to a Minnesota resident individual.


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(b) The fee for a resident master bear hunting outfitter license is $165. The fee to add an additional person under the license is $82.50 per person.

 

Sec. 26. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 97A.485, subdivision 6, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 6. Licenses to be sold and issuing fees. (a) Persons authorized to sell licenses under this section must issue the following licenses for the license fee and the following issuing fees:

 

(1) to take deer or bear with firearms and by archery, the issuing fee is $1;

 

(2) Minnesota sporting, the issuing fee is $1; and

 

(3) to take small game, to take fish by angling or by spearing, and to trap fur-bearing animals, the issuing fee is $1;

 

(4) for a stamp validation that is not issued simultaneously with a license, an issuing fee of 50 cents may be charged at the discretion of the authorized seller;

 

(5) for stamps stamp validations issued simultaneously with a license, there is no fee;

 

(6) for licenses, seals, tags, or coupons issued without a fee under section 97A.441 or 97A.465, an issuing fee of 50 cents may be charged at the discretion of the authorized seller;

 

(7) for lifetime licenses, there is no fee; and

 

(8) for all other licenses, permits, renewals, or applications or any other transaction through the electronic licensing system under this chapter or any other chapter when an issuing fee is not specified, an issuing fee of 50 cents may be charged at the discretion of the authorized seller.

 

(b) An issuing fee may not be collected for issuance of a trout and salmon stamp if a stamp validation is issued simultaneously with the related angling or sporting license. Only one issuing fee may be collected when selling more than one trout and salmon stamp in the same transaction after the end of the season for which the stamp was issued.

 

(c) The agent shall keep the issuing fee as a commission for selling the licenses.

 

(d) The commissioner shall collect the issuing fee on licenses sold by the commissioner.

 

(e) A license, except stamps, must state the amount of the issuing fee and that the issuing fee is kept by the seller as a commission for selling the licenses.

 

(f) For duplicate licenses, including licenses issued without a fee, the issuing fees are:

 

(1) for licenses to take big game, 75 cents; and

 

(2) for other licenses, 50 cents.

 

(g) The commissioner may issue one-day angling licenses in books of ten licenses each to fishing guides operating charter boats upon receipt of payment of all license fees, excluding the issuing fee required under this section. Copies of sold and unsold licenses shall be returned to the commissioner. The commissioner shall refund the charter boat captain for the license fees of all unsold licenses. Copies of sold licenses shall be maintained by the commissioner for one year.


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Sec. 27. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 97B.015, subdivision 5, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 5. Firearms safety certificate. The commissioner shall issue a firearms safety certificate to a person that satisfactorily completes the required course of instruction. A person must be at least age 11 to take the firearms safety course and may receive a firearms safety certificate, but the certificate is not valid for hunting until the year the person reaches age 12. A person who is age 11 and has a firearms safety certificate may purchase a deer, bear, turkey, or prairie chicken license to take big game that will become be valid when for hunting during the entire regular season for which the license is valid if the person reaches will reach age 12 during that calendar year. A firearms safety certificate issued to a person under age 12 by another state as provided in section 97B.020 is not valid for hunting in Minnesota until the person reaches age 12. The form and content of the firearms safety certificate shall be prescribed by the commissioner.

 

Sec. 28. Minnesota Statutes 2007 Supplement, section 97B.036, is amended to read:

 

97B.036 CROSSBOW HUNTING DURING FIREARMS DEER SEASON.

 

Notwithstanding section 97B.035, subdivisions 1 and 2, a person may take deer, bear, or turkey by crossbow during the respective regular firearms deer season seasons. The transportation requirements of section 97B.051 apply to crossbows during the regular firearms deer, bear, or turkey season. Crossbows must meet the requirements of section 97B.106, subdivision 2. A person taking deer, bear, or turkey by crossbow under this section must have a valid firearms deer license to take the respective game.

 

Sec. 29. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 97B.041, is amended to read:

 

97B.041 POSSESSION OF FIREARMS AND AMMUNITION RESTRICTED IN DEER ZONES.

 

A person may not possess a firearm or ammunition outdoors during the period beginning the fifth day before the open firearms season and ending the second day after the close of the season within an area where deer may be taken by a firearm, except:

 

(1) during the open season and in an area where big game may be taken, a firearm and ammunition authorized for taking big game in that area may be used to take big game in that area if the person has a valid big game license in possession;

 

(2) an unloaded firearm that is in a case or in a closed trunk of a motor vehicle;

 

(3) a shotgun and shells containing No. 4 buckshot or smaller diameter lead shot or steel shot;

 

(4) a handgun or rifle and only short, long, and long rifle cartridges that are caliber of .22 inches containing only .17 caliber rimfire cartridges, .22 short, long, or long rifle cartridges, or .22 magnum caliber cartridges;

 

(5) handguns possessed by a person authorized to carry a handgun under sections 624.714 and 624.715 for the purpose authorized; and

 

(6) on a target range operated under a permit from the commissioner.

 

This section does not apply during an open firearms season in an area where deer may be taken only by muzzleloader, except that muzzleloading firearms lawful for the taking of deer may be possessed only by persons with a valid license to take deer by muzzleloader during that season.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective August 1, 2008.


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Sec. 30. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 97B.106, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

 

Subdivision 1. Qualifications for crossbow permits. (a) The commissioner may issue a special permit, without a fee, to take big game, small game, or rough fish with a crossbow to a person that is unable to hunt or take rough fish by archery because of a permanent or temporary physical disability. A crossbow permit issued under this section also allows the permittee to use a bow with a mechanical device that draws, releases, or holds the bow at full draw as provided in section 97B.035, subdivision 1, paragraph (a).

 

(b) To qualify for a crossbow permit under this section, a temporary disability must render the person unable to hunt or fish by archery for a minimum of two years after application for the permit is made. The permanent or temporary disability must be established by medical evidence, and the inability to hunt or fish by archery for the required period of time must be verified in writing by a licensed physician or chiropractor.

 

(c) The person must obtain the appropriate license.

 

Sec. 31. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 97B.211, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

 

Subdivision 1. Possession of firearms prohibited. Except when hunting bear, A person may not take big game deer by archery while in possession of a firearm.

 

Sec. 32. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 97B.301, subdivision 6, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 6. Residents or nonresidents under age 18 may take deer of either sex. A resident or nonresident under the age of 18 may take a deer of either sex except in those antlerless permit areas and seasons where no antlerless permits are offered. In antlerless permit areas where no antlerless permits are offered, the commissioner may provide a limited number of youth either sex permits to residents or nonresidents under age 18, under the procedures provided in section 97B.305, and may give preference to residents or nonresidents under the age of 18 that have not previously been selected. This subdivision does not authorize the taking of an antlerless deer by another member of a party under subdivision 3.

 

Sec. 33. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 97B.301, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

 

Subd. 8. All-firearm season deer license. (a) A resident may obtain an all-firearm season deer license that authorizes the resident to hunt during the regular firearms and muzzle-loader seasons. The all-firearm season license is valid for taking two deer, no more than one of which may be a legal buck.

 

(b) The all-firearm season deer license is valid for taking antlerless deer as prescribed by the commissioner.

 

(c) The commissioner shall issue two tags when issuing a license under this subdivision.

 

Sec. 34. Minnesota Statutes 2007 Supplement, section 97B.328, is amended to read:

 

97B.328 BAITING PROHIBITED.

 

Subdivision 1. Hunting with aid of bait or feed prohibited. (a) A person may not hunt deer:

 

(1) with the aid or use of bait or feed; or

 

(2) in the vicinity of bait or feed if the person knows or has reason to know that bait or feed is present; or.


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(3) in the vicinity of where the person has placed bait or caused bait to be placed within the previous ten days.

 

(b) This restriction does not apply to:

 

Subd. 2. Removal of bait. An area is considered baited for ten days after the complete removal of all bait or feed.

 

Subd. 3. Definition. For purposes of this section, "bait or feed" includes grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts, hay, or other food that is capable of attracting or enticing deer and that has been placed by a person. Liquid scents, salt, and minerals are not bait or feed.

 

(1) Food resulting from normal or accepted farming, forest management, wildlife food plantings, orchard management, or other similar land management activities; or is not bait or feed.

 

Subd. 4. Exception for bait or feed on adjacent land. (2) A person otherwise in compliance with this section who is hunting on the person's own private or public property, when that is adjacent to property where bait or feed is present is not in violation of this section if the person has not participated in, been involved with, or agreed to baiting or feeding wildlife on the adjacent land owned by another person property.

 

Sec. 35. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 97B.405, is amended to read:

 

97B.405 COMMISSIONER MAY LIMIT NUMBER OF BEAR HUNTERS.

 

(a) The commissioner may limit the number of persons that may hunt bear in an area, if it is necessary to prevent an overharvest or improve the distribution of hunters. The commissioner may establish, by rule, a method, including a drawing, to impartially select the hunters for an area. The commissioner shall give preference to hunters that have previously applied and have not been selected.

 

(b) In the case of a drawing, the commissioner shall allow a person to apply for a permit in more than one area at the same time and rank the person's choice of area. A person applying for a permit shall submit the applicable license fee under section 97A.475 with the application. If a person is not selected for a bear hunting permit, the person may elect to have the license fee refunded or held and applied to a future license or permit.

 

Sec. 36. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 97B.431, is amended to read:

 

97B.431 BEAR HUNTING GUIDES OUTFITTERS.

 

(a) A person may not place bait for bear, or guide hunters to take bear, for compensation without a bear hunting guide outfitter license. A bear hunting guide outfitter is not required to have a license to take bear unless the guide outfitter is attempting to shoot a bear. The commissioner shall adopt rules for qualifications for issuance and administration of the licenses.

 

(b) The commissioner shall establish a resident master bear hunting outfitter license under which one person serves as the bear hunting outfitter and one other person is eligible to guide and bait bear. Additional persons may be added to the license and are eligible to guide and bait bear under the license, provided the additional fee under section 97A.475, subdivision 16, is paid for each person added. The commissioner shall adopt rules for qualifications for issuance and administration of the licenses.


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Sec. 37. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 97B.621, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 3. Nighttime hunting restrictions. To take raccoons between one-half hour after sunset and one-half hour before sunrise, a person:

 

(1) must be on foot;

 

(2) may use an artificial light only if hunting with dogs;

 

(3) may not use a rifle other than one of a .22 inch caliber with .22 short, long, or long rifle, rimfire ammunition; and

 

(4) may not use shotgun shells with larger than No. 4 shot.

 

Sec. 38. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 97B.711, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

 

Subdivision 1. Seasons for certain upland game birds. (a) The commissioner may, by rule, prescribe an open season in designated areas between September 16 and January 3 for:

 

(1) pheasant;

 

(2) ruffed grouse;

 

(3) sharp tailed grouse;

 

(4) Canada spruce grouse;

 

(5) prairie chicken;

 

(6) gray partridge;

 

(7) bob-white quail; and

 

(8) turkey.

 

(b) The commissioner may by rule prescribe an open season for turkey in the spring.

 

(c) The commissioner shall allow a four-week open season for turkey in the fall for the area designated as turkey permit area 601 as of the 2008 season.

 

Sec. 39. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 97B.721, is amended to read:

 

97B.721 LICENSE AND STAMP VALIDATION REQUIRED TO TAKE TURKEY; TAGGING AND REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS.

 

(a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) or section 97A.405, subdivision 2, a person may not take a turkey without possessing a turkey license and a turkey stamp validation.


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(b) The requirement in paragraph (a) to have a turkey stamp validation does not apply to persons under age 18. An unlicensed adult age 18 or older may assist a licensed wild turkey hunter. The unlicensed adult may not shoot or possess a firearm or bow while assisting a hunter under this paragraph and may not charge a fee for the assistance.

 

(c) The commissioner may by rule prescribe requirements for the tagging and registration of turkeys.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective March 1, 2009.

 

Sec. 40. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 97C.001, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 3. Seasons, limits, and other requirements. The commissioner may, in accordance with the procedures in subdivision 2 or by rule under chapter 14, establish open seasons, limits, methods, and other requirements for taking fish on experimental waters. Notwithstanding the limits on seasons in section 97C.395, subdivision 1, the commissioner may extend the end of a season for up to two weeks to take a fish species in an experimental water when the harvest level for the species in that season is less than the harvest goal of the experimental regulations.

 

Sec. 41. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 97C.005, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 3. Seasons, limits, and other rules. The commissioner may, in accordance with the procedures in subdivision 2, paragraphs (c) and (e), or by rule under chapter 14, establish open seasons, limits, methods, and other requirements for taking fish on special management waters. Notwithstanding the limits on seasons in section 97C.395, subdivision 1, the commissioner may extend the end of a season for up to two weeks to take a fish species in a special management water when the harvest level for the species in that season is less than the harvest goal of the special management regulations.

 

Sec. 42. [97C.303] CONSERVATION ANGLING LICENSE.

 

Subdivision 1. Availability. The commissioner shall make available a conservation angling license according to this section. Conservation angling licenses shall be offered for resident and nonresident individuals, resident married couples, nonresident married couples valid for 14 consecutive days, and nonresident families.

 

Subd. 2. Daily and possession limits. Daily and possession limits for fish taken under a conservation angling license are one-half the daily and possession limits for the corresponding fish taken under a standard angling license, rounded down to the next whole number if necessary.

 

Subd. 3. License fee. The fee for a conservation angling license issued under this section is two-thirds of the corresponding standard angling license fee under section 97A.475, subdivision 6 or 7, rounded to the nearest whole dollar.

 

Sec. 43. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 97C.315, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

 

Subdivision 1. Lines. An angler may not use more than one line except:

 

(1) two lines may be used to take fish through the ice; and

 

(2) the commissioner may, by rule, authorize the use of two lines in areas designated by the commissioner in Lake Superior.


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Sec. 44. Minnesota Statutes 2007 Supplement, section 97C.355, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 2. License required. A person may not take fish from leave a dark house or, fish house that is left, or shelter unattended on the ice overnight unless the house is licensed and has a license tag attached to the exterior in a readily visible location, except as provided in this subdivision. The commissioner must issue a tag with a dark house or fish house license, marked with a number to correspond with the license and the year of issue. A dark house or fish house license is not required of a resident on boundary waters where the adjacent state does not charge a fee for the same activity.

 

Sec. 45. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 97C.355, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 4. Distance between houses. A person may not erect a dark house or, fish house, or shelter within ten feet of an existing dark house or, fish house, or shelter.

 

Sec. 46. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 97C.355, subdivision 7, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 7. Dates and times houses may remain on ice. (a) Except as provided in paragraph (d), A shelter, including a fish house or dark house, may not be on the ice unattended between 12:00 a.m. and one hour before sunrise after the following dates:

 

(1) the last day of February first Monday in March, for state waters south of a line starting at the Minnesota-North Dakota border and formed by rights-of-way of U.S. Route No. 10, then east along U.S. Route No. 10 to Trunk Highway No. 34, then east along Trunk Highway No. 34 to Trunk Highway No. 200, then east along Trunk Highway No. 200 to U.S. Route No. 2, then east along U.S. Route No. 2 to the Minnesota-Wisconsin border; and

 

(2) the third Monday in March 15, for other state waters.

 

A shelter, including a fish house or dark house, on the ice in violation of this subdivision is subject to the enforcement provisions of paragraph (b). The commissioner may, by rule, change the dates in this paragraph for any part of state waters. Copies of the rule must be conspicuously posted on the shores of the waters as prescribed by the commissioner.

 

(b) A conservation officer must confiscate a fish house, dark house, or shelter in violation of paragraph (a). The officer may remove, burn, or destroy the house or shelter. The officer shall seize the contents of the house or shelter and hold them for 60 days. If the seized articles have not been claimed by the owner, they may be retained for the use of the division or sold at the highest price obtainable in a manner prescribed by the commissioner.

 

(c) When the last day of February, under paragraph (a), clause (1), or March 15, under paragraph (a), clause (2), falls on a Saturday, a shelter, including a fish house or dark house, may be on the ice between 12:00 a.m. and one hour before sunrise until 12:00 a.m. the following Monday.

 

(d) A person may have a shelter, including a fish house or dark house, on the ice between 12:00 a.m. and one hour before sunrise on waters within the area prescribed in paragraph (a), clause (2), but the house or shelter may not be unattended during those hours.

 

Sec. 47. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 97C.355, subdivision 7a, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 7a. Houses left overnight. A fish house or, dark house, or shelter left on the ice overnight must be marked with reflective material on each side of the house structure. The reflective material must measure a total area of no less than two square inches on each side of the house structure. Violation of this subdivision is not subject to subdivision 8 or section 97A.301.


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Sec. 48. Minnesota Statutes 2007 Supplement, section 97C.355, subdivision 8, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 8. Confiscation of unlawful structures; civil penalty. (a) Structures on the ice in violation of this section may be confiscated and disposed of, retained by the division, or sold at the highest price obtainable, in a manner prescribed by the commissioner.

 

(b) In addition to other penalties provided by law, the owner of a structure left on the ice in violation of this section is subject to a civil penalty under section 115A.99.

 

(c) This subdivision also applies to structures left on state public access sites for more than 48 hours past the deadlines specified in subdivision 7.

 

Sec. 49. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 97C.371, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 4. Open season. The open season for spearing through the ice is December 1 November 15 to the last second Sunday in February March.

 

Sec. 50. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 97C.395, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

 

Subdivision 1. Dates for certain species. (a) The open seasons to take fish by angling are as follows:

 

(1) for walleye, sauger, northern pike, muskellunge, largemouth bass, and smallmouth bass, the Saturday two weeks prior to the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend to the last Sunday in February;

 

(2) for lake trout, from January 1 to October 31;

 

(3) for lake trout on lakes entirely or partly within the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, from the Saturday nearest January 1 to March 31;

 

(4) for brown trout, brook trout, rainbow trout, and splake, between January 1 to October 31 as prescribed by the commissioner by rule except as provided in section 97C.415, subdivision 2; and

 

(4) (5) for salmon, as prescribed by the commissioner by rule.

 

(b) The commissioner shall close the season in areas of the state where fish are spawning and closing the season will protect the resource.

 

Sec. 51. UNCASED FIREARMS REPORT.

 

(a) The commissioner of natural resources shall submit a report to the legislature by January 1, 2009, on uncased firearms that answers the questions listed below.

 

(1) How many other states have laws like Minnesota's governing uncased firearms?

 

(2) Are there any studies that prove that uncased firearms laws like Minnesota's reduce firearm-related accidents?

 

(3) Is there evidence that more accidents occur loading and unloading firearms and putting firearms in and out of cases than would occur if the firearms were not required to be cased?

 

(4) Are there any studies to prove that having a cased gun law reduces other criminal violations? For example, there are thousands of tickets written for uncased guns every year; is this the activity the state is trying to stop or is the state trying to reduce other crimes? Is there any proof that by issuing tickets Minnesota is stopping other crimes?


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(5) If the state cannot verify that it is reducing accidents or reducing other criminal violations by writing uncased gun tickets, why is the state writing them?

 

(6) If the state is reducing other wildlife crimes such as shooting from the roadway, how is it doing this?

 

(b) The report must comply with Minnesota Statutes, sections 3.195 and 3.197, and be submitted to the chairs of the house and senate committees with jurisdiction over the environment and natural resources. The commissioner may include additional information that the commissioner feels is important to this issue.

 

Sec. 52. COCK PHEASANT BAG LIMIT; RULEMAKING.

 

The commissioner of natural resources shall amend Minnesota Rules, part 6234.0400, subpart 2, to allow a person to take up to three cock pheasants per day after the 16th day of the pheasant season. The commissioner may use the good cause exemption under Minnesota Statutes, section 14.388, subdivision 1, clause (3), to adopt the rule and Minnesota Statutes, section 14.386, does not apply, except as provided under Minnesota Statutes, section 14.388.

 

Sec. 53. BEAR HUNTING PERMIT DRAWING; RULEMAKING.

 

The commissioner of natural resources shall adopt rules to comply with the changes made to Minnesota Statutes, section 97B.405. The commissioner may use the good cause exemption under Minnesota Statutes, section 14.388, subdivision 1, clause (3), to adopt the rules. Minnesota Statutes, section 14.386, does not apply except as provided in Minnesota Statutes, section 14.388.

 

Sec. 54. WILD TURKEY HUNTING MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS.

 

The commissioner of natural resources, in consultation with the National Wild Turkey Federation, shall, by January 15, 2009, provide the legislature with recommendations for future management of hunting wild turkeys in Minnesota.

 

Sec. 55. REPEALER.

 

Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 97A.411, subdivision 2, and Minnesota Rules, parts 6232.0200, subpart 4; and 6232.0300, subpart 4, are repealed."

 

Delete the title and insert:

 

"A bill for an act relating to natural resources; modifying aquatic farm provisions; authorizing certain fees; modifying horse pass requirements; modifying report requirements for game and fish fund; modifying disposition of pheasant habitat improvement account; modifying wild turkey management account; modifying hunting and fishing licensing and taking provisions; requiring reports; providing for rulemaking; amending Minnesota Statutes 2006, sections 17.4981; 84.027, subdivision 15; 85.46, subdivision 1; 97A.015, by adding a subdivision; 97A.055, subdivision 4b; 97A.075, subdivisions 4, 5; 97A.311, subdivision 5; 97A.431, subdivision 2; 97A.433, subdivision 2; 97A.434, subdivision 2; 97A.435, subdivision 4; 97A.451, subdivision 4, by adding a subdivision; 97A.475, subdivision 5; 97A.485, subdivision 6; 97B.015, subdivision 5; 97B.041; 97B.106, subdivision 1; 97B.211, subdivision 1; 97B.301, subdivision 6, by adding a subdivision; 97B.405; 97B.431; 97B.621, subdivision 3; 97B.711, subdivision 1; 97B.721; 97C.001, subdivision 3; 97C.005, subdivision 3; 97C.315, subdivision 1; 97C.355, subdivisions 4, 7, 7a; 97C.371, subdivision 4; 97C.395, subdivision 1; Minnesota Statutes 2007 Supplement, sections 17.4984, subdivision 1; 97A.055, subdivision 4; 97A.405, subdivision 2; 97A.441, subdivision 7; 97A.451, subdivision 3; 97A.475, subdivisions 2, 3, 11, 12, 16; 97B.036; 97B.328; 97C.355, subdivisions 2, 8; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 97C; repealing Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 97A.411, subdivision 2; Minnesota Rules, parts 6232.0200, subpart 4; 6232.0300, subpart 4."

 

 

With the recommendation that when so amended the bill pass and be re-referred to the Committee on Governmental Operations, Reform, Technology and Elections.

 

The report was adopted.


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Thissen from the Committee on Health and Human Services to which was referred:

 

H. F. No. 3564, A bill for an act relating to human services; amending child welfare and child support provisions; adopting a new Interstate Compact for the Placement of Children and repealing the old compact; regulating child and adult adoptions; directing the commissioner to adopt rules; amending Minnesota Statutes 2006, sections 13.46, by adding subdivisions; 256.87, subdivision 5; 259.20, subdivision 1; 259.21, by adding a subdivision; 259.22, subdivision 2; 259.23, subdivision 2; 259.43; 259.52, subdivision 2; 259.53, subdivisions 3, 5; 259.59, subdivisions 1, 2; 259.67, subdivisions 2, 3, by adding a subdivision; 259.75, subdivision 5; 259.89, subdivisions 1, 2, 4, by adding a subdivision; 260.795, subdivision 3; 260C.001, subdivision 2; 260C.007, subdivisions 5, 6, 13; 260C.171, subdivision 2; 260C.178, subdivision 1; 260C.212, subdivision 7, by adding a subdivision; 260C.325, subdivisions 1, 3; 518A.42, subdivision 1; 518A.46, subdivision 5; 524.2-114; 541.04; 548.09, by adding a subdivision; 550.01; 626.556, subdivision 7; Minnesota Statutes 2007 Supplement, sections 259.41, subdivision 1; 259.53, subdivision 2; 259.57, subdivision 1; 259.67, subdivision 4; 260C.163, subdivision 1; 260C.209, subdivisions 1, 2, by adding a subdivision; 260C.212, subdivision 4; 626.556, subdivision 10a; Laws 2007, chapter 147, article 2, section 56; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapters 259; 260; repealing Minnesota Statutes 2006, sections 260.851; 260B.241; 260C.207; 548.091, subdivision 3b; Minnesota Rules, part 9560.0092.

 

Reported the same back with the following amendments:

 

Delete everything after the enacting clause and insert:

 

"ARTICLE 1

 

CHILD WELFARE

 

Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2007 Supplement, section 245C.14, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

 

Subdivision 1. Disqualification from direct contact. (a) The commissioner shall disqualify an individual who is the subject of a background study from any position allowing direct contact with persons receiving services from the license holder or entity identified in section 245C.03, upon receipt of information showing, or when a background study completed under this chapter shows any of the following:

 

(1) a conviction of, admission to, or Alford plea to one or more crimes listed in section 245C.15, regardless of whether the conviction or admission is a felony, gross misdemeanor, or misdemeanor level crime;

 

(2) a preponderance of the clear and convincing evidence indicates the individual has committed an act or acts that meet the definition of any of the crimes listed in section 245C.15, regardless of whether the preponderance of the clear and convincing evidence is for a felony, gross misdemeanor, or misdemeanor level crime. An arrest record, police report, or criminal complaint alone does not meet the standard for clear and convincing evidence; or

 

(3) an investigation results in an administrative determination listed under section 245C.15, subdivision 4, paragraph (b).

 

(b) No individual who is disqualified following a background study under section 245C.03, subdivisions 1 and 2, may be retained in a position involving direct contact with persons served by a program or entity identified in section 245C.03, unless the commissioner has provided written notice under section 245C.17 stating that:

 

(1) the individual may remain in direct contact during the period in which the individual may request reconsideration as provided in section 245C.21, subdivision 2;

 

(2) the commissioner has set aside the individual's disqualification for that program or entity identified in section 245C.03, as provided in section 245C.22, subdivision 4; or

 

(3) the license holder has been granted a variance for the disqualified individual under section 245C.30.


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Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2007 Supplement, section 245C.15, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 2. 15-year disqualification. (a) An individual is disqualified under section 245C.14 if: (1) less than 15 years have passed since the discharge of the sentence imposed, if any, for the offense; and (2) the individual has committed a felony-level violation of any of the following offenses: sections 256.98 (wrongfully obtaining assistance); 268.182 (false representation; concealment of facts); 393.07, subdivision 10, paragraph (c) (federal Food Stamp Program fraud); 609.165 (felon ineligible to possess firearm); 609.21 (criminal vehicular homicide and injury); 609.215 (suicide); 609.223 or 609.2231 (assault in the third or fourth degree); repeat offenses under 609.224 (assault in the fifth degree); 609.229 (crimes committed for benefit of a gang); 609.2325 (criminal abuse of a vulnerable adult); 609.2335 (financial exploitation of a vulnerable adult); 609.235 (use of drugs to injure or facilitate crime); 609.24 (simple robbery); 609.255 (false imprisonment); 609.2664 (manslaughter of an unborn child in the first degree); 609.2665 (manslaughter of an unborn child in the second degree); 609.267 (assault of an unborn child in the first degree); 609.2671 (assault of an unborn child in the second degree); 609.268 (injury or death of an unborn child in the commission of a crime); 609.27 (coercion); 609.275 (attempt to coerce); 609.466 (medical assistance fraud); 609.498, subdivision 1 or 1b (aggravated first degree or first degree tampering with a witness); 609.52 (theft); 609.521 (possession of shoplifting gear); 609.525 (bringing stolen goods into Minnesota); 609.527 (identity theft); 609.53 (receiving stolen property); 609.535 (issuance of dishonored checks); 609.562 (arson in the second degree); 609.563 (arson in the third degree); 609.582 (burglary); 609.59 (possession of burglary tools); 609.611 (insurance fraud); 609.625 (aggravated forgery); 609.63 (forgery); 609.631 (check forgery; offering a forged check); 609.635 (obtaining signature by false pretense); 609.66 (dangerous weapons); 609.67 (machine guns and short-barreled shotguns); 609.687 (adulteration); 609.71 (riot); 609.713 (terroristic threats); 609.82 (fraud in obtaining credit); 609.821 (financial transaction card fraud); 617.23 (indecent exposure), not involving a minor; repeat offenses under 617.241 (obscene materials and performances; distribution and exhibition prohibited; penalty); 624.713 (certain persons not to possess firearms); chapter 152 (drugs; controlled substance); or a felony-level conviction involving alcohol or drug use.

 

(b) An individual is disqualified under section 245C.14 if less than 15 years has passed since the individual's aiding and abetting, attempt, or conspiracy to commit any of the offenses listed in paragraph (a), as each of these offenses is defined in Minnesota Statutes.

 

(c) For foster care and family child care an individual is disqualified under section 245C.14 if less than 15 years has passed since the individual's voluntary termination of the individual's parental rights under section 260C.301, subdivision 1, paragraph (b), or 260C.301, subdivision 3.

 

(d) An individual is disqualified under section 245C.14 if less than 15 years has passed since the discharge of the sentence imposed for an offense in any other state or country, the elements of which are substantially similar to the elements of the offenses listed in paragraph (a).

 

(e) If the individual studied commits one of the offenses listed in paragraph (a), but the sentence or level of offense is a gross misdemeanor or misdemeanor, the individual is disqualified but the disqualification look-back period for the offense is the period applicable to the gross misdemeanor or misdemeanor disposition.

 

(f) When a disqualification is based on a judicial determination other than a conviction, the disqualification period begins from the date of the court order. When a disqualification is based on an admission, the disqualification period begins from the date of an admission in court. When a disqualification is based on a preponderance of clear and convincing evidence of a disqualifying act, the disqualification date begins from the date of the dismissal, the date of discharge of the sentence imposed for a conviction for a disqualifying crime of similar elements, or the date of the incident, whichever occurs last.


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Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2007 Supplement, section 245C.15, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 3. Ten-year disqualification. (a) An individual is disqualified under section 245C.14 if: (1) less than ten years have passed since the discharge of the sentence imposed, if any, for the offense; and (2) the individual has committed a gross misdemeanor-level violation of any of the following offenses: sections 256.98 (wrongfully obtaining assistance); 268.182 (false representation; concealment of facts); 393.07, subdivision 10, paragraph (c) (federal Food Stamp Program fraud); 609.21 (criminal vehicular homicide and injury); 609.221 or 609.222 (assault in the first or second degree); 609.223 or 609.2231 (assault in the third or fourth degree); 609.224 (assault in the fifth degree); 609.224, subdivision 2, paragraph (c) (assault in the fifth degree by a caregiver against a vulnerable adult); 609.2242 and 609.2243 (domestic assault); 609.23 (mistreatment of persons confined); 609.231 (mistreatment of residents or patients); 609.2325 (criminal abuse of a vulnerable adult); 609.233 (criminal neglect of a vulnerable adult); 609.2335 (financial exploitation of a vulnerable adult); 609.234 (failure to report maltreatment of a vulnerable adult); 609.265 (abduction); 609.275 (attempt to coerce); 609.324, subdivision 1a (other prohibited acts; minor engaged in prostitution); 609.33 (disorderly house); 609.377 (malicious punishment of a child); 609.378 (neglect or endangerment of a child); 609.466 (medical assistance fraud); 609.52 (theft); 609.525 (bringing stolen goods into Minnesota); 609.527 (identity theft); 609.53 (receiving stolen property); 609.535 (issuance of dishonored checks); 609.582 (burglary); 609.59 (possession of burglary tools); 609.611 (insurance fraud); 609.631 (check forgery; offering a forged check); 609.66 (dangerous weapons); 609.71 (riot); 609.72, subdivision 3 (disorderly conduct against a vulnerable adult); repeat offenses under 609.746 (interference with privacy); 609.749, subdivision 2 (harassment; stalking); 609.82 (fraud in obtaining credit); 609.821 (financial transaction card fraud); 617.23 (indecent exposure), not involving a minor; 617.241 (obscene materials and performances); 617.243 (indecent literature, distribution); 617.293 (harmful materials; dissemination and display to minors prohibited); or violation of an order for protection under section 518B.01, subdivision 14.

 

(b) An individual is disqualified under section 245C.14 if less than ten years has passed since the individual's aiding and abetting, attempt, or conspiracy to commit any of the offenses listed in paragraph (a), as each of these offenses is defined in Minnesota Statutes.

 

(c) An individual is disqualified under section 245C.14 if less than ten years has passed since the discharge of the sentence imposed for an offense in any other state or country, the elements of which are substantially similar to the elements of any of the offenses listed in paragraph (a).

 

(d) If the individual studied commits one of the offenses listed in paragraph (a), but the sentence or level of offense is a misdemeanor disposition, the individual is disqualified but the disqualification lookback period for the offense is the period applicable to misdemeanors.

 

(e) When a disqualification is based on a judicial determination other than a conviction, the disqualification period begins from the date of the court order. When a disqualification is based on an admission, the disqualification period begins from the date of an admission in court. When a disqualification is based on a preponderance of clear and convincing evidence of a disqualifying act, the disqualification date begins from the date of the dismissal, the date of discharge of the sentence imposed for a conviction for a disqualifying crime of similar elements, or the date of the incident, whichever occurs last.

 

Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2007 Supplement, section 245C.15, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 4. Seven-year disqualification. (a) An individual is disqualified under section 245C.14 if: (1) less than seven years has passed since the discharge of the sentence imposed, if any, for the offense; and (2) the individual has committed a misdemeanor-level violation of any of the following offenses: sections 256.98 (wrongfully obtaining assistance); 268.182 (false representation; concealment of facts); 393.07, subdivision 10, paragraph (c) (federal Food Stamp Program fraud); 609.21 (criminal vehicular homicide and injury); 609.221 (assault in the first degree); 609.222 (assault in the second degree); 609.223 (assault in the third degree); 609.2231 (assault in the fourth degree);


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609.224 (assault in the fifth degree); 609.2242 (domestic assault); 609.2335 (financial exploitation of a vulnerable adult); 609.234 (failure to report maltreatment of a vulnerable adult); 609.2672 (assault of an unborn child in the third degree); 609.27 (coercion); violation of an order for protection under 609.3232 (protective order authorized; procedures; penalties); 609.466 (medical assistance fraud); 609.52 (theft); 609.525 (bringing stolen goods into Minnesota); 609.527 (identity theft); 609.53 (receiving stolen property); 609.535 (issuance of dishonored checks); 609.611 (insurance fraud); 609.66 (dangerous weapons); 609.665 (spring guns); 609.746 (interference with privacy); 609.79 (obscene or harassing telephone calls); 609.795 (letter, telegram, or package; opening; harassment); 609.82 (fraud in obtaining credit); 609.821 (financial transaction card fraud); 617.23 (indecent exposure), not involving a minor; 617.293 (harmful materials; dissemination and display to minors prohibited); or violation of an order for protection under section 518B.01 (Domestic Abuse Act).

 

(b) An individual is disqualified under section 245C.14 if less than seven years has passed since a determination or disposition of the individual's:

 

(1) failure to make required reports under section 626.556, subdivision 3, or 626.557, subdivision 3, for incidents in which: (i) the final disposition under section 626.556 or 626.557 was substantiated maltreatment, and (ii) the maltreatment was recurring or serious; or

 

(2) substantiated serious or recurring maltreatment of a minor under section 626.556, a vulnerable adult under section 626.557, or serious or recurring maltreatment in any other state, the elements of which are substantially similar to the elements of maltreatment under section 626.556 or 626.557 for which: (i) there is a preponderance of evidence that the maltreatment occurred, and (ii) the subject was responsible for the maltreatment.

 

(c) An individual is disqualified under section 245C.14 if less than seven years has passed since the individual's aiding and abetting, attempt, or conspiracy to commit any of the offenses listed in paragraphs (a) and (b), as each of these offenses is defined in Minnesota Statutes.

 

(d) An individual is disqualified under section 245C.14 if less than seven years has passed since the discharge of the sentence imposed for an offense in any other state or country, the elements of which are substantially similar to the elements of any of the offenses listed in paragraphs (a) and (b).

 

(e) When a disqualification is based on a judicial determination other than a conviction, the disqualification period begins from the date of the court order. When a disqualification is based on an admission, the disqualification period begins from the date of an admission in court. When a disqualification is based on a preponderance of clear and convincing evidence of a disqualifying act, the disqualification date begins from the date of the dismissal, the date of discharge of the sentence imposed for a conviction for a disqualifying crime of similar elements, or the date of the incident, whichever occurs last.

 

(f) An individual is disqualified under section 245C.14 if less than seven years has passed since the individual was disqualified under section 256.98, subdivision 8.

 

Sec. 5. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 245C.24, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 2. Permanent bar to set aside a disqualification. (a) Except as provided in paragraph paragraphs (b) and (c), the commissioner may not set aside the disqualification of any individual disqualified pursuant to this chapter, regardless of how much time has passed, if the individual was disqualified for a crime or conduct listed in section 245C.15, subdivision 1.

 

(b) For An individual in the chemical dependency field who was:

 

(1) disqualified for a crime or conduct listed under section 245C.15, subdivision 1, and;


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(2) whose disqualification was set aside prior to July 1, 2005, the commissioner must consider granting; and

 

(3) was granted a variance pursuant to section 245C.30 for the license holder for a program dealing primarily with adults. A request for reconsideration evaluated under this paragraph must include a letter of recommendation from the license holder that was subject to the prior set-aside decision addressing the individual's quality of care to children or vulnerable adults and the circumstances of the individual's departure from that service under this section prior to August 1, 2008, is eligible to request a set-aside under paragraph (c).

 

(c) For any individual who was disqualified for a crime or conduct listed under section 245C.15, subdivision 1, and whose disqualification was set aside prior to July 1, 2005, the commissioner must consider granting a set-aside pursuant to section 245C.22. An employer who hires any individual who provides in-home services shall monitor service provision with the client by telephone at least quarterly.

 

(d) For an individual who was disqualified for an offense under section 609.66, subdivision 1e, that was committed when the individual was a minor, and more than seven years has passed since the incident, during which time the individual has attended and graduated from college, the commissioner may consider setting aside the disqualification for a children's residential facility licensed by the Department of Corrections.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective August 1, 2008.

 

Sec. 6. Minnesota Statutes 2007 Supplement, section 245C.24, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 3. Ten-year bar to set aside disqualification. (a) The commissioner may not set aside the disqualification of an individual in connection with a license to provide family child care for children, foster care for children in the provider's home, or foster care or day care services for adults in the provider's home if: (1) less than ten years has passed since the discharge of the sentence imposed, if any, for the offense; or (2) when disqualified based on a preponderance of clear and convincing evidence determination under section 245C.14, subdivision 1, paragraph (a), clause (2), or an admission under section 245C.14, subdivision 1, paragraph (a), clause (1), and less than ten years has passed since the individual committed the act or admitted to committing the act, whichever is later; and (3) the individual has committed a violation of any of the following offenses: sections 609.165 (felon ineligible to possess firearm); criminal vehicular homicide under 609.21 (criminal vehicular homicide and injury); 609.215 (aiding suicide or aiding attempted suicide); felony violations under 609.223 or 609.2231 (assault in the third or fourth degree); 609.229 (crimes committed for benefit of a gang); 609.713 (terroristic threats); 609.235 (use of drugs to injure or to facilitate crime); 609.24 (simple robbery); 609.255 (false imprisonment); 609.562 (arson in the second degree); 609.71 (riot); 609.498, subdivision 1 or 1b (aggravated first degree or first degree tampering with a witness); burglary in the first or second degree under 609.582 (burglary); 609.66 (dangerous weapon); 609.665 (spring guns); 609.67 (machine guns and short-barreled shotguns); 609.749, subdivision 2 (gross misdemeanor harassment; stalking); 152.021 or 152.022 (controlled substance crime in the first or second degree); 152.023, subdivision 1, clause (3) or (4) or subdivision 2, clause (4) (controlled substance crime in the third degree); 152.024, subdivision 1, clause (2), (3), or (4) (controlled substance crime in the fourth degree); 609.224, subdivision 2, paragraph (c) (fifth-degree assault by a caregiver against a vulnerable adult); 609.23 (mistreatment of persons confined); 609.231 (mistreatment of residents or patients); 609.2325 (criminal abuse of a vulnerable adult); 609.233 (criminal neglect of a vulnerable adult); 609.2335 (financial exploitation of a vulnerable adult); 609.234 (failure to report); 609.265 (abduction); 609.2664 to 609.2665 (manslaughter of an unborn child in the first or second degree); 609.267 to 609.2672 (assault of an unborn child in the first, second, or third degree); 609.268 (injury or death of an unborn child in the commission of a crime); repeat offenses under 617.23 (indecent exposure); 617.293 (disseminating or displaying harmful material to minors); a felony-level conviction involving alcohol or drug use, a gross misdemeanor offense under 609.324, subdivision 1 (other prohibited acts); a gross misdemeanor offense under 609.378 (neglect or endangerment of a child); a gross misdemeanor offense under 609.377 (malicious punishment of a child); 609.72, subdivision 3 (disorderly conduct against a vulnerable adult); or 624.713 (certain persons not to possess firearms).


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(b) The commissioner may not set aside the disqualification of an individual if less than ten years have passed since the individual's aiding and abetting, attempt, or conspiracy to commit any of the offenses listed in paragraph (a) as each of these offenses is defined in Minnesota Statutes.

 

(c) The commissioner may not set aside the disqualification of an individual if less than ten years have passed since the discharge of the sentence imposed for an offense in any other state or country, the elements of which are substantially similar to the elements of any of the offenses listed in paragraph (a).

 

Sec. 7. Minnesota Statutes 2007 Supplement, section 245C.27, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

 

Subdivision 1. Fair hearing when disqualification is not set aside. (a) If the commissioner does not set aside a disqualification of an individual under section 245C.22 who is disqualified on the basis of a preponderance of clear and convincing evidence that the individual committed an act or acts that meet the definition of any of the crimes listed in section 245C.15; for a determination under section 626.556 or 626.557 of substantiated maltreatment that was serious or recurring under section 245C.15; or for failure to make required reports under section 626.556, subdivision 3; or 626.557, subdivision 3, pursuant to section 245C.15, subdivision 4, paragraph (b), clause (1), the individual may request a fair hearing under section 256.045, unless the disqualification is deemed conclusive under section 245C.29.

 

(b) The fair hearing is the only administrative appeal of the final agency determination for purposes of appeal by the disqualified individual. The disqualified individual does not have the right to challenge the accuracy and completeness of data under section 13.04.

 

(c) Except as provided under paragraph (e), if the individual was disqualified based on a conviction or admission to any crimes listed in section 245C.15, subdivisions 1 to 4, or for a disqualification under section 256.98, subdivision 8, the reconsideration decision under section 245C.22 is the final agency determination for purposes of appeal by the disqualified individual and is not subject to a hearing under section 256.045. If the individual was disqualified based on a judicial determination, that determination is treated the same as a conviction for purposes of appeal.

 

(d) This subdivision does not apply to a public employee's appeal of a disqualification under section 245C.28, subdivision 3.

 

(e) Notwithstanding paragraph (c), if the commissioner does not set aside a disqualification of an individual who was disqualified based on both a preponderance of clear and convincing evidence and a conviction or admission, the individual may request a fair hearing under section 256.045, unless the disqualifications are deemed conclusive under section 245C.29. The scope of the hearing conducted under section 256.045 with regard to the disqualification based on a conviction or admission shall be limited solely to whether the individual poses a risk of harm, according to section 256.045, subdivision 3b. In this case, the reconsideration decision under section 245C.22 is not the final agency decision for purposes of appeal by the disqualified individual.

 

Sec. 8. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 245C.29, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 2. Conclusive disqualification determination. (a) Unless otherwise specified in statute, a determination that:

 

(1) the information the commissioner relied upon to disqualify an individual under section 245C.14 was correct based on serious or recurring maltreatment;


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(2) a preponderance of the clear and convincing evidence shows that the individual committed an act or acts that meet the definition of any of the crimes listed in section 245C.15. A police report or criminal complaint alone does not meet this standard; or

 

(3) the individual failed to make required reports under section 626.556, subdivision 3, or 626.557, subdivision 3, is conclusive if:

 

(i) the commissioner has issued a final order in an appeal of that determination under section 245A.08, subdivision 5, or 256.045, or a court has issued a final decision;

 

(ii) the individual did not request reconsideration of the disqualification under section 245C.21; or

 

(iii) the individual did not request a hearing on the disqualification under section 256.045 or chapter 14.

 

(b) When a licensing action under section 245A.05, 245A.06, or 245A.07 is based on the disqualification of an individual in connection with a license to provide family child care, foster care for children in the provider's own home, or foster care services for adults in the provider's own home, that disqualification shall be conclusive for purposes of the licensing action if a request for reconsideration was not submitted within 30 calendar days of the individual's receipt of the notice of disqualification.

 

(c) If a determination that the information relied upon to disqualify an individual was correct and is conclusive under this section, and the individual is subsequently disqualified under section 245C.15, the individual has a right to request reconsideration on the risk of harm under section 245C.21. Subsequent determinations regarding the risk of harm shall be made according to section 245C.22 and are not subject to another hearing under section 256.045 or chapter 14.

 

Sec. 9. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 256.045, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 3. State agency hearings. (a) State agency hearings are available for the following: (1) any person applying for, receiving or having received public assistance, medical care, or a program of social services granted by the state agency or a county agency or the federal Food Stamp Act whose application for assistance is denied, not acted upon with reasonable promptness, or whose assistance is suspended, reduced, terminated, or claimed to have been incorrectly paid; (2) any patient or relative aggrieved by an order of the commissioner under section 252.27; (3) a party aggrieved by a ruling of a prepaid health plan; (4) except as provided under chapter 245C, any individual or facility determined by a lead agency to have maltreated a vulnerable adult under section 626.557 after they have exercised their right to administrative reconsideration under section 626.557; (5) any person whose claim for foster care payment according to a placement of the child resulting from a child protection assessment under section 626.556 is denied or not acted upon with reasonable promptness, regardless of funding source; (6) any person to whom a right of appeal according to this section is given by other provision of law; (7) an applicant aggrieved by an adverse decision to an application for a hardship waiver under section 256B.15; (8) an applicant aggrieved by an adverse decision to an application or redetermination for a Medicare Part D prescription drug subsidy under section 256B.04, subdivision 4a; (9) except as provided under chapter 245A, an individual or facility determined to have maltreated a minor under section 626.556, after the individual or facility has exercised the right to administrative reconsideration under section 626.556; or (10) except as provided under chapter 245C, an individual disqualified under sections 245C.14 and 245C.15, on the basis of serious or recurring maltreatment; a preponderance of the clear and convincing evidence that the individual has committed an act or acts that meet the definition of any of the crimes listed in section 245C.15, subdivisions 1 to 4; or for failing to make reports required under section 626.556, subdivision 3, or 626.557, subdivision 3. Hearings regarding a maltreatment determination under clause (4) or (9) and a disqualification under this clause in which the basis for a disqualification is serious or recurring maltreatment, which has not been set aside under sections 245C.22 and 245C.23, shall be consolidated into a single fair hearing.


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In such cases, the scope of review by the human services referee shall include both the maltreatment determination and the disqualification. The failure to exercise the right to an administrative reconsideration shall not be a bar to a hearing under this section if federal law provides an individual the right to a hearing to dispute a finding of maltreatment. Individuals and organizations specified in this section may contest the specified action, decision, or final disposition before the state agency by submitting a written request for a hearing to the state agency within 30 days after receiving written notice of the action, decision, or final disposition, or within 90 days of such written notice if the applicant, recipient, patient, or relative shows good cause why the request was not submitted within the 30-day time limit.

 

The hearing for an individual or facility under clause (4), (9), or (10) is the only administrative appeal to the final agency determination specifically, including a challenge to the accuracy and completeness of data under section 13.04. Hearings requested under clause (4) apply only to incidents of maltreatment that occur on or after October 1, 1995. Hearings requested by nursing assistants in nursing homes alleged to have maltreated a resident prior to October 1, 1995, shall be held as a contested case proceeding under the provisions of chapter 14. Hearings requested under clause (9) apply only to incidents of maltreatment that occur on or after July 1, 1997. A hearing for an individual or facility under clause (9) is only available when there is no juvenile court or adult criminal action pending. If such action is filed in either court while an administrative review is pending, the administrative review must be suspended until the judicial actions are completed. If the juvenile court action or criminal charge is dismissed or the criminal action overturned, the matter may be considered in an administrative hearing.

 

For purposes of this section, bargaining unit grievance procedures are not an administrative appeal.

 

The scope of hearings involving claims to foster care payments under clause (5) shall be limited to the issue of whether the county is legally responsible for a child's placement under court order or voluntary placement agreement and, if so, the correct amount of foster care payment to be made on the child's behalf and shall not include review of the propriety of the county's child protection determination or child placement decision.

 

(b) A vendor of medical care as defined in section 256B.02, subdivision 7, or a vendor under contract with a county agency to provide social services is not a party and may not request a hearing under this section, except if assisting a recipient as provided in subdivision 4.

 

(c) An applicant or recipient is not entitled to receive social services beyond the services prescribed under chapter 256M or other social services the person is eligible for under state law.

 

(d) The commissioner may summarily affirm the county or state agency's proposed action without a hearing when the sole issue is an automatic change due to a change in state or federal law.

 

Sec. 10. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 256.045, subdivision 3b, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 3b. Standard of evidence for maltreatment and disqualification hearings. (a) The state human services referee shall determine that maltreatment has occurred if a preponderance of evidence exists to support the final disposition under sections 626.556 and 626.557. For purposes of hearings regarding disqualification, the state human services referee shall affirm the proposed disqualification in an appeal under subdivision 3, paragraph (a), clause (9), if a preponderance of the evidence shows the individual has:

 

(1) a preponderance of the evidence shows the individual has committed maltreatment under section 626.556 or 626.557, which is serious or recurring;

 

(2) clear and convincing evidence shows the individual has committed an act or acts meeting the definition of any of the crimes listed in section 245C.15, subdivisions 1 to 4; or


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(3) a preponderance of the evidence shows the individual has failed to make required reports under section 626.556 or 626.557, for incidents in which the final disposition under section 626.556 or 626.557 was substantiated maltreatment that was serious or recurring.

 

(b) If the disqualification is affirmed, the state human services referee shall determine whether the individual poses a risk of harm in accordance with the requirements of section 245C.16, and whether the disqualification should be set aside or not set aside. In determining whether the disqualification should be set aside, the human services referee shall consider all of the characteristics that cause the individual to be disqualified, including those characteristics that were not subject to review under paragraph (a), in order to determine whether the individual poses a risk of harm. A decision to set aside a disqualification that is the subject of the hearing constitutes a determination that the individual does not pose a risk of harm and that the individual may provide direct contact services in the individual program specified in the set aside. If a determination that the information relied upon to disqualify an individual was correct and is conclusive under section 245C.29, and the individual is subsequently disqualified under section 245C.14, the individual has a right to again request reconsideration on the risk of harm under section 245C.21. Subsequent determinations regarding risk of harm are not subject to another hearing under this section.

 

(c) The state human services referee shall recommend an order to the commissioner of health, education, or human services, as applicable, who shall issue a final order. The commissioner shall affirm, reverse, or modify the final disposition. Any order of the commissioner issued in accordance with this subdivision is conclusive upon the parties unless appeal is taken in the manner provided in subdivision 7. In any licensing appeal under chapters 245A and 245C and sections 144.50 to 144.58 and 144A.02 to 144A.46, the commissioner's determination as to maltreatment is conclusive, as provided under section 245C.29.

 

Sec. 11. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 259.20, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

 

Subdivision 1. Policy and purpose. The policy of the state of Minnesota and the purpose of sections 259.20 to 259.69 is to ensure:

 

(1) that the best interests of children adopted persons are met in the planning and granting of adoptions; and

 

(2) that laws and practices governing adoption recognize the diversity of Minnesota's population and the diverse needs of persons affected by adoption.

 

Sec. 12. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 259.21, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

 

Subd. 2a. Adult adoption. "Adult adoption" means the adoption of a person at least 18 years of age.

 

Sec. 13. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 259.22, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 2. Children Persons who may be adopted. No petition for adoption shall be filed unless the child person sought to be adopted has been placed by the commissioner of human services, the commissioner's agent, or a licensed child-placing agency. The provisions of this subdivision shall not apply if

 

(a) the child person to be adopted is over 14 years of age;

 

(b) the child is sought to be adopted by an individual who is related to the child, as defined by section 245A.02, subdivision 13;

 

(c) the child has been lawfully placed under the laws of another state while the child and petitioner resided in that other state;


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(d) the court waives the requirement of this subdivision in the best interests of the child or petitioners, provided that the adoption does not involve a placement as defined in section 259.21, subdivision 8; or