STATE OF
MINNESOTA
Journal of the House
NINETY-THIRD
SESSION - 2023
_____________________
FORTY-THIRD
DAY
Saint Paul, Minnesota, Thursday, March 30, 2023
The House of Representatives convened at
12:30 p.m. and was called to order by Dan Wolgamott, Speaker pro tempore.
Prayer was offered by Pastor Mark Nelson,
Peace Lutheran Church, Bloomington, 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:
Acomb
Agbaje
Anderson, P. E.
Anderson, P. H.
Backer
Bahner
Bakeberg
Becker-Finn
Bennett
Berg
Bierman
Bliss
Brand
Burkel
Carroll
Cha
Clardy
Coulter
Curran
Daniels
Daudt
Davids
Davis
Demuth
Dotseth
Edelson
Elkins
Engen
Feist
Finke
Fischer
Fogelman
Franson
Frazier
Frederick
Freiberg
Gillman
Gomez
Greenman
Grossell
Hansen, R.
Hanson, J.
Harder
Hassan
Heintzeman
Hemmingsen-Jaeger
Her
Hicks
Hill
Hollins
Hornstein
Howard
Hudella
Hudson
Huot
Hussein
Igo
Jacob
Johnson
Jordan
Joy
Keeler
Klevorn
Knudsen
Koegel
Kotyza-Witthuhn
Kozlowski
Kraft
Kresha
Lee, F.
Lee, K.
Liebling
Lillie
Lislegard
Long
McDonald
Mekeland
Moller
Mueller
Murphy
Myers
Nadeau
Nash
Nelson, M.
Nelson, N.
Neu Brindley
Newton
Niska
Noor
Norris
Novotny
O'Driscoll
Olson, B.
Olson, L.
Pelowski
Pérez-Vega
Perryman
Petersburg
Pfarr
Pinto
Pryor
Pursell
Quam
Rehm
Reyer
Richardson
Robbins
Schomacker
Schultz
Scott
Sencer-Mura
Skraba
Smith
Stephenson
Swedzinski
Tabke
Torkelson
Urdahl
Vang
West
Wiener
Wiens
Witte
Wolgamott
Xiong
Youakim
Zeleznikar
Spk. Hortman
A quorum was present.
Altendorf, Garofalo, Kiel, Koznick and
O'Neill were excused.
Baker was excused until 2:25 p.m.
The Chief Clerk proceeded to read the
Journal of the preceding day. There
being no objection, further reading of the Journal was dispensed with and the
Journal was approved as corrected by the Chief Clerk.
REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEES
AND DIVISIONS
Olson, L., from the Committee on Ways and Means to which was referred:
H. F. No. 36, A bill for an act relating to employment; establishing worker safety requirements; appropriating money; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 182.
Reported the same back with the following amendments:
Page 4, line 23, delete "$240,000" and insert "$115,000" and delete "$218,000" and insert "$91,000"
With the recommendation that when so amended the bill be placed on the General Register.
The
report was adopted.
Klevorn from the Committee on State and Local Government Finance and Policy to which was referred:
H. F. No. 402, A bill for an act relating to health; establishing requirements for certain health care entity transactions; changing the expiration date on moratorium conversion transactions; requiring a health system to return charitable assets received from the state to the general fund in certain circumstances; requiring a study on the regulation of certain transactions; requiring a report; appropriating money; amending Laws 2017, First Special Session chapter 6, article 5, section 11, as amended; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 144.
Reported the same back with the recommendation that the bill be re-referred to the Committee on Health Finance and Policy.
The
report was adopted.
Pursuant to Joint Rule 2.03 and in
accordance with Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 3, H. F. No. 402 was re‑referred
to the Committee on Rules and Legislative Administration.
Becker-Finn from the Committee on Judiciary Finance and Civil Law to which was referred:
H. F. No. 917, A bill for an act relating to housing; prohibiting discrimination based on participation in public assistance; prohibiting pet declawing and devocalization; prohibiting certain fees; requiring certain inspections; providing for certain notice; providing for certain penalties; providing right to counsel in certain cases; providing for lease covenants and repairs in residential tenancy; providing for renewal and termination of lease in certain cases; providing for residential evictions; providing for expungement of certain eviction cases; amending Minnesota Statutes 2022, sections 363A.09, subdivisions 1, 2, by adding a subdivision; 363A.21, subdivision 1; 484.014, subdivisions 2, 3; 504B.135; 504B.161, subdivision 1; 504B.178, subdivision 4; 504B.211, subdivisions 2, 6; 504B.285, subdivision 5; 504B.291, subdivision 1; 504B.321; 504B.331; 504B.335; 504B.345, subdivision 1, by adding a subdivision; 504B.361, subdivision 1; 504B.371, subdivisions 3, 4, 5, 7; 504B.375, subdivision 1; 504B.381, subdivisions 1, 5, by adding a subdivision; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 504B.
Reported the same back with the following amendments:
Page 5, after line 9, insert:
"Any requirement or lease provision that violates this subdivision is void and unenforceable."
Page 7, line 7, before "Any" insert "Except as allowed under subdivisions 1 and 2, when a tenant chooses not to request an initial or move-out inspection, or alternate inspection under subdivision 1, paragraph (b),"
Page 10, line 25, delete everything after "(1)" and insert "when a unit of government has revoked a rental license, issued a condemnation order, issued a notice of intent to condemn, or otherwise deemed the property uninhabitable; or"
Page 10, delete line 26
Page 15, lines 15 and 16, reinstate the stricken language
Page 15, reinstate lines 22 to 26
Page 15, lines 27 and 32, reinstate the stricken language and delete the new language
Page 17, line 15, after "county" insert "or other" and after "agency" insert "requiring verification of emergency to qualify a tenant for assistance"
Page 18, line 14, after "lease" insert ", if any"
With the recommendation that when so amended the bill be placed on the General Register.
The
report was adopted.
Freiberg from the Committee on Elections Finance and Policy to which was referred:
H. F. No. 1489, A bill for an act relating to elections; increasing the maximum refund permitted by the political contribution refund program; amending Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 290.06, subdivision 23.
Reported the same back with the following amendments:
Page 1, after line 5, insert:
"Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 10A.31, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
Subd. 4. Appropriation. (a) The amounts designated by individuals for the state elections campaign account, less three percent, are appropriated from the general fund, must be transferred and credited to the appropriate account in the state elections campaign account, and are annually appropriated for distribution as set forth in subdivisions 5, 5a, 6, and 7. The remaining three percent must be kept in the general fund for administrative costs.
(b) In addition to the amounts in
paragraph (a), $1,020,000 $.......for each general election is
appropriated from the general fund for transfer to the general account of the
state elections campaign account."
Page 3, after line 3, insert:
"(i) The commissioner must annually adjust for inflation the contribution limits in paragraph (a), as provided in section 270C.22, rounded to the nearest $10. The statutory year is 2023."
Renumber the sections in sequence
Amend the title as follows:
Page 1, line 3, after the semicolon, insert "appropriating money;"
Correct the title numbers accordingly
With the recommendation that when so amended the bill be re-referred to the Committee on Taxes.
The
report was adopted.
Klevorn from the Committee on State and Local Government Finance and Policy to which was referred:
H. F. No. 1826, A bill for an act relating to state government; repealing interagency transfer reports; repealing Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 15.0395.
Reported the same back with the following amendments:
Delete everything after the enacting clause and insert:
"ARTICLE 1
STATE GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS
Section 1.
[1.1471] STATE FIRE MUSEUM.
The Bill and Bonnie Daniels Firefighters
Hall and Museum in the city of Minneapolis is designated as the official state
fire museum.
Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 3.011, is amended to read:
3.011
SESSIONS.
The legislature shall meet at the seat of
government on the first Tuesday after the first second Monday in
January of each odd-numbered year. When
the first Monday in January falls on January 1, it shall meet on the first
Wednesday after the first Monday. It
shall also meet when called by the governor to meet in special session.
Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 3.012, is amended to read:
3.012
LEGISLATIVE DAY.
For the purposes of the Minnesota
Constitution, article IV, section 12, a legislative day is a day when
either house of the legislature is called to order gives any bill a
third reading, adopts a rule of procedure or organization, elects a university
regent, confirms a gubernatorial appointment, or votes to override a
gubernatorial veto. A legislative
day begins at seven o'clock a.m. and continues until seven o'clock a.m. of the
following calendar day.
Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 3.195, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
Subdivision 1. Distribution
of reports. (a) Except as provided
in subdivision 4, a report to the legislature required of a department or
agency shall be made, unless otherwise specifically required by law, by filing two
copies one copy with the Legislative Reference Library, and by
making the report available electronically to the Legislative Reference Library. The same distribution procedure shall be
followed for other reports and publications unless otherwise requested by a
legislator or the Legislative Reference Library.
(b) A public entity as defined in section 16C.073 shall not distribute a report or publication to a member or employee of the legislature, except the Legislative Reference Library, unless the entity has determined that the member or employee wants the reports or publications published by that entity or the member or employee has requested the report or publication. This prohibition applies to both mandatory and voluntary reports and publications. A report or publication may be summarized in an executive summary and distributed as the entity chooses. Distribution of a report to legislative committee or commission members during a committee or commission hearing is not prohibited by this section.
(c) A report or publication produced by a public entity may not be sent to both the home address and the office address of a representative or senator unless mailing to both addresses is requested by the representative or senator.
(d) Reports, publications, periodicals, and summaries under this subdivision must be printed in a manner consistent with section 16C.073.
Sec. 5. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 3.303, subdivision 6, is amended to read:
Subd. 6. Grants; staff; space; equipment; contracts. (a) The commission may make grants, employ an executive director and other staff, and obtain office space, equipment, and supplies necessary to perform its duties.
(b) The executive director may enter
into contracts in compliance with section 3.225 to provide necessary services
and supplies for the house of representatives and the senate, and for
legislative commissions and joint legislative offices. A contract for professional or technical
services that is valued at more than $50,000 may be made only after the
executive director has consulted with the chair and vice-chair of the
commission.
Sec. 6. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 3.855, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
Subd. 2. Unrepresented
state employee negotiations compensation. (a) The commissioner of management and
budget shall regularly advise the commission on the progress of collective
bargaining activities with state employees under the state Public Employment
Labor Relations Act. During
negotiations, the commission may make recommendations to the commissioner as it
deems appropriate but no recommendation shall impose any obligation or grant
any right or privilege to the parties.
(b) (a) The commissioner of
management and budget shall submit to the chair of the commission any negotiated
collective bargaining agreements, arbitration awards, compensation plans,
or salaries for legislative approval or disapproval. Negotiated agreements shall be submitted
within five days of the date of approval by the commissioner or the date of
approval by the affected state employees, whichever occurs later. Arbitration awards shall be submitted within
five days of their receipt by the commissioner. prepared under section 43A.18,
subdivisions 2, 3, 3b, and 4. The
chancellor of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities shall submit any
compensation plan under section 43A.18, subdivision 3a. If the commission disapproves a collective
bargaining agreement, award, compensation plan, or salary, the
commission shall specify in writing to the parties those portions with which it
disagrees and its reasons. If the
commission approves a collective bargaining agreement, award, compensation
plan, or salary, it shall submit the matter to the legislature to be
accepted or rejected under this section.
(c) (b) When the legislature
is not in session, the commission may give interim approval to a negotiated
collective bargaining agreement, salary, or compensation plan,
or arbitration award. When the
legislature is not in session, failure of the commission to disapprove a
collective bargaining agreement or arbitration award within 30 days constitutes
approval. The commission shall
submit the negotiated collective bargaining agreements, salaries,
and compensation plans, or arbitration awards for which it has
provided approval to the entire legislature for ratification at a special
legislative session called to consider them or at its next regular legislative
session as provided in this section. Approval
or disapproval by the commission is not binding on the legislature.
(d) (c) When the
legislature is not in session, the proposed collective bargaining agreement,
arbitration decision, salary, or compensation plan must be
implemented upon its approval by the commission, and state employees covered by
the proposed agreement or arbitration decision plan or salary do
not have the right to strike while the interim approval is in effect. Wages and economic fringe benefit
increases provided for in the agreement or arbitration decision paid in
accordance with the interim approval by the commission are not affected, but
the wages or benefit increases must cease to be paid or provided effective upon
the rejection of the agreement, arbitration decision, salary, or compensation
plan, or upon adjournment of the legislature without acting on it.
Sec. 7. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 3.855, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
Subd. 3.
Other salaries and compensation
plans. The commission shall also:
(1) review and approve, reject, or modify a plan for compensation and terms and conditions of employment prepared and submitted by the commissioner of management and budget under section 43A.18, subdivision 2, covering all state employees who are not represented by an exclusive bargaining representative and whose compensation is not provided for by chapter 43A or other law;
(2) review and approve, reject, or modify a plan for total compensation and terms and conditions of employment for employees in positions identified as being managerial under section 43A.18, subdivision 3, whose salaries and benefits are not otherwise provided for in law or other plans established under chapter 43A;
(3) review and approve, reject, or modify recommendations for salaries submitted by the governor or other appointing authority under section 15A.0815, subdivision 5, covering agency head positions listed in section 15A.0815;
(4) review and approve, reject, or modify recommendations for salary range of officials of higher education systems under section 15A.081, subdivision 7c;
(5) review and approve, reject, or modify plans for compensation, terms, and conditions of employment proposed under section 43A.18, subdivisions 3a, 3b, and 4; and
(6) review and approve, reject, or modify the plan for compensation, terms, and conditions of employment of classified employees in the office of the legislative auditor under section 3.971, subdivision 2.
Sec. 8. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 3.855, subdivision 5, is amended to read:
Subd. 5. Information
required. The commissioner of
management and budget must submit to the Legislative Coordinating Commission
the following information with the submission of a collective bargaining
agreement or compensation plan under subdivisions subdivision
2 and 3:
(1) for each agency and for each proposed agreement
or plan, a comparison of biennial compensation costs under the current agreement
or plan to the projected biennial compensation costs under the proposed agreement
or plan, paid with funds appropriated from the general fund;
(2) for each agency and for each proposed agreement
or plan, a comparison of biennial compensation costs under the current agreement
or plan to the projected biennial compensation costs under the proposed agreement
or plan, paid with funds appropriated from each fund other than the general
fund;
(3) for each agency and for each proposed agreement
or plan, an identification of the amount of the additional biennial
compensation costs that are attributable to salary and wages and to the cost of
nonsalary and nonwage benefits; and
(4) for each agency, for clauses (1) to
(3), the impact of the aggregate of all agreements and plans being
submitted to the commission.
Sec. 9. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 9.031, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
Subd. 3. Collateral. (a) In lieu of the corporate bond required in subdivision 2, a depository may deposit with the commissioner of management and budget collateral to secure state funds that are to be deposited with it. The Executive Council must approve the collateral.
(b) The Executive Council shall not approve any collateral except:
(1) bonds and certificates of
indebtedness, other than bonds secured by real estate, that are legal
investments for savings banks under any law of the state; and
(2) bonds of any insular possession of
the United States, of any state, or of any agency of this state, the payment of
the principal and interest of which is provided for by other than direct
taxation.
(1) United States government treasury
bills, treasury notes, and treasury bonds;
(2) issues of United States government
agencies and instrumentalities, as quoted by a recognized industry quotation
service available to the state;
(3) general obligation securities of
any state other than the state and its agencies or local government with taxing
powers that is rated "A" or better by a national bond rating service,
or revenue obligation securities of any state other than the state and its
agencies or local government with taxing powers that is rated "AA" or
better by a national bond rating service;
(4) irrevocable standby letters of
credit issued by Federal Home Loan Banks to the state accompanied by written
evidence that the bank's public debt is rated "AA" or better by
Moody's Investors Service, Inc., or Standard & Poor's Corporation; and
(5) time deposits that are fully
insured by any federal agency.
(c) The collateral deposited shall be accompanied by an assignment thereof to the state, which assignment shall recite that:
(1) the depository will pay all the state funds deposited with it to the commissioner of management and budget, free of exchange or other charge, at any place in this state designated by the commissioner of management and budget; if the deposit is a time deposit it shall be paid, together with interest, only when due; and
(2) in case of default by the depository the state may sell the collateral, or as much of it as is necessary to realize the full amount due from the depository, and pay any surplus to the depository or its assigns.
(d) Upon the direction of the Executive Council, the commissioner of management and budget, on behalf of the state, may reassign in writing to the depository any registered collateral pledged to the state by assignment thereon.
(e) A depository may deposit collateral of less value than the total designation and may, at any time during the period of its designation, deposit additional collateral, withdraw excess collateral, and substitute other collateral for all or part of that on deposit. Approval of the Executive Council is not necessary for the withdrawal of excess collateral.
(f) If the depository is not in default the commissioner of management and budget shall pay the interest collected on the deposited collateral to the depository.
(g) In lieu of depositing
collateral with the commissioner of management and budget, collateral may also
be placed in safekeeping in a restricted account at a Federal Reserve bank, or
in an account at a trust department of a commercial bank or other financial
institution that is not owned or controlled by the financial institution
furnishing the collateral. The selection
shall be approved by the commissioner.
Sec. 10. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 13.04, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
Subd. 4. Procedure when data is not accurate or complete. (a) An individual subject of the data may contest the accuracy or completeness of public or private data about themselves.
(b) To exercise this right, an individual shall notify in writing the responsible authority of the government entity that maintains the data, describing the nature of the disagreement.
(c) Upon receiving the notification from the data subject, the responsible authority shall within 30 days either: (1) correct the data found to be inaccurate or incomplete and attempt to notify past recipients of inaccurate or incomplete data, including recipients named by the individual; or (2) notify the individual that the authority believes the data to be correct. If the challenged data are determined to be accurate or complete, the responsible authority shall inform the individual of the right to appeal the determination to the commissioner under this section. Data in dispute shall be disclosed only if the individual's statement of disagreement is included with the disclosed data.
(d) A data subject may appeal the
determination of the responsible authority may be appealed pursuant to
the provisions of the Administrative Procedure Act relating to contested cases. An individual must submit an appeal to the
commissioner within 60 days of the responsible authority's notice of the right
to appeal or as otherwise provided by the rules of the commissioner. Upon receipt of an appeal by an individual,
the commissioner shall, before issuing the order and notice of a contested case
hearing required by chapter 14, try to resolve the dispute through education,
conference, conciliation, or persuasion.
If the parties consent, the commissioner may refer the matter to
mediation. Following these efforts, the
commissioner shall dismiss the appeal or issue the order and notice of hearing.
(e) The commissioner may dismiss an
appeal without first attempting to resolve the dispute or before issuing an
order and notice of a contested case hearing if:
(1) an appeal to the commissioner is not
timely;
(2) an appeal concerns data previously
admitted as evidence in a court proceeding in which the data subject was a
party; or
(3) an individual is not the subject of
the data challenged as inaccurate or incomplete.
(b) (f) Data on individuals
that have been successfully challenged by an individual must be completed,
corrected, or destroyed by a government entity without regard to the
requirements of section 138.17.
(g) After completing, correcting, or destroying successfully challenged data, a government entity may retain a copy of the commissioner of administration's order issued under chapter 14 or, if no order were issued, a summary of the dispute between the parties that does not contain any particulars of the successfully challenged data.
Sec. 11. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 15.0597, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
Subdivision 1. Definitions. (a) As used in this section, the following terms shall have the meanings given them.
(b) "Agency" means (1) a state board, commission, council, committee, authority, task force, including an advisory task force created under section 15.014 or 15.0593, a group created by executive order of the governor, or other similar multimember agency created by law and having statewide jurisdiction; and (2) the Metropolitan Council, metropolitan agency, Capitol Area Architectural and Planning Board, and any agency with a regional jurisdiction created in this state pursuant to an interstate compact.
(c) "Vacancy" or
"vacant agency position" means (1) a vacancy in an existing agency,
or (2) a new, unfilled agency position. Vacancy
includes a position that is to be filled through appointment of a nonlegislator
by a legislator or group of legislators; Vacancy does not mean (1) a vacant
position on an agency composed exclusively of persons employed by a political
subdivision or another agency, or (2) a vacancy to be filled by a person
required to have a specific title or position, (3) a vacancy that is to be
filled through appointment of a legislator by a legislator or group of
legislators, or (4) a position appointed by a private entity or individual, in
the manner specified in the document creating the agency, unless otherwise
provided.
(d) "Secretary" means the secretary of state.
(e) "Appointing authority"
means the individual or entity with the specific authority to appoint open or
direct appointment positions. This
includes but is not limited to the governor, state agency commissioners,
indigenous Tribal leaders, designated legislative leaders and local agency
heads, persons who have been specifically delegated the authority to make those
appointments, or private entities or persons as designated by the document
creating the agency. Appointments should
be evidenced by a document signed by the appointing authority's most senior
official. Appointments that do not
specify an appointing authority shall be made in the manner provided in section
4.04.
(f) "Direct appointments"
refers to: (1) the appointment of
members to an agency, pursuant to a process not subject to this section; and
(2) those members of an agency appointed through a process not subject to this
section. Direct appointments must be
provided for specifically in the documents creating the agency, whether
enabling law, executive order, commissioner's order, or otherwise.
Sec. 12. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 15.0597, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
Subd. 4. Notice
of vacancies. The chair of an
existing agency, shall notify the secretary by electronic means of a
vacancy scheduled to occur in the agency as a result of the expiration of
membership terms at least 45 days before the vacancy occurs. The chair of an existing agency shall give
electronic notification to must notify the secretary of each vacancy
occurring as a result of newly created agency positions and of every other
vacancy occurring for any reason other than the expiration of membership terms
as soon as possible upon learning of the vacancy and in any case within 15 days
after the occurrence of the vacancy. The
chair may submit vacancy notices by posting seat openings on the secretary of
state's boards and commissions website.
(b) If a vacancy is to be appointed by
the governor, the chair must first notify the governor and receive permission
to post the vacancy. Where a vacancy is
created by resignation, the vacancy may not be posted until receipt and
acceptance of the resignation of the incumbent as provided by section 351.01,
subdivision 1, clause (2), is confirmed by the governor.
(c) The appointing authority for newly created agencies shall give electronic notification to the secretary of all vacancies in the new agency within 15 days after the creation of the agency. The secretary may require the submission of notices required by this subdivision by electronic means.
(d) The secretary shall publish monthly on the website of the secretary of state a list of all vacancies of which the secretary has been so notified. Only one notice of a vacancy shall be so published, unless the appointing authority rejects all applicants and requests the secretary to republish the notice of vacancy. One copy of the listing shall be made available at the office of the secretary to any interested person. The secretary shall distribute by mail or electronic means copies of the listings to requesting persons.
(e) The listing for all vacancies scheduled to occur in the month of January shall be published on the website of the secretary of state together with the compilation of agency data required to be published pursuant to subdivision 3.
(f) If a vacancy occurs within three months after an appointment is made to fill a regularly scheduled vacancy, the appointing authority may, upon notification by electronic means to the secretary, fill the vacancy by appointment from the list of persons submitting applications to fill the regularly scheduled vacancy.
Sec. 13. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 15.0597, subdivision 5, is amended to read:
Subd. 5. Nominations
for vacancies. Any person may make a
self-nomination for appointment to an agency vacancy by completing an
application on a form prepared and distributed by the secretary. The secretary may provide for the submission
of the application by electronic means. Any
person or group of persons may, on the prescribed application form, nominate
another person to be appointed to a vacancy so long as the person so nominated
consents on the application form to the nomination. The application form shall specify the nominee's
name, mailing address, electronic mail address, telephone number, preferred
agency position sought, a statement that the nominee satisfies any legally
prescribed qualifications, a statement whether the applicant has ever been
convicted of a felony, and any other information the nominating person
feels would be helpful to the appointing authority. The nominating person has the option of
indicating the nominee's sex, political party preference or lack thereof,
status with regard to disability, race, veteran status, and national origin on
the application form. The application
form shall make the option known. If a
person submits an application at the suggestion of an appointing authority, the
person shall so indicate on the application form. Twenty-one days after publication of a
vacancy on the website of the secretary of state pursuant to subdivision 4, the
secretary shall submit electronic copies of all applications received for a
position to the appointing authority charged with filling the vacancy. If no applications have been received by
the secretary for the vacant position by the date when electronic copies must
be submitted to the appointing authority, the secretary shall so inform the
appointing authority. Applications
received by the secretary shall be deemed to have expired one year after
receipt of the application. An
application for a particular agency position shall be deemed to be an
application for all vacancies in that agency occurring prior to the expiration
of the application and shall be public information.
Sec. 14. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 15.0597, subdivision 6, is amended to read:
Subd. 6. Appointments. (a) In making an appointment to a
vacant agency position, the appointing authority shall consider applications
for positions in that agency supplied by the secretary. No appointing authority may appoint someone
to a vacant agency position until (1) ten five days after receipt
of the applications for positions in that agency from the secretary or (2)
receipt of notice from the secretary that no applications have been received
for vacant positions in that agency as provided in subdivision 5. At least five days before the date of
appointment, the appointing authority shall issue a public announcement and
inform the secretary by electronic means of the name of the person the
appointing authority intends to appoint has appointed to fill the
agency vacancy and the expiration date of that person's term.
(b) No person may serve in a position
until the appointing authority has submitted either (1) a signed notice of
appointment, or (2) the documents required by paragraph (e) to the secretary of
state, and the term of the appointee may not commence on a date preceding the
date of the signature on the notice of appointment or the paragraph (e)
submission.
(c) An oath of office for each
appointee to an agency must be submitted to the secretary of state under
section 358.05.
(d) If the appointing authority intends to appoint a person other than one for whom an application was submitted pursuant to this section, the appointing authority shall complete an application form on behalf of the appointee and submit it to the secretary indicating on the application that it is submitted by the appointing authority.
(e) An appointing authority making a
direct appointment must submit a letter to the secretary of state stating the
name of the person appointed, the agency and the specific seat to which they
are appointed, contact information, the date on which the term begins, and
length of the term.
(f) No person may simultaneously occupy
more than one position on the same agency board. Appointment or designation of a member as
chair of an agency does not constitute a violation of this paragraph.
Sec. 15. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 15.066, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:
Subd. 3. Advice
and consent time limit. If
the senate does not reject an appointment within 60 legislative days of the day
of receipt of the letter of appointment by the president of the senate, the senate
has consented to the appointment. No
person shall serve as a permanent commissioner or acting commissioner for an
agency after the senate has voted to refuse to consent to the person's
appointment as permanent commissioner of that agency during the same senate
term in which the senate refused its consent.
EFFECTIVE
DATE. This section is
effective the day following final enactment.
Sec. 16. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 15A.0825, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
Subdivision 1. Membership. (a) The Legislative Salary Council consists of the following members:
(1) one person, who is not a judge, from each congressional district, appointed by the chief justice of the supreme court; and
(2) one person from each congressional district, appointed by the governor.
(b) If Minnesota has an odd number of congressional districts, the governor and the chief justice must each appoint an at-large member, in addition to a member from each congressional district.
(c) One-half of the members appointed by the governor and one-half of the members appointed by the chief justice must belong to the political party that has the most members in the legislature. One-half of the members appointed by the governor and one-half of the members appointed by the chief justice must belong to the political party that has the second most members in the legislature.
(d) None of the members of the council may be:
(1) a current or former legislator, or the spouse of a current legislator;
(2) a current or former lobbyist registered under Minnesota law;
(3) a current employee of the legislature;
(4) a current or former judge; or
(5) a current or former governor, lieutenant
governor, attorney general, secretary of state, or state auditor.; or
(6) a current employee of an entity in
the executive or judicial branch.
Sec. 17. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 15A.0825, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
Subd. 2. Initial
appointment Appointments; convening authority; first meeting in
odd-numbered year. Appointing
authorities must make their initial appointments by January 2, 2017
after the first Monday in January and before January 15 in each odd-numbered
year. Appointing authorities who
determine that a vacancy exists under subdivision 3, paragraph (b), must make
an appointment to fill that vacancy by January 15 in each odd‑numbered
year. The governor shall designate
one member to convene and chair the first meeting of the council, that must
occur by February 15 of each odd-numbered year. The first meeting must be before January
15, 2017. At its first meeting, the
council must elect a chair from among its members. Members that reside in an even-numbered
congressional district serve a first term ending January 15, 2019. Members residing in an odd-numbered
congressional district serve a first term ending January 15, 2021.
Sec. 18. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 15A.0825, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
Subd. 3. Terms. (a) Except for initial terms and
for the first term following redistricting, a term is four years or until new
appointments are made after congressional redistricting as provided in
subdivision 4. Members may serve no more
than two full terms or portions of two consecutive terms.
(b) If a member ceases to reside in the congressional district that the member resided in at the time of appointment as a result of moving or redistricting, the appointing authority who appointed the member must appoint a replacement who resides in the congressional district to serve the unexpired term.
Sec. 19. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 15A.0825, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
Subd. 4. Appointments
following redistricting. Appointing
authorities shall make appointments within three months after a
congressional redistricting plan is adopted.
Appointing authorities shall make appointments in accordance with the
timing requirements in subdivision 2.
Members that reside in an even-numbered district shall be appointed to a
term of two years following redistricting.
Members that reside in an odd-numbered district shall be appointed to a
term of four years following redistricting.
Sec. 20. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 16A.055, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:
Subd. 7. Grant
acceptance. The commissioner
may apply for and receive grants from any source for the purpose of fulfilling
any of the duties of the department. All
funds received under this subdivision are appropriated to the commissioner for
the purposes for which the funds are received.
Sec. 21. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 16A.15, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
Subd. 3. Allotment and encumbrance. (a) A payment may not be made without prior obligation. An obligation may not be incurred against any fund, allotment, or appropriation unless the commissioner has certified a sufficient unencumbered balance or the accounting system shows sufficient allotment or encumbrance balance in the fund, allotment, or appropriation to meet it. The commissioner shall determine when the accounting system may be used to incur obligations without the commissioner's certification of a sufficient unencumbered balance. An expenditure or obligation authorized or incurred in violation of this chapter is invalid and ineligible for payment until made valid. A payment made in violation of this chapter is illegal. An employee authorizing or making the payment, or taking part in it, and a person receiving any part of the payment, are jointly and severally liable to the state for the amount paid or received. If an employee knowingly incurs an obligation or authorizes or makes an expenditure in violation of this chapter or takes part in the violation, the violation is just cause for the employee's removal by the appointing authority or by the governor if an appointing authority other than the governor fails to do so. In the latter case, the governor shall give notice of the violation and an opportunity to be heard on it to the employee and to the appointing authority. A claim presented against an appropriation without prior allotment or encumbrance may be made valid on investigation, review, and approval by the agency head in accordance with the commissioner's policy, if the services, materials, or supplies to be paid for were actually furnished in good faith without collusion and without intent to defraud. The commissioner may then pay the claim just as properly allotted and encumbered claims are paid.
(b) The commissioner may approve payment for materials and supplies in excess of the obligation amount when increases are authorized by section 16C.03, subdivision 3.
(c) To minimize potential construction delay claims, an agency with a project funded by a building appropriation may allow a consultant or contractor to proceed with supplemental work within the limits of the appropriation before money is encumbered. Under this circumstance, the agency may requisition funds and allow consultants or contractors to expeditiously proceed with services or a construction sequence. While the consultant or contractor is proceeding, the agency shall immediately act to encumber the required funds.
Sec. 22. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 16A.632, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
Subd. 2. Standards. (a) Article XI, section 5, clause (a), of
the constitution states general obligation bonds may be issued to finance only
the acquisition or betterment of state land, buildings, and improvements of a
capital nature. In interpreting this and
applying it to the purposes of the program contemplated in this section, the
following standards are adopted for the disbursement of money from the capital
asset preservation and replacement account:.
(b) No An appropriation under
this section may not be used to acquire new land, or
buildings, or major new improvements will be acquired. These projects, including all capital
expenditures required to permit their effective use for the intended purpose on
completion, will be estimated and provided for individually through a direct
appropriation for each project or to construct new buildings or
additions.
(c) An expenditure will be made from the account only when it is a capital expenditure on a capital asset previously owned by the state, within the meaning of accepted accounting principles as applied to public expenditures. The commissioner of administration will consult with the commissioner of management and budget to the extent necessary to ensure this and will furnish the commissioner of management and budget a list of projects to be financed from the account in order of their priority. The commissioner shall also furnish each revision of the list. The legislature assumes that many provisions for preservation and replacement of portions of existing capital assets will constitute betterments and capital improvements within the meaning of the constitution and capital expenditures under correct accounting principles, and will be financed more efficiently and economically under the program than by direct appropriations for specific projects. However, the purpose of the program is to accumulate data showing how additional costs may be saved by appropriating money from the general fund for preservation measures, the necessity of which is predictable over short periods.
(d) The commissioner of administration will
furnish instructions to agencies to apply for funding of capital expenditures
for preservation and replacement from the account, will review applications,
will make initial allocations among types of eligible projects enumerated
below, will determine priorities, and will allocate money in priority order
until the available appropriation has been committed. An appropriation under this section may
not be used to make minor emergency repairs.
(e) Categories of projects considered likely to be most needed and appropriate for financing are the following:
(1) unanticipated emergencies of all kinds,
for which a relatively small amount should be initially reserved, replaced from
money allocated to low-priority projects, if possible, as emergencies occur,
and used for stabilization rather than replacement if the cost would exhaust
the account and should be specially appropriated involving impacts to
state-owned property;
(2) major projects to remove address
life safety hazards, like for existing buildings and sites, including
but not limited to security, replacement of mechanical and other
building systems, building code violations, or structural defects, at
costs not large enough to require major capital requests to the legislature;
(3) elimination removal or
containment of hazardous substances like asbestos or PCBs;
(4) moderate cost replacement major
projects to replace and repair of roofs, windows, tuckpointing, and
structural members necessary to preserve the exterior and interior of existing
buildings; and
(5) up to ten percent of an appropriation awarded under this section may be used for design costs for projects eligible to be funded from this account in anticipation of future funding from the account.
Sec. 23. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 16B.307, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
Subdivision 1. Standards. (a) Article XI, section 5, clause (a), of the constitution requires that state general obligation bonds be issued to finance only the acquisition or betterment of public land, buildings, and other public improvements of a capital nature. Money appropriated for asset preservation, whether from state bond proceeds or from other revenue, is subject to the following additional limitations:
(b) An appropriation for asset
preservation may not be used to acquire new land nor to acquire or construct
new buildings, or additions to buildings, or major new
improvements.
(c) An appropriation for asset preservation may be used only for a capital expenditure on a capital asset previously owned by the state, within the meaning of generally accepted accounting principles as applied to public expenditures. The commissioner of administration will consult with the commissioner of management and budget to the extent necessary to ensure this and will furnish the commissioner of management and budget a list of projects to be financed from the account in order of their priority. The legislature assumes that many projects for preservation and replacement of portions of existing capital assets will constitute betterments and capital improvements within the meaning of the constitution and capital expenditures under generally accepted accounting principles, and will be financed more efficiently and economically under this section than by direct appropriations for specific projects.
(d) Categories of projects considered likely to be most needed and appropriate for asset preservation appropriations are the following:
(1) major projects to remove address
life safety hazards, like for existing buildings and sites, including
but not limited to security, building code violations, or structural
defects. Notwithstanding paragraph (b),
a project in this category may include an addition to an existing building if
it is a required component of the hazard removal abatement
project;
(2) projects to eliminate or contain hazardous substances like asbestos or lead paint;
(3) major projects to address
accessibility and building code violations; replace or repair roofs,
windows, tuckpointing, mechanical or, electrical, plumbing or
other building systems, utility infrastructure, and tunnels,;
make site renovations improvements necessary to support
building use,; and repair structural components necessary
to preserve the exterior and interior of existing buildings; and
(4) major projects to renovate
repair parking structures facilities and surface lots.
(e) Up to ten percent of an appropriation subject to this section may be used for design costs for projects eligible to be funded under this section in anticipation of future asset preservation appropriations.
Sec. 24. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 16B.33, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
Subdivision 1. Definitions. (a) As used in this section, the following terms have the meanings given them:
(b) "Agency" has the meaning given in section 16B.01.
(c) "Architect" means an architect or landscape architect registered to practice under sections 326.02 to 326.15.
(d) "Board" means the state Designer Selection Board.
(e) "Design-build" means the process of entering into and managing a single contract between the commissioner and the design-builder in which the design-builder agrees to both design and construct a project as specified in the contract at a guaranteed maximum or a fixed price.
(f) "Design-builder" means a person who proposes to design and construct a project in accordance with the requirements of section 16C.33.
(g) "Designer" means an architect or engineer, or a partnership, association, or corporation comprised primarily of architects or engineers or of both architects and engineers.
(h) "Engineer" means an engineer registered to practice under sections 326.02 to 326.15.
(i) "Person" includes an individual, corporation, partnership, association, or any other legal entity.
(j) "Primary designer" means the designer who is to have primary design responsibility for a project, and does not include designers who are merely consulted by the user agency and do not have substantial design responsibility, or designers who will or may be employed or consulted by the primary designer.
(k) "Project" means an
undertaking to construct, erect, or remodel a building by or for the state or
an agency. Capital projects exempt
from the requirements of this section include demolition or decommissioning of
state assets; hazardous materials abatement; repair and replacement of utility
infrastructure, parking lots, and parking structures; security upgrades;
building systems replacement or repair, including alterations to building
interiors needed to accommodate the systems; and other asset preservation work
not involving remodeling of occupied space.
(l) "User agency" means the agency undertaking a specific project. For projects undertaken by the state of Minnesota, "user agency" means the Department of Administration or a state agency with an appropriate delegation to act on behalf of the Department of Administration.
Sec. 25. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 16B.33, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
Subd. 3. Agencies
must request designer. (a) Application. Upon undertaking a project with an
estimated cost greater than $2,000,000 $4,000,000 or a planning
project with estimated fees greater than $200,000 $400,000, every
user agency, except the Capitol Area Architectural and Planning Board, shall submit
a written request for a primary designer for its project to the commissioner,
who shall forward the request to the board.
The University of Minnesota and the Minnesota State Colleges and
Universities shall follow the process in subdivision 3a to select designers for
their projects. The written request must
include a description of the project, the estimated cost of completing the
project, a description of any special requirements or unique features of the
proposed project, and other information which will assist the board in carrying
out its duties and responsibilities set forth in this section.
(b) Reactivated project. If a project for which a designer has been selected by the board becomes inactive, lapses, or changes as a result of project phasing, insufficient appropriations, or other reasons, the commissioner, the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities, or the University of Minnesota may, if the project is reactivated, retain the same designer to complete the project.
(c) Fee limit reached after designer selected. If a project initially estimated to be below the cost and planning fee limits of this subdivision has its cost or planning fees revised so that the limits are exceeded, the project must be referred to the board for designer selection even if a primary designer has already been selected. In this event, the board may, without conducting interviews, elect to retain the previously selected designer if it determines that the interests of the state are best served by that decision and shall notify the commissioner of its determination.
Sec. 26. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 16B.33, subdivision 3a, is amended to read:
Subd. 3a. Higher
education projects. (a) When the
University of Minnesota or the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities
undertakes a project involving construction or major remodeling, as defined in
section 16B.335, subdivision 1, with an estimated cost greater than $2,000,000
$4,000,000 or a planning project with estimated fees greater than $200,000
$400,000, the system shall submit a written request for a primary
designer to the commissioner, as provided in subdivision 3.
(b) When the University of Minnesota or the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities undertakes a project involving renovation, repair, replacement, or rehabilitation, the system office may submit a written request for a primary designer to the commissioner as provided in subdivision 3.
(c) For projects at the University of Minnesota or the State Colleges and Universities, the board shall select at least two primary designers under subdivision 4 for recommendation to the Board of Regents or the Board of Trustees. Meeting records or written evaluations that document the final selection are public records. The Board of Regents or the Board of Trustees shall notify the commissioner of the designer selected from the recommendations.
Sec. 27. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 16B.33, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:
Subd. 6. Rate
of inflation. No later than
December 31 of every fifth year starting in 2025, the commissioner shall
determine the percentage increase in the rate of inflation, as measured by the
Means Quarterly Construction Cost Index, during the four-year period preceding
that year. The thresholds in
subdivisions 3, paragraph (a); and 3a, paragraph (a), shall be increased by the
percentage calculated by the commissioner to the nearest ten-thousandth dollar.
Sec. 28. [16B.361]
OFFICE OF COLLABORATION AND DISPUTE RESOLUTION.
Subdivision 1. Duties
of the office. The
commissioner of administration shall maintain the Office of Collaboration and
Dispute Resolution within the Department of Administration. The office must:
(1) assist state agencies; offices of
the executive, legislative, and judicial branches; Tribal governments; and
units of local government in improving collaboration, dispute resolution, and
public engagement;
(2) promote and utilize collaborative
dispute resolution models and processes based on documented best practices to
foster trust, relationships, mutual understanding, consensus-based resolutions,
and wise and durable solutions, including but not limited to:
(i) using established criteria and procedures for identifying and assessing collaborative dispute resolution projects;
(ii) designing collaborative dispute
resolution processes;
(iii) preparing and training
participants; and
(iv) facilitating meetings and group
processes using collaborative techniques and approaches;
(3) support collaboration and dispute resolution in the public and private sectors by providing technical assistance and information on best practices and new developments in dispute resolution fields;
(4) build capacity and educate the
public and government entities on collaboration, dispute resolution approaches,
and public engagement;
(5) promote the broad use of community
mediation in the state; and
(6) ensure that all areas of the state
have access to services by providing grants to private nonprofit entities
certified by the state court administrator under chapter 494 that assist in
resolution of disputes.
Subd. 2. Awarding
grants to assist in resolution of disputes.
(a) The commissioner shall, to the extent funds are appropriated
for this purpose, make grants to private nonprofit community mediation entities
certified by the state court administrator under chapter 494 that assist in
resolution of disputes under subdivision 1, clause (6). The commissioner shall establish a grant
review committee to assist in the review of grant applications and the
allocation of grants under this section.
(b) To be eligible for a grant
under this section, a nonprofit organization must meet the requirements of
section 494.05, subdivision 1, clauses (1), (2), (4), and (5).
(c) A nonprofit entity receiving a grant
must agree to comply with guidelines adopted by the state court administrator
under section 494.015, subdivision 1. Policies
adopted under sections 16B.97 and 16B.98 apply to grants under this section. The exclusions in section 494.03 apply to
grants under this section.
(d) Grantees must report data required
under chapter 494 to evaluate quality and outcomes.
Subd. 3. Accepting
funds. The commissioner may
apply for and receive money made available from federal, state, or other
sources for the purposes of carrying out the mission of the Office of
Collaboration and Dispute Resolution. Funds
received under this subdivision are appropriated to the commissioner for their
intended purpose.
Sec. 29. [16B.372]
ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS; OFFICE CREATED.
Subdivision 1. Enterprise
sustainability. (a) The
Office of Enterprise Sustainability is established to assist all state agencies
in making measurable progress toward improving the sustainability of government
operations by reducing the impact on the environment, controlling unnecessary
waste of natural resources and public funds, and spurring innovation. The office shall create new tools and share
best practices, assist state agencies to plan for and implement improvements,
and monitor progress toward achieving intended outcomes. Specific duties include but are not limited
to:
(1) managing a sustainability metrics
and reporting system, including a public dashboard that allows Minnesotans to
track progress and is updated annually;
(2) assisting agencies in developing and
executing sustainability plans; and
(3) implementing the state building
energy conservation improvement revolving loan in Minnesota Statutes, sections
16B.86 and 16B.87.
Subd. 2. State
agency responsibilities. Each
cabinet-level agency is required to participate in the sustainability effort by
developing a sustainability plan and by making measurable progress toward
improving associated sustainability outcomes.
State agencies and boards that are not members of the cabinet shall take
steps toward improving sustainability outcomes; however, they are not required
to participate at the level of cabinet-level agencies.
Subd. 3. Local
governments. The Office of
Enterprise Sustainability shall make reasonable attempts to share tools and
best practices with local governments.
Sec. 30. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 16B.58, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:
Subd. 9. Electric
vehicle charging. The
commissioner shall require that a user of a charging station located on the
State Capitol complex used to charge an electric vehicle pay an electric
service fee as determined by the commissioner.
Sec. 31. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 16C.10, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
Subd. 2. Emergency
acquisition. The solicitation
process described in this chapter and chapter 16B is not required in
emergencies. In emergencies, the
commissioner may make or authorize any purchases necessary for the design,
construction, repair, rehabilitation, and improvement of a state-owned
publicly owned structure or may make or authorize an agency to do
so and may purchase, or may authorize an agency to purchase, any goods,
services, or utility services directly for immediate use. This provision applies to projects
conducted by Minnesota State Colleges and Universities.
Sec. 32. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 16C.251, is amended to read:
16C.251
BEST AND FINAL OFFER.
A "best and final offer" solicitation process may not be used for building and construction contracts awarded based on competitive bids.
Sec. 33. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 16C.32, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
Subdivision 1. Definitions. As used in sections 16C.32 to 16C.35, the following terms have the meanings given them, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
(1) "acceptance" means a formal resolution of the commissioner authorizing the execution of a design-build, construction manager at risk, or job order contracting contract;
(2) "agency" means any state officer, employee, board, commission, authority, department, or other agency of the executive branch of state government. Unless specifically indicated otherwise, as used in sections 16C.32 to 16C.35, agency also includes the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities;
(3) "architect" means an architect or landscape architect registered to practice under sections 326.02 to 326.15;
(4) "board" means the state
Designer Selection Board, unless the estimated cost of the project is less than
$2,000,000 the amount specified in section 16B.33,
subdivision 3, in which case the commissioner may act as the board;
(5) "Capitol Area Architectural and Planning Board" means the board established to govern the Capitol Area under chapter 15B;
(6) "commissioner" means the commissioner of administration or the Board of Trustees of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities, whichever controls a project;
(7) "construction manager at risk" means a person who is selected by the commissioner to act as a construction manager to manage the construction process, which includes, but is not limited to, responsibility for the price, schedule, and workmanship of the construction performed in accordance with the procedures of section 16C.34;
(8) "construction manager at risk contract" means a contract for construction of a project between a construction manager at risk and the commissioner, which contract shall include a guaranteed maximum price, construction schedule, and workmanship of the construction performed;
(9) "design-build contract" means a contract between the commissioner and a design-builder to furnish the architectural, engineering, and related design services as well as the labor, materials, supplies, equipment, and construction services for a project;
(10) "design and price-based proposal" means the proposal to be submitted by a design-builder in the design and price-based selection process, as described in section 16C.33, which proposal meets the requirements of section 16C.33, subdivision 7, paragraph (c), in such detail as required in the request for proposals;
(11) "design and price-based selection" means the selection of a design-builder as described in section 16C.33, subdivision 8;
(12) "design criteria package" means performance criteria prepared by a design criteria professional who shall be either an employee of the commissioner or shall be selected in compliance with section 16B.33, 16C.08, or 16C.087;
(13) "design criteria professional" means a person licensed under chapter 326, or a person who employs an individual or individuals licensed under chapter 326, required to design a project, and who is employed by or under contract to the commissioner to provide professional, architectural, or engineering services in connection with the preparation of the design criteria package;
(14) "guaranteed maximum price" means the maximum amount that a design-builder, construction manager at risk, or subcontractor will be paid pursuant to a contract to perform a defined scope of work;
(15) "guaranteed maximum price contract" means a contract under which a design-builder, construction manager, or subcontractor is paid on the basis of their actual cost to perform the work specified in the contract plus an amount for overhead and profit, the sum of which must not exceed the guaranteed maximum price set forth in the contract;
(16) "job order contracting" means a project delivery method that requests a limited number of bids from a list of qualified contractors, selected from a registry of qualified contractors who have been prescreened and who have entered into master contracts with the commissioner, as provided in section 16C.35;
(17) "past performance" or "experience" does not include the exercise or assertion of a person's legal rights;
(18) "person" includes an individual, corporation, partnership, association, or any other legal entity;
(19) "project" means an undertaking to construct, alter, or enlarge a building, structure, or other improvements, except highways and bridges, by or for the state or an agency;
(20) "qualifications-based selection" means the selection of a design-builder as provided in section 16C.33;
(21) "request for qualifications" means the document or publication soliciting qualifications for a design-build, construction manager at risk, or job order contracting contract as provided in sections 16C.33 to 16C.35;
(22) "request for proposals" means the document or publication soliciting proposals for a design-build or construction manager at risk contract as provided in sections 16C.33 and 16C.34; and
(23) "trade contract work" means the furnishing of labor, materials, or equipment by contractors or vendors that are incorporated into the completed project or are major components of the means of construction. Work performed by trade contractors involves specific portions of the project, but not the entire project.
Sec. 34. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 16C.36, is amended to read:
16C.36
REORGANIZATION SERVICES UNDER MASTER CONTRACT.
The commissioner of administration must make available under a master contract program a list of eligible contractors who can assist state agencies in using data analytics to:
(1) accomplish agency reorganization along service rather than functional lines in order to provide more efficient and effective service; and
(2) bring about internal reorganization of management functions in order to flatten the organizational structure by requiring that decisions are made closer to the service needed, eliminating redundancies, and optimizing the span of control ratios to public and private sector industry benchmarks.
The commissioner of
administration must report to the legislature by January 15, 2013, and January
15, 2014, on state agency use of eligible contractors under this section, and
on improvements in efficiency and effectiveness, including the contract
oversight process, of state services as a result of services provided by
contractors.
Sec. 35. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 43A.01, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
Subd. 2. Precedence
of merit principles and nondiscrimination.
It is the policy of this state to provide for equal employment
opportunity consistent with chapter 363A by ensuring that all personnel actions
be based on the ability to perform the duties and responsibilities assigned to
the position without regard to age, race, creed or religion, color, disability,
sex, national origin, marital status, status with regard to public assistance,
or political affiliation. It is the
policy of this state to take affirmative action to eliminate the
underutilization of qualified members of protected groups in the civil service,
where such action is not in conflict with other provisions of this chapter or
chapter 179, in order to correct imbalances and eliminate the present
effects of past discrimination and support full and equal
participation in the social and economic life in the state. Managers and supervisors that are responsible
for hiring must be made aware of bias that can be present in the hiring process.
No contract executed pursuant to chapter 179A shall modify, waive or abridge this section and sections 43A.07 to 43A.121, 43A.15, and 43A.17 to 43A.21, except to the extent expressly permitted in those sections.
Sec. 36. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 43A.02, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:
Subd. 1a. Accommodation
fund. "Accommodation
fund" means the fund created under section 16B.4805 for reimbursing state
agencies for eligible expenses incurred in providing reasonable accommodations
to state employees with disabilities.
Sec. 37. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 43A.02, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:
Subd. 3a. Americans
with Disabilities Act. "Americans
With Disabilities Act" or "ADA" means the Americans with Disabilities
Act of 1990, as amended, United States Code, title 42, sections 12101 to 12117.
Sec. 38. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 43A.02, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:
Subd. 18a. Digital
accessibility. "Digital
accessibility" means information and communication technology, including
products, devices, services, and content that are designed and built so people
with disabilities can use or participate in them, as defined by the
accessibility standard adopted under section 16E.03, subdivision 9. Any statutory reference to accessible or
accessibility in the context of information and communication technology
includes digital accessibility.
Sec. 39. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 43A.02, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:
Subd. 35a. Reasonable
accommodation. "Reasonable
accommodation" has the meaning given under section 363A.08, subdivision 6.
Sec. 40. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 43A.04, subdivision 1a, is amended to read:
Subd. 1a. Mission; efficiency. It is part of the department's mission that within the department's resources the commissioner shall endeavor to:
(1) prevent the waste or unnecessary spending of public money;
(2) use innovative fiscal and human resource practices to manage the state's resources and operate the department as efficiently as possible;
(3) coordinate the department's activities wherever appropriate with the activities of other governmental agencies;
(4) use technology where appropriate to increase agency productivity, improve customer service, increase public access to information about government, and increase public participation in the business of government;
(5) ensure that all technology utilized
is accessible to employees and provided in a timely manner as described in sections 363A.42 and 363A.43 and the
accessibility standards under section 16E.03, subdivisions 2, clause (3), and
9;
(5) (6) utilize constructive
and cooperative labor-management practices to the extent otherwise required by
chapters 43A and 179A;
(6) (7) report to the
legislature on the performance of agency operations and the accomplishment of
agency goals in the agency's biennial budget according to section 16A.10,
subdivision 1; and
(7) (8) recommend to the
legislature appropriate changes in law necessary to carry out the mission and
improve the performance of the department.; and
(9) use equitable and inclusive
practices to attract and recruit protected class employees; actively eliminate
discrimination against protected group employees; and ensure equitable access
to development and training, advancement, and promotional opportunities.
Sec. 41. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 43A.04, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
Subd. 4. Administrative procedures. The commissioner shall develop administrative procedures, which are not subject to the rulemaking provisions of the Administrative Procedure Act, to effect provisions of chapter 43A which do not directly affect the rights of or processes available to the general public. The commissioner may also adopt administrative procedures, not subject to the Administrative Procedure Act, which concern topics affecting the general public if those procedures concern only the internal management of the department or other agencies and if those elements of the topics which affect the general public are the subject of department rules.
Administrative procedures shall be reproduced and made available for comment in accessible digital formats under section 16E.03 to agencies, employees, and appropriate exclusive representatives certified pursuant to sections 179A.01 to 179A.25, for at least 15 days prior to implementation and shall include but are not limited to:
(1) maintenance and administration of a plan of classification for all positions in the classified service and for comparisons of unclassified positions with positions in the classified service;
(2) procedures for administration of collective bargaining agreements and plans established pursuant to section 43A.18 concerning total compensation and the terms and conditions of employment for employees;
(3) procedures for effecting all personnel actions internal to the state service such as processes and requirements for agencies to publicize job openings and consider applicants who are referred or nominate themselves, conduct of selection procedures limited to employees, noncompetitive and qualifying appointments of employees and leaves of absence;
(4) maintenance and administration of employee performance appraisal, training and other programs; and
(5) procedures for pilots of the reengineered employee selection process. Employment provisions of this chapter, associated personnel rules adopted under subdivision 3, and administrative procedures established under clauses (1) and (3) may be waived for the purposes of these pilots. The pilots may affect the rights of and processes
available to members of the
general public seeking employment in the classified service. The commissioner will provide public notice
of any pilot directly affecting the rights of and processes available to the
general public and make the administrative procedures available for comment to
the general public, agencies, employees, and appropriate exclusive
representatives certified pursuant to sections 179A.01 to 179A.25 for at least
30 days prior to implementation. The
public notice must be provided in an accessible digital format under section
16E.03. The process for providing
comment shall include multiple formats to ensure equal access, including via
telephone, digital content, and email.
Sec. 42. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 43A.04, subdivision 7, is amended to read:
Subd. 7. Reporting. The commissioner shall issue a written
report by February 1 and August 1 of each year to the chair of the Legislative Coordinating
Commission. The report must list the
number of appointments made under each of the categories in section 43A.15, the
number made to the classified service other than under section 43A.15, and the
number made under section 43A.08, subdivision 2a, during the six-month periods
ending June 30 and December 31, respectively.
The report must be posted online and must be accessible under section
16E.03. The commissioner shall advertise
these reports in multiple formats to ensure broad dissemination.
Sec. 43. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 43A.06, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
Subdivision 1. General. (a) The commissioner shall perform the
duties assigned to the commissioner by this section and sections 3.855,
and 179A.01 to 179A.25 and this section.
(b) The commissioner shall be the state labor negotiator for purposes of negotiating and administering agreements with exclusive representatives of employees and shall perform any other duties delegated by the commissioner subject to the limitations in paragraph (c).
(c) The Board of Trustees of the Minnesota
State Colleges and Universities may exercise the powers under this section for
employees included in the units provided in section 179A.10, subdivision 2,
clauses (9), (10), and (11) of section 179A.10, subdivision 2, except
with respect to sections 43A.22 to 43A.31, which shall continue to be the responsibility
of the commissioner. The commissioner
shall have the right to review and comment to the Minnesota State Colleges and
Universities on the board's final proposals prior to exchange of final
positions with the designated bargaining units as well as any requests for
interest arbitration. The legislature
encourages the Board of Trustees, in coordination with the commissioner of
management and budget and the Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota,
to endeavor in collective bargaining negotiations to seek fiscal balance
recognizing the ability of the employer to fund the agreements or awards. When submitting a proposed collective
bargaining agreement to the Legislative Coordinating Commission and the
legislature under section 3.855, subdivision 2, the Board of Trustees must use
procedures and assumptions consistent with those used by the commissioner in
calculating the costs of the proposed contract.
The Legislative Coordinating Commission must, when considering a
collective bargaining agreement or arbitration award submitted by the Board of
Trustees, evaluate market conditions affecting the employees in the bargaining
unit, equity with other bargaining units in the executive branch, and the
ability of the trustees and the state to fund the agreement or award.
Sec. 44. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 43A.09, is amended to read:
43A.09
RECRUITMENT.
The commissioner in cooperation with
appointing authorities of all state agencies shall maintain an active
recruiting program publicly conducted and designed to attract sufficient
numbers of well-qualified people to meet the needs of the civil service, and to
enhance the image and public esteem of state service employment. Special emphasis shall be given to
recruitment of veterans and protected group members, including qualified
individuals with disabilities, to assist state agencies in meeting
affirmative action goals to achieve a balanced work force. All technology and digital content related
to recruiting and hiring shall be accessible to people with disabilities.
Sec. 45. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 43A.10, subdivision 2a, is amended to read:
Subd. 2a. Application
requirements. (a) The
commissioner shall establish and maintain a database of applicants for state
employment. The commissioner shall
establish, publicize, and enforce minimum requirements for application. applications, and shall ensure that:
(1) all postings shall be written so as
to be relevant to the duties of the job and be nondiscriminatory;
(2) the appointing authority shall
enforce enforces the established minimum requirements for
application;
(3) the 700-hour on-the-job
demonstration experience is considered an alternative, noncompetitive hiring
process for classified positions for qualified individuals who
express interest directly to the appointing authority. with disabilities; and
(4) hiring managers and others involved
in the selection process are aware of the accommodation fund under section
16B.4805 to ensure that people with disabilities obtain timely and appropriate
accommodations within the hiring process and the state agency can request
reimbursement.
(b) The commissioner shall ensure that
all online application processes and all digital content relating to the
database referenced in paragraph (a) shall be accessible for people with
disabilities.
Sec. 46. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 43A.10, subdivision 7, is amended to read:
Subd. 7. Selection
process accommodations. Upon
request, the commissioner or appointing authority shall provide selection
process reasonable accommodations to an applicant with a
disability that does not prevent performance of the duties of the position. The accommodations must provide an
opportunity to fairly assess the ability of the applicant to perform the duties
of the position notwithstanding the disability but must preserve, to the extent
feasible, the validity of the selection process and equitable comparison of
results with the results of competitors without qualified applicants
with disabilities. to
ensure full participation in the selection process, including use of the
accommodation fund under section 16B.4805 during the selection process. The commissioner must ensure that agencies
are made aware of the accommodation fund and the fund's critical function of
removing cost considerations from interview selection decisions.
Sec. 47. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 43A.14, is amended to read:
43A.14
APPOINTMENTS.
All appointments to the classified service shall be based upon merit and ability to perform the duties of the position and the needs of the employing agency, including the need to achieve and maintain a representative work force, including representation of people with disabilities. For employees in a bargaining unit as defined in section 179A.10 appointments shall be subject to applicable provisions of collective bargaining agreements.
Sec. 48. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 43A.15, subdivision 14, is amended to read:
Subd. 14. 700-hour
on-the-job demonstration process and appointment experience. (a) The commissioner shall establish
consult with the Department of Employment and Economic Development's
Vocational Rehabilitation Services and State Services for the Blind and other
disability experts in establishing, reviewing, and modifying the qualifying
procedures for applicants whose disabilities are of such a significant nature
that the applicants are unable to demonstrate their abilities in the selection
process. The qualifying procedures must
consist of up to 700 hours of on-the-job trial work demonstration
experience. Up to three persons with
significant disabilities and their job coach may be allowed to demonstrate
their job competence as a unit through the on-the-job trial work experience
selection
procedure. This The 700-hour on-the-job
demonstration process must be limited to applicants for whom there is no
reasonable accommodation in the selection process experience is an
alternative, noncompetitive hiring process for qualified applicants with
disabilities. All permanent executive
branch classified positions are eligible for a 700-hour on-the-job
demonstration experience and all permanent classified job postings must provide
information regarding the on-the-job demonstration overview and certification
process.
(b) The commissioner may authorize the
probationary appointment of an applicant based on the request of the appointing
authority that documents that the applicant has successfully demonstrated
qualifications for the position through completion of an on-the-job trial
work demonstration experience.
Qualified applicants should be converted to permanent, probationary
appointments at the point in the 700-hour on-the-job experience when they have
demonstrated the ability to perform the essential functions of the job with or
without reasonable accommodation.
The implementation of this subdivision may not be deemed a violation of
chapter 43A or 363A.
(c) The commissioner and the ADA and
disability employment director described in section 43A.19, subdivision 1,
paragraph (e), are responsible for the administration and oversight of the
700-hour on-the-job demonstration experience, including the establishment of
policies and procedures, data collection and reporting requirements, and
compliance.
(d) The commissioner or the
commissioner's designee shall design and implement a training curriculum for
the 700-hour on-the-job demonstration experience. All executive leaders, managers, supervisors,
human resources professionals, affirmative action officers, and ADA
coordinators must receive annual training on the program.
(e) The commissioner or the
commissioner's designee shall develop, administer, and make public a formal
grievance process for individuals in the 700-hour on-the-job demonstration experience
under this subdivision and the supported work program under section 43A.421,
subdivision 2.
(f) Appointing agencies shall ensure
that reasonable accommodation requests, including accessible technology or
alternative formats, are provided in a timely manner during the application and
hiring process and throughout the 700-hour on-the-job demonstration experience
period pursuant to sections 363A.42 and 363A.43 and the accessibility standards
under section 16E.03, subdivisions 2, clause (3), and 9.
Sec. 49. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 43A.15, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:
Subd. 14a. Report
and survey. (a) The
commissioner shall annually collect enterprise-wide statistics on the 700-hour
on-the-job demonstration experience under subdivision 14. The statistics collected and reported
annually must include:
(1) the number of certifications
submitted, granted, and rejected;
(2) the number of applicants
interviewed, appointed, and converted to probationary status;
(3) the number of employees retained
after one year in state employment;
(4) the number of employees with
terminated appointments and the reason for termination;
(5) the average length of time in an
on-the-job demonstration appointment;
(6) the number and category of entity
certifications; and
(7) by department or agency, the number
of appointments and hires and the number of managers and supervisors trained.
(b)
The commissioner shall develop and administer an annual survey of participants
in the 700-hour on-the-job demonstration experience who are hired and those who
are not hired, as well as the managers of participants in the 700-hour
on-the-job demonstration experience.
(c) The commissioner must consult at
least annually with the Department of Employment and Economic Development's
Vocational Rehabilitation Services and State Services for the Blind and other
disability experts to review the survey results, assess program satisfaction,
and recommend areas for continuous improvement.
(d) The commissioner shall annually
develop and publish a report on the department website that includes the data
described in paragraph (a), survey results described in paragraph (b), and
recommendations for continuous improvement described in paragraph (c).
Sec. 50. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 43A.17, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:
Subd. 13. Compensation
for law enforcement officers. (a)
For purposes of this subdivision, the term "law enforcement officers"
means Minnesota State Patrol troopers, Bureau of Criminal Apprehension agents,
special agents in the Gambling Enforcement Division of the Department of Public
Safety, conservation officers, Department of Corrections fugitive specialists,
and Department of Commerce insurance fraud specialists.
(b) When the commissioner of management
and budget negotiates a collective bargaining agreement establishing
compensation for law enforcement officers, the commissioner must use
compensation based on compensation data from the most recent salary and benefits
survey conducted pursuant to section 299D.03, subdivision 2a. It is the legislature's intent that the
information in this study be used to compare salaries between the identified
police departments and the State Patrol and to make appropriate increases to
patrol trooper salaries.
EFFECTIVE
DATE; APPLICATION. This
section is effective the day following final enactment and expires January 1, 2032.
This section applies to contracts entered into on or after the effective
date but before January 1, 2032.
Sec. 51. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 43A.18, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
Subdivision 1. Collective
bargaining agreements. Except as
provided in section 43A.01 and to the extent they are covered by a collective
bargaining agreement, the compensation, terms and conditions of employment for
all employees represented by an exclusive representative certified pursuant to
chapter 179A shall be governed solely by the collective bargaining agreement
executed by the parties and approved by the legislature.
Sec. 52. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 43A.18, subdivision 9, is amended to read:
Subd. 9. Summary
information on website. Before the
commissioner submits a proposed collective bargaining agreement, arbitration
award, or compensation plan to the Legislative Coordinating Commission for
review under section 3.855, the commissioner must post on a state website a
summary of the proposed agreement, award, or plan. The summary must include the amount of and
nature of proposed changes in employee compensation, the estimated cost to the
state of proposed changes in employee compensation, and a description of
proposed significant changes in policy. After
approval of an agreement, award, or a plan by the Legislative Coordinating
Commission, the commissioner must provide a link from the commissioner's
summary to the full text of the agreement, award, or plan. The summary must remain on the website at
least until the full legislature has approved the agreement, award, or
plan. This section also applies to agreements,
awards, and plans covering employees of the Minnesota State Colleges and
Universities and to compensation plans that must be submitted to the
Legislative Coordinating Commission by other executive appointing authorities. The Minnesota State Colleges and Universities
and other executive appointing authorities must submit information to the
commissioner, at a time and in a manner specified by the commissioner, so the
commissioner can post information relating to these appointing authorities on
the web as required by this section.
EFFECTIVE
DATE. This section is
effective July 1, 2023, for negotiated agreements and arbitration decisions
effective after July 1, 2023.
Sec. 53. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 43A.19, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
Subdivision 1. Statewide
affirmative action program. (a) To assure
ensure that positions in the executive branch of the civil service are
equally accessible to all qualified persons, and to eliminate the underutilization
of qualified members of protected groups effects of past and present
discrimination, intended or unintended, on the basis of protected group status,
the commissioner shall adopt and periodically revise, if necessary, a statewide
affirmative action program. The
statewide affirmative action program must consist of at least the following:
(1) objectives, goals, and policies;
(2) procedures, standards, and assumptions to be used by agencies in the preparation of agency affirmative action plans, including methods by which goals and timetables are established;
(3) the analysis of separation patterns to determine the impact on protected group members; and
(4) requirements for annual objectives and submission of affirmative action progress reports from heads of agencies.
Agency heads must report the data in clause (3) to the
state Director of Recruitment, Retention, and Affirmative Action and the state
ADA coordinator, in addition to being available to anyone upon request. The commissioner of management and budget
must annually post the aggregate and agency-level reports under clause (4) on
the agency website.
(b) The commissioner shall establish statewide affirmative action goals for each of the federal Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) occupational categories applicable to state employment, using at least the following factors:
(1) the percentage of members of each protected class in the recruiting area population who have the necessary skills; and
(2) the availability for promotion or transfer of current employees who are members of protected classes.
(c)
The commissioner may use any of the following factors in addition to the
factors required under paragraph (b):
(1) the extent of unemployment of members of protected classes in the recruiting area population;
(2)
the existence of training programs in needed skill areas offered by employing
agencies and other institutions; and
(3) the expected number of available positions to be filled.
(d) The commissioner shall designate a state director of diversity and equal employment opportunity who may be delegated the preparation, revision, implementation, and administration of the program. The commissioner of management and budget may place the director's position in the unclassified service if the position meets the criteria established in section 43A.08, subdivision 1a.
(e) The commissioner shall designate a
statewide ADA and disability employment director who may be delegated the
preparation, revision, implementation, evaluation, and administration of the
program. This position must administer
the 700-hour on-the-job demonstration experience under the supported work
program and disabled veteran's employment programs. The ADA and disability employment director
shall have education, knowledge, and skills in disability policy, employment,
and the ADA. The commissioner may place
the director's position in the unclassified service if the position meets the
criteria established in section 43A.08, subdivision 1a.
(f)
Agency affirmative action plans, including reports and progress, must be posted
on the agency's public and internal websites within 30 days of being approved. The commissioner of management and budget
shall post a link to all executive branch agency-approved affirmative action
plans on the department public website. Accessible
copies of the affirmative action plan must be available to all employees and
members of the general public upon request.
Sec. 54. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 43A.191, is amended to read:
43A.191
AGENCY AFFIRMATIVE ACTION PROGRAMS.
Subdivision 1. Affirmative
action officers. (a) Each agency
with 1,000 employees or more shall have at least one full-time affirmative
action officer, who shall have primary responsibility for developing and
maintaining the agency's affirmative action plan. The officer shall devote full time to
affirmative action activities. The
affirmative action officer shall report administratively and on policy issues
directly to the agency head. Pursuant
to section 43A.08, subdivision 1a, clause (4), the affirmative action officer
must not be an unclassified employee.
(b) The agency heads shall assign affirmative action officers or designees for agencies with fewer than 1,000 employees. The designees shall report administratively and on policy issues directly to the agency head.
(c) An agency may not use authority under section 43A.08, subdivision 1a, to place the position of an agency affirmative action officer or designee in the unclassified service.
Subd. 2. Agency affirmative action plans. (a) The head of each agency in the executive branch shall prepare and implement an agency affirmative action plan consistent with this section and rules issued under section 43A.04, subdivision 3.
(b) The agency plan must include a plan
for the provision of reasonable accommodation in the hiring and promotion of
qualified disabled persons with disabilities. The reasonable accommodation plan must
consist of at least the following:
(1) procedures for compliance with sections 16E.03, subdivision 9, 363A.08 to 363A.19, and 363A.28, subdivision 10, and, where appropriate, regulations implementing United States Code, title 29, section 794, as amended through December 31, 1984, which is section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended and the Americans with Disabilities Act, United States Code, title 42, sections 101 to 108, 201 to 231, 241 to 246, 401, 402, and 501 to 514;
(2) methods and procedures for providing timely
access to reasonable accommodation for disabled job applicants, current
employees, and employees accommodations during the application process,
throughout current employment, and when seeking promotion;
(3) provisions for funding reasonable accommodations; and
(4) the number of requests made, the number of requests approved, and the number of requests reimbursed from the state accommodation account under section 16B.4805.
(c) The agency plan must be prepared by the agency head with the assistance of the agency affirmative action officer and the director of diversity and equal employment opportunity. The agency may consult with the Council on Disability, vocational rehabilitation services, state services for the blind, and other disability experts to review and make recommendations on recruitment and retention of people with disabilities.
(d) The agency plan must
identify any positions in the agency that can be used for supported employment
as defined in section 268A.01, subdivision 13, of persons with severe significant
disabilities. The agency shall report
this information to the commissioner. An
agency that hires more than one supported worker in the identified positions
must receive recognition for each supported worker toward meeting the agency's
affirmative action goals and objectives.
(e) An agency affirmative action plan may not be implemented without the commissioner's approval.
Subd. 2a. Disability
recruitment, hiring, and advancement.
(a) Each agency affirmative action plan must include a section
that provides sufficient assurances, procedures, and commitments to provide
adequate hiring, placement, and advancement opportunities for individuals with
disabilities at all levels of state employment.
The criteria for this section of the agency affirmative action plan must
include a section on disability hiring and advancement, including the
provisions in this subdivision.
(b) The plan must describe specific
actions to ensure that a broad range of individuals with disabilities will be
aware of and be encouraged to apply for job vacancies when eligible. The actions must include, at a minimum:
(1) the use of programs and resources that identify job applicants with disabilities who are eligible to be appointed under a hiring authority that takes disability into account, consistent with the demonstration program under section 43A.15, subdivision 14. The programs may include the Department of Employment and Economic Development's Vocational Rehabilitation Services and State Services for the Blind that provide the qualifications necessary for positions within the agency to individuals with disabilities. Resources may include databases of individuals with disabilities who previously applied to the agency but were not hired for the positions they applied for, and training and internship programs that lead directly to employment for individuals with disabilities; and
(2) establishment and maintenance of
contacts, which may include formal agreements, with organizations that
specialize in providing assistance to individuals with disabilities in securing
and maintaining employment, such as the Department of Employment and Economic
Development's Vocational Rehabilitation Services, State Services for the Blind,
community rehabilitation programs, day training and habilitation programs, and employment
network service providers.
(c) The plan must ensure that the agency
has designated sufficient staff to handle any disability-related issues that
arise during the application and selection process, and shall require the
agency to provide staff with sufficient training, support, and other resources
to carry out the responsibilities under this section. Responsibilities include, at a minimum:
(1) ensuring that disability-related
questions from members of the public regarding the agency's application and
selection processes are answered promptly and correctly, including questions
about reasonable accommodations needed by job applicants during the application
and selection process and questions about how individuals may apply for
positions under hiring authorities that take disability into account;
(2) processing requests for reasonable accommodations needed by job applicants during the application and placement process and ensuring that the agency provides such accommodations when required;
(3) accepting applications for a position under hiring authorities that take disability into account;
(4) if an individual has applied for appointment to a particular position under a hiring authority that takes disability into account, determining whether the individual is eligible for appointment under such authority and, if so, forwarding the individual's application to the relevant hiring officials with an explanation of how and when the individual may be appointed, consistent with all applicable laws; and
(5) overseeing any other agency programs
designed to increase hiring of individuals with disabilities.
Subd. 3. Audits;
sanctions and incentives. (a) The
commissioner shall annually audit the record of each agency to determine the
rate of compliance with affirmative action requirements. The department must report all audit
findings to the governor's office if a state agency fails to meet any of its
affirmative action requirements for two consecutive years.
(b) By March 1 of each odd-numbered year,
the commissioner shall submit a report on affirmative action progress of each
agency and the state as a whole to the governor and to the Finance Committee of
the senate, the Ways and Means Committee of the house of representatives, the
Governmental Operations Committees of both houses of the legislature, and the
Legislative Coordinating Commission. The
report must include noncompetitive appointments made under section 43A.08,
subdivision 2a, or 43A.15, subdivisions 3 to 7, 10, and 12, and cover each
agency's rate of compliance with affirmative action requirements. The report must be made available to the
public on the department website.
(c) An agency that does not meet its hiring
goals must justify its nonaffirmative action hires in competitive appointments
and noncompetitive appointments made under section 43A.08, subdivisions 1,
clauses (9), (11), and (16), and 2a; and section 43A.15, subdivisions 3, 10,
12, and 13, according to criteria issued by the department of Management and
Budget. In addition, an agency
shall:
(1) demonstrate a good faith effort to recruit protected group members by following an active recruitment plan;
(2) implement a coordinated retention plan; and
(3) have an established complaint resolution procedure.
(d) The commissioner shall develop reporting standards and procedures for measuring compliance.
(e) An agency is encouraged to develop other innovative ways to promote awareness, acceptance, and appreciation for diversity and affirmative action. These innovations will be considered when evaluating an agency's compliance with this section.
(f) An agency not in compliance with affirmative action requirements of this section must identify methods and programs to improve performance, to reallocate resources internally in order to increase support for affirmative action programs, and to submit program and resource reallocation proposals to the commissioner for approval. An agency must submit these proposals within 120 days of being notified by the commissioner that it is out of compliance with affirmative action requirements. The commissioner shall monitor quarterly the affirmative action programs of an agency found to be out of compliance.
(g) The commissioner shall establish a program to recognize an agency that has made significant and measurable progress in implementing an affirmative action plan.
(h) The commissioner must maintain and make available, on an annual basis, summary data as defined in section 13.02, subdivision 19, on the percentage of members of each protected group as defined in section 43A.02, subdivision 33, that were hired in the executive branch in each of the federal Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) occupational categories applicable to state employment. Nothing in this provision, however, shall require any person to disclose their protected group status, nor shall it require the commissioner or any appointing authority to determine the protected group status of any person.
Sec. 55. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 43A.21, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
Subdivision 1. Authority;
purpose. The commissioner, in
coordination with the statewide ADA and disability employment director and
chief inclusion officer, shall develop and interpret policy and administer
and, to the extent possible, conduct programs in training and development for
employees to, at a minimum:
(1) promote individual,
group and agency efficiency and effectiveness.;
(2) build employee capacity to deliver
accessible and inclusive services to the public, including people with
disabilities; and
(3) support an inclusive work
environment for employees with disabilities and employees of other protected
classes.
Sec. 56. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 43A.21, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
Subd. 2. Responsibilities.
(a) The commissioner is
responsible for developing and coordinating consistent training policy which
shall be binding on all state agencies in the executive branch. The policies shall include conditions under
which employees may receive or be assigned to training; internships and
work-training programs; minimum and maximum training standards for employee
participation and agency reporting requirements. At a minimum, state employees must receive
annual training on statutes or policies related to:
(1) Title II of the Americans with
Disabilities Act;
(2) the state's affirmative action
policy;
(3) equal opportunity employment; and
(4) digital accessibility standards.
(b) Career development training is a permissive subject of collective bargaining. Each appointing authority in the executive branch, including the Minnesota State Retirement System and the Teachers Retirement Association, is primarily responsible for planning, budgeting, conducting and evaluating training programs.
Sec. 57. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 43A.21, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
Subd. 3. Programs. (a) The commissioner or the commissioner's designee shall design and implement management training and development programs for the state service. The programs shall include but not be limited to mandatory training and development requirements for managers and supervisors. No person shall acquire permanent status in a management or supervisory position in the classified service until training and development requirements have been met.
(b) All managers and supervisors must
receive training on inclusive work environments, disability awareness, cultural
competence, and other equity and diversity areas.
(c) Agencies shall conduct an annual
Americans with Disabilities Act self-assessment to ensure training programs
meet the standards for universal design in learning.
Sec. 58. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 43A.21, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:
Subd. 6. Accessibility. The commissioner is responsible for
ensuring that all training content and platforms meet the accessibility
standards under section 16E.03, subdivisions 2, clause (3), and 9. Reasonable accommodations must be implemented
in a timely and appropriate manner to ensure that all state employees can
participate in state-offered trainings. All
state employees, including ADA coordinators and human resources staff, must
have the training and resources to implement an accessible and inclusive
workplace.
Sec. 59. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 43A.36, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
Subdivision 1. Cooperation; state agencies. (a) The commissioner may delegate administrative functions associated with the duties of the commissioner to appointing authorities who have the capability to perform such functions when the commissioner determines that it is in the best interests of the state civil service. The commissioner shall consult with agencies and agencies shall cooperate as appropriate in implementation of this chapter.
(b) The commissioner, in conjunction with appointing authorities, shall analyze and assess current and future human resource requirements of the civil service and coordinate personnel actions throughout the civil service to meet the requirements. The commissioner shall provide recruiting assistance and make the applicant database available to appointing authorities to use in making appointments to positions in the unclassified service.
(c) The head of each agency in the executive branch shall designate an agency personnel officer. The agency personnel officer shall be accountable to the agency head for all personnel functions prescribed by laws, rules, collective bargaining agreements, the commissioner and the agency head. Except when otherwise prescribed by the agency head in a specific instance, the personnel officer shall be assumed to be the authority accountable to the agency head over any other officer or employee in the agency for personnel functions.
(d) The head of each agency in the executive branch shall designate an affirmative action officer who shall have primary responsibility for the administration of the agency's affirmative action plan. The officer shall report directly to the head of the agency on affirmative action matters.
(e) Pursuant to section 43A.431, the
head of each agency in the executive branch shall designate an ADA coordinator
who shall have primary responsibility for the administration of ADA policies,
procedures, trainings, requests, and arbitration. The coordinator shall report directly to the
commissioner.
Sec. 60. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 43A.421, is amended to read:
43A.421
SUPPORTED WORK PROGRAM.
Subdivision 1. Program
established. A total of 50
full-time Active positions within agencies of state government may
be selected for inclusion for a supported work program for persons with severe
significant disabilities. A
full-time position may be shared by up to three persons with severe significant
disabilities and their job coach. The
job coach is not a state employee within the scope of section 43A.02,
subdivision 21, or 179A.03, subdivision 14, unless the job coach holds another
position within the scope of section 43A.02, subdivision 21, or 179A.03,
subdivision 14. All classified
supported work job postings need to link to the overview and application
process for the supported work program.
Subd. 2. Responsibilities. (a) The commissioner is responsible
for the administration and oversight of the supported work program, including
the establishment of policies and procedures, data collection and reporting
requirements, and compliance.
(b) The commissioner or the
commissioner's designee shall design and implement a training curriculum for
the supported work program. All
executive leaders, managers, supervisors, human resources professionals,
affirmative action officers, and Americans with Disabilities Act coordinators
must receive annual training regarding the program.
(c) The commissioner or the
commissioner's designee shall develop, administer, and make public a formal
grievance process for individuals in the program.
Sec. 61. [43A.431]
AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT COORDINATORS.
(a) Each state agency shall designate
at least one ADA coordinator who is responsible for implementation of Title I
of the ADA to advance the prohibition on discrimination against qualified
individuals with disabilities in job application procedures, hiring, firing,
advancement, compensation, job training and other terms, conditions, and
privileges of employment. The ADA
coordinator must have demonstrated knowledge and experience in:
(1) the recruitment, selection,
development, and retention of people with disabilities;
(2) workforce data analysis;
(3) disability employment laws and
regulations; and
(4) strategy development for universal
and inclusive workplaces.
(b) The ADA coordinator is responsible
for overseeing the development, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of effective
strategies to attract, engage, and advance people with disabilities. This includes assisting employees with
identifying, acquiring, and maintaining effective accommodations and submitting
reimbursement requests to the statewide accommodation fund under section
16B.4805.
(c) The ADA coordinator is responsible
for collecting data and preparing reports to ensure transparency and
accountability and must serve as a key liaison for disability employment and
training initiatives.
Sec. 62. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 137.0245, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
Subd. 2. Membership. The Regent Candidate Advisory Council
shall consist of 24 members. Twelve
members shall be appointed by the Subcommittee on Committees of the
Committee on Rules and Administration majority leader of the senate. Twelve members shall be appointed by the
speaker of the house. Each appointing
authority must appoint one member who is a student enrolled in a degree program
at the University of Minnesota at the time of appointment. No more than one-third of the members
appointed by each appointing authority may be current or former legislators. No more than two-thirds of the members
appointed by each appointing authority may belong to the same political party;
however, political activity or affiliation is not required for the appointment
of any member. Geographical
representation must be taken into consideration when making appointments. Section 15.0575 shall govern the advisory
council, except that:
(1) the members shall be appointed to six-year terms with one-third appointed each even-numbered year; and
(2) student members are appointed to two-year terms with two students appointed each even-numbered year.
A member may not serve more than two full terms.
Sec. 63. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 137.0245, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:
Subd. 6. Public
meetings. Meetings of the
council or subcommittees of the council must be open to the public and are
subject to section 3.055.
Sec. 64. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 138.081, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
Subd. 3. Administration
of federal act. The Department of
Administration Minnesota Historical Society is designated as the
state agency to administer the provisions of the federal act providing for the
preservation of historical and archaeological data, United States Code, title 16
54, sections 469 to 469C section 312501, as amended,
insofar as the provisions of the act provide for implementation by the state.
Sec. 65. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 138.665, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
Subd. 2. Mediation
Consultation. The state,
state departments, agencies, and political subdivisions, including the Board of
Regents of the University of Minnesota, have a responsibility to protect the
physical features and historic character of properties designated in sections
138.662 and 138.664 or listed on the National Register of Historic Places
created by Public Law 89-665. Before
carrying out any undertaking that will affect designated or listed properties,
or funding or licensing an undertaking by other parties, the state department
or agency shall consult
with
the State Historic Preservation Office pursuant to the society's the
State Historic Preservation Office's established procedures to determine
appropriate treatments and to seek ways to avoid and mitigate any adverse
effects on designated or listed properties.
If the state department or agency and the State Historic Preservation
Office agree in writing on a suitable course of action, the project may proceed. If the parties cannot agree, any one of the
parties may request that the governor appoint and convene a mediation task
force consisting of five members, two appointed by the governor, the chair of
the State Review Board of the State Historic Preservation Office, the
commissioner of administration or the commissioner's designee, and one member who
is not an employee of the Minnesota Historical Society appointed by the
director of the Minnesota Historical Society. The two appointees of the governor and the
one of the director of the society shall be qualified by training or
experience in one or more of the following disciplines: (1) history; (2) archaeology; and (3)
architectural history. The mediation
task force is not subject to the conditions of section 15.059. This subdivision does not apply to section
138.662, subdivision 24, and section 138.664, subdivisions 8 and 111.
Sec. 66. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 161.1419, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
Subd. 2. Members. (a) The commission shall be composed of 15 members of whom:
(1) one shall be appointed by the commissioner of transportation;
(2) one shall be appointed by the commissioner of natural resources;
(3) one shall be appointed by the director of Explore Minnesota Tourism;
(4) one shall be appointed by the commissioner of agriculture;
(5) one shall be appointed by the director of the Minnesota Historical Society;
(6) two shall be members of the senate to be appointed by the Committee on Committees;
(7) two shall be members of the house of representatives to be appointed by the speaker;
(8) one shall be the secretary appointed pursuant to subdivision 3; and
(9) five shall be citizen members appointed to staggered four-year terms by the commission after receiving recommendations from five citizen committees established by the members appointed under clauses (1) to (8), with each citizen committee established within and representing each of the following geographic segments along the Mississippi River:
(i) Lake Itasca to but not including the city of Grand Rapids;
(ii) Grand Rapids to but not including the city of Brainerd;
(iii) Brainerd to but not including the city of Elk River;
(iv) Elk River to but not including the city of Hastings; and
(v) Hastings to the Iowa border.
Each citizen committee member shall be a resident of
the geographic segment that the committee and member represents.
(b) The members of the commission appointed in paragraph (a), clauses (1) to (8), shall serve for a term expiring at the close of each regular session of the legislature and until their successors are appointed.
(c) Successor members shall be appointed by the same appointing authorities. Members may be reappointed. Any vacancy shall be filled by the appointing authority. The commissioner of transportation, the commissioner of natural resources, and the director of the Minnesota Historical Society shall be ex officio members, and shall be in addition to the 15 members heretofore provided for. Immediately upon making the appointments to the commission the appointing authorities shall so notify the Mississippi River Parkway Commission, hereinafter called the National Commission, giving the names and addresses of the members so appointed.
Sec. 67. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 179A.22, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
Subd. 4. Agreements. The commissioner of management and budget
is authorized to enter into agreements with exclusive representatives as
provided in section 43A.06, subdivisions 1, paragraph (b), and 3. The Board of Trustees of the Minnesota State
Colleges and Universities is authorized to enter into agreements with exclusive
representatives as provided in section 43A.06, subdivision 1, paragraph (c). The negotiated agreements and any related
arbitration decision decisions must be submitted to the
legislature to be accepted or rejected in accordance with this section and
section 3.855 implemented by the commissioner of management and budget
or the Board of Trustees of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities
respectively, following the approval of the tentative agreement by exclusive
representatives.
Sec. 68. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 351.01, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
Subd. 2. When
effective. Except as provided by
subdivision 3 or other express provision of law or charter to the contrary, a
resignation is effective when it is received by the officer, body, or board
authorized to receive it. In the case
of a position appointed by the governor under section 15.0597, the resignation
must be submitted to the governor.
Sec. 69. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 357.17, is amended to read:
357.17
NOTARIES PUBLIC.
(a) The maximum fees to be charged and collected by a notary public shall be as follows:
(1) for protest of nonpayment of note or bill of exchange or of nonacceptance of such bill; where protest is legally necessary, and copy thereof, $5;
(2) for every other protest and copy, $5;
(3) for making and serving every notice of nonpayment of note or nonacceptance of bill and copy thereof, $5;
(4) for any affidavit or paper for which provision is not made herein, $5 per folio, and $1 per folio for copies;
(5) for each oath administered, $5;
(6) for acknowledgments of deeds and for other services authorized by law, the legal fees allowed other officers for like services;
(7) for recording each instrument required by law to be recorded by the notary, $5 per folio.
(b) A notary public may charge a fee for
performing a marriage in excess of the fees in paragraph (a) if the notary is a
member, director, or partner of an entity organized under the laws of this
state.
Sec. 70. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 359.04, is amended to read:
359.04
POWERS.
Every notary public so appointed, commissioned, and qualified shall have power throughout this state to administer all oaths required or authorized to be administered in this state; to take and certify all depositions to be used in any of the courts of this state; to take and certify all acknowledgments of deeds, mortgages, liens, powers of attorney, and other instruments in writing or electronic records; to receive, make out, and record notarial protests; to perform civil marriages consistent with this chapter and chapter 517; and to perform online remote notarial acts in compliance with the requirements of sections 358.645 and 358.646.
Sec. 71. [359.115]
CIVIL MARRIAGE OFFICIANT.
(a) A notary public shall have the power
to solemnize civil marriages throughout the state if the notary public has
filed a copy of the notary public's notary credentials with the local registrar
of a county in this state. When a local
registrar records notary credentials for a notary public, the local registrar
shall provide a certificate of filing to the notary whose credentials are
recorded. A notary public shall endorse
and record the county where the notary public's credentials are recorded upon
each certificate of civil marriage granted by the notary.
(b) A past or current Minnesota elected
official shall have the power to solemnize a civil marriage throughout the
state if the elected official has filed a copy of the elected official's
certificate of election with the local registrar of a county in this state. When a local registrar records an elected
official's credentials, the local registrar shall provide a certificate of
filing that the elected official's credentials are recorded, and the elected
official shall endorse and record the county where the elected official's
credentials are recorded upon each certificate of civil marriage granted by the
elected official.
Sec. 72. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 364.021, is amended to read:
364.021
PUBLIC AND PRIVATE EMPLOYMENT; CONSIDERATION OF CRIMINAL RECORDS.
(a) A public or private employer may not inquire into or consider or require disclosure of the criminal record or criminal history of an applicant for employment until the applicant has been selected for an interview by the employer or, if there is not an interview, before a conditional offer of employment is made to the applicant.
(b) This section does not apply to the Department of Corrections or to employers who have a statutory duty to conduct a criminal history background check or otherwise take into consideration a potential employee's criminal history during the hiring process.
(c) This section does not prohibit an employer from notifying applicants that law or the employer's policy will disqualify an individual with a particular criminal history background from employment in particular positions.
(d) An appointing authority may not
inquire into or consider or require disclosure of the criminal record or
criminal history of an applicant for appointment to multimember agencies,
including boards, commissions, agencies, committees, councils, authorities,
advisory task forces, and advisory councils, on an application form until the
applicant has been selected for an interview by the appointing authority or is
otherwise selected as a final candidate for appointment.
EFFECTIVE
DATE. This section is
effective August 1, 2023.
Sec. 73. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 364.06, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
Subdivision 1. Public employers. Any complaints or grievances concerning violations of sections 364.01 to 364.10 by public employers or violations of section 364.021 by public appointing authorities shall be processed and adjudicated in accordance with the procedures set forth in chapter 14, the Administrative Procedure Act.
Sec. 74. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 507.0945, is amended to read:
507.0945
ADMINISTRATION.
(a) An Electronic Real Estate Recording
Commission administered by the Legislative Coordinating Commission is
created to evaluate and must then may adopt standards to
implement sections 507.0941 to 507.0948.
(b) The Electronic Real Estate Recording Commission shall consist of the following:
(1) three members appointed by the Minnesota Association of County Officials who are county employees, including one from within the seven-county metropolitan area, one from outside the seven-county metropolitan area, and at least one of whom is a county recorder and at least one of whom is a registrar of titles;
(2) one member appointed by the Minnesota Land Title Association;
(3) one member who represents the Minnesota Bankers Association;
(4) one member who represents the Section of Real Property Law of the Minnesota State Bar Association;
(5) one nonvoting member who is appointed by the other members of the commission and an expert in the technological aspects of electronic real estate recording; and
(6) one member who is the state archivist appointed pursuant to section 138.17.
(c) Members of the Electronic Real Estate Recording Commission shall serve four-year terms, except that (1) the initial appointments of county employees shall be for two years and (2) the expert in the technological aspects of electronic real estate recording shall serve at the pleasure of a majority of the other members of the commission. All initial terms shall commence on July 1, 2008. Members shall serve until their successors are appointed. Any member may be reappointed for successive terms.
(d) The state archivist shall call the first
meeting of the Electronic Real Estate Recording Commission. At the first meeting and biennially
thereafter, the commission shall elect from its membership a chair and
vice-chair to serve two-year terms. Meetings
may be called by the chair or the vice-chair or the director of the
Legislative Coordinating Commission.
Meetings shall be held as often as necessary, but at least once a year.
(e) A majority of the voting members of the Electronic Real Estate Recording Commission constitutes a quorum to do business, and a majority of a quorum may act in any matter within the jurisdiction of the commission.
(f) As soon as practicable and as needed
thereafter, the Electronic Real Estate Recording Commission shall identify the
information technology and any other expertise it requires and report
its needs to the Legislative Coordinating Commission. The Electronic Real Estate Recording
Commission also shall report any other expertise it needs to fulfill its
responsibilities. The Legislative
Coordinating Commission shall provide support services, including meeting
space, as needed for the Electronic Real Estate Recording Commission to carry
out its duties in an effective manner committees of the house of
representatives and the senate that have jurisdiction.
Sec. 75. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 517.04, is amended to read:
517.04
PERSONS AUTHORIZED TO PERFORM CIVIL MARRIAGES.
Civil marriages may be solemnized throughout the state by an individual who has attained the age of 21 years and is a judge of a court of record, a retired judge of a court of record, a court administrator, a retired court administrator with the approval of the chief judge of the judicial district, a former court commissioner who is
employed by the court system or is acting pursuant to an order of the chief judge of the commissioner's judicial district, a notary authorized by the Office of the Secretary of State, a past or current Minnesota elected official authorized by section 359.115, the residential school superintendent of the Minnesota State Academy for the Deaf and the Minnesota State Academy for the Blind, a licensed or ordained minister of any religious denomination, or by any mode recognized in section 517.18. For purposes of this section, a court of record includes the Office of Administrative Hearings under section 14.48.
Sec. 76. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 645.44, subdivision 5, as amended by Laws 2023, chapter 5, section 2, is amended to read:
Subd. 5. Holiday. (a) "Holiday" includes
New Year's Day, January 1; Martin Luther King's Birthday, the third Monday in
January; Washington's and Lincoln's Birthday, the third Monday in February;
Memorial Day, the last Monday in May; Juneteenth, June 19; Independence Day,
July 4; Labor Day, the first Monday in September; Christopher Columbus Indigenous
Peoples Day, the second Monday in October; Veterans Day, November 11;
Thanksgiving Day, the fourth Thursday in November; and Christmas Day, December
25; provided, when New Year's Day, January 1; or Juneteenth, June 19; or
Independence Day, July 4; or Veterans Day, November 11; or Christmas Day,
December 25; falls on Sunday, the following day shall be a holiday and,
provided, when New Year's Day, January 1; or Juneteenth, June 19; or
Independence Day, July 4; or Veterans Day, November 11; or Christmas Day,
December 25; falls on Saturday, the preceding day shall be a holiday. No public business shall be transacted on any
holiday, except in cases of necessity and except in cases of public business
transacted by the legislature, nor shall any civil process be served thereon. However, for the executive branch of the
state of Minnesota, "holiday" also includes the Friday after
Thanksgiving but does not include Christopher Columbus Indigenous
Peoples Day. Other branches of state
government and political subdivisions shall have the option of determining
whether Christopher Columbus Indigenous Peoples Day and the
Friday after Thanksgiving shall be holidays.
Where it is determined that Columbus Day Indigenous Peoples
Day or the Friday after Thanksgiving is not a holiday, public business may
be conducted thereon.
(b) Any agreement between a public employer and an employee organization citing Veterans Day as the fourth Monday in October shall be amended to cite Veterans Day as November 11.
(c) Any agreement between a public
employer and an employee organization citing "Christopher Columbus
Day" or "Columbus Day" shall be amended to cite "Indigenous
Peoples Day."
EFFECTIVE
DATE. This section is
effective the day following final enactment.
Sec. 77. MISSISSIPPI
RIVER PARKWAY COMMISSION; CITIZEN MEMBERS.
Citizens currently appointed to the
Mississippi River Parkway Commission under Minnesota Statutes, section
161.1419, subdivision 2, for areas following the geographic segments along the
Mississippi River, serve terms as follows:
(1) citizen member representing Lake
Itasca, to but not including the city of Grand Rapids, for a term ending
December 31, 2025;
(2) citizen member representing Grand
Rapids, to but not including the city of Brainerd, for a term ending December
31, 2025;
(3) citizen member representing
Brainerd, to but not including the city of Elk River, for a term ending
December 31, 2025;
(4) citizen member representing
Elk River, to but not including the city of Hastings, for a term ending
December 31, 2027; and
(5) citizen member representing
Hastings, to the Iowa border, for a term ending December 31, 2027.
Sec. 78. ADVISORY
COMMITTEE ON SERVICE WORKER STANDARDS.
The commissioner of management and
budget shall convene an advisory committee to review and make recommendations
regarding updates and clarifications to the service worker class specifications
under Minnesota Statutes, section 43A.071.
By January 15, 2023, the commissioner shall report to the legislative
committees with jurisdiction over state government employees on recommendations
for changes to Minnesota Statutes, section 43A.071.
Sec. 79. REVISOR
INSTRUCTION.
In the next edition of Minnesota
Statutes and Minnesota Rules and the online publication of Minnesota Statutes
and Minnesota Rules, the revisor of statutes shall change references to
"Christopher Columbus Day" or "Columbus Day" to
"Indigenous Peoples Day" wherever the phrases appear in Minnesota
Statutes and Minnesota Rules.
EFFECTIVE
DATE. This section is
effective the day following final enactment.
Sec. 80. REPEALER.
Subdivision 1. Interagency
transfer reports. Minnesota
Statutes 2022, section 15.0395, is repealed.
Subd. 2. Office
of Collaboration and Dispute Resolution.
Minnesota Statutes 2022, sections 16B.24, subdivision 13; 179.90;
and 179.91, are repealed.
Subd. 3. Trustee
Candidate Advisory Council. Minnesota
Statutes 2022, section 136F.03, is repealed.
Sec. 81. EFFECTIVE
DATE; JUNETEENTH.
Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes,
section 645.02, Laws 2023, chapter 5, sections 1 and 2, are effective June 19,
2023.
EFFECTIVE
DATE. This section is
effective the day following final enactment.
ARTICLE 2
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND CYBERSECURITY
Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 3.888, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:
Subd. 1a. Definition. (a) For purposes of this section, the
following term has the meaning given.
(b) "Security records" means
data, documents, recordings, or similar items that:
(1) were originally collected, created,
received, maintained, or disseminated by a member of the commission during a closed
meeting, or a closed portion of a meeting; and
(2) are security information as defined
by section 13.37, subdivision 1, or otherwise pertain to cybersecurity
briefings and reports, issues related to cybersecurity systems, deficiencies in
or recommendations regarding cybersecurity services, infrastructure, or
facilities, if disclosure of the records would pose a danger to or compromise
cybersecurity infrastructure, facilities, procedures, or responses.
Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 3.888, subdivision 5, is amended to read:
Subd. 5. Meetings. The commission must meet at least three
times per calendar year. The meetings of
the commission are subject to section 3.055, except that the commission may
close a meeting when necessary to safeguard the state's cybersecurity. The minutes, recordings, and documents
from a closed meeting under this subdivision Security records shall
be maintained by the Legislative Coordinating Commission and shall not be made
available to the public until at least eight years but no more than
20 years after the date of the closed meeting.
Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 3.888, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:
Subd. 5a. Closed
meetings procedures. The
commission must adopt procedures for conducting closed meetings before the
commission's first closed meeting. At a
minimum, the procedures must include:
(1) a requirement to provide notice to
the public, when practicable, before each closed meeting of the commission's
intent and authority to hold a closed meeting, or to hold a closed session
during an otherwise open meeting;
(2) a requirement that the commission
minimize the number of people present at a closed meeting to those necessary to
conduct the meeting;
(3) a requirement that votes shall not
be taken during a meeting, or a portion of a meeting, of the commission closed
pursuant to this section;
(4) steps the commission must take if a
commission member is alleged to have violated the confidentiality of a closed
meeting; and
(5) guidance for the Legislative
Coordinating Commission for the public release of security records following
the eight-year record requirement in subdivision 5. The meetings of the Legislative Coordinating
Commission under this subdivision are exempt from section 3.055 when necessary
to safeguard the confidentiality of security records.
Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 3.888, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:
Subd. 5b. Alleged
member closed meeting confidentiality violations. Notwithstanding any law to the
contrary, if a complaint alleging a member violated the confidentiality of a
closed meeting is brought to a legislative committee with jurisdiction over
ethical conduct, the committee with jurisdiction over ethical conduct must
preserve the confidentiality of the closed meeting at issue.
Sec. 5. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 16E.01, subdivision 1a, is amended to read:
Subd. 1a. Responsibilities. The department shall provide oversight, leadership, and direction for information and telecommunications technology policy and the management, delivery, accessibility, and security of executive branch information and telecommunications technology systems and services in Minnesota. The department shall partner with executive branch state agencies to manage strategic investments in information and telecommunications technology systems and services to ensure sufficient access to and efficient delivery of accessible government services and to maximize benefits for the state government as an enterprise.
Sec. 6. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 16E.01, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:
Subd. 1b. Deputy;
appointments. The
commissioner may appoint a deputy, assistant commissioners, and a confidential
secretary. Each serves at the
commissioner's pleasure in the unclassified service.
Sec. 7. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 16E.01, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
Subd. 3. Duties. (a) The department shall:
(1) manage the efficient and effective use of available federal, state, local, and public-private resources to develop statewide information and telecommunications technology systems and services and its infrastructure;
(2) approve state agency and intergovernmental information and telecommunications technology systems and services development efforts involving state or intergovernmental funding, including federal funding, provide information to the legislature regarding projects reviewed, and recommend projects for inclusion in the governor's budget under section 16A.11;
(3) promote cooperation and collaboration among state and local governments in developing intergovernmental information and telecommunications technology systems and services;
(4) cooperate and collaborate with the legislative and judicial branches in the development of information and communications systems in those branches, as requested;
(5) continue the development of North
Star, the state's official comprehensive online service and information
initiative;
(6) (5) promote and coordinate
public information access and network initiatives, consistent with chapter 13,
to connect Minnesota's citizens and communities to each other, to their
governments, and to the world;
(7) (6) manage and promote the
regular and periodic reinvestment in the information and telecommunications
technology systems and services infrastructure so that state and local
government agencies can effectively and efficiently serve their customers;
(8) (7) facilitate the
cooperative development of and ensure compliance with standards and policies
for information and telecommunications technology systems and services and
electronic data practices and privacy within the executive branch;
(9) (8) eliminate unnecessary
duplication of existing information and telecommunications technology systems
and services provided by state agencies;
(10) (9) identify, sponsor,
develop, and execute shared information and telecommunications technology
projects and ongoing operations;
(11) (10) ensure overall
security of the state's information and technology systems and services; and
(12) (11) manage and direct
compliance with accessibility standards for informational technology, including
hardware, software, websites, online forms, and online surveys.
(b) The chief information officer, in
consultation with the commissioner of management and budget, must determine
when it is cost-effective for agencies to develop and use shared information and
telecommunications technology systems, platforms, and services for
the delivery of electronic digital government services. The chief information officer may require
agencies to use shared information and telecommunications technology systems
and services. The chief information
officer shall establish reimbursement rates in cooperation with the
commissioner of management and budget to be billed to agencies and other
governmental entities sufficient to cover the actual development, operating,
maintenance, and administrative costs of the shared systems. The methodology for billing may include the
use of interagency agreements, or other means as allowed by law.
(c) A state agency that has an information and telecommunications technology project, whether funded as part of the biennial budget or by any other means, shall register with the department by submitting basic project startup documentation as specified by the chief information officer in both format and content. State agency project leaders, in accordance with policies and standards set forth by the chief information officer, must demonstrate that the project will be properly managed, provide updates to the project documentation as changes are proposed, and regularly report on the current status of the project on a schedule agreed to with the chief information officer. The chief information officer has the authority to define a project for the purposes of this chapter.
(d) The chief information officer shall monitor progress on any active information and telecommunications technology project with a total expected project cost of more than $5,000,000 and report on the performance of the project in comparison with the plans for the project in terms of time, scope, and budget. The chief information officer may conduct an independent project audit of the project. The audit analysis and evaluation of the projects subject to paragraph (c) must be presented to agency executive sponsors, the project governance bodies, and the chief information officer. All reports and responses must become part of the project record.
(e) For any active information and telecommunications technology project with a total expected project cost of more than $10,000,000, the state agency must perform an annual independent audit that conforms to published project audit principles adopted by the department.
(f) The chief information officer shall
report by January 15 of each year to the chairs and ranking minority members of
the legislative committees and divisions with jurisdiction over the department
regarding projects the department has reviewed under paragraph (a), clause (10). The report must include the reasons for
the determinations made in the review of each project and a description of its
current status.:
(1) each project in the IT portfolio
whose status is either active or on hold;
(2) each project presented to the
office for consultation in the time since the last report;
(3) the information technology cost
associated with the project;
(4) the current status of the
information technology project;
(5) the date the information technology
project is expected to be completed; and
(6) the projected costs for ongoing
support and maintenance after the project is complete.
Sec. 8. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 16E.016, is amended to read:
16E.016
RESPONSIBILITY FOR INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SERVICES AND EQUIPMENT.
(a) The chief information officer is
responsible for providing or entering into managed services contracts for the
provision, improvement, and development, and lifecycle management
of the following information technology systems and services to state agencies:
(1) state data centers;
(2) mainframes including system software;
(3) servers including system software;
(4) desktops including system software;
(5) laptop computers including system software;
(6) a data network including system software;
(7) database, electronic mail, office systems, reporting, and other standard software tools;
(8) business application software and related technical support services;
(9) help desk for the components listed in clauses (1) to (8);
(10) maintenance, problem resolution, and break-fix for the components listed in clauses (1) to (8);
(11) regular upgrades and, replacement,
and lifecycle management for the components listed in clauses (1) to (8);
and
(12) network-connected output devices.
(b) All state agency employees whose work primarily involves functions specified in paragraph (a) are employees of the Department of Information Technology Services. This includes employees who directly perform the functions in paragraph (a), as well as employees whose work primarily involves managing, supervising, or providing administrative services or support services to employees who directly perform these functions. The chief information officer may assign employees of the department to perform work exclusively for another state agency.
(c) Subject to sections 16C.08 and 16C.09, the chief information officer may allow a state agency to obtain services specified in paragraph (a) through a contract with an outside vendor when the chief information officer and the agency head agree that a contract would provide best value, as defined in section 16C.02, under the service-level agreement. The chief information officer must require that agency contracts with outside vendors ensure that systems and services are compatible with standards established by the Department of Information Technology Services.
(d) The Minnesota State Retirement System, the Public Employees Retirement Association, the Teachers Retirement Association, the State Board of Investment, the Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board, the State Lottery, and the Statewide Radio Board are not state agencies for purposes of this section.
Sec. 9. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 16E.03, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
Subd. 2. Chief information officer's responsibility. The chief information officer shall:
(1) design a master strategic
plan for information and telecommunications technology systems and services in
the state and shall report on the plan to the governor and legislature at the
beginning of each regular session;
(2) coordinate, review, and approve all information and telecommunications technology projects and oversee the state's information and telecommunications technology systems and services;
(3) establish and enforce compliance with standards for information and telecommunications technology systems and services that are cost-effective and support open systems environments and that are compatible with state, national, and international standards, including accessibility standards;
(4) maintain a library of systems and programs developed by the state for use by agencies of government;
(5) direct and manage the shared operations of the state's information and telecommunications technology systems and services; and
(6) establish and enforce standards and
ensure acquisition of hardware and, software, and services
necessary to protect data and systems in state agency networks connected to the
Internet.
Sec. 10. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 16E.03, subdivision 4a, is amended to read:
Subd. 4a. Cloud
computing services. The project
evaluation procedure required by subdivision 4 must include a review of cloud
computing service options, including any security benefits and cost savings
associated with purchasing those service options from a cloud computing service
provider. When projects involve cloud
computing services, the state chief information officer shall, in consultation
with the Technology Advisory Council, establish metrics to assess the progress
of any cloud computing project for each state agency.
Sec. 11. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 16E.03, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:
Subd. 5a. Cloud
computing migration. The
report required by subdivision 5 must also detail the progress of cloud
computing migration metrics established in subdivision 4a. Additionally, for each state agency, the
report must include:
(1) an accounting of the agency's
budget allocated for cloud computing projects;
(2) cost projections for any current or
contemplated cloud computing projects as applicable;
(3) the timeline for completion of
cloud computing projects;
(4) the name of each cloud provider
retained by the agency, and the percentage of the agency's cloud projects
allocated to that provider; and
(5) software as service offerings,
identifying each offering and the cloud location.
Sec. 12. REPEALER.
Minnesota Statutes 2022, section
16E.0466, subdivision 2, is repealed.
ARTICLE 3
LOCAL GOVERNMENT POLICY
Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 13D.02, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
Subdivision 1. Conditions. (a) A meeting governed by section 13D.01, subdivisions 1, 2, 4, and 5, and this section may be conducted by interactive technology so long as:
(1) all members of the body participating in the meeting, wherever their physical location, can hear and see one another and can hear and see all discussion and testimony presented at any location at which at least one member is present;
(2) members of the public present at the regular meeting location of the body can hear and see all discussion and testimony and all votes of members of the body;
(3) at least one member of the body is physically present at the regular meeting location;
(4) all votes are conducted by roll call so each member's vote on each issue can be identified and recorded; and
(5) each location at which a member of the body is present is open and accessible to the public.
(b) A meeting satisfies the requirements of paragraph (a), although a member of the public body participates from a location that is not open or accessible to the public, if the member has not participated more than three times in a calendar year from a location that is not open or accessible to the public, and:
(1) the member is serving in the military and is at a required drill, deployed, or on active duty; or
(2) the member has been advised by a health
care professional against being in a public place for personal or family
medical reasons. This clause only
applies when a state of emergency has been declared under section 12.31, and
expires 60 days after the removal of the state of emergency.
Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 118A.09, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
Subdivision 1. Definition; qualifying government. (a) "Qualifying government" means:
(1) a county or statutory or home rule
charter city with a population of more than 100,000; or
(2) a county or statutory or home rule
charter city which had its most recently issued general obligation bonds
rated in the highest category by a national bond rating agency; or whose
most recent long-term, senior, general obligation rating by one or more
national rating organizations in the prior 18-month period is AA or higher.
(3) a self-insurance pool listed in section
471.982, subdivision 3.
(b) A county or statutory or home rule
charter city with a population of 100,000 or less that is a qualifying
government, but is subsequently rated less than the highest category
by a national bond rating agency on a general obligation bond issue does
not meet the threshold under paragraph (a), clause (2), may not invest
additional funds under this section during any time period when it does not
meet the threshold, but may continue to manage funds previously invested
under subdivision 2.
EFFECTIVE
DATE. This section is
effective the day following final enactment.
Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 118A.09, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
Subd. 2. Additional investment authority. Qualifying governments may invest the amount described in subdivision 3:
(1) in index mutual funds based in the United States and indexed to a broad market United States equity index, on the condition that index mutual fund investments must be made directly with the main sales office of the fund; or
(2) with the Minnesota State Board of
Investment subject to such terms and minimum amounts as may be adopted by the
board. Index mutual fund investments
must be made directly with the main sales office of the fund.
EFFECTIVE
DATE. This section is
effective the day following final enactment.
Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 118A.09, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
Subd. 3. Funds. (a) Qualifying governments may only invest under subdivision 2 according to the limitations in this subdivision. A qualifying government under subdivision 1, clause (1) or (2), may only invest its funds that are held for long-term capital plans authorized by the city council or county board, or long-term obligations of the
qualifying government. Long-term obligations of the qualifying government include long-term capital plan reserves, funds held to offset long-term environmental exposure, other postemployment benefit liabilities, compensated absences, and other long-term obligations established by applicable accounting standards.
(b) Qualifying governments under subdivision 1, clause (1) or (2), may invest up to 15 percent of the sum of:
(1) unassigned cash;
(2) cash equivalents;
(3) deposits; and
(4) investments.
This (c) The calculation in
paragraph (b) must be based on the qualifying government's most recent
audited statement of net position, which must be compliant and audited pursuant
to governmental accounting and auditing standards. Once the amount invested reaches 15 percent
of the sum of unassigned cash, cash equivalents, deposits, and investments, no
further funds may be invested under this section; however, a qualifying
government may continue to manage the funds previously invested under this
section even if the total amount subsequently exceeds 15 percent of the sum of
unassigned cash, cash equivalents, deposits, and investments.
(c) A qualified government under
subdivision 1, clause (3), may invest up to the lesser of:
(1) 15 percent of the sum of its cash, cash
equivalents, deposits, and investments; or
(2) 25 percent of its net assets as
reported on the pool's most recent audited statement of net position, which
must be compliant and audited pursuant to governmental accounting and auditing
standards.
EFFECTIVE
DATE. This section is
effective the day following final enactment.
Sec. 5. [118A.10]
SELF-INSURANCE POOLS; ADDITIONAL INVESTMENT AUTHORITY.
Subdivision 1. Definition. For the purposes of this section,
"qualifying government" means a self-insurance pool listed in section
471.982, subdivision 3.
Subd. 2. Additional
investment authority. (a) A
qualifying government may invest in the securities specified in section 11A.24,
with the exception of specific investments authorized under section 11A.24,
subdivision 6, paragraph (a), clauses (1) to (5).
(b) Investments authorized under this
section are subject to the limitations under section 11A.24.
(c) A qualifying government may invest
with the State Board of Investment subject to the terms and minimum amounts
adopted by the State Board of Investment.
Subd. 3. Approval. Before investing pursuant to this
section, the governing body of a qualifying government must adopt an investment
policy pursuant to a resolution that includes both of the following statements:
(1) the governing body understands that
investments under this section have a risk of loss; and
(2) the governing body understands the
type of funds that are being invested and the specific investment itself.
EFFECTIVE
DATE. This section is
effective the day following final enactment.
Sec. 6. [134.114]
RAMSEY COUNTY LIBRARY ADVISORY BOARD.
Subdivision 1. Appointment. The Ramsey County Board of
Commissioners shall direct, operate, and manage the suburban Ramsey County library
system. The county board shall appoint
seven members to a suburban Ramsey County Library Advisory Board. All members must reside in the suburban
county library service area. The Ramsey
County Library Advisory Board shall replace the existing Ramsey County Library
Board upon the effective date of this section.
Subd. 2. Powers
and duties. The Ramsey County
Library Advisory Board shall provide advice and make recommendations on matters
pertaining to county library services. The
Ramsey County Library Advisory Board shall provide recommendations regarding
integrated county service delivery that impacts or is enhanced by library services.
The county board may delegate additional powers and duties to the Ramsey
County Library Advisory Board.
EFFECTIVE
DATE. This section is
effective the day after the governing body of Ramsey County and its chief
clerical officer comply with Minnesota Statutes, section 645.021, subdivisions
2 and 3.
Sec. 7. [134.115]
ANOKA COUNTY LIBRARY ADVISORY BOARD.
Subdivision 1. Appointment. The Anoka County Board of
Commissioners shall direct, operate, and manage the suburban Anoka County
library system. The county board shall
appoint seven members to a suburban Anoka County Library Advisory Board. All members must reside in the suburban
county library service area. The Anoka
County Library Advisory Board shall replace the existing Anoka County Library
Board upon the effective date of this section.
Subd. 2. Powers
and duties. The Anoka County
Library Advisory Board shall provide advice and make recommendations on matters
pertaining to county library services. The
Anoka County Library Advisory Board shall provide recommendations regarding
integrated county service delivery that impacts or is enhanced by library
services. The county board may delegate
additional powers and duties to the Anoka County Library Advisory Board.
EFFECTIVE
DATE. This section is
effective the day after the governing body of Anoka County and its chief
clerical officer comply with Minnesota Statutes, section 645.021, subdivisions
2 and 3.
Sec. 8. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 383B.145, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:
Subd. 11. Solicitations
to small business enterprises or veteran-owned small businesses. Notwithstanding the contract threshold
of section 471.345, subdivision 4, a contract, as defined in section 471.345,
subdivision 2, estimated not to exceed $500,000 may be made pursuant to the
provisions of section 471.345, subdivision 4, provided that a business that is
directly solicited is certified as either:
(1) a small business enterprise; or (2) a small business that is
majority-owned and operated by a veteran or a service-disabled veteran.
Sec. 9. [383B.1587]
CONSTRUCTION MANAGER AT RISK.
Subdivision 1. Definitions. (a) For purposes of this section, the
definitions in this subdivision have the meanings given them.
(b) "Construction manager at
risk" means a person who is selected by the county to act as a
construction manager to manage the construction process, including but not
limited to responsibility for the price, schedule, and workmanship of the
construction performed according to the procedures in this section.
(c) "Construction manager
at risk contract" means a contract for construction of a project between a
construction manager at risk and the county, which shall include a guaranteed
maximum price, construction schedule, and workmanship of the construction
performed.
(d) "Guaranteed maximum
price" means the maximum amount that a construction manager at risk is
paid pursuant to a contract to perform a defined scope of work.
(e) "Guaranteed maximum price
contract" means a contract under which a construction manager or
subcontractor is paid on the basis of the actual cost to perform the work specified
in the contract plus an amount for overhead and profit, the sum of which must
not exceed the guaranteed maximum price in the contract.
(f) "Past performance" or
"experience" does not include the exercise or assertion of a person's
legal rights.
(g) "Person" means an
individual, corporation, partnership, association, or other legal entity.
(h) "Project" means an
undertaking to construct, alter, or enlarge a building, structure, or other
improvement, except a highway or bridge, by or for the county.
(i) "Request for proposals"
means the document or publication soliciting proposals for a construction
manager at risk contract as provided in this section.
(j) "Request for
qualifications" means the document or publication soliciting
qualifications for a construction manager at risk contract as provided in this
section.
(k) "Trade contract work"
means labor, materials, or equipment furnished by contractors or vendors that
are incorporated into the completed project or are major components of the
means of construction. Work performed by
trade contractors involves specific portions of the project, but not the entire
project.
Subd. 2. Authority. Notwithstanding any other law to the
contrary, the county may use a construction manager at risk method of project
delivery and award a construction manager at risk contract based on the
selection criteria described in this section.
Subd. 3. Solicitation
of qualifications. (a) A
request for qualifications must be prepared for each construction manager at risk
contract as provided in this section. The
request for qualifications must contain, at a minimum, the following elements:
(1) procedures for submitting
qualifications, the criteria and subcriteria for evaluating the qualifications
and the relative weight for each criteria and subcriteria, and the procedures
for making awards in an open, competitive, and objective manner, applying a
scoring or trade-off evaluation method, including a reference to the
requirements of this section;
(2) the proposed terms and conditions
for the contract;
(3) the desired qualifications of the
construction manager at risk;
(4) the schedule for commencement and
completion of the project;
(5) any applicable budget limits for
the project;
(6) the requirements for insurance and
statutorily required performance and payment bonds; and
(7) the identification and
location of any other information in the possession or control of the county
that the county determines is material, including surveys, soils reports,
drawings or models of existing structures, environmental studies, photographs,
or references to public records.
(b) The request for qualifications
criteria must not impose unnecessary conditions beyond reasonable requirements
to ensure maximum participation of construction managers at risk. The criteria must not consider the collective
bargaining status of the construction manager at risk.
(c) The request for qualifications
criteria may include a requirement that the proposer include the cost for the
proposer's services.
(d) Notice of requests for
qualifications must be advertised in a manner designated by the county.
Subd. 4. Construction
manager at risk selection process. (a)
In a construction manager at risk selection process, the following applies:
(1) upon determining to utilize a
construction manager at risk for a project, the county shall create a selection
committee composed of a minimum of three persons, at least one of whom has
construction industry expertise; and
(2) the county shall establish procedures
for determining the appropriate content of a request for qualifications, as
provided in subdivision 3.
(b) In accordance with the criteria and
procedures set forth in the request for qualifications, the selection committee
shall evaluate the experience of a proposer as a construction manager at risk,
including but not limited to capacity of key personnel, technical competence,
capability to perform, past performance of the firm and its employees, safety
record and compliance with state and federal law, availability to and
familiarity with the project locale, and other appropriate facts submitted by
the proposer in response to the request for qualifications.
(c) If the county receives fewer than
three proposals from construction managers, the county may:
(1) proceed as described in paragraph
(d);
(2) solicit new proposals;
(3) revise the request for
qualifications and then solicit new proposals using the revised request for
qualifications;
(4) select another allowed procurement
method;
(5) proceed with a sole proposer if the
county determines the construction manager at risk marketplace is limited and
the benefit of issuing a new solicitation is not practicable; or
(6) reject all proposals.
(d) The selection committee shall
review the qualification of each proposer.
If there is more than one proposer, the selection committee shall create
a short list of two to five proposers.
(e) The county shall issue a request
for proposals requiring cost and other information as desired from the short‑listed
proposers.
(f) The selection committee may
conduct formal interviews with the short-listed proposers but shall not
disclose any proprietary or confidential information contained in one proposal
to another proposer, and shall rank the proposers by applying a scoring or
trade-off evaluation method. The scoring
or trade-off evaluation method must be described in the request for proposals.
Subd. 5. Construction
manager at risk contract. (a)
The county shall conduct contract negotiations with the highest ranked proposer
to reach agreement on the cost and terms of the contract. If an agreement cannot be reached with the
highest ranked proposer, the county may begin negotiations with the next
highest ranked proposer. The negotiation
process continues until an agreement is reached with a proposer or the county
rejects all proposals.
(b) The construction manager at risk
shall competitively bid all trade contract work for the project from a list of
qualified firms. The list of qualified
firms may be limited to qualified Small Business Enterprise and/or
Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (SBE/DBE) firms, subject to availability of
such qualified SBE/DBE firms for the specific work. The list of qualified firms must be based on
an open, competitive, and objective prequalification process in which the
selection criteria, approved by the county, may include but is not limited to
the firm's experience as a constructor, including capacity of key personnel,
technical competence, capability to perform, past performance of the firm and
its employees, safety record and compliance with state and federal law,
availability to and familiarity with the project locale, SBE/DBE certification,
and other considerations as defined by the construction manager at risk and the
county. The construction manager at risk
and the county shall jointly determine the composition of the list of qualified
firms. With the county's approval, upon
request, the construction manager at risk may also submit bids for trade
contract work if the construction manager at risk does not participate in the
county's review of the bids or selection decision.
(c) The construction manager at risk
and the county shall enter into a guaranteed maximum price contract for the
project.
Sec. 10. [412.925]
NATIVE LANDSCAPES.
(a) A statutory city or home rule
charter city shall allow an owner, authorized agent, or authorized occupant of
any privately owned lands or premises to install and maintain a managed natural
landscape. For purposes of this section,
the following terms have the meanings given:
(1) "managed natural
landscape" means a planned, intentional, and maintained planting of native
or nonnative grasses, wildflowers, forbs, ferns, shrubs, or trees, including
but not limited to rain gardens, meadow vegetation, and ornamental plants. Managed natural landscapes does not include
turf-grass lawns left unattended for the purpose of returning to a natural
state;
(2) "meadow vegetation" means
grasses and flowering broad-leaf plants that are native to, or adapted to, the
state of Minnesota, and that are commonly found in meadow and prairie plant
communities, not including noxious weeds.
"Noxious weed" has the meaning given in section 18.77,
subdivision 8;
(3) "ornamental plants" means
grasses, perennials, annuals, and groundcovers purposely planted for aesthetic
reasons;
(4) "rain garden" means a
native plant garden that is designed not only to aesthetically improve
properties, but also to reduce the amount of stormwater and accompanying
pollutants from entering streams, lakes, and rivers; and
(5) "turf-grass lawn" means a
lawn composed mostly of grasses commonly used in regularly cut lawns or play
areas, including but not limited to bluegrass, fescue, and ryegrass blends,
intended to be maintained at a height of no more than eight inches.
(b) Managed natural landscapes
may include plants and grasses that are in excess of eight inches in height and
have gone to seed, but may not include any noxious weeds and must be
maintained.
(c) Except as part of a managed natural
landscape as defined in this section, any weeds or grasses growing upon any lot
or parcel of land in a city to a greater height than eight inches or that have
gone or are about to go to seed are prohibited.
Sec. 11. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 471.345, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:
Subd. 3b. Contracts
over $175,000; construction manager at risk alternative. As an alternative to the procurement
methods described in subdivisions 3 and 3a, municipalities may award a contract
for construction, alteration, repair, or maintenance work to a construction
manager at risk as provided in section 471.463.
Sec. 12. [471.463]
CONSTRUCTION MANAGER AT RISK.
Subdivision 1. Definitions. (a) For purposes of this section, the
definitions in this subdivision have the meanings given unless the context
indicates otherwise.
(b) "Construction manager at
risk" means a person who is selected by a municipality to act as a
construction manager to manage the construction process, including but not
limited to responsibility for the price, schedule, and workmanship of the
construction performed according to the procedures in this section.
(c) "Construction manager at risk
contract" means a contract for construction of a project between a construction
manager at risk and a municipality, which shall include a guaranteed maximum
price, construction schedule, and workmanship of the construction performed.
(d) "Municipality" has the
meaning given under section 471.345, subdivision 1.
Subd. 2. Solicitation
of qualifications. (a) A
municipality may accept written requests for proposals for a construction
manager at risk for its project. The
written request for proposals must include:
(1) a description of the project;
(2) the estimated cost of completing the
project;
(3) a description of any special
requirements or unique features of the proposed project; and
(4) other information which will assist
the municipality in carrying out its duties and responsibilities set forth in this
section.
(b) A municipality may include in the
request for qualifications criteria a requirement that the proposer include the
overhead and fee that the construction manager at risk proposes to charge for
its services.
(c) A municipality shall prepare a
request for qualifications for each construction manager at risk contract as
provided in this section. The request
for qualifications shall contain, at a minimum, the information described in
section 16C.34, subdivision 1, paragraph (c), clauses (2) to (7) and (9), and
any other information the municipality determines is material.
(d) Notice of requests for
qualifications must be advertised in a manner designated by the municipality.
Subd. 3. Construction
manager at risk contract. A
municipality shall comply with the same procedures as the commissioner of
administration under section 16C.34, subdivision 3, in construction manager at
risk contracts.
Subd. 4. Exception. This section does not apply to
contracts for construction, alteration, repair, or maintenance work on any
street, road, bridge, or highway.
EFFECTIVE
DATE. This section is
effective the day following final enactment and applies to municipal
construction manager at risk contracts solicited on or after that date.
Sec. 13. [471.585]
MUNICIPAL HOTEL LICENSING.
(a) A statutory or home rule charter
city or a town may adopt an ordinance requiring hotels operating within the
boundaries of the city or town to have a valid license issued by the city or
town. A fee for a license under this
section may not exceed $150.
(b) An ordinance adopted under this
section is limited to requiring compliance with state and local laws as a
condition of licensure. No other
licensing conditions or requirements are permitted.
(c) A city or town that has adopted an
ordinance under this section may refuse to issue a license, or may revoke an
existing license, if the hotel fails to comply with the conditions of the
license.
Sec. 14. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 473.606, subdivision 5, is amended to read:
Subd. 5. Employees,
others, affirmative action; prevailing wage.
The corporation shall have the power to appoint engineers and other
consultants, attorneys, and such other officers, agents, and employees as it
may see fit, who shall perform such duties and receive such compensation as the
corporation may determine notwithstanding the provisions of section 43A.17,
subdivision 9, and be removable at the pleasure of the corporation. The corporation must adopt an affirmative
action plan, which shall be submitted to the appropriate agency or office of
the state for review and approval. The
plan must include a yearly progress report to the agency or office. Whenever the corporation performs any work
within the limits of a city of the first class, or establishes a minimum wage
for skilled or unskilled labor in the specifications or any contract for work
within one of the cities, the rate of pay to such skilled and unskilled labor
must be the prevailing rate of wage for such labor in that city.
EFFECTIVE
DATE. This section is
effective the day following final enactment.
Sec. 15. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 473.704, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
Subd. 3. Director;
to be entomologist. It may
employ and fix the duties and compensation of a director who shall develop the
control programs of the district and shall supervise its execution; such
director shall be an entomologist.
Sec. 16. REQUIRING
CITIES TO REPORT BUILDINGS THAT DO NOT HAVE SPRINKLER SYSTEMS.
(a) A city of the first or second class
shall provide to the state fire marshal a list by June 20, 2024, and an updated
list by June 30, 2027, and June 30, 2032, of each residential building in the
city that:
(1) has at least one story used for
human occupancy that is 75 feet or more above the lowest level of fire
department vehicle access;
(2) was not subject to a requirement to
include a sprinkler system at the time the building was constructed; and
(3) has not been retrofitted with a
sprinkler system.
(b) The state fire marshal
shall submit the lists within 60 days of the due dates under paragraph (a) to
the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees with
jurisdiction over the State Building Code and the State Fire Code.
Sec. 17. REPEALER.
(a) Minnesota Statutes 2022, section
383B.143, subdivisions 2 and 3, are repealed.
(b) Minnesota Statutes 2022, section
43A.17, subdivision 9, is repealed.
EFFECTIVE
DATE. Paragraph (b) is
effective the day following final enactment.
ARTICLE 4
MUNICIPAL BUILDING COMMISSION DISSOLUTION
Section 1.
PREEMPTION.
This article supersedes any other law,
home rule charter provision, and city ordinance to the contrary.
Sec. 2. DEFINITIONS.
(a) For the purposes of this article,
the terms defined in this section have the meanings given unless the context
indicates otherwise.
(b) "City hall and courthouse"
means the city hall building and courthouse owned by the city of Minneapolis
and Hennepin County and under the care and control of the Municipal Building
Commission pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, sections 383B.75 to 383B.754.
(c) "Dissolution date" means
the day after the Municipal Building Commission, the city of Minneapolis, and
Hennepin County fully execute the transactional documents.
(d) "Municipal Building
Commission" means the entity created by Minnesota Statutes, section
383B.75.
(e) "Transactional documents"
means the agreements and documents, including any real estate ownership
structure or joint powers agreement under Minnesota Statutes, section 471.59,
needed to effectuate the efficient dissolution of the Municipal Building
Commission pursuant to this act.
Sec. 3. TRANSFER
OF ASSETS.
Notwithstanding any other law to the
contrary, the transaction documents shall provide for the transfer of all
assets of the Municipal Building Commission, including but not limited to all
furniture, fixtures, equipment, and other personal property of the Municipal
Building Commission to the city of Minneapolis or other legal entity as
necessary and appropriate for the use of the assets in the ongoing operation
and management of the city hall and courthouse.
Sec. 4. MUNICIPAL
BUILDING COMMISSION DISSOLUTION.
(a) Notwithstanding any other law or
home rule charter provision to the contrary, the Municipal Building Commission
and all its functions will be dissolved upon the dissolution date.
(b) The transactional documents must
include how the city of Minneapolis and Hennepin County will manage the
outstanding liabilities of the Municipal Building Commission that exist as of
the dissolution date.
Sec. 5. TRANSACTIONAL
DOCUMENTS; AGREEMENTS.
(a) The Municipal Building Commission,
city of Minneapolis, and Hennepin County may execute transactional documents to
effectuate the transfer of assets and dissolution provided for in this article.
(b) The Municipal Building Commission,
city of Minneapolis, and the representatives of the Municipal Building
Commission employees must reach an agreement addressing the impact of a
dissolution on employees before fully executing the transactional documents.
(c) The Municipal Building Commission,
city of Minneapolis, and Hennepin County must fully execute the transactional
documents before the filing of a certificate of local approval of this article.
Sec. 6. REPEALER.
Minnesota Statutes 2022, sections
383B.75; 383B.751; 383B.752; 383B.753; and 383B.754, are repealed.
Sec. 7. EFFECTIVE
DATE.
This article is effective the day after the governing body of the city of Minneapolis and its chief clerical officer comply with Minnesota Statutes, section 645.021, subdivisions 2 and 3."
Delete the title and insert:
"A bill for an act relating to state government; designating the state fire museum; making provisions for legislative day, legislative reports, legislative provisions, Executive Council, data practices, state civil service, ADA coordinators, and notary; defining appointing authority; providing changes covering state agencies, legislative salary council, and MMB accounting system; clarifying capital asset preservation; establishing the Office of Collaboration and Dispute Resolution and the Office of Enterprise Sustainability; changing certain state procurement provisions; making changes to state personnel management; requiring provisions for disability recruitment, hiring, and advancement; requiring accessibility standards; changing Board of Regents provisions; changing provisions for civil marriages, holidays, Mississippi River Parkway Commission, certain closed meetings proceedings, and service worker standards; changing certain information technology and cybersecurity provisions; making local government provision changes; establishing the Ramsey County and Anoka County Library Advisory Boards; establishing the construction manager at risk method of project delivery; allowing managed natural landscapes; allowing municipal hotel licensing; requiring reporting of buildings that do not have sprinkler systems; implementing the Municipal Building Commission dissolution; requiring reports; amending Minnesota Statutes 2022, sections 3.011; 3.012; 3.195, subdivision 1; 3.303, subdivision 6; 3.855, subdivisions 2, 3, 5; 3.888, subdivision 5, by adding subdivisions; 9.031, subdivision 3; 13.04, subdivision 4; 13D.02, subdivision 1; 15.0597, subdivisions 1, 4, 5, 6; 15.066, by adding a subdivision; 15A.0825, subdivisions 1, 2, 3, 4; 16A.055, by adding a subdivision; 16A.15, subdivision 3; 16A.632, subdivision 2; 16B.307, subdivision 1; 16B.33, subdivisions 1, 3, 3a, by adding a subdivision; 16B.58, by adding a subdivision; 16C.10, subdivision 2; 16C.251; 16C.32, subdivision 1; 16C.36; 16E.01, subdivisions 1a, 3, by adding a subdivision; 16E.016; 16E.03, subdivisions 2, 4a, by adding a subdivision; 43A.01, subdivision 2; 43A.02, by adding subdivisions; 43A.04, subdivisions 1a, 4, 7; 43A.06, subdivision 1; 43A.09; 43A.10, subdivisions 2a, 7; 43A.14; 43A.15, subdivision 14, by adding a subdivision; 43A.17, by adding a subdivision; 43A.18, subdivisions 1, 9; 43A.19, subdivision 1; 43A.191; 43A.21, subdivisions 1, 2, 3, by adding a subdivision; 43A.36, subdivision 1; 43A.421; 118A.09, subdivisions 1, 2, 3; 137.0245, subdivision 2, by adding a subdivision; 138.081, subdivision 3; 138.665, subdivision 2; 161.1419, subdivision 2; 179A.22, subdivision 4; 351.01, subdivision 2; 357.17; 359.04; 364.021; 364.06, subdivision 1; 383B.145, by adding a subdivision; 471.345, by adding a subdivision; 473.606, subdivision 5; 473.704, subdivision 3; 507.0945; 517.04; 645.44, subdivision 5, as amended;
proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapters 1; 16B; 43A; 118A; 134; 359; 383B; 412; 471; repealing Minnesota Statutes 2022, sections 15.0395; 16B.24, subdivision 13; 16E.0466, subdivision 2; 43A.17, subdivision 9; 136F.03; 179.90; 179.91; 383B.143, subdivisions 2, 3; 383B.75; 383B.751; 383B.752; 383B.753; 383B.754."
With the recommendation that when so amended the bill be placed on the General Register.
The
report was adopted.
Newton from the Committee on Veterans and Military Affairs Finance and Policy to which was referred:
H. F. No. 1937, A bill for an act relating to state government; establishing a budget for the Department of Military Affairs and the Department of Veterans Affairs; modifying veterans bonus program and Minnesota GI bill program provisions; requiring reports; appropriating money; amending Minnesota Statutes 2022, sections 197.79, subdivisions 1, 2, by adding a subdivision; 197.791, subdivisions 5, 6, 7; Laws 2021, First Special Session chapter 12, article 1, section 37, subdivisions 1, 2.
Reported the same back with the following amendments:
Delete everything after the enacting clause and insert:
"ARTICLE 1
MILITARY AFFAIRS AND VETERANS AFFAIRS
Section 1. APPROPRIATIONS. |
The sums shown in the columns marked "Appropriations" are appropriated to the agencies and for the purposes specified in this article. The appropriations are from the general fund, or another named fund, and are available for the fiscal years indicated for each purpose. The figures "2024" and "2025" used in this article mean that the appropriations listed under them are available for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024, or June 30, 2025, respectively. "The first year" is fiscal year 2024. "The second year" is fiscal year 2025. "The biennium" is fiscal years 2024 and 2025.
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APPROPRIATIONS |
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Available for the Year |
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Ending June 30 |
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2024 |
2025 |
Sec. 2. MILITARY
AFFAIRS |
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Subdivision
1. Total Appropriation |
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$45,317,000 |
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$28,009,000 |
The amounts that may be spent for each purpose
are specified in the following subdivisions.
The base is $27,987,000 in fiscal year 2026 and $28,007,000 in fiscal
year 2027 and each year thereafter.
Subd. 2. Maintenance
of Training Facilities |
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9,951,000
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10,064,000
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Subd. 3. General
Support |
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22,125,000
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4,703,000
|
The base is $4,723,000 in fiscal year 2026
and $4,742,000 in fiscal year 2027 and each year thereafter.
(a) MN Cyber Coordination Cell (C3).
$320,000 the first year and $328,000 the second year are for administrative
and payroll costs to create and operate a Cyber Coordination Cell in the
Minnesota National Guard. The base is
$337,000 in fiscal year 2026 and $345,000 in fiscal year 2027 and each year
thereafter.
(b) Holistic Health and Fitness (H2F). $417,000 the first year and $426,000
the second year are for administrative and payroll costs to create and operate
Holistic Health and Fitness (H2F) initiatives across the Minnesota Army
National Guard. The base is $437,000 in
fiscal year 2026 and $448,000 in fiscal year 2027 and each year thereafter.
Subd. 4. Enlistment
Incentives |
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12,939,000
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12,939,000
|
The appropriations in this subdivision are
available until June 30, 2027.
If the amount for fiscal year 2024 is
insufficient, the amount for 2025 is available in fiscal year 2024. Any unencumbered balance does not cancel at
the end of the first year and is available for the second year.
Subd. 5. Emergency
Services |
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302,000
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303,000
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Sustain
Domestic Operations Communication Capabilities. $302,000 the first year and $303,000
the second year are for ongoing replacement of communications systems to
support domestic operations when ordered into state service by the governor. The base is $261,000 in fiscal year 2026 and
$262,000 in fiscal year 2027.
Sec. 3. VETERANS
AFFAIRS |
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Subdivision
1. Total Appropriation |
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$164,233,000 |
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$130,093,000 |
The amounts that may be spent for each
purpose are specified in the following subdivisions. The base is $122,077,000 in fiscal year 2026
and $123,159,000 in fiscal year 2027 and each year thereafter.
Subd. 2. Veterans
Programs and Services |
|
75,194,000
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|
29,548,000
|
The amounts that may be spent for each
purpose are specified in the following subdivisions. The base is $28,949,000 in fiscal year 2026
and $28,976,000 in fiscal year 2027.
(a) State's Veterans Cemeteries.
$2,818,000 the first year and $2,847,000 the second year are for
the operation of the state's veterans cemeteries. The base is $2,878,000 in fiscal year 2026
and $2,912,000 in fiscal year 2027.
(b) Veterans Service Organizations.
$500,000 each year is for grants to the following congressionally
chartered veterans service organizations as designated by the commissioner: Disabled American Veterans, Military Order of
the Purple Heart, the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Vietnam
Veterans of America, AMVETS, and Paralyzed Veterans of America. This funding must be allocated in direct
proportion to the funding currently being provided by the commissioner to these
organizations.
(c) Honor Guards. $200,000
each year is for compensation for honor guards at the funerals of veterans
under Minnesota Statutes, section 197.231.
(d) Minnesota GI Bill. $200,000
each year is for the costs of administering the Minnesota GI Bill postsecondary
educational benefits, on-the-job training, and apprenticeship program under
Minnesota Statutes, section 197.791.
(e) Gold Star Program. $100,000
each year is for administering the Gold Star Program for surviving family
members of deceased veterans.
(f) County Veterans Service Office.
$1,550,000 each year is for funding the County Veterans Service
Office grant program under Minnesota Statutes, section 197.608.
(g) Camp Bliss. $150,000
each year is for a grant to Camp Bliss as provided for in section 6. The base for this appropriation in fiscal
year 2026 and each year thereafter is $75,000.
(h) Veterans on the Lake. $50,000
each year is for a grant to Veterans on the Lake for expenses related to retreats
for Minnesota veterans, including therapy, transportation, and activities
customized for veterans. These are
onetime appropriations.
(i) Veteran Resilience Project.
$400,000 each year is for a grant to the veteran resilience
project. Grant funds must be used to
make eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy available to
veterans, veterans' spouses, current military service members, and current
military service members' spouses who are suffering from posttraumatic stress
disorder and trauma. To be eligible for
services, a prospective client must be a resident of the state or assigned to a
permanent duty station in the state pursuant to their military service. The base for this appropriation in fiscal
year 2026 and each year thereafter is $200,000.
The veteran resilience project must report
to the commissioner of veterans affairs and the chairs and ranking minority
members of the legislative committees with jurisdiction over veterans affairs
policy and finance by January 15 of each year on the program.
The report must include an
overview of the program's budget, a detailed explanation of program
expenditures, the number of veterans and service members served by the program,
and a list and explanation of the services provided to program participants.
(j) Minnesota Military and Veterans Museum. $300,000 each year is for a grant to
the Minnesota Military and Veterans Museum for museum staff to provide direct
services to veterans and their families.
These are onetime appropriations.
(k) Every Third Saturday. $100,000
each year is for a grant to Every Third Saturday to provide veterans with
emergency assistance and internships. Every
Third Saturday must report to the commissioner of veterans affairs and the
chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees with
jurisdiction over veterans affairs policy and finance no later than September
1, 2024, and by September 1 of each subsequent year. Each report must include, at a minimum, a
detailed explanation of how the grant money was used and the number of veterans
served by the program. These are onetime
appropriations.
(l) Minnesota Military Museum at Camp Ripley. $17,769,000 the first year is for the
design and construction of the Minnesota military museum at Camp Ripley. This appropriation is in addition to the
appropriation made in Laws 2020, Fifth Special Session chapter 3, article 1,
section 14, subdivision 6, for the same purposes. This is a onetime appropriation and is
available until June 30, 2027.
(m) CORE Program. $950,000
each year is for the Counseling and Case Management Outreach Referral and
Education (CORE) program.
(n) LinkVet Call Center. $373,000
each year is for the operation of the state's LinkVet Call Center.
(o) Recently Separated Veterans Program. $190,000 the first year and $170,000
the second year are for the operation of the recently separated veterans
program. The commissioner of veterans
affairs may use Department of Defense and other veteran data that were provided
with an appropriate disclosure to assist with connecting veterans to resources
and new programming. The commissioner
may use money for personnel, research, marketing, technology solutions, and
professional or technical contracts.
(p) Homeless Veterans and SOAR Program. $770,000 each year is to operate the
homeless veteran registry and homeless programs and to assist veterans, former
service members, and their dependents with obtaining federal benefits through
the Social Security Administration. The
commissioner of veterans affairs may use money for personnel, training,
research, marketing, and professional or technical contracts.
(q) Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans. $3,582,000 the first year and $946,000
the second year are for grants to the Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans
to provide assistance throughout Minnesota to veterans and their families who
are homeless or in danger of homelessness, including assistance with:
(1) supportive services to maintain
housing;
(2) employment;
(3) legal issues;
(4) housing and housing-related costs;
(5) transportation;
(6)
the acquisition and creation of permanent supportive housing; and
(7) property management of permanent
supportive housing.
Of these amounts, $2,582,000 the first
year is for the establishment of permanent supportive housing options for
homeless veterans and former service members.
This is a onetime appropriation and is available until June 30, 2026. $250,000 the first year is for the direct
veteran assistance grant. This is a onetime
appropriation. Any unencumbered balance
remaining in this subdivision in the first year for grants to the Minnesota
Assistance Council for Veterans does not cancel and is available for the second
year. The base is $946,000 in fiscal
year 2026 and each year thereafter. Assistance
authorized under this paragraph must be provided only to a veteran who has
resided in Minnesota for 30 days prior to the veteran's application for
assistance and according to other guidelines established by the commissioner. To avoid duplication of services, the
commissioner must ensure that this assistance is coordinated with all other
available programs for veterans.
(r) Veterans Bonus Program. $22,000,000
the first year is for service bonuses to Post-9/11 Veterans and Gold Star
families under Minnesota Statutes, section 197.79. This is a onetime appropriation and is
available until June 30, 2024.
(s) Veteran Homelessness Initiative.
$4,311,000 the first year and $1,311,000 the second year are for
an initiative to prevent and end veteran homelessness.
Subd. 3. Veterans
Health Care |
|
89,039,000
|
|
100,545,000
|
(a) The base for this appropriation in
fiscal year 2026 is $93,135,000 and $94,183,000 in fiscal year 2027 and each
year thereafter.
(b) $88,189,000 the first year
and $99,695,000 the second year may be transferred to a veterans homes special
revenue account in the special revenue fund in the same manner as other
receipts are deposited according to Minnesota Statutes, section 198.34, and are
appropriated to the commissioner of veterans affairs for the operation of
veterans homes facilities and programs. The
base for this transfer is $92,285,000 in fiscal year 2026 and $93,333,000 in
fiscal year 2027.
(c) The department shall seek opportunities
to maximize federal reimbursements of Medicare-eligible expenses and provide
annual reports to the commissioner of management and budget on the federal
Medicare reimbursements that are received.
Contingent upon future federal Medicare receipts, reductions to the
veterans homes' general fund appropriation may be made.
(d) $300,000 the first year and $300,000
the second year are for the department to staff Veteran Community Health
Navigators in community-based hospitals.
Sec. 4. Laws 2021, First Special Session chapter 12, article 1, section 37, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
Subd. 2. Veterans
Programs and Services |
|
27,073,000 |
|
22,153,000 |
(a) CORE Program. $750,000 each year is for the Counseling and Case Management Outreach Referral and Education (CORE) program.
(b) Veterans Service Organizations. $353,000 each year is for grants to the following congressionally chartered veterans service organizations as designated by the commissioner: Disabled American Veterans, Military Order of the Purple Heart, the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Vietnam Veterans of America, AMVETS, and Paralyzed Veterans of America. This funding must be allocated in direct proportion to the funding currently being provided by the commissioner to these organizations.
(c) Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans. $750,000 each year is for a grant to the Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans to provide assistance throughout Minnesota to veterans and their families who are homeless or in danger of homelessness, including assistance with the following:
(1) utilities;
(2) employment; and
(3) legal issues.
The assistance authorized under this paragraph must be made only to veterans who have resided in Minnesota for 30 days prior to application for assistance and according to other guidelines established by the commissioner. In order to avoid duplication of services, the commissioner must ensure that this assistance is coordinated with all other available programs for veterans.
(d) State's Veterans Cemeteries. $6,172,000 the first year and $1,672,000 the second year are for the state's veterans cemeteries. Of these amounts, $4,500,000 the first year is to construct and equip the new veterans cemetery in Redwood Falls.
(e) Honor Guards. $200,000 each year is for compensation for honor guards at the funerals of veterans under Minnesota Statutes, section 197.231.
(f) Minnesota GI Bill. $200,000 each year is for the costs of administering the Minnesota GI Bill postsecondary educational benefits, on-the-job training, and apprenticeship program under Minnesota Statutes, section 197.791.
(g) Gold Star Program. $100,000 each year is for administering the Gold Star Program for surviving family members of deceased veterans.
(h) County Veterans Service Office. $1,100,000 each year is for funding the County Veterans Service Office grant program under Minnesota Statutes, section 197.608.
(i) Veteran Homelessness Initiative. $3,165,000 each year is for an initiative to prevent and end veteran homelessness. The commissioner of veterans affairs may provide housing vouchers and other services to alleviate homelessness among veterans and former service members in Minnesota. The commissioner may contract for program administration and may establish a vacancy reserve fund. The base for this appropriation in fiscal year 2024 and each year thereafter is $1,311,000.
(j) Camp Bliss. $75,000 each year is for a grant to Independent Lifestyles, Inc. for expenses related to retreats for veterans at Camp Bliss in Walker, Minnesota, including therapy, transportation, and activities customized for veterans.
(k) Veterans On The Lake. $50,000 in the first year is for a grant to Veterans on the Lake for expenses related to retreats for veterans, including therapy, transportation, and activities customized for veterans.
(l) Veterans Resilience Project. $400,000 each year is for a grant to the veterans resilience project. Grant funds must be used to make eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy
available to veterans and,
veterans' spouses, current military service members, and current
military service members' spouses who are suffering from posttraumatic
stress disorder and trauma. The base for
this appropriation in fiscal year 2024 and each year thereafter is $200,000.
The veterans resilience project must report to the commissioner of veterans affairs and the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees with jurisdiction over veterans affairs policy and finance by January 15 of each year on the program. The report must include an overview of the program's budget, a detailed explanation of program expenditures, the number of veterans and service members served by the program, and a list and explanation of the services provided to program participants.
(m) 9/11 Task Force. $500,000 the first year is for the Advisory Task Force on 9/11 and Global War on Terrorism Remembrance. The task force must collect, memorialize, and publish stories of Minnesotans' service in the Global War on Terrorism and impacts on their dependents. The task force must host a remembrance program in September 2021. This is a onetime appropriation.
EFFECTIVE
DATE. This section is
effective the day following final enactment.
Sec. 5. CANCELLATION;
FISCAL YEAR 2023.
$3,000,000 of the fiscal year 2023
general fund appropriation under Laws 2021, First Special Session chapter 12,
article 1, section 37, subdivision 2, paragraph (i), is canceled to the general
fund on June 30, 2023.
EFFECTIVE
DATE. This section is
effective the day following final enactment.
Sec. 6. CAMP
BLISS GRANT PROGRAM.
Subdivision 1. Grant
program; eligibility; reimbursement requirements. (a) The commissioner of veterans
affairs shall issue a grant to Independent Lifestyles, Inc., for expenses
related to retreats for eligible veterans and their family members at Camp
Bliss in the city of Walker.
(b) The grant recipient may use grant
money to provide therapy, transportation, and activities customized for
eligible veterans and their family members.
(c) The commissioner must reimburse the
grant recipient at least $850 for each eligible veteran or family member who
the commissioner verifies attended the camp and received services from the
grant recipient. The commissioner shall
disburse money to the grant recipient for up to two visits per year to the camp
for each eligible veteran or family member.
Subd. 2. Definitions. (a) For purposes of this section, the
following terms have the meanings given.
(b) "Eligible veteran" means
a Minnesota resident who is either:
(1) a former armed forces service
member who has a DD-214 or other official document from the official military
personnel file of the veteran that describes the honorable service of the
veteran; or
(2) a current armed forces
member, whether serving in the active or reserve component.
(c) "Family member" means an
eligible veteran's spouse, domestic partner, and children.
ARTICLE 2
VETERANS AFFAIRS STATUTORY CHANGES
Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 190.19, subdivision 2a, is amended to read:
Subd. 2a. Uses; veterans. (a) Money appropriated to the Department of Veterans Affairs from the Minnesota "Support Our Troops" account may be used for:
(1) grants to veterans service organizations;
(2) outreach to underserved veterans;
(3) providing services and programs for veterans and their families;
(4) transfers to the vehicle services account for Gold Star license plates under section 168.1253;
(5) grants of up to $100,000 to any organization approved by the commissioner of veterans affairs for the purpose of supporting and improving the lives of veterans and their families;
(6) grants to an eligible foundation; and
(7) the agency's uncompensated burial costs
for eligible dependents to whom the commissioner grants a no-fee or
reduced-fee burial in the state's veteran cemeteries pursuant to section
197.236, subdivision 9, paragraph (b).
(b) For purposes of this subdivision, "eligible foundation" includes any organization that:
(1) is a tax-exempt organization under section 501(c) of the Internal Revenue Code; and
(2) is a nonprofit corporation under chapter 317A and the organization's articles of incorporation specify that a purpose of the organization includes: (i) providing assistance to veterans and their families; or (ii) enhancing the lives of veterans and their families.
Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 197.236, subdivision 9, is amended to read:
Subd. 9.
Burial fees prohibited. (a) The commissioner of veterans
affairs shall establish a fee schedule, which may be adjusted from time to
time, for the interment of eligible spouses and dependent children. The fees shall cover as nearly as practicable
the actual costs of interment, excluding the value of the plot.
(b) Upon application, the commissioner may
waive or reduce the burial fee for an indigent eligible person. The commissioner shall develop a policy,
eligibility standards, and application form for requests to waive or reduce the
burial fee to indigent eligible applicants.
(c) No plot or interment fees may be
charged for the burial of service members who die on active duty or eligible
veterans, as defined in United States Code, title 38, section 101, paragraph
(2) eligible persons under subdivision 8.
Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 197.79, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
Subdivision 1. Definitions. For purposes of this section, the following terms have the meanings given them.
(a) "Applicant" means a veteran or a veteran's guardian, conservator, or personal representative or a beneficiary or a beneficiary's guardian, conservator, or personal representative who has filed an application with the commissioner for a bonus under this section.
(b) "Application" means a request for a bonus payment by a veteran, a veteran's beneficiary, or a veteran's guardian, conservator, or personal representative through submission of written information on a form designed by the commissioner for this purpose.
(c) "Beneficiary" means in relation to a deceased veteran and in the order named:
(1) the surviving spouse, if not remarried;
(2) the children of the veteran, if there is no surviving spouse or the surviving spouse has remarried;
(3) the veteran's surviving parent or parents;
(4) the veteran's surviving sibling or siblings; or
(5) the veteran's estate.
(d) "Commissioner" means the commissioner of the Department of Veterans Affairs.
(e) "Department" means the Department of Veterans Affairs.
(f) "Eligibility period for the bonus" means the period from September 11, 2001, to August 30, 2021.
(g) "Guardian" or "conservator" means the legally appointed representative of a minor or incapacitated beneficiary or veteran, the chief officer of a hospital or institution in which the incapacitated veteran is placed if the officer is authorized to accept money for the benefit of the minor or incapacitated veteran, the person determined by the commissioner to be the person who is legally charged with the responsibility for the care of the minor or incapacitated beneficiary or veteran, or the person determined by the commissioner to be the person who has assumed the responsibility for the care of the minor or incapacitated beneficiary or veteran.
(h) "Honorable service" means honorable federal service in the United States armed forces, as evidenced by:
(1) an honorable discharge;
(2) a general discharge under honorable conditions;
(3) in the case of an officer, a certificate of honorable service; or
(4) in the case of an applicant who is currently serving in active duty in the United States armed forces, a certificate from an appropriate service authority that the applicant's service to date has been honorable.
(i) "Incapacitated person" means an individual who, for reasons other than being a minor, lacks sufficient understanding or the capacity to make personal decisions and who is unable to meet the individual's own personal needs for medical care, nutrition, clothing, shelter, or safety even when assisted by appropriate technology or supported decision making.
(j) "Resident veteran" means a veteran who served in active duty in the United States armed forces at any time during the eligibility period for the bonus, and who also:
(1) has been separated or discharged from
the United States armed forces, and whose home of record at the time of
entry into active duty in the United States armed forces, as indicated on the
person's form DD-214 or other documents the commissioner may authorize, is the
state of Minnesota and who resides in Minnesota at the time of
application with the intention of residing in the state and not for any temporary purpose. An applicant may verify a residence address by presenting a valid state driver's license; a state identification card; a voter registration card; a rent receipt; a statement by the landlord, apartment manager, or homeowner verifying that the individual is residing at the address; or other form of verification approved by the commissioner; or
(2) is currently serving in the United States armed forces, and has a certificate from an appropriate service authority stating that the person: (i) served in active duty in the United States armed forces at any time during the eligibility period for the bonus; and (ii) has Minnesota listed as the veteran's home of record in the veteran's official military personnel file.
(k) "Service connected" means caused by an injury or disease incurred or aggravated while on active duty, as determined by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs.
(l) "Veteran" has the meaning given in section 197.447 and does not include a member of the National Guard or the reserve components of the United States armed forces ordered to active duty for the sole purpose of training. Veteran also includes a person who is providing honorable service on active duty in the United States armed forces and has not been separated or discharged.
Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 197.79, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
Subd. 2. Bonus amount. (a) For a resident veteran who provided honorable service in the United States armed forces at any time during the eligibility period for the bonus, the bonus amount is:
(1) $600, if the veteran did not receive
the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary
Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, or Afghanistan Campaign Medal, or
Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal during the eligibility period for the
bonus;
(2) $1200, if the veteran received the
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal,
Iraq Campaign Medal, or Afghanistan Campaign Medal, or Inherent
Resolve Campaign Medal during the eligibility period for the bonus; or
(3) $2,000, if the veteran was eligible
for the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary
Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, or Afghanistan Campaign Medal, or
Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal during the eligibility period for the
bonus, and died during that time period as a direct result of a service
connected injury, disease, or condition.
(b) In the case of a deceased veteran, the commissioner shall pay the bonus to the veteran's beneficiary.
Sec. 5. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 197.79, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:
Subd. 11. Reapplication
allowed. Notwithstanding any
law to the contrary, an eligible veteran who previously applied for a bonus
under this section may reapply if the veteran either was denied a bonus or is
entitled to receive a larger bonus than was originally awarded based on the
amendments to this section contained in this act.
EFFECTIVE
DATE. This section is
effective the day following final enactment.
Sec. 6. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 197.791, subdivision 5, is amended to read:
Subd. 5. Educational assistance. (a) On approval by the commissioner of eligibility for the program, the applicant shall be awarded, on a funds-available basis, the educational assistance under the program for use at any time according to program rules at any eligible institution.
(b) The amount of educational assistance in any semester or term for an eligible person must be determined by subtracting from the eligible person's cost of attendance the amount the person received or was eligible to receive in that semester or term from:
(1) the federal Pell Grant;
(2) the state grant program under section 136A.121; and
(3) any federal military or veterans educational benefits including but not limited to the Montgomery GI Bill, GI Bill Kicker, the federal tuition assistance program, vocational rehabilitation benefits, and any other federal benefits associated with the person's status as a veteran, except veterans disability payments from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs.
(c) The amount of educational assistance for
any eligible person who is a full-time student must not exceed the
following:
(1) $3,000 $6,000 per state
fiscal year; and
(2) $10,000 $15,000 in a
lifetime.
(d) For a part-time student, the amount of
educational assistance must not exceed $500 per semester or term of enrollment. For the purpose of this paragraph, a
part-time undergraduate student is a student taking fewer than 12 credits or
the equivalent for a semester or term of enrollment and a part-time graduate
student is a student considered part time by the eligible institution the
graduate student is attending. The
minimum award for undergraduate and graduate students is $50 per term.
Sec. 7. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 197.791, subdivision 6, is amended to read:
Subd. 6. Apprenticeship and on-the-job training. (a) The commissioner, in consultation with the commissioners of employment and economic development and labor and industry, shall develop and implement an apprenticeship and on-the-job training program to administer a portion of the Minnesota GI Bill program to pay benefit amounts to eligible persons, as provided in this subdivision.
(b) An "eligible employer" means an employer operating a qualifying apprenticeship or on-the-job training program that has been approved by the commissioner.
(c) A
person is eligible for apprenticeship and on-the-job training assistance under
this subdivision if the person is:
(1) a veteran who is serving or has served honorably in any branch or unit of the United States armed forces at any time;
(2) a nonveteran who has served honorably for a total of five years or more cumulatively as a member of the Minnesota National Guard or any other active or reserve component of the United States armed forces, and any part of that service occurred on or after September 11, 2001;
(3) the surviving spouse or child of a person who has served in the military and who has died as a direct result of that military service, only if the surviving spouse or child is eligible to receive federal education benefits under United States Code, title 38, chapter 33, as amended, or United States Code, title 38, chapter 35, as amended; or
(4) the spouse or child of a person who has served in the military at any time and who has a total and permanent service-connected disability as rated by the United States Veterans Administration, only if the spouse or child is eligible to receive federal education benefits under United States Code, title 38, chapter 33, as amended, or United States Code, title 38, chapter 35, as amended.
(d) The amount of assistance paid to or on behalf of an eligible individual under this subdivision must not exceed the following:
(1) $3,000 per fiscal year for apprenticeship expenses;
(2) $3,000 per fiscal year for on-the-job training;
(3) $1,000 for a job placement credit payable to an eligible employer upon hiring and completion of six consecutive months' employment of a person receiving assistance under this subdivision; and
(4) $1,000 for a job placement credit payable to an eligible employer after a person receiving assistance under this subdivision has been employed by the eligible employer for at least 12 consecutive months as a full-time employee.
(e) No more than $5,000 in aggregate benefits under this subdivision may be paid to or on behalf of an individual in one fiscal year.
(f) If an eligible person receives
benefits under subdivision 5 or 5b, the eligible person's aggregate benefits
under this subdivision and subdivisions 5 and 5b must not exceed $10,000
$15,000 in the eligible person's lifetime.
(g) Assistance for apprenticeship expenses and on-the-job training is available for qualifying programs, which must, at a minimum, meet the following criteria:
(1) the training must be with an eligible employer;
(2) the training must be documented and reported;
(3) the training must reasonably be expected to lead to an entry-level position; and
(4) the position must require at least six months of training to become fully trained.
Sec. 8. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 197.791, subdivision 7, is amended to read:
Subd. 7. Additional professional or educational benefits. (a) The commissioner shall develop and implement a program to administer a portion of the Minnesota GI Bill program to pay additional benefit amounts to eligible persons as provided under this subdivision.
(b) A person is eligible for additional benefits under this subdivision if the person is:
(1) a veteran who is serving or has served honorably in any branch or unit of the United States armed forces at any time;
(2) a nonveteran who has served honorably for a total of five years or more cumulatively as a member of the Minnesota National Guard or any other active or reserve component of the United States armed forces, and any part of that service occurred on or after September 11, 2001;
(3) the surviving spouse or child of a person who has served in the military and who has died as a direct result of that military service, only if the surviving spouse or child is eligible to receive federal education benefits under United States Code, title 38, chapter 33, as amended, or United States Code, title 38, chapter 35, as amended; or
(4) the spouse or child of a person who has served in the military at any time and who has a total and permanent service-connected disability as rated by the United States Veterans Administration, only if the spouse or child is eligible to receive federal education benefits under United States Code, title 38, chapter 33, as amended, or United States Code, title 38, chapter 35, as amended.
(c) The amount of assistance paid to or on behalf of an eligible individual under this subdivision must not exceed the following amounts:
(1) $3,000 per state fiscal year; and
(2) $10,000 $15,000 in a
lifetime.
(d) If an eligible person receives benefits
under subdivision 5 or 5a, the eligible person's aggregate benefits under this
subdivision and subdivisions 5 and 5a must not exceed $10,000 $15,000
in the eligible person's lifetime.
(e) A person eligible under this subdivision may use the benefit amounts for the following purposes:
(1) licensing or certification tests, the successful completion of which demonstrates an individual's possession of the knowledge or skill required to enter into, maintain, or advance in employment in a predetermined and identified vocation or profession, provided that the tests and the licensing or credentialing organizations or entities that offer the tests are approved by the commissioner;
(2) tests for admission to institutions of higher learning or graduate schools;
(3) national tests providing an opportunity for course credit at institutions of higher learning;
(4) a preparatory course for a test that is required or used for admission to an institution of higher education or a graduate program; and
(5) any fee associated with the pursuit of a professional or educational objective specified in clauses (1) to (4)."
Correct the title numbers accordingly
With the recommendation that when so amended the bill be re-referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.
The
report was adopted.
Lillie from the Committee on Legacy Finance to which was referred:
H. F. No. 1999, A bill for an act relating to state government; appropriating money from clean water, parks and trails, and arts and cultural heritage funds.
Reported the same back with the following amendments:
Delete everything after the enacting clause and insert:
"ARTICLE 1
OUTDOOR HERITAGE FUND
Section 1. APPROPRIATIONS. |
The sums shown in the columns marked "Appropriations" are appropriated to the agencies and for the purposes specified in this article. The appropriations are from the outdoor heritage fund for the fiscal year indicated for each purpose. The "first year" is fiscal year 2024. The "second year" is fiscal year 2025. The "biennium" is fiscal years 2024 and 2025. The appropriations in this article are onetime appropriations.
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APPROPRIATIONS |
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Available for the Year |
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Ending June 30 |
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2024 |
2025 |
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Sec. 2. OUTDOOR
HERITAGE FUND |
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Subdivision
1. Total Appropriation |
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$171,135,000 |
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$655,000 |
This appropriation is from the outdoor
heritage fund. The amounts that may be
spent for each purpose are specified in the following subdivisions.
Subd. 2. Prairies
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31,917,000
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-0-
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(a) Minnesota Prairie Recovery Program, Phase XIII |
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$3,856,000 the first year is to the
commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with The Nature Conservancy
to acquire land in fee and restore and enhance native prairie, grasslands, wetlands,
and savanna. Subject to the evaluation
criteria in Minnesota Rules, part 6136.0900, priority must be given to
acquiring lands that are eligible for the native prairie bank under Minnesota
Statutes, section 84.96, or lands adjacent to protected native prairie. Annual income statements and balance sheets
for income and expenses from land acquired with this appropriation must be
submitted to the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council no later than 180 days
after the close of The Nature Conservancy's fiscal year. A list of proposed land acquisitions,
restorations, and enhancements must be provided as part of the required
accomplishment plan and must be consistent with the priorities identified in
the Minnesota Prairie Conservation Plan.
(b) Martin County DNR WMA Acquisition, Phase VII |
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$2,137,000 the first year is to the
commissioner of natural resources for agreements to acquire land in fee and
restore and enhance strategic prairie grassland, wetland, and other wildlife
habitat in Martin and Watonwan Counties for wildlife management area purposes
under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 8, as follows: $1,670,000 to Fox Lake Conservation League
Inc.; $421,000 to Ducks Unlimited; and $46,000 to The Conservation Fund. A list of proposed acquisitions must be
provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.
(c) RIM Grasslands Reserve, Phase V |
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$2,747,000 the first year is to the Board
of Water and Soil Resources to acquire permanent conservation easements and to
restore and enhance grassland habitat under Minnesota Statutes, sections
103F.501 to 103F.531. Of this amount, up
to $46,000 is
for establishing a monitoring
and enforcement fund as approved in the accomplishment plan and subject to
Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 17. A list of permanent conservation easements
must be provided as part of the final report.
(d) Prairie Chicken Habitat Partnership of the Southern Red River Valley, Phase IX |
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$4,400,000 the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Pheasants Forever, in cooperation with the Minnesota Prairie Chicken Society, to acquire land in fee and restore and enhance lands in the southern Red River Valley for wildlife management purposes under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 8, or to be designated and managed as waterfowl production areas in Minnesota, in cooperation with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. Subject to the evaluation criteria in Minnesota Rules, part 6136.0900, priority must be given to acquiring lands that are eligible for the native prairie bank under Minnesota Statutes, section 84.96, or lands adjacent to protected native prairie. A list of proposed land acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.
(e) Working Lands for Habitat |
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$2,709,000 the first year is to the Board
of Water and Soil Resources to acquire permanent conservation easements that
allow long-term grazing while also protecting wildlife habitat and water
quality under Minnesota Statutes, sections 103F.501 to 103F.531. Grazing plans must be developed before
grazing is allowed. Of this amount, up
to $46,000 is for establishing a monitoring and enforcement fund as approved in
the accomplishment plan and subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056,
subdivision 17. A list of permanent
conservation easements must be provided as part of the final report.
(f) Accelerating the Wildlife Management Area Program, Phase XV |
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$5,216,000 the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Pheasants Forever to acquire in fee and restore and enhance lands for wildlife management area purposes under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 8. Subject to the evaluation criteria in Minnesota Rules, part 6136.0900, priority must be given to acquiring lands that are eligible for the native prairie bank under Minnesota Statutes, section 84.96, or lands adjacent to protected native prairie. A list of proposed land acquisitions must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.
(g) Accelerating the USFWS Habitat Conservation Easement Program, Phase IV |
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$5,077,000 the first year is to the
commissioner of natural resources for agreements to restore and enhance wetland
and prairie habitat on habitat easements of the United States Fish and
Wildlife Service as follows: $3,391,000 to Ducks Unlimited and $1,686,000
to Pheasants Forever. A list of proposed
land restorations and enhancements must be provided as part of the required
accomplishment plan.
(h) DNR Grassland Enhancement, Phase XV |
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$3,003,000 the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources to accelerate the restoration and enhancement of prairies, grasslands, and savannas in wildlife management areas, in scientific and natural areas, in aquatic management areas, on lands in the native prairie bank, in bluff prairies on state forest land in southeastern Minnesota, and in waterfowl production areas and refuge lands of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. A list of proposed land restorations and enhancements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.
(i) Enhanced Public Land - Grasslands, Phase VI |
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$2,772,000 the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Pheasants Forever to enhance and restore grassland and wetland habitat on public lands. A list of proposed land restorations and enhancements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.
Subd. 3. Forests
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6,569,000
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-0-
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(a) Hardwood Hills Habitat Conservation Program |
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$1,894,000 the first year is to the
commissioner of natural resources for agreements to acquire permanent
conservation easements and restore and enhance forest habitats in the hardwood
hills ecological section of west-central Minnesota as follows: $175,000 to St. John's University and
$1,719,000 to Minnesota Land Trust. $168,000
of the amount to Minnesota Land Trust is to establish a monitoring and
enforcement fund as approved in the accomplishment plan and subject to
Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 17. A list of proposed permanent conservation
easements, restorations, and enhancements must be provided as part of the
required accomplishment plan.
(b) Camp Ripley Sentinel Landscape Protection Program ACUB, Phase XI |
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$2,133,000 the first year is to the Board
of Water and Soil Resources, in cooperation with the Morrison County Soil and
Water Conservation District, to acquire permanent conservation easements and
restore and enhance forest wildlife habitat within the boundaries of the
Minnesota National Guard Camp Ripley Sentinel Landscape and Army Compatible Use
Buffer. Up to $111,000 to the Board of
Water and Soil Resources is to establish
a monitoring and enforcement
fund as approved in the accomplishment plan and subject to Minnesota Statutes,
section 97A.056, subdivision 17. A list
of permanent conservation easements must be provided as part of the final
report.
(c) Protecting and Enhancing Public Land Forest Habitats by Strategically Acquiring Private Land Inholdings |
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$1,046,000 the first year is to the
commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with the Ruffed Grouse
Society to protect and enhance forest habitats by strategically acquiring
private forest land inholdings to provide better public forest management,
reduce fragmentation, and provide public access. A list of proposed acquisitions and
enhancements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.
(d) DNR Forest Habitat Enhancement, Phase III |
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$1,496,000 the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources to restore and enhance forest wildlife habitats on public lands throughout Minnesota. A list of proposed land restorations and enhancements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.
Subd. 4. Wetlands
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33,469,000
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(a) RIM Wetlands - Restoring the Most Productive Habitat in Minnesota, Phase XII |
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$4,122,000 the first year is to the Board
of Water and Soil Resources to acquire permanent conservation easements and to
restore wetlands and native grassland habitat under Minnesota Statutes, section
103F.515. Of this amount, up to $72,000
is for establishing a monitoring and enforcement fund as approved in the
accomplishment plan and subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056,
subdivision 17. A list of permanent
conservation easements must be provided as part of the final report.
(b) Shallow Lake and Wetland Protection and Restoration Program, Phase XII |
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$7,061,000 the first year is to the
commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Ducks Unlimited to
acquire land in fee for wildlife management purposes under Minnesota Statutes,
section 86A.05, subdivision 8, and to restore and enhance prairie lands,
wetlands, and land that buffers shallow lakes.
A list of proposed acquisitions must be provided as part of the required
accomplishment plan.
(c) Wetland Habitat Protection and Restoration Program, Phase VIII |
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$3,012,000 the first year is to the
commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Minnesota Land Trust to
acquire permanent conservation easements and restore and enhance prairie,
wetland, and other habitat on permanently protected conservation
easements in high-priority wetland habitat complexes in the prairie, forest/prairie transition, and forest regions. Of this amount, up to $168,000 is to establish a monitoring and enforcement fund as approved in the accomplishment plan and subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 17. A list of proposed conservation easement acquisitions and restorations and enhancements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.
(d) Accelerating the Waterfowl Production Area Acquisition Program, Phase XIV |
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$5,231,000 the first year is to the
commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Pheasants Forever, in
cooperation with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, to acquire land
in fee and restore and enhance wetlands and grasslands to be designated and
managed as waterfowl production areas in Minnesota. A list of proposed land acquisitions must be
provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.
(e) Wetland Enhancement in the Big Woods |
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$619,000 the first year is to the commissioner
of natural resources for an agreement with Scott-Le Sueur Waterfowlers to
restore and enhance wetlands in Scott and Rice Counties. A list of proposed restorations and
enhancements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.
(f) Living Shallow Lakes and Wetlands Enhancement and Restoration Initiative, Phase IX |
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$6,634,000 the first year is to the
commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Ducks Unlimited to
restore and enhance shallow lakes, wetlands, and grasslands on public lands and
wetlands and grasslands under permanent conservation easement for wildlife
management. A list of proposed
shallow-lake enhancements and wetland restorations must be provided as part of
the required accomplishment plan.
(g) Voyageurs National Park Wetland Restoration Project, Phase III |
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$1,153,000 the first year is to the
commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with the National Park
Service to restore and enhance wetland and lacustrine habitat in Voyageurs
National Park. A list of proposed
restorations and enhancements must be provided as part of the required
accomplishment plan.
(h) Accelerated Shallow Lakes and Wetland Enhancement, Phase XV |
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$3,695,000 the first year is to the
commissioner of natural resources to enhance and restore shallow lakes and
wetland habitat statewide. A list of
proposed shallow lake and wetland restorations and enhancements must be
provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.
(i) Bone Lake South
Wetland Acquisition |
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$1,942,000 the first year is to the
commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with the Comfort Lake-Forest
Lake Watershed District to acquire in fee and restore and enhance lands for
wildlife and water quality purposes in the Bone Lake watershed. A list of proposed acquisitions must be
provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.
Subd. 5. Habitats
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97,349,000
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-0-
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(a)
Hennepin County Habitat Conservation Program, Phase III |
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$4,649,000 the first year is to the
commissioner of natural resources for agreements to acquire permanent
conservation easements and to restore and enhance wildlife habitat in Hennepin County
as follows: $1,687,000 to Hennepin
County and $2,962,000 to Minnesota Land Trust.
$216,000 of the amount to Minnesota Land Trust is to establish a
monitoring and enforcement fund as approved in the accomplishment plan and
subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 17. A list of proposed permanent conservation
easements, restorations, and enhancements must be provided as part of the
required accomplishment plan.
(b) Anoka Sand Plain Habitat Conservation, Phase VIII |
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$3,269,000 the first year is to the
commissioner of natural resources for agreements to acquire permanent
conservation easements and to restore and enhance wildlife habitat on public
lands and easements in the Anoka Sand Plain ecoregion and intersecting minor watersheds
as follows: $802,000 to the Anoka
Conservation District; $839,000 to Great River Greening; $175,000 to the
National Wild Turkey Federation; $280,000 to Sherburne County; and $1,173,000
to Minnesota Land Trust. $144,000 of the
amount to Minnesota Land Trust is to establish a monitoring and enforcement
fund as approved in the accomplishment plan and subject to Minnesota Statutes,
section 97A.056, subdivision 17. A list
of proposed permanent conservation easements, restorations, and enhancements
must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.
(c) Accelerating Habitat Conservation in Southwest Minnesota, Phase II |
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$3,071,000 the first year is to the
commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Minnesota Land Trust to
acquire permanent conservation easements and to restore and enhance
high-quality wildlife habitat in southwest Minnesota. Of this amount, up to $168,000 is to
establish a monitoring and enforcement fund as approved in the accomplishment
plan and
subject to Minnesota Statutes,
section 97A.056, subdivision 17. A list
of proposed conservation easement acquisitions, restorations, and enhancements
must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.
(d) Buffalo-Red River Watershed District Stream Habitat Program, Phase III |
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$3,748,000 the first year is to acquire permanent conservation easements and restore and enhance aquatic and upland habitat associated with the Red River and Buffalo River watersheds. Of this amount, $2,250,000 is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with the Buffalo-Red River Watershed District and $1,498,000 is to the Board of Water and Soil Resources. $102,000 of the amount to the Board of Water and Soil Resources is for establishing a monitoring and enforcement fund as approved in the accomplishment plan and subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 17. A list of proposed acquisitions and restorations must be included as part of the required accomplishment plan.
(e) Southeast Minnesota Protection and Restoration, Phase XI |
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$3,675,000 the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for agreements to acquire lands in fee and permanent conservation easements and to restore and enhance wildlife habitat on public lands and permanent conservation easements in southeast Minnesota as follows: $1,311,000 to The Nature Conservancy; $942,000 to Trust for Public Land; and $1,422,000 to Minnesota Land Trust. $168,000 of the amount to Minnesota Land Trust is to establish a monitoring and enforcement fund as approved in the accomplishment plan and subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 17. A list of proposed land acquisitions, restorations, and enhancements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.
(f) Protecting Minnesota's Lakes of Outstanding Biological Significance, Phase II |
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$3,648,000 the first year is to the
commissioner of natural resources for agreements to acquire land in fee and
permanent conservation easements and to restore and enhance lakes of
outstanding biological significance in northeast and north-central Minnesota. Of this amount, $1,507,000 is to Northern
Waters Land Trust and $2,141,000 is to Minnesota Land Trust. $192,000 of the amount to Minnesota Land
Trust is for establishing a monitoring and enforcement fund as approved in the
accomplishment plan and subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056,
subdivision 17. A list of proposed
acquisitions must be included as part of the required accomplishment plan.
(g) Fisheries Habitat Protection on Strategic North-Central Minnesota Lakes, Phase IX |
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$3,719,000 the first year is to the
commissioner of natural resources for agreements to acquire land in fee and in
permanent conservation easements and to restore and enhance wildlife habitat to
sustain healthy fish habitat on coldwater lakes in Aitkin, Cass, Crow Wing, and
Hubbard Counties as follows: $1,777,000
to Northern Waters Land Trust and $1,942,000 to Minnesota Land Trust. Up to $168,000 to Minnesota Land Trust is to
establish a monitoring and enforcement fund as approved in the accomplishment
plan and subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 17. A list of acquisitions must be provided as
part of the required accomplishment plan.
(h) DNR Wildlife Management Area and Scientific and Natural Area Acquisition, Phase XV |
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$2,340,000 the first year is to the
commissioner of natural resources to acquire in fee and restore and enhance
lands for wildlife management purposes under Minnesota Statutes, section
86A.05, subdivision 8, and to acquire land in fee for scientific and natural
area purposes under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 5. Subject to the evaluation criteria in
Minnesota Rules, part 6136.0900, priority must be given to acquiring lands that
are eligible for the native prairie bank under Minnesota Statutes, section
84.96, or lands adjacent to protected native prairie. A list of proposed land acquisitions must be
provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.
(i) DNR Trout Stream Conservation Easements, Phase III |
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$1,043,000 the first year is to the
commissioner of natural resources to acquire land in permanent conservation
easements to protect trout-stream aquatic habitat. Of this amount, up to $120,000 is for
establishing a monitoring and enforcement fund as approved in the
accomplishment plan and subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056,
subdivision 17. A list of permanent
conservation easements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment
plan.
(j) Metro Big Rivers, Phase XIII |
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$15,339,000 the first year is to the
commissioner of natural resources for agreements to acquire land in fee and
permanent conservation easements and to restore and enhance natural habitat
systems associated with the Mississippi, Minnesota, and St. Croix Rivers
and their tributaries in the metropolitan area as follows: $700,000 to Minnesota Valley Trust; $540,000
to Friends of the Mississippi River; $928,000 to Great River Greening;
$11,171,000 to Trust for Public Land; and $2,000,000 to Minnesota Land Trust.
Up to $192,000 to Minnesota Land Trust is to establish a monitoring and enforcement fund as approved in the accomplishment plan and subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 17. A list of proposed land acquisitions and permanent conservation easements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.
(k) St. Croix Watershed Habitat Protection and Restoration, Phase IV |
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$13,306,000 the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for agreements to acquire land in fee and permanent conservation easements and to restore and enhance natural habitat systems in the St. Croix River watershed as follows: $11,171,000 to Trust for Public Land; $105,000 to Wild Rivers Conservancy; and $2,030,000 to Minnesota Land Trust. Up to $168,000 to Minnesota Land Trust is to establish a monitoring and enforcement fund as approved in the accomplishment plan and subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 17. A list of proposed land acquisitions and permanent conservation easements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.
(l) Shell Rock River Watershed Habitat Restoration Program, Phase XII |
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$2,198,000 the first year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with the Shell Rock River Watershed District to acquire land in fee and to restore and enhance habitat in the Shell Rock River watershed. A list of proposed acquisitions, restorations, and enhancements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.
(m) Integrating Habitat and Clean Water, Phase II |
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$3,269,000 the first year is to the Board
of Water and Soil Resources to acquire permanent conservation easements and
restore and enhance wildlife habitat identified in One Watershed, One Plan for
stacked benefit to wildlife and clean water.
Up to $85,000 of the amount is for establishing a monitoring and
enforcement fund as approved in the accomplishment plan and subject to
Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056, subdivision 17. A list of permanent conservation easements
must be provided as part of the final report.
(n) Cannon River Watershed Habitat Restoration and Protection Program, Phase XII |
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$2,981,000 the first year is to the
commissioner of natural resources for agreements to acquire lands in fee and
restore and enhance wildlife habitat in the Cannon River watershed as follows: $119,000 to Clean River Partners; $994,000 to
Great River Greening; and $1,868,000 to Trust for Public Land. A list of proposed land acquisitions,
restorations, and enhancements must be provided as part of the required
accomplishment plan.
(o) Enhance Metro and Southeast Minnesota Trout Stream Habitats, Phase II |
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$1,690,000 the first year is to the
commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Minnesota Trout
Unlimited to restore and enhance habitat for trout and other species in and
along coldwater rivers, lakes, and streams in the metro and southeast regions
of Minnesota. A list of proposed
restorations and enhancements must be provided as part of the required
accomplishment plan.
(p) Lake Nokomis Shoreline Enhancements for Turtles and Pollinators, Phase II |
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$755,000 the first year is to the
commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with the Minneapolis Park
and Recreation Board to enhance shoreline and upland habitat on Lake Nokomis. A list of proposed enhancements must be
provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.
(q) Upper Sioux Community Habitat Restoration |
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$966,000 the first year is to the
commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with the Upper Sioux
Community to restore and enhance oak savanna, forest, prairie, and other
wildlife habitats on Tribal lands. A
list of proposed restorations and enhancements must be provided as part of the
required accomplishment plan.
(r) Rum River Corridor Fish and Wildlife Habitat Enhancement, Phase II |
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$1,699,000 the first year is to the
commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with the Anoka County Soil
and Water Conservation District to restore and enhance upland and riverine
habitat in the Rum River corridor. A
list of proposed enhancements and restorations must be provided as part of the
required accomplishment plan.
(s) Restoring and Enhancing Minnesota's Important Bird Areas in the St. Croix River Valley |
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$1,034,000 the first year is to the
commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Audubon Minnesota to
restore and enhance wildlife habitat in important bird areas and other priority
wildlife areas in the St. Croix River Valley. A list of proposed restorations and
enhancements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.
(t) DNR St. Louis River Restoration Initiative, Phase X |
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$2,596,000 the first year is to the
commissioner of natural resources to restore and enhance priority aquatic,
riparian, and forest habitats in the St. Louis River estuary. Of this amount, up to
$140,000 is for an agreement
with Minnesota Land Trust. A list of
proposed restorations and enhancements must be provided as part of the required
accomplishment plan.
(u) DNR Aquatic Habitat Restoration and Enhancement, Phase XI |
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$4,122,000 the first year is to the
commissioner of natural resources to restore and enhance aquatic habitat in
degraded streams and aquatic management areas and to facilitate fish passage. A list of proposed land restorations and
enhancements must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.
(v) DNR Roving Crew, Phase II |
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$8,732,000 the first year is to the
commissioner of natural resources to restore and enhance fish and wildlife
habitat on permanently protected lands throughout Minnesota using the roving
crew program of the Department of Natural Resources. A list of restoration and enhancement
projects must be provided as part of the required accomplishment plan.
(w) Conservation Partners Legacy Grant Program: Statewide and Metro Habitat, Phase XV |
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$9,500,000 the first year is to the
commissioner of natural resources for a program to provide competitive matching
grants of up to $500,000 to local, regional, state, and national organizations
for enhancing, restoring, or protecting forests, wetlands, prairies, or habitat
for fish, game, or wildlife in Minnesota.
Of this amount, at least $2,500,000 is for grants in the seven-county
metropolitan area and cities with a population of 50,000 or greater and at
least $3,000,000 is for grants to applicants that have not previously applied
for money from the outdoor heritage fund.
Grants must not be made for activities required to fulfill the duties of
owners of lands subject to conservation easements. Grants must not be made from the
appropriation in this paragraph for projects that have a total project cost
exceeding $1,000,000. Of the total
appropriation, $450,000 may be spent for personnel costs, outreach and support
to first-time applicants, and other direct and necessary administrative costs. Grantees may acquire land or interests in
land. Easements must be permanent. Grants may not be used to establish easement
stewardship accounts. The program must
require a match of at least ten percent from nonstate sources for all grants. The match may be cash or in-kind resources. For grant applications of $25,000 or less,
the commissioner must provide a separate, simplified application process. Subject to Minnesota Statutes, the
commissioner of natural resources must, when evaluating projects of equal
value, give priority to organizations that have a history of receiving, or a
charter to receive, private contributions for local conservation or habitat
projects. All restoration or enhancement
projects must be on land
permanently protected by a permanent covenant ensuring perpetual maintenance
and protection of restored and enhanced habitat, by a conservation easement, or
by public ownership or in public waters as defined in Minnesota Statutes,
section 103G.005, subdivision 15. Priority
must be given to restoration and enhancement projects on public lands. Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.056,
subdivision 13, applies to grants awarded under this paragraph. This appropriation is available until June
30, 2026. No less than five percent of
the amount of each grant must be held back from reimbursement until the grant
recipient has completed a grant accomplishment report by the deadline and in
the form prescribed by and satisfactory to the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage
Council. The commissioner must provide
notice of the grant program in the summary of game and fish law prepared under
Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.051, subdivision 2.
Subd. 6. Administration
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1,831,000
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655,000
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(a) Contract Management |
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$336,000 the first year is to the
commissioner of natural resources for contract management duties assigned in
this section. The commissioner must
provide an accomplishment plan in the form specified by the Lessard-Sams
Outdoor Heritage Council on expending this appropriation. The accomplishment plan must include a copy
of the grant contract template and reimbursement manual. No money may be expended before the
Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council approves the accomplishment plan. Money
appropriated in this paragraph is available until June 30, 2025.
(b) Legislative Coordinating Commission |
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$634,000 the first year and $651,000 the
second year are to the Legislative Coordinating Commission for administrative
expenses of the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council and for compensating and
reimbursing expenses of council members.
This appropriation is available until June 30, 2025. Minnesota Statutes, section 16A.281, applies
to this appropriation.
(c) Technical Evaluation Panel |
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$190,000 the first year is to the
commissioner of natural resources for a technical evaluation panel to conduct
up to 25 restoration and enhancement evaluations under Minnesota Statutes,
section 97A.056, subdivision 10. This
appropriation is available until June 30, 2025.
(d) Core Functions in Partner-Led OHF Land Acquisitions |
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$668,000 the first year is to the
commissioner of natural resources to administer the initial development, restoration,
and enhancement of fee title acquisitions funded through the outdoor heritage
fund.
Money may be used for land
acquisition costs incurred by the department as part of conveying parcels to
the Department of Natural Resources and for initial development activities on
fee title acquisitions. This
appropriation is available until June 30, 2026.
(e) Legacy Website |
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$3,000 the first year and $4,000 the second
year are to the Legislative Coordinating Commission for the website required
under Minnesota Statutes, section 3.303, subdivision 10.
Subd. 7. Availability
of Appropriation |
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(a) Money appropriated in this section may
not be spent on activities unless they are directly related to and necessary
for a specific appropriation and are specified in the accomplishment plan
approved by the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council. Money appropriated in this section must not
be spent on indirect costs or other institutional overhead charges that are not
directly related to and necessary for a specific appropriation. Money appropriated to acquire land in fee
title may be used to restore, enhance, and provide for public use of the land
acquired with the appropriation. Public-use
facilities must have a minimal impact on habitat in acquired lands.
(b) Money appropriated in this section is
available as follows:
(1) money appropriated to acquire real property is available until June 30, 2027;
(2) money appropriated to restore and
enhance land acquired with an appropriation in this article is available for
four years after the acquisition date with a maximum end date of June 30, 2031;
(3) money appropriated to restore and
enhance other land is available until June 30, 2028;
(4) notwithstanding clauses (1) to (3),
money appropriated for a project that receives at least 15 percent of its
funding from federal funds is available until a date sufficient to match the
availability of federal funding to a maximum of six years if the federal
funding was confirmed and included in the original approved draft
accomplishment plan; and
(5) money appropriated for other projects
is available until the end of the fiscal year in which it is appropriated.
Subd. 8. Payment Conditions and Capital Equipment Expenditures |
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All agreements referred to in this section
must be administered on a reimbursement basis unless otherwise provided in this
section. Notwithstanding Minnesota
Statutes, section 16A.41, expenditures
directly related to each
appropriation's purpose made on or after July 1, 2023, or the date of
accomplishment plan approval, whichever is later, are eligible for
reimbursement unless otherwise provided in this section. For purposes of administering appropriations
and legislatively authorized agreements paid out of the outdoor heritage fund,
an expense must be considered reimbursable by the administering agency when the
recipient presents the agency with an invoice or binding agreement with the
landowner and the recipient attests that the goods have been received or the
landowner agreement is binding. Periodic
reimbursement must be made upon receiving documentation that the items
articulated in the accomplishment plan approved by the Lessard-Sams Outdoor
Heritage Council have been achieved, including partial achievements as
evidenced by progress reports approved by the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage
Council. Reasonable amounts may be
advanced to projects to accommodate cash-flow needs, support future management
of acquired lands, or match a federal share.
The advances must be approved as part of the accomplishment plan. Capital equipment expenditures for specific
items over $10,000 must be itemized in and approved as part of the
accomplishment plan.
Subd. 9. Mapping
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Each direct recipient of money appropriated
in this section, as well as each recipient of a grant awarded under this
section, must provide geographic information to the Lessard-Sams Outdoor
Heritage Council to map any lands that are acquired in fee with money appropriated
in this section and open to public taking of fish and game. The commissioner of natural resources must
include the lands acquired in fee with money appropriated in this section on
maps showing public recreation opportunities.
Maps must include information on and acknowledgment of the outdoor
heritage fund, including a notation of any restrictions.
Subd. 10. Opportunities
for Youth |
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(a) Each direct recipient of money
appropriated in this section and each recipient of a grant awarded pursuant to
this section must contact the commissioner of natural resources in writing to
determine whether opportunities to coordinate with recipients of grants under
Minnesota Statutes, section 84.976, or other opportunities providing training
and education to racially, ethnically, and economically diverse youth in the
practical implementation of conservation practices that protect, restore, and
enhance wetlands, prairies, forests, and habitat for fish, game, and wildlife
are available when implementing the projects funded in this section.
(b) Each direct recipient of money
appropriated in this section and each recipient of a grant awarded pursuant to
this section must contact Conservation Corps Minnesota in writing and consider
use of their restoration and enhancement services.
(c) A copy of the written
contacts required under this subdivision must be filed with the Lessard-Sams
Outdoor Heritage Council within 15 days of execution.
Subd. 11. Carryforward
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(a) The availability of the appropriation
under Laws 2016, chapter 172, article 1, section 2, subdivision 5, paragraph
(j), Roseau Lake Rehabilitation, is extended to June 30, 2024.
(b) The availability of the appropriation
under Laws 2017, chapter 91, article 1, section 2, subdivision 2, paragraph
(g), Reinvest in Minnesota (RIM) Buffers for Wildlife and Water - Phase VII, is
extended to June 30, 2025.
(c) The availability of the appropriation
under Laws 2018, chapter 208, article 1, section 2, subdivision 5, paragraph
(i), Lower Mississippi River Habitat Partnership - Phase IV, is extended to
June 30, 2027.
(d) The availability of the appropriation under Laws 2018, chapter 208, section 2, subdivision 5, paragraph (n), Buffalo River Watershed Stream Habitat Program, is extended to June 30, 2025.
(e) The availability of the appropriation
under Laws 2020, chapter 104, article 1, section 2, subdivision 5, paragraph
(a), Protecting Coldwater Fisheries on Minnesota's North Shore, is extended to
June 30, 2025.
(f) The availability of the appropriation
under Laws 2020, chapter 104, article 1, section 2, subdivision 5, paragraph
(h), Hennepin County Habitat Conservation Program - Phase II, is extended to
June 30, 2025.
(g) The availability of the appropriation
under Laws 2022, chapter 77, article 1, section 2, subdivision 6, paragraph
(a), Contract Management, is extended to June 30, 2024.
(h) The availability of the appropriation
under Laws 2022, chapter 77, article 1, section 2, subdivision 6, paragraph
(b), Technical Evaluation Panel, is extended to June 30, 2024.
EFFECTIVE
DATE. Subdivision 11 is
effective the day following final enactment.
Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 97A.056, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
Subd. 2. Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council. (a) The Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council of 12 members is created in the legislative branch, consisting of:
(1) two public members appointed by the senate Subcommittee on Committees of the Committee on Rules and Administration;
(2) two public members appointed by the speaker of the house;
(3) four public members appointed by the governor;
(4) two members of the senate appointed by the senate Subcommittee on Committees of the Committee on Rules and Administration; and
(5) two members of the house of representatives appointed by the speaker of the house.
(b) Members appointed under paragraph (a) must not be registered lobbyists. In making appointments, the governor, senate Subcommittee on Committees of the Committee on Rules and Administration, and the speaker of the house shall consider geographic balance, gender, age, ethnicity, and varying interests including hunting and fishing. The governor's appointments to the council are subject to the advice and consent of the senate.
(c) Public members appointed under paragraph (a) shall have practical experience or expertise or demonstrated knowledge in the science, policy, or practice of restoring, protecting, and enhancing wetlands, prairies, forests, and habitat for fish, game, and wildlife.
(d) Legislative members appointed under paragraph (a) shall include the chairs of the legislative committees with jurisdiction over environment and natural resources finance or their designee, one member from the minority party of the senate, and one member from the minority party of the house of representatives.
(e) Public members serve four-year terms. Appointed legislative members serve at the pleasure of the appointing authority. Public and legislative members continue to serve until their successors are appointed. Public members shall be initially appointed according to the following schedule of terms:
(1) two public members appointed by the governor for a term ending the first Monday in January 2011;
(2) one public member appointed by the senate Subcommittee on Committees of the Committee on Rules and Administration for a term ending the first Monday in January 2011;
(3) one
public member appointed by the speaker of the house for a term ending the first
Monday in January 2011;
(4) two public members appointed by the governor for a term ending the first Monday in January 2013;
(5) one public member appointed by the senate Subcommittee on Committees of the Committee on Rules and Administration for a term ending the first Monday in January 2013; and
(6) one
public member appointed by the speaker of the house for a term ending the first
Monday in January 2013.
(f) Terms, compensation, and removal of public members are as provided in section 15.0575, except that a public member may be compensated at the rate of up to $125 a day. A vacancy on the council may be filled by the appointing authority for the remainder of the unexpired term.
(g) Members shall elect a chair, vice-chair, secretary, and other officers as determined by the council. The chair may convene meetings as necessary to conduct the duties prescribed by this section.
(h) The Legislative Coordinating Commission may appoint nonpartisan staff and contract with consultants as necessary to support the functions of the council. The council has final approval authority for the hiring of a candidate for executive director. Up to one percent of the money appropriated from the fund may be used to pay for administrative expenses of the council and for compensation and expense reimbursement of council members.
Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 97A.056, subdivision 11, is amended to read:
Subd. 11. Recipient requirements. (a) A state agency or other recipient of a direct appropriation from the outdoor heritage fund must compile and submit all information for funded projects or programs, including the proposed measurable outcomes and all other items required under section 3.303, subdivision 10, to the Legislative
Coordinating Commission as soon as practicable or by January 15 of the applicable fiscal year, whichever comes first. The Legislative Coordinating Commission must post submitted information on the website required under section 3.303, subdivision 10, as soon as it becomes available.
(b) When practicable, a direct recipient of an appropriation from the outdoor heritage fund shall prominently display on the recipient's website home page the legacy logo required under Laws 2009, chapter 172, article 5, section 10, as amended by Laws 2010, chapter 361, article 3, section 5, accompanied by the phrase "Click here for more information." When a person clicks on the legacy logo image, the website must direct the person to a web page that includes both the contact information that a person may use to obtain additional information, as well as a link to the Legislative Coordinating Commission website required under section 3.303, subdivision 10.
(c) Future eligibility for money from the outdoor heritage fund is contingent upon a state agency or other recipient satisfying all applicable requirements in this section, as well as any additional requirements contained in applicable session law. If the Office of the Legislative Auditor, in the course of an audit or investigation, publicly reports that a recipient of money from the outdoor heritage fund has not complied with the laws, rules, or regulations in this section or other laws applicable to the recipient, the recipient must be listed in an annual report to the legislative committees with jurisdiction over the legacy funds. The list must be publicly available. The legislative auditor shall remove a recipient from the list upon determination that the recipient is in compliance. A recipient on the list is not eligible for future funding from the outdoor heritage fund until the recipient demonstrates compliance to the legislative auditor.
(d) A project or program receiving
funding from the outdoor heritage fund must include an assessment of whether
the funding celebrates cultural diversity or reaches diverse communities in
Minnesota.
Sec. 5. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 97A.056, subdivision 22, is amended to read:
Subd. 22.