Mandate relief package

Local governments would have fewer state mandates to worry about under a proposal approved by a House division.

HF1849, sponsored by Rep. Mike Nelson (DFL-Brooklyn Park), would eliminate various minimum salary requirements for local governments and help them recover costs in certain circumstances.

Among the proposed changes are:

• providing two set times per year for new rules to take effect if they require local governments to change their ordinances;

• allowing towns to recover the full cost of employing “fence viewers” who help settle private land disputes;

• striking a $10 cap on booking fees and allowing counties to recover the actual costs of booking;

• eliminating annual limits on the number of best-value contracts that may be entered into versus low-bid contracts;

• easing a requirement for counties to publish claims against them in local newspapers; and;

• removing minimum salary requirements for various county offices.

The House Local Government Division approved the bill March 30 and referred it to the House Finance Committee. Sen. Ann Rest (DFL-New Hope) sponsors the companion, SF1544, which awaits action by the Senate Rules and Administration Committee.

Rep. Ryan Winkler (DFL-Golden Valley) successfully amended the bill by removing a requirement that local governments report on their compliance with gender pay equity laws every five years instead of every three years. Opponents said the provision would send the wrong message about the importance of equal pay for male and female public employees. The provision was removed on a vote of 6-5.

Some of the bill’s provisions are also included in HF1195, sponsored by Rep. Morrie Lanning (R-Moorhead), which awaits action by the House Property and Local Sales Tax Division. That bill has no Senate companion.