Journal of the House - 28th Day - Tuesday, March 13, 2007 - Top of Page 979


 

 

STATE OF MINNESOTA

 

 

EIGHTY-FIFTH SESSION - 2007

 

_____________________

 

TWENTY-EIGHTH DAY

 

Saint Paul, Minnesota, Tuesday, March 13, 2007

 

 

      The House of Representatives convened at 11:30 a.m. and was called to order by Margaret Anderson Kelliher, Speaker of the House.

 

      Prayer was offered by the Reverend Kevin Schill, Faith United Methodist Church, St. Anthony, Minnesota.

 

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

 

      The roll was called and the following members were present:

 


Abeler

Anderson, B.

Anderson, S.

Anzelc

Atkins

Beard

Benson

Berns

Bigham

Bly

Brod

Brown

Brynaert

Buesgens

Bunn

Carlson

Clark

Cornish

Davnie

Dean

DeLaForest

Demmer

Dettmer

Dill

Dittrich

Dominguez

Doty

Eastlund

Eken

Emmer

Erhardt

Faust

Finstad

Fritz

Gardner

Garofalo

Gottwalt

Greiling

Gunther

Hackbarth

Hamilton

Hansen

Hausman

Haws

Heidgerken

Hilstrom

Hilty

Holberg

Hoppe

Hornstein

Hortman

Hosch

Howes

Huntley

Jaros

Johnson

Juhnke

Kahn

Kalin

Knuth

Koenen

Kohls

Kranz

Laine

Lanning

Lenczewski

Lesch

Liebling

Lieder

Lillie

Loeffler

Madore

Magnus

Mahoney

Mariani

Marquart

Masin

McFarlane

McNamara

Moe

Morgan

Morrow

Mullery

Murphy, E.

Murphy, M.

Nelson

Nornes

Norton

Olin

Olson

Otremba

Ozment

Paulsen

Paymar

Pelowski

Peppin

Peterson, A.

Peterson, N.

Peterson, S.

Poppe

Rukavina

Ruth

Ruud

Sailer

Scalze

Seifert

Sertich

Severson

Shimanski

Simon

Simpson

Slawik

Slocum

Smith

Solberg

Sviggum

Swails

Thao

Thissen

Tillberry

Tingelstad

Tschumper

Urdahl

Wagenius

Walker

Ward

Wardlow

Welti

Westrom

Winkler

Wollschlager

Zellers

Spk. Kelliher


 

      A quorum was present.

 

      Erickson was excused.

 

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


Journal of the House - 28th Day - Tuesday, March 13, 2007 - Top of Page 980


REPORTS OF CHIEF CLERK

 

      S. F. No. 563 and H. F. No. 660, which had been referred to the Chief Clerk for comparison, were examined and found to be identical with certain exceptions.

 

SUSPENSION OF RULES

 

      Bly moved that the rules be so far suspended that S. F. No. 563 be substituted for H. F. No. 660 and that the House File be indefinitely postponed. The motion prevailed.

 

 

REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEES AND DIVISIONS

 

 

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

 

H. F. No. 151, A resolution memorializing the United States Congress to reauthorize the Conservation Reserve Program and the Wetlands Reserve Program as part of the 2007 Farm Bill.

 

Reported the same back with the following amendments:

 

Page 1, after line 21, insert:

 

"Whereas, the Conservation Reserve Program and the Wetlands Reserve Program have the ability to sequester carbon in addition to providing erosion control, water quality protection, and wildlife habitat; and"

 

Page 2, after line 3, insert:

 

"Whereas, recent United States Department of Agriculture decisions regarding rental rates, appraisals, eligibility, and maintenance have limited enrollment in the Conservation Reserve Program and the Wetlands Reserve Program well below the amount of acres authorized in the 2002 Farm Bill; and"

 

Page 2, after line 6, insert:

 

"Be It Resolved by the Legislature of the State of Minnesota that it urges the United States Department of Agriculture to utilize its authority to offer general sign-up enrollments during 2007 with competitive market rental rates to achieve the enrollment of acres authorized for the Conservation Reserve Program in the 2002 Farm Bill."

 

Page 2, line 7, after "it" insert "Further"

 

Page 2, line 8, after "Program" insert "with an enrollment cap of 45,000,000 acres"

 

Page 2, line 13, after the first comma, insert "the Secretary of the United States Department of Agriculture,"

 

 

With the recommendation that when so amended the bill pass.

 

      The report was adopted.


Journal of the House - 28th Day - Tuesday, March 13, 2007 - Top of Page 981


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

 

H. F. No. 234, A bill for an act relating to education finance; eliminating certain school district reserve fund requirements; eliminating certain reports; making certain primary elections discretionary; amending Minnesota Statutes 2006, sections 123A.05, subdivision 2; 123A.27; 123B.10; 123B.143, subdivision 1; 123B.77, subdivision 4; 205A.03, subdivision 1; repealing Minnesota Statutes 2006, sections 123A.05, subdivision 2; 123B.749; 124D.081, subdivision 9; 124D.69, subdivision 2.

 

Reported the same back with the following amendments:

 

Delete everything after the enacting clause and insert:

 

"Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 123B.10, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

 

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

 

Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 123B.10, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

 

Subd. 1a. Form of notification. A school board annually must notify the public of its revenue, expenditures, fund balances, and other relevant budget information. The board must include the budget information required by this section in the materials provided as a part of its truth in taxation hearing, post the materials in a conspicuous place on the district's official Web site, including a link to the district's school report card on the Department of Education's Web site, and publish the information in a qualified newspaper of general circulation in the district.

 

Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 123B.143, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

 

Subdivision 1. Contract; duties. All districts maintaining a classified secondary school must employ a superintendent who shall be an ex officio nonvoting member of the school board. The authority for selection and employment of a superintendent must be vested in the board in all cases. An individual employed by a board as a superintendent shall have an initial employment contract for a period of time no longer than three years from the date of employment. Any subsequent employment contract must not exceed a period of three years. A board, at its discretion, may or may not renew an employment contract. A board must not, by action or inaction, extend the duration of an existing employment contract. Beginning 365 days prior to the expiration date of an existing employment contract, a board may negotiate and enter into a subsequent employment contract to take effect upon the expiration of the existing contract. A subsequent contract must be contingent upon the employee completing the terms of an existing contract. If a contract between a board and a superintendent is terminated prior to the date specified in the contract, the board may not enter into another superintendent contract with that same individual that has a term that extends beyond the date specified in the terminated contract. A board may terminate a superintendent during the term of an employment contract for any of the grounds specified in section 122A.40, subdivision 9 or 13. A superintendent shall not rely upon an employment contract with a board to assert any other continuing contract rights in the position of superintendent under section 122A.40. Notwithstanding the provisions of sections 122A.40, subdivision 10 or 11, 123A.32, 123A.75, or any other law to the contrary, no individual shall have a right to employment as a superintendent based on order of employment in any district. If two or more districts enter into an agreement for the purchase or sharing of the services of a superintendent, the contracting


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districts have the absolute right to select one of the individuals employed to serve as superintendent in one of the contracting districts and no individual has a right to employment as the superintendent to provide all or part of the services based on order of employment in a contracting district. The superintendent of a district shall perform the following:

 

(1) visit and supervise the schools in the district, report and make recommendations about their condition when advisable or on request by the board;

 

(2) recommend to the board employment and dismissal of teachers;

 

(3) superintend school grading practices and examinations for promotions;

 

(4) make reports required by the commissioner; and

 

(5) by January 10, submit an annual report to the commissioner in a manner prescribed by the commissioner, in consultation with school districts, identifying the expenditures that the district requires to ensure an 80 percent student passage rate on the basic standards test taken in the eighth grade, identifying the highest student passage rate the district expects it will be able to attain on the basic standards test by grade 12, the amount of expenditures that the district requires to attain the targeted student passage rate, and how much the district is cross-subsidizing programs with special education, basic skills, and general education revenue; and

 

(6) perform other duties prescribed by the board.

 

Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 123B.77, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 4. Budget approval. Prior to July 1 of each year, the board of each district must approve and adopt its revenue and expenditure budgets for the next school year. The budget document so adopted must be considered an expenditure-authorizing or appropriations document. No funds shall be expended by any board or district for any purpose in any school year prior to the adoption of the budget document which authorizes that expenditure, or prior to an amendment to the budget document by the board to authorize the expenditure. Expenditures of funds in violation of this subdivision shall be considered unlawful expenditures. Prior to the appropriation of revenue for the next school year in the initial budget, the board shall inform the principal or other responsible administrative authority of each site of the amount of general education and referendum revenue that the Department of Education estimates will be generated by the pupils in attendance at each site. For purposes of this subdivision, a district may adjust the department's estimates for school building openings, school building closings, changes in attendance area boundaries, or other changes in programs or student demographics not reflected in the department's calculations. A district must report to the department any adjustments it makes according to this subdivision in the department's estimates of compensatory revenue generated by the pupils in attendance at each site, and the department must use the adjusted compensatory revenue estimates in preparing the report required under section 123B.76, subdivision 3, paragraph (c).

 

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

 

Sec. 5. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 123B.79, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

 

Subd. 9. Elimination of reserve accounts. A school board shall eliminate all reserve accounts established in the school district's general fund under Minnesota Statutes before July 1, 2006, for which no specific authority remains in statute as of June 30, 2007. Any balance in the district's reserved for bus purchases account as of June 30, 2007, shall be transferred to the reserved account for operating capital in the school district's general fund. Any balance in other reserved accounts established in the school district's general fund under Minnesota Statutes before July 1, 2006, for which no specific authority remains in statute as of June 30, 2007, shall be transferred to the school district's unreserved general fund balance. A school board may, upon adoption of a resolution by the school board, establish a designated account for any program for which a reserved account has been eliminated.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective June 30, 2007.


Journal of the House - 28th Day - Tuesday, March 13, 2007 - Top of Page 983


Sec. 6. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 205A.03, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

 

Subdivision 1. Required Resolution requiring primary in certain circumstances. In The school board of a school district election, may, by resolution adopted by June 1 of any year, decide to choose nominees for school board by a primary as provided in this section. The resolution, when adopted, is effective for all ensuing elections of board members in that school district until it is revoked. If the board decides to choose nominees by primary and if there are more than two candidates for a specified school board position or more than twice as many school board candidates as there are at-large school board positions available, a the school district must hold a primary.

 

Sec. 7. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 205A.06, subdivision 1a, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 1a. Filing period. In school districts that have adopted a resolution to choose nominees for school board by a primary election, affidavits of candidacy must be filed with the school district clerk no earlier than the 70th day and no later than the 56th day before the first Tuesday after the second Monday in September in the year when the school district general election is held. In all other school districts, affidavits of candidacy must be filed no earlier than the 70th day and no later than the 56th day before the school district general election.

 

Sec. 8. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION REPORT.

 

The Department of Education must provide a report to the education committees of the legislature by January 15, 2008. The report must analyze the department's data collection procedures under each of the department's major data reporting systems and recommend a streamlined, Web-based system of reporting school district data. The report must also analyze any stand-alone school district reporting requirements and recommend elimination of any district reports that are duplicative of other data already collected by the department.

 

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

 

Sec. 9. REVISOR'S INSTRUCTION.

 

In Minnesota Statutes, the revisor of statutes shall renumber Minnesota Statutes, section 123B.10, subdivision 1, as 123B.10, subdivision 1b, and make necessary cross-reference changes consistent with the renumbering.

 

Sec. 10. REPEALER.

 

Minnesota Statutes 2006, sections 123B.749; and 124D.081, subdivision 9, are repealed.

 

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

 

Correct the title numbers accordingly

 

 

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

 

      The report was adopted.

 

 

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

 

H. F. No. 236, A bill for an act relating to education finance; authorizing school districts to delay the implementation of special education tuition billing for an additional two years; amending Laws 2006, chapter 263, article 3, section 15.

 

Reported the same back with the following amendments:

 

Delete everything after the enacting clause and insert:

 

"Section 1. Laws 2006, chapter 263, article 3, section 15, is amended to read:


Journal of the House - 28th Day - Tuesday, March 13, 2007 - Top of Page 984


Sec. 15. SPECIAL EDUCATION TUITION BILLING FOR FISCAL YEARS 2006 AND, 2007, AND 2008.

 

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

 

(b) Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 125A.11, subdivision 1, paragraph (c), for fiscal year 2007 only, an applicant district agency exempted from the uniform special education tuition billing calculations for fiscal year 2006 under paragraph (a) may apply to the commissioner for a waiver an exemption from the uniform special education tuition calculations and aid adjustments under Minnesota Statutes, sections 125A.11, subdivision 1, paragraph (b), and 127A.47, subdivision 7, paragraph (e). The commissioner must grant the waiver exemption within 30 days of receiving the following information from the intermediate district, special education cooperative, or school district:

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

(c) Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 125A.11, subdivision 1, paragraph (c), for fiscal year 2008 only, an agency granted an exemption from the uniform special education tuition billing calculations and aid adjustments for fiscal year 2007 under paragraph (b) may apply to the commissioner for a one-year extension of the exemption granted under paragraph (b). The commissioner must grant the extension within 30 days of receiving the request.

 

(d) Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 125A.11, subdivision 1, paragraphs (a) and (b), and section 127A.47, subdivision 7, paragraphs (d) and (e), for fiscal year 2007 only, a school district or charter school not eligible for a waiver under Minnesota Statutes, section 125A.11, subdivision 1, paragraph (d), may apply to the commissioner for authority to charge the resident district an additional amount to recover any remaining unreimbursed costs of serving pupils with a disability. The application must include a description of the costs and the calculations used to determine the unreimbursed portion to be charged to the resident district. Amounts approved by the commissioner under this paragraph must be included in the tuition billings or aid adjustments under paragraph (a) or (b), or Minnesota Statutes, section 127A.47, subdivision 7, paragraph (d) or (e), as applicable.

 

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

 

 

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

 

      The report was adopted.


Journal of the House - 28th Day - Tuesday, March 13, 2007 - Top of Page 985


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

 

H. F. No. 589, A bill for an act relating to agriculture; establishing a clean energy capital equipment loan program; providing for cellulosic biofuel development; providing bioenergy production initiatives; creating the reinvest in Minnesota clean energy program; providing for enforcement; authorizing a technical committee; appropriating money; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapters 17; 41A; 103F.

 

Reported the same back with the recommendation that the bill pass and be re-referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Rural Economies and Veterans Affairs.

 

      The report was adopted.

 

 

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

 

H. F. No. 655, A bill for an act relating to health; providing for the medical use of marijuana; providing civil and criminal penalties; establishing application and renewal fees; appropriating money; amending Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 13.3806, by adding a subdivision; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 152.

 

Reported the same back with the following amendments:

 

Page 2, line 3, after "hepatitis C," insert "Tourette's Syndrome,"

 

Page 2, line 6, delete "severe or chronic" and insert "intractable pain, which is pain that has not responded to ordinary medical or surgical measures for more than six months"

 

Page 2, line 7, delete "pain"

 

Page 2, line 20, after the comma, insert "a"

 

Page 2, line 21, delete everything after the comma and insert "a physician assistant, or an advance practice registered nurse."

 

Page 4, line 7, after "patient" insert ", provided that nothing shall prevent a practitioner from being sanctioned for failure to properly evaluate a patient's medical condition or otherwise violate the standard of care for evaluating medical conditions"

 

Page 4, line 13, delete "fair market value of the marijuana." and insert "value of the marijuana. The value shall be presumed to be $200 per ounce, or the proportionate share of an ounce, unless the cardholder shows that the cardholder purchased the marijuana from a registered organization at a different price."

 

Page 4, delete subdivision 9 and insert:

 

"Subd. 9. Nursing facilities. Nursing facilities licensed under chapter 144A or boarding care homes licensed under section 144.50 may adopt reasonable restrictions on the use of medical marijuana by their residents. Such restrictions may include a provision that the facility will not store or maintain the patient's supply of medical marijuana, that caregivers or the hospice agencies serving their residents are not responsible for providing the marijuana for qualifying patients, that marijuana be consumed in a method other than smoking, and that medical marijuana be consumed only in a place specified by the facility. Nothing contained herein, however, shall require such facilities to adopt such restrictions and no facility shall unreasonably limit a qualifying patient's access to or use of marijuana."


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Page 5, line 16, after "fee" insert "of $100"

 

Page 8, line 10, after "aircraft," insert "train,"

 

Page 8, delete section 8

 

Page 10, line 15, delete everything after "Rulemaking."

 

Page 10, delete line 25

 

Page 11, line 19, delete the colon

 

Page 11, delete line 20

 

Page 11, line 21, delete "(2)"

 

Page 11, delete lines 25 and 26

 

Page 11, before line 27, insert:

 

"Subd. 7. Background checks; felony drug convictions. (a) The department shall request a criminal history background check from the superintendent of the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension on all employees, agents, and board members of a registered organization. An application for registry identification cards for employees, agents, and board members must be accompanied by an executed criminal history consent form, including fingerprints.

 

(b) The superintendent of the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension shall perform the background check required under paragraph (a) by retrieving criminal history data maintained in the Criminal Justice Information System computers and shall also conduct a search of the national criminal records repository, including the criminal justice data communications network. The superintendent is authorized to exchange fingerprints with the Federal Bureau of Investigation for purposes of the criminal history check.

 

(c) The Bureau of Criminal Apprehension and its agents may not directly or indirectly disclose to the Federal Bureau of Investigation or any other person that the purpose of the background check is related to the medical use of marijuana or registered organizations.

 

(d) The department shall refuse to issue a registry card to any agent, employee, or board member of a registered organization who has been convicted of a drug felony. The department shall notify the registered organization in writing of the purpose for denying the registry identification card. However, the department may grant the person a registry identification card if the person's conviction was for the medical use of marijuana or assisting with the medical use of marijuana.

 

(e) If a registered organization has employed an agent, board member, or employee and is notified that the person failed the background check, it shall terminate the person's status as an agent, board member, or employee within 24 hours of receiving written notification. The result of the criminal background check is private information, and the registered organization may not disclose it, except to defend itself of any charges related to employment law.

 

(f) No person who has been convicted of a drug felony may be the agent, board member, or employee of a registered organization. Notwithstanding this provision, a person may apply to the department for a waiver if the person's conviction was for the medical use of marijuana or assisting with the medical use of marijuana. A person who is employed by, an agent of, or a board member of a registered organization in violation of this section is guilty of a civil violation punishable by a fine of up to $1,000. A subsequent violation of this section is a crime punishable by up to six months in jail and a $1,000 fine.


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(g) No registered organization may knowingly and willfully allow a person who has been convicted of a drug felony to be its agent, board member, or employee unless the department has granted the person a registry identification card because the person's conviction was for the medical use of marijuana. A violation is punishable by a fine of up to $2,000."

 

Page 11, line 27, delete "7" and insert "8"

 

Page 12, line 1, delete "11" and insert "10"

 

Renumber the sections in sequence

 

Amend the title as follows:

 

Page 1, line 3, delete "establishing application and renewal fees;"

 

 

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

 

      The report was adopted.

 

 

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

 

H. F. No. 707, A bill for an act relating to human services; requiring the commissioner of human services to study dental access for persons with disabilities.

 

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

 

      The report was adopted.

 

 

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

 

H. F. No. 736, A bill for an act relating to emergency medical services; changing the name of an award and incentive program.

 

Reported the same back with the recommendation that the bill pass and be placed on the Consent Calendar.

 

      The report was adopted.

 

 

Carlson from the Committee on Finance to which was referred:

 

H. F. No. 777, A bill for an act relating to taxation; property; providing a housing opportunity area tax abatement program; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 273.

 

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

 

      The report was adopted.


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

 

H. F. No. 779, A bill for an act relating to Native American languages; establishing the Office of Indigenous Language; appropriating money; amending Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 3.922, by adding subdivisions.

 

Reported the same back with the following amendments:

 

Delete everything after the enacting clause and insert:

 

"Section 1. LEGISLATIVE FINDINGS.

 

The status of the cultures and languages of American Indians is unique and part of the rich heritage of the state. The state shall collaborate with American Indians to ensure the survival of these unique cultures and languages. The legislature further recognizes American Indian culture and language as a vital state treasure and resource. In order to maximize the potential of American Indian language resources, the legislature recognizes the need to encourage indigenous language development and continuation, especially among children.

 

The legislature recognizes that one-third of indigenous tongues have disappeared since the coming of Columbus. Of those that survive, nine out of ten are no longer spoken by children. If this erosion continues, virtually all American Indian languages could be extinct within two or three generations. Along with this erosion goes part of the history of our state. There are many benefits to preserving indigenous languages. These include: cognitive and academic growth among students; help with identity conflicts; preservation of family values; increased cultural vitality; preserving unique traditional tribal ecological knowledge; preserving Minnesota's indigenous native history; and increased student self-esteem and self-sufficiency. These benefits reflect in greater community involvement in tribal communities and for the state. Children who are schooled in their native language will demonstrate greater creativity and participation in the community and the state as a whole.

 

Sec. 2. [3.9228] COUNCIL ON INDIGENOUS LANGUAGE.

 

Subdivision 1. Creation; membership; executive director. (a) The Council on Indigenous Language is created and membership shall consist of a member appointed by each of the 11 tribes in Minnesota and ten members from the Indian communities in this state, including members with expertise in languages indigenous to this state. The ten Indian community members shall be selected by the Dakota/Ojibwe Language Revitalization Alliance. The tribal appointments to the council are not subject to the open appointments process under section 15.0597.

 

(b) The council shall annually elect a chair and executive secretary and other officers it deems necessary. The chair may appoint subcommittees necessary to fulfill the duties of the council. Because the council performs functions that are not purely advisory, the council is not subject to the expiration date in section 15.059.

 

(c) The council shall select an executive director to manage the operations of the council. The executive director of the Council on Indigenous Language may hire staff necessary to carry out the functions of the council. The executive director must be experienced in administrative activities and familiar with language revitalization. The executive director and office staff shall serve in the unclassified service of the state.

 

(d) Members of the council may receive per diem and expense payments as provided in section 15.059.

 

Subd. 2. Duties. (a) The council shall develop specific guidelines for funding community and educational programs that provide language revitalization to meet the needs of the community. In order to develop these guidelines, the council shall collaborate with American Indian community groups to develop the resources needed to provide native language classes.


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(b) The council shall promote activities and programs that are specific to promoting revitalization of indigenous language for American Indian children and adults. Since language revitalization is critical for the youngest of American Indian children, the council shall focus on developing programs that meet the language needs of children in prekindergarten through grade 12. In addition, the Council on Indigenous Language shall work with community groups, educational groups and institutions, and tribes to identify programs that will promote the preservation and revitalization of indigenous language in order for children to learn the speaking, reading, and writing of native language.

 

(c) The council shall administer grants to organizations, programs, and schools that meet the guidelines developed by the council for programs that provide language revitalization to children and adults.

 

(d) The council shall establish grant criteria and funding priorities to fulfill its purpose.

 

(e) The council shall consult with tribal governments to maximize the effectiveness and coordination of policies and programs that support language and culture and collaborate with tribal governments to develop an integrated language strategy.

 

(f) The council shall explore funding opportunities with the United States Department of Education and other federal agencies to meet the special needs of students for native language learning.

 

(g) The council shall work with existing government and tribal agencies to integrate funding and remove barriers to enable statewide language revitalization efforts to be successful.

 

(h) The council shall work collaboratively to enable native speakers to teach in all language revitalization programs and schools and to develop standards on curriculum, critical pedagogy, and scope and sequence as it pertains to indigenous language learning, consistent with world language standards under section 120B.022.

 

(i) The council may contract in its own name including contracting for office space and equipment. Contracts, including grant contracts, must be approved and executed by the executive director of the council. The council may apply for, receive, and expend in its own name grants and gifts of money consistent with the duties specified in this section. Grants and gifts of money received are appropriated to the council for its purpose.

 

Subd. 3. Report required. The council shall report to the legislature by January 15 of each year regarding the use of indigenous languages within the state and the status of programs and efforts to preserve and promote them.

 

Subd. 4. Meetings. Meetings may be called by the chair or at the written request of five members of the council. A majority of the voting members of the council is a quorum.

 

Subd. 5. State agency assistance. Upon request, other state agencies shall supply the council with advisory staff services on matters relating to the jurisdiction of the council. The council shall have the right to call upon various state departments for technical advice and services as needed to fulfill its purpose.

 

Subd. 6. Appropriations and money received for the Council on Indigenous Language. All money and appropriations received for the Council on Indigenous Language must be used to further the purpose of language revitalization. Money and appropriations received for language revitalization shall not be transferred or reallocated for any other purpose.


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Sec. 3. INITIAL MEETING.

 

The initial meeting of the Council on Indigenous Language shall be convened by a facilitator designated by the Minnesota Dakota/Ojibwe Language Revitalization Alliance. The facilitator shall chair the first meeting and subsequent meetings until the council elects a chair.

 

Sec. 4. APPROPRIATIONS; COUNCIL ON INDIGENOUS LANGUAGE.

 

(a) $....... in fiscal year 2008 and $...... in fiscal year 2009 are appropriated from the general fund to the Council on Indigenous Language.

 

(b) $....... in fiscal year 2008 and $...... in fiscal year 2009 are appropriated from the general fund to the director of the Minnesota Office of Higher Education for grants to the Council on Indigenous Language for training teachers of indigenous American Indian language. This appropriation must be included in the base budget for the office.

 

(c) $....... in fiscal year 2008 and $....... in fiscal year 2009 are appropriated from the general fund to the commissioner of human services for grants to the Council on Indigenous Language for the purpose of language revitalization. This appropriation must be included in the agency's base budget.

 

(d) $....... in fiscal year 2008 and $....... in fiscal year 2009 are appropriated from the general fund to the commissioner of education for grants to the Council on Indigenous Language for the purpose of language revitalization. This appropriation must be included in the agency's base budget."

 

Delete the title and insert:

 

"A bill for an act relating to American Indian languages; establishing the Council on Indigenous Language; appropriating money; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 3."

 

 

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

 

      The report was adopted.

 

 

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

 

H. F. No. 904, A bill for an act relating to state lands; modifying land acquisition requirements; modifying land owners' bill of rights; modifying recordation requirements for mineral interests; adding to and deleting from state parks; authorizing public and private sales and conveyances of certain state lands; amending Minnesota Statutes 2006, sections 84.0272, subdivision 3; 84.0274, subdivision 5; 93.55, subdivision 1.

 

Reported the same back with the following amendments:

 

Delete everything after the enacting clause and insert:

 

"Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 84.0272, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 3. Minimal value acquisition. (a) Notwithstanding subdivision 1, if the commissioner determines that lands or interests in land have a value less than $5,000 $100,000, the commissioner may acquire the lands for the value determined by the commissioner without an appraisal. The commissioner shall make the determination based upon available information including, but not limited to:


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(1) the most recent assessed market value of the land or interests in land as determined by the county assessor of the county in which the land or interests in land is located;

 

(2) a sale price of the land or interests in land, provided the sale occurred within the past year;

 

(3) the sale prices of comparable land or interests in land located in the vicinity and sold within the past year; or

 

(4) an appraisal of the land or interests in land conducted within the past year.

 

(b) In the event the value is minimal less than $1,000, the commissioner may add a transaction incentive, provided that the sum of the incentive plus the value of the land does not exceed $1,000.

 

Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 84.0274, subdivision 5, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 5. Owner's rights. When the state proposes to purchase in fee or any lesser interest in land which will be administered by the commissioner of natural resources, the landowner shall have the following rights:

 

(a) The right to be informed of the specific intended use of the property and of any change in the intended use of the property which occurs during the acquisition process. The owner shall also be informed that the documents regarding the purchase will be public records if the land is purchased by the state;

 

(b) The right to be paid a fair price for the property. The price shall include the fair market value of the land plus:

 

(1) All necessary incidental costs such as abstracting and recording fees related to the sale. The costs of clearing title defects, paying taxes, and attorney's fees are not reimbursable; and

 

(2) Any penalties incurred by the owner where the property is security for a loan or advance of credit that contains a provision requiring or permitting the imposition of a penalty if the loan or advance of credit is prepaid;

 

(c) The right to payment, at the owner's election, in a lump sum or in up to four annual installments;

 

(d) The right to have the property fairly appraised by the state. The state's appraiser shall physically inspect the property and shall allow the owner along when the appraisal is made. The state's appraiser shall certify in the appraisal report to having physically inspected the property and having given the landowner an opportunity to go along on inspections. Notwithstanding section 13.44, subdivision 3, before an offer is made, the landowner shall be given a resume of the state's certified appraisal. The resume shall include the appraiser's conclusions as to value, acreage and type of land, value of buildings and other improvements, value of timber, special damages and any special elements of value informed of the value determined pursuant to section 84.0272;

 

(e) The right to retain a qualified independent appraiser to conduct an appraisal at any time prior to certification of the state's appraisal of the property and to be reimbursed for appraisal fees as provided in section 117.232, subdivision 1, if the land is sold to the state and to have that appraisal considered along with the state's in certifying the selling price;

 

(f) The right to have the state acquire the property by means of condemnation upon the owner's request with the agreement of the commissioner;

 

(g) The right to receive or waive relocation assistance, services, payments and benefits as provided in sections 117.52 and 117.521;


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(h) The right to accept the state's offer for the property and contest the state's offer for relocation and moving expenses;

 

(i) The right to continue occupancy of the property until full payment is received, provided that when the owner elects to receive payment in annual installments pursuant to clause (c), the owner may retain occupancy until the first payment is made; and

 

(j) The right to seek the advice of counsel regarding any aspect of the land transaction.

 

Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 93.55, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

 

Subdivision 1. Forfeiture; failure to record. If the owner of a mineral interest fails to record the verified statement required by section 93.52, before January 1, 1975, as to any interests owned on or before December 31, 1973, or within one year after acquiring such interests as to interests acquired after December 31, 1973, and not previously recorded under section 93.52, the mineral interest shall forfeit to the state after notice and opportunity for hearing as provided in this section. However, before completing the procedures set forth in subdivision 2, the commissioner of natural resources may lease the severed mineral interest as provided in subdivisions 1a and 3.

 

Sec. 4. Laws 2006, chapter 236, article 1, section 21, is amended to read:

 

Sec. 21. EXCHANGE OF TAX-FORFEITED LAND; PRIVATE SALE; ITASCA COUNTY.

 

(a) For the purpose of a land exchange for use in connection with a proposed steel mill in Itasca County referenced in Laws 1999, chapter 240, article 1, section 8, subdivision 3, title examination and approval of the land described in paragraph (b) shall be undertaken as a condition of exchange of the land for class B land, and shall be governed by Minnesota Statutes, section 94.344, subdivisions 9 and 10, and the provisions of this section. Notwithstanding the evidence of title requirements in Minnesota Statutes, section 94.344, subdivisions 9 and 10, the county attorney shall examine one or more title reports or title insurance commitments prepared or underwritten by a title insurer licensed to conduct title insurance business in this state, regardless of whether abstracts were created or updated in the preparation of the title reports or commitments. The opinion of the county attorney, and approval by the attorney general, shall be based on those title reports or commitments.

 

(b) The land subject to this section is located in Itasca County and is described as:

 

(1) Sections 3, 4, 7, 10, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 20, 21, 22, 23, 26, 28, and 29, Township 56 North, Range 22 West;

 

(2) Sections 3, 4, 9, 10, 13, and 14, Township 56 North, Range 23 West;

 

(3) Section 30, Township 57 North, Range 22 West; and

 

(4) Sections 25, 26, 34, 35, and 36, Township 57 North, Range 23 West.

 

(c) Riparian land given in exchange by Itasca County for the purpose of the steel mill referenced in paragraph (a), is exempt from the restrictions imposed by Minnesota Statutes, section 94.342, subdivision 3.

 

(d) Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, sections 92.45 and 282.018, subdivision 1, and the public sale provisions of Minnesota Statutes, chapter 282, Itasca County may sell, by private sale, any land received in exchange for the purpose of the steel mill referenced in paragraph (a), under the remaining provisions of Minnesota Statutes, chapter 282. The sale must be in a form approved by the attorney general.


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(e) Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 284.28, subdivision 8, or any other law to the contrary, land acquired through an exchange under this section is exempt from payment of three percent of the sales price required to be collected by the county auditor at the time of sale for deposit in the state treasury.

 

Sec. 5. ADDITIONS TO STATE PARKS.

 

Subdivision 1. [85.012] [Subd. 16.] Flandrau State Park, Brown County. The following area is added to Flandrau State Park, Brown County: that part of Lot 2, Block One, Conklin Addition in the city of New Ulm, Brown County, Minnesota, according to the plat of record in the Office of the County Recorder, Brown County, Minnesota, described as follows: beginning at the southerly most corner of Lot 2, Block One, Conklin Addition in the city of New Ulm, Brown County, Minnesota; thence North 55 degrees 29 minutes 26 seconds East (assumed bearing) along the southeasterly line of said Lot 2 a distance of 107.92 feet; thence South 60 degrees 45 minutes 57 seconds West a distance of 102.48 feet to the westerly line of Lot 2; thence South 02 degrees 33 minutes 23 seconds East along said westerly line of Lot 2 a distance of 11.10 feet to the point of beginning; containing 508 square feet, more or less, and subject to easements of record in said County and State.

 

Subd. 2. [85.012] [Subd. 59.] Whitewater State Park, Winona County. The following area is added to Whitewater State Park, Winona County: that part of the Southeast Quarter of Section 18, Township 107 North, Range 10 West, Winona County, Minnesota, described as follows: commencing at the southwest corner of the Northwest Quarter of Section 17, Township 107 North, Range 10 West; thence on an assumed bearing of South 89 degrees 26 minutes 39 seconds East along the south line of said Northwest Quarter, 303.04 feet; thence continue South 89 degrees 26 minutes 39 seconds East along said south line 1327.79 feet; thence South 00 degrees 33 minutes 21 seconds West, 300.00 feet; thence North 89 degrees 26 minutes 39 seconds West parallel with said south line, 1027.83 feet; thence South 00 degrees 33 minutes 21 seconds West, 300.00 feet; thence North 89 degrees 26 minutes 39 seconds West parallel with said south line, 597 feet, more or less, to the intersection with the east line of the Southeast Quarter of said Section 18 being also the POINT OF BEGINNING; thence North 89 degrees 26 minutes 39 seconds West parallel with said south line, 330 feet, more or less, to the centerline of a township road; thence North 16 degrees 01 minutes 55 seconds West along said centerline, 170.44 feet; thence northwesterly along said centerline on a tangential curve concave southwesterly, having a central angle of 10 degrees 57 minutes 52 seconds, radius of 2426.00 feet, for an arc length of 464.25 feet to the north line of said Southeast Quarter of Section 18; thence North 89 degrees 48 minutes 48 seconds East along the north line of said Southeast Quarter, 547.06 feet to the southwest corner of said Northwest Quarter; thence South 00 degrees East, a distance of 600 feet, more or less, along the said east line to the POINT OF BEGINNING. Containing 5.78 acres, more or less.

 

Sec. 6. DELETIONS FROM STATE PARKS.

 

[85.012] [Subd. 16.] Flandrau State Park, Brown County. The following area is deleted from Flandrau State Park, Brown County: that part of Outlot 293 in the city of New Ulm, according to the Plat of the City of New Ulm, of record in the Office of the County Recorder, Brown County, Minnesota, described as follows: commencing at the southerly most corner of Lot 2, Block One, Conklin Addition in the city of New Ulm, Brown County, Minnesota; thence North 55 degrees 29 minutes 26 seconds East (assumed bearing), along the southeasterly line of said Lot 2, a distance of 107.92 feet to the point of beginning; thence continuing North 55 degrees 29 minutes 26 seconds East, along said southerly line of Lot 2, a distance of 80.95 feet, to the easterly most corner of said Lot 2; thence South 19 degrees 33 minutes 58 seconds East, along the southeasterly prolongation of the easterly line of said Lot 2, a distance of 10.0 feet; thence South 62 degrees 31 minutes 07 seconds West, 78.97 feet to the point of beginning, containing 391 square feet, more or less, and subject to easement of record in said county and state.


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Sec. 7. PUBLIC SALE OF SURPLUS STATE LAND BORDERING PUBLIC WATER; AITKIN COUNTY.

 

(a) Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 92.45, the commissioner of natural resources may sell by public sale the surplus land bordering public water that is described in paragraph (c).

 

(b) The conveyance must be in a form approved by the attorney general. The attorney general may make necessary changes to the legal description to correct errors and ensure accuracy.

 

(c) The land that may be sold is located in Aitkin County and is described as follows:

 

(1) Government Lot 3, Section 24, Township 50 North, Range 25 West, containing 5.8 acres, more or less; and

 

(2) Government Lot 4, Section 24, Township 50 North, Range 25 West, containing 0.9 acres, more or less.

 

(d) The land borders the Willow River and is not contiguous to other state lands. The Department of Natural Resources has determined that the land is not needed for natural resource purposes.

 

Sec. 8. PUBLIC SALE OF SURPLUS STATE LAND BORDERING PUBLIC WATER; AITKIN COUNTY.

 

(a) Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 92.45, the commissioner of natural resources may sell by public sale the surplus land bordering public water that is described in paragraph (c).

 

(b) The conveyance must be in a form approved by the attorney general. The attorney general may make necessary changes to the legal description to correct errors and ensure accuracy.

 

(c) The land that may be sold is located in Aitkin County and is described as follows: Government Lot 2, Section 8, Township 48 North, Range 25 West, containing 34.6 acres, more or less.

 

(d) The land borders Gun Lake. The Department of Natural Resources has determined that school trust management interests would best be served if the land was sold.

 

Sec. 9. PUBLIC SALE OF CONSOLIDATED CONSERVATION LAND BORDERING PUBLIC WATER; AITKIN COUNTY.

 

(a) Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 92.45, and the classification provisions of Minnesota Statutes, chapters 84A and 282, Aitkin County may sell by public sale the consolidated conservation land bordering public water that is described in paragraph (c).

 

(b) The conveyance must be in a form approved by the attorney general. The attorney general may make necessary changes to the legal description to correct errors and ensure accuracy.

 

(c) The land that may be sold is located in Aitkin County and is described as follows: Government Lot 1, Section 7, Township 47 North, Range 26 West, containing 1.25 acres, more or less.

 

(d) The land borders the Mississippi River and is not contiguous to other state lands. The Department of Natural Resources has determined that the land is not needed for natural resource purposes.


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Sec. 10. PRIVATE SALE OF CONSOLIDATED CONSERVATION LAND; AITKIN COUNTY.

 

(a) Notwithstanding the classification and public sale provisions of Minnesota Statutes, chapters 84A and 282, the commissioner of natural resources may sell by private sale the consolidated conservation land that is described in paragraph (c).

 

(b) The conveyance must be in a form approved by the attorney general. The attorney general may make necessary changes to the legal description to correct errors and ensure accuracy. The consideration for the conveyance must be for no less than the appraised value of the land and timber and survey costs. Proceeds shall be disposed of according to Minnesota Statutes, chapter 84A.

 

(c) The land that may be sold is located in Aitkin County and is described as follows: the North 370 feet of the East 590 feet of the Southeast Quarter of the Northeast Quarter, Section 24, Township 48 North, Range 24 West, containing 5.0 acres, more or less.

 

(d) The land will be sold "as is" to the current leaseholder who will assume responsibility for any site cleanup needed due to the use of the land for a concrete plant by the previous leaseholder. The Department of Natural Resources has determined that the land is not needed for natural resource purposes.

 

Sec. 11. PUBLIC SALE OF CONSOLIDATED CONSERVATION LAND; AITKIN COUNTY.

 

(a) Notwithstanding the classification provisions of Minnesota Statutes, chapters 84A and 282, Aitkin County may sell by public sale the consolidated conservation land that is described in paragraph (c).

 

(b) The conveyance must be in a form approved by the attorney general. The attorney general may make necessary changes to the legal description to correct errors and ensure accuracy.

 

(c) The land that may be sold is located in Aitkin County and is described as follows: the Northeast Quarter of the Northeast Quarter, Section 21, Township 47 North, Range 26 West, containing 40 acres, more or less.

 

(d) The land is not contiguous to other state lands. The Department of Natural Resources has determined that the land is not needed for natural resource purposes.

 

Sec. 12. CONVEYANCE OF SURPLUS STATE LAND BORDERING PUBLIC WATER; BELTRAMI COUNTY.

 

(a) Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, sections 92.45, 94.09, and 94.10, the commissioner of natural resources may convey to a governmental subdivision of the state for no payment the surplus land bordering public water that is described in paragraph (c).

 

(b) The conveyance must be in a form approved by the attorney general. The attorney general may make necessary changes to the legal description to correct errors and ensure accuracy. The conveyance must provide that the land described in paragraph (c) be used for the public and reverts to the state if the governmental subdivision fails to provide for public use or abandons the public use of the land.

 

(c) The land that may be conveyed is located in Beltrami County and is described as follows: that part of Government Lot 3, Section 4, Township 146 North, Range 34 West, described as follows: starting from meander corner number 4, which is located on the north section line of Section 4, Township 146 North, Range 34 West, 1518.0 feet in an easterly direction from the northwest corner of said section; thence South 16 degrees 17 minutes East a distance of 131.6 feet; thence South 46 degrees 35 minutes East a distance of 206.8 feet; thence South 6 degrees 37 minutes East a distance of 89.4 feet; thence South 14 degrees 32 minutes East a distance of 139.0 feet;


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thence South 10 degrees 34 minutes West a distance of 221.5 feet; thence South 83 degrees 46 minutes West a distance of 178.5 feet to the starting point; thence South 47 degrees 15 minutes West a distance of 275.0 feet; thence South 38 degrees 53 minutes East a distance of 285.7 feet; thence North 61 degrees 27 minutes East a distance of 122.0 feet; thence North 73 degrees 47 minutes East a distance of 300.0 feet; thence North 12 degrees 40 minutes West a distance of 37.6 feet; thence North 20 degrees 30 minutes West a distance of 113.5 feet; thence North 51 degrees 15 minutes West a distance of 320.7 feet; thence South 38 degrees 15 minutes West a distance of 116.8 feet to the starting point, containing 3.5 acres, more or less.

 

(d) The land borders Grant Lake and is not contiguous to other state lands. The land was donated to the state for use as a public campground and is used by local residents as a day-use park. The Department of Natural Resources has determined that the state's land management interests would best be served if the land were conveyed to a local unit of government.

 

Sec. 13. PRIVATE SALE OF SURPLUS STATE LAND BORDERING PUBLIC WATER; CASS COUNTY.

 

(a) Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, sections 92.45, 94.09, and 94.10, the commissioner of natural resources may sell by private sale the surplus land bordering public water that is described in paragraph (c).

 

(b) The conveyance must be in a form approved by the attorney general. The attorney general may make necessary changes to the legal description to correct errors and ensure accuracy. The commissioner may sell the land to the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe for less than the value of the land as determined by the commissioner, but the conveyance must provide that the land be used for the public and reverts to the state if the band fails to provide for public use or abandons the public use of the land. The commissioner may include conservation restrictions in the conveyance deed to ensure the property is maintained as open space.

 

(c) The land that may be sold is located in Cass County and is described as follows:

 

(1) Government Lot 3, Section 14, Township 142 North, Range 29 West, containing 35.54 acres, more or less; and

 

(2) Government Lot 6, Section 14, Township 142 North, Range 29 West, containing 2.06 acres, more or less.

 

(d) The land is located on Bear Island in Leech Lake and is not contiguous to other state lands. The Department of Natural Resources has determined that the land is not needed for natural resource purposes.

 

Sec. 14. PRIVATE SALE OF SURPLUS STATE LAND BORDERING PUBLIC WATER; CASS COUNTY.

 

(a) Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, sections 92.45, 94.09, and 94.10, the commissioner of natural resources may sell by private sale the surplus land bordering public water that is described in paragraph (c).

 

(b) The conveyance must be in a form approved by the attorney general. The attorney general may make necessary changes to the legal description to correct errors and ensure accuracy.

 

(c) The land that may be sold is located in Cass County and is described as follows: that part of Government Lot 7, Section 28, Township 142 North, Range 26 West, described as follows: commencing at the south quarter corner of said Section 28, from which the southwest corner of said Section 28 bears, based on the Cass County Coordinate System of NAD 1983, South 89 degrees 44 minutes 53 seconds West, 2775.06 feet; thence North 52 degrees 48 minutes 53 seconds West, 1326.13 feet to the southeast corner of that particular tract of land conveyed to the state of Minnesota and filed for record on November 9, 1961, in Book 121 of Deeds, Page 598, and to a railroad spike on the


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centerline of County State-Aid Highway 4; thence North 52 degrees 12 minutes 27 seconds West, 221.06 feet along the southwesterly line of said particular tract of land conveyed to the state of Minnesota and the centerline of County State-Aid Highway 4 to a spike; thence North 51 degrees 01 minutes 41 seconds West, 111.72 feet along the southwesterly line of said particular tract of land conveyed to the state of Minnesota and the centerline of County State-Aid Highway 4 to a mag nail and the point of beginning of the land to be described; thence continuing North 51 degrees 01 minutes 41 seconds West, 41.42 feet along the southwesterly line of said particular tract of land conveyed to the state of Minnesota and the centerline of County State-Aid Highway 4 to a mag nail; thence North 13 degrees 19 minutes 36 seconds East, 144.63 feet to a 3/4" x 24" rebar with plastic cap stamped "MN DNR LS 17005" (DNR MON); thence continuing North 13 degrees 19 minutes 36 seconds East, 5 feet, more or less, to the water's edge of Little Sand Lake; thence southeasterly, a distance of 50 feet, more or less, along said water's edge to a line which bears North 13 degrees 19 minutes 36 seconds East from the point of beginning; thence South 13 degrees 19 minutes 36 seconds West, 5 feet, more or less, to a DNR MON, thence continuing South 13 degrees 19 minutes 36 seconds West, 129.22 feet to the point of beginning and there terminating. Containing 0.12 acres, more or less, subject to existing road easements.

 

(d) The land is located on Little Sand Lake. The sale will be to the adjoining landowner in conjunction with an acquisition to resolve an unintentional trespass by the state which occurred when the Department of Natural Resources constructed a water access site.

 

Sec. 15. PUBLIC SALE OF SURPLUS STATE LAND BORDERING PUBLIC WATER; COOK COUNTY.

 

(a) Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 92.45, the commissioner of natural resources may sell by public sale the surplus land bordering public water that is described in paragraph (c).

 

(b) The conveyance must be in a form approved by the attorney general. The attorney general may make necessary changes to the legal description to correct errors and ensure accuracy.

 

(c) The land that may be sold is located in Cook County and is described as follows: the Northwest Quarter of the Northeast Quarter, Section 33, Township 63 North, Range 3 East, containing 40 acres, more or less.

 

(d) The land borders Mons Creek and was acquired in a land exchange in 2003. The Department of Natural Resources has determined that school trust management interests would best be served if the land was sold.

 

Sec. 16. PUBLIC SALE OF SURPLUS STATE LAND BORDERING PUBLIC WATER; COOK COUNTY.

 

(a) Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 92.45, the commissioner of natural resources may sell by public sale the surplus land bordering public water that is described in paragraph (c).

 

(b) The conveyance must be in a form approved by the attorney general. The attorney general may make necessary changes to the legal description to correct errors and ensure accuracy.

 

(c) The land that may be sold is located in Cook County and is described as follows:

 

(1) Outlot A & Caribou Backlot, Cook County. Outlot A of White Sky, according to the plat on file and of record in the Office of the Recorder for Cook County, Minnesota, containing 0.74 acres, more or less; and

 

(2) that part of Government Lot 4, Section 2, Township 60 North, Range 3 West, lying northerly of Cook County Road 4, southerly of the plat of White Sky, and westerly of Lot 1, Block 1 of White Sky First Addition, according to the plats on file and of record in the Office of the Recorder for Cook County, containing 1.02 acres, more or less.


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(d) The land borders Caribou Lake. The Department of Natural Resources has determined that school trust management interests would best be served if the lands were sold.

 

Sec. 17. PUBLIC SALE OF SURPLUS STATE LAND BORDERING PUBLIC WATER; COOK COUNTY.

 

(a) Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 92.45, the commissioner of natural resources may sell by public sale the surplus land bordering public water that is described in paragraph (c).

 

(b) The conveyance must be in a form approved by the attorney general. The attorney general may make necessary changes to the legal description to correct errors and ensure accuracy.

 

(c) The land that may be sold is located in Cook County and is described as follows: that part of Government Lot 10, Section 35, Township 65 North, Range 1 West, more fully described as follows: being the easterly 863.9 feet of Government Lot 10, EXCEPT the southerly 40.3 feet thereof. The west and south boundary lines being perpendicular to and parallel with the south boundary of Government Lot 10, respectively. Containing 3.3 acres, more or less.

 

(d) The land borders West Bearskin Lake, was acquired in a land exchange in 2000, and is not contiguous to other state lands. The Department of Natural Resources has determined that school trust management interests would best be served if the land was sold.

 

Sec. 18. PRIVATE SALE OF TAX-FORFEITED LAND BORDERING PUBLIC WATER; CROW WING COUNTY.

 

(a) Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, sections 92.45 and 282.018, subdivision 1, and the public sale provisions of Minnesota Statutes, chapter 282, Crow Wing County may sell by private sale the tax-forfeited land bordering public water that is described in paragraph (c), under the remaining provisions of Minnesota Statutes, chapter 282.

 

(b) The conveyance must be in a form approved by the attorney general. The attorney general may make changes to the land description to correct errors and ensure accuracy. Prior to the sale, the commissioner of revenue shall grant a permanent conservation easement according to Minnesota Statutes, section 282.37, to protect aquatic habitat. The easement must be approved by the Crow Wing County Board and the commissioner of natural resources.

 

(c) The land to be sold is located in Crow Wing County and is described as: Government Lot 1, Section 26, Township 138 North, Range 27 West, city of Fifty Lakes.

 

(d) The county has determined that the county's land management interests would best be served if the land was returned to private ownership.

 

Sec. 19. PRIVATE SALE OF TAX-FORFEITED LAND BORDERING PUBLIC WATER; CROW WING COUNTY.

 

(a) Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, sections 92.45 and 282.018, subdivision 1, and the public sale provisions of Minnesota Statutes, chapter 282, Crow Wing County may sell to the city of Crosby the tax-forfeited land bordering public water that is described in paragraph (c), under the remaining provisions of Minnesota Statutes, chapter 282.


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(b) The conveyance must be in a form approved by the attorney general. The attorney general may make changes to the land description to correct errors and ensure accuracy.

 

(c) The land to be sold is located in Crow Wing County and is described as:

 

Of a tract of land lying south of the herein described line and being out of and part of the Southeast Quarter of the Northwest Quarter, Section 11, Township 46 North, Range 29 West, except part to the city of Crosby, Crow Wing County, Minnesota, said line described as follows: Commencing at the center of Section 11, thence South 88 degrees 59 minutes 19 seconds West, coincident with the south line of said Southeast Quarter of the Northwest Quarter, 1291.01 feet to the southwest corner of said Southeast Quarter of the Northwest Quarter; thence North 02 degrees 09 minutes 21 seconds East, coincident with the west line of said Southeast Quarter of the Northwest Quarter, 531.93 feet to the point of beginning of the line herein described; thence through and across said Southeast Quarter of the Northwest Quarter of the following 21 courses and distances:

 

(1) South 71 degrees 26 minutes 55 seconds East, 27.36 feet;

 

(2) South 33 degrees 07 minutes 48 seconds East, 34.76 feet;

 

(3) South 87 degrees 03 minutes 06 seconds East, 64.17 feet;

 

(4) South 61 degrees 33 minutes 20 seconds East, 45.74 feet;

 

(5) South 72 degrees 07 minutes 59 seconds East, 112.59 feet;

 

(6) South 77 degrees 44 minutes 53 seconds East, 56.34 feet;

 

(7) North 70 degrees 49 minutes 46 seconds East, 83.42 feet;

 

(8) South 76 degrees 32 minutes 31 seconds East, 94.57 feet;

 

(9) North 80 degrees 41 minutes 54 seconds East, 33.03 feet;

 

(10) North 83 degrees 09 minutes 05 seconds East, 41.90 feet;

 

(11) North 68 degrees 51 minutes 01 seconds East, 175.87 feet;

 

(12) South 58 degrees 17 minutes 34 seconds East, 54.35 feet;

 

(13) South 80 degrees 01 minutes 47 seconds East, 43.42 feet;

 

(14) North 36 degrees 43 minutes 03 seconds East, 84.81 feet;

 

(15) North 60 degrees 06 minutes 12 seconds East, 57.47 feet;

 

(16) South 83 degrees 31 minutes 42 seconds East, 90.21 feet;

 

(17) North 73 degrees 59 minutes 37 seconds East, 57.44 feet;

 

(18) South 65 degrees 21 minutes 29 seconds East, 81.38 feet;

 

(19) North 86 degrees 47 minutes 22 seconds East, 75.46 feet;


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(20) North 47 degrees 10 minutes 02 seconds East, 52.07 feet; and

 

(21) North 63 degrees 13 minutes 46 seconds East, 48.20 feet

 

to the point of termination from which the point of commencing bears South 01 degrees 27 minutes 31 seconds West, 572.34 feet.

 

(d) The county has determined that the county's land management interests would best be served if the land was sold to the city of Crosby.

 

Sec. 20. CONVEYANCE OF TAX-FORFEITED LAND BORDERING PUBLIC WATER; DAKOTA COUNTY.

 

(a) Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, sections 92.45, 103F.535, and 282.018, subdivision 1, and the public sale provisions of Minnesota Statutes, chapter 282, Dakota County may sell or convey to the township of Ravenna for no consideration the tax-forfeited land bordering public water that is described in paragraph (c).

 

(b) The conveyance must be in a form approved by the attorney general and provide that the land reverts to the state if the township of Ravenna stops using the land for the public purpose described in paragraph (d). The conveyance is subject to restrictions imposed by the commissioner of natural resources. The attorney general may make changes to the land description to correct errors and ensure accuracy.

 

(c) The land to be conveyed is located in Dakota County and is described as: Unplatted, Section 21, Township 114, Range 16, Southeast Quarter of the Southwest Quarter, less various tracts, except West 870 feet of South 729.29 feet, except part of North 594 feet lying west of Ravenna Trail, except South 480 feet lying east of West 870 feet, except beginning at the northwest corner of the Southeast Quarter of the Southwest Quarter East 22R South 20R southwest to point on west line 22R South of beginning North 22R to beginning, except parcels 33-02100-030-53, 33-02100-040-53, 33-02100-050-53, 33-02100-060-53, and 33-02100-080-53. (Dakota County tax identification number 33-02100-018-54).

 

(d) The county has determined that the land is needed by the township of Ravenna for drainage and access to culverts.

 

Sec. 21. PRIVATE SALE OF SURPLUS STATE LAND; HENNEPIN COUNTY.

 

(a) Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, sections 94.09 and 94.10, the commissioner of natural resources may sell by private sale to a governmental subdivision the surplus land that is described in paragraph (c).

 

(b) The conveyance must be in a form approved by the attorney general. The attorney general may make necessary changes to the legal description to correct errors and ensure accuracy. The commissioner may sell the land to a governmental subdivision of the state for less than the value of the land as determined by the commissioner, but the conveyance must provide that the land described in paragraph (c) be used for the public and reverts to the state if the governmental subdivision fails to provide for public use or abandons the public use of the land. The commissioner may include conservation restrictions in the conveyance deed to ensure the property is maintained as open space.

 

(c) The land that may be sold is located in Hennepin County and is described as follows:

 

(1) the Northwest Quarter of Southwest Quarter, Section 36, Township 120 North, Range 22 West, less road right-of-way, containing 39 acres, more or less;


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(2) the east six and two-thirds acres of the West Half of the Southeast Quarter of the Southwest Quarter, Section 36, Township 120 North, Range 22 West, less road right-of-way, containing 6.67 acres, more or less; and

 

(3) the West Quarter of the East Half of the Southeast Quarter of the Southwest Quarter, Section 36, Township 120 North, Range 22 West, less road right-of-way, containing 4.87 acres, more or less.

 

(d) The land was conveyed to the state for wild game reservation purposes. Due to adjacent residential use and local zoning restrictions, the land is no longer available for hunting purposes. The Department of Natural Resources has determined that the state's land management interests would best be served if the lands were conveyed to a local unit of government.

 

Sec. 22. PRIVATE SALE OF SURPLUS STATE LAND BORDERING PUBLIC WATER; HENNEPIN COUNTY.

 

(a) Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, sections 92.45, 94.09, and 94.10, the commissioner of natural resources may sell by private sale to a governmental subdivision the surplus land bordering public water that is described in paragraph (c).

 

(b) The conveyance must be in a form approved by the attorney general. The attorney general may make necessary changes to the legal description to correct errors and ensure accuracy. The commissioner may sell the land to a governmental subdivision of the state for less than the value of the land as determined by the commissioner, but the conveyance must provide that the land described in paragraph (c) be used for the public and reverts to the state if the governmental subdivision fails to provide for public use or abandons the public use of the land.

 

(c) The land that may be sold is located in Hennepin County and is described as follows: all that part of the Northwest Quarter of the Southwest Quarter and Government Lot 2, Section 25, Township 120 North, Range 22 West, lying north and westerly of the following described line: beginning at a point on the west line of said section 830.19 feet South of the west 1/4 corner thereof; thence North 36 degrees 55 minutes East, 109.88 feet; thence North 00 degrees 00 minutes, 1217.3 feet more or less to the water's edge of Haydens Lake. Subject to existing road easements. Containing 1.9 acres, more or less.

 

(d) The land was purchased by the state for a water access site but has never been used as a water access site. The Department of Natural Resources has determined that the state's land management interests would best be served if the land was conveyed to a local unit of government.

 

Sec. 23. TAX-FORFEITED LANDS LEASE; ITASCA COUNTY.

 

Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 282.04, or other law to the contrary, the Itasca County auditor may lease tax-forfeited land to Minnesota Steel for a period of 20 years, for use as a tailings basin and buffer area. A lease entered under this section is renewable.

 

Sec. 24. PUBLIC OR PRIVATE SALE OF SURPLUS STATE LAND BORDERING PUBLIC WATER; KITTSON COUNTY.

 

(a) Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, sections 92.45, 94.09, and 94.10, the commissioner of natural resources may sell by public or private sale the surplus land bordering public water that is described in paragraph (c).

 

(b) The conveyance must be in a form approved by the attorney general. The attorney general may make necessary changes to the legal description to correct errors and ensure accuracy. The commissioner may sell the land to a governmental subdivision of the state for less than the value of the land as determined by the commissioner, but the conveyance must provide that the land be used for the public and reverts to the state if the governmental subdivision fails to provide for public use or abandons the public use of the land.


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(c) The land that may be sold is located in Kittson County and is described as follows:

 

(1) Parcel 1: Lot 7, Block 4, Park Addition to Bronson, lying in the Southwest Quarter of the Southwest Quarter, Section 30, Township 161 North, Range 46 West, containing 0.92 acres, more or less;

 

(2) Parcel 2: that part of Lots 5 and 6, Block 4, Park Addition to Bronson, lying in the Southwest Quarter of the Southwest Quarter, Section 30, Township 161 North, Range 46 West, more particularly described as follows: commencing at the midpoint of the west line of said Lot 5, which point is 33 feet East of the west line of said Southwest Quarter of the Southwest Quarter of Section 30; thence East and parallel to the south line of said Lot 5, a distance of 157 feet; thence South on a straight line at right angles to the immediately preceding line of this description to the center of the south branch of Two Rivers; thence northwesterly along the center line of said south branch of Two Rivers to its intersection with a north and south line parallel to the west line of said Southwest Quarter of the Southwest Quarter of Section 30, and distant 33 feet East therefrom, which line is also the west line of said Block 4; thence North along said west line of said Block 4, to the point of beginning, containing 0.39 acres, more or less;

 

(3) Parcel 12: that part of Block 4, of the Park Addition to the village of Bronson, Kittson County, Minnesota, which may be more particularly described as follows: Lot 6, Block 4, with the exception of a tract consisting of the westerly 157 feet of said Lot 6, deeded to the Olof Locken Post, No. 315, of the American Legion, containing 0.68 acres, more or less; ALSO the following described portion of Lot 8 of said Block 4: commencing at a point on the west line of said Lot 8, 140 feet North of the southwest corner of said Lot 8; thence North along said west line of Lot 8, a distance of 68 feet; thence East at right angles to the said west line of Lot 8 to the east line of said Lot 8; thence South along the east line of said Lot 8, a distance of 68 feet; thence West at right angles to said east line of Lot 8 to the point of beginning, containing 0.05 acres, more or less; EXCEPTING therefrom the following described tract of land: commencing at the northeast corner of Block 4 in Park Addition to the village of Lake Bronson; thence South at right angles a distance of 265 feet to the point of beginning; thence West at right angles a distance of 143 feet; thence South at right angles a distance of 111 feet to the center of the Two Rivers; thence East at right angles a distance of 143 feet to the east line of Lot 8; thence North at right angles a distance of 111 feet to the point of beginning, being a part of Lot 6 and Lot 8 of Block 4, containing altogether 0.75 acres, more or less; and

 

(4) Parcel 13: that part of Lot 8, Block 4 of the Park Addition to the village of Bronson, Kittson County, Minnesota, which may be more particularly described as follows: the South 140 feet of said Lot 8, Block 4, containing 0.10 acres, more or less; ALSO the following portion of said Lot 8: commencing at a point on the west line of said Lot 8, 208 feet North of the southwest corner of said Lot 8; thence North along said west line of Lot 8, a distance of 5.6 feet; thence East at right angles to said west line of Lot 8 to the east line of said Lot 8, thence South along said east line of Lot 8, a distance of 5.8 feet; thence West at right angles to said east line of Lot 8, to the point of beginning, containing 0.004 acres, more or less; containing altogether 0.104 acres, more or less.

 

(d) The land borders South Branch Two Rivers and is not contiguous to other state lands. The land was acquired for park purposes but was not included in a state park. The Department of Natural Resources has determined that the land is not needed for natural resource purposes.

 

Sec. 25. PRIVATE SALE OF SURPLUS STATE LAND; KITTSON COUNTY.

 

(a) Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, sections 94.09 and 94.10, the commissioner of natural resources may sell by private sale the surplus land that is described in paragraph (c).

 

(b) The conveyance must be in a form approved by the attorney general. The attorney general may make necessary changes to the legal description to correct errors and ensure accuracy.


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(c) The land that may be sold is located in Kittson County and is described as follows: a parcel of land in the Southwest Quarter of the Southeast Quarter of Section 30, Township 161 North, Range 46 West, more particularly described as follows: beginning at a point which is 33 feet North of the south line and 422 feet East of the west line of said Southwest Quarter of the Southeast Quarter; thence East parallel to said south line, 726 feet; thence North parallel to said west line, 300 feet; thence West parallel to said south line, 726 feet; thence South parallel to said west line, 300 feet to the point of beginning. Containing 5.00 acres, more or less.

 

(d) The sale may be to multiple parties, including the county for the county highway right-of-way, the township for the township road, and adjoining landowners to resolve unintentional agricultural trespasses. The Department of Natural Resources has determined that the land is not needed for natural resource purposes.

 

Sec. 26. PRIVATE SALE OF SURPLUS STATE LAND; LAKE COUNTY.

 

(a) Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, sections 94.09 and 94.10, the commissioner of natural resources may sell by private sale the surplus land that is described in paragraph (c).

 

(b) The conveyance must be in a form approved by the attorney general. The attorney general may make necessary changes to the legal description to correct errors and ensure accuracy.

 

(c) The land that may be sold is located in Lake County and is described as follows: that part of the Northeast Quarter of the Southwest Quarter, Section 16, Township 57 North, Range 6 West, described as follows: commencing at the southeast corner of said Northeast Quarter of the Southwest Quarter marked by a DNR survey marker (3/4 inch x 18 inch rebar with an orange cap marked MN DNR LS 16098); thence North 89 degrees 11 minutes 24 seconds West based on the Lake County Coordinate System North Shore Zone, NAD83, 1986 adjustment, along the south line of said Northeast Quarter of the Southwest Quarter, 439.78 feet to a DNR survey marker on the westerly right-of-way of Trunk Highway 61 and the point of beginning; thence continuing North 89 degrees 11 minutes 24 seconds West along said south line 426.27 feet to a DNR survey marker; thence North 00 degrees 48 minutes 36 seconds East 100.00 feet to a DNR survey marker; thence South 89 degrees 11 minutes 24 seconds East 494.20 feet to a DNR survey marker on said westerly right-of-way; thence South 34 degrees 59 minutes 57 seconds West along said westerly right-of-way 120.89 feet, more or less, to the point of beginning. Containing 1.06 acres, more or less.

 

(d) The sale would be to the adjoining landowner and resolve an unintentional trespass that occurred when a garage was constructed on state-owned land. The Department of Natural Resources has determined that the land is not needed for natural resource purposes.

 

Sec. 27. PRIVATE SALE OF SURPLUS STATE LAND; LAKE COUNTY.

 

(a) Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, sections 94.09 and 94.10, the commissioner of natural resources may sell by private sale the surplus land that is described in paragraph (c).

 

(b) The conveyance must be in a form approved by the attorney general. The attorney general may make necessary changes to the legal description to correct errors and ensure accuracy.

 

(c) The land that may be sold is located in Lake County and is described as follows: that part of the Northwest Quarter of the Southeast Quarter, Section 16, Township 57 North, Range 6 West, described as follows: commencing at the northwest corner of said Northwest Quarter of the Southeast Quarter marked by a DNR survey marker (3/4 inch x 18 inch rebar with an orange cap marked MN DNR LS 16098); thence South 89 degrees 14 minutes 10 seconds East based on the Lake County Coordinate System North Shore Zone, NAD83, 1986 adjustment, along the north line of said Northwest Quarter of the Southeast Quarter, 191.15 feet to a DNR survey marker and the point of beginning; thence continuing South 89 degrees 14 minutes 10 seconds East along said north line 264.92 feet to a


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DNR survey marker on the westerly right-of-way of Trunk Highway 61; thence South 34 degrees 59 minutes 57 seconds West along said westerly right-of-way 200.00 feet; thence North 41 degrees 54 minutes 07 seconds West 224.87 feet, more or less, to the point of beginning. Containing 0.50 acres, more or less.

 

(d) The sale would be to the adjoining landowner and resolve an unintentional trespass that occurred when a garage and house were constructed on state-owned land. The Department of Natural Resources has determined that the land is not needed for natural resource purposes.

 

Sec. 28. PRIVATE SALE OF TAX-FORFEITED LAND BORDERING PUBLIC WATER; LAKE COUNTY.

 

(a) Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, sections 92.45 and 282.018, subdivision 1, and the public sale provisions of Minnesota Statutes, chapter 282, Lake County may sell by private sale the tax-forfeited land bordering public water that is described in paragraph (c), under the remaining provisions of Minnesota Statutes, chapter 282.

 

(b) The conveyance must be in a form approved by the attorney general for a consideration of $1 and relinquishment of a four-acre parcel of land that Lake County has used for road relocation.

 

(c) The land to be sold is located in Lake County and is described as: that part of the Southeast Quarter of the Northwest Quarter, north of County State-Aid Highway 14, Section 20, Township 55 North, Range 11 West.

 

(d) The county has determined that the county's land management interests would best be served if the land was returned to private ownership.

 

Sec. 29. PUBLIC SALE OF SURPLUS STATE LAND BORDERING PUBLIC WATER; NICOLLET COUNTY.

 

(a) Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 92.45, the commissioner of natural resources may sell by public sale the surplus land bordering public water that is described in paragraph (c).

 

(b) The conveyance must be in a form approved by the attorney general. The attorney general may make necessary changes to the legal description to correct errors and ensure accuracy.

 

(c) The land that may be sold is located in Nicollet County and is described as follows:

 

(1) that part of the Southwest Quarter and that part of the Southeast Quarter, Section 8, Township 109 North, Range 29 West, being described as a strip of land 300.0 feet in width lying adjacent to and northerly of the following described centerline of proposed channel change: commencing at the center of Section 8, Township 109 North, Range 20 West, from which the north quarter corner of said Section 8 bears North 0 degrees 00 minutes East, thence South 0 degrees 00 minutes East for 1280 feet on said quarter line; thence South 90 degrees 00 minutes East for 54.9 feet to road station 40+40 on the centerline of County State-Aid Highway 24 which is the true point of beginning for the centerline of channel change; thence South 75 degrees 58 minutes East for a distance of 553.5 feet on centerline of channel change; thence South 75 degrees 58 minutes East for a distance of 1540.0 feet and there terminating; and from the true point of beginning North 77 degrees 58 minutes West for a distance of 770 feet and there terminating; SAID LANDS ALSO DESCRIBED AS: a strip of land lying and being 300.0 feet each side of the following described centerline of proposed channel change: beginning at a point 1280.0 feet South and 54.9 feet East of the center of Section 8, Township 109 North, Range 29 West; thence easterly on a bearing of South 77 degrees 00 minutes East for a distance of 553.5 feet; thence easterly on a bearing of South 75 degrees 00 minutes East for a


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distance of 1540.0 feet and there terminating. This includes 3.005 acres in part of the North Half of the Southeast Quarter of Section 8, Township 109 North, Range 29 West, and 10.932 acres in part of Government Lot 2 of Section 8, Township 109 North, Range 29 West. Also from the point of beginning, westerly on a bearing of North 77 degrees 00 minutes West for a distance of 770.0 feet and there terminating. This includes 4.098 acres in part of the Southwest Quarter of Section 8, Township 109 North, Range 29 West. Containing 3.01 acres, more or less; and

 

(2) that part of the Southwest Quarter and that part of the Southeast Quarter, Section 8, Township 109 North, Range 29 West, Nicollet County, Minnesota, being described as a strip of land 300.0 feet in width lying adjacent to and southerly of the following described centerline of proposed channel change: commencing at the center of Section 8, Township 109 North, Range 20 West, from which the north quarter corner of said Section 8 bears North 0 degrees 00 minutes East; thence South 0 degrees 00 minutes East for 1280 feet on said quarter line; thence South 90 degrees 00 minutes East for 54.9 feet to road station 40+40 on the centerline of County State-Aid Highway 24 which is the true point of beginning for the centerline of channel change; thence South 75 degrees 58 minutes East for a distance of 553.5 feet on centerline of channel change; thence South 75 degrees 58 minutes East for a distance of 1540.0 feet and there terminating; and from the true point of beginning North 77 degrees 58 minutes West for a distance of 770 feet and there terminating; SAID LANDS ALSO DESCRIBED AS: a strip of land lying and being 300.0 feet each side of the following described centerline of proposed channel change: beginning at a point 1280.0 feet South and 54.9 feet East of the center of Section 8, Township 109 North, Range 29 West; thence easterly on a bearing of South 77 degrees 00 minutes East for a distance of 553.5 feet; thence easterly on a bearing of South 75 degrees 00 minutes East for a distance of 1540.0 feet and there terminating. This includes 3.005 acres in part of the North Half of the Southeast Quarter of Section 8, Township 109 North, Range 29 West, and 10.932 acres in part of Government Lot 2 of Section 8, Township 109 North, Range 29 West. Also, from the point of beginning, westerly on a bearing of North 77 degrees 00 minutes West for a distance of 770.0 feet and there terminating. This includes 4.098 acres in part of the Southwest Quarter of Section 8, Township 109 North, Range 29 West. Containing 4.10 acres, more or less.

 

(d) The land borders the Minnesota River. It was acquired when a new bridge was installed across the river resulting in a realignment of the river channel. The Department of Natural Resources has determined that the land is not needed for natural resource purposes.

 

Sec. 30. PUBLIC SALE OF SURPLUS STATE LAND BORDERING PUBLIC WATER; RED LAKE COUNTY.

 

(a) Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 92.45, the commissioner of natural resources may sell by public sale the surplus land bordering public water that is described in paragraph (c).

 

(b) The conveyance must be in a form approved by the attorney general. The attorney general may make necessary changes to the legal description to correct errors and ensure accuracy.

 

(c) The land that may be sold is located in Red Lake County and is described as follows:

 

(1) Government Lot 10, Section 31, Township 152 North, Range 40 West, containing 20.17 acres, more or less; and

 

(2) Government Lot 3, Section 34, Township 152 North, Range 40 West, containing 21.7 acres, more or less.

 

(d) The land borders the Clearwater River and is not contiguous to other state lands. The Department of Natural Resources has determined that the land is not needed for natural resource purposes.


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Sec. 31. PUBLIC SALE OF SURPLUS STATE LAND BORDERING PUBLIC WATER; ST. LOUIS COUNTY.

 

(a) Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 92.45, the commissioner of natural resources may sell by public sale the surplus land bordering public water that is described in paragraph (c).

 

(b) The conveyance must be in a form approved by the attorney general. The attorney general may make necessary changes to the legal description to correct errors and ensure accuracy.

 

(c) The land that may be sold is located in St. Louis County and is described as follows: Government Lot 2, except the Northwest Quarter of Lot 2, Section 19, Township 58 North, Range 18 West, containing 30.84 acres, more or less.

 

(d) The land borders an unnamed tributary to the West Two Rivers Reservoir. The Department of Natural Resources has determined that the land is not needed for natural resource purposes.

 

Sec. 32. PRIVATE SALE OF SURPLUS STATE LAND; ST. LOUIS COUNTY.

 

(a) Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, sections 94.09 and 94.10, the commissioner of natural resources may sell by private sale the surplus land that is described in paragraph (c).

 

(b) The conveyance must be in a form approved by the attorney general. The attorney general may make necessary changes to the legal description to correct errors and ensure accuracy.

 

(c) The land that may be sold is located in St. Louis County and is described as follows: Government Lot 3, Section 18, Township 68 North, Range 19 West, containing 23.22 acres, more or less.

 

(d) The sale will be to the University of Minnesota for the off axis NOvA detector project. The Department of Natural Resources has determined that the land is not needed for natural resource purposes.

 

Sec. 33. PRIVATE SALE OF SURPLUS STATE LAND BORDERING PUBLIC WATER; WASHINGTON COUNTY.

 

(a) Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, sections 92.45, 94.09, and 94.10, the commissioner of natural resources may sell by private sale the surplus land bordering public water that is described in paragraph (c).

 

(b) The conveyance must be in a form approved by the attorney general. The attorney general may make necessary changes to the legal description to correct errors and ensure accuracy. The commissioner may only sell the land to a governmental subdivision of the state. The conveyance may be for less than the value of the land as determined by the commissioner, but the conveyance must provide that the land be used for the public and reverts to the state if the governmental subdivision fails to provide for public use or abandons the public use of the land.

 

(c) The land that may be sold is located in Washington County and is described as follows, Parcels A and B containing altogether 31.55 acres, more or less:

 

(1) Parcel A: all that part of the North Half of the Southeast Quarter, Section 30, Township 30 North, Range 20 West, bounded by the following described lines: commencing at the east quarter corner of said Section 30; thence on an assumed bearing of North 88 degrees 13 minutes 48 seconds West, 399.98 feet on and along the east-west quarter line of said Section 30 to the point of beginning; thence North 88 degrees 13 minutes 48 seconds West,


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504.57 feet on and along the said east-west quarter line; thence South 17 degrees 54 minutes 26 seconds West, 1377.65 feet to a point on the south 1/16 line of said Section 30; thence South 88 degrees 10 minutes 45 seconds East, 504.44 feet on and along the south 1/16 line of said Section 30; thence North 17 degrees 54 minutes 26 seconds East, 1378.11 feet to the point of beginning; and

 

(2) Parcel B: all that part of the North Half of the Southeast Quarter, Section 30, Township 30 North, Range 20 West, bounded by the following described lines: commencing at the east quarter corner of said Section 30; thence on an assumed bearing of North 88 degrees 13 minutes 48 seconds West, 904.55 feet along the east-west quarter line of said Section 30 to the point of beginning; thence South 17 degrees 54 minutes 26 seconds West, 1377.65 feet to a point on the south 1/16 line of said Section 30; thence North 88 degrees 10 minutes 45 seconds West, 369.30 feet along said south 1/16 line; thence North 42 degrees 24 minutes 47 seconds West, 248.00 feet; thence North 02 degrees 59 minutes 30 seconds East, 488.11 feet; thence North 47 degrees 41 minutes 19 seconds East, 944.68 feet to a point on the east-west quarter line of said Section 30; thence South 88 degrees 13 minutes 48 seconds East, 236.03 feet along said east-west quarter line to the point of beginning.

 

(d) The land borders Long Lake and is not contiguous to other state lands. The land was donated to the state with the understanding that the land would be used as a wildlife sanctuary. The Department of Natural Resources has determined that the land is not needed for natural resource purposes.

 

Sec. 34. EFFECTIVE DATE.

 

Sections 1 to 33 are effective the day following final enactment."

 

Delete the title and insert:

 

"A bill for an act relating to state lands; modifying land acquisition requirements; modifying land owners' bill of rights; modifying recordation requirements for mineral interests; adding to and deleting from state parks; exempting certain exchanged land from the tax-forfeited land assurance fee; authorizing certain leases of tax-forfeited lands; authorizing public and private sales and conveyances of certain state lands; amending Minnesota Statutes 2006, sections 84.0272, subdivision 3; 84.0274, subdivision 5; 93.55, subdivision 1; Laws 2006, chapter 236, article 1, section 21."

 

 

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

 

      The report was adopted.

 

 

Carlson from the Committee on Finance to which was referred:

 

H. F. No. 906, A bill for an act relating to health; appropriating money for the birth defects information system.

 

Reported the same back with the following amendments:

 

Page 1, after line 3, insert:

 

"Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 13.3806, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:


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Subd. 21. Birth defects registry system. Data on individuals collected by the birth defects registry system are private data on individuals and classified pursuant to section 144.2215."

 

Renumber the sections in sequence and correct the internal references

 

Delete the title and insert:

 

"A bill for an act relating to health; classifying certain data as private; appropriating money; amending Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 13.3806, by adding a subdivision."

 

 

With the recommendation that when so amended the bill be re-referred to the Housing Policy and Finance and Public Health Finance Division without further recommendation.

 

      The report was adopted.

 

 

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

 

H. F. No. 934, A bill for an act relating to the environment; restricting the manufacture and sale of certain polybrominated diphenyl ethers; requiring a report; providing penalties; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 325E.

 

Reported the same back with the following amendments:

 

Page 1, after line 17, insert:

 

"Subd. 4. Computer. "Computer" means an electronic, magnetic, optical, electrochemical, or other high-speed data processing device performing logical, arithmetic, or storage functions, but does not include an automated typewriter or typesetter, a portable hand-held calculator or device, or other similar device."

 

Page 1, line 19, delete "such as" and insert "including, but not limited to,"

 

Page 2, after line 14, insert:

 

"Subd. 8. Television. "Television" means an electronic device that is a cathode-ray tube or flat panel display primarily intended to receive video programming via broadcast, cable, or satellite transmission or video from surveillance or other similar cameras."

 

Page 3, line 12, after "charity," insert "public entity,"

 

Page 4, line 6, delete the colon

 

Page 4, delete lines 7 and 8

 

Page 4, line 9, delete "(2)"

 

Page 4, line 10, after "ethers" insert ", unless exempted under section 325E.386, subdivision 3, or section 325E.388, subdivision 1"


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Page 4, delete subdivision 1 and insert:

 

"Subdivision 1. Exemption process. (a) A manufacturer or user of a product prohibited from manufacture, sale, or distribution under section 325E.386, subdivision 2, who has not received an exemption under section 325E.386, subdivision 3, may apply for an exemption for a specific use of commercial decabromodiphenyl ether under this section by filing a written request with the commissioner. The commissioner may grant an exemption for a term not to exceed three years. The exemption is renewable upon written request. An initial or renewal request for exemption must include at least the following:

 

(1) a policy statement articulating upper management support for eliminating or reducing to the maximum feasible extent the use of commercial decabromodiphenyl ether;

 

(2) a description of the product and the amount of commercial decabromodiphenyl ether distributed for sale and use in the state on an annual basis;

 

(3) a description of the recycling and disposal system used for the product in the state and an estimate of the amount of product and/or commercial decabromodiphenyl ether recycled or disposed in the state on an annual basis;

 

(4) a description of the manufacturer or user's past and ongoing efforts to eliminate or reduce the amount of commercial decabromodiphenyl ether used in the product;

 

(5) an assessment of options available to reduce or eliminate the use of commercial decabromodiphenyl ether, including any alternatives that do not contain commercial decabromodiphenyl ether, perform the same technical function, are commercially available, and are economically practicable;

 

(6) a statement of objectives in numerical terms and a schedule for achieving the elimination of commercial decabromodiphenyl ether and an environmental assessment of alternative products, including but not limited to human health, solid waste, hazardous waste, and wastewater impacts associated with production, use, recycling, and disposal of the alternatives;

 

(7) a listing of options considered not to be technically or economically practicable; and

 

(8) certification of the accuracy of the information contained in the request, signed and dated by an official of the manufacturer or user.

 

(b) The commissioner may grant an initial or renewal exemption for a specific use of commercial decabromodiphenyl ether, with or without conditions, upon finding that the applicant has demonstrated that there is no alternative that performs the same technical function, is commercially available, is economically practicable, and provides net health and environmental benefits to the state."

 

Renumber the subdivisions in sequence

 

 

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

 

      The report was adopted.


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Carlson from the Committee on Finance to which was referred:

 

H. F. No. 958, A bill for an act relating to state government; providing deficiency funding for certain state agencies; appropriating money.

 

Reported the same back with the following amendments:

 

Page 1, line 9, delete "9,879,000" and insert "10,379,000" in both places

 

Page 2, line 6, delete "90,000" and insert "200,000"

 

Page 3, after line 13, insert:

 

      Sec. 10. CAMPAING FINANCE AND PUBLIC DISCLOSURE BOARD                                                                                                                            $150,000

 

This appropriation is for court-ordered payments and is added to appropriations in Laws 2005, chapter 156, article 1, section 7. This is a onetime appropriation.

 

      Sec. 11. FINANCE.                                                                                                                                                       $240,000

 

The commissioner of finance shall pay this amount to the court administrator of the Fourth Judicial District for distribution according to Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 488A.03, subdivision 9. This appropriation replaces funding lost in fiscal year 2007 due to the inadvertent repeal of Minnesota Statutes, section 488A.03, subdivision 9, in Laws 2006, chapter 260, article 5, section 54."

 

Page 3, line 15, delete "9" and insert "11"

 

Renumber the sections in sequence and correct the internal references

 

 

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

 

      The report was adopted.

 

 

Carlson from the Committee on Finance to which was referred:

 

H. F. No. 1048, A bill for an act relating to state government; abolishing the Department of Employee Relations; transferring duties; providing certain protections for employees.

 

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

 

      The report was adopted.


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

 

H. F. No. 1074, A bill for an act relating to anatomical gifts; adopting the Darlene Luther Revised Uniform Anatomical Gift Act; imposing penalties; proposing coding for new law as Minnesota Statutes, chapter 525A; repealing Minnesota Statutes 2006, sections 525.921; 525.9211; 525.9212; 525.9213; 525.9214; 525.9215; 525.9216; 525.9217; 525.9218; 525.9219; 525.9221; 525.9222; 525.9223; 525.9224.

 

Reported the same back with the following amendments:

 

Page 1, delete subdivision 5 and insert:

 

"Subd. 5. Decedent. "Decedent" means a deceased individual and includes a stillborn infant or an embryo or fetus that has died of natural causes in utero."

 

 

With the recommendation that when so amended the bill pass.

 

      The report was adopted.

 

 

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

 

H. F. No. 1183, A bill for an act relating to natural resources; providing for community forest management; providing for control of forest and shade tree pests; amending Minnesota Statutes 2006, sections 18G.03, by adding a subdivision; 18G.11; 84D.14; 88.01, by adding a subdivision; 88.79, subdivisions 1, 2; 88.82; 89.001, subdivision 8, by adding subdivisions; 89.01, subdivisions 1, 2, 4; 89.51, subdivisions 1, 6, 9; 89.52; 89.53; 89.54; 89.55; 89.56, subdivisions 1, 3; 89.57; 89.58; 89.59; 89.60; 89.61; 97A.205; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 89; repealing Minnesota Statutes 2006, sections 18G.16; 89.51, subdivision 8.

 

Reported the same back with the following amendments:

 

Delete everything after the enacting clause and insert:

 

"Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 18G.03, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

 

Subd. 5. Certain species not subject to chapter 18G. This chapter does not apply to exotic aquatic plants and wild animal species regulated under chapter 84D.

 

Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 18G.11, is amended to read:

 

18G.11 COOPERATION WITH OTHER JURISDICTIONS.

 

Subdivision 1. Detection and control agreements. The commissioner may enter into cooperative agreements with organizations, persons, civic groups, governmental agencies, or other organizations to adopt and execute plans to detect and control areas infested or infected with harmful plant pests. The cooperative agreements may include provisions of joint funding of any control treatment.

 

If a harmful plant pest infestation or infection occurs and cannot be adequately controlled by individual persons, owners, tenants, or local units of government, the commissioner may conduct the necessary control measures independently or on a cooperative basis with federal or other units of government.


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Subd. 2. New and emerging plant pest programs. The commissioner may make grants to municipalities or enter into contracts with municipalities, nurseries, colleges, universities, state or federal agencies in connection with new or emerging plant pests programs, including research, or any other organization with the legal authority to enter into contractual agreements.

 

Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 84D.14, is amended to read:

 

84D.14 EXEMPTIONS.

 

This chapter does not apply to:

 

(1) pathogens and terrestrial arthropods regulated under sections 18G.01 to 18G.16 18G.15; or

 

(2) mammals and birds defined by statute as livestock.

 

Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 88.01, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

 

Subd. 27. Community forest. "Community forest" means public and private trees and associated plants occurring individually, in small groups, or under forest conditions within a municipality.

 

Sec. 5. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 88.79, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

 

Subdivision 1. Employment of competent foresters; service to private owners. The commissioner of natural resources may employ competent foresters to furnish owners of forest lands within the state of Minnesota who own not more than 1,000 acres of forest land, forest management services consisting of:

 

(1) advice in management and protection of timber, including written stewardship and forest management plans;

 

(2) selection and marking of timber to be cut;

 

(3) measurement of products;

 

(4) aid in marketing harvested products;

 

(5) provision of tree-planting equipment; and

 

(6) advice in community forest management; and

 

(7) such other services as the commissioner of natural resources deems necessary or advisable to promote maximum sustained yield of timber and other benefits upon such forest lands.

 

Sec. 6. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 88.79, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 2. Charge for service; receipts to special revenue fund. The commissioner of natural resources may charge the owner receiving such services such sums as the commissioner shall determine to be fair and reasonable. The charges must account for differences in the value of timber and other benefits. The receipts from such services shall be credited to the special revenue fund and are annually appropriated to the commissioner for the purposes specified in subdivision 1.


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Sec. 7. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 88.82, is amended to read:

 

88.82 MINNESOTA RELEAF PROGRAM.

 

The Minnesota releaf program is established in the Department of Natural Resources to encourage, promote, and fund the inventory, planting, assessment, maintenance, and improvement, protection, and restoration of trees and forest resources in this state to enhance community forest ecosystem health and sustainability as well as to reduce atmospheric carbon dioxide levels and promote energy conservation.

 

Sec. 8. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 89.001, subdivision 8, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 8. Forest resources. "Forest resources" means those natural assets of forest lands, including timber and other forest crops; biological diversity; recreation; fish and wildlife habitat; wilderness; rare and distinctive flora and fauna; air; water; soil; climate; and educational, aesthetic, and historic values.

 

Sec. 9. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 89.001, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

 

Subd. 15. Forest pest. "Forest pest" means any vertebrate or invertebrate animal, plant pathogen, or plant that is determined by the commissioner to be harmful, injurious, or destructive to forests or timber.

 

Sec. 10. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 89.001, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

 

Subd. 16. Shade tree pest. "Shade tree pest" means any vertebrate or invertebrate animal, plant pathogen, or plant that is determined by the commissioner to be harmful, injurious, or destructive to shade trees or community forests.

 

Sec. 11. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 89.001, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

 

Subd. 17. Community forest. "Community forest" has the meaning given under section 88.01, subdivision 27.

 

Sec. 12. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 89.001, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

 

Subd. 18. Shade tree. "Shade tree" means a woody perennial grown primarily for aesthetic or environmental purposes.

 

Sec. 13. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 89.01, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

 

Subdivision 1. Best methods. The commissioner shall ascertain and observe the best methods of reforesting cutover and denuded lands, foresting waste lands, preventing destruction minimizing loss or damage of forests and lands forest resources by fire, forest pests, or shade tree pests, administering forests on forestry principles, encouraging private owners to preserve and grow trees or timber for commercial or other purposes, and conserving the forests around the head waters of streams and on the watersheds of the state.

 

Sec. 14. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 89.01, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 2. General duties. The commissioner shall execute all rules pertaining to forestry and forest protection within the jurisdiction of the state; have charge of the work of protecting all forests and lands from fire, forest pests, and shade tree pests; shall investigate the origin of all forest fires; and prosecute all violators as provided by law; shall prepare and print for public distribution an abstract of the forest fire laws of Minnesota, together with such rules as may be formulated.


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The commissioner shall prepare printed notices calling attention to the dangers from forest fires and cause them to be posted in conspicuous places.

 

Sec. 15. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 89.01, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 4. Forest plans. The commissioner shall cooperate with the several departments of the state and federal governments and with counties, towns, municipalities, corporations, or individuals in the preparation of plans for forest protection, and management, and planting or replacement of trees, in wood lots, and community forests or on timber tracts, using such influence as time will permit toward the establishment of scientific forestry principles in the management, protection, and promotion of the forest resources of the state.

 

Sec. 16. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 89.51, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

 

Subdivision 1. Applicability. For the purposes of sections 89.51 to 89.61 89.64 the terms described in this section have the meanings ascribed to them.

 

Sec. 17. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 89.51, subdivision 6, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 6. Infestation. "Infestation," includes actual, potential, incipient, or emergency emergent infestation or infection by forest pests or shade tree pests.

 

Sec. 18. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 89.51, subdivision 9, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 9. Forest land or forest. "Forest land" or "forest," means land on which occurs a stand or potential stand of trees valuable for timber products, watershed or wildlife protection, recreational uses, community forest benefits, or other purposes, and shall include lands owned or controlled by the state of Minnesota.

 

Sec. 19. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 89.52, is amended to read:

 

89.52 SURVEYS, INVESTIGATIONS.

 

The commissioner shall make surveys and investigations to determine the presence of infestations of forest pests or shade tree pests. For this purpose, duly designated representatives of the commissioner may enter at reasonable times on public and private lands for the purpose of conducting such to conduct the surveys and investigations.

 

Sec. 20. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 89.53, is amended to read:

 

89.53 CONTROL OF FOREST PESTS AND SHADE TREE PESTS.

 

Subdivision 1. Commissioner's duties; notice of control measures. Whenever the commissioner finds that an area in the state is infested or threatened to be infested with forest pests or shade tree pests, the commissioner shall determine whether measures of control are needed and are available, what control measures are to be applied, and the area over which the control measures shall be applied. The commissioner shall prescribe a proposed zone of infestation covering the area in which control measures are to be applied and shall publish notice of the proposal once a week, for two successive weeks in a newspaper having a general circulation in each county located in whole or in part in the proposed zone of infestation. Prescribing zones of infestation is and prescribing measures of control are exempt from the rulemaking provisions of chapter 14 and section 14.386 does not apply.


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Subd. 2. Notice requirements; public comment. The notice shall include a description of the boundaries of the proposed zone of infestation, the control measures to be applied, and a time and place where municipalities and owners of forest lands or shade trees in the zone may show cause orally or in writing why the zone and control measures should or should not be established. The commissioner shall consider any statements received in determining whether the zone shall be established and the control measures applied.

 

Subd. 3. Experimental programs. The commissioner may establish experimental programs for the control of forest pests or shade tree pests and for municipal reforestation.

 

Sec. 21. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 89.54, is amended to read:

 

89.54 ZONES OF INFESTATION, ESTABLISHMENT.

 

Upon the decision by the commissioner that the establishment of a zone of infestation is necessary, the commissioner shall make a written order establishing said the zone, and upon making said the order, said the zone shall be established. Notice of the establishment of the zone shall thereupon be published in a newspaper having a general circulation in each county located in whole or in part in the proposed zone and posted on the Department of Natural Resources Web site.

 

Sec. 22. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 89.55, is amended to read:

 

89.55 INFESTATION CONTROL, COSTS.

 

Upon the establishment of the zone of infestation, the commissioner may apply measures of infestation prevention and control on public and private forest and other lands within such zone and to any trees, timber, plants or shrubs thereon, wood or wood products, or contaminated soil harboring or which may harbor the forest pests or shade tree pests. For this purpose, the duly authorized representatives of the commissioner are authorized to enter upon any lands, public or private within such the zone. The commissioner may enter into agreements with owners of the lands in the zone covering the control work on their lands, and fixing the pro rata basis on which the cost of such the work will be shared between the commissioner and said the owner.

 

Sec. 23. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 89.56, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

 

Subdivision 1. Statement of expenses; cost to owners. At the end of each fiscal year and upon completion of the infestation control measures in any zone of infestation, the commissioner shall prepare a certified statement of expenses incurred in carrying out such the measures, including expenses of owners covered by agreements entered into pursuant to section 89.55. The statement shall show the amount which that the commissioner determines to be its the commissioner's share of the expenses. The share of the commissioner may include funds and the value of other contributions made available by the federal government and other cooperators. The balance of such the costs shall constitute a charge on an acreage basis as provided herein against the owners of lands in the zone containing trees valuable or potentially valuable for commercial timber purposes and affected or likely to be affected by the forest pests or shade tree pests for which control measures were conducted. In fixing the rates at which charges shall be made against each owner, the commissioner shall consider the present commercial value of the trees on the land, the present and potential benefits to such the owner from the application of the control measures, and the cost of applying such the measures to the land, and such other factors as in the discretion of the commissioner will enable determination of an equitable distribution of the cost to all such owners. No charge shall be made against owners to the extent that they have individually or as members of a cooperative association contributed funds, supplies, or services pursuant to agreement under this section.


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Sec. 24. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 89.56, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 3. Collection. The unpaid charges assessed under sections 89.51 to 89.61 89.64 and the actions of the commissioner on any protests filed pursuant to subdivision 2, shall be reported to the tax levying authority for the county in which the lands for which the charges are assessed are situated and shall be made a public record. Any charges finally determined to be due shall become a special assessment and shall be payable in the same manner and with the same interest and penalty charges and with the same procedure for collection as apply to ad valorem property taxes. Upon collection of the charges, the county treasurer shall forthwith cause the amounts thereof to be paid to the forest pest and shade tree pest control fund account created by section 89.58. Any unpaid charge or lien against the lands shall not be affected by the sale thereof or by dissolution of the zone of infestation.

 

Sec. 25. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 89.57, is amended to read:

 

89.57 DISSOLUTION OF ZONE INFESTATION.

 

Whenever the commissioner shall determine that forest pest or shade tree pest control work within an established zone of infestation is no longer necessary or feasible, the commissioner shall dissolve the zone.

 

Sec. 26. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 89.58, is amended to read:

 

89.58 FOREST PEST AND SHADE TREE PEST CONTROL ACCOUNT.

 

All money collected under the provisions of sections 89.51 to 89.61 89.64, together with such money as may be appropriated by the legislature or allocated by the Legislative Advisory Commission for the purposes of sections 89.51 to 89.61 89.64, and such money as may be contributed or paid by the federal government, or any other public or private agency, organization or individual, shall be deposited in the state treasury, to the credit of the forest pest and shade tree pest control account, which account is hereby created, and any moneys therein are appropriated to the commissioner for use in carrying out the purposes hereof of sections 89.51 to 89.64.

 

Sec. 27. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 89.59, is amended to read:

 

89.59 COOPERATION.

 

The commissioner may cooperate with the United States or agencies thereof, other agencies of the state, county or municipal governments, agencies of neighboring states, or other public or private organizations or individuals and may accept such funds, equipment, supplies, or services from cooperators and others as it the commissioner may provide in agreements with the United States or its agencies for matching of federal funds as required under laws of the United States relating to forest pests and shade tree pests.

 

Sec. 28. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 89.60, is amended to read:

 

89.60 DUTIES, RULES; COMMISSIONER.

 

The commissioner is authorized to employ personnel in accordance with the laws of this state, to procure necessary equipment, supplies, and service, to enter into contracts, to provide funds to any agency of the United States for work or services under sections 89.51 to 89.61 89.64, and to designate or appoint, as its the commissioner's representatives, employees of its cooperators, including employees of the United States or any agency thereof. The commissioner may prescribe rules for carrying out the purposes hereof of this section.


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Sec. 29. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 89.61, is amended to read:

 

89.61 ACT SUPPLEMENTAL.

 

Provisions of sections 89.51 to 89.61 89.64 are supplementary to and not to be construed to repeal existing legislation.

 

Sec. 30. [89.62] SHADE TREE PEST CONTROL; GRANT PROGRAM.

 

Subdivision 1. Grants. The commissioner may make grants to aid in the control of a shade tree pest. To be eligible, a grantee must have a pest control program approved by the commissioner that:

 

(1) defines tree ownership and who is responsible for the costs associated with control measures;

 

(2) defines the zone of infestation within which the control measures are to be applied;

 

(3) includes a tree inspector certified under section 89.63 and having the authority to enter and inspect private lands;

 

(4) has the means to enforce measures needed to limit the spread of shade tree pests; and

 

(5) provides that grant money received will be deposited in a separate fund to be spent only for the purposes authorized by this section.

 

Subd. 2. Grant eligibility. The following are eligible for grants under this section:

 

(1) a home rule charter or statutory city or a town that exercises municipal powers under section 368.01 or any general or special law;

 

(2) a special park district organized under chapter 398;

 

(3) a special-purpose park and recreation board;

 

(4) a soil and water conservation district;

 

(5) a county; or

 

(6) any other organization with the legal authority to enter into contractual agreements.

 

Subd. 3. Rules; applicability to municipalities. The rules and procedures adopted under this chapter by the commissioner apply in a municipality unless the municipality adopts an ordinance determined by the commissioner to be more stringent than the rules and procedures of the commissioner. The rules and procedures of the commissioner or the municipality apply to all state agencies, special purpose districts, and metropolitan commissions as defined in section 473.121, subdivision 5a, that own or control land adjacent to or within a zone of infestation.

 

Sec. 31. [89.63] CERTIFICATION OF TREE INSPECTORS.

 

(a) The governing body of a municipality may appoint a qualified tree inspector. Two or more municipalities may jointly appoint a tree inspector for the purpose of administering their respective pest control programs.


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(b) Upon a determination by the commissioner that a candidate for the position of tree inspector is qualified, the commissioner shall issue a certificate of qualification to the tree inspector. The certificate is valid for one year. A person certified as a tree inspector by the commissioner may enter and inspect any public or private property that might harbor forest pests or shade tree pests. The commissioner shall offer an annual tree inspector certification workshop, upon completion of which participants are qualified as tree inspectors.

 

(c) The commissioner may suspend and, upon notice and hearing, decertify a tree inspector if the tree inspector fails to act competently or in the public interest in the performance of duties.

 

Sec. 32. [89.64] EXEMPTIONS.

 

This chapter does not supersede the authority of the Department of Agriculture under chapter 18G.

 

Sec. 33. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 97A.205, is amended to read:

 

97A.205 ENFORCEMENT OFFICER POWERS.

 

An enforcement officer is authorized to:

 

(1) execute and serve court issued warrants and processes relating to wild animals, wild rice, public waters, water pollution, conservation, and use of water, in the same manner as a sheriff;

 

(2) enter any land to carry out the duties and functions of the division;

 

(3) make investigations of violations of the game and fish laws;

 

(4) take an affidavit, if it aids an investigation;

 

(5) arrest, without a warrant, a person who is detected in the actual violation of the game and fish laws, a provision of chapters 84, 84A, 84D, 85, 86A, 88 to 97C, 103E, 103F, 103G, sections 86B.001 to 86B.815, 89.51 to 89.61 89.64; or 609.66, subdivision 1, clauses (1), (2), (5), and (7); and 609.68; and

 

(6) take an arrested person before a court in the county where the offense was committed and make a complaint.

 

Nothing in this section grants an enforcement officer any greater powers than other licensed peace officers.

 

Sec. 34. FOREST PROTECTION PLAN.

 

Subdivision 1. Task force plan. (a) The Forest Resources Council shall create a task force to develop a plan to prepare the state for early detection, appropriate response, and educating the public regarding invasive pests that threaten the tree cover of Minnesota. The task force also may give advice on how to best promote forest diversity and the planting of trees to address environmental challenges with the state. The plan must address:

 

(1) current efforts to address forest pests, what geographic areas and property types have regular and active monitoring of forest pests, and gaps in the adequacy of the current oversight and detection system;

 

(2) how the state may establish a flexible, yet comprehensive, system of tree monitoring in that trees in all areas of Minnesota be covered by active early pest detection efforts. In analyzing this, the task force shall consider possible roles for certified tree inspectors, volunteers, and state and local government;


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(3) current storm damage response and how that might be improved for forest health and to minimize vulnerability to pest infection;

 

(4) the adequacy of the current response plan, the clarity of state and local roles and responsibility, emergency communication plans, and the availability of needed funding for pest outbreak response and how to scale it up should a major outbreak be detected;

 

(5) recommendations for clear delineation of state and local roles in notifying property owners and enforcing remediation actions;

 

(6) the best approach to broad public education on the threats of new invasive tree pests, the expected response to an outbreak, the value of trees to our environment, and the promotion of a more diversified tree cover statewide; and

 

(7) an assessment of funding needs and options for the above activities and possible funding approaches to promote the planting of a more diverse tree cover, along with assisting in the costs of tree removal and replacement for public entities and property owners.

 

(b) A report and recommendations to the legislative committees with jurisdiction over natural resources and to the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources shall be due on December 15, 2007.

 

Subd. 2. Task force creation. The chair of the Forest Resources Council and the commissioners of agriculture and natural resources shall jointly appoint the members of the task force, which shall include up to 15 members with representatives of the University of Minnesota; city, township, and county associations; commercial timber and forest industries of varying size; nursery and landscape architecture; arborists and certified tree inspectors; nonprofit organizations engaged in tree advocacy, planting, and education; a master gardener; a citizen member of the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources; and a tribal representative recommended by the Indian Affairs Council.

 

Representatives of the Departments of Agriculture and Natural Resources shall serve as ex-officio members and assist the task force in its work.

 

Sec. 35. APPROPRIATION.

 

$....... is appropriated to the Forest Resources Council for the purposes of section 34.

 

Sec. 36. REPEALER.

 

Minnesota Statutes 2006, sections 18G.16; and 89.51, subdivision 8, are repealed."

 

Delete the title and insert:

 

"A bill for an act relating to natural resources; providing for community forest management; providing for control of forest and shade tree pests; appropriating money; amending Minnesota Statutes 2006, sections 18G.03, by adding a subdivision; 18G.11; 84D.14; 88.01, by adding a subdivision; 88.79, subdivisions 1, 2; 88.82; 89.001,


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subdivision 8, by adding subdivisions; 89.01, subdivisions 1, 2, 4; 89.51, subdivisions 1, 6, 9; 89.52; 89.53; 89.54; 89.55; 89.56, subdivisions 1, 3; 89.57; 89.58; 89.59; 89.60; 89.61; 97A.205; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 89; repealing Minnesota Statutes 2006, sections 18G.16; 89.51, subdivision 8."

 

 

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

 

      The report was adopted.

 

 

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

 

H. F. No. 1197, A bill for an act relating to education; providing for prekindergarten through grade 12 education, including general education, education excellence, special programs, facilities and technology, nutrition and accounting, libraries, early childhood education, self-sufficiency and lifelong learning, and early childhood education; authorizing rulemaking; amending Minnesota Statutes 2006, sections 16A.152, subdivision 2; 119A.52; 119A.535; 120A.05, by adding a subdivision; 120A.22, subdivision 7; 120B.15; 120B.30; 122A.16; 123B.143, subdivision 1; 123B.36, subdivision 1; 123B.37, subdivision 1; 123B.63, subdivision 3; 123B.79, by adding a subdivision; 124D.02, subdivision 1; 124D.095, subdivision 3; 124D.10, subdivisions 4, 23a, 24; 124D.4531, subdivisions 1, 3; 124D.531, subdivision 4; 124D.55; 124D.84, subdivision 1; 125A.11, subdivision 1; 125A.14; 125A.75, subdivisions 1, 4; 125A.76, subdivision 2; 125A.79, subdivision 8; 126C.13, subdivision 4; 126C.21, subdivision 5; 127A.441; 127A.47, subdivision 7; 127A.49, subdivision 2; 134.31, by adding a subdivision; 626.556, subdivision 11; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 119A; repealing Minnesota Statutes 2006, sections 124D.06; 124D.175; 124D.531, subdivision 5; 124D.62; 125A.10; 125A.75, subdivision 6.

 

Reported the same back with the following amendments:

 

Page 5, line 14, delete "or" and insert a comma and after "school" insert ", or nonpublic school"

 

Page 8, delete lines 12 and 13

 

Page 8, line 26, after "provides" insert "appropriate,"

 

Page 9, line 24, strike "the 2006-2007" and insert "no later than the 2008-2009" and reinstate the stricken "value‑added" and strike "to" and insert "that is in addition to a" and after "measure" insert "for"

 

Page 9, line 31, after "include" insert "appropriate,"

 

Page 10, line 6, after "transcript" insert "except as required under paragraph (f)"

 

Page 10, after line 6, insert:

 

"(f) A school district or charter school must place a student's assessment score for ninth grade writing, tenth grade language arts, and eleventh grade mathematics on the student's transcript."

 

Page 11, line 2, delete "each of the"

 

Page 11, line 3, delete "in which the teacher teaches as defined by the federal No Child Left Behind Act"


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Page 11, line 32, delete "in compliance with the Elementary and Secondary Education Act,"

 

Page 11, delete line 33

 

Page 11, line 34, delete everything before the period

 

Page 13, after line 5, insert:

 

"Sec. 6. [123B.485] NONPUBLIC TRANSCRIPTS.

 

A nonpublic school that receives services or aid under sections 123B.40 to 123B.48 must not charge a fee to a person serving in active military service under section 190.05, subdivision 5, who requests that the nonpublic school transmit a copy of the person's transcript to a postsecondary institution or prospective employer. The nonpublic school may request reasonable proof of the service member's current military status.

 

Sec. 7. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 123B.92, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 3. Alternative attendance programs. (a) A district that enrolls nonresident pupils in programs under sections 124D.03, 124D.06, 124D.08, 123A.05 to 123A.08, and 124D.68, must provide authorized transportation to the pupil within the attendance area for the school that the pupil attends at the same level of service that is provided to resident pupils within the attendance area. The resident district need not provide or pay for transportation between the pupil's residence and the district's border.

 

(b) A district may provide transportation to allow a student who attends a high-need English language learner program and who resides within the transportation attendance area of the program to continue in the program until the student completes the highest grade level offered by the program.

 

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

 

Page 16, line 17, after the first "records" insert ", within ten business days of closure,"

 

Page 16, line 18, delete "122A.22" and insert "120A.22"

 

Page 17, after line 21, insert:

 

"Sec. 14. [124D.645] MULTIRACIAL DIVERSITY.

 

(a) Notwithstanding other law or rule to the contrary, and in order to effectively meet students' educational needs and foster parents' meaningful participation in their children's education, a school district may apply to the commissioner for a waiver from the requirement to maintain racial balance within a district school if the racial imbalance in that school results from:

 

(1) the enrollment of protected multiracial students and the proportion of enrolled multiracial students reflects the proportion of multiracial students who reside in the school attendance area or who are enrolled in the grade levels served by the district; or

 

(2) the enrollment of limited English proficiency students in a transition program that includes an intensive English component.


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The commissioner must grant the waiver if the district in which the school is located offers the multiracial students or the limited English proficiency students, as appropriate, the option of enrolling in another school with the requisite racial balance, and the students' parents choose not to pursue that option.

 

(b) This section is effective for the 2006-2007 through 2010-2011 school years or until amended rules are adopted under Minnesota Rules, chapter 3535, pertaining to racial diversity, whichever comes first.

 

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

 

Page 18, line 17, delete the second "and" and insert "at"

 

Page 18, after line 18, insert:

 

"Sec. 16. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY.

 

The commissioner of education shall adopt rules for implementing and administering the graduation-required assessment for diploma (GRAD) in reading and mathematics and in writing, consistent with Minnesota Statutes, section 120B.30, subdivision 1, and for public review of the GRAD test. The rules must specify the GRAD requirements that apply to students in unique circumstances including dual enrolled students, English language learners, foreign exchange students, home school students, open enrollment students, Minnesota postsecondary enrollment options students, shared-time students, transfer students from other states, and district-placed students and students attending school under a tuition agreement. The rules must establish the criteria for determining individualized GRAD passing scores for students with an individual education plan or a Section 504 plan and for using an alternative assessment when a student's individual education plan team decides to replace the GRAD test.

 

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

 

Sec. 17. RULEMAKING REQUIRED.

 

(a) Notwithstanding the time limit in Minnesota Statutes, section 14.125, the Board of Teaching must adopt the rules it was mandated to adopt under Laws 2003, chapter 129, article 1, section 10. The board must publish a notice of intent to adopt rules or a notice of hearing for rules subject to this section before January 1, 2008.

 

(b) The failure of a board member to comply with paragraph (a) is a willful failure to perform a specific act that is a required part of the duties of a public official and is cause for removal under Minnesota Statutes, section 15.0575, subdivision 4.

 

(c) The Board of Teaching may charge fees to issue new credentials and to renew credentials for paraprofessionals issued credentials under the rules adopted under this section.

 

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

 

Page 20, line 11, delete "care and treatment"

 

Page 27, line 15, delete ", except"

 

Page 27, line 16, delete "those that are required by subdivision 7 to be" and insert "under subdivision 7" and after "agency" insert "under subdivision 7"

 

Page 27, line 18, delete "; except those that are required by subdivision 7 to " and insert "may"


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Page 27, line 19, after "agency" insert "under subdivision 7"

 

Page 33, after line 25, insert:

 

"(c) A school board must not charge a fee to a person serving in active military service under section 190.05, subdivision 5, who requests that the school district or charter school transmit a copy of the person's transcript to a postsecondary institution or prospective employer. The school district or charter school may request reasonable proof of the service member's current military duty status."

 

Page 33, delete section 7

 

Page 34, delete section 8

 

Renumber the sections in sequence and correct the internal references

 

Correct the title numbers accordingly

 

 

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

 

      The report was adopted.

 

 

Carlson from the Committee on Finance to which was referred:

 

H. F. No. 1208, A bill for an act relating to construction codes; recodifying and modifying construction codes and licensing provisions; modifying the State Building Code; providing penalties for enforcement; instructing the revisor to renumber statutory provisions; amending Minnesota Statutes 2006, sections 16B.04, subdivision 2; 16B.60, subdivisions 4, 7, 8, 11; 16B.61; 16B.615, subdivision 4; 16B.617; 16B.6175; 16B.63; 16B.65; 16B.70; 16B.72; 16B.73; 16B.735; 16B.74, subdivisions 1, 2, by adding subdivisions; 16B.741; 16B.744; 16B.745, subdivisions 1, 4; 16B.747; 16B.748; 16B.76; 31.175; 103I.621, subdivision 3; 144.122; 144.99, subdivision 1; 175.16, subdivision 1; 183.38; 183.39, subdivision 1; 183.411, subdivision 2; 183.42; 183.45; 183.46; 183.465; 183.466; 183.48; 183.501; 183.505; 183.51; 183.54, subdivisions 1, 3; 183.545, subdivisions 2, 4, 8, by adding a subdivision; 183.56; 183.57, subdivisions 1, 2, 5, 6; 183.59; 183.60; 183.61, subdivisions 2, 4; 214.01, subdivision 3; 214.04, subdivisions 1, 3; 299F.011, subdivision 1; 325E.58; 326.01, subdivisions 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 6a, 6b, 6c, 6e, 6f, 6g, 6j, 6k, 6l, 7, 8, 9; 326.241; 326.242; 326.243; 326.244, subdivisions 1, 1a, 2, 3, 4, 5, by adding a subdivision; 326.2441; 326.245; 326.247; 326.248; 326.37; 326.38; 326.39; 326.40; 326.401; 326.405; 326.42; 326.46; 326.461, by adding subdivisions; 326.47; 326.48; 326.50; 326.57, subdivision 1; 326.58; 326.59; 326.60; 326.601; 326.61, subdivisions 1, 2, 3, 4; 326.62; 326.65; 326.83, subdivisions 6, 7, 11, 18, 19, 20; 326.84; 326.841; 326.842; 326.86; 326.87; 326.88; 326.89; 326.90, subdivision 1; 326.91, subdivision 1; 326.92; 326.921; 326.93; 326.94; 326.95, subdivision 2; 326.96; 326.97; 326.975, subdivision 1; 326.992; 327.20, subdivision 1; 327.205; 327.31, subdivisions 2, 3, 4, 7, 15, by adding a subdivision; 327.32, subdivision 8; 327.33, subdivisions 2, 6, 7; 327.34, subdivision 3; 327.35, subdivisions 1, 2; 327A.01, subdivision 2; 327B.01, subdivisions 4, 5, 7, 17, by adding subdivisions; 327B.04, subdivisions 1, 4, 6, 7, 8, by adding a subdivision; 327B.05, subdivision 1; 327B.10; 363A.40, subdivision 1; 462.357, subdivision 6a; 462A.07, subdivision 8; 471.465; 471.466; 471.467; 471.471; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 327B; proposing coding for new law as Minnesota Statutes, chapter 326B; repealing Minnesota Statutes 2006, sections 16B.665; 16B.747, subdivision 4; 183.001; 183.02; 183.375, subdivisions 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6; 183.41, subdivisions 1, 2, 3, 4; 183.44, subdivisions 1, 2, 3; 183.52; 183.54, subdivision 2; 183.545, subdivision 9; 183.61, subdivisions 1, 3, 5, 6; 326.01, subdivisions 6h, 10, 11, 12, 13; 326.242, subdivisions 9, 9a, 9b, 9c, 9d, 9e, 9f, 9g, 9h, 9i, 9j, 9k, 10; 326.244, subdivision 6; 326.246; 326.2461; 326.40, subdivision 4; 326.41; 326.44; 326.45; 326.47, subdivision 5; 326.51; 326.52; 326.521; 326.64; 326.83, subdivisions 3, 4, 12, 13; 326.85; 326.875; 326.91, subdivisions 2, 3, 4; 326.945; 326.975; 326.98; 327B.05, subdivisions 2, 3, 4, 5, 6; Minnesota Rules, parts 2809.0230; 2891.0010; 2891.0030; 3800.2650; 3800.3580;


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3800.3590; 3800.3630; 3800.3750; 3800.3835; 4715.5600; 4715.5900; 4717.7000, subpart 1, item I; 5225.0880; 5225.8600, subparts 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9; 5230.0010; 5230.0020; 5230.0040; 5230.0060, subpart 2; 5230.0100, subparts 1, 3, 4.

 

Reported the same back with the following amendments:

 

Delete everything after the enacting clause and insert:

 

"ARTICLE 1

 

REVISOR'S INSTRUCTION

 

Section 1. REVISOR'S INSTRUCTION.

 

(a) In Minnesota Rules, parts 3800.3500 to 3800.3885, the revisor of statutes shall change the terms "board" and "Board of Electricity" to "commissioner."

 

(b) In Minnesota Rules, parts 4715.0150 to 4715.6000, the revisor of statutes shall change the terms "commissioner" and "commissioner of health" to the term "commissioner of labor and industry"; and shall change the terms "department" and "Department of Health" to "Department of Labor and Industry."

 

(c) In Minnesota Rules, chapters 1300, 1301, 1305, 1306, 1307, 1309, 1311, 1315, 1346, 1350, 1360, and 7672, the revisor of statutes shall:

 

(1) change the term "commissioner of administration" to "commissioner of labor and industry";

 

(2) change the term "Department of Administration" to "Department of Labor and Industry";

 

(3) change the term "Department of Administration's Building Codes and Standards Division" to "Department of Labor and Industry"; and

 

(4) change the term "director of the Building Codes and Standards Division of the Department of Administration" to "individual appointed by the commissioner of labor and industry to administer the code."

 

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

 

ARTICLE 2

 

CONSTRUCTION CODES AND LICENSING

 

Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 299F.011, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

 

Subdivision 1. State Fire Code rulemaking authority. The commissioner of public safety through the Division of Fire Marshal may promulgate labor and industry, consistent with the recommendations of the state fire marshal, shall adopt a State Fire Code and make amendments thereto in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act in chapter 14. The code and its amendments shall conform insofar as practicable to model fire codes generally accepted and in use throughout the United States, with consideration given to existing statewide specialty codes presently in use in the state of Minnesota. Statewide specialty codes and model codes with necessary modifications may be adopted by reference in accordance with section 14.07, subdivision 4.

 

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


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Sec. 2. [326B.01] DEFINITIONS.

 

Subdivision 1. Scope. The definitions in this section apply to chapter 326B.

 

Subd. 2. ASME. "ASME" means the American Society of Mechanical Engineers.

 

Subd. 3. Commissioner. "Commissioner" means the commissioner of labor and industry or a duly designated representative of the commissioner who is either an employee of the Department of Labor and Industry or a person working under contract with the department.

 

Subd. 4. Department. "Department" means the Department of Labor and Industry.

 

Subd. 5. Day. "Day" means calendar day unless otherwise provided.

 

Subd. 6. Individual. "Individual" means a human being.

 

Subd. 7. Person. "Person" means any individual, limited liability company, corporation, partnership, incorporated or unincorporated association, sole proprietorship, joint stock company, or any other legal or commercial entity.

 

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

 

Sec. 3. [326B.02] POWERS.

 

Subdivision 1. Transfer of responsibilities. The responsibilities of the commissioner of administration relating to the state building code, sections 16B.59 to 16B.76; construction of low-cost manufactured home park storm shelters, section 327.205; manufactured homes, sections 327.31 to 327.36 and 327B.01 to 327B.12; and statutory warranties in connection with the sale of dwellings and home improvement work, chapter 327A, are transferred under section 15.039 to the commissioner of labor and industry as amended and recodified in this chapter. The responsibilities of the commissioner of health relating to the state plumbing code and licensing, sections 16B.61, 144.99 to 144.993, and 326.37 to 326.45, and water conditioning contractors and installers, sections 326.57 to 326.65, are transferred under section 15.039 to the commissioner of labor and industry as amended and recodified in this chapter. The responsibilities of the commissioner of commerce relating to residential contractors, residential remodelers, residential roofers, manufactured home installers, and the contractor's recovery fund under sections 45.027 to 45.23 and 326.83 to 326.992 are transferred under section 15.039 to the commissioner of labor and industry as amended and recodified in this chapter. The responsibilities of the Board of Electricity relating to the state electrical code and licensing, sections 16B.61 and 326.241 to 326.248, are transferred under section 15.039 to the commissioner of labor and industry as amended and recodified in this chapter.

 

Subd. 2. Definition of responsibilities. For purposes of subdivision 1, responsibilities include powers, duties, rights, obligations, and other authority imposed by law on the commissioner and the department.

 

Subd. 3. State fire marshal cooperation. The state fire marshal shall work with the commissioner to improve the delivery of services to the public through the coordination of services and utilization of technology.

 

Subd. 4. General rulemaking authority. The commissioner may, under the rulemaking provisions of chapter 14 and as otherwise provided by this chapter, adopt, amend, suspend, and repeal rules relating to the commissioner's responsibilities under this chapter.

 

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


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Sec. 4. [326B.04] DEPOSIT OF MONEY.

 

Subdivision 1. Construction code fund. There is created in the state treasury a construction code fund as a special revenue fund for the purpose of administering this chapter, sections 327.31 to 327.36, and chapter 327B. All money collected under those sections, except penalties, are credited to the construction code fund unless otherwise specifically designated by law. Any interest or profit accruing from investment of these sums is credited to the construction code fund. All money collected in the construction code fund is appropriated to the commissioner to administer and enforce the provisions of these laws.

 

Unless otherwise provided by law, all penalties assessed under this chapter, section 327.35, and chapter 327B are credited to the assigned risk safety account established by section 79.253.

 

Subd. 2. Deposits. All remaining balances as of June 30, 2007, in the state government special revenue fund and special revenue fund accounts maintained for the Building Codes and Standards Division, Board of Electricity, and plumbing and engineering unit are transferred to the construction code fund. Unless otherwise specifically designated by law: (1) all money collected under chapter 183 and sections 16B.59 to 16B.76; 144.122, paragraph (f); 326.241 to 326.248; 326.37 to 326.521; 326.57 to 326.65; 326.83 to 326.992; 327.31 to 327.36; and 327B.01 to 327B.12, except penalties, is credited to the construction code fund; (2) all fees collected under section 45.23 in connection with continuing education for residential contractors, residential remodelers, and residential roofers are credited to the construction code fund; and (3) all penalties assessed under the sections set forth in clauses (1) and (2) and all penalties assessed under sections 144.99 to 144.993 in connection with any violation of sections 326.37 to 326.45 or 326.57 to 327.65 or the rules adopted under those sections are credited to the assigned risk safety account established by section 79.253.

 

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

 

Sec. 5. [326B.06] BONDS.

 

Bonds issued under this chapter are not state bonds or contracts for purposes of sections 8.05 and 16C.05, subdivision 2.

 

Sec. 6. [326B.075] COMMISSIONER NOT SUBJECT TO SUBPOENA.

 

The commissioner shall not be subject to subpoena for purposes of providing expert testimony or for purposes of providing testimony or documents, as that term is defined in section 326B.081, subdivision 4, about an investigation or inspection conducted by the commissioner, except in an enforcement proceeding brought by the commissioner.

 

ARTICLE 3

 

ENFORCEMENT

 

Section 1. [326B.081] DEFINITIONS.

 

Subdivision 1. Application. For purposes of sections 326B.081 to 326B.085, the terms defined in this section have the meanings given them.

 

Subd. 2. Administrative order. "Administrative order" means an order issued under section 326B.082, subdivision 7.


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Subd. 3. Applicable law. "Applicable law" means the provisions of sections 326B.084 to 326B.998 and 327.31 to 327.36 and chapter 327B, and all rules, orders, stipulation agreements, settlements, compliance agreements, licenses, registrations, certificates, and permits adopted, issued, or enforced by the department under sections 326B.02 or 326B.084 to 326B.998 or 327.31 to 327.36 or chapter 327B.

 

Subd. 4. Document or documents. "Document" or "documents" includes papers; books; records; memoranda; data; contracts; drawings; graphs; charts; photographs; digital, video, and audio recordings; records; accounts; files; statements; letters; e-mails; invoices; bills; notes; and calendars maintained in any form or manner.

 

Subd. 5. Final. "Final" when used to describe any order issued under section 326B.082 means that:

 

(1) no request for hearing in connection with the order was filed in the manner and within the time provided by section 326B.082;

 

(2) all requests for hearing have been withdrawn;

 

(3) an agreement that resolves the order has been signed by all the parties; or

 

(4) after the filing of a request for hearing, an order has been issued by the commissioner, the Court of Appeals, or the Supreme Court, and all appeals have been pursued or forgone.

 

Subd. 6. Licensing order. "Licensing order" means an order issued under section 326B.082, subdivision 12, paragraph (a).

 

Subd. 7. Minimum qualifications. "Minimum qualifications" means the educational, experience, fee, examination, application, and other eligibility requirements that an applicant must meet in order to obtain a license, registration, certificate, or permit under the applicable law. For an applicant that is not an individual, the minimum qualifications include the requirement that an employee or other individual associated with the applicant hold a license.

 

Subd. 8. Stop order. "Stop order" means an order issued under section 326B.082, subdivision 10.

 

Sec. 2. [326B.082] ENFORCEMENT.

 

Subdivision 1. Remedies available. The commissioner may enforce all applicable law under this section. The commissioner may use any enforcement provision in this section, including the assessment of monetary penalties, against a person required to have a license, registration, certificate, or permit under the applicable law based on conduct that would provide grounds for action against a licensee, registrant, certificate holder, or permit holder under the applicable law. The use of an enforcement provision in this section shall not preclude the use of any other enforcement provision in this section or otherwise provided by law.

 

Subd. 2. Access to information and property; subpoenas. (a) In order to carry out the purposes of the applicable law, the commissioner may:

 

(1) administer oaths and affirmations, certify official acts, interview, question, take oral or written statements, and take depositions;

 

(2) request, examine, take possession of, test, sample, measure, photograph, record, and copy any documents, apparatus, devices, equipment, or materials;


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(3) at a time and place indicated by the commissioner, request persons to appear before the commissioner to give testimony and produce documents, apparatus, devices, equipment, or materials;

 

(4) issue subpoenas to compel persons to appear before the commissioner to give testimony and produce documents, apparatus, devices, equipment, or materials; and

 

(5) with or without notice, enter without delay upon any property, public or private, for the purpose of taking any action authorized under this subdivision or the applicable law, including obtaining information, remedying violations, or conducting surveys, inspections, or investigations.

 

(b) Persons requested by the commissioner to give testimony or produce documents, apparatus, devices, equipment, or materials shall respond within the time and in the manner specified by the commissioner. If no time to respond is specified in the request, then a response shall be submitted within 30 days of the commissioner's service of the request.

 

(c) Upon the refusal or anticipated refusal of a property owner, lessee, property owner's representative, or lessee's representative to permit the commissioner's entry onto property as provided in paragraph (a), the commissioner may apply for an administrative inspection order in the Ramsey County District Court or, at the commissioner's discretion, in the district court in the county in which the property is located. The commissioner may anticipate that a property owner or lessee will refuse entry if the property owner, lessee, property owner's representative, or lessee's representative has refused to permit entry on a prior occasion or has informed the commissioner that entry will be refused. Upon showing of administrative probable cause by the commissioner, the district court shall issue an administrative inspection order that compels the property owner or lessee to permit the commissioner to enter the property for the purposes specified in paragraph (a).

 

(d) Upon the application of the commissioner, a district court shall treat the failure of any person to obey a subpoena lawfully issued by the commissioner under this subdivision as a contempt of court.

 

Subd. 3. Service. Unless otherwise specified, service of a document on a person under this section or section 326B.083 may be by mail, by personal service, or in accordance with any consent to service filed with the commissioner. Service by mail shall be accomplished in the manner provided in Minnesota Rules, part 1400.5550, subpart 2. Personal service shall be accomplished in the manner provided in Minnesota Rules, part 1400.5550, subpart 3.

 

Subd. 4. Fax transmission. When this section or section 326B.083 permits a request for reconsideration or request for hearing to be served by fax on the commissioner, the fax shall not exceed 15 pages in length. The request shall be considered timely served if the fax is received by the commissioner, at the fax number identified by the commissioner in the order or notice of violation, no later than 4:30 p.m. central time on the last day permitted for faxing the request. Where the quality or authenticity of the faxed request is at issue, the commissioner may require the original request to be filed. Where the commissioner has not identified quality or authenticity of the faxed request as an issue and the request has been faxed in accordance with this subdivision, the person faxing the request does not need to file the original request with the commissioner.

 

Subd. 5. Time computation. In computing any period of time prescribed or allowed by this section, the day of the act, event, or default from which the designated period of time begins to run shall not be included. The last day of the period so computed shall be included, unless it is a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday, in which event the period runs until the next day which is not a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday.

 

Subd. 6. Notices of violation. (a) The commissioner may issue a notice of violation to any person who the commissioner determines has committed a violation of the applicable law. The notice of violation must state a summary of the facts that constitute the violation and the applicable law violated. The notice of violation may require the person to correct the violation. If correction is required, the notice of violation must state the deadline by which the violation must be corrected.


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(b) The commissioner shall issue the notice of violation by:

 

(1) serving the notice of violation on the property owner or on the person who committed the violation; or

 

(2) posting the notice of violation at the location where the violation occurred.

 

(c) If the person to whom the commissioner has issued the notice of violation believes the notice was issued in error, then the person may request reconsideration of the parts of the notice that the person believes are in error. The request for reconsideration must be in writing and must be served on or faxed to the commissioner at the address or fax number specified in the notice of violation by the tenth day after the commissioner issued the notice of violation. The date on which a request for reconsideration is served by mail shall be the postmark date on the envelope in which the request for reconsideration is mailed. If the person does not serve or fax a written request for reconsideration or if the person's written request for reconsideration is not served on or faxed to the commissioner by the tenth day after the commissioner issued the notice of violation, the notice of violation shall become a final order of the commissioner and will not be subject to review by any court or agency. The request for reconsideration must:

 

(1) specify which parts of the notice of violation the person believes are in error;

 

(2) explain why the person believes the parts are in error; and

 

(3) provide documentation to support the request for reconsideration.

 

The commissioner shall respond in writing to requests for reconsideration made under this paragraph within 15 days after receiving the request. A request for reconsideration does not stay a requirement to correct a violation as set forth in the notice of violation. After reviewing the request for reconsideration, the commissioner may affirm, modify, or rescind the notice of violation. The commissioner's response to a request for reconsideration is final and shall not be reviewed by any court or agency.

 

Subd. 7. Administrative orders; correction; assessment of monetary penalties. (a) The commissioner may issue an administrative order to any person who the commissioner determines has committed a violation of the applicable law. The commissioner shall issue the administrative order by serving the administrative order on the person. The administrative order may require the person to correct the violation, may require the person to cease and desist from committing the violation, and may assess monetary penalties. The commissioner shall follow the procedures in section 326B.083 when issuing administrative orders. Except as provided in paragraph (b), the commissioner may issue to each person a monetary penalty of up to $10,000 for each violation of applicable law committed by the person. The commissioner may order that part or all of the monetary penalty will be forgiven if the person to whom the order is issued demonstrates to the commissioner by the 31st day after the order is issued that the person has corrected the violation or has developed a correction plan acceptable to the commissioner.

 

(b) The commissioner may issue an administrative order for failure to correct a violation by the deadline stated in a final administrative order issued under paragraph (a). Each day after the deadline during which the violation remains uncorrected is a separate violation for purposes of calculating the maximum monetary penalty amount.

 

(c) Upon the application of the commissioner, a district court shall find the failure of any person to correct a violation as required by a final administrative order issued by the commissioner under this subdivision as a contempt of court.

 

Subd. 8. Hearings related to administrative orders. (a) Within 30 days after the commissioner issues an administrative order or within 20 days after the commissioner issues the notice under section 326B.083, subdivision 3, paragraph (b), clause (3), the person to whom the administrative order or notice is issued may request an


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expedited hearing to review the commissioner's order or notice. The request for hearing must be in writing and must be served on or faxed to the commissioner at the address or fax number specified in the order or notice. If the person does not request a hearing or if the person's written request for hearing is not served on or faxed to the commissioner by the 30th day after the commissioner issues the administrative order or the 20th day after the commissioner issues the notice under section 326B.083, subdivision 3, paragraph (b), clause (3), the order will become a final order of the commissioner and will not be subject to review by any court or agency. The date on which a request for hearing is served by mail shall be the postmark date on the envelope in which the request for hearing is mailed. The hearing request must specifically state the reasons for seeking review of the order or notice. The person to whom the order or notice is issued and the commissioner are the parties to the expedited hearing. The commissioner must notify the person to whom the order or notice is issued of the time and place of the hearing at least 15 days before the hearing. The expedited hearing must be held within 45 days after a request for hearing has been served on the commissioner unless the parties agree to a later date.

 

(b) All written arguments must be submitted within ten days following the close of the hearing. The hearing shall be conducted under Minnesota Rules, parts 1400.8510 to 1400.8612, as modified by this subdivision. The Office of Administrative Hearings may, in consultation with the agency, adopt rules specifically applicable to cases under this section.

 

(c) The administrative law judge shall issue a report making findings of fact, conclusions of law, and a recommended order to the commissioner within 30 days following the close of the record.

 

(d) If the administrative law judge makes a finding that the hearing was requested solely for purposes of delay or that the hearing request was frivolous, the commissioner may add to the amount of the penalty the costs charged to the department by the Office of Administrative Hearings for the hearing.

 

(e) If a hearing has been held, the commissioner shall not issue a final order until at least five days after the date of the administrative law judge's report. Any person aggrieved by the administrative law judge's report may, within those five days, serve written comments to the commissioner on the report and the commissioner shall consider the comments. The commissioner's final order may be appealed in the manner provided in sections 14.63 to 14.69.

 

Subd. 9. Injunctive relief. In addition to any other remedy provided by law, the commissioner may bring an action for injunctive relief in the Ramsey County District Court or, at the commissioner's discretion, in the district court in the county in which the commissioner has determined a violation of the applicable law has occurred or is about to occur to enjoin the violation. A temporary restraining order and other injunctive relief shall be granted by the district court if the court determines that a person has engaged in or is about to engage in an act, conduct, or practice constituting a violation of the applicable law. The commissioner shall not be required to show irreparable harm.

 

Subd. 10. Stop orders. (a) If the commissioner determines based on an inspection or investigation that a person has violated or is about to violate the applicable law, the commissioner may issue to the person a stop order requiring the person to cease and desist from committing the violation.

 

(b) If the commissioner determines that a condition exists on real property that violates the applicable law, the commissioner may issue a stop order to the owner or lessee of the real property to cease and desist from committing the violation and to correct the condition that is in violation.

 

(c) The commissioner shall issue the stop work order by:

 

(1) serving the order on the person who has committed or is about to commit the violation;


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(2) posting the order at the location where the violation was committed or is about to be committed or at the location where the violating condition exists; or

 

(3) serving the order on any owner or lessee of the real property where the violating condition exists.

 

(d) A stop order shall:

 

(1) describe the act, conduct, or practice committed or about to be committed, or the condition, and include a reference to the applicable law that the act, conduct, practice, or condition violates or would violate; and

 

(2) provide notice that any person aggrieved by the stop order may request a hearing as provided in paragraph (e).

 

(e) Within 30 days after the commissioner issues a stop order, any person aggrieved by the order may request an expedited hearing to review the commissioner's action. The request for hearing must be made in writing and must be served on or faxed to the commissioner at the address or fax number specified in the order. If the person does not request a hearing or if the person's written request for hearing is not served on or faxed to the commissioner on or before the 30th day after the commissioner issued the stop order, the order will become a final order of the commissioner and will not be subject to review by any court or agency. The date on which a request for hearing is served by mail is the postmark date on the envelope in which the request for hearing is mailed. The hearing request must specifically state the reasons for seeking review of the order. The person who requested the hearing and the commissioner are the parties to the expedited hearing. The hearing shall be commenced within ten days after the commissioner receives the request for hearing. The hearing shall be conducted under Minnesota Rules, parts 1400.8510 to 1400.8612, as modified by this subdivision. The administrative law judge shall issue a report containing findings of fact, conclusions of law, and a recommended order within ten days after the conclusion of the hearing. Any party aggrieved by the administrative law judge's report shall have five days after the date of the administrative law judge's report to submit exceptions and argument to the commissioner. Within 15 days after receiving the administrative law judge's report, the commissioner shall issue an order vacating, modifying, or making permanent the stop order. The commissioner and the person requesting the hearing may by agreement lengthen any time periods described in this paragraph. The Office of Administrative Hearings may, in consultation with the agency, adopt rules specifically applicable to cases under this subdivision.

 

(f) A stop order issued under this subdivision shall be in effect until it is modified or vacated by the commissioner or an appellate court. The administrative hearing provided by this subdivision and any appellate judicial review as provided in chapter 14 shall constitute the exclusive remedy for any person aggrieved by a stop order.

 

(g) Upon the application of the commissioner, a district court shall find the failure of any person to comply with a final stop order lawfully issued by the commissioner under this subdivision as a contempt of court.

 

Subd. 11. Licensing orders; grounds; reapplication. (a) The commissioner may deny an application for a permit, license, registration, or certificate if the applicant does not meet or fails to maintain the minimum qualifications for holding the permit, license, registration, or certificate, or has any unresolved violations or unpaid fees or monetary penalties related to the activity for which the permit, license, registration, or certificate has been applied for or was issued.

 

(b) The commissioner may deny, suspend, limit, place conditions on, or revoke a person's permit, license, registration, or certificate, or censure the person holding the permit, license, registration, or certificate, if the commissioner finds that the person:

 

(1) committed one or more violations of the applicable law;


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(2) submitted false or misleading information to the state in connection with activities for which the permit, license, registration, or certificate was issued, or in connection with the application for the permit, license, registration, or certificate;

 

(3) allowed the alteration or use of the person's own permit, license, registration, or certificate by another person;

 

(4) within the previous five years, was convicted of a crime in connection with activities for which the permit, license, registration, or certificate was issued;

 

(5) violated a final administrative order issued under subdivision 7 or a final stop order issued under subdivision 10, or injunctive relief issued under subdivision 9;

 

(6) failed to cooperate with a commissioner's request to give testimony, to produce documents, things, apparatus, devices, equipment, or materials, or to access property under subdivision 2;

 

(7) retaliated in any manner against any employee or person who is questioned by, cooperates with, or provides information to the commissioner or an employee or agent authorized by the commissioner who seeks access to property or things under subdivision 2;

 

(8) engaged in any fraudulent, deceptive, or dishonest act or practice; or

 

(9) performed work in connection with the permit, license, registration, or certificate or conducted the person's affairs in a manner that demonstrates incompetence, untrustworthiness, or financial irresponsibility.

 

(c) If the commissioner revokes a person's permit, license, registration, or certificate under paragraph (b), the person is prohibited from reapplying for the same type of permit, license, registration, or certificate for at least two years after the effective date of the revocation. The commissioner may, as a condition of reapplication, require the person to obtain a bond or comply with additional reasonable conditions the commissioner considers necessary to protect the public.

 

(d) If a permit, license, registration, or certificate expires, or is surrendered, withdrawn, or terminated, or otherwise becomes ineffective, the commissioner may institute a proceeding under this subdivision within two years after the permit, license, registration, or certificate was last effective and enter a revocation or suspension order as of the last date on which the permit, license, registration, or certificate was in effect.

 

Subd. 12. Issuance of licensing orders; hearings related to licensing orders. (a) If the commissioner determines that a permit, license, registration, or certificate should be conditioned, limited, suspended, revoked, or denied under subdivision 11, or that the permit holder, licensee, registrant, or certificate holder should be censured under subdivision 11, then the commissioner shall issue to the person an order denying, conditioning, limiting, suspending, or revoking the person's permit, license, registration, or certificate, or censuring the permit holder, licensee, registrant, or certificate holder.

 

(b) Any order issued under paragraph (a) may include an assessment of monetary penalties and may require the person to cease and desist from committing the violation or committing the act, conduct, or practice set out in subdivision 11, paragraph (b). The monetary penalty may be up to $10,000 for each violation or act, conduct, or practice committed by the person. The procedures in section 326B.083 must be followed when issuing orders under paragraph (a).

 

(c) The permit holder, licensee, registrant, certificate holder, or applicant to whom the commissioner issues an order under paragraph (a) shall have 30 days after service of the order to request a hearing. The request for hearing must be in writing and must be served on or faxed to the commissioner at the address or fax number specified in the


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order by the 30th day after service of the order. If the person does not request a hearing or if the person's written request for hearing is not served on or faxed to the commissioner by the 30th day after service of the order, the order shall become a final order of the commissioner and will not be subject to review by any court or agency. The date on which a request for hearing is served by mail shall be the postmark date on the envelope in which the request for hearing is mailed. If the person submits to the commissioner a timely request for hearing, a contested case hearing shall be held in accordance with chapter 14.

 

(d) Paragraph (c) does not apply to summary suspension under subdivision 13.

 

Subd. 13. Summary suspension. In any case where the commissioner has issued an order to revoke or suspend a license, registration, certificate, or permit under subdivision 12, the commissioner may summarily suspend the person's permit, license, registration, or certificate before the order becomes final. The commissioner shall issue a summary suspension order when the safety of life or property is threatened or to prevent the commission of fraudulent, deceptive, untrustworthy, or dishonest acts against the public. The summary suspension shall not affect the deadline for submitting a request for hearing under subdivision 12. If the commissioner summarily suspends a person's permit, license, registration, or certificate, a timely request for hearing submitted under subdivision 12 shall also be considered a timely request for hearing on continuation of the summary suspension. If the commissioner summarily suspends a person's permit, license, registration, or certificate under this subdivision and the person submits a timely request for a hearing, then a hearing on continuation of the summary suspension must be held within ten days after the commissioner receives the request for hearing unless the parties agree to a later date.

 

Subd. 14. Plan for assessing penalties. The commissioner may prepare a plan for assessing penalties in orders issued under subdivision 7 or 12. The commissioner shall provide a 30-day period for public comment on any such plan. Penalties assessed by the commissioner in accordance with the plan shall be presumed reasonable.

 

Subd. 15. Effect on other laws. Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit the application of other state or federal laws, including specifically but not exclusively section 270C.72, that require suspension of, revocation of, denial of, or refusal to renew a permit, license, registration, or certificate issued by the commissioner.

 

Subd. 16. Misdemeanor penalties. Except as otherwise provided by law, a person who violates an applicable law is guilty of a misdemeanor.

 

Subd. 17. Revocation and suspension of license. If a person fails to pay a penalty owed under this section or section 326B.083, the commissioner may revoke, suspend, or deny any or all licenses, permits, certificates, and registrations issued by the department.

 

Sec. 3. [326B.083] AMOUNT OF PENALTY; CONTENTS OF ADMINISTRATIVE AND LICENSING ORDERS.

 

Subdivision 1. Amount of penalty; considerations. In determining the amount of a penalty assessed under section 326B.082, subdivision 7 or 12, the commissioner shall consider the factors described in section 14.045, subdivision 3.

 

Subd. 2. Contents of administrative order and licensing order. (a) An administrative order and a licensing order must include:

 

(1) a summary of the facts that constitute the violation or violations;

 

(2) a reference to the applicable law that has been violated; and

 

(3) a statement of the person's right to request a hearing.


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(b) An administrative order may include a requirement that the violation be corrected. If the order includes a requirement that the violation be corrected, then the order must include, in addition to any statements required under paragraphs (a) and (c), the deadline by which the violation must be corrected.

 

(c) An administrative order or a licensing order may assess monetary penalties. If the order assesses monetary penalties, then the order must include, in addition to any statements required under paragraphs (a) and (b):

 

(1) a statement of the amount of the monetary penalty imposed;

 

(2) a statement that, when the order becomes final, the commissioner may file and enforce the unpaid portion of a penalty as a judgment in district court without further notice or additional proceedings; and

 

(3) if the order is an administrative order, a statement of the amount of the penalty, if any, that will be forgiven if the person who is subject to the order demonstrates to the commissioner by the 31st day after the order is served that the person has corrected the violation or has developed a correction plan acceptable to the commissioner.

 

Subd. 3. Penalty. (a) If an administrative order includes a penalty assessment, then the penalty is due and payable on the date the administrative order becomes final unless some or all of the penalty is forgivable. If a licensing order includes a penalty assessment, then the penalty is due and payable on the date the licensing order becomes final.

 

(b) This paragraph applies if an administrative order includes a penalty assessment and all or a portion of the penalty is forgivable.

 

(1) If any portion of the penalty is not forgivable, that portion of the penalty is due and payable ten days after the date the administrative order becomes final.

 

(2) The commissioner shall forgive the forgivable portion of the penalty if the commissioner determines that the violation has been corrected within the time set by the order or the person to whom the order was issued has developed a correction plan acceptable to the commissioner within the time set by the order.

 

(3) If the commissioner determines that the person to whom the order was issued has failed to correct the violation within the time set by the order or has failed to develop a correction plan acceptable to the commissioner within the time set by the order, then the forgivable portion of the penalty is due and payable ten days after the commissioner serves notice of the determination on the person or on the date the administrative order becomes final, whichever is later.

 

(c) This paragraph applies if an administrative order or a licensing order includes a penalty assessment and if the person subject to the order has requested a hearing. The administrative law judge may not recommend a change in the amount of the penalty if the penalty was assessed in accordance with a plan prepared under section 326B.082, subdivision 14. If the commissioner has not prepared a plan under section 326B.082, subdivision 14, then the administrative law judge may not recommend a change in the amount of the penalty unless the administrative law judge determines that, based on the factors in section 14.045, subdivision 3, the amount of the penalty is unreasonable.

 

(d) The assessment of a penalty does not preclude the use of other enforcement provisions, under which penalties are not assessed, in connection with the violation for which the penalty was assessed.


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Sec. 4. [326B.084] FALSE INFORMATION.

 

A person subject to any of the requirements in the applicable law may not make a false material statement, representation, or certification in; omit material information from; or alter, conceal, or fail to file or maintain a notice, application, record, report, plan, or other document required under the applicable law.

 

Sec. 5. [326B.085] RECOVERY OF LITIGATION COSTS AND EXPENSES.

 

In any action brought by the commissioner for enforcement of an order issued under section 326B.082 for injunctive relief, or to compel performance pursuant to the applicable law, if the state finally prevails, the state, in addition to other penalties provided by law, may be allowed an amount determined by the court to be the reasonable value of all or part of the litigation expenses incurred by the state. In determining the amount of the litigation expenses to be allowed, the court shall give consideration to the economic circumstances of the defendant.

 

Sec. 6. REVISOR'S INSTRUCTION.

 

The revisor of statutes shall renumber Minnesota Statutes, section 299F.011, subdivision 1, as Minnesota Statutes, section 326B.02, subdivision 5.

 

ARTICLE 4

 

BUILDING CODE

 

Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 16B.04, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 2. Powers and duties, general. Subject to other provisions of this chapter, the commissioner is authorized to:

 

(1) supervise, control, review, and approve all state contracts and purchasing;

 

(2) provide agencies with supplies and equipment and operate all central store or supply rooms serving more than one agency;

 

(3) investigate and study the management and organization of agencies, and reorganize them when necessary to ensure their effective and efficient operation;

 

(4) manage and control state property, real and personal;

 

(5) maintain and operate all state buildings, as described in section 16B.24, subdivision 1;

 

(6) supervise, control, review, and approve all capital improvements to state buildings and the capitol building and grounds;

 

(7) provide central duplicating, printing, and mail facilities;

 

(8) oversee publication of official documents and provide for their sale;

 

(9) manage and operate parking facilities for state employees and a central motor pool for travel on state business; and

 

(10) establish and administer a State Building Code; and


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(11) (10) provide rental space within the capitol complex for a private day care center for children of state employees. The commissioner shall contract for services as provided in this chapter. The commissioner shall report back to the legislature by October 1, 1984, with the recommendation to implement the private day care operation.

 

Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 16B.60, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 4. Code. "Code" means the State Building Code adopted by the commissioner of labor and industry in consultation with each industry advisory committee and in accordance with sections 16B.59 to 16B.75.

 

Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 16B.60, subdivision 7, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 7. Physically disabled Person with a disability. "Physically disabled" means having sight disabilities, hearing disabilities, disabilities of incoordination, disabilities of aging, or other disabilities that significantly reduce mobility, flexibility, coordination, or perceptiveness. "Person with a disability" or "persons with disabilities" includes people who have a vision disability, a hearing disability, a disability of coordination, a disability of aging, or any other disability that significantly reduces mobility, flexibility, coordination, or perceptiveness.

 

Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 16B.60, subdivision 8, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 8. Remodeling. "Remodeling" means deliberate reconstruction of an existing public building in whole or in part in order to bring it up to date in into conformity with present uses of the structure and to which other rules on the upgrading of health and safety provisions are applicable.

 

Sec. 5. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 16B.60, subdivision 11, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 11. State licensed facilities facility. "State licensed facilities facility" means a building and its grounds that are licensed by the state as a hospital, nursing home, supervised living facility, free-standing outpatient surgical center, or correctional facility, boarding care home, or residential hospice.

 

Sec. 6. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 16B.61, is amended to read:

 

16B.61 GENERAL POWERS OF COMMISSIONER OF LABOR AND INDUSTRY.

 

Subdivision 1. Adoption of code. Subject to sections 16B.59 to 16B.75, the commissioner shall by rule and in consultation with each industry advisory committee establish a code of standards for the construction, reconstruction, alteration, and repair of buildings, governing matters of structural materials, design and construction, fire protection, health, sanitation, and safety, including design and construction standards regarding heat loss control, illumination, and climate control. The code must also include duties and responsibilities for code administration, including procedures for administrative action, penalties, and suspension and revocation of certification. The code must conform insofar as practicable to model building codes generally accepted and in use throughout the United States, including a code for building conservation. In the preparation of the code, consideration must be given to the existing statewide specialty codes presently in use in the state. Model codes with necessary modifications and statewide specialty codes may be adopted by reference. The code must be based on the application of scientific principles, approved tests, and professional judgment. To the extent possible, the code must be adopted in terms of desired results instead of the means of achieving those results, avoiding wherever possible the incorporation of specifications of particular methods or materials. To that end the code must encourage the use of new methods and new materials. Except as otherwise provided in sections 16B.59 to 16B.75, the commissioner shall administer and enforce the provisions of those sections.


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The commissioner shall develop rules addressing the plan review fee assessed to similar buildings without significant modifications including provisions for use of building systems as specified in the industrial/modular program specified in section 16B.75. Additional plan review fees associated with similar plans must be based on costs commensurate with the direct and indirect costs of the service.

 

Subd. 1a. Administration by commissioner. The commissioner shall administer and enforce the State Building Code as a municipality with respect to public buildings and state licensed facilities in the state. The commissioner shall establish appropriate permit, plan review, and inspection fees, and surcharges for public buildings and state licensed facilities. Fees and surcharges for public buildings and state licensed facilities must be remitted to the commissioner, who shall deposit them in the state treasury for credit to the special revenue fund.

 

Municipalities other than the state having an agreement with the commissioner for code administration and enforcement service for public buildings and state licensed facilities shall charge their customary fees, including surcharge, to be paid directly to the jurisdiction by the applicant seeking authorization to construct a public building or a state licensed facility. The commissioner shall sign an agreement with a municipality other than the state for plan review, code administration, and code enforcement service for public buildings and state licensed facilities in the jurisdiction if the building officials of the municipality meet the requirements of section 16B.65 and wish to provide those services and if the commissioner determines that the municipality has enough adequately trained and qualified building inspectors to provide those services for the construction project.

 

The commissioner may direct the state building official to assist a community that has been affected by a natural disaster with building evaluation and other activities related to building codes.

 

Administration and enforcement in a municipality under this section must apply any optional provisions of the State Building Code adopted by the municipality. A municipality adopting any optional code provision shall notify the state building official within 30 days of its adoption.

 

The commissioner shall administer and enforce the provisions of the code relating to elevators statewide, except as provided for under section 16B.747, subdivision 3.

 

Subd. 2. Enforcement by certain bodies. Under the direction and supervision of the commissioner, the provisions of the code relating to electrical installations shall be enforced by the State Board of Electricity, pursuant to the Minnesota Electrical Act, the provisions relating to, plumbing shall be enforced by the commissioner of health, the provisions relating to, boilers, high pressure steam piping and appurtenances, and ammonia refrigeration piping, and bioprocess piping shall be enforced by the Department of Labor and Industry. Fees for inspections conducted by the State Board of Electricity commissioner shall be paid in accordance with the rules of the State Board of Electricity department. Under direction of the commissioner of public safety labor and industry, the state fire marshal shall enforce the State Fire Code as provided in chapter 299F. The commissioner, in consultation with the commissioner of labor and industry, shall adopt amendments to the mechanical code portion of the State Building Code to implement standards for process piping.

 

Subd. 3. Special requirements. (a) Space for commuter vans. The code must require that any parking ramp or other parking facility constructed in accordance with the code include an appropriate number of spaces suitable for the parking of motor vehicles having a capacity of seven to 16 persons and which are principally used to provide prearranged commuter transportation of employees to or from their place of employment or to or from a transit stop authorized by a local transit authority.

 

(b) Smoke detection devices. The code must require that all dwellings, lodging houses, apartment houses, and hotels as defined in section 299F.362 comply with the provisions of section 299F.362.


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(c) Doors in nursing homes and hospitals. The State Building Code may not require that each door entering a sleeping or patient's room from a corridor in a nursing home or hospital with an approved complete standard automatic fire extinguishing system be constructed or maintained as self-closing or automatically closing.

 

(d) Child care facilities in churches; ground level exit. A licensed day care center serving fewer than 30 preschool age persons and which is located in a belowground space in a church building is exempt from the State Building Code requirement for a ground level exit when the center has more than two stairways to the ground level and its exit.

 

(e) Child care facilities in churches; vertical access. Until August 1, 1996, an organization providing child care in an existing church building which is exempt from taxation under section 272.02, subdivision 6, shall have five years from the date of initial licensure under chapter 245A to provide interior vertical access, such as an elevator, to persons with disabilities as required by the State Building Code. To obtain the extension, the organization providing child care must secure a $2,500 performance bond with the commissioner of human services to ensure that interior vertical access is achieved by the agreed upon date.

 

(f) (e) Family and group family day care. Until the legislature enacts legislation specifying appropriate standards, the definition of Group R-3 occupancies in dwellings constructed in accordance with the International Residential Code as adopted as part of the State Building Code applies to family and group family day care homes licensed by the Department of Human Services under Minnesota Rules, chapter 9502.

 

(g) (f) Enclosed stairways. No provision of the code or any appendix chapter of the code may require stairways of existing multiple dwelling buildings of two stories or less to be enclosed.

 

(h) (g) Double cylinder dead bolt locks. No provision of the code or appendix chapter of the code may prohibit double cylinder dead bolt locks in existing single-family homes, townhouses, and first floor duplexes used exclusively as a residential dwelling. Any recommendation or promotion of double cylinder dead bolt locks must include a warning about their potential fire danger and procedures to minimize the danger.

 

(i) (h) Relocated residential buildings. A residential building relocated within or into a political subdivision of the state need not comply with the State Energy Code or section 326.371 provided that, where available, an energy audit is conducted on the relocated building.

 

(j) (i) Automatic garage door opening systems. The code must require all residential buildings as defined in section 325F.82 to comply with the provisions of sections 325F.82 and 325F.83.

 

(k) (j) Exit sign illumination. For a new building on which construction is begun on or after October 1, 1993, or an existing building on which remodeling affecting 50 percent or more of the enclosed space is begun on or after October 1, 1993, the code must prohibit the use of internally illuminated exit signs whose electrical consumption during nonemergency operation exceeds 20 watts of resistive power. All other requirements in the code for exit signs must be complied with.

 

(l) (k) Exterior wood decks, patios, and balconies. The code must permit the decking surface and upper portions of exterior wood decks, patios, and balconies to be constructed of (1) heartwood from species of wood having natural resistance to decay or termites, including redwood and cedars, (2) grades of lumber which contain sapwood from species of wood having natural resistance to decay or termites, including redwood and cedars, or (3) treated wood. The species and grades of wood products used to construct the decking surface and upper portions of exterior decks, patios, and balconies must be made available to the building official on request before final construction approval.


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(m) (l) Bioprocess piping and equipment. No permit fee for bioprocess piping may be imposed by municipalities under the State Building Code, except as required under section 326.47, subdivision 1. Permits for bioprocess piping shall be according to section 326.47 administered by the Department of Labor and Industry. All data regarding the material production processes, including the bioprocess system's structural design and layout, are nonpublic data as provided by section 13.7911.

 

Subd. 3a. Recycling space. The code must require suitable space for the separation, collection, and temporary storage of recyclable materials within or adjacent to new or significantly remodeled structures that contain 1,000 square feet or more. Residential structures with fewer than four dwelling units are exempt from this subdivision.

 

Subd. 4. Review of plans for public buildings and state licensed facilities. Construction or remodeling may not begin on any public building or state licensed facility until the plans and specifications have been approved by the commissioner or municipality under contractual agreement pursuant to subdivision 1a. The plans and specifications must be submitted for review, and within 30 days after receipt of the plans and specifications, the commissioner or municipality under contractual agreement shall notify the submitting authority of any corrections.

 

Subd. 5. Accessibility. (a) Public buildings. The code must provide for making public buildings constructed or remodeled after July 1, 1963, accessible to and usable by physically disabled persons with disabilities, although this does not require the remodeling of public buildings solely to provide accessibility and usability to the physically disabled persons with disabilities when remodeling would not otherwise be undertaken.

 

(b) Leased space. No agency of the state may lease space for agency operations in a non-state-owned building unless the building satisfies the requirements of the State Building Code for accessibility by the physically disabled persons with disabilities, or is eligible to display the state symbol of accessibility. This limitation applies to leases of 30 days or more for space of at least 1,000 square feet.

 

(c) Meetings or conferences. Meetings or conferences for the public or for state employees which are sponsored in whole or in part by a state agency must be held in buildings that meet the State Building Code requirements relating to accessibility for physically disabled persons with disabilities. This subdivision does not apply to any classes, seminars, or training programs offered by the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities or the University of Minnesota. Meetings or conferences intended for specific individuals none of whom need the accessibility features for disabled persons with disabilities specified in the State Building Code need not comply with this subdivision unless a disabled person with a disability gives reasonable advance notice of an intent to attend the meeting or conference. When sign language interpreters will be provided, meetings or conference sites must be chosen which allow hearing impaired participants to see their signing clearly.

 

(d) Exemptions. The commissioner may grant an exemption from the requirements of paragraphs (b) and (c) in advance if an agency has demonstrated that reasonable efforts were made to secure facilities which complied with those requirements and if the selected facilities are the best available for access for disabled persons with disabilities. Exemptions shall be granted using criteria developed by the commissioner in consultation with the Council on Disability.

 

(e) Symbol indicating access. The wheelchair symbol adopted by Rehabilitation International's Eleventh World Congress is the state symbol indicating buildings, facilities, and grounds which are accessible to and usable by disabled persons with disabilities. In the interests of uniformity, this symbol is the sole symbol for display in or on all public or private buildings, facilities, and grounds which qualify for its use. The secretary of state shall obtain the symbol and keep it on file. No building, facility, or grounds may display the symbol unless it is in compliance with the rules adopted by the commissioner under subdivision 1. Before any rules are proposed for adoption under this paragraph, the commissioner shall consult with the Council on Disability. Rules adopted under this paragraph must be enforced in the same way as other accessibility rules of the State Building Code.


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(f) Municipal enforcement. Municipalities which have not adopted the State Building Code may enforce the building code requirements for disabled persons with disabilities by either entering into a joint powers agreement for enforcement with another municipality which has adopted the State Building Code; or contracting for enforcement with an individual certified under section 16B.65, subdivision 3, to enforce the State Building Code.

 

(g) Equipment allowed. The code must allow the use of vertical wheelchair lifts and inclined stairway wheelchair lifts in public buildings. An inclined stairway wheelchair lift must be equipped with light or sound signaling device for use during operation of the lift. The stairway or ramp shall be marked in a bright color that clearly indicates the outside edge of the lift when in operation. The code shall not require a guardrail between the lift and the stairway or ramp. Compliance with this provision by itself does not mean other disability accessibility requirements have been met.

 

Subd. 6. Energy efficiency. The code must provide for building new low-income housing in accordance with energy efficiency standards adopted under subdivision 1. For purposes of this subdivision, low-income housing means residential housing built for low-income persons and families under a program of a housing and redevelopment authority, the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency, or another entity receiving money from the state to construct such housing.

 

Subd. 7. Access for the hearing-impaired. All rooms in the State Office Building and in the Capitol that are used by the house of representatives or the senate for legislative hearings, and the public galleries overlooking the house and senate chambers, must be fitted with assistive listening devices for the hearing-impaired. Each hearing room and the public galleries must have a sufficient number of receivers available so that hearing-impaired members of the public may participate in the committee hearings and public sessions of the house and senate.

 

Subd. 8. Separate metering for electric service. The standards concerning heat loss, illumination, and climate control adopted pursuant to subdivision 1, shall require that electrical service to individual dwelling units in buildings containing two or more units be separately metered, with individual metering readily accessible to the individual occupants. The standards authorized by this subdivision shall only apply to buildings constructed after the effective date of the amended standards. Buildings intended for occupancy primarily by persons who are 62 years of age or older or disabled, or which contain a majority of units not equipped with complete kitchen facilities, shall be exempt from the provisions of this subdivision.

 

Sec. 7. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 16B.615, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 4. Rules. The commissioner of administration shall adopt rules to implement this section. The rules may provide for a greater ratio of women's to men's facilities for certain types of occupancies than is required in subdivision 3, and may apply the required ratios to categories of occupancies other than those defined as places of public accommodation under subdivision 1.

 

Sec. 8. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 16B.617, is amended to read:

 

16B.617 ENERGY CODE RULES REMAIN IN EFFECT.

 

(a) Notwithstanding Laws 1999, chapter 135, section 9, Minnesota Rules, chapter 7670, does not expire on April 15, 2000, but remains in effect for residential buildings not covered by Minnesota Rules, chapter 7676. The provisions of Minnesota Rules, chapter 7670, that apply to category 1 buildings govern new, detached single one- and two-family R-3 occupancy residential buildings. All new, detached single one- and two-family R-3 occupancy buildings subject to Minnesota Rules, chapter 7670, submitting an application for a building permit after April 14, 2000, must meet the requirements for category 1 buildings, as set out in Minnesota Rules, chapter 7670.


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(b) As an alternative to compliance with paragraph (a), compliance with Minnesota Rules, chapters 7672 and 7674, is optional for a contractor or owner.

 

(c) The Department of Administration, Building Codes and Standards Division (BCSD), shall issue a report to the legislature by December 1, 2001, addressing the cost benefit, as well as air quality, building durability, moisture, enforcement, enforceability, and liability regarding implementation of Minnesota Rules, chapters 7670, 7672, and 7674. The report must include a feasibility study of establishing new criteria for category 2 detached single one- and two-family R-3 occupancy buildings that are energy efficient, enforceable, and provide sufficient nonmechanical ventilation or permeability for a home to maintain good air quality, building durability, and adequate release of moisture.

 

(d) (c) This section expires when the commissioner of administration adopts a new energy code in accordance with Laws 2002, chapter 317, section 4.

 

Sec. 9. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 16B.6175, is amended to read:

 

16B.6175 ENERGY CODE.

 

Notwithstanding section 16B.617, the commissioner of administration, in consultation with the Construction Codes Advisory Council, shall explore and review the availability and appropriateness of any model energy codes related to the construction of single one- and two-family residential buildings. In consultation with the council, the commissioner shall take steps to adopt the chosen code with all necessary and appropriate amendments.

 

The commissioner may not adopt all or part of a model energy code relating to the construction of residential buildings without research and analysis that addresses, at a minimum, air quality, building durability, moisture, enforcement, enforceability cost benefit, and liability. The research and analysis must be completed in cooperation with practitioners in residential construction and building science and an affirmative recommendation by the Construction Codes Advisory Council.

 

Sec. 10. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 16B.63, is amended to read:

 

16B.63 STATE BUILDING OFFICIAL.

 

Subdivision 1. Appointment. The commissioner shall appoint a state building official who under the direction and supervision of the commissioner shall administer the code.

 

Subd. 2. Qualifications. To be eligible for appointment as state building official an individual must be competent in the field of administration and shall have the experience in building design, construction, and supervision which the commissioner considers necessary.

 

Subd. 3. Powers and duties. The state building official may, with the approval of the commissioner, employ personnel necessary to carry out the inspector's function under sections 16B.59 to 16B.75. The state building official shall distribute without charge one copy a printed or electronic version of the code to each municipality within the state. Additional copies A printed or electronic version of the code shall be made available to municipalities and interested parties for a fee prescribed by the commissioner. The state building official shall perform other duties in administering the code assigned by the commissioner.

 

Subd. 4. Accessibility specialists. The state building official shall, with the approval of the commissioner, assign three department employees to assist municipalities in complying with section 16B.61, subdivision 5.


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Subd. 5. Interpretative authority. To achieve uniform and consistent application of the State Building Code, the state building official has final interpretative authority applicable to all codes adopted as part of the State Building Code except for the Plumbing Code and the Electrical Code when enforced by the State Board of Electricity, Mechanical Systems Council, Plumbing Council, Board of Construction, Building and Structural Code Council, Fire Protection Council, and Council of High Pressure Piping Systems. A final interpretative committee composed of seven members, consisting of three building officials, two inspectors from the affected field, and two construction industry representatives, shall review requests for final interpretations relating to that field. A request for final interpretation must come from a local or state level building code board of appeals. The state building official must establish procedures for membership of the interpretative committees. The appropriate committee shall review the request and make a recommendation to the state building official for the final interpretation within 30 days of the request. The state building official must issue an interpretation within ten business days from the recommendation from the review committee. A final interpretation may be appealed within 30 days of its issuance to the commissioner under section 16B.67. The final interpretation must be published within ten business days of its issuance and made available to the public. Municipal building officials shall administer all final interpretations issued by the state building official until the final interpretations are considered for adoption as part of the State Building Code.

 

Sec. 11. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 16B.65, is amended to read:

 

16B.65 BUILDING OFFICIALS.

 

Subdivision 1. Designation. By January 1, 2002, Each municipality shall designate a building official to administer the code. A municipality may designate no more than one building official responsible for code administration defined by each certification category established in rule. Two or more municipalities may combine in the designation of a building official for the purpose of administering the provisions of the code within their communities. In those municipalities for which no building officials have been designated, the state building official may use whichever state employees are necessary to perform the duties of the building official until the municipality makes a temporary or permanent designation. All costs incurred by virtue of these services rendered by state employees must be borne by the involved municipality and receipts arising from these services must be paid into the state treasury and credited to the special revenue fund to the commissioner.

 

Subd. 2. Qualifications. A building official, to be eligible for designation, must be certified and have the experience in design, construction, and supervision which the commissioner deems necessary and must be generally informed on the quality and strength of building materials, accepted building construction requirements, and the nature of equipment and needs conducive to the safety, comfort, and convenience of building occupants. No person may be designated as a building official for a municipality unless the commissioner determines that the official is qualified as provided in subdivision 3.

 

Subd. 3. Certification. The commissioner shall by rule establish certification criteria as proof of qualification according to subdivision 2. The commissioner may:

 

(1) prepare and conduct develop and administer written and practical examinations to determine if a person is qualified pursuant to subdivision 2 to be a building official;

 

(2) accept documentation of successful completion of testing programs developed and administered by nationally recognized testing agencies, as proof of qualification pursuant to subdivision 2; or

 

(3) determine qualifications by both clauses (1) and (2) satisfactory completion of clause (2) and a mandatory training program developed or approved by the commissioner.


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Upon a determination of qualification under clause (1), (2), or both of them (3), the commissioner shall issue a certificate to the building official stating that the official is certified. Each person applying for examination and certification pursuant to this section shall pay a nonrefundable fee of $70. The commissioner or a designee may establish categories of certification that will recognize the varying complexities of code enforcement in the municipalities within the state. The commissioner shall provide educational programs designed to train and assist building officials in carrying out their responsibilities.

 

The Department of Employee Relations may, at the request of the commissioner, provide statewide testing services.

 

Subd. 4. Duties. Building officials shall, in the municipality for which they are designated, be responsible for all aspects of code administration for which they are certified, including the issuance of all building permits and the inspection of all manufactured home installations. The commissioner may direct a municipality with a building official to perform services for another municipality, and in that event the municipality being served shall pay the municipality rendering the services the reasonable costs of the services. The costs may be subject to approval by the commissioner.

 

Subd. 5. Oversight committee. (a) The commissioner shall establish a Code Administration Oversight Committee to evaluate, mediate, and that will, at the commissioner's request, recommend to the commissioner any administrative action, penalty, suspension, or revocation with respect appropriate action according to section 326B.82, in response to complaints filed with or information received or obtained by the commissioner alleging or indicating that supports a finding that: (1) an individual has engaged in, or is about to engage in, the unauthorized performance of official the duties of a certified building official or the unauthorized use of the title certified building official, title; or a violation of (2) a certified building official has violated a statute, rule, stipulation, agreement, settlement, compliance agreement, cease and desist agreement, or order that the commissioner has adopted, issued, or is empowered has the authority to enforce and that is related to the duties of a certified building official.

 

(b) The committee consists shall consist of six members. One member shall be the commissioner's designee and five members shall be certified building officials, who are appointed by the commissioner. At least two of whom the appointed certified building officials must be from nonmetropolitan counties. For the committee members must be compensated according to who are not state officials or employees, their compensation and removal from the oversight committee is governed by section 15.059, subdivision 3. The commissioner's designee shall act as an ex-officio member of the oversight committee serve as the chair of the oversight committee and shall not vote. The terms of the appointed members of the oversight committee shall be four years. The terms of three of the appointed members shall be coterminous with the governor and the terms of the remaining two appointed members shall end on the first Monday in January one year after the terms of the other appointed members expire. An appointed member may be reappointed. The committee is not subject to the expiration provisions of section 15.059, subdivision 5.

 

(b) (c) If the commissioner has a reasonable basis to believe determines that a person an individual has engaged in an act or practice constituting the unauthorized performance of official the duties, of a certified building official or the unauthorized use of the title certified building official title, or that a violation of certified building official has violated a statute, rule, stipulation, agreement, settlement, compliance agreement, cease and desist agreement, or order that the commissioner has adopted, issued, or is empowered authorized to enforce that is related to the duties of a certified building official, the commissioner may proceed with take administrative actions or penalties as described in subdivision 5a or suspension or revocation as described in subdivision 5b. against the individual according to section 326B.082, subdivisions 7 and 11.

 

Subd. 5a. Administrative action and penalties. The commissioner shall, by rule, establish a graduated schedule of administrative actions for violations of sections 16B.59 to 16B.75 and rules adopted under those sections. The schedule must be based on and reflect the culpability, frequency, and severity of the violator's actions.


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The commissioner may impose a penalty from the schedule on a certification holder for a violation of sections 16B.59 to 16B.75 and rules adopted under those sections. The penalty is in addition to any criminal penalty imposed for the same violation. Administrative monetary penalties imposed by the commissioner must be paid to the special revenue fund.

 

Subd. 5b. Suspension; revocation. Grounds. Except as otherwise provided for by law, the commissioner may, upon notice and hearing, revoke or suspend or refuse to issue or reissue a building official certification if the applicant, building official, or certification holder: In addition to the grounds specified in section 326B.082, subdivision 11, the commissioner may deny, suspend, limit, place conditions on, or revoke a certificate, or may censure an applicant or individual holding a certificate, if the applicant or individual:

 

(1) violates a provision of sections 16B.59 to 16B.75 or a rule adopted under those sections; or

 

(2) engages in fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation while performing the duties of a certified building official;.

 

(3) makes a false statement in an application submitted to the commissioner or in a document required to be submitted to the commissioner; or

 

(4) violates an order of the commissioner.

 

Notice must be provided and the hearing conducted in accordance with the provisions of chapter 14 governing contested case proceedings. Nothing in this subdivision limits or otherwise affects the authority of a municipality to dismiss or suspend a building official at its discretion, except as otherwise provided for by law.

 

Subd. 5c. Action against unlicensed persons. The commissioner may take any administrative action provided under section 326B.082, against an individual required to be certified under subdivision 3, based upon conduct that would provide grounds for action against a certificate holder under this section.

 

Subd. 6. Vacancies. In the event that a designated building official position is vacant within a municipality, that municipality shall designate a certified building official to fill the vacancy as soon as possible. The commissioner must be notified of any vacancy or designation in writing within 15 days. If the municipality fails to designate a certified building official within 15 days of the occurrence of the vacancy, the state building official may provide state employees to serve that function as provided in subdivision 1 until the municipality makes a temporary or permanent designation. Municipalities must not issue permits without a designated certified building official.

 

Subd. 7. Continuing education. Subject to sections 16B.59 to 16B.75, the commissioner may by rule establish or approve continuing education programs for municipal certified building officials dealing with matters of building code administration, inspection, and enforcement.

 

Each person certified as a building official for the state must satisfactorily complete applicable educational programs established or approved by the commissioner every three calendar years to retain certification.

 

Each person certified as a building official must submit in writing to the commissioner an application for renewal of certification within 60 days of the last day of the third calendar year following the last certificate issued. Each application for renewal must be accompanied by proof of satisfactory completion of minimum continuing education requirements and the certification renewal fee established by the commissioner.

 

Subd. 8. Renewal. (a) Subject to sections 16B.59 to 16B.76, the commissioner of labor and industry may by rule adopt standards dealing with renewal requirements.


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(b) If the commissioner has not issued a notice of denial of application for a certificate holder and if the certificate holder has properly and timely filed a fully completed renewal application, then the certificate holder may continue to engage in building official activities whether or not the renewed certificate has been received. Applications must be made on a form approved by the commissioner. Each application for renewal must be fully completed, and be accompanied by proof of the satisfactory completion of minimum continuing education requirements and the certification renewal fee established by the commissioner. Applications are timely if received prior to the expiration of the most recently issued certificate. An application for renewal that does not contain all of the information requested is an incomplete application and will not be accepted.

 

Subd. 9. Expiration. All certificates expire at 11:59:59 p.m. central time on the date of expiration if not properly renewed in according to subdivision 8, paragraph (b).

 

Subd. 10. Failure to renew. An individual who has failed to make a timely application for renewal of a certificate is not certified and must not serve as the designated building official for any municipality until a renewed certificate has been issued by the commissioner.

 

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

 

Sec. 12. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 16B.70, is amended to read:

 

16B.70 SURCHARGE.

 

Subdivision 1. Computation. To defray the costs of administering sections 16B.59 to 16B.76, a surcharge is imposed on all permits issued by municipalities in connection with the construction of or addition or alteration to buildings and equipment or appurtenances after June 30, 1971. The commissioner may use any surplus in surcharge receipts to award grants for code research and, development, and education.

 

If the fee for the permit issued is fixed in amount the surcharge is equivalent to one-half mill (.0005) of the fee or 50 cents, whichever amount is greater. For all other permits, the surcharge is as follows:

 

(1) if the valuation of the structure, addition, or alteration is $1,000,000 or less, the surcharge is equivalent to one-half mill (.0005) of the valuation of the structure, addition, or alteration;

 

(2) if the valuation is greater than $1,000,000, the surcharge is $500 plus two-fifths mill (.0004) of the value between $1,000,000 and $2,000,000;

 

(3) if the valuation is greater than $2,000,000, the surcharge is $900 plus three-tenths mill (.0003) of the value between $2,000,000 and $3,000,000;

 

(4) if the valuation is greater than $3,000,000, the surcharge is $1,200 plus one-fifth mill (.0002) of the value between $3,000,000 and $4,000,000;

 

(5) if the valuation is greater than $4,000,000, the surcharge is $1,400 plus one-tenth mill (.0001) of the value between $4,000,000 and $5,000,000; and

 

(6) if the valuation exceeds $5,000,000, the surcharge is $1,500 plus one-twentieth mill (.00005) of the value that exceeds $5,000,000.

 

Subd. 2. Collection and reports. All permit surcharges must be collected by each municipality and a portion of them remitted to the state. Each municipality having a population greater than 20,000 people shall prepare and submit to the commissioner once a month a report of fees and surcharges on fees collected during the previous


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month but shall retain the greater of two percent or that amount collected up to $25 to apply against the administrative expenses the municipality incurs in collecting the surcharges. All other municipalities shall submit the report and surcharges on fees once a quarter but shall retain the greater of four percent or that amount collected up to $25 to apply against the administrative expenses the municipalities incur in collecting the surcharges. The report, which must be in a form prescribed by the commissioner, must be submitted together with a remittance covering the surcharges collected by the 15th day following the month or quarter in which the surcharges are collected. All money collected by the commissioner through surcharges and other fees prescribed by sections 16B.59 to 16B.75 shall be deposited in the state government special revenue fund and is appropriated to the commissioner for the purpose of administering and enforcing the State Building Code under sections 16B.59 to 16B.75.

 

Subd. 3. Revenue to equal costs. Revenue received from the surcharge imposed in subdivision 1 should approximately equal the cost, including the overhead cost, of administering sections 16B.59 to 16B.75. By November 30 each year, the commissioner must report to the commissioner of finance and to the legislature on changes in the surcharge imposed in subdivision 1 needed to comply with this policy. In making this report, the commissioner must assume that the services associated with administering sections 16B.59 to 16B.75 will continue to be provided at the same level provided during the fiscal year in which the report is made.

 

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

 

Sec. 13. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 16B.72, is amended to read:

 

16B.72 REFERENDA ON STATE BUILDING CODE IN NONMETROPOLITAN COUNTIES.

 

Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, a county that is not a metropolitan county as defined by section 473.121, subdivision 4, may provide, by a vote of the majority of its electors residing outside of municipalities that have adopted the State Building Code before January 1, 1977, that no part of the State Building Code except the building requirements for disabled persons with disabilities, the requirements for bleacher safety, and the requirements for elevator safety applies within its jurisdiction.

 

The county board may submit to the voters at a regular or special election the question of adopting the building code. The county board shall submit the question to the voters if it receives a petition for the question signed by a number of voters equal to at least five percent of those voting in the last general election. The question on the ballot must be stated substantially as follows:

 

"Shall the State Building Code be adopted in .......... County?"

 

If the majority of the votes cast on the proposition is in the negative, the State Building Code does not apply in the subject county, outside home rule charter or statutory cities or towns that adopted the building code before January 1, 1977, except the building requirements for disabled persons with disabilities, the requirements for bleacher safety, and the requirements for elevator safety do apply.

 

Nothing in this section precludes a municipality or town that has not adopted the State Building Code from adopting and enforcing by ordinance or other legal means the State Building Code within its jurisdiction.

 

Sec. 14. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 16B.73, is amended to read:

 

16B.73 STATE BUILDING CODE IN MUNICIPALITIES UNDER 2,500; LOCAL OPTION.

 

The governing body of a municipality whose population is less than 2,500 may provide that the State Building Code, except the requirements for disabled persons with disabilities, the requirements for bleacher safety, and the requirements for elevator safety, will not apply within the jurisdiction of the municipality, if the municipality is


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located in whole or in part within a county exempted from its application under section 16B.72. If more than one municipality has jurisdiction over an area, the State Building Code continues to apply unless all municipalities having jurisdiction over the area have provided that the State Building Code, except the requirements for disabled persons with disabilities, the requirements for bleacher safety, and the requirements for elevator safety, does not apply within their respective jurisdictions. Nothing in this section precludes a municipality or town from adopting and enforcing by ordinance or other legal means the State Building Code within its jurisdiction.

 

Sec. 15. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 16B.735, is amended to read:

 

16B.735 ENFORCEMENT OF REQUIREMENTS FOR DISABLED PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES.

 

A statutory or home rule charter city that is not covered by the State Building Code because of action taken under section 16B.72 or 16B.73 is responsible for enforcement in the city of the State Building Code's requirements for disabled persons with disabilities. In all other areas where the State Building Code does not apply because of action taken under section 16B.72 or 16B.73, the county is responsible for enforcement of those requirements.

 

Sec. 16. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 16B.74, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

 

Subdivision 1. Applicability. As used in For the purposes of sections 16B.61, 16B.72, 16B.73, and 16B.74 to 16B.746 16B.748 the terms "passenger or freight elevator," "automatic operation" and "continuous pressure operation" defined in this section shall have the following meanings given them.

 

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

 

Sec. 17. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 16B.74, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 2. Passenger or freight elevator. "Passenger or freight elevator" means all elevators except those that comply with the safety rules of the department of Administration relating to construction and installation and that have automatic operation or continuous pressure operation.

 

Sec. 18. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 16B.74, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

 

Subd. 7. Elevator inspection. "Elevator inspection" means an examination of elevator installations, repairs, alterations, removal, and construction for compliance with the State Building Code that may include witnessing tests performed on elevators by elevator personnel, performing tests on elevators, or an audit of records related to routine and periodic maintenance and testing, or any combination thereof when performed by the department or a municipality authorized to perform such inspections.

 

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

 

Sec. 19. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 16B.74, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

 

Subd. 8. Elevator inspector. "Elevator inspector" means an individual who meets the requirements established pursuant to section 16B.748, clause (1), who is performing elevator inspections for the department or a municipality authorized to perform such inspections.

 

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


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Sec. 20. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 16B.741, is amended to read:

 

16B.741 ELEVATOR AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION AND REPORTING.

 

Subdivision 1. Elevator available for inspection. A person, firm, entity, or corporation that owns or controls a building or other structure housing an elevator that is subject to inspection by the department, shall, upon request, provide access at a reasonable hour to the elevator for purposes of inspection.

 

Subd. 2. Persons required to report. The following persons shall report the information specified in subdivision 3 to the commissioner by January 1, 2008:

 

(a) any person that, between August 1, 2005, and July 31, 2007, has provided service, alteration, repair, or maintenance to any elevator located in Minnesota;

 

(b) any person that, between August 1, 2005, and July 31, 2007, has entered into an agreement to provide service, alteration, repair, or maintenance to any elevator located in Minnesota;

 

(c) any person that owns or controls an elevator located in Minnesota that, between August 1, 2005, and July 31, 2007, has not received service, alteration, repair, or maintenance on the elevator; or

 

(d) any person that owns or controls an elevator located in Minnesota that, between August 1, 2005, and July 31, 2007, has not entered into an agreement to receive service, alteration, repair, or maintenance on the elevator.

 

Subd. 3. Elevator location, type, and installation date. On a form prescribed by the commissioner, the persons required to report pursuant to subdivision 2 shall provide the following:

 

(a) the location of each elevator;

 

(b) the type of each elevator; and

 

(c) the date the elevator was installed.

 

Subd. 4. Definition. As used in this section, "elevator" is as defined in section 16B.74, subdivision 5.

 

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

 

Sec. 21. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 16B.744, is amended to read:

 

16B.744 ELEVATORS, ENTRANCES SEALED.

 

It shall be the duty of the department of Administration and the licensing authority of any municipality which adopts any such ordinance whenever it finds any such elevator under its jurisdiction in use in violation of any provision of sections 16B.74 to 16B.745 to seal the entrances of such elevator and attach a notice forbidding the use of such elevator until the provisions thereof are complied with.

 

Sec. 22. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 16B.745, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

 

Subdivision 1. Removal of seal. No person, firm, or corporation may remove any seal or notice forbidding the use of an elevator, except by authority of the department of Administration or the licensing authority having jurisdiction over the elevator, or operate an elevator after a notice has been attached forbidding its use, unless the notice has been removed by authority of the department of Administration or the licensing authority having jurisdiction over the elevator.


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Sec. 23. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 16B.745, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 4. Penalties. The commissioner of administration shall administer sections 16B.74 to 16B.749. In addition to the remedies provided for violations of this chapter, the commissioner may impose a penalty of up to $1,000 $10,000 for a violation of any provision of sections 16B.74 to 16B.749.

 

Sec. 24. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 16B.747, is amended to read:

 

16B.747 FEES FOR LICENSURE AND INSPECTION.

 

Subdivision 1. Permits. No person, firm, or corporation may construct, install, alter, or remove an elevator without first filing an application for a permit with the department of Administration or a municipality authorized by subdivision 3 to inspect elevators. Upon successfully completing inspection and the payment of the appropriate fee, the owner must be granted an operating permit for the elevator.

 

Subd. 2. Contractor licenses. The commissioner may establish criteria for the qualifications of elevator contractors and issue licenses based upon proof of the applicant's qualifications.

 

Subd. 3. Permissive municipal regulation. A municipality may conduct a system of elevator inspection in conformity with this chapter, State Building Code requirements, and adopted rules that includes the inspection of elevator installation, repair, alteration, and removal, construction, and the routine and periodic inspection and testing of existing elevators. The municipality shall employ inspectors meeting the minimum requirements established by Minnesota Rules to perform the inspections and to witness the tests. A municipality may establish and retain its own fees for inspection of elevators and related devices in its jurisdiction. A municipality may not adopt standards that do not conform to the uniform standards prescribed by the department.

 

If the commissioner determines that a municipality is not properly administering and enforcing the law, rules, and codes, the commissioner shall have the inspection, administration, and enforcement undertaken by a qualified inspector employed by the department.

 

Subd. 4. Deposit of fees. Fees received under this section must be deposited in the state treasury and credited to the special revenue fund.

 

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

 

Sec. 25. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 16B.748, is amended to read:

 

16B.748 RULES.

 

The commissioner may adopt rules for the following purposes:

 

(1) to establish minimum qualifications for elevator inspectors that must include possession of a current elevator constructor electrician's license issued by the State Board of Electricity department and proof of successful completion of the national elevator industry education program examination or equivalent experience;

 

(2) to establish minimum qualifications for elevator inspectors;

 

(2) (3) to establish criteria for the qualifications of elevator contractors;

 

(3) (4) to establish elevator standards under sections 16B.61, subdivisions 1 and 2, and 16B.64;


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(4) (5) to establish procedures for appeals of decisions of the commissioner under chapter 14 and procedures allowing the commissioner, before issuing a decision, to seek advice from the elevator trade, building owners or managers, and others knowledgeable in the installation, construction, and repair of elevators; and

 

(5) (6) to establish requirements for the registration of all elevators.

 

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

 

Sec. 26. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 16B.76, is amended to read:

 

16B.76 CONSTRUCTION CODES ADVISORY COUNCIL.

 

Subdivision 1. Membership. (a) The Construction Codes Advisory Council consists of the following members:

 

(1) the commissioner of administration or the commissioner's designee representing the department's Building Codes and Standards Construction Codes and Licensing Division;

 

(2) the commissioner of health or the commissioner's designee representing an Environmental Health Section of the department;

 

(3) (2) the commissioner of public safety or the commissioner's commissioner of public safety's designee representing the department's Department of Public Safety's State Fire Marshal Division;

 

(4) the commissioner of commerce or the commissioner's designee representing the department's State Energy Office; and

 

(5) (3) one member representing, appointed by the commissioner, engaged in each of the following occupations or, entities, appointed by the commissioner of administration or industries:

 

(i) a certified building official officials;

 

(ii) a fire service representative chiefs or fire marshals;

 

(iii) a licensed architect architects;

 

(iv) a licensed engineer professional engineers;

 

(v) a building owners and managers representative commercial building owners and managers;

 

(vi) a the licensed residential building contractor industry;

 

(vii) a the commercial building contractor industry;

 

(viii) a the heating and ventilation contractor industry;

 

(ix) a the plumbing contractor industry;

 

(x) the ventilation industry;

 

(xi) the power limited industry;


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(x) (xii) a representative of a construction and building trades union; and member of the Board of Electricity;

 

(xi) a local unit of government representative. (xiii) the high pressure piping industry;

 

(xiv) the boiler industry;

 

(xv) the manufactured housing industry;

 

(xvi) public utility suppliers;

 

(xvii) the Minnesota Building and Construction Trades Council; and

 

(xviii) local units of government.

 

(b) The commissioner or the commissioner's designee representing the department's Construction Codes and Licensing Division shall serve as chair of the advisory council. For members who are not state officials or employees, terms, compensation, and removal, and the filling of vacancies of members of the advisory council are governed by section 15.059. The council shall select one of its members to serve as chair. The terms of the members of the advisory council shall be four years. The terms of eight of the appointed members shall be coterminous with the governor and the terms of the remaining nine appointed members shall end on the first Monday in January one year after the terms of the other appointed members expire. An appointed member may be reappointed. Each council member shall appoint an alternate to serve in their absence. The committee is not subject to the expiration provision of section 15.059, subdivision 5.

 

(c) The council expires June 30, 2003.

 

Subd. 1a. Rulemaking authority. The council shall adopt rules relating to building construction and model the rules to building construction codes generally accepted and in use throughout the United States with consideration given to existing statewide specialty codes presently in use in Minnesota.

 

Subd. 2. Duties of council. The council shall review laws, codes, rules, standards, and licensing requirements relating to building construction and may:

 

(1) recommend ways to eliminate inconsistencies, to streamline construction regulation and construction processes procedures, and to improve procedures within and among jurisdictions;

 

(2) review and comment on current and proposed laws and rules to promote coordination and consistency;

 

(3) advise agencies on possible changes in rules to make them easier to understand and apply; and

 

(4) promote the coordination, within each jurisdiction, of the administration and enforcement of construction codes.

 

The council shall meet a minimum of four times each year. The council shall report its findings and recommendations to the commissioner of administration and the head of any other affected agency by the end of each calendar year. The council may shall recommend changes in laws or rules governing building construction. The council may shall establish subcommittees to facilitate its work. If the council establishes subcommittees, it shall include in their memberships representation from entities and organizations expressing an interest in membership. The commissioner of administration shall maintain a list of interested entities and organizations.


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Subd. 3. Agency cooperation. State agencies and local governmental units shall cooperate with the council and, so far as possible, provide information or assistance to it upon its request. The commissioner of administration shall provide necessary staff and administrative support to the council.

 

Sec. 27. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 326.992, is amended to read:

 

326.992 BOND REQUIRED FOR CERTAIN CONTRACTORS.

 

(a) A person contracting to do gas, heating, ventilation, cooling, air conditioning, fuel burning, or refrigeration work must give bond to the state in the amount of $25,000 for all work entered into within the state. The bond must be for the benefit of persons suffering financial loss by reason of the contractor's failure to comply with the requirements of the State Mechanical Code. A bond given to the state must be filed with the commissioner of administration and is in lieu of all other bonds to any political subdivision required for work covered by this section. The bond must be written by a corporate surety licensed to do business in the state.

 

(b) The commissioner of administration may charge each person giving bond under this section an annual bond filing fee of $15. The money must be deposited in a special revenue fund and is appropriated to the commissioner to cover the cost of administering the bond program.

 

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

 

Sec. 28. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 327.31, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 2. Authorized representative. "Authorized representative" means any person, firm or corporation, or employee thereof, approved or hired by the commissioner of labor and industry to perform inspection services.

 

Sec. 29. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 327.31, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 3. Manufactured Home Building Code. "Manufactured Home Building Code" means, for manufactured homes manufactured after July 1, 1972, and prior to June 15, 1976, the standards code promulgated by the American National Standards Institute and identified as ANSI A119.1, including all revisions thereof in effect on May 21, 1971, or the provisions of the National Fire Protection Association and identified as NFPA 501B, and further revisions adopted by the commissioner of labor and industry.

 

"Manufactured Home Building Code" means, for manufactured homes constructed after June 14, 1976, the manufactured home construction and safety standards promulgated by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development which are in effect at the time of the manufactured home's manufacture.

 

Sec. 30. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 327.31, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 4. Commissioner. "Commissioner" means the commissioner of administration labor and industry.

 

Sec. 31. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 327.31, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

 

Subd. 6a. Individual. "Individual" means a human being.

 

Sec. 32. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 327.31, subdivision 7, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 7. Person. "Person" means a person, partnership, corporation or other legal entity any individual, limited liability company, corporation, partnership, incorporated or unincorporated association, sole proprietorship, joint stock company, or any other legal or commercial entity.


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Sec. 33. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 327.31, subdivision 15, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 15. Purchaser. "Purchaser" means the first person individual purchasing a manufactured home in good faith for purposes other than resale.

 

Sec. 34. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 327.32, subdivision 8, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 8. Evidence of compliance. Each manufacturer, distributor, and dealer shall establish and maintain records, make reports, and provide information as the commissioner or the secretary may reasonably require to be able to determine whether the manufacturer, distributor, or dealer has acted or is acting in compliance with sections 327.31 to 327.35, and shall, upon request of a person duly designated by the commissioner or the secretary, permit that person to inspect appropriate books, papers, records, and documents relevant to determining whether that manufacturer, distributor, or dealer has acted or is acting in compliance with sections 327.31 to 327.35, and the National Manufactured Home Construction and Safety Standards Act of 1974, United States Code, title 42, section 5401, et seq., as amended by the National Manufactured Housing Construction and Safety Standards Act, Title VI, Manufactured Housing Improvement Act of 2000, or other applicable federal or state law.

 

Sec. 35. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 327.33, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 2. Fees. The commissioner shall by rule establish reasonable fees for seals, installation seals and inspections which are sufficient to cover all costs incurred in the administration of sections 327.31 to 327.35. The commissioner shall also establish by rule a monitoring inspection fee in an amount that will comply with the secretary's fee distribution program. This monitoring inspection fee shall be an amount paid by the manufacturer for each manufactured home produced in Minnesota. The monitoring inspection fee shall be paid by the manufacturer to the secretary. The rules of the fee distribution program require the secretary to distribute the fees collected from all manufactured home manufacturers among states approved and conditionally approved based on the number of new manufactured homes whose first location after leaving the manufacturer is on the premises of a distributor, dealer or purchaser in that state. All money collected by the commissioner through fees prescribed by sections 327.31 to 327.36 shall be deposited in the state government special revenue fund and is appropriated to the commissioner for the purpose of administering and enforcing the Manufactured Home Building Code under sections 327.31 to 327.36.

 

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

 

Sec. 36. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 327.33, subdivision 6, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 6. Authorization as agency. The commissioner shall apply to the secretary for approval of the commissioner as the administrative agency for the regulation of manufactured homes under the rules of the secretary. The commissioner may make rules for the administration and enforcement of department responsibilities as a state administrative agency including, but not limited to, rules for the handling of citizen's complaints. All money received for services provided by the commissioner or the department's authorized agents as a state administrative agency shall be deposited in the general construction code fund. The commissioner is charged with the adoption, administration, and enforcement of the Manufactured Home Construction and Safety Standards, consistent with rules and regulations promulgated by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development. The commissioner may adopt the rules, codes, and standards necessary to enforce the standards promulgated under this section. The commissioner is authorized to conduct hearings and presentations of views consistent with regulations adopted by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development and to adopt rules in order to carry out this function.

 

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


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Sec. 37. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 327.33, subdivision 7, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 7. Employees. The commissioner may appoint such employees within the Department of Administration Labor and Industry as deemed necessary for the administration of sections 327.31 to 327.35.

 

Sec. 38. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 327.34, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 3. Removal of seals. Manufactured home seals remain the property of the Department of Administration Labor and Industry and may be removed by the commissioner from any manufactured home which is in violation of the Manufactured Home Building Code.

 

Sec. 39. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 327.35, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

 

Subdivision 1. Civil Monetary penalty. Notwithstanding the penalty amount of section 326B.082, subdivisions 7 and 12, any person who violates any provision of this section is liable to the state of Minnesota for a civil monetary penalty of not to exceed $1,000 for each offense violation. Each violation involving a separate manufactured home or involving a separate failure or refusal to allow or perform any act required by this section constitutes a separate offense violation, except that the maximum civil monetary penalties for any related series of violations occurring within one year from the date of the first violation may not exceed $1,000,000.

 

Sec. 40. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 327.35, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 2. Willful violations. Any individual or a director, officer, or agent of a corporation who knowingly and willfully violates any provision of this section in a manner which threatens the health or safety of any purchaser shall be fined not more than $3,000 or imprisoned not more than one year, or both guilty of a gross misdemeanor.

 

Sec. 41. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 327B.01, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 4. Commissioner. "Commissioner" means the commissioner of administration labor and industry.

 

Sec. 42. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 327B.01, subdivision 5, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 5. Consumer customer. "Consumer customer" means any natural person individual who, primarily for personal, household or family purposes, buys, sells, or seeks to buy or sell, a manufactured home from, to or through a dealer or manufacturer.

 

Sec. 43. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 327B.01, subdivision 7, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 7. Dealer or retailer. "Dealer" or "retailer" means any person who engages in the business, either exclusively or in addition to any other occupation, of selling or brokering manufactured homes, new or used, or who offers to sell, solicit, broker or advertise the sale of manufactured homes, new or used.

 

Sec. 44. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 327B.01, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

 

Subd. 10a. Individual. "Individual" means a human being.

 

Sec. 45. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 327B.01, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

 

Subd. 11a. Licensee. "Licensee" means a person who is licensed as a dealer, limited dealer, or manufacturer by the Department of Labor and Industry.


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Sec. 46. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 327B.01, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

 

Subd. 11b. Limited dealer or limited retailer. "Limited dealer" or "limited retailer" means any person who is an owner of a manufactured home park authorized, as principal only, to engage in the sale, offering for sale, soliciting, or advertising the sale of used manufactured homes located in the owned manufactured home park, who is the title holder and engages in no more than ten sales annually.

 

Sec. 47. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 327B.01, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

 

Subd. 14a. Manufacturing facility. "Manufacturing facility" means the physical site where a manufacturer engages in the business of manufacture, assembly, or production of manufactured homes.

 

Sec. 48. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 327B.01, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

 

Subd. 16a. Owner. "Owner" means any person holding title to a manufactured home park or manufactured homes.

 

Sec. 49. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 327B.01, subdivision 17, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 17. Person. "Person" means any individual, limited liability company, corporation, firm, partnership, incorporated and unincorporated association, sole proprietorship, joint stock company, or any other legal or commercial entity.

 

Sec. 50. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 327B.04, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

 

Subdivision 1. License and, bond, and liability insurance required. No person shall act as a dealer in manufactured homes, new or used, without a license and, a surety bond, and liability insurance as provided in this section. No person shall manufacture manufactured homes without a license and for each manufacturing facility shipping into or located within Minnesota's boundaries, a surety bond, and liability insurance as provided in this section. The licensing and bonding requirements of this section do not apply to any bank, savings bank, savings association, or credit union, chartered by either this state or the federal government, which acts as a dealer only by repossessing manufactured homes and then offering the homes for resale.

 

Sec. 51. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 327B.04, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 4. License prerequisites. No application shall be granted nor license issued until the applicant proves to the commissioner that:

 

(a) the applicant has a permanent, established place of business at each licensed location. An "established place of business" means a permanent enclosed building other than a residence, or a commercial office space, either owned by the applicant or leased by the applicant for a term of at least one year, located in an area where zoning regulations allow commercial activity, and where the books, records and files necessary to conduct the business are kept and maintained. The owner of a licensed manufactured home park who resides in or adjacent to the park may use the residence as the established place of business required by this subdivision, unless prohibited by local zoning ordinance.

 

If a license is granted, the licensee may use unimproved lots and premises for sale, storage, and display of manufactured homes, if the licensee first notifies the commissioner in writing;

 

(b) if the applicant desires to sell, solicit or advertise the sale of new manufactured homes, it has a bona fide contract or franchise in effect with a manufacturer or distributor of the new manufactured home it proposes to deal in;


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(c) the applicant has secured: (1) a surety bond in the amount of $20,000 for the agency and each subagency location that bears the applicant's name and the name under which the applicant will be licensed and do business in this state. Each bond is for the protection of consumer customers, and must be executed by the applicant as principal and issued by a surety company admitted to do business in this state. The Each bond shall be exclusively for the purpose of reimbursing consumer customers and shall be conditioned upon the faithful compliance by the applicant with all of the laws and rules of this state pertaining to the applicant's business as a dealer or manufacturer, including sections 325D.44, 325F.67 and 325F.69, and upon the applicant's faithful performance of all its legal obligations to consumer customers; and (2) a certificate of liability insurance in the amount of $1,000,000 that provides coverage for the agency and each subagency location;

 

(d) the applicant has established a trust account as required by section 327B.08, subdivision 3, unless the applicant states in writing its intention to limit its business to selling, offering for sale, soliciting or advertising the sale of new manufactured homes; and

 

(e) the applicant has provided evidence of having had at least two years' prior experience in the sale of manufactured homes, working for a licensed dealer.

 

Sec. 52. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 327B.04, subdivision 6, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 6. Certificate of license. For each license granted the commissioner shall issue a certificate which includes the name of the licensee, the name of the surety company and the amount of the surety bond, and the insurance underwriter and policy number, the names and addresses of any related principal or subagencies, and a license number.

 

Sec. 53. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 327B.04, subdivision 7, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 7. Fees; licenses; when granted. Each application for a license or license renewal must be accompanied by a fee in an amount established by the commissioner by rule pursuant to section 327B.10. The fees shall be set in an amount which over the fiscal biennium will produce revenues approximately equal to the expenses which the commissioner expects to incur during that fiscal biennium while administering and enforcing sections 327B.01 to 327B.12. All money collected by the commissioner through fees prescribed in sections 327B.01 to 327B.12 shall be deposited in the state government special revenue fund and is appropriated to the commissioner for purposes of administering and enforcing the provisions of this chapter. The commissioner shall grant or deny a license application or a renewal application within 60 days of its filing. If the license is granted, the commissioner shall license the applicant as a dealer or manufacturer for the remainder of the calendar year. Upon application by the licensee, the commissioner shall renew the license for a two year period, if:

 

(a) the renewal application satisfies the requirements of subdivisions 3 and 4;

 

(b) the renewal applicant has made all listings, registrations, notices and reports required by the commissioner during the preceding year; and

 

(c) the renewal applicant has paid all fees owed pursuant to sections 327B.01 to 327B.12 and all taxes, arrearages, and penalties owed to the state.

 

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

 

Sec. 54. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 327B.04, subdivision 8, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 8. Limited dealer's license. The commissioner shall issue a limited dealer's license to an owner of a manufactured home park authorizing the licensee as principal only to engage in the sale, offering for sale, soliciting, or advertising the sale of used manufactured homes located in the owned manufactured home park. The licensee must be the title holder of the homes and may engage in no more than ten sales annually. An owner may, upon


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payment of the applicable fee and compliance with this subdivision, obtain a separate license for each owned manufactured home park and is entitled to sell up to ten homes per license provided that only one limited dealer license may be issued for each park. The license shall be issued after:

 

(1) receipt of an application on forms provided by the commissioner containing the following information:

 

(i) the identity of the applicant;

 

(ii) the name under which the applicant will be licensed and do business in this state;

 

(iii) the name and address of the owned manufactured home park, including a copy of the park license, serving as the basis for the issuance of the license; and

 

(iv) the name, home, and business address of the applicant;

 

(v) the name, address, and telephone number of one individual that is designated by the applicant to receive all communications and cooperate with all inspections and investigations of the commissioner pertaining to the sale of manufactured homes in the manufactured home park owned by the applicant;

 

(vi) whether the applicant or its designated individual has been convicted of a crime within the previous ten years that is either related directly to the business for which the license is sought or involved fraud, misrepresentation or misuse of funds, or has suffered a judgment in a civil action involving fraud, misrepresentation, or conversion within the previous five years or has had any government license or permit suspended or revoked as a result of an action brought by a federal or state governmental agency in this or any other state within the last five years; and

 

(vii) the applicant's qualifications and business history, including whether the applicant or its designated individual has ever been adjudged bankrupt or insolvent, or has any unsatisfied court judgments outstanding against it or them;

 

(2) payment of a $100 annual fee; and

 

(3) provision of a surety bond in the amount of $5,000. A separate surety bond must be provided for each limited license.

 

The applicant need not comply with section 327B.04, subdivision 4, paragraph (e). The holding of a limited dealer's license does not satisfy the requirement contained in section 327B.04, subdivision 4, paragraph (e), for the licensee or salespersons with respect to obtaining a dealer license. The commissioner may, upon application for a renewal of a license, require only a verification that copies of sales documents have been retained and payment of a $100 renewal fee. "Sales documents" mean only the safety feature disclosure form defined in section 327C.07, subdivision 3a, title of the home, financing agreements, and purchase agreements.

 

The license holder shall, upon request of the commissioner, make available for inspection during business hours sales documents required to be retained under this subdivision.

 

Sec. 55. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 327B.04, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

 

Subd. 8a. Service. Service of a document on a limited dealer licensed under this section may be effected by mail to or by personal service on: (1) the licensee at the licensee's last known address; or (2) the individual designated by the licensee at that individual's last known address.


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Sec. 56. [327B.042] NOTICE TO COMMISSIONER.

 

Subdivision 1. Notification. A person licensed as a dealer, limited dealer, or manufacturer shall notify the commissioner of the occurrence of any of the events in subdivisions 2 to 5.

 

Subd. 2. Change in application information. A licensee shall notify the commissioner in writing within ten days of the change of any change in information contained in the most recent license application on file with the commissioner, which shall include any change in the information pertaining to the individual designated under section 327B.04, subdivision 8, clause (1), item (vi).

 

Subd. 3. Civil judgment. A licensee shall notify the commissioner in writing within ten days of any decision of a court regarding a proceeding in which the licensee was named as a defendant, and in which fraud, misrepresentation, or the conversion of funds was found to have been committed by the licensee.

 

Subd. 4. Disciplinary action in another state. A licensee shall notify the commissioner in writing within ten days of the condition, reprimand, censure, limitation, suspension, or revocation of any other professional or occupational license, registration, permit, or certificate held by the licensee in this or any other state, or any other United States jurisdiction.

 

Subd. 5. Criminal offense. A licensee shall notify the commissioner in writing within ten days if the licensee is found guilty of a felony, gross misdemeanor, misdemeanor, or any comparable offense related to manufactured home sales, improper business practices, fraud, misrepresentation, misuse of funds, or violation of the consumer laws in this or any other state, or any other United States jurisdiction.

 

Sec. 57. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 327B.05, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

 

Subdivision 1. Grounds. In addition to the grounds in section 326B.082, subdivision 11, the commissioner may by order deny, suspend, limit, place conditions on, or revoke any the application or license on finding (1) that the order is in the public interest and (2) that the of any applicant or licensee or any of its directors, officers, limited or general partners, controlling shareholders, or affiliates for any of the following grounds:

 

(a) has filed an application for a license or a license renewal which fails to disclose any material information or contains any statement which is false or misleading with respect to any material fact;

 

(b) (a) has violated any of the provisions of sections 327B.01 to 327B.12 or any rule or order issued by the commissioner or any prior law providing for the licensing of manufactured home dealers or manufacturers;

 

(c) (b) has had a previous manufacturer or dealer license revoked in this or any other state;

 

(d) (c) has engaged in acts or omissions which have been adjudicated or amount to a violation of any of the provisions of section 325D.44, 325F.67 or 325F.69;

 

(e) (d) has sold or brokered the sale of a home containing a material violation of sections 327.31 to 327.35 about which the dealer knew or which should have been obvious to a reasonably prudent dealer;

 

(f) (e) has failed to make or provide all listings, notices and reports required by the commissioner;

 

(g) (f) has failed to pay a civil penalty assessed under subdivision 5 within ten days after the assessment becomes final;


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(h) (g) has failed to pay to the commissioner or other responsible government agency all taxes, fees and arrearages due;

 

(i) (h) has failed to duly apply for license renewal;

 

(j) (i) has violated any applicable manufactured home building or safety code;

 

(k) (j) has failed or refused to honor any express or implied warranty as provided in section 327B.03;

 

(l) (k) has failed to continuously occupy a permanent, established place of business licensed under section 327B.04;

 

(m) (l) has, without first notifying the commissioner, sold a new and unused manufactured home other than the make of manufactured home described in a franchise or contract filed with the application for license or license renewal;

 

(n) (m) has wrongfully failed to deliver a certificate of title to a person entitled to it;

 

(o) (n) is insolvent or bankrupt;

 

(p) (o) holds an impaired or canceled bond;

 

(q) (p) has failed to notify the commissioner of bankruptcy proceedings within ten days after a petition in bankruptcy has been filed by or against the dealer or manufacturer;

 

(r) (q) has, within the previous ten years, been convicted of a crime that either related directly to the business of the dealer or manufacturer or involved fraud, misrepresentation or misuse of funds;

 

(s) (r) has suffered a judgment within the previous five years in a civil action involving fraud, misrepresentation or misuse of funds; or

 

(t) (s) has failed to reasonably supervise any employee or agent of the dealer or manufacturer, resulting in injury or harm to the public.

 

The commissioner may establish rules pursuant to section 327B.10 further specifying, defining or establishing standards of conduct for manufactured home dealers and manufacturers.

 

Sec. 58. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 327B.10, is amended to read:

 

327B.10 RULEMAKING AUTHORITY.

 

The commissioner may promulgate rules and issue orders reasonably necessary to implement and administer the provisions of sections 327B.01 to 327B.12. The commissioner shall adopt rules establishing and approving education programs for manufactured home installers. Each manufactured home installer must satisfactorily complete the continuing education requirements established by the commissioner in rule.


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Sec. 59. REVISOR'S INSTRUCTION.

 

The revisor of statutes shall renumber each section of Minnesota Statutes listed in column A with the number listed in column B. The revisor shall also make necessary cross-reference changes consistent with the renumbering.

 

                                                          Column A                                              Column B

 

                                                          16B.59                                                    326B.101

                                                          16B.60, subd. 1                                     326B.103, subd. 1

                                                          16B.60, subd. 2                                     326B.103, subd. 4

                                                          16B.60, subd. 3                                     326B.103, subd. 9

                                                          16B.60, subd. 4                                     326B.103, subd. 5

                                                          16B.60, subd. 5                                     326B.103, subd. 3

                                                          16B.60, subd. 6                                     326B.103, subd. 11

                                                          16B.60, subd. 7                                     326B.103, subd. 10

                                                          16B.60, subd. 8                                     326B.103, subd. 12

                                                          16B.60, subd. 9                                     326B.103, subd. 8

                                                          16B.60, subd. 10                                   326B.103, subd. 7

                                                          16B.60, subd. 11                                   326B.103, subd. 13

                                                          16B.60, subd. 12                                   326B.103, subd. 6

                                                          16B.60, subd. 13                                   326B.103, subd. 2

                                                          16B.61                                                    326B.106

                                                          16B.615                                                  326B.109

                                                          16B.616                                                  326B.112

                                                          16B.617                                                  326B.115

                                                          16B.6175                                                326B.118

                                                          16B.62                                                    326B.121

                                                          16B.625                                                  326B.124

                                                          16B.63                                                    326B.127

                                                          16B.64                                                    326B.13

                                                          16B.65                                                    326B.133

                                                          16B.66                                                    326B.136

                                                          16B.67                                                    326B.139

                                                          16B.68                                                    326B.142

                                                          16B.685                                                  326B.145

                                                          16B.70                                                    326B.148

                                                          16B.71                                                    326B.151

                                                          16B.72                                                    326B.154

                                                          16B.73                                                    326B.157

                                                          16B.735                                                  326B.16

                                                          16B.74                                                    326B.163

                                                          16B.741                                                  326B.166

                                                          16B.742                                                  326B.169

                                                          16B.743                                                  326B.172

                                                          16B.744                                                  326B.175

                                                          16B.745                                                  326B.178

                                                          16B.746                                                  326B.181

                                                          16B.747                                                  326B.184


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                                                          16B.748                                                  326B.187

                                                          16B.749                                                  326B.191

                                                          16B.75                                                    326B.194

                                                          16B.76                                                    326B.07

                                                          326.992                                                   326B.197

 

ARTICLE 5

 

ELECTRICAL

 

Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 326.01, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 2. Class A master electrician. The term "Class A master electrician" means a person an individual having the necessary qualifications, training, experience, and technical knowledge to install, alter, repair, plan, lay out, and supervise the installing, altering, and repairing of electrical wiring, apparatus, and equipment for light, heat, power, and other purposes perform and supervise any electrical work, and who is licensed as such a Class A master electrician by the Board of Electricity commissioner.

 

Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 326.01, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 3. Class A journeyman electrician. The term "Class A journeyman electrician" means a person an individual having the necessary qualifications, training, experience, and technical knowledge to install, alter, repair, and supervise the installing, altering, or repairing of electrical wiring, apparatus, and equipment for light, heat, power, and other purposes perform and supervise any electrical work except for planning or laying out of electrical wiring, and who is licensed as such a Class A journeyman electrician by the Board of Electricity.

 

Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 326.01, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

 

Subd. 4a. Elevator constructor. "Elevator constructor" means an individual having the necessary qualifications, training, experience, and technical knowledge to wire for, install, maintain, and repair electrical wiring, apparatus, and equipment for elevators and escalators and who is licensed as an elevator constructor by the board.

 

Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 326.01, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

 

Subd. 4b. Elevator contractor. "Elevator contractor" means a licensed contractor whose responsible licensed individual is a licensed master elevator constructor. An elevator contractor license does not itself qualify its holder to perform or supervise the electrical/elevator work authorized by holding any other personal license issued by the board.

 

Sec. 5. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 326.01, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

 

Subd. 4c. Lineman. "Lineman" means an individual having the necessary qualifications, training, experience, and technical knowledge to construct and maintain transmission and distribution systems that are or will be owned or leased by an electrical utility, and who is licensed as a lineman by the board.


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Sec. 6. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 326.01, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

 

Subd. 4d. Maintenance electrician. "Maintenance electrician" means an individual having the necessary qualifications, training, experience, and technical knowledge to properly maintain and repair electrical wiring, apparatus, and equipment, who is licensed as a maintenance electrician by the board or who is exempt from licensing by sections 326.241 to 326.248.

 

Sec. 7. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 326.01, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

 

Subd. 4e. Master elevator constructor. "Master elevator constructor" means an individual having the necessary qualifications, training, experience, and technical knowledge to properly plan, lay out, and supervise the installation, maintenance, and repair of wiring, apparatus, and equipment for elevators and escalators and who is licensed as a master elevator constructor by the board.

 

Sec. 8. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 326.01, subdivision 5, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 5. Contractor. The term "Contractor" means a person, partnership, or corporation operating a business that undertakes who performs or offers to undertake to plan for, lay out, or install or to make additions, alterations, or repairs in the installation of electrical wiring, apparatus, or equipment for light, heat, power, and other purposes perform any electrical work, with or without compensation, who is licensed as such a contractor by the Board of Electricity. A contractor's license does not of itself qualify its holder to perform or supervise the electrical work authorized by holding any class of electrician's or other personal electrical license. Contractor includes electrical contractors and technology system contractors.

 

Sec. 9. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 326.01, subdivision 6, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 6. Class B master electrician. The term "Class B master electrician" means a person an individual having the necessary qualifications, training, experience, and technical knowledge to install, alter, repair, plan, lay out, and supervise the installing, altering, and repairing of electrical wiring, apparatus, and equipment for single phase systems of not over 200 ampere capacity for light, heat, power, and other purposes on any farm or in any single family dwelling located in any town or municipality which has a population of less than 2500 2,500 inhabitants, and who is licensed as such a Class B master electrician by the Board of Electricity.

 

Sec. 10. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 326.01, subdivision 6a, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 6a. Class B journeyman electrician. The term "Class B journeyman electrician" means a person an individual having the necessary qualifications, training, experience, and technical knowledge to install, alter, repair, and supervise the installing, altering, or repairing of electrical wiring, apparatus, and equipment for single phase systems of not more than 200 ampere capacity for light, heat, power, and other purposes on any farm or in any single family dwelling located in any town or municipality which has a population of less than 2500 2,500 inhabitants, and who is licensed as such a Class B journeyman electrician by the Board of Electricity.

 

Sec. 11. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 326.01, subdivision 6b, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 6b. Class A installer. The term "Class A installer" means a person an individual who has the necessary qualifications, training, experience, and technical knowledge to properly lay out and install electrical wiring, apparatus, and equipment for major electrical home appliances and such other electrical equipment as is determined by the state Board of Electricity pursuant to section 326.242, subdivision 3, on the load side of the main service on farmsteads or in any town or municipality with less than 1,500 inhabitants, which is not contiguous to a city of the first class and does not contain an established business of a master electrician, and who is licensed as such a Class A installer by the state Board of Electricity.


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Sec. 12. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 326.01, subdivision 6c, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 6c. Class B installer. The term "Class B installer" means a person an individual who has the necessary qualifications, training, experience, and technical knowledge to properly lay out and install electrical wiring, apparatus, and equipment on center pivot irrigation booms on the load side of the main service on farmsteads, and install other electrical equipment determined by the state Board of Electricity., and who is licensed as a Class B installer must be licensed by the Board of Electricity.

 

Sec. 13. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 326.01, subdivision 6e, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 6e. Owner. An owner is a natural person an individual who physically performs electrical work on premises the person individual owns and actually occupies as a residence or owns and will occupy as a residence upon completion of its construction.

 

Sec. 14. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 326.01, subdivision 6f, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 6f. Electrical work. The term "Electrical work" means the installing, altering, repairing, planning, or laying out of electrical wiring, apparatus, or equipment for electrical light, heat, power, technology circuits or systems, or other purposes. The installing, alteration altering, repairing, planning, or laying out of electrical wiring, apparatus, or equipment for electrical light, heat, power, technology circuits or systems, or other purposes includes, but is not limited to, the performance of any work governed regulated by the standards referred to in section 326.243.

 

Sec. 15. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 326.01, subdivision 6g, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 6g. Personal Direct supervision. The term "personal "Direct supervision" means that a person licensed to perform electrical work oversees and directs the electrical work performed by an unlicensed person such that:

 

(1) the licensed person actually reviews the electrical work performed by the unlicensed person an unlicensed individual is being supervised by an individual licensed to perform the electrical work being supervised;

 

(2) during the entire working day of the unlicensed individual, the licensed individual is physically present at the location where the unlicensed individual is performing electrical work and immediately available to the unlicensed individual;

 

(3) the licensed person individual is physically present and immediately available to the unlicensed person individual at all times for assistance and direction;

 

(4) electronic supervision does not meet the requirement of physically present and immediately available;

 

(5) the licensed individual shall review the electrical work performed by the unlicensed individual before the electrical work is operated; and

 

(3) (6) the licensed person individual is able to and does determine that all electrical work performed by the unlicensed person individual is performed in compliance with section 326.243.

 

The licensed person individual is responsible for the compliance with section 326.243 of all electrical work performed by the unlicensed person individual.


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Sec. 16. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 326.01, subdivision 6j, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 6j. Residential dwelling. A "residential dwelling" is an individual dwelling of a single dwelling unit that is contained in a one-family, two-family, or multifamily dwelling as defined in the National Electrical Code pursuant to section 326.243, including its garage or accessory building. A residential dwelling includes a garage and accessory building that can only be used by the residents of the single dwelling unit.

 

Sec. 17. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 326.01, subdivision 6k, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 6k. Power limited technician. The term "Power limited technician" means a person an individual having the necessary qualifications, training, experience, and technical knowledge to install, alter, repair, plan, lay out, and supervise the installing, altering, and repairing of electrical wiring, apparatus, and equipment for technology circuits or systems, and who is licensed as such a power limited technician by the Board of Electricity.

 

Sec. 18. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 326.01, subdivision 6l, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 6l. Technology circuits or systems. "Technology circuits or systems" means class 2 or class 3 circuits or systems for, but not limited to, remote control, signaling, control, alarm, and audio signal, including associated components as covered by the National Electrical Code, articles 640, 645, 650, 725, 760, 770, and 780, and which are isolated from circuits or systems other than class 2 or class 3 by a demarcation and are not process control circuits or systems; antenna and communication circuits or systems as covered by chapter 8 of the National Electrical Code; and circuitry and equipment for indoor lighting and outdoor landscape lighting systems that are supplied by the secondary circuit of an isolating power supply operating at 30 volts or less as covered by the National Electrical Code, article 411. The planning, laying out, installing, altering, and repairing of technology circuits or systems must be performed in accordance with the applicable requirements of the National Electrical Code pursuant to section 326.243.

 

Sec. 19. [326.2411] ELECTRICAL ADVISORY COUNCIL.

 

Subdivision 1. Composition. The Electrical Advisory Council shall consist of 11 members who are residents of the state and appointed by the commissioner. Two shall be representatives of the electrical suppliers in the rural areas of the state, two shall be master electricians who are contractors, two journeyman electricians, one a registered consulting electrical engineer, two power-limited technicians who shall be technology system contractors primarily engaged in the business of installing technology circuits or systems, and two public members as defined by section 214.02. Individuals serving upon enactment shall continue to serve their terms and in the position to which they were appointed. The department shall make provisions for staff, administrative services, and office space as necessary for council operations determined by the advisory council.

 

Subd. 2. Organization. (a) The advisory council shall be organized and administered according to section 15.059, except that, notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, the advisory council shall not expire. The advisory council shall form a complaint committee, a technical committee, a program committee, and any other committee deemed appropriate by the advisory council. Each committee, except for the complaint committee, shall refer matters to the full advisory council.

 

(b) The complaint committee shall consist of three members of the advisory council plus one department employee designated by the commissioner. The department employee shall be a nonvoting member of the committee. The commissioner shall refer all complaints filed with or information received by the commissioner alleging or indicating violation of sections 326.241 to 326.248 to the Electrical Advisory council. The complaint committee may render advice to the commissioner or, at its discretion, refer matters to the full advisory council for its determination as to advice to the commissioner. The full advisory council shall give advice to the commissioner on matters of its choosing or on matters requested by the commissioner. The commissioner shall give a quarterly review of all complaints, the complaint status, and the processing time to the complaint committee, in a format determined by the complaint committee.


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(c) The technical committee shall consist of three members of the advisory council plus one department employee designated by the commissioner. The department employee shall be a nonvoting member of the committee. The technical committee shall, at the request of the commissioner or on its own motion, advise the commissioner regarding technical, matters including electrical code issues, licensing issues, and licensing examinations.

 

(d) The program committee shall consist of three members of the advisory council plus one department employee designated by the commissioner. The department employee shall be a nonvoting member of the committee. The program committee shall, at the request of the commissioner or on its own motion, advise the commissioner on matters it has reviewed, including experience credits.

 

Subd. 3. Powers. The advisory council shall have power to:

 

(1) elect its own officers;

 

(2) select from its members individuals to serve on any other state advisory councils, boards, or committees;

 

(3) incur costs and expenses deemed necessary in the performance of its duties, which shall be paid by the department;

 

(4) meet at least quarterly but may meet more frequently in regular or special meetings deemed necessary or at the request of the commissioner;

 

(5) establish the required committees and any others deemed necessary or requested by the commissioner; and

 

(6) advise the commissioner on issues related to sections 326.241 to 326.248 or as requested by the commissioner.

 

Sec. 20. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 326.242, is amended to read:

 

326.242 LICENSES.

 

Subdivision 1. Master electrician. Except as otherwise provided by law, no person individual shall install, alter, repair, plan, lay out, or supervise the installing, altering, or repairing of electrical wiring, apparatus, or equipment for light, heat, power, or other purposes perform or supervise electrical work unless the person individual is: (a) licensed by the board as a master electrician; and (b)(i) the electrical work is for a licensed contractor and the person individual is an employee, partner, or officer of, or is the licensed contractor, or (ii) the electrical work is performed for the person's individual's employer on electric electrical wiring, apparatus, equipment, or facilities that are owned or leased by the employer which is and that are located within the limits of property which is operated, maintained, and either owned or leased and operated and maintained by the employer.

 

(1) An applicant for a Class A master electrician's electrician license shall (a) be a graduate of a four-year electrical course in offered by an accredited college or university; or (b) shall have had at least one year's year of experience, acceptable to the board, as a licensed journeyman; or (c) shall have had at least five years' experience, acceptable to the board, in planning for, laying out, supervising and installing wiring, apparatus, or equipment for electrical light, heat and power.

 

(2) As of August 1, 1985, no new Class B master electrician's electrician licenses shall be issued. An individual who has a Class B master electrician's electrician license as of August 1, 1985, may retain and renew the license and exercise the privileges it grants, which include electrical work limited to single phase systems, not over 200 amperes in capacity, on farmsteads or single-family dwellings located in towns or municipalities with fewer than 2,500 inhabitants.


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Subd. 2. Journeyman electrician. (a) Except as otherwise provided by law, no person individual shall install, alter, repair, or supervise the installing, altering, or repairing of electrical wiring, apparatus, or equipment for electrical light, heat, power, technology circuits or systems, or other purposes unless:

 

(1) the person individual is licensed by the board as a journeyman electrician; and

 

(2) the electrical work is:

 

(i) for a contractor and the person individual is an employee, partner, or officer of the licensed contractor; or

 

(ii) performed under the supervision of a master electrician also employed by the person's individual's employer on electrical wiring, apparatus, equipment, or facilities that are owned or leased by the employer and that is are located within the limits of property operated, maintained, and either owned or leased, operated, and maintained by the employer.

 

(b) An applicant for a Class A journeyman electrician's electrician license shall have had at least four years of experience as a registered apprentice or an unlicensed individual, acceptable to the board, in wiring for, installing, and repairing electrical wiring, apparatus, or equipment, provided however, that the board may by rule provide for the allowance of allow one year of experience credit for the successful completion of a two-year post high school electrical course approved by the board.

 

(c) As of August 1, 1985, no new Class B journeyman electrician's electrician licenses shall be issued. An individual who holds a Class B journeyman electrician's electrician license as of August 1, 1985, may retain and renew the license and exercise the privileges it grants, which include electrical work limited to single phase systems, not over 200 amperes in capacity, on farmsteads or on single-family dwellings located in towns or municipalities with fewer than 2,500 inhabitants.

 

Subd. 3. Class A installer. Notwithstanding the provisions of subdivisions 1, 2, and 6, any person individual holding a Class A installer license may lay out and install and supervise the laying out and installing of electrical wiring, apparatus, or equipment for major electrical home appliances on the load side of the main service on farmsteads and in any town or municipality with fewer than 1,500 inhabitants, which is not contiguous to a city of the first class and does not contain an established business of a contractor. No new Class A installer licenses shall be issued after December 1, 2007. An individual who holds a Class A installer license as of December 1, 2007, may retain and renew the license and exercise the privileges it grants.

 

Subd. 3a. Class B installer. Notwithstanding the provisions of subdivisions 1, 2 and 6, any person individual holding a Class B installer license may lay out and install electrical wiring, apparatus and equipment on center pivot irrigation booms on the load side of the main service on farmsteads, and install such other electrical equipment as is determined approved by the board.

 

Subd. 3b. Coursework or experience. An applicant for a Class A or B installer license shall have completed a post high school course in electricity acceptable to approved by the board or shall have had at least one year's year of experience, acceptable to approved by the board, in electrical wiring.

 

Subd. 3c. Bond. Every Class A and Class B installer, as a condition of licensure, shall give bond to the state in the sum of $1,000 conditioned upon the faithful and lawful performance of all work contracted for or entered upon by the installer within the state of Minnesota, and such bond shall be for the benefit of persons injured or suffering financial loss by reason of failure of such performance. Such bond shall be in lieu of all other license bonds to any political subdivision of the state. Such bond shall be written by a corporate surety licensed to do business in the state of Minnesota.


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Subd. 3d. Power limited technician. (a) Except as otherwise provided by law, no person individual shall install, alter, repair, plan, lay out, or supervise the installing, altering, or repairing, planning, or laying out of electrical wiring, apparatus, or equipment for technology circuits or systems unless:

 

(1) the person individual is licensed by the board commissioner as a power limited technician; and

 

(2) the electrical work is:

 

(i) for a licensed contractor and the person individual is an employee, partner, or officer of, or is the licensed contractor; or

 

(ii) performed under the supervision of a master electrician or power limited technician also employed by the person's individual's employer on technology circuits, systems, apparatus, equipment, or facilities that are owned or leased by the employer and that are located within the limits of property operated, maintained, and either owned or leased, operated, and maintained by the employer.

 

(b) An applicant for a power limited technician's license shall (1) be a graduate of a four-year electrical course in offered by an accredited college or university; or (2) have had at least 36 months' experience, acceptable to the board, in planning for, laying out, supervising, and installing, altering, and repairing wiring, apparatus, or equipment for power limited systems, provided however, that the board may by rule provide for the allowance of up to 12 months (2,000 hours) of experience credit for successful completion of a two-year post high school electrical course or other technical training approved by the board.

 

(c) The board may initially set experience requirements without rulemaking, but must adopt rules before July 1, 2004.

 

(d) Licensees must attain eight hours of continuing education acceptable to the board every renewal period.

 

(e) A person who has submitted an application by June 30, 2003, to take the alarm and communications examination administered by the board, and who has achieved a minimal score of 70 percent on the examination by September 30, 2003, may obtain a power limited technician license without further examination by submitting an application and a license fee of $30.

 

(f) (c) A company holding an alarm and communication license as of June 30, 2003, may designate one person individual who may obtain a power limited technician license without passing an examination administered by the board commissioner by submitting an application and license fee of $30.

 

(g) A person who has submitted an application by September 30, 2005, to take the power limited technician examination administered by the board is not required to meet the qualifications set forth in paragraph (b).

 

Subd. 4. Special electrician. Notwithstanding the provisions of subdivisions 1, 2, 6, and 7, the board may by rule provide for the issuance of special electrician licenses empowering the licensee to engage in a limited class or classes of electrical work, which class or classes shall be specified on the license certificate. Each licensee shall have had at least two years of experience, acceptable to the board, in each such limited class of work for which the licensee is licensed.

 

Subd. 5. Unlicensed persons individuals. (a) An unlicensed person individual means an individual who has not been licensed by the Board of Electricity as a Class A master electrician, a Class A journeyman electrician, or registered with the department in an approved apprenticeship program. An unlicensed individual shall not perform electrical work unless the individual has first registered with the Board of Electricity as an unlicensed individual. Thereafter, an unlicensed individual shall not perform electrical work unless the work is performed under the


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personal direct supervision of a person an individual actually licensed to perform such work and. The licensed electrician individual and unlicensed persons are individual must be employed by the same employer. Licensed persons individuals shall not permit unlicensed persons individuals to perform electrical work except under the personal direct supervision of a person an individual actually licensed to perform such work. Unlicensed persons individuals shall not supervise the performance of electrical work or make assignments of electrical work to unlicensed persons individuals. Except for technology circuit or system work, each licensed persons individual shall supervise no more than two one unlicensed persons individual. For technology circuit or system work, each licensed persons individual shall supervise no more than three unlicensed persons individuals.

 

(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, no person individual other than a licensed master electrician or licensed power limited technician shall plan or lay out electrical wiring, apparatus, or equipment for light, heat, power, or other purposes, except circuits or systems exempted from personal licensing by subdivision 12, paragraph (b).

 

(c) Contractors employing unlicensed persons performing individuals to perform electrical work shall maintain records establishing compliance with this subdivision, which that shall designate identify all unlicensed persons individuals performing electrical work, except for persons working on circuits or systems exempted from personal licensing by subdivision 12, paragraph (b), and shall permit the board to examine and copy all such records as provided for in section 326.244, subdivision 6.

 

(d) When a licensed individual supervises the electrical work of an unlicensed individual, the licensed individual is responsible for ensuring that the electrical work complies with sections 326.241 to 326.248 and rules adopted.

 

Subd. 6. Contractor's license required. Except as otherwise provided by law, no person individual other than an employee, partner, or officer of a licensed contractor, as defined by section 326.01, subdivision 5, shall undertake perform or offer to undertake to plan for, lay out, supervise or install or to make additions, alterations, or repairs in the installation of electrical wiring, apparatus, and equipment for light, heat, power, and other purposes perform electrical work with or without compensation unless the person individual obtains a contractor's license. A contractor's license does not of itself qualify its holder to perform or supervise the electrical work authorized by holding any class of personal electrical license.

 

Subd. 6a. Bond required. As a condition of licensing, each contractor shall give and maintain bond to the state in the penal sum of $5,000 $25,000 conditioned upon the faithful and lawful performance of all work entered upon contracted for or performed by the contractor within the state of Minnesota and such bond shall be for the benefit of persons injured or suffering financial loss by reason of failure of such performance. The bond shall be filed with the board and shall be in lieu of all other license bonds to any other political subdivision. Such bond shall be written by a corporate surety licensed to do business in the state of Minnesota.

 

Subd. 6b. Insurance required. Each contractor shall have and maintain in effect general liability insurance, which includes premises and operations insurance and products and completed operations insurance, with limits of at least $100,000 per occurrence, $300,000 aggregate limit for bodily injury, and property damage insurance with limits of at least $25,000 $50,000 or a policy with a single limit for bodily injury and property damage of $300,000 per occurrence and $300,000 aggregate limits. Such insurance shall be written by an insurer licensed to do business in the state of Minnesota and each contractor shall maintain on file with the board a certificate evidencing such insurance which provides that such insurance shall not be canceled without the insurer first giving 15 days written notice to the board of such cancellation.

 

Subd. 6c. Employment of master electrician or power limited technician. (a) No contractor shall engage in business of electrical contracting unless the contractor employs a licensed Class A master or Class B Each contractor must designate a responsible master electrician, or power limited technician, who shall be responsible for the performance of all electrical work in accordance with the requirements of sections 326.241 to 326.248 or any rule or


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order adopted or issued under these sections. The classes of work for which the that a licensed contractor is authorized to perform shall be limited to those for which such Class A master electrician, Class B master electrician, or power limited technician employed by the contractor the classes of work that the responsible master electrician or power limited electrician is licensed to perform.

 

(b) When a contractor's license is held by an individual, sole proprietorship, partnership, limited liability company, or corporation and the individual, proprietor, one of the partners, one of the members, or an officer of the corporation, respectively, is not the responsible master electrician or power limited technician of record, all requests for inspection shall be signed by the responsible master electrician or power limited technician of record. The designated responsible master electrician or power limited technician of record shall be employed by the individual, partnership, limited liability company, or corporation which is applying for a contractor's license and shall not be employed in any capacity as a licensed electrician or licensed technician by any other contractor or employer designated in subdivision 12.

 

(c) All applications and renewals for contractor's contractor licenses and all renewals shall include a verified statement that the applicant or licensee has complied with this subdivision.

 

Subd. 7. Examination. In addition to the other requirements imposed herein described in this section and except as herein otherwise provided in subdivision 11, as a precondition to issuance of a personal license, each applicant must pass a written or oral examination given developed by the board to insure ensure the competence of each applicant for license. An oral examination shall be administered only to an applicant who furnishes a written statement from a certified teacher or other professional, trained in the area of reading disabilities stating that the applicant has a specific reading disability which would prevent the applicant from performing satisfactorily on a written test. The oral examination shall be structured so that an applicant who passes the examination will not impair the applicant's own safety or that of others while acting as a licensed person individual. No person individual failing an examination may retake it for six months thereafter, but within such six months the person individual may take an examination for a lesser grade of license. Any licensee individual failing to renew a personal license for two years or more after its expiration, and any licensee whose personal license is revoked under this chapter, shall be required to retake the examination before being issued a new license. An individual whose personal license is revoked under any other chapter is not required to retake the examination before being issued a new license, unless the personal license was revoked two years or more before the commissioner received the completed application for a new license. A licensee whose personal license is suspended for any reason is not required to retake the examination before the personal license is reinstated, unless the personal license has not been reinstated within two years after the suspension began.

 

An applicant for a personal license shall submit to the board an application and examination fee at the time of application. Upon approval of the application, the board shall schedule the applicant for the next available examination, which shall be held within 60 days. The applicant shall be allowed one opportunity to reschedule an examination without being required to submit another application and examination fee. Additionally, an applicant who fails an examination, or whose application has been disapproved, must was not approved, shall submit another application and examination fee.

 

Subd. 8. License and renewal fees; expiration. All licenses issued hereunder shall expire in a manner as provided by the board. (a) Unless revoked or suspended under this chapter, all licenses issued or renewed under this section expire on the date specified in this subdivision. Master licenses expire March 1 of each odd-numbered year after issuance or renewal. Electrical contractor licenses expire March 1 of each even-numbered year after issuance or renewal. Technology system contractor licenses expire August 1 of each even-numbered year after issuance or renewal. Journeyman, installer, and power limited technician, electrician licenses expire two years from the date of original issuance and every two years thereafter.


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(b) Fees, as set by the board, shall be payable for application and examination, and for the original issuance and each subsequent renewal of the following, are:

 

(1) For each personal license application and examination: $35;

 

Class A Master.

 

Class B Master.

 

Class A Journeyman, Class B Journeyman, Installer, Power Limited Technician, or Special Electrician.

 

(2) For original issuance of original license and each subsequent renewal of:

 

Class A Master. or master special electrician, including master elevator constructor: $40 per year;

 

Class B Master.: $25 per year;

 

Power Limited Technician.: $15 per year;

 

Class A Journeyman, Class B Journeyman, Class A Installer, Class B Installer, or Special Electrician. Elevator Constructor, Lineman, or Maintenance Electrician other than master special electrician: $15 per year;

 

Electrical contractor: $100 per year.

 

Technology Systems Contractor.

 

(c) If any new license is issued in accordance with this subdivision for less than two years, the fee for the license shall be prorated on an annual basis.

 

(d) A license fee may not be refunded after a license is issued or renewed. However, if the fee paid for a license was not prorated according to this subdivision, the amount of the overpayment shall be refunded.

 

(e) Any contractor who seeks reissuance of a license after it has been revoked or suspended under this chapter shall submit a reissuance fee of $100 before the license is reinstated.

 

(f) The fee for the issuance of each duplicate license is $15.

 

(3) (g) An individual or contractor who fails to renew a license before 30 days after the expiration of the license must submit a late fee equal to one year's license fee in addition to the full renewal fee. Fees for renewed licenses are not prorated. An individual or contractor that fails to renew a license by the expiration date is unlicensed until the license is renewed.

 

Subd. 8a. Continuing education. (a) As used in this subdivision, the term "renewal period" means the time period of two years beginning on the date that the license is originally issued or renewed and ending on the date that the license is scheduled to expire. If any license is issued for less than two years, the period between the issuance date and the expiration date is not a renewal period.

 

(b) During each renewal period, individuals licensed under this chapter must earn 16 hours of continuing education credit approved by the board.


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(c) "Continuing education program" means a course, seminar, workshop, or other educational offering where interactive instruction is provided by one or more instructors, either directly or by interactive media.

 

(d) "Hours of instruction" means the time in hours allowed by the board for attending an educational program pursuant to this chapter.

 

(e) "Continuing education provider" means a person, partnership, corporation, limited liability company, professional association, government agency, or other entity authorized by law which provides educational programs for credit under this chapter.

 

(f) (1) Within the 24 months preceding the expiration of an electrician or power limited technician license, each holder of a license shall receive credit for instruction through one or more educational programs as required by this part. Credit shall be allowed only once for any educational program in any 24-month period. Where a licensee holds more than one type of electrician license, the same credits for hours of instruction may be applied to each license.

 

(2) At least 12 hours of instruction must be on the National Electrical Code and the remainder on the statutes and rules governing electrical installations, this chapter, or technical topics related to electrical installations and equipment.

 

(g) To qualify for credit under this chapter, educational programs shall be approved by the board. The provider shall submit an application for approval on a form provided by the board, which shall include an outline of the educational program; the number of hours of instruction provided; and the names, addresses, telephone and facsimile numbers, and qualifications of the instructors. The provider shall submit a new application for approval if the instruction provided deviates substantively from the outline previously submitted or the hours of instruction provided are changed. Applications for approval shall be received by the board at least 30 days prior to the first presentation of an educational program. Approval of individual educational programs expires 36 months from the initial date of approval. If a provider offers a program after three years from initial approval, the provider must resubmit the program for approval. An interactive educational program may also be approved for presentation through electronic media. In addition to the requirements of this chapter, a program presented through electronic media that does not include real-time interaction between the presenter and the licensee must include an examination process that ensures a licensee has successfully completed the program.

 

(h) Not less than 14 days prior to a presentation of an educational program, the provider shall notify the board in writing of the date, time, and location of the presentation.

 

(i) Notwithstanding paragraph (f), educational programs that are offered in other states and not granted prior approval according to this subdivision shall be considered for credit if the board is provided with evidence that the educational program meets the requirements of this subdivision and is approved for continuing education credit by a public authority licensing electricians or power limited technicians in the other state.

 

(j) The board shall have authority to audit or review educational programs and presentations of educational programs for compliance with this subdivision and review the provider's records concerning persons who have attended such presentations for credit. The board shall withdraw approval of any educational program not in compliance with this subdivision.

 

(k) All educational programs shall be conducted by board-approved instructors who have the qualifications described in at least one of the following items:


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(1) a personal electrical license and at least four years of experience in electrical inspection, supervising electrical installations, or teaching subjects within the scope of electrical work permitted by the instructor's license. Not more than four hours of instruction credit will be allowed where the scope of the electrical work permitted by the instructor's license is less than that of the person who attended the educational program;

 

(2) a registered or licensed electrical engineer with at least four years of experience in the design of premises electrical power systems or technology systems;

 

(3) at least five years of practical experience in the subject being taught. Not more than four hours of instruction credit will be allowed for an educational program conducted by an instructor in this category; or

 

(4) for technology systems, an instructor certified by a national training program.

 

(l) Instructors of educational programs approved under this subdivision shall receive three hours of instruction credit for each hour of instruction allowed.

 

(m) Within 14 days after presentation of an educational program for credit, the provider shall provide a certificate of completion to each licensee in attendance and shall forward an attendance list to the board on a form supplied by the board, or in a format approved by the board. Each certificate of completion and attendance list shall include the name of the provider, date and location of the presentation, educational program identification that was provided to the board, hours of instruction or continuing education units, and the licensee's name and license number or the last four digits of the applicant's Social Security number. The attendance list must be typewritten and provide a summary of each attendee's hours for each course attended.

 

Subd. 9. Denial, suspension, and revocation of licenses. The board may by order deny, suspend, revoke, or refuse to renew a license, or may censure a licensee if the board finds (1) in its discretion that the order is in the public interest and (2) that, based upon a preponderance of the evidence presented, the applicant or licensee:

 

(a) has filed an application for a license which is incomplete in any material respect or contains any statement which, in light of the circumstances under which it is made, is false or misleading with respect to any material fact;

 

(b) has engaged in any fraudulent, deceptive, or dishonest act or practice;

 

(c) has been convicted within the past five years of a misdemeanor involving a violation of sections 326.241 to 326.248;

 

(d) has violated or failed to comply with sections 326.241 to 326.248 or any rule or order adopted or issued under these sections; or

 

(e) has, in the conduct of the applicant's or licensee's affairs, including, but not limited to, the performance of electrical work, been shown to be incompetent or untrustworthy.

 

If a licensee engages in conduct that is proven by a preponderance of the evidence to be a basis for discipline pursuant to paragraphs (a) to (e), the conduct shall constitute a violation of this subdivision. The board may take action under this subdivision or any other law authorizing action against a licensee regardless of whether the underlying conduct was willful.

 

The board may adopt rules further specifying and defining actions, conduct, and omissions that constitute fraudulent, deceptive, dishonest, or prohibited practices, and establishing standards of conduct for applicants and licensees.


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Subd. 9a. Civil penalties. Whenever a preponderance of the evidence presented proves that a person has violated or failed to comply with sections 326.241 to 326.248 or any rule or order adopted or issued under these sections, the board may impose a civil penalty upon the person in an amount not to exceed $10,000 per violation.

 

Subd. 9b. Orders for hearing. The complaint committee may, on behalf of the board, issue an order requiring a licensee or an applicant for a license to appear at a hearing on the issue of whether the license should be revoked or suspended, the licensee censured, the application denied, or a civil penalty imposed. The order shall be calculated to give reasonable notice of the time and place for hearing, and shall state the reasons for the entry of the order. All hearings shall be conducted in accordance with chapter 14. After the hearing, the board shall enter an order making a disposition of the matter as the facts require. If the licensee or applicant fails to appear at a hearing of which that person has been duly notified, the person is in default and the proceeding may be determined against that person upon consideration of the order for hearing, the allegations of which may be deemed to be true.

 

Subd. 9c. Temporary suspension. (a) The complaint committee may, on behalf of the board and in the public interest, temporarily suspend a license pending final determination of an order for hearing. The complaint committee shall not issue a temporary suspension order until an investigation of the facts has been conducted pursuant to section 214.10 by the attorney general. The complaint committee shall issue a temporary suspension order only when the safety of life or property is threatened or to prevent the commission of fraudulent, deceptive, or dishonest acts against the public. Service of the temporary suspension order is effective if the order is served on the licensee or counsel of record personally or by first class mail to the most recent address provided to the board for the licensee or the counsel of record.

 

(b) If a license is suspended pending final determination of an order for hearing, a hearing on the merits shall be held within 45 days of the issuance of the order of temporary suspension. The administrative law judge shall issue a report within 30 days after closing of the contested case hearing record. The board shall issue a final order within 30 days after receipt of that report and any exceptions.

 

(c) If the licensee requests a hearing in writing within ten days of service of the order, the board shall hold a hearing before its own members on the sole issue of whether there is a reasonable basis to continue, modify, or vacate the temporary suspension. The board shall hold the hearing within five working days of the licensee's request for hearing. Evidence presented by the complaint committee or licensee shall be in affidavit form only. The licensee or counsel of record for the licensee may appear for oral argument. Within five working days after the hearing, the board shall issue its order either continuing or vacating the temporary suspension.

 

Subd. 9d. Cease and desist order. (a) Whenever it appears to the complaint committee that any person has engaged or is about to engage in any act or practice constituting a violation of sections 326.241 to 326.248, any other law authorizing the issuance of a cease and desist order, or any rule or order adopted or issued under these sections, the complaint committee may, on behalf of the board, issue and cause to be served upon the person an order requiring the person to cease and desist from violating sections 326.241 to 326.248 or any rule or order adopted or issued under these sections. The complaint committee shall not issue a cease and desist order until an investigation of the facts has been conducted pursuant to section 214.10 by the attorney general. The order shall be calculated to give reasonable notice of the right of the person to request a hearing and shall state the reasons for the entry of the order. If no hearing is requested of the board within 15 days of service of the order, the order shall become final and shall remain in effect until it is modified or vacated by the board and shall not be reviewable by a court.

 

(b) A hearing shall be held not later than 30 days from the date of the board's receipt of a written hearing request, unless otherwise agreed by the person requesting the hearing and the complaint committee. Within 30 days of receipt of the administrative law judge's report and any exceptions, the board shall issue a final order modifying, vacating, or making permanent the cease and desist order as the facts require. The final order remains in effect until modified or vacated by the board.


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Subd. 9e. Costs of proceeding. The board may impose a fee to reimburse the board for all or part of the cost of the proceedings resulting in disciplinary action or the imposition of civil penalties or the issuance of a cease and desist order. Such fees include, but are not limited to, the amount paid by the board for services from the office of administrative hearings, attorney fees, court reporters, witnesses, reproduction of records, board members' per diem compensation, board staff time, and expense incurred by board members and staff.

 

Subd. 9f. District court action; injunctive relief and civil penalties. (a) Whenever it appears to the board, or the complaint committee if authorized by the board, that any person has engaged or is about to engage in any act or practice constituting a violation of sections 326.241 to 326.248 or any rule or order adopted or issued under these sections, the board, or the complaint committee if authorized by the board, may bring an action in the name of the board in the Ramsey County District Court or the district court of any other county in which venue is proper.

 

(b) The action may be brought to enjoin the acts or practices and to enforce compliance with sections 326.241 to 326.248, any other law authorizing a civil or injunctive action, or any rule or order adopted or issued under these sections and for a civil penalty not to exceed $10,000 for each separate violation of sections 326.241 to 326.248, any other law authorizing a civil or injunctive action, or any rule or order adopted or issued under these sections.

 

(c) A temporary restraining order and other temporary injunctive relief shall be granted in the proceeding whenever it appears that any person has engaged in or is about to engage in any act, conduct, or practice constituting violation of sections 326.241 to 326.248, any other law authorizing a civil or injunctive action, or any rule or order adopted or issued under these sections. The board shall not be required to show irreparable harm.

 

Subd. 9g. Other remedies. The issuance of a cease and desist order or injunctive relief under this section does not relieve a person from criminal prosecution by any competent authority or from disciplinary action by the board and does not prevent the board from exercising any other authority granted to it.

 

Subd. 9h. Powers additional. The powers contained in subdivisions 9 to 9g are in addition to all other powers of the board.

 

Subd. 9i. Cooperation required. A person who is the subject of an investigation, or who is questioned in connection with an investigation, by or on behalf of the board or its complaint committee shall cooperate fully with the investigation. Cooperation includes, but is not limited to:

 

(1) responding fully and promptly to questions raised by or on behalf of the board or its complaint committee relating to the subject of the investigation;

 

(2) providing copies of records in the person's possession related to the matter under investigation as requested by the board, its complaint committee, or the attorney general within the time limit set by the board, its complaint committee, or the attorney general;

 

(3) assisting the board, its complaint committee, or the attorney general in its investigation; and

 

(4) appearing at conferences or hearings scheduled by the board or its complaint committee.

 

Subd. 9j. Disciplinary proceedings closed. Proceedings held before the board or its complaint committee under chapter 214 or subdivisions 9 to 9d are exempt from the requirements of section 13D.01.

 

Subd. 9k. Conflicts of law. If there is a conflict between sections 326.241 to 326.248 and chapter 214, sections 326.241 to 326.248 shall control.


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Subd. 10. Continuation of business by estates. Upon the death of a master who is a contractor, the board may permit the decedent's representative to carry on the business of the decedent for a period not in excess of six months, for the purpose of completing work under contract or otherwise to comply with sections 326.241 to 326.248. The representative shall give such bond as the board may require conditioned upon the faithful and lawful performance of such work and such bond shall be for the benefit of persons injured or suffering financial loss by reason of failure of such performance. Such bond shall be written by a corporate surety licensed to do business in the state of Minnesota. Such representative shall also comply with all public liability and property damage insurance requirements imposed by this chapter upon a licensed contractor.

 

Subd. 11. Reciprocity. To the extent that any other state which provides for the licensing of electricians provides for similar action the board may grant licenses, without examination, of the same grade and class to an electrician who has been licensed by such other another state for at least one year, upon payment by the applicant of the required fee and upon the board being furnished with proof that the required fee and upon the board being furnished with proof that the qualifications of the applicant are equal to the qualifications of holders of similar licenses in Minnesota. An individual issued a license under this subdivision may be granted a new license or a reissued license only two times.

 

Subd. 12. Exemptions from licensing. (a) An individual who is a maintenance electrician who is supervised by the responsible master electrician for a contractor who has contracted with the maintenance electrician's employer to provide services for which a contractor's license is required or by a master electrician or an electrical engineer registered with the board and who is an employee of an employer and is engaged in the maintenance, and repair of electrical equipment, apparatus, and facilities owned or leased by the employer, and performed within the limits of property which is owned or leased and operated and maintained by said employer, shall is not be required to hold or obtain a license under sections 326.241 to 326.248. 326B.31 to 326B.399 if:

 

(1) the individual is engaged in the maintenance and repair of electrical equipment, apparatus, and facilities that are owned or leased by the individual's employer and that are located within the limits of property operated, maintained, and either owned or leased by the individual's employer;

 

(2) the individual is under the direct supervision of:

 

(i) the responsible master electrician for a contractor who has contracted with the individual's employer to provide services for which a contractor's license is required; or

 

(ii) a licensed master electrician, a licensed maintenance electrician, an electrical engineer, or, if the maintenance and repair work is limited to technology circuit and system work, a licensed power limited technician; and

 

(3) the individual's employer certifies and documents the hours worked in the designated categories pertaining to electrical work and has filed with the commissioner a certificate of responsible person, signed by the responsible master electrician of the contractor, the licensed master electrician, the licensed maintenance electrician, the electrical engineer, or the licensed power limited technician, and stating that the person signing the certificate is responsible for ensuring that the maintenance and repair work performed by the employer's employees complies with sections 326.241 to 326.248 and rules adopted.

 

(b) Employees of a licensed electrical or technology systems contractor or other employer where provided with supervision by a master electrician in accordance with subdivision 1, or power limited technician in accordance with subdivision 3d, paragraph (a), clause (1), are not required to hold a license under sections 326.241 to 326.248 for the planning, laying out, installing, altering, and repairing of technology circuits or systems except planning, laying out, or installing:


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(1) in other than residential dwellings, class 2 or class 3 remote control circuits that control circuits or systems other than class 2 or class 3, except circuits that interconnect these systems through communication, alarm, and security systems are exempted from this paragraph;

 

(2) class 2 or class 3 circuits in electrical cabinets, enclosures, or devices containing physically unprotected circuits other than class 2 or class 3; or

 

(3) technology circuits and systems in hazardous classified locations as covered by chapter 5 of the National Electrical Code.

 

(c) Companies and their employees that plan, lay out, install, alter, or repair class 2 and class 3 remote control wiring associated with plug or cord and plug connected appliances other than security or fire alarm systems installed in a residential dwelling are not required to hold a license under sections 326.241 to 326.248.

 

(d) Heating, ventilating, air conditioning, and refrigeration contractors and their employees are not required to hold or obtain a license under sections 326.241 to 326.248 when performing heating, ventilating, air conditioning, or refrigeration work as described in section 326.245.

 

(e) Employees of any electric electrical, communications, or railway utility, cable communications company as defined in section 238.02, or a telephone company as defined under section 237.01 or its employees, or of any independent contractor performing work on behalf of any such utility, cable communications company, or telephone company, shall not be required to hold a license under sections 326.241 to 326.248:

 

(1) while performing work on installations, materials, or equipment which are owned or leased, and operated and maintained by such utility, cable communications company, or telephone company in the exercise of its utility, antenna, or telephone function, and which

 

(i) are used exclusively for the generation, transformation, distribution, transmission, or metering of electric current, or the operation of railway signals, or the transmission of intelligence and do not have as a principal function the consumption or use of electric current or provided service by or for the benefit of any person other than such utility, cable communications company, or telephone company, and

 

(ii) are generally accessible only to employees of such utility, cable communications company, or telephone company or persons acting under its control or direction, and

 

(iii) are not on the load side of the service point or point of entrance for communication systems;

 

(2) while performing work on installations, materials, or equipment which are a part of the street lighting operations of such utility; or

 

(3) while installing or performing work on outdoor area lights which are directly connected to a utility's distribution system and located upon the utility's distribution poles, and which are generally accessible only to employees of such utility or persons acting under its control or direction.

 

(f) An owner shall not be required to hold or obtain a license under sections 326.241 to 326.248.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective December 1, 2007, except that the amendments to subdivision 8 are effective July 1, 2007.


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Sec. 21. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 326.242, is amended to read:

 

326.242 LICENSES.

 

Subdivision 1. Master electrician. Except as otherwise provided by law, no person individual shall install, alter, repair, plan, lay out, or supervise the installing, altering, or repairing of electrical wiring, apparatus, or equipment for light, heat, power, or other purposes perform or supervise electrical work unless the person individual is: (a) licensed by the board as a master electrician and (b)(i) the electrical work is for a licensed contractor and the person individual is an employee, partner, or officer of, or is the licensed contractor, or (ii) the electrical work is performed for the person's individual's employer on electric electrical wiring, apparatus, equipment, or facilities that are owned or leased by the employer which is and that are located within the limits of property which is operated, maintained, and either owned or leased and operated and maintained by the employer.

 

(1) An applicant for a Class A master electrician's electrician license shall (a) be a graduate of a four-year electrical course in offered by an accredited college or university; or (b) shall have had at least one year's year of experience, acceptable to the board, as a licensed journeyman; or (c) shall have had at least five years' experience, acceptable to the board, in planning for, laying out, supervising and installing wiring, apparatus, or equipment for electrical light, heat and power.

 

(2) As of August 1, 1985, no new Class B master electrician's electrician licenses shall be issued. An individual who has a Class B master electrician's electrician license as of August 1, 1985 may retain and renew the license and exercise the privileges it grants, which include electrical work limited to single phase systems, not over 200 amperes in capacity, on farmsteads or single-family dwellings located in towns or municipalities with fewer than 2,500 inhabitants.

 

Subd. 2. Journeyman electrician. (a) Except as otherwise provided by law, no person individual shall install, alter, repair, or supervise the installing, altering, or repairing of electrical wiring, apparatus, or equipment for electrical light, heat, power, technology circuits or systems, or other purposes unless:

 

(1) the person individual is licensed by the board as a journeyman electrician; and

 

(2) the electrical work is:

 

(i) for a contractor and the person individual is an employee, partner, or officer of the licensed contractor; or

 

(ii) performed under the supervision of a master electrician also employed by the person's individual's employer on electrical wiring, apparatus, equipment, or facilities that are owned or leased by the employer and that is are located within the limits of property operated, maintained, and either owned or leased, operated, and maintained by the employer.

 

(b) An applicant for a Class A journeyman electrician's electrician license shall have had at least four years of experience, acceptable to the board, in wiring for, installing, and repairing electrical wiring, apparatus, or equipment, provided however, that the board may by rule provide for the allowance of allow one year of experience credit for the successful completion of a two-year post high school electrical course approved by the board.

 

(c) As of August 1, 1985, no new Class B journeyman electrician's electrician licenses shall be issued. An individual who holds a Class B journeyman electrician's license as of August 1, 1985 may retain and renew the license and exercise the privileges it grants, which include electrical work limited to single phase systems, not over 200 amperes in capacity, on farmsteads or on single-family dwellings located in towns or municipalities with fewer than 2,500 inhabitants.


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Subd. 3. Class A installer. Notwithstanding the provisions of subdivisions 1, 2, and 6, any person individual holding a Class A installer license may lay out and install and supervise the laying out and installing of electrical wiring, apparatus, or equipment for major electrical home appliances on the load side of the main service on farmsteads and in any town or municipality with fewer than 1,500 inhabitants, which is not contiguous to a city of the first class and does not contain an established business of a contractor. No new Class A installer licenses shall be issued after December 1, 2007. An individual who holds a Class A installer license on December 1, 2007, may retain and renew the license and exercise the privileges it grants.

 

Subd. 3a. Class B installer. Notwithstanding the provisions of subdivisions 1, 2 and 6, any person individual holding a Class B installer license may lay out and install electrical wiring, apparatus and equipment on center pivot irrigation booms on the load side of the main service on farmsteads, and install such other electrical equipment as is determined approved by the board.

 

Subd. 3b. Coursework or experience. An applicant for a Class A or B installer license shall have completed a post high school course in electricity acceptable to approved by the board or shall have had at least one year's experience, acceptable to the board in electrical wiring.

 

Subd. 3c. Bond. Every Class A and Class B installer, as a condition of licensure, shall give bond to the state in the sum of $1,000 conditioned upon the faithful and lawful performance of all work contracted for or entered upon by the installer within the state of Minnesota, and such bond shall be for the benefit of persons injured or suffering financial loss by reason of failure of such performance. Such bond shall be in lieu of all other license bonds to any political subdivision of the state. Such bond shall be written by a corporate surety licensed to do business in the state of Minnesota.

 

Subd. 3d. Power limited technician. (a) Except as otherwise provided by law, no person individual shall install, alter, repair, plan, lay out, or supervise the installing, altering, or repairing, planning, or laying out of electrical wiring, apparatus, or equipment for technology circuits or systems unless:

 

(1) the person individual is licensed by the board as a power limited technician; and

 

(2) the electrical work is:

 

(i) for a licensed contractor and the person individual is an employee, partner, or officer of, or is the licensed contractor; or

 

(ii) performed under the supervision of a master electrician or power limited technician also employed by the person's individual's employer on technology circuits, systems, apparatus, equipment, or facilities that are owned or leased by the employer and that are located within the limits of property operated, maintained, and either owned or leased, operated, and maintained by the employer.

 

(b) An applicant for a power limited technician's license shall (1) be a graduate of a four-year electrical course in offered by an accredited college or university; or (2) have had at least 36 months' experience, acceptable to the board, in planning for, laying out, supervising, and installing, altering, and repairing wiring, apparatus, or equipment for power limited systems, provided however, that the board may by rule provide for the allowance of up to 12 months (2,000 hours) of experience credit for successful completion of a two-year post high school electrical course or other technical training approved by the board.

 

(c) The board may initially set experience requirements without rulemaking, but must adopt rules before July 1, 2004.

 

(d) Licensees must attain eight hours of continuing education acceptable to the board every renewal period.


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(e) A person who has submitted an application by June 30, 2003, to take the alarm and communications examination administered by the board, and who has achieved a minimal score of 70 percent on the examination by September 30, 2003, may obtain a power limited technician license without further examination by submitting an application and a license fee of $30.

 

(f) (c) A company holding an alarm and communication license as of June 30, 2003, may designate one person individual who may obtain a power limited technician license without passing an examination administered by the board commissioner by submitting an application and license fee of $30.

 

(g) A person who has submitted an application by September 30, 2005, to take the power limited technician examination administered by the board is not required to meet the qualifications set forth in paragraph (b).

 

Subd. 4. Special electrician. Notwithstanding the provisions of subdivisions 1, 2, 6, and 7, the board may by rule provide for the issuance of special electrician licenses empowering the licensee to engage in a limited class or classes of electrical work, which class or classes shall be specified on the license certificate. Each licensee shall have had at least two years of experience, acceptable to the board, in each such limited class of work for which the licensee is licensed.

 

Subd. 5. Unlicensed persons individuals. (a) An unlicensed person individual means an individual who has not been licensed by the Board of Electricity as a Class A master electrician or as a Class A journeyman electrician. An unlicensed individual shall not perform electrical work unless the individual has first registered with the Board of Electricity as an unlicensed individual. Thereafter, an unlicensed individual shall not perform electrical work unless the work is performed under the personal direct supervision of a person an individual actually licensed to perform such work and. The licensed electrician individual and unlicensed persons are individual must be employed by the same means that an individual having the necessary qualifications, training, experience, and technical knowledge to install, alter, repair, and supervise the installing, altering, or repairing of electrical wiring, apparatus, and equipment for light, heat, power, technology circuits or systems, and who is licensed as a Class A journeyman electrician is employed by the employer. Licensed persons individuals shall not permit unlicensed persons individuals to perform electrical work except under the personal direct supervision of a person an individual actually licensed to perform such work. Unlicensed persons individuals shall not supervise the performance of electrical work or make assignments of electrical work to unlicensed persons individuals. Except for technology circuit or system work, licensed persons individuals shall supervise no more than two unlicensed persons individuals. For technology circuit or system work, licensed persons individuals shall supervise no more than three unlicensed persons individuals.

 

(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, no person individual other than a master electrician or power limited technician shall plan or lay out electrical wiring, apparatus, or equipment for light, heat, power, or other purposes, except circuits or systems exempted from personal licensing by subdivision 12, paragraph (b).

 

(c) Contractors employing unlicensed persons performing individuals to perform electrical work shall maintain records establishing compliance with this subdivision, which that shall designate identify all unlicensed persons individuals performing electrical work, except for persons working on circuits or systems exempted from personal licensing by subdivision 12, paragraph (b), and shall permit the board to examine and copy all such records as provided for in section 326.244, subdivision 6.

 

(d) When a licensed individual supervises the electrical work of an unlicensed individual, the licensed individual is responsible for ensuring that the electrical work complies with sections 326.241 to 326.248 and rules adopted.

 

Subd. 6. Contractor's license required. Except as otherwise provided by law, no person individual other than an employee, partner, or officer of a licensed contractor, as defined by section 326.01, subdivision 5, shall undertake perform or offer to undertake to plan for, lay out, supervise or install or to make additions, alterations, or repairs in


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the installation of electrical wiring, apparatus, and equipment for light, heat, power, and other purposes perform electrical work with or without compensation unless the person individual obtains a contractor's license. A contractor's license does not of itself qualify its holder to perform or supervise the electrical work authorized by holding any class of personal electrical license.

 

Subd. 6a. Bond required. Each contractor shall give and maintain bond to the state in the penal sum of $5,000 $25,000 conditioned upon the faithful and lawful performance of all work entered upon contracted for or performed by the contractor within the state of Minnesota and such bond shall be for the benefit of persons injured or suffering financial loss by reason of failure of such performance. The bond shall be filed with the board and shall be in lieu of all other license bonds to any other political subdivision. Such bond shall be written by a corporate surety licensed to do business in the state of Minnesota.

 

Subd. 6b. Insurance required. Each contractor shall have and maintain in effect general liability insurance, which includes premises and operations insurance and products and completed operations insurance, with limits of at least $100,000 per occurrence, $300,000 aggregate limit for bodily injury, and property damage insurance with limits of at least $25,000 $50,000 or a policy with a single limit for bodily injury and property damage of $300,000 per occurrence and $300,000 aggregate limits. Such insurance shall be written by an insurer licensed to do business in the state of Minnesota and each contractor shall maintain on file with the board a certificate evidencing such insurance which provides that such insurance shall not be canceled without the insurer first giving 15 days written notice to the board of such cancellation.

 

Subd. 6c. Employment of master electrician or power limited technician. (a) No contractor shall engage in business of electrical contracting unless the contractor employs a licensed Class A master or Class B Each contractor must designate a responsible master electrician, or power limited technician, who shall be responsible for the performance of all electrical work in accordance with the requirements of sections 326.241 to 326.248 or any rule or order adopted or issued under these sections. The classes of work for which the that a licensed contractor is authorized shall be limited to those for which such Class A master electrician, Class B master electrician, or power limited technician employed by the contractor the classes of work that the responsible master electrician or power limited electrician is licensed to perform.

 

(b) When a contractor's license is held by an individual, sole proprietorship, partnership, limited liability company, or corporation and the individual, proprietor, one of the partners, one of the members, or an officer of the corporation, respectively, is not the responsible master electrician or power limited technician of record, all requests for inspection shall be signed by the responsible master electrician or power limited technician of record. The designated responsible master electrician or power limited technician of record shall be employed by the individual, partnership, limited liability company, or corporation which is applying for a contractor's license and shall not be employed in any capacity as a licensed electrician or licensed technician by any other contractor or employer designated in subdivision 12. If the contractor is an individual or a sole proprietorship, the responsible licensed individual must be the individual, proprietor, or managing employee. If the contractor is a partnership, the responsible licensed individual must be a general partner or managing employee. If the licensed contractor is a limited liability company, the responsible licensed individual must be a chief manager or managing employee. If the contractor is a corporation, the responsible licensed individual must be an officer or managing employee. If the responsible licensed individual is a managing employee, the responsible licensed individual must be actively engaged in performing electrical work on behalf of the contractor, and cannot be employed in any capacity as an electrician or technician by any other contractor or employer designated in subdivision 12. An individual may be the responsible licensed individual for only one contractor or employer.

 

(c) All applications for contractor's licenses and all renewals shall include a verified statement that the applicant or licensee has complied with this subdivision.


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Subd. 7. Examination. In addition to the requirements imposed herein and except as herein otherwise provided, as a precondition to issuance of a personal license, each applicant must pass a written or oral examination given by the board to insure the competence of each applicant for license. An oral examination shall be administered only to an applicant who furnishes a written statement from a certified teacher or other professional, trained in the area of reading disabilities stating that the applicant has a specific reading disability which would prevent the applicant from performing satisfactorily on a written test. The oral examination shall be structured so that an applicant who passes the examination will not impair the applicant's own safety or that of others while acting as a licensed person. No person individual failing an examination may retake it for six months thereafter, but within such six months the person individual may take an examination for a lesser grade of license. Any licensee failing to renew a license for two years or more after its expiration shall be required to retake the examination before being issued a new license.

 

An applicant for a personal license shall submit to the board an application and examination fee at the time of application. Upon approval of the application, the board shall schedule the applicant for the next available examination, which shall be held within 60 days. The applicant shall be allowed one opportunity to reschedule an examination without being required to submit another application and examination fee. Additionally, an applicant who fails an examination, or whose application has been disapproved, must submit another application and examination fee.

 

Subd. 8. License and renewal fees. All licenses issued hereunder shall expire in a manner as provided by the board. (a) Unless revoked or suspended, all licenses issued or renewed under this section expire on the date specified in this subdivision. Master licenses expire March 1 of each odd-numbered year after issuance or renewal. Electrical contractor licenses expire March 1 of each even-numbered year after issuance or renewal. Technology system contractor licenses expire August 1 of each even-numbered year after issuance or renewal. Journeyman, installer, power limited technician, and special electrician licenses expire two years from the date of original issuance and every two years thereafter.

 

(b) Fees, as set by the board, shall be payable for application and examination, and for the original issuance and each subsequent renewal of the following are:

 

(1) For each personal license application and examination: $35.

 

Class A Master.

 

Class B Master.

 

Class A Journeyman, Class B Journeyman, Installer, Power Limited Technician, or Special Electrician.

 

(2) For original issuance of original license and each subsequent renewal of:

 

Class A Master.: or master elevator constructor: $40 per year.

 

Class B Master.: $25 per year.

 

Power Limited Technician.: $15 per year.

 

Class A Journeyman, Class B Journeyman, Installer, or Special Electrician.: $15 per year.

 

Electrical Contractor: $100 per year.

 

Technology Systems Contractor.


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(c) If any new license is issued according to this subdivision for less than two years, the fee for the license shall be prorated on an annual basis.

 

(d) A license fee may not be refunded after a license is issued or renewed. However, if the fee paid for a license was not prorated according to this subdivision, the amount of the overpayment shall be refunded.

 

(e) Any contractor who seeks reissuance of a license after it has been revoked or suspended under this chapter shall submit a reissuance fee of $100 before the license is reinstated.

 

(f) The fee for the issuance of each duplicate license is $100.

 

(3) (g) An individual or contractor who fails to renew a license before 30 days after the expiration of the license must submit a late fee equal to one year's license fee in addition to the full renewal fee. Fees for renewed licenses are not prorated. An individual or contractor that fails to renew a license by the expiration date is unlicensed until the license is renewed.

 

Subd. 8a. Continuing education. (a) As used in this subdivision, the term "renewal period" means the time period of two years beginning on the date that the license is originally issued or renewed and ending on the date that the license is scheduled to expire. If any license is issued for less than two years, the period between the issuance date and the expiration date is not a renewal period.

 

(b) During each renewal period, individuals licensed under this chapter must earn 16 hours of continuing education credit approved by the board.

 

(c) With a renewal application, a licensed electrician shall submit to the board a list of continuing education hours earned during the renewal period, including dates, subjects, hours attended, sponsoring organizations, and course approval numbers. Each licensed electrician shall maintain a file in which records of courses are kept, including dates, subjects, duration of programs, sponsoring organizations, continuing education hours earned, registration receipts where appropriate, certificates of completion received from sponsoring organizations, and other pertinent documentation, for a period of two years after submission to the board. The board may require a licensed electrician to produce this information in order for the board to verify information in a renewal application, to conduct a random audit, or to investigate a complaint alleging noncompliance on the part of the licensee.

 

(d) If the board rejects continuing education hours reported by a licensee in an amount sufficient to reduce the number of nonrejected continuing education hours below the required minimum number, the board must notify the licensee in writing of the board's rejection of the hours. The licensee has 60 days after notification to substantiate the validity of the rejected hours or to earn other qualifying hours to meet the minimum requirement. The board's rejection of any continuing education hours submitted during this 60-day cure period does not extend or expand the cure period. If the board does not reinstate a sufficient number of the rejected continuing education hours to meet the required minimum number of continuing education hours, or the licensee or certificate holder does not complete or substantiate that the individual has completed other qualifying continuing education hours to meet the required minimum number of continuing education hours within the specified period of time, the board shall suspend or deny the individual's license under section 326.082. Continuing education hours applied to current renewal may not be applied to the requirements for a subsequent renewal period.

 

(e) If a licensed electrician knowingly submits to the board a false report of continuing education hours, the board shall revoke the license under section 326.082.

 

Subd. 9. Denial, suspension, and revocation of licenses. The board may by order deny, suspend, revoke, or refuse to renew a license, or may censure a licensee if the board finds (1) in its discretion that the order is in the public interest and (2) that, based upon a preponderance of the evidence presented, the applicant or licensee:


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(a) has filed an application for a license which is incomplete in any material respect or contains any statement which, in light of the circumstances under which it is made, is false or misleading with respect to any material fact;

 

(b) has engaged in any fraudulent, deceptive, or dishonest act or practice;

 

(c) has been convicted within the past five years of a misdemeanor involving a violation of sections 326.241 to 326.248;

 

(d) has violated or failed to comply with sections 326.241 to 326.248 or any rule or order adopted or issued under these sections; or

 

(e) has, in the conduct of the applicant's or licensee's affairs, including, but not limited to, the performance of electrical work, been shown to be incompetent or untrustworthy.

 

If a licensee engages in conduct that is proven by a preponderance of the evidence to be a basis for discipline pursuant to paragraphs (a) to (e), the conduct shall constitute a violation of this subdivision. The board may take action under this subdivision or any other law authorizing action against a licensee regardless of whether the underlying conduct was willful.

 

The board may adopt rules further specifying and defining actions, conduct, and omissions that constitute fraudulent, deceptive, dishonest, or prohibited practices, and establishing standards of conduct for applicants and licensees.

 

Subd. 9a. Civil penalties. Whenever a preponderance of the evidence presented proves that a person has violated or failed to comply with sections 326.241 to 326.248 or any rule or order adopted or issued under these sections, the board may impose a civil penalty upon the person in an amount not to exceed $10,000 per violation.

 

Subd. 9b. Orders for hearing. The complaint committee may, on behalf of the board, issue an order requiring a licensee or an applicant for a license to appear at a hearing on the issue of whether the license should be revoked or suspended, the licensee censured, the application denied, or a civil penalty imposed. The order shall be calculated to give reasonable notice of the time and place for hearing, and shall state the reasons for the entry of the order. All hearings shall be conducted in accordance with chapter 14. After the hearing, the board shall enter an order making a disposition of the matter as the facts require. If the licensee or applicant fails to appear at a hearing of which that person has been duly notified, the person is in default and the proceeding may be determined against that person upon consideration of the order for hearing, the allegations of which may be deemed to be true.

 

Subd. 9c. Temporary suspension. (a) The complaint committee may, on behalf of the board and in the public interest, temporarily suspend a license pending final determination of an order for hearing. The complaint committee shall not issue a temporary suspension order until an investigation of the facts has been conducted pursuant to section 214.10 by the attorney general. The complaint committee shall issue a temporary suspension order only when the safety of life or property is threatened or to prevent the commission of fraudulent, deceptive, or dishonest acts against the public. Service of the temporary suspension order is effective if the order is served on the licensee or counsel of record personally or by first class mail to the most recent address provided to the board for the licensee or the counsel of record.

 

(b) If a license is suspended pending final determination of an order for hearing, a hearing on the merits shall be held within 45 days of the issuance of the order of temporary suspension. The administrative law judge shall issue a report within 30 days after closing of the contested case hearing record. The board shall issue a final order within 30 days after receipt of that report and any exceptions.


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(c) If the licensee requests a hearing in writing within ten days of service of the order, the board shall hold a hearing before its own members on the sole issue of whether there is a reasonable basis to continue, modify, or vacate the temporary suspension. The board shall hold the hearing within five working days of the licensee's request for hearing. Evidence presented by the complaint committee or licensee shall be in affidavit form only. The licensee or counsel of record for the licensee may appear for oral argument. Within five working days after the hearing, the board shall issue its order either continuing or vacating the temporary suspension.

 

Subd. 9d. Cease and desist order. (a) Whenever it appears to the complaint committee that any person has engaged or is about to engage in any act or practice constituting a violation of sections 326.241 to 326.248, any other law authorizing the issuance of a cease and desist order, or any rule or order adopted or issued under these sections, the complaint committee may, on behalf of the board, issue and cause to be served upon the person an order requiring the person to cease and desist from violating sections 326.241 to 326.248 or any rule or order adopted or issued under these sections. The complaint committee shall not issue a cease and desist order until an investigation of the facts has been conducted pursuant to section 214.10 by the attorney general. The order shall be calculated to give reasonable notice of the right of the person to request a hearing and shall state the reasons for the entry of the order. If no hearing is requested of the board within 15 days of service of the order, the order shall become final and shall remain in effect until it is modified or vacated by the board and shall not be reviewable by a court.

 

(b) A hearing shall be held not later than 30 days from the date of the board's receipt of a written hearing request, unless otherwise agreed by the person requesting the hearing and the complaint committee. Within 30 days of receipt of the administrative law judge's report and any exceptions, the board shall issue a final order modifying, vacating, or making permanent the cease and desist order as the facts require. The final order remains in effect until modified or vacated by the board.

 

Subd. 9e. Costs of proceeding. The board may impose a fee to reimburse the board for all or part of the cost of the proceedings resulting in disciplinary action or the imposition of civil penalties or the issuance of a cease and desist order. Such fees include, but are not limited to, the amount paid by the board for services from the office of administrative hearings, attorney fees, court reporters, witnesses, reproduction of records, board members' per diem compensation, board staff time, and expense incurred by board members and staff.

 

Subd. 9f. District court action; injunctive relief and civil penalties. (a) Whenever it appears to the board, or the complaint committee if authorized by the board, that any person has engaged or is about to engage in any act or practice constituting a violation of sections 326.241 to 326.248 or any rule or order adopted or issued under these sections, the board, or the complaint committee if authorized by the board, may bring an action in the name of the board in the Ramsey County District Court or the district court of any other county in which venue is proper.

 

(b) The action may be brought to enjoin the acts or practices and to enforce compliance with sections 326.241 to 326.248, any other law authorizing a civil or injunctive action, or any rule or order adopted or issued under these sections and for a civil penalty not to exceed $10,000 for each separate violation of sections 326.241 to 326.248, any other law authorizing a civil or injunctive action, or any rule or order adopted or issued under these sections.

 

(c) A temporary restraining order and other temporary injunctive relief shall be granted in the proceeding whenever it appears that any person has engaged in or is about to engage in any act, conduct, or practice constituting violation of sections 326.241 to 326.248, any other law authorizing a civil or injunctive action, or any rule or order adopted or issued under these sections. The board shall not be required to show irreparable harm.

 

Subd. 9g. Other remedies. The issuance of a cease and desist order or injunctive relief under this section does not relieve a person from criminal prosecution by any competent authority or from disciplinary action by the board and does not prevent the board from exercising any other authority granted to it.


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Subd. 9h. Powers additional. The powers contained in subdivisions 9 to 9g are in addition to all other powers of the board.

 

Subd. 9i. Cooperation required. A person who is the subject of an investigation, or who is questioned in connection with an investigation, by or on behalf of the board or its complaint committee shall cooperate fully with the investigation. Cooperation includes, but is not limited to:

 

(1) responding fully and promptly to questions raised by or on behalf of the board or its complaint committee relating to the subject of the investigation;

 

(2) providing copies of records in the person's possession related to the matter under investigation as requested by the board, its complaint committee, or the attorney general within the time limit set by the board, its complaint committee, or the attorney general;

 

(3) assisting the board, its complaint committee, or the attorney general in its investigation; and

 

(4) appearing at conferences or hearings scheduled by the board or its complaint committee.

 

Subd. 9j. Disciplinary proceedings closed. Proceedings held before the board or its complaint committee under chapter 214 or subdivisions 9 to 9d are exempt from the requirements of section 13D.01.

 

Subd. 9k. Conflicts of law. If there is a conflict between sections 326.241 to 326.248 and chapter 214, sections 326.241 to 326.248 shall control.

 

Subd. 10. Continuation of business by estates. Upon the death of a master who is a contractor, the board may permit the decedent's representative to carry on the business of the decedent for a period not in excess of six months, for the purpose of completing work under contract or otherwise to comply with sections 326.241 to 326.248. The representative shall give such bond as the board may require conditioned upon the faithful and lawful performance of such work and such bond shall be for the benefit of persons injured or suffering financial loss by reason of failure of such performance. Such bond shall be written by a corporate surety licensed to do business in the state of Minnesota. Such representative shall also comply with all public liability and property damage insurance requirements imposed by this chapter upon a licensed contractor.

 

Subd. 11. Reciprocity. To the extent that any other state which provides for the licensing of electricians provides for similar action the board may grant licenses, without examination, of the same grade and class to an electrician who has been licensed by such other state for at least one year, upon payment by the applicant of the required fee and upon the board being furnished with proof that the required fee and upon the board being furnished with proof that the qualifications of the applicant are equal to the qualifications of holders of similar licenses in Minnesota.

 

Subd. 12. Exemptions from licensing. (a) An individual who is a maintenance electrician who is supervised by the responsible master electrician for a contractor who has contracted with the maintenance electrician's employer to provide services for which a contractor's license is required or by a master electrician or an electrical engineer registered with the board and who is an employee of an employer and is engaged in the maintenance, and repair of electrical equipment, apparatus, and facilities owned or leased by the employer, and performed within the limits of property which is owned or leased and operated and maintained by said employer, shall is not be required to hold or obtain a license under sections 326.241 to 326.248. if:

 

(1) the individual is engaged in the maintenance and repair of electrical equipment, apparatus, and facilities that are owned or leased by the individual's employer and that are located within the limits of property operated, maintained, and either owned or leased by the individual's employer;


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(2) the individual is supervised by:

 

(i) the responsible master electrician for a contractor who has contracted with the individual's employer to provide services for which a contractor's license is required; or

 

(ii) a licensed master electrician, a licensed maintenance electrician, an electrical engineer, or, if the maintenance and repair work is limited to technology circuit and system work, a licensed power limited technician; and

 

(3) the individual's employer has filed with the board a certificate of responsible person, signed by the responsible master electrician of the contractor, the licensed master electrician, the licensed maintenance electrician, the electrical engineer, or the licensed power limited technician, and stating that the person signing the certificate is responsible for ensuring that the maintenance and repair work performed by the employer's employees complies with sections 326.241 to 326.248 and rules adopted.

 

(b) Employees of a licensed electrical or technology systems contractor or other employer where provided with supervision by a master electrician in accordance with subdivision 1, or power limited technician in accordance with subdivision 3d, paragraph (a), clause (1), are not required to hold a license under sections 326.241 to 326.248 for the planning, laying out, installing, altering, and repairing of technology circuits or systems except planning, laying out, or installing:

 

(1) in other than residential dwellings, class 2 or class 3 remote control circuits that control circuits or systems other than class 2 or class 3, except circuits that interconnect these systems through communication, alarm, and security systems are exempted from this paragraph;

 

(2) class 2 or class 3 circuits in electrical cabinets, enclosures, or devices containing physically unprotected circuits other than class 2 or class 3; or

 

(3) technology circuits and systems in hazardous classified locations as covered by chapter 5 of the National Electrical Code.

 

(c) Companies and their employees that plan, lay out, install, alter, or repair class 2 and class 3 remote control wiring associated with plug or cord and plug connected appliances other than security or fire alarm systems installed in a residential dwelling are not required to hold a license under sections 326.241 to 326.248.

 

(d) Heating, ventilating, air conditioning, and refrigeration contractors and their employees are not required to hold or obtain a license under sections 326.241 to 326.248 when performing heating, ventilating, air conditioning, or refrigeration work as described in section 326.245.

 

(e) Employees of any electric electrical, communications, or railway utility, cable communications company as defined in section 238.02, or a telephone company as defined under section 237.01 or its employees, or of any independent contractor performing work on behalf of any such utility, cable communications company, or telephone company, shall not be required to hold a license under sections 326.241 to 326.248:

 

(1) while performing work on installations, materials, or equipment which are owned or leased, and operated and maintained by such utility, cable communications company, or telephone company in the exercise of its utility, antenna, or telephone function, and which

 

(i) are used exclusively for the generation, transformation, distribution, transmission, or metering of electric current, or the operation of railway signals, or the transmission of intelligence and do not have as a principal function the consumption or use of electric current or provided service by or for the benefit of any person individual other than such utility, cable communications company, or telephone company, and


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(ii) are generally accessible only to employees of such utility, cable communications company, or telephone company or persons acting under its control or direction, and

 

(iii) are not on the load side of the service point or point of entrance for communication systems;

 

(2) while performing work on installations, materials, or equipment which are a part of the street lighting operations of such utility; or

 

(3) while installing or performing work on outdoor area lights which are directly connected to a utility's distribution system and located upon the utility's distribution poles, and which are generally accessible only to employees of such utility or persons acting under its control or direction.

 

(f) An owner shall not be required to hold or obtain a license under sections 326.241 to 326.248.

 

Sec. 22. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 326.243, is amended to read:

 

326.243 SAFETY STANDARDS.

 

All electrical wiring, apparatus and equipment for electric electrical light, heat and power, technology circuits or systems shall comply with the rules of the department of Commerce or the Department of Labor and Industry, as applicable, Board of Electricity and be installed in conformity with accepted standards of construction for safety to life and property. For the purposes of this chapter, the rules and safety standards stated at the time the work is done in the then most recently published edition of the National Electrical Code as adopted by the National Fire Protection Association, Inc. and approved by the American National Standards Institute, and the National Electrical Safety Code as published by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc. and approved by the American National Standards Institute, shall be prima facie evidence of accepted standards of construction for safety to life and property; provided further, that in the event a Minnesota Building Code is formulated pursuant to section 16B.61, containing approved methods of electrical construction for safety to life and property, compliance with said methods of electrical construction of said Minnesota Building Code shall also constitute compliance with this section, and provided further, that nothing herein contained shall prohibit any political subdivision from making and enforcing more stringent requirements than set forth herein and such requirements shall be complied with by all licensed electricians working within the jurisdiction of such political subdivisions.

 

Sec. 23. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 326.244, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

 

Subdivision 1. Required inspection. Except where any political subdivision has by ordinance provided for electrical inspection similar to that herein provided, every new electrical installation in any construction, remodeling, replacement, or repair, except minor repair work as the same is defined by the board by rule, shall be inspected by the board for compliance with accepted standards of construction for safety to life and property.

 

Sec. 24. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 326.244, subdivision 1a, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 1a. Technology systems. (a) The installation of the technology circuits or systems described in paragraph (b), except:

 

(1) minor work performed by a contractor;

 

(2) work performed by a heating, ventilating, or air conditioning contractor as described in section 326.245; and

 

(3) work performed by cable company employees when installing cable communications systems or telephone company employees when installing telephone systems,


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must be inspected as provided in this section for compliance with the applicable provisions of the National Electrical Code and the applicable provisions of the National Electrical Safety Code, as those codes were approved by the American National Standards Institute.

 

(b) The inspection requirements in paragraph (a) apply to:

 

(1) remote control circuits controlling class 2 or class 3 remote control circuits that control circuits or systems other than class 2 or class 3 and indoor lighting, except circuits that interconnect these systems exempted by section 326.242, subdivision 12, paragraph (b), other than fire alarm; class 2 or class 3 circuits in electrical cabinets, enclosures, or devices containing physically unprotected circuits other than class 2 or class 3; or technology circuits and systems in hazardous classified locations as covered by chapter 5 of the National Electrical Code;

 

(2) fire alarm systems, other than in one- or two-family dwellings, as defined in articles 100 and 760 of the National Electrical Code;

 

(3) technology circuits and systems contained within critical care areas of health care facilities as defined by the safety standards identified in section 326.243, including, but not limited to, anesthesia and resuscitative alarm and alerting systems, medical monitoring, and nurse call systems; and

 

(4) physical security systems within detention facilities.; and

 

(5) circuitry and equipment for indoor lighting systems as defined in article 411 of the National Electrical Code.

 

(c) For the purposes of this subdivision "minor work" means the adjustment or repair and replacement of worn or defective parts of a technology circuit or system. Minor work may be inspected under this section at the request of the owner of the property or the person individual doing the work.

 

(d) Notwithstanding this subdivision, if an electrical inspector observes that a contractor, employer, or owner has not complied with accepted standards when the work was performed, as provided in the most recent editions of the National Electrical Code and the National Electrical Safety Code as approved by the American National Standards Institute, the inspector may order the contractor, employer, or owner who has performed the work to file a request for electrical inspection, pay an inspection fee, and make any necessary repairs to comply with applicable standards and require that the work be inspected.

 

Sec. 25. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 326.244, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

 

Subd. 1b. Licenses; bond. All inspectors shall hold licenses as master or journeyman electricians under this chapter. All inspectors under contract with the department to provide electrical inspection services shall give bond in the amount of $1,000, conditioned upon the faithful performance of their duties.

 

Sec. 26. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 326.244, subdivision 5, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 5. Exemptions from inspections. Installations, materials, or equipment shall not be subject to inspection under sections 326.241 to 326.248:

 

(1) when owned or leased, operated and maintained by any employer whose maintenance electricians are exempt from licensing under sections 326.241 to 326.248, while performing electrical maintenance work only as defined by board rule;


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(2) when owned or leased, and operated and maintained by any electric electrical, communications, or railway utility, cable communications company as defined in section 238.02, or telephone company as defined under section 237.01, in the exercise of its utility, antenna, or telephone function; and

 

(i) are used exclusively for the generations, transformation, distribution, transmission, or metering of electric current, or the operation of railway signals, or the transmission of intelligence, and do not have as a principal function the consumption or use of electric current by or for the benefit of any person individual other than such utility, cable communications company, or telephone company; and

 

(ii) are generally accessible only to employees of such utility, cable communications company, or telephone company or persons acting under its control or direction; and

 

(iii) are not on the load side of the service point or point of entrance for communication systems;

 

(3) when used in the street lighting operations of an electric electrical utility;

 

(4) when used as outdoor area lights which are owned and operated by an electric electrical utility and which are connected directly to its distribution system and located upon the utility's distribution poles, and which are generally accessible only to employees of such utility or persons acting under its control or direction;

 

(5) when the installation, material, and equipment are in facilities subject to the jurisdiction of the federal Mine Safety and Health Act; or

 

(6) when the installation, material, and equipment is part of an elevator installation for which the elevator contractor, licensed under section 326.242, is required to obtain a permit from the authority having jurisdiction as provided by section 16B.747, and the inspection has been or will be performed by an elevator inspector certified by the department of Administration and licensed by the Board of Electricity. This exemption shall apply only to installations, material, and equipment permitted or required to be connected on the load side of the disconnecting means required for elevator equipment under National Electric Electrical Code Article 620, and elevator communications and alarm systems within the machine room, car, hoistway, or elevator lobby.

 

Sec. 27. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 326.244, subdivision 6, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 6. Site inspections. The board may, without advance notice, inspect any site at which electrical work is being performed or has been performed or where records concerning the performance of electrical work are kept for purposes of ensuring compliance with sections 326.241 to 326.248 or any rule or order adopted or issued under these sections. With respect to electrical work performed at or records kept in an occupied private dwelling, all inspections permitted by this subdivision shall occur during normal business hours and shall be preceded by advance notice, which need not be in writing. The board shall have the authority to examine and copy all records concerning the performance of electrical work and to question in private all persons employed by a contractor or on the site. No person individual shall retaliate in any manner against any employee or person individual who is questioned by, cooperates with, or provides information to the board, its complaint committee, or the attorney general.

 

Sec. 28. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 326.2441, is amended to read:

 

326.2441 INSPECTION FEE SCHEDULE.

 

Subdivision 1. Schedule. State electrical inspection fees shall be paid according to calculated according to subdivisions 2 to 13 15.


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Subd. 2. Fee for each separate inspection. The minimum fee for each separate inspection of an installation, replacement, alteration, or repair is $20 30.

 

Subd. 3. Fee for services, generators, other power supply sources, or feeders to separate structures. The inspection fee for the installation, addition, alteration, or repair of each service, change of service, temporary service, generator, other power supply source, or feeder to a separate structure is:

 

(1) 0 ampere to and including 400 ampere capacity, $25 $35;

 

(2) 401 ampere to and including 800 ampere capacity, $50 $60; and

 

(3) ampere capacity above 800, $75 $100.

 

Where multiple disconnects are grouped at a single location and are supplied by a single set of supply conductors the cumulative rating of the overcurrent devices shall be used to determine the supply ampere capacity.

 

Subd. 4. Fee for circuits, feeders, feeder taps, or sets of transformer secondary conductors. The inspection fee for the installation, addition, alteration, or repair of each circuit, feeder, feeder tap, or set of transformer secondary conductors, including the equipment served, is:

 

(1) 0 ampere to and including 200 ampere capacity, $5 $6; and

 

(2) ampere capacity above 200, $10 $15.

 

Where existing feeders and circuits are reconnected to overcurrent devices installed as part of the replacement of an existing disconnect, switchboard, motor control center, or panelboard, the inspection fee for each circuit or feeder is $2.

 

Subd. 5. Limitations to fees of subdivisions 3 and 4 Inspection fee for dwellings. (a) The inspection fee for a one-family dwelling and each dwelling unit of a two-family dwelling with a supply of up to 500 amperes where a combination of ten or more sources of supply, feeders, or circuits are installed, added, altered, repaired, or extended is $80. is the following:

 

(1) the fee for each service or other source of power as provided in subdivision 3;

 

(2) $100 for up to 30 feeders and circuits; and

 

(3) for each additional feeder or circuit, the fee as provided in subdivision 4.

 

This fee applies to each separate installation for new dwellings and additions, alterations, or repairs to existing dwellings and includes not more than two inspections. where 15 or more feeders or circuits are installed or extended in connection with any addition, alteration, or repair to existing dwellings. Where existing feeders and circuits are reconnected to overcurrent devices installed as part of the replacement of an existing panelboard, the fee for each reconnected feeder or circuit is $2. The maximum number of separate inspections shall be determined in accordance with subdivision 2. The fee for additional inspections or other installations is that specified in subdivisions 2 to, 4, 6, and 8. The installer may submit fees for additional inspections when filing the request for electrical inspection. The fee for each detached accessory structure directly associated with a dwelling unit shall be calculated in accordance with subdivisions 3 and 4. When included on the same request for electrical inspection form, inspection fees for detached accessory structures directly associated with the dwelling unit may be combined with the dwelling unit fees to determine the maximum number of separate inspections in accordance with subdivision 2.


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(b) The inspection fee for each dwelling unit of a multifamily dwelling with three to 12 or more dwelling units is $50 and the fee for each additional dwelling unit is $25. $70 for a combination of up to 20 feeders and circuits and $6 for each additional feeder or circuit. This fee applies to each separate installation for each new dwelling unit and where ten or more feeders or circuits are installed or extended in connection with any addition, alteration, or repair to existing dwelling units. Where existing feeders or circuits are reconnected to overcurrent devices installed as part of the replacement of an existing panelboard, the fee for each feeder or circuit is $2. The maximum number of separate inspections for each dwelling unit shall be determined according to subdivision 2. The fee for additional inspections or other installation is that specified in subdivisions 2, 4, 6, and 8. These fees include only inspection of the wiring within individual dwelling units and the final feeder to that unit. This limitation is subject to the following conditions where:

 

(1) the multifamily dwelling is provided with common service equipment and each dwelling unit is supplied by a separate feeder extended from the common service distribution equipment. The fee for multifamily dwelling services or other power source supplies and all other circuits is that specified in subdivisions 2 to 4; and.

 

(2) this limitation applies only to new installations for multifamily dwellings where the majority of the individual dwelling units are available for inspection during each inspection trip.

 

(c) A separate request for electrical inspection form must be filed for each dwelling unit that is supplied with an individual set of service entrance conductors. These fees are the one-family dwelling rate specified in paragraph (a).

 

Subd. 6. Additions to fees of subdivisions 3 to 5. (a) The fee for the electrical supply for each manufactured home park lot is $25 $35. This fee includes the service or feeder conductors up to and including the service equipment or disconnecting means. The fee for feeders and circuits that extend from the service or disconnecting means is that specified in subdivision 4.

 

(b) The fee for each recreational vehicle site electrical supply equipment is $5 $6 for each circuit originating within the equipment. The fee for recreational vehicle park services, feeders, and circuits is that specified in subdivisions 3 and 4.

 

(c) The fee for each street, parking lot, or outdoor area lighting standard is $1, and the fee for each traffic signal standard is $5. Circuits originating within the standard or traffic signal controller shall not be used when computing calculating the fee for each standard.

 

(d) The fee for transformers for light, heat, and power is $10 $15 for transformers rated up to ten kilovolt-amperes and $20 $30 for transformers rated in excess of ten kilovolt-amperes. The previous sentence does not apply to Class 1 transformers or power supplies for Class 1 power-limited circuits or to Class 2 or Class 3 transformers or power supplies.

 

(e) The fee for transformers and electronic power supplies for electric signs and outline lighting is $5 per unit.

 

(f) The fee for alarm, communication, remote control, and signaling technology circuits or systems, and circuits of less than 50 volts, is 50 75 cents for each system device or apparatus.

 

(g) The fee for each separate inspection of the bonding for a swimming pool, spa, fountain, an equipotential plane for an agricultural confinement area, or similar installation shall be $20 is $35. Bonding conductors and connections require an inspection before being concealed.

 

(h) The fee for all wiring installed on center pivot irrigation booms is $40 $35 plus $5 for each electrical drive unit.


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(i) The fee for retrofit modifications to existing lighting fixtures is 25 cents per lighting fixture luminaire.

 

(j) When a separate inspection of a concrete-encased grounding electrode is performed, the fee is $35.

 

(k) The fees required by subdivisions 3 and 4 are doubled for installations over 600 volts.

 

Subd. 7. Investigation fees: work without a request for electrical inspection. (a) Whenever any work for which a request for electrical inspection is required by the board has begun without the request for electrical inspection form being filed with the board, a special investigation shall be made before a request for electrical inspection form is accepted by the board.

 

(b) An investigation fee, in addition to the full fee required by subdivisions 1 to 6, shall be paid before an inspection is made. The investigation fee is two times the hourly rate minimum fee specified in subdivision 10 2 or the inspection fee required by subdivisions 1 to 6, whichever is greater, not to exceed $1,000. The payment of the investigation fee does not exempt any person from compliance with all other provisions of the board department rules or statutes nor from any penalty prescribed by law.

 

Subd. 8. Reinspection fee. Notwithstanding the provisions of subdivisions 2 and 5, when reinspection is necessary to determine whether unsafe conditions identified during a final inspection have been corrected and the conditions are not the subject of an appeal pending before the board commissioner or any court, a reinspection fee of $20 may $35 shall be assessed in writing by the inspector.

 

Subd. 9. Supplemental fee. When inspections scheduled by the installer are preempted, obstructed, prevented, or otherwise not able to be completed as scheduled due to circumstances beyond the control of the inspector, a supplemental inspection fee of $20 may $35 shall be assessed in writing by the inspector.

 

Subd. 10. Special inspection. For inspections not covered in this section, or for requested special inspections or services, the fee shall be $30 is $80 per hour, including travel time, plus 31 cents the standard mileage rate per mile traveled, plus the reasonable cost of equipment or material consumed. This provision is applicable to inspection of empty conduits and other jobs as may be determined by the board. This fee may also be assessed when installations are not accessible by roadway and require alternate forms of transportation. or are located in the Northwest Angle, or when inspections are performed outside of Minnesota. For purposes of this subdivision, the standard mileage rate is the standard mileage rate effective at the time of travel, as established by the Internal Revenue Service for computing the deductible costs of operating an automobile for business expense purposes.

 

Subd. 11. Inspection of transitory projects. (a) For inspection of transitory projects including, but not limited to, festivals, fairs, carnivals, circuses, shows, production sites, and portable road construction plants, the inspection procedures and fees are as specified in paragraphs (b) to (i).

 

(b) The fee for inspection of each generator or other source of supply is that specified in subdivision 3. A like fee is required at each engagement or setup.

 

(c) In addition to the fee for generators or other sources of supply, there must be an inspection of all installed feeders, circuits, and equipment at each engagement or setup at the hourly rate specified in subdivision 10, with a two-hour one-hour minimum.

 

(d) An owner, operator, or appointed representative of a transitory enterprise including, but not limited to, festivals, fairs, carnivals, circuses, production companies, shows, portable road construction plants, and similar enterprises shall notify the board of its itinerary or schedule and make application for initial inspection a minimum of 14 days before its first engagement or setup. An owner, operator, or appointed representative of a transitory enterprise who fails to notify the board 14 days before its first engagement or setup may be subject to the


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investigation fees specified in subdivision 7. The owner, operator, or appointed representative shall request inspection and pay the inspection fee for each subsequent engagement or setup at the time of the initial inspection. For subsequent engagements or setups not listed on the itinerary or schedule submitted to the board and where the board is not notified at least 48 hours in advance, a charge of $100 may be made in addition to all required fees.

 

(e) Amusement rides, devices, concessions, attractions, or other units must be inspected at their first appearance of the year. The inspection fee is $20 $35 per unit with a supply of up to 60 amperes and $30 $40 per unit with a supply above 60 amperes.

 

(f) An additional fee at the hourly rate specified in subdivision 10 must be charged for additional time spent by each inspector if equipment is not ready or available for inspection at the time and date specified on the application for initial inspection or the request for electrical inspection form.

 

(g) In addition to the fees specified in paragraphs (a) and (b), a fee of two hours one hour at the hourly rate specified in subdivision 10 must be charged for inspections required to be performed on Saturdays, Sundays, holidays, or after regular business hours.

 

(h) The fee for reinspection of corrections or supplemental inspections where an additional trip is necessary may be assessed as specified in subdivision 8.

 

(i) The board may shall retain the inspection fee when an owner, operator, or appointed representative of a transitory enterprise fails to notify the board at least 48 hours in advance of a scheduled inspection that is canceled.

 

Subd. 11a. Negotiated fee. When the fee calculated according to subdivisions 2 to 11 results in a total fee that unreasonably exceeds the cost of inspection, the board may negotiate a fee that more reasonably offsets the cost of inspection.

 

Subd. 12. Handling fee. The handling fee to pay the cost of printing and handling of the paper form requesting an electrical inspection is up to $1.

 

Subd. 13. National Electrical Code used for interpretation of provisions. For purposes of interpretation of interpreting this section and Minnesota Rules, chapter 3800, the most recently adopted edition of the National Electrical Code shall be prima facie evidence of the definitions, interpretations, and scope of words and terms used.

 

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

 

Sec. 29. REPEALER.

 

Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 326.01, subdivision 4, is repealed.

 

ARTICLE 6

 

PLUMBING

 

Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 326.01, subdivision 7, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 7. Journeyman plumber. A "journeyman plumber" is any person an individual, other than a master plumber, who, as a principal occupation, is engaged as an employee of, or is otherwise working under the direction of, a master plumber in the practical installation of plumbing.


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Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 326.01, subdivision 8, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 8. Master plumber. A "master plumber" is any person an individual who is skilled in the planning, superintending, and the practical installation of plumbing and, who is otherwise lawfully qualified to contract for plumbing and installations and to conduct the business of plumbing and who is familiar with the laws and rules governing the same.

 

Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 326.01, subdivision 9, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 9. Plumber's apprentice. A "plumber's apprentice" is any person an individual, other than a journeyman or master plumber, who, as a principal occupation, is engaged in working as an employee of a plumbing contractor plumbing work under the immediate and personal direct supervision of either a master or journeyman plumber or plumbing contractor in learning to learn and assisting assist in the installation of plumbing.

 

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

 

Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 326.37, is amended to read:

 

326.37 RULES; AGREEMENTS WITH MUNICIPALITIES; CAPACITY STANDARDS; LICENSE EXEMPTION.

 

Subdivision 1. Rules. The state commissioner of health may, by rule, prescribe minimum standards which shall be uniform, and which standards shall thereafter be effective for all new plumbing installations, including additions, extensions, alterations, and replacements connected with any water or sewage disposal system owned or operated by or for any municipality, institution, factory, office building, hotel, apartment building, or any other place of business regardless of location or the population of the city or town in which the installation is to be located. Notwithstanding the provisions of Minnesota Rules, part 4715.3130, as they apply to review of plans and specifications, the commissioner may allow plumbing construction, alteration, or extension to proceed without approval of the plans or specifications by the commissioner.

 

The commissioner shall administer the provisions of sections 326.37 326.361 to 326.45 326.44 and for such purposes may employ plumbing inspectors and other assistants.

 

Subd. 1a. Agreements with municipalities. The commissioner may enter into an agreement with a municipality, in which the municipality agrees to perform plan and specification reviews required to be performed by the commissioner under Minnesota Rules, part 4715.3130, if:

 

(a) the municipality has adopted:

 

(1) the plumbing code;

 

(2) an ordinance that requires plumbing plans and specifications to be submitted to, reviewed, and approved by the municipality, except as provided in paragraph (h);

 

(3) an ordinance that authorizes the municipality to perform inspections required by the plumbing code; and

 

(4) an ordinance that authorizes the municipality to enforce the plumbing code in its entirety, except as provided in paragraph (p);

 

(b) the municipality agrees to review plumbing plans and specifications for all construction for which the plumbing code requires the review of plumbing plans and specifications, except as provided in paragraph (n);


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(c) the municipality agrees that, when it reviews plumbing plans and specifications under paragraph (b), the review will:

 

(1) reflect the degree to which the plans and specifications affect the public health and conform to the provisions of the plumbing code;

 

(2) ensure that there is no physical connection between water supply systems that are safe for domestic use and those that are unsafe for domestic use; and

 

(3) ensure that there is no apparatus through which unsafe water may be discharged or drawn into a safe water supply system;

 

(d) the municipality agrees to perform all inspections required by the plumbing code in connection with projects for which the municipality reviews plumbing plans and specifications under paragraph (b);

 

(e) the commissioner determines that the individuals who will conduct the inspections and the plumbing plan and specification reviews for the municipality do not have any conflict of interest in conducting the inspections and the plan and specification reviews;

 

(f) individuals who will conduct the plumbing plan and specification reviews for the municipality are:

 

(1) licensed master plumbers;

 

(2) licensed professional engineers; or

 

(3) individuals who are working under the supervision of a licensed professional engineer and who: are licensed plumbers; hold a postsecondary degree in engineering; or are certified by a national model code organization on plumbing systems;

 

(g) individuals who will conduct the plumbing plan and specification reviews for the municipality have passed a competency assessment required by the commissioner to assess the individual's competency at reviewing plumbing plans and specifications;

 

(h) individuals who will conduct the plumbing inspections for the municipality are licensed master or journeyman plumbers, or inspectors meeting the competency requirements established in rules adopted under section 16B.655;

 

(i) the municipality agrees to enforce in its entirety the plumbing code on all projects, except as provided in paragraph (p);

 

(j) the municipality agrees to keep official records of all documents received, including plans, specifications, surveys, and plot plans, and of all plan reviews, permits and certificates issued, reports of inspections, and notices issued in connection with plumbing inspections and the review of plumbing plans and specifications;

 

(k) the municipality agrees to maintain the records described in paragraph (j) in the official records of the municipality for the period required for the retention of public records under section 138.17, and shall make these records readily available for review at the request of the commissioner;


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(l) the municipality and the commissioner agree that if at any time during the agreement the municipality does not have in effect the plumbing code or any of ordinances described in item (a), or if the commissioner determines that the municipality is not properly administering and enforcing the plumbing code or is otherwise not complying with the agreement:

 

(1) the commissioner may, effective 14 days after the municipality's receipt of written notice, terminate the agreement;

 

(2) the municipality may challenge the termination in a contested case before the commissioner according to the Administrative Procedure Act; and

 

(3) while any challenge is pending under item (2), the commissioner shall perform plan and specification reviews within the municipality under Minnesota Rules, part 4715.3130;

 

(m) the municipality and the commissioner agree that the municipality may terminate the agreement with or without cause on 90 days' written notice to the commissioner;

 

(n) the municipality and the commissioner agree that the municipality shall forward to the state for review all plumbing plans and specifications for the following types of projects within the municipality:

 

(1) hospitals, nursing homes, supervised living facilities, and similar health-care-related facilities regulated by the Minnesota Department of Health;

 

(2) buildings owned by the federal or state government; and

 

(3) projects of a special nature for which department review is requested by either the municipality or the state;

 

(o) where the municipality forwards to the state for review plumbing plans and specifications, as provided in paragraph (n), the municipality shall not collect any fee for plan review, and the commissioner shall collect all applicable fees for plan review; and

 

(p) no municipality shall revoke, suspend, or place restrictions on any plumbing license issued by the state.

 

Subd. 1b. Existing agreements with municipalities. Any agreement between the commissioner and a municipality in which the municipality has agreed to perform plan and specification reviews required to be performed by the commissioner under Minnesota Rules, part 4715.3130, that is in effect on the effective date of subdivision 1a, shall remain in effect and shall not be required to be in compliance with subdivision 1a. If any agreement to perform plan and specification reviews required to be performed by the commissioner under Minnesota Rules, part 4715.3130, in effect on the effective date of subdivision 1a is later terminated by operation of the terms of the agreement or by either the commissioner or the municipality, or expires, then any new agreement between the commissioner and the municipality to perform plan and specification reviews required to be performed by the commissioner under Minnesota Rules, part 4715.3130, shall comply with subdivision 1a.

 

Subd. 2. Standards for capacity. By January 1, 1993, All new floor-mounted water closets in areas under jurisdiction of the State plumbing code may not have a flush volume of more than 1.6 gallons. The water closets must meet the standards of the commissioner and in the plumbing code and the standards of the American National Standards Institute.

 

Subd. 3. Exemption. No license or registration authorized by this section sections 326.361 to 326.44 shall be required of any contractor or employee individual engaged in or employed by a person engaged in the work or business of pipe laying outside of buildings if such person individual or employer is engaged in a business or trade which has traditionally performed such work within the state prior to January 1, 1994.


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Sec. 5. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 326.38, is amended to read:

 

326.38 LOCAL REGULATIONS.

 

Any city having a system of waterworks or sewerage, or any town in which reside over 5,000 people exclusive of any statutory cities located therein, or the metropolitan airports commission, Any of the following entities may, by ordinance, adopt local regulations providing for plumbing permits, bonds, approval of plans and specifications, and inspections of plumbing, which regulations are not in conflict with the plumbing standards on the same subject prescribed by the state commissioner of health. code: any city having a system of waterworks or sewerage, regardless of population; any town having a population of 5,000 or more according to the last federal census, exclusive of any statutory cities located therein; and the Metropolitan Airports Commission. No city or such town such entity shall prohibit plumbers licensed by the state commissioner of health from engaging in or working at the business of plumbing, except cities and statutory cities which, prior to April 21, 1933, by ordinance required the licensing of plumbers. No such entity shall require any person who engages in the business of plumbing to post a bond as a prerequisite for engaging in the business of plumbing, except the bond to the state required under section 326.40 and except any performance bond required under a contract with the person for the performance of plumbing work for the entity. No such entity shall require any person who engages in the business of plumbing to maintain public liability insurance as a prerequisite for engaging in the business of plumbing, except the insurance required under section 326.40 and except any public liability insurance required under a contract with the person for the performance of plumbing work for the entity. Any city by ordinance may prescribe regulations, reasonable standards, and inspections and grant permits to any person, firm, or corporation engaged in the business of installing water softeners, who is not licensed as a master plumber or journeyman plumber by the state commissioner of health, to connect water softening and water filtering equipment to private residence water distribution systems, where provision has been previously made therefor and openings left for that purpose or by use of cold water connections to a domestic water heater; where it is not necessary to rearrange, make any extension or alteration of, or addition to any pipe, fixture or plumbing connected with the water system except to connect the water softener, and provided the connections so made comply with minimum standards prescribed by the state commissioner of health.

 

Sec. 6. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 326.39, is amended to read:

 

326.39 VIOLATIONS TO BE REPORTED TO STATE COMMISSIONER OF HEALTH.

 

Such local authority as may be designated by any such ordinance for the issuance of such plumbing permits and approval of such plans shall report to the state commissioner of health of labor and industry persistent or willful violation of the same and any incompetence of a licensed plumber observed by the local authority.

 

Sec. 7. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 326.40, is amended to read:

 

326.40 LICENSING, BOND AND INSURANCE.

 

Subdivision 1. License required Plumbers must be licensed in certain cities; master and journeyman plumbers; plumbing on one's own premises; rules for examination. In any city now or hereafter having 5,000 or more population having a population of 5,000 or more, according to the last federal census, and having a system of waterworks or sewerage, no person, firm, or corporation individual shall engage in or work at the business of a master plumber or journeyman plumber unless licensed to do so by the state commissioner of health. A master plumber may also work as a journeyman plumber. Anyone Any individual not so licensed may do plumbing work which complies with the provisions of the minimum standard prescribed by the state commissioner of health on premises or that part of premises owned and actually occupied by the worker as a residence, unless otherwise forbidden to do so by a local ordinance.


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In any such city no person, firm, or corporation shall engage in the business of planning, superintending, or installing plumbing nor or shall install plumbing in connection with the dealing in and selling of plumbing material and supplies unless at all times a licensed master plumber, who shall be responsible for proper planning, superintending, and installation, is in charge of the plumbing work of the person, firm, or corporation.

 

The department of Health shall prescribe rules, not inconsistent herewith, for the examination and licensing of plumbers.

 

Subd. 2. Bond; insurance. Any person contracting to do plumbing work must give bond to the state in the amount of $25,000 for all work entered into within the state. The bond shall be for the benefit of persons injured or suffering financial loss by reason of failure to comply with the requirements of the State Plumbing Code. A The bond given to the state shall be filed with the commissioner of health and shall be in lieu of all other bonds to any political subdivision required for plumbing work. The bond shall be written by a corporate surety licensed to do business in the state.

 

In addition, each applicant for a master plumber license or renewal thereof, may shall provide evidence of public liability insurance, including products liability insurance with limits of at least $50,000 per person and $100,000 per occurrence and property damage insurance with limits of at least $10,000. The insurance shall be written by an insurer licensed to do business in the state of Minnesota and each licensed master plumber shall maintain on file with the state commissioner of health a certificate evidencing the insurance providing that the insurance shall not be canceled without the insurer first giving 15 days written notice to the commissioner. The term of the insurance shall be concurrent with the term of the license. The certificate shall be in lieu of all other certificates required by any political subdivision for licensing purposes.

 

Subd. 3. Bond and insurance exemption. If a master plumber who is an employee of a master plumber or who is an employee engaged within the limits of property owned, leased and operated, or maintained by the employer, in the maintenance and repair of plumbing equipment, apparatus, or facilities owned or leased by the employer, who is in compliance with the bond and insurance requirements of subdivision 2 employs another master plumber, the employee master plumber shall not be required to meet the bond and insurance requirements of subdivision 2. A master plumber who is an employee working on the maintenance and repair of plumbing equipment, apparatus, or facilities owned or leased by their employer and which is within the limits of property owned or leased, and operated or maintained by their employer, shall not be required to meet the bond and insurance requirements of subdivision 2.

 

Subd. 4. Alternative compliance. Compliance with the local bond requirements of a locale within which work is to be performed shall be deemed to satisfy the bond and insurance requirements of subdivision 2, provided the local ordinance requires at least a $25,000 bond.

 

Subd. 5. Fee. The state commissioner of health may charge Each person giving bond to the state under subdivision 2 shall pay the department an annual bond filing registration fee commensurate with the cost of administering the bond and insurance requirements of subdivision 2 of $40.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective December 1, 2007, except that the amendments to subdivision 5 are effective July 1, 2007.

 

Sec. 8. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 326.401, is amended to read:

 

326.401 PLUMBER'S APPRENTICES.

 

Subdivision 1. Registration. A All plumber's apprentice must be registered. To be a registered plumber's apprentice, an individual must either:


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(1) be an apprentice employed in the trade of plumbing under an apprenticeship agreement approved by the department under Minnesota Rules, part 5200.0300; or

 

(2) be registered with the commissioner of health on a registration application form supplied by the commissioner showing the date of beginning training, age, schooling, previous experience, employer, and other information required by the commissioner. under subdivision 3 as an unlicensed individual on a registration application form supplied by the apprenticeship council showing the date of beginning training, schooling, and previous experience. A registered plumber's apprentice is authorized to assist in the installation of plumbing only while under the direct supervision of a master or journeyman plumber. The master or journeyman plumber is responsible for ensuring that all plumbing work performed by the registered plumber's apprentice complies with the plumbing code.

 

Subd. 2. Journeyman exam. A registered plumber's apprentice who has completed four years of practical plumbing experience is eligible to take the journeyman plumbing examination. Up to 24 months of practical plumbing experience prior to registration as an apprentice becoming a registered plumber's apprentice may be applied to the four-year experience requirement. However, none of this practical plumbing experience may be applied if the person individual did not have any practical plumbing experience in the 12-month period immediately prior to registration becoming a registered plumber's apprentice. The commissioner may adopt rules to evaluate whether the person's individual's past practical plumbing experience is applicable in preparing for the journeyman's examination. If two years after completing the training the person individual has not taken the examination, the four years of experience shall be forfeited.

 

The commissioner may allow an extension of the two-year period for taking the exam for cases of hardship or other appropriate circumstances.

 

Subd. 3. Registration, rules, applications, renewals, and fees. The Department of Health may assess fees to pay for the administration of the apprentice registration program. A plumber's apprentice may register by completing and submitting to the commissioner a registration form provided by the commissioner. A completed registration form must state the date the apprentice began training, the apprentice's age, schooling, previous experience, and employer, and other information required by the commissioner. The department may prescribe rules, not inconsistent with this section, for the registration of plumber's apprentice. Each applicant for initial registration as a plumber's apprentice shall pay the department an application fee of $25. Applications for initial registration may be submitted at any time. Registration must be renewed annually and shall be for the period from July 1 of each year to June 30 of the following year. Applications for renewal registration must be received by the commissioner by June 30 of each registration period on forms provided by the commissioner, and must be accompanied by a fee of $25. An application for renewal registration received on or after July 1 in any year but no more than three months after expiration of the previously issued registration must pay the past due renewal fee plus a late fee of $25. No applications for renewal registration will be accepted more than three months after expiration of the previously issued registration.

 

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

 

Sec. 9. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 326.405, is amended to read:

 

326.405 RECIPROCITY WITH OTHER STATES.

 

The commissioner of health may issue a temporary license without examination, upon payment of the required fee, nonresident applicants who are licensed under the laws of a state having standards for licensing plumbers which the commissioner determines are substantially equivalent to the standards of this state if the other state grants similar privileges to Minnesota residents duly licensed in this state. Applicants who receive a temporary license under this section may acquire a cumulative 24 months of experience before they have to apply and pass the plumbing licensing examination. Applicants must register with the commissioner of labor and industry and the commissioner shall set a fee for a temporary license. Applicants have four years in which to comply with this section.


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Sec. 10. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 326.42, is amended to read:

 

326.42 APPLICATIONS, FEES.

 

Subdivision 1. Application. Applications for plumber's license shall be made to the state commissioner of health, with fee. Unless the applicant is entitled to a renewal, the applicant shall be licensed by the state commissioner of health only after passing a satisfactory examination by the examiners showing fitness. Unless examination fees have been set by a contract under section 326B.05, examination fees for both journeyman and master plumbers shall be in an amount prescribed by the state commissioner of health pursuant to section 144.122 $50 for each examination. Upon being notified that of having successfully passed the examination for original license the applicant shall submit an application, with the license fee herein provided. License fees shall be in an amount prescribed by the state commissioner of health pursuant to section 144.122. Licenses shall expire and be renewed as prescribed by the commissioner pursuant to section 144.122. The license fee for each initial and renewal master plumber's license shall be $120. The license fee for each initial and renewal journeyman plumber's license shall be $55. The commissioner may by rule prescribe for the expiration and renewal of licenses. Any licensee who does not renew a license within two years after the license expires is no longer eligible for renewal. Such an individual must retake and pass the examination before a new license will be issued. A journeyman or master plumber who submits a license renewal application after the time specified in rule but within two years after the license expired must pay all past due renewal fees plus a late fee of $25.

 

Subd. 2. Fees for plan reviews and audits. Plumbing system plans and specifications that are submitted to the commissioner for review shall be accompanied by the appropriate plan examination fees. If the commissioner determines, upon review of the plans, that inadequate fees were paid, the necessary additional fees shall be paid prior to plan approval. The commissioner shall charge the following fees for plan reviews and audits of plumbing installations for public, commercial, and industrial buildings:

 

(1) systems with both water distribution and drain, waste, and vent systems and having:

 

(i) 25 or fewer drainage fixture units, $150;

 

(ii) 26 to 50 drainage fixture units, $250;

 

(iii) 51 to 150 drainage fixture units, $350;

 

(iv) 151 to 249 drainage fixture units, $500;

 

(v) 250 or more drainage fixture units, $3 per drainage fixture unit to a maximum of $4,000; and

 

(vi) interceptors, separators, or catch basins, $70 per interceptor, separator, or catch basin design;

 

(2) building sewer service only, $150;

 

(3) building water service only, $150;

 

(4) building water distribution system only, no drainage system, $5 per supply fixture unit or $150, whichever is greater;

 

(5) storm drainage system, a minimum fee of $150 or:

 

(i) $50 per drain opening, up to a maximum of $500; and


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(ii) $70 per interceptor, separator, or catch basin design;

 

(6) manufactured home park or campground, one to 25 sites, $300;

 

(7) manufactured home park or campground, 26 to 50 sites, $350;

 

(8) manufactured home park or campground, 51 to 125 sites, $400;

 

(9) manufactured home park or campground, more than 125 sites, $500;

 

(10) accelerated review, double the regular fee, one-half to be refunded if no response from the commissioner within 15 business days; and

 

(11) revision to previously reviewed or incomplete plans:

 

(i) review of plans for which the commissioner has issued two or more requests for additional information, per review, $100 or ten percent of the original fee, whichever is greater;

 

(ii) proposer-requested revision with no increase in project scope, $50 or ten percent of original fee, whichever is greater; and

 

(iii) proposer-requested revision with an increase in project scope, $50 plus the difference between the original project fee and the revised project fee.

 

Subd. 3. Inspection fees. The commissioner shall charge the following fees for inspections under sections 326.361 to 326.44:

 

Residential inspection fee (each visit)                                                        $50

 

Public, commercial, and industrial inspections                                          Inspection fee

 

25 or fewer drainage fixture units                                                                 $300

26 to 50 drainage fixture units                                                                      $900

51 to 150 drainage fixture units                                                                    $1,200

151 to 249 drainage fixture units                                                                  $1,500

250 or more drainage fixture units                                                                $1,800

 

Callback fee (each visit)                                                                                $100

 

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

 

Sec. 11. [326B.41] PURPOSE.

 

The purpose of sections 326B.41 to 326B.49 is to promote the public health and safety through properly designed, acceptably installed, and adequately maintained plumbing systems.

 

Sec. 12. [326B.42] DEFINITIONS.

 

Subdivision 1. Words, terms, and phrases. For purposes of sections 326B.41 to 326B.49, the terms defined in this section have the meanings given to them.

 

Subd. 2. Direct supervision. The term "direct supervision," with respect to direct supervision of a plumber's apprentice by a master or journeyman plumber, means that:


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(1) at all times while the plumber's apprentice is performing plumbing work, the master or journeyman plumber is present at the location where the plumber's apprentice is working;

 

(2) the master or journeyman plumber is physically present and immediately available to the plumber's apprentice at all times for assistance and direction;

 

(3) any form of electronic supervision does not meet the requirement of physically present;

 

(4) the master or journeyman plumber actually reviews the plumbing work performed by the plumber's apprentice before the plumbing is operated; and

 

(5) the master or journeyman plumber is able to and does determine that all plumbing work performed by the plumber's apprentice is performed in compliance with the plumbing code.

 

Subd. 5. Municipality. The term "municipality" shall have the meaning given to it in section 16B.60, subdivision 3.

 

Subd. 6. Plumbing code. "Plumbing code" means Minnesota Rules, chapter 4715.

 

Sec. 13. REVISOR'S INSTRUCTION.

 

The revisor of statutes shall renumber each section of Minnesota Statutes listed in column A with the number listed in column B. The revisor shall also make necessary cross-referenced changes consistent with the renumbering.

 

                                                        Column A                                                Column B

 

                                                        326.01, subd. 7                                        326B.42, subd. 3

                                                        326.01, subd. 8                                        326B.42, subd. 4

                                                        326.01, subd. 9                                        326B.42, subd. 7

                                                        326.37                                                       326B.43

                                                        326.38                                                       326B.44

                                                        326.39                                                       326B.45

                                                        326.40                                                       326B.46

                                                        326.401                                                     326B.47

                                                        326.405                                                     326B.48

                                                        326.42                                                       326B.49

 

ARTICLE 7

 

WATER CONDITIONING CONTRACTORS AND INSTALLERS

 

Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 326.57, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

 

Subdivision 1. Rulemaking by commissioner of health. The state commissioner of health shall, by rule, prescribe minimum standards which shall be uniform, and which standards shall thereafter be effective for all new water conditioning servicing and water conditioning installations, including additions, extensions, alterations, and replacements connected with any water or sewage disposal system owned or operated by or for any municipality, institution, factory, office building, hotel, apartment building or any other place of business, regardless of location or the population of the city, county or town in which located. Such rules, upon approval of the attorney general and their legal publication, shall have the force of law, and the violation of any part thereof shall constitute a misdemeanor and may be enjoined by the attorney general.


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Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 326.58, is amended to read:

 

326.58 LOCAL REGULATIONS.

 

Any city or town with a population of 5,000 or more persons according to the last federal census may, by ordinance, adopt local regulations providing for water conditioning permits, bonds, approval of plans, and inspections of water conditioning installations and servicing, which regulations shall not be in conflict with the water conditioning standards on the same subject prescribed by the state commissioner of health. No such city or town shall prohibit water conditioning contractors or installers licensed by the state commissioner of health from engaging in or working at the business.

 

Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 326.59, is amended to read:

 

326.59 VIOLATIONS TO BE REPORTED TO STATE COMMISSIONER OF HEALTH.

 

Such local authority as may be designated by any such ordinance for the issuance of such water conditioning installation and servicing permits and approval of such plans shall report to the state commissioner of health persistent or willful violations of the same and any incompetence of a licensed water conditioning contractor or licensed water conditioning installer observed by the local authority.

 

Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 326.60, is amended to read:

 

326.60 LICENSING IN CERTAIN CITIES; QUALIFICATIONS; RULES.

 

Subdivision 1. Licensing in certain cities. In any city or town now or hereafter having a population of 5,000 or more according to the last federal census, no person, firm, or corporation shall engage in or work at the business of water conditioning installation or servicing after January 1, 1970, unless (a) (1) at all times a person an individual licensed as a water conditioning contractor by the state commissioner of health shall be responsible for the proper water conditioning installation and servicing work of such person, firm, or corporation, and (b) (2) all installations, other than exchanges of portable equipment, are actually made performed by a licensed water conditioning contractor or licensed water conditioning installer. Anyone Any individual not so licensed may do perform water conditioning work which that complies with the provisions of the minimum standard prescribed by the state commissioner of health on premises or that part of premises owned and actually occupied by the worker as a residence, unless otherwise forbidden to do so prohibited by a local ordinance.

 

Subd. 2. Qualifications for licensing. A water conditioning contractor license shall be issued only to a person an individual who has demonstrated skill in planning, superintending, and servicing water conditioning installations. A water conditioning installer license shall only be issued to a person an individual other than a water conditioning contractor who has demonstrated practical knowledge of water conditioning installation.

 

Subd. 3. Rules. The state commissioner of health shall:

 

(a) (1) prescribe rules, not inconsistent herewith, for the licensing of water conditioning contractors and installers;

 

(b) (2) license water conditioning contractors and installers;

 

(c) (3) prescribe rules not inconsistent herewith for the examining of water conditioning contractors and installers prior to first granting a license as a water conditioning contractor or water conditioning installer; and


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(d) (4) collect an examination fee from each examinee for a license as a water conditioning contractor and a an examination fee from each examinee for a license as a water conditioning installer in an amount prescribed by the state commissioner of health pursuant to set forth in section 144.122 326.62. A water conditioning installer must successfully pass the examination for water conditioning contractors before being licensed as a water conditioning contractor.

 

Sec. 5. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 326.601, is amended to read:

 

326.601 ALTERNATIVE STATE BONDING AND INSURANCE REGULATION.

 

Subdivision 1. Bonds. (a) An applicant for a water conditioning contractor or installer license or renewal thereof who is required by any political subdivision to give a bond to obtain or maintain the license, may comply with any political subdivision bonding requirement by giving a bond to the state as described in paragraph (b). No applicant for a water conditioning contractor or installer license who maintains the bond under paragraph (b) shall be otherwise required to meet the bond requirements of any political subdivision.

 

(b) Each bond given to the state under this subdivision shall be in the total penal sum of $3,000 conditioned upon the faithful and lawful performance of all water conditioning contracting or installing work done within the state. The bond shall be for the benefit of persons suffering injuries or damages due to the work. The bond shall be filed with the commissioner of health and shall be written by a corporate surety licensed to do business in this state. No applicant for a water conditioning contractor or installer license who maintains the bond under this subdivision shall be otherwise required to meet the bond requirements of any political subdivision. The bond must remain in effect at all times while the application is pending and while the license is in effect.

 

Subd. 2. Insurance. (a) Each applicant for a water conditioning contractor or installer license or renewal thereof may, in lieu of all other insurance requirements of any political subdivision for said licensing purposes, maintain the insurance specified by this subdivision. who is required by any political subdivision to maintain insurance to obtain or maintain the license may comply with any political subdivision's insurance requirement by maintaining the insurance described in paragraph (b). No applicant for a water conditioning contractor or installer license who maintains the insurance described in paragraph (b) shall be otherwise required to meet the insurance requirements of any political subdivision.

 

(b) The insurance shall provide coverage, including products liability coverage, for all damages in connection with licensed work for which the licensee is liable, with personal damage limits of at least $50,000 per person and $100,000 per occurrence and property damage insurance with limits of at least $10,000. The insurance shall be written by an insurer licensed to do business in this state and each licensed water conditioning contractor or installer shall maintain on file with the commissioner of health a certificate evidencing the insurance shall be filed with the commissioner. The insurance must remain in effect at all times while the application is pending and while the license is in effect. The insurance shall not be canceled without the insurer first giving 15 days' written notice to the commissioner.

 

Subd. 3. Bond and insurance exemption. A water conditioning contractor or installer who is an employee of a water conditioning contractor or installer, including an employee engaged in the maintenance and repair of water conditioning equipment, apparatus, or facilities owned, leased and operated, or maintained by the employer, is not required to meet the bond and insurance requirements of subdivisions 1 and 2 or of any political subdivision.

 

Subd. 4. Fee. The commissioner of health may establish by rule an additional fee commensurate with the cost of administering the bond and insurance requirements of subdivisions 1 and 2, which may be charged shall collect a $40 bond registration fee from each applicant for issuance or renewal of a water conditioning contractor or installer license who elects to proceed under subdivisions 1 and 2.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective December 1, 2007, except that the amendments to subdivision 4 are effective July 1, 2007.


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Sec. 6. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 326.61, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

 

Subdivision 1. Water conditioning installation. "Water conditioning installation" as used in sections 326.57 to 326.65 means the installation of appliances, appurtenances, and fixtures designed to treat water so as to alter, modify, add or remove mineral, chemical or bacterial content, said installation to be made in a water distribution system serving a single family residential unit, which has been initially established by a licensed plumber, and does not involve a direct connection without an air gap to a soil or waste pipe.

 

Sec. 7. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 326.61, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 2. Water conditioning servicing. "Water conditioning servicing" as used in sections 326.57 to 326.65 means the servicing (including servicing prior to installation) of a water conditioning installation.

 

Sec. 8. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 326.61, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 3. Rules. In order to provide effective protection of the public health, the state commissioner of health may by rule prescribe limitations on the nature of alteration to, extension of, or connection with, the said water distribution system initially established by a licensed plumber which may be performed by a person licensed hereunder, and may by rule in appropriate instances require filing of plans, blueprints and specifications prior to commencement of installation. Such rules, upon approval of the attorney general and their legal publication, shall have the force of law, and the violation of any part thereof shall constitute a misdemeanor. The installation of water heaters shall not constitute water conditioning installation and consequently such work shall be accomplished in accordance with the provisions of sections 326.37 326.361 to 326.45 326.44.

 

Sec. 9. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 326.61, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 4. Single family residential unit. "Single family residential unit" as used in sections 326.57 to 326.65 means a building or portion thereof which is arranged, designed, used or intended to be used for residential occupancy by one family, but not including a motel, hotel or rooming house.

 

Sec. 10. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 326.62, is amended to read:

 

326.62 APPLICATIONS; FEES.

 

Applications for water conditioning contractor's or installer's licenses shall be made to the state commissioner of health with the fee prescribed by the commissioner pursuant to section 144.122. Licenses shall expire and be renewed as prescribed by the commissioner pursuant to section 144.122. Unless examination fees have been set by a contract under section 326B.05, examination fees for both water conditioning contractors and water conditioning installers shall be $50 for each examination. Each water conditioning contractor and installer license shall expire on December 31 of the year for which it was issued. The license fee for each initial water conditioning contractor's license shall be $70, except that the license fee shall be $35 if the application is submitted during the last three months of the calendar year. The license fee for each renewal water conditioning contractor's license shall be $70. The license fee for each initial water conditioning installer license shall be $35, except that the license fee shall be $17.50 if the application is submitted during the last three months of the calendar year. The license fee for each renewal water conditioning installer license shall be $35. The commissioner may by rule prescribe for the expiration and renewal of licenses. Any licensee who does not renew a license within two years after the license expires is no longer eligible for renewal. Such an individual must retake and pass the examination before a new license will be issued. A water conditioning contractor or water conditioning installer who submits a license renewal application after the time specified in rule but within two years after the license expired must pay all past due renewal fees plus a late fee of $25.

 

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


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Sec. 11. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 326.65, is amended to read:

 

326.65 STATE LICENSE; EXAMINATION; APPLICATION; EXEMPTION.

 

The provisions of sections 326.57 to 326.65 which that require the obtaining of licenses to engage in the work or business of water conditioning installation, and the provisions which that provide for the examination of applicants for such licenses, shall only apply to work accomplished in cities or towns having populations of 5,000 or more according to the last federal census, and shall not apply to master plumbers and journeymen plumbers licensed under the provisions of sections 326.37 326.361 to 326.45 326.44.

 

Sec. 12. [326.651] RECIPROCITY WITH OTHER STATES.

 

The commissioner may issue a temporary license without examination, upon payment of the required fee, nonresident applicants who are licensed under the laws of a state having standards for licensing which the commissioner determines are substantially equivalent to the standards of this state if the other state grants similar privileges to Minnesota residents duly licensed in this state. Applicants who receive a temporary license under this section may acquire a cumulative 24 months of experience before they have to apply and pass the licensing examination. Applicants must register with the commissioner of labor and industry and the commissioner shall set a fee for a temporary license. Applicants have four years in which to comply with this section.

 

Sec. 13. [326B.50] DEFINITIONS.

 

Subdivision 1. Words, terms, and phrases. For the purposes of sections 326B.50 to 326B.59, the terms defined in this section have the meanings given them.

 

Sec. 14. REVISOR'S INSTRUCTION.

 

The revisor of statutes shall renumber each section of Minnesota Statutes listed in column A with the number listed in column B. The revisor shall also make necessary cross-reference changes consistent with the renumbering.

 

                                                        Column A                                                Column B

 

                                                        326.57                                                       326B.52

                                                        326.58                                                       326B.53

                                                        326.59                                                       326B.54

                                                        326.60                                                       326B.55

                                                        326.601                                                     326B.56

                                                        326.61, subd. 1                                        326B.50, subd. 3

                                                        326.61, subd. 2                                        326B.50, subd. 4

                                                        326.61, subd. 3                                        326B.57

                                                        326.61, subd. 4                                        326B.50, subd. 2

                                                        326.62                                                       326B.58

                                                        326.65                                                       326B.59

 

ARTICLE 8

 

RESIDENTIAL BUILDING CONTRACTOR AND REMODELER STATUTES

 

Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 325E.58, is amended to read:


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325E.58 SIGN CONTRACTOR; BOND.

 

(a) A sign contractor may post a compliance bond with the commissioner, conditioned that the sign contractor shall faithfully perform duties and comply with laws, ordinances, rules, and contracts entered into for the installation of signs. The bond must be renewed annually and maintained for so long as determined by the commissioner. The aggregate liability of the surety on the bond to any and all persons, regardless of the number of claims made against the bond, may not exceed the annual amount of the bond. The bond may be canceled as to future liability by the surety upon 30 days' written notice mailed to the commissioner by United States mail.

 

(b) The amount of the bond shall be $8,000. The bond may be drawn upon only by a local unit of government that requires sign installers contractors to post a compliance bond. The bond is in lieu of any compliance bond required by a local unit of government.

 

(c) For purposes of this section, "sign" means a device, structure, fixture, or placard using graphics, symbols, or written copy that is erected on the premises of an establishment including the name of the establishment or identifying the merchandise, services, activities, or entertainment available on the premises.

 

Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 326.83, subdivision 6, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 6. Lessee. "Lessee" means one who rents or leases residential real estate pursuant to a written lease agreement of at least one year's duration.

 

Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 326.83, subdivision 7, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 7. Licensee. "Licensee" means a residential building contractor, residential remodeler, manufactured home installer, or residential roofer licensed under sections 326.83 to 326.991 326.98.

 

Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 326.83, subdivision 11, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 11. Owner. Except in section 326.91, subdivision 1, "owner" means a person who has any legal or equitable interest in real property. For purposes of sections 326.83 to 326.991, "owner" does not include a residential building contractor or residential remodeler who constructs or improves its own property for purposes of speculation. A residential building contractor or residential remodeler will be presumed to be building or improving for purposes of speculation if it constructs or improves more than one property within any 24-month period. "Owner," when used in connection with real property, means a person who has any legal or equitable interest in the real property.

 

Sec. 5. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 326.83, subdivision 18, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 18. Residential roofer. "Residential roofer" means a person in the business of contracting, or offering to contract with an owner, to complete work on residential real estate in roof coverings, roof sheathing, roof weatherproofing and insulation, and repair of roof systems, but not construction of new roof systems.

 

Sec. 6. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 326.83, subdivision 19, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 19. Special skill. "Special skill" means one of the following eight categories:

 

(a) Excavation. Excavation includes work in any of the following areas:

 

(1) excavation;


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(2) trenching;

 

(3) grading; and

 

(4) site grading.

 

(b) Masonry and concrete. Masonry and concrete includes work in any of the following areas:

 

(1) drain systems;

 

(2) poured walls;

 

(3) slabs and poured-in-place footings;

 

(4) masonry walls;

 

(5) masonry fireplaces;

 

(6) masonry veneer; and

 

(7) water resistance and waterproofing.

 

(c) Carpentry. Carpentry includes work in any of the following areas:

 

(1) rough framing;

 

(2) finish carpentry;

 

(3) doors, windows, and skylights;

 

(4) porches and decks, excluding footings;

 

(5) wood foundations; and

 

(6) drywall installation, excluding taping and finishing.

 

(d) Interior finishing. Interior finishing includes work in any of the following areas:

 

(1) floor covering;

 

(2) wood floors;

 

(3) cabinet and counter top installation;

 

(4) insulation and vapor barriers;

 

(5) interior or exterior painting;

 

(6) ceramic, marble, and quarry tile;

 

(7) ornamental guardrail and installation of prefabricated stairs; and


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(8) wallpapering.

 

(e) Exterior finishing. Exterior finishing includes work in any of the following areas:

 

(1) siding;

 

(2) soffit, fascia, and trim;

 

(3) exterior plaster and stucco;

 

(4) painting; and

 

(5) rain carrying systems, including gutters and down spouts.

 

(f) Drywall and plaster. Drywall and plaster includes work in any of the following areas:

 

(1) installation;

 

(2) taping;

 

(3) finishing;

 

(4) interior plaster;

 

(5) painting; and

 

(6) wallpapering.

 

(g) Residential roofing. Residential roofing includes work in any of the following areas:

 

(1) roof coverings;

 

(2) roof sheathing;

 

(3) roof weatherproofing and insulation; and

 

(4) repair of roof support system, but not construction of new roof support system.

 

(h) General installation specialties. Installation includes work in any of the following areas:

 

(1) garage doors and openers;

 

(2) pools, spas, and hot tubs;

 

(3) fireplaces and wood stoves;

 

(4) asphalt paving and seal coating; and

 

(5) exterior plaster and stucco; and

 

(6) ornamental guardrail and prefabricated stairs.


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Sec. 7. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 326.83, subdivision 20, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 20. Specialty contractor. "Specialty contractor" means a person in the business of contracting or offering to contract to build or improve residential real estate by providing only one special skill as defined in this section.

 

Sec. 8. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 326.84, is amended to read:

 

326.84 LICENSING REQUIREMENTS.

 

Subdivision 1. Persons required to be licensed. A person who meets the definition of a residential building contractor as defined in section 326.83, subdivision 15, must be licensed as a residential building contractor by the commissioner. A person who meets the definition of a residential remodeler as defined in section 326.83, subdivision 16, or a residential building contractor as defined in section 326.83, subdivision 15, must be licensed as a residential building contractor or residential remodeler. 16, must be licensed by the commissioner as a residential remodeler or residential building contractor. A person who meets the definition of a residential roofer as defined in section 18 must be licensed by the commissioner as a residential roofer, residential building contractor, or residential remodeler. A person who meets the definition of a manufactured home installer as defined in section 327.31, subdivision 6, must be licensed as a manufactured home installer by the commissioner.

 

Subd. 1a. Persons who may be licensed. A person who meets the definition of a specialty contractor as defined in section 326.83, subdivision 20 19, may be licensed by the commissioner as a residential building contractor or residential remodeler unless required to be licensed by the state as a specialty contractor.

 

Subd. 1b. Prohibition. Except as provided in subdivision 3, no persons required to be licensed by subdivision 1 may act or hold themselves out as a residential building contractors or contractor, residential remodelers remodeler, residential roofer, or manufactured home installer for compensation without a valid license issued by the commissioner.

 

Subd. 1c. Licensing criteria. The examination and education requirements for licensure under sections 326.84 to 326.991 326.98 must be fulfilled by a qualifying person designated by the potential licensee. If the qualifying person is a managing employee, the qualifying person must be an employee who is regularly employed by the licensee and is actively engaged in the business of residential contracting or residential remodeling on behalf of the licensee. For a sole proprietorship, the qualifying person must be the proprietor or managing employee. For a partnership, the qualifying person must be a general partner or managing employee. For a limited liability company, the qualifying person must be a chief manager or managing employee. For a corporation, the qualifying person must be a chief executive officer an owner, officer, or managing employee. A qualifying person for a corporation or limited liability company may act as a the qualifying person for one additional corporation if one of the following conditions exists:

 

(1) there is a common ownership of at least 25 percent of each licensed corporation for which the person acts in a qualifying capacity; or

 

(2) one corporation is a subsidiary of another corporation for which the same person acts in a qualifying capacity. "Subsidiary," as used in this section, means a corporation of which at least 25 percent is owned by the parent corporation. more than one corporation or limited liability company if there is common ownership of at least 25 percent among each of the licensed corporations or limited liability companies for which the person acts in the capacity of qualifying person.


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Subd. 1d. Required information. (a) Each licensee or applicant for licensure shall provide to the commissioner a current street address and telephone number where the licensee resides, and a street address and telephone number where the licensee's business is physically located. A post office box address is not sufficient to satisfy this requirement. Each licensee or applicant for licensure must notify the commissioner in writing of any change in the required information within 15 days of the change.

 

(b) Each licensee or applicant for licensure must notify the commissioner in writing upon any change in control, ownership, officers or directors, personal name, business name, license name, or qualifying person, within 15 days of the change.

 

(c) Each licensee or applicant for licensure must notify the commissioner in writing if the licensee or applicant for licensure is found to be a judgment debtor based upon conduct requiring licensure pursuant to sections 326.83 to 326.98 within 15 days of the finding.

 

(d) Each licensee or applicant for licensure must notify the commissioner in writing within 15 days of filing a petition for bankruptcy.

 

(e) Each licensee or applicant for licensure must notify the commissioner in writing within ten days if the licensee or applicant for licensure has been found guilty of a felony, gross misdemeanor, misdemeanor, or any comparable offense related to residential contracting, including convictions of fraud, misrepresentation, misuse of funds, theft, criminal sexual conduct, assault, burglary, conversion of funds, or theft of proceeds in this or any other state or any other United States jurisdiction.

 

Subd. 1e. ........ The commissioner may issue a temporary license without examination, upon payment of the required fee, nonresident applicants who are licensed under the laws of a state having standards for licensing which the commissioner determines are substantially equivalent to the standards of this state if the other state grants similar privileges to Minnesota residents duly licensed in this state. Applicants who receive a temporary license under this section may acquire a cumulative 24 months of experience before they have to apply and pass the licensing examination. Applicants must register with the commissioner of labor and industry and the commissioner shall set a fee for a temporary license. Applicants have four years in which to comply with this section.

 

Subd. 3. Exemptions. The license requirement does not apply to:

 

(1) an employee of a licensee performing work for the licensee;

 

(2) a material person, manufacturer, or retailer furnishing finished products, materials, or articles of merchandise who does not install or attach the items;

 

(3) an owner or owners of residential real estate who build or improve builds or improves any structure on residential real estate and who do the work themselves or jointly with the owner's own, if the building or improving is performed by the owner's bona fide employees or by individual owners personally. This exemption does not apply to a person who engages in a pattern of building or improving real estate for purposes of resale. Such a pattern is presumed to exist if the person constructs or improves more than one property within any 24-month period; an owner who constructs or improves property for purposes of speculation if the building or improving is performed by the owner's bona fide employees or by individual owners personally. A residential building contractor or residential remodeler will be presumed to be building or improving for purposes of speculation if the contractor or remodeler constructs or improves more than one property within any 24-month period.

 

(4) an architect or professional engineer engaging in professional practice as defined in this chapter by section 326.02, subdivisions 2 and 3;


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(5) a person whose total gross annual receipts from projects regulated under this section for performing specialty skills for which licensure would be required under this section do not exceed $15,000;

 

(6) a mechanical contractor;

 

(7) a plumber, electrician, or other person whose profession is otherwise subject to statewide licensing, when engaged in the activity which is the subject of that licensure;

 

(8) specialty contractors who provide only one special skill as defined in section 326.83;

 

(9) a school district, or a technical college governed under chapter 136F; and

 

(10) manufactured housing installers; and

 

(11) (10) Habitat for Humanity and Builders Outreach Foundation, and their individual volunteers when engaged in activities on their behalf.

 

To qualify for the exemption in clause (5), a person must obtain a certificate of exemption from licensing licensure from the commissioner.

 

A certificate of exemption will be issued upon the applicant's filing with the commissioner, an affidavit stating that the applicant does not expect to exceed $15,000 in gross annual receipts derived from contracting activities during the calendar year for which the exemption is requested performing services which require licensure under this section.

 

To renew the exemption in clause (5), the applicant must file an affidavit stating that the applicant did not exceed $15,000 in gross annual receipts during the past calendar year, and the applicant does not expect to exceed $15,000 in gross annual receipts during the calendar year for which the exemption is requested.

 

If a person, operating under the exemption in clause (5), exceeds $15,000 in gross receipts during any calendar year, the person must immediately surrender the exemption certificate and apply for the appropriate license. The person must remain licensed until such time as the person's gross annual receipts during a calendar year fall below $15,000. The person may then apply for this an exemption for the next calendar year.

 

Sec. 9. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 326.841, is amended to read:

 

326.841 MANUFACTURED HOME INSTALLERS.

 

(a) Manufactured home installers are subject to all of the requirements of sections 326.83 to 326.98, except for the following:

 

(1) manufactured home installers are not members of the advisory council under section 326.85;

 

(2) (1) manufactured home installers are not subject to the continuing education requirements of section 326.87, but are subject to the continuing education requirements established in rules adopted under section 327B.10;

 

(3) (2) the examination requirement of section 326.89, subdivision 3, for manufactured home installers shall be satisfied by successful completion of a written examination designed administered and developed specifically for the examination of manufactured home installers. The examination must be designed administered and developed by the commissioner in conjunction with the state building code division. The commissioner and State Building Code Division the state building official shall seek advice on the grading, monitoring, and updating of examinations from the Minnesota Manufactured Housing Association;


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(4) the amount of the bond required by section 326.94 shall be $2,500 for manufactured home installers;

 

(5) (3) a local government unit may not place a surcharge on a license fee, and may not charge a separate fee to installers;

 

(6) (4) a dealer or distributor who does not install or repair manufactured homes is exempt from licensure under sections 326.83 to 326.98; and

 

(7) (5) the exemption under section 326.84, subdivision 3, clause (5), does not apply.; and

 

(6) manufactured home installers are not subject to the contractor recovery fund in section 326.975.

 

(b) The commissioner may waive all or part of the requirements for licensure as a manufactured home installer for any individual who holds an unexpired license or certificate issued by any other state or other United States jurisdiction if the licensing requirements of that jurisdiction meet or exceed the corresponding licensing requirements of the department.

 

Sec. 10. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 326.842, is amended to read:

 

326.842 RESIDENTIAL ROOFERS.

 

Residential roofers are subject to all of the requirements of sections 326.83 to 326.98 and 326.991, except the recovery fund in section 326.975.

 

Sec. 11. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 326.86, is amended to read:

 

326.86 FEES.

 

Subdivision 1. Licensing fee. The licensing fee for persons licensed pursuant to sections 326.83 to 326.991 326.98 is $100 $70 per year.

 

Subd. 2. Local surcharge. A local government unit may place a surcharge in an amount no greater than $5 on each land use, zoning, or building permit that requires a licensed residential building contractor, residential remodeler, or specialty contractor residential roofer, or manufactured home installer for the purpose of license verification. The local government may verify a license by telephone or, facsimile machine or electronic communication. A local government unit shall not issue a land use, zoning, or building permit unless the required license has been verified and is current.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE. The amendments to subdivision 1 are effective July 1, 2007. The amendments to subdivision 2 are effective December 1, 2007.

 

Sec. 12. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 326.87, is amended to read:

 

326.87 CONTINUING EDUCATION.

 

Subdivision 1. Standards. The commissioner, in consultation with the council, may must by rule adopt standards for continuing education requirements and course and instructor approval. The standards must include requirements for continuing education in the implementation of energy codes applicable to buildings and other building codes designed to conserve energy. Except for the course content, the standards must be consistent with the standards established for real estate agents and other professions licensed by the Department of Commerce. At a minimum, the content of one hour of any required continuing education must contain information on lead abatement rules and safe lead abatement procedures.


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Subd. 2. Hours. A qualifying person of a licensee must provide proof of completion of seven 16 hours of continuing education per year in the regulated industry in which the licensee is licensed. To the extent the commissioner considers it appropriate, courses or parts of courses may be considered to satisfy both continuing education requirements under this section and continuing real estate education requirements.

 

Credit may not be earned if the licensee has previously obtained credit for the same course as either a student or instructor during the same licensing period.

 

Subd. 3. Accessibility. To the extent possible, the commissioner shall ensure that continuing education courses are offered throughout the state and are easily accessible to all licensees.

 

Subd. 4. Renewal of accreditation approval. The commissioner is authorized to establish a procedure for renewal of course accreditation approval.

 

Subd. 5. Content. (a) Continuing education consists of approved courses that impart appropriate and related knowledge in the regulated industries according to sections 326.83 to 326.98. The burden of demonstrating that courses impart appropriate and related knowledge is upon the person seeking approval or credit.

 

(b) Course examinations will not be required for continuing education courses unless they are required by the sponsor.

 

(c) Textbooks are not required to be used for continuing education courses. If textbooks are not used, the coordinator must provide students with a syllabus containing, at a minimum, the course title, the times and dates of the course offering, the names and addresses or telephone numbers of the course coordinator and instructor, and a detailed outline of the subject materials to be covered. Any written or printed material given to students must be of readable quality and contain accurate and current information.

 

(d) Upon completion of an approved course, licensees shall earn one hour of continuing education credit for each hour approved by the commissioner. Each continuing education course must be attended in its entirety in order to receive credit for the number of approved hours. Courses may be approved for full or partial credit, and for more than one regulated industry.

 

Continuing education credit in an approved course shall be awarded to presenting instructors on the basis of one credit for each hour of preparation for the initial presentation, which may not exceed three hours total credit for each approved course. Continuing education credit may not be earned if the licensee has previously obtained credit for the same course as a licensee or as an instructor within the three years immediately prior.

 

(e) The following courses will not be approved for credit:

 

(1) courses designed solely to prepare students for a license examination;

 

(2) courses in mechanical office or business skills, including typing, speed reading, or other machines or equipment. Computer courses are allowed, if appropriate and related to the regulated industry of the licensee;

 

(3) courses in sales promotion, including meetings held in conjunction with the general business of the licensee;

 

(4) courses in motivation, salesmanship, psychology, time management, or communication; or

 

(5) courses that are primarily intended to impart knowledge of specific products of specific companies, if the use of the product or products relates to the sales promotion or marketing of one or more of the products discussed.


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Subd. 6. Course approval. (a) Courses must be approved by the commissioner in advance and will be approved on the basis of the applicant's compliance with the provisions of this section relating to continuing education in the regulated industries. The commissioner shall make the final determination as to the approval and assignment of credit hours for courses. Courses must be at least one hour in length.

 

Individuals requesting credit for continuing education courses that have not been previously approved shall, on a form prescribed by the commissioner, submit an application for approval of continuing education credit accompanied by a nonrefundable fee of $10 for each course to be reviewed. To be approved, courses must be in compliance with the provisions of this section governing the types of courses that will and will not be approved.

 

Approval will not be granted for time spent on meals or other unrelated activities. Breaks may not be accumulated in order to dismiss the class early. Classes shall not be offered by a provider to any one student for longer than eight hours in one day, excluding meal breaks.

 

(b) Application for course approval must be submitted 30 days before the course offering.

 

(c) Approval must be granted for a subsequent offering of identical continuing education courses without requiring a new application if a notice of the subsequent offering is filed with the commissioner at least 30 days in advance of the date the course is to be held. The commissioner shall deny future offerings of courses if they are found not to be in compliance with the laws relating to course approval.

 

Subd. 7. Courses open to all. All course offerings must be open to any interested individuals. Access may be restricted by the sponsor based on class size only. Courses must not be approved if attendance is restricted to any particular group of people, except for company-sponsored courses allowed by applicable law.

 

Subd. 8. Course coordinator. (a) Each course of study shall have at least one coordinator, approved by the commissioner, who is responsible for supervising the program and ensuring compliance with all relevant law. Sponsors may engage an additional approved coordinator in order to assist the coordinator or to act as a substitute for the coordinator in the event of an emergency or illness.

 

(b) The commissioner shall approve as a coordinator a person meeting one or more of the following criteria:

 

(1) at least three years of full-time experience in the administration of an education program during the five-year period immediately before the date of application;

 

(2) a degree in education plus two years' experience during the immediately preceding five-year period in one of the regulated industries for which courses are being approved; or

 

(3) a minimum of five years' experience within the previous six years in the regulated industry for which courses are held.

 

Subd. 9. Responsibilities. A coordinator is responsible for:

 

(1) ensuring compliance with all laws and rules relating to continuing educational offerings governed by the commissioner;

 

(2) ensuring that students are provided with current and accurate information relating to the laws and rules governing their licensed activity;

 

(3) supervising and evaluating courses and instructors. Supervision includes ensuring that all areas of the curriculum are addressed without redundancy and that continuity is present throughout the entire course;


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(4) ensuring that instructors are qualified to teach the course offering;

 

(5) furnishing the commissioner, upon request, with copies of course and instructor evaluations and qualifications of instructors. Evaluations must be completed by students at the time the course is offered and by coordinators within five days after the course offering;

 

(6) investigating complaints related to course offerings or instructors. A copy of the written complaint must be sent to the commissioner within ten days of receipt of the complaint and a copy of the complaint resolution must be sent not more than ten days after resolution is reached;

 

(7) maintaining accurate records relating to course offerings, instructors, tests taken by students if required, and student attendance for a period of three years from the date on which the course was completed. These records must be made available to the commissioner upon request. In the event that a sponsor ceases operation for any reason, the coordinator is responsible for maintaining the records or providing a custodian for the records acceptable to the commissioner. The coordinator must notify the commissioner of the name and address of that person. In order to be acceptable to the commissioner, custodians must agree to make copies of acknowledgments available to students at a reasonable fee. Under no circumstances will the commissioner act as custodian of the records;

 

(8) ensuring that the coordinator is available to instructors and students throughout course offerings and providing to the students and instructor the name of the coordinator and a telephone number at which the coordinator can be reached;

 

(9) attending workshops or instructional programs as reasonably required by the commissioner;

 

(10) providing course completion certificates within ten days of, but not before, completion of the entire course. Course completion certificates must be completed in their entirety. Course completion certificates must contain the following statement: "If you have any comments about this course offering, please mail them to the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry." The current address of the department must be included. A coordinator may require payment of the course tuition as a condition for receiving the course completion certificate; and

 

(11) notifying the commissioner in writing within ten days of any change in the information in an application for approval on file with the commissioner.

 

Subd. 10. Instructors. (a) Each continuing education course shall have an instructor who is qualified by education, training, or experience to ensure competent instruction. Failure to have only qualified instructors teach at an approved course offering will result in loss of course approval. Coordinators are responsible to ensure that an instructor is qualified to teach the course offering.

 

(b) Qualified continuing education instructors must have one of the following qualifications:

 

(1) a four-year degree in any area plus two years' practical experience in the subject area being taught;

 

(2) five years' practical experience in the subject area being taught; or

 

(3) a college or graduate degree in the subject area being taught.

 

(c) Approved instructors are responsible for:

 

(1) compliance with all laws and rules relating to continuing education;

 

(2) providing students with current and accurate information;


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(3) maintaining an atmosphere conducive to learning in the classroom;

 

(4) verifying attendance of students, and certifying course completion;

 

(5) providing assistance to students and responding to questions relating to course materials; and

 

(6) attending the workshops or instructional programs that are required by the commissioner.

 

Subd. 11. Prohibited practices for coordinators and instructors. (a) In connection with an approved continuing education course, coordinators and instructors shall not:

 

(1) recommend or promote the services or practices of a particular business;

 

(2) encourage or recruit individuals to engage the services of, or become associated with, a particular business;

 

(3) use materials, clothing, or other evidences of affiliation with a particular entity;

 

(4) require students to participate in other programs or services offered by the instructor, coordinator, or sponsor;

 

(5) attempt, either directly or indirectly, to discover questions or answers on an examination for a license;

 

(6) disseminate to any other person specific questions, problems, or information known or believed to be included in licensing examinations;

 

(7) misrepresent any information submitted to the commissioner;

 

(8) fail to cover, or ensure coverage of, all points, issues, and concepts contained in the course outline approved by the commissioner during the approved instruction; or

 

(9) issue inaccurate course completion certificates.

 

(b) Coordinators shall notify the commissioner within ten days of a felony or gross misdemeanor conviction or of disciplinary action taken against an occupational or professional license held by the coordinator or an instructor teaching an approved course. The notification shall be grounds for the commissioner to withdraw the approval of the coordinator and to disallow the use of the instructor.

 

Subd. 12. Fees. Fees for an approved course of study and related materials must be clearly identified to students. In the event that a course is canceled for any reason, all fees must be returned within 15 days from the date of cancellation. In the event that a course is postponed for any reason, students shall be given the choice of attending the course at a later date or having their fees refunded in full within 15 days from the date of postponement. If a student is unable to attend a course or cancels the registration in a course, sponsor policies regarding refunds shall govern.

 

Subd. 13. Facilities. Each course of study must be conducted in a classroom or other facility that is adequate to comfortably accommodate the instructors and the number of students enrolled. The sponsor may limit the number of students enrolled in a course. Approved courses may be held on the premises of a company doing business in the regulated area only when the company is sponsoring the course offering, or where product application is appropriate and related.


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Subd. 14. Supplementary materials. An adequate supply of supplementary materials to be used or distributed in connection with an approved course must be available at the time and place of the course offering in order to ensure that each student receives all of the necessary materials. Outlines and any other materials that are reproduced must be of readable quality.

 

Subd. 15. Advertising courses. (a) Paragraphs (b) to (g) govern the advertising of continuing education courses.

 

(b) Advertising must be truthful and not deceptive or misleading. Courses may not be advertised in any manner as approved unless approval has been granted in writing by the commissioner.

 

(c) No advertisement, pamphlet, circular, or other similar materials pertaining to an approved offering may be circulated or distributed in this state, unless the following statement is prominently displayed:

 

"This course has been approved by the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry for ....... (approved number of hours) hours for continuing ....... (relevant industry) education."

 

(d) Advertising of approved courses must be clearly distinguishable from the advertisement of other nonapproved courses and services.

 

(e) Continuing education courses may not be advertised before approval unless the course is described in the advertising as "approval pending" and an application for approval has been timely submitted to the commissioner and a denial has not been received.

 

(f) The number of hours for which a course has been approved must be prominently displayed on an advertisement for the course. If the course offering is longer than the number of hours of credit to be given, it must be clear that credit is not earned for the entire course.

 

(g) The course approval number must not be included in any advertisement.

 

Subd. 16. Notice to students. At the beginning of each approved offering, the following notice must be handed out in printed form or must be read to students:

 

"This educational offering is recognized by the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry as satisfying ....... (insert number of hours approved) hours of credit toward continuing ....... (insert appropriate industry) education requirements."

 

Subd. 17. Audits. The commissioner reserves the right to audit subject offerings with or without notice to the sponsor.

 

Subd. 18. Falsification of reports. A licensee, its qualified person, or an applicant found to have falsified an education report to the commissioner shall be considered to have violated the laws relating to the industry for which the person has a license and shall be subject to censure, limitation, condition, suspension, or revocation of the license or denial of the application for licensure.

 

The commissioner reserves the right to audit a licensee's continuing education records.

 

Subd. 19. Waivers and extensions. If a licensee provides documentation to the commissioner that the licensee or its qualifying person is unable, and will continue to be unable, to attend actual classroom course work because of a physical disability, medical condition, or similar reason, attendance at continuing education courses shall be waived for a period not to exceed one year. The commissioner shall require that the licensee or its qualifying person


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satisfactorily complete a self-study program to include reading a sufficient number of textbooks, or listening to a sufficient number of tapes, related to the regulated industry, as would be necessary for the licensee to satisfy continuing educational credit hour needs. The commissioner shall award the licensee credit hours for a self-study program by determining how many credit hours would be granted to a classroom course involving the same material and giving the licensee the same number of credit hours under this part. The licensee may apply each year for a new waiver upon the same terms and conditions as were necessary to secure the original waiver, and must demonstrate that in subsequent years, the licensee was unable to complete actual classroom course work. The commissioner may request documentation of the condition upon which the request for waiver is based as is necessary to satisfy the commissioner of the existence of the condition and that the condition does preclude attendance at continuing education courses.

 

Upon written proof demonstrating a medical hardship, the commissioner shall extend, for up to 90 days, the time period during which the continuing education must be successfully completed. Loss of income from either attendance at courses or cancellation of a license is not a bona fide financial hardship. Requests for extensions must be submitted to the commissioner in writing no later than 60 days before the education is due and must include an explanation with verification of the hardship, plus verification of enrollment at an approved course of study on or before the extension period expires.

 

Subd. 20. Reporting requirements. Required continuing education must be reported in a manner prescribed by the commissioner. Licensees are responsible for maintaining copies of course completion certificates.

 

Subd. 21. Residential building contractor, residential remodeler, and residential roofer education. (a) Each licensee must, during the licensee's first complete continuing education reporting period, complete and report one hour of continuing education relating to lead abatement rules in safe lead abatement procedures.

 

(b) Each licensee must, during each continuing education reporting period, complete and report one hour of continuing education relating to energy codes for buildings and other building codes designed to conserve energy.

 

Subd. 22. Continuing education approval. (a) Continuing education courses must be approved in advance by the commissioner of labor and industry. "Sponsor" means any person or entity offering approved education.

 

(b) For coordinators with an initial approval date before August 1, 2005, approval will expire on December 31, 2005. For courses with an initial approval date on or before December 31, 2000, approval will expire on April 30, 2006. For courses with an initial approval date after January 1, 2001, but before August 1, 2005, approval will expire on April 30, 2007.

 

Subd. 23. Continuing education fees. The following fees shall be paid to the commissioner:

 

(1) initial course approval, $10 for each hour or faction of one hour of continuing education course approval sought. Initial course approval expires on the last day of the 24th month after the course is approved;

 

(2) renewal of course approval, $10 per course. Renewal of course approval expires on the last day of the 24th month after the course is renewed;

 

(3) initial coordinator approval, $100. Initial coordinator approval expires on the last day of the 24th month after the coordinator is approved; and

 

(4) renewal of coordinator approval, $10. Renewal of coordinator approval expires on the last day of the 24th month after the coordinator is renewed.


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Subd. 24. Refunds. All fees paid to the commissioner under this section are nonrefundable, except that an overpayment of a fee shall be returned upon proper application.

 

Sec. 13. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 326.88, is amended to read:

 

326.88 LOSS OF QUALIFYING PERSON.

 

Upon the departure or disqualification of a licensee's qualifying person because of death, disability, retirement, position change, or other reason, the licensee must notify the commissioner within 15 business days. The licensee shall have 120 days from the departure of the qualifying person to obtain a new qualifying person. Failure to secure a new qualifying person within 120 days will, with or without notice, result in the automatic termination of the license.

 

Sec. 14. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 326.89, is amended to read:

 

326.89 APPLICATION AND EXAMINATION.

 

Subdivision 1. Form. An applicant for a license under sections 326.83 to 326.98 must submit an application to the commissioner, under oath and accompanied by the license fee required by section 326.86, on a form prescribed by the commissioner. Within 30 business days of receiving all required information, the commissioner must act on the license request. If one of the categories in the application does not apply, the applicant must identify the category and state the reason the category does not apply. The commissioner may refuse to issue a license if the application is not complete or contains unsatisfactory information.

 

Subd. 2. Contents. The Each application must include the following information regarding the applicant:

 

(1) Minnesota workers' compensation insurance certificate;

 

(2) employment insurance account number;

 

(3) certificate of liability insurance;

 

(4) type of license requested;

 

(5) name and, current address of the applicant:, and telephone number where the applicant resides;

 

(i) (6) name and address of the applicant's qualifying person, if other than applicant; and

 

(ii) (7) if the applicant is a sole proprietorship, the name and address of the sole proprietor; if the applicant is a partnership, the name and address of each partner; if the applicant is a limited liability company, the name and address of each governor and manager; if the applicant is a corporation, the name and address of each of the corporate officers, directors, and all shareholders holding more than ten percent of the outstanding stock in the corporation;

 

(8) name and address of the applicant's agent in this state authorized to receive service of process, and a consent to service of process as required by section 326.93;

 

(9) current street address and telephone number where the business is physically located;


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(6) (10) whether the applicant, any employee, or qualifying person has ever been licensed in this or any other state and has had a professional or vocational license reprimanded, censured, limited, conditioned, refused, suspended, or revoked, or has been the subject of any administrative action;

 

(7) (11) whether the applicant, qualifying person, or any of the applicant's corporate or partnership directors, limited liability company governors, officers, limited or general partners, managers, all shareholders holding more than ten percent of the share of the corporation that have been issued, or all members holding more than ten percent of the voting power of the membership interests that have been issued, has been convicted of a crime that either related directly to the business for which the license is sought or involved fraud, misrepresentation, or misuse of funds; has suffered a judgment in a civil action involving fraud, misrepresentation, construction defect, negligence, or breach of contract, or conversion of funds within the ten years prior to the submission of the application; or has had any government license or permit reprimanded, censured, limited, conditioned, suspended, or revoked as a result of an action brought by a federal, state, or local governmental unit or agency in this or any other state;

 

(8) (12) the applicant's and qualifying person's business history for the past five years and whether the applicant, any a managing employee, or qualifying person has ever filed for bankruptcy or protection from creditors or has any unsatisfied judgments against the applicant, employee, or qualifying person;

 

(9) (13) where the applicant is a firm, partnership, sole proprietorship, limited liability company, corporation, or association, whether there has been a sale or transfer of the business or other change in ownership, control, or name in the last five years and the details thereof, and the names and addresses of all prior, predecessor, subsidiary, affiliated, parent, or related entities, and whether each such entity, or its owners, officers, directors, members or shareholders holding more than ten percent of the stock, or an employee has ever taken or been subject to an action that is subject to clause (6), (7), or (8) (10), (11), or (12) in the last ten years; and

 

(10) (14) whether the qualifying person is the qualifying person for more than one licensee.

 

For purposes of this subdivision, "applicant" includes employees who exercise management or policy control over the residential contracting and remodeling, residential remodeling, residential roofing, or manufactured home installation activities in the state of Minnesota, including affiliates, partners, directors, governors, officers, limited or general partners, managers, all shareholders holding more than ten percent of the shares that have been issued, a shareholder holding more than ten percent of the voting power of the shares that have been issued, or all members holding more than ten percent of the membership interests that have been issued or more than ten percent of the voting power of the membership interests that have been issued.

 

The commissioner may require further information as the commissioner deems appropriate to administer the provisions and further the purposes of this chapter.

 

Subd. 3. Examination. (a) Each qualifying person must satisfactorily complete a written examination for the type of license requested. The commissioner may establish the examination qualifications, including related education experience and education, the examination procedure, and the examination for each licensing group. The examination must include at a minimum the following areas:

 

(1) appropriate knowledge of technical terms commonly used and the knowledge of reference materials and code books to be used for technical information; and

 

(2) understanding of the general principles of business management and other pertinent state laws.

 

(b) Each examination must be designed for the specified type of license requested. The council shall advise the commissioner on the grading, monitoring, and updating of examinations.


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(c) A person's An individual's passing examination results expire two years from the examination date. A person An individual who passes the examination but does not choose to apply to act as a qualifying person for a licensee within two years from the examination date, must, upon application provide:

 

(1) passing examination results within two years from the date of application; or

 

(2) proof that the person has fulfilled the continuing education requirements in section 326.87 in the manner required for a qualifying person of a licensee for each license period after the expiration of the examination results.

 

Subd. 4. Competency skills. The commissioner shall, in consultation with the council, determine the competency skills and installation knowledge required for the licensing of specialty contractors.

 

Subd. 5. Exemption. A general retailer whose primary business is not being a residential building contractor, residential remodeler, or specialty contractor residential roofer, or manufactured home installer, and who has completed a comparable license examination meeting or exceeding Minnesota's examination requirements in another state is exempt from subdivisions subdivision 3 and 4 and sections 326.87 and 326.88.

 

Subd. 6. Additional licensing requirements. As an alternative to denying an application for licensure pursuant to section 326.91, subdivision 1, the commissioner may, as a condition of licensure and based upon information received pursuant to section 326.89, subdivision 2, clauses (6) to (8), or a finding pursuant to section 326.91, subdivision 1, clauses (1) to (9), impose additional insurance, bonding, reporting, record keeping, and other requirements on the applicant as are reasonable to protect the public.

 

Subd. 7. License. A nonresident of Minnesota may be licensed as a residential building contractor, residential remodeler, residential roofer, or manufactured home installer upon compliance with all the provisions of sections 326.83 to 326.98.

 

Sec. 15. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 326.90, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

 

Subdivision 1. Local license prohibited. Except as provided in sections 326.90, subdivision 2, and 326.991, a political subdivision may not require a person licensed under sections 326.83 to 326.991 326.98 to also be licensed or pay a registration or other fee related to licensure under any ordinance, law, rule, or regulation of the political subdivision. This section does not prohibit charges for building permits or other charges not directly related to licensure.

 

Sec. 16. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 326.91, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

 

Subdivision 1. Cause Grounds. The commissioner may by order deny, suspend, or revoke any license or may censure a licensee, and may impose a civil penalty as provided for in section 45.027, subdivision 6, if the commissioner finds that the order is in the public interest, and that the applicant, licensee, or affiliate of an applicant or licensee, or other agent, owner, partner, director, governor, shareholder, member, officer, qualifying person, or managing employee of the applicant or licensee or any person occupying a similar status or performing similar functions: In addition to the grounds set forth in section 326B.082, subdivision 11, the commissioner may deny, suspend, limit, place conditions on, or revoke a license or certificate of exemption, or may censure the person holding the license or certificate of exemption, if the applicant, licensee, certificate of exemption holder, qualifying person, or affiliate of an applicant, licensee, or certificate of exemption holder, or other agent owner has:

 

(1) has filed an application for a license licensure or a certificate of exemption which is incomplete in any material respect or contains any statement which, in light of the circumstances under which it is made, is false or misleading with respect to any material fact;


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(2) has engaged in a fraudulent, deceptive, or dishonest practice;

 

(3) is permanently or temporarily enjoined by any court of competent jurisdiction from engaging in or continuing any conduct or practice involving any aspect of the business;

 

(4) has failed to reasonably supervise employees, agents, subcontractors, or salespersons, or has performed negligently or in breach of contract, so as to cause injury or harm to the public;

 

(5) has violated or failed to comply with any provision of sections 326.83 to 326.98 or, any rule or order under sections 326.83 to 326.98 or any other law, rule, or order related to the duties and responsibilities entrusted to the commissioner;

 

(6) has been shown to be incompetent, untrustworthy, or financially irresponsible;

 

(7) (6) has been convicted of a violation of the State Building Code or, in jurisdictions that do not enforce the State Building Code, has refused to comply with a notice of violation or stop order issued by a certified building official, or in local jurisdictions that have not adopted the State Building Code has refused to correct a violation of the State Building Code when the violation has been certified documented or a notice of violation or stop order issued by a Minnesota licensed structural engineer certified building official has been received;

 

(8) (7) has failed to use the proceeds of any payment made to the licensee for the construction of, or any improvement to, residential real estate, as defined in section 326.83, subdivision 17, for the payment of labor, skill, material, and machinery contributed to the construction or improvement, knowing that the cost of any labor performed, or skill, material, or machinery furnished for the improvement remains unpaid;

 

(9) (8) has not furnished to the person making payment either a valid lien waiver as to any unpaid labor performed, or skill, material, or machinery furnished for an improvement, or a payment bond in the basic amount of the contract price for the improvement conditioned for the prompt payment to any person or persons entitled to payment;

 

(10) has engaged in conduct which was the basis for a contractor's recovery fund payment pursuant to section 326.975, which payment has not been reimbursed; (9) has engaged in an act or practice that results in compensation to an aggrieved owner or lessee from the contractor recovery fund pursuant to section 36B.825, unless:

 

(i) the applicant or licensee has repaid the fund twice the amount paid from the fund, plus interest at the rate of 12 percent per year; and

 

(ii) the applicant or licensee has obtained a surety bond in the amount of at least $40,000, issued by an insurer authorized to transact business in this state.

 

(11) (10) has engaged in bad faith, unreasonable delays, or frivolous claims in defense of a civil lawsuit or arbitration arising out of their activities as a licensee or certificate of exemption holder under this chapter;

 

(12) (11) has had a judgment entered against them for failure to make payments to employees or, subcontractors, or suppliers, that the licensee has failed to satisfy and all appeals of the judgment have been exhausted or the period for appeal has expired;

 

(13) (12) if unlicensed, has obtained a building permit by the fraudulent use of a fictitious license number or the license number of another, or, if licensed, has knowingly allowed an unlicensed person to use the licensee's license number for the purpose of fraudulently obtaining a building permit; or has applied for or obtained a building permit for an unlicensed person.


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(14) (13) has made use of a forged mechanics' mechanic's lien waivers waiver under chapter 514.;

 

(14) has provided false, misleading or incomplete information to the commissioner or has refused to allow a reasonable inspection of records or premises;

 

(15) has engaged in an act or practice whether or not the act or practice directly involves the business for which the person is licensed, that demonstrates that the applicant or licensee is untrustworthy, financially irresponsible, or otherwise incompetent or unqualified to act under the license granted by the commissioner; or

 

(16) has failed to comply with requests for information, documents, or other requests from the department within the time specified in the request or, if no time is specified, within 30 days of the mailing of the request by the department.

 

Sec. 17. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 326.92, is amended to read:

 

326.92 PENALTIES.

 

Subdivision 1. Misdemeanor. A person required to be licensed under sections 326.83 to 326.991 who performs unlicensed work is guilty of a misdemeanor.

 

Subd. 1a. Gross misdemeanor. A person required to be licensed under sections 326.84 to 326.991 who violates an order under subdivision 3 An individual who violates an order of the commissioner or is the manager, officer, or director of a person who violates an order issued by the commissioner is guilty of a gross misdemeanor.

 

Subd. 2. Lien rights. An unlicensed person who knowingly violates sections 326.83 to 326.98 has no right to claim a lien under section 514.01 and the lien is void. Nothing in this section affects the lien rights of material suppliers and licensed contractors to the extent provided by law.

 

Subd. 3. Commissioner action. The commissioner may bring actions, including cease and desist actions, against any person licensed or required to be licensed under sections 326.83 to 326.991 to protect the public health, safety, and welfare.

 

Sec. 18. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 326.921, is amended to read:

 

326.921 BUILDING PERMIT CONDITIONED ON LICENSURE; NOTICE OF PERMIT APPLICATION.

 

Subdivision 1. Building permit. A political subdivision shall not issue a building permit to an unlicensed person who is required to be licensed under sections 326.83 to 326.991 326.98. A political subdivision that issues zoning or land use permits in lieu of a building permit shall not issue those permits to an unlicensed person who is required to be licensed under sections 326.83 to 326.991 326.98. The political subdivision shall report the person applying for the permit to the commissioner who may bring an action against the person.

 

Subd. 2. Notice of building permit application. A political subdivision shall notify the department when an application for building permit involving the construction of new residential real estate has been received from an unlicensed person by submitting a copy of the application to the department within two business days of receipt of the application. The political subdivision may submit a copy of the building permit application by facsimile, United States mail, or electronic communication.


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Sec. 19. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 326.93, is amended to read:

 

326.93 SERVICE OF PROCESS; NONRESIDENT LICENSING.

 

Subdivision 1. License. A nonresident of Minnesota may be licensed as a residential building contractor or residential remodeler upon compliance with all the provisions of sections 326.83 to 326.991.

 

Subd. 2. Service of process. Service of process upon a person performing work in the state of a type that would require a license under sections 326.83 to 326.98 may be made as provided in section 45.028.

 

Subd. 3. Procedure. Every applicant for licensure or certificate of exemption under sections 326.83 to 326.98 shall irrevocably consent to the appointment of the commissioner and successors in office to be the applicant's agent to receive service of any lawful process in any noncriminal suit, action, or proceeding against the applicant or a successor, executor, or administrator which arises under section 326.83 to 326.98 or any rule or order thereunder after the consent has been filed, with the same force and validity as if served personally on the person filing the consent. Service under this section shall be made in compliance with subdivision 5.

 

Subd. 4. Service on commissioner. (a) When a person, including any nonresident of this state, engages in conduct prohibited or made actionable by sections 326.83 to 326.98, or any rule or order under those sections, and the person has not consented to service of process under subdivision 3, that conduct is equivalent to an appointment of the commissioner and successors in office as the person's agent to receive service of process in any noncriminal suit, action, or proceeding against the person that is based on that conduct and is brought under sections 326.83 to 326.98, or any rule or order under those sections, with the same force and validity as if served personally on the person consenting to the appointment of the commissioner and successors in office. Service under this section shall be made in compliance with subdivision 5.

 

(b) Subdivision 5 applies in all other cases in which a person, including a nonresident of this state, has filed a consent to service of process. This paragraph supersedes any inconsistent provision of law.

 

(c) Subdivision 5 applies in all cases in which service of process is allowed to be made on the commissioner.

 

(d) Subdivision 5 applies to any document served by the commissioner or the department under section 326B.08.

 

Subd. 5. How made. Service of process under this section may be made by leaving a copy of the process in the office of the commissioner, or by sending a copy of the process to the commissioner by certified mail, and is not effective unless:

 

(1) the plaintiff, who may be the commissioner in an action or proceeding instituted by the commissioner, sends notice of the service and a copy of the process by certified mail to the defendant or respondent at the last known address; and

 

(2) the plaintiff's affidavit of compliance is filed in the action or proceeding on or before the return day of the process, if any, or within further time as the court allows.

 

Sec. 20. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 326.94, is amended to read:

 

326.94 BOND; INSURANCE.

 

Subdivision 1. Bond. (a) Licensed manufactured home installers and licensed residential roofers must post a license surety bond in the name of the licensee with the commissioner, conditioned that the applicant shall faithfully perform the duties and in all things comply with all laws, ordinances, and rules pertaining to the license or permit


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applied for and all contracts entered into. The annual bond must be continuous and maintained for so long as the licensee remains licensed. The aggregate liability of the surety on the bond to any and all persons, regardless of the number of claims made against the bond, may not exceed the amount of the bond. The bond may be canceled as to future liability by the surety upon 30 days' written notice mailed to the commissioner by regular mail.

 

(b) A licensed residential roofer must post a bond of at least $5,000 $15,000.

 

(c) A licensed manufactured home installer must post a bond of at least $2,500.

 

Bonds issued under sections 326.83 to 326.98 are not state bonds or contracts for purposes of sections 8.05 and 16C.05, subdivision 2.

 

Subd. 2. Insurance. Licensees must have public liability insurance with limits of at least $100,000 $300,000 per occurrence, which must include at least $10,000 property damage coverage. The insurance must be written by an insurer licensed to do business in this state. The commissioner may increase the minimum amount of insurance required for any licensee or class of licensees if the commissioner considers it to be in the public interest and necessary to protect the interests of Minnesota consumers.

 

Sec. 21. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 326.95, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 2. Advertising. The license number of a licensee must appear in any advertising by that licensee including but not limited to signs, vehicles, business cards, published display ads, flyers, and brochures, Web sites, and Internet ads.

 

Sec. 22. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 326.96, is amended to read:

 

326.96 PUBLIC EDUCATION.

 

The commissioner may develop materials and programs to educate the public concerning licensing licensure requirements and methods. The commissioner must develop materials for reporting unlicensed contracting activity. The commissioner shall provide information in other languages.

 

Sec. 23. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 326.97, is amended to read:

 

326.97 LICENSE RENEWAL.

 

Subdivision 1. Renewal. Licensees A licensee whose applications have fully completed renewal application has been properly and timely filed and who have has not received a notice of denial of renewal are is considered to have been approved for renewal and may continue to transact business whether or not the renewed license has been received. Applications are timely if received or postmarked by March 1 of the renewal year. Applications must be made on a form approved by the commissioner. An application for renewal that does not contain all of the information requested is an incomplete application and will not be processed.

 

Subd. 1a. Annual renewal. Any license issued or renewed after August 1, 1993, must be renewed annually.

 

Subd. 2. Failure to apply renew. A person who has failed to make a timely application for renewal of a license by March 31 of the renewal year is unlicensed at 11:59:59 p.m. central time on March 31 of the renewal year and remains unlicensed until the a renewed license has been issued by the commissioner and is received by the applicant.

 

Subd. 3. Expiration. All licenses expire at 11:59:59 p.m. central time on March 31 of the renewal year if not properly renewed.


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Sec. 24. [326B.801] SCOPE.

 

Except as otherwise provided by law, the provisions of sections 326B.801 to 326B.825 apply to residential contractors, residential remodelers, residential roofers, and manufactured home installers.

 

Sec. 25. [326B.804] LICENSE RECIPROCITY.

 

The commissioner may issue a temporary license without examination, upon payment of the required fee to nonresident applicants who are licensed in another state having equivalent standards of practice to Minnesota if the other state grants similar privileges to Minnesota licensed residents. Applicants receiving a temporary license under this section may acquire a cumulative 24 months to apply and pass the licensing examination.

 

Sec. 26. [326B.809] WRITTEN CONTRACT REQUIRED.

 

(a) All agreements including proposals, estimates, bids, quotations, contracts, purchase orders, and change orders between a licensee and a customer for the performance of a licensee's services must be in writing and must contain the following:

 

(1) a detailed summary of the services to be performed;

 

(2) a description of the specific materials to be used or a list of standard features to be included; and

 

(3) the total contract price or a description of the basis on which the price will be calculated.

 

(b) All agreements shall be signed and dated by the licensee and customer.

 

(c) The licensee shall provide to the customer, at no charge, a signed and dated document at the time that the licensee and customer sign and date the document. Documents include agreements and mechanic's lien waivers.

 

Sec. 27. [326B.814] REHABILITATION OF CRIMINAL OFFENDERS.

 

Chapter 364 does not apply to an applicant for a license or to a licensee where the underlying conduct on which the conviction is based would be grounds for denial, censure, suspension, or revocation of the license.

 

Sec. 28. [326B.82] DEFINITIONS.

 

Subdivision 1. Words, terms, and phrases. For the purposes of section 326.87, the terms defined in this section have the meanings given them, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

 

Subd. 2. Appropriate and related knowledge. "Appropriate and related knowledge" means facts, information, or principles that are clearly relevant to the licensee in performing responsibilities under a license issued by the commissioner. These facts, information, or principles must convey substantive and procedural knowledge as it relates to postlicensing issues and must be relevant to the technical aspects of a particular area of continuing education.

 

Subd. 3. Classroom hour. "Classroom hour" means a 50-minute hour.

 

Subd. 4. Coordinator. "Coordinator" means an individual who is responsible for monitoring approved educational offerings.

 

Subd. 5. Instructor. "Instructor" means an individual lecturing in an approved educational offering.


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Subd. 6. Licensee. "Licensee" means a person licensed by the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry for whom an examination is required before licensure.

 

Subd. 7. Medical hardship. "Medical hardship" includes a documented physical disability or medical condition.

 

Subd. 8. Overpayment. "Overpayment" means any payment of money in excess of a statutory fee.

 

Subd. 9. Regulated industries. "Regulated industries" means residential contracting, residential remodeling, or residential roofing. Each of these is a regulated industry.

 

Subd. 10. Sponsor. "Sponsor" means any person or entity offering or providing approved continuing education.

 

Sec. 29. [326B.89] CONTRACTOR RECOVERY FUND.

 

Subdivision 1. Definitions. (a) For the purposes of this section, the following terms have the meanings given them.

 

(b) "Gross annual receipts" means the total amount derived from residential contracting or residential remodeling activities, regardless of where the activities are performed, and must not be reduced by costs of goods sold, expenses, losses, or any other amount.

 

(c) "Licensee" means a person licensed as a residential contractor or residential remodeler.

 

(d) "Residential real estate" means a new or existing building constructed for habitation by one to four families, and includes detached garages.

 

(e) "Fund" means the contractor recovery fund.

 

Subd. 2. Generally. The contractor recovery fund is created in the state treasury and shall be administered by the commissioner for the purposes described in this section. Any interest or profit accruing from investment of money in the fund shall be credited to the contractor recovery fund.

 

Subd. 3. Fund fees. In addition to any other fees, a person who applies for or renews a license under sections 326.83 to 326.98 shall pay a fee to the fund. The person shall pay, in addition to the appropriate application or renewal fee, the following additional fee that shall be deposited in the fund. The amount of the fee shall be based on the person's gross annual receipts for the person's most recent fiscal year preceding the application or renewal, on the following scale:

 

                                                          Fee                                                          Gross Annual Receipts      

 

                                                          $160                                                        under $1,000,000  

                                                          $210                                                        $1,000,000 to $5,000,000     

                                                          $260                                                        over $5,000,000    

 

Subd. 4. Purpose of fund. The purpose of this fund is to:

 

(1) compensate owners or lessees of residential real estate who meet the requirements of this section;

 

(2) reimburse the department for all legal and administrative expenses, disbursements, and costs, including staffing costs, incurred in administering and defending the fund;


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(3) pay for educational or research projects in the field of residential contracting to further the purposes of sections 326B.801 to 326B.825; and

 

(4) provide information to the public on residential contracting issues.

 

Subd. 5. Payment limitations. Except as otherwise provided in this section, the commissioner shall not pay compensation from the fund to an owner or a lessee in an amount greater than $75,000. Except as otherwise provided in this section, the commissioner shall not pay compensation from the fund to owners and lessees in an amount that totals more than $150,000 per licensee. The commissioner shall not pay compensation from the fund for a final judgment based on a cause of action that arose before the commissioner's receipt of the licensee's fee required by subdivision 3.

 

Subd. 6. Verified application. To be eligible for compensation from the fund, an owner or lessee shall serve on the commissioner a verified application for compensation on a form approved by the commissioner. The application shall verify the following information:

 

(1) the specific grounds upon which the owner or lessee seeks to recover from the fund:

 

(2) that the owner or the lessee has obtained a final judgment in a court of competent jurisdiction against a licensee licensed under section 326B.803;

 

(3) that the final judgment was obtained against the licensee on the grounds of fraudulent, deceptive, or dishonest practices, conversion of funds, or failure of performance that arose directly out of a transaction that occurred when the licensee was licensed and performing any of the special skills enumerated under section 326B.802, subdivision 19;

 

(4) the amount of the owner's or the lessee's actual and direct out-of-pocket loss on the owner's residential real estate, on residential real estate leased by the lessee, or on new residential real estate that has never been occupied or that was occupied by the licensee for less than one year prior to purchase by the owner;

 

(5) that the residential real estate is located in Minnesota;

 

(6) that the owner or the lessee is not the spouse of the licensee or the personal representative of the licensee;

 

(7) the amount of the final judgment, any amount paid in satisfaction of the final judgment, and the amount owing on the final judgment as of the date of the verified application; and

 

(8) that the verified application is being served within two years after the judgment became final.

 

The owner's and the lessee's actual and direct out-of-pocket loss shall not include attorney fees, interest on the loss, and interest on the final judgment obtained as a result of the loss. An owner or lessee may serve a verified application regardless of whether the final judgment has been discharged by a bankruptcy court. A judgment issued by a court is final if all proceedings on the judgment have either been pursued and concluded or been forgone, including all reviews and appeals. For purposes of this section, owners who are joint tenants or tenants in common are deemed to be a single owner. For purposes of this section, owners and lessees eligible for payment of compensation from the fund shall not include government agencies, political subdivisions, financial institutions, and any other entity that purchases, guarantees, or insures a loan secured by real estate.


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Subd. 7. Commissioner review. The commissioner shall within 120 days after receipt of the verified application:

 

(1) enter into an agreement with an owner or a lessee that resolves the verified application for compensation from the fund; or

 

(2) issue an order to the owner or the lessee accepting, modifying, or denying the verified application for compensation from the fund.

 

Upon receipt of an order issued under clause (2), the owner or the lessee shall have 30 days to serve upon the commissioner a written request for a hearing. If the owner or the lessee does not serve upon the commissioner a timely written request for hearing, the order issued under clause (2) shall become a final order of the commissioner that may not be reviewed by any court or agency. The commissioner shall order compensation from the fund only if the owner or the lessee has filed a verified application that complies with subdivision 6 and if the commissioner determines based on review of the application that compensation should be paid from the fund. The commissioner shall not be bound by any prior settlement, compromise, or stipulation between the owner or the lessee and the licensee.

 

Subd. 8. Administrative hearing. If an owner or a lessee timely serves a request for hearing under subdivision 7, the commissioner shall request that an administrative law judge be assigned and that a hearing be conducted under the contested case provisions of chapter 14 within 30 days after the service of the request for hearing upon the commissioner. Upon petition of the commissioner, the administrative law judge shall continue the hearing up to 60 days and upon a showing of good cause may continue the hearing for such additional period as the administrative law judge deems appropriate. At the hearing the owner or the lessee shall have the burden of proving by substantial evidence under subdivision 6, clauses (1) to (8). The administrative law judge shall issue findings of fact, conclusions of law, and order. If the administrative law judge finds that compensation should be paid to the owner or the lessee, the administrative law judge shall order the commissioner to make payment from the fund of the amount it finds to be payable pursuant to the provisions of and in accordance with the limitations contained in this section. The order of the administrative law judge shall constitute the final decision of the agency in the contested case. Judicial review of the administrative law judge's findings of fact, conclusions of law, and order shall be in accordance with sections 14.63 to 14.69.

 

Subd. 9. Satisfaction of applications for compensation. The commissioner shall pay compensation from the fund to an owner or a lessee pursuant to the terms of an agreement that has been entered into under subdivision 7, clause (1), or pursuant to a final order that has been issued under subdivision 7, clause (2), or subdivision 8 by December 1 of the fiscal year following the fiscal year during which the agreement was entered into or during which the order became final, subject to the limitations of this section. At the end of each fiscal year the commissioner shall calculate the amount of compensation to be paid from the fund pursuant to agreements that have been entered into under subdivision 7, clause (1), and final orders that have been issued under subdivision 7, clause (2), or subdivision 8. If the calculated amount exceeds the amount available for payment, then the commissioner shall allocate the amount available among the owners and the lessees in the ratio that the amount agreed to or ordered to be paid to each owner or lessee bears to the amount calculated. The commissioner shall mail notice of the allocation to all owners and lessees not less than 45 days following the end of the fiscal year. Any compensation paid by the commissioner in accordance with this subdivision shall be deemed to satisfy and extinguish any right to compensation from the fund based upon the verified application of the owner or lessee.

 

Subd. 10. Criminal penalty. It shall be unlawful for any person or the agent of any person to knowingly file with the commissioner any application, notice, statement, or other document required under the provisions of this section that is false or untrue or contains any material misstatement of fact. Such conduct shall constitute a gross misdemeanor.


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Subd. 11. Right of subrogation. If the commissioner pays compensation from the fund to an owner or a lessee pursuant to an agreement under subdivision 7, clause (1), or a final order issued under subdivision 7, clause (2), or subdivision 8, then the commissioner shall be subrogated to all of the rights, title, and interest in the owner's or lessee's final judgment in the amount of compensation paid from the fund and the owner or the lessee shall assign to the commissioner all rights, title, and interest in the final judgment in the amount of compensation paid. The commissioner shall deposit in the fund money recovered under this subdivision.

 

Subd. 12. Effect of section on commissioner's authority. Nothing contained in this section shall limit the authority of the commissioner to take disciplinary action against a licensee under the provisions of this chapter. A licensee's repayment in full of obligations to the fund shall not nullify or modify the effect of any other disciplinary proceeding brought under the provisions of this chapter.

 

Subd. 13. Limitation. Nothing may obligate the fund to compensate:

 

(1) insurers or sureties under subrogation or similar theories; or

 

(2) owner of residential property for final judgments against a prior owner of the residential property unless the claim is brought and judgment is rendered for breach of the statutory warranty set forth in chapter 327A.

 

Subd. 14. Condominiums or townhouses. For purposes of this section, the owner or the lessee of a condominium or townhouse is considered an owner or a lessee of residential property regardless of the number of residential units per building.

 

Subd. 15. Accelerated compensation. Payments made from the fund to compensate owners and lessees that do not exceed the jurisdiction limits for conciliation court matters as specified in section 491A.01 may be paid on an accelerated basis if all of the following requirements have been satisfied:

 

(a) The owner or the lessee has served upon the commissioner a verified application for compensation that complies with the requirements set out in subdivision 6 and the commissioner determines based on review of the application that compensation should be paid from the fund. The commissioner shall calculate the actual and direct out-of-pocket loss in the transaction, minus attorney fees, interest on the loss and on the judgment obtained as a result of the loss, and any satisfaction of the judgment, and make payment to the owner or the lessee up to the conciliation court jurisdiction limits within 15 days after the owner or lessee serves the verified application.

 

(b) The commissioner may pay compensation to owners or lessees that totals not more than $50,000 per licensee per fiscal year under this accelerated process. The commissioner may prorate the amount of compensation paid to owners or lessees under this subdivision if applications submitted by owners and lessees seek compensation in excess of $50,000 against a licensee. Any unpaid portion of a verified application that has been prorated under this subdivision shall be satisfied in the manner set forth in subdivision 9.

 

Subd. 16. Appropriation. Money in the fund is appropriated to the commissioner for the purposes of this section.

 

Subd. 17. Additional assessment. If the balance in the fund is at any time less than the commissioner determines is necessary to carry out the purposes of this section, every licensee, when renewing a license, shall pay, in addition to the annual renewal fee and the fee set forth in subdivision 3 an assessment not to exceed $100. The commissioner shall set the amount of assessment based on a reasonable determination of the amount that is necessary to restore a balance in the fund adequate to carry out the purposes of this section.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective December 1, 2007, except that subdivisions 1 and 3 are effective July 1, 2007.


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Sec. 30. REVISOR'S INSTRUCTION.

 

The revisor of statutes shall renumber each section of Minnesota Statutes listed in column A with the number listed in column B. The revisor shall also make necessary cross-reference changes consistent with the renumbering.

 

                                                          Column A                                              Column B

 

                                                          325E.58                                                   326B.865

                                                          326.83                                                     326B.802

                                                          326.84                                                     326B.805

                                                          326.841                                                   327B.041

                                                          326.842                                                   326B.81

                                                          326.86                                                     326B.815

                                                          326.87                                                     326B.82

                                                          326.88                                                     326B.825

                                                          326.89                                                     326B.83

                                                          326.90                                                     326B.835

                                                          326.91                                                     326B.84

                                                          326.92                                                     326B.845

                                                          326.921                                                   326B.85

                                                          326.93                                                     326B.855

                                                          326.94                                                     326B.86

                                                          326.95                                                     326B.87

                                                          326.951                                                   326B.875

                                                          326.96                                                     326B.88

                                                          326.97                                                     326B.885

 

ARTICLE 9

 

BOILERS; PRESSURE VESSELS; BOATS

 

Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 183.38, is amended to read:

 

183.38 BOILER INSPECTOR; INSPECTIONS; EXAMINATIONS; LICENSES.

 

Subdivision 1. All boilers inspected. The Division of Boiler Inspection commissioner shall inspect all boilers and pressure vessels in use not expressly excepted from such inspection by law. Immediately Upon inspection the Division of Boiler Inspection commissioner shall issue a certificate of inspection therefor or a certificate condemning the boiler or pressure vessel and shall seal it. Forms for these licenses and certificates shall be prepared and furnished by the commissioner. The Division of Boiler Inspection commissioner shall examine all applicants for engineer's licenses. The chief of the Division of Boiler Inspection commissioner shall issue such license to an applicant as the examination shall show the applicant is entitled to receive.

 

Subd. 2. Inspector's examination. For the purpose of examining applicants for license a National Board of Boiler and Pressure Vessel Inspectors commission, the chief of the Division of Boiler Inspection or the deputy chief commissioner shall fix and determine a time and place for the examinations, and give notice to all applicants of the time and place. The chief or the deputy chief commissioner shall grant and sign such license certificates as applicants are entitled to receive upon examination. Applicants may be examined and issued certificates of competency as inspectors of boilers and pressure vessels.


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Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 183.39, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

 

Subdivision 1. Inspector requirements. Each boiler inspector shall be a person of good moral character, shall be licensed in this state as a chief grade A engineer, and must hold a national board commission as a boiler inspector within 12 months of being employed as a boiler inspector by the department. An inspector shall not be interested in the manufacture or sale of boilers or steam machinery or in any patented article required or generally used in the construction of engines or boilers or their appurtenances.

 

Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 183.411, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 2. Inspection. When used for display and demonstration purposes, steam farm traction engines, portable and stationary show engines and portable and stationary show boilers shall be inspected every two years according to law.

 

(a) Show boilers or engines not certified in Minnesota shall be inspected thoroughly by a boiler inspector certified to inspect boilers in Minnesota, using inspection standards in paragraph (b), before being certified for use in Minnesota.

 

(b) Standards for inspection of show boilers shall be those established by the National Board Inspection Code ANSI/NB23 and by the rules adopted by the department of Labor and Industry, Division of Boiler Inspection, and as follows:

 

(1) the boiler shall be subjected to the appropriate method of nondestructive examination, at the owner's expense, as deemed necessary by the boiler inspector to determine soundness and safety of the boiler;

 

(2) the boiler shall be tested by ultrasonic examination for metal thickness (for purposes of calculating the maximum allowable working pressure the thinnest reading shall be used and a safety factor of six shall be used in calculating maximum allowable working pressure on all non-ASME-code hobby and show boilers); and

 

(3) repairs and alterations made to show boilers must be made pursuant to section 183.466.

 

(c) Further each such object shall successfully complete an inspection of:

 

(1) the fusible plug;

 

(2) the safety valve, which must be of American Society of Mechanical Engineers' ASME approved design and set at the maximum allowable working pressure and sealed in an appropriate manner not allowing tampering with the valve setting without destroying the seal; and

 

(3) the boiler power piping.

 

Any longitudinal cracks found in riveted longitudinal seams requires that the vessel be sealed and not approved for use in Minnesota. If the boiler or show engine is jacketed, the jacket must be removed prior to inspection.

 

Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 183.42, is amended to read:

 

183.42 INSPECTION AND REGISTRATION.

 

Subdivision 1. Inspection. Every owner, lessee, or other person having charge of boilers or pressure vessels subject to inspection under this chapter shall cause them to be inspected by the Division of Boiler Inspection department. Except as provided in sections 183.411 and 183.45, boilers subject to inspection under this chapter


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must be inspected at least annually and pressure vessels inspected at least every two years except as provided under section 183.45. The commissioner shall assess a $250 penalty per applicable boiler or pressure vessel for failure to have the inspection required by this section and may seal the boiler or pressure vessel for refusal to allow an inspection as required by this section.

 

Subd. 2. Registration. Every owner, lessee, or other person having charge of boilers or pressure vessels subject to inspection under this chapter, except hobby boilers under section 183.411, shall register said objects with the Division of Boiler Inspection department. The registration shall be renewed annually and is applicable to each object separately. The fee for registration of a boiler or pressure vessel shall be pursuant to section 183.545, subdivision 10. The Division of Boiler Inspection department may issue a billing statement for each boiler and pressure vessel on record with the division, and may determine a monthly schedule of billings to be followed for owners, lessees, or other persons having charge of a boiler or pressure vessel subject to inspection under this chapter.

 

Subd. 3. Certificate of registration. The Division of Boiler Inspection department shall issue a certificate of registration that lists the registered boilers and pressure vessels at the location, expiration date of the certificate of registration, last inspection date of each registered boiler and pressure vessel, and maximum allowable working pressure for each registered boiler and pressure vessel. The commissioner may make an electronic certificate of registration available to be printed by the owner, lessee, or other person having charge of the registered boiler or pressure vessel.

 

Sec. 5. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 183.45, is amended to read:

 

183.45 INSPECTION.

 

Subdivision 1. Inspection requirements. All boilers and steam generators must be inspected by the Division of Boiler Inspection department before they are used and all boilers must be inspected at least once each year thereafter except as provided under subdivision 2 or section 183.411. Inspectors may subject all boilers to hydrostatic pressure or hammer test, and shall ascertain by a thorough internal and external examination that they are well made and of good and suitable material; that the openings for the passage of water and steam, respectively, and all pipes and tubes exposed to heat, are of proper dimensions and free from obstructions; that the flues are circular in form; that the arrangements for delivering the feed water are such that the boilers cannot be injured thereby; and that such boilers and their connections may be safely used without danger to life or property. Inspectors shall ascertain that the safety valves are of suitable dimensions, sufficient in number, and properly arranged, and that the safety valves are so adjusted as to allow no greater pressure in the boilers than the amount prescribed by the inspector's certificate; that there is a sufficient number of gauge cocks, properly inserted, to indicate the amount of water, and suitable gauges that will correctly record the pressure; and that the fusible metals are properly inserted where required so as to fuse by the heat of the furnace whenever the water in the boiler falls below its prescribed limit; and that provisions are made for an ample supply of water to feed the boilers at all times; and that means for blowing out are provided, so as to thoroughly remove the mud and sediment from all parts when under pressure.

 

Subd. 2. Qualifying boiler. (a) "Qualifying boiler" means a boiler of 200,000 pounds per hour or more capacity which has an internal continuous water treatment program approved by the department and which the chief boiler inspector commissioner has determined to be in compliance with paragraph (c).

 

(b) A qualifying boiler must be inspected at least once every 24 months internally and externally while not under pressure and at least once every 18 months externally while under pressure. If the inspector considers it necessary to conduct a hydrostatic test to determine the safety of a boiler, the test must be conducted under the direction of the owner, contractor, or user of the equipment under the supervision of an inspector.


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(c) The owner of a qualifying boiler must keep accurate records showing the date and actual time the boiler is out of service, the reason or reasons therefor, and the chemical physical laboratory analysis of samples of the boiler water taken at regular intervals of not more than 48 hours of operation which adequately show the condition of the water, and any elements or characteristics of the water capable of producing corrosion or other deterioration of the boiler or its parts.

 

(d) If an inspector determines there are substantial deficiencies in equipment or in boiler water treatment operating procedures, inspections of a qualifying boiler may be required once every 12 months until the chief boiler inspector commissioner finds that the substantial deficiencies have been corrected.

 

Sec. 6. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 183.46, is amended to read:

 

183.46 TESTS.

 

In subjecting both high and low pressure boilers and pressure vessels to the hydrostatic test, and to determine the safe allowable working pressure, the inspector shall use the latest approved formula of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers ASME Code or National Board Inspection Code, as applicable.

 

Sec. 7. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 183.465, is amended to read:

 

183.465 STANDARDS OF INSPECTION.

 

The engineering standards of boilers and pressure vessels for use in this state shall be that established by the current edition of the and amendments to the ASME Code or the National Board Inspection Code, as applicable, for construction, operation and care of, in-service inspection and testing, and controls and safety devices codes of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers and amendments thereto, and by the rules of the Division of Boiler Inspection adopted by the department of Labor and Industry.

 

Sec. 8. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 183.466, is amended to read:

 

183.466 STANDARDS OF REPAIRS.

 

The rules for repair of boilers and pressure vessels for use in this state shall be those established by the National Board of Boiler and Pressure Vessel Inspectors inspection code and the rules of the Division of Boiler Inspection adopted by the department of Labor and Industry.

 

Sec. 9. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 183.48, is amended to read:

 

183.48 SPECIAL EXAMINATION.

 

At any time the inspector deems it necessary an examination shall be made of any If an inspector examines a boiler or pressure vessel which there is reason to believe has become and determines that the boiler or pressure vessel is unsafe, and the inspector shall notify the owners or operators thereof owner or operator of any defect therein, and what repairs are necessary in that boiler or pressure vessel. Such boiler or pressure vessel shall not thereafter be used until so repaired the defect is corrected. Boilers found to be operated by unlicensed or improperly licensed persons shall not be used until the operators are properly licensed. If circumstances warrant continued operation, approval may be given for continuing operation for a specific period of time, not to exceed 30 days, at the discretion of the boiler inspector.


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Sec. 10. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 183.501, is amended to read:

 

183.501 LICENSE REQUIREMENT.

 

(a) No person individual shall be entrusted with the operation of or operate any boiler, steam engine, or turbine who has not received a license of grade covering that boiler, steam engine or turbine. The license shall be renewed annually, except as provided in section 183.411. When a violation of this section occurs the Division of Boiler Inspection may cause a complaint to be made for the prosecution of the offender and shall be entitled to sue for and obtain injunctive relief in the district courts for such violations.

 

(b) For purposes of this chapter, "operation" shall not include monitoring of an automatic boiler, either through on premises inspection of the boiler or by remote electronic surveillance, provided that no operations are performed upon the boiler other than emergency shut down in alarm situations.

 

(c) No individual under the influence of illegal drugs or alcohol shall be entrusted with the operation of or shall operate any boiler, steam engine, or turbine, or shall be entrusted with the monitoring of or shall monitor an automatic boiler.

 

Sec. 11. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 183.505, is amended to read:

 

183.505 APPLICATIONS FOR LICENSES.

 

The chief boiler inspector commissioner shall prepare blank applications on which applications for engineers' licenses shall be made under oath of the applicant. These blanks shall be so formulated as to elicit such information as is desirable needed to enable the examiners to pass on determine whether an applicant meets the qualifications of applicants required for the license.

 

Sec. 12. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 183.51, is amended to read:

 

183.51 EXAMINATIONS; CLASSIFICATIONS; QUALIFICATIONS.

 

Subdivision 1. Engineers, classes. Engineers shall be divided into four classes:

 

(1) Chief engineers; Grade A, Grade B, and Grade C. (2) first class engineers; Grade A, Grade B, and Grade C. (3) second class engineers; Grade A, Grade B, and Grade C. (4) Special engineers.

 

Subd. 2. Applications. Any person individual who desires an engineer's license shall submit a written an application, on blanks furnished by the commissioner or designee on a written or electronic form prescribed by the commissioner, at least 15 days before the requested exam date. The application is valid for permits the applicant to take the examination on one occasion within one year from the date the commissioner or designee received receives the application.

 

Subd. 2a. Examinations. Each applicant for a license must pass an examination approved developed and administered by the commissioner. The examinations shall be of sufficient scope to establish the competency of the applicant to operate a boiler of the applicable license class and grade.

 

Subd. 3. High and low pressure boilers. For the purposes of this section and section 183.50, high pressure boilers shall mean boilers operating at a steam or other vapor pressure in excess of 15 p.s.i.g., or a water or other liquid boiler in which the pressure exceeds 160 p.s.i.g. or a temperature of 250 degrees Fahrenheit.


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Low pressure boilers shall mean boilers operating at a steam or other vapor pressure of 15 p.s.i.g. or less, or a water or other liquid boiler in which the pressure does not exceed 160 p.s.i.g. or a temperature of 250 degrees Fahrenheit.

 

Subd. 4. Chief engineer, Grade A. A person An individual seeking licensure as a chief engineer, Grade A, shall be at least 18 years of age and have experience which verifies that the person individual is competent to take charge of and be responsible for the safe operation and maintenance of all classes of boilers, steam engines, and turbines and their appurtenances; and, before receiving a license, the applicant shall take and subscribe an oath attesting to at least five years actual experience in operating such boilers, including at least two years experience in operating such engines or turbines.

 

Subd. 5. Chief engineer, Grade B. A person An individual seeking licensure as a chief engineer, Grade B, shall be at least 18 years of age and have habits and experience which justify the belief that the person individual is competent to take charge of and be responsible for the safe operation and maintenance of all classes of boilers and their appurtenances; and, before receiving a license, the applicant shall take and subscribe an oath attesting to at least five years actual experience in operating those boilers.

 

Subd. 6. Chief engineer, Grade C. A person An individual seeking licensure as a chief engineer, Grade C, shall be at least 18 years of age and have habits and experience which justify the belief that the person individual is competent to take charge of and be responsible for the safe operation and maintenance of all classes of low pressure boilers and their appurtenances, and before receiving a license, the applicant shall take and subscribe an oath attesting to at least five years of actual experience in operating such boilers.

 

Subd. 7. First-class engineer, Grade A. A person An individual seeking licensure as a first-class engineer, Grade A, shall be at least 18 years of age and have experience which verifies that the person individual is competent to take charge of and be responsible for the safe operation and maintenance of all classes of boilers, engines, and turbines and their appurtenances of not more than 300 horsepower or to operate as a shift engineer in a plant of unlimited horsepower. Before receiving a license, the applicant shall take and subscribe an oath attesting to at least three years actual experience in operating such boilers, including at least two years experience in operating such engines or turbines.

 

Subd. 8. First-class engineer, Grade B. A person An individual seeking licensure as a first-class engineer, Grade B, shall be at least 18 years of age and have habits and experience which justify the belief that the person individual is competent to take charge of and be responsible for the safe operation and maintenance of all classes of boilers of not more than 300 horsepower or to operate as a shift engineer in a plant of unlimited horsepower. Before receiving a license the applicant shall take and subscribe an oath attesting to at least three years actual experience in operating such boilers.

 

Subd. 9. First-class engineer, Grade C. A person An individual seeking licensure as a first-class engineer, Grade C, shall be at least 18 years of age and have habits and experience which justify the belief that the person individual is competent to take charge of and be responsible for the safe operation and maintenance of all classes of low pressure boilers and their appurtenances of not more than 300 horsepower or to operate as a shift engineer in a low pressure plant of unlimited horsepower. Before receiving a license, the applicant shall take and subscribe an oath attesting to at least three years actual experience in operating such boilers.

 

Subd. 10. Second-class engineer, Grade A. A person An individual seeking licensure as a second-class engineer, Grade A, shall be at least 18 years of age and have experience which verifies that the person individual is competent to take charge of and be responsible for the safe operation and maintenance of all classes of boilers, engines, and turbines and their appurtenances of not more than 100 horsepower or to operate as a shift engineer in a plant of not more than 300 horsepower, or to assist the shift engineer, under direct supervision, in a plant of unlimited horsepower. Before receiving a license the applicant shall take and subscribe an oath attesting to at least one year of actual experience in operating such boilers, including at least one year of experience in operating such engines or turbines.


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Subd. 11. Second-class engineer, Grade B. A person An individual seeking licensure as a second-class engineer, Grade B, shall be at least 18 years of age and have habits and experience which justify the belief that the person individual is competent to take charge of and be responsible for the safe operation and maintenance of all classes of boilers of not more than 100 horsepower or to operate as a shift engineer in a plant of not more than 300 horsepower or to assist the shift engineer, under direct supervision, in a plant of unlimited horsepower. Before receiving a license the applicant shall take and subscribe an oath attesting to at least one year of actual experience in operating such boilers.

 

Subd. 12. Second-class engineer, Grade C. A person An individual seeking licensure as a second-class engineer, Grade C, shall be at least 18 years of age and have habits and experience which justify the belief that the person individual is competent to take charge of and be responsible for the safe operation and maintenance of all classes of low pressure boilers and their appurtenances of not more than 100 horsepower or to operate as a shift engineer in a low pressure plant of not more than 300 horsepower, or to assist the shift engineer, under direct supervision, in a low pressure plant of unlimited horsepower. Before receiving a license, the applicant shall take and subscribe an oath attesting to at least one year of actual experience in operating such boilers.

 

Subd. 13. Special engineer. A person An individual seeking licensure as a special engineer shall be at least 18 years of age and have habits and experience which justify the belief that the person individual is competent to take charge of and be responsible for the safe operation and maintenance of all classes of boilers and their appurtenances of not more than 30 horsepower or to operate as a shift engineer in a plant of not more than 100 horsepower, or to serve as an apprentice in any plant under the direct supervision of the properly licensed engineer.

 

Subd. 14. Current boiler operators. Any person individual operating a boiler other than a steam boiler on or before April 15, 1982 shall be qualified for application for the applicable class license upon presentation of an affidavit furnished by an inspector and sworn to by the person's individual's employer or a chief engineer. The applicant must have at least the number of years of actual experience specified for the class of license requested and pass the appropriate examination.

 

Subd. 15. Rating horsepower. For the purpose of rating boiler horsepower for engineer license classifications only: ten square feet of heating surface shall be considered equivalent to one boiler horsepower for conventional boilers and five square feet of heating surface equivalent to one boiler horsepower for steam coil type generators.

 

Sec. 13. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 183.54, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

 

Subdivision 1. Safety Inspection certificate. After examination and tests, if a boiler inspector finds any boiler or pressure vessel safe and suitable for use, the inspector shall deliver to the chief boiler inspector a verified certificate in such form as prescribed by the chief boiler inspector containing a specification of the tests applied and the working pressure allowed. A copy of the certificate is delivered to the owner of the boiler or pressure vessel, who shall place and retain the same in a conspicuous place on or near the boiler or pressure vessel. of the boiler or pressure vessel being inspected, the boiler inspector shall document the condition of the boiler or pressure vessel as required by the commissioner. The inspector shall issue an inspection certificate, as prescribed by the commissioner, to the owner or operator for the inspected boilers and pressure vessels found to be safe and suitable for use. The inspector shall immediately notify the owner or operator of any deficiencies found on the boilers and pressure vessels during the inspection on a form prescribed by the commissioner.

 

Sec. 14. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 183.54, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 3. Failure to pay fee. If the owner or lessee of any boiler or pressure vessel, which boiler or pressure vessel has been duly inspected, refuses to pay the required fee within 30 days from the date of the inspection invoice, the chief boiler inspector, or deputy, department may seal the boiler or pressure vessel until the fee is paid.


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Sec. 15. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 183.545, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 2. Fee amounts; master's. The license and application fee for a master's license is $50 $45, or $20 $15 if the applicant possesses a valid, unlimited, current United States Coast Guard master's license. The annual renewal of a master's license is $20 $15. The annual renewal if paid later than 30 days after expiration is $35 $30. The fee for replacement of a current, valid license is $20 $15.

 

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

 

Sec. 16. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 183.545, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 4. Boiler engineer license fees. For the following licenses, the nonrefundable license and application fee is:

 

(1) chief engineer's license, $50 $45;

 

(2) first class engineer's license, $50 $45;

 

(3) second class engineer's license, $50 $45;

 

(4) special engineer's license, $20 $15; and

 

(5) traction or hobby boiler engineer's license, $50 $45.

 

An engineer's license may be renewed upon application and payment of an annual renewal fee of $20 $15. The annual renewal, if paid later than 30 days after expiration, is $35 $30. The fee for replacement of a current, valid license is $20 $15.

 

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

 

Sec. 17. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 183.545, subdivision 8, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 8. Certificate of competency. The fee for issuance of the original state of Minnesota certificate of competency for inspectors is $50 $45. This fee is waived for inspectors who paid the examination fee. The fee for an annual renewal of the state of Minnesota certificate of competency is $35 $30, and is due January 1 of each year. The fee for replacement of a current, valid license is $35 $30.

 

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

 

Sec. 18. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 183.545, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

 

Subd. 11. Late fee. The commissioner may assess a late fee of up to $100 for each invoice issued under subdivision 1, 3, or 3a that is not paid in full by the due date stated on the invoice.

 

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

 

Sec. 19. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 183.56, is amended to read:

 

183.56 EXCEPTIONS.

 

The provisions of sections 183.38 to 183.62, shall not apply to:


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(1) boilers in buildings occupied solely for residence purposes with accommodations for not more than five families;

 

(2) railroad locomotives operated by railroad companies for transportation purposes;

 

(3) air tanks installed on the right-of-way of railroads and used directly in the operation of trains;

 

(4) boilers and pressure vessels under the direct jurisdiction of the United States;

 

(5) unfired pressure vessels having an internal or external working pressure not exceeding 15 p.s.i.g. with no limit on size;

 

(6) pressure vessels used for storage of compressed air not exceeding five cubic feet in volume and equipped with an American Society of Mechanical Engineers ASME code stamped safety valve set at a maximum of 100 p.s.i.g.;

 

(7) pressure vessels having an inside diameter not exceeding six inches;

 

(8) every vessel that contains water under pressure, including those containing air that serves only as a cushion, whose design pressure does not exceed 300 p.s.i.g. and whose design temperature does not exceed 210 degrees Fahrenheit;

 

(9) boiler or pressure vessels located on farms used solely for agricultural or horticultural purposes; for purposes of this section, boilers used for mint oil extraction are considered used for agricultural or horticultural purposes, provided that the owner or lessee complies with the inspection requirements contained in section 183.42;

 

(10) tanks or cylinders used for storage or transfer of liquefied petroleum gases;

 

(11) unfired pressure vessels in petroleum refineries;

 

(12) an air tank or pressure vessel which is an integral part of a passenger motor bus, truck, or trailer;

 

(13) hot water heating and other hot liquid boilers not exceeding a heat input of 750,000 BTU per hour;

 

(14) hot water supply boilers (water heaters) not exceeding a heat input of 500,000 BTU per hour, a water temperature of 210 degrees Fahrenheit, a nominal water capacity of 120 gallons, or a pressure of 160 p.s.i.g.;

 

(15) a laundry and dry cleaning press not exceeding five cubic feet of steam volume;

 

(16) pressure vessels operated full of water or other liquid not materially more hazardous than water, if the vessel's contents' temperature does not exceed 140 degrees Fahrenheit or a pressure of 200 p.s.i.g.;

 

(17) steam powered turbines at paper-making facilities which are powered by steam generated by municipal steam district facilities at a remote location; and

 

(18) manually fired boilers for model locomotive, boat, tractor, stationary engine, or antique motor vehicles constructed or maintained only as a hobby for exhibition, educational or historical purposes and not for commercial use, if the boilers have an inside diameter of 12 inches or less, or a grate area of two square feet or less, and are equipped with an American Society of Mechanical Engineers ASME stamped safety valve of adequate size, a water level indicator, and a pressure gauge.


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An engineer's license is not required for hot water supply boilers.

 

An engineer's license is not required for boilers, steam cookers, steam kettles, steam sterilizers or other steam generators not exceeding 100,000 BTU per hour input, 25 kilowatt, 2-1/2 horsepower or and a pressure of 15 p.s.i.g.

 

Electric boilers not exceeding a maximum working pressure of 50 p.s.i.g., maximum of 30 kilowatt input or three horsepower rating shall be inspected as pressure vessels and shall not require an engineer license to operate.

 

Sec. 20. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 183.57, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

 

Subdivision 1. Report required. Any insurance company insuring boilers and pressure vessels in this state shall file a report showing the most recent date of inspection, the name of the person individual making the inspection, the condition of the boiler or pressure vessel as disclosed by the inspection, whether the boiler was operated by a properly licensed engineer, whether a policy of insurance has been issued by the company with reference to the boiler or pressure vessel, and other information as directed by the chief boiler inspector commissioner. Within 21 days after the inspection, the insurance company shall file the report with the chief boiler inspector or designee and the commissioner. The insurer shall provide a copy of the report to the person, firm, or corporation owning or operating the inspected boiler or pressure vessel. Such report shall be made annually for boilers and biennially for pressure vessels.

 

Sec. 21. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 183.57, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 2. Exemption. Every boiler or pressure vessel as to which any insurance company authorized to do business in this state has issued a policy of insurance, after the inspection thereof, is exempt from inspection by the department made under sections 183.375 to 183.62, while the same continues to be insured and provided it continues to be inspected in accordance with the inspection schedule set forth in sections 183.42 and 183.45, and the person, firm, or corporation owning or operating the same has an unexpired certificate of registration.

 

Sec. 22. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 183.57, subdivision 5, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 5. Notice of insurance coverage. The insurer shall notify the commissioner or designee in writing of its policy to insure and inspect boilers and pressure vessels at a location within 30 days of receipt of notification from the insured that a boiler or pressure vessel is present at an insured location. The insurer must also provide a duplicate of the notification to the insured.

 

Sec. 23. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 183.57, subdivision 6, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 6. Notice of discontinued coverage. The insurer shall notify the commissioner or designee in writing, within 30 days of the effective date, of the discontinuation of insurance coverage of the boilers and pressure vessels at a location and the cause or reason for the discontinuation if the insurer has received notice from the insured that a boiler or pressure vessel is present at an insured location, as provided under subdivision 5. This notice shall show the effective date when the discontinued policy takes effect.

 

Sec. 24. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 183.59, is amended to read:

 

183.59 VIOLATIONS BY INSPECTORS.

 

Every inspector who willfully certifies falsely regarding any boiler or its attachments, or pressure vessel, or the hull and equipments of any steam vessel, or who grants a license to any person individual to act as engineer, or master, or pilot contrary to any provision of sections 183.375 to 183.62, is guilty of a misdemeanor. In addition to this punishment the inspector shall be removed from office forthwith.


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Sec. 25. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 183.60, is amended to read:

 

183.60 VIOLATIONS IN CONSTRUCTION; REPAIR; SALE.

 

Subdivision 1. Construction violation. Every No person who constructs shall construct a boiler, boiler piping, or pressure vessel so as not to meet the minimum construction requirements of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers ASME boiler and pressure vessel code, and the rules of the Division of Boiler Inspection adopted by the department of Labor and Industry is guilty of a gross misdemeanor.

 

Subd. 2. Repair violation. Every No person who repairs a boiler or pressure vessel by welding or riveting so as not to meet the minimum requirements established by the current edition of the National Board of Boiler and Pressure Vessel Inspectors inspection code and the rules of the Division of Boiler Inspection adopted by the department of Labor and Industry is guilty of a gross misdemeanor.

 

Subd. 3. Sale violation. Every No manufacturer, jobber, dealer, or other person selling or offering shall sell or offer for sale a boiler or pressure vessel that does not meet the minimum construction requirements of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers ASME boiler and pressure vessel code and the rules of the Division of Boiler Inspection adopted by the department of Labor and Industry is guilty of a gross misdemeanor.

 

Sec. 26. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 183.61, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 2. Inspection violation. Any No person who causes shall cause to be operated, or operates shall operate, any boiler or boat without having the same inspected at least once each year, or pressure vessel, steam farm traction engine, portable or stationary show engine, or portable or stationary show boiler without having it inspected biennially, and or without having the proper engineer or pilot master license is guilty of a misdemeanor.

 

Sec. 27. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 183.61, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 4. Failure to repair. Every person operating or causing to be operated After any boiler or pressure vessel after it has been examined and found to be unsafe and after the owner or operator thereof of the boiler or pressure vessel has been notified of any defect therein and what repairs are necessary to remedy the defect who fails to comply with the inspector's requirements is guilty of a misdemeanor in it, no person shall operate the boiler or pressure vessel or cause it to be operated unless and until the defect has been corrected.

 

Sec. 28. [326B.93] INSPECTION PERSONNEL.

 

Subdivision 1. Inspectors. The department may employ such inspectors and other persons as are necessary to efficiently perform the duties and exercise the powers imposed upon the department.

 

Subd. 2. Chief boiler inspector. The commissioner shall appoint a chief boiler inspector who, under the direction and supervision of the commissioner, shall administer this chapter and the rules adopted under this chapter. The chief boiler inspector must:

 

(1) be licensed as a chief Grade A engineer; and

 

(2) possess a current commission issued by the National Board of Boiler and Pressure Vessel Inspectors.

 

The chief boiler inspector shall be the state of Minnesota representative on the National Board of Boiler and Pressure Vessel Inspectors, shall be the final interpretative authority of the rules adopted under this chapter, and shall perform other duties in administering this chapter and the rules adopted under this chapter as assigned by the commissioner. Any adverse ruling by the commissioner must be presented to an administrative law judge.


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Sec. 29. [326B.94] BOATS; MASTERS.

 

Subdivision 1. Boat. "Boat" means any vessel navigating inland waters of the state that is propelled by machinery or sails, is carrying passengers for hire, and is 21 feet or more in length.

 

Subd. 2. Number of passengers. The department shall designate the number of passengers that each boat may safely carry, and no such boat shall carry a greater number than is allowed by the inspector's certificate.

 

Subd. 3. Annual permit. The commissioner shall issue an annual permit to a boat for the purpose of carrying passengers for hire on the inland waters of the state provided the boat satisfies the inspection requirements of this section. A boat subject to inspection under this chapter shall be registered with the department and shall be inspected before a permit may be issued. No person shall operate a boat or cause a boat to be operated for the purpose of carrying passengers for hire on the inland waters of the state without a valid annual permit issued under this section.

 

Subd. 4. Examinations, licensing. The commissioner shall develop and administer an examination for all masters of boats carrying passengers for hire on the inland waters of the state as to their qualifications and fitness. If found qualified and competent to perform their duties as a master of a boat carrying passengers for hire, they shall be issued a license authorizing them to act as such on the inland waters of the state. The license shall be renewed annually. Fees for the original issue and renewal of the license authorized under this section shall be pursuant to section 183.545, subdivision 2.

 

Subd. 5. Rules. (a) The department shall prescribe rules for the inspection of the hulls, machinery, boilers, steam connections, firefighting apparatus, lifesaving appliances, and lifesaving equipment of all power boats navigating the inland waters of the state, which shall conform to the requirements and specifications of the United States Coast Guard in similar cases as provided in Code of Federal Regulations, title 46, as applicable inland waters; these rules shall have the force of law.

 

(b) The commissioner shall make such rules for inspection and operation of boats subject to inspection under this chapter, the licensing of masters, and the navigation of any such boat as will require its operation without danger to life or property.

 

Subd. 6. Drugs, alcohol. No master shall be under the influence of illegal drugs or alcohol when on duty.

 

Sec. 30. REVISOR'S INSTRUCTION.

 

The revisor of statutes shall renumber each section of Minnesota Statutes listed in column A with the number listed in column B. The revisor shall also make necessary cross-reference changes consistent with the renumbering.

 

                                                          Column A                                              Column B

 

                                                          183.38                                                     326B.952

                                                          183.39                                                     326B.954

                                                          183.411                                                   326B.956

                                                          183.42                                                     326B.958

                                                          183.45                                                     326B.96

                                                          183.46                                                     326B.962

                                                          183.465                                                   326B.964

                                                          183.466                                                   326B.966

                                                          183.48                                                     326B.968


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                                                          183.50                                                     326B.97

                                                          183.501                                                   326B.972

                                                          183.502                                                   326B.974

                                                          183.505                                                   326B.976

                                                          183.51                                                     326B.978

                                                          183.53                                                     326B.98

                                                          183.54                                                     326B.982

                                                          183.545                                                   326B.986

                                                          183.56                                                     326B.988

                                                          183.57                                                     326B.99

                                                          183.59                                                     326B.992

                                                          183.60                                                     326B.994

                                                          183.61                                                     326B.996

                                                          183.62                                                     326B.998

                                                       

ARTICLE 10

 

HIGH PRESSURE PIPING

 

Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 326.46, is amended to read:

 

326.46 SUPERVISION OF DEPARTMENT TO SUPERVISE HIGH PRESSURE PIPING.

 

The department of Labor and Industry shall supervise all high pressure piping used on all projects in this state, and may prescribe minimum standards which shall be uniform.

 

The department shall employ inspectors and other assistants to carry out the provisions of sections 326.46 to 326.52.

 

Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 326.461, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

 

Subd. 1a. Contracting high pressure pipefitter. "Contracting high pressure pipefitter" means an individual, such as a steamfitter, engaged in the planning, superintending, and practical installation of high pressure piping and appurtenances, and otherwise lawfully qualified to construct high pressure piping installations and make replacements to existing plants, who is also qualified to conduct the business of high pressure piping installations and who is familiar with the laws, rules, and minimum standards governing them.

 

Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 326.461, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

 

Subd. 2a. High pressure steam. "High pressure steam" means a pressure in excess of 15 pounds per square inch.

 

Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 326.461, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

 

Subd. 2b. Journeyman high pressure pipefitter. "Journeyman high pressure pipefitter" means an individual, such as a steamfitter, who is not a contracting high pressure pipefitter and who is engaged in the practical installation of high pressure piping and appurtenances in the employ of a contracting high pressure pipefitter.


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Sec. 5. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 326.461, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

 

Subd. 4. Pipefitter apprentice. A "pipefitter apprentice" is an individual, other than a contracting pipefitter, journeyman pipefitter, or pipefitter apprentice, who as a principal occupation is in the employ of a high pressure piping business license holder and is engaged in pipefitter work to learn and assist in the practical construction and installation of high pressure piping and appurtenances. For purposes of this subdivision, a "pipefitter apprentice" is an individual employed in the trade of the practical construction and installation of high pressure piping and appurtenances under an apprenticeship agreement approved by the department under Minnesota Rules, part 5200.0300.

 

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

 

Sec. 6. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 326.47, is amended to read:

 

326.47 APPLICATION, PERMIT, FILING, AND INSPECTION FEES.

 

Subdivision 1. Required permit. No person, firm, or corporation shall construct or install high pressure piping systems without first filing an application for a permit with the department of Labor and Industry or a municipality that has complied with subdivision 2. Projects under construction prior to August 1, 1984, are not required to obtain a permit.

 

Subd. 2. Permissive municipal regulation. A municipality may, by ordinance, provide for the inspection of high pressure piping system materials and construction, and provide that it shall not be constructed or installed except in accordance with minimum state standards. The authority designated by the ordinance for issuing high pressure piping permits and assuring compliance with state standards must report to the Department of Labor and Industry all violations of state high pressure piping standards.

 

A municipality may not adopt an ordinance with high pressure piping standards that does not conform to the uniform standards prescribed by the Department of Labor and Industry. The Department of Labor and Industry shall specify by rule the minimum qualifications for municipal inspectors. The commissioner may enter into an agreement with a municipality, in which the municipality agrees to perform inspections and issue permits for the construction and installation of high pressure piping systems within the municipality's geographical area of jurisdiction, if:

 

(a) The municipality has adopted:

 

(1) the code for power piping systems, Minnesota Rules, parts 5230.0250 to 5230.6200;

 

(2) an ordinance that authorizes the municipality to issue permits to persons holding a high pressure piping business license issued by the department and only for construction or installation that would, if performed properly, fully comply with all Minnesota Statutes and Minnesota Rules;

 

(3) an ordinance that authorizes the municipality to perform the inspections that are required under Minnesota Statutes or Minnesota Rules of the construction and installation of high pressure piping systems; and

 

(4) an ordinance that authorizes the municipality to enforce the code for power piping systems in its entirety.

 

(b) The municipality agrees to issue permits only to persons holding a high pressure piping business license as required by law at the time of the permit issuance, and only for construction or installation that would, if performed properly, comply with all Minnesota Statutes and Minnesota Rules governing the construction or installation of high pressure piping systems.


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(c) The municipality agrees to issue permits only on forms approved by the department.

 

(d) The municipality agrees that, for each permit issued by the municipality, the municipality shall perform one or more inspections of the construction or installation to determine whether the construction or installation complies with all Minnesota Statutes and Minnesota Rules governing the construction or installation of high pressure piping systems, and shall prepare a written report of each inspection.

 

(e) The municipality agrees to notify the commissioner within 24 hours after the municipality discovers any violation of the licensing laws related to high pressure piping.

 

(f) The municipality agrees to notify the commissioner immediately if the municipality discovers that any entity has failed to meet a deadline set by the municipality for correction of a violation of the high pressure piping laws.

 

(g) The commissioner determines that the individuals who will conduct the inspections for the municipality do not have any conflict of interest in conducting the inspections.

 

(h) Individuals who will conduct the inspections for the municipality are permanent employees of the municipality and are licensed contracting high pressure pipefitters or licensed journeyman high pressure pipefitters.

 

(i) The municipality agrees to notify the commissioner within ten days of any changes in the names or qualifications of the individuals who conduct the inspections for the municipality.

 

(j) The municipality agrees to enforce in its entirety the code for power piping systems on all projects.

 

(k) The municipality shall not approve any piping installation unless the installation conforms to all applicable provisions of the high pressure piping laws in effect at the time of the installation.

 

(l) The municipality agrees to promptly require compliance or revoke a permit that it has issued if there is noncompliance with any of the applicable provisions of the high pressure piping laws in connection with the work covered by the permit. The municipality agrees to revoke the permit if any laws regulating the licensing of pipefitters have been violated.

 

(m) The municipality agrees to keep official records of all documents received, including permit applications, and of all permits issued, reports of inspections, and notices issued in connection with inspections.

 

(n) The municipality agrees to maintain the records described in paragraph (m) in the official records of the municipality for the period required for the retention of public records under section 138.17, and shall make these records readily available for review according to section 13.37.

 

(o) Not later than the tenth day of each month, the municipality shall submit to the commissioner a report of all high pressure piping permits issued by the municipality during the preceding month. This report shall be in a format approved by the commissioner and shall include:

 

(1) the name of the contractor;

 

(2) the license number of the contractor's license issued by the commissioner;

 

(3) the permit number;

 

(4) the address of the job;


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(5) the date the permit was issued;

 

(6) a brief description of the work; and

 

(7) the amount of the inspection fee.

 

(p) Not later than the 31st day of January of each year, the municipality shall submit a summary report to the commissioner identifying the status of each high pressure piping project for which the municipality issued a permit during the preceding year, and the status of high pressure piping projects for which the municipality issued a permit during a prior year where no final inspection had occurred by the first day of the preceding year. This summary report shall include:

 

(1) the permit number;

 

(2) the date of any final inspection; and

 

(3) identification of any violation of high pressure piping laws related to work covered by the permit.

 

(q) The municipality and the commissioner agree that if at any time during the agreement the municipality does not have in effect the code for high pressure piping systems or any of the ordinances described in paragraph (a), or if the commissioner determines that the municipality is not properly administering and enforcing the code for high pressure piping or is otherwise not complying with the agreement:

 

(1) the commissioner may, effective 14 days after the municipality's receipt of written notice, terminate the agreement and have the administration and enforcement of the high pressure piping code in the involved municipality undertaken by the department;

 

(2) the municipality may challenge the termination in a contested case before the commissioner pursuant to the Administrative Procedure Act; and

 

(3) while any challenge under clause (2) is pending, the commissioner may exercise oversight of the municipality to the extent needed to ensure that high pressure piping inspections are performed and permits are issued in accordance with the high pressure piping laws.

 

(r) The municipality and the commissioner agree that the municipality may terminate the agreement with or without cause on 90 days' written notice to the commissioner.

 

(s) The municipality and the commissioner agree that no municipality shall revoke, suspend, or place restrictions on any high pressure piping license issued by the commissioner. If the municipality identifies during an inspection any violation that may warrant revocation, suspension, or placement of restrictions on a high pressure piping license issued by the commissioner, the municipality shall promptly notify the commissioner of the violation and the commissioner shall determine whether revocation, suspension, or placement of restrictions on any high pressure piping license issued by the commissioner is appropriate.

 

Subd. 5. Reporting of permits issued. Each municipality must submit to the Department of Labor and Industry a copy of each permit issued within ten days after issuance.

 

All permits must be issued on forms prescribed by or approved by the Department of Labor and Industry.


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Subd. 6. Filing and inspection fees. (a) The department of Labor and Industry must charge a filing fee set by the commissioner under section 16A.1285 and an inspection fee for all applications for permits to construct or install high pressure piping systems. The filing fee for inspection of high pressure piping system construction or installation shall be set by the commissioner under section 16A.1285 $100. This subdivision does The inspection fee shall be calculated as follows.

 

(1) When an application for a permit is filed prior to the start of construction or installation, the inspection fee shall be $150 plus 0.022 of the first $1,000,000, plus 0.011 of the next $2,000,000, plus 0.00055 of the amount over $3,000,000 of the cost of construction or installation.

 

(2) Except as provided in paragraph (b), when an application for permit is filed after the start of construction or installation, the inspection fee shall be the greater of: $1,100; or $150 plus 0.033 of the first $1,000,000, plus 0.0165 of the next $2,000,000, plus 0.011 of the amount over $3,000,000 of the cost of construction or installation.

 

(b) The commissioner shall consider any extenuating circumstances that caused an application for permit to be filed after the start of construction or installation. If warranted by such extenuating circumstances, the commissioner may calculate the inspection fee as if the application for permit had been filed prior to the start of construction or installation.

 

(c) Paragraphs (a) and (b) do not apply where a permit is issued by a municipality complying with according to an agreement under subdivision 2.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective December 1, 2007, except that subdivision 6 is effective July 1, 2007.

 

Sec. 7. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 326.48, is amended to read:

 

326.48 LICENSING AND REGISTRATION.

 

Subdivision 1. License required; rules; time credit. No person individual shall engage in or work at the business of a contracting high pressure pipefitter unless issued an individual contracting high pressure pipefitter license to do so by the department of Labor and Industry. No license shall be required for repairs on existing installations. No person individual shall engage in or work at the business of journeyman pipefitter unless issued an individual journeyman high pressure pipefitter competency license to do so by the department of Labor and Industry. A person possessing an individual contracting high pressure pipefitter competency license may also work as a journeyman high pressure pipefitter.

 

No person, partnership, firm, or corporation shall construct or install high pressure piping, nor install high pressure piping in connection with the dealing in and selling of high pressure pipe material and supplies, unless, at all times, a person an individual possessing a contracting high pressure pipefitter individual competency license or a journeyman high pressure pipefitter individual competency license is responsible for ensuring that the high pressure pipefitting work conducted by the person, partnership, firm, or corporation being is in conformity with Minnesota Statutes and Minnesota Rules.

 

The department of Labor and Industry shall prescribe rules, not inconsistent herewith, for the examination and individual competency licensing of contracting high pressure pipefitters and journeyman high pressure pipefitters and for issuance of permits by the department and municipalities for the installation of high pressure piping.

 

An employee performing the duties of inspector for the department of Labor and Industry in regulating pipefitting shall not receive time credit for the inspection duties when making an application for a license required by this section.


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Subd. 2. High pressure pipefitting business license. Before obtaining a permit for high pressure piping work, a person, partnership, firm, or corporation must obtain or utilize a business with a high pressure piping business license.

 

A person, partnership, firm, or corporation must have at all times as a full-time employee at least one individual holding an individual contracting high pressure pipefitter competency license. Only full-time employees who hold individual contracting high pressure pipefitter licenses are authorized to obtain high pressure piping permits in the name of the business. The individual contracting high pressure pipefitter competency license holder can be the employee of only one high pressure piping business at a time.

 

To retain its business license without reapplication, a person, partnership, firm, or corporation holding a high pressure piping business license that ceases to employ a person an individual holding an individual contracting high pressure pipefitter competency license shall have 60 days from the last day of employment of its previous individual contracting pipefitter competency license holder to employ another license holder. The department of Labor and Industry must be notified no later than five days after the last day of employment of the previous license holder.

 

No high pressure pipefitting work may be performed during any period when the high pressure pipefitting business does not have an individual contracting high pressure pipefitter competency license holder on staff. If a license holder is not employed within 60 days after the last day of employment of the previous license holder, the pipefitting business license shall lapse.

 

The department of Labor and Industry shall prescribe by rule procedures for application for and issuance of business licenses and fees.

 

Subd. 2a. Registration requirement. All pipefitter apprentices must be registered under subdivision 2b. No individual may be a registered pipefitter apprentice for more than four years unless the individual has a pending application to be licensed as a journeyman pipefitter. No high pressure piping business shall employ a pipefitter apprentice to help and assist in the construction and installation of high pressure piping unless the pipefitter apprentice is registered.

 

A registered pipefitter apprentice is authorized to assist in the practical construction and installation of high pressure piping and appurtenances only while under direct supervision of a licensed individual contacting pipefitter. The licensed individual contracting pipefitter is responsible for ensuring that all high pressure piping work performed by the registered pipefitter apprentice complies with Minnesota Statutes and Minnesota Rules.

 

Subd. 3. Bond. The As a condition of licensing, each applicant for a high pressure piping business license or renewal shall give bond to the state in the total penal sum of $15,000 conditioned upon the faithful and lawful performance of all work entered upon contracted for or performed within the state. The bond shall run to and be for the benefit of persons injured or suffering financial loss by reason of failure of payment or performance. Claims and actions on the bond may be brought according to sections 574.26 to 574.38.

 

The term of the bond must be concurrent with the term of the high pressure pipefitting business license and run without interruption from the date of the issuance of the license to the end of the calendar year. All high pressure pipefitting business licenses must be annually renewed on a calendar year basis.

 

The bond must be filed with the department of Labor and Industry and shall be in lieu of any other business license bonds required by any political subdivision for high pressure pipefitting. The bond must be written by a corporate surety licensed to do business in the state.


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Subd. 4. Insurance. In addition to the bond described in subdivision 3, each applicant for a high pressure pipefitting business license or renewal shall have in force public liability insurance, including products liability insurance, with limits of at least $100,000 per person and $300,000 per occurrence and property damage insurance with limits of at least $50,000.

 

The insurance must be kept in force for the entire term of the high pressure pipefitting business license, and the license shall be suspended by the department if at any time the insurance is not in force.

 

The insurance must be written by an insurer licensed to do business in the state and shall be in lieu of any other insurance required by any subdivision of government for high pressure pipefitting. Each person, partnership, firm, or corporation holding a high pressure pipefitting business license shall maintain on file with the department a certificate evidencing the insurance. Any purported cancellation of insurance shall not be effective without the insurer first giving 30 days' written notice to the department.

 

Subd. 5. License fee. The state department of Labor and Industry may shall charge each applicant for a high pressure pipefitting business license or for a renewal of a high pressure pipefitting business license and an additional fee commensurate with the cost of administering the bond and insurance requirements of subdivisions 3 and 4. the following license fees:

 

(a) application for journeyman high pressure piping pipefitter competency license, $100;

 

(b) renewal of journeyman high pressure piping pipefitter competency license, $60;

 

(c) application for contracting high pressure piping pipefitter competency license, $250;

 

(d) renewal of contracting high pressure piping pipefitter competency license, $220;

 

(e) application for high pressure piping business license, $350;

 

(f) application to inactivate a contracting high pressure piping pipefitter competency license or inactivate a journeyman high pressure piping pipefitter competency license, $30; and

 

(g) renewal of an inactive contracting high pressure piping pipefitter competency license or inactive journeyman high pressure piping pipefitter competency license, $30.

 

If an application for renewal of an active or inactive journeyman high pressure piping pipefitter competency license or active or inactive contracting high pressure piping competency license is received by the department after the date of expiration of the license, a $30 late renewal fee shall be added to the license renewal fee.

 

Payment must accompany the application for a license or renewal of a license. There shall be no refund of fees paid.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective December 1, 2007, except that subdivisions 2a, 2b, and 5 are effective July 1, 2007.

 

Sec. 8. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 326.50, is amended to read:

 

326.50 LICENSE APPLICATION; FEES AND RENEWAL.

 

Application for an individual contracting high pressure pipefitter competency or an individual journeyman high pressure pipefitter competency license shall be made to the department of Labor and Industry, with fees. The applicant shall be licensed only after passing an examination developed and administered by the department of


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Labor and Industry. A competency license issued by the department shall expire on December 31 of each year. A renewal application must be received by the department within one year after expiration of the competency license. A license that has been expired for more than one year cannot be renewed, and can only be reissued if the applicant submits a new application for the competency license, pays a new application fee, and retakes and passes the applicable license examination.

 

Sec. 9. [326.501] RECIPROCITY WITH OTHER STATES.

 

The commissioner may issue a temporary license without examination, upon payment of the required fee, nonresident applicants who are licensed under the laws of a state having standards for licensing which the commissioner determines are substantially equivalent to the standards of this state if the other state grants similar privileges to Minnesota residents duly licensed in this state. Applicants who receive a temporary license under this section may acquire a cumulative 24 months of experience before they have to apply and pass the licensing examination. Applicants must register with the commissioner of labor and industry and the commissioner shall set a fee for a temporary license. Applicants have four years in which to comply with this section.

 

Sec. 10. REVISOR'S INSTRUCTION.

 

The revisor of statutes shall renumber each section of Minnesota Statutes listed in column A with the number listed in column B. The revisor shall also make necessary cross-reference changes consistent with the renumbering.

 

                                                          Column A                                              Column B

                                                         

                                                          326.46                                                     326B.90

                                                          326.461                                                   326B.91

                                                          326.47                                                     326B.92

                                                          326.48                                                     326B.93

                                                          326.50                                                     326B.94

 

ARTICLE 11

 

CONFORMING CHANGES

 

Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 31.175, is amended to read:

 

31.175 WATER, PLUMBING, AND SEWAGE.

 

A person who is required by statutes administered by the Department of Agriculture, or by rules adopted pursuant to those statutes, to provide a suitable water supply, or plumbing or sewage disposal system, may not engage in the business of manufacturing, processing, selling, handling, or storing food at wholesale or retail unless the person's water supply is satisfactory under plumbing codes adopted by the Department of Health Labor and Industry and the person's sewage disposal system satisfies the rules of the Pollution Control Agency.

 

Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 103I.621, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 3. Construction requirements. (a) Withdrawal and reinjection for the groundwater thermal exchange device must be accomplished by a closed system in which the waters drawn for thermal exchange do not have contact or commingle with water from other sources or with polluting material or substances. The closed system must be constructed to allow an opening for inspection by the commissioner.


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(b) Wells that are part of a groundwater thermal exchange system may not serve another function, except water may be supplied to the domestic water system if:

 

(1) the supply is taken from the thermal exchange system ahead of the heat exchange unit; and

 

(2) the domestic water system is protected by an airgap or backflow prevention device as described in rules relating to plumbing enforced by the commissioner of labor and industry.

 

(c) A groundwater thermal exchange system may be used for domestic water heating only if the water heating device is an integral part of the heat exchange unit that is used for space heating and cooling.

 

Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 144.122, is amended to read:

 

144.122 LICENSE, PERMIT, AND SURVEY FEES.

 

(a) The state commissioner of health, by rule, may prescribe procedures and fees for filing with the commissioner as prescribed by statute and for the issuance of original and renewal permits, licenses, registrations, and certifications issued under authority of the commissioner. The expiration dates of the various licenses, permits, registrations, and certifications as prescribed by the rules shall be plainly marked thereon. Fees may include application and examination fees and a penalty fee for renewal applications submitted after the expiration date of the previously issued permit, license, registration, and certification. The commissioner may also prescribe, by rule, reduced fees for permits, licenses, registrations, and certifications when the application therefor is submitted during the last three months of the permit, license, registration, or certification period. Fees proposed to be prescribed in the rules shall be first approved by the Department of Finance. All fees proposed to be prescribed in rules shall be reasonable. The fees shall be in an amount so that the total fees collected by the commissioner will, where practical, approximate the cost to the commissioner in administering the program. All fees collected shall be deposited in the state treasury and credited to the state government special revenue fund unless otherwise specifically appropriated by law for specific purposes.

 

(b) The commissioner may charge a fee for voluntary certification of medical laboratories and environmental laboratories, and for environmental and medical laboratory services provided by the department, without complying with paragraph (a) or chapter 14. Fees charged for environment and medical laboratory services provided by the department must be approximately equal to the costs of providing the services.

 

(c) The commissioner may develop a schedule of fees for diagnostic evaluations conducted at clinics held by the services for children with disabilities program. All receipts generated by the program are annually appropriated to the commissioner for use in the maternal and child health program.

 

(d) The commissioner shall set license fees for hospitals and nursing homes that are not boarding care homes at the following levels:

 

Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare

Organizations (JCAHO) and American Osteopathic

Association (AOA) hospitals                                                                                                   $7,555 plus $13 per bed

Non-JCAHO and non-AOA hospitals                                                                                  $5,180 plus $247 per bed

Nursing home                                                                                                                                 $183 plus $91 per bed


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The commissioner shall set license fees for outpatient surgical centers, boarding care homes, and supervised living facilities at the following levels:

 

Outpatient surgical centers                                                                                                                                     $3,349

Boarding care homes                                                                                                                     $183 plus $91 per bed

Supervised living facilities                                                                                                           $183 plus $91 per bed.

 

(e) Unless prohibited by federal law, the commissioner of health shall charge applicants the following fees to cover the cost of any initial certification surveys required to determine a provider's eligibility to participate in the Medicare or Medicaid program:

 

Prospective payment surveys for hospitals                                                                                                            $900

Swing bed surveys for nursing homes                                                                                                                  $1,200

Psychiatric hospitals                                                                                                                                                $1,400

Rural health facilities                                                                                                                                                $1,100

Portable x-ray providers                                                                                                                                              $500

Home health agencies                                                                                                                                              $1,800

Outpatient therapy agencies                                                                                                                                      $800

End stage renal dialysis providers                                                                                                                         $2,100

Independent therapists                                                                                                                                               $800

Comprehensive rehabilitation outpatient facilities                                                                                              $1,200

Hospice providers                                                                                                                                                    $1,700

Ambulatory surgical providers                                                                                                                               $1,800

Hospitals                                                                                                                                                                    $4,200

Other provider categories or additional resurveys                                Actual surveyor costs: average surveyor

required to complete initial certification                                        cost x number of hours for the survey process.

 

These fees shall be submitted at the time of the application for federal certification and shall not be refunded. All fees collected after the date that the imposition of fees is not prohibited by federal law shall be deposited in the state treasury and credited to the state government special revenue fund.

 

(f) The commissioner shall charge the following fees for examinations, registrations, licenses, and inspections:

 

Plumbing examination                                                                                                                                                   $50

Water conditioning examination                                                                                                                                 $50

Plumbing bond registration fee                                                                                                                                   $40

Water conditioning bond registration fee                                                                                                                 $40

Master plumber's license                                                                                                                                            $120

Journeyman plumber's license                                                                                                                                     $55

Apprentice registration                                                                                                                                                 $25

Water conditioning contractor license                                                                                                                       $70

Water conditioning installer license                                                                                                                           $35

Residential inspection fee (each visit)                                                                                                                        $50

Public, commercial, and industrial inspections                                                                                      Inspection fee

25 or fewer drainage fixture units                                                                                                                              $300

26 to 50 drainage fixture units                                                                                                                                    $900

51 to 150 drainage fixture units                                                                                                                               $1,200

151 to 249 drainage fixture units                                                                                                                             $1,500

250 or more drainage fixture units                                                                                                                          $1,800

Callback fee (each visit)                                                                                                                                              $100

 

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


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Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 144.99, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

 

      Subdivision 1. Remedies available. The provisions of chapters 103I and 157 and sections 115.71 to 115.77; 144.12, subdivision 1, paragraphs (1), (2), (5), (6), (10), (12), (13), (14), and (15); 144.1201 to 144.1204; 144.121; 144.1222; 144.35; 144.381 to 144.385; 144.411 to 144.417; 144.495; 144.71 to 144.74; 144.9501 to 144.9509; 144.992; 326.37 to 326.45; 326.57 326.70 to 326.785; 327.10 to 327.131; and 327.14 to 327.28 and all rules, orders, stipulation agreements, settlements, compliance agreements, licenses, registrations, certificates, and permits adopted or issued by the department or under any other law now in force or later enacted for the preservation of public health may, in addition to provisions in other statutes, be enforced under this section.

 

Sec. 5. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 175.16, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

 

Subdivision 1. Established. The Department of Labor and Industry shall consist of the following divisions: Division of Workers' Compensation, Division of Boiler Inspection Construction Codes and Licensing, Division of Occupational Safety and Health, Division of Statistics, Division of Steamfitting Standards, Division of Labor Standards and Apprenticeship, and such other divisions as the commissioner of the Department of Labor and Industry may deem necessary and establish. Each division of the department and persons in charge thereof shall be subject to the supervision of the commissioner of the Department of Labor and Industry and, in addition to such duties as are or may be imposed on them by statute, shall perform such other duties as may be assigned to them by the commissioner. Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, the commissioner is the administrator and supervisor of all of the department's dispute resolution functions and personnel and may delegate authority to compensation judges and others to make determinations under sections 176.106, 176.238, and 176.239 and to approve settlement of claims under section 176.521.

 

Sec. 6. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 326.975, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

 

Subdivision 1. Generally. (a) In addition to any other fees, each applicant for a license under sections 326.83 to 326.98 shall pay a fee to the contractor's recovery fund. The contractor's recovery fund is created in the state treasury and must be administered by the commissioner in the manner and subject to all the requirements and limitations provided by section 82.43 with the following exceptions:.

 

(1) each licensee who renews a license shall pay in addition to the appropriate renewal fee an additional fee which shall be credited to the contractor's recovery fund. The amount of the fee shall be based on the licensee's gross annual receipts for the licensee's most recent fiscal year preceding the renewal, on the following scale:

 

                                                          Fee                                                          Gross Receipts

 

                                                          $100                                                        under $1,000,000

                                                          $150                                                        $1,000,000 to $5,000,000

                                                          $200                                                        over $5,000,000

 

Any person who receives a new license shall pay a fee based on the same scale;

 

(2) (1) The purpose of this fund is:

 

(i) to compensate any aggrieved owner or lessee of residential property located within this state who obtains a final judgment in any court of competent jurisdiction against a licensee licensed under section 326.84, on grounds of fraudulent, deceptive, or dishonest practices, conversion of funds, or failure of performance arising directly out of any transaction when the judgment debtor was licensed and performed any of the activities enumerated under section 326.83, subdivision 19, on the owner's residential property or on residential property rented by the lessee, or


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on new residential construction which was never occupied prior to purchase by the owner, or which was occupied by the licensee for less than one year prior to purchase by the owner, and which cause of action arose on or after April 1, 1994; and

 

(ii) to reimburse the Department of Commerce for all legal and administrative expenses, including staffing costs, incurred in administering the fund;

 

(3) (2) nothing may obligate the fund for more than $50,000 per claimant, nor more than $75,000 per licensee; and

 

(4) (3) nothing may obligate the fund for claims based on a cause of action that arose before the licensee paid the recovery fund fee set in clause (1), or as provided in section 326.945, subdivision 3.

 

(b) Should the commissioner pay from the contractor's recovery fund any amount in settlement of a claim or toward satisfaction of a judgment against a licensee, the license shall be automatically suspended upon the effective date of an order by the court authorizing payment from the fund. No licensee shall be granted reinstatement until the licensee has repaid in full, plus interest at the rate of 12 percent a year, twice the amount paid from the fund on the licensee's account, and has obtained a surety bond issued by an insurer authorized to transact business in this state in the amount of at least $40,000.

 

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

 

Sec. 7. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 327.20, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

 

Subdivision 1. Rules. No domestic animals or house pets of occupants of manufactured home parks or recreational camping areas shall be allowed to run at large, or commit any nuisances within the limits of a manufactured home park or recreational camping area. Each manufactured home park or recreational camping area licensed under the provisions of sections 327.10, 327.11, 327.14 to 327.28 shall, among other things, provide for the following, in the manner hereinafter specified:

 

(1) A responsible attendant or caretaker shall be in charge of every manufactured home park or recreational camping area at all times, who shall maintain the park or area, and its facilities and equipment in a clean, orderly and sanitary condition. In any manufactured home park containing more than 50 lots, the attendant, caretaker, or other responsible park employee, shall be readily available at all times in case of emergency.

 

(2) All manufactured home parks shall be well drained and be located so that the drainage of the park area will not endanger any water supply. No wastewater from manufactured homes or recreational camping vehicles shall be deposited on the surface of the ground. All sewage and other water carried wastes shall be discharged into a municipal sewage system whenever available. When a municipal sewage system is not available, a sewage disposal system acceptable to the state commissioner of health shall be provided.

 

(3) No manufactured home shall be located closer than three feet to the side lot lines of a manufactured home park, if the abutting property is improved property, or closer than ten feet to a public street or alley. Each individual site shall abut or face on a driveway or clear unoccupied space of not less than 16 feet in width, which space shall have unobstructed access to a public highway or alley. There shall be an open space of at least ten feet between the sides of adjacent manufactured homes including their attachments and at least three feet between manufactured homes when parked end to end. The space between manufactured homes may be used for the parking of motor vehicles and other property, if the vehicle or other property is parked at least ten feet from the nearest adjacent manufactured home position. The requirements of this paragraph shall not apply to recreational camping areas and variances may be granted by the state commissioner of health in manufactured home parks when the variance is applied for in writing and in the opinion of the commissioner the variance will not endanger the health, safety, and welfare of manufactured home park occupants.


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(4) An adequate supply of water of safe, sanitary quality shall be furnished at each manufactured home park or recreational camping area. The source of the water supply shall first be approved by the state Department of Health.

 

(5) All plumbing shall be installed in accordance with the rules of the state commissioner of health labor and industry and the provisions of the Minnesota Plumbing Code.

 

(6) In the case of a manufactured home park with less than ten manufactured homes, a plan for the sheltering or the safe evacuation to a safe place of shelter of the residents of the park in times of severe weather conditions, such as tornadoes, high winds, and floods. The shelter or evacuation plan shall be developed with the assistance and approval of the municipality where the park is located and shall be posted at conspicuous locations throughout the park. The park owner shall provide each resident with a copy of the approved shelter or evacuation plan, as provided by section 327C.01, subdivision 1c. Nothing in this paragraph requires the Department of Health to review or approve any shelter or evacuation plan developed by a park. Failure of a municipality to approve a plan submitted by a park shall not be grounds for action against the park by the Department of Health if the park has made a good faith effort to develop the plan and obtain municipal approval.

 

(7) A manufactured home park with ten or more manufactured homes, licensed prior to March 1, 1988, shall provide a safe place of shelter for park residents or a plan for the evacuation of park residents to a safe place of shelter within a reasonable distance of the park for use by park residents in times of severe weather, including tornadoes and high winds. The shelter or evacuation plan must be approved by the municipality by March 1, 1989. The municipality may require the park owner to construct a shelter if it determines that a safe place of shelter is not available within a reasonable distance from the park. A copy of the municipal approval and the plan shall be submitted by the park owner to the Department of Health. The park owner shall provide each resident with a copy of the approved shelter or evacuation plan, as provided by section 327C.01, subdivision 1c.

 

(8) A manufactured home park with ten or more manufactured homes, receiving a primary license after March 1, 1988, must provide the type of shelter required by section 327.205, except that for manufactured home parks established as temporary, emergency housing in a disaster area declared by the President of the United States or the governor, an approved evacuation plan may be provided in lieu of a shelter for a period not exceeding 18 months.

 

(9) For the purposes of this subdivision, "park owner" and "resident" have the meaning given them in section 327C.01.

 

Sec. 8. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 327.205, is amended to read:

 

327.205 SHELTER CONSTRUCTION STANDARDS.

 

The commissioner of administration labor and industry shall adopt, by rule, minimum standards for the construction of low cost manufactured home park storm shelters by March 1, 1988. All shelters constructed after March 1, 1988, shall be constructed in accordance with these standards.

 

Sec. 9. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 327A.01, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 2. Building standards. "Building standards" means the materials and installation standards of the State Building Code, adopted by the commissioner of administration labor and industry pursuant to sections 16B.59 to 16B.75, in effect at the time of the construction or remodeling.


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Sec. 10. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 363A.40, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

 

Subdivision 1. Definitions. The definitions in this subdivision apply to this section.

 

(a) "Accessible unit" means an accessible rental housing unit that meets the disability facility persons with disabilities requirements of the State Building Code, Minnesota Rules, chapter 1340.

 

(b) "Landlord" has the meaning given it in section 504B.001, subdivision 7.

 

Sec. 11. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 462.357, subdivision 6a, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 6a. Normal residential surroundings for disabled persons with disabilities. It is the policy of this state that disabled persons and children with disabilities should not be excluded by municipal zoning ordinances or other land use regulations from the benefits of normal residential surroundings. For purposes of subdivisions 6a through 9, "person" has the meaning given in section 245A.02, subdivision 11.

 

Sec. 12. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 462A.07, subdivision 8, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 8. State Building Code. It may assist the commissioner of administration labor and industry in the development, implementation and revision of a uniform the State Building Code.

 

Sec. 13. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 471.465, is amended to read:

 

471.465 PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES; BUILDING REGULATIONS; DEFINITIONS.

 

Subdivision 1. Scope. For the purposes of sections 471.465 to 471.469, the terms defined in this section have the meanings given them.

 

Subd. 2. Buildings and facilities. "Buildings and facilities" means any and all buildings and facilities and the grounds appurtenant thereto within any city, township or other governmental subdivision of the state other than all farm dwellings and buildings and single and two family dwellings. However, on the date on which rules promulgated by the commissioner of administration labor and industry regarding building requirements for disabled persons with disabilities shall become effective, "buildings and facilities" shall mean only those structures which must provide facilities for the disabled persons with disabilities pursuant to said rules.

 

Subd. 3. Physically disabled Persons with disabilities. "Physically disabled Persons with disabilities" means and includes people having sight disabilities, hearing disabilities, disabilities of incoordination, disabilities of aging, and any other disability that significantly reduces mobility, flexibility, coordination, or perceptiveness.

 

Subd. 4. Remodeling. "Remodeling" means deliberate reconstruction of an existing building or facility in whole or in part in order to bring it up to date to conform with present uses of the structure and to conform with rules and regulations on the upgrading of health and safety aspects of structures.

 

Subd. 5. Local authority. "Local authority" means the local authority having jurisdiction over local building construction.


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Sec. 14. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 471.466, is amended to read:

 

471.466 ADMINISTRATION AND ENFORCEMENT.

 

The duty and power to administer and enforce sections 471.465 to 471.469 is conferred upon and vested in the commissioner of administration labor and industry and the local authority.

 

Sec. 15. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 471.467, is amended to read:

 

471.467 BUILDING REQUIREMENTS; CONFORMITY.

 

Subdivision 1. Date applicable. On the date on which rules promulgated by the commissioner of administration labor and industry regarding building requirements for disabled persons with disabilities shall become effective, said rules shall exclusively govern the provision of facilities.

 

Subd. 2. No remodeling if solely for disabled persons with disabilities. Nothing in sections 471.465 to 471.469 shall be construed to require the remodeling of buildings solely to provide accessibility and usability to the physically disabled persons with disabilities when remodeling would not otherwise be undertaken.

 

Subd. 3. Applies to remodeled part. When any building or facility covered by sections 471.465 to 471.469 undergoes remodeling either in whole or in part, that portion of the building or facility remodeled shall conform to the requirements of sections 471.465 to 471.469.

 

Sec. 16. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 471.471, is amended to read:

 

471.471 ACCESS REVIEW BOARD.

 

Subdivision 1. Membership. The Access Review Board consists of:

 

(1) a representative of the Building Code and Standards Division of the Department of Administration Labor and Industry, appointed by the commissioner of administration labor and industry;

 

(2) a representative of the state fire marshal's office, appointed by the commissioner of public safety;

 

(3) the commissioner of human rights or the commissioner's designee;

 

(4) a representative of the elevator safety section, designated by the commissioner of labor and industry or the commissioner's designee; and

 

(5) the chair of the Council on Disability or the chair's designee.

 

The board shall elect a chair from among its members. Terms of members coincide with the terms of their appointing authorities or, in the case of ex officio members or their designees, with the terms of the offices by virtue of which they are members of the board. Compensation of members is governed by section 15.0575, subdivision 3.

 

Subd. 2. Staff; administrative support. The commissioner of administration labor and industry shall furnish staff, office space, and administrative support to the board. Staff assigned to the board must be knowledgeable with respect to access codes, site surveys, plan design, and product use and eligibility.


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Subd. 3. Duties. The board shall consider applications for waivers from the State Building Code to permit the installation of stairway chair lifts to provide limited accessibility for the physically disabled persons with disabilities to buildings in which the provision of access by means permitted under the State Building Code is not architecturally or financially possible. In considering applications, the board shall review other possible access options. The board may approve an application for installation of a stairway chair when the board determines that the installation would be appropriate and no other means of access is possible. In determining whether to approve an application, the board shall consider:

 

(1) the need for limited accessibility when a higher degree of accessibility is not required by state or federal law or rule;

 

(2) the architectural feasibility of providing a greater degree of accessibility than would be provided by the proposed device or equipment;

 

(3) the total cost of the proposed device or equipment over its projected usable life, including installation, maintenance, and replacement costs;

 

(4) the reliability of the proposed device or equipment;

 

(5) the applicant's ability to comply with all recognized access and safety standards for installation and maintenance; and

 

(6) whether the proposed device or equipment can be operated and used without reducing or compromising minimum safety standards.

 

The board shall consider the applicant's demonstrated inability to afford a greater degree of accessibility, but may not give greater weight to this factor than to the factors listed in clauses (1) to (6). The board may not approve an application unless the applicant guarantees that the device or equipment will be installed and operated in accordance with nationally recognized standards for such devices or equipment and agrees to obtain any permits needed from the agency responsible for enforcing those standards.

 

Subd. 4. Application process. A person seeking a waiver shall apply to the Building Code and Standards Division of the Department of Administration Labor and Industry on a form prescribed by the board and pay a $70 fee to the construction code fund. The division shall review the application to determine whether it appears to be meritorious, using the standards set out in subdivision 3. The division shall forward applications it considers meritorious to the board, along with a list and summary of applications considered not to be meritorious. The board may require the division to forward to it an application the division has considered not to be meritorious. The board shall issue a decision on an application within 90 days of its receipt. A board decision to approve an application must be unanimous. An application that contains false or misleading information must be rejected.

 

Subd. 5. Liability. Board members are immune from liability for personal injury or death resulting from the use or misuse of a device or equipment installed and operated under a waiver granted by the board.

 

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


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ARTICLE 12

 

APPRENTICESHIP COUNCIL

 

Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 178.01, is amended to read:

 

178.01 PURPOSES.

 

The purposes of this chapter are: to open to young people regardless of race, sex, creed, color or national origin, the opportunity to obtain training that will equip them for profitable employment and citizenship; to establish as a means to this end, a program of voluntary apprenticeship under approved apprentice agreements providing facilities for their training and guidance in the arts, skills, and crafts of industry and trade, with concurrent, supplementary instruction in related subjects; to promote employment opportunities under conditions providing adequate training and reasonable earnings; to relate the supply of skilled workers to employment demands; to establish standards for apprentice training; to establish an Apprenticeship Advisory Council and apprenticeship committees to assist in effectuating the purposes of this chapter; to provide for a Division of Labor Standards and Apprenticeship within the Department of Labor and Industry; to provide for reports to the legislature regarding the status of apprentice training in the state; to establish a procedure for the determination of apprentice agreement controversies; and to accomplish related ends.

 

Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 178.02, is amended to read:

 

178.02 APPRENTICESHIP ADVISORY COUNCIL.

 

Subdivision 1. Members. The commissioner of labor and industry, hereinafter called the commissioner, shall appoint an Apprenticeship Advisory Council, hereinafter referred to as the council, composed of three representatives each from employer and employee organizations, and two representatives of the general public. The director of education responsible for career and technical education or designee shall be an ex officio member of the council and shall serve in an advisory capacity only.

 

Subd. 2. Terms. The council shall expire and the terms, compensation, and removal of appointed members shall be as provided in section 15.059, except that the council shall not expire before June 30, 2003.

 

Subd. 4. Duties. The council shall meet at the call of the commissioner. It shall propose occupational classifications for apprenticeship programs; propose minimum standards for apprenticeship programs and agreements; and advise on the establishment of such policies, procedures, and rules as the commissioner council deems necessary in implementing the intent of this chapter.

 

Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 178.03, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 3. Duties and functions. The director, under the supervision of the commissioner, and with the advice and oversight of the Apprenticeship Advisory Council, is authorized: to administer the provisions of this chapter; to promote apprenticeship and other forms of on the job training; to establish, in cooperation and consultation with the Apprenticeship Advisory Council and with the apprenticeship committees, conditions and training standards for the approval of apprenticeship programs and agreements, which conditions and standards shall in no case be lower than those prescribed by this chapter; to promote equal employment opportunity in apprenticeship and other on the job training and to establish a Minnesota plan for equal employment opportunity in apprenticeship which shall be consistent with standards established under Code of Federal Regulations, title 29, part 30, as amended; to issue certificates of registration to sponsors of approved apprenticeship programs; to act as secretary of the Apprenticeship Advisory Council; to approve, if of the opinion that approval is for the best interest of the apprentice, any apprenticeship agreement which meets the standards established hereunder; to terminate any apprenticeship


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agreement in accordance with the provisions of such agreement; to keep a record of apprenticeship agreements and their disposition; to issue certificates of completion of apprenticeship; and to perform such other duties as the commissioner deems necessary to carry out the intent of this chapter; provided, that the administration and supervision of supplementary instruction in related subjects for apprentices; coordination of instruction on a concurrent basis with job experiences, and the selection and training of teachers and coordinators for such instruction shall be the function of state and local boards responsible for vocational education. The director shall have the authority to make wage determinations applicable to the graduated schedule of wages and journeyman wage rate for apprenticeship agreements, giving consideration to the existing wage rates prevailing throughout the state, except that no wage determination by the director shall alter an existing wage provision for apprentices or journeymen that is contained in a bargaining agreement in effect between an employer and an organization of employees, nor shall the director make any determination for the beginning rate for an apprentice that is below the wage minimum established by federal or state law.

 

Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 178.041, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

 

Subdivision 1. Rules. The commissioner may, upon receipt of the council's proposals, accept, adopt, and issue them by rule with any modifications or amendments the commissioner finds appropriate. The commissioner may refer them back to the council with recommendations for further study, consideration and revision. If the commissioner refuses to accept, adopt, and issue by rule or other appropriate action a council proposal, the commissioner must provide a written explanation of the reason for the refusal to the council within 30 days after the council submitted the proposal to the commissioner. Additional rules may be issued as the commissioner may deem necessary.

 

ARTICLE 13

 

BOARD OF ELECTRICITY

 

Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 326.241, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 2. Powers. The board, or the complaint committee on behalf of the board where authorized by law, shall have power to:

 

(1) Elect its own officers.

 

(2) Engage and fix the compensation of inspectors, and Hire employees. The salary of the executive secretary shall be established pursuant to chapter 43A. All agents and employees other than contract inspectors shall be in the classified service and shall be compensated pursuant to chapter 43A. All inspectors shall hold licenses as master or journeyman electricians under section 326.242, subdivision 1(1) or 2(1), and shall give bond in an amount fixed by the board, conditioned upon the faithful performance of their duties.

 

(3) Pay such other expenses as it may deem necessary in the performance of its duties, including rent, supplies, and such like.

 

(4) Enforce the provisions of sections 326.241 to 326.248, and provide, upon request, such additional voluntary inspections and reviews as it may deem appropriate.

 

(5) Issue, renew, refuse to renew, suspend, temporarily suspend, and revoke licenses, censure licensees, assess civil penalties, issue cease and desist orders, and seek injunctive relief and civil penalties in court as authorized by section 326.242 and other provisions of Minnesota law.


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(6) Adopt reasonable rules to carry out its duties under sections 326.241 to 326.248, implement state modifications to the National Electrical Code, and to provide for the amount and collection of fees for inspection and other services. All rules shall be adopted in accordance with chapter 14.

 

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

 

Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 326.243, is amended to read:

 

326.243 SAFETY STANDARDS.

 

All electrical wiring, apparatus and equipment for electric light, heat and power, technology circuits or systems shall comply with the rules of the Board of Electricity, the Department of Commerce, or the Department of Labor and Industry, as applicable, and be installed in conformity with accepted standards of construction for safety to life and property. For the purposes of this chapter, the rules and safety standards stated at the time the work is done in the then most recently published current edition of the National Electrical Code as adopted by the National Fire Protection Association, Inc. and approved by the American National Standards Institute, and the National Electrical Safety Code as published by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc. and approved by the American National Standards Institute, shall be prima facie evidence of accepted standards of construction for safety to life and property; provided further, that in the event a Minnesota Building Code is formulated pursuant to section 16B.61, containing approved methods of electrical construction for safety to life and property, compliance with said methods of electrical construction of said Minnesota Building Code shall also constitute compliance with this section, and provided further, that nothing herein contained shall prohibit any political subdivision from making and enforcing more stringent requirements than set forth herein and such requirements shall be complied with by all licensed electricians working within the jurisdiction of such political subdivisions.

 

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

 

ARTICLE 14

 

PLUMBING BOARD; COUNCIL

 

Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 326.37, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

 

Subdivision 1. Rules. The state commissioner of health Board of Plumbing may, by rule, prescribe minimum standards which shall be uniform, and which standards shall thereafter be effective for all new plumbing installations, including additions, extensions, alterations, and replacements connected with any water or sewage disposal system owned or operated by or for any municipality, institution, factory, office building, hotel, apartment building, or any other place of business regardless of location or the population of the city or town in which located. Notwithstanding the provisions of Minnesota Rules, part 4715.3130, as they apply to review of plans and specifications, the commissioner may allow plumbing construction, alteration, or extension to proceed without approval of the plans or specifications by the commissioner.

 

Except for those powers granted to the state Board of Plumbing under sections 326.37 to 326.45, the commissioner of health shall administer the provisions of sections 326.37 to 326.45 and for such purposes may employ plumbing inspectors and other assistants.

 

Sec. 2. [326.372] PLUMBING COUNCIL.

 

Subdivision 1. Composition. (a) The Plumbing Council shall consist of 11 voting members who must be residents of the state, appointed by the governor, and confirmed by the senate. The commissioner of labor and industry or the commissioner's designee shall be a nonvoting member. The first appointed council members shall


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serve an initial term of four years, except where designated otherwise. The governor shall then reappoint the current members or appoint replacement members, all or in part, to subsequent three-year terms. Midterm vacancies shall be filled for the remaining portion of the term. Vacancies occurring with less than six months time remaining in the term shall be filled for the existing term and the following three-year term. Of the 11 appointed members, the composition shall be as follows:

 

(1) two members shall be municipal plumbing inspectors;

 

(2) one member shall be a licensed mechanical engineer;

 

(3) two members serving an initial term of three years shall be plumbing contractors or the representative of the contractor, engaged in a commercial scope of plumbing contracting, one from the metro area and one from greater Minnesota;

 

(4) two members serving an initial term of three years shall be plumbing contractors or their representatives, engaged in the residential scope of plumbing contracting, one from the metro area and one from greater Minnesota;

 

(5) two members serving an initial term of two years shall be plumbing journeypersons engaged in a commercial scope of plumbing systems installation, one from the metro area and one from greater Minnesota; and

 

(6) two members serving an initial term of two years shall be plumbing journeypersons engaged in a residential scope of plumbing systems installation, one from the metro area and one from greater Minnesota.

 

(b) Except for the licensed mechanical engineer, all persons appointed to the council must possess a current Minnesota plumbing license and maintain the license for the duration of their term.

 

Subd. 2. Powers. (a) The council shall have the power to:

 

(1) elect its own officers;

 

(2) specify the plumbing code that must be followed in this state;

 

(3) maintain a review process to make determinations regarding any complaints, code amendments, code compliance, and code clarifications filed with the council;

 

(4) adopt rules necessary for the regulation and licensing of contractors, journeypersons, apprentices, and other persons engaged in the design, installation, alteration, and inspection of plumbing systems that would include the issuing, renewing, revoking, refusing to renew, and suspending a plumbing license;

 

(5) adopt rules necessary for continuing education for individuals regulated and licensed under this section; and

 

(6) pay expenses deemed necessary in the performance of council duties, including rent, utilities, and supplies in the manner and amount specified in section 43A.18, subdivision 2.

 

(b) Requests under the review process in paragraph (a), clause (3), may originate with the municipal inspectors, the plumbing contractors or their employees, and other persons engaged in the design, installation, and alteration of plumbing systems. The council shall make their findings known to all parties and the commissioner of labor and industry within the time period specified by the council.


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Subd. 3. Fees and finances. The council shall submit an annual budget to the commissioner of labor and industry. The commissioner shall collect fees necessary for the operation and continuance of the council. The commissioner is responsible for the enforcement of the codes and licensing requirements determined by the council. The council shall set the fees for licenses and certification under this section. Fees collected under sections 326.42 and 326.47 shall be transferred to the council quarterly to meet the ongoing operation needs of the council.

 

Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 326.38, is amended to read:

 

326.38 LOCAL REGULATIONS.

 

Any city having a system of waterworks or sewerage, or any town in which reside over 5,000 people exclusive of any statutory cities located therein, or the metropolitan airports commission, may, by ordinance, adopt local regulations providing for plumbing permits, bonds, approval of plans, and inspections of plumbing, which regulations are not in conflict with the plumbing standards on the same subject prescribed by the state commissioner of health Board of Plumbing. No city or such town shall prohibit plumbers licensed by the state commissioner of health from engaging in or working at the business, except cities and statutory cities which, prior to April 21, 1933, by ordinance required the licensing of plumbers. Any city by ordinance may prescribe regulations, reasonable standards, and inspections and grant permits to any person, firm, or corporation engaged in the business of installing water softeners, who is not licensed as a master plumber or journeyman plumber by the state commissioner of health, to connect water softening and water filtering equipment to private residence water distribution systems, where provision has been previously made therefor and openings left for that purpose or by use of cold water connections to a domestic water heater; where it is not necessary to rearrange, make any extension or alteration of, or addition to any pipe, fixture or plumbing connected with the water system except to connect the water softener, and provided the connections so made comply with minimum standards prescribed by the state commissioner of health Board of Plumbing.

 

Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 326.40, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

 

Subdivision 1. License required; master and journeyman plumbers. In any city now or hereafter having 5,000 or more population, according to the last federal census, and having a system of waterworks or sewerage, no person, firm, or corporation shall engage in or work at the business of a master plumber or journeyman plumber unless licensed to do so by the state commissioner of health. A master plumber may also work as a journeyman plumber. Anyone not so licensed may do plumbing work which complies with the provisions of the minimum standard prescribed by the state commissioner of health Board of Plumbing on premises or that part of premises owned and actually occupied by the worker as a residence, unless otherwise forbidden to do so by a local ordinance.

 

In any such city no person, firm, or corporation shall engage in the business of installing plumbing nor install plumbing in connection with the dealing in and selling of plumbing material and supplies unless at all times a licensed master plumber, who shall be responsible for proper installation, is in charge of the plumbing work of the person, firm, or corporation.

 

The Department of Health state Board of Plumbing shall prescribe rules, not inconsistent herewith, for the examination and licensing of plumbers.

 

Sec. 5. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 326.40, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

 

Subdivision 1. License required; master and journeyman plumbers. In any city now or hereafter having 5,000 or more population, according to the last federal census, and having a system of waterworks or sewerage, (a) No person, firm, or corporation shall engage in or work at the business of a master plumber or, restricted master plumber, journeyman plumber, and restricted journeyman plumber unless licensed to do so by the state commissioner of health labor and industry. A master plumber may also work as a journeyman plumber, a restricted


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journeyman plumber, and a restricted master plumber. A journeyman plumber may also work as a restricted journeyman plumber. Anyone not so licensed may do plumbing work which complies with the provisions of the minimum standard prescribed by the state commissioner of health labor and industry on premises or that part of premises owned and actually occupied by the worker as a residence, unless otherwise forbidden to do so by a local ordinance.

 

In any such city (b) No person, firm, or corporation shall engage in the business of installing plumbing nor install plumbing in connection with the dealing in and selling of plumbing material and supplies unless at all times a licensed master plumber, or in cities and towns with a population of fewer than 5,000 according to the federal census a restricted master plumber, who shall be responsible for proper installation, is in charge of the plumbing work of the person, firm, or corporation.

 

The Department of Health state Board of Plumbing shall prescribe rules, not inconsistent herewith, for the examination and licensing of plumbers.

 

Sec. 6. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 326.401, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 2. Journeyman exam. A plumber's apprentice who has completed four years of practical plumbing experience is eligible to take the journeyman plumbing examination. Up to 24 months of practical plumbing experience prior to registration as an apprentice may be applied to the four-year experience requirement. However, none of this practical plumbing experience may be applied if the person did not have any practical plumbing experience in the 12-month period immediately prior to registration. The commissioner state Board of Plumbing may adopt rules to evaluate whether the person's past practical plumbing experience is applicable in preparing for the journeyman's examination. If two years after completing the training the person has not taken the examination, the four years of experience shall be forfeited.

 

The commissioner may allow an extension of the two-year period for taking the exam for cases of hardship or other appropriate circumstances.

 

Sec. 7. [326.402] RESTRICTED PLUMBER LICENSE.

 

Subdivision 1. Licensure. (a) The commissioner of labor and industry shall grant a restricted journeyman plumber license to any person who applies to the commissioner and provides evidence of having at least two years of practical plumbing experience in the plumbing trade preceding application for licensure.

 

(b) The commissioner shall grant a restricted master plumbing license to any person who applies to the commissioner and provides evidence of having at least four years of practical plumbing experience in the plumbing trade prior to application for licensure.

 

Subd. 2. Use of license. A restricted master plumber and restricted journeyman plumber may engage in the plumbing trade only in cities and towns with a population of fewer than 5,000 according to the federal census.

 

Subd. 3. Application period. Applications for restricted master plumber and restricted journeyman plumber licenses must be submitted to the commissioner prior to January 1, 2008.

 

Subd. 4. Renewal; use period for license. A restricted master plumber and restricted journeyman plumber license must be renewed annually for as long as that licensee engages in the plumbing trade. Failure to renew a restricted master plumber and restricted journeyman plumber license within 12 months after the expiration date will result in permanent forfeiture of the restricted master plumber and restricted journeyman plumber license.


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Subd. 5. Prohibition of transference. A restricted master plumber and restricted journeyman plumber license may not be transferred or sold to any other person.

 

Subd. 6. Bond; insurance. A restricted master plumber licensee is subject to the bond and insurance requirements of section 326.40, subdivision 2.

 

Subd. 7. Fee. The commissioner shall determine the annual fee for the restricted master plumber and restricted journeyman plumber licenses.

 

Sec. 8. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 326.405, is amended to read:

 

326.405 RECIPROCITY WITH OTHER STATES.

 

The commissioner of health labor and industry may license without examination, upon payment of the required fee, nonresident applicants who are licensed under the laws of a state having standards for licensing plumbers which the commissioner state Plumbing Council determines are substantially equivalent to the standards of this state if the other state grants similar privileges to Minnesota residents duly licensed in this state. Applicants who receive a temporary license under this section may acquire a cumulative 24 months of experience before they have to apply and pass the plumbing licensing examination. Applicants must register with the commissioner of labor and industry and the commissioner shall set a fee for a temporary license. Applicants have four years in which to comply with this section.

 

Sec. 9. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 326.41, is amended to read:

 

326.41 ADVISORY COUNCIL STATE BOARD OF PLUMBING.

 

Subdivision 1. Membership. The state commissioner of health governor, with the advice and consent of the senate, shall appoint nine 11 persons to the Advisory Council on Plumbing Code and Examinations state Board of Plumbing, two of whom shall be master plumbers residential plumbing contractors, one who represents greater Minnesota and one who represents the metropolitan area, and; two commercial plumbing contractors, one who represents greater Minnesota and one who represents the metropolitan area; two residential journeyman plumbers, one who represents greater Minnesota and one who represents the metropolitan area; two commercial journeyman plumbers, one who represents greater Minnesota and one who represents the metropolitan area; two plumbing inspectors, one who represents greater Minnesota, and one who represents the metropolitan area; and one mechanical engineer. The council shall expire and the terms, compensation and removal of members of the council shall be as provided in section 15.059. The commissioner of labor and industry shall serve ex-officio as the nonvoting chair of the board. All voting members of the board except the mechanical engineer must maintain a current plumbing license.

 

Subd. 2. Membership; compensation; removal; vacancies. Except to the extent inconsistent with this section, section 214.09 shall govern board membership, compensation, renewal, and vacancies of board members and positions.

 

Subd. 3. Powers. The board has exclusive authority to adopt rules related to plumbing installations and the criteria to license contractors and master, journeyman, and apprentice plumbers.

 

Subd. 4. Reorganization prohibited. Section 16B.37 does not apply to powers and duties of the state Board of Plumbing.


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Sec. 10. TRANSFER OF AUTHORITY.

 

The authority of the commissioner of health to adopt rules and to set licensing criteria for contractors and master, journeyman, and apprentice plumbers is transferred to the state Board of Plumbing effective October 1, 2007. The governor must appoint members to the state Board of Plumbing no later than October 1, 2007. Licenses currently in effect remain in effect according to their terms. Rules adopted under authority granted to the commissioner of health remain in effect until amended or repealed by the state Board of Plumbing.

 

Sec. 11. APPROPRIATION.

 

$....... is appropriated from the general fund to the state Board of Plumbing for the biennium ending June 30, 2009, for the purposes of Minnesota Statutes, sections 326.37 to 326.45.

 

Sec. 12. REPEALER.

 

Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 326.45, is repealed.

 

ARTICLE 15

 

BOARD OF CONSTRUCTION CODES

 

Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 16B.76, is amended to read:

 

16B.76 BOARD OF CONSTRUCTION CODES ADVISORY COUNCIL.

 

Subdivision 1. Membership. (a) The Board of Construction Codes Advisory Council consists of the following members:

 

(1) the commissioner of administration or the commissioner's designee representing the department's Building Codes and Standards Division;

 

(2) the commissioner of health or the commissioner's designee representing an Environmental Health Section of the department;

 

(3) the commissioner of public safety or the commissioner's designee representing the department's State Fire Marshal Division;

 

(4) the commissioner of commerce or the commissioner's designee representing the department's State Energy Office; and

 

(5) one member representing each of the following occupations or entities, appointed by the commissioner of administration the Department of Labor and Industry:

 

(i) a certified building official;

 

(ii) a fire service representative;

 

(iii) a licensed architect;

 

(iv) a licensed engineer;


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(v) a building owners and managers representative;

 

(vi) (v) a licensed residential building contractor;

 

(vii) (vi) a commercial building contractor;

 

(viii) (vii) a heating and ventilation contractor;

 

(ix) (viii) a plumbing contractor; and

 

(ix) an electrical contractor.

 

(x) a representative of a construction and building trades union; and

 

(xi) a local unit of government representative.

 

(b) For members who are not state officials or employees, terms, compensation, removal, and the filling of vacancies are governed by section 15.059. The chairperson of the Board of Construction Codes will be the commissioner of the Department of Labor and Industry or the commissioner's designee as a nonvoting member. The council board shall select one of its members to serve as chair.

 

(c) The council board expires June 30, 2003.

 

Subd. 2. Duties of council board. The council board shall review laws, codes, rules, standards, and licensing requirements relating to building construction and may:

 

(1) recommend ways to eliminate inconsistencies, to streamline construction regulation and construction processes, and to improve procedures within and among jurisdictions;

 

(2) review and comment on current and proposed laws and rules to promote coordination and consistency;

 

(3) advise agencies on possible changes in rules to make them easier to understand and apply; and

 

(4) promote the coordination, within each jurisdiction, of the administration and enforcement of construction codes.

 

The council board shall report its findings and recommendations to the commissioner of administration and the head of any other affected agency by the end of each calendar year. The council board may recommend changes in laws or rules governing building construction. The council board may establish subcommittees to facilitate its work. If the council board establishes subcommittees, it shall include in their memberships representation from entities and organizations expressing an interest in membership. The commissioner of administration shall maintain a list of interested entities and organizations.

 

Subd. 3. Agency cooperation. State agencies and local governmental units shall cooperate with the council board and, so far as possible, provide information or assistance to it upon its request. The commissioner of administration shall provide necessary staff and administrative support to the council board.

 

Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 16B.76, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 2. Duties of council. (a) The council board shall review laws, codes, rules, standards, and licensing requirements relating to building construction and may:

 

(1) recommend ways to eliminate inconsistencies, to streamline construction regulation and construction processes, and to improve procedures within and among jurisdictions;


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(2) review and comment on current and proposed laws and rules to promote coordination and consistency;

 

(3) advise agencies on possible changes in rules to make them easier to understand and apply; and

 

(4) promote the coordination, within each jurisdiction, of the administration and enforcement of construction codes.

 

The council shall report its findings and recommendations to the commissioner of administration and the head of any other affected agency by the end of each calendar year. The council may recommend changes in laws or rules governing building construction. The council may establish subcommittees to facilitate its work. If the council establishes subcommittees, it shall include in their memberships representation from entities and organizations expressing an interest in membership. The commissioner of administration shall maintain a list of interested entities and organizations.

 

(1) recommend ways to eliminate inconsistencies and improve construction regulation and procedures within and among jurisdictions;

 

(2) review current and proposed laws and rules from the established trade councils and boards to promote coordination and consistency;

 

(3) advise state agencies on possible changes in rules to make them easier to understand and apply; and

 

(4) promote the coordination of the administration and enforcement of construction codes within each jurisdiction.

 

(b) The board shall meet a minimum of four times each year. The board shall report its findings and recommendations to the commissioner of administration. The board shall forward all approved changes in laws or rules governing building construction to the commissioner of administration for final action. All rule additions, amendments, or deletions shall be approved by the specific trade council or board first, and then forwarded to the Board of Construction Codes for approval, before the commissioner issues final approval. The board shall use the following established trade councils or boards for technical expertise:

 

(1) the Plumbing Council;

 

(2) the Electrical Board;

 

(3) the Mechanical Council;

 

(4) the High Pressure Piping Board; and

 

(5) the Fire Protection Council.

 

ARTICLE 16

 

FIRE PROTECTION COUNCIL; ADVISORY COUNCIL

 

Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 299M.02, is amended to read:

 

299M.02 FIRE PROTECTION ADVISORY COUNCIL BOARD.

 

Subdivision 1. Creation. The commissioner shall establish a Fire Protection Advisory Council Board.


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Subd. 2. Membership. The council board consists of the commissioner of public safety, or the commissioner's designee, and eight nine members appointed for a term of three years by the commissioner. Two members must be licensed fire protection contractors or full-time, managing employees actively engaged in a licensed fire protection contractor business. Two members must be journeyman sprinkler fitters certified as competent under this chapter. One member of the council board must be an active member of the Minnesota State Fire Chiefs Association. One member must be an active member of the Fire Marshals Association of Minnesota. One member must be a building official certified by the Department of Administration, who is professionally competent in fire protection system inspection. One member must be a member of the general public. One member must be a state fire protection system inspector. The commissioner or designee is a nonvoting member.

 

Subd. 3. Duties. The council board shall advise the commissioner of public safety on matters within the council's board's expertise or under the regulation of the commissioner. The board may adopt rules regarding fire protection code issues.

 

Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 299M.04, is amended to read:

 

299M.04 RULES, FEES, ORDERS, PENALTIES.

 

The commissioner shall adopt permanent rules for operation of the council board; regulation by municipalities; qualifications, examination, and licensing of fire protection contractors; licensing of multipurpose potable water piping system contractors; certification of multipurpose potable water piping system installers; certification of journeyman sprinkler fitters; registration of apprentices; and the administration and enforcement of this chapter. Permit fees must be a percentage of the total cost of the fire protection work.

 

The commissioner may issue a cease and desist order to cease an activity considered an immediate risk to public health or public safety. The commissioner shall adopt permanent rules governing when an order may be issued; how long the order is effective; notice requirements; and other procedures and requirements necessary to implement, administer, and enforce the provisions of this chapter.

 

The commissioner, in place of or in addition to licensing sanctions allowed under this chapter, may impose a civil penalty not greater than $1,000 for each violation of this chapter or rule adopted under this chapter, for each day of violation. The commissioner shall adopt permanent rules governing and establishing procedures for implementation, administration, and enforcement of this paragraph.

 

Sec. 3. [326.995] FIRE PROTECTION COUNCIL.

 

Subdivision 1. Composition. (a) The Fire Protection Council shall consist of 11 voting members who must be residents of the state, appointed by the governor, and confirmed by the senate. The commissioner of labor and industry or the commissioner's designee shall be a nonvoting member. The first appointed board members shall serve an initial term of four years, except where designated otherwise. The governor shall then reappoint the current members or appoint replacement members, all or in part, to subsequent three-year terms. Midterm vacancies shall be filled for the remaining portion of the term. Vacancies occurring with less than six months time remaining in the term shall be filled for the existing term and the following three-year term. Of the 11 appointed members, the composition shall be as follows:

 

(1) two members shall be municipal fire protection inspectors;

 

(2) one member shall be a licensed mechanical engineer;


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(3) two members, one from the metro area and one from greater Minnesota, serving an initial term of three years shall be fire protection contractors or their representatives engaged in a commercial scope of fire protection contracting;

 

(4) two members, one from the metro area and one from greater Minnesota, serving an initial term of three years shall be fire protection contractors engaged in the residential scope of fire protection contracting;

 

(5) two members, one from the metro area and one from greater Minnesota, serving an initial term of two years shall be fire protection journeypersons engaged in a commercial scope of fire protection systems installation; and

 

(6) two members, one active member of the Minnesota State Fire Chiefs Association and one active member from the Fire Marshals Association of Minnesota, serving an initial term of two years.

 

(b) Except for the licensed mechanical engineer, all persons appointed to the council must possess a current Minnesota fire protection license and maintain the license for the duration of their term.

 

Subd. 2. Powers. (a) The council shall have the power to:

 

(1) elect its own officers;

 

(2) specify the fire protection code that must be followed in this state;

 

(3) coordinate any changes to the fire protection code with the commissioner of labor and industry;

 

(4) adopt rules necessary for the regulation and licensing of contractors, journeypersons, apprentices, and other persons engaged in the design, installation, alteration, and inspection of fire protection systems that would include the issuing, renewing, revoking, refusing to renew, and suspending of the fire protection license;

 

(5) adopt rules necessary for continuing education for individuals regulated and licensed under this section;

 

(6) maintain a review process to make determinations regarding complaints, code amendments, code compliance, and code clarifications with the council; and

 

(7) pay expenses deemed necessary in the performance of council duties, including rent, utilities, and supplies in the manner and amount specified in section 43A.18, subdivision 2.

 

(b) Complaints filed under this section may originate with municipal inspectors, fire protection contractors or their employees, or other persons engaged in the design, installation, and alteration of fire protection systems. The council shall make their findings known to all parties and the commissioner of public safety within the time period specified by the council.

 

Subd. 3. Fees and finances. The council shall submit an annual budget to the commissioner of labor and industry. The commissioner of labor and industry shall collect fees necessary for the operation and continuance of the council. The commissioner of labor and industry is responsible for the enforcement of the codes and licensing requirements determined by the council. The council shall set the fees for licenses and certification under this section and submit the fee structure to the commissioner of labor and industry. A portion of the funds collected by the commissioner of labor and industry under this section shall be transferred to the council quarterly to meet the ongoing budgetary needs of the council.


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Sec. 4. REPEALER.

 

Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 299M.02, is repealed.

 

ARTICLE 17

 

HIGH PRESSURE PIPING BOARD

 

Section 1. [326.462] HIGH PRESSURE PIPING BOARD.

 

The commissioner of labor and industry shall appoint nine persons to the High-Pressure Piping Code and Examinations Board. The board consists of two master pipefitters from the metropolitan area and two from greater Minnesota, two journeymen, one from the metropolitan area, and one from greater Minnesota, one mechanical engineer, and one representative from each of two separate utilities. The commissioner or the commissioner's designee shall be the nonvoting chairperson of the committee.

 

The board may adopt rules on all high-pressure piping code issues and shall advise the commissioner on all matters within the board's expertise.

 

Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 326.47, subdivision 6, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 6. Filing and inspection fees. The Department of Labor and Industry must charge a filing fee set by the commissioner council under section 16A.1285 for all applications for permits to construct or install high pressure piping systems. The fee for inspection of high pressure piping system construction or installation shall be set by the commissioner council under section 16A.1285. This subdivision does not apply where a permit is issued by a municipality complying with subdivision 2.

 

Sec. 3. [326.471] COUNCIL OF HIGH PRESSURE PIPING SYSTEMS.

 

Subdivision 1. Composition. (a) The Council of High Pressure Piping Systems shall consist of 12 members who must be residents of the state, appointed by the governor, and confirmed by the senate. The commissioner of the Department of Labor and Industry or the commissioner's designee shall be a nonvoting member. The first appointed board members shall serve an initial term of four years, except where designated otherwise. The governor shall then reappoint the current members or appoint replacement members, all or in part, to subsequent three-year terms. Midterm vacancies shall be filled for the remaining portion of the term. Vacancies occurring with less than six months time remaining in the term shall be filled for the existing term and the following three-year term. Of the 11 appointed members, the composition shall be as follows:

 

(1) one member shall be a high pressure piping inspector;

 

(2) one member shall be a licensed mechanical engineer;

 

(3) one member shall be a representative of the piping industry;

 

(4) four members shall be high pressure piping contractors or their representatives, engaged in the scope of high pressure piping, two from the metro area and two from greater Minnesota;

 

(5) two members shall be high pressure piping journeypersons engaged in the scope of high pressure piping systems installation, one from the metro area and one from greater Minnesota; and


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(6) two members shall be representatives from utility companies in Minnesota who shall serve an initial term of two years.

 

(b) Except for the licensed mechanical engineer and the members from utilities companies, all persons appointed to the council must possess a current license or competency credential required for contractors and persons engaged in the design, installation, alteration, and inspection of high pressure systems.

 

Subd. 2. Powers. (a) The council shall have the power to:

 

(1) elect its own officers;

 

(2) specify the high pressure piping code that must be followed in Minnesota;

 

(3) maintain an appeals committee to make determinations regarding any complaints, code amendments, code compliance, and code clarifications filed with the council;

 

(4) adopt rules necessary for the regulation and licensing of contractors, journeypersons, trainees, and other persons engaged in the design, installation, alteration, and inspection of high pressure piping systems;

 

(5) adopt rules necessary for continuing education for individuals regulated and licensed under this section; and

 

(6) pay expenses deemed necessary in the performance of council duties, including rent, utilities, and supplies in the manner and amount specified in section 43A.18, subdivision 2.

 

(b) Complaints filed under this section may originate with high pressure piping inspectors, contractors, or their employees, or other persons engaged in the design, installation, and alteration of a high pressure piping system. The council shall make their findings known to all parties and the commissioner of the Department of Labor and Industry within the time period specified by the council.

 

Subd. 3. Fee and finances. The council shall submit an annual budget to the commissioner of the Department of Labor and Industry. The commissioner shall collect fees necessary for the operation and continuance of the council. The commissioner is responsible for the enforcement of the codes and licensing requirements determined by the council. The council shall set the fees for licenses and certification under this section and for all high pressure piping system permits and submit the fee structure to the commissioner of labor and industry. Funds collected under section 326.50 shall be transferred to the council quarterly to meet ongoing budgetary needs of the council.

 

ARTICLE 18

 

BUILDING AND STRUCTURAL CODE COUNCIL

 

Section 1. [326.522] BUILDING AND STRUCTURAL CODE COUNCIL.

 

Subdivision 1. Composition. (a) The Building and Structural Code Council shall consist of 11 voting members who must be residents of the state and appointed by the governor with confirmation by the senate. The council shall also include one nonvoting representative from the Department of Labor and Industry. The first board members shall serve an initial term of four years, except where designated otherwise. The governor shall then reappoint the current members or appoint replacement members, all or in part, to subsequent three-year terms. Midterm vacancies shall be filled for the remaining portion of the term. Vacancies occurring with less than six months time remaining in the term shall be filled for the existing term and the following three-year term. Of the 11 appointed members, the composition shall be as follows:


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(1) two members shall be municipal building inspectors who will serve an initial term of four years;

 

(2) one member shall be a licensed qualified engineer;

 

(3) four members serving an initial term of three years shall be construction or carpentry contractors or their representatives, and shall be composed as follows:

 

(i) two must be general construction or general contractors engaged in a commercial scope of construction or carpentry contracting, one from the metro area and one from greater Minnesota;

 

(ii) one shall be a general contractor;

 

(iii) one shall be a construction or carpentry subcontractor; and

 

(iv) of the four members specified in clauses (i) to (iii), one shall be a carpentry contractor; and

 

(4) four members serving an initial term of two years shall be construction journeypersons and shall be composed as follows:

 

(i) two shall be construction journeypersons engaged in a commercial scope of construction, one from the metro area and one from greater Minnesota;

 

(ii) one shall be an employee of a general contractor; and

 

(iii) one shall be an employee of a construction subcontractor.

 

(b) All persons appointed to the council must possess a current license or competency credential if required for contractors and persons engaged in the design, installation, alteration, and inspection of all aspects of residential, commercial, industrial, and public construction.

 

Subd. 2. Powers. (a) The council shall have the power to:

 

(1) elect its own officers;

 

(2) except for plumbing codes, electrical codes, mechanical codes, high-pressure piping codes, and fire protection codes, the council, with consultation with the commissioner of the Department of Labor and Industry, shall specify building codes that must be followed in this state;

 

(3) maintain an appeals committee to make determinations regarding any complaints, code amendments, code compliance and code clarifications filed with the council;

 

(4) adopt rules necessary for the regulation and licensing of inspectors, contractors, journeypersons, apprentices, and all persons engaged in the design, installation, alteration, and inspection of all aspects of residential, commercial, industrial, and public construction or carpentry including, but not limited to:

 

(i) any structural, load or nonload bearing component;

 

(ii) any insulation;

 

(iii) air or water barriers;


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(iv) exterior or interior cladding; or

 

(v) any partial or total envelope;

 

(5) adopt rules necessary for continuing education for individuals regulated and licensed under this section; and

 

(6) pay expenses deemed necessary in the performance of council duties, including rent, utilities, and supplies in the manner and amount specified in section 43A.18, subdivision 2.

 

(b) Complaints under this section may originate with municipal inspectors, construction contractors or their employees, or other persons engaged in the design, installation, alteration, and inspection of building and structural construction. The council must make their findings known to all parties and the commissioner within the time period specified by the council.

 

Subd. 3. Fees and finances. The council shall submit an annual budget to the commissioner of labor and industry. The commissioner shall set and collect fees necessary for the operation and continuance of the council and transfer the funds to the council quarterly. The commissioner is responsible for the enforcement of the codes and licensing requirements determined by the council. The commissioner shall set the fees for licenses and certification under this section as directed by the council and for all construction and carpentry permits.

 

ARTICLE 19

 

MECHANICAL SYSTEMS COUNCIL

 

Section 1. [326.531] MECHANICAL SYSTEMS COUNCIL.

 

Subdivision 1. Composition. The Mechanical Systems Council shall consist of 11 members, residents of the state, appointed by the governor, and confirmed by the senate and the commissioner of the Department of Labor and Industry or his designee shall be a nonvoting member.

 

Two members shall be municipal mechanical inspectors; one from the seven-county metro area and one from greater Minnesota; and one a licensed mechanical or professional engineer;

 

The eight additional members shall represent each of the eight mechanical license categories detailed in section 326.532.

 

The engineer, the limited license representative of section 326.532, subdivision 4, paragraph (a), and the unlimited license representative of section 326.532, subdivision 7, shall serve an initial term of two years.

 

The municipal mechanical inspector representing the seven-county metro area, the limited license representatives of section 326.532, subdivisions 5 and 7, and the unlimited license representative of section 326.532, subdivision 6, shall serve an initial term of three years.

 

The municipal mechanical inspector representing the greater Minnesota area, the limited license representatives of section 326.532, subdivision 6, and the unlimited license representatives of section 326.532, subdivisions 4 and 5, shall serve an initial term of four years.

 

These members or replacement members, all or in part, shall be appointed by the governor and confirmed by the senate, to subsequent three-year terms.

 

Midterm vacancies shall be filled by the governor for the remaining portion of the term.


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The meaning of the terms "masters and journeypersons" shall be as prescribed in section 326.532.

 

Subd. 2. Powers. (1) The council shall elect its officers.

 

(2) The council shall select the mechanical and fuel gas codes for Minnesota. The selection of mechanical and fuel gas codes shall include a comprehensive review of available model codes, the approval of all additions, amendments, and deletions to these codes. The council shall coordinate the adoption of the mechanical and fuel gas codes with the commissioner of the Department of Labor and Industry to the best of its ability.

 

(3) The council shall maintain an appeals committee to make determinations regarding any complaints, code amendments, code compliance, and code clarifications filed with the council. These complaints may originate with the municipal inspectors and/or the mechanical contractors or their employees and all other persons engaged in the design, installation, alteration, and inspection of a mechanical system or those that have purchased such services or systems. The council shall make their findings known to all parties and the commissioner of the Department of Labor and Industry within a period of time specified by the council.

 

(4) The council shall have the authority to adopt rules necessary for the regulation and licensing of inspectors, contractors, journeypersons, apprentices, and all other persons engaged in the design, installation, alteration, and inspection of mechanical systems utilized to provide control of environmental conditions and regulated processes within buildings or regulated by the mechanical and fuel gas codes adopted. Municipalities shall not create additional licensing requirements for performing work on mechanical systems regulated by the State Mechanical and Fuel Gas Codes.

 

(5) The council shall have the authority to adopt rules to determine the level of continuing education for inspectors and licensed individuals.

 

(6) All persons appointed to the council shall possess a current license required for contractors or persons engaged in the design, installation, alteration, and inspection of mechanical systems in effect at the time of their appointment except for the mechanical engineer and the commissioner or his designee.

 

(7) Pay such other expenses as it may deem necessary in the performance of its duties, including rent, supplies in the manner and amount as authorized by the commissioner's plan adopted under section 43A.18, subdivision 2.

 

Subd. 3. Fees and finances; disposition. The council shall submit a budget to the commissioner of the Department of Labor and Industry annually. The commissioner of the Department of Labor and Industry shall collect fees as necessary for the operation and continuance of the council. The commissioner of the Department of Labor and Industry shall be responsible for the enforcement of the codes and licensing requirements prescribed by the council. The council shall set fees for licenses of mechanical systems contractors and persons engaged in the design, installation, alteration, and inspection of mechanical systems as directed by the council and for all mechanical systems permits.

 

Sec. 2. [326.532] MECHANICAL TRADE LICENSING.

 

Subdivision 1. Licenses required; rules; time credit. No person shall engage in or work at the business of any of the following mechanical construction trades unless issued a license to do so by the State Council of Mechanical Systems. Mechanical construction trades' work shall mean all scopes of work regulated by the mechanical and fuel gas codes adopted by Minnesota.

 

Subd. 2. Exception. A home owner may perform work, regulated by this section, within a single family dwelling they own and occupy. Mechanical permits shall be required for this work.


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Subd. 3. Contractor, master, journeyperson licensing. The council shall by rule set minimum requirements for contractor, master, and journeyperson licensing for each of the categories outlined in subdivisions 4 to 7. Every contractor shall have a master license or employ a person with a master license for each of the scopes of work that they engage in, as defined below. A master license shall be registered with a maximum of one contractor. All persons performing work regulated by these licenses shall have either a master license or a journeyperson license for each of the scopes of work they perform as defined below. Apprentices shall be registered with a federal or state approved apprenticeship program and shall be allowed to perform work under the direct supervision of either a master or journeyperson licensed for the scope of work being performed. "Direct supervision" means an apprentice is being supervised by an individual licensed to perform the scope of work being performed.

 

Subd. 4. Air conditioning/piping, refrigeration, and cooling systems. (a) An air conditioning/piping, refrigeration, and cooling systems limited license applies to persons or companies that install, alter, repair, or service air conditioning and refrigeration systems or cooling equipment and any related piping, not exceeding 90,000 Btu/hr per appliance or piece of equipment regulated by the Minnesota Mechanical Code.

 

(b) An air conditioning/piping, refrigeration, and cooling systems unlimited license applies to persons or companies that install, alter, repair, or service all types of air conditioning and refrigeration systems or cooling equipment and any related piping regulated by the Minnesota Mechanical Code.

 

Subd. 5. Air handling, warm air heating, air conditioning/air distribution and ventilating systems. Warm air heating systems means all heating appliances and equipment that use heated air as a medium for space conditioning.

 

(a) An air handling, warm air heating, air conditioning/air distribution and ventilating systems limited license applies to persons or companies that install, alter, repair, or service air handling, warm air heating, ventilating and air conditioning appliances, equipment, and air distribution and exhaust systems, including all chimneys and vents that serve residential occupancies and are regulated by the Minnesota Mechanical Code.

 

(b) An air handling, warm air heating, air conditioning/air distribution and ventilating systems unlimited license applies to persons or companies that install, alter, repair, or service air handling, warm air heating, ventilating and air conditioning appliances, equipment, and air distribution and exhaust systems, including all chimneys and vents, in any occupancy and are regulated by the Minnesota Mechanical Code.

 

Subd. 6. Fuel piping and burner systems. (a) A fuel piping and burner systems limited license applies to persons or companies that install, alter, repair, or service fuel gas (natural and propane), oil, and solid fuel burning appliances and equipment for structures having a total installed heating system capacity of less than 400,000 Btu/hr, including all chimneys and vents for these systems.

 

(b) A fuel piping and burner systems unlimited license applies to persons or companies that install, alter, repair, or service fuel gas (natural and propane), oil, and solid fuel burning appliances and equipment for structures, including all chimneys and vents.

 

Subd. 7. Steam and hot water heating. (a) A steam and hot water heating limited license applies to persons or companies that install, alter, repair, or service steam or hot water heating systems, not regulated by the high pressure pipefitting license in section 326.48, including chimneys and vents.

 

(b) A steam and hot water heating unlimited license scope of work is regulated by the high pressure pipefitting license in section 326.48.

 

Subd. 8. License requirements. (a) The Mechanical Systems Council shall by rule create exams and provide for the testing for contractors, masters, and journeypersons license for each scope of work listed above.


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The council shall by rule set parameters for one-time granting of licenses to contractors, masters, and journeypersons currently engaged in the scopes of work regulated herein. The council shall review and determine if any exam administered by a municipality will be acceptable as equal to an exam issued by the council. Contractors and individuals holding contractors, masters, and journeypersons licenses or competency cards issued by cities where an examination, rated as equal to the council's exams, has been successfully completed, shall be granted a license for each of the appropriate scopes of work tested for in the examination.

 

(b) Persons that have successfully completed a federal or state approved apprenticeship program shall be granted a license for each of the appropriate scopes of work defined in their apprenticeship.

 

(c) Contractors and journeypersons with a minimum of five years verifiable experience, prior to January 1, 2010, in each scope of work they are seeking a license for, shall be granted the opportunity to take the exam for that license within the following year. All such persons must make application and pass the applicable exam within one year from the date of application. Verifiable experience shall mean the installing, altering, repairing, and servicing or regulated mechanical appliances, equipment, and systems for each scope of licensed work. Verifiable experience may also include supervisory duties over the individuals that performed the regulated work.

 

Subd. 9. Reciprocity with other states. The commissioner may issue a temporary license without examination, upon payment of the required fee, nonresident applicants who are licensed under the laws of a state having standards for licensing which the commissioner determines are substantially equivalent to the standards of this state if the other state grants similar privileges to Minnesota residents duly licensed in this state. Applicants who receive a temporary license under this section may acquire a cumulative 24 months of experience before they have to apply and pass the licensing examination. Applicants must register with the commissioner of labor and industry and the commissioner shall set a fee for a temporary license. Applicants have four years in which to comply with this section.

 

ARTICLE 20

 

REPEALER; EFFECTIVE DATE

 

Section 1. REPEALER.

 

(a) Minnesota Statutes 2006, sections 16B.665; 16B.747, subdivision 4; 183.001; 183.02; 183.375, subdivisions 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6; 183.41, subdivisions 1, 2, 3, and 4; 183.44, subdivisions 1, 2, and 3; 183.52; 183.54, subdivision 2; 183.61, subdivisions 1, 3, 5, and 6; 326.01, subdivisions 6h, 10, 11, and 12; 326.242, subdivisions 9, 9a, 9b, 9c, 9d, 9e, 9f, 9g, 9h, 9i, 9j, 9k, and 10; 326.244, subdivision 6; 326.246; 326.2461; 326.40, subdivision 4; 326.41; 326.45; 326.47, subdivision 5; 326.51; 326.521; 326.83, subdivisions 3, 4, 12, and 13; 326.85; 326.875; 326.91, subdivisions 2, 3, and 4; 326.945; 326.975; 326.98; and 327B.05, subdivisions 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6, are repealed.

 

(b) Minnesota Statutes 2006, sections 183.375, subdivision 5; 183.545, subdivision 9; 326.01, subdivision 13; 326.44; 326.52; and 326.64, are repealed.

 

(c) Minnesota Rules, parts 2809.0230; 2891.0010; 2891.0030; 3800.2650; 3800.3580; 3800.3590; 3800.3630; 3800.3750; 3800.3835; 4715.5600; 4715.5900; 4717.7000, subpart 1, item I; 5225.0880; 5225.8600, subparts 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9; 5230.0010; 5230.0020; 5230.0040; 5230.0060, subpart 2; and 5230.0100, subparts 1, 3, and 4, are repealed.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE. Paragraphs (a) and (c) are effective December 1, 2007. Paragraph (b) is effective July 1, 2007.


Journal of the House - 28th Day - Tuesday, March 13, 2007 - Top of Page 1179


Sec. 2. EFFECTIVE DATE.

 

This act is effective December 1, 2007, except when another date is specified. The revisor's instructions contained in this act shall be implemented for the 2008 edition of Minnesota Statutes."

 

Delete the title and insert:

 

"A bill for an act relating to state government; changing provisions for construction codes and licensing provisions; providing penalties and enforcement; instructing the revisor to renumber certain statutory sections; appropriating money; amending Minnesota Statutes 2006, sections 16B.04, subdivision 2; 16B.60, subdivisions 4, 7, 8, 11; 16B.61; 16B.615, subdivision 4; 16B.617; 16B.6175; 16B.63; 16B.65; 16B.70; 16B.72; 16B.73; 16B.735; 16B.74, subdivisions 1, 2, by adding subdivisions; 16B.741; 16B.744; 16B.745, subdivisions 1, 4; 16B.747; 16B.748; 16B.76; 31.175; 103I.621, subdivision 3; 144.122; 144.99, subdivision 1; 175.16, subdivision 1; 178.01; 178.02; 178.03, subdivision 3; 178.041, subdivision 1; 183.38; 183.39, subdivision 1; 183.411, subdivision 2; 183.42; 183.45; 183.46; 183.465; 183.466; 183.48; 183.501; 183.505; 183.51; 183.54, subdivisions 1, 3; 183.545, subdivisions 2, 4, 8, by adding a subdivision; 183.56; 183.57, subdivisions 1, 2, 5, 6; 183.59; 183.60; 183.61, subdivisions 2, 4; 299F.011, subdivision 1; 299M.02; 299M.04; 325E.58; 326.01, subdivisions 2, 3, 5, 6, 6a, 6b, 6c, 6e, 6f, 6g, 6j, 6k, 6l, 7, 8, 9, by adding subdivisions; 326.241, subdivision 2; 326.242; 326.243; 326.244, subdivisions 1, 1a, 5, 6, by adding a subdivision; 326.2441; 326.37; 326.38; 326.39; 326.40; 326.401; 326.405; 326.41; 326.42; 326.46; 326.461, by adding subdivisions; 326.47; 326.48; 326.50; 326.57, subdivision 1; 326.58; 326.59; 326.60; 326.601; 326.61, subdivisions 1, 2, 3, 4; 326.62; 326.65; 326.83, subdivisions 6, 7, 11, 18, 19, 20; 326.84; 326.841; 326.842; 326.86; 326.87; 326.88; 326.89; 326.90, subdivision 1; 326.91, subdivision 1; 326.92; 326.921; 326.93; 326.94; 326.95, subdivision 2; 326.96; 326.97; 326.975, subdivision 1; 326.992; 327.20, subdivision 1; 327.205; 327.31, subdivisions 2, 3, 4, 7, 15, by adding a subdivision; 327.32, subdivision 8; 327.33, subdivisions 2, 6, 7; 327.34, subdivision 3; 327.35, subdivisions 1, 2; 327A.01, subdivision 2; 327B.01, subdivisions 4, 5, 7, 17, by adding subdivisions; 327B.04, subdivisions 1, 4, 6, 7, 8, by adding a subdivision; 327B.05, subdivision 1; 327B.10; 363A.40, subdivision 1; 462.357, subdivision 6a; 462A.07, subdivision 8; 471.465; 471.466; 471.467; 471.471; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapters 326; 327B; proposing coding for new law as Minnesota Statutes, chapter 326B; repealing Minnesota Statutes 2006, sections 16B.665; 16B.747, subdivision 4; 183.001; 183.02; 183.375, subdivisions 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6; 183.41, subdivisions 1, 2, 3, 4; 183.44, subdivisions 1, 2, 3; 183.52; 183.54, subdivision 2; 183.545, subdivision 9; 183.61, subdivisions 1, 3, 5, 6; 299M.02; 326.01, subdivisions 4, 6h, 10, 11, 12, 13; 326.242, subdivisions 9, 9a, 9b, 9c, 9d, 9e, 9f, 9g, 9h, 9i, 9j, 9k, 10; 326.244, subdivision 6; 326.246; 326.2461; 326.40, subdivision 4; 326.41; 326.44; 326.45; 326.47, subdivision 5; 326.51; 326.52; 326.521; 326.64; 326.83, subdivisions 3, 4, 12, 13; 326.85; 326.875; 326.91, subdivisions 2, 3, 4; 326.945; 326.975; 326.98; 327B.05, subdivisions 2, 3, 4, 5, 6; Minnesota Rules, parts 2809.0230; 2891.0010; 2891.0030; 3800.2650; 3800.3580; 3800.3590; 3800.3630; 3800.3750; 3800.3835; 4715.5600; 4715.5900; 4717.7000, subpart 1, item I; 5225.0880; 5225.8600, subparts 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9; 5230.0010; 5230.0020; 5230.0040; 5230.0060, subpart 2; 5230.0100, subparts 1, 3, 4."

 

 

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

 

      The report was adopted.

 

 

Mahoney from the Committee on Biosciences and Emerging Technology to which was referred:

 

H. F. No. 1256, A bill for an act relating to bioscience and technology; providing grants for bioscience business development and commercialization; requiring a report; appropriating money.

 

Reported the same back with the following amendments:


Journal of the House - 28th Day - Tuesday, March 13, 2007 - Top of Page 1180


Page 1, line 20, delete everything after the period

 

Page 1, line 21, delete everything before "The"

 

 

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

 

      The report was adopted.

 

 

Mahoney from the Committee on Biosciences and Emerging Technology to which was referred:

 

H. F. No. 1462, A bill for an act relating to sales and use tax; exempting construction materials used in a biobusiness center; amending Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 297A.71, by adding a subdivision.

 

Reported the same back with the following amendments:

 

Page 1, line 9, after "center" insert "and related infrastructure"

 

Page 1, line 10, delete "which received funding" and insert "for which the city received funding for the related infrastructure"

 

 

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

 

      The report was adopted.

 

 

Hilty from the Energy Finance and Policy Division to which was referred:

 

H. F. No. 1549, A bill for an act relating to utilities; making technical change relating to ex parte rules of Public Utilities Commission; amending Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 216A.037, subdivision 1.

 

Reported the same back with the following amendments:

 

Page 1, line 11, reinstate "participant" and insert "or a"

 

 

With the recommendation that when so amended the bill pass.

 

      The report was adopted.

 

 

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

 

H. F. No. 1623, A bill for an act relating to public health; establishing a pilot project to improve access to dental care for children; appropriating money.

 

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

 

      The report was adopted.


Journal of the House - 28th Day - Tuesday, March 13, 2007 - Top of Page 1181


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

 

H. F. No. 1666, A bill for an act relating to environment; requiring studies and reports to assess the state's capacity for terrestrial and geologic carbon sequestration; appropriating money.

 

Reported the same back with the following amendments:

 

Page 1, line 12, delete "ASSESSMENT" and insert "ACTIVITIES"

 

Page 2, line 13, delete "Consultation" and insert "Coordination of terrestrial carbon sequestration activities" and delete "The commissioner of natural resources shall consult" and insert "Planning and implementation of the study described in subdivision 1 will be coordinated by"

 

Page 2, line 14, delete "with"

 

Page 2, line 16, after the first comma, insert "the Department of Commerce,"

 

Page 2, delete line 18 and insert "stakeholders."

 

Page 2, line 25, before "The" insert "(a)"

 

Page 3, after line 7, insert:

 

"(b) The commissioner of natural resources, in consultation with the Minnesota Geological Survey, shall contract for a study to estimate the properties of the Midcontinent Rift system in Minnesota, as described in paragraph (a), clauses (1) to (5), through the use of computer models developed for similar geologic formations located outside of Minnesota which have been studied in greater detail."

 

Page 3, line 15, delete "$......." and insert "$475,000"

 

Page 3, line 17, delete "$......." and insert "$385,000"

 

Page 3, line 18, delete "$......." and insert "$90,000"

 

 

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

 

      The report was adopted.

 

 

Hilty from the Energy Finance and Policy Division to which was referred:

 

H. F. No. 1678, A bill for an act relating to utilities; authorizing electronic filing with Public Utilities Commission; making technical and clarifying changes; amending Minnesota Statutes 2006, sections 216.15; 216.17; 216.18; 216B.18; 216B.26; 216B.33; 216B.62, subdivisions 3, 4, 6; 216B.63; 216E.07; 237.295.

 

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

 

      The report was adopted.


Journal of the House - 28th Day - Tuesday, March 13, 2007 - Top of Page 1182


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

 

H. F. No. 1699, A bill for an act relating to education; establishing a grant program to provide additional student counseling services in high-need public high schools; appropriating money.

 

Reported the same back with the following amendments:

 

Page 1, line 11, after "percent" insert "and has a student population of 100 or more enrolled in grades 7 through 12"

 

Page 1, line 13, after "percent" insert "and has a student population of 100 or more enrolled in grades 7 through 12"

 

 

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

 

      The report was adopted.

 

 

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

 

H. F. No. 1729, A bill for an act relating to health; modifying health care provisions; amending welfare data provisions; changing medical assistance eligibility; amending MinnesotaCare provisions; establishing MinnesotaCare II; allowing the commissioner to receive federal matching money for managed care oversight; establishing a physician-directed care coordination program; establishing the Minnesota Health Insurance Exchange; requiring certain employers to offer Section 125 Plans; amending Minnesota Statutes 2006, sections 13.46, subdivision 2; 62A.65, subdivision 3; 62E.141; 62L.12, subdivision 2; 256.01, subdivision 2b; 256B.057, subdivision 8; 256B.0625, by adding a subdivision; 256L.02, subdivision 3, by adding subdivisions; 256L.04, subdivision 1; 256L.05, subdivision 5, by adding a subdivision; 256L.06, subdivision 3; 256L.12, subdivision 7; 256L.15, subdivisions 1a, 2, by adding subdivisions; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapters 62A; 256L; repealing Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 256L.15, subdivision 2.

 

Reported the same back with the following amendments:

 

Page 1, delete article 1

 

Page 17, delete lines 8 and 9

 

Page 22, line 32, delete "of human services"

 

Amend the title as follows:

 

Page 1, delete lines 2 to 7

 

Page 1, line 8, delete "125 Plans" and insert "relating to health; modifying health care provisions; changing health plan premium rate restrictions; establishing the Minnesota Health Insurance Exchange; requiring certain employers to offer Section 125 Plans"

 

Correct the title numbers accordingly

 

 

With the recommendation that when so amended the bill be re-referred to the Committee on Commerce and Labor without further recommendation.

 

      The report was adopted.


Journal of the House - 28th Day - Tuesday, March 13, 2007 - Top of Page 1183


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

 

S. F. No. 555, A bill for an act relating to health; extending essential community provider designation; amending Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 62Q.19, subdivisions 2, 6.

 

Reported the same back with the following amendments:

 

Page 2, line 5, reinstate the stricken language

 

Page 2, delete line 6 and insert "the date of designation. Every five years after the designation or renewal of the designation of"

 

Page 2, line 7, delete the new language

 

 

With the recommendation that when so amended the bill pass.

 

      The report was adopted.

 

 

SECOND READING OF HOUSE BILLS

 

 

      H. F. Nos. 151, 736, 1074, 1549 and 1678 were read for the second time.

 

 

SECOND READING OF SENATE BILLS

 

 

      S. F. Nos. 563 and 555 were read for the second time.

 

 

INTRODUCTION AND FIRST READING OF HOUSE BILLS

 

 

      The following House Files were introduced:

 

 

      Dittrich introduced:

 

      H. F. No. 2032, A bill for an act relating to education; establishing categorical aid for technology and library media; appropriating money; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 125B.

 

      The bill was read for the first time and referred to the Committee on Finance.

 

 

      Slawik; Kranz; Carlson; Murphy, M., and Mariani introduced:

 

      H. F. No. 2033, A bill for an act relating to education; increasing county connections with licensed family child care providers; appropriating money.

 

      The bill was read for the first time and referred to the Committee on Finance.


Journal of the House - 28th Day - Tuesday, March 13, 2007 - Top of Page 1184


      Mariani introduced:

 

      H. F. No. 2034, A bill for an act relating to education; modifying certain provisions of charter school law; amending Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 124D.10, subdivisions 3, 4, 4a, 6, 8, 9, 14, 16, 17, 20, 21, 23; repealing Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 124D.10, subdivision 2a.

 

      The bill was read for the first time and referred to the Committee on E-12 Education.

 

 

      Abeler introduced:

 

      H. F. No. 2035, A bill for an act relating to social work; modifying the Minnesota Board of Social Work Practice Act; proposing coding for new law as Minnesota Statutes, chapter 148E; repealing Minnesota Statutes 2006, sections 148D.001; 148D.010; 148D.015; 148D.020; 148D.025; 148D.030; 148D.035; 148D.040; 148D.045; 148D.050; 148D.055; 148D.060; 148D.065; 148D.070; 148D.075; 148D.080; 148D.085; 148D.090; 148D.095; 148D.100; 148D.105; 148D.110; 148D.115; 148D.120; 148D.125; 148D.130; 148D.135; 148D.140; 148D.145; 148D.150; 148D.155; 148D.160; 148D.165; 148D.170; 148D.175; 148D.180; 148D.185; 148D.190; 148D.195; 148D.200; 148D.205; 148D.210; 148D.215; 148D.220; 148D.225; 148D.230; 148D.235; 148D.240; 148D.245; 148D.250; 148D.255; 148D.260; 148D.265; 148D.270; 148D.275; 148D.280; 148D.285; 148D.290.

 

      The bill was read for the first time and referred to the Committee on Health and Human Services.

 

 

      Abeler introduced:

 

      H. F. No. 2036, A bill for an act relating to social work; changing licensing provisions for social work; amending Minnesota Statutes 2006, sections 148D.050, subdivision 1; 148D.055, subdivisions 2, 3, 4, 5, by adding a subdivision; 148D.060, subdivision 13; 148D.120, subdivision 2; 148D.125, subdivision 1; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 148D.

 

      The bill was read for the first time and referred to the Committee on Health and Human Services.

 

 

      Abeler introduced:

 

      H. F. No. 2037, A bill for an act relating to social work; providing for temporary license for social work under certain conditions; amending Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 148D.060, subdivisions 5, 6, 7, 13, by adding a subdivision.

 

      The bill was read for the first time and referred to the Committee on Health and Human Services.

 

 

      Otremba introduced:

 

      H. F. No. 2038, A bill for an act relating to human services; modifying adult foster care and family adult day services license requirements; amending Minnesota Statutes 2006, sections 245A.11, subdivision 2b; 245A.143, subdivision 1.

 

      The bill was read for the first time and referred to the Committee on Health and Human Services.


Journal of the House - 28th Day - Tuesday, March 13, 2007 - Top of Page 1185


      Nornes introduced:

 

      H. F. No. 2039, A bill for an act relating to medical practice; modifying orders for discipline; amending Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 147.091, subdivision 3.

 

      The bill was read for the first time and referred to the Committee on Health and Human Services.

 

 

      Madore introduced:

 

      H. F. No. 2040, A bill for an act relating to health; requiring disclosure of financial interests; amending Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 144.6521, subdivision 1.

 

      The bill was read for the first time and referred to the Committee on Health and Human Services.

 

 

      Huntley introduced:

 

      H. F. No. 2041, A bill for an act relating to human services; increasing payment rates for nursing facilities in the city of Duluth to the seven-county metropolitan area median rate; amending Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 256B.434, by adding a subdivision.

 

      The bill was read for the first time and referred to the Committee on Finance.

 

 

      Hosch introduced:

 

      H. F. No. 2042, A bill for an act relating to human services; establishing an MFIP advisory task force.

 

      The bill was read for the first time and referred to the Committee on Health and Human Services.

 

 

      Abeler and Thao introduced:

 

      H. F. No. 2043, A bill for an act relating to health-related licensing boards; establishing licensure for professional clinical counselors; modifying the definitions of mental health professionals; amending Minnesota Statutes 2006, sections 62A.152, subdivisions 2, 3; 148B.50, subdivision 5; 148B.53, subdivision 1; 245.462, subdivision 18; 245.470, subdivision 1; 245.4871, subdivision 27; 245.488, subdivision 1; 256B.0623, subdivision 5; 256B.0624, subdivisions 5, 8; 256B.0943, subdivision 1; 256J.08, subdivision 73a; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 148.

 

      The bill was read for the first time and referred to the Committee on Health and Human Services.

 

 

      Kahn, Ruud, Slocum and Murphy, E., introduced:

 

      H. F. No. 2044, A bill for an act relating to health; requiring a study of cervical cancer and the human papilloma virus vaccine.

 

      The bill was read for the first time and referred to the Committee on Health and Human Services.


Journal of the House - 28th Day - Tuesday, March 13, 2007 - Top of Page 1186


      Atkins introduced:

 

      H. F. No. 2045, A bill for an act relating to motor fuels; updating specifications for petroleum products; modifying definitions of certain petroleum terms; amending Minnesota Statutes 2006, sections 239.761; 239.77, subdivisions 1, 2; 296A.01, subdivisions 14, 25, 42, by adding a subdivision; repealing Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 239.101, subdivision 7.

 

      The bill was read for the first time and referred to the Committee on Commerce and Labor.

 

 

      Nelson introduced:

 

      H. F. No. 2046, A bill for an act relating to public employment; declaring that certain persons are essential employees; amending Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 179A.03, subdivision 7.

 

      The bill was read for the first time and referred to the Committee on Commerce and Labor.

 

 

      Mullery introduced:

 

      H. F. No. 2047, A bill for an act relating to workers' compensation; providing coverage for mental injury caused by mental stress; amending Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 176.011, subdivision 16.

 

      The bill was read for the first time and referred to the Committee on Commerce and Labor.

 

 

      Kranz introduced:

 

      H. F. No. 2048, A bill for an act relating to public safety; permitting school buses and Head Start buses to be inspected by certified inspectors; amending Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 169.451.

 

      The bill was read for the first time and referred to the Committee on Public Safety and Civil Justice.

 

 

      Nelson and Rukavina introduced:

 

      H. F. No. 2049, A bill for an act relating to occupations; establishing the Mechanical Systems Council; establishing mechanical trade licensing requirements; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 326.

 

      The bill was read for the first time and referred to the Committee on Commerce and Labor.

 

 

      Kahn and Sailer introduced:

 

      H. F. No. 2050, A bill for an act relating to state government; appropriating money for the Minnesota Humanities Commission.

 

      The bill was read for the first time and referred to the Committee on Finance.


Journal of the House - 28th Day - Tuesday, March 13, 2007 - Top of Page 1187


      Beard and Juhnke introduced:

 

      H. F. No. 2051, A bill for an act relating to agriculture; appropriating money for a grant to a centrally located biomass fuel supply depot.

 

      The bill was read for the first time and referred to the Committee on Finance.

 

 

      Atkins introduced:

 

      H. F. No. 2052, A bill for an act relating to property taxation; providing a property tax refund for owners of seasonal recreational property under certain conditions; amending Minnesota Statutes 2006, sections 290A.03, by adding a subdivision; 290A.04, by adding a subdivision.

 

      The bill was read for the first time and referred to the Committee on Taxes.

 

 

      Mahoney introduced:

 

      H. F. No. 2053, A bill for an act relating to appropriations; appropriating money for a summer youth program for deaf students.

 

      The bill was read for the first time and referred to the Committee on Finance.

 

 

      Gardner introduced:

 

      H. F. No. 2054, A bill for an act relating to environment; modifying waste management provisions; amending Minnesota Statutes 2006, sections 115A.02; 115A.03, subdivisions 21, 32a.

 

      The bill was read for the first time and referred to the Committee on Health and Human Services.

 

 

      Doty introduced:

 

      H. F. No. 2055, A bill for an act relating to motor vehicles; providing for disabled veteran license plates; amending Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 168.1251.

 

      The bill was read for the first time and referred to the Committee on Finance.

 

 

      Atkins introduced:

 

      H. F. No. 2056, A bill for an act relating to financial institutions; regulating certain charges, expenses, electronic financial terminals, and investments; amending Minnesota Statutes 2006, sections 47.59, subdivision 6; 47.60, subdivision 2; 47.62, subdivision 1; 47.75, subdivision 1; 48.15, subdivision 4; 118A.03, subdivision 2; 332.54, subdivision 7; repealing Minnesota Statutes 2006, sections 46.043; 47.62, subdivision 5.

 

      The bill was read for the first time and referred to the Committee on Commerce and Labor.


Journal of the House - 28th Day - Tuesday, March 13, 2007 - Top of Page 1188


      Madore introduced:

 

      H. F. No. 2057, A bill for an act relating to state government; designating the Department of Administration as the lead agency for certain purposes; amending Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 16B.055, subdivision 1; repealing Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 16B.055, subdivisions 2, 3.

 

      The bill was read for the first time and referred to the Committee on Governmental Operations, Reform, Technology and Elections.

 

 

      Lenczewski introduced:

 

      H. F. No. 2058, A bill for an act relating to taxation; allowing an election to include foreign entities in the combined report; repealing foreign operating corporations and the subtraction for foreign royalties; modifying the dividend deduction for certain foreign dividends; amending Minnesota Statutes 2006, sections 289A.08, subdivision 3; 290.01, subdivisions 5, 5a, 19c, 19d; 290.17, subdivision 4, by adding a subdivision; 290.191, subdivision 5; 290.21, subdivision 4; repealing Minnesota Statutes 2006, sections 290.01, subdivision 6b; 290.0921, subdivision 7.

 

      The bill was read for the first time and referred to the Committee on Taxes.

 

 

      Dill introduced:

 

      H. F. No. 2059, A bill for an act relating to taxes; authorizing the city of Ely to impose a local sales and use tax.

 

      The bill was read for the first time and referred to the Committee on Local Government and Metropolitan Affairs.

 

 

      Brynaert, Cornish and Morrow introduced:

 

      H. F. No. 2060, A bill for an act relating to taxation; sales and use; exempting construction materials and equipment used to construct the Blue Earth County courts facility; removing an obsolete provision; amending Minnesota Statutes 2006, sections 297A.71, by adding a subdivision; 297A.75, subdivision 1.

 

      The bill was read for the first time and referred to the Committee on Taxes.

 

 

      Atkins, Hausman, Scalze, Holberg, Kranz and Hortman introduced:

 

      H. F. No. 2061, A bill for an act relating to capital investment; appropriating money for baseball fields for children; authorizing the issuance of general obligation bonds.

 

      The bill was read for the first time and referred to the Committee on Finance.


Journal of the House - 28th Day - Tuesday, March 13, 2007 - Top of Page 1189


      Hamilton introduced:

 

      H. F. No. 2062, A bill for an act relating to agriculture; repealing the Minnesota Grain Inspection, Weighing, Sampling, and Analysis Act; repealing Minnesota Statutes 2006, sections 17B.01; 17B.02; 17B.03; 17B.04; 17B.041; 17B.0451; 17B.048; 17B.05; 17B.06; 17B.07; 17B.10; 17B.11; 17B.12; 17B.13; 17B.14; 17B.15, subdivisions 1, 3; 17B.16; 17B.17; 17B.18; 17B.20; 17B.22; 17B.28; 17B.29.

 

      The bill was read for the first time and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Rural Economies and Veterans Affairs.

 

 

      Mullery, by request, introduced:

 

      H. F. No. 2063, A bill for an act relating to higher education; prohibiting issuance, manufacture, or use of false or fraudulent academic credentials; prescribing penalties; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 136A.

 

      The bill was read for the first time and referred to the Higher Education and Work Force Development Policy and Finance Division.

 

 

      Kahn introduced:

 

      H. F. No. 2064, A bill for an act relating to state government; modifying the process for disposition of surplus real property; amending Minnesota Statutes 2006, sections 16B.281, subdivisions 1, 3; 16B.282; 16B.283; 16B.284; 16B.287, subdivision 2; repealing Minnesota Statutes 2006, sections 16B.281, subdivisions 2, 4, 5; 16B.285.

 

      The bill was read for the first time and referred to the Committee on Governmental Operations, Reform, Technology and Elections.

 

 

      Kahn introduced:

 

      H. F. No. 2065, A bill for an act relating to state government; changing provisions for procurement of goods and services; amending Minnesota Statutes 2006, sections 16C.02, subdivisions 4, 12, 14, by adding subdivisions; 16C.03, subdivisions 2, 4, 8, 16; 16C.05, subdivisions 1, 2; 16C.08, subdivisions 2, 4, by adding subdivisions; 16C.10, subdivision 7; repealing Minnesota Statutes 2006, sections 16C.055, subdivision 1; 16C.08, subdivision 4a.

 

      The bill was read for the first time and referred to the Committee on Governmental Operations, Reform, Technology and Elections.

 

 

      Kahn introduced:

 

      H. F. No. 2066, A bill for an act relating to state government; establishing a building replacement fund.

 

      The bill was read for the first time and referred to the Committee on Finance.


Journal of the House - 28th Day - Tuesday, March 13, 2007 - Top of Page 1190


      Hornstein introduced:

 

      H. F. No. 2067, A bill for an act relating to energy; appropriating money to Linden Hills Power and Light for a community digester and neighborhood district heating and cooling demonstration project.

 

      The bill was read for the first time and referred to the Committee on Finance.

 

 

      Jaros, Sertich, Hausman, Thao and Rukavina introduced:

 

      H. F. No. 2068, A bill for an act relating to economic development; appropriating money for the Minnesota Film and TV Board; amending Laws 2006, chapter 282, article 11, section 6.

 

      The bill was read for the first time and referred to the Committee on Finance.

 

 

      Hausman, Sertich and Thao introduced:

 

      H. F. No. 2069, A bill for an act relating to taxation; income tax; providing a film production tax credit; appropriating money; amending Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 290.06, by adding a subdivision.

 

      The bill was read for the first time and referred to the Committee on Taxes.

 

 

      Simon, Hansen, Atkins, Jaros, Lesch, Thao, Hilstrom and Davnie introduced:

 

      H. F. No. 2070, A bill for an act relating to taxation; income taxes; equalizing the dependent care credit for licensed family day care providers; amending Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 290.067, subdivision 1.

 

      The bill was read for the first time and referred to the Committee on Taxes.

 

 

      Simon, Hansen, Atkins, Jaros, Lesch, Thao, Hilstrom and Davnie introduced:

 

      H. F. No. 2071, A bill for an act relating to taxation; income taxes; providing a subtraction from federal taxable income for reimbursements from a federal nutrition program; amending Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 290.01, subdivision 19b.

 

      The bill was read for the first time and referred to the Committee on Taxes.

 

 

      DeLaForest introduced:

 

      H. F. No. 2072, A bill for an act relating to taxation; gambling taxes; repealing charitable gambling taxes; amending Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 297A.67, by adding a subdivision; repealing Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 297E.02, subdivisions 1, 4, 6.

 

      The bill was read for the first time and referred to the Committee on Taxes.


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      Peterson, A., and Johnson introduced:

 

      H. F. No. 2073, A bill for an act relating to the environment; requiring emissions reporting, environmental review, and permitting for outstate sources of electricity delivered to this state; authorizing rulemaking; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 116.

 

      The bill was read for the first time and referred to the Committee on Environment and Natural Resources.

 

 

      Kahn and Loeffler introduced:

 

      H. F. No. 2074, A bill for an act relating to economic development; requiring registration of certain relative homesteads; appropriating money for a University of Minnesota area neighborhood alliance; amending Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 273.124, by adding a subdivision.

 

      The bill was read for the first time and referred to the Committee on Finance.

 

 

      Cornish introduced:

 

      H. F. No. 2075, A bill for an act relating to game and fish; prohibiting night vision goggles while hunting; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 97B.

 

      The bill was read for the first time and referred to the Committee on Environment and Natural Resources.

 

 

      Brod; Simpson; Peterson, N., and Atkins introduced:

 

      H. F. No. 2076, A bill for an act relating to taxation; individual income; repealing the alternative minimum tax; amending Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 290.091, subdivision 6; repealing Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 290.091, subdivisions 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.

 

      The bill was read for the first time and referred to the Committee on Taxes.

 

 

      Magnus, Hamilton, Finstad, Lanning and Juhnke introduced:

 

      H. F. No. 2077, A bill for an act relating to agriculture; establishing the NextGen Energy Board; appropriating money for development of renewable energy technology; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 41A.

 

      The bill was read for the first time and referred to the Committee on Finance.

 

 

      Murphy, M., and Murphy, E., introduced:

 

      H. F. No. 2078, A bill for an act relating to retirement; authorizing membership in the Minnesota State Retirement System general plan for certain middle management association employees.

 

      The bill was read for the first time and referred to the Committee on Governmental Operations, Reform, Technology and Elections.


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      Murphy, M.; Thissen; Murphy, E., and Smith introduced:

 

      H. F. No. 2079, A bill for an act relating to retirement; extending eligibility for an early retirement incentive; amending Laws 2006, chapter 271, article 3, section 43.

 

      The bill was read for the first time and referred to the Committee on Governmental Operations, Reform, Technology and Elections.

 

 

CONSENT CALENDAR

 

 

      Sertich moved that the Consent Calendar be continued. The motion prevailed.

 

 

CALENDAR FOR THE DAY

 

 

      Sertich moved that the Calendar for the Day be continued. The motion prevailed.

 

 

MOTIONS AND RESOLUTIONS

 

 

      Urdahl moved that the name of Hamilton be added as an author on H. F. No. 44. The motion prevailed.

 

      Simon moved that the name of Kalin be added as an author on H. F. No. 138. The motion prevailed.

 

      Erickson moved that the name of Severson be added as an author on H. F. No. 241. The motion prevailed.

 

      Ruud moved that the name of Hornstein be added as an author on H. F. No. 375. The motion prevailed.

 

      Sertich moved that the name of Hilty be added as an author on H. F. No. 464. The motion prevailed.

 

      Cornish moved that the names of Olin and Seifert be added as authors on H. F. No. 498. The motion prevailed.

 

      Lieder moved that the name of Sailer be added as an author on H. F. No. 533. The motion prevailed.

 

      Simon moved that the names of Hornstein, Hortman and Slocum be added as authors on H. F. No. 657. The motion prevailed.

 

      Hackbarth moved that the name of Seifert be added as an author on H. F. No. 775. The motion prevailed.

 

      Moe moved that the name of Olson be added as an author on H. F. No. 849. The motion prevailed.

 

      Atkins moved that the name of Ward be added as an author on H. F. No. 856. The motion prevailed.

 

      Davnie moved that the name of Erhardt be added as an author on H. F. No. 1084. The motion prevailed.

 

      Simon moved that the name of Abeler be added as an author on H. F. No. 1239. The motion prevailed.


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      Madore moved that the names of Loeffler, Thissen and Walker be added as authors on H. F. No. 1396. The motion prevailed.

 

      Peterson, A., moved that the name of Kahn be added as an author on H. F. No. 1489. The motion prevailed.

 

      Lesch moved that the name of Kahn be added as an author on H. F. No. 1548. The motion prevailed.

 

      Faust moved that the name of Bunn be added as an author on H. F. No. 1702. The motion prevailed.

 

      Juhnke moved that the name of Severson be added as an author on H. F. No. 1730. The motion prevailed.

 

      Hosch moved that the name of Juhnke be added as an author on H. F. No. 1838. The motion prevailed.

 

      Emmer moved that the name of Olson be added as an author on H. F. No. 1847. The motion prevailed.

 

      Hilty moved that the name of Kahn be added as an author on H. F. No. 1897. The motion prevailed.

 

      Faust moved that the name of Kalin be added as an author on H. F. No. 1901. The motion prevailed.

 

      Sailer moved that the names of Scalze and Cornish be added as authors on H. F. No. 1903. The motion prevailed.

 

      Tingelstad moved that the name of Abeler be added as an author on H. F. No. 1909. The motion prevailed.

 

      Wagenius moved that the name of Kahn be added as an author on H. F. No. 1913. The motion prevailed.

 

      Madore moved that the names of Kahn and Brynaert be added as authors on H. F. No. 1917. The motion prevailed.

 

      Wagenius moved that the name of Kahn be added as an author on H. F. No. 1918. The motion prevailed.

 

      Dittrich moved that the name of Hansen be added as an author on H. F. No. 1972. The motion prevailed.

 

      Carlson moved that the name of Dominguez be added as an author on H. F. No. 1973. The motion prevailed.

 

      Tschumper moved that the name of Kahn be added as an author on H. F. No. 1997. The motion prevailed.

 

      Pelowski moved that the name of Kahn be added as an author on H. F. No. 2007. The motion prevailed.

 

      Dettmer moved that his name be stricken as an author on H. F. No. 2025. The motion prevailed.

 

      Bly moved that H. F. No. 779 be recalled from the Committee on Finance and be re-referred to the Committee on Governmental Operations, Reform, Technology and Elections. The motion prevailed.

 

      Norton moved that H. F. No. 993 be recalled from the Higher Education and Work Force Development Policy and Finance Division and be re-referred to the Committee on Commerce and Labor. The motion prevailed.

 

      Simon moved that H. F. No. 1441, now on the Technical Consent Calendar, be re-referred to the Committee on Public Safety and Civil Justice. The motion prevailed.


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      Hausman moved that H. F. No. 1610 be recalled from the Committee on Finance and be re-referred to the Committee on Taxes. The motion prevailed.

 

      Paymar moved that H. F. No. 1732 be recalled from the Committee on Public Safety and Civil Justice and be re‑referred to the Committee on Governmental Operations, Reform, Technology and Elections. The motion prevailed.

 

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

      Sertich moved that when the House adjourns today it adjourn until 11:30 a.m., Wednesday, March 14, 2007. The motion prevailed.

 

      Sertich moved that the House adjourn. The motion prevailed, and the Speaker declared the House stands adjourned until 11:30 a.m., Wednesday, March 14, 2007.

 

 

Albin A. Mathiowetz, Chief Clerk, House of Representatives