Journal of the House - 59th Day - Wednesday, May 18, 2011 - Top of Page 4165


 

 

 

STATE OF MINNESOTA

 

 

EIGHTY-SEVENTH SESSION - 2011

 

_____________________

 

FIFTY-NINTH DAY

 

Saint Paul, Minnesota, Wednesday, May 18, 2011

 

 

      The House of Representatives convened at 3:00 p.m. and was called to order by Kurt Zellers, Speaker of the House.

 

      Prayer was offered by the Reverend Dean Nadasdy, Woodbury Lutheran Church, Woodbury, 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, D.

Anderson, P.

Anderson, S.

Anzelc

Atkins

Banaian

Barrett

Beard

Benson, J.

Benson, M.

Bills

Brynaert

Buesgens

Carlson

Champion

Clark

Cornish

Crawford

Daudt

Davids

Davnie

Dean

Dettmer

Dill

Dittrich

Doepke

Downey

Drazkowski

Eken

Erickson

Fabian

Falk

Franson

Fritz

Garofalo

Gauthier

Gottwalt

Greene

Greiling

Gruenhagen

Gunther

Hackbarth

Hamilton

Hancock

Hansen

Hausman

Hayden

Hilstrom

Hilty

Holberg

Hoppe

Hornstein

Hortman

Hosch

Howes

Huntley

Johnson

Kahn

Kath

Kelly

Kieffer

Kiel

Kiffmeyer

Knuth

Koenen

Kriesel

Laine

Lanning

Leidiger

LeMieur

Lenczewski

Lesch

Liebling

Lillie

Loeffler

Lohmer

Loon

Mack

Mahoney

Mariani

Marquart

Mazorol

McDonald

McElfatrick

McFarlane

McNamara

Melin

Moran

Morrow

Mullery

Murdock

Murphy, E.

Murphy, M.

Murray

Myhra

Nelson

Nornes

Norton

O'Driscoll

Paymar

Pelowski

Peppin

Persell

Petersen, B.

Peterson, S.

Poppe

Quam

Rukavina

Runbeck

Sanders

Scalze

Schomacker

Scott

Shimanski

Simon

Slawik

Slocum

Smith

Stensrud

Swedzinski

Thissen

Tillberry

Torkelson

Urdahl

Vogel

Wagenius

Ward

Wardlow

Westrom

Winkler

Woodard

Spk. Zellers


 

      A quorum was present.

 

      The Chief Clerk proceeded to read the Journal of the preceding day.  There being no objection, further reading of the Journal was dispensed with and the Journal was approved as corrected by the Chief Clerk.


Journal of the House - 59th Day - Wednesday, May 18, 2011 - Top of Page 4166


 

      Champion was excused between the hours of 4:00 p.m. and 7:45 p.m. 

 

 

      Hayden was excused between the hours of 4:00 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.

 

 

REPORTS OF CHIEF CLERK

 

      S. F. No. 54 and H. F. No. 104, which had been referred to the Chief Clerk for comparison, were examined and found to be identical.

 

      Koenen moved that S. F. No. 54 be substituted for H. F. No. 104 and that the House File be indefinitely postponed.  The motion prevailed.

 

 

      S. F. No. 149 and H. F. No. 211, which had been referred to the Chief Clerk for comparison, were examined and found to be identical with certain exceptions.

 

SUSPENSION OF RULES

 

      Wardlow moved that the rules be so far suspended that S. F. No. 149 be substituted for H. F. No. 211 and that the House File be indefinitely postponed.  The motion prevailed.

 

 

      S. F. No. 302 and H. F. No. 122, which had been referred to the Chief Clerk for comparison, were examined and found to be identical with certain exceptions.

 

SUSPENSION OF RULES

 

      Davids moved that the rules be so far suspended that S. F. No. 302 be substituted for H. F. No. 122 and that the House File be indefinitely postponed.  The motion prevailed.

 

 

      S. F. No. 361 and H. F. No. 287, which had been referred to the Chief Clerk for comparison, were examined and found to be identical with certain exceptions.

 

SUSPENSION OF RULES

 

      Hamilton moved that the rules be so far suspended that S. F. No. 361 be substituted for H. F. No. 287 and that the House File be indefinitely postponed.  The motion prevailed.

 

 

      S. F. No. 885 and H. F. No. 1220, which had been referred to the Chief Clerk for comparison, were examined and found to be identical.

 

      Wardlow moved that S. F. No. 885 be substituted for H. F. No. 1220 and that the House File be indefinitely postponed.  The motion prevailed.

 

 

      S. F. No. 1266 and H. F. No. 1470, which had been referred to the Chief Clerk for comparison, were examined and found to be identical with certain exceptions.

 

SUSPENSION OF RULES

 

      Stensrud moved that the rules be so far suspended that S. F. No. 1266 be substituted for H. F. No. 1470 and that the House File be indefinitely postponed.  The motion prevailed.


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      S. F. No. 1270 and H. F. No. 1411, which had been referred to the Chief Clerk for comparison, were examined and found to be identical.

 

      Kahn moved that S. F. No. 1270 be substituted for H. F. No. 1411 and that the House File be indefinitely postponed.  The motion prevailed.

 

 

PETITIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS

 

 

      The following communications were received:

 

 

STATE OF MINNESOTA

OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR

SAINT PAUL 55155

 

May 13, 2011

 

The Honorable Kurt Zellers

Speaker of the House of Representatives

The State of Minnesota

 

Dear Speaker Zellers:

 

      Please be advised that I have received, approved, signed, and deposited in the Office of the Secretary of State H. F. No. 529.

 

 

                                                                                                                                Sincerely,

 

                                                                                                                                Mark Dayton

                                                                                                                                Governor

 

 

STATE OF MINNESOTA

OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR

SAINT PAUL 55155

 

May 13, 2011

 

The Honorable Kurt Zellers

Speaker of the House of Representatives

The State of Minnesota

 

Dear Speaker Zellers:

 

      Please be advised that I have received, approved, signed, and deposited in the Office of the Secretary of State H. F. No. 569.

 

 

                                                                                                                                Sincerely,

 

                                                                                                                                Mark Dayton

                                                                                                                                Governor


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STATE OF MINNESOTA

OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE

ST. PAUL 55155

 

 

The Honorable Kurt Zellers

Speaker of the House of Representatives

 

The Honorable Michelle L. Fischbach

President of the Senate

 

      I have the honor to inform you that the following enrolled Acts of the 2011 Session of the State Legislature have been received from the Office of the Governor and are deposited in the Office of the Secretary of State for preservation, pursuant to the State Constitution, Article IV, Section 23:

 

 

S. F.

No.

 

H. F.

No.

 

Session Laws

Chapter No.

Time and

Date Approved

2011

 

Date Filed

2011

 

                               529                         20                                       10:29 a.m. May 13                                  May 13

                               569                         21                                       10:29 a.m. May 13                                  May 13

       626                                                 22                                       10:40 a.m. May 13                                  May 13

 

 

                                                                                                                                Sincerely,

 

                                                                                                                                Mark Ritchie

                                                                                                                                Secretary of State

 

 

REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEES AND DIVISIONS

 

 

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

 

H. F. No. 959, A bill for an act relating to capital investment; appropriating money for flood hazard mitigation and renovation of the Coon Rapids dam; making changes to certain state bond provisions; modifying prior appropriations; reducing certain bond sale authorizations; authorizing the sale and issuance of state bonds; amending Minnesota Statutes 2010, sections 16A.641, subdivisions 4a, 7; 16A.642, subdivision 2; Laws 2006, chapter 258, section 7, subdivisions 3, as amended, 23, as amended; Laws 2008, chapter 179, sections 15, subdivision 8; 18, subdivisions 3, 6, as amended; 19, subdivision 4; 24, subdivision 4; Laws 2009, chapter 93, article 1, section 14, subdivision 3; Laws 2010, chapter 189, sections 6, subdivisions 2, 4; 7, subdivision 22; 14, subdivision 3; 19, subdivision 4, as amended; Laws 2010, chapter 333, article 2, section 23; Laws 2010, Second Special Session chapter 1, article 1, section 9, subdivision 5.

 

Reported the same back with the following amendments: 

 

Delete everything after the enacting clause and insert: 

 

"Section 1.  CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT APPROPRIATIONS. 

 

The sums shown in the column under "Appropriations" are appropriated from the bond proceeds fund, or another named fund, to the state agencies or officials indicated, to be spent for public purposes.  Appropriations of bond proceeds must be spent as authorized by the Minnesota Constitution, article XI, section 5, paragraph (a), to acquire


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and better public land and buildings and other public improvements of a capital nature, or as authorized by the Minnesota Constitution, article XI, section 5, paragraphs (b) to (j), or article XIV.  Unless otherwise specified, money appropriated in this act for a capital program or project may be used to pay state agency staff costs that are attributed directly to the capital program or project in accordance with accounting policies adopted by the commissioner of management and budget.  Unless otherwise specified, the appropriations in this act are available until the project is completed or abandoned subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 16A.642.

 

SUMMARY

 

Natural Resources

 

$45,000,000

Public Safety

 

5,000,000

Bond Sale Expenses

 

45,000

 

 

 

TOTAL

 

$50,045,000

 

 

 

Bond Proceeds Fund (General Fund Debt Service)

 

45,045,000

General Fund

 

5,000,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

APPROPRIATIONS

 

Sec. 2.  NATURAL RESOURCES

 

 

 

 

 

Subdivision 1.  Total Appropriation

 

 

 

$45,000,000

 

To the commissioner of natural resources for the purposes specified in this section.

 

The appropriations in this section are subject to the requirements of the natural resources capital improvement program under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.12, unless this section or the statutes referred to in this section provide more specific standards, criteria, or priorities for projects than Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.12.

 

Subd. 2.  Flood Hazard Mitigation Grants

 

 

 

45,000,000

 

(a) For the state share of flood hazard mitigation grants for publicly owned capital improvements to prevent or alleviate flood damage under Minnesota Statutes, section 103F.161.  Project priorities shall be determined by the commissioner as appropriate, based on need.

 

(b) To the extent that the cost of a project exceeds two percent of the median household income in the municipality or unit of government on the commissioner's priority list multiplied by the number of households in the municipality or unit of government on the commissioner's priority list, this appropriation is also for the local share of the project.

 

(c) Up to $6,000,000 of this appropriation is for the project in the city of Roseau.


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(d) Up to $3,000,000 of this appropriation is for the project in the city of Georgetown.

 

(e) Up to $16,500,000 of this appropriation is for the project in the city of Moorhead.

 

Subd. 3.  Unspent Appropriations

 

 

 

 

 

The unspent portion of an appropriation, but not to exceed ten percent of the appropriation, for a project in this section that is complete, other than an appropriation for flood hazard mitigation, is available for asset preservation under Minnesota Statutes, section 84.946.  Minnesota Statutes, section 16A.642, applies from the date of the original appropriation to the unspent amount transferred for asset preservation.

 

Sec. 3.  BOND SALE EXPENSES

 

 

 

$45,000

 

To the commissioner of management and budget for bond sale expenses under Minnesota Statutes, section 16A.641, subdivision 8.

 

Sec. 4.  BOND SALE SCHEDULE.

 

The commissioner of management and budget shall schedule the sale of state general obligation bonds so that, during the biennium ending June 30, 2013, no more than $1,175,188,000 needs to be transferred from the general fund to the state bond fund to pay principal and interest due and to become due on outstanding state general obligation bonds.  During the biennium, before each sale of state general obligation bonds, the commissioner of management and budget shall calculate the amount of debt service payments needed on bonds previously issued and shall estimate the amount of debt service payments that will be needed on the bonds scheduled to be sold.  The commissioner shall adjust the amount of bonds scheduled to be sold so as to remain within the limit set by this section.  The amount needed to make the debt service payments is appropriated from the general fund as provided in Minnesota Statutes, section 16A.641.

 

Sec. 5.  BOND SALE AUTHORIZATION.

 

To provide the money appropriated in this act from the bond proceeds fund, the commissioner of management and budget shall sell and issue bonds of the state in an amount up to $45,045,000 in the manner, upon the terms, and with the effect prescribed by Minnesota Statutes, sections 16A.631 to 16A.675, and by the Minnesota Constitution, article XI, sections 4 to 7.

 

Sec. 6.  APPROPRIATION; FEDERAL MATCH.

 

$5,000,000 is appropriated from the general fund to the commissioner of public safety to provide a match for Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) disaster assistance to state agencies and political subdivisions under Minnesota Statutes, section 12.221, in the area designated under Presidential Declaration of Major Disaster DR-1982, for the flooding in Minnesota in the spring of 2011, whether included in the original declaration or added later by federal government action.  This is a onetime appropriation.  This appropriation does not lapse.


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Sec. 7.  Laws 2006, chapter 258, section 7, subdivision 3, as amended by Laws 2007, chapter 122, section 4, and Laws 2008, chapter 179, section 59, is amended to read: 

 

Subd. 3.  Flood Hazard Mitigation Grants

 

 

 

25,000,000

 

For the state share of flood hazard mitigation grants for publicly owned capital improvements to prevent or alleviate flood damage under Minnesota Statutes, section 103F.161.

 

The commissioner shall determine project priorities as appropriate, based on need.

 

This appropriation includes money for the following projects: 

 

(a) Austin

 

(b) Albert Lea

 

(c) Browns Valley

 

(d) Crookston

 

(e) Canisteo Mine

 

(f) Delano

 

(g) East Grand Forks

 

(h) Golden Valley

 

(i) Grand Marais Creek

 

(j) Granite Falls

 

(k) Inver Grove Heights

 

(l) Manston Slough

 

(m) Oakport Township

 

(n) Riverton Township

 

(o) Roseau

 

(p) Shell Rock Watershed District

 

(q) St. Vincent

 

(r) Wild Rice River Watershed District


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For any project listed in this subdivision that the commissioner determines is not ready to proceed or does not expend all the money allocated to it, the commissioner may allocate that project's money to a project on the commissioner's priority list.

 

To the extent that the cost of a project in Ada, Breckenridge, Browns Valley, Crookston, Dawson, East Grand Forks, Granite Falls, Montevideo, Oakport Township, Roseau, St. Vincent, or Warren exceeds two percent of the median household income in the municipality multiplied by the number of households in the municipality, this appropriation is also for the local share of the project.  The local share for the St. Vincent dike may not exceed $30,000.

 

Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 16A.642, the bond authorization and appropriation of bond proceeds in this subdivision are available until June 30, 2014.

 

Sec. 8.  EFFECTIVE DATE.

 

This act is effective the day following final enactment."

 

Delete the title and insert: 

 

"A bill for an act relating to capital investment; appropriating money for flood hazard mitigation; appropriating money for a match for federal disaster assistance; authorizing sale and issuance of state bonds; providing a bond sale schedule; amending Laws 2006, chapter 258, section 7, subdivision 3, as amended."

 

 

With the recommendation that when so amended the bill pass.

 

      The report was adopted.

 

 

Peppin from the Committee on Government Operations and Elections to which was referred:

 

H. F. No. 1647, A bill for an act relating to retirement; major general employee statewide retirement plans; revising statutory salary scale actuarial assumptions; revising payroll growth actuarial assumptions; amending Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 356.215, subdivision 8.

 

Reported the same back with the following amendments:

 

Delete everything after the enacting clause and insert:

 

"ARTICLE 1

PUBLIC EMPLOYEES RETIREMENT ASSOCIATION

 

Section 1.  Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 353.01, subdivision 2a, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 2a.  Included employees; mandatory membership.  (a) Public employees whose salary exceeds $425 in any month and who are not specifically excluded under subdivision 2b or who have not been provided an option to participate under subdivision 2d, whether individually or by action of the governmental subdivision, must participate as members of the association with retirement coverage by the general employees retirement plan under this chapter,


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the public employees police and fire retirement plan under this chapter, or the local government correctional employees retirement plan under chapter 353E, whichever applies.  Membership commences as a condition of their employment on the first day of their employment or on the first day that the eligibility criteria are met, whichever is later.  Public employees include but are not limited to:

 

(1) persons whose salary meets the threshold in this paragraph from employment in one or more positions within one governmental subdivision;

 

(2) elected county sheriffs;

 

(3) persons who are appointed, employed, or contracted to perform governmental functions that by law or local ordinance are required of a public officer, including, but not limited to:

 

(i) town and city clerk or treasurer;

 

(ii) county auditor, treasurer, or recorder;

 

(iii) city manager as defined in section 353.028 who does not exercise the option provided under subdivision 2d; or

 

(iv) emergency management director, as provided under section 12.25;

 

(4) physicians under section 353D.01, subdivision 2, who do not elect public employees defined contribution plan coverage under section 353D.02, subdivision 2;

 

(5) full-time employees of the Dakota County Agricultural Society; and

 

(6) employees of the Minneapolis Firefighters Relief Association or Minneapolis Police Relief Association who are not excluded employees under subdivision 2b due to coverage by the relief association pension plan and who elected general employee retirement plan coverage before August 20, 2009; and

 

(7) employees of the Red Wing Port Authority who were first employed by the Red Wing Port Authority before May 1, 2011, and who are not excluded employees under subdivision 2b.

 

(b) A public employee or elected official who was a member of the association on June 30, 2002, based on employment that qualified for membership coverage by the public employees retirement plan or the public employees police and fire plan under this chapter, or the local government correctional employees retirement plan under chapter 353E as of June 30, 2002, retains that membership for the duration of the person's employment in that position or incumbency in elected office.  Except as provided in subdivision 28, the person shall participate as a member until the employee or elected official terminates public employment under subdivision 11a or terminates membership under subdivision 11b.

 

(c) If the salary of an included public employee is less than $425 in any subsequent month, the member retains membership eligibility.

 

(d) For the purpose of participation in the MERF division of the general employees retirement plan, public employees include employees who were members of the former Minneapolis Employees Retirement Fund on June 29, 2010, and who participate as members of the MERF division of the association.

 

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


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Sec. 2.  Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 353.01, subdivision 6, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 6.  Governmental subdivision.  (a) "Governmental subdivision" means a county, city, town, school district within this state, or a department, unit or instrumentality of state or local government, or any public body established under state or local authority that has a governmental purpose, is under public control, is responsible for the employment and payment of the salaries of employees of the entity, and receives a major portion of its revenues from taxation, fees, assessments or from other public sources.

 

(b) Governmental subdivision also means the Public Employees Retirement Association, the League of Minnesota Cities, the Association of Metropolitan Municipalities, charter schools formed under section 124D.10, service cooperatives exercising retirement plan participation under section 123A.21, subdivision 5, joint powers boards organized under section 471.59, subdivision 11, paragraph (a), family service collaboratives and children's mental health collaboratives organized under section 471.59, subdivision 11, paragraph (b) or (c), provided that the entities creating the collaboratives are governmental units that otherwise qualify for retirement plan membership, public hospitals owned or operated by, or an integral part of, a governmental subdivision or governmental subdivisions, the Association of Minnesota Counties, the Minnesota Inter-county Association, the Minnesota Municipal Utilities Association, the Metropolitan Airports Commission, the University of Minnesota with respect to police officers covered by the public employees police and fire retirement plan, the Minneapolis Employees Retirement Fund for employment initially commenced after June 30, 1979, the Range Association of Municipalities and Schools, soil and water conservation districts, economic development authorities created or operating under sections 469.090 to 469.108, the Port Authority of the city of St. Paul, the Red Wing Port Authority, the Spring Lake Park Fire Department, incorporated, the Lake Johanna Volunteer Fire Department, incorporated, the Red Wing Environmental Learning Center, the Dakota County Agricultural Society, Hennepin Healthcare System, Inc., and the Minneapolis Firefighters Relief Association and Minneapolis Police Relief Association with respect to staff covered by the Public Employees Retirement Association general plan.

 

(c) Governmental subdivision does not mean any municipal housing and redevelopment authority organized under the provisions of sections 469.001 to 469.047; or any port authority organized under sections 469.048 to 469.089 other than the Port Authority of the city of St. Paul; and other than the Red Wing Port Authority; or any hospital district organized or reorganized prior to July 1, 1975, under sections 447.31 to 447.37 or the successor of the district; or the board of a family service collaborative or children's mental health collaborative organized under sections 124D.23, 245.491 to 245.495, or 471.59, if that board is not controlled by representatives of governmental units.

 

(d) A nonprofit corporation governed by chapter 317A or organized under Internal Revenue Code, section 501(c)(3), which is not covered by paragraph (a) or (b), is not a governmental subdivision unless the entity has obtained a written advisory opinion from the United States Department of Labor or a ruling from the Internal Revenue Service declaring the entity to be an instrumentality of the state so as to provide that any future contributions by the entity on behalf of its employees are contributions to a governmental plan within the meaning of Internal Revenue Code, section 414(d).

 

(e) A public body created by state or local authority may request membership on behalf of its employees by providing sufficient evidence that it meets the requirements in paragraph (a).

 

(f) An entity determined to be a governmental subdivision is subject to the reporting requirements of this chapter upon receipt of a written notice of eligibility from the association.

 

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

 

Sec. 3.  VALIDATION OF PAST RETIREMENT COVERAGE AND CONTRIBUTIONS FOR RED WING PORT AUTHORITY EMPLOYEES. 

 

(a) Retirement coverage by the general employees retirement plan of the Public Employees Retirement Association, allowable service credit, and salary credit for employees of the Red Wing Port Authority who were so employed after December 31, 1984, and were first so employed before May 1, 2011, who had monthly salary in any


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month of at least $325 until June 30, 1988, and who had monthly salary in any month of at least $425 after June 30, 1988, who were not otherwise excluded under the applicable edition of Minnesota Statutes, section 353.01, subdivision 2b, and who had member deductions taken and transferred in a timely manner to the general employees retirement fund before the effective date of this section are hereby validated.

 

(b) Notwithstanding any provision of Minnesota Statutes, chapter 353, to the contrary, employee contributions deducted from employees of the Red Wing Port Authority described in paragraph (a) before the effective date of this section and associated employer contributions are valid assets of the general employees retirement fund and are not subject to refund or adjustment for erroneous receipt except as provided in Minnesota Statutes, section 353.32, subdivision 1 or 2; or 353.34, subdivisions 1 and 2.

 

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

 

Sec. 4.  CITY OF DULUTH AND DULUTH AIRPORT AUTHORITY; CORRECTING ERRONEOUS EMPLOYEE DEDUCTIONS, EMPLOYER CONTRIBUTIONS, AND ADJUSTING OVERPAID BENEFITS. 

 

Subdivision 1.  Application.  Notwithstanding any provisions of Minnesota Statutes, section 353.27, subdivisions 7 and 7b, or Minnesota Statutes 2010, chapters 353 and 356, to the contrary, this section establishes the procedures by which the executive director of the Public Employees Retirement Association shall adjust erroneous employee deductions and employer contributions paid on behalf of active employees and former members by the city of Duluth and by the Duluth Airport Authority on amounts determined by the executive director to be invalid salary under Minnesota Statutes, section 353.01, subdivision 10, reported between January 1, 1997, and October 23, 2008, and for adjusting benefits that were paid to former members and their beneficiaries based upon invalid salary amounts.

 

Subd. 2.  Refunds of employee deductions.  (a) The executive director shall refund to active employees or former members who are not receiving retirement annuities or benefits all erroneous employee deductions identified by the city of Duluth or by the Duluth Airport Authority as deductions taken from amounts determined to be invalid salary.  The refunds must include interest at the rate specified in Minnesota Statutes, section 353.34, subdivision 2, from the date each invalid employee deduction was received through the date each refund is paid.

 

(b) The refund payment for active employees must be sent to the applicable members who are employees of the city of Duluth or who are employees of the Duluth Airport Authority, whichever is applicable.

 

(c) Refunds to former members must be mailed by the executive director of the Public Employees Retirement Association to the former member's last known address.

 

Subd. 3.  Benefit adjustments.  (a) For a former member who is receiving a retirement annuity or disability benefit, or for a person receiving an optional annuity or survivor benefit, the executive director must:

 

(1) adjust the annuity or benefit payment to the correct monthly benefit amount payable by reducing the average salary under Minnesota Statutes, section 353.01, subdivision 17a, by the invalid salary amounts;

 

(2) determine the amount of the overpaid benefits paid from the effective date of the annuity or benefit payment to July 1, 2009;

 

(3) calculate the amount of employee deductions taken in error on invalid salary, including interest at the rate specified in Minnesota Statutes, section 353.34, subdivision 2, from the date each invalid employee deduction was received through the first day of the month in which the refund under paragraph (b), or action to recover net overpayments under subdivision 4, occurs; and


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(4) determine the net amount of overpaid benefits by reducing the amount of the overpaid annuity or benefit as determined in clause (2) by the amount of the erroneous employee deductions with interest determined in clause (3).

 

(b) If a former member's erroneous employee deductions plus interest determined under this section exceeds the amount of the person's overpaid benefits, the balance must be refunded to the person to whom the annuity or benefit is being paid.

 

(c) The executive director shall recover the net amount of all overpaid annuities or benefits as provided under subdivision 4.

 

Subd. 4.  Employer credits and obligations.  (a) The executive director shall provide a credit without interest to the city of Duluth and to the Duluth Airport Authority for the amount of that governmental subdivision's erroneous employer contributions.  The credit must first be used to offset the net amount of the overpaid retirement annuities and the disability and survivor benefits that remain after applying the amount of erroneous employee deductions with interest as provided under subdivision 3, paragraph (a), clause (4).  The remaining erroneous employer contributions, if any, must be credited against future employer contributions required to be paid by the applicable governmental subdivision.  If the overpaid benefits exceed the employer contribution credit, the balance of the overpaid benefits is the obligation of the city of Duluth or the Duluth Airport Authority, whichever is applicable.

 

(b) The Public Employees Retirement Association board of trustees shall determine the period of time and manner for the collection of overpaid retirement annuities and benefits, if any, from the city of Duluth and the Duluth Airport Authority.

 

Subd. 5.  Treatment of invalid salary amounts in process.  (a) The governing body of the city of Duluth or the Duluth Airport Authority, as applicable, may elect to limit the period of adjustment for amounts determined to be invalid salary to apply to the fiscal year in which the error was reported to, and the salary determined to be invalid by, the Public Employees Retirement Association, and the immediate two preceding fiscal years, by a resolution of the applicable governing body transmitted to the Public Employees Retirement Association executive director within 30 days following the effective date of this section.

 

(b) If the governing body of the applicable governmental subdivision declines the treatment permitted under paragraph (a) or fails to submit a resolution in a timely manner, the statute of limitations specified in paragraph (a) does not apply.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  (a) This section is effective for the city of Duluth the day after the Duluth city council and the chief clerical officer of the city of Duluth timely complete their compliance with Minnesota Statutes, section 645.021, subdivisions 2 and 3, for members who are, and former members who were, employees of the city of Duluth.

 

(b) This section is effective for the Duluth Airport Authority the day after the Duluth Airport Authority board of directors and the chief clerical officer of the Duluth Airport Authority timely complete their compliance with Minnesota Statutes, section 645.021, subdivisions 2 and 3, for members who are, and former members who were, employees of the Duluth Airport Authority.

 

ARTICLE 2

TEACHER RETIREMENT COVERAGE

 

Section 1.  Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 354A.011, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

 

Subd. 29.  Vesting; vested.  (a) "Vesting" or "vested" means having entitlement to a nonforfeitable annuity or benefit from a coordinated member program administered by a teachers retirement fund association by having credit for sufficient allowable service under paragraph (b) or (c), whichever applies.


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(b) For purposes of qualifying for an annuity or a benefit as a coordinated plan member of the St. Paul Teachers Retirement Fund Association, the teacher is vested when the teacher has accrued credit for at least three years of service.

 

(c) For purposes of qualifying for an annuity or a benefit as a coordinated plan member of the Duluth Teachers Retirement Fund Association:

 

(1) a teacher who first became a member of the plan before July 1, 2010, is vested when the teacher has accrued at least three years of service; and

 

(2) a teacher who first became a member of the plan after June 30, 2010, is vested when the teacher has accrued at least five years of service.

 

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

 

Sec. 2.  Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 354A.094, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 3.  Qualified part-time teacher program participation requirements.  (a) A teacher in the public schools of a city of the first class who has three years or more allowable service in the applicable retirement fund association is vested, or three who has combined years or more of full-time teaching service in Minnesota public elementary schools, Minnesota secondary schools, and Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system at least equal to the number of years specified for vesting in the applicable first class city teacher plan, may, by agreement with the board of the employing district, be assigned to teaching service within the district in a part-time teaching position.  The agreement must be executed before October 1 of the year for which the teacher requests to make retirement contributions under subdivision 4.  A copy of the executed agreement must be filed with the executive director of the retirement fund association.  If the copy of the executed agreement is filed with the association after October 1 of the year for which the teacher requests to make retirement contributions under subdivision 4, the employing school district shall pay a fine of $5 for each calendar day that elapsed since the October 1 due date.  The association may not accept an executed agreement that is received by the association more than 15 months late.  The association may not waive the fine required by this section.

 

(b) Notwithstanding paragraph (a), if the teacher is also a legislator:

 

(1) the agreement in paragraph (a) must be executed before March 1 of the school year for which the teacher requests to make retirement contributions under subdivision 4; and

 

(2) the fines specified in paragraph (a) apply if the employing unit does not file the executed agreement with the executive director of the applicable Teachers Retirement Fund Association by March 1.

 

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

 

Sec. 3.  Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 354A.29, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

 

Subd. 7.  Eligibility for payment of postretirement adjustments.  (a) Annually, after June 30, the board of trustees of the St. Paul Teachers Retirement Fund Association must determine the amount of any postretirement adjustment using the procedures in this subdivision and subdivision 8 or 9, whichever is applicable.

 

(b) On January 1, each eligible person who has been receiving an annuity or benefit under the articles of incorporation, the bylaws, or this chapter for at least three calendar months as of the end of the last day of the previous calendar year is eligible to receive a postretirement increase as specified in subdivision 8 or 9.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective July 1, 2011.


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Sec. 4.  Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 354A.29, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

 

Subd. 8.  Calculation of postretirement adjustments; transitional provision.  (a) For purposes of computing postretirement adjustments for eligible benefit recipients of the St. Paul Teachers Retirement Fund Association, the accrued liability funding ratio based on the actuarial value of assets of the plan as determined by the most recent actuarial valuation prepared under sections 356.214 and 356.215 determines the postretirement increase, as follows:

 

 

 

Funding ratio

 

Postretirement increase

 

 

 

Less than 80 percent

 

1 percent

 

 

At least 80 percent but less than 90 percent

2 percent

 

(b) The amount determined under paragraph (a) is the full postretirement increase to be applied as a permanent increase to the regular payment of each eligible member on January 1 of the next calendar year.  For any eligible member whose effective date of benefit commencement occurred during the calendar year before the postretirement increase is applied, the full increase amount must be prorated on the basis of whole calendar quarters in benefit payment status in the calendar year prior to the January 1 on which the postretirement increase is applied, calculated to the third decimal place.

 

(c) If the accrued liability funding ratio based on the actuarial value of assets is at least 90 percent, this subdivision expires and subsequent postretirement increases must be paid as specified in subdivision 9.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective July 1, 2011.

 

Sec. 5.  Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 354A.29, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

 

Subd. 9.  Calculation of postretirement adjustments.  (a) This subdivision applies if subdivision 8 has expired.

 

(b) A percentage adjustment must be computed and paid under this subdivision to eligible persons under subdivision 7.  This adjustment is determined by reference to the Consumer Price Index for urban wage earners and clerical workers all items index as reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics within the United States Department of Labor each year as part of the determination of annual cost-of-living adjustments to recipients of federal old-age, survivors, and disability insurance.  For calculations of postretirement adjustments under paragraph (c), "average third quarter Consumer Price Index value" means the sum of the monthly index values as initially reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics for the months of July, August, and September, divided by three.

 

(c) Before January 1 of each year, the executive director must calculate the amount of the postretirement adjustment by dividing the most recent average third quarter index value by the same average third quarter index value from the previous year, subtract one from the resulting quotient, and express the result as a percentage amount, which must be rounded to the nearest one-tenth of one percent.

 

(d) The amount calculated under paragraph (c) is the full postretirement adjustment to be applied as a permanent increase to the regular payment of each eligible member on January 1 of the next calendar year.  For any eligible member whose effective date of benefit commencement occurred during the calendar year before the postretirement adjustment is applied, the full increase amount must be prorated on the basis of whole calendar quarters in benefit payment status in the calendar year prior to the January 1 on which the postretirement adjustment is applied, calculated to the third decimal place.

 

(e) The adjustment must not be less than zero nor greater than five percent.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective July 1, 2011.


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Sec. 6.  Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 354A.31, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

 

Subdivision 1.  Age and service requirements.  Any coordinated member or former coordinated member of the Duluth Teachers Retirement Fund Association or of the St. Paul Teachers Retirement Fund Association who has ceased to render teaching service for the school district in which the teachers retirement fund association exists, who is vested and who has either attained the age of at least 55 years with not less than three years of allowable service credit or received credit for not less than 30 years of allowable service regardless of age, shall be entitled upon written application to a retirement annuity.  Any coordinated member or former coordinated member of the Duluth Teachers Retirement Fund Association who has ceased to render teaching service for the school district in which the teacher retirement fund association exists and who has either attained the age of at least 55 years with not less than three years of allowable service credit if the member became an employee before July 1, 2010, or not less than five years of allowable service credit if the member became an employee after June 30, 2010, or received service credit for not less than 30 years of allowable service regardless of age, shall be entitled upon written application to a retirement annuity.

 

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

 

Sec. 7.  Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 354A.31, subdivision 5, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 5.  Unreduced normal retirement annuity.  Upon retirement at normal retirement age with at least three years of service credit, a vested coordinated member is entitled to a normal retirement annuity calculated under subdivision 4 or 4a, whichever applies.

 

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

 

Sec. 8.  Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 354A.31, subdivision 6, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 6.  Reduced retirement annuity.  This subdivision applies only to a person who first became a coordinated member or a member of a pension fund listed in section 356.30, subdivision 3, before July 1, 1989, and whose annuity is higher when calculated using the retirement annuity formula percentage in subdivision 4, paragraph (c), or subdivision 4a, paragraph (c), in conjunction with this subdivision than when calculated under subdivision 4, paragraph (d), or subdivision 4a, paragraph (d), in conjunction with subdivision 7.

 

(a) Upon retirement at an age before normal retirement age with three years of service credit or prior to age 62 with at least 30 years of service credit, a vested coordinated member shall be entitled to a retirement annuity in an amount equal to the normal retirement annuity calculated using the retirement annuity formula percentage in subdivision 4, paragraph (c), or subdivision 4a, paragraph (c), reduced by one-quarter of one percent for each month that the coordinated member is under normal retirement age if the coordinated member has less than 30 years of service credit or is under the age of 62 if the coordinated member has at least 30 years of service credit.

 

(b) Any coordinated member whose attained age plus credited allowable service totals 90 years is entitled, upon application, to a retirement annuity in an amount equal to the normal retirement annuity calculated using the retirement annuity formula percentage in subdivision 4, paragraph (c), or subdivision 4a, paragraph (c), without any reduction by reason of early retirement.

 

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

 

Sec. 9.  Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 354A.35, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 2.  Death while eligible to retire; surviving spouse optional annuity.  (a) The surviving spouse of a vested coordinated member who has credit for at least three years of service and dies prior to retirement may elect to receive, instead of a refund with interest under subdivision 1, an annuity equal to the 100 percent joint and survivor annuity the member could have qualified for had the member terminated service on the date of death.  The surviving


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spouse eligible for a surviving spouse benefit under this paragraph may apply for the annuity at any time after the date on which the deceased employee would have attained the required age for retirement based on the employee's allowable service.  A surviving spouse eligible for surviving spouse benefits under paragraph (b) or (c) may apply for an annuity at any time after the member's death.  The member's surviving spouse shall be paid a joint and survivor annuity under section 354A.32 and computed under section 354A.31. 

 

(b) If the member was under age 55 and has credit for at least 30 years of allowable service on the date of death, the surviving spouse may elect to receive a 100 percent joint and survivor annuity based on the age of the member and surviving spouse on the date of death.  The annuity is payable using the full early retirement reduction under section 354A.31, subdivision 6, paragraph (a), to age 55 and one-half of the early retirement reduction from age 55 to the age payment begins. 

 

(c) If the a vested member was under age 55 and has credit for at least three years of allowable service on the date of death but did not yet qualify for retirement, the surviving spouse may elect to receive the 100 percent joint and survivor annuity based on the age of the member and the survivor at the time of death.  The annuity is payable using the full early retirement reduction under section 354A.31, subdivision 6 or 7, to age 55 and one-half of the early retirement reduction from age 55 to the date payment begins. 

 

(d) Sections 354A.37, subdivision 2, and 354A.39 apply to a deferred annuity or surviving spouse benefit payable under this section.  The benefits are payable for the life of the surviving spouse, or upon expiration of the term certain benefit payment under subdivision 2b. 

 

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

 

Sec. 10.  Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 354A.36, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

 

Subdivision 1.  Minimum age, service, and salary requirements.  Any coordinated member who has at least three years of allowable service credit is vested, who has an average salary of at least $75 per month, and who has become totally and permanently disabled shall be entitled to a disability benefit.  If the disabled coordinated member's allowable service credit has not been continuous, at least two years of the required allowable service shall be required to have been rendered subsequent to the last interruption in service.

 

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

 

Sec. 11.  Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 354A.37, is amended to read:

 

354A.37 REFUNDS; DEFERRED ANNUITY. 

 

Subdivision 1.  Eligibility for refund.  Any coordinated member who ceases to render teaching service for the school district in which the teachers retirement fund association is located shall be entitled to a refund in lieu of any other annuity or benefit from the teachers retirement fund association, other than an annuity from a tax shelter annuity program and fund as authorized pursuant to under section 354A.021, subdivision 5.  The amount of the refund shall must be calculated pursuant to under subdivision 3.  The application for the refund shall must not be made prior to 30 days after the cessation of teaching services if the coordinated member has not resumed active teaching services for the district.  Payment of the refund shall must be made within 90 days after receipt of the refund application by the board.

 

Subd. 2.  Eligibility for deferred retirement annuity.  (a) Any coordinated member who ceases to render teaching services for the school district in which the teachers retirement fund association is located, with sufficient allowable service credit to meet the minimum service requirements specified in section 354A.31, subdivision 1, shall be entitled to a deferred retirement annuity in lieu of a refund pursuant to under subdivision 1.  The deferred


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retirement annuity shall must be computed pursuant to under section 354A.31 and shall be augmented as provided in this subdivision.  The deferred annuity shall commence commences upon application after the person on deferred status attains at least the minimum age specified in section 354A.31, subdivision 1.

 

(b) The monthly annuity amount that had accrued when the member ceased to render teaching service must be augmented from the first day of the month following the month during which the member ceased to render teaching service to the effective date of retirement.  There is no augmentation if this period is less than three months.  For a member of the St. Paul Teachers Retirement Fund Association, the rate of augmentation is three percent compounded annually until January 1 of the year following the year in which the former member attains age 55, and five percent compounded annually after that date to the effective date of retirement if the employee became an employee before July 1, 2006, and at 2.5 percent compounded annually if the employee becomes an employee after June 30, 2006.  For a member of the Duluth Teachers Retirement Fund Association, The rate of augmentation is three percent compounded annually until January 1 of the year following the year in which the former member attains age 55, five percent compounded annually after that date to July 1, 2012, and two percent compounded annually after that date to the effective date of retirement if the employee became an employee before July 1, 2006, and at 2.5 percent compounded annually to July 1, 2012, and two percent compounded annually after that date to the effective date of retirement if the employee becomes became an employee after June 30, 2006.  If a person has more than one period of uninterrupted service, a separate average salary determined under section 354A.31 must be used for each period, and the monthly annuity amount related to each period must be augmented as provided in this subdivision.  The sum of the augmented monthly annuity amounts determines the total deferred annuity payable.  If a person repays a refund, the service restored by the repayment must be considered as continuous with the next period of service for which the person has credit with the fund.  If a person does not render teaching services in any one fiscal year or more consecutive fiscal years and then resumes teaching service, the formula percentages used from the date of resumption of teaching service are those applicable to new members.  The mortality table and interest assumption used to compute the annuity are the table established by the fund to compute other annuities, and the interest assumption under section 356.215 in effect when the member retires.  A period of uninterrupted service for the purpose of this subdivision means a period of covered teaching service during which the member has not been separated from active service for more than one fiscal year.

 

(c) The augmentation provided by this subdivision applies to the benefit provided in section 354A.35, subdivision 2.  The augmentation provided by this subdivision does not apply to any period in which a person is on an approved leave of absence from an employer unit.

 

Subd. 3.  Computation of refund amount.  A former coordinated member of the St. Paul Teachers Retirement Fund Association who qualifies for a refund under subdivision 1 shall receive a refund equal to the amount of the former coordinated member's accumulated employee contributions with interest at the rate of six percent per annum compounded annually.  A former coordinated member of the Duluth Teachers Retirement Fund Association who qualifies for a refund under subdivision 1 shall receive a refund equal to the amount of the former coordinated member's accumulated employee contributions with interest at the rate of six percent per annum compounded annually to July 1, 2010, if the person is a former member of the Duluth Teachers Retirement Fund Association, or to July 1, 2011, if the person is a former member of the St. Paul Teachers Retirement Fund Association, and four percent per annum compounded annually thereafter.

 

Subd. 4.  Certain refunds at normal retirement age.  Any coordinated member who has attained the normal retirement age with less than ten years of allowable service credit and has terminated active teaching service shall be entitled to a refund in lieu of a proportionate annuity pursuant to under section 356.32.  The refund for a member of the St. Paul Teachers Retirement Fund Association shall be equal to the coordinated member's accumulated employee contributions plus interest at the rate of six percent compounded annually.  The refund for a member of the Duluth Teachers Retirement Fund Association shall must be equal to the coordinated member's accumulated employee contributions plus interest at the rate of six percent compounded annually to July 1, 2010, if the person is a former member of the Duluth Teachers Retirement Fund Association, or to July 1, 2011, if the person is a former member of the St. Paul Teachers Retirement Fund Association, and four percent per annum compounded annually thereafter.


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Subd. 5.  Unclaimed minimal refund amounts; disposition.  If a coordinated member ceases to render teaching services for the school district in which the teachers retirement fund association is located but does not apply for a refund pursuant to under subdivision 1 within five years after the end of the plan year next following the cessation of teaching services and if the amount of the refund that the former coordinated member would have been entitled to pursuant to under subdivision 3 is $500 or less, then the amount of the refund and any accumulated interest shall must be credited to and become a part of the retirement fund.  If the former coordinated member subsequently renders teaching services for the school district in which the teachers retirement fund association is located and the amount of the refund that the former coordinated member would have previously been entitled to pursuant to under subdivision 3 is at least $5, then the amount of the refund and any accumulated interest shall be must be restored to the member's individual account.  If the amount of the refund that the former coordinated member would have previously been entitled to pursuant to under subdivision 3 is at least $5 and the former coordinated member applies for a refund pursuant to under subdivision 1 or for an annuity pursuant to under sections 354A.31 and 354A.32 or section 356.30, the amount of the refund and any accumulated interest shall must be restored to the member's individual account.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective July 1, 2011.

 

Sec. 12.  Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 354B.21, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

 

Subdivision 1.  Eligibility.  The following persons are eligible to have coverage by the individual retirement account plan and to be participants in the or coverage by another plan as further specified in this section:

 

(1) employees of the board who are employed as faculty in an employment classification included in the state university instructional unit or the state college instructional unit under section 179A.10, subdivision 2;

 

(2) the chancellor and employees of the board in eligible unclassified administrative positions;

 

(3) the employees in eligible unclassified administrative positions in the state universities;

 

(4) the employees in eligible unclassified administrative positions in the technical colleges; and

 

(5) the employees in eligible unclassified administrative positions of the Minnesota Office of Higher Education or of the community colleges.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective July 1, 2011.

 

Sec. 13.  Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 354B.21, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

 

Subd. 1a.  Required notice; counseling.  (a) No later than 90 days before the end of any applicable election period specified in this section, the employer must provide to a person beginning work in a position subject to this section for which an option to elect alternative retirement plan coverage is authorized the following information:

 

(1) the default retirement coverage;

 

(2) election procedures, if applicable, for electing coverage other than the default coverage; and

 

(3) the Web site and the telephone number for the plan providing default coverage and comparable information for the plan that the person is eligible to elect.

 

(b) The election of coverage forms must include a certification statement that the employee has received and reviewed materials on the optional coverage and the default coverage prior to making the election.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective July 1, 2011.


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Sec. 14.  Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 354B.21, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 2.  Coverage; election.  (a) An eligible persons who were employed by the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities System on or after June 30, 2009, unless otherwise person employed by the board has the default coverage specified in subdivision 3, or other subdivisions of this section, whichever is applicable, and retains that coverage for the period of covered employment unless a timely election to change that coverage is made as specified in this section, are.

 

(b) An eligible person under subdivision 3, paragraph (b) or (c), is authorized to elect prospective Teachers Retirement Association plan coverage rather than.

 

(c) An eligible person under subdivision 3, paragraph (d), is authorized to elect prospective coverage by the plan established by this chapter.

 

(d) The election of prospective Teachers Retirement Association plan coverage under paragraph (a) must be made within one year of commencing eligible Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system employment.  If an election is not made within the specified election period due to a termination of Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system employment, an election may be made within 90 days of returning to eligible Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system employment.  Except as specified in paragraph (f), all elections are irrevocable.  Before making an election, the eligible person is covered by the plan indicated as default coverage under subdivision 3.

 

(b) (e) Except as provided in paragraph (c) (f), a purchase of service credit in the Teachers Retirement Association plan for any period or periods of Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system employment occurring before the election under paragraph (a) this section is prohibited.

 

(c) (f) Notwithstanding other paragraphs (a) and (b) in this subdivision, a faculty member who is a member of the individual retirement account plan who first achieves tenure or its equivalent at a Minnesota state college or university after June 30, 2009, may elect to transfer retirement coverage under to the teachers retirement plan within one year of the faculty member first achieving tenure or its equivalent at a Minnesota state college or university.  The faculty member electing Teachers Retirement Association coverage under this paragraph must purchase service credit in the Teachers Retirement Association for the entire period of time covered under the individual retirement account plan and the purchase payment amount must be determined under section 356.551.  The Teachers Retirement Association may charge a faculty member transferring coverage a reasonable fee to cover the costs associated with computing the actuarial cost of purchasing service credit and making the transfer.  A faculty member transferring from the individual retirement account plan to the Teachers Retirement Association may use any balances to the credit of the faculty member in the individual retirement account plan, any balances to the credit of the faculty member in the higher education supplemental retirement plan established under chapter 354C, or any source specified in section 356.441, subdivision 1, to purchase the service credit in the Teachers Retirement Association.  If the total amount of payments under this paragraph are less than the total purchase payment amount under section 356.551, the payment amounts must be refunded to the applicable source.  The retirement coverage transfer and service credit purchase authority under this paragraph expires with respect to any Minnesota State Colleges and Universities System faculty initially hired after June 30, 2014.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective July 1, 2011.

 

Sec. 15.  Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 354B.21, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 3.  Default coverage.  (a) Prior to making an election under subdivision 2, or if an eligible person fails to elect coverage by the plan under subdivision 2 or if the person fails to make a timely election, the following retirement coverage specified in this subdivision applies:.


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(1) for employees of the board who are employed in faculty positions in the technical colleges, in the state universities or in the community colleges, the retirement coverage is by the plan established by this chapter;

 

(2) for employees of the board who are employed in faculty positions in the technical colleges, the retirement coverage is by the plan established by this chapter unless on June 30, 1997, the employee was a member of the Teachers Retirement Association established under chapter 354 and then the retirement coverage is by the Teachers Retirement Association, or, unless the employee was a member of a first class city teacher retirement fund established under chapter 354A on June 30, 1995, and then the retirement coverage is by the Duluth Teachers Retirement Fund Association if the person was a member of that plan on June 30, 1995, or the Teachers Retirement Association if the person was a member of the former Minneapolis Teachers Retirement Fund Association on June 30, 1995, or the St. Paul Teachers Retirement Fund Association if the person was a member of that plan on June 30, 1995; and

 

(3) for employees of the board who are employed in eligible unclassified administrative positions, the retirement coverage is by the plan established by this chapter.

 

(b) If an employee fails to correctly certify prior membership in the Teachers Retirement Association to the Minnesota State colleges and Universities system, the system shall not pay interest on employee contributions, employer contributions, and additional employer contributions to the Teachers Retirement Association under section 354.52, subdivision 4.

 

(b) If an eligible person is employed by the board before July 1, 2011, in an eligible unclassified administrative position or in a faculty position in a technical college, community college, or state university, the retirement coverage is by the plan established by this chapter, unless otherwise specified in this section.

 

(c) An eligible person described in paragraph (b), except that first employment by the board is on or after July 1, 2011, has retirement coverage by the plan established by this chapter if the eligible person has no:

 

(1) allowable service credit in any plan listed in section 356.30, subdivision 3; or

 

(2) prior employment covered by the state unclassified employees retirement program under chapter 352D.

 

(d) An eligible person described in paragraph (c) has retirement coverage by the Teachers Retirement Association if the person has:

 

(1) prior employment covered by the state unclassified employees retirement program under chapter 352D and has not withdrawn or transferred assets from that account; or

 

(2) allowable service credit in a plan listed in section 356.30, subdivision 3.

 

(e) To ensure that coverage is provided by the proper plan, the employee must certify to the board the existence of any service credit in any plan listed in section 356.30, subdivision 3, or whether the person retains a state unclassified employees retirement program account.  If an employee fails to correctly certify prior membership in a plan or the existence of an unclassified program account, the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system and its board shall be held harmless, and notwithstanding any law to the contrary, any resulting cost or financial liability becomes the employee's responsibility.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective July 1, 2011.


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Sec. 16.  Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 354B.21, subdivision 3a, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 3a.  Continuation of Plan coverage in and election; certain instances past service technical college faculty.  For a person with retirement coverage by a first class city teacher retirement fund association instead of the individual retirement account plan under subdivision 3, clause (2), coverage by the applicable retirement fund association continues (a) Notwithstanding subdivision 3, if an employee of the board was employed in a faculty position in a technical college on June 30, 1997, with coverage by the Teachers Retirement Association, the employee retains that coverage.  If the employee was a technical college faculty member on June 30, 1995, covered by a first class city teacher retirement fund established under chapter 354A, the retirement coverage continues with the Duluth Teachers Retirement Fund Association or the St. Paul Teachers Retirement Fund Association, whichever is applicable.  If the person was a technical college faculty member on June 30, 1995, covered by the former Minneapolis Teachers Retirement Fund Association, the Teachers Retirement Association shall provide coverage.

 

(b) An employee under paragraph (a) who has coverage by a first class city teacher fund association retains that coverage for the duration of the person's employment by the board of Trustees of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities unless, within 90 days one year of a change in employment within the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system, the person elects the individual retirement account plan for all future employment by the board of Trustees of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities.  The election is irrevocable.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective July 1, 2011.

 

Sec. 17.  Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 354B.21, subdivision 5, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 5.  Payment for certain prior uncovered service.  (a) A person employed in a faculty position or in an eligible unclassified administrative position by the board who was initially excluded from participation in the individual retirement account plan coverage, who was not covered by any other Minnesota public pension plan for that service, and who is subsequently eligible to participate in the individual retirement account plan may make member contributions for that period of prior uncovered teaching employment or eligible unclassified administrative employment with the board.

 

(b) The member contributions for prior uncovered board service are the amount that the person would have paid if the prior service had been covered employment.  The payment must be made to the individual retirement account plan administrator and may be made only by payroll deduction.  The payment must be made by the later of:

 

(1) 45 days of the start of covered employment; or

 

(2) the end of the fiscal year in which covered employment began.

 

(c) The board must contribute an amount to match any contribution made by a plan participant under this subdivision.

 

(d) Payments of contributions for prior uncovered board service under this subdivision must be invested in the same manner as the regular contributions made by or on behalf of the plan participant.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective July 1, 2011.

 

Sec. 18.  Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 354B.21, subdivision 6, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 6.  Continuation of coverage.  Except as otherwise specified in this section, once a person is employed in a position that qualifies for participation in the individual retirement account plan and elects to participate in the plan, all subsequent service by the person as a faculty member or in an eligible unclassified administrative position employed by the board or other employing unit is covered by the individual retirement account plan.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective July 1, 2011.


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Sec. 19.  Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 354B.21, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

 

Subd. 7.  Coverage; certain part-time employees.  A person employed in a part-time faculty position or in a part-time eligible unclassified administrative position who does not meet the definition of covered employment under section 354B.20, subdivision 4, because the employment does not meet the threshold required under that provision, must certify prior membership in the Teachers Retirement Association to the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system.  If the certification is incorrect, the employee, and not the employer, is required to pay interest on the employee and employer contributions, and, if applicable, on the employer additional contributions to the Teachers Retirement Association under section 354.52, subdivision 4.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective July 1, 2011.

 

Sec. 20.  Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 356.47, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 3.  Payment.  (a) Beginning one year after the reemployment withholding period ends relating to the reemployment that gave rise to the limitation, and the filing of a written application, the retired member is entitled to the payment, in a lump sum, of the value of the person's amount under subdivision 2, plus annual compound interest.  For the general state employees retirement plan, the correctional state employees retirement plan, the general employees retirement plan of the Public Employees Retirement Association, the public employees police and fire retirement plan, the local government correctional employees retirement plan, and the teachers retirement plan, the annual interest rate is six percent from the date on which the amount was deducted from the retirement annuity to the date of payment or until January 1, 2011, whichever is earlier, and no interest after January 1, 2011.  For the Duluth Teachers Retirement Fund Association, the annual interest is six percent from the date on which the amount was deducted from the retirement annuity to the date of payment or until June 30, 2010, whichever is earlier, and with no interest accrual after June 30, 2010.  For the St. Paul Teachers Retirement Fund Association, the annual interest is the rate of six percent from the date that the amount was deducted from the retirement annuity to the date of payment or June 30, 2011, whichever is earlier, and with no interest accrual after June 30, 2011.

 

(b) The written application must be on a form prescribed by the chief administrative officer of the applicable retirement plan.

 

(c) If the retired member dies before the payment provided for in paragraph (a) is made, the amount is payable, upon written application, to the deceased person's surviving spouse, or if none, to the deceased person's designated beneficiary, or if none, to the deceased person's estate.

 

(d) In lieu of the direct payment of the person's amount under subdivision 2, on or after the payment date under paragraph (a), if the federal Internal Revenue Code so permits, the retired member may elect to have all or any portion of the payment amount under this section paid in the form of a direct rollover to an eligible retirement plan as defined in section 402(c) of the federal Internal Revenue Code that is specified by the retired member.  If the retired member dies with a balance remaining payable under this section, the surviving spouse of the retired member, or if none, the deceased person's designated beneficiary, or if none, the administrator of the deceased person's estate may elect a direct rollover under this paragraph.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective July 1, 2011.

 

Sec. 21.  BYLAW AUTHORIZATION. 

 

Consistent with the requirements of Minnesota Statutes, section 354A.12, subdivision 4, the board of the St. Paul Teachers Retirement Fund Association is authorized to revise the bylaws and articles of incorporation so that the requirements of this act, where applicable, apply to the basic program.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective July 1, 2011.


Journal of the House - 59th Day - Wednesday, May 18, 2011 - Top of Page 4187


Sec. 22.  REPEALER. 

 

(a) Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 354A.29, subdivision 3, is repealed.

 

(b) Minnesota Statutes 2010, sections 354B.21, subdivision 3c; and 354B.32, are repealed.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective July 1, 2011.

 

ARTICLE 3

ACTUARIAL ASSUMPTION UPDATE

 

Section 1.  Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 356.215, subdivision 8, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 8.  Interest and salary assumptions.  (a) The actuarial valuation must use the applicable following preretirement interest assumption and the applicable following postretirement interest assumption:

 

 

 

plan

 

preretirement interest rate assumption

postretirement interest rate assumption

 

general state employees retirement plan

 

8.5%

6.0%

correctional state employees retirement plan

 

8.5

6.0

State Patrol retirement plan

 

8.5

6.0

legislators retirement plan

 

8.5

6.0

elective state officers retirement plan

 

8.5

6.0

judges retirement plan

 

8.5

6.0

general public employees retirement plan

 

8.5

6.0

public employees police and fire retirement plan

 

8.5

6.0

local government correctional service retirement plan

 

8.5

6.0

teachers retirement plan

 

8.5

6.0

Duluth teachers retirement plan

 

8.5

8.5

St. Paul teachers retirement plan

 

8.5

8.5

Minneapolis Police Relief Association

 

6.0

6.0

Fairmont Police Relief Association

 

5.0

5.0

Minneapolis Fire Department Relief Association

 

6.0

6.0

Virginia Fire Department Relief Association

 

5.0

5.0

Bloomington Fire Department Relief Association

 

6.0

6.0

local monthly benefit volunteer firefighters relief associations

 

5.0

5.0

 

(b) Before July 1, 2010, the actuarial valuation must use the applicable following single rate future salary increase assumption, the applicable following modified single rate future salary increase assumption, or the applicable following graded rate future salary increase assumption:

 

(1) single rate future salary increase assumption

 

plan

future salary increase assumption

 

legislators retirement plan

 

5.0%

judges retirement plan

 

4.0

Minneapolis Police Relief Association

 

4.0


Journal of the House - 59th Day - Wednesday, May 18, 2011 - Top of Page 4188


Fairmont Police Relief Association

 

3.5

Minneapolis Fire Department Relief Association

 

4.0

Virginia Fire Department Relief Association

 

3.5

Bloomington Fire Department Relief Association

 

4.0

 

(2) age-related select and ultimate future salary increase assumption or graded rate future salary increase assumption

 

plan

future salary increase assumption

 

general state employees retirement plan

select calculation and assumption A

correctional state employees retirement plan

assumption G D

State Patrol retirement plan

assumption F C

public employees police and fire fund retirement plan

assumption B

local government correctional service retirement plan

assumption F C

teachers retirement plan

assumption C

Duluth teachers retirement plan

assumption D A

St. Paul teachers retirement plan

assumption E B

 

The select calculation is:  during the designated select period, a designated percentage rate is multiplied by the result of the designated integer minus T, where T is the number of completed years of service, and is added to the applicable future salary increase assumption.  The designated select period is five years and the designated integer is five for the general state employees retirement plan.  The designated select period is ten years and the designated integer is ten for all other retirement plans covered by this clause.  The designated percentage rate is:  (1) 0.2 percent for the correctional state employees retirement plan, the State Patrol retirement plan, the public employees police and fire plan, and the local government correctional service retirement plan; (2) 0.6 percent for the general state employees retirement plan; and (3) 0.3 percent for the teachers retirement plan, the Duluth Teachers Retirement Fund Association, and the St. Paul Teachers Retirement Fund Association.  The select calculation for the Duluth Teachers Retirement Fund Association is 8.00 percent per year for service years one through seven, 7.25 percent per year for service years seven and eight, and 6.50 percent per year for service years eight and nine.

 

The ultimate future salary increase assumption is:

 

age

A

B

C

D A

E B

F C

G D

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

16

5.95%

11.00%

7.70%

8.00%

6.90%

7.7500%

7.2500%

17

5.90

11.00

7.65

8.00

6.90

7.7500

7.2500

18

5.85

11.00

7.60

8.00

6.90

7.7500

7.2500

19

5.80

11.00

7.55

8.00

6.90

7.7500

7.2500

20

5.75

11.00

5.50

6.90

6.90

7.7500

7.2500

21

5.75

11.00

5.50

6.90

6.90

7.1454

6.6454

22

5.75

10.50

5.50

6.90

6.90

7.0725

6.5725


Journal of the House - 59th Day - Wednesday, May 18, 2011 - Top of Page 4189


23

5.75

10.00

5.50

6.85

6.85

7.0544

6.5544

24

5.75

9.50

5.50

6.80

6.80

7.0363

6.5363

25

5.75

9.00

5.50

6.75

6.75

7.0000

6.5000

26

5.75

8.70

5.50

6.70

6.70

7.0000

6.5000

27

5.75

8.40

5.50

6.65

6.65

7.0000

6.5000

28

5.75

8.10

5.50

6.60

6.60

7.0000

6.5000

29

5.75

7.80

5.50

6.55

6.55

7.0000

6.5000

30

5.75

7.50

5.50

6.50

6.50

7.0000

6.5000

31

5.75

7.30

5.50

6.45

6.45

7.0000

6.5000

32

5.75

7.10

5.50

6.40

6.40

7.0000

6.5000

33

5.75

6.90

5.50

6.35

6.35

7.0000

6.5000

34

5.75

6.70

5.50

6.30

6.30

7.0000

6.5000

35

5.75

6.50

5.50

6.25

6.25

7.0000

6.5000

36

5.75

6.30

5.50

6.20

6.20

6.9019

6.4019

37

5.75

6.10

5.50

6.15

6.15

6.8074

6.3074

38

5.75

5.90

5.40

6.10

6.10

6.7125

6.2125

39

5.75

5.70

5.30

6.05

6.05

6.6054

6.1054

40

5.75

5.50

5.20

6.00

6.00

6.5000

6.0000

41

5.75

5.40

5.10

5.90

5.95

6.3540

5.8540

42

5.75

5.30

5.00

5.80

5.90

6.2087

5.7087

43

5.65

5.20

4.90

5.70

5.85

6.0622

5.5622

44

5.55

5.10

4.80

5.60

5.80

5.9048

5.4078

45

5.45

5.00

4.70

5.50

5.75

5.7500

5.2500

46

5.35

4.95

4.60

5.40

5.70

5.6940

5.1940

47

5.25

4.90

4.50

5.30

5.65

5.6375

5.1375

48

5.15

4.85

4.50

5.20

5.60

5.5822

5.0822

49

5.05

4.80

4.50

5.10

5.55

5.5404

5.0404

50

4.95

4.75

4.50

5.00

5.50

5.5000

5.0000

51

4.85

4.75

4.50

4.90

5.45

5.4384

4.9384

52

4.75

4.75

4.50

4.80

5.40

5.3776

4.8776

53

4.65

4.75

4.50

4.70

5.35

5.3167

4.8167

54

4.55

4.75

4.50

4.60

5.30

5.2826

4.7826

55

4.45

4.75

4.50

4.50

5.25

5.2500

4.7500

56

4.35

4.75

4.50

4.40

5.20

5.2500

4.7500

57

4.25

4.75

4.50

4.30

5.15

5.2500

4.7500

58

4.25

4.75

4.60

4.20

5.10

5.2500

4.7500

59

4.25

4.75

4.70

4.10

5.05

5.2500

4.7500

60

4.25

4.75

4.80

4.00

5.00

5.2500

4.7500

61

4.25

4.75

4.90

3.90

5.00

5.2500

4.7500

62

4.25

4.75

5.00

3.80

5.00

5.2500

4.7500

63

4.25

4.75

5.10

3.70

5.00

5.2500

4.7500

64

4.25

4.75

5.20

3.60

5.00

5.2500

4.7500

65

4.25

4.75

5.20

3.50

5.00

5.2500

4.7500

66

4.25

4.75

5.20

3.50

5.00

5.2500

4.7500

67

4.25

4.75

5.20

3.50

5.00

5.2500

4.7500

68

4.25

4.75

5.20

3.50

5.00

5.2500

4.7500

69

4.25

4.75

5.20

3.50

5.00

5.2500

4.7500

70

4.25

4.75

5.20

3.50

5.00

5.2500

4.7500

71

4.25

 

5.20

 

 

 

 


Journal of the House - 59th Day - Wednesday, May 18, 2011 - Top of Page 4190


(3) service-related ultimate future salary increase assumption

 

general state employees retirement plan of the Minnesota State Retirement System

assumption A

general employees retirement plan of the Public Employees Retirement Association

assumption B

Teachers Retirement Association

assumption C

public employees police and fire retirement plan

assumption D

 

 

 

 

service length

general employees retirement plan of the Public Employees Retirement Association

A

 

 

 

B

 

 

 

C

 

 

 

D

 

1

12.03% 10.75%

12.25%

12.00%

13.00%

2

8.90 8.35

9.15

9.00

11.00

3

7.46 7.15

7.75

8.00

9.00

4

6.58 6.45

6.85

7.50

8.00

5

5.97 5.95

6.25

7.25

6.50

6

5.52 5.55

5.75

7.00

6.10

7

5.16 5.25

5.45

6.85

5.80

8

4.87 4.95

5.15

6.70

5.60

9

4.63 4.75

4.85

6.55

5.40

10

4.42 4.65

4.65

6.40

5.30

11

4.24 4.45

4.45

6.25

5.20

12

4.08 4.35

4.35

6.00

5.10

13

3.94 4.25

4.15

5.75

5.00

14

3.82 4.05

4.05

5.50

4.90

15

3.70 3.95

3.95

5.25

4.80

16

3.60 3.85

3.85

5.00

4.80

17

3.51 3.75

3.75

4.75

4.80

18

3.50 3.75

3.75

4.50

4.80

19

3.50 3.75

3.75

4.25

4.80

20

3.50 3.75

3.75

4.00

4.80

21

3.50 3.75

3.75

3.90

4.70

22

3.50 3.75

3.75

3.80

4.60

23

3.50 3.75

3.75

3.70

4.50

24

3.50 3.75

3.75

3.60

4.50

25

3.50 3.75

3.75

3.50

4.50

26

3.50 3.75

3.75

3.50

4.50

27

3.50 3.75

3.75

3.50

4.50

28

3.50 3.75

3.75

3.50

4.50

29

3.50 3.75

3.75

3.50

4.50

30 or more

3.50 3.75

3.75

3.50

4.50

 

(c) Before July 2, 2010, the actuarial valuation must use the applicable following payroll growth assumption for calculating the amortization requirement for the unfunded actuarial accrued liability where the amortization retirement is calculated as a level percentage of an increasing payroll:

 

 

plan

payroll

growth assumption

 

general state employees retirement plan of the Minnesota State Retirement System

 

4.50% 3.75%

correctional state employees retirement plan

 

4.50

State Patrol retirement plan

 

4.50


Journal of the House - 59th Day - Wednesday, May 18, 2011 - Top of Page 4191


legislators retirement plan

 

4.50

judges retirement plan

 

4.00

general employees retirement plan of the Public Employees Retirement Association

 

4.00 3.75

public employees police and fire retirement plan

 

4.50 3.75

local government correctional service retirement plan

 

4.50

teachers retirement plan

 

4.50 3.75

Duluth teachers retirement plan

 

4.50

St. Paul teachers retirement plan

 

5.00

 

(d) After July 1, 2010, the assumptions set forth in paragraphs (b) and (c) continue to apply, unless a different salary assumption or a different payroll increase assumption:

 

(1) has been proposed by the governing board of the applicable retirement plan;

 

(2) is accompanied by the concurring recommendation of the actuary retained under section 356.214, subdivision 1, if applicable, or by the approved actuary preparing the most recent actuarial valuation report if section 356.214 does not apply; and

 

(3) has been approved or deemed approved under subdivision 18.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section as it relates to the general state employees retirement plan of the Minnesota State Retirement System, the general employees retirement plan of the Public Employees Retirement Association, and the teachers retirement plan is effective retroactively from June 30, 2010, and as it relates to the public employees police and fire retirement plan is effective June 30, 2011.

 

ARTICLE 4

VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTER RELIEF ASSOCIATIONS

 

Section 1.  DEADLINE FOR REPORTS EXTENDED. 

 

Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 69.051, subdivision 1b, the deadline for reports submitted under Minnesota Statutes, section 69.051, subdivisions 1 and 1a, for 2009 is extended to April 30, 2011.  A municipality or relief association does not forfeit its 2010 state aid or any future state aid if 2009 reports are received by the state auditor on or before April 30, 2011.

 

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

 

Sec. 2.  WHITE BEAR LAKE; SPECIAL ACTUARIAL WORK AUTHORIZATION. 

 

Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary of Minnesota Statutes, sections 69.771, subdivision 3; 69.773, subdivisions 2, 4, and 5; 356.215; and 356.216, a document styled as an interim valuation at October 19, 2009, of the White Bear Lake Volunteer Fire Department Relief Association prepared by the actuarial consulting firm of Gabriel, Roeder, Smith & Company, as confirmed as to its funded status results by an actuarial valuation as of January 1, 2011, of the White Bear Lake Volunteer Fire Department Relief Association pension plan prepared by the actuarial consulting firm of Gabriel, Roeder, Smith & Company may be considered by the relief association officers, the city of White Bear Lake, and the Office of the State Auditor to be a qualifying actuarial valuation of the special fund of the relief association for the determination of the actuarial condition of the relief association and the financial requirements of the relief association amounts and the minimum municipal obligation amounts calculated by relief association officers certified to the city of White Bear Lake on or before August 1, 2009, and on or before August 1, 2010, may be considered by the City of White Bear Lake and by the Office of the State Auditor to be properly determined.


Journal of the House - 59th Day - Wednesday, May 18, 2011 - Top of Page 4192


 

EFFECTIVE DATE; LOCAL APPROVAL.  This section is effective retroactively from July 31, 2009, if the White Bear Lake city council and the White Bear Lake chief clerical officer timely complete their compliance with Minnesota Statutes, section 645.021, subdivisions 2 and 3.

 

ARTICLE 5

SMALL GROUP RETIREMENT PROVISIONS

 

Section 1.  PERA-GENERAL; BABBITT AND BUHL SERVICE AND SALARY CREDIT PURCHASE AUTHORIZATION IN CERTAIN CASES. 

 

(a) An eligible person described in paragraph (b) is eligible to purchase from the general employees retirement plan of the Public Employees Retirement Association allowable service credit and salary credit for the period of uncredited prior employment and salary specified in paragraph (c) by making the payment required under paragraph (d).

 

(b) An eligible person is a person who:

 

(1) was born on November 10, 1957;

 

(2) was employed as a part-time police officer by the city of Buhl from July 1988 until November 1996;

 

(3) was employed as a part-time police officer by Embarrass Township from March 1992 until August 1997;

 

(4) was employed as a part-time police officer by the City of Babbitt from April 1992 until September 1992; and

 

(5) was employed as a full-time police officer by the city of Babbitt since October 4, 1992, and as such is a member of the public employees police and fire retirement plan.

 

(c) The periods of unreported employment and salary that qualified for coverage by the general employees retirement plan of the Public Employees Retirement Association and eligible for purchase are employment by the city of Buhl from October 1989 until November 1996 and employment by the city of Babbitt as a part-time police officer from April 1992 until September 1992.

 

(d) The allowable service and salary credit purchase payment amount must be calculated under Minnesota Statutes, section 356.551.  Of the total payment amount, the eligible person is obligated to pay the amount of member contributions that the eligible person would have paid by deduction to the coordinated program of the general employees retirement plan of the Public Employees Retirement Association if made in a timely fashion, plus annual compound interest at the rate of 8.5 percent from the date that the contribution should have been made until the date that the contribution equivalent payment is made.  The balance of the total payment amount must be allocated between the city of Buhl and the city of Babbitt on the basis of the additional retirement benefit associated with the applicable period of past unreported eligible employment.  The city of Buhl and the city of Babbitt shall make their payments within 30 days of the date on which the executive director of the Public Employees Retirement Association certifies that the eligible person has paid the equivalent member contribution payment and interest.  If a city fails to make a timely payment, the executive director shall collect the unpaid amount under Minnesota Statutes, section 353.28.

 

(e) The eligible person shall provide the executive director of the Public Employees Retirement Association with any necessary documentation of the applicability of this section that the executive director requests.

 

(f) The authority of the eligible person to make the equivalent member contribution and interest payment under this section expires on the earlier of July 1, 2012, or the date on which the eligible person finally terminates public employment covered by Minnesota Statutes, chapter 353.

 

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


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Sec. 2.  INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT NO.  270, HOPKINS; SALARY CREDIT PURCHASE FOR PART-TIME TEACHING PROGRAM SERVICE AUTHORIZED. 

 

(a) An eligible person described in paragraph (b) is entitled, upon application to the executive director of the Teachers Retirement Association, to purchase salary credit from the Teachers Retirement Association for the period of part-time teaching service specified in paragraph (c) if the purchase payment required under paragraph (d) is paid on or before July 1, 2012, or the date of the person's retirement, whichever is earlier.

 

(b) An eligible person is a person who:

 

(1) was born on January 20, 1951;

 

(2) was hired by Independent School District No. 270, Hopkins, as a teacher;

 

(3) first participated in the qualified part-time teacher association membership program with a properly submitted teacher-school district agreement for the 2007-2008 school year;

 

(4) was employed part-time as a teacher by Independent School District No. 270, Hopkins, during the 2008-2009 school year, but the Minnesota Statutes, section 354.66, agreement was not filed with the Teachers Retirement Association until September 20, 2010; and

 

(5) was employed by Independent School District No. 270, Hopkins, as a part-time teacher under Minnesota Statutes, section 354.66, for the 2009-2010 school year and for the 2010-2011 school year.

 

(c) The period of part-time teaching service is the period during the 2008-2009 school year during which the eligible person was paid 80 percent of the eligible person's full-time service salary rate for part-time teaching service rendered for Independent School District No. 270, Hopkins.

 

(d) The total purchase payment amount for the increase in the annual salary credit for the 2008-2009 school year of $11,090.60 in the employ of Independent School District No. 270, Hopkins, is the service credit purchase payment amount required under Minnesota Statutes, section 356.551.  The eligible person shall pay $609.98 plus compound interest at the annual rate of 8.5 percent from January 31, 2009, until the date of payment.  Independent School District No. 270, Hopkins, must pay the balance of the purchase payment amount under Minnesota Statutes, section 356.551, in excess of the eligible person's payment amount.  The school district payment is due 30 days after notification by the executive director of the Teachers Retirement Association that the eligible person's payment amount has been received by the association.  If the school district fails to make the required payment in a timely manner, the executive director of the Teachers Retirement Association shall notify the commissioner of management and budget and the commissioner of education of that failure, and those commissioners shall subtract the unpaid amount from state aid otherwise payable to the school district.

 

(e) Upon receipt by the Teachers Retirement Association of the total amount required under paragraph (d), the eligible person shall receive annual salary credit for an additional $11,090.60 for the 2008-2009 school year.

 

(f) The salary credit purchase payment authorization under this section expires August 1, 2012.

 

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


Journal of the House - 59th Day - Wednesday, May 18, 2011 - Top of Page 4194


Sec. 3.  INCREASED ANNUITY FOR SURVIVING SPOUSE OF EMPLOYEE KILLED WHILE ENGAGED IN EMERGENCY RESPONSE TO FLOODING. 

 

(a) Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 352.12, a surviving spouse of an eligible person specified in paragraph (b) is entitled, upon application filed with the executive director of the Minnesota State Retirement System, to the additional surviving spouse benefit, payable for the lifetime of the surviving spouse, from the general state employees retirement fund of the Minnesota State Retirement System specified in paragraph (c).

 

(b) An eligible person is a person who is a state employee who suffered a violent death while performing assigned duties responding to a flood emergency and:

 

(1) was born on November 7, 1971;

 

(2) began working for the state on September 25, 2002; and

 

(3) was killed on March 22, 2011, while working as an employee of the Department of Transportation engaged in emergency response to flooding by using a backhoe to clear debris from a culvert that drains into the Minnesota River between St. Peter and Mankato.

 

(c) The monthly annuity payable to the surviving spouse of an eligible person specified in paragraph (b) is 34 percent of the average monthly salary of the eligible person, and accrues as of the first day of the first week after the surviving spouse ceases to receive workers' compensation payments attributable to the death of the eligible person specified in paragraph (b).

 

(d) "Average salary" has the meaning given in Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 352.01, subdivision 14a.

 

(e) The actuarial present value of the projected special additional survivor benefit under this section must be calculated, within 30 days of the date of final enactment, by the consulting actuary retained by the Minnesota State Retirement System under section 356.214 using the applicable actuarial assumptions set forth in Minnesota Statutes, section 356.215, subdivision 8, or approved by the Legislative Commission on Pensions and Retirement under Minnesota Statutes, section 356.215, subdivision 18.  A summary of the actuarial present value calculations prepared by the consulting actuary must be certified by the executive director of the Minnesota State Retirement System to the executive director of the Legislative Commission on Pensions and Retirement, to the commissioner of transportation, to the commissioner of management and budget, and to the legislative auditor.  The payment amount must be charged against the fund or funds from which the March 2011 compensation of the eligible person was paid.  The commissioner of transportation shall pay, within 30 days of the receipt of the certification of the actuarial present value of the special additional survivor benefit by the executive director of the Minnesota State Retirement System, the certified amount to the General State Employees Retirement Fund of the Minnesota State Retirement System.

 

(f) The benefit under this section is eligible for postretirement adjustments under Minnesota Statutes, section 356.415, subdivision 1a.  The initial payment of the additional survivor benefit must include the postretirement adjustments under Minnesota Statutes, section 356.415, that would have been paid on and after January 1, 2012, if the additional survivor benefit were paid since April 1, 2011, and the adjusted additional survivor benefit is subject to regular postretirement adjustments on each January 1 thereafter.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective retroactively from March 22, 2011."


Journal of the House - 59th Day - Wednesday, May 18, 2011 - Top of Page 4195


Delete the title and insert:

 

"A bill for an act relating to retirement; including pre-May 1, 2011, hires of the Red Wing Port Authority in the general employees retirement plan of the Public Employees Retirement Association; providing an optional procedure for the correction of erroneous member deductions and employer contributions for the city of Duluth and the Duluth Airport Authority; revising postretirement adjustments, reducing the refund interest rate, eliminating interest on reemployed annuitant earnings limitation deferral amounts, and lowering the deferred annuity augmentation rate for the St. Paul Teachers Retirement Fund Association; increasing various vesting requirements for the Duluth Teachers Retirement Fund Association; revising the default retirement plan coverage determination for Minnesota State Colleges and Universities System employees; revising statutory salary scale and payroll growth actuarial assumptions; extending a financial report reporting deadline date for the 2010 fire state aid allocation; authorizing the use of special actuarial work in determining the 2009 and 2010 special fund financial requirements and minimum municipal obligations for the White Bear Lake Fire Department Relief Association; authorizing a purchase of allowable service credit or salary credit for public employees and teachers; authorizing an additional employer-funded survivor benefit for a Minnesota Department of Transportation employee killed while engaged in emergency response to Minnesota River flooding; amending Minnesota Statutes 2010, sections 353.01, subdivisions 2a, 6; 354A.011, by adding a subdivision; 354A.094, subdivision 3; 354A.29, by adding subdivisions; 354A.31, subdivisions 1, 5, 6; 354A.35, subdivision 2; 354A.36, subdivision 1; 354A.37; 354B.21, subdivisions 1, 2, 3, 3a, 5, 6, by adding subdivisions; 356.215, subdivision 8; 356.47, subdivision 3; repealing Minnesota Statutes 2010, sections 354A.29, subdivision 3; 354B.21, subdivision 3c; 354B.32."

 

 

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.

 

 

      Pursuant to Joint Rule 2.03 and in accordance with House Concurrent Resolution No. 1, H. F. No. 1647 was re-referred to the Committee on Rules and Legislative Administration.

 

 

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

 

S. F. No. 1308, A bill for an act proposing an amendment to the Minnesota Constitution; adding a section to article XIII; recognizing marriage as only a union between one man and one woman.

 

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

 

      The report was adopted.

 

 

SECOND READING OF HOUSE BILLS

 

 

      H. F. No. 959 was read for the second time.

 

 

SECOND READING OF SENATE BILLS

 

 

      S. F. Nos. 54, 149, 302, 361, 885, 1266, 1270 and 1308 were read for the second time.


Journal of the House - 59th Day - Wednesday, May 18, 2011 - Top of Page 4196


 

INTRODUCTION AND FIRST READING OF HOUSE BILLS

 

 

      The following House Files were introduced:

 

 

      Koenen introduced:

 

H. F. No. 1722, A bill for an act relating to capital investment; appropriating money for flood relief for the city of Maynard; authorizing the sale and issuance of state bonds.

 

The bill was read for the first time and referred to the Committee on Environment, Energy and Natural Resources Policy and Finance.

 

 

Buesgens and Hackbarth introduced:

 

H. F. No. 1723, A bill for an act relating to constitutional amendments; proposing to amend the Minnesota Constitution, article XI; repealing the increase in the sales and use tax rate dedicated for natural resources and cultural heritage purposes; repealing Minnesota Statutes 2010, sections 85.53; 97A.056, subdivisions 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7; 114D.50; 129D.17.

 

The bill was read for the first time and referred to the Committee on Environment, Energy and Natural Resources Policy and Finance.

 

 

Brynaert, Morrow, Cornish and Gunther introduced:

 

H. F. No. 1724, A bill for an act relating to capital improvements; appropriating money to design and construct a regional transit facility in Mankato; authorizing the sale and issuance of state bonds.

 

The bill was read for the first time and referred to the Committee on Transportation Policy and Finance.

 

 

Crawford introduced:

 

H. F. No. 1725, A bill for an act relating to property taxation; extending the definition of commercial seasonal recreational property to include facilities for conducting craft and hobby activities; amending Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 273.13, subdivision 25.

 

The bill was read for the first time and referred to the Committee on Taxes.

 

 

Daudt; Peppin; Gruenhagen; Woodard; Anderson, S.; Gottwalt; McDonald; Wardlow and Quam introduced:

 

H. F. No. 1726, A bill for an act relating to elections; presidential electors; providing for designation of certain presidential electors and specifying the duties of presidential electors; amending Minnesota Statutes 2010, sections 208.03; 208.05; 208.08.

 

The bill was read for the first time and referred to the Committee on Government Operations and Elections.


Journal of the House - 59th Day - Wednesday, May 18, 2011 - Top of Page 4197


McElfatrick, Howes, Anzelc, Dill and Melin introduced:

 

H. F. No. 1727, A bill for an act relating to capital investment; appropriating money for emergency repair of the Soudan Underground Mine elevator shaft; authorizing the sale and issuance of state bonds.

 

The bill was read for the first time and referred to the Committee on Environment, Energy and Natural Resources Policy and Finance.

 

 

Eken introduced:

 

H. F. No. 1728, A bill for an act relating to capital investment; appropriating money for a waste transfer facility in Becker County; authorizing the sale and issuance of state bonds.

 

The bill was read for the first time and referred to the Committee on Environment, Energy and Natural Resources Policy and Finance.

 

 

Erickson and Garofalo introduced:

 

H. F. No. 1729, A bill for an act relating to sales and use tax; making a temporary exemption for Minnesota State High School League events permanent; amending Laws 2006, chapter 257, section 2.

 

The bill was read for the first time and referred to the Committee on Taxes.

 

 

Hancock; Fabian; Drazkowski; Quam; Murdock; McElfatrick; Benson, M.; Franson; Dean and Garofalo introduced:

 

H. F. No. 1730, A bill for an act proposing amendments to the Minnesota Constitution, article IV, section 4, and article V, sections 2 and 4; placing limits on the terms of office of legislators and executive officers.

 

The bill was read for the first time and referred to the Committee on Government Operations and Elections.

 

 

Cornish, Hilstrom, Woodard and Mullery introduced:

 

H. F. No. 1731, A bill for an act relating to crime prevention; providing for indeterminate sentencing for certain sex offenders; creating a sex offender indeterminate sentence review board; amending Minnesota Statutes 2010, sections 609.342, subdivision 2; 609.343, subdivision 2; 609.344, subdivision 2; 609.345, subdivision 2; 609.3451, subdivision 3; 609.3455; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 609.

 

The bill was read for the first time and referred to the Committee on Public Safety and Crime Prevention Policy and Finance.

 

 

REPORT FROM THE COMMITTEE ON RULES

AND LEGISLATIVE ADMINISTRATION

 

      Dean from the Committee on Rules and Legislative Administration, pursuant to rule 1.21, designated the following bills to be placed on the Calendar for the Day for Wednesday, May 18, 2011:

 

      S. F. No. 191; H. F. Nos. 1134, 56, 1418 and 1515; S. F. No. 1134; H. F. Nos. 1498 and 1144; S. F. Nos. 731 and 67; H. F. No. 232; S. F. No. 508; H. F. No. 905; S. F. Nos. 1162, 1270, 1266, 1143, 301, 478, 779, 742, 882, 137, 1208, 1045, 943 and 1285; H. F. Nos. 1358 and 1270; S. F. Nos. 955, 249, 1009 and 302; H. F. Nos. 1384, 264 and 988; S. F. No. 149; H. F. Nos. 1219, 1611 and 650; S. F. Nos. 1078 and 1044; H. F. Nos. 1179 and 1332; and S. F. No. 1265.


Journal of the House - 59th Day - Wednesday, May 18, 2011 - Top of Page 4198


 

      The following Conference Committee Reports were received:

 

 

CONFERENCE COMMITTEE REPORT ON H. F. NO. 1010

 

A bill for an act relating to state government; appropriating money for environment, natural resources, commerce, and energy; creating accounts; modifying disposition of certain receipts; modifying responsibilities and authorities; creating an advisory committee; modifying Petroleum Tank Release Cleanup Act; modifying cooperative electric association petition provisions; repealing definitions and requirements; requiring rulemaking on wild rice standards; amending Minnesota Statutes 2010, sections 85.052, subdivision 4; 89.21; 97A.055, by adding a subdivision; 97A.071, subdivision 2; 97A.075; 103G.271, subdivision 6; 103G.301, subdivision 2; 103G.615, subdivision 2; 115A.1314; 115A.1320, subdivision 1; 115C.09, subdivision 3c; 115C.13; 116P.04, by adding a subdivision; 116P.05, subdivision 2; 216B.026, subdivision 1; 290.431; 290.432; 357.021, subdivision 7; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapters 16E; 84; 89; 97A; 103G; repealing Minnesota Statutes 2010, sections 84.02, subdivisions 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8; 84.027, subdivision 11; 116P.09, subdivision 4; 116P.14.

 

May 16, 2011

The Honorable Kurt Zellers

Speaker of the House of Representatives

 

The Honorable Michelle L. Fischbach

President of the Senate

 

We, the undersigned conferees for H. F. No. 1010 report that we have agreed upon the items in dispute and recommend as follows: 

 

That the Senate recede from its amendment and that H. F. No. 1010 be further amended as follows: 

 

Delete everything after the enacting clause and insert: 

 

"ARTICLE 1

ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES FINANCE

 

Section 1.  SUMMARY OF APPROPRIATIONS. 

 

The amounts shown in this section summarize direct appropriations, by fund, made in this article.

 

 

 

2012

 

2013

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

General

 

$68,531,000

 

$68,426,000

 

$136,957,000

State Government Special Revenue

75,000

 

75,000

 

150,000

Environmental

 

63,089,000

 

62,783,000

 

125,872,000

Natural Resources

 

89,875,000

 

90,259,000

 

180,134,000

Game and Fish

 

89,242,000

 

88,545,000

 

177,787,000

Remediation

 

10,596,000

 

10,596,000

 

21,192,000

Permanent School

 

200,000

 

200,000

 

400,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

$321,608,000

 

$320,884,000

 

$642,492,000


Journal of the House - 59th Day - Wednesday, May 18, 2011 - Top of Page 4199


Sec. 2.  ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES APPROPRIATIONS. 

 

The sums shown in the columns marked "Appropriations" are appropriated to the agencies and for the purposes specified in this article.  The appropriations are from the general fund, or another named fund, and are available for the fiscal years indicated for each purpose.  The figures "2012" and "2013" used in this article mean that the appropriations listed under them are available for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2012, or June 30, 2013, respectively.  "The first year" is fiscal year 2012.  "The second year" is fiscal year 2013.  "The biennium" is fiscal years 2012 and 2013.  Appropriations for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2011, are effective the day following final enactment.

 

 

 

 

APPROPRIATIONS

 

 

 

Available for the Year

 

 

 

Ending June 30

 

 

 

2012

2013

 

 

Sec. 3.  POLLUTION CONTROL AGENCY

 

 

 

 

 

Subdivision 1.  Total Appropriation

 

$76,496,000

 

$76,190,000

 

Appropriations by Fund

 

 

2012

2013

 

 

 

General

2,836,000

2,836,000

State Government  Special Revenue

 

75,000

 

75,000

Environmental

63,089,000

62,783,000

Remediation

10,496,000

10,496,000

 

The amounts that may be spent for each purpose are specified in the following subdivisions.

 

Subd. 2.  Water

 

21,602,000

 

21,527,000

 

Appropriations by Fund

 

 

2012

2013

 

 

 

General

2,836,000

2,836,000

State Government Special Revenue

 

75,000

 

75,000

Environmental

18,691,000

18,616,000

 

$1,171,000 the first year and $1,171,000 the second year are for water program operations.

 

$1,665,000 the first year and $1,665,000 the second year are for grants to delegated counties to administer the county feedlot program under Minnesota Statutes, section 116.0711, subdivisions 2 and 3.  Money remaining after the first year is available for the second year.


Journal of the House - 59th Day - Wednesday, May 18, 2011 - Top of Page 4200


 

$740,000 the first year and $740,000 the second year are from the environmental fund to address the need for continued increased activity in the areas of new technology review, technical assistance for local governments, and enforcement under Minnesota Statutes, sections 115.55 to 115.58, and to complete the requirements of Laws 2003, chapter 128, article 1, section 165.

 

$75,000 the first year from the environmental fund is for transfer to the commissioner of administration for the water management evaluation required in article 4.  This is a onetime appropriation.

 

Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 16A.28, the appropriations encumbered on or before June 30, 2013, as grants or contracts for SSTS's, surface water and groundwater assessments, total maximum daily loads, storm water, and local basinwide water quality protection in this subdivision are available until June 30, 2016.

 

Subd. 3.  Air

 

12,297,000

 

12,466,000

 

Appropriations by Fund

 

 

2012

2013

 

 

 

Environmental

12,297,000

12,466,000

 

$200,000 the first year and $200,000 the second year are from the environmental fund for a monitoring program under Minnesota Statutes, section 116.454.

 

Up to $150,000 the first year and $150,000 the second year may be transferred from the environmental fund to the small business environmental improvement loan account established in Minnesota Statutes, section 116.993.

 

$125,000 the first year and $125,000 the second year are from the environmental fund for monitoring ambient air for hazardous pollutants in the metropolitan area.

 

Subd. 4.  Land

 

17,412,000

 

17,412,000

 

Appropriations by Fund

 

 

2012

2013

 

 

 

Environmental

6,916,000

6,916,000

Remediation

10,496,000

10,496,000

 

All money for environmental response, compensation, and compliance in the remediation fund not otherwise appropriated is appropriated to the commissioners of the Pollution Control Agency and agriculture for purposes of Minnesota Statutes, section


Journal of the House - 59th Day - Wednesday, May 18, 2011 - Top of Page 4201


 

115B.20, subdivision 2, clauses (1), (2), (3), (6), and (7).  At the beginning of each fiscal year, the two commissioners shall jointly submit an annual spending plan to the commissioner of management and budget that maximizes the utilization of resources and appropriately allocates the money between the two departments.  This appropriation is available until June 30, 2013.

 

$3,616,000 the first year and $3,616,000 the second year are from the petroleum tank fund to be transferred to the remediation fund for purposes of the leaking underground storage tank program to protect the land.

 

$252,000 the first year and $252,000 the second year are from the remediation fund for transfer to the commissioner of health for private water supply monitoring and health assessment costs in areas contaminated by unpermitted mixed municipal solid waste disposal facilities and drinking water advisories and public information activities for areas contaminated by hazardous releases.

 

$128,000 the first year is from the environmental fund for transfer to the Department of Health to complete the environmental health tracking and biomonitoring analysis related to perfluorochemicals and disseminate the results.

 

Subd. 5.  Environmental Assistance and Cross-Media

 

25,185,000

 

24,785,000

 

Appropriations by Fund

 

 

2012

2013

 

 

 

Environmental

25,185,000

24,785,000

 

$14,250,000 the first year and $14,250,000 the second year are from the environmental fund for SCORE block grants to counties.

 

$119,000 the first year and $119,000 the second year are from the environmental fund for environmental assistance grants or loans under Minnesota Statutes, section 115A.0716.  Any unencumbered grant and loan balances in the first year do not cancel but are available for grants and loans in the second year.

 

$89,000 the first year and $89,000 the second year are from the environmental fund for duties related to harmful chemicals in products under Minnesota Statutes, section 116.9401 to 116.9407.  Of this amount, $57,000 each year is transferred to the commissioner of health.

 

$315,000 the first year and $315,000 the second year are from the environmental fund for the electronics waste program under Minnesota Statutes, sections 115A.1310 to 115A.1330.


Journal of the House - 59th Day - Wednesday, May 18, 2011 - Top of Page 4202


 

 

$400,000 the first year is from the environmental fund for the costs of implementing general operating permits for feedlots over 1,000 animal units.  This is a onetime appropriation.

 

All money deposited in the environmental fund for the metropolitan solid waste landfill fee in accordance with Minnesota Statutes, section 473.843, and not otherwise appropriated, is appropriated for the purposes of Minnesota Statutes, section 473.844.

 

Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 16A.28, the appropriations encumbered on or before June 30, 2013, as contracts or grants for surface water and groundwater assessments; environmental assistance awarded under Minnesota Statutes, section 115A.0716; technical and research assistance under Minnesota Statutes, section 115A.152; technical assistance under Minnesota Statutes, section 115A.52; and pollution prevention assistance under Minnesota Statutes, section 115D.04, are available until June 30, 2015.

 

Subd. 6.  Remediation Fund

 

 

 

 

 

The commissioner shall transfer $42,000,000 from the environmental fund to the remediation fund for the purposes of the remediation fund under Minnesota Statutes, section 116.155, subdivision 2.

 

Sec. 4.  NATURAL RESOURCES

 

 

 

 

 

Subdivision 1.  Total Appropriation

 

$219,931,000

 

$219,613,000

 

Appropriations by Fund

 

 

2012

2013

 

 

 

General

46,834,000

46,829,000

Natural Resources

83,555,000

83,939,000

Game and Fish

89,242,000

88,545,000

Remediation

100,000

100,000

Permanent School

200,000

200,000

 

The amounts that may be spent for each purpose are specified in the following subdivisions.

 

Subd. 2.  Land and Mineral Resources Management

 

7,522,000

 

7,522,000

 

Appropriations by Fund

 

 

2012

2013

 

 

 

General

2,461,000

2,461,000

Natural Resources

3,459,000

3,459,000

Game and Fish

1,402,000

1,402,000

Permanent School

200,000

200,000


Journal of the House - 59th Day - Wednesday, May 18, 2011 - Top of Page 4203


 

$2,696,000 the first year and $2,696,000 the second year are from the minerals management account in the natural resources fund for use as provided in Minnesota Statutes, section 93.2236, paragraph (c), for mineral resource management, projects to enhance future mineral income, and projects to promote new mineral resource opportunities.

 

$68,000 the first year and $68,000 the second year are for minerals cooperative environmental research, of which $34,000 the first year and $40,000 the second year are available only as matched by $1 of nonstate money for each $1 of state money.  The match may be cash or in-kind.

 

$251,000 the first year and $251,000 the second year are for iron ore cooperative research.  Of this amount, $200,000 each year is from the minerals management account in the natural resources fund.  $175,000 the first year and $175,000 the second year are available only as matched by $1 of nonstate money for each $1 of state money.  The match may be cash or in-kind.  Any unencumbered balance from the first year does not cancel and is available in the second year.

 

$630,000 the first year and $630,000 the second year are from the dedicated receipts account in the natural resources fund to cover the costs associated with issuing licenses for land and water crossings and road easements.

 

$200,000 the first year and $200,000 the second year are from the state forest suspense account in the permanent school fund to accelerate land exchanges, land sales, and commercial leasing of school trust lands and to identify, evaluate, and lease construction aggregate located on school trust lands.  This appropriation is to be used for securing maximum long-term economic return from the school trust lands consistent with fiduciary responsibilities and sound natural resources conservation and management principles.

 

The appropriations in Laws 2007, chapter 57, article 1, section 4, subdivision 2, as amended by Laws 2009, chapter 37, article 1, section 60, for support of the land records management system are available until June 30, 2013.

 

Subd. 3.  Ecological and Water Resources

 

21,550,000

 

21,550,000

 

Appropriations by Fund

 

 

2012

2013

 

 

 

General

6,571,000

6,571,000

Natural Resources

10,280,000

10,280,000

Game and Fish

4,699,000

4,699,000


Journal of the House - 59th Day - Wednesday, May 18, 2011 - Top of Page 4204


 

$2,742,000 the first year and $2,742,000 the second year are from the invasive species account in the natural resources fund and $1,674,000 the first year and $1,674,000 the second year are from the general fund for management, public awareness, assessment and monitoring research, law enforcement, and water access inspection to prevent the spread of invasive species; management of invasive plants in public waters; and management of terrestrial invasive species on state-administered lands.

 

$5,000,000 the first year, and $5,000,000 the second year are from the water management account in the natural resources fund for only the purposes specified in Minnesota Statutes, section 103G.27, subdivision 2.

 

$264,000 the first year and $264,000 the second year are for grants for up to 50 percent of the cost of implementation of the Red River mediation agreement.  The commissioner shall submit a report to the chairs of the legislative committees having primary jurisdiction over environment and natural resources policy and finance on the accomplishments achieved with the grants by January 15, 2014.

 

$1,636,000 the first year and $1,636,000 the second year are from the heritage enhancement account in the game and fish fund for only the purposes specified in Minnesota Statutes, section 297A.94, paragraph (e), clause (1).

 

$1,223,000 the first year and $1,223,000 the second year are from the nongame wildlife management account in the natural resources fund for the purpose of nongame wildlife management.  Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 290.431, $100,000 the first year and $100,000 the second year may be used for nongame wildlife information, education, and promotion. 

 

$1,000,000 the first year and $1,000,000 the second year from the heritage enhancement account in the game and fish fund is for law enforcement and water access inspection to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species.  This is a onetime appropriation.

 

Subd. 4.  Forest Management

 

31,887,000

 

31,887,000

 

Appropriations by Fund

 

 

2012

2013

 

 

 

General

17,880,000

17,880,000

Natural Resources

13,093,000

13,093,000

Game and Fish

914,000

914,000

 

$7,145,000 the first year and $7,145,000 the second year are for prevention, presuppression, and suppression costs of emergency firefighting and other costs incurred under Minnesota Statutes,


Journal of the House - 59th Day - Wednesday, May 18, 2011 - Top of Page 4205


 

section 88.12.  The amount necessary to pay for presuppression and suppression costs during the biennium is appropriated from the general fund.

 

By January 15 of each year, the commissioner of natural resources shall submit a report to the chairs and ranking minority members of the house and senate committees and divisions having jurisdiction over environment and natural resources finance, identifying all firefighting costs incurred and reimbursements received in the prior fiscal year.  These appropriations may not be transferred.  Any reimbursement of firefighting expenditures made to the commissioner from any source other than federal mobilizations shall be deposited into the general fund.

 

$13,093,000 the first year and $13,093,000 the second year are from the forest management investment account in the natural resources fund for only the purposes specified in Minnesota Statutes, section 89.039, subdivision 2.

 

$580,000 the first year and $580,000 the second year are for the Forest Resources Council for implementation of the Sustainable Forest Resources Act.

 

$250,000 in the first year and $250,000 in the second year are for the FORIST system.

 

$650,000 the first year and $650,000 the second year are from the heritage enhancement account in the game and fish fund to maintain and expand the ecological classification system program.  This is a onetime appropriation.

 

After the commissioner approves a sustainable resources management plan, any division of the Department of Natural Resources seeking interaction with the Division of Forestry on projects to implement the plan must reimburse the Division of Forestry for time spent responding to questions, concerns, or challenges to the projects.

 

Subd. 5.  Parks and Trails Management

 

64,295,000

 

63,965,000

 

Appropriations by Fund

 

 

2012

2013

 

 

 

General

16,626,000

16,621,000

Natural Resources

45,475,000

45,150,000

Game and Fish

2,194,000

2,194,000

 

$1,075,000 the first year and $1,075,000 the second year are from the water recreation account in the natural resources fund for enhancing public water access facilities.


Journal of the House - 59th Day - Wednesday, May 18, 2011 - Top of Page 4206


 

The appropriation in Laws 2003, chapter 128, article 1, section 5, subdivision 6, from the water recreation account in the natural resources fund for a cooperative project with the United States Army Corps of Engineers to develop the Mississippi Whitewater Park is available until June 30, 2013.  The project must be designed to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species.

 

$5,731,000 the first year and $5,731,000 the second year are from the natural resources fund for state trail, park, and recreation area operations.  This appropriation is from the revenue deposited in the natural resources fund under Minnesota Statutes, section 297A.94, paragraph (e), clause (2).

 

$8,424,000 the first year and $8,424,000 the second year are from the snowmobile trails and enforcement account in the natural resources fund for the snowmobile grants-in-aid program.  Any unencumbered balance does not cancel at the end of the first year and is available for the second year.

 

$1,360,000 the first year and $1,360,000 the second year are from the natural resources fund for the off-highway vehicle grants-in-aid program.  Of this amount, $1,110,000 each year is from the all-terrain vehicle account; $150,000 each year is from the off-highway motorcycle account; and $100,000 each year is from the off-road vehicle account.  Any unencumbered balance does not cancel at the end of the first year and is available for the second year.

 

$805,000 the first year and $805,000 the second year are from the natural resources fund for trail grants to local units of government on land to be maintained for at least 20 years for the purposes of the grants.  This appropriation is from the revenue deposited in the natural resources fund under Minnesota Statutes, section 297A.94, paragraph (e), clause (4).

 

$200,000 the first year from the off-highway vehicle damage account in the natural resources fund is for all-terrain vehicle grants-in-aid.

 

$100,000 the first year is from the all-terrain vehicle account in the natural resources fund for a pass-through grant to Lake County for completion of the Lake County Regional All-Terrain Vehicle Trail.  This is a onetime appropriation and is available until spent.

 

$400,000 each year is from the all-terrain vehicle account in the natural resources fund.  Of this amount, $100,000 the first year and $100,000 the second year are for the all-terrain vehicle grant-in-aid trails program.  $200,000 the first year and $200,000 the second year are for the creation and development of all-terrain vehicle trails.  $100,000 each year is to provide downloadable trail maps on the Internet and is a onetime appropriation.  By January 1, 2013, the commissioner shall submit a report to the chairs and ranking


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minority members of the legislative committees and divisions with jurisdiction over natural resources policy and finance.  The report must indicate where and how many miles of new all-terrain vehicle trails were created and designated with appropriations under this paragraph.

 

The commissioner shall not close any state park or state recreation area between July 1, 2011, and June 30, 2013, that is funded with money appropriated in this article.

 

Subd. 6.  Fish and Wildlife Management

 

60,761,000

 

60,161,000

 

Appropriations by Fund

 

 

2012

2013

 

 

 

General

199,000

199,000

Natural Resources

1,899,000

1,899,000

Game and Fish

58,663,000

58,063,000

 

$100,000 the first year and $100,000 the second year are from the nongame wildlife account in the natural resources fund for gray wolf research.

 

$120,000 the first year and $120,000 the second year are from the game and fish fund for gray wolf management.

 

$8,167,000 the first year and $8,167,000 the second year are from the heritage enhancement account in the game and fish fund only for activities specified in Minnesota Statutes, section 297A.94, paragraph (e), clause (1).  Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 297A.94, five percent of this appropriation may be used for expanding hunter and angler recruitment and retention.

 

Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 84.943, $13,000 the first year and $13,000 the second year from the critical habitat private sector matching account may be used to publicize the critical habitat license plate match program.

 

$199,000 the first year and $199,000 the second year are for preserving, restoring, and enhancing grassland and wetland complexes on public or private lands.

 

$600,000 the first year is from the game and fish fund for land acquisition.

 

Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 16A.28, the appropriations encumbered under contract on or before June 30, 2013, for aquatic restoration grants and wildlife habitat grants are available until June 30, 2014.


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Subd. 7.  Enforcement

 

31,613,000

 

32,225,000

 

Appropriations by Fund

 

 

2012

2013

 

 

 

General

2,216,000

2,216,000

Natural Resources

8,868,000

9,577,000

Game and Fish

20,429,000

20,332,000

Remediation

100,000

100,000

 

$1,204,000 the first year and $1,307,000 the second year are from the heritage enhancement account in the game and fish fund for only the purposes specified in Minnesota Statutes, section 297A.94, paragraph (e), clause (1).

 

$240,000 the first year and $143,000 the second year are from the heritage enhancement account in the game and fish fund for a conservation officer academy.

 

$315,000 the first year and $315,000 the second year are from the snowmobile trails and enforcement account in the natural resources fund for grants to local law enforcement agencies for snowmobile enforcement activities.  Any unencumbered balance does not cancel at the end of the first year and is available for the second year.

 

$250,000 the first year and $250,000 the second year are from the all-terrain vehicle account for grants to qualifying organizations to assist in safety and environmental education and monitoring trails on public lands under Minnesota Statutes, section 84.9011.  Grants issued under this paragraph:  (1) must be issued through a formal agreement with the organization; and (2) must not be used as a substitute for traditional spending by the organization.  By December 15 each year, an organization receiving a grant under this paragraph shall report to the commissioner with details on expenditures and outcomes from the grant.  By January 15, 2013, the commissioner shall report on the expenditures and outcomes of the grants to the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees and divisions having jurisdiction over natural resources policy and finance.  Of this appropriation, $25,000 each year is for administration of these grants.  Any unencumbered balance does not cancel at the end of the first year and is available for the second year.

 

$510,000 the first year and $510,000 the second year are from the natural resources fund for grants to county law enforcement agencies for off-highway vehicle enforcement and public education activities based on off-highway vehicle use in the county.  Of this amount, $498,000 each year is from the all-terrain vehicle account; $11,000 each year is from the off-highway motorcycle account; and $1,000 each year is from the off-road


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vehicle account.  The county enforcement agencies may use money received under this appropriation to make grants to other local enforcement agencies within the county that have a high concentration of off-highway vehicle use.  Of this appropriation, $25,000 each year is for administration of these grants.  Any unencumbered balance does not cancel at the end of the first year and is available for the second year.

 

$1,082,000 the first year and $1,082,000 the second year are from the water recreation account in the natural resources fund for grants to counties for boat and water safety.  Any unencumbered balance does not cancel at the end of the first year and is available for the second year.

 

Subd. 8.  Operations Support

 

2,303,000

 

2,303,000

 

Appropriations by Fund

 

 

2012

2013

 

 

 

General

881,000

881,000

Natural Resources

481,000

481,000

Game and Fish

941,000

941,000

 

$320,000 the first year and $320,000 the second year are from the natural resources fund for grants to be divided equally between the city of St. Paul for the Como Park Zoo and Conservatory and the city of Duluth for the Duluth Zoo.  This appropriation is from the revenue deposited to the fund under Minnesota Statutes, section 297A.94, paragraph (e), clause (5).

 

Sec. 5.  BOARD OF WATER AND SOIL RESOURCES

$10,304,000

 

$10,304,000

 

$2,996,000 the first year and $2,996,000 the second year are for natural resources block grants to local governments.  The board may reduce the amount of the natural resources block grant to a county by an amount equal to any reduction in the county's general services allocation to a soil and water conservation district from the county's previous year allocation when the board determines that the reduction was disproportionate.  Grants must be matched with a combination of local cash or in-kind contributions.  The base grant portion related to water planning must be matched by an amount as specified by Minnesota Statutes, section 103B.3369.

 

$2,750,000 the first year and $2,750,000 the second year are for grants requested by soil and water conservation districts for general purposes, nonpoint engineering, and implementation of the reinvest in Minnesota reserve program.  Upon approval of the board, expenditures may be made from these appropriations for supplies and services benefiting soil and water conservation districts.  Any district requesting a grant under this paragraph shall


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maintain a Web page that publishes, at a minimum, its annual plan, annual report, annual audit, annual budget, including membership dues, and meeting notices and minutes.

 

$937,000 the first year and $937,000 the second year are for grants to soil and water conservation districts for cost-sharing contracts for erosion control, water quality management, feedlot water quality projects.

 

$386,000 the first year and $386,000 the second year are for implementation and enforcement of the Wetland Conservation Act.

 

$166,000 the first year and $166,000 the second year are to provide assistance to local drainage management officials and for the costs of the Drainage Work Group.

 

$42,000 the first year and $42,000 the second year are for a grant to the Red River Basin Commission for water quality and floodplain management, including administration of programs.  If the appropriation in either year is insufficient, the appropriation in the other year is available for it.

 

$60,000 the first year and $60,000 the second year are for grants to Area II Minnesota River Basin Projects for floodplain management.

 

$42,000 each year is to the Minnesota River Board for operating expenses to measure and report the results of projects in the 12 major watersheds within the Minnesota River basin.

 

Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 103C.501, the board may shift cost-share funds in this section and may adjust the technical and administrative assistance portion of the grant funds to leverage federal or other nonstate funds or to address high-priority needs identified in local water management plans.

 

The appropriations for grants in this section are available until expended.  If an appropriation for grants in either year is insufficient, the appropriation in the other year is available for it.

 

Sec. 6.  METROPOLITAN COUNCIL

 

$8,540,000

 

$8,540,000

 

Appropriations by Fund

 

 

2012

2013

 

 

 

General

2,870,000

2,870,000

Natural Resources

5,670,000

5,670,000


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$2,870,000 the first year and $2,870,000 the second year are for metropolitan area regional parks operation and maintenance according to Minnesota Statutes, section 473.351.

 

$5,670,000 the first year and $5,670,000 the second year are from the natural resources fund for metropolitan area regional parks and trails maintenance and operations.  This appropriation is from the revenue deposited in the natural resources fund under Minnesota Statutes, section 297A.94, paragraph (e), clause (3).

 

Sec. 7.  CONSERVATION CORPS MINNESOTA

 

$746,000

 

$646,000

 

Appropriations by Fund

 

 

2012

2013

 

 

 

General

256,000

156,000

Natural Resources

490,000

490,000

 

Conservation Corps Minnesota may receive money appropriated from the natural resources fund under this section only as provided in an agreement with the commissioner of natural resources.  The general fund appropriation is onetime.

 

Sec. 8.  ZOOLOGICAL BOARD

 

$5,591,000

 

$5,591,000

 

Appropriations by Fund

 

 

2012

2013

 

 

 

General

5,431,000

5,431,000

Natural Resources

160,000

160,000

 

$160,000 the first year and $160,000 the second year are from the natural resources fund from the revenue deposited under Minnesota Statutes, section 297A.94, paragraph (e), clause (5).

 

ARTICLE 2

ENERGY, COMMERCE, AND CONSUMER PROTECTION FINANCE

 

Section 1.  SUMMARY OF APPROPRIATIONS. 

 

The amounts shown in this section summarize direct appropriations, by fund, made in this article.

 

 

 

2012

 

2013

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

General

 

$26,646,000

 

$26,654,000

 

$53,300,000

Petroleum Tank Cleanup

 

1,052,000

 

1,052,000

 

2,104,000

Workers' Compensation

 

751,000

 

751,000

 

1,502,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

$28,449,000

 

$28,457,000

 

$56,906,000


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Sec. 2.  ENERGY FINANCE APPROPRIATIONS. 

 

The sums shown in the columns marked "Appropriations" are appropriated to the agencies and for the purposes specified in this article.  The appropriations are from the general fund, or another named fund, and are available for the fiscal years indicated for each purpose.  The figures "2012" and "2013" used in this article mean that the appropriations listed under them are available for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2012, or June 30, 2013, respectively.  "The first year" is fiscal year 2012.  "The second year" is fiscal year 2013.  "The biennium" is fiscal years 2012 and 2013.  Appropriations for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2011, are effective the day following final enactment.

 

 

 

 

APPROPRIATIONS

 

 

 

Available for the Year

 

 

 

Ending June 30

 

 

 

2012

2013

 

Sec. 3.  DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

 

 

 

 

 

Subdivision 1.  Total Appropriation

 

$22,267,000

 

$22,275,000

 

Appropriations by Fund

 

 

2012

2013

 

 

 

General

20,464,000

20,472,000

Petroleum Cleanup

1,052,000

1,052,000

Workers' Compensation

751,000

751,000

 

The amounts that may be spent for each purpose are specified in the following subdivisions.

 

Subd. 2.  Financial Institutions

 

7,124,000

 

7,128,000

 

$138,000 the first year and $142,000 the second year are for the regulation of mortgage originators and servicers under Minnesota Statutes, chapters 58 and 58A.

 

$350,000 each year is for additional financial examination services.  The commissioner may issue contracts for these services.

 

Subd. 3.  Petroleum Tank Release Cleanup Board

 

1,052,000

 

1,052,000

 

This appropriation is from the petroleum tank release cleanup fund.

 

Subd. 4.  Administrative Services

 

3,176,000

 

3,176,000

 

The commissioner may redirect up to $1,071,000 in fiscal year 2012 and $1,071,000 in fiscal year 2013 of the general fund reduction in this subdivision to other subdivisions of this section.  The commissioner shall report by February 1, 2012, to the chairs of the legislative committees having primary jurisdiction over the Department of Commerce's operating budget regarding any redirection authorized in this subdivision.


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$375,000 each year is for additional compliance efforts with unclaimed property.  The commissioner may issue contracts for these services.  This additional amount shall be added to the base budget for fiscal years 2014 and 2015 only.  The enhanced unclaimed property compliance program shall sunset June 30, 2015.

 

Subd. 5.  Telecommunications

 

1,010,000

 

1,010,000

 

Subd. 6.  Market Assurance

 

6,915,000

 

6,919,000

 

Appropriations by Fund

 

 

2012

2013

 

 

 

General

6,164,000

6,168,000

Workers' Compensation

751,000

751,000

 

Subd. 7.  Office of Energy Security

 

2,990,000

 

2,990,000

 

Sec. 4.  TELECOMMUNICATIONS ACCESS MINNESOTA

$700,000

 

$700,000

 

(a) The appropriations in this section are from the telecommunications access Minnesota fund.

 

(b) $300,000 the first year and $300,000 the second year are for transfer to the commissioner of human services to supplement the ongoing operational expenses of the Commission of Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard-of-Hearing Minnesotans.  This appropriation is from the telecommunication access Minnesota fund, and is added to the commission's base.

 

(c) In addition to the appropriation authorized in Minnesota Statutes, section 237.52, $400,000 the first year and $400,000 the second year are onetime appropriations for the following purposes: 

 

(1) $230,000 each year is to the Office of Enterprise Technology for coordinating technology accessibility and usability;

 

(2) $20,000 each year is to the Commission of Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard-of-Hearing Minnesotans to provide information on their Web site in American Sign Language and to provide technical assistance to state agencies; and

 

(3) $150,000 each year is to the Legislative Coordinating Commission to provide captioning of live streaming of legislative activity on the commission's Web site and for a consolidated access fund for other state agencies.

 

Sec. 5.  PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION

 

$6,182,000

 

$6,182,000


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Sec. 6.  TRANSFERS

 

 

 

 

 

(a) By June 30, 2013, the commissioner of management and budget shall transfer $6,950,000 from the special revenue fund to the general fund.  The transfers must be from the following appropriation reductions and accounts with the special revenue fund: 

 

(1) $1,100,000 is from the telecommunications access Minnesota fund established in Minnesota Statutes, section 237.52;

 

(2) $650,000 is from the Department of Commerce license technology surcharge account established in Minnesota Statutes, section 45.24;

 

(3) $1,300,000 is from the energy and conservation account established in Minnesota Statutes, section 216B.241;

 

(4) $950,000 is from the insurance fraud prevention account established in Minnesota Statutes, section 45.0135;

 

(5) $1,500,000 is from the automobile theft prevention account established in Minnesota Statutes, section 168A.40;

 

(6) $450,000 is from the real estate education, research and recovery fund established in Minnesota Statutes, section 82.86.  Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 82.86, subdivision 4, the commissioner shall not, in addition to the fee set forth in Minnesota Statutes, section 82.86, subdivision 3, assess an additional fee to restore a balance in the fund; and

 

(7) the commissioner of management and budget shall transfer $500,000 the first year and $500,000 the second year to the general fund from the telephone assistance program established in Minnesota Statutes, section 237.69.

 

Sec. 7.  TRANSFER; ASSIGNED RISK PLAN

 

 

 

 

 

(a) By June 30, 2012, the commissioner of management and budget shall transfer $14,000,000 in assets of the workers' compensation assigned risk plan created under Minnesota Statutes, section 79.252, to the general fund.

 

(b) By June 30, 2013, the commissioner of management and budget shall transfer $10,500,000 in assets of the workers' compensation assigned risk plan created under Minnesota Statutes, section 79.252, to the general fund.

 

Sec. 8.  TRANSFERS IN

 

 

 

 

 

(a) The remaining balance in the second year of the appropriation in Laws 2007, chapter 57, article 2, section 3, subdivision 6, for biogas recovery facilities, estimated to be $420,000, is canceled to the general fund.


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(b) The remaining balance of the appropriation in Laws 2007, chapter 57, article 2, section 3, subdivision 6, clause (7), as amended by Laws 2008, chapter 340, section 5, for the Greenhouse Gas Advisory Group, estimated to be $7,000, is canceled to the general fund.

 

(c) In the first year, the remaining balance of the appropriation in Laws 2007, chapter 57, article 2, section 3, subdivision 6, clause (5), for the hydrogen roadmap project, estimated to be $280,000, is canceled to the general fund.

 

(d) The remaining balance of the appropriation in Laws 2008, chapter 363, article 6, section 3, subdivision 4, for renewable grants, estimated to be $368,000, is canceled to the general fund.

 

(e) The remaining balance of the appropriation in Laws 2008, chapter 363, article 6, section 3, subdivision 4, for the green economy projects, estimated to be $59,000, is canceled to the general fund.

 

(f) The remaining balance of the appropriation in Laws 2007, chapter 57, article 2, section 3, subdivision 6, clause (4), for automotive technology projects, estimated to be $22,000, is canceled to the general fund.

 

(g) The remaining balance of the appropriation in Laws 2009, chapter 37, article 2, section 13, paragraph (b), clauses (1) and (2), for renewable energy and energy efficiency projects, estimated to be $600,000, is canceled to the general fund.

 

Sec. 9.  COMMUNITY ENERGY ACTIVITIES; ASSESSMENT AND GRANT.

 

The commissioner of commerce shall grant $500,000 in the fiscal year ending June 30, 2012, from assessments made under Minnesota Statutes, section 216B.241, subdivision 1e, for the purpose of community energy technical assistance and outreach on renewable energy and energy efficiency as described in Minnesota Statutes, section 216C.385.

 

ARTICLE 3

ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCE TRUST FUND APPROPRIATIONS

 

Section 1.  MINNESOTA RESOURCES APPROPRIATIONS. 

 

The sums shown in the columns marked "Appropriations" are appropriated to the agencies and for the purposes specified in this article.  The appropriations are from the environment and natural resources trust fund, or another named fund, and are available for the fiscal years indicated for each purpose.  The figures "2012" and "2013" used in this article mean that the appropriations listed under them are available for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2012, or June 30, 2013, respectively.  "The first year" is fiscal year 2012.  "The second year" is fiscal year 2013.  "The biennium" is fiscal years 2012 and 2013.  The appropriations in this article are onetime.


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APPROPRIATIONS

 

 

 

Available for the Year

 

 

 

Ending June 30

 

 

 

2012

2013

 

Sec. 2.  MINNESOTA RESOURCES

 

 

 

 

 

Subdivision 1.  Total Appropriation

 

$26,078,000

 

$25,078,000

 

Appropriations by Fund

 

 

2012

2013

 

 

 

Environment and natural resources trust fund

 

25,328,000

 

25,078,000

State land and water conservation account (LAWCON)

 

 

750,000

 

 

-0-

 

Appropriations are available for two years beginning July 1, 2011, unless otherwise stated in the appropriation.  Any unencumbered balance remaining in the first year does not cancel and is available for the second year.

 

Subd. 2.  Definitions

 

 

 

 

 

(a) "Trust fund" means the Minnesota environment and natural resources trust fund referred to in Minnesota Statutes, section 116P.02, subdivision 6.

 

(b) "State land and water conservation account (LAWCON)" means the state land and water conservation account in the natural resources fund referred to in Minnesota Statutes, section 116P.14.

 

Subd. 3.  Natural Resource Data and Information

 

3,887,000

 

5,388,000

 

(a) Minnesota County Biological Survey

 

$1,125,000 the first year and $1,125,000 the second year are from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources for continuation of the Minnesota county biological survey to provide a foundation for conserving biological diversity by systematically collecting, interpreting, and delivering data on plant and animal distribution and ecology, native plant communities, and functional landscapes.

 

(b) County Geologic Atlases for Sustainable Water Management

 

$900,000 the first year and $900,000 the second year are from the trust fund to accelerate the production of county geologic atlases to provide information essential to sustainable management of ground


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water resources by defining aquifer boundaries and the connection of aquifers to the land surface and surface water resources.  Of this appropriation, $600,000 each year is to the Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota for the Geologic Survey and $300,000 each year is to the commissioner of natural resources.  This appropriation is available until June 30, 2015, by which time the project must be completed and final products delivered.

 

(c) Completion of Statewide Digital Soil Survey

 

$250,000 the first year and $250,000 the second year are from the trust fund to the Board of Water and Soil Resources to accelerate the completion of county soil survey mapping and Web-based data delivery.  The soil surveys must be done on a cost-share basis with local and federal funds.

 

(d) Updating National Wetlands Inventory for Minnesota - Phase III

 

$1,500,000 the second year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources to continue the update of wetland inventory maps for Minnesota.  This appropriation is available until June 30, 2015, by which time the project must be completed and final products delivered.

 

(e) Golden Eagle Survey

 

$30,000 the first year and $30,000 the second year are from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with the National Eagle Center to increase the understanding of golden eagles in Minnesota through surveys and education.  This appropriation is available until June 30, 2014, by which time the project must be completed and final products delivered.

 

(f) Determining Causes of Mortality in Moose Populations

 

$300,000 the first year and $300,000 the second year are from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources to determine specific causes of moose mortality and population decline in Minnesota and to develop specific management actions to prevent further population decline.  This appropriation is available until June 30, 2014, by which time the project must be completed and final products delivered.

 

(g) Prairie Management for Wildlife and Bioenergy - Phase II

 

$300,000 the first year and $300,000 the second year are from the trust fund to the Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota to research and evaluate methods of managing diverse working prairies for wildlife and renewable bioenergy production.  This appropriation is available until June 30, 2014, by which time the project must be completed and final products delivered.


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(h) Evaluation of Biomass Harvesting Impacts on Minnesota's Forests

 

$175,000 the first year and $175,000 the second year are from the trust fund to the Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota to assess the impacts biomass harvests for energy have on soil nutrients, native forest vegetation, invasive species spread, and long-term tree productivity within Minnesota's forests.  This appropriation is available until June 30, 2014, by which time the project must be completed and final products delivered.

 

(i) Change and Resilience in Boreal Forests in Northern Minnesota

 

$75,000 the first year and $75,000 the second year are from the trust fund to the Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota to assess the potential response of northern Minnesota's boreal forests to observed and predicted changes in climate conditions and develop related management guidelines and adaptation strategies.  This appropriation is available until June 30, 2014, by which time the project must be completed and final products delivered.

 

(j) Information System for Wildlife and Aquatic Management Areas

 

$250,000 the first year and $250,000 the second year are from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources to develop an information system to facilitate improved management of wildlife and fish habitat and facilities.  This appropriation is available until June 30, 2014, by which time the project must be completed and final products delivered.

 

(k) Strengthening Natural Resource Management with LiDAR Training

 

$90,000 the first year and $90,000 the second year are from the trust fund to the Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota to provide workshops and Web-based training and information on the use of LiDAR elevation data in planning for and managing natural resources.

 

(l) Measuring Conservation Practice Outcomes

 

$170,000 the first year and $170,000 the second year are from the trust fund to the Board of Water and Soil Resources to improve measurement of impacts of conservation practices through refinement of existing and development of new pollution estimators and by providing local government training.


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(m) Conservation-Based Approach for Assessing Public Drainage Benefits

 

$75,000 the first year and $75,000 the second year are from the trust fund to the Board of Water and Soil Resources to develop an alternative framework to assess drainage benefits on public systems to enhance water conservation.  This appropriation is available until June 30, 2014, by which time the project must be completed and final products delivered.

 

(n) Mississippi River Central Minnesota Conservation Planning

 

$87,000 the first year and $88,000 the second year are from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Stearns County Soil and Water Conservation District to develop and adopt river protection strategies in cooperation with local jurisdictions in the communities of the 26 miles of the Mississippi River between Benton and Stearns Counties.  This appropriation must be matched by $175,000 of nonstate cash or qualifying in-kind funds.

 

(o) Saint Croix Basin Conservation Planning and Protection

 

$60,000 the first year and $60,000 the second year are from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with the St. Croix River Association to develop an interagency plan to identify and prioritize critical areas for project implementation to improve watershed health.  This appropriation must be matched by $120,000 of nonstate cash or qualifying in-kind funds.  Up to $10,000 may be retained by the Department of Natural Resources at the request of the St. Croix River Association to provide technical and mapping assistance.  This appropriation is available until June 30, 2014, by which time the project must be completed and final products delivered.

 

Subd. 4.  Land, Habitat, and Recreation

 

14,252,000

 

13,505,000

 

Summary by Fund

 

Environment and natural resources trust fund

 

13,502,000

 

13,505,000

State land and water conservation account (LAWCON)

 

 

750,000

 

 

-0-

 

(a) State Park and Recreation Area Operations

 

$1,500,000 the first year and $1,500,000 the second year are from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources for state park and recreation area operations. 


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(b) State Parks and Trails Land Acquisition

 

$1,500,000 the first year and $1,500,000 the second year are from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources to acquire state trails and critical parcels within the statutory boundaries of state parks.  State park land acquired with this appropriation must be sufficiently improved to meet at least minimum management standards, as determined by the commissioner of natural resources.  A list of proposed acquisitions must be provided as part of the required work program.  This appropriation is available until June 30, 2014, by which time the project must be completed and final products delivered.

 

(c) Metropolitan Regional Park System Acquisition

 

$1,125,000 the first year and $1,125,000 the second year are from the trust fund to the Metropolitan Council for grants for the acquisition of lands within the approved park unit boundaries of the metropolitan regional park system.  This appropriation may not be used for the purchase of residential structures.  A list of proposed fee title and easement acquisitions must be provided as part of the required work program.  This appropriation must be matched by at least 40 percent of nonstate money and must be committed by December 31, 2011, or the appropriation cancels.  This appropriation is available until June 30, 2014, at which time the project must be completed and final products delivered, unless an earlier date is specified in the work program.

 

(d) Regional Park, Trail, and Connection Acquisition and Development Grants

 

$1,000,000 the first year and $1,000,000 the second year are from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources to provide matching grants to local units of government for acquisition and development of regional parks, regional trails, and trail connections.  The local match required for a grant to acquire a regional park or regional outdoor recreation area is two dollars of nonstate money for each three dollars of state money.  This appropriation is available until June 30, 2014, by which time the project must be completed and final products delivered.

 

(e) Scientific and Natural Area Acquisition and Restoration

 

$820,000 the first year and $820,000 the second year are from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources to acquire lands with high-quality native plant communities and rare features to be established as scientific and natural areas as provided in Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 5, restore parts of scientific and natural areas, and provide technical assistance and outreach.  A list of proposed acquisitions must be provided as part of the required work program.  Land acquired with this appropriation


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must be sufficiently improved to meet at least minimum management standards, as determined by the commissioner of natural resources.  This appropriation is available until June 30, 2014, by which time the project must be completed and final products delivered.

 

(f) LaSalle Lake State Recreation Area Acquisition

 

$1,000,000 the first year and $1,000,000 the second year are from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with The Trust for Public Land to acquire approximately 190 acres to be designated as a state recreation area as provided in Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 3, on LaSalle Lake adjacent to the upper Mississippi River.  If this acquisition is not completed by July 15, 2012, then the appropriation is available to the Department of Natural Resources for other state park and recreation area acquisitions on the priority list.  Up to $10,000 may be retained by the Department of Natural Resources at the request of The Trust for Public Land for transaction costs, associated professional services, and restoration needs.

 

(g) Minnesota River Valley Green Corridor Scientific and Natural Area Acquisition

 

$1,000,000 the first year and $1,000,000 the second year are from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with the Redwood Area Communities Foundation to acquire lands with high-quality native plant communities and rare features to be established as scientific and natural areas as provided in Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 5.  A list of proposed acquisitions must be provided as part of the required work program.  Land acquired with this appropriation must be sufficiently improved to meet at least minimum management standards, as determined by the commissioner of natural resources.  Up to $54,000 may be retained by the Department of Natural Resources at the request of the Redwood Area Communities Foundation for transaction costs, associated professional services, and restoration needs.  This appropriation is available until June 30, 2014, by which time the project must be completed and final products delivered.

 

(h) Native Prairie Stewardship and Native Prairie Bank Acquisition

 

$500,000 the first year and $500,000 the second year are from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources to acquire native prairie bank easements, prepare baseline property assessments, restore and enhance native prairie sites, and provide technical assistance to landowners.  This appropriation is available until June 30, 2014, by which time the project must be completed and final products delivered.


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(i) Metropolitan Conservation Corridors (MeCC) - Phase VI

 

$1,737,000 the first year and $1,738,000 the second year are from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources for the acceleration of agency programs and cooperative agreements.  Of this appropriation, $150,000 the first year and $150,000 the second year are to the commissioner of natural resources for agency programs and $3,175,000 is for the agreements as follows:  $100,000 the first year and $100,000 the second year with Friends of the Mississippi River; $517,000 the first year and $518,000 the second year with Dakota County; $200,000 the first year and $200,000 the second year with Great River Greening; $220,000 the first year and $220,000 the second year with Minnesota Land Trust; $300,000 the first year and $300,000 the second year with Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge Trust, Inc.; and $250,000 the first year and $250,000 the second year with The Trust for Public Land for planning, restoring, and protecting priority natural areas in the metropolitan area, as defined under Minnesota Statutes, section 473.121, subdivision 2, and portions of the surrounding counties, through contracted services, technical assistance, conservation easements, and fee title acquisition.  Land acquired with this appropriation must be sufficiently improved to meet at least minimum management standards, as determined by the commissioner of natural resources.  Expenditures are limited to the identified project corridor areas as defined in the work program.  This appropriation may not be used for the purchase of habitable residential structures, unless expressly approved in the work program.  All conservation easements must be perpetual and have a natural resource management plan.  Any land acquired in fee title by the commissioner of natural resources with money from this appropriation must be designated as an outdoor recreation unit under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.07.  The commissioner may similarly designate any lands acquired in less than fee title.  A list of proposed restorations and fee title and easement acquisitions must be provided as part of the required work program.  An entity that acquires a conservation easement with appropriations from the trust fund must have a long-term stewardship plan for the easement and a fund established for monitoring and enforcing the agreement.  Money appropriated from the trust fund for easement acquisition may be used to establish a monitoring, management, and enforcement fund as approved in the work program.  An annual financial report is required for any monitoring, management, and enforcement fund established, including expenditures from the fund.  This appropriation is available until June 30, 2014, by which time the project must be completed and final products delivered.

 

(j) Habitat Conservation Partnership (HCP) - Phase VII

 

$1,737,000 the first year and $1,738,000 the second year are from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources for the acceleration of agency programs and cooperative agreements.  Of


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this appropriation, $125,000 the first year and $125,000 the second year are to the commissioner of natural resources for agency programs and $3,225,000 is for agreements as follows:  $637,000 the first year and $638,000 the second year with Ducks Unlimited, Inc.; $38,000 the first year and $37,000 the second year with Friends of Detroit Lakes Wetland Management District; $25,000 the first year and $25,000 the second year with Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe; $225,000 the first year and $225,000 the second year with Minnesota Land Trust; $200,000 the first year and $200,000 the second year with Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge Trust, Inc.; $242,000 the first year and $243,000 the second year with Pheasants Forever, Inc.; and $245,000 the first year and $245,000 the second year with The Trust for Public Land to plan, restore, and acquire fragmented landscape corridors that connect areas of quality habitat to sustain fish, wildlife, and plants.  The United States Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service, is an authorized cooperating partner in the appropriation.  Expenditures are limited to the project corridor areas as defined in the work program.  Land acquired with this appropriation must be sufficiently improved to meet at least minimum habitat and facility management standards, as determined by the commissioner of natural resources.  This appropriation may not be used for the purchase of habitable residential structures, unless expressly approved in the work program.  All conservation easements must be perpetual and have a natural resource management plan.  Any land acquired in fee title by the commissioner of natural resources with money from this appropriation must be designated as an outdoor recreation unit under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.07.  The commissioner may similarly designate any lands acquired in less than fee title.  A list of proposed restorations and fee title and easement acquisitions must be provided as part of the required work program.  An entity who acquires a conservation easement with appropriations from the trust fund must have a long-term stewardship plan for the easement and a fund established for monitoring and enforcing the agreement.  Money appropriated from the trust fund for easement acquisition may be used to establish a monitoring, management, and enforcement fund as approved in the work program.  An annual financial report is required for any monitoring, management, and enforcement fund established, including expenditures from the fund.  This appropriation is available until June 30, 2014, by which time the project must be completed and final products delivered.

 

(k) Natural and Scenic Area Acquisition Grants

 

$500,000 the first year and $500,000 the second year are from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources to provide matching grants to local governments for acquisition of natural and scenic areas, as provided in Minnesota Statutes, section 85.019, subdivision 4a.  This appropriation is available until June 30, 2014, by which time the project must be completed and final products delivered.


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(l) Acceleration of Minnesota Conservation Assistance

 

$313,000 the first year and $312,000 the second year are from the trust fund to the Board of Water and Soil Resources to provide grants to soil and water conservation districts to provide technical assistance to secure enrollment and retention of private lands in federal and state programs for conservation.

 

(m) Conservation Easement Stewardship and Enforcement Program - Phase II

 

$250,000 the first year and $250,000 the second year are from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources to accelerate the implementation of the Phase I Conservation Easement Stewardship Plan being developed with an appropriation from Laws 2008, chapter 367, section 2, subdivision 5, paragraph (h).

 

(n) Recovery of At-Risk Native Prairie Species

 

$73,000 the first year and $74,000 the second year are from the trust fund to the Board of Water and Soil Resources for an agreement with the Martin County Soil and Water Conservation District to collect, propagate, and plant declining, at-risk native species on protected habitat and to enhance private market sources for local ecotype native seed.  This appropriation is available until June 30, 2014, by which time the project must be completed and final products delivered.

 

(o) Understanding Threats, Genetic Diversity, and Conservation Options for Wild Rice

 

$97,000 the first year and $98,000 the second year are from the trust fund to the Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota to research the genetic diversity of wild rice population throughout Minnesota for use in related conservation and restoration efforts.  This appropriation is contingent upon demonstration of review and cooperation with the Native American tribal nations in Minnesota.  Equipment purchased with this appropriation must be available for future publicly funded projects at no charge except for typical operating expenses.  This appropriation is available until June 30, 2014, by which time the project must be completed and final products delivered.

 

(p) Southeast Minnesota Stream Restoration

 

$125,000 the first year and $125,000 the second year are from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Trout Unlimited to restore at least four miles of riparian corridor for trout and nongame species in southeast Minnesota and increase local capacities to implement stream restoration through training and technical assistance.  This appropriation is available until June 30, 2014, by which time the project must be completed and final products delivered.


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(q) Restoration Strategies for Ditched Peatland Scientific and Natural Areas

 

$100,000 the first year and $100,000 the second year are from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources to evaluate the hydrology and habitat of the Winter Road Lake peatland watershed protection area to determine the effects of ditch abandonment and examine the potential for restoration of patterned peatlands.  This appropriation is available until June 30, 2014, by which time the project must be completed and final products delivered.

 

(r) Northeast Minnesota White Cedar Plant Community Restoration

 

$125,000 for the first year and $125,000 the second year are from the trust fund to the Board of Water and Soil Resources to assess the decline of northern white cedar plant communities in northeast Minnesota, prioritize cedar sites for restoration, and provide cedar restoration training to local units of government.

 

(s) Land and Water Conservation Account (LAWCON) Federal Reimbursement

 

$750,000 is from the state land and water conservation account (LAWCON) in the natural resources fund to the commissioner of natural resources for priorities established by the commissioner for eligible state projects and administrative and planning activities consistent with Minnesota Statutes, section 116P.14, and the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund Act.  This appropriation is available until June 30, 2014, by which time the project must be completed and final products delivered.

 

Subd. 5.  Water Resources

 

778,000

 

779,000

 

(a) Itasca County Sensitive Lakeshore Identification

 

$80,000 the first year and $80,000 the second year are from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Itasca County Soil and Water Conservation District to identify sensitive lakeshore and restorable shoreline in Itasca County.  Up to $130,000 may be retained by the Department of Natural Resources at the request of Itasca County to provide technical assistance.

 

(b) Trout Stream Springshed Mapping in Southeast Minnesota - Phase III

 

$250,000 the first year and $250,000 the second year are from the trust fund to continue to identify and delineate water supply areas and springsheds for springs serving as cold water sources for trout streams and to assess the impacts from development and water


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appropriations.  Of this appropriation, $140,000 each year is to the Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota and $110,000 each year is to the commissioner of natural resources.

 

(c) Mississippi River Water Quality Assessment

 

$278,000 the first year and $279,000 the second year are from the trust fund to the Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota to assess water quality in the Mississippi River using DNA sequencing approaches and chemical analyses.  The assessments shall be incorporated into a Web-based educational tool for use in classrooms and public exhibits.  This appropriation is available until June 30, 2014, by which time the project must be completed and final products delivered.

 

(d) Zumbro River Watershed Restoration Prioritization

 

$75,000 the first year and $75,000 the second year are from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with the Zumbro Watershed Partnership, Inc. to identify sources of erosion and runoff in the Zumbro River Watershed in order to prioritize restoration and protection projects.

 

(e) Assessment of Minnesota River Antibiotic Concentrations

 

$95,000 the first year and $95,000 the second year are from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Saint Thomas University in cooperation with Gustavus Adolphus College and the University of Minnesota to measure antibiotic concentrations and antibiotic resistance levels at sites on the Minnesota River.

 

Subd. 6.  Aquatic and Terrestrial Invasive Species

 

435,000

 

435,000

 

(a) Improved Detection of Harmful Microbes in Ballast Water

 

$125,000 the first year and $125,000 the second year are from the trust fund to the Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota for the University of Minnesota Duluth to identify and analyze potentially harmful bacteria transported into Lake Superior through ship ballast water discharge.  This appropriation is available until June 30, 2014, by which time the project must be completed and final products delivered.

 

(b) Emerald Ash Borer Biocontrol Research and Implementation

 

$250,000 the first year and $250,000 the second year are from the trust fund to the commissioner of agriculture to assess a biocontrol method for suppressing emerald ash borers by testing bioagent winter survival potential, developing release and monitoring methods, and piloting implementation of emerald ash borer biocontrol.  This appropriation is available until June 30, 2014, by which time the project must be completed and final products delivered.


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(c) Evaluation of Switchgrass as Biofuel Crop

 

$60,000 the first year and $60,000 the second year are from the trust fund to the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities System for Central Lakes College in cooperation with the University of Minnesota to determine the invasion risk of selectively bred native grasses for biofuel production and develop strategies to minimize the invasion potential and impacts on biodiversity.  This appropriation is available until June 30, 2014, by which time the project must be completed and final products delivered.

 

Subd. 7.  Renewable Energy and Air Quality

 

75,000

 

75,000

 

Supporting Community-Driven Sustainable Bioenergy Projects

 

$75,000 the first year and $75,000 the second year are from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Dovetail Partners, Inc., in cooperation with the University of Minnesota to assess feasibility, impacts, and management needs of community-scale forest bioenergy systems through pilot studies in Ely and Cook County and to disseminate findings to inform related efforts in other communities.

 

Subd. 8.  Environmental Education

 

123,000

 

123,000

 

Youth-Led Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation in West Central and Southwest Minnesota

 

$123,000 the first year and $123,000 the second year are from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Prairie Woods Environmental Learning Center to initiate youth-led renewable energy and conservation projects in over thirty communities in west central and southwest Minnesota.

 

Subd. 9.  Emerging Issues

 

5,964,000

 

4,213,000

 

(a) Minnesota Conservation Apprentice Academy

 

$100,000 the first year and $100,000 the second year are from the trust fund to the Board of Water and Soil Resources in cooperation with Conservation Corps Minnesota to train and mentor future conservation professionals by providing apprenticeship service opportunities to soil and water conservation districts.  This appropriation is available until June 30, 2014, by which time the project must be completed and the final products delivered.

 

(b) Wild Rice Standards

 

$1,000,000 the first year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of the Pollution Control Agency for a wild rice standards study.  This appropriation is available until June 30, 2015.


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(c) Chronic Wasting Disease and Animal Health

 

$600,000 the first year and $600,000 the second year are from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources to address chronic wasting disease and accelerate wildlife health programs.

 

(d) Aquatic Invasive Species

 

$2,177,000 the first year and $3,513,000 the second year are from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources to accelerate aquatic invasive species programs, including the development and implementation of best management practices for public water access facilities to implement aquatic invasive species prevention strategies.  $50,000 is for a grant to develop and produce a documentary identifying the challenges presented by aquatic invasive species.  The documentary shall be available to the Department of Natural Resources to distribute to watercraft license purchasers and the general public through online and other media.

 

(e) Coon Rapids Dam

 

$442,000 the first year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources for a grant to Three Rivers Park District for predesign and design of the Coon Rapids Dam for improvements and to function as a barrier to invasive fish.

 

(f) Reinvest in Minnesota Wetlands Reserve Acquisition and Restoration Program Partnership

 

$1,645,000 the first year is to the Board of Water and Soil Resources to acquire permanent conservation easements and restore wetlands and associated upland habitat in cooperation with the United States Department of Agriculture Wetlands Reserve Program.  A list of proposed land acquisitions must be provided as part of the required work program.

 

Subd. 10.  Administration and Contract Management

 

564,000

 

560,000

 

(a) Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR)

 

$473,000 the first year and $473,000 the second year are from the trust fund to the LCCMR for administration as provided in Minnesota Statutes, section 116P.09, subdivision 5. 

 

(b) Contract Management

 

$88,000 the first year and $87,000 the second year are from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources for expenses incurred for contract fiscal services for the agreements specified in this section.  The commissioner shall provide documentation to the


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Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources on the expenditure of these funds.  This appropriation is available until June 30, 2014.

 

(c) LCC Web Site

 

$3,000 in the first year is appropriated to the Legislative Coordinating Commission for the Web site required in Minnesota Statutes, section 3.303, subdivision 10.

 

Subd. 11.  Availability of Appropriations

 

 

 

 

 

Money appropriated in this section may not be spent on activities unless they are directly related to the specific appropriation and are specified in the approved work program.  Money appropriated in this section must not be spent on indirect costs or other institutional overhead charges.  Unless otherwise provided, the amounts in this section are available until June 30, 2013, when projects must be completed and final products delivered.  For acquisition of real property, the amounts in this section are available until June 30, 2014, if a binding contract is entered into by June 30, 2013, and closed not later than June 30, 2014.  If a project receives a federal grant, the time period of the appropriation is extended to equal the federal grant period. 

 

Subd. 12.  Data Availability Requirements

 

 

 

 

 

Data collected by the projects funded under this section must conform to guidelines and standards adopted by the Office of Enterprise Technology.  Spatial data also must conform to additional guidelines and standards designed to support data coordination and distribution that have been published by the Minnesota Geospatial Information Office.  Descriptions of spatial data must be prepared as specified in the state's geographic metadata guideline and must be submitted to the Minnesota Geospatial Information Office.  All data must be accessible and free to the public unless made private under the Data Practices Act, Minnesota Statutes, chapter 13. 

 

To the extent practicable, summary data and results of projects funded under this section should be readily accessible on the Internet and identified as an environment and natural resources trust fund project. 

 

Subd. 13.  Project Requirements

 

 

 

 

 

(a) As a condition of accepting an appropriation under this section, any agency or entity receiving an appropriation or a party to an agreement from an appropriation must comply with paragraphs (b) to (k) and Minnesota Statutes, chapter 116P, and must submit a work program and semiannual progress reports in the form


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determined by the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources for any project funded in whole or in part with funds from the appropriation. 

 

(b) For all restorations conducted with money appropriated under this section, a recipient must prepare an ecological restoration and management plan that, to the degree practicable, is consistent with the highest quality conservation and ecological goals for the restoration site.  Consideration should be given to soil, geology, topography, and other relevant factors that would provide the best chance for long-term success of the restoration projects.  The plan must include the proposed timetable for implementing the restoration, including site preparation, establishment of diverse plant species, maintenance, and additional enhancement to establish the restoration; identify long-term maintenance and management needs of the restoration and how the maintenance, management, and enhancement will be financed; and take advantage of the best available science and include innovative techniques to achieve the best restoration. 

 

(c) Any entity receiving an appropriation in this section for restoration activities must provide an initial restoration evaluation at the completion of the appropriation and an evaluation three years beyond the completion of the expenditure.  Restorations must be evaluated relative to the stated goals and standards in the restoration plan, current science, and, when applicable, the Board of Water and Soil Resources' native vegetation establishment and enhancement guidelines.  The evaluation shall determine whether the restorations are meeting planned goals, identify any problems with the implementation of the restorations, and, if necessary, give recommendations on improving restorations.  The evaluation shall be focused on improving future restorations. 

 

(d) Except as otherwise provided in this section, all restoration and enhancement projects funded with money appropriated in this section must be on land permanently protected by a conservation easement or public ownership or in public waters as defined in Minnesota Statutes, section 103G.005, subdivision 15. 

 

(e) A recipient of money from an appropriation under this section must give consideration to contracting with Conservation Corps Minnesota or its successor for contract restoration and enhancement services. 

 

(f) All conservation easements acquired with money appropriated under this section must: 

 

(1) be perpetual;

 

(2) specify the parties to an easement in the easement;


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(3) specify all of the provisions of an agreement that are perpetual;

 

(4) be sent to the Office of the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources in an electronic format;

 

(5) include a long-term monitoring and enforcement plan and funding for monitoring and enforcing the easement agreement; and

 

(6) include requirements in the easement document to address specific water quality protection activities such as keeping water on the landscape, reducing nutrient and contaminant loading, protecting groundwater, and not permitting artificial hydrological modifications. 

 

(g) For any acquisition of land or interest in land, a recipient of money appropriated under this section must give priority to high quality natural resources or conservation lands that provide natural buffers to water resources. 

 

(h) For new lands acquired with money appropriated under this section, a recipient must prepare a restoration and management plan in compliance with paragraph (b), including sufficient funding for implementation unless the work program addresses why a portion of the money is not necessary to achieve a high quality restoration. 

 

(i) To the extent an appropriation is used to acquire an interest in real property, a recipient of an appropriation under this section must provide to the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources and the commissioner of management and budget an analysis of increased operations and maintenance costs likely to be incurred by public entities as a result of the acquisition and how these costs are to be paid. 

 

(j) To ensure public accountability for the use of public funds, a recipient of money appropriated under this section must provide to the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources documentation of the selection process used to identify parcels acquired and provide documentation of all related transaction costs, including but not limited to appraisals, legal fees, recording fees, commissions, other similar costs, and donations.  This information must be provided for all parties involved in the transaction.  The recipient must also report to the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources any difference between the acquisition amount paid to the seller and the state-certified or state-reviewed appraisal, if a state-certified or state-reviewed appraisal was conducted.  Acquisition data such as appraisals may remain private during negotiations but must ultimately be made public according to Minnesota Statutes, chapter 13.  The Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources shall review the requirement in this paragraph and provide a recommendation on whether to continue or modify the requirement in future years.  The commission may waive the application of this paragraph for specific projects. 


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(k) A recipient of an appropriation from the trust fund under this section must acknowledge financial support from the Minnesota environment and natural resources trust fund in project publications, signage, and other public communications and outreach related to work completed using the appropriation.  Acknowledgment may occur, as appropriate, through use of the trust fund logo or inclusion of language attributing support from the trust fund. 

 

Subd. 14.  Payment Conditions and Capital Equipment Expenditures

 

 

 

 

All agreements, grants, or contracts referred to in this section must be administered on a reimbursement basis unless otherwise provided in this section.  Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 16A.41, expenditures made on or after July 1, 2011, or the date the work program is approved, whichever is later, are eligible for reimbursement unless otherwise provided in this section.  Periodic payment must be made upon receiving documentation that the deliverable items articulated in the approved work program have been achieved, including partial achievements as evidenced by approved progress reports.  Reasonable amounts may be advanced to projects to accommodate cash flow needs or match federal money.  The advances must be approved as part of the work program.  No expenditures for capital equipment are allowed unless expressly authorized in the project work program. 

 

Subd. 15.  Purchase of Recycled and Recyclable Materials

 

 

 

 

A political subdivision, public or private corporation, or other entity that receives an appropriation under this section must use the appropriation in compliance with Minnesota Statutes, section 16B.121, regarding purchase of recycled, repairable, and durable materials; and Minnesota Statutes, section 16B.122, regarding purchase and use of paper stock and printing. 

 

Subd. 16.  Energy Conservation and Sustainable Building Guidelines

 

 

 

 

A recipient to whom an appropriation is made under this section for a capital improvement project must ensure that the project complies with the applicable energy conservation and sustainable building guidelines and standards contained in law, including Minnesota Statutes, sections 16B.325, 216C.19, and 216C.20, and rules adopted under those sections.  The recipient may use the energy planning, advocacy, and State Energy Office units of the Department of Commerce to obtain information and technical assistance on energy conservation and alternative energy development relating to the planning and construction of the capital improvement project. 


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Subd. 17.  Accessibility

 

 

 

 

 

Structural and nonstructural facilities must meet the design standards in the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessibility guidelines. 

 

Subd. 18.  Carryforward

 

 

 

 

 

(a) The availability of the appropriation for the following projects is extended to June 30, 2012: 

 

(1) Laws 2008, chapter 367, section 2, subdivision 4, paragraph (f), Native Shoreland Buffer Incentives Program;

 

(2) Laws 2008, chapter 367, section 2, subdivision 4, paragraph (g), Southeast Minnesota Stream Restoration Projects;

 

(3) Laws 2009, chapter 143, section 2, subdivision 4, paragraph (a), State Park Acquisition;

 

(4) Laws 2009, chapter 143, section 2, subdivision 4, paragraph (b), State Trail Acquisition;

 

(5) Laws 2009, chapter 143, section 2, subdivision 6, paragraph (c), Improving Emerging Fish Disease Surveillance in Minnesota;

 

(6) Laws 2009, chapter 143, section 2, subdivision 8, paragraph (a), Contract Management; and

 

(7) Laws 2009, chapter 143, section 2, subdivision 8, paragraph (b), Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR) for purposes provided under Minnesota Statutes, section 16A.281.

 

(b) The availability of the appropriation for the following project is extended to June 30, 2013: 

 

(1) Laws 2010, chapter 362, section 2, subdivision 8, paragraph (f), Expanding Outdoor Classrooms at Minnesota Schools; and

 

(2) Laws 2010, chapter 362, section 2, subdivision 8, paragraph (g), Integrating Environmental and Outdoor Education in Grades 7-12.

 

Subd. 19.  Easement Monitoring and Enforcement Requirements

 

 

 

 

Money appropriated under this section and adjustments made under subdivision 20 for easement monitoring and enforcement may be spent only on activities included in an easement monitoring and enforcement plan contained within the work program.  Money received for monitoring and enforcement, including earnings on the money received, shall be kept in a monitoring and enforcement


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fund held by the organization and dedicated to monitoring and enforcing conservation easements within Minnesota.  Within 120 days after the close of the entity's fiscal year, an entity receiving appropriations for easement monitoring and enforcement must provide an annual financial report to the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources on the easement monitoring and enforcement fund as specified in the work program.  Money appropriated under this section for monitoring and enforcement of easements and earnings on the money appropriated shall revert to the state if:  (1) the easement transfers to the state; (2) the holder of the easement fails to file an annual report and then fails to cure that default within 30 days of notification of the default by the state; or (3) the holder of the easement fails to comply with the terms of the monitoring and enforcement plan contained within the work program and fails to cure that default within 90 days of notification of the default by the state.

 

Subd. 20.  Appropriations Adjustment

 

 

 

 

 

(a) Metropolitan Conservation Corridors

 

(1) Of the amount appropriated in Laws 2003, chapter 128, article 1, section 9, subdivision 5, paragraph (b), up to $48,000 is for deposit in a monitoring and enforcement account as authorized in subdivision 19.

 

(2) Of the amount appropriated in Laws 2005, First Special Session, chapter 1, article 2, section 11, subdivision 5, paragraph (b), up to $49,000 is for deposit in a monitoring and enforcement account as authorized in subdivision 19.

 

(3) Of the amount appropriated in Laws 2007, chapter 30, section 2, subdivision 4, paragraph (c), up to $59,000 is for deposit in a monitoring and enforcement account as authorized in subdivision 19.

 

(4) Of the amount appropriated in Laws 2008, chapter 367, section 2, subdivision 3, paragraph (a), up to $42,000 is for deposit in a monitoring and enforcement account as authorized in subdivision 19.

 

(5) Of the amount appropriated in Laws 2009, chapter 143, section 2, subdivision 4, paragraph (f), up to $80,000 is for deposit in a monitoring and enforcement account as authorized in subdivision 19.

 

(6) Of the amount appropriated in Laws 2010, chapter 362, section 2, subdivision 4, paragraph (g), up to $10,000 is for deposit in a monitoring and enforcement account as authorized in subdivision 19.

 

(b) Habitat Conservation Partnership

 

(1) Of the amount appropriated in Laws 2001, First Special Session chapter 2, section 14, subdivision 4, paragraph (e), up to $288,000 is for deposit in a monitoring and enforcement account as authorized in subdivision 19.


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(2) Of the amount appropriated in Laws 2003, chapter 128, article 1, section 9, subdivision 5, paragraph (a), up to $78,000 is for deposit in a monitoring and enforcement account as authorized in subdivision 19.

 

(3) Of the amount appropriated in Laws 2005, First Special Session chapter 1, section 11, subdivision 5, paragraph (a), up to $55,000 is for deposit in a monitoring and enforcement account as authorized in subdivision 19.

 

(4) Of the amount appropriated in Laws 2007, chapter 30, section 2, subdivision 4, paragraph (b), up to $123,000 is for deposit in a monitoring and enforcement account as authorized in subdivision 19.

 

(5) Of the amount appropriated in Laws 2008, chapter 367, section 2, subdivision 3, paragraph (c), up to $120,000 is for deposit in a monitoring and enforcement account as authorized in subdivision 19.

 

(6) Of the amount appropriated in Laws 2009, chapter 143, section 2, subdivision 4, paragraph (e), up to $60,000 is for deposit in a monitoring and enforcement account as authorized in subdivision 19.

 

(7) Of the amount appropriated in Laws 2010, chapter 362, section 2, subdivision 4, paragraph (f), up to $30,000 is for deposit in a monitoring and enforcement account as authorized in subdivision 19.

 

(c) Preserving the Avon Hills Landscape

 

Of the amount appropriated in Laws 2008, chapter 367, section 2, subdivision 3, paragraph (d), up to $120,000 is for deposit in a monitoring and enforcement account as authorized in subdivision 19.

 

(d) New Models for Land-Use Planning

 

Of the amount appropriated in Laws 1997, chapter 216, section 15, subdivision 9, paragraph (d), up to $33,000 is for deposit in a monitoring and enforcement account as authorized in subdivision 19.

 

(e) Conservation-Based Development Program

 

Of the amount appropriated in Laws 1999, chapter 231, section 16, subdivision 8, paragraph (e), up to $5,000 is for deposit in a monitoring and enforcement account as authorized in subdivision 19.

 

ARTICLE 4

STATUTORY CHANGES

 

Section 1.  [16E.0475] ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR TECHNOLOGY STANDARDS FOR ACCESSIBILITY AND USABILITY.

 

Subdivision 1.  Membership.  (a) The Advisory Committee for Technology Standards for Accessibility and Usability consists of ten members, appointed as follows: 


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(1) the state chief information officer, or the state chief information officer's designee;

 

(2) a representative from State Services for the Blind, appointed by the commissioner of employment and economic development;

 

(3) the commissioner of administration, or the commissioner's designee;

 

(4) a representative selected by the Minnesota system of technology to achieve results program;

 

(5) a representative selected by the Commission of Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard-of-Hearing Minnesotans;

 

(6) the commissioner of education, or the commissioner's designee;

 

(7) the commissioner of health, or the commissioner's designee;

 

(8) the commissioner of human services, or the commissioner's designee;

 

(9) one representative from the Minnesota judicial system designated by the chief justice; and

 

(10) one staff member from the legislature, appointed by the chair of the Legislative Coordinating Commission.

 

(b) The appointing authorities under this subdivision must use their best efforts to ensure that the membership of the advisory committee includes at least one representative who is deaf, hard-of-hearing, or deafblind and at least one representative who is blind.

 

(c) The advisory committee shall elect a chair from its membership.

 

Subd. 2.  Duties.  (a) The advisory committee shall: 

 

(1) recommend review processes to be used for the evaluation or certification of accessibility of technology against accessibility standards;

 

(2) recommend an exception process and thresholds for any deviation from the accessibility standards;

 

(3) identify, in consultation with state agencies serving Minnesotans with disabilities, resources for training and technical assistance for state agency staff, including instruction regarding compliance with accessibility standards;

 

(4) convene customer groups composed of individuals with disabilities to assist in implementation of accessibility standards;

 

(5) review customer comments about accessibility and usability issues collected by State Services for the Blind; and

 

(6) develop proposals for funding captioning of live videoconferencing, live Webcasts, Web streaming, podcasts, and other emerging technologies. 

 

(b) The advisory committee shall report to the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees with jurisdiction over state technology systems by January 15 each year regarding the findings, progress, and recommendations made by the advisory committee under this subdivision.  The report shall include any draft legislation necessary to implement the committee's recommendations.


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Subd. 3.  Terms, compensation, and removal.  The terms, compensation, and removal of members are governed by section 15.059.

 

Subd. 4.  Expiration.  This section expires June 30, 2013.

 

Sec. 2.  Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 41A.105, is amended by adding a subdivision to read: 

 

Subd. 1a.  Definitions.  For the purpose of this section: 

 

(1) "biobutanol facility" means a facility at which biobutanol is produced; and

 

(2) "biobutanol" means fermentation isobutyl alcohol that is derived from agricultural products, including potatoes, cereal grains, cheese whey, and sugar beets; forest products; or other renewable resources, including residue and waste generated from the production, processing, and marketing of agricultural products, forest products, and other renewable resources.

 

Sec. 3.  Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 65B.84, is amended to read: 

 

65B.84 AUTOMOBILE THEFT PREVENTION PROGRAM.

 

Subdivision 1.  Program described; commissioner's duties; appropriation.  (a) The commissioner of commerce public safety shall: 

 

(1) develop and sponsor the implementation of statewide plans, programs, and strategies to combat automobile theft, improve the administration of the automobile theft laws, and provide a forum for identification of critical problems for those persons dealing with automobile theft;

 

(2) coordinate the development, adoption, and implementation of plans, programs, and strategies relating to interagency and intergovernmental cooperation with respect to automobile theft enforcement;

 

(3) annually audit the plans and programs that have been funded in whole or in part to evaluate the effectiveness of the plans and programs and withdraw funding should the commissioner of public safety determine that a plan or program is ineffective or is no longer in need of further financial support from the fund;

 

(4) develop a plan of operation including: 

 

(i) an assessment of the scope of the problem of automobile theft, including areas of the state where the problem is greatest;

 

(ii) an analysis of various methods of combating the problem of automobile theft;

 

(iii) a plan for providing financial support to combat automobile theft;

 

(iv) a plan for eliminating car hijacking; and

 

(v) an estimate of the funds required to implement the plan; and

 

(5) distribute money, in consultation with the commissioner of public safety, pursuant to subdivision 3 from the automobile theft prevention special revenue account for automobile theft prevention activities, including: 

 

(i) paying the administrative costs of the program;


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(ii) providing financial support to the State Patrol and local law enforcement agencies for automobile theft enforcement teams;

 

(iii) providing financial support to state or local law enforcement agencies for programs designed to reduce the incidence of automobile theft and for improved equipment and techniques for responding to automobile thefts;

 

(iv) providing financial support to local prosecutors for programs designed to reduce the incidence of automobile theft;

 

(v) providing financial support to judicial agencies for programs designed to reduce the incidence of automobile theft;

 

(vi) providing financial support for neighborhood or community organizations or business organizations for programs designed to reduce the incidence of automobile theft and to educate people about the common methods of automobile theft, the models of automobiles most likely to be stolen, and the times and places automobile theft is most likely to occur; and

 

(vii) providing financial support for automobile theft educational and training programs for state and local law enforcement officials, driver and vehicle services exam and inspections staff, and members of the judiciary.

 

(b) The commissioner of public safety may not spend in any fiscal year more than ten percent of the money in the fund for the program's administrative and operating costs.  The commissioner of public safety is annually appropriated and must distribute the amount of the proceeds credited to the automobile theft prevention special revenue account each year, less the transfer of $1,300,000 each year to the general fund described in section 168A.40, subdivision 4. 

 

Subd. 2.  Annual report.  By January 15 of each year, the commissioner of public safety shall report to the governor and the chairs and ranking minority members of the house of representatives and senate committees having jurisdiction over the Departments of Commerce and Public Safety on the activities and expenditures in the preceding year.

 

Subd. 3.  Grant criteria; application.  (a) A county attorney's office, law enforcement agency, neighborhood organization, community organization, or business organization may apply for a grant under this section.  Multiple offices or agencies within a county may apply for a grant under this section.

 

(b) The commissioner, in consultation with the commissioner of public safety, must develop criteria for the fair distribution of grants from the automobile theft prevention account that address the following factors: 

 

(1) the number of reported automobile thefts per capita in a city, county, or region, not merely the total number of automobile thefts;

 

(2) the population of the jurisdiction of the applicant office or agency;

 

(3) the total funds distributed within a county or region; and

 

(4) the statewide interest in automobile theft reduction.

 

(c) The commissioner of public safety may give priority to: 

 

(1) offices and agencies engaged in a collaborative effort to reduce automobile theft; and

 

(2) counties or regions with the greatest rates of automobile theft.


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(d) The minimum amount of a grant award is $5,000.  After considering the automobile theft rate and total population of an applicant's jurisdiction, if a grant award, as determined under the criteria and priorities in this subdivision, would be less than $5,000, it must not be awarded.

 

Subd. 4.  Advisory board; creation; membership.  An Automobile Theft Prevention Advisory Board is established to advise the commissioner on the distribution of grants under this section.  The board must consist of seven members appointed by the commissioner of public safety and must include representatives of law enforcement, prosecuting agencies, automobile insurers, and the public.  The commissioner of public safety must annually select a chair from among its members.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective June 30, 2013.

 

Sec. 4.  [84.0264] FEDERAL LAND AND WATER CONSERVATION FUNDS.

 

Subdivision 1.  Designated agency.  The Department of Natural Resources is designated as the state agency to apply for, accept, receive, and disburse federal reimbursement funds and private funds that are granted to the state of Minnesota from section 6 of the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund Act.

 

Subd. 2.  State land and water conservation account.  A state land and water conservation account is created in the natural resources fund.  All of the money made available to the state from funds granted under subdivision 1 shall be deposited in the state land and water conservation account.

 

Subd. 3.  Local share.  Fifty percent of all money made available to the state from funds granted under subdivision 1 shall be distributed for projects to be acquired, developed, and maintained by local units of government, provided that any project approved is consistent with a statewide or a county or regional recreational plan and compatible with the statewide recreational plan.  All money received by the commissioner for local units of government is appropriated annually to carry out the purposes for which the funds are received.

 

Subd. 4.  State share.  Fifty percent of the money made available to the state from funds granted under subdivision 1 shall be used for state land acquisition and development for the state outdoor recreation system under chapter 86A and the administrative expenses necessary to maintain eligibility for the federal land and water conservation fund.

 

Sec. 5.  [84.8035] NONRESIDENT OFF-ROAD VEHICLE STATE TRAIL PASS.

 

Subdivision 1.  Pass required; fee.  (a) A nonresident may not operate an off-road vehicle on a state or grant-in-aid off-road vehicle trail unless the vehicle displays a nonresident off-road vehicle state trail pass sticker issued according to this section.  The pass must be viewable by a peace officer, a conservation officer, or an employee designated under section 84.0835.

 

(b) The fee for an annual pass is $20.  The pass is valid from January 1 through December 31.  The fee for a three-year pass is $30.  The commissioner of natural resources shall issue a pass upon application and payment of the fee.  Fees collected under this section, except for the issuing fee for licensing agents, shall be deposited in the state treasury and credited to the off-road vehicle account in the natural resources fund and, except for the electronic licensing system commission established by the commissioner under section 84.027, subdivision 15, must be used for grants-in-aid to counties and municipalities for off-road vehicle organizations to construct and maintain off-road vehicle trails and use areas.

 

(c) A nonresident off-road vehicle state trail pass is not required for: 


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(1) an off-road vehicle that is owned and used by the United States, another state, or a political subdivision thereof that is exempt from registration under section 84.798, subdivision 2;

 

(2) a person operating an off-road vehicle only on the portion of a trail that is owned by the person or the person's spouse, child, or parent; or

 

(3) a nonresident operating an off-road vehicle that is registered according to section 84.798.

 

Subd. 2.  License agents.  The commissioner shall appoint agents to issue and sell nonresident off-road vehicle state trail passes.  The commissioner may revoke the appointment of an agent at any time.  The commissioner may adopt additional rules as provided in section 97A.485, subdivision 11.  An agent shall observe all rules adopted by the commissioner for accounting and handling of passes pursuant to section 97A.485, subdivision 11.  An agent shall promptly deposit and remit all money received from the sale of the passes, exclusive of the issuing fee, to the commissioner.

 

Subd. 3.  Issuance of passes.  The commissioner and agents shall issue and sell nonresident off-road vehicle state trail passes.  The commissioner shall also make the passes available through the electronic licensing system established under section 84.027, subdivision 15.

 

Subd. 4.  Agent's fee.  In addition to the fee for a pass, an issuing fee of $1 per pass shall be charged.  The issuing fee may be retained by the seller of the pass.  Issuing fees for passes issued by the commissioner shall be deposited in the off-road vehicle account in the natural resources fund and retained for the operation of the electronic licensing system.

 

Subd. 5.  Duplicate passes.  The commissioner and agents shall issue a duplicate pass to persons whose pass is lost or destroyed using the process established under section 97A.405, subdivision 3, and rules adopted thereunder.  The fee for a duplicate nonresident off-road vehicle state trail pass is $4, with an issuing fee of 50 cents.

 

Sec. 6.  Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 84D.15, subdivision 2, is amended to read: 

 

Subd. 2.  Receipts.  Money received from surcharges on watercraft licenses under section 86B.415, subdivision 7, and civil penalties under section 84D.13 shall be deposited in the invasive species account.  Each year, the commissioner of management and budget shall transfer from the game and fish fund to the invasive species account, the annual surcharge collected on nonresident fishing licenses under section 97A.475, subdivision 7, paragraph (b).  In fiscal years 2010 and 2011 Each fiscal year, the commissioner of management and budget shall transfer $725,000 $750,000 from the water recreation account under section 86B.706 to the invasive species account.

 

Sec. 7.  Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 85.052, subdivision 4, is amended to read: 

 

Subd. 4.  Deposit of fees.  (a) Fees paid for providing contracted products and services within a state park, state recreation area, or wayside, and for special state park uses under this section shall be deposited in the natural resources fund and credited to a state parks account.

 

(b) Gross receipts derived from sales, rentals, or leases of natural resources within state parks, recreation areas, and waysides, other than those on trust fund lands, must be deposited in the state treasury and credited to the state parks working capital account.  The appropriation under section 85.22 for revenue deposited in this section is limited to $25,000 per fiscal year.

 

(c) Notwithstanding paragraph (b), the gross receipts from the sale of stockpile materials, aggregate, or other earth materials from the Iron Range Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation Area shall be deposited in the dedicated accounts in the natural resources fund from which the purchase of the stockpile material was made.


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Sec. 8.  [89.0385] FOREST MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT ACCOUNT; COST CERTIFICATION.

 

(a) After each fiscal year, the commissioner shall certify the total costs incurred for forest management, forest improvement, and road improvement on state-managed lands during that year.  The commissioner shall distribute forest management receipts credited to various accounts according to this section.

 

(b) The amount of the certified costs incurred for forest management activities on state lands shall be transferred from the account where receipts are deposited to the forest management investment account in the natural resources fund, except for those costs certified under section 16A.125.  Transfers in a fiscal year cannot exceed receipts credited to the account.

 

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

 

Sec. 9.  Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 89.039, subdivision 1, is amended to read: 

 

Subdivision 1.  Account established; sources.  The forest management investment account is created in the natural resources fund in the state treasury and money in the account may be spent only for the purposes provided in subdivision 2.  The following revenue shall be deposited in the forest management investment account: 

 

(1) timber sales receipts transferred from the consolidated conservation areas account as provided in section 84A.51, subdivision 2;

 

(2) timber sales receipts from forest lands as provided in section 89.035;

 

(3) money transferred from the forest suspense account according to section 16A.125, subdivision 5; and

 

(4) interest accruing from investment of the account.; and

 

(5) money transferred from other accounts according to section 89.0385.

 

Sec. 10.  Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 89.21, is amended to read: 

 

89.21 CAMPGROUNDS, ESTABLISHMENT AND FEES.

 

(a) The commissioner is authorized to establish and develop state forest campgrounds and may establish minimum standards not inconsistent with the laws of the state for the care and use of such campgrounds and charge fees for such uses as specified by the commissioner of natural resources.

 

(b) Notwithstanding section 16A.1283, the commissioner shall, by written order, establish fees providing for the use of state forest campgrounds.  The fees are not subject to the rulemaking provisions of chapter 14 and section 14.386 does not apply. 

 

(c) All fees shall be deposited in the general fund an account in the natural resources fund and are appropriated annually to the commissioner.

 

Sec. 11.  Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 89.35, subdivision 2, is amended to read: 

 

Subd. 2.  Purpose of planting.  The purposes for which trees may be produced, procured, distributed, and planted under sections 89.35 to 89.39 shall include auxiliary forests, woodlots, windbreaks, shelterbelts, erosion control, soil conservation, water conservation, provision of permanent food and cover for wild life, environmental education, and afforestation and reforestation on public or private state lands of any kind, but shall not include the raising of fruit for human consumption or planting for purely ornamental purposes.  It is hereby declared that all such authorized purposes are in furtherance of the public health, safety, and welfare. 


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Sec. 12.  Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 89.36, subdivision 1, is amended to read: 

 

Subdivision 1.  Production at state nurseries.  The commissioner of natural resources may produce tree planting stock for the purposes of sections 89.35 to 89.39 upon any lands under control of the commissioner which may be deemed suitable and available therefor so far as not inconsistent consistent with other uses to which such the lands may be dedicated by law.  The commissioner may not produce more than 10,000,000 8,000,000 units of planting stock annually, after January 1, 2003 June 30, 2011.  The commissioner shall limit deciduous tree stock production to no more than two percent of total annual production.

 

Sec. 13.  Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 89.37, subdivision 1, is amended to read: 

 

Subdivision 1.  Planting conditions State lands.  The commissioner of natural resources may supply planting stock produced or procured hereunder for use on any public or private state lands within the state for the purposes herein authorized under such conditions as sections 89.35 to 89.39.  The commissioner may prescribe for planting, care, and maintenance in furtherance of such the purposes specified.  The commissioner may sell excess tree planting stock to licensed, private nurseries.

 

Sec. 14.  Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 89.37, subdivision 3b, is amended to read: 

 

Subd. 3b.  Sales to nurseries.  To promote the availability and use of native plant material, the commissioner may sell native tree seed to licensed, private Minnesota nurseries when supplies of seed from geographically adapted sources are not available from private Minnesota seed dealers.  The commissioner may also sell native trees and shrubs in lots of ten or more to nonprofit groups and local units of government.

 

Sec. 15.  Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 93.481, subdivision 7, is amended to read: 

 

Subd. 7.  Mining administration account.  The mining administration account is established as an account in the natural resources fund.  Fees charged to owners, operators, or managers of mines under this section and section 93.482 shall be credited to the account and may be are appropriated to the commissioner to cover the costs of providing and monitoring permits to mine.  Earnings accruing from investment of the account remain with the account until appropriated.

 

Sec. 16.  [97A.052] PEACE OFFICER TRAINING ACCOUNT.

 

Subdivision 1.  Account established; sources.  The peace officer training account is created in the game and fish fund in the state treasury.  Revenue from the portion of the surcharges assessed to criminal and traffic offenders in section 357.021, subdivision 7, clause (1), shall be deposited in the account.  Money in the account may be spent only for the purposes provided in subdivision 2.

 

Subd. 2.  Purposes of account.  Money in the peace officer training account may only be spent by the commissioner for peace officer training for employees of the Department of Natural Resources who are licensed under sections 626.84 to 626.863 to enforce game and fish laws.

 

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

 

Sec. 17.  Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 97A.055, is amended by adding a subdivision to read: 

 

Subd. 2b.  Certified costs.  Money for the certified costs under section 89.0385 is transferred annually for reimbursement of certified costs on state lands acquired by purchase or gift for game and fish purposes.


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Sec. 18.  Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 97A.071, subdivision 2, is amended to read: 

 

Subd. 2.  Revenue from small game license surcharge and lifetime licenses.  Revenue from the small game surcharge and $6.50 annually from the lifetime fish and wildlife trust fund, established in section 97A.4742, for each license issued under sections 97A.473, subdivisions 3 and 5, and 97A.474, subdivision 3, shall be credited to the wildlife acquisition account and is appropriated to the commissioner.  The money in the account shall be used by the commissioner only for the purposes of this section, and acquisition and development of wildlife lands under section 97A.145 and maintenance of the lands, in accordance with appropriations made by the legislature. 

 

Sec. 19.  Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 97A.075, is amended to read: 

 

97A.075 USE OF LICENSE REVENUES.

 

Subdivision 1.  Deer, bear, and lifetime licenses.  (a) For purposes of this subdivision, "deer license" means a license issued under section 97A.475, subdivisions 2, clauses (5), (6), (7), (13), (14), and (15), and 3, clauses (2), (3), (4), (10), (11), and (12), and licenses issued under section 97B.301, subdivision 4.

 

(b) $2 from each annual deer license and $2 annually from the lifetime fish and wildlife trust fund, established in section 97A.4742, for each license issued under section 97A.473, subdivision 4, shall be credited to the deer management account and shall be used is appropriated to the commissioner for deer habitat improvement or deer management programs.

 

(c) $1 from each annual deer license and each bear license and $1 annually from the lifetime fish and wildlife trust fund, established in section 97A.4742, for each license issued under section 97A.473, subdivision 4, shall be credited to the deer and bear management account and shall be used is appropriated to the commissioner for deer and bear management programs, including a computerized licensing system.

 

(d) Fifty cents from each deer license is credited to the emergency deer feeding and wild cervidae health management account and is appropriated for emergency deer feeding and wild cervidae health management.  Money appropriated for emergency deer feeding and wild cervidae health management is available until expended.  The commissioner must inform the legislative chairs of the natural resources finance committees every two years on how the money for emergency deer feeding and wild cervidae health management has been spent.

 

When the unencumbered balance in the appropriation for emergency deer feeding and wild cervidae health management exceeds $2,500,000 at the end of a fiscal year, the unencumbered balance in excess of $2,500,000 is canceled and available for deer and bear management programs and computerized licensing.

 

Subd. 2.  Minnesota migratory waterfowl stamp.  (a) Ninety percent of the revenue from the Minnesota migratory waterfowl stamps must be credited to the waterfowl habitat improvement account.  Money in the account may be used and is appropriated to the commissioner only for: 

 

(1) development of wetlands and lakes in the state and designated waterfowl management lakes for maximum migratory waterfowl production including habitat evaluation, the construction of dikes, water control structures and impoundments, nest cover, rough fish barriers, acquisition of sites and facilities necessary for development and management of existing migratory waterfowl habitat and the designation of waters under section 97A.101;

 

(2) management of migratory waterfowl;

 

(3) development, restoration, maintenance, or preservation of migratory waterfowl habitat;

 

(4) acquisition of and access to structure sites; and


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(5) the promotion of waterfowl habitat development and maintenance, including promotion and evaluation of government farm program benefits for waterfowl habitat.

 

(b) Money in the account may not be used for costs unless they are directly related to a specific parcel of land or body of water under paragraph (a), clause (1), (3), (4), or (5), or to specific management activities under paragraph (a), clause (2).

 

Subd. 3.  Trout and salmon stamp.  (a) Ninety percent of the revenue from trout and salmon stamps must be credited to the trout and salmon management account.  Money in the account may be used and is appropriated to the commissioner only for: 

 

(1) the development, restoration, maintenance, improvement, protection, and preservation of habitat for trout and salmon in trout streams and lakes, including, but not limited to, evaluating habitat; stabilizing eroding stream banks; adding fish cover; modifying stream channels; managing vegetation to protect, shade, or reduce runoff on stream banks; and purchasing equipment to accomplish these tasks;

 

(2) rearing trout and salmon, including utility and service costs associated with coldwater hatchery buildings and systems; stocking trout and salmon in streams and lakes and Lake Superior; and monitoring and evaluating stocked trout and salmon;

 

(3) acquisition of easements and fee title along trout waters;

 

(4) identifying easement and fee title areas along trout waters; and

 

(5) research and special management projects on trout streams, trout lakes, and Lake Superior and portions of its tributaries.

 

(b) Money in the account may not be used for costs unless they are directly related to a specific parcel of land or body of water under paragraph (a), to specific fish rearing activities under paragraph (a), clause (2), or for costs associated with supplies and equipment to implement trout and salmon management activities under paragraph (a).

 

Subd. 4.  Pheasant stamp.  (a) Ninety percent of the revenue from pheasant stamps must be credited to the pheasant habitat improvement account.  Money in the account may be used and is appropriated to the commissioner only for: 

 

(1) the development, restoration, and maintenance of suitable habitat for ringnecked pheasants on public and private land including the establishment of nesting cover, winter cover, and reliable food sources;

 

(2) reimbursement of landowners for setting aside lands for pheasant habitat;

 

(3) reimbursement of expenditures to provide pheasant habitat on public and private land;

 

(4) the promotion of pheasant habitat development and maintenance, including promotion and evaluation of government farm program benefits for pheasant habitat; and

 

(5) the acquisition of lands suitable for pheasant habitat management and public hunting.

 

(b) Money in the account may not be used for: 

 

(1) costs unless they are directly related to a specific parcel of land under paragraph (a), clause (1), (3), or (5), or to specific promotional or evaluative activities under paragraph (a), clause (4); or


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(2) any personnel costs, except that prior to July 1, 2019, personnel may be hired to provide technical and promotional assistance for private landowners to implement conservation provisions of state and federal programs.

 

Subd. 5.  Turkey account.  (a) $4.50 from each turkey license sold, except youth licenses under section 97A.475, subdivision 2, clause (4), and subdivision 3, clause (7), must be credited to the wild turkey management account.  Money in the account may be used and is appropriated to the commissioner only for: 

 

(1) the development, restoration, and maintenance of suitable habitat for wild turkeys on public and private land including forest stand improvement and establishment of nesting cover, winter roost area, and reliable food sources;

 

(2) acquisitions of, or easements on, critical wild turkey habitat;

 

(3) reimbursement of expenditures to provide wild turkey habitat on public and private land;

 

(4) trapping and transplantation of wild turkeys; and

 

(5) the promotion of turkey habitat development and maintenance, population surveys and monitoring, and research.

 

(b) Money in the account may not be used for: 

 

(1) costs unless they are directly related to a specific parcel of land under paragraph (a), clauses (1) to (3), a specific trap and transplant project under paragraph (a), clause (4), or to specific promotional or evaluative activities under paragraph (a), clause (5); or

 

(2) any permanent personnel costs.

 

Subd. 6.  Walleye stamp.  (a) Revenue from walleye stamps must be credited to the walleye stamp account.  Money in the account must be used and is appropriated to the commissioner only for stocking walleye in waters of the state and related activities.

 

(b) Money in the account may not be used for costs unless they are directly related to a specific body of water under paragraph (a), or for costs associated with supplies and equipment to implement walleye stocking activities under paragraph (a).

 

Sec. 20.  [103G.27] WATER MANAGEMENT ACCOUNT.

 

Subdivision 1.  Account established; sources.  The water management account is created in the natural resources fund in the state treasury.  Revenues collected from permit application fees, water use fees, field inspection fees, penalties, and other receipts according to sections 103G.271 and 103G.301 shall be deposited in the account.  Interest earned on money in the account accrues to the account.

 

Subd. 2.  Purposes of account.  Money in the water management account may be spent only for the costs associated with administering this chapter.

 

Sec. 21.  Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 103G.271, subdivision 6, is amended to read: 

 

Subd. 6.  Water use permit processing fee.  (a) Except as described in paragraphs (b) to (f), a water use permit processing fee must be prescribed by the commissioner in accordance with the schedule of fees in this subdivision for each water use permit in force at any time during the year.  Fees collected under this paragraph are credited to the water management account in the natural resources fund.  The schedule is as follows, with the stated fee in each clause applied to the total amount appropriated: 


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(1) $140 for amounts not exceeding 50,000,000 gallons per year;

 

(2) $3.50 per 1,000,000 gallons for amounts greater than 50,000,000 gallons but less than 100,000,000 gallons per year;

 

(3) $4 per 1,000,000 gallons for amounts greater than 100,000,000 gallons but less than 150,000,000 gallons per year;

 

(4) $4.50 per 1,000,000 gallons for amounts greater than 150,000,000 gallons but less than 200,000,000 gallons per year;

 

(5) $5 per 1,000,000 gallons for amounts greater than 200,000,000 gallons but less than 250,000,000 gallons per year;

 

(6) $5.50 per 1,000,000 gallons for amounts greater than 250,000,000 gallons but less than 300,000,000 gallons per year;

 

(7) $6 per 1,000,000 gallons for amounts greater than 300,000,000 gallons but less than 350,000,000 gallons per year;

 

(8) $6.50 per 1,000,000 gallons for amounts greater than 350,000,000 gallons but less than 400,000,000 gallons per year;

 

(9) $7 per 1,000,000 gallons for amounts greater than 400,000,000 gallons but less than 450,000,000 gallons per year;

 

(10) $7.50 per 1,000,000 gallons for amounts greater than 450,000,000 gallons but less than 500,000,000 gallons per year; and

 

(11) $8 per 1,000,000 gallons for amounts greater than 500,000,000 gallons per year.

 

(b) For once-through cooling systems, a water use processing fee must be prescribed by the commissioner in accordance with the following schedule of fees for each water use permit in force at any time during the year: 

 

(1) for nonprofit corporations and school districts, $200 per 1,000,000 gallons; and

 

(2) for all other users, $420 per 1,000,000 gallons.

 

(c) The fee is payable based on the amount of water appropriated during the year and, except as provided in paragraph (f), the minimum fee is $100.

 

(d) For water use processing fees other than once-through cooling systems:  

 

(1) the fee for a city of the first class may not exceed $250,000 per year;

 

(2) the fee for other entities for any permitted use may not exceed: 

 

(i) $60,000 per year for an entity holding three or fewer permits;

 

(ii) $90,000 per year for an entity holding four or five permits; or


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(iii) $300,000 per year for an entity holding more than five permits;

 

(3) the fee for agricultural irrigation may not exceed $750 per year;

 

(4) the fee for a municipality that furnishes electric service and cogenerates steam for home heating may not exceed $10,000 for its permit for water use related to the cogeneration of electricity and steam; and

 

(5) no fee is required for a project involving the appropriation of surface water to prevent flood damage or to remove flood waters during a period of flooding, as determined by the commissioner.

 

(e) Failure to pay the fee is sufficient cause for revoking a permit.  A penalty of two percent per month calculated from the original due date must be imposed on the unpaid balance of fees remaining 30 days after the sending of a second notice of fees due.  A fee may not be imposed on an agency, as defined in section 16B.01, subdivision 2, or federal governmental agency holding a water appropriation permit.

 

(f) The minimum water use processing fee for a permit issued for irrigation of agricultural land is $20 for years in which: 

 

(1) there is no appropriation of water under the permit; or

 

(2) the permit is suspended for more than seven consecutive days between May 1 and October 1.

 

(g) A surcharge of $30 per million gallons in addition to the fee prescribed in paragraph (a) shall be applied to the volume of water used in each of the months of June, July, and August that exceeds the volume of water used in January for municipal water use, irrigation of golf courses, and landscape irrigation.  The surcharge for municipalities with more than one permit shall be determined based on the total appropriations from all permits that supply a common distribution system.

 

Sec. 22.  Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 103G.301, is amended by adding a subdivision to read: 

 

Subd. 8.  Deposit of fees.  Fees collected under this section must be credited to the water management account in the natural resources fund.

 

Sec. 23.  Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 103G.615, subdivision 2, is amended to read: 

 

Subd. 2.  Fees.  (a) The commissioner shall establish a fee schedule for permits to control or harvest aquatic plants other than wild rice.  The fees must be set by rule, and section 16A.1283 does not apply, but the rule must not take effect until 45 legislative days after it has been reported to the legislature.  The fees shall not exceed $2,500 per permit and shall be based upon the cost of receiving, processing, analyzing, and issuing the permit, and additional costs incurred after the application to inspect and monitor the activities authorized by the permit, and enforce aquatic plant management rules and permit requirements.

 

(b) A fee for a permit for the control of rooted aquatic vegetation for each contiguous parcel of shoreline owned by an owner may be charged.  This fee may not be charged for permits issued in connection with purple loosestrife control or lakewide Eurasian water milfoil control programs.

 

(c) A fee may not be charged to the state or a federal governmental agency applying for a permit.

 

(d) A fee for a permit for the control of rooted aquatic vegetation in a public water basin that is 20 acres or less in size shall be one-half of the fee established under paragraph (a).

 

(e) The money received for the permits under this subdivision shall be deposited in the treasury and credited to the water recreation account.


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Sec. 24.  Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 115.073, is amended to read: 

 

115.073 ENFORCEMENT FUNDING.

 

Except as provided in section 115C.05, all one-half of the money recovered by the state under this chapter and chapters 115A and 116, including civil penalties and money paid under an agreement, stipulation, or settlement, excluding money paid for past due fees or taxes, must be deposited in the state treasury and credited to the environmental fund.  The remaining amount collected shall be deposited in the general fund.

 

Sec. 25.  Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 115A.1314, is amended to read: 

 

115A.1314 MANUFACTURER'S REGISTRATION FEE; CREATION OF ACCOUNT.

 

Subdivision 1.  Registration fee.  (a) Each manufacturer who registers under section 115A.1312 must, by September 1, 2007, and each year thereafter, pay to the commissioner of revenue an annual registration fee.  The commissioner of revenue must deposit the fee in the account established in subdivision 2 state treasury and credit the fee to the environmental fund.

 

(b) The registration fee for the initial program year during which a manufacturer's video display devices are sold to households is $5,000.  Each year thereafter, The registration fee is equal to a base fee of $2,500, plus a variable recycling fee calculated according to the formula: 

 

((A x B) - (C + D)) x E, where: 

 

(1) A = the number of pounds of a manufacturer's video display devices sold to households during the previous program year, as reported to the department under section 115A.1316, subdivision 1;

 

(2) B = the proportion of sales of video display devices required to be recycled, set at 0.6 for the first program year and 0.8 for the second program year and every year thereafter;

 

(3) C = the number of pounds of covered electronic devices recycled by a manufacturer from households during the previous program year, as reported to the department under section 115A.1316, subdivision 1;

 

(4) D = the number of recycling credits a manufacturer elects to use to calculate the variable recycling fee, as reported to the department under section 115A.1316, subdivision 1; and

 

(5) E = the estimated per-pound cost of recycling, initially set at $0.50 per pound for manufacturers who recycle less than 50 percent of the product (A x B); $0.40 per pound for manufacturers who recycle at least 50 percent but less than 90 percent of the product (A x B); and $0.30 per pound for manufacturers who recycle at least 90 percent but less than 100 percent of the product (A x B).

 

(c) If, as specified in paragraph (b), the term C - (A x B) equals a positive number of pounds, that amount is defined as the manufacturer's recycling credits.  A manufacturer may retain recycling credits to be added, in whole or in part, to the actual value of C, as reported under section 115A.1316, subdivision 2, during any succeeding program year, provided that no more than 25 percent of a manufacturer's obligation (A x B) for any program year may be met with recycling credits generated in a prior program year.  A manufacturer may sell any portion or all of its recycling credits to another manufacturer, at a price negotiated by the parties, who may use the credits in the same manner.


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(d) For the purpose of calculating a manufacturer's variable recycling fee under paragraph (b), the weight of covered electronic devices collected from households located outside the 11-county metropolitan area, as defined in subdivision 2, paragraph (c), is calculated at 1.5 times their actual weight.

 

(e) The registration fee for the initial program year and the base registration fee thereafter for a manufacturer who produces fewer than 100 video display devices for sale annually to households is $1,250.

 

Subd. 2.  Creation of account; appropriations Use of registration fees.  (a) The electronic waste account is established in the environmental fund.  The commissioner of revenue must deposit receipts from the fee established in subdivision 1 in the account.  Any interest earned on the account must be credited to the account.  Money from other sources may be credited to the account.  Beginning in the second program year and continuing each program year thereafter, as of the last day of each program year, the commissioner shall determine the total amount of the variable fees that were collected.  To the extent that the total fees collected by the commissioner in connection with this section exceed the amount the commissioner determines necessary to operate the program for the new program year, the commissioner shall refund on a pro rata basis, to all manufacturers who paid any fees for the previous program year, the amount of fees collected by the commissioner in excess of the amount necessary to operate the program for the new program year.  No individual refund is required of amounts of $100 or less for a fiscal year.  Manufacturers who report collections less than 50 percent of their obligation for the previous program year are not eligible for a refund.

 

(b) Until June 30, 2011, money in the account is annually appropriated to the Pollution Control Agency: (a) Registration fees may be used by the commissioner for: 

 

(1) for the purpose of implementing sections 115A.1312 to 115A.1330, including transfer to the commissioner of revenue to carry out the department's duties under section 115A.1320, subdivision 2, and transfer to the commissioner of administration for responsibilities under section 115A.1324; and

 

(2) to the commissioner of the Pollution Control Agency to be distributed on a competitive basis through contracts with grants to counties outside the 11-county metropolitan area, as defined in paragraph (c) (b), and with to private entities that collect for recycling covered electronic devices in counties outside the 11-county metropolitan area, where the collection and recycling is consistent with the respective county's solid waste plan, for the purpose of carrying out the activities under sections 115A.1312 to 115A.1330.  In awarding competitive grants under this clause, the commissioner must give preference to counties and private entities that are working cooperatively with manufacturers to help them meet their recycling obligations under section 115A.1318, subdivision 1.

 

(c) (b) The 11-county metropolitan area consists of the counties of Anoka, Carver, Chisago, Dakota, Hennepin, Isanti, Ramsey, Scott, Sherburne, Washington, and Wright.

 

Sec. 26.  Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 115A.1320, subdivision 1, is amended to read: 

 

Subdivision 1.  Duties of the agency.  (a) The agency shall administer sections 115A.1310 to 115A.1330.

 

(b) The agency shall establish procedures for: 

 

(1) receipt and maintenance of the registration statements and certifications filed with the agency under section 115A.1312; and

 

(2) making the statements and certifications easily available to manufacturers, retailers, and members of the public.

 

(c) The agency shall annually review the value of the following variables that are part of the formula used to calculate a manufacturer's annual registration fee under section 115A.1314, subdivision 1: 


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(1) the proportion of sales of video display devices sold to households that manufacturers are required to recycle;

 

(2) the estimated per-pound price of recycling covered electronic devices sold to households;

 

(3) the base registration fee; and

 

(4) the multiplier established for the weight of covered electronic devices collected in section 115A.1314, subdivision 1, paragraph (d).  If the agency determines that any of these values must be changed in order to improve the efficiency or effectiveness of the activities regulated under sections 115A.1312 to 115A.1330 or if the revenues in the account exceed the amount that the agency determines is necessary, the agency shall submit recommended changes and the reasons for them to the chairs of the senate and house of representatives committees with jurisdiction over solid waste policy.

 

(d) By January 15 each year, beginning in 2008, the agency shall calculate estimated sales of video display devices sold to households by each manufacturer during the preceding program year, based on national sales data, and forward the estimates to the department.

 

(e) The agency shall manage the account established in section 115A.1314, subdivision 2.  If the revenues in the account exceed the amount that the agency determines is necessary for efficient and effective administration of the program, including any amount for contingencies, the agency must recommend to the legislature that the base registration fee, the proportion of sales of video display devices required to be recycled, or the estimated per pound cost of recycling established under section 115A.1314, subdivision 1, paragraph (b), or any combination thereof, be lowered in order to reduce revenues collected in the subsequent program year by the estimated amount of the excess.

 

(f) (e) On or before December 1, 2010, and each year thereafter, the agency shall provide a report to the governor and the legislature on the implementation of sections 115A.1310 to 115A.1330.  For each program year, the report must discuss the total weight of covered electronic devices recycled and a summary of information in the reports submitted by manufacturers and recyclers under section 115A.1316.  The report must also discuss the various collection programs used by manufacturers to collect covered electronic devices; information regarding covered electronic devices that are being collected by persons other than registered manufacturers, collectors, and recyclers; and information about covered electronic devices, if any, being disposed of in landfills in this state.  The report must include a description of enforcement actions under sections 115A.1310 to 115A.1330.  The agency may include in its report other information received by the agency regarding the implementation of sections 115A.1312 to 115A.1330.

 

(g) (f) The agency shall promote public participation in the activities regulated under sections 115A.1312 to 115A.1330 through public education and outreach efforts.

 

(h) (g) The agency shall enforce sections 115A.1310 to 115A.1330 in the manner provided by sections 115.071, subdivisions 1, 3, 4, 5, and 6; and 116.072, except for those provisions enforced by the department, as provided in subdivision 2.  The agency may revoke a registration of a collector or recycler found to have violated sections 115A.1310 to 115A.1330.

 

(i) (h) The agency shall facilitate communication between counties, collection and recycling centers, and manufacturers to ensure that manufacturers are aware of video display devices available for recycling.

 

(j) (i) The agency shall develop a form retailers must use to report information to manufacturers under section 115A.1318 and post it on the agency's Web site.

 

(k) (j) The agency shall post on its Web site the contact information provided by each manufacturer under section 115A.1318, paragraph (e).


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Sec. 27.  Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 115C.09, subdivision 3c, is amended to read: 

 

Subd. 3c.  Release at refineries and tank facilities not eligible for reimbursement.  (a) Reimbursement may not be made under this chapter for costs associated with a release: 

 

(1) from a tank located at a petroleum refinery; or

 

(2) from a tank facility, including a pipeline terminal, with more than 1,000,000 gallons of total petroleum storage capacity at the tank facility.

 

(b) Paragraph (a), clause (2), does not apply to reimbursement for costs associated with a release from a tank facility: 

 

(1) owned or operated by a person engaged in the business of mining iron ore or taconite;

 

(2) owned by a political subdivision, a housing and redevelopment authority, an economic development authority, or a port authority that acquired the tank facility prior to May 23, 1989; or

 

(3) owned by a person: 

 

(i) who acquired the tank facility prior to May 23, 1989;

 

(ii) who did not use the tank facility for the bulk storage of petroleum; and

 

(iii) who is not affiliated with the party who used the tank facility for the bulk storage of petroleum.; or

 

(4) that is not a petroleum refinery or pipeline terminal and is owned by a person engaged in the business of storing used oil primarily for sales to end users.

 

Sec. 28.  Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 115C.13, is amended to read: 

 

115C.13 REPEALER.

 

Sections 115C.01, 115C.02, 115C.021, 115C.03, 115C.04, 115C.045, 115C.05, 115C.06, 115C.065, 115C.07, 115C.08, 115C.09, 115C.093, 115C.094, 115C.10, 115C.11, 115C.111, 115C.112, 115C.113, 115C.12, and 115C.13, are repealed effective June 30, 2012 2017.

 

Sec. 29.  Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 116.06, is amended by adding a subdivision to read: 

 

Subd. 5a.  Capacity.  "Capacity" means the maximum number of animal units actually confined or proposed to be confined at an animal feedlot.

 

Sec. 30.  Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 116.07, subdivision 7c, is amended to read: 

 

Subd. 7c.  NPDES feedlot permitting requirements.  (a) The agency must issue national pollutant discharge elimination system permits for feedlots with 1,000 animal units or more and that meet the definition of a "concentrated animal feeding operation" in Code of Federal Regulations, title 40, section 122.23, only as required by federal law.  The issuance of national pollutant discharge elimination system permits for feedlots must be based on the following: 


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(1) a permit for a newly constructed or expanded animal feedlot that is identified as a priority by the commissioner, using criteria established under paragraph (d) in effect on January 1, 2010, must be issued as an individual permit;

 

(2) after January 1, 2001, an existing feedlot that is identified as a priority by the commissioner, using criteria established under paragraph (e) in effect on January 1, 2010, must be issued as an individual permit; and

 

(3) the agency must issue a general national pollutant discharge elimination system permit, if required, for animal feedlots that are not identified under clause (1) or (2).

 

(b) Prior to the issuance of a general national pollutant discharge elimination system permit for a category of animal feedlot facility permittees, the agency must hold at least one public hearing on the permit issuance.

 

(c) To the extent practicable, the agency must include a public notice and comment period for an individual national pollutant discharge elimination system permit concurrent with any public notice and comment for: 

 

(1) the purpose of environmental review of the same facility under chapter 116D; or

 

(2) the purpose of obtaining a conditional use permit from a local unit of government where the local government unit is the responsible governmental unit for purposes of environmental review under chapter 116D.

 

(d) The commissioner, in consultation with the Feedlot and Manure Management Advisory Committee, created under section 17.136, and other interested parties must develop criteria for determining whether an individual national pollutant discharge elimination system permit is required under paragraph (a), clause (1).  The criteria must be based on proximity to waters of the state, facility design, and other site-specific environmental factors.

 

(e) The commissioner, in consultation with the Feedlot and Manure Management Advisory Committee, created under section 17.136, and other interested parties must develop criteria for determining whether an individual national pollutant discharge elimination system permit is required for an existing animal feedlot, under paragraph (a), clause (2).  The criteria must be based on violations and other compliance problems at the facility.

 

(f) The commissioner, in consultation with the Feedlot and Manure Management Advisory Committee, created under section 17.136, and other interested parties must develop criteria for determining when an individual national pollutant discharge elimination system permit is transferred from individual to general permit status.

 

(g) Notwithstanding the provisions in paragraph (a), until January 1, 2001, the commissioner may issue an individual national pollutant discharge elimination system permit for an animal feedlot.  After the general permit is issued and the criteria under paragraphs (d) and (e) are developed, individual permits issued pursuant to this paragraph that do not fit the criteria for an individual permit under the applicable provisions of paragraph (d) or (e) must be transferred to general permit status.

 

(h) The commissioner, in consultation with the Feedlot and Manure Management Advisory Committee, created under section 17.136, and other interested parties must develop criteria for determining which feedlots are required to apply for and obtain a national pollutant discharge elimination system permit and which feedlots are required to apply for and obtain a state disposal system permit based upon the actual or potential to discharge A feedlot owner may choose to apply for a national pollutant discharge elimination system permit even if the feedlot is not required by federal law to have a national pollutant discharge elimination system permit.

 

Sec. 31.  Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 116D.04, subdivision 2a, as amended by Laws 2011, chapter 4, section 6, is amended to read: 


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Subd. 2a.  When prepared.  Where there is potential for significant environmental effects resulting from any major governmental action, the action shall be preceded by a detailed environmental impact statement prepared by the responsible governmental unit.  The environmental impact statement shall be an analytical rather than an encyclopedic document which describes the proposed action in detail, analyzes its significant environmental impacts, discusses appropriate alternatives to the proposed action and their impacts, and explores methods by which adverse environmental impacts of an action could be mitigated.  The environmental impact statement shall also analyze those economic, employment and sociological effects that cannot be avoided should the action be implemented.  To ensure its use in the decision-making process, the environmental impact statement shall be prepared as early as practical in the formulation of an action.  No mandatory environmental impact statement may be required for an ethanol plant, as defined in section 41A.09, subdivision 2a, paragraph (b), that produces less than 125,000,000 gallons of ethanol annually and is located outside of the seven-county metropolitan area.

 

(a) The board shall by rule establish categories of actions for which environmental impact statements and for which environmental assessment worksheets shall be prepared as well as categories of actions for which no environmental review is required under this section.  A mandatory environmental assessment worksheet shall not be required for the expansion of an ethanol plant, as defined in section 41A.09, subdivision 2a, paragraph (b), or the conversion of an ethanol plant to a biobutanol facility or the expansion of a biobutanol facility, as defined in section 41A.105, subdivision 1a, based on the capacity of the expanded or converted facility to produce alcohol fuel, but must be required if the ethanol plant meets or exceeds thresholds of other categories of actions for which environmental assessment worksheets must be prepared.  The responsible governmental unit for an ethanol plant project for which an environmental assessment worksheet is prepared shall be the state agency with the greatest responsibility for supervising or approving the project as a whole.

 

(b) The responsible governmental unit shall promptly publish notice of the completion of an environmental assessment worksheet in a manner to be determined by the board and shall provide copies of the environmental assessment worksheet to the board and its member agencies.  Comments on the need for an environmental impact statement may be submitted to the responsible governmental unit during a 30-day period following publication of the notice that an environmental assessment worksheet has been completed.  The responsible governmental unit's decision on the need for an environmental impact statement shall be based on the environmental assessment worksheet and the comments received during the comment period, and shall be made within 15 days after the close of the comment period.  The board's chair may extend the 15-day period by not more than 15 additional days upon the request of the responsible governmental unit.

 

(c) An environmental assessment worksheet shall also be prepared for a proposed action whenever material evidence accompanying a petition by not less than 25 100 individuals who reside or own property in the county or an adjoining county where the proposed action will be located, submitted before the proposed project has received final approval by the appropriate governmental units, demonstrates that, because of the nature or location of a proposed action, there may be potential for significant environmental effects.  Petitions requesting the preparation of an environmental assessment worksheet shall be submitted to the board.  The chair of the board shall determine the appropriate responsible governmental unit and forward the petition to it.  A decision on the need for an environmental assessment worksheet shall be made by the responsible governmental unit within 15 days after the petition is received by the responsible governmental unit.  The board's chair may extend the 15-day period by not more than 15 additional days upon request of the responsible governmental unit.

 

(d) Except in an environmentally sensitive location where Minnesota Rules, part 4410.4300, subpart 29, item B, applies, the proposed action is exempt from environmental review under this chapter and rules of the board, if: 

 

(1) the proposed action is: 

 

(i) an animal feedlot facility with a capacity of less than 1,000 animal units; or


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(ii) an expansion of an existing animal feedlot facility with a total cumulative capacity of less than 1,000 animal units;

 

(2) the application for the animal feedlot facility includes a written commitment by the proposer to design, construct, and operate the facility in full compliance with Pollution Control Agency feedlot rules; and

 

(3) the county board holds a public meeting for citizen input at least ten business days prior to the Pollution Control Agency or county issuing a feedlot permit for the animal feedlot facility unless another public meeting for citizen input has been held with regard to the feedlot facility to be permitted.  The exemption in this paragraph is in addition to other exemptions provided under other law and rules of the board.

 

(e) The board may, prior to final approval of a proposed project, require preparation of an environmental assessment worksheet by a responsible governmental unit selected by the board for any action where environmental review under this section has not been specifically provided for by rule or otherwise initiated.

 

(f) An early and open process shall be utilized to limit the scope of the environmental impact statement to a discussion of those impacts, which, because of the nature or location of the project, have the potential for significant environmental effects.  The same process shall be utilized to determine the form, content and level of detail of the statement as well as the alternatives which are appropriate for consideration in the statement.  In addition, the permits which will be required for the proposed action shall be identified during the scoping process.  Further, the process shall identify those permits for which information will be developed concurrently with the environmental impact statement.  The board shall provide in its rules for the expeditious completion of the scoping process.  The determinations reached in the process shall be incorporated into the order requiring the preparation of an environmental impact statement.

 

(g) The responsible governmental unit shall, to the extent practicable, avoid duplication and ensure coordination between state and federal environmental review and between environmental review and environmental permitting.  Whenever practical, information needed by a governmental unit for making final decisions on permits or other actions required for a proposed project shall be developed in conjunction with the preparation of an environmental impact statement.

 

(h) An environmental impact statement shall be prepared and its adequacy determined within 280 days after notice of its preparation unless the time is extended by consent of the parties or by the governor for good cause.  The responsible governmental unit shall determine the adequacy of an environmental impact statement, unless within 60 days after notice is published that an environmental impact statement will be prepared, the board chooses to determine the adequacy of an environmental impact statement.  If an environmental impact statement is found to be inadequate, the responsible governmental unit shall have 60 days to prepare an adequate environmental impact statement.

 

(i) The proposer of a specific action may include in the information submitted to the responsible governmental unit a preliminary draft environmental impact statement under this section on that action for review, modification, and determination of completeness and adequacy by the responsible governmental unit.  A preliminary draft environmental impact statement prepared by the project proposer and submitted to the responsible governmental unit shall identify or include as an appendix all studies and other sources of information used to substantiate the analysis contained in the preliminary draft environmental impact statement.  The responsible governmental unit shall require additional studies, if needed, and obtain from the project proposer all additional studies and information necessary for the responsible governmental unit to perform its responsibility to review, modify, and determine the completeness and adequacy of the environmental impact statement.


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Sec. 32.  Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 116G.15, subdivision 1, is amended to read: 

 

Subdivision 1.  Establishment; purpose Designation.  The federal Mississippi National River and Recreation Area established pursuant to United States Code, title 16, section 460zz-2(k), is designated an area of critical concern in accordance with this chapter.  The purpose of the designation is to: 

 

(1) protect and preserve the Mississippi River and adjacent lands that the legislature finds to be unique and valuable state and regional resources for the benefit of the health, safety, and welfare of the citizens of the state, region, and nation;

 

(2) prevent and mitigate irreversible damages to these state, regional, and natural resources;

 

(3) preserve and enhance the natural, aesthetic, cultural, and historical values of the Mississippi River and adjacent lands for public use and benefit;

 

(4) protect and preserve the Mississippi River as an essential element in the national, state, and regional transportation, sewer and water, and recreational systems; and

 

(5) protect and preserve the biological and ecological functions of the Mississippi River corridor.

 

Sec. 33.  Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 116P.05, subdivision 2, is amended to read: 

 

Subd. 2.  Duties.  (a) The commission shall recommend an annual or biennial legislative bill for appropriations from the environment and natural resources trust fund and shall adopt a strategic plan as provided in section 116P.08.  Approval of the recommended legislative bill requires an affirmative vote of at least 12 members of the commission.

 

(b) The commission shall recommend expenditures to the legislature from the state land and water conservation account in the natural resources fund.

 

(c) It is a condition of acceptance of the appropriations made from the Minnesota environment and natural resources trust fund, and oil overcharge money under section 4.071, subdivision 2, that the agency or entity receiving the appropriation must submit a work program and semiannual progress reports in the form determined by the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources, and comply with applicable reporting requirements under section 116P.16.  None of the money provided may be spent unless the commission has approved the pertinent work program.

 

(d) (c) The peer review panel created under section 116P.08 must also review, comment, and report to the commission on research proposals applying for an appropriation from the oil overcharge money under section 4.071, subdivision 2.

 

(e) (d) The commission may adopt operating procedures to fulfill its duties under this chapter.

 

(f) (e) As part of the operating procedures, the commission shall: 

 

(1) ensure that members' expectations are to participate in all meetings related to funding decision recommendations;

 

(2) recommend adequate funding for increased citizen outreach and communications for trust fund expenditure planning;


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(3) allow administrative expenses as part of individual project expenditures based on need;

 

(4) provide for project outcome evaluation;

 

(5) keep the grant application, administration, and review process as simple as possible; and

 

(6) define and emphasize the leveraging of additional sources of money that project proposers should consider when making trust fund proposals.

 

Sec. 34.  Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 168A.40, is amended to read: 

 

168A.40 AUTOMOBILE THEFT PREVENTION PROGRAM.

 

Subd. 3.  Surcharge.  Each insurer engaged in the writing of policies of automobile insurance shall collect a surcharge, at the rate of 50 cents per vehicle for every six months of coverage, on each policy of automobile insurance providing comprehensive insurance coverage issued or renewed in this state.  The surcharge may not be considered premium for any purpose, including the computation of premium tax or agents' commissions.  The amount of the surcharge must be separately stated on either a billing or policy declaration sent to an insured.  Insurers shall remit the revenue derived from this surcharge at least quarterly to the commissioner of public safety for purposes of the automobile theft prevention program described in section 65B.84 299A.625.  For purposes of this subdivision, "policy of automobile insurance" has the meaning given it in section 65B.14, covering only the following types of vehicles as defined in section 168.002: 

 

(1) a passenger automobile;

 

(2) a pickup truck;

 

(3) a van but not commuter vans as defined in section 168.126; or

 

(4) a motorcycle,

 

except that no vehicle with a gross vehicle weight in excess of 10,000 pounds is included within this definition.

 

Subd. 4.  Automobile theft prevention account.  A special revenue account is created in the state treasury to be credited with the proceeds of the surcharge imposed under subdivision 3.  Of the revenue in the account, $1,300,000 each year must be transferred to the general fund.  Revenues in excess of $1,300,000 each year may be used only for the automobile theft prevention program described in section 65B.84 299A.625.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective June 30, 2013.

 

Sec. 35.  Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 216H.02, subdivision 4, is amended to read: 

 

Subd. 4.  General elements of the plan.  The plan must: 

 

(1) estimate 1990 and 2005 greenhouse gas emissions in the state and make projections of emissions in 2015, 2025, and 2050;

 

(2) identify, evaluate, and integrate a broad range of statewide greenhouse gas reduction options for all emission sectors in the state;

 

(3) assess the costs, benefits, and feasibility of implementing the options;


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(4) recommend an integrated set of reduction options and strategies for implementing the options that will achieve the goals in subdivision 1, including analysis of the associated costs and benefits to Minnesotans;

 

(5) estimate the statewide greenhouse gas emissions reductions anticipated from implementation of existing state policies; and

 

(6) recommend a system to require the reporting of statewide greenhouse gas emissions, identifying which facilities must report, and how emission estimates should be made; and.

 

(7) evaluate the option of exempting a project from the prohibitions contained in section 216H.03, subdivision 3, if the project contributes a specified fee per ton of carbon dioxide emissions emitted annually by the project, the proceeds of which would be used to fund permanent, quantifiable, verifiable, and enforceable reductions in greenhouse gas emissions that would not otherwise have occurred.

 

Sec. 36.  Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 290.431, is amended to read: 

 

290.431 NONGAME WILDLIFE CHECKOFF.

 

Every individual who files an income tax return or property tax refund claim form may designate on their original return that $1 or more shall be added to the tax or deducted from the refund that would otherwise be payable by or to that individual and paid into an account to be established for the management of nongame wildlife.  The commissioner of revenue shall, on the income tax return and the property tax refund claim form, notify filers of their right to designate that a portion of their tax or refund shall be paid into the nongame wildlife management account.  The sum of the amounts so designated to be paid shall be credited to the nongame wildlife management account for use by the nongame program in the Department of Natural Resources.  All interest earned on money accrued, gifts to the program, contributions to the program, and reimbursements of expenditures in the nongame wildlife management account shall be credited to the account by the commissioner of management and budget, except that gifts or contributions received directly by the commissioner of natural resources and directed by the contributor for use in specific nongame field projects or geographic areas shall be handled according to section 84.085, subdivision 1.  The commissioner of natural resources shall submit a work program for each fiscal year and semiannual progress reports to the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources in the form determined by the commission.

 

The state pledges and agrees with all contributors to the nongame wildlife management account to use the funds contributed solely for the management of nongame wildlife projects and further agrees that it will not impose additional conditions or restrictions that will limit or otherwise restrict the ability of the commissioner of natural resources to use the available funds for the most efficient and effective management of nongame wildlife.  The commissioner may use funds appropriated for nongame wildlife programs for the purpose of developing, preserving, restoring, and maintaining wintering habitat for neotropical migrant birds in Latin America and the Caribbean under agreement or contract with any nonprofit organization dedicated to the construction, maintenance, and repair of such projects that are acceptable to the governmental agency having jurisdiction over the land and water affected by the projects.  Under this authority, the commissioner may execute agreements and contracts if the commissioner determines that the use of the funds will benefit neotropical migrant birds that breed in or migrate through the state.

 

Sec. 37.  Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 290.432, is amended to read: 

 

290.432 CORPORATE NONGAME WILDLIFE CHECKOFF.

 

A corporation that files an income tax return may designate on its original return that $1 or more shall be added to the tax or deducted from the refund that would otherwise be payable by or to that corporation and paid into the nongame wildlife management account established by section 290.431 for use by the Department of Natural Resources for its nongame wildlife program.  The commissioner of revenue shall, on the corporate tax return, notify


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filers of their right to designate that a portion of their tax return be paid into the nongame wildlife management account for the protection of endangered natural resources.  All interest earned on money accrued, gifts to the program, contributions to the program, and reimbursements of expenditures in the nongame wildlife management account shall be credited to the account by the commissioner of management and budget, except that gifts or contributions received directly by the commissioner of natural resources and directed by the contributor for use in specific nongame field projects or geographic areas shall be handled according to section 84.085, subdivision 1.  The commissioner of natural resources shall submit a work program for each fiscal year to the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources in the form determined by the commission.

 

The state pledges and agrees with all corporate contributors to the nongame wildlife account to use the funds contributed solely for the nongame wildlife program and further agrees that it will not impose additional conditions or restrictions that will limit or otherwise restrict the ability of the commissioner of natural resources to use the available funds for the most efficient and effective management of those programs.

 

Sec. 38.  Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 299C.40, subdivision 1, is amended to read: 

 

Subdivision 1.  Definitions.  (a) The definitions in this subdivision apply to this section.

 

(b) "CIBRS" means the Comprehensive Incident-Based Reporting System, located in the Department of Public Safety and managed by the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.  A reference in this section to "CIBRS" includes the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.

 

(c) "Law enforcement agency" means a Minnesota municipal police department, the Metropolitan Transit Police, the Metropolitan Airports Police, the University of Minnesota Police Department, the Department of Corrections Fugitive Apprehension Unit, a Minnesota county sheriff's department, the Enforcement Division of the Department of Natural Resources, the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, or the Minnesota State Patrol.

 

Sec. 39.  Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 357.021, subdivision 7, is amended to read: 

 

Subd. 7.  Disbursement of surcharges by commissioner of management and budget.  (a) Except as provided in paragraphs (b), (c), and (d), the commissioner of management and budget shall disburse surcharges received under subdivision 6 and section 97A.065, subdivision 2, as follows: 

 

(1) one percent shall be credited to the peace officer training account in the game and fish fund to provide peace officer training for employees of the Department of Natural Resources who are licensed under sections 626.84 to 626.863, and who possess peace officer authority for the purpose of enforcing game and fish laws;

 

(2) 39 percent shall be credited to the peace officers training account in the special revenue fund; and

 

(3) 60 percent shall be credited to the general fund.

 

(b) The commissioner of management and budget shall credit $3 of each surcharge received under subdivision 6 and section 97A.065, subdivision 2, to the general fund.

 

(c) In addition to any amounts credited under paragraph (a), the commissioner of management and budget shall credit $47 of each surcharge received under subdivision 6 and section 97A.065, subdivision 2, and the $12 parking surcharge, to the general fund.

 

(d) If the Ramsey County Board of Commissioners authorizes imposition of the additional $1 surcharge provided for in subdivision 6, paragraph (a), the court administrator in the Second Judicial District shall transmit the surcharge to the commissioner of management and budget.  The $1 special surcharge is deposited in a Ramsey


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County surcharge account in the special revenue fund and amounts in the account are appropriated to the trial courts for the administration of the petty misdemeanor diversion program operated by the Second Judicial District Ramsey County Violations Bureau.

 

Sec. 40.  Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 609.66, subdivision 1h, is amended to read: 

 

Subd. 1h.  Silencers; authorized for law enforcement and wildlife control purposes.  (a) Notwithstanding subdivision 1a, paragraph (a), clause (1), licensed peace officers may use devices designed to silence or muffle the discharge of a firearm for tactical emergency response operations.  Tactical emergency response operations include execution of high risk search and arrest warrants, incidents of terrorism, hostage rescue, and any other tactical deployments involving high risk circumstances.  The chief law enforcement officer of a law enforcement agency that has the need to use silencing devices must establish and enforce a written policy governing the use of the devices.

 

(b) Notwithstanding subdivision 1a, paragraph (a), clause (1), until July 1, 2011, an enforcement officer, as defined in section 97A.015, subdivision 18, a wildlife area manager, an employee designated under section 84.0835, or a person acting under contract with the commissioner of natural resources, at specific times and locations that are authorized by the commissioner of natural resources may use devices designed to silence or muffle the discharge of a firearm for wildlife control operations that require stealth.  If the commissioner determines that the use of silencing devices is necessary under this paragraph, the commissioner must: 

 

(1) establish and enforce a written policy governing the use, possession, and transportation of the devices;.

 

(2) limit the number of the silencing devices maintained by the Department of Natural Resources to no more than ten; and

 

(3) keep direct custody and control of the devices when the devices are not specifically authorized for use.

 

Sec. 41.  Laws 2005, chapter 156, article 2, section 45, as amended by Laws 2007, chapter 148, article 2, section 73, and Laws 2009, chapter 37, article 1, section 59, is amended to read: 

 

Sec. 45.  SALE OF STATE LAND.

 

Subdivision 1.  State land sales.  The commissioner of administration shall coordinate with the head of each department or agency having control of state-owned land to identify and sell at least $6,440,000 of state-owned land.  Sales should be completed according to law and as provided in this section as soon as practicable but no later than June 30, 2011 2013.  Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, sections 16B.281 and 16B.282, 94.09 and 94.10, or any other law to the contrary, the commissioner may offer land for public sale by only providing notice of lands or an offer of sale of lands to state departments or agencies, the University of Minnesota, cities, counties, towns, school districts, or other public entities.

 

Subd. 2.  Anticipated savings.  Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 94.16, subdivision 3, or other law to the contrary, the amount of the proceeds from the sale of land under this section that exceeds the actual expenses of selling the land must be deposited in the general fund, except as otherwise provided by the commissioner of finance.  Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 94.11 or 16B.283, the commissioner of finance may establish the timing of payments for land purchased under this section.  If the total of all money deposited into the general fund from the proceeds of the sale of land under this section is anticipated to be less than $6,440,000, the governor must allocate the amount of the difference as reductions to general fund operating expenditures for other executive agencies for the biennium ending June 30, 2011 2013.


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Subd. 3.  Sale of state lands revolving loan fund.  $290,000 is appropriated from the general fund in fiscal year 2006 to the commissioner of administration for purposes of paying the actual expenses of selling state-owned lands to achieve the anticipated savings required in this section.  From the gross proceeds of land sales under this section, the commissioner of administration must cancel the amount of the appropriation in this subdivision to the general fund by June 30, 2011 2013.

 

Sec. 42.  Laws 2011, chapter 14, section 16, is amended to read: 

 

Sec. 16.  REPEALER.

 

Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 41A.09, subdivisions 1a, 2a, 3a, 4, and 10, are repealed.

 

Sec. 43.  STATE TREE NURSERY PROGRAM RESTRUCTURING; REPORT REQUIRED; ACCOUNT BALANCE TRANSFER.

 

(a) By June 30, 2013, the commissioner of natural resources shall discontinue the tree nursery operations at the General C.C. Andrews State Nursery.  After July 1, 2011, the commissioner shall limit nursery operations at the Baudora State Nursery to the production of stock for use by the state, concentrating on the production of coniferous tree stock, with deciduous tree stock production making up no more than two percent of total annual production.

 

(b) By January 15, 2012, the commissioner of natural resources shall submit a budget and financial plan for the state nurseries to the chairs and ranking minority members of the house of representatives and senate committees and divisions with jurisdiction over environment and natural resources policy and finance.  The plan shall include a long-term business plan to operate the Baudora State Nursery in a manner that is self sufficient.  The plan shall also include options for the General C.C. Andrews State Nursery land and assets, including selling the land, leasing the nursery, and selling the nursery and assets to a licensed, private nursery.

 

(c) By June 30, 2012, the commissioner of management and budget shall transfer $500,000 from the forest nursery account to the general fund.  By June 30, 2013, the commissioner of management and budget shall transfer an additional $500,000 from the forest nursery account to the general fund.

 

(d) If the Badoura Nursery operation draws upon more than ten percent of reserves in two consecutive fiscal years after fiscal year 2012, the commissioner of natural resources shall immediately begin a three year phase-out of all state nursery operations.

 

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

 

Sec. 44.  COORDINATION OF MINNESOTA AND WISCONSIN PHOSPHORUS STANDARD; LAKE PEPIN.

 

The commissioner of the Pollution Control Agency shall coordinate with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources in establishing a phosphorus standard for Lake Pepin and shall advocate implementation of a phosphorus standard that considers nutrient impacts on algal growth applicable during the June to September growing season only.  If necessary, the commissioner may engage in a conference with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources according to section 103 of the Clean Water Act, United States Code, title 33, section 1253, to resolve any discrepancies in the states' respective standards.


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Sec. 45.  TERRY MCGAUGHEY MEMORIAL BRIDGE.

 

The commissioner of natural resources shall designate the Paul Bunyan Trail bridge that crosses Excelsior Road in Baxter as the Terry McGaughey Memorial Bridge.  The commissioner shall place signs with the designation on both ends of the bridge.

 

Sec. 46.  RULEMAKING.

 

The rulemaking authority granted under Minnesota Statutes, section 116G.15, subdivision 7, is explicitly repealed by this act and any rulemaking to effectuate the purpose of Laws 2009, chapter 172, article 2, section 27, commenced by the commissioner of natural resources under that authority or any other authority is void and must cease on the effective date of this section.

 

Sec. 47.  WILD RICE RULEMAKING AND RESEARCH.

 

(a) Upon completion of the research referenced in paragraph (d), the commissioner of the Pollution Control Agency shall initiate a process to amend Minnesota Rules, chapter 7050.  The amended rule shall: 

 

(1) establish water quality standards for waters containing natural beds of wild rice, as well as for irrigation waters used for the production of wild rice; and

 

(2) designate each body of water, or specific portion thereof, to which the wild rice water quality standard applies and the specific times of year during which the standard applies.

 

(b) "Waters containing natural beds of wild rice" means waters where significant quantities of wild rice occur naturally.  Before designating waters containing natural beds of wild rice as waters subject to a standard, the commissioner of the Pollution Control Agency shall establish criteria for the waters after consultation with the Department of Natural Resources, Minnesota Indian tribes, and other interested parties and after public notice and comment.  The criteria shall include, but not be limited to, documented history of wild rice harvests, minimum acreage, and wild rice density.  Waters where individual wild rice plants or isolated, sparse stands of wild rice exist shall not be designated as subject to the standard.

 

(c) Within 30 days of the effective date of this section, the commissioner of the Pollution Control Agency must create an advisory group to provide input to the commissioner on a protocol for scientific research to assess the impacts of sulfates and other substances on the growth of wild rice, review research results, and provide other advice on the development of future rule amendments to protect wild rice.  The group must include representatives of tribal governments, municipal wastewater treatment facilities, industrial dischargers, wild rice harvesters, wild rice research experts, and citizen organizations.

 

(d) After receiving the advice of the advisory group under paragraph (c), consultation with the commissioner of natural resources, and review of all available scientific research on water quality and other environmental impacts on the growth of wild rice, the commissioner of the Pollution Control Agency shall adopt and implement a wild rice research plan using the money appropriated to contract with appropriate scientific experts.  The commissioner shall periodically review the results of the research with the commissioner of natural resources and the advisory group.

 

(e) To the extent allowable under the federal Clean Water Act, during the pendency of the rule amendment described in paragraph (a), the Pollution Control Agency, with respect to permits issued for the discharge of wastewater, shall exercise its powers under Minnesota Statutes, section 115.03, subdivision 1, paragraph (e), to enter into schedules of compliance to ensure that no permittee is required to expend funds for design and implementation of sulfate treatment technologies until after the rule amendment is complete.  Nothing shall prevent the Pollution Control Agency from including in a schedule of compliance a requirement to monitor sulfate concentrations in discharges and, if appropriate, based on site-specific conditions, a requirement to implement a sulfate minimization plan to avoid or minimize sulfate concentrations during periods when wild rice may be susceptible to damage.


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(f) To the extent that the commissioner of the Pollution Control Agency determines that provisions of the federal Clean Water Act or other federal laws limits full implementation of paragraph (e), the commissioner shall fully exercise the agency's authority under state and federal law and regulations to ensure, to the fullest extent possible, that no permittee is required to expend funds for design and implementation of sulfate treatment technologies until after the rule amendment described in paragraph (a) is complete.  If the commissioner determines that amendments to Minnesota Rules are necessary to ensure that no permittee is required to expend funds for design and implementation of sulfate treatment technologies until after the rule amendment described in paragraph (a) is complete, the commissioner may use the good cause exemption under Minnesota Statutes, section 14.388, subdivision 1, clause (3), to adopt rules necessary to implement this section, and Minnesota Statutes, section 14.386, does not apply, except as provided in Minnesota Statutes, section 14.388.

 

(g) Upon completion of the rule amendment described in paragraph (a), the Pollution Control Agency shall modify the discharge limits in the affected wastewater discharge permits to reflect the new standards in accordance with state and federal regulations and shall exercise its powers to enter into schedules of compliance in the permits.

 

(h) By December 15, 2011, the commissioner of the Pollution Control Agency shall submit a report to the chairs and ranking minority members of the environment and natural resources committees of the house of representatives and senate on the status of implementation of this section.  The report must include an estimated timeline for completion of the wild rice research plan and initiation and completion of the formal rulemaking process under Minnesota Statutes, chapter 14.

 

(i) To the extent allowable under the federal Clean Water Act, until the rule amendment described in paragraph (a) is finally adopted, the agency shall suspend the standard for sulfate for class 4 waters.

 

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

 

Sec. 48.  WATER RULEMAKING LEGISLATIVE REVIEW.

 

Until June 30, 2013, all proposed rules related to water quality or water resource protection must be consistent with other local, state, and federal rules, and must be able to achieve the legislatively intended outcome as effectively and efficiently as possible.  To ensure that all proposed rules satisfy this legislative policy, the proposed rules must be submitted to the Legislative Coordinating Commission prior to the filing of the notice of intent to adopt.  The agency submitting the proposed rule shall provide the following information: 

 

(1) an explanation of how the proposed rule is consistent with other water-related rules; and

 

(2) a statement from other affected agencies that they do not object to the proposed rule being inconsistent or contrary to any existing rule and accept the proposing agency's jurisdiction over the subject matter of the proposed rule.

 

Within 60 days of receipt of the proposed water-related rule, the commission may notify the agency proposing the rule that the commission agrees that the rule does not comply with the legislative policy, that rules are not consistent with all other water-related rules, or the agency is not the appropriate authority for jurisdiction over the proposed rules.

 

Sec. 49.  INTEREST IN LANDS EXTENDED.

 

Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, Dakota County's reversionary interests in lands deeded by Dakota County to the state of Minnesota, as contemplated by Laws 1975, chapter 382, and currently maintained and used for the purposes of a state zoological garden in Apple Valley, Minnesota, to wit, those lands described in documents


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recorded in the Dakota County Property Records Office as Document No. 433980 and Document No. 439719, excluding lands subject to that certain quit claim deed recorded as Document No. 1246646 and excluding lands subject to that certain quit claim deed recorded as Document No. 1330383, are extended and remain permanently valid and operative.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective upon compliance by the Dakota County Board of Commissioners with the provisions of Minnesota Statutes, section 645.021.

 

Sec. 50.  EVALUATION REQUIRED.

 

(a) The Department of Administration shall evaluate state and local water-related programs, policies, and permits to make recommendations for cost savings, increased productivity, and the elimination of duplication among public agencies.

 

(b) The evaluation must: 

 

(1) identify current rules relating to surface and groundwater, including those related to storm water, residential, industrial, and agricultural use, shorelands, floodplains, wild and scenic rivers, wetlands, feedlots, and subsurface sewage treatment systems, and for each rule specify: 

 

(i) the statutory authority;

 

(ii) intended outcomes;

 

(iii) the cost to state and local government and the private sector; and

 

(iv) the relationship of the rule to other local, state, and federal rules;

 

(2) assess the pros and cons of alternative approaches to implementing water-related programs, policies, and permits, including local, state, and regional-based approaches;

 

(3) identify inconsistencies and redundancy between local, state, and federal rules;

 

(4) identify means to coordinate rulemaking and implementation so as to achieve intended outcomes more effectively and efficiently;

 

(5) identify a rule assessment and evaluation process for determining whether each identified rule should be continued or repealed;

 

(6) rely on scientific, peer-reviewed data, including the studies of the National Academy of Sciences;

 

(7) evaluate current responsibilities of the Pollution Control Agency, Department of Natural Resources, Board of Water and Soil Resources, Environmental Quality Board, Department of Agriculture, and Department of Health for developing and implementing water-related programs, policies, and permits and make recommendations for reallocating responsibilities among the agencies; and

 

(8) assess the current role of the clean water fund in supporting water-related programs and policies and make recommendations for allocating resources among the agencies that collaborate and partner in spending the clean water fund consistent with the other recommendations of the study.


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(c) The commissioner of administration must submit the study results and make recommendations to agencies listed under paragraph (a) and to the chairs and ranking minority party members of the senate and house of representatives committees having primary jurisdiction over environment and natural resources policy and finance no later than January 15, 2012.

 

Sec. 51.  REVISOR'S INSTRUCTION.

 

The revisor of statutes shall recodify section 65B.84 as section 299A.625.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective June 30, 2013.

 

Sec. 52.  REPEALER.

 

Minnesota Statutes 2010, sections 84.027, subdivision 11; 89.06; 89.37, subdivisions 2, 3, and 3a; 116G.15, subdivisions 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7; 116P.14; and 216H.03, are repealed."

 

Delete the title and insert: 

 

"A bill for an act relating to state government; appropriating money for environment, natural resources, commerce, and energy; creating accounts; modifying disposition of certain receipts; creating an advisory committee; modifying automobile theft prevention program; requiring nonresident off-road vehicle state trail pass; modifying state tree nursery provisions; modifying fees; modifying feedlot provisions; modifying environmental review requirements; modifying critical areas; modifying greenhouse gas emissions control requirements; modifying reporting requirements; modifying requirements for department use of silencers; designating a bridge; modifying definitions; modifying Petroleum Tank Release Cleanup Act; requiring rulemaking; amending Minnesota Statutes 2010, sections 41A.105, by adding a subdivision; 65B.84; 84D.15, subdivision 2; 85.052, subdivision 4; 89.039, subdivision 1; 89.21; 89.35, subdivision 2; 89.36, subdivision 1; 89.37, subdivisions 1, 3b; 93.481, subdivision 7; 97A.055, by adding a subdivision; 97A.071, subdivision 2; 97A.075; 103G.271, subdivision 6; 103G.301, by adding a subdivision; 103G.615, subdivision 2; 115.073; 115A.1314; 115A.1320, subdivision 1; 115C.09, subdivision 3c; 115C.13; 116.06, by adding a subdivision; 116.07, subdivision 7c; 116D.04, subdivision 2a, as amended; 116G.15, subdivision 1; 116P.05, subdivision 2; 168A.40; 216H.02, subdivision 4; 290.431; 290.432; 299C.40, subdivision 1; 357.021, subdivision 7; 609.66, subdivision 1h; Laws 2005, chapter 156, article 2, section 45, as amended; Laws 2011, chapter 14, section 16; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapters 16E; 84; 89; 97A; 103G; repealing Minnesota Statutes 2010, sections 84.027, subdivision 11; 89.06; 89.37, subdivisions 2, 3, 3a; 116G.15, subdivisions 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7; 116P.14; 216H.03."

 

 

      We request the adoption of this report and repassage of the bill. 

 

      House Conferees:  Denny McNamara, Tom Hackbarth, Paul Torkelson and Joe Hoppe.

 

      Senate Conferees:  Bill G. Ingebrigtsen, Julie A. Rosen, John C. Pederson, Chris Gerlach and Gary H. Dahms.

 

 

      McNamara moved that the report of the Conference Committee on H. F. No. 1010 be adopted and that the bill be repassed as amended by the Conference Committee. 

 

 

      A roll call was requested and properly seconded.

 

 

      The Speaker called Davids to the Chair.


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      Hortman was excused between the hours of 5:05 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.

 

 

      Atkins was excused between the hours of 5:35 p.m. and 10:20 p.m.

 

 

POINT OF ORDER

 

      Buesgens raised a point of order pursuant to section 752 of "Mason's Manual of Legislative Procedure," relating to Reference to Executive in Debate.  Speaker pro tempore Davids ruled the point of order well taken.

 

 

      Urdahl was excused between the hours of 5:50 p.m. and 7:25 p.m.

 

 

      Slawik was excused between the hours of 6:10 p.m. and 8:05 p.m.

 

 

      Davnie was excused between the hours of 6:35 p.m. and 8:40 p.m.

 

 

      Speaker pro tempore Davids called Lanning to the Chair.

 

 

      Speaker pro tempore Lanning called Holberg to the Chair.

 

 

      Knuth was excused between the hours of 9:50 p.m. and 11:10 p.m.

 

 

      The question recurred on the McNamara motion that the report of the Conference Committee on H. F. No. 1010 be adopted and that the bill be repassed as amended by the Conference Committee and the roll was called.  There were 72 yeas and 61 nays as follows:

 

      Those who voted in the affirmative were:

 


Abeler

Anderson, B.

Anderson, D.

Anderson, P.

Anderson, S.

Banaian

Barrett

Beard

Benson, M.

Bills

Buesgens

Cornish

Crawford

Daudt

Davids

Dean

Dettmer

Doepke

Downey

Drazkowski

Erickson

Fabian

Franson

Garofalo

Gottwalt

Gruenhagen

Gunther

Hackbarth

Hamilton

Hancock

Holberg

Hoppe

Howes

Kelly

Kieffer

Kiel

Kiffmeyer

Kriesel

Lanning

Leidiger

LeMieur

Lohmer

Loon

Mack

Mazorol

McDonald

McElfatrick

McFarlane

McNamara

Murdock

Murray

Myhra

Nornes

O'Driscoll

Peppin

Petersen, B.

Quam

Runbeck

Sanders

Schomacker

Scott

Shimanski

Smith

Stensrud

Swedzinski

Torkelson

Urdahl

Vogel

Wardlow

Westrom

Woodard

Spk. Zellers


 

      Those who voted in the negative were:

 


Anzelc

Benson, J.

Brynaert

Carlson

Champion

Clark

Davnie

Dill

Dittrich

Eken

Falk

Fritz

Gauthier

Greene

Greiling

Hansen

Hausman

Hayden


Journal of the House - 59th Day - Wednesday, May 18, 2011 - Top of Page 4266


 

Hilstrom

Hilty

Hornstein

Hortman

Hosch

Huntley

Johnson

Kahn

Kath

Knuth

Koenen

Laine

Lenczewski

Lesch

Liebling

Lillie

Loeffler

Mahoney

Mariani

Marquart

Melin

Moran

Morrow

Mullery

Murphy, E.

Murphy, M.

Nelson

Norton

Paymar

Pelowski

Persell

Peterson, S.

Poppe

Rukavina

Scalze

Simon

Slawik

Slocum

Thissen

Tillberry

Wagenius

Ward

Winkler


 

 

      The motion prevailed.

 

 

      H. F. No. 1010, A bill for an act relating to state government; appropriating money for environment, natural resources, commerce, and energy; creating accounts; modifying disposition of certain receipts; modifying responsibilities and authorities; creating an advisory committee; modifying Petroleum Tank Release Cleanup Act; modifying cooperative electric association petition provisions; repealing definitions and requirements; requiring rulemaking on wild rice standards; amending Minnesota Statutes 2010, sections 85.052, subdivision 4; 89.21; 97A.055, by adding a subdivision; 97A.071, subdivision 2; 97A.075; 103G.271, subdivision 6; 103G.301, subdivision 2; 103G.615, subdivision 2; 115A.1314; 115A.1320, subdivision 1; 115C.09, subdivision 3c; 115C.13; 116P.04, by adding a subdivision; 116P.05, subdivision 2; 216B.026, subdivision 1; 290.431; 290.432; 357.021, subdivision 7; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapters 16E; 84; 89; 97A; 103G; repealing Minnesota Statutes 2010, sections 84.02, subdivisions 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8; 84.027, subdivision 11; 116P.09, subdivision 4; 116P.14.

 

 

      The bill was read for the third time, as amended by Conference, and placed upon its repassage.

 

      The question was taken on the repassage of the bill and the roll was called.  There were 72 yeas and 61 nays as follows:

 

      Those who voted in the affirmative were:

 


Abeler

Anderson, B.

Anderson, D.

Anderson, P.

Anderson, S.

Banaian

Barrett

Beard

Benson, M.

Bills

Buesgens

Cornish

Crawford

Daudt

Davids

Dean

Dettmer

Doepke

Downey

Drazkowski

Erickson

Fabian

Franson

Garofalo

Gottwalt

Gruenhagen

Gunther

Hackbarth

Hamilton

Hancock

Holberg

Hoppe

Howes

Kelly

Kieffer

Kiel

Kiffmeyer

Kriesel

Lanning

Leidiger

LeMieur

Lohmer

Loon

Mack

Mazorol

McDonald

McElfatrick

McFarlane

McNamara

Murdock

Murray

Myhra

Nornes

O'Driscoll

Peppin

Petersen, B.

Quam

Runbeck

Sanders

Schomacker

Scott

Shimanski

Smith

Stensrud

Swedzinski

Torkelson

Urdahl

Vogel

Wardlow

Westrom

Woodard

Spk. Zellers


 

      Those who voted in the negative were:

 


Anzelc

Benson, J.

Brynaert

Carlson

Champion

Clark

Davnie

Dill

Dittrich

Eken

Falk

Fritz

Gauthier

Greene

Greiling

Hansen

Hausman

Hayden

Hilstrom

Hilty

Hornstein

Hortman

Hosch

Huntley

Johnson

Kahn

Kath

Knuth

Koenen

Laine

Lenczewski

Lesch

Liebling

Lillie

Loeffler

Mahoney

Mariani

Marquart

Melin

Moran

Morrow

Mullery


Journal of the House - 59th Day - Wednesday, May 18, 2011 - Top of Page 4267


 

Murphy, E.

Murphy, M.

Nelson

Norton

Paymar

Pelowski

Persell

Peterson, S.

Poppe

Rukavina

Scalze

Simon

Slawik

Slocum

Thissen

Tillberry

Wagenius

Ward

Winkler


 

 

      The bill was repassed, as amended by Conference, and its title agreed to.

 

 

CONFERENCE COMMITTEE REPORT ON H. F. No. 1140

 

A bill for an act relating to government finance; appropriating money for transportation, Metropolitan Council, and public safety activities and programs; providing for fund transfers and tort claims; authorizing an account and certain contingent appropriations; providing for use of revenues from metropolitan transportation area sales tax; reducing funding for 2010 state road construction; authorizing temporary transfers from metropolitan livable communities fund accounts, right-of-way loan acquisition fund for transit operating deficits, and Metropolitan Council operating budget; establishing direct appropriation from transit assistance fund; establishing an account; modifying various provisions related to transportation finance and policy; modifying provisions related to licensing drivers; mandating and amending legislative reports; making technical and clarifying changes; amending Minnesota Statutes 2010, sections 16A.11, subdivision 3a; 16A.86, subdivision 3a; 16A.88; 162.06, subdivision 1; 162.12, subdivision 1; 168.12, subdivision 5; 171.06, subdivision 2; 171.0701; 171.13, subdivision 1, by adding a subdivision; 174.93; 297A.992, subdivision 5, by adding a subdivision; Laws 2009, chapter 36, article 1, section 3, subdivision 3; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 171.

 

May 16, 2011

The Honorable Kurt Zellers

Speaker of the House of Representatives

 

The Honorable Michelle L. Fischbach

President of the Senate

 

We, the undersigned conferees for H. F. No. 1140 report that we have agreed upon the items in dispute and recommend as follows: 

 

That the Senate recede from its amendments and that H. F. No. 1140 be further amended as follows: 

 

Delete everything after the enacting clause and insert: 

 

"ARTICLE 1

TRANSPORTATION APPROPRIATIONS

 

Section 1.  SUMMARY OF APPROPRIATIONS. 

 

The amounts shown in this section summarize direct appropriations, by fund, made in this article.

 

 

 

2012

 

2013

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

General

 

$31,079,000

 

$31,079,000

 

$62,158,000

Airports

 

19,609,000

 

21,384,000

 

40,993,000

C.S.A.H. 

 

545,109,000

 

572,773,000

 

1,117,882,000

M.S.A.S. 

 

145,455,000

 

153,484,000

 

298,939,000

Special Revenue

 

49,088,000

 

49,088,000

 

98,176,000


Journal of the House - 59th Day - Wednesday, May 18, 2011 - Top of Page 4268


 

H.U.T.D. 

 

10,406,000

 

10,406,000

 

20,812,000

Trunk Highway

 

1,561,090,000

 

1,335,276,000

 

2,896,366,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

$2,361,836,000

 

$2,173,490,000

 

$4,535,326,000

 

Sec. 2.  TRANSPORTATION APPROPRIATIONS. 

 

The sums shown in the columns marked "Appropriations" are appropriated to the agencies and for the purposes specified in this article.  The appropriations are from the trunk highway fund, or another named fund, and are available for the fiscal years indicated for each purpose.  The figures "2012" and "2013" used in this article mean that the appropriations listed under them are available for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2012, or June 30, 2013, respectively.  "The first year" is fiscal year 2012.  "The second year" is fiscal year 2013.  "The biennium" is fiscal years 2012 and 2013.  Appropriations for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2011, are effective the day following final enactment.

 

 

 

 

APPROPRIATIONS

 

 

 

Available for the Year

 

 

 

Ending June 30

 

 

 

2012

2013

 

Sec. 3.  DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

 

 

 

 

 

Subdivision 1.  Total Appropriation

 

$2,197,672,000

 

$2,009,326,000

 

Appropriations by Fund

 

 

2012

2013

 

 

 

General

12,877,000

12,877,000

Airports

19,609,000

21,384,000

C.S.A.H. 

545,109,000

572,773,000

M.S.A.S

145,455,000

153,484,000

Trunk Highway

1,474,622,000

1,248,808,000

 

The amounts that may be spent for each purpose are specified in the following subdivisions.

 

Subd. 2.  Multimodal Systems

 

 

 

 

 

(a) Aeronautics

 

(1) Airport Development and Assistance

 

14,298,000

 

16,073,000

 

This appropriation is from the state airports fund and must be spent according to Minnesota Statutes, section 360.305, subdivision 4.

 

The base appropriation for fiscal years 2014 and 2015 is $14,298,000 for each year.

 

Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 16A.28, subdivision 6, this appropriation is available for five years after appropriation.  If the appropriation for either year is insufficient, the appropriation for the other year is available for it.


Journal of the House - 59th Day - Wednesday, May 18, 2011 - Top of Page 4269


 

If the commissioner of transportation determines that a balance remains in the state airports fund following the appropriations made in this article, and that the appropriations made are insufficient for advancing airport development and assistance projects, an amount necessary to advance the projects, not to exceed the balance in the state airports fund, is appropriated in each year to the commissioner and must be spent according to Minnesota Statutes, section 360.305, subdivision 4.  Within two weeks of a determination under this contingent appropriation, the commissioner of transportation shall notify the commissioner of management and budget and the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees with jurisdiction over transportation finance concerning funds appropriated.  Funds appropriated under this contingent appropriation do not adjust the base appropriation for fiscal years 2014 and 2015.

 

(2) Aviation Support and Services

 

6,123,000

 

6,123,000

 

Appropriations by Fund

 

Airports

5,286,000

5,286,000

Trunk Highway

837,000

837,000

 

$65,000 in each year is from the state airports fund for the Civil Air Patrol.

 

(b) Transit

 

13,338,000

 

13,338,000

 

Appropriations by Fund

 

General

12,563,000

12,563,000

Trunk Highway

775,000

775,000

 

The base appropriation from the general fund is $12,563,000 for fiscal year 2014 and $12,482,000 for fiscal year 2015.

 

The amount used in each year as operating assistance for public transit systems for elderly and disabled service must not be less than the amount used in 2011 for that purpose.

 

$100,000 in each year is from the general fund for the administrative expenses of the Minnesota Council on Transportation Access under Minnesota Statutes, section 174.285.

 

(c) Freight

 

5,154,000

 

5,154,000

 

Appropriations by Fund

 

 

 

General

257,000

257,000

 

Trunk Highway

4,897,000

4,897,000

 


Journal of the House - 59th Day - Wednesday, May 18, 2011 - Top of Page 4270


 

Subd. 3.  State Roads

 

 

 

 

 

(a) Operations and Maintenance

 

257,395,000

 

257,395,000

 

(b) Program Planning and Delivery

 

206,918,000

 

206,733,000

 

Of these appropriations, $130,000 in each year is for administrative costs of the targeted group business program, if a law is enacted and effective in 2012 and 2013 that establishes a targeted group business program for state highway construction contracts.

 

$266,000 in each year is available for grants to metropolitan planning organizations outside the seven-county metropolitan area.

 

$75,000 in each year is available for a transportation research contingent account to finance research projects that are reimbursable from the federal government or from other sources.  If the appropriation for either year is insufficient, the appropriation for the other year is available for it.

 

$600,000 in each year is available for grants for transportation studies outside the metropolitan area to identify critical concerns, problems, and issues.  These grants are available:  (1) to regional development commissions; (2) in regions where no regional development commission is functioning, to joint powers boards established under agreement of two or more political subdivisions in the region to exercise the planning functions of a regional development commission; and (3) in regions where no regional development commission or joint powers board is functioning, to the department's district office for that region.

 

(c) State Road Construction

 

801,000,000

 

555,000,000

 

It is estimated that these appropriations will be funded as follows: 

 

Appropriations by Fund

 

Federal Highway Aid

490,800,000

264,800,000

Highway User Taxes

310,200,000

290,200,000

 

The commissioner of transportation shall notify the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees with jurisdiction over transportation finance of any significant events that should cause these estimates to change.

 

This appropriation is for the actual construction, reconstruction, and improvement of trunk highways, including design-build contracts and consultant usage to support these activities.  This includes the cost of actual payment to landowners for lands acquired for highway rights-of-way, payment to lessees, interest subsidies, and relocation expenses.


Journal of the House - 59th Day - Wednesday, May 18, 2011 - Top of Page 4271


 

The base appropriation for fiscal years 2014 and 2015 is $635,000,000 for each year.

 

The commissioner may transfer up to $20,000,000 in the first year from the trunk highway fund to the trunk highway economic development account established under Minnesota Statutes, section 161.04, subdivision 6.

 

The commissioner may expend up to one-half of one percent of the federal appropriations under this paragraph as grants to opportunity industrialization centers and other nonprofit job training centers for job training programs related to highway construction.

 

The commissioner may transfer up to $15,000,000 each year to the transportation revolving loan fund.

 

The commissioner may receive money covering other shares of the cost of partnership projects.  These receipts are appropriated to the commissioner for these projects.

 

(d) Highway Debt Service

 

137,876,000

 

158,247,000

 

$123,876,000 the first year and $144,247,000 the second year are for transfer to the state bond fund.  If an appropriation is insufficient to make all transfers required in the year for which it is made, the commissioner of management and budget shall notify the Committee on Finance of the senate and the Committee on Ways and Means of the house of representatives of the amount of the deficiency and shall then transfer that amount under the statutory open appropriation.  Any excess appropriation cancels to the trunk highway fund.

 

(e) Electronic Communications

 

5,171,000

 

5,171,000

 

Appropriations by Fund

 

General

3,000

3,000

Trunk Highway

5,168,000

5,168,000

 

The general fund appropriation is to equip and operate the Roosevelt signal tower for Lake of the Woods weather broadcasting.

 

Subd. 4.  Local Roads

 

 

 

 

 

(a) County State Aids

 

545,109,000

 

572,773,000

 

This appropriation is from the county state-aid highway fund under Minnesota Statutes, sections 161.082 to 161.085; and Minnesota Statutes, chapter 162.  This appropriation is available until spent.


Journal of the House - 59th Day - Wednesday, May 18, 2011 - Top of Page 4272


 

If the commissioner of transportation determines that a balance remains in the county state-aid highway fund following the appropriations and transfers made in this subdivision, and that the appropriations made are insufficient for advancing county state-aid highway projects, an amount necessary to advance the projects, not to exceed the balance in the county state-aid highway fund, is appropriated in each year to the commissioner.  Within two weeks of a determination under this contingent appropriation, the commissioner of transportation shall notify the commissioner of management and budget and the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees with jurisdiction over transportation finance concerning funds appropriated.

 

(b) Municipal State Aids

 

145,455,000

 

153,484,000

 

This appropriation is from the municipal state-aid street fund for municipal state-aid streets under Minnesota Statutes, chapter 162.  This appropriation is available until spent.

 

If the commissioner of transportation determines that a balance remains in the municipal state-aid street fund following the appropriations made in this subdivision, and that the appropriations made are insufficient for advancing municipal state-aid street projects, an amount necessary to advance the projects, not to exceed the balance in the municipal state-aid street fund, is appropriated in each year to the commissioner.  Within two weeks of a determination under this contingent appropriation, the commissioner of transportation shall notify the commissioner of management and budget and the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees with jurisdiction over transportation finance concerning funds appropriated.

 

Subd. 5.  Agency Management

 

 

 

 

 

(a) Agency Services

 

41,997,000

 

41,997,000

 

Appropriations by Fund

 

Airports

25,000

25,000

Trunk Highway

41,972,000

41,972,000

 

(b) Buildings

 

17,838,000

 

17,838,000

 

Appropriations by Fund

 

General

54,000

54,000

Trunk Highway

17,784,000

17,784,000

 

If the appropriation for either year is insufficient, the appropriation for the other year is available for it.


Journal of the House - 59th Day - Wednesday, May 18, 2011 - Top of Page 4273


 

Subd. 6.  Transfers

 

 

 

 

 

(a) With the approval of the commissioner of management and budget, the commissioner of transportation may transfer unencumbered balances among the appropriations from the trunk highway fund and the state airports fund made in this section.  No transfer may be made from the appropriations for state road construction or for debt service.  Transfers under this paragraph may not be made between funds.  Transfers under this paragraph must be reported immediately to the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees with jurisdiction over transportation finance.

 

(b) The commissioner shall transfer from the flexible highway account in the county state-aid highway fund:  (1) $1,000,000 in the first year to the municipal turnback account in the municipal state-aid street fund; (2) $1,900,000 in the first year to the trunk highway fund; and (3) the remainder in each year to the county turnback account in the county state-aid highway fund.  The funds transferred are for highway turnback purposes as provided under Minnesota Statutes, section 161.081, subdivision 3.

 

Subd. 7.  Use of State Road Construction Appropriations

 

 

 

 

Any money appropriated to the commissioner of transportation for state road construction for any fiscal year before the first year is available to the commissioner during the biennium to the extent that the commissioner spends the money on the state road construction project for which the money was originally encumbered during the fiscal year for which it was appropriated.  The commissioner of transportation shall report to the commissioner of management and budget by August 1, 2011, and August 1, 2012, on a form the commissioner of management and budget provides, on expenditures made during the previous fiscal year that are authorized by this subdivision.

 

Subd. 8.  Contingent Appropriation

 

 

 

 

 

The commissioner of transportation, with the approval of the governor and the written approval of at least five members of a group consisting of the members of the Legislative Advisory Commission under Minnesota Statutes, section 3.30, and the ranking minority members of the legislative committees with jurisdiction over transportation finance, may transfer all or part of the unappropriated balance in the trunk highway fund to an appropriation:  (1) for trunk highway design, construction, or inspection in order to take advantage of an unanticipated receipt of income to the trunk highway fund or to take advantage of federal advanced construction funding; (2) for trunk highway maintenance in order to meet an emergency; or (3) to pay tort or environmental claims.  Nothing in this subdivision authorizes the commissioner to


Journal of the House - 59th Day - Wednesday, May 18, 2011 - Top of Page 4274


 

increase the use of federal advanced construction funding beyond amounts specifically authorized.  Any transfer as a result of the use of federal advanced construction funding must include an analysis of the effects on the long-term trunk highway fund balance.  The amount transferred is appropriated for the purpose of the account to which it is transferred.

 

Subd. 9.  Use of Trunk Highway Fund

 

 

 

 

 

No transfer or expenditure of trunk highway funds may be made for the purpose of paying personnel costs incurred on behalf of the Governor's Office.

 

Sec. 4.  METROPOLITAN COUNCIL

 

$10,248,000

 

$10,248,000

 

This appropriation is from the general fund for transit system operations under Minnesota Statutes, sections 473.371 to 473.449.

 

Of this appropriation, $140,000 in each fiscal year is for transit service for disabled veterans under Minnesota Statutes, section 473.408, subdivision 10.

 

The base appropriation is $39,248,000 for fiscal year 2014 and $39,329,000 for fiscal year 2015.

 

The Metropolitan Council shall deploy the following strategies as necessary to avoid transit service reductions and route elimination, in the order stated: 

 

(1) use the maximum feasible amount of the council's reserve funds for bus transit operations in fiscal years 2012 and 2013;

 

(2) exercise the authority granted to the council in article 2, sections 3 to 5;

 

(3) increase fares; and

 

(4) if the strategies under clauses (1) to (3) have been deployed, perform service reductions or route eliminations except as otherwise prohibited under this section.

 

The Metropolitan Council may not reduce the level of service provided in the biennium for special transportation service under Minnesota Statutes, section 473.386, from the level of service provided by the council on January 1, 2011.  The Metropolitan Council may not restrict eligibility in the biennium for special transportation service under Minnesota Statutes, section 473.386, beyond the eligibility requirements in place on January 1, 2011.  Level of service includes, but is not limited to, geographic coverage area, hours of service, hours of operation for reservation services, and any other aspects of the program having a substantial impact on usability of the service.


Journal of the House - 59th Day - Wednesday, May 18, 2011 - Top of Page 4275


 

Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 473.388, subdivision 4, in each year of the biennium, the Metropolitan Council shall provide financial assistance to each transit provider under Minnesota Statutes, section 473.388, in an amount equal to the amount of assistance provided to that transit provider by the Metropolitan Council in fiscal year 2011.

 

Sec. 5.  DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY

 

 

 

 

 

Subdivision 1.  Total Appropriation

 

$153,316,000

 

$153,316,000

 

Appropriations by Fund

 

 

2012

2013

 

 

 

General

7,954,000

7,954,000

Special Revenue

49,088,000

49,088,000

H.U.T.D. 

10,406,000

10,406,000

Trunk Highway

85,868,000

85,868,000

 

The amounts that may be spent for each purpose are specified in the following subdivisions.

 

Subd. 2.  Administration and Related Services

 

 

 

 

 

(a) Office of Communications

 

434,000

 

434,000

 

Appropriations by Fund

 

General

41,000

41,000

Trunk Highway

393,000

393,000

 

(b) Public Safety Support

 

8,168,000

 

8,168,000

 

Appropriations by Fund

 

General

3,296,000

3,296,000

H.U.T.D. 

1,366,000

1,366,000

Trunk Highway

3,506,000

3,506,000

 

$380,000 in each year is from the general fund for payment of public safety officer survivor benefits under Minnesota Statutes, section 299A.44.  If the appropriation for either year is insufficient, the appropriation for the other year is available for it.

 

$1,367,000 in each year is from the general fund to be deposited in the public safety officer's benefit account.  This money is available for reimbursements under Minnesota Statutes, section 299A.465.

 

$508,000 in each year is from the general fund for soft body armor reimbursements under Minnesota Statutes, section 299A.38.


Journal of the House - 59th Day - Wednesday, May 18, 2011 - Top of Page 4276


 

$792,000 in each year is from the general fund for transfer by the commissioner of management and budget to the trunk highway fund on December 31, 2011, and December 31, 2012, respectively, in order to reimburse the trunk highway fund for expenses not related to the fund.  These represent amounts appropriated out of the trunk highway fund for general fund purposes in the administration and related services program.

 

$610,000 in each year is from the highway user tax distribution fund for transfer by the commissioner of management and budget to the trunk highway fund on December 31, 2011, and December 31, 2012, respectively, in order to reimburse the trunk highway fund for expenses not related to the fund.  These represent amounts appropriated out of the trunk highway fund for highway user tax distribution fund purposes in the administration and related services program.

 

$716,000 in each year is from the highway user tax distribution fund for transfer by the commissioner of management and budget to the general fund on December 31, 2011, and December 31, 2012, respectively, in order to reimburse the general fund for expenses not related to the fund.  These represent amounts appropriated out of the general fund for operation of the criminal justice data network related to driver and motor vehicle licensing.

 

(c) Technology and Support Service

 

3,835,000

 

3,835,000

 

Appropriations by Fund

 

General

1,472,000

1,472,000

H.U.T.D. 

19,000

19,000

Trunk Highway

2,344,000

2,344,000

 

Subd. 3.  State Patrol

 

 

 

 

 

(a) Patrolling Highways

 

71,522,000

 

71,522,000

 

Appropriations by Fund

 

General

37,000

37,000

H.U.T.D. 

92,000

92,000

Trunk Highway

71,393,000

71,393,000

 

(b) Commercial Vehicle Enforcement

 

7,796,000

 

7,796,000

 

$600,000 in each year is for the Office of Pupil Transportation Safety under Minnesota Statutes, section 169.435.

 

(c) Capitol Security

 

3,108,000

 

3,108,000

 

This appropriation is from the general fund.


Journal of the House - 59th Day - Wednesday, May 18, 2011 - Top of Page 4277


 

The commissioner may not:  (1) spend any money from the trunk highway fund for capitol security; or (2) permanently transfer any state trooper from the patrolling highways activity to capitol security.

 

The commissioner may not transfer any money appropriated to the commissioner under this section:  (1) to capitol security; or (2) from capitol security.

 

(d) Vehicle Crimes Unit

 

693,000

 

693,000

 

This appropriation is from the highway user tax distribution fund.

 

This appropriation is to investigate:  (1) registration tax and motor vehicle sales tax liabilities from individuals and businesses that currently do not pay all taxes owed; and (2) illegal or improper activity related to sale, transfer, titling, and registration of motor vehicles.

 

Subd. 4.  Driver and Vehicle Services

 

 

 

 

 

(a) Vehicle Services

 

27,259,000

 

27,259,000

 

Appropriations by Fund

 

Special Revenue

19,023,000

19,023,000

H.U.T.D. 

8,236,000

8,236,000

 

The special revenue fund appropriation is from the vehicle services operating account.

 

(b) Driver Services

 

28,712,000

 

28,712,000

 

Appropriations by Fund

 

Special Revenue

28,711,000

28,711,000

Trunk Highway

1,000

1,000

 

The special revenue fund appropriation is from the driver services operating account.

 

Subd. 5.  Traffic Safety

 

435,000

 

435,000

 

The commissioner of public safety shall spend 50 percent of the money available to the state under United States Code, title 23, section 164, and the remaining 50 percent must be transferred to the commissioner of transportation for hazard elimination activities under United States Code, title 23, section 152.


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Subd. 6.  Pipeline Safety

 

1,354,000

 

1,354,000

 

This appropriation is from the pipeline safety account in the special revenue fund.

 

Subd. 7.  Use of Trunk Highway Fund

 

 

 

 

 

No transfer or expenditure of trunk highway funds may be made for the purpose of paying personnel costs incurred on behalf of the Governor's Office.

 

Sec. 6.  TORT CLAIMS

 

$600,000

 

$600,000

 

This appropriation is to the commissioner of management and budget.

 

If the appropriation for either year is insufficient, the appropriation for the other year is available for it.

 

Sec. 7.  Laws 2009, chapter 36, article 1, section 3, subdivision 3, as amended by Laws 2010, chapter 351, section 66, is amended to read: 

 

Subd. 3.  State Roads

 

 

 

 

 

(a) Infrastructure Operations and Maintenance

 

251,643,000

 

245,892,000

 

The base appropriation for fiscal years 2012 and 2013 is $257,395,000 for each year.

 

(b) Infrastructure Investment and Planning

 

 

 

 

 

(1) Infrastructure Investment Support

 

201,461,000

 

196,935,000

 

The base appropriation for fiscal years 2012 and 2013 is $205,988,000 for each year.

 

$266,000 the first year and $266,000 the second year are available for grants to metropolitan planning organizations outside the seven-county metropolitan area.

 

$75,000 the first year and $75,000 the second year are for a transportation research contingent account to finance research projects that are reimbursable from the federal government or from other sources.  If the appropriation for either year is insufficient, the appropriation for the other year is available for it.

 

$600,000 the first year and $600,000 the second year are available for grants for transportation studies outside the metropolitan area to identify critical concerns, problems, and issues.  These grants are available (1) to regional development commissions; (2) in regions where no regional development commission is functioning,


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to joint powers boards established under agreement of two or more political subdivisions in the region to exercise the planning functions of a regional development commission; and (3) in regions where no regional development commission or joint powers board is functioning, to the department's district office for that region.

 

$200,000 the second year is for grants to nonprofit job training centers for:  (1) job training programs related to highway construction; and (2) business training for companies that are certified disadvantaged business enterprises.

 

(2) State Road Construction

 

551,300,000

 

598,700,000 555,700,000

 

The base appropriation for fiscal years 2012 and 2013 is $635,000,000 for each year.

 

It is estimated that these appropriations will be funded as follows: 

 

Appropriations by Fund

 

Federal Highway Aid

301,100,000

388,500,000 345,500,000

 

 

 

Highway User Taxes

250,200,000

210,200,000

 

The commissioner of transportation shall notify the chairs and ranking minority members of the senate and house of representatives committees with jurisdiction over transportation finance of any significant events that should cause these estimates to change.

 

This appropriation is for the actual construction, reconstruction, and improvement of trunk highways, including design-build contracts and consultant usage to support these activities.  This includes the cost of actual payment to landowners for lands acquired for highway rights-of-way, payment to lessees, interest subsidies, and relocation expenses.

 

The commissioner may spend up to $250,000 of trunk highway funds in fiscal year 2011 to pay the operating costs of bus service between Hastings and Minneapolis-St. Paul to mitigate the traffic impacts of the project involving construction of a bridge crossing the Mississippi River in the city of Hastings on marked Trunk Highway 61.

 

The commissioner shall expend up to one-half of one percent of the federal appropriations under this paragraph as grants to opportunity industrialization centers and other nonprofit job training centers for job training programs related to highway construction.


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The commissioner may transfer up to $15,000,000 each year to the transportation revolving loan fund.

 

The commissioner may receive money covering other shares of the cost of partnership projects.  These receipts are appropriated to the commissioner for these projects.

 

(3) Highway Debt Service

 

101,170,000

 

173,400,000

 

$86,517,000 the first year and $157,304,000 the second year are for transfer to the state bond fund.  If this appropriation is insufficient to make all transfers required in the year for which it is made, the commissioner of finance shall notify the Committee on Finance of the senate and the Committee on Ways and Means of the house of representatives of the amount of the deficiency and shall then transfer that amount under the statutory open appropriation.  Any excess appropriation cancels to the trunk highway fund.

 

(c) Electronic Communications

 

5,177,000

 

5,177,000

 

Appropriations by Fund

 

General

9,000

9,000

Trunk Highway

5,168,000

5,168,000

 

The general fund appropriation is to equip and operate the Roosevelt signal tower for Lake of the Woods weather broadcasting.

 

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

 

ARTICLE 2

METROPOLITAN TRANSIT FINANCE

 

Section 1.  Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 297A.992, subdivision 5, is amended to read: 

 

Subd. 5.  Grant application and awards; Grant Evaluation and Ranking System (GEARS) Committee.  (a) The joint powers board shall establish a grant application process and identify the amount of available funding for grant awards.  Grant applications must be submitted in a form prescribed by the joint powers board.  An applicant must provide, in addition to all other information required by the joint powers board, the estimated cost of the project, the amount of the grant sought, possible sources of funding in addition to the grant sought, and identification of any federal funds that will be utilized if the grant is awarded.  A grant application seeking transit capital funding must identify the source of money necessary to operate the transit improvement.

 

(b) The joint powers board shall establish a timeline and procedures for the award of grants, and may award grants only to the state and political subdivisions.  The board shall define objective criteria for the award of grants, which must include, but not be limited to, consistency with the most recent version of the transportation policy plan adopted by the Metropolitan Council under section 473.146.  The joint powers board shall maximize the availability and use of federal funds in projects funded under this section.


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(c) The joint powers board shall establish a GEARS Committee, which must consist of: 

 

(1) one county commissioner from each county that is in the metropolitan transportation area, appointed by its county board;

 

(2) one elected city representative from each county that is in the metropolitan transportation area;

 

(3) one additional elected city representative from each county for every additional 400,000 in population, or fraction of 400,000, in the county that is above 400,000 in population; and

 

(4) the chair of the Metropolitan Council Transportation Committee.

 

(d) Each city representative must be elected at a meeting of cities in the metropolitan transportation area, which must be convened for that purpose by the Association of Metropolitan Municipalities.

 

(e) The committee shall evaluate grant applications following objective criteria established by the joint powers board, and must provide to the joint powers board a selection list of transportation projects that includes a priority ranking.

 

(f) A grant award for a transit project located within the metropolitan area, as defined in section 473.121, subdivision 2, may be funded only after the Metropolitan Council reviews the project for consistency with the transit portion of the Metropolitan Council policy plan and one of the following occurs: 

 

(1) the Metropolitan Council finds the project to be consistent;

 

(2) the Metropolitan Council initially finds the project to be inconsistent, but after a good faith effort to resolve the inconsistency through negotiations with the joint powers board, agrees that the grant award may be funded; or

 

(3) the Metropolitan Council finds the project to be inconsistent, and submits the consistency issue for final determination to a panel, which determines the project to be consistent.  The panel is composed of a member appointed by the chair of the Metropolitan Council, a member appointed by the joint powers board, and a member agreed upon by both the chair and the joint powers board.

 

(g) Grants must be funded by the proceeds of the taxes imposed under this section, bonds, notes, or other obligations issued by the joint powers board under subdivision 7.

 

(h) Notwithstanding the provisions of this subdivision, in fiscal year 2009, of the initial revenue collected under this section, the joint powers board shall allocate at least $30,783,000 to the Metropolitan Council for operating assistance for transit.  Notwithstanding the provisions of this section except subdivision 6a, of the revenue collected under this section, the joint powers board may allocate to the Metropolitan Council, in fiscal years 2012 and 2013, any amount that is not provided as grant awards for transit ways or park-and-ride facilities.

 

(i) The Metropolitan Council shall expend any funds allocated under paragraph (h): 

 

(1) for bus operations under sections 473.371 to 473.449, and excluding (i) bus rapid transit operations, and (ii) light rail transit and commuter rail operations under sections 174.90, 473.3993 to 473.3999, and 473.4051 to 473.4057; and

 

(2) solely within those counties that are in the metropolitan transportation area.


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(j) Nothing in paragraph (h) or (i) prevents grant awards to the Metropolitan Council for capital and operating assistance for transit ways and park-and-ride facilities.

 

Sec. 2.  Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 297A.992, is amended by adding a subdivision to read: 

 

Subd. 6a.  Priority of fund uses.  The joint powers board shall allocate all revenues from the taxes imposed under this section in conformance with the following priority order: 

 

(1) payment of debt service necessary for the fiscal year on bonds or other obligations issued prior to January 1, 2011, under subdivision 7; and

 

(2) as otherwise authorized under this section.

 

Sec. 3.  METROPOLITAN LIVABLE COMMUNITIES FUND; TRANSFERS.

 

(a) Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, sections 473.25 to 473.255, or any other law, the Metropolitan Council may transfer to its transit operating budget in 2011, 2012, and 2013 up to 100 percent of the sum of balances in, revenues in, and amounts otherwise credited, transferred, or distributed to, each of the following accounts in 2011, 2012, and 2013: 

 

(1) the tax base revitalization account pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, section 473.252;

 

(2) the livable communities demonstration account pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, section 473.253; and

 

(3) the local housing incentives account pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, section 473.254.

 

(b) The council may not transfer funds under this section that are committed to grant or loan awards made by the council.

 

(c) The council shall use any amounts transferred under this section to cover operating deficits for transit services provided or assisted by the council under Minnesota Statutes, sections 473.371 to 473.449.  If the council transfers funds pursuant to this section, the council shall amend the annual distribution plan described in Minnesota Statutes, section 473.25, paragraph (d), and include information about the transfer in the annual report required under Minnesota Statutes, section 473.25, paragraph (e).

 

Sec. 4.  RIGHT-OF-WAY ACQUISITION LOAN FUND; TRANSFERS.

 

(a) Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 473.167, or any other law, the Metropolitan Council may transfer to its transit operating budget in 2011, 2012, and 2013 up to 100 percent of the amounts levied and collected in 2011, 2012, and 2013 under Minnesota Statutes, section 473.167, subdivision 3.  The council shall use the amounts transferred to cover operating deficits for transit services provided or assisted by the council under Minnesota Statutes, sections 473.371 to 473.449.

 

(b) If the council transfers funds pursuant to this section, the council shall within two weeks notify the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees with jurisdiction over transportation policy and finance concerning the transfers.

 

Sec. 5.  METROPOLITAN COUNCIL OPERATING BUDGET; TRANSFERS.

 

(a) Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, chapter 473, or any other law, the Metropolitan Council may transfer to its transit operating budget in 2011, 2012, and 2013 up to 100 percent of the amounts levied and collected in 2011, 2012, and 2013, respectively, under Minnesota Statutes, section 473.249, that are otherwise budgeted in that year in the council's operating budget under Minnesota Statutes, section 473.13, for the following departments or functions: 


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(1) government affairs;

 

(2) public affairs;

 

(3) regional systems planning and growth strategy; and

 

(4) local planning assistance.

 

(b) The council may not transfer funds under this section that are identified for or committed to grant or loan awards made by the council.

 

(c) The council shall use the amounts transferred to cover operating deficits for transit services provided or assisted by the council under Minnesota Statutes, sections 473.371 to 473.449.  If the council transfers funds pursuant to this section, the council shall within two weeks notify the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees with jurisdiction over transportation policy and finance concerning the transfers.

 

ARTICLE 3

TRANSPORTATION DEVELOPMENT

 

Section 1.  Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 16A.11, subdivision 3a, is amended to read: 

 

Subd. 3a.  Part three:  detailed capital budget.  The detailed capital budget must include recommendations for capital projects to be funded during the next six fiscal years and, if applicable, must meet the requirements under section 174.93, subdivision 1a.  It must be submitted with projects recommended by the governor and in order of importance among that agency's requests as determined by the agency originating the request.

 

Sec. 2.  Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 16A.86, subdivision 3a, is amended to read: 

 

Subd. 3a.  Information provided.  All requests for state assistance under this section must include the following information: 

 

(1) the name of the political subdivision that will own the capital project for which state assistance is being requested;

 

(2) the public purpose of the project;

 

(3) the extent to which the political subdivision has or expects to provide local, private, user financing, or other nonstate funding for the project;

 

(4) a list of the bondable activities that the project encompasses; examples of bondable activities are public improvements of a capital nature for land acquisition, predesign, design, construction, and furnishing and equipping for occupancy;

 

(5) whether the project will require new or additional state operating subsidies;

 

(6) whether the governing body of the political subdivision requesting the project has passed a resolution in support of the project and has established priorities for all projects within its jurisdiction for which bonding appropriations are requested when submitting multiple requests; and


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(7) if the project requires a predesign under section 16B.335, whether the predesign has been completed at the time the capital project request is submitted, and whether the political subdivision has submitted the project predesign to the commissioner of administration for review and approval; and

 

(8) if applicable, the information required under section 174.93, subdivision 1a.

 

Sec. 3.  Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 161.04, is amended by adding a subdivision to read: 

 

Subd. 6.  Trunk highway economic development account.  (a) The trunk highway economic development account is created in the trunk highway fund.  Money in the account is annually appropriated to the commissioner and does not lapse.  Interest earned from investment of money in this account must be deposited in the trunk highway economic development account.

 

(b) Money in the account must be used to fund construction, reconstruction, and improvement of trunk highways that will promote economic development, increase employment, and relieve growing traffic congestion.

 

(c) The commissioner shall design a project application and selection process to distribute money in the account.  The process must include specified eligibility and prioritizing criteria.

 

(d) Money in the account must be allocated 50 percent to the department's metropolitan district, and 50 percent to districts in greater Minnesota except as provided in this paragraph.  If there are not sufficient project applications that meet eligibility and prioritizing criteria in either the metropolitan district or greater Minnesota districts to permit an equal division of available money, the commissioner shall fund projects that meet the selection criteria without regard to location in the state.

 

Sec. 4.  Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 162.06, subdivision 1, is amended to read: 

 

Subdivision 1.  Estimate.  (a) By December 15 of each year the commissioner shall estimate the amount of money that will be available to the county state-aid highway fund during that fiscal year.  The amount available must be based on actual receipts from July 1 through November 30 October 31, the unallocated fund balance, and the projected receipts for the remainder of the fiscal year.  The amount available, except for deductions as provided in this section, shall be apportioned by the commissioner to the counties as provided in section 162.07.

 

(b) For purposes of this section, "amount available" means the amount estimated in paragraph (a).

 

Sec. 5.  Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 162.12, subdivision 1, is amended to read: 

 

Subdivision 1.  Estimate of accruals.  By December 15 of each year the commissioner shall estimate the amount of money that will be available to the municipal state-aid street fund during that fiscal year.  The amount available is based on actual receipts from July 1 through November 30 October 31, the unallocated fund balance, and the projected receipts for the remainder of the fiscal year.  The total available, except for deductions as provided herein, shall be apportioned by the commissioner to the cities having a population of 5,000 or more as hereinafter provided.

 

Sec. 6.  Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 168.12, subdivision 5, is amended to read: 

 

Subd. 5.  Additional fee.  (a) In addition to any fee otherwise authorized or any tax otherwise imposed upon any vehicle, the payment of which is required as a condition to the issuance of any plate or plates, the commissioner shall impose the fee specified in paragraph (b) that is calculated to cover the cost of manufacturing and issuing the plate or plates, except for plates issued to disabled veterans as defined in section 168.031 and plates issued pursuant to section 168.124, 168.125, or 168.27, subdivisions 16 and 17, for passenger automobiles.  The commissioner shall issue graphic design plates only for vehicles registered pursuant to section 168.017 and recreational vehicles registered pursuant to section 168.013, subdivision 1g.


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(b) Unless otherwise specified or exempted by statute, the following plate and validation sticker fees apply for the original, duplicate, or replacement issuance of a plate in a plate year: 

 

License Plate

 

 

Single

 

Double

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Regular and Disability

 

 

$4.50

 

$6.00

 

Special

 

 

$8.50

 

$10.00

 

Personalized (Replacement)

 

 

$10.00

 

$14.00

 

Collector Category

 

 

$13.50

 

$15.00

 

Emergency Vehicle Display

 

 

$3.00

 

$6.00

 

Utility Trailer Self-Adhesive

 

 

$2.50

 

 

 

Vertical Motorcycle Plate

 

 

$100.00

 

NA

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stickers

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Duplicate year

 

 

$1.00

 

$1.00

 

International Fuel Tax Agreement

 

 

$2.50

 

 

 

(c) For vehicles that require two of the categories above, the registrar shall only charge the higher of the two fees and not a combined total.

 

(d) As part of procedures for payment of the fee under paragraph (b), the commissioner shall allow a vehicle owner to add to the fee a $2 donation for the purposes of public information and education on anatomical gifts under section 171.075.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective January 1, 2012.

 

Sec. 7.  Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 168.1253, subdivision 1, is amended to read: 

 

Subdivision 1.  Definitions.  (a) The terms used in this section have the meanings given them in this subdivision.

 

(b) "Active service" has the meaning given in section 190.05, subdivision 5.

 

(c) "Eligible person" means a surviving spouse or, child, parent or legal guardian, or sibling of a person who has died while serving honorably in active service.  For purposes of this section, an eligibility relationship may be established by birth or adoption.

 

(d) "Motor vehicle" means a vehicle for personal use, not used for commercial purposes, and may include a passenger automobile, motorcycle, recreational vehicle, pickup truck, or van.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective August 1, 2011, for registrations applied for or renewed on or after that date.

 

Sec. 8.  Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 169.86, subdivision 5, is amended to read: 

 

Subd. 5.  Fees; proceeds deposited; appropriation.  The commissioner, with respect to highways under the commissioner's jurisdiction, may charge a fee for each permit issued.  All such fees for permits issued by the commissioner of transportation shall be deposited in the state treasury and credited to the trunk highway fund.  Except for those annual permits for which the permit fees are specified elsewhere in this chapter, the fees shall be: 

 

(a) $15 for each single trip permit.


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(b) $36 for each job permit.  A job permit may be issued for like loads carried on a specific route for a period not to exceed two months.  "Like loads" means loads of the same product, weight, and dimension.

 

(c) $60 for an annual permit to be issued for a period not to exceed 12 consecutive months.  Annual permits may be issued for: 

 

(1) motor vehicles used to alleviate a temporary crisis adversely affecting the safety or well-being of the public;

 

(2) motor vehicles which travel on interstate highways and carry loads authorized under subdivision 1a;

 

(3) motor vehicles operating with gross weights authorized under section 169.826, subdivision 1a;

 

(4) special pulpwood vehicles described in section 169.863;

 

(5) motor vehicles bearing snowplow blades not exceeding ten feet in width;

 

(6) noncommercial transportation of a boat by the owner or user of the boat;

 

(7) motor vehicles carrying bales of agricultural products authorized under section 169.862; and

 

(8) special milk-hauling vehicles authorized under section 169.867.

 

(d) $120 for an oversize annual permit to be issued for a period not to exceed 12 consecutive months.  Annual permits may be issued for: 

 

(1) mobile cranes;

 

(2) construction equipment, machinery, and supplies;

 

(3) manufactured homes and manufactured storage buildings;

 

(4) implements of husbandry;

 

(5) double-deck buses;

 

(6) commercial boat hauling and transporting waterfront structures including, but not limited to, portable boat docks and boat lifts;

 

(7) three-vehicle combinations consisting of two empty, newly manufactured trailers for cargo, horses, or livestock, not to exceed 28-1/2 feet per trailer; provided, however, the permit allows the vehicles to be moved from a trailer manufacturer to a trailer dealer only while operating on twin-trailer routes designated under section 169.81, subdivision 3, paragraph (c); and

 

(8) vehicles operating on that portion of marked Trunk Highway 36 described in section 169.81, subdivision 3, paragraph (e).

 

(e) For vehicles which have axle weights exceeding the weight limitations of sections 169.823 to 169.829, an additional cost added to the fees listed above.  However, this paragraph applies to any vehicle described in section 168.013, subdivision 3, paragraph (b), but only when the vehicle exceeds its gross weight allowance set forth in that


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paragraph, and then the additional cost is for all weight, including the allowance weight, in excess of the permitted maximum axle weight.  The additional cost is equal to the product of the distance traveled times the sum of the overweight axle group cost factors shown in the following chart: 

 

Overweight Axle Group Cost Factors

 

 

 

 

Cost Per Mile For Each Group Of: 

Weight (pounds)

 

 

exceeding

weight limitations

on axles

 

Two consecutive axles spaced within 8 feet or less

Three consecutive axles spaced within 9 feet or less

Four consecutive axles spaced within 14 feet or less

 

 

 

 

 

0-2,000

 

.12

 

.05

 

.04

2,001-4,000

 

.14

 

.06

 

.05

4,001-6,000

 

.18

 

.07

 

.06

6,001-8,000

 

.21

 

.09

 

.07

8,001-10,000

 

.26

 

.10

 

.08

10,001-12,000

 

.30

 

.12

 

.09

12,001-14,000

 

Not permitted

 

.14

 

.11

14,001-16,000

 

Not permitted

 

.17

 

.12

16,001-18,000

 

Not permitted

 

.19

 

.15

18,001-20,000

 

Not permitted

 

Not permitted

 

.16

20,001-22,000

 

Not permitted

 

Not permitted

 

.20

 

The amounts added are rounded to the nearest cent for each axle or axle group.  The additional cost does not apply to paragraph (c), clauses (1) and (3).

 

For a vehicle found to exceed the appropriate maximum permitted weight, a cost-per-mile fee of 22 cents per ton, or fraction of a ton, over the permitted maximum weight is imposed in addition to the normal permit fee.  Miles must be calculated based on the distance already traveled in the state plus the distance from the point of detection to a transportation loading site or unloading site within the state or to the point of exit from the state.

 

(f) As an alternative to paragraph (e), an annual permit may be issued for overweight, or oversize and overweight, mobile cranes; construction equipment, machinery, and supplies; implements of husbandry; and commercial boat hauling.  The fees for the permit are as follows: 

 

Gross Weight (pounds) of Vehicle

Annual Permit Fee

 

 

90,000 or less

$200

 

90,001 - 100,000

$300

100,001 - 110,000

$400

110,001 - 120,000

$500

120,001 - 130,000

$600

130,001 - 140,000

$700

140,001 - 145,000

$800

 

If the gross weight of the vehicle is more than 145,000 pounds the permit fee is determined under paragraph (e).

 

(g) For vehicles which exceed the width limitations set forth in section 169.80 by more than 72 inches, an additional cost equal to $120 added to the amount in paragraph (a) when the permit is issued while seasonal load restrictions pursuant to section 169.87 are in effect.


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(h) $85 for an annual permit to be issued for a period not to exceed 12 months, for refuse-compactor vehicles that carry a gross weight of not more than:  22,000 pounds on a single rear axle; 38,000 pounds on a tandem rear axle; or, subject to section 169.828, subdivision 2, 46,000 pounds on a tridem rear axle.  A permit issued for up to 46,000 pounds on a tridem rear axle must limit the gross vehicle weight to not more than 62,000 pounds.

 

(i) $300 for a motor vehicle described in section 169.8261.  The fee under this paragraph must be deposited as follows: 

 

(1) in fiscal years 2005 through 2010: 

 

(i) the first $50,000 in each fiscal year must be deposited in the trunk highway fund for costs related to administering the permit program and inspecting and posting bridges;

 

(ii) all remaining money in each fiscal year must be deposited in a bridge inspection and signing account in the special revenue fund.  Money in the account is appropriated to the commissioner for: 

 

(A) inspection of local bridges and identification of local bridges to be posted, including contracting with a consultant for some or all of these functions; and

 

(B) erection of weight-posting signs on local bridges; and

 

(2) in fiscal year 2011 and subsequent years must be deposited in the trunk highway fund.

 

(j) Beginning August 1, 2006, $200 for an annual permit for a vehicle operating under authority of section 169.824, subdivision 2, paragraph (a), clause (2).

 

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

 

Sec. 9.  Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 171.06, subdivision 2, is amended to read: 

 

Subd. 2.  Fees.  (a) The fees for a license and Minnesota identification card are as follows: 

 

Classified Driver's License

 

D-$22.25

C-$26.25

B-$33.25

A-$41.25

 

Classified Under-21 D.L. 

 

D-$22.25

C-$26.25

B-$33.25

A-$21.25

 

Enhanced Driver's License

 

D-$37.25

C-$41.25

B-$48.25

A-$56.25

 

Instruction Permit

 

 

 

 

$10.25

 

Enhanced Instruction Permit

 

 

 

 

$25.25

 

Provisional License

 

 

 

 

$13.25

 

Enhanced Provisional License

 

 

 

 

$28.25

 

 

 

 

 

 

Duplicate License or duplicate

 identification card

 

 

 

 

$11.75

 

Enhanced Duplicate License or enhanced

 duplicate identification card

 

 

 

 

$26.75

 

Minnesota identification card or Under-21

 Minnesota identification card, other  than

 duplicate, except as otherwise  provided in

 section 171.07, subdivisions 3 and 3a

 

 

 

 

 

 

$16.25

 

Enhanced Minnesota identification card

 

 

 

$31.25


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In addition to each fee required in this paragraph, the commissioner shall collect a surcharge of $1.75 until June 30, 2012.  Surcharges collected under this paragraph must be credited to the driver and vehicle services technology account in the special revenue fund under section 299A.705.

 

(b) Notwithstanding paragraph (a), an individual who holds a provisional license and has a driving record free of (1) convictions for a violation of section 169A.20, 169A.33, 169A.35, or sections 169A.50 to 169A.53, (2) convictions for crash-related moving violations, and (3) convictions for moving violations that are not crash related, shall have a $3.50 credit toward the fee for any classified under-21 driver's license.  "Moving violation" has the meaning given it in section 171.04, subdivision 1.

 

(c) In addition to the driver's license fee required under paragraph (a), the commissioner shall collect an additional $4 processing fee from each new applicant or individual renewing a license with a school bus endorsement to cover the costs for processing an applicant's initial and biennial physical examination certificate.  The department shall not charge these applicants any other fee to receive or renew the endorsement.

 

(d) An application for a Minnesota identification card, instruction permit, provisional license, or driver's license, including an application for renewal, must contain a provision that allows the applicant to add to the fee under paragraph (a) a $2 donation for the purposes of public information and education on anatomical gifts under section 171.075.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective January 1, 2012.

 

Sec. 10.  Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 171.0701, is amended to read: 

 

171.0701 DRIVER EDUCATION CONTENT.

 

Subdivision 1.  Driver education requirements.  (a) The commissioner shall adopt rules requiring a minimum of 30 minutes of instruction, beginning January 1, 2007, relating to organ and tissue donations and the provisions of section 171.07, subdivision 5, for persons enrolled in driver education programs offered at public schools, private schools, and commercial driver training schools.

 

(b) The commissioner shall adopt rules for persons enrolled in driver education programs offered at public schools, private schools, and commercial driver training schools, requiring inclusion in the course of instruction, by January 1, 2009, a section on awareness and safe interaction with commercial motor vehicle traffic.  The rules must require classroom instruction and behind-the-wheel training that includes, but is not limited to, truck stopping distances, proper distances for following trucks, identification of truck blind spots, and avoidance of driving in truck blind spots.

 

(c) By January 1, 2012, the commissioner shall adopt rules for persons enrolled in driver education programs offered at public schools, private schools, and commercial driver training schools, requiring inclusion in the course of instruction of a section on carbon monoxide poisoning.  The instruction must include but is not limited to:  (1) a description of the characteristics of carbon monoxide; (2) a review of the risks and potential speed of death from carbon monoxide poisoning; and (3) specific suggestions regarding vehicle idling practices.

 

Subd. 2.  Rulemaking.  The rules adopted by the commissioner under paragraph (b) this section are exempt from the rulemaking provisions of chapter 14.  The rules are subject to section 14.386, except that notwithstanding paragraph (b) of section 14.386, the rules continue in effect until repealed or superseded by other law or rule.

 

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


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Sec. 11.  [171.075] ANATOMICAL GIFTS.

 

Subdivision 1.  Anatomical gift account.  An anatomical gift account is established in the special revenue fund.  The account consists of funds donated under sections 168.12, subdivision 5, and 171.06, subdivision 2, and any other money donated, allotted, transferred, or otherwise provided to the account.  Money in the account is annually appropriated to the commissioner for:  (1) grants under subdivision 2; and (2) administrative expenses in implementing the donation and grant program.

 

Subd. 2.  Anatomical gift education grants.  (a) The commissioner shall make grants to:  (1) a Minnesota organ procurement organization that is certified by the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services; or (2) an entity that is a charitable entity under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, as defined in section 289A.02, subdivision 7, and is dedicated to advocacy for organ, tissue, and eye donation.

 

(b) From a grant under this section, the recipient shall provide resources and implement programs designed to increase the number of Minnesotans who register to be organ, tissue, and eye donors.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective January 1, 2012.

 

Sec. 12.  Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 171.13, subdivision 1, is amended to read: 

 

Subdivision 1.  Examination subjects and locations; provisions for color blindness, disabled veterans.  (a) Except as otherwise provided in this section, the commissioner shall examine each applicant for a driver's license by such agency as the commissioner directs.  This examination must include: 

 

(1) a test of the applicant's eyesight;

 

(2) a test of the applicant's ability to read and understand highway signs regulating, warning, and directing traffic;

 

(3) a test of the applicant's knowledge of (i) traffic laws; knowledge of (ii) the effects of alcohol and drugs on a driver's ability to operate a motor vehicle safely and legally, and of the legal penalties and financial consequences resulting from violations of laws prohibiting the operation of a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs; knowledge of (iii) railroad grade crossing safety; knowledge of (iv) slow-moving vehicle safety; knowledge of (v) laws relating to pupil transportation safety, including the significance of school bus lights, signals, stop arm, and passing a school bus; knowledge of (vi) traffic laws related to bicycles; and (vii) the circumstances and dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning;

 

(4) an actual demonstration of ability to exercise ordinary and reasonable control in the operation of a motor vehicle; and

 

(5) other physical and mental examinations as the commissioner finds necessary to determine the applicant's fitness to operate a motor vehicle safely upon the highways, provided, further however,.

 

(b) Notwithstanding paragraph (a), no driver's license shall may be denied an applicant on the exclusive grounds that the applicant's eyesight is deficient in color perception.  Provided, however, that War veterans operating motor vehicles especially equipped for disabled persons, shall, if otherwise entitled to a license, must be granted such license.

 

(c) The commissioner shall make provision for giving these the examinations under this subdivision either in the county where the applicant resides or at a place adjacent thereto reasonably convenient to the applicant.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective January 1, 2012.


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Sec. 13.  Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 171.13, is amended by adding a subdivision to read: 

 

Subd. 1l.  Driver's manual; carbon monoxide.  The commissioner shall include in each edition of the driver's manual published by the department after August 1, 2011, a section that includes up-to-date lifesaving information on carbon monoxide poisoning.

 

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

 

Sec. 14.  Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 174.93, is amended to read: 

 

174.93 GUIDEWAY INVESTMENT.

 

Subdivision 1.  Definitions.  (a) For purposes of this section, the following terms have the meanings given: 

 

(1) "commissioner" means the commissioner of transportation; and

 

(2) "guideway" means a form of transportation service provided to the public on a regular and ongoing basis, that operates on exclusive or controlled rights-of-way or rails in whole or in part, and includes each line for intercity passenger rail, commuter rail, light rail transit, streetcars, and bus rapid transit; and

 

(3) "local unit of government" means a county, statutory or home rule charter city, town, or other political subdivision including, but not limited to, a regional railroad authority or joint powers board.

 

(b) For purposes of this section, "sources of funds" includes, but is not limited to, money from federal aid, state appropriations, the Metropolitan Council, special taxing districts, local units of government, fare box recovery, and nonpublic sources.

 

(c) For purposes of this section, "budget activity" includes, but is not limited to, environmental analysis, land acquisition, easements, design, preliminary and final engineering, acquisition of vehicles and rolling stock, track improvement and rehabilitation, and construction.

 

Subd. 1a.  Capital project requests to legislature.  A state agency or local unit of government that submits a request to the legislature to obtain state funds for a guideway project shall, as part of the request, provide a summary financial plan for the project that presents the following information as reflected by the data and level of detail available in the latest phase of project development: 

 

(1) capital expenditures and funding sources for the project, including expenditures to date and total projected or estimated expenditures, with a breakdown by committed and proposed sources of funds; and

 

(2) estimated annual operations and maintenance expenditures for the project, with a breakdown by committed and proposed sources of funds.

 

Subd. 2.  Legislative report.  (a) By November 15 in every odd-numbered year, the commissioner shall prepare, in collaboration with the Metropolitan Council, and submit a report electronically to the chairs and ranking minority members of the house of representatives and senate legislative committees with jurisdiction over transportation policy and finance concerning the status of guideway projects (1) currently in study, planning, development, or construction; (2) identified in the transportation policy plan under section 473.146; or (3) identified in the comprehensive statewide freight and passenger rail plan under section 174.03, subdivision 1b.

 

(b) At a minimum, the report must include, for each guideway project: 


Journal of the House - 59th Day - Wednesday, May 18, 2011 - Top of Page 4292


(1) a brief description of the project, including projected ridership;

 

(2) a summary of the overall status and current phase of the project;

 

(3) a timeline that includes (i) project phases or milestones; (ii) expected and known dates of commencement of each phase or milestone; and (iii) expected and known dates of completion of each phase or milestone;

 

(4) a brief progress update on specific project phases or milestones completed since the last previous submission of a report under this subdivision; and

 

(5) a summary financial plan that identifies, as reflected by the data and level of detail available in the latest phase of project development and to the extent available: 

 

(i) capital expenditures, including expenditures to date and total projected expenditures, with a breakdown by committed and proposed sources of funds for the project; and

 

(ii) estimated annual operations and maintenance expenditures reflecting the level of detail available in the current phase of the project development, with a breakdown by committed and proposed sources of funds for the projects in the Metropolitan Council's transportation policy plan. project; and

 

(iii) if feasible, project expenditures by budget activity.

 

(c) The report must also include a systemwide capacity analysis for investment in guideway expansion and maintenance that: 

 

(1) provides a funding projection, annually over the ensuing 20 years, and with a breakdown by committed and proposed sources of funds, of: 

 

(i) total capital expenditures for guideways;

 

(ii) total operations and maintenance expenditures for guideways;

 

(iii) total funding available for guideways, including from projected or estimated farebox recovery; and

 

(iv) total funding available for transit service in the metropolitan area; and

 

(2) evaluates the availability of funds and distribution of sources of funds for guideway investments.

 

(d) The projection under paragraph (c), clause (1), must be for all guideway lines for which state funds are reasonably expected to be expended in planning, development, construction, or revenue operation during the ensuing 20 years.

 

(e) Local units of government shall provide assistance and information in a timely manner as requested by the commissioner or council for completion of the report.

 

Sec. 15.  REPORT ON VEHICLE CRIMES UNIT.

 

By February 1, 2015, the commissioner of public safety shall submit a report to the legislative committees having jurisdiction over transportation finance on the revenues generated by the Vehicle Crimes Unit.  This report must be made available electronically and made available in print only upon request.


Journal of the House - 59th Day - Wednesday, May 18, 2011 - Top of Page 4293


Sec. 16.  REPORT ON ANATOMICAL GIFT ACCOUNT.

 

The commissioner of public safety shall report to the chairs of the legislative committees having jurisdiction over transportation policy and finance on the receipts and expenditures under Minnesota Statutes, section 171.075.  The commissioner shall submit the report by February 1, 2013.

 

Sec. 17.  REVISOR'S INSTRUCTION.

 

The revisor of statutes shall recodify Minnesota Statutes, section 171.13, subdivisions 1b, 1c, 1d, 1e, 1f, 1g, 1h, 1i, 1j, 1k, and 1l, as Minnesota Statutes, section 171.0705.  The revisor shall correct any cross-references made necessary by this recodification.

 

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

 

Delete the title and insert: 

 

"A bill for an act relating to government finance; appropriating money for transportation, Metropolitan Council, and public safety activities and programs; providing for fund transfers, tort claims, and certain contingent appropriations; providing for use of revenues from metropolitan transportation area sales tax; reducing funding for 2011 state road construction; authorizing transfers from metropolitan livable communities fund accounts, right-of-way loan acquisition fund for transit operating deficits, and Metropolitan Council operating budget; establishing accounts; modifying various provisions related to transportation finance and policy; modifying provisions related to licensing drivers; mandating and amending legislative reports; making technical and clarifying changes; amending Minnesota Statutes 2010, sections 16A.11, subdivision 3a; 16A.86, subdivision 3a; 161.04, by adding a subdivision; 162.06, subdivision 1; 162.12, subdivision 1; 168.12, subdivision 5; 168.1253, subdivision 1; 169.86, subdivision 5; 171.06, subdivision 2; 171.0701; 171.13, subdivision 1, by adding a subdivision; 174.93; 297A.992, subdivision 5, by adding a subdivision; Laws 2009, chapter 36, article 1, section 3, subdivision 3, as amended; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 171."

 

 

      We request the adoption of this report and repassage of the bill. 

 

      House Conferees:  Michael Beard, Mark Murdock, Torrey Westrom, Rich Murray and Ernie Leidiger.

 

      Senate Conferees:  Joe Gimse, John Sterling Howe, Al D. DeKruif, Benjamin A. Kruse and Ted H. Lillie.

 

 

      Beard moved that the report of the Conference Committee on H. F. No. 1140 be adopted and that the bill be repassed as amended by the Conference Committee.

 

 

      The Speaker resumed the Chair.

 

 

      Pursuant to rule 1.50, Dean moved that the House be allowed to continue in session after 12:00 midnight.  The motion prevailed.

 

 

      Hamilton was excused between the hours of 10:55 p.m. and 12:40 a.m.

 

 

      The Speaker called Hoppe to the Chair.


Journal of the House - 59th Day - Wednesday, May 18, 2011 - Top of Page 4294


 

      Fritz was excused for the remainder of today's session.

 

 

      Speaker pro tempore Hoppe called Garofalo to the Chair.

 

 

      The question recurred on the Beard motion that the report of the Conference Committee on H. F. No. 1140 be adopted and that the bill be repassed as amended by the Conference Committee.  The motion prevailed.

 

 

      H. F. No. 1140, A bill for an act relating to government finance; appropriating money for transportation, Metropolitan Council, and public safety activities and programs; providing for fund transfers and tort claims; authorizing an account and certain contingent appropriations; providing for use of revenues from metropolitan transportation area sales tax; reducing funding for 2010 state road construction; authorizing temporary transfers from metropolitan livable communities fund accounts, right-of-way loan acquisition fund for transit operating deficits, and Metropolitan Council operating budget; establishing direct appropriation from transit assistance fund; establishing an account; modifying various provisions related to transportation finance and policy; modifying provisions related to licensing drivers; mandating and amending legislative reports; making technical and clarifying changes; amending Minnesota Statutes 2010, sections 16A.11, subdivision 3a; 16A.86, subdivision 3a; 16A.88; 162.06, subdivision 1; 162.12, subdivision 1; 168.12, subdivision 5; 171.06, subdivision 2; 171.0701; 171.13, subdivision 1, by adding a subdivision; 174.93; 297A.992, subdivision 5, by adding a subdivision; Laws 2009, chapter 36, article 1, section 3, subdivision 3; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 171.

 

 

      The bill was read for the third time, as amended by Conference, and placed upon its repassage.

 

      The question was taken on the repassage of the bill and the roll was called.  There were 71 yeas and 61 nays as follows:

 

      Those who voted in the affirmative were:

 


Abeler

Anderson, B.

Anderson, D.

Anderson, P.

Anderson, S.

Banaian

Barrett

Beard

Benson, M.

Bills

Buesgens

Cornish

Crawford

Daudt

Davids

Dean

Dettmer

Doepke

Downey

Drazkowski

Erickson

Fabian

Franson

Garofalo

Gottwalt

Gruenhagen

Gunther

Hackbarth

Hancock

Holberg

Hoppe

Howes

Kelly

Kieffer

Kiel

Kiffmeyer

Kriesel

Lanning

Leidiger

LeMieur

Lohmer

Loon

Mack

Mazorol

McDonald

McElfatrick

McFarlane

McNamara

Murdock

Murray

Myhra

Nornes

O'Driscoll

Peppin

Petersen, B.

Quam

Runbeck

Sanders

Schomacker

Scott

Shimanski

Smith

Stensrud

Swedzinski

Torkelson

Urdahl

Vogel

Wardlow

Westrom

Woodard

Spk. Zellers


 

      Those who voted in the negative were:

 


Anzelc

Atkins

Benson, J.

Brynaert

Carlson

Champion

Clark

Davnie

Dill

Dittrich

Eken

Falk

Gauthier

Greene

Greiling

Hansen

Hausman

Hayden

Hilstrom

Hilty

Hornstein

Hortman

Hosch

Huntley

Johnson

Kahn

Kath

Knuth

Koenen

Laine

Lenczewski

Lesch

Liebling

Lillie

Loeffler

Mahoney

Mariani

Marquart

Melin

Moran

Morrow

Mullery

Murphy, E.

Murphy, M.

Nelson

Norton

Paymar

Pelowski


Journal of the House - 59th Day - Wednesday, May 18, 2011 - Top of Page 4295


 

Persell

Peterson, S.

Poppe

Rukavina

Scalze

Simon

Slawik

Slocum

Thissen

Tillberry

Wagenius

Ward

Winkler


 

 

      The bill was repassed, as amended by Conference, and its title agreed to.

 

 

MESSAGES FROM THE SENATE

 

 

      The following messages were received from the Senate:

 

 

Mr. Speaker: 

 

I hereby announce that the Senate accedes to the request of the House for the appointment of a Conference Committee on the amendments adopted by the Senate to the following House File: 

 

H. F. No. 57, A bill for an act relating to public safety; establishing the crimes of sale or possession of synthetic cannabinoids; including a person under the influence of a synthetic cannabinoid for a driving while impaired crime; providing for a penalty; amending Minnesota Statutes 2010, sections 152.027, by adding a subdivision; 169A.20, subdivisions 1, 1a, 1b, 1c.

 

The Senate has appointed as such committee: 

 

Senators Hall, Pappas and Nelson.

 

Said House File is herewith returned to the House.

 

Cal R. Ludeman, Secretary of the Senate

 

 

Mr. Speaker: 

 

I hereby announce that the Senate has concurred in and adopted the report of the Conference Committee on: 

 

S. F. No. 958.

 

The Senate has repassed said bill in accordance with the recommendation and report of the Conference Committee.  Said Senate File is herewith transmitted to the House.

 

Cal R. Ludeman, Secretary of the Senate

 

 

CONFERENCE COMMITTEE REPORT ON S. F. NO. 958

 

A bill for an act relating to public safety; acquiring an easement for the correctional facility in Faribault; appropriating money for the courts, public defenders, public safety, corrections, certain other criminal justice agencies, boards, and commissions; amending Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 297I.06, subdivision 3.


Journal of the House - 59th Day - Wednesday, May 18, 2011 - Top of Page 4296


May 16, 2011

The Honorable Kurt Zellers

Speaker of the House of Representatives

 

The Honorable Michelle L. Fischbach

President of the Senate

 

We, the undersigned conferees for S. F. No. 958 report that we have agreed upon the items in dispute and recommend as follows: 

 

That the House recede from its amendments and that S. F. No. 958 be further amended as follows: 

 

Delete everything after the enacting clause and insert: 

 

"ARTICLE 1

APPROPRIATIONS

 

Section 1.  SUMMARY OF APPROPRIATIONS. 

 

The amounts shown in this section summarize direct appropriations, by fund, made in this article.

 

 

 

2011

 

2012

 

2013

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

General

$2,081,000

 

$889,732,000

 

$888,819,000

 

$1,780,632,000

State Government

 Special Revenue

 

 

 

72,651,000

 

 

70,036,000

 

 

142,687,000

Environmental

 

 

69,000

 

69,000

 

138,000

Special Revenue

 

 

18,292,000

 

18,292,000

 

36,584,000

Trunk Highway

 

 

1,941,000

 

1,941,000

 

3,882,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

$2,081,000

 

$982,685,000

 

$979,157,000

 

$1,963,923,000

 

Sec. 2.  APPROPRIATIONS. 

 

The sums shown in the columns marked "Appropriations" are appropriated to the agencies and for the purposes specified in this article.  The appropriations are from the general fund, or another named fund, and are available for the fiscal years indicated for each purpose.  The figures "2012" and "2013" used in this article mean that the appropriations listed under them are available for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2012, or June 30, 2013, respectively.  "The first year" is fiscal year 2012.  "The second year" is fiscal year 2013.  "The biennium" is fiscal years 2012 and 2013.  Appropriations for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2011, are effective the day following final enactment.

 

 

 

 

APPROPRIATIONS

 

 

 

Available for the Year

 

 

 

Ending June 30

 

 

2011

 

2012

2013

 

Sec. 3.  SUPREME COURT

 

 

 

 

 

 

Subdivision 1.  Total Appropriation

 

$40,274,000

 

$40,575,000

 

The amounts that may be spent for each purpose are specified in the following subdivisions.


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Subd. 2.  Supreme Court Operations

 

30,458,000

 

30,759,000

 

(a) Contingent Account.  $5,000 each year is for a contingent account for expenses necessary for the normal operation of the court for which no other reimbursement is provided.

 

(b) Employee Health Care.  The chief justice of the Supreme Court is requested to study and report to the chairs and ranking minority members of the house of representatives and senate committees with jurisdiction over judiciary finance by January 15, 2012, on the advantages and disadvantages of having judicial branch officials and employees leave the state employee group insurance program and form their own group benefit plan, including the option of shifting to a plan based on high-deductible health savings accounts.

 

(c) Judicial and Referee Vacancies.  The Supreme Court shall not certify a judicial or referee vacancy under Minnesota Statutes, section 2.722, until it has examined alternative options, such as temporarily suspending certification of the vacant position or assigning a retired judge to temporarily fill the position.

 

Subd. 3.  Civil Legal Services

 

9,816,000

 

9,816,000

 

(a) Legal Services to Low-Income Clients in Family Law Matters.  Of this appropriation, $877,000 each year is to improve the access of low-income clients to legal representation in family law matters.  This appropriation must be distributed under Minnesota Statutes, section 480.242, to the qualified legal services programs described in Minnesota Statutes, section 480.242, subdivision 2, paragraph (a).  Any unencumbered balance remaining in the first year does not cancel and is available in the second year.

 

(b) Limits on Services.  No portion of the funds appropriated may be used to represent or serve clients:  (1) in federal civil or criminal matters outside the jurisdiction of the state courts or agencies; (2) in suing a state or federal entity; and (3) in advocating at the legislature for or against current or proposed policy and law.

 

Sec. 4.  COURT OF APPEALS

 

$10,106,000

 

$10,228,000

 

Sec. 5.  TRIAL COURTS

 

$233,511,000

 

$236,828,000

 

Sec. 6.  GUARDIAN AD LITEM BOARD

 

$11,617,000

 

$11,617,000

 

Case priority.  The board shall assign guardians to clients who are entitled by statute to representation prior to clients for whom the courts request guardians but who are not entitled to a guardian under statute.


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Sec. 7.  TAX COURT

 

$825,000

 

$825,000

 

$38,000 in fiscal year 2011 is appropriated from the general fund to the tax court.

 

Operating schedule.  At least one tax court judge shall hold hearings and meetings or otherwise conduct regular business on all days that executive branch agencies are open for business.

 

Sec. 8.  UNIFORM LAWS COMMISSION

 

$49,000

 

$49,000

 

Sec. 9.  BOARD ON JUDICIAL STANDARDS

 

$456,000

 

$456,000

 

$125,000 each year is for special investigative and hearing costs for major disciplinary actions undertaken by the board.  This appropriation does not cancel.  Any encumbered and unspent balances remain available for these expenditures in subsequent fiscal years.

 

Sec. 10.  BOARD OF PUBLIC DEFENSE

 

$65,476,000

 

$65,476,000

 

Sec. 11.  PUBLIC SAFETY

 

 

 

 

 

Subdivision 1.  Total Appropriation

$2,043,000

 

$160,060,000

 

$157,445,000

 

Appropriations by Fund

 

 

2011

2012

2013

 

 

 

 

General

2,043,000

71,767,000

71,767,000

Special Revenue

 

13,632,000

13,632,000

State Government Special Revenue

 

 

72,651,000

 

70,036,000

Environmental

 

69,000

69,000

Trunk Highway

 

1,941,000

1,941,000

 

The amounts that may be spent for each purpose are specified in the following subdivisions.

 

Subd. 2.  Emergency Management

2,043,000

 

2,525,000

 

2,525,000

 

Appropriations by Fund

 

General

2,043,000

1,852,000

1,852,000

Special Revenue

 

604,000

604,000

Environmental

 

69,000

69,000

 

(a) Disaster Match.  $2,043,000 in fiscal year 2011 is appropriated from the general fund to provide a match for Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) disaster assistance to state agencies and political subdivisions under Minnesota Statutes, section


Journal of the House - 59th Day - Wednesday, May 18, 2011 - Top of Page 4299


 

12.221, in the area designated under Presidential Declaration of Major Disaster, FEMA-1830-DR, for the flooding in Minnesota in the spring of 2009, whether included in the original declaration or added later by federal government action.  This is a onetime appropriation.  This appropriation is available until expended.

 

(b) Hazmat and Chemical Assessment Teams.  $604,000 each year is appropriated from the fire safety account in the special revenue fund.  These amounts must be used to fund the hazardous materials and chemical assessment teams.

 

Subd. 3.  Criminal Apprehension

 

 

41,987,000

 

41,987,000

 

Appropriations by Fund

 

General

 

40,039,000

40,039,000

State Government Special Revenue

7,000

7,000

Trunk Highway

 

1,941,000

1,941,000

 

DWI Lab Analysis; Trunk Highway Fund.  Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 161.20, subdivision 3, $1,941,000 each year is appropriated from the trunk highway fund for laboratory analysis related to driving while impaired cases.

 

Subd. 4.  Fire Marshal

 

 

 

12,375,000

 

12,375,000

 

This appropriation is from the fire safety account in the special revenue fund and is for activities under Minnesota Statutes, section 299F.012.

 

Of this amount, $5,757,000 each year is for activities under Minnesota Statutes, section 299F.012, and $6,618,000 each year is for transfer to the general fund under Minnesota Statutes, section 297I.06, subdivision 3.

 

Subd. 5.  Alcohol and Gambling Enforcement

 

 

2,236,000

 

2,236,000

 

Appropriations by Fund

 

General

 

1,583,000

1,583,000

Special Revenue

 

653,000

653,000

 

This appropriation is from the alcohol enforcement account in the special revenue fund.  Of this appropriation, $500,000 each year shall be transferred to the general fund.  The transfer amount for fiscal year 2014 and fiscal year 2015 shall be $500,000 per year.

 

Subd. 6.  Office of Justice Programs

 

 

28,389,000

 

28,389,000

 

Appropriations by Fund

 

General

 

28,293,000

28,293,000

State Government Special Revenue

96,000

96,000


Journal of the House - 59th Day - Wednesday, May 18, 2011 - Top of Page 4300


 

(a) Youth Intervention Grants.  The commissioner may not reduce grants to youth intervention programs.

 

(b) Administration Costs.  Up to 2.5 percent of the grant money appropriated in this subdivision may be used to administer the grant program.

 

Subd. 7.  Emergency Communication Networks

72,548,000

 

69,933,000

 

This appropriation is from the state government special revenue fund for 911 emergency telecommunications services.

 

(a) Public Safety Answering Points.  $13,664,000 each year is to be distributed as provided in Minnesota Statutes, section 403.113, subdivision 2.

 

(b) Medical Resource Communication Centers.  $683,000 each year is for grants to the Minnesota Emergency Medical Services Regulatory Board for the Metro East and Metro West Medical Resource Communication Centers that were in operation before January 1, 2000.

 

(c) ARMER Debt Service.  $23,261,000 each year is to the commissioner of management and budget to pay debt service on revenue bonds issued under Minnesota Statutes, section 403.275.

 

Any portion of this appropriation not needed to pay debt service in a fiscal year may be used by the commissioner of public safety to pay cash for any of the capital improvements for which bond proceeds were appropriated by Laws 2005, chapter 136, article 1, section 9, subdivision 8, or Laws 2007, chapter 54, article 1, section 10, subdivision 8.

 

(d) Metropolitan Council Debt Service.  $1,410,000 each year is to the commissioner of management and budget for payment to the Metropolitan Council for debt service on bonds issued under Minnesota Statutes, section 403.27.

 

(e) ARMER State Backbone Operating Costs.  $8,300,000 the first year and $8,650,000 the second year are to the commissioner of transportation for costs of maintaining and operating the statewide radio system backbone.

 

(f) ARMER Improvements.  $1,000,000 each year is for the Statewide Radio Board for costs of design, construction, maintenance of, and improvements to those elements of the statewide public safety radio and communication system that support mutual aid communications and emergency medical services or provide enhancement of public safety communication interoperability.


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(g) Transfer.  $2,600,000 each year is transferred to the general fund.  This is a onetime transfer.

 

Sec. 12.  PEACE OFFICER STANDARDS AND TRAINING (POST) BOARD

$3,770,000

 

$3,770,000

 

(a) Excess Amounts Transferred.  This appropriation is from the peace officer training account in the special revenue fund.  Any new receipts credited to that account in the first year in excess of $3,770,000 must be transferred and credited to the general fund.  Any new receipts credited to that account in the second year in excess of $3,770,000 must be transferred and credited to the general fund.

 

(b) Peace Officer Training Reimbursements.  $2,634,000 each year is for reimbursements to local governments for peace officer training costs.

 

Sec. 13.  PRIVATE DETECTIVE BOARD

 

$120,000

 

$120,000

 

Sec. 14.  HUMAN RIGHTS

 

$1,170,000

 

$1,170,000

 

Mission Priority.  The commissioner shall dedicate the department's appropriation under this section to enforcement measures.

 

Sec. 15.  DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS

 

 

 

 

 

Subdivision 1.  Total Appropriation

 

 

$454,665,000

 

$450,012,000

 

Appropriations by Fund

 

 

 

2012

2013

 

 

 

 

General

 

453,775,000

449,122,000

Special Revenue

 

890,000

890,000

 

The amounts that may be spent for each purpose are specified in the following subdivisions.

 

Subd. 2.  Correctional Institutions

 

 

326,191,000

 

321,538,000

 

Appropriations by Fund

 

General

 

325,611,000

320,958,000

Special Revenue

 

580,000

580,000

 

The general fund base for this program shall be $325,653,000 in fiscal year 2014 and $328,433,000 in fiscal year 2015.


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(a) Position Reductions.  The commissioner of corrections may not eliminate line officer positions.

 

(b) Correctional Study.  In implementing this appropriation the commissioner of corrections shall consider studying the following topics: 

 

(1) adoption of an earned credit program for inmates in the state correctional facilities similar to the programs in 36 other states;

 

(2) the federal immigration and customs enforcement rapid REPAT program and the potential for the state to participate in the program;

 

(3) expanding the use of medical and other forms of early release;

 

(4) the feasibility of closing a wing or an entire state facility or leasing vacant prison space to house inmates from other states;

 

(5) reducing inmate medical costs; and

 

(6) reforming the department's role in the juvenile justice system including closing juvenile facilities.

 

Subd. 3.  Community Services

 

 

108,006,000

 

108,006,000

 

Appropriations by Fund

 

General

 

107,906,000

107,906,000

Special Revenue

 

100,000

100,000

 

Probation Revocation Reform.  In implementing this appropriation the commissioner of corrections, in consultation with staff of the Sentencing Guidelines Commission and representatives from community corrections agencies, shall consider developing performance incentives for counties to reduce the number of probation revocations.  The commissioner is encouraged to review policies in states that have implemented performance incentive programs.  In implementing this appropriation the commissioner shall consider examining: 

 

(1) the revocation rate differences between counties;

 

(2) granting earned compliance credits for offenders on probation;

 

(3) recent innovations in probation services, such as the HOPE program and the Georgia model, to determine the feasibility of implementing similar programs in Minnesota;

 

(4) limiting prison time for first time probation revocations; and

 

(5) the impact of adopting one, unified probation and supervised release delivery system in the state.


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Subd. 4.  Operations Support

 

 

20,468,000

 

20,468,000

 

Appropriations by Fund

 

General

 

20,258,000

20,258,000

Special Revenue

 

210,000

210,000

 

Subd. 5.  Transfers

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(a) MINNCOR.  Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 241.27, the commissioner of management and budget shall transfer $600,000 the first year and $600,000 the second year from the Minnesota correctional industries revolving fund to the general fund.  These are onetime transfers.

 

(b) Various Special Revenue Accounts.  Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, the commissioner of management and budget shall transfer $400,000 the first year and $400,000 the second year from the Department of Corrections' special revenue accounts to the general fund.  These are onetime transfers.  The commissioner of corrections shall adjust expenditures to stay within the remaining revenues.

 

Sec. 16.  SENTENCING GUIDELINES

 

$586,000

 

$586,000

 

Sec. 17.  PROHIBITION ON USE OF APPROPRIATIONS

 

No portion of the appropriations in sections 3 to 10 and 16 may be used for the purchase of motor vehicles or out-of-state travel that is not directly connected with and necessary to carry out the core functions of the organizations funded in this article.

 

Sec. 18.  CAPPING MILEAGE REIMBURSEMENT.

 

For entities funded by an appropriation in sections 3 to 10 and 16, no official or employee may be reimbursed for mileage expenses at a rate that exceeds 51 cents per mile.

 

ARTICLE 2

PUBLIC SAFETY, CORRECTIONS, AND HUMAN RIGHTS POLICY

 

Section 1.  Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 243.212, is amended to read: 

 

243.212 CO-PAYMENTS FOR HEALTH SERVICES.

 

Any inmate of an adult correctional facility under the control of the commissioner of corrections shall incur co-payment obligations for health care services provided.  The co-payment shall be at least $5 per visit to a health care provider.  The co-payment will be paid from the inmate account of earnings and other funds, as provided in section 243.23, subdivision 3.  The funds paid under this subdivision are appropriated to the commissioner of corrections for the delivery of health care services to inmates. 


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Sec. 2.  Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 297I.06, subdivision 3, is amended to read: 

 

Subd. 3.  Fire safety account, annual transfers, allocation.  A special account, to be known as the fire safety account, is created in the state treasury.  The account consists of the proceeds under subdivisions 1 and 2.  $468,000 in fiscal year 2008, $4,268,000 in fiscal year 2009, $9,268,000 $6,618,000 in fiscal year 2010 2012, $5,968,000 $6,618,000 in fiscal year 2011 2013, and $2,368,000 in each year thereafter is transferred from the fire safety account in the special revenue fund to the general fund to offset the loss of revenue caused by the repeal of the one-half of one percent tax on fire insurance premiums.

 

Sec. 3.  Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 363A.06, subdivision 1, is amended to read: 

 

Subdivision 1.  Formulation of policies.  (a) The commissioner shall formulate policies to effectuate the purposes of this chapter and shall do the following: 

 

(1) exercise leadership under the direction of the governor in the development of human rights policies and programs, and make recommendations to the governor and the legislature for their consideration and implementation;

 

(2) establish and maintain a principal office in St. Paul, and any other necessary branch offices at any location within the state;

 

(3) meet and function at any place within the state;

 

(4) (3) employ attorneys, clerks, and other employees and agents as the commissioner may deem necessary and prescribe their duties;

 

(5) (4) to the extent permitted by federal law and regulation, utilize the records of the Department of Employment and Economic Development of the state when necessary to effectuate the purposes of this chapter;

 

(6) (5) obtain upon request and utilize the services of all state governmental departments and agencies;

 

(7) (6) adopt suitable rules for effectuating the purposes of this chapter;

 

(8) (7) issue complaints, receive and investigate charges alleging unfair discriminatory practices, and determine whether or not probable cause exists for hearing;

 

(9) (8) subpoena witnesses, administer oaths, take testimony, and require the production for examination of any books or papers relative to any matter under investigation or in question as the commissioner deems appropriate to carry out the purposes of this chapter;

 

(10) (9) attempt, by means of education, conference, conciliation, and persuasion to eliminate unfair discriminatory practices as being contrary to the public policy of the state;

 

(11) develop and conduct programs of formal and informal education designed to eliminate discrimination and intergroup conflict by use of educational techniques and programs the commissioner deems necessary;

 

(12) (10) make a written report of the activities of the commissioner to the governor each year;

 

(13) (11) accept gifts, bequests, grants, or other payments public and private to help finance the activities of the department;


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(14) (12) create such local and statewide advisory committees as will in the commissioner's judgment aid in effectuating the purposes of the Department of Human Rights;

 

(15) develop such programs as will aid in determining the compliance throughout the state with the provisions of this chapter, and in the furtherance of such duties, conduct research and study discriminatory practices based upon race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, familial status, sexual orientation, or other factors and develop accurate data on the nature and extent of discrimination and other matters as they may affect housing, employment, public accommodations, schools, and other areas of public life;

 

(16) (13) develop and disseminate technical assistance to persons subject to the provisions of this chapter, and to agencies and officers of governmental and private agencies;

 

(17) (14) provide staff services to such advisory committees as may be created in aid of the functions of the Department of Human Rights;

 

(18) (15) make grants in aid to the extent that appropriations are made available for that purpose in aid of carrying out duties and responsibilities; and

 

(19) (16) cooperate and consult with the commissioner of labor and industry regarding the investigation of violations of, and resolution of complaints regarding section 363A.08, subdivision 7.  The commissioner may use nonstate funds to develop and conduct programs of formal and informal education designed to eliminate discrimination and further compliance with this chapter.

 

In performing these duties, the commissioner shall give priority to those duties in clauses (7), (8), and (9), and (10) and to the duties in section 363A.36.

 

(b) All gifts, bequests, grants, or other payments, public and private, accepted under paragraph (a), clause (13) (11), must be deposited in the state treasury and credited to a special account.  Money in the account is appropriated to the commissioner of human rights to help finance activities of the department.

 

Sec. 4.  Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 363A.36, subdivision 1, is amended to read: 

 

Subdivision 1.  Scope of application.  (a) For all contracts for goods and services in excess of $100,000 $250,000, no department or agency of the state shall accept any bid or proposal for a contract or agreement from any business having more than 40 50 full-time employees within this state on a single working day during the previous 12 months, unless the commissioner is in receipt of the business' affirmative action plan for the employment of minority persons, women, and qualified disabled individuals.  No department or agency of the state shall execute any such contract or agreement until the affirmative action plan has been approved by the commissioner.  Receipt of a certificate of compliance issued by the commissioner shall signify that a firm or business has an affirmative action plan that has been approved by the commissioner.  A certificate shall be valid for a period of two five years.  A municipality as defined in section 466.01, subdivision 1, that receives state money for any reason is encouraged to prepare and implement an affirmative action plan for the employment of minority persons, women, and the qualified disabled and submit the plan to the commissioner.

 

(b) This paragraph applies to a contract for goods or services in excess of $100,000 $250,000 to be entered into between a department or agency of the state and a business that is not subject to paragraph (a), but that has more than 40 50 full-time employees on a single working day during the previous 12 months in the state where the business has its primary place of business.  A department or agency of the state may not execute a contract or agreement with a business covered by this paragraph unless the business has a certificate of compliance issued by the commissioner under paragraph (a) or the business certifies that it is in compliance with federal affirmative action requirements.


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(c) This section does not apply to contracts entered into by the State Board of Investment for investment options under section 352.965, subdivision 4.

 

Sec. 5.  Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 609.105, subdivision 1, is amended to read: 

 

Subdivision 1.  Sentence to more than one year 60 days or less.  In a felony sentence to imprisonment for more than one year shall commit, when the remaining term of imprisonment is for 60 days or less, the defendant shall be committed to the custody of the commissioner of corrections and must serve the remaining term of imprisonment at a workhouse, work farm, county jail, or other place authorized by law.

 

Sec. 6.  Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 609.105, is amended by adding a subdivision to read: 

 

Subd. 1c.  Sentence to more than 60 days.  A felony sentence to imprisonment when the warrant of commitment has a remaining term of imprisonment for more than 60 days shall commit the defendant to the custody of the commissioner of corrections.

 

Sec. 7.  Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 609.105, is amended by adding a subdivision to read: 

 

Subd. 4.  Definitions.  (a) For the purposes of this section, the terms in this subdivision have the meanings given them.

 

(b) "Remaining term of imprisonment" as applied to inmates whose crimes were committed before August 1, 1993, is the period of time for which an inmate is committed to the custody of the commissioner of corrections minus earned good time and jail credit, if any. 

 

(c) "Remaining term of imprisonment" as applied to inmates whose crimes were committed on or after August 1, 1993, is the period of time equal to two-thirds of the inmate's executed sentence, minus jail credit, if any.

 

Sec. 8.  Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 626.8458, subdivision 5, is amended to read: 

 

Subd. 5.  In-service training in police pursuits required.  The chief law enforcement officer of every state and local law enforcement agency shall provide in-service training in emergency vehicle operations and in the conduct of police pursuits to every peace officer and part-time peace officer employed by the agency who the chief law enforcement officer determines may be involved in a police pursuit given the officer's responsibilities.  The training shall comply with learning objectives developed and approved by the board and shall consist of at least eight hours of classroom and skills-based training every four five years.

 

Sec. 9.  Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 641.15, subdivision 2, is amended to read: 

 

Subd. 2.  Medical aid.  Except as provided in section 466.101, the county board shall pay the costs of medical services provided to prisoners pursuant to this section.  The amount paid by the Anoka county board for a medical service shall not exceed the maximum allowed medical assistance payment rate for the service, as determined by the commissioner of human services.  For all other counties, In the absence of a health or medical insurance or health plan that has a contractual obligation with the provider or the prisoner, medical providers shall charge no higher than the rate negotiated between the county and the provider.  In the absence of an agreement between the county and the provider, the provider may not charge no more than the discounted rate the provider has negotiated with the nongovernmental third-party payer that provided the most revenue to the provider during the previous calendar year an amount that exceeds the maximum allowed medical assistance payment rate for the service, as determined by the commissioner of human services.  The county is entitled to reimbursement from the prisoner for payment of medical bills to the extent that the prisoner to whom the medical aid was provided has the ability to pay the bills.  The prisoner shall, at a minimum, incur co-payment obligations for health care services provided by a county correctional facility.  The county board shall determine the co-payment amount.  Notwithstanding any law to the


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contrary, the co-payment shall be deducted from any of the prisoner's funds held by the county, to the extent possible.  If there is a disagreement between the county and a prisoner concerning the prisoner's ability to pay, the court with jurisdiction over the defendant shall determine the extent, if any, of the prisoner's ability to pay for the medical services.  If a prisoner is covered by health or medical insurance or other health plan when medical services are provided, the medical provider shall bill that health or medical insurance or other plan.  If the county providing the medical services for a prisoner that has coverage under health or medical insurance or other plan, that county has a right of subrogation to be reimbursed by the insurance carrier for all sums spent by it for medical services to the prisoner that are covered by the policy of insurance or health plan, in accordance with the benefits, limitations, exclusions, provider restrictions, and other provisions of the policy or health plan.  The county may maintain an action to enforce this subrogation right.  The county does not have a right of subrogation against the medical assistance program or the general assistance medical care program.

 

Sec. 10.  FEDERAL SECURE COMMUNITIES INITIATIVE; DATA PRACTICES.

 

The state shall participate in the United States Department of Homeland Security's secure communities initiative.  The commissioner of public safety shall enter into an agreement on behalf of the state with the United States Department of Homeland Security to implement this section.  This agreement shall be legally binding on the state.  Data on individuals collected, created, received, maintained, or disseminated by the commissioner of public safety for purposes of participation in the initiative are criminal history data under Minnesota Statutes, section 13.87.

 

Sec. 11.  ACQUISITION OF EASEMENT; MINNESOTA CORRECTIONAL FACILITY IN FARIBAULT.

 

Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 16B.31, subdivision 5, the commissioner of administration may acquire an easement for utility and access purposes to serve the Minnesota correctional facility in the city of Faribault by any of the acquisition methods permitted by that subdivision even in the absence of a specific appropriation to the commissioner to acquire the easement.

 

Sec. 12.  REPEALER.

 

Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 363A.36, subdivision 5, is repealed.

 

ARTICLE 3

COURTS AND SENTENCING

 

Section 1.  Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 169.797, subdivision 4, is amended to read: 

 

Subd. 4.  Penalty.  (a) A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor.  A person is guilty of a gross misdemeanor who violates this section within ten years of the first of two prior convictions under this section, section 169.791, or a statute or ordinance in conformity with one of those sections.  The operator of a vehicle who violates subdivision 3 and who causes or contributes to causing a vehicle accident that results in the death of any person or in substantial bodily harm to any person, as defined in section 609.02, subdivision 7a, is guilty of a gross misdemeanor.  The same prosecuting authority who is responsible for prosecuting misdemeanor violations of this section is responsible for prosecuting gross misdemeanor violations of this section.  In addition to any sentence of imprisonment that the court may impose on a person convicted of violating this section, the court shall impose a fine of not less than $200 nor more than the maximum amount authorized by law.  The court may allow community service in lieu of any fine imposed if the defendant is indigent. 

 

(b) A driver who is the owner of the vehicle may, no later than the date and time specified in the citation for the driver's first court appearance, produce proof of insurance stating that security had been provided for the vehicle that was being operated at the time of demand to the court administrator.  The required proof of insurance may be sent by mail by the driver as long as it is received no later than the date and time specified in the citation for the driver's


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first court appearance.  If a citation is issued, no person shall be convicted of violating this section if the court administrator receives the required proof of insurance no later than the date and time specified in the citation for the driver's first court appearance.  If the charge is made other than by citation, no person shall be convicted of violating this section if the person presents the required proof of insurance at the person's first court appearance after the charge is made.

 

(c) If the driver is not the owner of the vehicle, the driver shall, no later than the date and time specified in the citation for the driver's first court appearance, provide the district court administrator with proof of insurance or the name and address of the owner.  Upon receipt of the name and address of the owner, the district court administrator shall communicate the information to the law enforcement agency.

 

(d) If the driver is not the owner of the vehicle, the officer may send or provide a notice to the owner of the vehicle requiring the owner to produce proof of insurance for the vehicle that was being operated at the time of the demand.  Notice by mail is presumed to be received five days after mailing and shall be sent to the owner's current address or the address listed on the owner's driver's license.  Within ten days after receipt of the notice, the owner shall produce the required proof of insurance to the place stated in the notice received by the owner.  The required proof of insurance may be sent by mail by the owner as long as it is received within ten days.  Any owner who fails to produce proof of insurance within ten days of an officer's request under this subdivision is guilty of a misdemeanor.  The peace officer may mail the citation to the owner's current address or address stated on the owner's driver's license.  It is an affirmative defense to a charge against the owner that the driver used the owner's vehicle without consent, if insurance would not have been required in the absence of the unauthorized use by the driver.  It is not a defense that a person failed to notify the Department of Public Safety of a change of name or address as required under section 171.11.  The citation may be sent after the ten-day period.

 

(b) (e) The court may impose consecutive sentences for offenses arising out of a single course of conduct as permitted in section 609.035, subdivision 2. 

 

(c) (f) In addition to the criminal penalty, the driver's license of an operator convicted under this section shall be revoked for not more than 12 months.  If the operator is also an owner of the vehicle, the registration of the vehicle shall also be revoked for not more than 12 months.  Before reinstatement of a driver's license or registration, the operator shall file with the commissioner of public safety the written certificate of an insurance carrier authorized to do business in this state stating that security has been provided by the operator as required by section 65B.48. 

 

(d) (g) The commissioner shall include a notice of the penalties contained in this section on all forms for registration of vehicles required to maintain a plan of reparation security.

 

Sec. 2.  Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 260C.331, subdivision 3, is amended to read: 

 

Subd. 3.  Court expenses.  The following expenses are a charge upon the county in which proceedings are held upon certification of the judge of juvenile court or upon such other authorization provided by law: 

 

(1) the fees and mileage of witnesses, and the expenses and mileage of officers serving notices and subpoenas ordered by the court, as prescribed by law;

 

(2) the expense of transporting a child to a place designated by a child-placing agency for the care of the child if the court transfers legal custody to a child-placing agency;

 

(3) the expense of transporting a minor to a place designated by the court;

 

(4) reasonable compensation for an attorney appointed by the court to serve as counsel.


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The State Guardian Ad Litem Board shall pay for guardian ad litem expenses and reasonable compensation for an attorney to serve as counsel for a guardian ad litem, if necessary.  In no event may the court order that guardian ad litem expenses or compensation for an attorney serving as counsel for a guardian ad litem be charged to a county.

 

Sec. 3.  Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 357.021, subdivision 6, is amended to read: 

 

Subd. 6.  Surcharges on criminal and traffic offenders.  (a) Except as provided in this paragraph, the court shall impose and the court administrator shall collect a $75 surcharge on every person convicted of any felony, gross misdemeanor, misdemeanor, or petty misdemeanor offense, other than a violation of a law or ordinance relating to vehicle parking, for which there shall be a $12 surcharge.  When a defendant is convicted of more than one offense in a case, the surcharge shall be imposed only once in that case.  In the Second Judicial District, the court shall impose, and the court administrator shall collect, an additional $1 surcharge on every person convicted of any felony, gross misdemeanor, misdemeanor, or petty misdemeanor offense, including a violation of a law or ordinance relating to vehicle parking, if the Ramsey County Board of Commissioners authorizes the $1 surcharge.  The surcharge shall be imposed whether or not the person is sentenced to imprisonment or the sentence is stayed.  The surcharge shall not be imposed when a person is convicted of a petty misdemeanor for which no fine is imposed.

 

(b) If the court fails to impose a surcharge as required by this subdivision, the court administrator shall show the imposition of the surcharge, collect the surcharge, and correct the record.

 

(c) The court may not waive payment of the surcharge required under this subdivision.  Upon a showing of indigency or undue hardship upon the convicted person or the convicted person's immediate family, the sentencing court may authorize payment of the surcharge in installments.

 

(d) The court administrator or other entity collecting a surcharge shall forward it to the commissioner of management and budget.

 

(e) If the convicted person is sentenced to imprisonment and has not paid the surcharge before the term of imprisonment begins, the chief executive officer of the correctional facility in which the convicted person is incarcerated shall collect the surcharge from any earnings the inmate accrues from work performed in the facility or while on conditional release.  The chief executive officer shall forward the amount collected to the court administrator or other entity collecting the surcharge imposed by the court.

 

(f) A person who successfully completes a diversion or similar program enters a diversion program, continuance without prosecution, continuance for dismissal, or stay of adjudication for a violation of chapter 169 must pay the surcharge described in this subdivision.  A surcharge imposed under this paragraph shall be imposed only once per case.

 

(g) The surcharge does not apply to administrative citations issued pursuant to section 169.999.

 

Sec. 4.  Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 563.01, subdivision 3, is amended to read: 

 

Subd. 3.  Authorization of forma pauperis.  (a) Any court of the state of Minnesota or any political subdivision thereof may authorize the commencement or defense of any civil action, or appeal therein, without prepayment of fees, costs and security for costs by a natural person who makes affidavit stating (a) the nature of the action, defense or appeal, (b) a belief that affiant is entitled to redress, and (c) that affiant is financially unable to pay the fees, costs and security for costs.

 

(b) Upon a finding by the court that the action is not of a frivolous nature, the court shall allow the person to proceed in forma pauperis if the affidavit is substantially in the language required by this subdivision and is not found by the court to be untrue.  Persons meeting the requirements of this subdivision include, but are not limited to, a person who is receiving public assistance, who is represented by an attorney on behalf of a civil legal services


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program or a volunteer attorney program based on indigency, or who has an annual income not greater than 125 percent of the poverty line established under United States Code, title 42, section 9902(2), except as otherwise provided by section 563.02.

 

(c) If, at or following commencement of the action, the party is or becomes able to pay all or a portion of the fees, costs, and security for costs, the court may order payment of a fee of $75 or reimbursement or partial payment of all or a portion of the fees, costs, and security for costs, to be paid as directed by the court.

 

The court administrator shall transmit any fees or payments to the commissioner of management and budget for deposit in the state treasury and credit to the general fund.

 

ARTICLE 4

SEXUALLY EXPLOITED YOUTH

 

Section 1.  Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 260B.007, subdivision 6, is amended to read: 

 

Subd. 6.  Delinquent child.  (a) Except as otherwise provided in paragraph paragraphs (b) and (c), "delinquent child" means a child: 

 

(1) who has violated any state or local law, except as provided in section 260B.225, subdivision 1, and except for juvenile offenders as described in subdivisions 16 to 18;

 

(2) who has violated a federal law or a law of another state and whose case has been referred to the juvenile court if the violation would be an act of delinquency if committed in this state or a crime or offense if committed by an adult;

 

(3) who has escaped from confinement to a state juvenile correctional facility after being committed to the custody of the commissioner of corrections; or

 

(4) who has escaped from confinement to a local juvenile correctional facility after being committed to the facility by the court.

 

(b) The term delinquent child does not include a child alleged to have committed murder in the first degree after becoming 16 years of age, but the term delinquent child does include a child alleged to have committed attempted murder in the first degree.

 

(c) The term delinquent child does not include a child under the age of 16 years alleged to have engaged in conduct which would, if committed by an adult, violate any federal, state, or local law relating to being hired, offering to be hired, or agreeing to be hired by another individual to engage in sexual penetration or sexual conduct.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective August 1, 2014, and applies to offenses committed on or after that date.

 

Sec. 2.  Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 260B.007, subdivision 16, is amended to read: 

 

Subd. 16.  Juvenile petty offender; juvenile petty offense.  (a) "Juvenile petty offense" includes a juvenile alcohol offense, a juvenile controlled substance offense, a violation of section 609.685, or a violation of a local ordinance, which by its terms prohibits conduct by a child under the age of 18 years which would be lawful conduct if committed by an adult.


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(b) Except as otherwise provided in paragraph (c), "juvenile petty offense" also includes an offense that would be a misdemeanor if committed by an adult.

 

(c) "Juvenile petty offense" does not include any of the following: 

 

(1) a misdemeanor-level violation of section 518B.01, 588.20, 609.224, 609.2242, 609.324, 609.5632, 609.576, 609.66, 609.746, 609.748, 609.79, or 617.23;

 

(2) a major traffic offense or an adult court traffic offense, as described in section 260B.225;

 

(3) a misdemeanor-level offense committed by a child whom the juvenile court previously has found to have committed a misdemeanor, gross misdemeanor, or felony offense; or

 

(4) a misdemeanor-level offense committed by a child whom the juvenile court has found to have committed a misdemeanor-level juvenile petty offense on two or more prior occasions, unless the county attorney designates the child on the petition as a juvenile petty offender notwithstanding this prior record.  As used in this clause, "misdemeanor-level juvenile petty offense" includes a misdemeanor-level offense that would have been a juvenile petty offense if it had been committed on or after July 1, 1995.

 

(d) A child who commits a juvenile petty offense is a "juvenile petty offender."  The term juvenile petty offender does not include a child under the age of 16 years alleged to have violated any law relating to being hired, offering to be hired, or agreeing to be hired by another individual to engage in sexual penetration or sexual conduct which, if committed by an adult, would be a misdemeanor.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective August 1, 2014, and applies to offenses committed on or after that date.

 

Sec. 3.  Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 260C.007, subdivision 6, is amended to read: 

 

Subd. 6.  Child in need of protection or services.  "Child in need of protection or services" means a child who is in need of protection or services because the child: 

 

(1) is abandoned or without parent, guardian, or custodian;

 

(2)(i) has been a victim of physical or sexual abuse as defined in section 626.556, subdivision 2, (ii) resides with or has resided with a victim of child abuse as defined in subdivision 5 or domestic child abuse as defined in subdivision 13, (iii) resides with or would reside with a perpetrator of domestic child abuse as defined in subdivision 13 or child abuse as defined in subdivision 5 or 13, or (iv) is a victim of emotional maltreatment as defined in subdivision 15;

 

(3) is without necessary food, clothing, shelter, education, or other required care for the child's physical or mental health or morals because the child's parent, guardian, or custodian is unable or unwilling to provide that care;

 

(4) is without the special care made necessary by a physical, mental, or emotional condition because the child's parent, guardian, or custodian is unable or unwilling to provide that care;

 

(5) is medically neglected, which includes, but is not limited to, the withholding of medically indicated treatment from a disabled infant with a life-threatening condition.  The term "withholding of medically indicated treatment" means the failure to respond to the infant's life-threatening conditions by providing treatment, including appropriate nutrition, hydration, and medication which, in the treating physician's or physicians' reasonable medical judgment, will be most likely to be effective in ameliorating or correcting all conditions, except that the term does not include the failure to provide treatment other than appropriate nutrition, hydration, or medication to an infant when, in the treating physician's or physicians' reasonable medical judgment: 


Journal of the House - 59th Day - Wednesday, May 18, 2011 - Top of Page 4312


(i) the infant is chronically and irreversibly comatose;

 

(ii) the provision of the treatment would merely prolong dying, not be effective in ameliorating or correcting all of the infant's life-threatening conditions, or otherwise be futile in terms of the survival of the infant; or

 

(iii) the provision of the treatment would be virtually futile in terms of the survival of the infant and the treatment itself under the circumstances would be inhumane;

 

(6) is one whose parent, guardian, or other custodian for good cause desires to be relieved of the child's care and custody, including a child who entered foster care under a voluntary placement agreement between the parent and the responsible social services agency under section 260C.212, subdivision 8;

 

(7) has been placed for adoption or care in violation of law;

 

(8) is without proper parental care because of the emotional, mental, or physical disability, or state of immaturity of the child's parent, guardian, or other custodian;

 

(9) is one whose behavior, condition, or environment is such as to be injurious or dangerous to the child or others.  An injurious or dangerous environment may include, but is not limited to, the exposure of a child to criminal activity in the child's home;

 

(10) is experiencing growth delays, which may be referred to as failure to thrive, that have been diagnosed by a physician and are due to parental neglect;

 

(11) has engaged in prostitution as defined in section 609.321, subdivision 9;

 

(12) has committed a delinquent act or a juvenile petty offense before becoming ten years old;

 

(13) is a runaway;

 

(14) is a habitual truant;

 

(15) has been found incompetent to proceed or has been found not guilty by reason of mental illness or mental deficiency in connection with a delinquency proceeding, a certification under section 260B.125, an extended jurisdiction juvenile prosecution, or a proceeding involving a juvenile petty offense; or

 

(16) has a parent whose parental rights to one or more other children were involuntarily terminated or whose custodial rights to another child have been involuntarily transferred to a relative and there is a case plan prepared by the responsible social services agency documenting a compelling reason why filing the termination of parental rights petition under section 260C.301, subdivision 3, is not in the best interests of the child; or

 

(17) is a sexually exploited youth.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective August 1, 2011.

 

Sec. 4.  Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 260C.007, subdivision 11, is amended to read: 

 

Subd. 11.  Delinquent child.  "Delinquent child" means a child: 

 

(1) who has violated any state or local law, except as provided in section 260B.225, subdivision 1, and except for juvenile offenders as described in subdivisions 19 and 28; or


Journal of the House - 59th Day - Wednesday, May 18, 2011 - Top of Page 4313


 

(2) who has violated a federal law or a law of another state and whose case has been referred to the juvenile court if the violation would be an act of delinquency if committed in this state or a crime or offense if committed by an adult has the meaning given in section 260B.007, subdivision 6.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective August 1, 2011.

 

Sec. 5.  Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 260C.007, is amended by adding a subdivision to read: 

 

Subd. 31.  Sexually exploited youth.  "Sexually exploited youth" means an individual who: 

 

(1) is alleged to have engaged in conduct which would, if committed by an adult, violate any federal, state, or local law relating to being hired, offering to be hired, or agreeing to be hired by another individual to engage in sexual penetration or sexual conduct;

 

(2) is a victim of a crime described in section 609.342, 609.343, 609.345, 609.3451, 609.3453, 609.352, 617.246, or 617.247;

 

(3) is a victim of a crime described in United States Code, title 18, section 2260; 2421; 2422; 2423; 2425; 2425A; or 2256; or

 

(4) is a sex trafficking victim as defined in section 609.321, subdivision 7b.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective August 1, 2011.

 

Sec. 6.  [609.093] JUVENILE PROSTITUTES; DIVERSION OR CHILD PROTECTION PROCEEDINGS.

 

Subdivision 1.  First-time prostitution offense; applicability; procedure.  (a) This section applies to a 16 or 17 year old child alleged to have engaged in prostitution as defined in section 609.321, subdivision 9, who: 

 

(1) has not been previously adjudicated delinquent for engaging in prostitution as defined in section 609.321, subdivision 9;

 

(2) has not previously participated in or completed a diversion program for engaging in prostitution as defined in section 609.321, subdivision 9;

 

(3) has not previously been placed on probation without an adjudication or received a continuance under section 260B.198, subdivision 7, for engaging in prostitution as defined in section 609.321, subdivision 9;

 

(4) has not previously been found to be a child in need of protection or services for engaging in prostitution as defined in section 609.321, subdivision 9, or because the child is a sexually exploited youth as defined in section 260C.007, subdivision 31, clause (1); and

 

(5) agrees to successfully complete a diversion program under section 388.24 or fully comply with a disposition order under section 260C.201.

 

(b) The prosecutor shall refer a child described in paragraph (a) to a diversion program under section 388.24 or file a petition under section 260C.141 alleging the child to be in need of protection or services.

 

Subd. 2.  Failure to comply.  If a child fails to successfully complete diversion or fails to fully comply with a disposition order under section 260C.201, the child may be referred back to the court for further proceedings under chapter 260B.


Journal of the House - 59th Day - Wednesday, May 18, 2011 - Top of Page 4314


 

Subd. 3.  Dismissal of charge.  The court shall dismiss the charge against the child if any of the following apply: 

 

(1) the prosecutor referred the child to diversion program and the prosecutor notifies the court that the child successfully completed the program;

 

(2) the prosecutor filed a petition under section 260C.141 and the court does not find that the child is in need of protection or services; or

 

(3) the prosecutor filed a petition under section 260C.141, the court entered an order under section 260C.201, and the child fully complied with the order.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective August 1, 2014, and applies to offenses committed on or after that date.

 

Sec. 7.  Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 609.3241, is amended to read: 

 

609.3241 PENALTY ASSESSMENT AUTHORIZED.

 

(a) When a court sentences an adult convicted of violating section 609.322 or 609.324, while acting other than as a prostitute, the court shall impose an assessment of not less than $250 $500 and not more than $500 $750 for a violation of section 609.324, subdivision 2, or a misdemeanor violation of section 609.324, subdivision 3; otherwise the court shall impose an assessment of not less than $500 $750 and not more than $1,000.  The mandatory minimum portion of the assessment is to be used for the purposes described in section 626.558, subdivision 2a, shall be distributed as provided in paragraph (c) and is in addition to the surcharge required by section 357.021, subdivision 6.  Any portion of the assessment imposed in excess of the mandatory minimum amount shall be deposited in an account in the special revenue fund and is appropriated annually to the commissioner of public safety.  The commissioner, with the assistance of the General Crime Victims Advisory Council, shall use money received under this section for grants to agencies that provide assistance to individuals who have stopped or wish to stop engaging in prostitution.  Grant money may be used to provide these individuals with medical care, child care, temporary housing, and educational expenses.

 

(b) The court may not waive payment of the minimum assessment required by this section.  If the defendant qualifies for the services of a public defender or the court finds on the record that the convicted person is indigent or that immediate payment of the assessment would create undue hardship for the convicted person or that person's immediate family, the court may reduce the amount of the minimum assessment to not less than $100.  The court also may authorize payment of the assessment in installments. 

 

(c) The assessment collected under paragraph (a) must be distributed as follows: 

 

(1) 40 percent of the assessment shall be forwarded to the political subdivision that employs the arresting officer for use in enforcement, training, and education activities related to combating sexual exploitation of youth, or if the arresting officer is an employee of the state, this portion shall be forwarded to the commissioner of public safety for those purposes identified in clause (3);

 

(2) 20 percent of the assessment shall be forwarded to the prosecuting agency that handled the case for use in training and education activities relating to combating sexual exploitation activities of youth; and

 

(3) 40 percent of the assessment must be forwarded to the commissioner of public safety to be deposited in the safe harbor for youth account in the special revenue fund and are appropriated to the commissioner for distribution to crime victims services organizations that provide services to sexually exploited youth, as defined in section 260C.007, subdivision 31.


Journal of the House - 59th Day - Wednesday, May 18, 2011 - Top of Page 4315


 

(d) A safe harbor for youth account is established as a special account in the state treasury.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective August 1, 2011.

 

Sec. 8.  Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 626.558, subdivision 2a, is amended to read: 

 

Subd. 2a.  Juvenile prostitution Sexually exploited youth outreach program.  A multidisciplinary child protection team may assist the local welfare agency, local law enforcement agency, or an appropriate private organization in developing a program of outreach services for juveniles who are engaging in prostitution sexually exploited youth, including homeless, runaway, and truant youth who are at risk of sexual exploitation.  For the purposes of this subdivision, at least one representative of a youth intervention program or, where this type of program is unavailable, one representative of a nonprofit agency serving youth in crisis, shall be appointed to and serve on the multidisciplinary child protection team in addition to the standing members of the team.  These services may include counseling, medical care, short-term shelter, alternative living arrangements, and drop-in centers.  The county may finance these services by means of the penalty assessment authorized by section 609.3241.  A juvenile's receipt of intervention services under this subdivision may not be conditioned upon the juvenile providing any evidence or testimony. 

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective August 1, 2011.

 

Sec. 9.  SAFE HARBOR FOR SEX TRAFFICKED YOUTH; SEXUALLY EXPLOITED YOUTH; STATEWIDE VICTIM SERVICES MODEL.

 

(a) If sufficient funding from outside sources is donated, the commissioner of public safety shall develop a statewide model as provided in this section.  By June 30, 2012, the commissioner of public safety, in consultation with the commissioners of health and human services, shall develop a victim services model to address the needs of sexually exploited youth and youth at risk of sexual exploitation.  The commissioner shall take into consideration the findings and recommendations as reported to the legislature on the results of the safe harbor for sexually exploited youth pilot project authorized by Laws 2006, chapter 282, article 13, section 4, paragraph (b).  In addition, the commissioner shall seek recommendations from prosecutors, public safety officials, public health professionals, child protection workers, and service providers.

 

(b) By January 15, 2013, the commissioner of public safety shall report to the chairs and ranking minority members of the senate and house of representatives divisions having jurisdiction over health and human services and criminal justice funding and policy on the development of the statewide model, including recommendations for additional legislation or funding for services for sexually exploited youth or youth at risk of sexual exploitation.

 

(c) As used in this section, "sexually exploited youth" has the meaning given in section 260C.007, subdivision 31.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective August 1, 2011.

 

ARTICLE 5

PROSTITUTION CRIMES

 

Section 1.  Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 609.321, subdivision 4, is amended to read: 

 

Subd. 4.  Patron.  "Patron" means an individual who hires or offers or agrees engages in prostitution by hiring, offering to hire, or agreeing to hire another individual to engage in sexual penetration or sexual contact.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective August 1, 2011, and applies to crimes committed on or after that date.


Journal of the House - 59th Day - Wednesday, May 18, 2011 - Top of Page 4316


Sec. 2.  Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 609.321, subdivision 8, is amended to read: 

 

Subd. 8.  Prostitute.  "Prostitute" means an individual who engages in prostitution by being hired, offering to be hired, or agreeing to be hired by another individual to engage in sexual penetration or sexual contact.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective August 1, 2011, and applies to crimes committed on or after that date.

 

Sec. 3.  Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 609.321, subdivision 9, is amended to read: 

 

Subd. 9.  Prostitution.  "Prostitution" means engaging or offering or agreeing to engage for hire hiring, offering to hire, or agreeing to hire another individual to engage in sexual penetration or sexual contact, or being hired, offering to be hired, or agreeing to be hired by another individual to engage in sexual penetration or sexual contact.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective August 1, 2011, and applies to crimes committed on or after that date.

 

Sec. 4.  Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 609.324, subdivision 2, is amended to read: 

 

Subd. 2.  Prostitution in public place; penalty for patrons.  Whoever, while acting as a patron, intentionally does any of the following while in a public place is guilty of a gross misdemeanor: 

 

(1) engages in prostitution with an individual 18 years of age or older; or

 

(2) hires or, offers to hire, or agrees to hire an individual 18 years of age or older to engage in sexual penetration or sexual contact.

 

Except as otherwise provided in subdivision 4, a person who is convicted of violating this subdivision while acting as a patron must, at a minimum, be sentenced to pay a fine of at least $1,500.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective August 1, 2011, and applies to crimes committed on or after that date.

 

Sec. 5.  Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 609.324, subdivision 3, is amended to read: 

 

Subd. 3.  General prostitution crimes; penalties for patrons.  (a) Whoever, while acting as a patron, intentionally does any of the following is guilty of a misdemeanor: 

 

(1) engages in prostitution with an individual 18 years of age or above older; or

 

(2) hires or, offers to hire, or agrees to hire an individual 18 years of age or above older to engage in sexual penetration or sexual contact.  Except as otherwise provided in subdivision 4, a person who is convicted of violating this paragraph while acting as a patron must, at a minimum, be sentenced to pay a fine of at least $500.

 

(b) Whoever violates the provisions of this subdivision within two years of a previous prostitution conviction for violating this section or section 609.322 is guilty of a gross misdemeanor.  Except as otherwise provided in subdivision 4, a person who is convicted of violating this paragraph while acting as a patron must, at a minimum, be sentenced as follows: 

 

(1) to pay a fine of at least $1,500; and

 

(2) to serve 20 hours of community work service.


Journal of the House - 59th Day - Wednesday, May 18, 2011 - Top of Page 4317


The court may waive the mandatory community work service if it makes specific, written findings that the community work service is not feasible or appropriate under the circumstances of the case.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective August 1, 2011, and applies to crimes committed on or after that date.

 

Sec. 6.  Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 609.324, is amended by adding a subdivision to read: 

 

Subd. 6.  Prostitution in public place; penalty for prostitutes.  Whoever, while acting as a prostitute, intentionally does any of the following while in a public place is guilty of a gross misdemeanor: 

 

(1) engages in prostitution with an individual 18 years of age or older; or

 

(2) is hired, offers to be hired, or agrees to be hired by an individual 18 years of age or older to engage in sexual penetration or sexual contact.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective August 1, 2011, and applies to crimes committed on or after that date.

 

Sec. 7.  Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 609.324, is amended by adding a subdivision to read: 

 

Subd. 7.  General prostitution crimes; penalties for prostitutes.  (a) Whoever, while acting as a prostitute, intentionally does any of the following is guilty of a misdemeanor: 

 

(1) engages in prostitution with an individual 18 years of age or older; or

 

(2) is hired, offers to be hired, or agrees to be hired by an individual 18 years of age or older to engage in sexual penetration or sexual contact.

 

(b) Whoever violates the provisions of this subdivision within two years of a previous prostitution conviction for violating this section or section 609.322 is guilty of a gross misdemeanor.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective August 1, 2011, and applies to crimes committed on or after that date."

 

Delete the title and insert: 

 

"A bill for an act relating to public safety; modifying certain provisions relating to public safety, human rights, courts and sentencing, sexually exploited youth, and prostitution crimes; requesting studies; requesting reports; providing for penalties; appropriating money for public safety, corrections, human rights, courts, civil legal services, Guardian Ad Litem Board, Uniform Laws Commission, Board on Judicial Standards, and sentencing guidelines; amending Minnesota Statutes 2010, sections 169.797, subdivision 4; 243.212; 260B.007, subdivisions 6, 16; 260C.007, subdivisions 6, 11, by adding a subdivision; 260C.331, subdivision 3; 297I.06, subdivision 3; 357.021, subdivision 6; 363A.06, subdivision 1; 363A.36, subdivision 1; 563.01, subdivision 3; 609.105, subdivision 1, by adding subdivisions; 609.321, subdivisions 4, 8, 9; 609.324, subdivisions 2, 3, by adding subdivisions; 609.3241; 626.558, subdivision 2a; 626.8458, subdivision 5; 641.15, subdivision 2; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 609; repealing Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 363A.36, subdivision 5."

 

 

      We request the adoption of this report and repassage of the bill. 

 

      Senate Conferees:  Warren Limmer, Dan D. Hall, Scott J. Newman and Julianne E. Ortman.

 

      House Conferees:  Tony Cornish, Tim Kelly, Steve Smith, Bruce Vogel and Kelby Woodard.


Journal of the House - 59th Day - Wednesday, May 18, 2011 - Top of Page 4318


 

      Cornish moved that the report of the Conference Committee on S. F. No. 958 be adopted and that the bill be repassed as amended by the Conference Committee.  The motion prevailed.

 

 

      S. F. No. 958, A bill for an act relating to public safety; acquiring an easement for the correctional facility in Faribault; appropriating money for the courts, public defenders, public safety, corrections, certain other criminal justice agencies, boards, and commissions; amending Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 297I.06, subdivision 3.

 

 

      The bill was read for the third time, as amended by Conference, and placed upon its repassage.

 

      The question was taken on the repassage of the bill and the roll was called.  There were 71 yeas and 61 nays as follows:

 

      Those who voted in the affirmative were:

 


Abeler

Anderson, B.

Anderson, D.

Anderson, P.

Anderson, S.

Banaian

Barrett

Beard

Benson, M.

Bills

Buesgens

Cornish

Crawford

Daudt

Davids

Dean

Dettmer

Doepke

Downey

Drazkowski

Erickson

Fabian

Franson

Garofalo

Gottwalt

Gruenhagen

Gunther

Hackbarth

Hancock

Holberg

Hoppe

Howes

Kelly

Kieffer

Kiel

Kiffmeyer

Kriesel

Lanning

Leidiger

LeMieur

Lohmer

Loon

Mack

Mazorol

McDonald

McElfatrick

McFarlane

McNamara

Murdock

Murray

Myhra

Nornes

O'Driscoll

Peppin

Petersen, B.

Quam

Runbeck

Sanders

Schomacker

Scott

Shimanski

Smith

Stensrud

Swedzinski

Torkelson

Urdahl

Vogel

Wardlow

Westrom

Woodard

Spk. Zellers


 

      Those who voted in the negative were:

 


Anzelc

Atkins

Benson, J.

Brynaert

Carlson

Champion

Clark

Davnie

Dill

Dittrich

Eken

Falk

Gauthier

Greene

Greiling

Hansen

Hausman

Hayden

Hilstrom

Hilty

Hornstein

Hortman

Hosch

Huntley

Johnson

Kahn

Kath

Knuth

Koenen

Laine

Lenczewski

Lesch

Liebling

Lillie

Loeffler

Mahoney

Mariani

Marquart

Melin

Moran

Morrow

Mullery

Murphy, E.

Murphy, M.

Nelson

Norton

Paymar

Pelowski

Persell

Peterson, S.

Poppe

Rukavina

Scalze

Simon

Slawik

Slocum

Thissen

Tillberry

Wagenius

Ward

Winkler


 

 

      The bill was repassed, as amended by Conference, and its title agreed to.

 

 

      Speaker pro tempore Garofalo called Daudt to the Chair.

 

 

      Laine was excused for the remainder of today's session.


Journal of the House - 59th Day - Wednesday, May 18, 2011 - Top of Page 4319


Mr. Speaker: 

 

I hereby announce that the Senate has concurred in and adopted the report of the Conference Committee on: 

 

S. F. No. 887.

 

The Senate has repassed said bill in accordance with the recommendation and report of the Conference Committee.  Said Senate File is herewith transmitted to the House.

 

Cal R. Ludeman, Secretary of the Senate

 

 

CONFERENCE COMMITTEE REPORT ON S. F. NO. 887

 

A bill for an act relating to state government; appropriating money for jobs, economic development, and housing; modifying certain programs; modifying fees and licensing, registration, and continuing education provisions; amending Minnesota Statutes 2010, sections 116J.035, by adding a subdivision; 116J.8737, subdivisions 1, 2, 4; 116L.04, subdivision 1; 181.723, subdivision 5; 182.6553, subdivision 6; 326B.04, subdivision 2; 326B.091; 326B.098; 326B.13, subdivision 8; 326B.148, subdivision 1; 326B.42, subdivisions 8, 9, 10, by adding subdivisions; 326B.435, subdivision 2; 326B.438; 326B.46, subdivisions 1a, 1b, 2, 3; 326B.47, subdivisions 1, 3; 326B.49, subdivision 1; 326B.56, subdivision 1; 326B.58; 326B.82, subdivisions 2, 3, 7, 9; 326B.821, subdivisions 1, 5, 5a, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 15, 16, 18, 19, 20, 22, 23; 326B.865; 326B.89, subdivisions 6, 8; 327.32, subdivisions 1a, 1b, 1e; 327.33, subdivisions 1, 2; 341.321; Laws 2009, chapter 78, article 1, section 18; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 326B; repealing Minnesota Statutes 2010, sections 326B.82, subdivisions 4, 6; 326B.821, subdivision 3.

 

May 16, 2011

The Honorable Michelle L. Fischbach

President of the Senate

 

The Honorable Kurt Zellers

Speaker of the House of Representatives

 

We, the undersigned conferees for S. F. No. 887 report that we have agreed upon the items in dispute and recommend as follows: 

 

That the House recede from its amendments and that S. F. No. 887 be further amended as follows: 

 

Delete everything after the enacting clause and insert: 

 

"ARTICLE 1

JOBS, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, AND HOUSING APPROPRIATIONS

 

Section 1.  JOBS, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, AND HOUSING APPROPRIATIONS. 

 

The amounts shown in this section summarize direct appropriations, by fund, made in this article.

 

 

 

2012

 

2013

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

General

 

$78,059,000

 

$76,016,000

 

$154,075,000

Workforce Development

 

15,815,000

 

15,787,000

 

31,602,000


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Remediation

 

700,000

 

700,000

 

1,400,000

Workers' Compensation

 

22,574,000

 

22,574,000

 

45,148,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

$117,148,000

 

$115,077,000

 

$232,225,000

 

Sec. 2.  JOBS, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, AND HOUSING. 

 

The sums shown in the columns marked "Appropriations" are appropriated to the agencies and for the purposes specified in this article.  The appropriations are from the general fund, or another named fund, and are available for the fiscal years indicated for each purpose.  The figures "2012" and "2013" used in this article mean that the appropriations listed under them are available for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2012, or June 30, 2013, respectively.  "The first year" is fiscal year 2012.  "The second year" is fiscal year 2013.  "The biennium" is fiscal years 2012 and 2013.

 

 

 

 

APPROPRIATIONS

 

 

 

Available for the Year

 

 

 

Ending June 30

 

 

 

2012

2013

 

Sec. 3.  DEPARTMENT OF EMPLOYMENT AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

 

 

 

 

Subdivision 1.  Total Appropriation

 

$50,921,000

 

$48,743,000

 

Appropriations by Fund

 

 

2012

2013

 

 

 

General

35,280,000

33,130,000

Remediation

700,000

700,000

Workforce Development

14,941,000

14,913,000

 

The amounts that may be spent for each purpose are specified in the following subdivisions.

 

Subd. 2.  Business and Community Development

 

5,857,000

 

5,829,000

 

Appropriations by Fund

 

General

4,841,000

4,841,000

Remediation

700,000

700,000

Workforce Development

316,000

288,000

 

(a) $700,000 the first year and $700,000 the second year are from the remediation fund for contaminated site cleanup and development grants under Minnesota Statutes, section 116J.554.  This appropriation is available until expended.

 

(b) $470,000 the first year and $470,000 the second year are from the general fund for contaminated site cleanup and development grants under Minnesota Statutes, section 116J.554.  The base funding for this program is $325,000 each year beginning in fiscal year 2014 and thereafter.


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(c) $150,000 the first year is from the general fund for a grant to WomenVenture for women's business development programs and for programs that encourage and assist women to enter nontraditional careers in the trades; manual and technical occupations; science, technology, engineering, and mathematics-related occupations; and green jobs.  This appropriation may be matched dollar for dollar with any resources available from the federal government for these purposes with priority given to initiatives that have a goal of increasing by at least ten percent the number of women in occupations where women currently comprise less than 25 percent of the workforce.  This is a onetime appropriation.

 

(d) $79,000 the first year is from the general fund and $42,000 the first year is from the workforce development fund for a grant to the Metropolitan Economic Development Association for continuing minority business development programs in the metropolitan area.  This appropriation must be used for the sole purpose of providing free or reduced fee business consulting services to minority entrepreneurs and contractors.  This is a onetime appropriation.

 

(e)(1) $425,000 the first year is a onetime appropriation from the general fund for a grant to BioBusiness Alliance of Minnesota for bioscience business development programs to promote and position the state as a global leader in bioscience business activities.  These funds may be used to create, recruit, retain, and expand biobusiness activity in Minnesota; implement the destination 2025 statewide plan; update a statewide assessment of the bioscience industry and the competitive position of Minnesota-based bioscience businesses relative to other states and other nations; and develop and implement business and scenario-planning models to create, recruit, retain, and expand biobusiness activity in Minnesota.

 

(2) The BioBusiness Alliance must report each year by February 15 to the committees of the house of representatives and the senate having jurisdiction over bioscience industry activity in Minnesota on the use of funds; the number of bioscience businesses and jobs created, recruited, retained, or expanded in the state since the last reporting period; the competitive position of the biobusiness industry; and utilization rates and results of the business and scenario-planning models and outcomes resulting from utilization of the business and scenario-planning models.

 

(f) $37,000 the first year is from the general fund for a grant to the Minnesota Inventors Congress, of which at least $3,700 must be used for youth inventors.  This is a onetime appropriation.

 

(g)(1) $85,000 the first year is from the workforce development fund for a grant under Minnesota Statutes, section 116J.421, to the Rural Policy and Development Center at St. Peter, Minnesota.  The


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grant shall be used for research and policy analysis on emerging economic and social issues in rural Minnesota, to serve as a policy resource center for rural Minnesota communities, to encourage collaboration across higher education institutions, to provide interdisciplinary team approaches to research and problem-solving in rural communities, and to administer overall operations of the center.  This is a onetime appropriation.

 

(2) The grant shall be provided upon the condition that each state-appropriated dollar be matched with a nonstate dollar.  Acceptable matching funds are nonstate contributions that the center has received and have not been used to match previous state grants.  Any funds not spent the first year are available the second year.

 

(h) $189,000 the first year is for entrepreneur and small business development direct professional business assistance in Blue Earth, Brown, Faribault, Le Sueur, Martin, Nicollet, Sibley, Watonwan, and Waseca Counties.  These services must include, but are not limited to, preventure assistance for individuals considering starting a business.  Funds must be awarded to an organization or organizations that can demonstrate leverage of at least an equal amount of federal funds.  Any balance in the first year does not cancel but is available in the second year.  The grant recipient must report to the commissioner by February 1 of each year that the organization receives a grant with the number of customers served; the amount of direct consulting hours delivered; the number of new businesses started; the amount of capital accessed for business start-up or expansion; and the number of jobs created and retained in each county.  The commissioner must report to the house of representatives and senate committees with jurisdiction over economic development finance on the effectiveness of these programs for assisting in the development of entrepreneurs and small businesses.  This is a onetime appropriation.

 

(i) $691,000 the second year is from the general fund and $288,000 the second year is from the workforce development fund for the business development competitive grant pilot program.

 

(1) The commissioner shall develop and implement a competitive grant program for business development assistance and services including, but not limited to:  minority business development, women's business development, rural business development, bioscience business development, and services to inventors.  Of this amount, up to five percent is for administration and monitoring of the business development competitive grant program.

 

(2) The commissioner must report to the legislative committees having jurisdiction over economic development issues by January 10 each year on the following:  methodologies and processes for soliciting and evaluating grant proposals; criteria and methodology for selecting grant recipients; methods and procedures for


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monitoring the use of grant awards including expenditures for administrative expenses by grant recipients; and methods for measuring outcomes and accomplishments of grant recipients including but not limited to the total number of new jobs created by each grant recipient, average wage of new jobs created, amount of private funds leveraged, number of new businesses created and the number of new jobs per business, return on investment to the state, and ongoing solicitation and feedback from interested parties regarding ongoing improvement and enhancement to the competitive grant program.  The commissioner must also report on department expenditures related to the administration and monitoring of grants under this subdivision.

 

Subd. 3.  Workforce Development

 

44,206,000

 

42,056,000

 

Appropriations by Fund

 

General

29,581,000

27,431,000

Workforce Development

14,625,000

14,625,000

 

(a) $3,872,000 each year is from the general fund for the Minnesota job skills partnership program under Minnesota Statutes, sections 116L.01 to 116L.17.  If the appropriation for either year is insufficient, the appropriation for the other year is available.  This appropriation is available until spent.

 

(b) $10,800,000 the first year and $8,800,000 the second year are from the general fund for the state's vocational rehabilitation program under Minnesota Statutes, chapter 268A.

 

(c) $5,928,000 the first year and $5,778,000 the second year are from the general fund for the state services for the blind activities.

 

(d) $2,150,000 each year is from the general fund for grants to centers for independent living under Minnesota Statutes, section 268A.11.

 

(e) $315,000 the first year is from the general fund and $89,000 the first year is from the workforce development fund for a grant under Minnesota Statutes, section 116J.8747, to Twin Cities RISE! to provide training to hard-to-train individuals.  Funds unexpended in the first year are available for expenditure in the second year.  This is a onetime appropriation.

 

(f) $100,000 the first year is from the general fund and $42,000 the first year is from the workforce development fund for a grant to Northern Connections in Perham to implement and operate a workforce program that provides one-stop supportive services to individuals as they transition into the workforce.  This is a onetime appropriation.


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(g) $4,722,000 each year is from the general fund and $6,761,000 each year is from the workforce development fund for extended employment services for persons with severe disabilities or related conditions under Minnesota Statutes, section 268A.15.  Of the general fund appropriation, $125,000 each year is to supplement funds paid for wage incentives for the community support fund established in Minnesota Rules, part 3300.2045.

 

(h) $1,479,000 each year is from the general fund for grants to programs that provide employment support services to persons with mental illness under Minnesota Statutes, sections 268A.13 and 268A.14.  Grants may be used for special projects for young people with mental illness transitioning from school to work and people with serious mental illness receiving services through a mental health court or civil commitment court.  Special projects must demonstrate interagency collaboration.

 

(i) $135,000 the first year is from the general fund and $149,000 the first year is from the workforce development fund for a grant under Minnesota Statutes, section 268A.03, to Rise, Inc. for the Minnesota Employment Center for People Who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing.  Money not expended the first year is available the second year.  This is a onetime appropriation.

 

(j) $80,000 the first year is from the general fund and $170,000 the first year is from the workforce development fund for a grant to Lifetrack Resources for its immigrant and refugee collaborative program, including those related to job-seeking skills and workplace orientation, intensive job development, functional work English, and on-site job coaching.  This appropriation may also be used in Rochester.  This is a onetime appropriation.

 

(k) $1,169,000 the first year is from the workforce development fund for the Opportunities Industrialization Center programs.  The OIC state council must not be colocated with the Department of Employment and Economic Development.  Of this amount, $3,000 may be used for relocation expenses.  This is a onetime appropriation.

 

(l) $630,000 the second year is from the general fund and $1,619,000 the second year is from the workforce development fund for the adult workforce development competitive grant pilot program.

 

(1) The commissioner in consultation with the Governor's Workforce Development Council shall develop and implement a competitive grant program for adult workforce development activities including, but not limited to:  job training, job search, job placement, preemployment and job readiness skills, employment-related self-advocacy skills, employment services targeted to people who are deaf or hard of hearing, and transition to work


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from public assistance.  Of this amount, up to five percent is for administration and monitoring of the adult workforce development competitive grant pilot program.

 

(2) The commissioner must report to the legislative committees having jurisdiction over economic development issues by January 10 each year on the following:  methodologies and processes for soliciting and evaluating grant proposals; criteria and methodology for selecting grant recipients; methods and procedures for monitoring the use of grant awards including expenditures for administrative expenses by grant recipients; and methods for measuring outcomes and accomplishments of grant recipients including but not limited to the total number of job placements by each grant recipient, average wage of jobs in which clients served by grant recipients are placed, specific job skills developed and measures of improved employability or employment opportunities by the clients of the grant recipients, amount of private funds leveraged, return on investment to the state, and ongoing solicitation and feedback from interested parties regarding ongoing improvement and enhancement to the competitive grant program.  The commissioner must also report on department expenditures related to the administration and monitoring of grants under this subdivision.

 

(m) $2,975,000 the first year is a onetime appropriation from the workforce development fund for the Minnesota youth program under Minnesota Statutes, sections 116L.56 and 116L.561.

 

(n) $765,000 the first year is a onetime appropriation from the workforce development fund for grants for the Minneapolis summer youth employment program.  The commissioner shall establish criteria for awarding the grant.

 

(o) $255,000 the first year is from the workforce development fund for a grant to the Minneapolis learn-to-earn summer youth employment program.  This is a onetime appropriation.

 

(p) $637,000 the first year is a onetime appropriation from the workforce development fund for a grant to the Minnesota Alliance of Boys and Girls Clubs to administer a statewide project of youth jobs skills development.  This project, which may have career guidance components, including health and life skills, is to encourage, train, and assist youth in job-seeking skills, workplace orientation, and job-site knowledge through coaching.  This grant requires a 25 percent match from nonstate resources.

 

(q) $474,000 the first year is a onetime appropriation from the workforce development fund for grants to fund summer youth employment in St. Paul.  The commissioner shall establish criteria for awarding the grant.


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(r) $850,000 the first year is a onetime appropriation from the workforce development fund for the youthbuild program under Minnesota Statutes, sections 116L.361 to 116L.366.

 

(s) $289,000 the first year is a onetime appropriation from the workforce development fund for grants to provide interpreters for a regional transition program that specializes in providing culturally appropriate transition services leading to employment for deaf, hard-of-hearing, and deafblind students.

 

(t) $6,245,000 the second year is from the workforce development fund for the youth workforce development competitive grant pilot program.

 

(1) The commissioner in consultation with the Governor's Workforce Development Council shall develop and implement a competitive grant program to provide workforce development activities and training to youth in Minnesota.  Of this amount, up to five percent is for administration and monitoring of the youth workforce development competitive grant pilot program.

 

(2) The commissioner must report to the legislative committees having jurisdiction over economic development issues by January 10 each year on the following:  methodologies and processes for soliciting and evaluating grant proposals; criteria and methodology for selecting grant recipients; methods and procedures for monitoring the use of grant awards including expenditures for administrative expenses by grant recipients; and methods for measuring outcomes and accomplishments of grant recipients including but not limited to the total number of youth served by each grant recipient, number of job placements, job search, training or placement services, education or other employment-related services, employment-related self-advocacy skills, preemployment skill development, average wage of jobs, amount of private funds leveraged, return on investment to the state, and ongoing solicitation and feedback from interested parties regarding ongoing improvement and enhancement to the competitive grant program.  The commissioner must also report on department expenditures related to the administration and monitoring of grants under this subdivision.

 

(3) In awarding grants under this subdivision, consideration must be given to programs that target deaf, hard of hearing, and deaf/blind students.

 

Subd. 4.  State-Funded Administration

 

858,000

 

858,000

 

Sec. 4.  HOUSING FINANCE AGENCY

 

 

 

 

 

Subdivision 1.  Total Appropriation

 

$37,897,000

 

$37,897,000

 

The amounts that may be spent for each purpose are specified in the following subdivisions.


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This appropriation is for transfer to the housing development fund for the programs specified.  Except as otherwise indicated, this transfer is part of the agency's permanent budget base.

 

Subd. 2.  Challenge Program

 

6,955,000

 

6,955,000

 

For the economic development and housing challenge program under Minnesota Statutes, section 462A.33.  Of this amount, $1,208,000 each year shall be made available during the first eight months of the fiscal year exclusively for housing projects for American Indians.  Any funds not committed to housing projects for American Indians in the first eight months of the fiscal year shall be available for any eligible activity under Minnesota Statutes, section 462A.33.

 

Subd. 3.  Housing Trust Fund

 

9,555,000

 

9,555,000

 

For deposit in the housing trust fund account, for the purposes provided under Minnesota Statutes, section 462A.201.

 

Subd. 4.  Rental Assistance for Mentally Ill

 

2,638,000

 

2,638,000

 

For the rental housing assistance program for persons with a mental illness or families with an adult member with a mental illness under Minnesota Statutes, section 462A.2097.

 

Subd. 5.  Family Homeless Prevention

 

7,465,000

 

7,465,000

 

For the family homeless prevention and assistance programs under Minnesota Statutes, section 462A.204.

 

Subd. 6.  Home Ownership Assistance Fund

 

797,000

 

797,000

 

For the home ownership assistance program under Minnesota Statutes, section 462A.21, subdivision 8.

 

Subd. 7.  Affordable Rental Investment Fund

 

7,313,000

 

7,313,000

 

(a) For the affordable rental investment fund program under Minnesota Statutes, section 462A.21, subdivision 8b.  The appropriation is to finance the acquisition, rehabilitation, and debt restructuring of federally assisted rental property and for making equity take-out loans under Minnesota Statutes, section 462A.05, subdivision 39.

 

(b) The owner of federally assisted rental property must agree to participate in the applicable federally assisted housing program and to extend any existing low-income affordability restrictions on the housing for the maximum term permitted.  The owner must also enter into an agreement that gives local units of government, housing and redevelopment authorities, and nonprofit housing


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organizations the right of first refusal if the rental property is offered for sale.  Priority must be given among comparable federally assisted rental properties to properties with the longest remaining term under an agreement for federal assistance.  Priority must also be given among comparable rental housing developments to developments that are or will be owned by local government units, a housing and redevelopment authority, or a nonprofit housing organization.

 

(c) The appropriation also may be used to finance the acquisition, rehabilitation, and debt restructuring of existing supportive housing properties.  For purposes of this subdivision, "supportive housing" means affordable rental housing with links to services necessary for individuals, youth, and families with children to maintain housing stability.

 

Subd. 8.  Housing Rehabilitation

 

2,449,000

 

2,449,000

 

For the housing rehabilitation program under Minnesota Statutes, section 462A.05, subdivision 14, for rental housing developments.

 

Subd. 9.  Homeownership Education, Counseling, and Training

600,000

 

600,000

 

For the homeownership education, counseling, and training program under Minnesota Statutes, section 462A.209.  Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 462A.209, subdivision 7, paragraph (b), more than one-half of the funds awarded for foreclosure prevention and assistance activities may be used for mortgage or financial counseling services.

 

Subd. 10.  Capacity-Building Grants

 

125,000

 

125,000

 

For nonprofit capacity-building grants under Minnesota Statutes, section 462A.21, subdivision 3b.

 

Sec. 5.  DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND INDUSTRY

 

 

 

 

Subdivision 1.  Total Appropriation

 

$22,545,000

 

$22,545,000

 

Appropriations by Fund

 

 

2012

2013

 

 

 

General

800,000

800,000

Workers' Compensation

20,871,000

20,871,000

Workforce Development

874,000

874,000

 

The amounts that may be spent for each purpose are specified in the following subdivisions.

 

Subd. 2.  Workers' Compensation

 

14,832,000

 

14,832,000

 

This appropriation is from the workers' compensation fund.


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$200,000 each year is for grants to the Vinland Center for rehabilitation services.  Grants shall be distributed as the department refers injured workers to the Vinland Center for rehabilitation services.

 

Subd. 3.  Labor Standards and Apprenticeship

 

1,674,000

 

1,674,000

 

Appropriations by Fund

 

General

800,000

800,000

Workforce Development

874,000

874,000

 

(a) $800,000 each year is from the general fund for the labor standards and apprenticeship program. 

 

(b) $747,000 each year is appropriated from the workforce development fund for the apprenticeship program under Minnesota Statutes, chapter 178, and includes $85,000 for labor education and advancement program grants and to expand and promote registered apprenticeship training in nonconstruction trade programs.

 

(c) $127,000 each year is appropriated from the workforce development fund for prevailing wage enforcement. 

 

Subd. 4.  General Support

 

6,039,000

 

6,039,000

 

This appropriation is from the workers' compensation fund.

 

Sec. 6.  BUREAU OF MEDIATION SERVICES

 

 

 

 

 

Subdivision 1.  Total Appropriation

 

$1,525,000

 

$1,525,000

 

The amounts that may be spent for each purpose are specified in the following subdivisions.

 

Subd. 2.  Mediation Services

 

1,471,000

 

1,471,000

 

Subd. 3.  Labor Management Cooperation Grants

 

54,000

 

54,000

 

$54,000 each year is for grants to area labor management committees.  Grants may be awarded for a 12-month period beginning July 1 each year.  Any unencumbered balance remaining at the end of the first year does not cancel but is available for the second year.

 

Sec. 7.  WORKERS' COMPENSATION COURT OF APPEALS

$1,703,000

 

$1,703,000

 

This appropriation is from the workers' compensation fund. 


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Sec. 8.  BOARD OF ACCOUNTANCY

 

$480,000

 

$480,000

 

Sec. 9.  BOARD OF ARCHITECTURE, ENGINEERING, LAND SURVEYING, LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE, GEOSCIENCE, AND INTERIOR DESIGN

 

 

$774,000

 

 

 

$774,000

 

Sec. 10.  BOARD OF COSMETOLOGIST EXAMINERS

$1,046,000

 

$1,046,000

 

Sec. 11.  BOARD OF BARBER EXAMINERS

 

$257,000

 

$257,000

 

Sec. 12.  MINNESOTA SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AUTHORITY

 

$-0-

 

 

$107,000

 

Sec. 13.  TRANSFERS

 

 

 

 

 

The unexpended balance, estimated to be $1,575,000, of funds collected for unemployment insurance state administration under Minnesota Statutes, section 268.18, subdivision 2, is transferred to the general fund.

 

ARTICLE 2

MISCELLANEOUS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROVISIONS

 

Section 1.  Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 115C.08, subdivision 4, is amended to read: 

 

Subd. 4.  Expenditures.  (a) Money in the fund may only be spent: 

 

(1) to administer the petroleum tank release cleanup program established in this chapter;

 

(2) for agency administrative costs under sections 116.46 to 116.50, sections 115C.03 to 115C.06, and costs of corrective action taken by the agency under section 115C.03, including investigations;

 

(3) for costs of recovering expenses of corrective actions under section 115C.04;

 

(4) for training, certification, and rulemaking under sections 116.46 to 116.50;

 

(5) for agency administrative costs of enforcing rules governing the construction, installation, operation, and closure of aboveground and underground petroleum storage tanks;

 

(6) for reimbursement of the environmental response, compensation, and compliance account under subdivision 5 and section 115B.26, subdivision 4;

 

(7) for administrative and staff costs as set by the board to administer the petroleum tank release program established in this chapter;

 

(8) for corrective action performance audits under section 115C.093;

 

(9) for contamination cleanup grants, as provided in paragraph (c);

 

(10) to assess and remove abandoned underground storage tanks under section 115C.094 and, if a release is discovered, to pay for the specific consultant and contractor services costs necessary to complete the tank removal project, including, but not limited to, excavation soil sampling, groundwater sampling, soil disposal, and completion of an excavation report; and


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(11) for property acquisition by the agency when the agency has determined that purchasing a property where a release has occurred is the most appropriate corrective action.  The acquisition of all properties is subject to approval by the board.

 

(b) Except as provided in paragraph (c), money in the fund is appropriated to the board to make reimbursements or payments under this section.

 

(c) In fiscal years 2010 and 2011, $3,700,000 is annually appropriated from the fund to the commissioner of employment and economic development for contamination cleanup grants under section 116J.554.  Beginning in fiscal year 2012 and each year thereafter, $6,200,000 is annually appropriated from the fund to the commissioner of employment and economic development for contamination cleanup grants under section 116J.554.  Of this amount, the commissioner may spend up to $225,000 annually for administration of the contamination cleanup grant program and up to $800,000 annually for the purposes of section 116J.554 without regard to the requirements of clauses (1) and (2) of this paragraph.  The appropriation does not cancel and is available until expended.  The appropriation shall not be withdrawn from the fund nor the fund balance reduced until the funds are requested by the commissioner of employment and economic development.  The commissioner shall schedule requests for withdrawals from the fund to minimize the necessity to impose the fee authorized by subdivision 2.  Unless otherwise provided, the appropriation in this paragraph may be used for: 

 

(1) project costs at a qualifying site if a portion of the cleanup costs are attributable to petroleum contamination or new and used tar and tar-like substances, including but not limited to bitumen and asphalt, but excluding bituminous or asphalt pavement, that consist primarily of hydrocarbons and are found in natural deposits in the earth or are distillates, fractions, or residues from the processing of petroleum crude or petroleum products as defined in section 296A.01; and

 

(2) the costs of performing contamination investigation if there is a reasonable basis to suspect the contamination is attributable to petroleum or new and used tar and tar-like substances, including but not limited to bitumen and asphalt, but excluding bituminous or asphalt pavement, that consist primarily of hydrocarbons and are found in natural deposits in the earth or are distillates, fractions, or residues from the processing of petroleum crude or petroleum products as defined in section 296A.01.

 

Sec. 2.  Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 116J.035, is amended by adding a subdivision to read: 

 

Subd. 7.  Monitoring pass-through grant recipients.  The commissioner shall monitor the activities and outcomes of programs and services funded by legislative appropriations and administered by the department on a pass-through basis.  Unless amounts are otherwise appropriated for administrative costs, the commissioner may retain up to five percent of the amount appropriated to the department for grants to pass-through entities.  Amounts retained are deposited to a special revenue account and are appropriated to the commissioner for costs incurred in administering and monitoring the pass-through grants.

 

Sec. 3.  Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 116J.551, subdivision 1, is amended to read: 

 

Subdivision 1.  Grant account.  A contaminated site cleanup and development grant account is created in the special revenue fund, general fund, petroleum tank fund, and remediation fund.  Money in the any account may be used, as appropriated by law, to make grants as provided in section 116J.554 and to pay for the commissioner's costs in reviewing applications and making grants.  Notwithstanding section 16A.28, money appropriated to the account accounts for this program from any source is available until spent.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective retroactively from July 1, 2010.


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Sec. 4.  [116J.881] SMALL BUSINESS LOAN GUARANTEE PROGRAM.

 

Subdivision 1.  Definitions.  (a) For purposes of this section, the following terms have the meanings given.

 

(b) "Borrower" means a small business receiving an eligible loan under this section.

 

(c) "Commissioner" means the commissioner of employment and economic development.

 

(d) "Eligible loan" means a loan to a small business to be used for business purposes exclusively in Minnesota, including:  construction; remodeling or renovation; leasehold improvements; the purchase of land and buildings; business acquisitions, including employee stock ownership plan financing; machinery or equipment purchases, maintenance, or repair; expenses related to moving into or within Minnesota; and working capital when the working capital is secured by fixed assets.

 

(e) "Loan guarantee" means a guarantee of 70 percent of the loan amount provided by a QED lender.  The guaranteed portion of the loan must not exceed $1,500,000.

 

(f) "Loan guarantee trust fund" means a dedicated fund established under this section for the purpose of compensation for defaulted loan guarantees and for program administration.

 

(g) "Loan purchaser" means an institutional investor that purchases, holds, and services small business loans on a nonrecourse basis from QED lenders participating in the small business loan guarantee program.

 

(h) "Qualified economic development lender" or "QED lender" means a public entity or a private nonprofit economic development organization whose headquarters is located in Minnesota with not less than three years of active lending experience that provides financing to small businesses in partnership with banks and other commercial lenders, and that originates subordinated loans to small businesses for sale to the secondary market.

 

(i) "Secondary market" means the market in which loans are sold to investors, either directly or through an intermediary.

 

(j) "Small business" means a business employing no more than 500 persons in Minnesota.

 

(k) "Subordinated loan" means a loan secured by a lien that is lower in priority than one or more specified other liens.

 

Subd. 2.  Loan guarantee program.  A small business loan guarantee program to support the origination and sale of eligible subordinated loans to the secondary market by providing a credit enhancement in the form of a partial guarantee of small business loans that are made to Minnesota businesses by a QED lender is created in the Department of Employment and Economic Development.  A loan guarantee shall be provided for eligible loans under this section only when a bank or other commercial lender provides at least 50 percent of the total amount loaned to the small business.  The loan guarantee shall apply only to the portion of the loan that was made by the QED lender.

 

Subd. 3.  Required provisions.  Loan guarantees under this section for loans to be sold on the secondary market by QED lenders shall provide that: 

 

(1) principal and interest payments made by the borrower under the terms of the loan are applied by the loan purchaser to reduce the guaranteed and nonguaranteed portion of the loan on a proportionate basis.  The nonguaranteed portion shall not receive preferential treatment over the guaranteed portion;


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(2) the loan purchaser shall not accelerate repayment of the loan or exercise other remedies if the borrower defaults, unless: 

 

(i) the borrower fails to make a required payment of principal or interest;

 

(ii) the commissioner consents in writing; or

 

(iii) the loan guarantee agreement provides for accelerated repayment or other remedies.

 

In the event of a default, the loan purchaser may not make a demand for payment pursuant to the guarantee unless the commissioner agrees in writing that the default has materially affected the rights or security of the parties, and finds that the loan purchaser is entitled to receive payment pursuant to the loan guarantee;

 

(3) there is a written commitment from one or more secondary market investors to purchase the loan, subject to the provision of a state loan guarantee;

 

(4) the QED lender has timely prepared and delivered to the commissioner, annually by the date specified in the loan guarantee, an audited or reviewed financial statement for the loan, prepared by a certified public accountant according to generally accepted accounting principles, and documentation that the borrower used the loan proceeds solely for purposes of its Minnesota operations;

 

(5) the commissioner has access to the original loan documents prior to approval of the state credit enhancement to facilitate the sale of the loan to the secondary market;

 

(6) the QED lender maintains adequate records and documents concerning the original loan so that the commissioner may determine the borrower's financial condition and compliance with program requirements; and

 

(7) orderly liquidation of collateral securing the original loan is provided for in the event of default, with an option on the part of the commissioner to acquire the loan purchaser's interest in the assets pursuant to the loan guarantee.

 

Subd. 4.  Loan guarantee trust fund established.  A loan guarantee trust fund account in the special revenue fund is created in the state treasury to pay for defaulted loan guarantees.  The commissioner shall administer this fund and provide annual reports concerning the performance of the fund to the chairs of the standing committees of the house of representatives and senate having jurisdiction over economic development issues.

 

Subd. 5.  Limitation.  At no time shall total outstanding loan guarantees for loans sold to the secondary market exceed five times the amount on deposit in the loan guarantee trust fund.

 

Subd. 6.  Guarantee fee.  Participating QED lenders shall pay a fee to the fund of 0.25 percent of the principal amount of each guaranteed loan upon approval of each loan guarantee.  The guarantee fee, along with any interest earnings from the trust fund, shall be used only for the administration of the small business loan guarantee program and as additional loan loss reserves.

 

Subd. 7.  Loan guarantee application.  The commissioner shall prepare a form for QED lenders to use in applying for loan guarantees under this section.  The form shall include the following information: 

 

(1) the name and contact information for the QED lender, including the name and title of a contact person;


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(2) the names of the financial institutions, including the names and titles of contact persons, that are participating in the total financing being provided to the small business borrower, along with the dollar amount of the loan provided by the financial institution;

 

(3) the percentage and dollar amount of the subordinated debt loan provided to the Minnesota small business by the QED lender; and

 

(4) the loan guarantee amount that is requested from the program.

 

Subd. 8.  Notice and application process.  Subject to the availability of funds under subdivision 4, the commissioner shall publish a notice regarding the opportunity for QED lenders to originate loans for which the loan guarantee may be secured as the loans are prepared for sale to the secondary market.  The commissioner shall decide whether to provide a loan guarantee for each loan based on: 

 

(1) the completeness of the loan guarantee application;

 

(2) the availability of funds in the loan guarantee trust fund; and

 

(3) execution of agreements that satisfy requirements established in subdivision 3.

 

Sec. 5.  Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 268.18, subdivision 2, is amended to read: 

 

Subd. 2.  Overpayment because of fraud.  (a) Any applicant who receives unemployment benefits by knowingly misrepresenting, misstating, or failing to disclose any material fact, or who makes a false statement or representation without a good faith belief as to the correctness of the statement or representation, has committed fraud.  After the discovery of facts indicating fraud, the commissioner must make a determination that the applicant obtained unemployment benefits by fraud and that the applicant must promptly repay the unemployment benefits to the trust fund.  In addition, the commissioner must assess a penalty equal to 40 percent of the amount fraudulently obtained.  This penalty is in addition to penalties under section 268.182.

 

(b) Unless the applicant files an appeal within 20 calendar days after the sending of the determination of overpayment by fraud to the applicant by mail or electronic transmission, the determination is final.  Proceedings on the appeal are conducted in accordance with section 268.105.

 

(c) If the applicant fails to repay the unemployment benefits, penalty, and interest assessed, the total due may be collected by the methods allowed under state and federal law.  A determination of overpayment by fraud must state the methods of collection the commissioner may use to recover the overpayment.  Money received in repayment of fraudulently obtained unemployment benefits, penalties, and interest is first applied to the unemployment benefits overpaid, then to the penalty amount due, then to any interest due.  62.5 percent of the Payments made toward the penalty are credited to the contingent account and 37.5 percent credited to the administration account.

 

(d) If an applicant has been overpaid unemployment benefits under the law of another state because of fraud and that state certifies that the applicant is liable to repay the unemployment benefits and requests the commissioner to recover the overpayment, the commissioner may offset from future unemployment benefits otherwise payable the amount of overpayment.

 

(e) Unemployment benefits paid for weeks more than four years before the date of a determination of overpayment by fraud issued under this subdivision are not considered overpaid unemployment benefits.


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Sec. 6.  Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 268.18, subdivision 2b, is amended to read: 

 

Subd. 2b.  Interest.  (a) On any unemployment benefits fraudulently obtained, and any penalty amounts assessed under subdivision 2, the commissioner must assess interest at the rate of 1-1/2 percent per month on any amount that remains unpaid beginning 30 calendar days after the date of the determination of overpayment by fraud.  A determination of overpayment by fraud must state that interest will be assessed.

 

(b) If the determination did not state that interest will be assessed, interest is assessed beginning 30 calendar days after notification, by mail or electronic transmission, to the applicant that interest is now assessed.

 

(c) Interest payments under this section are credited to the administration contingent account.

 

Sec. 7.  Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 268.199, is amended to read: 

 

268.199 CONTINGENT ACCOUNT.

 

(a) There is created in the state treasury a special account, to be known as the contingent account, that does not lapse nor revert to any other fund or account.  This account consists of all money collected under this chapter that is required to be placed in this account and any interest earned on the account.  All money in this account is appropriated and available for administration of the Minnesota unemployment insurance program unless otherwise appropriated by session law.

 

(b) All money in this account must be deposited, administered, and disbursed in the same manner and under the same conditions and requirements as is provided by law for the other special accounts in the state treasury.

 

(c) Beginning in fiscal year 2012 and each fiscal year thereafter, all money in the account shall be transferred to the general fund before the closing of the fiscal year.

 

Sec. 8.  Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 268A.15, subdivision 4, is amended to read: 

 

Subd. 4.  Evaluation.  The commissioner of employment and economic development shall evaluate the extended employment program to determine whether the purpose of extended employment as defined in subdivision 2 is being achieved.  The evaluation must include information for the preceding funding year derived from the independent compliance audits of extended employment service providers submitted to the department on or before October 31 of each year.  The evaluation must include an assessment of whether workers in the extended employment program are satisfied with their employment.  A written report of this evaluation must be prepared at least every two years and made available to the public.

 

Sec. 9.  Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 298.17, is amended to read: 

 

298.17 OCCUPATION TAXES TO BE APPORTIONED.

 

All occupation taxes paid by persons, copartnerships, companies, joint stock companies, corporations, and associations, however or for whatever purpose organized, engaged in the business of mining or producing iron ore or other ores, when collected shall be apportioned and distributed in accordance with the Constitution of the state of Minnesota, article X, section 3, in the manner following:  90 percent shall be deposited in the state treasury and credited to the general fund of which four-ninths shall be used for the support of elementary and secondary schools; and ten percent of the proceeds of the tax imposed by this section shall be deposited in the state treasury and credited to the general fund for the general support of the university.  Of the moneys apportioned to the general fund by this section there is annually appropriated and credited to the Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board account in the special revenue fund an amount equal to that which would have been generated by a 1.5 .75 cent tax imposed by


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section 298.24 on each taxable ton produced in the preceding calendar year, to be expended for the purposes of section 298.22.  The money appropriated pursuant to this section shall be used (1) to provide environmental development grants to local governments located within any county in region 3 as defined in governor's executive order number 60, issued on June 12, 1970, which does not contain a municipality qualifying pursuant to section 273.134, paragraph (b), or (2) to provide economic development loans or grants to businesses located within any such county, provided that the county board or an advisory group appointed by the county board to provide recommendations on economic development shall make recommendations to the Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board regarding the loans.  Payment to the Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board account shall be made by May 15 annually. 

 

Of the money allocated to Koochiching County, one-third must be paid to the Koochiching County Economic Development Commission.

 

Sec. 10.  Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 341.321, is amended to read: 

 

341.321 FEE SCHEDULE.

 

(a) The fee schedule for professional licenses issued by the commission is as follows: 

 

(1) referees, $25 $45 for each initial license and each renewal;

 

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

 

(3) judges and knockdown judges, $25 $45 for each initial license and each renewal;

 

(4) trainers, $25 $45 for each initial license and each renewal;

 

(5) ring announcers, $25 $45 for each initial license and each renewal;

 

(6) seconds, $25 $45 for each initial license and each renewal;

 

(7) timekeepers, $25 $45 for each initial license and each renewal;

 

(8) combatants, $25 $45 for each initial license and each renewal;

 

(9) managers, $25 $45 for each initial license and each renewal; and

 

(10) ringside physicians, $25 $45 for each initial license and each renewal.

 

In addition to the license fee and the late filing penalty fee in section 341.32, subdivision 2, if applicable, an individual who applies for a combatant professional license on the same day the combative sporting event is held shall pay a late fee of $100 plus the original license fee of $45 at the time the application is submitted.

 

(b) The fee schedule for amateur licenses issued by the commission is as follows: 

 

(1) referees, $10 $45 for each initial license and each renewal;

 

(2) promoters, $100 $400 for each initial license and each renewal;

 

(3) judges and knockdown judges, $10 $45 for each initial license and each renewal;


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(4) trainers, $10 $45 for each initial license and each renewal;

 

(5) ring announcers, $10 $45 for each initial license and each renewal;

 

(6) seconds, $10 $45 for each initial license and each renewal;

 

(7) timekeepers, $10 $45 for each initial license and each renewal;

 

(8) combatant, $10 $25 for each initial license and each renewal;

 

(9) managers, $10 $45 for each initial license and each renewal; and

 

(10) ringside physicians, $10 $45 for each initial license and each renewal.

 

(c) The commission shall establish a contest fee for each combative sport contest.  The professional combative sport contest fee is $1,500 per event or not more than four percent of the gross ticket sales, whichever is greater, as determined by the commission when the combative sport contest is scheduled, except that the amateur combative sport contest fee shall be $150 $500 or not more than four percent of the gross ticket sales, whichever is greater.  The commission shall consider the size and type of venue when establishing a contest fee.  The commission may establish the maximum number of complimentary tickets allowed for each event by rule.  An A professional or amateur combative sport contest fee is nonrefundable.

 

(d) All fees and penalties collected by the commission must be deposited in the commission account in the special revenue fund.

 

Sec. 11.  Laws 2009, chapter 78, article 1, section 18, is amended to read: 

 

Sec. 18.  COMBATIVE SPORTS COMMISSION

 

$80,000

 

$80,000

 

This is a onetime appropriation.  The Combative Sports Commission expires on July 1, 2011, unless the commissioner of finance determines that the commission's projected expenditures for the fiscal biennium ending June 30, 2013, will not exceed the commission's projected revenues for the fiscal biennium ending June 30, 2013, from fees and penalties authorized in Minnesota Statutes 2008, chapter 341.

 

ARTICLE 3

LABOR AND INDUSTRY

 

Section 1.  Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 181.723, subdivision 5, is amended to read: 

 

Subd. 5.  Application.  To obtain an independent contractor exemption certificate, the individual must submit, in the manner prescribed by the commissioner, a complete application and the certificate fee required under subdivision 14.

 

(a) A complete application must include all of the following information: 

 

(1) the individual's full name;

 

(2) the individual's residence address and telephone number;


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(3) the individual's business name, address, and telephone number;

 

(4) the services for which the individual is seeking an independent contractor exemption certificate;

 

(5) the individual's Social Security number;

 

(6) the individual's or the individual's business federal employer identification number, if a number has been issued to the individual or the individual's business;

 

(7) any information or documentation that the commissioner requires by rule that will assist the department in determining whether to grant or deny the individual's application; and

 

(8) the individual's sworn statement that the individual meets all of the following conditions: 

 

(i) maintains a separate business with the individual's own office, equipment, materials, and other facilities;

 

(ii) holds or has applied for a federal employer identification number or has filed business or self-employment income tax returns with the federal Internal Revenue Service if the person has performed services in the previous year for which the individual is seeking the independent contractor exemption certificate;

 

(iii) operates under contracts to perform specific services for specific amounts of money and under which the individual controls the means of performing the services;

 

(iv) incurs the main expenses related to the service that the individual performs under contract;

 

(v) is responsible for the satisfactory completion of services that the individual contracts to perform and is liable for a failure to complete the service;

 

(vi) receives compensation for service performed under a contract on a commission or per-job or competitive bid basis and not on any other basis;

 

(vii) may realize a profit or suffer a loss under contracts to perform service;

 

(viii) has continuing or recurring business liabilities or obligations; and

 

(ix) the success or failure of the individual's business depends on the relationship of business receipts to expenditures.

 

(b) Individuals who are applying for or renewing a residential building contractor or residential remodeler license under sections 326B.197, 326B.802, 326B.805, 326B.81, 326B.815, 326B.821 to 326B.86, 326B.87 to 326B.885, and 327B.041, and any rules promulgated pursuant thereto, may simultaneously apply for or renew an independent contractor exemption certificate.  The commissioner shall create an application form that allows for the simultaneous application for both a residential building contractor or residential remodeler license and an independent contractor exemption certificate.  If individuals simultaneously apply for or renew a residential building contractor or residential remodeler license and an independent contractor exemption certificate using the form created by the commissioner, individuals shall only be required to provide, in addition to the information required by section 326B.83 and rules promulgated pursuant thereto, the sworn statement required by paragraph (a), clause (8), and any additional information required by this subdivision that is not also required by section 326B.83 and any rules promulgated thereto.  When individuals submit a simultaneous application on the form created by the commissioner for both a residential building contractor or residential remodeler license and an independent contractor exemption certificate, the application fee shall be $150.  An independent contractor exemption certificate that is in effect before March 1, 2009, shall remain in effect until March 1, 2013, unless revoked by the commissioner or canceled by the individual.


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(c) Within 30 days of receiving a complete application and the certificate fee, the commissioner must either grant or deny the application.  The commissioner may deny an application for an independent contractor exemption certificate if the individual has not submitted a complete application and certificate fee or if the individual does not meet all of the conditions for holding the independent contractor exemption certificate.  The commissioner may revoke an independent contractor exemption certificate if the commissioner determines that the individual no longer meets all of the conditions for holding the independent contractor exemption certificate, commits any of the actions set out in subdivision 7, or fails to cooperate with a department investigation into the continued validity of the individual's certificate.  Once issued, an independent contractor exemption certificate remains in effect for four years unless: 

 

(1) revoked by the commissioner; or

 

(2) canceled by the individual.

 

(d) If the department denies an individual's original or renewal application for an independent contractor exemption certificate or revokes an independent contractor exemption certificate, the commissioner shall issue to the individual an order denying or revoking the certificate.  The commissioner may issue an administrative penalty order to an individual or person who commits any of the actions set out in subdivision 7.  The commissioner may file and enforce the unpaid portion of a penalty as a judgment in district court without further notice or additional proceedings.

 

(e) An individual or person to whom the commissioner issues an order under paragraph (d) 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 facsimile number specified in the order by the 30th day after service of the order.  If the individual does not request a hearing or if the individual's request for a 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 individual serves or faxes a timely request for hearing, the hearing shall be a contested case hearing and shall be held in accordance with chapter 14.

 

Sec. 2.  Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 182.6553, subdivision 6, is amended to read: 

 

Subd. 6.  Enforcement.  This section shall be enforced by the commissioner under section sections 182.66 and 182.661.  A violation of this section is subject to the penalties provided under section 182.666.

 

Sec. 3.  Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 326B.04, subdivision 2, is amended to read: 

 

Subd. 2.  Deposits.  Unless otherwise specifically designated by law:  (1) all money collected under sections 144.122, paragraph (f); 181.723; 326B.092 to 326B.096; 326B.101 to 326B.194; 326B.197; 326B.32 to 326B.399; 326B.43 to 326B.49; 326B.52 to 326B.59; 326B.802 to 326B.885; 326B.90 to 326B.998; 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 sections 326B.098 to 326B.099 in connection with continuing education for residential contractors, residential remodelers, and residential roofers any license, registration, or certificate issued pursuant to this chapter 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 326B.43 to 326B.49 or 326B.52 to 326B.59 or the rules adopted under those sections are credited to the assigned risk safety account established by section 79.253.


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Sec. 4.  Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 326B.091, is amended to read: 

 

326B.091 DEFINITIONS.

 

Subdivision 1.  Applicability.  For purposes of sections 326B.091 to 326B.098 326B.099, the terms defined in this section have the meanings given them.

 

Subd. 2.  Applicant.  "Applicant" means a person who has submitted to the department an application for a an initial or renewal license.

 

Subd. 3.  License.  "License" means any registration, certification, or other form of approval authorized by this chapter 326B and chapter 327B to be issued by the commissioner or department as a condition of doing business or conducting a trade, profession, or occupation in Minnesota.  License includes specifically but not exclusively an authorization issued by the commissioner or department:  to perform electrical work, plumbing or water conditioning work, high pressure piping work, or residential building work of a residential contractor, residential remodeler, or residential roofer; to install manufactured housing; to serve as a building official; or to operate a boiler or boat.

 

Subd. 4.  Licensee.  "Licensee" means the person named on the license as the person authorized to do business or conduct the trade, profession, or occupation in Minnesota.

 

Subd. 5.  Notification date.  "Notification date" means the date of the written notification from the department to an applicant that the applicant is qualified to take the examination required for licensure.

 

Subd. 5b.  Qualifying individual.  "Qualifying individual" means the individual responsible for obtaining continuing education on behalf of a residential building contractor, residential remodeler, or residential roofer licensed pursuant to sections 326B.801 to 326B.885.

 

Subd. 6.  Renewal deadline.  "Renewal deadline," when used with respect to a license, means 30 days before the date that the license expires.

 

Sec. 5.  Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 326B.098, is amended to read: 

 

326B.098 CONTINUING EDUCATION.

 

Subdivision 1.  Applicability Department seminars.  This section applies to seminars offered by the department for the purpose of allowing enabling licensees to meet continuing education requirements for license renewal.

 

Subd. 2.  Rescheduling.  An individual who is registered with the department to attend a seminar may reschedule one time only, to attend the same seminar on a date within one year after the date of the seminar the individual was registered to attend.

 

Subd. 3.  Fees nonrefundable.  All seminar fees paid to the department are nonrefundable except for any overpayment of fees or if the department cancels the seminar.

 

Sec. 6.  [326B.0981] CONTINUING EDUCATION; NONDEPARTMENT SEMINARS.

 

This section applies to seminars that are offered by an entity other than the department for the purpose of enabling licensees to meet continuing education requirements for license renewal.


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Sec. 7.  Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 326B.13, subdivision 8, is amended to read: 

 

Subd. 8.  Effective date of rules.  A rule to adopt or amend the State Building Code is effective 180 days after the filing of the rule with the secretary of state under section 14.16 or 14.26 publication of the rule's notice of adoption in the State Register.  The rule may provide for a later effective date.  The rule may provide for an earlier effective date if the commissioner or board proposing the rule finds that an earlier effective date is necessary to protect public health and safety after considering, among other things, the need for time for training of individuals to comply with and enforce the rule.

 

Sec. 8.  Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 326B.148, subdivision 1, is amended to read: 

 

Subdivision 1.  Computation.  To defray the costs of administering sections 326B.101 to 326B.194, 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, except that effective July 1, 2010, until June 30, 2011 2013, the permit surcharge is equivalent to one-half mill (.0005) of the fee or $5, 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.

 

Sec. 9.  Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 326B.42, is amended by adding a subdivision to read: 

 

Subd. 1b.  Backflow prevention rebuilder.  A "backflow prevention rebuilder" is an individual who is qualified by training prescribed by the Plumbing Board and possesses a master or journeyman plumber's license to engage in the testing, maintenance, and rebuilding of reduced pressure zone type backflow prevention assemblies as regulated by the plumbing code.

 

Sec. 10.  Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 326B.42, is amended by adding a subdivision to read: 

 

Subd. 1c.  Backflow prevention tester.  A "backflow prevention tester" is an individual who is qualified by training prescribed by the Plumbing Board to engage in the testing of reduced pressure zone type backflow prevention assemblies as regulated by the plumbing code. 


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Sec. 11.  Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 326B.42, subdivision 8, is amended to read: 

 

Subd. 8.  Plumbing contractor.  "Plumbing contractor" means a licensed contractor whose responsible licensed plumber individual is a licensed master plumber.

 

Sec. 12.  Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 326B.42, subdivision 9, is amended to read: 

 

Subd. 9.  Responsible licensed plumber individual.  A contractor's "responsible licensed plumber individual" means the licensed master plumber or licensed restricted master plumber designated in writing by the contractor in the contractor's license application, or in another manner acceptable to the commissioner, as the individual responsible for the contractor's compliance with sections 326B.41 to 326B.49, all rules adopted under these sections and sections 326B.50 to 326B.59, and all orders issued under section 326B.082.

 

Sec. 13.  Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 326B.42, subdivision 10, is amended to read: 

 

Subd. 10.  Restricted plumbing contractor.  "Restricted plumbing contractor" means a licensed contractor whose responsible licensed plumber individual is a licensed restricted master plumber.

 

Sec. 14.  Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 326B.435, subdivision 2, is amended to read: 

 

Subd. 2.  Powers; duties; administrative support.  (a) The board shall have the power to: 

 

(1) elect its chair, vice-chair, and secretary;

 

(2) adopt bylaws that specify the duties of its officers, the meeting dates of the board, and containing such other provisions as may be useful and necessary for the efficient conduct of the business of the board;

 

(3) adopt the plumbing code that must be followed in this state and any plumbing code amendments thereto.  The plumbing code shall include the minimum standards described in sections 326B.43, subdivision 1, and 326B.52, subdivision 1.  The board shall adopt the plumbing code and any amendments thereto pursuant to chapter 14 and as provided in subdivision 6, paragraphs (b), (c), and (d);

 

(4) review requests for final interpretations and issue final interpretations as provided in section 326B.127, subdivision 5;

 

(5) adopt rules that regulate the licensure, certification, or registration of plumbing contractors, journeymen, unlicensed individuals, master plumbers, restricted master plumbers, restricted journeymen, restricted plumbing contractors, backflow prevention rebuilders and testers, water conditioning contractors, and water conditioning installers, and other persons engaged in the design, installation, and alteration of plumbing systems or engaged in or working at the business of water conditioning installation or service, or engaged in or working at the business of medical gas system installation, maintenance, or repair, except for those individuals licensed under section 326.02, subdivisions 2 and 3.  The board shall adopt these rules pursuant to chapter 14 and as provided in subdivision 6, paragraphs (e) and (f);

 

(6) adopt rules that regulate continuing education for individuals licensed as master plumbers, journeyman plumbers, restricted master plumbers, restricted journeyman plumbers, water conditioning contractors, and water conditioning installers, and for individuals certified under sections 326B.437 and 326B.438.  The board shall adopt these rules pursuant to chapter 14 and as provided in subdivision 6, paragraphs (e) and (f);

 

(7) refer complaints or other communications to the commissioner, whether oral or written, as provided in subdivision 8, that allege or imply a violation of a statute, rule, or order that the commissioner has the authority to enforce pertaining to code compliance, licensure, or an offering to perform or performance of unlicensed plumbing services;


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(8) approve per diem and expenses deemed necessary for its members as provided in subdivision 3;

 

(9) approve license reciprocity agreements;

 

(10) select from its members individuals to serve on any other state advisory council, board, or committee; and

 

(11) recommend the fees for licenses, registrations, and certifications.

 

Except for the powers granted to the Plumbing Board, the Board of Electricity, and the Board of High Pressure Piping Systems, the commissioner of labor and industry shall administer and enforce the provisions of this chapter and any rules promulgated pursuant thereto.

 

(b) The board shall comply with section 15.0597, subdivisions 2 and 4.

 

(c) The commissioner shall coordinate the board's rulemaking and recommendations with the recommendations and rulemaking conducted by the other boards created pursuant to this chapter.  The commissioner shall provide staff support to the board.  The support includes professional, legal, technical, and clerical staff necessary to perform rulemaking and other duties assigned to the board.  The commissioner of labor and industry shall supply necessary office space and supplies to assist the board in its duties.

 

Sec. 15.  [326B.437] REDUCED PRESSURE BACKFLOW PREVENTION REBUILDERS AND TESTERS.

 

(a) No person shall perform or offer to perform the installation, maintenance, repair, replacement, or rebuilding of reduced pressure zone backflow prevention assemblies unless the person obtains a plumbing contractor's license.  An individual shall not engage in the testing, maintenance, repair, or rebuilding of reduced pressure zone backflow prevention assemblies, as regulated by the Plumbing Code, unless the individual is certified by the commissioner as a backflow prevention rebuilder.

 

(b) An individual shall not engage in testing of a reduced pressure zone backflow prevention assembly, as regulated by the Plumbing Code, unless the individual possesses a backflow prevention rebuilder certificate or is certified by the commissioner as a backflow prevention tester.

 

(c) Certificates are issued for an initial period of two years and must be renewed every two years thereafter for as long as the certificate holder installs, maintains, repairs, rebuilds, or tests reduced pressure zone backflow prevention assemblies.  For purposes of calculating fees under section 326B.092, an initial or renewed backflow prevention rebuilder or tester certificate shall be considered an entry level license.

 

(d) The Plumbing Board shall adopt expedited rules under section 14.389 that are related to the certification of backflow prevention rebuilders and backflow prevention testers.  Section 326B.13, subdivision 8, does not apply to these rules.  Notwithstanding the 18-month limitation under section 14.125, this authority expires on December 31, 2014.

 

(e) The department shall recognize certification programs that are a minimum of 16 contact hours and include the passage of an examination.  The examination must consist of a practical and a written component.  This paragraph expires when the Plumbing Board adopts rules under paragraph (d).

 

Sec. 16.  Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 326B.438, is amended to read: 

 

326B.438 MEDICAL GAS SYSTEMS.

 

Subdivision 1.  Definitions.  (a) For the purposes of this section, the terms defined in this subdivision have the meanings given them.


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(b) "Medical gas" means medical gas as defined under the National Fire Protection Association NFPA 99C Standard on Gas and Vacuum Systems.

 

(c) "Medical gas system" means a level 1, 2, or 3 piped medical gas and vacuum system as defined under the National Fire Protection Association NFPA 99C Standard on Gas and Vacuum Systems.

 

Subd. 2.  License and certification required.  A No person shall perform or offer to perform the installation, maintenance, or repair of medical gas systems unless the person obtains a contractor license.  An individual shall not engage in the installation, maintenance, or repair of a medical gas system unless the person individual possesses a current Minnesota master or journeyman plumber's license and is certified by the commissioner under rules adopted by the Minnesota Plumbing Board.  The certification must be renewed annually biennially for as long as the certificate holder engages in the installation, maintenance, or repair of medical gas and vacuum systems.  If a medical gas and vacuum system certificate is not renewed within 12 months after its expiration the medical gas and vacuum certificate is permanently forfeited.

 

Subd. 3.  Exemptions.  (a) A person An individual who on August 1, 2010, holds possesses a valid certificate authorized by meeting the requirements of the American Society of Sanitary Engineering (ASSE) Standard 6010 and is a qualified brazer in accordance with standards recommended by the provisions required in the National Fire Protection Association under NFPA (NFPA) 99C is exempt from the licensing requirements of subdivision 2 and may install, maintain, and repair a medical gas system.  This exemption applies only if the person individual maintains a valid certification authorized by the ASSE in accordance with ASSE Standard 6010 and the brazer qualifications in NFPA 99C, and is certified by the commissioner under rules adopted by the Minnesota Plumbing Board.

 

(b) A person who on August 1, 2010, possesses a current Minnesota master or journeyman plumber's license and a valid certificate authorized by the ASSE in accordance with standards recommended by the National Fire Protection Association under NFPA 99C is exempt from the requirements of subdivision 2 and may install, maintain, and repair a medical gas system.  This exemption applies only if a person maintains a valid Minnesota master or journeyman plumber's license and valid certification authorized by the ASSE.

 

Subd. 4.  Fees.  The fee for a medical gas certificate For the purpose of calculating fees under section 326B.092, an initial or renewed medical gas certificate issued by the commissioner according to subdivision 2 is $30 per year shall be considered a journeyman level license.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  The requirement under subdivision 2 and subdivision 3 that a master journeyman plumber or exempt individual must be certified by the commissioner and the fee in subdivision 4 are not effective until 180 days after the Minnesota Plumbing Board adopts rules.

 

Sec. 17.  Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 326B.46, subdivision 1, is amended to read: 

 

Subdivision 1.  License required.  (a) No individual shall engage in or work at the business of a master plumber, restricted master plumber, journeyman plumber, and restricted journeyman plumber unless licensed to do so by the commissioner.  A license is not required for individuals performing building sewer or water service installation who have completed pipe laying training as prescribed by the commissioner.  A master plumber may also work as a journeyman plumber, a restricted 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 standards prescribed by the Plumbing Board 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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(b) No person shall engage in the business of planning, superintending, or installing plumbing 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, or in cities and towns with a population of fewer than 5,000 according to the last federal census, a restricted master plumber, who shall be responsible for proper installation, is in charge of the plumbing work of the person.

 

(c) Except as provided in subdivision 2 1a, no person shall perform or offer to perform plumbing work with or without compensation unless the person obtains a contractor's license.  A contractor's license does not of itself qualify its holder to perform the plumbing work authorized by holding a master, journeyman, restricted master, or restricted journeyman license.

 

Sec. 18.  Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 326B.46, subdivision 1a, is amended to read: 

 

Subd. 1a.  Exemptions from licensing.  (a) An individual without a contractor license may do plumbing work on the individual's residence in accordance with subdivision 1, paragraph (a).

 

(b) An individual who is an employee working on the maintenance and repair of plumbing equipment, apparatus, or facilities owned or leased by the individual's employer and which is within the limits of property owned or leased, and operated or maintained by the individual's employer, shall not be required to maintain a contractor license as long as the employer has on file with the commissioner a current certificate of responsible person.  The certificate must be signed by the responsible individual.  The responsible individual must be a master plumber or, in an area of the state that is not a city or town with a population of more than 5,000 according to the last federal census, a restricted master plumber,.  The certificate must be signed by the responsible individual and must state that the person signing the certificate is responsible for ensuring that the maintenance and repair work performed by the employer's employees comply complies with sections 326B.41 to 326B.49, all rules adopted under those sections and sections 326B.50 to 326B.59, and all orders issued under section 326B.082.  The employer must pay a filing fee to file a certificate of responsible person individual with the commissioner.  The certificate shall expire two years from the date of filing.  In order to maintain a current certificate of responsible person individual, the employer must resubmit a certificate of responsible person individual, with a filing fee, no later than two years from the date of the previous submittal.  The filing of the certificate of responsible person individual does not exempt any employee of the employer from the requirements of this chapter regarding individual licensing as a plumber or registration as a plumber's apprentice.

 

(c) If a contractor employs a licensed plumber, the licensed plumber does not need a separate contractor license to perform plumbing work on behalf of the employer within the scope of the licensed plumber's license.

 

(d) A person may perform and offer to perform building sewer or water service installation without a contractor's license if the person is in compliance with the bond and insurance requirements of subdivision 2.

 

Sec. 19.  Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 326B.46, subdivision 1b, is amended to read: 

 

Subd. 1b.  Employment of master plumber or restricted master plumber.  (a) Each contractor must designate a responsible licensed plumber, who shall be responsible for the performance of all plumbing work in accordance with sections 326B.41 to 326B.49, all rules adopted under these sections and sections 326B.50 to 326B.59, and all orders issued under section 326B.082.  A plumbing contractor's responsible licensed plumber individual must be a master plumber.  A restricted plumbing contractor's responsible licensed plumber individual must be a master plumber or a restricted master plumber.  A plumbing contractor license authorizes the contractor to offer to perform and, through licensed and registered individuals, to perform plumbing work in all areas of the state.  A restricted plumbing contractor license authorizes the contractor to offer to perform and, through licensed and registered individuals, to perform plumbing work in all areas of the state except in cities and towns with a population of more than 5,000 according to the last federal census.


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(b) If the contractor is an individual or sole proprietorship, the responsible licensed plumber individual must be the individual, proprietor, or managing employee.  If the contractor is a partnership, the responsible licensed plumber individual must be a general partner or managing employee.  If the contractor is a limited liability company, the responsible licensed plumber individual must be a chief manager or managing employee.  If the contractor is a corporation, the responsible licensed plumber individual must be an officer or managing employee.  If the responsible licensed plumber individual is a managing employee, the responsible licensed plumber individual must be actively engaged in performing plumbing work on behalf of the contractor, and cannot be employed in any capacity as a plumber for any other contractor.  An individual may be the responsible licensed plumber individual for only one contractor.

 

(c) All applications and renewals for contractor licenses shall include a verified statement that the applicant or licensee has complied with this subdivision.

 

Sec. 20.  Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 326B.46, subdivision 2, is amended to read: 

 

Subd. 2.  Bond; insurance.  As a condition of licensing, each contractor (a) The bond and insurance requirements of paragraphs (b) and (c) apply to each person who performs or offers to perform plumbing work within the state, including any person who offers to perform or performs sewer or water service installation without a contractor's license.  If the person performs or offers to perform any plumbing work other than sewer or water service installation, then the person must meet the requirements of paragraphs (b) and (c) as a condition of holding a contractor's license.

 

(b) Each person who performs or offers to perform plumbing work within the state shall give and maintain bond to the state in the amount of at least $25,000 for (1) all plumbing work entered into within the state or (2) all plumbing work and subsurface sewage treatment work entered into within the state.  If the bond is for both plumbing work and subsurface sewage treatment work, the bond must comply with the requirements of this section and section 115.56, subdivision 2, paragraph (e).  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 and, if the bond is for both plumbing work and subsurface sewage treatment work, financial loss by reason of failure to comply with the requirements of sections 115.55 and 115.56.  The bond shall be filed with the commissioner and shall be written by a corporate surety licensed to do business in the state.

 

In addition, as a condition of licensing, each contractor (c) Each person who performs or offers to perform plumbing work within the state shall have and maintain in effect 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 person who performs or offers to perform plumbing work within the state shall maintain on file with the commissioner a certificate evidencing the insurance.  In the event of a policy cancellation, the insurer shall send written notice to the commissioner at the same time that a cancellation request is received from or a notice is sent to the insured.

 

Sec. 21.  Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 326B.46, subdivision 3, is amended to read: 

 

Subd. 3.  Bond and insurance exemption.  If a master plumber or restricted master plumber person who is in compliance with the bond and insurance requirements of subdivision 2, employs a licensed plumber, the or an individual who has completed pipe laying training as prescribed by the commissioner, that employee plumber shall not be required to meet the bond and insurance requirements of subdivision 2.  An individual who is an employee working on the maintenance and repair of plumbing equipment, apparatus, or facilities owned or leased by the individual's employer and which is within the limits of property owned or leased, and operated or maintained by the individual's employer, shall not be required to meet the bond and insurance requirements of subdivision 2.


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Sec. 22.  Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 326B.47, subdivision 1, is amended to read: 

 

Subdivision 1.  Registration; supervision; records.  (a) All unlicensed individuals, other than plumber's apprentices and individuals who have completed pipe laying training as prescribed by the commissioner, must be registered under subdivision 3.

 

(b) A plumber's apprentice or registered unlicensed individual is authorized to assist in the installation of plumbing only while under the direct supervision of a master, restricted master, journeyman, or restricted journeyman plumber.  The master, restricted master, journeyman, or restricted journeyman plumber is responsible for ensuring that all plumbing work performed by the plumber's apprentice or registered unlicensed individual complies with the plumbing code.  The supervising master, restricted master, journeyman, or restricted journeyman must be licensed and must be employed by the same employer as the plumber's apprentice or registered unlicensed individual.  Licensed individuals shall not permit plumber's apprentices or registered unlicensed individuals to perform plumbing work except under the direct supervision of an individual actually licensed to perform such work.  Plumber's apprentices and registered unlicensed individuals shall not supervise the performance of plumbing work or make assignments of plumbing work to unlicensed individuals.

 

(c) Contractors employing plumber's apprentices or registered unlicensed individuals to perform plumbing work shall maintain records establishing compliance with this subdivision that shall identify all plumber's apprentices and registered unlicensed individuals performing plumbing work, and shall permit the department to examine and copy all such records.

 

Sec. 23.  Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 326B.47, subdivision 3, is amended to read: 

 

Subd. 3.  Registration, rules, applications, renewals, and fees.  An unlicensed individual may register by completing and submitting to the commissioner an application form provided by the commissioner, with all fees required by section 326B.092.  A completed application form must state the date the individual began training, the individual's age, schooling, previous experience, and employer, and other information required by the commissioner.  The Plumbing Board may prescribe rules, not inconsistent with this section, for the registration of unlicensed individuals.  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.

 

Sec. 24.  Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 326B.49, subdivision 1, is amended to read: 

 

Subdivision 1.  Application, examination, and license fees.  (a) Applications for master and journeyman plumber's licenses shall be made to the commissioner, with all fees required by section 326B.092.  Unless the applicant is entitled to a renewal, the applicant shall be licensed by the commissioner only after passing a satisfactory examination developed and administered by the commissioner, based upon rules adopted by the Plumbing Board, showing fitness.

 

(b) All initial journeyman plumber's licenses shall be effective for more than one calendar year and shall expire on December 31 of the year after the year in which the application is made.  All master plumber's licenses shall expire on December 31 of each even-numbered year after issuance or renewal.  The commissioner shall in a manner determined by the commissioner, without the need for any rulemaking under chapter 14, phase in the renewal of master and journeyman plumber's licenses from one year to two years.  By June 30, 2011, all renewed master and journeyman plumber's licenses shall be two-year licenses.

 

(c) Applications for contractor licenses shall be made to the commissioner, with all fees required by section 326B.092.  All contractor licenses shall expire on December 31 of each odd-numbered year after issuance or renewal.


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(d) For purposes of calculating license fees and renewal license fees required under section 326B.092: 

 

(1) the following licenses shall be considered business licenses:  plumbing contractor and restricted plumbing contractor;

 

(2) the following licenses shall be considered master licenses:  master plumber and restricted master plumber;

 

(3) the following licenses shall be considered journeyman licenses:  journeyman plumber and restricted journeyman plumber; and

 

(4) the registration of a plumber's apprentice under section 326B.47, subdivision 3, shall be considered an entry level license.

 

(e) For each filing of a certificate of responsible person individual by an employer, the fee is $100.

 

(f) The commissioner shall charge each person giving bond under section 326B.46, subdivision 2, paragraph (b), a biennial bond filing fee of $100, unless the person is a licensed contractor.

 

Sec. 25.  Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 326B.56, subdivision 1, is amended to read: 

 

Subdivision 1.  Bonds.  (a) As a condition of licensing, each water conditioning contractor shall give and maintain 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 sum of $3,000 conditioned upon the faithful and lawful performance of all water conditioning installation or servicing 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 and shall be written by a corporate surety licensed to do business in this state.  The bond must remain in effect at all times while the application is pending and while the license is in effect.

 

Sec. 26.  Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 326B.58, is amended to read: 

 

326B.58 FEES; RENEWAL.

 

(a) Each initial water conditioning master and water conditioning journeyman license shall be effective for more than one calendar year and shall expire on December 31 of the year after the year in which the application is made.

 

(b) The commissioner shall in a manner determined by the commissioner, without the need for any rulemaking under chapter 14, phase in the renewal of water conditioning master and journeyman licenses from one year to two years.  By June 30, 2011, all renewed water conditioning contractor and installer licenses shall be two-year licenses.  The Plumbing Board may by rule prescribe for the expiration and renewal of licenses.

 

(c) All water conditioning contractor licenses shall expire on December 31 of the year after issuance or renewal.

 

(d) For purposes of calculating license fees and renewal fees required under section 326B.092: 

 

(1) a water conditioning journeyman license shall be considered a journeyman license;

 

(2) a water conditioning master license shall be considered a master license; and

 

(3) a water conditioning contractor license shall be considered a business license.


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Sec. 27.  Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 326B.82, subdivision 2, is amended to read: 

 

Subd. 2.  Appropriate and related knowledge.  "Appropriate and related knowledge" means facts, information, or principles that are clearly relevant to the licensee in performing licensee's 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 regulated industry.

 

Sec. 28.  Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 326B.82, subdivision 3, is amended to read: 

 

Subd. 3.  Classroom hour.  "Classroom hour" means a 50-minute hour 50 minutes of educational content.

 

Sec. 29.  Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 326B.82, subdivision 7, is amended to read: 

 

Subd. 7.  Medical hardship.  "Medical hardship" includes means a documented physical disability or medical condition.

 

Sec. 30.  Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 326B.82, subdivision 9, is amended to read: 

 

Subd. 9.  Regulated industries industry.  "Regulated industries industry" means residential contracting, residential remodeling, or residential roofing.  Each of these is a regulated industry any business, trade, profession, or occupation that requires a license issued under this chapter or chapter 327B as a condition of doing business in Minnesota.

 

Sec. 31.  Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 326B.821, subdivision 1, is amended to read: 

 

Subdivision 1.  Purpose.  The purpose of this section is to establish standards for residential building contractor continuing education.  The standards must include requirements for continuing education in the implementation of energy codes or energy conservation measures applicable to residential buildings.

 

Sec. 32.  Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 326B.821, subdivision 5, is amended to read: 

 

Subd. 5.  Content.  (a) Continuing education consists of approved courses that impart appropriate and related knowledge in the residential construction industry regulated industries pursuant to sections 326B.802 to 326B.885 this chapter and other relevant applicable federal and state laws, rules, and regulations.  Courses may include relevant materials that are included in licensing exams subject to the limitations imposed in subdivision 11.  The burden of demonstrating that courses impart appropriate and related knowledge is upon the person seeking approval or credit.

 

(b) Except as required for Internet continuing education, 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 as part of the course, the sponsor must provide students with a syllabus containing, at a minimum, the course title, the times and dates of the course offering, the name, address, and telephone number of the course sponsor and, the name and affiliation of the 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 classroom hour approved by the commissioner.  One credit hour of continuing education is equivalent to 50 minutes of educational content.  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.


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(e) 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 duration of the initial presentation.  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 credits for completion of an approved course may only be used once for renewal of a specific license.

 

(e) (f) Courses will be approved using the following guidelines: 

 

(1) course content must demonstrate significant intellectual or practical content and deal with matters directly related to the practice of residential construction in the regulated industry, workforce safety, or the business of running a residential construction company in the regulated industry.  Courses may also address the professional responsibility or ethical obligations of residential contractors to homeowners and suppliers a licensee related to work in the regulated industry;

 

(2) the following courses may be automatically approved if they are specifically designed for the residential construction regulated industry and are in compliance with paragraph (f) (g): 

 

(i) courses approved by the Minnesota Board of Continuing Legal Education; or

 

(ii) courses approved by the International Code Council, National Association of Home Building, or other nationally recognized professional organization of the residential construction regulated industry; and

 

(3) courses must be presented and attended in a suitable classroom or construction setting, except for Internet education courses which must meet the requirements of subdivision 5a.  Courses presented via video recording, simultaneous broadcast, or teleconference may be approved provided the sponsor is available at all times during the presentation, except for Internet education courses which must meet the requirements of subdivision 5a.

 

(f) (g) 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 skills, including typing, speed reading, or other machines or equipment.  Computer courses are allowed, if appropriate and related to the residential construction regulated industry;

 

(3) courses in sales promotion, including meetings held in conjunction with the general business of the licensee;

 

(4) courses in motivation, salesmanship, psychology, or personal time management;

 

(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; or

 

(6) courses where any of the educational content of the course is the State Building Code that include code provisions that have not been adopted into the State Building Code unless the course materials clarify whether or not that the code provisions have been officially adopted into a future version of the State Building Code and the effective date of enforcement, if applicable.

 

(h) Nothing in this subdivision shall limit an authority expressly granted to the Board of Electricity, Board of High Pressure Piping Systems, or Plumbing Board.


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Sec. 33.  Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 326B.821, subdivision 5a, is amended to read: 

 

Subd. 5a.  Internet continuing education.  (a) The design and delivery of an Internet continuing education course must be approved by the International Distance Education Certification Center (IDECC) before the course is submitted for the commissioner's approval.  The IDECC approval must accompany the course submitted.

 

(b) An Internet continuing education course must: 

 

(1) specify the minimum computer system requirements;

 

(2) provide encryption that ensures that all personal information, including the student's name, address, and credit card number, cannot be read as it passes across the Internet;

 

(3) include technology to guarantee seat time;

 

(4) include a high level of interactivity;

 

(5) include graphics that reinforce the content;

 

(6) include the ability for the student to contact an instructor or course sponsor within a reasonable amount of time;

 

(7) include the ability for the student to get technical support within a reasonable amount of time;

 

(8) include a statement that the student's information will not be sold or distributed to any third party without prior written consent of the student.  Taking the course does not constitute consent;

 

(9) be available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, excluding minimal downtime for updating and administration, except that this provision does not apply to live courses taught by an actual instructor and delivered over the Internet;

 

(10) provide viewing access to the online course at all times to the commissioner, excluding minimal downtime for updating and administration;

 

(11) include a process to authenticate the student's identity;

 

(12) inform the student and the commissioner how long after its purchase a course will be accessible;

 

(13) inform the student that license education credit will not be awarded for taking the course after it loses its status as an approved course;

 

(14) provide clear instructions on how to navigate through the course;

 

(15) provide automatic bookmarking at any point in the course;

 

(16) provide questions after each unit or chapter that must be answered before the student can proceed to the next unit or chapter;

 

(17) include a reinforcement response when a quiz question is answered correctly;

 

(18) include a response when a quiz question is answered incorrectly;


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(19) include a final examination in which the student must correctly answer 70 percent of the questions;

 

(20) allow the student to go back and review any unit at any time, except during the final examination;

 

(21) provide a course evaluation at the end of the course.  At a minimum, the evaluation must ask the student to report any difficulties caused by the online education delivery method;

 

(22) provide a completion certificate when the course and exam have been completed and the provider has verified the completion.  Electronic certificates are sufficient and shall include the name of the provider, date and location of the course, educational program identification that was provided by the department, hours of instruction or continuing education hours, and licensee's or attendee's name and license, certification, or registration number or the last four digits of the licensee's or attendee's Social Security number; and

 

(23) allow the commissioner the ability to electronically review the class to determine if credit can be approved.

 

(c) The final examination must be either an encrypted online examination or a paper examination that is monitored by a proctor who certifies that the student took the examination.

 

Sec. 34.  Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 326B.821, subdivision 6, is amended to read: 

 

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.

 

Licensees requesting credit for continuing education courses that have not been previously approved by the commissioner shall, on a form prescribed by the commissioner, submit an application for approval of continuing education credit accompanied by a nonrefundable fee of $20 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 on a form approved by the commissioner at least 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.

 

Sec. 35.  Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 326B.821, subdivision 7, is amended to read: 

 

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 shall not be approved if attendance is restricted to any particular group of people, except for company-sponsored courses allowed by applicable law.


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Sec. 36.  Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 326B.821, subdivision 8, is amended to read: 

 

Subd. 8.  Course sponsor.  (a) Each course of study shall have at least one sponsor, approved by the commissioner, who is responsible for supervising the program and ensuring compliance with all relevant law.  Sponsors may engage an additional approved sponsor in order to assist the sponsor or to act as a substitute for the sponsor in the event of an emergency or illness.

 

(b) Sponsors must submit an application and sworn statement stating they agree to abide by the requirements of this section and any other applicable statute or rule pertaining to residential construction continuing education in the regulated industry.

 

(c) A sponsor may also be an instructor.

 

(d) Failure to comply with requirements paragraph (b) may result in loss of sponsor approval for up to two years in accordance with section 326B.082.

 

Sec. 37.  Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 326B.821, subdivision 9, is amended to read: 

 

Subd. 9.  Responsibilities.  A sponsor 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 the regulated industry;

 

(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;

 

(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.  Evaluations must be completed by students at the time the course is offered;

 

(6) furnishing the commissioner, upon request, with copies of the qualifications of instructors.  Evaluations must be completed by students at the time the course is offered and by sponsors within five days after the course offering;

 

(6) (7) 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) (8) 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 the sponsor ceases operations before termination of the sponsor application, the sponsor must provide to the commissioner digital copies of all course and attendance records of courses held for the previous three years;

 

(8) (9) attending workshops or instructional programs as reasonably required by the commissioner;

 

(9) (10) providing course completion certificates within ten days of, but not before, completion of the entire course.  A sponsor may require payment of the course tuition as a condition of receiving the course completion certificate.  Course completion certificates must be completed in their entirety.  Course completion certificates must and shall contain the following: 


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(i) the statement:  "If you have any comments about this course offering, please mail them to the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry.";

 

(ii) the current address of the department must be included.  A sponsor may require payment of the course tuition as a condition for receiving the course completion certificate, name of the provider, date and location of the course, educational program identification provided by the department, and hours of instruction or continuing education hours; and

 

(iii) the licensee's or attendee's name and license, certificate, or registration number or the last four digits of the licensee's or attendee's Social Security number; and

 

(10) (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.

 

Sec. 38.  Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 326B.821, subdivision 10, is amended to read: 

 

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.  Sponsors 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) four years' practical experience in the subject area being taught;

 

(2) a college or graduate degree in the subject area being taught;

 

(3) direct experience in the development of laws, rules, or regulations related to the residential construction regulated industry; or

 

(4) demonstrated expertise in the subject area being taught.  Instructors providing instruction related to electricity, plumbing, or high pressure piping systems must comply with all applicable continuing education rules adopted by the Board of Electricity, the Plumbing Board, or the Board of High Pressure Piping Systems.

 

(c) Approved Qualified continuing education instructors are responsible for: 

 

(1) compliance with all laws and rules relating to continuing education;

 

(2) providing students with current and accurate information;

 

(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.


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Sec. 39.  Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 326B.821, subdivision 11, is amended to read: 

 

Subd. 11.  Prohibited practices for sponsors and instructors.  (a) In connection with an approved continuing education course, sponsors and instructors shall not: 

 

(1) recommend or, promote, or disparage the specific services, products, processes, procedures, or practices of a particular business person in the regulated industry;

 

(2) encourage or recruit individuals students to engage the services of, or become associated with, a particular business;

 

(3) use materials for the sole purpose of promoting a particular business;

 

(4) require students to participate in other programs or services offered by an instructor 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 reasonably 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) Sponsors 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 sponsor or an instructor teaching an approved course.  The notification conviction or disciplinary action shall be grounds for the commissioner to withdraw the approval of the sponsor and to disallow the use of the sponsor or instructor.

 

Sec. 40.  Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 326B.821, subdivision 12, is amended to read: 

 

Subd. 12.  Fees Course tuition.  Fees Tuition 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 tuition 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 tuition 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.

 

Sec. 41.  Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 326B.821, subdivision 15, is amended to read: 

 

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 as approved for continuing education credit unless approval has been granted in writing by the commissioner.

 

(c) Once a course is approved, all advertisement, pamphlet, circular, or other similar materials pertaining to an approved course circulated or distributed in this state, must prominently display the following statement: 


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"This course has been approved by the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry for ....... (approved number of hours) hours for residential contractor ....... (regulated industry) continuing 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 any advertising as "approval pending."  The sponsor must verbally notify licensees students before commencement of the course if the course has been denied credit, has not been approved for credit, or has only been approved for partial credit by the commissioner.

 

(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.

 

Sec. 42.  Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 326B.821, subdivision 16, is amended to read: 

 

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 residential contractor (insert regulated industry) continuing education requirements."

 

Sec. 43.  Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 326B.821, subdivision 18, is amended to read: 

 

Subd. 18.  Falsification of reports or certificates.  A licensee, its qualified person qualifying individual, or an applicant found to have falsified an education report or certificate to the commissioner shall be considered to have violated the laws relating to the regulated 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 enforcement provisions of section 326B.082.

 

The commissioner reserves the right to audit a licensee's continuing education records.

 

Sec. 44.  Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 326B.821, subdivision 19, is amended to read: 

 

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 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 residential building contractor 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 section.  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.


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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.

 

Sec. 45.  Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 326B.821, subdivision 20, is amended to read: 

 

Subd. 20.  Reporting requirements.  Required Continuing education credits must be reported by the sponsor in a manner prescribed by the commissioner.  Licensees are responsible for maintaining copies of course completion certificates.

 

Sec. 46.  Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 326B.821, subdivision 22, is amended to read: 

 

Subd. 22.  Continuing education approval.  Continuing education courses must be approved in advance by the commissioner of labor and industry.  "Sponsor" means any person or entity offering approved education.

 

Sec. 47.  Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 326B.821, subdivision 23, is amended to read: 

 

Subd. 23.  Continuing education fees.  The following fees shall be paid to the commissioner: 

 

(1) initial course approval, $20 for each hour or fraction of one hour of continuing education course approval sought.  Initial course approval expires on the last day of the 24th 36th month after the course is approved;

 

(2) renewal of course approval, $20 per course.  Renewal of course approval expires on the last day of the 24th month after the course is renewed;

 

(3) (2) initial sponsor approval, $100.  Initial sponsor approval expires on the last day of the 24th month after the sponsor is approved; and

 

(4) (3) renewal of sponsor approval, $20 $100.  Renewal of sponsor approval expires on the last day of the 24th month after the sponsor is renewed.

 

Sec. 48.  Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 326B.865, is amended to read: 

 

326B.865 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 biennially 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 contractors to post a compliance bond.  The bond is in lieu of any compliance bond required by a local unit of government.


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(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.

 

(d) Each person giving bond under this section shall pay a biennial bond filing fee of $100 to the commissioner of labor and industry. 

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective January 1, 2012. 

 

Sec. 49.  Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 326B.89, subdivision 6, is amended to read: 

 

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.83;

 

(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 contract directly between the licensee and the homeowner or lessee that was entered into prior to the cause of action and that occurred when the licensee was licensed and performing any of the special skills enumerated under section 326B.802, subdivision 15;

 

(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;

 

(8) that the owner or lessee has diligently pursued remedies against all the judgment debtors and all other persons liable to the judgment debtor in the contract for which the owner or lessee seeks recovery from the fund; and

 

(9) that the verified application is being served within two years after the judgment became final.

 

The verified application must include documents evidencing the amount of the owner's or the lessee's actual and direct out-of-pocket loss.  The owner's and the lessee's actual and direct out-of-pocket loss shall not include any attorney fees, litigation costs or fees, interest on the loss, and interest on the final judgment obtained as a result of the loss or any costs not directly related to the value difference between what was contracted for and what was provided.  Any amount paid in satisfaction of the final judgment shall be applied to the owner's or lessee's actual and direct out-of-pocket 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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Sec. 50.  Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 326B.89, subdivision 8, is amended to read: 

 

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 45 days after the commissioner received the request for hearing, unless the parties agree to a later date.  The commissioner must notify the owner or lessee of the time and place of the hearing at least 15 days before the hearing.  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).  Whenever an applicant's judgment is by default, stipulation, or consent, or whenever the action against the licensee was defended by a trustee in bankruptcy, the applicant shall have the burden of proving the cause of action for fraudulent, deceptive, or dishonest practices, conversion of funds, or failure of performance.  Otherwise, the judgment shall create a rebuttable presumption of the fraudulent, deceptive, or dishonest practices, conversion of funds, or failure of performance.  This presumption affects the burden of producing evidence.

 

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.  The commissioner or the owner or lessee may seek 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.

 

Sec. 51.  Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 327.32, subdivision 1a, is amended to read: 

 

Subd. 1a.  Requirement; used manufactured homes.  No person shall sell or offer for sale in this state any used manufactured home manufactured after June 14, 1976, or install for occupancy any used manufactured home manufactured after June 14, 1976, unless the used manufactured home complies with the Notice of Compliance Form as provided in this subdivision.  If manufactured after June 14, 1976, the home must bear a label as required by the secretary.  The Notice of Compliance Form shall be signed by the seller and purchaser indicating which party is responsible for either making or paying for any necessary corrections prior to the sale and transferring ownership of the manufactured home.

 

The Notice of Compliance Form shall be substantially in the following form: 

 

"Notice of Compliance Form as required in Minnesota Statutes, section 327.32, subdivision 1

 

This notice must be completed and signed by the purchaser(s) and the seller(s) of the used manufactured home described in the purchase agreement and on the bottom of this notice before the parties transfer ownership of a used manufactured home constructed after June 14, 1976.

 

Electric ranges and clothes dryers must have required four-conductor cords and plugs.  For the purpose of complying with the requirements of section 327B.06, a licensed retailer or limited retailer shall retain at least one copy of the form required under this subdivision.

 

Complies .......... 

Correction required .......... 

Initialed by Responsible Party:  Buyer .......... 

Seller .......... 


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Solid fuel-burning fireplaces or stoves must be listed for use in manufactured homes, Code of Federal Regulations, title 24, section 3280.709 (g), and installed correctly in accordance with their listing or standards (i.e., chimney, doors, hearth, combustion, or intake, etc., Code of Federal Regulations, title 24, section 3280.709 (g)).

 

Complies .......... 

Correction required .......... 

Initialed by Responsible Party:  Buyer .......... 

Seller .......... 

 

Gas water heaters and furnaces must be listed for manufactured home use, Code of Federal Regulations, title 24, section 3280.709 (a) and (d)(1) and (2), and installed correctly, in accordance with their listing or standards.

 

Complies .......... 

Correction required .......... 

Initialed by Responsible Party:  Buyer .......... 

Seller .......... 

 

Smoke alarms are required to be installed and operational in accordance with Code of Federal Regulations, title 24, section 3280.208.

 

Complies .......... 

Correction required .......... 

Initialed by Responsible Party:  Buyer .......... 

Seller .......... 

 

Carbon monoxide alarms or CO detectors that are approved and operational are required to be installed within ten feet of each room lawfully used for sleeping purposes.

 

Complies .......... 

Correction required .......... 

Initialed by Responsible Party:  Buyer .......... 

Seller .......... 

 

Egress windows are required in every bedroom with at least one operable window with a net clear opening of 20 inches wide and 24 inches high, five square feet in area, with the bottom of windows opening no more than 36 inches above the floor.  Locks, latches, operating handles, tabs, or other operational devices shall not be located more than 54 inches above the finished floor.

 

Complies .......... 

Correction required .......... 

Initialed by Responsible Party:  Buyer .......... 

Seller .......... 

 

The furnace compartment of the home is required to have interior finish with a flame spread rating not exceeding 25 feet, as specified in the 1976 United States Department of Housing and Urban Development Code governing manufactured housing construction.

 

Complies .......... 

Correction required .......... 

Initialed by Responsible Party:  Buyer .......... 

Seller .......... 

 

The water heater enclosure in this home is required to have interior finish with a flame spread rating not exceeding 25 feet, as specified in the 1976 United States Department of Housing and Urban Development Code governing manufactured housing construction.

 

Complies .......... 

Correction required .......... 

Initialed by Responsible Party:  Buyer .......... 

Seller .......... 

 

The home complies with the snowload and heat zone requirements for the state of Minnesota as indicated by the data plate.

 

Complies .......... 

Correction required .......... 

Initialed by Responsible Party:  Buyer .......... 

Seller .......... 


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The parties to this agreement have initialed all required sections and agree by their signature to complete any necessary corrections prior to the sale or transfer of ownership of the home described below as listed in the purchase agreement.  The state of Minnesota or a local building official has the authority to inspect the home in the manner described in Minnesota Statutes, section 327.33, prior to or after the sale to ensure compliance was properly executed as provided under the Manufactured Home Building Code.

 

Signature of Purchaser(s) of Home

 

 

 

..............................date.............................. 

..............................date.............................. 

................................................................... 

................................................................... 

Print name as appears on purchase agreement

Print name as appears on purchase agreement

 

 

Signature of Seller(s) of Home

 

 

 

..............................date.............................. 

..............................date.............................. 

................................................................... 

................................................................... 

Print name and license number, if applicable

Print name and license number, if applicable

 

 

(Street address of home at time of sale)

 

...................................................................................................................................

 

 

 

(City/State/Zip)..........................................................................................................

 

Name of manufacturer of home.................................................................................

 

Model and year..........................................................................................................

 

Serial number............................................................................................................"

 

 

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

 

Sec. 52.  Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 327.32, subdivision 1b, is amended to read: 

 

Subd. 1b.  Alternative design plan.  An alternative frost-free design slab for a new or used manufactured home that is submitted to the local building official, third-party inspector, or the department, stamped by a licensed professional engineer or architect, and is as being in compliance with either the federal installation standards in effect at the date of manufacture, the manufacturer's installation manual, or the Minnesota State Building Code, when applicable, shall be issued a permit by the department within ten days of being received by the approving authority.

 

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

 

Sec. 53.  Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 327.32, subdivision 1e, is amended to read: 

 

Subd. 1e.  Reinstallation requirements for single-section used manufactured homes.  (a) All single-section used manufactured homes reinstalled less than 24 months from the date of installation by the first purchaser must be reinstalled in compliance with subdivision 1c.  All single-section used manufactured homes reinstalled more than 24 months from the date of installation by the first purchaser may be reinstalled without a frost-protected foundation if the home is reinstalled in compliance with Minnesota Rules, chapter 1350, for above frost-line installations and the notice requirement of subdivision 1f is complied with by the seller and the purchaser of the single-section used manufactured home.


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(b) The installer shall affix an installation seal issued by the department to the outside of the home as required by the Minnesota State Building Code.  The certificate of installation issued by the installer of record shall clearly state that the home has been reinstalled with an above frost-line foundation.  Fees for inspection of a reinstallation and for issuance of reinstallation seals shall follow the requirements of sections 326B.802 to 326B.885.  Fees for review of plans, specifications, and on-site inspections shall be those as specified in section 326B.153, subdivision 1, paragraph (c).  Whenever an installation certificate for an above frost-line installation is issued to a single-section used manufactured home being listed for sale, the purchase agreement must disclose that the home is installed on a nonfrost-protected foundation and recommend that the purchaser have the home inspected to determine the effects of frost on the home.

 

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

 

Sec. 54.  Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 327.32, subdivision 1f, is amended to read: 

 

Subd. 1f.  Notice requirement.  The seller of the single-section used manufactured home being reinstalled under subdivision 1e shall provide the following notice to the purchaser and secure signatures of all parties to the purchase agreement on or before signing a purchase agreement prior to submitting an application for an installation certificate.  Whenever a current owner of a manufactured home reinstalls the manufactured home under subdivision 1e, the current owner is not required to comply with the notice requirement under this subdivision.  The notice shall be in at least 14-point font, except the heading, "WHICH MAY VOID WARRANTY," must be in capital letters, in 20-point font.  The notice must be printed on a separate sheet of paper in a color different than the paper on which the purchase agreement is printed.  The notice becomes a part of the purchase agreement and shall be substantially in the following form: 

 

"Notice of Reinstalling of a Single-Section Used Manufactured Home Above Frost-Line;

 

WHICH MAY VOID WARRANTY

 

It is recommended that the single-section used manufactured home being reinstalled follow the instructions in the manufacturer's installation manual.  By signing this notice, the purchaser(s) are acknowledging they have elected to use footings placed above the local frost line in accordance with the Minnesota State Building Code.

 

The seller has explained the differences between the manufacturer's installation instructions and the installation system selected by the purchaser(s) with respect to possible effects of frost on the manufactured home.

 

The purchaser(s) acknowledge by signing this notice that there is no manufacturer's original warranty remaining on the home and recognize that any other extended or ancillary warranty could be adversely affected if any applicable warranty stipulates that the home be installed in accordance with the manufacturer's installation manual to remain effective.

 

After the reinstallation of the manufactured home, it is highly recommended that the purchaser(s) have a licensed manufactured home installer recheck the home's installation for any releveling needs or anchoring system adjustments each freeze-thaw cycle.

 

The purchaser(s) of the used manufactured home described below that is being reinstalled acknowledge they have read this notice and have been advised to contact the manufacturer of the home and/or the Department of Labor and Industry if they desire additional information before signing this notice.  It is the intent of this notice to inform the purchaser(s) that the purchaser(s) elected not to use a frost-protected foundation system for the reinstallation of the manufactured home as originally required by the home's installation manual.


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Plain language notice.

 

I understand that because this home will be installed with footings placed above the local frost line, this home may be subject to adverse effects from frost heave that may damage this home.  Purchaser(s) initials:  .......

 

I understand that the installation of this home with footings placed above the local frost line could affect my ability to obtain a mortgage or mortgage insurance on this home.  Purchaser(s) initials:  .......

 

I understand that the installation of this home with footings placed above the local frost line could void my warranty on the home if any warranty is still in place on this home.  Purchaser(s) initials:  .......

 

Signature of Purchaser(s)

 

 

 

..............................date.............................. 

..............................date.............................. 

................................................................... 

................................................................... 

Print name

Print name

 

 

(Street address of location where manufactured home is being reinstalled)

................................................................................................................................

 

 

 

(City/State/Zip).......................................................................................................

 

Name of manufacturer of home..............................................................................

 

Model and year.......................................................................................................

 

Serial number..........................................................................................................

 

 

Name of licensed installer and license number or homeowner responsible for the installation of the home as described above.

 

Installer name:  .......................................................................................................

License number:  .................................................................................................."

 

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

 

Sec. 55.  Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 327.32, subdivision 7, is amended to read: 

 

Subd. 7.  Enforcement.  All jurisdictions enforcing the State Building Code, in accordance with sections 326B.101 to 326B.151, shall undertake or provide for the administration and enforcement of the manufactured home installation rules promulgated by the commissioner.  Municipalities which have adopted the State Building Code may provide installation inspection and plan review services in noncode areas of the state.

 

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

 

Sec. 56.  Minnesota Statutes 2010, 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


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new manufactured homes whose first location after leaving the manufacturer is on the premises of a distributor, dealer or purchaser in that state.  Fees for inspections in areas that have not adopted the State Building Code must be equal to the fees for inspections in code areas of the state.  Third party vendors may charge their usual and normal charge for inspections.

 

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

 

Sec. 57.  Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 327C.095, subdivision 12, is amended to read: 

 

Subd. 12.  Payment to the Minnesota manufactured home relocation trust fund.  (a) If a manufactured home owner is required to move due to the conversion of all or a portion of a manufactured home park to another use, the closure of a park, or cessation of use of the land as a manufactured home park, the manufactured park owner shall, upon the change in use, pay to the commissioner of management and budget for deposit in the Minnesota manufactured home relocation trust fund under section 462A.35, the lesser amount of the actual costs of moving or purchasing the manufactured home approved by the neutral third party and paid by the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency under subdivision 13, paragraph (a) or (e), or $3,250 for each single section manufactured home, and $6,000 for each multisection manufactured home, for which a manufactured home owner has made application for payment of relocation costs under subdivision 13, paragraph (c).  The manufactured home park owner shall make payments required under this section to the Minnesota manufactured home relocation trust fund within 60 days of receipt of invoice from the neutral third party.

 

(b) A manufactured home park owner is not required to make the payment prescribed under paragraph (a), nor is a manufactured home owner entitled to compensation under subdivision 13, paragraph (a) or (e), if: 

 

(1) the manufactured home park owner relocates the manufactured home owner to another space in the manufactured home park or to another manufactured home park at the park owner's expense;

 

(2) the manufactured home owner is vacating the premises and has informed the manufactured home park owner or manager of this prior to the mailing date of the closure statement under subdivision 1;

 

(3) a manufactured home owner has abandoned the manufactured home, or the manufactured home owner is not current on the monthly lot rental, personal property taxes;

 

(4) the manufactured home owner has a pending eviction action for nonpayment of lot rental amount under section 327C.09, which was filed against the manufactured home owner prior to the mailing date of the closure statement under subdivision 1, and the writ of recovery has been ordered by the district court;

 

(5) the conversion of all or a portion of a manufactured home park to another use, the closure of a park, or cessation of use of the land as a manufactured home park is the result of a taking or exercise of the power of eminent domain by a governmental entity or public utility; or

 

(6) the owner of the manufactured home is not a resident of the manufactured home park, as defined in section 327C.01, subdivision 9, or the owner of the manufactured home is a resident, but came to reside in the manufactured home park after the mailing date of the closure statement under subdivision 1.

 

(c) If the unencumbered fund balance in the manufactured home relocation trust fund is less than $1,000,000 as of June 30 of each year, the commissioner of management and budget shall annually assess each manufactured home park owner by mail the total amount of $12 for each licensed lot in their park, payable on or before September 15 of each that year.  The commissioner of management and budget shall deposit the any payments in the Minnesota manufactured home relocation trust fund.  On or before July 15 of each year, the commissioner of management and budget shall prepare and distribute to park owners a letter explaining whether funds are being collected for that year,


Journal of the House - 59th Day - Wednesday, May 18, 2011 - Top of Page 4365


 

information about the collection, an invoice for all licensed lots, and a sample form for the park owners to collect information on which park residents have been accounted for.  If assessed under this paragraph, the park owner may recoup the cost of the $12 assessment as a lump sum or as a monthly fee of no more than $1 collected from park residents together with monthly lot rent as provided in section 327C.03, subdivision 6.  Park owners may adjust payment for lots in their park that are vacant or otherwise not eligible for contribution to the trust fund under section 327C.095, subdivision 12, paragraph (b), and deduct from the assessment accordingly.

 

(d) This subdivision and subdivision 13, paragraph (c), clause (5), are enforceable by the neutral third party, on behalf of the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency, or by action in a court of appropriate jurisdiction.  The court may award a prevailing party reasonable attorney fees, court costs, and disbursements.

 

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

 

Sec. 58.  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

 

 

 

 

326B.82, subd. 2

326B.091, subd. 2a

 

326B.82, subd. 3

326B.091, subd. 2b

 

326b.82, subd. 5

326B.091, subd. 2c

 

326B.82, subd. 7

326B.091, subd. 4a

 

326B.82, subd. 8

326B.091, subd. 5a

 

326B.82, subd. 9

326B.091, subd. 5c

 

326B.82, subd. 10

326B.091, subd. 7

 

326B.821, subd. 4

326B.0981, subd. 17

 

326B.821, subd. 5

326B.0981, subd. 3

 

326B.821, subd. 5a

326B.0981, subd. 4

 

326B.821, subd. 6

326B.0981, subd. 5

 

326B.821, subd. 7

326B.0981, subd. 6

 

326B.821, subd. 8

326B.099, subd. 1

 

326B.821, subd. 9

326B.099, subd. 2

 

326B.821, subd. 10

326B.099, subd. 3

 

326B.821, subd. 11

326B.099, subd. 4

 

326B.821, subd. 12

326B.0981, subd. 7

 

326B.821, subd. 13

326B.0981, subd. 8

 

326B.821, subd. 14

326B.0981, subd. 9

 

326B.821, subd. 15

326B.0981, subd. 10

 

326B.821, subd. 16

326B.0981, subd. 11

 

326B.821, subd. 17

326B.099, subd. 5

 

326B.821, subd. 18

326B.0981, subd. 12

 

326B.821, subd. 19

326B.0981, subd. 13

 

326B.821, subd. 20

326B.0981, subd. 14

 

326B.821, subd. 22

326B.0981, subd. 2

 

326B.821, subd. 23

326B.0981, subd. 15

 

326B.821, subd. 24

326B.0981, subd. 16


Journal of the House - 59th Day - Wednesday, May 18, 2011 - Top of Page 4366


Sec. 59.  REPEALER.

 

Minnesota Statutes 2010, sections 326B.82, subdivisions 4 and 6; and 326B.821, subdivision 3, are repealed.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective January 1, 2012."

 

Delete the title and insert: 

 

"A bill for an act relating to economic development; modifying certain economic development, fees, and licensing provisions; modifying certain occupational continuing education requirements; clarifying and modifying regulation of medical gas system and manufactured home provisions; requiring reports; appropriating money for jobs, economic development, and housing purposes; amending Minnesota Statutes 2010, sections 115C.08, subdivision 4; 116J.035, by adding a subdivision; 116J.551, subdivision 1; 181.723, subdivision 5; 182.6553, subdivision 6; 268.18, subdivisions 2, 2b; 268.199; 268A.15, subdivision 4; 298.17; 326B.04, subdivision 2; 326B.091; 326B.098; 326B.13, subdivision 8; 326B.148, subdivision 1; 326B.42, subdivisions 8, 9, 10, by adding subdivisions; 326B.435, subdivision 2; 326B.438; 326B.46, subdivisions 1, 1a, 1b, 2, 3; 326B.47, subdivisions 1, 3; 326B.49, subdivision 1; 326B.56, subdivision 1; 326B.58; 326B.82, subdivisions 2, 3, 7, 9; 326B.821, subdivisions 1, 5, 5a, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 15, 16, 18, 19, 20, 22, 23; 326B.865; 326B.89, subdivisions 6, 8; 327.32, subdivisions 1a, 1b, 1e, 1f, 7; 327.33, subdivision 2; 327C.095, subdivision 12; 341.321; Laws 2009, chapter 78, article 1, section 18; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapters 116J; 326B; repealing Minnesota Statutes 2010, sections 326B.82, subdivisions 4, 6; 326B.821, subdivision 3."

 

 

      We request the adoption of this report and repassage of the bill. 

 

      Senate Conferees:  Geoff Michel, Ted H. Lillie, Theodore J. "Ted" Daley, Jeremy R. Miller and John C. Pederson.

 

      House Conferees:  Bob Gunther, Joe Hoppe, Andrea Kieffer, Carol McFarlane and Tim Sanders.

 

 

      Gunther moved that the report of the Conference Committee on S. F. No. 887 be adopted and that the bill be repassed as amended by the Conference Committee.  The motion prevailed.

 

 

      S. F. No. 887, A bill for an act relating to state government; appropriating money for jobs, economic development, and housing; modifying certain programs; modifying fees and licensing, registration, and continuing education provisions; amending Minnesota Statutes 2010, sections 116J.035, by adding a subdivision; 116J.8737, subdivisions 1, 2, 4; 116L.04, subdivision 1; 181.723, subdivision 5; 182.6553, subdivision 6; 326B.04, subdivision 2; 326B.091; 326B.098; 326B.13, subdivision 8; 326B.148, subdivision 1; 326B.42, subdivisions 8, 9, 10, by adding subdivisions; 326B.435, subdivision 2; 326B.438; 326B.46, subdivisions 1a, 1b, 2, 3; 326B.47, subdivisions 1, 3; 326B.49, subdivision 1; 326B.56, subdivision 1; 326B.58; 326B.82, subdivisions 2, 3, 7, 9; 326B.821, subdivisions 1, 5, 5a, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 15, 16, 18, 19, 20, 22, 23; 326B.865; 326B.89, subdivisions 6, 8; 327.32, subdivisions 1a, 1b, 1e; 327.33, subdivisions 1, 2; 341.321; Laws 2009, chapter 78, article 1, section 18; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 326B; repealing Minnesota Statutes 2010, sections 326B.82, subdivisions 4, 6; 326B.821, subdivision 3.

 

 

      The bill was read for the third time, as amended by Conference, and placed upon its repassage.


Journal of the House - 59th Day - Wednesday, May 18, 2011 - Top of Page 4367


 

      The question was taken on the repassage of the bill and the roll was called.  There were 71 yeas and 61 nays as follows:

 

      Those who voted in the affirmative were:

 


Abeler

Anderson, B.

Anderson, D.

Anderson, P.

Anderson, S.

Banaian

Barrett

Beard

Benson, M.

Bills

Buesgens

Cornish

Crawford

Daudt

Davids

Dean

Dettmer

Doepke

Downey

Drazkowski

Erickson

Fabian

Franson

Garofalo

Gottwalt

Gruenhagen

Gunther

Hackbarth

Hamilton

Hancock

Holberg

Hoppe

Howes

Kelly

Kieffer

Kiel

Kiffmeyer

Kriesel

Lanning

Leidiger

LeMieur

Lohmer

Loon

Mack

Mazorol

McDonald

McFarlane

McNamara

Murdock

Murray

Myhra

Nornes

O'Driscoll

Peppin

Petersen, B.

Quam

Runbeck

Sanders

Schomacker

Scott

Shimanski

Smith

Stensrud

Swedzinski

Torkelson

Urdahl

Vogel

Wardlow

Westrom

Woodard

Spk. Zellers


 

      Those who voted in the negative were:

 


Anzelc

Atkins

Benson, J.

Brynaert

Carlson

Champion

Clark

Davnie

Dill

Dittrich

Eken

Falk

Gauthier

Greene

Greiling

Hansen

Hausman

Hayden

Hilstrom

Hilty

Hornstein

Hortman

Hosch

Huntley

Johnson

Kahn

Kath

Knuth

Koenen

Lenczewski

Lesch

Liebling

Lillie

Loeffler

Mahoney

Mariani

Marquart

McElfatrick

Melin

Moran

Morrow

Mullery

Murphy, E.

Murphy, M.

Nelson

Norton

Paymar

Pelowski

Persell

Peterson, S.

Poppe

Rukavina

Scalze

Simon

Slawik

Slocum

Thissen

Tillberry

Wagenius

Ward

Winkler


 

 

      The bill was repassed, as amended by Conference, and its title agreed to.

 

 

      Speaker pro tempore Daudt called Banaian to the Chair.

 

 

Mr. Speaker: 

 

I hereby announce that the Senate has concurred in and adopted the report of the Conference Committee on: 

 

S. F. No. 1047.

 

The Senate has repassed said bill in accordance with the recommendation and report of the Conference Committee.  Said Senate File is herewith transmitted to the House.

 

Cal R. Ludeman, Secretary of the Senate

 

 

CONFERENCE COMMITTEE REPORT ON S. F. NO. 1047

 

A bill for an act relating to state government financing; establishing the Sunset Advisory Commission; prohibiting legislative liaison positions in state agencies and departments; eliminating assistant commissioner positions and reducing deputy commissioner positions; changing provisions of performance data required in the budget proposal; requiring specific funding information for forecasted programs; implementing zero-based


Journal of the House - 59th Day - Wednesday, May 18, 2011 - Top of Page 4368


budgeting principles; implementing federal offset program for collection of debts owed to state agencies; providing a state employee salary freeze; providing an HSA-eligible high-deductible health plan for state employees; requiring a 15 percent reduction in the state workforce; requiring a verification audit for dependent eligibility for state employee health insurance; requiring a request for proposals for recommendations on state building efficiency, state vehicle management, tax fraud prevention, and strategic sourcing; requiring reports; appropriating money; amending Minnesota Statutes 2010, sections 15.057; 15.06, subdivision 8; 16A.10, subdivisions 1a, 1b, 1c; 16A.103, subdivision 1a; 16A.11, subdivision 3; 16B.03; 43A.08, subdivision 1; 43A.23, subdivision 1; 45.013; 84.01, subdivision 3; 116.03, subdivision 1; 116J.01, subdivision 5; 116J.035, subdivision 4; 174.02, subdivision 2; 241.01, subdivision 2; 270C.41; Laws 2010, chapter 215, article 6, section 4; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapters 16A; 16D; 43A; proposing coding for new law as Minnesota Statutes, chapter 3D; repealing Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 197.585, subdivision 5.

 

May 17, 2011

The Honorable Michelle L. Fischbach

President of the Senate

 

The Honorable Kurt Zellers

Speaker of the House of Representatives

 

We, the undersigned conferees for S. F. No. 1047 report that we have agreed upon the items in dispute and recommend as follows: 

 

That the House recede from its amendments and that S. F. No. 1047 be further amended as follows: 

 

Delete everything after the enacting clause and insert: 

 

"ARTICLE 1

STATE GOVERNMENT APPROPRIATIONS

 

Section 1.  STATE GOVERNMENT APPROPRIATIONS. 

 

The sums shown in the columns marked "Appropriations" are appropriated to the agencies and for the purposes specified in this article.  The appropriations are from the general fund, or another named fund, and are available for the fiscal years indicated for each purpose.  The figures "2012" and "2013" used in this article mean that the appropriations listed under them are available for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2012, or June 30, 2013, respectively.  "The first year" is fiscal year 2012.  "The second year" is fiscal year 2013.  "The biennium" is fiscal years 2012 and 2013. 

 

 

 

 

APPROPRIATIONS

 

 

 

Available for the Year

 

 

 

Ending June 30

 

 

 

2012

2013

 

Sec. 2.  LEGISLATURE

 

 

 

 

 

Subdivision 1.  Total Appropriation

 

$63,070,000

 

$63,070,000

 

Appropriations by Fund

 

 

2012

2013

 

 

 

General

62,942,000

62,942,000

Health Care Access

128,000

128,000

 

The amounts that may be spent for each purpose are specified in the following subdivisions.


Journal of the House - 59th Day - Wednesday, May 18, 2011 - Top of Page 4369


 

Subd. 2.  Senate

 

20,733,000

 

20,733,000

 

Subd. 3.  House of Representatives

 

27,874,000

 

27,874,000

 

During the biennium ending June 30, 2013, any revenues received by the house of representatives from voluntary donations to support broadcast or print media are appropriated to the house of representatives.

 

Subd. 4.  Legislative Coordinating Commission

 

14,463,000

 

14,463,000

 

Appropriations by Fund

 

General

14,335,000

14,335,000

Health Care Access

128,000

128,000

 

From its funds, $10,000 each year is for purposes of the legislators' forum, through which Minnesota legislators meet with counterparts from South Dakota, North Dakota, and Manitoba to discuss issues of mutual concern.

 

Sec. 3.  GOVERNOR AND LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR

$3,027,000

 

$3,027,000

 

(a) This appropriation is to fund the Office of the Governor and Lieutenant Governor.

 

(b) By September 1 of each year, the commissioner of management and budget shall report to the chairs and ranking minority members of the senate State Government Innovation and Veterans Affairs Committee and the house of representatives State Government Finance Committee any personnel costs incurred by the Offices of the Governor and Lieutenant Governor that were supported by appropriations to other agencies during the previous fiscal year.  The Office of the Governor shall inform the chairs and ranking minority members of the committees before initiating any interagency agreements.

 

(c) During the biennium ending June 30, 2013, the Office of the Governor may not receive payments of more than $670,000 each fiscal year from other executive agencies under Minnesota Statutes, section 15.53, to support office costs incurred by the office.  Payments received under this paragraph must be deposited in a special revenue account.  Money in the account is appropriated to the Office of the Governor.  The authority in this paragraph supersedes other law enacted in 2011 that limits the ability of the office to enter into agreements relating to office costs with other executive branch agencies or prevents the use of appropriations made to other agencies for agreements with the office under Minnesota Statutes, section 15.53.

 

Sec. 4.  STATE AUDITOR

 

$8,008,000

 

$8,008,000


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Sec. 5.  ATTORNEY GENERAL

 

$21,819,000

 

$21,819,000

 

Appropriations by Fund

 

 

2012

2013

 

 

 

General

19,540,000

19,540,000

State Government Special Revenue

 

1,884,000

 

1,884,000

Environmental

145,000

145,000

Remediation

250,000

250,000

 

Of this appropriation, $65,000 in the first year and $65,000 in the second year are from the general fund for transfer to the commissioner of public safety for a grant to the Minnesota County Attorneys Association for prosecutor and law enforcement training.

 

Sec. 6.  SECRETARY OF STATE

 

$5,206,000

 

$5,206,000

 

Any funds available in the account established in Minnesota Statutes, section 5.30, pursuant to the Help America Vote Act, after funds appropriated in other laws enacted during the 2011 regular session are allotted for purposes specified in those laws, are appropriated for the purposes and uses authorized by federal law.

 

Sec. 7.  CAMPAIGN FINANCE AND PUBLIC DISCLOSURE BOARD

$689,000

 

$689,000

 

Sec. 8.  INVESTMENT BOARD

 

$139,000

 

$139,000

 

Sec. 9.  ADMINISTRATIVE HEARINGS

 

$7,627,000

 

$7,504,000

 

Appropriations by Fund

 

 

2012

2013

 

 

 

General

377,000

254,000

Workers' Compensation

7,250,000

7,250,000

 

$130,000 in the first year is for the cost of considering complaints filed under Minnesota Statutes, section 211B.32.  Until June 30, 2013, the chief administrative law judge may not make any assessment against a county or counties under Minnesota Statutes, section 211B.37.  Any amount of this appropriation that remains unspent at the end of the biennium must be canceled to the general account of the state elections campaign fund.  The base for fiscal year 2014 is $130,000, to be available for the biennium, under the same terms.


Journal of the House - 59th Day - Wednesday, May 18, 2011 - Top of Page 4371


Sec. 10.  OFFICE OF ENTERPRISE TECHNOLOGY

 

$4,636,000

 

$4,636,000

 

During the biennium ending June 30, 2013, the office must not charge fees to a public noncommercial educational television broadcast station for access to the state information infrastructure.

 

Sec. 11.  ADMINISTRATION

 

 

 

 

 

Subdivision 1.  Total Appropriation

 

$17,789,000

 

$17,789,000

 

The amounts that may be spent for each purpose are specified in the following subdivisions.

 

Subd. 2.  Government and Citizen Services

 

14,670,000

 

14,670,000

 

$74,000 the first year and $74,000 the second year are for the Council on Developmental Disabilities.

 

$8,158,000 the first year and $8,158,000 the second year are for office space costs of the legislature and veterans organizations, ceremonial space, and statutorily free space.

 

Subd. 3.  Administrative Management Support

 

1,494,000

 

1,494,000

 

Subd. 4.  Public Broadcasting

 

1,625,000

 

1,625,000

 

(a) The appropriations under this section are to the commissioner of administration for the purposes specified.

 

(b) $1,002,000 the first year and $1,002,000 the second year are for matching grants for public television.

 

(c) $190,000 the first year and $190,000 the second year are for public television equipment grants.  Equipment or matching grant allocations shall be made after considering the recommendations of the Minnesota Public Television Association.

 

(d) $264,000 the first year and $264,000 the second year are for community service grants to public educational radio stations.

 

(e) $92,000 the first year and $92,000 the second year are for equipment grants to public educational radio stations.

 

(f) The grants in paragraphs (d) and (e) must be allocated after considering the recommendations of the Association of Minnesota Public Educational Radio Stations under Minnesota Statutes, section 129D.14.

 

(g) $77,000 the first year and $77,000 the second year are for grants to Minnesota Public Radio, Inc., for upgrades to Minnesota's Emergency Alert and AMBER Alert Systems.


Journal of the House - 59th Day - Wednesday, May 18, 2011 - Top of Page 4372


 

(h) Any unencumbered balance remaining the first year for grants to public television or radio stations does not cancel and is available for the second year.

 

Sec. 12.  CAPITOL AREA ARCHITECTURAL AND PLANNING BOARD

$325,000

 

$325,000

 

Sec. 13.  MINNESOTA MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET

$17,225,000

 

$17,225,000

 

Sec. 14.  REVENUE

 

 

 

 

 

Subdivision 1.  Total Appropriation

 

$129,963,000

 

$130,013,000

 

Appropriations by Fund

 

 

2012

2013

 

 

 

General

125,728,000

125,778,000

Health Care Access

1,749,000

1,749,000

Highway User Tax Distribution

 

2,183,000

 

2,183,000

Environmental

303,000

303,000

 

The amounts that may be spent for each purpose are specified in subdivisions 2 and 3.

 

The commissioner must implement any reduction in funding by reducing administrative support functions before any reduction to compliance and enforcement programs.

 

Subd. 2.  Tax System Management

 

103,992,000

 

104,042,000

 

Appropriations by Fund

 

General

99,757,000

99,807,000

Health Care Access

1,749,000

1,749,000

Highway User Tax Distribution

 

2,183,000

 

2,183,000

Environmental

303,000

303,000

 

Subd. 3.  Debt Collection Management

 

25,971,000

 

25,971,000

 

Sec. 15.  GAMBLING CONTROL

 

$2,740,000

 

$2,740,000

 

These appropriations are from the lawful gambling regulation account in the special revenue fund.

 

Sec. 16.  RACING COMMISSION

 

$899,000

 

$899,000

 

These appropriations are from the racing and card playing regulation accounts in the special revenue fund.


Journal of the House - 59th Day - Wednesday, May 18, 2011 - Top of Page 4373


Sec. 17.  AMATEUR SPORTS COMMISSION

 

$248,000

 

$248,000

 

Sec. 18.  EXPLORE MINNESOTA TOURISM

 

$8,369,000

 

$8,269,000

 

(a) Of this amount, $12,000 each year is for a grant to the Upper Minnesota Film Office.

 

(b)(1) To develop maximum private sector involvement in tourism, $500,000 the first year and $500,000 the second year must be matched by Explore Minnesota Tourism from nonstate sources.  Each $1 of state incentive must be matched with $3 of private sector funding.  Cash match is defined as revenue to the state or documented cash expenditures directly expended to support Explore Minnesota Tourism programs.  Up to one-half of the private sector contribution may be in-kind or soft match.  The incentive in the first year shall be based on fiscal year 2011 private sector contributions.  The incentive in the second year will be based on fiscal year 2012 private sector contributions.  This incentive is ongoing.

 

(2) Funding for the marketing grants is available either year of the biennium.  Unexpended grant funds from the first year are available in the second year.

 

(3) Unexpended money from the general fund appropriations made under this section does not cancel but must be placed in a special marketing account for use by Explore Minnesota Tourism for additional marketing activities.

 

(c) $325,000 the first year and $325,000 the second year are for the Minnesota Film and TV Board.  The appropriation in each year is available only upon receipt by the board of $1 in matching contributions of money or in-kind contributions from nonstate sources for every $3 provided by this appropriation, except that each year up to $50,000 is available on July 1 even if the required matching contribution has not been received by that date.

 

(d) $100,000 the first year is for a grant to the Minnesota Film and TV Board for the film jobs production program under Minnesota Statutes, section 116U.26.  This appropriation is available until expended.

 

Sec. 19.  MINNESOTA HISTORICAL SOCIETY

 

 

 

 

 

Subdivision 1.  Total Appropriation

 

$20,141,000

 

$20,037,000

 

The amounts that may be spent for each purpose are specified in the following subdivisions.


Journal of the House - 59th Day - Wednesday, May 18, 2011 - Top of Page 4374


 

Subd. 2.  Education and Outreach

 

11,336,000

 

11,336,000

 

Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 138.668, the Minnesota Historical Society may not charge a fee for its general tours at the Capitol, but may charge fees for special programs other than general tours.

 

Subd. 3.  Preservation and Access

 

8,479,000

 

8,479,000

 

Subd. 4.  Fiscal Agent

 

 

 

 

 

(a) Minnesota International Center

 

39,000

 

39,000

 

(b) Minnesota Air National Guard Museum

 

14,000

 

-0-

 

(c) Minnesota Military Museum

 

90,000

 

-0-

 

(d) Farmamerica

 

115,000

 

115,000

 

(e) Hockey Hall of Fame

 

68,000

 

68,000

 

(f) Balances Forward

 

 

 

 

 

Any unencumbered balance remaining in this subdivision the first year does not cancel but is available for the second year of the biennium.

 

Subd. 5.  Fund Transfer

 

 

 

 

 

The Minnesota Historical Society may reallocate funds appropriated in and between subdivisions 2 and 3 for any program purposes and the appropriations are available in either year of the biennium.

 

Sec. 20.  BOARD OF THE ARTS

 

 

 

 

 

Subdivision 1.  Total Appropriation

 

$7,089,000

 

$7,089,000

 

The amounts that may be spent for each purpose are specified in the following subdivisions.

 

Subd. 2.  Operations and Services

 

536,000

 

536,000

 

Subd. 3.  Grants Program

 

4,533,000

 

4,533,000

 

Subd. 4.  Regional Arts Councils

 

2,020,000

 

2,020,000

 

Subd. 5.  Unencumbered balance available

 

 

 

 

 

Any unencumbered balance remaining in this section the first year does not cancel, but is available for the second year of the biennium.


Journal of the House - 59th Day - Wednesday, May 18, 2011 - Top of Page 4375


Sec. 21.  MINNESOTA HUMANITIES CENTER

 

$225,000

 

$225,000

 

Sec. 22.  COUNCIL ON BLACK MINNESOTANS

 

$246,000

 

$246,000

 

Sec. 23.  COUNCIL ON ASIAN-PACIFIC MINNESOTANS

$214,000

 

$214,000

 

Sec. 24.  COUNCIL ON AFFAIRS OF CHICANO/LATINO PEOPLE

$231,000

 

$231,000

 

Sec. 25.  INDIAN AFFAIRS COUNCIL

 

$422,000

 

$422,000

 

Of this appropriation $167,000 each year is for a cultural resources specialist to assist the council with the duties assigned to it relating to Indian burial grounds under Minnesota Statutes, section 307.08.

 

Sec. 26.  SCIENCE MUSEUM OF MINNESOTA

 

$1,009,000

 

$1,009,000

 

Sec. 27.  TORT CLAIMS

 

$161,000

 

$161,000

 

These appropriations are to be spent by the commissioner of management and budget according to Minnesota Statutes, section 3.736, subdivision 7.  If the appropriation for either year is insufficient, the appropriation for the other year is available for it.

 

Sec. 28.  MINNESOTA STATE RETIREMENT SYSTEM

 

 

 

 

Subdivision 1.  Total Appropriation

 

$472,000

 

$481,000

 

The amounts that may be spent for each purpose are specified in the following subdivisions.

 

During the biennium ending June 30, 2013, payments for retirement allowances for former legislators and surviving spouses must be made from the legislators retirement fund created under Minnesota Statutes, section 3A.03, subdivision 3, and not from the general fund.

 

Subd. 2.  Constitutional Officers

 

472,000

 

481,000

 

Under Minnesota Statutes, section 352C.001, if an appropriation in this section for either year is insufficient, the appropriation for the other year is available for it.

 

Sec. 29.  MERF DIVISION ACCOUNT

 

$22,750,000

 

$22,750,000

 

These amounts are estimated to be needed under Minnesota Statutes, section 353.505.

 

Sec. 30.  TEACHERS RETIREMENT ASSOCIATION

$15,454,000

 

$15,454,000


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The amounts estimated to be needed are as follows: 

 

(a) Special direct state aid.  $12,954,000 the first year and $12,954,000 the second year are for special direct state aid authorized under Minnesota Statutes, section 354A.12, subdivisions 3a and 3c.

 

(b) Special direct state matching aid.  $2,500,000 the first year and $2,500,000 the second year are for special direct state matching aid authorized under Minnesota Statutes, section 354A.12, subdivision 3b.

 

Sec. 31.  ST. PAUL TEACHERS RETIREMENT FUND

$2,827,000

 

$2,827,000

 

The amounts estimated to be needed for special direct state aid to first class city teachers retirement funds authorized under Minnesota Statutes, section 354A.12, subdivisions 3a and 3c.

 

Sec. 32.  DULUTH TEACHERS RETIREMENT FUND

$346,000

 

$346,000

 

The amounts estimated to be needed for special direct state aid to first class city teachers retirement funds authorized under Minnesota Statutes, section 354A.12, subdivisions 3a and 3c.

 

Sec. 33.  STATE LOTTERY

 

 

 

 

 

Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 349A.10, subdivision 3, the operating budget must not exceed $29,000,000 in fiscal year 2012 and $29,000,000 in fiscal year 2013.

 

Sec. 34.  GENERAL CONTINGENT ACCOUNTS

 

$600,000

 

$500,000

 

Appropriations by Fund

 

 

2012

2013

 

 

 

General

100,000

-0-

State Government Special Revenue

 

400,000

 

400,000

Workers' Compensation

100,000

100,000

 

(a) The appropriations in this section may only be spent with the approval of the governor after consultation with the Legislative Advisory Commission pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, section 3.30.

 

(b) If an appropriation in this section for either year is insufficient, the appropriation for the other year is available for it.

 

(c) If a contingent account appropriation is made in one fiscal year, it should be considered a biennial appropriation.


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Sec. 35.  Laws 2009, chapter 101, article 2, section 106, is amended to read: 

 

Sec. 106.  ENTERPRISE REAL PROPERTY CONTRIBUTIONS.

 

On or before June 1, 2009, the commissioner of administration shall determine the amount to be contributed by each executive agency to maintain the enterprise real property technology system for the fiscal year 2010 and fiscal year 2011 biennium.  On or before June 15, 2009, each executive agency shall enter into an agreement with the commissioner of administration setting forth the manner in which the executive agency shall make its contribution to the enterprise real property system, either from uncommitted fiscal year 2009 funds or by contributing from fiscal year 2010 and fiscal year 2011 funds to the real property enterprise system and services account to fund the total amount of $399,000 for the biennium.  Funds will be available for the enterprise real property technology project until June 30, 2013.  Funds contributed under this section must be credited to the enterprise real property technology system and services account.

 

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

 

Sec. 36.  PROBLEM GAMBLING APPROPRIATION.

 

$225,000 in fiscal year 2012 and $225,000 in fiscal year 2013 are appropriated from the lottery prize fund to the Gambling Control Board for a grant to the state affiliate recognized by the National Council on Problem Gambling.  The affiliate must provide services to increase public awareness of problem gambling, education and training for individuals and organizations providing effective treatment services to problem gamblers and their families, and research relating to problem gambling.  These services must be complementary to and not duplicative of the services provided through the problem gambling program administered by the commissioner of human services.  Of this appropriation, $50,000 in fiscal year 2012 and $50,000 in fiscal year 2013 are contingent on the contribution of nonstate matching funds.  Matching funds may be either cash or qualifying in-kind contributions.  The commissioner of management and budget may disburse the state portion of the matching funds in increments of $25,000 upon receipt of a commitment for an equal amount of matching nonstate funds.  These are onetime appropriations.

 

Sec. 37.  APPROPRIATION; REIMBURSEMENT OF RECOUNT COSTS.

 

$322,000 is appropriated from the general fund to the secretary of state in fiscal year 2011 for the reimbursement of costs of recounts during the 2010 general election, to be paid to counties consistent with the cost survey of the counties previously conducted by the secretary of state and for reimbursement to the secretary of state costs in those recounts already paid by the secretary of state to the counties.  This appropriation remains available until December 31, 2011.

 

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

 

Sec. 38.  APPROPRIATION; PAYMENT OF LEGAL FEES.

 

$148,375 is appropriated from the general fund to the secretary of state in fiscal year 2011 for the payment of legal fees imposed by the United States District Court, District of Minnesota, in the case of American Broadcasting Companies, Inc. et al v. Mark Ritchie et al. (Case 08-cv-5285-MJD-AJB).  This appropriation remains available until June 30, 2013.

 

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

 

Sec. 39.  SAVINGS; APPROPRIATION REDUCTION FOR EXECUTIVE AGENCIES.

 

The commissioner of management and budget must reduce general fund appropriations to executive agencies, including constitutional offices, for agency operations for the biennium ending June 30, 2013, by $94,875,000.  The Minnesota State Colleges and Universities is not an executive agency for purposes of this section.  The commissioner must not reduce appropriations to the Department of Veterans Affairs or the Department of Military


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Affairs except to the extent the commissioner determines there are savings directly attributable to items specified in clauses (2), (4), (5), and (6).  To the greatest extent possible, these reductions must come from savings provided by the reforms, efficiencies, and cost-savings measures contained in this act, including: 

 

(1) reduction in the number of full-time equivalent employees;

 

(2) salary and benefit changes;

 

(3) elimination of deputy and assistant commissioner positions;

 

(4) consolidation of responsibilities for executive branch information technology systems;

 

(5) operational efficiencies and cost savings obtained under contracts with vendors; and

 

(6) verification of dependent eligibility for state employee group insurance coverage.

 

If operational efficiencies and cost savings obtained under contracts with vendors yield savings in dedicated funds other than those established in the state constitution or protected by federal law, the commissioner of management and budget may transfer the amount of savings to the general fund.  Reductions made in 2013 must be reflected as reductions in agency base budgets for fiscal years 2014 and 2015.  The commissioner of management and budget must report to the chairs and ranking minority members of the senate Finance Committee and the house of representatives Ways and Means and Finance Committees regarding the amount of reductions in spending by each agency under this section.

 

Sec. 40.  REPORTS.

 

By January 15, 2012, and January 15, 2013, the Minnesota Humanities Commission, Council on Black Minnesotans, Council on Asian-Pacific Minnesotans, Council on Affairs of Chicano/Latino People, and Indian Affairs Council must each report to the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees with jurisdiction over the groups.  The reports must describe the results obtained with the appropriations in this act, including a description and evaluation of how the groups accomplished their statutory duties in the preceding year.

 

ARTICLE 2

MILITARY AFFAIRS AND VETERANS AFFAIRS

 

Section 1.  APPROPRIATIONS. 

 

The sums shown in the columns marked "Appropriations" are appropriated to the agencies and for the purposes specified in this article.  The appropriations are from the general fund and are available for the fiscal years indicated for each purpose.  The figures "2012" and "2013" used in this article mean that the appropriations listed under them are available for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2012, or June 30, 2013, respectively.  "The first year" is fiscal year 2012.  "The second year" is fiscal year 2013.  "The biennium" is fiscal years 2012 and 2013.

 

 

 

 

APPROPRIATIONS

 

 

 

Available for the Year

 

 

 

Ending June 30

 

 

 

2012

2013

 

Sec. 2.  MILITARY AFFAIRS

 

 

 

 

 

Subdivision 1.  Total Appropriation

 

$22,371,000

 

$19,371,000

 

The amounts that may be spent for each purpose are specified in the following subdivisions.


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Subd. 2.  Maintenance of Training Facilities

 

6,660,000

 

6,660,000

 

Subd. 3.  General Support

 

2,363,000

 

2,363,000

 

Subd. 4.  Enlistment Incentives

 

13,348,000

 

10,348,000

 

$3,000,000 the first year is for additional costs of enlistment incentives. 

 

If appropriations for either year of the biennium are insufficient, the appropriation from the other year is available.  The appropriations for enlistment incentives are available until expended.

 

Sec. 3.  VETERANS AFFAIRS

 

 

 

 

 

Subdivision 1.  Total Appropriation

 

$57,795,000

 

$58,595,000

 

Appropriations by Fund

 

 

2012

2013

 

 

 

General

57,695,000

58,595,000

Special Revenue

100,000

-0-

 

The amounts that may be spent for each purpose are specified in the following subdivisions.

 

Subd. 2.  Veterans Services

 

13,879,000

 

13,779,000

 

Appropriations by Fund

 

 

2012

2013

 

 

 

General

13,779,000

13,779,000

Special Revenue

100,000

-0-

 

$100,000 in the first year is from the "Support Our Troops" account established under Minnesota Statutes, section 190.19, subdivision 2a, for a grant to the Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans.  This is a onetime appropriation.

 

$945,000 each year is for the higher education veterans assistance program under Minnesota Statutes, section 197.585.

 

$100,000 each year is for the costs of administering the Minnesota GI Bill program under Minnesota Statutes, section 197.791.

 

$353,000 each year is for grants to the following congressionally chartered veterans service organizations, as designated by the commissioner:  Disabled American Veterans, Military Order of the


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Purple Heart, the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Vietnam Veterans of America, AMVETS, and Paralyzed Veterans of America.  This funding must be allocated in direct proportion to the funding currently being provided by the commissioner to these organizations.

 

Subd. 3.  Veterans Homes

 

43,916,000

 

44,816,000

 

Veterans Homes Special Revenue Account.  The general fund appropriations made to the department may be transferred to a veterans homes special revenue account in the special revenue fund in the same manner as other receipts are deposited according to Minnesota Statutes, section 198.34, and are appropriated to the department for the operation of veterans homes facilities and programs.

 

Fergus Falls Veterans Home.  Of the general fund appropriation, $738,000 in fiscal year 2013 is for operation of a new 21-bed specialty care/Alzheimer's unit at the Minnesota Veterans Home in Fergus Falls.  Base funding for this program is $842,000 in fiscal years 2014 and 2015.

 

Minneapolis Veterans Home.  Of the general fund appropriation, $162,000 in fiscal year 2013 is for operation of a new adult day care program at the Minnesota Veterans Home in Minneapolis.  Base funding for this program is $232,000 in fiscal years 2014 and 2015.

 

Veterans Homes Service Redesign.  $551,000 in fiscal year 2012 and $801,000 in fiscal year 2013, generated from additional nongeneral fund revenue and cost savings from operating efficiencies, are to be used to support the operational needs of the five state veterans homes.

 

Sec. 4.  Laws 2010, chapter 215, article 6, section 4, is amended to read: 

 

Sec. 4.  VETERANS HOMES

 

 

 

 

 

Of the appropriation in Laws 2009, chapter 94, article 3, section 2, subdivision 3, or from funds carried forward from fiscal year 2009: 

 

(1) $1,000,000 $800,000 in fiscal year 2011 is for operational expenses related to the 21-bed addition at the Fergus Falls Veterans Home; and

 

(2) $113,000 $313,000 in fiscal year 2011 is for start-up expenses related to the opening of an adult daycare facility at the Minneapolis Veterans Home.

 

An appropriation in this section that is unspent at the end of fiscal year 2011 carries forward and is available in fiscal year 2012.

 

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


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Sec. 5.  REPEALER.

 

Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 197.585, subdivision 5, is repealed.

 

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

 

ARTICLE 3

STATE GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS

 

Section 1.  Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 3.85, subdivision 3, is amended to read: 

 

Subd. 3.  Membership.  The commission consists of five seven members of the senate appointed by the Subcommittee on Committees of the Committee on Rules and Administration and five seven members of the house of representatives appointed by the speaker.  No more than five members from each chamber may be from the majority caucus in that chamber.  Members shall be appointed at the commencement of each regular session of the legislature for a two-year term beginning January 16 of the first year of the regular session.  Members continue to serve until their successors are appointed.  Vacancies that occur while the legislature is in session shall be filled like regular appointments.  If the legislature is not in session, senate vacancies shall be filled by the last Subcommittee on Committees of the senate Committee on Rules and Administration or other appointing authority designated by the senate rules, and house of representatives vacancies shall be filled by the last speaker of the house, or if the speaker is not available, by the last chair of the house of representatives Rules Committee.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective January 16, 2013.

 

Sec. 2.  [3D.01] SHORT TITLE.

 

This chapter may be cited as the "Minnesota Sunset Act."

 

Sec. 3.  [3D.02] DEFINITIONS.

 

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

 

Subd. 2.  Advisory committee.  "Advisory committee" means a committee, council, commission, or other entity created under state law whose primary function is to advise a state agency.

 

Subd. 3.  Commission.  "Commission" means the Sunset Advisory Commission.

 

Subd. 4.  State agency.  "State agency" means an agency expressly made subject to this chapter. 

 

Sec. 4.  [3D.03] SUNSET ADVISORY COMMISSION.

 

Subdivision 1.  Membership.  (a) The Sunset Advisory Commission consists of 12 members appointed as follows: 

 

(1) five senators and one public member, appointed according to the rules of the senate, with no more than three senators from the majority caucus; and

 

(2) five members of the house of representatives and one public member, appointed by the speaker of the house, with no more than three of the house of representatives members from the majority caucus.


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(b) The first members of the Sunset Advisory Commission must be appointed before September 1, 2011, for terms ending the first Monday in January 2013.

 

Subd. 2.  Public member restrictions.  An individual is not eligible for appointment as a public member if the individual or the individual's spouse is: 

 

(1) regulated by a state agency that the commission will review during the term for which the individual would serve;

 

(2) employed by, participates in the management of, or directly or indirectly has more than a ten percent interest in a business entity or other organization regulated by a state agency the commission will review during the term for which the individual would serve; or

 

(3) required to register as a lobbyist under chapter 10A because of the person's activities for compensation on behalf of a profession or entity related to the operation of an agency under review.

 

Subd. 3.  Removal.  (a) It is a ground for removal of a public member from the commission if the member does not have the qualifications required by subdivision 2 for appointment to the commission at the time of appointment or does not maintain the qualifications while serving on the commission.  The validity of the commission's action is not affected by the fact that it was taken when a ground for removal of a public member from the commission existed.

 

(b) Except as provided in paragraph (a), a public member may be removed only as provided in section 15.0575, subdivision 4.

 

Subd. 4.  Terms.  Legislative members serve at the pleasure of the appointing authority.  Public members serve two-year terms expiring the first Monday in January of each odd-numbered year.

 

Subd. 5.  Limits.  Members are subject to the following restrictions: 

 

(1) after an individual serves four years on the commission, the individual is not eligible for appointment to another term or part of a term;

 

(2) a legislative member who serves a full term may not be appointed to an immediately succeeding term; and

 

(3) a public member may not serve consecutive terms, and, for purposes of this prohibition, a member is considered to have served a term only if the member has served more than one-half of the term.

 

Subd. 6.  Appointments.  Appointments must be made before the second Monday of January of each odd-numbered year.

 

Subd. 7.  Legislative members.  If a legislative member ceases to be a member of the legislative body from which the member was appointed, the member vacates membership on the commission.

 

Subd. 8.  Vacancies.  If a vacancy occurs, the appointing authority shall appoint a person to serve for the remainder of the unexpired term in the same manner as the original appointment.

 

Subd. 9.  Officers.  The commission shall have a chair and vice-chair as presiding officers.

 

Subd. 10.  Quorum; voting.  Seven members of the commission constitute a quorum.  A final action or recommendation may not be made unless approved by a recorded vote of at least seven members.  All other actions by the commission shall be decided by a majority of the members present and voting.


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Subd. 11.  Compensation.  Each public member shall be reimbursed for expenses as provided in section 15.0575.  Compensation for legislators is as determined by the members' legislative chamber.

 

Sec. 5.  [3D.04] STAFF.

 

The Legislative Coordinating Commission shall provide staff and administrative services for the commission.

 

Sec. 6.  [3D.05] RULES.

 

The commission may adopt rules necessary to carry out this chapter.

 

Sec. 7.  [3D.06] AGENCY REPORT TO COMMISSION.

 

Before September 1 of the odd-numbered year before the year in which a state agency is sunset, the agency commissioner shall report to the commission: 

 

(1) information regarding the application to the agency of the criteria in section 3D.10;

 

(2) a priority-based budget for the agency;

 

(3) an inventory of all boards, commissions, committees, and other entities related to the agency; and

 

(4) any other information that the agency commissioner considers appropriate or that is requested by the commission.

 

Sec. 8.  [3D.07] COMMISSION DUTIES.

 

Before January 1 of the year in which a state agency subject to this chapter and its advisory committees are sunset, the commission shall: 

 

(1) review and take action necessary to verify the reports submitted by the agency; and

 

(2) conduct a review of the agency based on the criteria provided in section 3D.10 and prepare a written report.

 

Sec. 9.  [3D.08] PUBLIC HEARINGS.

 

Before February 1 of the year a state agency subject to this chapter and its advisory committees are sunset, the commission shall conduct public hearings concerning but not limited to the application to the agency of the criteria provided in section 3D.10.

 

Sec. 10.  [3D.09] COMMISSION REPORT.

 

By February 1 of each even-numbered year, the commission shall present to the legislature and the governor a report on the agencies and advisory committees reviewed.  In the report the commission shall include: 

 

(1) its findings regarding the criteria prescribed by section 3D.10;

 

(2) its recommendations based on the matters prescribed by section 3D.11; and

 

(3) other information the commission considers necessary for a complete review of the agency. 


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Sec. 11.  [3D.10] CRITERIA FOR REVIEW.

 

The commission and its staff shall consider the following criteria in determining whether a public need exists for the continuation of a state agency or its advisory committees or for the performance of the functions of the agency or its advisory committees: 

 

(1) the efficiency and effectiveness with which the agency or the advisory committee operates;

 

(2) an identification of the mission, goals, and objectives intended for the agency or advisory committee and of the problem or need that the agency or advisory committee was intended to address and the extent to which the mission, goals, and objectives have been achieved and the problem or need has been addressed;

 

(3) an identification of any activities of the agency in addition to those granted by statute and of the authority for those activities and the extent to which those activities are needed;

 

(4) an assessment of authority of the agency relating to fees, inspections, enforcement, and penalties;

 

(5) whether less restrictive or alternative methods of performing any function that the agency performs could adequately protect or provide service to the public;

 

(6) the extent to which the jurisdiction of the agency and the programs administered by the agency overlap or duplicate those of other agencies, the extent to which the agency coordinates with those agencies, and the extent to which the programs administered by the agency can be consolidated with the programs of other state agencies;

 

(7) the promptness and effectiveness with which the agency addresses complaints concerning entities or other persons affected by the agency, including an assessment of the agency's administrative hearings process;

 

(8) an assessment of the agency's rulemaking process and the extent to which the agency has encouraged participation by the public in making its rules and decisions and the extent to which the public participation has resulted in rules that benefit the public;

 

(9) the extent to which the agency has complied with federal and state laws and applicable rules regarding equality of employment opportunity and the rights and privacy of individuals, and state law and applicable rules of any state agency regarding purchasing guidelines and programs for historically underutilized businesses;

 

(10) the extent to which the agency issues and enforces rules relating to potential conflicts of interest of its employees;

 

(11) the extent to which the agency complies with chapter 13 and follows records management practices that enable the agency to respond efficiently to requests for public information; and

 

(12) the effect of federal intervention or loss of federal funds if the agency is abolished. 

 

Sec. 12.  [3D.11] RECOMMENDATIONS.

 

(a) In its report on a state agency, the commission shall: 

 

(1) make recommendations on the abolition, continuation, or reorganization of each affected state agency and its advisory committees and on the need for the performance of the functions of the agency and its advisory committees;


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(2) make recommendations on the consolidation, transfer, or reorganization of programs within state agencies not under review when the programs duplicate functions performed in agencies under review; and

 

(3) make recommendations to improve the operations of the agency, its policy body, and its advisory committees, including management recommendations that do not require a change in the agency's enabling statute. 

 

(b) The commission shall include the estimated fiscal impact of its recommendations and may recommend appropriation levels for certain programs to improve the operations of the state agency. 

 

(c) The commission shall have drafts of legislation prepared to carry out the commission's recommendations under this section, including legislation necessary to continue the existence of agencies that would otherwise sunset if the commission recommends continuation of an agency.

 

(d) After the legislature acts on the report under section 3D.09, the commission shall present to the legislative auditor the commission's recommendations that do not require a statutory change to be put into effect.  Subject to the legislative audit commission's approval, the legislative auditor may examine the recommendations and include as part of the next audit of the agency a report on whether the agency has implemented the recommendations and, if so, in what manner.

 

Sec. 13.  [3D.12] MONITORING OF RECOMMENDATIONS.

 

During each legislative session, the staff of the commission shall monitor legislation affecting agencies that have undergone sunset review and shall periodically report to the members of the commission on proposed changes that would modify prior recommendations of the commission.

 

Sec. 14.  [3D.13] REVIEW OF ADVISORY COMMITTEES.

 

An advisory committee, the primary function of which is to advise a particular state agency, is subject to sunset on the date set for sunset of the agency unless the advisory committee is expressly continued by law.

 

Sec. 15.  [3D.14] CONTINUATION BY LAW.

 

During the regular session immediately before the sunset of a state agency or an advisory committee that is subject to this chapter, the legislature may enact legislation to continue the agency or advisory committee for a period not to exceed 12 years.  This chapter does not prohibit the legislature from: 

 

(1) terminating a state agency or advisory committee subject to this chapter at a date earlier than that provided in this chapter; or

 

(2) considering any other legislation relative to a state agency or advisory committee subject to this chapter.

 

Sec. 16.  [3D.15] PROCEDURE AFTER TERMINATION.

 

Subdivision 1.  Termination.  Unless otherwise provided by law: 

 

(1) if after sunset review a state agency is abolished, the agency may continue in existence until June 30 of the following year to conclude its business;

 

(2) abolishment does not reduce or otherwise limit the powers and authority of the state agency during the concluding year;


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(3) a state agency is terminated and shall cease all activities at the expiration of the one-year period; and

 

(4) all rules that have been adopted by the state agency expire at the expiration of the one-year period.

 

Subd. 2.  Funds of abolished agency or advisory committee.  (a) Any unobligated and unexpended appropriations of an abolished agency or advisory committee lapse on June 30 of the year after abolishment.

 

(b) Except as provided by subdivision 4 or as otherwise provided by law, all money in a dedicated fund of an abolished state agency or advisory committee on June 30 of the year after abolishment is transferred to the general fund.  The part of the law dedicating the money to a specific fund of an abolished agency becomes void on June 30 of the year after abolishment.

 

Subd. 3.  Property and records of abolished agency or advisory committee.  Unless the governor designates an appropriate state agency as prescribed by subdivision 4, property and records in the custody of an abolished state agency or advisory committee on June 30 of the year after abolishment must be transferred to the commissioner of administration.  If the governor designates an appropriate state agency, the property and records must be transferred to the designated state agency.

 

Subd. 4.  Continuing obligations.  (a) The legislature recognizes the state's continuing obligation to pay bonded indebtedness and all other obligations, including lease, contract, and other written obligations, incurred by a state agency or advisory committee abolished under this chapter, and this chapter does not impair or impede the payment of bonded indebtedness and all other obligations, including lease, contract, and other written obligations, in accordance with their terms.  If an abolished state agency or advisory committee has outstanding bonded indebtedness or other outstanding obligations, including lease, contract, and other written obligations, the bonds and all other obligations, including lease, contract, and other written obligations, remain valid and enforceable in accordance with their terms and subject to all applicable terms and conditions of the laws and proceedings authorizing the bonds and all other obligations, including lease, contract, and other written obligations.

 

(b) The governor shall designate an appropriate state agency that shall continue to carry out all covenants contained in the bonds and in all other obligations, including lease, contract, and other written obligations, and the proceedings authorizing them, including the issuance of bonds, and the performance of all other obligations, including lease, contract, and other written obligations, to complete the construction of projects or the performance of other obligations, including lease, contract, and other written obligations.

 

(c) The designated state agency shall provide payment from the sources of payment of the bonds in accordance with the terms of the bonds and shall provide payment from the sources of payment of all other obligations, including lease, contract, and other written obligations, in accordance with their terms, whether from taxes, revenues, or otherwise, until the bonds and interest on the bonds are paid in full and all other obligations, including lease, contract, and other written obligations, are performed and paid in full.  If the proceedings so provide, all funds established by laws or proceedings authorizing the bonds or authorizing other obligations, including lease, contract, and other written obligations, must remain with the comptroller or the previously designated trustees.  If the proceedings do not provide that the funds remain with the comptroller or the previously designated trustees, the funds must be transferred to the designated state agency.

 

Sec. 17.  [3D.16] ASSISTANCE OF AND ACCESS TO STATE AGENCIES.

 

The commission may request the assistance of state agencies and officers.  When assistance is requested, a state agency or officer shall assist the commission.  In carrying out its functions under this chapter, the commission or its designated staff member may inspect the records, documents, and files of any state agency. 


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Sec. 18.  [3D.17] RELOCATION OF EMPLOYEES.

 

If an employee is displaced because a state agency or its advisory committee is abolished or reorganized, the state agency shall make a reasonable effort to relocate the displaced employee.

 

Sec. 19.  [3D.18] SAVING PROVISION.

 

Except as otherwise expressly provided, abolition of a state agency does not affect rights and duties that matured, penalties that were incurred, civil or criminal liabilities that arose, or proceedings that were begun before the effective date of the abolition.

 

Sec. 20.  [3D.19] REVIEW OF PROPOSED LEGISLATION CREATING AN AGENCY.

 

Each bill filed in a house of the legislature that would create a new state agency or a new advisory committee to a state agency shall be reviewed by the commission.  The commission shall review the bill to determine if: 

 

(1) the proposed functions of the agency or committee could be administered by one or more existing state agencies or advisory committees;

 

(2) the form of regulation, if any, proposed by the bill is the least restrictive form of regulation that will adequately protect the public;

 

(3) the bill provides for adequate public input regarding any regulatory function proposed by the bill; and

 

(4) the bill provides for adequate protection against conflicts of interest within the agency or committee.

 

Sec. 21.  [3D.20] GIFTS AND GRANTS.

 

The commission may accept gifts, grants, and donations from any organization described in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code for the purpose of funding any activity under this chapter.  All gifts, grants, and donations must be accepted in an open meeting by a majority of the voting members of the commission and reported in the public record of the commission with the name of the donor and purpose of the gift, grant, or donation.  Money received under this section is appropriated to the commission.

 

Sec. 22.  [3D.21] EXPIRATION.

 

Subdivision 1.  Group 1.  The following agencies are sunset and expire on June 30, 2012:  Department of Health, Department of Human Rights, Department of Human Services, all health-related licensing boards listed in section 214.01, Council on Affairs of Chicano/Latino People, Council on Black Minnesotans, Council on Asian-Pacific Minnesotans, Indian Affairs Council, Council on Disabilities, and all advisory groups associated with these agencies.

 

Subd. 2.  Group 2.  The following agencies are sunset and expire on June 30, 2014:  Department of Education, Board of Teaching, Minnesota Office of Higher Education, and all advisory groups associated with these agencies.

 

Subd. 3.  Group 3.  The following agencies are sunset and expire on June 30, 2016:  Department of Commerce, Department of Employment and Economic Development, Department of Labor and Industry, all non-health-related licensing boards listed in section 214.01 except as otherwise provided in this section, Explore Minnesota Tourism, Public Utilities Commission, Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board, Bureau of Mediation Services, Combative Sports Commission, Amateur Sports Commission, and all advisory groups associated with these agencies.


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Subd. 4.  Group 4.  The following agencies are sunset and expire on June 30, 2018:  Department of Corrections, Department of Public Safety, Department of Transportation, Peace Officer Standards and Training Board, Corrections Ombudsman, and all advisory groups associated with these agencies.

 

Subd. 5.  Group 5.  The following agencies are sunset and expire on June 30, 2020:  Department of Agriculture, Department of Natural Resources, Pollution Control Agency, Board of Animal Health, Board of Water and Soil Resources, and all advisory groups associated with these agencies.

 

Subd. 6.  Group 6.  The following agencies are sunset and expire on June 30, 2022:  Department of Administration, Department of Management and Budget, Department of Military Affairs, Department of Revenue, Department of Veterans Affairs, Arts Board, Minnesota Zoo, Office of Administrative Hearings, Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board, Capitol Area Architectural and Planning Board, Office of Enterprise Technology, Minnesota Racing Commission, and all advisory groups associated with these agencies.

 

Subd. 7.  Continuation.  Following sunset review of an agency, the legislature may act within the same legislative session in which the sunset report was received on Sunset Advisory Commission recommendations to continue or reorganize the agency.

 

Subd. 8.  Other groups.  The commission may review, under the criteria in section 3D.10, and propose to the legislature an expiration date for any agency, board, commission, or program not listed in this section.

 

Sec. 23.  Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 6.48, is amended to read: 

 

6.48 EXAMINATION OF COUNTIES; COST, FEES.

 

(a) All the powers and duties conferred and imposed upon the state auditor shall be exercised and performed by the state auditor in respect to the offices, institutions, public property, and improvements of several counties of the state.  At least once in each year, if funds and personnel permit, the state auditor may visit, without previous notice, each county and make a thorough examination of all accounts and records relating to the receipt and disbursement of the public funds and the custody of the public funds and other property.  If the audit is performed by a private certified public accountant, the state auditor may require additional information from the private certified public accountant as the state auditor deems in the public interest.  The state auditor may accept the audit or make additional examinations as the state auditor deems to be in the public interest.  The state auditor shall prescribe and install systems of accounts and financial reports that shall be uniform, so far as practicable, for the same class of offices.  A copy of the report of such examination shall be filed and be subject to public inspection in the office of the state auditor and another copy in the office of the auditor of the county thus examined.  The state auditor may accept the records and audit, or any part thereof, of the Department of Human Services in lieu of examination of the county social welfare funds, if such audit has been made within any period covered by the state auditor's audit of the other records of the county.  If any such examination shall disclose malfeasance, misfeasance, or nonfeasance in any office of such county, such report shall be filed with the county attorney of the county, and the county attorney shall institute such civil and criminal proceedings as the law and the protection of the public interests shall require.

 

(b) The county receiving any examination shall pay to the state general fund, notwithstanding the provisions of section 16A.125, the total cost and expenses of such examinations, including the salaries paid to the examiners while actually engaged in making such examination.  The state auditor on deeming it advisable may bill counties, having a population of 200,000 or over, monthly for services rendered and the officials responsible for approving and paying claims shall cause said bill to be promptly paid.  The general fund shall be credited with all collections made for any such examinations. 

 

(c) Notwithstanding paragraph (a), a county may provide for an audit to be performed by a certified public accountant firm meeting the requirements of section 326A.05.  A county must notify the state auditor before August 1 of the even-numbered year immediately preceding the year in which the county intends to have an audit performed by a certified public accounting firm.  A county currently using a certified public accounting firm must notify the


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state auditor before August 1 of the even-numbered year immediately preceding the year in which the county intends for the state auditor to audit the county.  The audit performed under this paragraph must meet the standards and be in the form required by the state auditor.  The state auditor may require additional information from the certified public accountant firm as the state auditor deems in the public interest, but the state auditor must accept the audit unless the state auditor determines that it does not meet recognized industry auditing standards or is not in the form required by the state auditor.

 

Sec. 24.  Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 15.057, is amended to read: 

 

15.057 PUBLICITY REPRESENTATIVES AND LEGISLATIVE LIAISONS.

 

Subdivision 1.  Publicity representatives.  No state department, bureau, or division, whether the same operates on funds appropriated or receipts or fees of any nature whatsoever, except the Department of Transportation, the Department of Employment and Economic Development, the Game and Fish Division, State Agricultural Society, and Explore Minnesota Tourism shall use any of such funds for the payment of the salary or expenses of a publicity representative.  The head of any such department, bureau, or division shall be personally liable for funds used contrary to this provision.  This section subdivision shall not be construed, however, as preventing any such department, bureau, or division from sending out any bulletins or other publicity required by any state law or necessary for the satisfactory conduct of the business for which such department, bureau, or division was created.

 

Subd. 2.  Legislative liaisons.  No state agency may use any money appropriated to it for the salary or expenses of an individual serving as a liaison for the legislative affairs of the agency.  This subdivision does not prevent any employee of a state agency from providing information requested by legislators and providing testimony at legislative hearings.

 

Sec. 25.  Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 15.06, subdivision 8, is amended to read: 

 

Subd. 8.  Number of deputy commissioners; no assistant commissioners.  Unless specifically authorized by statute, other than section 43A.08, subdivision 2 Except for the Department of Veterans Affairs, no department or agency specified in subdivision 1 shall have more than one deputy commissioner.  Except for the Department of Veterans Affairs, no department or agency specified in subdivision 1 may employ an assistant commissioner.

 

Sec. 26.  [15.062] EMPLOYEE COMPETITION FOR STATE BUSINESS.

 

If an agency decides to seek an outside vendor to perform work currently done by state employees, the agency must permit groups of state employees to compete for the business by submitting responses to the agency's solicitation documents.  Notwithstanding section 16A.127 or any other law to the contrary, no statewide or agency indirect costs may be assessed to a group of agency employees with respect to work performed under a contract awarded to a group of employees under this section.  This section supersedes any provision of law preventing a state agency from entering into a contract with a state employee.

 

Sec. 27.  [15.76] SAVI PROGRAM.

 

Subdivision 1.  Program established.  The state agency value initiative (SAVI) program is established to encourage state agencies to identify cost-effective and efficiency measures in agency programs and operations that result in cost savings for the state.  All state agencies, including Minnesota State Colleges and Universities, may participate in this program.

 

Subd. 2.  Retained savings.  (a) In order to encourage innovation and creative cost savings by state employees, upon approval of the commissioner of management and budget, 50 percent of any appropriations for agency operations that remain unspent at the end of a biennium because of unanticipated innovation, efficiencies, or creative


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cost-savings may be carried forward and retained by the agency to fund specific agency proposals or projects.  Agencies choosing to spend retained savings funds must ensure that project expenditures do not create future obligations beyond the amounts available from the retained savings.  The retained savings must be used only to fund projects that directly support the agency's mission.  This section does not restrict authority granted by other law to carry forward money for a different period or for different purposes.

 

(b) This section supersedes any contrary provision of section 16A.28.

 

Subd. 3.  Special peer review panel; review process.  (a) Each participating agency must organize a peer review panel that will determine which proposal or project receives funding from the SAVI program.  The peer review panel must be comprised of department employees who are credited with cost-savings initiatives and department managers.  The ratio between managers and department employees must be balanced.

 

(b) An agency may spend money for a project recommended for funding by the peer review panel after: 

 

(1) the agency has posted notice of spending for the proposed project on the agency Web site for at least 30 days; and

 

(2) the commissioner of management and budget has approved spending money from the SAVI account for the project.

 

(c) Before approving a project, the commissioner of management and budget must submit the request to the Legislative Advisory Commission for its review and recommendation.  Upon receiving a request from the commissioner, the Legislative Advisory Commission shall post notice of the request on a legislative Web site for at least 30 days.  Failure of the commission to make a recommendation within this 30-day period is considered a negative recommendation.  A recommendation of the commission must be made at a meeting of the commission unless a written recommendation is signed by all the members entitled to vote on the item.

 

Subd. 4.  SAVI-dedicated account.  Each agency that participates in the SAVI program shall have a SAVI-dedicated account in the special revenue fund, or other appropriate fund as determined by the commissioner of management and budget, into which the agency's savings are deposited.  The agency will manage and review projects that are funded from this account.  Money in the account is appropriated to the participating agency for purposes authorized by this section.

 

Subd. 5.  Expiration.  This section expires June 30, 2018.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective June 30, 2013, and first applies to funds to be carried forward from the biennium ending June 30, 2013, to the biennium beginning July 1, 2013.

 

Sec. 28.  Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 16A.10, subdivision 1a, is amended to read: 

 

Subd. 1a.  Purpose of performance data.  Performance data shall be presented in the budget proposal to: 

 

(1) provide information so that the legislature can determine the extent to which state programs and activities are successful;

 

(2) encourage agencies to develop clear and measurable goals and objectives for their programs and activities; and

 

(3) strengthen accountability to Minnesotans by providing a record of state government's performance in providing effective and efficient services.


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Sec. 29.  Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 16A.10, subdivision 1b, is amended to read: 

 

Subd. 1b.  Performance data format.  (a) As part of the budget proposal, agencies shall: 

 

(1) describe the goals and objectives of each agency program and activity; and

 

(2) present performance data that measures the performance of programs and activities in meeting program goals and objectives.

 

(b) Measures reported must be outcome-based and objective, and may include indicators of outputs, efficiency, outcomes, and other measures relevant to understanding each program and activity.

 

(c) Agencies shall present as much historical information as needed to understand major trends and shall set targets for future performance issues where feasible and appropriate.  The information shall appropriately highlight agency performance issues that would assist legislative review and decision making.

 

(d) For purposes of this subdivision, subdivision 1a, and section 16A.106, the terms "program" and "activity" are used in the same manner as the terms are used in state budgeting.  However, the commissioner may authorize an agency to define these terms in a different manner if that allows for a more effective presentation of performance data.

 

Sec. 30.  Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 16A.10, subdivision 1c, is amended to read: 

 

Subd. 1c.  Performance measures for change items.  For each change item in the budget proposal requesting new or increased funding, the budget document must present proposed performance measures that can be used to determine if the new or increased funding is accomplishing its goals.  To the extent possible, each budget change item must identify relevant Minnesota Milestones and other statewide goals and indicators related to the proposed initiative.  The commissioner must report to the Subcommittee on Government Accountability established under section 3.885, subdivision 10, regarding the format to be used for the presentation and selection of Minnesota Milestones and other statewide goals and indicators.

 

Sec. 31.  Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 16A.103, subdivision 1a, is amended to read: 

 

Subd. 1a.  Forecast parameters.  The forecast must assume the continuation of current laws and reasonable estimates of projected growth in the national and state economies and affected populations.  Revenue must be estimated for all sources provided for in current law.  Expenditures must be estimated for all obligations imposed by law and those projected to occur as a result of variables outside the control of the legislature.  Expenditures for the current biennium must be based on actual appropriations or, for forecasted programs, the amount needed to fund the formula in law.  The base for expenditures projections for the next biennium is the amount appropriated in the second year of the current biennium, except as provided by other law, or, for forecasted programs, the amount needed to fund the formula in law.  Expenditure estimates must not include an allowance for inflation.

 

Sec. 32.  [16A.106] ZERO-BASED BUDGETING PRINCIPLES.

 

(a) The detailed budget presented to the legislature must include: 

 

(1) a description of each budget activity for which the agency or entity receives an appropriation in the current biennium or for which the agency or entity requests an appropriation in the next biennium;

 

(2) for each budget activity, three alternative funding levels or alternative ways of performing the budget activity, at least one of which is less than the previous biennium's actual expenditures for that budget activity, a summary of the priorities that would be accomplished within each level compared to a zero budget, and the additional increments of value that would be added by the higher funding levels compared to what would be accomplished if there were no funding for the activity; and


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(3) for each budget activity, performance data as specified in section 16A.10, subdivision 1b, the predicted effect of the three alternative funding levels on future performance, and also one or more measures of cost efficiency and effectiveness of program delivery, which must include comparisons to other states or entities with similar programs.

 

(b) The commissioner's budget preparation guidelines and instructions must contain requirements, deadlines, and technical assistance to facilitate implementation of this section.  After consultation with the legislative commission on planning and fiscal policy, the commissioner's instructions may establish parameters for the three alternative funding levels required in paragraph (a), clause (3).

 

(c) The governor's recommendations must prioritize the budget activities within an agency or program area.  To the extent activities in more than one agency or program area are meeting the same goals, the recommendations must prioritize budget activities across agencies or programs with the same goals, and this prioritization must include agencies or programs not subject to zero-based budgeting principles that biennium.

 

(d) Expenditures for debt service under section 16A.641, subdivision 10, are not subject to zero-based budgeting principles.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  (a) The zero-based budgeting principles in this section first apply to the following budget proposals for the biennium beginning July 1, 2013: 

 

(1) legislative branch;

 

(2) judicial branch;

 

(3) Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system; and

 

(4) approximately half of expenditure programs in the executive branch, designated by the governor, in consultation with the chairs and lead minority members of the senate Finance Committee and the house of representatives Ways and Means Committee.

 

(b) The zero-based budgeting principles in this section apply to all budget proposals for the biennium beginning July 1, 2015, and after.

 

Sec. 33.  Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 16A.11, subdivision 3, is amended to read: 

 

Subd. 3.  Part two:  detailed budget.  (a) Part two of the budget, the detailed budget estimates both of expenditures and revenues, must contain any statements on the financial plan which the governor believes desirable or which may be required by the legislature.  The detailed estimates shall include the governor's budget arranged in tabular form.

 

(b) For programs designated for the zero-based budgeting principles under section 16A.106, the budget must be prepared according to the requirements of that section.

 

(c) For programs not designated for zero-based budgeting principles under section 16A.106, tables listing expenditures for the next biennium must show the appropriation base for each year as defined in section 16A.103, subdivision 1c.  The appropriation base is the amount appropriated for the second year of the current biennium.  The tables must separately show any adjustments to the base required by current law or policies of the commissioner of management and budget.  For forecasted programs, the tables must also show the amount of the forecast adjustments, based on the most recent forecast prepared by the commissioner of management and budget under section 16A.103.  For all programs, the tables must show the amount of appropriation changes recommended by the governor, after adjustments to the base and forecast adjustments, and the total recommendation of the governor for that year.


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(c) (d) The detailed estimates must include a separate line listing the total cost of professional and technical service contracts for the prior biennium and the projected costs of those contracts for the current and upcoming biennium.  They must also include a summary of the personnel employed by the agency, reflected as full-time equivalent positions.

 

(d) (e) The detailed estimates for internal service funds must include the number of full-time equivalents by program; detail on any loans from the general fund, including dollar amounts by program; proposed investments in technology or equipment of $100,000 or more; an explanation of any operating losses or increases in retained earnings; and a history of the rates that have been charged, with an explanation of any rate changes and the impact of the rate changes on affected agencies.

 

Sec. 34.  Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 16A.28, subdivision 3, is amended to read: 

 

Subd. 3.  Lapse.  Any portion of any appropriation not carried forward and remaining unexpended and unencumbered at the close of a fiscal year lapses to the fund from which it was originally appropriated.  Except as provided in section 15.76, any appropriation amounts not carried forward and remaining unexpended and unencumbered at the close of a biennium lapse to the fund from which the appropriation was made.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective June 30, 2013.

 

Sec. 35.  [16A.90] EMPLOYEE GAINSHARING SYSTEM.

 

The commissioner shall establish a program to provide onetime bonus compensation to state employees for efforts made to reduce the costs of operating state government or for ways of providing better or more efficient state services.  The commissioner may make a onetime award to an employee or group of employees whose suggestion or involvement in a project is determined by the commissioner to have resulted in documented cost-savings to the state.  The maximum award is ten percent of the documented savings in the first fiscal year in which the savings are realized.  The award must be paid from the appropriation to which the savings accrued.

 

Sec. 36.  [16A.93] MINNESOTA PAY FOR PERFORMANCE ACT.

 

Sections 16A.93 to 16A.96 may be cited as the "Minnesota Pay for Performance Act of 2011."

 

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

 

Sec. 37.  [16A.94] PROGRAM.

 

Subdivision 1.  Pilot program established.  The commissioner shall implement a pilot program to demonstrate the feasibility and desirability of using state appropriation bonds to pay for certain services based on performance and outcomes for the people served.

 

Subd. 2.  Oversight committee.  (a) The commissioner shall appoint an oversight committee to: 

 

(1) identify criteria to select one or more services to be included in the pilot program;

 

(2) identify the conditions of performance and desired outcomes for the people served by each service selected;

 

(3) identify criteria to evaluate whether a service has met the performance conditions; and

 

(4) provide any other advice or assistance requested by the commissioner.


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(b) The oversight committee must include the commissioners of the Departments of Human Services, Employment and Economic Development, and Administration, or their designees; a representative of a nonprofit organization that has participated in a pay-for-performance program; and any other person or organization that the commissioner determines would be of assistance in developing and implementing the pilot program.

 

Subd. 3.  Contracts.  The commissioner and the commissioner of the agency with a service to be provided through the pilot program shall enter into a contract with the selected provider.  The contract must specify the service to be provided, the time frame in which it is to be provided, the outcome required for payment, and any other terms deemed necessary or convenient for implementation of the pilot program.  The commissioner shall pay a provider that has met the terms and conditions of a contract with money appropriated to the commissioner from the special appropriation bond proceeds account established in section 16A.96.  At a minimum, before the commissioner pays a provider, the commissioner must determine that the state's return on investment is positive.

 

Subd. 4.  Return on investment calculation.  The commissioner, in consultation with the oversight committee, must establish the method and data required for calculating the state's return on investment.  The data at a minimum must include: 

 

(1) state income taxes and any other revenues collected in the year after the service was provided that would not have been collected without the service; and

 

(2) costs avoided by the state by providing the service.

 

A positive return on investment for the state will cover the state's costs in financing and administering the pilot program through documented increased state tax revenue or cost avoidance.

 

Subd. 5.  Report to governor and legislature.  The commissioner must report to the governor and legislative committees with jurisdiction over capital investment, finance, and ways and means, and the services included in the pilot program, by January 15 of each year following a year in which the pilot program is operating.  The report must describe and discuss the criteria for selection and evaluation of services to be provided through the program, the net benefits to the state of the program, the state's return on investment, the cost of the services provided by other means in the most recent past, the time frame for payment for the services, and the timing and costs for sale and issuance of the bonds authorized in section 16A.96.

 

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

 

Sec. 38.  [16A.96] MINNESOTA PAY FOR PERFORMANCE PROGRAM; APPROPRIATION BONDS.

 

Subdivision 1.  Definitions.  (a) The definitions in this subdivision apply to this section.

 

(b) "Appropriation bond" means a bond, note, or other similar instrument of the state payable during a biennium from one or more of the following sources: 

 

(1) money appropriated by law in any biennium for debt service due with respect to obligations described in subdivision 2, paragraph (b);

 

(2) proceeds of the sale of obligations described in subdivision 2, paragraph (b);

 

(3) payments received for that purpose under agreements and ancillary arrangements described in subdivision 2, paragraph (d); and

 

(4) investment earnings on amounts in clauses (1) to (3).


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(c) "Debt service" means the amount payable in any biennium of principal, premium, if any, and interest on appropriation bonds.

 

Subd. 2.  Authority.  (a) Subject to the limitations of this subdivision, the commissioner of management and budget may sell and issue appropriation bonds of the state under this section for the purposes of the Minnesota pay for performance program established in sections 16A.93 to 16A.96.  Proceeds of the bonds must be credited to a special appropriation bond proceeds account in the state treasury.  Net income from investment of the proceeds, as estimated by the commissioner, must be credited to the special appropriation bond proceeds account.

 

(b) Appropriation bonds may be sold and issued in amounts that, in the opinion of the commissioner, are necessary to provide sufficient funds for achieving the purposes authorized as provided under paragraph (a), and pay debt service, pay costs of issuance, make deposits to reserve funds, pay the costs of credit enhancement, or make payments under other agreements entered into under paragraph (d); provided, however, that bonds issued and unpaid shall not exceed $20,000,000 in principal amount, excluding refunding bonds sold and issued under subdivision 4.  During the biennium ending June 30, 2013, the commissioner may sell and issue bonds only in an amount that the commissioner determines will result in principal and interest payments less than the amount of savings to be generated through pay-for-performance contracts under section 16A.94.  For programs achieving savings under a pay-for-performance contract, the commissioner must reduce general fund appropriations by at least the amount of principal and interest payments on bonds issued under this section.

 

(c) Appropriation bonds may be issued in one or more series on the terms and conditions the commissioner determines to be in the best interests of the state, but the term on any series of bonds may not exceed 20 years.

 

(d) At the time of, or in anticipation of, issuing the appropriation bonds, and at any time thereafter, so long as the appropriation bonds are outstanding, the commissioner may enter into agreements and ancillary arrangements relating to the appropriation bonds, including but not limited to trust indentures, liquidity facilities, remarketing or dealer agreements, letter of credit agreements, insurance policies, guaranty agreements, reimbursement agreements, indexing agreements, or interest exchange agreements.  Any payments made or received according to the agreement or ancillary arrangement shall be made from or deposited as provided in the agreement or ancillary arrangement.  The determination of the commissioner included in an interest exchange agreement that the agreement relates to an appropriation bond shall be conclusive.

 

Subd. 3.  Form; procedure.  (a) Appropriation bonds may be issued in the form of bonds, notes, or other similar instruments, and in the manner provided in section 16A.672.  In the event that any provision of section 16A.672 conflicts with this section, this section shall control.

 

(b) Every appropriation bond shall include a conspicuous statement of the limitation established in subdivision 6.

 

(c) Appropriation bonds may be sold at either public or private sale upon such terms as the commissioner shall determine are not inconsistent with this section and may be sold at any price or percentage of par value.  Any bid received may be rejected.

 

(d) Appropriation bonds may bear interest at a fixed or variable rate.

 

Subd. 4.  Refunding bonds.  The commissioner from time to time may issue appropriation bonds for the purpose of refunding any appropriation bonds then outstanding, including the payment of any redemption premiums on the bonds, any interest accrued or to accrue to the redemption date, and costs related to the issuance and sale of the refunding bonds.  The proceeds of any refunding bonds may, in the discretion of the commissioner, be applied to the purchase or payment at maturity of the appropriation bonds to be refunded, to the redemption of the outstanding bonds on any redemption date, or to pay interest on the refunding bonds and may, pending application, be placed in escrow to be applied to the purchase, payment, retirement, or redemption.  Any escrowed proceeds, pending such


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use, may be invested and reinvested in obligations that are authorized investments under section 11A.24.  The income earned or realized on the investment may also be applied to the payment of the bonds to be refunded or interest or premiums on the refunded bonds, or to pay interest on the refunding bonds.  After the terms of the escrow have been fully satisfied, any balance of the proceeds and any investment income may be returned to the general fund or, if applicable, the appropriation bond proceeds account for use in any lawful manner.  All refunding bonds issued under this subdivision must be prepared, executed, delivered, and secured by appropriations in the same manner as the bonds to be refunded.

 

Subd. 5.  Appropriation bonds as legal investments.  Any of the following entities may legally invest any sinking funds, money, or other funds belonging to them or under their control in any appropriation bonds issued under this section: 

 

(1) the state, the investment board, public officers, municipal corporations, political subdivisions, and public bodies;

 

(2) banks and bankers, savings and loan associations, credit unions, trust companies, savings banks and institutions, investment companies, insurance companies, insurance associations, and other persons carrying on a banking or insurance business; and

 

(3) personal representatives, guardians, trustees, and other fiduciaries.

 

Subd. 6.  No full faith and credit; state not required to make appropriations.  The appropriation bonds are not public debt of the state, and the full faith, credit, and taxing powers of the state are not pledged to the payment of the appropriation bonds or to any payment that the state agrees to make under this section.  Appropriation bonds shall not be obligations paid directly, in whole or in part, from a tax of statewide application on any class of property, income, transaction, or privilege.  Appropriation bonds shall be payable in each fiscal year only from amounts that the legislature may appropriate for debt service for any fiscal year, provided that nothing in this section shall be construed to require the state to appropriate funds sufficient to make debt service payments with respect to the bonds in any fiscal year.

 

Subd. 7.  Appropriation of proceeds.  The proceeds of appropriation bonds and interest credited to the special appropriation bond proceeds account are appropriated to the commissioner for payment of contract obligations under the pay for performance program, as permitted by state and federal law, and nonsalary expenses incurred in conjunction with the sale of the appropriation bonds.

 

Subd. 8.  Appropriation for debt service.  The amount needed to pay principal and interest on appropriation bonds issued under this section is appropriated each year to the commissioner from the general fund subject to the repeal, unallotment under section 16A.152, or cancellation otherwise pursuant to subdivision 6.

 

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

 

Sec. 39.  Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 16B.03, is amended to read: 

 

16B.03 APPOINTMENTS.

 

The commissioner is authorized to appoint staff, including two one deputy commissioners commissioner, in accordance with chapter 43A.


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Sec. 40.  [16C.075] E-VERIFY.

 

A contract for services valued in excess of $50,000 must require certification from the vendor and any subcontractors that, as of the date services on behalf of the state of Minnesota will be performed, the vendor and all subcontractors have implemented or are in the process of implementing the federal E-Verify program for all newly hired employees in the United States who will perform work on behalf of the state of Minnesota.  This section does not apply to contracts entered into by the State Board of Investment.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective July 1, 2011, and applies to contracts entered into on or after that date.

 

Sec. 41.  Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 16C.08, subdivision 2, is amended to read: 

 

Subd. 2.  Duties of contracting agency.  (a) Before an agency may seek approval of a professional or technical services contract valued in excess of $5,000, it must provide the following: 

 

(1) a description of how the proposed contract or amendment is necessary and reasonable to advance the statutory mission of the agency;

 

(2) a description of the agency's plan to notify firms or individuals who may be available to perform the services called for in the solicitation;

 

(3) a description of the performance measures or other tools, including accessibility measures if applicable, that will be used to monitor and evaluate contract performance; and

 

(4) an explanation detailing, if applicable, why this procurement is being pursued unilaterally by the agency and not as an enterprise procurement.

 

(b) In addition to paragraph (a), the agency must certify that: 

 

(1) no current state employee is able and available to perform the services called for by the contract;

 

(2) (1) the normal competitive bidding mechanisms will not provide for adequate performance of the services;

 

(3) (2) reasonable efforts will be made to publicize the availability of the contract to the public;

 

(4) (3) the agency will develop and implement a written plan providing for the assignment of specific agency personnel to manage the contract, including a monitoring and liaison function, the periodic review of interim reports or other indications of past performance, and the ultimate utilization of the final product of the services;

 

(5) (4) the agency will not allow the contractor to begin work before the contract is fully executed unless an exception under section 16C.05, subdivision 2a, has been granted by the commissioner and funds are fully encumbered;

 

(6) (5) the contract will not establish an employment relationship between the state or the agency and any persons performing under the contract; and

 

(7) (6) in the event the results of the contract work will be carried out or continued by state employees upon completion of the contract, the contractor is required to include state employees in development and training, to the extent necessary to ensure that after completion of the contract, state employees can perform any ongoing work related to the same function; and


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(8) the agency will not contract out its previously eliminated jobs for four years without first considering the same former employees who are on the seniority unit layoff list who meet the minimum qualifications determined by the agency.

 

(c) A contract establishes an employment relationship for purposes of paragraph (b), clause (6) (5), if, under federal laws governing the distinction between an employee and an independent contractor, a person would be considered an employee.

 

Sec. 42.  [16C.082] CONTRACTS FOR TAX-RELATED ACTIVITIES.

 

An agency may not enter into a contract for tax fraud prevention or detection, or tax audit-related activities, that compensates a vendor based on a percentage of taxes assessed or collected.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective the day following final enactment and applies to contracts entered into on or after that date.

 

Sec. 43.  Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 16C.09, is amended to read: 

 

16C.09 PROCEDURE FOR SERVICE CONTRACTS.

 

(a) Before entering into or approving a service contract, the commissioner must determine, at least, that: 

 

(1) no current state employee is able and available to perform the services called for by the contract;

 

(2) (1) the work to be performed under the contract is necessary to the agency's achievement of its statutory responsibilities and there is statutory authority to enter into the contract;

 

(3) (2) the contract will not establish an employment relationship between the state or the agency and any persons performing under the contract;

 

(4) (3) the contractor and agents are not employees of the state, except as authorized in section 15.062;

 

(5) (4) the contracting agency has specified a satisfactory method of evaluating and using the results of the work to be performed; and

 

(6) (5) the combined contract and amendments will not exceed five years without specific, written approval by the commissioner according to established policy, procedures, and standards, or unless otherwise provided for by law.  The term of the original contract must not exceed two years, unless the commissioner determines that a longer duration is in the best interest of the state.

 

(b) For purposes of paragraph (a), clause (1), employees are available if qualified and: 

 

(1) are already doing the work in question; or

 

(2) are on layoff status in classes that can do the work in question.

 

An employee is not available if the employee is doing other work, is retired, or has decided not to do the work in question.

 

(c) (b) This section does not apply to an agency's use of inmates pursuant to sections 241.20 to 241.23 or to an agency's use of persons required by a court to provide: 


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(1) community service; or

 

(2) conservation or maintenance services on lands under the jurisdiction and control of the state.

 

Sec. 44.  [16D.18] RECIPROCAL AGREEMENT.

 

(a) The commissioner is authorized to enter into agreements with the federal Department of the Treasury that provide for offsetting state payments against federal nontax obligations.  Except as provided in paragraph (d), the commissioner may charge a fee of $20 per transaction for such offsets and may collect this offset fee from the debtor by deducting it from the state payment.  The agreement may provide for offsetting federal payments, as authorized by federal law, against state tax and nontax obligations, and collecting the offset cost from the debtor.  The agreement shall provide that the federal Department of the Treasury may deduct a fee from each administrative offset and state payment offset.  Setoffs to collect state and other entity obligations under chapters 16D, 270A, 270C, and any other provision of Minnesota Statutes occur before a state payment offset.  For purposes of this paragraph "administrative offset" is any offset of federal payments to collect state debts and "state payment offset" is any offset of state payments to collect federal nontax debts. 

 

(b) A debt is eligible for offset under this program if notice of intent to offset the debt is sent at least 60 days prior to filing an offset claim or a shorter period of time, if required by federal law or an agreement with the federal Department of the Treasury.  When there is an agreement for scheduled payments on an account, the debtor must be sent this notice each time an additional debt is claimed.

 

(c) The debtor shall have the time period required for notice under paragraph (b) to contest the offset.  An agreement under this section must not allow for offset of payments if the debt that would be subject to the offset is being contested or if the time for appealing the determination of the debt has not yet expired.  The treasury offset program agreement entered into by the state must not require federal agencies to provide different due process than the requirements under Code of Federal Regulations, title 31, section 285.6.

 

(d) Notwithstanding the fee authorized under paragraph (a), if the commissioner enters into a contingency fee agreement with a nonstate vendor to provide assistance under this section, the commissioner may charge a debtor a fee for the processing of state payment offsets for the recovery of federal nontax debts or the processing of federal payment offsets for the recovery of state tax and nontax debt.  The fee is a separate debt and may be withheld from any refund, reimbursement, or other money held for the debtor.  The fee may not exceed 15 percent of the original debt.  Section 16A.1283 does not apply to fees charged under this paragraph.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective the day following final enactment.  As soon as possible after that date, the commissioner must discuss an agreement authorized under this section with appropriate federal officials, and if an agreement is entered into, the commissioner must begin to implement it to collect debts owed to the state as soon as possible.

 

Sec. 45.  Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 37.06, is amended to read: 

 

37.06 SECRETARY; LEGISLATIVE AUDITOR; DUTIES; REPORT.

 

The secretary shall keep a complete record of the proceedings of the annual meetings of the State Agricultural Society and all meetings of the board of managers and any committee of the board, keep all accounts of the society other than those kept by the treasurer of the society, and perform other duties as directed by the board of managers.  On or before December 31 each year, the secretary shall report to the governor for the fiscal year ending October 31 all the proceedings of the society during the current year and its financial condition as appears from its books.  This report must contain a full, detailed statement of all receipts and expenditures during the year.


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The books and accounts of the society for the fiscal year must be examined and audited annually by an independent auditor, either a private auditor or the legislative auditor.  If the audit is conducted by the legislative auditor, the cost of the examination must be paid by the society to the state and credited to the general fund.

 

A summary of this examination, certified by the legislative auditor, must be appended to the secretary's report, along with the legislative auditor's recommendations and the proceedings of the first annual meeting of the society held following the secretary's report, including addresses made at the meeting as directed by the board of managers.  The summary, recommendations, and proceedings must be printed in the same manner as the reports of state officers.  Copies of the report must be printed annually and distributed as follows:  to each society or association entitled to membership in the society, to each newspaper in the state, and the remaining copies as directed by the board of managers.

 

Sec. 46.  Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 43A.08, subdivision 1, is amended to read: 

 

Subdivision 1.  Unclassified positions.  Unclassified positions are held by employees who are: 

 

(1) chosen by election or appointed to fill an elective office;

 

(2) heads of agencies required by law to be appointed by the governor or other elective officers, and the executive or administrative heads of departments, bureaus, divisions, and institutions specifically established by law in the unclassified service;

 

(3) deputy and assistant agency heads and one confidential secretary in the agencies listed in subdivision 1a and in the Office of Strategic and Long-Range Planning section 15.06, subdivision 1;

 

(4) the confidential secretary to each of the elective officers of this state and, for the secretary of state and state auditor, an additional deputy, clerk, or employee;

 

(5) intermittent help employed by the commissioner of public safety to assist in the issuance of vehicle licenses;

 

(6) employees in the offices of the governor and of the lieutenant governor and one confidential employee for the governor in the Office of the Adjutant General;

 

(7) employees of the Washington, D.C., office of the state of Minnesota;

 

(8) employees of the legislature and of legislative committees or commissions; provided that employees of the Legislative Audit Commission, except for the legislative auditor, the deputy legislative auditors, and their confidential secretaries, shall be employees in the classified service;

 

(9) presidents, vice-presidents, deans, other managers and professionals in academic and academic support programs, administrative or service faculty, teachers, research assistants, and student employees eligible under terms of the federal Economic Opportunity Act work study program in the Perpich Center for Arts Education and the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities, but not the custodial, clerical, or maintenance employees, or any professional or managerial employee performing duties in connection with the business administration of these institutions;

 

(10) officers and enlisted persons in the National Guard;

 

(11) attorneys, legal assistants, and three confidential employees appointed by the attorney general or employed with the attorney general's authorization;


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(12) judges and all employees of the judicial branch, referees, receivers, jurors, and notaries public, except referees and adjusters employed by the Department of Labor and Industry;

 

(13) members of the State Patrol; provided that selection and appointment of State Patrol troopers must be made in accordance with applicable laws governing the classified service;

 

(14) examination monitors and intermittent training instructors employed by the Departments of Management and Budget and Commerce and by professional examining boards and intermittent staff employed by the technical colleges for the administration of practical skills tests and for the staging of instructional demonstrations;

 

(15) student workers;

 

(16) executive directors or executive secretaries appointed by and reporting to any policy-making board or commission established by statute;

 

(17) employees unclassified pursuant to other statutory authority;

 

(18) intermittent help employed by the commissioner of agriculture to perform duties relating to pesticides, fertilizer, and seed regulation;

 

(19) the administrators and the deputy administrators at the State Academies for the Deaf and the Blind; and

 

(20) chief executive officers in the Department of Human Services.

 

Sec. 47.  Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 43A.20, is amended to read: 

 

43A.20 PERFORMANCE APPRAISAL AND PAY.

 

(a) The commissioner shall design and maintain a performance appraisal system under which each employee in the civil service in the executive branch shall be evaluated and counseled on work performance at least once a year.  The performance appraisal system must include three components: 

 

(1) evaluation of the individual employee's performance relative to goals for that individual, which must constitute a majority of the overall determination of an employee's performance;

 

(2) evaluation of the performance of the individual employee's program, defined by the agency head, toward meeting targeted outcomes for the program; and

 

(3) evaluation of the performance of the entire agency toward meeting targeted outcomes for the agency.

 

(b) Individual pay increases for all employees not represented by an exclusive representative certified pursuant to chapter 179A shall be based on the evaluation evaluations required by paragraph (a) and other factors consistent with paragraph (a) that the commissioner negotiates in collective bargaining agreements or includes in the plans developed pursuant to section 43A.18.  Collective bargaining agreements entered into pursuant to chapter 179A may, and are encouraged to, provide for pay increases based on employee work performance.  An employee in the executive branch may not receive an increase in salary or wages based on cost of living or progression to another step or lane unless the employee's supervisor certifies that the employee's performance has been satisfactory.

 

(c) This section does not apply to faculty and administrators in the Minnesota State Colleges and University system.

 

(d) This section supersedes any conflicting provision of other law.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective July 1, 2011.  For employees covered by a collective bargaining agreement, this section applies to collective bargaining agreements entered into on or after that date.


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Sec. 48.  [43A.347] REDUCTION IN STATE WORK FORCE.

 

Subdivision 1.  Required reduction.  (a) The number of full-time equivalent employees employed in the executive branch, and the costs directly associated with employing those persons, must be reduced by at least 15 percent by June 30, 2015, and thereafter, compared to the number of full-time equivalent positions and the costs directly associated with those positions on January 1, 2011.

 

(b) An appointing authority may use any or all of the following to achieve this requirement:  attrition, a hard hiring freeze, furloughs, and layoffs.

 

(c) For purposes of this section: 

 

(1) "costs directly associated" with employing people means the cost of salaries and benefits, including the costs of employer contributions to public pension plans; and

 

(2) "executive branch" does not include the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities, the Department of Military Affairs, or the Department of Veterans Affairs.

 

Subd. 2.  Savings.  Savings resulting from implementation of this section must cancel back to the fund in which the savings occurred.

 

Subd. 3.  Application of Public Employment Labor Relations Act.  Unilateral implementation of this section is not an unfair labor practice under chapter 179A.

 

Sec. 49.  Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 45.013, is amended to read: 

 

45.013 POWER TO APPOINT STAFF.

 

The commissioner of commerce may appoint four one deputy commissioners, four assistant commissioners, and an assistant to the commissioner.  Those positions, as well as that of and a confidential secretary, are in the unclassified service.  The commissioner may appoint other employees necessary to carry out the duties and responsibilities entrusted to the commissioner.

 

Sec. 50.  Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 84.01, subdivision 3, is amended to read: 

 

Subd. 3.  Employees; delegation.  Subject to the provisions of Laws 1969, chapter 1129, and to other applicable laws The commissioner shall organize the department and employ up to three assistant commissioners, each of whom shall serve at the pleasure of the commissioner in the unclassified service, one of whom shall have responsibility for coordinating and directing the planning of every division within the agency, and such other officers, employees, and agents as the commissioner may deem necessary to discharge the functions of the department, define the duties of such officers, employees, and agents and to delegate to them any of the commissioner's powers, duties, and responsibilities subject to the control of, and under the conditions prescribed by, the commissioner.  Appointments to exercise delegated power shall be by written order filed with the secretary of state.

 

Sec. 51.  Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 116.03, subdivision 1, is amended to read: 

 

Subdivision 1.  Office.  (a) The office of commissioner of the Pollution Control Agency is created and is under the supervision and control of the commissioner, who is appointed by the governor under the provisions of section 15.06. 

 

(b) The commissioner may appoint a deputy commissioner and assistant commissioners who shall be in the unclassified service.

 

(c) The commissioner shall make all decisions on behalf of the agency that are not required to be made by the agency under section 116.02. 


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Sec. 52.  Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 116J.01, subdivision 5, is amended to read: 

 

Subd. 5.  Departmental organization.  (a) The commissioner shall organize the department as provided in section 15.06. 

 

(b) The commissioner may establish divisions and offices within the department.  The commissioner may employ four deputy commissioners in the unclassified service.

 

(c) The commissioner shall: 

 

(1) employ assistants and other officers, employees, and agents that the commissioner considers necessary to discharge the functions of the commissioner's office;

 

(2) define the duties of the officers, employees, and agents, and delegate to them any of the commissioner's powers, duties, and responsibilities, subject to the commissioner's control and under conditions prescribed by the commissioner.

 

(d) The commissioner shall ensure that there are at least three employment and economic development officers in state offices in nonmetropolitan areas of the state who will work with local units of government on developing local employment and economic development.

 

Sec. 53.  Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 116J.035, subdivision 4, is amended to read: 

 

Subd. 4.  Delegation of powers.  The commissioner may delegate, in written orders filed with the secretary of state, any powers or duties subject to the commissioner's control to officers and employees in the department.  Regardless of any other law, the commissioner may delegate the execution of specific contracts or specific types of contracts to the commissioner's deputies, an assistant commissioner, deputy or a program director if the delegation has been approved by the commissioner of administration and filed with the secretary of state.

 

Sec. 54.  Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 161.1419, subdivision 8, is amended to read: 

 

Subd. 8.  Expiration.  The commission expires on June 30, 2012 2016.

 

Sec. 55.  Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 174.02, subdivision 2, is amended to read: 

 

Subd. 2.  Unclassified positions.  The commissioner may establish four positions in the unclassified service at the appoint a deputy and assistant commissioner, assistant to commissioner or and a personal secretary levels.  No more than two of these positions shall be at the deputy commissioner level in the unclassified service.

 

Sec. 56.  Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 241.01, subdivision 2, is amended to read: 

 

Subd. 2.  Deputies Deputy.  The commissioner of corrections may appoint and employ no more than two a deputy commissioners commissioner.  The commissioner may also appoint a personal secretary, who shall serve at the commissioner's pleasure in the unclassified civil service.

 

Sec. 57.  Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 270C.41, is amended to read: 

 

270C.41 AGREEMENT WITH INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE AGREEMENTS WITH FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

 

Subdivision 1.  Agreement with Internal Revenue Service.  Pursuant to section 270B.12, the commissioner may enter into an agreement with the Internal Revenue Service to identify taxpayers who have refunds due from the department and liabilities owing to the Internal Revenue Service.  In accordance with the procedures established in


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the agreement, the Internal Revenue Service may levy against the refunds to be paid by the department.  For each refund levied upon, the commissioner shall first deduct from the refund a fee of $20, and then remit the refund or the amount of the levy, whichever is less, to the Internal Revenue Service.  The proceeds of fees shall be deposited into the Department of Revenue recapture revolving fund under section 270A.07, subdivision 1.

 

Subd. 2.  Reciprocal offset agreements.  (a) The commissioner is authorized to enter into agreements with the federal Department of the Treasury that provide for offsetting state payments against federal nontax obligations.  Except as provided in paragraph (d), the commissioner may charge a fee of $20 per transaction for such offsets and may collect this offset fee from the debtor by deducting it from the state payment.  The agreement may provide for offsetting federal payments, as authorized by federal law, against state tax and nontax obligations, and collecting the offset cost from the debtor.  The agreement shall provide that the federal Department of the Treasury may deduct a fee from each administrative offset and state payment offset.  Setoffs to collect state and other entity obligations under chapters 16D, 270A, 270C, and any other provision of Minnesota Statutes, occur before a state payment offset.  For purposes of this paragraph "administrative offset" is any offset of federal payments to collect state debts and "state payment offset" is any offset of state payments to collect federal nontax debts.

 

(b) A debt is eligible for offset under this program if notice of intent to offset the debt is sent at least 60 days prior to filing an offset claim or a shorter period of time, if required by federal law or an agreement with the federal Department of the Treasury.  When there is an agreement for scheduled payments on an account, the debtor must be sent this notice each time an additional debt is claimed.

 

(c) The debtor shall have the time period required for notice under paragraph (b) to contest the offset.  An agreement under this section must not allow for offset of payments if the debt that would be subject to the offset is being contested or if the time for appealing the determination of the debt has not yet expired.  The treasury offset program agreement entered into by the state must not require federal agencies to provide different due process than the requirements under Code of Federal Regulations, title 31, section 285.6.

 

(d) Notwithstanding the fee authorized under paragraph (a), if the commissioner enters into a contingency fee agreement with a nonstate vendor to provide assistance under this section, the commissioner may charge a debtor a fee for the processing of state payment offsets for the recovery of federal nontax debts or the processing of federal payment offsets for the recovery of state tax and nontax debt.  The fee is a separate debt and may be withheld from any refund, reimbursement, or other money held for the debtor.  The fee may not exceed 15 percent of the original debt.  Section 16A.1283 does not apply to fees charged under this paragraph.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective the day following final enactment.  As soon as possible after that date, the commissioner must discuss an agreement authorized under this section with appropriate federal officials, and if an agreement is entered into, the commissioner must begin to implement it to collect debts owed to the state as soon as possible.

 

Sec. 58.  Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 270C.545, is amended to read: 

 

270C.545 FEDERAL TAX REFUND OFFSET FEES; TIME LIMIT FOR SUBMITTING CLAIMS FOR OFFSET.

 

For If fees are charged by the Department of the Treasury of the United States for the offset of federal tax refunds that or the offset of federal payments and these fees are deducted from the refund or the federal payment amounts remitted to the commissioner, then the unpaid debts of the taxpayers whose refunds or federal payments are being offset to satisfy the debts are reduced only by the actual amount of the refund payments or federal payments received by the commissioner.  Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, a claim for the offset of a federal tax refund must be submitted to the Department of the Treasury of the United States within ten years after the date of the assessment of the tax owed by the taxpayer whose refund is to be offset to satisfy the debt.  For court debts referred to the commissioner under section 16D.04, subdivision 2, paragraph (a), the federal refund offset fees are deducted as provided in this section, but the ten-year time limit prescribed in this section for tax debts does not apply.


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Sec. 59.  Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 471.697, subdivision 2, is amended to read: 

 

Subd. 2.  First class city audits.  The state auditor shall continue to audit cities of the first class pursuant to Notwithstanding section 6.49, a city of the first class may provide for an audit to be performed by a certified public accountant firm meeting the requirements of section 326A.05.  The audit performed by a certified public accountant must meet the standards and be in the form required by the state auditor.  The state auditor may require additional information from the certified public accountant firm as the state auditor deems in the public interest, but the state auditor must accept the audit unless the state auditor determines that it does not meet recognized industry auditing standards.

 

Sec. 60.  Laws 2010, chapter 361, article 3, section 8, is amended to read: 

 

Sec. 8.  USE OF CARRYFORWARD.

 

The restrictions in Minnesota Statutes, section 16A.281, on the use of money carried forward from one biennium to another shall not apply to money the legislative auditor carried forward from the previous biennium for use in fiscal years 2010 and 2011 ending June 30, 2009, or the biennium ending June 30, 2011.  The legislative auditor may use the carry forward money for costs related to the conduct of audits related to funds authorized in the Minnesota Constitution, Article XI, section 15, and audits related to the institutions, offices, and functions of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities.

 

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

 

Sec. 61.  STATE BUILDING EFFICIENCY.

 

Subdivision 1.  Request for proposals.  By July 1, 2011, the commissioner of administration shall issue a request for proposals for a contract to provide recommendations for efficiencies in state building management to the commissioner.  The request for proposals shall require the vendor to provide a system that will overlay existing building controls and instrumentation that influence energy consumption, including space, equipment and system performance, facility operations, and facility maintenance.  The request for proposals shall require the vendor to provide a system that provides concurrent building monitoring, energy consumption optimization, space utilization, and equipment performance information.

 

Subd. 2.  Standards-based platform system with data analytics.  The request for proposals must require the vendor to provide:  (1) a standards-based platform system with the capability to integrate and coordinate a variety of control systems, including their data, and the ability to manage all state buildings and their control systems; and (2) a system that uses data analytics to integrate corrective action notification and work order management.

 

Subd. 3.  Proof of concept phase.  The request for proposals shall require the selected vendor, at no cost to the state, to begin work on the contract by implementing its proposed system on one to three instrumented state buildings to demonstrate the savings provided by the system.  The system provided by the vendor must be capable of application to all instrumented state-owned buildings.  During this proof of concept phase, the vendor and the state must agree on how savings during the full implementation phase will be defined, measured, and verified, to ensure that the contract will provide the highest possible return on investment to the state.

 

Subd. 4.  Full implementation and payment.  The request for proposal must require the state to implement the system provided by the vendor in all instrumented buildings owned by the state if the state and the vendor have agreed on how savings will be defined, measured, and verified, and the work done under the requirements of subdivision 3 provides material savings to the state.  After the full implementation of the system provided by the vendor, the vendor shall be paid by the state from the savings attributable to the work done by the vendor, according to the terms and performance measures negotiated in the contract.


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Subd. 5.  Selection of vendor.  The commissioner of administration shall select a vendor from the responses to the request for proposal by September 1, 2011.

 

Subd. 6.  Progress report.  The commissioner shall provide a report describing the progress made under this section to the governor and the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees with jurisdiction over the commissioner of administration by January 15, 2012.  The report shall provide a dynamic scoring analysis of the work described in the report.

 

Sec. 62.  FLEET MANAGEMENT IMPROVEMENTS.

 

Subdivision 1.  Request for proposals.  By July 1, 2011, the commissioner of administration shall issue a request for proposals to improve the procurement, allocation, control, energy efficiency, maintenance, and in-service life of state vehicles.  The request for proposal shall require the vendor to provide a system for: 

 

(1) a life-cycle solution for vehicle management, covering all stages from procurement through disposal of state vehicles; and

 

(2) the integration of data analytics to provide vehicle tracking, usage, and proactive maintenance management.

 

Subd. 2.  Proof of concept phase.  The request for proposals must specify that the vendor, at no cost to the state, must implement its system in one vehicle maintenance facility on a sample group of vehicles to demonstrate the cost-savings potential of the recommendations.  During this proof of concept phase, the vendor and the state must agree on how savings during the full implementation phase will be defined, measured, and verified, to ensure that the contract will provide the highest possible return on investment to the state.

 

Subd. 3.  Full implementation and payment.  The request for proposal must require the state to implement the recommendations provided by the vendor if the state and the vendor have agreed on how savings will be defined, measured, and verified, and the work done under the requirements of subdivision 2 provides material savings to the state.  After the full implementation of the system provided by the vendor, the vendor shall be paid by the state from the savings attributable to the work done by the vendor, according to the terms and performance measures negotiated in the contract.

 

Subd. 4.  Selection of vendor.  The commissioner of administration shall select a vendor from the responses to the request for proposal by September 1, 2011.

 

Subd. 5.  Progress report.  The commissioner shall provide a report describing the progress made under this section to the governor and the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees with jurisdiction over the commissioner of administration by January 15, 2012.  The report shall provide a dynamic scoring analysis of the work described in the report.

 

Sec. 63.  SALARY FREEZE.

 

(a) Effective July 1, 2011, and until June 30, 2013, a state employee may not receive a salary or wage increase.  This section prohibits any increases, including but not limited to:  across-the-board increases; cost-of-living adjustments; increases based on longevity; step increases; increases in the form of lump-sum payments; increases in employer contributions to deferred compensation plans; or any other pay grade adjustments of any kind.  For purposes of this section, "salary or wage" does not include employer contributions toward the cost of medical or dental insurance premiums, provided that employee contributions to the costs of medical or dental insurance premiums are not decreased.  This section does not prohibit an increase in the rate of salary and wages for an employee who is promoted or transferred to a position with greater responsibilities and with a higher salary or wage rate.  For purposes of this section, state employee means an employee as defined in Minnesota Statutes, section 43A.02, subdivision 21, but does not include faculty or administrators in the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system.


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(b) A state appointing authority may not enter into a collective bargaining agreement or implement a compensation plan that increases salary or wages in a manner prohibited by this section.  Neither a state appointing authority nor an exclusive representative of state employees may request interest arbitration in relation to an increase in salary or wages that is prohibited by this section, and an arbitrator may not issue an award that would increase salary or wages in a manner prohibited by this section.

 

(c) This section supersedes Minnesota Statutes, section 179A.20, subdivision 6, or other law, to the extent those laws would authorize an increase prohibited by this section.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE.  Paragraph (b) is effective the day following final enactment.  Paragraphs (a) and (c) are effective June 30, 2011.

 

Sec. 64.  STATE EMPLOYEE EFFICIENT USE OF HEALTH CARE INCENTIVE PROGRAM.

 

The commissioner of management and budget may develop and implement a program that creates an incentive for efficient use by state employees of State Employee Group Insurance Program (SEGIP).  The program may reward employees covered by SEGIP as a group if per capita employee health care costs paid by SEGIP for a calendar year prove to be less than estimated by the commissioner prior to the beginning of the calendar year.  The reward may consist of payments of one-half of the cost-savings into the employees' health reimbursement accounts, to be made no later than June 30 of the following calendar year.

 

Sec. 65.  STATE EMPLOYEE GROUP INSURANCE PLAN DEPENDENT ELIGIBILITY VERIFICATION AUDIT SERVICES.

 

Subdivision 1.  Request for proposals.  By August 1, 2011, the commissioner of management and budget shall issue a request for proposals for a contract to provide dependent eligibility verification audit services for state-paid hospital, medical, and dental benefits provided to participants in the state employee group insurance program and their dependents.  The request for proposals must require that the vendor will: 

 

(1) conduct a document-model dependent eligibility verification audit of all plans offered under Minnesota Statutes, sections 43A.22 to 43A.31;

 

(2) identify ineligible dependents covered by the plans and report those findings to the commissioner and third-party administrators of the state's employee health plans, as directed by the commissioner; and

 

(3) implement a process for ongoing eligibility verification following the conclusion of the dependent eligibility verification audit required by this section.

 

Subd. 2.  Additional vendor criteria.  The request for proposals required by subdivision 1 must require the vendor to provide the following minimum capabilities and experience in performing the services described in subdivision 1: 

 

(1) a rules-based process for making objective eligibility determinations;

 

(2) assigned eligibility advocates to assist employees through the verification process;

 

(3) a formal claims and appeals process; and

 

(4) experience in the performance of dependent eligibility verification audits.


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Subd. 3.  Contract required.  By November 1, 2011, the commissioner must enter into a contract for the services specified in subdivision 1.  The contract must incorporate a performance-based vendor financing option that compensates the vendor based on the amount of savings generated by the work performed under the contract.

 

Sec. 66.  SEGIP SAVINGS.

 

The commissioner of management and budget must negotiate and implement changes to the state employee group insurance program that will result in reduced general fund contributions from state employers subject to appropriation reductions under article 1, section 39, of at least $90,009,000 during the biennium ending June 30, 2013.

 

Sec. 67.  TAX FRAUD PREVENTION AND DETECTION.

 

Subdivision 1.  Request for proposals.  By July 1, 2011, the commissioner of revenue shall issue a request for proposals to prevent and detect tax fraud and increase delinquent tax revenue collection.  The request for proposals shall require the vendor to provide data analytics capabilities, including, but not limited to, predictive modeling techniques and other forms of advanced analytics that will integrate into the current tax processing system to detect compliance issues before tax return processing is completed, and optimization algorithms that will assist the commissioner in maximizing revenues collected with current levels of compliance staff.

 

Subd. 2.  Proof of concept phase.  The selected vendor, at no cost to the state, shall implement its recommendations on a subset of data provided by the commissioner to demonstrate the cost-savings potential of the recommendations.

 

Subd. 3.  Data.  Data provided to the vendor by the commissioner for the proof of concept phase must not include not public data, as defined in section 13.02, subdivision 8a.

 

Subd. 4.  Full implementation phase.  The request for proposal must require the state to implement the recommendations provided by the vendor if the work done under the requirements of subdivision 2 provides material savings to the state.  After the full implementation of the system provided by the vendor, the vendor shall be paid by the state from the savings attributable to the work done by the vendor, according to the terms and performance measures negotiated in the contract.  The contract shall not compensate the vendor based on a percentage of taxes assessed or collected.

 

Subd. 5.  Selection of vendor.  The commissioner of administration shall select a vendor from the responses to the request for proposal by September 1, 2011.

 

Subd. 6.  Progress report.  The commissioner shall provide a report describing the progress made under this section to the governor and the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees with jurisdiction over the commissioner of revenue and data practices by January 15, 2012.  The report shall provide a dynamic scoring analysis of the work described in the report and address data access and privacy issues involved in implementation of the system.

 

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

 

Sec. 68.  STRATEGIC SOURCING REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS.

 

Subdivision 1.  Request for proposals.  By July 1, 2011, the commissioner of administration shall issue a request for proposals for a contract to provide recommendations for efficiencies in strategic sourcing to the commissioner.  For the purposes of this section, "strategic sourcing" has the meaning given in Minnesota Statutes, section 16C.02, subdivision 20.  The request for proposals shall require the vendor to provide recommendations for improvements to methods used by the commissioner to analyze and reduce spending on goods and services, including, but not limited to, spend analysis, product standardization, contract consolidation, negotiations, multiple jurisdiction purchasing alliances, reverse and forward auctions, life-cycle costing, and other techniques.


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Subd. 2.  Proof of concept phase.  The request for proposal shall require the selected vendor, at no cost to the state, to begin work on the contract by assisting the commissioner in implementing its proposed solution on selected state procurement processes to demonstrate the savings provided by the recommendations.  The system provided by the vendor must be capable of application to the state procurement system.

 

Subd. 3.  Full implementation and payment.  The request for proposal must require the state to implement the recommendations provided by the vendor in the entire state procurement system if the work done under the requirements of subdivision 2 provides material savings to the state.  After the full implementation of the system provided by the vendor, the vendor shall be paid by the state from the savings attributable to the work done by the vendor, according to the terms and performance measures negotiated in the contract.

 

Subd. 4.  Selection of vendor.  The commissioner of administration shall select, from qualified respondents, a vendor from the responses to the request for proposal by September 1, 2011.

 

Subd. 5.  Progress report.  The commissioner shall provide a report describing the progress made under this section to the governor and the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees with jurisdiction over the commissioner of administration by January 15, 2012.

 

Sec. 69.  STATE JOB CLASSIFICATIONS.

 

The commissioner of management and budget shall report to the legislature by January 15, 2012, on a process to redesign and consolidate the job classification plan for executive branch employees, with a goal of assigning all classified positions to no more than 50 job families.  The process must lead to development of a new job classification plan designed to enhance the ability of state agencies to flexibly manage their workforces to meet changing needs and demands of the agency, and to enhance the ability of state employees to transfer to other positions for which they are qualified.  In developing this process, the commissioner must meet and confer with the exclusive representatives of each affected bargaining unit.  The report to the legislature must identify implementation issues.

 

Sec. 70.  HELP AMERICA VOTE ACT.

 

(a) If the secretary of state determines that this state is otherwise eligible to receive an additional requirements payment of federal money under the Help America Vote Act, Public Law 107-252, the secretary must certify to the commissioner of management and budget the amount, if any, needed to meet the matching requirement of section 253(b)(5) of the Help America Vote Act.  In the certification, the secretary shall specify the portion of the match that should be taken from an unencumbered general fund appropriation to the Office of the Secretary of State not designated for a different purpose.  Upon receipt of that certification, or as soon as an unencumbered general fund appropriation becomes available, whichever occurs later, the commissioner must transfer the specified amount to the Help America Vote Act account.  Funds under the Help America Vote Act may be spent only following legislative approval.

 

(b) This section expires on June 30, 2013.

 

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

 

Sec. 71.  ESTIMATED REVENUE.

 

The initiatives in sections 44, 57, 58, and 67 are expected to result in new general fund revenues of $169,900,000 for the biennium ending June 30, 2013.


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Sec. 72.  REPEALER.

 

Minnesota Statutes 2010, sections 16C.085; 43A.047; and 179A.23, are repealed.

 

ARTICLE 4

CONSOLIDATION OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SERVICES

 

Section 1.  Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 16B.99, is amended to read: 

 

16B.99 GEOSPATIAL INFORMATION OFFICE.

 

Subdivision 1.  Creation.  The Minnesota Geospatial Information Office is created under the supervision of the commissioner of administration chief geospatial information officer, who is appointed by the chief information officer.

 

Subd. 2.  Responsibilities; authority.  The office has authority to provide coordination, guidance, and leadership, and to plan the implementation of Minnesota's geospatial information technology.  The office must identify, coordinate, and guide strategic investments in geospatial information technology systems, data, and services to ensure effective implementation and use of Geospatial Information Systems (GIS) by state agencies to maximize benefits for state government as an enterprise.

 

Subd. 3.  Duties.  The office must: 

 

(1) coordinate and guide the efficient and effective use of available federal, state, local, and public-private resources to develop statewide geospatial information technology, data, and services;

 

(2) provide leadership and outreach, and ensure cooperation and coordination for all Geospatial Information Systems (GIS) functions in state and local government, including coordination between state agencies, intergovernment coordination between state and local units of government, and extragovernment coordination, which includes coordination with academic and other private and nonprofit sector GIS stakeholders;

 

(3) review state agency and intergovernment geospatial technology, data, and services development efforts involving state or intergovernment funding, including federal funding;

 

(4) provide information to the legislature regarding projects reviewed, and recommend projects for inclusion in the governor's budget under section 16A.11;

 

(5) coordinate management of geospatial technology, data, and services between state and local governments;

 

(6) provide coordination, leadership, and consultation to integrate government technology services with GIS infrastructure and GIS programs;

 

(7) work to avoid or eliminate unnecessary duplication of existing GIS technology services and systems, including services provided by other public and private organizations while building on existing governmental infrastructures;

 

(8) promote and coordinate consolidated geospatial technology, data, and services and shared geospatial Web services for state and local governments; and

 

(9) promote and coordinate geospatial technology training, technical guidance, and project support for state and local governments.


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Subd. 4.  Duties of chief geospatial information officer.  (a) In consultation with the state geospatial advisory council, the commissioner of administration, the commissioner of management and budget, and the Minnesota chief geospatial information officer, the chief geospatial information officer must identify when it is cost-effective for agencies to develop and use shared information and geospatial technology systems, data, and services.  The chief geospatial information officer may require agencies to use shared information and geospatial technology systems, data, and services.

 

(b) The chief geospatial information officer, in consultation with the state geospatial advisory council, must establish reimbursement rates in cooperation with the commissioner of management and budget to bill agencies and other governmental entities sufficient to cover the actual development, operation, maintenance, and administrative costs of the shared systems.  The methodology for billing may include the use of interagency agreements, or other means as allowed by law.

 

Subd. 5.  Fees.  (a) The chief geospatial information officer must set fees under section 16A.1285 that reflect the actual cost of providing information products and services to clients.  Fees collected must be deposited in the state treasury and credited to the Minnesota Geospatial Information Office revolving account.  Money in the account is appropriated to the chief geospatial information officer for providing Geospatial Information Systems (GIS) consulting services, software, data, Web services, and map products on a cost-recovery basis, including the cost of services, supplies, material, labor, and equipment as well as the portion of the general support costs and statewide indirect costs of the office that is attributable to the delivery of these products and services.  Money in the account must not be used for the general operation of the Minnesota Geospatial Information Office.

 

(b) The chief geospatial information officer may require a state agency to make an advance payment to the revolving account sufficient to cover the agency's estimated obligation for a period of 60 days or more.  If the revolving account is abolished or liquidated, the total net profit from the operation of the account must be distributed to the various funds from which purchases were made.  For a given period of time, the amount of total net profit to be distributed to each fund must reflect the same ratio of total purchases attributable to each fund divided by the total purchases from all funds.

 

Subd. 6.  Accountability.  The chief geospatial information officer is appointed by the commissioner of administration and must work closely with the Minnesota chief information officer who shall advise on technology projects, standards, and services.

 

Subd. 7.  Discretionary powers.  The office may: 

 

(1) enter into contracts for goods or services with public or private organizations and charge fees for services it provides;

 

(2) apply for, receive, and expend money from public agencies;

 

(3) apply for, accept, and disburse grants and other aids from the federal government and other public or private sources;

 

(4) enter into contracts with agencies of the federal government, local government units, the University of Minnesota and other educational institutions, and private persons and other nongovernment organizations as necessary to perform its statutory duties;

 

(5) appoint committees and task forces to assist the office in carrying out its duties;

 

(6) sponsor and conduct conferences and studies, collect and disseminate information, and issue reports relating to geospatial information and technology issues;


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(7) participate in the activities and conferences related to geospatial information and communications technology issues;

 

(8) review the Geospatial Information Systems (GIS) technology infrastructure of regions of the state and cooperate with and make recommendations to the governor, legislature, state agencies, local governments, local technology development agencies, the federal government, private businesses, and individuals for the realization of GIS information and technology infrastructure development potential;

 

(9) sponsor, support, and facilitate innovative and collaborative geospatial systems technology, data, and services projects; and

 

(10) review and recommend alternative sourcing strategies for state geospatial information systems technology, data, and services.

 

Subd. 8.  Geospatial advisory councils created.  The chief geospatial information officer must establish a governance structure that includes advisory councils to provide recommendations for improving the operations and management of geospatial technology within state government and also on issues of importance to users of geospatial technology throughout the state.

 

(a) A statewide geospatial advisory council must advise the Minnesota Geospatial Information Office regarding the improvement of services statewide through the coordinated, affordable, reliable, and effective use of geospatial technology.  The commissioner of administration chief information officer must appoint the members of the council.  The members must represent a cross-section of organizations including counties, cities, universities, business, nonprofit organizations, federal agencies, and state agencies.  No more than 20 percent of the members may be employees of a state agency.  In addition, the chief geospatial information officer must be a nonvoting member.

 

(b) A state government geospatial advisory council must advise the Minnesota Geospatial Information Office on issues concerning improving state government services through the coordinated, affordable, reliable, and effective use of geospatial technology.  The commissioner of administration chief information officer must appoint the members of the council.  The members must represent up to 15 state government agencies and constitutional offices, including the Office of Enterprise Technology and the Minnesota Geospatial Information Office.  The council must be chaired by the chief geographic information officer.  A representative of the statewide geospatial advisory council must serve as a nonvoting member.

 

(c) Members of both the statewide geospatial advisory council and the state government advisory council must be recommended by a process that ensures that each member is designated to represent a clearly identified agency or interested party category and that complies with the state's open appointment process.  Members shall serve a term of two years.

 

(d) The Minnesota Geospatial Information Office must provide administrative support for both geospatial advisory councils.

 

(e) This subdivision expires June 30, 2011.

 

Subd. 9.  Report to legislature.  By January 15, 2010, the chief geospatial information officer must provide a report to the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees with jurisdiction over the policy and budget for the office.  The report must address all statutes that refer to the Minnesota Geospatial Information Office or land management information system and provide any necessary draft legislation to implement any recommendations.


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Sec. 2.  [16E.0151] RESPONSIBILITY FOR INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SERVICES AND EQUIPMENT.

 

(a) The chief information officer is responsible for providing or entering into managed services contracts for the provision of the following information technology systems and services to state agencies: 

 

(1) state data centers;

 

(2) mainframes including system software;

 

(3) servers including system software;

 

(4) desktops including system software;

 

(5) laptop computers including system software;

 

(6) a data network including system software;

 

(7) database, electronic mail, office systems, reporting, and other standard software tools;

 

(8) business application software and related technical support services;

 

(9) help desk for the components listed in clauses (1) to (8);

 

(10) maintenance, problem resolution, and break-fix for the components listed in clauses (1) to (8);

 

(11) regular upgrades and replacement for the components listed in clauses (1) to (8); and

 

(12) network-connected output devices.

 

(b) All state agency employees whose work primarily involves functions specified in paragraph (a) are employees of the Office of Enterprise Technology.  This includes employees who directly perform the functions in paragraph (a), as well as employees whose work primarily involves managing, supervising, or providing administrative services or support services to employees who directly perform these functions.  The chief information officer may assign employees of the office to perform work exclusively for another state agency.

 

(c) The chief information officer may allow a state agency to obtain services specified in paragraph (a) through a contract with an outside vendor when the chief information officer and the agency head agree that a contract would provide best value, as defined in section 16C.02, under the service-level agreement.  The chief information officer must require that agency contracts with outside vendors ensure that systems and services are compatible with standards established by the Office of Enterprise Technology.

 

(d) In exercising authority under this section, the chief information officer must cooperate with the commissioner of administration on contracts for acquisition of information technology systems and services.  The authority granted to the chief information officer does not limit the procurement, contract management, and contract review authority of the commissioner of administration under chapter 16C, including authority of the commissioner to enter into and manage cooperative purchasing agreements with other states.

 

(e) The Minnesota State Retirement System, the Public Employees Retirement Association, the Teachers Retirement Association, the State Board of Investment, the Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board, the State Lottery, and the Statewide Radio Board are not state agencies for purposes of this section.


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Sec. 3.  [16E.036] ADVISORY COMMITTEE.

 

(a) The Technology Advisory Committee is created to advise the chief information officer.  The committee consists of six members appointed by the governor who are individuals actively involved in business planning for state executive branch agencies, one county member designated by the Association of Minnesota Counties, one member appointed by the governor as a representative of a union that represents state information technology employees, and one member appointed by the governor to represent private businesses.

 

(b) Membership terms, removal of members, and filling of vacancies are as provided in section 15.059.  Members do not receive compensation or reimbursement for expenses. 

 

(c) The committee shall select a chair from its members.  The chief information officer shall provide administrative support to the committee.

 

(d) The committee shall advise the chief information officer on: 

 

(1) development and implementation of the state information technology strategic plan;

 

(2) critical information technology initiatives for the state;

 

(3) standards for state information architecture;

 

(4) identification of business and technical needs of state agencies;

 

(5) strategic information technology portfolio management, project prioritization, and investment decisions;

 

(6) the office's performance measures and fees for service agreements with executive branch agencies;

 

(7) management of the state enterprise technology revolving fund; and

 

(8) the efficient and effective operation of the office.

 

Sec. 4.  Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 16E.14, is amended by adding a subdivision to read: 

 

Subd. 6.  Technology improvement account.  The technology improvement account is established as an account in the enterprise technology fund.  Money in the account is appropriated to the chief information officer for the purpose of funding a project that will result in improvements in state information and telecommunications technology.  The chief information officer may spend money from the account on behalf of a state agency or group of agencies or may transfer money in the account to a state agency or group of agencies only according to an agreement under which:  (1) the chief information officer has determined that savings generated by the project to be funded from the account will exceed the cost of the project; and (2) the agency or agencies sponsoring the project have developed a plan for recouping the project costs to the fund.

 

Sec. 5.  [16E.145] INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY APPROPRIATION.

 

An appropriation for a state agency information and telecommunications technology project must be made to the chief information officer.  The chief information officer must manage and disburse the appropriation on behalf of the sponsoring state agency.  Any appropriation for an information and telecommunications technology project made to a state agency other than the Office of Enterprise Technology is transferred to the chief information officer.


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EFFECTIVE DATE.  This section is effective July 1, 2011, and applies to appropriations made before or after that date.  The remainder of any appropriation subject to this section made before July 1, 2011, is transferred to the chief information officer on July 1, 2011.  Ten percent of the unspent and unencumbered appropriations made before June 30, 2011, that would not otherwise cancel on June 30, 2011, that are transferred to the chief information officer, may be used for expenses relating to the transfer of functions under sections 1 to 8.

 

Sec. 6.  TRANSFERS; TRANSITION.

 

(a) Powers, duties, responsibilities, assets, personnel, and unexpended appropriations relating to functions assigned to the chief information officer in Minnesota Statutes, section 16E.0151, are transferred to the Office of Enterprise Technology from all other state agencies, as defined in Minnesota Statutes, section 16E.03, subdivision 1, paragraph (e), effective July 1, 2011.  All reporting relationships associated with the transferred powers, duties, responsibilities, assets, personnel, and unexpended appropriations are also transferred to the Office of Enterprise Technology on July 1, 2011.  By January 15, 2012, the chief information officer shall submit to the legislature any statutory changes needed to complete implementation of the transfer in this section.

 

(b) Prior to the transfer mandated by paragraph (a), the chief information officer must enter into a service-level agreement with each state agency governing the provision of information technology systems and services in Minnesota Statutes, section 16E.0151.  The agreements must specify the services to be provided and the charges for these services.  As specified in Minnesota Statutes, section 16E.0151, an agency may choose to obtain these services from an outside vendor, rather than from the Office of Enterprise Technology.  Authority to enter into agreements under this paragraph is effective the day following final enactment, with the resulting agreements effective July 1, 2011.

 

(c) Powers, duties, responsibilities, assets, personnel, and unexpended appropriations relating to geospatial information systems are transferred from the commissioner of administration to the Office of Enterprise Technology.

 

(d) Minnesota Statutes, section 15.039, applies to transfers in this section.  Executive branch officials may use authority under Minnesota Statutes, section 16B.37, as necessary to implement this section. 

 

(e) The transfer of authority to the Office of Enterprise Technology in this article does not require expansion or consolidation of office space, data centers, help desks, or other systems.  The chief information officer may implement expansion, relocation, or consolidation to the extent feasible and desirable with existing resources, or to the extent that savings resulting from the expansions or consolidations will pay for the costs associated with these activities during the biennium ending June 30, 2013.

 

(f) Expenses relating to transfer of functions and other implementation of sections 1 to 8 must be paid from the enterprise technology revolving fund.

 

(g) The chief information officer must reduce the number of agency chief information officer positions to 15 by December 31, 2011.  The chief information officer, in consultation with the commissioner of management and budget, must determine the general fund savings resulting from elimination of each chief information officer position, and the amount determined is transferred from the general fund appropriation to the agency to the enterprise technology revolving fund.

 

Sec. 7.  STUDY.

 

The chief information officer in the Office of Enterprise Technology shall report to the chairs and ranking minority members of the house of representatives and senate committees with jurisdiction over state government finance by January 15, 2012, on the feasibility and desirability of the office entering into service-level agreements with the State Lottery and the Statewide Radio Board regarding provision of information technology systems and services to those entities.


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Sec. 8.  REVISOR'S INSTRUCTION.

 

The revisor of statutes shall recodify Minnesota Statutes, section 16B.99, into Minnesota Statutes, chapter 16E.

 

Sec. 9.  EFFECTIVE DATE.

 

Sections 1 to 8 are effective July 1, 2011.  However, the chief information officer may phase in the transfer of functions required by sections 1 to 8 between July 1, 2011, and July 1, 2012."

 

Delete the title and insert: 

 

"A bill for an act relating to state government operations; reducing general fund appropriations to executive agencies; requiring contributions to enterprise real property technology system; establishing the Sunset Advisory Commission; allowing counties and cities to use a certified public accountant for audits; prohibiting legislative liaisons; eliminating assistant commissioner positions and reducing deputy commissioner positions; allowing state employees to compete for state business; establishing the SAVI program; changing provisions of performance data required in the budget proposal; requiring specific funding information for forecasted programs; implementing zero-based budgeting principles; establishing employee gainsharing program; establishing the Minnesota Pay for Performance Act; permitting selling and issuing appropriations bonds; establishing e-verify program for vendors and subcontractors; placing limitation on contracts for tax-related activities; changing procedures for service contracts; extending expiration date for Mississippi River Parkway Commission; implementing federal offset program for collection of debts owed to state agencies; changing provisions for performance appraisal system; requiring reduction in state work force; allowing reciprocal offset agreements with the federal government; requiring a request for proposals for recommendations on state building efficiency, state vehicle management, tax fraud prevention, and strategic sourcing; continuing state employee salary freeze; implementing state employee efficient use of health care incentive program; requiring a verification audit for dependent eligibility for state employee health insurance; requiring state job classification redesign; determining funds for Help America Vote Act; estimating new general fund revenues; consolidating information technology services; requiring reports; appropriating money; amending Minnesota Statutes 2010, sections 3.85, subdivision 3; 6.48; 15.057; 15.06, subdivision 8; 16A.10, subdivisions 1a, 1b, 1c; 16A.103, subdivision 1a; 16A.11, subdivision 3; 16A.28, subdivision 3; 16B.03; 16B.99; 16C.08, subdivision 2; 16C.09; 16E.14, by adding a subdivision; 37.06; 43A.08, subdivision 1; 43A.20; 45.013; 84.01, subdivision 3; 116.03, subdivision 1; 116J.01, subdivision 5; 116J.035, subdivision 4; 161.1419, subdivision 8; 174.02, subdivision 2; 241.01, subdivision 2; 270C.41; 270C.545; 471.697, subdivision 2; Laws 2009, chapter 101, article 2, section 106; Laws 2010, chapter 215, article 6, section 4; Laws 2010, chapter 361, article 3, section 8; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapters 15; 16A; 16C; 16D; 16E; 43A; proposing coding for new law as Minnesota Statutes, chapter 3D; repealing Minnesota Statutes 2010, sections 16C.085; 43A.047; 179A.23; 197.585, subdivision 5."

 

 

      We request the adoption of this report and repassage of the bill. 

 

      Senate Conferees:  Mike Parry, Paul Gazelka, Dave A. Thompson, Theodore J. "Ted" Daley and Ray Vandeveer.

 

      House Conferees:  Morrie Lanning, Bruce Anderson, Mike Benson, Keith Downey and Kirk Stensrud.

 

 

      Lanning moved that the report of the Conference Committee on S. F. No. 1047 be adopted and that the bill be repassed as amended by the Conference Committee.  The motion prevailed.


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