Journal of the House - 46th
Day - Thursday, April 12, 2007 - Top of Page 2799
STATE OF MINNESOTA
EIGHTY-FIFTH SESSION - 2007
_____________________
FORTY-SIXTH DAY
Saint Paul, Minnesota, Thursday, April 12,
2007
The House of Representatives convened at 3:00 p.m. and was
called to order by Margaret Anderson Kelliher, Speaker of the House.
Prayer was offered by Father Bob Mraz, Holy Family Catholic
Church, Silver Lake, Minnesota.
The members of the House gave the pledge of allegiance to the
flag of the United States of America.
The roll was called and the following members were present:
Abeler
Anderson, B.
Anderson, S.
Anzelc
Atkins
Beard
Benson
Berns
Bigham
Bly
Brod
Brown
Brynaert
Buesgens
Bunn
Carlson
Clark
Cornish
Davnie
Dean
DeLaForest
Demmer
Dettmer
Dill
Dittrich
Dominguez
Doty
Eastlund
Eken
Emmer
Erhardt
Erickson
Faust
Finstad
Fritz
Gardner
Garofalo
Gottwalt
Greiling
Gunther
Hackbarth
Hamilton
Hansen
Hausman
Haws
Heidgerken
Hilstrom
Hilty
Holberg
Hoppe
Hornstein
Hortman
Hosch
Howes
Huntley
Jaros
Johnson
Juhnke
Kahn
Kalin
Knuth
Koenen
Kohls
Kranz
Laine
Lanning
Lenczewski
Lesch
Liebling
Lieder
Lillie
Loeffler
Madore
Magnus
Mahoney
Mariani
Marquart
Masin
McFarlane
McNamara
Moe
Morgan
Mullery
Murphy, E.
Murphy, M.
Nelson
Nornes
Norton
Olin
Olson
Otremba
Ozment
Paulsen
Paymar
Pelowski
Peppin
Peterson, A.
Peterson, N.
Peterson, S.
Poppe
Rukavina
Ruth
Ruud
Sailer
Scalze
Seifert
Sertich
Severson
Shimanski
Simon
Simpson
Slawik
Slocum
Smith
Solberg
Sviggum
Swails
Thao
Thissen
Tillberry
Tingelstad
Tschumper
Urdahl
Wagenius
Walker
Ward
Wardlow
Welti
Winkler
Zellers
Spk. Kelliher
A quorum was present.
Morrow, Westrom and Wollschlager were excused.
The Chief Clerk proceeded to read the Journal of the preceding
day. Lesch moved that further reading of the Journal be suspended and that the
Journal be approved as corrected by the Chief Clerk. The motion prevailed.
Journal of the House - 46th
Day - Thursday, April 12, 2007 - Top of Page 2800
REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEES AND DIVISIONS
Carlson from the Committee on Finance to which was
referred:
H. F. No. 6, A bill for an act relating to education
finance; increasing the general education basic formula allowance by three
percent per year; amending Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 126C.10,
subdivision 2.
Reported the same back with the following amendments:
Delete everything after the enacting clause and
insert:
"ARTICLE 1
GENERAL EDUCATION
Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 16A.152,
subdivision 2, is amended to read:
Subd. 2. Additional
revenues; priority. (a) If on the basis of a forecast of general fund
revenues and expenditures, the commissioner of finance determines that there
will be a positive unrestricted budgetary general fund balance at the close of
the biennium, the commissioner of finance must allocate money to the following
accounts and purposes in priority order:
(1) the cash flow account established in subdivision
1 until that account reaches $350,000,000;
(2) the budget reserve account established in
subdivision 1a until that account reaches $653,000,000;
(3) the amount necessary to increase the aid payment
schedule for school district aids and credits payments in section 127A.45 to
not more than 90 percent rounded to the nearest tenth of a percent without
exceeding the amount available and with any remaining funds deposited in the
budget reserve; and
(4) the amount necessary to restore all or a portion
of the net aid reductions under section 127A.441 and to reduce the property tax
revenue recognition shift under section 123B.75, subdivision 5, paragraph (c)
(b), and Laws 2003, First Special Session chapter 9, article 5, section 34,
as amended by Laws 2003, First Special Session chapter 23, section 20, by the
same amount.
(b) The amounts necessary to meet the requirements
of this section are appropriated from the general fund within two weeks after
the forecast is released or, in the case of transfers under paragraph (a),
clauses (3) and (4), as necessary to meet the appropriations schedules
otherwise established in statute.
(c) To the extent that a positive unrestricted
budgetary general fund balance is projected, appropriations under this section
must be made before section 16A.1522 takes effect.
(d) The commissioner of finance shall certify the
total dollar amount of the reductions under paragraph (a), clauses (3) and (4),
to the commissioner of education. The commissioner of education shall increase
the aid payment percentage and reduce the property tax shift percentage by
these amounts and apply those reductions to the current fiscal year and
thereafter.
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Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes
2006, section 124D.11, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
Subdivision 1. General education revenue. (a) General
education revenue must be paid to a charter school as though it were a
district. The general education revenue for each adjusted marginal cost pupil
unit is the state average general education revenue per pupil unit, plus the
referendum equalization aid allowance in the pupil's district of residence,
minus an amount equal to the product of the formula allowance according to
section 126C.10, subdivision 2, times .0485 .0416, calculated
without basic skills revenue, extended time revenue, alternative teacher
compensation revenue, transition revenue, and transportation sparsity revenue,
plus basic skills revenue, extended time revenue, basic alternative teacher
compensation aid according to section 126C.10, subdivision 34, and transition
revenue as though the school were a school district. The general education
revenue for each extended time marginal cost pupil unit equals $4,378 for
fiscal year 2007, $4,542 for fiscal year 2008, and $4,677 for fiscal year 2009
and later.
(b) Notwithstanding
paragraph (a), for charter schools in the first year of operation, general
education revenue shall be computed using the number of adjusted pupil units in
the current fiscal year.
EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is
effective for revenue for fiscal year 2008.
Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes
2006, section 124D.128, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
Subdivision 1. Program established. A learning year
program provides instruction throughout the year on an extended year
calendar, extended school day calendar, or both. A pupil may participate in
the program and accelerate attainment of grade level requirements or graduation
requirements. A learning year program may begin after the close of the regular
school year in June. The program may be for students in one or more grade levels
from kindergarten through grade 12.
Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes
2006, section 124D.128, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
Subd. 2. Commissioner designation. (a) An area
learning center designated by the state must be a site. An area learning
center must provide services to students who meet the criteria in section
124D.68 and who are enrolled in:
(1) a district that is
served by the center; or
(2) a charter school located
within the geographic boundaries of a district that is served by the center.
(b) A school district or
charter school may be approved biennially by the state to provide additional
instructional programming that results in grade level acceleration. The program
must be designed so that students make grade progress during the school year
and graduate prior to the students' peers.
(c) To be designated, a district,
charter school, or center must demonstrate to the commissioner that it
will:
(1) provide a program of
instruction that permits pupils to receive instruction throughout the entire
year; and
(2) develop and maintain
a separate record system that, for purposes of section 126C.05, permits
identification of membership attributable to pupils participating in the
program. The record system and identification must ensure that the program will
not have the effect of increasing the total number of pupil units average
daily membership attributable to an individual pupil as a result of a
learning year program. The record system must include the date the pupil
originally enrolled in a learning year program, the pupil's grade level, the
date of each grade promotion, the average daily membership generated in each
grade level, the number of credits or standards earned, and the number needed
to graduate.
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(b) (d) A student who
has not completed a school district's graduation requirements may continue to
enroll in courses the student must complete in order to graduate until the
student satisfies the district's graduation requirements or the student is 21
years old, whichever comes first.
Sec. 5. Minnesota Statutes
2006, section 124D.128, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
Subd. 3. Student planning. A district,
charter school, or area learning center must inform all pupils and their
parents about the learning year program and that participation in the program
is optional. A continual learning plan must be developed at least annually for
each pupil with the participation of the pupil, parent or guardian, teachers,
and other staff; each participant must sign and date the plan. The plan must
specify the learning experiences that must occur during the entire fiscal year
and, are necessary for grade progression, or for secondary
students, for graduation. The plan must include:
(1) the pupil's learning
objectives and experiences, including courses or credits the pupil plans to
complete each year and, for a secondary pupil, the graduation requirements the
student must complete;
(2) the assessment
measurements used to evaluate a pupil's objectives;
(3) requirements for grade
level or other appropriate progression; and
(4) for pupils generating
more than one average daily membership in a given grade, an indication of which
objectives were unmet.
The plan may be modified to
conform to district schedule changes. The district may not modify the plan if
the modification would result in delaying the student's time of graduation.
Sec. 6. Minnesota Statutes
2006, section 124D.4531, is amended to read:
124D.4531 CAREER AND TECHNICAL LEVY REVENUE.
Subdivision 1. Career and technical levy. (a) A
district with a career and technical program approved under this section for
the fiscal year in which the levy is certified may levy an amount equal to the
lesser of:
(1) $80 times the district's
average daily membership served in grades 10 through 12 for the fiscal
year in which the levy is certified; or
(2) 25 percent of approved
expenditures in the fiscal year in which the levy is certified for the
following:
(i) salaries paid to
essential, licensed personnel providing direct instructional services to
students in that fiscal year for services rendered in the district's approved
career and technical education programs;
(ii) contracted services
provided by a public or private agency other than a Minnesota school district
or cooperative center under subdivision 7;
(iii) necessary travel
between instructional sites by licensed career and technical education
personnel;
(iv) necessary travel by
licensed career and technical education personnel for vocational student
organization activities held within the state for instructional purposes;
(v) curriculum development
activities that are part of a five-year plan for improvement based on program
assessment;
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(vi) necessary travel by
licensed career and technical education personnel for noncollegiate
credit-bearing professional development; and
(vii) specialized vocational
instructional supplies.
(b) The district must
recognize the full amount of this levy as revenue for the fiscal year in which
it is certified.
Subd. 1a. Career and technical aid. A district with a career and
technical program approved under this section is eligible for career and
technical state aid in an amount equal to 10 percent of approved expenditures
under subdivision 1.
Subd. 1b. Revenue uses. Up to ten percent of a district's career and
technical levy revenue may be spent on equipment purchases.
Districts using the career and technical levy revenue for
equipment purchases must report to the department on the improved learning
opportunities for students that result from the investment in equipment.
(c) The district must recognize
the full amount of this levy as revenue for the fiscal year in which it is
certified.
Subd. 2. Allocation from cooperative centers and
intermediate districts. For purposes of this section, a cooperative center
or an intermediate district must allocate its approved expenditures for career
and technical education programs among participating districts.
Subd. 3. Levy guarantee. Notwithstanding
subdivision 1, the career and technical education levy for a district is not
less than the lesser of:
(1) the district's career
and technical education levy authority for the previous fiscal year; or
(2) 100 percent of the
approved expenditures for career and technical programs included in subdivision
1, paragraph (b) (a), for the fiscal year in which the levy is
certified.
Subd. 4. District reports. Each district or
cooperative center must report data to the department for all career and
technical education programs as required by the department to implement the
career and technical aid and levy formula formulas.
EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is
effective for revenue for fiscal year 2009.
Sec. 7. Minnesota Statutes
2006, section 124D.59, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
Subd. 2. Pupil of limited English proficiency.
(a) "Pupil of limited English proficiency" means a pupil in
kindergarten through grade 12 who meets the following requirements:
(1) the pupil, as declared
by a parent or guardian first learned a language other than English, comes from
a home where the language usually spoken is other than English, or usually
speaks a language other than English; and
(2) the pupil is determined
by developmentally appropriate measures, which might include observations,
teacher judgment, parent recommendations, or developmentally appropriate
assessment instruments, to lack the necessary English skills to participate
fully in classes taught in English.
(b) Notwithstanding paragraph (a), a pupil in grades
4 through 12 who was enrolled in a Minnesota public school on the dates during
the previous school year when a commissioner provided assessment that measures
the pupil's emerging academic English was administered, shall not be counted as
a pupil of limited English proficiency in calculating limited English
proficiency pupil units under section 126C.05, subdivision 17, and shall not
generate
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state limited English
proficiency aid under section 124D.65, subdivision 5, unless the pupil scored
below the state cutoff score on an assessment measuring emerging academic
English provided by the commissioner during the previous school year.
(c) Notwithstanding paragraphs (a) and (b), a pupil
in kindergarten through grade 12 shall not be counted as a pupil of limited English
proficiency in calculating limited English proficiency pupil units under
section 126C.05, subdivision 17, and shall not generate state limited English
proficiency aid under section 124D.65, subdivision 5, if:
(1) the pupil is not enrolled during the current fiscal
year in an educational program for pupils of limited English proficiency in
accordance with sections 124D.58 to 124D.64; or.
(2) the pupil has generated five or more years of
average daily membership in Minnesota public schools since July 1, 1996.
EFFECTIVE
DATE. This
section is effective for revenue for fiscal year 2008.
Sec. 8. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 124D.65,
subdivision 5, is amended to read:
Subd. 5. School
district LEP revenue. (a) The limited English proficiency allowance
equals $700 for fiscal year 2007, and $815 for fiscal year 2008 and later.
(b) A district's limited English proficiency programs
revenue equals the product of (1) $700 in fiscal year 2004 and later the
limited English proficiency allowance times (2) the greater of 20 or the
adjusted marginal cost average daily membership of eligible pupils of limited
English proficiency enrolled in the district during the current fiscal year.
(b) (c) A pupil ceases to generate state limited
English proficiency aid in the school year following the school year in which
the pupil attains the state cutoff score on a commissioner-provided assessment
that measures the pupil's emerging academic English.
EFFECTIVE
DATE. This
section is effective for revenue for fiscal year 2008.
Sec. 9. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 126C.01, is
amended by adding a subdivision to read:
Subd. 3a. Referendum
market value equalizing factor. The referendum market value
equalizing factor equals the quotient derived by dividing the total referendum
market value of all school districts in the state for the year before the year
the levy is certified by the total number of resident marginal cost pupil units
in the state for the current school year.
EFFECTIVE
DATE. This
section is effective for taxes payable in 2008.
Sec. 10. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 126C.01,
is amended by adding a subdivision to read:
Subd. 12. Location
equity index. (a) A school district's wage equity index equals each
district's composite wage level divided by the statewide average wage for the
same period. The composite wage level for a school district equals the sum of
80 percent of the district's county wage level and 20 percent of the district's
economic development region composite wage level. The composite wage level is
computed by using the most recent three-year weighted wage data with the
coefficient weights set at 0.5 for the most recent year, 0.3 for the prior
year, and 0.15 for the second prior year.
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(b) A school district's
housing equity index equals the ratio of each district's county median home
value to the statewide median home value.
(c) A school district's
location equity index equals the greater of one, or the sum of (i) 0.65 times
the district's wage equity index, and (ii) 0.35 times the district's housing
equity index.
(d) The commissioner of
education annually must recalculate the indexes in this section. For purposes of
this subdivision, the commissioner must locate a school district with
boundaries that cross county borders in the county that generates the highest
location equity index for that district.
EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is
effective for revenue for fiscal year 2008.
Sec. 11. Minnesota Statutes
2006, section 126C.05, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
Subdivision 1. Pupil unit. Pupil units for each
Minnesota resident pupil under the age of 21 or who meets the requirements of
section 120A.20, subdivision 1, paragraph (c), in average daily membership
enrolled in the district of residence, in another district under sections
123A.05 to 123A.08, 124D.03, 124D.06, 124D.07, 124D.08, or 124D.68; in a
charter school under section 124D.10; or for whom the resident district pays
tuition under section 123A.18, 123A.22, 123A.30, 123A.32, 123A.44, 123A.488,
123B.88, subdivision 4, 124D.04, 124D.05, 125A.03 to 125A.24, 125A.51, or
125A.65, shall be counted according to this subdivision.
(a) A prekindergarten pupil
with a disability who is enrolled in a program approved by the commissioner and
has an individual education plan is counted as the ratio of the number of hours
of assessment and education service to 825 times 1.25 with a minimum average
daily membership of 0.28, but not more than 1.25 pupil units.
(b) A prekindergarten pupil
who is assessed but determined not to be disabled is counted as the ratio of
the number of hours of assessment service to 825 times 1.25.
(c) A kindergarten pupil
with a disability who is enrolled in a program approved by the commissioner is
counted as the ratio of the number of hours of assessment and education
services required in the fiscal year by the pupil's individual education
program plan to 875, but not more than one.
(d) A kindergarten pupil who
is not included in paragraph (c) is counted as .557 of a pupil unit for
fiscal year 2000 and thereafter 0.86 pupil units.
(e) A pupil who is in any of
grades 1 to 3 is counted as 1.115 pupil units for fiscal year 2000 and
thereafter.
(f) A pupil who is any of
grades 4 to 6 is counted as 1.06 pupil units for fiscal year 1995 and
thereafter.
(g) A pupil who is in any of
grades 7 to 12 is counted as 1.3 pupil units.
(h) A pupil who is in the
postsecondary enrollment options program is counted as 1.3 pupil units.
EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is
effective for revenue for fiscal year 2009.
Sec. 12. Minnesota Statutes
2006, section 126C.05, subdivision 8, is amended to read:
Subd. 8. Average daily membership. (a)
Membership for pupils in grades kindergarten through 12 and for prekindergarten
pupils with disabilities shall mean the number of pupils on the current roll of
the school, counted from the date of entry until withdrawal. The date of
withdrawal shall mean the day the pupil permanently leaves the school or the
date it is officially known that the pupil has left or has been legally
excused. However, a pupil,
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regardless of age, who has
been absent from school for 15 consecutive school days during the regular
school year or for five consecutive school days during summer school or
intersession classes of flexible school year programs without receiving
instruction in the home or hospital shall be dropped from the roll and
classified as withdrawn. Nothing in this section shall be construed as waiving
the compulsory attendance provisions cited in section 120A.22. Average daily
membership equals the sum for all pupils of the number of days of the school
year each pupil is enrolled in the district's schools divided by the number of
days the schools are in session. Days of summer school or intersession classes
of flexible school year programs are only included in the computation of
membership for pupils with a disability not appropriately served primarily in
the regular classroom. A student must not be counted as more than 1.2 1.5
pupils in average daily membership under this section. When the initial
total average daily membership exceeds 1.2 1.5 for a pupil enrolled
in more than one school district during the fiscal year, each district's
average daily membership must be reduced proportionately.
(b) A student must not be
counted as more than one pupil in average daily membership except for purposes
of section 126C.10, subdivision 2a.
EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is
effective for revenue for fiscal year 2008.
Sec. 13. Minnesota Statutes
2006, section 126C.05, subdivision 15, is amended to read:
Subd. 15. Learning year pupil units. (a) When a
pupil is enrolled in a learning year program under section 124D.128, an area
learning center under sections 123A.05 and 123A.06, an alternative program
approved by the commissioner, or a contract alternative program under section
124D.68, subdivision 3, paragraph (d), or subdivision 3a, for more than 1,020
hours in a school year for a secondary student, more than 935 hours in a school
year for an elementary student more than 850 hours in a school year for a
kindergarten student without a disability enrolled in a full-day kindergarten
program in fiscal year 2009 or later, or more than 425 hours in a school
year for a half-day kindergarten student without a disability, that
pupil may be counted as more than one pupil in average daily membership for
purposes of section 126C.10, subdivision 2a. The amount in excess of one pupil
must be determined by the ratio of the number of hours of instruction provided
to that pupil in excess of: (i) the greater of 1,020 hours or the number of
hours required for a full-time secondary pupil in the district to 1,020 for a
secondary pupil; (ii) the greater of 935 hours or the number of hours required
for a full-time elementary pupil in the district to 935 for an elementary pupil
in grades 1 through 6; and (iii) the greater of 425 850 hours
or the number of hours required for a full-time kindergarten student without a
disability in the district to 425 850 for a kindergarten student
without a disability for fiscal years 2009 and later; and (iv) the greater
of 425 hours or the number of hours required for all kindergarten pupils for
fiscal year 2008 and for a half-day kindergarten student without a disability
to 425 for a kindergarten student without a disability. Hours that occur
after the close of the instructional year in June shall be attributable to the
following fiscal year. A kindergarten student must not be counted as more than
1.2 pupils in average daily membership under this subdivision. A student in
grades 1 through 12 must not be counted as more than 1.2 1.5
pupils in average daily membership under this subdivision.
(b)(i) To receive general
education revenue for a pupil in an alternative program that has an independent
study component, a district must meet the requirements in this paragraph. The
district must develop, for the pupil, a continual learning plan consistent with
section 124D.128, subdivision 3. Each school district that has a state-approved
public alternative program must reserve revenue in an amount equal to at least
90 percent of the district average general education revenue per pupil unit
less compensatory revenue per pupil unit times the number of pupil units
generated by students attending a state-approved public alternative program.
The amount of reserved revenue available under this subdivision may only be
spent for program costs associated with the state-approved public alternative
program. Compensatory revenue must be allocated according to section 126C.15,
subdivision 2.
(ii) General education
revenue for a pupil in an approved alternative program without an independent
study component must be prorated for a pupil participating for less than a full
year, or its equivalent. The district must develop a continual learning plan
for the pupil, consistent with section 124D.128, subdivision 3. Each school
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district that has a
state-approved public alternative program must reserve revenue in an amount
equal to at least 90 percent of the district average general education revenue
per pupil unit less compensatory revenue per pupil unit times the number of
pupil units generated by students attending a state-approved public alternative
program. The amount of reserved revenue available under this subdivision may
only be spent for program costs associated with the state-approved public
alternative program. Compensatory revenue must be allocated according to
section 126C.15, subdivision 2.
(iii) General education
revenue for a pupil in an approved alternative program that has an independent
study component must be paid for each hour of teacher contact time and each
hour of independent study time completed toward a credit or graduation
standards necessary for graduation. Average daily membership for a pupil shall
equal the number of hours of teacher contact time and independent study time
divided by 1,020.
(iv) For an alternative
program having an independent study component, the commissioner shall require a
description of the courses in the program, the kinds of independent study
involved, the expected learning outcomes of the courses, and the means of
measuring student performance against the expected outcomes.
EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is
effective for revenue for fiscal year 2008.
Sec. 14. Minnesota Statutes
2006, section 126C.10, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
Subdivision 1. General education revenue. For
fiscal year 2006 and later, The general education revenue for each district
equals the sum of the district's basic revenue, extended time revenue, gifted
and talented revenue, location equity revenue, basic skills revenue,
training and experience revenue, secondary sparsity revenue, elementary
sparsity revenue, transportation sparsity revenue, total operating capital
revenue, equity revenue, alternative teacher compensation revenue, and
transition revenue.
EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is
effective for revenue for fiscal year 2008.
Sec. 15. Minnesota Statutes
2006, section 126C.10, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
Subd. 2. Basic revenue. The basic revenue for
each district equals the formula allowance times the adjusted marginal cost
pupil units for the school year. The formula allowance for fiscal year 2005
2007 is $4,601 $4,974. The formula allowance for fiscal
year 2006 2008 is $4,783 $5,125. The formula
allowance for fiscal year 2007 2009 and subsequent years is $4,974
$5,280.
Sec. 16. Minnesota Statutes
2006, section 126C.10, subdivision 2a, is amended to read:
Subd. 2a. Extended time revenue. (a) A school
district's extended time revenue is equal to the product of $4,601 the
extended time allowance and the sum of the adjusted marginal cost pupil
units of the district for each pupil in average daily membership in excess of
1.0 and less than 1.2 1.5 according to section 126C.05, subdivision
8. The extended time allowance is $4,601 for fiscal year 2007, $4,740 for
fiscal year 2008, and $4,880 for fiscal year 2009 and subsequent years.
(b) A school district's
extended time revenue may be used for extended day programs, extended week programs,
summer school, and other programming authorized under the learning year
program, and for additional pupil transportation costs attributable to these
programs. Not more than five percent of the extended time revenue may be used
for administrative and oversight services.
EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is
effective for revenue for fiscal year 2008.
Sec. 17. Minnesota Statutes
2006, section 126C.10, subdivision 2b, is amended to read:
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Subd. 2b. Gifted and talented revenue. Gifted and
talented revenue for each district equals $4 times the district's
adjusted marginal cost pupil units for fiscal year 2006 and $9 for fiscal
year 2007 and later that school year times $13 for fiscal year 2008 and
later. A school district must reserve gifted and talented revenue and,
consistent with section 120B.15, must spend the revenue only to:
(1) identify gifted and
talented students;
(2) provide education
programs for gifted and talented students; or
(3) provide staff
development to prepare teachers to best meet the unique needs of gifted and
talented students.
EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is
effective for revenue for fiscal year 2008.
Sec. 18. Minnesota Statutes
2006, section 126C.10, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:
Subd. 2c. Location equity revenue. (a) A school district's location
equity revenue equals the product of:
(1) the basic formula
allowance for that year;
(2) the district's adjusted
marginal cost pupil units for that year; and
(3) the district's location
equity index minus one.
(b) The total annual revenue
for this subdivision must not exceed $500,000.
(c) If the revenue required
under paragraph (b) is insufficient to fund the formula in paragraph (a), the
commissioner of education must proportionately reduce each district's aid
payment.
EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is
effective for revenue for fiscal year 2008.
Sec. 19. Minnesota Statutes
2006, section 126C.10, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
Subd. 4. Basic skills revenue. A school
district's basic skills revenue equals the sum of:
(1) compensatory revenue
under subdivision 3; plus
(2) limited English
proficiency revenue under section 124D.65, subdivision 5; plus
(3) $250 times the limited
English proficiency pupil units under section 126C.05, subdivision 17.
EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is
effective for revenue for fiscal year 2008.
Sec. 20. Minnesota Statutes
2006, section 126C.10, subdivision 13a, is amended to read:
Subd. 13a. Operating capital levy. To obtain
operating capital revenue for fiscal year 2007 and later, a district may levy
an amount not more than the product of its operating capital revenue for the
fiscal year times the lesser of one or the ratio of its adjusted net tax
capacity per adjusted marginal cost pupil unit to the operating capital
equalizing factor. The operating capital equalizing factor equals $22,222
for fiscal year 2006, and $10,700 for fiscal year 2007 2008 and
$33,000 for fiscal year 2009 and later.
EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is
effective for revenue for fiscal year 2009.
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Sec. 21. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 126C.10,
subdivision 18, is amended to read:
Subd. 18. Transportation
sparsity revenue allowance. (a) A district's transportation sparsity
allowance equals the greater of zero or the result of the following
computation:
(i) Multiply the formula allowance according to
subdivision 2, by .1469 .1493.
(ii) Multiply the result in clause (i) by the
district's sparsity index raised to the 26/100 30/100 power.
(iii) Multiply the result in clause (ii) by the
district's density index raised to the 13/100 15/100 power.
(iv) Multiply the formula allowance according to
subdivision 2, by .0485 .0416.
(v) Subtract the result in clause (iv) from the
result in clause (iii).
(b) Transportation sparsity revenue is equal to the
transportation sparsity allowance times the adjusted marginal cost pupil units.
EFFECTIVE
DATE. This
section is effective for revenue for fiscal year 2008.
Sec. 22. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 126C.10,
subdivision 24, is amended to read:
Subd. 24. Equity
revenue. (a) A school district qualifies for equity revenue if:
(1) the school district's adjusted marginal cost
pupil unit amount of basic revenue, supplemental revenue, transition revenue,
and referendum revenue is less than the value of the school district at or
immediately above the 95th percentile of school districts in its equity region
for those revenue categories; and
(2) the school district's administrative offices are
not located in a city of the first class on July 1, 1999.
(b) Equity revenue for a qualifying district that
receives referendum revenue under section 126C.17, subdivision 4, equals the
product of (1) the district's adjusted marginal cost pupil units for that year;
times (2) the sum of (i) $13, plus (ii) $75, times the school district's equity
index computed under subdivision 27.
(c) Equity revenue for a qualifying district that
does not receive referendum revenue under section 126C.17, subdivision 4,
equals the product of the district's adjusted marginal cost pupil units for
that year times $13.
(d) A school district's equity revenue is increased
by the greater of zero or an amount equal to the district's resident marginal
cost pupil units times the difference between ten percent of the statewide
average amount of referendum revenue per resident marginal cost pupil unit for
that year and the district's referendum revenue per resident marginal cost
pupil unit. A school district's revenue under this paragraph must not exceed
$100,000 for that year.
(e) A school district's equity revenue for a school
district located in the metro equity region equals the amount computed in
paragraphs (b), (c), and (d) multiplied by 1.25.
(f) For fiscal year 2007 and later, notwithstanding
paragraph (a), clause (2), a school district that has per pupil referendum
revenue below the 95th percentile qualifies for additional equity revenue equal
to $46 times its adjusted marginal cost pupil unit.
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(g) A district that does not qualify for revenue
under paragraph (f) qualifies for equity revenue equal to one-half of the
per pupil allowance in paragraph (f) $46 times its adjusted marginal
cost pupil units.
EFFECTIVE
DATE. This
section is effective for revenue for fiscal year 2008.
Sec. 23. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 126C.126,
is amended to read:
126C.126
REALLOCATING GENERAL EDUCATION REVENUE FOR ALL-DAY KINDERGARTEN EARLY
EDUCATION PROGRAMS.
(a) In order to provide additional revenue for an
optional all-day kindergarten program early education programs including
school readiness and early childhood family education, a district may
reallocate general education revenue attributable to 12th grade students who
have graduated early under section 120B.07.
(b) A school district may spend general education
revenue on extended time kindergarten and prekindergarten programs.
EFFECTIVE
DATE. This
section is effective for revenue for fiscal year 2009.
Sec. 24. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 126C.13,
subdivision 4, is amended to read:
Subd. 4. General
education aid. (a) For fiscal year 2006, a district's general education
aid is the sum of the following amounts:
(1) general education revenue, excluding equity
revenue, total operating capital, and transition revenue;
(2) operating capital aid according to section
126C.10, subdivision 13b;
(3) equity aid according to section 126C.10,
subdivision 30;
(4) transition aid according to section 126C.10,
subdivision 33;
(5) shared time aid according to section 126C.01,
subdivision 7;
(6) referendum aid according to section 126C.17; and
(7) online learning aid according to section
124D.096.
(b) For fiscal year 2007 2008 and later,
a district's general education aid is the sum of the following amounts:
(1) general education revenue, excluding equity
revenue, total operating capital revenue, alternative teacher compensation
revenue, and transition revenue;
(2) operating capital aid under section 126C.10,
subdivision 13b;
(3) equity aid under section 126C.10, subdivision
30;
(4) alternative teacher compensation aid under
section 126C.10, subdivision 36;
(5) transition aid under section 126C.10,
subdivision 33;
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(6) shared time aid under
section 126C.01, subdivision 7;
(7) referendum aid under
section 126C.17, subdivisions 7 and 7a; and
(8) online learning aid
according to section 124D.096.
Sec. 25. Minnesota Statutes
2006, section 126C.15, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
Subd. 2. Building allocation. (a) A district
must allocate its compensatory revenue to each school building in the district
where the children who have generated the revenue are served unless the school
district has received permission under Laws 2005, First Special Session
chapter 5, article 1, section 50 to allocate compensatory revenue according
to student performance measures developed by the school board.
(b) Notwithstanding paragraph (a), a district may
allocate up to five percent of the amount of compensatory revenue that the
district receives to school sites according to a plan adopted by the school
board. The money reallocated under this paragraph must be spent for the
purposes listed in subdivision 1, but may be spent on students in any grade,
including students attending school readiness or other prekindergarten
programs.
(c) For the purposes of this section and section
126C.05, subdivision 3, "building" means education site as defined in
section 123B.04, subdivision 1.
(d) If the pupil is served at a site other than one
owned and operated by the district, the revenue shall be paid to the district
and used for services for pupils who generate the revenue.
EFFECTIVE
DATE. This
section is effective July 1, 2007.
Sec. 26. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 126C.17,
subdivision 6, is amended to read:
Subd. 6. Referendum
equalization levy. (a) For fiscal year 2003 and later, A district's
referendum equalization levy equals the sum of the first tier referendum
equalization levy and the second tier referendum equalization levy.
(b) A district's first tier referendum equalization
levy equals the district's first tier referendum equalization revenue times the
lesser of one or the ratio of the district's referendum market value per
resident marginal cost pupil unit to $476,000 120 percent of the
referendum market value equalizing factor.
(c) A district's second tier referendum equalization
levy equals the district's second tier referendum equalization revenue times
the lesser of one or the ratio of the district's referendum market value per
resident marginal cost pupil unit to $270,000 60 percent of the
referendum market value equalizing factor.
EFFECTIVE
DATE. This
section is effective for taxes payable in 2008.
Sec. 27. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 126C.17,
subdivision 9, is amended to read:
Subd. 9. Referendum
revenue. (a) The revenue authorized by section 126C.10, subdivision 1, may
be increased in the amount approved by the voters of the district at a
referendum called for the purpose. The referendum may be called by the board or
shall be called by the board upon written petition of qualified voters of the
district. The referendum must be conducted one or two calendar years before the
increased levy authority, if approved, first becomes payable. Only one election
to approve an increase may be held in a calendar year. Unless the referendum is
conducted by mail under paragraph (g), the referendum must be held on the first
Tuesday after the first Monday in November. The ballot must state the maximum
amount of the increased revenue per resident
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marginal cost pupil unit.
The ballot may state a schedule, determined by the board, of increased revenue
per resident marginal cost pupil unit that differs from year to year over the
number of years for which the increased revenue is authorized or may state that
the amount shall increase annually by the rate of inflation. For this purpose,
the rate of inflation shall be the annual inflationary increase calculated
under subdivision 2, paragraph (b). The ballot may state that existing
referendum levy authority is expiring. In this case, the ballot may also
compare the proposed levy authority to the existing expiring levy authority,
and express the proposed increase as the amount, if any, over the expiring
referendum levy authority. The ballot must designate the specific number of
years, not to exceed ten, for which the referendum authorization applies. The
ballot, including a ballot on the question to revoke or reduce the increased
revenue amount under paragraph (c), must abbreviate the term "per resident
marginal cost pupil unit" as "per pupil." The notice required
under section 275.60 may be modified to read, in cases of renewing existing
levies:
"BY VOTING "YES" ON THIS BALLOT
QUESTION, YOU MAY BE VOTING FOR A PROPERTY TAX INCREASE ARE RENEWING
AN EXISTING REFERENDUM. YOU ARE NOT RAISING YOUR OPERATING REFERENDUM TAX RATE
FROM ITS LEVEL IN THE PREVIOUS YEAR."
The ballot may contain a textual portion with the
information required in this subdivision and a question stating substantially
the following:
"Shall the increase in the revenue proposed by
(petition to) the board of ........., School District No. .., be
approved?"
If approved, an amount equal to the approved revenue
per resident marginal cost pupil unit times the resident marginal cost pupil
units for the school year beginning in the year after the levy is certified
shall be authorized for certification for the number of years approved, if
applicable, or until revoked or reduced by the voters of the district at a
subsequent referendum.
(b) The board must prepare and deliver by first
class mail at least 15 days but no more than 30 days before the day of the
referendum to each taxpayer a notice of the referendum and the proposed revenue
increase. The board need not mail more than one notice to any taxpayer. For the
purpose of giving mailed notice under this subdivision, owners must be those
shown to be owners on the records of the county auditor or, in any county where
tax statements are mailed by the county treasurer, on the records of the county
treasurer. Every property owner whose name does not appear on the records of
the county auditor or the county treasurer is deemed to have waived this mailed
notice unless the owner has requested in writing that the county auditor or
county treasurer, as the case may be, include the name on the records for this
purpose. The notice must project the anticipated amount of tax increase in
annual dollars for typical residential homesteads, agricultural homesteads,
apartments, and commercial-industrial property within the school district.
The notice for a referendum may state that an
existing referendum levy is expiring and project the anticipated amount of
increase over the existing referendum levy in the first year, if any, in annual
dollars for typical residential homesteads, agricultural homesteads,
apartments, and commercial-industrial property within the district.
The notice must include the following statement:
"Passage of this referendum will result in an increase in your property
taxes." However, in cases of renewing existing levies, the notice may
include the following statement: "Passage of this referendum may result in
an increase in your property taxes."
(c) A referendum on the question of revoking or
reducing the increased revenue amount authorized pursuant to paragraph (a) may
be called by the board and shall be called by the board upon the written
petition of qualified voters of the district. A referendum to revoke or reduce
the revenue amount must state the amount per resident
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marginal cost pupil unit by
which the authority is to be reduced. Revenue authority approved by the voters
of the district pursuant to paragraph (a) must be available to the school
district at least once before it is subject to a referendum on its revocation
or reduction for subsequent years. Only one revocation or reduction referendum
may be held to revoke or reduce referendum revenue for any specific year and
for years thereafter.
(d) A petition authorized by paragraph (a) or (c) is
effective if signed by a number of qualified voters in excess of 15 percent of
the registered voters of the district on the day the petition is filed with the
board. A referendum invoked by petition must be held on the date specified in
paragraph (a).
(e) The approval of 50 percent plus one of those
voting on the question is required to pass a referendum authorized by this
subdivision.
(f) At least 15 days before the day of the
referendum, the district must submit a copy of the notice required under
paragraph (b) to the commissioner and to the county auditor of each county in
which the district is located. Within 15 days after the results of the
referendum have been certified by the board, or in the case of a recount, the
certification of the results of the recount by the canvassing board, the
district must notify the commissioner of the results of the referendum.
EFFECTIVE
DATE. This
section is effective for elections conducted on or after July 1, 2007.
Sec. 28. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 126C.21,
subdivision 3, is amended to read:
Subd. 3. County
apportionment deduction. Each year the amount of money apportioned to a
district for that year pursuant to section sections 127A.34,
subdivision 2, and 272.029, subdivision 6, must be deducted from the
general education aid earned by that district for the same year or from aid
earned from other state sources.
EFFECTIVE
DATE. This
section is effective for revenue for fiscal year 2009.
Sec. 29. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 126C.21,
subdivision 5, is amended to read:
Subd. 5. Adjustment
for failure to meet federal maintenance of effort. (a) The general
education aid paid to a school district or charter school that failed to meet
federal special education maintenance of effort for the previous fiscal year
must be reduced by the amount that must be paid to the federal government due
to the shortfall.
(b) The general education aid paid to school
districts that were members of a cooperative that failed to meet federal
special education maintenance of effort must be reduced by the amount that must
be paid to the federal government due to the shortfall. The commissioner must
apportion the aid reduction amount to the member school districts based on each
district's individual shortfall in maintaining effort, and on each member district's
proportionate share of any shortfall in expenditures made by the cooperative.
Each district's proportionate share of shortfall in expenditures made by the
cooperative must be calculated using the adjusted marginal pupil units of each
member school district.
(c) The amounts recovered under this subdivision shall
be paid to the federal government to meet the state's obligations resulting
from the district's or, charter school's, or cooperative's
failure to meet federal special education maintenance of effort.
EFFECTIVE
DATE. This
section is effective the day following final enactment.
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Sec. 30. Minnesota Statutes
2006, section 126C.44, is amended to read:
126C.44 SAFE SCHOOLS LEVY.
(a) Each district may make a
levy on all taxable property located within the district for the purposes
specified in this section. The maximum amount which may be levied for all costs
under this section shall be equal to $27 $30 multiplied by the
district's adjusted marginal cost pupil units for the school year. The proceeds
of the levy must be reserved and used for directly funding the following
purposes or for reimbursing the cities and counties who contract with the
district for the following purposes: (1) to pay the costs incurred for the
salaries, benefits, and transportation costs of peace officers and sheriffs for
liaison in services in the district's schools; (2) to pay the costs for a drug
abuse prevention program as defined in section 609.101, subdivision 3,
paragraph (e), in the elementary schools; (3) to pay the costs for a gang
resistance education training curriculum in the district's schools; (4) to pay
the costs for security in the district's schools and on school property; or
(5) to pay the costs for other crime prevention, drug abuse, student and staff
safety, voluntary opt-in suicide prevention tools, and violence
prevention measures taken by the school district; or (6) to pay costs for
licensed school counselors, licensed school nurses, licensed school social
workers, licensed school psychologists, and licensed alcohol and chemical
dependency counselors to help provide early responses to problems. For expenditures
under clause (1), the district must initially attempt to contract for services
to be provided by peace officers or sheriffs with the police department of each
city or the sheriff's department of the county within the district containing
the school receiving the services. If a local police department or a county
sheriff's department does not wish to provide the necessary services, the
district may contract for these services with any other police or sheriff's
department located entirely or partially within the school district's
boundaries.
(b) A school district that
is a member of an intermediate school district may include in its authority
under this section the costs associated with safe schools activities authorized
under paragraph (a) for intermediate school district programs. This authority
must not exceed $5 times the adjusted marginal cost pupil units of the member
districts. This authority is in addition to any other authority authorized
under this section. Revenue raised under this paragraph must be transferred to
the intermediate school district.
(c) If a school district
spends safe schools levy proceeds under paragraph (a), clause (6), the district
must annually certify that its total spending on services provided by the
employees listed in paragraph (a), clause (6), is not less than the sum of its
expenditures for these purposes in the previous year plus the amount spent
under this section.
EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is
effective for taxes payable in 2008.
Sec. 31. Minnesota Statutes
2006, section 127A.441, is amended to read:
127A.441 AID REDUCTION; LEVY REVENUE RECOGNITION CHANGE.
Each year, the state aids
payable to any school district for that fiscal year that are recognized as
revenue in the school district's general and community service funds shall be
adjusted by an amount equal to (1) the amount the district recognized as
revenue for the prior fiscal year pursuant to section 123B.75, subdivision 5,
paragraph (b) or (c), minus (2) the amount the district recognized as
revenue for the current fiscal year pursuant to section 123B.75, subdivision 5,
paragraph (c) (b). For purposes of making the aid adjustments
under this section, the amount the district recognizes as revenue for either
the prior fiscal year or the current fiscal year pursuant to section 123B.75,
subdivision 5, paragraph (b) or (c), shall not include any amount levied
pursuant to section 124D.86, subdivision 4, for school districts receiving
revenue under sections 124D.86, subdivision 3, clauses (1), (2), and (3);
126C.41, subdivisions 1, 2, and 3, paragraphs (b), (c), and (d); 126C.43,
subdivision 2; 126C.457; and 126C.48, subdivision 6. Payment from the permanent
school fund shall not be adjusted pursuant to this section. The school district
shall be notified of the amount of the adjustment made to each payment pursuant
to this section.
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Sec. 32. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 127A.47,
subdivision 7, is amended to read:
Subd. 7. Alternative
attendance programs. The general education aid and special education aid
for districts must be adjusted for each pupil attending a nonresident district
under sections 123A.05 to 123A.08, 124D.03, 124D.06, 124D.08, and 124D.68. The
adjustments must be made according to this subdivision.
(a) General education aid paid to a resident
district must be reduced by an amount equal to the referendum equalization aid
attributable to the pupil in the resident district.
(b) General education aid paid to a district serving
a pupil in programs listed in this subdivision must be increased by an amount
equal to the greater of (1) the referendum equalization aid attributable
to the pupil in the nonresident district; or (2) the product of the
district's open enrollment concentration index, the maximum amount of
referendum revenue in the first tier, and the district's net open enrollment
pupil units for that year. A district's open enrollment concentration index
equals the greater of: (i) zero, or (ii) the lesser of 1.0, or the difference
between the district's ratio of open enrollment pupil units served to its
resident pupil units for that year and 0.2. This clause does not apply to a
school district where more than 50 percent of the open enrollment students are
enrolled solely in online learning courses.
(c) If the amount of the reduction to be made from
the general education aid of the resident district is greater than the amount
of general education aid otherwise due the district, the excess reduction must
be made from other state aids due the district.
(d) For fiscal year 2006, the district of residence
must pay tuition to a district or an area learning center, operated according
to paragraph (f), providing special instruction and services to a pupil with a
disability, as defined in section 125A.02, or a pupil, as defined in section
125A.51, who is enrolled in a program listed in this subdivision. The tuition
must be equal to (1) the actual cost of providing special instruction and services
to the pupil, including a proportionate amount for special transportation and
unreimbursed building lease and debt service costs for facilities used
primarily for special education, minus (2) if the pupil receives special
instruction and services outside the regular classroom for more than 60 percent
of the school day, the amount of general education revenue and referendum aid
attributable to that pupil for the portion of time the pupil receives special
instruction and services outside of the regular classroom, excluding portions
attributable to district and school administration, district support services,
operations and maintenance, capital expenditures, and pupil transportation,
minus (3) special education aid attributable to that pupil, that is received by
the district providing special instruction and services. For purposes of this
paragraph, general education revenue and referendum aid attributable to a pupil
must be calculated using the serving district's average general education
revenue and referendum aid per adjusted pupil unit.
(e) For fiscal year 2007 and later, special
education aid paid to a resident district must be reduced by an amount equal to
(1) the actual cost of providing special instruction and services, including
special transportation and unreimbursed building lease and debt service costs
for facilities used primarily for special education, for a pupil with a
disability, as defined in section 125A.02, or a pupil, as defined in section
125A.51, who is enrolled in a program listed in this subdivision, minus (2) if
the pupil receives special instruction and services outside the regular
classroom for more than 60 percent of the school day, the amount of general
education revenue and referendum aid attributable to that pupil for the portion
of time the pupil receives special instruction and services outside of the
regular classroom, excluding portions attributable to district and school
administration, district support services, operations and maintenance, capital
expenditures, and pupil transportation, minus (3) special education aid
attributable to that pupil, that is received by the district providing special
instruction and services. For purposes of this paragraph, general education
revenue and referendum aid attributable to a pupil must be calculated using the
serving district's average general education revenue and referendum aid per
adjusted pupil unit. Special education
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aid paid to the district or
cooperative providing special instruction and services for the pupil, or to the
fiscal agent district for a cooperative, must be increased by the amount of the
reduction in the aid paid to the resident district. If the resident district's
special education aid is insufficient to make the full adjustment, the
remaining adjustment shall be made to other state aids due to the district.
(f) An area learning center operated by a service
cooperative, intermediate district, education district, or a joint powers
cooperative may elect through the action of the constituent boards to charge
the resident district tuition for pupils rather than to have the general
education revenue paid to a fiscal agent school district. Except as provided in
paragraph (d) or (e), the district of residence must pay tuition equal to at
least 90 percent of the district average general education revenue per pupil
unit minus an amount equal to the product of the formula allowance according to
section 126C.10, subdivision 2, times .0485, calculated without basic skills
revenue and transportation sparsity revenue, times the number of pupil units
for pupils attending the area learning center, plus the amount of compensatory
revenue generated by pupils attending the area learning center.
EFFECTIVE
DATE. This
section is effective for revenue for fiscal year 2008.
Sec. 33. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 127A.47,
subdivision 8, is amended to read:
Subd. 8. Charter
schools. (a) The general education aid for districts must be adjusted for
each pupil attending a charter school under section 124D.10. The adjustments
must be made according to this subdivision.
(b) General education aid paid to a district in
which a charter school not providing transportation according to section
124D.10, subdivision 16, is located must be increased by an amount equal to the
sum of:
(1) the product of: (i) the sum of an amount equal
to the product of the formula allowance according to section 126C.10,
subdivision 2, times .0485 .0416, plus the transportation
sparsity allowance for the district; times (ii) the adjusted marginal cost
pupil units attributable to the pupil; plus
(2) the product of $223 and for fiscal
year 2007, $198 for fiscal year 2008, and $203 for fiscal year 2009 and later,
times the extended time marginal cost pupil units attributable to the
pupil.
EFFECTIVE
DATE. This
section is effective for revenue for fiscal year 2008.
Sec. 34. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 127A.49,
subdivision 2, is amended to read:
Subd. 2. Abatements.
Whenever by virtue of chapter 278, sections 270C.86, 375.192, or otherwise, the
net tax capacity or referendum market value of any district for any
taxable year is changed after the taxes for that year have been spread by the
county auditor and the local tax rate as determined by the county auditor based
upon the original net tax capacity is applied upon the changed net tax
capacities, the county auditor shall, prior to February 1 of each year, certify
to the commissioner of education the amount of any resulting net revenue loss
that accrued to the district during the preceding year. Each year, the
commissioner shall pay an abatement adjustment to the district in an amount
calculated according to the provisions of this subdivision. This amount shall be
deducted from the amount of the levy authorized by section 126C.46. The amount
of the abatement adjustment must be the product of:
(1) the net revenue loss as certified by the county
auditor, times
(2) the ratio of:
(i) the sum of the amounts of the district's
certified levy in the third preceding year according to the following:
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(A) section 123B.57, if the
district received health and safety aid according to that section for the
second preceding year;
(B) section 124D.20, if the
district received aid for community education programs according to that
section for the second preceding year;
(C) section 124D.135,
subdivision 3, if the district received early childhood family education aid
according to section 124D.135 for the second preceding year; and
(D) section 126C.17,
subdivision 6, if the district received referendum equalization aid according
to that section for the second preceding year;
(E) section 126C.10,
subdivision 13a, if the district received operating capital aid according to
section 126C.10, subdivision 13b, in the second preceding year;
(F) section 126C.10,
subdivision 29, if the district received equity aid according to section
126C.10, subdivision 30, in the second preceding year;
(G) section 126C.10,
subdivision 32, if the district received transition aid according to section
126C.10, subdivision 33, in the second preceding year;
(H) section 123B.53,
subdivision 5, if the district received debt service equalization aid according
to section 123B.53, subdivision 6, in the second preceding year;
(I) section 124D.22,
subdivision 3, if the district received school-age care aid according to
section 124D.22, subdivision 4, in the second preceding year;
(J) section 123B.591,
subdivision 3, if the district received deferred maintenance aid according to
section 123B.591, subdivision 4, in the second preceding year; and
(K) section 126C.10,
subdivision 35, if the district received alternative teacher compensation
equalization aid according to section 126C.10, subdivision 36, paragraph (a),
in the second preceding year; to
(ii) the total amount of the
district's certified levy in the third preceding December, plus or minus
auditor's adjustments.
Sec. 35. Minnesota Statutes
2006, section 127A.49, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
Subd. 3. Excess tax increment. (a) If a return
of excess tax increment is made to a district pursuant to sections 469.176,
subdivision 2, and 469.177, subdivision 9, or upon decertification of a tax
increment district, the school district's aid and levy limitations must be
adjusted for the fiscal year in which the excess tax increment is paid under
the provisions of this subdivision.
(b) An amount must be
subtracted from the district's aid for the current fiscal year equal to the
product of:
(1) the amount of the
payment of excess tax increment to the district, times
(2) the ratio of:
(i) the sum of the amounts
of the district's certified levy for the fiscal year in which the excess tax
increment is paid according to the following:
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(A) section 123B.57, if the district received health
and safety aid according to that section for the second preceding year;
(B) section 124D.20, if the district received aid
for community education programs according to that section for the second
preceding year;
(C) section 124D.135, subdivision 3, if the district
received early childhood family education aid according to section 124D.135 for
the second preceding year; and
(D) section 126C.17, subdivision 6, if the district received
referendum equalization aid according to that section for the second preceding
year;
(E) section 126C.10, subdivision 13a, if the
district received operating capital aid according to section 126C.10,
subdivision 13b, in the second preceding year;
(F) section 126C.10, subdivision 29, if the district
received equity aid according to section 126C.10, subdivision 30, in the second
preceding year;
(G) section 126C.10, subdivision 32, if the district
received transition aid according to section 126C.10, subdivision 33, in the
second preceding year;
(H) section 123B.53, subdivision 5, if the district
received debt service equalization aid according to section 123B.53,
subdivision 6, in the second preceding year;
(I) section 124D.22, subdivision 3, if the district
received school-age care aid according to section 124D.22, subdivision 4, in
the second preceding year;
(J) section 123B.591, subdivision 3, if the district
received deferred maintenance aid according to section 123B.591, subdivision 4,
in the second preceding year; and
(K) section 126C.10, subdivision 35, if the district
received alternative teacher compensation equalization aid according to section
126C.10, subdivision 36, paragraph (a), in the second preceding year; to
(ii) the total amount of the district's certified
levy for the fiscal year, plus or minus auditor's adjustments.
(c) An amount must be subtracted from the school
district's levy limitation for the next levy certified equal to the difference
between:
(1) the amount of the distribution of excess
increment; and
(2) the amount subtracted from aid pursuant to
clause (a).
If the aid and levy reductions required by this
subdivision cannot be made to the aid for the fiscal year specified or to the
levy specified, the reductions must be made from aid for subsequent fiscal
years, and from subsequent levies. The school district must use the payment of
excess tax increment to replace the aid and levy revenue reduced under this
subdivision.
(d) This subdivision applies only to the total
amount of excess increments received by a district for a calendar year that
exceeds $25,000.
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Sec. 36. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 272.029,
is amended by adding a subdivision to read:
Subd. 6a. Report to
commissioner of education. The county auditor, on the first
Wednesday after such settlement, shall report to the commissioner the amount
distributed to each school district under subdivision 6.
EFFECTIVE
DATE. This
section is effective July 1, 2008, for settlements made during fiscal year
2009.
Sec. 37. Laws 2005, First Special Session chapter 5,
article 1, section 50, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
Subd. 2. Application
process. Independent School Districts Nos. 11, Anoka-Hennepin; 279, Osseo;
281, Robbinsdale; 286, Brooklyn Center; 535, Rochester; and 833, South
Washington may submit an application to the commissioner of education by
August 15, 2005, for a plan to allocate compensatory revenue to school
sites based on student performance. The application must include a written
resolution approved by the school board that: (1) identifies the test results
that will be used to assess student performance; (2) describes the method for
distribution of compensatory revenue to the school sites; and (3) summarizes
the evaluation procedure the district will use to determine if the
redistribution of compensatory revenue improves overall student performance. The
application must be submitted in the form and manner specified by the
commissioner. The commissioner must notify the selected school districts by
September 1, 2005 within 90 days of receipt of their application.
EFFECTIVE
DATE. This
section is effective the day following final enactment.
Sec. 38. Laws 2006, chapter 282, article 3, section
4, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
Subd. 2. Onetime
energy assistance aid. For onetime energy assistance aid under section 3:
$3,495,000 . . . . . 2007 2006
EFFECTIVE
DATE. This
section is effective the day following final enactment and applies
retroactively to fiscal year 2006.
Sec. 39. SCHOOL
FINANCE REFORM; TASK FORCE ESTABLISHED.
Subdivision 1. Task
force established. A School Finance Reform Task Force is
established.
Subd. 2. Task
force goals. The goals of the School Finance Reform Task Force
include:
(1) creating a standard and index to ensure that the
formula remains adequate over time;
(2) simplifying the remaining school formulas;
(3) analyzing categorical funding formulas,
including but not limited to pupil transportation, compensatory revenue, and
limited English proficiency revenue;
(4) establishing a schedule for implementation of
the other new formulas; and
(5) examining the role of the regional delivery
structure including the functions performed by intermediate school districts,
service cooperatives, education districts, and other cooperative organizations.
Subd. 3. Task
force members. The task force consists of nine members. Membership
includes the commissioner of education, four members appointed according to the
rules of the senate by the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration
Subcommittee on Committees, and four members appointed by the speaker of the
house.
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Subd. 4. Task
force recommendations. The task force must submit a report to the
education committees of the legislature by January 15, 2008, describing the
formula recommendations according to the goals it has established.
EFFECTIVE
DATE. This
section is effective the day following final enactment.
Sec. 40. CHARTER
SCHOOL PUPIL TRANSPORTATION.
The commissioner of education shall undertake a study
and make recommendations to the legislature on the organization, delivery, and
financing of transportation services for students attending public charter
schools. The study must be undertaken with affected stakeholders including
school districts, charter schools, parents of charter school students, pupil
transportation providers and others with expertise in arranging and financing
pupil transportation services. The study must be completed and reported to the
house and senate Education Policy and Finance Committees no later than December
31, 2007.
Sec. 41. APPROPRIATIONS.
Subdivision 1. Department
of Education. The sums indicated in this section are appropriated
from the general fund to the Department of Education for the fiscal years
designated.
Subd. 2. General
education aid. For general education aid under Minnesota Statutes,
section 126C.13, subdivision 4:
$5,654,187,000 . . . . . 2008
$5,977,201,000 . . . . . 2009
The 2008 appropriation includes $531,733,000 for
2007 and $5,122,454,000 for 2008.
The 2009 appropriation includes $550,550,000 for
2008 and $5,426,651,000 for 2009.
Subd. 3. Referendum
tax base replacement aid. For referendum tax base replacement aid
under Minnesota Statutes, section 126C.17, subdivision 7a:
$870,000 . . . . . 2008
The 2008 appropriation includes $870,000 for 2007
and $0 for 2008.
Subd. 4. Enrollment
options transportation. For transportation of pupils attending
postsecondary institutions under Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.09, or for
transportation of pupils attending nonresident districts under Minnesota
Statutes, section 124D.03:
$95,000 . . . . . 2008
$97,000 . . . . . 2009
Subd. 5. Abatement
revenue. For abatement aid under Minnesota Statutes, section
127A.49:
$1,343,000 . . . . . 2008
$1,347,000 . . . . . 2009
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The 2008 appropriation
includes $76,000 for 2007 and $1,267,000 for 2008.
The 2009 appropriation
includes $140,000 for 2008 and $1,207,000 for 2009.
Subd. 6. Consolidation transition. For districts consolidating
under Minnesota Statutes, section 123A.485:
$565,000 . . . . . 2008
$212,000 . . . . . 2009
The 2008 appropriation
includes $43,000 for 2007 and $522,000 for 2008.
The 2009 appropriation
includes $57,000 for 2008 and $155,000 for 2009.
Subd. 7. Nonpublic pupil education aid. For nonpublic pupil
education aid under Minnesota Statutes, sections 123B.87 and 123B.40 to
123B.43:
$16,349,000 . . . . . 2008
$16,803,000 . . . . . 2009
The 2008 appropriation
includes $1,606,000 for 2007 and $14,743,000 for 2008.
The 2009 appropriation
includes $1,638,000 for 2008 and $15,165,000 for 2009.
Subd. 8. Nonpublic pupil transportation. For nonpublic pupil
transportation aid under Minnesota Statutes, section 123B.92, subdivision 9:
$21,747,000 . . . . . 2008
$21,993,000 . . . . . 2009
The 2008 appropriation
includes $2,124,000 for 2007 and $19,623,000 for 2008.
The 2009 appropriation
includes $2,180,000 for 2008 and $19,813,000 for 2009.
Subd. 9. One-room schoolhouse. For a grant to Independent School
District No. 690, Warroad, to operate the Angle Inlet School:
$50,000 . . . . . 2008
$50,000 . . . . . 2009
Subd. 10. Declining pupil aid; Browns Valley. For declining pupil
aid for Independent School District No. 801, Browns Valley, due to the March
2007 flood:
$120,000 . . . . . 2008
$100,000 . . . . . 2009
Any balance in the first
year does not cancel but is available in the second year.
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Subd. 11. Declining
pupil aid McGregor. For declining pupil aid for Independent School
District No. 4, McGregor:
$100,000 . . . . . 2008
Any balance in the first year does not cancel but is
available in the second year.
Subd. 12. Compensatory
revenue pilot project. For grants for participation in the
compensatory revenue pilot program under Laws 2005, First Special Session
chapter 5, article 1, section 50:
$2,175,000 . . . . . 2008
$2,175,000 . . . . . 2009
Of this amount, $1,500,000 in each year is for a
grant to Independent School District No. 11, Anoka-Hennepin; $210,000 in each
year is for a grant to Independent School District No. 279, Osseo; $160,000 in each
year is for a grant to Independent School District No. 281, Robbinsdale;
$75,000 in each year is for a grant to Independent School District No. 286,
Brooklyn Center; $165,000 in each year is for a grant to Independent School
District No. 535, Rochester; and $65,000 in each year is for a grant to
Independent School District No. 833, South Washington.
If a grant to a specific school district is not
awarded, the commissioner may increase the aid amounts to any of the remaining
participating school districts.
This appropriation is part of the base budget for
subsequent fiscal years.
Subd. 13. School
Finance Reform Task Force. For the school finance reform task force
under section 39:
$100,000 . . . . . 2008
This is a onetime appropriation.
Sec. 42. REVISOR'S
INSTRUCTION.
In Minnesota Statutes, the revisor of statutes shall
correct any incorrect cross references resulting from the repeal of Minnesota
Statutes, section 124D.06.
Sec. 43. REPEALER.
(a) Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 124D.06, is repealed,
June 30, 2007.
(b) Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 124D.081,
subdivisions 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 9, are repealed effective for revenue for
fiscal year 2009.
ARTICLE 2
EDUCATION EXCELLENCE
Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 13.32,
is amended by adding a subdivision to read:
Subd. 8a. Access to
student records; school conferences. (a) A parent or guardian of a
student may designate one "significant individual," defined under
paragraph (c), to participate in a school conference involving the child of the
parent or guardian. The parent or guardian must provide the school with prior
written consent allowing the
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significant individual to
participate in the conference and to receive any data on the child of the
consenting parent or guardian that is necessary and relevant to the conference
discussions. The consenting parent or guardian may withdraw consent, in
writing, at any time.
(b) A school may accept the following form, or
another consent to release student data form, as sufficient to meet the
requirements of this subdivision:
"CONSENT TO PARTICIPATE
IN CONFERENCES AND RECEIVE STUDENT DATA
I, ............................ (Name of parent or
guardian), as parent or guardian of ................................. (Name of
child), consent to allow ................................. (Name of significant
individual) to participate in school conferences and receive student data
relating to the above-named child, consistent with Minnesota Statutes, section
13.32, subdivision 8a. I understand that I may withdraw my consent, upon
written request, at any time.
......................................... (Signature of parent or guardian)
......................................... (Date)"
(c) For purposes of this section, "significant
individual" means one additional adult designated by a child's parent or
guardian to attend school-related activities and conferences. The significant
individual must reside with the child and participate actively in the child's
care and upbringing.
Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 119A.50, is
amended by adding a subdivision to read:
Subd. 3. Early
childhood literacy programs. (a) A research-based early childhood literacy
program premised on actively involved parents, ongoing professional staff
development, and high quality early literacy program standards is established
to increase the literacy skills of children participating in Head Start to
prepare them to be successful readers and to increase families' participation
in providing early literacy experiences to their children. Program providers
must:
(1) work to prepare children to be successful
learners;
(2) work to close the achievement gap for at-risk
children;
(3) use an integrated approach to early literacy
that daily offers a literacy-rich classroom learning environment composed of
books, writing materials, writing centers, labels, rhyming, and other related
literacy materials and opportunities;
(4) support children's home language while helping
the children master English and use multiple literacy strategies to provide a
cultural bridge between home and school;
(5) use literacy mentors, ongoing literacy groups,
and other teachers and staff to provide appropriate, extensive professional
development opportunities in early literacy and classroom strategies for
preschool teachers and other preschool staff;
(6) use ongoing data-based assessments that enable
preschool teachers to understand, plan, and implement literacy strategies,
activities, and curriculum that meet children's literacy needs and continuously
improve children's literacy; and
(7) foster participation by parents, community
stakeholders, literacy advisors, and evaluation specialists.
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Program providers are
encouraged to collaborate with qualified, community-based early childhood
providers in implementing this program and to seek nonstate funds to supplement
the program.
(b) Program providers under
paragraph (a) interested in extending literacy programs to children in
kindergarten through grade 3 may elect to form a partnership with an eligible
organization under section 124D.38, subdivision 2, or 124D.42, subdivision 6,
clause (3), schools enrolling children in kindergarten through grade 3, and
other interested and qualified community-based entities to provide ongoing
literacy programs that offer seamless literacy instruction focused on closing
the literacy achievement gap. To close the literacy achievement gap by the end
of third grade, partnership members must agree to use best efforts and
practices and to work collaboratively to implement a seamless literacy model
from age three to grade 3, consistent with paragraph (a). Literacy programs
under this paragraph must collect and use literacy data to:
(1) evaluate children's
literacy skills; and
(2) formulate specific
intervention strategies to provide reading instruction to children premised on
the outcomes of formative and summative assessments and research-based
indicators of literacy development.
The literacy programs under
this paragraph also must train teachers and other providers working with
children to use the assessment outcomes under clause (2) to develop and use
effective, long-term literacy coaching models that are specific to the program
providers.
(c) The commissioner must
collect and evaluate literacy data on children from age three to grade 3 who
participate in literacy programs under this section to determine the efficacy
of early literacy programs on children's success in developing the literacy
skills that they need for long-term academic success and the programs' success
in closing the literacy achievement gap. Annually by February 1, the commissioner
must report to the education policy and finance committees of the legislature
on the ongoing impact of these programs.
EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is
effective the day following final enactment.
Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes
2006, section 120A.22, subdivision 7, is amended to read:
Subd. 7. Education records. (a) A district, a
charter school, or a nonpublic school that receives services or aid under
sections 123B.40 to 123B.48 from which a student is transferring must
transmit the student's educational records, within ten business days of a
request, to the district, the charter school, or the nonpublic school in
which the student is enrolling. Districts, charter schools, and nonpublic
schools that receive services or aid under sections 123B.40 to 123B.48 must
make reasonable efforts to determine the district, the charter school, or
the nonpublic school in which a transferring student is next enrolling in
order to comply with this subdivision.
(b) A closed charter
school must transfer the student's educational records, within ten business
days of the school's closure, to the student's school district of residence
where the records must be retained unless the records are otherwise transferred
under this subdivision.
(c) A school district, a
charter school, or a nonpublic school that receives services or aid under
sections 123B.40 to 123B.48 that transmits a student's educational records
to another school district or other educational entity, charter school, or
nonpublic school to which the student is transferring must include in the
transmitted records information about any formal suspension, expulsion, and
exclusion disciplinary action taken as a result of any incident in which
the student possessed or used a dangerous weapon under sections 121A.40
to 121A.56. The district, the charter school, or the nonpublic school that
receives services or aid under sections 123B.40 to 123B.48 must provide notice
to a student and the student's parent or guardian that formal disciplinary
records will be transferred as part of the student's educational record, in
accordance with data practices under chapter 13 and the Family Educational
Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, United States Code, title 20, section 1232(g).
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(c) (d) Notwithstanding section
138.17, a principal or chief administrative officer must remove from a
student's educational record and destroy a probable cause notice received under
section 260B.171, subdivision 5, or paragraph (d), if one year has elapsed
since the date of the notice and the principal or chief administrative officer
has not received a disposition or court order related to the offense described
in the notice. This paragraph does not apply if the student no longer attends
the school when this one-year period expires.
(d) (e) A principal or chief
administrative officer who receives a probable cause notice under section
260B.171, subdivision 5, or a disposition or court order, must include a copy
of that data in the student's educational records if they are transmitted to
another school, unless the data are required to be destroyed under paragraph
(c) or section 121A.75.
Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes
2006, section 120B.021, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
Subdivision 1. Required academic standards. The
following subject areas are required for statewide accountability:
(1) language arts;
(2) mathematics;
(3) science;
(4) social studies,
including history, geography, economics, and government and citizenship;
(5) health and physical
education, for which locally developed health academic standards apply;
and
(6) the arts, for which
statewide or locally developed academic standards apply, as determined by the
school district. Public elementary and middle schools must offer at least three
and require at least two of the following four arts areas: dance; music;
theater; and visual arts. Public high schools must offer at least three and
require at least one of the following five arts areas: media arts; dance;
music; theater; and visual arts.
To satisfy state graduation
requirements under section 120B.024, paragraph (a), clause (6), the physical
education standards under clause (5) must be consistent with either the (i) six
physical education standards developed by the department's quality teaching
network or the (ii) six National Physical Education Standards developed by the
National Association for Sport and Physical Education. To satisfy federal
reporting requirements for continued funding under Title VII of the Physical
Education for Progress Act, a school district, if applicable, must notify the
department by March 15, in the form and manner the department prescribes, of
its intent to comply with the National Physical Education Standards in the next
school year.
The commissioner must submit
proposed standards in science and social studies to the legislature by February
1, 2004.
For purposes of applicable
federal law, the academic standards for language arts, mathematics, and science
apply to all public school students, except the very few students with extreme
cognitive or physical impairments for whom an individualized education plan
team has determined that the required academic standards are inappropriate. An
individualized education plan team that makes this determination must establish
alternative standards.
A school district, no later than the 2007-2008
school year, must adopt graduation requirements that meet or exceed state
graduation requirements established in law or rule. A school district that
incorporates these state graduation requirements before the 2007-2008 school
year must provide students who enter the 9th grade in or before the 2003-2004
school year the opportunity to earn a diploma based on existing locally
established graduation
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requirements in effect when
the students entered the 9th grade. District efforts to develop, implement, or
improve instruction or curriculum as a result of the provisions of this section
must be consistent with sections 120B.10, 120B.11, and 120B.20.
The commissioner must include the contributions of
Minnesota American Indian tribes and communities as they relate to each of the
academic standards during the review and revision of the required academic
standards.
EFFECTIVE
DATE. This
section is effective the day following final enactment, except that clause (5)
applies to students entering the ninth grade in the 2008-2009 school year and
later.
Sec. 5. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 120B.023,
subdivision 2, is amended to read:
Subd. 2. Revisions
and reviews required. (a) The commissioner of education must revise and
appropriately embed technology and information literacy standards consistent
with recommendations from school media specialists into the state's academic
standards and graduation requirements and implement a review cycle for state
academic standards and related benchmarks, consistent with this subdivision.
During each review cycle, the commissioner also must examine the alignment of
each required academic standard and related benchmark with the knowledge and
skills students need for college readiness and advanced work in the particular
subject area.
(b) The commissioner in the 2006-2007 school year
must revise and align the state's academic standards and high school graduation
requirements in mathematics to require that students satisfactorily complete
the revised mathematics standards, beginning in the 2010-2011 school year.
Under the revised standards:
(1) students must satisfactorily complete an algebra
I credit by the end of eighth grade; and
(2) students scheduled to graduate in the 2014-2015 school
year or later must satisfactorily complete an algebra II credit or its
equivalent.
The commissioner also must
ensure that the statewide mathematics assessments administered to students in
grades 3 through 8 and 11 beginning in the 2010-2011 school year are aligned
with the state academic standards in mathematics. The statewide 11th grade
mathematics test administered to students under clause (2) beginning in the
2013-2014 school year must include algebra II test items that are aligned with
corresponding state academic standards in mathematics. The office of
educational accountability under section 120B.31, subdivision 3, in
collaboration with the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities, must
determine and the commissioner must set a passing score for the statewide 11th
grade mathematics test that represents readiness for college so that a student
who achieves a passing score on this test, upon graduation, is immediately
ready to take college courses for college credit in a two-year or a four-year institution,
consistent with section 135A.104. The commissioner must implement a review
of the academic standards and related benchmarks in mathematics beginning in
the 2015-2016 school year.
(c) The commissioner in the 2007-2008 school year
must revise and align the state's academic standards and high school graduation
requirements in the arts to require that students satisfactorily complete the
revised arts standards beginning in the 2010-2011 school year. The commissioner
must implement a review of the academic standards and related benchmarks in
arts beginning in the 2016-2017 school year.
(d) The commissioner in the 2008-2009 school year
must revise and align the state's academic standards and high school graduation
requirements in science to require that students satisfactorily complete the
revised science standards, beginning in the 2011-2012 school year. Under the
revised standards, students scheduled to graduate in the 2014-2015 school year
or later must satisfactorily complete a chemistry or physics credit. The
commissioner must implement a review of the academic standards and related
benchmarks in science beginning in the 2017-2018 school year.
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(e) The commissioner in the
2009-2010 school year must revise and align the state's academic standards and
high school graduation requirements in language arts to require that students
satisfactorily complete the revised language arts standards beginning in the
2012-2013 school year. The office of educational accountability under
section 120B.31, subdivision 3, in collaboration with the Minnesota State
Colleges and Universities, must determine and the commissioner must set a
passing score for the statewide tenth grade reading and language arts test that
represents readiness for college so that a student who achieves a passing score
on this test, upon graduation, is immediately ready to take college courses for
college credit in a two-year or a four-year institution, consistent with section
135A.104. The commissioner must implement a review of the academic
standards and related benchmarks in language arts beginning in the 2018-2019
school year.
(f) The commissioner in the
2010-2011 school year must revise and align the state's academic standards and
high school graduation requirements in social studies to require that students
satisfactorily complete the revised social studies standards beginning in the
2013-2014 school year. The commissioner must implement a review of the academic
standards and related benchmarks in social studies beginning in the 2019-2020
school year.
(g) The commissioner in the
2011-2012 school year must revise and align the state's standards and high
school graduation requirements in physical education, consistent with the
requirements governing sections 120B.021, subdivision 1, clause (5), and
120B.024, paragraph (a), clause (6), to require students to satisfactorily
complete the revised physical education standards beginning in the 2014-2015
school year. The commissioner must implement a review of the standards and
related benchmarks in physical education beginning in the 2020-2021 school
year.
(g) (h) School districts
and charter schools must revise and align local academic standards and high
school graduation requirements in health, physical education, world
languages, and career and technical education to require students to complete
the revised standards beginning in a school year determined by the school
district or charter school. School districts and charter schools must formally
establish a periodic review cycle for the academic standards and related
benchmarks in health, physical education, world languages, and career
and technical education.
EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is
effective the day following final enactment and applies to students entering
the ninth grade in the 2008-2009 school year and later.
Sec. 6. Minnesota Statutes
2006, section 120B.024, is amended to read:
120B.024 GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS; COURSE CREDITS.
(a) Students beginning 9th
grade in the 2004-2005 school year and later must successfully complete the
following high school level course credits for graduation:
(1) four credits of language
arts;
(2) three credits of
mathematics, encompassing at least algebra, geometry, statistics, and
probability sufficient to satisfy the academic standard;
(3) three credits of
science, including at least one credit in biology;
(4) three and one-half
credits of social studies, encompassing at least United States history,
geography, government and citizenship, world history, and economics or three
credits of social studies encompassing at least United States history,
geography, government and citizenship, and world history, and one-half credit
of economics taught in a school's social studies, agriculture education, or
business department;
(5) one credit in the arts; and
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(6) one-half credit in physical education; and
(7) a minimum of seven six elective course
credits.
A course credit is equivalent to a student
successfully completing an academic year of study or a student mastering the
applicable subject matter, as determined by the local school district.
(b) An agriculture science course may fulfill a
science credit requirement in addition to the specified science credits in
biology and chemistry or physics under paragraph (a), clause (3).
(c) The commissioner, in collaboration with the
Minnesota State Colleges and Universities, must develop and implement a
statewide plan to communicate with all Minnesota high school students no later
than the beginning of 9th grade the state's expectations for college readiness,
consistent with section 120B.023, subdivision 2, paragraphs (b) and (e), and
section 135A.104.
EFFECTIVE
DATE. This
section is effective the day following final enactment. Paragraph (a) applies
to students entering the ninth grade in the 2008-2009 school year and later.
Sec. 7. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 120B.11,
subdivision 5, is amended to read:
Subd. 5. Report.
(a) By October 1 of each year, the school board shall use standard statewide
reporting procedures the commissioner develops and adopt a report that includes
the following:
(1) student achievement goals for meeting state
academic standards;
(2) results of local assessment data, and any
additional test data;
(3) description of student achievement in subject
areas under section 120B.021, subdivision 1, for which locally developed academic
standards apply and statewide assessments are not developed;
(3) (4) the annual school district improvement plans
including staff development goals under section 122A.60;
(4) (5) information about district and learning site
progress in realizing previously adopted improvement plans; and
(5) (6) the amount and type of revenue attributed to each
education site as defined in section 123B.04.
(b) The school board shall publish the report in the
local newspaper with the largest circulation in the district, by mail, or by
electronic means such as the district Web site. If electronic means are used,
school districts must publish notice of the report in a periodical of general
circulation in the district. School districts must make copies of the report available
to the public on request. The board shall make a copy of the report available
to the public for inspection. The board shall send a copy of the report to the
commissioner of education by October 15 of each year.
(c) The title of the report shall contain the name
and number of the school district and read "Annual Report on Curriculum,
Instruction, and Student Achievement." The report must include at least
the following information about advisory committee membership:
(1) the name of each committee member and the date
when that member's term expires;
(2) the method and criteria the school board uses to
select committee members; and
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(3) the date by which a community resident must
apply to next serve on the committee.
Sec. 8. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 120B.132,
is amended to read:
120B.132 RAISED ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT; ADVANCED PLACEMENT AND
INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE PROGRAMS.
Subdivision 1. Establishment;
eligibility. A program is established to raise kindergarten through grade
12 academic achievement through increased student participation in preadvanced
placement and, advanced placement, and international
baccalaureate programs, consistent with section 120B.13. Schools and
charter schools eligible to participate under this section:
(1) must have a three-year plan approved by the
local school board to establish a new international baccalaureate program
leading to international baccalaureate authorization, expand an existing
program that leads to international baccalaureate authorization, or expand an
existing authorized international baccalaureate program; or
(2) must have a three-year plan approved by the local
school board to create a new or expand an existing program to implement the
college board advanced placement courses and exams or preadvanced placement courses
initiative; and
(2) (3) must propose to further raise students' academic
achievement by:
(i) increasing the availability of and all students'
access to advanced placement or international baccalaureate courses or
programs;
(ii) expanding the breadth of advanced placement or
international baccalaureate courses or programs that are available to
students;
(iii) increasing the number and the diversity of the
students who participate in advanced placement or international
baccalaureate courses or programs and succeed;
(iv) providing low-income and other disadvantaged students
with increased access to advanced placement or international baccalaureate
courses and programs; or
(v) increasing the number of high school students,
including low-income and other disadvantaged students, who receive college
credit by successfully completing advanced placement or international
baccalaureate courses or programs and achieving satisfactory scores on
related exams.
Subd. 2. Application
and review process; funding priority. (a) Charter schools and school
districts in which eligible schools under subdivision 1 are located may apply
to the commissioner, in the form and manner the commissioner determines, for
competitive funding to further raise students' academic achievement. The
application must detail the specific efforts the applicant intends to undertake
in further raising students' academic achievement, consistent with subdivision
1, and a proposed budget detailing the district or charter school's current and
proposed expenditures for advanced placement or, preadvanced
placement, and international baccalaureate courses and programs. The
proposed budget must demonstrate that the applicant's efforts will supplement
but not supplant any expenditures for advanced placement and preadvanced
placement courses and programs the applicant currently makes available to
students support implementation of advanced placement, preadvanced
placement, and international baccalaureate courses and programs.
Expenditures for administration must not exceed five percent of the proposed
budget. The commissioner may require an applicant to provide additional
information.
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(b) When reviewing applications, the commissioner
must determine whether the applicant satisfied all the requirements in this
subdivision and subdivision 1. The commissioner may give funding priority to an
otherwise qualified applicant that demonstrates:
(1) a focus on developing or expanding preadvanced
placement, advanced placement, or international baccalaureate
courses and or programs or increasing students' participation in,
access to, or success with the courses or programs, including the
participation, access, or success of low-income and other disadvantaged
students;
(2) a compelling need for access to preadvanced
placement, advanced placement, or international baccalaureate courses or
programs;
(3) an effective ability to actively involve local
business and community organizations in student activities that are integral to
preadvanced placement, advanced placement, or international
baccalaureate courses and or programs;
(4) access to additional public or nonpublic funds
or in-kind contributions that are available for preadvanced placement, advanced
placement, or international baccalaureate courses or programs; or
(5) an intent to implement activities that target
low-income and other disadvantaged students.
Subd. 3. Funding;
permissible funding uses. (a) The commissioner shall award grants to applicant
school districts and charter schools that meet the requirements of subdivisions
1 and 2. The commissioner must award grants on an equitable geographical basis
to the extent feasible and consistent with this section. Grant awards must not
exceed the lesser of:
(1) $85 times the number of pupils enrolled at the
participating sites on October 1 of the previous fiscal year; or
(2) the approved supplemental expenditures based on
the budget submitted under subdivision 2. For charter schools in their first
year of operation, the maximum grant funding award must be
calculated using the number of pupils enrolled on October 1 of the current
fiscal year. The commissioner may adjust the maximum grant funding
award computed using prior year data for changes in enrollment attributable to
school closings, school openings, grade level reconfigurations, or school
district reorganizations between the prior fiscal year and the current fiscal
year.
(b) School districts and charter schools that submit
an application and receive funding under this section must use the funding,
consistent with the application, to:
(1) provide teacher training and instruction to more
effectively serve students, including low-income and other disadvantaged
students, who participate in preadvanced and placement, advanced
placement, or international baccalaureate courses or programs;
(2) further develop preadvanced placement, advanced
placement, or international baccalaureate courses or programs;
(3) improve the transition between grade levels to
better prepare students, including low-income and other disadvantaged students,
for succeeding in preadvanced placement, advanced placement, or
international baccalaureate courses or programs;
(4) purchase books and supplies;
(5) pay course or program fees;
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(6) increase students' participation in and success
with preadvanced placement, advanced placement, or international
baccalaureate courses or programs;
(7) expand students' access to preadvanced placement
or, advanced placement, or international baccalaureate
courses or programs through online learning;
(8) hire appropriately licensed personnel to teach
additional advanced placement or international baccalaureate courses or programs;
or
(9) engage in other activity directly related to
expanding students' access to, participation in, and success with preadvanced
placement or, advanced placement, or international
baccalaureate courses and or programs, including low-income
and other disadvantaged students.
Subd. 4. Annual
reports. (a) Each school district and charter school that receives a grant
under this section annually must collect demographic and other student data to
demonstrate and measure the extent to which the district or charter school
raised students' academic achievement under this program and must report the
data to the commissioner in the form and manner the commissioner determines.
The commissioner annually by February 15 must make summary data about this
program available to the education policy and finance committees of the
legislature.
(b) Each school district and charter school that
receives a grant under this section annually must report to the commissioner,
consistent with the Uniform Financial Accounting and Reporting Standards, its
actual expenditures for advanced placement and, preadvanced
placement, and international baccalaureate courses and programs. The
report must demonstrate that the school district or charter school has maintained
its effort from other sources for advanced placement and,
preadvanced placement, and international baccalaureate courses and
programs compared with the previous fiscal year, and the district or charter
school has expended all grant funds, consistent with its approved budget.
EFFECTIVE
DATE. This
section is effective the day following final enactment and applies to the
2007-2008 school year and later.
Sec. 9. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 120B.15, is
amended to read:
120B.15 GIFTED
AND TALENTED STUDENTS PROGRAMS.
(a) School districts may identify students, locally
develop programs, provide staff development, and evaluate programs to provide
gifted and talented students with challenging educational programs.
(b) School districts may adopt guidelines for assessing
and identifying students for participation in gifted and talented programs. The
guidelines should include the use of:
(1) multiple and objective criteria; and
(2) assessments and procedures that are valid and
reliable, fair, and based on current theory and research.
(c) School districts must adopt policies and
procedures for the academic acceleration of gifted and talented students. These
policies and procedures must include how the district will:
(1) assess a student's readiness and motivation for
acceleration; and
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(2) match the level,
complexity, and pace of the curriculum to a student to achieve the best type of
academic acceleration for that student.
Sec. 10. Minnesota Statutes
2006, section 120B.30, is amended to read:
120B.30 STATEWIDE TESTING AND REPORTING SYSTEM.
Subdivision 1. Statewide testing. (a) The
commissioner, with advice from experts with appropriate technical qualifications
and experience and stakeholders, consistent with subdivision 1a, shall include
in the comprehensive assessment system, for each grade level to be tested,
state-constructed tests developed from and aligned with the state's required
academic standards under section 120B.021 and administered annually to all
students in grades 3 through 8 and at the high school level. A state-developed
test in a subject other than writing, developed after the 2002-2003 school
year, must include both machine-scoreable and constructed response questions.
The commissioner shall establish one or more months during which schools shall
administer the tests to students each school year. For students enrolled in
grade 8 before the 2005-2006 school year, only Minnesota basic skills tests in
reading, mathematics, and writing shall fulfill students' basic skills testing
requirements for a passing state notation. The passing scores of the state
basic skills tests in reading and mathematics are the equivalent of:
(1) 70 percent correct for
students entering grade 9 in 1996; and
(2) 75 percent correct for
students entering grade 9 in 1997 and thereafter, as based on the first uniform
test administration of February 1998.
(b) For students enrolled in
grade 8 in the 2005-2006 school year and later, only the Minnesota
Comprehensive Assessments Second Edition (MCA-IIs) in reading, mathematics, and
writing following options shall fulfill students' academic
standard state graduation test requirements.:
(1) for reading and
mathematics:
(i) obtaining an achievement
level equivalent to or greater than proficient as determined through a standard
setting process on the Minnesota comprehensive assessments in grade 10 for
reading and grade 11 for mathematics or achieving a passing score as determined
through a standard setting process on the graduation-required assessment for
diploma in grade 10 for reading and grade 11 for mathematics or subsequent
retests;
(ii) achieving a passing
score as determined through a standard setting process on the state-identified
language proficiency test in reading and the mathematics test for English
language learners or the graduation-required assessment for diploma equivalent
of those assessments for students designated as English language learners;
(iii) achieving an
individual passing score on the graduation-required assessment for diploma as
determined by appropriate state guidelines for students with an individual
education plan or 504 plan;
(iv) obtaining achievement
level equivalent to or greater than proficient as determined through a standard
setting process on the state-identified alternate assessment or assessments in
grade 10 for reading and grade 11 for mathematics for students with an
individual education plan; or
(v) achieving an individual
passing score on the state-identified alternate assessment or assessments as
determined by appropriate state guidelines for students with an individual
education plan; and
(2) for writing:
(i) achieving a passing
score on the graduation-required assessment for diploma;
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(ii) achieving a passing score as determined through
a standard setting process on the state-identified language proficiency test in
writing for students designated as English language learners;
(iii) achieving an individual passing score on the
graduation-required assessment for diploma as determined by appropriate state
guidelines for students with an individual education plan or 504 plan; or
(iv) achieving an individual passing score on the
state-identified alternate assessment or assessments as determined by
appropriate state guidelines for students with an individual education plan.
(b) (c) The third 3rd through 8th grade and
high school level test results shall be available to districts for diagnostic
purposes affecting student learning and district instruction and curriculum,
and for establishing educational accountability. The commissioner must
disseminate to the public the test results upon receiving those results.
(c) (d) State tests must be constructed and aligned with
state academic standards. The testing process and the order of administration
shall be determined by the commissioner. The statewide results shall be
aggregated at the site and district level, consistent with subdivision 1a.
(d) (e) In addition to the testing and reporting
requirements under this section, the commissioner shall include the following
components in the statewide public reporting system:
(1) uniform statewide testing of all students in
grades 3 through 8 and at the high school level that provides appropriate,
technically sound accommodations, alternate assessments, or exemptions
consistent with applicable federal law, only with parent or guardian
approval, for those very few students for whom the student's individual
education plan team under sections 125A.05 and 125A.06, determines that
the general statewide test is inappropriate for a student is
incapable of taking a statewide test, or for a limited English proficiency
student under section 124D.59, subdivision 2, if the student has been in the
United States for fewer than three years;
(2) educational indicators that can be aggregated and
compared across school districts and across time on a statewide basis,
including average daily attendance, high school graduation rates, and high
school drop-out rates by age and grade level;
(3) students' scores state results on
the American College Test; and
(4) state results from participation in the National
Assessment of Educational Progress so that the state can benchmark its
performance against the nation and other states, and, where possible, against
other countries, and contribute to the national effort to monitor achievement.
(e) Districts must report exemptions under paragraph
(d), clause (1), to the commissioner consistent with a format provided by the
commissioner.
Subd. 1a. Statewide
and local assessments; results. (a) The commissioner must develop reading,
mathematics, and science assessments aligned with state academic standards that
districts and sites must use to monitor student growth toward achieving those
standards. The commissioner must not develop statewide assessments for academic
standards in social studies, health and physical education, and the arts. The
commissioner must require:
(1) annual reading and mathematics assessments in
grades 3 through 8 and at the high school level for the 2005-2006 school year
and later; and
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(2) annual science
assessments in one grade in the grades 3 through 5 span, the grades 6 through 9
span, and a life sciences assessment in the grades 10 through 12 span for the 2007-2008
school year and later.
(b) The commissioner must
ensure that all statewide tests administered to elementary and secondary
students measure students' academic knowledge and skills and not students'
values, attitudes, and beliefs.
(c) Reporting of assessment
results must:
(1) provide timely, useful,
and understandable information on the performance of individual students,
schools, school districts, and the state;
(2) include, by the
2006-2007 no later than the 2008-2009 school year, a value-added
component to that is in addition to a measure for student
achievement growth over time; and
(3)(i) for students enrolled
in grade 8 before the 2005-2006 school year, determine whether students have
met the state's basic skills requirements; and
(ii) for students enrolled
in grade 8 in the 2005-2006 school year and later, determine whether students
have met the state's academic standards.
(d) Consistent with
applicable federal law and subdivision 1, paragraph (d), clause (1), the
commissioner must include appropriate, technically sound accommodations or
alternative assessments for the very few students with disabilities for whom
statewide assessments are inappropriate and for students with limited English
proficiency.
(e) A school, school
district, and charter school must administer statewide assessments under this
section, as the assessments become available, to evaluate student progress in
achieving the academic standards. If a state assessment is not available, a
school, school district, and charter school must determine locally if a student
has met the required academic standards. A school, school district, or charter
school may use a student's performance on a statewide assessment as one of
multiple criteria to determine grade promotion or retention. A school, school
district, or charter school may use a high school student's performance on a
statewide assessment as a percentage of the student's final grade in a course,
or place a student's assessment score on the student's transcript except as
required under paragraph (f).
(f) A school district or
charter school must place a student's assessment score for 9th grade writing,
10th grade language arts, and 11th grade mathematics on the student's
transcript.
Subd. 2. Department of Education assistance. The
Department of Education shall contract for professional and technical services
according to competitive bidding procedures under chapter 16C for purposes of
this section.
Subd. 3. Reporting. The commissioner shall
report test data publicly and to stakeholders, including the three
performance baselines performance achievement levels developed from
students' unweighted mean test scores in each tested subject and a
listing of demographic factors that strongly correlate with student
performance. The commissioner shall also report data that compares performance
results among school sites, school districts, Minnesota and other states, and
Minnesota and other nations. The commissioner shall disseminate to schools and
school districts a more comprehensive report containing testing information
that meets local needs for evaluating instruction and curriculum.
Subd. 4. Access to tests. The commissioner must
adopt and publish a policy to provide public and parental access for review of
basic skills tests, Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments, or any other such
statewide test and assessment. Upon receiving a written request, the
commissioner must make available to parents or guardians a copy of their
student's actual answer sheet responses to the test questions to
be reviewed by the parent.
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Sec. 11. Minnesota Statutes
2006, section 120B.31, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
Subd. 3. Educational accountability. (a) The
Independent Office of Educational Accountability, as authorized by Laws 1997,
First Special Session chapter 4, article 5, section 28, subdivision 2, is
established, and shall be funded through the Board of Regents of the
University of Minnesota. The office shall advise the education committees
of the legislature and the commissioner of education, at least on a biennial
basis, on the degree to which the statewide educational accountability and
reporting system includes a comprehensive assessment framework that measures
school accountability for students achieving the goals described in the state's
results-oriented graduation rule. The office shall consider determine
and annually report to the legislature whether and how effectively:
(1) the statewide system of
educational accountability utilizes multiple indicators to provide valid and
reliable comparative and contextual data on students, schools, districts, and
the state, and if not, recommend ways to improve the accountability reporting
system.;
(2) the commissioner makes
statistical adjustments when reporting student data over time, consistent with
clause (4);
(3) the commissioner uses
indicators of student achievement growth over time and a value-added assessment
model that estimates the effects of the school and school district on student
achievement to measure school performance, consistent with section 120B.36,
subdivision 1; and
(4) the commissioner makes
data available on students who do not pass one or more of the state's required
GRAD tests and do not receive a diploma as a consequence, and categorizes these
data according to gender, race, eligibility for free or reduced lunch, and
English language proficiency.
(b) When the office reviews
the statewide educational accountability and reporting system, it shall also
consider:
(1) the objectivity and
neutrality of the state's educational accountability system; and
(2) the impact of a testing
program on school curriculum and student learning.
EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective
the day following final enactment.
Sec. 12. Minnesota Statutes
2006, section 120B.36, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
Subdivision 1. School performance report cards. (a)
The commissioner shall use objective criteria based on levels of student performance
to identify four to six designations applicable to high and low performing
public schools. The objective criteria shall include report at least
student academic performance, school safety, student-to-teacher ratios that
clearly indicate the definition of teacher for purposes of determining these
ratios, and staff characteristics, with a value-added growth
component added by the 2006-2007 no later than the 2008-2009
school year. The report must indicate a school's adequate yearly progress
status.
(b) The commissioner shall
develop, annually update, and post on the department Web site school
performance report cards. A school's designation must be clearly stated on
each school performance report card.
(c) The commissioner must
make available the first school designations and school performance
report cards by November 2003, and during the beginning of each school year
thereafter.
(d) A school or district may
appeal its adequate yearly progress status in writing a designation
under this section to the commissioner within 30 days of receiving the designation
notice of its status. The commissioner's decision to uphold or deny an
appeal is final.
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(e) School performance
report cards data are nonpublic data under section 13.02, subdivision 9,
until not later than ten days after the appeal procedure described in paragraph
(d) concludes. The department shall annually post school performance report
cards to its public Web site no later than September 1.
EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is
effective the day following final enactment and applies to the school
performance report cards for the 2006-2007 school year and later.
Sec. 13. Minnesota Statutes
2006, section 121A.22, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
Subdivision 1. Applicability. (a) This section
applies only:
(1) when the parent of a
pupil requests school personnel to administer drugs or medicine, including
physician-prescribed naturopathic medicine, to the pupil; or
(2) when administration is
allowed by the individual education plan of a child with a disability.
The request of a parent may
be oral or in writing. An oral request must be reduced to writing within two
school days, provided that the district may rely on an oral request until a
written request is received.
(b)
"Physician-prescribed naturopathic medicine" under this section means
naturopathic medicine, as defined by the federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act,
that is prescribed by a licensed physician in consultation with a
board-certified naturopathic physician.
EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is
effective the day following final enactment.
Sec. 14. Minnesota Statutes
2006, section 121A.22, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
Subd. 3. Labeling. Drugs or medicine subject to
this section, except physician-prescribed and labeled naturopathic medicine,
must be in a container with a label prepared by a pharmacist according to
section 151.212 and applicable rules.
EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is
effective the day following final enactment.
Sec. 15. Minnesota Statutes
2006, section 121A.22, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
Subd. 4. Administration. (a) Drugs and
medicine subject to this section, except physician-prescribed naturopathic
medicine, must be administered in a manner consistent with instructions on
the label. Physician-prescribed naturopathic medicine must be administered
according to the order of the prescribing physician.
(b) Drugs and medicine subject
to this section must be administered, to the extent possible, according to
school board procedures that must be developed in consultation:
(1) with a school nurse, in
a district that employs a school nurse;
(2) with a licensed school
nurse, in a district that employs a licensed school nurse;
(3) with a public or private
health or health-related organization, in a district that contracts with a
public or private health or health-related organization, according to section
121A.21; or
(4) with the appropriate
party, in a district that has an arrangement approved by the commissioner of
education, according to section 121A.21.
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EFFECTIVE
DATE. This
section is effective the day following final enactment.
Sec. 16. [121A.231]
RESPONSIBLE FAMILY LIFE AND SEXUALITY EDUCATION PROGRAMS.
Subdivision 1. Definitions.
(a) "Responsible family life and sexuality education" means
education in grades 7 through 12 that:
(1) respects community values and encourages family
communication;
(2) develops skills in communication, decision
making, and conflict resolution;
(3) contributes to healthy relationships;
(4) provides human development and sexuality education
that is age appropriate and medically accurate;
(5) includes an abstinence-first approach to
delaying initiation of sexual activity that emphasizes abstinence while also
including education about the use of protection and contraception; and
(6) promotes individual responsibility.
(b) "Age appropriate" refers to topics,
messages, and teaching methods suitable to particular ages or age groups of
children and adolescents, based on developing cognitive, emotional, and
behavioral capacity typical for the age or age group.
(c) "Medically accurate" means verified or
supported by research conducted in compliance with scientific methods and
published in peer-reviewed journals, where appropriate, and recognized as
accurate and objective by professional organizations and agencies in the
relevant field, such as the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,
the American Public Health Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics, or
the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.
Subd. 2. Curriculum
requirements. (a) A school district must offer and may independently
establish policies, procedures, curriculum, and services for providing
responsible family life and sexuality education that is age appropriate and
medically accurate for grades 7 through 12.
(b) A school district must consult with parents or
guardians of enrolled students when establishing policies, procedures,
curriculum, and services under this subdivision.
Subd. 3. Notice
and parental options. (a) It is the legislature's intent to
encourage pupils to communicate with their parents or guardians about human
sexuality and to respect rights of parents or guardians to supervise their
children's education on these subjects.
(b) Parents or guardians may excuse their children
from all or part of a responsible family life and sexuality education program.
(c) A school district must establish policies and
procedures consistent with paragraph (e) and this section for providing parents
or guardians reasonable notice with the following information:
(1) if the district is offering a responsible family
life and sexuality education program to the parents' or guardians' child during
the course of the year;
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(2) how the parents or guardians may inspect the
written and audio/visual educational materials used in the program and the
process for inspection;
(3) if the program is presented by school district
personnel or outside consultants, and if outside consultants are used, who they
may be; and
(4) parents' or guardians' right to choose not to
have their child participate in the program and the procedure for exercising
that right.
(d) A school district must establish policies and
procedures for reasonably restricting the availability of written and
audio/visual educational materials from public view of students who have been
excused from all or part of a responsible family life and sexuality education
program at the request of a parent or guardian, consistent with paragraph (e)
and this section.
(e) A school district may offer a responsible family
life and sexuality education program under this section to a pupil only with
the prior written consent of the pupil's parent or guardian. A school district
must make reasonable arrangements with school personnel for alternative
instruction for those pupils whose parents or guardians refuse to give their
consent, and must not impose an academic or other penalty upon a pupil merely
for arranging the alternative instruction. School personnel may evaluate and
assess the quality of the pupil's work completed as part of the alternative
instruction.
Subd. 4. Assistance
to school districts. (a) The Department of Education may offer
services to school districts to help them implement effective responsible
family life and sexuality education programs. In making these services
available the department may provide:
(1) training for teachers, parents, and community
members in the development of responsible family life and sexuality education
curriculum or services and in planning for monitoring and evaluation
activities;
(2) resource staff persons to provide expert
training, curriculum development and implementation, and evaluation services;
(3) technical assistance to promote and coordinate
community, parent, and youth forums in communities identified as having high
needs for responsible family life and sexuality education;
(4) technical assistance for issue management and
policy development training for school boards, superintendents, principals, and
administrators across the state; and
(b) Technical assistance in accordance with National
Health Education Standards provided by the department to school districts may:
(1) promote instruction and use of materials that are
age appropriate;
(2) provide information that is medically accurate
and objective;
(3) provide instruction and promote use of materials
that are respectful of marriage and commitments in relationships;
(4) provide instruction and promote use of materials
that are appropriate for use with pupils and family experiences based on race,
gender, sexual orientation, ethnic and cultural background, and appropriately
accommodate alternative learning based on language or disability;
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(5) provide instruction and
promote use of materials that encourage pupils to communicate with their
parents or guardians about human sexuality;
(6) provide instruction and
promote use of age-appropriate materials that teach abstinence from sexual
intercourse as the only certain way to prevent unintended pregnancy or sexually
transmitted infections, including HIV and HPV, and provide information about
the role and value of abstinence while also providing medically accurate
information on other methods of preventing and reducing risk for unintended
pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections;
(7) provide instruction and
promote use of age-appropriate materials that are medically accurate in
explaining transmission modes, risks, symptoms, and treatments for sexually
transmitted infections, including HIV and HPV;
(8) provide instruction and
promote use of age-appropriate materials that address varied societal views on
sexuality, sexual behaviors, pregnancy, and sexually transmitted infections,
including HIV and HPV, in an age-appropriate manner;
(9) provide instruction and
promote use of age-appropriate materials that provide information about the
effectiveness and safety of all FDA-approved methods for preventing and
reducing risk for unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections,
including HIV and HPV;
(10) provide instruction and
promote use of age-appropriate materials that provide instruction in skills for
making and implementing responsible decisions about sexuality;
(11) provide instruction and
promote use of age-appropriate materials that provide instruction in skills for
making and implementing responsible decisions about finding and using health
services; and
(12) provide instruction and
promote use of age-appropriate materials that do not teach or promote religious
doctrine or bias against a religion or reflect or promote bias against any
person on the basis of any category protected under the Minnesota Human Rights
Act, chapter 363A.
Sec. 17. Minnesota Statutes
2006, section 122A.16, is amended to read:
122A.16 HIGHLY QUALIFIED TEACHER DEFINED.
(a) A qualified teacher is
one holding a valid license, under this chapter, to perform the particular
service for which the teacher is employed in a public school.
(b) For the purposes of the
federal No Child Left Behind Act, a highly qualified teacher is one who
holds a valid license under this chapter to perform the particular service for
which the teacher is employed in a public school or who meets the requirements
of a highly objective uniform state standard of evaluation (HOUSSE)
means a teacher who:
(1) has obtained full state
certification or passed the state teacher licensing examination and holds a
license to teach in the state;
(2) does not have
certification or licensure requirements waived on an emergency, temporary, or
provisional basis;
(3) holds a minimum of a
bachelor's degree; and
(4) has demonstrated subject
matter competency in core academic subjects.
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All Minnesota teachers teaching in a core academic
subject area, as defined by the federal No Child Left Behind Act, in which they
are not fully licensed may complete the following HOUSSE process in the core
subject area for which the teacher is requesting highly qualified status by
completing an application, in the form and manner described by the
commissioner, that includes:
(1) documentation of student achievement as
evidenced by norm-referenced test results that are objective and
psychometrically valid and reliable;
(2) evidence of local, state, or national
activities, recognition, or awards for professional contribution to
achievement;
(3) description of teaching experience in the
teachers' core subject area in a public school under a waiver, variance,
limited license or other exception; nonpublic school; and postsecondary
institution;
(4) test results from the Praxis II content test;
(5) evidence of advanced certification from the
National Board for Professional Teaching Standards;
(6) evidence of the successful completion of course
work or pedagogy courses; and
(7) evidence of the successful completion of high
quality professional development activities.
Districts must assign a school administrator to
serve as a HOUSSE reviewer to meet with teachers under this paragraph and,
where appropriate, certify the teachers' applications. Teachers satisfy the
definition of highly qualified when the teachers receive at least 100 of the
total number of points used to measure the teachers' content expertise under
clauses (1) to (7). Teachers may acquire up to 50 points only in any one clause
(1) to (7). Teachers may use the HOUSSE process to satisfy the definition of
highly qualified for more than one subject area.
(c) Achievement of the HOUSSE criteria is not
equivalent to a license. A teacher must obtain permission from the Board of
Teaching in order to teach in a public school Subject matter competency
to meet federal highly qualified teacher requirements is determined by the
state.
Sec. 18. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 122A.18,
is amended by adding a subdivision to read:
Subd. 2c. Determining
passing scores. The passing score on the examination of skills in
reading, writing, and mathematics required as a condition of granting an
initial teaching license under subdivision 2, paragraph (b), is the passing
score in effect at the time the person takes the examination and not the time
the person applies for the initial teaching license.
EFFECTIVE
DATE. This
section is effective the day following final enactment and applies to all
persons enrolled in a teacher preparation program on that date and later.
Sec. 19. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 122A.414,
subdivision 1, is amended to read:
Subdivision 1. Restructured
pay system. A restructured alternative teacher professional pay system
that may include experience and educational credits is established under
subdivision 2 to provide incentives to encourage teachers to improve their
knowledge and instructional skills in order to improve student learning and for
school districts, intermediate school districts, and charter schools to recruit
and retain highly qualified teachers, encourage highly qualified teachers to
undertake challenging assignments, and support teachers' roles in improving
students' educational achievement.
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EFFECTIVE
DATE. This
section is effective for the 2007-2008 school year and later.
Sec. 20. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 122A.414,
subdivision 2, is amended to read:
Subd. 2. Alternative
teacher professional pay system. (a) To participate in this program, a
school district, intermediate school district, school site, or charter school
must have an educational improvement plan under section 122A.413 and an
alternative teacher professional pay system agreement under paragraph (b). A
charter school participant also must comply with subdivision 2a.
(b) The alternative teacher professional pay system
agreement must:
(1) describe how teachers can achieve career
advancement and additional compensation;
(2) describe how the school district, intermediate
school district, school site, or charter school will provide teachers with
career advancement options that allow teachers to retain primary roles in
student instruction and facilitate site-focused professional development that
helps other teachers improve their skills;
(3) reform the "steps and lanes" salary
schedule, prevent any teacher's compensation paid before implementing the pay
system from being reduced as a result of participating in this system, and base
at least 60 percent of any compensation increase funded by alternative
compensation revenue on teacher performance using:
(i) schoolwide student achievement gains under
section 120B.35 or locally selected standardized assessment outcomes, or both;
(ii) measures of student achievement; and
(iii) an objective evaluation program that includes:
(A) individual teacher evaluations aligned with the
educational improvement plan under section 122A.413 and the staff development
plan under section 122A.60; and
(B) objective evaluations using multiple criteria
conducted by a locally selected and periodically trained evaluation team that
understands teaching and learning;
(4) provide integrated ongoing site-based
professional development activities to improve instructional skills and
learning that are aligned with student needs under section 122A.413, consistent
with the staff development plan under section 122A.60 and led during the school
day by trained teacher leaders such as master or mentor teachers;
(5) allow any teacher in a participating school
district, intermediate school district, school site, or charter school that
implements an alternative pay system to participate in that system without any
quota or other limit; and
(6) encourage collaboration rather than competition
among teachers.
EFFECTIVE
DATE. This
section is effective for the 2007-2008 school year and later.
Sec. 21. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 122A.415,
subdivision 1, is amended to read:
Subdivision 1. Revenue
amount. (a) A school district, intermediate school district, school site,
or charter school that meets the conditions of section 122A.414 and submits an
application approved by the commissioner is eligible for alternative teacher
compensation revenue.
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(b) For school district and intermediate school
district applications, the commissioner must consider only those applications
to participate that are submitted jointly by a district and the exclusive representative
of the teachers. The application must contain an alternative teacher
professional pay system agreement that:
(1) implements an alternative teacher professional
pay system consistent with section 122A.414; and
(2) is negotiated and adopted according to the
Public Employment Labor Relations Act under chapter 179A, except that
notwithstanding section 179A.20, subdivision 3, a district may enter into a
contract for a term of two or four years.
Alternative teacher compensation revenue for a qualifying
school district or site in which the school board and the exclusive
representative of the teachers agree to place teachers in the district or at
the site on the alternative teacher professional pay system equals $260 times
the number of pupils enrolled at the district or site on October 1 of the
previous fiscal year. Alternative teacher compensation revenue for a qualifying
intermediate school district must be calculated under section 126C.10,
subdivision 34, paragraphs (a) and (b) paragraph (c).
(c) For a newly combined or consolidated district,
the revenue shall be computed using the sum of pupils enrolled on October 1 of
the previous year in the districts entering into the combination or
consolidation. The commissioner may adjust the revenue computed for a site
using prior year data to reflect changes attributable to school closings,
school openings, or grade level reconfigurations between the prior year and the
current year.
(d) The revenue is available only to school
districts, intermediate school districts, school sites, and charter schools
that fully implement an alternative teacher professional pay system by October
1 of the current school year.
EFFECTIVE
DATE. This
section is effective for revenue for fiscal year 2008.
Sec. 22. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 122A.60,
subdivision 3, is amended to read:
Subd. 3. Staff
development outcomes. The advisory staff development committee must adopt a
staff development plan for improving student achievement. The plan must be
consistent with education outcomes that the school board determines. The plan
must include ongoing staff development activities that contribute toward
continuous improvement in achievement of the following goals:
(1) improve student achievement of state and local
education standards in all areas of the curriculum by using best practices
methods;
(2) effectively meet the needs of a diverse student
population, including at-risk children, children with disabilities, and gifted
children, within the regular classroom and other settings;
(3) provide an inclusive curriculum for a racially,
ethnically, and culturally diverse student population that is consistent with
the state education diversity rule and the district's education diversity plan;
(4) improve staff collaboration and develop
mentoring and peer coaching programs for teachers new to the school or
district;
(5) effectively teach and model violence prevention
policy and curriculum that address early intervention alternatives, issues of
harassment, and teach nonviolent alternatives for conflict resolution; and
(6) provide teachers and other members of site-based
management teams with appropriate management and financial management skills;
and
(7) improve and increase teachers' knowledge of the
academic subjects they teach.
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Sec. 23. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 122A.61,
subdivision 1, is amended to read:
Subdivision 1. Staff
development revenue. A district is required to reserve an amount equal to
at least two percent of the basic revenue under section 126C.10, subdivision 2,
for in-service education for programs under section 120B.22, subdivision 2, for
staff development plans, including plans for challenging instructional
activities and experiences under section 122A.60, and for curriculum
development and programs, other in-service education, teachers' workshops,
teacher conferences, the cost of substitute teachers staff development
purposes, preservice and in-service education for special education
professionals and paraprofessionals, higher education courses and programs
in teachers' areas of licensure, and other related costs for staff
development efforts. A district may annually waive the requirement to reserve
their basic revenue under this section if a majority vote of the licensed
teachers in the district and a majority vote of the school board agree to a
resolution to waive the requirement. A district in statutory operating debt is
exempt from reserving basic revenue according to this section. Districts may
expend an additional amount of unreserved revenue for staff development based
on their needs. With the exception of amounts reserved for staff development
from revenues allocated directly to school sites, the board must initially allocate
50 percent of the reserved revenue to each school site in the district on a per
teacher basis, which must be retained by the school site until used. The board
may retain 25 percent to be used for district wide staff development efforts.
The remaining 25 percent of the revenue must be used to make grants to school
sites for best practices methods. A grant may be used for any purpose
authorized under section 120B.22, subdivision 2, 122A.60, or for the costs of
curriculum development and programs, other in-service education, teachers'
workshops, teacher conferences, substitute teachers for staff development
purposes, and other staff development efforts, and determined by the site
professional development team. The site professional development team must
demonstrate to the school board the extent to which that staff at
the site have met the outcomes of the program. The board may withhold a portion
of initial allocation of revenue if the staff development outcomes are not
being met.
EFFECTIVE
DATE. This
section is effective the day following final enactment.
Sec. 24. [122A.633]
SCHOLAR LOANS TO PREPARE TEACHERS OF COLOR.
Subdivision 1. Establishment;
definitions. (a) A scholar loan program is established to encourage
academically talented postsecondary students of color to become teachers of
early childhood, elementary, or secondary education.
(b) For the purposes of this section, the following
terms have the meanings given them:
(1) "student of color" means a student who
is African American, American Indian, Alaskan native, Asian American or Pacific
Islander, or Hispanic; and
(2) "director" means the director of the
Minnesota Office of Higher Education.
Subd. 2. Eligibility.
To be eligible for a scholar loan, a student of color must:
(1) be an American citizen residing in Minnesota;
(2) be registered as a junior or senior in a
Minnesota public or private postsecondary institution and enrolled in a teacher
preparation program approved by the Board of Teaching at that postsecondary
institution;
(3) be making satisfactory progress towards a
baccalaureate degree with a major in education;
(4) agree to teach in a Minnesota school district
with a student of color population of at least 15 percent or a desegregation/integration
plan approved by the commissioner of education; and
(5) meet academic criteria specified by the director
in consultation with the commissioner.
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Subd. 3. Application
process; awarding scholar loans. (a) The director, in consultation
with the commissioner of education, shall award scholar loans to eligible
students of color. A student of color must submit an application for a scholar
loan to the director in the form and manner determined by the director in
consultation with the commissioner. The application must include the criteria
in subdivision 2 and any other information required by the director.
(b) A student of color may receive scholar loans for
two consecutive academic years if the student of color remains enrolled full
time in a teacher preparation program and continues to make satisfactory
progress toward the baccalaureate degree. For each academic year, a loan may
not exceed the lesser of the cost of tuition, fees, books, and on-campus
housing, if applicable, or a maximum amount of $10,000. The director must award
ten percent of the scholar loans to students of color who transfer from a
Minnesota public community or technical college to a Minnesota public or
private college or university with an approved teacher preparation program.
(c) The director must spend up to five percent of
any appropriation for promotion of the scholar loan program, recruitment of
students of color to the program, and retention and mentoring of students of
color while attending a teacher preparation program and teaching in an eligible
Minnesota public school under subdivision 2, clause (4). The director must
consult with the commissioner to consider the use of existing state programs,
as appropriate, to provide the services under this paragraph.
Subd. 4. Loan
forgiveness; deferral; repayment. (a) A scholar loan may be forgiven
if a recipient is employed as a teacher under section 122A.40 or 122A.41 in an
eligible school under subdivision 2, clause (4). The director shall forgive up
to $2,500 of the principal of the outstanding loan amount for successful
completion of each school year of full-time teaching up to four school years of
teaching in an eligible school or a pro rata amount of the principal for
eligible employment during part of a school year, part-time employment as a
substitute, or other part-time teaching.
(b) If there is no eligible employment available,
the director may grant an exemption from the 15 percent district student of
color teaching requirement or a deferral from payment of principal and interest
on the loan. The director may also grant a deferral of payment of principal and
interest on the loan during any time period the recipient is enrolled at least
one-half time in an advanced degree program in a field that leads to employment
by a school district. The recipient shall apply for a loan deferral by
submitting written notification to the director in a form and manner
established by the director.
(c) A recipient with an outstanding scholar loan
amount who is not having the loan forgiven under paragraph (a) or deferred
under paragraph (b) must repay the principal of the loan plus interest at the
rate of six percent. The interest rate must begin accruing the first day of the
first month following the last month of the period of forgiveness or deferral.
Interest does not accrue during the period of forgiveness or deferral.
(d) The director shall establish repayment
procedures for scholar loans including, at least, variable repayment schedules
consistent with the need and anticipated income streams of loan recipients. The
repayment period begins the first day of the first month after:
(1) the recipient terminates full-time enrollment in
an approved teacher preparation program;
(2) the recipient completes an approved teacher
preparation program and does not teach in an eligible school under subdivision
2, clause (4), or have an exemption under paragraph (b);
(3) the period of forgiveness under paragraph (a)
ends; or
(4) the period of deferral under paragraph (b) ends.
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Subd. 5. Revolving
fund. The scholar loan repayment revolving account is established in
the state treasury. Any amounts repaid by a loan recipient shall be deposited
in the account. All money in the account is annually appropriated to the
director for the purposes of the scholar loan program under this section.
Sec. 25. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 122A.72,
subdivision 5, is amended to read:
Subd. 5. Center
functions. (a) A teacher center shall perform functions according to
this subdivision. The center shall assist teachers, diagnose learning needs,
experiment with the use of multiple instructional approaches, assess pupil
outcomes, assess staff development needs and plans, and teach school personnel
about effective pedagogical approaches. The center shall develop and produce
curricula and curricular materials designed to meet the educational needs of
pupils being served, by applying educational research and new and improved
methods, practices, and techniques. The center shall provide programs to
improve the skills of teachers to meet the special educational needs of pupils.
The center shall provide programs to familiarize teachers with developments in
curriculum formulation and educational research, including how research can be
used to improve teaching skills. The center shall facilitate sharing of
resources, ideas, methods, and approaches directly related to classroom
instruction and improve teachers' familiarity with current teaching materials
and products for use in their classrooms. The center shall provide in-service
programs.
(b) Each teacher center must provide a professional
development program to train interested and highly qualified elementary,
middle, and secondary teachers, selected by the employing school district, to
assist other teachers in that district with mathematics and science curriculum,
standards, and instruction so that all teachers have access to:
(1) high quality professional development programs
in mathematics and science that address curriculum, instructional methods,
alignment of standards, and performance measurements, enhance teacher and
student learning, and support state mathematics and science standards; and
(2) research-based mathematics and science programs
and instructional models premised on best practices that inspire teachers and
students and have practical classroom application.
EFFECTIVE
DATE. This
section is effective for the 2007-2008 school year and later.
Sec. 26. [122A.95]
VETERAN'S DAY RECOGNITION.
(a) Every independent, special, and common school district
and every charter school shall honor the federal Veteran's Day holiday by:
(1) granting to each staff member who is a veteran
the option of using Veteran's Day as a personal leave day; and
(2) if the school district or school is open and
providing instruction on Veteran's Day, instructing the students about
Veteran's Day and the significance to our nation of the service provided by
veterans. The instruction must be given in each school for at least 30 minutes
or one school period, whichever is longer.
(b) In recognition of the educational value of
observing Veteran's Day and honoring the service provided by all our veterans,
Minnesota institutions, organizations, and other entities are encouraged to
honor the federal Veteran's Day holiday by granting to each employee who is a
veteran a day off with pay on that holiday.
Sec. 27. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 123B.03,
subdivision 3, is amended to read:
Subd. 3. Definitions.
For purposes of this section:
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(a) "School" means a school as defined in
section 120A.22, subdivision 4, except a home school, and includes a school
receiving tribal contract or grant school aid under section 124D.83; school,
for the purposes of this section, also means a service cooperative, a special
education cooperative, or an education district under Minnesota Statutes 1997
Supplement, section 123.35, a charter school under section 124D.10, and a joint
powers district under section 471.59.
(b) "School hiring authority" means the
school principal or other person having general control and supervision of the
school.
(c) "Security violations" means the
failure to prevent or failure to institute safeguards to prevent access, use,
retention, or dissemination of information in violation of the security and
management control outsourcing standard.
Sec. 28. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 123B.03,
is amended by adding a subdivision to read:
Subd. 4. Third-party
handling of criminal history record information. (a) For purposes of
this section, a school hiring authority may contract with a third party to
conduct background checks required in subdivision 1. Prior to engaging in the
contract the school hiring authority shall:
(1) request and receive written permission from the
state compact officer as defined in section 299C.58, article I, paragraph (2),
item (B);
(2) provide the state compact officer a copy of the
contract; and
(3) inquire of the state compact officer whether a
prospective contractor has any security violations.
(b) The contract shall specifically describe the
purposes for which the background check information may be made available,
consistent with applicable data practices law, and shall incorporate by
reference a security and management control outsourcing standard approved by
the state compact officer.
Sec. 29. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 123B.37,
subdivision 1, is amended to read:
Subdivision 1. Boards
shall not charge certain fees. (a) A board is not authorized to charge fees
in the following areas:
(1) textbooks, workbooks, art materials, laboratory
supplies, towels;
(2) supplies necessary for participation in any
instructional course except as authorized in sections 123B.36 and 123B.38;
(3) field trips that are required as a part of a
basic education program or course;
(4) graduation caps, gowns, any specific form of
dress necessary for any educational program, and diplomas;
(5) instructional costs for necessary school
personnel employed in any course or educational program required for
graduation;
(6) library books required to be utilized for any
educational course or program;
(7) admission fees, dues, or fees for any activity
the pupil is required to attend;
(8) any admission or examination cost for any
required educational course or program;
(9) locker rentals;
(10) transportation to and from school of pupils
living two miles or more from school.
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(b) Notwithstanding paragraph (a), clauses (1) and
(6), a board may charge fees for textbooks, workbooks, and library books, lost
or destroyed by students. The board must annually notify parents or guardians
and students about its policy to charge a fee under this paragraph.
(c) A school board must not charge a fee to a person
serving in active military service under section 190.05, subdivision 5, who
requests that the school district or charter school transmit a copy of the
person's transcript to a postsecondary institution or prospective employer. The
school district or charter school may request reasonable proof of the service
member's current military duty status.
Sec. 30. [123B.485]
NONPUBLIC TRANSCRIPTS.
A nonpublic school that receives services or aid
under sections 123B.40 to 123B.48 must not charge a fee to a person serving in
active military service under section 190.05, subdivision 5, who requests that
the nonpublic school transmit a copy of the person's transcript to a
postsecondary institution or prospective employer. The nonpublic school may
request reasonable proof of the service member's current military status.
Sec. 31. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 123B.92,
subdivision 3, is amended to read:
Subd. 3. Alternative
attendance programs. (a) A district that enrolls nonresident pupils
in programs under sections 124D.03, 124D.06, 124D.08, 123A.05 to 123A.08, and
124D.68, must provide authorized transportation to the pupil within the
attendance area for the school that the pupil attends at the same level of
service that is provided to resident pupils within the attendance area. The
resident district need not provide or pay for transportation between the
pupil's residence and the district's border.
(b) A district may provide transportation to allow a
student who attends a high-need English language learner program and who
resides within the transportation attendance area of the program to continue in
the program until the student completes the highest grade level offered by the
program.
EFFECTIVE
DATE. This
section is effective the day following final enactment.
Sec. 32. [124D.091]
CONCURRENT ENROLLMENT PROGRAM AID.
Subdivision 1. Accreditation.
To establish a uniform standard by which concurrent enrollment courses and
professional development activities may be measured, postsecondary institutions
are encouraged to apply for accreditation by the National Alliance of
Concurrent Enrollment Partnership.
Subd. 2. Eligibility.
A district that offers a concurrent enrollment course according to an
agreement under section 124D.09, subdivision 10, is eligible to receive aid for
the costs of providing postsecondary courses at the high school. Beginning in fiscal
year 2011, districts only are eligible for aid if the college or university
concurrent enrollment courses offered by the district are accredited by the
National Alliance of Concurrent Enrollment Partnership, in the process of being
accredited, or are shown by clear evidence to be of comparable standard to
accredited courses.
Subd. 3. Aid.
An eligible district shall receive $150 per pupil enrolled in a concurrent
enrollment course. The money must be used to defray the cost of delivering the
course at the high school. The commissioner shall establish application
procedures and deadlines for receipt of aid payments.
Sec. 33. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 124D.095,
subdivision 2, is amended to read:
Subd. 2. Definitions.
For purposes of this section, the following terms have the meanings given them.
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(a) "Online learning" is an interactive
course or program that delivers instruction from a teacher to a student by
computer; is combined with other traditional delivery methods that include
frequent student assessment and may include actual teacher contact time; and
meets or exceeds state academic standards.
(b) "Online learning provider" is a school
district, an intermediate school district, an organization of two or more
school districts operating under a joint powers agreement, or a charter school
located in Minnesota that provides online learning to students.
(c) "Student" is a Minnesota resident
enrolled in a school under section 120A.22, subdivision 4, in kindergarten
through grade 12.
(d) "Online learning student" is a student
enrolled in an online learning course or program delivered by an online
provider under paragraph (b).
(e) "Enrolling district" means the school district
or charter school in which a student is enrolled under section 120A.22,
subdivision 4, for purposes of compulsory attendance.
(f) "Supplemental online learning" means
an online course taken in place of a course period during the regular school day
at a local district school.
(g) "Full-time online provider" means an
enrolling school authorized by the department to deliver comprehensive public
education at any or all of the elementary, middle, or high school levels.
Sec. 34. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 124D.095,
subdivision 3, is amended to read:
Subd. 3. Authorization;
notice; limitations on enrollment. (a) A student may apply to an online
learning provider to enroll in online learning for full-time enrollment
in an approved online learning program under section 124D.03, 124D.08 or
124D.10, or for supplemental online learning. Notwithstanding sections 124D.03,
124D.08, and 124D.10, procedures for enrolling in online learning shall be as
provided in this subdivision. A student age 17 or younger must have the
written consent of a parent or guardian to apply. No school district or charter
school may prohibit a student from applying to enroll in online learning. An
online learning provider that accepts a student under this section must, within
ten days, notify the student and the enrolling district if the enrolling
district is not the online learning provider. The notice must report the
student's course or program and hours of instruction. In order that a
student may enroll in online learning, the student and the student's parents
must submit an application to the online learning provider and identify the
reason for enrolling in online learning. The online learning provider that
accepts a student under this section must within ten days notify the student
and the enrolling district in writing if the enrolling district is not the
online learning provider. The student and family must notify the online
learning provider of their intent to enroll in online learning within ten days
of acceptance, at which time the student and parent must sign a statement of
assurance that they have reviewed the online course or program and understand
the expectations of online learning enrollment. The online learning provider
must notify the enrolling district of the student's enrollment in online
learning in writing on a form provided by the department.
(b) Supplemental online learning notification to the
enrolling district upon student enrollment in the online learning program will
include the courses or program, credits to be awarded, the start date of online
enrollment, and confirmation that the courses will meet the student's
graduation plan. A student may enroll in supplemental online learning courses
up to the midpoint of the enrolling district's term. The enrolling district may
waive this requirement for special circumstances and upon acceptance by the
online provider.
(b) An online learning student must notify the
enrolling district at least 30 days before taking an online learning course or
program if the enrolling district is not providing the online learning. (c) An online learning provider
must notify the commissioner that it is delivering online learning and report
the number of online learning students it is accepting and the online learning
courses and programs it is delivering.
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(c) (d) An online learning provider may limit enrollment if
the provider's school board or board of directors adopts by resolution specific
standards for accepting and rejecting students' applications.
(d) (e) An enrolling district may reduce an online learning
student's regular classroom instructional membership in proportion to the
student's membership in online learning courses.
Sec. 35. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 124D.095,
subdivision 4, is amended to read:
Subd. 4. Online
learning parameters. (a) An online learning student must receive academic
credit for completing the requirements of an online learning course or program.
Secondary credits granted to an online learning student must be counted toward
the graduation and credit requirements of the enrolling district. An online
learning provider must make available to the enrolling district the course
syllabus, standard alignment, content outline, assessment requirements, and
contact information for supplemental online courses taken by students in the
enrolling district. The enrolling district must apply the same graduation
requirements to all students, including online learning students, and must continue
to provide nonacademic services to online learning students. If a student
completes an online learning course or program that meets or exceeds a
graduation standard or grade progression requirement at the enrolling district,
that standard or requirement is met. The enrolling district must use the same
criteria for accepting online learning credits or courses as it does for
accepting credits or courses for transfer students under section 124D.03,
subdivision 9. The enrolling district may reduce the teacher contact time
course schedule of an online learning student in proportion to the
number of online learning courses the student takes from an online learning
provider that is not the enrolling district.
(b) An online learning student may:
(1) enroll in supplemental online learning
courses during a single school year in a maximum of 12 semester-long
courses or their equivalent delivered by an online learning provider or the
enrolling district to a maximum of 50 percent of the student's full
schedule of courses per term. A student may exceed the supplemental online
learning registration limit if the enrolling district grants permission for
supplemental online learning enrollment above the limit, or if an agreement is
made between the enrolling district and the online learning provider for
instructional services;
(2) complete course work at a grade level that is
different from the student's current grade level; and
(3) enroll in additional courses with the online
learning provider under a separate agreement that includes terms for payment of
any tuition or course fees.
(c) An online learning student has the same access
to the computer hardware and education software available in a school as all
other students in the enrolling district. An online learning provider must
assist an online learning student whose family qualifies for the education tax
credit under section 290.0674 to acquire computer hardware and educational
software for online learning purposes.
(d) An enrolling district may offer online learning
to its enrolled students. Such online learning does not generate online
learning funds under this section. An enrolling district that offers online
learning only to its enrolled students is not subject to the reporting
requirements or review criteria under subdivision 7. A teacher with a Minnesota
license must assemble and deliver instruction to enrolled students receiving
online learning from an enrolling district. The delivery of instruction occurs
when the student interacts with the computer or the teacher and receives
ongoing assistance and assessment of learning. The instruction may include
curriculum developed by persons other than a teacher with a Minnesota license.
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(e) An online learning
provider that is not the enrolling district is subject to the reporting
requirements and review criteria under subdivision 7. A teacher with a
Minnesota license must assemble and deliver instruction to online learning
students. The delivery of instruction occurs when the student interacts with
the computer or the teacher and receives ongoing assistance and assessment of
learning. The instruction may include curriculum developed by persons other
than a teacher with a Minnesota license. Unless the commissioner grants a
waiver, a teacher providing online learning instruction must not instruct more
than 40 students in any one online learning course or program.
(f) To enroll in more than
50 percent of the student's full schedule of courses per term in online
learning, the student must qualify to exceed the supplemental online learning
registration limit under paragraph (b) or apply for enrollment to an approved
full-time online learning program following appropriate procedures in
subdivision 3, paragraph (a). Full-time online learning students may enroll in
classes at a local school per contract for instructional services between the
online learning provider and the school district.
Sec. 36. Minnesota Statutes
2006, section 124D.095, subdivision 7, is amended to read:
Subd. 7. Department of Education. (a) The
department must review and certify online learning providers. The online
learning courses and programs must be rigorous, aligned with state academic standards,
and contribute to grade progression in a single subject. Online learning
providers must affirm demonstrate to the commissioner that online
learning courses have equivalent standards or instruction, curriculum, and
assessment requirements as other courses offered to enrolled students. The
online learning provider must also demonstrate expectations for actual teacher
contact time or other student-to-teacher communication. Once an online learning
provider is approved under this paragraph, all of its online learning course
offerings are eligible for payment under this section unless a course is
successfully challenged by an enrolling district or the department under
paragraph (b).
(b) An enrolling district
may challenge the validity of a course offered by an online learning provider.
The department must review such challenges based on the certification
procedures under paragraph (a). The department may initiate its own review of
the validity of an online learning course offered by an online learning
provider.
(c) The department may
collect a fee not to exceed $250 for certifying online learning providers or
$50 per course for reviewing a challenge by an enrolling district.
(d) The department must
develop, publish, and maintain a list of approved online learning providers and
online learning courses and programs that it has reviewed and certified.
Sec. 37. Minnesota Statutes
2006, section 124D.10, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
Subd. 4. Formation of school. (a) A sponsor may
authorize one or more licensed teachers under section 122A.18, subdivision 1,
to operate a charter school subject to approval by the commissioner. A board
must vote on charter school application for sponsorship no later than 90 days
after receiving the application. After 90 days, the applicant may apply to
the commissioner. If a board elects not to sponsor a charter school, the
applicant may appeal the board's decision to the commissioner who may elect to
assist the applicant in finding an eligible sponsor. The school must be
organized and operated as a cooperative under chapter 308A or nonprofit
corporation under chapter 317A and the provisions under the applicable chapter
shall apply to the school except as provided in this section. Notwithstanding
sections 465.717 and 465.719, a school district may create a corporation for
the purpose of creating a charter school.
(b) Before the operators may form and operate a
school, the sponsor must file an affidavit with the commissioner stating its
intent to authorize a charter school. The affidavit must state the terms and
conditions under which the sponsor would authorize a charter school and how the
sponsor intends to oversee the fiscal and student performance of the charter
school and to comply with the terms of the written contract between the sponsor
and the charter school
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board of directors under
subdivision 6. The commissioner must approve or disapprove the sponsor's
proposed authorization within 90 days of receipt of the affidavit. Failure to
obtain commissioner approval precludes a sponsor from authorizing the charter
school that was the subject of the affidavit.
(c) The operators authorized to organize and operate
a school, before entering into a contract or other agreement for professional
or other services, goods, or facilities, must incorporate as a cooperative
under chapter 308A or as a nonprofit corporation under chapter 317A and must
establish a board of directors composed of at least five members until a timely
election for members of the charter school board of directors is held according
to the school's articles and bylaws. A charter school board of directors must
be composed of at least five members. Any staff members who are employed at the
school, including teachers providing instruction under a contract with a
cooperative, and all parents of children enrolled in the school may participate
in the election for members of the school's board of directors. Licensed
teachers employed at the school, including teachers providing instruction under
a contract with a cooperative, must be a majority of the members of the board
of directors before the school completes its third year of operation, unless
the commissioner waives the requirement for a majority of licensed teachers on
the board. Board of director meetings must comply with chapter 13D.
(d) The granting or renewal of a charter by a
sponsoring entity must not be conditioned upon the bargaining unit status of
the employees of the school.
(e) A sponsor may authorize the operators of a
charter school to expand the operation of the charter school to additional
sites or to add additional grades at the school beyond those described in the
sponsor's application as approved by the commissioner only after submitting a
supplemental application to the commissioner in a form and manner prescribed by
the commissioner. The supplemental application must provide evidence that:
(1) the expansion of the charter school is supported
by need and projected enrollment;
(2) the charter school is fiscally sound;
(3) the sponsor supports the expansion; and
(4) the building of the additional site meets all
health and safety requirements to be eligible for lease aid.
(f) The commissioner annually must provide timely
financial management training to newly elected members of a charter school
board of directors and ongoing training to other members of a charter school
board of directors. Training must address ways to:
(1) proactively assess opportunities for a charter
school to maximize all available revenue sources;
(2) establish and maintain complete, auditable
records for the charter school;
(3) establish proper filing techniques;
(4) document formal actions of the charter school,
including meetings of the charter school board of directors;
(5) properly manage and retain charter school and
student records;
(6) comply with state and federal payroll
record-keeping requirements; and
(7) address other similar factors that facilitate
establishing and maintaining complete records on the charter school's
operations.
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Sec. 38. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 124D.10,
subdivision 23a, is amended to read:
Subd. 23a. Related
party lease costs. (a) A charter school is prohibited from entering a lease
of real property with a related party as defined in this subdivision
26, unless the lessor is a nonprofit corporation under chapter 317A or a
cooperative under chapter 308A, and the lease cost is reasonable under section
124D.11, subdivision 4, clause (1).
(b) For purposes of this subdivision
section and section 124D.11:
(1) A "related party" is an affiliate or
close relative of the other party in question, an affiliate of a close
relative, or a close relative of an affiliate.
(2) "Affiliate" means a person that
directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, or is
controlled by, or is under common control with, another person.
(3) "Close relative" means an individual
whose relationship by blood, marriage, or adoption to another individual is no
more remote than first cousin.
(4) "Person" means an individual or entity
of any kind.
(5) "Control" includes the terms
"controlling," "controlled by," and "under common
control with" and means the possession, direct or indirect, of the power
to direct or cause the direction of the management, operations, or policies of
a person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract, or
otherwise.
(c) A lease of real property to be used for a
charter school, not excluded in paragraph (b) (a), must contain
the following statement: "This lease is subject to Minnesota Statutes,
section 124D.10, subdivision 23a."
(d) If a charter school enters into as lessee a
lease with a related party and the charter school subsequently closes, the
commissioner has the right to recover from the lessor any lease payments in excess
of those that are reasonable under section 124D.11, subdivision 4, clause (1).
Sec. 39. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 124D.10,
subdivision 24, is amended to read:
Subd. 24. Pupil
enrollment upon nonrenewal or termination of charter school contract. If a
contract is not renewed or is terminated according to subdivision 23, a pupil
who attended the school, siblings of the pupil, or another pupil who resides in
the same place as the pupil may enroll in the resident district or may submit
an application to a nonresident district according to section 124D.03 at any
time. Applications and notices required by section 124D.03 must be processed
and provided in a prompt manner. The application and notice deadlines in
section 124D.03 do not apply under these circumstances. The closed charter
school must transfer the student's educational records within ten business days
of closure to the student's school district of residence where the records must
be retained or transferred under section 120A.22, subdivision 7.
Sec. 40. [124D.645]
MULTIRACIAL DIVERSITY.
(a) Notwithstanding other law or rule to the
contrary and in order to effectively meet students' educational needs and
foster parents' meaningful participation in their children's education, a
school district may apply to the commissioner for a waiver from the requirement
to maintain racial balance within a district school if the racial imbalance in
that school results from:
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(1) the enrollment of protected multiracial students
and the proportion of enrolled multiracial students reflects the proportion of
multiracial students who reside in the school attendance area or who are
enrolled in the grade levels served by the district; or
(2) the enrollment of limited English proficiency
students in a transition program that includes an intensive English component.
The commissioner must grant
the waiver if the district in which the school is located offers the
multiracial students or the limited English proficiency students, as
appropriate, the option of enrolling in another school with the requisite
racial balance, and the students' parents choose not to pursue that option.
(b) This section is effective for the 2006-2007
through 2010-2011 school years or until amended rules are adopted under
Minnesota Rules, chapter 3535, pertaining to racial diversity, whichever comes
first.
EFFECTIVE
DATE. This
section is effective the day following final enactment.
Sec. 41. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 124D.84,
subdivision 1, is amended to read:
Subdivision 1. Awards.
The commissioner may award shall establish procedures for the
distribution of scholarships to any Minnesota resident student who is of
one-fourth or more Indian ancestry, who has applied for other existing state
and federal scholarship and grant programs, and who, in the opinion of the
commissioner, based upon postsecondary institution recommendations, has
the capabilities to benefit from further education. Scholarships must be for
accredited degree programs in accredited Minnesota colleges or universities or
for courses in accredited Minnesota business, technical, or vocational schools.
Scholarships may also be given to students attending Minnesota colleges that
are in candidacy status for obtaining full accreditation, and are eligible for
and receiving federal financial aid programs. Students are also eligible for
scholarships when enrolled as students in Minnesota higher education
institutions that have joint programs with other accredited higher education
institutions. Scholarships shall be used to defray the total cost of
education including tuition, incidental fees, books, supplies, transportation,
other related school costs and the cost of board and room and shall be paid directly
to the college or school concerned where the student receives federal financial
aid. The total cost of education includes all tuition and fees for each student
enrolling in a public institution and the portion of tuition and fees for each
student enrolling in a private institution that does not exceed the tuition and
fees at a comparable public institution. Each student shall be awarded a
scholarship based on the total cost of the student's education and a
federal standardized need analysis after application of federal Pell money,
state grant money, and other scholarships. Depending upon students' unmet
needs, the Minnesota Indian scholarship program may award up to the current
federal Pell grant allowable maximum student award per school year. Applicants
are encouraged to apply for all other sources of financial aid.
When an Indian student satisfactorily completes the
work required by a certain college or school in a school year the student is
eligible for additional scholarships, if additional training is necessary to
reach the student's educational and vocational objective. Scholarships may not
be given to any Indian student for more than five years of study at the
undergraduate level and five years at the graduate level. Students may acquire
only one degree per level and one terminal degree.
Sec. 42. [124D.8955]
PARENT AND FAMILY INVOLVEMENT POLICY.
(a) In order to promote and support student
achievement, a local school board must formally adopt and implement a parent and
family involvement policy that promotes and supports:
(1) communication between home and school that is
regular, two-way, and meaningful;
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(2) parenting skills;
(3) parents and caregivers who play an integral role
in assisting student learning and learn about fostering students' academic
success and learning at home and school;
(4) welcoming parents in the school and seeking
their support and assistance;
(5) partnerships with parents in the decisions that
affect children and families in the schools; and
(6) providing community resources to strengthen
schools, families, and student learning.
(b) The school board must convene an advisory
committee composed of an equal number of resident parents who are not district
employees and school staff to make recommendations to the board on developing
and evaluating the board's parent and family involvement policy. The advisory
committee must represent the diversity of the district. The advisory committee
must consider the district's demographic diversity and barriers to parent
involvement when developing its recommendations. The advisory committee must
present its recommendations to the board for board consideration.
(c) The board must consider best practices when
implementing this policy.
(d) The board periodically must review this policy
to determine whether it is aligned with the most current research findings on
parent involvement policies and practices and how effective the policy is in
supporting increased student achievement.
EFFECTIVE
DATE. This
section is effective for the 2007-2008 school year and later.
Sec. 43. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 126C.10,
subdivision 34, is amended to read:
Subd. 34. Basic
alternative teacher compensation aid. (a) For fiscal year 2006, the
basic alternative teacher compensation aid for a school district or an
intermediate school district with a plan approved under section 122A.414,
subdivision 2b, equals the alternative teacher compensation revenue under
section 122A.415, subdivision 1. The basic alternative teacher compensation aid
for a charter school with an approved plan under section 122A.414, subdivision
2b, equals $260 times the number of pupils enrolled in the school on October 1
of the previous school year, or on October 1 of the current fiscal year for a
charter school in the first year of operation.
(b) For fiscal year 2007 and later, the basic
alternative teacher compensation aid for a school district with a plan approved
under section 122A.414, subdivision 2b, equals 73.1 percent of the alternative
teacher compensation revenue under section 122A.415, subdivision 1. The basic
alternative teacher compensation aid for an intermediate school district or
a charter school with a plan approved under section 122A.414, subdivisions
2a and 2b, if the recipient is a charter school, equals $260 times the
number of pupils enrolled in the school on October 1 of the previous fiscal
year, or on October 1 of the current fiscal year for a charter school in the
first year of operation, times the ratio of the sum of the alternative teacher
compensation aid and alternative teacher compensation levy for all
participating school districts to the maximum alternative teacher compensation
revenue for those districts under section 122A.415, subdivision 1.
(b) The basic alternative teacher compensation aid
for an intermediate school district with a plan approved under section
122A.414, subdivision 2b, equals $3,800 times the number of licensed teachers
teaching in the school on October 1 of the previous fiscal year.
(c) Notwithstanding paragraphs (a) and (b),
and section 122A.415, subdivision 1, the state total basic alternative teacher
compensation aid entitlement must not exceed $19,329,000 for fiscal year 2006
and $75,636,000 for fiscal year 2007 and later. The commissioner must limit the
amount of alternative teacher compensation aid approved under section 122A.415
so as not to exceed these limits.
EFFECTIVE
DATE. This
section is effective for revenue for fiscal year 2008.
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Sec. 44. [135A.104]
COLLEGE READINESS.
(a) The Minnesota State Colleges and Universities
must collaborate with the office of educational accountability under section
120B.31, subdivision 3, in determining passing scores on the Minnesota
comprehensive assessments in reading and language arts for grade 10 and in
mathematics for grade 11 under section 120B.30 so that "passing score"
performances on those two assessments represent a student's college readiness.
For purposes of this section and chapter 120B, "college readiness"
means that a student who graduates from a public high school is immediately
ready to take college courses for college credit in a two-year or a four-year
institution within the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system. The
Minnesota State Colleges and Universities also must collaborate with the
commissioner of education to develop and implement a statewide plan to
communicate the state's expectations for college readiness to all Minnesota
high school students no later than the beginning of ninth grade.
(b) The entrance and admission materials that the
Minnesota State Colleges and Universities provide to prospective students must
clearly indicate the level of academic preparation that students must have in
order to be ready to immediately take college courses for college credit in
two-year and four-year institutions.
Sec. 45. Laws 2005, First Special Session chapter 5,
article 2, section 81, as amended by Laws 2006, chapter 263, article 2, section
20, is amended to read:
Sec. 81. BOARD
OF SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS; RULEMAKING AUTHORITY.
On or before June 30, 2007 2008, the Board
of School Administrators may adopt rules to reflect the changes in duties,
responsibilities, and roles of school administrators under sections 121A.035,
121A.037 and 299F.30, and to make technical revisions and clarifications to
Minnesota Rules, chapter 3512.
EFFECTIVE
DATE. This
section is effective the day following final enactment.
Sec. 46. GRANT
PROGRAM TO PROMOTE PROFESSIONAL TEACHING STANDARDS.
Subdivision 1. Establishment.
A grant program to promote professional teaching standards through the
National Board for Professional Teaching Standards is established to provide
teachers with the opportunity to receive National Board for Professional
Teaching Standards certification and to reward teachers who have already
received this certification.
Subd. 2. Eligibility.
An applicant for a grant must:
(1) be a licensed teacher employed in a Minnesota
public school;
(2) have a minimum of five school years' classroom
teaching experience; and
(3) demonstrate acceptance by the National Board for
Professional Teaching Standards as a candidate for board certification or as a
recipient of board certification.
Subd. 3. Application
process. To obtain a grant to participate in the National Board for
Professional Teaching Standards certification process or to receive a reward
for already completing the board certification process, a teacher must submit
an application to the commissioner of education in the form and manner
established by the commissioner. The commissioner shall consult with the Board
of Teaching when reviewing the applications. The commissioner shall also
provide program support to assist applicants during the national board
certification process.
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Subd. 4. Grant awards; proceeds. (a) The commissioner may award
grants of $1,000 to eligible teachers accepted as candidates for the National
Board for Professional Teaching Standards certification or for national board
certification renewal for partial payment of the teacher's candidate
application fee.
(b) The commissioner shall
award grants of $3,000 to all eligible teacher applicants who hold
certification from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards and
$2,000 for renewal of their national board certification.
(c) The commissioner shall
also award grants to eligible teachers who have received National Board for
Professional Teaching Standards certification within one year prior to the date
of the teacher's application for a grant to use for educational purposes,
including purchasing instructional materials, equipment, or supplies, and
pursuing professional development opportunities. The commissioner, under this
paragraph, may award grants not to exceed $1,000 after consulting with interested
stakeholders regarding the grant amount.
Sec. 47. EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS.
Any rules adopted by the
Board of School Administrators governing principal licensure must require that
a person applying for a principal license have at least three years of successful
teaching experience gained while holding a classroom teaching license valid for
the positions in which the applicant taught.
Sec. 48. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY.
The commissioner of
education shall adopt rules for implementing and administering the graduation-required
assessment for diploma (GRAD) in reading and mathematics and in writing,
consistent with Minnesota Statutes, section 120B.30, subdivision 1, and for
public review of the GRAD test. The rules must specify the GRAD requirements
that apply to students in unique circumstances including dual enrolled
students, English language learners, foreign exchange students, home school
students, open enrollment students, Minnesota postsecondary enrollment options
students, shared-time students, transfer students from other states, and
district-placed students and students attending school under a tuition
agreement. The rules must establish the criteria for determining individualized
GRAD passing scores for students with an individual education plan or a Section
504 plan and for using an alternative assessment when a student's individual
education plan team decides to replace the GRAD test.
EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is
effective the day following final enactment.
Sec. 49. RULEMAKING REQUIRED.
(a) Notwithstanding the time
limit in Minnesota Statutes, section 14.125, the Board of Teaching must adopt
the rules it was mandated to adopt under Laws 2003, chapter 129, article 1,
section 10. The board must publish a notice of intent to adopt rules or a
notice of hearing for rules subject to this section before January 1, 2008.
(b) The failure of a board
member to comply with paragraph (a) is a willful failure to perform a specific
act that is a required part of the duties of a public official and is cause for
removal under Minnesota Statutes, section 15.0575, subdivision 4.
EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is
effective the day following final enactment.
Sec. 50. RULEMAKING AUTHORIZED; SUPPLEMENTAL
EDUCATION SERVICE PROVIDERS.
The commissioner of education
must amend Minnesota Rules, part 3512.5400, consistent with the requirements
under Minnesota Statutes, chapter 14, to include specifications that provide
the basis for withdrawing Department of Education approval from supplemental
education service providers that fail to increase students' academic
proficiency for two consecutive school years. The amended rule also must
clearly indicate:
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(1) how the Department of Education will disentangle
the impact of supplemental education from the impact of regular school
instruction on students' academic performance; and
(2) whether the Department of Education will assess
effectiveness of the supplemental education service providers using an absolute
measure, such as percent of "proficient" students or measure
individual students' growth toward proficiency over time.
EFFECTIVE
DATE. This
section is effective the day following final enactment.
Sec. 51. RULEMAKING
AUTHORITY.
(a) The commissioner of education shall adopt rules
under Minnesota Statutes, chapter 14, for physical education standards required
for high school graduation, consistent with requirements governing Minnesota
Statutes, sections 120B.021, subdivision 1, clause (5)(i), and 120B.024,
paragraph (a), clause (6), after reviewing the six physical education standards
developed by the Department of Education's health and physical education
quality teaching network and consulting with interested and qualified
stakeholders and members of the public about the proposed substance of the
physical education standards.
(b) Consistent with the requirements governing
Minnesota Statutes, sections 120B.021, subdivision 1, clause (5)(ii), and
120B.024, paragraph (a), clause (6), the commissioner of education must use the
expedited rulemaking process under Minnesota Statutes, section 14.389, to adopt
a rule governing physical education standards that contains the six National
Physical Education Standards developed by the National Association for Sport
and Physical Education requiring a physically educated person to:
(1) demonstrate competency in motor skills and
movement patterns needed to perform a variety of physical activities;
(2) demonstrate understanding of movement concepts,
principles, strategies, and tactics as they apply to learning and performance
of physical activities;
(3) participate regularly in physical education;
(4) achieve and maintain a health-enhancing level of
physical fitness;
(5) exhibit responsible personal and social behavior
that respects one's self and others in physical activity settings; and
(6) value physical activity for health, enjoyment,
challenge, self-expression, and social interaction.
EFFECTIVE
DATE. This
section is effective the day following final enactment.
Sec. 52. WORLD
LANGUAGES RESOURCES.
(a) The commissioner of education shall employ a
full-time state coordinator for world languages education within the department
by July 1, 2007. The commissioner shall seek advice from the quality teaching
network before assigning or hiring the coordinator. The coordinator, at a
minimum, shall:
(1) assist charter schools and school districts in
planning to develop or enhance their capacity to offer world languages courses
and programs;
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(2) collaborate with Minnesota world languages
professionals and charter schools and school districts and continuously seek
their advice in developing all aspects of world languages programs;
(3) survey Minnesota charter schools and school
districts to (i) determine the types of existing world languages programs
including, among others, those that use information technology to provide
high-quality world languages instruction, (ii) identify exemplary model world
languages programs, and (iii) identify and address staff development needs of
current world languages teachers, preservice teachers, and teacher preparation
programs;
(4) identify successful world languages programs in
other states;
(5) consult with interested stakeholders to prepare
a report for the commissioner of education to submit by February 15, 2008, to
the education policy and finance committees of the legislature assessing the feasibility
and structure of a statewide world languages graduation requirement under
Minnesota Statutes, section 120B.021, subdivision 1; and
(6) beginning February 1, 2008, and until February
1, 2012, report annually to the education policy and finance committees of the
legislature on the status of world languages in Minnesota and the programmatic
needs identified by charter school and school district surveys, and make
recommendations on how to address the identified needs.
(b) After carefully examining existing world
languages assessments, including among other considerations the ease or
difficulty with which the assessments may be adapted to world languages not
currently assessed, the commissioner, by July 1, 2009, shall recommend an
assessment tool for charter schools and school districts to use in measuring
student progress in acquiring proficiency in world languages.
(c) Beginning July 1, 2008, the department shall
assist world languages teachers and other school staff in developing and implementing
world languages programs that acknowledge and reinforce the language
proficiency and cultural awareness that non-English language speakers already
possess, and encourage students' proficiency in multiple world languages.
Programs under this paragraph must encompass indigenous American Indian
languages and cultures, among other world languages and cultures. The
department shall consult with postsecondary institutions in developing related
professional development opportunities.
(d) The commissioner, upon request, must evaluate
the plans of charter schools and school districts to develop or enhance their
capacity to offer world languages courses and programs and continue to offer
technical assistance to districts in developing or enhancing world languages
programs. The department shall assist districts in monitoring local assessment
results.
EFFECTIVE
DATE. This
section is effective the day following final enactment.
Sec. 53. WORLD
LANGUAGES PILOT PROGRAM GRANTS.
(a) A pilot program awarding five world languages
grants of $50,000 per grant to interested and qualified school sites and school
districts is established for fiscal year 2009 to develop and implement
sustainable, high-quality model world languages programs and to enhance
existing world languages programs at various grade levels for students in
kindergarten through grade 12. Program participants must simultaneously support
both non-English language learners in maintaining their native language while
mastering English and native English speakers in learning other languages.
(b) Interested school sites and school districts
must apply to the commissioner of education in the form and manner the
commissioner determines. The application must indicate whether the applicant
intends to develop a new world languages program or expand an existing world
languages program and whether the applicant intends to offer more intensive
programs or programs that are readily accessible to larger numbers of students.
Applicants must agree to disseminate information about their programs to
interested school sites and school districts.
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(c) The commissioner must
award grants to qualified applicants that satisfy the requirements in paragraphs
(a) and (b). To the extent there are qualified applicants, the commissioner
must award grants to qualified applicants on an equitable geographic basis to
the extent feasible. The commissioner must award three grants to kindergarten
through grade 8 sites, one grant to a qualified site interested in developing
or enhancing a sustainable Mandarin Chinese program, and one grant to an
indigenous American Indian world languages program. Grantees must expend the
grant consistent with the content of their application and this section.
(d) The commissioner shall
provide for an evaluation of the grantees to identify exemplary model world
languages programs and the staff development needs of world languages teachers
and report the findings of the evaluation to the education policy and finance
committees of the legislature by February 15, 2010.
EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is
effective for the 2007-2008 school year.
Sec. 54. BILINGUAL AND MULTILINGUAL CERTIFICATES;
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.
The Department of Education,
in consultation with interested stakeholders, must develop and recommend to the
legislature by February 15, 2008, the standards and process for awarding
bilingual and multilingual certificates to those kindergarten through grade 12
students who demonstrate and maintain a requisite level of proficiency in
multiple languages.
EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is
effective the day following final enactment.
Sec. 55. MASTER TEACHER TRAINING IN ECONOMICS AND
PERSONAL FINANCE.
The commissioner of
education must contract with the Minnesota Council on Economic Education to
allow 20 highly qualified economics and personal finance teachers throughout
the state to participate in a week-long summer training program that offers
content, skills for teaching adults, mentoring, and workshop planning and
delivery. The program must enable participants, as master teachers, to provide
professional development to other teachers interested in improving their
teaching of economics and personal finance. Successful master teachers may
co-teach teacher workshops with members of the statewide network of centers for
economic education and provide professional development workshops as part of
school districts' professional development programs.
EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is
effective the day following final enactment.
Sec. 56. SCHOOL PERFORMANCE REPORT CARDS;
ADVISORY GROUP RECOMMENDATIONS.
(a) To sustain equity and
excellence in education, the Independent Office of Educational Accountability
under Minnesota Statutes, section 120B.31, subdivision 3, must convene and
facilitate an advisory group of measurement experts to consider and recommend
how to structure school performance data and school performance report cards
under Minnesota Statutes, section 120B.36, subdivision 1, to fully, fairly, and
accurately report student achievement and emphasize school excellence under
Minnesota's system of educational accountability and public reporting. The
advisory group at least must consider and recommend how to: evaluate student
achievement using multiple measures of growth that take into account student
demographic characteristics, consistent with Minnesota Statutes, section
120B.31, subdivision 4; and identify outstanding schools based on student
achievement and achievement growth and using multiple performance measures that
are objective and consistent with the highest standards in the field of
educational measurements and accountability. The advisory group, at its
discretion, may also consider and make recommendations on other related
statewide accountability and reporting matters.
(b) Advisory group members under paragraph (a)
include: two qualified experts in measurement in education selected by the
State Council on Measurement in Education; three regionally diverse school
district research and evaluation directors selected by the Minnesota Assessment
Group; one school superintendent selected by the
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Minnesota Association of School
Administrators; one University of Minnesota faculty selected by the dean of the
College of Education and Human Development; one licensed teacher selected by
Education Minnesota; two parents selected by the Minnesota Parent Teachers
Association with expertise in measurement in education; and the director of
evaluation and testing at the Minnesota Department of Education. Advisory group
members' terms and other advisory group matters are subject to Minnesota
Statutes, section 15.059, subdivision 6. The Independent Office of Educational
Accountability must present the advisory group's recommendations under
paragraph (a) to the education policy and finance committees of the legislature
by February 15, 2008. The advisory group expires February 16, 2008.
EFFECTIVE
DATE. This
section is effective the day following final enactment.
Sec. 57. ALTERNATIVE
SCHOOL CALENDAR PILOT PROGRAM.
Subdivision 1. Establishment.
Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 120A.41 or 120A.415, or other
law to the contrary, but consistent with Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.128,
an alternative school calendar pilot program is established to examine the
impact of school calendar arrangements on student learning by comparing
students' academic gains in school districts and charter schools that use
traditional and nontraditional school calendars. The commissioner of education
must structure the program and select elementary and secondary program
participants with the purpose of comparing the impact of traditional and
nontraditional school calendars on:
(1) the amount of educational material students
retain after school vacations;
(2) the educational enrichment opportunities and
remedial help available to students throughout the school year;
(3) the impact of the calendar on student
attendance, student disciplinary actions, and student achievement test scores;
and
(4) the amount of time available to students and
school staff for out-of-school learning, vacations, and recreation.
Subd. 2. Eligibility;
application. An interested school district, charter school, or
groups of school districts or charter schools that participate for a particular
purpose may apply to the commissioner of education to participate in the pilot
program in the form and manner the commissioner determines. An applicant must
identify in its application the internal and external factors that it
anticipates may determine its preference for a traditional or nontraditional
school calendar, including the impact of the school calendar on: costs related
to employee compensation, transportation, food, facility use throughout the
calendar year, and facility maintenance; needs of at‑risk students;
number of instructional and staff development days; and the availability of
extracurricular activities, community resources, and before- and after-school
care and child care. The commissioner may require an applicant to provide
additional information.
Subd. 3. Application
review; grant awards. When reviewing an application, the
commissioner must determine whether the applicant met the requirements in
subdivisions 1 and 2, and only an applicant that satisfies all the requirements
is eligible to receive a grant under this section. The commissioner must
equitably distribute grant awards, to the extent feasible, on the basis of
geography and must consider grant applications from existing and proposed
flexible learning year programs under Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.12. The
commissioner must base the amount of the grant award on the number of students
the grantee has enrolled in school and the length and structure of the
grantee's school calendar. Grant expenditures must be consistent with budget
information the grantee periodically submits to the commissioner.
Subd. 4. Evaluation.
The commissioner must provide for an ongoing annual evaluation of the impact
of school calendar arrangements on student learning under subdivision 1,
clauses (1) to (4). Within 180 days of when the pilot program terminates, the
commissioner must recommend to the education policy and finance committees of
the legislature preferred school calendars based upon demonstrated student
achievement and the criteria listed in subdivision 1.
EFFECTIVE
DATE. This
section is effective the day following final enactment.
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Sec. 58. AMERICAN
INDIAN SCHOLARSHIP.
Administration of the American Indian scholarship
program under Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.84, is transferred from the
Department of Education to the Minnesota Office of Higher Education. The
Minnesota Office of Higher Education must maintain an office at no cost to the
scholarship program that employs at least one person in the Bemidji area for
distributing scholarships under this section. Office space and support may be
provided by Bemidji State University at no cost to the scholarship program.
Sec. 59. TEACHER
TRAINING TO INTEGRATE LEARNING TECHNOLOGIES INTO K-12 CLASSROOMS.
(a) The commissioner of education must contract with
the University of Minnesota for qualified experts to provide teacher training
in effectively using computers and related technologies in kindergarten through
grade 12 classrooms. The experts must provide professional development
opportunities to teachers throughout the state and enable participants to
successfully use technology-related instructional resources to help diverse
students meet state and local academic standards and graduation requirements and
achieve educational excellence, and enhance teachers' learning and curriculum
content and instruction. The experts also must enable participants to serve as
master teachers to provide professional development to other teachers
interested in better integrating the use of learning technologies into
kindergarten through grade 12 classrooms. Participants who serve as master
teachers may co-teach teacher workshops with other qualified professional
development providers and participate in professional development workshops as
part of school districts' professional development programs.
(b) The commissioner of education must provide for
an evaluation of the effectiveness of the teacher training program under
paragraph (a) and recommend to the education policy and finance committees of
the legislature by February 15, 2010, whether or not to make the program
available statewide.
EFFECTIVE
DATE. This
section is effective the day following final enactment.
Sec. 60. ADVISORY
TASK FORCE ON MINNESOTA AMERICAN INDIAN TRIBES AND COMMUNITIES AND K-12
STANDARDS-BASED REFORM.
(a) The commissioner of education shall appoint an
advisory task force on Minnesota American Indian tribes and communities and
kindergarten through grade 12 standards-based reform that is composed of the
following representatives: Department of Education staff experienced in working
with American Indian students and programs; Minnesota American Indian tribes
and communities; Minnesota School Board Association; school administrators;
Education Minnesota; the state Board of Teaching; the Minnesota Council on
Indian Affairs; postsecondary faculty who serve as instructors in teacher
preparation programs; local community service providers who work with Minnesota
American Indian tribes and communities; and other representatives recommended
by task force members. Task force members' terms and other task force matters
are subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 15.059, subject to the limits of
available appropriations. The task force must submit a written report to the
education policy and finance committees of the legislature by February 15,
2008, that includes any recommended changes to the state's performance
standards, content requirements, assessments measures, and teacher preparation
programs to most effectively meet the educational needs of American Indian
students enrolled in Minnesota schools.
(b) Upon request, the commissioner of education must
provide the task force with technical, fiscal, and other support.
(c) The task force expires on February 16, 2008.
EFFECTIVE
DATE. This
section is effective the day following final enactment.
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Sec. 61. REVISOR'S
INSTRUCTION.
The revisor of statutes shall renumber Minnesota Statutes,
section 124D.84 to section 136A.126, correct cross-references, and make other
necessary corrections to implement section 58.
Sec. 62. APPROPRIATIONS.
Subdivision 1. Minnesota
Office of Higher Education. The sums indicated in this section are appropriated
from the general fund to the Minnesota Office of Higher Education for the
fiscal years designated.
Subd. 2. American
Indian scholarships. For American Indian scholarships under
Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.84:
$1,950,000 . . . . . 2008
$1,950,000 . . . . . 2009
Of this appropriation, $75,000 per year is for
administration under section 58.
Sec. 63. APPROPRIATIONS
Subdivision 1. Board
of Regents of the University of Minnesota. The sums indicated in
this section are appropriated from the general fund to the Board of Regents of
the University of Minnesota for the fiscal years designated.
Subd. 2. Independent
Office of Educational Accountability. For the Independent Office of
Educational Accountability under Minnesota Statutes, section 120B.31,
subdivision 3:
$200,000 . . . . . 2008
$200,000 . . . . . 2009
This is a onetime appropriation.
Sec. 64. APPROPRIATIONS.
Subdivision 1. Department.
The sums indicated in this section are appropriated from the general fund to
the Department of Education for the fiscal years designated.
Subd. 2. Charter
school building lease aid. For building lease aid under Minnesota
Statutes, section 124D.11, subdivision 4:
$31,875,000 . . . . . 2008
$36,193,000 . . . . . 2009
The 2008 appropriation includes $2,814,000 for 2007
and $29,061,000 for 2008.
The 2009 appropriation includes $3,229,000 for 2008
and $32,964,000 for 2009.
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Subd. 3. Charter
school startup cost aid. For charter school startup cost aid under
Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.11:
$1,896,000 . . . . . 2008
$2,161,000 . . . . . 2009
The 2008 appropriation includes $241,000 for 2007
and $1,655,000 for 2008.
The 2009 appropriation includes $183,000 for 2008
and $1,978,000 for 2009.
Subd. 4. Integration
aid. For integration aid under Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.86,
subdivision 5:
$61,769,000 . . . . . 2008
$61,000,000 . . . . . 2009
The 2008 appropriation includes $5,824,000 for 2007
and $55,945,000 for 2008.
The 2009 appropriation includes $6,216,000 for 2008
and $54,784,000 for 2009.
Subd. 5. Magnet
school program grants. For magnet school program grants:
$750,000 . . . . . 2008
$750,000 . . . . . 2009
These amounts may be used for magnet school programs
under Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.88.
Up to $100,000 each year is available for site-based
decision-making grants under Minnesota Statutes, section 123B.04, subdivision
2, clause (g).
Subd. 6. Interdistrict
desegregation or integration transportation grants. For
interdistrict desegregation or integration transportation grants under
Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.87:
$9,639,000 . . . . . 2008
$11,567,000 . . . . . 2009
Subd. 7. Success
for the future. For American Indian success for the future grants
under Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.81:
$2,137,000 . . . . . 2008
$2,137,000 . . . . . 2009
The 2008 appropriation includes $213,000 for 2007
and $1,924,000 for 2008.
The 2009 appropriation includes $213,000 for 2008
and $1,924,000 for 2009.
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Subd. 8. American
Indian teacher preparation grants. For joint grants to assist
American Indians to become teachers under Minnesota Statutes, section 122A.63:
$190,000 . . . . . 2008
$190,000 . . . . . 2009
Subd. 9. Tribal
contract schools. For tribal contract school aid under Minnesota
Statutes, section 124D.83:
$2,251,000 . . . . . 2008
$2,463,000 . . . . . 2009
The 2008 appropriation includes $204,000 for 2007
and $2,047,000 for 2008.
The 2009 appropriation includes $227,000 for 2008
and $2,236,000 for 2009.
Subd. 10. Early
childhood family education programs at tribal contract schools. For
early childhood family education programs at tribal contract schools under
Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.83, subdivision 4:
$68,000 . . . . . 2008
$68,000 . . . . . 2009
Subd. 11. Statewide
testing and reporting system. For the statewide testing and
reporting system under Minnesota Statutes, section 120B.30:
$12,650,000 . . . . . 2008
$12,650,000 . . . . . 2009
$11,500,000 each year is to continue the general administration
and reporting of the statewide testing program.
$1,150,000 each year is for the value-added index
assessment model.
Any balance in the first year does not cancel but is
available in the second year.
The base for this program in fiscal year 2010 and
later is $12,650,000.
Subd. 12. First
grade preparedness. For first grade preparedness grants under
Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.081:
$7,250,000 . . . . . 2008
Subd. 13. Examination
fees; teacher training and support programs. (a) For students'
advanced placement and international baccalaureate examination fees under
Minnesota Statutes, section 120B.13, subdivision 3, and the training and
related costs for teachers and other interested educators under Minnesota
Statutes, section 120B.13, subdivision 1:
$4,500,000 . . . . . 2008
$4,500,000 . . . . . 2009
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(b) The advanced placement program shall receive 75
percent of the appropriation each year and the international baccalaureate
program shall receive 25 percent of the appropriation each year. The
department, in consultation with representatives of the advanced placement and
international baccalaureate programs selected by the Advanced Placement
Advisory Council and IBMN, respectively, shall determine the amounts of the
expenditures each year for examination fees and training and support programs
for each program.
(c) Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section
120B.13, subdivision 1, at least $500,000 each year is for teachers to attend
subject matter summer training programs and follow-up support workshops
approved by the advanced placement or international baccalaureate programs. The
amount of the subsidy for each teacher attending an advanced placement or
international baccalaureate summer training program or workshop shall be the
same. The commissioner shall determine the payment process and the amount of
the subsidy.
(d) The commissioner shall pay all examination fees
for all students of low-income families under Minnesota Statutes, section
120B.13, subdivision 3, and to the extent of available appropriations shall
also pay examination fees for students sitting for an advanced placement
examination, international baccalaureate examination, or both.
Any balance in the first year does not cancel but is
available in the second year.
Subd. 14. Preadvanced
placement, advanced placement, international baccalaureate, and concurrent
enrollment programs. For preadvanced placement, advanced placement,
international baccalaureate, and concurrent enrollment programs under Minnesota
Statutes, sections 120B.132 and 124D.091:
$7,740,000 . . . . . 2008
$8,600,000 . . . . . 2009
The 2008 appropriation includes $0 for fiscal year 2007
and $7,740,000 for fiscal year 2008. The 2009 appropriation includes $860,000
for fiscal year 2008 and $7,740,000 for fiscal year 2009.
Of this amount, $2,500,000 each year is for
concurrent enrollment program aid under Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.091.
If the appropriation is insufficient, the commissioner must proportionately
reduce the aid payment to each district.
Subd. 15. Collaborative
urban educator. For collaborative urban educator grants under
Minnesota Statutes, section 122A.641:
$1,301,000 . . . . . 2008
$1,301,000 . . . . . 2009
$500,000 each year is for the Southeast Asian
teacher program at Concordia University, St. Paul; $400,000 each year is for
the collaborative urban educator program at the University of St. Thomas; and
$400,000 each year is for the Center for Excellence in Urban Teaching at
Hamline University. Grant recipients must collaborate with urban and nonurban
school districts.
Any balance in the first year does not cancel but is
available in the second year.
Subd. 16. Youth
works program. For funding youth works programs under Minnesota
Statutes, sections 124D.37 to 124D.45:
$900,000 . . . . . 2008
$900,000 . . . . . 2009
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A grantee organization may provide health and child
care coverage to the dependents of each participant enrolled in a full-time
youth works program to the extent the coverage is not otherwise available.
Subd. 17. Early
childhood literacy programs. For early childhood literacy programs
under Minnesota Statutes, section 119A.50, subdivision 3:
$1,500,000 . . . . . 2008
$1,500,000 . . . . . 2009
$1,000,000 each year is for leveraging federal and
private funding to support AmeriCorps members serving in the Minnesota Reading
Corps program established by Serve Minnesota, including costs associated with
the training and teaching of early literacy skills to children age three to
grade 3 and the evaluation of the impact of the program under Minnesota Statutes,
section 124D.42, subdivision 8.
$500,000 each year is for grants for early childhood
literacy programs under Minnesota Statutes, section 119A.50, subdivision 3,
paragraph (a).
Any balance in the first year does not cancel but is
available in the second year.
Subd. 18. St. Croix
River Education District. For a grant to the St. Croix River
Education District:
$500,000 . . . . . 2008
$500,000 . . . . . 2009
These funds must be used to:
(1) deliver standardized research-based professional
development in problem-solving, including response to intervention,
scientifically based reading instruction, and standards-aligned instruction and
assessment;
(2) provide coaching to targeted districts
throughout the state;
(3) deliver large scale training throughout the
state;
(4) provide ongoing technical assistance to schools;
(5) assist with implementing professional
development content into higher education instructional curricula; and
(6) evaluate the effectiveness of project
activities.
This is a onetime appropriation.
Subd. 19. Student
organizations. For student organizations:
$725,000 . . . . . 2008
$725,000 . . . . . 2009
Any balance in the first year does not cancel but is
available in the second year.
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Subd. 20. College
level examination program (CLEP). For the college level examination
program (CLEP) under Minnesota Statutes, section 120B.131:
$1,650,000 . . . . . 2008
$1,650,000 . . . . . 2009
Any balance in the first year does not cancel but is
available in the second year.
Subd. 21. Education
planning and assessment (EPAS) program. For the educational planning
and assessment (EPAS) program under Minnesota Statutes, section 120B.128:
$829,000 . . . . . 2008
$829,000 . . . . . 2009
Any balance in the first year does not cancel but is
available in the second year.
The base for this program in fiscal year 2010 and
later is $829,000.
Subd. 22. 21st
century high schools. (a) For 21st century high schools:
$1,920,000 . . . . . 2008
$6,843,000 . . . . . 2009
(b) $1,000,000 in fiscal year 2008 is for grants for
alternative school calendar pilot programs under section 57. Grant funds may be
used for pupil transportation costs.
(c) $6,443,000 in fiscal year 2009 is for Career and
Technical Aid under Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.4531. The 2009
appropriation includes $0 for fiscal year 2008 and $6,443,000 for fiscal year
2009.
(d) $500,000 in fiscal year 2008 is for professional
teacher licensure.
(e) $150,000 each year is for the quantum
opportunities program.
(f) $250,000 each year is for world languages
resources for developing and implementing world languages programs.
(g) $20,000 in fiscal year 2008 is for the committee
on American Indian education under Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.805.
The base for this appropriation for fiscal year 2010
is $7,352,000 and $7,572,000 for fiscal year 2011.
Subd. 23. Minnesota teacher development. (a) Effective, well
prepared, fully engaged, and adequately supported kindergarten through grade 12
classroom teachers, along with parents, are critical partners in helping the
many diverse student populations realize meaningful academic achievement. To
afford students needed opportunities to learn effectively without remediation;
to acknowledge and reinforce the language proficiency and cultural awareness
that diverse language speakers possess; to encourage students' proficiency in
science, technology,
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math, engineering,
economics, civics, and foreign languages; and to provide new and experienced
teachers with sufficient staff development resources and support to effectively
work to close the student achievement gap, the following resources are
provided:
$4,950,000 . . . . . 2008
$4,200,000 . . . . . 2009
(b) $400,000 each year is
for a grant to the Minnesota Humanities Commission under Minnesota Statutes,
section 138.911.
(c) $150,000 each year is
for a grant to the Minnesota Historical Society.
(d) $400,000 each year is
for the Principals' Leadership Institute under Minnesota Statutes, section 122A.74.
Any balance in the first year does not cancel but is available in the second
year.
(e) $1,300,000 each year is
for teachers of color scholarships under Minnesota Statutes, section 122A.633.
(f) $2,200,000 in fiscal
year 2008 and $1,550,000 in fiscal year 2009 are for professional development
programs. Of this amount: $1,667,000 in fiscal year 2008 and $1,125,000 in
fiscal year 2009 are for grants for up to five teacher centers under Minnesota
Statutes, section 122A.72, subdivision 5, for the science, technology,
engineering and mathematics initiative including teacher workshops and expanded
outreach programs in classrooms; $333,000 in fiscal year 2008 and $225,000 in
fiscal year 2009 are for a grant to the Science Museum of Minnesota for the science,
technology, engineering, and mathematics initiative; $200,000 in fiscal year
2008 is for a grant to the Minnesota Council on Economic Education for master
teacher training in economics and personal finance; and $400,000 each year is
for teacher technology training grants under section 59.
(g) $100,000 in fiscal year
2008 is for a grant to the commissioner of education for a grant to the
Learning Law and Democracy Foundation for the development and electronic
collection, review, and distribution of educational materials supporting
Minnesota's kindergarten through grade 12 education standards for civics and
government.
The base for the
appropriations contained in this subdivision for fiscal year 2010 and later is
$800,000 per year. Any balance in the first year does not cancel but is
available in the second year.
Sec. 65. REPEALER.
Minnesota Statutes 2006,
sections 121A.23; and 124D.62, are repealed.
ARTICLE 3
SPECIAL PROGRAMS
Section 1. Minnesota
Statutes 2006, section 123B.92, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
Subdivision 1. Definitions. For purposes of this
section and section 125A.76, the terms defined in this subdivision have the
meanings given to them.
(a) "Actual expenditure
per pupil transported in the regular and excess transportation categories"
means the quotient obtained by dividing:
(1) the sum of:
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(i) all expenditures for transportation in the regular
category, as defined in paragraph (b), clause (1), and the excess category, as
defined in paragraph (b), clause (2), plus
(ii) an amount equal to one year's depreciation on
the district's school bus fleet and mobile units computed on a straight line
basis at the rate of 15 percent per year for districts operating a program
under section 124D.128 for grades 1 to 12 for all students in the district and
12-1/2 percent per year for other districts of the cost of the fleet, plus
(iii) an amount equal to one year's depreciation on
the district's type three school buses, as defined in section 169.01,
subdivision 6, clause (5), which must be used a majority of the time for pupil
transportation purposes, computed on a straight line basis at the rate of 20 percent
per year of the cost of the type three school buses by:
(2) the number of pupils eligible for transportation
in the regular category, as defined in paragraph (b), clause (1), and the
excess category, as defined in paragraph (b), clause (2).
(b) "Transportation category" means a
category of transportation service provided to pupils as follows:
(1) Regular transportation is:
(i) transportation to and from school during the
regular school year for resident elementary pupils residing one mile or more
from the public or nonpublic school they attend, and resident secondary pupils
residing two miles or more from the public or nonpublic school they attend,
excluding desegregation transportation and noon kindergarten transportation;
but with respect to transportation of pupils to and from nonpublic schools,
only to the extent permitted by sections 123B.84 to 123B.87;
(ii) transportation of resident pupils to and from
language immersion programs;
(iii) transportation of a pupil who is a custodial
parent and that pupil's child between the pupil's home and the child care
provider and between the provider and the school, if the home and provider are
within the attendance area of the school;
(iv) transportation to and from or board and lodging
in another district, of resident pupils of a district without a secondary
school; and
(v) transportation to and from school during the
regular school year required under subdivision 3 for nonresident elementary
pupils when the distance from the attendance area border to the public school
is one mile or more, and for nonresident secondary pupils when the distance
from the attendance area border to the public school is two miles or more,
excluding desegregation transportation and noon kindergarten transportation.
For the purposes of this paragraph, a district may
designate a licensed day care facility, school day care facility, respite care
facility, the residence of a relative, or the residence of a person chosen by
the pupil's parent or guardian as the home of a pupil for part or all of the
day, if requested by the pupil's parent or guardian, and if that facility or
residence is within the attendance area of the school the pupil attends.
(2) Excess transportation is:
(i) transportation to and from school during the regular
school year for resident secondary pupils residing at least one mile but less
than two miles from the public or nonpublic school they attend, and
transportation to and from school for resident pupils residing less than one
mile from school who are transported because of extraordinary traffic, drug, or
crime hazards; and
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(ii) transportation to and from school during the
regular school year required under subdivision 3 for nonresident secondary
pupils when the distance from the attendance area border to the school is at
least one mile but less than two miles from the public school they attend, and
for nonresident pupils when the distance from the attendance area border to the
school is less than one mile from the school and who are transported because of
extraordinary traffic, drug, or crime hazards.
(3) Desegregation transportation is transportation
within and outside of the district during the regular school year of pupils to
and from schools located outside their normal attendance areas under a plan for
desegregation mandated by the commissioner or under court order.
(4) "Transportation services for pupils with
disabilities" is:
(i) transportation of pupils with disabilities who
cannot be transported on a regular school bus between home or a respite care
facility and school;
(ii) necessary transportation of pupils with
disabilities from home or from school to other buildings, including centers
such as developmental achievement centers, hospitals, and treatment centers
where special instruction or services required by sections 125A.03 to 125A.24,
125A.26 to 125A.48, and 125A.65 are provided, within or outside the district
where services are provided;
(iii) necessary transportation for resident pupils
with disabilities required by sections 125A.12, and 125A.26 to 125A.48;
(iv) board and lodging for pupils with disabilities
in a district maintaining special classes;
(v) transportation from one educational facility to
another within the district for resident pupils enrolled on a shared-time basis
in educational programs, and necessary transportation required by sections
125A.18, and 125A.26 to 125A.48, for resident pupils with disabilities who are
provided special instruction and services on a shared-time basis or if resident
pupils are not transported, the costs of necessary travel between public and
private schools or neutral instructional sites by essential personnel employed
by the district's program for children with a disability;
(vi) transportation for resident pupils with
disabilities to and from board and lodging facilities when the pupil is boarded
and lodged for educational purposes; and
(vii) services described in clauses (i) to (vi),
when provided for pupils with disabilities in conjunction with a summer
instructional program that relates to the pupil's individual education plan or
in conjunction with a learning year program established under section 124D.128.
For purposes of computing special education base revenue
initial aid under section 125A.76, subdivision 2, the cost of providing
transportation for children with disabilities includes (A) the additional cost
of transporting a homeless student from a temporary nonshelter home in another
district to the school of origin, or a formerly homeless student from a
permanent home in another district to the school of origin but only through the
end of the academic year; and (B) depreciation on district-owned school buses
purchased after July 1, 2005, and used primarily for transportation of pupils
with disabilities, calculated according to paragraph (a), clauses (ii) and
(iii). Depreciation costs included in the disabled transportation category must
be excluded in calculating the actual expenditure per pupil transported in the
regular and excess transportation categories according to paragraph (a).
(5) "Nonpublic nonregular transportation"
is:
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(i) transportation from one educational facility to
another within the district for resident pupils enrolled on a shared-time basis
in educational programs, excluding transportation for nonpublic pupils with
disabilities under clause (4);
(ii) transportation within district boundaries
between a nonpublic school and a public school or a neutral site for nonpublic
school pupils who are provided pupil support services pursuant to section
123B.44; and
(iii) late transportation home from school or
between schools within a district for nonpublic school pupils involved in
after-school activities.
(c) "Mobile unit" means a vehicle or
trailer designed to provide facilities for educational programs and services,
including diagnostic testing, guidance and counseling services, and health
services. A mobile unit located off nonpublic school premises is a neutral site
as defined in section 123B.41, subdivision 13.
EFFECTIVE
DATE. This
section is effective for revenue for fiscal year 2008.
Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 124D.454,
subdivision 2, is amended to read:
Subd. 2. Definitions.
For the purposes of this section, the definitions in this subdivision apply.
(a) "Base year" means the second fiscal
year preceding the fiscal year for which aid will be paid.
(b) "Basic revenue" has the meaning given it
in section 126C.10, subdivision 2. For the purposes of computing basic revenue
pursuant to this section, each child with a disability shall be counted as
prescribed in section 126C.05, subdivision 1.
(c) "Average daily membership" has the
meaning given it in section 126C.05.
(d) "Program growth factor" means 1.00 for
fiscal year 1998 and later.
(e) "Aid percentage factor" means 100
percent for fiscal year 2000 and later.
(f) (b) "Essential personnel" means a licensed
teacher, licensed support services staff person, paraprofessional providing
direct services to students, or licensed personnel under subdivision 12. This
definition is not intended to change or modify the definition of essential
employee in chapter 179A.
EFFECTIVE
DATE. This
section is effective for revenue for fiscal year 2008.
Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 124D.454,
subdivision 3, is amended to read:
Subd. 3. Base
revenue Initial aid. (a) The transition-disabled program base
revenue initial aid equals the sum of the following amounts computed
using base current year data:
(1) 68 percent of the salary of each essential
licensed person or approved paraprofessional who provides direct instructional
services to students employed during that fiscal year for services rendered in
that district's transition program for children with a disability;
(2) 47 percent of the costs of necessary equipment
for transition programs for children with a disability;
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(3) 47 percent of the costs of necessary travel
between instructional sites by transition program teachers of children with a
disability but not including travel to and from local, regional, district,
state, or national career and technical student organization meetings;
(4) 47 percent of the costs of necessary supplies
for transition programs for children with a disability but not to exceed an
average of $47 in any one school year for each child with a disability
receiving these services;
(5) for transition programs for children with
disabilities provided by a contract approved by the commissioner with public,
private, or voluntary agencies other than a Minnesota school district or
cooperative center, in place of programs provided by the district, 52 percent
of the difference between the amount of the contract and the basic revenue of
the district for that pupil for the fraction of the school day the pupil
receives services under the contract;
(6) for transition programs for children with disabilities
provided by a contract approved by the commissioner with public, private, or
voluntary agencies other than a Minnesota school district or cooperative
center, that are supplementary to a full educational program provided by the
school district, 52 percent of the amount of the contract; and
(7) for a contract approved by the commissioner with
another Minnesota school district or cooperative center for vocational
evaluation services for children with a disability for children that are not
yet enrolled in grade 12, 52 percent of the amount of the contract.
(b) If requested by a school district for transition
programs during the base year for less than the full school year, the
commissioner may adjust the base revenue to reflect the expenditures that would
have occurred during the base year had the program been operated for the full
year.
EFFECTIVE
DATE. This
section is effective for revenue for fiscal year 2008.
Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 125A.11,
subdivision 1, is amended to read:
Subdivision 1. Nonresident
tuition rate; other costs. (a) For fiscal year 2006, when a school district
provides instruction and services outside the district of residence, board and
lodging, and any tuition to be paid, shall be paid by the district of residence.
The tuition rate to be charged for any child with a disability, excluding a
pupil for whom tuition is calculated according to section 127A.47, subdivision
7, paragraph (d), must be the sum of (1) the actual cost of providing special
instruction and services to the child including a proportionate amount for
special transportation and unreimbursed building lease and debt service costs
for facilities used primarily for special education, plus (2) the amount of
general education revenue and referendum aid attributable to the pupil, minus
(3) the amount of special education aid for children with a disability received
on behalf of that child, minus (4) if the pupil receives special instruction
and services outside the regular classroom for more than 60 percent of the
school day, the amount of general education revenue and referendum aid,
excluding portions attributable to district and school administration, district
support services, operations and maintenance, capital expenditures, and pupil
transportation, attributable to that pupil for the portion of time the pupil
receives special instruction and services outside of the regular classroom. If
the boards involved do not agree upon the tuition rate, either board may apply
to the commissioner to fix the rate. Notwithstanding chapter 14, the
commissioner must then set a date for a hearing or request a written statement
from each board, giving each board at least ten days' notice, and after the
hearing or review of the written statements the commissioner must make an order
fixing the tuition rate, which is binding on both school districts. General
education revenue and referendum equalization aid attributable to a
pupil must be calculated using the resident district's average general
education revenue and referendum revenue equalization aid
per adjusted pupil unit.
(b) For fiscal year 2007 and
later, when a school district provides special instruction and services for a
pupil with a disability as defined in section 125A.02 outside the district of
residence, excluding a pupil for whom an adjustment to special education aid is
calculated according to section 127A.47, subdivision 7, paragraph (e), special
education
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aid paid to the resident
district must be reduced by an amount equal to (1) the actual cost of providing
special instruction and services to the pupil, including a proportionate amount
for special transportation and unreimbursed building lease and debt service
costs for facilities used primarily for special education, plus (2) the amount
of general education revenue and referendum equalization aid
attributable to that pupil, minus (3) the amount of special education aid for
children with a disability received on behalf of that child, minus (4) if the
pupil receives special instruction and services outside the regular classroom
for more than 60 percent of the school day, the amount of general education
revenue and referendum equalization aid, excluding portions attributable
to district and school administration, district support services, operations
and maintenance, capital expenditures, and pupil transportation, attributable
to that pupil for the portion of time the pupil receives special instruction
and services outside of the regular classroom. General education revenue and
referendum equalization aid attributable to a pupil must be calculated
using the resident district's average general education revenue and referendum equalization
aid per adjusted pupil unit. Special education aid paid to the district or
cooperative providing special instruction and services for the pupil must be
increased by the amount of the reduction in the aid paid to the resident
district. Amounts paid to cooperatives under this subdivision and section
127A.47, subdivision 7, shall be recognized and reported as revenues and
expenditures on the resident school district's books of account under sections
123B.75 and 123B.76. If the resident district's special education aid is
insufficient to make the full adjustment, the remaining adjustment shall be
made to other state aid due to the district.
(c) Notwithstanding
paragraphs (a) and (b) and section 127A.47, subdivision 7, paragraphs (d) and
(e), a charter school where more than 30 percent of enrolled students receive
special education and related services, a site approved under section
125A.515, an intermediate district, a special education cooperative, or a
school district that served as the applicant agency for a group of school
districts for federal special education aids for fiscal year 2006 may apply to
the commissioner for authority to charge the resident district an additional
amount to recover any remaining unreimbursed costs of serving pupils with a
disability. The application must include a description of the costs and the
calculations used to determine the unreimbursed portion to be charged to the
resident district. Amounts approved by the commissioner under this paragraph
must be included in the tuition billings or aid adjustments under paragraph (a)
or (b), or section 127A.47, subdivision 7, paragraph (d) or (e), as applicable.
(d) For purposes of this
subdivision and section 127A.47, subdivision 7, paragraphs (d) and (e),
"general education revenue and referendum aid" means the sum of the
general education revenue according to section 126C.10, subdivision 1,
excluding alternative teacher compensation revenue, plus the referendum aid
according to section 126C.17, subdivision 7, as adjusted according to section
127A.47, subdivision 7, paragraphs (a) to (c).
EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is
effective the day following final enactment.
Sec. 5. Minnesota Statutes
2006, section 125A.13, is amended to read:
125A.13 SCHOOL OF PARENTS' CHOICE.
(a) Nothing in this chapter must
be construed as preventing parents of a child with a disability from sending
the child to a school of their choice, if they so elect, subject to admission
standards and policies adopted according to sections 125A.62 to 125A.64 and 125A.66
to 125A.73, and all other provisions of chapters 120A to 129C.
(b) The parent of a student
with a disability not yet enrolled in kindergarten and not open enrolled in a
nonresident district may request that the resident district enter into a
tuition agreement with the nonresident district if:
(1) the child is enrolled in
a Head Start program or a licensed child care setting in the nonresident
district; and
(2) the child can be served
in the same setting as other children in the nonresident district with the same
level of disability.
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Sec. 6. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 125A.14, is
amended to read:
125A.14 SUMMER
PROGRAMS EXTENDED SCHOOL YEAR.
A district may provide summer programs extended
school year services for children with a disability living within the
district and nonresident children temporarily placed in the district pursuant
to section 125A.15 or 125A.16. Prior to March 31 or 30 days after the child with
a disability is placed in the district, whichever is later, the providing
district shall give notice to the district of residence of any nonresident
children temporarily placed in the district pursuant to section 125A.15 or
125A.16, of its intention to provide these programs. Notwithstanding any
contrary provisions in sections 125A.15 and 125A.16, the district providing the
special instruction and services must apply for special education aid for the summer
program extended school year services. The unreimbursed actual cost
of providing the program for nonresident children with a disability, including
the cost of board and lodging, may be billed to the district of the child's
residence and must be paid by the resident district. Transportation costs must be
paid by the district responsible for providing transportation pursuant to
section 125A.15 or 125A.16 and transportation aid must be paid to that
district.
Sec. 7. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 125A.63, is
amended by adding a subdivision to read:
Subd. 5. Statewide
hearing loss early education intervention coordinator. (a) The
coordinator shall:
(1) collaborate with the early hearing detection and
intervention coordinator for the Department of Health, the director of the
Department of Education Resource Center for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing, and the
Department of Health Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Advisory Council;
(2) coordinate and support Department of Education
early hearing detection and intervention teams;
(3) leverage resources by serving as a liaison
between interagency early intervention committees; part C coordinators from the
Departments of Education, Health, and Human Services; Department of Education
regional low-incidence facilitators; service coordinators from school districts;
Minnesota children with special health needs in the Department of Health;
public health nurses; child find; Department of Human Services Deaf and
Hard-of-Hearing Services Division; and others as appropriate;
(4) identify, support, and promote culturally
appropriate and evidence-based early intervention practices for infants with
hearing loss, and provide training, outreach, and use of technology to increase
consistency in statewide service provision;
(5) identify culturally appropriate specialized reliable
and valid instruments to assess and track the progress of children with hearing
loss and promote their use;
(6) ensure that early childhood providers, parents,
and members of the individual family service and intervention plan are provided
with child progress data resulting from specialized assessments;
(7) educate early childhood providers and teachers
of the deaf and hard-of-hearing to use developmental data from specialized
assessments to plan and adjust individual family service plans; and
(8) make recommendations that would improve
educational outcomes to the early hearing detection and intervention committee,
the commissioners of education and health, the Minnesota Commission Serving
Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing People, and the advisory council of the Minnesota
Department of Education Resource Center for the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing.
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(b) The Department of Education must provide
aggregate data regarding outcomes of deaf and hard-of-hearing children who
receive early intervention services within the state in accordance with the
state performance plan.
Sec. 8. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 125A.75,
subdivision 1, is amended to read:
Subdivision 1. Travel
aid. The state must pay each district one-half of the sum actually expended
by a district, based on mileage, for necessary travel of essential personnel
providing home-based or community-based services to children with a
disability under age five and their families.
Sec. 9. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 125A.75,
subdivision 4, is amended to read:
Subd. 4. Program
and aid approval. Before June 1 of each year, each district providing
special instruction and services to children with a disability, including children
eligible for Part C, as defined in sections 125A.02, subdivision 1, and
125A.27, subdivision 8, must submit to the commissioner an application for
approval of these programs and their budgets for the next fiscal year. The
application must include an enumeration of the costs proposed as eligible for
state aid pursuant to this section and of the estimated number and grade level
of children with a disability in the district who will receive special
instruction and services during the regular school year and in summer school
programs during the next fiscal year. The application must also include any
other information deemed necessary by the commissioner for the calculation of
state aid and for the evaluation of the necessity of the program, the necessity
of the personnel to be employed in the program, for determining the amount
which the program will receive from grants from federal funds, or special
grants from other state sources, and the program's compliance with the rules
and standards of the Department of Education. The commissioner shall review
each application to determine whether the program and the personnel to be
employed in the program are actually necessary and essential to meet the
district's obligation to provide special instruction and services to children
with a disability pursuant to sections 125A.03 to 125A.24, 125A.259 to 125A.48,
and 125A.65. The commissioner shall not approve aid pursuant to this section
for any program or for the salary of any personnel determined to be unnecessary
or unessential on the basis of this review. The commissioner may withhold all
or any portion of the aid for programs which receive grants from federal funds,
or special grants from other state sources. By August 31 the commissioner shall
approve, disapprove, or modify each application, and notify each applying
district of the action and of the estimated amount of aid for the programs. The
commissioner shall provide procedures for districts to submit additional
applications for program and budget approval during the fiscal year, for
programs needed to meet any substantial changes in the needs of children with a
disability in the district. Notwithstanding the provisions of section 127A.42,
the commissioner may modify or withdraw the program or aid approval and withhold
aid pursuant to this section without proceeding according to section 127A.42 at
any time the commissioner determines that the program does not comply with
rules of the Department of Education or that any facts concerning the program
or its budget differ from the facts in the district's approved application.
EFFECTIVE
DATE. This
section is effective for revenue for fiscal year 2008.
Sec. 10. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 125A.76,
subdivision 1, is amended to read:
Subdivision 1. Definitions.
For the purposes of this section, the definitions in this subdivision apply.
(a) "Base year" for fiscal year 1998
and later fiscal years means the second fiscal year preceding the fiscal year
for which aid will be paid.
(b) "Basic revenue" has the meaning given it
in section 126C.10, subdivision 2. For the purposes of computing basic revenue
pursuant to this section, each child with a disability shall be counted as
prescribed in section 126C.05, subdivision 1.
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(c) (b) "Essential personnel" means teachers,
cultural liaisons, related services, and support services staff providing
direct services to students. Essential personnel may also include special
education paraprofessionals or clericals providing support to teachers and
students by preparing paperwork and making arrangements related to special
education compliance requirements, including parent meetings and individual
education plans.
(d) (c) "Average daily membership" has the
meaning given it in section 126C.05.
(e) (d) "Program growth factor" means 1.046 for
fiscal year 2003, and 1.0 for fiscal year 2004 and later.
EFFECTIVE
DATE. This
section is effective for revenue for fiscal year 2008.
Sec. 11. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 125A.76,
subdivision 2, is amended to read:
Subd. 2. Special
education base revenue initial aid. (a) The special
education base revenue initial aid equals the sum of the
following amounts computed using base current year data:
(1) 68 percent of the salary of each essential
person employed in the district's program for children with a disability during
the fiscal year, whether the person is employed by one or more districts or a
Minnesota correctional facility operating on a fee-for-service basis;
(2) for the Minnesota State Academy for the Deaf or
the Minnesota State Academy for the Blind, 68 percent of the salary of each
instructional aide assigned to a child attending the academy, if that aide is
required by the child's individual education plan;
(3) for special instruction and services provided to
any pupil by contracting with public, private, or voluntary agencies other than
school districts, in place of special instruction and services provided by the
district, 52 percent of the difference between the amount of the contract and the
amount of the basic revenue, as defined in section 126C.10, subdivision 2,
special education aid, and any other aid earned on behalf of the child the
general education revenue, excluding basic skills revenue and alternative
teacher compensation revenue, and referendum equalization aid attributable to a
pupil, calculated using the resident district's average general education
revenue and referendum equalization aid per adjusted pupil unit for the
fraction of the school day the pupil receives services under the contract.
This includes children who are residents of the state, receive services under
section 125A.76, subdivisions 1 and 2, and are placed in a care and treatment
facility by court action in a state that does not have a reciprocity agreement
with the commissioner under section 125A.155 as provided for in section
125A.79, subdivision 8;
(4) for special instruction and services provided to
any pupil by contracting for services with public, private, or voluntary
agencies other than school districts, that are supplementary to a full
educational program provided by the school district, 52 percent of the amount
of the contract for that pupil;
(5) for supplies and equipment purchased or rented
for use in the instruction of children with a disability, an amount equal to 47
percent of the sum actually expended by the district, or a Minnesota
correctional facility operating on a fee-for-service basis, but not to exceed
an average of $47 in any one school year for each child with a disability
receiving instruction;
(6) for fiscal years 1997 and later, special
education base revenue shall include amounts under clauses (1) to (5) for
special education summer programs provided during the base year for that fiscal
year; and
(7) for fiscal years 1999 and later, the cost
of providing transportation services for children with disabilities under
section 123B.92, subdivision 1, paragraph (b), clause (4).
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The department shall establish procedures through
the uniform financial accounting and reporting system to identify and track all
revenues generated from third-party billings as special education revenue at
the school district level; include revenue generated from third-party billings
as special education revenue in the annual cross-subsidy report; and exclude
third-party revenue from calculation of excess cost aid to the districts;
and
(8) the district's transition-disabled program
initial aid according to section 124D.454, subdivision 3.
(b) If requested by a school district operating a
special education program during the base year for less than the full fiscal
year, or a school district in which is located a Minnesota correctional
facility operating on a fee-for-service basis for less than the full fiscal
year, the commissioner may adjust the base revenue to reflect the expenditures
that would have occurred during the base year had the program been operated for
the full fiscal year.
(c) Notwithstanding paragraphs (a) and (b), the
portion of a school district's base revenue attributable to a Minnesota
correctional facility operating on a fee-for-service basis during the
facility's first year of operating on a fee-for-service basis shall be computed
using current year data.
Sec. 12. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 125A.76,
subdivision 4, is amended to read:
Subd. 4. State
total special education aid. The state total special education aid for
fiscal year 2004 equals $530,642,000. The state total special education aid
for fiscal year 2005 equals $529,164,000 $572,297,000 for
fiscal year 2008, $573,122,000 for fiscal year 2009, $574,696,000 for fiscal
year 2010, and $576,653,000 for fiscal year 2011. The state total special
education aid for later fiscal years equals:
(1) the state total special education aid for the
preceding fiscal year; times
(2) the program growth factor; times
(3) the greater of one, or the ratio of the state
total average daily membership for the current fiscal year to the state total
average daily membership for the preceding fiscal year.
EFFECTIVE
DATE. This
section is effective for revenue for fiscal year 2008.
Sec. 13. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 125A.76,
subdivision 5, is amended to read:
Subd. 5. School
district special education aid. (a) A school district's special
education aid for fiscal year 2000 2008 and later equals the
state total special education aid, minus the amount determined under
paragraphs (b) and (c), times the ratio of the district's adjusted
initial special education base revenue aid to the state total
adjusted initial special education base revenue aid.
If the commissioner of education modifies its rules for special education in
a manner that increases a district's special education obligations or service
requirements, the commissioner shall annually increase each district's special
education aid by the amount necessary to compensate for the increased service
requirements. The additional aid equals the cost in the current year
attributable to rule changes not reflected in the computation of special
education base revenue, multiplied by the appropriate percentages from
subdivision 2.
(b) Notwithstanding paragraph (a), if the special education
base revenue for a district equals zero, the special education aid equals the
amount computed according to subdivision 2 using current year data.
(c) Notwithstanding paragraphs (a) and (b), if the
special education base revenue for a district is greater than zero, and the
base year amount for the district under subdivision 2, paragraph (a), clause
(7), equals zero, the special education aid equals the sum of the amount
computed according to paragraph (a), plus the amount computed according to subdivision
2, paragraph (a), clause (7), using current year data.
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(d) A charter school under section 124D.10 shall generate
state special education aid based on current year expenditures for its first
four years of operation and only in its fifth and later years shall paragraphs
(a), (b), and (c) apply.
EFFECTIVE
DATE. This
section is effective for revenue for fiscal year 2008.
Sec. 14. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 125A.76,
is amended by adding a subdivision to read:
Subd. 8. Special
education forecast maintenance of effort. (a) If, on the basis of a
forecast of general fund revenues and expenditures under section 16A.103, the
state's expenditures for special education and related services for children
with disabilities from nonfederal sources for a fiscal year, including special
education aid under section 125A.76; special education excess cost aid under
section 125A.76, subdivision 7; travel for home-based services under section
125A.75, subdivision 1; aid for students with disabilities under section
125A.75, subdivision 3; court-placed special education under section 125A.79,
subdivision 4; out-of-state tuition under section 125A.79, subdivision 8; and
direct expenditures by state agencies are projected to be less than the amount
required to meet federal special education maintenance of effort, the
additional amount required to meet federal special education maintenance of
effort is added to the state total special education aid in section 125A.76,
subdivision 4.
(b) If, on the basis of a forecast of general fund
revenues and expenditures under section 16A.103, expenditures in the programs
in paragraph (a) are projected to be greater than previously forecast for an
enacted budget, and an addition to state total special education aid has been
made under paragraph (a), the state total special education aid must be reduced
by the lesser of the amount of the expenditure increase or the amount
previously added to state total special education aid in section 125A.76,
subdivision 4.
(c) For the purpose of this section,
"previously forecast for an enacted budget" means the allocation of
funding for these programs in the most recent forecast of general fund revenues
and expenditures or the act appropriating money for these programs, whichever
occurred most recently. It does not include planning estimates for a future
biennium.
EFFECTIVE
DATE. This
section is effective for fiscal year 2008.
Sec. 15. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 125A.79,
subdivision 5, is amended to read:
Subd. 5. Initial
excess cost aid. For fiscal years 2002 2008 and later, a
district's initial excess cost aid equals the greatest greater
of:
(1) 75 percent of the difference between (i) the
district's unreimbursed special education cost and (ii) 4.36 percent of the
district's general revenue; or
(2) 70 percent of the difference between (i) the
increase in the district's unreimbursed special education cost between the base
year as defined in section 125A.76, subdivision 1, and the current year and
(ii) 1.6 percent of the district's general revenue; or
(3) zero.
EFFECTIVE
DATE. This
section is effective for fiscal year 2008.
Sec. 16. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 125A.79,
subdivision 6, is amended to read:
Subd. 6. State
total special education excess cost aid. The state total special education
excess cost aid for fiscal year 2005 equals $91,811,000
$128,341,000 for fiscal year 2008, $129,523,000 for fiscal year 2009,
$129,801,000 for fiscal year 2010, and $130,193,000 for fiscal year 2011. The
state total special education excess cost aid equals $103,600,000 for fiscal
year 2006 and $104,700,000 for fiscal year 2007. The state total special
education excess cost aid for fiscal year 2008 and later fiscal years
equals:
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(1) the state total special education excess cost
aid for the preceding fiscal year; times
(2) the program growth factor; times
(3) the greater of one, or the ratio of the state
total average daily membership for the current fiscal year to the state total
average daily membership for the preceding fiscal year.
EFFECTIVE
DATE. This
section is effective for revenue for fiscal year 2008.
Sec. 17. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 125A.79,
subdivision 8, is amended to read:
Subd. 8. Out-of-state
tuition. For children who are residents of the state, receive services
under section 125A.76, subdivisions 1 and 2, and are placed in a care and
treatment facility by court action in a state that does not have a reciprocity
agreement with the commissioner under section 125A.155, the resident school
district shall submit the balance of the tuition bills, minus the amount of
the basic revenue, as defined by section 126C.10, subdivision 2, of the
district for the child and general education revenue, excluding basic
skills revenue and alternative teacher compensation revenue, and referendum
equalization aid attributable to the pupil, calculated using the resident
district's average general education revenue and referendum equalization aid
per adjusted pupil unit minus the special education aid, and any other
aid earned on behalf of the child contracted services initial aid
attributable to the pupil.
EFFECTIVE
DATE. This
section is effective for revenue for fiscal year 2008.
Sec. 18. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 127A.47,
subdivision 7, is amended to read:
Subd. 7. Alternative
attendance programs. The general education aid and special education aid
for districts must be adjusted for each pupil attending a nonresident district
under sections 123A.05 to 123A.08, 124D.03, 124D.06, 124D.08, and 124D.68. The
adjustments must be made according to this subdivision.
(a) General education aid paid to a resident
district must be reduced by an amount equal to the referendum equalization aid
attributable to the pupil in the resident district.
(b) General education aid paid to a district serving
a pupil in programs listed in this subdivision must be increased by an amount
equal to the referendum equalization aid attributable to the pupil in the
nonresident district.
(c) If the amount of the reduction to be made from
the general education aid of the resident district is greater than the amount
of general education aid otherwise due the district, the excess reduction must
be made from other state aids due the district.
(d) For fiscal year 2006,
the district of residence must pay tuition to a district or an area learning
center, operated according to paragraph (f), providing special instruction and
services to a pupil with a disability, as defined in section 125A.02, or a
pupil, as defined in section 125A.51, who is enrolled in a program listed in
this subdivision. The tuition must be equal to (1) the actual cost of providing
special instruction and services to the pupil, including a proportionate amount
for special transportation and unreimbursed building lease and debt service
costs for facilities used primarily for special education, minus (2) if the
pupil receives special instruction and services outside the regular classroom
for more than 60 percent of the school day, the amount of general education
revenue and referendum equalization aid attributable to that pupil for
the portion of time the pupil receives special instruction and services outside
of the regular classroom, excluding portions attributable to district and
school administration, district support services, operations and maintenance,
capital expenditures, and pupil transportation, minus (3) special education aid
attributable to that pupil, that is received by the district providing special
instruction and
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services. For purposes of
this paragraph, general education revenue and referendum equalization aid
attributable to a pupil must be calculated using the serving district's average
general education revenue and referendum equalization aid per adjusted
pupil unit.
(e) For fiscal year 2007 and
later, special education aid paid to a resident district must be reduced by an
amount equal to (1) the actual cost of providing special instruction and
services, including special transportation and unreimbursed building lease and
debt service costs for facilities used primarily for special education, for a
pupil with a disability, as defined in section 125A.02, or a pupil, as defined
in section 125A.51, who is enrolled in a program listed in this subdivision,
minus (2) if the pupil receives special instruction and services outside the
regular classroom for more than 60 percent of the school day, the amount of
general education revenue and referendum equalization aid attributable
to that pupil for the portion of time the pupil receives special instruction
and services outside of the regular classroom, excluding portions attributable
to district and school administration, district support services, operations
and maintenance, capital expenditures, and pupil transportation, minus (3) special
education aid attributable to that pupil, that is received by the district
providing special instruction and services. For purposes of this paragraph,
general education revenue and referendum equalization aid attributable
to a pupil must be calculated using the serving district's average general
education revenue and referendum equalization aid per adjusted pupil
unit. Special education aid paid to the district or cooperative providing special
instruction and services for the pupil, or to the fiscal agent district for a
cooperative, must be increased by the amount of the reduction in the aid paid
to the resident district. If the resident district's special education aid is
insufficient to make the full adjustment, the remaining adjustment shall be
made to other state aids due to the district.
(f) An area learning center
operated by a service cooperative, intermediate district, education district,
or a joint powers cooperative may elect through the action of the constituent
boards to charge the resident district tuition for pupils rather than to have
the general education revenue paid to a fiscal agent school district. Except as
provided in paragraph (d) or (e), the district of residence must pay tuition
equal to at least 90 percent of the district average general education revenue
per pupil unit minus an amount equal to the product of the formula allowance
according to section 126C.10, subdivision 2, times .0485, calculated without
basic skills revenue and transportation sparsity revenue, times the number of
pupil units for pupils attending the area learning center, plus the amount of
compensatory revenue generated by pupils attending the area learning center.
EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is
effective the day following final enactment.
Sec. 19. Laws 2006, chapter
263, article 3, section 15, is amended to read:
Sec. 15. SPECIAL EDUCATION TUITION BILLING FOR
FISCAL YEARS 2006 AND, 2007, AND 2008.
(a) Notwithstanding
Minnesota Statutes, sections 125A.11, subdivision 1, paragraph (a), and
127A.47, subdivision 7, paragraph (d), for fiscal year 2006 an intermediate
district, special education cooperative, or school district that served as an
applicant agency for a group of school districts for federal special education
aids for fiscal year 2006 is not subject to the uniform special education
tuition billing calculations, but may instead continue to bill the resident
school districts for the actual unreimbursed costs of serving pupils with a
disability as determined by the intermediate district, special education
cooperative, or school district.
(b) Notwithstanding
Minnesota Statutes, section 125A.11, subdivision 1, paragraph (c), for fiscal
year 2007 only, an applicant district agency exempted from the
uniform special education tuition billing calculations for fiscal year 2006
under paragraph (a) may apply to the commissioner for a waiver an
exemption from the uniform special education tuition calculations and aid
adjustments under Minnesota Statutes, sections 125A.11, subdivision 1,
paragraph (b), and 127A.47, subdivision 7, paragraph (e). The commissioner must
grant the waiver exemption within 30 days of receiving the
following information from the intermediate district, special education
cooperative, or school district:
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(1) a detailed description
of the applicant district's methodology for calculating special education tuition
for fiscal years 2006 and 2007, as required by the applicant district to
recover the full cost of serving pupils with a disability;
(2) sufficient data to
determine the total amount of special education tuition actually charged for
each student with a disability, as required by the applicant district to
recover the full cost of serving pupils with a disability in fiscal year 2006;
and
(3) sufficient data to
determine the amount that would have been charged for each student for fiscal
year 2006 using the uniform tuition billing methodology according to Minnesota
Statutes, sections 125A.11, subdivision 1, or 127A.47, subdivision 7, as
applicable.
(c) Notwithstanding
Minnesota Statutes, section 125A.11, subdivision 1, paragraph (c), for fiscal
year 2008 only, an agency granted an exemption from the uniform special
education tuition billing calculations and aid adjustments for fiscal year 2007
under paragraph (b) may apply to the commissioner for a one-year extension of
the exemption granted under paragraph (b). The commissioner must grant the
extension within 30 days of receiving the request.
(d) Notwithstanding
Minnesota Statutes, section 125A.11, subdivision 1, paragraphs (a) and (b), and
section 127A.47, subdivision 7, paragraphs (d) and (e), for fiscal year 2007
only, a school district or charter school not eligible for a waiver under
Minnesota Statutes, section 125A.11, subdivision 1, paragraph (d), may apply to
the commissioner for authority to charge the resident district an additional
amount to recover any remaining unreimbursed costs of serving pupils with a
disability. The application must include a description of the costs and the
calculations used to determine the unreimbursed portion to be charged to the
resident district. Amounts approved by the commissioner under this paragraph
must be included in the tuition billings or aid adjustments under paragraph (a)
or (b), or Minnesota Statutes, section 127A.47, subdivision 7, paragraph (d) or
(e), as applicable.
EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective
the day following final enactment.
Sec. 20. TASK FORCE TO COMPARE FEDERAL AND STATE
SPECIAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS.
Subdivision 1. Establishment; duties. A task force is established to
recommend which state laws and rules that exceed or expand upon minimum federal
special education requirements for providing special education programs and
services to eligible students should be amended to conform with minimum federal
requirements. The commissioner of the Bureau of Mediation Services under
Minnesota Statutes, section 179.02, after consulting with interested
stakeholders, shall appoint a ten-member task force composed of equal numbers
of providers, advocates, regulators, consumers of special education services,
lawyers who practice in the field of special education and represent either
parents or school districts, special education teachers, and school officials.
The commissioner must convene the task force by August 1, 2007, which shall
meet regularly and shall review the January 25, 2006, report prepared by the
Minnesota Department of Education Office of Compliance and Assistance and other
relevant studies and resources analyzing differences between federal and state
special education requirements. The terms and compensation of task force
members are governed by Minnesota Statutes, section 15.059, subdivision 6.
Subd. 2. Report. The task force must submit to the education
policy and finance committees of the legislature by February 15, 2008, a report
that identifies and clearly and concisely explains each provision in state law
or rule that exceeds or expands upon a minimum federal requirement contained in
law or regulation for providing special education programs and services to
eligible students. The report also must recommend which state provisions that
exceed or expand upon a minimum federal requirement may be amended to conform
with minimum federal requirements. The task force expires when it submits its
report to the legislature.
EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is
effective the day following final enactment.
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Sec. 21. APPROPRIATIONS.
Subdivision 1. Department of Education. The sums indicated in this section
are appropriated from the general fund to the Department of Education for the
fiscal years designated.
Subd. 2. Special education; regular. For special education aid
under Minnesota Statutes, section 125A.75:
$568,034,000 . . . . . 2008
$573,040,000 . . . . . 2009
The 2008 appropriation
includes $52,965,000 for 2007 and $515,069,000 for 2008.
The 2009 appropriation
includes $57,228,000 for 2008 and $515,812,000 for 2009.
Subd. 3. Aid for children with disabilities. For aid under
Minnesota Statutes, section 125A.75, subdivision 3, for children with
disabilities placed in residential facilities within the district boundaries
for whom no district of residence can be determined:
$1,538,000 . . . . . 2008
$1,729,000 . . . . . 2009
If the appropriation for
either year is insufficient, the appropriation for the other year is available.
Subd. 4. Travel for home-based services. For aid for teacher
travel for home-based services under Minnesota Statutes, section 125A.75,
subdivision 1:
$254,000 . . . . . 2008
$284,000 . . . . . 2009
The 2008 appropriation
includes $22,000 for 2007 and $232,000 for 2008.
The 2009 appropriation
includes $26,000 for 2008 and $258,000 for 2009.
Subd. 5. Special education; excess costs. For excess cost aid
under Minnesota Statutes, section 125A.79, subdivision 7:
$120,445,000 . . . . . 2008
$129,128,000 . . . . . 2009
The 2008 appropriation
includes $34,969,000 for 2007 and $85,476,000 for 2008.
The 2009 appropriation
includes $42,865,000 for 2008 and $86,263,000 for 2009.
Subd. 6. Transition for disabled students. For aid for transition
programs for children with disabilities under Minnesota Statutes, section
124D.454:
$879,000 . . . . . 2008
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The 2008 appropriation
includes $879,000 for 2007 and $0 for 2008.
Subd. 7. Court-placed special education revenue. For reimbursing
serving school districts for unreimbursed eligible expenditures attributable to
children placed in the serving school district by court action under Minnesota
Statutes, section 125A.79, subdivision 4:
$72,000 . . . . . 2008
$74,000 . . . . . 2009
Subd. 8. Special education out-of-state tuition. For special
education out-of-state tuition according to Minnesota Statutes, section
125A.79, subdivision 8:
$250,000 . . . . . 2008
$250,000 . . . . . 2009
Subd. 9. Special education task force. For the commissioner to
contract with the Bureau of Mediation Services for costs related to the work of
the special education task force under section 20:
$20,000 . . . . . 2008
Sec. 22. REPEALER.
Minnesota Statutes 2006,
sections 124D.454, subdivisions 4, 5, 6, and 7; 125A.10; 125A.75, subdivision
6; and 125A.76, subdivision 3, are repealed effective for revenue for fiscal
year 2008.
ARTICLE 4
FACILITIES AND TECHNOLOGY
Section 1. Minnesota
Statutes 2006, section 123B.53, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
Subdivision 1. Definitions. (a) For purposes of this
section, the eligible debt service revenue of a district is defined as follows:
(1) the amount needed to
produce between five and six percent in excess of the amount needed to meet
when due the principal and interest payments on the obligations of the district
for eligible projects according to subdivision 2, including the amounts
necessary for repayment of energy loans according to section 216C.37 or
sections 298.292 to 298.298, debt service loans and capital loans, lease
purchase payments under section 126C.40, subdivision 2, alternative facilities
levies under section 123B.59, subdivision 5, paragraph (a), minus
(2) the amount of debt
service excess levy reduction for that school year calculated according to the
procedure established by the commissioner.
(b) The obligations in this
paragraph are excluded from eligible debt service revenue:
(1) obligations under
section 123B.61;
(2) the part of debt service
principal and interest paid from the taconite environmental protection fund or
Douglas J. Johnson economic protection trust;
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(3) obligations issued under Laws 1991, chapter 265,
article 5, section 18, as amended by Laws 1992, chapter 499, article 5, section
24; and
(4) obligations under section 123B.62.
(c) For purposes of this section, if a preexisting
school district reorganized under sections 123A.35 to 123A.43, 123A.46, and 123A.48
is solely responsible for retirement of the preexisting district's bonded
indebtedness, capital loans or debt service loans, debt service equalization
aid must be computed separately for each of the preexisting districts.
(d) For purposes of this section, the adjusted net
tax capacity determined according to section 127A.48 shall be adjusted to
include a portion of the tax capacity of property generally exempted from ad
valorem taxes under section 272.02, subdivisions 64 and 65, equal to the product
of that tax capacity times the ratio of the eligible debt service revenue
attributed to general obligation bonds to the total eligible debt service
revenue of the district.
EFFECTIVE
DATE. This
section is effective for taxes payable in 2008.
Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 123B.53,
subdivision 4, is amended to read:
Subd. 4. Debt
service equalization revenue. (a) The debt service equalization
revenue of a district equals the sum of the first tier debt service
equalization revenue and the second tier debt service equalization revenue.
(b) The first tier debt service equalization revenue
of a district equals the greater of zero or the eligible debt service revenue minus the amount
raised by a levy of 15 percent times the adjusted debt service net tax
capacity of the district minus the second tier debt service equalization
revenue of the district.
(c) The second tier debt service equalization
revenue of a district equals the greater of zero or the eligible debt service
revenue, excluding alternative facilities levies under section 123B.59,
subdivision 5, minus the amount raised by a levy of 25 percent times the
adjusted net tax capacity of the district.
EFFECTIVE
DATE. This
section is effective for revenue for fiscal year 2009.
Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 123B.53,
subdivision 5, is amended to read:
Subd. 5. Equalized
debt service levy. (a) The equalized debt service levy of a district
equals the sum of the first tier equalized debt service levy and the second
tier equalized debt service levy.
(b) A district's first tier equalized debt
service levy equals the district's first tier debt service equalization
revenue times the lesser of one or the ratio of:
(1) the quotient derived by dividing the adjusted
debt service net tax capacity of the district for the year before the year
the levy is certified by the adjusted pupil units in the district for the
school year ending in the year prior to the year the levy is certified; to
(2) $3,200 100 percent of the statewide
adjusted net tax capacity equalizing factor.
(c) A district's second tier equalized debt service
levy equals the district's second tier debt service equalization revenue times
the lesser of one or the ratio of:
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(1) the quotient derived by dividing the adjusted
net tax capacity of the district for the year before the year the levy is
certified by the adjusted pupil units in the district for the school year
ending in the year prior to the year the levy is certified; to
(2) $8,000.
EFFECTIVE
DATE. This
section is effective for revenue for fiscal year 2009.
Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 123B.54, is
amended to read:
123B.54 DEBT SERVICE
AND SCHOOL BOND AGRICULTURAL CREDIT APPROPRIATION.
(a) $21,624,000 $14,813,000 in fiscal
year 2008 and $20,403,000, $26,100,000 in fiscal year 2009,
$29,816,000 in fiscal year 2010, and $30,538,000 in fiscal year 2011 and
later are appropriated from the general fund to the commissioner of education
for payment of debt service equalization aid under section 123B.53.
(b) $10,000,000 in fiscal year 2009, $10,475,000 in
fiscal year 2010, and $10,948,000 in fiscal year 2011 and each year thereafter
are appropriated from the general fund to the commissioner of education for
payment of school bond agricultural credit aid under section 123B.555.
(b) (c) The appropriations in paragraph
paragraphs (a) and (b) must be reduced by the amount of any money
specifically appropriated for the same purpose in any year from any state fund.
EFFECTIVE
DATE. This
section is effective for revenue for fiscal year 2009.
Sec. 5. [123B.555]
SCHOOL BOND AGRICULTURAL CREDIT.
Subdivision 1. Eligibility.
All class 2 property under section 273.13, subdivision 23, except for (1)
property consisting of the house, garage, and immediately surrounding one acre
of land of an agricultural homestead, and (2) property classified under section
273.13, subdivision 23, paragraph (b), clause (4), is eligible to receive the
credit under this section.
Subd. 2. Credit
amount. For each qualifying property, the school bond agricultural
credit is equal to 20 percent of the property's eligible net tax capacity
multiplied by the school debt tax rate determined under section 275.08,
subdivision 1b.
Subd. 3. Credit
reimbursements. The county auditor shall determine the tax
reductions allowed under this section within the county for each taxes payable
year and shall certify that amount to the commissioner of revenue as a part of
the abstracts of tax lists submitted under section 275.29. Any prior year
adjustments shall also be certified on the abstracts of tax lists. The
commissioner shall review the certifications for accuracy, and may make such
changes as are deemed necessary, or return the certification to the county
auditor for correction. The credit under this section must be used to reduce
the school district net tax capacity-based property tax as provided in section
273.1393.
Subd. 4. Payment.
The commissioner of revenue shall certify the total of the tax reductions
granted under this section for each taxes payable year within each school
district to the commissioner of education, who shall pay the reimbursement
amounts to each school district as provided in section 273.1392.
EFFECTIVE
DATE. This
section is effective for taxes payable in 2008.
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Sec. 6. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 123B.57,
subdivision 3, is amended to read:
Subd. 3. Health
and safety revenue. A district's health and safety revenue for a fiscal
year equals the district's alternative facilities levy under section
123B.59, subdivision 5, paragraph (b), plus the greater of zero or:
(1) the sum of (a) the total approved cost of the
district's hazardous substance plan for fiscal years 1985 through 1989, plus
(b) the total approved cost of the district's health and safety program for
fiscal year 1990 through the fiscal year to which the levy is attributable,
excluding expenditures funded with bonds issued under section 123B.59 or
123B.62, or chapter 475; certificates of indebtedness or capital notes under
section 123B.61; levies under section 123B.58, 123B.59, 123B.63, or 126C.40, subdivision
1 or 6; and other federal, state, or local revenues, minus
(2) the sum of (a) the district's total hazardous
substance aid and levy for fiscal years 1985 through 1989 under sections
124.245 and 275.125, subdivision 11c, plus (b) the district's health and safety
revenue under this subdivision, for years before the fiscal year to which the
levy is attributable.
EFFECTIVE
DATE. This
section is effective for revenue for fiscal year 2009.
Sec. 7. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 123B.63,
subdivision 3, is amended to read:
Subd. 3. Capital
project levy referendum. A district may levy the local tax rate approved by
a majority of the electors voting on the question to provide funds for an
approved project. The election must take place no more than five years before
the estimated date of commencement of the project. The referendum must be held
on a date set by the board. A referendum for a project not receiving a positive
review and comment by the commissioner under section 123B.71 must be approved
by at least 60 percent of the voters at the election. The referendum may be
called by the school board and may be held:
(1) separately, before an election for the issuance
of obligations for the project under chapter 475; or
(2) in conjunction with an election for the issuance
of obligations for the project under chapter 475; or
(3) notwithstanding section 475.59, as a conjunctive
question authorizing both the capital project levy and the issuance of obligations
for the project under chapter 475. Any obligations authorized for a project may
be issued within five years of the date of the election.
The ballot must provide a general description of the
proposed project, state the estimated total cost of the project, state whether
the project has received a positive or negative review and comment from the
commissioner, state the maximum amount of the capital project levy as a
percentage of net tax capacity, state the amount that will be raised by that
local tax rate in the first year it is to be levied, and state the maximum
number of years that the levy authorization will apply.
The ballot must contain a textual portion with the
information required in this section and a question stating substantially the
following:
"Shall the capital project levy proposed by the
board of .......... School District No. .......... be approved?"
If approved, the amount provided by the approved
local tax rate applied to the net tax capacity for the year preceding the year
the levy is certified may be certified for the number of years, not to
exceed ten, approved.
In the event a conjunctive question proposes to
authorize both the capital project levy and the issuance of obligations for the
project, appropriate language authorizing the issuance of obligations must also
be included in the question.
The district must notify the commissioner of the
results of the referendum.
EFFECTIVE
DATE. This
section is effective July 1, 2007, for elections conducted on or after that
day.
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Sec. 8. Minnesota Statutes
2006, section 126C.01, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:
Subd. 2a. Statewide adjusted net tax capacity equalizing factor. The
statewide adjusted net tax capacity equalizing factor equals the quotient
derived by dividing the total adjusted net tax capacity of all school districts
in the state for the year before the year the levy is certified by the total
number of adjusted pupil units in the state for the fiscal year preceding the
year the levy is certified.
EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is
effective for taxes payable in 2008.
Sec. 9. Minnesota Statutes
2006, section 127A.48, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:
Subd. 17. Adjusted debt service net tax capacity. To calculate each
district's adjusted debt service net tax capacity, the commissioner of revenue
must recompute the amounts in this section using an alternative sales ratio
comparing the sales price to the estimated market value of the property.
EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is
effective the day following final enactment for computing taxes payable in
2008.
Sec. 10. Minnesota Statutes
2006, section 128D.11, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
Subd. 3. No election. Subject to the provisions
of subdivisions 7 to 10, the school district may also by a two-thirds majority
vote of all the members of its board of education and without any election by
the voters of the district, issue and sell in each calendar year general
obligation bonds of the district in an amount not to exceed 5-1/10 per cent of
the net tax capacity of the taxable property in the district (plus, for
calendar years 1990 to 2003, an amount not to exceed $7,500,000, and for
calendar years 2004 to 2008 an amount not to exceed $15,000,000, and for
each calendar year after 2008, an amount not to exceed $15,000,000; with an
additional provision that any amount of bonds so authorized for sale in a
specific year and not sold can be carried forward and sold in the year
immediately following).
EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is
effective the day following final enactment.
Sec. 11. Minnesota Statutes
2006, section 273.11, subdivision 1a, is amended to read:
Subd. 1a. Limited market value. In the case of
all property classified as agricultural homestead or nonhomestead, residential
homestead or nonhomestead, timber, or noncommercial seasonal residential
recreational, the assessor shall compare the value with the taxable portion of
the value determined in the preceding assessment.
For assessment years 2004,
2005, and 2006, the amount of the increase shall not exceed the greater of (1)
15 percent of the value in the preceding assessment, or (2) 25 percent of the
difference between the current assessment and the preceding assessment.
For assessment year 2007,
the amount of the increase shall not exceed the greater of (1) 15 percent of
the value in the preceding assessment, or (2) 33 percent of the difference
between the current assessment and the preceding assessment.
For assessment year 2008,
the amount of the increase shall not exceed the greater of (1) 15 percent of
the value in the preceding assessment, or (2) 50 percent of the difference
between the current assessment and the preceding assessment.
This limitation shall not
apply to increases in value due to improvements. For purposes of this
subdivision, the term "assessment" means the value prior to any
exclusion under subdivision 16.
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The provisions of this subdivision shall be in
effect through assessment year 2008 as provided in this subdivision.
For purposes of the assessment/sales ratio study
conducted under section 127A.48, and the computation of state aids paid under
chapters 122A, 123A, 123B, excluding section 123B.53, 124D, 125A, 126C,
127A, and 477A, market values and net tax capacities determined under this
subdivision and subdivision 16, shall be used.
EFFECTIVE
DATE. This
section is effective the day following final enactment for computing taxes
payable in 2008.
Sec. 12. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 273.1393,
is amended to read:
273.1393
COMPUTATION OF NET PROPERTY TAXES.
Notwithstanding any other provisions to the contrary,
"net" property taxes are determined by subtracting the credits in the
order listed from the gross tax:
(1) disaster credit as provided in section 273.123;
(2) powerline credit as provided in section 273.42;
(3) agricultural preserves credit as provided in
section 473H.10;
(4) enterprise zone credit as provided in section
469.171;
(5) disparity reduction credit;
(6) conservation tax credit as provided in section
273.119;
(7) homestead and agricultural credits as provided in
section 273.1384;
(8) school bond agricultural credit as provided in
section 123B.555;
(8) (9) taconite homestead credit as provided in
section 273.135; and
(9) (10) supplemental homestead credit as
provided in section 273.1391.
The combination of all property tax credits must not
exceed the gross tax amount.
EFFECTIVE
DATE. This
section is effective for taxes payable in 2008.
Sec. 13. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 275.065,
subdivision 3, is amended to read:
Subd. 3. Notice
of proposed property taxes. (a) The county auditor shall prepare and the
county treasurer shall deliver after November 10 and on or before November 24
each year, by first class mail to each taxpayer at the address listed on the
county's current year's assessment roll, a notice of proposed property taxes.
(b) The commissioner of revenue shall prescribe the
form of the notice.
(c) The notice must inform taxpayers that it
contains the amount of property taxes each taxing authority proposes to collect
for taxes payable the following year. In the case of a town, or in the case of
the state general tax, the final tax amount will be its proposed tax. In the
case of taxing authorities required to hold a public meeting under
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subdivision 6, the notice
must clearly state that each taxing authority, including regional library
districts established under section 134.201, and including the metropolitan
taxing districts as defined in paragraph (i), but excluding all other special
taxing districts and towns, will hold a public meeting to receive public
testimony on the proposed budget and proposed or final property tax levy, or,
in case of a school district, on the current budget and proposed property tax
levy. It must clearly state the time and place of each taxing authority's
meeting, a telephone number for the taxing authority that taxpayers may call if
they have questions related to the notice, and an address where comments will
be received by mail.
(d) The notice must state for each parcel:
(1) the market value of the property as determined
under section 273.11, and used for computing property taxes payable in the
following year and for taxes payable in the current year as each appears in the
records of the county assessor on November 1 of the current year; and, in the
case of residential property, whether the property is classified as homestead
or nonhomestead. The notice must clearly inform taxpayers of the years to which
the market values apply and that the values are final values;
(2) the items listed below, shown separately by
county, city or town, and state general tax, net of the residential and
agricultural homestead credit under section 273.1384 and the school bond
agricultural credit under section 123B.555, voter approved school levy,
other local school levy, and the sum of the special taxing districts, and as a
total of all taxing authorities:
(i) the actual tax for taxes payable in the current
year; and
(ii) the proposed tax amount.
If the county levy under clause (2) includes an
amount for a lake improvement district as defined under sections 103B.501 to
103B.581, the amount attributable for that purpose must be separately stated
from the remaining county levy amount.
In the case of a town or the state general tax, the
final tax shall also be its proposed tax unless the town changes its levy at a
special town meeting under section 365.52. If a school district has certified
under section 126C.17, subdivision 9, that a referendum will be held in the
school district at the November general election, the county auditor must note
next to the school district's proposed amount that a referendum is pending and
that, if approved by the voters, the tax amount may be higher than shown on the
notice. In the case of the city of Minneapolis, the levy for the Minneapolis
Library Board and the levy for Minneapolis Park and Recreation shall be listed
separately from the remaining amount of the city's levy. In the case of the
city of St. Paul, the levy for the St. Paul Library Agency must be listed
separately from the remaining amount of the city's levy. In the case of Ramsey
County, any amount levied under section 134.07 may be listed separately from
the remaining amount of the county's levy. In the case of a parcel where tax
increment or the fiscal disparities areawide tax under chapter 276A or 473F
applies, the proposed tax levy on the captured value or the proposed tax levy
on the tax capacity subject to the areawide tax must each be stated separately
and not included in the sum of the special taxing districts; and
(3) the increase or decrease between the total taxes
payable in the current year and the total proposed taxes, expressed as a
percentage.
For purposes of this section, the amount of the tax
on homesteads qualifying under the senior citizens' property tax deferral
program under chapter 290B is the total amount of property tax before
subtraction of the deferred property tax amount.
(e) The notice must clearly state that the proposed
or final taxes do not include the following:
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(1) special assessments;
(2) levies approved by the
voters after the date the proposed taxes are certified, including bond
referenda and school district levy referenda;
(3) a levy limit increase
approved by the voters by the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November
of the levy year as provided under section 275.73;
(4) amounts necessary to pay
cleanup or other costs due to a natural disaster occurring after the date the
proposed taxes are certified;
(5) amounts necessary to pay
tort judgments against the taxing authority that become final after the date
the proposed taxes are certified; and
(6) the contamination tax
imposed on properties which received market value reductions for contamination.
(f) Except as provided in
subdivision 7, failure of the county auditor to prepare or the county treasurer
to deliver the notice as required in this section does not invalidate the
proposed or final tax levy or the taxes payable pursuant to the tax levy.
(g) If the notice the
taxpayer receives under this section lists the property as nonhomestead, and
satisfactory documentation is provided to the county assessor by the applicable
deadline, and the property qualifies for the homestead classification in that
assessment year, the assessor shall reclassify the property to homestead for
taxes payable in the following year.
(h) In the case of class 4
residential property used as a residence for lease or rental periods of 30 days
or more, the taxpayer must either:
(1) mail or deliver a copy
of the notice of proposed property taxes to each tenant, renter, or lessee; or
(2) post a copy of the
notice in a conspicuous place on the premises of the property.
The notice must be mailed or
posted by the taxpayer by November 27 or within three days of receipt of the
notice, whichever is later. A taxpayer may notify the county treasurer of the
address of the taxpayer, agent, caretaker, or manager of the premises to which
the notice must be mailed in order to fulfill the requirements of this
paragraph.
(i) For purposes of this
subdivision, subdivisions 5a and 6, "metropolitan special taxing districts"
means the following taxing districts in the seven-county metropolitan area that
levy a property tax for any of the specified purposes listed below:
(1) Metropolitan Council
under section 473.132, 473.167, 473.249, 473.325, 473.446, 473.521, 473.547, or
473.834;
(2) Metropolitan Airports
Commission under section 473.667, 473.671, or 473.672; and
(3) Metropolitan Mosquito
Control Commission under section 473.711.
For purposes of this
section, any levies made by the regional rail authorities in the county of
Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott, or Washington under chapter
398A shall be included with the appropriate county's levy and shall be
discussed at that county's public hearing.
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(j) The governing body of a county, city, or school
district may, with the consent of the county board, include supplemental
information with the statement of proposed property taxes about the impact of
state aid increases or decreases on property tax increases or decreases and on
the level of services provided in the affected jurisdiction. This supplemental
information may include information for the following year, the current year,
and for as many consecutive preceding years as deemed appropriate by the
governing body of the county, city, or school district. It may include only
information regarding:
(1) the impact of inflation as measured by the
implicit price deflator for state and local government purchases;
(2) population growth and decline;
(3) state or federal government action; and
(4) other financial factors that affect the level of
property taxation and local services that the governing body of the county,
city, or school district may deem appropriate to include.
The information may be presented using tables,
written narrative, and graphic representations and may contain instruction
toward further sources of information or opportunity for comment.
EFFECTIVE
DATE. This
section is effective for taxes payable in 2008.
Sec. 14. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 275.07,
subdivision 2, is amended to read:
Subd. 2. School
district in more than one county levies; special requirements.
(a) In school districts lying in more than one county, the clerk shall
certify the tax levied to the auditor of the county in which the administrative
offices of the school district are located.
(b) The clerk shall identify the portion of the
school district levy that is levied for the purposes specified in section
123B.53, subdivision 5, as the school debt levy at the time that the levy is
certified under this section.
EFFECTIVE
DATE. This
section is effective for taxes payable in 2008.
Sec. 15. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 275.08,
subdivision 1b, is amended to read:
Subd. 1b. Computation
of tax rates. (a) The amounts certified to be levied against net tax
capacity under section 275.07 by an individual local government unit shall be
divided by the total net tax capacity of all taxable properties within the
local government unit's taxing jurisdiction. The resulting ratio, the local
government's local tax rate, multiplied by each property's net tax capacity
shall be each property's net tax capacity tax for that local government unit
before reduction by any credits.
(b) The auditor shall also determine the school debt
tax rate for each school district equal to the school debt levy certified under
section 275.07 divided by the total net tax capacity of all taxable property
within the district.
(c) Any amount certified to the county auditor to be
levied against market value shall be divided by the total referendum market
value of all taxable properties within the taxing district. The resulting
ratio, the taxing district's new referendum tax rate, multiplied by each
property's referendum market value shall be each property's new referendum tax
before reduction by any credits. For the purposes of this subdivision,
"referendum market value" means the market value as defined in
section 126C.01, subdivision 3.
EFFECTIVE
DATE. This
section is effective for taxes payable in 2008.
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Sec. 16. Minnesota Statutes
2006, section 276.04, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
Subd. 2. Contents of tax statements. (a) The
treasurer shall provide for the printing of the tax statements. The
commissioner of revenue shall prescribe the form of the property tax statement
and its contents. The statement must contain a tabulated statement of the
dollar amount due to each taxing authority and the amount of the state tax from
the parcel of real property for which a particular tax statement is prepared.
The dollar amounts attributable to the county, the state tax, the voter
approved school tax, the other local school tax, the township or municipality,
and the total of the metropolitan special taxing districts as defined in
section 275.065, subdivision 3, paragraph (i), must be separately stated. The
amounts due all other special taxing districts, if any, may be aggregated except
that any levies made by the regional rail authorities in the county of Anoka,
Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott, or Washington under chapter 398A shall
be listed on a separate line directly under the appropriate county's levy. If
the county levy under this paragraph includes an amount for a lake improvement
district as defined under sections 103B.501 to 103B.581, the amount
attributable for that purpose must be separately stated from the remaining
county levy amount. In the case of Ramsey County, if the county levy under this
paragraph includes an amount for public library service under section 134.07,
the amount attributable for that purpose may be separated from the remaining
county levy amount. The amount of the tax on homesteads qualifying under the
senior citizens' property tax deferral program under chapter 290B is the total
amount of property tax before subtraction of the deferred property tax amount.
The amount of the tax on contamination value imposed under sections 270.91 to
270.98, if any, must also be separately stated. The dollar amounts, including
the dollar amount of any special assessments, may be rounded to the nearest
even whole dollar. For purposes of this section whole odd-numbered dollars may
be adjusted to the next higher even-numbered dollar. The amount of market value
excluded under section 273.11, subdivision 16, if any, must also be listed on
the tax statement.
(b) The property tax
statements for manufactured homes and sectional structures taxed as personal
property shall contain the same information that is required on the tax
statements for real property.
(c) Real and personal
property tax statements must contain the following information in the order
given in this paragraph. The information must contain the current year tax
information in the right column with the corresponding information for the
previous year in a column on the left:
(1) the property's estimated
market value under section 273.11, subdivision 1;
(2) the property's taxable
market value after reductions under section 273.11, subdivisions 1a and 16;
(3) the property's gross
tax, calculated by adding the property's total property tax to the sum of the
aids enumerated in clause (4);
(4) a total of the following
aids:
(i) education aids payable
under chapters 122A, 123A, 123B, 124D, 125A, 126C, and 127A;
(ii) local government aids
for cities, towns, and counties under sections 477A.011 to 477A.04; and
(iii) disparity reduction
aid under section 273.1398;
(5) for homestead
residential and agricultural properties, the credits under section
sections 123B.555 and 273.1384;
(6) any credits received
under sections 273.119; 273.123; 273.135; 273.1391; 273.1398, subdivision 4;
469.171; and 473H.10, except that the amount of credit received under section
273.135 must be separately stated and identified as "taconite tax
relief"; and
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(7) the net tax payable in
the manner required in paragraph (a).
(d) If the county uses
envelopes for mailing property tax statements and if the county agrees, a
taxing district may include a notice with the property tax statement notifying
taxpayers when the taxing district will begin its budget deliberations for the
current year, and encouraging taxpayers to attend the hearings. If the county
allows notices to be included in the envelope containing the property tax
statement, and if more than one taxing district relative to a given property
decides to include a notice with the tax statement, the county treasurer or
auditor must coordinate the process and may combine the information on a single
announcement.
The commissioner of revenue
shall certify to the county auditor the actual or estimated aids enumerated in
paragraph (c), clause (4), that local governments will receive in the following
year. The commissioner must certify this amount by January 1 of each year.
EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective
for taxes payable in 2008.
Sec. 17. SCHOOL TECHNOLOGY AID.
Subdivision 1. Advisory task force established. An advisory task force
on school technology standards is established to develop and recommend to the
commissioner of education and the education policy and finance committees of
the legislature school technology standards and systems. At a minimum, the
advisory task force must propose:
(1) minimum standards for
technology infrastructure and capacity;
(2) standards for local and
state online student assessments;
(3) standards for electronic
student records;
(4) school interoperability
frameworks;
(5) policies and procedures
that ensure instructional resource availability to help students successfully
achieve education excellence and state standards;
(6) databases that are
accessible to and within each district and on the Internet;
(7) policies, procedures,
and systems that stimulate and promote teacher and student curriculum and
learning collaboration;
(8) uniform technology
standards;
(9) adequate Internet and
bandwith capacity; and
(10) the Department of
Education data collection procedures under each of the department's major data
reporting systems, and recommendations for streamlining the reporting of school
district data and eliminating duplication.
Subd. 2. Advisory task force members. (a) The commissioner of
education shall appoint as members to the advisory task force a representative
from each of the following:
(1) one member from the
Department of Education who shall serve as chair;
(2) one member from the
Office of Enterprise Technology;
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(3) one member from a list of school technology
experts submitted to the commissioner by Education Minnesota;
(4) one member from a list of school technology
experts submitted to the commissioner by the Minnesota School Boards
Association;
(5) one member from a list of school technology
experts submitted to the commissioner by the Association of Metropolitan School
Districts;
(6) one member from a list of school technology
experts submitted to the commissioner by the Minnesota Rural Education
Association;
(7) one member from a list of school technology
experts submitted to the commissioner by the Schools for Equity in Education;
(8) one member from a list of school technology
experts submitted to the commissioner by the service cooperatives;
(9) one member from a list of school technology experts
submitted to the commissioner by the Minnesota Association of School
Administrators;
(10) one member from a list of school technology
experts submitted to the commissioner by Minnesota Educational Media
Organization;
(11) one member from a list of school technology
experts submitted to the commissioner by the Minnesota State Colleges and
Universities;
(12) one member from a list of school technology
experts submitted to the commissioner by the president of the University of
Minnesota; and
(13) one member from a list of technology experts
submitted to the commissioner by the online advisory council.
(b) The commissioner of education shall provide
needed materials and assistance to the task force upon request.
(c) Advisory task force members' terms and other
task force matters are subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 15.059. The
advisory task force must submit by February 15, 2008, to the commissioner of
education and the education policy and finance committees of the legislature a
written report that includes the recommendations under subdivision 1.
(d) The advisory task force expires on February 16,
2008.
Subd. 3. Funding.
A school technology funding program is established to assist school
districts, consortiums of school districts, and charter schools to achieve the
school technology standards proposed in subdivision 1.
School technology aid equals $30 times the
district's adjusted marginal cost pupil units for fiscal year 2009.
EFFECTIVE
DATE. This
section is effective the day following final enactment.
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Sec. 18. ADMINISTRATIVE LEASE LEVY; SPRING LAKE
PARK.
Notwithstanding the
instructional purposes limitation of Minnesota Statutes, section 126C.40,
subdivision 1, Independent School District No. 16, Spring Lake Park, may lease
a building for administrative purposes and include the lease under Minnesota
Statutes, section 126C.40, subdivision 1.
Sec. 19. BONDING AUTHORIZATION.
To provide funds for the
acquisition or betterment of school facilities, Independent School District No.
625, St. Paul, may by two-thirds majority vote of all the members of the board
of directors issue general obligation bonds in one or more series for each
calendar year following 2008, as provided in this section. The aggregate
principal amount of any bonds issued under this section for each calendar year
must not exceed $15,000,000. Issuance of the bonds is not subject to Minnesota
Statutes, section 475.58 or 475.59. The bonds must otherwise be issued as
provided in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 475. The authority to issue bonds under
this section is in addition to any bonding authority authorized by Minnesota
Statutes, chapter 123B, or other law. The amount of bonding authority
authorized under this section must be disregarded in calculating the bonding
limit of Minnesota Statutes, chapter 123B, or any other law other than
Minnesota Statutes, section 475.53, subdivision 4.
EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is
effective the day following final enactment.
Sec. 20. TAX LEVY FOR DEBT SERVICE.
To pay the principal of and
interest on bonds issued under section 19, Independent School District No. 625,
St. Paul, must levy a tax annually in an amount sufficient under Minnesota
Statutes, section 475.61, subdivisions 1 and 3, to pay the principal of and
interest on the bonds. The tax authorized under this section is in addition to
the taxes authorized to be levied under Minnesota Statutes, chapter 123B, 124D,
or 126C, or other law.
EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is
effective the day following final enactment.
Sec. 21. APPROPRIATIONS.
Subdivision 1. Department of Education. The sums indicated in this
section are appropriated from the general fund to the Department of Education
for the fiscal years designated.
Subd. 2. Health and safety revenue. For health and safety aid
according to Minnesota Statutes, section 123B.57, subdivision 5:
$190,000 . . . . . 2008
$179,000 . . . . . 2009
The 2008 appropriation
includes $20,000 for 2007 and $170,000 for 2008.
The 2009 appropriation
includes $18,000 for 2008 and $161,000 for 2009.
Subd. 3. Debt service equalization. For debt service aid according
to Minnesota Statutes, section 123B.53, subdivision 6:
$14,813,000 . . . . . 2008
$26,100,000 . . . . . 2009
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The 2008 appropriation includes $1,767,000 for 2007
and $13,046,000 for 2008.
The 2009 appropriation includes $1,450,000 for 2008
and $24,650,000 for 2009.
Subd. 4. School
bond agricultural credit aid. For school bond agricultural credit
aid:
$10,000,000 . . . . . 2009
Subd. 5. Alternative
facilities bonding aid. For alternative facilities bonding aid, according
to Minnesota Statutes, section 123B.59, subdivision 1:
$19,287,000 . . . . . 2008
$19,287,000 . . . . . 2009
The 2008 appropriation includes $1,928,000 for 2007
and $17,359,000 for 2008.
The 2009 appropriation includes $1,928,000 for 2008 and
$17,359,000 for 2009.
Subd. 6. Equity in
telecommunications access. For equity in telecommunications access:
$7,622,000 . . . . . 2008
$8,743,000 . . . . . 2009
If the appropriation amount is insufficient, the
commissioner shall reduce the reimbursement rate in Minnesota Statutes, section
125B.26, subdivisions 4 and 5, and the revenue for fiscal years 2008 and 2009
shall be prorated.
Any balance in the first year does not cancel but is
available in the second year.
The base appropriation for fiscal year 2010 and
later is $3,750,000.
Subd. 7. Deferred
maintenance aid. For deferred maintenance aid, according to
Minnesota Statutes, section 123B.591, subdivision 4:
$3,290,000 . . . . . 2008
$2,667,000 . . . . . 2009
The 2008 appropriation includes $0 for 2007 and
$3,290,000 for 2008.
The 2009 appropriation includes $368,000 for 2008
and $2,302,000 for 2009.
Subd. 8. Red Lake
security reimbursement aid. For Independent School District No. 38,
Red Lake, for onetime security reimbursement aid to improve infrastructure
needs in the Red Lake School District as a result of the March 21, 2005, school
shooting:
$132,000 . . . . . 2008
This is a onetime appropriation.
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Subd. 9. Rocori
school district. For Rocori, Independent School District No. 750,
for Project Serv:
$53,000 . . . . . 2008
Subd. 10. School
technology grants. For school technology grants under section 17:
$29,100,000 . . . . . 2009
This is a onetime appropriation.
Subd. 11. School
Technology Advisory Task Force expenses. For expenses of the School
Technology Advisory Task Force under section 17:
$20,000 . . . . . 2008
This is a onetime appropriation.
Subd. 12. Eden
Valley-Watkins; environmental remediation. For a grant to
Independent School District No. 463, Eden Valley-Watkins, to recover the amount
actually spent on environmental remediation efforts related to the cleanup of a
mercury spill.
$126,000 . . . . . 2008
ARTICLE 5
NUTRITION AND ACCOUNTING
Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 123B.10,
subdivision 1, is amended to read:
Subdivision 1. Budgets.
Every board must publish revenue and expenditure budgets for the current year
and the actual revenues, expenditures, fund balances for the prior year and
projected fund balances for the current year in a form prescribed by the
commissioner within one week of the acceptance of the final audit by the board,
or November 30, whichever is earlier. The forms prescribed must be designed so
that year to year comparisons of revenue, expenditures and fund balances can be
made. These budgets, reports of revenue, expenditures and fund balances must
be published in a qualified newspaper of general circulation in the district or
on the district's official Web site. If published on the district's official
Web site, the district must also publish an announcement in a qualified
newspaper of general circulation in the district that includes the Internet
address where the information has been posted.
Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 123B.10, is
amended by adding a subdivision to read:
Subd. 1a. Form of
notification. A school board annually must notify the public of its
revenue, expenditures, fund balances, and other relevant budget information.
The board must include the budget information required by this section in the
materials provided as a part of its truth in taxation hearing, post the
materials in a conspicuous place on the district's official Web site, including
a link to the district's school report card on the Department of Education's
Web site, and publish the information in a qualified newspaper of general
circulation in the district.
Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 123B.143,
subdivision 1, is amended to read:
Subdivision 1. Contract; duties. All districts
maintaining a classified secondary school must employ a superintendent who
shall be an ex officio nonvoting member of the school board. The authority for
selection and employment of a superintendent must be vested in the board in all
cases. An individual employed by a board as a
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superintendent shall have an
initial employment contract for a period of time no longer than three years
from the date of employment. Any subsequent employment contract must not exceed
a period of three years. A board, at its discretion, may or may not renew an
employment contract. A board must not, by action or inaction, extend the
duration of an existing employment contract. Beginning 365 days prior to the
expiration date of an existing employment contract, a board may negotiate and
enter into a subsequent employment contract to take effect upon the expiration
of the existing contract. A subsequent contract must be contingent upon the
employee completing the terms of an existing contract. If a contract between a
board and a superintendent is terminated prior to the date specified in the
contract, the board may not enter into another superintendent contract with
that same individual that has a term that extends beyond the date specified in
the terminated contract. A board may terminate a superintendent during the term
of an employment contract for any of the grounds specified in section 122A.40,
subdivision 9 or 13. A superintendent shall not rely upon an employment
contract with a board to assert any other continuing contract rights in the
position of superintendent under section 122A.40. Notwithstanding the
provisions of sections 122A.40, subdivision 10 or 11, 123A.32, 123A.75, or any
other law to the contrary, no individual shall have a right to employment as a
superintendent based on order of employment in any district. If two or more
districts enter into an agreement for the purchase or sharing of the services
of a superintendent, the contracting districts have the absolute right to
select one of the individuals employed to serve as superintendent in one of the
contracting districts and no individual has a right to employment as the
superintendent to provide all or part of the services based on order of
employment in a contracting district. The superintendent of a district shall
perform the following:
(1) visit and supervise the
schools in the district, report and make recommendations about their condition
when advisable or on request by the board;
(2) recommend to the board
employment and dismissal of teachers;
(3) superintend school
grading practices and examinations for promotions;
(4) make reports required by
the commissioner; and
(5) by January 10, submit
an annual report to the commissioner in a manner prescribed by the
commissioner, in consultation with school districts, identifying the
expenditures that the district requires to ensure an 80 percent student passage
rate on the basic standards test taken in the eighth grade, identifying the
highest student passage rate the district expects it will be able to attain on
the basic standards test by grade 12, the amount of expenditures that the district
requires to attain the targeted student passage rate, and how much the district
is cross-subsidizing programs with special education, basic skills, and general
education revenue; and
(6) perform other duties
prescribed by the board.
Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes
2006, section 123B.77, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
Subd. 4. Budget
approval. Prior to July 1 of each year, the board of each district must
approve and adopt its revenue and expenditure budgets for the next school year.
The budget document so adopted must be considered an expenditure-authorizing or
appropriations document. No funds shall be expended by any board or district
for any purpose in any school year prior to the adoption of the budget document
which authorizes that expenditure, or prior to an amendment to the budget
document by the board to authorize the expenditure. Expenditures of funds in
violation of this subdivision shall be considered unlawful expenditures. Prior
to the appropriation of revenue for the next school year in the initial budget,
the board shall inform the principal or other responsible administrative
authority of each site of the amount of general education and referendum
revenue that the Department of Education estimates will be generated by the
pupils in attendance at each site. For purposes of this subdivision, a district
may adjust the department's estimates for school building openings, school
building closings, changes in attendance area boundaries, or other changes in
programs or student demographics not reflected in the department's
calculations. A
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district must report to the
department any adjustments it makes according to this subdivision in the
department's estimates of compensatory revenue generated by the pupils in
attendance at each site, and the department must use the adjusted compensatory
revenue estimates in preparing the report required under section 123B.76,
subdivision 3, paragraph (c).
EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is
effective July 1, 2007.
Sec. 5. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 123B.79,
subdivision 8, is amended to read:
Subd. 8. Account
transfer for reorganizing districts. A district that has reorganized
according to sections 123A.35 to 123A.43, 123A.46, or 123A.48, or has conducted
a successful referendum on the question of combination under section 123A.37,
subdivision 2, or consolidation under section 123A.48, subdivision 15, or has
been assigned an identification number by the commissioner under section
123A.48, subdivision 16, may make permanent transfers between any of the funds or
accounts in the newly created or enlarged district with the exception of
the debt redemption fund, food service fund, and health and safety account of
the capital expenditure fund. Fund transfers under this section may be made for
up to one year prior to the effective date of combination or consolidation by
the consolidating boards and during the year following the effective date
of reorganization by the consolidated board. The newly formed board of the
combined district may adopt a resolution on or before August 30 of the year of
the reorganization authorizing a transfer among accounts or funds of the
previous independent school districts which transfer or transfers shall be
reported in the affected districts' audited financial statements for the year
immediately preceding the consolidation.
EFFECTIVE
DATE. This
section is effective July 1, 2007.
Sec. 6. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 123B.79, is
amended by adding a subdivision to read:
Subd. 9. Elimination
of reserve accounts. A school board shall eliminate all reserve
accounts established in the school district's general fund under Minnesota
Statutes before July 1, 2006, for which no specific authority remains in
statute as of June 30, 2007. Any balance in the district's reserved for bus
purchases account as of June 30, 2007, shall be transferred to the reserved
account for operating capital in the school district's general fund. Any
balance in other reserved accounts established in the school district's general
fund under Minnesota Statutes before July 1, 2006, for which no specific
authority remains in statute as of June 30, 2007, shall be transferred to the
school district's unreserved general fund balance. A school board may, upon
adoption of a resolution by the school board, establish a designated account
for any program for which a reserved account has been eliminated.
EFFECTIVE
DATE. This
section is effective June 30, 2007.
Sec. 7. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 124D.111,
subdivision 1, is amended to read:
Subdivision 1. School
lunch aid computation. Each school year, the state must pay participants in
the national school lunch program the amount of 10.5 12 cents for
each full paid, reduced, and free student lunch served to students.
Sec. 8. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 126C.15,
subdivision 2, is amended to read:
Subd. 2. Building
allocation. (a) A district must allocate its compensatory revenue to each
school building in the district where the children who have generated the
revenue are served unless the school district has received permission under
section 50 to allocate compensatory revenue according to student performance
measures developed by the school board.
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(b) Notwithstanding paragraph (a), a district may
allocate up to five percent of the amount of compensatory revenue that the district
receives to school sites according to a plan adopted by the school board.
(c) For the purposes of this section and section
126C.05, subdivision 3, "building" means education site as defined in
section 123B.04, subdivision 1.
(d) If the pupil is served at a site other than one
owned and operated by the district, the revenue shall be paid to the district
and used for services for pupils who generate the revenue.
(e) A district with school building openings, school
building closings, changes in attendance area boundaries, or other changes in
programs or student demographics between the prior year and the current year
may reallocate compensatory revenue among sites to reflect these changes. A
district must report to the department any adjustments it makes according to
this paragraph and the department must use the adjusted compensatory revenue
allocations in preparing the report required under section 123B.76, subdivision
3, paragraph (c).
Sec. 9. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 126C.41, is
amended by adding a subdivision to read:
Subd. 6. Levy
authority for unfunded severance and retirement costs. (a) A school
district qualifies for eligibility under this section if the district:
(1) participated in the cooperative secondary
facilities program;
(2) consolidated with at least two other school
districts; and
(3) has unfunded severance or retirement costs.
(b) An eligible school district may annually levy up
to $150,000 for unfunded severance or retirement costs. This levy authority
expires after taxes payable in 2017.
(c) A school district that levies under this section
must reserve the proceeds of the levy and spend those amounts only for unfunded
severance or retirement costs.
EFFECTIVE
DATE. This
section is effective for taxes payable in 2008.
Sec. 10. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 126C.48,
subdivision 2, is amended to read:
Subd. 2. Notice
to commissioner; forms. By October 7 of each year each district must notify
the commissioner of the proposed levies in compliance with the levy limitations
of this chapter and chapters 120B, 122A, 123A, 123B, 124D, 125A, 127A, and
136D. A school district that has reached an agreement with its home county
auditor to extend the date of certification of its proposed levy under section
275.065, subdivision 1, must submit its notice of proposed levies to the
commissioner no later than October 10 of each year. By January 7 of each
year each district must notify the commissioner of the final levies certified.
The commissioner shall prescribe the form of these notifications and may
request any additional information necessary to compute certified levy amounts.
EFFECTIVE
DATE. This
section is effective July 1, 2007.
Sec. 11. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 205A.03,
subdivision 1, is amended to read:
Subdivision 1. Required
Resolution requiring primary in certain circumstances. In The
school board of a school district election, may, by resolution
adopted by June 1 of any year, decide to choose nominees for school board by a
primary as provided in this section. The resolution, when adopted, is effective
for all ensuing elections of
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board members in that school
district until it is revoked. If the board decides to choose nominees by primary
and if
there are more than two candidates for a specified school board position or
more than twice as many school board candidates as there are at-large school
board positions available, a the school district must hold a
primary.
EFFECTIVE
DATE. This
section is effective the day following final enactment and applies for school
board elections held in 2007 and thereafter.
Sec. 12. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 205A.06,
subdivision 1a, is amended to read:
Subd. 1a. Filing
period. In school districts that have adopted a resolution to choose
nominees for school board by a primary election, affidavits of candidacy
must be filed with the school district clerk no earlier than the 70th day and
no later than the 56th day before the first Tuesday after the second Monday in
September in the year when the school district general election is held. In
all other school districts, affidavits of candidacy must be filed no earlier
than the 70th day and no later than the 56th day before the school district
general election.
EFFECTIVE
DATE. This
section is effective the day following final enactment and applies for school
board elections held in 2007 and thereafter.
Sec. 13. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 275.065,
subdivision 1, is amended to read:
Subdivision 1. Proposed
levy. (a) Notwithstanding any law or charter to the contrary, on or before
September 15, each taxing authority, other than a school district, shall adopt
a proposed budget and shall certify to the county auditor the proposed or, in
the case of a town, the final property tax levy for taxes payable in the
following year.
(b) On or before September 30, each school district that
has not mutually agreed with its home county to extend this date shall
certify to the county auditor the proposed property tax levy for taxes payable
in the following year. Each school district that has agreed with its home
county to delay the certification of its proposed property tax levy must
certify its proposed property tax levy for the following year no later than
October 7. The school district shall certify the proposed levy as:
(1) a specific dollar amount by school district
fund, broken down between voter-approved and non-voter-approved levies and
between referendum market value and tax capacity levies; or
(2) the maximum levy limitation certified by the
commissioner of education according to section 126C.48, subdivision 1.
(c) If the board of estimate and taxation or any
similar board that establishes maximum tax levies for taxing jurisdictions
within a first class city certifies the maximum property tax levies for funds
under its jurisdiction by charter to the county auditor by September 15, the
city shall be deemed to have certified its levies for those taxing
jurisdictions.
(d) For purposes of this section, "taxing
authority" includes all home rule and statutory cities, towns, counties,
school districts, and special taxing districts as defined in section 275.066.
Intermediate school districts that levy a tax under chapter 124 or 136D, joint
powers boards established under sections 123A.44 to 123A.446, and Common School
Districts No. 323, Franconia, and No. 815, Prinsburg, are also special taxing
districts for purposes of this section.
EFFECTIVE
DATE. This
section is effective July 1, 2007.
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Sec. 14. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 275.065,
subdivision 1a, is amended to read:
Subd. 1a. Overlapping
jurisdictions. In the case of a taxing authority lying in two or more
counties, the home county auditor shall certify the proposed levy and the
proposed local tax rate to the other county auditor by October 5, unless the
home county has agreed to delay the certification of its proposed property tax
levy, in which case the home county auditor shall certify the proposed levy and
the proposed local tax rate to the other county auditor by October 10. The
home county auditor must estimate the levy or rate in preparing the notices
required in subdivision 3, if the other county has not certified the
appropriate information. If requested by the home county auditor, the other
county auditor must furnish an estimate to the home county auditor.
EFFECTIVE
DATE. This
section is effective July 1, 2007.
Sec. 15. DEPARTMENT
OF EDUCATION REPORT.
The Department of Education must provide a report to
the education committees of the legislature by January 15, 2008. The report
must analyze the department's data collection procedures under each of the
department's major data reporting systems and recommend a streamlined,
Web-based system of reporting school district data. The report must also
analyze any stand-alone school district reporting requirements and recommend
elimination of any district reports that are duplicative of other data already
collected by the department.
EFFECTIVE
DATE. This
section is effective the day following final enactment.
Sec. 16. PLAINVIEW-ELGIN-MILLVILLE;
CONSOLIDATED DISTRICT FUND BALANCE CALCULATIONS.
Subdivision 1. Fiscal
year 2007 replacement aid. Independent School District No. 2899,
Plainview-Elgin-Millville, is eligible for replacement aid to offset its excess
fund balance penalty for fiscal year 2007.
Subd. 2. Fiscal
years 2008 and 2009. Upon receipt of appropriate documentation from
Independent School District No. 2899, Plainview-Elgin-Millville, the Department
of Education must adjust the district's three-year adjusted average fund
balances required under Minnesota Statutes, sections 124D.135, 124D.16 and
124D.20. The department shall adjust the fiscal year 2006 account balances
reported by former Independent School Districts Nos. 806, Elgin-Millville, and
810, Plainview, to reflect any permanent account of fund transfers made under
Minnesota Statutes, section 123B.79.
EFFECTIVE
DATE. This
section is effective the day following final enactment.
Sec. 17. FUND
TRANSFERS.
Subdivision 1. Brainerd.
Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 123B.79 or 123B.80, Independent
School District No. 181, Brainerd, on June 30, 2007, may permanently transfer
up to $750,000 from the reserved for operating capital account to the
undesignated balance in its general fund.
Subd. 2. Campbell-Tintah.
Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 123B.79 or 123B.80, on June 30,
2007, Independent School District No. 852, Campbell-Tintah, may permanently
transfer up to $100,000 from its reserved for operating capital account to the
undesignated balance in its general fund.
Subd. 3. Jackson
County Central. Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 123B.79
or 123B.80, on June 30, 2007, Independent School District No. 2895,
Jackson County Central, may permanently transfer up to $300,000 from its
reserved for operating capital account to the undesignated balance in its
general fund.
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Subd. 4. Comfrey.
Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 123B.79 or 123B.80, Independent
School District No. 81, Comfrey, on June 30, 2007, may permanently transfer up
to $250,000 from its reserved for operating capital account to the undesignated
balance in its general fund.
Sec. 18. APPROPRIATIONS.
Subdivision 1. Department
of Education. The sums indicated in this section are appropriated
from the general fund to the Department of Education for the fiscal years
designated.
Subd. 2. School
lunch. For school lunch aid according to Minnesota Statutes, section
124D.111, and Code of Federal Regulations, title 7, section 210.17:
$12,022,000 . . . . . 2008
$12,166,000 . . . . . 2009
Subd. 3. Traditional
school breakfast; kindergarten milk. For traditional school
breakfast aid and kindergarten milk under Minnesota Statutes, sections
124D.1158 and 124D.118:
$5,460,000 . . . . . 2008
$5,695,000 . . . . . 2009
Subd. 4. Summer
food service replacement aid. For summer food service replacement
aid under Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.119:
$150,000 . . . . . 2008
$150,000 . . . . . 2009
Subd. 5. Plainview-Elgin-Millville
fund balance replacement aid. For fund balance replacement aid for
Independent School District No. 2899, Plainview-Elgin-Millville:
$17,000 . . . . . 2008
This is a onetime appropriation.
Sec. 19. REVISOR'S
INSTRUCTION.
In Minnesota Statutes, the revisor of statutes shall
renumber Minnesota Statutes, section 123B.10, subdivision 1, as 123B.10,
subdivision 1b, and make necessary cross-reference changes consistent with the
renumbering.
ARTICLE 6
LIBRARIES
Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 134.31,
is amended by adding a subdivision to read:
Subd. 4a. Services
to the blind and physically handicapped. The Minnesota Department of
Education shall provide specialized services to the blind and physically
handicapped through the Minnesota Library for the Blind and Physically
Handicapped under a cooperative plan with the National Library Services for the
Blind and Physically Handicapped of the Library of Congress.
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Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 134.34,
subdivision 4, is amended to read:
Subd. 4. Limitation.
A regional library basic system support grant shall not be made to a regional
public library system for a participating city or county which decreases the
dollar amount provided for support for operating purposes of public library
service below the amount provided by it for the second preceding year. For
purposes of this subdivision and subdivision 1, any funds provided under
section 473.757, subdivision 2, for extending library hours of operation shall
not be considered amounts provided by a city or county for support for
operating purposes of public library service. This subdivision shall not
apply to participating cities or counties where the adjusted net tax capacity
of that city or county has decreased, if the dollar amount of the reduction in
support is not greater than the dollar amount by which support would be
decreased if the reduction in support were made in direct proportion to the decrease
in adjusted net tax capacity.
EFFECTIVE
DATE. This
section is effective the day following final enactment.
Sec. 3. COMPREHENSIVE
LIBRARY STRUCTURE STUDY.
The commissioner of education must contract with an
independent consultant that has extensive experience working with libraries to
evaluate the structure of the library system and services provided by Minnesota
libraries that receive public funding. The study must include all types of
libraries in the state such as academic, government, special, school, and
public libraries, including collaborative entities such as MINITEX and state
library services. The consultant must:
(1) conduct an in-depth analysis of the current
library system structure and services, identifying best practices, duplication
of services, and opportunities to improve efficiency; and
(2) prepare a report to be submitted to the
Department of Education, documenting and reporting findings, and recommending,
where necessary, changes to increase efficiency and cooperation in the delivery
of service and use of public funds.
The commissioner must report the findings of the
study to the legislative committees having jurisdiction over kindergarten
through grade 12 finance before January 15, 2009, and shall recommend any
required changes in statute that will result in a more streamlined and
efficient library structure.
Sec. 4. DEPARTMENT
OF EDUCATION; LIBRARY APPROPRIATIONS.
Subdivision 1. Department
of Education. The sums indicated in this section are appropriated
from the general fund to the Department of Education for the fiscal years
designated.
Subd. 2. Basic
system support. For basic system support grants under Minnesota
Statutes, section 134.355:
$9,182,000 . . . . . 2008
$13,138,000 . . . . . 2009
The 2008 appropriation includes $857,000 for 2007
and $8,325,000 for 2008.
The 2009 appropriation includes $925,000 for 2008
and $12,213,000 for 2009.
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Subd. 3. Multicounty, multitype library systems. For grants under
Minnesota Statutes, sections 134.353 and 134.354, to multicounty, multitype
library systems:
$1,260,000 . . . . . 2008
$1,300,000 . . . . . 2009
The 2008 appropriation
includes $90,000 for 2007 and $1,170,000 for 2008.
The 2009 appropriation
includes $130,000 for 2008 and $1,170,000 for 2009.
Subd. 4. Electronic library for Minnesota. For statewide licenses
to online databases selected in cooperation with the Minnesota Office of Higher
Education for school media centers, public libraries, state government agency
libraries, and public or private college or university libraries:
$900,000 . . . . . 2008
$900,000 . . . . . 2009
Any balance in the first
year does not cancel but is available in the second year.
Subd. 5. Regional library telecommunications aid. For regional
library telecommunications aid under Minnesota Statutes, section 134.355:
$2,190,000 . . . . . 2008
$2,300,000 . . . . . 2009
The 2008 appropriation
includes $120,000 for 2007 and $2,070,000 for 2008.
The 2009 appropriation
includes $230,000 for 2008 and $2,070,000 for 2009.
Subd. 6. Hennepin County and Minneapolis library systems merger. For
costs attributable to the library system merger:
$4,500,000 . . . . . 2008
If the Hennepin County and
Minneapolis city library systems do not merge, any unexpended balance remaining
in this appropriation must be allocated to increase the fiscal year 2008
entitlement for Basic System Support Grants under Minnesota Statutes, section
134.355. This appropriation is available through June 30, 2009. This is a
onetime appropriation.
ARTICLE 7
STATE AGENCIES
Section 1. [124D.805] COMMITTEES ON AMERICAN INDIAN
EDUCATION PROGRAMS.
Subdivision 1. Establishment.
The commissioner of education shall create one or more American Indian
education committees. Members must include representatives of tribal bodies,
community groups, parents of children eligible to be served by the programs for
American Indian children in American Indian schools, American
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Indian administrators and
teachers, persons experienced in training teachers for American Indian
education programs, persons involved in programs for American Indian children
in American Indian schools, and persons knowledgeable about American Indian
education. The commissioner of education shall appoint members who are
representative of significant segments of the American Indian population.
Subd. 2. Committee
to advise commissioner. Each committee on American Indian education
programs shall advise the commissioner regarding the commissioner's duties
under sections 124D.71 to 124D.82 and other programs for educating American
Indian people as determined by the commissioner.
Subd. 3. Expenses.
Each committee must be reimbursed for expenses under section 15.059,
subdivision 6. The commissioner must determine the membership terms and the
duration of each committee, which must expire no later than June 30, 2020.
Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 517.08,
subdivision 1c, is amended to read:
Subd. 1c. Disposition
of license fee. (a) Of the marriage license fee collected pursuant to
subdivision 1b, paragraph (a), $15 must be retained by the county. The local
registrar must pay $85 to the commissioner of finance to be deposited as
follows:
(1) $50 in the general fund;
(2) $3 in the state government special
revenue fund to be appropriated to the commissioner of education
public safety for parenting time centers under section 119A.37;
(3) $2 in the special revenue fund to be
appropriated to the commissioner of health for developing and implementing the
MN ENABL program under section 145.9255;
(4) $25 in the special revenue fund is appropriated
to the commissioner of employment and economic development for the displaced
homemaker program under section 116L.96; and
(5) $5 in the special revenue fund is appropriated
to the commissioner of human services for the Minnesota Healthy Marriage and
Responsible Fatherhood Initiative under section 256.742.
(b) Of the $30 fee under subdivision 1b, paragraph
(b), $15 must be retained by the county. The local registrar must pay $15 to
the commissioner of finance to be deposited as follows:
(1) $5 as provided in paragraph (a), clauses (2) and
(3); and
(2) $10 in the special revenue fund is appropriated to
the commissioner of employment and economic development for the displaced
homemaker program under section 116L.96.
(c) The increase in the marriage license fee under
paragraph (a) provided for in Laws 2004, chapter 273, and disbursement of the
increase in that fee to the special fund for the Minnesota Healthy Marriage and
Responsible Fatherhood Initiative under paragraph (a), clause (5), is
contingent upon the receipt of federal funding under United States Code, title
42, section 1315, for purposes of the initiative.
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Sec. 3. RULEMAKING
AUTHORITY; CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION.
The commissioner of education shall adopt rules
under Minnesota Statutes, chapter 14, for the administration of career and
technical education programs for grades 7 through 12 under Minnesota Statutes,
sections 124D.452, 124D.4531, and 124D.454, to ensure that the career and
technical levy and programs can be administered to serve students under the current
state and local organizational structures.
EFFECTIVE
DATE. This
section is effective the day following final enactment.
Sec. 4. APPROPRIATIONS;
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.
Subdivision 1. Department
of Education. Unless otherwise indicated, the sums indicated in this
section are appropriated from the general fund to the Department of Education
for the fiscal years designated.
Subd. 2. Department.
(a) For the Department of Education:
$22,003,000 . . . . . 2008
$22,309,000 . . . . . 2009
Any balance in the first year does not cancel but is
available in the second year.
(b) $260,000 each year is for the Minnesota
Children's Museum.
(c) $41,000 each year is for the Minnesota Academy
of Science.
(d) $614,000 in fiscal year 2008 and $622,000 in fiscal
year 2009 are for the Board of Teaching.
(e) $162,000 in fiscal year 2008 and $165,000 in
fiscal year 2009 are for the Board of School Administrators.
(f) $7,000 in fiscal year 2008 is for GRAD test
rulemaking.
(g) $7,000 in fiscal year 2008 is for rulemaking
under section 3.
(h) $7,000 in fiscal year 2008 is for rulemaking for
health and physical education standards.
(i) $40,000 each year is for an early hearing loss
intervention coordinator under Minnesota Statutes, section 125A.63, subdivision
5.
(j) The expenditures of federal grants and aids as
shown in the biennial budget document and its supplements are approved and
appropriated and shall be spent as indicated.
(k) $260,000 per year is for the Minnesota
Children's Museum.
(l) $41,000 per year is for the Academy of Science.
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Sec. 5. APPROPRIATIONS;
MINNESOTA STATE ACADEMIES.
The sums indicated in this section are appropriated from
the general fund to the Minnesota State Academies for the Deaf and the Blind
for the fiscal years designated:
$11,504,000 . . . . . 2008
$11,527,000 . . . . . 2009
Any balance in the first year does not cancel but is
available in the second year.
Sec. 6. APPROPRIATIONS;
PERPICH CENTER FOR ARTS EDUCATION.
The sums indicated in this section are appropriated
from the general fund to the Perpich Center for Arts Education for the fiscal
years designated:
$6,727,000 . . . . . 2008
$6,833,000 . . . . . 2009
Any balance in the first year does not cancel but is
available in the second year.
Sec. 7. APPROPRIATIONS;
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY.
The sums indicated in this section are appropriated
from the state government special revenue fund to the Department of Public
Safety for the fiscal years designated to fund parenting time centers as
described in Minnesota Statutes, section 119A.37:
$96,000 . . . . . 2008
$96,000 . . . . . 2009
ARTICLE 8
EDUCATION FORECAST ADJUSTMENTS
A. GENERAL EDUCATION
Section 1. Laws 2005, First Special Session chapter
5, article 1, section 54, subdivision 2, as amended by Laws 2006, chapter 282,
article 3, section 2, is amended to read:
Subd. 2. General
education aid. For general education aid under Minnesota Statutes, section
126C.13, subdivision 4:
$5,819,153,000 . . . . . 2006
$
5,472,238,000 5,453,693,000 .
. . . . 2007
The 2006 appropriation includes $787,978,000 for
2005 and $5,031,175,000 for 2006.
The 2007 appropriation includes $513,848,000
$518,218,000 for 2006 and $4,958,390,000 $4,935,475,000 for
2007.
EFFECTIVE
DATE. This
section is effective the day following final enactment.
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Sec. 2. Laws 2005, First Special Session chapter 5,
article 1, section 54, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
Subd. 4. Enrollment
options transportation. For transportation of pupils attending
postsecondary institutions under Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.09, or for
transportation of pupils attending nonresident districts under Minnesota
Statutes, section 124D.03:
$55,000 . . . . . 2006
$
55,000 93,000 .
. . . . 2007
EFFECTIVE
DATE. This
section is effective the day following final enactment.
Sec. 3. Laws 2005, First Special Session chapter 5,
article 1, section 54, subdivision 5, as amended by Laws 2006, chapter 282,
article 7, section 2, is amended to read:
Subd. 5. Abatement
revenue. For abatement aid under Minnesota Statutes, section 127A.49:
$909,000 . . . . . 2006
$
1,026,000 765,000 .
. . . . 2007
The 2006 appropriation includes $187,000 for 2005
and $722,000 for 2006.
The 2007 appropriation includes $80,000 for 2006 and
$946,000 $685,000 for 2007.
EFFECTIVE
DATE. This
section is effective the day following final enactment.
Sec. 4. Laws 2005, First Special Session chapter 5,
article 1, section 54, subdivision 6, as amended by Laws 2006, chapter 282,
article 7, section 3, is amended to read:
Subd. 6. Consolidation
transition. For districts consolidating under Minnesota Statutes, section
123A.485:
$
527,000 388,000 .
. . . . 2007
The 2007 appropriation includes $0 for 2006 and $527,000
$388,000 for 2007.
EFFECTIVE
DATE. This
section is effective the day following final enactment.
Sec. 5. Laws 2005, First Special Session chapter 5,
article 1, section 54, subdivision 7, as amended by Laws 2006, chapter 282,
article 7, section 4, is amended to read:
Subd. 7. Nonpublic
pupil education aid. For nonpublic pupil education aid under Minnesota
Statutes, sections 123B.87 and 123B.40 to 123B.43:
$15,458,000 . . . . . 2006
$
15,991,000 15,972,000 .
. . . . 2007
The 2006 appropriation includes $1,864,000 for 2005
and $13,594,000 for 2006.
The 2007 appropriation includes $1,510,000 for 2006
and $14,481,000 $14,462,000 for 2007.
EFFECTIVE
DATE. This
section is effective the day following final enactment.
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Sec. 6. Laws 2005, First Special Session chapter 5,
article 1, section 54, subdivision 8, as amended by Laws 2006, chapter 282,
article 7, section 5, is amended to read:
Subd. 8. Nonpublic
pupil transportation. For nonpublic pupil transportation aid under
Minnesota Statutes, section 123B.92, subdivision 9:
$21,371,000 . . . . . 2006
$
20,843,000 21,133,000 .
. . . . 2007
The 2006 appropriation includes $3,274,000 for 2005
and $18,097,000 for 2006.
The 2007 appropriation includes $2,010,000 for 2006
and $18,833,000 $19,123,000 for 2007.
EFFECTIVE
DATE. This
section is effective the day following final enactment.
B. EDUCATION EXCELLENCE
Sec. 7. Laws 2005, First Special Session chapter 5,
article 2, section 84, subdivision 2, as amended by Laws 2006, chapter 282,
article 7, section 6, is amended to read:
Subd. 2. Charter
school building lease aid. For building lease aid under Minnesota Statutes,
section 124D.11, subdivision 4:
$25,331,000 . . . . . 2006
$
27,806,000 27,795,000 .
. . . . 2007
The 2006 appropriation includes $3,173,000 for 2005
and $22,158,000 for 2006.
The 2007 appropriation includes $2,462,000 for 2006
and $25,344,000 $25,333,000 for 2007.
EFFECTIVE
DATE. This
section is effective the day following final enactment.
Sec. 8. Laws 2005, First Special Session chapter 5,
article 2, section 84, subdivision 3, as amended by Laws 2006, chapter 282,
article 7, section 7, is amended to read:
Subd. 3. Charter
school startup aid. For charter school startup cost aid under Minnesota
Statutes, section 124D.11:
$1,291,000 . . . . . 2006
$
2,347,000 2,316,000 .
. . . . 2007
The 2006 appropriation includes $0 for 2005 and
$1,291,000 for 2006.
The 2007 appropriation includes $143,000 for 2006
and $2,204,000 $2,173,000 for 2007.
EFFECTIVE
DATE. This
section is effective the day following final enactment.
Sec. 9. Laws 2005, First Special Session chapter 5,
article 2, section 84, subdivision 4, as amended by Laws 2006, chapter 282,
article 7, section 8, is amended to read:
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Subd. 4. Integration
aid. For integration aid under Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.86,
subdivision 5:
$59,404,000 . . . . . 2006
$
58,405,000 58,075,000 .
. . . . 2007
The 2006 appropriation includes $8,545,000 for 2005
and $50,859,000 for 2006.
The 2007 appropriation includes $5,650,000 for 2006
and $52,755,000 $52,425,000 for 2007.
EFFECTIVE
DATE. This
section is effective the day following final enactment.
Sec. 10. Laws 2005, First Special Session chapter 5,
article 2, section 84, subdivision 6, as amended by Laws 2006, chapter 282,
article 7, section 9, is amended to read:
Subd. 6. Interdistrict
desegregation or integration transportation grants. For interdistrict
desegregation or integration transportation grants under Minnesota Statutes,
section 124D.87:
$6,032,000 . . . . . 2006
$
10,134,000 8,169,000 .
. . . . 2007
EFFECTIVE
DATE. This
section is effective the day following final enactment.
Sec. 11. Laws 2005, First Special Session chapter 5,
article 2, section 84, subdivision 10, as amended by Laws 2006, chapter 282,
article 7, section 11, is amended to read:
Subd. 10. Tribal
contract schools. For tribal contract school aid under Minnesota Statutes,
section 124D.83:
$2,338,000 . . . . . 2006
$
2,357,000 2,060,000 .
. . . . 2007
The 2006 appropriation includes $348,000 for 2005
and $1,990,000 for 2006.
The 2007 appropriation includes $221,000 for 2006
and $2,136,000 $1,839,000 for 2007.
EFFECTIVE
DATE. This
section is effective the day following final enactment.
C. SPECIAL PROGRAMS
Sec. 12. Laws 2005, First Special Session chapter 5,
article 3, section 18, subdivision 2, as amended by Laws 2006, chapter 282,
article 7, section 12, is amended to read:
Subd. 2. Special
education; regular. For special education aid under Minnesota Statutes,
section 125A.75:
$559,485,000 . . . . . 2006
$
528,106,000 529,257,000 .
. . . . 2007
The 2006 appropriation includes $83,078,000 for 2005
and $476,407,000 for 2006.
The 2007 appropriation includes $52,934,000 for 2006
and $475,172,000 $476,323,000 for 2007.
EFFECTIVE
DATE. This
section is effective the day following final enactment.
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Sec. 13. Laws 2005, First
Special Session chapter 5, article 3, section 18, subdivision 3, as amended by
Laws 2006, chapter 282, article 7, section 13, is amended to read:
Subd. 3. Aid for children with disabilities. For
aid under Minnesota Statutes, section 125A.75, subdivision 3, for children with
disabilities placed in residential facilities within the district boundaries
for whom no district of residence can be determined:
$1,527,000 . . . . . 2006
$ 1,624,000 1,410,000 . . . . . 2007
If the appropriation for
either year is insufficient, the appropriation for the other year is available.
EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is
effective the day following final enactment.
Sec. 14. Laws 2005, First
Special Session chapter 5, article 3, section 18, subdivision 4, as amended by
Laws 2006, chapter 282, article 7, section 14, is amended to read:
Subd. 4. Travel for home-based services. For aid
for teacher travel for home-based services under Minnesota Statutes section 125A.75,
subdivision 1:
$198,000 . . . . . 2006
$ 195,000 224,000 . . . . . 2007
The 2006 appropriation
includes $28,000 for 2005 and $170,000 for 2006.
The 2007 appropriation
includes $18,000 for 2006 and $177,000 $206,000 for 2007.
EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is
effective the day following final enactment.
Sec. 15. Laws 2005, First
Special Session chapter 5, article 3, section 18, subdivision 6, as amended by
Laws 2006, chapter 282, article 7, section 16, is amended to read:
Subd. 6. Transition for disabled students. For
aid for transition programs for children with disabilities under Minnesota
Statutes, section 124D.454:
$9,300,000 . . . . . 2006
$ 8,781,000 8,800,000 . . . . . 2007
The 2006 appropriation
includes $1,380,000 for 2005 and $7,920,000 for 2006.
The 2007 appropriation
includes $880,000 for 2006 and $7,901,000 $7,920,000 for 2007.
EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is
effective the day following final enactment.
D. FACILITIES
Sec. 16. Laws 2005, First
Special Session chapter 5, article 4, section 25, subdivision 2, as amended by
Laws 2006, chapter 282, article 7, section 18, is amended to read:
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Subd. 2. Health
and safety revenue. For health and safety aid according to Minnesota
Statutes, section 123B.57 subdivision 5:
$823,000 . . . . . 2006
$
352,000 249,000 .
. . . . 2007
The 2006 appropriation includes $211,000 for 2005
and $612,000 for 2006.
The 2007 appropriation includes $68,000 for 2006 and
$284,000 $181,000 for 2007.
EFFECTIVE
DATE. This
section is effective the day following final enactment.
Sec. 17. Laws 2005, First Special Session chapter 5,
article 4, section 25, subdivision 3, as amended by Laws 2006, chapter 282,
article 5, section 2, is amended to read:
Subd. 3. Debt
service equalization. For debt service aid according to Minnesota Statutes,
section 123B.53, subdivision 6:
$27,206,000 . . . . . 2006
$
18,410,000 18,395,000 .
. . . . 2007
The 2006 appropriation includes $4,654,000 for 2005
and $22,552,000 for 2006.
The 2007 appropriation includes $2,504,000 for 2006
and $15,906,000 15,891,000 for 2007.
EFFECTIVE
DATE. This
section is effective the day following final enactment.
E. NUTRITION
Sec. 18. Laws 2005, First Special Session chapter 5,
article 5, section 17, subdivision 3, as amended by Laws 2006, chapter 282,
article 7, section 20, is amended to read:
Subd. 3. Traditional
school breakfast; kindergarten milk. For traditional school breakfast aid
and kindergarten milk under Minnesota Statutes, sections 124D.1158 and
124D.118:
$4,856,000 . . . . . 2006
$
5,044,000 5,175,000 .
. . . . 2007
EFFECTIVE
DATE. This
section is effective the day following final enactment.
F. EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION
Sec. 19. Laws 2005, First Special Session chapter 5,
article 7, section 20, subdivision 2, as amended by Laws 2006, chapter 282,
article 7, section 24, is amended to read:
Subd. 2. School
readiness. For revenue for school readiness programs under Minnesota
Statutes, sections 124D.15 and 124D.16:
$9,528,000 . . . . . 2006
$
9,020,000 9,087,000 .
. . . . 2007
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The 2006 appropriation includes $1,415,000 for 2005
and $8,113,000 for 2006.
The 2007 appropriation includes $901,000 for 2006
and $8,119,000 $8,186,000 for 2007.
EFFECTIVE
DATE. This
section is effective the day following final enactment.
Sec. 20. Laws 2005, First Special Session chapter 5,
article 7, section 20, subdivision 3, as amended by Laws 2006, chapter 282,
article 2, section 24, is amended to read:
Subd. 3. Early
childhood family education aid. For early childhood family education aid
under Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.135:
$15,105,000 . . . . . 2006
$
17,792,000 17,639,000 .
. . . . 2007
The 2006 appropriation includes $1,859,000 for 2005
and $13,246,000 for 2006.
The 2007 appropriation includes $1,471,000 for 2006
and $16,321,000 $16,168,000 for 2007.
EFFECTIVE
DATE. This
section is effective the day following final enactment.
Sec. 21. Laws 2005, First Special Session chapter 5,
article 7, section 20, subdivision 4, as amended by Laws 2006, chapter 282,
article 2, section 25, is amended to read:
Subd. 4. Health
and developmental screening aid. For health and developmental screening aid
under Minnesota Statutes, sections 121A.17 and 121A.19:
$3,000,000 . . . . . 2006
$
2,997,000 2,880,000 .
. . . . 2007
The 2006 appropriation includes $417,000 for 2005
and $2,583,000 for 2006
The 2007 appropriation includes $287,000 for 2006
and $2,710,000 $2,593,000 for 2007.
EFFECTIVE
DATE. This
section is effective the day following final enactment.
Sec. 22. Laws 2006, chapter 282, article 2, section
28, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
Subd. 4. Early
childhood Part C. For the expansion of early childhood Part C services:
$
400,000 -0- .
. . . . 2007
EFFECTIVE
DATE. This
section is effective the day following final enactment.
G. PREVENTION
Sec. 23. Laws 2005, First Special Session chapter 5,
article 8, section 8, subdivision 2, as amended by Laws 2006, chapter 282,
article 7, section 25, is amended to read:
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Subd. 2. Community
education aid. For community education aid under Minnesota Statutes,
section 124D.20:
$2,043,000 . . . . . 2006
$
1,949,000 1,942,000 .
. . . . 2007
The 2006 appropriation includes $385,000 for 2005 and
$1,658,000 for 2006.
The 2007 appropriation includes $184,000 for 2006
and $1,765,000 $1,758,000 for 2007.
EFFECTIVE
DATE. This
section is effective the day following final enactment.
Sec. 24. Laws 2005, First Special Session chapter 5,
article 8, section 8, subdivision 5, as amended by Laws 2006, chapter 282,
article 7, section 27, is amended to read:
Subd. 5. School-age
care revenue. For extended day aid under Minnesota Statutes, section
124D.22:
$17,000 . . . . . 2006
$
4,000 6,000 .
. . . . 2007
The 2006 appropriation includes $4,000 for 2005 and
$13,000 for 2006.
The 2007 appropriation includes $1,000 for 2006 and $3,000
$5,000 for 2007.
EFFECTIVE
DATE. This
section is effective the day following final enactment.
H. SELF-SUFFICIENCY AND LIFELONG LEARNING
Sec. 25. Laws 2005, First Special Session chapter 5,
article 9, section 4, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
Subd. 2. Adult
basic education aid. For adult basic education aid under Minnesota
Statutes:
$36,518,000 . . . . . 2006
$
36,540,000 37,486,000 .
. . . . 2007
The 2006 appropriation includes $5,707,000 for 2005
and $30,811,000 for 2006.
The 2007 appropriation includes $5,737,000
$3,654,000 for 2006 and $30,803,000 $33,832,000 for 2007.
EFFECTIVE
DATE. This
section is effective the day following final enactment.
ARTICLE 9
TECHNICAL AND CONFORMING AMENDMENTS
Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section
122A.628, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
Subd. 2. Revenue.
A school district that is selected to participate in the schools mentoring
schools program under this section may utilize its professional compensation
revenue under section 122A.4142 122A.414, subdivision 4, to pay
regional training sites for staff development and training services.
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Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 123A.73,
subdivision 8, is amended to read:
Subd. 8. Taxable
property. As of the effective date of a consolidation of districts or the
dissolution of a district and its attachment to one or more existing districts
pursuant to chapter 123A, and subject to the conditions of section 126C.42,
subdivision 1, all the taxable property which is in the newly created or
enlarged district and which was previously taxable for the payment of any
statutory operating debt theretofore incurred by any preexisting district of
which the taxable property was a part prior to the consolidation or dissolution
and attachment shall remain taxable for the payment of that debt and shall not
become taxable for the payment of any statutory operating debt theretofore
incurred by any preexisting district of which the taxable property was not a
part prior to the consolidation or dissolution and attachment. The amount of
statutory operating debt attributable to that taxable property and to the newly
created or enlarged district in which it is located, and the amount of a
preexisting district's reserved fund balance reserve account for purposes of
statutory operating debt reduction attributable to the newly created or
enlarged district, shall be apportioned according to the proportion which the
adjusted net tax capacity of that part of the preexisting district bears to the
total adjusted net tax capacity of the entire preexisting district at the time
of the consolidation or dissolution and attachment. This apportionment shall be
made by the county auditor and shall be incorporated as an annex to the order
of the commissioner dividing the assets and liabilities of the component
districts. As used in this section, "statutory operating debt" shall
have the meaning given it in section 123B.81.
Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 123B.79,
subdivision 6, is amended to read:
Subd. 6. Account
transfer for statutory operating debt. On June 30 of each year, a district
may make a permanent transfer from the general fund account entitled "net
unreserved general fund balance since statutory operating debt" to the
account entitled "reserved fund balance reserve account for purposes of
statutory operating debt reduction." The amount of the transfer is limited
to the lesser of (a) the net unreserved general fund balance, or (b)
the sum of the remaining statutory operating debt levies authorized for all
future years according to section 126C.42, subdivision 1. If the net
unreserved general fund balance is less than zero, the district may not make a
transfer.
Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 123B.81,
subdivision 2, is amended to read:
Subd. 2. Statutory
operating debt. If the amount of the operating debt is more than 2-1/2
percent of the most recent fiscal year's expenditure amount for the funds
considered under subdivision 1, the net negative undesignated fund balance is
defined as "statutory operating debt" for the purposes of this
section and sections section 123B.83 and 126C.42, subdivision
1.
Sec. 5. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 123B.81,
subdivision 4, is amended to read:
Subd. 4. Debt
elimination. If an audit or other verification procedure conducted pursuant
to subdivision 3 determines that a statutory operating debt exists, a district
must follow the procedures set forth in this section 126C.42,
subdivision 1, to eliminate this statutory operating debt.
Sec. 6. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 123B.81,
subdivision 7, is amended to read:
Subd. 7. Applicability.
This section and the provisions of section 126C.42, subdivision 1, are
is applicable only to common, independent, and special school districts and
districts formed pursuant to Laws 1967, chapter 822, as amended, and Laws 1969,
chapters 775 and 1060, as amended. This section and the provisions of
section 126C.42, subdivision 1, do does not apply to Independent
School District No. 625.
Sec. 7. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 123B.83,
subdivision 2, is amended to read:
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Subd. 2. Net unreserved general fund balances. A
school district must limit its expenditures so that its net unreserved general
fund balance does not constitute statutory operating debt as defined in
section 126C.42 under section 123B.81.
Sec. 8. Minnesota Statutes
2006, section 124D.34, subdivision 7, is amended to read:
Subd. 7. Foundation staff. The commissioner of
education shall appoint the executive director of the foundation from three
candidates nominated and submitted by the foundation board of directors and, as
necessary, other staff who shall perform duties and have responsibilities
solely related to the foundation. The employees appointed are not state
employees under chapter 43A, but are covered under section 3.736. The employees
may participate in the state health and state insurance plans for employees in
unclassified service. The employees shall be supervised by the executive
director.
The commissioner shall
appoint from the Office of Lifework Development a liaison to the
foundation board from the division in the department responsible for career
and technical education.
Sec. 9. Minnesota Statutes
2006, section 124D.65, subdivision 11, is amended to read:
Subd. 11. Allocations from cooperative units. For
the purposes of this section and section 125A.77, pupils of limited
English proficiency enrolled in a cooperative or intermediate school district
unit shall be counted by the school district of residence, and the cooperative
unit shall allocate its approved expenditures for limited English proficiency
programs among participating school districts. Limited English proficiency aid
for services provided by a cooperative or intermediate school district shall be
paid to the participating school districts.
Sec. 10. Minnesota Statutes
2006, section 125A.39, is amended to read:
125A.39 LOCAL INTERAGENCY AGREEMENTS.
School boards and the county
board may enter into agreements to cooperatively serve and provide funding for
children with disabilities, under age five, and their families within a
specified geographic area.
The local interagency
agreement must address, at a minimum, the following issues:
(1) responsibilities of
local agencies on local interagency early intervention committees (IEIC's),
consistent with section 125A.38;
(2) assignment of financial
responsibility for early intervention services;
(3) methods to resolve
intraagency and interagency disputes;
(4) identification of
current resources and recommendations about the allocation of additional state
and federal early intervention funds under the auspices of United States Code,
title 20, section 1471 et seq. (Part C, Public Law 102-119 108-446)
and United States Code, title 20, section 631, et seq. (Chapter I, Public Law
89-313);
(5) data collection; and
(6) other components of the
local early intervention system consistent with Public Law 102-119.
Sec. 11. Minnesota Statutes
2006, section 125A.42, is amended to read:
125A.42 PROCEDURAL SAFEGUARDS; PARENT AND CHILD RIGHTS.
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(a) This section applies to local school and county
boards for children from birth through age two who are eligible for Part H
C, Public Law 102-119 108-446, and their families. This
section must be consistent with the Individuals with Disabilities Education
Act, United States Code, title 20, sections 1471 to 1485 (Part H C,
Public Law 102-119 108-446), regulations adopted under United
States Code, title 20, sections 1471 to 1485, and sections 125A.259 to 125A.48.
(b) A parent has the right to:
(1) inspect and review early intervention records;
(2) prior written notice of a proposed action in the
parents' native language unless it is clearly not feasible to do so;
(3) give consent to any proposed action;
(4) selectively accept or decline any early
intervention service; and
(5) resolve issues regarding the identification,
evaluation, or placement of the child, or the provision of appropriate early
intervention services to the child and the child's family through an impartial
due process hearing pursuant to section 125A.46.
(c) The eligible child has the right to have a
surrogate parent appointed by a school district as required by section 125A.07.
Sec. 12. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 125A.44,
is amended to read:
125A.44
COMPLAINT PROCEDURE.
(a) An individual or organization may file a written
signed complaint with the commissioner of the state lead agency alleging that
one or more requirements of the Code of Federal Regulations, title 34, part
303, is not being met. The complaint must include:
(1) a statement that the state has violated the
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, United States Code, title 20,
section 1471 et seq. (Part C, Public Law 102-119 108-446) or Code
of Federal Regulations, title 34, section 303; and
(2) the facts on which the complaint is based.
(b) The commissioner of the state lead agency shall
receive and coordinate with other state agencies the review and resolution of a
complaint within 60 calendar days according to the state interagency agreement
required under section 125A.48. The development and disposition of corrective
action orders for nonschool agencies shall be determined by the State Agency
Committee (SAC). Failure to comply with corrective orders may result in fiscal
actions or other measures.
Sec. 13. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 125A.45,
is amended to read:
125A.45
INTERAGENCY DISPUTE PROCEDURE.
(a) A dispute between a school board and a county
board that is responsible for implementing the provisions of section 125A.29
regarding early identification, child and family assessment, service
coordination, and IFSP development and implementation must be resolved
according to this subdivision when the dispute involves services provided to
children and families eligible under the Individuals with Disabilities Education
Act, United States Code, title 20, section 1471 et seq. (Part C, Public Law 102-119
108-446).
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(b) A dispute occurs when the school board and county
board are unable to agree as to who is responsible to coordinate, provide, pay
for, or facilitate payment for services from public and private sources.
(c) Written and signed disputes must be filed with
the local primary agency.
(d) The local primary agency must attempt to resolve
the matter with the involved school board and county board and may request
mediation from the commissioner of the state lead agency for this purpose.
(e) When interagency disputes have not been resolved
within 30 calendar days, the local primary agency must request the commissioner
of the state lead agency to review the matter with the commissioners of health
and human services and make a decision. The commissioner must provide a
consistent process for reviewing those procedures. The commissioners' decision
is binding subject to the right of an aggrieved party to appeal to the state
Court of Appeals.
(f) The local primary agency must ensure that
eligible children and their families receive early intervention services during
resolution of a dispute. While a local dispute is pending, the local primary
agency must either assign financial responsibility to an agency or pay for the
service from the early intervention account under section 125A.35. If in
resolving the dispute, it is determined that the assignment of financial
responsibility was inappropriate, the responsibility for payment must be
reassigned to the appropriate agency and the responsible agency must make
arrangements for reimbursing any expenditures incurred by the agency originally
assigned financial responsibility.
Sec. 14. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 125B.15,
is amended to read:
125B.15
INTERNET ACCESS FOR STUDENTS.
(a) Recognizing the difference between school
libraries, school computer labs, and school media centers, which serve unique
educational purposes, and public libraries, which are designed for public
inquiry, all computers at a school site with access to the Internet available
for student use must be equipped to restrict, including by use of available
software filtering technology or other effective methods, all student access to
material that is reasonably believed to be obscene or child pornography or
material harmful to minors under federal or state law.
(b) A school site is not required to purchase
filtering technology if the school site would incur more than incidental
expense in making the purchase.
(c) A school district receiving technology revenue
under section 125B.25 125B.26 must prohibit, including through
use of available software filtering technology or other effective methods,
adult access to material that under federal or state law is reasonably believed
to be obscene or child pornography.
(d) A school district, its agents or employees, are
immune from liability for failure to comply with this section if they have made
a good faith effort to comply with the requirements of this section.
(e) "School site" means an education site
as defined in section 123B.04, subdivision 1, or charter school under section
124D.10.
Sec. 15. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 126C.01,
subdivision 9, is amended to read:
Subd. 9. Training
and experience index. "Training and experience index" means a
measure of a district's teacher training and experience relative to the
education and experience of teachers in the state. The measure must be
determined pursuant to Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 126C.11.
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Sec. 16. Minnesota Statutes
2006, section 126C.05, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
Subdivision 1. Pupil unit. Pupil units for each
Minnesota resident pupil under the age of 21 or who meets the requirements of
section 120A.20, subdivision 1, paragraph (c), in average daily membership
enrolled in the district of residence, in another district under sections
123A.05 to 123A.08, 124D.03, 124D.06, 124D.07, 124D.08, or 124D.68; in a
charter school under section 124D.10; or for whom the resident district pays
tuition under section 123A.18, 123A.22, 123A.30, 123A.32, 123A.44, 123A.488,
123B.88, subdivision 4, 124D.04, 124D.05, 125A.03 to 125A.24, 125A.51, or
125A.65, shall be counted according to this subdivision.
(a) A prekindergarten pupil
with a disability who is enrolled in a program approved by the commissioner and
has an individual education plan is counted as the ratio of the number of hours
of assessment and education service to 825 times 1.25 with a minimum average
daily membership of 0.28, but not more than 1.25 pupil units.
(b) A prekindergarten pupil
who is assessed but determined not to be disabled is counted as the ratio of
the number of hours of assessment service to 825 times 1.25.
(c) A kindergarten pupil
with a disability who is enrolled in a program approved by the commissioner is
counted as the ratio of the number of hours of assessment and education
services required in the fiscal year by the pupil's individual education
program plan to 875, but not more than one.
(d) A kindergarten pupil who
is not included in paragraph (c) is counted as .557 of a pupil unit for fiscal
year 2000 and thereafter.
(e) A pupil who is in any of
grades 1 to 3 is counted as 1.115 pupil units for fiscal year 2000 and
thereafter.
(f) A pupil who is any of
grades 4 to 6 is counted as 1.06 pupil units for fiscal year 1995 and
thereafter.
(g) A pupil who is in any of
grades 7 to 12 is counted as 1.3 pupil units.
(h) A pupil who is in the
postsecondary enrollment options program is counted as 1.3 pupil units.
Sec. 17. Minnesota Statutes
2006, section 126C.48, subdivision 7, is amended to read:
Subd. 7. Reporting. For each tax settlement, the
county auditor shall report to each school district by fund, the district tax
settlement revenue defined in section 123B.75, subdivision 5, paragraph (a), and
the amount levied pursuant to section 126C.42, subdivision 1, on the form
specified in section 276.10. The county auditor shall send to the district a
copy of the spread levy report specified in section 275.124.
Sec. 18. Minnesota Statutes
2006, section 134.355, subdivision 9, is amended to read:
Subd. 9. Telecommunications aid. An application
for regional library telecommunications aid must, at a minimum, contain
information to document the following:
(1) the connections are
adequate and employ an open network architecture that will ensure
interconnectivity and interoperability with school districts, postsecondary
education, or other governmental agencies;
(2) that the connection is
established through the most cost-effective means and that the regional library
has explored and coordinated connections through school districts,
postsecondary education, or other governmental agencies;
(3) that the regional
library system has filed an e-rate application; and
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(4) other information, as determined by the
commissioner of children, families, and learning education, to
ensure that connections are coordinated, efficient, and cost-effective, take
advantage of discounts, and meet applicable state standards.
The library system may include costs associated with
cooperative arrangements with postsecondary institutions, school districts, and
other governmental agencies.
Sec. 19. REPEALER.
Minnesota Statutes 2006, sections 123A.22,
subdivision 11; and 123B.81, subdivision 8, are repealed.
ARTICLE 10
PUPIL TRANSPORTATION STANDARDS
Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 123B.88,
subdivision 12, is amended to read:
Subd. 12. Early
childhood family education participants. Districts may provide bus
transportation along regular school bus routes when space is available
for participants in early childhood family education programs and school
readiness programs if these services do not result in an increase in the
district's expenditures for transportation. The costs allocated to these
services, as determined by generally accepted accounting principles, shall be
considered part of the authorized cost for regular transportation for the
purposes of section 123B.92.
EFFECTIVE
DATE. This
section is effective the day following final enactment and applies for fiscal
year 2007 and later.
Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 123B.90,
subdivision 2, is amended to read:
Subd. 2. Student
training. (a) Each district must provide public school pupils enrolled in
kindergarten through grade 10 with age-appropriate school bus safety training,
as described in this section, of the following concepts:
(1) transportation by school bus is a privilege and
not a right;
(2) district policies for student conduct and school
bus safety;
(3) appropriate conduct while on the school bus;
(4) the danger zones surrounding a school bus;
(5) procedures for safely boarding and leaving a
school bus;
(6) procedures for safe street or road crossing; and
(7) school bus evacuation.
(b) Each nonpublic school located within the
district must provide all nonpublic school pupils enrolled in kindergarten
through grade 10 who are transported by school bus at public expense and attend
school within the district's boundaries with training as required in paragraph
(a).
(c) Students enrolled in kindergarten through grade
6 who are transported by school bus and are enrolled during the first or second
week of school must receive the school bus safety training competencies by the
end of the third week of school. Students enrolled in grades 7 through 10 who
are transported by school bus and are enrolled during
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the first or second week of
school and have not previously received school bus safety training must receive
the training or receive bus safety instructional materials by the end of the
sixth week of school. Students taking driver's training instructional classes and
other students in grades 9 and 10 must receive training in the laws and
proper procedures when operating a motor vehicle in the vicinity of a school
bus as required by section 169.446, subdivisions 2 and 3. Students enrolled
in kindergarten through grade 10 who enroll in a school after the second week
of school and are transported by school bus and have not received training in
their previous school district shall undergo school bus safety training or
receive bus safety instructional materials within four weeks of the first day
of attendance. Upon request of the superintendent of schools, the school
transportation safety director in each district must certify to the
superintendent of schools annually that all students transported by
school bus within the district have received the school bus safety training
according to this section. Upon request of the superintendent of the school
district where the nonpublic school is located, the principal or other
chief administrator of each nonpublic school must certify annually to
the school transportation safety director of the district in which the school
is located that the school's students transported by school bus at public
expense have received training according to this section.
(d) A district and a nonpublic school with students
transported by school bus at public expense may provide kindergarten pupils
with bus safety training before the first day of school.
(e) A district and a nonpublic school with students
transported by school bus at public expense may also provide student safety
education for bicycling and pedestrian safety, for students enrolled in
kindergarten through grade 5.
(f) A district and a nonpublic school with students
transported by school bus at public expense must make reasonable accommodations
for the school bus safety training of pupils known to speak English as a second
language and pupils with disabilities.
(g) The district and a nonpublic school with
students transported by school bus at public expense must provide students
enrolled in kindergarten through grade 3 school bus safety training twice
during the school year.
(h) A district and a nonpublic school with students
transported by school bus at public expense must conduct a school bus
evacuation drill at least once during the school year.
EFFECTIVE
DATE. This
section is effective July 1, 2007.
Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 123B.92,
subdivision 5, is amended to read:
Subd. 5. District
reports. (a) Each district must report data to the department as required
by the department to account for transportation expenditures.
(b) Salaries and fringe benefits of district
employees whose primary duties are other than transportation, including central
office administrators and staff, building administrators and staff, teachers,
social workers, school nurses, and instructional aides, must not be included in
a district's transportation expenditures, except that a district may include
salaries and benefits according to paragraph (c) for (1) an employee designated
as the district transportation director, (2) an employee providing direct
support to the transportation director, or (3) an employee providing direct
transportation services such as a bus driver or bus aide.
(c) Salaries and fringe benefits of the district
employees listed in paragraph (b), clauses (1), (2), and (3), who work part
time in transportation and part time in other areas must not be included in a
district's transportation expenditures unless the district maintains
documentation of the employee's time spent on pupil transportation matters in
the form and manner prescribed by the department.
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(d) Pupil transportation
expenditures, excluding expenditures for capital outlay, leased buses, student
board and lodging, crossing guards, and aides on buses, must be allocated among
transportation categories based on cost-per-mile, cost-per-student,
cost-per-hour, or cost-per-route, regardless of whether the transportation
services are provided on district-owned or contractor-owned school buses.
Expenditures for school bus driver salaries and fringe benefits may either be
directly charged to the appropriate transportation category or may be allocated
among transportation categories based on cost-per-mile, cost-per-student,
cost-per-hour, or cost-per-route. Expenditures by private contractors or
individuals who provide transportation exclusively in one transportation
category must be charged directly to the appropriate transportation category.
Transportation services provided by contractor-owned school bus companies
incorporated under different names but owned by the same individual or group of
individuals must be treated as the same company for cost allocation purposes.
(e) Notwithstanding
paragraph (d), districts contracting for transportation services are exempt
from the standard cost allocation method for authorized and nonauthorized
transportation categories if the district (1) bid its contracts separately for
authorized and nonauthorized transportation categories, (2) received bids or
quotes from more than one vendor for these transportation categories or can
demonstrate that efforts were made to solicit bids or quotes through
advertising, and (3) the district's cost-per-mile, cost-per-hour, or
cost-per-route does not vary more than ten percent among authorized
transportation categories, excluding expenditures for capital outlay, leased
buses, student board and lodging, crossing guards, special equipment, and aides
on buses. If the costs reported by the district for contractor-owned operations
vary more than the parameters outlined above, the department shall require the
district to reallocate its transportation costs, excluding salaries and fringe
benefits of bus aids, among all categories.
EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is
effective the day following final enactment and applies for fiscal year 2007
and later.
Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes
2006, section 169.01, subdivision 6, is amended to read:
Subd. 6. School bus. "School bus"
means a motor vehicle used to transport pupils to or from a school defined in
section 120A.22, or to or from school-related activities, by the school or a
school district, or by someone under an agreement with the school or a school
district. A school bus does not include a motor vehicle transporting children
to or from school for which parents or guardians receive direct compensation
from a school district, a motor coach operating under charter carrier
authority, a transit bus providing services as defined in section 174.22,
subdivision 7, a multifunction school activity bus as defined by federal
motor vehicle safety standards, or a vehicle otherwise qualifying as a type
III vehicle under paragraph (5) (6), when the vehicle is properly
registered and insured and being driven by an employee or agent of a school
district for nonscheduled or nonregular transportation. A school bus may be
type A, type B, type C, or type D, a multifunctional school activity
bus, or type III as follows:
(1) A "type A school
bus" is a van conversion or bus constructed utilizing a
cutaway front section vehicle with a left-side driver's door. The entrance
door is behind the front wheels. This definition includes two
classifications: type A-I, with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) less
than or equal to 10,000 14,500 pounds or less; and type A-II,
with a GVWR greater than 10,000 14,500 pounds and less than or
equal to 21,500 pounds.
(2) A "type B school
bus" is constructed utilizing a stripped chassis. The entrance door is
behind the front wheels. This definition includes two classifications: type
B-I, with a GVWR less than or equal to 10,000 pounds; and type B-II, with a
GVWR greater than 10,000 pounds.
(3) A "type C school
bus" is constructed utilizing a chassis with a hood and front fender
assembly. The entrance door is behind the front wheels. A "type C
school bus" also includes a cutaway truck chassis or truck chassis with
cab with or without a left side door and with a GVWR greater than 21,500
pounds.
(4) A "type D school
bus" is constructed utilizing a stripped chassis. The entrance door is
ahead of the front wheels.
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(5) A "multifunctional school activity
bus" is a bus that meets the federal motor vehicle safety standards
definition, except for vehicles classified as type III school buses according
to paragraph (6).
(6) Type III school buses and type III Head Start buses
are restricted to passenger cars, station wagons, vans, and buses having a
maximum manufacturer's rated seating capacity of ten or fewer people, including
the driver, and a gross vehicle weight rating of 10,000 pounds or less. In this
subdivision, "gross vehicle weight rating" means the value specified
by the manufacturer as the loaded weight of a single vehicle. A "type III
school bus" and "type III Head Start bus" must not be outwardly
equipped and identified as a type A, B, C, or D school bus or type A, B, C, or
D Head Start bus. A van or bus converted to a seating capacity of ten or fewer
and placed in service on or after August 1, 1999, must have been originally
manufactured to comply with the passenger safety standards.
EFFECTIVE
DATE. This
section is effective January 1, 2008.
Sec. 5. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 169.01, is
amended by adding a subdivision to read:
Subd. 92. Cellular
phone. "Cellular phone" means a cellular, analog,
wireless, or digital telephone capable of sending or receiving telephone or
text messages without an access line for service.
Sec. 6. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 169.443, is
amended by adding a subdivision to read:
Subd. 9. Personal
cellular phone call prohibition. A school bus driver may not operate
a school bus while communicating over, or otherwise operating, a cellular phone
for personal reasons, whether hand-held or hands free, when the vehicle is in
motion.
EFFECTIVE
DATE. This
section is effective July 1, 2007.
Sec. 7. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 169.447,
subdivision 2, is amended to read:
Subd. 2. Driver
seat belt. New School buses and Head Start buses manufactured
after December 31, 1994, must be equipped with driver seat belts and seat
belt assemblies of the type described in section 169.685, subdivision 3. School
bus drivers and Head Start bus drivers must use these seat belts.
EFFECTIVE
DATE. This
section is effective July 1, 2007.
Sec. 8. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 169.4501,
subdivision 1, is amended to read:
Subdivision 1. National
standards adopted. Except as provided in sections 169.4502 and 169.4503,
the construction, design, equipment, and color of types A, B, C, and D and
multifunctional school activity bus school buses used for the
transportation of school children shall meet the requirements of the "bus
chassis standards" and "bus body standards" in the 2000
2005 edition of the "National School Transportation Specifications and
Procedures" adopted by the National Conference Congress on
School Transportation. Except as provided in section 169.4504, the
construction, design, and equipment of types A, B, C, and D and
multifunctional school activity bus school buses used for the
transportation of students with disabilities also shall meet the requirements
of the "specially equipped school bus standards" in the 2000
2005 National School Transportation Specifications and Procedures. The
"bus chassis standards," "bus body standards," and
"specially equipped school bus standards" sections of the 2000
2005 edition of the "National School Transportation Specifications and
Procedures" are incorporated by reference in this chapter.
EFFECTIVE
DATE. This
section is effective January 1, 2008.
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Sec. 9. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 169.4501,
subdivision 2, is amended to read:
Subd. 2. Applicability.
(a) The standards adopted in this section and sections 169.4502 and 169.4503,
govern the construction, design, equipment, and color of school buses used for
the transportation of school children, when owned or leased and operated by a
school or privately owned or leased and operated under a contract with a
school. Each school, its officers and employees, and each person employed under
the contract is subject to these standards.
(b) The standards apply to school buses manufactured
after October 31, 2004 December 31, 2007. Buses complying with
the standards when manufactured need not comply with standards established
later except as specifically provided for by law.
(c) A school bus manufactured on or before October
31, 2004 December 31, 2007, must conform to the Minnesota standards
in effect on the date the vehicle was manufactured except as specifically
provided for in law.
(d) A new bus body may be remounted on a used
chassis provided that the remounted vehicle meets state and federal standards
for new buses which are current at the time of the remounting. Permission must
be obtained from the commissioner of public safety before the remounting is
done. A used bus body may not be remounted on a new or used chassis.
EFFECTIVE
DATE. This
section is effective January 1, 2008.
Sec. 10. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 169.4502,
subdivision 5, is amended to read:
Subd. 5. Electrical
system; battery. (a) The storage battery, as established by the
manufacturer's rating, must be of sufficient capacity to care for starting,
lighting, signal devices, heating, and other electrical equipment. In a bus
with a gas-powered chassis, the battery or batteries must provide a minimum of
800 cold cranking amperes. In a bus with a diesel-powered chassis, the battery
or batteries must provide a minimum of 1050 cold cranking amperes.
(b) In a type B bus with a gross vehicle weight
rating of 15,000 pounds or more, and type C and D buses, the battery shall be
temporarily mounted on the chassis frame. The final location of the battery and
the appropriate cable lengths in these buses must comply with the SBMI design
objectives booklet.
(c) All batteries shall be mounted according to
chassis manufacturers' recommendations.
(d) In a type C bus, other than are powered by
diesel fuel, a battery providing at least 550 cold cranking amperes may be
installed in the engine compartment only if used in combination with a
generator or alternator of at least 120 130 amperes.
(e) A bus with a gross vehicle weight rating of
15,000 pounds or less may be equipped with a battery to provide a minimum of
550 cold cranking amperes only if used in combination with an alternator of at
least 80 130 amperes. This paragraph does not apply to those
buses with wheelchair lifts or diesel engines.
EFFECTIVE
DATE. This
section is effective January 1, 2008.
Sec. 11. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 169.4503,
subdivision 13, is amended to read:
Subd. 13. Identification.
(a) Each bus shall, in the beltline, identify the school district serviced, or
company name, or owner of the bus. Numbers necessary for identification must
appear on the sides and rear of the bus. Symbols or letters may be used on the
outside of the bus near the entrance door for student identification. A
manufacturer's nameplate or logo may be placed on the bus.
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(b) Effective December 31, 1994, all type A, B,
C, and D buses sold must display lettering "Unlawful to pass when red
lights are flashing" on the rear of the bus. The lettering shall be in
two-inch black letters on school bus yellow background. This message shall be
displayed directly below the upper window of the rear door. On rear engine
buses, it shall be centered at approximately the same location. Only signs and
lettering approved or required by state law may be displayed.
EFFECTIVE
DATE. This
section is effective January 1, 2008.
Sec. 12. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 169.4503,
subdivision 20, is amended to read:
Subd. 20. Seat
and crash barriers. (a) All restraining barriers and passenger seats
shall be covered with a material that has fire retardant or fire block
characteristics.
(b) All seats must have a minimum cushion depth of
15 inches and a seat back height of at least 20 inches above the seating
reference point.
EFFECTIVE
DATE. This
section is effective January 1, 2008.
Sec. 13. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 171.02,
subdivision 2, is amended to read:
Subd. 2. Driver's
license classifications, endorsements, exemptions. (a) Drivers' licenses
are classified according to the types of vehicles that may be driven by the
holder of each type or class of license. The commissioner may, as appropriate,
subdivide the classes listed in this subdivision and issue licenses classified
accordingly.
(b) Except as provided in paragraph (c), clauses (1)
and (2), and subdivision 2a, no class of license is valid to operate a
motorcycle, school bus, tank vehicle, double-trailer or triple-trailer
combination, vehicle transporting hazardous materials, or bus, unless so
endorsed. There are four general classes of licenses as described in paragraphs
(c) through (f).
(c) Class D drivers' licenses are valid for:
(1) operating all farm trucks if the farm truck is:
(i) controlled and operated by a farmer, including
operation by an immediate family member or an employee of the farmer;
(ii) used to transport agricultural products, farm
machinery, or farm supplies, including hazardous materials, to or from a farm;
(iii) not used in the operations of a common or
contract motor carrier as governed by Code of Federal Regulations, title 49,
part 365; and
(iv) used within 150 miles of the farm;
(2) notwithstanding paragraph (b), operating an
authorized emergency vehicle, as defined in section 169.01, subdivision 5,
whether or not in excess of 26,000 pounds gross vehicle weight;
(3) operating a recreational vehicle as defined in
section 168.011, subdivision 25, that is operated for personal use;
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(4) operating all single-unit vehicles except
vehicles with a gross vehicle weight of more than 26,000 pounds, vehicles
designed to carry more than 15 passengers including the driver, and vehicles
that carry hazardous materials;
(5) notwithstanding paragraph (d), operating a type
A school bus or a multifunctional school activity bus without a school
bus endorsement if:
(i) the bus has a gross vehicle weight of 10,000
pounds or less;
(ii) the bus is designed to transport 15 or fewer
passengers, including the driver; and
(iii) (ii) the requirements of subdivision 2a are satisfied,
as determined by the commissioner; and
(iii) the type A school bus or a multifunctional
school activity bus has a gross vehicle weight of 14,500 pounds or less;
(6) operating any vehicle or combination of vehicles
when operated by a licensed peace officer while on duty; and
(7) towing vehicles if:
(i) the towed vehicles have a gross vehicle weight
of 10,000 pounds or less; or
(ii) the towed vehicles have a gross vehicle weight
of more than 10,000 pounds and the combination of vehicles has a gross vehicle weight
of 26,000 pounds or less.
(d) Class C drivers' licenses are valid for:
(1) operating class D motor vehicles;
(2) with a hazardous materials endorsement,
transporting hazardous materials in class D vehicles; and
(3) with a school bus endorsement, operating school
buses designed to transport 15 or fewer passengers, including the driver.
(e) Class B drivers' licenses are valid for:
(1) operating all class C motor vehicles, class D
motor vehicles, and all other single-unit motor vehicles including, with a
passenger endorsement, buses; and
(2) towing only vehicles with a gross vehicle weight
of 10,000 pounds or less.
(f) Class A drivers' licenses are valid for
operating any vehicle or combination of vehicles.
EFFECTIVE
DATE. This
section is effective January 1, 2008.
Sec. 14. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 171.02,
subdivision 2a, is amended to read:
Subd. 2a. Exception
for certain school bus drivers. Notwithstanding subdivision 2, paragraph
(c), the holder of a class D driver's license, without a school bus
endorsement, may operate a type A school bus or a multifunctional school
activity bus described in subdivision 2, paragraph (b), under the following
conditions:
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(a) The operator is an employee of the entity that
owns, leases, or contracts for the school bus and is not solely hired to
provide transportation services under this subdivision.
(b) The operator drives the school bus only from
points of origin to points of destination, not including home-to-school trips
to pick up or drop off students.
(c) The operator is prohibited from using the type
A school bus eight-light system. Violation of this paragraph is a
misdemeanor.
(d) The operator's employer has adopted and
implemented a policy that provides for annual training and certification of the
operator in:
(1) safe operation of the type of school bus the
operator will be driving;
(2) understanding student behavior, including issues
relating to students with disabilities;
(3) encouraging orderly conduct of students on the
bus and handling incidents of misconduct appropriately;
(4) knowing and understanding relevant laws, rules
of the road, and local school bus safety policies;
(5) handling emergency situations; and
(6) safe loading and unloading of students.
(e) A background check or background investigation
of the operator has been conducted that meets the requirements under section
122A.18, subdivision 8, or 123B.03 for teachers; section 144.057 or chapter
245C for day care employees; or section 171.321, subdivision 3, for all other
persons operating a type A school bus vehicle under this
subdivision.
(f) Operators shall submit to a physical examination
as required by section 171.321, subdivision 2.
(g) The operator's driver's license is verified
annually by the entity that owns, leases, or contracts for the school bus
vehicle.
(h) A person who sustains a conviction, as defined
under section 609.02, of violating section 169A.25, 169A.26, 169A.27, 169A.31,
169A.51, or 169A.52, or a similar statute or ordinance of another state is
precluded from operating a school bus for five years from the date of
conviction.
(i) A person who has ever been convicted of a
disqualifying offense as defined in section 171.3215, subdivision 1, paragraph
(c), may not operate a school bus under this subdivision.
(j) A person who sustains a conviction, as defined
under section 609.02, of a fourth moving offense in violation of chapter 169 is
precluded from operating a school bus for one year from the date of the last
conviction.
(k) Students riding the school bus vehicle
must have training required under section 123B.90, subdivision 2.
(l) An operator must be trained in the proper use of
child safety restraints as set forth in the National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration's "Guideline for the Safe Transportation of Pre-school Age
Children in School Buses.," if child safety restraints
are used by the passengers.
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(m) Annual certification of the requirements listed
in this subdivision must be maintained under separate file at the business
location for each operator licensed under this subdivision and subdivision 2,
paragraph (b), clause (5). The business manager, school board, governing body
of a nonpublic school, or any other entity that owns, leases, or contracts for
the school bus operating under this subdivision is responsible for maintaining
these files for inspection.
(n) The school bus vehicle must bear a
current certificate of inspection issued under section 169.451.
(o) On a type A school bus, the word
"School" on the front and rear of the bus must be covered by a sign
that reads "Activities" when the bus is being operated under
authority of this subdivision.
EFFECTIVE
DATE. This
section is effective January 1, 2008.
Sec. 15. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 171.321,
subdivision 4, is amended to read:
Subd. 4. Training.
(a) No person shall drive a class A, B, C, or D school bus when transporting
school children to or from school or upon a school-related trip or activity
without having demonstrated sufficient skills and knowledge to transport
students in a safe and legal manner.
(b) A bus driver must have training or experience
that allows the driver to meet at least the following competencies:
(1) safely operate the type of school bus the driver
will be driving;
(2) understand student behavior, including issues
relating to students with disabilities;
(3) encourage orderly conduct of students on the bus
and handle incidents of misconduct appropriately;
(4) know and understand relevant laws, rules of the
road, and local school bus safety policies;
(5) handle emergency situations; and
(6) safely load and unload students.
(c) The commissioner of public safety shall develop
a comprehensive model school bus driver training program and model assessments
for school bus driver training competencies, which are not subject to chapter
14. A school district, nonpublic school, or private contractor may use
alternative assessments for bus driver training competencies with the approval
of the commissioner of public safety. A driver may receive at least eight
hours of school bus in‑service training any year, as an alternative to
being assessed for bus driver competencies after the initial year of being
assessed for bus driver competencies. The employer shall keep the
assessment or a record of the in-service training for the current period
available for inspection by representatives of the commissioner.
EFFECTIVE
DATE. This
section is effective July 1, 2007.
Sec. 16. RULES
REVISED: COMMISSIONER OF PUBLIC SAFETY.
Subdivision 1. Rules
revised under the good cause exemption. The commissioner of public
safety must amend and adopt the revisions to the rules listed in subdivisions 2
to 8 under the good cause exemption to the rulemaking process under Minnesota
Statutes, section 14.388, subdivision 1, clause (3).
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Subd. 2. Minnesota
Rules, part 7470.0500. The commissioner of public safety must amend
Minnesota Rules, part 7470.0500, by replacing two obsolete references to the
Department of Children, Families, and Learning, with a reference to the
Department of Public Safety and removing references to specifically repealed
rules.
Subd. 3. Minnesota
Rules, part 7470.0700. The commissioner of public safety must amend
Minnesota Rules, part 7470.0700, as follows:
(1) for the points assigned to school bus equipment
defects, strike the reference to "orange" school buses and include a
new school bus color exemption for multifunctional school activity buses;
(2) replace the references to type I and type II
school buses with type A, B, C, or D school buses;
(3) exempt multifunctional school activity buses
from the point reduction for not having a stop arm; and
(4) exempt multifunctional school activity buses
from the point reduction for not having an eight-lamp warning lamp system.
Subd. 4. Minnesota
Rules, part 7470.1000. The commissioner of public safety must amend
Minnesota Rules, part 7470.1000, to:
(1) include multifunctional school activity buses in
the headnote;
(2) update subpart 1 to include multifunctional
school activity buses as a type of school bus listed after bus types A, B, C,
and D;
(3) modify subpart 2 to clarify that the prohibition
against loading or unloading while adjacent to a turn lane applies only when it
is a right-hand turn lane and does not prohibit a bus from loading or unloading
at the side of the road when there is a center turn lane; and
(3) expand the exception that allows service dogs on
school buses to include all companion animals.
Subd. 5. Minnesota
Rules, part 7470.1100. The commissioner of public safety must amend
Minnesota Rules, part 7470.1100, to include multifunctional school activity
buses in the headnote and amend subpart 1 to include multifunctional school
activity buses as a type of school bus listed after bus types A, B, C, and D.
The commissioner must also amend item B of this part to require drivers to use
prewarning flashing signals, flashing red signals, and stop signals arms on
buses that are equipped with those signals.
Subd. 6. Minnesota
Rules, part 7470.1400. The commissioner of public safety must amend
Minnesota Rules, part 7470.1400, to clarify that the operating rules in parts
7470.1000 to 7470.1500 apply to buses that are leased and rented as well as to
school buses that are owned by a school district, a nonpublic school, or a
private operator under contract to a school district or nonpublic school.
Subd. 7. Minnesota
Rules, part 7470.1500. The commissioner of public safety must amend
Minnesota Rules, part 7470.1500, to:
(1) clarify that the prohibition against loading or
unloading while adjacent to a turn lane applies only when it is a right-hand
turn lane and does not prohibit a bus from loading or unloading at the side of
the road when there is a center turn lane; and
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(2) delete item H because it
is obsolete.
Subd. 8. Minnesota Rules, part 7470.1700. The commissioner of
public safety must amend Minnesota Rules, part 7470.1700, subpart 2, to:
(1) clarify that the bus
driver and the bus aide must have access to emergency health care information
for the students with disabilities transported on the bus; and
(2) add an item E that
allows the health information to be maintained either in a hard copy on the
vehicle or immediately accessible through a two-way communications system.
EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is
effective the day following final enactment.
Sec. 17. REPEALER.
Minnesota Statutes 2006,
sections 169.4502, subdivision 15; and 169.4503, subdivisions 17, 18, and 26,
are repealed.
EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is
effective January 1, 2008.
ARTICLE 11
EARLY CHILDHOOD AND ADULT
PROGRAMS
Section 1. Minnesota
Statutes 2006, section 119A.52, is amended to read:
119A.52 DISTRIBUTION OF APPROPRIATION.
(a) The commissioner of
education must distribute money appropriated for that purpose to federally
designated Head Start programs to expand services and to serve additional
low-income children. Migrant and Indian reservation programs must be initially
allocated money based on the programs' share of federal funds. The remaining
money must be initially allocated to the remaining local agencies based equally
on the agencies' share of federal funds and on the proportion of eligible
children in the agencies' service area who are not currently being served. A
Head Start grantee program must be funded at a per child rate
equal to its contracted, federally funded base level at the start of the fiscal
year. In allocating funds under this paragraph, the commissioner of education
must assure that each Head Start program in existence in 1993 is allocated no
less funding in any fiscal year than was allocated to that program in fiscal
year 1993. Before paying money to the programs, the commissioner must notify
each program of its initial allocation, how the money must be used, and the
number of low-income children to be served with the allocation based upon the
federally funded per child rate. Each program must present a plan under section
119A.535. For any grantee program that cannot utilize its full
allocation at the beginning of the fiscal year, the commissioner must
reduce the allocation proportionately. Money available after the initial
allocations are reduced must be redistributed to eligible grantees
programs.
(b) The commissioner must
develop procedures to make payments to programs based upon the number of
children reported to be enrolled during the required time period of program
operations. Enrollment is defined by federal Head Start regulations. The
procedures must include a reporting schedule, corrective action plan
requirements, and financial consequences to be imposed on programs that do not
meet full enrollment after the period of corrective action. Programs reporting
chronic underenrollment, as defined by the commissioner, will have their
subsequent program year allocation reduced proportionately. Funds made
available by prorating payments and allocations to programs with reported
underenrollment will be made available to the extent funds exist to fully
enrolled Head Start programs through a form and manner prescribed by the
department.
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Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 119A.535,
is amended to read:
119A.535
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS.
Eligible Head Start organizations must submit a plan
to the department for approval on a form and in the manner prescribed by the
commissioner. The plan must include:
(1) the estimated number of low-income
children and families the program will be able to serve;
(2) a description of the program design and service
delivery area which meets the needs of and encourages access by low-income working
families;
(3) a program design that ensures fair and equitable
access to Head Start services for all populations and parts of the service
area;
(4) a plan for coordinating services to maximize
assistance for child care costs available to families under chapter 119B
providing Head Start services in conjunction with full-day child care programs
to minimize child transitions, increase program intensity and duration, and
improve child and family outcomes as required in section 119A.5411; and
(5) identification of regular Head Start, early Head
Start, full-day services identified in section 119A.5411, and innovative
services based upon demonstrated needs to be provided.
Sec. 3. [119A.5411]
FULL-DAY REQUIREMENTS.
The following phase-in of full-day services in Head
Start programs or licensed child care as defined in chapter 245A is required:
(1) by fiscal year 2009, a minimum of 25 percent of
the total state-funded enrollment throughout the state must be provided in
full-day services;
(2) by fiscal year 2011, a minimum of 40 percent of
the total state-funded enrollment throughout the state must be provided in
full-day services; and
(3) by fiscal year 2013, a minimum of 50 percent of
the total state-funded enrollment throughout the state must be provided in
full-day services.
Head Start programs may provide full-day services as
part of their own program model or through agreements with licensed full-day
child care programs. If licensed child care providers do not exist in a
geographic area, choose not to participate, cannot meet the federal Head Start
performance standards after sufficient opportunity, or a Head Start program is
unable to establish the full-day services as a part of their own program model,
the Head Start program may request exemption from the commissioner.
Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 124D.13,
subdivision 1, is amended to read:
Subdivision 1. Establishment;
purpose. A district that provides a community education program under
sections 124D.18 and 124D.19 may establish an early childhood family education
program. Two or more districts, each of which provides a community education
program, may cooperate to jointly provide an early childhood family education
program. The purpose of the early childhood family education program is to
provide parenting education to support children's learning and development.
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Sec. 5. Minnesota Statutes
2006, section 124D.13, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
Subd. 2. Program characteristics
requirements. (a) Early childhood family education programs are
programs for children in the period of life from birth to kindergarten, for the
parents and other relatives of these children, and for expectant parents. To the
extent that funds are insufficient to provide programs for all children, early
childhood family education programs should emphasize programming for a child
children from birth to age three, and encourage parents and other
relatives to for children at risk of not being ready for kindergarten
and the children's parents. Program providers also are encouraged to
involve four- and five-year-old children and their families in school
readiness programs, and other public and nonpublic early learning programs. A
district may not limit participation to school district residents. Early
childhood family education programs may include the following must
provide:
(1) programs to educate
parents and other relatives about the physical, mental, and emotional
development of children;
(2) programs to enhance
the skills of parents and other relatives in providing for their children's
learning and development structured learning activities requiring
interaction between children and their parents or relatives;
(3) structured learning
experiences activities for children and parents and other
relatives that promote children's development and positive interaction
with peers, which are held while parents or relatives attend parent education
classes;
(4) activities designed to
detect children's physical, mental, emotional, or behavioral problems that may
cause learning problems;
(5) activities and materials
designed to encourage self-esteem, skills, and behavior that prevent sexual and
other interpersonal violence;
(6) educational materials
which may be borrowed for home use;
(7) (4) information on related
community resources;
(8) programs to prevent (5) information, materials,
and activities that support the safety of children, including prevention of child abuse and neglect;
and
(9) other programs or
activities to improve the health, development, and school readiness of
children; or
(10) activities designed to
maximize development during infancy.
(6) a community outreach
plan to ensure participation by families who reflect the racial, cultural, and
economic diversity of the school district.
The programs must not
include activities for children that do not require substantial involvement of
the children's parents or other relatives. The programs program
must be reviewed periodically to assure the instruction and materials are not
racially, culturally, or sexually biased. The programs must encourage parents
to be aware of practices that may affect equitable development of children.
(b) For the purposes of this
section, "relative" or "relatives" means noncustodial
grandparents or other persons related to a child by blood, marriage, adoption,
or foster placement, excluding parents.
EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is
effective the day following final enactment.
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Sec. 6. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 124D.13,
subdivision 11, is amended to read:
Subd. 11. Teachers
and coordinators. A school board must employ necessary qualified teachers
licensed in early childhood or parent education for its early childhood
family education programs. Coordinators of early childhood family education
programs shall meet, as a minimum, the licensure requirements for a teacher
within the ECFE program.
Sec. 7. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 124D.13, is
amended by adding a subdivision to read:
Subd. 13. Plan and
program data submission requirements. (a) An early childhood family
education program must submit a biennial plan addressing the requirements of
subdivision 2 for approval by the commissioner. The plan must also describe how
the program provides parenting education and ensures participation of families
representative of the school district. A school district must submit the plan
for approval by the commissioner in the form and manner prescribed by the
commissioner. One-half of districts, as determined by the commissioner, must
first submit a biennial plan by April 1, 2009, and the remaining districts must
first submit a plan by April 1, 2010.
(b) Districts receiving early childhood family
education revenue under section 124D.135 must submit annual program data to the
department by July 15 in the form and manner prescribed by the commissioner.
(c) Beginning with levies for fiscal year 2011, a school
district must submit its annual program data to the department before it may
certify a levy under section 124D.135. Districts selected by the commissioner
to submit a biennial plan by April 1, 2010, must also have an approved plan on
file with the commissioner before certifying a levy under section 124D.135 for
fiscal year 2011. Beginning with levies for fiscal year 2012, all districts
must submit annual program data and have an approved biennial plan on file with
the commissioner before certifying a levy under section 124D.135.
Sec. 8. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 124D.135,
subdivision 1, is amended to read:
Subdivision 1. Revenue.
The revenue for early childhood family education programs for a school district
equals $112 for fiscal year 2007 and $120 for fiscal year 2008 and
later, times the greater of:
(1) 150; or
(2) the number of people under five years of age
residing in the district on October 1 of the previous school year.
EFFECTIVE
DATE. This
section is effective for revenue for fiscal year 2008.
Sec. 9. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 124D.135,
subdivision 3, is amended to read:
Subd. 3. Early
childhood family education levy. For fiscal year 2001 to obtain early
childhood family education revenue, a district may levy an amount equal to the
tax rate of .5282 percent times the adjusted tax capacity of the district for
the year preceding the year the levy is certified. Beginning with levies for
fiscal year 2002, By September 30 of each year, the commissioner shall
establish a tax rate for early childhood family education revenue that
raises $21,027,000 for fiscal year 2002 and $22,135,000 in each
fiscal year 2003 and each subsequent year. If the amount of the early
childhood family education levy would exceed the early childhood family
education revenue, the early childhood family education levy must equal the
early childhood family education revenue. Beginning with levies for fiscal
year 2011, a district may not certify an early childhood family education levy
unless it has met the annual program data reporting and biennial plan
requirements under section 124D.13, subdivision 13.
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Sec. 10. Minnesota Statutes
2006, section 124D.135, subdivision 5, is amended to read:
Subd. 5. Use of revenue restricted. (a) Early
childhood family education revenue may be used only for early childhood family
education programs.
(b) Not more than five percent
of early childhood family education revenue, as defined in subdivision 7, may
be used to administer early childhood family education programs.
(c) An early childhood
family education program may use up to ten percent of its early childhood
family education revenue as defined in subdivision 1, including revenue from
participant fees, for equipment that is used in the early childhood family
education program. This revenue may only be used for the following purposes:
(1) to purchase or lease
computers and related materials; and
(2) to purchase or lease
equipment for instruction for participating children and their families.
If a district anticipates an
unusual circumstance requiring its early childhood family education program
capital expenditures to exceed the ten percent limitation, prior approval to
exceed the limit must be obtained in writing from the commissioner.
Sec. 11. [124D.141] STATE ADVISORY BOARD ON
SCHOOL READINESS.
Subdivision 1. Establishment. A 13-member State Advisory Board on School
Readiness is established in the Office of the Governor to advise the governor
and the legislature on developing a coordinated, efficient, and cost-effective
system for delivering throughout Minnesota early childhood programs that focus
on early care and education, health care, and family support.
Subd. 2. Board members; terms. (a) The advisory board includes the
following 13 members:
(1) the commissioner of
employment and economic development or the commissioner's designee;
(2) the commissioner of
health or the commissioner's designee;
(3) the commissioner of
education or the commissioner's designee;
(4) the commissioner of
human services or the commissioner's designee;
(5) six public members, one
of whom is the parent of a child currently enrolled in an early care and
education program, five of whom are recognized experts in early care and
education, one of whom is a higher education representative, one of whom is a
licensed professional who currently provides student support services, and one
of whom is a currently practicing early childhood educator, appointed jointly
by the majority and minority leaders in the house of representatives and
senate; and
(6) three public members who
are community or business leaders, one of whom is a member of the Minnesota Early
Learning Foundation board of directors under section 124D.175, appointed
jointly by the speaker and minority leader in the house of representatives and
the majority and minority leaders in the senate.
(b) Members appointed by the speaker and minority leader
in the house of representatives and the majority and minority leaders in the
senate serve staggered three-year terms. Board members must nominate and elect
a chair and other officers from among the public members. Members initially
appointed to the board shall assign themselves by lot to terms of one, two, or
three years. The chair must notify the governor on the assignment of these
terms. The
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board shall meet regularly
at the times and places the board determines. Meetings shall be called by the
chair or at the written request of any three members. Members' terms,
compensation, removal, and vacancies are governed by section 15.0575.
Subd. 3. Duties.
(a) The board shall recommend to the governor and the legislature:
(1) the most effective method to improve the
coordination and delivery of early care and education services that integrates
child care, early care and education programs, and family support services and
programs;
(2) a multiyear plan for effectively and efficiently
coordinating and integrating state services for early care and education,
improving service delivery and standards of care, avoiding duplication and
fragmentation of service, and enhancing public and private investment;
(3) methods for measuring the quality, quantity, and
effectiveness of early care and education programs throughout the state;
(4) how to identify and measure school readiness
indicators on a regular basis;
(5) how to track, enhance, integrate, and coordinate
federal, state, and local funds allocated for early care and education and
related family support services;
(6) policy changes to improve children's ability to
start school ready to learn; and
(7) how to provide technical assistance to community
efforts that promote school readiness and encourage community organizations to
collaborate in promoting school readiness.
(b) In developing recommendations for the governor
and the legislature under this section, the board must evaluate on an ongoing
basis:
(1) what government can do to enhance families'
capacity to help themselves and others; and
(2) the positive or negative effects of policies and
programs recommended under this section on families affected by these programs.
(c) The board shall convene policy work groups as
necessary to make recommendations to the governor and the legislature on:
(1) financing early childhood programs;
(2) building a coordinated service delivery system
based on an assessment of early childhood systems and available state and
federal funding;
(3) integrating a coordinated, collaborative health
care component, including medical homes, parent education, family support,
developmental health and early education, into early childhood programs and
avoiding duplication of services;
(4) enhancing the quality and measuring the cost of
child care and preschool programs; and
(5) improving the wages, benefits, and supply of
early childhood professionals.
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Subd. 4. Report.
The task force annually by February 15 must report to the education policy
and finance committees of the legislature on the recommendations the task force
made during the preceding calendar year.
Subd. 5. Board
expiration. The State Advisory Board on School Readiness expires
January 1, 2013.
EFFECTIVE
DATE. This
section is effective the day following final enactment.
Sec. 12. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 124D.16,
subdivision 2, is amended to read:
Subd. 2. Amount
of aid. (a) A district is eligible to receive school readiness aid for
eligible prekindergarten pupils enrolled in a school readiness program under
section 124D.15 if the biennial plan required by section 124D.15, subdivision
3a, has been approved by the commissioner.
(b) For fiscal year 2002 and thereafter, A
district must receive school readiness aid equal to:
(1) the number of four-year-old children in the
district on October 1 for the previous school year times the ratio of 50
percent of the total school readiness aid entitlement for that year to
the total number of four-year-old children reported to the commissioner for the
previous school year; plus
(2) the number of pupils enrolled in the school
district from families eligible for the free or reduced school lunch program
for the previous school year times the ratio of 50 percent of the total school
readiness aid entitlement for that year to the total number of pupils in
the state from families eligible for the free or reduced school lunch program
for the previous school year.
(c) For fiscal year 2008 and later, the total
statewide school readiness aid entitlement equals $10,095,000.
EFFECTIVE
DATE. This
section is effective for revenue for fiscal year 2008.
Sec. 13. [124D.1625]
EXPANDING DEPARTMENT DEVELOPMENTAL ASSESSMENT ADMINISTERED TO ENTERING
KINDERGARTNERS.
(a) The commissioner of education shall encourage
school districts to implement the voluntary school readiness kindergarten
assessment initiative in the 2008-2009 school year, to assess up to 30 percent
of children.
(b) The commissioner must report the assessment
results for the current school year to the legislature by January 1 of the
next year.
EFFECTIVE
DATE. This
section is effective July 1, 2007.
Sec. 14. [124D.163]
TARGETED TRAINING OF EARLY CHILDHOOD PROFESSIONALS TO IMPROVE SCHOOL READINESS.
Subdivision 1. Establishment;
purpose. The commissioner of education shall provide a training
program for the purpose of improving the school readiness of prekindergarten
children.
Subd. 2. Eligible
participants. The training program is available to all staff in
school readiness programs as defined in section 124D.15, Head Start programs as
defined in section 119A.50, and child care centers as defined in chapter 245A.
The commissioner of education shall cooperate with the commissioner of human
services to identify child care center program and licensed family child care
provider participants and implement the training program for them.
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Subd. 3. Training
content. The commissioner shall develop three foundational and
sequential training modules on child observation, child and program assessment,
and curriculum planning.
Subd. 4. Availability.
To the extent practical, the training must be made available throughout the
state on an ongoing basis. In addition to the geographic availability, the
commissioner shall consider the availability of training to meet the needs of
diverse cultural groups. Training materials may be translated and training may
be delivered in other languages as determined by the commissioner. The training
may be provided through a variety of methods that may include on-site and
Web-based delivery.
Sec. 15. [124D.165]
EARLY CHILDHOOD SCHOLARSHIPS.
Subdivision 1. Purpose.
The commissioner must establish an early childhood scholarship fund to
improve the school readiness of prekindergarten children at risk of being
unprepared for kindergarten. Scholarships are available for the purpose of
participating in an approved program as specified in subdivision 4 the year
prior to kindergarten entrance.
Subd. 2. Eligibility.
A parent or legal guardian of a four-year-old child with a household income
that does not exceed 185 percent of the federal poverty guidelines, adjusted
for family size, is eligible to apply for an annual scholarship of up to $4,000
for each eligible child.
Subd. 3. Scholarship
application, award, and process. Parents or guardians meeting the
eligibility requirements defined in subdivision 2 may apply for a scholarship
certificate. Application must be made according to the form and manner
prescribed by the commissioner. The certificates must be redeemable for
instruction at an approved early childhood program, as specified in subdivision
4, for up to one year from the date of issue or until the child for whom the
scholarship is designated enrolls in kindergarten, whichever occurs first. The
commissioner shall annually award scholarship certificates to eligible
applicants in the order applications are received until all funds available for
the year have been obligated. Recipients may not transfer a scholarship
certificate to another person. The parent or guardian may transfer the
scholarship certificate to another approved early childhood program according
to requirements established by the commissioner.
Subd. 4. Program
approval. A program must be approved by the commissioner to be
eligible to receive state early childhood scholarship program funds on behalf
of an enrolled scholarship certificate recipient. Early childhood programs must
apply for approval in the form and manner prescribed by the commissioner and
must be:
(1) a federally designated Head Start program as
defined in section 119A.50;
(2) a school readiness program as defined in section
124D.15; or
(3) a licensed child care program as defined in chapter
245A.
The application must include evidence that the
program provides research-based instruction to support school readiness.
Programs must submit any program changes related to approval as they occur and
must reapply for approval every three years.
Subd. 5. Payments
to approved programs. The commissioner shall issue payments of
scholarship funds on a reimbursement basis to approved programs as defined in
subdivision 4 for services provided that are comparable to service costs for
program participants who do not receive a scholarship. Scholarship funds may
not be used for services that are available at no cost to nonscholarship
recipient families. Approved programs must maintain documentation of services
provided and the commissioner shall verify information submitted by approved
programs
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to ensure appropriate
services were provided to eligible recipients for whom state early childhood
scholarship funds are paid. Scholarship funds awarded to families receiving
other forms of assistance, such as child care assistance, must be used to
supplement and may not be used to supplant services provided through that
assistance.
Subd. 6. Scholarship
not income for purposes of other publicly funded programs. Notwithstanding
any law to the contrary, the receipt of a scholarship does not count as earned
income for the purposes of medical assistance, MinnesotaCare, MFIP, child care
assistance, or Head Start programs.
Sec. 16. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 124D.175,
is amended to read:
124D.175
MINNESOTA EARLY LEARNING FOUNDATION.
(a) The commissioner must make a grant to the
Minnesota Early Learning Foundation to may implement an early
childhood development grant program for low-income and other challenged
families that increases the effectiveness and expands the capacity of public
and nonpublic early childhood development programs, which may include child
care programs, and leads to improved early childhood parent education and
children's kindergarten readiness. The program must may include:
(1) grant awards to existing early childhood
development program providers that also provide parent education programs and
to qualified providers proposing to implement pilot programs for this same
purpose;
(2) grant awards to enable low-income families to
participate in these programs;
(3) grant awards to improve overall programmatic
quality; and
(4) an evaluation of the programmatic and financial
efficacy of all these programs, which may be performed using measures of
services, staffing, and management systems that provide consistent information
about system performance, show trends, confirm successes, and identify
potential problems in early childhood development programs.
This grant program must not
supplant existing early childhood development programs or child care funds.
(b) The commissioner must make a grant to a private
nonprofit, section 501(c)(3) organization to implement the requirements of
paragraph (a). The private nonprofit organization must be governed by a board
of directors composed of members from the public and nonpublic sectors, where
the nonpublic sector members compose a simple majority of board members and
where the public sector members are state and local government officials,
kindergarten through grade 12 or postsecondary educators, and early childhood
providers appointed by the governor. Membership on the board of directors by a
state agency official are work duties for the official and are not a conflict
of interest under section 43A.38. The board of directors must appoint an
executive director and must seek advice from geographically and ethnically
diverse parents of young children and representatives of early childhood
development providers, kindergarten through grade 12 and postsecondary
educators, public libraries, and the business sector.
The board of directors is subject to the open
meeting law under chapter 13D. All other terms and conditions under which board
members serve and operate must be described in the articles and bylaws of the
organization. The private nonprofit organization is not a state agency and is
not subject to laws governing public agencies except the provisions of chapter
13, salary limits under section 15A.0815, subdivision 2, and audits by the
legislative auditor under chapter 3 apply.
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(c) (b) In addition to the duties
under paragraph (a), the Minnesota Early Learning Foundation (MELF) shall
evaluate the effectiveness of the a voluntary NorthStar
quality Improvement and rating system. The NorthStar Quality
Improvement and Rating System quality rating system must:
(1) provide consumer
information for parents on child care and early education program quality and
ratings;
(2) set indicators to
identify quality in care and early education settings, including licensed
family child care and centers, tribal providers and programs, and Head
Start and school-age programs, and identify quality programs through
ratings and ongoing monitoring of programs;
(3) provide funds
resources and incentives for provider improvement grants and quality
achievement grants;
(4) require participating
providers to incorporate the state's early learning standards in their
curriculum activities and develop appropriate child assessments aligned with
the kindergarten readiness assessment implement a curriculum and child
assessments that align with the kindergarten through grade 2 standards;
(5) provide accountability
for the NorthStar Quality Improvement and Rating System's effectiveness in
improving child outcomes and kindergarten readiness an evaluation of the
quality rating system; and
(6) align current and new
state investments to improve the quality of child care with the NorthStar
quality Improvement and rating system framework, by providing
accountability and informed parent choice.
(c) The Minnesota Early Learning
Foundation shall report back to the legislature by January 15, 2008,
annually on the progress being made under this paragraph
paragraphs (a) and (b).
(d) This section expires
June 30, 2011 2012. If no state appropriation is made for
purposes of this section, the commissioner must not implement paragraphs (a)
and (b).
(e) A legislative advisory
task force shall be established to meet with MELF regarding pilot projects for
scholarship programs, and regarding other programs and pilot projects of a
similar nature conducted in Minnesota or elsewhere. The task force shall have
eight members, appointed as follows: two members from the majority party of the
house of representatives, appointed by the speaker, one of whom shall be
designated the house of representatives cochair, and two from nonmajority
members of the house of representatives, appointed by the speaker with advice
from the minority leader; two members from the majority party in the senate,
one of whom shall be designated the senate cochair, and two from nonmajority
members of the senate, appointed by the senate subcommittee on committees.
Appointments shall be balanced geographically, with at least two members from
substantially suburban districts and four members from nonmetropolitan
districts. The task force shall meet at least twice per year.
Sec. 17. [124D.2211] AFTER-SCHOOL COMMUNITY
LEARNING PROGRAMS.
Subdivision 1. Establishment. A competitive statewide after-school
community learning grant program is established to provide grants to community
or nonprofit organizations, political subdivisions, for-profit or nonprofit
child care centers, or school-based programs that serve youth after school or
during nonschool hours. The commissioner shall develop criteria for
after-school community learning programs.
Subd. 2. Program outcomes. The expected outcomes of the
after-school community learning programs are to increase:
(1) school connectedness of
participants;
(2) academic achievement of
participating students in one or more core academic areas;
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(3) the capacity of participants to become
productive adults; and
(4) prevent truancy from school and prevent juvenile
crime.
Subd. 3. Grants.
An applicant shall submit an after-school community learning program
proposal to the commissioner. The submitted plan must include:
(1) collaboration with and leverage of existing
community resources that have demonstrated effectiveness;
(2) outreach to children and youth; and
(3) involvement of local governments, including park
and recreation boards or schools, unless no government agency is appropriate.
Proposals will be reviewed and approved by the
commissioner.
Sec. 18. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 124D.531,
subdivision 1, is amended to read:
Subdivision 1. State
total adult basic education aid. (a) The state total adult basic education
aid for fiscal year 2005 is $36,509,000. The state total adult basic education
aid for fiscal year 2006 equals $36,587,000 plus any amount that is not paid
for during the previous fiscal year, as a result of adjustments under
subdivision 4, paragraph (a), or section 124D.52, subdivision 3. The state
total adult basic education aid for fiscal year 2007 equals $37,673,000 plus
any amount that is not paid for during the previous fiscal year, as a result of
adjustments under subdivision 4, paragraph (a), or section 124D.52, subdivision
3. The state total adult basic education aid for fiscal year 2008 equals
$40,650,000, plus any amount that is not paid during the previous fiscal year
as a result of adjustments under subdivision 4, paragraph (a), or section
124D.52, subdivision 3. The state total adult basic education aid for later
fiscal years equals:
(1) the state total adult basic education aid for
the preceding fiscal year plus any amount that is not paid for during the
previous fiscal year, as a result of adjustments under subdivision 4, paragraph
(a), or section 124D.52, subdivision 3; times
(2) the lesser of:
(i) 1.03; or
(ii) the greater of 1.00 or the ratio of the state
total contact hours in the first prior program year to the state total contact
hours in the second prior program year.
Beginning in fiscal year 2002, two percent of the
state total adult basic education aid must be set aside for adult basic
education supplemental service grants under section 124D.522.
(b) The state total adult basic education aid,
excluding basic population aid, equals the difference between the amount
computed in paragraph (a), and the state total basic population aid under
subdivision 2.
Sec. 19. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 124D.531,
subdivision 4, is amended to read:
Subd. 4. Adult
basic education program aid limit. (a) Notwithstanding subdivisions 2 and
3, the total adult basic education aid for a program per prior year contact
hour must not exceed $21 $22 per prior year contact hour computed
under subdivision 3, clause (2).
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(b) For fiscal year 2004, the aid for a program under
subdivision 3, clause (2), adjusted for changes in program membership, must not
exceed the aid for that program under subdivision 3, clause (2), for fiscal
year 2003 by more than the greater of eight percent or $10,000.
(c) For fiscal year 2005, the aid for a program
under subdivision 3, clause (2), adjusted for changes in program membership,
must not exceed the sum of the aid for that program under subdivision 3, clause
(2), and Laws 2003, First Special Session chapter 9, article 9, section 8, paragraph
(a), for the preceding fiscal year by more than the greater of eight percent or
$10,000.
(d) For fiscal year years 2006 and later
2007, the aid for a program under subdivision 3, clause (2), adjusted for
changes in program membership, must not exceed the aid for that program under
subdivision 3, clause (2), for the first preceding fiscal year by more than the
greater of eight percent or $10,000.
(e) For fiscal year 2008, the aid for a program
under subdivision 3, clause (2), adjusted for changes in program membership,
shall not be limited.
(f) For fiscal year 2009 and later, the aid for a
program under subdivision 3, clause (2), adjusted for changes in program
membership, must not exceed the aid for that program under subdivision 3,
clause (2), for the first preceding fiscal year by more than the greater of 11
percent or $10,000.
(e) (g) Adult basic education aid is payable to a program
for unreimbursed costs occurring in the program year as defined in section
124D.52, subdivision 3.
(f) (h) Any adult basic education aid that is not paid to a
program because of the program aid limitation under paragraph (a) must be added
to the state total adult basic education aid for the next fiscal year under
subdivision 1. Any adult basic education aid that is not paid to a program
because of the program aid limitations under paragraph (b), (c), or (d), must
be reallocated among programs by adjusting the rate per contact hour under
subdivision 3, clause (2).
Sec. 20. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 124D.55,
is amended to read:
124D.55
GENERAL EDUCATION DEVELOPMENT (GED) TEST FEES.
(a) The commissioner shall pay 60 75 percent
of the fee that is charged to an eligible individual for the full battery of a
general education development (GED) test, but not more than $20 $75 for
an eligible individual.
(b) Notwithstanding paragraph (a), the commissioner
shall pay 100 percent of the initial fee for an eligible individual who is
homeless or precariously housed, as determined by the commissioner.
Sec. 21. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 124D.56,
subdivision 1, is amended to read:
Subdivision 1. Revenue
amount. A district that is eligible according to section 124D.20,
subdivision 2, may receive revenue for a program for adults with disabilities. Revenue
for the program for adults with disabilities for a district or a group of
districts equals the lesser of:
(1) the actual expenditures for approved programs
and budgets; or
(2) $60,000 $75,000.
EFFECTIVE
DATE. This
section is effective for revenue for fiscal year 2008.
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Sec. 22. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 124D.56,
subdivision 2, is amended to read:
Subd. 2. Aid.
Program aid for adults with disabilities equals the lesser of:
(1) one-half of the actual expenditures for approved
programs and budgets; or
(2) $30,000 $37,500.
EFFECTIVE
DATE. This
section is effective for revenue for fiscal year 2008.
Sec. 23. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 124D.56,
subdivision 3, is amended to read:
Subd. 3. Levy.
A district may levy for a program for adults with disabilities an amount up
to the amount designated not to exceed the difference between the
revenue amount calculated in subdivision 1 and the aid amount calculated in
subdivision 2. In the case of a program offered by a group of districts, the
levy amount must be apportioned among the districts according to the agreement
submitted to the department.
EFFECTIVE
DATE. This
section is effective for revenue for fiscal year 2008.
Sec. 24. EARLY
CHILDHOOD COMMUNITY HUB PLANNING AND IMPLEMENTATION GRANTS.
Subdivision 1. Establishment.
(a) A two-year grant program is established to increase children's school
readiness and success using early childhood community hubs. An early childhood
community hub must promote children's school readiness from before birth to
kindergarten by coordinating and improving families' access to:
(1) community early care and education services;
(2) school;
(3) health services; and
(4) other family support services that stabilize,
support, and assist families in meeting their children's health and
developmental needs.
(b) The commissioner of education shall designate at
least four hubs to be established under this section. One hub must be located
in a rural area of the state, one must be in a suburban area, and one must be
in an urban area. The commissioner shall consider other demographic and
cultural factors to ensure that hubs are selected in diverse areas of the
state, and shall ensure that a significant number of participants in each area
are eligible for free or reduced-price lunch.
Subd. 2. Eligibility;
application. (a) An applicant for a grant must be a school district,
a consortium of school districts, or a tribal school interested in collaborating
with community-based early childhood care and education providers to maximize
the services available to eligible families.
(b) An interested applicant must submit a plan to
the commissioner of education, in the form and manner the commissioner determines,
to implement an early childhood community hub that is located in a public
school, a tribal school, or other appropriate community location. An applicant
must include in the plan a community-based assessment of the existing resources
and needs for providing high quality early care and education services, health
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and mental health services,
and other social services that support healthy families and safe neighborhoods.
A district superintendent or a designated representative, or a tribal school
principal or a designated representative, must oversee the community
collaboration.
Subd. 3. Program
components. (a) Grant recipients must:
(1) provide for an ongoing assessment of local
resources and needs for high quality early care and education services, health
and mental health services, and other social services that support safe
neighborhoods and healthy families;
(2) develop and implement, in consultation with an
advisory committee under subdivision 4, a plan to improve the healthy
development and school readiness of children from before birth to kindergarten;
(3) develop collaborative partnerships among school-based
early childhood programs, kindergarten teachers and other school officials,
community-based Head Start and child care programs including licensed centers,
family child care homes, and unlicensed family friend and neighbor caregivers,
early intervention interagency committees, and other appropriate partners that:
(i) use the Minnesota child care resource and
referral network to provide parents with information on quality early care and
education services and financial aid options for their children from birth to
kindergarten;
(ii) provide high quality early care and education
settings for children from birth to kindergarten;
(iii) connect families to health, mental health,
adult basic education, English language learning, family literacy programs, and
other relevant social services; and
(iv) promote shared professional development
activities in early care and education settings that integrate curriculum,
assessment, and instruction and are aligned with kindergarten through grade 12
standards;
(4) provide meaningful kindergarten transition
services for families that begin one school year before a child enters
kindergarten;
(5) develop and implement an evaluation plan to
determine the effectiveness of the collaboration, the level of parent satisfaction,
and children's kindergarten readiness before and after participating in the
program; and
(6) assign an unduplicated MARSS number to each
child participating in the program.
(b) An applicant must agree to contract with a
qualified person to coordinate the hub who, at a minimum, must have:
(1) a bachelor's degree in early childhood
development or a related field;
(2) experience working with low-income families from
diverse cultural communities; and
(3) experience working with state and community school
readiness providers.
(c) An applicant must agree to provide a 15 percent
local match for any grant money it receives, of which five percent may be
in-kind contributions. A grant recipient must use the grant, including the
local match, to supplement but not supplant existing state-funded early
childhood initiatives in the community.
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Subd. 4. Advisory committees. Each early childhood community hub
grantee must have an advisory committee, which may be a preexisting early
childhood committee or a newly formed early childhood advisory committee. A
newly formed early childhood advisory committee must include at least the
following members selected by the school administrator who oversees the
community collaboration:
(1) 30 percent parents;
(2) the school administrator
who oversees the community collaboration;
(3) licensed teachers for
kindergarten through grade 3;
(4) licensed child care
providers that include family child care and center-based providers;
(5) Head Start providers;
(6) early childhood family
education and school readiness providers;
(7) early childhood special
education providers;
(8) a child care resource
and referral agency;
(9) community business
leaders;
(10) an early intervention
interagency committee liaison;
(11) other appropriate
community members serving young children and their families; and
(12) an official from a
county-recognized labor organization that serves as a partner with licensed
family day care providers.
Subd. 5. Evaluation. The commissioner must provide for an
evaluation of this grant program and must recommend to the education policy and
finance committees of the legislature by February 15, 2010, whether or not to
expand the program throughout the state.
EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is
effective July 1, 2007.
Sec. 25. PROVISIONAL QUALITY RATING SYSTEM,
LICENSED CHILD CARE.
For fiscal year 2009 only, a
licensed child care program shall receive a provisional quality rating system
approval if the provider certifies to the Department of Human Services that it
uses curricula and child assessment instruments approved by the Department of
Human Services, provides opportunities for parent involvement and parent
education, proves a program with sufficient intensity and duration to improve
school readiness of participating children, and meets other criteria determined
necessary by the commissioner of human services.
Sec. 26. PROVISIONAL QUALITY RATING SYSTEM,
SCHOOL READINESS.
For fiscal year 2009 only, a
school readiness program shall receive a provisional quality rating system
approval if the provider certifies to the Department of Education that it uses
curricula and child assessment instruments approved by the Department of
Education, provides opportunities for parent involvement and parent education,
proves a program with sufficient intensity and duration to improve school
readiness of participating children, and meets other criteria determined
necessary by the commissioner of education.
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Sec. 27. SCHOLARSHIP DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS.
Subdivision 1. Early childhood allowance. The commissioners of human
services and education shall establish two scholarship demonstration projects
to be conducted in partnership with the Minnesota Early Learning Foundation to
promote children's school readiness. The demonstration projects shall be
designed and evaluated by the Minnesota Early Learning Foundation in
consultation with the legislative advisory group. The programs shall be
conducted in nonurban areas outside the seven-county metropolitan area.
Subd. 2. Family eligibility. Parents or legal guardians with
incomes less than or equal to 185 percent of the federal poverty guidelines are
eligible to receive allowances to pay for their children's education in a
quality early education program, in an amount not to exceed $4,000 per child
per year. The allowance must be used during the 12 months following receipt of
the allowance by the claimant for a child who is age 3 or 4 on August 31, to
pay for services designed to promote school readiness in a quality early
education setting. A quality program is one that meets the standards in
subdivision 3.
Subd. 3. Quality standards. (a) A quality early care and education
setting is any service or program that receives a quality rating from the
Department of Human Services under the Minnesota Early Learning Foundation
quality rating system administered by the Department of Human Services and
agrees to accept a prekindergarten education allowance to pay for services. For
fiscal year 2008 and 2009 only, a provider may satisfy the quality rating
system requirements and be deemed eligible to participate in this program if
the provider has received a provisional quality rating system approval from
either the Department of Human Services or the Department of Education.
(b) For the purposes of
receiving a provisional quality rating, a child care program or provider must
be approved by the commissioner of human services and a school readiness
program or a Head Start program must be approved by the commissioner of
education. Programs and providers must apply for approval in the form and
manner prescribed by the commissioners. To receive approval, the commissioners
must determine that applicants:
(1) use research-based
curricula that are aligned with the education standards under Minnesota
Statutes, section 120B.021, instruction, and child assessment instruments
approved by the Department of Education and the Department of Human Services,
in consultation with the Minnesota Early Learning Foundation;
(2) provide a program of
sufficient intensity and duration to improve the school readiness of participating
children;
(3) provide opportunities
for parent involvement; and
(4) meet other
research-based criteria determined necessary by the commissioners.
(c) For 2008 and 2009,
notwithstanding paragraph (b), Head Start programs meeting Head Start
performance standards and accredited child care centers are granted a
provisional quality rating for the purposes of receiving a prekindergarten
education allowance under this statute.
(d) A provider deemed
eligible to receive a prekindergarten education allowance under paragraphs (a)
to (c) may use the allowance to enhance services above the current quality
levels, increase the duration of services provided, or expand the number of
children to whom services are provided.
(e) For fiscal years 2008 and 2009 only, when no
quality program is available, a recipient may direct the prekindergarten
education allowance to a provider or program for school readiness quality
improvements that will make the provider or program eligible for a quality
rating according to the quality rating system. Allowable expenditures that will
increase the capacity of the provider or program to help children be ready for
school include
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purchase of curricula and
assessment tools, training on the use of curriculum and assessment tools,
purchase of materials to improve the learning environment, or other
expenditures approved by the commissioner of human services for child care
providers and the commissioner of education for school readiness programs.
Subd. 4. Eligibility;
applications. The Department of Human Services and Department of
Education shall, in cooperation with the Minnesota Early Learning Foundation,
develop an application process for eligible families. Eligible families must
have incomes less than or equal to 185 percent of the federal poverty
guidelines. Allowances paid to families under this program may not be counted
as earned income for the purposes of medical assistance, MinnesotaCare, MFIP,
child care assistance, or Head Start programs.
Subd. 5. Expenditures.
This program shall operate during fiscal years 2008 and 2009.
EFFECTIVE
DATE. This
section is effective the day following final enactment and its provisions
sunset on January 1, 2012.
Sec. 28. GRANT
PROGRAM TO PROMOTE THE HEALTHY DEVELOPMENT OF CHILDREN AND YOUTH WITHIN THEIR
COMMUNITIES.
(a) The commissioner of education must contract with
the Search Institute to help local communities develop, expand, and maintain
the tools, training, and resources needed to foster positive child and youth
development and effectively engage young people in their communities. The
Search Institute must educate individuals and community-based organizations to
adequately understand and meet the development needs of their children and
youth, use best practices to promote the healthy development of children and
youth, share best program practices with other interested communities, and
create electronic and other opportunities for communities to share experiences
in and resources for promoting the healthy development of children and youth.
(b) The commissioner of education must provide for
an evaluation of the effectiveness of this program and must recommend to the
education policy and finance committees of the legislature by February 15,
2010, whether or not to make the program available statewide. The Search
Institute annually must report to the commissioner of education on the services
it provided and the grant money it expended under this section.
EFFECTIVE
DATE. This
section is effective the day following final enactment.
Sec. 29. APPROPRIATION.
Subdivision 1. Department
of Education. The sums indicated in this section are appropriated from
the general fund to the Department of Education for the fiscal years
designated.
Subd. 2. Early
childhood family education aid. For early childhood family education
aid under Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.135:
$21,106,000 . . . . . 2008
$21,888,000 . . . . . 2009
The 2008 appropriation includes $1,796,000 for 2007
and $19,310,000 for 2008.
The 2009 appropriation includes $2,145,000 for 2008
and $19,743,000 for 2009.
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Subd. 3. Targeted
training of early childhood professionals. For the targeted training
of early childhood professionals under Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.163:
$155,000 . . . . . 2008
$70,000 . . . . . 2009
Any balance in the first year does not cancel but is
available in the second year. The base for this program in fiscal year 2010 and
later is $70,000.
Subd. 4. Early
childhood community hub planning and implementation grants. For
planning and implementation grants under section 24:
$1,000,000 . . . . . 2008
$1,000,000 . . . . . 2009
This is a onetime appropriation.
Subd. 5. Early
childhood scholarships. For early childhood scholarships under
section 15:
$392,000 . . . . . 2008
$2,108,000 . . . . . 2009
This is a onetime appropriation.
Subd. 6. School
readiness. For revenue for school readiness programs under Minnesota
Statutes, sections 124D.15 and 124D.16:
$9,995,000 . . . . . 2008
$10,095,000 . . . . . 2009
The 2008 appropriation includes $909,000 for 2007
and $9,086,000 for 2008.
The 2009 appropriation includes $1,009,000 for 2008
and $9,086,000 for 2009.
Subd. 7. State
Advisory Board on School Readiness. For the State Advisory Board on
School Readiness under section 11:
$46,000 . . . . . 2008
$40,000 . . . . . 2009
The base for this program is $40,000 per year for
fiscal year 2010 and later.
Subd. 8. Lifetrack
Resources. For a contract with Lifetrack Resources to provide a
program in Ramsey County to expand school readiness and home visiting services
for children from birth to kindergarten who are at risk of or have been
diagnosed with mental illness or developmental delays due to fetal alcohol or
drug exposure, child neglect, or abuse, and their families in order to ensure
the children's school readiness:
$500,000 . . . . . 2008
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$500,000 . . . . . 2009
This is a onetime appropriation.
Subd. 9. Minnesota
Learning Resource Center. For a grant to A Chance to Grow/New
Visions for the Minnesota Learning Resource Center's comprehensive training
program for education professionals charged with helping children acquire
learning readiness skills:
$75,000 . . . . . 2008
$75,000 . . . . . 2009
Any balance in the first year does not cancel but is
available in the second year.
The Minnesota Learning Resource Center shall issue a
report by January 15, 2009, to the committees of the house of representatives
and senate responsible for early childhood programs. The report shall describe
the conduct of the training provided to the A Chance to Grow/New Visions
program, and any findings or lessons learned that might prove useful to the
training of education professionals or the improvement of learning readiness
services for children from such training.
This is a onetime appropriation.
Subd. 10. Health
and developmental screening aid. For health and developmental
screening aid under Minnesota Statutes, sections 121A.17 and 121A.19:
$3,159,000 . . . . . 2008
$3,330,000 . . . . . 2009
The 2008 appropriation includes $288,000 for 2007
and $2,871,000 for 2008.
The 2009 appropriation includes $319,000 for 2008
and $3,011,000 for 2009.
Subd. 11. Educate
parents partnership. For the educate parents partnership under
Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.129:
$50,000 . . . . . 2008
$50,000 . . . . . 2009
Subd. 12. Kindergarten
entrance assessment initiative and intervention program. For the
kindergarten entrance assessment initiative and intervention program under
Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.162:
$584,000 . . . . . 2008
$776,000 . . . . . 2009
Subd. 13. Head
Start programs. For Head Start programs under Minnesota Statutes,
section 119A.52:
$20,100,000 . . . . . 2008
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$20,100,000 . . . . . 2009
Of these amounts, up to 10 percent of the funds
allocated to local Head Start programs annually may be used for innovative services
designed either to target Head Start resources to particular at-risk groups of
children or to provide services in addition to those currently allowable under
federal Head Start regulations. Head Start programs must submit a plan for
innovative services as part of the application process described under
Minnesota Statutes, section 119A.535.
Subd. 14. Community
education aid. For community education aid under Minnesota Statutes,
section 124D.20:
$1,307,000 . . . . . 2008
$816,000 . . . . . 2009
The 2008 appropriation includes $195,000 for 2007
and $1,112,000 for 2008.
The 2009 appropriation includes $123,000 for 2008
and $693,000 for 2009.
Subd. 15. Adults
with disabilities program aid. For adults with disabilities programs
under Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.56:
$881,000 . . . . . 2008
$900,000 . . . . . 2009
The 2008 appropriation includes $71,000 for 2007 and
$810,000 for 2008.
The 2009 appropriation includes $90,000 for 2008 and
$810,000 for 2009.
School districts operating existing adults with
disabilities programs that are not fully funded shall receive full funding for
the program beginning in fiscal year 2008 before the commissioner awards grants
to other districts.
Subd. 16. Hearing-impaired
adults. For programs for hearing-impaired adults under Minnesota
Statutes, section 124D.57:
$70,000 . . . . . 2008
$70,000 . . . . . 2009
Subd. 17. School-age
care revenue. For extended day aid under Minnesota Statutes, section
124D.22:
$1,000 . . . . . 2008
$1,000 . . . . . 2009
The 2008 appropriation includes $0 for 2007 and
$1,000 for 2008.
The 2009 appropriation includes $0 for 2008 and
$1,000 for 2009.
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Subd. 18. After-school
community learning grants. For after-school community learning
grants:
$2,775,000 . . . . . 2008
$2,600,000 . . . . . 2009
The commissioner may hire one full-time equivalent staff
person to administer the statewide after-school community learning grant
program.
The Department of Education shall give strong
consideration to an application for a grant under this subdivision by
Independent School District No. 625, St. Paul, on behalf of the city of St.
Paul to increase the number and quality of after school and school release time
activities for children within the school district. A grant provided under this
subdivision to Independent School District No. 625, St. Paul, in partnership
with the city of St. Paul must improve opportunities for learning provided by
the district and by nonprofit programs serving youth, and for staff development
for library and park and recreation workers who have frequent contact with
children.
This is a onetime appropriation.
Subd. 19. Children
and youth healthy development grant. For children and youth healthy
development grant under section 28:
$250,000 . . . . . 2008
$250,000 . . . . . 2009
This is a onetime appropriation.
Subd. 20. Adult basic
education aid. For adult basic education aid under Minnesota
Statutes, section 124D.531:
$40,347,000 . . . . . 2008
$41,745,000 . . . . . 2009
The 2008 appropriation includes $3,759,000 for 2007
and $36,588,000 for 2008.
The 2009 appropriation includes $4,065,000 for 2008
and $37,680,000 for 2009.
Subd. 21. GED test
fees. For GED test fees under Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.55:
$300,000 . . . . . 2008
$200,000 . . . . . 2009
$100,000 in fiscal year 2008 is for GED test fees for
homeless persons.
Any balance in the first year does not cancel but is
available in the second year.
Subd. 22. Adult
literacy grants for recent immigrants. For adult literacy grants for
recent immigrants to Minnesota under Laws 2006, chapter 282, article 2, section
26:
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$1,250,000 . . . . . 2008
Subd. 23. Minnesota Early Learning Foundation. For a grant to the
Minnesota Early Learning Foundation for the scholarship demonstration projects
in section 27:
$1,250,000 . . . . . 2008
$1,250,000 . . . . . 2009
Any balance in the first
year does not cancel but is available in the second year.
This is a onetime
appropriation.
Sec. 30. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH.
$100,000 in fiscal year 2008
and $100,000 in fiscal year 2009 are appropriated from the general fund to the
commissioner of health for lead hazard reduction.
Sec. 31. REPEALER.
Minnesota Statutes 2006,
section 124D.531, subdivision 5, is repealed."
Delete the title and insert:
"A bill for an act relating to education;
providing for early childhood, family, adult, and prekindergarten through grade
12 education including general education, education excellence, special
programs, facilities and technology, nutrition and accounting, libraries, state
agencies, forecast adjustments, technical and conforming amendments, pupil
transportation standards, and early childhood and adult programs; providing for
task force and advisory groups; requiring school districts to give employees
who are veterans the option to take personal leave on Veteran's Day and
encouraging private employers to give employees who are veterans a day off with
pay on Veteran's Day; requiring reports; authorizing rulemaking; funding
parenting time centers; funding lead hazard reduction; appropriating money;
amending Minnesota Statutes 2006, sections 13.32, by adding a subdivision;
16A.152, subdivision 2; 119A.50, by adding a subdivision; 119A.52; 119A.535;
120A.22, subdivision 7; 120B.021, subdivision 1; 120B.023, subdivision 2;
120B.024; 120B.11, subdivision 5; 120B.132; 120B.15; 120B.30; 120B.31,
subdivision 3; 120B.36, subdivision 1; 121A.22, subdivisions 1, 3, 4; 122A.16;
122A.18, by adding a subdivision; 122A.414, subdivisions 1, 2; 122A.415,
subdivision 1; 122A.60, subdivision 3; 122A.61, subdivision 1; 122A.628,
subdivision 2; 122A.72, subdivision 5; 123A.73, subdivision 8; 123B.03,
subdivision 3, by adding a subdivision; 123B.10, subdivision 1, by adding a
subdivision; 123B.143, subdivision 1; 123B.37, subdivision 1; 123B.53,
subdivisions 1, 4, 5; 123B.54; 123B.57, subdivision 3; 123B.63, subdivision 3;
123B.77, subdivision 4; 123B.79, subdivisions 6, 8, by adding a subdivision;
123B.81, subdivisions 2, 4, 7; 123B.83, subdivision 2; 123B.88, subdivision 12;
123B.90, subdivision 2; 123B.92, subdivisions 1, 3, 5; 124D.095, subdivisions
2, 3, 4, 7; 124D.10, subdivisions 4, 23a, 24; 124D.11, subdivision 1; 124D.111,
subdivision 1; 124D.128, subdivisions 1, 2, 3; 124D.13, subdivisions 1, 2, 11, by
adding a subdivision; 124D.135, subdivisions 1, 3, 5; 124D.16, subdivision 2;
124D.175; 124D.34, subdivision 7; 124D.4531; 124D.454, subdivisions 2, 3;
124D.531, subdivisions 1, 4; 124D.55; 124D.56, subdivisions 1, 2, 3; 124D.59,
subdivision 2; 124D.65, subdivisions 5, 11; 124D.84, subdivision 1; 125A.11,
subdivision 1; 125A.13; 125A.14; 125A.39; 125A.42; 125A.44; 125A.45; 125A.63,
by adding a subdivision; 125A.75, subdivisions 1, 4; 125A.76, subdivisions 1,
2, 4, 5, by adding a subdivision; 125A.79, subdivisions 5, 6, 8; 125B.15;
126C.01, subdivision 9, by adding subdivisions; 126C.05, subdivisions 1, 8, 15;
126C.10, subdivisions 1, 2, 2a, 2b, 4, 13a, 18, 24, 34, by adding a
subdivision; 126C.126; 126C.13, subdivision 4; 126C.15, subdivision 2; 126C.17,
subdivisions 6, 9; 126C.21, subdivisions 3, 5; 126C.41, by adding a
subdivision; 126C.44; 126C.48, subdivisions 2, 7; 127A.441; 127A.47,
subdivisions 7, 8; 127A.48, by adding a subdivision; 127A.49, subdivisions 2,
3; 128D.11, subdivision 3; 134.31, by adding a subdivision; 134.34, subdivision
4; 134.355, subdivision 9;
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169.01, subdivision 6, by
adding a subdivision; 169.443, by adding a subdivision; 169.447, subdivision 2;
169.4501, subdivisions 1, 2; 169.4502, subdivision 5; 169.4503, subdivisions
13, 20; 171.02, subdivisions 2, 2a; 171.321, subdivision 4; 205A.03,
subdivision 1; 205A.06, subdivision 1a; 272.029, by adding a subdivision;
273.11, subdivision 1a; 273.1393; 275.065, subdivisions 1, 1a, 3; 275.07,
subdivision 2; 275.08, subdivision 1b; 276.04, subdivision 2; 517.08,
subdivision 1c; Laws 2005, First Special Session chapter 5, article 1, sections
50, subdivision 2; 54, subdivisions 2, as amended, 4, 5, as amended, 6, as
amended, 7, as amended, 8, as amended; article 2, sections 81, as amended; 84,
subdivisions 2, as amended, 3, as amended, 4, as amended, 6, as amended, 10, as
amended; article 3, section 18, subdivisions 2, as amended, 3, as amended, 4,
as amended, 6, as amended; article 4, section 25, subdivisions 2, as amended,
3, as amended; article 5, section 17, subdivision 3, as amended; article 7,
section 20, subdivisions 2, as amended, 3, as amended, 4, as amended; article
8, section 8, subdivisions 2, as amended, 5, as amended; article 9, section 4,
subdivision 2; Laws 2006, chapter 263, article 3, section 15; Laws 2006,
chapter 282, article 2, section 28, subdivision 4; article 3, section 4,
subdivision 2; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapters
119A; 121A; 122A; 123B; 124D; 135A; repealing Minnesota Statutes 2006, sections
121A.23; 123A.22, subdivision 11; 123B.81, subdivision 8; 124D.06; 124D.081,
subdivisions 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9; 124D.454, subdivisions 4, 5, 6, 7; 124D.531,
subdivision 5; 124D.62; 125A.10; 125A.75, subdivision 6; 125A.76, subdivision
3; 169.4502, subdivision 15; 169.4503, subdivisions 17, 18, 26."
With the recommendation that when so amended the
bill pass and be re-referred to the Committee on Taxes.
The report was adopted.
Lenczewski from the
Committee on Taxes to which was referred:
H. F. No. 829, A bill for an
act relating to relating to state government; appropriating money for public
safety and corrections initiatives, courts, public defenders, tax court,
Uniform Laws Commission and Board on Judicial Standards; providing certain
general criminal and sentencing provisions; regulating DWI and driving
provisions; modifying or establishing various provisions relating to public
safety; regulating corrections, the courts, and emergency communications;
regulating scrap metal dealers; modifying certain law enforcement, insurance,
and public defense provisions; establishing reduced ignition propensity
standards for cigarettes; providing conditional repeals of certain laws;
providing penalties; amending Minnesota Statutes 2006, sections 2.722,
subdivision 1; 3.732, subdivision 1; 3.736, subdivision 1; 13.87, subdivision
1; 15A.083, subdivision 4; 16A.72; 16B.181, subdivision 2; 16C.23, subdivision
2; 169A.275, by adding a subdivision; 169A.51, subdivision 7; 171.12, by adding
a subdivision; 171.55; 241.016, subdivision 1; 241.018; 241.27, subdivisions 1,
2, 3, 4; 241.278; 241.69, subdivisions 3, 4; 243.167, subdivision 1; 244.05, by
adding a subdivision; 260C.193, subdivision 6; 270A.03, subdivision 5;
299A.641, subdivision 2; 299C.65, subdivisions 2, 5; 302A.781, by adding a
subdivision; 325E.21; 352D.02, subdivision 1; 363A.06, subdivision 1; 383A.08,
subdivisions 6, 7; 401.15, subdivision 1; 403.07, subdivision 4; 403.11,
subdivision 1, by adding subdivisions; 403.31, subdivision 1; 484.54,
subdivision 2; 484.83; 504B.361, subdivision 1; 518.165, subdivisions 1, 2;
518A.35, subdivision 3; 518B.01, subdivisions 6a, 22; 549.09, subdivision 1;
563.01, by adding a subdivision; 590.05; 595.02, subdivision 1; 609.02,
subdivision 16; 609.135, subdivision 8, by adding a subdivision; 609.21,
subdivisions 1, 4a, 5, by adding subdivisions; 609.341, subdivision 11;
609.344, subdivision 1; 609.345, subdivision 1; 609.3451, subdivision 3;
609.3455, subdivision 4, by adding a subdivision; 609.352; 609.505, subdivision
2; 609.535, subdivision 2a; 609.581, by adding subdivisions; 609.582,
subdivision 2; 609.595, subdivisions 1, 2; 609.748, subdivisions 1, 5; 611.14;
611.20, subdivision 6; 611.215, subdivisions 1, 1a; 611.23; 611.24; 611.25,
subdivision 1; 611.26, subdivisions 2, 7; 611.27, subdivisions 3, 13, 15;
611.35; 611A.036, subdivisions 2, 7; 611A.675, subdivisions 1, 2, 3, 4, by
adding a subdivision; 634.15, subdivisions 1, 2; 641.05; 641.15, by adding a
subdivision; 641.265, subdivision 2; Laws 2001, First Special Session chapter
8, article 4, section 4; Laws 2003, First Special Session chapter 2, article 1,
section 2; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapters 72A;
171; 241; 299A; 299F; 357; 484; 504B; 540; 604; 609; 611A; repealing Minnesota
Statutes 2006, sections 169.796, subdivision 3; 241.021, subdivision 5; 241.85,
subdivision 2; 260B.173; 403.31, subdivision 6; 480.175, subdivision 3; 609.21,
subdivisions 2, 2a, 2b, 3, 4; 609.805; 611.20, subdivision 5; Laws 2005, First
Special Session chapter 6, article 3, section 91.
Journal of the House - 46th
Day - Thursday, April 12, 2007 - Top of Page 2954
Reported the same back with
the following amendments:
Page 118, delete subdivision
6 and insert:
"Subd. 6. Criminal penalty. A scrap
metal dealer, or the agent, employee, or representative of the dealer, who
intentionally violates a provision of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor."
Renumber the subdivisions in
sequence and correct the internal references
With the recommendation that
when so amended the bill pass and be re-referred to the Committee on Ways and
Means.
The report was adopted.
Lenczewski
from the Committee on Taxes to which was referred:
H. F.
No. 2227, A bill for an act relating to appropriations; appropriating money for
agriculture and veterans affairs; modifying disposition of certain revenue and
funds; modifying certain grant and loan requirements; modifying use of
Minnesota grown label; modifying and creating certain funds and accounts;
eliminating the aquatic pest control license; modifying permit and safeguard
requirements; modifying and establishing certain fees and surcharges; creating
a food safety and defense task force; requiring certain studies and reports;
providing for NextGen energy; changing certain provisions related to veterans;
amending Minnesota Statutes 2006, sections 3.737, subdivision 1; 3.7371,
subdivision 3; 17.03, subdivision 3; 17.101, subdivision 2; 17.102,
subdivisions 1, 3, 4, by adding subdivisions; 17.117, subdivisions 1, 4, 5a,
5b, 11; 17.983, subdivision 1; 17B.03, by adding a subdivision; 18B.065,
subdivisions 1, 2a; 18B.26, subdivision 3; 18B.33, subdivision 1; 18B.34,
subdivision 1; 18B.345; 18C.305, by adding a subdivision; 18E.02, subdivision
5, by adding a subdivision; 18E.03, subdivision 4; 25.341, subdivision 1;
28A.04, subdivision 1; 28A.06; 28A.082, subdivision 1; 32.21, subdivision 4;
32.212; 32.394, subdivision 4; 32.415; 41B.03, subdivision 1; 41B.043,
subdivisions 2, 3, 4; 41B.046, subdivision 4; 41B.047; 41B.055; 41B.06; 41C.05,
subdivision 2; 116.0714; 156.001, by adding subdivisions; 156.12, subdivision
1; 197.75; 198.002, subdivision 2; 198.004, subdivision 1; 239.7911,
subdivision 1; 343.10; 469.310, by adding a subdivision; proposing coding for
new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapters 18C; 28A; 35; 38; 41A; 192; 197; 469;
repealing Minnesota Statutes 2006, sections 17.109; 18B.315; 18C.425, subdivision
5; 32.213; 35.08; 35.09; 35.10; 35.11; 35.12; 41B.043, subdivision 1a; 156.075;
Laws 2006, chapter 258, section 14, subdivision 6; Minnesota Rules, parts
1705.0840; 1705.0850; 1705.0860; 1705.0870; 1705.0880; 1705.0890; 1705.0900;
1705.0910; 1705.0920; 1705.0930; 1705.0940; 1705.0950; 1705.0960; 1705.0970;
1705.0980; 1705.0990; 1705.1000; 1705.1010; 1705.1020; 1705.1030; 1705.1040;
1705.1050; 1705.1060; 1705.1070; 1705.1080; 1705.1086; 1705.1087; 1705.1088.
Reported
the same back with the following amendments:
Page
49, delete section 58
Page
50, delete section 59
Renumber
the sections in sequence and correct the internal references
Correct
the title numbers accordingly
With
the recommendation that when so amended the bill pass and be re-referred to the
Committee on Ways and Means.
The report was adopted.
Journal of the House - 46th
Day - Thursday, April 12, 2007 - Top of Page 2955
Carlson
from the Committee on Finance to which was referred:
S. F. No.
1997, A bill for an act relating to government operations; appropriating money
for the general legislative and administrative expenses of state government;
raising fees; regulating state and local government operations; modifying
provisions related to public employment; providing for automatic voter
registration; abolishing the Department of Employee Relations; amending
Minnesota Statutes 2006, sections 4.035, subdivision 3; 5.12, subdivision 1;
15.06, subdivisions 2, 8; 15B.17, subdivision 1; 16A.1286, subdivision 2;
16B.03; 16C.08, subdivision 2; 43A.02, by adding a subdivision; 43A.03,
subdivision 3; 43A.08, subdivisions 1, 2a; 43A.24, subdivision 1; 43A.346,
subdivision 1; 45.013; 84.01, subdivision 3; 116.03, subdivision 1; 116J.01,
subdivision 5; 116J.035, subdivision 4; 174.02, subdivision 2; 201.12; 201.13,
subdivision 3; 201.161; 241.01, subdivision 2; 270B.14, by adding a
subdivision; 302A.821, subdivision 4; 321.0206; 336.1-110; 336.9-525; 471.61,
subdivision 1a; 517.08, subdivisions 1b, 1c; Laws 2005, First Special Session
chapter 1, article 4, section 121; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota
Statutes, chapters 5; 13; 16B; 16C; repealing Minnesota Statutes 2006, sections
43A.03, subdivision 4; 43A.08, subdivision 1b; Laws 2006, chapter 253, section
22.
Reported
the same back with the following amendments:
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 "2008" and "2009" used in
this article mean that the appropriations listed under them are available for
the fiscal year ending June 30, 2008, or June 30, 2009, respectively. "The
first year" is fiscal year 2008. "The second year" is fiscal
year 2009. "The biennium" is fiscal years 2008 and 2009.
APPROPRIATIONS
Available for the Year
Ending June 30
2008 2009
Sec. 2. LEGISLATURE
Subdivision 1. Total
Appropriation $68,671,000 $69,043,000
Appropriations by Fund
2008 2009
General 68,493,000 68,865,000
Health Care Access 178,000 178,000
Journal of the House - 46th
Day - Thursday, April 12, 2007 - Top of Page 2956
APPROPRIATIONS
Available for the Year
Ending June 30
2008 2009
The amounts that may be spent
for each purpose are specified in the following subdivisions.
Subd. 2. Senate
22,158,000 21,677,000
Subd. 3. House
of Representatives 30,586,000 31,746,000
During the biennium ending
June 30, 2009, any revenues received by the house of representatives from
sponsorship notices in broadcast or print media are appropriated to the house
of representatives.
Subd. 4. Legislative
Coordinating Commission 15,927,000 15,620,000
Appropriations by Fund
General 15,749,000 15,442,000
Health Care Access 178,000 178,000
$600,000 the first year and
$600,000 the second year are for public information television, Internet,
Intranet, and other transmission of legislative activities. At least one-half
of those amounts must go for programming to be broadcast and transmitted to
rural Minnesota.
$5,624,000 the first year
and $5,469,000 the second year are for the Office of the Revisor of Statutes.
$1,257,000 the first year
and $1,254,000 the second year are for the Legislative Reference Library.
$5,594,000 the first year
and $5,595,000 the second year are for the Office of the Legislative Auditor.
All legislative offices
should, whenever possible, implement information technology systems that are
compatible and work seamlessly across the legislature. Wherever possible,
single systems should be implemented to avoid unnecessary duplication and
inefficiency. The directors of information technology for the senate, house of
representatives, and the Legislative Coordinating Commission must submit a written
report describing their efforts to collaborate on implementing shared
information technology systems. The report must be submitted to the chairs of
the house of representatives and senate committees with jurisdiction over rules
and to the Legislative Coordinating Commission on January 15, 2008, and
January 15, 2009.
Journal of the House - 46th
Day - Thursday, April 12, 2007 - Top of Page 2957
APPROPRIATIONS
Available for the Year
Ending June 30
2008 2009
Sec. 3. GOVERNOR AND
LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR $3,647,000 $3,712,000
(a) This appropriation is to fund the Office of the
Governor and Lieutenant Governor.
$19,000 the first year and $19,000 the second year
are for necessary expenses in the normal performance of the governor's and
lieutenant governor's duties for which no other reimbursement is provided.
(b) By September 1 of each year, the commissioner of
finance shall report to the chairs of the senate Governmental Operations Budget
Division and the house State Government Finance Division any personnel costs
incurred by the Office 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 of the divisions before
initiating any interagency agreements.
Sec. 4. STATE AUDITOR
$9,234,000 $9,220,000
Sec. 5. ATTORNEY
GENERAL $26,628,000 $26,633,000
Appropriations by Fund
2008 2009
General 24,514,00 24,514,000
State Government
Special Revenue 1,719,000 1,724,000
Environmental 145,000 145,000
Remediation 250,000 250,000
Sec. 6. SECRETARY OF
STATE $9,677,000 $6,747,000
Appropriations by Fund
2008 2009
General 6,833,000 6,747,000
State Government
Special Revenue 2,844,000
Journal of the House - 46th
Day - Thursday, April 12, 2007 - Top of Page 2958
APPROPRIATIONS
Available for the Year
Ending June 30
2008 2009
$310,000 of this appropriation must be transferred
to the Help America Vote Act account and is designated as a portion of the
match required by section 253(b)(5) of the Help America Vote Act.
$2,844,000 the first year is appropriated from the
Help America Vote Act account for the purposes and uses authorized by federal
law. This appropriation is available until June 30, 2009.
Notwithstanding Laws 2005, chapter 162, section 34,
subdivision 7, any balance remaining in the Help America Vote Act account after
previous appropriations and the appropriations in this section is appropriated
to the secretary of state for the purposes of the account. This appropriation
is available until June 30, 2011.
$250,000 the first year is for a grant to Kids
Voting Minnesota, to educate children about voting and the democratic process.
This appropriation is available until spent.
Sec. 7. CAMPAIGN
FINANCE AND PUBLIC DISCLOSURE BOARD $708,000 $722,000
Sec. 8. INVESTMENT
BOARD $151,000 $151,000
Sec. 9. OFFICE OF
ENTERPRISE TECHNOLOGY $17,969,000 $5,287,000
(a) $2,000,000 the first year is for the first phase
of an electronic licensing system. This is a onetime appropriation. This
appropriation carries forward to the second year.
(b) $10,000,000 the first year is for information
technology security.
(c) $500,000 the first year and $500,000 the second
year are for oversight and analysis of state technology investments.
(d) $1,456,000 the first year and $1,000,000 the
second year are for small agency technology infrastructure. During the first
biennium, these amounts are intended to include hardware and software
improvements for the Asian-Pacific Council, the Capitol Area Architectural and
Planning Board, the Minnesota Library for the Blind, the Minnesota State
Academies, and the Ombudsman for Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities.
Ongoing funding for improvements made during fiscal years 2008 and 2009 may be
added to the base funding for those agencies in fiscal years 2010 and 2011.
Journal of the House - 46th
Day - Thursday, April 12, 2007 - Top of Page 2959
APPROPRIATIONS
Available for the Year
Ending June 30
2008 2009
(e) $68,000 is for an
electronic documents study and report.
(f) $200,000 is for grants to
be distributed to the counties participating in the development of the
integrated financial system for enhancements to the system. Enhancements
include:
(1) systems to improve the
tracking and reporting of state and federal grants;
(2) electronic payments to
vendors;
(3) electronic posting of
state payments to the financial system;
(4) automating revenue
collection and posting through check conversion, automatic clearing house
transactions, or credit card processing;
(5) improvements to county
budgetary systems;
(6) storage or linkage of
electronic documents;
(7) improved executive level
reporting and extraction of data; and
(8) improved information and
reporting for audits.
The grant funds shall be distributed
on a pro rata basis to each of the counties participating in the development of
the integrated financial system. The Minnesota Counties Computer Cooperative,
acting as a fiscal agent for the participating counties, shall receive the
grant money for the counties. The grants will only be distributed after
$600,000 is expended or provided from other sources. The chief information
officer may require a report or such other information as the chief information
officer deems appropriate to verify that the requirements of this section have
been met. This appropriation is available until June 30, 2011, and cancels on
that date.
Sec. 10. ADMINISTRATIVE
HEARINGS $8,087,000 $7,801,000
Appropriations by Fund
2008 2009
General 281,000 285,000
Workers'
Compensation 7,806,000 7,516,000
$266,000 each year is for
two workers' compensation judges, to be located in Duluth.
Journal of the House - 46th
Day - Thursday, April 12, 2007 - Top of Page 2960
APPROPRIATIONS
Available for the Year
Ending June 30
2008 2009
Sec. 11. ADMINISTRATION
Subdivision 1. Total
Appropriation $27,990,000 $23,385,000
The amounts that may be
spent for each purpose are specified in the following subdivisions.
Subd. 2. State
Facilities Services 14,746,000 11,458,000
(a) $7,888,000 the first
year and $7,888,000 the second year are for office space costs of the
legislature and veterans organizations, for ceremonial space, and for
statutorily free space.
(b) $2,500,000 the first
year is to purchase and implement a Web-enabled, shared computer system to
facilitate the state's real property portfolio management.
(c) $250,000 the first year
and $250,000 the second year are for the energy conservation recommissioning
activities in state buildings.
Subd. 3. State
and Community Services 3,420,000 3,583,000
(a) $60,000 the first year
and $240,000 the second year are to fund activities to prepare for and promote
the 2010 census. Base funding for this activity is $260,000 in fiscal year 2010
and $180,000 in fiscal year 2011.
(b) $1,100,000 the first
year and $1,100,000 the second year are for the Land Management Information
Center.
(c) $196,000 the first year
and $196,000 the second year are for the Office of the State Archaeologist.
Subd. 4. Administrative
Management Services 6,121,000 5,241,000
(a) $125,000 the first year
is to create an Office of Grants Management to standardize state grants
management policies and procedures. For the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2008,
the commissioner must deduct from state grants subject to nongovernmental
entities up to $125,000, as necessary to fund the commissioner's duties under
new Minnesota Statutes, sections 16B.97 and 16B.98. The amount deducted from
appropriations for these grants is transferred to the commissioner for purposes
of administering those sections.
Journal of the House - 46th
Day - Thursday, April 12, 2007 - Top of Page 2961
APPROPRIATIONS
Available for the Year
Ending June 30
2008 2009
(b) $285,000 the first year is
to fund a pilot project to reduce state expenditures on professional/technical
contracts.
(c) $250,000 the first year
and $250,000 the second year are to establish a small agency resource team to
consolidate and streamline the human resources and financial management
activities for small state agencies, boards, and councils.
(d) $425,000 the first year
is a onetime appropriation for a targeted group business disparity study. The
commissioner must cooperate with units of local government conducting similar
studies.
(e) $74,000 the first year
and $74,000 the second year are for the Council on Developmental Disabilities.
(f) $53,000 the first year
and $36,000 the second year are for the genetic information work group and
report.
(g) $250,000 in fiscal year
2008 and $250,000 in fiscal year 2009 are for a grant to the Council on
Developmental Disabilities for the purpose of establishing a statewide
self-advocacy network for persons with intellectual and developmental
disabilities (ID/DD). The self-advocacy network shall:
(1) ensure that persons with
ID/DD are informed of their rights in employment, housing, transportation,
voting, government policy, and other issues pertinent to the ID/DD community;
(2) provide public education
and awareness of the civil and human rights issues persons with ID/DD face;
(3) provide funds, technical
assistance, and other resources for self-advocacy groups across the state; and
(4) organize systems of
communications to facilitate an exchange of information between self-advocacy
groups.
This appropriation is in
addition to any other appropriations and must be added to the base
appropriation beginning in fiscal year 2010.
(h) $75,000 is for purposes
of promotion of document imaging work in government agencies to be done by persons
with developmental disabilities.
Journal of the House - 46th
Day - Thursday, April 12, 2007 - Top of Page 2962
APPROPRIATIONS
Available for the Year
Ending June 30
2008 2009
Subd. 5. Fiscal
Agent 600,000
(a) $100,000 the first year is for the sustainable
growth working group.
(b) $500,000 is for a grant to Washington County for
capital improvements detailed in the approved planned unit development for the
Disabled Veteran's Rest Camp to provide increased capacity, amenities, access,
and safety for Minnesota veterans.
Subd. 6. Public
broadcasting $3,103,000 $3,103,000
(a) $1,613,000 the first year and $1,613,000 the
second year are for matching grants for public television. The base budget for
matching grants shall be $1,161,000 in fiscal year 2010 and $1,161,000 in
fiscal year 2011.
(b) $398,000 the first year and $398,000 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. The base budget for public television
equipment grants shall be $200,000 in fiscal year 2010 and $200,000 in fiscal
year 2011.
(c) $17,000 the first year and $17,000 the second
year are for grants to the Twin Cities regional cable channel.
(d) $350,000 in fiscal year 2008 and $350,000 in
fiscal year 2009 are for community service grants to public educational radio
stations. The base budget for the community service grants shall be $287,000 in
fiscal year 2010 and $287,000 in fiscal year 2011.
(e) $250,000 in fiscal year 2008 and $250,000 in
fiscal year 2009 are for equipment grants to public educational radio stations.
The general fund base funding for equipment grants is increased by $125,000
each year in the fiscal 2010-2011 biennium.
(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) $475,000 the first year and $475,000 the second
year are for equipment grants to Minnesota Public Radio, Inc. The budget base
for the Minnesota Public Radio, Inc. equipment grants shall be $190,000 in
fiscal year 2010 and $190,000 in fiscal year 2011.
Journal of the House - 46th
Day - Thursday, April 12, 2007 - Top of Page 2963
APPROPRIATIONS
Available for the Year
Ending June 30
2008 2009
(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 $428,000 $372,000
$65,000 in fiscal year 2008 is
for the decennial expenses related to the board's duties under Minnesota
Statutes, section 473.864, subdivisions 1 and 2. Money appropriated in fiscal
year 2008 is available until June 30, 2009. This is a onetime appropriation.
Sec. 13. FINANCE
Subdivision 1. Total
Appropriation $22,382,000 $15,331,000
The amounts that may be
spent for each purpose are specified in the following subdivisions.
Subd. 2. State
Financial Management 8,912,000 8,752,000
(a) $315,000 the first year
is for the state's share of the cost of bankruptcy counsel representing joint
interests of the state and the city of Duluth in the Northwest Airlines
bankruptcy. This is a onetime appropriation.
(b) Notwithstanding the
provisions of Minnesota Statutes, section 16A.1522, subdivision 4, the
commissioner of finance shall designate any positive general fund budgetary
balance on June 30, 2007, as an unrestricted balance. Money so designated shall
remain available for general fund appropriations authorized in fiscal years
2008 and 2009.
Subd. 3. Information
and Management Services 13,470,000 6,579,000
$7,000,000 the first year is
for costs related to the Minnesota Accounting and Procurement System (MAPS).
$6,500,000 is to implement remediation strategies as necessary to avoid a
systemic failure. $500,000 of the first year total is for planning for the
system's eventual replacement.
Sec. 14. EMPLOYEE
RELATIONS $6,385,000 $5,947,000
(a) $250,000 each year is
for the Center for Health Care Purchasing Improvement.
(b) $186,000 the first year
and $203,000 the second year are for transfer to state agencies for additional
expenses incurred as a result of expanded use of sick leave authorized by this
act.
Journal of the House - 46th
Day - Thursday, April 12, 2007 - Top of Page 2964
APPROPRIATIONS
Available for the Year
Ending June 30
2008 2009
(c) $350,000 the first year is to support the use of
an electronic portfolio system to provide personal health records for MnSCU
employees and other participants in the state employee group insurance program.
Of this amount, $50,000 is for transfer to the University of Minnesota Health
Informatics Division to evaluate the use and impact of personal health records
on these employees. This appropriation is available until June 30, 2009.
Sec. 15. REVENUE
Subdivision 1. Total
Appropriation $128,562,000 $121,466,000
Appropriations by Fund
2008 2009
General 124,462,000 117,306,000
Health Care Access 1,680,000 1,707,000
Highway User Tax
Distribution 2,125,000 2,154,000
Environmental 295,000 299,000
The amounts that may be spent for each purpose are
specified in subdivisions 2 and 3.
Subd. 2. Tax
System Management 108,401,000 99,616,000
Appropriations by Fund
General 104,301,000 95,456,000
Health Care Access 1,680,000 1,707,000
Highway User Tax
Distribution 2,125,000 2,154,000
Environmental 295,000 299,000
(a) $6,910,000 the first year and $8,704,000 the
second year are for additional activities to identify and collect tax
liabilities from individuals and businesses that currently do not pay all taxes
owed. This initiative is expected to result in new general fund revenues of
$42,400,000 for the biennium ending June 30, 2009.
Journal of the House - 46th
Day - Thursday, April 12, 2007 - Top of Page 2965
APPROPRIATIONS
Available for the Year
Ending June 30
2008 2009
(b) The department must
report to the chairs of the house of representatives Ways and Means and senate
Finance Committees by March 1, 2008, and January 15, 2009, on the following
performance indicators:
(1) the number of
corporations noncompliant with the corporate tax system each year and the
percentage and dollar amounts of valid tax liabilities collected;
(2) the number of businesses
noncompliant with the sales and use tax system and the percentage and dollar
amount of the valid tax liabilities collected; and
(3) the number of individual
noncompliant cases resolved and the percentage and dollar amounts of valid tax
liabilities collected.
(c) The reports must also
identify base-level expenditures and staff positions related to compliance and
audit activities, including baseline information as of January 1, 2006. The
information must be provided at the budget activity level.
(d) $12,000,000 the first
year is for the purchase and development of an integrated tax software package.
(e) $75,000 the first year
and $75,000 the second year are for grants to one or more nonprofit
organizations, qualifying under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code
of 1986, to coordinate, facilitate, encourage, and aid in the provision of
taxpayer assistance services. For purposes of this paragraph, "taxpayer
assistance services" means accounting and tax preparation services provided
by volunteers to low-income and disadvantaged Minnesota residents to help them
file federal and state income tax returns and Minnesota property tax refund
claims and may include providing personal representation before the Department
of Revenue and Internal Revenue Service.
Subd. 3. Accounts
Receivable Management 20,161,000 21,850,000
$1,750,000 the first year
and $3,110,000 the second year are for additional activities to identify and
collect tax liabilities from individuals and businesses that currently do not
pay all taxes owed. This initiative is expected to result in new general
revenues of $60,000,000 for the biennium ending June 30, 2009.
Sec. 16. GAMBLING
CONTROL $2,846,000 $2,893,000
These appropriations are
from the lawful gambling regulation account in the special revenue fund.
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APPROPRIATIONS
Available for the Year
Ending June 30
2008 2009
Sec. 17. RACING
COMMISSION $1,130,000 $899,000
(a) These appropriations are from racing regulation
accounts in the special revenue fund.
(b) $295,000 the first year and $64,000 the second
year and thereafter are for information technology improvements implemented in
consultation with the Office of Enterprise Technology as part of the small
agency technology initiative.
Sec. 18. STATE
LOTTERY
Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 349A.10,
subdivision 3, the operating budget must not exceed $27,378,000 in fiscal year
2008 and $28,141,000 in fiscal year 2009.
Sec. 19. TORT CLAIMS
$161,000 $161,000
To be spent by the commissioner of finance.
If the appropriation for either year is
insufficient, the appropriation for the other year is available for it.
Sec. 20. MINNESOTA
STATE RETIREMENT SYSTEM $1,608,000 $1,649,000
(a) The amounts estimated to be needed for each
program are as follows:
(1) Legislators 1,170,000 1,200,000
Under Minnesota Statutes, sections 3A.03,
subdivision 2, 3A.04, subdivisions 3 and 4; and 3A.115.
(2) Constitutional Officers 438,000 449,000
Under Minnesota Statutes, sections 352C.031,
subdivision 5; 352C.04, subdivision 3; and 352C.09, subdivision 2.
(b) If an appropriation in this section for either
year is insufficient, the appropriation for the other year is available for it.
Sec. 21. MINNEAPOLIS EMPLOYEES
RETIREMENT
FUND $9,000,000 $9,000,000
The amounts estimated to be needed under Minnesota
Statutes, section 422A.101, subdivision 3.
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APPROPRIATIONS
Available for the Year
Ending June 30
2008 2009
Sec. 22. TEACHERS
RETIREMENT ASSOCIATION $15,800,000 $15,800,000
The amounts estimated to be
needed are as follows:
(a) Special direct state aid
authorized under Minnesota Statutes,
section 354A.12,
subdivisions 3a and 3c. 13,300,000 13,300,000
(b) Special direct state
matching aid authorized under Minnesota
Statutes, section 354A.12,
subdivision 3b. 2,500,000 2,500,000
Sec. 23. ST. PAUL
TEACHERS RETIREMENT FUND $2,967,000 $2,967,000
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. 24. AMATEUR
SPORTS COMMISSION $371,000 $376,000
Of this amount, $67,000 each
year is to be used for an additional event development position. This is a
onetime appropriation. The base budget for the Amateur Sports Commission shall
be $215,000 in fiscal year 2010 and $215,000 in fiscal year 2011.
The amount available for
appropriation to the commission under Laws 2005, chapter 156, article 2,
section 43, is reduced in the first year and the second year by the amounts
appropriated in this section.
Sec. 25. COUNCIL ON
BLACK MINNESOTANS $322,000 $328,000
$25,000 the first year and
$25,000 the second year are for expenses related to the state's annual Martin
Luther King, Jr. holiday celebration.
Sec. 26. COUNCIL ON
CHICANO/LATINO AFFAIRS $306,000 $310,000
Sec. 27. COUNCIL ON
ASIAN-PACIFIC MINNESOTANS $287,000 $285,000
Sec. 28. INDIAN
AFFAIRS COUNCIL $661,000 $487,000
$80,000 in the first year is
for the acquisition of an Indian burial site in Becker County. The Indian
Affairs Council shall solicit donations from federal, state, nonprofit,
private, and tribal sources for this purpose. This is a onetime appropriation
and is available for expenditure until June 30, 2009.
$100,000 in the first year
is for transfer to the director of the Minnesota Office of Higher Education for
a grant for the Dakota/Ojibwe Language
Revitalization Project to expand an
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APPROPRIATIONS
Available for the Year
Ending June 30
2008 2009
existing pilot project to
promote activities and programs that are specific to promoting revitalization of
indigenous language for American Indian children who do not live on an Indian
reservation. The pilot project shall focus on developing programs that meet the
language needs of children in prekindergarten through grade 12. This is a
onetime appropriation.
Sec. 29. GENERAL
CONTINGENT ACCOUNTS $1,000,000 $500,000
Appropriations by Fund
2008 2009
General 500,000 -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.
Sec. 30. MANAGERIAL
POSITION REDUCTIONS.
The governor must reduce the number of deputy commissioners, assistant
commissioners, and positions designated as unclassified under authority of
Minnesota Statutes, section 43A.08, subdivision 1a, by an amount that will
generate savings to the general fund of $775,000 in the biennium ending June 30,
2009, and $7,600,000 in the biennium ending June 30, 2011.
ARTICLE 2
STATE GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS
Section 1. [3.052] SCHEDULE
FOR CONSIDERATION OF LEGISLATION.
Subdivision 1. Agency bills. An
executive department or agency intending to urge the legislature to adopt a
bill shall deliver the bill to the revisor of statutes by November 1 before the
regular session at which adoption will be urged. This deadline does not apply:
(1) to bills necessary to implement the governor's budget proposals; (2) to other
bills that are policy initiatives of the governor, as opposed to administrative
initiatives of a department or agency; or (3) as otherwise provided in section
3C.035.
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Subd. 2. State of the state. The
governor is encouraged to submit a state of the state address in January of
each odd-numbered year and within the first ten days after the start of the
legislative session in an even-numbered year. Before or during this address,
the governor is encouraged to announce major legislative policy initiatives
that the governor intends to promote that year.
Subd. 3. Executive submission of
budget bills. The governor must submit bills necessary to implement
the governor's operating budget to the legislature within two weeks after the
date specified in section 16A.11 for the governor to submit the detailed
operating budget to the legislature. The bills must be provided to the speaker
of the house of representatives and the majority leader of the senate in a
manner ready for formal introduction and final consideration.
Sec. 2. [3.181] PRINTED
MATERIALS.
If paper copies of legislative bills and amendments are printed, they
must be printed on paper that measures 8‑1/2 inches by 11 inches.
EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is
effective January 1, 2009.
Sec. 3. [3.3051] PUBLIC
INFORMATION.
The Legislative Coordinating Commission must establish a joint
legislative public information office.
The office is the legislative entity responsible for:
(1) producing legislative directories and rosters, news magazines, and
general educational materials about the legislative process;
(2) in cooperation with other legislative offices, providing schedules
of legislative meetings;
(3) producing television coverage of certain legislative proceedings;
and
(4) performing other functions assigned by the Legislative Coordinating
Commission.
Sec. 4. [3.306] MEETING
TIMES.
The house of representatives and the senate must adopt rules that set
one time as the regular hour of convening daily sessions in both houses.
Sec. 5. [3.3061] JOINT
STANDING COMMITTEES.
The house of representatives and the senate are encouraged to adopt
rules that:
(1) establish a system of joint standing committees to consider and
report on legislation and conduct other legislative business, except that each
house may separately establish a committee on rules and administration and a
committee on ethics; or
(2) provide that house and senate committees with similar jurisdiction
will meet at the same time to facilitate joint meetings.
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Sec. 6. Minnesota Statutes 2006, 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. 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 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 Rules Committee.
Sec. 7. [3.9228] MINNESOTA
OFFICE ON ETHNIC HERITAGE AND NEW AMERICANS.
Subdivision 1. Office established. The
Minnesota Office of Ethnic Heritage and New Americans is established to: (1)
recognize the state's rich ethnic diversity and the contributions that
immigrants have made to the state's social, economic, and cultural history; and
(2) capitalize on and develop the strengths of the immigrant community in
Minnesota. The commission shall assist state government to foster an
understanding and appreciation of ethnic and cultural diversity in Minnesota,
to more effectively identify the underutilized resources within the immigrant
community and to facilitate the full participation of immigrants in social,
cultural, and political life in this state.
Subd. 2. Membership. The
Minnesota Office of Ethnic Heritage and New Americans consists of 14 members:
the Subcommittee on Committees of the Committee on Rules and Administration of
the senate shall appoint two public members and two senators; and the speaker
of the house of representatives shall appoint two public members and two
members of the house of representatives. The governor shall appoint six public
members.
Appointees must have proven experience and dedication to working with
the wide range of ethnic communities within Minnesota, the immigrant community,
and possess training and experience in business, management, economics, public
policy, legal affairs, and social work. The appointing authorities shall seek
to collaborate with each other and with the councils established in sections
3.9223, 3.9225, and 3.9226 to ensure that the public membership of the
commission is ethnically and geographically diverse and is reasonably balanced
by gender.
Compensation and the filling of vacancies or appointed members are as
provided in section 15.0575. The appointments required under this subdivision
must be completed no later than September 1, 2007.
Subd. 3. Organization. As
soon as possible after the appointments under subdivision 2 have been
completed, the executive director of the Legislative Coordinating Commission
shall convene the first meeting of the commission. The members of the
commission shall select their chairperson at the first meeting.
Subd. 4. Assistance. The
Legislative Coordinating Commission shall provide the administrative and
clerical support services necessary for the operation of the Minnesota Office
on Ethnic Heritage and New Americans.
Subd. 5. Duties. The
Minnesota Office of Ethnic Heritage and New Americans shall:
(1) work with community leaders, the legislature, and the executive
branch to develop programs and proposals that will encourage ethnic identity,
preserve ethnic heritage, and promote education of the public about the state's
heritage and cultural history;
(2) make recommendations to the legislature and the governor intended
to foster the understanding and appreciation of cultural diversity in the
state;
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(3) maintain association with ethnic, cultural, and minority groups to
determine community needs;
(4) study and consider opportunities and issues for the immigrant
community in this state, including:
(i) steps to eliminate underutilization of immigrants in the state's
work force;
(ii) improving the efficient use of existing state programs and
services; and
(iii) other appropriate steps to improve the economic and social
condition of immigrants in this state.
By December 1, 2008, the commission shall report to the chairs of the
legislative committees and divisions with jurisdiction over issues affecting
ethnic heritage and immigrants. The report must include a discussion of the
items listed in this subdivision together with recommendations for state
agencies and the legislature, including any proposed legislation necessary to
accomplish the recommendations. The executive director of the Legislative
Coordinating Commission shall ensure that copies of the report are available on
the Legislative Coordinating Commission's Web site.
Subd. 6. Expiration. This
section expires on June 30, 2009.
Sec. 8. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 3.9741, subdivision 1, is
amended to read:
Subdivision 1. Metropolitan Commission.
Upon the audit of the financial accounts and affairs of a commission under
section 473.595, 473.604, or 473.703, the affected Metropolitan Commission is
liable to the state for the total cost and expenses of the audit, including the
salaries paid to the examiners while actually engaged in making the
examination. The legislative auditor may bill the Metropolitan Commission
either monthly or at the completion of the audit. All collections received for
the audits must be deposited in the general fund added to the
appropriation for the legislative auditor.
EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is
effective the day following final enactment.
Sec. 9. [4.60] POET LAUREATE.
(a) The position of poet laureate of the state of Minnesota is
established. The Minnesota Humanities Commission must solicit nominations for
the poet laureate appointment and must make recommendations to the governor.
After receiving recommendations from the Minnesota Humanities Commission, the
governor shall appoint a state poet laureate and conduct appropriate ceremonies
to honor the person appointed. The person appointed as poet laureate continues
to serve in this position until the governor appoints another person.
(b) State agencies and officers are encouraged to use the services of
the poet laureate for appropriate ceremonies and celebrations.
Sec. 10. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 5.12, subdivision 1, is
amended to read:
Subdivision 1. Fees. The
secretary of state shall charge a fee of $5 for each certificate or
certification of a copy of any document filed in the Office of the Secretary of
State. The secretary of state shall charge a fee of $3 for a copy of an
original filing of a corporation, limited partnership, assumed name, or trade
or service mark, or for the complete record of a certificate of assumed name.
The secretary of state shall charge a fee of $3 for a copy of any or all
subsequent filings of a corporation, limited partnership, assumed name, or
trade or service mark. The secretary of state shall charge a fee of $1 per page
for copies of other nonuniform commercial code documents filed with the
secretary of state. At the time of filing, the secretary of state may provide
at the public counter, without charge, a copy of a filing, ten or fewer pages
in length, to the person making the filing.
EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is
effective August 1, 2007.
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Sec. 11. [5.32] TEMPORARY
TECHNOLOGY SURCHARGE.
Subdivision 1. Surcharge. For fiscal
years 2008 and 2009, the following technology surcharges are imposed on the
filing fees required under the following statutes:
(1) $25 for articles of incorporation filed under section 302A.151;
(2) $25 for articles of organization filed under section 322B.17;
(3) $25 for applications for certificates of authority to transact
business in Minnesota filed under section 303.06;
(4) $20 for annual reports filed by non-Minnesota corporations under
section 303.14; and
(5) $50 for reinstatements to authority to transact business in
Minnesota filed under section 303.19.
Subd. 2. Deposit. The
surcharges listed in subdivision 1 shall be deposited into the uniform
commercial code account.
Subd. 3. Expiration. This
section expires June 30, 2009.
Sec. 12. [6.465] DEFINITIONS.
Subdivision 1. Application. For
the purposes of this chapter, the terms defined in this section have the
meaning given them.
Subd. 2. Political subdivision.
"Political subdivision" means a county, home rule charter or
statutory city, town, school district, metropolitan or regional agency, public
corporation, political subdivision, or special district as defined in
subdivision 3. "Political subdivision" does not include a
metropolitan or regional agency or a public corporation audited by the
legislative auditor.
Subd. 3. Special district. "Special
district" means a public entity with a special or limited purpose,
financed by property tax revenues or other public funds, that is not included
in a city, county, or town financial report as a component of that local
government, that is created or authorized by law, and that is governed by (1)
persons directly elected to the governing board of the district, (2) persons
appointed to the governing board of the district by local elected officials,
(3) local elected officials who serve on the board by virtue of their elected
office, or (4) a combination of these methods of selection. Special district
includes special taxing districts listed in section 275.066.
Sec. 13. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 6.47, is amended to read:
6.47 ACCOUNTING AND
BUDGETING SYSTEMS; INVESTIGATION, FORMS.
The state auditor shall inquire into the accounting and budgeting
systems of all local units of government political subdivisions and
shall prescribe suitable systems of accounts and budgeting, and forms, books,
and instructions concerning the same. At the request of any local unit of
government political subdivision the state auditor may install such
systems. The state auditor shall recommend a form for order- and
warrant-checks of all local units of government which shall conform, so far as
consistent with statutory and charter requirements, to approved banking
practice in order to facilitate handling of such instruments by banks and other
depositories.
Sec. 14. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 6.51, is amended to read:
6.51 SCHOOL DISTRICTS,
TOWNS, AND STATUTORY CITIES OTHER POLITICAL SUBDIVISIONS.
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All powers and duties of the
state auditor herein imposed and conferred with respect to the supervision,
inspection, and examination of books and accounts of cities in section 6.50 are
herewith extended to all school districts, towns, and statutory cities political
subdivisions of this state. A copy of the report of such examination shall
be filed, subject to public inspection, with the clerk or chief
administrative officer of the town, statutory city, or school district
political subdivision receiving such examination, and an additional copy
with the county auditor of the county in which the administrative offices of such
town, statutory city, or school district the political subdivision are
located. If such report disclose malfeasance, misfeasance, or nonfeasance in office,
the state auditor shall file such copy with the county attorney of the county
in which the administrative offices of such school district, town, or
statutory city the political subdivision are located, and the county
attorney shall institute such proceedings as the law and the public interest
require.
Sec. 15. Minnesota Statutes
2006, section 6.54, is amended to read:
6.54 EXAMINATION OF COUNTY AND MUNICIPAL POLITICAL
SUBDIVISION RECORDS PURSUANT TO PETITION.
Subdivision 1. Petition of voters for audit. The registered voters in a county
or home rule charter or statutory city political subdivision other than
a town or school district or the electors at an annual or special town
meeting of a town may petition the state auditor to examine the books, records,
accounts, and affairs of the county, home rule charter or statutory city,
town, political subdivision or of any organizational unit, activity,
project, enterprise, or fund thereof; and the scope of the examination may be
limited by the petition, but the examination shall cover, at least, all cash
received and disbursed and the transactions relating thereto, provided that the
state auditor shall not examine more than the six latest years preceding the
circulation of the petition, unless it appears to the state auditor during the
examination that the audit period should be extended to permit a full recovery
under bonds furnished by public officers or employees, and may if it appears to
the auditor in the public interest confine the period or the scope of audit or
both period and scope of audit, to less than that requested by the petition. In
the case of a county or home rule charter or statutory city political
subdivision other than a town or school district, the petition shall be
signed by a number of registered voters at least equal to 20 percent of those
voting in the last presidential election.
Subd. 2. School districts. The eligible voters of any school district
may petition the state auditor, who shall be subject to the same restrictions
regarding the scope and period of audit, provided that the petition shall be
signed by at least ten eligible voters for each 50 resident pupils in average
daily membership during the preceding school year as shown on the records in
the office of the commissioner of education. In the case of school districts,
the petition shall be signed by at least ten eligible voters.
Subd. 3. Certifications required. At the time it is circulated, every
petition shall contain a statement that the cost of the audit will be borne by
the county, city, or school district political subdivision as
provided by law. Thirty days before the petition is delivered to the state
auditor it shall be presented to the appropriate city or school district
clerk or chief administrative officer of the political subdivision and
the county auditor. The county auditor shall determine and certify whether the
petition is signed by the required number of registered voters or eligible
voters as the case may be. The certificate shall be conclusive evidence thereof
in any action or proceeding for the recovery of the costs, charges, and
expenses of any examination made pursuant to the petition.
Sec. 16. Minnesota Statutes
2006, section 6.55, is amended to read:
6.55 EXAMINATION OF RECORDS PURSUANT TO RESOLUTION OF GOVERNING BODY.
The governing body of any city,
town, county or school district, political subdivision by
appropriate resolution may ask the state auditor to examine the books, records,
accounts and affairs of their government, or of any organizational unit,
activity, project, enterprise, or fund thereof; and the state auditor shall
examine the same upon receiving, pursuant to said resolution, a written request
signed by a majority of the members of the governing body;
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and the governing body of
any public utility commission, or of any public corporation having a body
politic and corporate political subdivision, or of any
instrumentality joint or several of any city, town, county, or school
district political subdivision, may request an audit of its books,
records, accounts and affairs in the same manner; provided that the scope of
the examination may be limited by the request, but such examination shall
cover, at least, all cash received and disbursed and the transactions relating
thereto. Such written request shall be presented to the clerk, or
recording officer, or chief administrative officer of such city,
town, county, school district, public utility commission, public corporation,
the political subdivision or instrumentality, before being presented to
the state auditor, who shall determine whether the same is signed by a majority
of the members of such governing body and, if found to be so signed, shall
certify such fact, and the fact that such resolution was passed, which
certificate shall be conclusive evidence thereof in any action or proceedings
for the recovery of the costs, charges and expenses of any examination made
pursuant to such request. Nothing contained in any of the laws of the state
relating to the state auditor, shall be so construed as to prevent any county,
city, town, or school district political subdivision from employing
a certified public accountant to examine its books, records, accounts, and
affairs. For the purposes of this section, the governing body of a town is the
town board.
Sec. 17. Minnesota Statutes
2006, section 6.551, is amended to read:
6.551 EXAMINATION OF GRANTEES AND CONTRACTORS OF LOCAL GOVERNMENTS
POLITICAL SUBDIVISIONS.
The state auditor may
examine the books, records, documents, and accounting procedures and practices
of a contractor or grantee of a local government political
subdivision pursuant to section 16C.05, subdivision 5. The examination
shall be limited to the books, records, documents, and accounting procedures
and practices that are relevant to the contract or transaction with the local
government political subdivision.
Sec. 18. Minnesota Statutes 2006,
section 6.57, is amended to read:
6.57 COST OF EXAMINATION, COLLECTION.
On July first, 1
of each year, the state auditor shall certify all uncollected claims for the
examination of any county, city, town, or school district which political
subdivision that have remained unpaid for a period of three months from the
date of such claim. The auditor shall forthwith notify the clerk, or
recording officer, or chief administrative officer of each county,
city, town, or school district political subdivision against which
the state has a claim that, if the same is not paid, with interest at the rate
of six percent per annum from the date of the claim, within 90 days, the full
amount thereof will be certified to the county auditor of the county having
such examination, or to the county auditor for the county or counties in which such
city, town, or school district the political subdivision is
situated, for collection by special tax levy, as herein provided. Such notice
shall be served by certified mail and the deposit thereof in the United States
mail shall constitute due and legal service thereof upon the county, city,
town, or school district political subdivision.
Sec. 19. Minnesota Statutes
2006, section 6.59, is amended to read:
6.59 CLAIM OF STATE FOR COST OF EXAMINATION, CONTEST.
On or before September first 1 of each year, following
service of the notice, any such county, city, town, or school district
political subdivision may serve notice, in writing, upon the attorney
general that it desires to contest the legality of the state's claim, and the
attorney general shall forthwith file with the court administrator of the
district court of the county having such examination, or in which such city,
town, or school district the political subdivision, or major part
thereof, is situated, a verified statement of the state's claim, duly itemized
and serve upon the auditor or, clerk, or chief administrative
officer of such county, city, town, or school district the
political subdivision, by certified mail, a copy of such statement. Such
county, city, town, or school district The political
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subdivision may file with the court
administrator of such district court, within ten days after the service of such
statement upon it, verified objections to the state's claim, and such district
court shall thereupon summarily, in or out of term, hear and determine the
amount due the state, if any, for such examination, at a time and place fixed by
the court therefor. The court administrator of court shall certify to the
county auditor of the county having such examination, or to the county auditor
of the county or counties in which such city, town, or school district
the political subdivision is situated, the amount so determined by the
court to be due to the state, if any.
Sec. 20. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 6.60, is amended to read:
6.60 STATE AUDITOR,
CERTIFICATION OF AMOUNTS DUE.
On October first, 1 of each year, the state auditor shall
certify the respective amounts due the state from the various counties,
cities, towns, and school districts political subdivisions,
including interest computed to July first, following, to the county auditor of
the county having such examination, or to the county auditor of the county in
which any such city, town, or school district political subdivision is,
in whole or in part, situated. The county auditor, upon receiving a certificate
from the state auditor, or a certificate from the court administrator, as
provided in section 6.59, shall include the amount of the state's claim, with
25 percent added, in the tax levy for general revenue purposes of the county
or municipality political subdivision liable therefor, and such
additional levy shall not be within any limitation imposed by law upon the
amount of taxes which may be levied for revenue purposes. Upon completion of
the June tax settlement following such levy the county treasurer shall deduct
from the amount apportioned to the county or municipality political
subdivision for general revenue purposes, the amount due the state,
including interest, and remit the same to the commissioner of finance.
Sec. 21. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 6.62, subdivision 2, is amended
to read:
Subd. 2. Cost of postaudit.
The amount of said levy shall be the amount of the claim or claims submitted by
the state auditor for such services or the auditor's estimate of the entire
cost, and said amount shall be certified by the governing body, after the
request or petition for the audit has been filed, to the county auditor, along
with amounts requested for other governmental purposes. If such levy has been
made in excess of statutory limitations, and if the request or petition is
withdrawn after the amount of the levy has been certified but the levy cannot
be canceled because it has been spread on the tax lists, the governing body
shall cause the proceeds of such levy to be transferred to the general fund and
reduce the succeeding year's levy for general purposes accordingly. Provided,
however, counties, cities, and other governmental units political
subdivisions whose financial affairs are required by statute or charter to
be audited at regular intervals may levy annually or biennially in anticipation
of the audit expense, without the presentment of such claim or estimate by the
state auditor.
Sec. 22. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 6.63, is amended to read:
6.63 APPLICATION.
The units of government set forth in sections 6.56, 6.465, 6.57,
6.59, 6.60, and 6.62 shall be construed, where applicable, to include, in
addition to those therein specifically named, public utility commissions,
public corporations, and instrumentalities.
Sec. 23. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 6.64, is amended to read:
6.64 COOPERATION WITH PUBLIC
ACCOUNTANTS; PUBLIC ACCOUNTANT DEFINED.
There shall be mutual cooperation between the state auditor and public
accountants in the performance of auditing, accounting, and other related
services for counties, cities, towns, school districts, and other public
corporations political subdivisions. For the purposes of sections
6.64 to 6.71 and section 6.756, the term public accountant shall have
the meaning ascribed to it in section 412.222.
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Sec. 24. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 6.65, is amended to read:
6.65 MINIMUM PROCEDURES FOR
AUDITORS, PRESCRIBED.
The state auditor shall prescribe minimum procedures and the audit
scope for auditing the books, records, accounts, and affairs of counties and
local governments political subdivisions in Minnesota. The minimum
scope for audits of all local governments political subdivisions must
include financial and legal compliance audits. Audits of all school districts
must include a determination of compliance with uniform financial accounting
and reporting standards. The state auditor shall promulgate an audit guide for
legal compliance audits, in consultation with representatives of the state
auditor, the attorney general, towns, cities, counties, school districts, and
private sector public accountants.
Sec. 25. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 6.66, is amended to read:
6.66 CERTAIN PRACTICES OF
PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS AUTHORIZED.
Any public accountant may engage in the practice of auditing the books,
records, accounts, and affairs of counties, cities, towns, school districts,
and other public corporations which political subdivisions that are
not otherwise required by law to be audited exclusively by the state auditor.
Sec. 26. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 6.67, is amended to read:
6.67 PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS;
REPORT OF EVIDENCE POINTING TO MISCONDUCT.
Whenever a public accountant in the course of auditing the books and
affairs of a county, city, town, school district, or other public
corporations, political subdivision shall discover evidence pointing
to nonfeasance, misfeasance, or malfeasance, on the part of an officer or
employee in the conduct of duties and affairs, the public accountant shall
promptly make a report of such discovery to the state auditor and the county
attorney of the county in which the governmental unit political
subdivision is situated and the public accountant shall also furnish a copy
of the report of audit upon completion to said officers. The county attorney
shall act on such report in the same manner as required by law for reports made
to the county attorney by the state auditor.
Sec. 27. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 6.68, is amended to read:
6.68 STATE AUDITOR MAY
ASSIST PUBLIC ACCOUNTANT IN AUDIT.
Subdivision 1. Request to
governing body. If in an audit of a county, city, town, school district,
or other public corporation, political subdivision a public
accountant has need of the assistance of the state auditor, the accountant may
obtain such assistance by requesting the governing body of the governmental
unit political subdivision being examined to request the state
auditor to perform such auditing or investigative services, or both, as the
matter and the public interest require.
Subd. 2. Auditor's report;
payment. The state auditor shall work in close cooperation with the public
accountant in rendering the services so requested and the state auditor shall
make such report of findings to the county attorney as is required by law to be
made of nonfeasance, misfeasance, and malfeasance discovered by the state
auditor. The governmental unit political subdivision shall be
liable for the payment of such services so performed by the state auditor in
the same manner as if it had requested the services pursuant to section 6.55.
Sec. 28. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 6.70, is amended to read:
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6.70 ACCESS TO REPORTS.
The state auditor and the public accountants shall have reasonable
access to each other's audit reports, working papers, and audit programs
concerning audits made by each of counties, cities, towns, school districts,
and other public corporations the political subdivisions.
Sec. 29. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 6.71, is amended to read:
6.71 SCOPE OF AUDITOR'S
INVESTIGATION.
Whenever the governing body of a county, city, town, or school
district political subdivision shall have requested a public
accountant to make an audit of its books and affairs, and such audit is in
progress or has been completed, and registered voters or electors petition or
the governing body requests or both the state auditor to make an examination
covering the same, or part of the same, period, the state auditor may, in the
public interest, limit the scope of the examination to less than that specified
in section 6.54, but the scope shall cover, at least, an investigation of those
complaints which are within the state auditor's powers and duties to
investigate.
Sec. 30. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 6.715, is amended by adding a
subdivision to read:
Subd. 5. Review of data; data protection.
If, before releasing a report, the state auditor provides a person with data
relating to the audit for the purpose of review and verification of the data,
the person must protect the data from unlawful disclosure or be subject to the
penalties and liabilities provided in sections 13.08 and 13.09.
Sec. 31. [6.756] SPECIAL
DISTRICTS; INFORMATION REQUIRED TO BE FILED WITH STATE AUDITOR; AUDITS.
Subdivision 1. Governance documents must be
filed. Each special district must file with the state auditor,
within 60 days of adoption, any document relating to the governance of the
district, including articles of incorporation, bylaws, or agreements, and any
amendment to these documents.
Subd. 2. Audit requirements. (a)
A special district with total annual revenue greater than the threshold amount
for cities under section 412.591, subdivision 3, paragraph (b), must provide
for an annual audit of the district's financial affairs by the state auditor or
a public accountant in accordance with minimum auditing procedures prescribed
by the state auditor.
(b) A special district with total annual revenue that is equal to or
less than the threshold amount for cities under section 412.591, subdivision 3,
paragraph (b), must provide for an audit of the district's financial affairs by
the state auditor or a public accountant in accordance with minimum audit
procedures prescribed by the state auditor at least once every five years. The
audit must be for a one-year period to be determined at random by the person
conducting the audit. The audited financial statement must be prepared in a
form prescribed by the state auditor similar to the reporting requirements for
cities under 2,500 in population. For any year in which a special district is
not audited, the district must prepare a financial statement in a form
prescribed by the state auditor similar to the reporting requirements for
cities reporting on a cash basis and file that statement with the state
auditor.
(c) This subdivision does not apply to a special district subject to
financial auditing and reporting requirements under other law.
Subd. 3. Presentation to governing
board; filing with state auditor. Except as provided by other law,
financial statements and audits must be completed, presented to the district's
governing board, and filed with the state auditor within 180 days after the end
of the district's fiscal year.
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Sec. 32. [8.37] ASSISTANCE TO
VETERANS.
The attorney general may advise and assist veterans and their families
as to services available from public and private agencies. For purposes of this
section, "veteran" means any veteran or active member of the United
States armed services, including the National Guard and Reserves.
Sec. 33. [11A.27] REPORT ON
INVESTMENT CONSULTANT ACTIVITIES AND DELIVERABLES.
(a) Annually, on or before November 1, the State Board of Investment
shall file a report with the Legislative Reference Library on the activities
and work product during that year of any investment consultants retained by the
board.
(b) The report must include the following items:
(1) the total contract fee paid to each investment consultant;
(2) a listing of the projects in which the investment consultant was
involved; and
(3) examples of the written work product provided by the investment
consultant on those projects during the report coverage period.
EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is
effective June 30, 2007.
Sec. 34. [12.62] MINNESOTA
LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION ON TERRORISM AND DISASTER PREPAREDNESS.
Subdivision 1. Creation; duties. The
Legislative Commission on Terrorism and Disaster Preparedness is established
to:
(1) advise the legislature on issues related to homeland security,
emergency management, man-made and natural disasters, terrorism, bioterrorism,
public health emergencies, and vulnerabilities in the public and private
infrastructures;
(2) oversee the disaster preparation activities of the Department of Health,
Department of Public Safety, and any other state agency, office, commission, or
board that is within the commission's purview, and make recommendations to
these organizations of changes or additions to the organizations' disaster
preparedness and risk reduction work plans that the commission deems advisable;
and
(3) make policy and finance recommendations to improve the state's
public and private capacity to prevent, respond to, and recover from man-made
and natural threats to the state.
Subd. 2. Membership. (a)
The commission consists of:
(1) three members of the house of representatives, one of whom must be
a member of the minority party, to be appointed by the speaker of the house of
representatives;
(2) three members of the senate, one of whom must be a member of the
minority party, to be appointed by the senate majority leader;
(3) the commissioner of public safety, or a designee, as an ex-officio
member;
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(4) the commissioner of health, or a designee, as an ex-officio member;
(5) the attorney general, or a designee, as an ex-officio member;
(6) two citizen members with relevant expertise, selected by the
speaker of the house of representatives;
(7) two citizen members with relevant expertise, selected by the senate
majority leader;
(8) two citizen members, selected by the speaker of the house of
representatives; and
(9) two citizen members, selected by the senate majority leader.
(b) Members serve for a term expiring at the close of each regular
session of the legislature but continue to serve until their successors are
appointed. Members may be reappointed. The appointing authority shall fill
vacancies.
(c) One member, elected by a majority of members, shall serve as the
commission chair. The commission chair should have relevant subject matter
education, training, and experience. The commission is authorized to elect a
vice-chair and other officers as it deems necessary. The commission shall
determine the duties of each officer.
(d) The commission chair shall convene meetings of the commission on a
regular basis.
Subd. 3. Compensation. Compensation
of legislative members is as provided in section 3.101. Compensation of the
remaining members is as provided in section 15.0575.
Subd. 4. Staff. The
commission may appoint and fix the compensation of such additional legal and
other personnel and consultants or contract for services to supply necessary
data as may be necessary to enable the commission to carry out its functions.
Subd. 5. Data from state agencies;
availability. The commission may request information from any state
officer or agency or political subdivision of the state in order to assist the
commission in carrying out its duties and the state officer, agency, or
subdivision must promptly furnish any data required, subject to applicable
requirements or restrictions imposed by chapter 13 and section 15.17.
Subd. 6. Report. By
January 15 of each year, the commission must submit a report that contains the
commission's policy and appropriation recommendations to the legislature, the
commissioner of health, and the commissioner of public safety.
Subd. 7. Repeal. This
section is repealed June 30, 2011.
EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is
effective July 1, 2007.
Sec. 35. [13.595] GRANTS.
Subdivision 1. Definitions. For
purposes of this section, the following terms have the meanings given them.
(a) "Completion of the evaluation process" means that the
granting agency has completed negotiating the grant agreement with the selected
grantee.
(b) "Grant agreement" means the document that details the
responsibilities of the grantee and the granting agency and the value to be
provided to the grantee.
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(c) "Grantee"
means a person that applies for or receives a grant.
(d) "Granting
agency" means the government entity that provides the grant.
(e) "Opened" means
the act that occurs once the deadline for submitting a response to a proposal
to the granting agency has been reached.
(f) "Request for
proposal" means the data outlining the responsibilities the granting
agency wants the grantee to assume.
(g) "Response"
means the data submitted by a grantee as required by a request for proposal.
Subd. 2. Request for applications. Data created by a granting
agency to create a request for proposal is classified as nonpublic until the
request for proposal is published. To the extent that a granting agency
involves persons outside the granting agency to create the request for
proposal, the data remain nonpublic in the hands of all persons who may not
further disseminate any data that are created or reviewed as part of the
request for proposal development. At publication, the data in the request for
proposal is public.
Subd. 3. Responses to request for proposals. (a) Responses
submitted by a grantee are private or nonpublic until the responses are opened.
Once the responses are opened, the name and address of the grantee and the
amount requested is public. All other data in a response is private or
nonpublic data until completion of the evaluation process. After a granting
agency has completed the evaluation process, all remaining data in the responses
is public with the exception of trade secret data as defined and classified in
section 13.37. A statement by a grantee that the response is copyrighted or
otherwise protected does not prevent public access to the response.
(b) If all responses are rejected
prior to completion of the evaluation process, all data, other than that made
public at the opening, remain private or nonpublic until a resolicitation of
proposals results in completion of the evaluation process or a determination is
made to abandon the grant. If the rejection occurs after the completion of the
evaluation process, the data remain public. If a resolicitation of proposals
does not occur within one year of the grant opening date, the remaining data
become public.
Subd. 4. Evaluation data. (a) Data created or maintained by a
granting agency as part of the evaluation process referred to in this section
are protected nonpublic data until completion of the evaluation process at
which time the data are public with the exception of trade secret data as
defined and classified in section 13.37.
(b) If a granting agency
asks individuals outside the granting agency to assist with the evaluation of
the responses, the granting agency may share not public data in the responses
with those individuals. The individuals participating in the evaluation may not
further disseminate the not public data they review.
Sec. 36. Minnesota Statutes
2006, section 13.605, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
Subdivision 1. Legislative and budget proposal data.
(a) Definition. As used in this
section, "state administration" means the governor's office, the
Department of Finance, and any state agency that is under the direct control of
the governor.
(b) Classifications. Legislative and budget proposals, including
preliminary drafts, that are created, collected, or maintained by the state
administration are protected nonpublic data. After until the
budget is presented to the legislature by the state administration,
supporting data, including agency requests, and are public data
after the budget is presented to the legislature. Supporting data do not
include preliminary drafts. The state administration may disclose any of
the data within the state administration and to the public at any time if
disclosure would aid the administration in considering and preparing its
proposals.
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Sec. 37. [15B.055] PARKING SPACES.
To provide the public with
greater access to legislative proceedings, all parking spaces on Aurora Avenue
in front of the Capitol building must be reserved for the public.
Sec. 38. Minnesota Statutes
2006, section 15B.17, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
Subdivision 1. Proposals. (a) Before a state agency or
other public body develops, to submit to the legislature and the governor,
a budget proposal or plans for capital improvements within the Capitol Area
to submit to the legislature and the governor, it must consult with the
board.
(b) The public body must
provide enough money for the board's review and planning if the board decides
its review and planning services are necessary. Money received by the board
under this subdivision is deposited in the special revenue fund and
appropriated in fiscal years 2008 and 2009 to the board.
Sec. 39. Minnesota Statutes
2006, section 16A.103, subdivision 1e, is amended to read:
Subd. 1e. Economic information. The commissioner
must review economic information including economic forecasts with legislative
fiscal staff no later than two weeks before the forecast is released. The
commissioner must invite the chairs and lead minority members of the senate State
Government Finance Committee and the house Ways and Means Committee, and
legislative fiscal staff to attend any meetings held with outside economic
advisors. The commissioner must provide legislative fiscal staff with monthly
economic forecast information received from outside sources.
Sec. 40. [16A.104] BASE BUDGET DETAIL.
Within one week of the
release of the budget forecasts required in section 16A.103 in November of an
even-numbered year and February of an odd-numbered year, the commissioner of
finance must provide to the legislature information that illustrates how the
base level budget for the next biennium is projected to be spent. In designing
the report, the commissioner must consult with the chairs of the house of
representatives and senate Finance Committees and the house of representatives
Committee on Ways and Means.
Sec. 41. [16A.107] CASH FLOW FORECAST.
Within two weeks after the
November forecast of state revenue and expenditures under section 16A.103, the
commissioner shall deliver to the governor and the legislature a forecast of
cash flow for the general fund, showing the expected maximum and minimum cash
balance in the fund for each month of the forecast period.
Sec. 42. Minnesota Statutes
2006, section 16A.11, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:
Subd. 3d. Budget bills. The necessary bills to implement the
governor's operating budget must be submitted to the legislature within two
weeks after the operating budget was submitted. The necessary bills to
implement the governor's capital budget must be submitted to the legislature
within two weeks after the capital budget was submitted.
Sec. 43. [16A.117] CONTINUING APPROPRIATIONS.
If a major appropriation bill to fund a given state agency for the next
biennium has not been passed in the same form by the house of representatives
and senate and been presented to the governor before July 1 of an odd-numbered
year, amounts sufficient to continue operation of that agency and the programs
administered by that agency through July 31 of the fiscal year beginning in the
same calendar year at the base level for that fiscal year, as
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determined according to
section 16A.11, subdivision 3, and previous appropriation acts, are
appropriated to the agency from the appropriate funds and accounts in the state
treasury. The base level for an appropriation that was designated as onetime or
was onetime in nature is zero. Determination of the amount appropriated may be
made on a proration of the annual amount or another reasonable basis as determined
by the commissioner of finance.
Sec. 44. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 16A.1286, subdivision 2, is
amended to read:
Subd. 2. Billing procedures.
The commissioner may bill up to $7,520,000 in each fiscal year for statewide
systems services provided to state agencies, judicial branch agencies, the
University of Minnesota, the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities, and
other entities. Billing must be based only on usage of services relating to
statewide systems provided by the Intertechnologies Division. Each agency
shall transfer from agency operating appropriations to the statewide systems
account the amount billed by the commissioner. Billing policies and procedures
related to statewide systems services must be developed by the commissioner in
consultation with the commissioners of employee relations and administration,
the University of Minnesota, and the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities.
Sec. 45. [16B.327]
DEFINITIONS.
Subdivision 1. Application. For the
purposes of section 16B.328, the definitions in this section have the meanings
given.
Subd. 2. Energy conservation.
"Energy conservation" means reducing energy use and includes: (1)
using a light with lower wattage; and (2) using devices such as time controls,
motion detectors, or on and off switches that limit unnecessary use of
lighting.
Subd. 3. Cutoff luminaire. "Cutoff
luminaire" means a luminaire in which 2.5 percent or less of the lamp
lumens are emitted above a horizontal plane through the luminaire's lowest part
and ten percent or less of the lamp lumens are emitted at a vertical angle 80
degrees above the luminaire's lowest point.
Subd. 4. Light pollution. "Light
pollution" means the shining of light produced by a luminaire above the
height of the luminaire and into the sky.
Subd. 5. Lumen. "Lumen"
means a unit of luminous flux. One footcandle is one lumen per square foot. For
purposes of section 16B.328, the lumen-output values are the initial lumen
output rating of the lamp.
Subd. 6. Luminaire "Luminaire"
means a complete lighting unit consisting of a light source and all necessary
mechanical, electrical, and decorative parts.
Subd. 7. Outdoor lighting fixture.
"Outdoor lighting fixture" means any type of fixed or movable
lighting equipment that is designed or used for illumination outdoors. The term
includes billboard lighting, streetlights, searchlights, and other lighting
used for advertising purposes and area lighting. The term does not include
lighting equipment that is required by law to be installed on motor vehicles or
lighting required for the safe operation of aircraft.
Sec. 46. [16B.328] STANDARDS
FOR STATE FUNDED OUTDOOR LIGHTING FIXTURES; MODEL ORDINANCE.
Subdivision 1. Outdoor lighting fixtures.
(a) An outdoor lighting fixture may be installed or replaced using state
funds only if:
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(1) the new or replacement
outdoor lighting fixture is a cutoff luminaire if the rated output of the
outdoor lighting fixture is greater than 1,800 lumens;
(2) the minimum illuminance
adequate for the intended purpose is used with consideration given to
nationally recognized standards;
(3) for lighting of a
designated highway of the state highway system, the Department of
Transportation determines that the purpose of the outdoor lighting fixture
cannot be achieved by the installation of reflective road markers, lines,
warning or informational signs, or other effective passive methods; and
(4) full consideration has
been given to energy conservation and savings, reducing glare, minimizing light
pollution, and preserving the natural night environment.
(b) Paragraph (a) does not
apply if:
(1) a federal law, rule, or
regulation preempts state law;
(2) the outdoor lighting
fixture is used on a temporary basis because emergency personnel require
additional illumination for emergency procedures;
(3) the outdoor lighting
fixture is used on a temporary basis for nighttime work;
(4) special events or
situations require additional illumination, provided that the illumination
installed shields the outdoor lighting fixtures from direct view and minimizes
upward lighting and light pollution;
(5) the outdoor lighting
fixture is used solely to highlight the aesthetic aspects of a single object or
distinctive building; or
(6) a compelling safety
interest exists that cannot be addressed by another method.
(c) This subdivision does
not apply to the operation and maintenance of lights or lighting systems
purchased or installed, or for which design work is completed, before August 1,
2007.
(d) This section does not
apply if a state agency or local unit of government determines that compliance
with this section would:
(i) require an increased use
of electricity;
(ii) increase the
construction cost of a lighting system more than 15 percent over the
construction cost of a lighting system that does not comply with this section;
(iii) increase the cost of
operation and maintenance of the lighting system more than ten percent over the
cost of operating and maintaining the existing lighting system over the life of
the lighting system; or
(iv) result in a negative
safety impact.
Subd. 2. Model ordinance. The commissioner of administration, in
consultation with the commissioner of commerce, associations for local
governments, and any other interested person, shall develop a model ordinance
that can be adapted for use by cities, counties, and towns, governing outdoor
lighting to reduce light pollution. The model ordinance must include provisions
addressing elements similar to those in subdivision 1. In addition, the model
ordinance must address:
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(1) standards for lighting on private property, outdoor advertising,
lighting on commercial, industrial, or institutional property, canopies
covering fueling stations, and public streets, sidewalks, and alleys;
(2) how illumination levels should be measured;
(3) possible exemptions, such as for temporary emergency or hazard
lighting;
(4) recommended elements for an exterior lighting plan for a
development;
(5) treatment of nonconforming lighting;
(6) lighting standards that might apply in special subdistricts;
(7) light pole maximum heights; and
(8) light trespass.
Sec. 47. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 16B.35, subdivision 1, is
amended to read:
Subdivision 1. Percent of
appropriations for art. An appropriation for the construction or alteration
of any state building may contain an amount not to exceed the lesser of
$100,000 or one percent of the total appropriation for the building for the
acquisition of works of art, excluding landscaping, which may be an integral
part of the building or its grounds, attached to the building or grounds or
capable of being displayed in other state buildings. If the appropriation
for works of art is limited by the $100,000 cap in this section, the
appropriation for the construction or alteration of the building must be
reduced to reflect the reduced amount that will be spent on works of art. Money
used for this purpose is available only for the acquisition of works of art to
be exhibited in areas of a building or its grounds accessible, on a regular
basis, to members of the public. No more than ten percent of the total amount
available each fiscal year under this subdivision may be used for
administrative expenses, either by the commissioner of administration or by any
other entity to whom the commissioner delegates administrative authority. For
the purposes of this section "state building" means a building the
construction or alteration of which is paid for wholly or in part by the state.
EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective
July 1, 2007. The repeal of the $100,000 limit in this section applies to
appropriations made before, on, or after that date.
Sec. 48. [16B.97] GRANTS
MANAGEMENT.
Subdivision 1. Grant agreement. (a)
A grant agreement is a written instrument or electronic document defining a
legal relationship between a granting agency and a grantee when the principal
purpose of the relationship is to transfer cash or something of value to the
recipient to support a public purpose authorized by law instead of acquiring by
professional/technical contract, purchase, lease, or barter property or
services for the direct benefit or use of the granting agency.
(b) This section does not apply to capital project grants to political
subdivisions as defined by section 16A.86.
Subd. 2. Grants governance. The
commissioner shall provide leadership and direction for policy related to
grants management in Minnesota in order to foster more consistent, streamlined
interaction between executive agencies, funders, and grantees that will enhance
access to grant opportunities and information and lead to greater program
accountability and transparency. The commissioner has the duties and powers
stated in this section. An executive agency must do what the commissioner
requires under this section.
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Subd. 3. Discretionary powers.
The commissioner has the authority to:
(1) review grants management practices and propose policy and procedure
improvements to the governor, legislature, executive agencies, and the federal
government;
(2) sponsor, support, and facilitate innovative and collaborative
grants management projects with public and private organizations;
(3) review, recommend, and implement alternative strategies for grants
management;
(4) collect and disseminate information, issue reports relating to
grants management, and sponsor and conduct conferences and studies; and
(5) participate in conferences and other appropriate activities related
to grants management issues.
Subd. 4. Duties. (a) The
commissioner shall:
(1) create general grants management policies and procedures that are
applicable to all executive agencies. The commissioner may approve exceptions
to these policies and procedures for particular grant programs. Exceptions
shall expire or be renewed after five years. Executive agencies shall retain
management of individual grants programs;
(2) provide a central point of contact concerning statewide grants
management policies and procedures;
(3) serve as a resource to executive agencies in such areas as
training, evaluation, collaboration, and best practices in grants management;
(4) ensure grants management needs are considered in the development,
upgrade, and use of statewide administrative systems and leverage existing
technology whereever possible;
(5) oversee and approve future professional and technical service
contracts and other information technology spending related to executive agency
grants management activities;
(6) provide a central point of contact for comments about executive
agencies violating statewide grants governance policies and about fraud and
waste in grants processes;
(7) forward received comments to the appropriate agency for further
action, and may follow up as necessary; and
(8) provide a single listing of all available executive agency
competitive grant opportunities and resulting grant recipients.
(b) The commissioner may determine that it is cost-effective for
agencies to develop and use shared grants management technology systems. This
system would be governed under section 16E.01, subdivision 3, paragraph (b).
(c) The duties assigned to the commissioner in this subdivision with
respect to grants also apply to easements granted by executive agencies.
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Sec. 49. [16B.98] GRANT
AGREEMENTS.
Subdivision 1. Limitation. As a condition
of receiving a grant from an appropriation of state funds, the recipient of the
grant must agree to minimize administrative costs. The granting agency is
responsible for negotiating appropriate limits to these costs so that the state
derives the optimum benefit for grant funding.
Subd. 2. Ethical practices and
conflict of interest. An employee of the executive branch involved
directly or indirectly in grants processes, at any level, is subject to the
code of ethics in section 43A.38.
Subd. 3. Conflict of interest.
(a) The commissioner must develop policies regarding code of ethics and
conflict of interest designed to prevent conflicts of interest for employees,
committee members, or others involved in the recommendation, award, and
administration of grants. The policies must apply to employees who are directly
or indirectly in the grants process, which may include the following:
(1) developing request for proposals or evaluation criteria;
(2) drafting, recommending, awarding, amending, revising, or entering
into grant agreements;
(3) evaluating or monitoring performance; or
(4) authorizing payments.
(b) The policies must include:
(1) a process to make all parties to the grant aware of policies and
laws relating to conflict of interest, and training on how to avoid and address
potential conflicts; and
(2) a process under which those who have a conflict of interest or a
potential conflict of interest must disclose the matter.
(c) If the employee, appointing authority, or commissioner determines
that a conflict of interest exists, the matter shall be assigned to another
employee who does not have a conflict of interest. If it is not possible to
assign the matter to an employee who does not have a conflict of interest,
interested personnel shall be notified of the conflict and the employee may
proceed with the assignment.
Subd. 4. Reporting of violations.
A state employee who discovers evidence of violation of laws or rules governing
grants is encouraged to report the violation or suspected violation to the
employee's supervisor, the commissioner or the commissioner's designee, or the
legislative auditor. The legislative auditor shall report to the Legislative
Audit Commission if there are multiple complaints about the same agency. The
auditor's report to the Legislative Audit Commission under this section must
disclose only the number and type of violations alleged. An employee making a
good faith report under this section has the protections provided for under
section 181.932, prohibiting the employer from discriminating against the
employee.
Subd. 5. Creation and validity of
grant agreements. (a) A grant agreement is not valid and the state
is not bound by the grant unless:
(1) the grant has been executed by the head of the agency or a delegate
who is party to the grant; and
(2) the accounting system shows an encumbrance for the amount of the
grant in accordance with policy approved by the commissioner.
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(b) The combined grant agreement and amendments must not exceed five
years without specific, written approval by the commissioner according to
established policy, procedures, and standards, or unless the commissioner
determines that a longer duration is in the best interest of the state.
(c) A fully executed copy of the grant agreement with all amendments
and other required records relating to the grant must be kept on file at the
granting agency for a time equal to that required of grantees in subdivision 8.
(d) Grant agreements must comply with policies established by the
commissioner for minimum grant agreement standards and practices.
(e) The attorney general may periodically review and evaluate a sample
of state agency grants to ensure compliance with applicable laws.
Subd. 6. Grant administration.
A granting agency shall diligently administer and monitor any grant it has
entered into.
Subd. 7. Grant payments. Payments
to the grantee may not be issued until the grant agreement is fully executed.
Subd. 8. Audit. (a) A
grant agreement made by an executive agency must include an expressed or
implied audit clause that provides that the books, records, documents, and
accounting procedures and practices of the grantee or other party that are
relevant to the grant or transaction are subject to examination by the granting
agency and either the legislative auditor or the state auditor, as appropriate,
for a minimum of six years from the grant agreement end date, receipt and
approval of all final reports, or the required period of time to satisfy all
state and program retention requirements, whichever is later.
(b) If the granting agency is a local unit of government, and the governing
body of the local unit of government requests that the state auditor examine
the books, records, documents, and accounting procedures and practices of the
grantee or other party according to this subdivision, the granting agency shall
be liable for the cost of the examination. If the granting agency is a local
unit of government, and the grantee or other party requests that the state
auditor examine all books, records, documents, and accounting procedures and
practices related to the grant, the grantee or other party that requested the
examination shall be liable for the cost of the examination.
Subd. 9. Authority of attorney
general. The attorney general may pursue remedies available by law
to avoid the obligation of an agency to pay under a grant or to recover
payments made if activities under the grant are so unsatisfactory, incomplete,
or inconsistent that payment would involve unjust enrichment. The contrary
opinion of the granting agency does not affect the power of the attorney
general under this subdivision.
Subd. 10. Grants with Indian tribes
and bands. Notwithstanding any other law, an agency may not require
an Indian tribe or band to deny its sovereignty as a requirement or condition
of a grant with an agency.
Sec. 50. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 16C.02, is amended by adding
a subdivision to read:
Subd. 3a. Best and final offer.
"Best and final offer" means an optional step in the solicitation
process in which responders are requested to improve their response by methods
including, but not limited to, the reduction of cost, clarification or
modification of the response, or the provision of additional information.
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Sec. 51. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 16C.02, subdivision 4, is
amended to read:
Subd. 4. Best value.
"Best value" describes a result intended in the acquisition of all
goods and services. Price must be one of the evaluation criteria when acquiring
goods and services. Other evaluation criteria may include, but are not limited
to, environmental considerations, quality, and vendor performance. In
achieving "best value" strategic sourcing tools, including but not
limited to best and final offers, negotiations, contract consolidation, product
standardization, and mandatory-use enterprise contracts shall be used at the
commissioner's discretion.
Sec. 52. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 16C.02, is amended by adding
a subdivision to read:
Subd. 6a. Enterprise procurement.
"Enterprise procurement" means the process undertaken by the
commissioner to leverage economies of scale of multiple end users to achieve
cost savings and other favorable terms in contracts for goods and services.
Sec. 53. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 16C.02, subdivision 12, is
amended to read:
Subd. 12. Request for proposal
or RFP. "Request for proposal" or "RFP" means a
solicitation in which it is not advantageous to set forth all the actual,
detailed requirements at the time of solicitation and responses are subject
to negotiation negotiated to achieve best value for the state.
Sec. 54. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 16C.02, subdivision 14, is
amended to read:
Subd. 14. Response.
"Response" means the offer received from a vendor in response to a
solicitation. A response includes submissions commonly referred to as
"offers," "bids," "quotes," or
"proposals.," "best and final offers," or
"negotiated offers."
Sec. 55. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 16C.02, is amended by adding
a subdivision to read:
Subd. 20. Strategic sourcing. "Strategic
sourcing" means methods used 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.
Sec. 56. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 16C.03, subdivision 2, is
amended to read:
Subd. 2. Rulemaking authority.
Subject to chapter 14, the commissioner may adopt rules, consistent with this
chapter and chapter 16B, relating to the following topics:
(1) procurement process including solicitations and responses to
solicitations, bid security, vendor errors, opening of responses, award of
contracts, tied bids, and award protest process;
(2) contract performance and failure to perform;
(3) authority to debar or suspend vendors, and reinstatement of
vendors;
(4) contract cancellation;
(5) procurement from rehabilitation facilities; and
(6) organizational conflicts of interest.
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Sec. 57. Minnesota Statutes
2006, section 16C.03, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
Subd. 4. Contracting authority. The commissioner
shall conduct all contracting by, for, and between agencies and perform all
contract management and review functions for contracts, except those functions
specifically delegated to be performed by the contracting agency, the attorney
general, or otherwise provided for by law. The commissioner may require that
agency staff participate in the development of enterprise procurements
including the development of product standards, specifications and other
requirements.
Sec. 58. Minnesota Statutes
2006, section 16C.03, subdivision 8, is amended to read:
Subd. 8. Policy and procedures. The commissioner
is authorized to issue policies, procedures, and standards applicable to all
acquisition activities by and for agencies. Consistent with the authority
specified in this chapter, the commissioner shall develop and implement
policies, procedures, and standards ensuring the optimal use of strategic
sourcing techniques.
Sec. 59. Minnesota Statutes
2006, section 16C.03, subdivision 16, is amended to read:
Subd. 16. Delegation of duties. The commissioner
may delegate duties imposed by this chapter to the head of an agency and to any
subordinate of the agency head. Delegated duties shall be exercised in the name
of the commissioner and under the commissioner's direct supervision and
control. A delegation of duties may include, but is not limited to, allowing
individuals within agencies to acquire goods, services, and utilities within
dollar limitations and for designated types of acquisitions. Delegation of
contract management and review functions must be filed with the secretary of
state and may not, except with respect to delegations within the Department of
Administration, exceed two years in duration. The commissioner may withdraw any
delegation at the commissioner's sole discretion. The commissioner may require
an agency head or subordinate to accept delegated responsibility to procure
goods or services intended for the exclusive use of the agency receiving the
delegation.
Sec. 60. [16C.046] WEB SITE WITH SEARCHABLE
DATABASE ON STATE CONTRACTS AND GRANTS.
(a) The commissioner of
administration must maintain a Web site with a searchable database providing
the public with information on state contracts, including grant contracts. The
database must include the following information for each state contract valued
in excess of $25,000:
(1) the name and address of
the entity receiving the contract;
(2) the name of the agency
entering into the contract;
(3) whether the contract is:
(i) for goods;
(ii) for professional or
technical services;
(iii) for services other
than professional and technical services; or
(iv) a grant;
(4) a brief statement of the
purpose of the contract or grant;
(5) the amount of the
contract or grant and the fund from which this amount will be paid; and
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(6) the dollar value of state contracts, other than grants, the entity
has received in each fiscal year and the dollar value of state grants the
entity has received in each fiscal year.
(b) Required information on a new contract or grant must be entered
into the database within 30 days of the time the contract is entered into.
(c) For purposes of this section, a "grant" is a contract
between a state agency and a recipient, the primary purpose of which is to
transfer cash or a thing of value to the recipient to support a public purpose.
Grant does not include payments to units of local government, payments to state
employees, or payments made under laws providing for assistance to individuals.
(d) The database must include information on grants and contracts
entered into beginning with fiscal year 2008 funds, and must retain that data
for ten years.
EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is
effective January 1, 2008.
Sec. 61. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 16C.05, subdivision 1, is
amended to read:
Subdivision 1. Agency
cooperation. Agencies shall fully cooperate with the commissioner in the
management and review of state contracts and in the development and
implementation of strategic sourcing techniques.
Sec. 62. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 16C.05, subdivision 2, is
amended to read:
Subd. 2. Creation and validity
of contracts. (a) A contract is not valid and the state is not bound by it
and no agency, without the prior written approval of the commissioner granted
pursuant to subdivision 2a, may authorize work to begin on it unless:
(1) it has first been executed by the head of the agency or a delegate
who is a party to the contract;
(2) it has been approved by the commissioner; and
(3) the accounting system shows an encumbrance for the amount of the
contract liability, except as allowed by policy approved by the commissioner
and commissioner of finance for routine, low-dollar procurements.
(b) The combined contract and amendments must 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.
(c) Grants, interagency agreements, purchase orders, work orders, and
annual plans need not, in the discretion of the commissioner and attorney
general, require the signature of the commissioner and/or the attorney general.
A signature is not required for work orders and amendments to work orders
related to Department of Transportation contracts. Bond purchase agreements by
the Minnesota Public Facilities Authority do not require the approval of the
commissioner.
(d) Amendments to contracts must entail tasks that are substantially
similar to those in the original contract or involve tasks that are so closely
related to the original contract that it would be impracticable for a different
contractor to perform the work. The commissioner or an agency official to whom
the commissioner has delegated contracting authority under section 16C.03,
subdivision 16, must determine that an amendment would serve the interest of
the state better than a new contract and would cost no more.
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(e) A fully executed copy of every contract, amendments to the contract,
and performance evaluations relating to the contract must be kept on file at
the contracting agency for a time equal to that specified for contract vendors
and other parties in subdivision 5.
(f) The attorney general must periodically review and evaluate a sample
of state agency contracts to ensure compliance with laws.
Sec. 63. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 16C.08, is amended by adding
a subdivision to read:
Subd. 1a. Enterprise procurement.
Notwithstanding section 15.061 or any other law, the commissioner shall, to
the fullest extent practicable, conduct enterprise procurements that result in
the establishment of professional or technical contracts for use by multiple
state agencies. The commissioner is authorized to mandate use of any contract
entered into as a result of an enterprise procurement process. Agencies shall
fully cooperate in the development and use of contracts entered into under this
section.
Sec. 64. Minnesota Statutes 2006, 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; and
(3) a description of the performance measures or other tools 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) the normal competitive bidding mechanisms will not provide for
adequate performance of the services;
(3) reasonable efforts will be made to publicize the availability of
the contract to the public;
(4) 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) 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) the contract will not establish an employment relationship between
the state or the agency and any persons performing under the contract; and
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(7) 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
(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), if, under federal laws governing the distinction
between an employee and an independent contractor, a person would be considered
an employee.
Sec. 65. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 16C.08, subdivision 4, is
amended to read:
Subd. 4. Reports. (a) The
commissioner shall submit to the governor, the chairs of the house Ways and
Means and senate Finance Committees, and the Legislative Reference Library a
yearly listing of all contracts for professional or technical services
executed. The report must identify the contractor, contract amount, duration,
and services to be provided. The commissioner shall also issue yearly reports
summarizing the contract review activities of the department by fiscal year.
(b) The fiscal year report must be submitted by September 1 of each
year and must:
(1) be sorted by agency and by contractor;
(2) show the aggregate value of contracts issued by each agency and
issued to each contractor;
(3) distinguish between contracts that are being issued for the first
time and contracts that are being extended;
(4) state the termination date of each contract;
(5) identify services by commodity code, including topics such as
contracts for training, contracts for research and opinions, and contracts for
computer systems; and
(6) identify which contracts were awarded without following the
solicitation process in this chapter because it was determined that there was
only a single source for the services.
(c) Within 30 days of final completion of a contract over $50,000
covered by this subdivision, the head of the agency entering into the contract
must submit a one-page report to the commissioner who must submit a copy to the
Legislative Reference Library. The report must:
(1) summarize the purpose of the contract, including why it was
necessary to enter into a contract;
(2) state the amount spent on the contract;
(3) be accompanied by the performance evaluation prepared according to
subdivision 4a; and
(4)
(3) if the contract was awarded without following the solicitation
process in this chapter because it was determined that there was only a single
source for the services, explain why the agency determined there was only a
single source for the services.; and
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(4) include a written
performance evaluation of the work done under the contract. The evaluation must
include an appraisal of the contractor's timeliness, quality, cost, and overall
performance in meeting the terms and objectives of the contract. Contractors
may request copies of evaluations prepared under this subdivision and may
respond in writing. Contractor responses must be maintained with the contract
file.
Sec. 66. Minnesota Statutes
2006, section 16C.08, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:
Subd. 4b. Limitations on actions. No action may be maintained by a
contractor against an employee or agency who discloses information about a
current or former contractor under subdivision 4, unless the contractor
demonstrates by clear and convincing evidence that:
(1) the information was
false and defamatory;
(2) the employee or agency
knew or should have known the information was false and acted with malicious
intent to injure the current or former contractor; and
(3) the information was
acted upon in a manner that caused harm to the current or former contractor.
Sec. 67. [16C.086] CALL-CENTER.
An agency may not enter into
a contract for operation of a call-center, or a contract whose primary purpose
is to provide similar services answering or responding to telephone calls on
behalf of an agency without determining if the service can be provided by state
employees, and the services must be provided at offices located in the United
States. For purposes of this section, "agency" includes the Minnesota
State Colleges and Universities.
EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is
effective the day following final enactment, and applies to a contract entered
into or renewed or otherwise extended after that date.
Sec. 68. Minnesota Statutes
2006, section 16C.10, subdivision 7, is amended to read:
Subd. 7. Reverse auction. (a) For the purpose of
this subdivision, "reverse auction" means a purchasing process in
which vendors compete to provide goods or computer services at the
lowest selling price in an open and interactive environment. Reverse
auctions may not be utilized to procure engineering design services or
architectural services or to establish building and construction contracts
under sections 16C.26 to 16C.29.
(b) The provisions of
sections 13.591, subdivision 3, and 16C.06, subdivision 2, do not apply when
the commissioner determines that a reverse auction is the appropriate
purchasing process.
Sec. 69. Minnesota Statutes
2006, section 16C.16, subdivision 5, is amended to read:
Subd. 5. Designation of targeted groups. (a) The
commissioner of administration shall periodically designate businesses that are
majority owned and operated by women, persons with a substantial physical
disability, or specific minorities as targeted group businesses within
purchasing categories as determined by the commissioner. A group may be
targeted within a purchasing category if the commissioner determines there is a
statistical disparity between the percentage of purchasing from businesses
owned by group members and the representation of businesses owned by group members
among all businesses in the state in the purchasing category.
(b) In addition to
designations under paragraph (a), an individual business may be included as a
targeted group business if the commissioner determines that inclusion is
necessary to remedy discrimination against the owner based on race, gender, or
disability in attempting to operate a business that would provide goods or
services to public agencies.
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(c) In addition to the designations under paragraphs (a) and (b), the
commissioner of administration shall designate businesses that are majority
owned and operated by veterans who have served in federal active service as
defined in section 190.05, subdivision 5c, in support of Operation Enduring
Freedom or Operation Iraqi Freedom as targeted group businesses within
purchasing categories as determined by the commissioner. "Veteran"
has the meaning given in section 197.447, and also includes both currently
serving and honorably discharged members of the national guard and other
military reserves.
(c)
(d) The
designations of purchasing categories and businesses under paragraphs (a) and,
(b), and (c) are not rules for purposes of chapter 14, and are not
subject to rulemaking procedures of that chapter.
EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is
effective July 1, 2007, and applies to procurement contract bid solicitations
issued on and after that date.
Sec. 70. [16C.251] BEST AND
FINAL OFFER.
A "best and final offer" solicitation process may not be used
for building and construction contracts.
Sec. 71. [16E.22] LICENSING
SYSTEM.
The state chief information officer may enter into a professional or
technical services contract for information systems development in which the
vendor finances all or part of the cost of system development. The state chief
information officer may assess and accept a fee for business and occupational
licenses for the purpose of developing and maintaining a licensing system.
Before implementing a fee under this section, the director must submit the
proposed fee to the Legislative Advisory Commission for its review.
Sec. 72. Minnesota Statutes 2006, 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.
The books and accounts of the society for the fiscal year must be
examined and audited annually by the legislative auditor. The cost of the
examination must be paid by the society to the state and credited to the general
fund appropriation for the legislative auditor.
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.
EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is
effective the day following final enactment.
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Sec. 73. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 43A.02, is amended by adding
a subdivision to read:
Subd. 18a. Domestic partner. "Domestic
partner" means a person who has entered into a committed interdependent
relationship with another adult, where the partners:
(1) are responsible for each other's basic common welfare;
(2) share a common residence and intend to do so indefinitely;
(3) are not related by blood or adoption to an extent that would
prohibit marriage in this state; and
(4) are legally competent and qualified to enter into a contract.
For purposes of this subdivision, domestic partners may share a common
residence, even if:
(1) they do not each have a legal right to possess the residence; or
(2) one or both domestic partners possess additional real property.
If one domestic partner temporarily leaves the common residence with the
intention to return, the domestic partners continue to share a common residence
for the purposes of this subdivision.
Sec. 74. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 43A.24, subdivision 1, is
amended to read:
Subdivision 1. General.
Employees, including persons on layoff from a civil service position, and
employees who are employed less than full time, shall be eligible for state
paid life insurance and hospital, medical and dental benefits as provided in
collective bargaining agreements or plans established pursuant to section
43A.18. If a collective bargaining agreement or plan provides state paid
health insurance for spouses of employees, the insurance must be made available
to domestic partners of state employees on the same terms and conditions.
Sec. 75. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 43A.49, is amended to read:
43A.49 VOLUNTARY UNPAID
LEAVE OF ABSENCE.
(a) Appointing authorities in state government may allow each employee
to take unpaid leaves of absence for up to 1,040 hours between June 1, 2003,
and June 30, 2005. The 1,040 hour limit replaces, and is not in addition to,
limits set in prior laws in each two-year period beginning July 1 of
each odd-numbered year. Each appointing authority approving such a leave
shall allow the employee to continue accruing vacation and sick leave, be
eligible for paid holidays and insurance benefits, accrue seniority, and, if
payments are made under paragraph (b), accrue service credit and credited
salary in the state retirement plans, as if the employee had actually
been employed during the time of leave. An employee covered by the unclassified
plan may voluntarily make the employee contributions to the unclassified plan
during the leave of absence. If the employee makes these contributions, the
appointing authority must make the employer contribution. If the leave of
absence is for one full pay period or longer, any holiday pay shall be included
in the first payroll warrant after return from the leave of absence. The
appointing authority shall attempt to grant requests for the unpaid leaves of
absence consistent with the need to continue efficient operation of the agency.
However, each appointing authority shall retain discretion to grant or refuse
to grant requests for leaves of absence and to schedule and cancel leaves,
subject to the applicable provisions of collective bargaining agreements and
compensation plans.
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(b) To receive eligible service credit and credited salary in a defined
benefit plan, the member shall pay an amount equal to the applicable employee
contribution rates. If an employee pays the employee contribution for the
period of the leave under this section, the appointing authority must pay the
employer contribution. The appointing authority may, at its discretion, pay the
employee contributions. Contributions must be made in a time and manner
prescribed by the executive director of the Minnesota State Retirement Association
System.
Sec. 76. [43A.50] CERTIFICATE
OF PAY EQUITY COMPLIANCE.
Subdivision 1. Scope of application.
For a contract for goods or services in excess of $100,000, a state
department or agency may not accept a bid or proposal from a business having
more than 40 full-time employees within the state on a single working day
during the previous 12 months unless the commissioner has approved the
business' plan to establish equitable compensation relationships for its
employees and has issued the business a certificate of compliance. A
certificate of compliance is valid for two years.
Subd. 2. Compliance; good faith
effort. (a) The commissioner must approve a plan and issue a
certificate of compliance under this section to a business if the business demonstrates
that it is in compliance with equitable compensation relationship standards or
is making a good faith effort to achieve compliance with those standards. The
standards for determining equitable compensation relationships for a business
under this section are the same as the standards in sections 471.991 to 471.997
and rules adopted under those sections.
(b) A business that is not in compliance with equitable compensation
relationship standards is making a good faith effort to achieve compliance if
the commissioner has approved:
(1) a plan for achieving compliance, including the business' proposed
actions and response to the commissioner's recommendations; and
(2) a proposed date for achieving compliance and for submitting a
revised report for the commissioner's review.
Subd. 3. Filing fee; account;
appropriation. The commissioner shall collect a $75 fee for each
certificate of compliance issued by the commissioner under this section. The
proceeds of the fee must be deposited in a pay equity fee special revenue
account. Money in the account is appropriated to the commissioner to fund the
cost of administering this section.
Subd. 4. Revocation of certificate.
A certificate of compliance may be suspended or revoked by the commissioner
of administration if a holder of a certificate is not effectively implementing
or making a good faith effort to implement its approved plan to establish
equitable compensation relationships. If a contractor does not effectively
implement its approved plan, or fails to make a good faith effort to do so, the
commissioner of employee relations may refuse to approve subsequent plans
submitted by that business.
Subd. 5. Revocation of contract.
A contract awarded by a department or agency of the state may be terminated
or abridged by the contracting department or agency because of suspension or
revocation of a certificate. If a contract is awarded to a person who does not
have a contract compliance certificate required, the commissioner may void the
contract on behalf of the state.
Subd. 6. Technical assistance.
If the commissioner of administration has suspended a contractor's
certificate of compliance, the commissioner shall provide technical assistance that
may enable the contractor to be recertified within 90 days after the
contractor's certificate has been suspended.
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Subd. 7. Access to data. Data
submitted to the commissioner by a contractor or potential contractor for
purposes of obtaining a certificate of compliance under this section are
private data on individuals or nonpublic data with respect to persons other
than department employees. The commissioner's decision to grant, not grant,
revoke, or suspend a certificate of compliance is public data.
EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is
effective July 1, 2007, and applies to contracts for which a state department
or agency issues solicitations on or after that date.
Sec. 77. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 103D.355, is amended to read:
103D.355 ANNUAL AUDIT.
Subdivision 1. Requirement.
The managers must have an annual audit completed of the books and accounts of
the watershed district. The annual audit may be made by a private certified public
accountant or by the state auditor. The annual audit must be made by a
certified public accountant or the state auditor at least once every five
years, or when cumulative district revenues or expenditures exceed an amount
established by the board in consultation with the state auditor.
Subd. 2. Audit by state auditor.
(a) If the annual An audit is to be made by the state
auditor, the audit must may be initiated by a petition of the
resident owners of the watershed district or resolution of the managers of the
watershed district. The petition must request an annual audit pursuant to the
authority granted municipalities under sections 6.54 and 6.55. The state
auditor may conduct such examinations of accounts and records as the state auditor
may deem the public interest to demand.
(b) If the audit or examination is made by the state auditor,
the watershed district receiving the examination must pay the state the total
cost and expenses of the examination, including the salaries paid to the
examiners while actually engaged in making the examination. The general fund
must be credited with all collections made for examinations under this
subdivision.
Subd. 3. Reports for state
auditor. The managers must make and submit reports demanded by the state
auditor.
Sec. 78. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 161.1419, subdivision 8, is
amended to read:
Subd. 8. Expiration. The
commission expires on June 30, 2007 2012.
Sec. 79. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 181.9413, is amended to read:
181.9413 SICK OR INJURED
CHILD CARE LEAVE BENEFITS; USE TO CARE FOR CERTAIN RELATIVES.
(a) An employee may use personal sick leave benefits provided by the
employer for absences due to an illness of or injury to the employee's child,
spouse, sibling, parent, grandparent, stepparent, or domestic partner for
such reasonable periods as the employee's attendance with the child may
be necessary, on the same terms upon which the employee is able to use
sick leave benefits for the employee's own illness or injury. This section
applies only to personal sick leave benefits payable to the employee from the
employer's general assets.
(b) For purposes of this section, "personal sick leave
benefits" means time accrued and available to an employee to be used as a
result of absence from work due to personal illness or injury, but does not
include short-term or long-term disability or other salary continuation
benefits.
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(c) For purposes of this
section, "domestic partner" means a person who has entered into a
committed interdependent relationship with another adult, where the partners:
(1) are responsible for each
other's basic common welfare;
(2) share a common residence
and intend to do so indefinitely;
(3) are not related by blood
or adoption to an extent that would prohibit marriage in this state; and
(4) are legally competent
and qualified to enter into a contract.
For purposes of this
section, domestic partners may share a common residence even if they do not
have a legal right to possess the residence or one or both domestic partners
possess additional real property.
If one domestic partner
temporarily leaves the common residence with the intention to return, the
domestic partners continue to share a common residence for the purposes of this
section.
EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is
effective August 1, 2007, and applies to sick leave used on or after that date.
Sec. 80. Minnesota Statutes
2006, section 302A.821, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
Subd. 4. Penalty; reinstatement. (a) A
corporation that has failed to file a registration pursuant to the requirements
of subdivision 2 must be dissolved by the secretary of state as described in
paragraph (b).
(b) If the corporation has
not filed the registration for two consecutive during any calendar
years year, the secretary of state must issue a certificate of
administrative dissolution and the certificate must be filed in the Office of
the Secretary of State. The secretary of state shall send notice to the
corporation that the corporation has been dissolved and that the corporation
may be reinstated by filing a registration and a $25 fee. The notice must be
given by United States mail unless the company has indicated to the secretary
of state that they are willing to receive notice by electronic notification, in
which case the secretary of state may give notice by mail or the indicated
means. The secretary of state shall annually inform the attorney general and the
commissioner of revenue of the methods by which the names of corporations
dissolved under this section during the preceding year may be determined. The
secretary of state must also make available in an electronic format the
names of the dissolved corporations. A corporation dissolved in this manner is
not entitled to the benefits of section 302A.781. The liability, if any, of the
shareholders of a corporation dissolved in this manner shall be determined and
limited in accordance with section 302A.557, except that the shareholders shall
have no liability to any director of the corporation under section 302A.559,
subdivision 2.
(c) After administrative
dissolution, filing a registration and the $25 fee with the secretary of state:
(1) returns the corporation
to good standing as of the date of the dissolution;
(2) validates contracts or
other acts within the authority of the articles, and the corporation is liable
for those contracts or acts; and
(3) restores to the
corporation all assets and rights of the corporation to the extent they were
held by the corporation before the dissolution occurred, except to the extent
that assets or rights were affected by acts occurring after the dissolution or sold
or otherwise distributed after that time.
EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is
effective January 1, 2008.
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Sec. 81. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 308A.995, subdivision 4, is amended
to read:
Subd. 4. Penalty; dissolution.
(a) A cooperative that has failed to file a registration pursuant to the
requirements of this section by December 31 of the calendar year for which the
registration was required must be dissolved by the secretary of state as
described in paragraph (b).
(b) If the cooperative has not filed the registration by December 31 of
that calendar year, the secretary of state must issue a certificate of
involuntary dissolution, and the certificate must be filed in the Office of the
Secretary of State. The secretary of state must annually inform the attorney
general and the commissioner of revenue of the methods by which the names of
cooperatives dissolved under this section during the preceding year may be
determined. The secretary of state must also make available in an
electronic format the names of the dissolved cooperatives. A cooperative
dissolved in this manner is not entitled to the benefits of section 308A.981.
EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is
effective January 1, 2008.
Sec. 82. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 308B.121, subdivision 4, is
amended to read:
Subd. 4. Penalty; dissolution.
(a) A cooperative that has failed to file a registration under the requirements
of this section must be dissolved by the secretary of state as described in
paragraph (b).
(b) If the cooperative has not filed the registration by December 31 of
that calendar year, the secretary of state must issue a certificate of
involuntary dissolution and the certificate must be filed in the Office of the
Secretary of State. The secretary of state must annually inform the attorney
general and the commissioner of revenue of the methods by which the names of
cooperatives dissolved under this section during the preceding year may be
determined. The secretary of state must also make available in an electronic
format the names of the dissolved cooperatives. A cooperative dissolved in
this manner is not entitled to the benefits of section 308B.971.
EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is
effective January 1, 2008.
Sec. 83. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 308B.215, subdivision 2, is
amended to read:
Subd. 2. Filing. The
original articles and a designation of the cooperative's registered office and
agent, including a registration form under section 308B.121, shall be
filed with the secretary of state. The fee for filing the articles with the
secretary of state is $60.
EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is
effective August 1, 2007.
Sec. 84. [308B.903] NOTICE OF
INTENT TO DISSOLVE.
Before a cooperative begins dissolution, a notice of intent to dissolve
must be filed with the secretary of state. The notice must contain:
(1) the name of the cooperative;
(2) the date and place of the members' meeting at which the resolution
was approved; and
(3) a statement that the requisite vote of the members approved the
proposed dissolution.
EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is
effective August 1, 2007.
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Sec. 85. Minnesota Statutes
2006, section 317A.823, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
Subdivision 1. Annual registration. (a) The secretary
of state must send annually to each corporation at the registered office of the
corporation a postcard notice announcing the need to file the annual
registration and informing the corporation that the annual registration may be
filed online and that paper filings may also be made, and informing the
corporation that failing to file the annual registration will result in an
administrative dissolution of the corporation.
(b) Except for
corporations to which paragraph (d) applies, Each calendar year beginning
in the calendar year following the calendar year in which a corporation
incorporates, a corporation must file with the secretary of state by December
31 of each calendar year a registration containing the information listed in
paragraph (c).
(c) The registration must
include:
(1) the name of the
corporation;
(2) the address of its
registered office;
(3) the name of its
registered agent, if any; and
(4) the name and business
address of the officer or other person exercising the principal functions of
president of the corporation.
(d) The timely filing of an
annual financial report and audit or an annual financial statement under
section 69.051, subdivision 1 or 1a, by a volunteer firefighter relief
association, as reflected in the notification by the state auditor under
section 69.051, subdivision 1c, constitutes presentation of the corporate registration.
The secretary of state may reject the registration by the volunteer firefighter
relief association. Rejection must occur if the information provided to the
state auditor does not match the information in the records of the secretary of
state. The volunteer firefighter relief association may amend the articles of
incorporation as provided in sections 317A.131 to 317A.151 so that the
information from the state auditor may be accepted for filing. The timely
filing of an annual financial report and audit or an annual financial statement
under section 69.051, subdivision 1 or 1a, does not relieve the volunteer
firefighter relief association of the requirement to file amendments to the
articles of incorporation directly with the secretary of state.
EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is
effective August 1, 2007.
Sec. 86. Minnesota Statutes
2006, section 321.0206, is amended to read:
321.0206 DELIVERY TO AND FILING OF RECORDS BY SECRETARY OF STATE;
EFFECTIVE TIME AND DATE.
(a) A record authorized or
required to be delivered to the secretary of state for filing under this
chapter must be captioned to describe the record's purpose, be in a medium
permitted by the secretary of state, and be delivered to the secretary of
state. Unless the secretary of state determines that a record does not comply
with the filing requirements of this chapter, and if the appropriate filing
fees have been paid, the secretary of state shall file the record and:
(1) for a statement of
dissociation, send:
(A) a copy of the filed statement
to the person which the statement indicates has dissociated as a general
partner; and
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(B) a copy of the filed
statement to the limited partnership;
(2) for a statement of
withdrawal, send:
(A) a copy of the filed
statement to the person on whose behalf the record was filed; and
(B) if the statement refers
to an existing limited partnership, a copy of the filed statement to the
limited partnership; and
(3) for all other records,
send a copy of the filed record to the person on whose behalf the record was
filed.
(b) Upon request and payment
of a fee, the secretary of state shall send to the requester a certified copy
of the requested record.
(c) Except as otherwise
provided in sections 321.0116 and 321.0207, a record delivered to the secretary
of state for filing under this chapter may specify an effective time and a
delayed effective date. Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, a record
filed by the secretary of state is effective:
(1) if the record does not
specify an effective time and does not specify a delayed effective date, on the
date and at the time the record is filed as evidenced by the secretary of
state's endorsement of the date and time on the record;
(2) if the record specifies
an effective time but not a delayed effective date, on the date the record is
filed at the time specified in the record;
(3) if the record specifies
a delayed effective date but not an effective time, at 12:01 a.m. on the
earlier of:
(A) the specified date; or
(B) the 30th day after the
record is filed; or
(4) if the record specifies
an effective time and a delayed effective date, at the specified time on the
earlier of:
(A) the specified date; or
(B) the 30th day after the
record is filed.
(d) The appropriate fees for
filings under this chapter are:
(1) for filing a certificate
of limited partnership, $100;
(2) for filing an amended
certificate of limited partnership, $50;
(3) for filing any other
record, other than the annual report required by section 321.0210, for which
no fee must be charged, required or permitted to be delivered for filing,
$35;
(4) for filing a certificate
requesting authority to transact business in Minnesota as a foreign limited
partnership, $85;
(5) for filing an
application of reinstatement, $25; and
(6) for filing a name
reservation for a foreign limited partnership name, $35; and
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(7) for
filing any other record, other than the annual report required by section
321.0210, for which no fee must be charged, required or permitted to be
delivered for filing on a foreign limited partnership authorized to transact
business in Minnesota, $50.
EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is
effective July 1, 2007.
Sec. 87. [321.0909] NAME
CHANGES FILED IN HOME STATE.
A foreign limited partnership shall notify the secretary of state of
any changes to the partnership name filed with the state of formation by filing
a certificate from the state of formation certifying to the change of name.
EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is
effective August 1, 2007.
Sec. 88. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 336.1-110, is amended to
read:
336.1-110 UNIFORM COMMERCIAL
CODE ACCOUNT.
The Uniform Commercial Code account is established as an account in the
state treasury. Fees that are not expressly set by statute but are charged by
the secretary of state to offset the costs of providing a service under this
chapter must be deposited in the state treasury and credited to the Uniform
Commercial Code account.
Fees that are not expressly set by statute but are charged by the
secretary of state to offset the costs of providing information contained in
the computerized records maintained by the secretary of state must be deposited
in the state treasury and credited to the Uniform Commercial Code account.
Money in the Uniform Commercial Code account is continuously
appropriated to the secretary of state to implement and maintain the central
filing system under this chapter, to provide, improve, and expand other
online or remote lien and business entity filing, retrieval, and payment method
services provided by the secretary of state, and to provide electronic
access to other computerized records maintained by the secretary of state.
EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is
effective August 1, 2007.
Sec. 89. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 336.9-516, is amended to
read:
336.9-516 WHAT CONSTITUTES
FILING; EFFECTIVENESS OF FILING.
(a) What constitutes filing. Except
as otherwise provided in subsection (b), communication of a record to a filing
office and tender of the filing fee or acceptance of the record by the filing
office constitutes filing.
(b) Refusal to accept record; filing
does not occur. Filing does not occur with respect to a record that a
filing office refuses to accept because:
(1) the record is not communicated by a method or medium of
communication authorized by the filing office. For purposes of filing office
authorization, transmission of records using the Extensible Markup Language
(XML) format is authorized by the filing office after the later of July 1,
2007, or the determination of the secretary of state that the central filing
system is capable of receiving and processing these records;
(2) an amount equal to or greater than the applicable filing fee is not
tendered;
(3) the filing office is unable to index the record because:
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(A) in the case of an initial financing statement, the record does not
provide a name for the debtor;
(B) in the case of an amendment or correction statement, the record:
(i) does not identify the initial financing statement as required by
section 336.9-512 or 336.9-518, as applicable; or
(ii) identifies an initial financing statement whose effectiveness has
lapsed under section 336.9-515;
(C) in the case of an initial financing statement that provides the
name of a debtor identified as an individual or an amendment that provides a
name of a debtor identified as an individual which was not previously provided
in the financing statement to which the record relates, the record does not
identify the debtor's last name; or
(D) in the case of a record filed or recorded in the filing office
described in section 336.9-501(a)(1), the record does not provide a sufficient
description of the real property to which it relates;
(4) in the case of an initial financing statement or an amendment that
adds a secured party of record, the record does not provide a name and mailing
address for the secured party of record;
(5) in the case of an initial financing statement or an amendment that provides
a name of a debtor which was not previously provided in the financing statement
to which the amendment relates, the record does not:
(A) provide a mailing address for the debtor;
(B) indicate whether the debtor is an individual or an organization; or
(C) if the financing statement indicates that the debtor is an
organization, provide:
(i) a type of organization for the debtor;
(ii) a jurisdiction of organization for the debtor; or
(iii) an organizational identification number for the debtor or
indicate that the debtor has none;
(6) in the case of an assignment reflected in an initial financing
statement under section 336.9-514(a) or an amendment filed under section
336.9-514(b), the record does not provide a name and mailing address for the assignee;
or
(7) in the case of a continuation statement, the record is not filed
within the six-month period prescribed by section 336.9-515(d).
(c) Rules applicable to
subsection (b). For purposes of subsection (b):
(1) a record does not provide information if the filing office is
unable to read or decipher the information; and
(2) a record that does not indicate that it is an amendment or identify
an initial financing statement to which it relates, as required by section
336.9-512, 336.9-514, or 336.9-518, is an initial financing statement.
(d) Refusal to accept record;
record effective as filed record. A record that is communicated to the
filing office with tender of the filing fee, but which the filing office
refuses to accept for a reason other than one set forth in subsection (b), is
effective as a filed record except as against a purchaser of the collateral
which gives value in reasonable reliance upon the absence of the record from
the files.
EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is
effective August 1, 2007.
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Sec. 90. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 336.9-525, is amended to
read:
336.9-525 FEES.
(a) Initial financing statement
or other record: general rule. Except as otherwise provided in subsection
(d), the fee for filing and indexing a record under this part delivered on
paper is $20 and for a record delivered by any electronic means is $15.
$5 of the fee collected for each request delivered online must be deposited
in the uniform commercial code account.
(b) Number of names. The
number of names required to be indexed does not affect the amount of the fee in
subsection (a).
(c) Response to information
request. The fee for responding to a request for information from the
filing office, including for issuing a certificate showing whether there is on
file any financing statement naming a particular debtor, delivered on paper
is $20 and for a record delivered by any electronic means is $15. $5
of the fee collected for each request delivered online must be deposited in the
uniform commercial code account.
(d) Record of mortgage. This
section does not require a fee with respect to a record of a mortgage which is
effective as a financing statement filed as a fixture filing or as a financing
statement covering as-extracted collateral or timber to be cut under section
336.9-502(c). However, the recording and satisfaction fees that otherwise would
be applicable to the record of the mortgage apply.
EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is
effective July 1, 2007.
Sec. 91. [349A.021] LOTTERY
OFFICES.
The State Lottery may not move its operations at its Mountain Iron
location to a location outside the Quad-City area of Mountain Iron, Eveleth,
Gilbert, and Virginia, and may not reduce the complement of staff employed at
this office.
EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is
effective the day following final enactment.
Sec. 92. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 356.219, subdivision 1, is
amended to read:
Subdivision 1. Report required.
(a) Except as indicated in subdivision 4, the State Board of Investment, on
behalf of the public pension funds and programs for which it is the investment
authority, and any Minnesota public pension plan that is not fully invested
through the State Board of Investment, including a local police or firefighters
relief association governed by sections 69.77 or 69.771 to 69.775, shall report
the information specified in subdivision 3 to the state auditor. A report
under this section must be filed electronically with the state auditor, unless
the state auditor determines that it is not feasible for a particular plan or
association to file electronically. The state auditor may prescribe a
form or forms for the purposes of the reporting requirements contained in
the format for reports required by this section. The state auditor must
attempt to provide access on the state auditor's Web site to reports filed
under this section.
(b) A local police or firefighters relief association governed by
section 69.77 or sections 69.771 to 69.775 is fully invested during a given
calendar year for purposes of this section if all assets of the applicable
pension plan beyond sufficient cash equivalent investments to cover six months
expected expenses are invested under section 11A.17. The board of any fully
invested public pension plan remains responsible for submitting investment
policy statements and subsequent revisions as required by subdivision 3,
paragraph (a).
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(c) For purposes of this section, the State Board of Investment is
considered to be the investment authority for any Minnesota public pension fund
required to be invested by the State Board of Investment under section 11A.23,
or for any Minnesota public pension fund authorized to invest in the
supplemental investment fund under section 11A.17 and which is fully invested
by the State Board of Investment.
Sec. 93. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 358.41, is amended to read:
358.41 DEFINITIONS.
As used in sections 358.41 to 358.49:
(1) "Notarial act" means any act that a notary public of this
state is authorized to perform, and includes taking an acknowledgment,
administering an oath or affirmation, taking a verification upon oath or
affirmation, witnessing or attesting a signature, certifying or attesting a
copy, and noting a protest of a negotiable instrument. A notary public may
perform a notarial act by electronic means.
(2) "Acknowledgment" means a declaration by a person that the
person has executed an instrument or electronic record for the purposes stated
therein and, if the instrument or electronic record is executed in a
representative capacity, that the person signed the instrument with proper authority
and executed it as the act of the person or entity represented and identified
therein.
(3) "Verification upon oath or affirmation" means a
declaration that a statement is true made by a person upon oath or affirmation.
(4) "In a representative capacity" means:
(i) for and on behalf of a corporation, partnership, limited
liability company, trust, or other entity, as an authorized officer, agent,
partner, trustee, or other representative;
(ii) as a public officer, personal representative, guardian, or other
representative, in the capacity recited in the instrument;
(iii) as an attorney in fact for a principal; or
(iv) in any other capacity as an authorized representative of another.
(5) "Notarial officer" means a notary public or other officer
authorized to perform notarial acts.
(6) "Electronic signature" means an electronic sound, symbol,
or process attached to or logically associated with a record and executed or
adopted by a person with the intent to sign the record.
(7) "Electronic record" means a record created, generated,
sent, communicated, received, or stored by electronic means.
EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is
effective August 1, 2007.
Sec. 94. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 358.42, is amended to read:
358.42 NOTARIAL ACTS.
(a) In taking an acknowledgment, the notarial officer must determine,
either from personal knowledge or from satisfactory evidence, that the person
appearing before the officer and making the acknowledgment is the person whose
true signature is on the instrument or electronic record.
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(b) In taking a verification upon oath or affirmation, the notarial officer
must determine, either from personal knowledge or from satisfactory evidence,
that the person appearing before the officer and making the verification is the
person whose true signature is made in the presence of the officer on
the statement verified.
(c) In witnessing or attesting a signature the notarial officer must
determine, either from personal knowledge or from satisfactory evidence, that
the signature is that of the person appearing before the officer and named
therein. When witnessing or attesting a signature, the officer must be
present when the signature is made.
(d) In certifying or attesting a copy of a document, electronic record,
or other item, the notarial officer must determine that the proffered copy is a
full, true, and accurate transcription or reproduction of that which was
copied.
(e) In making or noting a protest of a negotiable instrument or
electronic record the notarial officer must determine the matters set forth in
section 336.3-505.
(f) A notarial officer has satisfactory evidence that a person is the
person whose true signature is on a document or electronic record if that
person (i) is personally known to the notarial officer, (ii) is identified upon
the oath or affirmation of a credible witness personally known to the notarial
officer, or (iii) is identified on the basis of identification documents.
EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is
effective August 1, 2007.
Sec. 95. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 358.50, is amended to read:
358.50 EFFECT OF
ACKNOWLEDGMENT.
An acknowledgment made in a representative capacity for and on behalf
of a corporation, partnership, limited liability company, trust, or
other entity and certified substantially in the form prescribed in this chapter
is prima facie evidence that the instrument or electronic record was executed
and delivered with proper authority.
EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is
effective August 1, 2007.
Sec. 96. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 359.085, subdivision 2, is
amended to read:
Subd. 2. Verifications. In
taking a verification upon oath or affirmation, the notarial officer must
determine, either from personal knowledge or from satisfactory evidence, that
the person appearing before the officer and making the verification is the
person whose true signature is made in the presence of the officer on
the statement verified.
EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is
effective August 1, 2007.
Sec. 97. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 359.085, subdivision 3, is
amended to read:
Subd. 3. Witnessing or attesting
signatures. In witnessing or attesting a signature, the notarial officer
must determine, either from personal knowledge or from satisfactory evidence,
that the signature is that of the person appearing before the officer and named
in the document or electronic record. When witnessing or attesting a
signature, the officer must be present when the signature is made.
EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is
effective August 1, 2007.
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Sec. 98. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 471.61, subdivision 1a, is
amended to read:
Subd. 1a. Dependents.
Notwithstanding the provisions of Minnesota Statutes 1969, section 471.61, as
amended by Laws 1971, chapter 451, section 1, the word "dependents"
as used therein shall mean spouse and minor unmarried children under the age of
18 years and dependent students under the age of 25 years actually dependent
upon the employee, and others as defined by governmental units at their
discretion.
Sec. 99. [471.6175] TRUST FOR
POSTEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS.
Subdivision 1. Authorization;
establishment. A political subdivision or other public entity that
creates or has created an actuarial liability to pay postemployment benefits to
employees or officers after their termination of service may establish a trust
to pay those benefits. For purposes of this section, the term
"postemployment benefits" means benefits giving rise to a liability
under Statement No. 45 of the Governmental Accounting Standards Board and the
term "trust" means a trust, a trust account, or a custodial account
or contract authorized under section 401(f) of the Internal Revenue Code.
Subd. 2. Purpose of trust. The
trust established under this section may only be used to pay postemployment
benefits and may be either revocable or irrevocable.
Subd. 3. Trust administrator.
The trust administrator of a trust established under this section shall be
either:
(1) the Public Employees Retirement Association;
(2) a bank or banking association incorporated under the laws of the
United States or of any state and authorized by the laws under which it is
organized to exercise corporate trust powers; or
(3) an insurance company or agency qualified to do business in
Minnesota which has at least five years experience in investment products and
services for group retirement benefits and which has a specialized department
dedicated to services for retirement investment products.
A political subdivision or public entity may, in its discretion and in
compliance with any applicable trust document, change trust administrators and
transfer trust assets accordingly.
Subd. 4. Account maintenance.
A political subdivision or other public entity may establish a trust account
to be held under the supervision of the trust administrator for the purposes of
this section. A trust administrator shall establish a separate account for each
participating political subdivision or public entity. The trust administrator
may charge participating political subdivisions and public entities fees for
reasonable administrative costs. The amount of any fees charged by the Public
Employees Retirement Association is appropriated to the association from the
account. A trust administrator may establish other reasonable terms and
conditions for creation and maintenance of these accounts. The trust
administrator must report electronically to the state auditor the portfolio and
performance information specified in section 356.219, subdivision 3, in the
manner prescribed by the state auditor.
Subd. 5. Investment. (a)
The assets of a trust or trust account shall be invested and held as stipulated
in paragraphs (b) to (e).
(b) The Public Employees Retirement Association must certify all money
in the trust accounts for which it is trust administrator to the State Board of
Investment for investment under section 11A.14, subject to the policies and
procedures established by the State Board of Investment. Investment earnings
must be credited to the trust account of the individual political subdivision
or public entity.
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(c) A trust administrator, other than the Public Employees Retirement
Association, must ensure that all money in the trust accounts for which it is
trust administrator is invested by a registered investment adviser, a bank
investment trust department, or an insurance company or agency retirement
investment department. Investment earnings must be credited to the trust
account of the individual political subdivision or public entity.
(d) For trust assets invested by the State Board of Investment, the
investment restrictions shall be the same as those generally applicable to the
State Board of Investment. For trust assets invested by a trust administrator
other than the Public Employees Retirement Association, the assets may only be
invested in investments authorized under chapter 118A or section 356A.06,
subdivision 7, in the manner specified in the applicable trust document.
(e) A political subdivision or public entity may provide investment
direction to a trust administrator in compliance with any applicable trust
document.
Subd. 6. Limit on deposit. A
political subdivision or public entity may not deposit money in a trust or trust
account created pursuant to this section if the total amount invested by that
political subdivision or public entity would exceed the political subdivision's
or public entity's actuarially determined liabilities for postemployment
benefits due to officers and employees, as determined under the applicable
standards of the Governmental Accounting Standards Board.
Subd. 7. Withdrawal of funds and
termination of account. (a) For a revocable account, a political
subdivision or public entity may withdraw some or all of its money or terminate
the trust account for any reason. Money and accrued investment earnings
withdrawn from a revocable account must be deposited in a fund separate and
distinct from any other funds of the political subdivision or public entity.
This money, with accrued investment earnings, must be used to pay legally
enforceable postemployment benefits to former officers and employees, unless
(i) there has been a change in state or federal law affecting that political
subdivision's or public entity's liabilities for postemployment benefits, or
(ii) there has been a change in the demographic composition of that political
subdivision's or public entity's employees eligible for postemployment
benefits, or (iii) there has been a change in the provisions or terms of the
postemployment benefits in that political subdivision or public entity
including, but not limited to, the portion of the costs eligible employees must
pay to receive the benefits, or (iv) other factors exist that have a material effect
on that political subdivision's or public entity's actuarially determined
liabilities for postemployment benefits, in which event any amount in excess of
100 percent of that political subdivision's or public entity's actuarially
determined liabilities for postemployment benefits, as determined under
standards of the Government Accounting Standards Board, may be withdrawn and
used for any purpose.
(b) For an irrevocable account, a political subdivision or public
entity may withdraw money only:
(1) as needed to pay postemployment benefits owed to former officers
and employees of the political subdivision or public entity; or
(2) when all postemployment benefit liability owed to former officers
or employees of the political subdivision or public entity has been satisfied
or otherwise defeased.
(c) A political subdivision or public entity requesting withdrawal of
money from an account created under this section must do so at a time and in
the manner required by the executive director of the Public Employees
Retirement Association or specified in an applicable trust document. The
political subdivision or public entity that created the trust must ensure that
withdrawals comply with the requirements of this section.
(d) The legislature may not divert funds in these trusts or trust
accounts for use for any other purpose.
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Subd. 8. Status of irrevocable trust. (a) All money in an
irrevocable trust or trust account created in this section is held in trust for
the exclusive benefit of former officers and employees of the participating
political subdivision or public entity, and are not subject to claims by
creditors of the state, the participating political subdivision or public
entity, the current or former officers and employees of the political
subdivision or public entity, or the trust administrator.
(b) An irrevocable trust
fund or trust account created in this section shall be deemed an arrangement
equivalent to a trust for all legal purposes.
EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is
effective the day following final enactment, and is applicable immediately to
all political subdivisions or public entities subject to Statement No. 45 of
the Governmental Accounting Standards Board in 2007, to those political
subdivisions or public entities whose trusts or trust accounts are validated by
section 113, and to those political subdivisions or public entities that have
begun consideration of measures to implement Statement No. 45 in 2007. This
section is applicable on July 1, 2008, for all other political subdivisions or
public entities.
Sec. 100. Minnesota Statutes
2006, section 473.246, is amended to read:
473.246 COUNCIL'S SUBMISSIONS TO LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION
LEGISLATURE.
The Metropolitan Council
shall submit to the Legislative Commission on Metropolitan Government
chairs of the legislative committees with jurisdiction over metropolitan
affairs information on the council's tax rates and dollar amounts levied
for the current year, proposed property tax rates and levies, operating and
capital budgets, work program, capital improvement program, and any other
information requested by the commission, for review by the legislative
commission, as provided in section 3.8841 relevant committees.
EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is
effective the day following final enactment.
Sec. 101. Minnesota Statutes
2006, section 477A.014, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
Subd. 4. Costs. The director of the Office of
Strategic and Long-Range Planning shall annually bill the commissioner of
revenue for one-half of the costs incurred by the state demographer in the
preparation of materials required by section 4A.02. The state auditor shall
bill the commissioner of revenue for the costs of best practices reviews and
the services provided by the Government Information Division and the parts of
the constitutional office that are related to the government information
function, and for the services provided by the Tax Increment Financing
Investment and Finance Division required by section 469.3201, not to exceed
$217,000 $614,000 each fiscal year. The commissioner of
administration shall bill the commissioner of revenue for the costs of the
local government records program and the intergovernmental information systems
activity, not to exceed $205,800 each fiscal year. The commissioner of employee
relations shall bill the commissioner of revenue for the costs of administering
the local government pay equity function, not to exceed $55,000 each fiscal
year.
Sec. 102. Minnesota Statutes
2006, section 491A.02, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
Subd. 4. Representation. (a)
A corporation, partnership, limited liability company, sole proprietorship, or
association may be represented in conciliation court by an officer, manager, or
partner or an agent in the case of a condominium, cooperative, or townhouse
association, or may appoint a natural person who is an employee or commercial
property manager to appear on its behalf or settle a claim in conciliation
court. The state or a political subdivision of the state may be represented in
conciliation court by an employee of the pertinent governmental unit without a
written authorization. The state also may be represented in conciliation
court by an employee of the Division of Risk Management of the Department of
Administration without a written authorization. Representation under this
subdivision does not constitute the practice of law for purposes of section
481.02, subdivision 8. In the
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case of an officer,
employee, commercial property manager, or agent of a condominium, cooperative,
or townhouse association, an authorized power of attorney, corporate
authorization resolution, corporate bylaw, or other evidence of authority
acceptable to the court must be filed with the claim or presented at the
hearing. This subdivision also applies to appearances in district court by a
corporation or limited liability company with five or fewer shareholders or
members and to any condominium, cooperative, or townhouse association, if the
action was removed from conciliation court.
(b) "Commercial property manager" means a corporation,
partnership, or limited liability company or its employees who are hired by the
owner of commercial real estate to perform a broad range of administrative
duties at the property including tenant relations matters, leasing, repairs,
maintenance, the negotiation and resolution of tenant disputes, and related
matters. In order to appear in conciliation court, a property manager's
employees must possess a real estate license under section 82.20 and be
authorized by the owner of the property to settle all disputes with tenants and
others within the jurisdictional limits of conciliation court.
(c) A commercial property manager who is appointed to settle a claim in
conciliation court may not charge or collect a separate fee for services
rendered under paragraph (a).
Sec. 103. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 507.24, subdivision 2, is
amended to read:
Subd. 2. Original signatures
required. (a) Unless otherwise provided by law, an instrument affecting
real estate that is to be recorded as provided in this section or other
applicable law must contain the original signatures of the parties who execute
it and of the notary public or other officer taking an acknowledgment. However,
a financing statement that is recorded as a filing pursuant to section
336.9-502(b) need not contain: (1) the signatures of the debtor or the secured
party; or (2) an acknowledgment.
(b)(1) Any electronic instruments, including signatures and
seals, affecting real estate may only be recorded as part of a pilot project for
the electronic filing of real estate documents implemented by the task force
created in Laws 2000, chapter 391, or by the Electronic Real Estate Recording
Task Force created under section 507.094. The Electronic Real Estate
Recording Task Force created under section 507.094 may amend standards set by
the task force created in Laws 2000, chapter 391, and may set new or additional
standards and establish pilot projects to the full extent permitted in section
507.094, subdivision 2, paragraph (b). Documents recorded in conformity with
those standards and in those pilot projects are deemed to meet the requirements
of this section.
(2)(i) A county that participated in the pilot project for the electronic
filing of real estate documents under the task force created in Laws 2000,
chapter 391, may continue to record or file documents electronically, if:
(1)
(A) the county complies with standards adopted by the task force; and
(2)
(B) the county uses software that was validated by the task force.
(ii) A
county that did not participate in the pilot project may record or file a real
estate document electronically, if:
(i)
(A) the document to be recorded or filed is of a type included in the
pilot project for the electronic filing of real estate documents under the task
force created in Laws 2000, chapter 391;
(ii)
(B) the county complies with the standards adopted by the task force;
(iii)
(C) the county uses software that was validated by the task force; and
(iv)
(D) the task force created under section 507.094, votes to accept a
written certification of compliance with paragraph (b), clause (2), of this
section by the county board and county recorder of the county to implement
electronic filing under this section.
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(c) Notices filed pursuant to section 168A.141, subdivisions 1 and 3,
need not contain an acknowledgment.
Sec. 104. Laws 2006, chapter 253, section 22, subdivision 1, is amended
to read:
Subdivision 1. Genetic
information; work group. (a) The commissioner must create a work group to
develop principles for public policy on the use of genetic information. The
work group must include representatives of state government, including the
judicial branch, local government, prosecutors, public defenders, the American
Civil Liberties Union - Minnesota, the Citizens Council on Health Care, the
University of Minnesota Center on Bioethics, the Minnesota Medical Association,
the Mayo Clinic and Foundation, the March of Dimes, and representatives of
employers, researchers, epidemiologists, laboratories, and insurance companies.
(b) The commissioner of administration and the work group must conduct reviews
of the topics in paragraphs (c) to (f), in light of the issues raised in the
report on treatment of genetic information under state law required by Laws
2005, chapter 163, section 87. The commissioner must report the results,
including any recommendations for legislative changes, to the chairs of the
house Civil Law Committee and the senate Judiciary Committee and the ranking
minority members of those committees by January 15, 2008 2009.
(c) The commissioner and the work group must determine whether changes
are needed in Minnesota Statutes, section 144.69, dealing with collection of
information from cancer patients and their relatives.
(d) The commissioner and the work group must make recommendations
whether all relatives affected by a formal three-generation pedigree created by
the Department of Health should be able to access the entire data set, rather
than only allowing individuals access to the data of which they are the
subject.
(e) The commissioner and the work group must identify, and may make
recommendations among, options for resolving questions of secondary uses of
genetic information.
(f) The commissioner and the work group must make recommendations
whether legislative changes are needed regarding access to DNA test results and
the specimens used to create the test results held by the Bureau of Criminal
Apprehension as part of a criminal investigation.
Sec. 105. FORD BUILDING.
The Ford Building at 117 University Avenue in St. Paul may not be
demolished during the biennium ending June 30, 2009.
Sec. 106. TASK FORCE.
Subdivision 1. Creation. A task
force is created to work with the Commissioner of Administration on a disparity
study. The task force consists of one member appointed by and serving at the
pleasure of each of the following groups:
(1) the Council on Asian-Pacific Minnesotans;
(2) the Council on Black Minnesotans;
(3) the Council on Affairs of Chicano/Latino people;
(4) the Indian Affairs Council;
(5) the Association of Women Contractors; and
(6) the National Association of Minority Contractors.
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Subd. 2. Consultation and approval.
(a) The commissioner must consult with the task force on the design of the
disparity study, the nature of the services sought in a request for proposals
for the study, the criteria that the commissioner will use to evaluate and
select a contractor, and selection of the contractor.
(b) The commissioner must consult with the task force regarding the
commissioner's interpretation of data obtained through the study, and on the
commissioner's recommendations for any changes in the targeted group purchasing
program resulting from the study. The task force may make its own
recommendations before the commissioner presents the recommendations in a final
report. If the commissioner's recommendations are different from the task force
recommendations, the commissioner's report must note the differences.
Subd. 3. Support services. The
commissioner must provide meeting space and administrative support to the task
force.
Subd. 4. Expiration. The
task force expires at the end of the regular session of the legislature at
which the commissioner presents the results of the targeted group business
disparity study to the legislature.
Sec. 107. VALIDATION.
Any trust or trust account or other custodial account or contract
authorized under section 401(f) of the Internal Revenue Code, created prior to
June 6, 2006, to pay postemployment benefits to employees or officers after
termination of service, is hereby validated, may continue in full force and
effect, and shall have continuing authority to accept new funds; however, this
section does not validate or correct defects in any previously created trust
document. Any funds held by a validated trust or account under this section may
be invested as provided in Minnesota Statutes, section 471.6175, subdivision 5.
A validated trust or account shall have until January 1, 2008, to bring its
trust documents and procedures into compliance with Minnesota Statutes, section
471.6175.
EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is
effective the day following final enactment.
Sec. 108. REPORT; ACCOUNTING
PRINCIPLES.
By October 15, 2007, the commissioner of finance must provide a report
listing specific areas where state budgeting practices differ from generally
accepted accounting principles and the reasons for those differences. If that
difference is a result of direction in law, the report must include the law
causing the difference.
Sec. 109. BUILDING
REPLACEMENT FUNDS.
In addition to the requirements in Laws 2002, chapter 400, section 13,
subdivision 7, the commissioner of administration shall collect appropriate
rent revenues for the Elmer L. Andersen and Orville L. Freeman buildings
to be set aside in a segregated special revenue fund for deferred
maintenance and other extraordinary building repairs. Funds shall be expended
for these purposes as determined by the commissioner.
EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is
effective the day following final enactment.
Sec. 110. COMPENSATION FOR
PERIOD OF PARTIAL GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN.
Subdivision 1. Definitions; coverage.
For purposes of this section:
(1) "employee" means a state employee, as defined in Minnesota
Statutes, section 43A.02, subdivision 21, who is a state employee on the
effective date of this section and who the commissioner determines was
prevented from working because of the partial government shutdown; and
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(2) "partial government shutdown" means the period from July
1, 2005, through July 14, 2005, during which appropriations needed to fund
certain state government functions had not been enacted.
Subd. 2. Credit for uncompensated
hours. A state employee who was previously compensated in cash or by
a credit to the employee's vacation bank for hours the employee could not work
due to the partial government shutdown, must:
(1) be paid an additional amount equal to the previous payment, if the
previous payment was made in cash; or
(2) have hours credited to the employee's vacation bank in the same
amount as the previous credit.
EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is
effective the day following final enactment. The commissioner must make
payments or credits required by this section within 30 days of the effective
date of this section.
Sec. 111. ELECTRONIC
DOCUMENTS STUDY AND REPORT.
Subdivision 1. Study. The chief
information officer of the state shall study how electronic documents and the
mechanisms and processes for accessing and reading electronic data can be
created, maintained, exchanged, and preserved by the state in a manner that
encourages appropriate government control, access, choice, and interoperability.
The study must consider, but not be limited to, the policies of other states
and nations, management guidelines for state archives as they pertain to
electronic documents, public access, expected storage life of electronic
documents, costs of implementation, and savings. The chief information officer
shall solicit comments regarding the creation, maintenance, exchange, and
preservation of electronic documents by the state from stakeholders, including
but not limited to the legislative auditor, the attorney general, the state
archivist, the state legislative reference librarian, other librarians,
representatives of the state historical society, and other historians. The
chief information officer shall also solicit comments from members of the
public.
Subd. 2. Report and recommendation.
The chief information officer shall report the officer's findings and
recommendations to the chairs of the senate State and Local Government
Operations and Oversight Committee; house Government Operations, Reform, Technology
and Elections Committee; and the senate and house State Government Finance
Divisions by January 15, 2008.
Sec. 112. LABOR AGREEMENTS
AND COMPENSATION PLANS.
Subdivision 1. Minnesota Law Enforcement
Association. The labor agreement between the state of Minnesota and
the Minnesota Law Enforcement Association, approved by the Legislative
Coordinating Commission Subcommittee on Employee Relations on August 7, 2006,
is ratified.
Subd. 2. Minnesota Nurses
Association. The labor agreement between the state of Minnesota and
the Minnesota Nurses Association, approved by the Legislative Coordinating
Commission Subcommittee on Employee Relations on September 18, 2006, is
ratified.
Subd. 3. Office of Higher Education.
The amendments to the compensation plan for unrepresented employees of the
Office of Higher Education, approved by the Legislative Coordinating Commission
Subcommittee on Employee Relations on September 18, 2006, are ratified.
Subd. 4. Gambling Control Board.
The proposal to increase the salary of the director of the Gambling Control
Board, as approved by the Legislative Coordinating Commission Subcommittee on
Employee Relations on August 7, 2006, is ratified.
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Subd. 5. Public Employees Retirement Association. The proposal to
increase the salary of the director of the Public Employees Retirement
Association, as approved by the Legislative Coordinating Commission
Subcommittee on Employee Relations on March 27, 2007, is ratified.
Subd. 6. Minnesota State Retirement System. The proposal to
increase the salary of the director of the Minnesota State Retirement System,
as approved by the Legislative Coordinating Commission Subcommittee on Employee
Relations on March 27, 2007, is ratified.
Subd. 7. Teachers Retirement Association. The proposal to increase
the salary of the director of the Teachers Retirement Association, as approved
by the Legislative Coordinating Commission Subcommittee on Employee Relations
on March 27, 2007, is ratified.
EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is
effective the day following final enactment.
Sec. 113. STATE EMPLOYEES ELECTRONIC HEALTH
RECORDS PILOT PROJECT.
Subdivision 1. Project established. The Minnesota State Colleges and
Universities Board of Trustees (MnSCU), in collaboration with the commissioner
of employee relations shall establish an enterprise-wide pilot project to
provide consumer-owned electronic personal health records to MnSCU employees
and all participants in the state employee group insurance program. If the
Department of Employee Relations is abolished, then the Minnesota State
Colleges and Universities Board of Trustees shall work in collaboration with
the commissioner of the department responsible for administration of the state
employee group insurance program.
Subd. 2. Project goals. The goal of the project is to provide
consumer-owned electronic personal health records that are portable among
health care providers, health plan companies, and employers in order to control
costs, improve quality, and enhance safety, and to demonstrate the feasibility
of a statewide health information exchange. The pilot project shall coordinate
to the extent possible with other health information consumer engagement
initiatives in Minnesota designed to support the goal of statewide health
information exchange. The electronic personal health records may provide, but
are not limited to, the following:
(1) access to electronic
medical records;
(2) prescription and
appointment information;
(3) information regarding
health education, public health, and health cost management; and
(4) privacy, security, and
HIPAA compliance.
Sec. 114. VALUE-ADDED CONTRACT AUTHORITY.
(a) The director of the
Office of Enterprise Technology, with approval of the commissioner of finance,
may enter into contracts for: (1) development and implementation of an
electronic system for executive branch state agencies to issue licenses; and
(2) development and implementation of an integrated system to support tax
processing, reporting, and enforcement functions. The director must use funds
appropriated by this act for these purposes. In addition, the director may
enter into contracts for these purposes under which the vendor initially pays
all or part of the costs, and the state accounting system does not show an
encumbrance for some or all of the contract liability when the director
initially enters into the contracts.
(b) Before entering into a contract authorized by this section, the
director must prepare, and the commissioner of finance must approve, a plan for
how payments will be made to the vendors under the contracts. If the contracts
will involve performance-based payments to the vendor, the plan must describe
the criteria for making those payments.
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If the director intends to
pay for all or part of the contract from savings generated, the plan must
describe what savings are anticipated, and how the savings will be captured so
as to be available to make payments under the contract. The plan must explain
how the total contract costs relate to the costs anticipated in the governor's
budget recommendations presented to the legislature in 2007.
(c) The director must present the plan required by paragraph (b) to the
chairs of the house Ways and Means and Finance Committees and the senate
Finance Committee when the director submits the plan to the commissioner of
finance for approval. The director must notify these chairs when the
commissioner of finance has approved the plan. This notice must include any
changes from the original plan.
(d) The director must report to the chairs of the house Ways and Means
and Finance Committees and the senate Finance Committee by January 15 each of
the next five years after entering into a contract authorized under this
section. The report must include a detailed breakdown of how and by whom the
contract costs are being paid, and on the cost savings and service improvements
achieved as a result of the contract.
Sec. 115. PRE-1969 TRA MEMBER
GRATUITY PAYMENT.
(a) $4,100,000 is appropriated to the executive director of the
Teachers Retirement Association for the payment of a gratuity to persons who
were teachers as defined in Minnesota Statutes, section 354.05, subdivision 2,
and who rendered teaching service as defined in Minnesota Statutes, section
354.05, subdivision 3, either during the 1968-1969 school year, but were not
covered by the improved money purchase program savings clause in Minnesota
Statutes, section 354.55, subdivision 17, or before the 1968-1969 school year,
did not take a refund of member contributions upon the termination of teacher
service, and who were eligible to make an election under Minnesota Statutes
1971, section 354.55, subdivision 8. The payment is intended to reflect the
special contribution of these persons to education and to offset any
unfulfilled expectation the person may have as to potential benefit levels. The
gratuity payment amount for each person is $1,000 or a prorated portion of that
amount if, at any time, the executive director of the Teachers Retirement
Association determines that payment of the full amount to the remaining
participants would likely exceed the appropriation.
(b) The Teachers Retirement Association shall make available to persons
eligible to receive a payment under this section on or before August 1, 2007,
an application form. Filing an application form is a waiver of any legal,
equitable, or legislative claim for any other special consideration and the
form must indicate the waiver.
(c) On August 1, 2007, the Teachers Retirement Association shall
determine those remaining persons who are eligible to receive a payment under
this section and who have not applied for a payment and send to each remaining
person, at the person's residence of record, a state warrant of the full or a
prorated payment amount. If the recipient negotiates the state warrant, that
negotiation constitutes a waiver of any legal, equitable, or legislative claim
for any other special consideration as documentation accompanying the warrant
must indicate the waiver. Any warrant under this section expires on August 1, 2009,
and the amount of any unnegotiated state warrant under this section cancels to
the Teachers Retirement Association.
Sec. 116. CERTIFICATE OF
COMPLIANCE; TEMPORARY PROVISION.
Subdivision 1. Pay equity. Until
July 1, 2008, a business that is not in compliance with equitable compensation
relationship standards under Minnesota Statutes, section 43A.50, is making a
good faith effort to achieve compliance if the commissioner of employee
relations has approved:
(1) a statement of the business's intention to prepare a pay equity
report and an estimated date no later than July 1, 2008, when the report
and plan will be submitted; and
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(2) information on the business's current status, including a statement
on the existence of a company-wide job evaluation system, the total number of
male and female employees of the business, and the business's interest in
receiving training on how to establish equitable compensation relationships.
Subd. 2. Report. The
commissioner of employee relations shall report to the legislature by January
31, 2008, on implementation of this section. The report must include findings
and recommendations on any changes needed to ensure that state contractors
achieve equitable compensation relationships.
Sec. 117. SUSTAINABLE GROWTH
WORKING GROUP.
Subdivision 1. Creation. The
sustainable growth working group consists of the following members:
(1) two senators, including one member of the minority caucus,
appointed by the Subcommittee on Committees of the Committee on Rules and
Administration;
(2) two members of the house of representatives, one appointed by the
speaker and one appointed by the minority leader;
(3) commissioners of the following agencies, or their designees:
Department of Natural Resources, Department of Administration, Department of
Agriculture, Department of Commerce, Department of Transportation, Department
of Employment and Economic Development, Minnesota Housing Finance Agency, and
the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency; and the chair of the Metropolitan
Council or the chair's designee;
(4) up to 12 public members who have an interest in promoting
sustainable communities in Minnesota, including up to six public members
appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives and up to six public
members appointed by the majority leader of the senate. The appointing
authorities must use their best efforts to include at least one representative
from each of the following sectors: business, environmental, energy, affordable
housing, transportation, local government, planning, and philanthropic.
The membership of the working group must include balanced
representation from rural, urban, and suburban areas of the state.
Subd. 2. Duties. The
working group must identify strategies, recommendations, and a process for
implementing state-level coordination of state and local policies, programs,
and regulations in the areas of housing, transportation, natural resource
preservation, capital development, economic development, sustainability, and
preservation of the environment. The working group must identify sustainable
development principles that will guide decision making in Minnesota. The
working group must gather information and develop strategies relative to the
strategic use of state resources, to be consistent with statewide goals of
sustainable development. The working group must report proposed strategies,
recommendations, and a process for implementation to the legislature and the
governor by February 1, 2008. In its report to the legislature and the
governor, the working group must identify its source of funding.
Subd. 3. Administrative provisions.
(a) The commissioner of administration must convene the initial meeting.
Upon request of the working group, the commissioner must provide meeting space
and administrative services for the group. The Office of Geographic and
Demographic Analysis must provide staff support for the working group. The
members of the working group must elect a chair.
(b) Members of the working group serve without compensation but may be
reimbursed for expenses under Minnesota Statutes, section 15.059.
(c) The working group expires June 30, 2008.
(d) The working group may accept gifts and grants, which are accepted
on behalf of the state and constitute donations to the state. Funds received
are appropriated to the commissioner of administration for purposes of the
working group.
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Sec. 118. ASSISTANCE.
House and senate staff must
assist the Legislative Coordinating Commission with new duties assigned to the
commission by this act.
Sec. 119. TRAINING SERVICES.
During the biennium ending
June 30, 2009, state executive branch agencies must consider using services
provided by government training services before contracting with other outside
vendors for similar services.
Sec. 120. REPEALER.
Minnesota Statutes 2006,
sections 3.884; 3.8841; 6.56, subdivision 1; 16A.102; 16C.055, subdivision 1;
16C.08, subdivision 4a; 69.051, subdivision 1c; 359.085, subdivision 8; and
645.44, subdivision 19, are repealed.
ARTICLE 3
BEST VALUE CONTRACTS
Section 1. Minnesota Statutes
2006, section 16C.02, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:
Subd. 4a. Best value; construction. For purposes of construction,
building, alteration, improvement, or repair services, "best value"
describes the result determined by a procurement method that considers price
and performance criteria, which may include, but are not limited to:
(1) the quality of the
vendor's or contractor's performance on previous projects;
(2) the timeliness of the
vendor's or contractor's performance on previous projects;
(3) the level of customer
satisfaction with the vendor's or contractor's performance on previous
projects;
(4) the vendor's or
contractor's record of performing previous projects on budget and ability to
minimize cost overruns;
(5) the vendor's or
contractor's ability to minimize change orders;
(6) the vendor's or
contractor's ability to prepare appropriate project plans;
(7) the vendor's or
contractor's technical capacities;
(8) the individual
qualifications of the contractor's key personnel; or
(9) the vendor's or
contractor's ability to assess and minimize risks.
"Performance on
previous projects" does not include the exercise or assertion of a
person's legal rights. This definition does not apply to sections 16C.32,
16C.33, 16C.34, and 16C.35.
Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes
2006, section 16C.02, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:
Subd. 20. Vendor. "Vendor" means a business, including a
construction contractor or a natural person, and includes both if the natural
person is engaged in a business.
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Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 16C.03, subdivision 3, is
amended to read:
Subd. 3. Acquisition authority.
The commissioner shall acquire all goods, services, and utilities needed by
agencies. The commissioner shall acquire goods, services, and utilities by
requests for bids, requests for proposals, reverse auctions as provided in
section 16C.10, subdivision 7, or other methods provided by law, unless a
section of law requires a particular method of acquisition to be used. The
commissioner shall make all decisions regarding acquisition activities. The
determination of the acquisition method and all decisions involved in the
acquisition process, unless otherwise provided for by law, shall be based on
best value which includes an evaluation of price and may include other
considerations including, but not limited to, environmental considerations,
quality, and vendor performance. A best value determination must be based on
the evaluation criteria detailed in the solicitation document. If criteria
other than price are used, the solicitation document must state the relative
importance of price and other factors. Unless it is determined by the
commissioner that an alternative solicitation method provided by law should be
used to determine best value, a request for bid must be used to solicit formal
responses for all building and construction contracts. Any or all responses
may be rejected. When using the request for bid process, the bid must be
awarded to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder, taking into
consideration conformity with the specifications, terms of delivery, the
purpose for which the contract or purchase is intended, the status and
capability of the vendor, and other considerations imposed in the request for
bids. The commissioner may decide which is the lowest responsible bidder for
all purchases and may use the principles of life-cycle costing, where appropriate,
in determining the lowest overall bid. The duties set forth in this subdivision
are subject to delegation pursuant to this section.
Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 16C.03, is amended by adding a
subdivision to read:
Subd. 3a. Acquisition authority;
construction contracts. For all building and construction contracts,
the commissioner shall award contracts pursuant to section 16C.28, and
"best value" shall be defined and applied as set forth in sections
16C.02, subdivision 4a and 16C.28, subdivision 1, paragraph (a), clause (2),
and paragraph (c). The duties set forth in this subdivision are subject to
delegation pursuant to this section. The commissioner shall establish
procedures for developing and awarding best value requests for proposals for
construction projects. The criteria to be used to evaluate the proposals must
be included in the solicitation document and must be evaluated in an open and
competitive manner.
Sec. 5. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 16C.03, is amended by adding a
subdivision to read:
Subd. 19. Training. Any
personnel administering procurement procedures for a user of best value
procurement or any consultant retained by a local unit of government to prepare
or evaluate solicitation documents must be trained, either by the department or
through other training, in the request for proposals process for best value
contracting for construction projects. The commissioner may establish a
training program for state and local officials, and vendors and contractors, on
best value procurement for construction projects, including those governed by
section 16C.28. If the commissioner establishes such a training program, the
state may charge a fee for providing training.
Sec. 6. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 16C.26, is amended to read:
16C.26 COMPETITIVE BIDS
OR PROPOSALS.
Subdivision 1. Application. Except as otherwise provided by sections 16C.10,
16C.26 and 16C.27, all contracts for building and construction or repairs must
be based on competitive bids or proposals. "Competitive proposals"
specifically refers to the method of procurement described in section 16C.28,
subdivision 1, paragraph (a), clause (2).
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Subd. 2. Requirement contracts.
Standard requirement price contracts for building and construction must be
established by competitive bids as provided in subdivision 1. The standard
requirement price contracts may contain escalation clauses and may provide for
a negotiated price increase or decrease based upon a demonstrable industrywide
or regional increase or decrease in the vendor's costs or for the addition of
similar products or replacement items not significant to the total value of
existing contracts. The term of these contracts may not exceed five years
including all extensions.
Subd. 3. Publication of notice;
expenditures over $25,000. If the amount of an expenditure is estimated to
exceed $25,000, bids or proposals must be solicited by public notice in
a manner designated by the commissioner. To the extent practical, this must
include posting on a state Web site. For expenditures over $50,000, when a
call for bids is issued the commissioner shall solicit sealed bids by providing
notices to all prospective bidders known to the commissioner by posting notice
on a state Web site at least seven days before the final date of submitting
bids. All bids over $50,000 must be sealed when they are received and must be
opened in public at the hour stated in the notice. All proposals responsive
to a request for proposals according to section 16C.28, subdivision 1,
paragraph (a), clause (2), and paragraph (c), shall be submitted and evaluated
in the manner described in the request for proposals, regardless of the dollar
amount. All original bids and proposals and all documents pertaining
to the award of a contract must be retained and made a part of a permanent file
or record and remain open to public inspection.
Subd. 4. Building and construction
contracts; $50,000 or less. An informal bid may be used for building,
construction, and repair contracts that are estimated at less than $50,000.
Informal bids must be authenticated by the bidder in a manner specified by the
commissioner. Alternatively, a request for proposals may be issued according
to section 16C.28, subdivision 1, paragraph (a), clause (2), and paragraph (c),
for such contracts.
Subd. 5. Standard
specifications, security. Contracts must be based on the standard
specifications prescribed and enforced by the commissioner under this chapter,
unless otherwise expressly provided or as authorized under section 16C.28,
subdivision 1, paragraph (a), clause (2), and paragraph (c). Each bidder
for a contract vendor or contractor must furnish security approved
by the commissioner to ensure the making of the contract being bid for.
Subd. 6. Noncompetitive bids.
Agencies are encouraged to contract with small targeted group businesses
designated under section 16C.16 when entering into contracts that are not
subject to competitive bidding procedures.
Sec. 7. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 16C.27, subdivision 1, is
amended to read:
Subdivision 1. Single source of
supply. Competitive bidding is or proposals are not required
for contracts clearly and legitimately limited to a single source of supply,
and the contract price may be best established by direct negotiation.
Sec. 8. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 16C.28, is amended to read:
16C.28 CONTRACTS; AWARD.
Subdivision 1. Lowest responsible
bidder Award requirements. (a) All state building and
construction contracts entered into by or under the supervision of the
commissioner or an agency for which competitive bids or proposals are
required must be awarded to the lowest responsible bidder, taking into
consideration conformity with the specifications, terms of delivery, the
purpose for which the contract is intended, the status and capability of the
vendor, and other considerations imposed in the call for bids. The commissioner
may decide which is the lowest responsible bidder for all contracts and may use
the principles of life cycle costing, where appropriate, in determining the
lowest overall bid. The head of the interested agency shall make the decision,
subject to the approval of the commissioner. Any or all bids may be rejected.
In a case where competitive bids are required and where all bids are rejected,
new bids, if solicited, must be called for as in the first instance, unless
otherwise provided by law. may be awarded to either of the following:
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(1) the lowest responsible bidder, taking into consideration conformity
with the specifications, terms of delivery, the purpose for which the contract
is intended, the status and capability of the vendor or contractor, other
considerations imposed in the call for bids, and, where appropriate, principles
of life-cycle costing; or
(2) the vendor or contractor offering the best value, taking into
account the specifications of the request for proposals, the price and
performance criteria as set forth in section 16C.02, subdivision 4a, and
described in the solicitation document.
(b) The vendor or contractor must secure bonding, commercial general insurance
coverage, and workers' compensation insurance coverage under paragraph (a),
clause (1) or (2). The commissioner shall determine whether to use the
procurement process described in paragraph (a), clause (1), or the procurement
process described in paragraph (a), clause (2). If the commissioner uses the
method in paragraph (a), clause (2), the head of the agency shall determine
which vendor or contractor offers the best value, subject to the approval of
the commissioner. Any or all bids or proposals may be rejected.
(c) When using the procurement process described in paragraph (a),
clause (2), the solicitation document must state the relative importance of
price and other factors.
Subd. 1a. Establishment and purpose.
(a) The state recognizes the importance of the inclusion of a best value
contracting system for construction as an alternative to the current low-bid
system of procurement. In order to accomplish that goal, state and local
governmental entities shall be able to choose the best value system in
different phases.
(b) "Best value" means the procurement method defined in
section 16C.02, subdivision 4a.
(c) The following entities are eligible to participate in phase I:
(1) state agencies;
(2) counties;
(3) cities; and
(4) school districts with the highest 25 percent enrollment of students
in the state.
Phase I begins on the
effective date of this section.
(d) The following entities are eligible to participate in phase II:
(1) those entities included in phase I; and
(2) school districts with the highest 50 percent enrollment of students
in the state.
Phase II begins two years
from the effective date of this section.
(e) The following entities are eligible to participate in phase III:
(1) all entities included in phases I and II; and
(2) all other townships, school districts, and political subdivisions
in the state.
Phase III begins three years
from the effective date of this section.
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(f) The commissioner or any
agency for which competitive bids or proposals are required may not use best
value contracting as defined in section 16C.02, subdivision 4a, for more than
one project annually, or 20 percent of its projects, whichever is greater, in
each of the first three fiscal years in which best value construction
contracting is used.
Subd. 2. Alterations and erasures. A bid
containing an alteration or erasure of any price contained in the bid which is
used in determining the lowest responsible bid must be rejected unless the
alteration or erasure is corrected in a manner that is clear and authenticated
by an authorized representative of the responder. An alteration or erasure may
be crossed out and the correction printed in ink or typewritten adjacent to it
and initialed by an authorized representative of the responder.
Subd. 3. Special circumstances. The commissioner
may reject the bid or proposal of any bidder vendor or
contractor who has failed to perform a previous contract with the state. In
the case of identical low bids from two or more bidders, the commissioner may
use negotiated procurement methods with the tied low bidders for that
particular transaction so long as the price paid does not exceed the low tied
bid price. The commissioner may award contracts to more than one bidder
vendor or contractor in accordance with subdivision 1, if doing so does not
decrease the service level or diminish the effect of competition.
Subd. 4. Record. A record must be kept of all
bids or proposals, including names of bidders, amounts of bids or
proposals, and each successful bid or proposal. This record is open
to public inspection, subject to section 13.591 and other applicable law.
Subd. 5. Preferences not cumulative. The
preferences under sections 16B.121, 16C.06, subdivision 7, and 16C.16 apply,
but are not cumulative. The total percentage of preference granted on a
contract may not exceed the highest percentage of preference allowed for that
contract under any one of those sections.
Sec. 9. Minnesota Statutes
2006, section 103D.811, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
Subd. 3. Awarding of contract. (a) At a time and
place specified in the bid notice, the managers may accept or reject any or all
bids and may award the contract to the lowest responsible bidder. The bidder to
whom the contract is to be awarded must give a bond, with ample security,
conditioned by satisfactory completion of the contract.
(b) Bids must not be
considered which in the aggregate exceed by more than 30 percent the total
estimated cost of construction or implementation.
(c) As an alternative to
the procurement method described in paragraph (a), the managers may issue a
request for proposals and award the contract to the vendor or contractor
offering the best value as described in section 16C.28, subdivision 1,
paragraph (a), clause (2), and paragraph (c).
(d) The contract must be in
writing and be accompanied by or refer to the plans and specifications for the
work to be done as prepared by the engineer for the watershed district. The
plans and specifications shall become a part of the contract.
(d) (e) The contract
shall be approved by the managers and signed by the president, secretary, and
contractor.
Sec. 10. Minnesota Statutes
2006, section 103E.505, subdivision 5, is amended to read:
Subd. 5. How contract may be awarded. The
contract may be awarded in one job, in sections, or separately for labor and
material and must may be let to the lowest responsible bidder. Alternatively,
the contract may be awarded to the vendor or contractor offering the best value
under a request for proposals as described in section 16C.28, subdivision 1,
paragraph (a), clause (2), and paragraph (c).
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Sec. 11. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 116A.13, subdivision 5, is
amended to read:
Subd. 5. How job may be let.
The job may be let in one job, or in sections, or separately for labor and
material, and shall may be let to the lowest responsible bidder
or bidders therefor. Alternatively, the contract may be awarded to the
vendor or contractor offering the best value under a request for proposals as
described in section 16C.28, subdivision 1, paragraph (a), clause (2), and
paragraph (c).
Sec. 12. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 123B.52, subdivision 1, is
amended to read:
Subdivision 1. Contracts. A
contract for work or labor, or for the purchase of furniture, fixtures, or
other property, except books registered under the copyright laws, or for the
construction or repair of school houses, the estimated cost or value of which
shall exceed that specified in section 471.345, subdivision 3, must not be made
by the school board without first advertising for bids or proposals by two
weeks' published notice in the official newspaper. This notice must state the
time and place of receiving bids and contain a brief description of the subject
matter.
Additional publication in the official newspaper or elsewhere may be
made as the board shall deem necessary.
After taking into consideration conformity with the specifications,
terms of delivery, and other conditions imposed in the call for bids, every
such contract for which a call for bids has been issued must be awarded
to the lowest responsible bidder, be duly executed in writing, and be otherwise
conditioned as required by law. The person to whom the contract is awarded
shall give a sufficient bond to the board for its faithful performance.
Notwithstanding section 574.26 or any other law to the contrary, on a contract
limited to the purchase of a finished tangible product, a board may require, at
its discretion, a performance bond of a contractor in the amount the board considers
necessary. A record must be kept of all bids, with names of bidders and amount
of bids, and with the successful bid indicated thereon. A bid containing an
alteration or erasure of any price contained in the bid which is used in
determining the lowest responsible bid must be rejected unless the alteration
or erasure is corrected as provided in this section. An alteration or erasure
may be crossed out and the correction thereof printed in ink or typewritten
adjacent thereto and initialed in ink by the person signing the bid. In the
case of identical low bids from two or more bidders, the board may, at its
discretion, utilize negotiated procurement methods with the tied low bidders
for that particular transaction, so long as the price paid does not exceed the
low tied bid price. In the case where only a single bid is received, the board
may, at its discretion, negotiate a mutually agreeable contract with the bidder
so long as the price paid does not exceed the original bid. If no satisfactory
bid is received, the board may readvertise. Standard requirement price
contracts established for supplies or services to be purchased by the district
must be established by competitive bids. Such standard requirement price
contracts may contain escalation clauses and may provide for a negotiated price
increase or decrease based upon a demonstrable industrywide or regional
increase or decrease in the vendor's costs. Either party to the contract may
request that the other party demonstrate such increase or decrease. The term of
such contracts must not exceed two years with an option on the part of the
district to renew for an additional two years. Contracts for the purchase of
perishable food items, except milk for school lunches and vocational training
programs, in any amount may be made by direct negotiation by obtaining two or
more written quotations for the purchase or sale, when possible, without
advertising for bids or otherwise complying with the requirements of this
section or section 471.345, subdivision 3. All quotations obtained shall be
kept on file for a period of at least one year after receipt.
Every contract made without compliance with the provisions of this
section shall be void. Except in the case of the destruction of buildings or
injury thereto, where the public interest would suffer by delay, contracts for
repairs may be made without advertising for bids.
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Sec. 13. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 123B.52, is amended by adding
a subdivision to read:
Subd. 1b. Best value alternative.
As an alternative to the procurement method described in subdivision 1, a
contract for construction, building, alteration, improvement, or repair work
may be awarded to the vendor or contractor offering the best value under a
request for proposals as described in section 16C.28, subdivision 1, paragraph
(a), clause (2), and paragraph (c).
Sec. 14. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 160.17, is amended by adding
a subdivision to read:
Subd. 2a. Best value alternative.
As an alternative to the procurement method referenced in subdivision 2,
counties or towns may issue a request for proposal and award the contract to
the vendor or contractor offering the best value as described in section
16C.28, subdivision 1, paragraph (a), clause (2), and paragraph (c).
Sec. 15. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 160.262, is amended by adding
a subdivision to read:
Subd. 5. Best value alternative.
As an alternative to the procurement method described in subdivision 4, the
commissioner may allow for the award of design-build contracts for the projects
described in subdivision 4 to the vendor or contractor offering the best value
under a request for proposals as described in section 16C.28, subdivision 1, paragraph
(a), clause (2), and paragraph (c).
Sec. 16. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 161.32, is amended by adding
a subdivision to read:
Subd. 1f. Best value alternative.
As an alternative to the procurement method described in subdivisions 1a to
1e, the commissioner may issue a request for proposals and award the contract
to the vendor or contractor offering the best value as described in section
16C.28, subdivision 1, paragraph (a), clause (2), and paragraph (c).
Sec. 17. [161.3206] BEST
VALUE CONTRACTING AUTHORITY.
Notwithstanding sections 16C.25, 161.32, and 161.321, or any other law
to the contrary, the commissioner may solicit and award all contracts, other
than design-build contracts governed by section 161.3412, for a project on the
basis of a best value selection process as defined in section 16C.02,
subdivision 4a. Section 16C.08 does not apply to this section.
Sec. 18. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 161.3412, subdivision 1, is
amended to read:
Subdivision 1. Best value
selection for design-build contracts. Notwithstanding sections
16C.25, 161.32, and 161.321, or any other law to the contrary, the commissioner
may solicit and award a design-build contract for a project on the basis of a
best value selection process. Section 16C.08 does not apply to design-build
contracts to which the commissioner is a party.
Sec. 19. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 161.38, subdivision 4, is
amended to read:
Subd. 4. Effects on other law of
public contract with commissioner. Whenever the road authority of any city
enters into an agreement with the commissioner pursuant to this section, and a
portion of the cost is to be assessed against benefited property, the letting
of a public contract by the commissioner for the work shall be deemed to comply
with statutory or charter provisions requiring the city (1) to advertise for
bids before awarding a contract for a public improvement, (2) to let the
contract to the lowest responsible bidder or to the vendor or contractor
offering the best value, and (3) to require a performance bond to be filed
by the contractor before undertaking the work. The contract so let by the
commissioner and the performance bond required of the contractor by the
commissioner shall be considered to be the contract and bond of the city for
the purposes of complying with the requirements of any applicable law or
charter provision, and the bond shall inure to the benefit of the city and
operate for their protection to the same extent as though they were parties thereto.
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Sec. 20. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 365.37, is amended by adding
a subdivision to read:
Subd. 2a. Best value alternative.
As an alternative to the procurement method described in subdivision 2, a
contract for construction, building, alteration, improvement, or repair work
may be awarded to the vendor or contractor offering the best value under a
request for proposals as described in section 16C.28, subdivision 1, paragraph
(a), clause (2), and paragraph (c).
Sec. 21. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 374.13, is amended to read:
374.13 TO ADVERTISE FOR
BIDS.
Subdivision 1. Bidding process.
When the plans and specifications are completed and approved by the city council
and the county board, the commission shall, after notice appropriate to inform
possible bidders, obtain bids or proposals for all or any portion of the work
or materials, or both, to be done, performed, or furnished in the construction
of the building. All bids or proposals shall be sealed by the bidders or
proposers and filed with the commission at or before the time specified for the
opening of bids or proposals. At the time and place specified for the opening
of bids or proposals, the commission shall meet, open the bids or proposals,
tabulate them, and award the contract or contracts to the responsible bidder
whose bid or proposal is the most favorable to the city or county, or reject
all bids and proposals. If all bids or proposals are rejected, the commission
may, after similar notice, obtain more bids or proposals or may modify or
change the plans and specifications and submit the modified plans and
specifications to the city council and the county board for approval. When the
modified or changed plans and specifications are satisfactory to both the city
council and the county board, the plans and specifications shall be returned to
the commission and the commission shall proceed again, after similar notice, to
obtain bids or proposals. Any contract awarded by the commission shall be
subject to approval by the city council and the county board.
Subd. 2. Best value alternative.
As an alternative to the procurement method described in subdivision 1, the
commission may issue a request for proposals and award the contract to the
vendor or contractor offering the best value as described in section 16C.28,
subdivision 1, paragraph (a), clause (2), and paragraph (c).
Sec. 22. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 375.21, is amended by adding
a subdivision to read:
Subd. 1b. Best value alternative.
As an alternative to the procurement method described in subdivision 1, a
county board may award a contract for construction, building, alteration,
improvement, or repair work to the vendor or contractor offering the best value
under a request for proposals as described in section 16C.28, subdivision 1,
paragraph (a), clause (2), and paragraph (c).
Sec. 23. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 383C.094, is amended by
adding a subdivision to read:
Subd. 1a. Contracts in excess of $500;
best value alternative. As an alternative to the procurement method
described in subdivision 1, the contract may be awarded to the vendor or
contractor offering the best value under a request for proposals as described
in section 16C.28, subdivision 1, paragraph (a), clause (2), and paragraph (c).
Sec. 24. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 412.311, is amended to read:
412.311 CONTRACTS.
Subdivision 1. Lowest responsible bidder.
Except as provided in sections 471.87 to 471.89, no member of a council shall
be directly or indirectly interested in any contract made by the council.
Whenever the amount of a contract for the purchase of merchandise, materials or
equipment or for any kind of construction work undertaken by the city is
estimated to exceed the amount specified by section 471.345, subdivision 3, the
contract shall be let to the lowest responsible bidder, after notice has been
published once in the official newspaper at least ten days in advance of the
last day for the submission of bids. If the amount of the contract exceeds
$1,000, it shall be entered into only after compliance with section 471.345.
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Subd. 2. Best value alternative.
As an alternative to the procurement method described in subdivision 1, a
contract for construction, building, alteration, improvement, or repair work
may be awarded to the vendor or contractor offering the best value under a
request for proposals as described in section 16C.28, subdivision 1, paragraph
(a), clause (2), and paragraph (c).
Sec. 25. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 429.041, is amended by adding
a subdivision to read:
Subd. 2a. Best value alternative.
As an alternative to the procurement method described in subdivision 2, the
council may issue a request for proposals and award the contract to the vendor
or contractor offering the best value as described in section 16C.28,
subdivision 1, paragraph (a), clause (2), and paragraph (c).
Sec. 26. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 458D.21, is amended by adding
a subdivision to read:
Subd. 2a. Contracts in excess of
$5,000; best value alternative. As an alternative to the procurement
method described in subdivision 2, the board may issue a request for proposals
and award the contract to the vendor or contractor offering the best value as
described in section 16C.28, subdivision 1, paragraph (a), clause (2), and
paragraph (c).
Sec. 27. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 469.015, is amended by adding
a subdivision to read:
Subd. 1a. Best value alternative.
As an alternative to the procurement method described in subdivision 1, the
authority may issue a request for proposals and award the contract to the
vendor or contractor offering the best value under a request for proposals as
described in section 16C.28, subdivision 1, paragraph (a), clause (2), and
paragraph (c).
Sec. 28. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 469.068, subdivision 1, is
amended to read:
Subdivision 1. Contracts; bids;
bonds. All construction work and every purchase of equipment, supplies, or
materials necessary in carrying out the purposes of sections 469.048 to
469.068, that involve the expenditure of $1,000 or more, shall be awarded by
contract as provided in this subdivision or in subdivision 1a. Before
receiving bids under sections 469.048 to 469.068, the authority shall publish,
once a week for two consecutive weeks in the official newspaper of the port's
city, a notice that bids will be received for the construction work, or
purchase of equipment, supplies, or materials. The notice shall state the
nature of the work, and the terms and conditions upon which the contract is to
be let and name a time and place where the bids will be received, opened, and
read publicly, which time shall be not less than seven days after the date of
the last publication. After the bids have been received, opened, read publicly,
and recorded, the commissioners shall award the contract to the lowest
responsible bidder, reserving the right to reject any or all bids. The contract
shall be executed in writing and the person to whom the contract is awarded
shall give sufficient bond to the board for its faithful performance. If no
satisfactory bid is received, the port authority may readvertise, or, by an
affirmative vote of two of its commissioners in the case of a three-member
commission, or five of its members in the case of a seven-member commission,
may authorize the authority to perform any part or parts of any construction
work by day labor under conditions it prescribes. The commissioners may
establish reasonable qualifications to determine the fitness and responsibility
of bidders, and require bidders to meet the qualifications before bids are
accepted. If the commissioners by a two-thirds or five-sevenths vote declare
that an emergency exists requiring the immediate purchase of any equipment or
material or supplies at a cost in excess of $1,000, but not exceeding $5,000,
in amount, or making of emergency repairs, it shall not be necessary to
advertise for bids, but the material, equipment, or supplies may be purchased
in the open market at the lowest price obtainable, or the emergency repairs may
be contracted for or performed without securing formal competitive bids. An
emergency, for purposes of this section, is unforeseen circumstances or
conditions which result in the jeopardizing of human life or property.
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In all contracts involving
the employment of labor, the commissioners shall stipulate conditions they deem
reasonable, as to the hours of labor and wages and may stipulate as to the
residence of employees to be employed by the contractors.
Bonds shall be required from
contractors for any works of construction as provided in and subject to all the
provisions of sections 574.26 to 574.31.
Sec. 29. Minnesota Statutes
2006, section 469.068, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:
Subd. 1a. Contracts; best value alternative. As an alternative to
the procurement method described in subdivision 1, a contract may be awarded to
the vendor or contractor offering the best value under a request for proposals
as described in section 16C.28, subdivision 1, paragraph (a), clause (2), and
paragraph (c).
Sec. 30. Minnesota Statutes
2006, section 471.345, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:
Subd. 3a. Contracts over $50,000; best value alternative. As an
alternative to the procurement method described in subdivision 3, municipalities
may award a contract for construction, alteration, repair, or maintenance work
to the vendor or contractor offering the best value under a request for
proposals as described in section 16C.28, subdivision 1, paragraph (a), clause
(2), and paragraph (c).
Sec. 31. Minnesota Statutes
2006, section 471.345, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:
Subd. 4a. Contracts from $10,000 to $50,000; best value alternative. As
an alternative to the procurement method described in subdivision 4,
municipalities may award a contract for construction, alteration, repair, or
maintenance work to the vendor or contractor offering the best value under a
request for proposals as described in section 16C.28, subdivision 1, paragraph
(a), clause (2), and paragraph (c).
Sec. 32. Minnesota Statutes
2006, section 471.345, subdivision 5, is amended to read:
Subd. 5. Contracts less than $10,000. If the
amount of the contract is estimated to be $10,000 or less, the contract may be
made either upon quotation or in the open market, in the discretion of the
governing body. If the contract is made upon quotation it shall be based, so
far as practicable, on at least two quotations which shall be kept on file for
a period of at least one year after their receipt. Alternatively,
municipalities may award a contract for construction, alteration, repair, or
maintenance work to the vendor or contractor offering the best value under a
request for proposals as described in section 16C.28, subdivision 1, paragraph
(a), clause (2), and paragraph (c).
Sec. 33. Minnesota Statutes
2006, section 473.523, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:
Subd. 1a. Contracts over $50,000; best value alternative. As an
alternative to the procurement method described in subdivision 1, the council
may issue a request for proposals and award the contract to the vendor or
contractor offering the best value under a request for proposals as described
in section 16C.28, subdivision 1, paragraph (a), clause (2), and paragraph (c).
Sec. 34. Minnesota Statutes
2006, section 473.756, subdivision 12, is amended to read:
Subd. 12. Contracts. The authority may enter into
a development agreement with the team, the county, or any other entity relating
to the construction, financing, and use of the ballpark and related facilities
and public infrastructure. The authority may contract for materials, supplies,
and equipment in accordance with sections 471.345 and 473.754, except that the
authority, with the consent of the county, may employ or contract with persons,
firms, or corporations to perform one or more or all of the functions of
architect, engineer, or construction manager with respect to all or any part of
the ballpark and public infrastructure. Alternatively, at the request of the
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team and with the consent of
the county, the authority shall authorize the team to provide for the design
and construction of the ballpark and related public infrastructure, subject to
terms of Laws 2006, chapter 257. The construction manager may enter into
contracts with contractors for labor, materials, supplies, and equipment for
the construction of the ballpark and related public infrastructure through the
process of public bidding, except that the construction manager may, with the
consent of the authority or the team:
(1) narrow the listing of
eligible bidders to those which the construction manager determines to possess
sufficient expertise to perform the intended functions;
(2) award contracts to the
contractors that the construction manager determines provide the best value
under a request for proposals as described in section 16C.28, subdivision 1,
paragraph (a), clause (2), and paragraph (c), which are not required to be
the lowest responsible bidder; and
(3) for work the
construction manager determines to be critical to the completion schedule,
award contracts on the basis of competitive proposals or perform work with its
own forces without soliciting competitive bids if the construction manager
provides evidence of competitive pricing.
The authority shall require
that the construction manager certify, before the contract is signed, a fixed
and stipulated construction price and completion date to the authority and post
a performance bond in an amount at least equal to 100 percent of the certified
price, to cover any costs which may be incurred in excess of the certified
price, including but not limited to costs incurred by the authority or loss of
revenues resulting from incomplete construction on the completion date. The
authority may secure surety bonds as provided in section 574.26, securing
payment of just claims in connection with all public work undertaken by it.
Persons entitled to the protection of the bonds may enforce them as provided in
sections 574.28 to 574.32, and shall not be entitled to a lien on any property
of the authority under the provisions of sections 514.01 to 514.16. Contracts
for construction and operation of the ballpark must include programs, including
Youthbuild, to provide for participation by small local businesses and
businesses owned by people of color, and the inclusion of women and people of
color in the workforces of contractors and ballpark operators. The construction
of the ballpark is a "project" as that term is defined in section
177.42, subdivision 2, and is subject to the prevailing wage law under sections
177.41 to 177.43.
ARTICLE 4
ELECTIONS
Section 1. Minnesota
Statutes 2006, section 200.02, subdivision 7, is amended to read:
Subd. 7. Major political party. (a) "Major
political party" means a political party that maintains a party
organization in the state, political division, or precinct in question
and that has presented at least one candidate for election to the office of:
(1) governor and lieutenant
governor, secretary of state, state auditor, or attorney general at the last
preceding state general election for those offices; or
(2) presidential elector or
U.S. senator at the last preceding state general election for presidential
electors; and
whose candidate received
votes in each county in that election and received votes from not less than
five percent of the total number of individuals who voted in that election.
(b) "Major political
party" also means a political party that maintains a party organization in
the state, political subdivision, or precinct in question and that has
presented at least 45 candidates for election to the office of state
representative, 23 candidates for election to the office of state senator, four
candidates for election to the office of
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representative in Congress,
and one candidate for election to each of the following offices: governor and
lieutenant governor, attorney general, secretary of state, and state auditor,
at the last preceding state general election for those offices.
(c) "Major political
party" also means a political party that maintains a party organization in
the state, political subdivision, or precinct in question and whose members
present to the secretary of state at any time before the close of filing for
the state partisan primary ballot at least six weeks before the start of
the filing period a petition for a place on the state partisan primary
ballot, which petition contains signatures of a number of the party members
equal to at least five percent of the total number of individuals who voted in
the preceding state general election. The petition may be circulated at any
time after January 1 and more than six weeks before the start of the filing
period in the year the petition is submitted.
(d) A political party whose
candidate receives a sufficient number of votes at a state general election
described in paragraph (a) or a political party that presents candidates at an
election as required by paragraph (b) becomes a major political party as of
January 1 following that election and retains its major party status for at
least two state general elections even if the party fails to present a
candidate who receives the number and percentage of votes required under
paragraph (a) or fails to present candidates as required by paragraph (b) at
subsequent state general elections.
(e) A major political party
whose candidates fail to receive the number and percentage of votes required
under paragraph (a) and that fails to present candidates as required by
paragraph (b) at each of two consecutive state general elections described by
paragraph (a) or (b), respectively, loses major party status as of December 31
following the later of the two consecutive state general elections.
Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes
2006, section 200.02, subdivision 23, is amended to read:
Subd. 23. Minor political party. (a) "Minor
political party" means a political party that has adopted a state
constitution, designated a state party chair, held a state convention in the
last two years, filed with the secretary of state no later than December 31
following the most recent state general election a certification that the party
has met the foregoing requirements, and met the requirements of paragraph (b)
or (e), as applicable.
(b) To be considered a minor
party in all elections statewide, the political party must have presented at
least one candidate for election to the office of:
(1) governor and lieutenant
governor, secretary of state, state auditor, or attorney general, at the last
preceding state general election for those offices; or
(2) presidential elector or
U.S. senator at the preceding state general election for presidential electors;
and
who received votes in each
county that in the aggregate equal at least one percent of the total number of
individuals who voted in the election, or its members must have presented to
the secretary of state at any time before the close of filing for the state
partisan primary ballot at least six weeks before the start of the
filing period a nominating petition in a form prescribed by the secretary
of state containing the signatures of party members in a number equal to at
least one percent of the total number of individuals who voted in the preceding
state general election. The petition may be circulated at any time after
January 1 and more than six weeks before the start of the filing period in the
year the petition is submitted.
(c) A political party whose
candidate receives a sufficient number of votes at a state general election
described in paragraph (b) becomes a minor political party as of January 1
following that election and retains its minor party status for at least two
state general elections even if the party fails to present a candidate who
receives the number and percentage of votes required under paragraph (b) at
subsequent state general elections.
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(d) A minor political party
whose candidates fail to receive the number and percentage of votes required
under paragraph (b) at each of two consecutive state general elections
described by paragraph (b) loses minor party status as of December 31 following
the later of the two consecutive state general elections.
(e) A minor party that
qualifies to be a major party loses its status as a minor party at the time it
becomes a major party. Votes received by the candidates of a major party must
be counted in determining whether the party received sufficient votes to
qualify as a minor party, notwithstanding that the party does not receive
sufficient votes to retain its major party status. To be considered a minor
party in an election in a legislative district, the political party must have
presented at least one candidate for a legislative office in that district who
received votes from at least ten percent of the total number of individuals who
voted for that office, or its members must have presented to the secretary of
state a nominating petition in a form prescribed by the secretary of state
containing the signatures of party members in a number equal to at least ten
percent of the total number of individuals who voted in the preceding state
general election for that legislative office.
Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes
2006, section 201.016, subdivision 1a, is amended to read:
Subd. 1a. Violations; penalty. (a) The county
auditor shall mail a violation notice to any voter who the county auditor can
determine has voted in a precinct other than the precinct in using an
address at which the voter maintains does not maintain residence
on election day. The notice must be in the form provided by the secretary
of state. The county auditor shall also change the status of the voter in the
statewide registration system to "challenged" and the voter shall be
required to provide proof of residence to either the county auditor or to the
election judges in the voter's precinct before voting in the next election. Any
of the forms authorized by section 201.061 for registration at the polling
place may be used for this purpose.
(b) A voter who votes in a
precinct other than the precinct in which the voter maintains residence after
receiving an initial violation notice as provided in this subdivision is guilty
of a petty misdemeanor.
(c) A voter who votes in a
precinct other than the precinct in which the voter maintains residence after
having been found to have committed a petty misdemeanor under paragraph (b) is
guilty of a misdemeanor.
(d) Reliance by the voter on
inaccurate information regarding the location of the voter's polling place
provided by the state, county, or municipality is an affirmative defense to a
prosecution under this subdivision.
Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes
2006, section 201.056, is amended to read:
201.056 SIGNATURE OF REGISTERED VOTER; MARKS ALLOWED.
An individual who is unable
to write the individual's name shall be required to sign a registration card
by making the individual's mark application in the manner provided by
section 645.44, subdivision 14. If the individual registers in person
and signs by making a mark, the clerk or election judge accepting the
registration shall certify the mark by signing the individual's name. If the
individual registers by mail and signs by making a mark, the mark shall
be certified by having a voter registered in the individual's precinct sign the
individual's name and the voter's own name and give the voter's own address.
Sec. 5. Minnesota Statutes
2006, section 201.061, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
Subdivision 1. Prior to election
day. At any time except during the 20 days immediately preceding any
regularly scheduled election, an eligible voter or any individual who will be
an eligible voter at the time of the next election may register to vote in the
precinct in which the voter maintains residence by completing a paper voter
registration application as described in section 201.071, subdivision 1, and
submitting it in person or by mail to the county auditor of that county or to
the Secretary of State's Office. If the Web site maintained by the secretary
of
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state provides, an
individual who has a Minnesota driver's license, identification card, or
learner's permit may register online. A registration that is received no later than 5:00
p.m. on the 21st day preceding any election shall be accepted. An improperly
addressed or delivered registration application shall be forwarded within two
working days after receipt to the county auditor of the county where the voter
maintains residence. A state or local agency or an individual that accepts
completed voter registration applications from a voter must submit the
completed applications to the secretary of state or the appropriate county
auditor within ten business days after the applications are dated by the
voter.
For purposes of this section, mail registration is defined as a voter
registration application delivered to the secretary of state, county auditor,
or municipal clerk by the United States Postal Service or a commercial carrier.
Sec. 6. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 201.061, is amended by adding
a subdivision to read:
Subd. 1b. Prohibited methods of
compensation; penalty. (a) No individual may be compensated for the
solicitation, collection, or acceptance of voter registration applications from
voters for submission to the secretary of state, a county auditor, or other
local election official in a manner in which payment is calculated by
multiplying (1) either a set or variable payment rate, by (2) the number of
voter registration applications solicited, collected, or accepted.
(b) No individual may be deprived of compensation or have compensation
automatically reduced exclusively for failure to solicit, collect, or accept a
minimum number of voter registration applications and no individual may receive
additional compensation for reaching or exceeding a minimum number of voter
registration applications.
(c) A person who violates this subdivision is guilty of a petty
misdemeanor.
Sec. 7. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 201.061, subdivision 3, is
amended to read:
Subd. 3. Election day
registration. (a) The definitions in this paragraph apply to this
subdivision:
(1) "current utility bill" means a utility bill dated within
30 days before the election day or due within 30 days before or after the
election;
(2) "photo identification" means identification that displays
the name and photo of an individual and that was issued by:
(i) another state for use as a driver's license or identification card;
(ii) a Minnesota college, university, or other postsecondary educational
institution or high school as a student identification card; or
(iii) a tribal government of a tribe recognized by the Bureau of Indian
Affairs, United States Department of the Interior;
(3) "residential facility" means transitional housing as
defined in section 256E.33, subdivision 1; a supervised living facility
licensed by the commissioner of health under section 144.50, subdivision 6; a
nursing home as defined in section 144A.01, subdivision 5; a residence
registered with the commissioner of health as a housing with services
establishment as defined in section 144D.01, subdivision 4; a veterans home
operated by the board of directors of the Minnesota Veterans Homes under
chapter 198; a residence licensed by the commissioner of human services to
provide a residential program as defined in section 245A.02, subdivision 14; a
residential facility for persons with a developmental disability licensed by
the commissioner of human services under section 252.28; group residential
housing as defined in section 256I.03, subdivision 3; a shelter for battered
women as defined in section 611A.37, subdivision 4; or a supervised publicly or
privately operated shelter or dwelling designed to provide temporary living
accommodations for the homeless; and
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(4) "utility bill" means a written or electronic bill for
gas, electricity, telephone, wireless telephone, cable television, satellite
television, solid waste, water, sewer services, or an itemized rent statement.
(b) An
individual who is eligible to vote may register on election day by appearing in
person at the polling place for the precinct in which the individual maintains
residence, by completing a registration application, making an oath in the form
prescribed by the secretary of state and providing proof of residence. An
individual may prove residence for purposes of registering by:
(1) presenting a driver's license or Minnesota identification card
issued pursuant to section 171.07;
(2) presenting:
(i) a photo identification; and
(ii) a current utility bill or lease, showing the individual's name and
valid residential address in the precinct;
(3) presenting an identification card issued by the tribal government of
a tribe recognized by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, United States Department of
the Interior, that contains the name, address, signature, and picture of the
individual;
(2)
(4)
presenting any document approved by the secretary of state as proper identification;
(3)
(5)
presenting one of the following:
(i) a current valid student identification card from a postsecondary
educational institution in Minnesota, if a list of students from that
institution has been prepared under section 135A.17 and certified to the county
auditor in the manner provided in rules of the secretary of state; or
(ii) a current student fee statement that contains the student's valid
address in the precinct together with a picture photo
identification card; or
(4)
(6)(i)
having a voter who is registered to vote in the precinct, or who is an employee
employed by and working in a residential facility in the precinct and vouching
for a resident in the facility, sign an oath in the presence of the election
judge vouching that the voter or employee personally knows that the individual
is a resident of the precinct. A voter who has been vouched for on election day
may not sign a proof of residence oath vouching for any other individual on
that election day. A voter who is registered to vote in the precinct may sign
up to 15 proof-of-residence oaths on any election day. This limitation does not
apply to an employee of a residential facility described in this clause.
(ii) The
secretary of state shall provide a form for election judges to use in recording
the number of individuals for whom a voter signs proof-of-residence oaths on
election day. The form must include space for the maximum number of individuals
for whom a voter may sign proof-of-residence oaths. For each proof-of-residence
oath, the form must include a statement that the voter is registered to vote in
the precinct, personally knows that the individual is a resident of the
precinct, and is making the statement on oath. The form must include a space
for the voter's printed name, signature, telephone number, and address.
The oath required by this subdivision and Minnesota Rules, part
8200.9939, must be attached to the voter registration application and the
information on the oath must be recorded on the records of both the voter registering
on election day and the voter who is vouching for the person's residence, and
entered into the statewide voter registration system by the county auditor when
the voter registration application is entered into that system.
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(b) The operator of a
residential facility shall prepare a list of the names of its employees
currently working in the residential facility and the address of the
residential facility. The operator shall certify the list and provide it to the
appropriate county auditor no less than 20 days before each election for use in
election day registration.
(c) "Residential
facility" means transitional housing as defined in section 256E.33,
subdivision 1; a supervised living facility licensed by the commissioner of
health under section 144.50, subdivision 6; a nursing home as defined in
section 144A.01, subdivision 5; a residence registered with the commissioner of
health as a housing with services establishment as defined in section 144D.01,
subdivision 4; a veterans home operated by the board of directors of the
Minnesota Veterans Homes under chapter 198; a residence licensed by the
commissioner of human services to provide a residential program as defined in
section 245A.02, subdivision 14; a residential facility for persons with a
developmental disability licensed by the commissioner of human services under
section 252.28; group residential housing as defined in section 256I.03,
subdivision 3; a shelter for battered women as defined in section 611A.37,
subdivision 4; or a supervised publicly or privately operated shelter or
dwelling designed to provide temporary living accommodations for the homeless.
(d) For tribal band members,
an individual may prove residence for purposes of registering by:
(1) presenting an
identification card issued by the tribal government of a tribe recognized by
the Bureau of Indian Affairs, United States Department of the Interior, that
contains the name, address, signature, and picture of the individual; or
(2) presenting an
identification card issued by the tribal government of a tribe recognized by
the Bureau of Indian Affairs, United States Department of the Interior, that
contains the name, signature, and picture of the individual and also presenting
one of the documents listed in Minnesota Rules, part 8200.5100, subpart 2, item
B.
(c) An employee of a
residential facility must prove employment with that facility by presenting a
current identification card issued by the facility or other official
documentation verifying the employee's current status with the facility on
election day to be eligible to vouch for individuals residing in that facility.
(e) (d) A county, school district,
or municipality may require that an election judge responsible for election day
registration initial each completed registration application.
EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is
effective September 1, 2007.
Sec. 8. Minnesota Statutes
2006, section 201.071, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
Subdivision 1. Form. A voter registration application
must be of suitable size and weight for mailing and contain spaces for
the following required information: voter's first name, middle name, and last
name; voter's previous name, if any; voter's current address; voter's previous
address, if any; voter's date of birth; voter's municipality and county of
residence; voter's telephone number, if provided by the voter; date of
registration; current and valid Minnesota driver's license number or Minnesota
state identification number, or if the voter has no current and valid Minnesota
driver's license or Minnesota state identification, and the last four
digits of the voter's Social Security number; and voter's signature. The
registration application may include the voter's e-mail address, if provided by
the voter, and the voter's interest in serving as an election judge, if
indicated by the voter. The application must also contain the following
certification of voter eligibility:
"I certify that I:
(1) will be at least 18
years old on election day;
(2) am a citizen of the
United States;
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(3) will have resided in Minnesota for 20 days immediately preceding
election day;
(4) maintain residence at the address given on the registration form;
(5) am not under court-ordered guardianship in which the court order
revokes my right to vote;
(6) have not been found by a court to be legally incompetent to vote;
(7) have the right to vote because, if I have been convicted of a
felony, my felony sentence has expired (been completed) or I have been
discharged from my sentence; and
(8) have read and understand the following statement: that giving false
information is a felony punishable by not more than five years imprisonment or
a fine of not more than $10,000, or both."
The certification must include boxes for the voter to respond to the
following questions:
"(1) Are you a citizen of the United States?" and
"(2) Will you be 18 years old on or before election day?"
And the instruction:
"If you checked 'no' to either of these questions, do not complete
this form."
The form of the voter registration application and the certification of
voter eligibility must be as provided in this subdivision and approved by the
secretary of state. Voter registration forms authorized by the National Voter
Registration Act must also be accepted as valid. The federal postcard
application form must also be accepted as valid if it is not deficient and the
voter is eligible to register in Minnesota.
An individual may use a voter registration application to apply to
register to vote in Minnesota or to change information on an existing
registration.
A paper voter registration application must include space for the
voter's signature and be of suitable size and weight for mailing.
Sec. 9. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 201.091, is amended by adding
a subdivision to read:
Subd. 5a. Registration verification to
registered voter. The secretary of state may provide for voter
registration verification to a registered voter on the secretary of state's Web
site. An individual using the verification service must provide the
individual's name, address, and date of birth when requesting registration
verification. If the verification information provided completely matches an
active registration record in the statewide registration system, the individual
must be informed that the individual is a registered voter and provided with
the individual's polling place location. If the verification information
provided does not completely match an active registration record in the
statewide registration system, the individual must be informed that a
registration record at the name and address provided cannot be retrieved and
advised to contact the county auditor or secretary of state for further
information.
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Sec. 10. Minnesota Statutes
2006, section 201.091, subdivision 9, is amended to read:
Subd. 9. Restricted data. A list provided for
public inspection or purchase, for jury selection, or in response to a law
enforcement inquiry, must not include a voter's date of birth or any part of a
voter's Social Security number, driver's license number, or
identification card number, military identification card number, or passport
number.
Sec. 11. Minnesota Statutes
2006, section 201.12, is amended to read:
201.12 PROPER REGISTRATION; VERIFICATION BY MAIL; CHALLENGES.
Subdivision 1. Notice of registration. To prevent
fraudulent voting and to eliminate excess names, the county auditor may mail to
any registered voter a notice stating the voter's name and address as they
appear in the registration files. The notice shall request the voter to notify
the county auditor if there is any mistake in the information.
Subd. 2. Challenges Moved within state.
If the notice is returned as undeliverable but with a permanent forwarding
address in this state, the county auditor shall notify the auditor of the
county where the voter resides. Upon receipt of the notice, the county auditor
shall update the voter's address in the statewide voter registration system and
mail to the voter the notice of registration required by section 201.121,
subdivision 2. The notice must advise the voter that the voter's voting address
has been changed and that the voter must notify the county auditor within 21
days if the new address is not what the voter intended to be their permanent
address.
Subd. 3. Moved out of state. If the notice is returned as
undeliverable but with a permanent forwarding address outside this state, the
county auditor shall promptly mail to the voter at the forwarding address a
notice advising the voter that the voter's voter registration in this state
will be deleted unless the voter notifies the county auditor within 21 days
that the voter intends to retain the former address as the voter's permanent
address. If the notice is not received by the deadline, the county auditor
shall delete the registration.
Subd. 4. Challenges. Upon return of any nonforwardable mailing
from an election official, the county auditor or the auditor's staff shall
ascertain the name and address of that individual. If the individual is no
longer at the address recorded in the statewide registration system If
the notice is returned as undeliverable but with no forwarding address, the
county auditor shall change the registrant's status to "challenged"
in the statewide registration system. An individual challenged in accordance
with this subdivision shall comply with the provisions of section 204C.12,
before being allowed to vote. If a notice mailed at least 60 days after the
return of the first nonforwardable mailing is also returned by the postal
service, the county auditor shall change the registrant's status to
"inactive" in the statewide registration system.
EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is
effective August 1, 2007.
Sec. 12. Minnesota Statutes
2006, section 201.13, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
Subd. 3. Use of change of address system. The
county auditor may delete the records in the statewide registration system of
voters whose change of address can be confirmed by the United States Postal
Service. The secretary of state may provide the county auditors with periodic
reports on voters whose change of address can be confirmed by the United States
Postal Service.
(a) At least once each month the secretary of state shall obtain a list
of individuals in this state who have filed with the United States Postal
Service a change of their permanent address. If an individual is registered as
a voter in the statewide voter registration system and the change is to another
address in this state, the secretary of state shall transmit the registration
by electronic means to the county auditor of the county where the voter
resides. Upon receipt of the registration, the county auditor shall update the
voter's address in the statewide voter registration
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system and mail to the voter
the notice of registration required by section 201.121, subdivision 2. The
notice must advise the voter that the voter's permanent address has been
changed and that the voter must notify the county auditor within 21 days if the
new address is not what the voter intended to be the voter's permanent address.
(b) If the change of permanent address is to a forwarding address
outside this state, the secretary of state shall notify by electronic means the
auditor of the county where the voter formerly resided that the voter has left
the state. The county auditor shall promptly mail to the voter at the
forwarding address a notice advising the voter that the voter's voter
registration in this state will be deleted unless the voter notifies the county
auditor within 21 days that the voter intends to retain the former address as
the voter's permanent address. If the notice is not received by the deadline,
the county auditor shall delete the registration.
EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is
effective April 1, 2008.
Sec. 13. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 201.161, is amended to read:
201.161 AUTOMATIC
REGISTRATION OF DRIVER'S LICENSE, INSTRUCTION PERMIT, AND
IDENTIFICATION CARD APPLICATIONS APPLICANTS.
Subdivision 1. Automatic registration.
An individual who properly completes an application for a new or renewed
Minnesota driver's license, instruction permit, or identification card, and who
is eligible to vote under section 201.014, must be registered to vote as
provided in this section, unless the applicant declines to be registered.
Subd. 2. Applications. The Department
commissioner of public safety, in consultation with the secretary of
state, shall change its the applications for an original,
duplicate, or change of address driver's license, instruction permit, or
identification card so that the forms may also serve as voter registration
applications. The forms must contain spaces for all information collected by
voter registration applications prescribed by the secretary of state and a
box for the applicant to decline to be registered to vote. Applicants
for driver's licenses or identification cards must be asked if they want to
register to vote at the same time and that If the applicant has not
declined to be registered to vote, the commissioner shall transmit the information
must be transmitted at least weekly daily by electronic means to
the secretary of state. Pursuant to the Help America Vote Act of 2002, Public
Law 107-252, the computerized driver's license record containing the voter's
name, address, date of birth, citizenship, driver's license number or
state identification number, county, town, and city or town, and
signature must be made available for access by the secretary of state and
interaction with the statewide voter registration system.
Subd. 3. Registration. (a)
The secretary of state shall determine whether the applicant is currently
registered in the statewide voter registration system. For each currently
registered voter whose registration is not changed, the secretary of state
shall update the voter's registration date in the statewide voter registration
system. For each currently registered voter whose registration is changed, the
secretary of state shall transmit the registration daily by electronic means to
the county auditor of the county where the voter resides.
(b) If the applicant is not currently registered in the statewide voter
registration system, the secretary of state shall determine whether the
applicant is 18 years of age or older and a citizen of the United States and
compare the voter registration information received from the commissioner of
public safety with the information on wards, incompetents, and felons received
from the state court administrator under sections 201.15 and 201.155, to
determine whether the applicant is eligible to vote. If an applicant is less
than 18 years of age, the secretary of state shall wait until the applicant has
turned 18 years of age to determine whether the applicant is eligible to vote.
For each applicant the secretary of state determines is an eligible voter, the
secretary of state shall transmit the registration daily by electronic means to
the county auditor of the county where the voter resides.
Subd. 4. Notice. Upon
receipt of the registration, the county auditor shall mail to the voter the
notice of registration required by section 201.121, subdivision 2.
Subd. 5. Effective date. An
application for registration that is dated during the 20 days before an
election in any jurisdiction within which the voter resides is not effective
until the day after the election.
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Sec. 14. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 201.171, is amended to read:
201.171 POSTING VOTING
HISTORY; FAILURE TO VOTE; REGISTRATION REMOVED.
Within six weeks after every election, the county auditor shall post
the voting history for every person who voted in the election. After the close
of the calendar year, the secretary of state shall determine if any registrants
have not voted during the preceding four six years. The secretary
of state shall perform list maintenance by changing the status of those
registrants to "inactive" in the statewide registration system. The
list maintenance performed must be conducted in a manner that ensures that the
name of each registered voter appears in the official list of eligible voters
in the statewide registration system. A voter must not be removed from the
official list of eligible voters unless the voter is not eligible or is not
registered to vote. List maintenance must include procedures for eliminating
duplicate names from the official list of eligible voters.
The secretary of state shall also prepare a report to the county
auditor containing the names of all registrants whose status was changed to
"inactive."
Registrants whose status was changed to "inactive" must
register in the manner specified in section 201.054 before voting in any
primary, special primary, general, school district, or special election, as
required by section 201.018.
Although not counted in an election, a late or rejected absentee
or mail ballot must be considered a vote for the purpose of continuing
registration.
Sec. 15. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 203B.02, subdivision 1, is
amended to read:
Subdivision 1. Unable to go
to polling place Eligibility for absentee voting. (a) Any
eligible voter who reasonably expects to be unable to go to the polling
place on election day in the precinct where the individual maintains residence
because of absence from the precinct; illness, including isolation or
quarantine under sections 144.419 to 144.4196 or United States Code, title 42,
sections 264 to 272; disability; religious discipline; observance of a
religious holiday; or service as an election judge in another precinct may
vote by absentee ballot as provided in sections 203B.04 to 203B.15.
(b) If the governor has declared an emergency and filed the declaration
with the secretary of state under section 12.31, and the declaration states
that the emergency has made it difficult for voters to go to the polling place
on election day, any voter in a precinct covered by the declaration may vote by
absentee ballot as provided in sections 203B.04 to 203B.15.
EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is
effective April 1, 2008.
Sec. 16. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 203B.04, subdivision 1, is
amended to read:
Subdivision 1. Application
procedures. Except as otherwise allowed by subdivision 2, an application
for absentee ballots for any election may be submitted at any time not less
than one day before the day of that election. The county auditor shall prepare
absentee ballot application forms in the format provided by the secretary of
state, notwithstanding rules on absentee ballot forms, and shall furnish them
to any person on request. By January 1 of each even-numbered year, the
secretary of state shall make the forms to be used available to auditors
through electronic means. An application submitted pursuant to this subdivision
shall be in writing and shall be submitted to:
(a)
(1) the county auditor of the county where the applicant maintains
residence; or
(b)
(2) the municipal clerk of the municipality, or school district if
applicable, where the applicant maintains residence.
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An application shall be approved if it is timely received, signed and
dated by the applicant, contains the applicant's name and residence and mailing
addresses, and states that the applicant is eligible to vote by absentee ballot
for one of the reasons specified in section 203B.02. The application may
contain a request for the voter's date of birth, which must not be made
available for public inspection. An application may be submitted to the county
auditor or municipal clerk by an electronic facsimile device. An application
mailed or returned in person to the county auditor or municipal clerk on behalf
of a voter by a person other than the voter must be deposited in the mail or
returned in person to the county auditor or municipal clerk within ten days
after it has been dated by the voter and no later than six days before the
election. The absentee ballot applications or a list of persons applying for an
absentee ballot may not be made available for public inspection until the close
of voting on election day.
An application under this subdivision may contain an application under
subdivision 5 to automatically receive an absentee ballot application.
EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is
effective April 1, 2008.
Sec. 17. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 203B.04, subdivision 6, is
amended to read:
Subd. 6. Ongoing absentee
status; termination; rules. (a) An eligible voter may apply to a
county auditor or municipal clerk for status as an ongoing absentee voter
who reasonably expects to meet the requirements of section 203B.02, subdivision
1. The voter may decline to receive an absentee ballot for one or more
elections, provided the request is received by the county auditor or municipal
clerk at least five days before the deadline in section 204B.35 for delivering
ballots for the election to which it applies. Each applicant must
automatically be provided with an absentee ballot application for each
ensuing election, other than an election by mail conducted under section
204B.45, or as otherwise requested by the voter, and must have the
status of ongoing absentee voter indicated on the voter's registration record.
(b) Ongoing absentee voter status ends on:
(1) the voter's written request;
(2) the voter's death;
(3) return of an ongoing absentee ballot as undeliverable;
(4) a change in the voter's status so that the voter is not eligible to
vote under section 201.15 or 201.155; or
(5) placement of the voter's registration on inactive status under
section 201.171.
(c) The secretary of state shall adopt rules governing procedures under
this subdivision.
EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is
effective April 1, 2008.
Sec. 18. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 203B.06, subdivision 3, is
amended to read:
Subd. 3. Delivery of ballots.
(a) If an application for absentee ballots is accepted at a time when absentee
ballots are not yet available for distribution, the county auditor, or
municipal clerk accepting the application shall file it and as soon as absentee
ballots are available for distribution shall mail them to the address specified
in the application. If an application for absentee ballots is accepted when
absentee ballots are available for distribution, the county auditor or
municipal clerk accepting the application shall promptly:
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(1) mail the ballots to the voter whose signature appears on the
application if the application is submitted by mail and does not request
commercial shipping under clause (2);
(2) ship the ballots to the voter using a commercial shipper requested
by the voter at the voter's expense;
(3) deliver the absentee ballots directly to the voter if the
application is submitted in person; or
(4) deliver the absentee ballots in a sealed transmittal envelope to an
agent who has been designated to bring the ballots, as provided in section
203B.11, subdivision 4, to a voter who is would have difficulty
getting to the polls because of health reasons, or who is disabled, a patient
in a health care facility, as provided in section 203B.11, subdivision 4,
a resident of a facility providing assisted living services governed by
chapter 144G, a participant in a residential program for adults licensed
under section 245A.02, subdivision 14, or a resident of a shelter for battered
women as defined in section 611A.37, subdivision 4.
(b) If an application does not indicate the election for which absentee
ballots are sought, the county auditor or municipal clerk shall mail or deliver
only the ballots for the next election occurring after receipt of the
application. Only one set of ballots may be mailed, shipped, or delivered to an
applicant for any election, except as provided in section 203B.13, subdivision
2, or when a replacement ballot has been requested by the voter for a ballot
that has been spoiled or lost in transit.
EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is
effective August 1, 2007.
Sec. 19. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 203B.07, subdivision 2, is
amended to read:
Subd. 2. Design of envelopes.
The return envelope shall be of sufficient size to conveniently enclose and
contain the ballot envelope and a voter registration card application
folded along its perforations. The return envelope shall be designed to
open on the left-hand end. Notwithstanding any rule to the contrary, the
return envelope must be designed in one of the following ways:
(1) it must be of sufficient size to contain an additional envelope
that when sealed, conceals the signature, identification, and other information;
or
(2) it must provide an additional flap that when sealed, conceals the
signature, identification, and other information. Election officials may open
the flap or the additional envelope at any time after receiving the returned
ballot to inspect the returned certificate for completeness or to ascertain
other information. A certificate of eligibility to vote by absentee ballot shall be
printed on the back of the envelope. The certificate shall contain a statement
to be signed and sworn by the voter indicating that the voter meets all of the
requirements established by law for voting by absentee ballot. If the voter
was not previously registered, the certificate shall also contain a
statement signed by a person who is registered to vote in Minnesota or by a
notary public or other individual authorized to administer oaths stating that:
(a)
(i) the
ballots were displayed to that individual unmarked;
(b)
(ii) the
voter marked the ballots in that individual's presence without showing how they
were marked, or, if the voter was physically unable to mark them, that the
voter directed another individual to mark them; and
(c) if the voter was not previously registered, (iii) the voter has provided
proof of residence as required by section 201.061, subdivision 3.
The county auditor or municipal clerk shall affix first class postage
to the return envelopes.
EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is
effective April 1, 2008.
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Sec. 20. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 203B.081, is amended to read:
203B.081 LOCATIONS FOR
ABSENTEE VOTING IN PERSON.
An eligible voter may vote by absentee ballot during the 30 days before
the election in the office of the county auditor and at any other polling place
designated by the county auditor. The county auditor shall make such
designations at least 90 days before the election. At least one voting booth and
at least one electronic ballot marker in each polling place must be made
available by the county auditor for this purpose.
Sec. 21. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 203B.11, subdivision 4, is
amended to read:
Subd. 4. Agent delivery of
ballots. During the four seven days preceding an election and
until 2:00 p.m. on election day, an eligible voter who is would have
difficulty getting to the polls because of health reasons, or who is disabled, a
patient of a health care facility, a resident of a facility providing
assisted living services governed by chapter 144G, a participant in a
residential program for adults licensed under section 245A.02, subdivision 14,
or a resident of a shelter for battered women as defined in section 611A.37,
subdivision 4, may designate an agent to deliver the ballots to the voter from
the county auditor or municipal clerk. A candidate at the election may not be
designated as an agent. The voted ballots must be returned to the county
auditor or municipal clerk no later than 3:00 p.m. on election day. The voter
must complete an affidavit requesting the auditor or clerk to provide the agent
with the ballots in a sealed transmittal envelope. The affidavit must include a
statement from the voter stating that the ballots were delivered to the voter
by the agent in the sealed transmittal envelope. An agent may deliver ballots
to no more than three persons in any election. The secretary of state shall
provide samples of the affidavit and transmission envelope for use by the
county auditors.
EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is
effective August 1, 2007.
Sec. 22. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 203B.12, subdivision 4, is
amended to read:
Subd. 4. Placement in container;
opening and counting of ballots. The ballot envelopes from return envelopes
marked "Accepted" shall be placed by the election judges in a
separate absentee ballot container. The container and each ballot envelope may
be opened only after the last regular mail delivery by the United States
postal service noon on election day. The ballots shall then be
initialed by the election judges in the same manner as ballots delivered by
them to voters in person and shall be deposited in the appropriate ballot box.
If more than one ballot of any kind is enclosed in the ballot envelope,
none of the ballots of that kind shall be counted but all ballots of that kind
shall be returned in the manner provided by section 204C.25 for return of
spoiled ballots.
Sec. 23. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 203B.13, subdivision 1, is
amended to read:
Subdivision 1. Establishment.
The governing body of any county that has established a counting center as
provided in section 206.85, subdivision 2, any municipality, or any school
district may by ordinance or resolution, authorize an absentee ballot board.
The board shall consist of a sufficient number of election judges appointed as
provided in sections 204B.19 to 204B.22.
Sec. 24. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 203B.13, subdivision 2, is
amended to read:
Subd. 2. Duties. The
absentee ballot board may do any of the following:
(a) receive from each precinct in the municipality or school district
all ballot envelopes marked "Accepted" by the election judges;
provided that the governing body of a municipality or the school board of a
school district may authorize the board to examine all return absentee ballot envelopes
and receive accept or reject absentee ballots in the manner
provided in section 203B.12;.
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(b) open and count the
absentee ballots, tabulating the vote in a manner that indicates each vote of
the absentee voter and the total absentee vote cast for each candidate or
question in each precinct; or
(c) report the vote totals
tabulated for each precinct.
The absentee ballot board
may begin the process of examining the return envelopes and marking them
"accepted" or "rejected" at any time during the 30 days
before the election. If an envelope has been rejected at least five days before
the election, the ballots in the envelope must be considered spoiled ballots and
the official in charge of the absentee ballot board shall provide the voter
with a replacement absentee ballot and return envelope in place of the spoiled
ballot. The secretary of state shall provide samples of the replacement
ballot and return envelope for use by the county auditor.
Sec. 25. Minnesota Statutes
2006, section 203B.16, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
Subd. 2. Permanent residence outside United States.
Sections 203B.16 to 203B.27 provide the exclusive voting procedure for United
States citizens who are living permanently outside the territorial limits of
the United States who meet all the qualifications of an eligible voter except
residence in Minnesota, but who are authorized by federal law to vote in
Minnesota because they maintained residence in Minnesota for at least 20 days
immediately prior to their departure from the United States or because,
although they have never resided in the United States, they have a parent who
is eligible to vote in Minnesota. Individuals described in this subdivision
shall be permitted to vote only for the offices of president, vice-president,
senator in Congress, and representative in Congress.
EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is
effective for elections held after April 1, 2008.
Sec. 26. Minnesota Statutes 2006,
section 203B.17, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
Subd. 2. Required information. An application
shall be accepted if it contains the following information stated under oath:
(a) the voter's name,
birthdate, and present address of residence in Minnesota, or former address of
residence in Minnesota if the voter is living permanently outside the United
States;
(b) a statement indicating
that the voter is in the military, or is the spouse or dependent of an
individual serving in the military, or is temporarily outside the territorial
limits of the United States, or is living permanently outside the territorial
limits of the United States and voting under federal law;
(c) a statement that the
voter expects to be absent from the precinct at the time of the election;
(d) the address to which
absentee ballots are to be mailed;
(e) the voter's signature or
the signature and relationship of the individual authorized to apply on the
voter's behalf; and
(f) the voter's military
identification card number, passport number, or Minnesota driver's license
or state identification card number,; if the voter does not
have a valid passport or identification card, the signed statement of an
individual authorized to administer oaths or a commissioned or noncommissioned
officer of the military not below the rank of sergeant or its equivalent,
certifying that the voter or other individual requesting absentee ballots has
attested to the truthfulness of the contents of the application under oath.
The oath taken must be the
standard oath prescribed by section 101(b)(7) of the Uniformed and Overseas
Citizens Absentee Voting Act.
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A form for providing this
information shall be prepared by each county auditor and shall be furnished to
individuals who request it pursuant to this section. access to any of these
documents, the voter may attest to the truthfulness of the contents of the
application under penalty of perjury.
EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is
effective for elections held after April 1, 2008.
Sec. 27. Minnesota Statutes
2006, section 203B.21, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
Subd. 2. Mailing of ballots; return. Ballots and
instructions for marking them, ballot envelopes, and return envelopes shall be
sent by first class mail to addresses within the continental United States and
by air mail to addresses outside the continental United States, unless the
voter requests to have the ballot, instructions, and certificate of voter
eligibility sent electronically, as provided for by section 203B.225. The
ballot envelope and return envelope shall be marked "Official
Ballot," and shall contain sufficient postage to assure proper return
delivery. The return envelope shall be addressed to comply with any method for
return of absentee ballots as authorized under section 203B.08, subdivision 2.
EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is
effective for elections held after April 1, 2008.
Sec. 28. Minnesota Statutes
2006, section 203B.21, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
Subd. 3. Back of return envelope. On the back of
the return envelope an affidavit form shall appear with space for:
(a) the voter's address of
present or former residence in Minnesota;
(b) a statement indicating
the category described in section 203B.16 to which the voter belongs;
(c) a statement that the
voter has not cast and will not cast another absentee ballot in the same
election or elections;
(d) a statement that the
voter personally marked the ballots without showing them to anyone, or if
physically unable to mark them, that the voter directed another individual to
mark them; and
(e) the same voter's
military identification card number, passport number, or Minnesota driver's
license or state identification card number as provided on the absentee ballot
application,; if the voter does not have a valid passport
or identification card, the signature and certification of an individual
authorized to administer oaths under federal law or the law of the place where
the oath was administered or commissioned or noncommissioned personnel of the
military not below the rank of sergeant or its equivalent access to any
of these documents, the voter may attest to the truthfulness of the contents of
the application under penalty of perjury.
The affidavit shall also
contain a signed and dated oath in the form required by section 705 of the Help
America Vote Act, Public Law 107-252, which must read:
"I swear or affirm,
under penalty of perjury, that:
I am a member of the
uniformed services or merchant marine on active duty or an eligible spouse or
dependent of such a member; a United States citizen temporarily residing
outside the United States; or other United States citizen residing outside the
United States; and I am a United States citizen, at least 18 years of age (or
will be by the date of the election), and I am eligible to vote in the
requested jurisdiction; I have not been convicted of a felony, or other
disqualifying offense, or been adjudicated mentally incompetent, or, if so, my
voting rights have been reinstated; and I am not registering, requesting a
ballot, or voting in any other jurisdiction in the United States except
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the jurisdiction cited in
this voting form. In voting, I have marked and sealed my ballot in private and
have not allowed any person to observe the marking of the ballot, except for
those authorized to assist voters under state or federal law. I have not been
influenced.
My signature and date below
indicate when I completed this document.
The information on this form
is true, accurate, and complete to the best of my knowledge. I understand that
a material misstatement of fact in completion of this document may constitute
grounds for a conviction for perjury."
EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is
effective for elections held after April 1, 2008.
Sec. 29. Minnesota Statutes
2006, section 203B.22, is amended to read:
203B.22 MAILING BALLOTS.
The county auditor shall
mail the appropriate ballots, as promptly as possible, to an absent voter whose
application has been recorded under section 203B.19. If the county auditor
determines that a voter is not eligible to vote at the primary but will be
eligible to vote at the general election, only general election ballots shall
be mailed. Only one set of ballots shall be mailed to any applicant for any
election, except that the county auditor may mail a replacement ballot to a
voter whose ballot has been spoiled or lost in transit or whose mailing address
has changed after the date on which the original application was submitted as
confirmed by the county auditor. Ballots to be sent outside the United
States shall be given priority in mailing. A county auditor may make use of any
special service provided by the United States government for the mailing of
voting materials under sections 203B.16 to 203B.27.
EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is
effective for elections held after April 1, 2008.
Sec. 30. [203B.225] TRANSMITTING AND RETURNING
BALLOTS.
Subdivision 1. Transmitting ballot and voter certification. Upon receipt
of a properly completed application, the county auditor may electronically
transmit to the voter the appropriate ballots, instructions, and affidavit form
and certification of voter eligibility provided in section 203B.21, subdivision
3.
Subd. 2. Returning voted ballots. The voter must return the voted
ballots and the certificate of voter eligibility to the county auditor in a
sealed envelope. Upon receipt of a ballot, the county auditor must immediately
compare the information provided on the absentee ballot application with the
information provided on the certificate of voter eligibility. After the
information on the certificate of voter eligibility has been verified, the
certificate must be attached to the ballot secrecy envelope and placed with the
other absentee ballots for the precinct in which the voter resides.
Subd. 3. Rejecting transmitted ballots. If the county auditor
cannot verify that the ballots were returned by the same person to whom the
absentee ballot application was transmitted, the ballots must be rejected and
no votes on the ballots may be counted.
EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is
effective for elections held after April 1, 2008.
Sec. 31. [203B.227] WRITE-IN ABSENTEE BALLOT.
An eligible voter who will
be outside the territorial limits of the United States during the 180 days
prior to the state general election may use the federal write-in absentee
ballot to vote in any federal, state, or local election.
EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is
effective for elections held after April 1, 2008.
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Sec. 32. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 203B.24, subdivision 1, is
amended to read:
Subdivision 1. Check of voter
eligibility; proper execution of affidavit. Upon receipt of an absentee
ballot returned as provided in sections 203B.16 to 203B.27, the election judges
shall compare the voter's name with the names appearing on their copy of the
application records to insure that the ballot is from a voter eligible to cast
an absentee ballot under sections 203B.16 to 203B.27. The election judges shall
mark the return envelope "Accepted" and initial or sign the return
envelope below the word "Accepted" if the election judges are
satisfied that:
(1) the voter's name on the return envelope appears in substantially
the same form as on the application records provided to the election judges by
the county auditor;
(2) the voter has signed the federal oath prescribed pursuant to
section 705(b)(2) of the Help America Vote Act, Public Law 107-252;
(3) the voter has set forth the same voter's military
identification number or, passport number, or, if those
numbers do not appear, a person authorized to administer oaths under federal
law or the law of the place where the oath was administered or a witness who is
military personnel with a rank at or above the rank of sergeant or its
equivalent has signed the ballot Minnesota driver's license or state
identification card number as submitted on the application, if the voter has
one of these documents; and
(4) the voter has not already voted at that election, either in person
or by absentee ballot.
An absentee ballot case pursuant to sections 203B.16 to 203B.27 may
only be rejected for the lack of one of clauses (1) to (4). In particular,
failure to place the ballot within the security envelope before placing it in
the outer white envelope is not a reason to reject an absentee ballot.
Election judges must note the reason for rejection on the back of the
envelope in the space provided for that purpose.
Failure to return unused ballots shall not invalidate a marked ballot,
but a ballot shall not be counted if the affidavit on the return envelope is
not properly executed. In all other respects the provisions of the Minnesota
Election Law governing deposit and counting of ballots shall apply.
EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is
effective for elections held after April 1, 2008.
Sec. 33. [203B.28] EMERGENCY
POWERS.
(a) If the governor has declared an emergency and filed the declaration
with the secretary of state under section 12.31, or if a natural disaster or
armed conflict involving the United States Armed Forces, or mobilization of
those forces, including National Guard and reserve components of this state,
makes substantial compliance with the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee
Voting Act impossible or unreasonable, the secretary of state may prescribe, by
emergency orders, special procedures or requirements necessary to facilitate
absentee voting by those citizens directly affected who otherwise are eligible
to vote in this state.
(b) The secretary of state shall adopt rules describing the emergency
powers and the situations in which the powers must be exercised.
EFFECTIVE DATE. Paragraph (a) is
effective for elections held after April 1, 2008. Paragraph (b) is effective
the day following final enactment.
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Sec. 34. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 204B.06, subdivision 1, is
amended to read:
Subdivision 1. Form of
affidavit. An affidavit of candidacy shall state the name of the office
sought and, except as provided in subdivision 4, shall state that the
candidate:
(1) is an eligible voter;
(2) has no other affidavit on file as a candidate for any office at the
same primary or next ensuing general election, except that a candidate for soil
and water conservation district supervisor in a district not located in whole
or in part in Anoka, Hennepin, Ramsey, or Washington County, may also have on
file an affidavit of candidacy for mayor or council member of a statutory or
home rule charter city of not more than 2,500 population contained in whole or
in part in the soil and water conservation district or for town supervisor in a
town of not more than 2,500 population contained in whole or in part in the
soil and water conservation district; and
(3) is, or will be on assuming the office, 21 years of age or more, and
will have maintained residence in the district from which the candidate seeks
election for 30 days before the general election.
An affidavit of candidacy must include a statement that the candidate's
name as written on the affidavit for ballot designation is the candidate's true
name or the name by which the candidate is commonly and generally known in the
community.
An affidavit of candidacy for partisan office shall also state the name
of the candidate's political party or political principle, stated in three
words or less. Except as provided in section 204B.09, subdivision 1a, the
affidavit of candidacy must include an original signature of the candidate.
Sec. 35. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 204B.09, subdivision 1, is
amended to read:
Subdivision 1. Candidates in
state and county general elections. (a) Except as otherwise provided by
this subdivision, affidavits of candidacy and nominating petitions for county,
state, and federal offices filled at the state general election shall be filed
not more than 70 days nor less than 56 days before the state primary. The
affidavit may be prepared and signed at any time between 60 days before the
filing period opens and the last day of the filing period.
(b) Notwithstanding other law to the contrary, the affidavit of
candidacy must be signed in the presence of a notarial officer or an individual
authorized to administer oaths under section 358.10.
(c) This provision does not apply to candidates for presidential
elector nominated by major political parties. Major party candidates for
presidential elector are certified under section 208.03. Other candidates for
presidential electors may file petitions on or before the state primary day pursuant
to section 204B.07, but no earlier than 70 days before the state primary.
Nominating petitions to fill vacancies in nominations shall be filed as
provided in section 204B.13. No affidavit or petition shall be accepted later
than 5:00 p.m. on the last day for filing.
(d) Affidavits and petitions for county offices to be voted
on in only one county shall must be filed with the county auditor of
that county. Affidavits and petitions for federal offices to be voted
on in more than one county shall must be filed with the secretary of
state. Affidavits and petitions for state offices must be filed with the
secretary of state or with the county auditor of the county in which the
candidate resides.
Sec. 36. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 204B.09, subdivision 1a, is
amended to read:
Subd. 1a. Absent candidates.
(a) A candidate for special district, county, state, or federal office
who will be absent from the state during the filing period may submit a
properly executed affidavit of candidacy, the appropriate filing fee, and any
necessary petitions in person to the filing officer. The candidate shall state
in writing the reason
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for being unable to submit
the affidavit during the filing period. The affidavit, filing fee, and
petitions must be submitted to the filing officer during the seven days
immediately preceding the candidate's absence from the state. Nominating
petitions may be signed during the 14 days immediately preceding the date when
the affidavit of candidacy is filed.
(b) In extraordinary circumstances beyond the candidate's control that
prevent the candidate from filing an affidavit of candidacy authenticated by
the candidate's handwritten or other signature meeting the requirements of
section 645.44, subdivision 14, the affidavit of candidacy may be filed
electronically with the secretary of state along with a written statement of
the extraordinary circumstances. The affidavit and statement may be
authenticated either by the electronic facsimile signature of the candidate, by
an electronic signature consisting of a password assigned by the secretary of
state, or by another form of electronic signature approved by the secretary of
state. The secretary of state may adopt rules governing the electronic filing
of an affidavit of candidacy under this paragraph.
Sec. 37. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 204B.09, subdivision 3, is
amended to read:
Subd. 3. Write-in candidates.
(a) A candidate for county, state, or federal office who wants
write-in votes for the candidate to be counted must file a written request with
the filing office for the office sought no later than the fifth seventh
day before the general election. The filing officer shall provide copies of
the form to make the request.
(b) A candidate for president of the United States who files a request
under this subdivision must include the name of a candidate for vice-president
of the United States. The request must also include the name of at least one
candidate for presidential elector. The total number of names of candidates for
presidential elector on the request may not exceed the total number of
electoral votes to be cast by Minnesota in the presidential election.
(c) A candidate for governor who files a request under this subdivision
must include the name of a candidate for lieutenant governor.
Sec. 38. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 204B.11, subdivision 2, is
amended to read:
Subd. 2. Petition in place of
filing fee. At the time of filing an affidavit of candidacy, a candidate
may present a petition in place of the filing fee. The petition may be
circulated from the date of precinct caucuses to the end of the period for
filing affidavits of candidacy. The petition may be signed by any
individual eligible to vote for the candidate. A nominating petition filed
pursuant to section 204B.07 or 204B.13, subdivision 4, is effective as a
petition in place of a filing fee if the nominating petition includes a prominent
statement informing the signers of the petition that it will be used for that
purpose.
The number of signatures on a petition in place of a filing fee shall
be as follows:
(a) for a state office voted on statewide, or for president of the
United States, or United States senator, 2,000;
(b) for a congressional office, 1,000;
(c) for a county or legislative office, or for the office of district
judge, 500; and
(d) for any other office which requires a filing fee as prescribed by law,
municipal charter, or ordinance, the lesser of 500 signatures or five percent
of the total number of votes cast in the municipality, ward, or other election
district at the preceding general election at which that office was on the
ballot.
An official with whom petitions are filed shall make sample forms for
petitions in place of filing fees available upon request.
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Sec. 39. Minnesota Statutes
2006, section 204B.16, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
Subdivision 1. Authority; location. The governing body
of each municipality and of each county with precincts in unorganized territory
shall designate by ordinance or resolution a polling place for each election
precinct. Polling places must be designated and ballots must be distributed so
that no one is required to go to more than one polling place to vote in a
school district and municipal election held on the same day. The polling place
for a precinct in a city or in a school district located in whole or in part in
the metropolitan area defined by section 200.02, subdivision 24, shall be
located within the boundaries of the precinct or within 3,000 feet one
mile of one of those boundaries unless a single polling place is designated
for a city pursuant to section 204B.14, subdivision 2, or a school district
pursuant to section 205A.11. The polling place for a precinct in unorganized
territory may be located outside the precinct at a place which is convenient to
the voters of the precinct. If no suitable place is available within a town or
within a school district located outside the metropolitan area defined by
section 200.02, subdivision 24, then the polling place for a town or school
district may be located outside the town or school district within five miles
of one of the boundaries of the town or school district.
Sec. 40. Minnesota Statutes
2006, section 204B.21, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
Subd. 2. Appointing authority; powers and duties.
Election judges for precincts in a municipality shall be appointed by the
governing body of the municipality. Election judges for precincts in
unorganized territory and for performing election-related duties assigned by the
county auditor shall be appointed by the county board. Election judges for a
precinct composed of two or more municipalities must be appointed by the
governing body of the municipality or municipalities responsible for appointing
election judges as provided in the agreement to combine for election purposes.
Appointments shall may be made from lists furnished pursuant to
subdivision 1 subject to the eligibility requirements and other qualifications
established or authorized under section 204B.19. At least two election
judges in each precinct must be affiliated with different major political
parties. If no lists have been furnished or if additional election judges
are required after all listed names have been exhausted, the appointing
authority may appoint any other individual to serve as an election
judge subject to the same requirements and qualifications individuals
who meet the qualifications to serve as an election judge, including persons
who are not affiliated with a major political party. The appointments shall
be made at least 25 days before the election at which the election judges will
serve.
Sec. 41. Minnesota Statutes
2006, section 204B.21, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:
Subd. 2a. Town elections. The provisions of this section and
sections 204B.19, subdivision 5; 204C.15; 204C.19; 206.83; and 206.86,
subdivision 2, relating to party balance in the appointment of judges and to
duties to be performed by judges of different major political parties do not
apply to town elections not held in conjunction with a statewide election.
Sec. 42. [204B.445] VOTER COMPLAINT AND
RESOLUTION PROCESS.
Subdivision 1. Scope. An eligible voter may file a complaint to seek the
resolution of any of the following conditions that have occurred or are about
to occur:
(1) voter records in the
statewide registration system are not maintained by the secretary of state or a
county auditor in the manner provided in chapter 201;
(2) voters are unable to
register to vote in the manner provided by section 201.061;
(3) a voting system,
including an electronic ballot marker, meeting the requirements of section
206.80 is not available for use by voters either casting an absentee ballot in
person at the locations designated by the county auditor or local election
official, or for voting at any polling place on election day; or
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(4) the secretary of state,
county auditor, or local election official has failed, is failing, or is about
to fail to carry out a duty required by Title III of the Help America Vote Act
of 2002.
A complaint against a
municipal or school district clerk must be filed with the county auditor of the
county in which the action has occurred or is about to occur. A complaint
against a county auditor must be filed with the secretary of state. A complaint
against the secretary of state must be filed with the Office of Administrative
Hearings. The secretary of state shall provide a standard form for a complaint
under this section. The form must provide space for the complainant to specify
the legal basis for the complaint. The proceedings authorized by this section
are not subject to the requirements of chapter 14.
Subd. 2. Notice of complaint. The official with whom the complaint
is filed must, within seven days after the complaint was filed, provide written
notice of the complaint, including a copy of the complaint, to the official
against whom the complaint has been made.
Subd. 3. Response. Within 14 days after the notice of complaint is
received, the official complained against must respond in writing to the
complainant and state the manner in which the respondent proposes to resolve
the complaint.
Subd. 4. Hearing. If the complainant believes the response does
not resolve the complaint, the complainant may file, with the official with
whom the complaint was filed, a request for a hearing. The request must state
the objection to the response and propose to resolve the complaint in a way
that is consistent with the Minnesota Election Law. If the complainant makes a
request for hearing, a hearing must take place. The official with whom the
complaint was filed must rule on the complaint within 14 days after the
hearing.
Subd. 5. Timeline. A ruling on a complaint must be made no more
than 90 days after the complaint is filed. If the official with whom the
complaint was filed fails to make that ruling within 90 days after the
complaint was filed, that official must provide alternative dispute resolution
for the disposition of the complaint. The alternative dispute resolution
process must be completed within 60 days of its commencement.
Subd. 6. Appeal. No later than 30 days after the ruling, the
complainant may appeal the ruling. If the complaint was filed against a
municipal clerk, school district clerk, or county auditor, the appeal must be
filed with the secretary of state. If the complaint was filed against the
secretary of state, the appeal must be filed with the Ramsey County District
Court. The appeal must be heard within 14 days. Upon hearing the appeal, the
secretary of state or district court may affirm, reverse, or modify the ruling
and give appropriate instructions, as needed, to the secretary of state, county
auditor, or local election official to resolve the complaint.
Subd. 7. Remedies; notice. If the official rules that there has
been a violation of Title III of the Help America Vote Act of 2002, the
official must provide an appropriate remedy. If the official rules that there
has not been a violation, the complaint must be dismissed and the results of
the process published by the official.
EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is
effective January 1, 2008.
Sec. 43. Minnesota Statutes
2006, section 204B.45, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
Subd. 2. Procedure. Notice
of the election and the special mail procedure must be given at least six weeks
prior to the election. No earlier Not more than 20 30 days
or nor later than 14 days prior to the election, the auditor
shall mail ballots by nonforwardable mail to all voters registered in the town
or unorganized territory. No later than 14 days before the election, the
auditor must make a subsequent mailing of ballots to those voters who register
to vote after the initial mailing but before the 20th day before the election. Eligible
voters not registered at the time the ballots are mailed may apply for ballots
as provided in chapter 203B. Ballot return envelopes, with return postage provided,
must be preaddressed to the auditor or clerk and the voter may return the
ballot by mail or in person to the
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office of the auditor or
clerk. The auditor or clerk may appoint election judges to examine the
return envelopes and mark them "accepted" or "rejected"
during the 30 days before the election. If an envelope has been rejected at
least five days before the election, the ballots in the envelope must be
considered spoiled ballots and the auditor or clerk shall provide the voter
with a replacement ballot and return envelope in place of the spoiled ballot. The
costs of the mailing shall be paid by the election jurisdiction in which the
voter resides. Any ballot received by 8:00 p.m. on the day of the election must
be counted.
Sec. 44. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 204C.06, subdivision 1, is
amended to read:
Subdivision 1. Lingering near
polling place. An individual shall be allowed to go to and from the polling
place for the purpose of voting without unlawful interference. No one except an
election official or an individual who is waiting to register or to vote shall
stand within 100 feet of the entrance to a polling place. The entrance to a
polling place is the doorway or point of entry leading into the room or area
where voting is occurring building in which a polling place is located.
Sec. 45. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 204C.07, subdivision 3a, is
amended to read:
Subd. 3a. Residence requirement.
A challenger must be a resident of this state. Appointed challengers seeking
admission to a polling place to serve in that capacity must prove their status
as a resident of this state by presenting one of the documents listed in
section 201.061, subdivision 3, paragraph (b), clauses (1) to (4). Challengers
need not prove residence in the precinct in which they seek to act as a
challenger.
EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is
effective September 1, 2007.
Sec. 46. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 204C.07, is amended by adding
a subdivision to read:
Subd. 3b. Oath to obey the law.
A challenger must state under oath that the challenger understands and will
abide by the laws and rules governing challengers as described in this section
and in section 204C.12 and governing challenges to voters as described in
section 204C.12.
EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is
effective September 1, 2007.
Sec. 47. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 205.10, is amended by adding
a subdivision to read:
Subd. 6. Cancellation. A special
election ordered by the governing body of the municipality on its own motion
under subdivision 1 may be canceled by motion of the governing body, but not
less than 46 days before the election.
Sec. 48. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 205.13, is amended by adding
a subdivision to read:
Subd. 7. Write-in candidates.
A candidate for a city office who wants write-in votes for the candidate to
be counted must file a written request with the filing officer for the office
sought no later than the seventh day before the general election. The filing
officer must provide copies of the form to make the request.
Sec. 49. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 205.16, subdivision 3, is
amended to read:
Subd. 3. Sample ballot, posting.
For every municipal election, the municipal clerk shall at least four days
two weeks before the election post prepare a sample ballot
for each precinct in the municipality, make them available for public
inspection in the clerk's office for public inspection, and post a
sample ballot in each polling place on election day.
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Sec. 50. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 205.16, subdivision 4, is
amended to read:
Subd. 4. Notice to auditor.
At least 53 days prior to every municipal election, the municipal clerk shall
provide a written notice to the county auditor, including the date of the
election, the offices to be voted on at the election, and the title and
language for each ballot question to be voted on at the election. Not less
than 46 days before the election, the municipal clerk must provide written
notice to the county auditor of any special election canceled under section
205.10, subdivision 6.
Sec. 51. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 205A.05, is amended by adding
a subdivision to read:
Subd. 3. Cancellation. A
special election ordered by the school board on its own motion under
subdivision 1 may be canceled by motion of the school board, but not less than
46 days before the election.
Sec. 52. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 205A.07, subdivision 3, is
amended to read:
Subd. 3. Notice to auditor.
At least 53 days prior to every school district election, the school district
clerk shall provide a written notice to the county auditor of each county in
which the school district is located. The notice must include the date of the
election, the offices to be voted on at the election, and the title and
language for each ballot question to be voted on at the election. For the
purposes of meeting the timelines of this section, in a bond election, a
notice, including a proposed question, may be provided to the county auditor
prior to receipt of a review and comment from the commissioner of education and
prior to actual initiation of the election. Not less than 46 days before the
election, the school district clerk must provide written notice to the county
auditor of any special election canceled under section 205A.05, subdivision 3.
Sec. 53. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 205A.07, subdivision 3a, is
amended to read:
Subd. 3a. Notice to commissioner
of education. At least 49 days prior to every school district election,
under section 123B.62, 123B.63, 126C.17, 126C.69, or 475.58, the school
district clerk shall provide a written notice to the commissioner of education.
The notice must include the date of the election and the title and language for
each ballot question to be voted on at the election. Not less than 46 days
before the election, the school district clerk must provide a written notice to
the commissioner of education of any special election canceled under section
205A.05, subdivision 3. The certified vote totals for each ballot question
shall be provided in a written notice to the commissioner in a timely manner.
Sec. 54. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 205A.10, subdivision 2, is
amended to read:
Subd. 2. Election, conduct.
A school district election must be by secret ballot and must be held and the
returns made in the manner provided for the state general election, as far as
practicable. The vote totals from an absentee ballot board established pursuant
to section 203B.13 may be tabulated and reported by the school district as a
whole rather than by precinct. For school district elections not held in
conjunction with a statewide election, the school board shall appoint election
judges as provided in section 204B.21, subdivision 2. The provisions of
sections 204B.19, subdivision 5; 204B.21, subdivision 2; 204C.15;
204C.19; 206.64, subdivision 2; 206.83; and 206.86, subdivision 2,
relating to party balance in appointment of judges and to duties to be
performed by judges of different major political parties do not apply to school
district elections not held in conjunction with a statewide election.
Sec. 55. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 206.57, subdivision 5, is
amended to read:
Subd. 5. Voting system for
disabled voters. In federal and state elections held after December 31,
2005, and in county, municipal city, and school district
elections held after December 31, 2007, and in township elections held after
December 31, 2009, the voting method used in each polling place must
include a voting system that is accessible for individuals with disabilities,
including nonvisual accessibility for the blind and visually impaired in a
manner that provides the same opportunity for access and participation,
including privacy and independence, as for other voters.
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Sec. 56. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 206.89, subdivision 1, is
amended to read:
Subdivision 1. Definition. For
purposes of this section "postelection review official" means the election
administration official who is responsible for the conduct of elections in a
precinct selected for review under this section. county auditor, unless
the county auditor designates the municipal clerk as the "postelection
review official" within 24 hours after the canvass of the state general
election.
Sec. 57. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 206.89, subdivision 5, is
amended to read:
Subd. 5. Additional review.
(a) If the postelection review in one of the reviewed precincts reveals
a difference greater than one-half of one percent, or greater than two votes
in a precinct where 400 or fewer voters cast ballots, the postelection
review official must, within two days, conduct an additional review of the
races indicated in subdivision 3 in at least three precincts in the same
jurisdiction where the discrepancy was discovered. If all precincts in that
jurisdiction have been reviewed, the county auditor must immediately publicly
select by lot at least three additional precincts for review. The postelection
review official must complete the additional review within two days after the
precincts are selected and report the results immediately to the county
auditor. If the second review in any of the reviewed precincts also
indicates a difference in the vote totals compiled by the voting system that is
greater than one-half of one percent from the result indicated by the
postelection review, or greater than two votes in a precinct where 400 or
fewer voters cast ballots, the county auditor must conduct a review of the
ballots from all the remaining precincts in the county for the races
indicated in subdivision 3. This review must be completed no later than six
weeks after the state general election.
(b) If the results from the countywide reviews from one or more
counties comprising in the aggregate more than ten percent of the total number
of persons voting in the election clearly indicate that an error in vote
counting has occurred, the postelection review official must conduct a manual
recount of all the ballots in the district for the affected office. The recount
must be completed and the results reported to the appropriate canvassing board
no later than ten weeks after the state general election.
Sec. 58. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 211A.02, subdivision 2, is
amended to read:
Subd. 2. Information required.
The report to be filed by a candidate or committee must include:
(1) the name of the candidate or ballot question;
(2) the printed name and, address, telephone
number, signature, and e-mail address, if available, of the person
responsible for filing the report;
(3) the total amount of receipts and expenditures for the period from
the last previous report to five days before the current report is due;
(4) the amount, date, and purpose for each expenditure; and
(5) the name, address, and employer, or occupation if self-employed, of
any individual or committee that during the year has made one or more
contributions that in the aggregate are equal to or greater than $100, and the
amount and date of each contribution.
The filing officer must
restrict public access to the address of any individual who has made a
contribution equal to or greater than $100 and who has filed with the filing
officer a written statement signed by the individual that withholding the
individual's address from the financial report is required for the safety of
the individual or the individual's family.
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Sec. 59. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 211A.05, subdivision 1, is
amended to read:
Subdivision 1. Penalty. A
candidate who intentionally fails to file a report required by section 211A.02 or
a certification required by this section is guilty of a misdemeanor. The
treasurer of a committee formed to promote or defeat a ballot question who
intentionally fails to file a report required by section 211A.02 or a
certification required by this section is guilty of a misdemeanor. Each
candidate or treasurer of a committee formed to promote or defeat a ballot
question shall certify to the filing officer that all reports required by
section 211A.02 have been submitted to the filing officer or that the candidate
or committee has not received contributions or made disbursements exceeding
$750 in the calendar year. The certification shall be submitted to the filing
officer no later than seven days after the general or special election. The
secretary of state shall prepare blanks for this certification. An officer who
issues a certificate of election to a candidate who has not certified that all
reports required by section 211A.02 have been filed is guilty of a misdemeanor.
Sec. 60. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 325L.03, is amended to read:
325L.03 SCOPE.
(a) Except as otherwise provided in paragraphs (b) and (e), this
chapter applies to electronic records and electronic signatures relating to a
transaction.
(b) This chapter does not apply to a transaction to the extent it is
governed by:
(1) the Uniform Commercial Code other than section 336.1-306, article
2, and article 2A; and
(2) section 145C.03, subdivision 1, relating to requirements for
creation of a health care directive; section 507.24, relating to requirements
for recording any conveyance, power of attorney, or other instrument affecting
real estate; section 523.23, subdivision 3, relating to requirements for creation
of a statutory short form power of attorney; and section 253B.03, subdivision
6b, relating to requirements for creation of a declaration of preferences or
instructions regarding intrusive mental health treatment.
(c) This chapter applies to an electronic record or electronic
signature otherwise excluded from the application of this chapter under
paragraph (b) to the extent it is governed by a law other than those specified
in paragraph (b).
(d) A transaction subject to this chapter is also subject to other
applicable substantive law.
(e) This chapter does not apply to the creation and execution of wills,
codicils, or trusts other than trusts relating to the conduct of business,
commercial, or governmental purposes.
(f) Except as provided in section 204B.09, subdivision 1a, this chapter
does not apply to affidavits of candidacy relating to the conduct of elections.
Sec. 61. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 375.101, subdivision 1, is
amended to read:
Subdivision 1. Option for
filling vacancies; election in 30 to 60 90 days. Except
as provided in subdivision 3, a vacancy in the office of county commissioner shall
may be filled as provided in this subdivision and subdivision 2, or as
provided in subdivision 4. If the vacancy is to be filled under this
subdivision and subdivision 2, it must be filled at a special election not
less than 30 nor more than 60 90 days after the vacancy occurs.
The special primary or special election may be held on the same day as a
regular primary or regular election but the special election shall be held not
less than 14 days after the special primary. The person elected at the special
election shall take office immediately after receipt of the certificate of
election and upon filing the bond and taking the oath of office and shall serve
the remainder of the unexpired term. If the county has been reapportioned since
the commencement of the term of the vacant office, the election shall be based
on the district as reapportioned.
EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is
effective the day following final enactment.
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Sec. 62. Minnesota Statutes
2006, section 375.101, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:
Subd. 4. Option for filling vacancies; appointment. Except as
provided in subdivision 3, and as an alternative to the procedure provided in
subdivisions 1 and 2, any other vacancy in the office of county commissioner
may be filled by board appointment at a regular or special meeting. The
appointment shall be evidenced by a resolution entered in the minutes and shall
continue until an election is held under this subdivision. All elections to
fill vacancies shall be for the unexpired term. If the vacancy occurs before
the first day to file affidavits of candidacy for the next county general
election and more than two years remain in the unexpired term, a special
election shall be held in conjunction with the county general election. The
appointed person shall serve until the qualification of the successor elected
to fill the unexpired part of the term at that special election. If the vacancy
occurs on or after the first day to file affidavits of candidacy for the county
general election, or when less than two years remain in the unexpired term,
there shall be no special election to fill the vacancy and the appointed person
shall serve the remainder of the unexpired term and until a successor is
elected and qualifies at the county general election.
EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is
effective the day following final enactment.
Sec. 63. Minnesota Statutes
2006, section 410.12, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
Subdivision 1. Proposals. The charter commission may
propose amendments to such charter and shall do so upon the petition of voters
equal in number to five percent of the total votes cast at the last previous
state general election in the city. Proposed charter amendments must be
submitted at least 12 weeks before the general election. Petitions may be
signed no earlier than 26 weeks before the general election. Only
registered voters are eligible to sign the petition. All petitions circulated
with respect to a charter amendment shall be uniform in character and shall
have attached thereto the text of the proposed amendment in full; except that
in the case of a proposed amendment containing more than 1,000 words, a true
and correct copy of the same may be filed with the city clerk, and the petition
shall then contain a summary of not less than 50 nor more than 300 words setting
forth in substance the nature of the proposed amendment. Such summary shall
contain a statement of the objects and purposes of the amendment proposed and
an outline of any proposed new scheme or frame work of government and shall be
sufficient to inform the signers of the petition as to what change in
government is sought to be accomplished by the amendment. The summary, together
with a copy of the proposed amendment, shall first be submitted to the charter
commission for its approval as to form and substance. The commission shall
within ten days after such submission to it, return the same to the proposers
of the amendment with such modifications in statement as it may deem necessary
in order that the summary may fairly comply with the requirements above set
forth.
Sec. 64. Minnesota Statutes
2006, section 447.32, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
Subd. 4. Candidates; ballots; certifying election.
A person who wants to be a candidate for the hospital board shall file an
affidavit of candidacy for the election either as member at large or as a
member representing the city or town where the candidate resides. The affidavit
of candidacy must be filed with the city or town clerk not more than 70 days
nor less than 56 days before the first Tuesday after the first Monday in
November of the year in which the general election is held. The city or town
clerk must forward the affidavits of candidacy to the clerk of the hospital
district or, for the first election, the clerk of the most populous city or
town immediately after the last day of the filing period. A candidate may
withdraw from the election by filing an affidavit of withdrawal with the clerk
of the district no later than 5:00 p.m. two days after the last day to file
affidavits of candidacy. A candidate for a hospital district office who
wants write-in votes for the candidate to be counted must file a written
request with the filing officer for the office sought no later than the seventh
day before the general election. The filing officer must provide copies of the
form to make the request.
Voting must be by secret ballot. The clerk shall prepare, at the
expense of the district, necessary ballots for the election of officers.
Ballots must be printed on tan paper and prepared as provided in the rules of
the secretary of state. The ballots must be marked and initialed by at least
two judges as official ballots and used exclusively at the
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election. Any proposition to
be voted on may be printed on the ballot provided for the election of officers.
The hospital board may also authorize the use of voting systems subject to
chapter 206. Enough election judges may be appointed to receive the votes at
each polling place. The election judges shall act as clerks of election, count
the ballots cast, and submit them to the board for canvass.
After canvassing the election, the board shall issue a certificate of
election to the candidate who received the largest number of votes cast for
each office. The clerk shall deliver the certificate to the person entitled to
it in person or by certified mail. Each person certified shall file an
acceptance and oath of office in writing with the clerk within 30 days after the
date of delivery or mailing of the certificate. The board may fill any office
as provided in subdivision 1 if the person elected fails to qualify within 30
days, but qualification is effective if made before the board acts to fill the
vacancy.
Sec. 65. AUTOMATIC
REGISTRATION.
An applicant for a Minnesota driver's license, instruction permit, or
identification card must not be automatically registered to vote under
Minnesota Statutes, section 201.161, until the secretary of state has certified
that the system for automatic registration of those applicants has been tested
and shown to properly determine whether an applicant is eligible to vote.
Sec. 66. REPEALER.
(a) Minnesota Statutes 2006, sections 201.061, subdivision 7; 201.096;
203B.02, subdivision 1a; and 203B.13, subdivision 3a, are repealed.
(b) Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 203B.04, subdivision 5, is
repealed effective April 1, 2008.
(c) Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 200.04, is repealed effective
January 1, 2008.
ARTICLE 5
ELECTIONS CLARIFICATIONS
Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 103C.305, subdivision 3, is
amended to read:
Subd. 3. Ballots. Ballots
shall be prepared by the county auditor. The names of candidates shall be
placed on the "canary ballot" described in section 204D.11,
subdivision 3. The office title printed on the ballot must be either
"Soil and Water Conservation District Supervisor" or
"Conservation District Supervisor," based upon the district from
which the supervisor is to be elected.
Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 201.054, subdivision 1, is
amended to read:
Subdivision 1. Registration.
An individual may register to vote:
(1) at any time before the 20th day preceding any election as provided
in section 201.061, subdivision 1;
(2) on the day of an election as provided in section 201.061,
subdivision 3; or
(3) when submitting an absentee ballot, by enclosing a completed
registration card application as provided in section 203B.04,
subdivision 4.
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Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 201.061, subdivision 4, is
amended to read:
Subd. 4. Registration by
election judges; procedures. Registration at the polling place on election
day shall be conducted by the election judges. The election judge who registers
an individual at the polling place on election day shall not handle that
voter's ballots at any time prior to the opening of the ballot box after the
voting ends. Registration cards applications and forms for oaths
shall be available at each polling place. If an individual who registers on
election day proves residence by oath of a registered voter, the form
containing the oath shall be attached to the individual's registration card
application. Registration cards applications completed on
election day shall be forwarded to the county auditor who shall add the name of
each voter to the registration system unless the information forwarded is
substantially deficient. A county auditor who finds an election day
registration substantially deficient shall give written notice to the
individual whose registration is found deficient. An election day registration
shall not be found deficient solely because the individual who provided proof
of residence was ineligible to do so.
Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 201.071, subdivision 3, is
amended to read:
Subd. 3. Deficient registration.
No voter registration application is deficient if it contains the voter's name,
address, date of birth, current and valid Minnesota driver's license number or
Minnesota state identification number, or if the voter has no current and valid
Minnesota driver's license or Minnesota state identification number, the last
four digits of the voter's Social Security number, if the voter has been issued
a Social Security number, prior registration, if any, and signature. The
absence of a zip code number does not cause the registration to be deficient.
Failure to check a box on an application form that a voter has certified to be
true does not cause the registration to be deficient. The election judges shall
request an individual to correct a voter registration application if it is
deficient or illegible or if the name or number of the voter's school
district is missing or obviously incorrect. No eligible voter may be
prevented from voting unless the voter's registration application is deficient
or the voter is duly and successfully challenged in accordance with section
201.195 or 204C.12.
A voter registration application accepted prior to August 1, 1983, is
not deficient for lack of date of birth. The county or municipality may attempt
to obtain the date of birth for a voter registration application accepted prior
to August 1, 1983, by a request to the voter at any time except at the polling
place. Failure by the voter to comply with this request does not make the
registration deficient.
A voter registration application accepted before January 1, 2004, is
not deficient for lack of a valid Minnesota driver's license or state
identification number or the last four digits of a Social Security number. A
voter registration application submitted by a voter who does not have a
Minnesota driver's license or state identification number, or a Social Security
number, is not deficient for lack of any of these numbers.
Sec. 5. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 201.071, subdivision 4, is
amended to read:
Subd. 4. Change of registration.
Any A county auditor who receives a registration card application
indicating that an individual was previously registered in a different
county in Minnesota shall notify the county auditor of that county update
the voter's record electronically through the statewide registration system
in the manner prescribed in the rules of by the secretary of
state. A county auditor receiving a registration card indicating that a
voter was previously registered in a different precinct in the same county or
receiving a notification as provided in this subdivision shall remove that
individual's voter registration card from the files. Any A county
auditor who receives a registration card application or
notification requiring a change of registration records under this subdivision
as a result of an election day registration shall also check the statewide
registration system to determine whether the individual voted in more than one
precinct in the most recent election.
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Sec. 6. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 201.081, is amended to read:
201.081 REGISTRATION FILES.
The statewide registration system is the official record of registered
voters. The voter registration cards applications and the
terminal providing access to the statewide registration system must be under
the control of the county auditor or the public official to whom the county
auditor has delegated the responsibility for maintaining voter registration
records. The voter registration cards applications and terminals
providing access to the statewide registration system must not be removed from
the control of the county auditor except as provided in this subdivision. The
county auditor may make photographic copies of voter registration cards applications
in the manner provided by section 138.17.
A properly completed voter registration card application that
has been submitted to the secretary of state or a county auditor must be
maintained by the secretary of state or the county auditor for at least 22
months after the date that the information on the card application is
entered into the database of the statewide registration system. The secretary
of state or the county auditor may dispose of the cards applications after
retention for 22 months in the manner provided by section 138.17.
Sec. 7. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 201.091, subdivision 1, is
amended to read:
Subdivision 1. Master list.
Each county auditor shall prepare and maintain a current list of registered
voters in each precinct in the county which is known as the master list. The
master list must be created by entering each completed voter registration card
application received by the county auditor into the statewide
registration system. It must show the name, residence address, and date of
birth of each voter registered in the precinct. The information contained in
the master list may only be made available to public officials for purposes
related to election administration, jury selection, and in response to a law
enforcement inquiry concerning a violation of or failure to comply with any
criminal statute or state or local tax statute.
Sec. 8. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 201.091, subdivision 8, is
amended to read:
Subd. 8. Registration places.
Each county auditor shall designate a number of public buildings in those
political subdivisions of the county where preregistration of voters is allowed
as provided in section 201.061, subdivision 1, where eligible voters may
register to vote. At least one public building must be designated for each
30,000 residents of the county. At least one telecommunications device for the
deaf must be available for voter registration information in each county seat
and in every city of the first, second, and third class.
An adequate supply of registration cards applications and
instructions must be maintained at each designated location, and a designated
individual must be available there to accept registration cards applications
and transmit them to the county auditor.
A person who, because of disability, needs assistance in order to
determine eligibility or to register must be assisted by a designated
individual. Assistance includes but is not limited to reading the registration
form and instructions and filling out the registration form as directed by the
eligible voter.
Sec. 9. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 201.27, subdivision 1, is
amended to read:
Subdivision 1. Intentional
violation. No officer, deputy, clerk, or other employee shall
intentionally:
(1) fail to perform or enforce any of the provisions of this chapter
except subdivision 2;
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(2) remove a registration card
application or record from its proper place in the registration files in
a manner or for a purpose not authorized by law;
(3) destroy or make an
unauthorized change to a record required to be kept by this chapter; or
(4) add a name or names to
the voter registration files, records, or cards, except as authorized by law.
An individual who violates
this subdivision is guilty of a felony.
Sec. 10. Minnesota Statutes
2006, section 203B.04, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
Subdivision 1. Application procedures. Except as
otherwise allowed by subdivision 2 or by section 203B.11, subdivision 4,
an application for absentee ballots for any election may be submitted at any
time not less than one day before the day of that election. The county auditor
shall prepare absentee ballot application forms in the format provided by the
secretary of state, notwithstanding rules on absentee ballot forms, and shall
furnish them to any person on request. By January 1 of each even-numbered year,
the secretary of state shall make the forms to be used available to auditors
through electronic means. An application submitted pursuant to this subdivision
shall be in writing and shall be submitted to:
(a) the county auditor of
the county where the applicant maintains residence; or
(b) the municipal clerk of
the municipality, or school district if applicable, where the applicant
maintains residence.
An application shall be
approved if it is timely received, signed and dated by the applicant, contains
the applicant's name and residence and mailing addresses, and states that the
applicant is eligible to vote by absentee ballot for one of the reasons
specified in section 203B.02. The application may contain a request for the
voter's date of birth, which must not be made available for public inspection.
An application may be submitted to the county auditor or municipal clerk by an
electronic facsimile device. An application mailed or returned in person to the
county auditor or municipal clerk on behalf of a voter by a person other than
the voter must be deposited in the mail or returned in person to the county
auditor or municipal clerk within ten days after it has been dated by the voter
and no later than six days before the election. The absentee ballot
applications or a list of persons applying for an absentee ballot may not be
made available for public inspection until the close of voting on election day.
An application under this
subdivision may contain an application under subdivision 5 to automatically
receive an absentee ballot application.
Sec. 11. Minnesota Statutes
2006, section 203B.04, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
Subd. 4. Registration at time of application. An
eligible voter who is not registered to vote but who is otherwise eligible to
vote by absentee ballot may register by including a completed voter
registration card application with the absentee ballot. The
individual shall present proof of residence as required by section 201.061,
subdivision 3, to the individual who witnesses the marking of the absentee
ballots. A military voter, as defined in section 203B.01, may register in this
manner if voting pursuant to sections 203B.04 to 203B.15, or may register
pursuant to sections 203B.16 to 203B.27.
Sec. 12. Minnesota Statutes
2006, section 203B.05, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
Subd. 2. City, school district,
and town elections. For city, town, and school district elections
not held on the same day as a statewide election, for school district
elections not held on the same day as a statewide election, and for town
elections conducted under the Australian ballot system, applications for
absentee ballots shall be filed with
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the city, school district,
or town clerk and the duties prescribed by this chapter for the county auditor
shall be performed by the city, school district, or town clerk unless the
county auditor agrees to perform those duties on behalf of the city, school
district, or town clerk. The costs incurred to provide absentee ballots and
perform the duties prescribed by this subdivision shall be paid by the city,
town, or school district holding the election.
Notwithstanding any other law, this chapter applies to school district
elections held on the same day as a statewide election or an election for a
county or municipality wholly or partially within the school district.
Sec. 13. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 203B.07, subdivision 1, is
amended to read:
Subdivision 1. Delivery of
envelopes, directions. The county auditor or the municipal clerk shall
prepare, print, and transmit a return envelope, a ballot envelope, and a copy
of the directions for casting an absentee ballot to each applicant whose
application for absentee ballots is accepted pursuant to section 203B.04. The
directions for casting an absentee ballot shall be printed in at least 14-point
bold type with heavy leading and may be printed on the ballot envelope. When a
person requests the directions in Braille or on cassette tape, the county
auditor or municipal clerk shall provide them in the form requested. The
secretary of state shall prepare Braille and cassette copies and make them available.
When a voter registration card application is sent to the
applicant as provided in section 203B.06, subdivision 4, the directions or
registration card application shall include instructions for
registering to vote.
Sec. 14. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 203B.08, subdivision 3, is
amended to read:
Subd. 3. Procedures on receipt
of ballots. When absentee ballots are returned to a county auditor or
municipal clerk, that official shall stamp or initial and date the
return envelope with an official seal of the office and place it in a
secure location with other return envelopes received by that office. The county
auditor or municipal clerk shall deliver to the appropriate election judges on
election day all ballots received before or with the last mail delivery by the
United States Postal Service on election day. A town clerk may request the
United States Postal Service to deliver absentee ballots to the polling place
on election day instead of to the official address of the town clerk.
Sec. 15. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 203B.10, is amended to read:
203B.10 DELIVERY OF ABSENTEE
BALLOT APPLICATIONS TO ELECTION JUDGES.
(a) On
the day before an election:
(a)
(1) the county auditor shall deliver to the municipal clerks within that
county the applications for absentee ballots theretofore received and endorsed
as provided in section 203B.06, subdivision 5; and
(b)
(2) the municipal clerks shall deliver the applications received from
the county auditor and the applications for absentee ballots filed with their
respective offices and endorsed as provided in section 203B.06, subdivision 5,
to the appropriate election judges. Applications received on election day
pursuant to section 203B.04, subdivision 2, shall be promptly delivered to the
election judges in the precincts or to the judges of an absentee ballot board.
(b) Delivery of the applications to the municipal clerks and election
judges in the precinct is not required if the absentee ballot envelopes have
been accepted or rejected by an absentee ballot board pursuant to section
203B.13.
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Sec. 16. Minnesota Statutes
2006, section 204B.06, subdivision 8, is amended to read:
Subd. 8. Proof of eligibility. A candidate for
judicial office or for the office of county attorney shall submit with the
affidavit of candidacy proof that the candidate is licensed to practice law in
this state. Proof means providing a copy of a current attorney license.
A candidate for county
sheriff shall submit with the affidavit of candidacy proof of licensure as a
peace officer in this state. Proof means providing a copy of a current Peace
Officer Standards and Training Board license.
Sec. 17. Minnesota Statutes
2006, section 204B.08, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
Subd. 3. Number of signatures. The number of
signatures required on a nominating petition shall be as follows:
(a) for a federal or state
office voted on statewide or for United States senator, one percent of
the total number of individuals voting in the state at the last preceding state
general election, or 2,000, whichever is less;
(b) for a congressional
office, five percent of the total number of individuals voting in the district
at the last preceding state general election, or 1,000, whichever is less;
(c) for a county or
legislative office, ten percent of the total number of individuals voting in
the county or legislative district at the last preceding state or county
general election, or 500, whichever is less;
(d) for a municipal office
in a city of the first class, the number specified in section 205.121; and
(e) for any other municipal
or school district office, ten percent of the total number of individuals
voting in the municipality, ward, school district, or other election district
at the last preceding municipal, or school district if applicable, general
election, or 500, whichever is less.
Sec. 18. Minnesota Statutes
2006, section 205A.10, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
Subdivision 1. Materials, ballots. The school district
clerk shall prepare and have printed the necessary election materials,
including ballots, for a school district election. The name of each
candidate for office shall be rotated with the names of the other candidates
for the same office so that the name of each candidate appears substantially an
equal number of times at the top, at the bottom, and at each intermediate place
in the group of candidates for that office names must be arranged on
school district ballots in the manner provided in section 204D.08, subdivision
3, for state elections.
Sec. 19. Minnesota Statutes
2006, section 205A.11, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
Subd. 2. Combined polling place. When no other
election is being held in two or more precincts on the day of a school district
election, the school board may designate one or more combined polling places at
which the voters in those precincts may vote in the school district election. In
school districts that have organized into separate board member election
districts under section 205A.12, a combined polling place for a school general
election must be arranged so that it does not include more than one board
member election district.
Sec. 20. Minnesota Statutes
2006, section 206.82, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
Subd. 2. Plan. (a) Subject to paragraph (b),
The municipal clerk in a municipality where an electronic voting system is used
and the county auditor of a county in which an electronic voting system is used
in more than one municipality and the county auditor of a county in which a
counting center serving more than one municipality is
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located shall prepare a plan
which indicates acquisition of sufficient facilities, computer time, and
professional services and which describes the proposed manner of complying with
section 206.80. The plan must be signed, notarized, and submitted to the
secretary of state more than 60 days before the first election at which the
municipality uses an electronic voting system. Prior to July 1 of each
subsequent general election year, the clerk or auditor shall submit to the
secretary of state notification of any changes to the plan on file with the
secretary of state. The secretary of state shall review each plan for its
sufficiency and may request technical assistance from the Department of
Administration or other agency which may be operating as the central computer
authority. The secretary of state shall notify each reporting authority of the
sufficiency or insufficiency of its plan within 20 days of receipt of the plan.
The attorney general, upon request of the secretary of state, may seek a
district court order requiring an election official to fulfill duties imposed
by this subdivision or by rules promulgated pursuant to this section.
(b) Systems implemented by
counties and municipalities in calendar year 2006 are exempt from paragraph (a)
and section 206.58, subdivision 4, if:
(1) the municipality has
fewer than 10,000 residents; and
(2) a valid county plan was
filed by the county auditor of the county in which the municipality is located.
Sec. 21. Laws 2004, chapter
293, article 1, section 37, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
Subd. 2. Social security number. A voter must
not be included on the list of voters prepared under Minnesota Statutes,
section 201.121, subdivision 1, whose registration is incomplete because of a
failure to match the last four digits of the voter's Social Security number
until the commissioner of public safety has:
(1) entered into an
agreement with the commissioner of the Social Security Administration under
Minnesota Statutes, section 201.1615, regarding the use of the last four digits
of a Social Security number to verify voter registration information;
(2) assembled a complete and
current database of the last four digits of the Social Security number of each
resident of this state as maintained by the Social Security Administration; and
(3) (2) certified, along with the
secretary of state, that the voter registration system has been tested and
shown to properly verify the last four digits of a voter's Social Security
number."
Delete the title and insert:
"A bill for an act
relating to government operations; appropriating money for the general
legislative and administrative expenses of state government; regulating state
and local government operations; establishing the Minnesota Office on Ethnic
Heritage and New Americans and the Minnesota Legislative Commission on
Terrorism and Disaster Preparedness; creating the position of poet laureate;
providing a grant process and grant management; defining domestic partner;
ratifying labor agreements and compensation plans; establishing a state
employees electronic health records pilot project; providing for continuing
appropriations in certain circumstances; providing compensation for a period of
partial government shutdown; creating a trust for postemployment benefits;
regulating elections and voter registration; establishing a gratuity payment
for certain Teacher Retirement Association members; authorizing rulemaking;
amending Minnesota Statutes 2006, sections 3.85, subdivision 3; 3.9741,
subdivision 1; 5.12, subdivision 1; 6.47; 6.51; 6.54; 6.55; 6.551; 6.57; 6.59;
6.60; 6.62, subdivision 2; 6.63; 6.64; 6.65; 6.66; 6.67; 6.68; 6.70; 6.71;
6.715, by adding a subdivision; 13.605, subdivision 1; 15B.17, subdivision 1;
16A.103, subdivision 1e; 16A.11, by adding a subdivision; 16A.1286, subdivision
2; 16B.35, subdivision 1; 16C.02, subdivisions 4, 12, 14, by adding
subdivisions; 16C.03, subdivisions 2, 3, 4, 8, 16, by adding subdivisions;
16C.05, subdivisions 1, 2; 16C.08, subdivisions 2, 4, by adding subdivisions;
16C.10, subdivision 7; 16C.16, subdivision 5;
Journal of the House - 46th
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16C.26; 16C.27, subdivision
1; 16C.28; 37.06; 43A.02, by adding a subdivision; 43A.24, subdivision 1;
43A.49; 103C.305, subdivision 3; 103D.355; 103D.811, subdivision 3; 103E.505,
subdivision 5; 116A.13, subdivision 5; 123B.52, subdivision 1, by adding a
subdivision; 160.17, by adding a subdivision; 160.262, by adding a subdivision;
161.1419, subdivision 8; 161.32, by adding a subdivision; 161.3412, subdivision
1; 161.38, subdivision 4; 181.9413; 200.02, subdivisions 7, 23; 201.016,
subdivision 1a; 201.054, subdivision 1; 201.056; 201.061, subdivisions 1, 3, 4,
by adding a subdivision; 201.071, subdivisions 1, 3, 4; 201.081; 201.091, subdivisions
1, 8, 9, by adding a subdivision; 201.12; 201.13, subdivision 3; 201.161;
201.171; 201.27, subdivision 1; 203B.02, subdivision 1; 203B.04, subdivisions
1, 4, 6; 203B.05, subdivision 2; 203B.06, subdivision 3; 203B.07, subdivisions
1, 2; 203B.08, subdivision 3; 203B.081; 203B.10; 203B.11, subdivision 4;
203B.12, subdivision 4; 203B.13, subdivisions 1, 2; 203B.16, subdivision 2;
203B.17, subdivision 2; 203B.21, subdivisions 2, 3; 203B.22; 203B.24,
subdivision 1; 204B.06, subdivisions 1, 8; 204B.08, subdivision 3; 204B.09,
subdivisions 1, 1a, 3; 204B.11, subdivision 2; 204B.16, subdivision 1; 204B.21,
subdivision 2, by adding a subdivision; 204B.45, subdivision 2; 204C.06,
subdivision 1; 204C.07, subdivision 3a, by adding a subdivision; 205.10, by
adding a subdivision; 205.13, by adding a subdivision; 205.16, subdivisions 3,
4; 205A.05, by adding a subdivision; 205A.07, subdivisions 3, 3a; 205A.10,
subdivisions 1, 2; 205A.11, subdivision 2; 206.57, subdivision 5; 206.82,
subdivision 2; 206.89, subdivisions 1, 5; 211A.02, subdivision 2; 211A.05,
subdivision 1; 302A.821, subdivision 4; 308A.995, subdivision 4; 308B.121,
subdivision 4; 308B.215, subdivision 2; 317A.823, subdivision 1; 321.0206;
325L.03; 336.1-110; 336.9-516; 336.9-525; 356.219, subdivision 1; 358.41;
358.42; 358.50; 359.085, subdivisions 2, 3; 365.37, by adding a subdivision;
374.13; 375.101, subdivision 1, by adding a subdivision; 375.21, by adding a
subdivision; 383C.094, by adding a subdivision; 410.12, subdivision 1; 412.311;
429.041, by adding a subdivision; 447.32, subdivision 4; 458D.21, by adding a
subdivision; 469.015, by adding a subdivision; 469.068, subdivision 1, by
adding a subdivision; 471.345, subdivision 5, by adding subdivisions; 471.61,
subdivision 1a; 473.246; 473.523, by adding a subdivision; 473.756, subdivision
12; 477A.014, subdivision 4; 491A.02, subdivision 4; 507.24, subdivision 2;
Laws 2004, chapter 293, article 1, section 37, subdivision 2; Laws 2006,
chapter 253, section 22, subdivision 1; proposing coding for new law in
Minnesota Statutes, chapters 3; 4; 5; 6; 8; 11A; 12; 13; 15B; 16A; 16B; 16C;
16E; 43A; 161; 203B; 204B; 308B; 321; 349A; 471; repealing Minnesota Statutes
2006, sections 3.884; 3.8841; 6.56, subdivision 1; 16A.102; 16C.055,
subdivision 1; 16C.08, subdivision 4a; 69.051, subdivision 1c; 200.04; 201.061,
subdivision 7; 201.096; 203B.02, subdivision 1a; 203B.04, subdivision 5;
203B.13, subdivision 3a; 359.085, subdivision 8; 645.44, subdivision 19."
With the recommendation that
when so amended the bill pass and be re-referred to the Committee on Taxes.
The report was adopted.
Lenczewski from the
Committee on Taxes to which was referred:
S. F. No. 2096, A bill for
an act relating to state government; appropriating money for environmental,
natural resources, and energy purposes; establishing and modifying certain
programs; modifying rulemaking authority; providing for accounts, assessments,
and fees; amending Minnesota Statutes 2006, sections 84.025, subdivision 9;
84.026, subdivision 1; 84.027, by adding a subdivision; 84.0855, subdivisions
1, 2; 84.780; 84.922, subdivisions 1a, 5; 84.927, subdivision 2; 84D.03,
subdivision 1; 84D.12, subdivisions 1, 3; 84D.13, subdivision 7; 85.32,
subdivision 1; 86B.415, subdivisions 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7; 86B.706, subdivision 2;
89A.11; 93.0015, subdivision 3; 97A.045, by adding a subdivision; 97A.055,
subdivision 4; 97A.065, by adding a subdivision; 97A.405, subdivision 2;
97A.411, subdivision 1; 97A.451, subdivision 3a; 97A.465, by adding
subdivisions; 97A.473, subdivisions 3, 5; 97A.475, subdivisions 3, 7, 11, 12,
by adding a subdivision; 97B.601, subdivision 3; 97B.715, subdivision 1;
97B.801; 97C.081, subdivision 3; 97C.355, subdivision 2; 116C.779, subdivision
1; 216B.812, subdivisions 1, 2; 216C.051, subdivision 9; Laws 2003, chapter
128, article 1, section 169; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota
Statutes, chapters 84; 84D; 89; 103F; 144; 216B; 216C; 325E; repealing
Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 93.2236.
Reported the same back with
the following amendments to the unofficial engrossment:
Journal of the House - 46th
Day - Thursday, April 12, 2007 - Top of Page 3061
Page 49, line 3, before
"Fees" insert "(a)"
Page 49, after line 10,
insert:
"(b) The
commissioner shall report to the legislature on the participation in and
effectiveness of the venison donation program by February 1, 2010."
Page 83, delete section 76
and insert:
"Sec. 76. Laws 1998,
chapter 389, article 16, section 31, subdivision 4, as amended by Laws 1999,
chapter 180, section 3, and Laws 2001, chapter 164, section 5, and Laws 2005,
First Special Session chapter 1, article 2, section 149, is amended to read:
Subd. 4. County environmental trust fund.
Notwithstanding the provisions of Minnesota Statutes, chapter 282, and any
other law relating to the apportionment of proceeds from the sale of
tax-forfeited land, and except as otherwise provided in this section, a county
board must deposit the money received from the sale of land under subdivision 3
into an environmental trust fund established by the county under this
subdivision. The county board may: (1) deposit part or all of the environmental
trust fund money as provided in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 118A; or (2) enter
into an agreement with the State Board of Investment to invest all or part of
the money in investments under Minnesota Statutes, section 11A.24, subdivisions
1 to 5, on behalf of the county. The following may be withheld by a county
board and are not required to be deposited into an environmental trust fund:
the costs of appraisal, abstracts, and surveys; money received from a sale
which is attributable to land owned by a county in fee; amounts paid to lessees
for improvements; amounts paid to acquire land which is included in a county
plan for exchange and is conveyed to the state in the exchange, including the
purchase price, appraisal, abstract, survey, and closing costs; and the costs
of sale to lessees or other parties, including the costs of advertising, realtors,
and closing services. If the proceeds from the sale of tax-forfeited land in a
county are $250,000 or more, the amount the county may spend from the fund each
calendar year may not exceed 5-1/2 percent of the market value of the fund on
January 1 of the preceding calendar year, and the county board may spend money
from the fund only for purposes related to the improvement of natural
resources. To the extent money received from the sale is attributable to
tax-forfeited land from another county, the money must be deposited in an
environmental trust fund established under this section by that county board. The
county board must not delegate to an appointed official or any other person any
decision required or permitted to be made under this subdivision."
Page 84, after line 28,
insert:
"Sec. 79. VOLUNTARY TERMINATION OF TIMBER SALE
PERMITS.
(a) Notwithstanding
Minnesota Statutes, sections 90.161, 90.173, and 90.211, or other law to the
contrary, the commissioner of natural resources shall, in the case of nontrust
land, terminate the permit for an eligible sale of timber without penalty
according to this section and upon request of the permit holder. In the case of
a permit relating to trust land, the commissioner shall terminate the permit
for an eligible sale of timber according to this section only if termination of
the permit would secure the maximum long-term economic return from the land
consistent with the fiduciary responsibilities imposed by law in regard to the
trust lands.
(b) An "eligible
sale" means a sale for timber:
(1) the permit for which was
issued on or after October 1, 2004, but before March 31, 2006;
(2) that contains aspen as
the predominant timber species;
(3) for which the aspen was
sold for $40 per cord or more; and
Journal of the House - 46th
Day - Thursday, April 12, 2007 - Top of Page 3062
(4)
for which no harvest activities or activities incidental to harvest have
occurred.
(c)
The maximum amount available for voluntary turn back under this section is
7,500 cords of all species for each permittee.
(d)
In the case of a 100 percent secured sale, the permittee may choose to be
released from the security of any permit consistent with paragraph (b), except
that the permittee must pay 15 percent of the appraised value of the permit,
plus eight percent interest from date of purchase to date of conversion under
this paragraph, in cash, to the commissioner.
(e)
In the case of any sale, including a sale under paragraph (d), for which the
commissioner has received a 15 percent down payment and that meets the criteria
in paragraph (b), the permit holder may request a credit equal to two-thirds of
the down payment. Amounts credited to permittees under this paragraph must
first be applied to any existing sales that remain in the permittee's account
and may then be used toward future timber purchases. Credits under this
paragraph expire two years after the effective date of the permit termination.
(f)
All permit terminations under this section must be completed by December 31,
2007. The commissioner of natural resources must proceed expeditiously to
reoffer for sale any timber subject of a turn back under this section.
EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is
effective the day following final enactment."
Renumber
the sections in sequence and correct the internal references
Amend
the title as follows:
Page
1, line 24, delete everything after the semicolon
Page
1, line 25, delete everything before "modifying"
Page
1, line 26, delete "establishing"
Page 1,
line 27, delete everything before "naming" and insert "providing
for voluntary termination of timber sale permits; modifying county
environmental trust fund provisions;"
Correct
the title numbers accordingly
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.
MESSAGES FROM THE SENATE
The following messages were received from the Senate:
Journal of the House - 46th
Day - Thursday, April 12, 2007 - Top of Page 3063
Madam 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.
966, A bill for an act relating to labor; allowing the commissioner of labor
and industry to issue orders of compliance relating to overtime for nurses;
amending Minnesota Statutes 2006, sections 177.27, subdivision 4; 181.275,
subdivision 1, by adding a subdivision.
The
Senate has appointed as such committee:
Senators
Anderson, Erickson Ropes and Koering.
Said
House File is herewith returned to the House.
Patrick E. Flahaven, Secretary of the Senate
Madam Speaker:
I hereby announce that the Senate refuses to concur in the
House amendments to the following Senate File:
S. F. No. 846, A bill for an act relating to state government;
providing deficiency funding for certain state agencies; appropriating money.
The Senate respectfully requests that a Conference Committee be
appointed thereon. The Senate has appointed as such committee:
Senators Cohen, Clark and Frederickson.
Said Senate File is herewith transmitted to the House with the
request that the House appoint a like committee.
Patrick E. Flahaven, Secretary of the Senate
Solberg moved that the House accede to the request of the
Senate and that the Speaker appoint a Conference Committee of 3 members of the
House to meet with a like committee appointed by the Senate on the disagreeing
votes of the two houses on S. F. No. 846. The motion prevailed.
Madam Speaker:
I hereby announce the passage by the Senate of the following
Senate Files, herewith transmitted:
S. F. Nos. 493, 1236, 1048, 837, 1696, 1335 and 753.
Patrick
E. Flahaven,
Secretary of the Senate
Journal of the House - 46th
Day - Thursday, April 12, 2007 - Top of Page 3064
FIRST READING OF SENATE BILLS
S. F. No. 493, A bill for an
act relating to public nuisances; providing that certain criminal gang behavior
is a public nuisance; authorizing injunctive relief and other remedies;
proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 617.
The bill was read for the
first time.
Lesch moved that S. F. No.
493 and H. F. No. 49, now on the General Register, be referred to the Chief
Clerk for comparison. The motion prevailed.
S. F. No. 1236, A bill for
an act relating to state employees; making technical and housekeeping changes;
amending Minnesota Statutes 2006, sections 43A.191, subdivision 3; 43A.23,
subdivision 1.
The bill was read for the
first time.
Morgan moved that S. F. No.
1236 and H. F. No. 1267, now on the General Register, be referred to the Chief
Clerk for comparison. The motion prevailed.
S. F. No. 1048, A bill for
an act relating to state government; changing the state Indian Affairs Council;
amending Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 3.922.
The bill was read for the
first time.
Hilty moved that S. F. No.
1048 and H. F. No. 1051, now on the General Register, be referred to the Chief
Clerk for comparison. The motion prevailed.
S. F. No. 837, A bill for an
act relating to local government; Hennepin and Wright Counties; authorizing the
Hennepin County Board and the Wright County Board to initiate a process for the
change of county boundaries by resolution.
The bill was read for the
first time.
Emmer moved that S. F. No.
837 and H. F. No. 1141, now on the General Register, be referred to the Chief
Clerk for comparison. The motion prevailed.
S. F. No. 1696, A bill for
an act relating to energy; specifying criteria for affordability programs for
low-income residential customers; amending Minnesota Statutes 2006, section
216B.16, subdivision 15.
The bill was read for the
first time.
Bly moved that S. F. No.
1696 and H. F. No. 1645, now on the General Register, be referred to the Chief
Clerk for comparison. The motion prevailed.
Journal of the House - 46th
Day - Thursday, April 12, 2007 - Top of Page 3065
S. F. No. 1335, A bill for
an act relating to utilities; modifying conditions for disconnecting and
reconnecting utility service; amending Minnesota Statutes 2006, section
216B.097, subdivisions 1, 3.
The bill was read for the
first time.
Sailer moved that S. F. No.
1335 and H. F. No. 1770, now on the General Register, be referred to the Chief
Clerk for comparison. The motion prevailed.
S. F. No. 753, A bill for an
act relating to elections; permitting appointment of election judges not affiliated
with a major political party; amending Minnesota Statutes 2006, sections
204B.21, subdivision 2; 205.075, by adding a subdivision; 205A.10, subdivision
2.
The bill was read for the
first time.
McFarlane moved that S. F.
No. 753 and H. F. No. 965, now on the General Register, be referred to the
Chief Clerk for comparison. The motion prevailed.
Peterson, N., was excused for the remainder of today's session.
CALENDAR FOR THE DAY
H. F. No. 881, A bill for an act relating to metropolitan government;
modifying the Metropolitan Land Planning Act and related statutes; correcting
erroneous, ambiguous, and obsolete references; making miscellaneous technical
corrections to statutes; amending Minnesota Statutes 2006, sections 15.99,
subdivision 2; 473.175; 473.851; 473.852, subdivision 1; 473.854; 473.856;
473.857, subdivision 2; 473.858; 473.859, subdivision 1; 473.866; 473.867,
subdivisions 1, 2; 473.869; 473.871; repealing Minnesota Statutes 2006,
sections 473.1455; 473.868.
The bill was read for the third time and placed upon its final
passage.
The question was taken on the passage of the bill and the roll
was called. There were 90 yeas and 40 nays as follows:
Those who voted in the affirmative were:
Abeler
Anzelc
Atkins
Beard
Benson
Bigham
Bly
Brown
Brynaert
Bunn
Carlson
Clark
Cornish
Davnie
Dill
Dittrich
Dominguez
Doty
Eken
Faust
Fritz
Gardner
Greiling
Gunther
Hansen
Hausman
Haws
Hilstrom
Hilty
Hornstein
Hortman
Hosch
Howes
Huntley
Jaros
Johnson
Juhnke
Kahn
Knuth
Laine
Lanning
Lenczewski
Lesch
Liebling
Lieder
Lillie
Loeffler
Madore
Mahoney
Mariani
Marquart
McFarlane
McNamara
Moe
Morgan
Mullery
Murphy, E.
Murphy, M.
Nelson
Norton
Olin
Otremba
Paymar
Pelowski
Peterson, A.
Peterson, S.
Poppe
Rukavina
Ruth
Ruud
Sailer
Scalze
Sertich
Simon
Slawik
Slocum
Solberg
Swails
Thao
Thissen
Tillberry
Tingelstad
Tschumper
Urdahl
Wagenius
Walker
Ward
Welti
Winkler
Spk. Kelliher
Journal of the House - 46th
Day - Thursday, April 12, 2007 - Top of Page 3066
Those who voted in the negative were:
Anderson, B.
Anderson, S.
Berns
Brod
Buesgens
Dean
DeLaForest
Demmer
Dettmer
Eastlund
Emmer
Erhardt
Erickson
Finstad
Garofalo
Gottwalt
Hackbarth
Hamilton
Heidgerken
Holberg
Hoppe
Kalin
Koenen
Kohls
Kranz
Magnus
Masin
Nornes
Olson
Ozment
Paulsen
Peppin
Seifert
Severson
Shimanski
Simpson
Smith
Sviggum
Wardlow
Zellers
The bill was passed and its title agreed to.
S. F. No. 1133, A bill for an act relating to St. Louis County;
modifying civil service director provisions; amending Minnesota Statutes 2006,
section 383C.032.
The bill was read for the third time and placed upon its final
passage.
The question was taken on the passage of the bill and the roll
was called. There were 130 yeas and 0 nays as follows:
Those who voted in the affirmative were:
Abeler
Anderson, B.
Anderson, S.
Anzelc
Atkins
Beard
Benson
Berns
Bigham
Bly
Brod
Brown
Brynaert
Buesgens
Bunn
Carlson
Clark
Cornish
Davnie
Dean
DeLaForest
Demmer
Dettmer
Dill
Dittrich
Dominguez
Doty
Eastlund
Eken
Emmer
Erhardt
Erickson
Faust
Finstad
Fritz
Gardner
Garofalo
Gottwalt
Greiling
Gunther
Hackbarth
Hamilton
Hansen
Hausman
Haws
Heidgerken
Hilstrom
Hilty
Holberg
Hoppe
Hornstein
Hortman
Hosch
Howes
Huntley
Jaros
Johnson
Juhnke
Kahn
Kalin
Knuth
Koenen
Kohls
Kranz
Laine
Lanning
Lenczewski
Lesch
Liebling
Lieder
Lillie
Loeffler
Madore
Magnus
Mahoney
Mariani
Marquart
Masin
McFarlane
McNamara
Moe
Morgan
Mullery
Murphy, E.
Murphy, M.
Nelson
Nornes
Norton
Olin
Olson
Otremba
Ozment
Paulsen
Paymar
Pelowski
Peppin
Peterson, A.
Peterson, S.
Poppe
Rukavina
Ruth
Ruud
Sailer
Scalze
Seifert
Sertich
Severson
Shimanski
Simon
Simpson
Slawik
Slocum
Smith
Solberg
Sviggum
Swails
Thao
Thissen
Tillberry
Tingelstad
Tschumper
Urdahl
Wagenius
Walker
Ward
Wardlow
Welti
Winkler
Zellers
Spk. Kelliher
The bill was passed and its title agreed to.
S. F. No. 1045 was reported to the House.
Journal of the House - 46th
Day - Thursday, April 12, 2007 - Top of Page 3067
Abeler
and Hilstrom moved to amend S. F. No. 1045 as follows:
Page 1, after line 7,
insert:
"Sec. 2. CITY OF ANOKA HRA.
The city of Anoka may provide
in its home rule charter the procedures for the appointment of the city housing
and redevelopment authority commissioners, notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes,
section 469.003, subdivision 6.
EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is
effective the day after the governing body of the city of Anoka and its chief
clerical officer comply with Minnesota Statutes, section 645.021, subdivisions
2 and 3."
Amend the title accordingly
The motion prevailed and the amendment was adopted.
S. F. No. 1045, A bill for an act relating to Scott County;
renaming the Scott County Housing and Redevelopment Authority.
The bill was read for the third time, as amended, and placed
upon its final passage.
The question was taken on the passage of the bill and the roll
was called. There were 130 yeas and 0 nays as follows:
Those who voted in the affirmative were:
Abeler
Anderson, B.
Anderson, S.
Anzelc
Atkins
Beard
Benson
Berns
Bigham
Bly
Brod
Brown
Brynaert
Buesgens
Bunn
Carlson
Clark
Cornish
Davnie
Dean
DeLaForest
Demmer
Dettmer
Dill
Dittrich
Dominguez
Doty
Eastlund
Eken
Emmer
Erhardt
Erickson
Faust
Finstad
Fritz
Gardner
Garofalo
Gottwalt
Greiling
Gunther
Hackbarth
Hamilton
Hansen
Hausman
Haws
Heidgerken
Hilstrom
Hilty
Holberg
Hoppe
Hornstein
Hortman
Hosch
Howes
Huntley
Jaros
Johnson
Juhnke
Kahn
Kalin
Knuth
Koenen
Kohls
Kranz
Laine
Lanning
Lenczewski
Lesch
Liebling
Lieder
Lillie
Loeffler
Madore
Magnus
Mahoney
Mariani
Marquart
Masin
McFarlane
McNamara
Moe
Morgan
Mullery
Murphy, E.
Murphy, M.
Nelson
Nornes
Norton
Olin
Olson
Otremba
Ozment
Paulsen
Paymar
Pelowski
Peppin
Peterson, A.
Peterson, S.
Poppe
Rukavina
Ruth
Ruud
Sailer
Scalze
Seifert
Sertich
Severson
Shimanski
Simon
Simpson
Slawik
Slocum
Smith
Solberg
Sviggum
Swails
Thao
Thissen
Tillberry
Tingelstad
Tschumper
Urdahl
Wagenius
Walker
Ward
Wardlow
Welti
Winkler
Zellers
Spk. Kelliher
The bill was passed, as amended, and its title agreed to.
Journal of the House - 46th
Day - Thursday, April 12, 2007 - Top of Page 3068
H. F. No. 1490 was reported to the House.
Beard and Bly moved to amend
H. F. No. 1490 as follows:
Delete everything after the
enacting clause and insert:
"Section 1. SCOTT COUNTY; PERSONNEL RULES.
Notwithstanding
any other law to the contrary, the Scott County personnel director shall
prepare personnel rules, which shall be effective upon approval by the Scott
County Board. The rules shall provide, among other things, for:
(1)
preparation of a classification plan and classification of positions within the
jurisdiction of the personnel department in accordance with the plan;
(2)
creation and maintenance of applicant pools and finalist pools;
(3)
administration of an active system of employee recruitment and selection
designed to attract sufficient numbers of well-qualified people to meet the
needs of public service;
(4)
establishment of procedures for the recruitment, selection, and advancement of
personnel consistent with merit system principles and modern business
practices;
(5)
establishment of procedures ensuring nondiscriminatory and fair treatment of
applicants and employees in all aspects of personnel administration according
to state law; and
(6)
establishment of procedures for suspension or termination or other disciplinary
action, including procedures for appeal of actions by appointing authorities
with respect to suspension or termination or other disciplinary action.
Sec.
2. VETERANS' PREFERENCE.
Notwithstanding
Minnesota Statutes, section 197.455, veterans' preference in Scott County must
be administered according to Minnesota Statutes, section 43A.11."
Delete
the title and insert:
"A
bill for an act relating to Scott County; authorizing adoption of personnel
rules; modifying veterans' preference."
The motion prevailed and the amendment was adopted.
H. F.
No. 1490, A bill for an act relating to Scott County; authorizing adoption of
personnel rules; modifying veterans' preference.
The bill was read for the third time, as amended, and placed
upon its final passage.
Journal of the House - 46th
Day - Thursday, April 12, 2007 - Top of Page 3069
The question was taken on the passage of the bill and the roll
was called. There were 130 yeas and 0 nays as follows:
Those who voted in the affirmative were:
Abeler
Anderson, B.
Anderson, S.
Anzelc
Atkins
Beard
Benson
Berns
Bigham
Bly
Brod
Brown
Brynaert
Buesgens
Bunn
Carlson
Clark
Cornish
Davnie
Dean
DeLaForest
Demmer
Dettmer
Dill
Dittrich
Dominguez
Doty
Eastlund
Eken
Emmer
Erhardt
Erickson
Faust
Finstad
Fritz
Gardner
Garofalo
Gottwalt
Greiling
Gunther
Hackbarth
Hamilton
Hansen
Hausman
Haws
Heidgerken
Hilstrom
Hilty
Holberg
Hoppe
Hornstein
Hortman
Hosch
Howes
Huntley
Jaros
Johnson
Juhnke
Kahn
Kalin
Knuth
Koenen
Kohls
Kranz
Laine
Lanning
Lenczewski
Lesch
Liebling
Lieder
Lillie
Loeffler
Madore
Magnus
Mahoney
Mariani
Marquart
Masin
McFarlane
McNamara
Moe
Morgan
Mullery
Murphy, E.
Murphy, M.
Nelson
Nornes
Norton
Olin
Olson
Otremba
Ozment
Paulsen
Paymar
Pelowski
Peppin
Peterson, A.
Peterson, S.
Poppe
Rukavina
Ruth
Ruud
Sailer
Scalze
Seifert
Sertich
Severson
Shimanski
Simon
Simpson
Slawik
Slocum
Smith
Solberg
Sviggum
Swails
Thao
Thissen
Tillberry
Tingelstad
Tschumper
Urdahl
Wagenius
Walker
Ward
Wardlow
Welti
Winkler
Zellers
Spk. Kelliher
The bill was passed, as amended, and its title agreed to.
Sertich moved that the remaining bills on the Calendar for the
Day be continued. The motion prevailed.
MOTIONS AND RESOLUTIONS
Sailer moved that the name of Erhardt be added as an author on
H. F. No. 854. The motion prevailed.
Johnson moved that the name of Gardner be added as an author on
H. F. No. 2351. The motion prevailed.
Anderson, B., moved that the names of Holberg, Erickson and
Shimanski be added as authors on H. F. No. 2419. The motion
prevailed.
Seifert moved that the name of Koenen be added as an author on
H. F. No. 2420. The motion prevailed.
Hornstein moved that H. F. No. 2391 be recalled
from the Committee on Finance and be re-referred to the Committee on Taxes. The
motion prevailed.
Journal of the House - 46th
Day - Thursday, April 12, 2007 - Top of Page 3070
ADJOURNMENT
Sertich moved that when the House adjourns today it adjourn
until 3:30 p.m., Friday, April 13, 2007. The motion prevailed.
Sertich moved that the House adjourn. The motion prevailed, and
the Speaker declared the House stands adjourned until 3:30 p.m., Friday, April
13, 2007.
Albin
A. Mathiowetz,
Chief Clerk, House of Representatives