Journal of the House - 47th Day - Friday, April 13, 2007 - Top of Page 3071


 

STATE OF MINNESOTA

 

 

EIGHTY-FIFTH SESSION - 2007

 

_____________________

 

FORTY-SEVENTH DAY

 

Saint Paul, Minnesota, Friday, April 13, 2007

 

 

      The House of Representatives convened at 3:30 p.m. and was called to order by Margaret Anderson Kelliher, Speaker of the House.

 

      Prayer was offered by the Reverend Carol Tomer, Pilgrim Lutheran Church, St. Paul, 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:

 


Anderson, S.

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

Greiling

Gunther

Hackbarth

Hamilton

Hansen

Hausman

Haws

Heidgerken

Hilstrom

Hilty

Holberg

Hoppe

Hornstein

Hortman

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

Morgan

Morrow

Mullery

Murphy, E.

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

Wollschlager

Zellers

Spk. Kelliher


 

      A quorum was present.

 

      Abeler; Anderson, B.; Anzelc; Gottwalt; Hosch; Howes; Moe; Murphy, M., and Westrom were excused.

 

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


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REPORTS OF CHIEF CLERK

 

      S. F. No. 493 and H. F. No. 49, which had been referred to the Chief Clerk for comparison, were examined and found to be identical with certain exceptions.

 

SUSPENSION OF RULES

 

      Lesch moved that the rules be so far suspended that S. F. No. 493 be substituted for H. F. No. 49 and that the House File be indefinitely postponed. The motion prevailed.

 

 

      S. F. No. 753 and H. F. No. 965, which had been referred to the Chief Clerk for comparison, were examined and found to be identical with certain exceptions.

 

SUSPENSION OF RULES

 

      McFarlane moved that the rules be so far suspended that S. F. No. 753 be substituted for H. F. No. 965 and that the House File be indefinitely postponed. The motion prevailed.

 

 

      S. F. No. 837 and H. F. No. 1141, which had been referred to the Chief Clerk for comparison, were examined and found to be identical.

 

      Emmer moved that S. F. No. 837 be substituted for H. F. No. 1141 and that the House File be indefinitely postponed. The motion prevailed.

 

 

      S. F. No. 1048 and H. F. No. 1051, which had been referred to the Chief Clerk for comparison, were examined and found to be identical with certain exceptions.

 

SUSPENSION OF RULES

 

      Hilty moved that the rules be so far suspended that S. F. No. 1048 be substituted for H. F. No. 1051 and that the House File be indefinitely postponed. The motion prevailed.

 

 

      S. F. No. 1236 and H. F. No. 1267, which had been referred to the Chief Clerk for comparison, were examined and found to be identical with certain exceptions.

 

SUSPENSION OF RULES

 

      Morgan moved that the rules be so far suspended that S. F. No. 1236 be substituted for H. F. No. 1267 and that the House File be indefinitely postponed. The motion prevailed.

 

 

      S. F. No. 1335 and H. F. No. 1770, which had been referred to the Chief Clerk for comparison, were examined and found to be identical.

 

      Sailer moved that S. F. No. 1335 be substituted for H. F. No. 1770 and that the House File be indefinitely postponed. The motion prevailed.


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      S. F. No. 1696 and H. F. No. 1645, which had been referred to the Chief Clerk for comparison, were examined and found to be identical.

 

      Bly moved that S. F. No. 1696 be substituted for H. F. No. 1645 and that the House File be indefinitely postponed. The motion prevailed.

 

 

REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEES AND DIVISIONS

 

 

Lenczewski from the Committee on Taxes to which was referred:

 

H. F. No. 6, 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; 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,


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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.

 

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.

 

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


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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.

 

(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.


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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;

 

(vi) necessary travel by licensed career and technical education personnel for noncollegiate credit-bearing professional development; and


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(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 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.


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(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.

 

(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.


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(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, 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


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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 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.


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(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:

 

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;


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(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.

 

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.


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(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.

 

(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.


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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;

 

(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.


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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 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


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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 PROPERTY TAX REFERENDUM. YOU ARE NOT CHANGING YOUR OPERATING REFERENDUM 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 a change 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 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).


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(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.

 

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


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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.

 

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.


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(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 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:


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(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:

 

(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;


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(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:

 

(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;


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(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.

 

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.


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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.

 

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.


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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

 

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


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                                                      $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.

 

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.


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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 effective 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 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)"


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(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.

 

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.


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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).

 

(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;


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(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 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.


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(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.

 

(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.


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(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

 

(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.


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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

 

(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


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(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.

 

(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.


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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;

 

(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.


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(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

 

(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


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(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;

 

(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.


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(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

 

(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.


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(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.

 

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);


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(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.

 

(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.


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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.

 

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;


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(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;

 

(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.


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(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;

 

(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;


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(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.

 

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;


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(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.20, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

 

Subdivision 1. Grounds for revocation, suspension, or denial. (a) The Board of Teaching or Board of School Administrators, whichever has jurisdiction over a teacher's licensure, may, on the written complaint of the school board employing a teacher, a teacher organization, or any other interested person, refuse to issue, refuse to renew, suspend, or revoke a teacher's license to teach for any of the following causes:

 

(1) immoral character or conduct;

 

(2) failure, without justifiable cause, to teach for the term of the teacher's contract;

 

(3) gross inefficiency or willful neglect of duty;

 

(4) failure to meet licensure requirements; or

 

(5) fraud or misrepresentation in obtaining a license.

 

The written complaint must specify the nature and character of the charges.


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(b) The Board of Teaching or Board of School Administrators, whichever has jurisdiction over a teacher's licensure, shall refuse to issue, refuse to renew, or automatically revoke a teacher's license to teach without the right to a hearing upon receiving a certified copy of a conviction showing that the teacher has been convicted of child abuse, as defined in section 609.185, or sexual abuse under section 609.342, 609.343, 609.344, 609.345, 609.3451, subdivision 3, or 617.23, subdivision 3, or using minors in a sexual performance under section 617.246, or possessing pornographic works involving a minor under section 617.247, or under a similar law of another state or the United States. The board shall send notice of this licensing action to the district in which the teacher is currently employed.

 

(c) A person whose license to teach has been revoked, not issued, or not renewed under paragraph (b), may petition the board to reconsider the licensing action if the person's conviction for child abuse or sexual abuse is reversed by a final decision of the Court of Appeals or the Supreme Court or if the person has received a pardon for the offense. The petitioner shall attach a certified copy of the appellate court's final decision or the pardon to the petition. Upon receiving the petition and its attachment, the board shall schedule and hold a disciplinary hearing on the matter under section 214.10, subdivision 2, unless the petitioner waives the right to a hearing. If the board finds that, notwithstanding the reversal of the petitioner's criminal conviction or the issuance of a pardon, the petitioner is disqualified from teaching under paragraph (a), clause (1), the board shall affirm its previous licensing action. If the board finds that the petitioner is not disqualified from teaching under paragraph (a), clause (1), it shall reverse its previous licensing action.

 

(d) For purposes of this subdivision, the Board of Teaching is delegated the authority to suspend or revoke coaching licenses.

 

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

 

Sec. 20. 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.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective for the 2007-2008 school year and later.

 

Sec. 21. 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;


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(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. 22. 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.

 

(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).


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(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. 23. 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.

 

Sec. 24. 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


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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. 25. [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.

 

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.


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(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.

 

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. 26. 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


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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. 27. [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. 28. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 123B.02, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

 

Subd. 16a. Membership in economic development, community, and civic organizations. The board may authorize payment of a district administrator's membership fee to local economic development associations or other community or civic organizations.

 

Sec. 29. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 123B.03, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 3. Definitions. For purposes of this section:

 

(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.


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Sec. 30. 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. 31. 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.

 

(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.


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Sec. 32. [123B.485] NONPUBLIC SCHOOL 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. 33. 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. 34. [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. 35. 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.

 

(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.


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(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. 36. 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.

 

(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.


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Sec. 37. 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.

 

(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.


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(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. 38. 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. 39. 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 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


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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.

 

Sec. 40. 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:


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(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. 41. 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. 42. [124D.645] MULTIRACIAL DIVERSITY.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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.


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(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. 43. 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. 44. [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;

 

(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.


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(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. If possible, 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 January 1, 2008, and later.

 

Sec. 45. 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.

 

Sec. 46. [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


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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. 47. 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. 48. 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.

 

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.


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(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. 49. 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. 50. 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. 51. 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. 52. 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:

 

(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.


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Sec. 53. 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. 54. 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;

 

(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;


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(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. 55. 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.

 

(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.


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(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. 56. 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. 57. 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. 58. 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 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


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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. 59. 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. 60. 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. 61. 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. 62. 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. 63. 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. 64. 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. 65. 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. 66. 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).

 

Any balance in the first year does not cancel but is available in the second year.

 

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


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                                                           $900,000                                . . . . .                       2009

 

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 59. 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.

 

Any balance in the first year does not cancel but is available in the second year.

 

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


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cultural awareness that diverse language speakers possess; to encourage students' proficiency in science, technology, mathematics, 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

 

                                                        $4,000,000                                . . . . .                       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) $2,600,000 in fiscal year 2008 and $1,750,000 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 61.

 

(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.

 

Any balance in the first year does not cancel but is available in the second year.

 

The base for the appropriations contained in this subdivision for fiscal year 2010 and later is $800,000 per year.

 

Sec. 67. 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).


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(5) "Nonpublic nonregular transportation" is:

 

(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.


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(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 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, calculated using the resident district's average general education revenue and referendum equalization aid per adjusted pupil unit excluding basic skills revenue, elementary sparsity revenue and secondary sparsity revenue, 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 aid attributable to a pupil must be calculated using the resident district's average general education revenue and referendum aid per adjusted pupil unit excluding basic skills revenue, elementary sparsity revenue and secondary sparsity revenue and the serving district's basic skills revenue, elementary sparsity revenue and secondary sparsity revenue per adjusted pupil unit. Notwithstanding clauses (1) and (4), for pupils served by a cooperative unit without a fiscal agent school district, the 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 excluding elementary sparsity revenue and secondary sparsity revenue. 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 equalization aid" means the sum of the general education revenue according to section 126C.10, subdivision 1, excluding alternative teacher compensation revenue, plus the referendum equalization 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.


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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.

 

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;


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(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.

 

(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


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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.

 

(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;


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(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).

 

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


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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.

 

(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 1, is amended to read:

 

Subdivision 1. Definitions. For the purposes of this section, the definitions in this subdivision apply.

 

(a) "Unreimbursed special education cost" means the sum of the following:


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(1) expenditures for teachers' salaries, contracted services, supplies, equipment, and transportation services eligible for revenue under section 125A.76; plus

 

(2) expenditures for tuition bills received under sections 125A.03 to 125A.24 and 125A.65 for services eligible for revenue under section 125A.76, subdivision 2; minus

 

(3) revenue for teachers' salaries, contracted services, supplies, and equipment, and transportation services under section 125A.76; minus

 

(4) tuition receipts under sections 125A.03 to 125A.24 and 125A.65 for services eligible for revenue under section 125A.76, subdivision 2.

 

(b) "General revenue" means the sum of the general education revenue according to section 126C.10, subdivision 1, excluding alternative teacher compensation revenue, plus the total qualifying referendum revenue specified in paragraph (e) minus transportation sparsity revenue minus total operating capital revenue.

 

(c) "Average daily membership" has the meaning given it in section 126C.05.

 

(d) "Program growth factor" means 1.02 for fiscal year 2003, and 1.0 for fiscal year 2004 and later.

 

(e) "Total qualifying referendum revenue" means two-thirds of the district's total referendum revenue as adjusted according to section 127A.47, subdivision 7, paragraphs (a) to (c), for fiscal year 2006, one-third of the district's total referendum revenue for fiscal year 2007, and none of the district's total referendum revenue for fiscal year 2008 and later.

 

Sec. 16. 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. 17. 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:

 

(1) the state total special education excess cost aid for the preceding fiscal year; times


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(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. 18. 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. 19. 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 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.


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(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. 20. 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:

 

(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;


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(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. 21. 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. 22. 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

 

The 2008 appropriation includes $879,000 for 2007 and $0 for 2008.


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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 21:

 

                                                             $20,000                                . . . . .                       2008

 

Sec. 23. 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.


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      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.

 

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.


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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.

 

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.


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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 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


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(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:

 

(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:


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(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.

 

(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.


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(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.

 

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;


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(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

 

(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;


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(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;

 

(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.


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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.

 

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.


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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

 

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 $365,000 for 2008 and $2,302,000 for 2009.


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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.

 

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.


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

 

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


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next school year in the initial budget, the board shall inform the principal or other responsible administrative authority of each site of the amount of general education and referendum revenue that the Department of Education estimates will be generated by the pupils in attendance at each site. For purposes of this subdivision, a district may adjust the department's estimates for school building openings, school building closings, changes in attendance area boundaries, or other changes in programs or student demographics not reflected in the department's calculations. A district must report to the department any adjustments it makes according to this subdivision in the department's estimates of compensatory revenue generated by the pupils in attendance at each site, and the department must use the adjusted compensatory revenue estimates in preparing the report required under section 123B.76, subdivision 3, paragraph (c).

 

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

 

Sec. 5. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 123B.79, 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.


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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.

 

(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.


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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 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.


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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 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.


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(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.

 

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.


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Sec. 7. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 123B.83, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

 

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.


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Sec. 11. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 125A.42, is amended to read:

 

125A.42 PROCEDURAL SAFEGUARDS; PARENT AND CHILD RIGHTS.

 

(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.


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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).

 

(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.


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(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.

 

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.


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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

 

(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;


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(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 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.


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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.

 

(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:


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(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.

 

(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.


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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.

 

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.


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(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.

 

(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:


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(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;

 

(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.


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(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:

 

(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.


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(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.

 

(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.


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(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).

 

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.


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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

 

(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


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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.

 

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;


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(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.

 

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;


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(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.

 

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


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(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.

 

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;


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(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 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.


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(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.

 

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.


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(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.

 

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:


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(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 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,


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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.

 

(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.


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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;

 

(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


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(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).

 

(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.


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(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.

 

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.


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(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 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.


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(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.

 

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.


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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.

 

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;


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(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 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.


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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.

 

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.


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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

 

                                                           $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.


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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

 

                                                      $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.

 

Any balance in the first year does not cancel but is available in the second year.

 

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.


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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.

 

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


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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:

 

                                                        $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,


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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.20, subdivision 1; 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.02, by adding a subdivision; 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 1, 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; 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 Ways and Means.

 

      The report was adopted.

 

 

Carlson from the Committee on Finance to which was referred:

 

H. F. No. 854, A bill for an act relating to environment; providing for collection, transportation, and recycling of video display devices; providing civil penalties; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 115A.

 

Reported the same back with the following amendments:


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Delete everything after the enacting clause and insert:

 

"Section 1. [115A.1310] DEFINITIONS.

 

Subdivision 1. Scope. For the purposes of sections 115A.1310 to 115A.1330, the following terms have the meanings given.

 

Subd. 2. Cathode-ray tube or CRT. "Cathode-ray tube" or "CRT" means a vacuum tube or picture tube used to convert an electronic signal into a visual image.

 

Subd. 3. Collection. "Collection" means the aggregation of covered electronic devices from households and includes all the activities up to the time the covered electronic devices are delivered to a recycler.

 

Subd. 4. Collector. "Collector" means a public or private entity that receives covered electronic devices from households and arranges for the delivery of the devices to a recycler.

 

Subd. 5. Computer. "Computer" means an electronic, magnetic, optical, electrochemical, or other high-speed data processing device performing logical, arithmetic, or storage functions, but does not include an automated typewriter or typesetter, a portable hand-held calculator or device, or other similar device.

 

Subd. 6. Computer monitor. "Computer monitor" means an electronic device that is a cathode-ray tube or flat panel display primarily intended to display information from a central processing unit or the Internet. Computer monitor includes a laptop computer.

 

Subd. 7. Covered electronic device. "Covered electronic device" means computers, peripherals, facsimile machines, DVD players, video cassette recorders, and video display devices that are sold to a household by means of retail, wholesale, or electronic commerce.

 

Subd. 8. Department. "Department" means the Department of Revenue.

 

Subd. 9. Dwelling unit. "Dwelling unit" has the meaning given in section 238.02, subdivision 21a.

 

Subd. 10. Household. "Household" means an occupant of a single detached dwelling unit or a single unit of a multiple dwelling unit located in this state who has used a video display device at a dwelling unit primarily for personal use.

 

Subd. 11. Manufacturer. "Manufacturer" means a person who:

 

(1) manufactures video display devices to be sold under its own brand as identified by its own brand label; or

 

(2) sells video display devices manufactured by others under its own brand as identified by its own brand label.

 

Subd. 12. Peripheral. "Peripheral" means a keyboard, printer, or any other device sold exclusively for external use with a computer that provides input or output into or from a computer.

 

Subd. 13. Program year. "Program year" means the period from July 1 through June 30.

 

Subd. 14. Recycler. "Recycler" means a public or private individual or entity who accepts covered electronic devices from households and collectors for the purpose of recycling. A manufacturer who takes products for refurbishment or repair is not a recycler.


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Subd. 15. Recycling. "Recycling" means the process of collecting and preparing video display devices or covered electronic devices for use in manufacturing processes or for recovery of useable materials followed by delivery of such materials for use. Recycling does not include the destruction by incineration or other process or land disposal of recyclable materials nor reuse, repair, or any other process through which video display devices or covered electronic devices are returned to use for households in their original form.

 

Subd. 16. Recycling credits. "Recycling credits" means the number of pounds of covered electronic devices recycled by a manufacturer from households during a program year, less the product of the number of pounds of video display devices sold to households during the same program year, multiplied by the proportion of sales a manufacturer is required to recycle. The calculation and uses of recycling credits are as specified in section 115A.1314, subdivision 1.

 

Subd. 17. Retailer. "Retailer" means a person who sells, rents, or leases, through sales outlets, catalogs, or the Internet, a video display device to a household and not for resale in any form.

 

Subd. 18. Sell or sale. "Sell" or "sale" means any transfer for consideration of title or of the right to use, by lease or sales contract, including, but not limited to, transactions conducted through sales outlets, catalogs, or the Internet, or any other similar electronic means either inside or outside of the state, by a person who conducts the transaction and controls the delivery of a video display device to a consumer in the state, but does not include a manufacturer's or distributor's wholesale transaction with a distributor or a retailer.

 

Subd. 19. Television. "Television" means an electronic device that is a cathode-ray tube or flat panel display primarily intended to receive video programming via broadcast, cable, or satellite transmission or video from surveillance or other similar cameras.

 

Subd. 20. Video display device. "Video display device" means a television or computer monitor, including a laptop computer, that contains a cathode-ray tube or a flat panel screen with a screen size that is greater than nine inches measured diagonally and that is marketed by manufacturers for use by households. Video display device does not include any of the following:

 

(1) a video display device that is part of a motor vehicle or any component part of a motor vehicle assembled by, or for, a vehicle manufacturer or franchised dealer, including replacement parts for use in a motor vehicle;

 

(2) a video display device, including a touch-screen display, that is functionally or physically part of a larger piece of equipment or is designed and intended for use in an industrial; commercial, including retail; library checkout; traffic control; kiosk; security, other than household security; border control; or medical setting, including diagnostic, monitoring, or control equipment;

 

(3) a video display device that is contained within a clothes washer, clothes dryer, refrigerator, refrigerator and freezer, microwave oven, conventional oven or range, dishwasher, room air conditioner, dehumidifier, or air purifier; or

 

(4) a telephone of any type unless it contains a video display area greater than nine inches measured diagonally.

 

Sec. 2. [115A.1312] REGISTRATION PROGRAM.

 

Subdivision 1. Requirements for sale. (a) On or after September 1, 2007, a manufacturer must not sell or offer for sale or deliver to retailers for subsequent sale a new video display device unless:

 

(1) the video display device is labeled with the manufacturer's brand, which label is permanently affixed and readily visible; and


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(2) the manufacturer has filed a registration with the agency, as specified in subdivision 2.

 

(b) On or after February 1, 2008, a retailer who sells or offers for sale a new video display device to a household must, before the initial offer for sale, review the agency Web site specified in subdivision 2, paragraph (g), to determine that all new video display devices that the retailer is offering for sale are labeled with the manufacturer's brands that are registered with the agency.

 

(c) A retailer is not responsible for an unlawful sale under this subdivision if the manufacturer's registration expired or was revoked and the retailer took possession of the video display device prior to the expiration or revocation of the manufacturer's registration and the unlawful sale occurred within six months after the expiration or revocation.

 

Subd. 2. Manufacturer's registration. (a) A manufacturer of video display devices sold or offered for sale to households after September 1, 2007, must submit a registration to the agency that includes:

 

(1) a list of the manufacturer's brands of video display devices offered for sale in this state;

 

(2) the name, address, and contact information of a person responsible for ensuring compliance with this chapter; and

 

(3) a certification that the manufacturer has complied and will continue to comply with the requirements of sections 115A.1312 to 115A.1318.

 

(b) By September 1, 2008, and each year thereafter, a manufacturer of video display devices sold or offered for sale to a household must include in the registration submitted under paragraph (a), a statement disclosing whether:

 

(1) any video display devices sold to households exceed the maximum concentration values established for lead, mercury, cadmium, hexavalent chromium, polybrominated biphenyls (PBBs), and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) under the RoHS (restricting the use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment) Directive 2002/95/EC of the European Parliament and Council and any amendments thereto; or

 

(2) the manufacturer has received an exemption from one or more of those maximum concentration values under the RoHS Directive that has been approved and published by the European Commission.

 

(c) A manufacturer who begins to sell or offer for sale video display devices to households after September 1, 2007, and has not filed a registration under this subdivision must submit a registration to the agency within ten days of beginning to sell or offer for sale video display devices to households.

 

(d) A registration must be updated within ten days after a change in the manufacturer's brands of video display devices sold or offered for sale to households.

 

(e) A registration is effective upon receipt by the agency and is valid until September 1 of each year.

 

(f) The agency must review each registration and notify the manufacturer of any information required by this section that is omitted from the registration. Within 30 days of receipt of a notification from the agency, the manufacturer must submit a revised registration providing the information noted by the agency.

 

(g) The agency must maintain on its Web site the names of manufacturers and the manufacturers' brands listed in registrations filed with the agency. The agency must update the Web site information promptly upon receipt of a new or updated registration. The Web site must contain prominent language stating, in effect, that sections 115A.1310 to 115A.1330 are directed at household equipment and the manufacturers' brands list is, therefore, not a list of manufacturers qualified to sell to industrial, commercial, or other markets identified as exempt from the requirements of sections 115A.1310 to 115A.1330.


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Subd. 3. Collector's registration. After August 1, 2007, no person may operate as a collector of covered electronic devices from households unless that person has submitted a registration with the agency on a form prescribed by the commissioner. Registration information must include the name, address, telephone number, and location of the business and a certification that the collector has complied and will continue to comply with the requirements of sections 115A.1312 to 115A.1318. A registration is effective upon receipt by the agency and is valid until July 1 of each year.

 

Subd. 4. Recycler's registration. After August 1, 2007, no person may recycle video display devices generated by households unless that person has submitted a registration with the agency on a form prescribed by the commissioner. Registration information must include the name, address, telephone number, and location of all recycling facilities under the direct control of the recycler that may receive video display devices from households and a certification that the recycler has complied and will continue to comply with the requirements of sections 115A.1312 to 115A.1318. A registered recycler may conduct recycling activities that are consistent with this chapter. A registration is effective upon receipt by the agency and is valid until July 1 of each year.

 

Sec. 3. [115A.1314] MANUFACTURER'S REGISTRATION FEE; CREATION OF ACCOUNT.

 

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

 

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

 

((A x B) - (C + D)) x E, where:

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

(c) If, as specified in paragraph (b), the term C - (A x B) equals a positive number of pounds, that amount is defined as the manufacturer's recycling credits. A manufacturer may retain recycling credits to be added, in whole or in part, to the actual value of C, as reported under section 115A.1316, subdivision 2, during any of the three succeeding program years. A manufacturer may sell any portion or all of its recycling credits to another manufacturer, at a price negotiated by the parties, who may use the credits in the same manner.


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

 

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

 

Subd. 2. Creation of account; appropriations. (a) The electronic waste account is established in the environmental fund. The commissioner of revenue must deposit receipts from the fee established in subdivision 2 in the account. Any interest earned on the account must remain in the account. Money from other sources may be credited to the account.

 

(b) Until June 30, 2009, money in the account is annually appropriated to the Pollution Control Agency:

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Sec. 4. [115A.1316] REPORTING REQUIREMENTS.

 

Subdivision 1. Manufacturer's reporting requirements. (a) By September 1 of each year, beginning in 2008, each manufacturer must report to the department:

 

(1) the total weight of each specific model of its video display devices sold to households during the previous program year;

 

(2) the total weight of its video display devices sold to households during the previous year; or

 

(3) an estimate of the total weight of its video display devices sold to households during the previous program year based on national sales data.

 

A manufacturer must submit with the report required under this paragraph a description of how the information or estimate was calculated.

 

(b) By September 1 of each year, beginning in 2008, each manufacturer must report to the department the total weight of covered electronic devices the manufacturer collected from households and recycled or arranged to have collected and recycled during the preceding program year. If a manufacturer wishes to receive the variable recycling rate of 1.5 for covered electronic devices it recycles, the manufacturer must report separately the total weight of covered electronic devices collected from households located in counties specified in section 115A.1314, subdivision 1, paragraph (d), and those collected from households located outside those counties.


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(c) By September 1 of each year, beginning in 2008, each manufacturer must report to the department:

 

(1) the number of recycling credits the manufacturer has purchased and sold during the preceding program year;

 

(2) the number of recycling credits possessed by the manufacturer that the manufacturer elects to use in the calculation of its variable recycling fee under section 115A.1314, subdivision 1; and

 

(3) the number of recycling credits the manufacturer retains at the beginning of the current program year.

 

Subd. 2. Recycler's reporting requirements. By August 1 of each year, beginning in 2008, a recycler of covered electronic devices must report to the agency and the department the total weight of covered electronic devices recycled during the preceding program year and must certify that the recycler has complied with section 115A.1318, subdivision 2.

 

Subd. 3. Collector's reporting requirements. By August 1 of each year, beginning in 2008, a collector must report separately to the agency the total pounds of covered electronic devices collected in the counties specified in section 115A.1314, subdivision 1, paragraph (d), and all other Minnesota counties, and a list of all recyclers to whom collectors delivered covered electronic devices.

 

Sec. 5. [115A.1318] RESPONSIBILITIES.

 

Subdivision 1. Manufacturer's responsibilities. (a) In addition to fulfilling the requirements of sections 115A.1310 to 115A.1330, a manufacturer must comply with paragraphs (b) to (e).

 

(b) A manufacturer must annually recycle or arrange for the collection and recycling of an amount of covered electronic devices equal to the total weight of its video display devices sold to households during the preceding program year, multiplied by the proportion of sales of video display devices required to be recycled, as established by the agency under section 115A.1320, subdivision 1, paragraph (c).

 

(c) The obligations of a manufacturer apply only to video display devices received from households and do not apply to video display devices received from sources other than households.

 

(d) A manufacturer must conduct and document due diligence assessments of collectors and recyclers it contracts with, including an assessment of items specified under subdivision 2. A manufacturer is responsible for maintaining, for a period of three years, documentation that all video display devices recycled, partially recycled, or sent to downstream recycling operations comply with the requirements of subdivision 2.

 

(e) A manufacturer must provide the agency with contact information for a person who can be contacted regarding the manufacturer's activities under sections 115A.1310 to 115A.1320.

 

Subd. 2. Recycler's responsibilities. (a) As part of the report submitted under section 115A.1316, subdivision 2, a recycler must certify, except as provided in paragraph (b), that facilities that recycle video display devices, including all downstream recycling operations:

 

(1) comply with all applicable health, environmental, safety, and financial responsibility regulations;

 

(2) are licensed by all applicable governmental authorities;

 

(3) use no prison labor to recycle video display devices; and


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(4) possess liability insurance of not less than $1,000,000 for environmental releases, accidents, and other emergencies.

 

(b) A nonprofit corporation that contracts with a correctional institution to refurbish and reuse donated computers in schools is exempt from paragraph (a), clauses (3) and (4).

 

(c) Except to the extent otherwise required by law, a recycler has no responsibility for any data that may be contained in a covered electronic device if an information storage device is included in the covered electronic device.

 

Subd. 3. Retailer's responsibilities. (a) By July 1 of each year, beginning in 2008, a retailer must report to a manufacturer the number of video display devices, by video display device model, labeled with the manufacturer's brand sold to households during the previous program year.

 

(b) A retailer who sells new video display devices shall provide information to households describing where and how they may recycle video display devices and advising them of opportunities and locations for the convenient collection of video display devices for the purpose of recycling. This requirement may be met by providing to households the agency's toll-free number and Web site address. Retailers selling through catalogs or the Internet may meet this requirement by including the information in a prominent location on the retailer's Web site.

 

Sec. 6. [115A.1320] AGENCY AND DEPARTMENT DUTIES.

 

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

 

(b) The agency shall establish procedures for:

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

(3) the base registration fee; and

 

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

 

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


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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

(k) The agency shall post on its Web site the contact information provided by each manufacturer under section 115A.1318, paragraph (e).

 

Subd. 2. Duties of the department. (a) The department must collect the data submitted to it annually by each manufacturer on the total weight of each specific model of video display device sold to households, if provided; the total weight of video display devices sold to households; the total weight of covered electronic devices collected from households that are recycled; and data on recycling credits, as required under section 115A.1316. The department must use this data to review each manufacturer's annual registration fee submitted to the department to ensure that the fee was calculated accurately according to the formula in section 115A.1314, subdivision 1.

 

(b) The department must estimate, for each registered manufacturer, the sales of video display devices to households during the previous program year, based on:

 

(1) data provided by a manufacturer on sales of video display devices to households, including documentation describing how that amount was calculated and certification that the amount is accurate; or

 

(2) if a manufacturer does not provide the data specified in clause (1), national data on sales of video display devices.


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The department must use the data specified in this subdivision to review each manufacturer's annual registration fee submitted to the department to ensure that the fee was calculated accurately according to the formula in section 115A.1314, subdivision 1.

 

(c) The department must enforce section 115A.1314, subdivision 1. The audit, assessment, appeal, collection, enforcement, disclosure, and other administrative provisions of chapters 270B, 270C, and 289A that apply to the taxes imposed under chapter 297A apply to the fee imposed under section 115A.1314, subdivision 1. To enforce this subdivision, the commissioner of revenue may grant extensions to pay, and impose and abate penalties and interest on, the fee due under section 115A.1314, subdivision 1, in the manner provided in chapters 270C and 289A as if the fee were a tax imposed under chapter 297A.

 

(d) The department may disclose nonpublic data to the agency only when necessary for the efficient and effective administration of the activities regulated under sections 115A.1310 to 115A.1330. Any data disclosed by the department to the agency retains the classification it had when in the possession of the department.

 

Sec. 7. [115A.1322] OTHER RECYCLING PROGRAMS.

 

A city, county, or other public agency may not require households to use public facilities to recycle their covered electronic devices to the exclusion of other lawful programs available. Cities, counties, and other public agencies, including those awarded contracts by the agency under section 115A.1314, subdivision 2, are encouraged to work with manufacturers to assist them in meeting their recycling obligations under section 115A.1318, subdivision 1. Nothing in sections 115A.1310 to 115A.1330 prohibits or restricts the operation of any program recycling covered electronic devices in addition to those provided by manufacturers or prohibits or restricts any persons from receiving, collecting, transporting, or recycling covered electronic devices, provided that those persons are registered under section 115A.1312.

 

Sec. 8. [115A.1324] REQUIREMENTS FOR PURCHASES BY STATE AGENCIES.

 

(a) The Department of Administration must ensure that acquisitions of video display devices under chapter 16C are in compliance with or not subject to sections 115A.1310 to 115A.1318.

 

(b) The solicitation documents must specify that the prospective responder is required to cooperate fully in providing reasonable access to its records and documents that evidence compliance with paragraph (a) and sections 115A.1310 to 115A.1318.

 

(c) Any person awarded a contract under chapter 16C for purchase or lease of video display devices that is found to be in violation of paragraph (a) or sections 115A.1310 to 115A.1318 is subject to the following sanctions:

 

(1) the contract must be voided if the commissioner of administration determines that the potential adverse impact to the state is exceeded by the benefit obtained from voiding the contract;

 

(2) the contractor is subject to suspension and disbarment under Minnesota Rules, part 1230.1150; and

 

(3) if the attorney general establishes that any money, property, or benefit was obtained by a contractor as a result of violating paragraph (a) or sections 115A.1310 to 115A.1318, the court may, in addition to any other remedy, order the disgorgement of the unlawfully obtained money, property, or benefit.

 

Sec. 9. [115A.1326] REGULATION OF VIDEO DISPLAY DEVICES.

 

If the United States Environmental Protection Agency adopts regulations under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act regarding the handling, storage, or treatment of any type of video display device being recycled, those regulations are automatically effective in this state on the same date and supersede any rules previously adopted by the agency regarding the handling, storage, or treatment of all video display devices being recycled.


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Sec. 10. [115A.1328] MULTISTATE IMPLEMENTATION.

 

The agency and department are authorized to participate in the establishment and implementation of a regional multistate organization or compact to assist in carrying out the requirements of this chapter.

 

Sec. 11. [115A.1330] LIMITATIONS.

 

Sections 115A.1310 to 115A.1330 expire if a federal law, or combination of federal laws, take effect that is applicable to all video display devices sold in the United States and establish a program for the collection and recycling or reuse of video display devices that is applicable to all video display devices discarded by households.

 

Sec. 12. DIRECT APPROPRIATION.

 

Prior to the governor making budget recommendations to the legislature in 2009, the Pollution Control Agency must report on revenues received and expenditures made under Minnesota Statutes, section 115A.1314, subdivision 2, during fiscal years 2008 and 2009 and request the governor to recommend a direct appropriation for the purposes of that section.

 

Sec. 13. EFFECTIVE DATE.

 

Sections 1 to 12 are effective the day following final enactment."

 

Delete the title and insert:

 

"A bill for an act relating to environment; providing for collection, transportation, and recycling of video display devices; providing civil penalties; appropriating money; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 115A."

 

 

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. 882, A bill for an act relating to metropolitan government; modifying provisions governing metropolitan livable communities fund; authorizing a transfer of funds between metropolitan livable communities fund accounts; authorizing a onetime transfer from the livable communities demonstration account for local planning assistance grants and loans; amending Minnesota Statutes 2006, sections 473.252, subdivision 3; 473.253, subdivision 2.

 

Reported the same back with the following amendments:

 

Page 1, delete section 1

 

Page 2, delete section 2

 

Page 2, line 34, after "under" insert "Minnesota Statutes,"

 

Page 3, line 2, delete "Sections 1 to 3 apply" and insert "This act applies"

 

Page 3, line 5, delete "Sections 1 to 4 are" and insert "This act is"


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Renumber the sections in sequence

 

Amend the title as follows:

 

Page 1, line 2, delete everything after the semicolon

 

Page 1, delete line 3

 

Page 1, line 4, delete everything before "authorizing"

 

Correct the title numbers accordingly

 

 

With the recommendation that when so amended the bill pass.

 

      The report was adopted.

 

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

      The report was adopted.

 

 

Solberg from the Committee on Ways and Means 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; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapters 18C; 28A; 35; 38; 41A; 192; 197; 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 recommendation that the bill pass.

 

      The report was adopted.


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Carlson from the Committee on Finance to which was referred:

 

S. F. No. 1989, A bill for an act relating to higher education; appropriating money for higher education and related purposes to the Minnesota Office of Higher Education, the Board of Trustees of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities, the board of Regents of the University of Minnesota, and the Mayo Clinic, with certain conditions; requiring certain studies; making technical changes; eliminating certain report requirements; permitting certain interest rate savings and other agreements; requiring summary statistics in required reports; repealing certain data sharing and collecting requirements; modifying financial aid programs; establishing the Minnesota GI bill program; regulating private higher education institutions; providing penalties; amending Minnesota Statutes 2006, sections 13.322, subdivision 3; 135A.01; 135A.031, subdivisions 1, 7; 135A.034, subdivision 1; 135A.14, subdivision 1; 135A.52, subdivisions 1, 2; 136A.01, subdivision 2; 136A.031, subdivision 5; 136A.0411; 136A.08, subdivision 7; 136A.101, subdivisions 4, 5a; 136A.121, subdivisions 6, 7a, by adding a subdivision; 136A.125, subdivisions 2, 4; 136A.15, subdivisions 1, 6; 136A.16, subdivisions 1, 2, 5, 8, 9, 10, by adding a subdivision; 136A.17, subdivision 1; 136A.1701, subdivisions 1, 2, 5; 136A.233, subdivision 3; 136A.29, subdivision 9; 136A.62, subdivision 3; 136A.63; 136A.65, subdivision 1, by adding a subdivision; 136A.653; 136A.657, subdivisions 1, 2, 3, by adding a subdivision; 136A.66; 136A.67; 136A.68; 136A.69; 136A.71; 136A.861, subdivisions 1, 2, 3, 6; 136F.02, subdivisions 1, 2; 136F.03, subdivision 3; 136F.42, subdivision 1; 136F.58; 136F.70, by adding a subdivision; 136F.71, subdivision 2, by adding a subdivision; 136G.11, subdivision 5; 137.0245, subdivision 4; 137.0246, subdivision 2; 141.21, subdivisions 1a, 5; 141.25, subdivisions 1, 5, 7, 9, 10, 12; 141.255, subdivision 2; 141.265, subdivision 2; 141.271, subdivisions 10, 12; 141.28, subdivision 1; 141.32; 141.35; 197.775, subdivision 4; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapters 135A; 136A; 141; 197; repealing Minnesota Statutes 2006, sections 135A.031, subdivisions 2, 3, 5, 6; 135A.032; 135A.033; 135A.045; 135A.053; 136A.07; 136A.08, subdivision 8; 136A.1702; 136A.61; Laws 2001, First Special Session chapter 1, article 1, sections 3, subdivision 3; 4, subdivision 5.

 

Reported the same back with the following amendments:

 

Delete everything after the enacting clause and insert:

 

"ARTICLE 1

 

HIGHER EDUCATION APPROPRIATIONS

 

      Section 1. SUMMARY OF APPROPRIATIONS.

 

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

 

                                                                                                                       2008                               2009                               Total

 

General                                                                                          $1,561,448,000               $1,644,178,000               $3,205,626,000

 

Health Care Access                                                                             2,157,000                        2,157,000                        4,314,000

 

Total                                                                                          $1,563,605,000           $1,646,335,000           $3,209,940,000

 

      Sec. 2. HIGHER EDUCATION 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.


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                                                                                                                                                             APPROPRIATIONS

                                                                                                                                                            Available for the Year

                                                                                                                                                                  Ending June 30

                                                                                                                                                   2008                                      2009

 

      Sec. 3. MINNESOTA OFFICE OF HIGHER EDUCATION

 

      Subdivision 1. Total Appropriation                                                                          $197,933,000               $198,654,000

 

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

 

      Subd. 2. Minnesota GI Bill                                                                                                10,000,000                      10,000,000

 

For grants to eligible veterans or the eligible spouses and children of veterans as provided under Minnesota Statutes, section 197.791.

 

Of this appropriation, $152,000 the first year and $104,000 the second year are for the administrative costs of operating this program. For the 2010-2011 biennium, the base for this program's administrative costs must be included within the agency administration program activity.

 

      Subd. 3. State Grants                                                                                                       150,154,000                    151,124,000

 

If the appropriation in this subdivision for either year is insufficient, the appropriation for the other year is available for it.

 

For the biennium, the tuition maximum for students in four-year programs is $9,957 in each year for students in four-year programs, and for students in two-year programs, is $4,717 in the first year and $4,859 in the second year.

 

This appropriation sets the living and miscellaneous expense allowance at $6,241 each year.

 

      Subd. 4. Safety Officers Survivors                                                                                       100,000                           100,000

 

This appropriation is to provide educational benefits under Minnesota Statutes, section 299A.45, to dependent children under age 23 and to the spouses of public safety officers killed in the line of duty.

 

If the appropriation in this subdivision for either year is insufficient, the appropriation for the other year is available for it.

 

      Subd. 5. Interstate Tuition Reciprocity                                                                            2,000,000                        2,000,000

 

If the appropriation in this subdivision for either year is insufficient, the appropriation for the other year is available to meet reciprocity contract obligations.


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                                                                                                                                                             APPROPRIATIONS

                                                                                                                                                            Available for the Year

                                                                                                                                                                  Ending June 30

                                                                                                                                                   2008                                      2009

 

      Subd. 6. State Work Study                                                                                                12,444,000                      12,444,000

 

      Subd. 7. Child Care Grants                                                                                                 4,934,000                        4,934,000

 

      Subd. 8. Minitex                                                                                                                    5,881,000                        5,881,000

 

      Subd. 9. MnLINK Gateway                                                                                                     400,000                           400,000

 

      Subd. 10. Learning Network of Minnesota                                                                      4,800,000                        4,800,000

 

      Subd. 11. Minnesota College Savings Plan                                                                      1,020,000                        1,020,000

 

      Subd. 12. Midwest Higher Education Compact                                                                     90,000                             90,000

 

      Subd. 13. Other Small Programs                                                                                      1,960,000                        1,670,000

 

This appropriation includes funding for postsecondary service learning, student and parent information, get ready, outreach, and intervention for college attendance programs.

 

$265,000 each year is for grants to increase campus-community collaboration and service learning statewide, including operations of the Minnesota campus compact, grants to member institutions and grants for member institution initiatives. For every $1 in state funding, grant recipients must contribute $2 in campus or community-based support.

 

$100,000 each year is for a grant to the Loan Repayment Assistance Program of Minnesota, Inc. for loan repayment assistance awards.

 

$500,000 each year is for the teacher education and compensation helps (TEACH) and the Minnesota early childhood teacher retention programs in Minnesota Statutes, section 136A.126. This is a onetime appropriation.

 

$250,000 in the first year is for a grant to Augsburg College for the purpose of its Step UP program to provide educational opportunities to chemically dependent students and to work with other public and private colleges in Minnesota to help replicate this program. This is a onetime appropriation.

 

$40,000 in the first year is for a grant to the Washington Center for Internships and Academic Seminars for a pilot program for scholarships for students enrolling in a Minnesota four-year college or university beginning in the fall semester of 2007. The grant is available only with a dollar-for-dollar match from nonstate sources.


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                                                                                                                                                             APPROPRIATIONS

                                                                                                                                                            Available for the Year

                                                                                                                                                                  Ending June 30

                                                                                                                                                   2008                                      2009

 

      Subd. 14. Access to College and Helping Individuals

Everywhere Value Education and Rural Pilot Programs                                              1,000,000      1,000,000

 

For Access to College and Helping Individuals Everywhere Value Education pilot projects that provide distance-learning opportunities through the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities for high school students living in remote and underserved areas where the school district lacks the resources to provide academically challenging educational opportunities, including Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate programs. Students who successfully complete a course must receive college credit at no cost to the student or the participating school district. The office must report to the committees of the legislature with responsibility for higher education finance by January 15, 2009, on the program outcomes with recommendations on continuing and expanding the program.

 

      Subd. 15. United Family Medicine Residency Program                                                    360,000                           360,000

 

For a grant to the united family medicine residency program. This appropriation must be used to support up to 18 resident physicians each year in family practice at united family medicine residency programs and must prepare doctors to practice family care medicine in underserved rural and urban areas of the state. The legislature intends this program to improve health care in underserved communities, provide affordable access to appropriate medical care, and manage the treatment of patients in a more cost-effective manner.

 

      Subd. 16. Agency Administration                                                                                      2,690,000                        2,731,000

 

Of this appropriation, $39,000 the first year and $80,000 the second year are for compensation-related costs associated with the delivery of the office's services and programs.

 

      Subd. 17. Balances Forward       

 

A balance in the first year under this section does not cancel, but is available for the second year.

 

      Subd. 18. Transfers

 

The Minnesota Office of Higher Education may transfer unencumbered balances from the appropriations in subdivisions 2 to 15 to the state grant appropriation, the safety officer survivors appropriation, the interstate tuition reciprocity appropriation, the Minnesota college savings plan appropriation, the child care appropriation, and the state work study appropriation.


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                                                                                                                                                             APPROPRIATIONS

                                                                                                                                                            Available for the Year

                                                                                                                                                                  Ending June 30

                                                                                                                                                   2008                                      2009

 

      Subd. 19. Reporting

 

(a) By November 1 and February 15, the Minnesota Office of Higher Education must provide updated state grant spending projections, taking into account the most current and projected enrollment and tuition and fee information, economic conditions, and other relevant factors. Before submitting state grant spending projections, the office must meet and consult with representatives of public and private postsecondary education, the Department of Finance, the governor's office, legislative staff, and financial aid administrators.

 

(b) The Minnesota Office of Higher Education shall report to the higher education divisions of the house and senate finance committees on participation in postsecondary education by income, and persistence and graduation rates of state grant recipients compared to students who did not receive state grants. The office is authorized to match individual student data from the student record enrollment database with individual student data from the state grant database on data elements necessary to perform the study.

 

      Sec. 4. BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE MINNESOTA STATE COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES

 

      Subdivision 1. Total Appropriation                                                                          $668,388,000               $704,288,000

 

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

 

      Subd. 2. Central Office and Shared Services Unit                                                     $40,170,550                    $40,170,550

 

For the office of the chancellor and the shared services division.

 

      Subd. 3. Operations and Maintenance                                                                        $628,217,450                  $664,118,000

 

(a) This appropriation includes funding for the board's initiatives on recruiting and retaining underrepresented students, strategic educational advancements, STEM initiatives, and infrastructure and technology, and for the costs of inflation. This appropriation also includes funding to reduce the tuition rate increase to two percent from the board-approved plan of a four percent annual increase.


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                                                                                                                                                             APPROPRIATIONS

                                                                                                                                                            Available for the Year

                                                                                                                                                                  Ending June 30

                                                                                                                                                   2008                                      2009

 

(b) Appropriations for technology and infrastructure under this subdivision must not be used to increase permanent positions in the office of the chancellor or the shared services office. Any new positions funded from the technology and infrastructure appropriation must be at a campus.

 

(c) $400,000 each year is for community-based energy development pilot projects at Mesabi Range Technical and Community College, the Minnesota West Community and Technical College, and Riverland Community College. Each campus must establish partnerships for community-based energy development pilot projects that involve students and faculty. An allocation for the pilot project is available to the participating institutions and the partnerships for the biennium ending June 30, 2009.

 

(d) $750,000 in the first year is for a modular clean-room research and training facility at St. Paul College. This is a onetime appropriation and is available until expended.

 

(e) $300,000 the first year is for a grant to the Range Association of Municipalities and Schools for a study of student demand and employer needs for higher education in the Mesabi Range region of northeastern Minnesota including the cities of Grand Rapids through Eveleth to Ely. The association must coordinate and contract for a study in cooperation with the Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota and the Board of Trustees of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities. The governing boards must advise on which of the identified needs can be met by University of Minnesota courses and which can be met by the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities, and which degree programs may be offered jointly. The final report must be submitted to the committees of the legislature responsible for higher education finance by January 15, 2008, with recommendations and plans for the region.

 

(f) $120,000 in each year is for the Cook County Higher Education Board to provide educational programs and academic support services. The base appropriation for this program is $120,000 in each year of the biennium ending June 30, 2011.

 

(g) $2,000,000 the first year and $1,000,000 the second year are for a pilot project with the Northeast Minnesota Higher Education District and high schools in its area. Up to $1,200,000 of the first year appropriation must be used to purchase equipment that is necessary to reestablish a technical education curriculum in the


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                                                                                                                                                             APPROPRIATIONS

                                                                                                                                                            Available for the Year

                                                                                                                                                                  Ending June 30

                                                                                                                                                   2008                                      2009

 

area high schools to provide the students with the technical skills necessary for the workforce. Students from area high schools may also access the facilities and faculty of the Northeast Minnesota Higher Education District for state-of-the-art technical education opportunities, including MnSCU's 2+2 Pathways initiative. $1,000,000 is added to the base for this project.

 

(h) $50,000 in the first year is for St. Paul College to collaborate with the United Auto Workers Local 879 to purchase a Ford Ranger pickup truck to retrofit to run on a battery-powered motor. This vehicle must be retrofitted to serve as a prototype that could be mass-produced at the St. Paul Ford assembly plant.

 

(i) $100,000 each year is for a grant to a Minnesota public postsecondary institution with a total student enrollment under 7,000 students, that has an existing women's hockey team competing in Division I in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association. The institution may use the grant for equipment, facility improvements, travel and compensation for coaches, trainers, and other necessary personnel.

 

(j) $450,000 each year is to establish a center for workforce and economic development at the Mesabi Range Community and Technical College and to enhance eFolio Minnesota. The board, in cooperation with the Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board (IRRRB) and the Department of Employment and Economic Development, must establish the center to provide on-site and Internet-based support and technical assistance to users of the state's eFolio Minnesota system to promote workforce and economic development. The center must assist local economic development agencies and officials to enable them to access workforce information generated through the eFolio Minnesota system. The board must enhance the eFolio Minnesota system as necessary to serve these purposes. The center must report annually to the IRRRB and the Department of Employment and Economic Development on the outcomes of the center's activities.

 

(k) $1,000,000 the first year is to identify and improve on practices for selecting and purchasing textbooks and course materials that are used by students. The board, in collaboration with the Minnesota State University Student Association (MSUSA) and the Minnesota State College Student Association (MSCSA) must develop and implement pilot projects with this appropriation to address the financial burden that textbook prices and requirements place on students. These projects may include textbook rental programs, cooperative purchasing efforts, training, and education


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                                                                                                                                                             APPROPRIATIONS

                                                                                                                                                            Available for the Year

                                                                                                                                                                  Ending June 30

                                                                                                                                                   2008                                      2009

 

and awareness programs for students and faculty on cost considerations and textbook options. The student associations must be fully involved in the development and implementation of any project using this appropriation. Each student association must vote to approve a project before it is implemented. MSUSA and MSCSA must report to the committees of the legislature responsible for higher education finance by February 15, 2009, on the success of the pilot projects. This money is available until June 30, 2009.

 

      Subd. 4. Board Policies

 

(a) The board must adopt a policy that allows students to add the cost of textbooks and required course materials purchased at a campus bookstore, owned by or operated under a contract with the campus, to the existing waivers or payment plans for tuition and fees.

 

(b) The board must adopt a policy setting the maximum number of semester credits required for a baccalaureate degree at 120 semester credits or the equivalent and the number of semester credits required for an associate degree at 60 semester credits or the equivalent.

 

      Sec. 5. BOARD OF REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA

 

      Subdivision 1. Total Appropriation                                                                          $696,082,000               $742,143,000

 

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

 

      Subd. 2. Operations and Maintenance                                                                          611,112,000                    667,550,000

 

(a) This appropriation includes amounts for the board:

 

(1) to make investments in the university's technology and related infrastructure;

 

(2) to award faculty and staff compensation increases differentially;

 

(3) for the board's health workforce and clinical sciences initiative;

 

(4) initiatives in science and engineering;


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                                                                                                                                                             APPROPRIATIONS

                                                                                                                                                            Available for the Year

                                                                                                                                                                  Ending June 30

                                                                                                                                                   2008                                      2009

 

(5) initiatives relating to the environment, agriculture, and renewable energy; and

 

(6) for advancing education, including an Ojibwe Indian language program on the Duluth campus.

 

(b) $2,250,000 each year is to establish banded tuition at the Morris, Crookston, and Duluth campuses to reduce tuition costs for students.

 

(c) $7,000,000 for the biennium is for scholarships to mitigate the effects of rising tuition on Minnesota students and families. This appropriation must be matched with $2 of nonstate money for each $1 of state money.

 

(d) $12,404,000 in the second year is to reduce the proposed tuition rate increase. Any of this amount that is not used by the board to reduce tuition cancels to the general fund.

 

(e) $300,000 the first year is for the Center for Transportation Studies to complete a study to assess public policy options for reducing the volume of greenhouse gases emitted from the transportation sector in Minnesota. The Center for Transportation Studies must report its preliminary findings to the legislature by February 1, 2008, and must issue its full report by June 1, 2008. This is a onetime appropriation.

 

(f) $250,000 each year is to establish an India Center to improve and promote relations with India and Southeast Asia. The center must partner with public and private organizations in Minnesota to:

 

(1) foster an understanding of the history, culture, and values of India;

 

(2) serve as a resource and catalyst to promote economic, governmental, and academic pursuits involving India; and

 

(3) facilitate educational and business exchanges and partnerships, collaborative research, and teaching and training activities for Minnesota students and teachers.

 

The Board of Regents may establish an advisory council to facilitate the mission and objectives of the India Center and must report on the progress of the India Center by February 15, 2008, to the governor and chairs of the legislative committees responsible for higher education finance. This is a onetime appropriation.


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                                                                                                                                                             APPROPRIATIONS

                                                                                                                                                            Available for the Year

                                                                                                                                                                  Ending June 30

                                                                                                                                                   2008                                      2009

 

(g) $750,000 in the first year is to assist in the formation of the neighborhood alliance and for projects identified in section 8. The alliance, the Board of Regents, and the city of Minneapolis may cooperate on the projects and may use a public services of other entities to complete all or a portion of a project.

 

(h) $300,000 the first year is to establish a Dakota language teacher training immersion program on the Twin Cities campus to prepare teachers to teach in Dakota language immersion programs. This is a onetime appropriation.

 

(i) $400,000 each year is for the Minnesota Institute for Sustainable Agriculture to provide funds for on-station and on-farm field scale research and outreach to develop and test the agronomic and economic requirements of diverse strands of prairie plants and other perennials for bioenergy systems including but not limited to multiple species selection and establishment, ecological management between planting and harvest, harvest technologies, financial and agronomic risk management, farmer goal setting and adoption of technologies, integration of wildlife habitat into management approaches, evaluation of carbon and other benefits, and robust polices needed to induce farmer conversion on marginal lands.

 

      Subd. 3. Health Care Access Fund                                                                                    2,157,000                        2,157,000

 

This appropriation is from the health care access fund and is for primary care education initiatives.

 

      Subd. 4. Special Appropriation                                                                                         65,813,000                      65,436,000

 

(a) Agriculture and Extension Service                                                                                  52,625,000                      52,275,000

 

(1) For the Agricultural Experiment Station, Minnesota Extension Service. This appropriation includes funding to promote alternative livestock research and outreach at the Minnesota Institute for Sustainable Agriculture, and to promote sustainable and organic agricultural research and education.

 

(2) This appropriation includes funding for research efforts that demonstrate a renewed emphasis on the needs of the state's production agriculture community and a continued focus on renewable energy derived from Minnesota biomass resources including agronomic crops, plant and animal wastes, and native plants or trees, with priority for extending the Minnesota vegetable growing season; fertilizer and soil fertility research and


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                                                                                                                                                             APPROPRIATIONS

                                                                                                                                                            Available for the Year

                                                                                                                                                                  Ending June 30

                                                                                                                                                   2008                                      2009

 

development; treating and curing human diseases utilizing plant and livestock cells; using biofuel production coproducts as feed for livestock; and a rapid agricultural response fund for current or emerging animal, plant, and insect problems affecting production or food safety. In addition, the appropriation may be used to secure a facility and retain current faculty levels for poultry research currently conducted at UMore Park.

 

(3) In the area of renewable energy, priority should be given to projects pertaining to: biofuel and other energy production from small grains; alternative bioenergy crops and cropping systems; and growing, harvesting, and transporting biomass plant material.

 

(4) This appropriation includes funding for the college of food, agricultural, and natural resources sciences to establish and maintain a statewide organic research and education initiative to provide leadership for organic agronomic, horticultural, livestock, and food systems research, education, and outreach and for the purchase of state-of-the-art laboratory, planting, tilling, harvesting, and processing equipment necessary for this project.

 

(5) By February 1, 2009, the Board of Regents must report to the legislative committees with responsibility for agriculture and higher education finance on the research and initiatives under this paragraph.

 

(6) The base appropriation is $51,775,000 each year of the biennium ending June 30, 2011.

 

(b) Health Sciences                                                                                                                     5,275,000                        5,275,000

 

$346,000 each year is to support up to 12 resident physicians each year in the St. Cloud Hospital family practice residency program. The program must prepare doctors to practice primary care medicine in the rural areas of the state. The legislature intends this program to improve health care in rural communities, provide affordable access to appropriate medical care, and manage the treatment of patients in a more cost-effective manner.

 

The remainder of this appropriation is for the rural physicians associates program, the Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, health sciences research, dental care, and the Biomedical Engineering Center.


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                                                                                                                                                             APPROPRIATIONS

                                                                                                                                                            Available for the Year

                                                                                                                                                                  Ending June 30

                                                                                                                                                   2008                                      2009

 

(c) Institute of Technology                                                                                                         1,387,000                        1,387,000

 

For the Geological Survey and the talented youth mathematics program.

 

(d) System Specials                                                                                                                    6,526,000                        6,526,000

 

For general research, student loans matching money, industrial relations education, Natural Resources Research Institute, Center for Urban and Regional Affairs, and the Bell Museum of Natural History. $100,000 is added to the base appropriation for industrial relations education.

 

      Subd. 5. University of Minnesota and Mayo

Foundation Partnership                                                                                                     17,000,000      7,000,000

 

For the direct and indirect expenses of the collaborative research partnership between the University of Minnesota and the Mayo Foundation for research in biotechnology and medical genomics. $7,000,000 is added to the base. This appropriation is available until expended. An annual report on the expenditure of these funds must be submitted to the governor and the chairs of the senate and house committees responsible for higher education and economic development by June 30 of each fiscal year.

 

      Subd. 6. Academic Health Center                                                                                                     

 

The appropriation for Academic Health Center funding under Minnesota Statutes, section 297F.10, is $22,250,000 each year.

 

      Sec. 6. MAYO CLINIC

 

      Subdivision 1. Total Appropriation                                                                               $1,202,000                   $1,250,000

 

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

 

      Subd. 2. Medical School                                                                                                          591,000                           615,000

 

The state of Minnesota must pay a capitation each year for each student who is a resident of Minnesota. The appropriation may be transferred between years of the biennium to accommodate enrollment fluctuations. The funding base for this program is $640,000 in fiscal year 2010 and $665,000 in fiscal year 2011.


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                                                                                                                                                             APPROPRIATIONS

                                                                                                                                                            Available for the Year

                                                                                                                                                                  Ending June 30

                                                                                                                                                   2008                                      2009

 

It is intended that during the biennium the Mayo Clinic use the capitation money to increase the number of doctors practicing in rural areas in need of doctors.

 

      Subd. 3. Family Practice and Graduate Residency Program                                           611,000                           635,000

The state of Minnesota must pay stipend support for up to 27 residents each year. The funding base for this program is $660,000 in fiscal year 2010 and $686,000 in fiscal year 2011.

 

Sec. 7. LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION ON POSTSECONDARY FUNDING.

 

Subdivision 1. Membership. A 12-member legislative commission on postsecondary funding is established consisting of six members of the house of representatives appointed by the speaker and six members of the senate appointed by the Subcommittee on Committees of the Committee on Rules and Administration. The commission may elect a chair and other officers as necessary.

 

Subd. 2. Charge. The commission must develop an alternative funding formula or funding method for postsecondary education that creates incentives for high quality postsecondary education while maintaining access for students. In developing the formula or funding method, the commission must consider and address:

 

(1) both institutional aid and direct student aid;

 

(2) the major cost drivers in postsecondary education, such as inflation and enrollment;

 

(3) federal postsecondary funding and tax incentives for postsecondary education; and

 

(4) funding the formula or funding method within the projected constraints on the state budget in the coming decade.

 

Subd. 3. Report. The commission must report its recommendations to the house Division on Higher Education and Workforce Development Policy and Finance, and the senate Higher Education Budget and Policy Division by June 30, 2008.

 

Subd. 4. Expiration. The commission expires June 30, 2008.

 

Sec. 8. UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA MINNEAPOLIS AREA NEIGHBORHOOD ALLIANCE.

 

Subdivision 1. Definitions. (a) For purposes of this section, the following terms have the meanings given them.

 

(b) "Alliance" means a representative body of the constituencies, including, but not limited to, the University of Minnesota, the city of Minneapolis, and the recognized neighborhood organizations and business associations referenced in the report.

 

(c) "Board" means the Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota.


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(d) "Report" means the report and appendix entitled Moving Forward Together: University of Minnesota Minneapolis Area Neighborhood Impact Report, submitted to the legislature in February 2007.

 

(e) "University partnership district" or "district" means the area located within the city that includes the neighborhoods of Cedar-Riverside, Marcy-Holmes, South East Como, Prospect Park, and University, as they are defined by the city, and the university's Minneapolis campus.

 

(f) "Tier two impact zone" means the neighborhoods of northeast Minneapolis that house significant numbers of university students and staff. Transportation and housing policy analysis and planning must include these areas but they must not be included in the projects funded through the alliance.

 

(g) "University" means the University of Minnesota.

 

Subd. 2. Alliance; functions. The alliance may facilitate, initiate, or manage projects with the board, city, or other public or private entities that are intended to maintain the university partnership district as a viable place to study, research, and live. Projects may include, but are not limited to, those outlined in the report, as well as efforts to involve students in activities to maintain and improve the university partnership district; cooperative university and university partnership district long-term planning; and incentives to increase homeownership within the district with particular emphasis on employees of the university and of other major employers located within the district.

 

Subd. 3. Report. The board must report to the legislature by January 15, 2009, on the expenditure of funds appropriated under section 3.

 

Sec. 9. MINNESOTA OFFICE OF HIGHER EDUCATION FINANCIAL AID STUDY.

 

The Minnesota Office of Higher Education must review and evaluate the existing financial aid programs that provide loans and grants to students in postsecondary education and the needs of the workforce for occupations that are currently or will be in demand. The study must evaluate how effective the financial aid programs are at linking the needs of the workforce with student need for financial aid. The study must also identify options for designing financial aid programs including loan forgiveness and loan repayment programs that target the needs of the workforce and provide incentives to students to pursue postsecondary education in fields with identified workforce needs. By February 15, 2008, the office must report to the legislative committees responsible for higher education and workforce development on the findings of the study and provide options and recommendations on how to deliver financial aid, provide incentives for students, and meet the needs of the workforce for occupations that include speech pathologists and other occupations with unmet need.

 

ARTICLE 2

 

MINNESOTA GI BILL FOR VETERANS

 

Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 136A.01, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 2. Responsibilities. The Minnesota Office of Higher Education is responsible for:

 

(1) necessary state level administration of financial aid and Minnesota GI Bill programs, including accounting, auditing, and disbursing state and federal financial aid funds, and reporting on financial aid programs to the governor and the legislature;

 

(2) approval, registration, licensing, and financial aid eligibility of private collegiate and career schools, under sections 136A.61 to 136A.71 and chapter 141;


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(3) administering the Learning Network of Minnesota;

 

(4) negotiating and administering reciprocity agreements;

 

(5) publishing and distributing financial aid information and materials, and other information and materials under section 136A.87, to students and parents;

 

(6) collecting and maintaining student enrollment and financial aid data and reporting data on students and postsecondary institutions to develop and implement a process to measure and report on the effectiveness of postsecondary institutions;

 

(7) administering the federal programs that affect students and institutions on a statewide basis; and

 

(8) prescribing policies, procedures, and rules under chapter 14 necessary to administer the programs under its supervision.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2007, and applies to qualifying coursework taken on or after that date.

 

Sec. 2. [197.791] MINNESOTA GI BILL PROGRAM.

 

Subdivision 1. Policy. It is the policy of the state of Minnesota to provide postsecondary educational assistance to Minnesota veterans who have provided honorable service to this state and nation as members of the United States armed forces, whether in peacetime or in war, and to the spouses and children of Minnesota veterans who have become severely disabled or deceased during or as the direct result of military service.

 

Subd. 2. Definitions. (a) The definitions in this subdivision apply to this section.

 

(b) "Commissioner" means the commissioner of veterans affairs, unless otherwise specified.

 

(c) "Cost of attendance" for both undergraduate and graduate students has the meaning given in section 136A.121, subdivision 6, multiplied by a factor of 1.2.

 

(d) "Child" means a natural or adopted child of a person described in subdivision 5, paragraph (a), clause (1), item (i) or (ii).

 

(e) "Director" means the director of the Minnesota Office of Higher Education.

 

(f) "Eligible institution" means a postsecondary institution located in this state that either (1) is operated by this state; or (2) is operated publicly or privately and, as determined by the office, maintains academic standards substantially equivalent to those of comparable institutions operated in this state.

 

(g) "Eligible student" means a person who:

 

(1) if the student is an undergraduate student, has applied for the federal Pell Grant and the Minnesota State Grant;

 

(2) is maintaining satisfactory academic progress as defined by the institution for students participating in federal Title IV programs;

 

(3) is enrolled in an education program leading to a certificate, diploma, or degree at an eligible institution;


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(4) has applied for educational assistance under the Minnesota GI Bill program prior to the end of the academic term for which the assistance is being requested.

 

(5) is in compliance with child support payment requirements under section 136A.121, subdivision 2, clause (5).

 

(h) "Part-time student" means an undergraduate student enrolled for fewer than 12 credits in a semester or the equivalent, or a graduate student as defined by the student's eligible institution.

 

(i) "Program" means the Minnesota GI Bill program established in this section, unless otherwise specified.

 

(j) "Service-connected" has the meaning given by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs.

 

(k) "Veteran" has the meaning given in section 197.447, and also includes a service member who has fulfilled the requirements for being a veteran but is still serving actively in the United States armed forces.

 

Subd. 3. Program established. There is established a program to provide postsecondary educational assistance to eligible Minnesota veterans and to the children and spouses of deceased and severely disabled Minnesota veterans. This program may be cited as the "Minnesota GI Bill program."

 

The director, in consultation with the commissioner and in cooperation with eligible postsecondary educational institutions, shall expend a biennial appropriation for the purpose of providing postsecondary educational assistance to eligible persons in accordance with this program. Each public postsecondary educational institution in the state must participate in the program and each private postsecondary educational institution in the state is encouraged to participate in the program. Any participating private institution may suspend or terminate its participation in the program at the end of any semester or other academic term.

 

Subd. 4. Duties; responsibilities. (a) The director, in consultation with the commissioner, shall establish policies and procedures including, but not limited to, procedures for student application record keeping, information sharing, payment to participating eligible institutions, and other procedures the director considers appropriate and necessary for effective and efficient administration of the program established in this section.

 

(b) The director, in consultation with the commissioner, may delegate part or all of the administrative procedures for the program to responsible representatives of participating eligible institutions.

 

Subd. 5. Eligibility. (a) A person is eligible for educational assistance under this section if:

 

(1) the person is:

 

(i) a veteran who is serving or has served honorably in any branch or unit of the United States armed forces at any time on or after August 2, 1990;

 

(ii) a nonveteran who has served honorably for a total of 16 years or more cumulatively as a member of the Minnesota national guard or any other active or reserve component of the United States armed forces, and any part of that service occurred on or after August 2, 1990;

 

(iii) the surviving spouse or child of a person described in (i) or (ii) who has died as a direct result of that military service; or

 

(iv) the spouse or child of a person described in (i) or (ii) who has a total and permanent service-connected disability as rated by the United States veterans administration;


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(2) the person described in clause (1), item (i) or (ii), had Minnesota as the person's state of residence at the time of the person's initial enlistment or any reenlistment in the United States armed forces;

 

(3) the person receiving the educational assistance is a Minnesota resident, as defined in section 136A.101, subdivision 8; and

 

(4) the person receiving the educational assistance is an eligible student.

 

(b) A person's eligibility terminates when the person becomes eligible for benefits under section 135A.52.

 

(c) As proof of honorable service and disability or death status for a veteran or service member, the director, by policy and in consultation with the commissioner, may require official documentation, including the person's federal form DD-214 or other official military discharge papers, correspondence from the United States veterans administration, birth certificate, marriage certificate, proof of enrollment at an eligible institution, signed affidavits, proof of residency, proof of identity, or any other official documentation the director considers necessary to determine an applicant's eligibility status.

 

(d) The director, in consultation with the commissioner, may deny eligibility or terminate benefits under this section to any person who has not provided sufficient proof of eligibility for the program. An applicant may appeal the director's eligibility determination in writing to the director at any time. The director must rule on any application or appeal within 30 days of receipt of all documentation that the director requires. Upon receiving an application with insufficient documentation, the director must notify the applicant within 30 days of receipt of the application that the application is being suspended pending receipt by the director of sufficient documentation from the applicant. The decision of the director regarding an appeal is final; however, an applicant whose appeal of an eligibility determination has been rejected by the director may submit an additional appeal of that determination in writing to the director at any time that the applicant is able to provide substantively significant additional information relating to the person's eligibility for the program. An approval of an applicant's eligibility by the director following an appeal by the applicant is not retroactively effective beyond the later of one year previously or the semester of the person's original application.

 

Subd. 6. Benefit amount. (a) On approval by the director of an applicant's eligibility for the program, the applicant shall be awarded, on a funds-available basis, the educational assistance under the program for use at any time according to program rules at any eligible institution. Eligibility for the program terminates upon exhaustion of a person's benefits as specified in paragraph (c).

 

(b) The amount of educational assistance in any semester or term for an eligible person must be determined by subtracting from the eligible person's cost of attendance at that eligible public institution, or in the case of an eligible private institution the cost of attendance for a comparable program at the Twin Cities campus of the University of Minnesota, the amount the person received or was eligible to receive in that semester or term from:

 

(1) the federal Pell Grant;

 

(2) the state grant under section 136A.121; and

 

(3) any federal military or veterans educational benefits, including, but not limited to, the Montgomery GI Bill, GI Bill Kicker, the federal tuition assistance program, vocational rehabilitation benefits, and any other federal benefits associated with the person's status as a veteran, except veterans disability payments from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs.

 

(c) The amount of education assistance for any eligible person must not exceed any of the following amounts:


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(1) $1,250 per semester or term of enrollment, or in the case of a part-time student $625 per semester or term of enrollment;

 

(2) $3,570 per state fiscal year; and

 

(3) $10,000 total.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2007, and applies to qualifying coursework taken on or after that date.

 

Sec. 3. ANNUAL REVIEW AND RECOMMENDATION.

 

The commissioner of veterans affairs, in consultation with the director of higher education, must annually review veterans' participation level in and expenditures for the Minnesota GI Bill program in Minnesota Statutes, section 197.791, and, by January 15 each year, must make recommendations to the chairs of the senate and house committees having oversight responsibility for veterans affairs regarding adjustment of individual benefit levels and program funding.

 

ARTICLE 3

 

RELATED HIGHER EDUCATION

 

Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 13.322, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 3. Minnesota Office of Higher Education. (a) General. Data sharing involving the Minnesota Office of Higher Education and other institutions is governed by sections section 136A.05 and 136A.08, subdivision 8.

 

(b) Student financial aid. Data collected and used by the Minnesota Office of Higher Education on applicants for financial assistance are classified under section 136A.162.

 

(c) Minnesota college savings plan data. Account owner data, account data, and data on beneficiaries of accounts under the Minnesota college savings plan are classified under section 136G.05, subdivision 10.

 

(d) School financial records. Financial records submitted by schools registering with the Minnesota Office of Higher Education are classified under section 136A.64.

 

(e) Enrollment and financial aid data. Data collected from eligible institutions on student enrollment and federal and state financial aid are governed by sections 136A.121, subdivision 18, and 136A.1701, subdivision 11.

 

Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 16B.70, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

 

Subd. 4. Construction management education surcharge and account. (a) For nonresidential construction building permits, the surcharge under subdivision 1 is increased by an amount equal to one-quarter mill (.00025) of the fee or 25 cents, whichever amount is greater, and designated for and deposited in the construction management education account.

 

(b) The construction management education account is created as an account in the special revenue fund, administered by the Minnesota Office of Higher Education for the purpose of enhancing construction management education in public postsecondary institutions. Funds in the account are appropriated in fiscal years 2008 and 2009 to the director of the Minnesota Office of Higher Education for the purposes of section 136A.127.


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Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 41D.01, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

 

Subdivision 1. Establishment; membership. (a) The Minnesota Agriculture Education Leadership Council is established. The council is composed of 16 17 members as follows:

 

(1) the chair of the University of Minnesota agricultural education program;

 

(2) a representative of the commissioner of education;

 

(3) a representative of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities recommended by the chancellor;

 

(4) the president and the president-elect of the Minnesota Association of Agriculture Educators;

 

(5) a representative of the Future Farmers of America Foundation;

 

(6) a representative of the commissioner of agriculture;

 

(7) the dean of the College of Agriculture, Food, and Environmental Sciences at the University of Minnesota;

 

(8) a representative of the Minnesota Private Colleges Council;

 

(9) two members representing agriculture education and agriculture business appointed by the governor;

 

(9) (10) the chair of the senate Committee on Agriculture, General Legislation and Veterans Affairs;

 

(10) (11) the chair of the house Committee on Agriculture;

 

(11) (12) the ranking minority member of the senate Committee on Agriculture, General Legislation and Veterans Affairs, and a member of the senate Education Committee designated by the Subcommittee on Committees of the Committee on Rules and Administration; and

 

(12) (13) the ranking minority member of the house Agriculture Committee, and a member of the house Education Committee designated by the speaker.

 

(b) An ex officio member of the council under paragraph (a), clause (1), (4), (7), (9), (10), (11), or (12), or (13), may designate a permanent or temporary replacement member representing the same constituency.

 

Sec. 4. 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


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(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 commissioner, in collaboration with the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities, must ensure that passing score for the statewide 11th grade mathematics test 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.

 

(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 commissioner, in collaboration with the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities, must ensure that the passing score for the statewide tenth grade reading and language arts test 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) 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.


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Sec. 5. 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

 

(6) a minimum of seven 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 ninth grade the state's expectations for college readiness, consistent with sections 120B.023, subdivision 2, paragraphs (b) and (e), and 135A.104.

 

Sec. 6. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 135A.031, subdivision 7, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 7. Reports. Instructional expenditure and enrollment data for each instructional category shall be submitted by the public postsecondary systems to the Minnesota Office of Higher Education and the Department of Finance and included in the biennial budget document. The specific data shall be submitted only after the director of the Minnesota Office of Higher Education has consulted with a data advisory task force to determine the need, content, and detail of the information.

 

Sec. 7. [135A.043] RESIDENT TUITION.

 

(a) A student shall qualify for a resident tuition rate or its equivalent at state universities and colleges, including the University of Minnesota, if the student meets all of the following requirements:

 

(1) high school attendance within the state for three or more years;

 

(2) graduation from a state high school or attainment within the state of the equivalent of high school graduation; and


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(3) registration as an entering student at, or current enrollment in, a public institution of higher education.

 

(b) This section is in addition to any other statute, rule, or higher education institution regulation or policy providing eligibility for a resident tuition rate or its equivalent to a student.

 

(c) To qualify for resident tuition under this section an individual who is not a citizen or permanent resident of the United States must provide the college or university with an affidavit that the individual will file an application to become a permanent resident at the earliest opportunity the individual is eligible to do so.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment and applies to tuition for school terms commencing on or after that date.

 

Sec. 8. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 135A.053, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 2. Performance and accountability. Higher education systems and campuses are expected to achieve the objectives in subdivision 1 and will be held accountable for doing so. The legislature is increasing the flexibility of the systems and campuses to provide greater responsibility to higher education in deciding how to achieve statewide objectives, and to decentralize authority so that those decisions can be made at the level where the education is delivered. To demonstrate their accountability, the legislature expects each system and campus to measure and report on its performance, using meaningful indicators that are critical to achieving the objectives in subdivision 1, as provided in section 135A.033. Nothing in this section precludes a system or campus from determining its own objectives and performance measures beyond those identified in this section.

 

Sec. 9. [135A.104] COLLEGE READINESS.

 

(a) Minnesota State Colleges and Universities must collaborate with the commissioner of education in establishing passing scores on the Minnesota comprehensive assessments in reading 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. Minnesota State Colleges and Universities also must collaborate with the commissioner of education to develop and implement a statewide plan to communicate with all Minnesota high school students no later than the beginning of ninth grade the state's expectations for college readiness.

 

(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 the students must have in order to be ready to immediately take college courses for college credit in two-year and four-year institutions.

 

Sec. 10. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 135A.14, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

 

Subdivision 1. Definitions. As used in this section, the following terms have the meanings given them.

 

(a) "Administrator" means the administrator of the institution or other person with general control and supervision of the institution.

 

(b) "Public or private postsecondary educational institution" or "institution" means any of the following institutions having an enrollment of more than 100 persons during any quarter, term, or semester during the preceding year: (1) the University of Minnesota; (2) the state universities; (3) the state community colleges; (4) public technical colleges; (5) private four-year, professional and graduate institutions; (6) private two-year colleges; and (7) schools subject to either chapter 141, sections 136A.61 136A.615 to 136A.71, or schools exempt under section 136A.657, and which offer educational programs within the state for an academic year greater than six consecutive months. An institution's report to the Minnesota Office of Higher Education or the Minnesota Department of Education may be considered when determining enrollment.


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(c) "Student" means a person born after 1956 who did not graduate from a Minnesota high school in 1997 or later, and who is (1) registering for more than one class during a full academic term, such as a quarter or a semester or (2) housed on campus and is registering for one or more classes. Student does not include persons enrolled in extension classes only or correspondence classes only.

 

Sec. 11. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 135A.51, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 2. Senior citizen. "Senior citizen" means a person who has reached 62 years of age before the beginning of any term, semester or quarter, in which a course of study is pursued, or a person receiving a railroad retirement annuity who has reached 60 years of age before the beginning of the term.

 

Sec. 12. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 135A.52, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

 

Subdivision 1. Fees and tuition. Except for an administration fee established by the governing board at a level to recover costs, to be collected only when a course is taken for credit, a senior citizen who is a legal resident of Minnesota is entitled without payment of tuition or activity fees to attend courses offered for credit, audit any courses offered for credit, or enroll in any noncredit courses in any state supported institution of higher education in Minnesota when space is available after all tuition-paying students have been accommodated. A senior citizen enrolled under this section must pay any materials, personal property, or service charges for the course. In addition, a senior citizen who is enrolled in a course for credit must pay an administrative fee in an amount established by the governing board of the institution to recover the course costs. There shall be no administrative fee charges to a senior citizen auditing a course. For the purposes of this section and section 135A.51, the term "noncredit courses" shall not include those courses designed and offered specifically and exclusively for senior citizens.

 

The provisions of this section and section 135A.51 do not apply to noncredit courses designed and offered by the University of Minnesota, and the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities specifically and exclusively for senior citizens. Senior citizens enrolled under the provisions of this section and section 135A.51 shall not be included by such institutions in their computation of full-time equivalent students when requesting staff or appropriations.

 

Sec. 13. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 135A.52, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 2. Term; income of senior citizens. (a) Except under paragraph (b), there shall be no limit to the number of terms, quarters or semesters a senior citizen may attend courses, nor income limitation imposed in determining eligibility.

 

(b) A senior citizen enrolled in a closed enrollment contract training or professional continuing education program is not eligible for benefits under subdivision 1.

 

Sec. 14. [136A.002] DEFINITIONS.

 

Subdivision 1. Scope. For purposes of this chapter, the terms defined in this section have the meanings given them.

 

Subd. 2. Office of Higher Education or office. "Office of Higher Education" or "office" means the Minnesota Office of Higher Education.


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Sec. 15. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 136A.01, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 2. Responsibilities. The Minnesota Office of Higher Education is responsible for:

 

(1) necessary state level administration of financial aid programs, including accounting, auditing, and disbursing state and federal financial aid funds, and reporting on financial aid programs to the governor and the legislature;

 

(2) approval, registration, licensing, and financial aid eligibility of private collegiate and career schools, under sections 136A.61 136A.615 to 136A.71 and chapter 141;

 

(3) administering the Learning Network of Minnesota;

 

(4) negotiating and administering reciprocity agreements;

 

(5) publishing and distributing financial aid information and materials, and other information and materials under section 136A.87, to students and parents;

 

(6) collecting and maintaining student enrollment and financial aid data and reporting data on students and postsecondary institutions to develop and implement a process to measure and report on the effectiveness of postsecondary institutions;

 

(7) administering the federal programs that affect students and institutions on a statewide basis; and

 

(8) prescribing policies, procedures, and rules under chapter 14 necessary to administer the programs under its supervision.

 

Sec. 16. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 136A.031, subdivision 5, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 5. Expiration. Notwithstanding section 15.059, subdivision 5, the advisory groups established in this section do not expire on June 30, 2007.

 

Sec. 17. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 136A.0411, is amended to read:

 

136A.0411 COLLECTING FEES.

 

The office may charge fees for seminars, conferences, workshops, services, and materials. The office may collect fees for registration and licensure of private institutions under sections 136A.61 136A.615 to 136A.71 and chapter 141. The money is annually appropriated to the office.

 

Sec. 18. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 136A.08, subdivision 7, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 7. Reporting. The Minnesota Office of Higher Education must annually, before the last day in January, submit a report to the committees in the house of representatives and the senate with responsibility for higher education finance on:

 

(1) participation in the tuition reciprocity program by Minnesota students and students from other states attending Minnesota postsecondary institutions under a reciprocity agreement;

 

(2) reciprocity and resident tuition rates at each institution; and


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(3) interstate payments and obligations for each state participating in the tuition reciprocity program in the prior year.; and

 

(4) summary statistics on number of graduates by institution, degree granted, and year of graduation for reciprocity students who attended Minnesota postsecondary institutions.

 

Sec. 19. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 136A.101, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 4. Eligible institution. "Eligible institution" means a postsecondary educational institution located in this state or in a state with which the office has entered into a higher education reciprocity agreement on state student aid programs that either (1) is operated by this state or the Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota, or (2) is operated publicly or privately and, as determined by the office, meets all of the following: (i) maintains academic standards substantially equivalent to those of comparable institutions operated in this state; (ii) is licensed or registered as a postsecondary institution by the office or another state agency; and (iii) by July 1, 2011, is participating in the federal Pell Grant program under Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended.

 

Sec. 20. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 136A.121, subdivision 5, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 5. Grant stipends. The grant stipend shall be based on a sharing of responsibility for covering the recognized cost of attendance by the applicant, the applicant's family, and the government. The amount of a financial stipend must not exceed a grant applicant's recognized cost of attendance, as defined in subdivision 6, after deducting the following:

 

(1) the assigned student responsibility of at least 46 45.5 percent of the cost of attending the institution of the applicant's choosing;

 

(2) the assigned family responsibility as defined in section 136A.101; and

 

(3) the amount of a federal Pell grant award for which the grant applicant is eligible.

 

The minimum financial stipend is $100 per academic year.

 

Sec. 21. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 136A.125, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 2. Eligible students. (a) An applicant is eligible for a child care grant if the applicant:

 

(1) is a resident of the state of Minnesota;

 

(2) has a child 12 years of age or younger, or 14 years of age or younger who is disabled as defined in section 125A.02, and who is receiving or will receive care on a regular basis from a licensed or legal, nonlicensed caregiver;

 

(3) is income eligible as determined by the office's policies and rules, but is not a recipient of assistance from the Minnesota family investment program;

 

(4) has not earned a baccalaureate degree and has been enrolled full time less than eight semesters or the equivalent;

 

(5) is pursuing a nonsectarian program or course of study that applies to an undergraduate degree, diploma, or certificate;

 

(6) is enrolled at least half time in an eligible institution; and


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(7) is in good academic standing and making satisfactory academic progress.

 

(b) A student who withdraws from enrollment for active military service is entitled to an additional semester or the equivalent of grant eligibility and will be considered to be in continuing enrollment status upon return.

 

Sec. 22. [136A.126] TEACHER EDUCATION AND COMPENSATION HELPS; MINNESOTA EARLY CHILDHOOD TEACHER RETENTION PROGRAMS.

 

Subdivision 1. TEACH. The teacher education and compensation helps program (TEACH) is established to provide tuition scholarships, education incentives, and an early childhood teacher retention program to provide retention incentives to early care and education providers. The director shall make a grant with appropriations for this purpose to a nonprofit organization licensed to administer the TEACH early childhood program.

 

Subd. 2. Program components. (a) The nonprofit organization must use the grant for:

 

(1) tuition scholarships up to $5,000 per year for courses leading to the nationally recognized child development associate credential or college-level courses leading to an associate's or bachelor's degree in early childhood development and school-age care; and

 

(2) education incentives of a minimum of $100 to participants in the tuition scholarship program if they complete a year of working in the early care and education field.

 

(b) Applicants for the scholarship must be employed by a licensed early childhood or child care program and working directly with children, a licensed family child care provider, or an employee in a school-age program exempt from licensing under section 245A.03, subdivision 2, clause (12). Lower wage earners must be given priority in awarding the tuition scholarships. Scholarship recipients must contribute ten percent of the total scholarship and must be sponsored by their employers, who must also contribute ten percent of the total scholarship. Scholarship recipients who are self-employed must contribute 20 percent of the total scholarship.

 

(c) The organization must also use the grant for teacher retention incentives of $1,000 to $3,500 annually to be paid biannually. Applicants for the retention incentives must be employed by a licensed early childhood or child care program and working directly with children, a licensed family child care provider, or an employee in a school-age program exempt from licensing under section 245A.03, subdivision 2, clause (12). Lower wage earners must be given priority for the retention incentives. The amount of the retention incentive must be based on the applicant's level of education at the time of application. A provider is eligible for the retention incentive if the provider:

 

(1) has worked in the field for at least one year and has been working at the same location for at least one year at the time of application;

 

(2) agrees to remain in the provider's current position for a period of at least one year; and

 

(3) has an associate's or bachelor's degree or a child development associate's degree.

 

Subd. 3. Advisory committee. The TEACH early childhood and Minnesota early childhood teacher retention programs must have an advisory board as prescribed by the national TEACH organization.

 

Sec. 23. [136A.127] CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT EDUCATION PROGRAM.

 

Subdivision 1. Construction Management Education Account Advisory Committee. The director must establish an advisory committee for the construction management education account. Members of the committee must include: the executive vice-president of the Minnesota Mechanical Contractors association or designee, a


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chapter manager of one of the Minnesota chapters of the National Electrical Contractors Association or designee, the executive director of the Associated General Contractors of Minnesota or designee, two members of the nonresidential construction industry, and a construction management program coordinator or director from an accredited construction management program in the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities. Members serve three-year terms. Advisory committee members are reimbursed for expenses related to committee activities. The director may accept funds from federal, state, or local public agencies, or from private foundations or individuals for deposit into the construction management education account under section 16B.70. All money in the account must be used for the purposes of this section.

 

Subd. 2. Grants. Grants from the construction management education account must be used to maintain and increase the quality and availability of education programs for the construction industry by awarding grants to accredited construction management programs in the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities. Grants must be used to maintain and upgrade facilities and provide greater industry access to modern construction standards and management practices. In making grants, the director, in consultation with the committee, must:

 

(1) confirm the qualifications of any program applying for a grant;

 

(2) affirm applications for American Council for Construction Education accreditation and, when funds are available, award grants to complete the accreditation process;

 

(3) promote close ties between technical and community colleges and four-year construction management programs; and

 

(4) support the development of new educational programs with specific emphasis on outreach to the construction industry at large.

 

Subd. 3. Grant awards. (a) The committee may award grants to a Minnesota State Colleges and Universities institution to support construction management education and to promote outreach and continuing education in the construction industry.

 

(b) An eligible institution must provide one of the following:

 

(1) a bachelor of science construction management degree accredited by the American Council for Construction Education;

 

(2) a degree with an American Council for Construction Education accredited option, including, but not limited to, Engineering Technology and Industrial Technology;

 

(3) a bachelor of science degree program documenting placement of more than 50 percent of their graduates with Minnesota nonresidential contractors; and

 

(4) the development of a construction management curriculum to meet the American Council for Construction Education criteria.

 

(c) Grant awards may be made as follows:

 

(1) $3,000 per graduate during the past academic year up to a maximum of $100,000 for institutions qualifying under paragraph (b), clause (1);

 

(2) $3,000 per graduate during the past academic year up to a maximum of $100,000 for institutions qualifying under paragraph (b), clause (2);


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(3) $3,000 per graduate placed with Minnesota nonresidential contractors during the past academic year to a maximum of $20,000 for institutions qualifying under paragraph (b), clause (3);

 

(4) up to $25,000 for the purpose of becoming accredited by the American Council for Construction Education for two years which may be renewed if the institution is continuing progress towards accreditation; and

 

(5) for faculty recruitment and development in construction management programs, including support for postgraduate work leading to advanced degrees, visiting lecturer compensation and expenses, teaching assistant positions, and faculty positions; and

 

(6) to support general classroom and laboratory operating expenses.

 

Grants may only be awarded from the construction management education account to the extent that funds are available. No other state funding may be provided for these grants.

 

Subd. 4. Reports. (a) The director must annually report to the committees of the legislature responsible for higher education finance by January 15. The report must include the names of the public postsecondary educational institutions receiving grants, the amount of the grant, the purposes for each grant, the number of students served, and the number of placements made to the construction industry for the previous academic year.

 

(b) After receiving an initial grant, the president of the public postsecondary educational institution must annually submit a report to the director listing the amount of all past grants awarded from the construction management education account and the uses of those funds. The report must be submitted with a request for a new or continuing grant and at a minimum must include the following:

 

(1) the number of graduates placed with the Minnesota contractors during the previous academic year;

 

(2) the expected enrollment in construction management courses in the upcoming academic year; and

 

(3) continuing education and extension courses offered in construction management during the previous academic year and their enrollments.

 

Subd. 5. Administration. Up to $15,000 per year from the construction management education account may be used for the administration of this program.

 

Sec. 24. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 136A.15, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

 

Subdivision 1. Scope. For purposes of sections 136A.15 to 136A.1702, the terms defined in this section have the meanings ascribed to given them.

 

Sec. 25. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 136A.15, subdivision 6, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 6. Eligible institution. "Eligible institution" means a postsecondary educational institution that either (1) is operated or regulated by this state, or the Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota; (2) is operated publicly or privately in another state, is approved by the United States Secretary of Education, and, as determined by the office, maintains academic standards substantially equal to those of comparable institutions operated in this state; (3) is licensed or registered as a postsecondary institution by the office or another state agency; and (4) by July 1, 2011, is participating in the federal Pell Grant program under Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended. It also includes any institution chartered in a province.


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Sec. 26. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 136A.233, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 3. Payments. Work-study payments shall be made to eligible students by postsecondary institutions as provided in this subdivision.

 

(a) Students shall be selected for participation in the program by the postsecondary institution on the basis of student financial need.

 

(b) In selecting students for participation, priority must be given to students enrolled for at least 12 credits. In each academic year, a student may be awarded work-study payments for one period of nonenrollment or less than half-time enrollment if the student will enroll on at least a half-time basis during the following academic term.

 

(c) Students will be paid for hours actually worked and the maximum hourly rate of pay shall not exceed the maximum hourly rate of pay permitted under the federal college work-study program.

 

(d) Minimum pay rates will be determined by an applicable federal or state law.

 

(e) The office shall annually establish a minimum percentage rate of student compensation to be paid by an eligible employer.

 

(f) Each postsecondary institution receiving money for state work-study grants shall make a reasonable effort to place work-study students in employment with eligible employers outside the institution. However, a public employer other than the institution may not terminate, lay off, or reduce the working hours of a permanent employee for the purpose of hiring a work-study student, or replace a permanent employee who is on layoff from the same or substantially the same job by hiring a work-study student.

 

(g) The percent of the institution's work-study allocation provided to graduate students shall not exceed the percent of graduate student enrollment at the participating institution.

 

(h) An institution may use up to 30 percent of its allocation for student internships with private, for-profit employers.

 

Sec. 27. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 136A.29, subdivision 9, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 9. Revenue bonds; limit. The authority is authorized and empowered to issue revenue bonds whose aggregate principal amount at any time shall not exceed $800,000,000 $950,000,000 and to issue notes, bond anticipation notes, and revenue refunding bonds of the authority under the provisions of sections 136A.25 to 136A.42, to provide funds for acquiring, constructing, reconstructing, enlarging, remodeling, renovating, improving, furnishing, or equipping one or more projects or parts thereof.

 

Sec. 28. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 136A.861, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

 

Subdivision 1. Grants. The director of the Minnesota Office of Higher Education shall award grants to foster postsecondary attendance and retention by providing outreach services to historically underserved students in grades six through 12 and historically underrepresented college students. Grants must be awarded to programs that provide precollege services, including, but not limited to:

 

(1) academic counseling;

 

(2) mentoring;


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(3) fostering and improving parental involvement in planning for and facilitating a college education;

 

(4) services for students with English as a second language;

 

(5) academic enrichment activities;

 

(6) tutoring;

 

(7) career awareness and exploration;

 

(8) orientation to college life;

 

(9) assistance with high school course selection and information about college admission requirements; and

 

(10) financial aid counseling.

 

Grants shall be awarded to postsecondary institutions, professional organizations, community-based organizations, or others deemed appropriate by the director.

 

Grants shall be awarded for one year and may be renewed for a second year with documentation to the Minnesota Office of Higher Education of successful program outcomes.

 

Sec. 29. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 136A.861, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 2. Eligible students. Eligible students include students in grades six through 12 who meet one or more of the following criteria:

 

(1) are counted under section 1124(c) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (Title I);

 

(2) are eligible for free or reduced-price lunch under the National School Lunch Act;

 

(3) receive assistance under the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Law (Title I of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996); or

 

(4) are a member of a group traditionally underrepresented in higher education.

 

Eligible undergraduate students include those who met the student eligibility criteria as 6th through 12th graders.

 

Sec. 30. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 136A.861, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 3. Application process. The director of the Minnesota Office of Higher Education shall develop a grant application process. The director shall attempt to support projects in a manner that ensures that eligible students throughout the state have access to precollege program services.

 

The grant application must include, at a minimum, the following information:

 

(1) a description of the characteristics of the students to be served reflective of the need for services listed in subdivision 1;

 

(2) a description of the services to be provided and a timeline for implementation of the activities;


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(3) a description of how the services provided will foster postsecondary attendance and support postsecondary retention;

 

(4) a description of how the services will be evaluated to determine whether the program goals were met; and

 

(5) other information as identified by the director.

 

Grant recipients must specify both program and student outcome goals, and performance measures for each goal.

 

Sec. 31. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 136A.861, subdivision 6, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 6. Program evaluation. Each grant recipient must annually submit a report to the Minnesota Office of Higher Education delineating its program and student outcome goals, and activities implemented to achieve the stated outcomes. The goals must be clearly stated and measurable. Grant recipients are required to collect, analyze, and report on participation and outcome data that enable the office to verify that the program goals were met. The office shall maintain:

 

(1) information about successful precollege program and undergraduate student retention program activities for dissemination to individuals throughout the state interested in adopting or replicating successful program practices; and

 

(2) data on the success of the funded projects in increasing the high school graduation and, college participation, and college graduation rates of students served by the grant recipients. The office may convene meetings of the grant recipients, as needed, to discuss issues pertaining to the implementation of precollege services and undergraduate retention programs.

 

Sec. 32. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 136F.02, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

 

Subdivision 1. Membership. The board consists of 15 17 members appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the senate. At least one member of the board must be a resident of each congressional district. Three members must be students who are enrolled at least half time in a degree, diploma, or certificate program or have graduated from an institution governed by the board within one year of the date of appointment. The student members shall include: one member from a community college, one member from a state university, and one member from a technical college. Two members must be members of the AFL-CIO. The remaining members must be appointed to represent the state at large.

 

Sec. 33. [136F.045] UNION MEMBER SELECTION.

 

Notwithstanding section 136F.03, the AFL-CIO has the responsibility for recruiting, screening, and recommending qualified candidates for their members of the board. The AFL-CIO must develop a statement of selection criteria for board membership and a process for recommending candidates. Beginning in 2008, and every six years thereafter, the AFL-CIO must recommend four candidates for the two board positions to the governor by April 15. The governor must appoint two of the candidates to the board of trustees.

 

Sec. 34. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 136F.42, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

 

Subdivision 1. Time reporting. As provided in Executive Order 96-2, the board, in consultation with the commissioners of employee relations and finance, may develop policies to allow system office or campus employees on salaries, as defined in section 43A.17, subdivision 1, to use negative time reporting in which employees report only that time for which leave is taken. By the end of the 1997 fiscal year, the board, in consultation with the commissioners of employee relations and finance, shall evaluate the use of negative time reporting and its potential for use with other state employees.


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Sec. 35. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 136F.71, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 2. Activity funds. All receipts attributable to the state colleges and universities activity funds and deposited in the state treasury are appropriated to the board and are not subject to budgetary control as exercised by the commissioner of finance.

 

Sec. 36. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 136F.71, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

 

Subd. 4. Banking services. Notwithstanding section 16A.27, the board shall have authority to control the amount and manner of deposit of all receipts described in this section in depositories selected by the board. The board's authority shall include specifying the considerations, financial activities, and conditions required from the depository, including the requirement of collateral security or a corporate surety bond as described in section 118A.03. The board may compensate the depository, including paying a reasonable charge to the depository, maintaining appropriate compensating balances with the depository, or purchasing non-interest-bearing certificates of deposit from the depository for performing depository-related services.

 

Sec. 37. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 136G.11, subdivision 5, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 5. Amount of matching grant. The amount of the matching grant for a beneficiary equals:

 

(1) if the beneficiary's family income is $50,000 or less, 15 percent of the sum of the contributions made to the beneficiary's account during the calendar year, not to exceed $300 $400; and

 

(2) if the beneficiary's family income is more than $50,000 but not more than $80,000, five ten percent of the sum of the contributions made to the beneficiary's account during the calendar year, not to exceed $300 $400.

 

Sec. 38. MINNESOTA WEST COMMUNITY AND TECHNICAL COLLEGE AT WORTHINGTON; YMCA LEASE AGREEMENT.

 

(a) The Board of Trustees of Minnesota State Colleges and Universities may enter into a lease agreement with the YMCA not to exceed 40 years, for the lease of land on the Minnesota West Community and Technical College at Worthington campus for the construction of a YMCA facility. The lease may also include the city of Worthington.

 

(b) Siting and design of the facility must be consistent with the college's master plan and Minnesota State Colleges and Universities' building standards. Minnesota West Community and Technical College may negotiate for use of the facility for college purposes. The lease must contain a provision that the lease shall terminate if the improved property is no longer used for the partial benefit of the students at the Worthington campus.

 

Sec. 39. INTEREST RATE SWAP AND OTHER AGREEMENTS; IMPLEMENTATION PLAN.

 

The Minnesota Office of Higher Education must develop a plan for implementing interest rate exchanges, swaps, or other interest rate protection agreements for its student loan programs. The plan must be presented in a report to the committees of legislature responsible for higher education finance by January 15, 2008. The report must address potential contracting arrangements and options, benefits and risks associated with these agreements, and the potential impacts on the student loan program, its assets, and its objectives.

 

Sec. 40. REPEALER.

 

(a) Minnesota Statutes 2006, sections 135A.031, subdivisions 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6; 135A.032; 135A.033; 136A.07; and 136A.08, subdivision 8, are repealed.

 

(b) Minnesota Statutes 2006, sections 137.0245; and 137.0246, are repealed.


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ARTICLE 4

 

TEXTBOOK PRICING AND ACCESS

 

Section 1. [135A.25] TEXTBOOK DISCLOSURE, PRICING, AND ACCESS.

 

Subdivision 1. Short title. This section may be cited as the Textbook Disclosure, Pricing, and Access Act.

 

Subd. 2. Purpose and intent. The purpose of this act is to ensure that every student in higher education is offered better and more timely access to affordable course materials by educating and informing faculty, students, administrators, institutions, bookstores, and publishers on all aspects of the selection, purchase, sales, and use of the materials. It is the policy of the state of Minnesota that all involved parties must work together to identify ways to decrease the cost of course materials for students while protecting the academic freedom of faculty members to provide high-quality course materials for students.

 

Subd. 3. Definitions. For the purposes of this section, the following definitions have the meanings given.

 

(1) "Bundled" means any course material packaged together to be sold for one price.

 

(2) "Bookstore" means a store that is affiliated with a postsecondary institution or has a contract with a postsecondary institution to sell course materials to students enrolled at the postsecondary institution.

 

(3) "Course material" means textbooks as defined in section 297A.67, subdivision 13, custom course materials, and instructional materials as defined in section 297A.67, subdivision 13a, sold to students by a bookstore in a bundled or unbundled form.

 

(4) "Custom course materials" means any combination of textbooks, course materials, or any part thereof that has been customized, produced, and sold by a distributor or publisher specifically for a specific course, program, or field of study.

 

(5) "Distributor" means an independent contractor, including its employees or agents, that is in the business of selling, distributing, advertising, marketing, or maintaining an inventory of course materials for a postsecondary institution or bookstore.

 

(6) "Postsecondary institution" means a Minnesota institution defined under section 136A.101, subdivision 4.

 

(7) "Publisher" means a publishing house, firm, or business, including its employees or agents, acting with authority of the publisher that publishes, sells, markets, or maintains an inventory of course materials to a postsecondary institution or bookstore.

 

Subd. 4. Publisher disclosures. (a) Beginning January 1, 2008, a publisher or distributor must post on its Web site, include in a catalog, or disclose in writing to a faculty member or other individual at a postsecondary institution responsible for selecting course material within seven days of a request, at least the following:

 

(1) the title, edition, author, and International Standard Book Number (ISBN) of all course material and custom course materials, if applicable;

 

(2) the price for the course material;

 

(3) whether the required course material is bundled with optional material, whether it can be unbundled, and the price for each bundled and unbundled component;


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(4) whether the material is available in an alternative format and the cost for the alternatively formatted material; and

 

(5) summary of revisions to requested course material for the previous edition or release for materials that have been in circulation for five years or less and a detailed breakdown of revisions must be made available in writing within seven days of the request.

 

(b) A publisher or distributor must make all bundled course materials available to bookstores or postsecondary institutions in an unbundled form or provide written or verbal notice within seven days of a request under this subdivision if the unbundled materials are not available.

 

(c) A publisher or distributor must post on its Web site, include in its marketing materials, or disclose in writing when a request is made under this subdivision for the return policy for course material, including any penalties or conditions for returns.

 

(d) Disclosure under this section is not required for mass market and trade books that are not published, marketed, or sold primarily for use in or by postsecondary institutions.

 

Subd. 5. Payment for course material. Each postsecondary institution must adopt policies that allow students to add the costs of course material purchased at a bookstore to existing waivers or payment plans for tuition and fees.

 

Subd. 6. Notice to purchase. (a) An instructor shall make reasonable efforts to notify a bookstore of the final order for required and recommended course material including, but not limited to, alternative formats, previous editions, or custom course materials at least 30 days prior to the commencement of the term.

 

(b) The bookstore must notify students of the following information concerning the required and recommended course material at least 15 days prior to the commencement of the term for which the course material is required, including, but not limited to:

 

(1) the title, edition, author, and International Standard Book Number (ISBN) of the course material;

 

(2) the price for the course material;

 

(3) whether the required course material is bundled with optional material, whether it can be unbundled, and the price for each bundled and unbundled component; and

 

(4) whether the material is available in an alternative format and the cost for the alternatively formatted material.

 

Subd. 7. Educational strategies. (a) During the biennium ending June 30, 2009, the Minnesota Office of Higher Education shall work with postsecondary institutions to develop educational materials based upon the findings of the Minnesota Textbook Advisory Task Force recommendations and other relevant information, convene and sponsor meetings and workshops, and provide educational materials for faculty, students, administrators, institutions, bookstores, and publishers in order to educate all interested parties on strategies for reducing the costs of course materials for students attending postsecondary institutions.

 

(b) The Minnesota Office of Higher Education must develop and maintain a standardized request form for publisher disclosure under this section with all required information. The request form must be in an electronic format that can be downloaded from the office Web site.


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ARTICLE 5

 

PRIVATE INSTITUTIONS

 

Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 136A.61, is amended to read:

 

136A.61 POLICY.

 

The legislature has found and hereby declares that the availability of legitimate courses and programs leading to academic degrees offered by responsible private not for profit and for profit institutions of postsecondary education and the existence of legitimate private colleges and universities are in the best interests of the people of this state. The legislature has found and declares that the state can provide assistance and protection for persons choosing private institutions and programs, by establishing policies and procedures to assure the authenticity and legitimacy of private postsecondary education institutions and programs. The legislature has also found and declares that this same policy applies to any private and public postsecondary educational institution located in another state or country which offers or makes available to a Minnesota resident any course, program or educational activity which does not require the leaving of the state for its completion.

 

Sec. 2. [136A.615] CITATION.

 

Sections 136A.615 to 136A.71 may be cited as the "Minnesota Private and Out-of-State Public Postsecondary Education Act."

 

Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 136A.62, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 3. School. "School" means:

 

(1) any individual, partnership, company, firm, society, trust, association, corporation, or any combination thereof, which (a) (i) is, owns, or operates a private, nonprofit postsecondary education institution; (b) (ii) is, owns, or operates a private, for profit postsecondary education institution; (iii) provides a postsecondary instructional program or course leading to a degree whether or not for profit; (c) (iv) is, owns, or operates a private, postsecondary education institution which uses the term "college", "academy", "institute" or "university" in its name; or (d) operates for profit and provides programs or courses which are intended to allow an individual to fulfill in part or totally the requirements necessary to maintain a license to practice an occupation. School shall also mean

 

(2) any public postsecondary educational institution located in another state or country which offers or makes available to a Minnesota resident any course, program or educational activity which does not require the leaving of the state for its completion; or

 

(3) any individual, entity, or postsecondary institution located in another state that contracts with any school located within the state of Minnesota for the purpose of providing educational programs, training programs, or awarding postsecondary credits or continuing education credits to Minnesota residents that may be applied to a degree program.

 

Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 136A.63, is amended to read:

 

136A.63 REGISTRATION.

 

Subdivision 1. Annual registration. All schools located within Minnesota and all schools located outside Minnesota which offer degree programs or courses within Minnesota shall register annually with the office.


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Subd. 2. Sale of an institution. Within 30 days of a change of ownership the school must submit a registration renewal application, all usual and ordinary information and materials for an initial registration, and applicable registration fees for a new institution. For purposes of this subdivision, "change of ownership" means a merger or consolidation with a corporation; a sale, lease, exchange, or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of a school; the transfer of a controlling interest of at least 51 percent of the school's stock; or a change in the not-for-profit or for profit status of a school.

 

Sec. 5. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 136A.64, is amended to read:

 

136A.64 INFORMATION REQUIRED FOR REGISTRATION.

 

Subdivision 1. Schools to provide information. As a basis for registration, schools shall provide the office with such information as the office needs to determine the nature and activities of the school, including but not limited to, requirements for admission, enrollments, tuition charge, refund policies, curriculum, degrees granted, and faculty employed. The office shall have the authority to verify the accuracy of the information submitted to it by inspection or any other means it deems necessary. the following which shall be accompanied by an affidavit attesting to its accuracy and truthfulness:

 

(1) articles of incorporation, constitution, bylaws, or other operating documents;

 

(2) a duly adopted statement of the school's mission and goals;

 

(3) evidence of current school or program licenses granted by departments or agencies of any state;

 

(4) a fiscal balance sheet on an accrual basis, or a certified audit of the immediate past fiscal year including any management letters provided by the independent auditor or, if the school is a public institution outside Minnesota, an income statement for the immediate past fiscal year;

 

(5) all current promotional and recruitment materials and advertisements; and

 

(6) the current school catalog and, if not contained in the catalog:

 

(i) the members of the board of trustees or directors, if any;

 

(ii) the current institutional officers;

 

(iii) current full-time and part-time faculty with degrees held or applicable experience;

 

(iv) a description of all school facilities;

 

(v) a description of all current course offerings;

 

(vi) all requirements for satisfactory completion of courses, programs, and degrees;

 

(vii) the school's policy about freedom or limitation of expression and inquiry;

 

(viii) a current schedule of fees, charges for tuition, required supplies, student activities, housing, and all other standard charges;

 

(ix) the school's policy about refunds and adjustments;


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(x) the school's policy about granting credit for prior education, training, and experience; and

 

(xi) the school's policies about student admission, evaluation, suspension, and dismissal.

 

Subd. 2. Financial records. The office shall not disclose financial records or accreditation reports provided to it by a school pursuant to this section except for the purpose of defending, at hearings pursuant to chapter 14, or other appeal proceedings, its decision to approve or not to approve the granting of degrees or the use of a name by the school. Section 15.17, subdivision 4, shall not apply to such records.

 

Subd. 3. Additional information. If the office is unable to determine the nature and activities of a school on the basis of the information in subdivision 1, the office shall notify the school of additional information needed.

 

Subd. 4. Verification of information. The office may verify the accuracy of submitted information by inspection, visitation, or any other means it considers necessary.

 

Subd. 5. Public information. All information submitted to the office is public information except financial and accreditation records and information. The office may disclose financial records or information to defend its decision to approve or disapprove granting of degrees or the use of a name or its decisions to revoke the approval at a hearing under chapter 14 or other legal proceedings.

 

Subd. 6. Late registration penalty. Applications for renewal for any registration received after the deadline date specified in the renewal materials provided by the office are subject to a late fee equal to 20 percent of the annual registration renewal fee.

 

Subd. 7. Out-of-state expenses. A school shall reimburse the office for actual costs associated with a site evaluation visit outside Minnesota if the visit is necessary under section 136A.64, subdivision 1 or 3.

 

Sec. 6. [136A.645] SCHOOL CLOSURE.

 

(a) When a school decides to cease postsecondary education operations, or if its registration is refused, revoked, or suspended it must cooperate with the office in assisting students to find alternative means to complete their studies with a minimum of disruption, and inform the office of the following:

 

(1) the planned date for termination of postsecondary education operations;

 

(2) the planned date for the transfer of the student records;

 

(3) confirmation of the name and address of the organization to receive and hold the student records; and

 

(4) the official at the organization receiving the student records who is designated to provide official copies of records or transcripts upon request.

 

(b) Upon notice from a school of its intention to cease operations, or if a school's registration is revoked, refused, or suspended, the office shall notify the school of the date on which it must cease the enrollment of students and all postsecondary educational operations.

 

Sec. 7. [136A.646] ADDITIONAL SECURITY.

 

In the event any registered institution is notified by the United States Department of Education that it has fallen below minimum financial standards and that its continued participation in Title IV will be conditioned upon its satisfying either the Zone Alternative, Code of Federal Regulations, title 34, section 668.175, paragraph (f), or a


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Letter of Credit Alternative, Code of Federal Regulations, title 34, section 668.175, paragraph (c), the institution shall provide a surety bond conditioned upon the faithful performance of all contracts and agreements with students in a sum equal to the "letter of credit" required by the United States Department of Education in the Letter of Credit Alternative, but in no event shall such bond be less than $10,000 and not more than $250,000.

 

Sec. 8. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 136A.65, is amended to read:

 

136A.65 APPROVAL OF DEGREES AND NAME.

 

Subdivision 1. Prohibition. No school subject to registration shall grant a degree unless such degree is and its underlying curriculum are approved by the office, nor shall any school subject to registration use the name "college," "academy," "institute" or "university" in its name without approval by the office.

 

Subd. 1a. Accreditation; requirement. A school must not be registered or authorized to offer any degree at any level unless the school is accredited by an agency recognized by the United States Department of Education for purposes of eligibility to participate in Title IV federal financial aid programs. Any registered school undergoing institutional accreditation shall inform the office of site visits by the accrediting agency and provide office staff the opportunity to attend the visits, including any exit interviews. The institution must provide the office with a copy of the final report upon receipt.

 

Subd. 2. Procedures. The office shall establish procedures for approval, including notice and an opportunity for a hearing pursuant to chapter 14 if such approval is not granted. If a hearing is requested, no disapproval shall take effect until after such hearing.

 

Subd. 3. Application. A school subject to registration shall be granted approval to use the term "college," "academy," "institute" or "university" in its name whether or not it offers a program leading to a degree, if it was organized, operating and using such term in its name on or before August 1, 1975, and if it meets the other policies and standards for approval established by the office.

 

Subd. 4. Criteria for approval. (a) A school applying to be registered and to have its degree or degrees and name approved must substantially meet the following criteria:

 

(1) the school has an organizational framework with administrative and teaching personnel to provide the educational programs offered;

 

(2) the school has financial resources sufficient to meet the school's financial obligations, including refunding tuition and other charges consistent with its stated policy if the institution is dissolved, or if claims for refunds are made, to provide service to the students as promised, and to provide educational programs leading to degrees as offered;

 

(3) the school operates in conformity with generally accepted budgeting and accounting procedures, such as the standards adopted by the National Association of College and University Business Officers, located at 1 Dupont Circle, Washington, D.C., 20036;

 

(4) the school provides an educational program leading to the degree it offers;

 

(5) the school provides appropriate and accessible library, laboratory, and other physical facilities to support the educational program offered;

 

(6) the school has a policy on freedom or limitation of expression and inquiry for faculty and students which is published or available on request;


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(7) the school uses only publications and advertisements which are truthful and do not give any false, fraudulent, deceptive, inaccurate, or misleading impressions about the school, its personnel, programs, services, or occupational opportunities for its graduates for promotion and student recruitment;

 

(8) the school's compensated recruiting agents who are operating in Minnesota identify themselves as agents of the school when talking to or corresponding with students and prospective students; and

 

(9) the school provides information to students and prospective students concerning:

 

(i) comprehensive and accurate policies relating to student admission, evaluation, suspension, and dismissal;

 

(ii) clear and accurate policies relating to granting credit for prior education, training, and experience and for courses offered by the school;

 

(iii) current schedules of fees, charges for tuition, required supplies, student activities, housing, and all other standard charges;

 

(iv) policies regarding refunds and adjustments for withdrawal or modification of enrollment status; and

 

(v) procedures and standards used for selection of recipients and the terms of payment and repayment for any financial aid program.

 

(b) An application for degree approval must also include:

 

(i) title of degree and formal recognition awarded;

 

(ii) location where such degree will be offered;

 

(iii) proposed implementation date of the degree;

 

(iv) admissions requirements for the degree;

 

(v) length of the degree;

 

(vi) projected enrollment for a period of five years;

 

(vii) the curriculum required for the degree, including course syllabi or outlines;

 

(viii) statement of academic and administrative mechanisms planned for monitoring the quality of the proposed degree;

 

(ix) statement of satisfaction of professional licensure criteria, if applicable;

 

(x) documentation of the availability of clinical, internship, externship, or practicum sites, if applicable; and

 

(xi) statement of how the degree fulfills the institution's mission and goals, complements existing degrees, and contributes to the school's viability.


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Subd. 5. Requirements for degree approval. For each degree a school offers to a student, where the student does not leave Minnesota for the major portion of the program or course leading to the degree, the school must have:

 

(1) qualified teaching personnel to provide the educational programs for each degree for which approval is sought;

 

(2) appropriate educational programs leading to each degree for which approval is sought;

 

(3) appropriate and accessible library, laboratory, and other physical facilities to support the educational program for each degree for which approval is sought; and

 

(4) a rationale showing that degree programs are consistent with the school's mission and goals.

 

Subd. 6. Name. A school may use the term "academy" or "institute" in its name without meeting any additional requirements. A school may use the term "college" in its name if it offers at least one program leading to an associate degree. A school may use the term "university" in its name if it offers at least one program leading to a master's or doctorate degree.

 

Subd. 7. Grandfathered names. Names used before August 1, 2007, by a school, organized, operating, and using the term "academy," "institute," "college," or "university" in its name on or before August 1, 2007, may continue using such term whether or not it offers a program leading to a degree.

 

Subd. 8. Conditional approval. The office may grant conditional approval for a degree or use of a term in its name for a period of less than one year if doing so would be in the best interests of currently enrolled students or prospective students.

 

Subd. 9. Disapproval of registration appeal. If a school's degree or use of a term in its name is disapproved by the office, the school may request a hearing under chapter 14. The request must be in writing and made to the office within 30 days of the date the school is notified of the disapproval.

 

(a) The office may refuse to renew, revoke, or suspend registration, approval of a school's degree, or use of a regulated term in its name by giving written notice and reasons to the school. The school may request a hearing under chapter 14. If a hearing is requested, no revocation or suspension shall take effect until after the hearing.

 

(b) Reasons for revocation or suspension of registration or approval may be for one or more of the following reasons:

 

(1) violating the provisions of sections 136A.615 to 136A.71;

 

(2) providing false, misleading, or incomplete information to the office;

 

(3) presenting information about the school which is false, fraudulent, misleading, deceptive, or inaccurate in a material respect to prospective students; or

 

(4) refusing to allow reasonable inspection or to supply reasonable information after a written request by the office has been received.


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Sec. 9. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 136A.653, is amended to read:

 

136A.653 EXEMPTIONS.

 

Subdivision 1. Exemption. A school that is subject to licensing by the office under chapter 141, is exempt from the provisions of sections 136A.61 136A.615 to 136A.71. The determination of the office as to whether a particular school is subject to regulation under chapter 141 is final for the purposes of this exemption.

 

Subd. 2. Educational program; nonprofit organizations. Educational programs which are sponsored by a bona fide and nonprofit trade, labor, business, professional or fraternal organization, which programs are conducted solely for that organization's membership or for the members of the particular industries or professions served by that organization, and which are not available to the public on a fee basis, are exempted from the provisions of sections 136A.61 136A.615 to 136A.71.

 

Subd. 3. Educational program; business firms. Educational programs which are sponsored by a business firm for the training of its employees or the employees of other business firms with which it has contracted to provide educational services at no cost to the employees are exempted from the provisions of sections 136A.61 136A.615 to 136A.71.

 

Subd. 4. Voluntary submission. Any school or program exempted from the provisions of sections 136A.61 136A.615 to 136A.71 by the provisions of this section may voluntarily submit to the provisions of those sections.

 

Sec. 10. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 136A.657, is amended to read:

 

136A.657 EXEMPTION; RELIGIOUS SCHOOLS.

 

Subdivision 1. Exemption. Any school or any department or branch of a school (a) which is substantially owned, operated or supported by a bona fide church or religious organization; (b) whose programs are primarily designed for, aimed at and attended by persons who sincerely hold or seek to learn the particular religious faith or beliefs of that church or religious organization; and (c) whose programs are primarily intended to prepare its students to become ministers of, to enter into some other vocation closely related to, or to conduct their lives in consonance with, the particular faith of that church or religious organization, is exempt from the provisions of sections 136A.61 136A.615 to 136A.71.

 

Subd. 2. Limitation. This exemption shall not extend to any school or to any department or branch of a school which through advertisements or solicitations represents to any students or prospective students that the school, its aims, goals, missions or purposes or its programs are different from those described in subdivision 1. This exemption shall not extend to any school which represents to any student or prospective student that the major purpose of its programs is to prepare the student for a vocation not closely related to that particular religious faith, or to provide the student with a general educational program recognized by other schools or the broader educational, business or social community as being substantially equivalent to the educational programs offered by schools or departments or branches of schools which are not exempt from sections 136A.61 136A.615 to 136A.71, and rules adopted pursuant thereto.

 

Subd. 3. Scope. Nothing in sections 136A.61 136A.615 to 136A.71, or the rules adopted pursuant thereto, shall be interpreted as permitting the office to determine the truth or falsity of any particular set of religious beliefs.

 

Subd. 4. Statement required; religious nature. Any degree awarded upon completion of a religiously exempt program shall include descriptive language to make the religious nature of the award clear.


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Sec. 11. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 136A.66, is amended to read:

 

136A.66 LIST.

 

The office shall maintain a list of schools registered institutions authorized to grant degrees and schools authorized to use the name "college," "academy," "institute" or "university," and shall make such list available to the public.

 

Sec. 12. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 136A.67, is amended to read:

 

136A.67 UNAUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIONS.

 

No school and none of its officials or employees shall advertise or represent in any manner that such school is approved or accredited by the office or state of Minnesota except that any A school which is duly registered with the office, or any of its officials or employees, may represent in advertising and shall disclose in catalogues, applications, and enrollment materials that the school is registered with the office. by prominently displaying the following statement: "(Name of school) is registered as a private institution with the Minnesota Office of Higher Education pursuant to sections 136A.615 to 136A.71. Registration is not an endorsement of the institution. Credits earned at the institution may not transfer to all other institutions."

 

Sec. 13. [136A.675] RISK ANALYSIS.

 

The office shall develop a set of financial and programmatic evaluation metrics to aid in the detection of the failure or potential failure of a school to meet the standards established under sections 136A.61 to 136A.71. These metrics shall include indicators of financial stability, changes in the senior management or the financial aid and senior administrative staff of an institution, changes in enrollment, changes in program offerings, and changes in faculty staffing patterns. The development of financial standards shall use industry standards as benchmarks. The development of the nonfinancial standards shall include a measure of trends and dramatic changes in trends or practice. The agency must specify the metrics and standards for each area and provide a copy to each registered institution and post them on the agency Web site. The agency shall use regularly reported data submitted to the federal government or other regulatory or accreditation agencies wherever possible. The agency may require more frequent data reporting by an institution to ascertain whether the standards are being met.

 

Sec. 14. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 136A.68, is amended to read:

 

136A.68 RECORDS.

 

After August 1, 1975, all schools located in this state must maintain permanent records of all students enrolled therein at any time. The office may require schools to provide a plan acceptable to the office for preserving all such records for at least ten years. The office may require that such plan include the filing of a continuous surety bond or a deposit of funds in trust in an amount not to exceed $20,000 for the purpose of preserving records after such school ceases to exist. A registered school shall maintain a permanent record for each student for 50 years from the last date of the student's attendance. A registered school offering distance instruction to a student located in Minnesota shall maintain a permanent record for each Minnesota student for 50 years from the last date of the student's attendance. Records include a student's academic transcript, documents, and files containing student data about academic credits earned, courses completed, grades awarded, degrees awarded, and periods of attendance. To preserve permanent records, a school shall submit a plan that meets the following requirements:

 

(1) at least one copy of the records must be held in a secure, fireproof depository or duplicate records must be maintained off site in a secure location and in a manner approved by the office;


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(2) an appropriate official must be designated to provide a student with copies of records or a transcript upon request;

 

(3) an alternative method approved by the office of complying with clauses (1) and (2) must be established if the school ceases to exist; and

 

(4) if the school has no binding agreement approved by the office for preserving student records, a continuous surety bond must be filed with the office in an amount not to exceed $20,000. The bond shall run to the state of Minnesota.

 

Sec. 15. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 136A.69, is amended to read:

 

136A.69 FEES.

 

Subdivision 1. Registration fees. The office shall collect reasonable registration fees that are sufficient to recover, but do not exceed, its costs of administering the registration program. The office shall charge $1,100 for initial registration fees and $950 for annual renewal fees.

 

Subd. 2. Degree level addition fee. The office processing fee for adding a degree level to an existing program is $2,000 per program.

 

Subd. 3. Program addition fee. The office processing fee for adding a program that represents a significant departure in the objectives, content, or method of delivery of programs that are currently offered by the school is $500 per program.

 

Subd. 4. Visit or consulting fee. If the office determines that a fact-finding visit or outside consultant is necessary to review or evaluate any new or revised program, the office shall be reimbursed for the expenses incurred related to the review as follows:

 

(1) $300 for the team base fee or for a paper review conducted by a consultant if the office determines that a fact-finding visit is not required;

 

(2) $300 for each day or part thereof on site per team member; and

 

(3) the actual cost of customary meals, lodging, and related travel expenses incurred by team members.

 

Subd. 5. Modification fee. The fee for modification of any existing program is $100 and is due if there is:

 

(1) an increase or decrease of 25 percent or more from the original date of program approval, in clock hours, credit hours, or calendar length of an existing program;

 

(2) a change in academic measurement from clock hours to credit hours or vice versa; or

 

(3) an addition or alteration of courses that represent a 25 percent change or more in the objectives, content, or methods of delivery.

 

Sec. 16. [136A.705] PENALTY.

 

The director may assess fines for violations of a provision of sections 136A.615 to 136A.71. Each day's failure to comply with a provision of sections 136A.615 to 136A.71 shall be a separate violation and fines shall not exceed $500 per day per violation. Amounts received under this section must be deposited in the special revenue fund and are appropriated in fiscal years 2008 and 2009 for the purposes in sections 136A.615 to 136A.71.


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Sec. 17. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 136A.71, is amended to read:

 

136A.71 INJUNCTION.

 

Upon application of the attorney general the district courts shall have jurisdiction to enjoin any violations of sections 136A.61 136A.615 to 136A.71.

 

Sec. 18. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 141.21, subdivision 1a, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 1a. Office of Higher Education or office. "Office of Higher Education" or "office" means the Minnesota Office of Higher Education.

 

Sec. 19. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 141.21, subdivision 5, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 5. School. "School" means any person, within or outside the state, who maintains, advertises, administers, solicits for, or conducts any program for profit at any less than an associate degree level other than baccalaureate or graduate programs, and is not specifically exempted by sections 141.21 to and is not registered as a private institution under sections 136A.615 to 136A.71 and is not specifically exempted by section 141.35 or 141.37.

 

Sec. 20. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 141.25, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

 

Subdivision 1. Required. A school must not maintain, advertise, solicit for, administer, or conduct any program in Minnesota without first obtaining a license from the office.

 

Sec. 21. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 141.25, subdivision 5, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 5. Bond. (a) No license shall be issued to any school which maintains, conducts, solicits for, or advertises within the state of Minnesota any program, unless the applicant files with the office a continuous corporate surety bond written by a company authorized to do business in Minnesota conditioned upon the faithful performance of all contracts and agreements with students made by the applicant.

 

(b) The amount of the surety bond shall be ten percent of the preceding year's gross income from student tuition, fees, and other required institutional charges, but in no event less than $10,000 nor greater than $250,000, except that a school may deposit a greater amount at its own discretion. A school in each annual application for licensure must compute the amount of the surety bond and verify that the amount of the surety bond complies with this subdivision, unless the school maintains a surety bond equal to at least $250,000. A school that operates at two or more locations may combine gross income from student tuition, fees, and other required institutional charges for all locations for the purpose of determining the annual surety bond requirement. The gross tuition and fees used to determine the amount of the surety bond required for a school having a license for the sole purpose of recruiting students in Minnesota shall be only that paid to the school by the students recruited from Minnesota.

 

(c) The bond shall run to the state of Minnesota and to any person who may have a cause of action against the applicant arising at any time after the bond is filed and before it is canceled for breach of any contract or agreement made by the applicant with any student. The aggregate liability of the surety for all breaches of the conditions of the bond shall not exceed the principal sum deposited by the school under paragraph (b). The surety of any bond may cancel it upon giving 60 days' notice in writing to the office and shall be relieved of liability for any breach of condition occurring after the effective date of cancellation.


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(d) In lieu of bond, the applicant may deposit with the commissioner of finance a sum equal to the amount of the required surety bond in cash, or securities as may be legally purchased by savings banks or for trust funds in an aggregate market value equal to the amount of the required surety bond.

 

(e) Failure of a school to post and maintain the required surety bond or deposit under paragraph (d) may shall result in denial, suspension, or revocation of the school's license.

 

Sec. 22. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 141.25, subdivision 7, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 7. Minimum standards. A license shall be issued if the office first determines:

 

(1) that the applicant has a sound financial condition with sufficient resources available to:

 

(i) meet the school's financial obligations;

 

(ii) refund all tuition and other charges, within a reasonable period of time, in the event of dissolution of the school or in the event of any justifiable claims for refund against the school by the student body;

 

(iii) provide adequate service to its students and prospective students; and

 

(iv) maintain and support the school;

 

(2) that the applicant has satisfactory facilities with sufficient tools and equipment and the necessary number of work stations to prepare adequately the students currently enrolled, and those proposed to be enrolled;

 

(3) that the applicant employs a sufficient number of qualified teaching personnel to provide the educational programs contemplated;

 

(4) that the school has an organizational framework with administrative and instructional personnel to provide the programs and services it intends to offer;

 

(5) that the premises and conditions under which the students work and study are sanitary, healthful, and safe, according to modern standards;

 

(6) that the quality and content of each occupational course or program of study provides education and adequate preparation to enrolled students for entry level positions in the occupation for which prepared;

 

(7) that the living quarters which are owned, maintained, recommended, or approved by the applicant for students are sanitary and safe;

 

(8) that the contract or enrollment agreement used by the school complies with the provisions in section 141.265;

 

(9) that contracts and agreements do not contain a wage assignment provision or a confession of judgment clause; and

 

(10) that there has been no adjudication of fraud or misrepresentation in any criminal, civil, or administrative proceeding in any jurisdiction against the school or its owner, officers, agents, or sponsoring organization.


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Sec. 23. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 141.25, subdivision 9, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 9. Catalog, brochure, or electronic display. Before a license is issued to a school, the school shall furnish to the office a catalog, brochure, or electronic display including:

 

(1) identifying data, such as volume number and date of publication;

 

(2) name and address of the school and its governing body and officials;

 

(3) a calendar of the school showing legal holidays, beginning and ending dates of each course quarter, term, or semester, and other important dates;

 

(4) the school policy and regulations on enrollment including dates and specific entrance requirements for each program;

 

(5) the school policy and regulations about leave, absences, class cuts, make-up work, tardiness, and interruptions for unsatisfactory attendance;

 

(6) the school policy and regulations about standards of progress for the student including the grading system of the school, the minimum grades considered satisfactory, conditions for interruption for unsatisfactory grades or progress, a description of any probationary period allowed by the school, and conditions of reentrance for those dismissed for unsatisfactory progress;

 

(7) the school policy and regulations about student conduct and conditions for dismissal for unsatisfactory conduct;

 

(8) a detailed schedule of fees, charges for tuition, books, supplies, tools, student activities, laboratory fees, service charges, rentals, deposits, and all other charges;

 

(9) the school policy and regulations, including an explanation of section 141.271, about refunding tuition, fees, and other charges if the student does not enter the program, withdraws from the program, or the program is discontinued;

 

(10) a description of the available facilities and equipment;

 

(11) a course outline syllabus for each course offered showing course objectives, subjects or units in the course, type of work or skill to be learned, and approximate time, hours, or credits to be spent on each subject or unit;

 

(12) the school policy and regulations about granting credit for previous education and preparation;

 

(13) a notice to students relating to the transferability of any credits earned at the school to other institutions;

 

(14) a procedure for investigating and resolving student complaints; and

 

(14) (15) the name and address of the Minnesota Office of Higher Education.

 

A school that is exclusively a distance education school is exempt from clauses (3) and (5).


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Sec. 24. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 141.25, subdivision 10, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 10. Placement records. (a) Before a license is issued reissued to a school that offers, advertises or implies a placement service, the school shall file with the office for the past year and thereafter at reasonable intervals determined by the office, a certified copy of the school's placement record, containing a list of graduates, a description of their jobs, names of their employers, and other information as the office may prescribe.

 

(b) Each school that offers a placement service shall furnish to each prospective student, upon request, prior to enrollment, written information concerning the percentage of the previous year's graduates who were placed in the occupation for which prepared or in related employment.

 

Sec. 25. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 141.25, subdivision 12, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 12. Permanent records. A school licensed under this chapter and located in Minnesota shall maintain a permanent record for each student for 50 years from the last date of the student's attendance. A school licensed under this chapter and offering distance instruction to a student located in Minnesota shall maintain a permanent record for each Minnesota student for 50 years from the last date of the student's attendance. Records include school transcripts, documents, and files containing student data about academic credits earned, courses completed, grades awarded, degrees awarded, and periods of attendance. To preserve permanent records, a school shall submit a plan that meets the following requirements:

 

(1) at least one copy of the records must be held in a secure, fireproof depository;

 

(2) an appropriate official must be designated to provide a student with copies of records or a transcript upon request;

 

(3) an alternative method, approved by the office, of complying with clauses (1) and (2) must be established if the school ceases to exist; and

 

(4) a continuous surety bond must be filed with the office in an amount not to exceed $20,000 if the school has no binding agreement approved by the office, for preserving student records or a trust must be arranged if the school ceases to exist. The bond shall run to the state of Minnesota.

 

Sec. 26. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 141.255, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 2. Renewal licensure fee; late fee. (a) The office processing fee for a renewal licensure application is:

 

(1) for a category A school, as determined by the office, the fee is $865 if the school offers one program or $1,150 if the school offers two or more programs; and

 

(2) for a category B or C school, as determined by the office, the fee is $430 if the school offers one program or $575 if the school offers two or more programs.

 

(b) If a license renewal application is not received by the office by the close of business at least 60 days before the expiration of the current license, a late fee of $100 per business day, not to exceed $3,000, shall be assessed.


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Sec. 27. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 141.265, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 2. Contract information. A contract or enrollment agreement used by a school must include at least the following:

 

(1) the name and address of the school, clearly stated;

 

(2) a clear and conspicuous disclosure that the agreement is a legally binding instrument upon written acceptance of the student by the school unless canceled under section 141.271;

 

(3) the school's cancellation and refund policy that shall be clearly and conspicuously entitled "Buyer's Right to Cancel";

 

(4) a clear statement of total cost of the program including tuition and all other charges;

 

(5) the name and description of the program, including the number of hours or credits of classroom instruction, or distance instruction, that shall be included; and

 

(6) a clear and conspicuous explanation of the form and means of notice the student should use in the event the student elects to cancel the contract or sale, the effective date of cancellation, and the name and address of the seller to which the notice should be sent or delivered.

 

The contract or enrollment agreement must not include a wage assignment provision or a confession of judgment clause.

 

Sec. 28. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 141.271, subdivision 10, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 10. Cancellation occurrence. Written notice of cancellation shall take place on the date the letter of cancellation is postmarked or, in the cases where the notice is hand carried, it shall occur on the date the notice is delivered to the school. If a student has not attended classes class for a period of 21 consecutive days without contacting the school to indicate an intent to continue in school or otherwise making arrangements concerning the absence, the student is considered to have withdrawn from school for all purposes as of the student's last documented date of attendance.

 

Sec. 29. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 141.271, subdivision 12, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 12. Instrument not to be negotiated. A school shall not negotiate any promissory instrument received as payment of tuition or other charge prior to completion of 50 percent of the program., except that prior to that time, instruments may be transferred by assignment to purchasers who shall be subject to all defenses available against the school named as payee.

 

Sec. 30. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 141.28, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

 

Subdivision 1. Not to advertise state approval Disclosure required. Schools, agents of schools, and solicitors may not advertise or represent in writing or orally that such school is approved or accredited by the state of Minnesota, except that any A school, agent, or solicitor may advertise represent in advertisements and shall disclose in catalogues, applications, and enrollment materials that the school and solicitor have been is duly licensed by the state using by prominently displaying the following language statement:


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"(Name of school) is licensed as a private career school with the Minnesota Office of Higher Education. Licensure is not an endorsement of the institution. Credits earned at the institution may not transfer to all other institutions. The educational programs may not meet the needs of every student or employer."

 

Sec. 31. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 141.32, is amended to read:

 

141.32 PENALTY.

 

Violation of a provision of this chapter shall be a misdemeanor. Each day's failure to comply with this chapter shall be a separate violation. The office shall adopt rules establishing a list of civil penalties and the fine associated with each violation. Fines for violations shall not exceed $500 per day per violation. The director may assess fines for violations of a provision of this chapter. Each day's failure to comply with a provision of sections 136A.615 to 136A.71 shall be a separate violation and fines shall not exceed $500 per day per violation. Amounts received under this section must be deposited in the special revenue fund and are appropriated in fiscal years 2008 and 2009 for the purposes of this chapter.

 

Sec. 32. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 141.35, is amended to read:

 

141.35 EXEMPTIONS.

 

Sections 141.21 to 141.35 141.32 shall not apply to the following:

 

(1) public postsecondary institutions;

 

(2) private postsecondary institutions registered under sections 136A.61 136A.615 to 136A.71 that are nonprofit, or that are for profit and registered under sections 136A.61 to 136A.71 as of December 31, 1998, or are approved to offer exclusively baccalaureate or postbaccalaureate programs;

 

(3) schools of nursing accredited by the state Board of Nursing or an equivalent public board of another state or foreign country;

 

(4) private schools complying with the requirements of section 120A.22, subdivision 4;

 

(5) courses taught to students in a valid apprenticeship program taught by or required by a trade union;

 

(6) schools exclusively engaged in training physically or mentally disabled persons for the state of Minnesota;

 

(7) schools licensed by boards authorized under Minnesota law to issue licenses;

 

(8) schools and educational programs, or training programs, contracted for by persons, firms, corporations, government agencies, or associations, for the training of their own employees, for which no fee is charged the employee;

 

(9) schools engaged exclusively in the teaching of purely avocational, recreational, or remedial subjects as determined by the office;

 

(10) driver training schools and instructors as defined in section 171.33, subdivisions 1 and 2;

 

(11) classes, courses, or programs conducted by a bona fide trade, professional, or fraternal organization, solely for that organization's membership;


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(12) (11) programs in the fine arts provided by organizations exempt from taxation under section 290.05 and registered with the attorney general under chapter 309. For the purposes of this clause, "fine arts" means activities resulting in artistic creation or artistic performance of works of the imagination which are engaged in for the primary purpose of creative expression rather than commercial sale or employment. In making this determination the office may seek the advice and recommendation of the Minnesota Board of the Arts;

 

(13) (12) classes, courses, or programs intended to fulfill the continuing education requirements for licensure or certification in a profession, that have been approved by a legislatively or judicially established board or agency responsible for regulating the practice of the profession, and that are offered exclusively to an individual practicing the profession;

 

(14) (13) classes, courses, or programs intended to prepare students to sit for undergraduate, graduate, postgraduate, or occupational licensing and occupational entrance examinations;

 

(15) (14) classes, courses, or programs providing 16 or fewer clock hours of instruction that are not part of the curriculum for an occupation or entry level employment;

 

(16) (15) classes, courses, or programs providing instruction in personal development, modeling, or acting;

 

(17) (16) training or instructional programs, in which one instructor teaches an individual student, that are not part of the curriculum for an occupation or are not intended to prepare a person for entry level employment; and

 

(18) (17) schools with no physical presence in Minnesota, as determined by the office, engaged exclusively in offering distance instruction that are located in and regulated by other states or jurisdictions.

 

Sec. 33. [141.37] EXEMPTION; RELIGIOUS SCHOOLS.

 

Subdivision 1. Exemption. Any school or any department or branch of a school:

 

(1) which is substantially owned, operated, or supported by a bona fide church or religious organization;

 

(2) whose programs are primarily designed for, aimed at, and attended by persons who sincerely hold or seek to learn the particular religious faith or beliefs of that church or religious organization; and

 

(3) whose programs are primarily intended to prepare its students to become ministers of, to enter into some other vocation closely related to, or to conduct their lives in consonance with the particular faith of that church or religious organization,

 

is exempt from the provisions of sections 141.21 to 141.32.

 

Subd. 2. Limitations. (a) An exemption shall not extend to any school, department or branch of a school, or program of a school which through advertisements or solicitations represents to any students or prospective students that the school, its aims, goals, missions, purposes, or programs are different from those described in subdivision 1.

 

(b) An exemption shall not extend to any school which represents to any student or prospective student that the major purpose of its programs is to:

 

(1) prepare the student for a vocation not closely related to that particular religious faith; or


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(2) provide the student with a general educational program recognized by other schools or the broader educational, business, or social community as being substantially equivalent to the educational programs offered by schools or departments or branches of schools which are not religious in nature and are not exempt from chapter 141 and from rules adopted pursuant under this chapter.

 

Subd. 3. Scope. Nothing in this chapter or the rules adopted under it shall be interpreted as permitting the office to determine the truth or falsity of any particular set of religious beliefs.

 

Subd. 4. Descriptive language required. Any certificate, diploma, degree, or other formal recognition awarded upon completion of any religiously exempt program shall include such descriptive language as to make the religious nature of the award clear.

 

Sec. 34. EFFECTIVE DATE; TRANSITION PROCESS.

 

Changes in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 141, and sections 136A.615 to 136A.71, shall be effective July 1, 2007. Schools currently licensed pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, chapter 141, that qualify for private institution registration after July 1, 2007, shall apply for and complete the process for registration prior to the expiration of their current private career school license. Schools currently registered as private institutions pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, sections 136A.61 to 136A.71, that are required to obtain a private career school license after August 1, 2007, shall apply for and complete the process for licensure prior to the expiration of the current registration, but in any event no later than December 31, 2007. The office is authorized to extend existing license or registration for a reasonable period of time to allow for the completion of the new processes when necessary."

 

Delete the title and insert:

 

"A bill for an act relating to higher education; appropriating money; establishing the Minnesota GI Bill program; amending certain Minnesota Office of Higher Education provisions; establishing new grant and loan repayment programs; amending higher education programs; amending certain grant programs; amending certain higher education provisions; eliminating obsolete references; making technical changes; authorizing control of certain decreasing students' share of attendance; establishing a college readiness assessment; increasing revenue bond limits; authorizing control of certain deposits; authorizing lease agreements; authorizing interest rate swap; providing for the Textbook Disclosure, Pricing and Access Act; amending certain private postsecondary institution provisions; amending Minnesota Statutes 2006, sections 13.322, subdivision 3; 16B.70, by adding a subdivision; 41D.01, subdivision 1; 120B.023, subdivision 2; 120B.024; 135A.031, subdivision 7; 135A.053, subdivision 2; 135A.14, subdivision 1; 135A.51, subdivision 2; 135A.52, subdivisions 1, 2; 136A.01, subdivision 2; 136A.031, subdivision 5; 136A.0411; 136A.08, subdivision 7; 136A.101, subdivision 4; 136A.121, subdivision 5; 136A.125, subdivision 2; 136A.15, subdivisions 1, 6; 136A.233, subdivision 3; 136A.29, subdivision 9; 136A.61; 136A.62, subdivision 3; 136A.63; 136A.64; 136A.65; 136A.653; 136A.657; 136A.66; 136A.67; 136A.68; 136A.69; 136A.71; 136A.861, subdivisions 1, 2, 3, 6; 136F.02, subdivision 1; 136F.42, subdivision 1; 136F.71, subdivision 2, by adding a subdivision; 136G.11, subdivision 5; 141.21, subdivisions 1a, 5; 141.25, subdivisions 1, 5, 7, 9, 10, 12; 141.255, subdivision 2; 141.265, subdivision 2; 141.271, subdivisions 10, 12; 141.28, subdivision 1; 141.32; 141.35; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapters 135A; 136A; 136F; 141; 197; repealing Minnesota Statutes 2006, sections 135A.031, subdivisions 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6; 135A.032; 135A.033; 136A.07; 136A.08, subdivision 8; 137.0245; 137.0246."

 

 

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

 

      The report was adopted.


Journal of the House - 47th Day - Friday, April 13, 2007 - Top of Page 3292


Lenczewski from the Committee on Taxes 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 to the unofficial engrossment:

 

Page 14, line 20, delete "128,562,000" and insert "132,562,000"

 

Page 14, line 23, delete "124,462,000" and insert "128,462,000"

 

Page 14, line 32, delete "104,301,000" and insert "108,301,000"

 

Page 15, line 31, delete "12,000,000" and insert "16,000,000"

 

Page 20, line 27, delete "775,000" and insert "4,775,000"

 

Page 54, line 19, after the period, insert "Fees under this section must be established under the rulemaking process in section 14.389. Section 16A.1283 does not apply to fees established under this section. Fee revenue received under this section is appropriated in fiscal years 2008 and 2009 to the Office of Enterprise Technology for purposes of developing and maintaining an electronic system for business and occupational licenses."

 

Page 59, after line 26, insert:

 

"Sec. 80. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 270C.03, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

 

Subdivision 1. Powers and duties. The commissioner shall have and exercise the following powers and duties:

 

(1) administer and enforce the assessment and collection of taxes;

 

(2) make determinations, corrections, and assessments with respect to taxes, including interest, additions to taxes, and assessable penalties;

 

(3) use statistical or other sampling techniques consistent with generally accepted auditing standards in examining returns or records and making assessments;

 

(4) investigate the tax laws of other states and countries, and formulate and submit to the legislature such legislation as the commissioner may deem expedient to prevent evasions of state revenue laws and to secure just and equal taxation and improvement in the system of state revenue laws;


Journal of the House - 47th Day - Friday, April 13, 2007 - Top of Page 3293


(5) consult and confer with the governor upon the subject of taxation, the administration of the laws in regard thereto, and the progress of the work of the department, and furnish the governor, from time to time, such assistance and information as the governor may require relating to tax matters;

 

(6) execute and administer any agreement with the secretary of the treasury or the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives in the Department of Justice of the United States or a representative of another state regarding the exchange of information and administration of the state revenue laws;

 

(7) require town, city, county, and other public officers to report information as to the collection of taxes received from licenses and other sources, and such other information as may be needful in the work of the commissioner, in such form as the commissioner may prescribe;

 

(8) authorize the use of unmarked motor vehicles to conduct seizures or criminal investigations pursuant to the commissioner's authority; and

 

(9) maintain toll-free telephone access for taxpayer assistance for calls from locations within the state; and

 

(10) exercise other powers and authority and perform other duties required of or imposed upon the commissioner by law.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective January 1, 2008.

 

Sec. 81. [270C.21] TAXPAYER ASSISTANCE GRANTS.

 

When the commissioner awards grants to nonprofit organizations to coordinate, facilitate, encourage, and aid in the provision of taxpayer assistance services, the commissioner must provide public notice of the grants in a timely manner so that the grant process is completed and grants are awarded by October 1, in order for recipient organizations to adequately plan expenditures for the filing season. At the time the commissioner provides public notice, the commissioner must also notify nonprofit organizations that received grants in the previous biennium.

 

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

 

Page 73, line 28, delete "113" and insert "109"

 

Renumber the sections in sequence

 

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.

 

 

Carlson from the Committee on Finance to which was referred:

 

S. F. No. 2089, A bill for an act relating to state government; appropriating money for jobs and economic development purposes; establishing and modifying certain programs; regulating certain activities and practices; providing for accounts, assessments, and fees; modifying provisions governing contractors; requiring studies; amending Minnesota Statutes 2006, sections 13.712, by adding a subdivision; 13.7905, by adding a subdivision;


Journal of the House - 47th Day - Friday, April 13, 2007 - Top of Page 3294


16B.61, subdivision 1a; 16B.65, subdivisions 1, 5a; 16B.70, subdivision 2; 80A.28, subdivision 1; 116J.551, subdivision 1; 116J.554, subdivision 2; 116J.555, subdivision 1; 116J.575, subdivisions 1, 1a; 116J.966, subdivision 1; 116L.17, subdivision 1; 116L.20, subdivision 1; 116M.18, subdivision 6a; 177.27, subdivisions 1, 4; 268A.01, subdivision 13, by adding a subdivision; 268A.085, subdivision 1; 268A.15, by adding a subdivision; 298.22, subdivision 2; 298.227; 326.242, subdivision 8, by adding a subdivision; 326.2441; 326.37, subdivision 1; 326.38; 326.40, subdivision 1; 326.401, subdivision 2; 326.42, subdivision 1; 326.46; 326.461, by adding a subdivision; 326.47, subdivisions 2, 6; 326.48, subdivisions 1, 2; 326.50; 326.51; 326.52; 326.975, subdivision 1; 326.992; 327.33, subdivisions 2, 6; 327B.04, subdivision 7; 462A.21, subdivision 8b; 462A.33, subdivision 3; 471.471, subdivision 4; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapters 177; 181; 182; 326; proposing coding for new law as Minnesota Statutes, chapters 59C; 326B; repealing Minnesota Statutes 2006, sections 16B.747, subdivision 4; 16C.18, subdivision 2; 181.722; 183.375, subdivision 5; 183.545, subdivision 9; 326.241; 326.44; 326.52; 326.64; 326.975.

 

Reported the same back with the following amendments:

 

Delete everything after the enacting clause and insert:

 

"ARTICLE 1

 

JOBS AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT APPROPRIATIONS SUMMARY

 

      Section 1. SUMMARY.

 

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

 

                                                                                                                       2008                               2009                               Total

 

General                                                                                             $213,756,000                  $156,634,000                  $370,390,000

 

Workforce Development                                                                  15,510,000                      15,526,000                      31,036,000

 

Remediation                                                                                             700,000                           700,000                        1,400,000

 

State Government Special Revenue                                                  1,877,000                        1,925,000                        3,802,000

 

Workers' Compensation                                                                   23,379,000                      23,763,000                      47,142,000

 

TANF                                                                                                     3,075,000                        3,075,000                        6,150,000

 

Total                                                                                             $258,297,000               $201,623,000               $459,920,000

 

ARTICLE 2

 

JOBS AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

 

      Section 1. SUMMARY OF APPROPRIATIONS.

 

                                                                                                                       2008                               2009                               Total

 

General                                                                                               $94,685,000                    $60,084,000                  $154,769,000


Journal of the House - 47th Day - Friday, April 13, 2007 - Top of Page 3295


Workforce Development                                                                  15,510,000                      15,526,000                      31,036,000

 

Remediation                                                                                             700,000                           700,000                        1,400,000

 

State Government Special Revenue                                                  1,877,000                        1,925,000                        3,802,000

 

Workers' Compensation                                                                   23,379,000                      23,763,000                      47,142,000

 

Total                                                                                             $136,151,000               $101,998,000               $238,149,000

 

Sec. 2. JOBS AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

 

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 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2007, are effective the day following final enactment.

 

                                                                                                                                                             APPROPRIATIONS

                                                                                                                                                            Available for the Year

                                                                                                                                                                  Ending June 30

                                                                                                                                                   2008                                      2009

 

      Sec. 3. DEPARTMENT OF EMPLOYMENT AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

 

      Subdivision 1. Total Appropriation                                                                          $101,587,000                 $66,589,000

 

                                        Appropriations by Fund

 

                                                        2008                                        2009

 

General                                86,142,000                              51,144,000

 

Remediation                             700,000                                   700,000

 

Workforce

Development                      14,745,000                              14,745,000

 

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

 

      Subd. 2. Business and Community Development                                                          49,058,000                      14,372,000

 

                                        Appropriations by Fund

 

General                                48,358,000                              13,672,000

 

Remediation                             700,000                                   700,000


Journal of the House - 47th Day - Friday, April 13, 2007 - Top of Page 3296


                                                                                                                                                             APPROPRIATIONS

                                                                                                                                                            Available for the Year

                                                                                                                                                                  Ending June 30

                                                                                                                                                   2008                                      2009

 

(a)(1) $1,100,000 is for a grant under Minnesota Statutes, section 116J.421, to the Rural Policy and Development Center at St. Peter, Minnesota. The grant shall be used for research and policy analysis on emerging economic and social issues in rural Minnesota, to serve as a policy resource center for rural Minnesota communities, to encourage collaboration across higher education institutions, to provide interdisciplinary team approaches to research and problem-solving in rural communities, and to administer overall operations of the center.

 

(2) The grant shall be provided upon the condition that each state-appropriated dollar be matched with a nonstate dollar. Acceptable matching funds are nonstate contributions that the center has received and have not been used to match previous state grants. Any funds not spent the first year are available the second year.

 

(b) $200,000 each year is for a grant to WomenVenture for women's business development programs.

 

(c) $500,000 the first year is for a grant to University Enterprise Laboratories (UEL) for its direct and indirect expenses to support efforts to encourage the growth of early-stage and emerging bioscience companies. UEL must provide a report by June 30 each year to the commissioner on the expenditures until the appropriation is expended. This is a onetime appropriation and is available until expended.

 

(d) $2,180,000 the first year is for grants under Minnesota Statutes, section 116J.571, for the redevelopment grant program. This is a onetime appropriation.

 

(e) $100,000 each year is to the Public Facilities Authority for the small community wastewater treatment program under Minnesota Statutes, chapter 446A.

 

(f) $510,000 the first year is for the urban initiative program under Minnesota Statutes, chapter 116M, of which, $255,000 is for a grant to the Metropolitan Economic Development Association for continuing minority business development programs in the metropolitan area. This is a onetime appropriation.

 

(g) $85,000 each year is for a grant to the Minnesota Inventors Congress, of which $10,000 must be used for youth inventors.


Journal of the House - 47th Day - Friday, April 13, 2007 - Top of Page 3297


                                                                                                                                                             APPROPRIATIONS

                                                                                                                                                            Available for the Year

                                                                                                                                                                  Ending June 30

                                                                                                                                                   2008                                      2009

 

(h) $151,000 the first year is for a grant to the city of Faribault to design, construct, furnish, and equip renovations to accommodate handicapped accessibility at the Paradise Center for the Arts.

 

(i) $3,000,000 the first year is for loans authorized under Minnesota Statutes, section 116J.417. This appropriation is available until expended.

 

(j) $1,000,000 each year is to Minnesota Technology, Inc. for the small business growth acceleration program established under Minnesota Statutes, section 116O.115. This is a onetime appropriation.

 

(k) $350,000 the first year is for a grant to the city of Northome for the construction of a new municipal building to replace the structures damaged by fire on July 22, 2006. This appropriation is available when the commissioner determines that a sufficient match is available from nonstate sources to complete the project.

 

(l) $325,000 each year is for a technology and commercialization unit established under article 7, section 32. This is a onetime appropriation.

 

(m) $500,000 in the first year is for a grant to the city of Worthington for an agricultural-based bioscience training and testing center. Funds appropriated under this section must be used to provide a training and testing facility for incubator firms developing new agricultural processes and products. This is a onetime appropriation and is available until expended.

 

(n) $2,200,000 in the first year is for a grant to BioBusiness Alliance of Minnesota for bioscience business development programs to promote and position the state as a global leader in bioscience business activities. These funds may be used for:

 

(1) completion and periodic updating of a statewide bioscience business industry assessment of business technology enterprises and Minnesota's competitive position employing annual updates to federal industry classification data;

 

(2) long-term strategic planning that includes projections of market changes resulting from developments in biotechnology and the development of 20-year goals, strategies, and identified objectives for renewable energy, medical devices, biopharma, and biologics business development in Minnesota;


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                                                                                                                                                             APPROPRIATIONS

                                                                                                                                                            Available for the Year

                                                                                                                                                                  Ending June 30

                                                                                                                                                   2008                                      2009

 

(3) the design and construction of a Minnesota focused bioscience business model to test competing strategies and scenarios, evaluate options, and forecast outcomes; and

 

(4) creation of a bioscience business resources network that includes development of a statewide bioscience business economic development framework to encourage bioscience business development and encourage spin-off activities, attract bioscience business location or expansion in Minnesota, and establish a local capability to support strategic system level planning for industry, government, and academia.

 

This appropriation is available until June 30, 2009.

 

(o) $325,000 is for a grant to the Walker Area Community Center, Inc., to construct, furnish, and equip the Walker Area Community Center. This appropriation is not available until the commissioner has determined that an amount sufficient to complete the project has been committed from nonstate sources.

 

(p) $120,000 the first year is for a grant to the Pine Island Economic Development Authority for predesign to upgrade and extend utilities to serve Elk Run Bioscience Research Park and The Falls - Healthy Living By Nature, an integrated medicine facility. This is a onetime appropriation and is available until expended.

 

(q) $300,000 the first year is for a grant to Thomson Township for infrastructure improvements for the industrial park. This is a onetime appropriation.

 

(r) $75,000 the first year for a grant to Le Sueur County for the cost of cleaning debris from lakes in Le Sueur County, caused by the August 24, 2006, tornado in southern Le Sueur County. This is a onetime appropriation.

 

(s) $3,000,000 the second year is for bioscience business development and commercialization grants. The commissioner shall designate an evaluation team to accept grant applications, review and evaluate grant proposals, and select up to five grant proposals to receive funding each year. The evaluation team shall be comprised of not more than 12 members including: the commissioner or the commissioner's designee; representatives of bioscience businesses; public and private institutions of higher education; private investment companies; a nonprofit entity that qualifies as a 501(c)6 under the Internal Revenue Code and is a trade association representing the life sciences industry; and a bio


Journal of the House - 47th Day - Friday, April 13, 2007 - Top of Page 3299


                                                                                                                                                             APPROPRIATIONS

                                                                                                                                                            Available for the Year

                                                                                                                                                                  Ending June 30

                                                                                                                                                   2008                                      2009

 

business alliance that qualifies as a 501(c)3 under the Internal Revenue Code. The criteria used by the evaluation team in evaluating grant proposals must include, but is not limited to: the potential to create and sustain jobs within the state of Minnesota; the potential for long-term business activity, growth, and expansion in Minnesota; the level of technological maturity; the potential to attract private investment; and the availability and readiness of markets. The commissioner must report to the standing committees of the house of representatives and the senate having jurisdiction over bioscience and technology issues by February 1 each year on the number, type, and amounts of grants awarded and the activities of the grant recipients. This is a onetime appropriation and is available until expended.

 

(t) $1,500,000 the first year is for the urban challenge grant program under Minnesota Statutes, section 116M.18, of which $1,000,000 is for a grant to the Neighborhood Development Center for assistance necessary to retain minority business enterprises at the Global Market. This is a onetime appropriation.

 

(u) $375,000 each year is to develop and operate a bioscience business marketing program to market Minneota bioscience businesses and business opportunities to other states and other countries. The bioscience business marketing program must emphasize bioscience business location and expansion opportunities in communities outside of the seven-county metropolitan area as defined in Minnesota Statutes, section 473.121, subdivision 2, that have established collaborative plans among two or more municipal units for bioscience business activities, and that are within 15 miles of a four-year, baccalaureate degree granting institution or a two-year technical or community college that offers bioscience curricula. The commissioner must report to the committees of the senate and house of representatives having jurisdiction over bioscience and technology issues by February 1 of each year on the expenditures of these funds and the promotional activities undertaken to market the Minnesota bioscience industry to persons outside of the state. This is a onetime appropriation and is available until expended.

 

(v) $225,000 each year is for the purposes of the nanotechnology development fund program (NDF) established in section 12, for grants to promote increased use of advanced instrumentation for nanomaterials analysis, to be awarded on a one-to-one matching basis to qualifying Minnesota small businesses. This is a onetime appropriation.


Journal of the House - 47th Day - Friday, April 13, 2007 - Top of Page 3300


                                                                                                                                                             APPROPRIATIONS

                                                                                                                                                            Available for the Year

                                                                                                                                                                  Ending June 30

                                                                                                                                                   2008                                      2009

 

(w) $50,000 the first year is for a contract with a public higher education institution in Minnesota jointly entered into with the Center for Rural Development to study the needs of the renewable energy economy for trained employees and the training required for those employees. The study must include extensive consultation and involvement of representatives of the renewable energy industry, environmental interests, labor, the University of Minnesota, and the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities. The commissioner shall report the results of the study to the chairs of the finance divisions of the legislature with jurisdiction over economic development, energy, and higher education by November 1, 2007. This is a onetime appropriation.

 

(x) $25,000,000 is for the Minnesota minerals 21st century fund created in Minnesota Statutes, section 116J.423, to restore the money unallotted by the commissioner of finance in 2003 pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, section 16A.152. This appropriation may be used as provided in Minnesota Statutes, section 116J.423, subdivision 2. This appropriation is available until expended.

 

(y) $900,000 each year is for a grant to the city of St. Paul to be used to pay debt service on bond obligations issued by the city of St. Paul in 1996 for the convention center.

 

(z) $189,000 each year is appropriated from the general fund to the commissioner of employment and economic development for grants of $63,000 to eligible organizations each year and for the purposes of this paragraph. Each state grant dollar must be matched with $1 of nonstate funds. Any balance in the first year does not cancel but is available in the second year.

 

The commissioner of employment and economic development must make grants to organizations to assist in the development of entrepreneurs and small businesses. Three grants must be awarded to continue or to develop a program. One grant must be awarded to the Riverbend Center for Entrepreneurial Facilitation in Blue Earth County, and two to other organizations serving Faribault and Martin Counties. Grant recipients must report to the commissioner by February 1 of each year that the organization receives a grant with the number of customers served; the number of businesses started, stabilized, or expanded; the number of jobs created and retained; and business success rates. The commissioner must report to the house of representatives and senate committees with jurisdiction over economic development finance on the effectiveness of these programs for assisting in the development of entrepreneurs and small businesses.


Journal of the House - 47th Day - Friday, April 13, 2007 - Top of Page 3301


                                                                                                                                                             APPROPRIATIONS

                                                                                                                                                            Available for the Year

                                                                                                                                                                  Ending June 30

                                                                                                                                                   2008                                      2009

 

(aa) $10,000 for the biennium is to the commissioner of employment and economic development for the Minnesota investment fund. This grant is not subject to grant limitations under section 116J.8731, subdivision 5.

 

      Subd. 3. Workforce Development                                                                                    49,531,000                      49,197,000

 

                                        Appropriations by Fund

 

General                                 34,786,000                              34,452,000

 

Workforce

Development                      14,745,000                              14,745,000

 

(a) $6,785,000 each year is for the Minnesota job skills partnership program under Minnesota Statutes, sections 116L.01 to 116L.17. If the appropriation for either year is insufficient, the appropriation for the other year is available. This appropriation is available until spent.

 

(b) $305,000 each year is for a grant under Minnesota Statutes, section 116J.8747, to Twin Cities RISE! to provide training to hard-to-train individuals.

 

(c) $1,375,000 each year is from the workforce development fund for Opportunities Industrialization Center programs.

 

(d) $5,864,000 each year is from the general fund and $6,920,000 each year is from the workforce development fund for extended employment services for persons with severe disabilities or related conditions under Minnesota Statutes, section 268A.15. Of this, $125,000 each year and in the base for fiscal years 2010 and 2011 is to supplement funds paid for wage incentive for the community support fund established in Minnesota Rules, part 3300.2045.

 

(e) $1,900,000 each year is for grants for programs that provide employment support services to persons with mental illness under Minnesota Statutes, sections 268A.13 and 268A.14. Up to $77,000 each year may be used for administrative and salary expenses.

 

(f) $2,190,000 each year is for grants under Minnesota Statutes, section 268A.11, for the eight centers for independent living. Money not expended the first year is available the second year.

 

(g) $5,940,000 each year is for State Services for the Blind activities.


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                                                                                                                                                             APPROPRIATIONS

                                                                                                                                                            Available for the Year

                                                                                                                                                                  Ending June 30

                                                                                                                                                   2008                                      2009

 

(h) $150,000 each year is from the general fund and $175,000 each year is from the workforce development fund for grants under Minnesota Statutes, section 268A.03, to Rise, Inc. for the Minnesota Employment Center for People Who are Deaf or Hard-of-Hearing. Money not expended the first year is available the second year.

 

(i) $9,021,000 each year from the general fund is for the vocational rehabilitation program and $325,000 each year from the workforce development fund is for interpreters for a regional transition program specializing in culturally appropriate transition services leading to employment for deaf, hard-of-hearing, and deaf-blind students.

 

(j) $150,000 each year is for a grant to Advocating Change Together for training, technical assistance, and resource materials to persons with developmental and mental illness disabilities.

 

(k) $300,000 each year for a grant to Lifetrack Resources for its immigrant/refugee collaborative programs, including those related to job-seeking skills and workplace orientation, intensive job development, functional work English, and on-site job coaching. $50,000 of this amount is for a pilot Lifetrack project in Rochester.

 

(l) $1,075,000 each year is for the youthbuild program under Minnesota Statutes, sections 116L.361 to 116L.366.

 

(m) $1,350,000 each year is from the workforce development fund for grants to fund summer youth employment in Minneapolis. The grants shall be used to fund up to 500 jobs for youth each summer. Of this appropriation, $350,000 each year is for a grant to the learn-to-earn summer youth employment program. The commissioner shall establish criteria for awarding the grants. This appropriation is available in either year of the biennium and is available until spent.

 

(n) $50,000 each year is for a grant to Northern Connections in Perham to implement and operate a pilot workforce program that provides one-stop supportive services to assist individuals as they transition into the workforce. This appropriation is available to the extent it is matched by $1 of nonstate money for each $1 of state money.

 

(o) $100,000 each year is for a grant to Ramsey County Workforce Investment Board for the development of the building lives program. This is a onetime appropriation.


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                                                                                                                                                             APPROPRIATIONS

                                                                                                                                                            Available for the Year

                                                                                                                                                                  Ending June 30

                                                                                                                                                   2008                                      2009

 

(p) $300,000 each year is for a grant to the Hennepin-Carver Workforce Investment Board (WIB) to coordinate with the Partners for Progress Regional Skills Consortium to provide employment and training as demonstrated by the Twin Cities regional health care training partnership project.

 

(q) $160,000 the first year is for a grant to Workforce Development, Inc., for a pilot project to provide demand-driven employment and training services to welfare recipients and other economically disadvantaged populations in Mower, Freeborn, Dodge, and Steele Counties. This is a onetime appropriation.

 

(r) $200,000 each year is for a grant to HIRED to operate its industry sector training initiatives, which provide employee training developed in collaboration with employers in specific, high-demand industries. This is a onetime appropriation.

 

(s) $200,000 the first year is for a grant to a nonprofit organization. The nonprofit organization must work on behalf of all licensed vendors to coordinate their efforts to respond to solicitations or other requests from private and governmental units as defined in Minnesota Statutes, section 471.59, subdivision 1, in order to increase employment opportunities for persons with disabilities.

 

(t) $3,500,000 each year from the workforce development fund is for the Minnesota youth program under Minnesota Statutes, section 116L.56 and 116L.561.

 

(u) $500,000 each year from the workforce development fund is for a grant to the Minnesota Alliance of Boys and Girls Clubs to administer a statewide project of youth job skills development. This project, which may have career guidance components, including health and life skills, is to encourage, train, and assist youth in job-seeking skills, workplace orientation, and job site knowledge through coaching. This grant requires a 25 percent match from nonstate resources.

 

(v) $350,000 in each year from the workforce development fund is for a grant to Ramsey County for a summer youth employment program to place at-risk youth, ages 14 to 21, in subsidized summer employment.

 

(w) $10,000 the first year is for a study on ways to promote employment opportunities for minorities, with a particular focus on opportunities for American blacks, in the state of Minnesota. The study should focus on how to significantly expand the job training


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                                                                                                                                                             APPROPRIATIONS

                                                                                                                                                            Available for the Year

                                                                                                                                                                  Ending June 30

                                                                                                                                                   2008                                      2009

 

available to minorities and promote substantial increases in the wages paid to minorities, at least to a rate well above living wage, and within several years, to equality. The commissioner must report on the study to the governor and the chair of the finance committee in each house of the legislature that has jurisdiction over employment by January 15, 2008, with recommendations for implementing the findings.

 

The commissioner must provide funding for the Minnesota Conservation Corps to provide learning stipends for deaf students and wages for interpreters participating in the MCC summer youth program.

 

      Subd. 4. State-Funded Administration                                                                              2,998,000                        3,020,000

 

The first $1,450,000 deposited in each year of the biennium and in each year of subsequent bienniums into the contingent account created under Minnesota Statutes, section 268.196, subdivision 3, shall be transferred by June 30 of each fiscal year to the workforce development fund created under Minnesota Statutes, section 116L.20. Deposits in excess of $1,450,000 shall be transferred by June 30 of each fiscal year to the general fund.

 

      Sec. 4. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND INDUSTRY

 

      Subdivision 1. Total Appropriation                                                                             $29,002,000                 $29,794,000

 

Appropriations by Fund

 

                                                        2008                                        2009

 

General                                   4,644,000                                5,035,000

 

Workers'

Compensation                    21,716,000                              22,053,000

 

Workforce

Development                           765,000                                   781,000

 

State Government

Special Revenue                   1,877,000                                1,925,000

 

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


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                                                                                                                                                             APPROPRIATIONS

                                                                                                                                                            Available for the Year

                                                                                                                                                                  Ending June 30

                                                                                                                                                   2008                                      2009

 

      Subd. 2. Workers' Compensation                                                                                   10,381,000                      10,659,000

 

This appropriation is from the workers' compensation fund.

 

$200,000 each year is for grants to the Vinland Center for rehabilitation services.

 

      Subd. 3. Safety Codes and Services                                                                                   9,949,000                      10,134,000

 

$5,292,000 the first year and $5,388,000 the second year are from the workers' compensation fund. $1,877,000 the first year and $1,925,000 the second year are from the state government special revenue fund.

 

$1,000,000 each year is from the workers' compensation fund for patient safe handling grants under Minnesota Statutes, section 182.6553.

 

$100,000 each year is from the workers' compensation fund for the operation of the meatpacking industry workers' rights ombudsman under Minnesota Statutes, section 179.87.

 

      Subd. 4. Labor Standards/Apprenticeship                                                                       2,629,000                        2,995,000

 

                                        Appropriations by Fund

 

General                                   1,864,000                                2,214,000

 

Workforce

Development                           765,000                                   781,000

 

The appropriation from the workforce development fund is for the apprenticeship program under Minnesota Statutes, chapter 178, and includes $100,000 each year for labor education and advancement program grants.

 

$360,000 the first year and $300,000 the second year from the general fund are for prevailing wage enforcement of which $60,000 in the first year is for outreach and survey participation improvements.

 

$800,000 the first year and $1,200,000 the second year from the general fund are for the independent contractor certification under Minnesota Statutes, section 181.723.


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                                                                                                                                                             APPROPRIATIONS

                                                                                                                                                            Available for the Year

                                                                                                                                                                  Ending June 30

                                                                                                                                                   2008                                      2009

 

      Subd. 5. General Support                                                                                                    6,043,000                        6,006,000

 

This appropriation is from the workers' compensation fund.

 

      Sec. 5. BUREAU OF MEDIATION SERVICES

 

      Subdivision 1. Total Appropriation                                                                               $1,850,000                   $1,877,000

 

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

 

      Subd. 2. Mediation Services                                                                                                1,700,000                        1,727,000

 

      Subd. 3. Labor Management Cooperation Grants                                                              150,000                           150,000

 

$150,000 each year is for grants to area labor management committees. Grants may be awarded for a 12-month period beginning July 1 each year. Any unencumbered balance remaining at the end of the first year does not cancel but is available for the second year.

 

      Sec. 6. WORKERS' COMPENSATION

COURT OF APPEALS                                                                                                    $1,663,000      $1,710,000

 

This appropriation is from the workers' compensation fund.

 

      Sec. 7. BOARD OF ACCOUNTANCY                                                                             $493,000                       $499,000

 

      Sec. 8. BOARD OF ARCHITECTURE, ENGINEERING, LAND SURVEYING, LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE, GEOSCIENCE, AND INTERIOR DESIGN                                 $795,000                       $805,000

 

      Sec. 9. BOARD OF BARBER EXAMINERS                                                                  $711,000                       $724,000

 

      Sec. 10. MINNESOTA BOXING COMMISSION                                                             $50,000                                 $-0-

 

To transition the commission to being a self-funded entity.

 

Sec. 11. BIOSCIENCE ZONES DESIGNATION.

 

The commissioner of employment and economic development must establish a criteria for expanding the zones. The criteria must limit designating a new zone to a community that has adequate resources and infrastructure to support bioindustry, including postsecondary institutions, strong health care systems, and existing bioscience companies. It must also require that a new zone be located on a transportation corridor.


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Sec. 12. NANOTECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT FUND PROGRAM.

 

Subdivision 1. Program established; purpose. The nanotechnology development fund program (NDF) is established to develop a collaborative economic development initiative between the state of Minnesota, the private sector, and multiple academic institutions to promote by small businesses an increased use of advanced nanoinstrumentation for characterization, fabrication, and other related processes; provide research consulting by knowledgeable specialists; and provide student internship opportunities to increase nanotechnology experience by working with small, medium, or large Minnesota companies. The NDF program shall be administered by the Department of Employment and Economic Development and is not a state agency.

 

Subd. 2. Definition; qualifying Minnesota small business. "Qualifying Minnesota small business" means:

 

(1) a Minnesota small business corporation, sole proprietorship, or partnership that has fewer than 50 employees; or

 

(2) a Minnesota business corporation, sole proprietorship, or partnership that:

 

(i) has 51 to 100 employees; and

 

(ii) demonstrates current financial adversity or risk or a major prospect of aiding the business's long-term outlook by significant use of nanotechnology in the business's offerings.

 

Subd. 3. Fund; grants. The commissioner shall extend onetime matching grants from the NDF to qualifying Minnesota small businesses located throughout the state to:

 

(1) add nanotechnology applications to products that are being developed by Minnesota small businesses to enhance distinctiveness;

 

(2) promote the depth, breadth, and value of technologies being developed by Minnesota businesses with the aid of nanotechnology;

 

(3) encourage more frequent use of nanoinstrumentation to speed businesses' product time-to-market, with higher incidence of distinct product characteristics;

 

(4) provide Minnesota small businesses with broader access to experienced research consultants; and

 

(5) increase the number of researchers experienced in working with nanoinstrumentation.

 

Subd. 4. Grant application and award procedure. (a) The commissioner may give priority to applicants:

 

(1) whose intellectual property would benefit from utilization of nanoinstrumentation not possessed in-house;

 

(2) who are currently utilizing nanoinstrumentation either at the University of Minnesota or a private sector location on a leased, hourly basis; and

 

(3) who wish to increase their access to experienced research consultants.

 

(b) The commissioner shall decide whether to award a grant to an eligible applicant based on:

 

(1) the applicant's planned frequency of usage of nanoinstrumentation for characterization, fabrication, and other related processes; and


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(2) the applicant's demonstration of rental of nanoinstrumentation, in the form of a signed affidavit from a certified facility to confirm the one-to-one private sector investment has been met.

 

(c) A grant made under this section must:

 

(1) include verification of matching rental fees or internship stipends paid by the grantee; and

 

(2) be for a total amount paid to each grantee of not less than $500 nor more than $20,000 within the biennium.

 

Subd. 5. Administration. The commissioner of employment and economic development must develop and maintain a record-keeping system that specifies how funds from the NDF are applied for and distributed. Businesses receiving grants from the NDF must provide contact information, the date and time of the use of the nanoinstrumentation, proof of their matching contribution to meet the rental costs or provide an internship's stipend, and a general statement of the expected outcome from the use of the nanoinstrumentation, to the extent documentation can be made without divulging proprietary information.

 

Subd. 6. Gifts and donations. Gifts and donations, including land or interests in land, may be made to NDF. Noncash gifts and donations must be disposed of for cash as soon as the commissioner of employment and economic development can prudently maximize the value of the gift or donation. All funds must be credited to the nanotechnology development fund. All interest earned by the fund must be credited to the NDF.

 

Subd. 7. Report to legislature. By June 30 of each odd-numbered year, the commissioner of employment and economic development must submit a report to the legislature with statistics about the use of the NDF.

 

Sec. 13. WORK GROUP.

 

The commissioner of employment and economic development shall convene a work group to evaluate the impact of the money appropriated for wage incentives and how the wage incentive program works. The work group is to make recommendations to the legislature by January 15, 2008.

 

ARTICLE 3

 

EMPLOYMENT AND DEVELOPMENT-RELATED PROVISIONS

 

Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 116J.401, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

 

Subd. 4. Use of funds for unemployed worker assistance. Payment of employee compensation costs from the Wagner-Peyser Act referenced in subdivision 1, clause (8), must be used to provide direct benefit to unemployed and underemployed workers through the state's workforce centers. At least 75 percent of the employee compensation paid from Wagner-Peyser funds must be used for employees at workforce centers who provide direct assistance to unemployed and underemployed workers and no more than 25 percent may be used for providing hiring and human resource services for employers. The funds under this section may be used to establish an internet based labor exchange system. By July 1 of each year, the commissioner must submit a report to the committees of the legislature responsible for oversight of unemployment insurance with details on the use of Wagner-Peyser funds, including the number of employee positions funded, the location of the employees, and the use of funds for internet labor exchange system and other business assistance.


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Sec. 2. [116J.417] GREATER MINNESOTA BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT INVESTMENT FUND.

 

Subdivision 1. Eligible organization. For the purposes of this section, "eligible organization" means an organization established pursuant to section 116J.415 which provides business financing to greater Minnesota businesses.

 

Subd. 2. Investment fund establishment. The commissioner shall establish an investment fund from which fund investments can be made in eligible organizations. The funds repaid by the eligible organizations are to be returned to the fund for subsequent reinvestment in eligible organizations.

 

Subd. 3. Authorized investments. The commissioner is authorized to make investments in eligible organizations. The commissioner shall invest funds in the form of loans to eligible organizations for the purpose of providing capital to new and expanding businesses in the form of debt or equity, or both.

 

Subd. 4. Investment authorized. The commissioner may make investments in eligible organizations under the following terms:

 

(1) the organization seeking an investment of funds must guarantee repayment of not less than 100 percent of the funds invested in the eligible organization;

 

(2) the investments are to be made in the form of a loan to the eligible organization for a term of ten years, at an interest rate of one percent;

 

(3) during the ten-year term of the loan, the eligible organization shall make annual interest-only payments;

 

(4) at the end of the ten-year term, the eligible organization is required to make a payment in the entire principal amount of the initial loan;

 

(5) the state investment by the commissioner in any eligible organization may not exceed $2,000,000;

 

(6) the full amount of state investment will be advanced to the approved eligible organization upon execution of a formal investment agreement, specifying the terms of the loan, as well as reporting and other requirements outlined in subdivision 5;

 

(7) the eligible organization must maintain the funds in accounts that allow the funds to be readily available for business investments;

 

(8) the eligible organization must make business investments totaling the entire amount of funds loaned by the state within three years of the execution of the investment agreement and subsequent transmittal of the funds; and

 

(9) an eligible organization that receives an investment under this section shall report annually, in a format prescribed by the commissioner, the nature and amount of the business investments made, including, for each financing transaction involving funds received pursuant to this section, all forms and amounts of financing provided by the eligible organization from sources other than the investment fund established pursuant to this section, along with the number of jobs created and private sector investment leveraged.

 

Subd. 5. Requirements for state investments. All investments are subject to an investment agreement which must include:

 

(1) a description of the eligible organization, including business finance experience, qualifications, and investment history;


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(2) a description of the uses of investment proceeds by the eligible organization;

 

(3) an explanation of the investment objectives;

 

(4) a description of accounting and reporting standards to be used by the eligible organization; and

 

(5) a copy of the most recent audited financial statements of the eligible organization.

 

Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 116J.551, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

 

Subdivision 1. Grant account. A contaminated site cleanup and development grant account is created in the general fund. Money in the account may be used, as appropriated by law, to make grants as provided in section 116J.554 and to pay for the commissioner's costs in reviewing applications and making grants. Notwithstanding section 16A.28, money appropriated to the account for this program from any source is available for four years until spent.

 

Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 116J.554, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 2. Qualifying sites. A site qualifies for a grant under this section, if the following criteria are met:

 

(1) the site is not scheduled for funding during the current or next fiscal year under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act, United States Code, title 42, section 9601, et seq. or under the Environmental Response, and Liability Act under sections 115B.01 to 115B.20;

 

(2) the appraised value of the site after adjusting for the effect on the value of the presence or possible presence of contaminants using accepted appraisal methodology, or the current market value of the site as issued under section 273.121, separately taking into account the effect of the contaminants on the market value, (i) is less than 75 percent of the estimated project costs for the site or (ii) is less than or equal to the estimated cleanup costs for the site and the cleanup costs equal or exceed $3 per square foot for the site; and

 

(3) (2) if the proposed cleanup is completed, it is expected that the site will be improved with buildings or other improvements and these improvements will provide a substantial increase in the property tax base within a reasonable period of time or the site will be used for an important publicly owned or tax-exempt facility.

 

Sec. 5. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 116J.555, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

 

Subdivision 1. Priorities. (a) The legislature expects that applications for grants will exceed the available appropriations and the agency will be able to provide grants to only some of the applicant development authorities.

 

(b) If applications for grants for qualified sites exceed the available appropriations, the agency shall make grants for sites that, in the commissioner's judgment, provide the highest return in public benefits for the public costs incurred and that meet all the requirements provided by law. In making this judgment, the commissioner shall consider the following factors:

 

(1) the recommendations or ranking of projects by the commissioner of the Pollution Control Agency regarding the potential threat to public health and the environment that would be reduced or eliminated by completion of each of the response action plans;

 

(2) the potential increase in the property tax base of the local taxing jurisdictions, considered relative to the fiscal needs of the jurisdictions, that will result from developments that will occur because of completion of each of the response action plans;


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(3) the social value to the community of the cleanup and redevelopment of the site, including the importance of development of the proposed public facilities on each of the sites;

 

(4) the probability that each site will be cleaned up without use of government money in the reasonably foreseeable future by considering but not limited to the current market value of the site versus the cleanup cost;

 

(5) the amount of cleanup costs for each site; and

 

(6) the amount of the commitment of municipal or other local resources to pay for the cleanup costs.

 

The factors are not listed in a rank order of priority; rather the commissioner may weigh each factor, depending upon the facts and circumstances, as the commissioner considers appropriate. The commissioner may consider other factors that affect the net return of public benefits for completion of the response action plan. The commissioner, notwithstanding the listing of priorities and the goal of maximizing the return of public benefits, shall make grants that distribute available money to sites both within and outside of the metropolitan area. The commissioner shall provide a written statement of the supporting reasons for each grant. Unless sufficient applications are not received for qualifying sites outside of the metropolitan area, at least 25 percent of the money provided as grants must be made for sites located outside of the metropolitan area.

 

Sec. 6. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 116J.575, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

 

Subdivision 1. Commissioner discretion. The commissioner may make a grant for up to 50 percent of the eligible costs of a project. The determination of whether to make a grant for a site is within the discretion of the commissioner, subject to this section and sections 116J.571 to 116J.574 and available unencumbered money in the redevelopment account. For grants made in fiscal years 2008 and 2009, at least 75 percent of the available grant funds must be used for grants in greater Minnesota. For grants made in fiscal year 2010 and later, at least 50 percent of the available grant funds must be used for grants in greater Minnesota. If the commissioner determines that the applications for grants for projects in greater Minnesota are less than the amount of grant funds available, the commissioner may make grants for projects anywhere in Minnesota. The commissioner's decisions and application of the priorities under this section are not subject to judicial review, except for abuse of discretion.

 

Sec. 7. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 116J.575, subdivision 1a, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 1a. Priorities. (a) If applications for grants exceed the available appropriations, grants shall be made for sites that, in the commissioner's judgment, provide the highest return in public benefits for the public costs incurred. "Public benefits" include job creation, bioscience development, environmental benefits to the state and region, efficient use of public transportation, efficient use of existing infrastructure, provision of affordable housing, multiuse development that constitutes community rebuilding rather than single-use development, crime reduction, blight reduction, community stabilization, and property tax base maintenance or improvement. In making this judgment, the commissioner shall give priority to redevelopment projects with one or more of the following characteristics:

 

(1) the need for redevelopment in conjunction with contamination remediation needs;

 

(2) the redevelopment project meets current tax increment financing requirements for a redevelopment district and tax increments will contribute to the project;

 

(3) the redevelopment potential within the municipality;

 

(4) proximity to public transit if located in the metropolitan area; and


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(5) redevelopment costs related to expansion of a bioscience business in Minnesota; and

 

(5) (6) multijurisdictional projects that take into account the need for affordable housing, transportation, and environmental impact.

 

(b) The factors in paragraph (a) are not listed in a rank order of priority; rather, the commissioner may weigh each factor, depending upon the facts and circumstances, as the commissioner considers appropriate. The commissioner may consider other factors that affect the net return of public benefits for completion of the redevelopment plan. The commissioner, notwithstanding the listing of priorities and the goal of maximizing the return of public benefits, shall make grants that distribute available money to sites both within and outside of the metropolitan area. Unless sufficient applications are not received for qualifying sites outside of the metropolitan area, at least 25 percent of the money provided as grants must be made for sites located outside of the metropolitan area.

 

Sec. 8. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 116J.966, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

 

Subdivision 1. Generally. (a) The commissioner shall promote, develop, and facilitate trade and foreign investment in Minnesota. In furtherance of these goals, and in addition to the powers granted by section 116J.035, the commissioner may:

 

(1) locate, develop, and promote international markets for Minnesota products and services;

 

(2) arrange and lead trade missions to countries with promising international markets for Minnesota goods, technology, services, and agricultural products;

 

(3) promote Minnesota products and services at domestic and international trade shows;

 

(4) organize, promote, and present domestic and international trade shows featuring Minnesota products and services;

 

(5) host trade delegations and assist foreign traders in contacting appropriate Minnesota businesses and investments;

 

(6) develop contacts with Minnesota businesses and gather and provide information to assist them in locating and communicating with international trading or joint venture counterparts;

 

(7) provide information, education, and counseling services to Minnesota businesses regarding the economic, commercial, legal, and cultural contexts of international trade;

 

(8) provide Minnesota businesses with international trade leads and information about the availability and sources of services relating to international trade, such as export financing, licensing, freight forwarding, international advertising, translation, and custom brokering;

 

(9) locate, attract, and promote foreign direct investment and business development in Minnesota to enhance employment opportunities in Minnesota;

 

(10) provide foreign businesses and investors desiring to locate facilities in Minnesota information regarding sources of governmental, legal, real estate, financial, and business services;


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(11) enter into contracts or other agreements with private persons and public entities, including agreements to establish and maintain offices and other types of representation in foreign countries, to carry out the purposes of promoting international trade and attracting investment from foreign countries to Minnesota and to carry out this section, without regard to section 16C.06; and

 

(12) market trade-related materials to businesses and organizations, and the proceeds of which must be placed in a special revolving account and are appropriated to the commissioner to prepare and distribute trade-related materials.

 

(b) The programs and activities of the commissioner of employment and economic development and the Minnesota Trade Division may not duplicate programs and activities of the commissioner of agriculture.

 

(c) The commissioner shall notify the chairs of the senate Finance and house Ways and Means Committees of each agreement under this subdivision to establish and maintain an office or other type of representation in a foreign country.

 

(d) The Minnesota Trade Office shall serve as the state's office of protocol providing assistance to official visits by foreign government representatives and shall serve as liaison to the foreign diplomatic corps in Minnesota.

 

Sec. 9. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 116L.01, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

 

Subd. 4. Workforce development intermediaries. "Workforce development intermediaries" means public, private, or nonprofit entities that provide employment services to low-income individuals and have a demonstrated track record bringing together employers and workers, private and public funding streams, and other stakeholders to implement pathways to career advancement for low-income individuals. Entities may include, but are not limited to, nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, or the administrative entity of a local workforce service area.

 

Sec. 10. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 116L.04, subdivision 1a, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 1a. Pathways program. The pathways program may provide grants-in-aid for developing programs which assist in the transition of persons from welfare to work and assist individuals at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty guidelines. The program is to be operated by the board. The board shall consult and coordinate with program administrators at the Department of Employment and Economic Development to design and provide services for temporary assistance for needy families recipients.

 

Pathways grants-in-aid may be awarded to educational or other nonprofit training institutions or to workforce development intermediaries for education and training programs and services supporting education and training programs that serve eligible recipients.

 

Preference shall be given to projects that:

 

(1) provide employment with benefits paid to employees;

 

(2) provide employment where there are defined career paths for trainees;

 

(3) pilot the development of an educational pathway that can be used on a continuing basis for transitioning persons from welfare to work; and

 

(4) demonstrate the active participation of Department of Employment and Economic Development workforce centers, Minnesota State College and University institutions and other educational institutions, and local welfare agencies.


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Pathways projects must demonstrate the active involvement and financial commitment of private business. Pathways projects must be matched with cash or in-kind contributions on at least a one-to-one one-half-to-one ratio by participating private business.

 

A single grant to any one institution shall not exceed $400,000. A portion of a grant may be used for preemployment training.

 

Sec. 11. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 116L.17, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

 

Subdivision 1. Definitions. (a) For the purposes of this section, the following terms have the meanings given them in this subdivision.

 

(b) "Commissioner" means the commissioner of employment and economic development.

 

(c) "Dislocated worker" means an individual who is a resident of Minnesota at the time employment ceased or was working in the state at the time employment ceased and:

 

(1) has been permanently separated or has received a notice of permanent separation from public or private sector employment and is eligible for or has exhausted entitlement to unemployment benefits, and is unlikely to return to the previous industry or occupation;

 

(2) has been long-term unemployed and has limited opportunities for employment or reemployment in the same or a similar occupation in the area in which the individual resides, including older individuals who may have substantial barriers to employment by reason of age;

 

(3) has been terminated or has received a notice of termination of employment as a result of a plant closing or a substantial layoff at a plant, facility, or enterprise;

 

(4) has been self-employed, including farmers and ranchers, and is unemployed as a result of general economic conditions in the community in which the individual resides or because of natural disasters; or

 

(4) (5) is a displaced homemaker. A "displaced homemaker" is an individual who has spent a substantial number of years in the home providing homemaking service and (i) has been dependent upon the financial support of another; and now due to divorce, separation, death, or disability of that person, must find employment to self support; or (ii) derived the substantial share of support from public assistance on account of dependents in the home and no longer receives such support.

 

To be eligible under this clause, the support must have ceased while the worker resided in Minnesota.

 

(d) "Eligible organization" means a state or local government unit, nonprofit organization, community action agency, business organization or association, or labor organization.

 

(e) "Plant closing" means the announced or actual permanent shutdown of a single site of employment, or one or more facilities or operating units within a single site of employment.

 

(f) "Substantial layoff" means a permanent reduction in the workforce, which is not a result of a plant closing, and which results in an employment loss at a single site of employment during any 30-day period for at least 50 employees excluding those employees that work less than 20 hours per week.


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Sec. 12. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 116L.20, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

 

Subdivision 1. Determination and collection of special assessment. (a) In addition to amounts due from an employer under the Minnesota unemployment insurance program, each employer, except an employer making reimbursements is liable for a special assessment levied at the rate of .10 percent per year for calendar years 2006 and 2007 on all taxable wages, as defined in section 268.035, subdivision 24. Beginning January 1, 2008, the special assessment shall be levied at a rate of .085 percent per year on all taxable wages. The assessment shall become due and be paid by each employer on the same schedule and in the same manner as other amounts due from an employer under section 268.051, subdivision 1.

 

(b) The special assessment levied under this section shall be subject to the same requirements and collection procedures as any amounts due from an employer under the Minnesota unemployment insurance program.

 

Sec. 13. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 116L.666, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

 

Subdivision 1. Designation of workforce service areas. For the purpose of administering federal, state, and local employment and training services, the commissioner shall designate the geographic boundaries for workforce service areas in Minnesota.

 

The commissioner shall approve a request to be a workforce service area from:

 

(1) a home rule charter or statutory city with a population of 200,000 or more or a county with a population of 200,000 or more; or

 

(2) a consortium of contiguous home rule charter or statutory cities or counties with an aggregate population of 200,000 or more that serves a substantial part of one or more labor markets.

 

The commissioner may approve a request to be a workforce service area from a home rule charter or statutory city or a county or a consortium of contiguous home rule charter or statutory cities or counties, without regard to population, that serves a substantial portion of a labor market area.

 

The commissioner shall make a final designation of workforce service areas within the state after consulting with local elected officials and the governor's Workforce Development Council. Existing service delivery areas designated under the federal Job Training Partnership Act shall be initially designated as workforce service areas providing that no other petitions are submitted by local elected officials.

 

The commissioner may redesignate workforce service areas, upon the advice and consent of the affected local elected officials, no more frequently than every two years. These redesignations must be made not later than four months before the beginning of a program year.

 

Sec. 14. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 116M.18, subdivision 6a, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 6a. Nonprofit corporation loans. The board may make loans to a nonprofit corporation with which it has entered into an agreement under subdivision 1. These loans must be used to support a new or expanding business. This support may include such forms of financing as the sale of goods to the business on installment or deferred payments, lease purchase agreements, or royalty investments in the business. The interest rate charged by a nonprofit corporation for a loan under this subdivision must not exceed the Wall Street Journal prime rate plus four percent. For a loan under this subdivision, the nonprofit corporation may charge a loan origination fee equal to or less than one percent of the loan value. The nonprofit corporation may retain the amount of the origination fee. The nonprofit corporation must provide at least an equal match to the loan received by the board. The maximum loan available to the nonprofit corporation under this subdivision is $50,000. Loans made to the nonprofit corporation under this subdivision may be made without interest. Repayments made by the nonprofit corporation must be deposited in the revolving fund created for urban initiative grants.


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Sec. 15. [116O.115] SMALL BUSINESS GROWTH ACCELERATION PROGRAM.

 

Subdivision 1. Establishment; purpose. The small business growth acceleration program is established. The purpose of the program is to (1) help qualified companies implement technology and business improvements; and (2) bridge the gap between standard market pricing for technology and business improvements and what qualified companies can afford to pay.

 

Subd. 2. Qualified company. A company is qualified to receive assistance under the small business growth acceleration program if it is a manufacturing company or a manufacturing-related service company that employs 100 or fewer full-time equivalent employees.

 

Subd. 3. Applications for assistance. A company seeking assistance under the small business growth acceleration program must file an application according to the requirements of the corporation. A company's application for small business growth acceleration program assistance must include documentation of the company's overall plan for technology and business improvement and prioritize the components of the overall plan. The application must also document the company's need for small business growth acceleration program funds in order to carry forward the highest priority components of the plan.

 

Subd. 4. Fund awards; use of funds. (a) The corporation shall establish procedures for determining which applicants for assistance under the small business growth acceleration program will receive program funding. Funding shall be awarded only to accelerate a qualified company's adoption of needed technology or business improvements when the corporation concludes that it is unlikely the improvements could be accomplished in any other way.

 

(b) The maximum amount of funds awarded to a qualified company under the small business growth acceleration program for a particular project must not exceed 50 percent of the total cost of a project and must not under any circumstances exceed $25,000 during a calendar year. The corporation shall not award to a qualified company small business growth acceleration program funds in excess of $50,000 per year.

 

(c) Any funds awarded to a qualified company under the small business growth acceleration program must be used for business services and products that will enhance the operation of the company. These business services and products must come either directly from the corporation or from a network of expert providers identified and approved by the corporation. No company receiving small business growth acceleration program funds may use the funds for refinancing, overhead costs, new construction, renovation, equipment, or computer hardware.

 

(d) Any funds awarded must be disbursed to the qualified company as reimbursement documented according to requirements of the corporation.

 

Subd. 5. Service agreements. The corporation shall enter a written service agreement with each company awarded funds under the small business growth acceleration program. Each service agreement shall clearly articulate the company's need for service, state the cost of the service, identify who will provide the service, and define the scope of the service that will be provided. The service agreement must also include an estimate of the financial impact of the service on the company and require the company to report the actual financial impact of the service to the corporation 24 months after the service is provided.

 

Subd. 6. Reporting. The corporation shall report annually to the legislative committees with fiscal jurisdiction over the Department of Employment and Economic Development:

 

(1) the funds awarded under the small business growth acceleration program during the past 12 months;


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(2) the estimated financial impact of the funds awarded to each company receiving service under the program; and

 

(3) the actual financial impact of funds awarded during the past 24 months.

 

Sec. 16. [179.86] PACKINGHOUSE WORKERS BILL OF RIGHTS.

 

Subdivision 1. Definitions. For the purposes of this section and section 179.87:

 

(1) "employer" means any person or business entity having 25 or more employees in the meatpacking industry; and

 

(2) "meatpacking industry" means business operations in which slaughtering, butchering, meat canning, meat packing, meat manufacturing, poultry canning, poultry packing, poultry manufacturing, pet food manufacturing, processing of meatpacking products, or rendering is carried on. Meatpacking products include livestock and poultry products.

 

Subd. 2. Right to adequate facilities. An employer must provide its employees:

 

(1) adequate and working restroom facilities;

 

(2) adequate room for meal and rest breaks;

 

(3) adequate locker facilities; and

 

(4) adequate time for necessary restroom and meal breaks as required under chapter 177; United States Code, title 29, chapter 15; and United States Code, title 42, chapter 126, or a valid collective bargaining agreement.

 

Subd. 3. Right to adequate equipment and training. An employer must furnish its employees with equipment and training that is adequate to perform the job task assigned. An employer must make ongoing skill development and training opportunities, including supervisory training, available to employees.

 

Subd. 4. Information provided to employee by employer. (a) An employer must provide an explanation in an employee's native language of the employee's rights and duties as an employee either person-to-person or through written materials as required by state or federal law, or a valid collective bargaining agreement that, at a minimum, includes:

 

(1) a complete description of the salary and benefits plans as they relate to the employee as required under chapter 181;

 

(2) a job description for the employee's position as required under chapter 181;

 

(3) a description of leave policies as required under chapter 181 and United States Code, title 29, chapter 28;

 

(4) a description of the work hours and work hours policy as required under chapter 181; United States Code, title 29, chapter 201; or a valid collective bargaining agreement; and

 

(5) a description of the occupational hazards known to exist for the position as required under chapters 181 and 182 and United States Code, title 29, chapter 15.


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(b) The explanation must also include information on the following employee rights as protected by state or federal law and a description of where additional information about those rights may be obtained:

 

(1) the right to organize and bargain collectively as required under this chapter and chapter 177, and United States Code, title 29, chapter 7;

 

(2) the right to a safe workplace as required under chapters 181 and 182 and United States Code, title 29, chapter 15; and

 

(3) the right to be free from discrimination as required under this chapter and chapters 181, 182, and 363A, and United States Code, title 42, chapter 21.

 

Subd. 5. Civil action. A person aggrieved as a result of a violation of this section may file suit in any district court of this state. If the court finds that the respondent has intentionally violated this section, the court may award damages up to and including an amount equal to the original damages and may provide injunctive relief.

 

Subd. 6. Criminal penalty. An employer who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor.

 

Sec. 17. [179.87] MEATPACKING INDUSTRY WORKERS RIGHTS OMBUDSMAN.

 

Subdivision 1. Position established. The position of meatpacking industry workers rights ombudsman is established within the Department of Labor and Industry. The ombudsman shall be an employee of the department. The ombudsman shall be appointed by the commissioner in consultation with the chairs of the standing committees of the senate and house of representatives with jurisdiction over labor and employment issues in accordance with the preference established in subdivision 5.

 

Subd. 2. Duties. The ombudsman shall inspect and review the practices and procedures of meatpacking operations in the state. The ombudsman shall work to ensure workers rights under section 179.86 are protected.

 

Subd. 3. Access. The ombudsman or designated representatives of the ombudsman shall have access to all meatpacking operations in the state at any time meatpacking products are being processed and industry workers are on the job.

 

Subd. 4. Office. Necessary office space, furniture, equipment, and supplies as well as necessary assistance for the ombudsman shall be provided by the Department of Labor and Industry.

 

Subd. 5. Language preference. Preference shall be given to applicants for the ombudsman position who are fluent in languages in addition to English.

 

Subd. 6. Report. The ombudsman shall, on or before December 1 of each year, submit a report to the members of the legislature and the governor regarding any recommended actions the ombudsman deems necessary or appropriate to provide for the fair treatment of workers in the meatpacking industry.

 

Sec. 18. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 181.78, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

 

Subd. 4. Forfeiture of employer rights. (a) This subdivision applies to an invention or proposal by an employee in which the employer has an enforceable interest by contract or otherwise.

 

(b) An employer who has a right to develop or utilize an invention or proposal must make a substantial investment in the invention or proposal within five years of the submission of the invention or proposal or forfeit all rights and interests in the invention or proposal to the employee.


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(c) An employee who has acquired the rights and interests of an employer under paragraph (b) may transfer that interest in the invention or proposal to anyone.

 

(d) An employer must notify in writing an employee who submits an invention or proposal to the employer of the employee's right under this subdivision within ten days of the submission. The employer must date and describe the proposal or invention received by the employer and provide a copy to the employee.

 

Sec. 19. [181A.115] PROHIBITED EMPLOYMENT RELATING TO THE PRESENCE OF LIQUOR.

 

No minor under the age of 18 shall be employed in any rooms constituting the place in which intoxicating liquors or 3.2 percent malt liquors are served or consumed or in any tasks involving the serving, dispensing, or handling of such liquors that are consumed on the premises except that:

 

(1) minors who have reached the age of 16 may be employed to perform busing or dishwashing services in those rooms or areas of a restaurant, hotel, motel, or resort where the presence of intoxicating liquor is incidental to food service or preparation;

 

(2) minors who have reached the age of 16 may be employed to perform busing or dishwashing services or to provide waiter or waitress service in rooms or areas where the presence of 3.2 percent malt liquor is incidental to food service or preparation;

 

(3) minors who have reached the age of 16 may be employed to provide musical entertainment in those rooms or areas where the presence of intoxicating liquor and 3.2 percent malt liquor is incidental to food service or preparation; and

 

(4) minors are not prevented from working at tasks which are not prohibited by law in establishments where liquor is sold, served, dispensed, or handled in those rooms or areas where no liquor is consumed or served.

 

Sec. 20. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 182.65, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 2. Legislative findings and purpose. The legislature finds that the burden on employers and employees of this state resulting from personal injuries and illnesses arising out of work situations is substantial; that the prevention of these injuries and illnesses is an important objective of the government of this state; that the greatest hope of attaining this objective lies in programs of research and education, and in the earnest cooperation of government, employers and employees; and that a program of regulation and enforcement is a necessary supplement to these more basic programs.

 

The legislature declares it to be its purpose and policy through the exercise of its powers to assure so far as possible every worker in the state of Minnesota safe and healthful working conditions and to preserve our human resources by:

 

(a) authorizing the Occupational Safety and Health Advisory Council to advise, consult with or recommend on any matters relating to the Minnesota occupational safety and health plan to the commissioner of labor and industry and by authorizing the commissioner of labor and industry to promulgate and enforce mandatory occupational safety and health standards applicable to employers and employees in the state of Minnesota;

 

(b) encouraging employers and employees to increase their efforts to reduce the number of occupational safety and health hazards at their places of employment, and to stimulate employers and employees to institute new and to perfect existing programs for providing safe and healthful working conditions;


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(c) providing that employers and employees have separate but dependent responsibilities and rights with respect to achieving safe and healthful working conditions;

 

(d) providing for research in the field of occupational safety and health; including the psychological factors involved, and by developing innovative methods, techniques, and approaches for dealing with occupational safety and health problems;

 

(e) exploring ways to discover latent diseases, establishing causal connections between diseases and work in environmental conditions, and conducting other research relating to health problems, in recognition of the fact that occupational health standards present problems often different from those involved in occupational safety;

 

(f) utilizing advances already made by federal laws and regulations providing safe and healthful working conditions;

 

(g) providing criteria which will assure insofar as practicable that no employee will suffer diminished health, functional capacity, or life expectancy as a result of work experience;

 

(h) providing an effective enforcement program which shall include locating enforcement personnel in areas of the state with a higher incidence of workplace fatalities, injuries, and complaints and a prohibition against giving advance notice of an inspection and sanctions for any individual violating this prohibition;

 

(i) providing for appropriate reporting procedures with respect to occupational safety and health, which procedures will help achieve the objectives of this chapter and accurately describe the nature of the occupational safety and health problem;

 

(j) encouraging joint labor-management efforts to reduce injuries and diseases arising out of employment;

 

(k) providing consultation to employees and employers which will aid them in complying with their responsibilities under this chapter where such consultation does not interfere with the effective enforcement of this chapter; and

 

(l) providing for training programs to increase the number and competence of personnel engaged in the field of occupational safety and health.

 

Sec. 21. [182.6551] CITATION.

 

Sections 182.6551 to 182.6553 may be cited as the "Safe Patient Handling Act."

 

Sec. 22. [182.6552] DEFINITIONS.

 

Subdivision 1. Direct patient care worker. "Direct patient care worker" means an individual doing the job of directly providing physical care to patients including nurses, as defined by section 148.171, who provide physical care to patients.

 

Subd. 2. Health care facility. "Health care facility" means a hospital as defined in section 144.50, subdivision 2; an outpatient surgical center as defined in section 144.55, subdivision 2; and a nursing home as defined in section 144A.01, subdivision 5.


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Subd. 3. Safe patient handling. "Safe patient handling" means a process, based on scientific evidence on causes of injuries, that uses safe patient handling equipment rather than people to transfer, move, and reposition patients in all health care facilities to reduce workplace injuries. This process also reduces the risk of injury to patients.

 

Subd. 4. Safe patient handling equipment. "Safe patient handling equipment" means engineering controls, lifting and transfer aids, or mechanical assistive devices used by nurses and other direct patient care workers instead of manual lifting to perform the acts of lifting, transferring, and repositioning health care facility patients and residents.

 

Sec. 23. [182.6553] SAFE PATIENT HANDLING PROGRAM.

 

Subdivision 1. Safe patient handling program required. (a) By July 1, 2008, every licensed health care facility in the state shall adopt a written safe patient handling policy establishing the facility's plan to achieve by January 1, 2011, the goal of minimizing manual lifting of patients by nurses and other direct patient care workers by utilizing safe patient handling equipment.

 

(b) The program shall address:

 

(1) assessment of hazards with regard to patient handling;

 

(2) the acquisition of an adequate supply of appropriate safe patient handling equipment;

 

(3) initial and ongoing training of nurses and other direct patient care workers on the use of this equipment;

 

(4) procedures to ensure that physical plant modifications and major construction projects are consistent with program goals; and

 

(5) periodic evaluations of the safe patient handling program.

 

Subd. 2. Safe patient handling committee. (a) By July 1, 2008, every licensed health care facility in the state shall establish a safe patient handling committee either by creating a new committee or assigning the functions of a safe patient handling committee to an existing committee.

 

(b) Membership of a safe patient handling committee or an existing committee must meet the following requirements:

 

(1) at least half the members shall be nonmanagerial nurses and other direct patient care workers; and

 

(2) in a health care facility where nurses and other direct patient care workers are covered by a collective bargaining agreement, the union shall select the committee members proportionate to its representation of nonmanagerial workers, nurses, and other direct patient care workers.

 

(c) A health care organization with more than one covered health care facility may establish a committee at each facility or one committee to serve this function for all the facilities. If the organization chooses to have one overall committee for multiple facilities, at least half of the members of the overall committee must be nonmanagerial nurses and other direct patient care workers and each facility must be represented on the committee.

 

(d) Employees who serve on a safe patient handling committee must be compensated by their employer for all hours spent on committee business.


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Subd. 3. Facilities with existing programs. A facility that has already adopted a safe patient handling policy that satisfies the requirements of subdivision 1, and established a safe patient handling committee by July 1, 2008, is considered to be in compliance with those requirements. The committee must continue to satisfy the requirements of subdivision 2, paragraph (b), on an ongoing basis.

 

Subd. 4. Committee duties. A safe patient handling committee shall:

 

(1) complete a patient handling hazard assessment that:

 

(i) considers patient handling tasks, types of nursing units, patient populations, and the physical environment of patient care areas;

 

(ii) identifies problems and solutions;

 

(iii) identifies areas of highest risk for lifting injuries; and

 

(iv) recommends a mechanism to report, track, and analyze injury trends;

 

(2) make recommendations on the purchase, use, and maintenance of an adequate supply of appropriate safe patient handling equipment;

 

(3) make recommendations on training of nurses and other direct patient care workers on use of safe patient handling equipment, initially when the equipment arrives at the facility and periodically afterwards;

 

(4) conduct annual evaluations of the safe patient handling implementation plan and progress toward goals established in the safe patient handling policy; and

 

(5) recommend procedures to ensure that, when remodeling of patient care areas occurs, the plans incorporate safe patient handling equipment or the physical space and construction design needed to accommodate safe patient handling equipment at a later date.

 

Subd. 5. Training materials. The commissioner shall make training materials on implementation of this section available to all health care facilities at no cost as part of the training and education duties of the commissioner under section 182.673.

 

Subd. 6. Enforcement. This section shall be enforced by the commissioner under section 182.661. A violation of this section is subject to the penalties provided under section 182.666.

 

Subd. 7. Grant program. The commissioner may make grants to health care facilities to acquire safe patient handling equipment and for training on safe patient handling and safe patient handling equipment. Grants to any one facility may not exceed $40,000. A grant must be matched on a dollar-for-dollar basis by the grantee. The commissioner shall establish a grant application process. The commissioner may give priority for grants to facilities that demonstrate that acquiring safe patient handling equipment will impose a financial hardship on the facility. For health care facilities that provide evidence of hardship, the commissioner may waive the 50 percent match requirement and may grant such a facility more than $40,000. Health care facilities that the commissioner determines are experiencing hardship shall not be required to meet the safe patient handling requirements until July 1, 2012.


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Sec. 24. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 268.085, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 3. Payments that delay unemployment benefits. (a) An applicant shall not be eligible to receive unemployment benefits for any week with respect to which the applicant is receiving, has received, or has filed for payment, equal to or in excess of the applicant's weekly unemployment benefit amount, in the form of:

 

(1) vacation pay paid upon temporary, indefinite, or seasonal separation. This clause shall not apply to vacation pay paid upon a permanent separation from employment;

 

(2) severance pay, bonus pay, sick pay, and any other money payments, except earnings under subdivision 5, and back pay under subdivision 6, paid by an employer because of, upon, or after separation from employment, but only if the money payment is considered wages at the time of payment under section 268.035, subdivision 29, or United States Code, title 26, section 3121, clause (2), of the Federal Insurance Contribution Act;. This clause does not apply to the first $10,000 of any amount of severance pay, bonus pay, sick pay, or any other payments paid to an employee with annual salary or wages under $75,000; or

 

(3) pension, retirement, or annuity payments from any plan contributed to by a base period employer including the United States government, except Social Security benefits which are provided for in subdivision 4. The base period employer contributed to the plan if the contribution is excluded from the definition of wages under section 268.035, subdivision 29, clause (1), or United States Code, title 26, section 3121, clause (2), of the Federal Insurance Contribution Act.

 

An applicant shall not be considered to have received the lump sum payment if the applicant immediately deposits that payment in a qualified pension plan or account; or

 

(4) holiday pay.

 

(b) This subdivision shall apply to all the weeks of payment and shall be applied to the period immediately following the last day of employment. The number of weeks of payment shall be determined as follows:

 

(1) if the payments are made periodically, the total of the payments to be received shall be divided by the applicant's last level of regular weekly pay from the employer; or

 

(2) if the payment is made in a lump sum, that sum shall be divided by the applicant's last level of regular weekly pay from the employer.

 

(c) If the payment is less than the applicant's weekly unemployment benefit amount, unemployment benefits shall be reduced by the amount of the payment. If the computation of reduced unemployment benefits is not a whole dollar, it shall be rounded down to the next lower whole dollar.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective for unemployment benefits paid on or after January 1, 2006, regardless of when the continued request was filed or the week for which the unemployment benefits are paid.

 

Sec. 25. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 268.196, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

 

Subd. 5. Unemployment insurance benefits telephone system. The commissioner must ensure that the telephone system used for unemployment insurance benefits provides an option for any caller to speak to an unemployment insurance specialist. An individual who calls any of the publicized telephone numbers seeking information about applying for benefits or on the status of a claim must have the option to speak on the telephone to a specialist who can provide direct assistance or can direct the caller to the person or office that is able to respond to the caller's needs.


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Sec. 26. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 268A.01, subdivision 13, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 13. Supported employment. (a) "Supported employment" means employment of a person with a disability so severe that the person needs ongoing training and support to get and keep a job in which:

 

(1) the person engages in paid work in a position removed from the service vendor's site where individuals without disabilities who do not require public subsidies also may be employed;

 

(2) public funds are necessary to provide ongoing training and support services throughout the period of the person's employment; and

 

(3) the person has the opportunity for social interaction with individuals who do not have disabilities and who are not paid caregivers.

 

(b) If the commissioner has certified a rehabilitation facility setting as integrated, then employment at that site may be considered supported employment.

 

Sec. 27. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 268A.01, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

 

Subd. 14. Affirmative business enterprise employment. "Affirmative business enterprise employment" means employment which provides paid work on the premises of an affirmative business enterprise as certified by the commissioner.

 

Affirmative business enterprise employment is considered community employment for purposes of funding under Minnesota Rules, parts 3300.1000 to 3300.2055, provided that the wages for individuals reported must be at or above customary wages for the same employer. The employer must also provide one benefit package that is available to all employees.

 

Sec. 28. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 268A.085, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

 

Subdivision 1. Appointment; membership. Every city, town, county, nonprofit corporation, or combination thereof establishing a rehabilitation facility shall appoint a rehabilitation facility board of no fewer than nine seven voting members before becoming eligible for the assistance provided by sections 268A.06 to 268A.15. When any city, town, or county singly establishes such a rehabilitation facility, the board shall be appointed by the chief executive officer of the city or the chair of the governing board of the county or town. When any combination of cities, towns, counties, or nonprofit corporations establishes a rehabilitation facility, the chief executive officers of the cities, nonprofit corporations, and the chairs of the governing bodies of the counties or towns shall appoint the board. If a nonprofit corporation singly establishes a rehabilitation facility, the corporation shall appoint the board of directors. Membership on a board shall be representative of the community served and shall include a person with a disability. One-third to one-half of the board shall be representative of industry or business. The remaining members should be representative of lay associations for persons with a disability, labor, the general public, and education, welfare, medical, and health professions. Nothing in sections 268A.06 to 268A.15 shall be construed to preclude the appointment of elected or appointed public officials or members of the board of directors of the sponsoring nonprofit corporation to the board, so long as the representation described above is preserved. If a county establishes an extended employment program and manages the program with county employees, the governing board shall be the county board of commissioners, and other provisions of this chapter pertaining to membership on the governing board do not apply.


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Sec. 29. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 268A.15, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

 

Subd. 9. Integrated setting. At the commissioner's discretion, paid work on the premises of a rehabilitation facility may be certified as an integrated setting after a site review by the department.

 

Sec. 30. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 462.39, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

 

Subd. 5. Local planning assistance. A regional development commission or, in regions not served by regional development commissions, a regional organization selected by the commissioner of employment and economic development, may develop a program to support planning on behalf of local units of government. The local planning must be related to issues of regional or statewide significance and may include, but is not limited to, the following:

 

(1) local planning and development assistance, which may include local zoning ordinances and land use plans;

 

(2) community or economic development plans, which may include workforce development plans, housing development plans and market analysis, JOBZ administration, grant writing assistance, and grant administration;

 

(3) environment and natural resources plans, which may include solid waste management plans, wastewater management plans, and renewable energy development plans;

 

(4) rural community health services; and

 

(5) development of geographical information systems to serve regional needs, including hardware and software purchases and related labor costs.

 

Each regional development commission or organization shall submit to the commissioner of employment and economic development an annual work program that outlines the work items for the upcoming year and establishes the relationship of the work items to development issues of regional or statewide significance. The entity completing the annual work program and identifying the statewide development issues shall consider input from the Departments of Employment and Economic Development, Natural Resources, Transportation, Agriculture, Commerce, and other state agencies as appropriate to the issues.

 

Sec. 31. WORKFORCE ENHANCEMENT FEE.

 

If the commissioner of employment and economic development determines that the need for services under the dislocated worker program substantially exceeds the resources that will be available for the program, the commissioner may increase the special assessment levied under Minnesota Statutes, section 116L.20, subdivision 1, to no more than .12 percent of taxable wages.

 

Sec. 32. FEDERAL PROCUREMENT LIAISON.

 

The commissioner of employment and economic development must establish and operate a technology and commercialization unit in the Department of Employment and Economic Development. Appropriation for this purpose must be used to: coordinate public and private efforts to procure federal funding for collaborative research and development projects of primary benefit to small- and medium-sized businesses; promote contractual relationships between Minnesota businesses who, as recipients of federal grants, are prime contractors, and appropriate Minnesota-based subcontractors; assess the research and development capabilities of small- and medium-sized businesses; undertake referral activities to link Minnesota companies with federal requests for proposal opportunities; and develop a framework for Minnesota companies to establish sole-sourcing relationships with federal agencies.


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The commissioner must report to the committees in the house of representatives and the senate having jurisdiction over bioscience and technology issues on the activities of the technology and commercialization unit by June 30 of each year.

 

Sec. 33. LOCATION OF NORTHERN MINNESOTA INSPECTORS.

 

By December 31, 2007, the commissioner of labor and industry must assign three occupational safety and health inspectors to one or more offices on the Iron Range and one inspector to an office in Bemidji.

 

Sec. 34. ROLE OF STATE LEGISLATURE IN TRADE POLICY.

 

(a) It shall be the policy of the state that approval for the state to be bound by any trade agreement requires the consent of the state legislature.

 

(b) Four state legislative contacts must be informed by the governor when any trade agreement arrives in the governor's office. The four contacts are the majority and minority leader of the senate or their designated legislators, and the speaker and minority leader in the house of representatives or their designated legislators. The legislature declares that the purposes of the state contacts are to:

 

(1) serve as the state's official legislative liaisons with the governor and the state legislature on trade-related matters;

 

(2) serve as the legislature's designated recipients from the governor of federal requests for consent to consultation regarding investment, procurement, services, or other provisions of international trade agreements, which impinge on state law or regulatory authority reserved to the states;

 

(3) transmit information regarding federal requests from the governor to all appropriate legislative committees;

 

(4) issue a formal request to the Department of Employment and Economic Development and all appropriate state agencies to provide analysis of all proposed trade agreements' impact on state legislative authority and the economy of the state;

 

(5) inform all members of the legislature on a regular basis about ongoing trade negotiations and dispute settlement proceedings with implications for the state more generally;

 

(6) communicate the concerns of the legislature to the governor and the United States trade representative regarding ongoing and proposed trade negotiations; and

 

(7) notify the governor and the United States trade representative of the outcome of any legislative action.

 

(c) The following actions are required before the state shall consent to the terms of a trade agreement:

 

(1) when a federal trade request has been received, the governor must submit the request to the legislative contacts on a day both houses are in session. The request must contain a copy of the final legal text of the agreement together with:

 

(i) a report by the Department of Employment and Economic Development in consultation with, at a minimum, the following agencies: Department of Administration, Department of Labor and Industry, Department of Agriculture, Department of Natural Resources, and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. The report shall include an analysis of how the agreement of the state to the specific provisions of the agreement will change or affect existing state law;


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(ii) a statement of any administrative action proposed to implement these trade agreement provisions in the state; and

 

(iii) a draft of legislation authorizing the state to sign on to the specific listed provisions of the agreement in question;

 

(2) at least one public hearing, with adequate public notice, shall occur before the legislature votes on the bill; and

 

(3) the bill authorizing the state to sign on to specific listed provisions of an agreement is enacted into law.

 

(d) It is the sense of this legislature that Congress should pass legislation instructing the United States trade representative to fully and formally consult individual state legislatures regarding procurement, services, investment, or any other trade agreement rules that impact state laws or authority before negotiations begin and as they develop, and to seek consent from state legislatures in addition to governors prior to binding states to conform their laws to the terms of international commercial agreements. Such legislation is necessary to ensure the prior informed consent of the state with regard to future international trade and investment agreements.

 

(e) The state attorney general shall notify the United States trade representative of the policies in paragraph (d) in writing no later than 30 days after its effective date, and shall provide copies of the notice to the president of the senate, speaker of the house of representatives, the governor, and the state's congressional delegation.

 

Sec. 35. STUDY; SAFE PATIENT HANDLING.

 

(a) The commissioner of labor and industry shall study ways to require workers' compensation insurers to recognize compliance with Minnesota Statutes, section 182.6553, in the workers' compensation premiums of health care and long-term care facilities. The commissioner shall report by January 15, 2008, the results of the study to the chairs of the policy committees of the legislature with primary jurisdiction over workers' compensation issues.

 

(b) By January 15, 2008, the commissioner must make recommendations to the legislature regarding funding sources available to health care facilities for safe patient handling programs and equipment, including, but not limited to, low interest loans, interest free loans, and federal, state, or county grants.

 

Sec. 36. WORK GROUP; SAFE PATIENT HANDLING.

 

The Minnesota State Council on Disability shall convene a work group comprised of representatives from the Minnesota Medical Association and other organizations representing clinics, disability advocates, and direct care workers, to do the following:

 

(1) assess the current options for and use of safe patient handling equipment in unlicensed outpatient clinics, physician offices, and dental settings;

 

(2) identify barriers to the use of safe patient handling equipment in these settings; and

 

(3) define clinical settings that move patients to determine applicability of the Safe Patient Handling Act.

 

The work group must report to the legislature by January 15, 2008, including reports to the chairs of the senate and house of representatives committees on workforce development.


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Sec. 37. EFFECT ON RULES.

 

The commissioner of labor and industry shall amend Minnesota Rules, part 5200.0910, to conform to Minnesota Statutes, section 181A.115. The commissioner may use the good cause exemption in Minnesota Statutes, section 14.388, in adopting the amendment required by this section.

 

Sec. 38. PUBLIC FACILITIES AUTHORITY FUNDING.

 

To the greatest practical extent, projects on the Public Facilities Authority's 2007 intended use plan, the listings for which were based on the Pollution Control Agency's 2006 project priority list, shall be carried over to the 2008 intended use plan. Projects that qualified for funding from the Public Facilities Authority under Laws 2006, chapter 258, section 21, that could not be certified by the Pollution Control Agency by the applicable deadline shall have until May 1, 2008, or six months after the Minnesota Supreme Court issues an opinion in the cities of Maple Lake and Annandale matter, whichever is later, to obtain the required certification from the Pollution Control Agency.

 

Sec. 39. REPEALER.

 

Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 16C.18, subdivision 2, is repealed.

 

ARTICLE 4

 

LICENSING AND WAGES

 

Section 1. [154.465] HAIR BRAIDING.

 

Subdivision 1. Registration. Any person engaged in hair braiding solely for compensation as a profession, except persons licensed as cosmetologists, shall register with the Minnesota Board of Barber and Cosmetology Examiners in a form determined by the board.

 

Subd. 2. Definition. "Hair braiding" means a natural form of hair manipulation that results in tension on hair strands by beading, braiding, cornrowing, extending, lacing, locking, sewing, twisting, weaving, or wrapping human hair, natural fibers, synthetic fibers, and hair extensions into a variety of shapes, patterns, and textures predominantly by hand and by only using simple braiding devices, and maintenance thereof. Hair braiding includes what is commonly known as "African-style hair braiding" or "natural hair care" but is not limited to any particular cultural, ethnic, racial, or religious forms of hair styles. Hair braiding includes the making of customized wigs from natural hair, natural fibers, synthetic fibers, and hair extensions. Hair braiding includes the use of topical agents such as conditioners, gels, moisturizers, oils, pomades, and shampoos. Hair braiding does not involve the use of penetrating chemical hair treatments, chemical hair coloring agents, chemical hair straightening agents, chemical hair joining agents, permanent wave styles, or chemical hair bleaching agents applied to growing human hair. For purposes of this section, "simple hair braiding devices" means clips, combs, curlers, curling irons, hairpins, rollers, scissors, needles, thread, and hair binders including adhesives, if necessary, that are required solely for hair braiding.

 

Subd. 3. Requirements. In order to qualify for initial registration, any person engaged in hair braiding solely for compensation as a profession shall satisfactorily complete instruction at either an accredited school or by an individual, except persons licensed as cosmetologists approved by the board. Instruction includes coursework covering the topics of health, safety, sanitation, and state laws related to cosmetology not to exceed 30 hours. The coursework is encouraged to be provided in a foreign language format and such availability shall be reported to and posted by the Minnesota Board of Barber and Cosmetology Examiners.

 

Subd. 4. Curriculum. An accredited school or an individual approved by the board desiring to provide the coursework required under subdivision 3 shall have curriculum in place by January 1, 2008.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2008, except subdivision 4 is effective the day following final enactment.


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Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 177.27, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

 

Subdivision 1. Examination of records. The commissioner may enter during reasonable office hours or upon request and inspect the place of business or employment of any employer of employees working in the state, to examine and inspect books, registers, payrolls, and other records of any employer that in any way relate to wages, hours, and other conditions of employment of any employees. The commissioner may transcribe any or all of the books, registers, payrolls, and other records as the commissioner deems necessary or appropriate and may question the employees to ascertain compliance with sections 177.21 to 177.35 177.435. The commissioner may investigate wage claims or complaints by an employee against an employer if the failure to pay a wage may violate Minnesota law or an order or rule of the department.

 

Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 177.27, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 4. Compliance orders. The commissioner may issue an order requiring an employer to comply with sections 177.21 to 177.35 177.435, 181.02, 181.03, 181.031, 181.032, 181.101, 181.11, 181.12, 181.13, 181.14, 181.145, 181.15, and 181.79, 181.932, and 181.9325, or with any rule promulgated under section 177.28. The department shall serve the order upon the employer or the employer's authorized representative in person or by certified mail at the employer's place of business. An employer who wishes to contest the order must file written notice of objection to the order with the commissioner within 15 calendar days after being served with the order. A contested case proceeding must then be held in accordance with sections 14.57 to 14.69. If, within 15 calendar days after being served with the order, the employer fails to file a written notice of objection with the commissioner, the order becomes a final order of the commissioner.

 

Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 177.27, subdivision 5, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 5. Civil actions. (a) The commissioner may bring an action in the district court where an employer resides or where the commissioner maintains an office to enforce or require compliance with orders issued under subdivision 4.

 

(b) If the district court determines that a violation of section 181.932 or 181.9325 occurred, the court may order any appropriate relief, including but not limited to reinstatement, back pay, restoration of lost service credit, if appropriate, compensatory damages, and the expungement of any adverse records of a state employee or applicant for state employment who was the subject of the alleged acts of misconduct, and any appropriate relief as described in section 181.936.

 

Sec. 5. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 177.27, subdivision 8, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 8. Court actions; suits brought by private parties. An employee may bring a civil action seeking redress for a violation or violations of sections 177.21 to 177.35 177.44 directly to district court. An employer who pays an employee less than the wages and overtime compensation to which the employee is entitled under sections 177.21 to 177.35 177.44 is liable to the employee for the full amount of the wages, gratuities, and overtime compensation, less any amount the employer is able to establish was actually paid to the employee and for an additional equal amount as liquidated damages. In addition, in an action under this subdivision the employee may seek damages and other appropriate relief provided by subdivision 7 and otherwise provided by law. An agreement between the employee and the employer to work for less than the applicable wage is not a defense to the action.

 

Sec. 6. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 177.27, subdivision 9, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 9. District court jurisdiction. Any action brought under subdivision 8 may be filed in the district court of the county wherein a violation or violations of sections 177.21 to 177.35 177.44 are alleged to have been committed, where the respondent resides or has a principal place of business, or any other court of competent jurisdiction. The action may be brought by one or more employees.


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Sec. 7. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 177.27, subdivision 10, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 10. Attorney fees and costs. In any action brought pursuant to subdivision 8, the court shall order an employer who is found to have committed a violation or violations of sections 177.21 to 177.35 177.44 to pay to the employee or employees reasonable costs, disbursements, witness fees, and attorney fees.

 

Sec. 8. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 177.27, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

 

Subd. 11. Investigation of certain complaints. (a) The commissioner shall conduct an investigation of any matter that alleges a violation of sections 181.932 and 181.9325. The identity of the person providing the information that initiated the investigation shall be classified as private data, pursuant to section 13.02, subdivision 12, except that the identity may be disclosed to a law enforcement agency that is conducting a criminal investigation of the matter.

 

(b) For each investigation completed, if the commissioner determines that there is reasonable cause to believe that an employer has violated section 181.932 or 181.9325, the commissioner shall report the nature and details of the alleged violation to the head of the employing agency or the appropriate appointing authority. If appropriate, the commissioner shall report this information to the attorney general, the policy committees of the house of representatives and senate having jurisdiction over the subject involved, and to any other authority that the commissioner deems appropriate. In any case in which the commissioner submits a report of alleged violations to the head of the employing agency or appropriate appointing authority, that individual shall report to the commissioner with respect to any action taken by the individual regarding the activity, the first report being transmitted no later than 30 days after the date of the auditor's report, and monthly thereafter until final action has been taken.

 

(c) This subdivision shall not limit any authority conferred upon the attorney general or other department or agency of government to investigate and prosecute any matter.

 

(d) The commissioner shall have all the powers and authority described in this section to conduct investigations pursuant to this subdivision.

 

Sec. 9. [177.275] INVESTIGATION PROCEDURE.

 

(a) The commissioner shall initiate an investigation of a written complaint of reprisal or retaliation in public employment as prohibited by section 181.932 or 181.9325 within ten working days of its submission. The commissioner shall complete findings of the investigation within 60 working days thereafter, and shall provide a copy of the findings to the complaining employee or applicant for employment and to the appropriate supervisor, manager, employee, or appointing authority. When the allegations contained in a complaint of reprisal or retaliation are the same as, or similar to, those contained in another appeal, the commissioner may consolidate the appeals into the most appropriate format. In these cases, the time limits described in this subdivision shall not apply.

 

(b) If the commissioner finds that the supervisor, manager, employee, or appointing power retaliated against the complainant for engaging in protected whistle-blower activities, the commissioner may issue a compliance order under section 177.27, subdivision 4.

 

(c) In order for the governor and the legislature to determine the need to continue or modify state personnel procedures as they relate to the investigations of reprisals or retaliation for the disclosure of information by public employees, the commissioner, by June 30 of each year, shall submit a report to the governor and the legislature regarding complaints filed, hearings held, and legal actions taken under this section.


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Sec. 10. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 177.28, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

 

Subdivision 1. General authority. The commissioner may adopt rules, including definitions of terms, to carry out the purposes of sections 177.21 to 177.35 177.44, to prevent the circumvention or evasion of those sections, and to safeguard the minimum wage and overtime rates established by sections 177.24 and 177.25.

 

Sec. 11. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 177.30, is amended to read:

 

177.30 KEEPING RECORDS; PENALTY.

 

Every employer subject to sections 177.21 to 177.35 177.44 must make and keep a record of:

 

(1) the name, address, and occupation of each employee;

 

(2) the rate of pay, and the amount paid each pay period to each employee;

 

(3) the hours worked each day and each workweek by the employee; and

 

(4) for each employer subject to sections 177.41 to 177.44, and while performing work on public works projects funded in whole or in part with state funds, the prevailing wage master job classification of each employee working on the project for each hour worked; and

 

(4) (5) other information the commissioner finds necessary and appropriate to enforce sections 177.21 to 177.35. The records must be kept for three years in or near the premises where an employee works except each employer subject to sections 177.41 to 177.44, and while performing work on public works projects funded in whole or in part with state funds, the records must be kept for three years after the contracting authority has made final payment on the public works project.

 

The commissioner may fine an employer up to $1,000 for each failure to maintain records as required by this section. This penalty is in addition to any penalties provided under section 177.32, subdivision 1. In determining the amount of a civil penalty under this subdivision, the appropriateness of such penalty to the size of the employer's business and the gravity of the violation shall be considered.

 

Sec. 12. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 177.43, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 3. Contract requirements. The contract must specifically state the prevailing wage rates, prevailing hours of labor, and hourly basic rates of pay. The contract must also provide that the contracting authority may demand and the contractor or subcontractor shall furnish to the contracting authority, copies of any and all payrolls, and that the contracting authority may examine all records relating to wages paid laborers or mechanics on work to which sections 177.41 to 177.44 apply. The requirements of this subdivision are in addition to any other requirements or authority set forth in other laws or rules for work to which sections 177.41 to 177.44 apply.

 

Sec. 13. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 177.43, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 4. Determination by commissioner; posting; petition for reconsideration. The prevailing wage rates, prevailing hours of labor, and hourly basic rates of pay for all trades and occupations required in any project must be ascertained before the state asks for bids. The commissioner of labor and industry shall investigate as necessary to ascertain the information. The commissioner Each contractor and subcontractor performing work on a public project shall keep the information posted on the project in at least one conspicuous place for the information of the employees working on the project. A person aggrieved by a final determination of the commissioner may petition the commissioner for reconsideration of findings. A person aggrieved by a decision of the commissioner after reconsideration may, within 20 days after the decision, petition the commissioner for a public hearing in the manner of a contested case under sections 14.57 to 14.61.


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Sec. 14. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 177.43, subdivision 6, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 6. Examination of records; investigation by the department. The Department of Labor and Industry shall enforce this section. The department may demand, and the contractor and subcontractor shall furnish to the department, copies of any or all payrolls. The department may examine all records relating to wages paid laborers or mechanics on work to which sections 177.41 to 177.44 apply. The department shall employ at least three investigators to perform on-site project reviews, receive and investigate complaints of violations of this section, and conduct training and outreach to contractors and contracting authorities for public works projects financed in whole or in part with state funds.

 

Sec. 15. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 177.43, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

 

Subd. 6a. Prevailing wage violations. Upon issuing a compliance order to an employer pursuant to section 177.27, subdivision 4, for violation of sections 177.41 to 177.44, the commissioner shall issue a withholding order to the contracting authority ordering the contracting authority to withhold payment of sufficient sum to the prime or general contractor on the project to satisfy the back wages assessed or otherwise cure the violation, and the contracting authority must withhold the sum ordered until the compliance order has become a final order of the commissioner and has been fully paid or otherwise resolved by the employer.

 

During an investigation of a violation of sections 177.41 to 177.44 which the commissioner reasonably determines is likely to result in the finding of a violation of sections 177.41 to 177.44 and the issuance of a compliance order pursuant to section 177.27, subdivision 4, the commissioner may notify the contracting authority of the determination and the amount expected to be assessed and the contracting authority shall give the commissioner 90 days' prior notice of the date the contracting authority intends to make final payment.

 

Sec. 16. [181.723] INDEPENDENT CONTRACTORS.

 

Subdivision 1. Scope. The definitions in this subdivision apply to this section.

 

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

 

(b) "Department" means the Department of Labor and Industry.

 

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

 

(d) "Individual" means a human being.

 

(e) "Day" means calendar day unless otherwise provided.

 

(f) "Knowingly" means knew or could have known with the exercise of reasonable diligence.

 

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

 

Subd. 2. Limited application. This section only applies to individuals performing public or private sector commercial or residential building construction or improvement services.


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Subd. 3. Employee-employer relationship. Except as provided in subdivision 4, for purposes of chapters 176, 177, 181A, 182, and 268, as of January 1, 2009, an individual who performs services for a person that are in the course of the person's trade, business, profession, or occupation is an employee of that person and that person is an employer of the individual.

 

Subd. 4. Independent contractor. An individual is an independent contractor and not an employee of the person for whom the individual is performing services in the course of the person's trade, business, profession, or occupation only if (a) the individual holds a current independent contractor exemption certificate issued by the commissioner; and (b) the individual is performing services for the person under the independent contractor exemption certificate as provided in subdivision 6. The requirements in clauses (a) and (b) must be met in order to qualify as an independent contractor and not as an employee of the person for whom the individual is performing services in the course of the person's trade, business, profession, or occupation.

 

Subd. 5. Application. To obtain an independent contractor exemption certificate, the individual must submit, in the manner prescribed by the commissioner, a complete application and the certificate fee required under subdivision 14.

 

(a) A complete application must include all of the following information:

 

(1) the individual's full name;

 

(2) the individual's residence address and telephone number;

 

(3) the individual's business name, address, and telephone number;

 

(4) the services for which the individual is seeking an independent contractor exemption certificate;

 

(5) the individual's Social Security number;

 

(6) the individual's or the individual's business federal employer identification number, if a number has been issued to the individual or the individual's business;

 

(7) any information or documentation that the commissioner requires by rule that will assist the department in determining whether to grant or deny the individual's application; and

 

(8) The individual's sworn statement that the individual meets all of the following conditions:

 

(i) the individual maintains a separate business with the individual's own office, equipment, materials, and other facilities;

 

(ii) the individual holds or has applied for a federal employer identification number or has filed business or self-employment income tax returns with the federal Internal Revenue Service if the person has performed services in the previous year for which the individual is seeking the independent contractor exemption certificate;

 

(iii) the individual operates under contracts to perform specific services for specific amounts of money and under which the individual controls the means of performing the services;

 

(iv) the individual incurs the main expenses related to the service that the individual performs under contract;

 

(v) the individual is responsible for the satisfactory completion of services that the individual contracts to perform and is liable for a failure to complete the service;


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(vi) the individual receives compensation for service performed under a contract on a commission or per-job or competitive bid basis and not on any other basis;

 

(vii) the individual may realize a profit or suffer a loss under contracts to perform service;

 

(viii) the individual has continuing or recurring business liabilities or obligations; and

 

(ix) the success or failure of the individual's business depends on the relationship of business receipts to expenditures.

 

(b) Within 30 days of receiving a complete application and the certificate fee, the commissioner must either grant or deny the application. The commissioner may deny an application for an independent contractor exemption certificate if the individual has not submitted a complete application and certificate fee or if the individual does not meet all of the conditions for holding the independent contractor exemption certificate. The commissioner may revoke an independent contractor exemption certificate if the commissioner determines that the individual no longer meets all of the conditions for holding the independent contractor exemption certificate, commits any of the actions set out in subdivision 7, or fails to cooperate with a department investigation into the continued validity of the individual's certificate. Once issued, an independent contractor exemption certificate remains in effect for two years unless:

 

(1) revoked by the commissioner; or

 

(2) canceled by the individual.

 

(c) If the department denies an individual's original or renewal application for an independent contractor exemption certificate or revokes an independent contractor exemption certificate, the commissioner shall issue to the individual an order denying or revoking the certificate. The commissioner may issue an administrative penalty order to an individual or person who commits any of the actions set out in subdivision 7.

 

(d) An individual or person to whom the commissioner issues an order under paragraph (c) shall have 30 days after service of the order to request a hearing. The request for hearing must be in writing and must be served on or faxed to the commissioner at the address or fax number specified in the order by the 30th day after service of the order. If the individual does not request a hearing or if the individual's request for a hearing is not served on or faxed to the commissioner by the 30th day after service of the order, the order shall become a final order of the commissioner and will not be subject to review by any court or agency. The date on which a request for hearing is served by mail shall be the postmark date on the envelope in which the request for hearing is mailed. If the individual serves or faxes a timely request for hearing, the hearing shall be a contested case hearing and shall be held in accordance with chapter 14.

 

Subd. 6. Qualifications for exemption certificate. An individual is performing services for a person under an independent contractor exemption certificate if:

 

(a) the individual is performing services listed on the individual's independent contractor exemption certificate;

 

(b) at the time the individual is performing services listed on the individual's independent contractor exemption certificate, the individual meets all of the following conditions:

 

(1) the individual maintains a separate business with the individual's own office, equipment, materials, and other facilities;


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(2) the individual holds or has applied for a federal employer identification number or has filed business or self-employment income tax returns with the federal Internal Revenue Service if the individual performed services in the previous year for which the individual has the independent contractor exemption certificate;

 

(3) the individual is operating under contract to perform the specific services for the person for specific amounts of money and under which the individual controls the means of performing the services;

 

(4) the individual is incurring the main expenses related to the services that the individual is performing for the person under the contract;

 

(5) the individual is responsible for the satisfactory completion of the services that the individual has contracted to perform for the person and is liable for a failure to complete the services;

 

(6) the individual receives compensation from the person for the services performed under the contract on a commission or per-job or competitive bid basis and not on any other basis;

 

(7) the individual may realize a profit or suffers a loss under the contract to perform services for the person;

 

(8) the individual has continuing or recurring business liabilities or obligations; and

 

(9) the success or failure of the individual's business depends on the relationship of business receipts to expenditures.

 

Subd. 7. Prohibited activities. (a) An individual shall not:

 

(1) perform work as an independent contractor who meets the qualifications under subdivision 6, without first obtaining from the department an independent contractor exemption certificate;

 

(2) perform work as an independent contractor when the department has denied or revoked the individual's independent contractor exemption certificate;

 

(3) transfer to another individual or allow another individual to use the individual's independent contractor exemption certificate;

 

(4) alter or falsify an independent contractor exemption certificate;

 

(5) misrepresent the individual's status as an independent contractor; or

 

(6) make a false material statement, representation, or certification; omit material information; or alter, conceal, or fail to file a document required by this section or any rule promulgated by the commissioner under rulemaking authority set out in this section.

 

(b) A person shall not:

 

(1) require an individual through coercion, misrepresentation, or fraudulent means to adopt independent contractor status;

 

(2) knowingly misrepresent that an individual who has not been issued an independent contractor exemption certificate or is not performing services for the person under an independent contractor exemption certificate is an independent contractor; or


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(3) make a false material statement, representation, or certification; omit material information; or alter, conceal, or fail to file a document required by this section or any rule promulgated by the commissioner under rulemaking authority set out in this section.

 

(c) A person for whom an individual is performing services must obtain a copy of the individual's independent contractor exemption certificate before services may commence. A copy of the independent contractor exemption certificate must be retained for five years from the date of receipt by the person for whom an individual is performing services.

 

Subd. 8. Remedies. An individual or person who violates any provision of subdivision 7 is subject to a penalty to be assessed by the department of up to $5,000 for each violation. The department shall deposit penalties in the assigned risk safety account.

 

Subd. 9. Commissioner's powers. (a) In order to carry out the purposes of this section, the commissioner may:

 

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

 

(2) request, examine, take possession of, photograph, record, and copy any documents, equipment, or materials;

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Subd. 10. Notice requirements. Unless otherwise specified, service of a document on a person under this section may be by mail, by personal service, or in accordance with any consent to service filed with the commissioner. Service by mail shall be accomplished in the manner provided in Minnesota Rules, part 1400.5550, subpart 2. Personal service shall be accomplished in the manner provided in Minnesota Rules, part 1400.5550, subpart 3.


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Subd. 11. Facsimile; timely service. When this section permits a request for hearing to be served by facsimile on the commissioner, the facsimile shall not exceed 15 pages in length. The request shall be considered timely served if the facsimile is received by the commissioner, at the facsimile number identified by the commissioner in the order, no later than 4:30 p.m. central time on the last day permitted for faxing the request. Where the quality or authenticity of the faxed request is at issue, the commissioner may require the original request to be filed. Where the commissioner has not identified quality or authenticity of the faxed request as an issue and the request has been faxed in accordance with this subdivision, the person faxing the request does not need to file the original request with the commissioner.

 

Subd. 12. Time period computation. In computing any period of time prescribed or allowed by this section, the day of the act, event, or default from which the designated period of time begins to run shall not be included. The last day of the period so computed shall be included, unless it is a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday, in which event the period runs until the next day which is not a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday.

 

Subd. 13. Rulemaking. The commissioner may, in consultation with the commissioner of revenue and the commissioner of employment and economic development, adopt, amend, suspend, and repeal rules under the rulemaking provisions of chapter 14 that relate to the commissioner's responsibilities under this section. This subdivision is effective the day following final enactment.

 

Subd. 14. Fee. The certificate fee for the original application and for the renewal of an independent contractor exemption certificate shall be $150. If an individual simultaneously submits an application for both an independent contractor exemption certificate under this section and a license under section 326.84, the application fee for the independent contractor exemption certificate shall be reduced to $100. Fees collected under this subdivision are deposited in the general fund.

 

Subd. 15. Notice to commissioner; review by commissioner of revenue. When the commissioner has reason to believe that an individual who holds a certificate has failed to maintain all the conditions required by subdivision 3 or is not performing services for a person under the independent contractor exemption certificate, the commissioner must notify the commissioner of revenue and the commissioner of employment and economic development. Upon receipt of notification from the commissioner that an individual who holds a certificate has failed to maintain all the conditions required by subdivision 3 or is not performing services for a person under the independent contractor exemption certificate, the commissioner of revenue must review the information returns required under section 6041A of the Internal Revenue Code. The commissioner of revenue shall also review the submitted certification that is applicable to returns audited or investigated under section 289A.35.

 

Subd. 16. Data classified. Certifications issued by the commissioner are public data. Applications and required documentation submitted by an individual is private data on an individual. Upon request of the Department of Revenue or the Department of Employment and Economic Development, the commissioner may release to the Department of Revenue and the Department of Employment and Economic Development applications and required documentation submitted by individuals and investigative data that relates to the department's issuance or denial of applications and the department's revocations of certificates. Except as otherwise provided by this subdivision, the department's investigative data shall be classified as provided in chapter 13.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2008.

 

Sec. 17. [181.724] PERFORMERS IN RECORDED MEDIA INDUSTRY.

 

Subdivision 1. Definitions. The definitions in this subdivision apply to section 181.724.

 

(a) "Performer" means actor, announcer, singer, dancer, narrator, stunt-person, extra, or any other individual generically or customarily referred to as talent in the recorded media industry.


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(b) "Recorded media industry" means radio or television commercial production, nonbroadcast audio or video production, sound recording, audio or video production for the internet, or any other recording technology.

 

(c) "Individual" means a human being.

 

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

 

Subd. 2. Limited application. This section applies only to individuals who are performers in the recorded media industry. This section does not apply to live performances.

 

Subd. 3. Employee-employer relationship. For the purposes of chapters 176, 177, 181A, 182, and 268, an individual who provides services as a performer in the recorded media industry for a person that are in the course of the person's trade, business, profession, or occupation is an employee of that person and that person is an employer of the individual.

 

Subd. 4. Civil remedy. An individual who has been injured by a violation of this section may bring a civil action for damages against the violator. If the individual is an employee of the violator of this section, the employee's representative, as defined in section 179.01, subdivision 5, may bring a civil action for damages against the violator on behalf of the employee. The court may award attorney fees, costs, and disbursement to an individual recovering under this section.

 

Subd. 5. Reporting of violations. Any court finding that a violation of this section has occurred shall transmit a copy of its findings of fact and conclusions of law to the commissioner of labor and industry. The commissioner of labor and industry shall report the finding to relevant state and federal agencies, including the commissioner of commerce, the commissioner of employment and economic development, the commissioner of revenue, the federal Internal Revenue Service, and the United States Department of Labor.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective January 1, 2008.

 

Sec. 18. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 181.932, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

 

Subdivision 1. Prohibited action. An employer shall not discharge, discipline, threaten, otherwise discriminate against, or penalize an employee regarding the employee's compensation, terms, conditions, location, or privileges of employment because:

 

(a) the employee, or a person acting on behalf of an employee, in good faith, reports a violation or suspected violation of any federal or state law or rule adopted pursuant to law to an employer or to any governmental body or law enforcement official and the alleged violation involves a matter of public concern, including, but not limited to, violations that create a specific danger to the public health, safety, or environment;

 

(b) the employee is requested by a public body or office to participate in an investigation, hearing, inquiry;

 

(c) the employee refuses an employer's order to perform an action that the employee has an objective basis in fact to believe violates any state or federal law or rule or regulation adopted pursuant to law which violation the employee reasonably believes is a matter of public concern, including, but not limited to, violations that create a specific danger to the public health, safety, or environment, and the employee informs the employer that the order is being refused for that reason; or


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(d) the employee, in good faith, reports a situation in which the quality of health care services provided by a health care facility, organization, or health care provider violates a standard established by federal or state law or a professionally recognized national clinical or ethical standard and potentially places the public at risk of harm.;

 

(e) a public employee refuses to alter, dilute, or suppress the objective representation or communication of scientific or technical data or findings, including but not limited to, findings of economic or environmental impact, or findings indicating consequences for the public's health or safety; or

 

(f) a public employee communicates the findings of a scientific or technical study that the employee, in good faith, believes to be truthful and accurate, including reports to a governmental body or law enforcement official.

 

The disclosures protected pursuant to this section do not authorize the disclosure of trade secret information otherwise protected by law.

 

Sec. 19. [181.9325] USE OF AUTHORITY TO INFLUENCE OR INTERFERE WITH DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION.

 

(a) A public employer may not directly or indirectly use or attempt to use the employer's official authority or influence for the purpose of intimidating, threatening, coercing, or attempting to intimidate, threaten, or coerce any person for the purpose of interfering with the rights described in section 181.932, or for the purpose of persuading the person to waive or disclaim any other legal rights related to the person's employment.

 

(b) For purposes of this section, "use of official authority or influence" includes: promising to confer, or conferring, any benefit; effecting, or threatening to effect, any reprisal; or taking, or directing others to take, or recommending, processing, or approving, any personnel action, including but not limited to appointment, promotion, transfer, assignment, performance evaluation, suspension, or other disciplinary action.

 

Sec. 20. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 181.935, is amended to read:

 

181.935 INDIVIDUAL REMEDIES; PENALTY.

 

(a) In addition to any remedies otherwise provided by law, an employee injured by a violation of section 181.932 or 181.9325 may bring a civil action to recover any and all damages recoverable at law, together with costs and disbursements, including reasonable attorney's fees, and may receive such injunctive and other equitable relief as determined by the court.

 

(b) An employer who failed to notify, as required under section 181.933 or 181.934, an employee injured by a violation of section 181.932 is subject to a civil penalty of $25 per day per injured employee not to exceed $750 per injured employee.

 

Sec. 21. [181.936] REPRISALS FOR DISCLOSURE OF IMPROPER GOVERNMENTAL ACTIVITIES; COMPLAINT PROCEDURE; PENALTIES.

 

(a) A public employee or applicant for public employment who files a written complaint with the employee's or applicant's supervisor, manager, or the appointing power alleging actual or attempted acts of reprisal, retaliation, threats, coercion, or similar improper acts prohibited by section 181.9325, may also file a copy of the written complaint with the commissioner of labor and industry, together with a sworn statement that the contents of the written complaint are true, or are believed by the affiant to be true, under penalty of perjury. The complaint filed with the commissioner shall be filed within 12 months of the most recent act of reprisal complained about.


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(b) Any person who intentionally engages in acts of reprisal, retaliation, threats, coercion, or similar acts against a public employee or applicant for public employment for having made a protected disclosure under section 181.932, is subject to a fine not to exceed $10,000 and imprisonment in the county jail for a period not to exceed one year.

 

(c) In addition to all other penalties provided by law, any person who intentionally engages in acts of reprisal, retaliation, threats, coercion, or similar acts against a public employee or applicant for public employment for having made a protected disclosure shall be liable in an action for damages brought against the person by the injured party. Punitive damages may be awarded by the court where the acts of the offending party are proven to be malicious. Where liability has been established, the injured party shall also be entitled to reasonable attorney fees as provided by law. However, any action for damages shall not be available to the injured party unless the injured party has first filed a complaint with the commissioner of labor and industry under paragraph (a), and the department has issued, or failed to issue, findings under section 177.275.

 

(d) This section is not intended to prevent an appointing power, manager, or supervisor from taking, directing others to take, recommending, or approving any personnel action or from taking or failing to take a personnel action with respect to any public employee or applicant for public employment if the appointing power, manager, or supervisor reasonably believes any action or inaction is justified on the basis of evidence separate and apart from the fact that the person has made a protected disclosure under section 181.932.

 

(e) In any civil action or administrative proceeding, once it has been demonstrated by a preponderance of evidence that an activity protected by sections 177.27, 177.275, 181.932, and 181.9325 was a contributing factor in the alleged retaliation against a former, current, or prospective employee, the burden of proof shall be on the supervisor, manager, or appointing power to demonstrate by clear and convincing evidence that the alleged action would have occurred for legitimate, independent reasons even if the employee had not engaged in protected disclosures or refused an illegal order. If the supervisor, manager, or appointing power fails to meet this burden of proof in an adverse action against the employee in any administrative review, challenge, or adjudication in which retaliation has been demonstrated to be a contributing factor, the employee shall have a complete affirmative defense in the adverse action.

 

(f) Nothing in sections 177.27, 177.275, 181.932, and 181.9325 shall be deemed to diminish the rights, privileges, or remedies of any employee under any other federal or state law or under any employment contract or collective bargaining agreement.

 

Sec. 22. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 325E.37, subdivision 6, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 6. Scope; limitations. (a) This section applies to a sales representative who, during some part of the period of the sales representative agreement:

 

(1) is a resident of Minnesota or maintains that person's principal place of business in Minnesota; or

 

(2) whose geographical territory specified in the sales representative agreement includes part or all of Minnesota.

 

(b) To be effective, any demand for arbitration under subdivision 5 must be made in writing and delivered to the principal on or before one year after the effective date of the termination of the agreement.

 

(c) A provision in any contract between a sales representative dealing in plumbing equipment or supplies and a principal purporting to waive any provision of this act, whether by express waiver or by a provision stipulating that the contract is subject to the laws of another state, shall be void.


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Sec. 23. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 326.37, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

 

Subdivision 1. Rules. The state commissioner of health Plumbing Board may, by rule, prescribe minimum standards which shall be uniform, and which standards shall thereafter be effective for all new plumbing installations, including additions, extensions, alterations, and replacements connected with any water or sewage disposal system owned or operated by or for any municipality, institution, factory, office building, hotel, apartment building, or any other place of business regardless of location or the population of the city or town in which located. Notwithstanding the provisions of Minnesota Rules, part 4715.3130, as they apply to review of plans and specifications, the commissioner may allow plumbing construction, alteration, or extension to proceed without approval of the plans or specifications by the commissioner.

 

Except for powers granted to the Plumbing Board, the commissioner of labor and industry shall administer the provisions of sections 326.37 to 326.45 and for such purposes may employ plumbing inspectors and other assistants.

 

Sec. 24. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 326.37, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

 

Subd. 4. Air admittance valves and water-free urinals prohibited. (a) Mechanical devices and fittings with internal moving parts are prohibited from installation in plumbing venting systems.

 

(b) All urinals covered under the jurisdiction of the state plumbing code must have a water flush device with a volume of not more than one gallon per use.

 

Sec. 25. [326.372] PLUMBING BOARD.

 

Subdivision 1. Composition. (a) The Plumbing Board shall consist of 12 voting members who must be residents of the state, appointed by the governor, and confirmed by the senate. The commissioner of labor and industry or the commissioner's designee shall be a voting member. The first appointed board members shall serve an initial term of four years, except where designated otherwise. The governor shall then reappoint the current members or appoint replacement members, all or in part, to subsequent three-year terms. Midterm vacancies shall be filled for the remaining portion of the term. Vacancies occurring with less than six months time remaining in the term shall be filled for the existing term and the following three-year term. Of the 11 appointed members, the composition shall be as follows:

 

(1) two members shall be municipal plumbing inspectors, one from the seven-county metro area and one from greater Minnesota;

 

(2) one member shall be a licensed mechanical engineer;

 

(3) two members serving an initial term of three years shall be plumbing contractors or the representative of the contractor, engaged in a commercial scope of plumbing contracting, one from the metropolitan area and one from greater Minnesota;

 

(4) two members serving an initial term of three years shall be plumbing contractors or their representatives, engaged in the residential scope of plumbing contracting, one from the metro area and one from greater Minnesota;

 

(5) two members serving an initial term of two years shall be plumbing journeypersons engaged in a commercial scope of plumbing systems installation, one from the metro area and one from greater Minnesota; and

 

(6) two members serving an initial term of two years shall be plumbing journeypersons engaged in a residential scope of plumbing systems installation, one from the metro area and one from greater Minnesota.


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(b) Except for the licensed mechanical engineer, all persons appointed to the council must possess a current Minnesota plumbing license and maintain the license for the duration of their term.

 

Subd. 2. Powers. (a) The board shall have the power to:

 

(1) elect its chair;

 

(2) specify the plumbing code that must be followed in this state;

 

(3) maintain a review process to make determinations regarding any complaints, code amendments, code compliance, and code clarifications filed with the board;

 

(4) adopt rules necessary for the regulation and licensing of contractors, journeypersons, apprentices, and other persons engaged in the design, installation, and alteration of plumbing systems that would include the issuing, renewing, revoking, refusing to renew, and suspending a plumbing license, except for persons licensed under sections 326.02 to 326.15;

 

(5) adopt rules necessary for continuing education for individuals regulated and licensed under this section;

 

(6) make recommendations to the commissioner regarding educational requirements for plumbing inspectors; and

 

(7) pay expenses deemed necessary in the performance of board duties, including:

 

(i) rent, utilities, and supplies in the manner and amount specified in section 43A.18, subdivision 2; and

 

(ii) per diem and expenses for its members as provided in section 15.0575, subdivision 3.

 

(b) Requests under the review process in paragraph (a), clause (3), may originate with the municipal inspectors, the plumbing contractors or their employees, and other persons engaged in the design, installation, and alteration of plumbing systems. The board shall make its findings known to all parties and the commissioner of labor and industry within the time period specified by the board.

 

Subd. 3. Fees and finances. The board shall submit an annual budget to the commissioner of labor and industry. The commissioner shall collect fees under section 326.42 necessary for the operation and continuance of the board. The commissioner is responsible for the enforcement of the codes and licensing requirements determined by the board. The board shall recommend the fees for licenses and certification under this section. The commissioner of finance shall make a quarterly certification of the amount necessary to pay expenses required for operation of the board under subdivision 2, paragraph (a), clause (6). The certified amount is appropriated in fiscal years 2008 and 2009 to the board for those purposes from the fees collected under section 326.42.

 

Subd. 4. Transfer of authority; Plumbing Board. The authority of the commissioners of health and labor and industry to adopt rules relating to plumbers is transferred to the Plumbing Board. Licenses and permits currently in effect remain in effect according to their terms unless affected by board action. Rules adopted by the commissioner of health or labor and industry remain in effect until amended or repealed by the board. The commissioner of administration may not use the authority under section 16B.37 to modify the transfers of authority in this act.

 

Subd. 5. First meeting; appointments for Plumbing Board. The governor must complete the appointments required by section 326.372 no later than July 1, 2007. The commissioner of labor and industry shall convene the first meeting of the Plumbing Board no later than September 1, 2007.


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Sec. 26. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 326.38, is amended to read:

 

326.38 LOCAL REGULATIONS.

 

Any city having a system of waterworks or sewerage, or any town in which reside over 5,000 people exclusive of any statutory cities located therein, or the metropolitan airports commission, may, by ordinance, adopt local regulations providing for plumbing permits, bonds, approval of plans, and inspections of plumbing, which regulations are not in conflict with the plumbing standards on the same subject prescribed by the state commissioner of health Plumbing Board. No city or such town shall prohibit plumbers licensed by the state commissioner of health labor and industry from engaging in or working at the business, except cities and statutory cities which, prior to April 21, 1933, by ordinance required the licensing of plumbers. No city or town may require a license for persons performing building sewer or water service installation who have completed pipe laying training as prescribed by the commissioner of labor and industry. Any city by ordinance may prescribe regulations, reasonable standards, and inspections and grant permits to any person, firm, or corporation engaged in the business of installing water softeners, who is not licensed as a master plumber or journeyman plumber by the state commissioner of health labor and industry, to connect water softening and water filtering equipment to private residence water distribution systems, where provision has been previously made therefor and openings left for that purpose or by use of cold water connections to a domestic water heater; where it is not necessary to rearrange, make any extension or alteration of, or addition to any pipe, fixture or plumbing connected with the water system except to connect the water softener, and provided the connections so made comply with minimum standards prescribed by the state commissioner of health Plumbing Board.

 

Sec. 27. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 326.40, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

 

Subdivision 1. License required; master and journeyman plumbers. In any city now or hereafter having 5,000 or more population, according to the last federal census, and having a system of waterworks or sewerage, (a) No person, firm, or corporation shall engage in or work at the business of a master plumber or, restricted master plumber, journeyman plumber, and restricted journeyman plumber unless licensed to do so by the state commissioner of health labor and industry. A license is not required for persons performing building sewer or water service installation who have completed pipe laying training as prescribed by the commissioner of labor and industry. A master plumber may also work as a journeyman plumber, a restricted journeyman plumber, and a restricted master plumber. A journeyman plumber may also work as a restricted journeyman plumber. Anyone not so licensed may do plumbing work which complies with the provisions of the minimum standard prescribed by the state commissioner of health Plumbing Board on premises or that part of premises owned and actually occupied by the worker as a residence, unless otherwise forbidden to do so by a local ordinance.

 

In any such city (b) No person, firm, or corporation shall engage in the business of installing plumbing nor install plumbing in connection with the dealing in and selling of plumbing material and supplies unless at all times a licensed master plumber, or in cities and towns with a population of fewer than 5,000 according to the federal census a restricted master plumber, who shall be responsible for proper installation, is in charge of the plumbing work of the person, firm, or corporation.

 

The Department of Health Plumbing Board shall prescribe rules, not inconsistent herewith, for the examination and licensing of plumbers.

 

Sec. 28. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 326.401, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 2. Journeyman exam. A plumber's apprentice who has completed four years of practical plumbing experience is eligible to take the journeyman plumbing examination. Up to 24 months of practical plumbing experience prior to registration as an apprentice may be applied to the four-year experience requirement. However, none of this practical plumbing experience may be applied if the person did not have any practical plumbing


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experience in the 12-month period immediately prior to registration. The commissioner Plumbing Board may adopt rules to evaluate whether the person's past practical plumbing experience is applicable in preparing for the journeyman's examination. If two years after completing the training the person has not taken the examination, the four years of experience shall be forfeited.

 

The commissioner may allow an extension of the two-year period for taking the exam for cases of hardship or other appropriate circumstances.

 

Sec. 29. [326.402] RESTRICTED PLUMBER LICENSE.

 

Subdivision 1. Licensure. The commissioner of labor and industry shall grant a restricted journeyman or master plumber license to an individual if:

 

(1) the individual completes an application with information required by the commissioner of labor and industry;

 

(2) the completed application is accompanied by a fee of $90;

 

(3) the commissioner of labor and industry receives the completed application and fee before January 1, 2008;

 

(4) the completed application demonstrates that the applicant has had at least two years for a restricted journeyman plumber license or four years for a restricted master plumber license of practical plumbing experience in the plumbing trade prior to the application; and

 

(5) during the entire time for which the applicant is claiming experience in contracting for plumbing work under clause (4), the applicant was in compliance with all applicable requirements of section 326.40.

 

Subd. 2. Use of license. A restricted master plumber and restricted journeyman plumber may engage in the plumbing trade in all areas of the state except in cities and towns with a population of more than 5,000 according to the federal census.

 

Subd. 3. Application period. Applications for restricted master plumber and restricted journeyman plumber licenses must be submitted to the commissioner prior to January 1, 2008.

 

Subd. 4. Renewal; use period for license. A restricted master plumber and restricted journeyman plumber license must be renewed annually for as long as that licensee engages in the plumbing trade. Failure to renew a restricted master plumber and restricted journeyman plumber license within 12 months after the expiration date will result in permanent forfeiture of the restricted master plumber and restricted journeyman plumber license.

 

Subd. 5. Prohibition of transference. A restricted master plumber and restricted journeyman plumber license may not be transferred or sold to any other person.

 

Subd. 6. Bond; insurance. A restricted master plumber licensee is subject to the bond and insurance requirements of section 326.40, subdivision 2, unless the exemption provided by section 326.40, subdivision 3, applies.

 

Subd. 7. Fee. The annual fee for the restricted master plumber and restricted journeyman plumber licenses is the same fee as for a master or journeyman plumber license, respectively.


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Sec. 30. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 326.405, is amended to read:

 

326.405 RECIPROCITY WITH OTHER STATES.

 

The commissioner of health may license without examination, upon payment of the required fee, nonresident applicants who are licensed under the laws of a state having standards for licensing plumbers which the commissioner determines are substantially equivalent to the standards of this state if the other state grants similar privileges to Minnesota residents duly licensed in this state. The commissioner may issue a temporary license without examination, upon payment of the required fee, nonresident applicants who are licensed under the laws of a state having standards for licensing which the commissioner determines are substantially equivalent to the standards of this state if the other state grants similar privileges to Minnesota residents duly licensed in this state. Applicants who receive a temporary license under this section may acquire an aggregate of 24 months of experience before they have to apply and pass the licensing examination. Applicants must register with the commissioner of labor and industry and the commissioner shall set a fee for a temporary license. Applicants have five years in which to comply with this section.

 

Sec. 31. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 326.42, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

 

Subdivision 1. Application. Applications for plumber's license shall be made to the state commissioner of health labor and industry, with fee. Unless the applicant is entitled to a renewal, the applicant shall be licensed by the state commissioner of health labor and industry only after passing a satisfactory examination administered by the examiners commissioner of labor and industry, based upon rules adopted by the Plumbing Board showing fitness. Examination fees for both journeyman and master plumbers shall be in an amount prescribed by the state commissioner of health labor and industry pursuant to section 144.122. Upon being notified that of having successfully passed the examination for original license the applicant shall submit an application, with the license fee herein provided. License fees shall be in an amount prescribed by the state commissioner of health labor and industry pursuant to section 144.122. Licenses shall expire and be renewed as prescribed by the commissioner pursuant to section 144.122.

 

Sec. 32. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 341.28, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 2. Regulatory authority; tough person contests. All tough person contests, including amateur tough person contests, are subject to this chapter. All tough person contests are subject to American Boxing Commission (ABC) rules. Every contestant in a tough person contest shall have a physical examination prior to their bouts. Every contestant in a tough person contest shall wear padded gloves that weigh at least 12 ounces. All tough person bouts are limited to two-minute rounds and a maximum of four total rounds. Officials at tough person bouts shall be licensed under this chapter.

 

Sec. 33. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 341.28, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

 

Subd. 3. Regulatory authority; similar sporting events. All mixed martial arts, ultimate fight contests, and similar sporting events are subject to this chapter.

 

Sec. 34. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 341.32, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 2. Expiration and renewal. A license expires December 31 at midnight in the year of its issuance issued after the effective date of this act is valid for one year from the date it is issued and may be renewed by filing an application for renewal with the commission and payment of the license fee. An application for a license and renewal of a license must be on a form provided by the commission. There is a 30-day grace period during which a license may be renewed if a late filing penalty fee equal to the license fee is submitted with the regular license fee. A licensee that files late shall not conduct any activity regulated by this chapter until the commission has renewed the license. If the licensee fails to apply to the commission within the 30-day grace period, the licensee must apply for a new license under subdivision 1.


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Sec. 35. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 341.321, is amended to read:

 

341.321 FEE SCHEDULE.

 

(a) The fee schedule for licenses issued by the Minnesota Boxing Commission is as follows:

 

(1) referees, $35 $45 for each initial license and each renewal;

 

(2) promoters, $400 for each initial license and each renewal;

 

(3) judges and knockdown judges, $25 $45 for each initial license and each renewal;

 

(4) trainers, $35 $45 for each initial license and each renewal;

 

(5) ring announcers, $25 $45 for each initial license and each renewal;

 

(6) boxers' seconds, $25 $45 for each initial license and each renewal;

 

(7) timekeepers, $25 $45 for each initial license and each renewal; and

 

(8) boxers, $35 $45 for each initial license and each renewal.;

 

(9) managers, $45 for each initial license and each renewal; and

 

(10) ringside physicians, $45 for each initial license and each renewal.

 

(b) The commission shall establish and assess an event fee for each sporting event. The event fee is set at a minimum of $1,500 per event or a percentage of the ticket sales as determined by the commission when the sporting event is scheduled.

 

(c) All fees collected by the Minnesota Boxing Commission must be deposited in the Boxing Commission account in the special revenue fund.

 

Sec. 36. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 541.051, is amended to read:

 

541.051 LIMITATION OF ACTION FOR DAMAGES BASED ON SERVICES OR CONSTRUCTION TO IMPROVE REAL PROPERTY.

 

Subdivision 1. Limitation; service or construction of real property; improvements. (a) Except where fraud is involved, no action by any person in contract, tort, or otherwise to recover damages for any injury to property, real or personal, or for bodily injury or wrongful death, arising out of the defective and unsafe condition of an improvement to real property, nor any action for contribution or indemnity for damages sustained on account of the injury, shall be brought against any person performing or furnishing the design, planning, supervision, materials, or observation of construction or construction of the improvement to real property or against the owner of the real property more than two years after discovery of the injury or, in the case of an action for contribution or indemnity, accrual of the cause of action, nor, in any event shall such a cause of action accrue more than ten years after substantial completion of the construction. Date of substantial completion shall be determined by the date when construction is sufficiently completed so that the owner or the owner's representative can occupy or use the improvement for the intended purpose.


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(b) Notwithstanding paragraph (a), an action for contribution or indemnity arising out of the defective and unsafe condition of an improvement to real property may be brought no later than two years after the cause of action for contribution or indemnity has accrued, regardless of whether it accrued before or after the ten-year period referenced in paragraph (a).

 

(c) For purposes of paragraph (a), a cause of action accrues upon discovery of the injury or, in the case of an action for contribution or indemnity under paragraph (b), upon payment of a final judgment, arbitration award, or settlement arising out of the defective and unsafe condition.

 

(c) (d) Nothing in this section shall apply to actions for damages resulting from negligence in the maintenance, operation or inspection of the real property improvement against the owner or other person in possession.

 

(d) (e) The limitations prescribed in this section do not apply to the manufacturer or supplier of any equipment or machinery installed upon real property.

 

Subd. 2. Action allowed; limitation. Notwithstanding the provisions of subdivision 1, paragraph (a), in the case of an a cause of action which accrues during the ninth or tenth year after substantial completion of the construction, an action to recover damages may be brought within two years after the date on which the cause of action accrued, but in no event may such an action be brought more than 12 years after substantial completion of the construction. Nothing in this subdivision shall limit the time for bringing an action for contribution or indemnity.

 

Subd. 3. Not construed. Nothing in this section shall be construed as extending the period prescribed by the laws of this state for the bringing of any action.

 

Subd. 4. Applicability. For the purposes of actions based on breach of the statutory warranties set forth in section 327A.02, or to actions based on breach of an express written warranty, such actions shall be brought within two years of the discovery of the breach. In the case of an action under section 327A.05, which accrues during the ninth or tenth year after the warranty date, as defined in section 327A.01, subdivision 8, an action may be brought within two years of the discovery of the breach, but in no event may an action under section 327A.05 be brought more than 12 years after the effective warranty date. An action for contribution or indemnity related to actions described in this subdivision may be brought no later than two years after the cause of action for contribution or indemnity has accrued, based upon the time of accrual provided in subdivision 1, paragraph (c).

 

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment and applies to all actions pending on or commenced on or after that date.

 

Sec. 37. REPEALER.

 

Minnesota Statutes 2006, sections 176.042; 268.035, subdivision 9; and 326.45, are repealed.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE. Sections 176.042 and 286.035, subdivision 9, are repealed effective January 1, 2009.

 

ARTICLE 5

 

HIGH PRESSURE PIPING

 

Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 326.46, is amended to read:

 

326.46 SUPERVISION OF HIGH PRESSURE PIPING.

 

The Department of Labor and Industry shall supervise all high pressure piping used on all projects in this state, and may prescribe minimum standards which shall be uniform under rules adopted by the board.


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The department shall employ inspectors and other assistants to carry out the provisions of sections 326.46 to 326.52.

 

Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 326.461, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

 

Subd. 1a. Board. "Board" means the Board of High Pressure Piping Systems.

 

Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 326.47, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 2. Permissive municipal regulation. A municipality may, by ordinance, provide for the inspection of high pressure piping system materials and construction, and provide that it shall not be constructed or installed except in accordance with minimum state standards. The authority designated by the ordinance for issuing high pressure piping permits and assuring compliance with state standards must report to the Department of Labor and Industry all violations of state high pressure piping standards.

 

A municipality may not adopt an ordinance with high pressure piping standards that does not conform to the uniform standards prescribed by the Department of Labor and Industry board. The Department of Labor and Industry board shall specify by rule the minimum qualifications for municipal inspectors.

 

Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 326.47, subdivision 6, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 6. Filing and inspection fees. The Department of Labor and Industry must charge a filing fee set by the commissioner board under section 16A.1285 for all applications for permits to construct or install high pressure piping systems. The fee for inspection of high pressure piping system construction or installation shall be set by the commissioner board under section 16A.1285. This subdivision does not apply where a permit is issued by a municipality complying with subdivision 2.

 

Sec. 5. [326.471] BOARD OF HIGH PRESSURE PIPING SYSTEMS.

 

Subdivision 1. Composition. (a) The Board of High Pressure Piping Systems shall consist of 12 members who must be residents of the state, appointed by the governor, and confirmed by the senate. The commissioner of the Department of Labor and Industry or the commissioner's designee shall be a voting member. The first appointed board members shall serve an initial term of four years, except where designated otherwise. The governor shall then reappoint the current members or appoint replacement members, all or in part, to subsequent three-year terms. Midterm vacancies shall be filled for the remaining portion of the term. Vacancies occurring with less than six months time remaining in the term shall be filled for the existing term and the following three-year term. Of the 11 appointed members, the composition shall be as follows:

 

(1) one member shall be a high pressure piping inspector;

 

(2) one member shall be a licensed mechanical engineer;

 

(3) one member shall be a representative of the piping industry;

 

(4) four members shall be high pressure piping contractors or their representatives, engaged in the scope of high pressure piping, two from the metro area and two from greater Minnesota;

 

(5) two members shall be high pressure piping journeypersons engaged in the scope of high pressure piping systems installation, one from the metro area and one from greater Minnesota; and


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(6) two members shall be representatives from utility companies in Minnesota who shall serve an initial term of two years.

 

(b) Except for the licensed mechanical engineer and the members from utilities companies, all persons appointed to the board must possess a current license or competency credential required for contractors and persons engaged in the design, installation, alteration, and inspection of high pressure piping systems.

 

Subd. 2. Powers. (a) The board shall have the power to:

 

(1) elect its chair;

 

(2) specify the high pressure piping code that must be followed in Minnesota;

 

(3) maintain an appeals committee to make determinations regarding any complaints, code amendments, code compliance, and code clarifications filed with the board;

 

(4) adopt rules necessary for the regulation and licensing of contractors, journeypersons, trainees, and persons engaged in the design, installation, alteration, and inspection of high pressure piping systems, except for persons licensed under sections 326.02 to 326.15;

 

(5) adopt rules necessary for continuing education for individuals regulated and licensed under this section; and

 

(6) pay expenses deemed necessary in the performance of board duties, including:

 

(i) rent, utilities, and supplies in the manner and amount specified in section 43A.18, subdivision 2; and

 

(ii) per diem and expenses for its members as provided in section 15.0575, subdivision 3.

 

(b) Complaints filed under this section may originate with high pressure piping inspectors, contractors, or their employees, or other persons engaged in the design, installation, and alteration of a high pressure piping system. The board shall make their findings known to all parties and the commissioner of the Department of Labor and Industry within the time period specified by the board.

 

Subd. 3. Fee and finances. The board shall submit an annual budget to the commissioner of the Department of Labor and Industry. The commissioner shall collect fees under section 326.47, subdivision 6, necessary for the operation and continuance of the board. The commissioner is responsible for the enforcement of the codes and licensing requirements determined by the board. The board shall recommend the fees for licenses and certification under this section and for all high pressure piping system permits and submit the fee structure to the commissioner of labor and industry. The commissioner of finance shall make a quarterly certification of the amount necessary to pay expenses required for operation of the board under subdivision 2, paragraph (a), clause (6). The certified amount is appropriated in fiscal years 2008 and 2009 to the board for those purposes from the fees collected under section 326.50.

 

Sec. 6. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 326.48, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

 

Subdivision 1. License required; rules; time credit. No person shall engage in or work at the business of a contracting pipefitter unless issued an individual contracting pipefitter license to do so by the Department of Labor and Industry under rules prescribed by the board. No license shall be required for repairs on existing installations. No person shall engage in or work at the business of journeyman pipefitter unless issued an individual journeyman pipefitter competency license to do so by the Department of Labor and Industry under rules prescribed by the board. A person possessing an individual contracting pipefitter competency license may also work as a journeyman pipefitter.


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No person, partnership, firm, or corporation shall install high pressure piping, nor install high pressure piping in connection with the dealing in and selling of high pressure pipe material and supplies, unless, at all times, a person possessing a contracting pipefitter individual competency license or a journeyman pipefitter individual competency license is responsible for the high pressure pipefitting work conducted by the person, partnership, firm, or corporation being in conformity with Minnesota Statutes and Minnesota Rules.

 

The Department of Labor and Industry board shall prescribe rules, not inconsistent herewith, for the examination and individual competency licensing of contracting pipefitters and journeyman pipefitters and for issuance of permits by the department and municipalities for the installation of high pressure piping.

 

An employee performing the duties of inspector for the Department of Labor and Industry in regulating pipefitting shall not receive time credit for the inspection duties when making an application for a license required by this section.

 

Sec. 7. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 326.48, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 2. High pressure pipefitting business license. Before obtaining a permit for high pressure piping work, a person, partnership, firm, or corporation must obtain or utilize a business with a high pressure piping business license.

 

A person, partnership, firm, or corporation must have at all times as a full-time employee at least one individual holding an individual contracting pipefitter competency license. Only full-time employees who hold individual contracting pipefitter licenses are authorized to obtain high pressure piping permits in the name of the business. The individual contracting pipefitter competency license holder can be the employee of only one high pressure piping business at a time.

 

To retain its business license without reapplication, a person, partnership, firm, or corporation holding a high pressure piping business license that ceases to employ a person holding an individual contracting pipefitter competency license shall have 60 days from the last day of employment of its previous individual contracting pipefitter competency license holder to employ another license holder. The Department of Labor and Industry must be notified no later than five days after the last day of employment of the previous license holder.

 

No high pressure pipefitting work may be performed during any period when the high pressure pipefitting business does not have an individual contracting pipefitter competency license holder on staff. If a license holder is not employed within 60 days, the pipefitting business license shall lapse.

 

The Department of Labor and Industry board shall prescribe by rule procedures for application for and issuance of business licenses and fees.

 

Sec. 8. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 326.48, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

 

Subd. 6. Reciprocity with other states. The commissioner may issue a temporary license without examination, upon payment of the required fee, nonresident applicants who are licensed under the laws of a state having standards for licensing which the commissioner determines are substantially equivalent to the standards of this state if the other state grants similar privileges to Minnesota residents duly licensed in this state. Applicants who receive a temporary license under this section may acquire an aggregate of 24 months of experience before they have to apply and pass the licensing examination. Applicants must register with the commissioner of labor and industry and the commissioner shall set a fee for a temporary license. Applicants have five years in which to comply with this section.


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Sec. 9. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 326.50, is amended to read:

 

326.50 APPLICATION; FEES.

 

Application for an individual contracting pipefitter competency or an individual journeyman pipefitter competency license shall be made to the Department of Labor and Industry, with fees. The applicant shall be licensed only after passing an examination administered by the Department of Labor and Industry in accordance with rules adopted by the board.

 

Sec. 10. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 326.51, is amended to read:

 

326.51 DEPARTMENT MAY REVOKE LICENSES.

 

The department board may revoke or suspend, for cause, any license obtained through error or fraud, or if the licensee is shown to be incompetent, or for a violation of any of its rules and regulations applicable to high pressure pipefitting work. The licensee shall have notice, in writing, enumerating the charges, and be entitled to a hearing on at least ten days' notice, with the right to produce testimony. The hearing shall be held pursuant to chapter 14. The commissioner board shall issue a final order based on testimony and the record at hearing. One year from the date of revocation application may be made for a new license.

 

Sec. 11. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 326.52, is amended to read:

 

326.52 DEPOSIT OF FEES.

 

All fees received under sections 326.46 to 326.52 shall be deposited by the Department of Labor and Industry to the credit of the general fund in the state treasury. The salaries and per diem of the inspectors and examiners hereinbefore provided, their expenses, and all incidental expenses of the department and board in carrying out the provisions of sections 326.46 to 326.52 shall be paid from the appropriations made to the Department of Labor and Industry. The commissioner board by rule shall set the amount of the fees at a level that approximates, to the greatest extent possible, the salaries, per diem, and incidental expenses of the department.

 

Sec. 12. TRANSFER OF AUTHORITY; BOARD OF HIGH PRESSURE PIPING SYSTEMS.

 

The authority of the commissioner of labor and industry to adopt rules relating to high pressure piping systems is transferred to the Board of High Pressure Piping Systems. Licenses and permits currently in effect remain in effect according to their terms unless affected by board action. Rules adopted by the commissioner of labor and industry remain in effect until amended or repealed by the board. The commissioner of administration may not use the authority under Minnesota Statutes, section 16B.37, to modify transfers of authority in this act.

 

Sec. 13. FIRST MEETING; APPOINTMENTS FOR BOARD OF HIGH PRESSURE PIPING SYSTEMS.

 

The governor must complete the appointments required by Minnesota Statutes, section 326.471, no later than July 1, 2007. The commissioner of labor and industry shall convene the first meeting of the Board of High Pressure Piping Systems no later than September 1, 2007.

 

ARTICLE 6

 

IRON RANGE RESOURCES AND REHABILITATION BOARD

 

Section 1. [270.99] HOCKEY HERITAGE SURCHARGE.

 

Subdivision 1. Imposition. A surcharge of 25 cents is imposed on the sale of every ticket to an NCAA Division I men's hockey event in the state.


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Subd. 2. Collection; remittance. The surcharge imposed in this section shall be collected by all sellers of these tickets with nexus in the state of Minnesota. The seller shall report the surcharge on a return proscribed by the commissioner of revenue and shall remit the surcharge with the return.

 

Subd. 3. Administration. Unless specifically provided otherwise in this section, the audit, assessment, refund, penalty, interest, enforcement, collection remedies, appeal, and administrative provisions in this chapter and chapter 289A that are applicable to taxes imposed under chapter 297A apply to the surcharge imposed under this section.

 

Subd. 4. Deposit of revenues. The commissioner of revenue shall deposit all revenues, including penalty and interest, derived from the surcharge imposed in this section in the hockey surcharge account in the special revenue fund. The amount deposited under this section is appropriated to the Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board for payment to the city of Eveleth to be used for the support of the Hockey Hall of Fame Museum provided that it continues to operate in the city. Payments under this section for the Hockey Hall of Fame Museum are in addition to and must not be used to supplant funding under section 298.28, subdivision 9c.

 

Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 298.22, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 2. Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board. There is hereby created the Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board, consisting of 13 ten members, five of whom are state senators appointed by the Subcommittee on Committees of the Rules Committee of the senate, and five of whom are representatives, appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives. The remaining members shall be appointed one each by the senate majority leader, the speaker of the house of representatives, and the governor and must be nonlegislators who reside in a taconite assistance area as defined in section 273.1341. The members shall be appointed in January of every odd-numbered year, except that the initial nonlegislator members shall be appointed by July 1, 1999, and shall serve until January of the next odd-numbered year. Vacancies on the board shall be filled in the same manner as the original members were chosen. At least a majority of the legislative members of the board shall be elected from state senatorial or legislative districts in which over 50 percent of the residents reside within a taconite assistance area as defined in section 273.1341. All expenditures and projects made by the commissioner of Iron Range resources and rehabilitation shall be consistent with the priorities established in subdivision 8 and shall first be submitted to the Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board for approval by a majority of the board of expenditures and projects for rehabilitation purposes as provided by this section, and the method, manner, and time of payment of all funds proposed to be disbursed shall be first approved or disapproved by the board. The board shall biennially make its report to the governor and the legislature on or before November 15 of each even-numbered year. The expenses of the board shall be paid by the state from the funds raised pursuant to this section.

 

Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 298.227, is amended to read:

 

298.227 TACONITE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FUND.

 

An amount equal to that distributed pursuant to each taconite producer's taxable production and qualifying sales under section 298.28, subdivision 9a, shall be held by the Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board in a separate taconite economic development fund for each taconite and direct reduced ore producer. Money from the fund for each producer shall be released by the commissioner after review by a joint committee consisting of an equal number of representatives of the salaried employees and the nonsalaried production and maintenance employees of that producer. The District 11 director of the United States Steelworkers of America, on advice of each local employee president, shall select the employee members. In nonorganized operations, the employee committee shall be elected by the nonsalaried production and maintenance employees. The review must be completed no later than six months after the producer presents a proposal for expenditure of the funds to the committee. The funds held pursuant to this section may be released only for acquisition of plant and stationary mining equipment and facilities for the producer or for research and development in Minnesota on new mining, or


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taconite, iron, or steel production technology, but only if the producer provides a matching expenditure to be used for the same purpose of at least 50 percent of the distribution based on 14.7 cents per ton beginning with distributions in 2002. Effective for proposals for expenditures of money from the fund approved beginning the day following final enactment, the commissioner may release the funds only if the proposed expenditure is approved by a majority of the members of the Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board. If a producer uses money which has been released from the fund prior to the day following final enactment to procure haulage trucks, mobile equipment, or mining shovels, and the producer removes the piece of equipment from the taconite tax relief area defined in section 273.134 within ten years from the date of receipt of the money from the fund, a portion of the money granted from the fund must be repaid to the taconite economic development fund. The portion of the money to be repaid is 100 percent of the grant if the equipment is removed from the taconite tax relief area within 12 months after receipt of the money from the fund, declining by ten percent for each of the subsequent nine years during which the equipment remains within the taconite tax relief area. If a taconite production facility is sold after operations at the facility had ceased, any money remaining in the fund for the former producer may be released to the purchaser of the facility on the terms otherwise applicable to the former producer under this section. If a producer fails to provide matching funds for a proposed expenditure within six months after the commissioner approves release of the funds, the funds are available for release to another producer in proportion to the distribution provided and under the conditions of this section. Any portion of the fund which is not released by the commissioner within two years of its deposit in the fund shall be divided between the taconite environmental protection fund created in section 298.223 and the Douglas J. Johnson economic protection trust fund created in section 298.292 for placement in their respective special accounts. Two-thirds of the unreleased funds shall be distributed to the taconite environmental protection fund and one-third to the Douglas J. Johnson economic protection trust fund.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective for proposals for expenditures of money from the fund the day following final enactment.

 

Sec. 4. APPROPRIATION; IRON RANGE RESOURCES AND REHABILITATION BOARD.

 

$500,000 is appropriated from the Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board fund for fiscal year 2008 for allocation in this section:

 

(1) $225,000 is for Aitkin County Growth, Inc. to extend electric service and other infrastructure to a peat project in Spencer Township in Aitkin County;

 

(2) $75,000 is for a nonprofit organization for the preservation of the B'nai Abraham Synagogue in Virginia, of which $50,000 is for renovation and $25,000 is for a permanent endowment for the preservation;

 

(3) $150,000 is for a grant to the Iron Range youth in action program to assist the organization to employ youth for the construction of community centers; and

 

(4) $50,000 is for a grant to the Iron Range retriever club for pond and field construction.

 

These are onetime appropriations.

 

Sec. 5. IRRRB BUILDING.

 

The Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board office building in Eveleth, Minnesota is designated and named the Joe Begich Building and shall be signed as such at every entrance.


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ARTICLE 7

 

ELECTRICAL

 

Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 326.01, subdivision 6g, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 6g. Personal direct supervision. The term "personal "Direct supervision" means that a person licensed to perform electrical work oversees and directs the electrical work performed by an unlicensed person such that:

 

(1) the licensed person actually reviews the electrical work performed by the unlicensed person an unlicensed individual is being supervised by an individual licensed to perform the electrical work being supervised;

 

(2) during the entire working day of the unlicensed individual, the licensed individual is physically present at the location where the unlicensed individual is preforming electrical work and immediately available to the unlicensed individual;

 

(3) the licensed person individual is physically present and immediately available to the unlicensed person individual at all times for assistance and direction; and

 

(4) electronic supervision does not meet the requirement of physically present and immediately available;

 

(5) the licensed individual shall review the electrical work performed by the unlicensed individual before the electrical work is operated; and

 

(3) (6) the licensed person individual is able to and does determine that all electrical work performed by the unlicensed person individual is performed in compliance with section 326.243.

 

The licensed person individual is responsible for the compliance with section 326.243 of all electrical work performed by the unlicensed person individual.

 

Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 326.241, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

 

Subdivision 1. Composition. (a) The Board of Electricity shall consist of 11 12 members, residents of the state, appointed by the governor of whom and confirmed by the senate. The commissioner of labor and industry or the commissioner's designee shall be a nonvoting member. The first appointed board members shall serve an initial term of four years, except where designated otherwise. The governor shall then reappoint the current members or appoint replacement members, all or in part, to subsequent three-year terms. Midterm vacancies shall be filled for the remaining portion of the term. Vacancies occurring with less than six months time remaining in the term shall be filled for the existing term and the following three-year term. Of the 11 appointed members, the composition shall be as follows:

 

(1) two shall be representatives of the electrical suppliers in the rural areas of the state,

 

(2) two shall be master electricians, who shall be contractors,

 

(3) two journeyman electricians,

 

(4) one registered consulting electrical engineer,

 

(5) two power limited technicians, who shall be technology system contractors primarily engaged in the business of installing technology circuits or systems, and


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(6) two public members as defined by section 214.02.

 

(b) Except as provided herein, membership terms, compensation of members, removal of members, the filling of membership vacancies, and fiscal year and reporting requirements shall be as provided in sections 214.07 to 214.09. The provision of staff, administrative services and office space; the review and processing of complaints; the setting of board fees; and other provisions relating to board operations shall be as provided in chapter 214.

 

Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 326.241, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 2. Powers. (a) The board, or the complaint committee on behalf of the board where authorized by law, shall have power to:

 

(1) Elect its own officers.

 

(2) Engage and fix the compensation of inspectors, and hire employees. The salary of the executive secretary shall be established pursuant to chapter 43A. All agents and employees other than contract inspectors shall be in the classified service and shall be compensated pursuant to chapter 43A. All inspectors shall hold licenses as master or journeyman electricians under section 326.242, subdivision 1(1) or 2(1), and shall give bond in an amount fixed by the board, conditioned upon the faithful performance of their duties.

 

(3) (2) Pay such other expenses as it may deem necessary in the performance of its duties, including rent, supplies, and such like.

 

(3) Select from its members individuals to serve on any other state advisory councils, boards, or committees.

 

(4) Enforce the provisions of sections 326.241 to 326.248, and provide, upon request, such additional voluntary inspections and reviews as it may deem appropriate.

 

(5) Issue, renew, refuse to renew, suspend, temporarily suspend, and revoke licenses, censure licensees, assess civil penalties, issue cease and desist orders, and seek injunctive relief and civil penalties in court as authorized by section 326.242 and other provisions of Minnesota law. Establish the committees required herein and any others deemed necessary by the board or requested by the commissioner.

 

(6) Adopt reasonable rules to carry out its duties under sections 326.241 to 326.248 and to provide for the amount and collection of fees for inspection and other services. All rules shall be adopted in accordance with chapter 14.

 

(7) Advise the commissioner on issues related to sections 326.241 to 326.248 or as requested by the commissioner.

 

(b) Except for the powers granted to the Electricity Board the commissioner of labor and industry shall administer the provisions of sections 326.241 to 326.248 and for such purposes may employ electrical inspectors and other assistants.

 

Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 326.242, subdivision 3d, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 3d. Power limited technician. (a) Except as otherwise provided by law, no person shall install, alter, repair, plan, lay out, or supervise the installing, altering, or repairing of electrical wiring, apparatus, or equipment for technology circuits or systems unless:

 

(1) the person is licensed by the board as a power limited technician; and


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(2) the electrical work is:

 

(i) for a licensed contractor and the person is an employee, partner, or officer of, or is the licensed contractor; or

 

(ii) performed under the supervision of a master electrician or power limited technician also employed by the person's employer on technology circuits, systems, apparatus, equipment, or facilities owned or leased by the employer that are located within the limits of property owned or leased, operated, and maintained by the employer.

 

(b) An applicant for a power limited technician's license shall (1) be a graduate of a four-year electrical course in an accredited college or university; or (2) have had at least 36 months' experience, acceptable to the board, in planning for, laying out, supervising, and installing wiring, apparatus, or equipment for power limited systems, provided however, that the board may by rule provide for the allowance of up to 12 months (2,000 hours) of experience credit for successful completion of a two-year post high school electrical course or other technical training approved by the board.

 

(c) The board may initially set experience requirements without rulemaking, but must adopt rules before July 1, 2004.

 

(d) Licensees must attain eight hours of continuing education acceptable to the board every renewal period.

 

(e) A person who has submitted an application by June 30, 2003, to take the alarm and communications examination administered by the board, and who has achieved a minimal score of 70 percent on the examination by September 30, 2003, may obtain a power limited technician license without further examination by submitting an application and a license fee of $30.

 

(f) A company holding an alarm and communication license as of June 30, 2003, may designate one person who may obtain a power limited technician license without passing an examination administered by the board by submitting an application and license fee of $30.

 

(g) A person who has submitted an application by September 30, 2005 December 31, 2007, to take the power limited technician examination administered by the board department is not required to meet the qualifications set forth in paragraph (b).

 

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

 

Sec. 5. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 326.242, subdivision 5, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 5. Unlicensed persons individuals. (a) An unlicensed person individual means an individual who has not been licensed by the Board of Electricity as a Class A master electrician or as a Class A journeyman electrician. An unlicensed individual shall not perform electrical work required to be performed by a licensed individual unless the individual has first registered with the Board of Electricity as an unlicensed individual. Thereafter, an unlicensed individual shall not perform electrical work required to be performed by a licensed individual unless the work is performed under the personal direct supervision of a person an individual actually licensed to perform such work and. The licensed electrician individual and unlicensed persons are individual must be employed by the same employer. Licensed persons individuals shall not permit unlicensed persons individuals to perform electrical work except under the personal direct supervision of a person an individual actually licensed to perform such work. Unlicensed persons individuals shall not supervise the performance of electrical work or make assignments of electrical work to unlicensed persons individuals. Except for technology circuit or system work, licensed persons individuals shall supervise no more than two unlicensed persons individuals. For technology circuit or system work, licensed persons individuals shall supervise no more than three unlicensed persons individuals.


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(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, no person individual other than a master electrician or power limited technician shall plan or lay out electrical wiring, apparatus, or equipment for light, heat, power, or other purposes, except circuits or systems exempted from personal licensing by subdivision 12, paragraph (b).

 

(c) Contractors employing unlicensed persons performing individuals to perform electrical work shall maintain records establishing compliance with this subdivision, which that shall designate identify all unlicensed persons individuals performing electrical work, except for persons working on circuits or systems exempted from personal licensing by subdivision 12, paragraph (b), and shall permit the board to examine and copy all such records as provided for in section 326.244, subdivision 6.

 

(d) When a licensed individual supervises the electrical work of an unlicensed individual, the licensed individual is responsible for ensuring that the electrical work complies with sections 326.241 to 326.248 and rules adopted.

 

Sec. 6. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 326.242, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

 

Subd. 5a. Registration of unlicensed individuals. Unlicensed individuals performing electrical work for a contractor or employer shall register with the department in the manner prescribed by the commissioner. Experience credit for electrical work performed after January 1, 2008, by an applicant for a license identified in this section shall not be granted where the applicant has not registered with or is not licensed by the department.

 

Sec. 7. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 326.242, subdivision 11, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 11. Reciprocity. To the extent that any other state which provides for the licensing of electricians provides for similar action the board may grant licenses, without examination, of the same grade and class to an electrician who has been licensed by such other state for at least one year, upon payment by the applicant of the required fee and upon the board being furnished with proof that the required fee and upon the board being furnished with proof that the qualifications of the applicant are equal to the qualifications of holders of similar licenses in Minnesota. The commissioner may enter into reciprocity agreements for personal licenses with another state if approved by the board. Once approved by the board, the commissioner may issue a personal license without requiring the applicant to pass an examination provided the applicant:

 

(a) submits an application under section 326.242;

 

(b) pays the fee required under section 326.242; and

 

(c) holds a valid comparable license in the state participating in the agreement.

 

Agreements are subject to the following:

 

(1) The parties to the agreement must administer a statewide licensing program that includes examination and qualifying experience or training comparable to Minnesota's.

 

(2) The experience and training requirements under which an individual applicant qualified for examination in the qualifying state must be deemed equal to or greater than required for an applicant making application in Minnesota at the time the applicant acquired the license in the qualifying state.

 

(3) The applicant must have acquired the license in the qualifying state through an examination deemed equivalent to the same class of license examination in Minnesota. A lesser class of license may be granted where the applicant has acquired a greater class of license in the qualifying state and the applicant otherwise meets the conditions of this subdivision.


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(4) At the time of application, the applicant must hold a valid license in the qualifying state and have held the license continuously for at least one year before making application in Minnesota.

 

(5) An applicant is not eligible for a license under this subdivision if the applicant has failed the same or greater class of license examination in Minnesota, or if the applicant's license of the same or greater class has been revoked or suspended.

 

(6) An applicant who has failed to renew a personal license for two years or more after its expiration is not eligible for a license under this subdivision.

 

Sec. 8. REPEALER.

 

Minnesota Statutes 2006, sections 326.01, subdivision 4; and 326.242, subdivision 4, are repealed.

 

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

 

ARTICLE 8

 

APPRENTICESHIP BOARD

 

Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 178.01, is amended to read:

 

178.01 PURPOSES.

 

The purposes of this chapter are: to open to young people regardless of race, sex, creed, color or national origin, the opportunity to obtain training that will equip them for profitable employment and citizenship; to establish as a means to this end, a program of voluntary apprenticeship under approved apprentice agreements providing facilities for their training and guidance in the arts, skills, and crafts of industry and trade, with concurrent, supplementary instruction in related subjects; to promote employment opportunities under conditions providing adequate training and reasonable earnings; to relate the supply of skilled workers to employment demands; to establish standards for apprentice training; to establish an Apprenticeship Advisory Council Board and apprenticeship committees to assist in effectuating the purposes of this chapter; to provide for a Division of Labor Standards and Apprenticeship within the Department of Labor and Industry; to provide for reports to the legislature regarding the status of apprentice training in the state; to establish a procedure for the determination of apprentice agreement controversies; and to accomplish related ends.

 

Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 178.02, is amended to read:

 

178.02 APPRENTICESHIP ADVISORY COUNCIL BOARD.

 

Subdivision 1. Members. The commissioner of labor and industry, hereinafter called the commissioner, shall appoint an Apprenticeship Advisory Council Board, hereinafter referred to as the council board, composed of three representatives each from employer and employee organizations, and two representatives of the general public. The director of education responsible for career and technical education or designee shall be an ex officio member of the council board and shall serve in an advisory capacity only.

 

Subd. 2. Terms. The council board shall expire and the terms, compensation, and removal of appointed members shall be as provided in section 15.059, except that the council shall not expire before June 30, 2003.


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Subd. 4. Duties. The council board shall meet at the call of the commissioner. It shall propose occupational classifications for apprenticeship programs; propose minimum standards for apprenticeship programs and agreements; and advise on the establishment of such policies, procedures, and rules as the commissioner board deems necessary in implementing the intent of this chapter.

 

Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 178.03, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 3. Duties and functions. The director, under the supervision of the commissioner, and with the advice and oversight of the Apprenticeship Advisory Council Board, is authorized: to administer the provisions of this chapter; to promote apprenticeship and other forms of on the job training; to establish, in cooperation and consultation with the Apprenticeship Advisory Council Board and with the apprenticeship committees, conditions and training standards for the approval of apprenticeship programs and agreements, which conditions and standards shall in no case be lower than those prescribed by this chapter; to promote equal employment opportunity in apprenticeship and other on the job training and to establish a Minnesota plan for equal employment opportunity in apprenticeship which shall be consistent with standards established under Code of Federal Regulations, title 29, part 30, as amended; to issue certificates of registration to sponsors of approved apprenticeship programs; to act as secretary of the Apprenticeship Advisory Council Board; to approve, if of the opinion that approval is for the best interest of the apprentice, any apprenticeship agreement which meets the standards established hereunder; to terminate any apprenticeship agreement in accordance with the provisions of such agreement; to keep a record of apprenticeship agreements and their disposition; to issue certificates of completion of apprenticeship; and to perform such other duties as the commissioner deems necessary to carry out the intent of this chapter; provided, that the administration and supervision of supplementary instruction in related subjects for apprentices; coordination of instruction on a concurrent basis with job experiences, and the selection and training of teachers and coordinators for such instruction shall be the function of state and local boards responsible for vocational education. The director shall have the authority to make wage determinations applicable to the graduated schedule of wages and journeyman wage rate for apprenticeship agreements, giving consideration to the existing wage rates prevailing throughout the state, except that no wage determination by the director shall alter an existing wage provision for apprentices or journeymen that is contained in a bargaining agreement in effect between an employer and an organization of employees, nor shall the director make any determination for the beginning rate for an apprentice that is below the wage minimum established by federal or state law.

 

Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 178.041, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

 

Subdivision 1. Rules. The commissioner may, upon receipt of the council's board's proposals, accept, adopt, and issue them by rule with any modifications or amendments the commissioner finds appropriate. The commissioner may refer them back to the council board with recommendations for further study, consideration and revision. If the commissioner refuses to accept, adopt, and issue by rule or other appropriate action a board proposal, the commissioner must provide a written explanation of the reason for the refusal to the board within 30 days after the board submitted the proposal to the commissioner. Additional rules may be issued as the commissioner may deem necessary.

 

ARTICLE 9

 

MISCELLANEOUS

 

      Section 1. SUMMARY OF APPROPRIATIONS.

 

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

 

                                                                                                                       2008                               2009                               Total

 

General                                                                                               $51,175,000                    $47,510,000                    $98,685,000

 

Total                                                                                                $51,175,000                 $47,510,000                 $98,685,000


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      Sec. 2. MISCELLANEOUS 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 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2007, are effective the day following final enactment.

 

                                                                                                                                                             APPROPRIATIONS

                                                                                                                                                            Available for the Year

                                                                                                                                                                  Ending June 30

                                                                                                                                                   2008                                      2009

 

      Sec. 3. EXPLORE MINNESOTA TOURISM                                                             $11,669,000                 $12,587,000

 

(a) To develop maximum private sector involvement in tourism, $1,000,000 the first year and $2,000,000 the second year must be matched by Explore Minnesota Tourism from nonstate sources. Each $1 of state incentive must be matched with $3 of private sector funding. Cash match is defined as revenue to the state or documented cash expenditures directly expended to support Explore Minnesota Tourism programs. Up to one-half of the private sector contribution may be in-kind or soft match. The incentive in the first year shall be based on fiscal year 2007 private sector contributions as prescribed in Laws 2005, First Special Session chapter 1, article 3, section 6. The incentive increase in the second year will be based on fiscal year 2008 private sector contributions. This incentive is ongoing.

 

(b) Funding for the marketing grants is available either year of the biennium. Unexpended grant funds from the first year are available in the second year.

 

(c) Any unexpended money from the general fund appropriations made under this section does not cancel but must be placed in a special marketing account for use by Explore Minnesota Tourism for additional marketing activities.

 

(d) $250,000 the first year and $250,000 the second year are for operating costs of the Minnesota Film and TV Board. The appropriation in each year is available only upon receipt by the board of $1 in matching contributions of money or in-kind contributions from nonstate sources for every $3 provided by this appropriation.

 

(e) $750,000 is appropriated each year for a grant to the Minnesota Film and TV Board for the film jobs production program under Minnesota Statutes, section 116U.26. Of this amount, up to $25,000 each year may be used for administration. The budget base for the film jobs production program shall be $500,000 in fiscal year 2010 and $500,000 in fiscal year 2011.


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                                                                                                                                                             APPROPRIATIONS

                                                                                                                                                            Available for the Year

                                                                                                                                                                  Ending June 30

                                                                                                                                                   2008                                      2009

 

(f) $150,000 the first year is for a onetime grant to St. Louis County to be used for feasibility studies and planning activities concerning additional uses for the St. Louis County Heritage and Arts Center at the Duluth depot. The studies and planning activities must include:

 

(1) examining the costs and benefits of relocating the Northeast Minnesota Office of Tourism to the Duluth depot;

 

(2) establishing a heritage tourism center at the Duluth depot;

 

(3) developing a multimodal operational plan integrating railroad and bus service; and

 

(4) identifying additional services and activities that would contribute toward returning the Duluth depot to being a working railroad station and cultural gateway to Duluth and St. Louis County.

 

This appropriation is available until June 30, 2009.

 

      Sec. 4. MINNESOTA HISTORICAL SOCIETY

 

      Subdivision 1. Total Appropriation                                                                             $29,031,000                 $24,441,000

 

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

 

$500,000 the first year and $500,000 the second year are for increased rent costs. This amount is added to the society's base budget.

 

      Subd. 2. Education and Outreach                                                                                     17,307,000                      13,765,000

 

(a) Of this amount, $1,700,000 the first year is a onetime appropriation for the Minnesota Sesquicentennial Commission. Of this appropriation, $750,000 is for competitive matching grants for local events and projects; $750,000 is for planning and support of statewide activities, and up to $200,000 may be used for administration.

 

(b) The Minnesota Historical Society, the State Arts Board, and Explore Minnesota Tourism may assist the commission in designing and implementing the grants program.


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                                                                                                                                                             APPROPRIATIONS

                                                                                                                                                            Available for the Year

                                                                                                                                                                  Ending June 30

                                                                                                                                                   2008                                      2009

 

(c) The commission shall encourage private contributions to match the state funds to the greatest extent possible. Contributions received by the commission are appropriated to the commission.

 

$1,500,000 the first year is for a grant-in-aid program for county and local historical societies. The Minnesota Historical Society shall establish program guidelines and grant evaluation and award criteria for the program. Each dollar of state funds awarded to a grantee must be matched with nonstate funds on a dollar-for-dollar basis by a grantee. This is a onetime appropriation and is available until expended.

 

$500,000 the first year is for a grant-in-aid program for county and local historical societies for the repair, restoration, and preservation of historic sites and buildings in Minnesota. The Minnesota Historical Society shall establish program guidelines and grant evaluation and award criteria for the program. This is a onetime appropriation and is available until expended.

 

(d) $60,000 each year is to offset the revenue loss from not charging fees for general tours at the Capitol. This appropriation is added to the society's base budget.

 

(e) Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 138.668, the Minnesota Historical Society may not charge a fee for its general tours at the Capitol, but may charge fees for special programs other than general tours.

 

      Subd. 3. Preservation and Access                                                                                    10,953,000                      10,271,000

 

$500,000 the first year is to conduct a conservation survey and for restoration, treatment, moving, and storage of the 1905 historic furnishings and works of art in the Minnesota State Capitol. This is a onetime appropriation and is available until June 30, 2009.

 

$308,000 the first year is for the preservation of battle flags. This is a onetime appropriation and is available until June 30, 2009.

 

      Subd. 4. Pass-Through Appropriations                                                                               771,000                           405,000

 

(a) Minnesota International Center                                                                                                43,000                             43,000

 

(b) Minnesota Air National Guard Museum                                                                                 16,000                                   -0-

 

(c) Minnesota Military Museum                                                                                                  234,000                           234,000


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                                                                                                                                                             APPROPRIATIONS

                                                                                                                                                            Available for the Year

                                                                                                                                                                  Ending June 30

                                                                                                                                                   2008                                      2009

 

(d) Farmamerica                                                                                                                               128,000                           128,000

 

(e) Balances Forward

 

Any unencumbered balance remaining in this subdivision the first year does not cancel but is available for the second year of the biennium.

 

$150,000 the first year is for a onetime grant to the Nicollet County Historical Society for renovation of the center exhibit gallery in the Treaty Site History Center in St. Peter, including additions to the center's infrastructure and state-of-the-art interpretive elements. This appropriation is available until the project is completed or abandoned, subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 16A.642.

 

$200,000 the first year is for a grant to the Hmong Studies Center at Concordia University in St. Paul, Minnesota, to be used for preservation of Hmong historical artifacts and documents. Any part of the appropriation not used in fiscal year 2008 is available for use in fiscal year 2009. This is a onetime appropriation and is available until expended.

 

      Subd. 5. Fund Transfer

 

The Minnesota Historical Society may reallocate funds appropriated in and between subdivisions 2 and 3 for any program purposes.

 

      Subd. 6. Minnesota River Valley Study Group

 

The Minnesota Historical Society in cooperation with Explore Minnesota Tourism shall establish and coordinate a Minnesota River Valley study group. The Minnesota River Valley study group shall be comprised of representatives of the Minnesota Valley Scenic Byway Alliance, the Department of Natural Resources, the Department of Transportation, the Minnesota Indian Affairs Council, the Region 6 West, Region 6 East, Region 8 and Region 9 Regional Development Commissions, the Minnesota Historical Society, Explore Minnesota Tourism, State Arts Board, and other interested parties. The study group must develop a plan for coordinated activities among organizations represented on the study group to enhance and promote historic sites, and historic, scenic, and natural features of the Minnesota River Valley area. Study topics shall include, but are not limited to, historic sites related to the Dakota Conflict of 1862 and the


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                                                                                                                                                             APPROPRIATIONS

                                                                                                                                                            Available for the Year

                                                                                                                                                                  Ending June 30

                                                                                                                                                   2008                                      2009

 

state and local preparations for the sesquicentennial of this event. The Minnesota Historical Society and Explore Minnesota Tourism shall report on the findings and recommendations of the Minnesota River Valley study group to the standing committees of the house of representatives and senate with jurisdiction over historic sites and tourism by March 1, 2008. The Minnesota River Valley study group shall serve without compensation.

 

      Sec. 5. BOARD OF THE ARTS

 

      Subdivision 1. Total Appropriation                                                                               $9,975,000                   $9,982,000

 

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

 

      Subd. 2. Operations and Services                                                                                         637,000                           644,000

 

      Subd. 3. Grants Programs                                                                                                  6,452,000                        6,452,000

 

The base budget for the grants program shall be $5,924,000 in fiscal year 2010 and $5,924,000 in fiscal year 2011.

 

      Subd. 4. Regional Arts Councils                                                                                       2,886,000                        2,886,000

 

The base budget for the regional arts councils shall be $2,539,000 in fiscal year 2010 and $2,539,000 in fiscal year 2011.

 

      Sec. 6. MINNESOTA HUMANITIES COMMISSION                                                   $500,000                       $500,000

 

Of this amount, ten percent each year is for lifelong learning programs in greater Minnesota communities that do not receive financial support from other large educational institutions. The base budget for the Minnesota Humanities Commission is $500,000 each year in the 2010-2011 biennium.

 

Sec. 7. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 190.096, is amended to read:

 

190.096 BATTLE FLAGS; REPAIR.

 

Subdivision 1. Authority to repair. Notwithstanding the provisions of Minnesota Statutes 1961, chapters 16 and 43, the adjutant general or the Minnesota Historical Society may contract for the repair, restoration, and preservation of regimental battle flags, standards, and guidons with persons or corporations skilled in such repair, restoration, and preservation, upon terms or conditions the adjutant general or the Minnesota Historical Society deems proper, subject to the approval of the commissioner of administration.


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Subd. 2. Surrender. Notwithstanding the provisions of this section or section 190.09, the adjutant general or the Minnesota Historical Society may, for the purposes of this section, surrender the immediate custody and control of regimental battle flags, standards, and guidons under conditions and safeguards the adjutant general or the Minnesota Historical Society deems necessary and proper, for such time as is reasonably necessary for their restoration, after which they shall at once be again properly stored or displayed. The adjutant general or the Minnesota Historical Society shall provide adequate storage and display space for flags, standards, and guidons which have been repaired and restored.

 

Subd. 3. Battle flags; care and control. (a) The flags and colors carried by Minnesota troops in the Civil War, Indian Wars, and the Spanish-American War shall be preserved under the care and control of the Minnesota Historical Society. They shall be suitably encased and marked, and, so far as the historical society may deem it consistent with the safety of the flags and colors, they shall be publicly displayed in the capitol.

 

(b) The flags and colors carried by Minnesota troops in subsequent wars shall be preserved under the care and control of the adjutant general. They shall be suitably encased and marked, and, so far as the adjutant general may deem it consistent with the safety of the flags and colors, shall be publicly displayed.

 

ARTICLE 10

 

HOUSING

 

      Section 1. SUMMARY OF APPROPRIATIONS.

 

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

 

                                                                                                                       2008                               2009                               Total

 

General                                                                                               $67,896,000                    $49,040,000                  $116,936,000

 

TANF                                                                                                   $3,075,000                      $3,075,000                      $6,150,000

 

Total                                                                                                $70,971,000                 $52,115,000               $123,086,000

 

      Sec. 2. HOUSING.

 

      The sums shown in the columns marked "Appropriations" are appropriated to the agencies and for the purposes specified. 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 act 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 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2007, are effective the day following final enactment.

 

                                                                                                                                                             APPROPRIATIONS

                                                                                                                                                            Available for the Year

                                                                                                                                                                  Ending June 30

                                                                                                                                                   2008                                      2009

 

      Sec. 3. HOUSING FINANCE AGENCY

 

      Subdivision 1. Total Appropriation                                                                             $70,971,000                 $52,115,000


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                                                                                                                                                             APPROPRIATIONS

                                                                                                                                                            Available for the Year

                                                                                                                                                                  Ending June 30

                                                                                                                                                   2008                                      2009

 

                                        Appropriations by Fund

 

                                                        2008                                        2009

 

General                                 67,896,000                              49,040,000

 

TANF                                     3,075,000                                3,075,000

 

This appropriation is for transfer to the housing development fund. The amounts that may be spent from this appropriation for certain programs are specified in the following subdivisions. Except as otherwise indicated, this transfer is part of the agency's permanent budget base.

 

Of this amount, $3,075,000 the first year and $3,075,000 the second year are onetime appropriations from the state's federal TANF block grant under Title I of Public Law Number 104-193 to the commissioner of human services, to reimburse the housing development fund for assistance under the programs for families receiving TANF assistance under the MFIP program. The commissioner of human services shall make monthly reimbursements to the housing development fund. The commissioner of human services shall not make any reimbursement which the commissioner determines would be subject to a penalty under Code of Federal Regulations, section 262.1. If the appropriation in either year is insufficient, the appropriation for the other year is available.

 

      Subd. 2. Economic Development and Housing Challenge

 

(a) $21,308,000 the first year and $9,622,000 the second year are for the economic development and housing challenge program under Minnesota Statutes, section 462A.33, for housing that:

 

(i) conserves energy and utilizes sustainable, healthy building materials;

 

(ii) preserves sensitive natural areas and open spaces and minimizes the need for new infrastructure;

 

(iii) is accessible to jobs and services through integration with transportation or transit systems; and

 

(iv) expands the mix of housing choices in a community by diversifying the levels of housing affordability.


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                                                                                                                                                             APPROPRIATIONS

                                                                                                                                                            Available for the Year

                                                                                                                                                                  Ending June 30

                                                                                                                                                   2008                                      2009

 

The agency may fund demonstration projects that have unique approaches to achieving the housing described above.

 

(b) The base is reduced by $3,407,000 each year in fiscal year 2010 and fiscal year 2011.

 

      Subd. 3. Housing Trust Fund

 

$15,195,000 the first year and $11,945,000 the second year are for the housing trust fund account created under Minnesota Statutes, section 462A.201, for the purposes of that section. Of this amount, $1,500,000 the first year and $1,500,000 in the second year is a onetime appropriation from the state's federal TANF block grant. The base is reduced by $3,390,000 each year in fiscal year 2010 and fiscal year 2011.

 

      Subd. 4. Bridges Rental Assistance for Mentally Ill

 

$3,400,000 the first year and $3,400,000 the second year are for a rental housing assistance program for persons with a mental illness or families with an adult member with a mental illness under Minnesota Statutes, section 462A.2097.

 

      Subd. 5. Family Homeless Prevention

 

$7,565,000 the first year and $7,565,000 the second year are for family homeless prevention and assistance programs under Minnesota Statutes, section 462A.204. Of this amount, $1,575,000 in the first year and $1,575,000 in the second year is a onetime appropriation from the state's federal TANF block grant. The general fund base is reduced by $2,225,000 each year in fiscal year 2010 and fiscal year 2011.

 

      Subd. 6. Home Ownership Assistance Fund

 

$1,885,000 the first year and $1,885,000 the second year are for the home ownership assistance program under Minnesota Statutes, section 462A.21, subdivision 8. The base is reduced by $1,000,000 each year in fiscal year 2010 and fiscal year 2011.

 

      Subd. 7. Affordable Rental Investment Fund

 

$11,496,000 the first year and $8,996,000 the second year are for the affordable rental investment fund program under Minnesota Statutes, section 462A.21, subdivision 8b. Of this amount, $2,500,000 the first year is a onetime appropriation.


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                                                                                                                                                             APPROPRIATIONS

                                                                                                                                                            Available for the Year

                                                                                                                                                                  Ending June 30

                                                                                                                                                   2008                                      2009

 

This appropriation is to finance the acquisition, rehabilitation, and debt restructuring of federally assisted rental property and for making equity take-out loans under Minnesota Statutes, section 462A.05, subdivision 39. The owner of the federally assisted rental property must agree to participate in the applicable federally assisted housing program and to extend any existing low-income affordability restrictions on the housing for the maximum term permitted. The owner must also enter into an agreement that gives local units of government, housing and redevelopment authorities, and nonprofit housing organizations the right of first refusal if the rental property is offered for sale. Priority must be given among comparable federally assisted rental properties to properties with the longest remaining term under an agreement for federal rental assistance. Priority must also be given among comparable rental housing developments to developments that are or will be owned by local government units, a housing and redevelopment authority, or a nonprofit housing organization.

 

This appropriation may also be used to finance the acquisition, rehabilitation, and debt restructuring of existing supportive housing properties. For purposes of this subdivision, "supportive housing" means affordable rental housing with links to services necessary for individuals, youth, and families with children to maintain housing stability.

 

Of this amount, $2,500,000 is appropriated for the purposes of financing the rehabilitation and operating costs to preserve public housing. For purposes of this subdivision, "public housing" is housing for low-income persons and households financed by the federal government and owned and operated by public housing authorities and agencies. Eligible public housing authorities must have a public housing assessment system rating of standard or above. Priority among comparable proposals must be given to proposals that maximize federal or local resources to finance the capital and operating costs.

 

      Subd. 8. Housing Rehabilitation and Accessibility

 

$5,657,000 the first year and $4,287,000 the second year are for the housing rehabilitation and accessibility program under Minnesota Statutes, section 462A.05, subdivisions 14a and 15a. The base is reduced by $629,000 each year in fiscal year 2010 and fiscal year 2011.


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                                                                                                                                                             APPROPRIATIONS

                                                                                                                                                            Available for the Year

                                                                                                                                                                  Ending June 30

                                                                                                                                                   2008                                      2009

 

      Subd. 9. Urban Indian Housing Program

 

$187,000 the first year and $187,000 the second year are for the urban Indian housing program under Minnesota Statutes, section 462A.07, subdivision 15. The base is reduced by $52,000 each year in fiscal year 2010 and fiscal year 2011.

 

      Subd. 10. Tribal Indian Housing Program

 

$1,683,000 the first year and $1,683,000 the second year are for the tribal Indian housing program under Minnesota Statutes, section 462A.07, subdivision 14. The base is reduced by $468,000 each year in fiscal year 2010 and fiscal year 2011.

 

      Subd. 11. Home Ownership Education, Counseling, and Training

 

$2,135,000 the first year and $2,135,000 the second year are appropriated for the home ownership education, counseling, and training program under Minnesota Statutes, section 462A.209. The base is reduced by $1,460,000 each year in fiscal year 2010 and fiscal year 2011. Of this amount, $630,000 the first year is for:

 

(1) foreclosure prevention and assistance activities in communities that have mortgage foreclosure rates that exceed the statewide average foreclosure rate for the most recent quarter for which data is available; and

 

(2) home buyer education and counseling activities by organizations that have experience working with emerging markets or partner with organizations with experience working with emerging markets and that have demonstrated a commitment to increasing the homeownership rate of emerging markets.

 

      Subd. 12. Capacity Building Grants

 

$820,000 for the biennium is for capacity building grants under Minnesota Statutes section 462A.21, subdivision 3b. Of this amount, $140,000 is for continuum of care planning in greater Minnesota. This appropriation is the agency's base budget for this program.

 

      Subd. 13. Grant for Hennepin County

 

$50,000 is a onetime appropriation in the first year for a grant to Hennepin County for collaboration with the Center for Urban and Regional Affairs at the University of Minnesota for the development of a predictive, data-driven model that can be used to identify at-risk properties in order to target resources to prevent foreclosure.


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Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 462A.21, subdivision 8b, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 8b. Family rental housing. It may establish a family rental housing assistance program to provide loans or direct rental subsidies for housing for families with incomes of up to 80 percent of state median income, or to provide grants for the operating cost of public housing. Priority must be given to those developments with resident families with the lowest income. The development may be financed by the agency or other public or private lenders. Direct rental subsidies must be administered by the agency for the benefit of eligible families. Financial assistance provided under this subdivision to recipients of aid to families with dependent children must be in the form of vendor payments whenever possible. Loans, grants, and direct rental subsidies under this subdivision may be made only with specific appropriations by the legislature. The limitations on eligible mortgagors contained in section 462A.03, subdivision 13, do not apply to loans for the rehabilitation of existing housing under this subdivision.

 

Sec. 5. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 462A.33, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 3. Contribution requirement. Fifty percent of the funds appropriated for this section must be used for challenge grants or loans which meet the requirements of this subdivision for housing proposals with financial or in-kind contributions from nonstate resources that reduce the need for deferred loan or grant funds from state resources. These Challenge grants or loans must be used for economically viable homeownership or rental housing proposals that:

 

(1) include a financial or in-kind contribution from an area employer and either a unit of local government or a private philanthropic, religious, or charitable organization; and

 

(2) address the housing needs of the local work force.

 

Among comparable proposals, preference must be given to proposals that include contributions from nonstate resources for the greatest portion of the total development cost. Comparable proposals with contributions from local units of government or private philanthropic, religious, or charitable organizations must be given preference in awarding grants or loans.

 

For the purpose of this subdivision, an employer a contribution may consist partially or wholly of the premium paid for federal housing tax credits.

 

Preference for grants and loans shall also be given to comparable proposals that include a financial or in-kind contribution from a unit of local government, an area employer, and a private philanthropic, religious, or charitable organization.

 

Sec. 6. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 469.021, is amended to read:

 

469.021 PREFERENCES.

 

As between applicants equally in need and eligible for occupancy of a dwelling and at the rent involved, preference shall be given to disabled veterans, persons with disabilities, and families of service persons who died in service and to families of veterans. In admitting families of low income to dwelling accommodations in any housing project an authority shall, as far as is reasonably practicable, give consideration to applications from families to which aid for dependent children is payable receiving assistance under chapter 256J, and to resident families to whom public assistance or supplemental security income for the aged, blind, and disabled is payable, when those families are otherwise eligible.


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Sec. 7. MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE REDUCTION.

 

The commissioner of the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency, in consultation with the commissioner of commerce, the attorney general, the Minnesota Mortgage Bankers' Association, Legal Services of Minnesota, the Minnesota Mortgage Foreclosure Prevention Association, and the Minnesota Sheriffs' Association shall evaluate the provisions of Minnesota Statutes, sections 580.04 and 580.041, to determine if corrective actions could be taken by the 2008 legislature to reduce mortgage foreclosures in the state."

 

Delete the title and insert:

 

"A bill for an act relating to state government; appropriating money for jobs, economic development, and housing; establishing and modifying certain programs; providing for regulation of certain activities and practices; providing for accounts, assessments, and fees; amending Minnesota Statutes 2006, sections 116J.401, by adding a subdivision; 116J.551, subdivision 1; 116J.554, subdivision 2; 116J.555, subdivision 1; 116J.575, subdivisions 1, 1a; 116J.966, subdivision 1; 116L.01, by adding a subdivision; 116L.04, subdivision 1a; 116L.17, subdivision 1; 116L.20, subdivision 1; 116L.666, subdivision 1; 116M.18, subdivision 6a; 177.27, subdivisions 1, 4, 5, 8, 9, 10, by adding a subdivision; 177.28, subdivision 1; 177.30; 177.43, subdivisions 3, 4, 6, by adding a subdivision; 178.01; 178.02; 178.03, subdivision 3; 178.041, subdivision 1; 181.78, by adding a subdivision; 181.932, subdivision 1; 181.935; 182.65, subdivision 2; 190.096; 268.085, subdivision 3; 268.196, by adding a subdivision; 268A.01, subdivision 13, by adding a subdivision; 268A.085, subdivision 1; 268A.15, by adding a subdivision; 298.22, subdivision 2; 298.227; 325E.37, subdivision 6; 326.01, subdivision 6g; 326.241, subdivisions 1, 2; 326.242, subdivisions 3d, 5, 11, by adding a subdivision; 326.37, subdivision 1, by adding a subdivision; 326.38; 326.40, subdivision 1; 326.401, subdivision 2; 326.405; 326.42, subdivision 1; 326.46; 326.461, by adding a subdivision; 326.47, subdivisions 2, 6; 326.48, subdivisions 1, 2, by adding a subdivision; 326.50; 326.51; 326.52; 341.28, subdivision 2, by adding a subdivision; 341.32, subdivision 2; 341.321; 462.39, by adding a subdivision; 462A.21, subdivision 8b; 462A.33, subdivision 3; 469.021; 541.051; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapters 116J; 116O; 154; 177; 179; 181; 181A; 182; 270; 326; repealing Minnesota Statutes 2006, sections 16C.18, subdivision 2; 176.042; 268.035, subdivision 9; 326.01, subdivision 4; 326.242, subdivision 4; 326.45."

 

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

 

      The report was adopted.

 

 

Carlson from the Committee on Finance to which was referred:

 

S. F. No. 2171, A bill for an act relating to state government; making changes to health and human services programs; modifying health policy; changing licensing provisions; altering provisions for mental and chemical health; modifying child care provisions; amending children and family services provisions; changing continuing care provisions; amending MinnesotaCare; adjusting child care assistance eligibility; establishing family stabilization services; enacting federal compliance requirements; expanding medical assistance coverage; providing rate increases for certain providers; modifying fees; appropriating money for human services, health, veterans nursing homes boards, the Emergency Medical Services Regulatory Board; health care boards, the Council on Disability, the ombudsman for mental health and developmental disabilities, and the ombudsman for families; requiring reports; amending Minnesota Statutes 2006, sections 13.381, by adding a subdivision; 16A.724, subdivision 2, by adding subdivisions; 47.58, subdivision 8; 62E.02, subdivision 7; 62J.07, subdivisions 1, 3; 62J.495; 62J.692, subdivisions 1, 4, 5, 8; 62J.82; 62L.02, subdivision 11; 62Q.165, subdivisions 1, 2; 62Q.80, subdivisions 3, 4, 13, 14, by adding a subdivision; 69.021, subdivision 11; 103I.101, subdivision 6; 103I.208, subdivisions 1, 2; 103I.235, subdivision 1; 119B.011, by adding a subdivision; 119B.035, subdivision 1; 119B.05, subdivision 1; 119B.09, subdivision 1; 119B.12, by adding a subdivision; 119B.13, subdivisions 1, 7; 144.123; 144.125, subdivisions 1, 2; 144.3345; 144D.03, subdivision 1; 148.5194, by adding a subdivision; 148.6445, subdivisions 1, 2; 148C.11, subdivision 1;


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149A.52, subdivision 3; 149A.97, subdivision 7; 153A.14, subdivision 4a; 153A.17; 169A.70, subdivision 4; 245.465, by adding a subdivision; 245.4874; 245.771, by adding a subdivision; 245.98, subdivision 2; 245A.035; 245A.10, subdivision 2; 245A.16, subdivisions 1, 3; 245C.02, by adding a subdivision; 245C.04, subdivision 1; 245C.05, subdivisions 1, 4, 5, 7, by adding a subdivision; 245C.08, subdivisions 1, 2; 245C.10, by adding a subdivision; 245C.11, subdivisions 1, 2; 245C.12; 245C.16, subdivision 1; 245C.17, by adding a subdivision; 245C.21, by adding a subdivision; 245C.23, subdivision 2; 246.54, subdivisions 1, 2; 252.27, subdivision 2a; 252.32, subdivision 3; 253B.185, by adding a subdivision; 254B.02, subdivision 3; 256.01, subdivision 2b, by adding subdivisions; 256.482, subdivisions 1, 8; 256.969, subdivisions 3a, 9, 27, by adding a subdivision; 256.975, subdivision 7; 256B.04, subdivision 14, by adding a subdivision; 256B.056, subdivision 10; 256B.0621, subdivision 11; 256B.0622, subdivision 2; 256B.0623, subdivision 5; 256B.0625, subdivisions 17, 18a, 20, 30, by adding subdivisions; 256B.0631, subdivisions 1, 3; 256B.0655, subdivision 8; 256B.0911, subdivisions 1a, 3a, 3b, by adding a subdivision; 256B.0913, by adding a subdivision; 256B.0915, by adding a subdivision; 256B.0943, subdivision 8; 256B.0945, subdivision 4; 256B.095; 256B.0951, subdivision 1; 256B.15, by adding a subdivision; 256B.199; 256B.431, subdivisions 2e, 41; 256B.434, subdivision 4, by adding a subdivision; 256B.437, by adding a subdivision; 256B.441, subdivisions 1, 2, 5, 6, 10, 11, 13, 14, 17, 20, 24, 30, 31, 34, 38, by adding subdivisions; 256B.49, subdivisions 11, 16; 256B.5012, by adding a subdivision; 256B.69, subdivisions 2, 4, 5g, 5h; 256B.75; 256B.76; 256B.763; 256D.03, subdivisions 3, 4; 256I.04, subdivision 3; 256I.05, by adding subdivisions; 256J.01, by adding a subdivision; 256J.02, by adding a subdivision; 256J.021; 256J.08, subdivision 65; 256J.20, subdivision 3; 256J.32, subdivision 6; 256J.425, subdivisions 3, 4; 256J.49, subdivision 13; 256J.521, subdivisions 1, 2; 256J.53, subdivision 2; 256J.55, subdivision 1; 256J.626, subdivisions 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6; 256L.01, subdivisions 1, 4; 256L.03, subdivisions 1, 3, 5; 256L.035; 256L.04, subdivisions 1, 1a, 7, 10; 256L.05, subdivisions 1, 1b, 2, 3a; 256L.07, subdivisions 1, 2, 3, 6; 256L.09, subdivision 4; 256L.11, subdivision 7; 256L.12, subdivision 9a; 256L.15, subdivisions 1, 2, 4; 256L.17, subdivisions 2, 3, 7; 259.20, subdivision 2; 259.29, subdivision 1; 259.41; 259.53, subdivision 2; 259.57, subdivision 2; 259.67, subdivision 4; 260C.209; 260C.212, subdivision 2; 462A.05, by adding a subdivision; 518A.56, by adding a subdivision; 609.115, subdivisions 8, 9; Laws 2005, chapter 98, article 3, section 25; Laws 2005, First Special Session chapter 4, article 9, section 3, subdivision 2; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapters 16C; 62J; 144; 145; 149A; 152; 156; 245; 245C; 252; 254A; 256; 256B; 256C; 256J; 256L; repealing Minnesota Statutes 2006, sections 62A.301; 62J.692, subdivision 10; 256B.0631, subdivision 4; 256B.441, subdivisions 12, 16, 21, 26, 28, 42, 45; 256J.24, subdivision 6; 256J.29; 256J.37, subdivisions 3a, 3b; 256J.626, subdivisions 7, 9; 256L.035; 256L.07, subdivision 2a; Laws 2004, chapter 288, article 6, section 27; Minnesota Rules, parts 4610.2800; 9585.0030.

 

Reported the same back with the following amendments:

 

Delete everything after the enacting clause and insert:

 

"ARTICLE 1

 

CHILDREN AND FAMILY

 

Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 13.46, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 2. General. (a) Unless the data is summary data or a statute specifically provides a different classification, data on individuals collected, maintained, used, or disseminated by the welfare system is private data on individuals, and shall not be disclosed except:

 

(1) according to section 13.05;

 

(2) according to court order;

 

(3) according to a statute specifically authorizing access to the private data;


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(4) to an agent of the welfare system, including a law enforcement person, attorney, or investigator acting for it in the investigation or prosecution of a criminal or civil proceeding relating to the administration of a program;

 

(5) to personnel of the welfare system who require the data to verify an individual's identity; determine eligibility, amount of assistance, and the need to provide services to an individual or family across programs; evaluate the effectiveness of programs; and investigate suspected fraud;

 

(6) to administer federal funds or programs;

 

(7) between personnel of the welfare system working in the same program;

 

(8) to the Department of Revenue to administer and evaluate tax refund or tax credit programs and to identify individuals who may benefit from these programs. The following information may be disclosed under this paragraph: an individual's and their dependent's names, dates of birth, Social Security numbers, income, addresses, and other data as required, upon request by the Department of Revenue. Disclosures by the commissioner of revenue to the commissioner of human services for the purposes described in this clause are governed by section 270B.14, subdivision 1. Tax refund or tax credit programs include, but are not limited to, the dependent care credit under section 290.067, the Minnesota working family credit under section 290.0671, the property tax refund and rental credit under section 290A.04, and the Minnesota education credit under section 290.0674;

 

(9) between the Department of Human Services, the Department of Education, and the Department of Employment and Economic Development for the purpose of monitoring the eligibility of the data subject for unemployment benefits, for any employment or training program administered, supervised, or certified by that agency, for the purpose of administering any rehabilitation program or child care assistance program, whether alone or in conjunction with the welfare system, or to monitor and evaluate the Minnesota family investment program or the child care assistance program by exchanging data on recipients and former recipients of food support, cash assistance under chapter 256, 256D, 256J, or 256K, child care assistance under chapter 119B, or medical programs under chapter 256B, 256D, or 256L;

 

(10) to appropriate parties in connection with an emergency if knowledge of the information is necessary to protect the health or safety of the individual or other individuals or persons;

 

(11) data maintained by residential programs as defined in section 245A.02 may be disclosed to the protection and advocacy system established in this state according to Part C of Public Law 98-527 to protect the legal and human rights of persons with developmental disabilities or other related conditions who live in residential facilities for these persons if the protection and advocacy system receives a complaint by or on behalf of that person and the person does not have a legal guardian or the state or a designee of the state is the legal guardian of the person;

 

(12) to the county medical examiner or the county coroner for identifying or locating relatives or friends of a deceased person;

 

(13) data on a child support obligor who makes payments to the public agency may be disclosed to the Minnesota Office of Higher Education to the extent necessary to determine eligibility under section 136A.121, subdivision 2, clause (5);

 

(14) participant Social Security numbers and names collected by the telephone assistance program may be disclosed to the Department of Revenue to conduct an electronic data match with the property tax refund database to determine eligibility under section 237.70, subdivision 4a;

 

(15) the current address of a Minnesota family investment program participant may be disclosed to law enforcement officers who provide the name of the participant and notify the agency that:


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(i) the participant:

 

(A) is a fugitive felon fleeing to avoid prosecution, or custody or confinement after conviction, for a crime or attempt to commit a crime that is a felony under the laws of the jurisdiction from which the individual is fleeing; or

 

(B) is violating a condition of probation or parole imposed under state or federal law;

 

(ii) the location or apprehension of the felon is within the law enforcement officer's official duties; and

 

(iii) the request is made in writing and in the proper exercise of those duties;

 

(16) the current address of a recipient of general assistance or general assistance medical care may be disclosed to probation officers and corrections agents who are supervising the recipient and to law enforcement officers who are investigating the recipient in connection with a felony level offense;

 

(17) information obtained from food support applicant or recipient households may be disclosed to local, state, or federal law enforcement officials, upon their written request, for the purpose of investigating an alleged violation of the Food Stamp Act, according to Code of Federal Regulations, title 7, section 272.1(c);

 

(18) the address, Social Security number, and, if available, photograph of any member of a household receiving food support shall be made available, on request, to a local, state, or federal law enforcement officer if the officer furnishes the agency with the name of the member and notifies the agency that:

 

(i) the member:

 

(A) is fleeing to avoid prosecution, or custody or confinement after conviction, for a crime or attempt to commit a crime that is a felony in the jurisdiction the member is fleeing;

 

(B) is violating a condition of probation or parole imposed under state or federal law; or

 

(C) has information that is necessary for the officer to conduct an official duty related to conduct described in subitem (A) or (B);

 

(ii) locating or apprehending the member is within the officer's official duties; and

 

(iii) the request is made in writing and in the proper exercise of the officer's official duty;

 

(19) the current address of a recipient of Minnesota family investment program, general assistance, general assistance medical care, or food support may be disclosed to law enforcement officers who, in writing, provide the name of the recipient and notify the agency that the recipient is a person required to register under section 243.166, but is not residing at the address at which the recipient is registered under section 243.166;

 

(20) certain information regarding child support obligors who are in arrears may be made public according to section 518A.74;

 

(21) data on child support payments made by a child support obligor and data on the distribution of those payments excluding identifying information on obligees may be disclosed to all obligees to whom the obligor owes support, and data on the enforcement actions undertaken by the public authority, the status of those actions, and data on the income of the obligor or obligee may be disclosed to the other party;

 

(22) data in the work reporting system may be disclosed under section 256.998, subdivision 7;


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(23) to the Department of Education for the purpose of matching Department of Education student data with public assistance data to determine students eligible for free and reduced price meals, meal supplements, and free milk according to United States Code, title 42, sections 1758, 1761, 1766, 1766a, 1772, and 1773; to allocate federal and state funds that are distributed based on income of the student's family; and to verify receipt of energy assistance for the telephone assistance plan;

 

(24) the current address and telephone number of program recipients and emergency contacts may be released to the commissioner of health or a local board of health as defined in section 145A.02, subdivision 2, when the commissioner or local board of health has reason to believe that a program recipient is a disease case, carrier, suspect case, or at risk of illness, and the data are necessary to locate the person;

 

(25) to other state agencies, statewide systems, and political subdivisions of this state, including the attorney general, and agencies of other states, interstate information networks, federal agencies, and other entities as required by federal regulation or law for the administration of the child support enforcement program;

 

(26) to personnel of public assistance programs as defined in section 256.741, for access to the child support system database for the purpose of administration, including monitoring and evaluation of those public assistance programs;

 

(27) to monitor and evaluate the Minnesota family investment program by exchanging data between the Departments of Human Services and Education, on recipients and former recipients of food support, cash assistance under chapter 256, 256D, 256J, or 256K, child care assistance under chapter 119B, or medical programs under chapter 256B, 256D, or 256L;

 

(28) to evaluate child support program performance and to identify and prevent fraud in the child support program by exchanging data between the Department of Human Services, Department of Revenue under section 270B.14, subdivision 1, paragraphs (a) and (b), without regard to the limitation of use in paragraph (c), Department of Health, Department of Employment and Economic Development, and other state agencies as is reasonably necessary to perform these functions; or

 

(29) counties operating child care assistance programs under chapter 119B may disseminate data on program participants, applicants, and providers to the commissioner of education.

 

(b) Information on persons who have been treated for drug or alcohol abuse may only be disclosed according to the requirements of Code of Federal Regulations, title 42, sections 2.1 to 2.67.

 

(c) Data provided to law enforcement agencies under paragraph (a), clause (15), (16), (17), or (18), or paragraph (b), are investigative data and are confidential or protected nonpublic while the investigation is active. The data are private after the investigation becomes inactive under section 13.82, subdivision 5, paragraph (a) or (b).

 

(d) Mental health data shall be treated as provided in subdivisions 7, 8, and 9, but is not subject to the access provisions of subdivision 10, paragraph (b).

 

For the purposes of this subdivision, a request will be deemed to be made in writing if made through a computer interface system.

 

Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 16D.13, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 3. Exclusion. A state agency may not charge interest under this section on overpayments of assistance benefits under the programs formerly codified in sections 256.031 to 256.0361, 256.72 to 256.87, and under chapters 119B, 256D, and 256I, or the federal food stamp program. Notwithstanding this prohibition, any debts that have been reduced to judgment under these programs are subject to the interest charges provided under section 549.09.


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Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 119B.05, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

 

Subdivision 1. Eligible participants. Families eligible for child care assistance under the MFIP child care program are:

 

(1) MFIP participants who are employed or in job search and meet the requirements of section 119B.10;

 

(2) persons who are members of transition year families under section 119B.011, subdivision 20, and meet the requirements of section 119B.10;

 

(3) families who are participating in employment orientation or job search, or other employment or training activities that are included in an approved employability development plan under section sections 256J.09 and 256J.95;

 

(4) MFIP families who are participating in work job search, job support, employment, or training activities as required in their employment plan, or in appeals, hearings, assessments, or orientations according to chapter 256J;

 

(5) MFIP families who are participating in social services activities under chapter 256J as required in their employment plan approved according to chapter 256J;

 

(6) families who are participating in programs as required in tribal contracts under section 119B.02, subdivision 2, or 256.01, subdivision 2; and

 

(7) families who are participating in the transition year extension under section 119B.011, subdivision 20a.

 

Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 119B.09, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

 

Subdivision 1. General Eligibility requirements for all applicants for child care assistance. (a) Child care services must be available to families who need child care to find or keep employment or to obtain the training or education necessary to find employment and who:

 

(1) have household income less than or equal to 250 percent of the federal poverty guidelines, adjusted for family size, and meet the requirements of section 119B.05; receive MFIP assistance; and are participating in employment and training services under chapter 256J or 256K; or

 

(2) have household income less than or equal to 175 percent of the federal poverty guidelines, adjusted for family size, at program entry and less than 250 percent of the federal poverty guidelines, adjusted for family size, at program exit.; or

 

(3) have household income less than or equal to 250 percent of the federal poverty guidelines, adjusted for family size, and were a family whose child care assistance was terminated due to insufficient funds under Minnesota Rules, part 3400.0183.

 

(b) Child care services must be made available as in-kind services.

 

(c) All applicants for child care assistance and families currently receiving child care assistance must be assisted and required to cooperate in establishment of paternity and enforcement of child support obligations for all children in the family as a condition of program eligibility. For purposes of this section, a family is considered to meet the requirement for cooperation when the family complies with the requirements of section 256.741.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2008.


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Sec. 5. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 119B.09, subdivision 7, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 7. Date of eligibility for assistance. (a) The date of eligibility for child care assistance under this chapter is the later of the date the application was signed; the beginning date of employment, education, or training; the date the infant is born for applicants to the at-home infant care program; or the date a determination has been made that the applicant is a participant in employment and training services under Minnesota Rules, part 3400.0080, subpart 2a, or chapter 256J.

 

(b) Payment ceases for a family under the at-home infant child care program when a family has used a total of 12 months of assistance as specified under section 119B.035. Payment of child care assistance for employed persons on MFIP is effective the date of employment or the date of MFIP eligibility, whichever is later. Payment of child care assistance for MFIP or DWP participants in employment and training services is effective the date of commencement of the services or the date of MFIP or DWP eligibility, whichever is later. Payment of child care assistance for transition year child care must be made retroactive to the date of eligibility for transition year child care.

 

(c) Notwithstanding paragraph (b), payment of child care assistance for participants eligible under section 119B.05, may only be made retroactively for a maximum of six months from the date of application for child care assistance.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2008.

 

Sec. 6. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 119B.09, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

 

Subd. 11. Payment of other child care expenses. Payment by a source other than the family, of part or all of a family's child care expenses not payable under this chapter, does not affect the family's eligibility for child care assistance, and the amount paid is excluded from the family's income, if the funds are paid directly to the family's child care provider on behalf of the family. Child care providers who accept third-party payments must maintain family-specific documentation of payment source, amount, type of expenses, and time period covered by the payment.

 

Sec. 7. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 119B.09, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

 

Subd. 13. Sliding fee. Child care services to families must be made available on a sliding fee basis.

 

(a) The commissioner shall convert eligibility requirements in section 119B.09 and parent fee schedules in 119B.12 to state median income, based on a family size of three, adjusted for family size, Subd. 2(a) shall be implemented July 1, 2008. The commissioner shall report to the 2008 legislature with the necessary statutory changes to codify this conversion to state median income.

 

Sec. 8. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 119B.12, is amended to read:

 

119B.12 SLIDING FEE SCALE.

 

Subdivision 1. Fee schedule. In setting the sliding fee schedule, the commissioner shall exclude from the amount of income used to determine eligibility an amount for federal and state income and Social Security taxes attributable to that income level according to federal and state standardized tax tables. The commissioner shall base the parent fee on the ability of the family to pay for child care. The fee schedule must be designed to use any available tax credits.


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                          PARENT FEE SCHEDULE. The parent fee schedule is as follows:

 

                                                   Income Range                                                                 Co-payment

                       (as a percent of the federal poverty guidelines)         (as a percentage of adjusted gross income)

 

                                                          0-74.99%                                                               $0/month

                                                   75.00-99.99%                                                               $5/month

                                               100.00-104.99%                                                                     2.61%

                                               105.00-109.99%                                                                     2.61%

                                               110.00-114.99%                                                                     2.61%

                                               115.00-119.99%                                                                     2.61%

                                               120.00-124.99%                                                                     2.91%

                                               125.00-129.99%                                                                     2.91%

                                               130.00-134.99%                                                                     2.91%

                                               135.00-139.99%                                                                     2.91%

                                               140.00-144.99%                                                                     3.21%

                                               145.00-149.99%                                                                     3.21%

                                               150.00-154.99%                                                                     3.21%

                                               155.00-159.99%                                                                     3.84%

                                               160.00-164.99%                                                                     3.84%

                                               165.00-169.99%                                                                     4.46%

                                               170.00-174.99%                                                                     4.76%

                                               175.00-179.99%                                                                     5.05%

                                               180.00-184.99%                                                                     5.65%

                                               185.00-189.99%                                                                     5.95%

                                               190.00-194.99%                                                                     6.24%

                                               195.00-199.99%                                                                     6.84%

                                               200.00-204.99%                                                                     7.58%

                                               205.00-209.99%                                                                     8.33%

                                               210.00-214.99%                                                                     9.20%

                                               215.00-219.99%                                                                   10.07%

                                               220.00-224.99%                                                                   10.94%

                                               225.00-229.99%                                                                   11.55%

                                               230.00-234.99%                                                                   12.16%

                                               235.00-239.99%                                                                   12.77%

                                               240.00-244.99%                                                                   13.38%

                                               245.00-249.99%                                                                   14.00%

                                                                250%                                                                ineligible

 

A family's monthly co-payment fee is the fixed percentage established for the income range multiplied by the highest possible income within that income range.

 

Subd. 2. Parent fee. A family must be assessed a parent fee for each service period. A family's parent fee must be a fixed percentage of its annual gross income. Parent fees must apply to families eligible for child care assistance under sections 119B.03 and 119B.05. Income must be as defined in section 119B.011, subdivision 15. The fixed percent is based on the relationship of the family's annual gross income to 100 percent of the annual federal poverty guidelines. Parent fees must begin at 75 percent of the poverty level. The minimum parent fees for families between 75 percent and 100 percent of poverty level must be $10 $5 per month. Parent fees must provide for graduated movement to full payment. Payment of part or all of a family's parent fee directly to the family's child care provider on behalf of the family by a source other than the family shall not affect the family's eligibility for


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child care assistance, and the amount paid shall be excluded from the family's income. Child care providers who accept third-party payments must maintain family specific documentation of payment source, amount, and time period covered by the payment.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE. (a) This section is effective July 1, 2007.

 

(b) Effective July 1, 2008, the parent fee scale for families with incomes greater than or equal to 100 percent of FPG shall be converted to state median income for a family size of three, adjusted for family size, as directed in section 119B.09, subdivision 2(a).

 

Sec. 9. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 119B.125, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 2. Persons who cannot be authorized. (a) A person who meets any of the conditions under paragraphs (b) to (n) must not be authorized as a legal nonlicensed family child care provider. To determine whether any of the listed conditions exist, the county must request information about the provider from the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, the juvenile courts, and social service agencies. When one of the listed entities does not maintain information on a statewide basis, the county must contact the entity in the county where the provider resides and any other county in which the provider previously resided in the past year. For purposes of this subdivision, a finding that a delinquency petition is proven in juvenile court must be considered a conviction in state district court. If a county has determined that a provider is able to be authorized in that county, and a family in another county later selects that provider, the provider is able to be authorized in the second county without undergoing a new background investigation unless one of the following conditions exists:

 

(1) two years have passed since the first authorization;

 

(2) another person age 13 or older has joined the provider's household since the last authorization;

 

(3) a current household member has turned 13 since the last authorization; or

 

(4) there is reason to believe that a household member has a factor that prevents authorization.

 

(b) The person has been convicted of one of the following offenses or has admitted to committing or a preponderance of the evidence indicates that the person has committed an act that meets the definition of one of the following offenses: sections 609.185 to 609.195, murder in the first, second, or third degree; 609.2661 to 609.2663, murder of an unborn child in the first, second, or third degree; 609.322, solicitation, inducement, promotion of prostitution, or receiving profit from prostitution; 609.342 to 609.345, criminal sexual conduct in the first, second, third, or fourth degree; 609.352, solicitation of children to engage in sexual conduct; 609.365, incest; 609.377, felony malicious punishment of a child; 617.246, use of minors in sexual performance; 617.247, possession of pictorial representation of a minor; 609.2242 to 609.2243, felony domestic assault; a felony offense of spousal abuse; a felony offense of child abuse or neglect; a felony offense of a crime against children; or an attempt or conspiracy to commit any of these offenses as defined in Minnesota Statutes; or an offense in any other state or country where the elements are substantially similar to any of the offenses listed in this paragraph.

 

(c) Less than 15 years have passed since the discharge of the sentence imposed for the offense and the person has received a felony conviction for one of the following offenses, or the person has admitted to committing or a preponderance of the evidence indicates that the person has committed an act that meets the definition of a felony conviction for one of the following offenses: sections 609.20 to 609.205, manslaughter in the first or second degree; 609.21, criminal vehicular homicide; 609.215, aiding suicide or aiding attempted suicide; 609.221 to 609.2231, assault in the first, second, third, or fourth degree; 609.224, repeat offenses of fifth degree assault; 609.228, great bodily harm caused by distribution of drugs; 609.2325, criminal abuse of a vulnerable adult; 609.2335, financial exploitation of a vulnerable adult; 609.235, use of drugs to injure or facilitate a crime; 609.24, simple robbery;


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617.241, repeat offenses of obscene materials and performances; 609.245, aggravated robbery; 609.25, kidnapping; 609.255, false imprisonment; 609.2664 to 609.2665, manslaughter of an unborn child in the first or second degree; 609.267 to 609.2672, assault of an unborn child in the first, second, or third degree; 609.268, injury or death of an unborn child in the commission of a crime; 609.27, coercion; 609.275, attempt to coerce; 609.324, subdivision 1, other prohibited acts, minor engaged in prostitution; 609.3451, repeat offenses of criminal sexual conduct in the fifth degree; 609.378, neglect or endangerment of a child; 609.52, theft; 609.521, possession of shoplifting gear; 609.561 to 609.563, arson in the first, second, or third degree; 609.582, burglary in the first, second, third, or fourth degree; 609.625, aggravated forgery; 609.63, forgery; 609.631, check forgery, offering a forged check; 609.635, obtaining signature by false pretenses; 609.66, dangerous weapon; 609.665, setting a spring gun; 609.67, unlawfully owning, possessing, or operating a machine gun; 609.687, adulteration; 609.71, riot; 609.713, terrorist threats; 609.749, harassment, stalking; 260C.301, termination of parental rights; 152.021 to 152.022 and 152.0262, controlled substance crime in the first or second degree; 152.023, subdivision 1, clause (3) or (4), or 152.023, subdivision 2, clause (4), controlled substance crime in third degree; 152.024, subdivision 1, clause (2), (3), or (4), controlled substance crime in fourth degree; 617.23, repeat offenses of indecent exposure; an attempt or conspiracy to commit any of these offenses as defined in Minnesota Statutes; or an offense in any other state or country where the elements are substantially similar to any of the offenses listed in this paragraph.

 

(d) Less than ten years have passed since the discharge of the sentence imposed for the offense and the person has received a gross misdemeanor conviction for one of the following offenses or the person has admitted to committing or a preponderance of the evidence indicates that the person has committed an act that meets the definition of a gross misdemeanor conviction for one of the following offenses: sections 609.224, fifth degree assault; 609.2242 to 609.2243, domestic assault; 518B.01, subdivision 14, violation of an order for protection; 609.3451, fifth degree criminal sexual conduct; 609.746, repeat offenses of interference with privacy; 617.23, repeat offenses of indecent exposure; 617.241, obscene materials and performances; 617.243, indecent literature, distribution; 617.293, disseminating or displaying harmful material to minors; 609.71, riot; 609.66, dangerous weapons; 609.749, harassment, stalking; 609.224, subdivision 2, paragraph (c), fifth degree assault against a vulnerable adult by a caregiver; 609.23, mistreatment of persons confined; 609.231, mistreatment of residents or patients; 609.2325, criminal abuse of a vulnerable adult; 609.2335, financial exploitation of a vulnerable adult; 609.233, criminal neglect of a vulnerable adult; 609.234, failure to report maltreatment of a vulnerable adult; 609.72, subdivision 3, disorderly conduct against a vulnerable adult; 609.265, abduction; 609.378, neglect or endangerment of a child; 609.377, malicious punishment of a child; 609.324, subdivision 1a, other prohibited acts, minor engaged in prostitution; 609.33, disorderly house; 609.52, theft; 609.582, burglary in the first, second, third, or fourth degree; 609.631, check forgery, offering a forged check; 609.275, attempt to coerce; an attempt or conspiracy to commit any of these offenses as defined in Minnesota Statutes; or an offense in any other state or country where the elements are substantially similar to any of the offenses listed in this paragraph.

 

(e) Less than seven years have passed since the discharge of the sentence imposed for the offense and the person has received a misdemeanor conviction for one of the following offenses or the person has admitted to committing or a preponderance of the evidence indicates that the person has committed an act that meets the definition of a misdemeanor conviction for one of the following offenses: sections 609.224, fifth degree assault; 609.2242, domestic assault; 518B.01, violation of an order for protection; 609.3232, violation of an order for protection; 609.746, interference with privacy; 609.79, obscene or harassing telephone calls; 609.795, letter, telegram, or package opening, harassment; 617.23, indecent exposure; 609.2672, assault of an unborn child, third degree; 617.293, dissemination and display of harmful materials to minors; 609.66, dangerous weapons; 609.665, spring guns; an attempt or conspiracy to commit any of these offenses as defined in Minnesota Statutes; or an offense in any other state or country where the elements are substantially similar to any of the offenses listed in this paragraph.

 

(f) The person has been identified by the child protection agency in the county where the provider resides or a county where the provider has resided or by the statewide child protection database as a person found by a preponderance of evidence under section 626.556 to be responsible for physical or sexual abuse of a child within the last seven years.


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(g) The person has been identified by the adult protection agency in the county where the provider resides or a county where the provider has resided or by the statewide adult protection database as the person responsible for abuse or neglect of a vulnerable adult within the last seven years.

 

(h) The person has refused to give written consent for disclosure of criminal history records.

 

(i) The person has been denied a family child care license or has received a fine or a sanction as a licensed child care provider that has not been reversed on appeal.

 

(j) The person has a family child care licensing disqualification that has not been set aside.

 

(k) The person has admitted or a county has found that there is a preponderance of evidence that fraudulent information was given to the county for child care assistance application purposes or was used in submitting child care assistance bills for payment.

 

(l) The person has been convicted of the crime of theft by wrongfully obtaining public assistance or has been found guilty of wrongfully obtaining public assistance by a federal court, state court, or an administrative hearing determination or waiver, through a disqualification consent agreement, as part of an approved diversion plan under section 401.065, or a court-ordered stay with probationary or other conditions.

 

(m) The person has a household member age 13 or older who has access to children during the hours that care is provided and who meets one of the conditions listed in paragraphs (b) to (l).

 

(n) The person has a household member ages ten to 12 who has access to children during the hours that care is provided; information or circumstances exist which provide the county with articulable suspicion that further pertinent information may exist showing the household member meets one of the conditions listed in paragraphs (b) to (l); and the household member actually meets one of the conditions listed in paragraphs (b) to (l).

 

Sec. 10. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 119B.13, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

 

Subdivision 1. Subsidy restrictions. (a) Beginning July 1, 2006 2007, the maximum rate paid for child care assistance in any county or multicounty region under the child care fund shall be the rate for like-care arrangements in the county effective January July 1, 2006, increased by six two percent.

 

(b) Rate changes shall be implemented for services provided in September 2006 2007 unless a participant eligibility redetermination or a new provider agreement is completed between July 1, 2006 2007, and August 31, 2006 2007.

 

As necessary, appropriate notice of adverse action must be made according to Minnesota Rules, part 3400.0185, subparts 3 and 4.

 

New cases approved on or after July 1, 2006 2007, shall have the maximum rates under paragraph (a), implemented immediately.

 

(c) Not less than once every two years year, the commissioner shall survey rates charged by child care providers in Minnesota to determine the 75th percentile for like-care arrangements in counties. When the commissioner determines that, using the commissioner's established protocol, the number of providers responding to the survey is too small to determine the 75th percentile rate for like-care arrangements in a county or multicounty region, the commissioner may establish the 75th percentile maximum rate based on like-care arrangements in a county, region, or category that the commissioner deems to be similar.


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(d) A rate which includes a special needs rate paid under subdivision 3 or under a school readiness service agreement paid under section 30 may be in excess of the maximum rate allowed under this subdivision.

 

(e) The department shall monitor the effect of this paragraph on provider rates. The county shall pay the provider's full charges for every child in care up to the maximum established. The commissioner shall determine the maximum rate for each type of care on an hourly, full-day, and weekly basis, including special needs and disability care. The half-day rates are effective beginning July 1, 2008.

 

(f) When the provider charge is greater than the maximum provider rate allowed, the parent is responsible for payment of the difference in the rates in addition to any family co-payment fee.

 

(g) All maximum provider rate changes shall be implemented on the Monday following the effective date of the maximum provider rate.

 

Sec. 11. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 119B.13, subdivision 3a, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 3a. Provider rate differential for accreditation. A family child care provider or child care center shall be paid a 15 percent differential above the maximum rate established in subdivision 1, up to the actual provider rate, if the provider or center holds a current early childhood development credential or is accredited. For a family child care provider, early childhood development credential and accreditation includes an individual who has earned a child development associate degree, a child development associate credential, a diploma in child development from a Minnesota state technical college, or a bachelor's or post baccalaureate degree in early childhood education from an accredited college or university, or who is accredited by the National Association for Family Child Care or the Competency Based Training and Assessment Program. For a child care center, accreditation includes accreditation by the National Association for the Education of Young Children, the Council on Accreditation, the National Early Childhood Program Accreditation, the National School-Age Care Association, or the National Head Start Association Program of Excellence. For Montessori programs, accreditation includes the American Montessori Society, Association of Montessori International-USA, or the National Center for Montessori Education.

 

Sec. 12. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 119B.13, subdivision 6, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 6. Provider payments. (a) Counties or the state shall make vendor payments to the child care provider or pay the parent directly for eligible child care expenses.

 

(b) If payments for child care assistance are made to providers, the provider shall bill the county for services provided within ten days of the end of the service period. If bills are submitted within ten days of the end of the service period, a county or the state shall issue payment to the provider of child care under the child care fund within 30 days of receiving a bill from the provider. Counties or the state may establish policies that make payments on a more frequent basis.

 

(c) All bills If a provider has received an authorization of care and has been issued a billing form for an eligible family, the bill must be submitted within 60 days of the last date of service on the bill. A county may pay a bill submitted more than 60 days after the last date of service if the provider shows good cause why the bill was not submitted within 60 days. Good cause must be defined in the county's child care fund plan under section 119B.08, subdivision 3, and the definition of good cause must include county error. A county may not pay any bill submitted more than a year after the last date of service on the bill.

 

(d) If a provider provided care for a time period without receiving an authorization of care and a billing form for an eligible family, payment of child care assistance may only be made retroactively for a maximum of six months from the date the provider is issued an authorization of care and a billing form.


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(d) (e) A county may stop payment issued to a provider or may refuse to pay a bill submitted by a provider if:

 

(1) the provider admits to intentionally giving the county materially false information on the provider's billing forms; or

 

(2) a county finds by a preponderance of the evidence that the provider intentionally gave the county materially false information on the provider's billing forms.

 

(e) (f) A county's payment policies must be included in the county's child care plan under section 119B.08, subdivision 3. If payments are made by the state, in addition to being in compliance with this subdivision, the payments must be made in compliance with section 16A.124.

 

Sec. 13. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 119B.13, subdivision 7, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 7. Absent days. (a) Child care providers may not be reimbursed for more than 25 full-day absent days per child, excluding holidays, in a fiscal year, or for more than ten consecutive full-day absent days, unless the child has a documented medical condition that causes more frequent absences. Absences due to a documented medical condition of a parent or sibling who lives in the same residence as the child receiving child care assistance do not count against the 25-day absent day limit in a fiscal year. Documentation of medical conditions must be on the forms and submitted according to the timelines established by the commissioner. A public health nurse or school nurse may verify the illness in lieu of a medical practitioner. If a provider sends a child home early due to a medical reason including, but not limited to, fever or contagious illness, the child care center director or lead teacher may verify the illness in lieu of a medical practitioner. If a child attends for part of the time authorized to be in care in a day, but is absent for part of the time authorized to be in care in that same day, the absent time will be reimbursed but the time will not count toward the ten consecutive or 25 cumulative absent day limits. Children in families where at least one parent is under the age of 21, does not have a high school or general education development (GED) diploma, and is a student in a school district or another similar program that provides or arranges for child care, as well as parenting, social services, career and employment supports, and academic support to achieve high school graduation, may be exempt from the absent day limits upon request of the program and approval of the county. If a child attends part of an authorized day, payment to the provider must be for the full amount of care authorized for that day. Child care providers may only be reimbursed for absent days if the provider has a written policy for child absences and charges all other families in care for similar absences.

 

(b) Child care providers must be reimbursed for up to ten federal or state holidays or designated holidays per year when the provider charges all families for these days and the holiday or designated holiday falls on a day when the child is authorized to be in attendance. Parents may substitute other cultural or religious holidays for the ten recognized state and federal holidays. Holidays do not count toward the ten consecutive or 25 cumulative absent day limits.

 

(c) A family or child care provider may not be assessed an overpayment for an absent day payment unless (1) there was an error in the amount of care authorized for the family, (2) all of the allowed full-day absent payments for the child have been paid, or (3) the family or provider did not timely report a change as required under law.

 

(d) The provider and family must receive notification of the number of absent days used upon initial provider authorization for a family and when the family has used 15 cumulative absent days. Upon statewide implementation of the Minnesota Electronic Child Care System, the provider and family authorization for a family and ongoing notification of the number of absent days used as of the date of the notification.

 

(e) A county may pay for more absent days than the statewide absent day policy established under this subdivision, if current market practice in the county justifies payment for those additional days. County policies for payment of absent days in excess of the statewide absent day policy and justification for these county policies must be included in the county's child care fund plan under section 119B.08, subdivision 3. This paragraph may be implemented by counties on or after July 1, 2008.


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Sec. 14. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 119B.21, subdivision 5, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 5. Child care services grants. (a) A child care resource and referral program designated under section 119B.19, subdivision 1a, may award child care services grants for:

 

(1) creating new licensed child care facilities and expanding existing facilities, including, but not limited to, supplies, equipment, facility renovation, and remodeling;

 

(2) improving licensed child care facility programs;

 

(3) staff training and development services including, but not limited to, in-service training, curriculum development, accreditation, certification, consulting, resource centers, and program and resource materials, supporting effective teacher-child interactions, child-focused teaching, and content-driven classroom instruction;

 

(4) interim financing;

 

(5) capacity building through the purchase of appropriate technology to create, enhance, and maintain business management systems;

 

(6) emergency assistance for child care programs;

 

(7) new programs or projects for the creation, expansion, or improvement of programs that serve ethnic immigrant and refugee communities; and

 

(8) targeted recruitment initiatives to expand and build the capacity of the child care system and to improve the quality of care provided by legal nonlicensed child care providers.

 

(b) A child care resource and referral program designated under section 119B.19, subdivision 1a, may award child care services grants to:

 

(1) licensed providers;

 

(2) providers in the process of being licensed;

 

(3) corporations or public agencies that develop or provide child care services;

 

(4) school-age care programs; or

 

(5) any combination of clauses (1) to (4).

 

Unlicensed providers are only eligible for grants under paragraph (a), clause (7).

 

(c) A recipient of a child care services grant for facility improvements, interim financing, or staff training and development must provide a 25 percent local match.

 

Sec. 15. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 256.01, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 2. Specific powers. Subject to the provisions of section 241.021, subdivision 2, the commissioner of human services shall carry out the specific duties in paragraphs (a) through (cc):


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(a) Administer and supervise all forms of public assistance provided for by state law and other welfare activities or services as are vested in the commissioner. Administration and supervision of human services activities or services includes, but is not limited to, assuring timely and accurate distribution of benefits, completeness of service, and quality program management. In addition to administering and supervising human services activities vested by law in the department, the commissioner shall have the authority to:

 

(1) require county agency participation in training and technical assistance programs to promote compliance with statutes, rules, federal laws, regulations, and policies governing human services;

 

(2) monitor, on an ongoing basis, the performance of county agencies in the operation and administration of human services, enforce compliance with statutes, rules, federal laws, regulations, and policies governing welfare services and promote excellence of administration and program operation;

 

(3) develop a quality control program or other monitoring program to review county performance and accuracy of benefit determinations;

 

(4) require county agencies to make an adjustment to the public assistance benefits issued to any individual consistent with federal law and regulation and state law and rule and to issue or recover benefits as appropriate;

 

(5) delay or deny payment of all or part of the state and federal share of benefits and administrative reimbursement according to the procedures set forth in section 256.017;

 

(6) make contracts with and grants to public and private agencies and organizations, both profit and nonprofit, and individuals, using appropriated funds; and

 

(7) enter into contractual agreements with federally recognized Indian tribes with a reservation in Minnesota to the extent necessary for the tribe to operate a federally approved family assistance program or any other program under the supervision of the commissioner. The commissioner shall consult with the affected county or counties in the contractual agreement negotiations, if the county or counties wish to be included, in order to avoid the duplication of county and tribal assistance program services. The commissioner may establish necessary accounts for the purposes of receiving and disbursing funds as necessary for the operation of the programs.

 

(b) Inform county agencies, on a timely basis, of changes in statute, rule, federal law, regulation, and policy necessary to county agency administration of the programs.

 

(c) Administer and supervise all child welfare activities; promote the enforcement of laws protecting disabled, dependent, neglected and delinquent children, and children born to mothers who were not married to the children's fathers at the times of the conception nor at the births of the children; license and supervise child-caring and child-placing agencies and institutions; supervise the care of children in boarding and foster homes or in private institutions; and generally perform all functions relating to the field of child welfare now vested in the State Board of Control.

 

(d) Administer and supervise all noninstitutional service to disabled persons, including those who are visually impaired, hearing impaired, or physically impaired or otherwise disabled. The commissioner may provide and contract for the care and treatment of qualified indigent children in facilities other than those located and available at state hospitals when it is not feasible to provide the service in state hospitals.

 

(e) Assist and actively cooperate with other departments, agencies and institutions, local, state, and federal, by performing services in conformity with the purposes of Laws 1939, chapter 431.


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(f) Act as the agent of and cooperate with the federal government in matters of mutual concern relative to and in conformity with the provisions of Laws 1939, chapter 431, including the administration of any federal funds granted to the state to aid in the performance of any functions of the commissioner as specified in Laws 1939, chapter 431, and including the promulgation of rules making uniformly available medical care benefits to all recipients of public assistance, at such times as the federal government increases its participation in assistance expenditures for medical care to recipients of public assistance, the cost thereof to be borne in the same proportion as are grants of aid to said recipients.

 

(g) Establish and maintain any administrative units reasonably necessary for the performance of administrative functions common to all divisions of the department.

 

(h) Act as designated guardian of both the estate and the person of all the wards of the state of Minnesota, whether by operation of law or by an order of court, without any further act or proceeding whatever, except as to persons committed as developmentally disabled. For children under the guardianship of the commissioner or a tribe in Minnesota recognized by the Secretary of the Interior whose interests would be best served by adoptive placement, the commissioner may contract with a licensed child-placing agency or a Minnesota tribal social services agency to provide adoption services. A contract with a licensed child-placing agency must be designed to supplement existing county efforts and may not replace existing county programs or tribal social services, unless the replacement is agreed to by the county board and the appropriate exclusive bargaining representative, tribal governing body, or the commissioner has evidence that child placements of the county continue to be substantially below that of other counties. Funds encumbered and obligated under an agreement for a specific child shall remain available until the terms of the agreement are fulfilled or the agreement is terminated.

 

(i) Act as coordinating referral and informational center on requests for service for newly arrived immigrants coming to Minnesota.

 

(j) The specific enumeration of powers and duties as hereinabove set forth shall in no way be construed to be a limitation upon the general transfer of powers herein contained.

 

(k) Establish county, regional, or statewide schedules of maximum fees and charges which may be paid by county agencies for medical, dental, surgical, hospital, nursing and nursing home care and medicine and medical supplies under all programs of medical care provided by the state and for congregate living care under the income maintenance programs.

 

(l) Have the authority to conduct and administer experimental projects to test methods and procedures of administering assistance and services to recipients or potential recipients of public welfare. To carry out such experimental projects, it is further provided that the commissioner of human services is authorized to waive the enforcement of existing specific statutory program requirements, rules, and standards in one or more counties. The order establishing the waiver shall provide alternative methods and procedures of administration, shall not be in conflict with the basic purposes, coverage, or benefits provided by law, and in no event shall the duration of a project exceed four years. It is further provided that no order establishing an experimental project as authorized by the provisions of this section shall become effective until the following conditions have been met:

 

(1) the secretary of health and human services of the United States has agreed, for the same project, to waive state plan requirements relative to statewide uniformity; and

 

(2) a comprehensive plan, including estimated project costs, shall be approved by the Legislative Advisory Commission and filed with the commissioner of administration.

 

(m) According to federal requirements, establish procedures to be followed by local welfare boards in creating citizen advisory committees, including procedures for selection of committee members.


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(n) Allocate federal fiscal disallowances or sanctions which are based on quality control error rates for the aid to families with dependent children program formerly codified in sections 256.72 to 256.87, medical assistance, or food stamp program in the following manner:

 

(1) one-half of the total amount of the disallowance shall be borne by the county boards responsible for administering the programs. For the medical assistance and the AFDC program formerly codified in sections 256.72 to 256.87, disallowances shall be shared by each county board in the same proportion as that county's expenditures for the sanctioned program are to the total of all counties' expenditures for the AFDC program formerly codified in sections 256.72 to 256.87, and medical assistance programs. For the food stamp program, sanctions shall be shared by each county board, with 50 percent of the sanction being distributed to each county in the same proportion as that county's administrative costs for food stamps are to the total of all food stamp administrative costs for all counties, and 50 percent of the sanctions being distributed to each county in the same proportion as that county's value of food stamp benefits issued are to the total of all benefits issued for all counties. Each county shall pay its share of the disallowance to the state of Minnesota. When a county fails to pay the amount due hereunder, the commissioner may deduct the amount from reimbursement otherwise due the county, or the attorney general, upon the request of the commissioner, may institute civil action to recover the amount due; and

 

(2) notwithstanding the provisions of clause (1), if the disallowance results from knowing noncompliance by one or more counties with a specific program instruction, and that knowing noncompliance is a matter of official county board record, the commissioner may require payment or recover from the county or counties, in the manner prescribed in clause (1), an amount equal to the portion of the total disallowance which resulted from the noncompliance, and may distribute the balance of the disallowance according to clause (1).

 

(o) Develop and implement special projects that maximize reimbursements and result in the recovery of money to the state. For the purpose of recovering state money, the commissioner may enter into contracts with third parties. Any recoveries that result from projects or contracts entered into under this paragraph shall be deposited in the state treasury and credited to a special account until the balance in the account reaches $1,000,000. When the balance in the account exceeds $1,000,000, the excess shall be transferred and credited to the general fund. All money in the account is appropriated to the commissioner for the purposes of this paragraph.

 

(p) Have the authority to make direct payments to facilities providing shelter to women and their children according to section 256D.05, subdivision 3. Upon the written request of a shelter facility that has been denied payments under section 256D.05, subdivision 3, the commissioner shall review all relevant evidence and make a determination within 30 days of the request for review regarding issuance of direct payments to the shelter facility. Failure to act within 30 days shall be considered a determination not to issue direct payments.

 

(q) Have the authority to establish and enforce the following county reporting requirements:

 

(1) the commissioner shall establish fiscal and statistical reporting requirements necessary to account for the expenditure of funds allocated to counties for human services programs. When establishing financial and statistical reporting requirements, the commissioner shall evaluate all reports, in consultation with the counties, to determine if the reports can be simplified or the number of reports can be reduced;

 

(2) the county board shall submit monthly or quarterly reports to the department as required by the commissioner. Monthly reports are due no later than 15 working days after the end of the month. Quarterly reports are due no later than 30 calendar days after the end of the quarter, unless the commissioner determines that the deadline must be shortened to 20 calendar days to avoid jeopardizing compliance with federal deadlines or risking a loss of federal funding. Only reports that are complete, legible, and in the required format shall be accepted by the commissioner;


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(3) if the required reports are not received by the deadlines established in clause (2), the commissioner may delay payments and withhold funds from the county board until the next reporting period. When the report is needed to account for the use of federal funds and the late report results in a reduction in federal funding, the commissioner shall withhold from the county boards with late reports an amount equal to the reduction in federal funding until full federal funding is received;

 

(4) a county board that submits reports that are late, illegible, incomplete, or not in the required format for two out of three consecutive reporting periods is considered noncompliant. When a county board is found to be noncompliant, the commissioner shall notify the county board of the reason the county board is considered noncompliant and request that the county board develop a corrective action plan stating how the county board plans to correct the problem. The corrective action plan must be submitted to the commissioner within 45 days after the date the county board received notice of noncompliance;

 

(5) the final deadline for fiscal reports or amendments to fiscal reports is one year after the date the report was originally due. If the commissioner does not receive a report by the final deadline, the county board forfeits the funding associated with the report for that reporting period and the county board must repay any funds associated with the report received for that reporting period;

 

(6) the commissioner may not delay payments, withhold funds, or require repayment under clause (3) or (5) if the county demonstrates that the commissioner failed to provide appropriate forms, guidelines, and technical assistance to enable the county to comply with the requirements. If the county board disagrees with an action taken by the commissioner under clause (3) or (5), the county board may appeal the action according to sections 14.57 to 14.69; and

 

(7) counties subject to withholding of funds under clause (3) or forfeiture or repayment of funds under clause (5) shall not reduce or withhold benefits or services to clients to cover costs incurred due to actions taken by the commissioner under clause (3) or (5).

 

(r) Allocate federal fiscal disallowances or sanctions for audit exceptions when federal fiscal disallowances or sanctions are based on a statewide random sample for the foster care program under title IV-E of the Social Security Act, United States Code, title 42, in direct proportion to each county's title IV-E foster care maintenance claim for that period.

 

(s) Be responsible for ensuring the detection, prevention, investigation, and resolution of fraudulent activities or behavior by applicants, recipients, and other participants in the human services programs administered by the department.

 

(t) Require county agencies to identify overpayments, establish claims, and utilize all available and cost-beneficial methodologies to collect and recover these overpayments in the human services programs administered by the department.

 

(u) Have the authority to administer a drug rebate program for drugs purchased pursuant to the prescription drug program established under section 256.955 after the beneficiary's satisfaction of any deductible established in the program. The commissioner shall require a rebate agreement from all manufacturers of covered drugs as defined in section 256B.0625, subdivision 13. Rebate agreements for prescription drugs delivered on or after July 1, 2002, must include rebates for individuals covered under the prescription drug program who are under 65 years of age. For each drug, the amount of the rebate shall be equal to the rebate as defined for purposes of the federal rebate program in United States Code, title 42, section 1396r-8. The manufacturers must provide full payment within 30 days of receipt of the state invoice for the rebate within the terms and conditions used for the federal rebate program established pursuant to section 1927 of title XIX of the Social Security Act. The manufacturers must provide the commissioner with any information necessary to verify the rebate determined per drug. The rebate program shall utilize the terms and conditions used for the federal rebate program established pursuant to section 1927 of title XIX of the Social Security Act.


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(v) Have the authority to administer the federal drug rebate program for drugs purchased under the medical assistance program as allowed by section 1927 of title XIX of the Social Security Act and according to the terms and conditions of section 1927. Rebates shall be collected for all drugs that have been dispensed or administered in an outpatient setting and that are from manufacturers who have signed a rebate agreement with the United States Department of Health and Human Services.

 

(w) Have the authority to administer a supplemental drug rebate program for drugs purchased under the medical assistance program. The commissioner may enter into supplemental rebate contracts with pharmaceutical manufacturers and may require prior authorization for drugs that are from manufacturers that have not signed a supplemental rebate contract. Prior authorization of drugs shall be subject to the provisions of section 256B.0625, subdivision 13.

 

(x) Operate the department's communication systems account established in Laws 1993, First Special Session chapter 1, article 1, section 2, subdivision 2, to manage shared communication costs necessary for the operation of the programs the commissioner supervises. A communications account may also be established for each regional treatment center which operates communications systems. Each account must be used to manage shared communication costs necessary for the operations of the programs the commissioner supervises. The commissioner may distribute the costs of operating and maintaining communication systems to participants in a manner that reflects actual usage. Costs may include acquisition, licensing, insurance, maintenance, repair, staff time and other costs as determined by the commissioner. Nonprofit organizations and state, county, and local government agencies involved in the operation of programs the commissioner supervises may participate in the use of the department's communications technology and share in the cost of operation. The commissioner may accept on behalf of the state any gift, bequest, devise or personal property of any kind, or money tendered to the state for any lawful purpose pertaining to the communication activities of the department. Any money received for this purpose must be deposited in the department's communication systems accounts. Money collected by the commissioner for the use of communication systems must be deposited in the state communication systems account and is appropriated to the commissioner for purposes of this section.

 

(y) Receive any federal matching money that is made available through the medical assistance program for the consumer satisfaction survey. Any federal money received for the survey is appropriated to the commissioner for this purpose. The commissioner may expend the federal money received for the consumer satisfaction survey in either year of the biennium.

 

(z) Designate community information and referral call centers and incorporate cost reimbursement claims from the designated community information and referral call centers into the federal cost reimbursement claiming processes of the department according to federal law, rule, and regulations. Existing information and referral centers provided by Greater Twin Cities United Way or existing call centers for which Greater Twin Cities United Way has legal authority to represent, shall be included in these designations upon review by the commissioner and assurance that these services are accredited and in compliance with national standards. Any reimbursement is appropriated to the commissioner and all designated information and referral centers shall receive payments according to normal department schedules established by the commissioner upon final approval of allocation methodologies from the United States Department of Health and Human Services Division of Cost Allocation or other appropriate authorities.

 

(aa) Develop recommended standards for foster care homes that address the components of specialized therapeutic services to be provided by foster care homes with those services.

 

(bb) Authorize the method of payment to or from the department as part of the human services programs administered by the department. This authorization includes the receipt or disbursement of funds held by the department in a fiduciary capacity as part of the human services programs administered by the department.


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(cc) Have the authority to administer a drug rebate program for drugs purchased for persons eligible for general assistance medical care under section 256D.03, subdivision 3. For manufacturers that agree to participate in the general assistance medical care rebate program, the commissioner shall enter into a rebate agreement for covered drugs as defined in section 256B.0625, subdivisions 13 and 13d. For each drug, the amount of the rebate shall be equal to the rebate as defined for purposes of the federal rebate program in United States Code, title 42, section 1396r-8. The manufacturers must provide payment within the terms and conditions used for the federal rebate program established under section 1927 of title XIX of the Social Security Act. The rebate program shall utilize the terms and conditions used for the federal rebate program established under section 1927 of title XIX of the Social Security Act.

 

Effective January 1, 2006, drug coverage under general assistance medical care shall be limited to those prescription drugs that:

 

(1) are covered under the medical assistance program as described in section 256B.0625, subdivisions 13 and 13d; and

 

(2) are provided by manufacturers that have fully executed general assistance medical care rebate agreements with the commissioner and comply with such agreements. Prescription drug coverage under general assistance medical care shall conform to coverage under the medical assistance program according to section 256B.0625, subdivisions 13 to 13g.

 

The rebate revenues collected under the drug rebate program are deposited in the general fund.

 

Sec. 16. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 256.01, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 4. Duties as state agency. (a) The state agency shall:

 

(1) supervise the administration of assistance to dependent children under Laws 1937, chapter 438, by the county agencies in an integrated program with other service for dependent children maintained under the direction of the state agency;

 

(2) may subpoena witnesses and administer oaths, make rules, and take such action as may be necessary, or desirable for carrying out the provisions of Laws 1937, chapter 438. All rules made by the state agency shall be binding on the counties and shall be complied with by the respective county agencies;

 

(3) (2) establish adequate standards for personnel employed by the counties and the state agency in the administration of Laws 1937, chapter 438, and make the necessary rules to maintain such standards;

 

(4) (3) prescribe the form of and print and supply to the county agencies blanks for applications, reports, affidavits, and such other forms as it may deem necessary and advisable;

 

(5) (4) cooperate with the federal government and its public welfare agencies in any reasonable manner as may be necessary to qualify for federal aid for temporary assistance for needy families and in conformity with title I of Public Law 104-193, the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 and successor amendments, including the making of such reports and such forms and containing such information as the Federal Social Security Board may from time to time require, and comply with such provisions as such board may from time to time find necessary to assure the correctness and verification of such reports;


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(6) may cooperate with other state agencies in establishing reciprocal agreements in instances where a child receiving Minnesota family investment program assistance moves or contemplates moving into or out of the state, in order that such child may continue to receive supervised aid from the state moved from until the child shall have resided for one year in the state moved to;

 

(7) (5) on or before October 1 in each even-numbered year make a biennial report to the governor concerning the activities of the agency;

 

(8) (6) enter into agreements with other departments of the state as necessary to meet all requirements of the federal government; and

 

(9) (7) cooperate with the commissioner of education to enforce the requirements for program integrity and fraud prevention for investigation for child care assistance under chapter 119B.

 

(b) The state agency may:

 

(1) subpoena witnesses and administer oaths, make rules, and take such action as may be necessary or desirable for carrying out the provisions of Laws 1937, chapter 438. All rules made by the state agency shall be binding on the counties and shall be complied with by the respective county agencies;

 

(2) cooperate with other state agencies in establishing reciprocal agreements in instances where a child receiving Minnesota family investment program assistance moves or contemplates moving into or out of the state, in order that the child may continue to receive supervised aid from the state moved from until the child has resided for one year in the state moved to; and

 

(3) administer oaths and affirmations, take depositions, certify to official acts, and issue subpoenas to compel the attendance of individuals and the production of documents and other personal property necessary in connection with the administration of programs administered by the Department of Human Services.

 

(c) The fees for service of a subpoena in paragraph (b), clause (3), must be paid in the same manner as prescribed by law for a service of process issued by a district court. Witnesses must receive the same fees and mileage as in civil actions.

 

(d) The subpoena in paragraph (b), clause (3), shall be enforceable through the district court in the district where the subpoena is issued.

 

Sec. 17. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 256.01, subdivision 18, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 18. Immigration status verifications. (a) Notwithstanding any waiver of this requirement by the secretary of the United States Department of Health and Human Services, effective July 1, 2001, the commissioner shall utilize the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) program to conduct immigration status verifications:

 

(1) as required under United States Code, title 8, section 1642;

 

(2) for all applicants and recipients at recertification for food assistance benefits, whether under the federal food stamp program, the MFIP or work first program, or the Minnesota food assistance program;

 

(3) for all applicants and recipients at recertification for general assistance medical care, except assistance for an emergency medical condition, for immunization with respect to an immunizable disease, or for testing and treatment of symptoms of a communicable disease; and


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(4) for all applicants and recipients at recertification for general assistance, Minnesota supplemental aid, MinnesotaCare, or group residential housing, when the benefits provided by these programs would fall under the definition of "federal public benefit" under United States Code, title 8, section 1642, if federal funds were used to pay for all or part of the benefits.

 

(b) The commissioner shall comply with the reporting requirements under United States Code, title 42, section 611a, and any federal regulation or guidance adopted under that law.

 

Sec. 18. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 256.01, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

 

Subd. 23. Administrative simplification; county cost study. (a) The commissioner shall establish and convene the first meeting of an advisory committee to identify ways to simplify and streamline human services laws and administrative requirements. The advisory committee shall select its chair from its membership at the first meeting.

 

(b) The committee shall consist of three senators appointed by the senate Committee on Rules and Administration, three state representatives appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives, four department staff, and five county representatives appointed by the Association of Minnesota Counties after consultation with other relevant county organizations.

 

(c) The committee shall annually select up to two topics for review. The goals of the reviews are to discuss opportunities for administrative improvements and increased simplification and streamlining to improve consistency, efficiency, fairness, and to reduce the risk of recipient noncompliance. In reviewing the topics selected, consideration shall be given to:

 

(1) current challenges in administrative complexity and service delivery and whether the sharing of responsibilities between the state and the county should be altered in any way, including transferring responsibilities from one entity to the other;

 

(2) methods of reducing inconsistency with similar programs; and

 

(3) the current funding mechanism, whether funding formulas should be adjusted for special demographic or geographic factors that influence program costs, differences in county property tax contributions and maintenance of effort obligations, and whether the mix of state and county obligations for financial support of this service should be changed.

 

(d) The committee members shall assume responsibility for reporting progress to the appropriate leadership of the groups they represent. The commissioner, in partnership with the advisory committee, shall report to the legislative committees and divisions with jurisdiction over the Department of Human Services on the findings and recommendations of the advisory committee by December 15 of each year.

 

(e) This section expires June 30, 2012.

 

Sec. 19. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 256.015, subdivision 7, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 7. Cooperation required. Upon the request of the Department of Human Services, any state agency or third party payer shall cooperate with the department in furnishing information to help establish a third party liability. Upon the request of the Department of Human Services or county child support or human service agencies, any employer or third party payer shall cooperate in furnishing information about group health insurance plans or medical benefit plans available to its employees. For purposes of section 176.191, subdivision 4, the Department of Labor and Industry may allow the Department of Human Services and county agencies direct access and data


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matching on information relating to workers' compensation claims in order to determine whether the claimant has reported the fact of a pending claim and the amount paid to or on behalf of the claimant to the Department of Human Services. The Department of Human Services and county agencies shall limit its use of information gained from agencies, third party payers, and employers to purposes directly connected with the administration of its public assistance and child support programs. The provision of information by agencies, third party payers, and employers to the department under this subdivision is not a violation of any right of confidentiality or data privacy.

 

Sec. 20. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 256.017, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

 

Subdivision 1. Authority and purpose. The commissioner shall administer a compliance system for the Minnesota family investment program, the food stamp or food support program, emergency assistance, general assistance, medical assistance, general assistance medical care, emergency general assistance, Minnesota supplemental assistance, preadmission screening, and alternative care grants, and the child care assistance program under the powers and authorities named in section 256.01, subdivision 2. The purpose of the compliance system is to permit the commissioner to supervise the administration of public assistance programs and to enforce timely and accurate distribution of benefits, completeness of service and efficient and effective program management and operations, to increase uniformity and consistency in the administration and delivery of public assistance programs throughout the state, and to reduce the possibility of sanctions and fiscal disallowances for noncompliance with federal regulations and state statutes.

 

The commissioner shall utilize training, technical assistance, and monitoring activities, as specified in section 256.01, subdivision 2, to encourage county agency compliance with written policies and procedures.

 

Sec. 21. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 256.017, subdivision 9, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 9. Timing and disposition of penalty and case disallowance funds. Quality control case penalty and administrative penalty amounts shall be disallowed or withheld from the next regular reimbursement made to the county agency for state and federal benefit reimbursements and federal administrative reimbursements for all programs covered in this section, according to procedures established in statute, but shall not be imposed sooner than 30 calendar days from the date of written notice of such penalties. Except for penalties withheld under the child care assistance program, all penalties must be deposited in the county incentive fund provided in section 256.018. Penalties withheld under the child care assistance program shall be reallocated to counties using the allocation formula under section 119B.03, subdivision 5. All penalties must be imposed according to this provision until a decision is made regarding the status of a written exception. Penalties must be returned to county agencies when a review of a written exception results in a decision in their favor.

 

Sec. 22. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 256.0471, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

 

Subdivision 1. Qualifying overpayment. Any overpayment for assistance granted under chapter 119B, the MFIP program formerly codified under sections 256.031 to 256.0361, and the AFDC program formerly codified under sections 256.72 to 256.871; chapters 256B, 256D, 256I, 256J, and 256K, and 256L; and the food stamp or food support program, except agency error claims, become a judgment by operation of law 90 days after the notice of overpayment is personally served upon the recipient in a manner that is sufficient under rule 4.03(a) of the Rules of Civil Procedure for district courts, or by certified mail, return receipt requested. This judgment shall be entitled to full faith and credit in this and any other state.

 

Sec. 23. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 256.984, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

 

Subdivision 1. Declaration. Every application for public assistance under this chapter or chapters 256B, 256D, 256J, and 256L; child care programs under chapter 119B; and food stamps or food support under chapter 393 shall be in writing or reduced to writing as prescribed by the state agency and shall contain the following declaration which shall be signed by the applicant:


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"I declare under the penalties of perjury that this application has been examined by me and to the best of my knowledge is a true and correct statement of every material point. I understand that a person convicted of perjury may be sentenced to imprisonment of not more than five years or to payment of a fine of not more than $10,000, or both."

 

Sec. 24. [256D.0516] EXPIRATION OF FOOD SUPPORT BENEFITS AND REPORTING REQUIREMENTS.

 

Subdivision 1. Expiration of food support benefits. Food support benefits shall not be stored off line or expunged from a recipient's account unless the benefits have not been accessed for 12 months after the month they were issued.

 

Subd. 2. Food support reporting requirements. The Department of Human Services shall implement simplified reporting as permitted under the Food Stamp Act of 1977, as amended, and the food stamp regulations in Code of Federal Regulations, title 7, part 273. Food support recipient households required to report periodically shall not be required to report more often than one time every six months. This provision shall not apply to households receiving food benefits under the Minnesota family investment program waiver.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE. Subdivision 1 is effective February 1, 2008, and subdivision 2 is effective May 1, 2008.

 

Sec. 25. [256F.15] GRANT PROGRAM FOR CRISIS NURSERIES.

 

Subdivision 1. Crisis nurseries. The commissioner of human services shall establish a grant program to assist private and public agencies and organizations to provide crisis nurseries to offer services and temporary care to families experiencing crisis situations including children who are at high risk of abuse and neglect, children who have been abused and neglected, and children who are in families receiving child protective services. This service shall be provided without a fee for a maximum of 30 days in any year. Crisis nurseries shall provide short-term case management, family support services, parent education, crisis intervention, referrals, and resources, as needed.

 

(a) The crisis nurseries must provide a spectrum of services that may include, but are not limited to:

 

(1) being available 24 hours a day, seven days a week;

 

(2) providing services for children up to 72 hours at any one time;

 

(3) providing short-term case management to bridge the gap between crisis and successful living;

 

(4) making referrals for parents to counseling services and other community resources to help alleviate the underlying cause of the precipitating stress or crisis;

 

(5) providing services without a fee for a maximum of 30 days in any year;

 

(6) providing services to families with children from birth through 12 years of age, as services are available;

 

(7) providing an immediate response to family needs and strengths with an initial assessment and intake interview, making referrals to appropriate agencies or programs, and providing temporary care of children, as needed;

 

(8) maintaining the clients' confidentiality to the extent required by law, and also complying with statutory reporting requirements which may mandate a report to child protective services;


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(9) providing a volunteer component and support for volunteers;

 

(10) providing preservice training and ongoing training to providers and volunteers;

 

(11) evaluating the services provided by documenting use of services, the result of family referrals made to community resources, and how the services reduced the risk of maltreatment;

 

(12) providing developmental assessments;

 

(13) providing medical assessments as determined by using a risk screening tool;

 

(14) providing parent education classes or programs that include parent-child interaction either on site or in collaboration with other community agencies; and

 

(15) having a multidisciplinary advisory board which may include one or more parents who have used the crisis nursery services.

 

(b) The crisis nurseries are encouraged to provide opportunities for parents to volunteer, if appropriate.

 

(c) Parents shall retain custody of their children during placement in a crisis facility.

 

Subd. 2. Fund distribution. In distributing funds, the commissioner shall give priority consideration to agencies and organizations with experience in working with abused or neglected children and their families, and with children at high risk of abuse and neglect and their families, and serve communities which demonstrate the greatest need for these services. Funds shall be distributed to crisis nurseries according to a formula developed by the commissioner in consultation with the Minnesota Crisis Nursery Association. The formula shall include funding for all existing crisis nursery programs that have been previously funded through the Department of Human Services and that meet program requirements as specified in subdivision 1, paragraph (a), and consideration of factors reflecting the need for services in each service area, including but not limited to the number of children 18 years of age and under living in the service area, the percent of children 18 years of age and under living in poverty in the service area, and factors reflecting the cost of providing services, including but not limited to the number of hours of service provided in the previous year.

 

Sec. 26. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 256J.01, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

 

Subd. 6. Legislative approval to move programs or activities. The commissioner shall not move programs or activities funded with MFIP or TANF maintenance of effort funds to other funding sources without legislative approval.

 

Sec. 27. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 256J.02, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

 

Subdivision 1. Commissioner's authority to administer block grant funds. The commissioner of human services is authorized to receive, administer, and expend funds available under the TANF block grant authorized under title I of Public Law 104-193, the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996, and under Public Law 109-171, the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005.

 

Sec. 28. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 256J.02, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 4. Authority to transfer. Subject to limitations of title I of Public Law 104-193, the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996, as amended, and under Public Law 109-171, the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005, the legislature may transfer money from the TANF block grant to the child care fund under chapter 119B, or the Title XX block grant.


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Sec. 29. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 256J.021, is amended to read:

 

256J.021 SEPARATE STATE PROGRAM FOR USE OF STATE MONEY.

 

Families receiving assistance under this section must comply with all applicable requirements in this chapter.

 

(a) Until October 1, 2006, the commissioner of human services must treat MFIP expenditures made to or on behalf of any minor child under section 256J.02, subdivision 2, clause (1), who is a resident of this state under section 256J.12, and who is part of a two-parent eligible household as expenditures under a separately funded state program and report those expenditures to the federal Department of Health and Human Services as separate state program expenditures under Code of Federal Regulations, title 45, section 263.5.

 

(b) Beginning October 1, 2006, and each year thereafter, the commissioner of human services must treat MFIP expenditures made to or on behalf of any minor child under section 256J.02, subdivision 2, clause (1), who is a resident of this state under section 256J.12, and who is part of a two-parent eligible household, as expenditures under a separately funded state program. These expenditures shall not count toward the state's maintenance of effort (MOE) requirements under the federal Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) program except if counting certain families would allow the commissioner to avoid a federal penalty. Families receiving assistance under this section must comply with all applicable requirements in this chapter.

 

Sec. 30. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 256J.08, subdivision 65, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 65. Participant. (a) "Participant" means includes any of the following:

 

(1) a person who is currently receiving cash assistance or the food portion available through MFIP. A person who fails to withdraw or access electronically any portion of the person's cash and food assistance payment by the end of the payment month, who makes a written request for closure before the first of a payment month and repays cash and food assistance electronically issued for that payment month within that payment month, or who returns any uncashed assistance check and food coupons and withdraws from the program is not a participant.;

 

(2) a person who withdraws a cash or food assistance payment by electronic transfer or receives and cashes an MFIP assistance check or food coupons and is subsequently determined to be ineligible for assistance for that period of time is a participant, regardless whether that assistance is repaid. The term "participant" includes;

 

(3) the caregiver relative and the minor child whose needs are included in the assistance payment.;

 

(4) a person in an assistance unit who does not receive a cash and food assistance payment because the case has been suspended from MFIP is a participant.;

 

(5) a person who receives cash payments under the diversionary work program under section 256J.95 is a participant.; and

 

(6) a person who receives cash payments under the family stabilization services program under section 256J.575.

 

(b) "Participant" does not include a person who fails to withdraw or access electronically any portion of the person's cash and food assistance payment by the end of the payment month, who makes a written request for closure before the first of a payment month and repays cash and food assistance electronically issued for that payment month within that payment month, or who returns any uncashed assistance check and food coupons and withdraws from the program.

 

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


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Sec. 31. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 256J.21, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 2. Income exclusions. The following must be excluded in determining a family's available income:

 

(1) payments for basic care, difficulty of care, and clothing allowances received for providing family foster care to children or adults under Minnesota Rules, parts 9555.5050 to 9555.6265, 9560.0521, and 9560.0650 to 9560.0655, and payments received and used for care and maintenance of a third-party beneficiary who is not a household member;

 

(2) reimbursements for employment training received through the Workforce Investment Act of 1998, United States Code, title 20, chapter 73, section 9201;

 

(3) reimbursement for out-of-pocket expenses incurred while performing volunteer services, jury duty, employment, or informal carpooling arrangements directly related to employment;

 

(4) all educational assistance, except the county agency must count graduate student teaching assistantships, fellowships, and other similar paid work as earned income and, after allowing deductions for any unmet and necessary educational expenses, shall count scholarships or grants awarded to graduate students that do not require teaching or research as unearned income;

 

(5) loans, regardless of purpose, from public or private lending institutions, governmental lending institutions, or governmental agencies;

 

(6) loans from private individuals, regardless of purpose, provided an applicant or participant documents that the lender expects repayment;

 

(7)(i) state income tax refunds; and

 

(ii) federal income tax refunds;

 

(8)(i) federal earned income credits;

 

(ii) Minnesota working family credits;

 

(iii) state homeowners and renters credits under chapter 290A; and

 

(iv) federal or state tax rebates;

 

(9) funds received for reimbursement, replacement, or rebate of personal or real property when these payments are made by public agencies, awarded by a court, solicited through public appeal, or made as a grant by a federal agency, state or local government, or disaster assistance organizations, subsequent to a presidential declaration of disaster;

 

(10) the portion of an insurance settlement that is used to pay medical, funeral, and burial expenses, or to repair or replace insured property;

 

(11) reimbursements for medical expenses that cannot be paid by medical assistance;

 

(12) payments by a vocational rehabilitation program administered by the state under chapter 268A, except those payments that are for current living expenses;


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(13) in-kind income, including any payments directly made by a third party to a provider of goods and services;

 

(14) assistance payments to correct underpayments, but only for the month in which the payment is received;

 

(15) payments for short-term emergency needs under section 256J.626, subdivision 2;

 

(16) funeral and cemetery payments as provided by section 256.935;

 

(17) nonrecurring cash gifts of $30 or less, not exceeding $30 per participant in a calendar month;

 

(18) any form of energy assistance payment made through Public Law 97-35, Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Act of 1981, payments made directly to energy providers by other public and private agencies, and any form of credit or rebate payment issued by energy providers;

 

(19) Supplemental Security Income (SSI), including retroactive SSI payments and other income of an SSI recipient, except as described in section 256J.37, subdivision 3b;

 

(20) Minnesota supplemental aid, including retroactive payments;

 

(21) proceeds from the sale of real or personal property;

 

(22) state adoption assistance payments under section 259.67, and up to an equal amount of county adoption assistance payments;

 

(23) state-funded family subsidy program payments made under section 252.32 to help families care for children with developmental disabilities, consumer support grant funds under section 256.476, and resources and services for a disabled household member under one of the home and community-based waiver services programs under chapter 256B;

 

(24) interest payments and dividends from property that is not excluded from and that does not exceed the asset limit;

 

(25) rent rebates;

 

(26) income earned by a minor caregiver, minor child through age 6, or a minor child who is at least a half-time student in an approved elementary or secondary education program;

 

(27) income earned by a caregiver under age 20 who is at least a half-time student in an approved elementary or secondary education program;

 

(28) MFIP child care payments under section 119B.05;

 

(29) all other payments made through MFIP to support a caregiver's pursuit of greater economic stability;

 

(30) income a participant receives related to shared living expenses;

 

(31) reverse mortgages;

 

(32) benefits provided by the Child Nutrition Act of 1966, United States Code, title 42, chapter 13A, sections 1771 to 1790;


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(33) benefits provided by the women, infants, and children (WIC) nutrition program, United States Code, title 42, chapter 13A, section 1786;

 

(34) benefits from the National School Lunch Act, United States Code, title 42, chapter 13, sections 1751 to 1769e;

 

(35) relocation assistance for displaced persons under the Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act of 1970, United States Code, title 42, chapter 61, subchapter II, section 4636, or the National Housing Act, United States Code, title 12, chapter 13, sections 1701 to 1750jj;

 

(36) benefits from the Trade Act of 1974, United States Code, title 19, chapter 12, part 2, sections 2271 to 2322;

 

(37) war reparations payments to Japanese Americans and Aleuts under United States Code, title 50, sections 1989 to 1989d;

 

(38) payments to veterans or their dependents as a result of legal settlements regarding Agent Orange or other chemical exposure under Public Law 101-239, section 10405, paragraph (a)(2)(E);

 

(39) income that is otherwise specifically excluded from MFIP consideration in federal law, state law, or federal regulation;

 

(40) security and utility deposit refunds;

 

(41) American Indian tribal land settlements excluded under Public Laws 98-123, 98-124, and 99-377 to the Mississippi Band Chippewa Indians of White Earth, Leech Lake, and Mille Lacs reservations and payments to members of the White Earth Band, under United States Code, title 25, chapter 9, section 331, and chapter 16, section 1407;

 

(42) all income of the minor parent's parents and stepparents when determining the grant for the minor parent in households that include a minor parent living with parents or stepparents on MFIP with other children;

 

(43) income of the minor parent's parents and stepparents equal to 200 percent of the federal poverty guideline for a family size not including the minor parent and the minor parent's child in households that include a minor parent living with parents or stepparents not on MFIP when determining the grant for the minor parent. The remainder of income is deemed as specified in section 256J.37, subdivision 1b;

 

(44) payments made to children eligible for relative custody assistance under section 257.85;

 

(45) vendor payments for goods and services made on behalf of a client unless the client has the option of receiving the payment in cash; and

 

(46) the principal portion of a contract for deed payment.; and

 

(47) cash payments to individuals enrolled for full-time service as a volunteer under AmeriCorps programs including AmeriCorps VISTA, AmeriCorps State, AmeriCorps National, and AmeriCorps NCCC.

 

Sec. 32. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 256J.24, subdivision 10, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 10. MFIP exit level. The commissioner shall adjust the MFIP earned income disregard to ensure that most participants do not lose eligibility for MFIP until their income reaches at least 115 140 percent of the federal poverty guidelines in effect in October of each fiscal year. The adjustment to the disregard shall be based on a


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household size of three, and the resulting earned income disregard percentage must be applied to all household sizes. The adjustment under this subdivision must be implemented at the same time as the October food stamp or food support cost-of-living adjustment is reflected in the food portion of MFIP transitional standard as required under subdivision 5a.

 

Sec. 33. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 256J.42, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

 

Subdivision 1. Time limit. (a) Except as otherwise provided for in this section, an assistance unit in which any adult caregiver has received 60 months of cash assistance funded in whole or in part by the TANF block grant in this or any other state or United States territory, or from a tribal TANF program, MFIP, the AFDC program formerly codified in sections 256.72 to 256.87, or the family general assistance program formerly codified in sections 256D.01 to 256D.23, funded in whole or in part by state appropriations, is ineligible to receive MFIP. Any cash assistance funded with TANF dollars in this or any other state or United States territory, or from a tribal TANF program, or MFIP assistance funded in whole or in part by state appropriations, that was received by the unit on or after the date TANF was implemented, including any assistance received in states or United States territories of prior residence, counts toward the 60-month limitation. Months during which any cash assistance is received by an assistance unit with a mandatory member who is disqualified for wrongfully obtaining public assistance under section 256.98, subdivision 8, counts toward the time limit for the disqualified member. The 60-month limit applies to a minor caregiver except under subdivision 5. The 60-month time period does not need to be consecutive months for this provision to apply.

 

(b) The months before July 1998 in which individuals received assistance as part of the field trials as an MFIP, MFIP-R, or MFIP or MFIP-R comparison group family are not included in the 60-month time limit.

 

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

 

Sec. 34. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 256J.425, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 3. Hard-to-employ participants. An assistance unit subject to the time limit in section 256J.42, subdivision 1, is eligible to receive months of assistance under a hardship extension if the participant who reached the time limit belongs to any of the following groups:

 

(1) a person who is diagnosed by a licensed physician, psychological practitioner, or other qualified professional, as developmentally disabled or mentally ill, and that condition prevents the person from obtaining or retaining unsubsidized employment;

 

(2) a person who:

 

(i) has been assessed by a vocational specialist or the county agency to be unemployable for purposes of this subdivision; or

 

(ii) has an IQ below 80 who has been assessed by a vocational specialist or a county agency to be employable, but not at a level that makes the participant eligible for an extension under subdivision 4. The determination of IQ level must be made by a qualified professional. In the case of a non-English-speaking person: (A) the determination must be made by a qualified professional with experience conducting culturally appropriate assessments, whenever possible; (B) the county may accept reports that identify an IQ range as opposed to a specific score; (C) these reports must include a statement of confidence in the results;

 

(3) a person who is determined by a qualified professional to be learning disabled, and the disability severely limits the person's ability to obtain, perform, or maintain suitable employment. For purposes of the initial approval of a learning disability extension, the determination must have been made or confirmed within the previous 12


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months. In the case of a non-English-speaking person: (i) the determination must be made by a qualified professional with experience conducting culturally appropriate assessments, whenever possible; and (ii) these reports must include a statement of confidence in the results. If a rehabilitation plan for a participant extended as learning disabled is developed or approved by the county agency, the plan must be incorporated into the employment plan. However, a rehabilitation plan does not replace the requirement to develop and comply with an employment plan under section 256J.521; or

 

(4) a person who has been granted a family violence waiver, and who is complying with an employment plan under section 256J.521, subdivision 3; or

 

(5) a participant under section 256J.561, subdivision 2, paragraph (d), who is complying with an employment plan tailored to recognize the special circumstances of the caregivers and family, including limitations due to illness or disability, and caregiving needs.

 

Sec. 35. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 256J.425, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 4. Employed participants. (a) An assistance unit subject to the time limit under section 256J.42, subdivision 1, is eligible to receive assistance under a hardship extension if the participant who reached the time limit belongs to:

 

(1) a one-parent assistance unit in which the participant is participating in work activities for at least 30 hours per week, of which an average of at least 25 hours per week every month are spent participating in employment;

 

(2) a two-parent assistance unit in which the participants are participating in work activities for at least 55 hours per week, of which an average of at least 45 hours per week every month are spent participating in employment; or

 

(3) an assistance unit in which a participant is participating in employment for fewer hours than those specified in clause (1) or (2), and the participant submits verification from a qualified professional, in a form acceptable to the commissioner, stating that the number of hours the participant may work is limited due to illness or disability, as long as the participant is participating in employment for at least the number of hours specified by the qualified professional. The participant must be following the treatment recommendations of the qualified professional providing the verification. The commissioner shall develop a form to be completed and signed by the qualified professional, documenting the diagnosis and any additional information necessary to document the functional limitations of the participant that limit work hours. If the participant is part of a two-parent assistance unit, the other parent must be treated as a one-parent assistance unit for purposes of meeting the work requirements under this subdivision.

 

(b) For purposes of this section, employment means:

 

(1) unsubsidized employment under section 256J.49, subdivision 13, clause (1);

 

(2) subsidized employment under section 256J.49, subdivision 13, clause (2);

 

(3) on-the-job training under section 256J.49, subdivision 13, clause (2);

 

(4) an apprenticeship under section 256J.49, subdivision 13, clause (1);

 

(5) supported work under section 256J.49, subdivision 13, clause (2);

 

(6) a combination of clauses (1) to (5); or


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(7) child care under section 256J.49, subdivision 13, clause (7), if it is in combination with paid employment.

 

(c) If a participant is complying with a child protection plan under chapter 260C, the number of hours required under the child protection plan count toward the number of hours required under this subdivision.

 

(d) (c) The county shall provide the opportunity for subsidized employment to participants needing that type of employment within available appropriations.

 

(e) (d) To be eligible for a hardship extension for employed participants under this subdivision, a participant must be in compliance for at least ten out of the 12 months the participant received MFIP immediately preceding the participant's 61st month on assistance. If ten or fewer months of eligibility for TANF assistance remain at the time the participant from another state applies for assistance, the participant must be in compliance every month.

 

(f) (e) The employment plan developed under section 256J.521, subdivision 2, for participants under this subdivision must contain at least the minimum number of hours specified in paragraph (a) for the purpose of meeting the requirements for an extension under this subdivision. The job counselor and the participant must sign the employment plan to indicate agreement between the job counselor and the participant on the contents of the plan.

 

(g) (f) Participants who fail to meet the requirements in paragraph (a), without good cause under section 256J.57, shall be sanctioned or permanently disqualified under subdivision 6. Good cause may only be granted for that portion of the month for which the good cause reason applies. Participants must meet all remaining requirements in the approved employment plan or be subject to sanction or permanent disqualification.

 

(h) (g) If the noncompliance with an employment plan is due to the involuntary loss of employment, the participant is exempt from the hourly employment requirement under this subdivision for one month. Participants must meet all remaining requirements in the approved employment plan or be subject to sanction or permanent disqualification. This exemption is available to each participant two times in a 12-month period.

 

Sec. 36. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 256J.46, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

 

Subd. 3. Restrictions on sanctions. A participant shall not be sanctioned for failure to meet the agreed upon hours in a participant's employment plan under section 256J.521, subdivision 2, when the participant:

 

(1) fails to meet the agreed upon hours of participation in paid employment because the participant is not eligible for holiday pay and the participant's place of employment is closed for a holiday; or

 

(2) is otherwise meeting or exceeding the federal TANF work participation rate hourly requirements.

 

Sec. 37. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 256J.49, subdivision 13, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 13. Work activity. "Work activity" means any activity in a participant's approved employment plan that leads to employment. For purposes of the MFIP program, this includes activities that meet the definition of work activity under the participation requirements of TANF. Work activity includes:

 

(1) unsubsidized employment, including work study and paid apprenticeships or internships;

 

(2) subsidized private sector or public sector employment, including grant diversion as specified in section 256J.69, on-the-job training as specified in section 256J.66, the self-employment investment demonstration program (SEID) as specified in section 256J.65, paid work experience, and supported work when a wage subsidy is provided;


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(3) unpaid work experience, including community service, volunteer work, the community work experience program as specified in section 256J.67, unpaid apprenticeships or internships, and supported work when a wage subsidy is not provided. Unpaid work performed in return for cash assistance is prohibited and does not count as a work activity, unless the participant voluntarily agrees, in writing, to engage in unpaid work in return for cash assistance. The participant may terminate the unpaid work arrangement, in writing, at any time;

 

(4) job search including job readiness assistance, job clubs, job placement, job-related counseling, and job retention services;

 

(5) job readiness education, including English as a second language (ESL) or functional work literacy classes as limited by the provisions of section 256J.531, subdivision 2, general educational development (GED) course work, high school completion, and adult basic education as limited by the provisions of section 256J.531, subdivision 1;

 

(6) job skills training directly related to employment, including education and training that can reasonably be expected to lead to employment, as limited by the provisions of section 256J.53;

 

(7) providing child care services to a participant who is working in a community service program;

 

(8) activities included in the employment plan that is developed under section 256J.521, subdivision 3; and

 

(9) preemployment activities including chemical and mental health assessments, treatment, and services; learning disabilities services; child protective services; family stabilization services; or other programs designed to enhance employability.

 

Sec. 38. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 256J.521, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

 

Subdivision 1. Assessments. (a) For purposes of MFIP employment services, assessment is a continuing process of gathering information related to employability for the purpose of identifying both participant's strengths and strategies for coping with issues that interfere with employment. The job counselor must use information from the assessment process to develop and update the employment plan under subdivision 2 or 3, as appropriate, and to determine whether the participant qualifies for a family violence waiver including an employment plan under subdivision 3, and to determine whether the participant should be referred to the family stabilization services program under section 256J.575.

 

(b) The scope of assessment must cover at least the following areas:

 

(1) basic information about the participant's ability to obtain and retain employment, including: a review of the participant's education level; interests, skills, and abilities; prior employment or work experience; transferable work skills; child care and transportation needs;

 

(2) identification of personal and family circumstances that impact the participant's ability to obtain and retain employment, including: any special needs of the children, the level of English proficiency, family violence issues, and any involvement with social services or the legal system;

 

(3) the results of a mental and chemical health screening tool designed by the commissioner and results of the brief screening tool for special learning needs. Screening tools for mental and chemical health and special learning needs must be approved by the commissioner and may only be administered by job counselors or county staff trained in using such screening tools. The commissioner shall work with county agencies to develop protocols for referrals and follow-up actions after screens are administered to participants, including guidance on how employment plans may be modified based upon outcomes of certain screens. Participants must be told of the purpose of the screens and how the information will be used to assist the participant in identifying and overcoming


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barriers to employment. Screening for mental and chemical health and special learning needs must be completed by participants who are unable to find suitable employment after six weeks of job search under subdivision 2, paragraph (b), and participants who are determined to have barriers to employment under subdivision 2, paragraph (d). Failure to complete the screens will result in sanction under section 256J.46; and

 

(4) a comprehensive review of participation and progress for participants who have received MFIP assistance and have not worked in unsubsidized employment during the past 12 months. The purpose of the review is to determine the need for additional services and supports, including placement in subsidized employment or unpaid work experience under section 256J.49, subdivision 13, or referral to the family stabilization services program under section 256J.575.

 

(c) Information gathered during a caregiver's participation in the diversionary work program under section 256J.95 must be incorporated into the assessment process.

 

(d) The job counselor may require the participant to complete a professional chemical use assessment to be performed according to the rules adopted under section 254A.03, subdivision 3, including provisions in the administrative rules which recognize the cultural background of the participant, or a professional psychological assessment as a component of the assessment process, when the job counselor has a reasonable belief, based on objective evidence, that a participant's ability to obtain and retain suitable employment is impaired by a medical condition. The job counselor may assist the participant with arranging services, including child care assistance and transportation, necessary to meet needs identified by the assessment. Data gathered as part of a professional assessment must be classified and disclosed according to the provisions in section 13.46.

 

Sec. 39. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 256J.521, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 2. Employment plan; contents. (a) Based on the assessment under subdivision 1, the job counselor and the participant must develop an employment plan that includes participation in activities and hours that meet the requirements of section 256J.55, subdivision 1. The purpose of the employment plan is to identify for each participant the most direct path to unsubsidized employment and any subsequent steps that support long-term economic stability. The employment plan should be developed using the highest level of activity appropriate for the participant. Activities must be chosen from clauses (1) to (6), which are listed in order of preference. Notwithstanding this order of preference for activities, priority must be given for activities related to a family violence waiver when developing the employment plan. The employment plan must also list the specific steps the participant will take to obtain employment, including steps necessary for the participant to progress from one level of activity to another, and a timetable for completion of each step. Levels of activity include:

 

(1) unsubsidized employment;

 

(2) job search;

 

(3) subsidized employment or unpaid work experience;

 

(4) unsubsidized employment and job readiness education or job skills training;

 

(5) unsubsidized employment or unpaid work experience and activities related to a family violence waiver or preemployment needs; and

 

(6) activities related to a family violence waiver or preemployment needs.


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(b) Participants who are determined to possess sufficient skills such that the participant is likely to succeed in obtaining unsubsidized employment must job search at least 30 hours per week for up to six weeks and accept any offer of suitable employment. The remaining hours necessary to meet the requirements of section 256J.55, subdivision 1, may be met through participation in other work activities under section 256J.49, subdivision 13. The participant's employment plan must specify, at a minimum: (1) whether the job search is supervised or unsupervised; (2) support services that will be provided; and (3) how frequently the participant must report to the job counselor. Participants who are unable to find suitable employment after six weeks must meet with the job counselor to determine whether other activities in paragraph (a) should be incorporated into the employment plan. Job search activities which are continued after six weeks must be structured and supervised.

 

(c) Beginning July 1, 2004, activities and hourly requirements in the employment plan may be adjusted as necessary to accommodate the personal and family circumstances of participants identified under section 256J.561, subdivision 2, paragraph (d). Participants who no longer meet the provisions of section 256J.561, subdivision 2, paragraph (d), must meet with the job counselor within ten days of the determination to revise the employment plan.

 

(d) Participants who are determined to have barriers to obtaining or retaining employment that will not be overcome during six weeks of job search under paragraph (b) must work with the job counselor to develop an employment plan that addresses those barriers by incorporating appropriate activities from paragraph (a), clauses (1) to (6). The employment plan must include enough hours to meet the participation requirements in section 256J.55, subdivision 1, unless a compelling reason to require fewer hours is noted in the participant's file.

 

(e) The job counselor and the participant must sign the employment plan to indicate agreement on the contents.

 

(f) Except as provided under paragraphs (g) and (h), failure to develop or comply with activities in the plan, or voluntarily quitting suitable employment without good cause, will result in the imposition of a sanction under section 256J.46. The job counselor is encouraged to allow participants who are participating in at least 20 hours of work activities to also participate in employment and training activities in order to meet the federal hourly participation rates.

 

(g) When a participant fails to meet the agreed upon hours of participation in paid employment because the participant is not eligible for holiday pay and the participant's place of employment is closed for a holiday, the job counselor shall not impose a sanction or increase the hours of participation in any other activity, including paid employment, to offset the hours that were missed due to the holiday.

 

(h) The job counselor shall not impose a sanction for failure to meet the agreed upon hours in a participant's employment plan under this subdivision when the participant is otherwise meeting or exceeding the federal TANF work participation rate hourly requirements.

 

(f) (i) Employment plans must be reviewed at least every three months to determine whether activities and hourly requirements should be revised.

 

Sec. 40. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 256J.521, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

 

Subd. 7. Employment plan; nonmaintenance of effort; single caregivers. (a) When a single caregiver is moved to the nonmaintenance of effort state-funded program under section 256J.021, paragraphs (a) and (b), the single caregiver shall develop or revise the employment plan as specified in this subdivision with a job counselor or county. The plan must address issues interfering with employment, including physical and mental health, substance use, and social service issues of the caregiver and the caregiver's family. Job search and employment must also be included in the plan to the extent possible.


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(b) Counties must coordinate services by ensuring that all workers involved with the family communicate on a regular basis, and that expectations for the family across service areas lead to common goals.

 

(c) Activities and hourly requirements in the employment plan may be adjusted as necessary to accommodate the personal and family circumstances of the participant. Participants who no longer meet the criteria for the nonmaintenance of effort state-funded program shall meet with the job counselor or county within ten days of the determination to revise the employment plan.

 

Sec. 41. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 256J.53, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 2. Approval of postsecondary education or training. (a) In order for a postsecondary education or training program to be an approved activity in an employment plan, the participant must be working in unsubsidized employment at least 20 hours per week.

 

(b) Participants seeking approval of a postsecondary education or training plan must provide documentation that:

 

(1) the employment goal can only be met with the additional education or training;

 

(2) there are suitable employment opportunities that require the specific education or training in the area in which the participant resides or is willing to reside;

 

(3) the education or training will result in significantly higher wages for the participant than the participant could earn without the education or training;

 

(4) the participant can meet the requirements for admission into the program; and

 

(5) there is a reasonable expectation that the participant will complete the training program based on such factors as the participant's MFIP assessment, previous education, training, and work history; current motivation; and changes in previous circumstances.

 

(c) The hourly unsubsidized employment requirement does not apply for intensive education or training programs lasting 12 weeks or less when full-time attendance is required.

 

(d) (b) Participants with an approved employment plan in place on July 1, 2003, which includes more than 12 months of postsecondary education or training shall be allowed to complete that plan provided that hourly requirements in section 256J.55, subdivision 1, and conditions specified in paragraph (b) (a), and subdivisions 3 and 5 are met. A participant whose case is subsequently closed for three months or less for reasons other than noncompliance with program requirements and who returns to MFIP shall be allowed to complete that plan provided that hourly requirements in section 256J.55, subdivision 1, and conditions specified in paragraph (b) (a) and subdivisions 3 and 5 are met.

 

Sec. 42. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 256J.55, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

 

Subdivision 1. Participation requirements. (a) All caregivers must participate in employment services under sections 256J.515 to 256J.57 concurrent with receipt of MFIP assistance.

 

(b) Until July 1, 2004, participants who meet the requirements of section 256J.56 are exempt from participation requirements.


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(c) Participants under paragraph (a) must develop and comply with an employment plan under section 256J.521 or section 256J.54 in the case of a participant under the age of 20 who has not obtained a high school diploma or its equivalent.

 

(d) With the exception of participants under the age of 20 who must meet the education requirements of section 256J.54, all participants must meet the hourly participation requirements of TANF or the hourly requirements listed in clauses (1) to (3), whichever is higher.

 

(1) In single-parent families with no children under six years of age, the job counselor and the caregiver must develop an employment plan that includes 30 to 35 hours per week of work activities 130 hours per month of work activities.

 

(2) In single-parent families with a child under six years of age, the job counselor and the caregiver must develop an employment plan that includes 20 to 35 hours per week of work activities 87 hours per month of work activities.

 

(3) In two-parent families, the job counselor and the caregivers must develop employment plans which result in a combined total of at least 55 hours per week of work activities.

 

(e) Failure to participate in employment services, including the requirement to develop and comply with an employment plan, including hourly requirements, without good cause under section 256J.57, shall result in the imposition of a sanction under section 256J.46.

 

Sec. 43. [256J.575] FAMILY STABILIZATION SERVICES.

 

Subdivision 1. Purpose. (a) The family stabilization services serve families who are not making significant progress within the Minnesota family investment program (MFIP) due to a variety of barriers to employment.

 

(b) The goal of the services is to stabilize and improve the lives of families at risk of long-term welfare dependency or family instability due to employment barriers such as physical disability, mental disability, age, or providing care for a disabled household member. These services promote and support families to achieve the greatest possible degree of self-sufficiency.

 

Subd. 2. Definitions. The terms used in this section have the meanings given them in paragraphs (a) to (e).

 

(a) "Family stabilization services" means the services established under this section.

 

(b) "Case management" means the services provided by or through the county agency or through the employment services agency to participating families, including assessment, information, referrals, and assistance in the preparation and implementation of a family stabilization plan under subdivision 5.

 

(c) "Family stabilization plan" means a plan developed by a case manager and the participant, which identifies the participant's most appropriate path to unsubsidized employment, family stability, and barrier reduction, taking into account the family's circumstances.

 

(d) "Family stabilization services" means programs, activities, and services in this section that provide participants and their family members with assistance regarding, but not limited to:

 

(1) obtaining and retaining unsubsidized employment;

 

(2) family stability;


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(3) economic stability; and

 

(4) barrier reduction.

 

The goal of the services is to achieve the greatest degree of economic self-sufficiency and family well-being possible for the family under the circumstances.

 

(e) "Case manager" means the county-designated staff person or employment services counselor.

 

Subd. 3. Eligibility. (a) The following MFIP or diversionary work program (DWP) participants are eligible for the services under this section:

 

(1) a participant identified under section 256J.561, subdivision 2, paragraph (d), who has or is eligible for an employment plan developed under section 256J.521, subdivision 2, paragraph (c);

 

(2) a participant identified under section 256J.95, subdivision 12, paragraph (b), as unlikely to benefit from the DWP;

 

(3) a participant who meets the requirements for or has been granted a hardship extension under section 256J.425, subdivision 2 or 3;

 

(4) a participant who is applying for supplemental security income or Social Security disability insurance;

 

(5) a participant who is a noncitizen who has been in the United States for 12 or fewer months; and

 

(6) a new MFIP participant, for the first 30 days the participant receives assistance or when the participant's employment plan is completed, whichever is sooner.

 

(b) Families must meet all other eligibility requirements for MFIP established in this chapter. Families are eligible for financial assistance to the same extent as if they were participating in MFIP.

 

(c) A participant under paragraph (a), clause (5), must be provided with English as a second language opportunities and skills training for up to 12 months. After 12 months, the case manager and participant must determine whether the participant should continue with English as a second language classes or skills training, or both, or if the participant should become an MFIP participant.

 

Subd. 4. Universal participation. All caregivers must participate in family stabilization services as defined in subdivision 2.

 

Subd. 5. Case management; family stabilization plans; coordinated services. (a) The county agency shall provide family stabilization services to families through a case management model. A case manager shall be assigned to each participating family within 30 days after the family begins to receive financial assistance as a participant of the family stabilization services. The case manager, with the full involvement of the participant, shall recommend, and the county agency shall establish and modify as necessary, a family stabilization plan for each participating family. If a participant is already assigned to a county case manager or a county-designated case manager in social services, disability services, or housing services that case manager already assigned may be the case manager for purposes of these services.

 

(b) The family stabilization plan must include:

 

(1) each participant's plan for long-term self-sufficiency, including an employment goal where applicable;


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(2) an assessment of each participant's strengths and barriers, and any special circumstances of the participant's family that impact, or are likely to impact, the participant's progress towards the goals in the plan; and

 

(3) an identification of the services, supports, education, training, and accommodations needed to reduce or overcome any barriers to enable the family to achieve self-sufficiency and to fulfill each caregiver's personal and family responsibilities.

 

(c) The case manager and the participant shall meet within 30 days of the family's referral to the case manager. The initial family stabilization plan must be completed within 30 days of the first meeting with the case manager. The case manager shall establish a schedule for periodic review of the family stabilization plan that includes personal contact with the participant at least once per month. In addition, the case manager shall review and, if necessary, modify the plan under the following circumstances:

 

(1) there is a lack of satisfactory progress in achieving the goals of the plan;

 

(2) the participant has lost unsubsidized or subsidized employment;

 

(3) a family member has failed or is unable to comply with a family stabilization plan requirement;

 

(4) services, supports, or other activities required by the plan are unavailable;

 

(5) changes to the plan are needed to promote the well-being of the children; or

 

(6) the participant and case manager determine that the plan is no longer appropriate for any other reason.

 

Subd. 6. Cooperation with services requirements. (a) To be eligible, a participant shall comply with paragraphs (b) to (e).

 

(b) Participants shall engage in family stabilization plan services for the appropriate number of hours per week that the activities are scheduled and available, unless good cause exists for not doing so, as defined in section 256J.57, subdivision 1. The appropriate number of hours must be based on the participant's plan.

 

(c) The case manager shall review the participant's progress toward the goals in the family stabilization plan every six months to determine whether conditions have changed, including whether revisions to the plan are needed.

 

(d) When the participant has increased participation in work-related activities sufficient to meet the federal participation requirements of TANF, the county agency shall refer the participant to the MFIP program and assign the participant to a job counselor. The participant and the job counselor shall meet within 15 days of referral to the MFIP program to develop an employment plan under section 256J.521. No reapplication is necessary and financial assistance continues without interruption.

 

(e) A participant's requirement to comply with any or all family stabilization plan requirements under this subdivision is excused when the case management services, training and educational services, and family support services identified in the participant's family stabilization plan are unavailable for reasons beyond the control of the participant, including when money appropriated is not sufficient to provide the services.

 

Subd. 7. Sanctions. (a) The financial assistance grant of a participating family is reduced according to section 256J.46, if a participating adult fails without good cause to comply or continue to comply with the family stabilization plan requirements in this subdivision, unless compliance has been excused under subdivision 6, paragraph (e).


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(b) Given the purpose of the family stabilization services in this section and the nature of the underlying family circumstances that act as barriers to both employment and full compliance with program requirements, sanctions are appropriate only when it is clear that there is both the ability to comply and willful noncompliance by the participant, as confirmed by a behavioral health or medical professional.

 

(c) Prior to the imposition of a sanction, the county agency shall review the participant's case to determine if the family stabilization plan is still appropriate and meet with the participant face-to-face. The participant may bring an advocate to the face-to-face meeting.

 

During the face-to-face meeting, the county agency must:

 

(1) determine whether the continued noncompliance can be explained and mitigated by providing a needed family stabilization service, as defined in subdivision 2, paragraph (d);

 

(2) determine whether the participant qualifies for a good cause exemption under section 256J.57, or if the sanction is for noncooperation with child support requirements, determine if the participant qualifies for a good cause exemption under section 256.741, subdivision 10;

 

(3) determine whether activities in the family stabilization plan are appropriate based on the family's circumstances;

 

(4) explain the consequences of continuing noncompliance;

 

(5) identify other resources that may be available to the participant to meet the needs of the family; and

 

(6) inform the participant of the right to appeal under section 256J.40.

 

If the lack of an identified activity or service can explain the noncompliance, the county shall work with the participant to provide the identified activity.

 

(d) If the participant fails to come to the face-to-face meeting, the case manager or a designee shall attempt at least one home visit. If a face-to-face meeting is not conducted, the county agency shall send the participant a written notice that includes the information under paragraph (c).

 

(e) After the requirements of paragraphs (c) and (d) are met and prior to imposition of a sanction, the county agency shall provide a notice of intent to sanction under section 256J.57, subdivision 2, and, when applicable, a notice of adverse action under section 256J.31.

 

(f) Section 256J.57 applies to this section except to the extent that it is modified by this subdivision.

 

Subd. 8. Funding. (a) The commissioner of human services must treat MFIP expenditures made to or on behalf of any minor child under this section, who is part of a household that meets criteria in subdivision 3, as expenditures under a separately funded state program. These expenditures shall not count toward the state's maintenance of effort requirements under the federal TANF program.

 

(b) A family is no longer part of a separately funded program under this section, if the caregiver no longer meets the criteria for family stabilization services in subdivision 3 or if it is determined at recertification that the caregiver is meeting the federal work participation rate, whichever occurs sooner.


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Sec. 44. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 256J.626, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

 

Subdivision 1. Consolidated fund. The consolidated fund is established to support counties and tribes in meeting their duties under this chapter. Counties and tribes must use funds from the consolidated fund to develop programs and services that are designed to improve participant outcomes as measured in section 256J.751, subdivision 2. Counties may use the funds for any allowable expenditures under subdivision 2, and to provide case management services to participants of the family stabilization services program. Tribes may use the funds for any allowable expenditures under subdivision 2, except those in subdivision 2, paragraph (a), clauses (1) and (6).

 

Sec. 45. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 256J.626, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 2. Allowable expenditures. (a) The commissioner must restrict expenditures under the consolidated fund to benefits and services allowed under title IV-A of the federal Social Security Act. Allowable expenditures under the consolidated fund may include, but are not limited to:

 

(1) short-term, nonrecurring shelter and utility needs that are excluded from the definition of assistance under Code of Federal Regulations, title 45, section 260.31, for families who meet the residency requirement in section 256J.12, subdivisions 1 and 1a. Payments under this subdivision are not considered TANF cash assistance and are not counted towards the 60-month time limit;

 

(2) transportation needed to obtain or retain employment or to participate in other approved work activities or activities under a family stabilization plan;

 

(3) direct and administrative costs of staff to deliver employment services for MFIP or, the diversionary work program, or the family stabilization services program; to administer financial assistance,; and to provide specialized services intended to assist hard-to-employ participants to transition to work or transition from the family stabilization services program to MFIP;

 

(4) costs of education and training including functional work literacy and English as a second language;

 

(5) cost of work supports including tools, clothing, boots, telephone service, and other work-related expenses;

 

(6) county administrative expenses as defined in Code of Federal Regulations, title 45, section 260(b);

 

(7) services to parenting and pregnant teens;

 

(8) supported work;

 

(9) wage subsidies;

 

(10) child care needed for MFIP or, the diversionary work program, or the family stabilization services program participants to participate in social services;

 

(11) child care to ensure that families leaving MFIP or diversionary work program will continue to receive child care assistance from the time the family no longer qualifies for transition year child care until an opening occurs under the basic sliding fee child care program; and

 

(12) services to help noncustodial parents who live in Minnesota and have minor children receiving MFIP or DWP assistance, but do not live in the same household as the child, obtain or retain employment; and

 

(13) services to help families participating in the family stabilization services program achieve the greatest possible degree of self-sufficiency.


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(b) Administrative costs that are not matched with county funds as provided in subdivision 8 may not exceed 7.5 percent of a county's or 15 percent of a tribe's allocation under this section. The commissioner shall define administrative costs for purposes of this subdivision.

 

(c) The commissioner may waive the cap on administrative costs for a county or tribe that elects to provide an approved supported employment, unpaid work, or community work experience program for a major segment of the county's or tribe's MFIP population. The county or tribe must apply for the waiver on forms provided by the commissioner. In no case shall total administrative costs exceed the TANF limits.

 

Sec. 46. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 256J.626, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 3. Eligibility for services. Families with a minor child, a pregnant woman, or a noncustodial parent of a minor child receiving assistance, with incomes below 200 percent of the federal poverty guideline for a family of the applicable size, are eligible for services funded under the consolidated fund. Counties and tribes must give priority to families currently receiving MFIP or, the diversionary work program, or the family stabilization services program, and families at risk of receiving MFIP or diversionary work program.

 

Sec. 47. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 256J.626, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 4. County and tribal biennial service agreements. (a) Effective January 1, 2004, and each two-year period thereafter, each county and tribe must have in place an approved biennial service agreement related to the services and programs in this chapter. In counties with a city of the first class with a population over 300,000, the county must consider a service agreement that includes a jointly developed plan for the delivery of employment services with the city. Counties may collaborate to develop multicounty, multitribal, or regional service agreements.

 

(b) The service agreements will be completed in a form prescribed by the commissioner. The agreement must include:

 

(1) a statement of the needs of the service population and strengths and resources in the community;

 

(2) numerical goals for participant outcomes measures to be accomplished during the biennial period. The commissioner may identify outcomes from section 256J.751, subdivision 2, as core outcomes for all counties and tribes;

 

(3) strategies the county or tribe will pursue to achieve the outcome targets. Strategies must include specification of how funds under this section will be used and may include community partnerships that will be established or strengthened; and

 

(4) strategies the county or tribe will pursue under the family stabilization services program; and

 

(5) other items prescribed by the commissioner in consultation with counties and tribes.

 

(c) The commissioner shall provide each county and tribe with information needed to complete an agreement, including: (1) information on MFIP cases in the county or tribe; (2) comparisons with the rest of the state; (3) baseline performance on outcome measures; and (4) promising program practices.

 

(d) The service agreement must be submitted to the commissioner by October 15, 2003, and October 15 of each second year thereafter. The county or tribe must allow a period of not less than 30 days prior to the submission of the agreement to solicit comments from the public on the contents of the agreement.


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(e) The commissioner must, within 60 days of receiving each county or tribal service agreement, inform the county or tribe if the service agreement is approved. If the service agreement is not approved, the commissioner must inform the county or tribe of any revisions needed prior to approval.

 

(f) The service agreement in this subdivision supersedes the plan requirements of section 116L.88.

 

Sec. 48. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 256J.626, subdivision 5, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 5. Innovation projects. Beginning January 1, 2005, no more than $3,000,000 of the funds annually appropriated to the commissioner for use in the consolidated fund shall be available to the commissioner for projects testing innovative approaches to improving outcomes for MFIP participants, family stabilization services program participants, and persons at risk of receiving MFIP as detailed in subdivision 3, and for providing incentives to counties and tribes that exceed performance. Projects shall be targeted to geographic areas with poor outcomes as specified in section 256J.751, subdivision 5, or to subgroups within the MFIP case load who are experiencing poor outcomes. For purposes of an incentive, a county or tribe exceeds performance if the county or tribe is above the top of the county's or tribe's annualized range of expected performance on the three-year self-support index under section 256J.751, subdivision 2, clause (7), and achieves a 50 percent TANF participation rate under section 256J.751, subdivision 2, clause (7), as averaged across the four quarterly measurements for the most recent year for which the measurements are available.

 

Sec. 49. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 256J.626, subdivision 6, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 6. Base allocation to counties and tribes; definitions. (a) For purposes of this section, the following terms have the meanings given.

 

(1) "2002 historic spending base" means the commissioner's determination of the sum of the reimbursement related to fiscal year 2002 of county or tribal agency expenditures for the base programs listed in clause (6), items (i) through (iv), and earnings related to calendar year 2002 in the base program listed in clause (6), item (v), and the amount of spending in fiscal year 2002 in the base program listed in clause (6), item (vi), issued to or on behalf of persons residing in the county or tribal service delivery area.

 

(2) "Adjusted caseload factor" means a factor weighted:

 

(i) 47 percent on the MFIP cases in each county at four points in time in the most recent 12-month period for which data is available multiplied by the county's caseload difficulty factor; and

 

(ii) 53 percent on the count of adults on MFIP in each county and tribe at four points in time in the most recent 12-month period for which data is available multiplied by the county or tribe's caseload difficulty factor.

 

(3) "Caseload difficulty factor" means a factor determined by the commissioner for each county and tribe based upon the self-support index described in section 256J.751, subdivision 2, clause (7).

 

(4) "Initial allocation" means the amount potentially available to each county or tribe based on the formula in paragraphs (b) through (h).

 

(5) "Final allocation" means the amount available to each county or tribe based on the formula in paragraphs (b) through (h), after adjustment by subdivision 7.

 

(6) "Base programs" means the:


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(i) MFIP employment and training services under Minnesota Statutes 2002, section 256J.62, subdivision 1, in effect June 30, 2002;

 

(ii) bilingual employment and training services to refugees under Minnesota Statutes 2002, section 256J.62, subdivision 6, in effect June 30, 2002;

 

(iii) work literacy language programs under Minnesota Statutes 2002, section 256J.62, subdivision 7, in effect June 30, 2002;

 

(iv) supported work program authorized in Laws 2001, First Special Session chapter 9, article 17, section 2, in effect June 30, 2002;

 

(v) administrative aid program under section 256J.76 in effect December 31, 2002; and

 

(vi) emergency assistance program under Minnesota Statutes 2002, section 256J.48, in effect June 30, 2002.

 

(b) The commissioner shall:

 

(1) beginning July 1, 2003, determine the initial allocation of funds available under this section according to clause (2);

 

(2) allocate all of the funds available for the period beginning July 1, 2003, and ending December 31, 2004, to each county or tribe in proportion to the county's or tribe's share of the statewide 2002 historic spending base;

 

(3) determine for calendar year 2005 the initial allocation of funds to be made available under this section in proportion to the county or tribe's initial allocation for the period of July 1, 2003, to December 31, 2004;

 

(4) determine for calendar year 2006 the initial allocation of funds to be made available under this section based 90 percent on the proportion of the county or tribe's share of the statewide 2002 historic spending base and ten percent on the proportion of the county or tribe's share of the adjusted caseload factor;

 

(5) determine for calendar year 2007 the initial allocation of funds to be made available under this section based 70 percent on the proportion of the county or tribe's share of the statewide 2002 historic spending base and 30 percent on the proportion of the county or tribe's share of the adjusted caseload factor; and

 

(6) determine for calendar year 2008 and subsequent years the initial allocation of funds to be made available under this section based 50 percent on the proportion of the county or tribe's share of the statewide 2002 historic spending base and 50 percent on the proportion of the county or tribe's share of the adjusted caseload factor.

 

(c) With the commencement of a new or expanded tribal TANF program or an agreement under section 256.01, subdivision 2, paragraph (g), in which some or all of the responsibilities of particular counties under this section are transferred to a tribe, the commissioner shall:

 

(1) in the case where all responsibilities under this section are transferred to a tribal program, determine the percentage of the county's current caseload that is transferring to a tribal program and adjust the affected county's allocation accordingly; and

 

(2) in the case where a portion of the responsibilities under this section are transferred to a tribal program, the commissioner shall consult with the affected county or counties to determine an appropriate adjustment to the allocation.


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(d) Effective January 1, 2005, counties and tribes will have their final allocations adjusted based on the performance provisions of subdivision 7.

 

Sec. 50. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 256J.751, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 2. Quarterly comparison report. The commissioner shall report quarterly to all counties on each county's performance on the following measures:

 

(1) percent of MFIP caseload working in paid employment;

 

(2) percent of MFIP caseload receiving only the food portion of assistance;

 

(3) number of MFIP cases that have left assistance;

 

(4) median placement wage rate;

 

(5) caseload by months of TANF assistance;

 

(6) percent of MFIP and diversionary work program (DWP) cases off cash assistance or working 30 or more hours per week at one-year, two-year, and three-year follow-up points from a baseline quarter. This measure is called the self-support index. The commissioner shall report quarterly an expected range of performance for each county, county grouping, and tribe on the self-support index. The expected range shall be derived by a statistical methodology developed by the commissioner in consultation with the counties and tribes. The statistical methodology shall control differences across counties in economic conditions and demographics of the MFIP and DWP case load; and

 

(7) the MFIP TANF work participation rate, defined as the participation requirements specified in title 1 of Public Law 104-193 applied to all MFIP cases except child only cases under Public Law 109-171, the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005.

 

Sec. 51. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 256J.751, subdivision 5, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 5. Failure to meet federal performance standards. (a) If sanctions occur for failure to meet the performance standards specified in title 1 of Public Law 104-193 of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Act of 1996, and under Public Law 109-171, the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005, the state shall pay 88 percent of the sanction. The remaining 12 percent of the sanction will be paid by the counties. The county portion of the sanction will be distributed across all counties in proportion to each county's percentage of the MFIP average monthly caseload during the period for which the sanction was applied.

 

(b) If a county fails to meet the performance standards specified in title 1 of Public Law 104-193 of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Act of 1996, and Public Law 109-171, the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005, for any year, the commissioner shall work with counties to organize a joint state-county technical assistance team to work with the county. The commissioner shall coordinate any technical assistance with other departments and agencies including the Departments of Employment and Economic Development and Education as necessary to achieve the purpose of this paragraph.

 

(c) For state performance measures, a low-performing county is one that:

 

(1) performs below the bottom of their expected range for the measure in subdivision 2, clause (7) (6), in an annualized measurement reported in October of each year; or


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(2) performs below 40 percent for the measure in subdivision 2, clause (8) (7), as averaged across the four quarterly measurements for the year, or the ten counties with the lowest rates if more than ten are below 40 percent.

 

(d) Low-performing counties under paragraph (c) must engage in corrective action planning as defined by the commissioner. The commissioner may coordinate technical assistance as specified in paragraph (b) for low-performing counties under paragraph (c).

 

Sec. 52. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 256J.95, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 3. Eligibility for diversionary work program. (a) Except for the categories of family units listed below, all family units who apply for cash benefits and who meet MFIP eligibility as required in sections 256J.11 to 256J.15 are eligible and must participate in the diversionary work program. Family units that are not eligible for the diversionary work program include:

 

(1) child only cases;

 

(2) a single-parent family unit that includes a child under 12 weeks of age. A parent is eligible for this exception once in a parent's lifetime and is not eligible if the parent has already used the previously allowed child under age one exemption from MFIP employment services;

 

(3) a minor parent without a high school diploma or its equivalent;

 

(4) an 18- or 19-year-old caregiver without a high school diploma or its equivalent who chooses to have an employment plan with an education option;

 

(5) a caregiver age 60 or over;

 

(6) family units with a caregiver who received DWP benefits in the 12 months prior to the month the family applied for DWP, except as provided in paragraph (c);

 

(7) family units with a caregiver who received MFIP within the 12 months prior to the month the family unit applied for DWP;

 

(8) a family unit with a caregiver who received 60 or more months of TANF assistance; and

 

(9) a family unit with a caregiver who is disqualified from DWP or MFIP due to fraud.; and

 

(10) refugees as defined in Code of Federal Regulations, title 45, chapter IV, section 444.43, who arrived in the United States in the 12 months prior to the date of application for family cash assistance.

 

(b) A two-parent family must participate in DWP unless both caregivers meet the criteria for an exception under paragraph (a), clauses (1) through (5), or the family unit includes a parent who meets the criteria in paragraph (a), clause (6), (7), (8), or (9).

 

(c) Once DWP eligibility is determined, the four months run consecutively. If a participant leaves the program for any reason and reapplies during the four-month period, the county must redetermine eligibility for DWP.

 

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


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Sec. 53. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 256J.95, subdivision 13, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 13. Immediate referral to employment services. Within one working day of determination that the applicant is eligible for the diversionary work program, but before benefits are issued to or on behalf of the family unit, the county shall refer all caregivers to employment services. The referral to the DWP employment services must be in writing and must contain the following information:

 

(1) notification that, as part of the application process, applicants are required to develop an employment plan or the DWP application will be denied;

 

(2) the employment services provider name and phone number;

 

(3) the date, time, and location of the scheduled employment services interview;

 

(4) (3) the immediate availability of supportive services, including, but not limited to, child care, transportation, and other work-related aid; and

 

(5) (4) the rights, responsibilities, and obligations of participants in the program, including, but not limited to, the grounds for good cause, the consequences of refusing or failing to participate fully with program requirements, and the appeal process.

 

Sec. 54. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 256K.45, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

 

Subd. 6. Funding. Any funds appropriated for this section may be expended on programs described under subdivisions 3 to 5, technical assistance, and capacity building. In addition, up to five percent of funds appropriated may be used for program administration and up to eight percent of funds appropriated may be used for the purpose of monitoring and evaluating runaway and homeless youth programs receiving funding under this section. Funding shall be directed to meet the greatest need, with a significant share of the funding focused on homeless youth providers in greater Minnesota.

 

Sec. 55. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 259.24, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 3. Child. When the child to be adopted is over 14 years of age, the child's written consent to adoption by a particular person is also shall be necessary. A child of any age who is under the guardianship of the commissioner and is legally available for adoption may not refuse or waive the commissioner's agent's exhaustive efforts to recruit, identify, and place the child in an adoptive home required under section 260C.317, subdivision 3, paragraph (b), or sign a document relieving county social services agencies of all recruitment efforts on the child's behalf.

 

Sec. 56. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 259.53, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

 

Subdivision 1. Notice to commissioner; referral for postplacement assessment. (a) Upon the filing of a petition for adoption of a child who is:

 

(1) under the guardianship of the commissioner or a licensed child-placing agency according to section 260C.201, subdivision 11, or 260C.317;

 

(2) placed by the commissioner, commissioner's agent, or licensed child-placing agency after a consent to adopt according to section 259.24 or under an agreement conferring authority to place for adoption according to section 259.25; or


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(3) placed by preadoptive custody order for a direct adoptive placement ordered by the district court under section 259.47,

 

the court administrator shall immediately transmit a copy of the petition to the commissioner of human services.

 

(b) The court shall immediately refer the petition to the agency specified below for completion of a postplacement assessment and report as required by subdivision 2.

 

(1) If the child to be adopted has been committed to the guardianship of the commissioner or an agency under section 260C.317 or an agency has been given authority to place the child under section 259.25, the court shall refer the petition to that agency, unless another agency is supervising the placement, in which case the court shall refer the petition to the supervising agency.

 

(2) If the child to be adopted has been placed in the petitioner's home by a direct adoptive placement, the court shall refer the petition to the agency supervising the placement under section 259.47, subdivision 3, paragraph (a), clause (6).

 

(3) If the child is to be adopted by an individual who is related to the child as defined by section 245A.02, subdivision 13, and in all other instances not described in clause (1) or (2), the court shall refer the petition to the local social services agency of the county in which the prospective adoptive parent lives.

 

Sec. 57. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 259.57, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

 

Subdivision 1. Findings; orders. Upon the hearing,

 

(a) if the court finds that it is in the best interests of the child that the petition be granted, a decree of adoption shall be made and recorded in the office of the court administrator, ordering that henceforth the child shall be the child of the petitioner. In the decree the court may change the name of the child if desired. After the decree is granted for a child who is:

 

(1) under the guardianship of the commissioner or a licensed child-placing agency according to section 260C.201, subdivision 11, or 260C.317;

 

(2) placed by the commissioner, commissioner's agent, or licensed child-placing agency after a consent to adopt according to section 259.24 or under an agreement conferring authority to place for adoption according to section 259.25; or

 

(3) adopted after a direct adoptive placement ordered by the district court under section 259.47,

 

the court administrator shall immediately mail a copy of the recorded decree to the commissioner of human services;

 

(b) if the court is not satisfied that the proposed adoption is in the best interests of the child, the court shall deny the petition, and shall order the child returned to the custody of the person or agency legally vested with permanent custody or certify the case for appropriate action and disposition to the court having jurisdiction to determine the custody and guardianship of the child.

 

Sec. 58. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 259.67, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 4. Eligibility conditions. (a) The placing agency shall use the AFDC requirements as specified in federal law as of July 16, 1996, when determining the child's eligibility for adoption assistance under title IV-E of the Social Security Act. If the child does not qualify, the placing agency shall certify a child as eligible for state funded adoption assistance only if the following criteria are met:


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(1) Due to the child's characteristics or circumstances it would be difficult to provide the child an adoptive home without adoption assistance.

 

(2)(i) A placement agency has made reasonable efforts to place the child for adoption without adoption assistance, but has been unsuccessful; or

 

(ii) the child's licensed foster parents desire to adopt the child and it is determined by the placing agency that the adoption is in the best interest of the child.

 

(3)(i) The child has been a ward of the commissioner, a Minnesota-licensed child-placing agency, or a tribal social service agency of Minnesota recognized by the Secretary of the Interior; or (ii) the child will be adopted according to tribal law without a termination of parental rights or relinquishment, provided that the tribe has documented the valid reason why the child cannot or should not be returned to the home of the child's parent. The placing agency shall not certify a child who remains under the jurisdiction of the sending agency pursuant to section 260.851, article 5, for state-funded adoption assistance when Minnesota is the receiving state.

 

(b) For purposes of this subdivision, the characteristics or circumstances that may be considered in determining whether a child is a child with special needs under United States Code, title 42, chapter 7, subchapter IV, part E, or meets the requirements of paragraph (a), clause (1), are the following:

 

(1) The child is a member of a sibling group to be placed as one unit in which at least one sibling is older than 15 months of age or is described in clause (2) or (3).

 

(2) The child has documented physical, mental, emotional, or behavioral disabilities.

 

(3) The child has a high risk of developing physical, mental, emotional, or behavioral disabilities.

 

(4) The child is adopted according to tribal law without a termination of parental rights or relinquishment, provided that the tribe has documented the valid reason why the child cannot or should not be returned to the home of the child's parent.

 

(4) The child is five years of age or older.

 

(c) When a child's eligibility for adoption assistance is based upon the high risk of developing physical, mental, emotional, or behavioral disabilities, payments shall not be made under the adoption assistance agreement unless and until the potential disability manifests itself as documented by an appropriate health care professional.

 

Sec. 59. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 259.67, subdivision 7, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 7. Reimbursement of costs. (a) Subject to rules of the commissioner, and the provisions of this subdivision a child-placing agency licensed in Minnesota or any other state, or local or tribal social services agency shall receive a reimbursement from the commissioner equal to 100 percent of the reasonable and appropriate cost of providing adoption services for a child certified as eligible for adoption assistance under subdivision 4. Such assistance. Adoption services under this subdivision may include adoptive family recruitment, counseling, and special training when needed.

 

(b) An eligible child must have a goal of adoption, which may include an adoption in accordance with tribal law, and meet one of the following criteria:

 

(1) is a ward of the commissioner of human services or a ward of tribal court pursuant to section 260.755, subdivision 20, who meets one of the criteria in subdivision 4, paragraph (b), clause (1), (2), or (3); or


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(2) is under the guardianship of a Minnesota-licensed child-placing agency who meets one of the criteria in subdivision 4, paragraph (b), clause (1) or (2).

 

(c) A child-placing agency licensed in Minnesota or any other state shall receive reimbursement for adoption services it purchases for or directly provides to an eligible child. Tribal social services shall receive reimbursement for adoption services it purchases for or directly provides to an eligible child. A local or tribal social services agency shall receive such reimbursement only for adoption services it purchases for an eligible child.

 

(b) A child-placing agency licensed in Minnesota or any other state or local or tribal social services agency seeking reimbursement under this subdivision shall enter into Before providing adoption services for which reimbursement will be sought under this subdivision, a reimbursement agreement, on the designated format, must be entered into with the commissioner before providing adoption services for which reimbursement is sought. No reimbursement under this subdivision shall be made to an agency for services provided prior to entering a reimbursement agreement. Separate reimbursement agreements shall be made for each child and separate records shall be kept on each child for whom a reimbursement agreement is made. The commissioner of human services shall agree that the reimbursement costs are reasonable and appropriate. The commissioner may spend up to $16,000 for each purchase of service agreement. Only one agreement per child is allowed, unless an exception is granted by the commissioner. Funds encumbered and obligated under such an agreement for the child remain available until the terms of the agreement are fulfilled or the agreement is terminated.

 

(c) When a local or tribal social services agency uses a purchase of service agreement to provide services reimbursable under a reimbursement agreement, The commissioner may shall make reimbursement payments directly to the agency providing the service if direct reimbursement is specified by the purchase of service agreement, and if the request for reimbursement is submitted by the local or tribal social services agency along with a verification that the service was provided.

 

Sec. 60. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 259.75, subdivision 8, is amended to read:

 

Subd. 8. Reasons for deferral. Deferral of the listing of a child with the state adoption exchange shall be only for one or more of the following reasons:

 

(a) the child is in an adoptive placement but is not legally adopted;

 

(b) the child's foster parents or other individuals are now considering adoption;

 

(c) diagnostic study or testing is required to clarify the child's problem and provide an adequate description; or

 

(d) the child is currently in a hospital and continuing need for daily professional care will not permit placement in a family setting; or.

 

(e) the child is 14 years of age or older and will not consent to an adoption plan.

 

Approval of a request to defer listing for any of the reasons specified in paragraph (b) or (c) shall be valid for a period not to exceed 90 days, with no subsequent deferrals for those reasons.


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Sec. 61. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 260.012, is amended to read:

 

260.012 DUTY TO ENSURE PLACEMENT PREVENTION AND FAMILY REUNIFICATION; REASONABLE EFFORTS.

 

(a) Once a child alleged to be in need of protection or services is under the court's jurisdiction, the court shall ensure that reasonable efforts, including culturally appropriate services, by the social services agency are made to prevent placement or to eliminate the need for removal and to reunite the child with the child's family at the earliest possible time, and when a child cannot be reunified with the parent or guardian from whom the child was removed, the court must ensure that the responsible social services agency makes reasonable efforts to finalize an alternative permanent plan for the child as provided in paragraph (e). In determining reasonable efforts to be made with respect to a child and in making those reasonable efforts, the child's best interests, health, and safety must be of paramount concern. Reasonable efforts to prevent placement and for rehabilitation and reunification are always required except upon a determination by the court that a petition has been filed stating a prima facie case that:

 

(1) the parent has subjected a child to egregious harm as defined in section 260C.007, subdivision 14;

 

(2) the parental rights of the parent to another child have been terminated involuntarily;

 

(3) the child is an abandoned infant under section 260C.301, subdivision 2, paragraph (a), clause (2);

 

(4) the parent's custodial rights to another child have been involuntarily transferred to a relative under section 260C.201, subdivision 11, paragraph (e), clause (1), or a similar law of another jurisdiction; or

 

(5) the provision of services or further services for the purpose of reunification is futile and therefore unreasonable under the circumstances.

 

(b) When the court makes one of the prima facie determinations under paragraph (a), either permanency pleadings under section 260C.201, subdivision 11, or a termination of parental rights petition under sections 260C.141 and 260C.301 must be filed. A permanency hearing under section 260C.201, subdivision 11, must be held within 30 days of this determination.

 

(c) In the case of an Indian child, in proceedings under sections 260B.178 or 260C.178, 260C.201, and 260C.301 the juvenile court must make findings and conclusions consistent with the Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978, United States Code, title 25, section 1901 et seq., as to the provision of active efforts. In cases governed by the Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978, United States Code, title 25, section 1901, the responsible social services agency must provide active efforts as required under United States Code, title 25, section 1911(d).

 

(d) "Reasonable efforts to prevent placement" means:

 

(1) the agency has made reasonable efforts to prevent the placement of the child in foster care; or

 

(2) given the particular circumstances of the child and family at the time of the child's removal, there are no services or efforts available which could allow the child to safely remain in the home.

 

(e) "Reasonable efforts to finalize a permanent plan for the child" means due diligence by the responsible social services agency to:

 

(1) reunify the child with the parent or guardian from whom the child was removed;


Journal of the House - 47th Day - Friday, April 13, 2007 - Top of Page 3422


(2) assess a noncustodial parent's ability to provide day-to-day care for the child and, where appropriate, provide services necessary to enable the noncustodial parent to safely provide the care, as required by section 260C.212, subdivision 4;

 

(3) conduct a relative search as required under section 260C.212, subdivision 5; and

 

(4) when the child cannot return to the parent or guardian from whom the child was removed, to plan for and finalize a safe and legally permanent alternative home for the child, and considers permanent alternative homes for the child inside or outside of the state, preferably through adoption or transfer of permanent legal and physical custody of the child.

 

(f) Reasonable efforts are made upon the exercise of due diligence by the responsible social services agency to use culturally appropriate and available services to meet the needs of the child and the child's family. Services may include those provided by the responsible social services agency and other culturally appropriate services available in the community. At each stage of the proceedings where the court is required to review the appropriateness of the responsible social services agency's reasonable efforts as described in paragraphs (a), (d), and (e), the social services agency has the burden of demonstrating that:

 

(1) it has made reasonable efforts to prevent placement of the child in foster care;

 

(2) it has made reasonable efforts to eliminate the need for removal of the child from the child's home and to reunify the child with the child's family at the earliest possible time;

 

(3) it has made reasonable efforts to finalize an alternative permanent home for the child, and considers permanent alternative homes for the child inside or outside of the state; or

 

(4) reasonable efforts to prevent placement and to reunify the child with the parent or guardian are not required. The agency may meet this burden by stating facts in a sworn petition filed under section 260C.141, by filing an affidavit summarizing the agency's reasonable efforts or facts the agency believes demonstrate there is no need for reasonable efforts to reunify the parent and child, or through testimony or a certified report required under juvenile court rules.

 

(g) Once the court determines that reasonable efforts for reunification are not required because the court has made one of the prima facie determinations under paragraph (a), the court may only require reasonable efforts for reunification after a hearing according to section 260C.163, where the court finds there is not clear and convincing evidence of the facts upon which the court based its prima facie determination. In this case when there is clear and convincing evidence that the child is in need of protection or services, the court may find the child in need of protection or services and order any of the dispositions available under section 260C.201, subdivision 1. Reunification of a surviving child with a parent is not required if the parent has been convicted of:

 

(1) a violation of, or an attempt or conspiracy to commit a violation of, sections 609.185 to 609.20; 609.222, subdivision 2; or 609.223 in regard to another child of the parent;

 

(2) a violation of section 609.222, subdivision 2; or 609.223, in regard to the surviving child; or

 

(3) a violation of, or an attempt or conspiracy to commit a violation of, United States Code, title 18, section 1111(a) or 1112(a), in regard to another child of the parent.

 

(h) The juvenile court, in proceedings under sections 260B.178 or 260C.178, 260C.201, and 260C.301 shall make findings and conclusions as to the provision of reasonable efforts. When determining whether reasonable efforts have been made, the court shall consider whether services to the child and family were:

 

(1) relevant to the safety and protection of the child;

 

Part 2