1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to local and state government; abolishing the Metropolitan Council; 
1.3 	transferring duties to the commissioners of administration and natural resources; 
1.4 	transferring transportation and transit-related functions to Department of 
1.5 	Transportation; making conforming amendments to public safety radio 
1.6 	communication laws, fiscal disparity laws; providing for payment of bonds and 
1.7 	other debt obligations; repealing metropolitan land use planning provisions; 
1.8 	ending Metropolitan Council oversight of Metropolitan Airports Commission; 
1.9 	transferring Metropolitan Council powers and authority to Metropolitan Parks 
1.10 	and Open Space Commission; creating metropolitan area sanitary sewer 
1.11 	district; appropriating money;amending Minnesota Statutes 2014, sections 
1.12 	3.886, subdivision 4; 4A.02; 6.80, subdivision 3; 10.60, subdivision 1; 10A.01, 
1.13 	subdivisions 24, 31, 32, 35; 13.201; 13.685; 13.72, subdivision 9; 15.0597, 
1.14 	subdivision 1; 15.0599, subdivision 1; 15A.0815, subdivision 3; 15B.11, 
1.15 	subdivision 3; 16A.88, subdivision 2; 16C.073, subdivision 1; 16C.285, 
1.16 	subdivision 1; 43A.346, subdivisions 1, 2; 47.52; 65B.43, subdivision 20; 
1.17 	85.016; 85.017; 85.53, subdivision 3; 103B.155; 103B.231, subdivisions 3a, 7, 
1.18 	9, 11; 103B.235, subdivision 3; 103B.255, subdivisions 8, 9, 12; 103D.401; 
1.19 	103D.405, subdivisions 3, 4, 5, 6; 103G.293; 114C.25; 114D.30, subdivisions 2, 
1.20 	4; 115.741, subdivision 2; 115A.151; 115A.471; 115A.52; 116.16, subdivision 
1.21 	2; 116.182, subdivision 1; 116D.04, subdivision 1a; 116G.03, subdivision 5; 
1.22 	116G.15, subdivisions 2, 5; 116J.401, subdivision 2; 116M.15, subdivision 
1.23 	1; 117.57, subdivision 3; 118A.07, subdivision 1; 124D.892, subdivision 1; 
1.24 	134.201, subdivision 5; 145A.02, subdivision 16; 160.165, subdivision 1; 
1.25 	160.265, subdivision 1; 160.93, subdivisions 1, 2, 2a; 162.09, subdivision 4; 
1.26 	169.306; 169.781, subdivision 1; 169.791, subdivision 5; 169.792, subdivision 
1.27 	11; 174.03, subdivisions 1, 4, 5, 6a; 174.04, subdivisions 1, 2; 174.247; 174.285, 
1.28 	subdivision 4; 174.30, subdivision 4; 174.37, subdivision 2; 174.90; 174.93, 
1.29 	subdivisions 1, 2; 216C.145, subdivision 1; 216C.15, subdivision 1; 216H.02, 
1.30 	subdivision 2; 221.012, subdivision 38; 221.022; 221.031, subdivision 3a; 
1.31 	240.06, subdivision 2; 270.12, subdivision 3; 275.065, subdivision 3; 275.066; 
1.32 	275.62, subdivision 3; 275.70, subdivision 4; 297A.70, subdivisions 2, 3; 
1.33 	297A.992, subdivisions 4, 5; 352.01, subdivisions 2a, 2b; 352.03, subdivision 1; 
1.34 	352.04, subdivision 6; 352D.02, subdivision 1; 353.50, subdivision 7; 353.64, 
1.35 	subdivision 7a; 363A.44, subdivision 1; 373.40, subdivision 1; 383A.81, 
1.36 	subdivision 3; 383B.81, subdivision 3; 398A.04, subdivisions 1, 2, 2a, 9; 
1.37 	403.30, subdivision 1; 403.31, subdivisions 4, 5; 403.36, subdivision 1; 414.02, 
1.38 	subdivision 3; 414.031, subdivision 4; 462A.04, subdivision 1; 462A.07, 
1.39 	subdivision 11; 462A.222, subdivision 4; 462C.04, subdivision 2; 462C.071, 
2.1 	subdivision 2; 465.82, subdivision 1; 469.174, subdivision 26; 469.351, 
2.2 	subdivision 2; 471.425, subdivision 1; 471.9997; 473.121, subdivisions 2, 14, 
2.3 	24; 473.142; 473.1425; 473.143; 473.144; 473.145; 473.146, subdivisions 1, 3, 
2.4 	4, by adding subdivisions; 473.1466; 473.147; 473.149, subdivision 3; 473.166; 
2.5 	473.167, subdivisions 2, 2a; 473.168, subdivision 2; 473.192, subdivisions 2, 
2.6 	3; 473.223; 473.301, subdivision 2; 473.303; 473.313; 473.315, subdivision 1; 
2.7 	473.325; 473.334, subdivision 1; 473.341; 473.351, subdivisions 1, 2, 3; 473.375; 
2.8 	473.384; 473.385; 473.386; 473.387, subdivisions 2, 3, 4; 473.3875; 473.39, 
2.9 	subdivisions 1, 2, 2a, 5; 473.391; 473.3925; 473.399; 473.3994; 473.3995; 
2.10 	473.3997; 473.405; 473.4051, subdivision 1; 473.4056, subdivision 1; 473.4057, 
2.11 	subdivisions 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8; 473.407, subdivisions 1, 3, 4, 5; 473.408; 473.409; 
2.12 	473.41, subdivision 1; 473.411, subdivision 5; 473.415, subdivision 1; 473.416; 
2.13 	473.42; 473.436, subdivisions 2, 3, 6; 473.446, subdivisions 1, 2, 3, 8, by adding 
2.14 	a subdivision; 473.448; 473.449; 473.602; 473.604, subdivision 1, by adding a 
2.15 	subdivision; 473.608, subdivision 19; 473.611, subdivision 5; 473.638; 473.64; 
2.16 	473.655; 473.661, subdivision 4; 473.667, subdivision 8; 473.8011; 473.910, 
2.17 	subdivision 3; 473F.02, subdivisions 7, 8; 473F.08, subdivisions 3, 5, 7a; 473F.13, 
2.18 	subdivision 1; 473H.04, subdivision 3; 473H.06, subdivisions 1, 5; 473H.08, 
2.19 	subdivision 4; 473J.25, by adding a subdivision; 477A.011, subdivisions 3, 38; 
2.20 	477A.0124, subdivision 2; 572A.02, subdivision 5; 604B.04, subdivision 7; 
2.21 	609.2231, subdivision 11; 609.594, subdivision 1; 609.6055, subdivision 1; 
2.22 	proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapters 115; 473; repealing 
2.23 	Minnesota Statutes 2014, sections 3.8841; 103B.235, subdivision 3a; 115.66; 
2.24 	115A.03, subdivision 19; 174.22, subdivision 3; 238.43, subdivision 5; 297A.992, 
2.25 	subdivision 12; 403.27; 403.29, subdivision 4; 403.32; 462.382; 462C.071, 
2.26 	subdivision 4; 473.121, subdivisions 3, 8, 12; 473.123, subdivisions 1, 2a, 3, 3a, 
2.27 	3e, 4, 8; 473.125; 473.127; 473.129; 473.1293; 473.132; 473.1565; 473.165; 
2.28 	473.167, subdivisions 3, 4; 473.175; 473.181, subdivisions 2, 5; 473.191; 
2.29 	473.206; 473.208; 473.24; 473.242; 473.245; 473.246; 473.249, subdivisions 1, 
2.30 	2; 473.25; 473.251; 473.253; 473.254; 473.255; 473.3875; 473.388, subdivisions 
2.31 	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7; 473.39, subdivision 4; 473.3993, subdivision 4; 473.3999; 
2.32 	473.411, subdivisions 3, 4; 473.4461; 473.501, subdivisions 1, 3; 473.504, 
2.33 	subdivisions 4, 5, 6, 9, 10, 11, 12; 473.505; 473.511, subdivisions 1, 2, 3, 4; 
2.34 	473.5111; 473.512; 473.513; 473.515; 473.5155; 473.516, subdivisions 1, 2, 3, 4; 
2.35 	473.517, subdivisions 1, 3, 6, 10; 473.519; 473.521; 473.523, subdivisions 1, 1a; 
2.36 	473.524; 473.541; 473.542; 473.543, subdivisions 1, 2, 3, 4; 473.545; 473.547; 
2.37 	473.549; 473.621, subdivision 6; 473.834, subdivisions 1, 2; 473.851; 473.852, 
2.38 	subdivisions 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10; 473.853; 473.854; 473.856; 473.857; 
2.39 	473.858; 473.859; 473.86; 473.861; 473.862; 473.864; 473.865; 473.866; 
2.40 	473.867, subdivisions 1, 2, 3, 5, 6; 473.869; 473.87; 473.871; 473.915; 473F.02, 
2.41 	subdivision 21; 473F.08, subdivision 3b; 473H.02, subdivisions 7, 8; 473J.25, 
2.42 	subdivision 5; Minnesota Rules, parts 5800.0010; 5800.0020; 5800.0030; 
2.43 	5800.0040; 5800.0050; 5800.0060; 5800.0070; 5800.0080; 5800.0090; 
2.44 	5800.0100; 5800.0110; 5800.0120; 5800.0130; 5800.0140; 5800.0150.
2.45 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

2.46 	ARTICLE 1
2.47 	METROPOLITAN COUNCIL ABOLISHED

2.48 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 3.886, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
2.49 		Subd. 4.Powers and duties. (a) The Legislative Water Commission shall review 
2.50 	water policy reports and recommendations of the Environmental Quality Board, the Board 
2.51 	of Water and Soil Resources, the Pollution Control Agency, the Department of Natural 
3.1 	Resources, the Metropolitan Council, and other water-related reports as may be required 
3.2 	by law or the legislature.
3.3 	(b) The commission may conduct public hearings and otherwise secure data and 
3.4 	comments.
3.5 	(c) The commission shall make recommendations as it deems proper to assist the 
3.6 	legislature in formulating legislation.
3.7 	(d) Data or information compiled by the Legislative Water Commission or its 
3.8 	subcommittees shall be made available to the Legislative-Citizen Commission on 
3.9 	Minnesota Resources, the Clean Water Council, and standing and interim committees of 
3.10 	the legislature on request of the chair of the respective commission, council, or committee.
3.11 	(e) The commission shall coordinate with the Clean Water Council.

3.12 	Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 4A.02, is amended to read:
3.13 	4A.02 STATE DEMOGRAPHER.
3.14 	(a) The commissioner shall appoint a state demographer. The demographer must be 
3.15 	professionally competent in demography and must possess demonstrated ability based 
3.16 	upon past performance.
3.17 	(b) The demographer shall:
3.18 	(1) continuously gather and develop demographic data relevant to the state;
3.19 	(2) design and test methods of research and data collection;
3.20 	(3) periodically prepare population projections for the state and designated regions 
3.21 	and periodically prepare projections for each county or other political subdivision of the 
3.22 	state as necessary to carry out the purposes of this section;
3.23 	(4) review, comment on, and prepare analysis of population estimates and 
3.24 	projections made by state agencies, political subdivisions, other states, federal agencies, or 
3.25 	nongovernmental persons, institutions, or commissions;
3.26 	(5) serve as the state liaison with the United States Bureau of the Census, coordinate 
3.27 	state and federal demographic activities to the fullest extent possible, and aid the 
3.28 	legislature in preparing a census data plan and form for each decennial census;
3.29 	(6) compile an annual study of population estimates on the basis of county, regional, 
3.30 	or other political or geographical subdivisions as necessary to carry out the purposes of 
3.31 	this section and section 4A.03;
3.32 	(7) by January 1 of each year, issue a report to the legislature containing an analysis 
3.33 	of the demographic implications of the annual population study and population projections;
3.34 	(8) prepare maps for all counties in the state, all municipalities with a population 
3.35 	of 10,000 or more, and other municipalities as needed for census purposes, according to 
4.1 	scale and detail recommended by the United States Bureau of the Census, with the maps 
4.2 	of cities showing precinct boundaries;
4.3 	(9) prepare an estimate of population and of the number of households for each 
4.4 	governmental subdivision for which the Metropolitan Council does not prepare an annual 
4.5 	estimate, and convey the estimates to the governing body of each political subdivision 
4.6 	by June 1 of each year;
4.7 	(10) direct, under section 414.01, subdivision 14, and certify population and 
4.8 	household estimates of annexed or detached areas of municipalities or towns after being 
4.9 	notified of the order or letter of approval by the chief administrative law judge of the 
4.10 	State Office of Administrative Hearings;
4.11 	(11) prepare, for any purpose for which a population estimate is required by law 
4.12 	or needed to implement a law, a population estimate of a municipality or town whose 
4.13 	population is affected by action under section 379.02 or 414.01, subdivision 14; and
4.14 	(12) prepare an estimate of average household size for each statutory or home rule 
4.15 	charter city with a population of 2,500 or more by June 1 of each year.
4.16 	(c) A governing body may challenge an estimate made under paragraph (b) by filing 
4.17 	their specific objections in writing with the state demographer by June 24. If the challenge 
4.18 	does not result in an acceptable estimate, the governing body may have a special census 
4.19 	conducted by the United States Bureau of the Census. The political subdivision must 
4.20 	notify the state demographer by July 1 of its intent to have the special census conducted. 
4.21 	The political subdivision must bear all costs of the special census. Results of the special 
4.22 	census must be received by the state demographer by the next April 15 to be used in that 
4.23 	year's June 1 estimate to the political subdivision under paragraph (b).
4.24 	(d) The state demographer shall certify the estimates of population and household 
4.25 	size to the commissioner of revenue by July 15 each year, including any estimates still 
4.26 	under objection.
4.27 	(e) The state demographer may contract for the development of data and research 
4.28 	required under this chapter, including, but not limited to, population estimates and 
4.29 	projections, the preparation of maps, and other estimates.

4.30 	Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 6.80, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
4.31 		Subd. 3.Review process. (a) Upon receipt of an application from a local 
4.32 	government unit, the state auditor shall review the application. The state auditor shall 
4.33 	dismiss an application if the application proposes a waiver of rules or exemption from 
4.34 	enforcement of laws that would result in due process violations, violations of federal law or 
4.35 	the state or federal constitution, or the loss of services to people who are entitled to them.
5.1 	(b) The state auditor shall determine whether a law from which an exemption for 
5.2 	enforcement is sought is a procedural law, specifying how a local government unit is to 
5.3 	achieve an outcome, rather than a substantive law prescribing the outcome or otherwise 
5.4 	establishing policy. For the purposes of this section, "procedural law" does not include a 
5.5 	statutory notice requirement. In making the determination, the state auditor shall consider 
5.6 	whether the law specifies such requirements as:
5.7 	(1) who must deliver a service;
5.8 	(2) where the service must be delivered;
5.9 	(3) to whom and in what form reports regarding the service must be made; and
5.10 	(4) how long or how often the service must be made available to a given recipient.
5.11 	(c) If the application requests a waiver of a rule or temporary, limited exemptions 
5.12 	from enforcement of a procedural law over which the Metropolitan Council or a 
5.13 	metropolitan agency has jurisdiction, the state auditor shall also transmit a copy of the 
5.14 	application to the council or applicable metropolitan agency, whichever has jurisdiction, 
5.15 	for review and comment. The council or agency shall report its comments to the board 
5.16 	within 60 days of the date the application was transmitted to the council or agency. The 
5.17 	council or agency may point out any resources or technical assistance it may be able to 
5.18 	provide a local government unit submitting a request under this section.
5.19 	(d) Within 15 days after receipt of the application, the state auditor shall transmit a 
5.20 	copy of it to the commissioner of each agency having jurisdiction over a rule or law from 
5.21 	which a waiver or exemption is sought. The agency may mail a notice that it has received 
5.22 	an application for a waiver or exemption to all persons who have registered with the agency 
5.23 	under section 14.14, subdivision 1a, identifying the rule or law from which a waiver or 
5.24 	exemption is requested. If no agency has jurisdiction over the rule or law, the state auditor 
5.25 	shall transmit a copy of the application to the attorney general. The agency shall inform the 
5.26 	state auditor of its agreement with or objection to and grounds for objection to the waiver 
5.27 	or exemption request within 60 days of the date when the application was transmitted to 
5.28 	it. An agency's failure to do so is considered agreement to the waiver or exemption. The 
5.29 	state auditor shall decide whether to grant a waiver or exemption at the end of the 60-day 
5.30 	response period. Interested persons may submit written comments to the state auditor on 
5.31 	the waiver or exemption request up to the end of the 60-day response period.
5.32 	(e) If the exclusive representative of the affected employees of the requesting local 
5.33 	government unit objects to the waiver or exemption request it may inform the state auditor 
5.34 	of the objection to and the grounds for the objection to the waiver or exemption request 
5.35 	within 60 days of the receipt of the application.

6.1 	Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 10.60, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
6.2 		Subdivision 1.Definitions. For purposes of this section:
6.3 	(1) "political subdivision" means a county, statutory or home rule charter city, town, 
6.4 	school district, or other municipal corporation, and the Metropolitan Council and a 
6.5 	metropolitan or regional agency;
6.6 	(2) "publication" means a document printed with public money by an elected 
6.7 	or appointed official of a state agency or political subdivision that is intended to be 
6.8 	distributed publicly outside of the state agency or political subdivision;
6.9 	(3) "state agency" means an entity in the executive, judicial, or legislative branch 
6.10 	of state government; and
6.11 	(4) "Web site" means a site maintained on the World Wide Web that is available for 
6.12 	unrestricted public access and that is maintained with public money by an elected or 
6.13 	appointed official of a state agency or political subdivision.

6.14 	Sec. 5. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 10A.01, subdivision 24, is amended to read:
6.15 		Subd. 24.Metropolitan governmental unit. "Metropolitan governmental unit" 
6.16 	means any of the seven counties in the metropolitan area as defined in section 473.121, 
6.17 	subdivision 2, a regional railroad authority established by one or more of those counties 
6.18 	under section 398A.03, a city with a population of over 50,000 located in the seven-county 
6.19 	metropolitan area, the Metropolitan Council, or a metropolitan agency as defined in 
6.20 	section 473.121, subdivision 5a.

6.21 	Sec. 6. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 10A.01, subdivision 31, is amended to read:
6.22 		Subd. 31.Political subdivision. "Political subdivision" means the Metropolitan 
6.23 	Council, a metropolitan agency as defined in section 473.121, subdivision 5a, or a 
6.24 	municipality as defined in section 471.345, subdivision 1.

6.25 	Sec. 7. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 10A.01, subdivision 32, is amended to read:
6.26 		Subd. 32.Population. "Population" means the population established by the most 
6.27 	recent federal census, by a special census taken by the United States Bureau of the Census, 
6.28 	by an estimate made by the Metropolitan Council, or by an estimate made by the state 
6.29 	demographer under section 4A.02, whichever has the latest stated date of count or estimate.

6.30 	Sec. 8. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 10A.01, subdivision 35, is amended to read:
6.31 		Subd. 35.Public official. "Public official" means any:
6.32 	(1) member of the legislature;
7.1 	(2) individual employed by the legislature as secretary of the senate, legislative 
7.2 	auditor, chief clerk of the house of representatives, revisor of statutes, or researcher, 
7.3 	legislative analyst, fiscal analyst, or attorney in the Office of Senate Counsel, Research, 
7.4 	and Fiscal Analysis, House Research, or the House Fiscal Analysis Department;
7.5 	(3) constitutional officer in the executive branch and the officer's chief administrative 
7.6 	deputy;
7.7 	(4) solicitor general or deputy, assistant, or special assistant attorney general;
7.8 	(5) commissioner, deputy commissioner, or assistant commissioner of any state 
7.9 	department or agency as listed in section 15.01 or 15.06, or the state chief information 
7.10 	officer;
7.11 	(6) member, chief administrative officer, or deputy chief administrative officer of a 
7.12 	state board or commission that has either the power to adopt, amend, or repeal rules under 
7.13 	chapter 14, or the power to adjudicate contested cases or appeals under chapter 14;
7.14 	(7) individual employed in the executive branch who is authorized to adopt, amend, 
7.15 	or repeal rules under chapter 14 or adjudicate contested cases under chapter 14;
7.16 	(8) executive director of the State Board of Investment;
7.17 	(9) deputy of any official listed in clauses (7) and (8);
7.18 	(10) judge of the Workers' Compensation Court of Appeals;
7.19 	(11) administrative law judge or compensation judge in the State Office of 
7.20 	Administrative Hearings or unemployment law judge in the Department of Employment 
7.21 	and Economic Development;
7.22 	(12) member, regional administrator, division director, general counsel, or operations 
7.23 	manager of the Metropolitan Council;
7.24 	(13)(12) member or chief administrator of a metropolitan agency;
7.25 	(14)(13) director of the Division of Alcohol and Gambling Enforcement in the 
7.26 	Department of Public Safety;
7.27 	(15)(14) member or executive director of the Higher Education Facilities Authority;
7.28 	(16)(15) member of the board of directors or president of Enterprise Minnesota, Inc.;
7.29 	(17)(16) member of the board of directors or executive director of the Minnesota 
7.30 	State High School League;
7.31 	(18)(17) member of the Minnesota Ballpark Authority established in section 473.755;
7.32 	(19)(18) citizen member of the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota 
7.33 	Resources;
7.34 	(20)(19) manager of a watershed district, or member of a watershed management 
7.35 	organization as defined under section 103B.205, subdivision 13;
7.36 	(21)(20) supervisor of a soil and water conservation district;
8.1 	(22)(21) director of Explore Minnesota Tourism;
8.2 	(23)(22) citizen member of the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council established 
8.3 	in section 97A.056;
8.4 	(24)(23) citizen member of the Clean Water Council established in section 114D.30;
8.5 	(25)(24) member or chief executive of the Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority 
8.6 	established in section 473J.07;
8.7 	(26)(25) district court judge, appeals court judge, or Supreme Court justice;
8.8 	(27)(26) county commissioner;
8.9 	(28)(27) member of the Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission; or
8.10 	(29)(28) member of the Destination Medical Center Corporation established in 
8.11 	section 469.41.

8.12 	Sec. 9. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 13.201, is amended to read:
8.13 	13.201 RIDESHARE DATA.
8.14 	The following data on participants, collected by the Minnesota Department of 
8.15 	Transportation and the Metropolitan Council to administer rideshare programs, are 
8.16 	classified as private under section 13.02, subdivision 12: residential address and telephone 
8.17 	number; beginning and ending work hours; current mode of commuting to and from work; 
8.18 	and type of rideshare service information requested.

8.19 	Sec. 10. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 13.685, is amended to read:
8.20 	13.685 MUNICIPAL UTILITY CUSTOMER DATA.
8.21 	Data on customers of municipal electric utilities are private data on individuals or 
8.22 	nonpublic data, but may be released to:
8.23 	(1) a law enforcement agency that requests access to the data in connection with an 
8.24 	investigation;
8.25 	(2) a school for purposes of compiling pupil census data;
8.26 	(3) the Metropolitan Council for use in studies or analyses required by law;
8.27 	(4)(3) a public child support authority for purposes of establishing or enforcing 
8.28 	child support; or
8.29 	(5)(4) a person where use of the data directly advances the general welfare, health, 
8.30 	or safety of the public; the commissioner of administration may issue advisory opinions 
8.31 	construing this clause pursuant to section 13.072.

8.32 	Sec. 11. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 13.72, subdivision 9, is amended to read:
9.1 		Subd. 9.Rideshare data. The following data on participants, collected by the 
9.2 	Minnesota Department of Transportation and the Metropolitan Council to administer 
9.3 	rideshare programs, are classified as private under section 13.02, subdivision 12: 
9.4 	residential address and telephone number; beginning and ending work hours; current mode 
9.5 	of commuting to and from work; and type of rideshare service information requested.

9.6 	Sec. 12. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 15.0597, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
9.7 		Subdivision 1.Definitions. As used in this section, the following terms shall have 
9.8 	the meanings given them.
9.9 	(a) "Agency" means (1) a state board, commission, council, committee, authority, 
9.10 	task force, including an advisory task force created under section 15.014 or 15.0593, a 
9.11 	group created by executive order of the governor, or other similar multimember agency 
9.12 	created by law and having statewide jurisdiction; and (2) the Metropolitan Council,a 
9.13 	metropolitan agency, Capitol Area Architectural and Planning Board, and any agency with 
9.14 	a regional jurisdiction created in this state pursuant to an interstate compact.
9.15 	(b) "Vacancy" or "vacant agency position" means (1) a vacancy in an existing 
9.16 	agency, or (2) a new, unfilled agency position. Vacancy includes a position that is to 
9.17 	be filled through appointment of a nonlegislator by a legislator or group of legislators; 
9.18 	vacancy does not mean (1) a vacant position on an agency composed exclusively of 
9.19 	persons employed by a political subdivision or another agency, or (2) a vacancy to be filled 
9.20 	by a person required to have a specific title or position.
9.21 	(c) "Secretary" means the secretary of state.

9.22 	Sec. 13. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 15.0599, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
9.23 		Subdivision 1.Applicability. For purposes of this section, "agency" means:
9.24 	(1) a state board, commission, council, committee, authority, task force, including 
9.25 	an advisory task force established under section 15.014 or 15.0593, other multimember 
9.26 	agency, however designated, established by statute or order and having statewide 
9.27 	jurisdiction;
9.28 	(2) the Metropolitan Council established by section 473.123, a metropolitan agency 
9.29 	as defined in section 473.121, subdivision 5a, or a multimember body, however designated, 
9.30 	appointed by the Metropolitan Council or a metropolitan agency if the membership 
9.31 	includes at least one person who is not a member of the council or the agency;
9.32 	(3) a multimember body whose members are appointed by the legislature if the body 
9.33 	has at least one nonlegislative member; and
10.1 	(4) any other multimember body established by law with at least one appointed 
10.2 	member, without regard to the appointing authority.
10.3 	"Secretary" means the secretary of state.

10.4 	Sec. 14. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 15A.0815, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
10.5 		Subd. 3.Group II salary limits. The salary for a position listed in this subdivision 
10.6 	shall not exceed 120 percent of the salary of the governor. This limit must be adjusted 
10.7 	annually on January 1. The new limit must equal the limit for the prior year increased 
10.8 	by the percentage increase, if any, in the Consumer Price Index for all urban consumers 
10.9 	from October of the second prior year to October of the immediately prior year. The 
10.10 	commissioner of management and budget must publish the limit on the department's Web 
10.11 	site. This subdivision applies to the following positions:
10.12 	Executive director of Gambling Control Board;
10.13 	Commissioner, Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board;
10.14 	Commissioner, Bureau of Mediation Services;
10.15 	Ombudsman for Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities;
10.16 	Chair, Metropolitan Council;
10.17 	School trust lands director;
10.18 	Executive director of pari-mutuel racing; and
10.19 	Commissioner, Public Utilities Commission.

10.20 	Sec. 15. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 15B.11, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
10.21 		Subd. 3.Data classification and use. (a) The advisory committee's comments and 
10.22 	criticism under subdivision 1 are public data under section 13.03, subdivision 1.
10.23 	(b) To advise the board on all architectural and planning matters, the advisory 
10.24 	committee must be kept current about, and have access to, all data relating to the Capitol 
10.25 	Area as the data is developed or being prepared. Some examples of these types of data 
10.26 	are plans, studies, reports, and proposals.
10.27 	(c) The obligation under paragraph (b) extends to data developed or being prepared 
10.28 	by (1) the commissioner of administration; (2) the commissioner of employment and 
10.29 	economic development; (3) the Metropolitan Council; (4) the city of St. Paul; or (5)(4) 
10.30 	one who is an architect, planner, agency, or organization and who is engaged in any work 
10.31 	or planning relating to the Capitol Area.
10.32 	(d) Paragraph (c), clause (5) (4), applies to all the developers or preparers whether 
10.33 	they are public or private and whether or not they are retained by the board.
11.1 	(e) If the data described in paragraph (b) is from a public employee or public agency 
11.2 	it must be filed with the board promptly after it is prepared.
11.3 	(f) The board may employ a reasonable amount of clerical and technical help to 
11.4 	assist the committee to do its duties.
11.5 	(g) When directed by the board, the advisory committee may serve as, or any of its 
11.6 	members may serve on, the jury for a competition or as the architectural advisor for a 
11.7 	competition under section 15B.10.
11.8 	(h) The board must get the advice of its advisory committee before selecting the 
11.9 	architectural advisor or jurors for a competition.

11.10 	Sec. 16. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 16A.88, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
11.11 		Subd. 2.Metropolitan area transit account. The metropolitan area transit 
11.12 	account is established within the transit assistance fund in the state treasury. All money 
11.13 	in the account is annually appropriated to the Metropolitan Councilcommissioner of 
11.14 	transportation for the funding of transit systems within the metropolitan area under 
11.15 	sections 473.384, 473.386, 473.387, 473.388, and 473.405 to 473.449.

11.16 	Sec. 17. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 16C.073, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
11.17 		Subdivision 1.Definitions. The definitions in this subdivision apply to this section.
11.18 	(a) "Copier paper" means paper purchased for use in copying machines.
11.19 	(b) "Office paper" means notepads, loose-leaf fillers, tablets, and other paper 
11.20 	commonly used in offices.
11.21 	(c) "Postconsumer material" means a finished material that would normally be 
11.22 	discarded as a solid waste, having completed its life cycle as a consumer item.
11.23 	(d) "Practicable" means capable of being used, consistent with performance, in 
11.24 	accordance with applicable specifications, and availability within a reasonable time.
11.25 	(e) "Printing paper" means paper designed for printing, other than newsprint, such 
11.26 	as offset and publication paper.
11.27 	(f) "Public entity" means the state, an office, agency, or institution of the state, the 
11.28 	Metropolitan Council, a metropolitan agency, the Metropolitan Mosquito Control District, 
11.29 	the legislature, the courts, a county, a statutory or home rule charter city, a town, a school 
11.30 	district, another special taxing district, or any contractor acting pursuant to a contract 
11.31 	with a public entity.
11.32 	(g) "Soy-based ink" means printing ink made from soy oil.
11.33 	(h) "Uncoated" means not coated with plastic, clay, or other material used to create a 
11.34 	glossy finish.

12.1 	Sec. 18. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 16C.285, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
12.2 		Subdivision 1.Definitions. (a) For purposes of this section, the terms defined in this 
12.3 	subdivision have the meanings given them.
12.4 	(b) "Construction contract" means a contract or subcontract of any tier for work on 
12.5 	a project.
12.6 	(c) "Contractor" means a prime contractor or subcontractor, and does not include 
12.7 	a material supplier.
12.8 	(d) "Contracting authority" means a state agency, the Minnesota State Colleges and 
12.9 	Universities, the University of Minnesota, the Metropolitan Council, the Metropolitan 
12.10 	Airports Commission, or a municipality that enters into a construction contract or 
12.11 	authorizes or directs entering into a construction contract.
12.12 	(e) "Municipality" means a county, town, home rule charter or statutory city, school 
12.13 	district, housing and redevelopment authority, port authority, economic development 
12.14 	authority, sports facilities authority, joint powers board or organization created under 
12.15 	section 471.59 or other statute, special district, instrumentality, drainage authority, 
12.16 	watershed district, destination medical center corporation, or other municipal corporation 
12.17 	or political subdivision of the state authorized by law to enter into contracts.
12.18 	(f) "Prime contractor" means a vendor that submits a bid or proposal or otherwise 
12.19 	responds to a solicitation document of a contracting authority for work on a project or is 
12.20 	awarded a construction contract by a contracting authority for work on a project. A prime 
12.21 	contractor includes a construction manager for purposes of this section.
12.22 	(g) "Principal" means an owner holding at least a 25 percent ownership interest 
12.23 	in a business.
12.24 	(h) "Project" means building, erection, construction, alteration, remodeling, 
12.25 	demolition, or repair of buildings, real property, highways, roads, bridges, or other 
12.26 	construction work performed pursuant to a construction contract.
12.27 	(i) "Related entity" means:
12.28 	(1) a firm, partnership, corporation, joint venture, or other legal entity substantially 
12.29 	under the control of a contractor or vendor;
12.30 	(2) a predecessor corporation or other legal entity having one or more of the same 
12.31 	principals as the contractor or vendor;
12.32 	(3) a subsidiary of a contractor or vendor;
12.33 	(4) one or more principals of a contractor or vendor; and
12.34 	(5) a person, firm, partnership, corporation, joint venture, or other legal entity that 
12.35 	substantially controls a contractor or vendor.
13.1 	(j) "Solicitation document" means an invitation to bid, bid specifications, request for 
13.2 	proposals, request for qualifications, or other solicitation of contractors for purposes of 
13.3 	a construction contract.
13.4 	(k) "Subcontractor" means a vendor that seeks to enter into a subcontract or enters 
13.5 	into a subcontract for work on a project.
13.6 	(l) "Vendor" means a business, including a construction contractor or a natural 
13.7 	person, and includes both if the natural person is engaged in a business.

13.8 	Sec. 19. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 43A.346, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
13.9 		Subdivision 1.Definition. For purposes of this section, "terminated state employee" 
13.10 	means a person who occupied a civil service position in the executive or legislative branch 
13.11 	of state government, the Minnesota State Retirement System, the Public Employees 
13.12 	Retirement Association, the Office of the Legislative Auditor, or a person who was 
13.13 	employed by the former Metropolitan Council.

13.14 	Sec. 20. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 43A.346, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
13.15 		Subd. 2.Eligibility. (a) This section applies to a terminated state employee who:
13.16 	(1) for at least the five years immediately preceding separation under clause (2), 
13.17 	was regularly scheduled to work 1,044 or more hours per year in a position covered by 
13.18 	a pension plan administered by the Minnesota State Retirement System or the Public 
13.19 	Employees Retirement Association;
13.20 	(2) terminated state or former Metropolitan Council employment;
13.21 	(3) at the time of termination under clause (2), met the age and service requirements 
13.22 	necessary to receive an unreduced retirement annuity from the plan and satisfied 
13.23 	requirements for the commencement of the retirement annuity or, for a terminated 
13.24 	employee under the unclassified employees retirement plan, met the age and service 
13.25 	requirements necessary to receive an unreduced retirement annuity from the plan and 
13.26 	satisfied requirements for the commencement of the retirement annuity or elected a 
13.27 	lump-sum payment; and
13.28 	(4) agrees to accept a postretirement option position with the same or a different 
13.29 	appointing authority, working a reduced schedule that is both (i) a reduction of at least 25 
13.30 	percent from the employee's number of previously regularly scheduled work hours; and 
13.31 	(ii) 1,044 hours or less in state or former Metropolitan Council service.
13.32 	(b) For purposes of this section, an unreduced retirement annuity includes a 
13.33 	retirement annuity computed under a provision of law which permits retirement, without 
14.1 	application of an earlier retirement reduction factor, whenever age plus years of allowable 
14.2 	service total at least 90.
14.3 	(c) For purposes of this section, as it applies to state employees who are members 
14.4 	of the Public Employees Retirement Association who are at least age 62, the length of 
14.5 	separation requirement and termination of service requirement prohibiting return to work 
14.6 	agreements under section 353.01, subdivisions 11a and 28, are not applicable.

14.7 	Sec. 21. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 47.52, is amended to read:
14.8 	47.52 AUTHORIZATION.
14.9 	(a) With the prior approval of the commissioner, any bank doing business in this 
14.10 	state may establish and maintain detached facilities provided the facilities are located 
14.11 	within: (1) the municipality in which the principal office of the applicant bank is located; 
14.12 	or (2) 5,000 feet of its principal office measured in a straight line from the closest points of 
14.13 	the closest structures involved; or (3) a municipality in which no bank is located at the 
14.14 	time of application; or (4) a municipality having a population of more than 10,000; or (5) 
14.15 	a municipality having a population of 10,000 or less, as determined by the commissioner 
14.16 	from the latest available data from the state demographer, or for municipalities located 
14.17 	in the seven-county metropolitan area from the Metropolitan Council, and all the banks 
14.18 	having a principal office in the municipality have consented in writing to the establishment 
14.19 	of the facility.
14.20 	(b) A detached facility shall not be closer than 50 feet to a detached facility operated 
14.21 	by any other bank and shall not be closer than 100 feet to the principal office of any other 
14.22 	bank, the measurement to be made in the same manner as provided above. This paragraph 
14.23 	shall not be applicable if the proximity to the facility or the bank is waived in writing by 
14.24 	the other bank and filed with the application to establish a detached facility.
14.25 	(c) A bank is allowed, in addition to other facilities, part-time deposit-taking 
14.26 	locations at elementary and secondary schools located within the municipality in which the 
14.27 	main banking house or a detached facility is located if they are established in connection 
14.28 	with student education programs approved by the school administration and consistent 
14.29 	with safe, sound banking practices.
14.30 	(d) In addition to other facilities, a bank may operate part-time locations at nursing 
14.31 	homes and senior citizen housing facilities located within the municipality in which 
14.32 	the main banking house or a detached facility is located, or within the seven-county 
14.33 	metropolitan area if the bank's main banking facility or a detached facility is located 
14.34 	within the seven-county metropolitan area, if they are operated in a manner consistent 
14.35 	with safe, sound banking practices.

15.1 	Sec. 22. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 65B.43, subdivision 20, is amended to read:
15.2 		Subd. 20.Political subdivision. "Political subdivision" means any statutory or 
15.3 	home rule charter city; county; town; school district; or metropolitan council, board or, 
15.4 	commission, or metropolitan agency operating under chapter 473.

15.5 	Sec. 23. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 85.016, is amended to read:
15.6 	85.016 BICYCLE TRAIL PROGRAM.
15.7 	The commissioner of natural resources shall establish a program for the development 
15.8 	of bicycle trails utilizing the state trails authorized by section 85.015, other state parks 
15.9 	and recreation land, and state forests. "Bicycle trail," as used in this section, has the 
15.10 	meaning given in section 169.011. The program shall be coordinated with the local park 
15.11 	trail grant program established by the commissioner pursuant to section 85.019, with the 
15.12 	bikeway program established by the commissioner of transportation pursuant to section 
15.13 	160.265, and with existing and proposed local bikeways. In the metropolitan area as 
15.14 	defined in section 473.121, the program shall be developed in accordance with plans 
15.15 	and priorities established by the Metropolitan Council. The commissioner shall provide 
15.16 	technical assistance to local units of government in planning and developing bicycle trails 
15.17 	in local parks. The bicycle trail program shall, as a minimum, describe the location, 
15.18 	design, construction, maintenance, and land acquisition needs of each component trail and 
15.19 	shall give due consideration to the model standards for the establishment of recreational 
15.20 	vehicle lanes promulgated by the commissioner of transportation pursuant to section 
15.21 	160.262. The program shall be developed after consultation with the state trail council and 
15.22 	regional and local units of government and bicyclist organizations.

15.23 	Sec. 24. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 85.017, is amended to read:
15.24 	85.017 TRAIL REGISTRY.
15.25 	The commissioner of natural resources shall compile and maintain a current registry 
15.26 	of cross-country skiing, hiking, horseback riding and snowmobiling trails in the state and 
15.27 	shall publish and distribute the information in the manner prescribed in section 86A.11. 
15.28 	The Metropolitan Council, the commissioner of employment and economic development, 
15.29 	the Minnesota Historical Society, and local units of government shall cooperate with and 
15.30 	assist the commissioner in preparing the registry.

15.31 	Sec. 25. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 85.53, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
15.32 		Subd. 3.Metropolitan area distribution formula. Money appropriated from the 
15.33 	parks and trails fund to the Metropolitan Councilcommissioner of natural resources for 
16.1 	metropolitan area parks and trails shall be distributed to implementing agencies, as defined 
16.2 	in section 473.351, subdivision 1, paragraph (a), as grants according to the following 
16.3 	formula:
16.4 	(1) 45 percent of the money must be disbursed according to the allocation formula in 
16.5 	section 473.351, subdivision 3, to each implementing agency;
16.6 	(2) 31.5 percent of the money must be distributed based on each implementing 
16.7 	agency's relative share of the most recent estimate of the population of the metropolitan 
16.8 	area;
16.9 	(3) 13.5 percent of the money must be distributed based on each implementing 
16.10 	agency's relative share of nonlocal visits based on the most recent user visitation survey 
16.11 	conducted by the Metropolitan Council Parks and Open Space Commission; and
16.12 	(4) ten percent of the money must be distributed as grants to implementing 
16.13 	agencies for land acquisition within Metropolitan CouncilParks and Open Space 
16.14 	Commission approved regional parks and trails master plan boundaries under the council's 
16.15 	commissioner's park acquisition opportunity grant program. The Metropolitan Council 
16.16 	commission must provide a match of $2 of the council'scommission's park bonds for 
16.17 	every $3 of state funds for the park acquisition opportunity grant program.

16.18 	Sec. 26. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 103B.155, is amended to read:
16.19 	103B.155 STATE WATER AND RELATED LAND RESOURCE PLAN.
16.20 	The commissioner of natural resources, in cooperation with other state and 
16.21 	federal agencies, regional development commissions, the Metropolitan Council, local 
16.22 	governmental units, and citizens, shall prepare a statewide framework and assessment 
16.23 	water and related land resources plan for presentation to the legislature by November 
16.24 	15, 1975, for its review and approval or disapproval. This plan must relate each of 
16.25 	the programs of the Department of Natural Resources for specific aspects of water 
16.26 	management to the others. The statewide plan must include:
16.27 	(1) regulation of improvements and land development by abutting landowners of 
16.28 	the beds, banks, and shores of lakes, streams, watercourses, and marshes by permit or 
16.29 	otherwise to preserve them for beneficial use;
16.30 	(2) regulation of construction of improvements on and prevention of encroachments 
16.31 	in the flood plains of the rivers, streams, lakes, and marshes of the state;
16.32 	(3) reclamation or filling of wet and overflowed lands;
16.33 	(4) repair, improvement, relocation, modification or consolidation in whole or in part 
16.34 	of previously established public drainage systems within the state;
16.35 	(5) preservation of wetland areas;
17.1 	(6) management of game and fish resources as related to water resources;
17.2 	(7) control of water weeds;
17.3 	(8) control or alleviation of damages by flood waters;
17.4 	(9) alteration of stream channels for conveyance of surface waters, navigation, 
17.5 	and any other public purposes;
17.6 	(10) diversion or changing of watercourses in whole or in part;
17.7 	(11) regulation of the flow of streams and conservation of their waters;
17.8 	(12) regulation of lake water levels;
17.9 	(13) maintenance of water supply for municipal, domestic, industrial, recreational, 
17.10 	agricultural, aesthetic, wildlife, fishery, or other public use;
17.11 	(14) sanitation and public health and regulation of uses of streams, ditches, or 
17.12 	watercourses to dispose of waste and maintain water quality;
17.13 	(15) preventive or remedial measures to control or alleviate land and soil erosion 
17.14 	and siltation of affected watercourses or bodies of water;
17.15 	(16) regulation of uses of water surfaces; and
17.16 	(17) identification of high priority regions for wetland preservation, enhancement, 
17.17 	restoration, and establishment.

17.18 	Sec. 27. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 103B.231, subdivision 3a, is amended to read:
17.19 		Subd. 3a.Priority schedule. (a) The Board of Water and Soil Resources in 
17.20 	consultation with the state review agencies and the Metropolitan Council may develop a 
17.21 	priority schedule for the revision of plans required under this chapter.
17.22 	(b) The prioritization should be based on but not be limited to status of current plan, 
17.23 	scheduled revision dates, anticipated growth and development, existing and potential 
17.24 	problems, and regional water quality goals and priorities.
17.25 	(c) The schedule will be used by the Board of Water and Soil Resources in 
17.26 	consultation with the state review agencies and the Metropolitan Council to direct 
17.27 	watershed management organizations of when they will be required to revise their plans.
17.28 	(d) In the event that a plan expires prior to notification from the Board of Water and 
17.29 	Soil Resources under this section, the existing plan, authorities, and official controls 
17.30 	of a watershed management organization shall remain in full force and effect until a 
17.31 	revision is approved.
17.32 	(e) Watershed management organizations submitting plans and draft plan 
17.33 	amendments for review prior to the board's priority review schedule, may proceed to adopt 
17.34 	and implement the plan revisions without formal board approval if the board fails to adjust 
18.1 	its priority review schedule for plan review, and commence its statutory review process 
18.2 	within 45 days of submittal of the plan revision or amendment.

18.3 	Sec. 28. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 103B.231, subdivision 7, is amended to read:
18.4 		Subd. 7.Review of draft plan. (a) Upon completion of the plan but before 
18.5 	final adoption by the organization, the organization must submit the draft plan for a 
18.6 	60-day review and comment period to all counties, the Metropolitan Council, the state 
18.7 	review agencies, the Board of Water and Soil Resources, soil and water conservation 
18.8 	districts, towns, and statutory and home rule charter cities having territory within the 
18.9 	watershed. A local government unit that expects that substantial amendment of its local 
18.10 	comprehensive plan will be necessary to bring local water management into conformance 
18.11 	with the watershed plan must describe as specifically as possible, within its comments, 
18.12 	the amendments to the local plan that it expects will be necessary. If the county has 
18.13 	a groundwater plan, the county must review and comment on the consistency of the 
18.14 	watershed plan with the county groundwater plan. Differences among local governmental 
18.15 	agencies regarding the plan must be mediated. Notwithstanding sections 103D.401, 
18.16 	103D.405, and 473.165, the council shall review the plan in the same manner and with 
18.17 	the same authority and effect as provided for the council's review of the comprehensive 
18.18 	plans of local government units under section 473.175. The council shall comment on 
18.19 	the apparent conformity with metropolitan system plans of any anticipated amendments 
18.20 	to local comprehensive plans. The council shall advise the Board of Water and Soil 
18.21 	Resources on whether the plan conforms with the management objectives and target 
18.22 	pollution loads stated in the council's water resources plan and shall recommend changes 
18.23 	in the plan that would satisfy the council's plan.
18.24 	(b) The watershed management organization must respond in writing to any 
18.25 	concerns expressed by the review agencies at least ten days before the public hearing.
18.26 	(c) The watershed management organization must hold a public hearing on the draft 
18.27 	plan no sooner than 14 days after the 60-day review period of the draft plan. The board 
18.28 	or boards of the affected counties shall approve or disapprove projects in the capital 
18.29 	improvement program which may require the provision of county funds pursuant to section 
18.30 	103B.251 or 103D.901, subdivision 2. Each county has up until the date of the public 
18.31 	hearing on the draft plan to complete its review of the capital improvement program. If 
18.32 	the county fails to complete its review within the prescribed period, unless an extension is 
18.33 	agreed to by the organization the program shall be deemed approved. If the watershed 
18.34 	extends into more than one county and one or more counties disapprove of all or part of a 
19.1 	capital improvement program while the other county or counties approve, the program shall 
19.2 	be submitted to the Board of Water and Soil Resources for review pursuant to subdivision 9.

19.3 	Sec. 29. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 103B.231, subdivision 9, is amended to read:
19.4 		Subd. 9.Approval by board. After completion of the review under subdivision 
19.5 	7, the draft plan, any amendments thereto, all written comments received on the draft 
19.6 	plan, a record of the public hearing, and a summary of changes incorporated as a result 
19.7 	of the review process shall be submitted to the Metropolitan Council, the state review 
19.8 	agencies, and the Board of Water and Soil Resources for final review. The board shall 
19.9 	review the plan for conformance with the requirements of sections 103B.205 to 103B.255, 
19.10 	and chapter 103D. The board shall not prescribe a plan, but may disapprove all or parts 
19.11 	of a plan which it determines is not in conformance with the requirements of sections 
19.12 	103B.205 to 103B.255, and chapter 103D. If the capital improvement program is the 
19.13 	subject of a dispute between counties, the Board of Water and Soil Resources shall make 
19.14 	a final decision on the issue. The decision shall be binding on the organization and the 
19.15 	counties involved. The board shall complete its review under this section within 90 days.

19.16 	Sec. 30. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 103B.231, subdivision 11, is amended to read:
19.17 		Subd. 11.Amendments. To the extent and in the manner required by the adopted 
19.18 	plan, all amendments to the adopted plan shall be submitted to the towns, cities, county, 
19.19 	the Metropolitan Council, the state review agencies, and the Board of Water and Soil 
19.20 	Resources for review in accordance with the provisions of subdivisions 7 and 9. 
19.21 	Amendments necessary to revise the plan to be consistent with the county groundwater 
19.22 	plan, as required by subdivision 4, must be submitted for review in accordance with 
19.23 	subdivisions 7 and 9. Minor amendments to a plan shall be reviewed in accordance with 
19.24 	standards prescribed in the watershed management plan.

19.25 	Sec. 31. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 103B.235, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
19.26 		Subd. 3.Review. After consideration but before adoption by the governing body, 
19.27 	each local unit shall submit its water management plan to the watershed management 
19.28 	organization for review for consistency with the watershed plan adopted pursuant to 
19.29 	section 103B.231. If the county or counties having territory within the local unit have a 
19.30 	state-approved and locally adopted groundwater plan, the local unit shall submit its plan 
19.31 	to the county or counties for review. The county or counties have 45 days to review and 
19.32 	comment on the plan. The organization shall approve or disapprove the local plan or 
19.33 	parts of the plan. The organization shall have 60 days to complete its review; provided, 
20.1 	however, that the watershed management organization shall, as part of its review, take into 
20.2 	account the comments submitted to it by the Metropolitan Council pursuant to subdivision 
20.3 	3a. If the organization fails to complete its review within the prescribed period, the local 
20.4 	plan shall be deemed approved unless an extension is agreed to by the local unit.

20.5 	Sec. 32. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 103B.255, subdivision 8, is amended to read:
20.6 		Subd. 8.Review of the draft plan. (a) Upon completion of the groundwater 
20.7 	plan but before final adoption by the county, the county shall submit the draft plan for 
20.8 	a 60-day review and comment period to adjoining counties, the Metropolitan Council, 
20.9 	the state review agencies, the Board of Water and Soil Resources, each soil and 
20.10 	water conservation district, town, statutory and home rule charter city, and watershed 
20.11 	management organization having territory within the county. The county also shall 
20.12 	submit the plan to any other county or watershed management organization or district in 
20.13 	the affected groundwater system that could affect or be affected by implementation of 
20.14 	the plan. Any political subdivision or watershed management organization that expects 
20.15 	that substantial amendment of its plans would be necessary in order to bring them into 
20.16 	conformance with the county groundwater plan shall describe as specifically as possible, 
20.17 	within its comments, the amendments that it expects would be necessary and the cost 
20.18 	of amendment and implementation. Reviewing entities have 60 days to review and 
20.19 	comment. Differences among local governmental agencies regarding the plan must be 
20.20 	mediated. Notwithstanding sections 103D.401, 103D.405, and 473.165, the council shall 
20.21 	review the plan in the same manner and with the same authority and effect as provided in 
20.22 	section 473.175 for review of the comprehensive plans of local government units. The 
20.23 	council shall comment on the apparent conformity with metropolitan system plans of any 
20.24 	anticipated amendments to watershed plans and local comprehensive plans. The council 
20.25 	shall advise the Board of Water and Soil Resources on whether the plan conforms with the 
20.26 	management objectives stated in the council's water resources plan and shall recommend 
20.27 	changes in the plan that would satisfy the council's plan.
20.28 	(b) The county must respond in writing to any concerns expressed by the reviewing 
20.29 	agencies within 30 days of receipt thereof.
20.30 	(c) The county shall hold a public hearing on the draft plan no sooner than 30 days 
20.31 	and no later than 45 days after the 60-day review period of the draft plan.

20.32 	Sec. 33. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 103B.255, subdivision 9, is amended to read:
20.33 		Subd. 9.Review by Metropolitan Council and state agencies. After completion 
20.34 	of the review under subdivision 8, the draft plan, any amendments thereto, all written 
21.1 	comments received on the plan, a record of the public hearing, and a summary of changes 
21.2 	incorporated as part of the review process must be submitted to the Metropolitan Council, 
21.3 	the state review agencies, and the Board of Water and Soil Resources for final review. 
21.4 	The state review agencies shall review and comment on the consistency of the plan with 
21.5 	state laws and rules relating to water and related land resources. The state review agencies 
21.6 	shall forward their comments to the board within 45 days after they receive the final 
21.7 	review draft of the plan. A state review agency may request and receive up to a 30-day 
21.8 	extension of this review period from the board.

21.9 	Sec. 34. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 103B.255, subdivision 12, is amended to read:
21.10 		Subd. 12.Amendments. To the extent and in the manner required by the adopted 
21.11 	plan, all amendments to the adopted plan must be submitted to the towns, cities, counties, 
21.12 	the Metropolitan Council, the state review agencies, and the Board of Water and Soil 
21.13 	Resources for review in accordance with the provisions of subdivisions 8 to 10.

21.14 	Sec. 35. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 103D.401, is amended to read:
21.15 	103D.401 WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PLAN.
21.16 		Subdivision 1.Contents. (a) The managers must adopt a watershed management 
21.17 	plan for any or all of the purposes for which a watershed district may be established. 
21.18 	The watershed management plan must give a narrative description of existing water and 
21.19 	water-related problems within the watershed district, possible solutions to the problems, 
21.20 	and the general objectives of the watershed district. The watershed management plan 
21.21 	must also conform closely with watershed management plan guidelines as adopted and 
21.22 	amended from time to time by the Board of Water and Soil Resources.
21.23 	(b) The watershed management plan may include a separate section on proposed 
21.24 	projects. If the watershed district is within the metropolitan area, the separate section of 
21.25 	proposed projects or petitions for projects to be undertaken according to the watershed 
21.26 	management plan is a comprehensive plan of the watershed district for purposes of review 
21.27 	by the Metropolitan Council under section 473.165.
21.28 		Subd. 2.Review. The managers must send a copy of the proposed watershed 
21.29 	management plan to the county auditor of each county affected by the watershed district, 
21.30 	the board, the commissioner, the director, the governing body of each municipality 
21.31 	affected by the watershed district, and soil and water conservation districts affected by the 
21.32 	watershed district. For a watershed district within the metropolitan area, a copy of the 
21.33 	proposed watershed management plan must also be submitted to the Metropolitan Council.
22.1 		Subd. 3.Director's and Metropolitan Council's recommendations. After 
22.2 	receiving the watershed management plan, the director and the Metropolitan Council 
22.3 	must review and make recommendations on the watershed management plan. By 60 
22.4 	days after receiving the plan, the director and the Metropolitan Council must send their 
22.5 	recommendations on the watershed management plan to the board and a copy to the 
22.6 	managers of the watershed district, the county auditor of each county affected by the 
22.7 	watershed district, the governing bodies of all municipalities affected by the watershed 
22.8 	district, and soil and water conservation districts affected by the watershed district. The 
22.9 	board may extend the period for review and transmittal of the recommendations.
22.10 		Subd. 4.Hearing notice. (a) The board must give notice and hold a watershed 
22.11 	management plan hearing on the proposed watershed management plan by 45 days after 
22.12 	receiving the director's and Metropolitan Council's recommendations.
22.13 	(b) The board must give notice of the watershed management plan hearing by 
22.14 	publication in a legal newspaper that is published in counties affected by the watershed 
22.15 	district. The last publication must occur at least ten days before the watershed management 
22.16 	plan hearing.
22.17 	(c) The board must give notice of the watershed management plan hearing by mail 
22.18 	to the auditors of counties and to the chief executive officials of municipalities affected 
22.19 	by the watershed district.
22.20 	(d) The notice must include:
22.21 	(1) a statement that a copy of the proposed watershed management plan has been 
22.22 	filed with the board, the Metropolitan Council, where applicable, the auditors of counties 
22.23 	affected by the proposed watershed district, the commissioner, the director, the governing 
22.24 	body of each municipality affected by the watershed district, and the soil and water 
22.25 	conservation districts affected by the watershed district;
22.26 	(2) a general description of the purpose of the watershed district;
22.27 	(3) a general description of the property included in the watershed district;
22.28 	(4) a general description of the proposed watershed management plan;
22.29 	(5) the date, time, and location of the hearing; and
22.30 	(6) a statement that all persons affected or interested in the watershed district may 
22.31 	attend and give statements at the watershed management plan hearing.
22.32 		Subd. 5.Board approval. After the watershed management plan hearing, the board 
22.33 	must, by order, prescribe and approve a watershed management plan for the watershed 
22.34 	district. The board must send a copy of the order and approved watershed management 
22.35 	plan to the managers, the county board of each county affected by the watershed 
22.36 	district, the commissioner, the director, the Metropolitan Council, where applicable, the 
23.1 	governing body of each municipality affected by the watershed district, and soil and water 
23.2 	conservation districts affected by the watershed district. The watershed management plan 
23.3 	approved by the board is the watershed management plan for the watershed district.

23.4 	Sec. 36. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 103D.405, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
23.5 		Subd. 3.Review. The managers must send a copy of the revised watershed 
23.6 	management plan to the board, the county board and county auditor of each county 
23.7 	affected by the watershed district, the director, the governing body of each municipality 
23.8 	affected by the watershed district, and soil and water conservation districts affected by the 
23.9 	watershed district, and the Metropolitan Council, if the watershed district is within the 
23.10 	metropolitan area.

23.11 	Sec. 37. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 103D.405, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
23.12 		Subd. 4.Director's and Metropolitan Council's recommendations. The director 
23.13 	and the Metropolitan Council, if applicable, must review and make recommendations 
23.14 	on the revised watershed management plan. By 60 days after receiving the revised 
23.15 	watershed management plan unless the time is extended by the board, the director and 
23.16 	the council must send the recommendations on the revised watershed management plan 
23.17 	to the board, and a copy of the recommendations to the managers, the county auditor of 
23.18 	each county affected by the watershed district, the governing body of each municipality 
23.19 	affected by the watershed district, and soil and water conservation districts affected by the 
23.20 	watershed district.

23.21 	Sec. 38. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 103D.405, subdivision 5, is amended to read:
23.22 		Subd. 5.Notice. (a) The board must give notice and hold a revised watershed 
23.23 	management plan hearing on the proposed revised watershed management plan by 45 days 
23.24 	after receiving the director's and Metropolitan Council's recommendation.
23.25 	(b) The board must give notice of the revised watershed management plan hearing 
23.26 	by publication in a legal newspaper published in counties affected by the watershed 
23.27 	district. The last publication must occur at least ten days before the revised watershed 
23.28 	management plan hearing.
23.29 	(c) The board must give notice of the revised watershed management plan hearing 
23.30 	by mail to the auditors of counties and to the chief executive officials of municipalities 
23.31 	affected by the watershed district.
23.32 	(d) The notice must include:
24.1 	(1) a statement that a copy of the proposed revised watershed management plan has 
24.2 	been filed with the board, the Metropolitan Council, where applicable, the auditors of 
24.3 	counties affected by the proposed watershed district, the commissioner, the director, the 
24.4 	governing body of each municipality affected by the watershed district, and the soil and 
24.5 	water conservation districts affected by the watershed district;
24.6 	(2) a general description of the purpose of the watershed district;
24.7 	(3) a general description of the property included in the watershed district;
24.8 	(4) a general description of the proposed revised watershed management plan;
24.9 	(5) the date, time, and location of the hearing; and
24.10 	(6) a statement that all persons affected or interested in the watershed district may 
24.11 	attend and give statements at the revised watershed management plan hearing.

24.12 	Sec. 39. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 103D.405, subdivision 6, is amended to read:
24.13 		Subd. 6.Board order. After the revised watershed management plan hearing, the 
24.14 	board must prescribe a revised watershed management plan for the watershed district. The 
24.15 	board must send a copy of the order and approved revised watershed management plan 
24.16 	to the managers, the county board of each county affected by the watershed district, the 
24.17 	commissioner, the director, the Metropolitan Council, where applicable, and soil and 
24.18 	water conservation districts affected by the watershed district. The revised watershed 
24.19 	management plan approved by the board is the revised watershed management plan for 
24.20 	the watershed district.

24.21 	Sec. 40. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 103G.293, is amended to read:
24.22 	103G.293 STATEWIDE DROUGHT PLAN.
24.23 	The commissioner shall establish a plan to respond to drought-related emergencies 
24.24 	and to prepare a statewide framework for drought response. The plan must consider 
24.25 	metropolitan water supply plans of the Metropolitan Council prepared under section 
24.26 	473.1565. The plan must provide a framework for implementing drought response actions 
24.27 	in a staged approach related to decreasing levels of flows. Permits issued under section 
24.28 	103G.271 must provide conditions on water appropriation consistent with the drought 
24.29 	response plan established by this section.

24.30 	Sec. 41. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 114C.25, is amended to read:
24.31 	114C.25 GREEN STAR AWARD.
24.32 	A regulated entity may display at a facility a "green star" award designed by the 
24.33 	commissioner if:
25.1 	(1) the regulated entity qualifies for participation in the environmental improvement 
25.2 	program under section 114C.22;
25.3 	(2) the scope of the regulated entity's audit examines the facility's compliance with 
25.4 	applicable environmental requirements;
25.5 	(3) the regulated entity certifies that all violations that were identified in the audit 
25.6 	of the facility were corrected within 90 days or within the time specified in an approved 
25.7 	performance schedule or certifies that no violations were identified in the audit; and
25.8 	(4) at least two years have elapsed since the final resolution of an enforcement 
25.9 	action involving the regulated entity.
25.10 	After consulting with each other, however, the commissioner or the county may 
25.11 	issue an award if the enforcement action resulted from minor violations. If the regulated 
25.12 	entity is located in a metropolitan county, the commissioner and the county must also 
25.13 	consult with the Metropolitan Council before issuing a green star award.
25.14 	The award may be displayed for a period of two years from the time that the 
25.15 	commissioner determines that the requirements of this section have been met. A facility 
25.16 	submitting findings from its environmental management system is not eligible to receive 
25.17 	an award unless the findings are part of an audit which examines the facility's compliance 
25.18 	with applicable environmental requirements.

25.19 	Sec. 42. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 114D.30, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
25.20 		Subd. 2.Membership; appointment. (a) The commissioners of natural resources, 
25.21 	agriculture, health, and the Pollution Control Agency, and the executive director of the 
25.22 	Board of Water and Soil Resources shall each appoint one person from their respective 
25.23 	agency to serve as a nonvoting member of the council. Two members of the house of 
25.24 	representatives, including one member from the majority party and one member from the 
25.25 	minority party, appointed by the speaker and two senators, including one member from 
25.26 	the majority party and one member from the minority party, appointed according to the 
25.27 	rules of the senate shall serve at the pleasure of the appointing authority as nonvoting 
25.28 	members of the council. Agency and legislative members appointed under this paragraph 
25.29 	serve as nonvoting members of the council.
25.30 	(b) NineteenEighteen voting members of the council shall be appointed by the 
25.31 	governor as follows:
25.32 	(1) two members representing statewide farm organizations;
25.33 	(2) two members representing business organizations;
25.34 	(3) two members representing environmental organizations;
25.35 	(4) one member representing soil and water conservation districts;
26.1 	(5) one member representing watershed districts;
26.2 	(6) one member representing nonprofit organizations focused on improvement of 
26.3 	Minnesota lakes or streams;
26.4 	(7) two members representing organizations of county governments, one member 
26.5 	representing the interests of rural counties and one member representing the interests of 
26.6 	counties in the seven-county metropolitan area;
26.7 	(8) two members representing organizations of city governments;
26.8 	(9) one member representing the Metropolitan Council established under section 
26.9 	473.123;
26.10 	(10)(9) one member representing township officers;
26.11 	(11)(10) one member representing the interests of tribal governments;
26.12 	(12)(11) one member representing statewide hunting organizations;
26.13 	(13)(12) one member representing the University of Minnesota or a Minnesota 
26.14 	state university; and
26.15 	(14)(13) one member representing statewide fishing organizations.
26.16 	Members appointed under this paragraph must not be registered lobbyists or legislators. 
26.17 	In making appointments, the governor must attempt to provide for geographic balance. 
26.18 	The members of the council appointed by the governor are subject to the advice and 
26.19 	consent of the senate.

26.20 	Sec. 43. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 114D.30, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
26.21 		Subd. 4.Terms; compensation; removal.  The terms of members representing the 
26.22 	state agencies and the Metropolitan Council are four years and are coterminous with the 
26.23 	governor. The terms of other nonlegislative members of the council shall be as provided 
26.24 	in section 15.059, subdivision 2. Members may serve until their successors are appointed 
26.25 	and qualify. Compensation and removal of nonlegislative council members is as provided 
26.26 	in section 15.059, subdivisions 3 and 4. Compensation of legislative members is as 
26.27 	determined by the appointing authority. The Pollution Control Agency may reimburse 
26.28 	legislative members for expenses. A vacancy on the council may be filled by the 
26.29 	appointing authority provided in subdivision 1 for the remainder of the unexpired term.

26.30 	Sec. 44. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 116M.15, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
26.31 		Subdivision 1.Creation; membership. The Urban Initiative Board is created 
26.32 	and consists of the commissioner of employment and economic development, the chair 
26.33 	of the Metropolitan Council, and eight members from the general public appointed by 
26.34 	the governor. Six of the public members must be representatives from minority business 
27.1 	enterprises. No more than four of the public members may be of one gender. All public 
27.2 	members must be experienced in business or economic development.

27.3 	Sec. 45. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 118A.07, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
27.4 		Subdivision 1.Authority provided. As used in this section, "governmental entity" 
27.5 	means a city with a population in excess of 200,000,or a county that contains a city of 
27.6 	that size, or the Metropolitan Council. If a governmental entity meets the requirements of 
27.7 	subdivisions 2 and 3, it may exercise additional investment authority under subdivisions 4, 
27.8 	5, and 6.

27.9 	Sec. 46. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 124D.892, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
27.10 		Subdivision 1.Establishment. (a) An Office of Desegregation/Integration is 
27.11 	established in the Department of Education to coordinate and support activities related 
27.12 	to student enrollment, student and staff recruitment and retention, transportation, and 
27.13 	interdistrict cooperation among school districts.
27.14 	(b) At the request of a school district involved in cooperative 
27.15 	desegregation/integration efforts, the office shall perform any of the following activities:
27.16 	(1) assist districts with interdistrict student transfers, including student recruitment, 
27.17 	counseling, placement, and transportation;
27.18 	(2) coordinate and disseminate information about schools and programs;
27.19 	(3) assist districts with new magnet schools and programs;
27.20 	(4) assist districts in providing staff development and in-service training; and
27.21 	(5) coordinate and administer staff exchanges.
27.22 	(c) The office shall collect data on the efficacy of districts' desegregation/integration 
27.23 	efforts and make recommendations based on the data. The office shall periodically consult 
27.24 	with the Metropolitan Council to coordinate metropolitan school desegregation/integration 
27.25 	efforts with the housing, social, economic, and infrastructure needs of the metropolitan 
27.26 	area. The office shall develop a process for resolving students' disputes and grievances 
27.27 	about student transfers under a desegregation/integration plan.

27.28 	Sec. 47. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 134.201, subdivision 5, is amended to read:
27.29 		Subd. 5.General levy authority. The board may levy for operation of public 
27.30 	library service. This levy shall replace levies for operation of public library service by 
27.31 	cities and counties authorized in section 134.07. The amount levied shall be spread on the 
27.32 	net tax capacity of all taxable property in the district at a uniform tax rate.
28.1 	(a) The maximum amount that may be levied by a board under this section is the 
28.2 	greater of:
28.3 	(1) the statewide average local support per capita for public library services for the 
28.4 	most recent reporting period available, as certified by the commissioner of education, 
28.5 	multiplied by the population of the district according to the most recent estimate of the 
28.6 	state demographer or the Metropolitan Council; or
28.7 	(2) the total amount provided by participating counties and cities under section 
28.8 	134.34, subdivision 4, during the year preceding the first year of operation.
28.9 	(b) For its first year of operation, the board shall levy an amount not less than the 
28.10 	total dollar amount provided by participating cities and counties during the preceding 
28.11 	year under section 134.34, subdivision 4.

28.12 	Sec. 48. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 145A.02, subdivision 16, is amended to read:
28.13 		Subd. 16.Population. "Population" means the total number of residents of the state 
28.14 	or any city or county as established by the last federal census, by a special census taken by 
28.15 	the United States Bureau of the Census, or by the state demographer under section 4A.02, 
28.16 	or by an estimate of city population prepared by the Metropolitan Council, whichever is 
28.17 	the most recent as to the stated date of count or estimate. 

28.18 	Sec. 49. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 160.265, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
28.19 		Subdivision 1.State bikeways. The commissioner of transportation shall establish a 
28.20 	program for the development of bikeways primarily on existing road rights-of-way. The 
28.21 	program shall include a system of bikeways to be established, developed, maintained, 
28.22 	and operated by the commissioner of transportation and a system of state grants for the 
28.23 	development of local bikeways primarily on existing road rights-of-way. The program 
28.24 	shall be coordinated with the local park trail grant program pursuant to section 85.019, 
28.25 	with the bicycle trail program established by the commissioner of natural resources 
28.26 	pursuant to section 85.016, with the development of the statewide transportation plan 
28.27 	pursuant to section 174.03, and with existing and proposed local bikeways. In the 
28.28 	metropolitan area as defined in section 473.121, the program shall be developed in 
28.29 	accordance with plans and priorities established by the Metropolitan Council. The 
28.30 	program shall be developed after consultation with the State Trail Council, local units of 
28.31 	government, and bicyclist organizations. The program shall be administered in accordance 
28.32 	with the provisions of sections 160.262 to 160.264 and standards promulgated pursuant 
28.33 	thereto. The commissioner shall compile and maintain a current registry of bikeways in 
28.34 	the state and shall publish and distribute the information contained in the registry in a 
29.1 	form and manner suitable to assist persons wishing to use the bikeways. The Metropolitan 
29.2 	Council, the commissioner of natural resources, the commissioner of employment and 
29.3 	economic development, the Minnesota Historical Society, and local units of government 
29.4 	shall cooperate with and assist the commissioner of transportation in preparing the 
29.5 	registry. The commissioner shall have all powers necessary and convenient to establish 
29.6 	the program pursuant to this section including but not limited to the authority to adopt 
29.7 	rules pursuant to chapter 14.

29.8 	Sec. 50. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 174.93, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
29.9 		Subd. 2.Legislative report. (a) By January 15, 2012, and by November 15 in every 
29.10 	odd-numbered year thereafter, the commissioner shall prepare, in collaboration with 
29.11 	the Metropolitan Council, and submit a report electronically to the chairs and ranking 
29.12 	minority members of the legislative committees with jurisdiction over transportation 
29.13 	policy and finance concerning the status of guideway projects (1) currently in study, 
29.14 	planning, development, or construction; (2) identified in the transportation policy plan 
29.15 	under section 473.146; or (3) identified in the comprehensive statewide freight and 
29.16 	passenger rail plan under section 174.03, subdivision 1b.
29.17 	(b) At a minimum, the report must include, for each guideway project:
29.18 	(1) a brief description of the project, including projected ridership;
29.19 	(2) a summary of the overall status and current phase of the project;
29.20 	(3) a timeline that includes (i) project phases or milestones; (ii) expected and known 
29.21 	dates of commencement of each phase or milestone; and (iii) expected and known dates 
29.22 	of completion of each phase or milestone;
29.23 	(4) a brief progress update on specific project phases or milestones completed since 
29.24 	the last previous submission of a report under this subdivision; and
29.25 	(5) a summary financial plan that identifies, as reflected by the data and level of 
29.26 	detail available in the latest phase of project development and to the extent available:
29.27 	(i) capital expenditures, including expenditures to date and total projected 
29.28 	expenditures, with a breakdown by committed and proposed sources of funds for the 
29.29 	project;
29.30 	(ii) estimated annual operations and maintenance expenditures reflecting the level 
29.31 	of detail available in the current phase of the project development, with a breakdown by 
29.32 	committed and proposed sources of funds for the project; and
29.33 	(iii) if feasible, project expenditures by budget activity.
29.34 	(c) The report must also include a systemwide capacity analysis for investment in 
29.35 	guideway expansion and maintenance that:
30.1 	(1) provides a funding projection, annually over the ensuing ten years, and with a 
30.2 	breakdown by committed and proposed sources of funds, of:
30.3 	(i) total capital expenditures for guideways;
30.4 	(ii) total operations and maintenance expenditures for guideways;
30.5 	(iii) total funding available for guideways, including from projected or estimated 
30.6 	farebox recovery; and
30.7 	(iv) total funding available for transit service in the metropolitan area; and
30.8 	(2) evaluates the availability of funds and distribution of sources of funds for 
30.9 	guideway investments.
30.10 	(d) The projection under paragraph (c), clause (1), must be for all guideway lines 
30.11 	for which state funds are reasonably expected to be expended in planning, development, 
30.12 	construction, or revenue operation during the ensuing ten years.
30.13 	(e) Local units of government shall provide assistance and information in a timely 
30.14 	manner as requested by the commissioner or council for completion of the report.

30.15 	Sec. 51. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 216C.145, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
30.16 		Subdivision 1.Definitions. (a) The definitions in this subdivision apply to this 
30.17 	section.
30.18 	(b) "Community energy efficiency and renewable energy projects" means solar 
30.19 	thermal water heating, solar electric or photovoltaic equipment, small wind energy 
30.20 	conversion systems of less than 250 kW, anaerobic digester gas systems, microhydro 
30.21 	systems up to 100 kW, heating and cooling applications using solar thermal or ground 
30.22 	source technology, and cost-effective energy efficiency projects installed in industrial, 
30.23 	commercial, or public buildings, or health care facilities.
30.24 	(c) "Health care facilities" means a hospital licensed under sections 144.50 to 
30.25 	144.56, or a nursing home licensed under chapter 144A.
30.26 	(d) "Industrial customer" means a business that is classified under the North 
30.27 	American Industrial Classification System under codes 21, 31 to 33, 48, 49, or 562.
30.28 	(e) "Small business" means a business that employs 50 or fewer employees.
30.29 	(f) "Unit of local government" means any home rule charter or statutory city, county, 
30.30 	commission, district, authority, or other political subdivision or instrumentality of this 
30.31 	state, including a sanitary district, park district, the Metropolitan Council, a port authority, 
30.32 	an economic development authority, or a housing and redevelopment authority.

30.33 	Sec. 52. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 216C.15, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
31.1 		Subdivision 1.Priorities and requirements. The commissioner shall maintain 
31.2 	an emergency conservation and allocation plan. The plan shall provide a variety of 
31.3 	strategies and staged conservation measures to reduce energy use and, in the event of an 
31.4 	energy supply emergency, shall establish guidelines and criteria for allocation of fuels to 
31.5 	priority users. The plan shall contain alternative conservation actions and allocation 
31.6 	plans to reasonably meet various foreseeable shortage circumstances and allow a choice 
31.7 	of appropriate responses. The plan shall be consistent with requirements of federal 
31.8 	emergency energy conservation and allocation laws and regulations, shall be based on 
31.9 	reasonable energy savings or transfers from scarce energy resources and shall:
31.10 	(1) give priority to individuals, institutions, agriculture, businesses, and public 
31.11 	transit under contract with the commissioner of transportation or the Metropolitan Council 
31.12 	which demonstrate they have engaged in energy-saving measures and shall include 
31.13 	provisions to insure that:
31.14 	(i) immediate allocations to individuals, institutions, agriculture, businesses, and 
31.15 	public transit be based on needs at energy conservation levels;
31.16 	(ii) successive allocations to individuals, institutions, agriculture, businesses, and 
31.17 	public transit be based on needs after implementation of required action to increase energy 
31.18 	conservation; and
31.19 	(iii) needs of individuals, institutions, and public transit are adjusted to insure the 
31.20 	health and welfare of the young, old and infirm;
31.21 	(2) insure maintenance of reasonable job safety conditions and avoid environmental 
31.22 	sacrifices;
31.23 	(3) establish programs, controls, standards, priorities or quotas for the allocation, 
31.24 	conservation, and consumption of energy resources; and for the suspension and 
31.25 	modification of existing standards and the establishment of new standards affecting 
31.26 	or affected by the use of energy resources, including those related to the type and 
31.27 	composition of energy sources, and to the hours and days during which public buildings, 
31.28 	commercial and industrial establishments, and other energy-consuming facilities may 
31.29 	or are required to remain open;
31.30 	(4) establish programs to control the use, sale or distribution of commodities, 
31.31 	materials, goods or services;
31.32 	(5) establish regional programs and agreements for the purpose of coordinating the 
31.33 	energy resources, programs and actions of the state with those of the federal government, 
31.34 	of local governments, and of other states and localities;
31.35 	(6) determine at what level of an energy supply emergency situation the Pollution 
31.36 	Control Agency shall be requested to ask the governor to petition the president for a 
32.1 	temporary emergency suspension of air quality standards as required by the Clean Air Act, 
32.2 	United States Code, title 42, section 7410f; and
32.3 	(7) establish procedures for fair and equitable review of complaints and requests for 
32.4 	special exemptions regarding emergency conservation measures or allocations.

32.5 	Sec. 53. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 216H.02, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
32.6 		Subd. 2.Climate change action plan. By February 1, 2008, the commissioner of 
32.7 	commerce, in consultation with the commissioners of the Pollution Control Agency, 
32.8 	the Housing Finance Agency, and the Departments of Natural Resources, Agriculture, 
32.9 	Employment and Economic Development, and Transportation, and the chair of the 
32.10 	Metropolitan Council, shall submit to the legislature a climate change action plan that 
32.11 	meets the requirements of this section.

32.12 	Sec. 54. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 240.06, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
32.13 		Subd. 2.Hearings. Before granting a class A license the commission shall conduct 
32.14 	one or more public hearings in the area where the racetrack is or will be located. The 
32.15 	commission shall also request comments on the application from the city council or town 
32.16 	board of the city or town where the track is or will be located, or from the county board if 
32.17 	it is to be located outside a city or town and from the appropriate regional development 
32.18 	commission or the Metropolitan Council, as the case may be.

32.19 	Sec. 55. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 270.12, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
32.20 		Subd. 3.Jurisdictions in two or more counties. When a taxing jurisdiction 
32.21 	lies in two or more counties, if the sales ratio studies prepared by the Department of 
32.22 	Revenue show that the average levels of assessment in the several portions of the taxing 
32.23 	jurisdictions in the different counties differ by more than five percent, the board may order 
32.24 	the apportionment of the levy. When the sales ratio studies prepared by the Department 
32.25 	of Revenue show that the average levels of assessment in the several portions of the 
32.26 	taxing jurisdictions in the different counties differ by more than ten percent, the board 
32.27 	shall order the apportionment of the levy unless (a) the proportion of total adjusted tax 
32.28 	capacity in one of the counties is less than ten percent of the total adjusted tax capacity in 
32.29 	the taxing jurisdiction and the average level of assessment in that portion of the taxing 
32.30 	jurisdiction is the level which differs by more than five percent from the assessment 
32.31 	level in any one of the other portions of the taxing jurisdiction; (b) significant changes 
32.32 	have been made in the level of assessment in the taxing jurisdiction which have not been 
32.33 	reflected in the sales ratio study, and those changes alter the assessment levels in the 
33.1 	portions of the taxing jurisdiction so that the assessment level now differs by five percent 
33.2 	or less; or (c) commercial, industrial, mineral, or public utility property predominates in 
33.3 	one county within the taxing jurisdiction and another class of property predominates in 
33.4 	another county within that same taxing jurisdiction. If one or more of these factors are 
33.5 	present, the board may order the apportionment of the levy.
33.6 	Notwithstanding any other provision, the levy for the Metropolitan Mosquito 
33.7 	Control District, Metropolitan Council, metropolitan transit district, and metropolitan 
33.8 	transit area must be apportioned without regard to the percentage difference.
33.9 	If, pursuant to this subdivision, the board apportions the levy, then that levy 
33.10 	apportionment among the portions in the different counties shall be made in the same 
33.11 	proportion as the adjusted tax capacity as determined by the commissioner in each portion 
33.12 	is to the total adjusted tax capacity of the taxing jurisdiction.
33.13 	For the purposes of this section, the average level of assessment in a taxing 
33.14 	jurisdiction or portion thereof shall be the aggregate assessment sales ratio. Tax capacities 
33.15 	as determined by the commissioner shall be the tax capacities as determined for the year 
33.16 	preceding the year in which the levy to be apportioned is levied.
33.17 	Actions pursuant to this subdivision shall be commenced subsequent to the annual 
33.18 	meeting on April 15 of the State Board of Equalization, but notice of the action shall be 
33.19 	given to the affected jurisdiction and the appropriate county auditors by the following 
33.20 	June 30.
33.21 	Apportionment of a levy pursuant to this subdivision shall be considered as a 
33.22 	remedy to be taken after equalization pursuant to subdivision 2, and when equalization 
33.23 	within the jurisdiction would disturb equalization within other jurisdictions of which the 
33.24 	several portions of the jurisdiction in question are a part.

33.25 	Sec. 56. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 275.065, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
33.26 		Subd. 3.Notice of proposed property taxes. (a) The county auditor shall prepare 
33.27 	and the county treasurer shall deliver after November 10 and on or before November 24 
33.28 	each year, by first class mail to each taxpayer at the address listed on the county's current 
33.29 	year's assessment roll, a notice of proposed property taxes. Upon written request by 
33.30 	the taxpayer, the treasurer may send the notice in electronic form or by electronic mail 
33.31 	instead of on paper or by ordinary mail.
33.32 	(b) The commissioner of revenue shall prescribe the form of the notice.
33.33 	(c) The notice must inform taxpayers that it contains the amount of property taxes 
33.34 	each taxing authority proposes to collect for taxes payable the following year. In the case of 
33.35 	a town, or in the case of the state general tax, the final tax amount will be its proposed tax. 
34.1 	The notice must clearly state for each city that has a population over 500, county, school 
34.2 	district, regional library authority established under section 134.201, and metropolitan 
34.3 	taxing districts as defined in paragraph (i), the time and place of a meeting for each taxing 
34.4 	authority in which the budget and levy will be discussed and public input allowed, prior to 
34.5 	the final budget and levy determination. The taxing authorities must provide the county 
34.6 	auditor with the information to be included in the notice on or before the time it certifies 
34.7 	its proposed levy under subdivision 1. The public must be allowed to speak at that 
34.8 	meeting, which must occur after November 24 and must not be held before 6:00 p.m. It 
34.9 	must provide a telephone number for the taxing authority that taxpayers may call if they 
34.10 	have questions related to the notice and an address where comments will be received by 
34.11 	mail, except that no notice required under this section shall be interpreted as requiring the 
34.12 	printing of a personal telephone number or address as the contact information for a taxing 
34.13 	authority. If a taxing authority does not maintain public offices where telephone calls can 
34.14 	be received by the authority, the authority may inform the county of the lack of a public 
34.15 	telephone number and the county shall not list a telephone number for that taxing authority.
34.16 	(d) The notice must state for each parcel:
34.17 	(1) the market value of the property as determined under section 273.11, and used 
34.18 	for computing property taxes payable in the following year and for taxes payable in the 
34.19 	current year as each appears in the records of the county assessor on November 1 of the 
34.20 	current year; and, in the case of residential property, whether the property is classified as 
34.21 	homestead or nonhomestead. The notice must clearly inform taxpayers of the years to 
34.22 	which the market values apply and that the values are final values;
34.23 	(2) the items listed below, shown separately by county, city or town, and state 
34.24 	general tax, agricultural homestead credit under section 273.1384, voter approved school 
34.25 	levy, other local school levy, and the sum of the special taxing districts, and as a total 
34.26 	of all taxing authorities:
34.27 	(i) the actual tax for taxes payable in the current year; and
34.28 	(ii) the proposed tax amount.
34.29 	If the county levy under clause (2) includes an amount for a lake improvement 
34.30 	district as defined under sections 103B.501 to 103B.581, the amount attributable for that 
34.31 	purpose must be separately stated from the remaining county levy amount.
34.32 	In the case of a town or the state general tax, the final tax shall also be its proposed 
34.33 	tax unless the town changes its levy at a special town meeting under section 365.52. If a 
34.34 	school district has certified under section 126C.17, subdivision 9, that a referendum will 
34.35 	be held in the school district at the November general election, the county auditor must 
34.36 	note next to the school district's proposed amount that a referendum is pending and that, if 
35.1 	approved by the voters, the tax amount may be higher than shown on the notice. In the 
35.2 	case of the city of Minneapolis, the levy for Minneapolis Park and Recreation shall be 
35.3 	listed separately from the remaining amount of the city's levy. In the case of the city of 
35.4 	St. Paul, the levy for the St. Paul Library Agency must be listed separately from the 
35.5 	remaining amount of the city's levy. In the case of Ramsey County, any amount levied 
35.6 	under section 134.07 may be listed separately from the remaining amount of the county's 
35.7 	levy. In the case of a parcel where tax increment or the fiscal disparities areawide tax 
35.8 	under chapter 276A or 473F applies, the proposed tax levy on the captured value or the 
35.9 	proposed tax levy on the tax capacity subject to the areawide tax must each be stated 
35.10 	separately and not included in the sum of the special taxing districts; and
35.11 	(3) the increase or decrease between the total taxes payable in the current year and 
35.12 	the total proposed taxes, expressed as a percentage.
35.13 	For purposes of this section, the amount of the tax on homesteads qualifying under 
35.14 	the senior citizens' property tax deferral program under chapter 290B is the total amount 
35.15 	of property tax before subtraction of the deferred property tax amount.
35.16 	(e) The notice must clearly state that the proposed or final taxes do not include 
35.17 	the following:
35.18 	(1) special assessments;
35.19 	(2) levies approved by the voters after the date the proposed taxes are certified, 
35.20 	including bond referenda and school district levy referenda;
35.21 	(3) a levy limit increase approved by the voters by the first Tuesday after the first 
35.22 	Monday in November of the levy year as provided under section 275.73;
35.23 	(4) amounts necessary to pay cleanup or other costs due to a natural disaster 
35.24 	occurring after the date the proposed taxes are certified;
35.25 	(5) amounts necessary to pay tort judgments against the taxing authority that become 
35.26 	final after the date the proposed taxes are certified; and
35.27 	(6) the contamination tax imposed on properties which received market value 
35.28 	reductions for contamination.
35.29 	(f) Except as provided in subdivision 7, failure of the county auditor to prepare or 
35.30 	the county treasurer to deliver the notice as required in this section does not invalidate the 
35.31 	proposed or final tax levy or the taxes payable pursuant to the tax levy.
35.32 	(g) If the notice the taxpayer receives under this section lists the property as 
35.33 	nonhomestead, and satisfactory documentation is provided to the county assessor by the 
35.34 	applicable deadline, and the property qualifies for the homestead classification in that 
35.35 	assessment year, the assessor shall reclassify the property to homestead for taxes payable 
35.36 	in the following year.
36.1 	(h) In the case of class 4 residential property used as a residence for lease or rental 
36.2 	periods of 30 days or more, the taxpayer must either:
36.3 	(1) mail or deliver a copy of the notice of proposed property taxes to each tenant, 
36.4 	renter, or lessee; or
36.5 	(2) post a copy of the notice in a conspicuous place on the premises of the property.
36.6 	The notice must be mailed or posted by the taxpayer by November 27 or within 
36.7 	three days of receipt of the notice, whichever is later. A taxpayer may notify the county 
36.8 	treasurer of the address of the taxpayer, agent, caretaker, or manager of the premises to 
36.9 	which the notice must be mailed in order to fulfill the requirements of this paragraph.
36.10 	(i) For purposes of this subdivision and subdivision 6, "metropolitan special taxing 
36.11 	districts" means the following taxing districts in the seven-county metropolitan area that 
36.12 	levy a property tax for any of the specified purposes listed below:
36.13 	(1) Metropolitan Council under section 473.132, 473.167, 473.249, 473.325, 
36.14 	473.446, 473.521, 473.547, or 473.834;
36.15 	(2)(1) Metropolitan Airports Commission under section 473.667, 473.671, or 
36.16 	473.672; and
36.17 	(3)(2) Metropolitan Mosquito Control Commission under section 473.711.
36.18 	For purposes of this section, any levies made by the regional rail authorities in the 
36.19 	county of Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott, or Washington under chapter 
36.20 	398A shall be included with the appropriate county's levy.
36.21 	(j) The governing body of a county, city, or school district may, with the consent 
36.22 	of the county board, include supplemental information with the statement of proposed 
36.23 	property taxes about the impact of state aid increases or decreases on property tax 
36.24 	increases or decreases and on the level of services provided in the affected jurisdiction. 
36.25 	This supplemental information may include information for the following year, the current 
36.26 	year, and for as many consecutive preceding years as deemed appropriate by the governing 
36.27 	body of the county, city, or school district. It may include only information regarding:
36.28 	(1) the impact of inflation as measured by the implicit price deflator for state and 
36.29 	local government purchases;
36.30 	(2) population growth and decline;
36.31 	(3) state or federal government action; and
36.32 	(4) other financial factors that affect the level of property taxation and local services 
36.33 	that the governing body of the county, city, or school district may deem appropriate to 
36.34 	include.
37.1 	The information may be presented using tables, written narrative, and graphic 
37.2 	representations and may contain instruction toward further sources of information or 
37.3 	opportunity for comment.

37.4 	Sec. 57. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 275.066, is amended to read:
37.5 	275.066 SPECIAL TAXING DISTRICTS; DEFINITION.
37.6 	For the purposes of property taxation and property tax state aids, the term "special 
37.7 	taxing districts" includes the following entities:
37.8 	(1) watershed districts under chapter 103D;
37.9 	(2) sanitary districts under sections 442A.01 to 442A.29;
37.10 	(3) regional sanitary sewer districts under sections 115.61 to 115.67;
37.11 	(4) regional public library districts under section 134.201;
37.12 	(5) park districts under chapter 398;
37.13 	(6) regional railroad authorities under chapter 398A;
37.14 	(7) hospital districts under sections 447.31 to 447.38;
37.15 	(8) St. Cloud Metropolitan Transit Commission under sections 458A.01 to 458A.15;
37.16 	(9) Duluth Transit Authority under sections 458A.21 to 458A.37;
37.17 	(10) regional development commissions under sections 462.381 to 462.398;
37.18 	(11) housing and redevelopment authorities under sections 469.001 to 469.047;
37.19 	(12) port authorities under sections 469.048 to 469.068;
37.20 	(13) economic development authorities under sections 469.090 to 469.1081;
37.21 	(14) Metropolitan Council under sections 473.123 to 473.549;
37.22 	(15)(14) Metropolitan Airports Commission under sections 473.601 to 473.679;
37.23 	(16)(15) Metropolitan Mosquito Control Commission under sections 473.701 to 
37.24 	473.716;
37.25 	(17)(16) Morrison County Rural Development Financing Authority under Laws 
37.26 	1982, chapter 437, section 1;
37.27 	(18)(17) Croft Historical Park District under Laws 1984, chapter 502, article 13, 
37.28 	section 6;
37.29 	(19)(18) East Lake County Medical Clinic District under Laws 1989, chapter 211, 
37.30 	sections 1 to 6;
37.31 	(20)(19) Floodwood Area Ambulance District under Laws 1993, chapter 375, 
37.32 	article 5, section 39;
37.33 	(21)(20) Middle Mississippi River Watershed Management Organization under 
37.34 	sections 103B.211 and 103B.241;
37.35 	(22)(21) emergency medical services special taxing districts under section 144F.01;
38.1 	(23)(22) a county levying under the authority of section 103B.241, 103B.245, 
38.2 	or 103B.251;
38.3 	(24)(23) Southern St. Louis County Special Taxing District; Chris Jensen Nursing 
38.4 	Home under Laws 2003, First Special Session chapter 21, article 4, section 12;
38.5 	(25)(24) an airport authority created under section 360.0426; and
38.6 	(26)(25) any other political subdivision of the state of Minnesota, excluding 
38.7 	counties, school districts, cities, and towns, that has the power to adopt and certify a 
38.8 	property tax levy to the county auditor, as determined by the commissioner of revenue.

38.9 	Sec. 58. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 275.62, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
38.10 		Subd. 3.Population estimate. For the purposes of this section, the population of a 
38.11 	local governmental unit shall be that established by the last federal census, by a census 
38.12 	taken under section 275.14, or by an estimate made by the Metropolitan Council or by the 
38.13 	state demographer made under section 4A.02, whichever is the most recent as to the stated 
38.14 	date of count or estimate for the calendar year preceding the current levy year. 

38.15 	Sec. 59. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 275.70, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
38.16 		Subd. 4.Population; number of households. "Population" or "number of 
38.17 	households" means the population or number of households for the local governmental 
38.18 	unit as established by the last federal census, by a census taken under section 275.14, or by 
38.19 	an estimate made by the metropolitan council or by the state demographer under section 
38.20 	4A.02, whichever is most recent as to the stated date of the count or estimate up to and 
38.21 	including June 1 of the current levy year.

38.22 	Sec. 60. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 297A.70, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
38.23 		Subd. 2.Sales to government. (a) All sales, except those listed in paragraph (b), 
38.24 	to the following governments and political subdivisions, or to the listed agencies or 
38.25 	instrumentalities of governments and political subdivisions, are exempt:
38.26 	(1) the United States and its agencies and instrumentalities;
38.27 	(2) school districts, local governments, the University of Minnesota, state universities, 
38.28 	community colleges, technical colleges, state academies, the Perpich Minnesota Center for 
38.29 	Arts Education, and an instrumentality of a political subdivision that is accredited as an 
38.30 	optional/special function school by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools;
38.31 	(3) hospitals and nursing homes owned and operated by political subdivisions of 
38.32 	the state of tangible personal property and taxable services used at or by hospitals and 
38.33 	nursing homes;
39.1 	(4) notwithstanding paragraph (d), the sales and purchases by the Metropolitan 
39.2 	Council of vehicles and repair parts to equip operations provided for in section 473.4051 
39.3 	are exempt through December 31, 2016;
39.4 	(5)(4) other states or political subdivisions of other states, if the sale would be 
39.5 	exempt from taxation if it occurred in that state; and
39.6 	(6)(5) public libraries, public library systems, multicounty, multitype library systems 
39.7 	as defined in section 134.001, county law libraries under chapter 134A, state agency 
39.8 	libraries, the state library under section 480.09, and the Legislative Reference Library.
39.9 	(b) This exemption does not apply to the sales of the following products and services:
39.10 	(1) building, construction, or reconstruction materials purchased by a contractor 
39.11 	or a subcontractor as a part of a lump-sum contract or similar type of contract with a 
39.12 	guaranteed maximum price covering both labor and materials for use in the construction, 
39.13 	alteration, or repair of a building or facility;
39.14 	(2) construction materials purchased by tax exempt entities or their contractors to 
39.15 	be used in constructing buildings or facilities which will not be used principally by the 
39.16 	tax exempt entities;
39.17 	(3) the leasing of a motor vehicle as defined in section 297B.01, subdivision 11, 
39.18 	except for leases entered into by the United States or its agencies or instrumentalities;
39.19 	(4) lodging as defined under section 297A.61, subdivision 3, paragraph (g), clause 
39.20 	(2), and prepared food, candy, soft drinks, and alcoholic beverages as defined in section 
39.21 	297A.67, subdivision 2, except for lodging, prepared food, candy, soft drinks, and alcoholic 
39.22 	beverages purchased directly by the United States or its agencies or instrumentalities; or
39.23 	(5) goods or services purchased by a local government as inputs to a liquor store, gas 
39.24 	or electric utility, solid waste hauling service, solid waste recycling service, landfill, golf 
39.25 	course, marina, campground, cafe, or laundromat.
39.26 	(c) As used in this subdivision, "school districts" means public school entities and 
39.27 	districts of every kind and nature organized under the laws of the state of Minnesota, and 
39.28 	any instrumentality of a school district, as defined in section 471.59.
39.29 	(d) For purposes of the exemption granted under this subdivision, "local 
39.30 	governments" has the following meaning:
39.31 	(1) for the period prior to January 1, 2016, local governments means statutory or 
39.32 	home rule charter cities, counties, and townships;
39.33 	(2) for the period of January 1, 2016, to December 31, 2016, local governments 
39.34 	means statutory or home rule charter cities, counties, and townships; special districts as 
39.35 	defined under section 6.465, except for the Metropolitan Council under sections 473.123 
39.36 	to 473.549; any instrumentality of a statutory or home rule charter city, county, or 
40.1 	township as defined in section 471.59; and any joint powers board or organization created 
40.2 	under section 471.59; and
40.3 	(3) beginning January 1, 2017, local governments means statutory or home rule 
40.4 	charter cities, counties, and townships; special districts as defined under section 6.465; any 
40.5 	instrumentality of a statutory or home rule charter city, county, or township as defined in 
40.6 	section 471.59; and any joint powers board or organization created under section 471.59.

40.7 	Sec. 61. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 297A.70, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
40.8 		Subd. 3.Sales of certain goods and services to government. (a) The following 
40.9 	sales to or use by the specified governments and political subdivisions of the state are 
40.10 	exempt:
40.11 	(1) repair and replacement parts for emergency rescue vehicles, fire trucks, and 
40.12 	fire apparatus to a political subdivision;
40.13 	(2) machinery and equipment, except for motor vehicles, used directly for mixed 
40.14 	municipal solid waste management services at a solid waste disposal facility as defined in 
40.15 	section 115A.03, subdivision 10;
40.16 	(3) chore and homemaking services to a political subdivision of the state to be 
40.17 	provided to elderly or disabled individuals;
40.18 	(4) telephone services to the Office of MN.IT Services that are used to provide 
40.19 	telecommunications services through the MN.IT services revolving fund;
40.20 	(5) firefighter personal protective equipment as defined in paragraph (b), if purchased 
40.21 	or authorized by and for the use of an organized fire department, fire protection district, or 
40.22 	fire company regularly charged with the responsibility of providing fire protection to the 
40.23 	state or a political subdivision;
40.24 	(6) bullet-resistant body armor that provides the wearer with ballistic and trauma 
40.25 	protection, if purchased by a law enforcement agency of the state or a political subdivision 
40.26 	of the state, or a licensed peace officer, as defined in section 626.84, subdivision 1;
40.27 	(7) motor vehicles purchased or leased by political subdivisions of the state if the 
40.28 	vehicles are exempt from registration under section 168.012, subdivision 1, paragraph (b), 
40.29 	exempt from taxation under section 473.448, or exempt from the motor vehicle sales tax 
40.30 	under section 297B.03, clause (12);
40.31 	(8) equipment designed to process, dewater, and recycle biosolids for wastewater 
40.32 	treatment facilities of political subdivisions, and materials incidental to installation of 
40.33 	that equipment;
41.1 	(9) the removal of trees, bushes, or shrubs for the construction and maintenance 
41.2 	of roads, trails, or firebreaks when purchased by an agency of the state or a political 
41.3 	subdivision of the state;
41.4 	(10) purchases by the Metropolitan Council or the Department of Transportation of 
41.5 	vehicles and repair parts to equip operations provided for in section 174.90, including, 
41.6 	but not limited to, the Northstar Corridor Rail project; and
41.7 	(11) purchases of water used directly in providing public safety services by an 
41.8 	organized fire department, fire protection district, or fire company regularly charged with 
41.9 	the responsibility of providing fire protection to the state or a political subdivision.
41.10 	(b) For purposes of this subdivision, "firefighters personal protective equipment" 
41.11 	means helmets, including face shields, chin straps, and neck liners; bunker coats and 
41.12 	pants, including pant suspenders; boots; gloves; head covers or hoods; wildfire jackets; 
41.13 	protective coveralls; goggles; self-contained breathing apparatus; canister filter masks; 
41.14 	personal alert safety systems; spanner belts; optical or thermal imaging search devices; 
41.15 	and all safety equipment required by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
41.16 	(c) For purchases of items listed in paragraph (a), clause (10), the tax must be 
41.17 	imposed and collected as if the rate under section 297A.62, subdivision 1, applied and 
41.18 	then refunded in the manner provided in section 297A.75.

41.19 	Sec. 62. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 297A.992, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
41.20 		Subd. 4.Joint powers board. (a) The joint powers board must consist of one 
41.21 	or more commissioners of each county that is in the metropolitan transportation area, 
41.22 	appointed by its county board, and the chair of the Metropolitan Council, who must have 
41.23 	voting rights, subject to subdivision 3, clause (4). The joint powers board has the powers 
41.24 	and duties provided in this section and section 471.59.
41.25 	(b) The joint powers board may utilize no more than three-fourths of one percent of 
41.26 	the proceeds of the taxes imposed under this section for ordinary administrative expenses 
41.27 	incurred in carrying out the provisions of this section. Any additional administrative 
41.28 	expenses must be paid by the participating counties.
41.29 	(c) The joint powers board may establish a technical advisory group that is separate 
41.30 	from the GEARS Committee. The group must consist of representatives of cities, counties, 
41.31 	or public agencies, including the Metropolitan Council. The technical advisory group 
41.32 	must be used solely for technical consultation purposes.

41.33 	Sec. 63. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 297A.992, subdivision 5, is amended to read:
42.1 		Subd. 5.Grant application and awards; Grant Evaluation and Ranking System 
42.2 	(GEARS) Committee. (a) The joint powers board shall establish a grant application 
42.3 	process and identify the amount of available funding for grant awards. Grant applications 
42.4 	must be submitted in a form prescribed by the joint powers board. An applicant must 
42.5 	provide, in addition to all other information required by the joint powers board, the 
42.6 	estimated cost of the project, the amount of the grant sought, possible sources of funding 
42.7 	in addition to the grant sought, and identification of any federal funds that will be utilized 
42.8 	if the grant is awarded. A grant application seeking transit capital funding must identify 
42.9 	the source of money necessary to operate the transit improvement.
42.10 	(b) The joint powers board shall establish a timeline and procedures for the award of 
42.11 	grants, and may award grants only to the state and political subdivisions. The board shall 
42.12 	define objective criteria for the award of grants, which must include, but not be limited to, 
42.13 	consistency with the most recent version of the transportation policy plan adopted by the 
42.14 	Metropolitan Council under section 473.146. The joint powers board shall maximize the 
42.15 	availability and use of federal funds in projects funded under this section.
42.16 	(c) The joint powers board shall establish a GEARS Committee, which must consist 
42.17 	of:
42.18 	(1) one county commissioner from each county that is in the metropolitan 
42.19 	transportation area, appointed by its county board;
42.20 	(2) one elected city representative from each county that is in the metropolitan 
42.21 	transportation area; and
42.22 	(3) one additional elected city representative from each county for every additional 
42.23 	400,000 in population, or fraction of 400,000, in the county that is above 400,000 in 
42.24 	population; and.
42.25 	(4) the chair of the Metropolitan Council Transportation Committee.
42.26 	(d) Each city representative must be elected at a meeting of cities in the metropolitan 
42.27 	transportation area, which must be convened for that purpose by the Association of 
42.28 	Metropolitan Municipalities.
42.29 	(e) The committee shall evaluate grant applications following objective criteria 
42.30 	established by the joint powers board, and must provide to the joint powers board a 
42.31 	selection list of transportation projects that includes a priority ranking.
42.32 	(f) A grant award for a transit project located within the metropolitan area, as defined 
42.33 	in section 473.121, subdivision 2, may be funded only after the Metropolitan Council 
42.34 	reviews the project for consistency with the transit portion of the Metropolitan Council 
42.35 	policy plan and one of the following occurs:
42.36 	(1) the Metropolitan Council finds the project to be consistent;
43.1 	(2) the Metropolitan Council initially finds the project to be inconsistent, but after a 
43.2 	good faith effort to resolve the inconsistency through negotiations with the joint powers 
43.3 	board, agrees that the grant award may be funded; or
43.4 	(3) the Metropolitan Council finds the project to be inconsistent, and submits the 
43.5 	consistency issue for final determination to a panel, which determines the project to be 
43.6 	consistent. The panel is composed of a member appointed by the chair of the Metropolitan 
43.7 	Council, a member appointed by the joint powers board, and a member agreed upon by 
43.8 	both the chair and the joint powers board.
43.9 	(g)(f) Grants must be funded by the proceeds of the taxes imposed under this section, 
43.10 	bonds, notes, or other obligations issued by the joint powers board under subdivision 7.
43.11 	(h) Notwithstanding the provisions of this section except subdivision 6a, of 
43.12 	the revenue collected under this section, the joint powers board shall allocate to the 
43.13 	Metropolitan Council, in fiscal years 2012 and 2013, an amount not less than 75 percent of 
43.14 	the net cost of operations for those transitways that were receiving metropolitan sales tax 
43.15 	funds through an operating grant agreement on June 30, 2011.
43.16 	(i) The Metropolitan Council shall expend any funds allocated under paragraph (h) 
43.17 	for the operations of the specified transitways solely within those counties that are in the 
43.18 	metropolitan transportation area.
43.19 	(j) Nothing in paragraph (h) or (i) prevents grant awards to the Metropolitan Council 
43.20 	for capital and operating assistance for transitways and park-and-ride facilities.

43.21 	Sec. 64. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 352.01, subdivision 2a, is amended to read:
43.22 		Subd. 2a.Included employees. (a) "State employee" includes:
43.23 	(1) employees of the Minnesota Historical Society;
43.24 	(2) employees of the State Horticultural Society;
43.25 	(3) employees of the Minnesota Crop Improvement Association;
43.26 	(4) employees of the adjutant general whose salaries are paid from federal funds and 
43.27 	who are not covered by any federal civilian employees retirement system;
43.28 	(5) employees of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities who are employed 
43.29 	under the university or college activities program;
43.30 	(6) currently contributing employees covered by the system who are temporarily 
43.31 	employed by the legislature during a legislative session or any currently contributing 
43.32 	employee employed for any special service as defined in subdivision 2b, clause (8);
43.33 	(7) employees of the legislature who are appointed without a limit on the duration 
43.34 	of their employment and persons employed or designated by the legislature or by a 
44.1 	legislative committee or commission or other competent authority to conduct a special 
44.2 	inquiry, investigation, examination, or installation;
44.3 	(8) trainees who are employed on a full-time established training program 
44.4 	performing the duties of the classified position for which they will be eligible to receive 
44.5 	immediate appointment at the completion of the training period;
44.6 	(9) employees of the Minnesota Safety Council;
44.7 	(10) any employees who are on authorized leave of absence from the Transit 
44.8 	Operating Division of the former Metropolitan Transit Commission and who are employed 
44.9 	by the labor organization which is the exclusive bargaining agent representing employees 
44.10 	of the Transit Operating Division;
44.11 	(11) employees of the Metropolitan Council, Metropolitan Parks and Open Space 
44.12 	Commission, Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission, or Metropolitan Mosquito 
44.13 	Control Commission unless excluded under subdivision 2b or are covered by another 
44.14 	public pension fund or plan under section 473.415, subdivision 3;
44.15 	(12) judges of the Tax Court;
44.16 	(13) personnel who were employed on June 30, 1992, by the University of 
44.17 	Minnesota in the management, operation, or maintenance of its heating plant facilities, 
44.18 	whose employment transfers to an employer assuming operation of the heating plant 
44.19 	facilities, so long as the person is employed at the University of Minnesota heating plant 
44.20 	by that employer or by its successor organization;
44.21 	(14) personnel who are employed as seasonal employees in the classified or 
44.22 	unclassified service;
44.23 	(15) persons who are employed by the Department of Commerce as a peace officer 
44.24 	in the Commerce Fraud Bureau under section 45.0135 who have attained the mandatory 
44.25 	retirement age specified in section 43A.34, subdivision 4;
44.26 	(16) employees of the University of Minnesota unless excluded under subdivision 
44.27 	2b, clause (3);
44.28 	(17) employees of the Middle Management Association whose employment began 
44.29 	after July 1, 2007, and to whom section 352.029 does not apply;
44.30 	(18) employees of the Minnesota Government Engineers Council to whom section 
44.31 	352.029 does not apply;
44.32 	(19) employees of the Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority;
44.33 	(20) employees of the Minnesota Association of Professional Employees;
44.34 	(21) employees of the Minnesota State Retirement System;
44.35 	(22) employees of the State Agricultural Society;
45.1 	(23) employees of the Gillette Children's Hospital Board who were employed in the 
45.2 	state unclassified service at the former Gillette Children's Hospital on March 28, 1974; and
45.3 	(24) if approved for coverage by the Board of Directors of Conservation Corps 
45.4 	Minnesota, employees of Conservation Corps Minnesota so employed on June 30, 2003.
45.5 	(b) Employees specified in paragraph (a), clause (13), are included employees under 
45.6 	paragraph (a) if employer and employee contributions are made in a timely manner in the 
45.7 	amounts required by section 352.04. Employee contributions must be deducted from 
45.8 	salary. Employer contributions are the sole obligation of the employer assuming operation 
45.9 	of the University of Minnesota heating plant facilities or any successor organizations to 
45.10 	that employer.

45.11 	Sec. 65. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 352.01, subdivision 2b, is amended to read:
45.12 		Subd. 2b.Excluded employees. "State employee" does not include:
45.13 	(1) persons who are:
45.14 	(i) students employed by the University of Minnesota, or within the Minnesota State 
45.15 	Colleges and Universities system, unless approved for coverage by the Board of Regents 
45.16 	of the University of Minnesota or the Board of Trustees of the Minnesota State Colleges 
45.17 	and Universities, whichever applies;
45.18 	(ii) employed as interns for a period not to exceed six months unless included under 
45.19 	subdivision 2a, paragraph (a), clause (8);
45.20 	(iii) employed as trainee employees unless included under subdivision 2a, paragraph 
45.21 	(a), clause (8); or
45.22 	(iv) employed in the student worker classification as designated by Minnesota 
45.23 	Management and Budget;
45.24 	(2) employees who are:
45.25 	(i) eligible for membership in the state Teachers Retirement Association, unless the 
45.26 	person is an employee of the Department of Education who elected to be covered by the 
45.27 	general state employees retirement plan of the Minnesota State Retirement System instead 
45.28 	of the Teachers Retirement Association;
45.29 	(ii) employees of the state who, in any year, were credited with 12 months of 
45.30 	allowable service as a public school teacher and, as such, are members of a retirement plan 
45.31 	governed by chapter 354 or 354A unless the employment is incidental employment as a 
45.32 	state employee that is not covered by a retirement plan governed by chapter 354 or 354A;
45.33 	(iii) employees of the state who are employed by the Board of Trustees of the 
45.34 	Minnesota State Colleges and Universities in an unclassified position that is listed in 
45.35 	section 43A.08, subdivision 1, clause (9);
46.1 	(iv) persons employed by the Board of Trustees of the Minnesota State Colleges and 
46.2 	Universities who elected retirement coverage other than by the general state employees 
46.3 	retirement plan of the Minnesota State Retirement System under Minnesota Statutes 
46.4 	1994, section 136C.75;
46.5 	(v) officers or enlisted personnel in the National Guard or in the naval militia who 
46.6 	are assigned to permanent peacetime duty and who are or are required to be members of a 
46.7 	federal retirement system under federal law;
46.8 	(vi) persons employed by the Department of Military Affairs as full-time firefighters 
46.9 	and who, as such, are members of the public employees police and fire retirement plan;
46.10 	(vii) members of the State Patrol retirement plan under section 352B.011, 
46.11 	subdivision 10; and
46.12 	(viii) off-duty police officers while employed by the Metropolitan Council and 
46.13 	persons employed as full-time police officers by the Metropolitan Council and who, as 
46.14 	such, are members of the public employees police and fire retirement plan; and
46.15 	(ix)(viii) employees of the state who have elected to transfer account balances 
46.16 	derived from state service to the unclassified state employees retirement program under 
46.17 	section 352D.02, subdivision 1d;
46.18 	(3) employees of the University of Minnesota who are excluded from coverage by 
46.19 	action of the Board of Regents;
46.20 	(4) election judges and persons who are employed solely to administer elections;
46.21 	(5) persons who are:
46.22 	(i) engaged in public work for the state but who are employed by contractors when the 
46.23 	performance of the contract is authorized by the legislature or other competent authority;
46.24 	(ii) employed to perform professional services where the service is incidental to the 
46.25 	person's regular professional duties and where compensation is paid on a per diem basis; or
46.26 	(iii) compensated on a fee payment basis or as an independent contractor;
46.27 	(6) persons who are employed:
46.28 	(i) on a temporary basis by the house of representatives, the senate, or a legislative 
46.29 	commission or agency under the jurisdiction of the Legislative Coordinating Commission;
46.30 	(ii) as a temporary employee on or after July 1 for a period ending on or before 
46.31 	October 15 of that calendar year for the Minnesota State Agricultural Society or the 
46.32 	Minnesota State Fair, or as an employee at any time for a special event held on the 
46.33 	fairgrounds;
46.34 	(iii) by the executive branch as a temporary employee in the classified service or 
46.35 	as an executive branch temporary employee in the unclassified service if appointed for a 
47.1 	definite period not to exceed six months, and if employment is less than six months, then 
47.2 	in any 12-month period;
47.3 	(iv) by the adjutant general if employed on an unlimited intermittent or temporary 
47.4 	basis in the classified service or in the unclassified service for the support of Army or 
47.5 	Air National Guard training facilities; and
47.6 	(v) by a state or federal program for training or rehabilitation as a temporary 
47.7 	employee if employed for a limited period from an area of economic distress and if other 
47.8 	than a skilled or supervisory personnel position or other than a position that has civil 
47.9 	service status covered by the retirement system; and
47.10 	(vi) by the Metropolitan Council or a statutory board of the Metropolitan Council 
47.11 	where the members of the board are appointed by the Metropolitan Council as a temporary 
47.12 	employee if the appointment does not exceed six months;
47.13 	(7) receivers, jurors, notaries public, and court employees who are not in the judicial 
47.14 	branch as defined in section 43A.02, subdivision 25, except referees and adjusters 
47.15 	employed by the Department of Labor and Industry;
47.16 	(8) patient and inmate help who perform services in state charitable, penal, and 
47.17 	correctional institutions, including a Minnesota Veterans Home;
47.18 	(9) employees of the Sibley House Association;
47.19 	(10) persons who are:
47.20 	(i) members of any state board or commission who serve the state intermittently and 
47.21 	are paid on a per diem basis, the secretary, secretary-treasurer, and treasurer of those 
47.22 	boards if their compensation is $5,000 or less per year, or, if they are legally prohibited 
47.23 	from serving more than three years, and the board of managers of the State Agricultural 
47.24 	Society and its treasurer unless the treasurer is also its full-time secretary;
47.25 	(ii) examination monitors employed by a department, agency, commission, or board 
47.26 	of the state to conduct examinations that are required by law; or
47.27 	(iii) appointees serving as a member of a fact-finding commission or an adjustment 
47.28 	panel, an arbitrator, or a labor referee under chapter 179;
47.29 	(11) emergency employees who are in the classified service, but if an emergency 
47.30 	employee, within the same pay period, becomes a provisional or probationary employee 
47.31 	on other than a temporary basis, the employee must be considered a "state employee" 
47.32 	retroactively to the beginning of the pay period;
47.33 	(12) persons who are members of a religious order who are excluded from coverage 
47.34 	under the federal Old Age, Survivors, Disability, and Health Insurance Program for the 
47.35 	performance of service as specified in United States Code, title 42, section 410(a)(8)(A), 
48.1 	as amended, if no irrevocable election of coverage has been made under section 3121(r) of 
48.2 	the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended;
48.3 	(13) members of trades who are employed by the successor to the Metropolitan 
48.4 	Waste Control Commission, who have trade union pension plan coverage under a 
48.5 	collective bargaining agreement, and who are first employed after June 1, 1977;
48.6 	(14) foreign citizens who are employed under a work permit of less than three 
48.7 	years or under an H-1b visa or a J-1 visa that is initially valid for less than three years of 
48.8 	employment, unless notice of a visa extension which allows them to work for three or 
48.9 	more years as of the date that the extension is granted and is supplied to the retirement 
48.10 	plan, in which case the person is eligible for coverage from the date of the extension; and
48.11 	(15) reemployed annuitants of the general state employees retirement plan, the 
48.12 	military affairs personnel retirement plan, the transportation department pilots retirement 
48.13 	plan, the state fire marshal employees retirement plan, or the correctional state employees 
48.14 	retirement plan during the course of that reemployment.

48.15 	Sec. 66. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 352.03, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
48.16 		Subdivision 1.Membership of board; election; term. (a) The policy-making 
48.17 	function of the system is vested in a board of 11 members known as the board of directors. 
48.18 	This board shall consist of:
48.19 	(1) three members appointed by the governor, one of whom must be a constitutional 
48.20 	officer or appointed state official and two of whom must be public members knowledgeable 
48.21 	in pension matters;
48.22 	(2) four state employees elected by active members and former members eligible for 
48.23 	a deferred annuity from the general state employees retirement plan, excluding employees 
48.24 	and deferred annuitants for whom a board member is designated;
48.25 	(3) one employee of the Metropolitan Council'sDepartment of Transportation's 
48.26 	transit operations or its successor agency designated by the executive committee of the 
48.27 	labor organization that is the exclusive bargaining agent representing employees of the 
48.28 	transit division;
48.29 	(4) one employee who is a member of the State Patrol retirement plan elected by 
48.30 	active members and former members eligible for a deferred annuity from that plan;
48.31 	(5) one employee who is a member of the correctional state employees retirement 
48.32 	plan established under this chapter elected by active members and former members 
48.33 	eligible for a deferred annuity from that plan; and
49.1 	(6) one retired employee of a plan included in the system, elected by disabled and 
49.2 	retired employees of the plans administered by the system at a time and in a manner 
49.3 	determined by the board.
49.4 	(b) The terms of the four elected state employees under paragraph (a), clause 
49.5 	(2), must be staggered, with two of the state employee board positions elected each 
49.6 	biennium, whose terms of office begin on the first Monday in May after their election. 
49.7 	Elected members and the appointed member of the Metropolitan Council'sDepartment 
49.8 	of Transportation's transit operations hold office for a term of four years and until their 
49.9 	successors are elected or appointed, and have qualified.
49.10 	(c) An employee or former employee of the system is not eligible for membership 
49.11 	on the board of directors. A state employee on leave of absence is not eligible for election 
49.12 	or reelection to membership on the board of directors.
49.13 	(d) The term of any board member who is on leave for more than six months 
49.14 	automatically ends on expiration of the term of office.

49.15 	Sec. 67. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 352.04, subdivision 6, is amended to read:
49.16 		Subd. 6.Quasi-state agencies; employer contributions. For those of their 
49.17 	employees who are covered by the system, the State Horticultural Society, the Disabled 
49.18 	American Veterans, Department of Minnesota, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Department of 
49.19 	Minnesota, the Minnesota Crop Improvement Association, the Minnesota Historical 
49.20 	Society, the Armory Building Commission, the Minnesota Safety Council, the 
49.21 	Metropolitan Council and any of its statutory boards, the employer of persons described in 
49.22 	section 352.01, subdivision 2a, paragraph (a), clause (15), and any other agency employing 
49.23 	employees covered by this system, respectively, shall also pay into the retirement fund the 
49.24 	amount required by subdivision 3.

49.25 	Sec. 68. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 352D.02, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
49.26 		Subdivision 1.Coverage.  (a) Employees enumerated in paragraph (c), clauses (2), 
49.27 	(3), (4), (6) to (14), and (16) to (18), if they are in the unclassified service of the state or 
49.28 	Metropolitan Council and are eligible for coverage under the general state employees 
49.29 	retirement plan under chapter 352, are participants in the unclassified program under this 
49.30 	chapter unless the employee gives notice to the executive director of the Minnesota State 
49.31 	Retirement System within one year following the commencement of employment in the 
49.32 	unclassified service that the employee desires coverage under the general state employees 
49.33 	retirement plan. For the purposes of this chapter, an employee who does not file notice 
50.1 	with the executive director is deemed to have exercised the option to participate in the 
50.2 	unclassified program.
50.3 	(b) Persons referenced in paragraph (c), clause (5), are participants in the unclassified 
50.4 	program under this chapter unless the person was eligible to elect different coverage under 
50.5 	section 3A.07 and elected retirement coverage by the applicable alternative retirement 
50.6 	plan. Persons referenced in paragraph (c), clause (15), are participants in the unclassified 
50.7 	program under this chapter for judicial employment in excess of the service credit limit in 
50.8 	section 490.121, subdivision 22.
50.9 	(c) Enumerated employees and referenced persons are:
50.10 	(1) the governor, the lieutenant governor, the secretary of state, the state auditor, 
50.11 	and the attorney general;
50.12 	(2) an employee in the Office of the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Secretary 
50.13 	of State, State Auditor, Attorney General;
50.14 	(3) an employee of the State Board of Investment;
50.15 	(4) the head of a department, division, or agency created by statute in the unclassified 
50.16 	service, an acting department head subsequently appointed to the position, or an employee 
50.17 	enumerated in section 15A.0815 or 15A.083, subdivision 4;
50.18 	(5) a member of the legislature;
50.19 	(6) a full-time unclassified employee of the legislature or a commission or agency of 
50.20 	the legislature who is appointed without a limit on the duration of the employment or a 
50.21 	temporary legislative employee having shares in the supplemental retirement fund as a 
50.22 	result of former employment covered by this chapter, whether or not eligible for coverage 
50.23 	under the Minnesota State Retirement System;
50.24 	(7) a person who is employed in a position established under section 43A.08, 
50.25 	subdivision 1, clause (3), or in a position authorized under a statute creating or establishing 
50.26 	a department or agency of the state, which is at the deputy or assistant head of department 
50.27 	or agency or director level;
50.28 	(8) the regional administrator, or executive director of the Metropolitan Council, 
50.29 	general counsel, division directors, operations managers, and other positions as designated 
50.30 	by the council, all of which may not exceed 27 positions at the council and the chair;
50.31 	(9)(8) the commissioner, deputy commissioner, and not to exceed nine positions 
50.32 	of the Minnesota Office of Higher Education in the unclassified service, as designated 
50.33 	by the Minnesota Office of Higher Education before January 1, 1992, or subsequently 
50.34 	redesignated with the approval of the board of directors of the Minnesota State Retirement 
50.35 	System, unless the person has elected coverage by the individual retirement account 
50.36 	plan under chapter 354B;
51.1 	(10) (9) the clerk of the appellate courts appointed under article VI, section 2, of the 
51.2 	Constitution of the state of Minnesota, the state court administrator and judicial district 
51.3 	administrators;
51.4 	(11)(10) the chief executive officers of correctional facilities operated by the 
51.5 	Department of Corrections and of hospitals and nursing homes operated by the Department 
51.6 	of Human Services;
51.7 	(12)(11) an employee whose principal employment is at the state ceremonial house;
51.8 	(13)(12) an employee of the Agricultural Utilization Research Institute;
51.9 	(14)(13) an employee of the State Lottery who is covered by the managerial plan 
51.10 	established under section 43A.18, subdivision 3;
51.11 	(15)(14) a judge who has exceeded the service credit limit in section 490.121, 
51.12 	subdivision 22;
51.13 	(16)(15) an employee of Enterprise Minnesota, Inc.;
51.14 	(17)(16) a person employed by the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities as 
51.15 	faculty or in an eligible unclassified administrative position as defined in section 354B.20, 
51.16 	subdivision 6, who was employed by the former state university or the former community 
51.17 	college system before May 1, 1995, and elected unclassified program coverage prior to 
51.18 	May 1, 1995; and
51.19 	(18)(17) a person employed by the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities who 
51.20 	was employed in state service before July 1, 1995, who subsequently is employed in an 
51.21 	eligible unclassified administrative position as defined in section 354B.20, subdivision 
51.22 	6, and who elects coverage by the unclassified program.

51.23 	Sec. 69. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 353.50, subdivision 7, is amended to read:
51.24 		Subd. 7.MERF division account contributions. (a) After June 30, 2010, the 
51.25 	member and employer contributions to the MERF division account are governed by this 
51.26 	subdivision.
51.27 	(b) An active member covered by the MERF division must make an employee 
51.28 	contribution of 9.75 percent of the total salary of the member as defined in section 353.01, 
51.29 	subdivision 10. The employee contribution must be made by payroll deduction by the 
51.30 	member's employing unit under section 353.27, subdivision 4, and is subject to the 
51.31 	provisions of section 353.27, subdivisions 7, 7a, 7b, 12, 12a, and 12b.
51.32 	(c) The employer regular contribution to the MERF division account with respect 
51.33 	to an active MERF division member is 9.75 percent of the total salary of the member as 
51.34 	defined in section 353.01, subdivision 10.
52.1 	(d) The employer additional contribution to the MERF division account with respect 
52.2 	to an active member of the MERF division is 2.68 percent of the total salary of the member 
52.3 	as defined in section 353.01, subdivision 10, plus the employing unit's share of $3,900,000 
52.4 	that the employing unit paid or is payable to the former Minneapolis Employees 
52.5 	Retirement Fund under Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 422A.101, subdivision 1a, 2, 
52.6 	or 2a, during calendar year 2009, as was certified by the former executive director of the 
52.7 	former Minneapolis Employees Retirement Fund.
52.8 	(e) Annually after June 30, 2012, the employer supplemental contribution to 
52.9 	the MERF division account by the city of Minneapolis, Special School District No. 1, 
52.10 	Minneapolis, a Minneapolis-owned public utility, improvement, or municipal activity, 
52.11 	Hennepin county, the Metropolitan Council, the Metropolitan Airports Commission, and 
52.12 	the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system is the larger of the following:
52.13 	(1) the amount by which the total actuarial required contribution determined under 
52.14 	section 356.215 by the approved actuary retained by the Public Employees Retirement 
52.15 	Association in the most recent actuarial valuation of the MERF division and based on a 
52.16 	June 30, 2031, amortization date, after subtracting the contributions under paragraphs (b), 
52.17 	(c), and (d), exceeds $22,750,000 or $24,000,000, whichever applies; or
52.18 	(2) the amount of $27,000,000, but the total supplemental contribution amount 
52.19 	plus the contributions under paragraphs (c) and (d) may not exceed $34,000,000. Each 
52.20 	employing unit's share of the total employer supplemental contribution amount is equal 
52.21 	to the applicable portion specified in paragraph (h). The initial total actuarial required 
52.22 	contribution after June 30, 2012, must be calculated using the mortality assumption 
52.23 	change recommended on September 30, 2009, for the Minneapolis Employees Retirement 
52.24 	Fund by the approved consulting actuary retained by the Minneapolis Employees 
52.25 	Retirement Fund board.
52.26 	(f) Before January 31, each employing unit must be invoiced for its share of the 
52.27 	total employer supplemental contribution amount under paragraph (e). The amount is 
52.28 	payable by the employing unit in two parts. The first half of the amount due is payable 
52.29 	on or before the July 31 following the date of the invoice, and the second half of the 
52.30 	amount due is payable on or before December 15. Each invoice must be based on the 
52.31 	actuarial valuation report prepared under section 356.215 and the standards for actuarial 
52.32 	work promulgated by the Legislative Commission on Pensions and Retirement as of the 
52.33 	valuation date occurring 18 months earlier.
52.34 	(g) Notwithstanding any provision of paragraph (c), (d), or (e) to the contrary, as of 
52.35 	August 1 annually, if the amount of the retirement annuities and benefits paid from the 
52.36 	MERF division account during the preceding fiscal year, multiplied by the factor of 1.035, 
53.1 	exceeds the market value of the assets of the MERF division account on the preceding 
53.2 	June 30, plus state aid of $9,000,000, $22,750,000, or $24,000,000, whichever applies, 
53.3 	plus the amounts payable under paragraphs (b), (c), (d), and (e) during the preceding 
53.4 	fiscal year, multiplied by the factor of 1.035, the balance calculated is a special additional 
53.5 	employer contribution. The special additional employer contribution under this paragraph 
53.6 	is payable in addition to any employer contribution required under paragraphs (c), (d), and 
53.7 	(e), and is payable on or before the following June 30. The special additional employer 
53.8 	contribution under this paragraph must be allocated as specified in paragraph (h).
53.9 	(h) The employer supplemental contribution under paragraph (e) or the special 
53.10 	additional employer contribution under paragraph (g) must be allocated between the city 
53.11 	of Minneapolis, Special School District No. 1, Minneapolis, any Minneapolis-owned 
53.12 	public utility, improvement, or municipal activity, the Minnesota State Colleges and 
53.13 	Universities system, Hennepin County, the Metropolitan Council, and the Metropolitan 
53.14 	Airports Commission in proportion to their share of the actuarial accrued liability of the 
53.15 	former Minneapolis Employees Retirement Fund as of July 1, 2009, as calculated by the 
53.16 	approved actuary retained under section 356.214 as part of the actuarial valuation prepared 
53.17 	as of July 1, 2009, under section 356.215 and the Standards for Actuarial Work adopted by 
53.18 	the Legislative Commission on Pensions and Retirement.
53.19 	(i) The employer contributions under paragraphs (c), (d), (e), and (g) must be paid as 
53.20 	provided in section 353.28.
53.21 	(j) Contributions under this subdivision are subject to the provisions of section 
53.22 	353.27, subdivisions 4, 7, 7a, 7b, 11, 12, 12a, 12b, 13, and 14.

53.23 	Sec. 70. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 353.64, subdivision 7a, is amended to read:
53.24 		Subd. 7a.Pension coverage for certain metropolitan transit police officers. A 
53.25 	person who is employed as a police officer on or after the first day of the first payroll 
53.26 	period after July 1, 1993, and before July 1, 2016, by the Metropolitan Council and who is 
53.27 	not eligible for coverage under the agreement with the Secretary of the federal Department 
53.28 	of Health and Human Services making the provisions of the federal Old Age, Survivors, 
53.29 	and Disability Insurance Act because the person's position is excluded from application 
53.30 	under United States Code, sections 418(d)(5)(A) and 418(d)(8)(D), and under section 
53.31 	355.07, is a member of the public employees police and fire fund and is considered to be a 
53.32 	police officer within the meaning of this section. The Metropolitan Council shall deduct 
53.33 	the employee contribution from the salary of each police officer as required by section 
53.34 	353.65, subdivision 2, shall make the employer contribution for each police officer as 
54.1 	required by section 353.65, subdivision 3, and shall meet the employer recording and 
54.2 	reporting requirements in section 353.65, subdivision 4.

54.3 	Sec. 71. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 363A.44, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
54.4 		Subdivision 1.Scope. (a) No department, agency of the state, the Metropolitan 
54.5 	Council, or an agency subject to section 473.143, subdivision 1, shall execute a contract 
54.6 	for goods or services or an agreement for goods or services in excess of $500,000 with a 
54.7 	business that has 40 or more full-time employees in this state or a state where the business 
54.8 	has its primary place of business on a single day during the prior 12 months, unless the 
54.9 	business has an equal pay certificate or it has certified in writing that it is exempt. A 
54.10 	certificate is valid for four years.
54.11 	(b) This section does not apply to a business with respect to a specific contract if 
54.12 	the commissioner of administration determines that application of this section would 
54.13 	cause undue hardship to the contracting entity. This section does not apply to a contract 
54.14 	to provide goods and services to individuals under chapters 43A, 62A, 62C, 62D, 62E, 
54.15 	256B, 256I, 256L, and 268A, with a business that has a license, certification, registration, 
54.16 	provider agreement, or provider enrollment contract that is prerequisite to providing those 
54.17 	goods and services. This section does not apply to contracts entered into by the State 
54.18 	Board of Investment for investment options under section 352.965, subdivision 4.

54.19 	Sec. 72. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 373.40, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
54.20 		Subdivision 1.Definitions. For purposes of this section, the following terms have 
54.21 	the meanings given.
54.22 	(a) "Bonds" means an obligation as defined under section 475.51.
54.23 	(b) "Capital improvement" means acquisition or betterment of public lands, 
54.24 	buildings, or other improvements within the county for the purpose of a county courthouse, 
54.25 	administrative building, health or social service facility, correctional facility, jail, law 
54.26 	enforcement center, hospital, morgue, library, park, qualified indoor ice arena, roads 
54.27 	and bridges, public works facilities, fairground buildings, and records and data storage 
54.28 	facilities, and the acquisition of development rights in the form of conservation easements 
54.29 	under chapter 84C. An improvement must have an expected useful life of five years or more 
54.30 	to qualify. "Capital improvement" does not include a recreation or sports facility building 
54.31 	(such as, but not limited to, a gymnasium, ice arena, racquet sports facility, swimming 
54.32 	pool, exercise room or health spa), unless the building is part of an outdoor park facility 
54.33 	and is incidental to the primary purpose of outdoor recreation. For purposes of this section, 
54.34 	"capital improvement" includes expenditures for purposes described in this paragraph that 
55.1 	have been incurred by a county before approval of a capital improvement plan, if such 
55.2 	expenditures are included in a capital improvement plan approved on or before the date of 
55.3 	the public hearing under subdivision 2 regarding issuance of bonds for such expenditures.
55.4 	(c) "Metropolitan county" means a county located in the seven-county metropolitan 
55.5 	area as defined in section 473.121 or a county with a population of 90,000 or more.
55.6 	(d) "Population" means the population established by the most recent of the 
55.7 	following (determined as of the date the resolution authorizing the bonds was adopted):
55.8 	(1) the federal decennial census,
55.9 	(2) a special census conducted under contract by the United States Bureau of the 
55.10 	Census, or
55.11 	(3) a population estimate made either by the Metropolitan Council or by the state 
55.12 	demographer under section 4A.02.
55.13 	(e) "Qualified indoor ice arena" means a facility that meets the requirements of 
55.14 	section 373.43.

55.15 	Sec. 73. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 383A.81, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
55.16 		Subd. 3.Matching funds. In expending funds under this section, the county shall 
55.17 	seek matching funds from contamination cleanup funds administered by the commissioner 
55.18 	of the Department of Employment and Economic Development, the Metropolitan Council, 
55.19 	the federal government, the private sector, and any other source.

55.20 	Sec. 74. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 383B.81, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
55.21 		Subd. 3.Matching funds. In expending funds under this section the county 
55.22 	shall seek matching funds from contamination cleanup funds administered by the 
55.23 	commissioners of the Department of Employment and Economic Development, the 
55.24 	Metropolitan Council, the federal government, the private sector and any other source.

55.25 	Sec. 75. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 398A.04, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
55.26 		Subdivision 1.General. An authority may exercise all the powers necessary or 
55.27 	desirable to implement the powers specifically granted in this section, and in exercising 
55.28 	the powers is deemed to be performing an essential governmental function and exercising 
55.29 	a part of the sovereign power of the state, and is a local government unit and political 
55.30 	subdivision of the state. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the authority may:
55.31 	(a) sue and be sued, have a seal, which may but need not be affixed to documents as 
55.32 	directed by the board, make and perform contracts, and have perpetual succession;
56.1 	(b) acquire real and personal property within or outside its taxing jurisdiction, by 
56.2 	purchase, gift, devise, condemnation, conditional sale, lease, lease purchase, or otherwise; 
56.3 	or for purposes, including the facilitation of an economic development project pursuant to 
56.4 	section 383B.81 or 469.091 or 469.175, subdivision 7, that also improve rail service;
56.5 	(c) hold, manage, control, sell, convey, lease, mortgage, or otherwise dispose of real 
56.6 	or personal property; and
56.7 	(d) make grants or otherwise appropriate funds to the Department of Transportation, 
56.8 	the Metropolitan Council, or any other state or local governmental unit for the purposes 
56.9 	described in subdivision 2 with respect to railroad facilities located or to be located within 
56.10 	the authority's jurisdiction, whether or not the facilities will be acquired, constructed, 
56.11 	owned, or operated by the authority.

56.12 	Sec. 76. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 398A.04, subdivision 2a, is amended to read:
56.13 		Subd. 2a.Bus rapid transit development. A regional rail authority may exercise 
56.14 	the powers conferred under this section to: plan, establish, acquire, develop, purchase, 
56.15 	enlarge, extend, improve, maintain, equip, regulate, and protect; and pay costs of 
56.16 	construction and operation of a bus rapid transit system located within its county on 
56.17 	transitways included in and approved by the Metropolitan Council's 2030 Transportation 
56.18 	Policy Plan. This subdivision applies only to the counties of Anoka, Carver, Dakota, 
56.19 	Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott, and Washington.

56.20 	Sec. 77. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 414.02, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
56.21 		Subd. 3.Relevant factors, order. (a) In arriving at a decision, the chief 
56.22 	administrative law judge shall consider the following factors:
56.23 	(1) present population and number of households, past population and projected 
56.24 	population growth for the subject area;
56.25 	(2) quantity of land within the subject area; the natural terrain including recognizable 
56.26 	physical features, general topography, major watersheds, soil conditions and such natural 
56.27 	features as rivers, lakes and major bluffs;
56.28 	(3) present pattern of physical development, planning, and intended land uses in the 
56.29 	subject area including residential, industrial, commercial, agricultural, and institutional 
56.30 	land uses and the impact of the proposed action on those uses;
56.31 	(4) the present transportation network and potential transportation issues, including 
56.32 	proposed highway development;
57.1 	(5) land use controls and planning presently being utilized in the subject area, 
57.2 	including comprehensive plans, policies of the Metropolitan Council; and whether there 
57.3 	are inconsistencies between proposed development and existing land use controls;
57.4 	(6) existing levels of governmental services being provided to the subject area, 
57.5 	including water and sewer service, fire rating and protection, law enforcement, street 
57.6 	improvements and maintenance, administrative services, and recreational facilities and the 
57.7 	impact of the proposed action on the delivery of the services;
57.8 	(7) existing or potential environmental problems and whether the proposed action is 
57.9 	likely to improve or resolve these problems;
57.10 	(8) fiscal impact on the subject area and adjacent units of local government, 
57.11 	including present bonded indebtedness; local tax rates of the county, school district, and 
57.12 	other governmental units, including, where applicable, the net tax capacity of platted and 
57.13 	unplatted lands and the division of homestead and nonhomestead property; and other 
57.14 	tax and governmental aid issues;
57.15 	(9) relationship and effect of the proposed action on affected and adjacent school 
57.16 	districts and communities;
57.17 	(10) whether delivery of services to the subject area can be adequately and 
57.18 	economically delivered by the existing government;
57.19 	(11) analysis of whether necessary governmental services can best be provided 
57.20 	through the proposed action or another type of boundary adjustment;
57.21 	(12) degree of contiguity of the boundaries of the subject area and adjacent units 
57.22 	of local government; and
57.23 	(13) analysis of the applicability of the State Building Code.
57.24 	(b) Based upon these factors, the chief administrative law judge may order the 
57.25 	incorporation on finding that:
57.26 	(1) the property to be incorporated is now, or is about to become, urban or suburban 
57.27 	in character; or
57.28 	(2) that the existing township form of government is not adequate to protect the 
57.29 	public health, safety, and welfare; or
57.30 	(3) the proposed incorporation would be in the best interests of the area under 
57.31 	consideration.
57.32 	(c) The chief administrative law judge may deny the incorporation if the area, or a 
57.33 	part thereof, would be better served by annexation to an adjacent municipality.
57.34 	(d) The chief administrative law judge may alter the boundaries of the proposed 
57.35 	incorporation by increasing or decreasing the area to be incorporated so as to include only 
57.36 	that property which is now, or is about to become, urban or suburban in character, or may 
58.1 	exclude property that may be better served by another unit of government. The chief 
58.2 	administrative law judge may also alter the boundaries of the proposed incorporation so as 
58.3 	to follow visible, clearly recognizable physical features for municipal boundaries.
58.4 	(e) In all cases, the chief administrative law judge shall set forth the factors which 
58.5 	are the basis for the decision.
58.6 	(f) Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary relating to the number 
58.7 	of wards which may be established, the chief administrative law judge may provide 
58.8 	for election of council members by wards, not less than three nor more than seven in 
58.9 	number, whose limits are prescribed in the chief administrative law judge's order upon a 
58.10 	finding that area representation is required to accord proper representation in the proposed 
58.11 	incorporated area because of uneven population density in different parts thereof or the 
58.12 	existence of agricultural lands therein which are in the path of suburban development, but 
58.13 	after four years from the effective date of an incorporation the council of the municipality 
58.14 	may by resolution adopted by a four-fifths vote abolish the ward system and provide for 
58.15 	the election of all council members at large as in other municipalities.
58.16 	(g) The chief administrative law judge's order for incorporation shall provide for the 
58.17 	election of municipal officers in accordance with section 414.09. The plan of government 
58.18 	shall be "Optional Plan A", provided that an alternate plan may be adopted pursuant 
58.19 	to section 412.551, at any time.
58.20 	(h) The ordinances of the township in which the new municipality is located shall 
58.21 	continue in effect until repealed by the governing body of the new municipality.

58.22 	Sec. 78. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 414.031, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
58.23 		Subd. 4.Relevant factors, order. (a) In arriving at a decision, the presiding 
58.24 	administrative law judge shall consider the following sources and factors:
58.25 	(1) recordings and public documents from joint informational meetings under 
58.26 	section 414.0333 relevant to other factors listed in this subdivision;
58.27 	(2) present population and number of households, past population and projected 
58.28 	population growth of the annexing municipality and subject area and adjacent units of 
58.29 	local government;
58.30 	(3) quantity of land within the subject area and adjacent units of local government; 
58.31 	and natural terrain including recognizable physical features, general topography, major 
58.32 	watersheds, soil conditions and such natural features as rivers, lakes and major bluffs;
58.33 	(4) degree of contiguity of the boundaries between the annexing municipality and 
58.34 	the subject area;
59.1 	(5) present pattern of physical development, planning, and intended land uses in the 
59.2 	subject area and the annexing municipality including residential, industrial, commercial, 
59.3 	agricultural and institutional land uses and the impact of the proposed action on those 
59.4 	land uses;
59.5 	(6) the present transportation network and potential transportation issues, including 
59.6 	proposed highway development;
59.7 	(7) land use controls and planning presently being utilized in the annexing 
59.8 	municipality and the subject area, including comprehensive plans for development in 
59.9 	the area and plans and policies of the Metropolitan Council, and whether there are 
59.10 	inconsistencies between proposed development and existing land use controls and the 
59.11 	reasons therefore;
59.12 	(8) existing levels of governmental services being provided in the annexing 
59.13 	municipality and the subject area, including water and sewer service, fire rating and 
59.14 	protection, law enforcement, street improvements and maintenance, administrative 
59.15 	services, and recreational facilities and the impact of the proposed action on the delivery 
59.16 	of said services;
59.17 	(9) the implementation of previous annexation agreements and orders;
59.18 	(10) existing or potential environmental problems and whether the proposed action 
59.19 	is likely to improve or resolve these problems;
59.20 	(11) plans and programs by the annexing municipality for providing needed and 
59.21 	enhanced governmental services to the subject area in a cost-effective and feasible manner 
59.22 	within a reasonable time from the date of the annexation;
59.23 	(12) an analysis of the fiscal impact on the annexing municipality, the subject area, 
59.24 	and adjacent units of local government, including net tax capacity and the present bonded 
59.25 	indebtedness, and the local tax rates of the county, school district, and township;
59.26 	(13) relationship and effect of the proposed action on affected and adjacent school 
59.27 	districts and communities;
59.28 	(14) adequacy of town government to deliver services to the subject area;
59.29 	(15) analysis of whether necessary governmental services can best be provided 
59.30 	through the proposed action or another type of boundary adjustment;
59.31 	(16) if only a part of a township is annexed, the ability of the remainder of the 
59.32 	township to continue or the feasibility of it being incorporated separately or being annexed 
59.33 	to another municipality; and
59.34 	(17) information received by the presiding administrative law judge from the tour 
59.35 	required under subdivision 3a.
60.1 	(b) Based upon the factors, the presiding administrative law judge may order the 
60.2 	annexation on finding:
60.3 	(1) that the subject area is now, or is about to become, urban or suburban in character;
60.4 	(2) that municipal government in the area proposed for annexation is required to 
60.5 	protect the public health, safety, and welfare; or
60.6 	(3) that the annexation would be in the best interest of the subject area.
60.7 	(c) If only a part of a township is to be annexed, the presiding administrative law 
60.8 	judge shall consider whether the remainder of the township can continue to carry on the 
60.9 	functions of government without undue hardship.
60.10 	(d) The presiding administrative law judge shall deny the annexation on finding that 
60.11 	the increase in revenues for the annexing municipality bears no reasonable relation to the 
60.12 	monetary value of benefits conferred upon the annexed area.
60.13 	(e) The presiding administrative law judge may deny the annexation on finding:
60.14 	(1) that annexation of all or a part of the property to an adjacent municipality would 
60.15 	better serve the interests of the residents of the property; or
60.16 	(2) that the remainder of the township would suffer undue hardship.
60.17 	(f) The presiding administrative law judge may alter the boundaries of the area to be 
60.18 	annexed by increasing or decreasing the area so as to include only that property which 
60.19 	is now or is about to become urban or suburban in character or to add property of such 
60.20 	character abutting the area proposed for annexation in order to preserve or improve the 
60.21 	symmetry of the area, or to exclude property that may better be served by another unit 
60.22 	of government.
60.23 	(g) The presiding administrative law judge may also alter the boundaries of the 
60.24 	proposed annexation so as to follow visible, clearly recognizable physical features.
60.25 	(h) If the presiding administrative law judge determines that part of the area would 
60.26 	be better served by another municipality or township, the presiding administrative law 
60.27 	judge may initiate and approve annexation by conducting further hearings and issuing 
60.28 	orders pursuant to subdivisions 3 and 4.
60.29 	(i) In all cases, the presiding administrative law judge shall set forth the factors 
60.30 	which are the basis for the decision.

60.31 	Sec. 79. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 462A.04, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
60.32 		Subdivision 1.Creation; members. There is created a public body corporate and 
60.33 	politic to be known as the "Minnesota Housing Finance Agency," which shall perform 
60.34 	the governmental functions and exercise the sovereign powers delegated to it in this 
60.35 	chapter in furtherance of the public policies and purposes declared in section 462A.02. 
61.1 	The agency shall consist of the state auditor and six public members appointed by the 
61.2 	governor with advice and consent of the senate. No more than three public members shall 
61.3 	reside in the metropolitan area of jurisdiction of the Metropolitan Council as provided 
61.4 	defined in section 473.123, subdivision 1 473.121, subdivision 2, and no more than one 
61.5 	public member shall reside in any one of the development regions established under the 
61.6 	provisions of sections 462.381 to 462.396. Each member shall hold office until a successor 
61.7 	has been appointed and has qualified. A certificate of appointment or reappointment of any 
61.8 	member shall be conclusive evidence of the due and proper appointment of the member.

61.9 	Sec. 80. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 462A.07, subdivision 11, is amended to read:
61.10 		Subd. 11.Cooperative relationships. It may establish cooperative relationships 
61.11 	with such regional county and multicounty housing authorities as may be established, 
61.12 	including the Metropolitan Council, and may develop priorities for the utilization of 
61.13 	agency resources and assistance within a region in cooperation with regional county and 
61.14 	multicounty housing authorities.

61.15 	Sec. 81. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 462A.222, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
61.16 		Subd. 4.Distribution plan. (a) By October 1, 1990, the Metropolitan Council, in 
61.17 	consultation with the agency and representatives of local government and housing and 
61.18 	redevelopment authorities, shall develop and submit to the agency a plan for allocating 
61.19 	tax credits in 1991 and thereafter in the metropolitan area, based on regional housing 
61.20 	needs and priorities. The agency may amend the distribution plan after consultation 
61.21 	with the Metropolitan Council, representatives of local governments, and housing and 
61.22 	redevelopment authorities.
61.23 	(b) By October 1, 1990, the agency, in consultation with representatives of local 
61.24 	government and housing and redevelopment authorities, shall develop a plan for allocating 
61.25 	tax credits in 1991 and thereafter in greater Minnesota, based on regional housing needs 
61.26 	and priorities. The agency may amend the distribution plan after consultation with 
61.27 	representatives of local governments and housing and redevelopment authorities.
61.28 	(c) In preparing the distribution plans, the Metropolitan Council and the agency shall 
61.29 	estimate the number of households in the metropolitan area and in greater Minnesota, 
61.30 	respectively, who are paying more than 50 percent of their income for rent and the cost 
61.31 	of providing sufficient rental or other assistance so that no household pays more than 50 
61.32 	percent of its income for rent. In addition, the Metropolitan Council and the agency shall 
61.33 	identify the nature and scope of existing programs which primarily serve families at 60 
61.34 	percent of the median income and individuals at 30 percent of the median income.

62.1 	Sec. 82. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 462C.04, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
62.2 		Subd. 2.Program review. A public hearing shall be held on each program after 
62.3 	one publication of notice in a newspaper circulating generally in the city, at least 15 
62.4 	days before the hearing. On or before the day on which notice of the public hearing is 
62.5 	published, the city shall submit the program to the metropolitan council, if the city is 
62.6 	located in the metropolitan area as defined in section 473.121, subdivision 2, or to the 
62.7 	regional development commission for the area in which the city is located, if any, for 
62.8 	review and comment. The appropriate reviewing agency shall comment on:
62.9 	(a) whether the program furthers local and regional housing policies and is consistent 
62.10 	with the Metropolitan Development Guide, if the city is located in the metropolitan area, 
62.11 	or adopted policies of the regional development commission; and
62.12 	(b) the compatibility of the program with the housing portion of the comprehensive 
62.13 	plan of the city, if any.
62.14 	Review of the program may be conducted either by the board of the reviewing 
62.15 	agency or by the staff of the agency. Any comment submitted by the reviewing agency to 
62.16 	the city must be presented to the body considering the proposed program at the public 
62.17 	hearing held on the program.
62.18 	A member or employee of the reviewing agency shall be permitted to present the 
62.19 	comments of the reviewing agency at the public hearing. After conducting the public 
62.20 	hearing, the program may be adopted with or without amendment, provided that any 
62.21 	amendments must not be inconsistent with the comments, if any, of the reviewing agency 
62.22 	and must not contain any material changes from the program submitted to the reviewing 
62.23 	agency other than changes in the financial aspects of any proposed issue of bonds or 
62.24 	obligations. If any material change other than a change in the financial aspects of a proposed 
62.25 	issue of bonds or obligations, or any change which is inconsistent with the comments of the 
62.26 	reviewing agency is adopted, the amended program shall be resubmitted to the appropriate 
62.27 	reviewing agency for review and comment, and a public hearing shall be held on the 
62.28 	amended program after one publication of notice in a newspaper circulating generally in 
62.29 	the city at least 15 days before the hearing. The amended program shall be considered 
62.30 	after the public hearing in the same manner as consideration of the initial program.

62.31 	Sec. 83. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 462C.071, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
62.32 		Subd. 2.Limitation; origination period. During the first ten months of an 
62.33 	origination period, a city may make loans financed with proceeds of mortgage bonds for 
62.34 	the purchase of existing housing. Loans financed with the proceeds of mortgage bonds 
63.1 	for new housing in the metropolitan area may be made during the first ten months of an 
63.2 	origination period only if at least one of the following conditions is met:
63.3 	(1) the new housing is located in a redevelopment area;
63.4 	(2) the new housing is replacing a structurally substandard structure or structures;
63.5 	(3) the new housing is located on a parcel purchased by the city or conveyed to the 
63.6 	city under section 282.01, subdivision 1; or
63.7 	(4) the new housing is part of a housing affordability initiative, other than those 
63.8 	financed with the proceeds from the sale of bonds, in which federal, state, or local 
63.9 	assistance is used to substantially improve the terms of the financing or to substantially 
63.10 	write down the purchase price of the new housing; or.
63.11 	(5) the new housing is located in a city that has entered into a housing affordability 
63.12 	agreement with the metropolitan council.
63.13 	Upon expiration of the first ten-month period, a city may make loans financed with 
63.14 	the proceeds of mortgage bonds for the purchase of new and existing housing.

63.15 	Sec. 84. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 465.82, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
63.16 		Subdivision 1.Adoption and state agency review. Each governing body that 
63.17 	proposes to take part in a combination under sections 465.81 to 465.86 must by resolution 
63.18 	adopt a plan for cooperation and combination. The plan must address each item in this 
63.19 	section. The plan must be specific for any item that will occur within three years and 
63.20 	may be general or set forth alternative proposals for an item that will occur more than 
63.21 	three years in the future. For a metropolitan area local government unit, the plan must be 
63.22 	submitted to the Metropolitan Council for review and comment. The council may point 
63.23 	out any resources or technical assistance it may be able to provide a governing body 
63.24 	submitting a plan under this subdivision. Significant modifications and specific resolutions 
63.25 	of items must be submitted to the council, if appropriate, for review and comment. 
63.26 	In the official newspaper of each local government unit proposing to take part in the 
63.27 	combination, the governing body shall publish at least a summary of the adopted plans, 
63.28 	and  each significant modification and resolution of items, and, if appropriate, the results of 
63.29 	each council review and comment. If a territory of a unit is to be apportioned between or 
63.30 	among two or more units contiguous to the unit that is to be apportioned, the plan must 
63.31 	specify the area that will become a part of each remaining unit.

63.32 	Sec. 85. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 469.174, subdivision 26, is amended to read:
63.33 		Subd. 26.Population. "Population" means the population established as of 
63.34 	December 31 by the most recent of the following:
64.1 	(1) the federal census;
64.2 	(2) a special census conducted under contract with the United States Bureau of 
64.3 	the Census; and
64.4 	(3) a population estimate made by the Metropolitan Council; and
64.5 	(4)(3) a population estimate made by the state demographer under section 4A.02.
64.6 	The population so established applies to the following calendar year.

64.7 	Sec. 86. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 469.351, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
64.8 		Subd. 2.Designation of transit improvement areas. A transit improvement area 
64.9 	must increase the effectiveness of a transit project by incorporating one or more public 
64.10 	transit modes with commercial, residential, or mixed-use development and by providing 
64.11 	for safe and pedestrian-friendly use. The commissioner, in consultation with affected state 
64.12 	and regional agencies, must designate transit improvement areas that meet the objectives 
64.13 	under this subdivision. Affected state and regional agencies include, but are not limited 
64.14 	to, the Minnesota Department of Transportation,and the Minnesota Housing Finance 
64.15 	Agency, and the Metropolitan Council for transit improvement areas located in the 
64.16 	seven-county metropolitan region. To be eligible for designation, an applicant must submit 
64.17 	a transit area improvement plan according to the requirements and timelines established 
64.18 	by the commissioner. At a minimum, the plan must include the information specified 
64.19 	under subdivision 3. The commissioner may modify an applicant's plan to better achieve 
64.20 	the objectives of transit improvement areas. The commissioner must notify applicants 
64.21 	of the designations and must provide a statement of any changes to an applicant's plan 
64.22 	with justification for all changes.

64.23 	Sec. 87. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 471.425, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
64.24 		Subdivision 1.Definitions. For the purposes of this section, the following terms 
64.25 	have the meanings here given them.
64.26 	(a) "Contract" means any written legal document or documents signed by both 
64.27 	parties in which the terms and conditions of any interest or other penalty for late payments 
64.28 	are clearly stated.
64.29 	(b) "Date of receipt" means the completed delivery of the goods or services or the 
64.30 	satisfactory installation, assembly or specified portion thereof, or the receipt of the invoice 
64.31 	for the delivery of the goods or services, whichever is later.
64.32 	(c) "Governing board" means the elected or appointed board of the municipality and 
64.33 	includes, but is not limited to, city councils, town boards and county boards.
65.1 	(d) "Municipality" means any home rule charter or statutory city, county, town, 
65.2 	school district, political subdivision or agency of local government. "Municipality" means 
65.3 	the Metropolitan Council or any board oran agency created under chapter 473.

65.4 	Sec. 88. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 471.9997, is amended to read:
65.5 	471.9997 FEDERALLY ASSISTED RENTAL HOUSING; IMPACT 
65.6 	STATEMENT.
65.7 	At least 12 months before termination of participation in a federally assisted rental 
65.8 	housing program, including project-based Section 8 and Section 236 rental housing, the 
65.9 	owner of the federally assisted rental housing must submit a statement regarding the 
65.10 	impact of termination on the residents of the rental housing to the governing body of 
65.11 	the local government unit in which the housing is located. The impact statement must 
65.12 	identify the number of units that will no longer be subject to rent restrictions imposed 
65.13 	by the federal program, the estimated rents that will be charged as compared to rents 
65.14 	charged under the federal program, and actions the owner will take to assist displaced 
65.15 	tenants in obtaining other housing. A copy of the impact statement must be provided to 
65.16 	each resident of the affected building,and to the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency, 
65.17 	and, if the property is located in the metropolitan area as defined in section 473.121, 
65.18 	subdivision 2, the Metropolitan Council.

65.19 	Sec. 89. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 473.121, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
65.20 		Subd. 2.Metropolitan area or area. "Metropolitan area" or "area" means the area 
65.21 	over which the Metropolitan Council has jurisdiction, including only the counties of 
65.22 	Anoka; Carver; Dakota excluding the city of Northfield; Hennepin excluding the cities of 
65.23 	Hanover and Rockford; Ramsey; Scott excluding the city of New Prague; and Washington.

65.24 	Sec. 90. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 473.142, is amended to read:
65.25 	473.142 SMALL BUSINESSES.
65.26 	(a) The Metropolitan Council and agencies specified in section 473.143, subdivision 
65.27 	1, may award up to a six percent preference in the amount bid for specified goods 
65.28 	or services to small targeted group businesses and veteran-owned small businesses 
65.29 	designated under section 16C.16.
65.30 	(b) The council and Each agency specified in section 473.143, subdivision 1, may 
65.31 	designate a purchase of goods or services for award only to small targeted group businesses 
65.32 	designated under section 16C.16 if the council or agency determines that at least three 
65.33 	small targeted group businesses are likely to bid. The council and Each agency specified 
66.1 	in section 473.143, subdivision 1, may designate a purchase of goods or services for award 
66.2 	only to veteran-owned small businesses designated under section 16C.16 if the council or 
66.3 	agency determines that at least three veteran-owned small businesses are likely to bid.
66.4 	(c) The council and Each agency specified in section 473.143, subdivision 1, as a 
66.5 	condition of awarding a construction contract or approving a contract for consultant, 
66.6 	professional, or technical services, may set goals that require the prime contractor 
66.7 	to subcontract a portion of the contract to small targeted group businesses and 
66.8 	veteran-owned small businesses designated under section 16C.16. The council or agency 
66.9 	must establish a procedure for granting waivers from the subcontracting requirement 
66.10 	when qualified small targeted group businesses and veteran-owned small businesses are 
66.11 	not reasonably available. The council or agency may establish financial incentives for 
66.12 	prime contractors who exceed the goals for use of subcontractors and financial penalties 
66.13 	for prime contractors who fail to meet goals under this paragraph. The subcontracting 
66.14 	requirements of this paragraph do not apply to prime contractors who are small targeted 
66.15 	group businesses and veteran-owned small businesses. At least 75 percent of the value of 
66.16 	the subcontracts awarded to small targeted group businesses under this paragraph must 
66.17 	be performed by the business to which the subcontract is awarded or by another small 
66.18 	targeted group business. At least 75 percent of the value of the subcontracts awarded to 
66.19 	veteran-owned small businesses under this paragraph must be performed by the business 
66.20 	to which the subcontract is awarded or another veteran-owned small business.
66.21 	(d) The council and Each agency listed in section 473.143, subdivision 1, areis 
66.22 	encouraged to purchase from small targeted group businesses and veteran-owned small 
66.23 	businesses designated under section 16C.16 when making purchases that are not subject to 
66.24 	competitive bidding procedures.
66.25 	(e) The council and Each agency may adopt rules to implement this section.
66.26 	(f) Each council or agency contract must require the prime contractor to pay any 
66.27 	subcontractor within ten days of the prime contractor's receipt of payment from the 
66.28 	council or agency for undisputed services provided by the subcontractor. The contract 
66.29 	must require the prime contractor to pay interest of 1-1/2 percent per month or any 
66.30 	part of a month to the subcontractor on any undisputed amount not paid on time to the 
66.31 	subcontractor. The minimum monthly interest penalty payment for an unpaid balance of 
66.32 	$100 or more is $10. For an unpaid balance of less than $100, the prime contractor shall 
66.33 	pay the actual penalty due to the subcontractor. A subcontractor who prevails in a civil 
66.34 	action to collect interest penalties from a prime contractor must be awarded its costs and 
66.35 	disbursements, including attorney fees, incurred in bringing the action.
67.1 	(g) This section does not apply to procurement financed in whole or in part 
67.2 	with federal funds if the procurement is subject to federal disadvantaged, minority, or 
67.3 	women business enterprise regulations. The council and Each agency shall report to the 
67.4 	commissioner of administration on compliance with this section. The information must be 
67.5 	reported at the time and in the manner requested by the commissioner.

67.6 	Sec. 91. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 473.1425, is amended to read:
67.7 	473.1425 WORKING CAPITAL FUND.
67.8 	The Metropolitan Council or A metropolitan agency defined in section 473.121, 
67.9 	subdivision 5a, to the extent allowed by other law or contract, may grant available money 
67.10 	that has been appropriated for socially or economically disadvantaged business programs 
67.11 	to a guaranty fund administered by a nonprofit organization that makes or guarantees 
67.12 	working capital loans to businesses owned and operated by socially or economically 
67.13 	disadvantaged persons as defined in Code of Federal Regulations, title 49, section 
67.14 	23.5. The purpose of loans made or guaranteed by the organization must be to provide 
67.15 	short-term working capital to enable eligible businesses to be awarded contracts for goods 
67.16 	and services or for construction related services from government agencies.

67.17 	Sec. 92. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 473.143, is amended to read:
67.18 	473.143 AFFIRMATIVE ACTION PLANS.
67.19 		Subdivision 1.Application. For purposes of this section, "agency" means a 
67.20 	metropolitan agency as defined in section 473.121, except the Metropolitan Parks and 
67.21 	Open Space Commission. Agency also means the Metropolitan Mosquito Control 
67.22 	Commission. For purposes of this section, "commissioner" means the commissioner of 
67.23 	the state Department of Management and Budget.
67.24 		Subd. 2.Development and contents. The council and Each agency shall develop 
67.25 	an affirmative action plan and submit its plan to the commissioner for approval. The 
67.26 	commissioner may not approve a plan unless the commissioner determines that it will 
67.27 	be effective in assuring that employment positions are equally accessible to all qualified 
67.28 	persons, in eliminating the underutilization of qualified members of protected groups, in 
67.29 	providing a supportive work environment to all employees, regardless of race, religion, 
67.30 	sex, national origin, or disability, and in dealing with discrimination complaints. For 
67.31 	purposes of this section, "protected group" has the meaning given it in section 43A.02, 
67.32 	subdivision 33. A plan must contain at least the elements required in this subdivision.
67.33 	(a) It must identify protected groups that are underrepresented in the council's or 
67.34 	agency's work force.
68.1 	(b) It must designate a person responsible for directing and implementing the 
68.2 	affirmative action program and assign the specific responsibilities and duties of that 
68.3 	person. The person responsible for implementing the program shall report directly to the 
68.4 	council's or agency's chief operating officer regarding the person's affirmative action 
68.5 	duties. The person responsible for the affirmative action program shall review examination 
68.6 	and other selection criteria to assure compliance with law. This person shall be involved in 
68.7 	the filling of all vacancies in the council or agency work force, to the extent necessary to 
68.8 	facilitate attainment of affirmative action goals.
68.9 	(c) It must describe the methods by which the plan will be communicated to 
68.10 	employees and to other persons.
68.11 	(d) It must describe methods for recruiting members of protected groups. These 
68.12 	methods may include internship programs, cooperation with union apprenticeship 
68.13 	programs, and other steps necessary to expand the number of protected group members 
68.14 	in applicant pools.
68.15 	(e) It must describe internal procedures in accordance with this paragraph for 
68.16 	processing complaints of alleged discrimination from job applicants and employees. 
68.17 	The procedures must provide for an initial determination of whether the complaint is 
68.18 	properly a discrimination complaint subject to the procedure under the affirmative action 
68.19 	plan. Complaints filed under the discrimination procedures that allege reprisals against 
68.20 	an employee for opposing a forbidden practice or for filing a charge, testifying, or 
68.21 	participating in an investigation, proceeding, or hearing relating to a forbidden practice 
68.22 	are appealable to the chief operating officer of the council or agency. Procedures under 
68.23 	this paragraph must be distinct from any procedures available under a union contract or 
68.24 	personnel policy for nondiscrimination complaints. Use of procedures developed under 
68.25 	this paragraph is not a prerequisite to filing charges with a governmental enforcement 
68.26 	agency, nor does it limit a person's right to file these charges.
68.27 	(f) It must set goals and timetables to eliminate underutilization of members of each 
68.28 	protected group in the council or agency work force.
68.29 	(g) It must provide a plan for retaining and promoting protected group members in 
68.30 	the council or agency work force. This plan should encourage training opportunities for 
68.31 	protected group members, to the extent necessary to eliminate underutilization in specific 
68.32 	parts of the work force.
68.33 	(h) It must describe methods of auditing, evaluating, and reporting program success, 
68.34 	including a procedure that requires a preemployment review of all hiring decisions for 
68.35 	occupational groups with unmet affirmative action goals.
69.1 	(i) It must provide for training of management and supervisory personnel in 
69.2 	implementation of the plan and in dealing with alleged acts of discrimination in the 
69.3 	workplace.
69.4 	(j) It must provide for periodic surveying of the council or agency work force to 
69.5 	determine employee attitudes toward implementation of the plan.
69.6 	(k) It must provide for creation of an employee committee to advise on 
69.7 	implementation of the plan and on any changes needed in the plan.
69.8 		Subd. 3.Harassment. The council and Each agency shall adopt written policies 
69.9 	forbidding harassment based on sex, disability, or race in their workplaces and establishing 
69.10 	implementation plans and grievance procedures to deal with complaints of harassment 
69.11 	based on sex, disability, or race.
69.12 		Subd. 4.Performance evaluation. The evaluation of the performance of each 
69.13 	supervisory and managerial employee of the council and the agencies must include 
69.14 	evaluation of the person's performance in implementing the council's or agency's 
69.15 	affirmative action plan and in preventing forbidden discrimination in the workplace.
69.16 		Subd. 5.Report. By March 1 each year, the commissioner shall report to the 
69.17 	legislature on affirmative action progress of the council and of each agency. The report 
69.18 	must include:
69.19 	(1) an audit of the record of the council and each agency to determine compliance 
69.20 	with affirmative action goals and to evaluate overall progress in attainment of overall 
69.21 	affirmative action objectives;
69.22 	(2) if the council or any agency has failed to make satisfactory progress toward its 
69.23 	affirmative action goals, a list of unmet goals and an analysis of why the failure occurred;
69.24 	(3) a summary of all personnel actions taken by the council and each agency during 
69.25 	the past calendar year, categorized by occupational group, protected group status, and 
69.26 	full-time, part-time, temporary, and seasonal status; and
69.27 	(4) a summary of discrimination complaints and lawsuits against the council and 
69.28 	each agency filed or resolved during the past calendar year, including the basis for the 
69.29 	complaints and lawsuits.
69.30 	For purposes of this subdivision, "personnel action" means a new hire, promotion, 
69.31 	transfer, demotion, layoff, recall from layoff, suspension with or without pay, letter of 
69.32 	reprimand, involuntary termination, other disciplinary action, and voluntary termination.
69.33 	The council and Each agency shall report to the commissioner all information that 
69.34 	the commissioner requests to make the report required by this subdivision. In providing 
69.35 	this information, the council and agencies are not required to reveal information that is 
69.36 	not public data under chapter 13.
70.1 	The council and Each agency shall submit these reports at the time and in the manner 
70.2 	requested by the commissioner. The commissioner shall report to the legislature on the 
70.3 	failure of the council or an agency to file the required report in a timely manner.
70.4 		Subd. 6.Coordination. The commissioner or a designee shall meet with affirmative 
70.5 	action officers of the council and all of the agencies to share successful techniques 
70.6 	and foster innovative means to implement affirmative action plans and eliminate 
70.7 	discrimination in the workplace.
70.8 		Subd. 7.Coordination with legislature. The council and Each agency shall 
70.9 	facilitate legislative oversight of equal opportunity practices by providing the legislature 
70.10 	access, including access to computerized records if compatible systems exist, to public 
70.11 	data maintained by the agency. The council and agencies must not provide access to 
70.12 	information that is not public data as defined in section 13.02, subdivision 8a.

70.13 	Sec. 93. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 473.144, is amended to read:
70.14 	473.144 CERTIFICATES OF COMPLIANCE FOR CONTRACTS.
70.15 	(a) For all contracts for goods and services in excess of $100,000, neither the council 
70.16 	nor anno agency listed in section 473.143, subdivision 1, shall accept any bid or proposal 
70.17 	for a contract or agreement from any business having more than 40 full-time employees 
70.18 	within this state on a single working day during the previous 12 months, unless the firm or 
70.19 	business has an affirmative action plan for the employment of minority persons, women, 
70.20 	and qualified disabled individuals submitted to the commissioner of human rights for 
70.21 	approval. Neither the council nor anNo agency listed in section 473.143, subdivision 1, 
70.22 	shall execute the contract or agreement until the affirmative action plan has been approved 
70.23 	by the commissioner of human rights. Receipt of a certificate of compliance from the 
70.24 	commissioner of human rights signifies that a business has an approved affirmative 
70.25 	action plan. A certificate is valid for two years. Section 363A.36 governs revocation 
70.26 	of certificates. The rules adopted by the commissioner of human rights under section 
70.27 	363A.37 apply to this section.
70.28 	(b) This paragraph applies to a contract for goods or services in excess of $100,000 
70.29 	to be entered into between the council or an agency listed in section 473.143, subdivision 
70.30 	1, and a business that is not subject to paragraph (a), but that has more than 40 full-time 
70.31 	employees on a single working day during the previous 12 months in the state where the 
70.32 	business has its primary place of business. The council or the agency may not execute a 
70.33 	contract or agreement with a business covered by this paragraph unless the business has a 
70.34 	certificate of compliance issued by the commissioner under paragraph (a) or the business 
71.1 	certifies to the contracting agency that it is in compliance with federal affirmative action 
71.2 	requirements.

71.3 	Sec. 94. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 473.145, is amended to read:
71.4 	473.145 DEVELOPMENT GUIDE.
71.5 	The Metropolitan Councilcommissioner of administration shall prepare and adopt, 
71.6 	after appropriate study and such public hearings as may be necessary, a comprehensive 
71.7 	development guide for the metropolitan area. It shall consist of a compilation of policy 
71.8 	statements, goals, standards, programs, and maps prescribing guides for the orderly and 
71.9 	economical development, public and private, of the metropolitan area. The comprehensive 
71.10 	development guide shall recognize and encompass physical, social, or economic needs of 
71.11 	the metropolitan area and those future developments which will have an impact on the 
71.12 	entire area including but not limited to such matters as land use, parks and open space 
71.13 	land needs, the necessity for and location of airports, highways, transit facilities, public 
71.14 	hospitals, libraries, schools, and other public buildings.

71.15 	Sec. 95. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 473.146, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
71.16 		Subdivision 1.Requirement. The councilcommissioner of administration 
71.17 	shall adopt a long-range comprehensive policy plan for transportation and wastewater 
71.18 	treatment. The plans must substantially conform to all policy statements, purposes, goals, 
71.19 	standards, and maps in the development guide developed and adopted by the council 
71.20 	required under this chapter. Each policy plan must include, to the extent appropriate to the 
71.21 	functions, services, and systems covered, the following:
71.22 	(1) forecasts of changes in the general levels and distribution of population, 
71.23 	households, employment, land uses, and other relevant matters, for the metropolitan area 
71.24 	and appropriate subareas;
71.25 	(2) a statement of issues, problems, needs, and opportunities with respect to the 
71.26 	functions, services, and systems covered;
71.27 	(3) a statement of the council's goals, objectives, and priorities with respect to the 
71.28 	functions, services, and systems covered, addressing areas and populations to be served, 
71.29 	the levels, distribution, and staging of services; a general description of the facility systems 
71.30 	required to support the services; the estimated cost of improvements required to achieve the 
71.31 	council's goals for the regional systems, including an analysis of what portion of the funding 
71.32 	for each improvement is proposed to come from the state, Metropolitan Council levies, and 
71.33 	cities, counties, and towns in the metropolitan area, respectively, and other similar matters;
71.34 	(4) a statement of policies to effectuate the council's goals, objectives, and priorities;
72.1 	(5) a statement of the fiscal implications of the council's plan, including a statement 
72.2 	of: (i) the resources available under existing fiscal policy; (ii) the adequacy of resources 
72.3 	under existing fiscal policy and any shortfalls and unattended needs; (iii) additional 
72.4 	resources, if any, that are or may be required to effectuate the council'scommissioner of 
72.5 	administration's goals, objectives, and priorities; and (iv) any changes in existing fiscal 
72.6 	policy, on regional revenues and intergovernmental aids respectively, that are expected or 
72.7 	that the council has recommended or may recommend in the plan;
72.8 	(6) a statement of the relationship of the policy plan to other policy plans and 
72.9 	chapters of the Metropolitan development guide; and
72.10 	(7) a statement of the relationships to local comprehensive plans prepared under 
72.11 	sections 473.851 to 473.871; and
72.12 	(8) additional general information as may be necessary to develop the policy plan or 
72.13 	as may be required by the laws relating to the metropolitan agency and function covered 
72.14 	by the policy plan.

72.15 	Sec. 96. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 473.146, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
72.16 		Subd. 3.Development guide: Transportation. The transportation chapter must 
72.17 	include policies relating to all transportation forms and be designed to promote the 
72.18 	legislative determinations, policies, and goals set forth in section 473.371. In addition to 
72.19 	the requirements of subdivision 1 regarding the contents of the policy plan, the nontransit 
72.20 	element of the transportation chapter must include the following:
72.21 	(1) a statement of the needs and problems of the metropolitan area with respect to 
72.22 	the functions covered, including the present and prospective demand for and constraints 
72.23 	on access to regional business concentrations and other major activity centers and the 
72.24 	constraints on and acceptable levels of development and vehicular trip generation at 
72.25 	such centers;
72.26 	(2) the objectives of and the policies to be forwarded by the policy plan;
72.27 	(3) a general description of the physical facilities and services to be developed;
72.28 	(4) a statement as to the general location of physical facilities and service areas;
72.29 	(5) a general statement of timing and priorities in the development of those physical 
72.30 	facilities and service areas;
72.31 	(6) a detailed statement, updated every two years, of timing and priorities for 
72.32 	improvements and expenditures needed on the metropolitan highway system;
72.33 	(7) a general statement on the level of public expenditure appropriate to the 
72.34 	facilities; and
73.1 	(8) a long-range assessment of air transportation trends and factors that may affect 
73.2 	airport development in the metropolitan area and policies and strategies that will ensure 
73.3 	a comprehensive, coordinated, and timely investigation and evaluation of alternatives 
73.4 	for airport development.
73.5 	The councilcommissioner of administration shall develop the nontransit element 
73.6 	in consultation with the transportation advisory board and the Metropolitan Airports 
73.7 	Commission and cities having an airport located within or adjacent to its corporate 
73.8 	boundaries. The council shall also take, taking  into consideration the airport development 
73.9 	and operations plans and activities of the commission. The councilcommissioner of 
73.10 	administration shall transmit the results to the state Department of Transportation.

73.11 	Sec. 97. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 473.146, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
73.12 		Subd. 4.Transportation planning. (a) The Metropolitan Council is the designated 
73.13 	commissioner and affected local governments shall cooperate to designate a planning 
73.14 	agency for any long-range comprehensive transportation planning required by section 
73.15 	134 of the Federal Highway Act of 1962, Section 4 of Urban Mass Transportation 
73.16 	Act of 1964 and Section 112 of Federal Aid Highway Act of 1973 and other federal 
73.17 	transportation laws. The councildesignated planning agency shall assure administration 
73.18 	and coordination of transportation planning with appropriate state, regional and other 
73.19 	agencies, counties, and municipalities.
73.20 	(b) The councildesignated planning agency shall establish an advisory body 
73.21 	consisting of citizens and representatives of municipalities, counties, and state agencies in 
73.22 	fulfillment of the planning responsibilities of the council designated planning agency. The 
73.23 	membership of the advisory body must consist of:
73.24 	(1) the commissioner of transportation or the commissioner's designee;
73.25 	(2) the commissioner of the Pollution Control Agency or the commissioner's 
73.26 	designee;
73.27 	(3) one member of the Metropolitan Airports Commission appointed by the 
73.28 	commission;
73.29 	(4) one person appointed by the councilcommissioner to represent nonmotorized 
73.30 	transportation;
73.31 	(5) one person appointed by the commissioner of transportation to represent the 
73.32 	freight transportation industry;
73.33 	(6) two persons appointed by the councilcommissioner to represent public transit;
74.1 	(7) ten elected officials of cities within the metropolitan area, including one 
74.2 	representative from each first-class city, appointed by the Association of Metropolitan 
74.3 	Municipalities;
74.4 	(8) one member of the county board of each county in the seven-county metropolitan 
74.5 	area, appointed by the respective county boards; and
74.6 	(9) eight citizens appointed by the council commissioner, one from each council 
74.7 	precinct; and Metropolitan Airports Commission district.
74.8 	(10) one member of the council, appointed by the council.
74.9 	The councildesignated planning agency shall appoint a chair from among the 
74.10 	members of the advisory body.

74.11 	Sec. 98. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 473.146, is amended by adding a subdivision 
74.12 	to read:
74.13 		Subd. 5.Consultation with agency; predrafting notice. (a) In preparing or 
74.14 	amending the policy plan, the commissioner of administration shall consult with and make 
74.15 	use of the expertise of the affected metropolitan agency. The agency shall cooperate with 
74.16 	the commissioner and make its records, studies, plans, and other information available to 
74.17 	the commissioner.
74.18 	(b) Before beginning to prepare a substantial revision of a policy plan, the office shall 
74.19 	publish notice and request comments from the public. At least 90 days before publication 
74.20 	of the predrafting notice, the office shall submit a draft of the notice to the affected 
74.21 	metropolitan agency for review and comment. The predrafting notice must include a 
74.22 	statement of the subjects expected to be covered by the policy and implementation plans; a 
74.23 	summary of important problems, issues, and matters that are expected to be addressed in 
74.24 	the plans; and a summary of the studies and other information required as the basis of the 
74.25 	plans. All interested persons must be afforded an opportunity to submit data or views on 
74.26 	the predrafting notice, either orally or in writing.
74.27 	(c) Before adopting a policy plan or substantial revision, the commissioner shall 
74.28 	submit the proposed plan to the affected metropolitan agency for its review, and the 
74.29 	agency shall report its comments to the commissioner within 90 days.

74.30 	Sec. 99. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 473.146, is amended by adding a subdivision 
74.31 	to read:
74.32 		Subd. 6.Hearing; adoption. The office shall hold a public hearing on the proposed 
74.33 	policy plan at a time and place in the metropolitan area determined by the commissioner. 
74.34 	Not less than 15 days before the hearing, the commissioner shall publish notice in a 
75.1 	newspaper or newspapers having general circulation in the metropolitan area, stating 
75.2 	the date, time, and place of hearing, and the place where the proposed policy plan and 
75.3 	agency comments may be examined by any interested person. At any hearing, interested 
75.4 	persons must be permitted to present their views on the policy plan, and the hearing may 
75.5 	be continued from time to time. After receipt of the agency's report and the hearing, 
75.6 	the commissioner may revise the proposed plan giving appropriate consideration to all 
75.7 	comments received and thereafter shall adopt the plan by resolution.

75.8 	Sec. 100. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 473.146, is amended by adding a 
75.9 	subdivision to read:
75.10 		Subd. 7.Effect. Adopted policy plans must be followed by the office and the 
75.11 	affected metropolitan agency.

75.12 	Sec. 101. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 473.146, is amended by adding a 
75.13 	subdivision to read:
75.14 		Subd. 8.Amendment. An amendment to a policy plan may be initiated by 
75.15 	the commissioner or by an affected metropolitan agency. At least every five years, the 
75.16 	commissioner shall engage in a comprehensive review of the policy plan and revise the 
75.17 	plan as necessary. The commissioner shall amend a policy plan in accordance with the 
75.18 	procedures established in this section.

75.19 	Sec. 102. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 473.8011, is amended to read:
75.20 	473.8011 METROPOLITAN AGENCY RECYCLING GOAL.
75.21 	By December 31, 1993, the Metropolitan Council, each metropolitan agency as 
75.22 	defined in section 473.121, and the Metropolitan Mosquito Control District established in 
75.23 	section 473.702 shall recycle at least 40 percent by weight of the solid waste generated 
75.24 	by their offices or other operations. The commissioner shall provide information and 
75.25 	technical assistance to the council, agencies, and the district to implement effective 
75.26 	recycling programs.
75.27 	By August 1 of each year, the council, each agency, and the district shall submit to 
75.28 	the Pollution Control Agency a report for the previous fiscal year describing recycling 
75.29 	rates, specified by the county in which the council, agency, or operation is located, 
75.30 	and progress toward meeting the recycling goal. The Pollution Control Agency shall 
75.31 	incorporate the recycling rates reported in the respective county's recycling rates for 
75.32 	the previous fiscal year.
76.1 	If the goal is not met, the council, agency, or district must include in its 1994 report 
76.2 	reasons for not meeting the goal and a plan for meeting it in the future.

76.3 	Sec. 103. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 473.910, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
76.4 		Subd. 3.Membership. The board shall be composed of 1312 members. Three 
76.5 	members must be appointed by the Minneapolis City Council from among its members; 
76.6 	three by the Hennepin County Board, from among its members; one by the Minneapolis 
76.7 	Park Board, from among its members; one by the Metropolitan Council, from among 
76.8 	its members; two members of the public appointed by the Minneapolis City Council; 
76.9 	two members of the public appointed by the Hennepin County Board; and one member 
76.10 	appointed by the member of Congress from the fifth district or the member's designee. 
76.11 	The public members must reside or do business in the affected area.

76.12 	Sec. 104. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 477A.011, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
76.13 		Subd. 3.Population. "Population" means the population estimated or established as 
76.14 	of July 15 in an aid calculation year by the most recent federal census, by a special census 
76.15 	conducted under contract with the United States Bureau of the Census, by a population 
76.16 	estimate made by the Metropolitan Council pursuant to section 473.24, or by a population 
76.17 	estimate of the state demographer made pursuant to section 4A.02, whichever is the most 
76.18 	recent as to the stated date of the count or estimate for the preceding calendar year, and 
76.19 	which has been certified to the commissioner of revenue on or before July 15 of the aid 
76.20 	calculation year. The term "per capita" refers to population as defined by this subdivision. 
76.21 	A revision of an estimate or count is effective for these purposes only if it is certified to 
76.22 	the commissioner on or before July 15 of the aid calculation year. Clerical errors in the 
76.23 	certification or use of the estimates and counts established as of July 15 in the aid calculation 
76.24 	year are subject to correction within the time periods allowed under section 477A.014.

76.25 	Sec. 105. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 477A.011, subdivision 38, is amended to 
76.26 	read:
76.27 		Subd. 38.Household size. "Household size" means the average number of persons 
76.28 	per household in the jurisdiction as most recently estimated and reported by the state 
76.29 	demographer and Metropolitan Council as of July 15 of the aid calculation year. A 
76.30 	revision to an estimate or enumeration is effective for these purposes only if it is certified 
76.31 	to the commissioner on or before July 15 of the aid calculation year. Clerical errors in the 
76.32 	certification or use of estimates and counts established as of July 15 in the aid calculation 
76.33 	year are subject to correction within the time periods allowed under section 477A.014.

77.1 	Sec. 106. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 477A.0124, subdivision 2, is amended to 
77.2 	read:
77.3 		Subd. 2.Definitions. (a) For the purposes of this section, the following terms 
77.4 	have the meanings given them.
77.5 	(b) "County program aid" means the sum of "county need aid," "county tax base 
77.6 	equalization aid," and "county transition aid."
77.7 	(c) "Age-adjusted population" means a county's population multiplied by the county 
77.8 	age index.
77.9 	(d) "County age index" means the percentage of the population over age 65 within 
77.10 	the county divided by the percentage of the population over age 65 within the state, except 
77.11 	that the age index for any county may not be greater than 1.8 nor less than 0.8.
77.12 	(e) "Population over age 65" means the population over age 65 established as of 
77.13 	July 15 in an aid calculation year by the most recent federal census, by a special census 
77.14 	conducted under contract with the United States Bureau of the Census, by a population 
77.15 	estimate made by the Metropolitan Council, or by a population estimate of the state 
77.16 	demographer made pursuant to section 4A.02, whichever is the most recent as to the stated 
77.17 	date of the count or estimate for the preceding calendar year and which has been certified 
77.18 	to the commissioner of revenue on or before July 15 of the aid calculation year. A revision 
77.19 	to an estimate or count is effective for these purposes only if certified to the commissioner 
77.20 	on or before July 15 of the aid calculation year. Clerical errors in the certification or use of 
77.21 	estimates and counts established as of July 15 in the aid calculation year are subject to 
77.22 	correction within the time periods allowed under section 477A.014.
77.23 	(f) "Part I crimes" means the three-year average annual number of Part I crimes 
77.24 	reported for each county by the Department of Public Safety for the most recent years 
77.25 	available. By July 1 of each year, the commissioner of public safety shall certify to the 
77.26 	commissioner of revenue the number of Part I crimes reported for each county for the 
77.27 	three most recent calendar years available.
77.28 	(g) "Households receiving food stamps" means the average monthly number of 
77.29 	households receiving food stamps for the three most recent years for which data is 
77.30 	available. By July 1 of each year, the commissioner of human services must certify to the 
77.31 	commissioner of revenue the average monthly number of households in the state and in 
77.32 	each county that receive food stamps, for the three most recent calendar years available.
77.33 	(h) "County net tax capacity" means the county's adjusted net tax capacity under 
77.34 	section 273.1325.

77.35 	Sec. 107. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 572A.02, subdivision 5, is amended to read:
78.1 		Subd. 5.Decision factors.  In disputes brought under this section, the arbitration 
78.2 	panel shall consider the following factors in making a decision:
78.3 	(1) present population and number of households, past population, and projected 
78.4 	population growth of the subject area and adjacent units of local government;
78.5 	(2) quantity of land within the subject area and adjacent units of local government; 
78.6 	and natural terrain including recognizable physical features, general topography, major 
78.7 	watersheds, soil conditions, and such natural features as rivers, lakes, and major bluffs;
78.8 	(3) degree of contiguity of the boundaries between the municipality and the subject 
78.9 	area;
78.10 	(4) present pattern of physical development, planning, and intended land uses in the 
78.11 	subject area and the municipality including residential, industrial, commercial, agricultural, 
78.12 	and institutional land uses and the impact of the proposed action on those land uses;
78.13 	(5) the present transportation network and potential transportation issues, including 
78.14 	proposed highway development;
78.15 	(6) land use controls and planning presently being utilized in the municipality and 
78.16 	the subject area, including comprehensive plans for development in the area and plans 
78.17 	and policies of the Metropolitan Council, and whether there are inconsistencies between 
78.18 	proposed development and existing land use controls and the reasons therefore;
78.19 	(7) existing levels of governmental services being provided in the municipality 
78.20 	and the subject area, including water and sewer service, fire rating and protection, 
78.21 	law enforcement, street improvements and maintenance, administrative services, and 
78.22 	recreational facilities and the impact of the proposed action on the delivery of said services;
78.23 	(8) existing or potential environmental problems and whether the proposed action is 
78.24 	likely to improve or resolve these problems;
78.25 	(9) plans and programs by the municipality for providing needed governmental 
78.26 	services to the subject area;
78.27 	(10) an analysis of the fiscal impact on the municipality, the subject area, and 
78.28 	adjacent units of local government, including net tax capacity and the present bonded 
78.29 	indebtedness, and the local tax rates of the county, school district, and township;
78.30 	(11) relationship and effect of the proposed action on affected and adjacent school 
78.31 	districts and communities;
78.32 	(12) adequacy of town government to deliver services to the subject area;
78.33 	(13) analysis of whether necessary governmental services can best be provided 
78.34 	through the proposed action or another type of boundary adjustment; and
79.1 	(14) if only a part of a township is annexed, the ability of the remainder of the 
79.2 	township to continue or the feasibility of it being incorporated separately or being annexed 
79.3 	to another municipality.
79.4 	Any party to the proceeding may present evidence and testimony on any of the above 
79.5 	factors at the hearing on the matter.

79.6 	Sec. 108. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 604B.04, subdivision 7, is amended to read:
79.7 		Subd. 7.Governmental unit immunity. No cause of action may be maintained 
79.8 	against a governmental unit as defined in section 462.384, subdivision 2, including 
79.9 	governmental units acting jointly under section 471.59, for damages or harm resulting 
79.10 	from the collection, publication, or dissemination of year 2000 solution information to 
79.11 	other governmental units or to the Metropolitan Council ormetropolitan agencies.

79.12 	Sec. 109. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 609.2231, subdivision 11, is amended to 
79.13 	read:
79.14 		Subd. 11.Transit operators. (a) A person is guilty of a gross misdemeanor if 
79.15 	(1) the person assaults a transit operator, or intentionally throws or otherwise transfers 
79.16 	bodily fluids onto a transit operator; and (2) the transit operator is acting in the course 
79.17 	of the operator's duties and is operating a transit vehicle, aboard a transit vehicle, or 
79.18 	otherwise responsible for a transit vehicle. A person convicted under this paragraph 
79.19 	may be sentenced to imprisonment for not more than one year or to payment of a fine of 
79.20 	not more than $3,000, or both.
79.21 	(b) For the purposes of this subdivision, "transit operator" means a driver or operator 
79.22 	of a transit vehicle that is used to provide any of the following services:
79.23 	(1) public transit, as defined in section 174.22, subdivision 7;
79.24 	(2) light rail transit service;
79.25 	(3) special transportation service under section 473.386, whether provided by the 
79.26 	Metropolitan CouncilDepartment of Transportation or by other providers under contract 
79.27 	with the council department; or
79.28 	(4) commuter rail service.

79.29 	Sec. 110. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 609.594, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
79.30 		Subdivision 1.Definitions. As used in this section:
79.31 	(1) "critical public service facility" includes railroad yards and stations, bus stations, 
79.32 	airports, and other mass transit facilities; oil refineries; storage areas or facilities for 
79.33 	hazardous materials, hazardous substances, or hazardous wastes; and bridges;
80.1 	(2) "pipeline" has the meaning given in section 609.6055, subdivision 1; and
80.2 	(3) "utility" includes: (i) any organization defined as a utility in section 216C.06, 
80.3 	subdivision 18; (ii) any telecommunications carrier or telephone company regulated under 
80.4 	chapter 237; and (iii) any local utility or enterprise formed for the purpose of providing 
80.5 	electrical or gas heating and power, telephone, water, sewage, wastewater, or other related 
80.6 	utility service, which is owned, controlled, or regulated by a town, a statutory or home 
80.7 	rule charter city, a county, a port development authority, the Metropolitan Council, a 
80.8 	district heating authority, a regional commission or other regional government unit, or a 
80.9 	combination of these governmental units.

80.10 	Sec. 111. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 609.6055, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
80.11 		Subdivision 1.Definitions. (a) As used in this section, the following terms have 
80.12 	the meanings given.
80.13 	(b) "Critical public service facility" includes buildings and other physical structures, 
80.14 	and fenced in or otherwise enclosed property, of railroad yards and stations, bus stations, 
80.15 	airports, and other mass transit facilities; oil refineries; and storage areas or facilities for 
80.16 	hazardous materials, hazardous substances, or hazardous wastes. The term also includes 
80.17 	nonpublic portions of bridges. The term does not include railroad tracks extending beyond 
80.18 	a critical public service facility.
80.19 	(c) "Pipeline" includes an aboveground pipeline, a belowground pipeline housed in 
80.20 	an underground structure, and any equipment, facility, or building located in this state that 
80.21 	is used to transport natural or synthetic gas, crude petroleum or petroleum fuels or oil or 
80.22 	their derivatives, or hazardous liquids, to or within a distribution, refining, manufacturing, 
80.23 	or storage facility that is located inside or outside of this state. Pipeline does not include 
80.24 	service lines.
80.25 	(d) "Utility" includes:
80.26 	(1) any organization defined as a utility in section 216C.06, subdivision 18;
80.27 	(2) any telecommunications carrier or telephone company regulated under chapter 
80.28 	237; and
80.29 	(3) any local utility or enterprise formed for the purpose of providing electrical or gas 
80.30 	heating and power, telephone, water, sewage, wastewater, or other related utility service, 
80.31 	which is owned, controlled, or regulated by a town, a statutory or home rule charter city, 
80.32 	a county, a port development authority, the Metropolitan Council, a district heating 
80.33 	authority, a regional commission or other regional government unit, or a combination of 
80.34 	these governmental units.
81.1 	The term does not include property located above buried power or 
81.2 	telecommunications lines or property located below suspended power or 
81.3 	telecommunications lines, unless the property is fenced in or otherwise enclosed.
81.4 	(e) "Utility line" includes power, telecommunications, and transmissions lines as 
81.5 	well as related equipment owned or controlled by a utility.

81.6 	Sec. 112. BONDS.
 81.7 	Bonds and other debt authorized by any sections of statute affected by this article 
81.8 	that are outstanding on the effective date of this article must be paid and retired according 
81.9 	to those sections and the terms of the bonds or other debt instruments. The auditors of the 
81.10 	metropolitan counties shall see to the administration of this section.

81.11 	Sec. 113.  REPEALER.
 81.12 	(a) Minnesota Statutes 2014, sections 3.8841; 103B.235, subdivision 3a; 238.43, 
81.13 	subdivision 5; 297A.992, subdivision 12; 462.382; 462C.071, subdivision 4; 473.121, 
81.14 	subdivisions 3 and 8; 473.123, subdivisions 1, 2a, 3, 3a, 3e, 4, and 8; 473.125; 473.127; 
81.15 	473.129; 473.1293; 473.132; 473.165; 473.24; 473.242; 473.245; 473.246; 473.249, 
81.16 	subdivisions 1 and 2; 473.25; 473.251; 473.253; 473.254; 473.255; 473.3875; and 
81.17 	473.915, are repealed.
81.18 	(b) Minnesota Rules, parts 5800.0010; 5800.0020; 5800.0030; 5800.0040; 
81.19 	5800.0050; 5800.0060; 5800.0070; 5800.0080; 5800.0090; 5800.0100; 5800.0110; 
81.20 	5800.0120; 5800.0130; 5800.0140; and 5800.0150, are repealed.

81.21 	Sec. 114. EFFECTIVE DATE.
 81.22 	This article is effective July 1, 2015.

81.23 	ARTICLE 2
81.24 	PUBLIC SAFETY RADIO COMMUNICATION

81.25 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 403.30, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
81.26 		Subdivision 1.Standing appropriation; costs covered. The amount necessary to 
81.27 	pay debt service costs and reserves for bonds issued by the Metropolitan Council under 
81.28 	section 403.27 before July 1, 2016, or by the commissioner of management and budget 
81.29 	under section 403.275 is appropriated from the 911 emergency telecommunications service 
81.30 	account established under section 403.11 to the commissioner of management and budget. 
81.31 	The commissioner of management and budget shall transmit the necessary amounts to the 
82.1 	Metropolitan Council as requested by the council auditors of the metropolitan counties as 
82.2 	requested by the auditors.
82.3 	This appropriation shall be used to pay annual debt service costs and reserves for 
82.4 	bonds issued pursuant to section 403.27 or 403.275 prior to use of fee money to pay other 
82.5 	costs or to support other appropriations.

82.6 	Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 403.31, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
82.7 		Subd. 4.Powers of government units. To accomplish any duty imposed on it 
82.8 	by the council or radio board, the governing body of every local government in the 
82.9 	metropolitan area may exercise the powers granted any municipality by chapters 117, 412, 
82.10 	429, and 475 and by sections 115.46, 444.075, and 471.59.

82.11 	Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 403.31, subdivision 5, is amended to read:
82.12 		Subd. 5.Deficiency tax levies. If the governing body of any local government using 
82.13 	the first or second phase system fails to meet any payment to the board under subdivision 
82.14 	1 when due, the Metropolitan Councillocal government governing body may certify to 
82.15 	the auditor of the county in which the government unit is located the amount required 
82.16 	for payment of the amount due with interest at six percent per year. The auditor shall 
82.17 	levy and extend the amount due, with interest, as a tax upon all taxable property in the 
82.18 	government unit for the next calendar year, free from any existing limitations imposed by 
82.19 	law or charter. This tax shall be collected in the same manner as the general taxes of the 
82.20 	government unit, and the proceeds of the tax, when collected, shall be paid by the county 
82.21 	treasurer to the board and credited to the government unit for which the tax was levied.

82.22 	Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 403.36, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
82.23 		Subdivision 1.Membership. (a) The commissioner of public safety shall convene 
82.24 	and chair the Statewide Radio Board to develop a project plan for a statewide, shared, 
82.25 	trunked public safety radio communication system. The system may be referred to as 
82.26 	"Allied Radio Matrix for Emergency Response," or "ARMER."
82.27 	(b) The board consists of the following members or their designees:
82.28 	(1) the commissioner of public safety;
82.29 	(2) the commissioner of transportation;
82.30 	(3) the state chief information officer;
82.31 	(4) the commissioner of natural resources;
82.32 	(5) the chief of the Minnesota State Patrol;
82.33 	(6) the chair of the Metropolitan Council;
83.1 	(7)(6) two elected city officials, one from the nine-county metropolitan area and one 
83.2 	from Greater Minnesota, appointed by the governing body of the League of Minnesota 
83.3 	Cities;
83.4 	(8)(7) two elected county officials, one from the nine-county metropolitan area 
83.5 	and one from Greater Minnesota, appointed by the governing body of the Association 
83.6 	of Minnesota Counties;
83.7 	(9)(8) two sheriffs, one from the nine-county metropolitan area and one from Greater 
83.8 	Minnesota, appointed by the governing body of the Minnesota Sheriffs' Association;
83.9 	(10)(9) two chiefs of police, one from the nine-county metropolitan area and one 
83.10 	from Greater Minnesota, appointed by the governor after considering recommendations 
83.11 	made by the Minnesota Chiefs' of Police Association;
83.12 	(11)(10) two fire chiefs, one from the nine-county metropolitan area and one from 
83.13 	Greater Minnesota, appointed by the governor after considering recommendations made 
83.14 	by the Minnesota Fire Chiefs' Association;
83.15 	(12)(11) two representatives of emergency medical service providers, one from the 
83.16 	nine-county metropolitan area and one from Greater Minnesota, appointed by the governor 
83.17 	after considering recommendations made by the Minnesota Ambulance Association;
83.18 	(13)(12) the chair of the regional radio board for the metropolitan area; and
83.19 	(14)(13) a representative of Greater Minnesota elected by those units of government 
83.20 	in phase three and any subsequent phase of development as defined in the statewide, 
83.21 	shared radio and communication plan, who have submitted a plan to the Statewide Radio 
83.22 	Board and where development has been initiated.
83.23 	(c) The Statewide Radio Board shall coordinate the appointment of board members 
83.24 	representing Greater Minnesota with the appointing authorities and may designate the 
83.25 	geographic region or regions from which an appointed board member is selected where 
83.26 	necessary to provide representation from throughout the state.

83.27 	Sec. 5. BONDS AND CERTIFICATES.
 83.28 	Debt obligations authorized and issued under Minnesota Statutes, section 403.27, 
83.29 	before the effective date of this article must be paid for and retired according to that 
83.30 	section and the terms of those obligations and their bond indentures and trust agreements. 
83.31 	The metropolitan county auditors shall administer this section.

83.32 	Sec. 6.  REPEALER.
 83.33 	Minnesota Statutes 2014, sections 403.27; 403.29, subdivision 4; and 403.32, are 
83.34 	repealed.

84.1 	Sec. 7. EFFECTIVE DATE.
 84.2 	This article is effective July 1, 2015.

84.3 	ARTICLE 3
84.4 	FISCAL DISPARITIES

84.5 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 473F.02, subdivision 7, is amended to read:
84.6 		Subd. 7.Population. "Population" means the most recent estimate of the 
84.7 	population of a municipality made by the Metropolitan Council under section 473.24 state 
84.8 	demographer  and filed with the commissioner of revenue as of July 15 of the year in which 
84.9 	a municipality's distribution net tax capacity is calculated.

84.10 	Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 473F.02, subdivision 8, is amended to read:
84.11 		Subd. 8.Municipality. "Municipality" means a city, town, or township located 
84.12 	in whole or part within the area, but not the cities of New Prague or Northfield. If a 
84.13 	municipality is located partly within and partly without the area, the references in sections 
84.14 	473F.01 to 473F.13 to property or any portion thereof subject to taxation or taxing 
84.15 	jurisdiction within the municipality are to such property or portion thereof as is located 
84.16 	in that portion of the municipality within the area, except that the fiscal capacity of such 
84.17 	a municipality shall be computed upon the basis of the valuation and population of the 
84.18 	entire municipality.
84.19 	A municipality shall be excluded from the area if its municipal comprehensive zoning 
84.20 	and planning policies conscientiously exclude most commercial-industrial development, 
84.21 	for reasons other than preserving an agricultural use. The Metropolitan Council and the 
84.22 	commissioner of administration and the commissioner of revenue shall jointly make 
84.23 	this determination annually and shall notify those municipalities that are ineligible to 
84.24 	participate in the tax base sharing program provided in this chapter for the following year.

84.25 	Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 473F.08, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
84.26 		Subd. 3.Apportionment of levy. The county auditor shall apportion the levy 
84.27 	of each governmental unit in the auditor's county in the manner prescribed by this 
84.28 	subdivision. The auditor shall:
84.29 	(a) by August 20, determine the areawide portion of the levy for each governmental 
84.30 	unit by multiplying the local tax rate of the governmental unit for the preceding levy year 
84.31 	times the distribution value set forth in subdivision 2, clause (b);
85.1 	(b) by September 5, determine the local portion of the current year's levy by 
85.2 	subtracting the resulting amount from clause (a) from the governmental unit's current 
85.3 	year's levy; and
85.4 	(c) for determinations made under clause (a) in the case of school districts, for 
85.5 	taxes payable in 2002, exclude the general education tax rate and the portion of the 
85.6 	referendum tax rate attributable to the first $415 per pupil unit from the local tax rate for 
85.7 	the preceding levy year;.
85.8 	(d) for determinations made under clause (a) in the case of the Metropolitan Council, 
85.9 	for taxes payable in 2002, exclude the transit operating tax rate from the local tax rate 
85.10 	for the preceding levy year; and
85.11 	(e) for determinations made under clause (a) in the case of transit opt-out cities, 
85.12 	for taxes payable in 2002, exclude the opt-out transit rate from the local tax rate for the 
85.13 	preceding levy year.

85.14 	Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 473F.08, subdivision 5, is amended to read:
85.15 		Subd. 5.Areawide tax rate. On or before August 25 of each year, the county auditor 
85.16 	shall certify to the administrative auditor that portion of the levy of each governmental unit 
85.17 	determined under subdivisions 3, clause (a), and 3a, and 3b. The administrative auditor 
85.18 	shall then determine the areawide tax rate sufficient to yield an amount equal to the sum of 
85.19 	such levies from the areawide net tax capacity. On or before September 1 of each year, the 
85.20 	administrative auditor shall certify the areawide tax rate to each of the county auditors.

85.21 	Sec. 5. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 473F.08, subdivision 7a, is amended to read:
85.22 		Subd. 7a.Certification of values; payment. The administrative auditor shall 
85.23 	determine for each county the difference between the total levy on distribution value 
85.24 	pursuant to subdivisions 3, clause (a), and 3a, and 3b, within the county and the total tax 
85.25 	on contribution value pursuant to subdivision 6, within the county. On or before May 16 
85.26 	of each year, the administrative auditor shall certify the differences so determined to each 
85.27 	county auditor. In addition, the administrative auditor shall certify to those county auditors 
85.28 	for whose county the total tax on contribution value exceeds the total levy on distribution 
85.29 	value the settlement the county is to make to the other counties of the excess of the total tax 
85.30 	on contribution value over the total levy on distribution value in the county. On or before 
85.31 	June 15 and November 15 of each year, each county treasurer in a county having a total tax 
85.32 	on contribution value in excess of the total levy on distribution value shall pay one-half of 
85.33 	the excess to the other counties in accordance with the administrative auditors certification.

86.1 	Sec. 6. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 473F.13, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
86.2 		Subdivision 1.Certification of change in status. If a municipality is dissolved, 
86.3 	is consolidated with all or part of another municipality, annexes territory, has a portion 
86.4 	of its territory detached from it, or is newly incorporated, the secretary of state shall 
86.5 	immediately certify that fact to the commissioner of revenue. The secretary of state shall 
86.6 	also certify to the commissioner of revenue the current population of the new, enlarged, or 
86.7 	successor municipality, if determined by the chief administrative law judge of the state 
86.8 	Office of Administrative Hearings incident to consolidation, annexation, or incorporation 
86.9 	proceedings. The population so certified shall govern for purposes of sections 473F.01 to 
86.10 	473F.13 until the Metropolitan Councilstate demographer files its first population estimate 
86.11 	as of a later date with the commissioner of revenue. If an annexation of unincorporated 
86.12 	land occurs without proceedings before the chief administrative law judge, the population 
86.13 	of the annexing municipality as previously determined shall continue to govern for 
86.14 	purposes of sections 473F.01 to 473F.13 until the Metropolitan Councilstate demographer 
86.15 	files its first population estimate as of a later date with the commissioner of revenue.

86.16 	Sec. 7.  REPEALER.
 86.17 	Minnesota Statutes 2014, sections 473F.02, subdivision 21; and 473F.08, subdivision 
86.18 	3b, are repealed.

86.19 	Sec. 8. EFFECTIVE DATE.
 86.20 	This article is effective July 1, 2016.

86.21 	ARTICLE 4
86.22 	METROPOLITAN LAND USE PLANNING

86.23 	Section 1.  REPEALER.
 86.24 	Minnesota Statutes 2014, sections 473.175; 473.181, subdivisions 2 and 5; 473.191; 
86.25 	473.206; 473.208; 473.851; 473.852, subdivisions 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10; 473.853; 
86.26 	473.854; 473.856; 473.857; 473.858; 473.859; 473.86; 473.861; 473.862; 473.864; 
86.27 	473.865; 473.866; 473.867, subdivisions 1, 2, 3, 5, and 6; 473.869; 473.87; and 473.871, 
86.28 	are repealed.

86.29 	Sec. 2. EFFECTIVE DATE.
 86.30 	This article is effective July 1, 2016.

87.1 	ARTICLE 5
87.2 	METROPOLITAN AIRPORTS COMMISSION

87.3 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 473.192, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
87.4 		Subd. 2.Definitions. For purposes of this section, "metropolitan area" has the 
87.5 	meaning given it in section 473.121, subdivision 2. "Transportation policy plan" means 
87.6 	the plan adopted by the Metropolitan Council commissioner of administration pursuant 
87.7 	to section 473.145. "Municipality" has the meaning provided by section 462.352, 
87.8 	subdivision 2.

87.9 	Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 473.192, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
87.10 		Subd. 3.Ordinance. A municipality in the metropolitan area that, in part or in 
87.11 	whole, is within the aircraft noise zones designated in the transportation policy plan may 
87.12 	adopt and enforce ordinances and controls to regulate building construction methods and 
87.13 	materials for the purpose of attenuating aircraft noise in habitable buildings in and around 
87.14 	the noise zone. The ordinance or control shall not apply to remodeling or rehabilitating 
87.15 	an existing residential building nor to the construction of an appurtenance to an existing 
87.16 	residential building. An ordinance adopted by a municipality must be adequate to 
87.17 	implement the Metropolitan Council's guidelines of the commissioner of administration 
87.18 	for land use compatibility with aircraft noise. Section 326B.121 does not apply to 
87.19 	ordinances adopted under this section.

87.20 	Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 473.602, is amended to read:
87.21 	473.602 DECLARATION OF PURPOSES.
87.22 	It is the purpose of sections 473.601 to 473.679 to:
87.23 	(1) promote the public welfare and national security; serve public interest, 
87.24 	convenience, and necessity; promote air navigation and transportation, international, 
87.25 	national, state, and local, in and through this state; promote the efficient, safe, and 
87.26 	economical handling of air commerce; assure the inclusion of this state in national 
87.27 	and international programs of air transportation; and to those ends to develop the full 
87.28 	potentialities of the metropolitan area in this state as an aviation center, and to correlate 
87.29 	that area with all aviation facilities in the entire state so as to provide for the most 
87.30 	economical and effective use of aeronautic facilities and services in that area;
87.31 	(2) assure the residents of the metropolitan area of the minimum environmental 
87.32 	impact from air navigation and transportation, and to that end provide for noise abatement, 
87.33 	control of airport area land use, and other protective measures; and
88.1 	(3) promote the overall goals of the state's environmental policies and minimize the 
88.2 	public's exposure to noise and safety hazards around airports.
88.3 	To achieve these purposes, the corporation shall cooperate with and assist the 
88.4 	Metropolitan Council commissioner of administration, the federal government, the 
88.5 	commissioner of transportation of this state, the Pollution Control Agency, and others 
88.6 	engaged in aeronautics or the promotion and regulation of aeronautics and shall seek to 
88.7 	coordinate its activities with the aeronautical activities of these bodies.

88.8 	Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 473.604, subdivision 1, is amended to read: 
88.9 		Subdivision 1.Composition.  The commission consists of: 
88.10 	(1) the mayor of each of the cities, or a qualified voter appointed by the mayor, 
88.11 	for the term of office as mayor; 
88.12 	(2) eight members, appointed by the governor, one from each of the following 
88.13 	agency districts, based on the Metropolitan Council plan MC2013-1A, on file with the 
88.14 	Geographical Information Systems Office of the Legislative Coordinating Commission 
88.15 	and published on its Web site on April 9, 2013: 
88.16 	(i) district A, consisting of council districts 1 and 2; 
88.17 	(ii) district B, consisting of council districts 3 and 4; 
88.18 	(iii) district C, consisting of council districts 5 and 6; 
88.19 	(iv) district D, consisting of council districts 7 and 8; 
88.20 	(v) district E, consisting of council districts 9 and 10; 
88.21 	(vi) district F, consisting of council districts 11 and 12; 
88.22 	(vii) district G, consisting of council districts 13 and 14; and 
88.23 	(viii) district H, consisting of council districts 15 and 16.
88.24 	Each member shall be a resident of the district represented. For appointments after June 2, 
88.25 	2006, a member must have resided in the district for at least six months and in the state 
88.26 	for at least one year immediately preceding the appointment. The terms of the members 
88.27 	from districts A, B, F, and H expire on January 1, 2007. The terms of the members from 
88.28 	districts C, D, E, and G expire on January 5, 2009. The successors of each member must 
88.29 	be appointed to four-year terms. Before making an appointment, the governor shall 
88.30 	consult with each member of the legislature from the district for which the member is to 
88.31 	be appointed, to solicit the legislator's recommendation on the appointment; 
88.32 	(3) four members appointed by the governor from outside of the metropolitan area to 
88.33 	reflect fairly the various regions and interests throughout the state that are affected by the 
88.34 	operation of the commission's major airport and airport system. Two of these members 
88.35 	must be residents of statutory or home rule charter cities, towns, or counties containing an 
89.1 	airport designated by the commissioner of transportation as a key airport. The other two 
89.2 	must be residents of statutory or home rule charter cities, towns, or counties containing an 
89.3 	airport designated by the commissioner of transportation as an intermediate airport. The 
89.4 	members must be appointed by the governor as follows: one for a term of one year, one for 
89.5 	a term of two years, one for a term of three years, and one for a term of four years. All of the 
89.6 	terms start on July 1, 1989. The successors of each member must be appointed to four-year 
89.7 	terms commencing on the first Monday in January of each fourth year after the expiration 
89.8 	of the original term. Before making an appointment, the governor shall consult each 
89.9 	member of the legislature representing the municipality or county from which the member 
89.10 	is to be appointed, to solicit the legislator's recommendation on the appointment; and 
89.11 	(4) a chair appointed by the governor for a term of four years. The chair may be 
89.12 	removed at the pleasure of the governor.

89.13 	Sec. 5. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 473.604, is amended by adding a subdivision 
89.14 	to read:
89.15 		Subd. 1a.Redistricting. The legislature shall redraw the boundaries of the districts 
89.16 	after each decennial federal census so that each district has substantially equal population. 
89.17 	Redistricting is effective in the year ending in the numeral "3." Within 60 days after a 
89.18 	redistricting plan takes effect, the governor shall appoint members from the newly drawn 
89.19 	districts to serve terms as provided under subdivision 2.

89.20 	Sec. 6. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 473.608, subdivision 19, is amended to read:
89.21 		Subd. 19.Acoustical barriers. The corporation shall construct an acoustical barrier 
89.22 	in or along the perimeter of maintenance areas of the Minneapolis-St. Paul International 
89.23 	Airport. It also shall construct acoustical barriers along the perimeter of runways of 
89.24 	such airport where it is reasonably necessary, practical and safe to do so according to 
89.25 	the standards of the Federal Aviation Administration. All barriers shall conform to 
89.26 	specifications approved by the Pollution Control Agency. For purposes of this subdivision, 
89.27 	an acoustical barrier is a wall, fence, natural barrier such as an earthen barrier or trees 
89.28 	designed to abate noise. The corporation shall also confer and cooperate with any entity 
89.29 	which it creates for the purpose of studying and implementing sound abatement programs 
89.30 	and with representatives of persons residing in the vicinity of any airport who desire to 
89.31 	explore means for relieving the area of the detrimental effects of aircraft noise.
89.32 	Notwithstanding the provisions of any other law none of the construction authorized 
89.33 	by this subdivision shall be subject to review or approval by the Metropolitan Council 
89.34 	commissioner of administration.

90.1 	Sec. 7. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 473.611, subdivision 5, is amended to read:
90.2 		Subd. 5.New or existing airports. Any long-term comprehensive plans adopted 
90.3 	by the commission for the betterment and enlargement of existing airports, for the 
90.4 	acquisition and construction of new airports, and for the categories of use of airports 
90.5 	owned or controlled by the commission shall be consistent with the development guide of 
90.6 	the Metropolitan Council commissioner of administration.

90.7 	Sec. 8. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 473.638, is amended to read:
90.8 	473.638 CONTROL MEASURE INVOLVING TAKING.
90.9 		Subd. 2.Retention or sale of property. The commission may retain any property 
90.10 	now owned by it or acquired under subdivision 1 and use it for a lawful purpose, or 
90.11 	it may provide for the sale or other disposition of the property in accordance with a 
90.12 	redevelopment plan in the same manner and upon the same terms as the housing and 
90.13 	redevelopment authority and governing body of a municipality under the provisions of 
90.14 	section 469.029, all subject to existing land use and development control measures 
90.15 	approved by the council commissioner of administration.
90.16 		Subd. 3.Sharing of costs. The Metropolitan Airports Commission and any other 
90.17 	government unit in the metropolitan area may enter into an agreement under which 
90.18 	the cost of acquiring a property and the proceeds from the sale or other disposition of 
90.19 	it under subdivision 2 are to be shared by the commission and such government unit. 
90.20 	The commission, the Metropolitan Council, or any government unit may also enter 
90.21 	into any agreements with the United States or the state of Minnesota, or any agency or 
90.22 	subdivision of either, and do all acts and things required by state or federal law or rules as 
90.23 	a condition or consideration for the loan or grant of funds or property for the purpose of 
90.24 	land acquisition or improvement under subdivisions 1 and 2.

90.25 	Sec. 9. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 473.64, is amended to read:
90.26 	473.64 GOVERNMENTS IN AIRPORT DEVELOPMENT AREA; TAX 
90.27 	SHARING.
90.28 	The governing bodies of government units located wholly or partly in an airport 
90.29 	development area shall jointly study and decide upon a plan for the sharing of property 
90.30 	tax revenues derived from property located in an airport development area. If 80 percent 
90.31 	of the government units having territory within the airport development area agree 
90.32 	upon a plan, the plan is effective, and all government units shall enter into whatever 
90.33 	agreements may be necessary for this purpose. The plan, however, may not impair the 
91.1 	existing contract obligations of any government unit. This section does not apply to the 
91.2 	Metropolitan Airports Commission or the council.

91.3 	Sec. 10. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 473.655, is amended to read:
91.4 	473.655 PUBLIC AND GOVERNMENTAL PURPOSES.
91.5 	It is hereby determined and declared that the purposes of sections 473.601 to 
91.6 	473.679 are public and governmental; that the development of the metropolitan airports 
91.7 	system by the corporation be consistent with the transportation chapter of the Metropolitan 
91.8 	Council's Development Guide and promote the public safety and welfare of the state; and 
91.9 	that the development, extension, maintenance, and operation of the system in such a 
91.10 	manner as to assure the residents of the metropolitan area of the minimum environmental 
91.11 	impact from air navigation and transportation, with provision for noise abatement, control 
91.12 	of airport area land use, and other protective measures, is essential to the development of 
91.13 	air navigation and transportation in and through this state, and is necessary in order to 
91.14 	assure the inclusion of this state in national and international systems of air transportation, 
91.15 	benefits the people of the state as a whole, renders a general public service, and provides 
91.16 	employment, and is of great public economic benefit.

91.17 	Sec. 11. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 473.661, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
91.18 		Subd. 4.Noise mitigation. (a) According to the schedule in paragraph (b), 
91.19 	commission funds must be dedicated (1) to supplement the implementation of corrective 
91.20 	land use management measures approved by the Federal Aviation Administration as part 
91.21 	of the commission's Federal Aviation Regulations, part 150 noise compatibility program, 
91.22 	and (2) for soundproofing and accompanying air conditioning of residences, schools, 
91.23 	and other public buildings when there is a demonstrated need because of aircraft noise, 
91.24 	regardless of the location of the building to be soundproofed.
91.25 	(b) The noise mitigation program described in paragraph (a) shall be funded by the 
91.26 	commission from whatever source of funds according to the following schedule:
91.27 	In 1993, an amount equal to 20 percent of the passenger facilities charges revenue 
91.28 	amount budgeted by the commission for 1993;
91.29 	In 1994, an amount equal to 20 percent of the passenger facilities charges revenue 
91.30 	amount budgeted by the commission for 1994;
91.31 	In 1995, an amount equal to 35 percent of the passenger facilities charges revenue 
91.32 	amount budgeted by the commission for 1995; and
91.33 	In 1996 and 1997, an amount equal to 40 percent of the passenger facilities charges 
91.34 	revenue amount budgeted by the commission for 1996.
92.1 	(c) From 1996 to 2002, the commission shall spend no less than $185,000,000 from 
92.2 	any source of funds for insulation and accompanying air conditioning of residences, 
92.3 	schools, and other publicly owned buildings where there is a demonstrated need because 
92.4 	of aircraft noise; and property acquisition, limited to residences, schools, and other 
92.5 	publicly owned buildings, within the noise impacted area. In addition, the corporation 
92.6 	shall insulate and air condition four schools in Minneapolis and two schools in Richfield 
92.7 	that are located in the 1996 60 Ldn contour.
92.8 	(d) Before the commission constructs a new runway at Minneapolis-St. Paul 
92.9 	International Airport, the commission shall determine the probable levels of noise that 
92.10 	will result in various parts of the metropolitan area from the operation of aircraft on 
92.11 	the new runway and shall develop a program to mitigate noise in those parts of the 
92.12 	metropolitan area that are located outside the 1996 65 Ldn contour but will be located 
92.13 	within the 65 Ldn contour as established after the new runway is in operation. Based 
92.14 	upon this determination, the commission shall reserve in its annual budget, until noise 
92.15 	mitigation measures are completed, an amount of money necessary to implement this 
92.16 	noise mitigation program in the newly impacted areas.
92.17 	(e) The commission's capital improvement projects, program, and plan must reflect 
92.18 	the requirements of this section. As part of the commission's report to the legislature under 
92.19 	section 473.621, subdivision 1a, the commission must provide a description and the status 
92.20 	of each noise mitigation project implemented under this section.
92.21 	(f) Within 180 days of submitting the commission's and the Metropolitan Council's 
92.22 	report and recommendations on major airport planning to the legislature as required by 
92.23 	Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 473.618, the commission, with the assistance of its 
92.24 	sound abatement advisory committee, shall make a recommendation to the state Advisory 
92.25 	Council on Metropolitan Airport Planning regarding proposed mitigation activities and 
92.26 	appropriate funding levels for mitigation activities at Minneapolis-St. Paul International 
92.27 	Airport and in the neighboring communities. The recommendation shall examine 
92.28 	mitigation measures to the 60 Ldn level. The state Advisory Council on Metropolitan 
92.29 	Airport Planning shall review the recommendation and comment to the legislature within 
92.30 	60 days after the recommendation is submitted to the council.

92.31 	Sec. 12. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 473.667, subdivision 8, is amended to read:
92.32 		Subd. 8.Refunding deficiencies. If in any year the revenues available for transfer 
92.33 	to the debt service fund are or will in the judgment of the commission be insufficient to 
92.34 	produce the balance required thereon on October 10 under the provisions of subdivision 4, 
92.35 	or to make any interest or principal payment due on certificates of indebtedness issued 
93.1 	under the provisions of subdivision 10, the commission may, with the approval of the 
93.2 	council, issue refunding bonds and appropriate the proceeds to the debt service fund in 
93.3 	the amount needed to restore the deficiency, provided that the refunding bonds shall not 
93.4 	mature earlier than the date or dates when the commission estimates that the revenues 
93.5 	from enforced or increased rates, fees, charges, and rentals will be sufficient to pay them 
93.6 	and to meet all other requirements of the debt service fund as stated in subdivision 4.

93.7 	Sec. 13.  REPEALER.
 93.8 	Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 473.621, subdivision 6, is repealed.

93.9 	Sec. 14. EFFECTIVE DATE.
 93.10 	This article is effective July 1, 2016.

93.11 	ARTICLE 6
93.12 	METROPOLITAN AGRICULTURAL PRESERVES

93.13 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 473H.04, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
93.14 		Subd. 3.Maps to Met Council Minnesota planning. The authority shall provide 
93.15 	the Metropolitan Councilcommissioner of administration with suitable maps showing any 
93.16 	lands certified eligible pursuant to subdivision 1 or decertified pursuant to subdivision 
93.17 	2. The Metropolitan Councilcommissioner of administration shall maintain maps of the 
93.18 	metropolitan area showing all certified long-term agricultural lands.

93.19 	Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 473H.06, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
93.20 		Subdivision 1.Application. Upon receipt of an application, the authority shall 
93.21 	determine if all material required in section 473H.05 has been submitted and, if so, shall 
93.22 	determine that the application is complete. When used in this chapter, the term "date of 
93.23 	application" means the date the application is determined complete by the authority. 
93.24 	Within five days of the date of application, the authority shall forward the completed and 
93.25 	signed application to the county recorder, and copies to the county auditor, the county 
93.26 	assessor, the Metropolitan Council commissioner of administration, and the county soil 
93.27 	and water conservation district.

93.28 	Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 473H.06, subdivision 5, is amended to read:
93.29 		Subd. 5.Maps; reports. The Metropolitan Councilcommissioner of administration 
93.30 	shall maintain agricultural preserve maps, illustrating (a) certified long-term agricultural 
93.31 	lands; and (b) lands covenanted as agricultural preserves. The councilcommissioner of 
94.1 	administration shall make yearly reports to the Department of Agriculture and such other 
94.2 	agencies as the councilcommissioner of administration deems appropriate.

94.3 	Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 473H.08, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
94.4 		Subd. 4.Notice to others. Upon receipt of the notice provided in subdivision 2, 
94.5 	or upon notice served by the authority as provided in subdivision 3, the authority shall 
94.6 	forward the original notice to the county recorder for recording, or to the registrar of 
94.7 	titles if the land is registered, and shall notify the county auditor, county assessor, the 
94.8 	Metropolitan Council commissioner of administration, and the county soil and water 
94.9 	conservation district of the date of expiration. Designation as an agricultural preserve and 
94.10 	all benefits and limitations accruing through sections 473H.02 to 473H.17 for the preserve 
94.11 	shall cease on the date of expiration. The restrictive covenant contained in the application 
94.12 	shall terminate on the date of expiration.

94.13 	Sec. 5.  REPEALER.
 94.14 	Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 473H.02, subdivisions 7 and 8, are repealed.

94.15 	Sec. 6. EFFECTIVE DATE.
 94.16 	This article is effective July 1, 2016.

94.17 	ARTICLE 7
94.18 	PARKS AND OPEN SPACE

94.19 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 473.121, subdivision 14, is amended to read:
94.20 		Subd. 14.Regional recreation open space. "Regional recreation open space" 
94.21 	means land and water areas, or interests therein, and facilities determined by the 
94.22 	Metropolitan Councilcommissioner of administration to be of regional importance in 
94.23 	providing for a balanced system of public outdoor recreation for the metropolitan area, 
94.24 	including but not limited to park reserves, major linear parks and trails, large recreation 
94.25 	parks, and conservatories, zoos, and other special use facilities.

94.26 	Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 473.147, is amended to read:
94.27 	473.147 REGIONAL RECREATION OPEN SPACE SYSTEM POLICY PLAN.
94.28 		Subdivision 1.Requirements. The Metropolitan Councilcommissioner 
94.29 	of administration after consultation with the Parks and Open Space Commission, 
94.30 	municipalities, park districts and counties in the metropolitan area, and after appropriate 
95.1 	public hearings, shall prepare and adopt a long-range system policy plan for regional 
95.2 	recreation open space as part of the council's Metropolitan Development Guide. The 
95.3 	plan shall substantially conform to all policy statements, purposes, goals, standards, and 
95.4 	maps in development guide sections and comprehensive plans as developed and adopted 
95.5 	by the council pursuant to the chapters of the Minnesota Statutes directly relating to the 
95.6 	council commissioner of administration. The policy plan shall identify generally the areas 
95.7 	which should be acquired by a public agency to provide a system of regional recreation 
95.8 	open space comprising park district, county and municipal facilities which, together with 
95.9 	state facilities, reasonably will meet the outdoor recreation needs of the people of the 
95.10 	metropolitan area and shall establish priorities for acquisition and development. The 
95.11 	policy plan shall estimate the cost of the recommended acquisitions and development, 
95.12 	including an analysis of what portion of the funding is proposed to come from the state, 
95.13 	Metropolitan CouncilParks and Open Space Commission's levies, and cities, counties, 
95.14 	and towns in the metropolitan area, respectively. In preparing or amending the policy 
95.15 	plan the councilcommissioner of administration shall consult with and make maximum 
95.16 	use of the expertise of the commission. The policy plan shall include a five-year capital 
95.17 	improvement program, which shall be revised periodically, and shall establish criteria and 
95.18 	priorities for the allocation of funds for such acquisition and development. The legislature 
95.19 	in each bonding measure shall designate an anticipated level of funding for this acquisition 
95.20 	and development for each of the two succeeding bienniums.
95.21 		Subd. 2.Review, comment, hearing; revision. Before adopting the policy plan, the 
95.22 	council commissioner of administration  shall submit the proposed plan to the parks and 
95.23 	open space commission for its review, and the commission shall report its comments to 
95.24 	the council commissioner of administration  within 60 days. The council commissioner 
95.25 	of administration  shall hold a public hearing on the proposed policy plan at such time 
95.26 	and place in the metropolitan area as it shall determine. Not less than 15 days before 
95.27 	the hearing, the councilcommissioner of administration shall publish notice thereof in 
95.28 	a newspaper or newspapers having general circulation in the metropolitan area, stating 
95.29 	the date, time and place of hearing, and the place where the proposed policy plan and 
95.30 	commission comments may be examined by any interested person. At any hearing 
95.31 	interested persons shall be permitted to present their views on the policy plan, and the 
95.32 	hearing may be continued from time to time. After receipt of the commission's report 
95.33 	and hearing, the councilcommissioner of administration may revise the proposed plan 
95.34 	giving appropriate consideration to all comments received, and thereafter shall adopt the 
95.35 	plan by resolution. An amendment to the policy plan may be proposed by the council 
95.36 	commissioner of administration or by the parks and open space commission. At least every 
96.1 	four years the councilcommissioner of administration shall engage in a comprehensive 
96.2 	review of the policy plan, development guide sections, comprehensive plans, capital 
96.3 	improvement programs and other plans in substantial conformance with the requirements 
96.4 	of subdivision 1 which have been adopted by the council commissioner of administration.

96.5 	Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 473.301, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
96.6 		Subd. 2.Policy plan. "Policy plan" means a plan adopted by the council 
96.7 	commissioner of administration pursuant to section 473.147, generally describing the 
96.8 	extent, type and location of regional recreation open space needed for the metropolitan 
96.9 	area and the timing of its acquisition and development.

96.10 	Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 473.303, is amended to read:
96.11 	473.303 METROPOLITAN PARKS AND OPEN SPACE COMMISSION.
96.12 		Subdivision 1.General. A Metropolitan Parks and Open Space Commission is 
96.13 	established as an agency of the councilto carry out the purposes and activities specified in 
96.14 	sections 473.301 to 473.341 and to serve as the governing body of the district and shall 
96.15 	be organized and structured as provided in this section.
96.16 		Subd. 2.Membership; appointments. (a) The agencycommission consists of 
96.17 	eight members, plus a chair appointed as provided in subdivision 3. The Metropolitan 
96.18 	Councilgovernor shall appoint the eight members on a nonpartisan basis after consultation 
96.19 	with the members of the legislature from the district for which the member is to be 
96.20 	appointed. The consultation with legislators in the affected district must include informing 
96.21 	each legislator of the name, address, and background of each candidate for appointment 
96.22 	and soliciting and reporting to the appointments committee the recommendation of each 
96.23 	legislator on the appointment.
96.24 	(b) In addition to the notice required in section 15.0597, subdivision 4, notice of 
96.25 	vacancies and expiration of terms must be published in newspapers of general circulation 
96.26 	in the metropolitan area and the appropriate districts. The councilcommission shall notify 
96.27 	in writing the governing bodies of the statutory and home rule charter cities, counties, and 
96.28 	towns having territory in the district for which the member is to be appointed. The notices 
96.29 	must describe the appointment process and invite participation and recommendations 
96.30 	on the appointment.
96.31 	(c) The councilcommission shall establish an appointments committee, composed 
96.32 	of members of the council governing bodies of the implementing agencies, to screen and 
96.33 	review candidates. Following the submission of member applications to the Metropolitan 
96.34 	Council as provided under section 15.0597, subdivision 5, the appointments committee 
97.1 	shall conduct public meetings, following appropriate notice, to accept statements from or 
97.2 	on behalf of persons who have applied or been nominated for appointment and to allow 
97.3 	consultation with and secure the advice of the public and local elected officials. The 
97.4 	committee shall hold the meeting on each appointment in the district or in a reasonably 
97.5 	convenient and accessible location in the part of the metropolitan area in which the 
97.6 	district is located. The committee may consolidate meetings. Following the meetings, the 
97.7 	committee shall submit to the councilcommission a written report that lists the persons 
97.8 	who have applied or been nominated or recommended for the position, along with a 
97.9 	description of the background and qualifications of each. In making its recommendation, 
97.10 	the committee specifically shall consider evidence of the candidate's commitment to 
97.11 	regularly communicate on issues before the agency with Metropolitan Council members, 
97.12 	legislators and local elected officials in the district, and the committee shall report its 
97.13 	findings on this subject in its written report to the council commission.
97.14 	(d) One member shall be appointed from each of the following agency districts:
97.15 	(1) district A, consisting of council districts 1 and 2 Metropolitan Airports 
97.16 	Commission district A;
97.17 	(2) district B, consisting of council districts 3 and 4 Metropolitan Airports 
97.18 	Commission district B;
97.19 	(3) district C, consisting of council districts 5 and 6 Metropolitan Airports 
97.20 	Commission district C;
97.21 	(4) district D, consisting of council districts 7 and 8 Metropolitan Airports 
97.22 	Commission district D;
97.23 	(5) district E, consisting of council districts 9 and 10 Metropolitan Airports 
97.24 	Commission district E;
97.25 	(6) district F, consisting of council districts 11 and 12 Metropolitan Airports 
97.26 	Commission district F;
97.27 	(7) district G, consisting of council districts 13 and 14 Metropolitan Airports 
97.28 	Commission district G; and
97.29 	(8) district H, consisting of council districts 15 and 16 Metropolitan Airports 
97.30 	Commission district H.
97.31 		Subd. 3.Chair. The chair of the commission shall be appointed by the council 
97.32 	governor and shall be the ninth member of the commission and shall meet all qualifications 
97.33 	established for members, except the chair need only reside within the metropolitan area. 
97.34 	The chair shall preside at all meetings of the commission, if present, and shall perform 
97.35 	all other duties and functions assigned by the commission or by law. The commission 
98.1 	may appoint from among its members a vice-chair to act for the chair during temporary 
98.2 	absence or disability.
98.3 		Subd. 3a.Members; duties. Each member shall communicate regularly with 
98.4 	Metropolitan Council members, legislators, and local government officials in the district 
98.5 	the member represents.
98.6 		Subd. 4.Qualifications. Each member shall be a resident of the commission district 
98.7 	for which appointed and shall not during terms of office as a commission member hold the 
98.8 	office of Metropolitan Council member, or be a member of any metropolitan agency or 
98.9 	hold any judicial office.
98.10 		Subd. 4a.Terms. Following each apportionment of Metropolitan CouncilAirports 
98.11 	Commission districts, as provided under section 473.123, subdivision 3a 473.604, 
98.12 	subdivision 1a, the Metropolitan Councilgovernor shall appoint a chair and eight 
98.13 	commission members from newly drawn districts. The terms of members and chairs are 
98.14 	as follows: members representing commission districts A, B, C, and D, and the chair of 
98.15 	the commission, for terms ending the first Monday in January of the year ending in the 
98.16 	numeral "7"; members representing commission districts E, F, G, and H, for terms ending 
98.17 	the first Monday in January of the year ending in the numeral "5." Thereafter the term of 
98.18 	each member and the chair is four years, with terms ending the first Monday in January, 
98.19 	except that all terms expire on the effective date of the next apportionment. The chair shall 
98.20 	continue to serve until a successor is appointed and qualified. A member shall continue 
98.21 	to serve the commission district until a successor is appointed and qualified; except that, 
98.22 	following each apportionment, the member shall continue to serve at large until the 
98.23 	Metropolitan Councilgovernor appoints eight commission members as provided under 
98.24 	subdivision 2, to serve terms as provided under this subdivision. The appointments to the 
98.25 	commission must be made by the first Monday in May of the year in which the term ends.
98.26 		Subd. 5.Vacancies; removal. If the office of any commission member or the chair 
98.27 	becomes vacant, the vacancy shall be filled by appointment in the same manner the original 
98.28 	appointment was made. Members, other than the chair, may be removed by the council 
98.29 	governor only for cause. The chair may be removed at the pleasure of the council governor.
98.30 		Subd. 6.Compensation. Members and the chair shall serve without compensation 
98.31 	but shall be reimbursed for all actual and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of 
98.32 	duties as determined by the Metropolitan Council Legislative Coordinating Commission.

98.33 	Sec. 5. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 473.313, is amended to read:
98.34 	473.313 MASTER PLANS.
99.1 		Subdivision 1.Adoption. Each park district located wholly or partially within the 
99.2 	metropolitan area, and each county in the metropolitan area not wholly within a park 
99.3 	district, shall prepare, after consultation with all affected municipalities, and submit to the 
99.4 	Metropolitan Council commissioner of administration, and from time to time revise and 
99.5 	resubmit to the council commissioner of administration, a master plan and annual budget 
99.6 	for the acquisition and development of regional recreation open space located within the 
99.7 	district or county, consistent with the council's commissioner of administration's policy 
99.8 	plan.
99.9 		Subd. 2.Council Commissioner of administration review. The Metropolitan 
99.10 	Council commissioner of administration shall review with the advice of the commission, 
99.11 	each master plan to determine whether it is consistent with the council's commissioner 
99.12 	of administration's policy plan. If it is not consistent, the council commissioner of 
99.13 	administration shall return the plan with its comments to the municipalities, park district 
99.14 	or county for revision and resubmittal.

99.15 	Sec. 6. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 473.315, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
99.16 		Subdivision 1.To metro local governments. The Metropolitan Council with the 
99.17 	advice of the commission may make grants, from any funds available to it for recreation 
99.18 	open space purposes, to any implementing agency, as defined in section 473.351, to cover 
99.19 	the cost, or any portion of the cost, of acquiring or developing regional recreation open 
99.20 	space in accordance with the policy plan; and all such agencies may enter into contracts 
99.21 	for this purpose or rights or interests therein. The cost of acquisition shall include any 
99.22 	payments required for relocation pursuant to sections 117.50 to 117.56.

99.23 	Sec. 7. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 473.325, is amended to read:
99.24 	473.325 SALES OF G.O. REFUNDING BONDS.
99.25 		Subdivision 1.Up to $40,000,000 outstanding. The Metropolitan CouncilParks 
99.26 	and Open Space Commission may by resolution authorize the issuance of general 
99.27 	obligation bonds of the councilcommission such that the amount outstanding and 
99.28 	undischarged at any time shall not exceed $40,000,000, for which its full faith and credit 
99.29 	and taxing powers shall be pledged, for the acquisition and betterment of regional 
99.30 	recreation open space in accordance with sections 473.301 to 473.341. The Metropolitan 
99.31 	CouncilParks and Open Space Commission may also issue general obligation bonds 
99.32 	for the purpose of refunding outstanding obligations issued hereunder. The amount of 
99.33 	refunding bonds that may be issued from time to time shall not be subject to the dollar 
100.1 	limitation contained in this subdivision nor shall such refunding bonds be included in 
100.2 	computing the amount of bonds that may be issued within such dollar limitation.
100.3 		Subd. 2.Chapter 475 applies; exceptions. The Metropolitan CouncilParks and 
100.4 	Open Space Commission shall sell and issue the bonds in the manner provided in chapter 
100.5 	475, and shall have the same powers and duties as a municipality issuing bonds under 
100.6 	that law, except that the approval of a majority of the electors shall not be required and 
100.7 	the net debt limitations shall not apply. The terms of each series of bonds shall be fixed 
100.8 	so that the amount of principal and interest on all outstanding and undischarged bonds, 
100.9 	together with the bonds proposed to be issued, due in any year shall not exceed 0.01209 
100.10 	percent of estimated market value of all taxable property in the metropolitan area as last 
100.11 	finally equalized prior to a proposed issue. The bonds shall be secured in accordance with 
100.12 	section 475.61, subdivision 1, and any taxes required for their payment shall be levied by 
100.13 	the council commission, shall not affect the amount or rate of taxes which may be levied 
100.14 	by the council commission for other purposes, shall be spread against all taxable property 
100.15 	in the metropolitan area and shall not be subject to limitation as to rate or amount. Any 
100.16 	taxes certified by the council commission to the county auditors for collection shall be 
100.17 	reduced by the amount received by the council commission from the commissioner of 
100.18 	management and budget or the federal government for the purpose of paying the principal 
100.19 	and interest on bonds to which the levy relates. The councilcommission shall certify the 
100.20 	fact and amount of all money so received to the county auditors, and the auditors shall 
100.21 	reduce the levies previously made for the bonds in the manner and to the extent provided 
100.22 	in section 475.61, subdivision 3.
100.23 		Subd. 3.Temporary loans. The Metropolitan Council Parks and Open Space 
100.24 	Commission shall have the power, after the authorization of bonds pursuant to this section, 
100.25 	to provide funds immediately required for the purposes of sections 473.301 to 473.341, by 
100.26 	effecting temporary loans upon such terms as it shall by resolution determine, evidenced 
100.27 	by notes due in not exceeding 24 months from the date thereof, payable to the order of 
100.28 	the lender or to the bearer, to be repaid with interest from the proceeds of such bonds 
100.29 	when issued and delivered to the purchaser thereof. Such temporary loans may be made 
100.30 	without public advertisement.
100.31 		Subd. 4.Full faith, credit switch. In the event that the full faith and credit pledge 
100.32 	of the Metropolitan CouncilParks and Open Space Commission for the payment of 
100.33 	principal and interest on the bonds issued under this section is superseded and replaced 
100.34 	by the full faith and credit pledge of the state of Minnesota, by binding and irrevocable 
100.35 	legislation, such action shall extinguish the full faith and credit pledge theretofore made 
100.36 	for all bonds and the interest thereon issued pursuant to this section.

101.1 	Sec. 8. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 473.334, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
101.2 		Subdivision 1.Generally. In determining the special benefit received by regional 
101.3 	recreation open space system property as defined in sections 473.301 to 473.351 from an 
101.4 	improvement for which a special assessment is determined, the governing body shall not 
101.5 	consider any use of the property other than as regional recreation open space property at 
101.6 	the time the special assessment is determined. The Metropolitan Councilcommission shall 
101.7 	not be bound by the determination of the governing body of the city but may pay a lesser 
101.8 	amount, as agreed upon by the Metropolitan Councilcommission and the governing body 
101.9 	of the city, as they determine is the measure of benefit to the land from the improvement.

101.10 	Sec. 9. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 473.341, is amended to read:
101.11 	473.341 TAX EQUIVALENTS.
101.12 	In the year in which the Metropolitan Councilcommission or an implementing 
101.13 	agency as defined in section 473.351 acquires fee title to any real property included in 
101.14 	the regional recreation open space system, the Metropolitan Councilcommission shall 
101.15 	grant sufficient funds to the appropriate implementing agency to make the tax equivalent 
101.16 	payment required in this section. The councilcommission shall determine the total 
101.17 	amount of property taxes levied on the real property for municipal or township purposes 
101.18 	for collection in the year in which title passed. The municipality or township in which the 
101.19 	real property is situated shall be paid 180 percent of the total tax amount determined by 
101.20 	the council commission. If the implementing agency has granted a life estate to the seller 
101.21 	of the real property and the seller is obligated to pay property taxes on the property, this 
101.22 	tax equivalent shall not be paid until the life estate ends. All amounts paid pursuant to this 
101.23 	section are costs of acquisition of the real property acquired.

101.24 	Sec. 10. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 473.351, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
101.25 		Subdivision 1.Definitions. The definitions in this subdivision apply to this section.
101.26 	(a) "Implementing agency" means the counties of Anoka, Washington, Ramsey, 
101.27 	Scott, Carver, Dakota, the city of St. Paul, the city of Bloomington, the Minneapolis Park 
101.28 	and Recreation Board, and the Three Rivers Park District.
101.29 	(b) "Operation and maintenance expenditures" means the cost of providing for the 
101.30 	operation and maintenance of waters, lands, and facilities that are a part of the metropolitan 
101.31 	area regional park and open space system, including but not limited to, the provision of fire, 
101.32 	police, maintenance, forestry, rehabilitation expenses pertaining to routine care, and the 
101.33 	allocation of the administrative overhead costs of the regional park and open space systems.
102.1 	(c) "Operation and maintenance money" means money appropriated by the 
102.2 	legislature to the commissioner of employment and economic development for distribution 
102.3 	by the Metropolitan Council Parks and Open Space Commission.
102.4 	(d) "Regional recreation open space systems" means those parks that have been 
102.5 	designated by the Metropolitan Councilcommissioner of administration under section 
102.6 	473.145.

102.7 	Sec. 11. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 473.351, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
102.8 		Subd. 2.Metropolitan CouncilParks and Open Space Commission obligation.
 102.9 	Annually before August 1 the Metropolitan Councilcommission shall distribute grant 
102.10 	money received from the commissioner of natural resources to fund the operation and 
102.11 	maintenance expenditures of the implementing agencies for the operation and maintenance 
102.12 	of regional park and open space systems. The Metropolitan Councilcommission shall 
102.13 	annually report to the legislature the amount distributed to each implementing agency and 
102.14 	its estimate of the percentage of operation and maintenance expenditures paid for with 
102.15 	operation and maintenance money.

102.16 	Sec. 12. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 473.351, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
102.17 		Subd. 3.Allocation formula. By July 1 of every year each implementing agency 
102.18 	must submit to the Metropolitan Parks and Open Space Commission a statement of the 
102.19 	next annual anticipated operation and maintenance expenditures of the regional recreation 
102.20 	open space parks systems within their respective jurisdictions and the previous year's 
102.21 	actual expenditures. After reviewing the actual expenditures submitted and by July 15 
102.22 	of each year, the Metropolitan Parks and Open Space Commission shall forward to the 
102.23 	Metropolitan Council the funding requests from the implementing agencies based on the 
102.24 	actual expenditures made. The Metropolitan Council shall distribute the operation and 
102.25 	maintenance money as follows:
102.26 	(1) 40 percent based on the use that each implementing agency's regional recreation 
102.27 	open space system has in proportion to the total use of the metropolitan regional recreation 
102.28 	open space system;
102.29 	(2) 40 percent based on the operation and maintenance expenditures made in the 
102.30 	previous year by each implementing agency in proportion to the total operation and 
102.31 	maintenance expenditures of all of the implementing agencies; and
102.32 	(3) 20 percent based on the acreage that each implementing agency's regional 
102.33 	recreation open space system has in proportion to the total acreage of the metropolitan 
102.34 	regional recreation open space system. The 80 percent natural resource management 
103.1 	land acreage of the park reserves must be divided by four in calculating the distribution 
103.2 	under this clause.
103.3 	Each implementing agency must receive no less than 40 percent of its actual 
103.4 	operation and maintenance expenses to be incurred in the current calendar year budget 
103.5 	as submitted to the parks and open space commission. If the available operation and 
103.6 	maintenance money is less than the total amount determined by the formula including the 
103.7 	preceding, the implementing agencies will share the available money in proportion to the 
103.8 	amounts they would otherwise be entitled to under the formula.

103.9 	Sec. 13. BONDS.
 103.10 	Bonds authorized by Minnesota Statutes, section 473.325, that are outstanding 
103.11 	on the effective date of this article must be paid and retired according to those sections 
103.12 	and the terms of the bonds. The auditors of the metropolitan counties shall see to the 
103.13 	administration of this section.

103.14 	Sec. 14. ASSET ALLOCATION.
 103.15 	Assets of the Metropolitan Council attributable to the regional recreation open 
103.16 	space systems defined in Minnesota Statutes, section 473.351, shall be transferred to the 
103.17 	Metropolitan Parks and Open Space Commission.

103.18 	Sec. 15. TAX EQUIVALENTS.
 103.19 	If tax equivalents under Minnesota Statutes, section 473.341, are owned by an 
103.20 	implementing agency as defined in Minnesota Statutes, section 473.351, to a municipality 
103.21 	as defined in Minnesota Statutes, section 473.301, that is not an implementing agency, on 
103.22 	the termination of a life estate, the implementing agency must make the payment.

103.23 	Sec. 16.  REPEALER.
 103.24 	Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 473.121, subdivision 12, is repealed.

103.25 	Sec. 17. EFFECTIVE DATE.
 103.26 	This article is effective July 1, 2016.

103.27 	ARTICLE 8
103.28 	TRANSPORTATION

103.29 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 117.57, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
104.1 		Subd. 3.Relation to regional railroad authorities. An authority shall not be 
104.2 	adjudged to have a superior public use to that of a regional railroad authority as defined in 
104.3 	section 398A.01, a railroad property which has been identified and approved as a light rail 
104.4 	corridor by the former Metropolitan Council under chapter 473, or a state trail covered 
104.5 	by section 85.015.

104.6 	Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 160.165, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
104.7 		Subdivision 1.Definitions. For the purposes of this section, the following terms 
104.8 	have the meanings given:
104.9 	(1) "project" means construction work to maintain, construct, reconstruct, or 
104.10 	improve a street or highway or for a rail transit project;
104.11 	(2) "substantial business impacts" means impairment of road access, parking, or 
104.12 	visibility for one or more business establishments as a result of a project, for a minimum 
104.13 	period of one month; and
104.14 	(3) "transportation authority" means the commissioner, as to trunk highways and rail 
104.15 	transit projects; the county board, as to county state-aid highways and county highways; 
104.16 	the town board, as to town roads; and statutory or home rule charter cities, as to city 
104.17 	streets; the Metropolitan Council, for rail transit projects located entirely within the 
104.18 	metropolitan area as defined in section 473.121, subdivision 2; and the commissioner, 
104.19 	for all other rail transit projects.

104.20 	Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 160.93, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
104.21 		Subdivision 1.Fees authorized. To improve efficiency and provide more options to 
104.22 	individuals traveling in a trunk highway corridor, the commissioner of transportation may 
104.23 	charge user fees to owners or operators of single-occupant vehicles using dynamic shoulder 
104.24 	lanes as designated by the commissioner and any designated high-occupancy vehicle 
104.25 	lanes. The fees may be collected using electronic or other toll-collection methods and may 
104.26 	vary in amount with the time of day and level of traffic congestion within the corridor. 
104.27 	The commissioner shall consult with the Metropolitan Council and obtain necessary 
104.28 	federal authorizations before implementing user fees on a high-occupancy vehicle lane or 
104.29 	dynamic shoulder lane. Fees under this section are not subject to section 16A.1283.

104.30 	Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 160.93, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
104.31 		Subd. 2.Deposit of revenues; appropriation. (a) Except as provided in subdivision 
104.32 	2a, money collected from fees authorized under subdivision 1 must be deposited in a 
104.33 	high-occupancy vehicle lane user fee account in the special revenue fund. A separate 
105.1 	account must be established for each trunk highway corridor. Money in the account is 
105.2 	appropriated to the commissioner.
105.3 	(b) From this appropriation the commissioner shall first repay the trunk highway 
105.4 	fund and any other fund source for money spent to install, equip, or modify the corridor 
105.5 	for the purposes of subdivision 1, and then shall pay all the costs of implementing and 
105.6 	administering the fee collection system for that corridor.
105.7 	(c) The commissioner shall spend remaining money in the account as follows:
105.8 	(1) one-half must be spent for transportation capital improvements within the 
105.9 	corridor; and
105.10 	(2) one-half must be transferred to the Metropolitan Councilspent for expansion 
105.11 	and improvement of bus transit services within the corridor beyond the level of service 
105.12 	provided on the date of implementation of subdivision 1.

105.13 	Sec. 5. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 160.93, subdivision 2a, is amended to read:
105.14 		Subd. 2a.I-35W high-occupancy vehicle and dynamic shoulder lane account.
 105.15 	(a) An I-35W high-occupancy vehicle and dynamic shoulder lane account is established in 
105.16 	the special revenue fund. Money collected from fees authorized under subdivision 1 for 
105.17 	the marked Interstate Highway 35W (I-35W) corridor must be deposited in the account 
105.18 	and used as described in this subdivision. Money in the account is appropriated to the 
105.19 	commissioner.
105.20 	(b) During the first year of revenue operations, the commissioner shall use the 
105.21 	money received in that year to pay the costs of operating and administering the fee 
105.22 	collection system within the corridor, up to $1,000,000. Any remaining money must be 
105.23 	transferred to the Metropolitan Councilused for improvement of bus transit services 
105.24 	within the I-35W corridor including transit capital expenses.
105.25 	(c) During the second and subsequent years of revenue operations, the commissioner 
105.26 	shall use money in the account as follows:
105.27 	(1) each year, allocate the lesser amount of $1,000,000 or 75 percent of the revenues 
105.28 	for operating and administering the fee collection system within the corridor;
105.29 	(2) transferuse the remaining amount up to the amount allocated under clause (1) to 
105.30 	the Metropolitan Council for improvement of bus transit within the corridor including 
105.31 	capital expenses; and
105.32 	(3) allocate any remaining amount as follows: (i) 25 percent to the commissioner for 
105.33 	operating and administeringoperate and administer the fee collection system within the 
105.34 	corridor and for transportation capital improvements that are consistent with the goals 
105.35 	of the urban partnership agreement and that are located within the corridor and (ii) 75 
106.1 	percent to the Metropolitan Council for improvement of bus transit services within the 
106.2 	corridor including transit capital expenses.

106.3 	Sec. 6. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 162.09, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
106.4 		Subd. 4.Federal census is conclusive. (a) In determining whether any city has 
106.5 	a population of 5,000 or more, the last federal census shall be conclusive, except as 
106.6 	otherwise provided in this subdivision.
106.7 	(b) The governing body of a city may contract with the United States Bureau of the 
106.8 	Census to take a special census. A certified copy of the results of the census shall be filed 
106.9 	with the appropriate state authorities by the city. The result of the census shall be the 
106.10 	population of the city for the purposes of any law providing that population is a required 
106.11 	qualification for distribution of highway aids under chapter 162. The special census shall 
106.12 	remain in effect until the next federal census is completed and filed. The expense of taking 
106.13 	the special census shall be paid by the city.
106.14 	(c) If an entire area not heretofore incorporated as a city is incorporated as such 
106.15 	during the interval between federal censuses, its population shall be determined by its 
106.16 	incorporation census. The incorporation census shall be determinative of the population of 
106.17 	the city only until the next federal census.
106.18 	(d) The population of a city created by the consolidation of two or more previously 
106.19 	incorporated cities shall be determined by the most recent population estimate of the 
106.20 	Metropolitan Council or state demographer, until the first federal decennial census or 
106.21 	special census taken after the consolidation.
106.22 	(e) The population of a city that is not receiving a municipal state-aid street fund 
106.23 	apportionment shall be determined, upon request of the city, by the most recent population 
106.24 	estimate of the Metropolitan Council or state demographer. A municipal state-aid street 
106.25 	fund apportionment received by the city must be based on this population estimate until 
106.26 	the next federal decennial census or special census.
106.27 	(f) A city that is found in the most recent federal decennial census to have a 
106.28 	population of less than 5,000 is deemed for the purposes of this chapter and the Minnesota 
106.29 	Constitution, article XIV, to have a population of 5,000 or more under the following 
106.30 	circumstances: (1) immediately before the most recent federal decennial census, the city 
106.31 	was receiving municipal state-aid street fund distributions; and (2) the population of the 
106.32 	city was found in the most recent federal decennial census to be less than 5,000. Following 
106.33 	the end of the first calendar year that ends in "5" after the decennial census and until the next 
106.34 	decennial census, the population of any city must be determined under paragraphs (a) to (e).

107.1 	Sec. 7. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 169.306, is amended to read:
107.2 	169.306 USE OF SHOULDERS BY BUSES.
107.3 	(a) A road authority, as defined in section 160.02, subdivision 25, is authorized to 
107.4 	permit transit buses and Metro Mobility buses use of a shoulder, as designated by the road 
107.5 	authority, of a freeway or expressway, as defined in section 160.02, in Minnesota.
107.6 	(b) If a road authority permits the use of a freeway or expressway shoulder by transit 
107.7 	buses, the road authority shall permit the use on that shoulder of a bus (1) with a seating 
107.8 	capacity of 40 passengers or more operated by a motor carrier of passengers, as defined in 
107.9 	section 221.012, subdivision 26, while operating in intrastate commerce or (2) providing 
107.10 	regular route transit service, as defined in section 174.22, subdivision 8, or Metro Mobility 
107.11 	services, and operated by or under contract with the Metropolitan Council Department of 
107.12 	Transportation, a local transit authority, or a transit authority created by the legislature. 
107.13 	Drivers of these buses must have adequate training in the requirements of paragraph 
107.14 	(c), as determined by the commissioner.
107.15 	(c) Buses authorized to use the shoulder under this section may be operated on 
107.16 	the shoulder only when main-line traffic speeds are less than 35 miles per hour, except 
107.17 	as provided for in paragraph (f). Drivers of buses being operated on the shoulder may 
107.18 	not exceed the speed of main-line traffic by more than 15 miles per hour and may never 
107.19 	exceed 35 miles per hour, except as provided for in paragraph (f). Drivers of buses being 
107.20 	operated on the shoulder must yield to merging, entering, and exiting traffic and must yield 
107.21 	to other vehicles on the shoulder. Buses operated on the shoulder must be registered with 
107.22 	the Department of Transportation.
107.23 	(d) For the purposes of this section, the term "Metro Mobility bus" means a motor 
107.24 	vehicle of not less than 20 feet in length engaged in providing special transportation 
107.25 	services under section 473.386 that is:
107.26 	(1) operated by or under contract with a public or private entity receiving financial 
107.27 	assistance to provide transit services from the Metropolitan Council or the commissioner 
107.28 	of transportation; and
107.29 	(2) authorized by a road authority to use freeway or expressway shoulders.
107.30 	(e) This section does not apply to the operation of buses on dynamic shoulder lanes.
107.31 	(f) The commissioner may authorize different operating conditions and maximum 
107.32 	speeds, not to exceed the posted speed limit, based upon an engineering study and 
107.33 	recommendation by the road authority. The engineering study must be conducted by the 
107.34 	road authority and must conform with the manual and specifications adopted under section 
107.35 	169.06, subdivision 1, and applicable state and federal standards. The road authority shall 
108.1 	consult the public transit operator before recommending operating conditions different 
108.2 	from those authorized by law.

108.3 	Sec. 8. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 169.781, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
108.4 		Subdivision 1.Definitions. For purposes of sections 169.781 to 169.783:
108.5 	(a) "Commercial motor vehicle":
108.6 	(1) means a motor vehicle as defined in section 169.011, subdivision 16, paragraph 
108.7 	(a), or combination of motor vehicles used to transport passengers or property if the 
108.8 	motor vehicle:
108.9 	(i) has a gross vehicle weight of more than 26,000 pounds;
108.10 	(ii) is a vehicle in a combination of more than 26,000 pounds;
108.11 	(iii) is a bus;
108.12 	(iv) is of any size and is used in the transportation of hazardous materials that are 
108.13 	required to be placarded under Code of Federal Regulations, title 49, parts 100-185; or
108.14 	(v) is a spotter truck; and
108.15 	(2) does not include (i) a school bus or Head Start bus displaying a certificate 
108.16 	under section 169.451, or (ii) a bus operated by the Metropolitan CouncilDepartment of 
108.17 	Transportation or by a local transit commission created in chapter 458A.
108.18 	(b) "Commissioner" means the commissioner of public safety.
108.19 	(c) "Owner" means a person who owns, or has control, under a lease of more than 30 
108.20 	days' duration, of one or more commercial motor vehicles.

108.21 	Sec. 9. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 169.791, subdivision 5, is amended to read:
108.22 		Subd. 5.Exemptions. Buses or other commercial vehicles operated by the 
108.23 	Metropolitan Council commissioner of transportation, commercial vehicles required to file 
108.24 	proof of insurance pursuant to chapter 221, and school buses as defined in section 171.01, 
108.25 	subdivision 45, are exempt from this section.

108.26 	Sec. 10. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 169.792, subdivision 11, is amended to read:
108.27 		Subd. 11.Exemptions. Buses or other commercial vehicles operated by the 
108.28 	Metropolitan Council Department of Transportation, commercial vehicles required to file 
108.29 	proof of insurance pursuant to chapter 221, and school buses as defined in section 171.01, 
108.30 	subdivision 45, are exempt from this section.

108.31 	Sec. 11. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 174.03, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
109.1 		Subdivision 1.Statewide transportation plan; priorities; schedule of 
109.2 	expenditures. In order to best meet the present and future transportation needs of the 
109.3 	public, to insure a strong state economy, to make most efficient use of public and private 
109.4 	funds, to lessen adverse environmental impacts of the transportation sector, and to 
109.5 	promote the more efficient use of energy and other resources for transportation purposes, 
109.6 	the commissioner shall:
109.7 	(1) three months after notification that the department is ready to commence 
109.8 	operations and prior to the drafting of the statewide transportation plan, hold public 
109.9 	hearings as may be appropriate solely for the purpose of receiving suggestions for future 
109.10 	transportation alternatives and priorities for the state. The Metropolitan Council, regional 
109.11 	development commissions, and port authorities shall appear at the hearings and submit 
109.12 	information concerning transportation-related planning undertaken and accomplished by 
109.13 	these agencies. Other political subdivisions may appear and submit such information at 
109.14 	the hearings. These hearings shall be completed no later than six months from the date of 
109.15 	the commissioner's notification;
109.16 	(2) develop, adopt, revise, and monitor a statewide transportation plan, taking into 
109.17 	account the suggestions and information submitted at the public hearings held pursuant 
109.18 	to clause (1). The plan shall incorporate all modes of transportation including bicycle 
109.19 	commutation and recreation and provide for the interconnection and coordination of 
109.20 	different modes of transportation. The commissioner shall evaluate all transportation 
109.21 	programs and facilities proposed for inclusion in the plan in terms of economic costs 
109.22 	and benefits, safety aspects, impact on present and planned land uses, environmental 
109.23 	effects, energy efficiency, national transportation policies and priorities, and availability 
109.24 	of federal and other financial assistance;
109.25 	(3) based upon the statewide transportation plan, develop statewide transportation 
109.26 	priorities and schedule authorized public capital improvements and other authorized 
109.27 	public transportation expenditures pursuant to the priorities. As permitted by the federal 
109.28 	Surface Transportation Program and subject to available funding, the commissioner shall 
109.29 	give serious consideration to prioritizing for funding those trunk highway projects in 
109.30 	the metropolitan area, as defined in section 473.121, subdivision 2, that are consistent 
109.31 	with policies included in the Metropolitan Council's metropolitan development guide, 
109.32 	transportation policy plan, and regional development framework, and that have been 
109.33 	awarded funding through the federal Surface Transportation Program. In responding to an 
109.34 	unforeseen, catastrophic event affecting the state transportation system, the commissioner 
109.35 	may, upon written notification to the chairs of the senate and house of representatives 
110.1 	committees with jurisdiction over transportation policy and finance, prioritize projects 
110.2 	without regard to availability of federal funding; and
110.3 	(4) complete the plan and priorities required by this subdivision no later than July 
110.4 	1, 1978. Upon completion of the plan and priorities, the commissioner shall prepare 
110.5 	and periodically revise, as necessary, the schedule of authorized public transportation 
110.6 	expenditures. The plan, priorities, and schedule are exempt from the provisions of the 
110.7 	Administrative Procedure Act.

110.8 	Sec. 12. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 174.03, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
110.9 		Subd. 4.Other duties. The commissioner shall:
110.10 	(1) construct and maintain transportation facilities as authorized by law;
110.11 	(2) cooperate with, and may provide technical and financial assistance to, the 
110.12 	Metropolitan Council and regional development commissions in the regional transportation 
110.13 	planning process, in accordance with mutually acceptable terms and conditions;
110.14 	(3) cooperate with, and may provide planning and technical assistance upon the 
110.15 	request of, any political subdivision or other governmental agency in accordance with 
110.16 	mutually accepted terms and conditions, except as otherwise restricted by law; and
110.17 	(4) develop, revise, and monitor a statewide rail transportation plan as part of the 
110.18 	statewide transportation planning process, including a study and evaluation of alternative 
110.19 	methods for insuring adequate and economical transportation of agricultural commodities, 
110.20 	supplies, and other goods to and from rural areas of the state. The plan shall include an 
110.21 	analysis of rail lines in the state for the purpose of determining (i) eligibility of rail lines 
110.22 	for assistance under federal and state rail assistance programs, (ii) eligibility of rail lines 
110.23 	for inclusion in the state rail bank, and (iii) the actions required by the state to insure the 
110.24 	continuation of rail service that meets essential state needs and objectives.

110.25 	Sec. 13. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 174.03, subdivision 5, is amended to read:
110.26 		Subd. 5.Regional transportation planning. The Metropolitan Council, pursuant 
110.27 	to section 473.146, and the regional development commissions shall develop regional 
110.28 	long-range transportation policy plans in cooperation with the commissioner and local 
110.29 	units of government. Upon promulgation of the statewide transportation plan, and 
110.30 	periodically as necessary thereafter, each regional policy plan shall be reviewed and 
110.31 	amended, if necessary, by the appropriate regional agency to insure that the regional 
110.32 	policy plan is not in conflict with the statewide transportation plan.

110.33 	Sec. 14. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 174.03, subdivision 6a, is amended to read:
111.1 		Subd. 6a.Economic analysis of nonhighway alternatives. If the commissioner 
111.2 	considers congestion pricing, tolls, mileage pricing, or public-private partnerships in order 
111.3 	to meet the transportation needs of commuters in the department's metropolitan district 
111.4 	between 2001 and 2020, the commissioner shall, in cooperation with the Metropolitan 
111.5 	Council and the regional railroad authorities in the district, compare the economics 
111.6 	of these financing methods with the economics of nonhighway alternatives for moving 
111.7 	commuters. The commissioner shall analyze the economics as they relate to both 
111.8 	individuals and to the transportation system.

111.9 	Sec. 15. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 174.04, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
111.10 		Subdivision 1.Review of application. Any state agency which receives an 
111.11 	application from a regional development commission, metropolitan council, public transit 
111.12 	commission, airport commission, port authority, or other political subdivision of the 
111.13 	state, or any nonpublic organization, for financial assistance for transportation planning, 
111.14 	capital expenditures, or operations to any state or federal agency, shall first submit the 
111.15 	application to the commissioner of transportation. The commissioner shall review the 
111.16 	application to determine whether it contains matters that substantially affect the statewide 
111.17 	transportation plan and priorities. If the application does not contain such matters, the 
111.18 	commissioner shall within 15 days after receipt return the application to the applicant 
111.19 	political subdivision or nonpublic organization for forwarding to the appropriate agency. 
111.20 	If the application contains such matters, the commissioner shall review and comment on 
111.21 	the application as being consistent with the plan and priorities. The commissioner shall 
111.22 	return the application together with comments within 45 days after receipt to the applicant 
111.23 	political subdivision or nonpublic organization for forwarding with the commissioner's 
111.24 	comments to the appropriate agency.

111.25 	Sec. 16. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 174.04, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
111.26 		Subd. 2.Designated agent. A regional development commission, metropolitan 
111.27 	council, public transit commission, airport commission, port authority, or any other 
111.28 	political subdivision of the state, or any nonpublic organization, may designate the 
111.29 	commissioner as its agent to receive and disburse funds by entering into an agreement 
111.30 	with the commissioner prescribing the terms and conditions of the receipt and expenditure 
111.31 	of the funds in accordance with federal and state laws, rules, and regulations.

111.32 	Sec. 17. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 174.247, is amended to read:
111.33 	174.247 ANNUAL TRANSIT REPORT.
112.1 	(a) By February 15 annually, the commissioner shall submit a report to the legislature 
112.2 	on transit services outside the metropolitan area. The Metropolitan Council and Any 
112.3 	public transit system receiving assistance under section 174.24 shall provide assistance 
112.4 	in creating the report, as requested by the commissioner.
112.5 	(b) The report must include, at a minimum, the following:
112.6 	(1) a descriptive overview of public transit in Minnesota;
112.7 	(2) a descriptive summary of funding sources and assistance programs;
112.8 	(3) a summary of each public transit system receiving assistance under section 174.24;
112.9 	(4) data that identifies use of volunteers in providing transit service;
112.10 	(5) financial data that identifies for each public transit system and for each transit 
112.11 	system classification under section 174.24, subdivision 3b:
112.12 	(i) the operating and capital costs;
112.13 	(ii) each of the funding sources used to provide financial assistance; and
112.14 	(iii) for federal funds, the amount from each specific federal program under which 
112.15 	funding is provided;
112.16 	(6) a summary of the differences in program implementation requirements and aid 
112.17 	recipient eligibility between federal aid and state sources of funds;
112.18 	(7) in each odd-numbered year, an analysis of public transit system needs and 
112.19 	operating expenditures on an annual basis, which must include a methodology for 
112.20 	identifying monetary needs, and calculations of:
112.21 	(i) the total monetary needs for all public transit systems, for the year of the report 
112.22 	and the ensuing five years;
112.23 	(ii) the total expenditures from local sources for each transit system classification;
112.24 	(iii) the comprehensive transit assistance percentage for each transit system 
112.25 	classification, which equals (A) the expenditures identified under item (ii), for a transit 
112.26 	system classification, divided by (B) the amounts identified under subitem (A), plus the 
112.27 	sum of state sources of funds plus federal funds provided to all transit systems in that 
112.28 	classification; and
112.29 	(iv) the amount of surplus or insufficient funds available for paying capital and 
112.30 	operating costs to fully implement the greater Minnesota transit investment plan under 
112.31 	section 174.24, subdivision 1a.

112.32 	Sec. 18. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 174.285, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
112.33 		Subd. 4.Membership. (a) The council is composed of the following 1312 members:
112.34 	(1) one representative from the Office of the Governor;
112.35 	(2) one representative from the Council on Disability;
113.1 	(3) one representative from the Minnesota Public Transit Association;
113.2 	(4) the commissioner of transportation or a designee;
113.3 	(5) the commissioner of human services or a designee;
113.4 	(6) the commissioner of health or a designee;
113.5 	(7) the chair of the Metropolitan Council or a designee;
113.6 	(8)(7) the commissioner of education or a designee;
113.7 	(9)(8) the commissioner of veterans affairs or a designee;
113.8 	(10)(9) one representative from the Board on Aging;
113.9 	(11)(10) the commissioner of employment and economic development or a designee;
113.10 	(12)(11) the commissioner of commerce or a designee; and
113.11 	(13)(12) the commissioner of management and budget or a designee.
113.12 	(b) All appointments required by paragraph (a) must be completed by August 1, 2010.
113.13 	(c) The commissioner of transportation or a designee shall convene the first meeting 
113.14 	of the council within two weeks after the members have been appointed to the council. 
113.15 	The members shall elect a chair from their membership at the first meeting.
113.16 	(d) The Department of Transportation and the Department of Human Services shall 
113.17 	provide necessary staff support for the council.

113.18 	Sec. 19. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 174.30, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
113.19 		Subd. 4.Vehicle and equipment inspection; rules; decal; complaint contact 
113.20 	information. (a) The commissioner shall inspect or provide for the inspection of 
113.21 	vehicles at least annually. In addition to scheduled annual inspections and reinspections 
113.22 	scheduled for the purpose of verifying that deficiencies have been corrected, unannounced 
113.23 	inspections of any vehicle may be conducted.
113.24 	(b) On determining that a vehicle or vehicle equipment is in a condition that is likely 
113.25 	to cause an accident or breakdown, the commissioner shall require the vehicle to be taken 
113.26 	out of service immediately. The commissioner shall require that vehicles and equipment 
113.27 	not meeting standards be repaired and brought into conformance with the standards 
113.28 	and shall require written evidence of compliance from the operator before allowing the 
113.29 	operator to return the vehicle to service.
113.30 	(c) The commissioner shall provide in the rules procedures for inspecting vehicles, 
113.31 	removing unsafe vehicles from service, determining and requiring compliance, and 
113.32 	reviewing driver qualifications.
113.33 	(d) The commissioner shall design a distinctive decal to be issued to special 
113.34 	transportation service providers with a current certificate of compliance under this section. 
113.35 	A decal is valid for one year from the last day of the month in which it is issued. A person 
114.1 	who is subject to the operating standards adopted under this section may not provide 
114.2 	special transportation service in a vehicle that does not conspicuously display a decal 
114.3 	issued by the commissioner.
114.4 	(e) Special transportation service providers shall prominently display in each vehicle 
114.5 	all contact information for the commissioner of transportation for the submission of 
114.6 	complaints regarding the transportation services provided to thatan individual. All 
114.7 	vehicles providing service under section 473.386 shall display contact information for 
114.8 	the Metropolitan Council. All other special transportation service vehicles shall display 
114.9 	contact information for the commissioner of transportation.

114.10 	Sec. 20. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 174.37, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
114.11 		Subd. 2.Members. The advisory committee must consist of the following members:
114.12 	(a) The commissioner of transportation shall appoint up to 18 public members, as 
114.13 	follows: one member from each of the department's seven greater Minnesota districts; four 
114.14 	members from the department's metropolitan district; and no more than seven members at 
114.15 	large. Each of the members at large must represent nonmotorized interests or organizations.
114.16 	(b) The commissioners of each of the following state agencies shall appoint 
114.17 	an employee of the agency to serve as a member: administration, education, health, 
114.18 	natural resources, public safety, transportation, and pollution control. The chair of the 
114.19 	Metropolitan Council shall appoint an employee of the council to serve as a member. The 
114.20 	director of Explore Minnesota Tourism shall appoint an employee of the agency to serve 
114.21 	as a member. The division administrator of the Federal Highway Administration may 
114.22 	appoint an employee of the agency to serve as a member.
114.23 	(c) Members of the committee shall serve four-year terms.

114.24 	Sec. 21. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 174.90, is amended to read:
114.25 	174.90 COMMUTER RAIL OPERATION.
114.26 	The commissioner may contract for operation of commuter rail facilities with the 
114.27 	Metropolitan Council or other public or private entities and shall commence revenue 
114.28 	service after an appropriate period of start-up to ensure satisfactory performance. The 
114.29 	commissioner shall coordinate with transit providers to ensure integration of the commuter 
114.30 	rail system with bus and light rail transit service to avoid duplication of service and to 
114.31 	ensure the greatest access to commuter rail lines in suburban and urban areas.

114.32 	Sec. 22. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 174.93, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
115.1 		Subdivision 1.Definitions. (a) For purposes of this section, the following terms 
115.2 	have the meanings given:
115.3 	(1) "commissioner" means the commissioner of transportation;
115.4 	(2) "guideway" means a form of transportation service provided to the public on a 
115.5 	regular and ongoing basis, that operates on exclusive or controlled rights-of-way or rails 
115.6 	in whole or in part, and includes each line for intercity passenger rail, commuter rail, light 
115.7 	rail transit, streetcars, and bus rapid transit; and
115.8 	(3) "local unit of government" means a county, statutory or home rule charter city, 
115.9 	town, or other political subdivision including, but not limited to, a regional railroad 
115.10 	authority or joint powers board.
115.11 	(b) For purposes of this section, "sources of funds" includes, but is not limited to, 
115.12 	money from federal aid, state appropriations, the Metropolitan Council, special taxing 
115.13 	districts, local units of government, fare box recovery, and nonpublic sources.
115.14 	(c) For purposes of this section, "budget activity" includes, but is not limited 
115.15 	to, environmental analysis, land acquisition, easements, design, preliminary and 
115.16 	final engineering, acquisition of vehicles and rolling stock, track improvement and 
115.17 	rehabilitation, and construction.

115.18 	Sec. 23. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 174.93, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
115.19 		Subd. 2.Legislative report. (a) By January 15, 2012, and by November 15 in every 
115.20 	odd-numbered year thereafter, the commissioner shall prepare, in collaboration with 
115.21 	the Metropolitan Council, and submit a report electronically to the chairs and ranking 
115.22 	minority members of the legislative committees with jurisdiction over transportation 
115.23 	policy and finance concerning the status of guideway projects (1) currently in study, 
115.24 	planning, development, or construction; (2) identified in the transportation policy plan 
115.25 	under section 473.146; or (3) identified in the comprehensive statewide freight and 
115.26 	passenger rail plan under section 174.03, subdivision 1b.
115.27 	(b) At a minimum, the report must include, for each guideway project:
115.28 	(1) a brief description of the project, including projected ridership;
115.29 	(2) a summary of the overall status and current phase of the project;
115.30 	(3) a timeline that includes (i) project phases or milestones; (ii) expected and known 
115.31 	dates of commencement of each phase or milestone; and (iii) expected and known dates 
115.32 	of completion of each phase or milestone;
115.33 	(4) a brief progress update on specific project phases or milestones completed since 
115.34 	the last previous submission of a report under this subdivision; and
116.1 	(5) a summary financial plan that identifies, as reflected by the data and level of 
116.2 	detail available in the latest phase of project development and to the extent available:
116.3 	(i) capital expenditures, including expenditures to date and total projected 
116.4 	expenditures, with a breakdown by committed and proposed sources of funds for the 
116.5 	project;
116.6 	(ii) estimated annual operations and maintenance expenditures reflecting the level 
116.7 	of detail available in the current phase of the project development, with a breakdown by 
116.8 	committed and proposed sources of funds for the project; and
116.9 	(iii) if feasible, project expenditures by budget activity.
116.10 	(c) The report must also include a systemwide capacity analysis for investment in 
116.11 	guideway expansion and maintenance that:
116.12 	(1) provides a funding projection, annually over the ensuing ten years, and with a 
116.13 	breakdown by committed and proposed sources of funds, of:
116.14 	(i) total capital expenditures for guideways;
116.15 	(ii) total operations and maintenance expenditures for guideways;
116.16 	(iii) total funding available for guideways, including from projected or estimated 
116.17 	farebox recovery; and
116.18 	(iv) total funding available for transit service in the metropolitan area; and
116.19 	(2) evaluates the availability of funds and distribution of sources of funds for 
116.20 	guideway investments.
116.21 	(d) The projection under paragraph (c), clause (1), must be for all guideway lines 
116.22 	for which state funds are reasonably expected to be expended in planning, development, 
116.23 	construction, or revenue operation during the ensuing ten years.
116.24 	(e) Local units of government shall provide assistance and information in a timely 
116.25 	manner as requested by the commissioner or council for completion of the report.

116.26 	Sec. 24. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 221.012, subdivision 38, is amended to read:
116.27 		Subd. 38.Small vehicle passenger service. (a) "Small vehicle passenger service" 
116.28 	means a service provided by a person engaged in the for-hire transportation of passengers 
116.29 	in a vehicle designed to transport seven or fewer persons, including the driver.
116.30 	(b) In the metropolitan area as defined in section 473.121, subdivision 2, "small 
116.31 	vehicle passenger service" also includes for-hire transportation of persons who are 
116.32 	certified by the Metropolitan Councilcommissioner to use special transportation service 
116.33 	provided under section 473.386, in a vehicle designed to transport not more than 15 
116.34 	persons including the driver, that is equipped with a wheelchair lift and at least three 
116.35 	wheelchair securement positions.
117.1 	(c) Small vehicle passenger service does not include a motor carrier of railroad 
117.2 	employees.

117.3 	Sec. 25. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 221.022, is amended to read:
117.4 	221.022 EXCEPTION.
117.5 	The powers granted to the commissioner under sections 221.012 to 221.293 do not 
117.6 	include the power to regulate any service or vehicles operated by the Metropolitan Council 
117.7 	or to register passenger transportation service provided under contract to the department or 
117.8 	the Metropolitan Council. A provider of passenger transportation service under contract 
117.9 	to the department or the Metropolitan Council may not also provide service as a motor 
117.10 	carrier of passengers without first having registered under section 221.0252.

117.11 	Sec. 26. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 221.031, subdivision 3a, is amended to read:
117.12 		Subd. 3a.Contractor or recipient of transportation assistance. (a) 
117.13 	Notwithstanding subdivision 3, providers of passenger transportation service under 
117.14 	contract to and with operating assistance from the department or the Metropolitan Council 
117.15 	must comply with rules for driver qualifications; driving of motor vehicles; parts and 
117.16 	accessories necessary for safe operation; hours of service of drivers; inspection, repair, 
117.17 	and maintenance; and the rules adopted in section 221.0314, subdivision 8, for accident 
117.18 	reporting.
117.19 	(b) This subdivision does not apply to (1) a local transit commission, (2) a transit 
117.20 	authority created by the legislature, (3) special transportation service certified by the 
117.21 	commissioner under section 174.30, or (4) special transportation service defined in section 
117.22 	174.29, subdivision 1, when provided by a volunteer driver operating a private passenger 
117.23 	vehicle defined in section 169.011, subdivision 52.

117.24 	Sec. 27. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 275.066, is amended to read:
117.25 	275.066 SPECIAL TAXING DISTRICTS; DEFINITION.
117.26 	For the purposes of property taxation and property tax state aids, the term "special 
117.27 	taxing districts" includes the following entities:
117.28 	(1) watershed districts under chapter 103D;
117.29 	(2) sanitary districts under sections 442A.01 to 442A.29;
117.30 	(3) regional sanitary sewer districts under sections 115.61 to 115.67;
117.31 	(4) regional public library districts under section 134.201;
117.32 	(5) park districts under chapter 398;
117.33 	(6) regional railroad authorities under chapter 398A;
118.1 	(7) hospital districts under sections 447.31 to 447.38;
118.2 	(8) St. Cloud Metropolitan Transit Commission under sections 458A.01 to 458A.15;
118.3 	(9) Duluth Transit Authority under sections 458A.21 to 458A.37;
118.4 	(10) regional development commissions under sections 462.381 to 462.398;
118.5 	(11) housing and redevelopment authorities under sections 469.001 to 469.047;
118.6 	(12) port authorities under sections 469.048 to 469.068;
118.7 	(13) economic development authorities under sections 469.090 to 469.1081;
118.8 	(14) Metropolitan CouncilArea Transit Board under sections 473.123 to 473.549 
118.9 	section 473.446;
118.10 	(15) Metropolitan Airports Commission under sections 473.601 to 473.679;
118.11 	(16) Metropolitan Mosquito Control Commission under sections 473.701 to 473.716;
118.12 	(17) Morrison County Rural Development Financing Authority under Laws 1982, 
118.13 	chapter 437, section 1;
118.14 	(18) Croft Historical Park District under Laws 1984, chapter 502, article 13, section 6;
118.15 	(19) East Lake County Medical Clinic District under Laws 1989, chapter 211, 
118.16 	sections 1 to 6;
118.17 	(20) Floodwood Area Ambulance District under Laws 1993, chapter 375, article 
118.18 	5, section 39;
118.19 	(21) Middle Mississippi River Watershed Management Organization under sections 
118.20 	103B.211 and 103B.241;
118.21 	(22) emergency medical services special taxing districts under section 144F.01;
118.22 	(23) a county levying under the authority of section 103B.241, 103B.245, or 
118.23 	103B.251;
118.24 	(24) Southern St. Louis County Special Taxing District; Chris Jensen Nursing Home 
118.25 	under Laws 2003, First Special Session chapter 21, article 4, section 12;
118.26 	(25) an airport authority created under section 360.0426; and
118.27 	(26) any other political subdivision of the state of Minnesota, excluding counties, 
118.28 	school districts, cities, and towns, that has the power to adopt and certify a property tax 
118.29 	levy to the county auditor, as determined by the commissioner of revenue.

118.30 	Sec. 28. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 297A.992, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
118.31 		Subd. 4.Joint powers board. (a) The joint powers board must consist of one 
118.32 	or more commissioners of each county that is in the metropolitan transportation area, 
118.33 	appointed by its county board, and the chair of the Metropolitan Council, who must have 
118.34 	voting rights, subject to subdivision 3, clause (4). The joint powers board has the powers 
118.35 	and duties provided in this section and section 471.59.
119.1 	(b) The joint powers board may utilize no more than three-fourths of one percent of 
119.2 	the proceeds of the taxes imposed under this section for ordinary administrative expenses 
119.3 	incurred in carrying out the provisions of this section. Any additional administrative 
119.4 	expenses must be paid by the participating counties.
119.5 	(c) The joint powers board may establish a technical advisory group that is separate 
119.6 	from the GEARS Committee. The group must consist of representatives of cities, counties, 
119.7 	or public agencies, including the Metropolitan Council. The technical advisory group 
119.8 	must be used solely for technical consultation purposes.

119.9 	Sec. 29. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 297A.992, subdivision 5, is amended to read:
119.10 		Subd. 5.Grant application and awards; Grant Evaluation and Ranking System 
119.11 	(GEARS) Committee. (a) The joint powers board shall establish a grant application 
119.12 	process and identify the amount of available funding for grant awards. Grant applications 
119.13 	must be submitted in a form prescribed by the joint powers board. An applicant must 
119.14 	provide, in addition to all other information required by the joint powers board, the 
119.15 	estimated cost of the project, the amount of the grant sought, possible sources of funding 
119.16 	in addition to the grant sought, and identification of any federal funds that will be utilized 
119.17 	if the grant is awarded. A grant application seeking transit capital funding must identify 
119.18 	the source of money necessary to operate the transit improvement.
119.19 	(b) The joint powers board shall establish a timeline and procedures for the award of 
119.20 	grants, and may award grants only to the state and political subdivisions. The board shall 
119.21 	define objective criteria for the award of grants, which must include, but not be limited to, 
119.22 	consistency with the most recent version of the transportation policy plan adopted by the 
119.23 	Metropolitan Council under section 473.146. The joint powers board shall maximize the 
119.24 	availability and use of federal funds in projects funded under this section.
119.25 	(c) The joint powers board shall establish a GEARS Committee, which must consist 
119.26 	of:
119.27 	(1) one county commissioner from each county that is in the metropolitan 
119.28 	transportation area, appointed by its county board;
119.29 	(2) one elected city representative from each county that is in the metropolitan 
119.30 	transportation area; and
119.31 	(3) one additional elected city representative from each county for every additional 
119.32 	400,000 in population, or fraction of 400,000, in the county that is above 400,000 in 
119.33 	population; and.
119.34 	(4) the chair of the Metropolitan Council Transportation Committee.
120.1 	(d) Each city representative must be elected at a meeting of cities in the metropolitan 
120.2 	transportation area, which must be convened for that purpose by the Association of 
120.3 	Metropolitan Municipalities.
120.4 	(e) The committee shall evaluate grant applications following objective criteria 
120.5 	established by the joint powers board, and must provide to the joint powers board a 
120.6 	selection list of transportation projects that includes a priority ranking.
120.7 	(f) A grant award for a transit project located within the metropolitan area, as defined 
120.8 	in section 473.121, subdivision 2, may be funded only after the Metropolitan Council 
120.9 	reviews the project for consistency with the transit portion of the Metropolitan Council 
120.10 	policy plan and one of the following occurs:
120.11 	(1) the Metropolitan Council finds the project to be consistent;
120.12 	(2) the Metropolitan Council initially finds the project to be inconsistent, but after a 
120.13 	good faith effort to resolve the inconsistency through negotiations with the joint powers 
120.14 	board, agrees that the grant award may be funded; or
120.15 	(3) the Metropolitan Council finds the project to be inconsistent, and submits the 
120.16 	consistency issue for final determination to a panel, which determines the project to be 
120.17 	consistent. The panel is composed of a member appointed by the chair of the Metropolitan 
120.18 	Council, a member appointed by the joint powers board, and a member agreed upon by 
120.19 	both the chair and the joint powers board.
120.20 	(g) (f) Grants must be funded by the proceeds of the taxes imposed under this section, 
120.21 	bonds, notes, or other obligations issued by the joint powers board under subdivision 7.
120.22 	(h) Notwithstanding the provisions of this section except subdivision 6a, of 
120.23 	the revenue collected under this section, the joint powers board shall allocate to the 
120.24 	Metropolitan Council, in fiscal years 2012 and 2013, an amount not less than 75 percent of 
120.25 	the net cost of operations for those transitways that were receiving metropolitan sales tax 
120.26 	funds through an operating grant agreement on June 30, 2011.
120.27 	(i) The Metropolitan Council shall expend any funds allocated under paragraph (h) 
120.28 	for the operations of the specified transitways solely within those counties that are in the 
120.29 	metropolitan transportation area.
120.30 	(j) Nothing in paragraph (h) or (i) prevents grant awards to the Metropolitan Council 
120.31 	for capital and operating assistance for transitways and park-and-ride facilities.

120.32 	Sec. 30. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 398A.04, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
120.33 		Subd. 2.Railroad acquisition and operation. The authority may plan, establish, 
120.34 	acquire, develop, construct, purchase, enlarge, extend, improve, maintain, equip, operate, 
120.35 	regulate, and protect railroads and railroad facilities, including but not limited to terminal 
121.1 	buildings, roadways, crossings, bridges, causeways, tunnels, equipment, and rolling 
121.2 	stock. The authority may not expend state or federal funds to engage in planning for or 
121.3 	development of light rail transit or commuter rail transit, unless this activity is consistent 
121.4 	with a plan adopted by the department of transportation under section 174.84and a plan 
121.5 	adopted by the metropolitan council under section 473.399, and is carried out pursuant to 
121.6 	a memorandum of understanding executed by the authority and the commissioner after 
121.7 	appropriate consultation with the metropolitan council.

121.8 	Sec. 31. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 398A.04, subdivision 2a, is amended to read:
121.9 		Subd. 2a.Bus rapid transit development. A regional rail authority may exercise 
121.10 	the powers conferred under this section to: plan, establish, acquire, develop, purchase, 
121.11 	enlarge, extend, improve, maintain, equip, regulate, and protect; and pay costs of 
121.12 	construction and operation of a bus rapid transit system located within its county on 
121.13 	transitways included in and approved by the Metropolitan Council's 2030 Transportation 
121.14 	Policy Plan. This subdivision applies only to the counties of Anoka, Carver, Dakota, 
121.15 	Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott, and Washington.

121.16 	Sec. 32. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 398A.04, subdivision 9, is amended to read:
121.17 		Subd. 9.Agreements. The authority may enter into joint powers agreements under 
121.18 	section 471.59 or other agreements with the municipality or municipalities named in the 
121.19 	organization agreement; with other municipalities situated in the counties named in the 
121.20 	resolution, respecting the matters referred to in section 398A.06; with another authority; 
121.21 	or with a state agency; or with the Metropolitan Council about any matter subject to 
121.22 	this chapter.

121.23 	Sec. 33. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 473.146, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
121.24 		Subd. 4.Transportation planning. (a) The Metropolitan Council is the designated 
121.25 	commissioner and affected local governments shall cooperate to designate a planning 
121.26 	agency for any long-range comprehensive transportation planning required by section 
121.27 	134 of the Federal Highway Act of 1962, Section 4 of Urban Mass Transportation 
121.28 	Act of 1964 and Section 112 of Federal Aid Highway Act of 1973 and other federal 
121.29 	transportation laws. The councildesignated planning agency shall assure administration 
121.30 	and coordination of transportation planning with appropriate state, regional and other 
121.31 	agencies, counties, and municipalities.
121.32 	(b) The councildesignated planning agency shall establish an advisory body 
121.33 	consisting of citizens and representatives of municipalities, counties, and state agencies in 
122.1 	fulfillment of the planning responsibilities of the council designated planning agency. The 
122.2 	membership of the advisory body must consist of:
122.3 	(1) the commissioner of transportation or the commissioner's designee;
122.4 	(2) the commissioner of the Pollution Control Agency or the commissioner's 
122.5 	designee;
122.6 	(3) one member of the Metropolitan Airports Commission appointed by the 
122.7 	commission;
122.8 	(4) one person appointed by the councilcommissioner to represent nonmotorized 
122.9 	transportation;
122.10 	(5) one person appointed by the commissioner of transportation to represent the 
122.11 	freight transportation industry;
122.12 	(6) two persons appointed by the councilcommissioner to represent public transit;
122.13 	(7) ten elected officials of cities within the metropolitan area, including one 
122.14 	representative from each first-class city, appointed by the Association of Metropolitan 
122.15 	Municipalities;
122.16 	(8) one member of the county board of each county in the seven-county metropolitan 
122.17 	area, appointed by the respective county boards; and
122.18 	(9) eight citizens appointed by the council commissioner, one from each council 
122.19 	precinct; and Metropolitan Airports Commission district.
122.20 	(10) one member of the council, appointed by the council.
122.21 	The councildesignated planning agency shall appoint a chair from among the 
122.22 	members of the advisory body.

122.23 	Sec. 34. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 473.1466, is amended to read:
122.24 	473.1466 TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM PERFORMANCE EVALUATION.
122.25 	(a) Prior to each major revision of the transportation policy plan, the council 
122.26 	commissioner of administration must carry out a performance evaluation of the 
122.27 	metropolitan area's transportation system as a whole. The performance evaluation must:
122.28 	(1) evaluate the area's ability to meet the need for effective and efficient 
122.29 	transportation of goods and people;
122.30 	(2) evaluate trends and their impacts on the area's transportation system;
122.31 	(3) assess the region's success in meeting the currently adopted regional 
122.32 	transportation benchmarks; and
122.33 	(4) include an evaluation of the regional transit system, including a comparison with 
122.34 	peer metropolitan regions with regard to key operating and investment measurements.
123.1 	(b) The council mustcommissioner shall update the evaluation of the regional 
123.2 	transit system every two years.
123.3 	(c) The councilcommissioner shall use the results of the performance evaluation to 
123.4 	make recommendations for improving the system in each revision of the transportation 
123.5 	policy plan.
123.6 	(d) The council mustcommissioner shall conduct a peer review of the performance 
123.7 	evaluation using at least two nationally recognized transportation and transit consultants.
123.8 	(e) The council mustcommissioner shall submit the performance evaluation to 
123.9 	the chairs and ranking minority members of the house of representatives and senate 
123.10 	committees and divisions with jurisdiction over transportation finance and policy.

123.11 	Sec. 35. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 473.166, is amended to read:
123.12 	473.166 CONTROLLED ACCESS; APPROVAL.
123.13 	Before acquiring land for or constructing a controlled access highway in the 
123.14 	area, the state Transportation Department ora local government unit proposing the 
123.15 	acquisition or construction shall submit to the councilcommissioner of transportation a 
123.16 	statement describing the proposed project. The statement must be in the form and detail 
123.17 	required by the council commissioner. The councilcommissioner of transportation, in 
123.18 	cooperation with the commissioner of administration, shall review the statement to 
123.19 	ascertain its consistency with itsthe policy plan and the development guide. No project 
123.20 	may be undertaken unless the council determinescommissioners of transportation and 
123.21 	administration determine that it is consistent with the policy plan. This approval is in 
123.22 	addition to the requirements of any other statute, ordinance or rule.

123.23 	Sec. 36. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 473.167, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
123.24 		Subd. 2.Loans for acquisition. (a) The councilcommissioner of transportation 
123.25 	may make loans to counties, towns, and statutory and home rule charter cities within the 
123.26 	metropolitan area for the purchase of property within the right-of-way of a state trunk 
123.27 	highway shown on an official map adopted pursuant to section 394.361 or 462.359 or for 
123.28 	the purchase of property within the proposed right-of-way of a principal or intermediate 
123.29 	arterial highway designated by the councilcommissioner of transportation as a part of 
123.30 	the metropolitan highway system plan and approved by the councilcommissioner of 
123.31 	administration pursuant to section 473.166. The loans shall be made by the council 
123.32 	commissioner of transportation, from the fund established pursuant to this subdivision, 
123.33 	for purchases approved by the council commissioner of transportation. The loans shall 
123.34 	bear no interest.
124.1 	(b) The councilcommissioner of transportation shall make loans only:
124.2 	(1) to accelerate the acquisition of primarily undeveloped property when there 
124.3 	is a reasonable probability that the property will increase in value before highway 
124.4 	construction, and to update an expired environmental impact statement on a project for 
124.5 	which the right-of-way is being purchased;
124.6 	(2) to avert the imminent conversion or the granting of approvals which would allow 
124.7 	the conversion of property to uses which would jeopardize its availability for highway 
124.8 	construction;
124.9 	(3) to advance planning and environmental activities on highest priority major 
124.10 	metropolitan river crossing projects, under the transportation development guide 
124.11 	chapter/policy plan; or
124.12 	(4) to take advantage of open market opportunities when developed properties 
124.13 	become available for sale, provided all parties involved are agreeable to the sale and 
124.14 	funds are available.
124.15 	(c) The councilcommissioner of transportation shall not make loans for the purchase 
124.16 	of property at a price which exceeds the fair market value of the property or which 
124.17 	includes the costs of relocating or moving persons or property. The eminent domain 
124.18 	process may be used to settle differences of opinion as to fair market value, provided 
124.19 	all parties agree to the process.
124.20 	(d) A private property owner may elect to receive the purchase price either in a 
124.21 	lump sum or in not more than four annual installments without interest on the deferred 
124.22 	installments. If the purchase agreement provides for installment payments, the council 
124.23 	commissioner of transportation shall make the loan in installments corresponding to those 
124.24 	in the purchase agreement. The recipient of an acquisition loan shall convey the property 
124.25 	for the construction of the highway at the same price which the recipient paid for the 
124.26 	property. The price may include the costs of preparing environmental documents that were 
124.27 	required for the acquisition and that were paid for with money that the recipient received 
124.28 	from the loan fund. Upon notification by the councilcommissioner of transportation that 
124.29 	the plan to construct the highway has been abandoned or the anticipated location of the 
124.30 	highway changed, the recipient shall sell the property at market value in accordance with the 
124.31 	procedures required for the disposition of the property. All rents and other money received 
124.32 	because of the recipient's ownership of the property and all proceeds from the conveyance 
124.33 	or sale of the property shall be paid to the council commissioner of transportation. If 
124.34 	a recipient is not permitted to include in the conveyance price the cost of preparing 
124.35 	environmental documents that were required for the acquisition, then the recipient is not 
125.1 	required to repay the councilcommissioner an amount equal to 40 percent of the money 
125.2 	received from the loan fund and spent in preparing the environmental documents.
125.3 	(e) The proceeds of the tax authorized by subdivision 3, all money paid to the 
125.4 	councilcommissioner of transportation by recipients of loans, and all interest on the 
125.5 	proceeds and payments shall be maintained as a separate fund. For administration of the 
125.6 	loan program, the councilcommissioner of transportation may expend from the fund each 
125.7 	year an amount no greater than three percent of the amount of the proceeds for that year.

125.8 	Sec. 37. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 473.167, subdivision 2a, is amended to read:
125.9 		Subd. 2a.Loans for acquisition and relocation. (a) The councilcommissioner 
125.10 	of transportation may make loans to acquiring authorities within the metropolitan area 
125.11 	to purchase homestead property located in a proposed state trunk highway right-of-way 
125.12 	or project, and to provide relocation assistance. Acquiring authorities are authorized to 
125.13 	accept the loans and to acquire the property. Except as provided in this subdivision, 
125.14 	the loans shall be made as provided in subdivision 2. Loans shall be in the amount of 
125.15 	the fair market value of the homestead property plus relocation costs and less salvage 
125.16 	value. Before construction of the highway begins, the acquiring authority shall convey the 
125.17 	property to the commissioner of transportation at the same price it paid, plus relocation 
125.18 	costs and less its salvage value. Acquisition and assistance under this subdivision must 
125.19 	conform to sections 117.50 to 117.56.
125.20 	(b) The councilcommissioner of transportation may make loans only when:
125.21 	(1) the owner of affected homestead property requests acquisition and relocation 
125.22 	assistance from an acquiring authority;
125.23 	(2) federal or other state financial participation is not available;
125.24 	(3) the owner is unable to sell the homestead property at its appraised market value 
125.25 	because the property is located in a proposed state trunk highway right-of-way or project as 
125.26 	indicated on an official map or plat adopted under section 160.085, 394.361, or 462.359; and
125.27 	(4) the councilcommissioner of transportation agrees to and approves the fair market 
125.28 	value of the homestead property, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld.
125.29 	(c) For purposes of this subdivision, the following terms have the meanings given 
125.30 	them.
125.31 	(1) "Acquiring authority" means counties, towns, and statutory and home rule 
125.32 	charter cities in the metropolitan area.
125.33 	(2) "Homestead property" means: (i) a single-family dwelling occupied by the 
125.34 	owner, and the surrounding land, not exceeding a total of ten acres; or (ii) a manufactured 
125.35 	home, as defined in section 327B.01, subdivision 13.
126.1 	(3) "Salvage value" means the probable sale price of the dwelling and other property 
126.2 	that is severable from the land if offered for sale on the condition that it be removed from 
126.3 	the land at the buyer's expense, allowing a reasonable time to find a buyer with knowledge 
126.4 	of the possible uses of the property, including separate use of serviceable components and 
126.5 	scrap when there is no other reasonable prospect of sale.

126.6 	Sec. 38. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 473.168, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
126.7 		Subd. 2.Exclusive lanes; multipassenger transit. The Metropolitan Council 
126.8 	commissioner of transportation may require that any freeway constructed in the 
126.9 	metropolitan area on which actual construction has not been commenced by April 12, 
126.10 	1974 include provisions for exclusive lanes for buses and, as the councilcommissioner 
126.11 	of transportation may determine, other forms of multipassenger transit. The council 
126.12 	commissioner of transportation, in making its determination, must demonstrate that 
126.13 	the exclusive lanes are necessary to implement the transportation policy plan of the 
126.14 	development guide.

126.15 	Sec. 39. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 473.223, is amended to read:
126.16 	473.223 FEDERAL AID.
126.17 	For the purposes of this section the term "governmental subdivision" includes 
126.18 	municipalities, counties and other political subdivisions generally. If federal aid for 
126.19 	transportation programs and projects is otherwise unavailable to an existing agency or 
126.20 	governmental subdivision, the Metropolitan Councilcommissioner of transportation 
126.21 	may cooperate with the government of the United States and any agency or department 
126.22 	thereof and the affected agency or other governmental subdivision in establishing 
126.23 	metropolitan area eligibility to receive federal aid, and may comply with the provisions 
126.24 	of the laws of the United States and any rules and regulations made thereunder for the 
126.25 	expenditure of federal moneys upon such projects as are proposed for federal assistance. 
126.26 	The Metropolitan Councilcommissioner of transportation may accept federal aid and 
126.27 	other aid, either public or private, for and in behalf of the metropolitan area or any 
126.28 	governmental subdivision of the state, for transportation programs and projects within the 
126.29 	metropolitan area upon such terms and conditions as are or may be prescribed by the laws 
126.30 	of the United States and any rules or regulations made thereunder, and is authorized to act 
126.31 	as agent of any governmental subdivision of the state with jurisdiction in the metropolitan 
126.32 	area upon request of such subdivision in accepting the aid in its behalf for such programs 
126.33 	or projects financed either in whole or in part by federal aid. The governing body of 
126.34 	any such subdivision is authorized to designate the Metropolitan Councilcommissioner 
127.1 	of transportation as its agent for such purposes and to enter into an agreement with 
127.2 	the councilcommissioner of transportation prescribing the terms and conditions of the 
127.3 	agency relationship in accordance with state and federal laws, rules and regulations. 
127.4 	The Metropolitan Councilcommissioner of transportation is authorized to designate an 
127.5 	appropriate state agency as its agent for such purposes and to enter into an agreement with 
127.6 	such agency prescribing the terms and conditions of the agency relationship in accordance 
127.7 	with state and federal laws, rules and regulations.
127.8 	Nothing contained herein shall limit any separate authority of agencies or 
127.9 	governmental subdivisions of the state to contract for and receive federal aid.

127.10 	Sec. 40. [473.37] DEFINITIONS.
127.11 		Subdivision 1.Commissioner. "Commissioner" means the commissioner of 
127.12 	transportation for the purposes of sections 473.371 to 473.449.
127.13 		Subd. 2.Department. "Department" means the Department of Transportation for 
127.14 	the purposes of sections 473.371 to 473.449.

127.15 	Sec. 41. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 473.375, is amended to read:
127.16 	473.375 POWERS AND DUTIES OF COUNCIL COMMISSIONER; 
127.17 	ADVISORY COMMITTEE.
127.18 		Subd. 9a.Transportation Accessibility Advisory Committee. The council 
127.19 	commissioner shall establish a Transportation Accessibility Advisory Committee 
127.20 	consisting of 15 members and a chair to advise the councilcommissioner on the 
127.21 	development and management of policies regarding accessibility of all aspects of 
127.22 	fixed regular route and special transportation services for persons with disabilities. 
127.23 	The Transportation Accessibility Advisory Committee shall also advise the council 
127.24 	commissioner on long-range plans to meet the accessible transportation needs of the 
127.25 	disability community. The Transportation Accessibility Advisory Committee must include 
127.26 	elderly persons, persons with disabilities, other users of special transportation services, and 
127.27 	representatives of appropriate agencies for elderly persons and persons with disabilities. At 
127.28 	least half the Transportation Accessibility Advisory Committee members must be persons 
127.29 	who are both ADA-certified and users of public transit in the metropolitan area. Two of 
127.30 	the appointments to the Transportation Accessibility Advisory Committee must be made 
127.31 	by the Council on Disability in consultation with the chair of the Metropolitan Council.
127.32 		Subd. 11.Ride sharing. The councilcommissioner shall administer a ride-sharing 
127.33 	program in the metropolitan area, except for theincluding a statewide vanpool leasing 
127.34 	program conducted by the commissioner of transportation and shall cooperate with the 
128.1 	commissioner in the conduct of ride-sharing activities in areas where the commissioner's 
128.2 	programs and the council's program overlap. The councilcommissioner may contract for 
128.3 	services in operating the program.
128.4 		Subd. 12.Assistance. The councilcommissioner shall offer, use, and apply itsthe 
128.5 	department's services to assist and advise transit providers in the metropolitan transit area 
128.6 	in the planning, promotion, development, operation, and evaluation of programs and 
128.7 	projects which are undertaken or proposed to be undertaken by contract with the council, 
128.8 	and shall seek out and select recipients of this assistance and advice.
128.9 		Subd. 13.Financial assistance. The councilcommissioner may provide financial 
128.10 	assistance to public transit providers as provided in sections 473.371 to 473.449. The 
128.11 	council may not use the proceeds of bonds issued under section 473.39 to provide capital 
128.12 	assistance to private, for-profit operators of public transit, unless the operators provide 
128.13 	service under a contract with the council, the former regional transit board, or recipients 
128.14 	of financial assistance under sections 473.371 to 473.449.
128.15 	No political subdivision within the metropolitan area may apply for federal transit 
128.16 	assistance unless its application has been submitted to and approved by the council 
128.17 	commissioner.
128.18 		Subd. 14.Coordination. The councilcommissioner shall coordinate transit 
128.19 	operations within the metropolitan area and shall establish a transit information program 
128.20 	to provide transit users with accurate information on transit schedules and service.
128.21 		Subd. 15.Performance standards. The councilcommissioner may establish 
128.22 	performance standards for recipients of financial assistance.

128.23 	Sec. 42. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 473.384, is amended to read:
128.24 	473.384 CONTRACTS.
128.25 		Subdivision 1.Contracts required. The councilcommissioner shall make contracts 
128.26 	with eligible recipients for financial assistance to transit service within the metropolitan 
128.27 	area. The councilcommissioner may not give financial assistance to another transit 
128.28 	provider without first having executed a contract. The provisions of this section do not 
128.29 	apply to contracts made under sectionssection 473.386and 473.388.
128.30 		Subd. 2.Eligibility. To be eligible to receive financial assistance by contract under 
128.31 	this section a recipient must be:
128.32 	(a) a county, statutory or home rule charter city or town or combination thereof, or 
128.33 	public authority organized and existing pursuant to chapter 398A, providing financial 
128.34 	assistance to or providing or operating public transit; or
128.35 	(b) a private provider of public transit; or
129.1 	(c) a transit provider formerly under contract with one or more local government 
129.2 	units to provide replacement service under the replacement service program established in 
129.3 	Laws 1984, chapter 654, article 3, section 123.
129.4 		Subd. 3.Applications. The councilcommissioner shall establish procedures and 
129.5 	standards for review and approval of applications for financial assistance under this 
129.6 	section. An applicant must provide the councilcommissioner with the financial and other 
129.7 	information the councilcommissioner requires to carry out itsthe commissioner's duties. 
129.8 	The councilcommissioner may specify procedures, including public hearing requirements, 
129.9 	to be followed by applicants that are cities, towns, or counties or combinations thereof in 
129.10 	conducting transit studies and formulating service plans under subdivisions 4 and 5.
129.11 		Subd. 4.Transit study. The councilcommissioner shall require that prior to 
129.12 	applying for financial assistance by contract under clause (a) of subdivision 2, the 
129.13 	applicant must prepare and submit a transit study which includes the following elements:
129.14 	(a) a determination of existing and future transit needs within the area to be served, 
129.15 	and an assessment of the adequacy of existing service to meet the needs;
129.16 	(b) an assessment of the level and type of service required to meet unmet needs;
129.17 	(c) an assessment of existing and future resources available for the financing of 
129.18 	transit service; and
129.19 	(d) the type or types of any new government arrangements or agreements needed to 
129.20 	provide adequate service.
129.21 	The transit study for any applicant may be done by the council commissioner.
129.22 		Subd. 5.Service plan. The councilcommissioner shall, before making a contract 
129.23 	with an eligible recipient, require the submission of a service plan which includes the 
129.24 	following elements:
129.25 	(a) a description of the service proposed for financial assistance, including vehicles, 
129.26 	routes, and schedules;
129.27 	(b) an assessment of the extent to which the proposed service meets the needs as 
129.28 	determined by the transit study;
129.29 	(c) a description of the contract administration and review process if the operation of 
129.30 	the proposed service is to be done by a private contractor;
129.31 	(d) a description of the amount required to establish and operate the proposed service 
129.32 	and the proposed sources of the required amount including operating revenue, other local 
129.33 	sources, and assistance from the councilcommissioner and from federal sources;
129.34 	(e) the fare structure of the proposed service; and
129.35 	(f) projections of usage of the system.
130.1 	The councilcommissioner may specify procedures, including public hearing 
130.2 	requirements, to be followed by applicants that are cities, towns, or counties or 
130.3 	combinations thereof in conducting transit studies and formulating service plans.
130.4 		Subd. 6.Financial assistance for certain providers. The councilcommissioner 
130.5 	shall provide financial assistance to recipients who were receiving assistance by contract 
130.6 	with the commissioner of transportation under Minnesota Statutes 1982, section 174.24, 
130.7 	subdivision 3, on July 1, 1984, so that the percentage of total operating cost, as defined by 
130.8 	the council commissioner, paid by the recipient from all local sources of revenue, including 
130.9 	operating revenue, does not exceed the percentage for the recipient's classification as 
130.10 	determined by the commissioner of transportation under the commissioner's final contract 
130.11 	with the recipient. The remainder of the total operating cost must be paid by the council 
130.12 	commissioner less all assistance received by the recipient for that purpose from any 
130.13 	federal source.
130.14 	If a recipient informs the councilcommissioner in writing prior to the distribution of 
130.15 	financial assistance for any year that paying its designated percentage of total operating 
130.16 	cost from local sources will cause undue hardship, the councilcommissioner may adjust 
130.17 	the percentage as it deems equitable. If for any year the funds available to the council 
130.18 	commissioner are insufficient to allow the councilcommissioner to pay its share of total 
130.19 	operating cost for those recipients, the councilcommissioner shall reduce its share in 
130.20 	each classification to the extent necessary.
130.21 		Subd. 7.Transit operations impact assessment. Prior to entering into a contract 
130.22 	for operating assistance with a recipient, the councilcommissioner shall evaluate the 
130.23 	effect, if any, of the contract on the ridership, routes, schedules, fares, and staffing 
130.24 	levels of the existing and proposed service provided by the council commissioner. The 
130.25 	councilcommissioner may enter into the contract only if it determines that the service 
130.26 	to be assisted under the contract will not impose an undue hardship on the ridership or 
130.27 	financial condition of the council'scommissioner's transit operations. The requirements 
130.28 	of this subdivision do not apply to contracts for assistance to recipients who, as part of a 
130.29 	negotiated cost-sharing arrangement with the council commissioner, pay a substantial part 
130.30 	of the cost of services that directly benefit the recipient as an institution or organization.
130.31 		Subd. 8.Paratransit contracts. In executing and administering contracts for 
130.32 	paratransit projects, the councilcommissioner has the powers and duties given to the 
130.33 	commissioner of transportationspecified in section 174.255, subdivisions 1 and 2, relating 
130.34 	to disability accessibility and insurance coverage. The provisions of section 174.255, 
130.35 	subdivision 3, apply to paratransit projects which receive assistance by contract with 
130.36 	the council commissioner.

131.1 	Sec. 43. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 473.385, is amended to read:
131.2 	473.385 TRANSIT SERVICE AREAS.
131.3 		Subdivision 1.Definitions. (a) "Fully developed service area" means the fully 
131.4 	developed area, as defined in the Metropolitan Council's development guide prepared by 
131.5 	the commissioner of administration, plus the cities of Mendota Heights, Maplewood, 
131.6 	North St. Paul, and Little Canada.
131.7 	(b) "Regular route transit" has the meaning given it in section 174.22, subdivision 8, 
131.8 	except that, for purposes of this section, the term does not include services on fixed routes 
131.9 	and schedules that are primarily intended to provide circulator service within a community 
131.10 	or adjacent communities rather than feeder service to the system of metropolitan regular 
131.11 	route transit operated by the council commissioner of transportation.
131.12 		Subd. 2.Service areas. The councilcommissioner may provide financial assistance 
131.13 	(whether directly or through another entity) to private, for-profit operators of public transit 
131.14 	only for the following services:
131.15 	(1) services that are not regular route services;
131.16 	(2) regular route services provided on June 2, 1989, by a private, for-profit operator 
131.17 	under contract with the former regional transit board or under a certificate of convenience 
131.18 	and necessity issued by the commissioner of transportation;
131.19 	(3) regular route services outside of the fully developed service area that are not 
131.20 	operated on June 2, 1989, by the former Metropolitan Transit Commission;
131.21 	(4) regular route services provided under section 473.388;
131.22 	(5)(4) regular route services to recipients who, as part of a negotiated cost-sharing 
131.23 	arrangement with the council commissioner, pay at least 50 percent of the cost of the 
131.24 	service that directly benefits the recipient as an institution or organization; or
131.25 	(6)(5) regular route services that will not be operated for a reasonable subsidy by 
131.26 	the council commissioner.

131.27 	Sec. 44. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 473.386, is amended to read:
131.28 	473.386 SPECIAL TRANSPORTATION SERVICE.
131.29 		Subdivision 1.Service objectives. The councilcommissioner shall implement a 
131.30 	special transportation service, as defined in section 174.29, in the metropolitan area. 
131.31 	The service has the following objectives:
131.32 	(a) to provide greater access to transportation for the elderly, people with disabilities, 
131.33 	and others with special transportation needs in the metropolitan area;
132.1 	(b) to develop an integrated system of special transportation service providing 
132.2 	transportation tailored to meet special individual needs in the most cost-efficient manner; 
132.3 	and
132.4 	(c) to use existing public, private, and private nonprofit providers of service when 
132.5 	feasible and cost-efficient, to supplement rather than replace existing service, and to 
132.6 	increase the productivity of all special transportation vehicles available in the area.
132.7 		Subd. 2.Service contracts; management. (a) The councilcommissioner may 
132.8 	contract for services necessary for the provision of special transportation. Transportation 
132.9 	service provided under a contract must specify the service to be provided, the standards 
132.10 	that must be met, and the rates for operating and providing special transportation services.
132.11 	(b) The councilcommissioner shall establish management policies for the service 
132.12 	and may contract with a service administrator for day-to-day administration and 
132.13 	management of the service. Any contract must delegate to the service administrator 
132.14 	clear authority to administer and manage the delivery of the service pursuant to council 
132.15 	department management policies and must establish performance and compliance 
132.16 	standards for the service administrator. The councilcommissioner may provide directly 
132.17 	day to day administration and management of the service and may own or lease vehicles 
132.18 	used to provide the service.
132.19 	(c) The councilcommissioner shall ensure that the service administrator establishes 
132.20 	a system for registering and expeditiously responding to complaints by users, informing 
132.21 	users of how to register complaints, and requiring providers to report on incidents that 
132.22 	impair the safety and well-being of users or the quality of the service.
132.23 	(d) The councilcommissioner shall report on its the department's special 
132.24 	transportation services as part of the program evaluation provided for in section 473.13, 
132.25 	subdivision 1a.
132.26 	(e) The councilcommissioner shall provide, on an annual basis, an opportunity for 
132.27 	users and other interested persons to provide testimony to the councilcommissioner 
132.28 	concerning services provided under this section.
132.29 		Subd. 2a.Eligibility application and verification; penalty for fraudulent 
132.30 	certification. (a) If the councilcommissioner requires a person to be certified as eligible 
132.31 	for special transportation services, an applicant for certification must submit an application 
132.32 	form and the applicant's eligibility must be verified by a type of professional specified by 
132.33 	the council commissioner. The councilcommissioner shall:
132.34 	(1) require the applicant to sign the application form and certify that the application 
132.35 	information is accurate; and
133.1 	(2) require the person verifying the applicant's eligibility to sign the eligibility 
133.2 	verification form and certify that the verifying information is accurate.
133.3 	(b) The penalty provided for in section 174.295, subdivision 4, applies to the 
133.4 	certifications by the applicant and the person verifying the applicant's eligibility. The 
133.5 	councilcommissioner must include a notice of the penalty for fraudulent certification in 
133.6 	the application form and the eligibility verification form.
133.7 		Subd. 3.Duties of council commissioner. In implementing the special 
133.8 	transportation service, the councilcommissioner shall:
133.9 	(a) encourage participation in the service by public, private, and private nonprofit 
133.10 	providers of special transportation currently receiving capital or operating assistance 
133.11 	from a public agency;
133.12 	(b) when feasible and cost-efficient, contract with public, private, and private 
133.13 	nonprofit providers that have demonstrated their ability to effectively provide service at 
133.14 	a reasonable cost;
133.15 	(c) encourage individuals using special transportation to use the type of service 
133.16 	most appropriate to their particular needs;
133.17 	(d) encourage shared rides to the greatest extent practicable;
133.18 	(e) encourage public agencies that provide transportation to eligible individuals as a 
133.19 	component of human services and educational programs to coordinate with this service 
133.20 	and to allow reimbursement for transportation provided through the service at rates that 
133.21 	reflect the public cost of providing that transportation;
133.22 	(f) establish criteria to be used in determining individual eligibility for special 
133.23 	transportation services;
133.24 	(g) consult with the Transportation Accessibility Advisory Committee in a timely 
133.25 	manner before changes are made in the provision of special transportation services;
133.26 	(h) provide for effective administration and enforcement of councildepartment 
133.27 	policies and standards; and
133.28 	(i) ensure that, taken as a whole including contracts with public, private, and private 
133.29 	nonprofit providers, the geographic coverage area of the special transportation service is 
133.30 	continuous within the boundaries of the transit taxing district, as defined as of March 1, 
133.31 	2006, in section 473.446, subdivision 2 metropolitan area.
133.32 		Subd. 4.Coordination required. The councilcommissioner may not grant any 
133.33 	financial assistance to any recipient that proposes to use any part of the grant to provide 
133.34 	special transportation service in the metropolitan area unless the program is coordinated 
133.35 	with the council'scommissioner's special transportation service in the manner determined 
133.36 	by the council commissioner. The councilcommissioner is not required to provide 
134.1 	funding for transportation services from a residence to a service site and home again when 
134.2 	the services are used by individuals in conjunction with their participation in human 
134.3 	service developmental achievement center programs in which transportation to and from 
134.4 	the program is a required and funded component of those programs.
134.5 		Subd. 5.Equitable allocation and annual reallocation. The councilcommissioner 
134.6 	shall distribute all available funding under this section in a manner designed to achieve 
134.7 	an equitable allocation of special transportation services based on the proportion of the 
134.8 	number of elderly, disabled, or economically disadvantaged individuals with special 
134.9 	transportation needs who actually use the special transportation service.
134.10 		Subd. 6.Operating and service standards. A person operating or assisting the 
134.11 	operation of a vehicle may leave the vehicle to enter premises in order to help a passenger 
134.12 	who does not require emergency ambulance service. Operators and assistants shall 
134.13 	provide the help necessary for door-through-door service, including help in entering and 
134.14 	leaving the vehicle and help through the exterior entrance and over any exterior steps at 
134.15 	either departure or destination buildings, provided that both the steps and the wheelchair 
134.16 	are in good repair. If an operator or assistant refuses help because of the condition of 
134.17 	the steps or the wheelchair, the operator of the service shall send letters to the service 
134.18 	administrator designated by the council commissioner, who shall notify the person denied 
134.19 	service describing the corrective measures necessary to qualify for service.
134.20 		Subd. 8.Vehicle title transfer; conditions. The Metropolitan Council 
134.21 	commissioner may transfer to a special transportation service provider or a provider of taxi 
134.22 	services the title to a vehicle formerly used to provide special transportation service under 
134.23 	this section. If the councilcommissioner transfers title to a provider of taxi services, it 
134.24 	may do so only to a provider of taxi services that is licensed by a city whose taxi licensing 
134.25 	ordinance requires (1) criminal background checks and annual driving record checks for 
134.26 	drivers, and (2) inspection of vehicles at least annually.

134.27 	Sec. 45. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 473.387, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
134.28 		Subd. 2.Administration. The councilcommissioner shall design and administer 
134.29 	the programs under this section. The councilcommissioner may request proposals for 
134.30 	projects to demonstrate methods of achieving the purposes of programs administered under 
134.31 	this section. The councilcommissioner shall design or ensure the design of programs that 
134.32 	will provide better access for the targeted service groups to places of employment and 
134.33 	activity throughout the metropolitan area, using regular route transit, paratransit, taxis, car 
134.34 	or van pools, or other means of conveyance. The councilcommissioner may organize 
134.35 	the services by providing to individuals, directly or indirectly, reduced fares or passes on 
135.1 	public transit or vouchers to be used to purchase transportation; by contracting with public 
135.2 	and private providers; by arrangements with government agencies, civic and community 
135.3 	organizations or nonprofit groups providing assistance to the targeted service groups; by 
135.4 	arrangements with prospective employers, with employment, education, retail, medical, or 
135.5 	other activity centers, or with local governments; or by any other methods designed to 
135.6 	improve service and reduce costs to the targeted service groups.

135.7 	Sec. 46. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 473.387, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
135.8 		Subd. 3.Job seekers. The councilcommissioner shall establish a program and 
135.9 	policies to increase the availability and utility of public transit services and reduce 
135.10 	transportation costs for persons who are seeking employment and who lack private 
135.11 	means of transportation.

135.12 	Sec. 47. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 473.387, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
135.13 		Subd. 4.Transit disadvantaged. The councilcommissioner shall establish a 
135.14 	program and policies to reduce transportation costs for persons who are, because of 
135.15 	limited incomes, age, disability, or other reasons, especially dependent on public transit 
135.16 	for common mobility.

135.17 	Sec. 48. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 473.3875, is amended to read:
135.18 	473.3875 TRANSIT FOR LIVABLE COMMUNITIES.
135.19 	The councilcommissioner shall establish a transit for livable communities 
135.20 	demonstration program fund. The councilcommissioner shall adopt guidelines for 
135.21 	selecting and evaluating demonstration projects for funding. The selection guidelines 
135.22 	must include provisions evaluating projects:
135.23 	(1) interrelating development or redevelopment and transit;
135.24 	(2) interrelating affordable housing and employment growth areas;
135.25 	(3) helping intensify land use that leads to more compact development or 
135.26 	redevelopment;
135.27 	(4) coordinating school transportation and public transit service; or
135.28 	(5) implementing recommendations of the transit redesign plan; or.
135.29 	(6) otherwise promoting the goals of the Metropolitan Livable Communities Act.

135.30 	Sec. 49. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 473.39, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
135.31 		Subdivision 1.General authority. The councilMetropolitan Area Transit Board 
135.32 	established in section 473.446, subdivision 1c, may issue general obligation bonds subject 
136.1 	to the volume limitations in this section to provide funds to implement the council's transit 
136.2 	capital improvement program for the metropolitan area and may issue general obligation 
136.3 	bonds not subject to the limitations for the refunding of outstanding bonds or certificates of 
136.4 	indebtedness of the former Metropolitan Council, the former regional transit board or the 
136.5 	former metropolitan transit commission, and judgments against the former regional transit 
136.6 	board or the former metropolitan transit commission or the former Metropolitan Council. 
136.7 	The councilMetropolitan Area Transit Board may not issue obligations pursuant to this 
136.8 	subdivision, other than refunding bonds, in excess of the amount specifically authorized 
136.9 	by law. Except as otherwise provided in sections 473.371 to 473.449, the councilboard 
136.10 	shall provide for the issuance, sale, and security of the bonds in the manner provided in 
136.11 	chapter 475, and has the same powers and duties as a municipality issuing bonds under 
136.12 	that law, except that no election is required and the net debt limitations in chapter 475 do 
136.13 	not apply to the bonds. The obligations are not a debt of the state or any municipality or 
136.14 	political subdivision within the meaning of any debt limitation or requirement pertaining 
136.15 	to those entities. Neither the state, nor any municipality or political subdivision except the 
136.16 	council Metropolitan Area Transit Board, nor any member or officer or employee of the 
136.17 	council board, is liable on the obligations. The obligations may be secured by taxes levied 
136.18 	without limitation of rate or amount upon all taxable property in the transit taxing district 
136.19 	and transit area as provided in section 473.446, subdivision 1, clause (c) (a). As part of its 
136.20 	levy made under section 473.446, subdivision 1, clause (c) (a), the councilMetropolitan 
136.21 	Area Transit Board shall levy the amounts necessary to provide full and timely payment of 
136.22 	the obligations and transfer the proceeds to the appropriate council account for payment of 
136.23 	the obligations. The taxes must be levied, certified, and collected in accordance with the 
136.24 	terms and conditions of the indebtedness.

136.25 	Sec. 50. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 473.39, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
136.26 		Subd. 2.Legal investments. Certificates of indebtedness, bonds, or other 
136.27 	obligations issued by the councilunder this section to which tax levies have been pledged 
136.28 	pursuant to section 473.446, are proper for investment of any funds by a bank, savings 
136.29 	bank, savings association, credit union, trust company, insurance company, or public 
136.30 	or municipal corporation, and may be pledged by any bank, savings bank, savings 
136.31 	association, credit union, or trust company as security for the deposit of public money.

136.32 	Sec. 51. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 473.39, subdivision 2a, is amended to read:
137.1 		Subd. 2a.Uses of investment income. Interest or other investment earnings on the 
137.2 	proceeds of bonds issued under this section and on a debt service account for bonds issued 
137.3 	under this section must be used only to:
137.4 	(1) pay capital expenditures and related expenses for which the obligations were 
137.5 	authorized by this section;
137.6 	(2) to pay debt service on the obligations or to reduce the council's property tax levy 
137.7 	imposed to pay debt service on obligations issued under this section;
137.8 	(3) pay rebate or yield reduction payments for the bonds to the United States;
137.9 	(4) redeem or purchase the bonds; or
137.10 	(5) make other payments with respect to the bonds that are necessary or desirable 
137.11 	to comply with federal tax rules applicable to the bonds or to comply with covenants 
137.12 	made with respect to the bonds.

137.13 	Sec. 52. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 473.39, subdivision 5, is amended to read:
137.14 		Subd. 5.Anticipation of grants. In addition to other authority granted in this 
137.15 	section, the councilMetropolitan Area Transit Board may exercise the authority granted to 
137.16 	an issuing political subdivision by section 475.522.

137.17 	Sec. 53. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 473.391, is amended to read:
137.18 	473.391 ROUTE PLANNING AND SCHEDULING.
137.19 		Subdivision 1.Contracts. The councilcommissioner may contract with other 
137.20 	operators or local governments for route planning and scheduling services in any 
137.21 	configuration of new or reconfiguration of existing transit services and routes.
137.22 		Subd. 2.Route elimination; service reduction. The councilcommissioner shall, 
137.23 	before making a determination to eliminate or reduce service on existing transit routes, 
137.24 	consider:
137.25 	(1) the level of subsidy per passenger on each route;
137.26 	(2) the availability and proximity of alternative transit routes; and
137.27 	(3) the percentage of transit dependent riders, including youth, elderly, low-income, 
137.28 	and disabled riders currently using each route.

137.29 	Sec. 54. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 473.3925, is amended to read:
137.30 	473.3925 BUS PURCHASES.
137.31 	The Metropolitan Council commissioner, in preparing bid specifications for bus 
137.32 	purchases, shall ensure that the specifications conform, to the greatest extent practicable, 
137.33 	with products that are manufactured in this state.

138.1 	Sec. 55. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 473.399, is amended to read:
138.2 	473.399 TRANSIT WAYS; LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT AND COMMUTER RAIL 
138.3 	IN THE METROPOLITAN AREA.
138.4 		Subdivision 1.General requirements. (a) The councilcommissioner  of 
138.5 	administration must identify in its transportation policy plan those heavily traveled 
138.6 	corridors where development of a transitway may be feasible and cost-effective. Modes of 
138.7 	providing service in a transitway may include bus rapid transit, light rail transit, commuter 
138.8 	rail, or other available systems or technologies that improve transit service.
138.9 	(b) After the completion of environmental studies and receipt of input from the 
138.10 	governing body of each statutory and home rule charter city, county, and town in which a 
138.11 	transitway is proposed to be constructed, the councilcommissioner must designate the 
138.12 	locally preferred alternative transit mode with respect to the corridor.
138.13 	(c) The councilcommissioner shall ensure that any light rail transit facilities that 
138.14 	are designated as the locally preferred alternative and that are to be constructed in the 
138.15 	metropolitan area will be acquired, developed, owned, and capable of operation in an 
138.16 	efficient, cost-effective, and coordinated manner in coordination with buses and other 
138.17 	transportation modes and facilities.
138.18 	(d) Construction of light rail transit facilities in a particular transit corridor may not 
138.19 	commence unless and until that mode is designated as the locally preferred alternative for 
138.20 	that corridor by the council commissioner.
138.21 		Subd. 1a.Integrated transportation system. The commissioner of transportation 
138.22 	and the Metropolitan Council shall ensure that light rail transit and commuter rail facilities 
138.23 	are planned, designed, and implemented: (1) to move commuters and transit users into and 
138.24 	out of, as well as within, the metropolitan area, and (2) to ensure that rail transit lines will 
138.25 	interface with each other and other transportation facilities and services so as to provide a 
138.26 	unified, integrated, and efficient multimodal transportation system.
138.27 		Subd. 5.Availability of light rail transit information. The Metropolitan Council 
138.28 	commissioner shall maintain in a centralized location on an Internet Web site, for each 
138.29 	light rail transit line operated by the councilcommissioner and for each year of operation 
138.30 	of the line:
138.31 	(1) financial data, including revenue by source and operating and capital expenses; 
138.32 	and
138.33 	(2) ridership information, including ridership and passenger miles.

138.34 	Sec. 56. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 473.3994, is amended to read:
138.35 	473.3994 LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT; DESIGN PLANS.
139.1 		Subd. 1a.Designation of Responsible authority. For each proposed light 
139.2 	rail transit facility in the metropolitan area, the governor must designate either the 
139.3 	Metropolitan Council or the state of Minnesota acting through the commissioner of 
139.4 	transportation asis the entity responsible for planning, designing, acquiring, constructing, 
139.5 	and equipping the facility. Notwithstanding such designation, the commissioner and the 
139.6 	council may enter into one or more cooperative agreements with respect to the planning, 
139.7 	designing, acquiring, constructing, or equipping of a particular light rail transit facility 
139.8 	that provide for the parties to exercise their respective authorities in support of the project 
139.9 	in a manner that best serves the project and the public.
139.10 		Subd. 2.Preliminary design plans; public hearing. Before final design plans are 
139.11 	prepared for a light rail transit facility in the metropolitan area, the responsible authority 
139.12 	commissioner and the regional railroad authority or authorities in whose jurisdiction the 
139.13 	line or lines are located must hold a public hearing on the physical design component of 
139.14 	the preliminary design plans. The responsible authoritycommissioner and the regional 
139.15 	railroad authority or authorities in whose jurisdiction the line or lines are located must 
139.16 	provide appropriate public notice of the hearing and publicity to ensure that affected 
139.17 	parties have an opportunity to present their views at the hearing. The responsible authority 
139.18 	commissioner shall summarize the proceedings and testimony and maintain the record of 
139.19 	a hearing held under this section, including any written statements submitted.
139.20 		Subd. 3.Preliminary design plans; local approval. At least 30 days before the 
139.21 	hearing under subdivision 2, the responsible authoritycommissioner shall submit the 
139.22 	physical design component of the preliminary design plans to the governing body of each 
139.23 	statutory and home rule charter city, county, and town in which the route is proposed to 
139.24 	be located. The city, county, or town shall hold a public hearing. Within 45 days after 
139.25 	the hearing under subdivision 2, the city, county, or town shall review and approve 
139.26 	or disapprove the plans for the route to be located in the city, county, or town. A local 
139.27 	unit of government that disapproves the plans shall describe specific amendments to the 
139.28 	plans that, if adopted, would cause the local unit to withdraw its disapproval. Failure to 
139.29 	approve or disapprove the plans in writing within 45 days after the hearing is deemed to 
139.30 	be approval, unless an extension of time is agreed to by the city, county, or town and 
139.31 	the responsible authority commissioner.
139.32 		Subd. 4.Preliminary design plans; councilcommissioner hearing. If the 
139.33 	governing body of one or more cities, counties, or towns disapproves the preliminary 
139.34 	design plans within the period allowed under subdivision 3, the councilcommissioner 
139.35 	shall hold a hearing on the plans, giving the commissioner of transportation, if the 
139.36 	responsible authority, any disapproving local governmental units, and other persons 
140.1 	an opportunity to present their views on the plans. The councilcommissioner may 
140.2 	conduct independent study as it deems desirable and may mediate and attempt to resolve 
140.3 	disagreements about the plans. Within 60 days after the hearing, the councilcommissioner 
140.4 	shall review the plans and shall decide what amendments to the plans, if any, must be 
140.5 	made to accommodate the objections presented by the disapproving local governmental 
140.6 	units. Amendments to the plans as decided by the councilcommissioner must be made 
140.7 	before continuing the planning and designing process.
140.8 		Subd. 5.Final design plans. (a) If the final design plans incorporate a substantial 
140.9 	change from the preliminary design plans with respect to location, length, or termini 
140.10 	of routes; general dimension, elevation, or alignment of routes and crossings; location 
140.11 	of tracks above ground, below ground, or at ground level; or station locations, before 
140.12 	beginning construction, the responsible authoritycommissioner shall submit the changed 
140.13 	component of the final design plans to the governing body of each statutory and home 
140.14 	rule city, county, and town in which the changed component is proposed to be located. 
140.15 	Within 60 days after the submission of the plans, the city, county, or town shall review 
140.16 	and approve or disapprove the changed component located in the city, county, or town. A 
140.17 	local unit of government that disapproves the change shall describe specific amendments 
140.18 	to the plans that, if adopted, would cause the local unit to withdraw its disapproval. 
140.19 	Failure to approve or disapprove the changed plans in writing within the time period is 
140.20 	deemed to be approval, unless an extension is agreed to by the city, county, or town and 
140.21 	the responsible authority commissioner.
140.22 	(b) If the governing body of one or more cities, counties, or towns disapproves the 
140.23 	changed plans within the period allowed under paragraph (a), the councilcommissioner 
140.24 	shall review the final design plans under the same procedure and with the same effect as 
140.25 	provided in subdivision 4 for preliminary design plans.
140.26 		Subd. 7.CouncilCommissioner review. If the commissioner is the responsible 
140.27 	authority, Before proceeding with construction of a light rail transit facility, the 
140.28 	commissioner of transportation must submit preliminary and final design plans to the 
140.29 	Metropolitan Council commissioner of administration. The council commissioner of 
140.30 	administration must review the plans for consistency with the council's commissioner of 
140.31 	administration's development guide and approve the plans.
140.32 		Subd. 8.Metropolitan significance. This section does not diminish or replace the 
140.33 	authority of the councilcommissioner under section 473.173.
140.34 		Subd. 9.Light rail transit operating costs. (a) Before submitting an application for 
140.35 	federal assistance for light rail transit facilities in the metropolitan area, the Metropolitan 
140.36 	Councilcommissioner must prepare an estimate of the amount of operating subsidy which 
141.1 	will be required to operate light rail transit in the corridor to which the federal assistance 
141.2 	would be applied. The estimate must indicate the amount of operating subsidy estimated 
141.3 	to be required in each of the first ten years of operation of the light rail transit facility. If 
141.4 	the commissioner of transportation is the responsible authority, the commissioner must 
141.5 	provide information requested by the council that is necessary to make the estimate.
141.6 	(b) The councilcommissioner must review and evaluate the estimate developed 
141.7 	under paragraph (a) with regard to the effect of operating the light rail transit facility on 
141.8 	the currently available mechanisms for financing transit in the metropolitan area.
141.9 		Subd. 10.Corridor Management Committee. (a) The responsible authority 
141.10 	commissioner must establish a Corridor Management Committee to advise the responsible 
141.11 	authoritycommissioner in the design and construction of light rail transit in each corridor 
141.12 	to be constructed. The Corridor Management Committee for each corridor shall consist of 
141.13 	the following members:
141.14 	(1) one member appointed by each city and county in which the corridor is located;
141.15 	(2) the commissioner of transportation or a designee of the commissioner who shall 
141.16 	serve as chair of the committee;
141.17 	(3) two members appointed by the Metropolitan Council, one of whom shall be 
141.18 	designated as the chair of the committee;
141.19 	(4)(3) one member appointed by the Metropolitan Airports Commission, if the 
141.20 	designated corridor provides direct service to the Minneapolis-St. Paul International 
141.21 	Airport; and
141.22 	(5)(4) one member appointed by the president of the University of Minnesota, if the 
141.23 	designated corridor provides direct service to the university.
141.24 	(b) The Corridor Management Committee shall advise the responsible authority 
141.25 	commissioner on issues relating to environmental review, preliminary design, preliminary 
141.26 	engineering, final design, implementation method, and construction of light rail transit 
141.27 	in the corridor.
141.28 		Subd. 14.Transfer of facility after construction. If the commissioner of 
141.29 	transportation is the responsible authority for a particular light rail transit facility, the 
141.30 	commissioner must transfer to the Metropolitan Council all facilities constructed and 
141.31 	all equipment and property acquired in developing the facility upon completion of 
141.32 	construction.

141.33 	Sec. 57. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 473.3995, is amended to read:
141.34 	473.3995 LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT; DESIGN-BUILD METHOD.
142.1 	(a) A responsible authorityThe commissioner may use a design-build method of 
142.2 	project development and construction for light rail transit. Notwithstanding any law 
142.3 	to the contrary, a responsible authoritythe commissioner may award a design-build 
142.4 	contract on the basis of requests for proposals or requests for qualifications without bids. 
142.5 	"Design-build method of project development and construction" means a project delivery 
142.6 	system in which a single contractor is responsible for both the design and construction of 
142.7 	the project and bids the design and construction together.
142.8 	(b) If a responsible authoritythe commissioner utilizes a design-build method 
142.9 	of project development and construction for light rail transit, the requirements and 
142.10 	procedures in sections 161.3410 to 161.3426 apply to the procurement, subject to the 
142.11 	following conditions and exceptions:
142.12 	(1) if the Metropolitan Council is the responsible authority for a particular light rail 
142.13 	transit project, when used in sections 161.3410 to 161.3426, (i) the terms "commissioner," 
142.14 	"Minnesota Department of Transportation," "department," "state agencies," and "road 
142.15 	authority" refer to the Metropolitan Council, and (ii) the term "state" refers to the 
142.16 	Metropolitan Council except in references to state law or in references to the state as 
142.17 	a geographical location;
142.18 	(2)(1) the provisions of section 161.3412, subdivisions 3 and 4, are not applicable 
142.19 	to the procurement; and
142.20 	(3)(2) if any federal funds are used in developing or constructing the light rail 
142.21 	transit project, any provisions in sections 161.3410 to 161.3426 that are inconsistent with, 
142.22 	or prohibited by, any federal law, regulation, or other requirement are not applicable 
142.23 	to the procurement.

142.24 	Sec. 58. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 473.3997, is amended to read:
142.25 	473.3997 FEDERAL FUNDING; LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT.
142.26 	(a) Upon completion of the alternatives analysis and draft environmental impact 
142.27 	statement, and selection of the locally preferred alternative, for each light rail transit 
142.28 	facility, the responsible authoritycommissioner may prepare an application for federal 
142.29 	assistance for the light rail transit facility. If the commissioner is the responsible authority, 
142.30 	the application must be reviewed and approved by the Metropolitan Council before it is 
142.31 	submitted by the commissioner. In reviewing the application the council must consider the 
142.32 	operating cost estimate developed under section 473.3994, subdivision 9.
142.33 	(b) Except for the designated responsible authority for a particular light rail transit 
142.34 	facility, No political subdivision in the metropolitan area may on its own apply for federal 
142.35 	assistance for light rail transit planning or construction.

143.1 	Sec. 59. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 473.405, is amended to read:
143.2 	473.405 POWERS.
143.3 		Subdivision 1.General. The Metropolitan Councilcommissioner has the powers 
143.4 	and duties prescribed by this section and sections 473.407 to 473.449 and all powers 
143.5 	necessary or convenient to discharge its duties.
143.6 		Subd. 3.Condemnation. The councilcommissioner may for transit purposes 
143.7 	acquire property, franchises, easements, or property rights or interests of any kind by 
143.8 	condemnation proceedings pursuant to chapter 117. Except as provided in subdivision 9, 
143.9 	the councilcommissioner may take possession of any property for which condemnation 
143.10 	proceedings have been commenced at any time after the filing of the petition describing 
143.11 	the property in the proceedings. The councilcommissioner may contract with an operator 
143.12 	or other persons for the use by the operator or person of any property under the council's 
143.13 	commissioner's control.
143.14 		Subd. 4.Transit systems. The councilcommissioner may engineer, construct, 
143.15 	equip, and operate transit and paratransit systems, projects, or any parts thereof, including 
143.16 	road lanes or rights-of-way, terminal facilities, maintenance and garage facilities, ramps, 
143.17 	parking areas, and any other facilities useful for or related to any public transit or 
143.18 	paratransit system or project. The councilcommissioner may sell or lease naming rights 
143.19 	with regard to light rail transit stations and apply revenues from sales or leases to light 
143.20 	rail transit operating costs.
143.21 		Subd. 5.Acquisition of transit systems. The councilcommissioner may acquire by 
143.22 	purchase, lease, gift, or condemnation proceedings any existing public transit system or 
143.23 	any part thereof, including all or any part of the plant, equipment, shares of stock, property, 
143.24 	real, personal, or mixed, rights in property, reserve funds, special funds, franchises, 
143.25 	licenses, patents, permits and papers, documents and records belonging to any operator 
143.26 	of a public transit system within the metropolitan area, and may in connection therewith 
143.27 	assume any or all liabilities of any operator of a public transit system. The council 
143.28 	commissioner may take control of and operate a system immediately following the filing 
143.29 	and approval of the initial petition for condemnation, if the council commissioner, in its 
143.30 	the commissioner's discretion, determines this to be necessary, and may take possession 
143.31 	of all right, title and other powers of ownership in all properties and facilities described 
143.32 	in the petition. Control must be taken by resolution which is effective upon service of a 
143.33 	copy on the condemnee and the filing of the resolution in the condemnation action. In 
143.34 	the determination of the fair value of the existing public transit system, there must not 
143.35 	be included any value attributable to expenditures for improvements made by the former 
143.36 	Metropolitan Transit Commission or Council.
144.1 		Subd. 9.Condemnation of public or public service corporation property. The 
144.2 	fact that property is owned by or is in charge of a public agency or a public service 
144.3 	corporation organized for a purpose specified in section 301B.01, or is already devoted 
144.4 	to a public use or to use by the corporation or was acquired therefor by condemnation 
144.5 	may not prevent its acquisition by the councilcommissioner by condemnation, but if the 
144.6 	property is in actual public use or in actual use by the corporation for any purpose of 
144.7 	interest or benefit to the public, the taking by the councilcommissioner by condemnation 
144.8 	may not be authorized unless the court finds and determines that there is greater public 
144.9 	necessity for the proposed use by the councilcommissioner than for the existing use.
144.10 		Subd. 10.Voluntary transfer of public property. Any state department or other 
144.11 	agency of the state government or any county, municipality, or other public agency 
144.12 	may sell, lease, grant, transfer, or convey to the council department, with or without 
144.13 	consideration, any facilities or any part or parts thereof or any real or personal property or 
144.14 	interest therein which may be useful to the council department for any authorized purpose. 
144.15 	In any case where the construction of a facility has not been completed, the public agency 
144.16 	concerned may also transfer, sell, assign, and set over to the council department, with or 
144.17 	without consideration, any existing contract for the construction of the facilities.
144.18 		Subd. 12.Management contracts. Notwithstanding any of the other provisions of 
144.19 	this section and sections 473.407 to 473.449, the councilcommissioner may, in lieu of 
144.20 	directly operating any public transit system or any part thereof, enter into contracts for 
144.21 	management services. The contracts may provide for compensation, incentive fees, the 
144.22 	employment of personnel, the services provided, and other terms and conditions that the 
144.23 	councilcommissioner deems proper. The contracts must provide that the compensation of 
144.24 	personnel who work full time or substantially full time providing management or other 
144.25 	services for the councilcommissioner is public data under chapter 13.
144.26 	The councilcommissioner may not permit a contract manager to supervise or 
144.27 	manage internal audit activities. Internal audit activity must be supervised and managed 
144.28 	directly by the council commissioner. The councilcommissioner shall advertise for bids 
144.29 	and select contracts for management services through competitive bidding. The term of 
144.30 	the contract may not be longer than two years. The contract must include clear operating 
144.31 	objectives, stating the service policies and goals of the councilcommissioner in terms of 
144.32 	the movement of various passenger groups, and performance criteria, by means of which 
144.33 	success in achieving the operating objectives can be measured. The councilcommissioner 
144.34 	shall consider and determine the feasibility and desirability of having all its transit 
144.35 	management services provided internally by employees of the council department.
145.1 	The employees of any public transit system operated pursuant to the provisions of 
145.2 	this subdivision for the purpose of resolving any dispute arising under any existing or new 
145.3 	collective bargaining agreement relating to the terms or conditions of their employment, 
145.4 	may either engage in a concerted refusal to work or to invoke the processes of final and 
145.5 	binding arbitration as provided by chapter 572, subject to any applicable provisions of 
145.6 	the agreement not inconsistent with law.
145.7 		Subd. 15.Relocation of displaced persons. The councilcommissioner may plan 
145.8 	for and assist in the relocation of individuals, families, business concerns, nonprofit 
145.9 	organizations, and others displaced by operations of the council department, and may 
145.10 	make relocation payments in accordance with federal regulations.

145.11 	Sec. 60. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 473.4051, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
145.12 		Subdivision 1.Operator. The councilcommissioner shall operate all light rail 
145.13 	transit facilities and services located in the metropolitan area upon completion of 
145.14 	construction of the facilities and the commencement of revenue service using the facilities. 
145.15 	The councilcommissioner may not allow the commencement of revenue service until after 
145.16 	an appropriate period of acceptance testing to ensure safe and satisfactory performance. In 
145.17 	assuming the operation of the system, the councilcommissioner must comply with section 
145.18 	473.415. The councilcommissioner shall coordinate operation of the light rail transit 
145.19 	system with bus service to avoid duplication of service on a route served by light rail 
145.20 	transit and to ensure the widest possible access to light rail transit lines in both suburban 
145.21 	and urban areas by means of a feeder bus system.

145.22 	Sec. 61. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 473.4056, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
145.23 		Subdivision 1.Adoption of standards. (a) By January 1, 2015, the Metropolitan 
145.24 	Council shall adopt and may thereafterThe commissioner of transportation may amend 
145.25 	standards for the design of light rail vehicles that are reasonably necessary to provide 
145.26 	access for, and to protect the health and safety of, persons who use the service. All light 
145.27 	rail transit vehicles procured on and after January 1, 2015, must conform to the standards 
145.28 	then in effect.
145.29 	(b) The Transportation Accessibility Advisory Committee must review the standards 
145.30 	and all subsequent amendments before the Metropolitan Council adopts them standards 
145.31 	go into effect.
145.32 	(c) The Metropolitan Councilcommissioner shall post adopted standards, including 
145.33 	amendments, on its Web site.

146.1 	Sec. 62. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 473.4057, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
146.2 		Subdivision 1.General. Notwithstanding the provisions of sections 174.82 and 
146.3 	174.90, the Metropolitan Councilcommissioner must operate and maintain commuter 
146.4 	rail facilities and services in any corridor that is located in whole or in part in the 
146.5 	metropolitan area. The council's operation and maintenance of the facilities and services 
146.6 	must commence upon completion of the planning, development, and construction of the 
146.7 	commuter rail facilities by the commissioner of transportation and the commencement 
146.8 	of prerevenue service this state.

146.9 	Sec. 63. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 473.4057, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
146.10 		Subd. 2.Commuter rail equipment, supplies, and materials. The council 
146.11 	commissioner is authorized to acquire equipment, supplies, and materials, including 
146.12 	rolling stock, necessary for any commuter rail service that is subject to this section. This 
146.13 	authority may be exercised either before or after the commencement of revenue service on 
146.14 	a particular commuter rail line.

146.15 	Sec. 64. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 473.4057, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
146.16 		Subd. 3.Commuter rail improvements. After the commencement of revenue 
146.17 	service in a particular commuter rail corridor, the councilcommissioner is responsible 
146.18 	for planning, development, design, acquisition, construction, and equipping of any 
146.19 	improvements to commuter rail facilities or service in that corridor.

146.20 	Sec. 65. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 473.4057, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
146.21 		Subd. 4.Procurement for commuter rail; best value alternative. (a) 
146.22 	Notwithstanding the provisions of section 471.345, for purchases related to the 
146.23 	council'scommissioner's maintenance and operation of commuter rail lines, the council 
146.24 	commissioner may award a contract for the purchase of supplies, materials, equipment or 
146.25 	the rental thereof, or the construction, alteration, improvement, repair, or maintenance 
146.26 	of real or personal property to the vendor or contractor offering the best value under 
146.27 	a request for proposals.
146.28 	(b) For the purposes of this section, "best value" describes a result intended in the 
146.29 	acquisition of goods and services described in paragraph (a). Price must be one of the 
146.30 	evaluation criteria when acquiring such goods and services. Other evaluation criteria 
146.31 	may include, but are not limited to, environmental considerations, quality, and vendor 
146.32 	performance. A best value determination must be based on the evaluation criteria detailed 
147.1 	in the solicitation document. If criteria other than price are used, the solicitation document 
147.2 	must state the relative importance of price and other factors.

147.3 	Sec. 66. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 473.4057, subdivision 6, is amended to read:
147.4 		Subd. 6.Agreements with other parties. The councilcommissioner may enter into 
147.5 	memoranda of understanding, joint powers agreements, or other agreements with public 
147.6 	or private entities including, without limitation, political subdivisions, regional railroad 
147.7 	authorities, metropolitan planning organizations, joint powers boards, the commissioner 
147.8 	of transportation, or railroads, to carry out its responsibilities under this section.

147.9 	Sec. 67. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 473.4057, subdivision 7, is amended to read:
147.10 		Subd. 7.Expenditure of funds and exercise of powers. In carrying out its 
147.11 	responsibilities under this section and notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, 
147.12 	the councilcommissioner may expend funds and exercise, both inside and outside the 
147.13 	metropolitan area, those powers in this chapter that are necessary or convenient for those 
147.14 	purposes. The jurisdiction of the metropolitan transit police under section 473.405 extends 
147.15 	to offenses relating to the operation, property, facilities, equipment, employees, and 
147.16 	passengers of any commuter rail facilities and services that are subject to this section.

147.17 	Sec. 68. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 473.4057, subdivision 8, is amended to read:
147.18 		Subd. 8.Application of section 174.82. Except for those provisions that provide 
147.19 	that the commissioner of transportation is responsible for operating and maintaining 
147.20 	commuter rail, The provisions of section 174.82 apply to commuter rail facilities and 
147.21 	services that are subject to this section. Without limitation as to its application, the 
147.22 	provisions of section 174.82 apply when the council is carrying out its responsibilities for 
147.23 	commuter rail under this section to the same extent as those provisions would apply if the 
147.24 	council were carrying out its responsibilities under contract to the commissioner.

147.25 	Sec. 69. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 473.407, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
147.26 		Subdivision 1.Authorization. The councilcommissioner may appoint peace 
147.27 	officers, as defined in section 626.84, subdivision 1, paragraph (c), and establish a 
147.28 	law enforcement agency, as defined in section 626.84, subdivision 1, paragraph (f), 
147.29 	known as the Metropolitan Transit Police, to police its transit property and routes, to 
147.30 	carry out investigations, and to make arrests under sections 629.30 and 629.34. The 
147.31 	jurisdiction of the law enforcement agency is limited to offenses relating to councilthe 
147.32 	department's transit property, equipment, employees, and passengers. The jurisdiction of 
148.1 	the Metropolitan Transit Police shall include traffic lanes designed for bus or transit use, 
148.2 	freeway or expressway shoulders in the seven-county metropolitan area used by authorized 
148.3 	transit buses and Metro Mobility buses under section 169.306, and high-occupancy vehicle 
148.4 	lanes used by transit buses. Upon request from, or under an agreement with, any law 
148.5 	enforcement agency and subject to the availability of its personnel and other resources, 
148.6 	the Metropolitan Transit Police may exercise general law enforcement agency authority 
148.7 	to assist any law enforcement agency in implementing or carrying out law enforcement 
148.8 	activities, programs, or initiatives. If the commissioner of transportation contracts with 
148.9 	the Metropolitan Council for operation of commuter rail facilities under section 174.90, 
148.10 	The jurisdiction of the Metropolitan Transit Police extends to offenses relating to the 
148.11 	operation, property, facilities, equipment, employees, and passengers of the commuter rail 
148.12 	facilities located in and outside of the metropolitan area.

148.13 	Sec. 70. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 473.407, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
148.14 		Subd. 3.Policy for notice of investigations. The transit police must develop a 
148.15 	policy for notifying the law enforcement agency with primary jurisdiction when it has 
148.16 	initiated surveillance or investigation of any person within the jurisdiction of that agency. 
148.17 	The councilcommissioner shall train all of its peace officers regarding the application 
148.18 	of this policy.

148.19 	Sec. 71. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 473.407, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
148.20 		Subd. 4.Chief law enforcement officer. The regional administratorcommissioner 
148.21 	shall appoint a peace officer employed full time to be the chief law enforcement officer 
148.22 	and to be responsible for the management of the metropolitan transit police. The chief 
148.23 	law enforcement officer shall possess the necessary police and management experience 
148.24 	to manage a law enforcement agency. The chief law enforcement officer may appoint, 
148.25 	discipline, and discharge all transit police personnel. All police managerial and supervisory 
148.26 	personnel must be full-time employees of the Metropolitan Transit Police. Supervisory 
148.27 	personnel must be on duty and available any time transit police are on duty. The chief law 
148.28 	enforcement officer may not hire part-time peace officers as defined in section 626.84, 
148.29 	subdivision 1, paragraph (d), except that the chief may appoint peace officers to work on a 
148.30 	part-time basis not to exceed 30 full-time equivalents. A part-time officer must maintain 
148.31 	an active peace officer license with the officer's full-time law enforcement employer.

148.32 	Sec. 72. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 473.407, subdivision 5, is amended to read:
149.1 		Subd. 5.Emergencies. (a) The councilcommissioner shall ensure that all 
149.2 	emergency vehicles used by transit police are equipped with radios capable of receiving 
149.3 	and transmitting on the same frequencies utilized by the law enforcement agencies that 
149.4 	have primary jurisdiction.
149.5 	(b) When the transit police receive an emergency call they shall notify the public 
149.6 	safety agency with primary jurisdiction and coordinate the appropriate response.
149.7 	(c) Transit police officers shall notify the primary jurisdictions of their response 
149.8 	to any emergency.

149.9 	Sec. 73. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 473.408, is amended to read:
149.10 	473.408 FARE POLICY.
149.11 		Subd. 2.Fare policy. (a) Fares and fare collection systems shall be established and 
149.12 	administered to accomplish the following purposes:
149.13 	(1) to encourage and increase transit and paratransit ridership with an emphasis 
149.14 	on regular ridership;
149.15 	(2) to restrain increases in the average operating subsidy per passenger;
149.16 	(3) to ensure that no riders on any route pay more in fares than the average cost of 
149.17 	providing the service on that route;
149.18 	(4) to ensure that operating revenues are proportioned to the cost of providing the 
149.19 	service so as to reduce any disparity in the subsidy per passenger on routes in the transit 
149.20 	system; and
149.21 	(5) to implement the social fares as set forth in subdivision 2b.
149.22 	(b) The plan must contain a statement of the policies that will govern the imposition 
149.23 	of user charges for various types of transit service and the policies that will govern 
149.24 	decisions by the councilcommissioner to change fare policy.
149.25 		Subd. 2a.Regular route fares. The councilcommissioner shall establish and 
149.26 	enforce uniform fare policies for regular route transit in the metropolitan area. The policies 
149.27 	must be consistent with the requirements of this section and the council's transportation 
149.28 	policy plan. The councilcommissioner and other operators shall charge a base fare and 
149.29 	any surcharges for peak hours and distance of service in accordance with the council's 
149.30 	commissioner's fares policies. The councilcommissioner shall approve all fare schedules.
149.31 		Subd. 2b.Social fares. For the purposes of raising revenue for improving public 
149.32 	safety on transit vehicles and at transit hubs or stops, the councilcommissioner shall 
149.33 	review and may adjust its social fares as they relate to passengers under the age of 18 
149.34 	during high crime times provided that the increased revenues are dedicated to improving 
149.35 	the safety of all passengers.
150.1 		Subd. 4.Circulation fares. The councilcommissioner and other operators may 
150.2 	charge a reduced fare for service on any route providing circulation service in a downtown 
150.3 	area or community activity center. The councilcommissioner and other operators shall not 
150.4 	contribute more than 50 percent of the operating deficit of any such route that is confined to 
150.5 	a downtown area or community activity center. The boundaries of service districts eligible 
150.6 	for reduced fares under this subdivision must be approved by the council commissioner.
150.7 		Subd. 6.Monthly passes. The councilcommissioner may offer monthly passes 
150.8 	for regular route bus service for sale to the general public.
150.9 		Subd. 7.Employee discount passes. The councilcommissioner may offer passes 
150.10 	for regular route bus service for sale to employers at a special discount.
150.11 		Subd. 8.Charitable organization discount passes. The councilcommissioner 
150.12 	may offer passes, including tokens, for regular route bus service for sale to charitable 
150.13 	organizations, described in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, at a special 
150.14 	discount.
150.15 		Subd. 9.Youth discount passes. (a) The councilcommissioner may offer passes, 
150.16 	including tokens, for regular route bus service to charitable organizations, described in 
150.17 	section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, free of charge. Any passes provided 
150.18 	under this subdivision must be:
150.19 	(1) distributed to and used solely by a person who is under 16 years of age; and
150.20 	(2) restricted to use on a bus that is not operating at full capacity at the time of 
150.21 	use of the bus pass.
150.22 	(b) The councilcommissioner may establish additional requirements and terms of 
150.23 	use of the passes, including but not limited to charging a fee to the charitable organization 
150.24 	for any printing or production costs, restricting times of bus pass use to certain or nonpeak 
150.25 	hours of operation, and establishing oversight and auditing of the charitable organization 
150.26 	with regard to bus pass distribution and use.
150.27 		Subd. 10.Transit service for disabled veterans. (a) On and after July 1, 2009, the 
150.28 	councilcommissioner shall provide regular route transit, as defined in section 473.385, 
150.29 	subdivision 1, free of charge for veterans, as defined in section 197.447, certified as 
150.30 	disabled. For purposes of this section, "certified as disabled" means certified in writing by 
150.31 	the United States Department of Veterans Affairs or the state commissioner of veterans 
150.32 	affairs as having a permanent service-connected disability.
150.33 	(b) The requirements under this subdivision apply to operators of regular route 
150.34 	transit (1) receiving financial assistance under section 473.388, or (2) operating under 
150.35 	section 473.405, subdivision 12.

151.1 	Sec. 74. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 473.409, is amended to read:
151.2 	473.409 AGREEMENTS WITH COUNCIL COMMISSIONER; 
151.3 	ENCOURAGEMENT OF TRANSIT USE.
151.4 	A state department or agency, including the legislative branch, any local 
151.5 	governmental unit, or a metropolitan agency may enter into an agreement with the council 
151.6 	commissioner and other operators for the purpose of encouraging the use of transit by its 
151.7 	employees residing in the metropolitan area. The agreement may provide for, among other 
151.8 	things: (a) the advance purchase of tokens, tickets or other devices from the council 
151.9 	commissioner or other operator for use in lieu of fares on vehicles operated by the council 
151.10 	commissioner or other operator; and (b) special transit service for employees to and from 
151.11 	their place of employment, at fares to be agreed upon by the contracting parties. The 
151.12 	tokens, tickets, or other devices or services may be made available to employees at 
151.13 	reduced rates. Any such agreement and arrangement by a state department or agency shall 
151.14 	be submitted to the commissioner of administration for approval before execution. Any 
151.15 	operating deficits or subsidy resulting from such agreements shall be assumed by the 
151.16 	contracting department, agency, governmental unit, or other commission, unless otherwise 
151.17 	provided in an agreement approved by the council commissioner.

151.18 	Sec. 75. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 473.41, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
151.19 		Subdivision 1.Definitions. (a) For purposes of this section, the following terms 
151.20 	have the meanings given.
151.21 	(b) "Transit authority" means:
151.22 	(1) a statutory or home rule charter city, with respect to rights-of-way at bus stop and 
151.23 	train stop locations, transit shelters, and transit passenger seating facilities owned by the 
151.24 	city or established pursuant to a vendor contract with the city;
151.25 	(2) the Metropolitan Council commissioner of transportation, with respect to transit 
151.26 	shelters and transit passenger seating facilities owned by the councilDepartment of 
151.27 	Transportation or established pursuant to a vendor contract with the council department; or
151.28 	(3) a replacement service provider under section 473.388, with respect to 
151.29 	rights-of-way at bus stop and train stop locations, transit shelters, and transit passenger 
151.30 	seating facilities owned by the provider or established pursuant to a vendor contract 
151.31 	with the provider.
151.32 	(c) "Transit shelter" means a wholly or partially enclosed structure provided for 
151.33 	public use as a waiting area in conjunction with light rail transit, bus rapid transit, or 
151.34 	regular route transit.

152.1 	Sec. 76. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 473.411, subdivision 5, is amended to read:
152.2 		Subd. 5.Use of public roadways and appurtenances. The councilcommissioner 
152.3 	may use for the purposes of sections 473.405 to 473.449 upon the conditions stated in this 
152.4 	subdivision any state highway or other public roadway, parkway, or lane, or any bridge 
152.5 	or tunnel or other appurtenance of a roadway, without payment of any compensation, 
152.6 	provided the use does not interfere unreasonably with the public use or maintenance of 
152.7 	the roadway or appurtenance or entail any substantial additional costs for maintenance. 
152.8 	The provisions of this subdivision do not apply to the property of any common carrier 
152.9 	railroad or common carrier railroads. The consent of the public agency in charge of such 
152.10 	state highway or other public highway or roadway or appurtenance is not required; except 
152.11 	that if the councilcommissioner seeks to use a designated parkway for regular route 
152.12 	service in the city of Minneapolis, it must obtain permission from and is subject to 
152.13 	reasonable limitations imposed by a joint board consisting of two representatives from 
152.14 	the council of the department, two members of the board of park commissioners, and a 
152.15 	fifth member jointly selected by the other members of the board. If the use is a designated 
152.16 	Minneapolis parkway for regular route service adjacent to the city of Minneapolis, it must 
152.17 	obtain permission from and is subject to reasonable limitations imposed by a joint board 
152.18 	consisting of two representatives from the council of the department, two members of the 
152.19 	board of park commissioners, and a fifth member jointly selected by other members of 
152.20 	the board. The joint board must include a nonvoting member appointed by the council of 
152.21 	commissioner and residing in the city in which the parkway is located.
152.22 	The board of park commissioners and the councilcommissioner may designate 
152.23 	persons to sit on the joint board. In considering a request by the councilcommissioner 
152.24 	to use designated parkways for additional routes or trips, the joint board consisting 
152.25 	of the councilcommissioner or their the commissioner's designees, the board of park 
152.26 	commissioners or theirthe commissioner's designees, and the fifth member, shall base its 
152.27 	decision to grant or deny the request based on the criteria to be established by the joint 
152.28 	board. The decision to grant or deny the request must be made within 45 days of the date 
152.29 	of the request. The park board must be notified immediately by the councilcommissioner 
152.30 	of any temporary route detours. If the park board objects to the temporary route detours 
152.31 	within five days of being notified, the joint board must convene and decide whether to grant 
152.32 	the request, otherwise the request is deemed granted. If the agency objects to the proposed 
152.33 	use or claims reimbursement from the councilcommissioner for additional cost of 
152.34 	maintenance, it may commence an action against the councildepartment in the district court 
152.35 	of the county wherein the highway, roadway, or appurtenance, or major portion thereof, 
152.36 	is located. The proceedings in the action must conform to the Rules of Civil Procedure 
153.1 	applicable to the district courts. The court shall sit without jury. If the court determines 
153.2 	that the use in question interferes unreasonably with the public use or maintenance of the 
153.3 	roadway or appurtenance, it shall enjoin the use by the council commissioner. If the court 
153.4 	determines that the use in question does not interfere unreasonably with the public use 
153.5 	or maintenance of the roadway or appurtenance, but that it entails substantial additional 
153.6 	maintenance costs, the court shall award judgment to the agency for the amount of the 
153.7 	additional costs. Otherwise the court shall award judgment to the council department. An 
153.8 	aggrieved party may appeal from the judgment of the district court in the same manner as 
153.9 	is provided for such appeals in other civil actions. The councilcommissioner may also use 
153.10 	land within the right-of-way of any state highway or other public roadway for the erection 
153.11 	of traffic-control devices, other signs, and passenger shelters upon the conditions stated in 
153.12 	this subdivision and subject only to the approval of the commissioner of transportation 
153.13 	where required by statute, and subject to the express provisions of other applicable statutes 
153.14 	and to federal requirements where necessary to qualify for federal aid.

153.15 	Sec. 77. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 473.415, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
153.16 		Subdivision 1.Includes no worse off clause. If the councilcommissioner acquires 
153.17 	an existing transit system, the councilcommissioner shall assume and observe all existing 
153.18 	labor contracts and pension obligations. All employees of such system except executive 
153.19 	and administrative officers who are necessary for thesystem operation thereof by the 
153.20 	council shall be transferred to and appointed as employees of the councildepartment for 
153.21 	the purposes of the transit system, subject to all the rights and benefits of sections 473.405
153.22 	to 473.449. SuchThe employees shall be given seniority credit and sick leave, vacation, 
153.23 	insurance, and pension credits in accordance with the records or labor agreements from 
153.24 	the acquired transit system. The councildepartment shall assume the obligations of any 
153.25 	transit system acquired by it with regard to wages, salaries, hours, working conditions, 
153.26 	sick leave, health and welfare and pension or retirement provisions for employees. The 
153.27 	councildepartment and the employees, through their representatives for collective 
153.28 	bargaining purposes, shall take whatever action may be necessary to have pension trust 
153.29 	funds presently under the joint control of the acquired system and the participating 
153.30 	employees through their representatives transferred to the trust fund to be established, 
153.31 	maintained and administered jointly by the councildepartment and the participating 
153.32 	employees through their representatives. No employee of any acquired system who is 
153.33 	transferred to a position with the councildepartment shall by reason of such transfer be 
153.34 	placed in any worse position with respect to workers' compensation, pension, seniority, 
154.1 	wages, sick leave, vacation, health and welfare insurance or any other benefits than the 
154.2 	employee enjoyed as an employee of such acquired system.

154.3 	Sec. 78. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 473.416, is amended to read:
154.4 	473.416 RIGHTS OF SYSTEM WORKERS IN TAKEOVER OF TRANSIT 
154.5 	SYSTEM.
154.6 	Whenever the councilcommissioner directly operates any public transit system, or 
154.7 	any part thereof, or enters into any management contract or other arrangement for the 
154.8 	operation of a system, the councilcommissioner shall take the action necessary to extend 
154.9 	to employees of the affected public transit systems, in accordance with seniority, the first 
154.10 	opportunity for reasonably comparable employment in any available nonsupervisory 
154.11 	jobs in respect to such operations for which they can qualify after a reasonable training 
154.12 	period. The employment must not result in any worsening of the employee's position in 
154.13 	the employee's former employment nor any loss of wages, hours, working conditions, 
154.14 	seniority, fringe benefits, and rights and privileges pertaining thereto. The council 
154.15 	commissioner may enter into an agreement specifying fair and equitable arrangements to 
154.16 	protect the interests of employees who may be affected if the councilcommissioner should 
154.17 	acquire any interest in or purchase any facilities or other property of a privately owned 
154.18 	and operated transit system, or construct, improve, or reconstruct any facilities or other 
154.19 	property acquired from any system, or provide by contract or otherwise for the operation 
154.20 	of transportation facilities or equipment in competition with, or supplementary to, the 
154.21 	service provided by an existing transit system. The agreement, specifying the terms and 
154.22 	conditions of the protective arrangements, must comply with any applicable requirements 
154.23 	of this chapter, and with the requirements of any federal law or regulation if federal aid is 
154.24 	involved. The agreement may provide for final and binding arbitration of any dispute.

154.25 	Sec. 79. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 473.42, is amended to read:
154.26 	473.42 EMPLOYER CONTRIBUTIONS FOR CERTAIN EMPLOYEES.
154.27 	Notwithstanding any contrary provisions of section 352.029, the councilstate shall 
154.28 	make the employer contributions required pursuant to section 352.04, subdivision 3, 
154.29 	for any employee who was on authorized leave of absence from the transit operating 
154.30 	division of the former Metropolitan Transit Commission who is employed by the labor 
154.31 	organization which is the exclusive bargaining agent representing Metro Transit Division 
154.32 	employees of the council and who is covered by the Minnesota State Retirement System 
154.33 	in addition to all other employer contributions the councilstate is required to make.

155.1 	Sec. 80. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 473.436, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
155.2 		Subd. 2.Legal investments. Certificates of indebtedness, bonds, or other 
155.3 	obligations issued by the councilMetropolitan Area Transit Board to which tax levies have 
155.4 	been pledged pursuant to section 473.446, subdivision 1, shall be proper for investment of 
155.5 	any funds by any bank, savings bank, savings association, credit union, trust company, 
155.6 	insurance company or public or municipal corporation, and may be pledged by any bank, 
155.7 	savings bank, savings association, credit union, or trust company as security for the 
155.8 	deposit of public moneys.

155.9 	Sec. 81. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 473.436, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
155.10 		Subd. 3.Tax exempt. Certificates of indebtedness, bonds, or other obligations of 
155.11 	the councilissued under section 473.39 or this section shall be deemed and treated as 
155.12 	instrumentalities of a public government agency.

155.13 	Sec. 82. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 473.436, subdivision 6, is amended to read:
155.14 		Subd. 6.Temporary borrowing. On or after the first day of any fiscal year, the 
155.15 	councilMetropolitan Area Transit Board may borrow money which may be used or 
155.16 	expended by the councilcommissioner of transportation for any purpose, including but 
155.17 	not limited to current expenses, capital expenditures and the discharge of any obligation or 
155.18 	indebtedness of the council related to metropolitan area transit purposes. The indebtedness 
155.19 	must be represented by a note or notes which may be issued from time to time in any 
155.20 	denomination and sold at public or private sale pursuant to a resolution authorizing the 
155.21 	issuance. The resolution must set forth the form and manner of execution of the notes 
155.22 	and shall contain other terms and conditions the councilboard deems necessary or 
155.23 	desirable to provide security for the holders of the notes. The note or notes are payable 
155.24 	from committed or appropriated money from taxes, grants or loans of the state or federal 
155.25 	government made to the council board or the commissioner, or other revenues of the 
155.26 	council commissioner for metropolitan area transit purposes, and the money may be 
155.27 	pledged to the payment of the notes. The council isboard and the commissioner are 
155.28 	authorized to pledge to the payment of the note or notes taxes levied by it under section 
155.29 	473.446, subdivision 1, clause (a), and if taxes are so pledged the council shall transfer 
155.30 	amounts received from the levy shall be transferred to the councilboard for payment 
155.31 	of the note or notes. To the extent the notes are not paid from the grant or loan money 
155.32 	pledged for the payment thereof, the principal and interest of the notes must be paid from 
155.33 	any taxes received by the councilboard and any income and revenue received by or 
156.1 	accrued to the councilcommissioner during the fiscal year in which the note or notes were 
156.2 	issued, or other money of the council lawfully available therefor.

156.3 	Sec. 83. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 473.446, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
156.4 		Subdivision 1.Metropolitan area transit tax. (a) For the purposes of sections 
156.5 	473.405 to 473.449 and the metropolitan transit system, except as otherwise provided in 
156.6 	this subdivision, the councilMetropolitan Area Transit Board established in subdivision 
156.7 	1c, shall levy each year upon all taxable property within the metropolitan area, defined in 
156.8 	section 473.121, subdivision 2, a transit tax consisting of:
156.9 	(1) an amount necessary to provide full and timely payment of certificates of 
156.10 	indebtedness, bonds, including refunding bonds or other obligations issued or to be 
156.11 	issued under section 473.39by the council for purposes of acquisition and betterment of 
156.12 	property and other improvements of a capital nature and to which the former Metropolitan 
156.13 	Council, or the Metropolitan Area Transit Board, as applicable, has specifically pledged 
156.14 	tax levies under this clause; and
156.15 	(2) an additional amount necessary to provide full and timely payment of certificates 
156.16 	of indebtedness issued by the former Metropolitan Council or the Metropolitan Area 
156.17 	Transit Board, after consultation with the commissioner of management and budget, if 
156.18 	revenues to the metropolitan area transit fund in the fiscal year in which the indebtedness 
156.19 	is issued increase over those revenues in the previous fiscal year by a percentage less than 
156.20 	the percentage increase for the same period in the revised Consumer Price Index for all 
156.21 	urban consumers for the St. Paul-Minneapolis metropolitan area prepared by the United 
156.22 	States Department of Labor.
156.23 	(b) Indebtedness to which property taxes have been pledged under paragraph (a), 
156.24 	clause (2), that is incurred in any fiscal year may not exceed the amount necessary to make 
156.25 	up the difference between (1) the amount that the councilcommissioner of transportation 
156.26 	received or expects to receive in that fiscal year from the metropolitan area transit fund and 
156.27 	(2) the amount the former Metropolitan Council or the commissioner received from that 
156.28 	fund in the previous fiscal year multiplied by the percentage increase for the same period 
156.29 	in the revised Consumer Price Index for all urban consumers for the St. Paul-Minneapolis 
156.30 	metropolitan area prepared by the United States Department of Labor.

156.31 	Sec. 84. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 473.446, is amended by adding a subdivision 
156.32 	to read:
156.33 		Subd. 1c.Metropolitan Area Transit Board. (a) A Metropolitan Area Transit 
156.34 	Board is established, consisting of one commissioner of each county included in whole 
157.1 	or in part within the transit taxing district designated in subdivision 2. Each of those 
157.2 	county boards must appoint its initial member to the Metropolitan Area Transit Board by 
157.3 	June 1, 2015.
157.4 	(b) The board must annually set the levy as required under this section, and may 
157.5 	issue obligations as provided in section 473.39, and borrow as provided in section 
157.6 	473.436. Each member's term on the board ends four years after the date of appointment 
157.7 	or when the member ceases to be a county commissioner. The county board will appoint a 
157.8 	successor member to represent the county on the transit board.
157.9 	(c) The board may utilize no more than ... percent of the proceeds of the tax imposed 
157.10 	under this section for ordinary administrative expenses incurred in carrying out the 
157.11 	provisions of this section and sections 473.436 and 473.39. Any additional administrative 
157.12 	expenses must be paid by the participating counties.

157.13 	Sec. 85. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 473.446, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
157.14 		Subd. 2.Transit taxing district. The metropolitan transit taxing district is hereby 
157.15 	designated as that portion of the metropolitan transit area lying within the following 
157.16 	named cities, towns, or unorganized territory within the counties indicated:
157.17 	(a) Anoka County. Anoka, Blaine, Centerville, Columbia Heights, Coon Rapids, 
157.18 	Fridley, Circle Pines, Hilltop, Lexington, Lino Lakes, Spring Lake Park;
157.19 	(b) Carver County. Chanhassen, the city of Chaska;
157.20 	(c) Dakota County. Apple Valley, Burnsville, Eagan, Inver Grove Heights, Lilydale, 
157.21 	Mendota, Mendota Heights, Rosemount, South St. Paul, Sunfish Lake, West St. Paul;
157.22 	(d) Ramsey County. All of the territory within Ramsey County;
157.23 	(e) Hennepin County. Bloomington, Brooklyn Center, Brooklyn Park, Champlin, 
157.24 	Chanhassen, Crystal, Deephaven, Eden Prairie, Edina, Excelsior, Golden Valley, 
157.25 	Greenwood, Hopkins, Long Lake, Maple Grove, Medicine Lake, Minneapolis, 
157.26 	Minnetonka, Minnetonka Beach, Mound, New Hope, Orono, Osseo, Plymouth, Richfield, 
157.27 	Robbinsdale, St. Anthony, St. Louis Park, Shorewood, Spring Park, Tonka Bay, Wayzata, 
157.28 	Woodland, the unorganized territory of Hennepin County;
157.29 	(f) Scott County. Prior Lake, Savage, Shakopee;
157.30 	(g) Washington County. Baytown, the city of Stillwater, White Bear Lake, Bayport, 
157.31 	Birchwood, Cottage Grove, Dellwood, Lake Elmo, Landfall, Mahtomedi, Newport, 
157.32 	Oakdale, Oak Park Heights, Pine Springs, St. Paul Park, Willernie, Woodbury.
157.33 	The Metropolitan Council in its sole discretioncommissioner of transportation 
157.34 	may provide transit service by contract beyond the boundaries of the metropolitan 
157.35 	transit taxing district or to cities and towns within the taxing district which are receiving 
158.1 	financial assistance under section 473.388, upon petition therefor by an interested city, 
158.2 	township or political subdivision within the metropolitan transit area. The Metropolitan 
158.3 	Councilcommissioner of transportation may establish suchthe terms and conditions as it 
158.4 	deemsdeemed necessary and advisable for providing the transit service, including such 
158.5 	combination of fares and direct payments by the petitioner asthat will compensate the 
158.6 	council for the full capital and operating cost of the service and the related administrative 
158.7 	activities of the council. The amount of the levy made by any municipality to pay for the 
158.8 	service shall be disregarded when calculation of levies subject to limitations is made, 
158.9 	provided that cities and towns receiving financial assistance under section 473.388 shall 
158.10 	not make a special levy under this subdivision without having first exhausted the available 
158.11 	local transit funds as defined in section 473.388. The council shallcommissioner is not 
158.12 	be obligated to extend service beyond the boundaries of the taxing district, or to cities 
158.13 	and towns within the taxing district which are receiving financial assistance under section 
158.14 	473.388, under any law or contract unless or until payment therefor is received.

158.15 	Sec. 86. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 473.446, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
158.16 		Subd. 3.Certification and collection. Each county treasurer shall collect and make 
158.17 	settlement of the taxes levied under subdivisions 1 and 1a with the treasurer of the council 
158.18 	commissioner of transportation. The levy of transit taxes pursuant to this section shall not 
158.19 	affect the amount or rate of taxes which may be levied by any county or municipality or 
158.20 	by the council for other purposes authorized by law and shall be in addition to any other 
158.21 	property tax authorized by law.

158.22 	Sec. 87. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 473.446, subdivision 8, is amended to read:
158.23 		Subd. 8.State review. The commissioner of revenue shall certify the council's levy 
158.24 	limitation under this section to the councilMetropolitan Area Transit Board by August 1 
158.25 	of the levy year. The councilboard must certify its proposed property tax levy under this 
158.26 	section to the commissioner of revenue by September 1 of the levy year. The commissioner 
158.27 	of revenue shall annually determine whether the property tax for transit purposes certified 
158.28 	by the council for levy following the adoption of its proposed budgetby the board is 
158.29 	within the levy limitation imposed by subdivisions 1 and 1b. The commissioner shall also 
158.30 	annually determine whether the transit tax imposed on all taxable property within the 
158.31 	metropolitan transit area but outside of the metropolitan transit taxing district is within the 
158.32 	levy limitation imposed by subdivision 1a. The determination must be completed prior to 
158.33 	September 10 of each year. If current information regarding market valuation in any county 
159.1 	is not transmitted to the commissioner in a timely manner, the commissioner may estimate 
159.2 	the current market valuation within that county for purposes of making the calculations.

159.3 	Sec. 88. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 473.448, is amended to read:
159.4 	473.448 TRANSIT ASSETS EXEMPT FROM TAX BUT MUST PAY 
159.5 	ASSESSMENTS.
159.6 	(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, the properties, 
159.7 	moneys, and other assets of the councildepartment used for transit operations in the 
159.8 	metropolitan area or for special transportation services in the metropolitan area and 
159.9 	all revenues or other income from the council'sdepartment's transit operations in the 
159.10 	metropolitan area or special transportation services in the metropolitan area are exempt 
159.11 	from all taxation, licenses, or fees imposed by the state or by any county, municipality, 
159.12 	political subdivision, taxing district, or other public agency or body of the state, except to 
159.13 	the extent that the property is subject to the sales and use tax under chapter 297A.
159.14 	(b) Notwithstanding paragraph (a), the council'sdepartment's transit properties are 
159.15 	subject to special assessments levied by a political subdivision for a local improvement in 
159.16 	amounts proportionate to and not exceeding the special benefit received by the properties 
159.17 	from the improvement.

159.18 	Sec. 89. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 473.449, is amended to read:
159.19 	473.449 ACT EXCLUSIVE.
159.20 	The exercise by the councilcommissioner of the powers provided in sections 
159.21 	473.405 to 473.449 shall not be subject to regulation by or the jurisdiction or control of 
159.22 	any other public body or agency, either state, county, or municipal, except as specifically 
159.23 	provided in this chapter.

159.24 	Sec. 90. TRANSFER PROVISIONS.
 159.25 		Subdivision 1.General. The Metropolitan Council's powers and duties related 
159.26 	to transit financing, coordination, and operation are transferred to the commissioner of 
159.27 	transportation. Minnesota Statutes, section 15.039, applies to the transfer of the council's 
159.28 	powers, duties, and assets to the commissioner to the extent practicable.
159.29 		Subd. 2.Legislative proposal. (a) The commissioner of transportation shall prepare 
159.30 	and submit to the legislature by February 1, 2016, proposed legislation to integrate the 
159.31 	department's metropolitan area transit powers and duties with its other transportation 
159.32 	powers and duties.
159.33 	(b) The proposal must include the following elements:
160.1 	(1) the Metropolitan Council transit operations shall become MnDOT Metropolitan 
160.2 	Transit Division (MTD);
160.3 	(2) a dedicated account adequate for MTD transit operations shall be established 
160.4 	separate from road and bridge, greater Minnesota transit, and other transportation 
160.5 	department funds and accounts;
160.6 	(3) MTD must fully advertise publicly owned and operated transit for the 
160.7 	metropolitan area;
160.8 	(4) MTD shall continue to operate and maintain regional fleet buses, trains, and 
160.9 	routes with a process set up to transfer ownership of the regional fleet buses, trains, and 
160.10 	appurtenances to MTD;
160.11 	(5) MCTO Union Local 1005 employees who were absorbed into Metropolitan 
160.12 	Council headquarters shall be given an opportunity to transfer to the new MTD by a 
160.13 	process in the legislative proposal;
160.14 	(6) MCTO Union Local 1005 employees at the time of the transfer from the 
160.15 	Metropolitan Council to MTD shall be transferred to MTD and that the collective 
160.16 	bargaining agreement in effect for Transfer Union Local 1005 at the time of the transfer 
160.17 	continue in effect unchanged; and
160.18 	(7) replacement services, contract services, and similar transit services that use MTD 
160.19 	fare boxes, radio system, transit supervision, police, security, maintenance, mechanical, 
160.20 	and other services may continue to do so if a fee is paid to MTD for the reasonable value 
160.21 	of the services.

160.22 	Sec. 91. APPROPRIATION.
 160.23 	$....... is appropriated in fiscal year 2016 from the general fund to the commissioner 
160.24 	of transportation, for the purposes of this article.

160.25 	Sec. 92.  REPEALER.
 160.26 	Minnesota Statutes 2014, sections 174.22, subdivision 3; 473.167, subdivisions 
160.27 	3 and 4; 473.388, subdivisions 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 7; 473.39, subdivision 4; 473.3993, 
160.28 	subdivision 4; 473.3999; 473.411, subdivisions 3 and 4; and 473.4461, are repealed.

160.29 	Sec. 93. EFFECTIVE DATE.
 160.30 	Sections 28, 82, and 84 to 86, are effective for taxes levied in 2019, payable in 2020, 
160.31 	and thereafter. Section 35 is effective the day following final enactment. The remainder of 
160.32 	this article is effective July 1, 2019.

161.1 	ARTICLE 9
161.2 	WATER AND SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT

161.3 	Section 1. [115.651] METROPOLITAN AREA SANITARY SEWER DISTRICT.
161.4 		Subdivision 1.Definition. For the purposes of this section, "Metropolitan Area 
161.5 	Sanitary Sewer District" or "metropolitan district" means a sanitary sewer district as 
161.6 	defined in the meaning of sections 115.61 to 115.67 that encompasses the metropolitan 
161.7 	area, as defined in section 473.121, subdivision 2.
161.8 		Subd. 2.Powers. In addition to the powers and duties enumerated in sections 
161.9 	115.61 to 115.67, the metropolitan district has the powers and duties stated in this section.
161.10 		Subd. 3.Ordinances; penalties. The metropolitan district shall have the power to 
161.11 	adopt ordinances relating to the operation of any interceptors or treatment works operated 
161.12 	by it and may provide penalties for ordinance violations not exceeding the maximum that 
161.13 	may be specified for a misdemeanor. Any rule prescribing a penalty for violation shall be 
161.14 	published at least once in a newspaper having general circulation in the metropolitan area.
161.15 		Subd. 4.Gifts; grants; loans. The metropolitan district may accept gifts, may 
161.16 	apply for and accept grants or loans of money or other property from the United States, the 
161.17 	state, or any person for any of its purposes, including any grant available under the federal 
161.18 	Water Pollution Control Act Amendments of 1972, whether for construction, research or 
161.19 	pilot project implementation; may enter into any agreement required by the grant or loan; 
161.20 	and may hold, use, and dispose of the money or property in accordance with the terms 
161.21 	of the gift, grant, loan, or agreement. The metropolitan district has all powers necessary 
161.22 	to comply with the federal Water Pollution Control Act Amendments of 1972 and any 
161.23 	associated grant offered to it including, but not limited to, the power to enter into contracts 
161.24 	with, or to impose charges upon, persons using the metropolitan disposal system as it shall 
161.25 	determine to be necessary for the recovery of treatment works and interceptor costs paid 
161.26 	with federal grant funds. These costs shall be recovered by local government units on 
161.27 	behalf of the metropolitan district to the greatest extent practicable.
161.28 		Subd. 5.Joint or cooperative action. The metropolitan district may act under 
161.29 	the provisions of section 471.59, or any other appropriate law providing for joint or 
161.30 	cooperative action between government units.
161.31 		Subd. 6.May acquire property. The metropolitan district may acquire, by 
161.32 	purchase, lease, condemnation, gift, or grant, any real or personal property including 
161.33 	positive and negative easements and water and air rights, and it may construct, enlarge, 
161.34 	improve, replace, repair, maintain, and operate any interceptor or treatment works 
161.35 	determined to be necessary or convenient for the collection and disposal of sewage in the 
162.1 	metropolitan area. Any local government unit and the commissioners of transportation 
162.2 	and natural resources are authorized to convey to the metropolitan district any facilities 
162.3 	owned or controlled by it, or permit the metropolitan district to use any facilities owned 
162.4 	or controlled by it subject to the rights of the holders of any bonds issued with respect 
162.5 	thereto, with or without compensation, and without an election or approval by any other 
162.6 	government agency. All powers conferred by this subdivision may be exercised within or 
162.7 	without the metropolitan area as may be necessary for the metropolitan district to exercise 
162.8 	its powers or accomplish its purposes. The metropolitan district may hold property for its 
162.9 	purposes and may lease any property not needed for its purposes, upon the terms and in 
162.10 	the manner as it shall deem advisable. Unless otherwise provided, the right to acquire 
162.11 	lands and property rights by condemnation shall be exercised in accordance with chapter 
162.12 	117 and shall apply to any interest in property owned by any local government unit, 
162.13 	provided that no property devoted to an actual public use at the time, or held to be devoted 
162.14 	to public use within a reasonable time, shall be acquired unless a court of competent 
162.15 	jurisdiction determines that the use proposed by the district is paramount to that use. 
162.16 	Except for property in actual public use, the metropolitan district may take possession 
162.17 	of any property for which condemnation proceedings have been commenced at any time 
162.18 	after the issuance of a court order appointing commissioners for its condemnation.
162.19 		Subd. 7.Nonfranchise required. The metropolitan district may construct or 
162.20 	maintain its systems or facilities in, along, on, under, over, or through public streets, 
162.21 	bridges, viaducts, and other public rights-of-way without first obtaining a franchise 
162.22 	from any local government unit having jurisdiction over them, but the facilities shall be 
162.23 	constructed and maintained in accordance with the ordinances and resolutions of any 
162.24 	government unit relating to construction, installation, and maintenance of similar facilities 
162.25 	in public properties and shall not obstruct the public use of rights-of-way.
162.26 		Subd. 8.Surplus property. The metropolitan district may sell or otherwise 
162.27 	dispose of any real or personal property acquired by it that is no longer required for 
162.28 	accomplishment of its purposes. The property may be sold in the manner provided by 
162.29 	section 469.065, as far as practical. The metropolitan district may give the notice of sale 
162.30 	as it shall deem appropriate. When the metropolitan district determines that any property 
162.31 	or any interceptor or treatment works that have been acquired from a local government 
162.32 	unit without compensation is no longer required, but is required as a local facility by the 
162.33 	government unit from which it was acquired, the metropolitan district may by resolution 
162.34 	transfer it to the government unit.
162.35 		Subd. 9.Pacts with other governments. The metropolitan district may contract 
162.36 	with the United States or its agency, any state or its agency, or any local government unit, 
163.1 	agency, or subdivision, for the joint use of any facility owned by the metropolitan district 
163.2 	or the entity, for the operation by the entity of any system or facility of the metropolitan 
163.3 	district, or for the performance of any service on the metropolitan district's behalf, on 
163.4 	terms agreed upon by the contracting parties.

163.5 	Sec. 2. [115.652] TOTAL WATERSHED MANAGEMENT.
163.6 	The metropolitan district may enter into agreements with other governmental 
163.7 	bodies and agencies and spend funds to implement total watershed management. "Total 
163.8 	watershed management" means identifying and quantifying at a watershed level the (1) 
163.9 	sources of pollution, both point and nonpoint, (2) causes of conditions that may or may 
163.10 	not be a result of pollution, and (3) means of reducing pollution or alleviating adverse 
163.11 	conditions. The purpose of total watershed management is to achieve the best water 
163.12 	quality for waters of the state receiving the effluent of the metropolitan disposal system for 
163.13 	the lowest total costs, without regard to who will incur those costs.

163.14 	Sec. 3. [115.653] SEWER SERVICE FUNCTION.
163.15 		Subdivision 1.Duty of metropolitan district; existing; new facilities. The 
163.16 	metropolitan district shall assume ownership of all existing interceptors and treatment 
163.17 	works that will be needed for the collection, treatment, and disposal of sewage in the 
163.18 	metropolitan area, in the manner and subject to the conditions prescribed in subdivision 
163.19 	2, and shall thereafter acquire, construct, equip, operate, and maintain all additional 
163.20 	interceptors and treatment works that will be needed for those purposes. The metropolitan 
163.21 	district shall assume ownership of all treatment works owned by a local government unit if 
163.22 	any part of the treatment works will be needed for the stated purposes.
163.23 		Subd. 2.Method of acquisition; existing debt. The metropolitan district may 
163.24 	require any local government unit to transfer to the metropolitan district all of its rights, 
163.25 	titles, and interest in any interceptors or treatment works, and all necessary appurtenances 
163.26 	owned by the local government unit that will be needed for the purpose stated in subdivision 
163.27 	1. Appropriate instruments of conveyance for the property shall be executed and delivered 
163.28 	to the metropolitan district by the proper officers of each local government unit concerned. 
163.29 	All persons regularly employed by a local government unit to operate and maintain any 
163.30 	treatment works so transferred to the metropolitan district, on the date on which the transfer 
163.31 	becomes effective, shall be employees of the metropolitan district, in the same manner and 
163.32 	with the same options and rights as are reserved to employees of sanitary districts and 
163.33 	joint boards under subdivision 3. The metropolitan district, upon assuming ownership of 
163.34 	interceptors or treatment works, shall become obligated to pay to the local government 
164.1 	unit amounts sufficient to pay when due all remaining principal of and interest on bonds 
164.2 	issued by the local government unit for the acquisition or betterment of the interceptors or 
164.3 	treatment works taken over. These amounts may be offset against any amount to be paid 
164.4 	to the metropolitan district by the local government unit as provided in section 115.656.
164.5 		Subd. 3.Existing sanitary districts; joint sewer boards. The employees shall 
164.6 	perform duties prescribed by the metropolitan district. All subsequent collections of taxes, 
164.7 	special assessments, or service charges levied or imposed by or for the Metropolitan 
164.8 	Council must be transferred to the metropolitan district. Effective July 1, 2016, employees 
164.9 	of the Metropolitan Council wastewater division are employees of the metropolitan 
164.10 	district. The district shall make the employer's contributions to pension funds of its 
164.11 	employees. The metropolitan district shall succeed to and become vested by action of 
164.12 	law with all right, title, and interest in and to any property, real or personal, owned or 
164.13 	operated by the Metropolitan Council in conjunction with its powers and duties related 
164.14 	to wastewater. Prior to that date, the Metropolitan Council shall execute and deliver to 
164.15 	the metropolitan district all deeds, conveyances, bills of sale, and other documents or 
164.16 	instruments required to vest in the metropolitan district good and marketable title to all 
164.17 	real or personal property, provided that vesting of the title must occur by operation of law 
164.18 	and failure to execute and deliver the documents does not affect the vesting of title in the 
164.19 	metropolitan district on the dates indicated in this subdivision. The metropolitan district 
164.20 	shall become obligated to pay or assume all bonded or other debt and contract obligations 
164.21 	incurred by the former Metropolitan Council wastewater division for the acquisition or 
164.22 	betterment of any interceptors or treatment works.

164.23 	Sec. 4. [115.654] SEWAGE COLLECTION AND DISPOSAL; POWERS.
164.24 		Subdivision 1.Identification of powers. In addition to all other powers conferred 
164.25 	upon or delegated to the metropolitan district, the metropolitan district shall have the 
164.26 	powers specified in this section.
164.27 		Subd. 2.Right to discharge treated sewage. The metropolitan district shall have 
164.28 	the right to discharge the effluent from any treatment works operated by it into any waters 
164.29 	of the state in accordance with any effluent or water quality standards lawfully adopted 
164.30 	by the Pollution Control Agency.
164.31 		Subd. 3.Connections with metropolitan system. The metropolitan district may 
164.32 	require any person or local government unit in the metropolitan area to provide for the 
164.33 	discharge of its sewage, directly or indirectly, into the metropolitan disposal system, 
164.34 	or to connect part or all of any disposal system or part with the metropolitan disposal 
164.35 	system wherever reasonable opportunity is provided; may regulate the manner in which 
165.1 	the connections are made; may require any person or local government unit discharging 
165.2 	sewage into the metropolitan disposal system to provide preliminary treatment; may 
165.3 	prohibit the discharge into the metropolitan disposal system of any substance that it 
165.4 	determines will or may be harmful to the system or any persons operating it; and may 
165.5 	require any local government unit to discontinue the acquisition, betterment, or operation 
165.6 	of any facility for its disposal system wherever adequate service is or will be provided by 
165.7 	the metropolitan disposal system.

165.8 	Sec. 5. [115.655] VIOLATION OF WASTEWATER LAW; REMEDIES; 
165.9 	PENALTIES.
165.10 		Subdivision 1.Remedies available. (a) For purposes of this section, "violation" 
165.11 	means any discharge or action by a person that violates sections or rules, standards, 
165.12 	variances, ordinances, limitations, orders, stipulations, agreements, schedules of 
165.13 	compliance, or permits that are issued or adopted by the metropolitan district under 
165.14 	sections 115.651 to 115.665.
165.15 	(b) Each violation may be enforced by any one or a combination of the following: 
165.16 	criminal prosecution, civil action, or other appropriate action in accordance with sections 
165.17 	115.651 to 115.665.
165.18 		Subd. 2.Criminal penalties; duties. (a) Any person who commits a violation 
165.19 	under subdivision 1 may be sentenced to imprisonment for not more than 90 days or to 
165.20 	payment of a fine of not more than $1,000, or both.
165.21 	(b) County attorneys, sheriffs and other peace officers, and other officers authorized 
165.22 	to enforce criminal laws shall take all action necessary to prosecute and punish violations.
165.23 		Subd. 3.Civil penalties. A violation is subject to a penalty payable to the state, in 
165.24 	an amount to be determined by the court, of not more than $1,000 per day of violation. 
165.25 	The civil penalty may be recovered by a civil action brought by the metropolitan district 
165.26 	in the name of the state.

165.27 	Sec. 6. [115.656] ALLOCATION OF COSTS.
165.28 		Subdivision 1.Allocation method. Except as provided in subdivision 2, the 
165.29 	estimated costs of operation, maintenance, and debt service of the metropolitan disposal 
165.30 	system to be paid by the metropolitan district in each fiscal year, and the costs of 
165.31 	acquisition and betterment of the system that are to be paid during the year from funds 
165.32 	other than bond proceeds, including all expenses incurred by the metropolitan district 
165.33 	pursuant to sections 115.653 to 115.665, are referred to in this section as current costs 
165.34 	and shall be allocated among and paid by all local government units that will discharge 
166.1 	sewage, directly or indirectly, into the metropolitan disposal system during the budget year 
166.2 	according to an allocation method determined by the metropolitan district. The allocated 
166.3 	costs may include an amount for a reserve or contingency fund and an amount for cash 
166.4 	flow management. The cash-flow management fund so established must not exceed five 
166.5 	percent of the metropolitan district's total waste control operating budget.
166.6 		Subd. 2.Allocation of treatment; interceptor costs; reserved capacity. (a) 
166.7 	In preparing each budget, the metropolitan district shall estimate the current costs of 
166.8 	acquisition, betterment, and debt service of the treatment works in the metropolitan 
166.9 	disposal system that will not be used to total capacity during the budget year and the 
166.10 	percentage of capacity that will not be used, and shall deduct the same percentage of 
166.11 	the treatment works costs from the current costs allocated under subdivision 1. The 
166.12 	metropolitan district shall also estimate the current costs of acquisition, betterment, and 
166.13 	debt service of the interceptors in the metropolitan disposal system that will not be 
166.14 	used to total capacity during the budget year, shall estimate the percentage of the total 
166.15 	capacity that will not be used, and shall deduct the same percentage of interceptor costs 
166.16 	from the current costs allocated under subdivision 1. The total amount so deducted with 
166.17 	respect to all treatment works and interceptors in the system shall be allocated among 
166.18 	and paid by the respective local government units in the metropolitan area through a 
166.19 	metropolitan sewer availability charge for each new connection or increase in capacity 
166.20 	demand to the metropolitan disposal system within each local government unit. Amounts 
166.21 	collected through the metropolitan sewer availability charge (SAC) must be deposited in 
166.22 	the metropolitan district's wastewater reserve capacity fund. Each fiscal year, an amount 
166.23 	from the wastewater reserve capacity fund shall be transferred to the wastewater operating 
166.24 	fund for the reserved capacity costs described in this paragraph. For the purposes of this 
166.25 	subdivision, the amount transferred from the wastewater reserve capacity fund to the 
166.26 	wastewater operating fund shall be referred to as the "SAC transfer amount."
166.27 	(b) If, after appropriate study and a public hearing, the metropolitan district 
166.28 	determines for the next fiscal year that a reduction of the SAC transfer amount is 
166.29 	necessary or desirable to ensure adequate funds remain in the wastewater reserve capacity 
166.30 	fund, based on a goal of maintaining at least the next year's estimated SAC transfer 
166.31 	amount in the wastewater reserve capacity fund, the metropolitan district may reduce the 
166.32 	SAC transfer amount for that fiscal year. If the metropolitan district reduces the SAC 
166.33 	transfer amount for the next fiscal year, the metropolitan district must then increase the 
166.34 	metropolitan sewer availability charge by an amount not less than the greater of six percent 
166.35 	or the annual percentage change in the Consumer Price Index for the metropolitan region 
166.36 	for the previous year plus three percentage points. For the purposes of this subdivision, 
167.1 	any reduction in the SAC transfer amount shall be referred to as the "SAC transfer deficit." 
167.2 	This paragraph expires at the end of calendar year 2015.
167.3 	(c) The metropolitan district will record on a cumulative basis the total SAC transfer 
167.4 	deficit. In any year that the wastewater reserve capacity fund has a year-end balance of at 
167.5 	least two years' estimated SAC transfer amount, the metropolitan district shall increase the 
167.6 	subsequent annual SAC transfer amount in excess of the amount required by paragraph (a) 
167.7 	with the goal of eliminating the cumulative total SAC transfer deficit. The annual amount 
167.8 	by which the metropolitan district increases the SAC transfer amount shall be determined 
167.9 	by the metropolitan district after appropriate study and a public hearing.
167.10 		Subd. 3.Deferment of payments. The metropolitan district may provide for the 
167.11 	deferment of payment of all or part of the allocated costs that are allocated by the district 
167.12 	to a local government unit in any year pursuant to subdivision 2, repayable at the time or 
167.13 	times as the metropolitan district shall specify, with interest at the approximate average 
167.14 	annual rate borne by metropolitan district bonds outstanding at the time of the deferment, as 
167.15 	determined by the metropolitan district. The deferred costs shall be allocated to and paid by 
167.16 	all local government units in the metropolitan area that will discharge sewage, directly or 
167.17 	indirectly, into the metropolitan disposal system in the budget year for which the deferment 
167.18 	is granted, in the same manner and proportions as costs are allocated under subdivision 1.
167.19 		Subd. 4.Direct charging of industrial users. (a) For the purposes of this 
167.20 	subdivision, the term "industrial discharger" means a recipient of wastewater treatment 
167.21 	services that is required by metropolitan district rules or procedures to have a permit 
167.22 	issued by the metropolitan district in order to discharge sewage to the metropolitan 
167.23 	disposal system.
167.24 	(b) The metropolitan district may directly impose on all or any category of industrial 
167.25 	dischargers all or any portion of the costs that would otherwise be allocated among and 
167.26 	paid by local government units under subdivision 1. Any amounts imposed directly on 
167.27 	industrial dischargers by the metropolitan district under this subdivision must be deducted 
167.28 	from the amounts to be allocated among and paid by local government units under 
167.29 	subdivision 1, and any charges imposed by a local government unit for the same purpose 
167.30 	are of no further force and effect from and after the effective date of the metropolitan 
167.31 	district's direct charges. Charges imposed under this subdivision are in addition to any 
167.32 	other charges imposed on industrial dischargers by a local government unit and must be 
167.33 	paid by the industrial discharger at intervals as may be established by the metropolitan 
167.34 	district. The metropolitan district may impose interest charges upon delinquent payments.
167.35 	(c) Charges by the metropolitan district to industrial dischargers under this 
167.36 	subdivision including any interest charges, as well as any other charges or related fees 
168.1 	owed by the industrial discharger pursuant to a discharge permit issued by the metropolitan 
168.2 	district for the subject property, are a charge jointly and severally against the owners, 
168.3 	lessees, and occupants of the property served. The metropolitan district may certify the 
168.4 	unpaid amounts to the appropriate county auditor as a tax for collection as other taxes 
168.5 	are collected on the property served. The proceeds of any tax collected pursuant to the 
168.6 	metropolitan district's certification must be paid by the county treasurer to the metropolitan 
168.7 	district when collected. Certification does not preclude the metropolitan district from 
168.8 	recovery of delinquent amounts and interest under any other available remedy.

168.9 	Sec. 7. [115.6565] 1972 WATER POLLUTION CONTROL ACT; USE CHARGE 
168.10 	SHARES.
168.11 	Each local government unit shall adopt a system of charges for the use and 
168.12 	availability of the metropolitan disposal system that will assure that each recipient of 
168.13 	waste treatment services within or served by the unit will pay its proportionate share of the 
168.14 	costs allocated to the unit by the metropolitan district under section 115.656, as required 
168.15 	by the federal Water Pollution Control Act Amendments of 1972, and any regulations 
168.16 	issued pursuant to it. Each system of charges shall be adopted as soon as possible and 
168.17 	shall be submitted to the metropolitan district. The metropolitan district shall review each 
168.18 	system of charges to determine whether it complies with the federal law and regulations. If 
168.19 	it determines that a system of charges does not comply, the adopting unit shall be notified 
168.20 	and shall change its system to comply, and shall submit the changes to the metropolitan 
168.21 	district for review. All subsequent changes in a system of charges proposed by a local 
168.22 	government unit shall also be submitted to the metropolitan district for review.

168.23 	Sec. 8. [115.657] PAYMENTS TO METROPOLITAN DISTRICT.
168.24 		Subdivision 1.Amounts due metropolitan district, when payable. Charges 
168.25 	payable to the metropolitan district by local government units may be made payable at the 
168.26 	times during each year as the metropolitan district determines, but dates shall be fixed 
168.27 	with reference to the dates on which tax, assessment, and revenue collections become 
168.28 	available to the government units required to pay the charges.
168.29 		Subd. 2.Component municipalities; obligations to metropolitan district. Each 
168.30 	government unit shall pay to the metropolitan district all sums charged to it as provided in 
168.31 	section 115.656, at the times and in the manner determined by the metropolitan district. 
168.32 	The governing body of each government unit shall take all action that may be necessary to 
168.33 	provide the funds required for the payments and to make the same when due. 
169.1 		Subd. 3.Powers of government units. To accomplish any duty imposed on it by 
169.2 	the metropolitan district, the governing body of every government unit in the metropolitan 
169.3 	area may exercise the powers granted any municipality by chapters 117, 412, 429, 475, 
169.4 	and sections 115.46, 444.075, and 471.59.
169.5 		Subd. 4.Deficiency tax levies. If the governing body of any local government 
169.6 	unit fails to meet any payment to the metropolitan district when due, the metropolitan 
169.7 	district may certify to the auditor of the county in which the government unit is located the 
169.8 	amount required for payment with interest at six percent per annum. The auditor shall 
169.9 	levy and extend the amount as a tax upon all taxable property in the government unit for 
169.10 	the next calendar year, free from any existing limitations imposed by law or charter. The 
169.11 	tax shall be collected in the same manner as the general taxes of the government unit, and 
169.12 	the proceeds, when collected, shall be paid by the county treasurer to the treasurer of the 
169.13 	metropolitan district and credited to the government unit for which the tax was levied.

169.14 	Sec. 9. [115.658] CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTS SUBJECT TO UNIFORM 
169.15 	MUNICIPAL BID LAW.
169.16 		Subdivision 1.Bids for contracts. All contracts for construction work, or for the 
169.17 	purchase of materials, supplies, or equipment relating to the metropolitan disposal system 
169.18 	shall be made as provided in section 471.345, subdivisions 3 to 6. Contracts subject to 
169.19 	section 471.345, subdivision 3, shall be made by the metropolitan district by publishing 
169.20 	once in a legal newspaper or trade paper published in a city of the first class not less than 
169.21 	two weeks before the last day for submission of bids, notice that bids or proposals will 
169.22 	be received. The notice shall state the nature of the work or purchase, the terms and 
169.23 	conditions upon which the contract is to be awarded, and a time and place where bids will 
169.24 	be received, opened, and read publicly. After the bids have been duly received, opened, 
169.25 	read publicly, and recorded, the metropolitan district shall award the contract to the lowest 
169.26 	responsible bidder or it may reject all bids and readvertise. Each contract shall be duly 
169.27 	executed in writing and the party to whom the contract is awarded shall give sufficient 
169.28 	bond or security to the board for the faithful performance of the contract as required by 
169.29 	law. The metropolitan district shall have the right to set qualifications and specifications 
169.30 	and to require bids to meet all the qualifications and specifications before being accepted. 
169.31 	If the metropolitan district by an affirmative vote of two-thirds of its members declares 
169.32 	that an emergency exists requiring the immediate purchase of materials or supplies at a 
169.33 	cost in excess of the amount specified in section 471.345, subdivision 3, or in making 
169.34 	emergency repairs, it shall not be necessary to advertise for bids.
170.1 		Subd. 2.Contracts over $50,000; best value alternative. As an alternative to the 
170.2 	procurement method described in subdivision 1, the metropolitan district may issue a 
170.3 	request for proposals and award the contract to the vendor or contractor offering the 
170.4 	best value under a request for proposals as described in section 16C.28, subdivision 1, 
170.5 	paragraph (a), clause (2), and paragraph (c).
170.6 		Subd. 3.Manager's authority. The manager of wastewater services may, without 
170.7 	prior approval of the metropolitan district and without advertising for bids, enter into 
170.8 	any contract of the type referred to in subdivision 1 that is not in excess of the amount 
170.9 	specified in section 471.345, subdivision 3.

170.10 	Sec. 10. [115.659] DEBT OBLIGATIONS.
170.11 		Subdivision 1.Certificates of indebtedness. At any time or times after approval 
170.12 	of an annual budget, and in anticipation of the collection of tax and other revenues 
170.13 	appropriated in the budget, the metropolitan district may, by resolution, authorize the 
170.14 	issuance, negotiation, and sale, in the form and manner and upon the terms as it may 
170.15 	determine, of general obligation certificates of indebtedness in aggregate principal 
170.16 	amounts not exceeding 50 percent of the total amount of the appropriations, and maturing 
170.17 	not later than April 1 following the close of the budget year. All receipts of tax and other 
170.18 	revenues included in the budget, after the expenditure of appropriated funds, shall be 
170.19 	irrevocably appropriated to a special fund to pay the principal of and the interest on the 
170.20 	certificates when due. If the anticipated revenues are insufficient to pay the certificates 
170.21 	and interest when due, the metropolitan district shall levy a tax in the amount of the 
170.22 	deficiency on all taxable property in the metropolitan area, and shall appropriate this 
170.23 	amount to the special fund, to be credited thereto from the first tax and other revenues 
170.24 	received in the following budget year.
170.25 		Subd. 2.Emergency certificates. If, in any budget year, the receipts of tax and 
170.26 	other revenues should from some unforeseen cause become insufficient to pay the 
170.27 	metropolitan district's current wastewater control expenses, or if any calamity or other 
170.28 	public emergency should subject it to the necessity of making extraordinary wastewater 
170.29 	control expenditures, the metropolitan district may make an emergency appropriation of 
170.30 	an amount sufficient to meet the deficiency and may authorize the issuance, negotiation, 
170.31 	and sale of certificates of indebtedness in this amount in the same manner and upon the 
170.32 	same conditions as provided in subdivision 1, except that the metropolitan district shall 
170.33 	forthwith levy on all taxable property in the metropolitan area a tax sufficient to pay the 
170.34 	certificates and interest and shall appropriate all collections of the tax to a special fund 
171.1 	created for that purpose. The certificates may mature not later than April 1 in the year 
171.2 	following the year in which the tax is collectible.
171.3 		Subd. 3.General obligation bonds. The metropolitan district may, by resolution, 
171.4 	authorize the issuance of general obligation bonds for the acquisition or betterment of 
171.5 	any interceptors or treatment works determined to be necessary or desirable for the 
171.6 	metropolitan disposal system, or for the refunding of outstanding bonds, certificates of 
171.7 	indebtedness, or judgments. The metropolitan district shall provide for the issuance and 
171.8 	sale and for the security of the bonds in the manner provided in chapter 475 and shall have 
171.9 	the same powers and duties as a municipality issuing bonds under that law, except that no 
171.10 	election shall be required and the net debt limitations in chapter 475 shall not apply to 
171.11 	the bonds. The metropolitan district may also pledge for the payment of the bonds any 
171.12 	revenues receivable under section 115.656.
171.13 		Subd. 4.Revenue bonds. (a) The metropolitan district may, by resolution, authorize 
171.14 	the issuance of revenue bonds for any purpose for which general obligation bonds may be 
171.15 	issued under subdivision 3. The bonds shall be sold, issued, and secured in the manner 
171.16 	provided in chapter 475 for bonds payable solely from revenues, except as otherwise 
171.17 	provided in this subdivision, and the metropolitan district shall have the same powers 
171.18 	and duties as a municipality and the governing body of a municipality in issuing bonds 
171.19 	under that chapter. The bonds shall be payable from and secured by a pledge of all or any 
171.20 	part of revenues receivable under section 115.656; and shall not, and shall state they 
171.21 	do not, represent or constitute a general obligation or debt of the metropolitan district; 
171.22 	and shall not be included in the net debt of any city, county, or other subdivision of the 
171.23 	state for the purpose of any net debt limitation. The proceeds of the bonds may be used 
171.24 	to pay credit enhancement fees. 
171.25 	(b) The bonds may be secured by a bond resolution, or a trust indenture entered into 
171.26 	by the metropolitan district with a corporate trustee within or outside the state, which shall 
171.27 	define the revenues and bond proceeds pledged for the payment and security of the bonds. 
171.28 	The pledge shall be a valid charge on the revenues received under section 115.656. No 
171.29 	mortgage of or security interest in any tangible real or personal property shall be granted to 
171.30 	the bondholders or the trustee, but they shall have a valid security interest in the revenues 
171.31 	and bond proceeds received by the council and pledged to the payment of the bonds as 
171.32 	against the claims of all persons in tort, contract, or otherwise, irrespective of whether the 
171.33 	parties have notice and without possession or filing as provided in the Uniform Commercial 
171.34 	Code or any other law, subject, however, to the rights of the holders of any general 
171.35 	obligation bonds issued under subdivision 3. In the bond resolution or trust indenture, 
171.36 	the metropolitan district may make covenants as it determines to be reasonable for the 
172.1 	protection of the bondholders, including a covenant to issue general obligation bonds to 
172.2 	refund the revenue bonds if and to the extent required to pay principal and interest on the 
172.3 	bonds and to certify a deficiency tax levy as provided in section 115.657, subdivision 4. 
172.4 	(c) Neither the metropolitan district, nor any metropolitan district member, officer, or 
172.5 	employee, nor any agent of the metropolitan district, nor any person executing the bonds 
172.6 	shall be liable personally on the bonds by reason of their issuance. The bonds shall not be 
172.7 	payable from, nor a charge upon, any funds other than the revenues and bond proceeds 
172.8 	pledged to payment of the bonds, nor shall the metropolitan district be subject to liability 
172.9 	or have the power to obligate itself to pay, or to pay the bonds from funds other than the 
172.10 	revenues and bond proceeds pledged, and no holder or holders of bonds shall ever have the 
172.11 	right to compel any exercise of the taxing power of the metropolitan district (except any 
172.12 	deficiency tax levy the metropolitan district covenants to certify under section 115.657, 
172.13 	subdivision 4) or any other public body, to the payment of principal of or interest on the 
172.14 	bonds, nor to enforce payment against any property of the metropolitan district or other 
172.15 	public body other than that expressly pledged for payment.

172.16 	Sec. 11. [115.661] DEPOSITORIES.
172.17 	The metropolitan district shall, from time to time, designate one or more national or 
172.18 	state banks, or trust companies authorized to do a banking business, as official depositories 
172.19 	for money of the metropolitan district, and shall require the treasurer to deposit all or 
172.20 	a part of the money in the designated institutions. The designation shall be in writing 
172.21 	and shall set forth all the terms and conditions upon which the deposits are made. The 
172.22 	designation shall be signed by the chair and treasurer, and made a part of the minutes of 
172.23 	the metropolitan district. Any bank or trust company so designated shall qualify as a 
172.24 	depository by furnishing a corporate surety bond or collateral in the amounts required by 
172.25 	section 118A.03. However, no bond or collateral shall be required to secure any deposit 
172.26 	insofar as it is insured under federal law.

172.27 	Sec. 12. [115.662] MONEY, ACCOUNTS, AND INVESTMENTS.
172.28 		Subdivision 1.Disposed of as budgeted; pledges. All money from wastewater 
172.29 	control operations received by the metropolitan district shall be deposited or invested by 
172.30 	the treasurer and disposed of as the metropolitan district may direct in accordance with its 
172.31 	waste control budget, provided that any money that has been pledged or dedicated by the 
172.32 	metropolitan district to the payment of obligations or interest or associated expenses or 
172.33 	for any other specific purpose authorized by law shall be paid by the treasurer into the 
172.34 	fund to which it has been pledged.
173.1 		Subd. 2.Accounts. The metropolitan district's treasurer shall establish funds and 
173.2 	accounts that may be necessary or convenient to handle the receipts and disbursements of 
173.3 	the metropolitan district in an orderly fashion.
173.4 		Subd. 3.Where to deposit; how to invest. Money in the funds and accounts may 
173.5 	be deposited in the official depositories of the metropolitan district or invested as provided 
173.6 	in this subdivision. The amount not currently needed or required by law to be kept in cash 
173.7 	on deposit may be invested in obligations authorized for the investment of public funds 
173.8 	by section 118A.04. Money may also be held under certificates of deposit issued by any 
173.9 	official depository of the metropolitan district.
173.10 		Subd. 4.Bond proceeds. The use of proceeds of all bonds issued by the 
173.11 	metropolitan district for the acquisition and betterment of interceptors or treatment 
173.12 	works, and the use, other than investment, of all money in any sinking fund or funds of 
173.13 	the metropolitan district, shall be governed by the provisions of chapter 475 and the 
173.14 	provisions of resolutions authorizing the issuance of bonds.

173.15 	Sec. 13. [115.663] PROPERTY EXEMPT FROM TAXATION.
173.16 	Any properties, real or personal, owned, leased, controlled, used, or occupied by 
173.17 	the metropolitan district for any purpose referred to in Minnesota Statutes 1984, section 
173.18 	473.502, are declared to be acquired, owned, leased, controlled, used, and occupied for 
173.19 	public, governmental, and municipal purposes, and shall be exempt from taxation by the 
173.20 	state or any political subdivision of the state, except to the extent that the property is 
173.21 	subject to the sales and use tax under chapter 297A, provided that the properties shall be 
173.22 	subject to special assessments levied by a political subdivision for a local improvement in 
173.23 	amounts proportionate to and not exceeding the special benefit received by the properties 
173.24 	from the improvement. No possible use of the properties in any manner different from 
173.25 	their use as part of the metropolitan disposal system at the time shall be considered in 
173.26 	determining the special benefit received by the properties. All the assessments shall be 
173.27 	subject to final confirmation by the metropolitan district, whose determination of the 
173.28 	benefits shall be conclusive upon the political subdivision levying the assessment.

173.29 	Sec. 14. [115.664] TAX LEVIES.
173.30 	The metropolitan district shall have power to levy taxes for debt service of the 
173.31 	metropolitan disposal system upon all taxable property within the metropolitan area, 
173.32 	without limitation of rate or amount and without affecting the amount or rate of taxes that 
173.33 	may be levied by the metropolitan district for other purposes or by any local government 
173.34 	unit in the area. The metropolitan district shall also have power to levy taxes as provided 
174.1 	in section 115.657. Each of the county auditors shall annually assess and extend upon 
174.2 	the tax rolls in the auditor's county the portion of the taxes levied by the metropolitan 
174.3 	district in each year that is certified to the auditor by the metropolitan district. Each county 
174.4 	treasurer shall collect and make settlement of the taxes with the metropolitan district in the 
174.5 	same manner as with other political subdivisions.

174.6 	Sec. 15. [115.665] RELATION TO EXISTING LAWS.
174.7 	The provisions of sections 115.653 to 115.67 shall be given full effect 
174.8 	notwithstanding any other law. The powers conferred on the metropolitan district under 
174.9 	sections 115.653 to 115.67 shall in no way diminish or supersede the powers conferred on 
174.10 	the Pollution Control Agency by chapters 115 and 116.

174.11 	Sec. 16. [115.666] SEVERABILITY.
174.12 	If any provision of sections 115.61 to 115.67 or its application to any person or 
174.13 	circumstances is held to be invalid, the invalidity shall not affect other provisions or 
174.14 	applications of sections 115.61 to 115.67, which can be given effect without the invalid 
174.15 	provision or application, and to this end the provisions of sections 115.61 to 115.67 and 
174.16 	their various applications are declared to be severable.

174.17 	Sec. 17. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 115.741, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
174.18 		Subd. 2.Geographic representation. At least one of the water supply system 
174.19 	operators and at least one of the wastewater treatment facility operators must be from 
174.20 	outside the seven-county metropolitan area and one wastewater operator must come from 
174.21 	the Metropolitan Council seven-county metropolitan area.

174.22 	Sec. 18. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 115A.151, is amended to read:
174.23 	115A.151 RECYCLING REQUIREMENTS; PUBLIC ENTITIES; 
174.24 	COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS; SPORTS FACILITIES.
174.25 	(a) A public entity, the owner of a sports facility, and an owner of a commercial 
174.26 	building shall:
174.27 	(1) ensure that facilities under its control, from which mixed municipal solid waste 
174.28 	is collected, also collect at least three recyclable materials, such as, but not limited to, 
174.29 	paper, glass, plastic, and metal; and
174.30 	(2) transfer all recyclable materials collected to a recycler.
174.31 	(b) For the purposes of this section:
175.1 	(1) "public entity" means the state, an office, agency, or institution of the state, 
175.2 	the Metropolitan Council, a metropolitan agency, the Metropolitan Mosquito Control 
175.3 	Commission, the legislature, the courts, a county, a statutory or home rule charter city, a 
175.4 	town, a school district, a special taxing district, or any entity that receives an appropriation 
175.5 	from the state for a capital improvement project after August 1, 2002;
175.6 	(2) "metropolitan agency" and "Metropolitan Council," have has the meanings 
175.7 	meaning given them in section 473.121;
175.8 	(3) "Metropolitan Mosquito Control Commission" means the commission created 
175.9 	in section 473.702;
175.10 	(4) "commercial building" means a building that:
175.11 	(i) is located in a metropolitan county, as defined in section 473.121;
175.12 	(ii) contains a business classified in sectors 42 to 81 under the North American 
175.13 	Industrial Classification System; and
175.14 	(iii) contracts for four cubic yards or more per week of solid waste collection; and
175.15 	(5) "sports facility" means a professional or collegiate sports facility at which 
175.16 	competitions take place before a public audience.

175.17 	Sec. 19. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 115A.471, is amended to read:
175.18 	115A.471 PUBLIC ENTITIES; MANAGEMENT OF SOLID WASTE.
175.19 	(a) Prior to entering into or approving a contract for the management of mixed 
175.20 	municipal solid waste which that would manage the waste using a waste management 
175.21 	practice that is ranked lower on the list of preferred waste management practices in section 
175.22 	115A.02, paragraph (b), than the waste management practice selected for such waste in 
175.23 	the county plan for the county in which the waste was generated, a public entity must:
175.24 	(1) determine the potential liability to the public entity and its taxpayers for 
175.25 	managing the waste in this manner;
175.26 	(2) develop and implement a plan for managing the potential liability; and
175.27 	(3) submit the information from clauses (1) and (2) to the agency.
175.28 	(b) For the purpose of this subdivision, "public entity" means the state; an office, 
175.29 	agency, or institution of the state; the Metropolitan Council; a metropolitan agency; the 
175.30 	Metropolitan Mosquito Control District; the legislature; the courts; a county; a statutory or 
175.31 	home rule charter city; a town; a school district; another special taxing district; or any 
175.32 	other general or special purpose unit of government in the state.

175.33 	Sec. 20. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 115A.52, is amended to read:
175.34 	115A.52 TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE FOR PROJECTS.
176.1 	The commissioner shall ensure the delivery of technical assistance for projects 
176.2 	eligible under the program. The commissioner may contract or issue grants for the delivery 
176.3 	of technical assistance by any state or federal agency, a regional development commission, 
176.4 	the Metropolitan Council, or private consultants and may use program funds to reimburse 
176.5 	the agency, commission, council, or consultants. The commissioner shall prepare and 
176.6 	publish an inventory of sources of technical assistance, including studies, publications, 
176.7 	agencies, and persons available. The commissioner shall ensure statewide benefit from 
176.8 	projects assisted under the program by developing exchange and training programs for 
176.9 	local officials and employees and by using the experience gained in projects to provide 
176.10 	technical assistance and education for other solid waste management projects in the state.

176.11 	Sec. 21. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 116.16, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
176.12 		Subd. 2.Definitions. In this section and sections 116.17 and 116.18:
176.13 	(1) agency means the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency created by this chapter;
176.14 	(2) municipality means any county, city, town, the metropolitan council, or an Indian 
176.15 	tribe or an authorized Indian tribal organization, and any other governmental subdivision 
176.16 	of the state responsible by law for the prevention, control, and abatement of water 
176.17 	pollution in any area of the state;
176.18 	(3) water pollution control program means the Minnesota state water pollution 
176.19 	control program created by subdivision 1;
176.20 	(4) bond account means the Minnesota state water pollution control bond account 
176.21 	created in the state bond fund by section 116.17, subdivision 4;
176.22 	(5) terms defined in section 115.01 have the meanings therein given them;
176.23 	(6) the eligible cost of any municipal project, except as otherwise provided in 
176.24 	clause (7), includes (a) preliminary planning to determine the economic, engineering, 
176.25 	and environmental feasibility of the project; (b) engineering, architectural, legal, fiscal, 
176.26 	economic, sociological, project administrative costs of the agency and the municipality, 
176.27 	and other investigations and studies; (c) surveys, designs, plans, working drawings, 
176.28 	specifications, procedures, and other actions necessary to the planning, design, and 
176.29 	construction of the project; (d) erection, building, acquisition, alteration, remodeling, 
176.30 	improvement, and extension of disposal systems; (e) inspection and supervision of 
176.31 	construction; and (f) all other expenses of the kinds enumerated in section 475.65;
176.32 	(7) for state grants under the state independent grants program, the eligible cost 
176.33 	includes the acquisition of land for stabilization ponds, the construction of collector 
176.34 	sewers for totally unsewered statutory and home rule charter cities and towns described 
176.35 	under section 368.01, subdivision 1 or 1a, that are in existence on January 1, 1985, and the 
177.1 	provision of reserve capacity sufficient to serve the reasonable needs of the municipality 
177.2 	for 20 years in the case of treatment works and 40 years in the case of sewer systems. For 
177.3 	state grants under the state independent grants program, the eligible cost does not include 
177.4 	the provision of service to seasonal homes, or cost increases from contingencies that 
177.5 	exceed three percent of as-bid costs or cost increases from unanticipated site conditions 
177.6 	that exceed an additional two percent of as-bid costs;
177.7 	(8) authority means the Minnesota Public Facilities Authority established in section 
177.8 	446A.03.

177.9 	Sec. 22. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 116.182, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
177.10 		Subdivision 1.Definitions. (a) For the purposes of this section, the terms defined in 
177.11 	this subdivision have the meanings given them.
177.12 	(b) "Agency" means the Pollution Control Agency.
177.13 	(c) "Authority" means the Public Facilities Authority established in section 446A.03.
177.14 	(d) "Commissioner" means the commissioner of the Pollution Control Agency.
177.15 	(e) "Essential project components" means those components of a wastewater 
177.16 	disposal system that are necessary to convey or treat a municipality's existing wastewater 
177.17 	flows and loadings.
177.18 	(f) "Municipality" means a county, home rule charter or statutory city, town, the 
177.19 	Metropolitan Council, an Indian tribe or an authorized Indian tribal organization; or any 
177.20 	other governmental subdivision of the state responsible by law for the prevention, control, 
177.21 	and abatement of water pollution in any area of the state.
177.22 	(g) "Outstanding international resource value waters" are the surface waters of the 
177.23 	state in the Lake Superior Basin, other than Class 7 waters and those waters designated as 
177.24 	outstanding resource value waters.
177.25 	(h) "Outstanding resource value waters" are those that have high water quality, 
177.26 	wilderness characteristics, unique scientific or ecological significance, exceptional 
177.27 	recreation value, or other special qualities that warrant special protection.

177.28 	Sec. 23. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 116D.04, subdivision 1a, is amended to read:
177.29 		Subd. 1a.Definitions. For the purposes of this chapter, the following terms have the 
177.30 	meanings given to them in this subdivision.
177.31 	(a) "Natural resources" has the meaning given it in section 116B.02, subdivision 4.
177.32 	(b) "Pollution, impairment or destruction" has the meaning given it in section 
177.33 	116B.02, subdivision 5.
178.1 	(c) "Environmental assessment worksheet" means a brief document which that 
178.2 	is designed to set out the basic facts necessary to determine whether an environmental 
178.3 	impact statement is required for a proposed action.
178.4 	(d) "Governmental action" means activities, including projects wholly or partially 
178.5 	conducted, permitted, assisted, financed, regulated, or approved by units of government 
178.6 	including the federal government.
178.7 	(e) "Governmental unit" means any state agency and any general or special purpose 
178.8 	unit of government in the state including, but not limited to, watershed districts organized 
178.9 	under chapter 103D, counties, towns, cities, port authorities, housing authorities, and 
178.10 	economic development authorities established under sections 469.090 to 469.108, but not 
178.11 	including courts, school districts, Iron Range resources and rehabilitation, and regional 
178.12 	development commissions other than the Metropolitan Council.

178.13 	Sec. 24. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 116G.03, subdivision 5, is amended to read:
178.14 		Subd. 5.Regional development commission. "Regional development commission" 
178.15 	means any regional development commission created pursuant to sections 462.381 to 
178.16 	462.396 and the Metropolitan Council created by chapter 473.

178.17 	Sec. 25. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 116G.15, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
178.18 		Subd. 2.Administration; duties. (a) The commissioner of natural resources, after 
178.19 	consultation with affected local units of government within the Mississippi River corridor 
178.20 	critical area, may adopt rules under chapter 14 as are necessary for the administration of 
178.21 	the Mississippi River corridor critical area program. Duties of the Environmental Quality 
178.22 	Council or the Environmental Quality Board referenced in this chapter, related rules, and 
178.23 	the governor's Executive Order No. 79-19, published in the State Register on March 12, 
178.24 	1979, that are related to the Mississippi River corridor critical area shall be the duties of 
178.25 	the commissioner. All rules adopted by the board pursuant to these duties remain in effect 
178.26 	and shall be enforced until amended or repealed by the commissioner in accordance with 
178.27 	law. The commissioner shall work in consultation with the United States Army Corps of 
178.28 	Engineers, the National Park Service, the Metropolitan Council, other agencies, and local 
178.29 	units of government to ensure that the Mississippi River corridor critical area is managed 
178.30 	as a multipurpose resource in a way that:
178.31 	(1) conserves the scenic, environmental, recreational, mineral, economic, cultural, 
178.32 	and historic resources and functions of the river corridor;
179.1 	(2) maintains the river channel for transportation by providing and maintaining 
179.2 	barging and fleeting areas in appropriate locations consistent with the character of the 
179.3 	Mississippi River and riverfront;
179.4 	(3) provides for the continuation, development, and redevelopment of a variety of 
179.5 	urban uses, including industrial and commercial uses, and recreational and residential 
179.6 	uses, where appropriate, within the Mississippi River corridor;
179.7 	(4) utilizes certain reaches of the river as a source of water supply and as a receiving 
179.8 	water for properly treated sewage, storm water, and industrial waste effluents; and
179.9 	(5) protects and preserves the biological and ecological functions of the corridor.
179.10 	(b) The Metropolitan Council shall incorporate the standards developed under 
179.11 	this section into its planning and shall work with local units of government and the 
179.12 	commissioner to ensure the standards are being adopted and implemented appropriately.
179.13 	(c) (b) The rules must be consistent with residential nonconformity provisions under 
179.14 	sections 394.36 and 462.357.

179.15 	Sec. 26. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 116G.15, subdivision 5, is amended to read:
179.16 		Subd. 5.Application. The standards established under this section shall be used:
179.17 	(1) by local units of government when preparing or updating plans or modifying 
179.18 	regulations;
179.19 	(2) by state and regional agencies for permit regulation and in developing plans 
179.20 	within their jurisdiction; and
179.21 	(3) by the Metropolitan Council for reviewing plans and regulations; and
179.22 	(4) (3) by the commissioner when approving plans and regulations, and reviewing 
179.23 	development permit applications.

179.24 	Sec. 27. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 116J.401, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
179.25 		Subd. 2.Duties; authorizations; limitations. (a) The commissioner of employment 
179.26 	and economic development shall:
179.27 	(1) provide regional development commissions, the Metropolitan Council, and 
179.28 	units of local government with information, technical assistance, training, and advice on 
179.29 	using federal and state programs;
179.30 	(2) receive and administer the Small Cities Community Development Block Grant 
179.31 	Program authorized by Congress under the Housing and Community Development Act of 
179.32 	1974, as amended;
180.1 	(3) receive and administer the section 107 technical assistance program grants 
180.2 	authorized by Congress under the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, as 
180.3 	amended;
180.4 	(4) receive, administer, and supervise other state and federal grants and grant 
180.5 	programs for planning, community affairs, community development purposes, 
180.6 	employment and training services, and other state and federal programs assigned to the 
180.7 	department by law or by the governor in accordance with section 4.07;
180.8 	(5) receive applications for state and federal grants and grant programs for planning, 
180.9 	community affairs, and community development purposes, and other state and federal 
180.10 	programs assigned to the department by law or by the governor in accordance with section 
180.11 	4.07;
180.12 	(6) act as the agent of, and cooperate with, the federal government in matters of 
180.13 	mutual concern, including the administration of any federal funds granted to the state to 
180.14 	aid in the performance of functions of the commissioner;
180.15 	(7) provide consistent, integrated employment and training services across the state;
180.16 	(8) administer the Wagner-Peyser Act, the Workforce Investment Act, and other 
180.17 	federal employment and training programs;
180.18 	(9) establish the standards for all employment and training services administered 
180.19 	under this chapter and chapters 116L, 248, 268, and 268A;
180.20 	(10) administer the aspects of the Minnesota family investment program, general 
180.21 	assistance, and food stamps that relate to employment and training services, subject to the 
180.22 	contract under section 116L.86, subdivision 1;
180.23 	(11) obtain reports from local service units and service providers for the purpose of 
180.24 	evaluating the performance of employment and training services;
180.25 	(12) as requested, certify employment and training services, and decertify services 
180.26 	that fail to comply with performance criteria according to standards established by the 
180.27 	commissioner;
180.28 	(13) develop standards for the contents and structure of the local service unit plans 
180.29 	and plans for Indian tribe employment and training services, review and comment on those 
180.30 	plans, and approve or disapprove the plans;
180.31 	(14) supervise the county boards of commissioners, local service units, and any other 
180.32 	units of government designated in federal or state law as responsible for employment and 
180.33 	training programs;
180.34 	(15) establish administrative standards and payment conditions for providers of 
180.35 	employment and training services;
181.1 	(16) enter into agreements with Indian tribes as necessary to provide employment 
181.2 	and training services as appropriate funds become available;
181.3 	(17) cooperate with the federal government and its employment and training 
181.4 	agencies in any reasonable manner as necessary to qualify for federal aid for employment 
181.5 	and training services and money;
181.6 	(18) administer and supervise all forms of unemployment insurance provided for 
181.7 	under federal and state laws;
181.8 	(19) provide current state and substate labor market information and forecasts, in 
181.9 	cooperation with other agencies;
181.10 	(20) require all general employment and training programs that receive state funds 
181.11 	to make available information about opportunities for women in nontraditional careers 
181.12 	in the trades and technical occupations;
181.13 	(21) consult with the Rehabilitation Council for the Blind on matters pertaining to 
181.14 	programs and services for the blind and visually impaired;
181.15 	(22) enter into agreements with other departments of the state and local units of 
181.16 	government as necessary;
181.17 	(23) establish and maintain administrative units necessary to perform administrative 
181.18 	functions common to all divisions of the department;
181.19 	(24) investigate, study, and undertake ways and means of promoting and encouraging 
181.20 	the prosperous development and protection of the legitimate interest and welfare of 
181.21 	Minnesota business, industry, and commerce, within and outside the state;
181.22 	(25) locate markets for manufacturers and processors and aid merchants in locating 
181.23 	and contacting markets;
181.24 	(26) as necessary or useful for the proper execution of the powers and duties of the 
181.25 	commissioner in promoting and developing Minnesota business, industry, and commerce, 
181.26 	both within and outside the state, investigate and study conditions affecting Minnesota 
181.27 	business, industry, and commerce; collect and disseminate information; and engage in 
181.28 	technical studies, scientific investigations, statistical research, and educational activities;
181.29 	(27) plan and develop an effective business information service both for the direct 
181.30 	assistance of business and industry of the state and for the encouragement of business and 
181.31 	industry outside the state to use economic facilities within the state;
181.32 	(28) compile, collect, and develop periodically, or otherwise make available, 
181.33 	information relating to current business conditions;
181.34 	(29) conduct or encourage research designed to further new and more extensive uses 
181.35 	of the natural and other resources of the state and designed to develop new products 
181.36 	and industrial processes;
182.1 	(30) study trends and developments in the industries of the state and analyze the 
182.2 	reasons underlying the trends;
182.3 	(31) study costs and other factors affecting successful operation of businesses within 
182.4 	the state;
182.5 	(32) make recommendations regarding circumstances promoting or hampering 
182.6 	business and industrial development;
182.7 	(33) serve as a clearing house for business and industrial problems of the state;
182.8 	(34) advise small business enterprises regarding improved methods of accounting 
182.9 	and bookkeeping;
182.10 	(35) cooperate with interstate commissions engaged in formulating and promoting 
182.11 	the adoption of interstate compacts and agreements helpful to business, industry, and 
182.12 	commerce;
182.13 	(36) cooperate with other state departments and with boards, commissions, and other 
182.14 	state agencies in the preparation and coordination of plans and policies for the development 
182.15 	of the state and for the use and conservation of its resources insofar as the use, conservation, 
182.16 	and development may be appropriately directed or influenced by a state agency;
182.17 	(37) in connection with state, county, and municipal public works projects, assemble 
182.18 	and coordinate information relative to the status, scope, cost, and employment possibilities 
182.19 	and availability of materials, equipment, and labor, and recommend limitations on the 
182.20 	public works;
182.21 	(38) gather current progress information with reference to public and private 
182.22 	works projects of the state and its political subdivisions with reference to conditions of 
182.23 	employment;
182.24 	(39) inquire into and report to the governor, when requested by the governor, with 
182.25 	respect to any program of public state improvements and its financing; and request and 
182.26 	obtain information from other state departments or agencies as may be needed for the report;
182.27 	(40) study changes in population and current trends and prepare plans and suggest 
182.28 	policies for the development and conservation of the resources of the state;
182.29 	(41) confer and cooperate with the executive, legislative, or planning authorities of 
182.30 	the United States, neighboring states and provinces, and the counties and municipalities 
182.31 	of neighboring states, for the purpose of bringing about a coordination between the 
182.32 	development of neighboring provinces, states, counties, and municipalities and the 
182.33 	development of this state;
182.34 	(42) generally gather, compile, and make available statistical information relating to 
182.35 	business, trade, commerce, industry, transportation, communication, natural resources, 
182.36 	and other like subjects in this state, with authority to call upon other state departments for 
183.1 	statistical data and results obtained by them and to arrange and compile that statistical 
183.2 	information in a reasonable manner;
183.3 	(43) publish documents and annually convene regional meetings to inform 
183.4 	businesses, local government units, assistance providers, and other interested persons of 
183.5 	changes in state and federal law related to economic development;
183.6 	(44) annually convene conferences of providers of economic development-related 
183.7 	financial and technical assistance for the purposes of exchanging information on economic 
183.8 	development assistance, coordinating economic development activities, and formulating 
183.9 	economic development strategies;
183.10 	(45) provide business with information on the economic benefits of energy 
183.11 	conservation and on the availability of energy conservation assistance;
183.12 	(46) as part of the biennial budget process, prepare performance measures for each 
183.13 	business loan or grant program within the jurisdiction of the commissioner. Measures 
183.14 	include source of funds for each program, number of jobs proposed or promised at the 
183.15 	time of application and the number of jobs created, estimated number of jobs retained, the 
183.16 	average salary and benefits for the jobs resulting from the program, and the number of 
183.17 	projects approved;
183.18 	(47) provide a continuous program of education for business people;
183.19 	(48) publish, disseminate, and distribute information and statistics;
183.20 	(49) promote and encourage the expansion and development of markets for 
183.21 	Minnesota products;
183.22 	(50) promote and encourage the location and development of new businesses in the 
183.23 	state as well as the maintenance and expansion of existing businesses and for that purpose 
183.24 	cooperate with state and local agencies and individuals, both within and outside the state;
183.25 	(51) advertise and disseminate information as to natural resources, desirable 
183.26 	locations, and other advantages for the purpose of attracting businesses to locate in this 
183.27 	state;
183.28 	(52) aid the various communities in this state in attracting business to their 
183.29 	communities;
183.30 	(53) advise and cooperate with municipal, county, regional, and other planning 
183.31 	agencies and planning groups within the state for the purpose of promoting coordination 
183.32 	between the state and localities as to plans and development in order to maintain a high 
183.33 	level of gainful employment in private profitable production and achieve commensurate 
183.34 	advancement in social and cultural welfare;
184.1 	(54) coordinate the activities of statewide and local planning agencies, correlate 
184.2 	information secured from them and from state departments and disseminate information 
184.3 	and suggestions to the planning agencies;
184.4 	(55) encourage and assist in the organization and functioning of local planning 
184.5 	agencies where none exist; and
184.6 	(56) adopt measures calculated to promote public interest in and understanding of 
184.7 	the problems of planning and, to that end, may publish and distribute copies of any plan 
184.8 	or any report and may employ other means of publicity and education that will give full 
184.9 	effect to the provisions of sections 116J.60 to 116J.63.
184.10 	(b) At the request of any governmental subdivision in paragraph (a), clause (53), 
184.11 	the commissioner may provide planning assistance, which includes but is not limited to 
184.12 	surveys, land use studies, urban renewal plans, technical services and other planning work 
184.13 	to any city or other municipality in the state or perform similar planning work in any 
184.14 	county or metropolitan or regional area in the state. The commissioner must not perform 
184.15 	the planning work with respect to a metropolitan or regional area which is under the 
184.16 	jurisdiction for planning purposes of a county, metropolitan, regional, or joint planning 
184.17 	body, except at the request or with the consent of the respective county, metropolitan, 
184.18 	regional, or joint planning body.
184.19 	(c) The commissioner is authorized to:
184.20 	(1) receive and expend money from municipal, county, regional, and other planning 
184.21 	agencies;
184.22 	(2) accept and disburse grants and other aids for planning purposes from the federal 
184.23 	government and from other public or private sources;
184.24 	(3) utilize money received under clause (2) for the employment of consultants and 
184.25 	other temporary personnel to assist in the supervision or performance of planning work 
184.26 	supported by money other than state-appropriated money;
184.27 	(4) enter into contracts with agencies of the federal government, units of local 
184.28 	government or combinations thereof, and with private persons that are necessary in the 
184.29 	performance of the planning assistance function of the commissioner; and
184.30 	(5) assist any local government unit in filling out application forms for the federal 
184.31 	grants-in-aid.
184.32 	(d) In furtherance of its planning functions, any city or town, however organized, 
184.33 	may expend money and contract with agencies of the federal government, appropriate 
184.34 	departments of state government, other local units of government, and with private persons.

184.35 	Sec. 28. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 473.121, subdivision 24, is amended to read:
185.1 		Subd. 24.Metropolitan disposal system. "Metropolitan disposal system" means 
185.2 	any or all of the interceptors or treatment works owned or operated by the metropolitan 
185.3 	Council district.

185.4 	Sec. 29. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 473.149, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
185.5 		Subd. 3.Preparation; adoption; and revision. (a) The solid waste policy plan 
185.6 	shall be prepared, adopted, and revised as necessary in accordance with paragraphs (c) 
185.7 	to (e), after consultation with the metropolitan counties.
185.8 	(b) Revisions to the policy plan are exempt from the rulemaking provisions of 
185.9 	chapter 14.
185.10 	(c) Before beginning preparation of revisions to the policy plan, the commissioner 
185.11 	shall publish a predrafting notice in the State Register that includes a statement of the 
185.12 	subjects expected to be covered by the revisions, including a summary of the important 
185.13 	problems and issues. The notice must solicit comments from the public and state that the 
185.14 	comments must be received by the commissioner within 45 days of publication of the 
185.15 	notice. The commissioner shall consider the comments in preparing the revisions.
185.16 	(d) After publication of the predrafting notice and before adopting revisions to the 
185.17 	policy plan, the commissioner shall publish a notice in the State Register that:
185.18 	(1) contains a summary of the proposed revisions;
185.19 	(2) invites public comment;
185.20 	(3) lists locations where the proposed revised policy plan can be reviewed and states 
185.21 	that copies of the proposed revised policy plan can also be obtained from the Pollution 
185.22 	Control Agency;
185.23 	(4) states a location for a public meeting on the revisions at a time no earlier than 
185.24 	30 days from the date of publication; and
185.25 	(5) advises the public that they have 30 days from the date of the public meeting in 
185.26 	clause (4) to submit comments on the revisions to the commissioner.
185.27 	(e) At the meeting described in paragraph (d), clause (4), the public shall be given an 
185.28 	opportunity to present their views on the policy plan revisions. The commissioner shall 
185.29 	incorporate any amendments to the proposed revisions that, in the commissioner's view, 
185.30 	will help to carry out the requirements of subdivisions 1, 2d, and 2e. At or before the time 
185.31 	that policy plan revisions are finally adopted, the commissioner shall issue a report that 
185.32 	addresses issues raised in the public comments. The report shall be made available to the 
185.33 	public and mailed to interested persons who have submitted their names and addresses to 
185.34 	the commissioner.
186.1 	(f) The criteria and standards adopted in the policy plan for review of solid waste 
186.2 	facility permits pursuant to section 473.823, subdivision 3; for issuance of certificates of 
186.3 	need pursuant to section 473.823, subdivision 6; and for review of solid waste contracts 
186.4 	pursuant to section 473.813 may be appealed to the Court of Appeals within 30 days 
186.5 	after final adoption of the policy plan. The court may declare the challenged portion of 
186.6 	the policy plan invalid if it violates constitutional provisions, is in excess of statutory 
186.7 	authority of the commissioner, or was adopted without compliance with the procedures 
186.8 	in this subdivision. The review shall be on the record created during the adoption of the 
186.9 	policy plan, except that additional evidence may be included in the record if the court 
186.10 	finds that the additional evidence is material and there were good reasons for failure to 
186.11 	present it in the proceedings described in paragraphs (c) to (e).
186.12 	(g) The Metropolitan Council or A metropolitan county, local government unit, 
186.13 	commission, or person shall not acquire, construct, improve or operate any solid waste 
186.14 	facility in the metropolitan area except in accordance with the plan and section 473.823, 
186.15 	provided that no solid waste facility in use when a plan is adopted shall be discontinued 
186.16 	solely because it is not located in an area designated in the plan as acceptable for the 
186.17 	location of such facilities.

186.18 	Sec. 30.  REPEALER.
 186.19 	Minnesota Statutes 2014, sections 115.66; 115A.03, subdivision 19; 473.1565; 
186.20 	473.501, subdivisions 1 and 3; 473.504, subdivisions 4, 5, 6, 9, 10, 11, and 12; 473.505; 
186.21 	473.511, subdivisions 1, 2, 3, and 4; 473.5111; 473.512; 473.513; 473.515; 473.5155; 
186.22 	473.516, subdivisions 1, 2, 3, and 4; 473.517, subdivisions 1, 3, 6, and 10; 473.519; 
186.23 	473.521; 473.523, subdivisions 1 and 1a; 473.524; 473.541; 473.542; 473.543, 
186.24 	subdivisions 1, 2, 3, and 4; 473.545; 473.547; 473.549; and 473.834, subdivisions 1 
186.25 	and 2, are repealed.

186.26 	Sec. 31. EFFECTIVE DATE.
 186.27 	This article is effective July 1, 2016.

186.28 	ARTICLE 10
186.29 	METROPOLITAN SPORTS FACILITIES AUTHORITY

186.30 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 473J.25, is amended by adding a 
186.31 	subdivision to read:
186.32 		Subd. 6.Conforming changes. By January 1, 2016, the authority must submit 
186.33 	a bill to the chairs and ranking minority members of the committees in the house of 
187.1 	representatives and the senate with primary jurisdiction over state and local government 
187.2 	issues. The bill must:
187.3 	(1) provide for the transition of duties and obligations of the former commission to 
187.4 	the authority;
187.5 	(2) specify unnecessary, outdated, and redundant statutes to be repealed; and
187.6 	(3) provide for any changes necessary relating to the abolition of the Metropolitan 
187.7 	Council.

187.8 	Sec. 2.  REPEALER.
 187.9 	Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 473J.25, subdivision 5, is repealed.

187.10 	ARTICLE 11
187.11 	CONFORMING AMENDMENTS

187.12 	Section 1. REVISOR'S INSTRUCTION.
 187.13 	The revisor of statutes shall prepare, in an appropriate bill for the 2016 session, 
187.14 	conforming statutory amendments necessitated by this act.

187.15 	ARTICLE 12
187.16 	APPLICATION

187.17 	Section 1. METROPOLITAN COUNTIES.
 187.18 	Unless the context indicates otherwise, this act applies in the counties of Anoka, 
187.19 	Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott, and Washington.