1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to the Metropolitan Council; requiring council members to regularly 
1.3 	communicate with elected officials in their district;amending Minnesota Statutes 
1.4 	2016, section 473.123, subdivision 4.
1.5 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.6 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 473.123, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
1.7 		Subd. 4.Chair; appointment, officers, selection; duties and compensation. (a) The 
1.8 	chair of the Metropolitan Council shall be appointed by the governor as the 17th voting 
1.9 	member thereof by and with the advice and consent of the senate to serve at the pleasure 
1.10 	of the governor to represent the metropolitan area at large. Senate confirmation shall be as 
1.11 	provided by section 15.066.
1.12 	The chair of the Metropolitan Council shall, if present, preside at meetings of the council, 
1.13 	have the primary responsibility for meeting with local elected officials, serve as the principal 
1.14 	legislative liaison, present to the governor and the legislature, after council approval, the 
1.15 	council's plans for regional governance and operations, serve as the principal spokesperson 
1.16 	of the council, and perform other duties assigned by the council or by law.
1.17 	(b) The Metropolitan Council shall elect other officers as it deems necessary for the 
1.18 	conduct of its affairs for a one-year term. A secretary and treasurer need not be members 
1.19 	of the Metropolitan Council. Meeting times and places shall be fixed by the Metropolitan 
1.20 	Council and special meetings may be called by a majority of the members of the Metropolitan 
1.21 	Council or by the chair. The chair and each Metropolitan Council member shall be reimbursed 
1.22 	for actual and necessary expenses.
2.1 	(c) Each member of the council shall attend and participate in council meetings and meet 
2.2 	regularly with local elected officials and legislative members from the council member's 
2.3 	district. Each council member shall serve on at least one division committee for 
2.4 	transportation, environment, or community development.
2.5 	(d) In the performance of its duties the Metropolitan Council may adopt policies and 
2.6 	procedures governing its operation, establish committees, and, when specifically authorized 
2.7 	by law, make appointments to other governmental agencies and districts.
2.8 	(e) Each member of the council shall regularly communicate with elected officials in 
2.9 	the member's district to better understand the unique issues of the district. Each member 
2.10 	shall rely on the input received so as to act in the best interests of the member's district.