Metro Cities Bill Tracking ReportSaturday, March 13, 2010 |
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Index
| Municipal Revenue & Taxation | General Legislation | Housing & Economic Development | Metropolitan Agencies | Transportation |
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the bill extends the time allowed for surviving spouses to recevie the disabled veteran homestead market value exclusion.
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the bill requires the Legislature to pass a balanced budget before passage of other legislation.
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Limits annexation procedures. If an annexation agreement is approved, a municipality may not annex property by another mechanism, nor shall another municipality annex property.
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the bill modifes the authority of the MMB (Finance) Commissioner to unallot expenditures by limiting this authority until after July 1st of an even numbered year.
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Secondary Policies: 1G --
the bill would make supplemental appropriations to comply with the unallotment actions of July 2009.
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Secondary Policies: 1G --
Omnibus budget bill. Reduces K12 funding, reduces the MVHC from $304 to $266 and reduces phase out rate from $9 to $12 per $1K of value above $76K. Reduces LGA to citeis from $526M to $380M for aids in 2011 and after. Reduces County Aids from $227M to $149M for 2011 and after.
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the bill requires payment to any city that had a population in excess of 1,000 in 2007 and that was less than 1,000 in 2008, an amount equal to the amount by which that city's payments of local government aids were reduced in calendar years 2008, 2009, and 2010 by unallotment. The only city meeting this criteria is Houston, in SE MN.
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the bill modifies the Governor's unallotment authority. In reducing allotments, payments may be reduced in proportion to their payments, but may not modify formulas or other eligibility criteria. The bill also requires a fund balance analysis showing forecast revenues and expenditures ater each legislative session.
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the bill modifies the mekeup of the LGA work group to call for 12 (rather than 10) members and stipulates that the group must include at least two members represented in cities not of the first class in the metro region, or include legislative representation from cities not of the first class in the metro region.
support
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the bill limits market value growth for agricultural properties.
oppose
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the bill requires the Commissioner of Revenue to study the metropolitan fiscal disparitise program.
support
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Thje bill requires the market value of property classified as residential homestead to be valued by the assessor as residential, regardless of the property's zoning, effective for assessment year 2010 and thereafter.
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the bill modifies the in-lieu host agreement for electric generation facility properties by striking the $600,000 cap.
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the bill exempts purchases for public safety equipment from the sales tax.
support
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the bill exempts railroad carriers and properties from storm water assessments, levies or charges.
oppose
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The bill creates a temporary tax exemption for charitable contributions to local governments by allowing the taxes paid by lawful gambling organizations to be reduced by the amount of contributions made by lawful gambling organizations to local governments. The exemption sunsets after 2013.
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Provides grants to units of government to acquire, construct, or renovate public land to be used for cooperative facilities. Included in Senate Bonding bill at $2M. Included in conference committee report at $1M.
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Imposes a moratorium on unfunded mandates to businesses and local units of government. Creates an 11-member Local Government Mandate Relief Commission to recommend ways to eliminate unfunded mandates. Seven members must represent local governments, the other four members would legislators from the majority and minority parties. Also creates a separate Business Mdnate Relief and Paperwork Reduction Commission.
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Establishes a collaborative governance council to identify and remove obstacles to government collaboration at all levels of government. The council shall consist of major statewide governmental entities and nongovernmental statewide organizations with a stated interest in collaborative government. 12 member council. Council must develop recommendations designed on how to increase government collaboration.
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Creates a coalition for innovation and collaboration. Includes non profits, private and public sector to address high priority needs. Coalition should seek and promote ideas for addressing high priority community needs.
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Provides $40 million in bonds to acquire, construct, or renovate public land for cooperative facilities. At least three units of government must participate to be eligible. Funded at $1 million in bonding bill.
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the bill permits municipalities, by resolution, to allow certain charitable solicitations of motorists by full time firefighters.
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the bill requires the use of environmentally sensitive cleaning products in public buildings and establishes a task force to determine guidelines.
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Establishes a Commission on Service Innovation whose goal is to provide the legislature with a plan to redesign the delivery of state or local services.
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Reestablishes board of Innovation. Board can award grants to local units of governments for innovative service delivery, sharing services, and collaboration efforts.
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the bill allows property taxes and delinquent property taxes to be paid through electronic means.
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the bill states that to be eligible for a loan or grant a public water supplier serving more than 1,000 people shall establish and fund an enterprise account to provide funding for future construction, reconstruction, repair, enlargement, or other improvement.
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Allows Minneapolis to by ordinance to restrict hours of operation for mobile food units.
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Bill states that a local unit of government owes a special duty of care for the protection of residential property owner's and occupants when conducting a sub-sewage inspection or inspection of residential property.
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The bill mandates that all public meetings, including over the phone or other meetings, be recorded and available to the public.
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Bill requires employers to pay overtime to employees after 40 hours a week instead of after 48 hours a week.
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the bill craetes a preference for communty banks and credit unions for the state's general account. The bill also requires a study of possible further use of community banks by the state and municipalities.
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The bill abolishes the Three Rivers Park District effective December 31, 2011. Bill requires the park district to dispose of its assets by December 31, 2011. The park district must offer to transfer park land, including all betterments and improvements, to the city,town, or county in which the park land is located. Any assets and liabilities not transferred to cities, towns, or counties are transferred to the commissioner of natural resources.
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the bill expands the exemption for public safety radio systems
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Allows cities to enforce property maintenance codes that address safety and health concerns, as long as the codes do not conflict with the state building code.
support
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Secondary Policies: 2A --
The bill requires all municipal buildings with more than 25 people to have an operating automatic external defibrilator.
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Amends building code section relating to window fall prevention. States that code shall not be enforced on windows with a sill bottom of more than 22 inches above the floor.
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Defines "Urban" and "Suburban" for purposes of Annexation. Adds urban and suburban as a factor for consideration under annexation.
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Allows for annexation to be decided by referendum. A city council could petition for a referendum by resolution if they receive a petition signed from at least 20% of voters from previous election.
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Requires a city that annexes property from a town to reimburse the town for the loss of property taxes under the town tax rate. Caps the reimbursement from a city to a township for negotiated annexations to 8 years worth of property taxes.
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Prohibits municipal incorporations until 2015. Department of Administration must study fiscal, environmental, transportation and land use impacts of new municipal incorporations on other units of local government.
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Allows courts to award fees and other expenses to a prevailing party in a civil suit involving a municipality. Expenses include filing fees, subpoena fees, transcript and court reporter costs, cost of a study, copying or printing, postage, and processing fees.
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Changes to forfeiture laws including the giving of receipts upon seizure, petition for remission or mitigation and changes to the distribution of proceeds upon sale of forfeited property among others.
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Would expand the authority of local units of government or peace officers to impound vehicles for non-traffic related offenses, alcohol related offenses and driving without a license.
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Deletes the burning of mixed municipal solid waste and refuse derived fuel and production of landfill gas from the list of technologies that fulfill a utility's requirement to generate a portion of electricity from renewable energy resources.
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Proposes $5 million in matching grant money from bond proceeds for local governments to aquire and better natural and scenic areas.
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Sets statewide goals for the deployment and high speed of state broadband, so that all residents have access by 2015, and that Minnesota be in the top five states for broadband access.
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Extends the probationary period for peace officers to 12 months.
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Authorizes fire departments to check criminal history data on current employees.
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Allows cities to grant additional cable franchise rights to telephone companies if they already offer local exchange telephoone service.
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This bill rewrites the multi jurisdictional gang and drug task force statute including changes to the make-up of the board and new oversight regulations.
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Expanding the authorization of low interest loans to local units of government to finance community or publicly owned small scale renewable energy systems to include conservation measures. The bonding authority is also increased from a maximum of $20 million in outstanding bonds to $100 million.
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The bill requires separate statements for special taxing district levies.
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Restores state and local government tort liability to pre-2008 levels. Prohibits contracts that require liability insurance in excess of those amounts to state and local governments.
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Extends civil immunity to municipalities that donate public safety equipment unless a claim is a direct result of intentional misconduct.
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Expansion of open meeting laws for materials and notices to be opsted on applicable websites. Does not eliminate posting in newspapers.
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Requiring elected officials at all levels to resign their office the day they announce they are running for a higher office.
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Requires public water suppliers to charge the lowest residential water and sewer rates in manufactured home parks.
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Bill prohibits city council members from being employed by city that the individual represents.
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Prohibits the use and sale of coal tar sealant products. Cities are currently required to ban the use if they need to apply for state grants to assist in the cleaning of retention ponds contaminated by coal tar products.
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Changes petitions and veto powers for housing improvement areas. Petitions change from 25 to 50 percent of housing units subject to fees and from 35 to 45 percent for veto powers.
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Allows for $5 million in non profit housing bonds to be issued as grants to neighborhood land trusts.
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The bill provides $10 million in bonds for rehabilitation and preservation of public housing. Bonding bill passed both Senate and House with $10M.
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Expands low income housing construction tax exemption to limited liability corporations.
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Allocates $50M in grants to local units of government to replace, renovate, or develop new public senior housing.
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Authorizes cities to amend their comprehensive plans for affordable housing developments with a simple majority of city council, rather than a two-thirds vote by all memebers. Metro Cities testified in support of bill in Senate State and Local Govt committee. On Senate Floor. No hearing scheduled in House.
support
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Secondary Policies: 3J --
The bill would amend eminent domain to expand the public purpose definition of abandoned properties to allow cities to acquire vacant, abandoned and unmaintained properties to help mitigate the effects of foreclosures on neighborhood stability. Metro Cities has been working with other stakeholders to advocate for this bill. We are currently working with the authors on revisions to the language.
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The bill calls for mediation prior to commencement of mortgage foreclosure proceedings on homestead property. It also creates a homestead-lender mediation account.
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Requires mortgager to provide detailed information of homeowners' rights during the redemption period. The information includes details of what a homeowner has to do in order to keep the house. The redemption period cannot begin until notice is received.
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Requires mortgagors to provide detailed contact information to homeowners facing foreclosure. The mortgagors must also provide information on agents acting on their behalf.
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Reduces time to request a hearing to secure a property from 14 to 6 days. Requires foreclosure notices to be sent to cities.
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Changes redemption period to 6 months, or 11 months if the original redemption period was 12 months.
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The bill puts a two year moratorium on foreclosures. Also, it allows for renters to stay in foreclosed homes, while paying a fair market rent to the forecloser.
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Authorizes the development of a virtual assistance network to entrepreneurs. Goal of network is to grow current business ventures and attract new ones.
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Expands a council's authority under projects to include energy efficient and renewable energy improvements.
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Secondary Policies: 3I --
Omnibus economic development/jobs bill that includes tax credits for business, historic structure rehabilitation, expanding permitted uses of TIF (compact development), repeal of restrictions on MOA site.
support in part
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Bill would merge the Greater Minnesota Business Infrastructure and Bioscience Business Development grant progams.
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Expands economic development grant program eligibility for non-metro cities to include metro cities with populations under 10,000.
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Would add Clean Energy Business as a recipient of the Bio-science business development public infrastructure grant program. Defines clean energy business as a business that further develops Minnesota's green economy.
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Governor's Omnibus Bonding bill. Does not include funding for I/I mitigation. Includes $2M for shade tree removal, $3M for regional parks, $10M for transit improvement, and $15M for the Redevelopment Grant program. See omnibus bonding bill.
support in part
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Omnibus Bonding Bill. Includes $3M for I and I, $3M for shade/diseased tree removal, $1M for cooperative facilities grants, $10.5M for regional parks, $43.5M for transit capital improvements, and $5M for the redevelopment account. Procedurally, the bill was pulled back to the senate floor and not sent to the Governor. Conference Committee has now passed the bill, and the bill is again awaiting action by both bodies. The amended bill is funded at $1.1 billion
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Commissioner may make grants to qualified businesses that have obtained at least $100K in private investment. Provides a certification process for businesses who wish to receive grants.
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The bill allows the Commissioner of Commerce to provide rebates to owners who install soloar photovoltaic modules manufactured in Minnesota. Qualified owners include residence, business, multi-family units, and publicly owned buildings.
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Omnibus "Jobs" bill that streamlines conditions for construction projects, provides for investment and historic rehab credits, authorizes green energy revenue bonds, permits local assessments for energy improvements, provides for compact TIF districts, appropriate money. Moving through committee process.
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Allows housing replacement TIF districts to spend increments for housing replacement if the housing does not exceed 150% of the AMV of homes in that area and that the parcel contains a residence withone to four units vacant for at least three months. Sunsets in 2015. Eliminates requirement that 25% of the costs in a housing replacement district to be paid by the city Authorizes Brooklyn park to establish districts and reauthorizes for St Paul and Fridley.
support
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the bill authorizes transit improvement TIF districts along transit lines. The bill stipulates qualifying expenditures including the acquiring of transit stations, streetscape improvements etc. There is no pooling provision.
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the bill extends Coon Rapids TIF districts until 2025.
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Applies to St. Paul TIF, snelling-university district. Bill does not allow restrictions to apply to district.
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For the city of Landfall TIF district 1-1 the bill would extend the five year for activities to eight years from the date of certification.
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Extends Oakdale TIF district number 6 until 2024.
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The bill exempts eminent domain awards and property tax adjustments from increased interest rates on certain judgements.
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Expands discharge of eminent domain to include portion of easement, rather than entire easement.
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When eminent domain laws were changed in 2006, an exemption was allowed for public service corporations, which includes all municipal utilities. This bill, as originally drafted, proposed to remove this exemption, which could greatly increase costs for easements by municipal utilities. The bill was amended in the House to allow city utilities to keep their exemption. The bill has not yet been scheduled in the Senate.
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the bill amends eminent domain statutes to modify right of first refusal offers to include property obtained through transit funding.
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The bill allows homeowners to defer property valuation increases resulting from repairs or home improvements.
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Allows municipalities to impose special assessments for construction or improvement of an on site energy conservation and renewable energy system.
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Authorizes cities to make loans to homeowners who install energy efficient products or make renewable energy improvements. City can secure loan with a lien on property and can collect loan repayments as a special assessment.
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Requires metropolitan municipalities to maintain a 10 to 14 foot buffer around storm ponds located on city owned land.
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In development contracts bill would not allow municipalities to require conditions relating to transportation fees, park fees, building permit fees, or off-site improvements unless they are directly related to subdivision or required by law.
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The bill requires approval of local government exceptions to lower St. Croix River standards.
oppose
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Repeals the statute that develops a regional approach to controlling greenhouse gas emissions.
oppose
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The bill allocat3s $3 million (conference committee amount) in grant money to plant or replace shade trees. Priority must be given to requests from areas with active emerald ash borer infestations.
support
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Metro Cities proposal that provides $14 million to metro area cities for inflow and infiltration mitigation to local public infrastructure. The bill is included in the Omnnibus Bonding package passed by the Legislature. The bill is on the Governor's desk.
support
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Authorizes $2M of the clean water legacy account to be used for local inflow and infiltration mitigation. This bill is intended to assist with private/homeowner mitigation. The bill was heard in Environment Policy on 3/11/10. The debate centered on whether this was an appropriate use for Clean Water Legacy funds. The Chair adjourned the meeting without acting on the bill.
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Appropriates $500K from the Clean Water Legacy Account to the Met Council to support water supply planning activities. Also, it eliminates the sunset of the Metro Area Water Supply Advisory Committee. Amended on to SF3138
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Requires the collection of an 11 conty wide groundwater appropriation fee to pay for groundwater monitoring activities.
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Requires municipal wastewater treatment facilities to at least recover costs of providing services. Excess charges are eligible to pay for future costs. Also, makes facilities eligible for grants and loans provided by the Public Facilities Authority.
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The bill requires that for a public water supplier serving more than 1,000 people the charges for services shall cover the cost of furnishing the services. Any charges in excess of the costs of furnishing the services shall be used to pay for future construction, reconstruction, repair, improvement, maintenance. In order to be eligible for a loan or grant, a public water supplier serving more than 1,000 people shall operate so that the sum of all charges made for services rendered shall be sufficient to cover the cost of furnishing the services to all those receiving services.
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the bill provides that if the Met Council determines for any fiscal year that an adjustment of the metropolitan sewer availability charge is necessary to ensure adequate funds for the wastewater reserve capacity fund to transfer to the wastewater operating fund, the council may reduce the deduction from current costs provided to such amount as will result in an increase of the metropolitan sewer availability charge that does not exceed six percent or three percent more than the annual increase in the Consumer Price Index for the metropolitan region for the previous year, whichever percent is greater. The bill states that may make this determination after appropriate study and a public hearing. Metro Cities is working with Met Council staff on amendments to the bill to more precisely define the 'trigger' allownig this flexibility, a sunset provision, and language providing for a shift back of funds if the SAC fund becomes sufficiently solvent. The Council is amenable to these changes and they are included in the House bill that is now on the General Register.
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Bill transfers oversight of the Met Council to the entire Legislature rather than Legislative Commission on Metropolitan Government.
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Governor's transportation budget recommendations.
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Requires MNDoT to prioritize all bridges for improvements not completed by 2018.
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Transportation and Met Council capital improvements and bond issue appropriations. $256,940,000 for transportation and $50,000,000 for Met Council.
support
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$67 million to replace or rehabilitate deficient bridges. In the final conference committee report.
support
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The bills provide $40 million in bonding money to pay for local road improvements in corridors with regional or statewide significance.
support
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Authorizes $200 million in bonding for highway construction for 2011 and 2012 and $100 million for each year 2013 to 2016.
support
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Requires an annual report to the legislature on the status of all transit guideway projects currently in construction, study, planning, development or in the transportation policy plan.
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the bill modifies restrictions on the Dan Patch commuter rail line to allow study and planning.
support
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Allows for the creation of a pilot project in the metropolitan area to grant municipalities the authority to charge a transportation improvement fee to pay for construction, facility upgrades, reconstruction or maintenance.
support
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This closely resembles the policy bill vetoed by the Governor last session. It includes provisions to mitigate transportation project impacts on businesses and a policy to include bicycle and pedestrian accomodations on new bridge construction after 2012.
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Allows MNDoT to enter in into public private partnerships with government or nongovernment entities to finance transportation projects, depending on the availability of state monies. Amended in the Senate to require a yearly report to the legislature.
support
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Requires the Department of Transportation to implement a complete streets policy that addresses the needs of all forms of transportation while recognizing varying needs in rural, urban and suburban settings. Creates a state aid complete street pilot program from August 1, 2010 to July 31, 2013 which allows municipalities to opt in to a complete street design.
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Adds bicycle to statute allowing motorcylces to run red lights if they have stopped completely, the light will not turn green for an unreasonable time and it is safe to enter the intersection.
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Allows cities to minimally plow private streets in uncompleted subdivisions and charge the cost of maintenance to all lots, sold and unsold, which must be paid before transfer of ownership can be completed. Amended to tighten up liability for reasonable care.
support
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Increases deputy registrar fees to help licensing offices retain sufficient revenues to stay open>
support
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Allows for Met Council to award contracts for purchase of transit vehicles offering the best value. The best value is not limited to price, and can include environmental concerns, quality, and vendor performance.
monitor
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Enacts a moratorium on erection or conversion to electroninc advertising billboards until June 30, 2013.
monitor