HF1345

This bill seeks to amend Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 412.341, subdivision 1, by increasing the allowable number of members on a statutory city's public utility commission. The proposed changes include:

1. Expanding the commission's size from the current three members to now allow for five or seven members, appointed by the city council.
2. Ensuring that no more than one member of the commission can be a city council member.
3. Maintaining three-year terms for members, with staggered initial appointments:
   • If the commission has three members: One will serve for one year, one for two years, and one for three years.
   • If five members: One serves one year, two serve two years, and two serve three years.
   • If seven members: Two members serve one year, two serve two years, and three serve three years.
4. Allowing the city council to change the number of commission members by ordinance while ensuring:
   • Terms remain staggered.
   • Any reduction in members does not prematurely end the terms of sitting members.

This bill aims to increase flexibility for local governments in structuring their public utility commissions by providing them the ability to expand membership for broader representation and oversight.