HF389

Purpose

To increase transparency by requiring open meetings and public access to information related to state-owned historic sites managed by the Minnesota Historical Society (MHS). The bill aims to ensure that decisions and information about these sites are accessible to the public.

Main Provisions

• Open meetings for the executive council:

  • Any meeting where the executive council discusses, decides, or receives information about state-owned historic sites (as defined by state law) must comply with the open meeting requirements of Chapter 13D.
  • This includes discussions or decisions about state-owned historic sites under section 138.662, state-owned historic places designated under section 138.663, and state-owned places on the National Register of Historic Places.

• Public data for related information:

  • Data maintained by the Minnesota Historical Society that relates to those state-owned historic sites, places designated under section 138.663, and places on the National Register of Historic Places must be public data.
  • The data must be treated as public data according to Minnesota Statutes section 13.02, subdivisions 14 and 15.

How this Changes the Law

• Adds explicit requirements that meetings involving the executive council about certain historic properties are subject to open-meeting rules (Chapter 13D).
• Converts related information held by the Minnesota Historical Society about those properties into public data, making it accessible to the public.

Implications and Practical Effects

• Greater public access to information and discussions about state-owned historic sites.
• Public can attend meetings and review data related to these historic properties, promoting transparency and accountability.

Terminology in Plain Language (Key terms)

• executive council
• Minnesota Historical Society (MHS)
• state-owned historic sites
• state-owned historic places designated under section 138.663
• places on the National Register of Historic Places
• open meetings
• Chapter 13D
• public data
• Minnesota Statutes section 13.02 (subdivisions 14 and 15)
• Minnesota Statutes chapter 138

Potential Impacts to Stakeholders

• Public: Easier access to meetings and data about state-owned historic sites.
• Minnesota Historical Society: Must comply with open-meeting requirements and categorize related data as public.

Relevant Terms - Minnesota Historical Society - state-owned historic sites - state-owned historic places designated under section 138.663 - National Register of Historic Places - executive council - open meetings - Chapter 13D - public data - Minnesota Statutes section 13.02 - Minnesota Statutes chapter 138 - sections 138.662 and 138.663